there 's light Quickning Comforting Directing and there 's Majesty and Glory and all the burning of the Lord comes forth at last in shining and Glory There is no shining without burning The day of the Lord burns like an Oven And he shall sit as a Refiner of Silver The tryal of your faith is much more precious then Gold The manifestation of God the Ministry of the Spirit is full of variety of operation Killing Saving Tormenting Refreshing We are the savour of death unto death to some and the savour of life unto life to others We should look what acquaintance we have with such a Ministry with burning and shining light Whether we have dealt with fire with burning and whether through that we have come to know what belongs to shining There is the Divine nature to be brought forth bright and shining The worlds part is to be burnt and dazled the Christians part is to have flesh consumed and the Divine nature to come forth in glory If any be in the fire let them hope to shine Have ye that in you that will endure the fire When I am tried I shall come forth like gold 'T is the righteousness of God only not of man that will endure this tryal 'T is the Divine nature only that can stand before devouring fire and everlasting burnings When this day breaks forth all the righteous Pharises and Formalists will be found to be the sinners in Sion that are affraid This manifestation of God is terrible to the world It is a marvelous light He hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light It is not the light of this world It is another Spirit then that of this world The world marvails at it and despises it because it is death and destruction to them For a while they Master it but at last it prevails against them and they see there is no standing before it In Low manfestations of God the people of God appear as Incendiaries and are so indeed This old world is to be purified by fire as the other was by water How was Herod scorcht and dazled with this fire The world prevails against it for a while and beats it down and then it riseth higher and higher till it prevail over the world Christ appeared in fleshly eyes there and riseth again in Spirit and after a long apostacy is rising again the second time If we be of God and have the Divine nature in us we shall rejoyce not onely in the light but in the fire They shall glorifie God in the fire Ye were willing for a season to rejoyce in his light Let us a little consider of these words Ye were willing for a season to rejoyce in his light the light did in part please you there is some compliance and closing of carnal hearts and worshipers with the spiritual Ministry and true appearance of God The world strikes in for some time into the way of Christ and the appearance of God Herod heard John gladly and reformed many things he liked the light well but he could not endure the fire there is that which is held forth in the spirit that pleaseth the natural man salvation and glory and eternal joy but when they hear of going into the fire and what they must part withal then with the young man they go away sorrowful The stony ground sets forth a sort of people that hear the word with joy but because they have not much root they are scorcht and burnt up by the Sun of persecution and wither away many take up the profession of Christ and when they hear of salvation and glory its good news to them but when they hear what it will cost them that all must come through sufferings and offering all to death that they may receive all again by a Resurrection this they like not and so fall away for a little while they can bear God company but so soon as they see the cross in the way they turn aside There are some lusts and corruptions that some men are not enclined to while the fire of God comes forth against these in others they are well enough while God comes forth against some sort of men they can bear well enough while John came forth against the Sadduces and Pharisees Herod liked it well but when the fire of God breaks forth against their own lusts as against Herod It is not lawful for thee to have thy brothers wife they can bear no longer And there are lusts that fight one against another for there is enmity in Hell when the fire comes forth and fights against a lust in another we like it well but when it strikes at our own lusts we cannot bear it And sometimes we fall out with the world and are tyred in the greatness of our way and then we can entertain something of Christ and of truth Worldly men can go along with Christ for worldly designs but if their design be spoyled no longer walking with Christ It concerns every one of us that have taken up a profession that are complying with such a Ministry as we look upon to be a Ministry of the spirit to look inward and to consider whether we have the love of the truth in our hearts whether we are able to bear the charge to the journeys end and to hold out in all weathers There are many builders that lay a foundation but they are not able to go through with the charge of finishing These are foolish builders that expose themselves to laughter and scorn Ye were willing for a season to rejoyce in his light in the manifestation of God through John but it was onely for a season here was not the love of the truth here was not the divine nature here was not that which will abide therefore it was rejoycing in the light onely for a season how doth it concern us to look whether we have the love of the truth in us whether we have the testimony of the Father that we love the truth There is a Jew that is one inwardly and there is a Jew in the spirit there was a Jew that was one outwardly in the flesh that which is for a season onely is because it wanteth root there is a Christian indeed and a Christian onely in appearance and shew what a goodly shew doth the Corn on the stony ground make but when the burning comes it withers away when the Sun of persecution ariseth such shall be discovered how hard it is to know a Christian indeed until the fire comes until the salt comes Every man shall be salted with fire and every work shall be tryed by the fire How doth it concern us to see that we have our foundation in God that we may be able to stand in that day We may be great and glorious in mans eye and yet in the day of the Lord prove no better then chaffe or stubble that the fire takes hold on and consumes what discoveries have we daily
of rottenness in professors and as this day appears more so there will be greater discoveries You have such and such marks and signs but they are things that need a testimony to them the Apostle John speaks of that testimony The love of the brethren but it comes at length to this We know that we dwell in him and he in us by the spirit that he hath given us Ye were willing for a season to rejoyce c. Willing and rejoycing how like is this to the spirit as if the day of Gods power had been amongst them to make them willing but when that day comes it will bring us to eternity how many be there that have been willing and rejoycing in Christ but now their season is gone Consider whether we are for a season onely or whether we are for ever Whether we are not onely for the light but for the fire Christ is yesterday today and the same for ever It is a pittiful thing to be onely for a season better not to be at all and never to have known the way of righteousness then to be but blazing Stars and Comets and at last fall to the earth with what confusion of face shall they be thrown down that shall stand up at the last day and say Lord have we not preached and prophesyed and cast out devils in thy name when he shall answer them Depart from me I know you not he that is right in Religion indeed is growing and increasing he is as a Tree planted by the Rivers side that brings forth fruit and whose fruit remains If Christ be in us he grows up in us and we grow up in him being rooted and grounded in love we grow up into his fulness till we be filled with all the fulness of God Ye were willing for a season ye were professors for a season Christians for a season the people of God for a season and some for one season and some for another season now lifted up to Heaven and by and by thrown down to Hell this is a miserable case better never to have known the way of righteousness better to have continued in our natural estate without making profession at all then to shine for a season and afterwards be cast into outward darkness where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth The Invalidity of Church-censures where Christ is not judge SERMON I. 1 COR. 5. 1 2 3 4 5. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles that one should have his fathers wife And ye are puffed up and have not rather mourned that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you For I verily as absent in body but present in spirit have judged already as though I were present concerning him that hath so done this deed In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ when ye are gathered together and my Spirit with the power of our Lord Iesus Christ To deliver such a one unto Sathan for the destruction of the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Iesus HEre is a foul sinner among Saints And he that is a sinner is also a Saint Here is the whole company of Saints leavened they are sinners by partnership All in carnal security all of them in high conceits of their good estate Ye are puft up saith he in the second verse 2. Here is that which Saints should do in such a case When the corruption within doth break forth in such a manner what should they do should they talk it about It is reported commonly should they trumpet it out Or what should they do should they rail should they scorn should they throw stones Nay but the Apostle tells us here they should mourn Ye are puft up and have not rather mourned that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you And thirdly the Apostle is shewing them that by right mourning there will be power obtained to get free from this evil To save our selves and to save sinners by destroying of sin The Apostle he was a mourner as it is plentifully expressed in 2 Cor. 7. And had obtained power of God to come forth against this corruption and sin that was broken forth even to cast it out This he expresses in the third vers For I verily as absent in body but present in Spirit have judged already as though I were present concerning him that hath done this deed He had gotten a power of judging It was a power I have judged already Object And if that Objection should be made He was absent and not present Absent in body saith he but present in Spirit I have judged already Sol. The Apostle by the Spirit foreseeing that the Church the Saints here should partake with him of the same power to judge this sinner by humbling themselves before the Lord he summons them unto mourning then calls them unto judging and shews them the assistance they should have He shews them his assistance and shews them the common assistance of him and them They should have his Spirit ver 4. and he and they should have the power and assistance of the Lord Iesus In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ when ye are gathered together and my Spirit c. You see the General scope Let us now consider the particulars in the Text. It is commonly reported that there is fornication amongst them c. Sin among the Saints Fornication Fleshly uncleanness this may seem strange to find this in a Church to see this break out in a Saint 'T is true a Saint he was but this was no piece of his Saintship You may think it strange but it is only strange to them that have not seen the whore that is in their own hearts Filthy base uncleanness among Saints what a sight was this Such as is not once named among the Gentiles saith the Apostle not named in any way of honor not named in any way of good report This to be brought forth in the sight of the Sun A tent spread in the face of the Sun Acts not fit to be named Such as he is ashamed to speak of Many things might be observed from this first verse As that first of al touching common fame It is reported commonly Doct. Those Saints that are wise will have as little to do in common fame as may be And what they receive by common fame let them bring home to the parties concerned as the Apostle doth here It is commonly reported saith he The Apostle doth not trade in this business What he meets withall he brings home to the persons concerned We have experience enough in these days what common fame is what report is I shall not speak of that Touching the sins of Saints that also might be spoken to Doct. 2. That there is the same corruption the same corrupt nature in a Saint as in others It
Refreshing Drops AND SCORCHING VIALS SEVERALLY Distributed to their proper Subjects according to the Wisdom given that precious servant of the Lord Mr. CHRISTOPHER GOAD Sometimes Fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge and Batchelor in Divinity as men speak But before his Translation Become a Disciple and Learner again sitting at the feet of Christ and his Spirit where he took a higher degree and now sits with Christ in Heaven Eccl. 12. 11. The Words of the wise are as Goads and as Nails fastned by the Masters of Assemblies which are given from one Shepherd London Printed by R. W. for Giles Calvert at the sign of the Black-spread Eagle at the west end of Pauls 1653. TO THE READER Friend HE that ministred these ensuing Discourses to us did withall sow his life and in testimony thereof when he had finished this Ministration took his leave of us calling upon thee and me to follow him And if his life spring up in us it will carry us whither he was continually making Even without the Camp It was not the least of his services to dye for the flock which he did daily therein following the great shepherd Now a Box of precious Oyntment is broken Oh that the whole house of God on earth may be filled with the savor of it He was wont to say of every thing he said or did how good righteous and excellent soever and refreshing to others This is but a vail upon the Lord God considered and answered him in the desire of his heart and hath rent the vail for him A witness is gone but his Testimony remains and shall remain while the Sun and Moon endure If these Records should be destroyed yet the truth therein shall be preserved in the living Records of the breasts of faithful men and shall there grow up and be purified until the Lord come and bring this Author and all his Saints with him Zach. 14. 5. Even so make haste and come Lord Jesus And now let not any man think these Sermons were preached or are now published to enrich the world with notions They are to make us poor in spirit to slay ye to undo ye he that loves his life let him not come here They are to pull down the flesh and abase the glory of man but to lift up the Lord If he be your life here you may hear of him There is in the world a great deal of light and knowledge falsly so called Men are very rich in their several Administrations hence that unbrotherly walking one towards another and yet they talk of peace and accommodation but it is but talk Ye will never meet with an expedient for either until ye dye Come and in the grave of Christ let us reason together and be one There is no parling with men till the Cool of the day till the Sun of their imaginary glory be declining It is this grave makes all even there rich and poor master and servant lie down together and are at rest There the brother of low degree is exalted and the rich is made low They are enemies to peace that are enemies to the Cross of Christ Whosoever sets up any excellency besides Christ himself sets up an Occasion of strife and enmity a partition-wall The Cross of Christ took away that distance between the Jews and the Gentiles and t is the preaching of the Cross and the knowing of Christ crucified experimentally takes it away through all ages And it is in vain to send Embassies of peace to men while their strength is firm in them Why then are ye offended at Preachers of the Cross But be it known to ye ye that live and will not dye ye are dead while ye live To be carnally minded is death or which is worse your life is a continual torment to you And be it known to you there is strength in the grave The weakness of God is stronger then Men if ye will build for continuance ye must resolve to lay your foundation in confusion He layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters That building that shall stand for ever must rise up wholly purely out of God himself and his Spirit But to you that are dead with Christ and whose life is buried under the foundations of this world and its fleshly frames Behold I bring you glad tidings all things are dissolving the heavens are passing away with a great noise as it is said they should the elements are melting with the fervent heat of the Day of the Spirit and the earth with all the works of men are burning up by the same fire Lift up your heads your Redemption draws nigh Friends I have not of a long time had any power to go forth in this kinde I mean to open any thing Therefore accept the willingness of my minde to have done some thing by way of Preface and do ye make the supply by being the Epistle of Christ whereby ye shall shew the best respect to the labour and travel of him that is gone And let all expressions that are here left dark and homely through my deficiency to whom chiefly the inspection of the Copies was committed be corrected in the pure springings up of the living Truth in your hearts Yours in the Lord JOSH. SPRIGG A Preface to the Reader IT is time for us to be looking out of this world which grows old and is ready to vanish away God is by the brightness of his own discoveries burning up the works thereof and stablishing that new heavens new earth where righteousness dwells the creation hath sent up strong groans and hath long lien under bondage the redemption thereof now draws nigh We are the children of the last times and upon us are the ends of the world come Prophesies and Promises which have been bid from ages and generations are now enriching us by their revealing and fulfilling in us Arise and shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee It shall come to pass in the last days the Mountain of the Lords house shal be set up above the Mountains exalted above the hills Now begins to be brought to pass the saying that is written Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shal be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God Rev. 21. 3. The Church hath long lien among the pots God is giving her the wings of a Dove covered with silver and her feathers of yellow gold she hath been conformed to Christ in his death and hath lain with him in the grave she that hath thus descended must also ascend she that hath suffered must reign since the mystery of iniquity began first to work it hath wrought most effectually and prevailed men and their traditions have been the unquestioned authority the light and teaching of the spirit in the Scriptures hath been forgotten and stood like a Sparrow upon the house
while it enters into his and so when thou shalt in the Spirit of God go forth to recover him and shalt be successfull thou hast gained thy brother and hast taken off the offense from thy self This same offence by anothers sin this same sense of anothers wounding himself and hurting himself is that the Law of love calls for We are all one body all the Saints live one life and so while one is wounded all are wounded if life be not buried in us If we do live indeed we shall find our life hurt in anothers hurting himself It is the life of God that is in the Saints and when one suffers all suffer There is a partnership in others sins by not taking notice of them by a senselessness You are puft up saith the Apostle and have not rather mourned And this is that that concerns us to mind We are for the most part narrowing sin making it as strait and as little as we can to reach as little way as may be this is a way flesh hath to wash it self to clear it self instead of fetching the blood of Christ to destroy it But here we see our own sin may lie upon us and another mans sin also We may partake of sin while that a brother sins and we are senseless while we are puft up and do not mourn while we are senseless of a sin committed by a brother it is a sin upon us You see then whas it is to have our hearts lifted up in pride and insulting when we see a brother sin There is many a ones Religion is nothing else but insulting upon others faults God I thank thee I am not like other men nor as this Publican Many a man is a brave man when he sees another man base and vile We should carry our selves in the flesh as one with all flesh We should carry our selves in the Spirit as one in the Spirit with all the Saints Who is weak saith the Apostle and I am not weak who is offended and I burn not Look upon Jesus Christ let him be our pattern He bare our infirmities and took our sickness Therefore look if you can find Jesus Christ in you that compassionate high priest that will not go by the wounded traveller as that Priest did in the story of the Gospel Look for Christ in you Know ye not that Christ is in you Prove your selves whether ye be in the Faith Look for this love and this compassion Look for the sufferings of Christ to be made up in you We must lay down our lives also for the brethren as John hath it All this I do for the Elects sake saith the Apostle Here is Christ in the Apostle I fill up the sufferings of Christ saith he to the Collossians wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer Wherefore I endure all things for the Elects sake Be not partakers of other mens sins There are many ways and this is one while we see sin break forth in our brethren and do not take notice of it are not affected with it do not mourn and so we neglect to gain our brother But there is a third thing that I would commend unto you at this time and that is That godly sorrow and humiliation for sin is that by which spiritual persons waiting upon God do receive power from God to discharge their own hearts and their Congregations ftom sin and Sathan You are puft up and have not rather mourned that he that hath done this deed might be cast out from among you 'T is mourning that doth it It is not stoutness or resolution any thing of man that doth it But it is the power of God which comes into humble souls Godly mourning and humiliation is that that doth bring forth power to reform our own hearts and our congregations The proof of this was abundantly seen among the Corinthians as you shall see in the 2. and 7. chap. of the second Epistle where we shall read of the Apostles mourning upon this occasion how by him and his Ministry of the Spirit all the whole Church was brought into mourning and how by this their mournning the Spirit of God came forth in them in power and light and so they did rid themselves of this evil that was among them This incestuous person was delivered unto Sathan and there he left the flesh behind him he left sin behind him He left the Devil with the Devil He was delivered unto Sathan and so Sathan was destroyed in him Sathan was sent to Sathan the Devil was sent to Hell and the Spirit came forth and the Saint was saved in the day of the Lord Jesus The light and power of God was among them and came up among them which enabled them to renounce themselves their own strength whereby to deliver themselves from that evil And so God he owned them And the Apostle writes to them in the second chap. of the second Epistle that they would comfort that person they had delivered unto Sathan You ought now to comfort him you ought to restore him For by this spiritual humiliation and mourning they had power from God both to deliver up the sinner and restore the Saint You ought to comfort him least he be swallowed up of to much sorrow This same godly sorrow is the travail-sorrow Christ speaks of Ioh. 16. 20. You shall have sorrow but your sorrow shall be turned into joy A woman when her hour comes is in sorrow but then she forgets all because a man child is born Thus the man child is born the Spirit comes forth and Christ comes forth in us by Godly sorrow by humiliation in the Spirit We see the proof of this here And this same sorrow this spiritual humiliation is nothing else but the reviving of the holy seed in a Saint 'T is nothing else but the new mans quickning nothing else but Christ quickning in us who being quickned and seeing himself to be cloathed and compassed with such filth he cannot bear it he cannot endure it He mournes he cries under it he will never be at rest or quiet untill he be delivered and God is at hand to deliver him and to rescue him This same Godly mourning it is upon the quickning of the new man in us of the Spirit in us which will not suffer nor indure iniquity it lusts against the flesh the Spirit lusts against the flesh Quest You read of the Prodigal how it is said he came to himself What was that he came to himself Answ This new man this Divine nature this holy seed that was carried away in flesh in sin where 't was dead as it were now is quickned he comes to himself he cannot endure to be in this state any longer he falls into a deep mourning a deep sense how sad his condition is that here he should serve swine serve lusts that he should be so far from God He remembreth he hath a Father considers that he hath bread enough at home
but he will swallow up their weakness in his glory and here he will exercise his Omnisciency here he will exercise his Omnipotency Do you not know that the Saints shall judge the world saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 7. 2. Reject this and reject Scripture as I said before By this union between God and the Saints and Gods manifesting himself in his Saints exercising his kingdom exercising his universal Judicature in them the Saints shall judge the world Do ye not know that ye shall judge the world and judge Angels There is no right judge but the Lord and there is no man that is fit to judge till the Lord be risen in him The spiritual man judgeth all things so far forth as he is spiritual he judgeeth all things so far forth as he is carnal he is not fit to judge any thing The carnal judgement condemns the Spirit passes judgement upon God rejects God The Saints are growing up into the Omnisciency and Omnipotency of God God is now despised in them but God shall be glorified in them God bears their weakness but they shall be cloathed upon with his power Christ is in every Saint and the Father hath committed all judgement unto him who doth not judge by the sight of the eye or the hearing of the ear Isa 11. 4. So Paul did not judge now by the sight of the eye or hearing of the ear that is bodily he neither went by common fame neither did his bodily presence help him to discern the business but he was present in spirit and in the light of God in the wisdom of God in the power of God he did see and did judge I already have judged though absent in body yet present in spirit There is no true judgement that passes upon mens Consciences but by the spirit Men that can only judge by the outward appearance can never judge righteous judgement you cannot judge righteous judgement till you are led within the vail till you see principles till you not onely see what is done but see upon what grounds it is done till you see the root of the matter The Apostle cares not for mans judgement He that judgeth me saith he is the Lord. All the people of God they are Princes they are Kings God hath called us to his own kingdom and to his own glory as the Apostle hath it And therefore Rev. 3. 12. it is said I will write upon them the Name of my God and the name of the City of my God and I will write upon them my new name so God will bring forth his glory in his people Paul expressing what he hath done he calls unto the whole Church to joyn with him and assures them they shal have his assistance his assistance and the power of the Lord Jesus When you are gathered together and my spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus Do you judge as I have done The power of the Lord Jesus will lead you to it and you shall come forth in that power actually to deliver him to Satan You see by the effects this was not bare words this was not a bug-bear But that is it we see in Churches and Congregations among us that take upon them this it hath no effect no power And therefore if they have to deal with a Saint he pities them is sorry for them wishes they had more light if with one that is not a Saint he jeers them he scorns them But here is reality this Incestuous person felt hell in his Conscience saw he was in the power of the devil he was even swallowed up with sorrow Therefore the Apostle calls upon them to relieve him and this is to save him q d. look now if the flesh be destroyed then bring out the spirit and comfort him you ought to relieve him Here you see the power of the Lord Jesus he commands hell and death he commands Satan Take that that is thine and then give up that thou hast nothing to do withal Destroy the flesh deliver up the spirit This makes sport for wicked men to come out with thundring and lightning in the absence of power This should set us to mourn for the spirit How little is the manifestation of the spirit in our own Consciences How much less can we manifest it to others It is then time for us to mourn after the Lord. And if we were come to mourn after him we should soon come to rejoyce with him and make our boast of him SERMON III. 1 COR. 5. 1 2 3 4 5. It is reported commonly c. IN the name of our Lord Jesus Christ when you are gathered together and my spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Iesus In the name of the Lord Jesus and with the power of our Lord Iesus This is no vain or idle repetition all business of this nature is done only by the name and the power of Jesus Christ But if you please to make some difference take it thus In the name of the Lord Iesus Christ that is owning the Lord Christ professing him calling upon him Wih the pwer of the Lord Iesus Christ that is let not there be a bare mention of him but let there be the power In the power of our Lord Iesus There is much mention of the name of Christ among us taking upon us great things by that name when it is but taking it in vain where no power appears In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ when you are gathered together and my spirit What 's this same spirit of Paul That by which he was present as he said before I am present with you in spirit This I look upon as the Divine nature which Paul did partake of the spiritual man born of God in which God doth act God guides and acts his people in this spiritual man flesh is acted by Satan there is the power of Satan and Hell but here is the power of the Lord Jesus in Spirit My spirit that 's the seat of God in a Saint And my spirit with the power of the Lord Iesus Christ to deliver such a one unto Satan there is the Sentence and Judgement But before we come to that I shall observe two or three things In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ c. First There is no dealing in the Consciences of men neither our own nor others against sin and Satan when they shew their power there in the power and wisdom of man unless we go forth in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ it is to no purpose T is only the power of the Lord Jesus Christ that delivers the Consciences and Hearts of men fron sin and Satan therefore the Apostle saith Iudge nothing before the time till the Lord come Saul was not to fight with the Philistims till Samuel came To go forth against
Holyghost hath made you Overseers Every one of that flock must judge what he hears Now there is no judging but by the Spirit Iudge ye what I say saith the Apostle God makes all his people Prophets and pours his Spirit in some degree upon them Every one that is a Christian is annointed his name Christian imports so much Do not give the name and deny the thing He hath made us Kings and Priests by his blood When Eldad and Medad did Prophesie in the Camp the Devil starts up in a good mans heart and saith My Lord Moses forbid them But what answers Moses I would to God all the Lords people were Prophets There is a further manifestation of the Spirit desired where there is any manifestation already I would they were all Prophets and that God would pour out his Spirit upon them We have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ too too much with respect of persons The power of the Lord Jesus goes forth with all his Saints the meanest of them and out of the mouth of Babes and sucklings he ordains strength Gods people are his Temple they are his house they are all living stones And it s said Gods train did fill the temple in that vision Isa 6. Gods people are his body Now as t is in the natural body there is not one member not the least in which the Soul doth not act so in this spiritual body there is not one not the meanest in which the life of the Spirit is not more or less Though there be some more Principal parts as in the natural body yet God is in all the life and power of the Lord Jesus is in all They live because he lives And therefore the Apostle in Church meetings 1 Cor. 14. would have them speak one by one and in the Jews Synagogue the custome was to give liberty if any had a word of Exhortation to speak Acts 13. But now there is limiting and quenching the Spirit by many They cry loe here and loe there here are Ancient men learned men wise men the major part of the company here are the Elders But let 's hear the Spirit let 's hear the Lord What saith the Lord the power of the Lord Jesus is in the meanest of Saints The world doth not know the Spirit and since the Spirit hath drawn in from open appearance are there not Christians that do not know whether there be a Holy Ghost or no In this time of the withdrawing of the Spirit the manner hath been to set up such and such men and upon these to fix the Spirit to set up gifts parts to set up men so trained up so taught at the feet of Gamaliel as the Scribes and Pharisees they challenged the truth that they had it and none else When God annoints Jeremie sends him to preach among the People what say the Priests there Come let 's devise devices against Ieremie the Law shall not perish from the Priests and words from the wise So we heap up teachers to our selves so qualified so garbed and here we fix the Spirit Here are the lips that must preserve knowledge here we must seek the Law So when Christ came the Pharisees they opposed him and said of his Disciples This people that know not the Law are accursed We have even forgot the teaching of the Spirit which is the only gift and we know nothing but mans teaching For a little while there was the Spirits appearance after Christs ascention and when he began to withdraw then the world set up a Pope and this Pope forsooth hath the Spirit and is infallible and he is the visible Judge his determinations they must stand After the world was weary of this Idol and saw what a thing a Pope was then one sets up one thing another sets up another When Moses is gone into the mount they must make some Calfe or other to worship One sets up this Minister another sets up that Minister another sets up an Assembly of Ministers and that which most men look at for guidance and direction in matter of Conscience is such men such a line such a succession of men in Orders train'd up at the Vniversity not looking after the power of the Lord Jesus Where is there a spirit that joyns with mean and simple people that know the Lord Jesus and that look for him Most Professors they fetch their Religion from the Minister that they affect O he is a godly man Thus did Professors among the Jews they stuck to the Priests to the Pharisees and Scribes and stumbled at Christ So 't is now the world they fetch their Religion from the State what the State establishes that they bow down to that is the way with the generality of people and hath been for this long while we set up Masters and Teachers and this is nothing else but setting up Antichrist Hath not this been the main business of Ministers generally to draw Disciples after them to bring people into their form into their cut and garb O but where where is the Spirit The world doth not know the Spirit Christ the Carpenter and Amos the gatherer of wild Siccamores and the Apostles fishermen that came forth in the power of the Lord Jesus were not owned in their time no more are those owned in whom God comes forth now But Christ rejoyces in spirit that those things are hid from the wise and prudent and revealed to babes Churches and Congregations they are Lorded over by their Ministers and how few Ministers be there that are examples to the flock but set themselves as Lords over Gods heritage And that which we would have however we deny it in the principle yet we contend for in the practise is that our voice and judgement should be the Key that should open and shut that should determine and resolve the demonstration of the spirit who looks after that The devil he changes forms continually and therefore can deceive men let them take what form they please let them have a Pope or a Minister or an Assembly of Ministers what they will if they do not like one Pope let them take another this is nothing but setting up Antichrist that man of sin in the Temple of God in our hearts and Consciences that man of sin that is to be destroyed whom the Lord shall consume with the brightness of his coming He that defiles the Temple of God him shall God destroy 2 Cor 3. where the Apostle is speaking of their admiring of men One saith I am of Paul another saith I am of Apollo a third saith I am of Cephas Who is Paul saith he and who is Apollo Are ye not the Temple of God and he that defiles the Temple of God him shall God destroy He that sets up any man any parts any gifts in the place of God this is to defile the Temple of God This is the second point There is a third Thirdly When ye are gathered together and
my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ Wheresoever the power of the Lord Jesus goes let it be with babes and sucklings there shall the Apostles Spirit go let their appearance be what it will in the world And the power of our Lord Jesus The power of the Lord Jesus it is or it shall be manifested among his people in their communion and in their gatherings together The power of the Lord Jesus it is but O how dark is it yet It shall be gloriously manifested in the Assemblies of his Saints in their gatherings together When ye are gathered together The people shall say Come let 's go up to the house of the Lord for the Law shall go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Isa 2. 3. What is Zion and Jerusalem but the Assemblies of the Saints And upon all the Assemblies of Mount Zion there shall be a pillar of fire and a pillar of smoak Isa 7. Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them What to do but to binde and loose to open and shut and gather my people together When the spirit came down upon the Disciples after Christs Ascension it was in their convening when they were assembled together for Christ charged them there to wait and they should receive power When they are together they are a body of living stones built up an holy Temple they are members apart altogether the body and the fulness of Christ and all the Saints have one life and one soul every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working of the measure of every part as the Apostle hath it Eph. 4. 16. Q. And what is this gathering together where the power of the Lord Jesus comes forth A. The main is in the spirit with my spirit saith the Apostle in the name of the Lord Jesus when ye are gathered together and my spirit The gathering together of spirits I do not say without bodies but this is the main the spirit is that which is born of God that which God acts whom I serve in my spirit 't is the new man flesh the devil acts and corrupt principles the devil acts there are gatherings together in that there are gatherings together where the power of Satan is it is a pittiful thing to get into a Church gathering and there sit down now I may be at rest and ease but this is a gathering in spirit in the unity of the spirit This is a gathering in him and to him and in this gathering a waiting for him no man shall be heard no man shall be Lord there is but one Master one Lord one King one guide and here we are together waiting what he will say it is no matter what this man says or that man saith Doth Christ speak in him We look for the demonstration of the spirit 't is no matter what this man saith or the other man saith We wait for power and evidence for God to go before us in a pillar of smoak and in a pillar of fire 'T is a spirit-gathering where the power of the Lord Jesus is There is a flesh-gathering a formal-gathering which is nothing but a cover of Satan a cover of the devil When ye are gathered together and my spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus a gathering together in the unity of the spirit and this unity of the spirit doth not regard form it joyns with all Saints whatsoever in spirit under what form soever and this is a particular Assembly in reference to the General Assembly God is their Judge it is a gathering together of those that have made a Covenant by sacrifice as it is in Psa 50. They have given up themselves to the Lord they will be only guided by him They know what man is here goeth the power of the Lord Jesus with such gatherings O that we could finde such and see such we should soon see the power of the Lord Iesus If we have fellowship one with another the blood of Christ cleanses us It is this fellowship that hath power in it cleansing in it such gatherings as are in the power of God and such gatherings as wait for the power of God such gatherings where man lays himself down we wait what the Lord will say we will not stir without the spirit It is not a letter shall guide us nor a man shall guide us but the Lord. SERMON IV. 1 COR. 5. 1 2 3 4 5. It is reported commonly c. V 5. TO deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus It is the Apostles direction unto a gathered Church how to quit themselves of one that had done a foul fact of the evil one among them to deliver themselves from that evil and to save the person In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ when ye are gathered together and my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ to deliver such a one c. 1. 'T is onely in the power of the Lord Jesus that any Churches or Consciences are delivered from guilt it is not in the power and wisdom of man 2. And this power Christ will manifest in all believers in all his people in all his Saints he comes with all his Saints as well as Ministers The Apostles spirit joyns with them and my spirit saith he in the power of the Lord Jesus 3. And the power of the Lord Jesus whenever it shall be manifested will be especially made out in the gatherings of Saints when they are gathered in spirit A flesh-gathering is when we have the power of the devil with us But to these words in ver 5. To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh To destroy the evil principle and to save the person here 's a way which the world doth not know when the world sees sin it thinks of the destroying the person therefore it goes forth in the evil principle against the person Here 's a way now to destroy the evil and save the person the spirit of God onely can teach us this t is the power of the Lord Jesus Here is the means that is to be used delivering unto Satan and the end of that means that the flesh may be destroyed and the spirit saved And here is that that doth destroy flesh and save the spirit and that is the day of the Lord Jesus The manifestation of the Lord Jesus in the day of his power by the power of the Lord Jesus deliver such a one to Satan Satan is the enemy of God he dwells in wrath he dwells in fire Deliver him unto him Into that wrath and into that fire cast him into those flames there let him fry Where Satan is destroying there let Satan be destroyed that is in him and let the Saint come forth Deliver him unto Satan for the destruction of the
flesh Here is a piece of Discipline that is the priviledge of a Saint it looks terribly but it is for salvation that the spirit may be saved Here is destruction in it but destruction is for salvation There are that are Satans let them be delivered to him there they abide they return no more there is that that returns again that the spirit may be saved The devil takes his own meddles with nothing else the flesh destroyed the spirit saved Deliver him to Satan how is that that is let him see that he is in Satans hands that he is drudging in his work that he is a vassal of his in this incest that he hath committed let him see this Qu. Why but he was in Satans hands under Satans power in the commission of this evil what then is this Delivering to Satan Answ Let him see it and let him feel it let him feel hell and feel wrath let him finde the flames about him And so I look upon that Scripture in Joh. 16. 8. to be the interpretation of this Scripture The Spirit shall convince of sin and of righteousness and of judgement Here is the power of the Lord Jesus the spirit of the Lord Jesus v. 4. by this there is a Delivery unto Satan a conviction of sin that the flesh may be destroyed and the spirit may be saved that righteousness and judgement may come forth This is convincing of sin of righteousness and of judgement Deliver him to Satan tie him fast by a spirit of bondage fill his soul with fear and trembling Deliver him for the destruction of the flesh The destruction of the flesh that 's the destruction of Satan Satans kingdom is in the flesh Gods rule is in the spirit deliver him to Satan that Satan may be destroyed Let him see that he is in the hands of Satan that the Spirit may make out of his hands the flesh is nothing but enmity to God The devil is the enemy of God so is flesh and if enemy be too little 't is said to be enmity Rom. 8. 7. the wisdom of the flesh is enmity to God The wisdom of the flesh the most glorious piece of flesh is enmity to God the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh Deliver him unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh deliver him to Satan that Satan may be destroyed they that are in the flesh cannot please God That the spirit may be saved There is in a Saint two natures flesh and spirit the law of the members and the law of the minde there is I and sin I and Christ as the Apostle expresses it There is flesh in which Satan rules and acts there is spirit that is the Divine nature that Saints do partake of and this same divine seed lieth buried in flesh in weakness in darkness under a law of sin and death till it be quickned and when quickned it stands up for its liberty and after quickned it may fall into a swound and be as it were dead again as this Corinthian Obs That the Spirit may be saved The destruction of flesh is the saving of Spirit and 't is the day of the Lord that saves the spirit and burns up flesh The Lords appearance is like fire that goes through the Bryars and Thorns and burns them together the manifestation of the Lord against whatsoever is against him consumes it destroys it If any will set the bryars and thorns against me in battail I will go through them and burn them together The day of flesh is night and darkness unto the spirit to that that is born of God The day of the Lord is the night of the flesh and the night of Satan 't is darkness and not light and here the spirit comes forth that that is of God comes forth and the flesh is destroyed Thus you have a short view of the meaning of the words and do you judge what I say That which is to be observed here may be branched out into divers particulars 1. First this That there is mercy kindness pity life salvation conveyed unto Saints by such ways and means where there is nothing visible but evil and death hell and destruction Deliver him to Satan c. send him to hell that he may be delivered from hell by terrible things dost thou answer us O God of our salvation 2. Another thing to be observed here is this That Satan and hell and death in all the powers thereof is under the power of the Lord Jesus Christ in his Saints When ye are gathered together with the power of the Lord Jesus deliver such a one unto Satan Deliver him for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved Satan is under the power of the Lord Jesus in his Saints in his people and he is disposed by them to take such a one to destroy his own power in him and to send him forth pure to send back that that is of God Deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved The power of the Lord Jesus shall be manifested in the Saints to command and dispose of Satan and the power of hell This incestuous person was delivered unto Satan for what end That Satan should destroy himself in him now by the spirit of the Lord Jesus in the Church he is restored and received again In the second Epistle the second Chapter Now saith he ye ought to comfort him ye ought to relieve him sufficient to such a man is that punishment take heed he be not swallowed up of too much sorrow let him not lie too long in hell for we are not ignorant of Satans devices So he is put into Satans hands and taken out by the power of the Lord Jesus in his people This is that power that Paul did act in when he speaks of some that he had delivered unto Satan that they might learn not to blaspheme 1 Tim. 1. 20. Whom I have delivered unto Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme Strange that Satan should teach men not to blaspheme this is the power of the Lord Jesus in the Saints We know little of it or scarce any thing at all in this time of the Apostasie and of revealing of the man of sin but we look for the coming forth of this power in a more glorious manner then ever it was abroad yet when shall that be when by the brightness of his coming he shall consume that man of sin The power of the Lord Jesus in his people doth command devils and hell Do you not know saith the Apostle that the Saints shall judge the world Do you not know that we shall judge Angels So it follows in the next chapter to the Text 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. Whose is the power of judgeing the world and Angels is it not the Sons That which is the Sons is the Saints â—he same glory thou hast given me I have given them All power saith
Christ is given me both in heaven and in earth The Father comes forth in Christ and Christ comes forth in the Saints Christ comes forth in the flesh lower then the Angels He makes him lower then the Angels he comes forth as a servant while the son is under age he is kept as a servant he is made of a woman made under the Law at last the Father comes to own him as his son and Christ owns him as his Father When the time appointed of the Father comes he sends his spirit into our hearts saying 'T is your Fathers pleasure to give you a kingdom Christ hath the keys of hell and death and he exercises these keys in his Saints We at present do not know how he exercises these but we shall know how when we feel the want of them when we see our weakness and darkness and mourn after the Lord. God hath suffered the devil hell and sin to be a kinde of Cloak and covering upon himself but when he pleaseth he will come forth and command them The Saints need not the worlds power and force to go to the world for power is to go to the devil for power The Saints have power with God and therefore must needs have power over Satan And this power the Saints obtain by mourning as the Apostle hath it in the second verse Ye ought rather to have mourned Iacob wept and made supplication wrastled with God and so prevailed The Saints indeed they are great persons but few there are that know themselves We are the sons of God but the world doth not know us God hath brought forth himself and brought forth Christ in his Saints and people but that was but a first fruits to shew what he will do fully He shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in them that believe The spirit of God was withdrawn that the man of sin might appear This is that believers should do they should be looking after this power the power of the Lord Jesus What a poor thing it is to spend our time in an outward powerless profession onely If we are Christians and of Iesus Christ we cannot do so The kingdom of God is not in word but in power Do we profess Christ Where is the power of the Lord Iesus Why do lusts and corruptions reign in our hearts Why have Satan and the world such power over us Where is the power of the Lord Jesus Where is the spirit of Eliah as Elisha said when he had seen his master taken up into heaven and had received his mantle and had a promise of a doubling of that spirit Christ is taken up into Heaven He hath told us greater works then he did in that flesh should we do in his Spirit Where is that spirit Where is that power by which devils were made to tremble and submit to him 'T is time we should begin to know our selves that we are of God that we are the Temple of God the body of the Lord that we are the fulness of Christ and that in us he will manifest himself and 't is that we should look for We should be weary of a formal outward languishing profession and so bringing forth the Lord Jesus we shall make his name known O that thou wouldst bow the Heavens that thou would'st come down and make thy name known that Hell and Death and Satan and all the powers of darkness might melt before thee Resist the devil saith James and he will flie from you What is that power by which the devil is resisted 'T is the power of Christ the power of the Lord Jesus is with his people though not yet manifested we should wait for it and not rest contented with the name but look after power to command hell and death those that have commanded us We are comforting our selves that Christ hath done this for us 'T is true he hath done this for us he will do it in us The Apostle bids us stand to it in Eph. 6. You wrastle not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers therefore put on the whole armour of God If you be true Israel you are able to deal with God and then the devil and the world are not able to stand against you Do you believe this Then wait for it The next thing I shall commend unto you is this That we must be delivered to Satan before we can be delivered from Satan For the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. And if this stick in your stomacks and will not go down let me offer it to you in an old expression of Divinity as they call it that is That God leads his people to Heaven by Hell We must be delivered to Satan if ever we will be delivered from Satan Satan hath carryed all the seed of God captive in the flesh 'T is under the law of sin sin and death hath captivated the whole seed of God here this seed lieth as it were dead in a swound and in this state we dream of nothing but life and happiness great enjoyments when we are captives to Satan at his pleasure God he quickens this same seed this divine nature and then they see where they are see how they were deceived what a fools Paradise they were in then they have no rest till they be delivered This is to be delivered from Satan to see that we are in Satans power So it comes to this That there must be a discovery of our state under the power of darkness before we be delivered from it Deliver him unto Satan destroy him that he may be delivered destroy him that he may be saved kill him that he may be made alive convince him of sin then of righteousness Deliver him unto Satan is quicken him and enlighten him that he may see where he is in Satans power And whereas before there was peace when the strong man kept the house it was because he did not see Satan but now he sees him there is nothing but trouble there is no rest till he be delivered This is nothing but what the Apostle saith you hath he quickened that were dead in trespasses and sins Dead in trespasses and sins here is the seed of God under the power of Satan The spirit quickned sees whereabouts it is sees that it is in hell among devils lusts death and flames and it cannot abide here The Prodigal came to himself that was the quickning of this divine seed he was well enough before at the swine-trough till he comes to himself O then he cannot endure it he cannot live here any longer We must be delivered to Satan before we can be delivered from Satan And the ground and reason of this lieth thus God hath let all his seed fall under the hands and power of death and Satan and he would never suffer this state unless he meant they should be sensible of it unless he did
no unless the spirit of God declare it to you let me tell it you a hundred times you can never know it But Paul would try whether they might know it or no whether God would let them into the secrets of his kingdom There is this ingenuity in them that is not to be found in many Professors the devil hath that power in their hearts they must not hear any new thing for why they may be misled Thus the devil keeps them bound to him and under pretence of taking heed of error keeps them from the truth Verse 20. For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears we would know therefore what these things mean If ever we mean to be built up in the knowledge of God we must look to hear of new things but let 's not receve them suddenly yet not throw them out of dores Be not forgetful to entertain strangers we know no other guide but the spirit there is not any Minister in the world that is our guide or any company of Ministers but the spirit if he speaks in them and by them we have but one Master that is Christ Verse 21. For all the Athenians and Strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing This To tell or to hear some new thing was not going about and asking what news how is it with the state but they were searching into the secrets of nature every one was improving their studies and were communicating one to another what any had found out and thus they improved their time Verse 22 and 23. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars-hill and said Ye men of Athens I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious for as I passed by and beheld your devotions I found an Altar with this inscription To the unknown God whom therefore ye ignorantly worship him declare I unto you The Apostle doth not dispute with them in any point of their Philosophy but goes to their devotion he takes occasion thence to deliver himself concerning Jesus the Resurrection so he dealeth with them according to their principles When he hath to do with the Jews then he disputes out of the Scripture when he hath to do with these Greeks that did not own the Scriptures he deals with them by principles of their own first of all he charges them with superstition You are led without rule you can give no accompt for what you do and it appears by your own confession your own hand for as I passed by c. See whether the light and learning of these men had broughr them even to shew that they were at a loss concerning God Ask ignorant carnal people whether they know God or no they will take upon them to know him But here are men improving their light by studying and it may be when they first entered upon the search of knowledge they might think that they did know God but after some time spent therein they saw they did not That is it that all our wading in studies doth bring us into concerning God to discover our ignorance and I look upon it as a kinde of ingenuity to profess truly as they did here they did acknowledge a God but did not know him I found an Altar c. There is no man but worships an unknown God unless Jesus Christ be his Altar There is no Altar but Jesus Christ can bear this inscription in truth To the known God There is no knowledge of God but in Jesus Christ When the Son declares him then he is the known God Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship him declare I unto you So Paul by degrees brings them unto Jesus Christ Verse 24 and 25. God that made the world and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth dwelleth not in Temples made with hands neither is worshipped with mens hands as though he needed any thing seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things q. d. You are mistaken in this God as if he stood in need of somewhat therefore you build Temples to him and make Offerings to him This is that simple people think that God needs them and is much beholding to them for the service they do him what saith the Apostle he giveth to all life and breath and all things Therefore he receiveth nothing from the creature as of need Verse 26. And hath made of one blood all Nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation God the onely wise God that made all things hath so brought forth all things and brought forth man in this Creation that man should be quickly at the end of his travel that so he might begin to seek after God That 's the Apostles scope and Argument here He hath made of one blood all Nations and determined c. That they should seek the Lord c. ver 27. God hath made the earth and brought forth man Man when he comes forth in the earth makes after earth there he is planting and building and purchasing but God hath bounded his time he shall continue so long and no longer and God hath bounded his habitation he shall go so far and no further and what is the design of God in this but that man being at an end here in this Creation should look after him that made all things that he should seek the Lord. This is that the creature saith to man when he is searching after it greedily pursuing it earnestly Surely thou art out in thy pursuit thou dost not seek that thou shouldest seek thou art at an end here as to thy self So the very creature speaks to man to seek the Lord. Thou wouldst have rest here thou wouldst have satisfaction here but thou seest how much thou mayst have thy days here wil run to an end that which thou hast got thou knowest not who shall gather and God hath bounded thee that thou shalt get so much and no more that so thou mightest seek the Lord. So the Apostle here Verse 27. That they should seek the Lord if happily they might feel after him though he be not far from every one of us Man reaching after these things at last sees vanity in them I must seek the Lord if happily I may feel after him in a dark state and condition Thus God begins to quicken his people by shewing them an end in the world then they begin to feel after God to grope after him where is he who is he There is no rest in this Creation Verse 28. For in him we live and move and have our being as certain also of your own Poets have said For we are also his off-spring For in him c. He is about us he is in us there 's not a finger stirs but 't is in his power not a thought moves but 't is in him
in what strange darkness are we that we should not see him As certain of your own Poets have said and so he is strikeing them with their own quils dealing with them upon that they did own and acknowledge All men are the off-spring of God There are two ways of being Gods Off-spring one by nature another by the spirit one onely in old Adam another in Christ the living soul the quickning spirit Verse 29. For asmuch then as we are the off-spring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto Gold or Silver or stone graven by Art and mens device See the force here of the Apostles Reason We are his Off-spring this is profest among you now we being his Off-spring shall we make God our Off-spring Shall we make the work of our hands to be God We are of him and shall we maker him to be of us Verse 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent God was pleased that there should be such a time of darkness that the devil should have a power and a kingdom but now that he is coming forth he will be owned Now he commandeth all men everywhere to repent he is coming forth now to shew himself and he comes forth in Christ so in the next verse Verse 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Thus he works and toles them on from their own principles to believe in Christ He will judge the world in Righteousness and he will judge the world by a man that man whom he hath ordained of whom he hath given evidence that he will judge the world by him by that man who was judged by the world and suffered according to the flesh but is justified in the spirit in that he is risen from the dead Here is the judgement of God the Resurrection this raised state This day of the Lord comes forth when Christ comes forth when this man is revealed in us there this day this judgement comes forth As he is revealed we are judged Verse 32. And when they heard of the Resurrection of the dead some mocked and others said We will hear thee again of this matter Carnal wisdom cannot beare that which is beyond its reach Christ came into the world for judgement that those that see not might see and those that see might be made blinde Verse 33. So Paul departed from among them Yet there is some fruit of his preaching his spirit was not stirred to no purpose for Verse 34. Certain men clave unto him and believed c. CHRIST the onely SACRIFICE and ALTAR SERMON I. HEB. 13. 10 11 12 13 14 15. We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the high Priest for sin are burnt without the Camp Wherefore Jesus also that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood suffered without the gate Let us go forth therefore unto him without the Camp bearing his reproach For here have we no continuing City but we seek one to come By him therefore let us offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name IEsus Christ yesterday to day and for ever the substance of all the true Altar the true Sacrifice the true High-Priest the heavenly Sanctuary let us by him offer the Sacrifice of praise We have an Altar let every one consider whether they do worship by this Altar There is no sanctified gift but by this Altar we have no true meat but from this Altar no true Spiritual refreshment but from him There is nothing strengthens and establishes the heart but Christ nothing but Grace he is the Altar and he is the Sacrifice So it follows in the 11. Verse For the bodies c. He is the sin-offering He is made a curse for us he became sin for us and whosoever is sanctified by him he is carried forth by him without the camp and is content to take up his reproach True Sanctification unto God is to go out of the glory and rest and ease of the flesh into the reproach of the world where Christ is and whither he calls us and through that willcarry us into spiritual glory into eternal honor and rest Let us go forth This is to be sanctified by Iesus Christ this is to be made peculiar unto the Lord to leave all and follow the Lord to take up his Cross to deny our selves to dye and to suffer with Christ then we shall live and raign with him The exchanging life riches honors is that we are called to by Christ who that he might sanctifie the people suffered without the gate he was made a curse and those whom he sanctifies he makes willing to be made a curse we come into the blessing of God by being contented to be made a curse unto the world those whom Christ sanctifies he makes a willing offering Let us go forth unto him without the Camp He lives in them he carries them forth and there appears the same minde in them that was in Christ Iesus This is true Sanctification Let the same minde be in you that was in Christ Jesus No man takes my life from me saith Christ but I lay it down of my self The reproach of Christ is the way to the glory of Christ Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt Let us go forth to him But this is a hard saying and who can bear it T is no hard saying for we part with nothing but what will away For we have here no abiding City we look for one to come We are going to a heavenly City and Countrey whiles we are parting with this so t is no hard saying Till we be convinced by the Spirit of the passing away of this present form of things and see a durable state coming an inheritance immortal and undefiled we shall never be content to go out of the City out of the Camp and to bear Christs reproach But this is that that is said every one seems convinced that here we have no abiding City and every one professes he looks for one to come if then we refuse to go forth without the Camp and to bear Christs reproach if we mock and scorn those that do we have that within us will rise up in judgement against us and our Religion comes all to this we profess we know God but in works we deny him By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually Mark how those two come together Let us go forth c. and By him let us offer c. There is joy and glory in the reproach of Christ When
ye are reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of glory rests upon you There is meat in this Eater according to Sampsons Riddle The sacrifice of praise continually Take notice here that the service and the worship which God expects of his people is praise and thanksgiving Thou wouldst not have sacrifice else would I give it thee Offer to God thanksgiving as t is in Psal 50. 12 13. Who so offers praise honors me Sacrifice was but an outward sign of praise and thanksgiving God hath made his people for his praise Isa 43. 21. This people I have formed for my self they shall shew forth my praise God hath but this only design to manifest himself to shew forth his glory he will bring forth his glory in the salvation of his people he makes a people of those that were no people that they should shew forth his vertues and his praises this is the business that a Christian is called to to hold forth God The effect of the Spirit which is poured forth is nothing else but praise and thanksgiving Making melodie in your hearts singing Psalms and Hymns and spiritual songs as t is in the Epistle to the Ephesians God will manifest himself to his glory in his people in all blessings in spiritual things God will be the song and the praise of his people then we are right Worshippers Gospel-Worshippers when God is our praise when God is our song let us by him therefore offer up unto God the sacrifice of praise And if this be the worship that God requires of us then let every one of us be looking how far we are lead into it or whether we are at least coming toward it There is nothing acceptable to God but this mourning and prayer is only acceptable as it makes to this God is emptying us and humbling us that he may fill us and his filling us is praise and thanksgiving Therefore David when he is mourning saith he shall yet give him thanks In prayer and mourning he is but travelling for praise and thanksgiving praise is coming forth t is breeding I shall yet give him thanks saith he So much as we have attained in praise so much we have attained in true and spiritual Religion so much as we go forth in praise so much we go forth by Christ Let us by him therefore offer the sacrifice of praise The worship and service of God is a joyful thing t is a chearful thing we do not know the service of God in truth until we know joy in the Holy Ghost The Kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost It is refreshing it is chearing it is meat and drink In the keeping of thy Commandments there is great reward Do not reckon that we are true Worshippers of God Worshippers in Spirit and Truth until we come into the joy of God until we can offer the sacrifice of praise We may be tending to it and making to it we may be travelling with it in sorrow and in sighs but when we are brought forth in it it is in praise By him therefore let us offer c. It also sets an end and determines that controversie between the Law of Works and the Law of Faith between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ between mans Righteousness and the Righteousness of God between Iustification by works and Iustification by faith It is praise that God looks for mans Righteousness mans Works they praise man and set up man What is that that throws down boasting The Law of Faith that sets up God Why dost thou boast Thou hast nothing but what thou hast received This makes us praise And it may help us by way of direction how to know what is truth and so keep us from being carried about by divers and strange Doctrines What is it that leads us to praise what is it that brings us into rest and joy the joy of the Lord what is it that exalts God God hath nothing to do nothing to seek but his own exaltation his own praise that that is from him that leads to him that that sets him up only shall be exalted in that day praise is the sum of that which God requires of us When we can praise then we can worship By him let us offer the sacrifice of praise But what is this praise then t is worth the knowing what it is to praise him Consider here what a Title the Text gives it it is a sacrifice By him therefore let us offer the Sacrifice of praise In a Sacrifice there is offering up there is an Altar there is Fire there is a Priest there is somewhat to to be carried forth there is somewhat to eat there is somewhat for refreshment So t is here in praise true acceptable praise is a sacrifice t is the fruit of our lips as the Apostle calls it here By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name The fruit of our lips is this all no this is but a part it is the calves of our lips as the Prophet Hosea calls it By the lips the heart comes forth and the abundance of it but the sacrifice is our selves praise is the offering up our selves I beseech you saith the Apostle in Rom. 12. that you offer up your bodies not your lips only but your bodies a living and acceptable sacrifice every member a weapon and instrument of righteousness this is praise Your bodies and your spirits they are the Lords To praise him is to offer up both unto him In this sacrifice here is somewhat to be killed that is lust fleshly lusts worldly lusts and here is somewhat that is to live somewhat that is to be offered up a living sacrifice here is somewhat that is to be devoured in the fire and somewhat that lives in the fire that glorifies God in the fire there is that that lives in God who is a devouring fire and everlasting burnings all that is spiritual all that is the new creature that is it is offered up a living sacrifice there it hath its life it comes from God and it lives in God so it is a sacrifice of praise It is the giving up the resigning up of our selves to be disposed of by the Lord. The offering up of the Gentiles that the Apostle speaks of in Rom. 15. 16. sanctified by the Holy Ghost To offer the sacrifice of praise is to make our selves an offering unto God as Jesus Christ did Here I am to do thy will saith he thou wouldst not have sacrifice Here I am dispose of me T is written that I should do thy will therefore I am no more my own but thine This is to offer the sacrifice of praise this is to give thanks to his name The love of Christ constrains us we must no more live unto our selves but unto him This is the sacrifice of
not how this can be the Spirit teaches those that are born of him how it can and may be They that are born of him if they do not understand they shall understand God will reveal the same to them When God is all in all to us and we see God in all his love in all his power in all then we shall praise him in all we shall give thanks in all we shall do all we do to the Lord we shall dye to the Lord and live to the Lord Whether we live or dye we are the Lords we shall work to the Lord we shall sleep to the Lord we shall awake to the Lord Holiness will be written upon the bells of the horses upon all our imployments all will be a sacrifice of praise in all we shall give up our selves to the Lord. This is that the Apostle saith elsewhere 1 Thess 5. Rejoyce evermore pray without ceasing in all things give thanks In all things what in affliction in troubles in sufferings in reproaches why what saith the Text Let us go forth to him without the gate bearing his reproach and by him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually Count it all joy saith James when you fall into divers temptations but what will you make of us you will say should we be stocks and stones would not you have us sensible of afflictions and temptations of burthens and reproaches that lie upon us see what the Apostle saith to this As sorrowful yet always rejoycing The spiritual man hath a sense of afflictions and reproaches and a deep sense too he sees all that is in the cup but he sees through it he sees joy surpassing all sorrow Christ he saw through the cup he saw the shame and was sensible of it but there was joy that was set before him there was that that swallowed up all that that lifted him up above all there was a cup of wine that made him forget his sorrow Give wine to him that is sad in heart When our hearts are full of sorrow God comes in with a cup of wine God sheds abroad his love in our hearts and we joy in tribulation as saith the Apostle so here is the sacrifice of praise in affliction in trouble in necessity in reproaches being persecuted we suffer patiently being defamed we bless and a spirit of glory rests upon us We see God in all we see a good hand in all God will do me good for his cursing saith David The flesh cannot praise at all no not in all peace in all abundance all its sacrifice is to its own net but the Spirit praises in the midst of tribulation Paul and Silas sing in the Prison the Apostle commends to the Collosâ—ians long-suffering with joyfulness and he tells the Corinthians that as afflictions do abound for Christ so consolations do abound through Christ God comes in to his people in the saddest afflictions and tells them these are yours all is yours things present and things to come life is yours death is yours afflictions are yours they are all your servants he shews us that we are Lords and Masters and Conquerors he sets us above these Christ triumphed in the Cross as the Apostle saith and here is the triumph of a Christian over necessities afflictions reproaches yea over death it self not to be delivered from death but to be set above death to be conquerours of death We are more then Conquerors through him that loved us T is a poor expectation from Christ to expect by Christ to be delivered and defended from reproach from afflictions from necessities from sufferings Christ came to call us into these to set us above these and make us more then Conquerors over these He that will be my disciple saith he let him take up his cross and follow me Let us go forth to him without the gate and by him let us offer c. T is a strange thing this to praise in afflictions to be in continual praise but this is by him When we know the fellowship of his sufferings the vertue and power of his Resurrection this will be no strange thing to us and then we shall go forth willingly without the gate we shall go to his reproach chearfully Let us by him c. There is that in every Saint that seed of God that that is born of God that same holy one that is in continual praises The noise of flesh oftentimes and for a long time drowns this voyce but it shall be heard when flesh shall be put to silence When the Lord arises into his holy habitation you that see him sometimes and feel him sometimes shall see and feel him always and you shall say with the Apostle the life was manifest we have seen it we have handled it and our eyes have looked upon it You that say you live because he lives must needs see you live for ever for he never dies and you shall never dye you have a life that shall never be taken away I am the Resurrection and the life and he that believes in me shall never dye and this life is nothing but praise nothing but thanksgiving he is all in all doth all in us and for us works all our works and so far forth as we see him doing all as we shall see him perfectly when we walk in the light as he is in the light then we shall praise him in all t is his faith his sap his vertue his life his power to him be glory when he acts us and leads us by his Spirit whither can we go from him we must needs go to him we must go to praise we must go to glory he destroys the works of the Devil in us he destroys all that goes forth to the world to the creature at last he will destroy all there shall be no going forth but to him nothing but praise t is he that delivers us from other Lords Other Lords have had rule over us c. we have been praising the creature our own wisdom our own righteousness we have been offering up to our lusts Other Lords have had dominion over us now by thee only we will make mention of thy name you that mention the Lord keep not silence God doth bring and will manifestly bring all his true born people his own begotten children in Jesus Christ I say he will bring them into continual praise Some of these it may be do not know yet what it means the world shall never know it It may be yet we know no other praise but an expression of words we shall know that praise is giving up our selves to God We do not know that we pray but only when we set our selves apart and make this Preface Come let us pray perhaps twice or thrice a day c. T is far from me to condemn any one that is in the use of these hours and forms let them be in God in the Spirit and he will be with them but
take notice that there is continual prayer therefore thou that hast thy times and thy hours and thy forms begin to look higher and be at it continually By him let us offer the sacrifice of Praise to God continually And 't is no more then what is held forth to us in the Prophecy of Isa the last chap. ver 23. And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another and from one Sabboth to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. You that do not know continual Praise if you do praise God in the spirit if you are sincere and true in your makings unto God you shall know what it is They that are strong should bear with the infirmities of the weak and they that are weak should not judge the strong thou that dost not know what continual praise is judge not those that do thou that dost know it do not despise those that do not but go down to them to fetch them out of their weakness for Christ is come down to fetch thee up and let brotherly love continue Continually 'T is that we are designed to by Jesus Christ to be ever with the Lord Let us be making to it let us be looking after the price of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ Let us all know and acknowledge we are making forward not yet perfect By him let us offer c. That is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name That is the fruit of our lips Here take notice how the tongue and the lips and the fruit thereof is sanctified by Jesus Christ and consecrated to God And this in all those that are sanctified by Jesus Christ The fruit of the lips is a sacrifice acceptable by Christ And therefore the Prophet Hosea Hos 14. 2. Calls the fruit of the lips the Calves of the lips The fruit of our lips by the sanctification of Jesus Christ is made a sacrifice acceptable unto God and not onely the fruit of our lips but the fruit of our hands the fruit of our feet the fruit of all our members The fruit of the earth as 't is said in Isa 4. 1 2. where the Prophet speaks of the manifestation of Christ in the spirit In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped That is for the spiritual seed the remnant that are taken out of the corruption of the world when he shall come who is the desire of all Nations seven women shall lay hold of him all shall make to him and own him and be one with him then the fruit of the earth shall be glorious then we shall eat our own bread and wear our own apparel we shall no more wear sins nor the devils robes we shall not borrow of sin we shall no more eat of his bread but of our own that which is in our Fathers house and that is Christ And in that day the fruit of the earth every part of us the whole body even the lips that have been full of poyson the tongue that hath had the fire of hell in it shall be filled with the fire of Heaven That that hath been darts and arrows and swords and venome and the sting of Aspes and Dragons even that shall be healing It shall be refreshing and delighting this is by Jesus Christ Christ shall come forth even in our tongues and season them with grace and make them to be a tree of life they shall minister Grace unto the hearers Christ doth recover all that the devil hath carried away as Abraham all that the King of Sodom caried away He recovers it he takes it out of pollution and out of filth There is a dumb Devil a beastly Devil a blasphemous Devil an accusing Devil a pratling and busie body Devil as Peter speaks of such Why Christ shall cast out every one of these Devils all the fruit of the lips shall be a sacrifice of praise there shall be no more of these no backbiting no slandering no going up and down to tell one anothers faults nothing but love and Praise and Thanksgiving Every member shall be restored and the tongue shall be restored I beseech you saith the Apostle as you have yeilded your members servants of iniquity unto iniquity so yeeld them servants of righteousness unto holiness This is by Christ and this is the effect of the spirit when he is poured forth making melody in your hearts which breaths forth nothing to God but love nothing to man but love nothing but praise nothing but joy Christ is a thorow Redeemer a thorow Restorer and therefore body and soul and every member of the body shall be Redeemed The spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead shall quicken your mortal bodies Christ gains the heart to God and out of the abundance of that the mouth speaks He makes the heart a treasury of good things and then comes forth nothing but good at the door of the lips The tongue and the lips are either the great instruments of the Devil or of God of Heaven or of Hell the fire of Heaven and the fire of hell is in the tongue Acts of life and death are in the power of the tongue Here is blessing and here is cursing God promises in the prophecie of Zachary to restore unto his people a pure lip or language and what is this pure language but Praise and Thanksgiving what is it but love but grace but edification they shall call upon the Name of the Lord and serve him with one consent a pure language is not in words and syllables but Christ fills the heart thence the mouth is fill'd as 't is in Psal 37. 30 31. He speaks there of the Righteous man His mouth speaks of wisdom and his tongue of understanding and the Law of God is in his heart This is that which is the New-Testament the Law in our heart and when the Law is in our heart then it will be in our tongue The old administration began in the tongue thou shalt speak of it at all times the New-Testament begins at the heart Thou shalt write it in the heart and then the tongue will speak nothing else The fruit of our lips There is a fruit of our lips that is seeming praise which coming not from the abundance of the heart is the greatest abomination unto God A flattering and deceitful tongue the Lord shall cut it out There is more of the fire of hell in a tongue that speaks to God and not from the heart then in a tongue openly blaspheming Therefore the Apostle Paul could not bear the devil that cried These are the servants of the most high God that shew unto us the way of salvation But Christ in the heart the fire of Heaven in the heart the Altar in the heart and there flaming out at the mouth O 't is
everywhere but in God Furie is not in me saith God And God manifested this indignation will appear and be felt There is no rest but in the Lord and there is no entertainment in the Lord but to those whom he cals in to whom he opens the gate the everlasting ganes Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord And who shall stand in his holy place Who shall lie down in that Chamber And who shall meet with that repose that is in him He whom he cals in by his Spirit It was death to enter in before Ahasuerus unless he held forth his golden Scepter There is nothing but indignation from the presence of God upon every soul but that soul that is called in by God Come my people There is a People that look to enter into rest and the Gospel is preached to them and rest is preached unto them but the Apostle tels us in Heb. 4. at the beginning They entred not in because of unbelief What is this unbelief God was not in their hearts they had not this inward call there was not the life of God within them nor the rest of God within them Gods voyce is not known without unless he dwell within They entred not in because of unbelief Christ is entertained nowhere in no soul where-ever he comes and knocks he is received nowhere but where he himself dwels and opens the door It is the voyce of God in our Spirits the Spirit saying to our spirits Ye are the children of God the People of God God is your rest Come enter in sit ye down There are dreams of Rest and when we awake there is nothing but trouble There are that cry Lord Lord and when he comes he saith I know you not depart from me ye workers of iniquity We must look for a better call then a Letter call or a Ministers call We must look for the call of God in our hearts and a particular call As they said to the blind man be of good comfort he speaks to thee he calleth thee Say to my soul saith David I am thy salvation All your rest is fancy unless God hath led you into it So far forth as you see him you see truth Come my people To call our selves the People of God unless God cals us so what a poor thing is this To fancy our selves in the Chamber and Rest of God alas how sadly shall we awake Come my people enter into thy Chambers and shut thy doors about thee shut thy self in close When we are shut into God from the world and are at home in the Lord taken up in him so far forth we are safe there is no trouble no indignation no fury Fury is not in me We stand in God and have our enjoyments in him are only taken up with him but while we stand there and are gazing upon the world our eyes and hearts are drawn forth after this and after the other then comes trouble We do not see enough in God if we did he would be a covering to our eyes and a husband to us indeed as he said He shall be a covering to thine eyes When we look after any thing but him we look after trouble wrath will come in therefore shut the doors upon you Enter into thy Chambers and shut the doors upon thee and hide thy self God is our rest from trouble God is our peace God is our life do but look from him you look into death you look into trouble You that dwel in God shut up your selves in him shut the doors upon you And hide thy self Hide thy self there is no hiding from God but in God Hide thy self in Gods Rest in Gods Love in Gods Power this is a mysterie and riddle unto the world Old Adam flies from God the presence of God is indignation Old Adam is Bryars and Thorns set in battle against him Gods appearance makes him run But whither shall we go from thy presence There is no hiding from God but in God While I hid my sins saith David my bones consumed away through my daily complaint thy hand was heavie upon me He had no rest till he made back again unto God Enter into thy Chambers and hide thy self Hide thy self and that is the Saints condition here in this world to be hidden ones The world doth not know us saith John 1 Joh. 3. at the beginning We are the sons of God but the world doth not know us You are dead saith the Apostle Col. 3. at the beginning and your life is hid Hide thy self Where are they hid Why they are hid in God Our life is hid with Christ in God That that appears now is the world and Satan and Death and Hell Hide thy self for a moment Hide thy self the Saints life is not seen nor known God is the Saints life when he is hidden And this is our comfort that when we are hidden he is hidden and when he shall appear we shall appear with him in glory as it is in that same third of the Colossians Hide thy self God will have us content to be hidden for a while and truly this makes us content to be hidden that he is hidden He is our life he comes not forth till we come forth he is not in glory till we are in glory he is dead while we are dead Yet awhile and the earth shall discover her dead and shall no more hide her slain as it follows in the Text. Hide thy self Saints are Gods hidden ones Hide thy self for a moment All the sadness and darkness of the Saints is but momentanie Dost thou love God Doth thy soul make to him And knowest thou no rest but him Thou art troubled and troubled when thou thinkest of God Hide thy self for a moment Here is repose for thee and this indignation this storm will over Sometimes it is expressed for a little moment in this Prophesie of Isaiah For a little moment have I hid my face from thee It seems long to us and we cry how long It is but a moment in respect of Eternity And this is another word of ease to an afflicted soul the affliction is strong but it shall not last Hide thy self for a moment until the indignation be overpast It is a cloud that will blow over this indignation will have an end and then comes eternal Rest eternal Joy And as the trouble of the Saints is but for a moment so the joy of the world it is no longer and the moment of the Saints trouble is the moment of the worlds rejoycing and the indignation that lyeth upon the Saints shall be taken off from them and fall upon the world and that is it that is expressed in the next Verse VER 21. For behold the Lord comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity the earth also shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain THose that dwell in the earth that have their life in the
world and flesh have all their rest and contentment here in the creature they have left the Creator and are turned to the creature They have forsaken the fountain of living water c. The Lord comes out of his place to punish them The Lords coming out of his place his appearance is destruction to all them that run a whoring from him After indignation hath been upon the Saints then it comes upon the world Iudgement begins at the house of God Wel what shal the end of thē be that obey not the Gospel The righteous is delivered out of trouble and the wicked comes in his place saith Solomon Behold the Lord comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity Assyria and Aegypt and Babylon are the scourge of God upon his people When his people are chastised then he throws his rods into the fire I will punish the stout heart of the King of Assyria Isa 10. And it is a righteous thing with God saith the Apostle 2 Thes 1. to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you that are troubled rest with us It is the glory of God after he hath lent his power to his enemies to take it into his own hands and to plague them to bring them under his feet While the world is rejoycing indignation shall pass from the people of God upon the world The world I count all earthly minded people that have their joy in the creatures The friendship of the world is enmity to God If their eyes were open they would little rejoyce considering what would be the end of this the end of this mirth would be heaviness God comes forth and all their Candles go out no more the voyce of the Bridegroom in thee every one that hath his life in the earth and in the creature is treasuring up wrath to himself against the day of wrath and so much Joy and Glory as they have had so much sorrow and torment shall seise upon them The Lord is come out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity The Lord shall turn his hand upon the world after he hath purged his people And this is also to be taken notice of here That there is hope unto the people of God that the bitter cup is passed from them and the indignation is going off them when God begins to take the world in hand when indignation begins to seise upon them Hide thy self for a moment till the indignation be overpast for behold the Lord comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth It will not last long when God hath the world in hand he is come out of his place to punish them therefore lift up your heads You that wait for God and have your hope in him lift up your weak hands and your feeble knees when God begins to afflict the world he is drawing it off from his people their yoke is breaking when the worlds neck is going into it when God begins with Aegypt then Israels warfare is accomplished when the rods are throwing into the fire then the childrens chastisement is at an end And according unto this truth the Saints have a pleasant prospect upon the world in all the trouble and distress of it In Famines Earthquakes Pestilences Wars in all the confusions and distresses thereof then they that wait for God that love him and his appearance are called upon to lift up their heads for their redemption draweth nigh Luke 21. 28. And here is the ground of it in the Text God is come forth to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity The indignation will soon be over Hide thy self for a moment A moment and all thy trouble will be at an end all thy deaths will be dead the worlds death is coming now and deaths death is coming now The Lord is come out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth Out of his place That expression cals for our observation and it hath a word before it Behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth And this is that is held forth to us here That while the inhabitants of the earth do live in jollity and prosperity God is as it were withdrawn out of the earth gone into his place God is everywhere and what is Gods place He is every-where but now he is pleased not to manifest himself here in the earth in the world It is a kind of withdrawing into a place going into a hole hiding himself and as it were leaving things in mens hands to rule by Satan leaving the earth and men to do their will and their pleasure There is the same expression in other Scriptures beside this Micah 1. 3. Behold the Lord comes out of his place and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth The Lord is in a retiring place as it were it is a Metaphorical speech he is everywhere he doth not appear that that we see is man and here is the Devil in them and lust in them and violence in them a time of great jollity great rejoycing great prosperity to the inhabitants of the earth What is this time God is gone into his place he hides himself he is retired He saith I will go down and see if it be so in Sodom according to the cry of it He went down and by his appearance set Sodom on fire he retires is not seen and the fool saith there is no God The heart of worldly men saith God sees not neither doth he regard God is gone into his place le ts the Devil and sin range everywhere and do what they will There is that expression in the Gospel The Kingdom of heaven is like a certain Nobleman who went into a far Country to receive a Kingdom and return So God is as it were gone into a far Country to receive a Kingdom and who hath the Kingdom now Satan hath the Kingdom man hath the Kingdom and death hath the Kingdom sin hath the Kingdom there is little to be seen in the world but these The Spirit of God was abroad mightily in the Apostles time after Christs Ascention and then he was pleased to draw in again that the man of sin might come forth and shew himself as the Apostle hath it 2 Thes 2. He that lets will let till it be taken out of the way That was that glorious manifestation of light and power in some of the people of God in those times and that did let and the man of sin could not come forth but that shall be taken out of the way and then he should come forth and this same taking out of the way was as much as Gods going into his place And so much doth that expression hold forth of Gods being in heaven according to that of the Apostle The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all the unrighteousness
of men Rom. 1. 17. The wrath of God is as it were in its place now kept up The wrath of God is nothing else but the manifestation of God God manifested to them that walk contrary to him his manifestation is wrath God manifested to Bryars and Thorns set in battle against him is consuming fire Now this wrath of God seems to be shut up in a secret place it shall be revealed from heaven it shall come forth out of its place All the glory rejoycing and prosperity of earthly men Earthly minded men in the creature you have your life in the earth your joy in the creature and your rest here you have this only while God is in his place while he is withdrawn but when he comes forth indignation comes upon you wrath comes upon you like Sorrow upon a woman in travail and you shall not escape Now you slight God care not for him say he sees you not say in you heart there is no God he will be upon you on a sudden and when he doth appear every knee shall bow to him and his enemies shall be found lyars And God doth appear purposely that it might appear what man is if the Majesty of God did appear no man would blaspheme him no man would slight him but now he is in a kind of absence and withdrawment he is in his place Now the world appears in riot and the evill servant drinks with the drunkard and beats his fellow-servants and saith My master will not yet come When he comes forth who shall stand before him Who shall stand before devouring fire Who shall stand before everlasting burnings All earthly-minded people they will vanish away they will come to nothing Even as darkness stands by the absence of light and when light comes it is destroyed so the darkness of this world and the joy of the wicked it hath its place while God is withdrawn when he appears and is manifested when he takes off his Vail that is upon him they consume out of their dwelling Let God arise and his enemies shall be scattered Set the Bryars and Thorns against me saith God who will do it I will burn them together I will go through them and burn them and it is but going through them and they are burnt There is everlasting destruction from his presence Darkness wickedness sin cannot stand but in Gods withdrawing and this is the reason of sin and hels rage God is gone into his place when he comes forth again these are like dust before him There are that have their time only in Gods absence and who are these They that live upon the world they that are satisfying their lusts they that have nothing but that which is seen that put their trust in it have all their life in the creature these have all their joy here in Gods absence and are just like the wild beasts as we have a description of them in the Psalms Man goes forth unto his labour till the evening and the evening comes and the beasts go abroad after their prey And this is the time of mens satisfying their lusts while God is in his place while God is not manifested My master defers his coming saith the evil servant And here is the reason of the dreadfulness of the mention of the day of Judgement unto an earthly heart a carnal heart O how terrible is it The thought of Doomesday the Judgement day the Throne set the Books opened The reason why this is so dreadfull is because that then all their sport is at an end all their joy is done they had it in the flesh but there shall no flesh glory in his presence All the glory that is in flesh shall dis-appear when the glory of God appears The day of the Lord is darkness and not light unto all that live in the world This is mans day Mans day which is Gods night and Gods day is the worlds night If you have your life in the earth when God comes forth there is an end of your life The Saints are dead till the Lord comes forth this is the reason why they wait for this day O that the Lord would come They love his appearance they long for his appearance they wait for his Kingdom Thus the Spirit of God in Scripture doth decipher out Saints and Disciples unto us They waited for the Kingdom of God They love and long for his appearance As he appears down goes sin his appearance sets a flame unto sin even the sin and lust that is in us and when that is burnt up there is nothing but glory nothing but glory that remains He is come out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth that is those that have their life and rest in the earth They have this life and rest and joy only while God doth not appear when he appears and comes forth nothing but blackness and darkness nothing but destruction from his presence as it is in 2 Thes 1. Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that believe Now he is dishonoured and reproached then he shall be glorified The Lord is come out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity The earth also shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain The earth also shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain When the Lord is discovered when he discovers himself there is a discovery of every thing there shall be no longer hiding The earth is disclosed God is light and there is an end of darkness when light comes forth The earth shall disclose her blood and shall no longer hide her slain What is this blood and this slain which the earth hides and covers for the time and which it shall disclose It is the Lords blood Do we not read in Scripture of the Lords blood Acts 20. The Church he hath redeemed by his own blood The blood of the Lamb the Lamb slain There are two things to be observed here First this That the Lord of life lyeth slain and buried in the earth and this is his place spoken of before When he comes out of his place the earth discloses her blood and discovers her slain The Lord lyeth slain and buried in the earth Another thing is That the Lord by his own power will rise up and discover and manifest himself and say I am he that was dead but am alive and I live for evermore and I have the keys of hell and death The Lord lyeth slain and buried in the earth the earth is the grave of the Lord this Creation is the Lords Sepulchre it is the Lords Monument and it hath this inscription written upon it Behold the place where the Lord lies the Lord lyeth slain in the earth and this is his place where he is hidden he is every-where but he is as
returns the life of God in you revives us according to the Divine nature It is the grace of God that brings Salvation that only cures us of distemper and makes us perfect men in Jesus Christ It is Jesus Christ is the only perfect and sound man the wisdom of God and we are sound when he is formed in our hearts brought forth and raised up in us The Apostle attributes this sound mind to the grace of God God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power but of God and of a sound mind The Spirit of Jesus Christ is a spirit of a sound minde While we have not the spirit we are under a cloud we are in a distemper and in weakness even in the purest state of flesh God finds weakness and folly in his Angels he hath not put trust in them There is no sound and perfect state but the state of God all that are born of God are born into that state and he is their wisdom Jesus Christ the wisdom of God and is made so to us of God Of the Prodigal t is said when he came to himself he remembred his fathers house Paul says that he was mad against the Church 1 Tim. I was exceedingly mad how came he changed the grace of God was exceeding abundant towards him which is in Christ Jesus This revived his soul The grace of God that brings Salvation teaches us to live soberly It makes us sober indeed it makes us mad in appearance Paul says he was mad before the grace of God appeared Festus told him he was mad after the grace of God had appeared There is a seeming madness and a seeming sobriety Sobriety is madness unto mad people Mans sobriety is madness unto God and Gods wisdom is folly and madness unto men The spirit of God coming upon the Disciples there 's a multitude that cry these men are full of new Wine they are drunk they spake truer then they were aware of 'T was new Wine indeed they had drank but such wine as they knew not of and that which they look't upon as Drunkenness was true sobriety and they but then came into their wits to a sound mind There was a Spirit of Power and Glory then came upon them and the Spirit of fear it was vanishing away When Christ began to manifest himself his kinred said he was mad They went forth to lay hands on him and said he was mad As the grace of God does appear in us and to us it makes us signs and wonders in Israel It is from the Lord of hosts It takes us off from following our own reason and it leads us in a way that men do not walk in The way of the Spirit is not the way of men it transforms us out of the World and changes us by the renewing of our mind The mad world thinks us mad when we begin to be sober There 's Gods wisdom and mans wisdom mans wisdom is foolishness to God and Gods wisdom is foolishness to man Solomon says of man that folly and madness is in his heart till the wisdom of God come in there is nothing else and he that is in the height of madness his madness is not seen to himself madness is continually there here is madness that he stumbles at God There is no such madness as is discovered by the wise and prudent man when he discourses in matters of Religion There was not such a mad and frantick man to throw fire and arrows of death as Paul when only humane learning led him in the practice of Religion The madness of men appears in calling evil good and good evil in running after shadows and leaving the substance in walking against the very light of their consciences to run into the world when they know the world is but a vain shadow in tempting God when they know he is stronger then they The grace of God makes a man sober And there is this ground for it Reas Because God is the only wise God To the only wise God If God be only wise then every man must be a fool but man will be wise says Job though he be born like a wild asses colt and here he discovers greatest folly Whosoever yields God that title The only wise God he does deny it to himself unless it be in Christ unless it be by grace if the grace of God hath entered it teacheth us to live soberly God hath let Satan enter upon this Creation that mad Spirit that carries us to destruction setting up himself in it and striving with God though he shall never prevail as God breaks in and throws out Satan wisdom comes and madness goes and therefore every one that looks upon himself as sober and would be counted so let him consider whence this sobriety comes hath the grace of God appeared that brings Salvation Is it from God or from man There is not such a mad man as a worldly wise man dealing in Religion The foolishness of God is wiser then men and the weakness of God is stronger then men and the wisdom and excellency of men is foolishness to God He takes the wise in their craftiness their light is nothing but darkness whosoever they be that have not the madness of man and flesh discovered to them do not yet know sobriety All that the world calls sobriety and wisdom it will appear but madness in the day of the Lord The wisdom of the flesh is enmity to God what folly is this what do you get by enmity to God Flesh is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be If you be truly wise and sober it is by the grace of God appearing that hath brought Salvation And whosoever is indeed made wise and sober by this grace of God appearing he must look to be accounted mad and foolish True sobriety must needs be accounted madness of those that have it not I and the sons whom thou hast given me are for signs A man instructed by God by a strong hand Noah was lookt on for a mad man and condemned by the world and he that is made sober by God he knows what the sobriety of the world is the world does not know what his sobriety is and he can carry himself boldly before the world in that it counts madness and folly knowing that it will justifie it self and bring confusion on all their wisdom That 's the first The grace of God that brings Salvation appearing is that only that teaches sobriety Secondly The grace of God that brings Salvation appearing is that only that teaches true Righteousness It teaches us to live soberly and righteously Till the grace of God that bringeth Salvation appears we do not know true righteousness all the righteousness that we practise before is but the shew of righteousness Till the new man be brought forth there 's no true holiness but he is created after the Image of God in righteousness and true holiness Ephes 4. 24. Paul
at Soper-lane with which he finished his Testimony THe occasion of this meeting I need not to mention We may make it an occasion to speak and hear something which may hold forth our life and his life that is dead for he is but dead to the world and that he was whilst he lived It is not amiss if we look at somewhat else then burying the dead which is to bury death Let the dead bury the dead If you be dead and have not a seed of life in you I have nothing to say to you Whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord Whilst our life is onely in the body and in bodily things we are dead and the seed of God lies buried in us Now to quicken that seed is the work of a true spiritual Ministery Let us see if we can quicken the dead so saith Peter The Gospel was preached to those that were dead and Paul to the same purpose you hath he quickened who were dead in sins and trespasses Christ may lie dead amongst us and the glory of the Father may appear here to raise him up That is our business if we preach the Gospel to preach Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life Where Christ is not in any as good preach to the Corps that lies in the grave as preach to them If there be any children of the Resurrection here either manifested or not manifested to them we speak for the hour is coming and now is that the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and live Joh. 5. 25. Do we know no grave but such as we have put a Corps in To be at home in the body is to be in a grave absent from the Lord who is our life But to such as have life or a seed of life in them do I address my self and therefore you may please to look upon that Scripture ISAI 25. 6 7 8. And in this mountain shall the Lord of hoasts make unto all people a feast of fat things a feast of Wine on the Lees of fat things full of marrow of wine on the Lees well refined And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people and the vail that is spread over all Nations He will swallow up death in victory and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth for the Lord hath spoken it ANd in this mountain The Lord is this mountain that appeares in the first verse of the chapter Thou art my God and I will exalt thee A Mountain is a thing exalted and we exalt God when we bring him forth in power He lies hid in our weakness we shall bring him forth in his power You are dead and your life lies hid with Christ in God when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we appear with him in glory When he lies no longer hid in our weakness and darkness but comes forth in his own life righteousness and strength then he is our Mountain There is an expression to the same purpose Psal 18. 2. The Lord is my Rock my Fortress my Strength my high Tower c. There are many Mountains many appearances of God in flesh wheresoever God appeares in flesh that is a Mountain When he is pleased to withdraw and give way to the devil then the whore comes and sits upon the seaven Mountains Not that I exclude the common interpretation of the seven Hills but take in this with it But though Satan hath possessed all other Mountains this he shall never possess this is like Mount-Sion that shall never be removed Mount-Sion indeed is but a shadow of this Mountain The woman of Samaria Joh. 4. propounds a question to Christ whether they were to worship in the Samaritan Mountain or at Mount-Sion but she was content to wait for the resolution till the Messias come Sion is the true figure but Christ that reveals the Father is the true Mountain God speaks in figures and parables very much This Mountain That is it that all other Mountans are but Types and Figures of All this world is a Figure and some special parts and pieces thereof are more instituted figures more eminently so where God appears to his people that is a Mountain A Mountain is an exalted thing a great thing and strong thing A Mountain stands in a good Ayre The Mountain of Spices a Mountain gives a pleasant prospect these are the properties of Mountains God will appear in his people in his greatness pleasantness height strength eternity In this mountain shall the Lord make a Feast There is a Mountain that is not to be touched Heb. 12. But ye are come to the Mountain that may be touched Ye shall feast in this Mountain The world shall see the Feast not touch it The natural man knows no Mountain but what is visible This Mountain is to flesh invisible Whilst the Saints do boast of God and have outward helps to lean upon the world looks upon them as such as have some cause why they should boast but when their fleshly helps fail the world jeers them Now flee to the mountain like a bird The eleventh Psalm is an answer to the Worlds jeer I trust in the Lord how say ye to my soul flee as a bird to your mountain When outward props are removed from the Saints Now saith the world where is your Mountain Answ Our Mountain say they standeth firm The Lord is in his Holy Temple The Lord is our Mountain He is all in all to us Whom saith David have I in Heaven but thee and there is none in earth I desire but thee The Lord in his people and the Lords people in him this is their Mountain The Church is called a City on a hill or Mountain which is founded in God We are not come to the mount that may not be touched The Lord is the Mountain and the feast too The Lord the Mountain and the Lord the Feast Nicodemus will say how can this be This is Non-sense To them that are without we speak parables To you saith Christ it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom but to others in parables that seeing they might see and not understand There is a vail upon all faces If this will not go down easily with you the Lord is the Mountain and the Lord is the Feast consider it comes but to this to make the Lord all all in all and the world a shadow of him a vail upon him it is no dishonour to the Lord to make him all if it be a dishonour to the world to make it a shadow to make it nothing let it be so if you cannot bear the worlds dishonour we must take that boldness to give you offence The Mountain and the feast too How so There is bread and there is wine in this feast Christ the
true bread Joh. 6. Christ the true vine Joh. 15. But will you have flesh too Here is fat things and marrow My flesh saith Christ is meat indeed and my blâ—od is drink indeed That is my life not onely my natural life but my life which I had with the Father slain and buryed is meat indeed the words that I speak are spirit and life saith Christ where spirit and life is not this is not received What is this flesh and blood but the divine nature dwelling in you for a while as it were dead and buryed in flesh afterwards raised and quickned in flesh and you hath he quickned as it is Eph. 2. 1. This discovery of our true life and this life brought forth in us is the true meat the true drink the true flesh the true blood and this same flesh and blood of Adam is meat and drink too for that being slain the grave is opened where the true life lies Obj. You say God is the feast Christ is the feast and that the Lod will make the Feast That the Lord shall make the feast and that the Lord shall be the feast how can this be Sol. His manifestation his bringing forth himself is making the feast his Death and Resurrection brought forth in us is making the Feast then we feed on his flesh and on his blood as the Scripture speaks This is a feast and this feast hath fatness and sweetness in it to a spiritual man and the rich mans table and the delicacies are but crusts and scraps and parings to this Feast The Feast lies in Abrahams bosome the common life of all Saints one with Abraham gathered into the bosome of Abraham the same life that Abraham lived He that eats of this bread shall hunger no more he that drinks of this water shall thirst no more There is musick and dancing in this feast also as we may see in the Prodigals entertainment upon his return to his fathers house but the elder brother did not understand it Luke 15. The Lord is this feast and wheresoever the Lord is not after a little while there shall be nothing but hunger and thirst where the Lord is not there are but dreams The hungry man dreams that he eats and drinks and when he awakes his soul is empty as it is in Isaiah He that hath not entertainment with the Lord He that dwells not in Abrahams bosom shall hunger and thirst and languish and fade away to nothing Mark that Scripture in Isa 65. 11 12 13. Ye are they that forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain that prepare a table for that troop and that furnish the drink offering unto that number Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold my servant shall eat but ye shall be hungry behold my servant shall drink but ye shall be thirsty behold my servant shall rejoyce but ye shall be ashamed ye worship many Gods ye shall have many troubles The mountain is and is not the Feast is and is not it is set out but not fully the hour cometh and now is already we are the Lords Feast and he is ours everywhere but in the Lord shall be hunger and thirst dearth and barrenness he that can receive it let him receive it There are that have devoted themselves to the Law and the letter of Scripture there are others that have all their life in the creature God will shortly draw all life into himself and all they that run after other Gods shall starve and famish they and their Gods Obj. But you will say There is something in the Text that seems to contradict this for it is not said He shall make unto all people a feast Sol. To all people that is to all sorts of people In the spiritual Feast there is neither Jew nor Gentile neither male nor female but all are one in Christ Jesus Here is a repetition of the provision in this Feast A Feast of fat things a Feast of Wine on the Lees of fat things full of Marrow of Wine on the Lees well refined the Lord is a Feast a continual feast when you have feasted never so well ye shall finde him to set forth himself a better feast a richer feast for there is infinite variety in God the Lords death is the Feast his Resurrection the life that comes by it It follows in the seventh verse And he will destroy in this Mountain the face of the covering and the vail that is spread over all Nations The Lord in this Mountain in his appearing will destroy the face of the covering In the Mountain a Feast in the Mountain the face of the covering destroyed The carnal Jew looks for the fullfilling of the letter the spiritual Jew looks for the spirit Abraham Isaac and Jacob sought a Country not an earthly one but a heavenly we pitch upon figures and vails and enter not within the vail These outward things are a vail a Table made a snare but when we are turned to the Lord the vail shall be taken away All mans teaching wisdom c. makes the vaile the thicker those that feed onely upon the vail upon outward things in which God appears their life shall be destroyed when others are fed and feasted Here take notice of divers particulars I shall onely give you some hints do you judge of them First of all this Observ 1. That all the Worlds feastings are with a vail and their faces covered The spiritual man so far forth as he feasts it is with open face though yet but as in a glass 2 Cor. 3. whilst we have any joy but in the Lord it is in the vail We eat death in all our feasts we swallow it down but we do it not in victory that oppresseth us oftentimes Observ 2. This outward appearance is the face of the covering There is no man sees my substance but that face that he sees is the face of the covering Cease from man and you cease from the face of the covering and so it will follow that there is no judging by outward appearance while you judge by outward appearance you do not judge righteous judgement Observ 3. When the Lord comes forth to feast to feed to refresh his people he comes forth even in that to destroy He shall make a feast of fat things and he shall destroy and all in the mountain There is no feast without death The Saints salvation comes out of destruction He kills and makes alive By terrible things wilt thou answer us O God of our salvation He that will lose his life shall save it and he that will save his life shall lose it Christ is perfected through sufferings No man shall see God and live Our God is a consuming fire out of the Cross of Christ comes our joy whereby the world is crucified unto us and we unto the world If this be a parable unto you is it not because you lie under the vail because you are without God chuseth his people
in the fire of affliction Observ 4. Fourthly observe that the Lords sweetness and life lies now under a vail and covering that is the reason it is so little owned in the world A feast but not seen he that will see the Lord he that will feed at this feast must not look at the things that are seen but at things not seen which lie within the vail Obser 5. Again Fifthly take notice that there is no destroying the vail but by the Lords coming forth until the substance come forth the shadows are substances No perfect destroying the vail untill the Lord be fully come forth All the Ministers in the world cannot do it Observ 6. Sixthly Observe this That all people have a vail or a covering cast over them not one excepted He will destroy the vail of the Covering cast upon All people spred upon All Nations Though the Lord be not far from every one of us yet the Vail keeps us from seeing him and whilst we lie under the vail we grope and feel after him Till God destroy this vail we have foolish fancies and false apprehensions of God What wonder seeing All nations are under the vail All have sinned and come short of the glory of God Rom. 3. 23. God suffered all nations to walk in their own ways They that remain under the vail judge their brethren that see further then themselves of Error and Heresie but they that have the vail destroyed by the Lord will not be harsh to their brethren that lie under the vail although whilst the vail and the face of the Covering was spred upon them they were so grosly ignorant as to cry out against others Error Heresie Blaspemy Observ 7. Seventhly Observe the twofold expression in the Text The vail and the face of the covering And it is not only Cast but Spred also There is exactness in it Quest If you demand what this vail is that the Lord will destroy I Answer This Creation in its purity and perfection You will say The Creation declares the glory of God Psal 19. The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shews forth his handy work Sol. True but in a vail Christs flesh was a vail Heb. 10. 20. This Creation in its purity and perfection is a vail but when Satan the world sin and death have gotten root in it then its a thick a dark vail or a shadow of death To those that sate in darkness and the shadow of death is this light come All Gods manifestations in it are vails till he get above it and cover it which he will do He is sunk into it as a seed as he riseth up in it it is in a vail Quest But how comes this vail Who casts this vail Answ 1. The Lord He makes darkness and light he makes vails and open Manifestations 2. Satan hath cast and spred this vail 3. We have every one of us cast it and spread it and we are shrowding our selves under it as God appears and God is righteous and holy in it and we and Satan are in the same sin We are all running into the vail as much as we can But God will destroy the vail and then every eye shall see him Behold he cometh with Clouds and every eye shall see him He is not seen now but he shall be seen his manifestation is life and death Life to those that are of him who feel themselves under the vail death to those that rest and have their life in the vail There 's everlasting destruction from his presence and from the glory of his power We are a sweet Savour of Christ to God in those that perish To some we are a savour of life to others a savour of death That is the Ministry of the Spirit It follows in Verse 8. He will swallow up death in victory Observ 1. Destroy the vail and destroy death The taking away of the vail is the taking away of Death Death is dead Death upon a true account is nothing but a vail upon God who is our true life We live because he lives You heard before what this is even all this Creation in its purity and perfection but much more a vail a thicker and darker vail when sin and death and devil are gotten into it The Scripture expression is elsewhere The vail of the shadow of death Darkness and Death Light and Life are the same even Christs flesh was a vail Ordinances are vails No disparagement to Ordinances If God appear in them t is well Mans ministry is a vail if we see God in it it is but darkly If we be refreshed it is but in part This life and body is a vail while we are at home in it till it be changed and made spiritual till we be cloathed upon with our true life which is from heaven The Apostle saith While we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord While we are absent from the Lord we are absent from our life for our life is to be with him We are not perfectly quickned perfectly alive till we be cloathed upon with our life which is from Heaven Therefore take notice that the pulling down of this body is not properly death to the Saints but the destroying of death He will destroy the vail and swallow up death in victory So then that which we call life is not so indeed but death This body this present appearance is but the face of the covering and the rending of it is the swallowing up of death Let us mend our account if we can We have judged things by the outward appearance by the face of the covering by the vail now let us judge righteous judgement The flesh judgeth that to be life which the Spirit knows to be death Our friend is not dead but gone out of death into life Those that know not God but have all their life in the flesh in present appearances they live not indeed They that live in pleasure are dead whilst they live If God be our life then the less we are in these things the more we are in life If our life be in the vail when this vail is destroyed our life is swallowed up of deaths victory and the second death seizeth on us Refer this to the feast that the Lord makes it is himself that is the feast it is himself that makes the feast he dyes into our weakness and when through his death his life is manifested in us in a spirit of Love of power and of a sound minde then death is swallowed up in victory It goes into the draught we hear of it no more The Lords life manifested swallows up death in victory Death is sorrow and tears See if you can imbrace this account of death He that hath ears to hear let him hear He that hath not it may be will cry whimsey fancy and turning the Scripture into an Allegory Further it s said And the Rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth All the Saints Rebuke is whilst they are under the vail They are judged by the vail the world knows them not We live in the vail whilst we are in sorrow and tears whilst God who is our life is hid we are under the worlds Rebuke In the mean time we wait till God appear and whilst God appears not the world jears us saying Flee to your mountain Psal 11. 1. All the worlds joy is in the vail when the vail is rent then comes the second death then that is made good Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things and Lazarus his evil but now thou art tormented and he is comforted And now have I walked in a vail and in a cloud unto you Do you not understand The time was when my self did not and it may be my weakness in expressing as well as yours in hearing It is my weakness that cannot put the vail from off your eyes Consider what hath been spoken that you may understand it rightly If it please God to bring it home as a seed sown to any of you I shall rejoyce I leave it to the blessing of God FINIS Isa 50. 1. Isa 2. 2.
for a reward And whosoever take upon them to be Prophets and do complie with the World are lying Prophets as he was All true Prophets that Prophesied of Christ saw him and he was in them Abraham saw my day saith Christ and t was Christ himself that preached in the days of Noah as Peter hath it But Iohn was much above the Prophets seeing Christ at a nearer distance then they did A Prophet saith Christ Yea I say unto you and more then a Prophet Iohn made a greater noyse a greater stir and bustle in the world then the Prophets before They came forth with power but they witnessed in sackloth in comparison of Iohn The Prophets before Iohn had nothing like that respect that Iohn had There went out to him all Iudea and Jerusalem Yea the Saduces and Pharisees went out to him and yet see how he takes them up O generation of Vipers who hath forwarned you to flye from the wrath to come See how he deals with Herod With what Majesty that its said Herod feared him They were dazled at his light and scorcht with his fire He was the greatest before Christ He came in the Spirit and power of Elias There are witnesses to Christ in the flesh and there are witnesses to Christ in the Spirit There are witnesses to his first coming in the similitude of sinfull flesh and there are witnesses to his second coming without sin to Salvation And the nearer to him the clearer sight of him the more transformed into his Image the more powerfull will be the witness He that is a true Prophet or a true witness doth not only tell us of truth or of Christ but he doth appear truth and appear Christ Here is truth here is Christ here is the Spirit There is no true Prophet or witness of Christ but he seeth him come But What! is Christ come He is come and he is coming The hour is coming and now is He is and he was and he is to come He is come the Lamb slain and he is come the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah So far forth aswe are true witnesses we see him amongst us we can poynt him out This is He. We see him in Faith Christ dwells in our hearts by faith We see him in hope Christ in you the hope of glory We see him the wisdom of God and the power of God We see him such a one as cares not for man Master we know that thou art true and carest not for any mans person We see him one that takes away sin It is he that is our righteousness and holiness It is he that is the true light It is his day coming that shall darken the Sun and the Moon It is he that makes the whole Creation to shake It is he that commands Devils and Hell Principalities and Powers In that degree we see him and have communion with him in that degree we witness to him He is coming and he is come without sin to Salvation He is amongst us and in the midst of us and if you see him not if you know him not it is because you are in darkness He is come and Iohn is come that bears witness of him Who is Iohn that bears witness to him He that calleth you from man to that one Master He that is decreasing before him and rejoyceth in it He that is dying into him and seeking to rise in him that is sending all Disciples to him and confessing him and professing that all were Thieves and Robbers that went before him that had drawn Disciples after them That Ministry that is calling us off from man from the glow-worm light of this Creation from mans parts and gifts into the Spirit that 's the Ministry we should look after This same Iohn came out of the wilderness He came not in a fleshly garbe He came not in that which commends him to man He feared not man nor his terror He cared neither for Herods glory nor the Pharisees applause He was leading men above the excellency of this creation and bidding them look beyond it He comes not into the Ministry upon the old account by the way of Succession or Election by mans laying on of hands or call of Churches but by the Spirit He comes of the Priesthood but not in the ordayning way When his parents were old when their bodies were dead when his Father was dumb when mans Ministry had been tryed then he comes forth not in the wisdom of man but in the power of the Spirit He comes out of the wilderness in Spirit So Christ is among us in the Spirit These are the mighty witnesses and this is that which makes them mighty Seeing of Christ This is the Ministry we should look after Look after such witnesses and look to be such witnesses to be seers indeed and not in a bare notion as Balaam was to see him in us and our selves in union with him to hold him forth to hold forth the truth to hold forth righteousness and to be able to say Here it is The Ministry of those that profess themselves the Ministers of Christ and yet do not see Christ the world takes hold on it and runs into it and so it comes to nothing The Ministry of those that see Christ by the power of Christ doth stop the mouths of Mockers and Scoffers that say Where is the promise of his coming Why he is come and he is coming That is the true Ministry that sees him and this is that which will grow exceedingly terrible to the world This is such a Ministry as the world is not able to stand before As Christ comes nearer so the Ministry of the Spirit will be more burning and shining more dazling and tormenting to the world and if any oppose it O what burning and tormenting then Burning and shining is the demonstration of the Spirit and Power The Divine nature in us is that fire from the Altar that never goeth out That fire that shall change our vile bodies and make them like his glorious body that fire that shal put out and darken the glory of the world And that is the reason of the Ecclipse of the Sun which Naturalists cannot find out the greater light coming the Lord himself the Sun of righteousness appearing the light of gifts of parts and of natural reason presently disappears and vanisheth They are but as the light of a glow-worm to the Sun There is a fire of passion kindled by the fire of Hell The fire that Sampsons Foxes carried away in their tayls as it s said Wickedness burns like a fire The fire of the Spirit putts out this fire A burning and a shining light The manifestation of God in his servants is fire and light its burning and shining and the nearer God approaches the hotter the fire the more shining the light Burning and shining In burning there is great suffering there 's torment there 's slaying and offering up there 's assimilating In shining