throne of grace in his name wee shall finde acceptance for his sake Hebr. 10.22 Rom. 5.1 2. though Jonathan could not appeas the anger of his father Saul against David yet our Jonathan will surely prevail with our God for us though wee are unworthy yet as the man of God looked on Jeboram for Jehoshaphat's sake 2 King 3.14 so will our God look favorably on us for Christ's sake 3 This must quicken and stirr up us to love the Lord Jesus the children use to love where the father doth the servants use to affect where their Lord God the Father loveth the Son therefore let us also get our hearts inflamed with love to him to them that love him all felicity is wished Eph. 6 24. to them that love him not all evils are denounced 1 Cor. 16.22 and many inducements there are to move us to set our affection upon 1. the dignity beauty majesty glory and excellency of his person Isa 45.3 Cant. 5.10 2. The love that hee hath shewed to us Joh. 15.13 Rom. 5.8 Jonathan's love to David caused David again to love him fire begetteth fire 3. The great afflictions hee hath suffered for us 4. The great endowments hee hath bestowed upon us 5. The many enemies hee hath conquered for us 6. The great things hee hath purchased for us in the heavens these are as so many load-stones to draw our hearts unto Christ Jesus as so many bellows to blow up the fire of our affections to inflame or hearts with fervent sacred and constant love unto the Lord Jesus and that so much the more because wee have hence seen Doctr. That the love of God to Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness which cometh to God's servants as the waters come to us from the fountain by and thorow the cistern the light cometh from the sun to the eie by and thorow the aër so is Christ the medium whereby all the goodness of God cometh unto us and God's love to Christ is the original and prime cause hereof as Gen. 45.17 18. the love of King Pharaoh to Joseph was the moving caus of all the favor and kindness hee shewed to his father and brethren when they were in great distress by reason of the famine so the love of God the King of kings viz. Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness peace comfort which is derived and communicated to the brethren of Christ Jesus as the Ark was the caus of the wellfare of Obed-Edom's house so is God's love to Christ the caus of all our welfare this was shadowed out by the ladder in Jacob's vision Genes 28.11 12. reaching from heaven to earth the Angels ascending and descending to shew how all the goodness of God descendeth unto us by and thorow Christ this was also prophecied as the Lord hath put the grace of his spirit upon the son of righteousness to enlighten them that sit in darkness and why hath hee done so but because hee delighted in him and the Apostle speaketh plainly that wee are accepted in the beloved Ephes 1.6 Acts 2.33 Reas 1. Because wee are from all eternity elected in Christ as the Apostle witnesseth Eph. 1.4 saying wee are chosen in him before the foundation of the world in him noting the order in which wee are elected not the cause of election the grace of election beginneth first with Christ our head and descendeth to us in him wee are not first elected and then Christ is chosen by reason of our fall but God out of his love did first chuse him to bee the head of the body mystical and then are wee chosen to bee his members as the head corner stone in the building is first chosen Psa 116.22 and then the other stones which are to bee put into the building hence hee is said to bee the first begotten amongst his brethren Col. 1.18 to have the preheminence to bee sealed John 6.27 set apart to be the prince of our salvation to be fore-ordained before the foundations of the world 1 Pet. 1.20 by how much more excellent things are by so much more timely and principally they bee in God's decree hee doth not think of electing and predestinating us first as a body and then come afterward by occasion to think of a him who is the head hee is the first pattern and wee are predestinated to bee like him Rom. 8.29 and as the master-picture and pattern is first and then the thing which is to bee drawn by it as in a naturall birth the head cometh first and then the feet after it so first was Christ chosen then as the head or the elect and fountain of grace and then are wee chosen in him things in their material existing have one order in their intentional another as for example a man that maketh a house intendeth to dwell under some covering 2 hee intendeth to build a house 3. to hire workmen 4. to prepare matter but in the execution hee 1. setteth stone and wood in place 2 hee hireth workmen then raiseth the frame and lastly entreth in and dwelleth there In order of materiall existing Christ is revealed promised exhibited after sin but intended before sin 1 Cor. 3.22 23. The Apostle reckoning the order in which things exist mentions 1. the world 2 the elect 3 Christ then God but giveth us to understand in order of intention that God intendeth first his own glory then Christ then the Church then the world out of which hee intended to gather such as should bee saved by Christ and thus Christ is the head of the elect and the fountain of grace 2. Because all the promises of God are to us in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 hee is the cistern by which God hath promised to convey the waters of life to our souls It is hee who of God is made unto us all things behooffull to our salvation 1 Cor. 1.30 it is in him that God hath promised audience and acceptance to our persons Gen. 3.15 it is in him that the blessing was promised to all nations Gen. 12.34 it is in his dayes that all peace and felicity was promised to the Church Jer. 23.5 6. it is hee that brought good and joyfull tidings Micah 4.4 5. 3 Because God hath put all fulness in him for the good of his Church as hee hath put all fulness of light into the sun for the giving of light to the world all fulness of water into the sea for the watering of the earth so hath God put all fulness into him for our behoof that are in him that wee might receive grace needfull to salvation Col. 1.19 John 1.16 Isa 61.1 2. as all Aegypt fetched out of Joseph's store as the ointment on Aaron's head ran down to the beard even the skirts of his garment Psalm 133.1 2. 4. Because our life the life of grace is hidden in Christ even when wee were dead in sin Col. 3.3 as the life of the tree in the winter is in the root the
sheeps cloathing have been shunned by the Lords flocke and the Factors of Rome have had no good utterance for their deceiptfull wares But the Gospel happily and well were it if not unthankfully preserved Christ hath tarried with us longer than in the Land of Iudea we may say as Cant. 2.11 12 13. Lo the winter is past the rain is over and gone The flowers appear on the earth the time of the singing of birds is come and the voyce of the Turtle is heard in our Land The figtree putteth forth her green figs the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell c. Vse 2 Is it such a favour a blessing of such eminent nature to have the Gospel continued to have our Souls watered with these dews our eyes lightned with this light and hath our God in this manner for so long from the Grandfather to the Father from the Father to the Children caused this streame to run without any interruption this Sun to shine without any Eclipse to hide it what should we doe for our God which hath don so much for us how should we all say as the Psalmist Psal 116.12 13 14. What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards mee I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all his people How should we all study day and night how to honour that God who hath so honoured us above many other nations These things it should cause 1. This should cause us to love God most entirely how do we love the hand which healeth us when we are sicke the hand which feedeth us being hungry which delivereth us being captivated which cloatheth us being naked which bringeth a light to us being in darkenes which advanceth us to honour out of the dust how much more should the goodnes of God inflame our cold revive our dull affections how can we look on these tokens of Gods love and not be ravished with admiration How can we set in this Banqueting house and not be sick of love Cant. 2.4 How can we live so long under the burning beames of this Sun and not burne with love to him who hath loved us How can we receive so much from God and not gladly leave all for the love we beare him Is not the heat of the fire answearable to the quantity of the wood Is not the depth of the waters in the Channel proportionable to the water distilling from the clouds arising from the fountaine remember you not that place Luk. 7.41 42 43. Hath he not given and forgiven us more than others therefore let us accordingly in our love go beyond other people 2. This should cause us to love the Gospel most unfainedly we have had the experience of it we have seen the wonders it hath wrought the powerfull effects it hath produced we have seen the blessings which have accompanied it how the hand of God hath been with it It is said of David that all Israel and Juda loved him because he went out and in before them and God was with him 1 Sam. 18.14 16. We have had as blessed experience of the goodnes of the Gospel of the long continuance of it of the mighty power of God accompaining it toward us against our enemies as ever the men of Iuda and Israel had of David and therefore we should now set our hearts upon it As Solomon saith in another case Prov. 5.19 Let her be as the loving hinde and pleasant roe let her breast satisfie thee at all times and be thou ravisht with her love We should be so affected with it that with them Iohn 6.34 We should say Lord evermore give us this bread that with Peter Math. 17.4 We should say it is good being here if thou wilt let us make here three Tabernacles c. and with David Psal 119.72 The Law of thy mouth is better to mee than thousands of gold and silver and as the spouse Cant. 1.2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth c. Long continuance in the Schoole causeth the Schollers delight this is the instrument of our peace safety comfort and direction therefore as Israel 1 Sam. 4.5 When the Arke of the Covenant came into the camp shouted with a great shoute so that the whole earth rang againe so should we for the continuance of the Gospel 3. This should make us resemble God abundantly in holines and true righteousnes The Iron that lyeth long in the fire burneth like the fire Naaman that hath been seven times in Jordan cometh forth cleansed if the Sun shine long the aire is fully enlightned Moses was but forty dayes in the mount and his face shined we have been more than forty years in this mount with our God and therefore we should shine in holines trees that have long growne in a fertile soile much cost art and labour bestowed about them beare much fruit Psal 1.3 as in the 2 Pet. 3.11 12. Seeing then all things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godlines So in this case seeing the Gospel hath been so long continued so powerfully preached what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation 4. This should fill our mouths with praises and thanksgivings it should make us to rejoyce as the wise men at the beholding of the starre as the Angels at the birth of Christ. But if insteed of loving God of delighting in the Gospel of God of resembling God of consecrating our selves to God of magnifying him for his long continued merices We dishonour God we disgrace the Gospel by our Religious conversation What can we then looke for at the hands of God but that he turne our long and shining day into a night of everlasting darknes what can we expect but that he take away our Candlestick Rev. 2.5 Put out our Candle Acts 13.46 3. Let us try whither as the long continuance of the Gospel is a blessing in it selfe so it be a blessing to us 1 Sam. 4. Israel had the Arke rejoyced in it Yet the Philistines had the victory Many shall say at last Luk. 13.26 and yet vers 27. Therefore that it may appear to every mans owne conscience that it is a blessing to him it will appear by signes and fruits thereof Signe 1 By the inward holy and thorough chaunge which it worketh to whom-soever God doth blesse it purifieth their hearts as fire doth purify the drosse from every part of the gold like a good houswife it sweepeth every roome like a launcing knife it lets out the corruption which was hidden within like good Physick it hath purged the disease of the Stomacke it hath like a mighty weapon overturned the hold of Sathan like the Arke it hath cast down even Dagon it selfe it hath not onely paired the branch but cut through the roote of sin Signe 2
waters under thy feet if thou feed not on the one if thou drinke not of the other dost not thou starve between both What is a faire and stately building to thee if thou take up thy abode in the open field doth not dewes fall upon thee doth not the Sun scorch thee doth not the cold pierce thee What is remission of sin what is resurrection to a new life represented in Baptisme what is it to thee if thy lusts be not mortified if thou rise not by vertue of it to a new life What is it to thee that the word is a Lamp if thou apply it not to thy feet that it is as milk in the breast if thou suck it not that it is a spirituall weapon if thou gird it not about thee that it is a seed if not sown if not hidden in the field of thy heart Say not then as he did Iud. 17.13 Now I know the Lord will be good unto me seeing I have a Levite to be my Priest But if thou wilt have Gods Ordinance prove a blessing if thou wilt know thy self blessed in the having of them cease not till thou find it as a shining Starre a burning Lamp enlightning thy understanding filling thee with knowledge of Gods love to thy Soul in Christ as the candle filleth the house with light the waters the Sea till they wash thy sin from thy Soul as waters wash dirt from the body as the fan driveth chaffe from the corne as Jordan washed away Naamans Leprosy Till they stablish thy saith as a strong foundation supporteth the building as firm rootes sustaine the tree a strong hand upholdeth him that is led by it Till they warme thy heart inflame thy affections as the fire warmeth the house as the Summer Sun doth warm the aire Till it make thy love to God and his wayes as a vehement flame as coales of much fire Till it make thy peace as deep as the rivers even a peace passing all understāding 4. This must teach men to seek to God for the efficacy of his Ordinances desire him to make them as a launcing knife in the hand of the Physician as a Sword in the hand of the Spirit Desire him that when Moses strikes with the Rod upon the Rock when the Minister doth press the Word upon our stony hearts that he will stand before shew his powerfull and gracious presence there in making them to melt in causing them to become contrite and broken for as Psal 33.16 17. There is no King saved by the multitude of an hoast a mighty man is not delivered by much strength c. So without Gods blessing unlesse he put his hand to it it is but vaine as Psal 127.1 2. Except the Lord build the house they labour but in vain c. For as Prov. 10.12 The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it so in this case Therefore as the Daughter of Caleb desired her father having given her south Land that he would also give her springs of water Iud. 15.19 So God having given us his Ordinances let us desire him with all to give us his Spirit As his ministers like seeds men sow the seed of his word so we must desire God to joyne therewith the dewes of heaven that it may not lye like seed in dry ground withering for want of moysture That the Messenger of the Lord may not stand knocking in vaine at the iron gates of our unregenerate hearts but that the Lord will open our eare and heart our eyes to see our hearts to attend believe obey as he opened the heart of Lydia that he will make his Ordinances as seed sowne in good ground as the bow of Jonathan which turned not back and the sword of Saul which returned not empty 2 Sam. 1.22 As the cake and cruse of water whereof the Prophet did eate and drinke and went in the strength thereof to Horeb the mount of God 2 King 19.8 That we may be so refreshed replenished herewith that we may thereby go from strength to strength till we appeare before God in Sion Psal 84.7 5. As the efficacy is the Lords so let the praise be Gods let the hand which doth the worke receive the honour the faithfull instrument which God useth is worthy of double honour of singular love for his works sake David may have the praise for giving Goliah the overthrow The wise men may rejoyce to see the Starre leading unto Christ Iesus The feet of the messenger must be beautifull in the eyes of the people as one of a thousand to them but yet still as he is Gods instrument as a Lamp that hath received his Oile from Gods Olive as a vessel filled with water flowing from the Ocean of all goodnes as a starre held in the hand and receiving all his light from the Sunne of righteousnes the Ministers must be so respected as that God must in and above all be honoured loved praised and rejoyced in If Iosua smite the countrey of the hils Ios 10.40 41. It is because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel vers 42. So if any or all the Lords Iosuahs the spirituall leaders of Gods Armies smite the sinnes of men which were high as the mountains or deep as the vale which were for Dominion like Kings for continuance like a living spring for extent like the deluge overflowing the whole man if these be beaten if their life be taken away it is because the Lord God of Israel hath fought for Israel If any tree of Pauls planting do grow if any field do flourish by the watering of Apollos it is because the Lord hath given the increase If any man learne wisedom if any man be presented perfect in Christ Iesus by Pauls labour in the ministrey it is thorough the working of God who worketh mightly in him Coll. 1.28 29. If David have escaped the Lion and the beare conquered slaine them delivered the lamb from them it is because God was with him wrought for him 1 Sam. 17.34 35 36. If any Shepheard of Gods flock have delivered any of Gods Lambs out of the jawes of the roaring Lion it is the Lords doing and as the Psalmist touching Israel deliverance from Aegypt So may we all say touching the deliverance of Gods Israel from their spirituall bondage Psal 44.1 2 3 4 5. We have heard with our ears O God! our Fathers have told us what works thou didst in their dayes in the times of old how thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand and plantedst them how thou didst afflict the people and cast them out c. Therefore let every Soul that hath tasted of Gods goodnes say in this kind that hath felt the mighty arme of God in the weilding of this weapon that hath had any comfortable experience of the moving of Gods Angle in this poole Let him blesse the Lord that hath given him counsell that hath caused his reines to instruct him in the
answer to the Papists for none at greater variance than themselves among themselves who can reckon up the discords between the Popes themselves the secular Priests and Jesuits the Monks Canonists and the like they must first heal their owne wounds before they can object our scarres Yet their discords will not justify our contentions no more than quarrels between thieves cut-purses drunkards will justify the contention of honest sober men but we must bewaile the discords that are amongst us pray to the God of peace to suppresse attend the word of peace the instrument with which God doth use to work therefore let mee say to you as the Apostle doth to the Thessalonians 1 Thes 5.13 14. Let us labour for sincerity of heart freedome from corruption this sin is the cause of all quarrell nothing is more effectuall to quench this fire than the water of sanctification which is the internall baptising of the heart and for this the outward baptisme is called a purifying whence note Doctr. The efficacy and the proper fruit of Baptisme consisteth in the purging away of our corruption Therefore Paul resembleth it to a grave wherein our corruption is buried like a dead man Rom. 6.4 Other to a sprinkling of water not upon the body but the conscience 1 Pet. 3.21 not the putting away the filth of the flesh c. Reas 1 Because they who are effectually Baptised have Communion with Christ Gal. 3.27 None are in Christ but such as are sanctified 2 Cor. 5 17. Reas 2 Because they who are effectually Baptised are truely penitent therefore called the Baptisme of repentance Luc. 3.3 Marc. 1.4 True repentance there is none where there is not sanctification where sin like filthy dirt in the house is not washed away Reas 3 Because they who are effectually Baptised are ingrafted into the Mysticall body of Christ 1 Cor. 12.13 Now none are true and living members of that body but such as are truely cleansed from their sin Use This must therefore teach us not to content our selves with the outward washing of the flesh in baptisme but let us strive to feel the internall effecacy of it in our Souls Having our consciences sprinkled within our bodies washed without the inward and the outward man also renued not thinking it enough that we have the shell unles we have also the kernell the sheath unles we have also the sword the bowe without the arrow the parchment without writting hand seale delivery Pharaoh and the Aegyptians were in the red sea as well as Israel but they were drowned Israel had a safe passage as Jo. 6.63 You must feel the quickning Spirit move in your Souls in the use of this Sacrament as the Angel moved in the Pool of Betheshda or the diseass of your Soul will not be healed you must find your lusts mortified it is nothing worth your bodies are washed if the fire of concupiscence within be not quenched as Gal. 6.14 15. Nothing in the Kingdome of God is of any accompt but onely a new creature therefore under circumcision he comprehendeth the preheminence of the Jew which though it were much Rom. 3.1 Rom. 9.4 by uncircumcision the wisedome strength love Policy of the Gentile though of great esteeme in the eyes of the world yet of no accompt in the eyes of God Regeneration sanctification are in chief esteeme with him not the noble wise rich strong creature but a new creature see Luc. 16.15 1 Cor. 1.26 and 1 Tim. 4.18 Therefore as Gideon pulled down the Altar his father had erected and then set up another at Gods commandement as men put off an old and then put on a new garment so let us Eph. 4.22 whatsoever we have hitherâ—o have been let us be so no more but let us strive to be such that it may be said of us as 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. VERS 26. IN this Verse we have set before us the occasion of the controversy between some of John's Disciples and the Jewes the Disciples of John saw the people frequent our Saviours Doctrine morâ— than they did their Mr the Baptist and hereupon took occasion to quarell with them came to the Baptist and complained of it as loath to see their Masters honour overshadowed by the shining of a more glorious Sun 2. Their ignorance they heard what the Baptist had taught of our Saviour they saw what he did to our Saviour how he Baptised him but yet did not understand that Christ was the Sonne the Saviour and Redeemer of the World 3. The danger of over-much admiring the persons of our teachers they â—o admired his person that they did not rightly conceive his Doctrine that they did disable Christ and cried up the Baptist 4. The fidelity of the Baptist in his calling for so they confesse that the Baptist did beare witnes of Christ 5. Their envy at the successe of Christs Ministry of these in their Order From the of these we learne Doctr. That self-love and ambition are many times an occasion of most contention this is like the evill Spirit that came between Abimelech and the men of Shechem turning their Union into division their love into hatred their peace into trouble this is a bellowes kindling the coales of strif betweeÌ„ such as are knit together in the strictest bonds why did Josephs Brethren sell him into Aegypt but out of self-love because they would not be subject to him Why else did Eliab quarrell with David 1 Sa. 17.28 This made Saul seek the life of David a most faithfull beneficiall Servant this disturbed the peace even of the Apostles Luc. 22.24 and Solomon maketh it a generall rule Prov. 13.10 Reas 1 Because pride and self-love doth breed envy at other mens endowments and at the successe of other mens undertakings envy is the spawn of pride the daughter of self-love a branch alwayes adhering to this root Luc. 15.18 Dan. 6.4 Phil. 1.15 Reas 2 Because pride and self-love cause men to aime at by and base ends neglecting the glory of God the welfare of the Gospel the good of their brethren and to seek their owne applause ease wealth as the Apostle long since complained Phil. 2.21 and our Saviour discovereth this as the speciall cause of the Pharises contention against him Ioh. 5.44 Reas 3 Because self-love and pride doth occasion men to make evill and false constructions of the doings and purposes of others 1 Sam. 17.28 This made the Pharises think that our Saviour came to take their place from them Reas 4 Because pride and self-love doth make men ingratefull yea to contend with and render evill to such as seek to do them the greatest good yea that have shewed them the greatest love let David be a wall about Nabals men and possessions in the Wildernes 1 Sam. 25.16 yet Nabal that regards no man but himself will raile at him abuse him if he demand any assistance from him so Jud. 8.1 and Jud. 12.1 2 3. Thus self-love made the
3.1 Isa 26.8.9 2. To use all diligence to get them all businesse set apart all other gaine neglected let us seek to be partakers of Grace of the Spirit as the Wise men left their owne countrey to come to Christ the disciples left all to follow him so let us take off our hearts from the world from carnall friends and from whatsoever is deare unto us and seeke to bee endowed with heavenly riches let us Pro. 2.2 3. Let us with David Psal 27.4 desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all our life that we may behold the beauty of the Lord to enquire in his temple Jer. 50.4 Dan. 9.3 Let us by hearing premeditation fasting and by all holy meanes seeke this grace 3. Let us value it more highly then all the treasures of the earth for Job 28.19 Psa 84.10 Psa 119.72 4. Let us love it more entirely then any other endowment give them the preheminence in our affections the chiefest roome in our hearts let us enlarge desires of our hearts towards them let us bestowe the strength and quintessence of our love upon them let us so affect them that with the Spouse we be sick of love Cant. 5.2 So love them that it make us long for them Psal 119.20 so love them that with Jacob we serve an apprentiship for them 5. Let us rejoyce and delight in it more then in all earthly treasure as Matth. 2.10 So wee to see any starre of Grace appeare in the heart as Anna 1. Sam. 2.1 So wee for our new birth thus Psa 4.6 6. Let us receive it more thankfully as Eccles 16.1 Gal. 6.14 7. Let us treasure it up more carefully when Achan had gotten a golden Wedge hee hid it 8. Let us receive the saving graces of the Spirit more thankfully then any common endowments and render more praise to God for this then for any other favour let us be more thankeful for our new birth then for noble birth so for victory ouer sin then for conquest our all bodily enemies for the riches of grace then for all worldly treasures for knowledg faith love meekness patience the joy of the spirit then for all the choisest jewels and most precious praises in the world As wee receiv a cup of pure and pleasant wine more thankfully then a cup of small water a piece of gold more thankfully then a handful of ordinary and common earth as Theodosius gave more thanks that hee was a member of the Church than head of the Empire so should wee give more thanks that wee are the members of Christ Jesus than for the greatest earthly present whereunto the hand of the world can advance us as Naman was thankful for the purging of his leprosie so let us for the washing away of the filth of sin as Moses sang praises to God for their deliverance from the hand of Pharaoh so let us for our deliverance out of the hands of Satan for the donation of the spirit and the grace wherewith wee are enriched Ephes 1.3 This was the Saint's practice Col. 1.12 13. Wee should say for this as David did 2 Sam. 7.18 19 20 22. so should wee com and stand before our God and say Who are wee O Lord God that thou shouldest bring us hitherto that of slaves thou shouldest make us thy free men that of men dead in sin putrified in the grave of corruption thou shouldest raise us to a new life of thorns briars thou shouldest make us fruitfull and bearing vines of strangers thou shouldest make us thine own adopted Children of poor and blinde naked thou shouldest make us rich with the saving grace of thy spirit and this was yet a small thing but thou hast also prepared everlasting mansions for us to dwell in immortal crowns for us to wear upon our heads a glorious ever shining sun to give us light even fulness of joy at thy right hand for ever And what can wee say unto thee our God for all these things how can we sufficiently laud thee for thy goodness for in this are all the motives and inducements of thankfulness If you will sing for refreshment received in the day of drought as Israël did for the spring of water Num. 21.17 here is our welspring of everliving water Joh. 4.14 If yee will bless God for victorie as Debora and Baruc did Jud. 5.1 Here is that which inableth you to tread Satan under foot Rom. 16 20. and maketh you more then conquerers in all assaults Rom. 8.36 If you will offer sacrifice and make vows as the heathen marriners for the appeasing of the tempestuous and raging Sea Jona 1.16 here is that which appeaseth a greater storm which breedeth a sweeter peace Phil. 4.7 If yee will give thanks for the opening of your eies which were blinde as the blinde man did Joh. 9.38 here is that which openeth the eie of the understanding inableth you to see the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2 9.10 This is the sword which conquereth the Physick which healeth the musick which delighteth the milk which nourisheth the wine which cheereth the friend which comforteth the hand which enricheth therefore wee should bee thankfull for this above all other blessings 7. Let us treasure up these gifts most carefully as the husbandmen hide the good seed in the ground that it may bee preserved from the fowls of the aër take root and bring forth increas as rich men lock up their jewels in strong chests place them in close and sure rooms that the hand of the thief may not reach them so must wee with all diligence hide and with all carefulness keep the saving grace of the spirit it is our choicest endowment it will yield us most comfort do us most good stand us in most stead as the people said of David 2 Sam. 18.3 Thou art worth ten thousand of us so the grace of the spirit is worth ten thousand of your sheep oxen gold and silver therefore bee as careful to keep it as the people were to keep David as a man would be to keep the apple of his eie or his right hand It was Solomon's charge to his Son a charge often repeated to make him heedful of it Proverb 3.21 4.23 urged by our Saviour Rev. 2.21 3.12 The like may bee seen in Paul Tit. 1.9 1 Tim. 6.12.13.14 Satan the the World the Flesh will all strive to wrest from us the grace of the spirit by force by flattery by promises and provocations as Dalila labored to cut away Samson's locks so will these strive to rob us of God's saving grace therefore wee must give all diligence to keep it 8. Let all God's people bee contented how slender soëver their outward estate bee though you wash not your feet in butter neither doth the rock yield any oil though your root spread not out by the waters nor the dew lay not all night upon your branch though your outward glorie be not fresh
kill him 2 Sam. 13.28 so when God prepareth dainties bestoweth favors to all sorts of people to som hee doth in love to others in anger 2 God hath two sorts of blessings common and special the common belong to all and are no assured testimony of God's love Eccles 9.1 Mat. 5.45 the special belong to his children and are a never faling pledge of God's love towards them 1 Cor. 2.9 10. as Abraham hath Moveables which hee gave to the seed of the bond woman but an Inheritance which was reserved for the seed of the free woman Isaac had two sorts of blessings the best for Jacob the fatness of the earth for Esau the Master of the familie bestoweth common favors on the servans but the choice is reserved for the children 3 Externall endowments are good of themselvs but without a further blessing they prove not only unusefull but also hurtfull food is good in it self but often is as poison to many sick men wealth and honors without grace to use them prove like large sails and strong winde to a little bottome an empty vessel an occasion and instrument to overthrow it outward endowments without inward holiness make us proud wanton forgetfull of God Deut. 8.12 13. exorbitant in our courses like fat pasture to a hors not accustomed to the bridle Jer. 5.8 4. The goodness of a thing is not so much to bee considered in what it is in it self as in the end why it is given afflictions which in themselvs are a fruit of sin and in that respect evil are yet in their use and end made good to God's people pils which in themselvs are bitter and distastfull to the palate are yet in their use and end of administration by the physician turned to the good of the patient so on the other side outward peace and plenty are given to sinfull men to the end they may live the more securely sin the more freely and at length bee condemned the more justly punished the more severely fat pasture in it self is good but given to the beasts to make them fit for the day of slaughter so Psal 92.6 when Jehu prepared a large sacrifice for Baal 2 Kin. 10. then hee slew the priests of Baal so when God prepareth a fat sacrifice for the wicked then they are nigh unto destruction and so much for answer to this that outward things are Gods gift and blessing but no infallible testimony of his favor to the owner of them 3. This must occasion every man to try whether hee bee lov'd of God whither hee bee dear unto him or not For the discovery whereof every man must examine not what riches what earthly preferments God hath given him but what knowledg what repentance what love what faith what purity what meekness what zeal what God hath wrought in him these are the testimonies of his goodnes and love to his children by this hee is known to bee a friend a fathér a husband to him Isa 44.5 8 13. the love of the father is known to the child more then to the servant when hee setteth him to the school giveth him good nurture traineth him up in good learning so the love of God to his people is known when hee giveth them the ministry of the Gospel Jer. 3.14 15. bringeth them unto the school of Christ maketh the light of rruth to shine in their hearts 2 Cor. 4.6 inableth them to comprehend with all Saints the heighth depth breadth and length of his love Eph. 3.19 when hee washeth and cleanseth them from their sins Tit. 3.4 5 6. as Jordan cleansed Naaman from his leprosie as the new born child is washed and cleansed from it's native uncleanness Ezeck 16.4 6. the Fullers love to the cloth the Goldsmith's to the gold is seen by purging it Mal. 3.3 4. as the fuller's sope doth purge the cloth and the refiners fire the gold put into it as our Saviour shewed his love to Lazarus by raising him out of the grave John 36.44 so it is a sure testimony of the love of God to thy soul when hee doth raise thee out of the grave of sin putteth a new life into thee Eph. 2.4 5. maketh thee a new creature dissolveth the works of the devil inableth thee to walk in the way of his commandements affecteth thy soul with the light of his countenance filleth thy heart with peace replenisheth thine inward man with grace when of unprofitable hee maketh thee proffitable Philem. 11. of a stranger hee bringeth thee nigh unto himself Eph. 2.17 when of a thorn hee maketh thee a fruitfull vine of a lion hee maketh thee a lamb Isa 11.6 7. of a ruinous heap he maketh thy soul like a polished palace Is 54.12 when of a man deaf blinde lame dead hee openeth thine ears to hear thine eies to see thy feet to walk in his way and of parched ground maketh thee a standing pool Isa 35.4 5. filleth thy soul with the waters of life Isa 44.2 3 4. then thou mayest assure thy self thou art highly loved of God It is not growth in wealth but growth in grace that can assure the heart of God's love 4 This directeth us how and in what manner to manifest our love to our brethren to such as appertain or are any way dear unto us as God manifesteth his love by giving spiritual gifts to his children so let us manifest and declare our love by being instruments to convey spiritual blessings on such as have any relation to us temporal favors can get none but a temporal a natural love they conduce but to the welfare of the body they are transitory there is no continuance in them spiritual favors are the truest testimony the best evidence of a good affection therefore thou that art a master of a family shew thy love unto them by teaching and commanding them to keep the way of the Lord as did Abraham Gen. 18.19 thou that art a father of children teach them to retain the word of the Lord in their hearts to keep his commandements to get wisdom as David taught Solomon Prov. 5.3 4 5. thou that art a husband shew thy love to thy love to thy wife by dwelling with her according to knowledge 1 Pet. 3.7 thou that art a magistrate shew thy love to thine inferiors by abolishing and beating down sin and occasions of sin as Asa and Hezekiah did 1 Kin. 15.12 2 Kings 18.4 by giving thea religious pious and godly example as David 2 Sam. 6 20. Samuel as Jehosaphat did by provoking and encourageing them to true repentance and amendment of life as Jehoshaphat and the king of Nineveh did thou that art a minister shew thy love to the people by giving them good wholesom sufficient food for their souls as our Saviour charged Peter to testifie his love thou that art a common man a friend a neighbour testifie thy love by considering thy neighbour by assembling together by provoking to love and good works by calling upon them to go
a pen-man this I can more than promise verbo Ministri that there is nothing in it for matter or manner either spurious or surreptitious nothing but what is genuine and the Authors own the immediate issue of his working brain and flowing from his own pen. This I shall promise the Reader if he shall like of what is in this Book I shall present him shortly with another of this Author In the mean time I refer this to thy serious reading and gracious benefiting who am From my Study at Stratcley in Armington Com. Devon Thy Servant in the Gospel JOHN WELDEN John 3. the 22. c. After these things came Jesus and his Disciples into the Land of Judaea and there he tarried with them and baptized c. THe Sun in the Firmament is never wearied but cometh forth like a mighty man rejoycing to run his race casting forth his bright and glorious beams in whatsoever circuit of the Heavens he moveth The Sun of righteousness Christ Jesus in like manner is never weary of well doing but his lips were alwayes dropping knowledge feeding Souls with heavenly understanding his Lamp was alwayes burning his cloud was alwayes distilling the dews of heavenly Doctrine in all companies on all occasions he like a faithfull Shepheard sought to gather home the straying sheep to Gods fold like a good guid to reduce the erring travellers into the right path like a carefull Physician to heal every diseased Soul No place no company but received some benefit by his presence having instructed Nicodemus in the Doctrine of Regeneration he came now into the Land of Judaea and there baptizeth After these thinges Iesus c. Our Saviour about the thirtieth year of his age came into the desart unto John to be baptized of him being baptized he was led by the spirit into the wilderness where he fasted fourty dayes and fourty nights from thence he returned to John in the desart at which time he called John Andrew Simon Peter Andrews brother from thence he returned into Galilee and in his journey called Philip and Nathaniel cometh to Nazareth where he was brought up and there after a few dayes being invited to a marriage he came to Cana where he wrought his first miracle after this he went to Capernaum and from thence to Ierusalem where he taught wrought a miracle and discoursed with Nicodemus about the point of Regeneration as we have largly set down in the beginnig of this Chapter From thence he came into the Territories of Iudaea and there baptized In the connexion of these words we have presented before us 1. The carefull and constant practise of Iesus Christ to win Souls to God and to communicate to them the knowledge of the truth 2. In the words we have his journeying into the Land of Judaea His attendants the Disciples His commoration or stay there he tarried His worke the administration of baptisme yet not by himselfe but by his Disciples as appears in Ioh. 4.2 Iesus himselfe baptized not but his Disciples I shall begin with the connexion of this history wherein we have discovred our Saviours constant practise and from thence draw this conclusion That we ought in all places to busy our selves in well-doing specially in endeavouring the conversion of Gods people As the clouds cause there dewes every day to distill more or less as the beast every day yeild their milk and the Stars continually send forth there light So must we according to our best abilities be alwayes doing good alwayes watering the Souls of our bretheren with the dewes of holy admonition with the milk of Gods word shewing the way of salvation to them by the light of the truth This charge the Apostle giveth Heb. 3.13 But exhort one another daily while it is called to day c. To this the promise of profiting is annexed Gal. 6.9 And let us not be weary of well doing For in due season we shall reap if we faint not And the Apostle will not have this duty in any case to be forgotten Heb. 10.24.25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works Not forsaking the assembling of our selvs together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as ye see the day approaching What Paul gave in charge to Timothy may in a more generall manner be given in charge to every Christian 2. Timoth. 4.1 2. I charge the therefore before God and the Lord Iesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom preach the word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine Be instant in thy calling in seeking the good of thy bretheren in season and out of season exhort rebuke reprove with all earnestnes and long suffering The grounds why we ought to busy our selves in well doing specially in endeavouring the conversion of Gods people are these Reas 1 Because thereby Sathan who 1. Pet. 5.8 as a roaring Lyon walks about seeking whom he may devoure shall be prevented of that advantage which otherwise he will get against us The flynig bird is hardly smitten with the Arrow the industrious and diligent person alloweth Sathan no time to tempt him when David was idle then the devil ensnared him 2. Sam. 11. Reas 2 Because we shall hereby thrive in the graces of the Spirit The seed by sowing is encreased the fire by burning is augmented so grace is encreased by exercise and holy industry what Solomon speaketh concermnig outward poverty or riches that he becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand but the hand of the diligent maketh rich Prov. 10.4 The same is true as to inward riches or poverty that a lazy slothfull heart becometh poore in grace but the diligent heart maketh rich in grace to this very purpose is that passage af Iesus Christ in the Luk. 8.18 take heed therefore how ye heare for whosoever hath to him shall be given and whosoever hath not from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have This is the way to thrive in grace namely to exercise and improve it for the good of others for as Solomon saith Prov. 19.17 he that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him back again Reas 3 Because we shall hereby prevent much evill deadnes and dulnes in our hearts vanity of thoughts idlenes of speech As the motion of the body prevents the cold the using of the plough-share prevents rust the moving of the water prevents putrifaction the manuring of the feild preventeth the growing of weeds thornes bryars Therefore is that of the Apostle Heb. 3.12.13 Take heed bretheren least there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God But exhort one another daily while it is called to day least any of you be hardned through the
deceitfulness of sin Reas 4 Because we shall hereby much advance the Gospell and promote the welfare of Christs Kingdom the hiddē mysterie of Godliness shall be the more plainly opened the wayes of life more clearily manifested our bretherens understanding the better informed their cold hearts the more inflamed their unclean affections the more thoroughly purged their feeble faiths the better strengtned the good things of Gods Word the more sweetly relished The often speaking of this language makes it the better understood the often sounding of this Trumpet doth awaken the conscience the more throughly the often shining of this light doth make the way appear the more plain we can in nothing more honour the Gospell or benefit our bretheren than in seeking to perfect their conversion Vse This condemneth our negligence and sloathfulnes our dulnes and backwardnes in doing good in seeking the salvation of our bretheren How many places come we unto where we doe no good how often are we among our bretheren never labouring the welfare of their Souls what more frequent with us than like the Priest and Levite passing between Jericho and Jerusalem never reaching out the hand to help them that lye wounded with sin Luk. 10. to see them erre and not instruct them to see them sorrowfull and not comfort them to see them barren in grace never labouring to make them fruitfull Where is the Disciple that imitateth his Saviour in doing of good continually as he goeth up and down Where is the man that with Mordecay Esther 10.3 that seeketh the wealth of his people and speaking peace to all his seed who with Nehemiah seeketh the welfare of Israel as it is in Neh. 2.10 Who is it that with Iob becoms eyes to the spiritually blind feet to the spiritually lame Iob 29.15 I was saith he eyes to the blind and feet to the lame c. Who is it that becometh a Father to the poor searching out the state of there Souls that breaketh the jawes of sin and plucketh the spoiled Soule out of the teeth of Sathan as Iob did in another case vers 16.17 of that 29. Iob I was saith he a Father to the poor and the cause which I knew not I searched out And I brake the jawes of the wicked and plucked the spoil out of his teeth Whose bowells are so full of compassion to his bretheren that fitteth and prepared himself to cloath there Souls as Dorcas prepared garments to cloath there bodies Acts. 9.39 Who is it that seeketh his straying bretheren as the Shepheard his wandring sheep Eze. 34.12 Where is the Father in Law that with Lot Gen. 19.14 speakes to his sonnes in Law saying Vp get you out of this place for the Lord will destroy this Citie Where is the Father that with David gives incouragment to his children to go on in the Lords Work 1. Cron. 28.9 to know God and serve him with a perfect heart and willing minde Where is the Master of the family that with Abraham commands his houshold to keep the way of the Lord to doe justice and judgment Gen. 18.19 Where is the Minister that holdes not his peace day nor night that makes mention of the Lord and keepeth not Silence That gives him not rest till he establish and make Ierusalem a Praise in the earth as it is in Isa 62.6.7 Where is the bountifull Christian that doth in Spirituall things as Solomon chargeth we should do in temporall Ecl. 7. Who is he that cometh as Abigal to David 1. Sa. 25.25 28. Who redeemeth the time Who seeketh opportunity who imbraceth the offered occasions to do good If we examine our selves we may all lay our hands up our mouths and confess our selves guilty we have all more or lesse withheld the waters which should have refreshed the thirsty the light which should have guided the ignorant the food which should have fed the hungry the staff which should have sustained the weary c. And as long as we are thus slothfull and backward in this behalf it doth discover 1. That we have no bowels of compassion towards our bretheren Who can see his brother taken prisoner by the Prince of darkness led away captive in his chain wounded to the death with sin pressed down under the heavy burden of iniquity stript naked of the rich and pretious garment of true holines altogether defiled with the dirt and slime of Sin if he have any compassion in him and not seek to deliver him how can he chose but pray as the Church Act. 12.3 4 5 6. endeavour as the angell vers the 7.8 Shall Abram raise an army to deliver Lot Gen. 14.14 Will God have men to shew such compassion to an enemies oxe or asse Exo. 23.4 5. How much more to the Souls of our bretheren captivated by Sathan led astray by or sunke under the burden of sin surely this is the truest compassion the sweetest mercy the best kindnes to help the Souls of our brother out of the snare of Sathan according to that of St. Iude vers 22.23 And of some have compassion making a difference and others save with feare pulling them out of the fire c. Men think all the mercy appeareth in giving food for the belly apparell for the back but what is lands and revenews to one confined to perpetuall imprisonment what is food to the diseased who needeth Physick what mercy is this to trim the house and leave the inhabitant in prison I may say as the Lord in Isa 58.5 6 7. Is it such a fast as I have chosen a day for a man to afflict his soule Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush to spread sack-cloth and ashes under him willt thou call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bandes of wickednes to undo the hevy burdens and to let the oppressed go free and that ye breake every yoke Is it not to deale thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house when thou seest the naked that thou cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thy one flesh So is this the compassion the Lord looks on for a man now and then to feed cloth the hungry naked body is not this the compassion the Lord looks at to help thy brother off with his wicked bands to undo his heauy burdens to break his yokes c. 2. That we have no hearty and sanctified affection to our bretheren How can we say we love them if we seek not to remove sin from them read that place Lev. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbour and not suffer sin upon him The love of Christ appeared not in making his servants rich or advancing them to worldly dignities for they are for the most part a poor despised people as it is in Zeph. 3.13 But his love appeared
seed took occasion to speak of the word sown in the hearts of men This is a blessed use of things earthly it sweetneth our Meditation it plainly informeth the weakest understanding it strongly convinceth it deeply in presseth upon the memory we find like Sampson a hony combe in the Lyon and fetch water from the rock 2. Let us be well acquainted with the sacred Scriptures let us get the word of God to dwell with in us plenteously Coll. 3.16 and then as a full fountaine sendeth forth waters a full cloud poureth out the raine so shall our lips drop down knowledge when there is much fewel in the fire it giveth heat to al that come nigh to it if the Word of God be as a fire in our bones it will make us that we shall not be silent see it in Iob in Iob 32.18 19 20. in Jeremiah Ier. 20.8 in David Psal 40.10 11. 3. Let us get our hearts inflamed with love to God his word his wayes we easily break forth into a large and full discourse of the persons and things we entirely love the worldly man of his wealth the voluptuous man of his pleasures the ambitions man of his honour every mans tongue is ready to discourse of the object of his love so David the commandments being his love see what he saith Psa 119.46 47. I will speak of thy testimonies also before Kings and will not be ashamed and I will delight my self in thy commandments which I have loved This will make us with the spouse to enter into a large discourse of the diety of her Saviour Cant. 5.11 of his judgement and understanding in all things vers 12. of the sweet manifestation of himself in his ordinance vers 13. of the excellency of his actions depth of his councels vers 14. of the stability of his proceedings of the amiablenesse and uprightness of his carriage towards his chosen vers 15. of the sweetnes of his voyce and the singular comforts which flow from him reside in him vers 16. 4. Let us get our Souls filled with the knowledge of the Lord and of his wayes We must first inform our selves before we can well inform others the Lamp can give no light unless it self be first filled with Oile the blinde man is not fit for a guide therefore David prayes Make me to understand the way of thy precepts so shall I talk of thy wondrous works and that of the Prophet in Isa 50.4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary c. We must be skilfull like Physicians to apply our exhortation aright it is not enough to speak but it must be to edifying to good purpose so as it may minister grace to the hearers therefore Prov. 15.2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright c. 5. Let us labour to be thoroughly affected with the goodness of God towards our Soul to be assured of the forgiveness of all our sins to have a lively feeling of Gods love and the joyes of his spirit and this will make us ready and cheerfull in teaching others as we have mentioned in that of David Psal 51.12.13.14.15 Restore me to the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit Then will I teach transgressours thy wayes and sinners shall be converted unto thee c. And that Psal 66.16 6. Let us strive to be truely good and gracious sanctified throughout both in our Souls and also in our bodies let grace be as a fountain of living water in the heart and the speech shall be as many gracious streams issuing from it As waters to the citie as silver to the needy as food to the hungry so shall be the speech of a gracious man Prov. 10.11 20 21 32. If these things be in us we shall not be idle nor unprofitable but we shall communicate of what we have received impart what we know stirre up others to attain the like measure of grace and assurance with us And let not any say like the sluggard there is a Lyon in the way if we seek the good of mens Souls we shall be hated reproached say not they are dissolute or wordly businesses shall be hinderers for as Solomon saith Eccl. 11.4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap But look upon Christ the Prophets Apostles Gods precept bretherens wants Gods blessing Gods acceptance clearing of thy owne conscience joy which will accompany the due performance and so go forward in it without fainting So much for the first point We have seen the connexion next we are to take notice of the words and therein first of all the place whereunto he journied namely into the Land of Judea that is into that part thereof which was nigh unto the city Aenon a city situate in the Tribe of Manasses thither he came to shew himself a Saviour to them to tender life and salvation to declare Gods counsell he did not stay altogether in one place but went from place to place to publish the tidings of life Thereby shewing thus much Doct. That some of all places and of all nations are appointed to eternall life by Christ Jesus As the Sun in the Firmanent though not all at once yet by succession doth cast his light and heat upon all the parts of the earth more or lesse So the Son of righteousnes sooner or later bringeth some out of all places and nations from darknes to light from death to life from ignorance to the knowledge of the truth This was shadowed as some conceive by the four corners of the Altar and sprinkling of blood round about it Exod. 27.6 7 8. nothing the all-sufficiency of Christ's death the plenty of his bloodshed the manifestation of him to the four corners of the world by the ministry of the Gospell This was Prophesied Zzech 14.8 And it shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem half of them towards the former sea and half of them towards the hinder sea in Summer and in Winter shall it be As the sea sendeth her streams to all the corners of the earth as the King swaying over the parts of his Kingdom Psal 72.6 7 8. He shall come down like rain upon the mowen grasse as showers that water the earth In his dayes shall the righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth he shall also have Dominion from Sea to Sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth Therefore he gave his Apostles a large commission Math. 28.19 Go teach all nations c. and long before he told the people Math. 8.11 I say unto you that many shall come from the East and West and shal sit down with Abraham Isaac and Iacob in the Kingdom of God and this was the tenure of their song Rev. 5.9 And they sung a new song saying thou
our good works and glorify our father as every fountaine sendeth forth a streame according to what it hath received every starre giveth light according to the light infused into it knowing that for this end we have received 1 Cor. 12.7 Mat. 10.8 Reas 4 Because this will stirre up men not to envy but to imitation of them whose graces do excell to pray for the like graces to use the like meanes to run the same race to labour in the same vineyard to sow the like seed that they may win the like price receive the like wages reape the like harvest thus Heb. 6.11 12. 1 Cor. 4.16 1 vers 11.1 Ia. 5.10 11. Not to murder Abel because more righteous but to tread in his steps to labour for his faith not to envy David for his great conquests but to strive after the like victories Reas 5 Because this will breed love in our hearts towardsthem their virtues will be as a savoury ointment as a sweet smelling flower in our nostril as a load-stone to draw our hearts toward them when we see how the Lord doth love them How he doth beautify them with his graces how in them are those excellencies after which our Souls long then they will be to us as one of a thousand Job 33.23 As Apple trees among the thornes as starres among the clouds as flowers among the weeds all our delight will be on them that excell in vertue Ps 16.3 Use Therefore whensoever the Spirit of envy doth begin to move within us at the sight of other mens endowments when the light and lustre of their vertues beginneth to trouble our diseased and malignant eyes when at any time the pleasantness and fertility of Naboths vineyard causeth Ahab to languish and repose himselfe upon his bed when Esau conceiveth hatred deviseth mischief against Iacob because he hath gotten the blessing when our hearts begin to repine because the cloud of Gods bounty had dropped more abundantly on others than on us let us look upon the state of our owne Souls let us consider how there is nothing in us why God should bestow any thing upon us why we should expect any thing at his hands Let us consider how the Lord is no way bound to us but may do with his blessing what he will no man can controule him or lay either indiscretion or injustice to his charge And then as David playing on the Harp appeased Sauls evill spirit so shall this appease the distemper of our Spirit and without murmuring magnify the wisedome and freedome of God in the dispensations of his mercies and for the better inuring of our hearts hereunto consider we 1. That God doth distribute his gifts most wisely and justly as may serve most for his owne honour the good of his people as he hath in great wisedome disposed the body naturall and all the members thereof and accordingly given them abilities sutable to their severall places so he hath also in great wisedome dispensed his favours to all the members of the mysticall body of Christ Jesus he hath done all things in number weight and measure and Psa 145.16 17. As he hath filled the Sun Moone and Starres with such quantity of light as may make most for the benefit and ornament of the whole universe so hath God dispensed to his people c. 2. That God hath bestowed some gift upon every one of his family he that hath least hath enough to make him everlastingly happy 1 Cor. 12.8 9. No tree in Gods Orchard but hath some soile about his roots no vessel in Gods house but hath some liccour Mat. 25.15 3. That to murmur against our brethren is to murmur against God for the graces they have are not of their owne getting but of Gods bestowing and therefore as Moses said Exo. 16.8 So it is in this behalfe therefore Augustine Quoties hominibus praesse desidero toties Deo meo praeire contendo As often as I desire to be preferred above men so often I strive to go before my God as arguing discontentednes in the place wherein God had set him 4. That it is farre better to use well the little we have received then to envy our brethren because they have what we have not he that hath least doth not imploy it so well but he might make better use of it and the good use of what we have will give much contentment for the present and hath the promise of a large increase for the future to him that hath shall be given Mat. 15.23 29. Prov. 11.25 5. That what God hath communicated to others is not for themselves but for the good of them that shall need it the cloud hath raine for the dry ground the Sun hath light for the dark aire the tree hath fruit for the hungry stomack the eye hath sight for the body he that gathered much Manna gave to him that had little we are but stewards 6. That the beholding of the graces which are in them must provoke us to pray for the like measure of grace to use all holy means to attaine the same degree of holines when the prodigall saw what they enjoyed who lived in his fathers house he desird to be as one of them 7. That envying at other mens abundance will rob us of the comfort of our endowments as Esth 5.10 11 12 13. Saul so maligned David for his mighty conquests that he lost all the comfort he might have gathered from his owne victories 8. That God doth give as much as we have ability well to manage vessels put to Sea are loaden according to their strength the Master of the family placeth all according to their abilities Mat. 25.15 9. That God will expect from us but as he giveth to us Luc. 12.48 10. That a faithfull imployment of what we have received shall surely be accompained with a blessed increase a little sowne in good ground husbanded well bringeth a competible increase Thus of the connexion prescribing a remedy to the disease of the Disciples of the Baptist in the words themselves we have set before us 1. Our owne emptines a man can receive nothing of himselfe by his owne art industry ability worth he can receive nothing bodily or spirituall transitory or eternall 2 The Fountaine whence all the good we enjoy like so many streams do flow from the first we learne Doctr. That man hath of himselfe no ability to the performances of any good duty he is a Lamp without Oile a well without Water a withered arme without strength therefore like to an evill tree which beareth none but evill fruit Mat. 7.18 to an uncleane Fountaine sending forth none but uncleane Waters Job 14.4 to a black-Moore that cannot make himselfe white Jer. 13.23 to a dead man that cannot performe any action belonging to the living to a wild Olive Prov. 11. Col. 2.13 and therefore the Apostle strippeth man of all inclination or motion unto good Rom. 11.19 2 Cor. 3.5 and the Psalmist saith
ground the perswasions of our hearts upon apparant testimonies which will not deceive us Let us still be of humble disposition readily subjecting our selves to the Doctrine of Gods Word Let not affection conceit fond opinion but a judgment well informed be our guide Let all truths find entertainment approbation subjection so shall the Word bring comfort stablish our faith reconcile and draw us home to God assure us of his favour enrich us with his grace I. But if prejudice possesse our hearts bear sway within us we are taken in Satans snare we shall be lead like blind men into the pit of our destruction he hath put out the eye of the understanding that we shall not see the glorious light of the Gospel 2 Cor. 4.4 II. The sweet waters of life will be to our Palate as bitter as Gall the most sumptuous feast shall be but as the bread of adversity and the water of affliction Mal. 3.14 The most pleasant and delightfull light will be either an offence to the eye or at least as a Lamp without Oile Iob 34.9 All Religious and holy exercises will be as a cloud without raine as a vine without grapes III. The wisest counsell will be taken either as flattery or as treason the truest testimonies of the sincerest love will be looked on as baits upon the hooke to draw the fish to his death as meat spread by the fowler an allurement to the snare 2 Sam. 10.4 IV. Prejudice like a diseased stomack turneth good food into corrupted humours 2 Cor. 2.14 Like a diseased eye it beholdeth things in contrary colours Like David in one case it taketh friends to be enemies and enemies to be friends 2 Sam. 19.6 Like thornes and bryars in the field it causeth the seed of the word that it can take no roote Matth. 13.12 Like Sheba that blew the Trumpet of Rebellion it causeth the people to disclaime the Messenger of the Lord and to say they have no part in his Doctrine 2 Sam. 20.1 2. Like the evill Spirit that arose between Abimelech and the men of Shechem it doth breed a great division hasten their ruine Iud 9.23 Like a disease in the body it maketh men greedily imbrace what will nourish it Ahab being possessed with prejudice against the Prophet cast him into prison opened his eares to the false Prophets who deceived him 1 King 22. for the prevention whereof we must labour 1. For a sound judgment to be able to discerne the things which differ to make choise of the things which are most excellent a cleare eye judgeth and distinguesheth colours best delight is most welcome to that sight which hath most perfection sound Doctrine hath best approbation among men of sound knowledge and good understanding and surely as Paul said in another case Acts 26 2.3 So may the Minister of God say in this case and therefore 1 Cor. 14.20 Col. 1.9 1 Cor. 10.15 1 Thes 5.21 but ignorance is the common cause of prejudice 2 Pet. 2.12 2. For a good affection an entire love to the Messenger of the Lord this the Apostle requireth 1 Thes 5.13 This will cause us to hearken to their Doctrine with diligence to endure the word of exhortation with patience to imbrace it with thankfulnes to subject our selves to it with readines we take bitter pils contentedly from the Physitian whom we affect and you know what the Apostle saith of love 1 Cor. 13.5 6 7. 3. We must strive for an humble and teachable Spirit the broken ground entertaineth the seed the meeke in heart do readily subject themselves to the Doctrine of salvation the yoke of Gods precept is not irksome to the humble therefore Mat. 11.29 were we humble as Christ was then as he notwithstanding all his sufferings Isa 42 2. no more would we stirre and cry and make a noise and tumult when the axe is said to the roote of the tree we would not kick against the Word of the Lord though it prick like a goade and pierce like an arrow Ex. 12.11 Ps 45.4 The humble â—oul shall find sweetnes in it it shall be a word of glad tidings Isa 61.1 a pleasant food Psal 22.26 4. Carefully try all things by the touch-stone of Gods Word examine it by that line wherein there is no crookednes weigh it in that ballance wherein is no deceit try it by that touch-stone which will infallibly distinguish between good and reprobate silver the day 1 Cor. 13 13. that is the light of Gods Word Rom. 13.12 shall make it manifest the fire Gods Spirit speaking in the Scriptures will certifie you of the truth of what was taught therefore Isa 8.20 1 Joh. 4.1 Acts 17.11 By this meanes shall ye find that it is not so much man as God that speaketh by this meanes ye shall perceive more power in it attend with more feare and reverence to it and subject your selves thereunto with more willingness 5. Allow not your selfe in any evill way be not wedded to any sin but resolve in the uprightness of your hearts to subject your selves to the whole will of God be glad to be informed in any truth and be able to say to Gods Messenger as Cornelius did to Peter Acts 10.33 and the people to Moses Deu. 5.27 Then shall not your hearts rebell against any truth not distast any wholesome Doctrine not take offence at any godly exhortation more than a traveller resolving to go to his journeys end doth to be guided in the right way when he strayeth or a sick man desirous of a freedome from all diseases doth at the good counsell of a wise Physitian but shall with David 1 Sa. 25.32 33. The allowance of sin maketh true Doctrine unacceptable godly admonition unwelcome the tidings of peace an occasion of trouble the sweet flowers gathered out of the garden of the Scriptures as a bundle of noisome weeds the honey comb of the word as gall therefore let us put iniquity farr away and let no iniquity dwell in our tabernacles and then we shall receive the word without prejudice The Third thing is the Baptists deniall of himself the removing of all that honour from himself which they would falsely have ascribed to him Doctr GOds Servants must not seek their owne but the honour of the Lord Jesus This is given in charge 1 Cor. 6.20 this we are taught to make our first Petition Mat. 6.9 This the Saints Angels of God have refused to receive when men either ignorantly or superstitiously would have bestowed it on and have willed them to give it unto God and Christ Acts 10.25 26 Acts 14 14 15. Rev. 19.10 our Saviour blamed the want of this in the Pharises Joh. 5.44 and the Lord plagued them that neglecting his sought their owne glory Acts 12.21 22. Dan. 4.30 31. Reas 1 In regard of that perrogative which God hath over all he is the Prince of the Kings of the earth Rev. 1.5 every knee must bow to him Rom 14.11 He hath
by our conversion to Christ and conjunction with him we become as a vineyard sowne with much seed as a Mother of many Children plentifull in the grace of the Spirit Isai 54.1 2 3. And the Church is filty resembled to a Wife 1. In regard of her subjection as the Wife is subject to the Husband so must the Church be subject unto Christ in all things Ephes 5.24 she must not live as she list make lawes of her owne forget like a harlot the guide of her youth but she must follow Christ Mat. 17.5 He hath all authority and power given him all is made subject to him 2. In regard of affection as the Wife loveth the Husband so must our hearts adhere to Christ he must be in our eye the fairest of ten thousand we must be sicke of love Cant. 5.10 so love him as to leave all for him Psal 45.10 11. Luc. 18.28 Mat. 10.39 3. In regard of chast reservation of our selves as the Wife must reserve her selfe for her Husband so must the Church reserve herselfe from all others from seducers from the world from the devill from the flesh Mat. 4.10 The want of this much provoketh God and breedeth grievous afflictions Hos 2.6 7. Vse 1 Is Christ the Husband of his Church is he joyned in spirituall wedlocke with them then this may assure all Gods faithfull servants that Jesus Christ doth beare a singular love and fervent affection to them a love that passeth the love of women as David said of Ionathans love a love most sweet most pleasant most wonderfull a love wherewith we cannot but be much affected if we looke 1. Upon the order of it Christ loved us first as the aire heated by the Sun is hot so Christ loveth us before we love him 1 Ioh. 4.19 The savour of his good ointments in our nostrill draw love from us Cant. 1.2 He seeketh us as a Shepheard the straying Sheep Isai 65.1 He woeth and inviteth us before we think of coming to him Matth. 22.4 2. The freedome of his love there was nothing in us why he should love us we were void of all spirituall beauty and comelines a barren wildernes an unsavoury carkasse a garden altogether overspread with weeds unworthy of any love deserving all hatred Ezek. 16.6 therefore Hos 14.4 5. Rom. 5.8 3. Upon the truth of his love he did not love in word and in tongue onely but in heart and in deed also his love was not a painted but a reall fire not an empty well but a full streame he loved us not for any by or base end but for our good for Ephes 5.25 26. Ioh. 15.13 4. The quality of his love it is a pure and heavenly love a love fastnying it selfe chiefly upon the Soule a love respecting our spirituall and everlasting good a love causing him to sanctify us to make us vessels of honours to wash away the Leprosy of our Souls in the Jordan of his blood Tit. 3.4 5. 5. The quantity or measure of his love it was not a little sparkle a small streame but a fire of much wood a strong flood a love that cannot be paralelled Joh. 10.11 Joh. 15.13 6. The continuance of his love it is not like a morning dew that soone vanisheth like a fire in straw which soone extinguisheth like a tree of no roots that quickly withereth but the love of Christ is a constant love like a living fountaine alwayes flowing a Sun never setting the fire on the Altar alwayes burning a love more permanent than the mountaines Isa 54.10 for Jerem. 31.3 and Joh. 13.1 7. The fruits of his love no such grapes grow on any vine no such flowers as these in any garden no Bridegroome bestoweth such rich tokens of love as Christ doth on his spouse Ezek. 16.9 10 11. In his love he raiseth us out of the grave of sin to a new life Ephes 2.5 as he raised Lazarus Joh. 11.44 In his love he maketh us conquerours Rom. 8.37 In his love he hath made himselfe a Sacrifice to God for us Ephes 5.2 In his love he hath reconciled us to God given us interest in all good things filled us with much consolation 2 Thes 2.16 Washed us from our sin Tit. 3.4 5. Rev. 1.5 6. The consideration of all which should much affect our hearts like a burning Sun melt away the icy coldnes which is within us like a powerfull load-stone it should draw our hearts againe to love him like a musicall instrument sweetly tuned it should much affect us like sweet wine it should make our hearts cheerfull and fill us abundantly with love againe to him Vse 2 This must teach wicked men to take heed that they abuse not Gods Children and Servants that they wound them not with the venomous arrowes of reproach that they lay not on them the heavy burthen of affliction Christ is their Husband loveth them most entirely and therefore will surely be avenged on them that wrong them as a Husband on him that abuseth his Wife as David 1 Sam. 30.17 so will the Lord discover his indignation against them that abuse his people therefore likened to a jealous man Zach. 1.14 15. he will plead the cause of his people Isai 51.22 23. as Sampson Iud. 15.7 8. so will God on them that wrong such at have betrothed themselves to him they are deare to God Zach. 2.8 they are his Jewells Mal. 3.17 He will not endure that to be abused and cast into the dirt they are his flocke he is their Shepheard Psal 80.1 and as 1 Sam. 17.34 35. so will God deale with them that prey upon the lambs of his fold thus Pro. 11.8 though the Lord let them alone for awhile to correct and humble his people yet as the Goldsmith extinguisheth the fire when the Gold hath been thoroughly purged so will God Isai 10.12 Though the Lord spare till their sin be ripe yet at length as Isai 13.8 so though they are as a rod to scourge Gods people yet the Lord at length will breake them in pieces Isa 14 5 6 7. thus Ier. 30.16 17. as Adoni-bezek said Iud. 1.7 so shall wicked men say at last as I have dealt with Gods people so hath the Lord dealt with mee Zech. 1.18 19 20. They that cast the three Children into the fire were burned they that caused Daniel to be cast into the Lions den were themselves devoured of the Lions Dan. 3.22 Pharaoh that pursued Israel was swallowed in the red Sea Dan. 6.24 Therefore let every man take heed how he reach his hand or open his mouth against the people of God Exo. 14. how he touch the Lords anointed or do his Prophets any harme 1 King 13.4 Psal 105.15 Vse 3 This must cause all Gods people all that professe communion with Christ to yeeld an internall externall universall cheerfull hearty and spirituall obedience unto him as a carefull and respective wife to the Husband not as a slave to a tyrant not as a servant to
planted by the water side Psal 1.3 like an orchard of pomegranats Cant. 4.13 5. In regard of remaining corruptions and imperfections 1. If there be much ignorance in us and we see the things of God but darkly as the man that had his eyes opened did at the first see men as trees The Lord Jesus is in the bosome of his Father Mar. 8.24 in him are all the treasures of wisedome Joh. 1.18 and he is our Husband therefore he will instruct us more perfectly Col. 2.3 In his Schoole we shall learne wisedome he will give us his Spirit Ioh. 14.26 he will open the Scriptures Luc. 24.32 He will give us pastors to feed us with knowledge Ier. 3.14 15. and Luc. 1.77 he will open the sealed book Rev. 5.2 2. If we be weake in faith Christ will strengthen us and make us strong in faith like Abraham Rom. 4.20 Cause us like trees to be rooted in faith Col. 2.7 he will mightily persuade us Rom. 8.37 38. 3. If we find our Souls like a diseased body annoyed with sin as with a strong disease Iesus Christ is a Physician he will heale us Hos 6.1 If our consciences be burdened he will ease us Mat. 11.28 Isai 61.1 2. as Mat. 8.25 26. 6. In regard of perseverance though Satan buffet us though our corruption like a heavy burthen presse us down though the World hang like birdlime about the wings of our Souls Though we sometimes think and are ready to say of sin and Satan as David did of Saul 1 Sam. 27. I. Yet let us remember we are married unto Christ Iesus and that for ever Hos 2.19 there is no dissolution of this wedlocke being in his hand we shall be held fast Ioh. 10 28. We shall be kept by the power of God unto everlasting life 1 Pet. 1.5 Satan may win now us but Christ will not suffer our faith to faile Luk. 22.32 the Ship of our Souls may be shaken but it shall not sinke we may receive many wounds in the battel but yet we shall have the conquest as 2 Cor. 4.8 9. The next thing is the affection which Christ doth bear unto his messengers he calleth them his friends the friend of the Bridegroome a friend is one whom we do entirely love above others and use more familiarly and privately than we do others as David did Ionathan and of such a friend Solomon saith Prov. 18.24 A friend of God is one to whome God imparteth his mind and secrets so familiarly and fully as one friend doth to another Gen. 18.17 and the Apostles Ioh. 15.15 and thus doth the Baptist stile himselfe the friend of Christ noting the love which Christ did beare unto him and the understanding which he had of Gods will and counsell whence Doctr. That Christ Iesus doth beare a singular love to his faithfull Ministers II. Gods faithfull Ministers are after a peculiar manner acquainted with Gods Counsells III. Every faithfull Minister of God is an unfained friend unto God First of the first of these Christ Iesus doth beare a singular love unto his faithfull Ministers this appeareth plainely I. By the place wherein see hath set them made them his Embassadours 2 Cor. 5.19 20. starres in his right hand Rev. 2.20 his mouth Ier. 15.19 keeper of his vineyard Cant. 8.11 steward of his family 1 Cor. 4.1 The nurses of his Children 1 Thes 2.7 II. By the trust he committeth to them the instruction conversion edification salvation of his people hence are they called Fathers 1 Cor 4.15 Saviours Obad vers 21. 1 Tim. 4.16 builders 1 Cor. 3.9 watchmen Heb. 13.17 Shepheards having the custody of Gods flocke Ezek. 34.4 6. the charge to feed Gods people Ioh 21.17 III. By the service they doe him like Souldiers they lead his armies fight his battels subdue sin and Satan his enemies 2 Tim. 2.3 4. 2 Cor. 10.5 Isa 49.2 Psal 45.4 5. Like Husbandmen they roote up the thornes and briars in the Lords vineyard breake up the fallow ground of mens hearts sow therein the seed of Gods Word plant trees of righteousnes and like good Husbandmen bring much fruit unto the Lord Ier. 1.10 1 Cor. 3.6 Like Shepheards they gather home the lost Sheep to Gods fold Like Fishermen by the draw-net of the Gospel they draw the Souls of men out of the gulfe of sin IV. By the acception of the wrongs done unto them he taketh it as done to himselfe as a King taketh the wrongs done to his Embassadour as done to himselfe Luk. 10.16 Exod. 16.8 V. By the care he hath to defend them the arme stretched out against them shall wither 1 Ki. 13.4 the tongues which mock them shall not go unpunished 2 King 2.24 2 Cor. 36.16 and it is the Lords promise Ier. 15.19 20 21. VI. In regard of the recompence provided for them their love and labour shall not be in vaine they that strive lawfully shall have the prize 2 Tim. 2.3 their work is with the Lord Isai 49.4 as they shine by their Doctrine and conversation now so shall they shine hereafter Dan. 12.3 VII In regard of the love they beare unto him Joh. 21.16 a love which maketh them industrious in their callings 2 Cor. 5.14 joyfull to see men convert unto the Lord Iesus 1 Thes 2.19 20. ready to lay down their life Acts 20.24 Vse 1 This must therefore occasion the Ministers to endevour to walke worthy of this love of the Lord Iesus to order themselves in such manner that the Lord may still continue a friend unto them as men near about earthly Princes enjoying the favour of their Soveraigne are carefull to keep so must we by our holy walking sincere faithfull and frequent teaching be carefull to keep the favour of the Lord Iesus II. This must encourage them to beare the hatred of wicked men because the Lord is their friend to be patient in the bearing the difficulties of their calling the Lord will recompence them Vse 2 This must cause the people to love and reverence the faithfull messengers of the Lord to be friends to them to whome Christ is a friend this is required Thes 5.13 not an ordinary but a singular love a peculiar honour and respect 1 Tim. 5.17 and surely there is great cause for I. These are your spirituall parents by whom you are begotten againe to God raised out of the grave of sin to a new life Iohn 5.25 II. These are the instruments by whom we are inabled to behold the great things of the Law of God these are the lights of the World Mal. 2.7 these are as the fiery Pillar to Israel Exo. 13.21 as the starre to the Wisemen Mat. 2.10 III. These are the Lords Champions by whom we are delivered out of sin and Satans bondage these are the Priests who by sounding the Trumpet of the Gospel cast down the walls of Iericho who by the thunder of the Word threw Satan down like lightning IV. These are the Messengers who bring glad tidings of peace
Bridegroome so do they to hear the voyce of Christ Cant. 5.16 Reas 6 From the love which it doth breed in their hearts towards Christ This like a bellowes bloweth up the coales of their affections like the warme Sun it heateth their frozen hearts causeth them to be rooted and grounded in love Ephes 3.18 19. So to love him as to leave all for him Mat. 10.37 to despise all in comparison of him Luc. 14.26 an affection so strong that nothing can breed a separation Rom. 8.35 38 and loving Christ so fervently they cannot chuse but rejoyce abundantly in him love and joy like joynt companions go together Gal. 5.22 like the Sun and the light they will not he separated the one from the other Reas 7 From the operation of the Holy Ghost which doth attend it the Spirit of God which is the Fountaine of all joy is given with the Ministry of the word this is the key by which our hearts are opened and the Holy Ghost admitted into our Souls hence Acts 10.44 1 Thes 1.6 Acts 13.52 Reas 8 From the benefits which arise from hence by this the understanding is enlightned 2 Cor. 4.6 their faith is confirmed Ephes 1.13 victory over Satan obtained Ier. 31.11 their hearts are so softened and made tender as ground by the dewes Deu. 32.2 Isa 55.10 their affections are purified as the Corn by the fanne Mat. 2.12 Ier. 23.29 their consciences are purified Isa 57.19 their love and zeale is increased of a small drop these affections become like a flowing streame of few sparks become a burning flame of weake plants they become tall trees full of good fruit and hence as Acts 3.8 so Isa 35.5 6. Reas 9 From the protection which by this meanes they enjoy the Ministry of the Gospel is as Horsemen and Chariots to the people a sure defence Gods Ministers the best Watchmen the best Souldiers the Word of God is the surest shield the strongest shot the sounding of the Trumpet prevailed more against the walls than much Canon shot the shining of the Lamps the cry of the Sword of the Lord and Gideon put the Midianites to flight sooner than an army of men the Arke put the Philistines in greater feare than all the Israelitish army when the Ministry of life was removed from Ierusalem their house lest desolate then the Temple was cast to the ground Reas 10 From the grief which they conceive at the removing of it as Phinea's Wife would not be comforted when the Arke was taken away 1 Sam. 4.21 Ioseph and Mary went up and down sorrowing when Christ was lost Luk. 2.46 so the people of God are full of heaviness at the absence of the Word La. 2.6 12. Ps 74.9 Use This discovereth the misery of such as take no joy as delight not in the fruition of the Gospel to whom it is as light to the blind not seeing it musick to the deafe not hearing it food to the sick not relishing it want of delight in that Word of God is a sufficient argument of alienation from God an apparent testimony that we are not of God that we have not tasted of Gods goodnes he that doth not with David dance before the Lords Arke hath not Davids heart wanteth Davids love is a strangers to Davids sence and feeling of the working of Gods Word and Spirit within him He that looketh on this as on a vessell without water a tree without fruite a Lamp without Oile hath a heart without grace who is it but a Stoick a man of a stupified heart a seared conscience that accompteth Pauls preaching to be but babling that saith Job 21.14 A theef hideth himselfe from light Ioh. 3.20 Who but the deaf taketh no comfort in pleasant musick Psal 58.5 Mat. 11.17 Who but they that know not the things belonging to their peace Luk. 19.42 are not delighted with the Gospel of peace how canst thou be the Child of God if thou rejoyce not to heare the voyce of thy Father How canst thou be the Bride of Christ if thou art not affected with the language of thy Husband How canst thou be a new creature if like a new borne Child thou art not delighted with the milk of these breasts How canst thou be a traveller towards the heavenly Canaan and not be glad to see this fiery Pillar shine before thee How canst thou be a man of a hungry stomack and not be glad of this honey-comb How canst thou be experienced in the assaults of Satan and not rejoyce at the having of this weapon he cannot be the faithfull servant of God that findeth no delight in the Word of God Vse 2 This discovereth the cause why the people of God do so desire Gods Word Psa 27.4 Why they thirst after it as dry ground thirsteth Ps 63.1 Why they seek it Amos 8.12 why they incourage one another Zach. 8.21 why they wait Pro. 8.34 as Ioh. 5.5 Acts 3.3 why they say Ioh. 6.34 It is musick to their eares and they like David 2 Sam 6.16 it is Isa 25.6 and as Eccles 10.19 it is the joy and rejoycing of their hearts Ier. 15.16 It is the Sun that giveth light to them in darknes the staffe that sustaineth them in their weakenes the Arke bearing them up in the deepest deluge of troubles the Fountaine affording refreshment when all their water brooks do faile therefore no wonder they attend upon it Use 3 This must cause every one of us to try whether we can find this joy in the Word of God in hearing the Gospel preached whether it be to our Souls as the voyce of a kind friend a gracious Father a loving husband whether these apples these flagons Cant. 2.4 comfort stay and glad our hearts as they with their bottles Hos 5.3 made the King glad and if we doe rejoyce at it indeed it will appeare 1. By our conscionable preparation to it as sick men prepare their stomacks and Husbandmen their vineyards before the one receiveth Physick or the other soweth his seed so do they that delight in the Word for this is Physick and seed which they who wisely husband their Souls and highly value the wored of the Lord will not suffer to be sowne among thornes and briers but as Exo. 19.10 2. By our frequent meditation upon it man often thinketh upon that wherein he rejoyceth thus Psal 11.2 delight is a loadstone that draweth the thoughts a Chariot that carrieth the mind with an irresistible force to the thing rejoyced in 3. By our constant attendance on the same if we delight in it we will wait patiently and constantly upon it we will hearken diligently what the Lord will speake unto us we will be no strangers in Gods house but we will take every opportunity to go thither desire to make it our habitation Ps 27.4 accompt it our happines to have admittance within the gates of his house Ps 84.10 4. By our high valuation of it as the Sun above the Candle pure wheat
credits with our possessions trust him in prosperity when we have the abundance of all things rely on him alone as if we had nothing trust him in adversity when we have nothing being as confident as if we had all things as the Apostle saith of patience Ia. 1.4 So let me say of faith let faith have his perfect worke trust the Lord in every estate in every undertaking in every affliction trust him in health in sicknes in liberty in bondage in riches in poverty in temptation in peace trust him in six and be not doubtfull of him in seaven trouble for he is above all he can doe all nothing is impossible if we can beleeve Mar. 9.23 all things shall be according to our faith Mat. 9.29 there is water enough in this Well if we have faith like a bucket to draw there is riches enough in this store-house if we have faith like a key to open there is stedfastnes enough in this rocke if we have faith like a sure anchor to lay fast hold upon it there is no danger so great but if we have faith in him we shall passe thorough it Matth. 17.20 by faith we shall do as they did Heb. 11.29 30 31 32 33. By faith Christ dwelleth in us is become ours and then nothing can be too hard for us when he is omnipotent who is within us 1 Sam. 17.45 Goliah was better armed but by faith the Lord was with David by faith the Lord is our strength Psal 37.39 and Marc. 5.26 29 34. this is Gods precept 1 Ioh. 3.23 this is the way to prosper Ier. 15.5 therefore as 2 Cro. 20.30 7. Let Christ have preheminence in our love as he is above all so we must love him above all creatures the choise the strength of our affection must be bestowed upon him Deut. 6.4 We must love him with all manner of love as the work the of his hand that framed it the creature the Creator for we are the work of his hands Col. 1.16 as the subject loveth his gracious Soveraigne for he is the Prince of our peace Isa 9.6 as the ransomed loveth him that redeemed him for he is our Redeemer 1 Tim. 2.6 as the Disciple loveth the teacher for he is our Master Mat. 10.24 as one friend doth love another for he is our choisest friend Iohn 15.13 as the Wife the Husband for he hath joyned himselfe in wedlocke to us so we must love him with creatures love a subjects love a ransomed mans love af a true love c. Hos 2.19 none in himselfe so worthy to be beloved none ever can so well deserve our love none will none is able so abundantly to requite our love none doth or can so well entertaine our love none can yeeld such abundant satisfaction to our affection therefore let us give him the chiefest roome in our affections let us have our hearts so wrought upon that with the spouse we be even sicke of love Cant. 2.4 that Psal 73.25 that 2 Cor. 5.14 8. Let Christ have the preheminence in our joy as he is above all so let us rejoyce in him more than in Father Mother Child Wife or any other endowment as Paul said of the Thessalonians so let us say of Christ 1 Thes 2.19 20. this was the Apostles charge Phil. 4.4 and his resolution Gal. 6.14 Gods people can see nothing but Christ worthy to be rejoyced in the men of the World do hate them Ioh. 15.19 the strength riches of the world have vanity and changeablenes in them Psa 33.17 Psal 60.11 1 Cor. 3.20 21. the peace and pleasures of the World are great strangers to them their way is full of thornes their day full of clouds their habitation is like a house in the wildernes their condition like the condition of Pilgrimes Psa 34.19 1 Pet. 2.11 onely Christ is their comfort Phil 3.3 He bringeth remission of sin reconcileth them to God and therefore in him they rejoyce Rom. 5.11 He maketh peace for them worketh peace in them he revealeth Gods counsell to them 1 Cor. 1.30 therefore vers 31. they have nothing whereof to rejoyce but it cometh from him therefore behoofull they should rejoyce principally in him and turne all matter and occasion of rejoycing to rejoycing in Christ 9. Let us give him preheminence of Dominion in our hearts in our lives above all others above the World above Satan above our own corruption Let Christ have the whole possession of the heart let sin like Dagon be cast to the ground and the Kingdome of Christ like the Arke erected let the whole man be made universally subject to him let the eye in seeing the ear in hearing the tongue in speaking the hand in working the foot in walking the heart in thinking the understanding in judging the will in chosing the affections in imbracing or refusing shew their subjection yeeld unto Christ the chief Dominion every Member every faculty must be so serviceable that Christ may be able to say of it as the Centurion of his Servants Mat. 8.9 They must all wait like Ahimaaz for their commission run as soon as Christ shall give their charge unto them This is the Apostles charge Rom. 6.13 his commendation of the Romans vers 17. Christ must have no corrivals he must raigne as King alone he will not live as a Servant it must not be in this as Solomon saw it sometimes in another case Eccles 10.7 Christ will not walk on foot and the World Sin and Satan on hors-back no neither will he ride in the same Chariot with them 2 Cor. 6.14.15 as he is above all so he will rule over all 10. Let Christ have the preheminence in all our undertakings as he is above all so let us above all things seek his glory let us as it were set Christ upon our shoulders that he onely may be preheminent that he onely may be seen and we like men stand in the croud not taken notice of if Christ may be honoured let us be content to be reproach'd if be may be enriched let us be willingly made poor thus the Baptist was content to be as a tree that withereth that the beauty of Christ the tree of righteousness might be the more glorious to lose his honour if thereby the honour of Christ might increase so Paul 2 Cor. 4.3 he exalted Christ did not preach himself did not set forth himself shew his wit learning eloquence hunt applause but sought onely how to make Christ glorious as a man that carrieth a light to direct others doth not put forth himself but putteth forth his light that all may see by it a man that goeth to take fowl putteth forth his bait but hideth himself so Gal. 1.10 Acts 20.24 1 Cor. 10.31 33. Acts 3.12 In all these things we must study to give Christ the preheminence This serveth for the singular comfort of all Gods Servants who by a lively faith are ingrafted into Christ and have imbraced him as their
they will go weeping after it as Phaltiel after Michall so great is their love to it that no persuasions no threatnings shall breed a rejection of it 4. The tendernes of it therefore likened to the eye it is grievousnes to put out the eye a man will endure any member to be wounded any injury to be offered to any part of the body rather than to his eye Mat. 18.1 for this also it is likened to the mortifying of the members making the members of the body dead by giving them many blowes by piercing them with many wounds Col. 3.5 the naturall man will not have his sin his beloved one to be touched Amos 7.10 the Baptist must not meddle with Herodias Ahab will not be crossed in his journey to Ramoth Gilead they will not have the Hemme of this Garment touched 2 Sam. 18.5 5. The inherency and thorough mixture of sin with the soul and deep dy of it upon the heart as water and wine are so mingled that the skilfullest hand cannot make a separation the Ivy and the stones so combined that unles the Wall be thrown down it can not be removed so is sin and the soul so mixed that no skill of man or Angell can divide them it is as the marrow in the bones as the juyce in the root as the roots infolded wrapped up in the earth the bones must be broken Psal 51.8 the fallow ground must be plowed up Ier. 4.3 before sin can be plucked up it is a deep staine water cannot wash it nitre cannot purge it the best humane abilities have no power to remove it Ier. 2.22 it is a Leprosy of that calour depth and strength that the Water of Damascus cannot purge it no River but Jordan can heal it Isai 26.10 Prov. 27.22 Amos 4.6 7 8. Pharaoh Exod. 5.6 7 8. Ahas 2 Cro. 28.22 Isai 1.5 6. I might add many more but by these things it is sufficiently manifest what strangers we are to all abilities of turning our selves to God and working out our salvation before the Lord do put the life of grace into us and by his Word and Spirit as by his Horsmen and Chariots do draw us forward in the way of life and happiness 4. This will teach us not to ascribe too much to any man of themselves they are earth and earthly disposed even the very best among all men the excellency wherewith they are endowed is not of themselves but of God it is the dew from his cloud that doth make them fat the treasure of his store-house that doth make them rich the work of his finger that doth make them differ we are all empty vessels the fulness which we enjoy cometh from above barren fields till the Lord doth water and dresse us therefore as we admire not the vessel which holdeth good liquour but rather the Tree which bare the Grape that made the liquor so let us not so much admire the Creature the woodden vessel that hath the excellent Treasury as the Creator that gave the Treasure to him 2 Cor. 4.6.7 we are but the Casket the Jewel is the Lords we are but the Lamp it is the Lord doth give the Oile without him we can do nothing we are altogether dependant upon him all our abilities are the Lords talent we are but stewards thorough Christ inabling we can do all things but if Christ do not inable man can do nothing God is the Alpha and the Omega of all the good we enjoy or do therefore as Mar. 2.11 12. Acts 3.11 12. I Gideon overthrow the Midianitish army it is not so much Gideon as the Lord hath done it therefore first they cry the Sword of the Lord and then Gideon the Rod was used in dividing the waters of the red Sea yet Moses and Israel give the praise unto God Exod. 15.6 therefore Col. 1.29 Paul laboured not of himself but more or lesse according to the measure of Gods working in him so 1 Cor. 3.5 intimating that they were but instruments God was the chief Agent that if they brought any to the knowledge of the truth it was the Lord that did open the understanding if they turned any man to the faith it was the Lord did open the heart if they brought comfort to any mans Soul it was the Lord that spake peace unto the conscience teaching them whosoever were the instrument yet to give the whole praise to God the chief Agent to have God and not the persons of men in admiration 5. Let therefore our own worthiwess our own indisposednesse unto any good cause us to give the praise of our whole salvation unto God acknowledging him to be the soul and onely fountain whence all water which giveth refreshment to our Souls have their Original the more we see our own emptinesse the more feelingly let us acknowledge the Lords fulnesse the more we look upon our own poverty the more let us magnifie the full and open hand of God towards us the more let us laud him rejoyce in him for his abundant goodnesse the more let us study to please him to honour him to walk in all sincerity before him striving in all things to make him glorious utterly denying our selves saying as the Psalmist Psal 44.3 for as we are earth and earthly so we speak of the earth which is the third thing here noted their practise they speak of the earth their imployments are earthly their actions are carnal 9. The whole labour and practise of un-regenerate people is earthly and carnall as the whole fruit of a corrupt Tree is so Matth. 7.18 men are all like Travellers out of the way every foot they step is awry Psal 58.3 our whole work is but a Spiders Web and increases no better than a Cockatrice Egge Isa 59 56. Reas Because the Root and Original is evil and as men speak of the Countrey and parentage whereof they are so men being of the World of the flesh speak and do the works thereof 1 Ioh. 4.5 2. Because the whole man is full of sin as the Sea full of waters a dead body of rotteness an undrest Garden of weeds the eyes are full of vanity the tongue full of evil communication the hands full of idlenesse full of bloud of unrighteous dealings the heart full of uncleannesse and hence stream all kinde of abominations Matth. 15.19 Use We have no cause to glorie of our works as long as we are carnal they are nothing but the fruit of the flesh Gal. 5.19 Brasse Tin Iron base Metal Ier. 6.28.30 as the Psalmist saith of men Ps 62.9 so may the natural man say of all his works whither of piety or common equity of his way towards God or towards man they are altogether vanity surely if God should lay our deeds in the ballance as Baltazar was that would be found of us which was written of him mene mene tekel upharsin you are laid in the ballance your works are weighed which are found too light
the whole man shall be cleansed from all iniquity and to labour for this estate let us be perswaded 1. Because this will interest us in all Gods favours make all things to become ours to be comfortable helpfull beneficial this will make God to be our God our Father Christ to be our friend Mediator Advocate Husband Sun Shield Prince of peace the Spirit of God to be our comforter Ioh. 15.26 our guide Io. 16.13 to be our earnest penny and our Seal to assure us of the Lords mercy and loving kindnesse Ephes 1.13.14 a fire to warm us 1 Thes 5.19 water to cleanse us Isa 44.3 the Ministery of the Gospel to be a Ministery of reconciliation to us 2 Cor. 5.18 a pleasant light to shine unto our feet Psal 119.105 a heavenly Manna pure milk to feed our Souls 1 Pet. 2.2 a goad to drive us forward Physick to heal us a weapon to kill sin and defend our Souls all the earth shall be serviceable to us this life and the life to come shall be ours 1 Tim. 4.8 we shall be the richest people upon earth have better revenues than all the mighty men in the World Psal 34.10 Because this will inable us to finde many sweet and heavenly comforts in Gods ordinances this will make them full of precious and choise delights to our Souls this will make them be a delicate and dainty feast this will cause us to behold them as a letter of love from the Lord Jesus the Bridegroom of our Souls this will make them sweet as the hony-comb to our palate Psal 19.10 even the rejoycing of our hearts Jer. 15.16 this will make them more precious than any Treasure Psal 119.72 more pleasant than any tidings Luke 2.10 this will make them the savour of life to our Souls 2 Cor. 2.14 this will make them speak peace to our consciences Isa 57.19 this will make them as a banquet to the hungry stomack Cant. 2.4 this will make them as the Dove to Noah as the Star to the wise-men as the water out of the Rocks to Israel this will inable us to say of them as David of Jonathan 2 Sam. 1.26 3 Because this will cause all to work for our good if we be regenerate whatsoever is against us shall in the issue be with us prove beneficial for us as David said of Shimei's railing 2 Sam. 16.11 So the fiery darts which Satan casteth the venemous arrowes which the evill speakers quiver shooteth the heavy burthens which the hand of the potent enemy imposeth imprisonment sicknesse poverty temptations disgrace and whatsoever it be it shall all by the gracious hand of God be turned to our good if we like David be men after Gods own heart for Tit. 1.15 all shall be for their welfare all shall be blessed to them the sword which is unsheathed against them shall like Goliah's sword become an instrument to cut off the enemies head the envious practises of their brethren shall be a means of their advancement as in Joseph the pit which is digged the snare which is spread for them shal take and entangle him that spread it every obstacle shall be turned into a furtherance every burthen into wings every lyon shall have a honey-comb in his belly This is the priviledge of Gods people the prerogative of sanctification an inducement full of power to perswade all that are not past feeling to return to God by true repentance to serve him in holiness and true righteousness 4. Since the natural mans workes are all naught water of a poysonous fountaine fruit from an evil tree let us all examine and try our selves what our workes are whether they be good or evill And this we shall discerne 1. By the fountaine whence they spring all good works must come from a good and a sanctified heart The good ground which brought forth good fruit resembled a good and honest heart and Matth. 12.35 Matth. 7.17 all the works of a carnal man are dead works in regard of their original nature and issue none but a new creature can doe the works of new obedience All our actions are actions of uncleanness till we be washed and justified by the blood of the Lord Jesus 2. By the rule by and in obedience to which they are done They must not be done after our fancy in obedience to our own will our Sacrifice must be offered with fire from Gods Altar what we doe must be that which God required and it must be done because God hath required it Lev. 10.1 2. 1 Sam. 15.22 out of conscience to Gods precept 3. By the faith and perswasion we have in our heart when we do it We must beleeve that God in Christ is well pleased with us we must bear fruit as branches of Christ else it will be in Gods account as soure grapes Heb. 11.6 As we must ask all so we must do all in the name of Christ 4. By the affection wherewith it is performed It must not arise out of feare nor proceed from constraint but out of unfeigned love to God This must be the first mover in all our undertakings 1 Cor. 16.14 2 Cor. 9.7 as Jude 5.2 5. By the circumstances wherewith it is apparelled as Prov. 25.11 for Eccles 3.1 and Matth. 6.3 4. 6. By the end whereunto it is done We must chiefly look unto God all our arrows must be levelled to his glory as to the chiefest mark we are not our own but his by our election he hath chosen us Eph. 1.5 6. By our creation he hath made us for himselfe Prov. 16.4 By our redemption he hath bought us to himselfe 1 Cor. 6.20 By our vocation he hath called us to shew forth his praise 1 Pet. 2.9 and to him must we live 2 Cor. 5.15 If our works be thus qualified we may be sure they come from a regenerate spirit and are well accepted of him who is above all This is a repetition of what was formerly spoken to shew his disciples that they must needs subject themselves to Christ and to let them see how difficult it is he doth againe repeat it So that you see the repetition and the reason of the repetition The former may teach us Doct. 1 1. It is very needfull that Gods Ministers should often urge and presse the same material duties upon their hearts Phil. 3.1 that they may understand it more clearly be awakened by it more effectually affected with it more throughly that it may be imprinted upon their hearts the more effectually that it may abide with them the more constantly People must not think it unprofitable to heare the same points of doctrine often pressed upon them Naaman went seven times into Jordan Peters cock crowed thrice From the other we may learn Doct. It is a very hard thing to make men renounce all self-confidence and subject themselves unto and altogether rely vpon Christ Jesus therefore the Baptist doth againe and againe presse it This occasioned
as the purest manchet to distast as gall what now is pleasant as honey to their palate 2. Consider the strength of sinne and Satans hold it is a stronge Castle uneasily beaten downe the Devill is no weakling but a Prince a Potent adversary it is not every one can conquer him a bow without arrows a minister without abilities can doe nothing to this adversary powder of humane eloquence though it make a great noise cannot shake the powers of his Kingdome an Axe without edge a Sermon without Zeale and courage cannot cut the roots of this tree the Divell doth no more regard such mens preaching as preach not with power and in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit then hee did for the sonnes of Sceva conjuring Acts. 19.15 Instead of casting him out of others he will enter further into them themselves therefore like good souldiers they must be well furnished with spirituall armour and 2 Cor. 10.5 Psa 45.5 their arrowes must be sharp 3. Consider the depth of Gods councels how uneasily unfolded opened applied how these are a riddle which like Sampsons riddle cannot be enterpreted unlesse wee plough with Gods Heifer deep things of God which cannot be found out but by Gods Spirit 1 Cor. 2.11 A way that cannot be knowne without a guide Acts. 8.31 A sealed booke which we cannot read unlesse wee have some one to open it Isa 29.11 Neither are the Lamps which reserve the greatest portion of this oyle so full of light nor the fountaines which hold the largest measure of knowledge so ful of waters but that with Paul they may say who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2.16 4. Consider the number the subtlety and the power of them that seduce to sin that lead to errour and that provoke to evill that spread snares and cast stumbling blocks in the waies of Gods people The envious man hath many servants that sow tares among this Wheate Mat. 13.25 Many Factors that sell deceiptfull wares that make merchandise of the soules of the people 2 Pet. 2.3 Many mountebanks that apply healing salves before ever they search and open the wound Jer. 6.14 Many unskilful builders that daub with untemperate Morter upon a rotten wall before ever they pull downe the ruinous places Ezek. 13.10 Many clouds without raine many breasts without milke 2 Pet. 2.17 Many lazy Husbandmen that sow before ever they breake up the fallow ground of the hearts of Gods people Contrary to that Jer. 1.10 Many deceivers transformed into Angels of light 2. Cor. 11.11 Many Lions in sheepes Skins Mat. 7.15 Many that with Ahabs Prophets bad us goe on and proper 1 Kings 22.12 Therefore behoofull wee should make choice of able ministers that may teach sound Doctrine convince opposers lead us forward and build us up in the saving knowledge of Christ Iesus in despite of all oppositions 5. Consider our dulnesse deadnesse security backwardnesse Israel cannot travell longer then the fiery Pillar doth shine before them Peter will continue in the denial of his Master if the Cock do not crow to awaken him Israel will erect a golden calfe if Moses do but a little absent himselfe from them if Jehojada once dye the Princes of Juda will leave the house of the God of their Fathers and serve groves and Idols 2 Chro. 24.18 The best men with the men of Ephesus will forget their first love if they live not under faithful Ministers as the best garden will grow barren if it be not weeded the best tree will grow wild if it be not pruned the soile will become unfruitfull if the dewes fall not upon it the strongest body will grow weake if good food bee with holden from it the best ship will miscarry if it want a good Pilote therefore 2 Pet. 1.12 This is the Pillar which supporteth us the word of life which keepeth life in us Phil. 2.14 The breast which giveth food to us 1 Pet. 2.2 The cloud whose dewes water us and makes us fruitfull in the grace of the Spirit Deut. 32.2 6. Consider how hardly a true lively faith is wrought without labour men are perswaded and assured of their salvation what industry constancy fervency and shill is required and must be used before the judgement can bee informed rightly to descerne the things which differ before the will can bee inclined to chose the things which are most excellent before the affections can be cleansed the heart purified the holds of sinne cast downe the soule made free from the service of evill and free to the love of God and of what is truely good as in 2 Kings 4.32 34.35 So the Minister must againe and againe exhort instruct and pray before the life of grace be restored the conscience pacified the fruits of a new life infallably apparant and the heart throughly perswaded of Gods goodnesse towards it in the free remission of all sin all temptations quelled all objections answered the pardon of fine sealed Naaman went seven times into Jordan before he was washed the Cock crowed thrice before Peter awakened our Saviour stood long at the doore before the Spouse stirred up her selfe to open to come forth to him she sought long ere she could and him Cant. 2.5 she speaketh to the Ministers to comfort or sustaine her by the Ministry of the word Rom. 1 11. Acts. 14.2.22 7. Consider the sweet and singular comforts which the powerfull Ministry of the word breedeth in the soules of the people of God how it is unto the eies of their understanding as the light of the Sun to the eye of the bodie whereof Eccles 11.7 So it is to them a pleasant thing to behold the things of God as Mat. 2.10 So doth the light of the word rejoyce joyce the people of God Isa 9.2 3. Lu. 10.23 How it is unto their eares as the harp in Davids hand chasing away the evil spirit How a very joyfull sound Psa 89.15 How it is unto their palate as the sweetest honey Psa 19.10 As the daintiest feast Isa 25.6 How it is to their feet a burning light guiding them into the waies of peace Lu. 1.79 How it is to their thirsty soules as a wel-spring of living waters to the thirsty and their troubled consciences as the Olive-branch to Noah as the still voice to Eliah to their weary spirits as Horsemen and Chariots to drive and carry them forward in their journey to the high and Heavenly habitation which God hath prepared for his people and out of all this wee may abundantly behold the necessity of an able constant and powerfull Ministry and the folly of them that content themselves with Lamps that have no Oile with Messengers that have no tidings with such at least as like the evil servants hide and imploy not their talent 3. This must occasion the people to try whether the Ministers who are set over them be sent of God or whether they be come of their owne
a lion yet at length hee shall seed upon the hony-comb of consolation though hee pass like Israël thorough the red sea the wilderness Iordan yet hee shall have a land that floweth with milk and hony though hee now wear a crown of thorns yet hee shall hereafter wear a crown of glorie though his drink bee now mingled with gall and bitterness yet hee shall drink out of the river of God's pleasures though David was long oppressed yet at length hee attained the Kingdom though the three children were cast into the fierie furnace yet they attained honor in the province of Babylon So Isa 65.13.14.15 Isa 35.4.5.10 Ecl. 8.11.12 From the gift descend wee to take notice of the measure of the gift not scantly slenderly sparingly but above measure abundantly plentifully fully Whence learn Doctr. That Christ Jesus was superabundantly filled withall heavenly gifts and graces As the Sun in the firmament is full of light and brightness so is the Son of righteousness full of true holiness and even according to his humane nature exceedingly filled with all goodness even full of the holy ghost as the fountain is full of waters This fulness of his was many waies evident 1. by the fulness of his wisdom his lamp was full of oil it gave a very great light a light enlightning all the world a wisdom breeding admiration in them that saw it Mat. 13.54 a wisdom whereby as the Psalmist saith of himself Psal 119.98.99 so and much more may it bee verified of Christ for in him Col. 23. and Ioh. 1.18 hath a most full and intimate knowledg of God 2. By the fulness of his power it was not a withered arm but an arm endued with fulness of strength able like David to conquer the Bear the Lion the great Goliah able to dash his enemies in pieces like a potter's vessel Psa 29. a stone hewn out of the mountains breaking in pieces the image representing the glorie riches and strength of all kingdoms Dan. 2.44 Able to heal the sick raise the dead ransom the captived nothing was too hard for him 3. By the fulness of his holiness his face had neither spot not wrinckle there was no defilement stuck in his garment his soul was a field no tares mingled with his wheat a garden all flowers no weed a tree all bearing no barren withered no unfruitful branch upon it as it is said of Absalom 2. Sam. 14.25 so it is 1. Pet. 2.22 Ioh. 14.30 1. Pet. 1.19.4 by the fulness of his love a love like a full Sea a flameing fire a strong Chariot that drew him from heaven to earth from the highest honor to the deepest ignominy from a paradise of pleasures to a wilderness of sorrows his love to us of a Lord caused him to become a servant Philip. 2.7 of a Sovereign a subject Gal. 4.4 of rich poor 2 Cor. 8.9 of a joyfull man a man of sorrows Mat. 26.38 It brought him from the throne to the cross from the highest heavens to the lowest parts of the earth Joh. 15.13 Joh. 15.9 As the Father so loved him that hee communicated all good things to him sustained him under affliction and delivered him from the power of hell and the grave so doth the Son so love us that hee imparteth all good things to us beareth us up in all our distresses and delivereth us from all miseries 5. By the fulness of his patience hee was the mirror of meekness the perfect pattern of true humility Isa 53.7 1 Pet. 2.23 Hee was one in whom patience had her perfect work Jam. 1.5 patient in poverty patient in ignominy patient in sorrowfulness patient in doing patient in suffering patient in life patient in death the patience of Job and the Prophets was marvelous yet as 2 Cor. 3.10 so their patience compared with his was no patience therefore well might hee propose himself for an example Mat. 11.29 and thus full of all grace it was requisite our Saviour should bee 1. In regard of the holy precise exact and perfect rule of the Law which hee was to fulfill every letter of his life must without any the least variation answer the copy every faculty of the soul the disposition of the whole man must bee suitable to this frame every thought of his heart every motion of his affection every word of his mouth every deed of his life must be as arrows falling neither under nor above but fully pitching upon this mark therefore Gal. 4.5 Matth. 5.17 2. In regard of the love God beareth unto him and wonderfull delight which hee had in him as Elkanah 1 Sam. 1.4 5. as Joseph Gen. 43.24 so our God giveth portions of grace to all his children but to Christ hee gave a worthy portion more then five times as ample as to any of his brethren because hee had a more abundant love to him Isa 42.1 Mat. 3.17 3. In regard of the Office hee had undertaken to be a Mediator between God and man a peace-maker by appeasing of Gods wrath in suffering for man by making him just Phil 3.9 by being found cloathed not in their own but in the righteousness of Christ the party dying and satisfying the law for another must bee innocent and not dy for his own offence the righteousness which maketh another just must bee free from all blemish therefore 1 Pet. 3.18 2 Cor. 5.21 4. In regard of our emptiness wee were all poor and therefore it behooved him to have a full hand to make us rich wee were all blinde and therefore it was requisite hee should bee full of knowledg to make us wise wee were all sick and therefore it was needfull hee should bee a skilful Physitian to make us whole all unclean and therefore behooffull hee should bee full of holiness to make us pure all captivated and dead in sin and therefore needfull hee should bee full of power to ransom us Hence that prophesie Isa 61.1 that invitation Rev. 3.17 18. Isa 55.1 for Joh. 1.16 Eph. 1.21 22. 5. In regard of the enemies hee was to conquer Sin Satan Hell Death trees not able to bee rooted up by any mortal hand walls not able to bee beaten down by any cannon shot fetters not to bee broken by any creäted strength enemies not conquerable by the most valiant among men as all Israel trembled till David came 1 Sam 17. so Heb. 2.14 this is the Moses dividing the waters Exod. 14.21 this is the Sampson bearing away the gates of Gaza this is the David delivering his sheep this is the Cyrus opening the two leaved gates Isa 45.1 this is the Angel bringing Peter out of prison Act. 12.7 6. In regard of the depth of Gods counsels which are to bee opened a well whereof none can drink before Christ rowl away the stone as Jacob did from the wells mouth a riddle which cannot bee unfolded unless wee plow with Gods spirit a sealed book which none but the lion of the tribe of Juda can open a vision which
earth hee doth not promise them a paradise of pleasures to dwell in a river of wordly delights to drink of a wardrobe of rich raiment a treasury of gold and silver an eminent place of wordly honor but the grace of the spirit a holy fear to displeas him a holy care to walk uprightly before him Jer. 32.38 39 40 41. this is prophesied to be the sequel of God's love to his people Jer. 31. is the promise of his love ver 3. the testimony of it ver 8 9. I will bring them from the north countrey and all the coasts of the earth literally from Babylon Assyria and the Medes where they were detained captive spiritually from the slavery and bondage of sin and Satan and when will hee bring the blinde who cannot see the waies the commandements of the Lord the lame who cannot walk aright in the path of his precepts the woman with childe such as feel themselvs heavy loaden with the burden of their sin and did much long like a woman in travel to bee delivered and hee that travelleth with the childe the broken hearted afflicted and such as want spiritual strength to do good but how in what manner shall they come from their bondage with weeping grief for their sin and with supplication with praier for the remission of sin but by what way shall they bee led by the rivers of the water their spiritual thirst after rightetousness shall bee quenched by the preaching of the Gospel and their souls watered and refreshed by the dews of the Spirit in a right way by the doctrine of life wherein is no terror no obliquity and for why shall all this bee for I a father to Israël and Ephraïm is my first-born that is I love them with a most intimate affection they are very dear unto mee and therefore I will bestow this spiritual favor upon them this the Prophet Hosea after a metaphorical manner doth most lively and elegantly express Hos 14. v. 4. first hee maketh mention of the freedom of God's love toward them then hee setteth forth the consequences thereof the fruit growing on this tree of God's love the gifts given by this hand of God so full of love unto them and first by the similitude of a Physitian healing hee setteth out the free remission of their sin by the similitude of the dew the grace of the Spirit regenerating and quickning to new obedience by the similitude of the growing of the lilie which is an effect of the dew hee setteth out the adorning of the faithfull with heavenly graces that so both they and their services might cast a sweet savour in God's nostrils by the similitude of casting out of roots as Lebanon hee expresseth their constancy and perseverance in the grace of the Spirit notwithstanding all temptations by the similitude of spreading their branches hee declareth their increas of the Church both in graces and also in persons the great glory of the Church and the sweet savour which they should send forth both in the nostrils of God also of men by the similitude of siting under his shadow he expresseth the safety security and peace which they should enjoy under the protection of Christ by the similitude taken from the reviving of the corn hee sheweth their growth in grace even by the storms and tempests of affliction which fall upon us by the similitude of the growing of the Vine and sent of Lebanon hee proposeth the zeal of the godly and the fragrancy of their conversation so that the forgiveness of sin regeneration sanctified and acceptable obedience constancy in the way of God's commandements growth in grace joy and peace in the holy Ghost zeal and courage for God's truth these are gifts which above all the gifts in the world do testifie the love of God therefore 1 Joh. 3.1 2. Eph. 2.4 5. Reas Because these of all gifts are the most excellent these are as the Spouse said of our Saviour Cant. 2.2 Cant. 5.10 as the apple-tree among the trees of the forrest the fairest of ten thousand therefore called by the Apostle the best gifts 1 Cor. 12.31 preferred by Joh above the choicest treasure lockt up in the bowels of the earth Job 28.16 by Solomon before the chiefest riches in the custody of the merchant Prov. 3.14 though other gifts are in their kinde excellent and of great comfort to such as can rightly apply apply them yet as Prov. 31.29 so many other endowments deserve much commendation but the saving grace of the Spirit excelleth them all 2. Because these gifts of all other are the most rare most proper and peculiar to God's own children these are precious pearls given to a few they are flowers growing in few gardens a seed sown but in few fields stars shining in the firmament of few mens souls 2 Thes 3.2 earthly endowments are a liquor put into every vessel a sion graffed on every stock a seed sown on every field but these are bestowed only on the elect Tit. 1.1 3. Because these gifts do bring a man nighest to God in likeness of nature these make a man holy as God is holy for the truth though not for the measure of holiness these make a man like God as the childe is like the parent as the aër is like the sun therefore 2 Pet. 1.4 being holy wise simple sincere immortal as God is not in perfection but in trueth not independently but by communication hereby wee have fellowship with God walk with him have our conversation in heaven are of God's counsel Psal 25 9. are his friends Joh. 15.15 enjoy the light of his face Psal 21.6 a man may have all other gifts bee furnished with all other abilities and yet bee a stranger to God and Christ Eph. 1.12 4. Because these gifts of all other gifts are the most pleasant the most delightfull and full of comfort this maketh the soul of a Christian cheerfull and full of rejoycing Lu. 10.20 Isa 55.12 13. 1 Pet. 1.8 Isa 4.6 5. Because these gifts are of all others the most satisfactory and contenting these like living springs do abundantly fill the vessel of their souls like clouds full of rain they quench the thirst of the heart as they do-the dry and barren grounds like trees loaden with plenty and variety of all good fruit they fill the hungry stomack therefore likened to a living spring whose waters never fail Jo. 4.14 to milk and wine which quench the thirst Isa 55.1 to a of the choisest dainties both filling and delighting the hungry soul Isa 25.6 to great gain which quieteth the heart though enlarged with strong desires 1 Tim. 6.6 when all other gifts like water to a dropsie man do inflame their thirst and make them cry like a horsleach and make them miserable as the grave Pro. 30.15 16. then they who have the grace of the Spirit are satisfied as the child that sucketh milk from a full breast Isa 66.11 this is promised Psal 22.26 where the
Psalmist alluding to the sacrifices and feasts among the Jews sheweth as they fed delicately filled themselvs plenteously so the people of God fed with the preaching of the Gospel and administration of the Sacraments should be abundantly filled with all heavenly comforts with all saving gifts and graces so filled that they should bee therewith satisfied the like expression to this is used Psal 23.5 6. the Psalmist thereby setting forth the large measure of grace which God conferred on him the abundant holy joy and rejoycing wherewith the Lord did replenish him 6. Because these gifts are of all other gifts the most profitable these like the Ark to Obed Edom like Joseph to Potiphar do cause all wee have all wee do to prosper The Apostle doth excellently express it where hee saith godliness is profitable to all things having the promise of this life and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 godliness profitable helpfull to every duty to every estate and condition of life it is profitable to us when wee hear it causeth our hearts to bee to the word as good ground to the seed as a healthy stomach to the food it maketh the Word to us as the light to the eye very pleasant and delightfull as musick to the ear very comfortable as a joyfull tidings to the sorrowfull for Mica 2.7 2. It is profitable to us when wee pray it maketh us to com before the Lord with confidence 1 John 3.20 21. it inlargeth the desires of our souls strengtheneth our affections and maketh them more fervent carrying them towards God like a strong flood which cannot bee stopped maketh the cry of our souls vehement maketh them as incense the smoak of sweet wood in God's nostrils Jam. 5.16 this is like Aaron and Hur to Moses Exod. 17.12 14. 3. It is profitable to us when wee are assaulted it inableth us to draw nigh to God with fulness of assurance Heb. 10.22 it maketh us confident bold and couragious Prov. 28.1 It defendeth us like a breast plate Ephes 6.14 it is an Ark in the Deluge 4. It is profitable when wee are in any affliction It maketh all troubles to bee as fire to the gold fanne to the corn the fiery fornace to the three children an occasion of nearer communion with God holiness to God's people in the time of trouble is as Moses rod making a way thorough the red sea opening the stony rock as the tree making the bitter waters sweet as the meal making the pot which was full of death to become full of health as a wise Phisitian maketh a healthfull and healing medicine of that which in it self is very poison 5. It is profitable when wee are to perform any sacred duty it is to us as wings to the bird as horsmen an chariots to travellers as wind tide sails to the marriner as art skill and strength to him that undergoeth the labor of handicraft it strengtheneth enliveneth and inableth the soul with a singular readiness marvellous joy great content and unspeakable delight to run that race fulfill that task with God hath set him 1 John 5.3 Psa 40.8 Psal 108.3 and Jud. 5.2 6. It is profitable in the collection gathering receiving affective fruition and using of all outward blessings it teacheth us to gain them lawfully to affect them moderately to rejoice in them sparingly to use them holily to order our selvs in all our businesses religiously wisely graciously as becometh the Gospel of God making all outward blessings occurrents and occasions to bee as feet to help us forward and not as stumbling blocks to occasion our fall to bee as a garment not a burden as a cup whereof to drink to refreshment not a sea wherein to drown our selvs 7. It is profitable in sickness in death holiness inableth us to dy with comfort to imbrace it as the most welcom of all guests to look upon it as a friend of a most lovely countenance as a messenger bringing most joifull tidings as a Physitian curing all diseases as a key opening the gates giving liberty from all troubles entrance into all happiness as the marriage day of our souls this will make us with Faninus the Italian to kiss death as hee kissed the traitor which brought him tidings of his execution these are the fruits which grow on this and the like branches this is the gain which is gathered out of this treasury no gift so profitable therefore no gift so sure a pledg of God's love to his people 7. Because these gifts are of all other gifts the most lasting these are gifts without repentance that know no change Rom. 11.29 a living spring that never faileth Joh. 4.14 a seed that never dieth 1 Joh. 3.9 a jewel which never consumeth Prov. 4.18 a sun that never setteth all other gifts of whatsoëver kinde worth or excellency are but like a cloud soon dispelled a vessel of clay soon broken a sandy foundation soon sunk but they who are endued with the saving graces of the Spirit like trees of deep roots shall surely stand like trees planted by the water side they shall not wither but shall bee as the green olive Psal 52.8 as rich treasure in a strong hand Job 10.28 God's covenant shall have no end his grace shall never dy Jer. 32.39 40. so that in all these respects the holy and saving graces of God's Spirit are the chiefest testimony of God's love Vse This will therefore discover unto us plainly assure us undoubtedly make us see infallibly who they are that are best beloved of God who are the joy of his heart the dearly beloved of his soul not the men who have the largest earthly possessions but they whose souls are replenished with most holiness not they who are endowed with most lordship and autority over their brethren but they who have most sway and dominion over their corrupt affections the most holy the most religious the most sincere in heart the most sanctified in their conversation these are God's dear ones God regardeth not the rich man for his abundance the noble man for his birth the great man for his high place the wise man for his policy these are in the eies of God stars of no brightness flowers of no beauty pearls of no price load stones of no virtue to draw the love of God towards the souls of men hee is moved with none of these things Deut. 10.17 the best common abilities without saving grace are but like glorious apparrel about a dead carcase unable to move any affection or to beget desire of communion the greatest living man will rather enter fellowship and hold communion with the poorest living beggar then with the dead carkass of the greatest princes of the world though cloathed in most rich and roial raiment so will God have fellowship with and set his eies upon the poorest soul that hath the life of grace in him then with the most renowned commander on earth being a stranger to the life of God
for Job 34.19 it is onely true piety which maketh us dear and pretious in God's eies which moveth God to fasten his affection upon us and to delight himself in us men may bee admired by men for their endowments because men judg according to external appearance as 1 Sam. 16.6 but as vers 7. so God looketh not on men because tall in honors high in external callings great through a worldly abundance but the holy man is the object of God's affection Psal 146.8 these are God's chois Jam. 2.5 these are God's delight Pro. 11.20 these are a diademe and a crown of glory in God's hand Isa 62.3 to these doth hee look with these doth hee delight to dwell Isa 57.15 Joh. 14 23 24. these are unto Christ in stead of all others Mat. 12.50 And indeed upon whom hath the cloud of God's love distilled on whom hath the light of his countenance shined towards whom have the infallible testimonies of God's favor been manifested but onely to such as are endued with the saving gifts and graces of his Spirit to whom hath hee vouchsafed his presence as a father among his children as a shepherd among his flock as the sun among the stars in the firmament surely onely to such as fear him Psal 46.5 Zeph. 3.15 Gen. 28.12 upon whom doth hee cast forth the light of his countenanee whose soul doth hee affect with the sens of his love but onely such as by a lively faith imbrace his promises and keep their feet within the way of his commandements Psal 11.7 Rom. 5.5 to whom doth hee make his Word a joifull tidings a healing salve a sweet savour but onely to such as pass their time in his fear order their conversation in a holy manner to them the meditation thereof is sweet Psal 104.34 common favors indeed are vouchsafed to the bad as the rain falleth on the bad ground as well as the good Mat. 5.45 but the special pledges of God's love are conferred onely upon the righteous Psal 50.16 But it may bee you will say That riches and honors and these external favors that they are also blessings they are water out of God's well rain out of God's cloud a gift from his hand 2. They are therefore very much deceived who bless themselvs as being God's dearest favorites the choisest of his beloved because they are most plenteously enriched with these common endowments because their houses are fairer their possessions larger their dignities greater their earthly delights pleasures and comforts far excelling other this is a sandy foundation to build upon a deceitfull balance to weigh themselvs in a fals rule whereby to judg of God's love who had more pleasure than the glutton faring deliciously and wearing fine apparell every day yet a fire brand of hell Luke 16. who richer than hee that builded his barns greater cheared up his soul with the thought of his great abundance yet who at the last were his attendants but the devils Luke 12. where was his dwelling but in everlasting darkness who perished in the red sea was it not Pharaoh king of Egypt Exod. 14. who was eaten up of lice was it not Herod that sate upon the throne Act. 12.22 On whom came sorrow widowed and loss of children in one day was it not upon the Babylonish Queen that lived in pleasures Isa 47.7 8. Who stand in slipery places but they who have more than heart can desire Psal 73.18 Who perish like their beasts but they that boasted of their wealth Psal 14.49 on the other side Who poorer than Lazarus who had resting place in Abraham's bosom Luke 16.8 Who had no other cradle but a manger Luke 2. Who had not where to lay his head but the Son of man Christ Jesus who of all others was most dear to God Who were in sheeps skins and goats skins in the wilderness in caves destitute afflicted tormented but the good people of God of whom the world was not worthy Who were accounted as the dung and of-scouring of the earth but the Apostles of the Lord Jesus the transgressors they have grown as the grass overtopt the righteous as the tares the corn advanced themselvs in the world like the cedars in Lebanon they have been among men as the Leviathan among the fishes of the sea as the lion buls bears among the beasts of the field as the eagle among the birds of the aër as the tree by the great waters among the trees of the forrest the most unholy have many times the greatest abundance of outward favors and therefore wee cannot but falsly conclude them to bee most happy who have most earthly plenty fatness and prosperity for having nothing but this 1. they are dead in sin and whom judg wee most happy the dead with a goodly tomb or the living that hath life in him the widow living in pleasures was very wretched because dead in sin while shee lived 2. these are destitute of God's image it is not the adorning of the body with gold and silver but the adorning of the soul with grace which is in the sight of God of great price 3. these have no communion with God it is not by wealth but by faith and holy life that wee have fellowship with God 1 Joh. 1.6 4. these are strangers to true peace it is not wordly riches but true grace that bringeth peace unto the conscience riches usually breed many troubles they have unability to appeas a stormy tempest of a troubled conscience Ez. 19.7 But it may bee you will say that riches honors and external favors are blessings also that these are waters of God's well rain out of God's cloud a gift from God's hand and therfore also a testimony of God's love to which I answer it is true they are blessings in themselvs for every creature of God in it's own kind is good Gen. 1.31 they are all from the Lord the giver of every good gift Isa 1.17 for the earth is the Lord 's Psal 24.1 riches and honor come from him 1 Chro. 29.12 the Lord setteth one and pulleth down another 1 Sam. 2.7 all cometh from God's providence but all cometh not from God's mercy and love to them who are possessors of it it is one thing to have a thing by the cours of God's Providence another thing to have it from God in love and in favor for God giveth in wrath as well as in mercy as Hos 13.11 so God giveth wealth and riches in his wrath and taketh it away in his displeasure thus Israel had quails given but it was in wrath Numb 11.33 better they had been without them Thus Solomon saw this evil under the sun riches kept for the owners thereof to their own hurt Ecles 5.13 when Absalon made a feast hee invited all his brethren prepared dainties for them som hee invited in love but Amon in hatred for hee gave charge to his servants when they should see him merry with wine that then they should fall upon him and
to the hous of God spiritual blessings are of the chiefest use they are profitable to all things and in all estates they are the choicest ornament they are of the greatest price they bring the sweetest peace and are of the longest continuance and therefore if you will shew your love in any thing shew it in this In making them whom love partakers of these blessings 5. This must comfort all God's children all such as are truely sanctified all on whom God hath poured out the saving grace of the Spirit though the world hate you as Esau hated Jacob Gen. 27.41 as Ahab hated Micaiah 1 King 22.8 as Saul hated David 1 Cor. 4.13 though you are of no reputation in the eies of men yet comfort your selvs in this the Lord loveth you the Lord hath shewed the testimonies of his choicest affections towards you therefore bee sure that in his love hee will supply you when you want solace you when you are heavy deliver you when you are oppressed rais you when you are cast down as in his love hee brought Israël from the iron fornace the Egyptian bondage so in his love hee will in due season put an end to all your affliction and let his love bee a sufficient recompence for the want of all mens affection a strong stay in all trouble the King's love fully answereth the beggars hatred the Master's love the servants displeasure the light of the sun the want of all other lights plenty of wine the want of small drink his love is better than the richest treasure the choicest dainties the brightest sun Cant. 1.4 his love is everlasting a stream full of refreshment a hand full of strength a lamp of oil Jer. 31.3 that which is and may well be to all that have it instead of all friends peace joy dignity riches a thousand fold better then any earthly abundance Thus of the Connexion in the words themselvs wee have set before us 1. the love of God the father unto Christ The Father loveth the Son 2. the sequel of this love and hath given all things into his hands 1. Of the love of the Father to the Son whence two things are to bee noted I. That God the Father doth bear a singular affection unto his Son Christ Jesus II. That the love of God to Christ Jesus is the fountain of all happiness which cometh to his chosen servants First of the former of these Doctr. That God the Father doth bear a singular affection unto his Son Christ Jesus the love of God the Father unto Christ is so great so wonderfull so unspeakable that no capacity can fully comprehend it no tongue perfectly describe it no similitude sufficiently express it if I should liken it to the sun the sea the whole element of fire the glory of the sun is but a glow-worm to it the whole ocean but as a few drops the element of fire but as a few sparks of this but slender resemblances of it there is no comparison between things finite and infinite but the truth of this is manifest by the title given unto Christ called by a kinde of excellency God 's beloved Eph. 1.16 twice testified to bee so by an audible voice from heaven Mat. 3.17 Mat. 17.5 the excellency of it by way of comparison far excelling the love that God did bear to the Angels Heb. 1.5 the truth of this is moreover evideneed Reas 1. By the near union between the Father and the Son the Son in respect of his God-head beeing one substance with the Father as the water in the stream is one and the same in substance with the water in the fountain distinguished onely by relation as one and the same man may be a father and a son in several relations yet but one man hence God the Father and God the Son are said to bee one 1 John 5.7 John 10.30 2. By the similitude and likeness between them as the Father so the Son is holy absolutely independently according to his God-head and also as hee was man hee knew no sin there was no guil found in his lips hee was a lamb without spot pure grain without chaff 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Pet. 2.22 1 Pet. 1.19 Luke 23.41 3. By the high and admirable privileges wherewith hee endued him even as hee was man hee made his son not onely by creation as the Angels by adoption as his converted people but by grace of hypostatical union making the humane nature one in subsistence with the Second person in the Trinity hee hath made him head of the Church the Fountain of grace to all his chosen the Prince of peace the Lord of glory annointed King Priest and Prophet of the Church Eph. 1.22 Eph. 1.4 Isa 9.6 1 Cor. 2.8 Vse This must therefore stablish the faith of all God's people cause them to build upon Christ as upon a sure rock a strong foundation the love of the Father towards him is unspeakable the Father so loveth him that hee will not deny any petition of his but hee is heard in whatsoëver hee doth sue for hee putteth all into his hand as Gen. 41.40 once Pharaoh put the government of his kingdom into the hands of Joseph set him over all his house and ordained that according to his word all his people should bee ruled onely in the Throne hee would bee chief so hath God the Father put all into Christ's hand committed the ministration of his kingdom unto him onely in the Throne God will be chief above Christ as Mediator and therefore as a man having a friend in the King's Court whom the King loveth above all others hee cometh with confidence is assured that hee will prevail with the King for him the love of God to Christ doth infinitely surpass the love of any King to his Favorite or any other whosoever is most dear to him the love of God to Christ is most pure most perfect most full immutable and everlasting and therefore let us bee confident wee shall finde acceptance in him for all the promises of God in Christ are yea and amen 2 Cor. 1.2 and wee shall obtain whatsoëver wee ask in his name Joh. 16.23 God for the love hee beareth to Christ Jesus will not deny the suits of any of his servants 2. This serveth for the singular comfort of all the members of Christ though they bee unworthy of any love or favor in regard of their failings and manifold infirmities yet God hath a fervent love to Christ their head though the clouds of their sin hide away the light of God's face and the Lord seem to have forsaken them yet hee still loveth Christ their head their husband their friend if the King should bee highly displeased threaten death to a woman for som offence committed yet if shee had a husband whom the King loved unfeignedly and earnestly to whom hee would deny no request this would comfort her exceedingly Such a husband have wee and therefore wee may boldly approach unto the
as the Dove finding no footing returned to the Ark. 7. Because true believers do make Christ their portion their joy their crown their riches and their glory hee is to them instead of all they will leav all to enjoy him Mark 10.28 they esteem all to bee dung in comparison of him Phil. 3.3 all to bee thorns in respect of this vine Cant. 2.2 to bee barren in respect of this fruitfull tree as the wise men rejoiced more in the star which lead unto Christ then in all other stars in the firmament Mat. 2.10 so true believers rejoyce in Christ more than in all the world and therefore their hearts cleav to him and rest upon him 8. Because true faith in Christ is alwaies attended with a singular love to Christ Jesus according to the strength of our faith is the fervency of our love the more wee apprehend the height depth and length of Christ's love to us the more do our hearts burn with love again to him Ephes 3.19 the nigher wee stand to a great burning fire the more wee are heated with it so the sense of Christ's love apprehended by saith breedeth love again unto the Lord Galat. 6.5 Vse This serveth to shew us that a general consent to the word of God as true is not enough to bring us unto life but besides this there must bee a peculiar resting staying and confidence of the heart thereupon If an earthly man of ability and truth promise us this or that help to bestow upon us this or that gift wee do not only know and think and perswade our selvs that hee saith true but besides wee say that wee trust hereunto rely hereupon quiet our selvs and seek no further the like resting of the heart must wee find upon the promise of God in Christ by this particular confidence and resting of the heart upon Christ do true believers go beyond reprobates by this do they receiv nourishment from Christ as the sions from the stock by this have they claim and interest in Christ as the wife in the husband John 15.2 Cant. 6.3 by this have they claim to the promises of God 2 Pet. 1.4 as the tenant in lands granted him under hand and seal by this is Christ very pleasant and delightful to them as the sun to the opened eye Mal. 4.2 pure and precious liquor to the thirsty Isa 55.1 by this are they distinguished from others as children from strangers John 1.12 by this they have maay sweet relations to Christ which others have not as the members to the head the branches to the vine by this they stand in the time of trouble as a ship fast anchored when others are tossed like a ship without an anchor Heb. 6.19 by this Satan's darts are expelled Ephes 6.16 when others are wounded like men that are naked by this believers are bold and confident as the lion when others fly like a hare before the the hounds Eph. 3.12 Prov. 28.1 by this wee have access to the throne of grace Rom. 5.1 when others like the foolish Virgins having no oyl in their lamps were shut out by this our services are acceptable unto God Heb. 11.6 when others like him that wanted a wedding garment are cast into utter darkness Mat. 22.12 by this the Word of God becometh sweet and savory to our palates Jerem. 15.16 when as it is like gall to others Heb. 4.2 by this it is to us as good seed to good ground and good meat to a healthy stomach 2. Therefore every man must try whether hee finde his heart thus to cleav unto and to rest upon the Lord Jesus whether hee bee sensible of the life and operation of his affection this way whether hee feel his heart trusting and resting upon the Lord as the childe upon the parent the building upon the foundation the wife upon the husband and this wee must discern 1. By the deniall of our selvs and the rejection of all humane abilities as every way insufficient to bring us unto life the more the heart resteth upon the Lord the less it resteth on worldly and created powers Prov. 3.5 the true believer knoweth the wisdom of the flesh to bee foolishness with God yea enmity against God Rom. 8.7 to bee a false prophet a deceitfull guide a withered feed and therefore will not lean thereupon will not trust thereunto any more then a traveller to a blinde guid a passenger to an ignorant pilot a sick man to one that will as soon minister poison as good physick to him but will search and seek out for a better instructer for a surer guide this the Apostle taught 1 Cor. 3.18 this the wise man gave in charge Prov. 3.7 this the prophet perswaded Isa 8.19 20 and declareth the dolefull issue of the contrary Isa 50.11 2. By our constant abiding with God in the time of affliction in the hour of temptation the more true faith is assaulted the more strongly the heart layeth hold upon God the more the childe is made afraid with any thing the more earnestly hee cryeth to his parent to keep him the more closely hee applieth himself to him the furious assault of the enemy causeth men to lay the faster hold upon the sword to hide themselvs in castles and places of sure defense the seed sown in good ground held out to the harvest Mat. 13 24. so the heart which resteth once upon the Lord abideth constant with him as a woman joyned in wedlock abideth with her husband till death so nothing can make a separation between God and the true believer hee findeth such sweetness such goodness in the Lord that neither pleasure nor torment honor nor ignominy shall remove him Job 13.5 Ro. 8.35 Isa 50.10 Psal 55.22 3. By the blessed apprehension wee have of God's goodness towards us when wee believe men will do any great thing for us then wee feel a love in our hearts arising towards them so wee first apprehend love of God in Christ towards us and then our hearts rest upon him in nature nothing moveth in desire to this or that but as wee see it lovely no more do our souls move towards or rest on God till wee apprehend him reconciled the sinfull soul doth see God forgiving many sins and then it loveth much again Luke 7.48 therefore the Apostle having mentioned our peace with God through faith annexeth the shedding of God's love abroad into our hearts Rom. 5.1.5 4. By our abundant delight and joy in God and the light of his face by our alacrity in runing the race of his commandements Psal 37.3 4. wee must delight our selvs in God with all manner of delight as the rich man is delighted with his treasure the souldier in his victories the wife in her husband Rom. 15.14 5. By our well-doing Psal 37.3 wee must strive to bee full of good works to bee plenteous in well-doing to bee fruitfull trees bearing much fruit as good servants well imploying our talent and so
and then you shall bee able to rest on Christ The woman came not to Christ till shee saw a vanity in all other Physitians Mar. 5.29 no more do wee rest on God rely on Christ till wee see there is no remedy elswhere to bee found thus Hos 2.6 7. this was that which caused the disciples to rest on Christ they found not whither els to go Joh. 6.68 2 Chron. 20.11 12. the contrary to this was the ground of Israëls unbelief Isa 31.1 2. You must strive to be throughly humble labor for a contrite and broken heart you must becom vile in your own eies bee far from all ambition and vain glory and so you shall feel your heart to bee drawn to rest and rely upon Christ then the doctrine of salvation shall bee sweet then God will reveal himself unto your souls very graciously multiply his grace upon you abundantly according to his gracious promise Isa 57.15 Psal 25.9.14 Jam. 4.6 and then shal you bee able to fasten your hearts upon Christ strongly then shall you bee able to rest in Christ firmly for Isa 61.1 Isa 29.19 Psal 22.26 the want of this continued the unbelief of the Pharisees Joh. 5.44 Gal. 6.3 3. You must bring your hearts to this pitch to seek the prais and commendation which God giveth to his people to bee approved in the sight of God to make it your crown your glory and comfort to bee accepted before the Lord to rejoice more in the inward witness of God's Spirit and our own consciences then in the applaus of all the men of the world you must with Paul 2 Cor. 1.12 and then you shall feel God will shed abroad his love abundantly into your hearts seal up to your souls the pardon of your sin strongly and inable you to rest upon him firmly Joh. 5.44 4. You must meditate and acquaint your selvs with the all sufficiency of Christ bee perswaded of his love goodness readiness to help you see in him more beauty more peace more joy more honor more comfort more power than in all the world look upon him as on a glorious sun and let all the world bee a glow-worm in comparison as an empty cloud to a full fountain as a withered arm to a strong man and this will work frame and draw your hearts to beleeve in him John 12.11 Joh. 10.28 John 7.31 Proceed wee now to the gain of Faith namely everlasting life whence learn Doctr. That everlasting life is the fruit of a true and saving faith Everlasting life is God's gift in regard of the free donation of it Rom. 6.23 It is Christ's purchase in regard of the price paid for it in regard of the meritorious cause thereof in regard of the head whence it is derived It is the work of the Spirit in regard of the principal cause efficient It is the fruit of the Word in regard of the external seed whence it springeth and instrument which worketh it It is the fruit of Righteousness in regard of the way which tendeth to Christ in whom this life is hidden Therefore our Saviour in earnest asseveration to perswade his disciples hereof John 5.24 And the Evangelist sheweth this to bee the principal purpose of God in inditeing the Scriptures Joh. 20.31 hence Paul Gal. 2.20 and plainly S. Peter speak's to this purpose 1 Pet. 2.8 9. And that everlasting life is in this manner a fruit of faith is apparent Reason 1. By the union which faith worketh between us and Christ it joineth us in wedlock with him it interesteth us in all the riches of Christ as Mediator it maketh us living members of that body whereof Christ is the head it build's us upon Christ as the residue of the building upon the head-corner stone it ingraffeth us into Christ as as the branches into the vine it maketh Christ to bee ours it fills us with fulness it causeth him to rule within us and to replenish us with all good things Ephes 3.17 John 2.16 Reason 2. By the interest which it giveth us God's promises this is the foundation whereupon our faith is builded and faith is the condition which God requireth to make us capable of what hee hath promised Gal. 3.13 14. this is the hand by which wee receiv all good things of God this is the key by which wee open the store-house of God's bounty without which all the good things of God are to us as the Sun under an eclips as water in a sealed fountain riches in a treasury locked up as the tree of Life to Adam when the Angel kept the way with a flaming sword it is faith doth give us claim and entrance into all the great and glorious promises of Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 3 4. 3. By the application it make's of the righteousness of Christ it covereth us with this as with a roial robe it healeth all our sins herewith and maketh us just in the sight of God for what els is our justification but the gracious sentence of God whereby for Christ apprehended by faith hee doth absolve the beleever from sin and death and accounteth him just unto life Rom. 3.22 24. Rom. 9.30 Rom 8.1 4. By the victory which it getteth over whatsoëver is adverse or repugnant to this everlasting life it conquereth sin it purifieth the heart Acts 15.9 it giveth an overthrow to Satan as David by his sling to Goliah 1 Sam. 17. therefore 1 Pet. 5.8 9. overcometh the world all the allurements and all the oppositions of it it trampleth them all under foot 1. John 5.4 Like David's Worthies it breaketh through an hoast of dangers to drink of the waters which are in the wells of Life 2 Sam. 23.16 it will follow the Lord wheresoëver hee goeth it will leave him in no estate it will endure any hardness sustain any loss bear any reproach encounter with any danger it will leave all rather then leave the Lord the power of faith is invincible nothing is too hard for it 5. By the gracious acceptation and spiritual adoption which it procureth for us with God whereby wee are become the sons of God 1 John 12. 1 John 3.1 made heirs and co-heirs with Jesus Christ Rom. 8.17 for as Christ in justification is applied as a garment to cover our sins so in adoption hee is applyed as our brother and Prince of our salvation Heb. 2.10 11 12 13. and by virtue of this adoption and communion with Christ all true beleevers are called the first begotten of God Hebr. 12.23 and this sonship of theirs remaineth unalterable the dignity and happiness of their condition is unchangeable John 8.35 6. By the use which it maketh of all the Ordinances of God the Word Sacrament praier c. which otherwise would bee as unsavoury meat without taste as a shell without a kernel as a deaf ear of corn as a cloud without rain without comfort without any benefit at all yea many times a trouble a terror a great disquietment the very savour
to Heaven Rom. 6.23 1. His work is evill his wages will be death eternall his seed is naught his harnest cannot be good Gal. 6.3 2. There is nothing in him but earth and therefore Heaven cannot be his habitation his soul is a vessell full of uncleane waters his heart is a fountaine of all abominations the best of his fruit is but sower grapes Sodomitish Apples guilded brasse fair without soul base rotten within 3. When he thinketh himself most rich he is poor and blind and naked when he thinketh himself most wise best sighted he knoweth not light from darkness sweet from sower good from evill when he thinketh himself most free then he is as fast fettered as ever Peter was when he lay bound between the two Souldiers for so do they between the World Devill in the Chaines of their corruption when he thinketh himself most secure then he is nighest to distruction 1 Thes 5.3 like him Luc. 12.19 that naturall man is a stranger to God Christ the Covenant Eph. 2.12 an enemy by his evill works Col. 1.21 a habitation for the uncleane Spirit Luc. 11.20 21. a Servant of iniquity Rom. 6.17 a Souldier in Satans army a branch in the wild Olive a goate and no Sheep a thorne and no Apple-tree a Lion a Bear a Swine a Vulture no Lamb no Deer and therefore in that estate must look to drink of no cup but of the cup of Gods wrath to have no companions but the Devill and his Angels no lodging but eternall darknes that is his portion the Lord will surely give it him there is no way no hope of escaping for Luc. 13.3 Unlesse you turn from the way of sin to the way of life you must perish Ioh. 3.3 Heb. 12.14 no man shall see him here in his word revealing himself to be a gracious father to him in his holiness sanctifying him in his love affecting him with his savours in his presence presenting himself in a loving manner to him nor shall ever be filled with his glorious presence hereafter therefore be not deceived dream not of mercy before there be a desertion of all iniquity of Gods goodnes before you be lead to true repentance Psal 104.4 3. This will meet with and discover their folly who boast of their naturall abilities inclination and freedome to God to renounce sin to imbrace salvation to follow the call of God when they please as if they had as ready a disposition to execute the Lords command as ever the Centurions Servants had to do his of whom he said Math. 8.8 9. As if they were as strong in grace as Sampson in bodily strength able to break the cords of iniquity as if they were but reeds and rushes as if they were but fallen a little asleep in sin like Jonah in the bottome of the ship the voyce of the Minister was presently able to awaken them as if sin were not like the skin to the flesh hardly pulled of like the marrow to the bone uneasily gotten out but an old outer garment upon the back easily cast off But here we see that the Baptist doth not say we are fire whose sparks naturally fly upward nor watery vapours which are easily exalted by the influence and attractive power of the Sun but earth and earthly whose nature is ponderous heavy and altogether tending downward no more able no more inclinable to any thing savingly good than the earth is able of itself to ascend upward or to speak in the language of the Prophet then a black-Moor can make himself white or a Leopard change his spots Ier. 13.23 and surely these mens errour might easily be discerned if they did but well weigh and throughly consider 1. Their indisposedness to all good yea their aversness from it their enmity against it their indisposedness to it expressed by a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke Ier. 31.18 by a wild asse running over hedge ditch refusing to be taken Ier. 2.24 by a dead man that hath no disposition to rise out of the grave Ephes 2.1 by a Lion and a Leopard which are altogether fierce Isai 11.6 by evil ground which naturally beareth nothing but Thornes and Bryars Heb. 6.8 by stones and Rocks which have no disposition to turne into water or soft ground Exek 36.26 their enmity against all good is expressed by a Serpent refusing to hear the voyce of the charmer Ps 58.50 by a theef striving against the light Iob 24.13 an unruly subject breaking all the bounds which are set him by his Soveraigne Psal 2.2 an implacable enemy that will not that cannot be reconciled Rom. 8.7 and surely if we well weigh if we have any true experience of the violence and mighty force of our corruption we may say of that as St. James doth of the tongue Iac. 3.7 8. so in this case we may say of our corruption all other fierce beasts have been tamed but who can rule this this is a horse of that force that man cannot bridle it a fire of that strength man cannot quench it a Lion of that fierceness man cannot tame it a Sea of that force that man cannot stop it none but he that put a bridle into the nostrils of Senacharib can bridle this unruly monster 2. The power of sin resembled to a conquerour leading captives Rom. 7.23 to a Master whom we serve at whose beck we move Tit. 3.3 to a King raigning over the whole man as a King over the people Rom. 6.12 to a death which hath the whole command of the body there is nothing remaineth to resist it Col. 2.12 such a forcible disease it is that as no Physician could heal the bloody issue Marc. 5.25 29. so none can cure this but onely he that cured that 3. The dearness of sin it is tenderly beloved the palace wherein the naturall man delighteth to dwell the pleasant wine which he drinketh the onely manchet whereof he desireth to feed Prov. 9.17 the onely Companion wherein he taketh comfort this is to him as the Idoll to Micah as the messe of pottage to Esau as the forbidden fruit to our first parents as the pieces of money to Judas as the golden wedge and Babylonish garment to Achan this is the Dalilah whereon they doat the Child which they feed the infant whereunto they draw out both their breasts the game which they pursue the Musick whereat they dance the treasure for which they search they love sin as Jonathan David they will strip themselves of their best garments to apparell it 2 Sam. 18.1 2. as Jacob loved Rahel they will serve in the heat and in the cold in all estates endure all miseries for it this is pleasant to their eyes Gen. 3.6 delightfull to their Palates Job 20.12 a precious pearle in their hands as the signets on their finger the mistris of their affections they will spend all in the service of it Prov. 23.21 they will suffer all miseries rather than forsake it Prov. 23.34 35.