Right-hand Can theiâ— be greater Honour confer'd upon them Sirs whâ—â— would not adventure up this Ladder when theâ—â— is such such Glory It is indeed the way thâ— only way to possess those Crowns of immortaâ— Grandure that are prepared in Heaven Thirdly By this advancement i.e. by beinâ— Espoused and Married to Jesus Christ all thaâ— Christ hath is theirs they have not Honouâ— only but much Wealth and riches also 1. The Righteousness of Christ is theirs to Justifie them that is the white Raiment oâ— glorious Robe with which they are cloathed 2. His Graces to adorn them In Christ are unsearchable Riches Riches and Righteousness are with me yea durable Riches and Righteousness Hence it is that the Apostle would have the Saints know the greatness of their Riches That ye may know what is the hope of your Calling and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints Here is Riches in this Inheritance Many have Riches and no Glory others have Honour prefer'd upon them but have no Riches Ignoble Spirits scrape a great deal of Wealth together in which they place their vain Hope and Hapiness in but die without Honour like the Beasts that Perish Alas their Wealth is but for a Day but this is Lasting Durable Eternal as is their Honour the Crown of Glory fadeth not away it is in Heaven and Saints are a going to it on Jacob's Ladder it is in their view they see it and therefore climb up and shall in due time reach it Happy are they that are called up this Ladder to such a hope it is called the high-calling of God in Christ Jesus Fourthly The Saints are not only the Adopâ—ed Sons and the Spouse of Christ but they are â—orn of God they are begotten and born of God born from above they that are thus called have an heavenly Birth therefore it is an high-calling this gives them meet and fit frames of Spirit such which become their noble Station and blessed Relation What would a relative Change signify without a real Change I mean a Change of State without â— Change of Heart Can a carnal heart see Beauty in Christ or in heavenly things Can â—n earthly Spirit prize or value spiritual Honour or Riches No no a Swine may as well take delight in the Glory of a King's Palace Alas â—e had far rather be on a Dunghil or wallow 〈◊〉 the Mire Moreover much of the advancement of Believers lies in their heavenly Frames and nobleness of their Spirits Works Ends and Aims In this the Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour 1. He hath a Heavenly a Humble a Meek a Publick a Merciful an Inlightened a Free a Firm a Sublime a Sanctified a Raised an Actâ—ve and a Faithful Spirit and all this proceeds from that New-birth which he is passed under or it is the fruit or effect of his being born of God or regenerated by the holy Spirit These Persons have other Principles also than the rest of Mankind have Every Life hath Principles according to the Nature of it a Vegetative Life according to the Nature of it a Sensitive Life according to the Nature of it and the Rational Life according to the Nature of it So the Life of Grace hath Principles according to the Nature of it A Saint acts for God from a principle of Faith and Love this make the ways of God easy nay sweet and pleasant to him 2. These Men have other work also or imploy themselves in other Business than ungodly Persons do their New-nature prompts them on to make Religion their main Business and they also act freely voluntarily and with a great and strong Propensity in the things of God others act in such matters as Men without heart they must put a force on themselves if they meddle with heavenly Duties and heavenly things because of the earthly and carnal temper and frames of their Hearts But as to heavenly born Souls it is below them to be continually a digging in the Earth and loading themselves with thick Clay or to heap up the dust of the Ground or to take their chiefest Delight in eating and drinking or in pleasing their sensual Lusts No they are going as fast as they can from these things in their Hearts and Affections Love and Delight and Desires they see the Beauty of God and the Excellencies of Jesus Christ they pry into the Mysteries of the Gospel and of that Redemption which is by Jesus Christ They mind eternal things 3. Moreover this new Nature which is wrought in them causes them to have more noble high and sublime Ends and Aims than all others have 'T is not their own honour nor their own profit they seek but it is the honour and glory of God they Aim at God who is at the Top of the Ladder as the end of their Journey as is said before God beloved iâ— their last end it is to reach him enjoy him for evermore they mount up on high Fifthly They are Elivated or highly Advanced and Exalted in that they have such a Sublime Mystical and intimate Union with God and Jesus Christ He that is Joined to the Lord is one Spirit There is saith a Reverend Writer no stricter Union in the World than that of Christ and Believers it is therefore compared to all sorts of Unions Natural and Political He is the Head they the Members he is the Root they the Branches he the Husband they the Wife 'T is so firm so strong a Union intensively that Christ and a Regenerate Man becomes one Spirit as if there was but one Soul in two Bodies what the Spirit doth in Christ it doth also in a Believer acâ—ording to the capacity of his Soul I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in One. This shews it is a wonderful and mysterious Union more to be admired then it can be explained And the spring of it rises from the hypostatical Vnion of our Nature with the Divine Nature in the Person of Christ O how doth this exalt Believers Sixthly They are not only elivated advanced and lifted up on high by vertue of this Union but also in that they are allowed and daily have Communion with the Father Son and holy Spirit But without Regeneration or our Natures being first changed this could not be What Communion can there be between a living God and a dead Heart Or between a holy God and a filthy and polluted Creature God hates Sin and he loves it God loves Holiness and he loathes it Justification changes our state that discharged us from the Guilt of Sins but Regeneration changes our Nature and makes us fit to converse with God For as God can take no pleasure in us until his Image is stampt upon us so we can take no Delight nor pleasure in Him Without this Change Heaven would be no Paradice or Heaven unto us
this look is of a Soul-transforming Nature but we all beholding as in a glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 5. This beholding of Christ will cause you to contemn all things here below and to account them as nothing nay worse than nothing in comparison of him for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but Dung that I may win Christ. Syriac and others Dog's Meat refuse cast to Dogs Thus do all that behold him in point of Justification in comparison of Christ esteem as nothing all good Works good Duties flowing from a sanctified Heart nay all inherit Holiness with Faith it self in respect of any Trust and Confidence therein So much is the object of Faith valued by all that thus behold him 6. It will draw the Souls of all that thus behold him to him and after him and to follow him whithersoever he goes When I am lifted up I will draw all Men to me When I am beheld on the Cross dying for them or in their stead Lo we have forsaken all and have followed thee They did thus and presently too as soon as he called them These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth Those who thus see him are even sick of Love Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth c. Tell him I am sick of love O Sinners labour thus to behold him i.e. pierced for you â—ying and bleeding on the Cross for you offering himself to you standing at your Doors woing and entreating you to open to him to love him imbrace him and espouse him Consider by way of Excitation 1. Can you behold him entering into a Covenant of Redeâ—ption from Eternity for you and not love him Can you see hiâ— strike Hands with the Father leaving out your Names anâ— only putting his own Name in that Covenant as your Surety to pay all your Debts to sâ—tisfie divine Justice for all your Sins and dye in yâ—ur room and not love him 2. Can you see him take your nature upon him and become Man born of a poor Virgin a Babe laid in a Manger expâ—sed to the rage and malice of Men and Devils and not love him 3. Can you behold him and think of that purpose of Grace eternal Love and good Will unto you from eâ—erlasting and not love him 4. Can you behold him Betrayed left by his own Diâ—ciples Deny'd by Peter Spit upon Scourged his Hair Torn from his Beard and all be sprinkled with Blood condemned as a Malefactor â— owned with Thoâ—ns and not love him 5 Can you behold him in his bloody Agâ—ny sweating great drops of Blood Can you see him Nailed to a Tree and his Side pierced with a Spear which run into his Heart and all this for you and not love him Thirdly Reproof What vile Wretch dost thou do wilt thou Wound him again sight him grieve him and prefer thy Sins and Lusts above him befâ—re thou didst never truly behold him Shall God tâ— us display the glory of his Free grace and magnifie all his Attributes in our Redemption by Christ and dost thou â—iâ—ht and coâ—tâ—mn this glorious Contrivance aâ—d with thâ— Face of Impudence seek another way to go â—o â—eaven by Morality by the Light within bâ—â—â—â—â—ing something of thine own with his 〈◊〉 anâ—â—o think to go to Heaven by a Laddeâ— of â—â—y oâ—u â—evâ—siâ—g Fourthly By â—hâ— you 〈◊〉 see you that are Professors whetâ—â—â— you did â—ver Savingly behold the Lord Jesus or not have true Faith oâ— not Fifthly For Incouragement to aâ—â—to behold him 1. He is able to save you tho' neveâ— so vile and abominable Sinners to save you all to save all to the uttermost that come to God by him i.e. by this Ladder by this new and living Way 2. He is also willing as weâ—l as able This appears 1. By his Expressions and Invitations Come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavy Laden and I will give you Rest How often would I have gathered thy Children together c. 2. By his Affections Behold me behold me What love hath he shewed and what Complaints of Sorrow and Grief at Sinners Unbelief 3. By his Actions even every wâ—y what Love greater Love infinite Love and williâ—gness can be shewed how hath he manifested his Readiness to save Sinners Sixthly Terror You must behold him by an eye of Faith or perish He that believes not shall be Damned He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the Wrath of God abideth on him Obj. Perhaps some Sinner will say I dare not believe yet I am not humbled enough I am not fitted and prepared to come to Christ. Ans. Dost thou see thy self Sick here 's thy Physician what is required of the Sick before they come for Healing Dost thou see thy self a Sinner O then come here is thy Saviour Dost thou find Guilt to lye upon thy Conscience who can take it off but Christ Jesus Dost thou see thy Filthiness what can cleanse thee but Christ's Blood Come as thou art to the Fountain Dost thou Thirst after Happiness 't is no where to be found but in Christ tho' thou hast therefore no Money yet come thou canst not believe in Christ too soon Lastly By way of Consolation to Believers you are saved already have eternal Life in you Grace is the Seed of Glory you have drank of the water of Life and that will be a Well of Water in you springing up to everlasting Life You are going to Heaven on Jacob's Ladder and all the Devils and Powers of Darkness can't throw you down You shall never perish O bless the Lord and admire Free-grace and live to him all your Days with Joy and Thankfulness But no more now at this time SERMON IV. GENESIS xxviij xij xiij And behold the Angels of God ascending and descending on it I Clos'd the last Day with the former part of our Text I shall give you one short Sermon God assisting concerning the holy Angels whom Jacob in his Vision saw ascending and descending upon it that is Antitypically upon Jesus Christ. Our blessed Saviour alludes as I told you to this Vision in the Gospel And he said unto him Verily verily I say unto you hereafter you shall see the Heavens open and the Angels of God ascending descending upon the Son of Maâ— Our Annotators assert as their Opinions That our Lord refers to Jacob's Vision Gen. 28.12 which doubtless puts a great glory on it it being no trifle or small thing that was represented unto him in that Dream and Vision but what a sight Nathaniel had afterwards of the Angels ascending and descending upon Christ the Son of Man I know not Some think it might be some further appearance
or quite lose the sight of it and 〈◊〉 step he takes the further he goes from 〈…〉 and the higher he comes to Heaven and hath a clearer Sight of that So he who by Faith and Communion with God gets up upâ—n this spiritual Ladder Jesus Christ hath a clear Prospect of the Glory 〈◊〉 Heaven Moses by Faith saw him that is invisible Faith presented to his view the Angel of the Covenant and God Reconciled in him viz. the Lord Jesus Christ. Carnal or Earthly Persons are at such a great distance from Heaven that they cannot discern the Glory of it they have no Sight no Eyes to see afar off but the Earth and Earthly things appearing to the Carnal sight being always in their view they are exceedingly Affected therewith But Believers who are dwellers above and who daily make a further Progâ—ession Hâ—aâ—e◠〈…〉 the Earth and Earthly this â—s as 〈…〉 â—â—â—ry step they take they go fâ—rtâ—e◠〈…〉 from Earth in their Love and 〈…〉 and Contemplations Our conversatio◠〈…〉 â—â—â—ven Others mind Earthly things 〈…〉 the Earth and therefore speak of 〈…〉 but Believers are said to dwell in Heaâ—â—◠〈…〉 grand Enemy of the Saints is said to open 〈◊〉 Mouth to blaspheme against God to blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle and all that dwell in Heaven that is in the Church of God Militant they shall dwell on â—ighâ— they are out of those confused Hurries and Noises Dangers and Perplexities others who dwell below are attended withâ— They are born from above have heavenly Hearts heavenly Principles heavenly Desires heavenly Ends and Aims and heavenly Lives they have Communion with the God of Heaven heavenly things are their Delight they sâ—aâ— so high above that they are Ravished with that sight which they have of Heaven There are some other things that I might speak of as held forth by this glorious Type of Christ or which might be improved for our Instruction from hence but I shall leave them until the next time and close now with a brief word of Application VSE 1. By way of Admiration See what a wonderful person Jesus Christ is Behold the Son of Man or this spiritual Ladder that reacheth from Earth to Heaven behold it with Admiration Who would have thought of such away to Heaven Who but infinite Wisdom could have found out such a way to the Father What Work-man but the eternal God could make such a Ladder The Father is said to be above it or on the top of it to denote this way he Prepared and only by this way we must go to him if ever we come to Heaven Christ is God and Man in One Person Heaven and Earth meet together in him he brings God to us and carries us up to God God is reconciled to us in him and we are reconciled to God by him 2. Be exhorted to get up on this Ladder If ever you think to see the Father he is above it as the end of our Journey as our Hope and Reward he calls upon you Sinners to Adventure up this Ladder to believe in his Son He is above it to direct you uphold you and encourage you therefore fear not nay he is above it declaring himself in Covenant with all that come to him by Jesus Christ and to be their God I am the Lord God of Abraham c. This he spake to Jacob as standing above it or on the top of this Ladder 3. Bless God for Christ for his devising of such a way to raise us up who were sunk so low and had no strength no skill no helper none that could bring us to God nor find out a way to save our Souls but God himself only therefore he saith Deliver him from going down into the Pit I have found a Ransom Reproof This may be also for Reprehension to divers sorts of Persons 1. To such that deny the Dâ—â—ty or God-head of Jesus Christ If he be no more than a meer Man the Ladder is too short to reach up to Heaven He could not reach so high as to satisfy divine Justice or to bring us to God it being through the worth and dignity of his Person who being an infinite Person or God over all there was an infinite Worth and Merit in his Sufferings and Obedience True he might have saved himself being Perfect never having Sinned nor broke God's Law tho' he had been but a meer Man but it is from his being God as well as Man Substituted in our stead and standing in our Law-place as our great Head and â—ponser â—â— that gave such Worth and Merit for us by his Obedience and suffering to the Law and Justice of God Moreover how else also could he have overcome Death the Devil and all our Enemies and have raised himself from the Dead Death would have kept him under it's Power and he had never came out of the Grave to ascend so high as Heaven to raise us thither 2. It Reprehends all such also who seek by any other way or means to go to Heaven We have new Babel-builders or Work-mongers that think to climb up to Heaven by their own Works by their own Faith and sincere Obedience And others by the Light within which is but a branch of the First-covenant or law of God writ in the Heart and if there had been a Law that could have given Life or raised us up to Heaven verily Righteousness had been by the Law But then as the Apostle saith Christ is dead in vain Examin Try your selves by what you have heard whether you have ascended on this Ladder yea or nay 1. Were you ever brought to the Foot of Christ Did you ever see your lost Condition in the first Adam and that there is no other way to be Saved but by the Lord Jesus 2. Are you at the lowest part of the Ladder and there rest or are you got up towards the top thereof There is no resting no stay to be made when you first ascend or first believe in Christ or on any attainment of Grace but you must mount up or ascend up higher from Faith to Faith have you stept up on the Roand of Obedience have you took Christ's yoke upon you this seems too hard a step for some to take are you got above the Earth in your Affections doth the Earth and the things thereof grow less and less every day in your sight as in a natural respect it doth to him that soars very high or climbs upon a Ladder to the very Clouds Are you willing to leave Earth to leave this World to go to Heaven Paul longed to be dissolved and to be with Christ He pressed towards the mark Do you dwell in Communion with God â—las many love to be below they like those lower Regions best See how it is with you but no more at this time SERMON II. GENESIS xxviij xij xiij And behold
〈◊〉 are grand Hereticks and know not Christ. 2. Not such who render God only reâ—oncilable or a conditional Saviour not fully reâ—onciled in Jesus Christ according to their Doctrinâ— Christ is yours if you perform the Condition and what is that why change your own Hearts be Regenerated or never venture to believe on Christ. Alas they may as soâ—n create a World as do this it is Christ's work alone we are born of God he works all our works in us Regeneration is the effect of Vnion with Christ. 3. Not such that Preach themselves or that Preach for Gain or seek their own Glory We Preach not ourselves but Jesus Christ the Lord. Consol. O know ye Saints what a happy state you are in you are mounting up and shall ascend on high 2. Angels guard you support and guide you and the holy Spirit also directs every step you take 3. Nay God himself takes you by the hand The steps of a good Man are ordered by the Lord and tho he falls he shall not utterly be cast down because God upholdeth him with his Right-hand This Ladder brings you to God the Lord God is at the top of it 1. He was the Contriver of this way he made this Ladder he prepared it 2. He is above the Ladder denoting tho Christ as Cod is equal with the Father yet as Man or Considered as our Mediator the Father is above him My Father is above all my Father is greater than I. 3. God being also above it it may denote that he upholds it by his eternal Counsel and infinite Power 4. God is above it also as an observer of all that are upon it he sees all that believe on his Son and takes notice of them 5. Moreover he is above it to encourage all that are upon it with his Covenant-Promise I am the Lord the God of Abraham c. be not afraid I will up-hold thee I will strengthen thee c. 6. It may also denote he is at the top of it as an Inviter to call upon poor Sinners to behold his blessed Son the Lamb of God or to believe on him and venture up 7. Lastly he is above it also as a Rewarder or as the end of our Journey But so much at this time SERMON III. GENESIS xxviij xij xiij And behold a Ladder c. THE last Day we shewed you that this Ladder in Jacob's Dream was wonderfully Elivated Lifted up or Exalted conâ—â—dering the Top of it reached up to Heaven from whence we took an occasion to open the wonderderful Honour Advancement Elivation or Exaltaâ—â—on of the Lord Jesus Christ considered as Meâ—â—ator I shall now proceed Twentieth A Ladder the top of which reacheth to Heaven is not only wonderfully Elivated or Exalted but all such Persons who ascend or climb up upon it even to the top thereof are â—reatly Exalted also though not by any Power or Skill of their own yet are so by means of â—â—is Ladder So all Believers who ascend upon this Spiriâ—â—al Ladder the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder Châ—â—st Jesus are hereby Exalted or raised up oâ— high in respect of their spiritual State and Condition and Frames also 1. All such who Believe in Jesus Christ whicâ— is the way to this spiritual Lâ—dâ—er are made thâ— Sons and Daughters of Gâ—â— they aâ—e all adopteâ— Children of the King oâ— Heâ—ven and Earth As many as received him to them gave 〈◊〉 Power to become the Sons of God even to theâ— that believe on his Name This of Son-ship iâ— a very great Priviledge such are greatly yeâ— wonderfully Elivated or Advanced to Honour First Consiâ—â—ring from what a State we are raised Sirs by our Sins we were brought as low as Hell being born Slaves and Vassals of Sin and the Devils or in a state of hellish Bondage Death and misery we were Sons of Perdition or Children of Wrath by Nature as well as others David thought it to be no small honour to be the Son-in-law to an earthly King and he none of the best neither but O how much greater iâ— this Honour this Advancement for God to make such who were Children of Wrath nay of the Devil to be his own Children Children of his most chiefest Love and Affection and Heirâ— of Heaven If Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joynt-heirs with Christ. Secondly Nay my Beloved they are not only Adopted Sons and Daughters of God who believe in Christ but they are all espoused to Jesus Christ also Believers see that their first Husband is dead viz. the Law by the body of Christ and they also are become dead 〈◊〉 that Wherefore my Brethren ye also are becomâ— dead to the Law by the body of Christ that yâ— should be married to another even to him that iâ— raised from the dead that we should bring fortâ— Fruit unto God Jesus Christ espouseth all true Believers â—very Soul that rightly ascends up this Ladder I have espoused you to one Husband â—â—at I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ. Our union with Christ is commonly expressed in â—â—e Scripture under the notion of a Marriage How to be married to the Prince of Princes to â—he Prince of the Kings of the Earth is a wonâ—erful elivation Should an earthly Priâ—ce set â—is heart upon and marry a poor Virgin one â—â—at was but a Scullion-maid or a Begger cloathâ—d with filthy Rags what an advancement would this be for such a one to become a Queen and save a Crown of Gold set upon her Head and be embraced in the Arms of a great Monarch or mighty Prince and to lie in his Bosom and to have the attendance of his Servants or Noble retinue But alas what a poor Advancement is that to this Man in honour abideth not but is like â—â—e Beasts that Perish Alas that Honour may be but for a Day and besides to be advanced to earthly grandure may prove the ruin of the Soul for ever Christ is the Heir of both Worlds Heir of God Heir of all things Vpon his Head are seven Crowns Seven is a number of Perfection elsewhere it is said upon his Head were many Crowns all earthly Crowns are his and at his dispose but they are little valued by him he gives them sometimes to his Enemies even to the vilest of Men the Crowns that are on his own Head are Coelestial loaded and sparkling and heavenly Jewels and Diamonds far brighter than Ten Thousand Suns amazing for Glory and are also Eternal And it is likewise said That as his Saints are cloathed in white Raiment so they have on their heads Crowns of Gold which doth denote that state of Dignity and Glory which they are advanced unto Vpon his Right-hand did stand the Queen in Gold of Ophir On his Right-hand the most honourable place next the King as Christ is said to be sate down at the Father's Right-hand so thâ— Saints will be set at his
believe in God and come to God not directly to God without eyeing of this Medium no no God out of Christ is an angry God a consuming â—â—ire therefore we must come to God by Christ as our Mediator and coâ—mit our cause to him to plead at God's Bar. Thirdly Why we should behold this Ladder or look unto Jesus Christ 1. Because he is the way to Heaven which infinite Wisdom hath found out nay the result of that glorious Counsel held between the Father and the Son from eternity Not to behold this Way this Ladder this Mediator is to cast contempt on God in his contrivance of Salvation by Jesus Christ. 2. Because there is so much divine Love Grace and Goodness shewed to us in Jesus Christ. 3. Because this Sight is so Wonderful a Sightâ— Christ Brethren is the wonder of both Worlds O 't is an amazing thing to see such a Way such a Ladder prepared for us to go to God! 4. Christ should be beheld because of the Loveliness as well as the Wonderfulness of his Person There is no such Object to be seen in Heaven nor Earth 5. Because there is in him all Fulness We beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth The Word as one observes is Emphatical itheasametha we beheld as in a Theatre as Men behold things presented to them on a Stage with great earnestness and delight even as the express Image of the Father's Person it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should â—aweâ— He received the Spirit of Grace without measure and 't is in him to be Communicated to all his Elect or Members of his mystical Body as fulness of Sap is in the Root to supply all the Branches 6. Because this of beholding or looking to Jesus Christ is the way God hath appointed for our Reception or Participation of all the Benefits and Merits of his Blood nor is there any other way but thro' believing in him for any Adult Persons to be Saved 7. Because of the absolute necessity Sinners have of him they are sick and he is their Physician c. Fifthly For what or to receive what should we behold Jesus Christ. 1. For Recoâ—ciliatâ—on and Peace with God All thiâ—â—s are of God who reconciled us unto himself 〈…〉 To 〈◊〉 thâ—t God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their Tresâ—asses unto them This is the meriterâ—ous cause of our Reconciliation God in Christ or by his Blood is Satisfied and Reconciled and all that would have peace with God must Believe or look to Christ to receive the Attonement Christ hath received an actual discharge for Sinners from his Father and you must come to him for it and receive the Benefit and Evidence of it to your own Consciences All that the Father hath given me shall come unto me and whosoever cometh unto me I wiâ—l in no wise cast out There is an infallible Connexion betwixt Faith and eternal Life and betwixt Election and the Collection of special Grace and as Election is first special Vocation will follow and as many as were ordained to eternal Life believed For the Father's gift of the Soul to Christ and of Grace to believe in him is no doubt here ment by his giving them to his Son 2. â—herefore you must first look to him for Grace for Faitâ— God pours ouâ— the Spirit of Grace and Supplicatâ—on first and then a Sinner looks to him wâ—om he pierced that is then and not till then he will believe or savingly behold Jesus Christ. 3. Sinners must behold Christ look to Christ for Vnion with him and to be espoused to him Look till they Love behold him till they fall in Love with him The holy Spirit is the bond of this Union by which Christ takes hold of us and Faith is that Grace by which we take hold of him 4. For Justification Whosoever hath Union with Christ receives their personal Discharge from the Law-Sentence that bound them over to Wrath and Condemnation and are actually pronounced Acquitted and Justified for ever 5. For Acceptation with the Father who hath made us accepted in the beloved Christ's acceptance by the Father is the Spring or Fountain of our Acceptance he being accepted for and in the behalf of all his Elect And no sooner is a Sinner in Christ but he stands personally Justified and accepted with the Father and he being accepted all his Duties and Services are accepted also that he performs in Faith and by the assistance of the Spirit of God 6. For Pardon of Sin and to have it evidenced unto their Consciences In whom we have Redemption thro' his Blood even the forgiveness of Sins 7. For Strength Surely shall one say in the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength Righteousness to Justifie me and Strength to Support me and Assistance to bear all Burdens resist all Temptations to strengthen all my Graces and to perform all holy Duties 8. For all divine Comforts and Consolations If there be therefore any Consolations in Christ if any comfort of Love if any fellowship of the Spirit c. Tho' many may be in Christ and find no such Consolations which others meet with yet there are most precious Consolations in him and we should look to him for them Lastly We should behold him look to him for eternal Life Eternal Life is purchased by Christ and 't is to be had in Christ and all that believe hâ—ve an undoubted Title thereto APPLICATION First We Infer from hence that great blindness and ignorance hath siezed upon most of Men in that they care not to behold Jesus Christ they can see no Beâ—uty in him to desire him nor do they marvel to behold this sight Secondly Sinner will you not behold this Christ thy Saviour Let me Exhort you to behold the Lamb of God that takes away the Sin of the World and O cast a right look unto him Motives 1. It will cause or work godly Sorrow in you fâ—r all your Sins They shall look unto him whom they pâ—ercea and shall Mourn c. 2. It will cause in you Self-loathing and Self-abhorrance I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ears but now mine Eyes see thee therefore I abhor my self and repent in Dust and Ashes When the Prophet saw the Lord sitting upon a Throne high and lifted up and his Train filled the Temple he cryed out I am undone mine Eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts 3. It will cause you to behold great Beauty and excellencies in him To you that believe he is precious Yea doubtless I count all things loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord. You will say then that he is the chiefest among ten Thousands and altogether Lovely 4. It will change you into his own Image
is corruptible because there is no Composition and so no Separation But the Scripture concludes this best in assimulating the state of Immortality in which we shall be like the Angels I shall speak no more now as to the first thing proposed viz. of the Nature of Angels Secondly I shall open a little of the Work and Office of the good Angels 1. The Work and Office of the Angels of God is to minister unto Christ or attend upon his glorious Person as Mediator as indeed they did in the days of his Humiliation A Reverend Author saith upon the place this ascending descending of the Angels upon this Ladder it does intimate and declare unto us their special regard and respect to him namely Jesus Christ which is very eminent in them these blessed glorious Spirits are very remarkable in their Observation of Christ it is that which we may take notice of in every Mistery and passage concerning him how the Angels were still imployed about him and subservient to him upon all occasions whatsoever Which is indeed very clear from his very Conception to his Ascension Nay the Angels fore-tells to Mary his very Conception Behold thou shalt conâ—eive in thy Womb c. Also the Angel appeared to Joseph and said Joseph thou Son of David fear not to take unto thee Mary thy Wife c. Moreover an Angel appeared to him again to fore-warn him of that Herod who sought the Life of Jesus and so commanded him to take Mary and the Child and to fly into Egypt See how careful the Angels were of our Lord that he might be preserved until his time was come to be offered up a Sacrifice for our Sins The Angels appeared likewise to the Shepâ—erds and published to them the birth of our Lord in a glorious Hymn of Praise Glory unto God on high on Earth Peace good will to Men When God brought his only begotten Son into the World all the Angels of God worshipped him The Angels moreover were instruments in his Preservation when his Life was sought and they also ministred to him in his bloody Agony and comforted him My Brethren Jesus Christ was made like unto us in all things sin only excepted therefore might need like Succour Safety and Comfort from the Angels as we do Also the Anâ—els ministred to him in his Temptations in the Wilderness and at his Resurrection they rol'â— away the Sâ—one from the Sepulchre and brought the tidings of his being risen to the Women Likewise in his Ascension the Angels attended and assured the Disciples of his second Coming they also ascended with him and shall also descend with him at his second Appearance He shall be revealed from Heaven with all his mighty Angels If he be pleased to descend in his Abasement the Angels descend with him if he be pleased to ascend in his state of Exaltation then the Angels ascend with him And thus they may be said to ascend and descend upon the Son of Man personally considered and this out of that great Affection and Love to him but not only so but also in point of Duty and special Obligation to him he being their Lord and Sovereign He is the head of Principalities and Powers As Christ is God they owe to him their very being For by him were all things Created that are in Heaven and that are on Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him And by him also the holy Angels are confirmed and so abide in a happy and unchangable condition and hence the more Obliged to adore and worship him 2. And as the Office and Work of the holy Angels is to minister to serve and wait upon Christ so also upon his Spouse and on every Member of his mystical Body True they are called Powers Mights Thrones Dominions c. which shews their Glory Dignity and excellent Power and Authority Some think that there are divers Orders of Angels and some superiour to others beâ—ause we read of Angels and Arch-Angels there are seven Names given to them viz. Seraâ—â—ims Cheâ—uâ—â—â—s Thrones Powers Mights Domiâ—â—ons Princâ—pâ—lâ—ties Angels and Arch-Angels Some add more But no more of this we know but little of the inviâ—iâ—â—e World But let their Dignity and Glory be what it will as to their Office they are all miâ—â—string Spirits none of them no not the mighty Aâ—gelâ— who excel in strength do think it too much or below them for to attend upon the meaneâ—â— Saint Are tâ—ey not all 〈◊〉 Spirits sent forth to ministâ—r unto them thâ—t sâ—all be heirs of sâ—lvation Which words 〈◊〉 be denote that they are sent forth to protect preserve and keep such that are not yet â—â—eirs or to the Elect not yet called and converted but shall be Children begotten and adopted of God in due time and so be Heirs of Salvation Which shews God's great Love to and Care of his Elect before Grace or whilst in their Sins and Unbelief 3. They all wait upon God and behold his Face and Glory they are round about his Thrâ—ne they all worship and fall down before their blessed Lord and attend on him as Servants of their most glorious and blessed Master their most high and exalted Sovereign I saw also the Lord sitting upon a 〈◊〉 high and lifted up and his Train fiâ—â—â—d the Templâ— verse 1. And above it stood the Sâ—raâ—hims and one cried to another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hostâ— c. Called Scrapâ—ims signifying fire or burning 1. Denoting their Nature is bright and glorious subtil and pure 2. Their Property full of zeal and fervent 3. Their Once which here was to execute God's vengeance upon the Jews and to burn them up and consume thâ—m as dross Some assert that the highest Angels do not minister to the Saints but only and immediately wait upon God himself and on our Lord Jesus Christ. But this cannot be true because the Angel Gabriel who stands before the Presence of God was sent to Daniel and to Zacharias and to Blessed Mary 4. They declare the Glory of Almighty God and also ascribe equal Glory to all the Three Persons which as I conceive is hinted in that Text 〈◊〉 6.1 Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts â—oly is the Father Holy is the Son and Holy is the Hâ—ly Spirit and yet as Moses saith Hear O 〈◊〉 the Lord our God is but one Lord i. e. one in Esseâ—â—e c. yet Three Persons 5. They hearken to God's Commands and do his Will with all imaginable chearfulness love delight alâ—crity and swiftness Hence said to have the face of an Eagle the swiftest of Fowls and also to have Wings Tertullian saith every Spirit is winged they can fly in a moment into any part of the World and that swiftly And yet Mr. Greenhill saith as Astronomers observe That
to hinder us Observe my Text Anâ—els are upon the Ladder or in our way to Heaven Now Prayer and Hearing the Word c. are our way to Heaven i. e. means of Grace to fit us for it Quest. Hath every Saint a particular Angel to attend him Ans. I Answer This is asserted by some worthy Writers and by others denied My Lord Lawrence a very pious and learned Man saith That the Doctrine of the Angel-Guardians hath been exceeding antient and not among Christians only That a multitude of Angels do guard the Saints is deny'd by none but whether every Elect person hath a particular Angel deputed for him or whether all indifferently do attend upon all the Saints In his Judgment probably every Elect person hath his particular Angel For in Heaven their Angels do always behold the face of my Father Some also think the Angel-Guardian begins his Charge when the Child is born others not until his Baptism my Author rather thinks as soon as the Soul is infused But I find Reverend Greenâ—â—ll does question this and thinks it is a mistake that every Elect person hath a particular Angel c. and answers that Text about Peter's Angel I see no advantage this could be to us to have but one Angel particularly to take the Charge of us more than a multitude 1. Because of their faithfulness generally 2. Because it is far greater honour to a Prince to have mighty Hosts of honourable Persons to be his Retinue than one noble Person only I shall therefore say no more to this but proceed to the next general Head Thirdly Why doth Christ imploy the holy Angels to minister to his Saints 1. Because of that great love Jesus Christ hath to his Saints seeing they have such a multitude of evil Angels to annoy them therefore he sends them Hosts of good Angels to defend them 2. To greaten his own Glory the greater and more glorious the Retinue of a Prince is which he sends as a guard to his Favourites the more it sets forth his own Greatness and Grandure and since one Angel hath such mighty power and is so glorious that the Earth is said to be enlightned with it I know that is not a proper Angel yet it shews the glory of an Angel is very great What is the glory then of an innumerable Host of them and yet they are all but Christ's Servants and poor Nothings in comparison of him 3. My Author saith God doth it to preserve that Eutaxy that good Order which he hath put into things As thicker Bodies and more inferiour are managed by more subtle and powerful so the bodies of Beasts by a spirit of life and irrational Spirits by rational As Men govern Beasts so by the same reason of proportion the Angels which are invisible Spirits and are all Spirits have an influence upon Men which are partly Spirits and partly Bodies 4. It may be to shew what Honour he is pleased to confer upon his Saints he will spare them his own Courtiers out of Heaven they shall ride in his own Chariots This he may do to honour his People to raise their Glory Sirs could the ungodly but see what an Host of Angels does attend upon the poorest Saint as he passes along they would say Who is this what noble and honourable Person is this that has such a Guard such a Retinue The greatest Monarch in the World hath no such Attendance as the poorest and meanest Saint hath 5. Another reason why God useth the Angels for the good of his People or to attend on them and minister unto them may be because they are the Spouse of Christ the Lamb's Bride Certainly great Honour of right belongs to the Queen considering her near relation to the King And hence she has the like noble Retinue her Life-guard as well as he and so upon the same foot of account Angels may be the Attendants of the Saints their Guard and Retinue Believers are the Bride they are the friends of the Bridegroom and of his noble Consort the Church Certainly in this the honour of the Saints doth exceed the honour of the holy Angels as Chrisâ— took our Nature upon him and not theirs and in that his Church is his Spouse his Wife and not they the glory conferr'd on us seems to excel tho in respect to their Nature Wisdom and â—nowledg they may excel the Saints 6. God may do it fâ—r the safety of his Saints Some obsâ—rve tâ—at were it not for the good Angels the Devils would even tear the very Bodies of the Saints into pieces such is their maâ—ice and rage against them 7. That there may be much love and acquaintance grow between us and the holy Angels with whom we must live for ever and whom we shall be made like unto Now Love grows by mutual Offices as it is seen in the love of Mothers to their Children which increases by fostering and tending them O how happy is every Saint of God in having the tutelage of holy Angels This honour have all Believers and none else for the wicked have no Angels to look to them to care for them the Angels of Christ are enemies to God's enemies and friends to Christ's friends May be as God is good to all so the wicked may be under the general Charge of the holy Angels but the Saints are under their special and peculiar Charge they are properly Guardians and ministring Spirits to the Saints who are the heirs of Salvation Application THis reproves or reprehends those that think it is below them to stoop to obey some of the Commands of Christ. Sirs see what glorious Creatures the Angels are and yet they stoop so low as to minister to the poorest Saints on Earth Michael despised David in her heart for dancing before the Ark of God But did he value that No no if that he seemed vile he would be more vile I will saith he speak also of thy Statutes before Kings and will not be ashamed 2. It reproves also such who are ashamed to own a poor Child of God they can call a Rich man Brother but O! 't is hard to own and to call a Poor man so a man in a Leather-coat or in a poor garb before others Alas the Angels are not ashamed to take care of and own poor Lazarus full of Sores at the Rich Man's gate tho he begg'd for the Crums that fell from his Table and the Dogs came and licked his sores But let such look to it lest Christ one day be ashamed of them Secondly It may be for instruction to us how to do the Will of God even as the Angels do it 1. That we do it in Love to God Love is the great Principle from whence the Holy Angels do all their Service to God so ought we to serve and worship God in Love to him not for Self-profit or Honour or Applause If ye love me keep