which words wee may take notice 1. Of a particle of conclusion Finally 2. Of a title of compellation Brethren 3. Of a terme of valediction and farewell Farewell 4. of a vote Of exoptation or wishing Be perfect be of good comfort be of one minde live in peace and the God of love and peace be with you Wherein Saint Paul like a Testator or Parent that makes his last Will Testament bequeatheth these five gifts as five Legacies to the Corinthians his children in Christ which are like the h Gen. 45.22 five changes of rayment which Joseph gave to Benjamin for the spirituall warmth and ornament which they minister to the soules of Gods children like the i Judg. 18.7 five men which brought good tidings to their brethren incouraging them to arise and enter into the land for the comfortable newes which they bring to the soules of men encouraging them to enter into Gods service to set their feet into the wayes of peace and holinesse like the k 1 Sam. 21.3 five loaves of bread which David asked of the Priest for the nourishment refection and strength which they minister to the soules of Gods servants and these I shall being now as a dying man to you bequeath unto you as a Legacie of choycest worth to adorne you of greatest strength to support you of best nourishment to feed you of sweetest peace to solace you Finally brethren farewell Be perfect c. The branches growing on this tree are many the streames issuing from this fountain are divers and having but one day to gather the fruit here growing to draw the waters hence arising I shall but briefly touch give you a taste of each of them and first of the particle of conclusion Finally lastly Denique quod superest or as touching that which remaineth that is after that I have done mine office and have instructed you by the word threatned you by the judgements and intreated you by the mercies of God and have used all meanes to move you to repentance and to draw you to Christ Finally or what remaineth more to be done now but that you doe your duty that you beleeve repent reforme bee perfect and draw home to Christ with all your soule and might This is that which now remaineth which is now on your behalfe expected And hence you see Doct. That the Ministers long and frequent preaching must be attended with much perfection in the people After the Ministers long and frequent instruction faith repentance and true conversion must shew it selfe forth in the people When the Minister hath done his dutie towards men men must doe their dutie towards God The l Exod. 17.6 rocke gushed out water after Moses striking it After the Priests seven times compassing the walles of Jericho and m Jos 6.20 blowing of their Rammes horns the walles fell unto the ground After the Prophets n 2 Kings 4.34 spreading himselfe upon the woman of Shunems child the flesh of the child waxed warme hee neesed and opened his eyes After the Ministers often smiting our hearts with the hammer of the word often sounding of the trumpet of the Gospel in our eares and right dividing and applying of the word unto our hearts our stony hearts should be softned and send forth the waters of godly sorrow the strong and mighty holds of sinne should bee cast downe our soules enlivened the eyes of our understandings most clearly and savingly opened After the shining of the Sunne the aire is inlightned after the distilling of the dew and plentifull influence of the heavens the earth fructifieth after the long shining of the light of the Gospel and frequent distilling and dropping down of the dew of heavenly doctrine mens understandings should bee filled with knowledge as the aire with light and their lives replenished with all spirituall and heavenly fruit This the Lord expecteth o Isa 5.4 What could have been done more to my vineyard saith the Lord that I have not done in it in regard of the externall meanes wherefore I looked that it should bring forth grapes that like a vineyard long and well dressed it should bring forth good grapes of knowledge faith repentance and the like this is the property of Gods children as good p Mat. 13.24 ground receiving good seed they bring forth much fruit as living and healthy children sucking their mothers breasts they q 1 Pet. 2.2 grow by the sincere milke of the word of God This fruit hath followed the labours of Gods Ministers Saint Peter r Acts 2.44 testiâ—â—â— and exhorted and his word was glad 〈…〉 and about three thousand soules were 〈◊〉 to the Church Saint Paul preached and as Å¿ Acts 13.48 many as were ordained unto life beleeved The Apostle preached at Ephesus t Acts 19.20 many beleeved came and confessed and shewed forth their deeds so mightily grew the word of God and prevailed u Exod. 17.11 Iosua fought Moses prayed and Israel prevailed over Amalek When the Minister preacheth and prayeth Gods Israel must prevaile over Satan and their corruption Peter w Ioh. 21.11 casteth the net the second time into the sea and a multitude of fishes are taken in it At the Ministers first and second frequent and often preaching many soules should by the net of the Gospel bee drawne out of the gulfe and sea of sinne and the world And that In regard of the end of the Ministers Reason 1 long and frequent preaching The x Psa 104.22 23. Sunne ariseth sayth the Psalmist the wilde beasts gather themselves together and lay them downe in their dennes man goeth forth to his worke and to his labour untill the evening The Gospel like the Sunne ariseth and all the lusts of men which like so many wilde beasts walke forth and make their prey upon the soules of men in the right of their ignorance must now lye themselves downe by humiliation mortification and true repentance and man must arise from the bed of sinne and goe forth out of himselfe as out of his house to his worke and to his labour y Phil. 2.12 working out his salvation with feare and trembling never z 1 Thess 1.3 ceasing from the worke of faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ untill the evening untill the sunne of his life be wholly gone down and set This the Apostle presseth from the end of the appearing of the Gospel a Rom. 13.11 The night is farre spent the time and state of ignorance and blindnesse is farre gone and the light is neere at hand the day of the Gospel breaketh forth and the light of illumination doth appeare Let us therefore cast off the workes of darknesse as men cast off their bed-clothes in the morning and let us put on the armour of light as men put on their day clothes and so let us walke and b Tit. 2.11 the grace of God saith
his testimonies he hath not dealt so with every people he hath not shewed such mercy to every congregation therefore as the tree which hath much soile cast about him brings forth much fruit as the servant which had five talents brought much advantage to his Lord and Master so strive yee to bring a measure of glory to God answerable to the measure of the meanes hee hath affoorded you the Lord hath sowne much and lookes to reap much the harvest must answer the seed bee therefore filled with all heavenly graces as the sea with waters be strong in faith as the tree growes deepe in the rootes bee fervent in love as a fire of much wood abound in all the fruits of the Spirit like the tree which bare Å¿ Rev. 22.2 twelve sorts of fruit The more you abound in grace under the Gospel the longer the Gospel shall be continued the more sweetnesse shall your soules taste in it the neerer shall you draw to God by it the more effectually shall the pardon of your sinne bee sealed up through it and the more comfortable account shall you render to God at last for all the labours of his Ministers whereof God hath made you partakers the more comfortably shall I againe behold your faces at our last generall appearance the more blessed account shall I make to Christ my great Lord and Master of this my Ministeriall service and shall the more joyfully for the present in the words of the Apostle here this day take my last leave of you and say Finally brethren farewell Bee perfect bee of good comfort bee of one minde live in peace and the God of love and peace be with you Finally brethren Brethren is a title of compellation the second branch of this tree There are brethren by nature brethren by condition and brethren by profession and participation of one Christ the last of these are the brethren here mentioned whom the Apostle here stileth brethren in respect of Originall having one God for their Father with him in respect of Relation being knit to Christ by one bond of saving faith and one golden chaine of unfained love among themselves with Saint Paul the Apostle and in respect of true and fervent Love the Apostle loving them as his brethren and this the Apostle chiefly intendeth here it being his purpose now to manifest his love unto them And hence we learne That there is in all Gods faithfull Ministers Doct. a very fervent and unfained love to their Hearers A brotherly love a love like that of Jonathan to David t 2 Sam. 1.26 a love surpassing the love of women being deare unto them as the apple of their eye as the signet upon their finger or the Bride unto the Bride-groome therefore are the Ministers stiled Husbandmen Shepheards Watch-men Parents Nurses as the Husband-man loves the vineyard which hee hath planted the Shepheard the flocke which hee keepeth the Watch-man the Citie which hee watcheth the Father the children which he begetteth or the Nurse the child to which shee draweth forth her breast and feedeth so Gods Ministers love their hearers the vineyard which they plant the flock which they keepe the Citie over which they watch the children which they ministerially beget and nurse for thus the people are stiled by names expressing the Ministers high prizing of them great delight in them and singular love unto them as u Isa 8.18 children w 1 Thes 2.19 20. hope joy crown of rejoycing glory and joy the Apostle putting on the indulgent affection of a father and in the strength and passion of his love so stiles them and speakes thus unto them What is our hope or joy or crowne of rejoycing Are not even yee in the presence of our Lord Iesus Christ at his comming for yee are our glory and joy And Saint Paul speaking of his love to the Corinthians calleth it a x 2 Cor. 7.4 more aboundant love that is a high a strong a transcendent love such love that hee saith his y 2 Cor. 6.11 mouth was open to them and his heart was enlarged His whole man was open to them as a Bridegroomes house is opened to the Bride to entertaine them to love them to rejoyce in them to communicate himselfe to the utmost unto them as the open Sunne sendeth forth his light and the open cloud doth power out his raine nay they were in z 2 Cor. 7.3 his heart to live and dye with them And who can doubt of the love of Gods faithfull Ministers towards their hearers that shall but looke Upon their labours to save the soules of Reas 1 their hearers They are a 2 Tim. 4.2 instant in season and out of season taking all opportunities they sow in the morning and with-hold not their hand in the evening they have no rest they hold not their b Isa 62.11 peace day nor night as Naomi said of Boaz The man will not bee c Ruth 3. ult at rest untill hee hath finished the thing this day so such is the love of Gods Ministers that they are at no rest untill they have finished the worke of grace in their hearers consummated the marriage between them and Christ Upon their sorrowes sadnesse sighes Reas 2 and teares to behold the peoples barrennesse under their labours obstinacie against their perswasions and the danger where into they thrust their soules no father is more grieved to see the lewdnesse of his child d Jer. 13.17 Jeremies soule weepes in secret for his people Isaiahs bowels sound like a e Isai 16.11 harpe for Moab Paul had f Rom. 9.2 continuall sorrow for the Iewes he was pained as a g Gal. 4.19 woman in travel for the Galatians and out h 2 Cor. 2.4 of much affliction and anguish of heart he wrote with many teares to the Corinthians that they might know the love which he had more abundantly unto them You may in the teares and sorrowes of Gods Ministers for the peoples disobedience read their love as in lively characters the greatnesse of the Ministers griefe for the peoples misery argues the strength of their desire to make them happy Reas 3 Upon their sufferings for their hearers they suffer reproach in their names being made a i 2 Cor. 4.9 spectacle to Men and Angels they suffer losse of goods losse of peace losse of libertie and losse of life that they may be k Acts 20.24 faithful in their calling finish the course of their Ministery and save the soules committed to them The sufferings of faithfull Ministers are a clear and lively evidence of their love to their hearers Gods Ministers doe often sustaine great temporall losses for other mens everlasting gaine and advantage And whereunto should this love of Gods Ministers move and work our hearts Use but to frequent and diligent attendance on their labours as wee cheerfully hearken to their voyce who love us as children come cheerfully to the banquet
pray we sing we conferre we worke we thinke unto eternity how exact and serious should we be in our short walking the end whereof is eternall Vigilanti curâ saith Gregory per cuncta opera intentio nobis pensanda est ut nihil temporale in his quae agit appetat sed totam se in soliditate aeternitatis figat The intention is thorough all our works to bee weighed with vigilant care that in the things which it doth it may desire nothing temporall but wholly fasten it selfe on that which is eternall hee that walkes not circumspectly deprives himselfe of an eternity of felicity and casts himselfe into an eternity of misery better live strictly for a time then live miserably for ever nay bee assured that even for the present there is more comfort in one dayes strict walking with God then in a thousand dayes loose conversing with men Did men know the peace joy sweetnesse boldnesse honour and triumph of holy walking they would instantly and for ever abandon all dissolute living heaven is the paradice of all joyes he that in his holy walking commeth nearest unto heaven is doubtlesse of all men the most joyfull O say not then as a man of noble blood and acute wit but profane life sometime did when being demanded what he thought of the austere life of the godly and licentious life of the wicked answered Cum istis mallem vivere cum illis mori mallem I had rather live with the latter I had rather dye with the former But as you desire to dye the death of the righteous so bee very solicitous and studious very vigilant and industrious to live the life of the righteous Never promise your selves a blessed death without a holy life Lastly Be stedfast in adhering to the truth be not like children carried to and fro with every vaine perswasion nor like ships without anchor tossed up and downe with the winde of every empty doctrine But be constant in following the truth as the Wisemen did the starre untill you come home to Christ and as the Israelites did the fiery pillar untill you come to the heavenly Canaan Buy the truth saith Solomon and sell it not you can never over-buy it whatsoever you give for it you can never sufficiently sell it if you have all the world in exchange for it It is said of Caesar Major fuit cura Caesari libellorum quà m purpurae He had greater care of his books then of his royall robes for swimming through the waters to escape his enemies he carried his books in his hand above the waters but lost his robe What are Caesars bookes to Gods booke and his learning to Gods truth more then a glow-worme to the sunne Bee you therefore more carefull of the Gospel then of any earthly possession though you bee driven into the deepe waters of affliction and there lose all your worldly fulnesse yet hold fast the Gospel of Christ Jesus you shall finde infinitely more worth and comfort in the Gospel then in all the treasure of the world It is reported of Alexander the Great that hee had alwayes Homers Iliads under his pillow and preferred them above Darius his most precious and costly chest what are Homers Iliads to Christs Gospel or Darius chest to the invaluable treasure which is in Christ Have therefore the booke of God ever with you when you lye downe when you rise up when you walke abroad have it in your understandings to know it in your imaginations to thinke and meditate upon it in your memories to remember it in your hearts to love it to rejoice and delight your selves in it to solace refresh and comfort your soules with it in your tongues to speake of it to edifie and strengthen one another by it give it preheminence above the chiefest wordly substance The losse of all cannot make man miserable as long as hee sincerely and fully adheres unto and enjoyes the Gospel Make this therefore your constant and perpetuall light to guide you your heavenly Manna to feed you your celestiall treasure to enrich you your spirituall well-spring to refresh and fill you your firme and sure anchor to sustaine and stay you your holy and gracious Schoole to edifie you in the knowledge faith and love of Chrst to ravish your soules with the apprehension of CHRISTS beauties to fill you more and more with CHRISTS fulnesse and prepare you a sweet and entire communion of everlasting continuance with the Lord JESUS which hee most unfainedly desireth who ever remaineth Most intirely devoted to your spirituall service ALEXANDER GROSSE A TABLE OF THE Chiefe things contained in this Treatise on COL 2.9 10. For in him dwelleth the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily and ye are complete in him who is head of all principality and power CHAP. I. The transcendency of Christs fulnesse above all created fulnesse Fol. 1 CHAP. II. Christs fulnesse a ground of dehortation from humane inventions Fol. 3 Doct. 1. Such is Christs fulnesse that men ought not to joyne to him other doctrines and observations to further their eternall happiness Fol. 9 Foure grounds hereof Fol. 12 CHAP. III. The folly of not cleaving to and quieting and contenting our selves with Christ but going aside to humane inventions Fol. 18 Five grounds hereof Fol. 19 The vanity of humane doctrines displayed in 12. particulars Fol. 25 An admonition to wait on Christ and receive all our direction from him Fol. 27 CHAP. IIII. Doct. 2. All divine and heavenly fulnesse is to be found in Christ Jesus Fol. 30 Three grounds hereof Fol. 34 CHAP. V. The folly of neglecting Christ and seeking fulnesse elsewhere Fol. 41 Foure seekers of fulnesse deceived Fol. 43 1 Some leave Christ and seeke fulnesse in the creature ib. Mans folly in seeking fulnesse in the creature opened in 6 particulars Fol. 46 2 Some seeke fulnesse in themselves Fol. 50 Ignorance and unsensiblenesse of mans want of Christ the ground of this Fol. 52 3 Some seeke fulnesse in the naked use of the ordinances not labouring to see taste and receive Christ in them ibid. 4 Some seeke fulnâ—sse in humane observations their folly discovered Fol. 54 CHAP. VI. The folly of man in standing aloofe off from Christ and not comming fully home to Christ in whom is all fulnesse manifested Fol. 56 Foure grounds hereof Fol. 59 The folly of man in not comming unto Christ illustrated Fol. 68 CHAP. VII The valuing and esteeming of Christ above all is pressed Fol. 73 Christ to be valued above all 6. wayes Fol. 75 Foure things in Christ to be highly prized Fol. 81 CHAP. VIII Perswasion to come to Christ and get interest in Christ. Fol. 86 Three things perswading thereunto Fol. 90 The manner of comming to Christ laid down Fol. 98 Helps disposing and fitting man to come to Christ Fol. 101 CHAP. IX The making use of Christ is taught Fol. 104 CHAP. X. Full and constant acquiescence in Christ is perswaded Fol. 110 Consolations flowing from the fulnesse of
Christ. Fol. 113 CHAP. XI Doct. 3. Christ is God and man in one person by an inseparable union Fol. 116 Two grounds hereof Fol. 119 Mans honour and the exaltation of mans nature is opened Fol. 123 Man is charged not to debase himselfe but maintain the honor to which Christ hath exalted him with the manner how to doe it Fol. 126 127 CHAP. XII Mans choicest excellency consisteth in union with God Fol. 128 The benefits thereof Fol. 131 CHAP. XIII Doct. 4. Christs perfection and fulnesse doth infinitely surpasse the fulnesse of all creatures Fol. 134 Three grounds of this Fol. 135 Such as are filled with fulnesse of God are filled with choicest fulnesse Fol. 139 CHAP. XIIII The superlative excellency of Christ above all creatures is declared Fol. 142 Foure excellencies in Christ on which men must fasten the eyes of their faith Fol. 148 CHAP. XV. The happy and blessed condition of them that are partakers of Christ is set forth Fol. 157 Illustrated in 5. particulars Fol. 160 Doct. 5. Christ dwelling in our flesh is true God his names attributes and workes prove it meditation whereof tends to admire embrace feare exalt and stay on Christ. Fol. 168 CHAP. XVI Doct. 6. Such alone as are truely holy and gracious are complete and perfect in Christ Jesus Fol. 172 Profane men strangers to perfection ib. Such alone as are gracious partake of Christs fulnesse Fol. 173 Doct. 7. There is a spirituall and heavenly perfection and fulnesse in Gods faithfull servants Fol. 174 Severall sorts of fulnesse ibid. CHAP. XVII Foure grounds of the Saints fulnesse Fol. 180 Two sorts of men strangers to Christ Fol. 185 CHAP. XVIII Foure markes or characters of spirituall and heavenly fulnesse Fol. 189 An exhortation to spirituall and heavenly fulnesse Fol. 193 Foure meditations inducing thereunto Fol. 195 The dolefulnesse and danger of neglecting Christ and the opportunity of Grace Doct. 1. The state of that person or people is very dolefull which continueth barren under the plentifull and powerfull meanes of salvation Fol. 207 Doct. 2. It t s very dangerous and fearfull for any people or person to neglect the meanes and times of grace which God doth offer them Fol. 242 The souls last refuge a Sermon on Revel 22.20 Note By how much the neerer communion we have now with Christ by grace and holiness by so much the more his second comming is desired by us Fol. 259 Note No man rightly desires Christs comming but he that hath assurance of the good and benefit of his comming Fol. 260 Doct. It is the unfained desire of Gods faithfull servants to have the full fruition of Christ Jesus Fol. 263 Note Love and mercy are sweetly knit together in Christ Jesus Fol. 282 Note If Christ be not our Lord and Master first he will never be our Saviour at last ib. St. Pauls Legacie A Sermon on 2 Cor. 13.11 Doct. 1. The Ministers long and frequent preaching must be attended with much perfection in the people Fol. 8 Doct. 2. There is in all Gods faithfull Ministers a very servent and unfained love to their hearers Fol. 19 Note The labours of Gods choicest Ministers are not everlasting but of a short continuance Fol. 25 Doct. 3. The full and thorough conforming of our selves to the doctrine of Gods Messengers ministers great joy and gladnesse though they depart from us Fol. 26 Doct. 4. It is the duty and must bee the care of Gods children to strive to more spirituall perfection Fol. 34 Doct. 5. Gods children ought to be very comfortable though many changes and afflictions doe attend them Fol. 38 Doct. 6. There must be unanimity and consent betweene Gods children in matters of doctrine and religion Fol. 41 ERRATA Pag. 82. line 24. reade communication p. 86. l. 25. reade thirst p. 185. l 8. r. just p. 197. l. 10. r. sincere FINIS A HEAVENLY DISCOURSE OF CHRISTS FULNES TENDING TO The making of Christ most amiable and glorious in the eyes and most joyous and pleasant sweet and satisfactory to the Soules of all beleeving CHRISTIANS That their hearts may be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Col. 2.2 3. And of his fulnesse have we all received and grace for grace Ioh. 1.16 Omnia habemus in Christo omnia nobis Christus Ambros By A. G. B. D. LONDON Printed by R. Young for John Bartlet at the gilt Cup neere Saint Austins gate 1640. CHRISTS FULNES TRANSCENDENT COLOS. 2.9 10. For in him dwelleth the fulnesse of the God-head bodily and yee are complete in him who is head of all principality and power CHAP. I. Shewing the transcendencie of Christs fulnesse above all created fulnesse and opening the scope of the words OF all Fulnesse Divine and Heavenly fulnesse is the choycest The nearer any creature commeth unto God and the more it doth participate of the fulnesse of God the greater is the perfection the more excellent is the fulnesse thereof There is a fulnesse of light in the Sunne a fulnesse of waters in the sea a fulnesse of strength in the rockes a fulnesse of riches in the earth a Psa 104.24 The earth saith the Psalmist is full of thy riches so is the great and wide sea wherein are things creeping innumerable both small and great beasts Yet of all this fulnesse in comparison of their fulnesse who are filled with the fulnesse of Christ may wee say as Gideon sometime said of the vintage of Abiezer b Iudg. 8.2 The gleanings of Ephraim are better then the vintage of Abiezer so the gleaning the smallest gatherings of the fulnesse of Christ are better more excellent more satisfactory more permanent then the full and greatest vintage of the world this is a fulnesse making like God endearing to God leading to heavenly and sweet communion with God the least of Christ is better then the greatest abundance of the earth There is a fulnesse of wisedome and puritie a fulnesse of strength and sagacity in the Angels there is a fulnesse of holinesse and righteousnesse in the Lords faithfull servants yet is their fulnesse in respect of Christs fulnesse as no fulnesse as the fulnesse of the Starre is as no fulness in respect of the fulnesse of the Sunne and the fulnesse of the vessell as no fulnesse in comparison of the fulnesse of the fountaine their fulnesse is a derivative a borrowed fulnesse it is in them by participation as the Moone hath her light from the Sunne rivers their waters from the fountaine and the eye her sight from the soule but it is in Christ originally naturally and of himselfe their fulnesse is in them by measure according to the gift of God in Christ it is c Eph. 4.7 Job 4.33 Ioh. 1.16 infinite and above measure The Moone is full of
in title to all Gods promises in the acceptation of their persons and services in and for Christ Eph. 1.6 Christ being the Beloved in whom they are accepted And hence we learne that Doct. There is a spirituall and heavenly perfection and fulnesse in Gods faithfull servants Sorts of perfection a fulnesse of inchoation but not of consummation as there is a fulnesse of light begun in the aire in the dawning of the day a fulnesse of parts but not of degrees as there is a fulnesse of members in an infant as well as in a man in respect of parts though not in respect of full growth a fulnesse of truth and uprightnesse though not of absolutenesse The least dramme of gold and drop of water is as truly gold and water as all the gold in the Kings Treasure or all the water in the deep Sea a fulnesse in respect of intention Phil. 3.12 though not of acquisition they set perfection as a marke before them they presse to it though they have not yet fully attained a fulnesse of duration though not of fruition they doe not faile and fall like Hasael 2 Sam. 2.23 by the way but like good travellers they goe from strength to strength untill they appeare before the Lord in Sion Psa 84.7 though they do not yet enjoy the end of their calling a fulnesse in respect of extention they mortifie all lusts they depart from every evill way they allow themselves in no sinne though they cannot wholly abolish any sinne they have an eye to all Gods precepts and walke in all Gods ordinances though they limpe and halt a little as Iacob did in his travell after hee had obtained the blessing This perfection and fulness of Gods Saints and Servants was shadowed in the Arke as it was a type of the Church the Arke had a crowne of gold about it Exod. 25.10 11. the Church the faithfull servants of the Lord are crowned with divers gifts and graces here and shall bee with the crowne of glory hereafter The Arke had foure proportionable dimensions the faithfull servants of Christ have the depth of faith the height of hope the latitude of charitie and the longitude of perseverance abounding as the Apostle saith in every thing 2 Cor. 8.7 in faith in utterance in knowledge in all diligence and love The Candlestick in the Sanctuary had seven lamps Exod. 25.31.37 and many branches adorned with bowles knops and flowers the Church and faithfull servants of God are replenished with fulnesse of divine and heavenly light and beautified with the gracious workes of the Spirit Isai 11.9 this was prophesied The earth the faithfull people of God on earth shall bee full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea abundantly replenished with all the gifts of God and this the Lord signified by the mouth of the Psalmist Psa 72.16 saying There shall be an handfull of corne in the earth on the top of the mountaines the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon and flourish like the grasse of the earth A prophesie of the plentifull preaching of the Gospel abundant communication of divine and saving gifts to men a large encrease of the number of beleevers and sweet consolations arising in the soules of men upon their freedome from the power of Satan and their owne corruption under Christs kingdome And this perfection fulnes of the servants of God is expressed somtimes by the beauty of the Lillies of the valley Cant. 2.2 Cant. 6.10 sometimes by the brightnesse of the Sunne the Moone and the Morning sometimes by the glory and rich attire of a Queene clothed with gold of Ophir Psal 45.9 13 14. and a needle wrought garment sometimes by a body washed with water Ezek. 16. and anointed with oyle clâ—thed with broidred worke shod with a Badgers skinne girded about with fine linnen covered with silke decked with ornaments having bracelets upon the hands and a chain on the necke signifying the riches fulnesse splendor beauty and admirable excellencie of those graces with which the Lord adorns the soules of his servants grace and holinesse making Gods children surpassingly beautiful That soule is most comely and beautifull which hath the greatest measure of sanctification This is likewise symbolized by the waters comming forth under the threshold of the Temple rising higher and higher Ezek. 47.5 untill they grew so deepe that a man might swim in them and for this the children of God are termed Cant. 4.2 a flocke of Sheepe even shorne come up from the washing every one bearing twinnes none barren among them for this they are stiled a Garden inclosed a Spring shut up a Fountaine sealed an Orchard of Pomegranats with pleasant fruits a Tree planted by the waters side Psa 92.12 whose leafe doth not fade trees bearing more fruit in their old age It is the propertie of Gods children to grow to more perfection their corruptions like the house of Saul 2 Sam. 3.1 growing weaker and weaker and their graces like the house of David waxing stronger and stronger and the Scripture speakes of them plainly testifying that they are full of goodness Rom. 15.14 as the starres are full of light and good trees full of good fruit full of piety towards God full of charity towards man full of knowledge in Gods will full of faith in Gods promises full of godly sorrow for their offences full of humility meeknesse for their low opinion of themselves readiness to put their neckes under the yoke of Gods precepts Phil. 1.11 Full of the fruits of righteousnesse as the fields are full of all sorts of fruit in the day of harvest Col. 4.12 Perfect and full in the will of God in the knowledge and observance of it as a good servant is full in knowing and obeying his masters will as a good traveller is full in his way knowing it and going on fully in it with all his strength with all cheerfulness and with all stedfastnesse Yea Eph. 3.19 filled with all the fulnesse of God not with the fulnesse of his essence but of his operations and communications of grace to the soules of men With the fulnesse of his will Col. 1.9 being filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisedome and spirituall understanding With the fulnesse of his promises beleeving them and drawing waters of consolation from them with the bucket of faith as from so many Wells of comfort With the fulnesse of his love as the the childe with the love of the parent feeling the love of God shed abroad in their hearts With the fulnesse of his gifts as the aire is full of the light of the Sunne With the fulnesse of his Christ who filleth all things in all men And thus wee see there is a spirituall and heavenly fulnesse in the Lords servants Ephes 1. CHAP. XVII Laying downe foure grounds of the Saints
soules of his servants when they have sate in darknesse and have had no light when they have been tossed upon the deluge of many troubles and have had no footing for their soules no haven wherein to repose themselves when they have wandred like travellers in this earthly wilderness without a guide then have their soules longed after Christ Jesus Mal. 4.2 that Sunne of righteousnesse who appeareth with healing in his wings Numb 24 17. Isa 9.6 that Star of Iacob who giveth light to them that are in darknesse that Prince of Peace who brings the olive branch of peace to soules that are perplâ—xed Seâ—se of distresses doth marvellously sweeteâ— the Lord Jesus and fill the soule with longings after the fruition of his favours When the Gibeonites were besieged with the Amoritish Princes Jos 10.6 they sent to Iosua saying Slacke not thine hand from thy servants come up to us quickly and save us and helpe us when our soules are besieged with an armie of troubles tossed upon the tempest of manifold afflictions when no Captaine can fight for us no anchor can stay us no friend can comfort us no shield and buckler defend us no Physician heale us then wee long for Christs gracious presence then wee make earnest suit for his powerfull assistance then we say Come Lord Iesus These words are almost the last words of the whole word of God the last words as I have heard uttered by this deceased partie which gave mee occasion at this time being the last office wee are to performe towards him to treat of them to commend them to your consideration the better to prepare you all for your last reckoning to fit you for the day of your dissolution to perswade and move you to labour for such faith such love such repentance such competencie of all saving graces that at the houre of your departure out of this earthly pilgrimage you may bee able as friends and servants as the spouse and bride as sonnes and daughters of God and Christ Jesus to say Come Lord Iesus The words are a holy and fervent wish and desire vote and prayer of Iohn the Evangelist in his owne and in the name of all the faithfull for the speedy gracious and glorious comming of the Lord Jesus Iohn the Evangelist was Christs beloved Disciple Joh. 13.23 one who in the dayes of his flesh had reposed himselfe in Christs bosome and here desires Christs comming By how much the neerer communion wee have now with Christ by grace and holinesse Note by so much the more his second comming is desired by us Grace and holinesse estates us in the condition of sonnes and daughters to God the Father in the condition of Bride Spouse to Christ Jesus intitle us to all Gods promises sweeten all Gods testimonies make all Gods ordinances the savour of life to life unto us settle us in the sense of Gods loving kindnesse in the assurance of the forgivenesse of all our sinnes and offences and so make the second comming of Christ most desirous Want of holinesse deprives the souls of men of all the sweet and heavenly comforts arising from the second comming of Christ Jesus The unsanctified man that sayes Come Lord Iesus prayes God to hasten his eternall vengeance hee that without grace prayes for Christs comming beggs his owne speedy and finall destruction Labour therfore in the dayes of your life for holinesse that you may with comfort in the houre of your death say Come Lord Iesus Iohn the Evangelist had seen in a vision the Churches affliction the adversaries insultation the future felicitie prepared for the one and the future calamity provided for the other and Christ made glorious in both and therefore hee prayes Come Lord Jesus No man rightly desires Christs comming Note but he that hath assurance of the good and benefite of his coming To them the day of Christ is as the day of harvest to the husbandman as the day of deliverance to the prisoner as the day of coronation to the King as the day of wedlocke to the bride a day of triumph and exaltation a day of freedome and consolation a day of rest and satisfaction to them the Lord Jesus is all sweetnesse Cant 1.2 3. as wine to the palate and oyntment to the nostrill saith Solomon Mel in ore melos in aure Iubilus in corde Hony in the mouth saith Bernard musick in the eare and a jubilee in the heart Get assurance of Christs comming as a Ransomer to redeeme you as a Conquerour to subdue all your enemies under you as a Friend to comfort you as a King to honour you as a Physician to heale you as a Bridegroome to marry you and then shall you with confidence and boldnesse with joy and gladnesse with vehement and holy longings say Come Lord Iesus In the words there is Motus Movens 1. a Motion and 2. a Mover the motion Come the mover the Lord Iesus First of the motion wherein is the Modus the manner of uttering these words by way of vote wish and supplication and the Genus or kinde of motion Come The Evangelist desireth Christ to come Christ as God is every where and in respect of his essence doth neither goe nor come his divine essence being free from all motion and mutation yet as God hee commeth by his Ministers as a King by his Embassadours by his ordinances as a Prince by his lawes by his gifts and graces as the Sunne by his beames and light by his castigations and afflictions as a man of warre by his armies by his favours and blessings as a friend by his love-tokens As Man he came once by incarnation taking our flesh upon him and shall come at last as a glorious and dreadful Judge to render to every man according to his worke and in this respect principally doth the Evangelist here desire him to come to come as a Judge to subvert Antichrist to subdue the kingdome of sinne and Satan to render to all ungodly men according to their doing to come as Redeemer to bring a full and finall deliverance to all beleevers to all contrite and broken hearted sinners from all evils and to conferre upon them all peace and blisse all glory and happinesse this being the desire and prayer of all the faithfull of all that have received the spirit of adoption We may hence learne that It is the unfained desire of Gods faithfull servants Doct. to have the full fruition of Christ Iesus 2 Sam. 14 32. Absolon so desired to see the face of David the King and his father that he valued it above his life the Lords servants so desire to see the face of Christ their King and Redeemer and to have the full enjoyment of his comfortable and glorious presence that nothing is so pretious in their apprehensions valued and esteemed by them above the dearest earthly possessions above the choycest worldly comforts Can. 1.3 Psa 4.6 7.
Gods children a great griefe a meanes of very much disquiet as the daughters of Heth to Sarah Gen. 27.46 made her life a burthen and the presence of disobedient Ionah made the sea tempestuous the navigation very perillous to the Mariners This hath filled them full of complaints Psa 120.5 Woe is me saith David that I sojourne in Mesech that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar Psa 119.136 Mine eyes gush out with rivers of tears because men keepe not thy law saith David And Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked 2 Pet. 2.7 That righteous man saith S. Peter dwelling among them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their unlawfull deeds And therefore as he that dwells among thornes briars and scorpions Ezek. 2.6 desires to change his dwelling so doe Gods servants say Come Lord Jesus that they may have full freedome from the conversation of sinfull men In regard of love to Christ their love to him 2 Sam. 1.26 like the love of Jonathan to David is wonderfull they love him with all manner of love with a creatures love as he is their maker with a servants love as hee is their Lord and Master with a subjects love as he is their King and Ruler with a ransomed mans love as hee is their Redeemer with a friends love as hee is their Comforter with a childs love as he is their everlasting Father with a kinsmans love as hee is their Brother and with a Brides love as hee is the Bridegroome of their soules Can. 2.5 They are sicke of love and love breeds longing and longing breeds desire of fruition And as love constraines the wife to desire the presence of the husband so doth love cause the spouse of Christ to long for the presence of Christ to say Tit. 2.13 Come Lord Iesus to looke for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Christ In regard of the plenary and perfect restauration of Gods image in their soules The day of Christs comming shall bee the day of their full freedome and perfect redemption wherein they shal be a garden without weeds a tree without barren branch superfluous bough or fading leafe As Absolon 2 Sam. 15. in respect of bodily perfection was without blemish from the crowne of the head unto the sole of the foot so shall Gods servants upon the comming of Christ be free from all blemish and glorious in soule and body Mat. 13.43 Luk. 21.28 like the Sun in the firmament This is called the day of their redemption And as the captive desireth the comming of the ransomer so doe they the comming of Christ our blessed Redeemer and therfore they say Come Lord Iesus that they may have the full possession of all joy and glory in heaven This openeth and unfoldeth the estate and condition of man Use even of the holiest and best men in this life even an estate of distance separation in part from Christ their desire of him their longing after him their crying Come Lord Iesus shewes they doe not enjoy Christ now in his greatest fulnesse Here Numb 13 23. like Israel in the way to Canaan they have a few grapes a little taste of the goodnesse of the land of heaven but the full vintage is reserved till their bodily dissolution till Christs second comming Now they are absent from the Lord they behold him as a friend a farre off While wee are at home in the body 2 Cor. 5.6 wee are absent from the Lord saith the Apostle Absent from the perfection of Gods Image from the fulnesse of the light of Gods countenance from the perfect and complete fruition of his presence and the glory he hath provided for us 1 Cor. 13.12 Now we see as through a glasse darkly in the workes of God as in a glasse wee see the generall wisedome power and goodnesse of God In the Word and Sacraments wee see as in a glasse the command and precept the will and counsell the love and mercie of God in Christ Jesus Hereafter wee shall see face to face truly without errour conspicuously without darknesse and fully without the mixture of all imperfections Now we are as runners in a race the price is not yet wonne 1 Cor. 9.24 therefore so runne that yee may obtaine saith S. Paul Now we are as Souldiers in the battle fighting the victory is not yet fully gotten Rev. 2.10 therefore be thou faithful saith our Saviour to the death and I will give thee a crowne of life Wee are now travellers our journey is not yet ended Psa 84.7 therefore we must go from strength to strength untill wee doe appeare before the Lord in Sion Matth. 24.13 For hee that continueth to the end shall be saved Now we are as pilgrimes and strangers we have not yet the possession of our heavenly dwelling and therefore as pilgrimes strangers 1 Pet. 2.11 let us abstaine from fleshly lusts which warre against the soule we halt like Iacob in our walking our goings are not absolutely perfect Gen. 32.31.35 our lives like Iacobs flock are spotty coloured a mixture of grace vice is in them our souls Gen. 25.24 like Rebecca's womb carry in them an Esau a Iacob the flesh lusting against the spirit the spirit against the flesh as Esau against Iacob Iacob against Esau In the Common-wealth of Israel 2 Sam. 3.1 there was continuall war between the house of Saul David in the common-weale of a regenerate soule there is continuall warre between God Satan between grace and corruption and therfore we must labour in the worke of grace like the house of David to grow stronger stronger to make sin like the house of Saul grow weaker weaker still pressing to more perfection ever saying with the Evangelist Come Lord Iesus as a guide to direct us a Physician to heale us and a man of warre to overcome for us This should wonderfully endeare unto us the Lord Jesus He is the desire of the soules of all beleevers to him we must go to him we must seek on him we must call When distresse commeth when sicknesse visiteth when death approacheth then we shall bee constrained to cry Come Lord Iesus then as the woman of Tekoah in a pretended distresse came to David and cried 2 Sam. 14.4 Help O King so shall we in the reall distresse of our soules bee constrained to cry Help O Christ When wee shall see Satan casting all his fiery darts at us setting with all his forces like an armed man upon us bringing all our sinnes like a subtile accuser against us when wee shall apprehend death as a Serjeant arresting hurrying and drawing us before the Lords tribunall and shall see the armes of all earthly helpers broken the lamp of all worldly lights put out and the tongues
of all our friends according to the flesh made dumb and silent then our soules will be put upon Christ and there will bee no remedy we must say Come Lord Iesus And therefore this should make Christ very pretious in our eyes now this should inflame our hearts with singular and fervent love unto him for the present getting interest in him above all things and making him our chiefest and choycest our deare and onely friend This should so sweeten unto us the Lord Jesus that wee should say with Bernard Jesus dulcis in voce dulcis in facie dulcis in nomine dulce enim nomen suave Jesus consecratum ab aeterno annunciatum ab Angelo prophetatum Solomonis oraculo qui ait Oleum effusum nomen tuum Psa 73.25 Jesus is sweet in voice sweet in face sweet in name for the name Jesus is sweet being consecrated from eternitie published by the Angel and prophesied by the Oracle of Solomon who saith Thy Name is an oyntment powred forth Wee should so select him so admire him so adhere unto him so set our hearts upon him that wee should say with the Psalmist Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee So glorious so pretious so infinitely transcendent let him be in our thoughts in our judgements in our estimation and affections that wee love and affect him exalt and preferre him as the King above all commanders as the Sunne above all lights as the spring above all cisternes as the pearle above all treasure and as the husband of our soules above all friends as a Paradice of all pleasures a haven of rest from all tempests and the refuge of our soules in all troubles Let our faith bee such in him our hope so settled upon him our love so strong towards him our subjection such under him that we may bee able at all times and seasons in all estates and conditions to say Come Lord Jesus Behold in this the honour and profit the advantage and comfort which a bodily dissolution bringeth to the righteous to all true beleevers they desire the full fruition of Christ and this bringeth them home to Christ Phil. 1.21 to them to dye is gaine gaine of libertie from the burthen of all corruption from all the assaults of Satan from the servitude of the world and all affliction gaine of perfect holinesse in respect of Gods image gain of complete victory in respect of all enemies gaine of most sweet communion in respect of their fellowâ—hip with God Christ the glorious Angels and all the Saints of God gaine of absolute honour in respect of their glorious condition in heaven As death to the righteous is a tree of many fruitfull branches a messenger of many comfortable tidings so the Spirit of God hath given it many denominations Sometimes it is stiled a Sleepe Mat. 9.24 sleep possesseth onely the outward members and senses the soule sleepeth not so in death the body onely dies the soule is carried into Abrahams bosome Luk. 16.22 â—ev 14.13 Sleep giveth rest unto the body They who dye in the Lord rest from all their labours Sometimes it is called a gathering to our Fathers Gen. 25.8 by death the righteous are separated from the wicked gathered as wheat into Gods garner and their soules bound up in the bundle of life 1 Sam. 25 29. Sometimes it is called a way the way of all flesh by the way wee come to our home to our fathers and to our friends house Ios 23.14 and by death wee come to our heavenly home to God the father and the Lord Jesus Sometimes it is called a going forth As the prisoner goeth forth of the prison 2 Pet. 1.15 and Israel went forth from the bondage of Egypt so when the body dieth the soule goeth forth as out of a prison and entreth into the land of the living Sometimes it is called an end Mat. 10.22 because in death there is an end of all sin of all sorrow of all labour trouble as in the waters of the red Sea the Israelites Egyptian bondage ended Sometimes it is termed a sowing Ioh. 11.24 1 Cor. 15.44 the seed which is sowne doth spring forth again into a blade the body in the resurrection shall flourish like the grasse death like a Physician cures all their diseases like a key opens the prison and restores them to a blessed freedom brings them to the full fruition of Jesus Christ the desire of their soules And this is the sweetest and fullest gaine of a Christian Lucrum est evasisse incrementa peccati Augustine lucrum fugisse deteriora lucrum transire ad meliora Aug. Lucrum maximum computat Christianus Cyprian jam saeculi laqueis non teneri jam nullis peccatis vitiis carnis obnoxium fieri exemptum pressuris angentibus venenatis diaboli faucibus liberatum ad laetitiam salutis aeternae Christo vocante proficisci Cypr. This must perswade move us to work our hearts to a holy longing and earnest desire after the comming of the Lord Jesus to desire it as the husbandman the coÌ„ming of the harvest the sick man the comming of the day of health or the ward the day of his full age to looke for the new heavens 2 Pet. 3.13 2 Tim. 4.8 and the new earth and to love the appearing of the Lord Iesus and for that end there must be First Godly sorrow for sin Christs coming is comfortable to such as are truly sorrowfull he that is weary of his corruptions doth truely long for the coming of Christ Jesus Gen 45.4.5 Ioseph spake to his brethren kindly entertained them courteously when he saw them grieved for the injury offered him Luke 15. The prodigals day of humiliation Isa 61.1 was the day wherein his father graciously received him Christ will bee found a sweet and mercifull Iesus to all Mat. 11.28 truly penitent sinners Secondly there must be a thorough removall of sin an effectuall reformation of all our wayes Gen. 35.2 Jacob went not up to Bethel before he purged his house of Idols It is in vain for man to say Come Lord Jesus if there bee not a conversion of the soule to Jesus To such the Prophet speakes Amos 5.18.19 Woe to you that desire the day of the Lord to what end is it for you the day of the Lord is darknesse and not light as if a man did flye from a Lyon and a Beare met him or went into a house and leaned his hand on the wall and a Serpent bit him Shall not the day of the Lord be darknesse and not light even very darke and no brightnesse in it What the voyce of God was to Adam upon the eating of the forbidden fruit what the comming of the flood was to the profane men of the old world what the waters of the red Sea were to Pharaoh what the
fire from heaven was to the Captaines which came up against Eliah what the burning fornace was to them that cast in Shadrach Meshec and Abednego the same will be the coming of the L. Jesus to all unholy persons O therfore away with your sins every soul of man reform his wayes Job 11.14 That you may lift up your faces with boldnes that you may with great joy and comfort say Come Lord Iesus Thirdly get it to your hearts the pretious pearle of a lively faith Eph. 6.16 this wil quench all Satans darts silence all the accusâ—tions of conscience make you looke on Christ as on a friend to comfort you Rom. 8.31 an advocate to plead for you and a redeemer to save you and like Eliahs fiery chariot will carry your soules aloft and bring you with gladnesse into the presence of the Lord Jesus Fourthly make a good use of your talent be wise be diligent be faithfull holy humble in the imployment of it and Christ shall come with comfort and he shall entertain you with a sweet and comfortable Euge. Well done thou good and faithfull servant Mat. 25.23 thou hast been faithfull over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into thy masters joy And let us be excited stirred up to work our hearts to this longing for Christs comming considering First the satiety of our estate in heaven Rev. 22.2 there is a Tree bearing twelve sorts of fruit youth without old age health without sicknesse fulness without loathing liberty without bondage beauty without deformitie impassibility without griefe abundance without want peace without trouble security without feare knowledge without ignorance glory without ignominy joy without sorrow Secondly the security of that estate no enemy can reach us it is a Citie never besiegâ—d a haven never disquieted there is no death neither of sin nor of misery Rev. 21.4 Nec culpae nec miseriae nec naturae nor of nature Thirdly the jucundity of it a day without clouds a paradise without thornes fulness of joy true joy without deceit sincere joy free from the mixture of sorrow Psa 16. constant joy a Sun that never sets of which we may say as Augustine doth * O gaudium supergaudium vincens omne gaudium extra quod non est gaudium quando intrabo in te ut videam Deum meum qui habitat in te O joy above joy overcoming all joy without which there is no joy when shall I enter into thee that I may see my God who dwelleth in thee Here is joy above us in the vision of God joy within us in the glorification of our souls and bodies joy about us in our communion with Saints and Angels joy beneath us in our evasion and escapall of hell and everlasting darknesse Here is to the souls of all beleevers Gaudium de Christo joy concerning Christ as the authour of our welfare in Christo in Christ as he is the head and wee the members cum Christo with Christ as coheires with him of the same inheritance post Christum after Christ every soule joying according to proportion per Christum by Christ being reconciled to God by him and beholding God with joy through him propter Christum for Christ he being exalted above all creatures and having purchased all things O let these things sweeten the thought of Christ Jesus to us inflame our soules with longing after him make us all say Come Lord Iesus Thus from the Motion passe wee to the Mover Lord Jesus Two titles of the blessed Sonne of God the one a title of authoritie to command us the other of mercie to comfort us Love and Justice are sweetly knit together in Christ Jesus Note as Lord hee requireth obedience to his precepts as Jesus he calleth for faith in his promises Faith and obedience must never be divided in Gods servants hee that calls him Lord without obedience dishonours him hee that calls him Iesus without faith receives no benefit by him Hee is stiled first Lord and then Jesus Note If Christ bee not our Lord and Master first hee will never bee our Saviour at last He that will not have Christ to be his Lord in his life shall not have him for his Iesus at the houre of his death O therefore serve him honour him obey him as your Lord beleeve him love him rejoyce in him as your Jesus now that you may bee able upon all occasions to say Come Lord Iesus Come Lord Jesus as a Counsellour to guide us as a Rock to support us as a Friend to comfort us as a Fountaine to supply us Come Lord Jesus in the day of fulnesse and make us thankfull in the day of want and make us contented in the day of our sinne and make us penitent in the day of affliction and make us patient in the day of temptation and make us confident in the day of sorrow and make us joyfull in the day of health and make us mindfull of the day of sicknesse in the day of life and make us watchfull against the day of death in the day of sicknesse and assure us of the blessed issue of our earthly pilgrimage in the day of death and translate our soules into a glorious life Even so come LORD JESUS And now touching this spectacle of mortalitie here before us what shall I say unto you wherein shall I from hence instruct you but onely in two things in the genenerall First by way of premonition Secondly by way of commemoration By way of premonition and so you may in this object of death be admonished First of the transitorinesse of mans pilgrimage his life is a vapour soon vanishing a race soone runne Heâ— 13.14 a candle quickly gone out having no continuing Citie here but must seeke one that is to come Secondly of the vanitie of all earthly abundance it is a starting Bow in the day of battle a rotten Anchor in the stormie tempest Wee see that of Solomon ver fied by daily experience Pro. 11.4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath but righteousnesse delivereth from death the righteousnesse of Christ imputed the righteousnesse of conversation well ordered giveth comfort deliverance from the second death when soule body are dissolved Thirdly whatsoever extravagancies or aberrations we see in others let us not thereby take occasion to insult over them to passe any rash or finâ—ll sentence upon them this is the worst use of other mens offences this is to thrust God out of his office Rom. 14.4 For every man stands or falls to his owne master but what wee see amisse in others let us correct in our selves by the sight of their spots let us wash our owne garments bee thankfull to God who doth preserve us for no man standeth by his owne strength Let us be watchfull over our selves and desire God to keepe us lest Satan and our owne corruption draw us
THE HAPPINES OF ENJOYING AND MAKING A TRUE AND SPEEDIE USE OF CHRIST SETTING FORTH FIRST THE FULNESSE OF CHRIST SECONDLY The danger of neglecting Christ and the opportunity of grace THIRDLY The LORD JESUS the soules last Refuge Whereunto is added St. PAULS LEGACIE or FAREWELL to the men of Corinth ALEXANDER GROSSE B. D. Minister of the Gospel and Pastour of Bridford That their hearts may be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ And whom are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Col. 2.2 3. And of his fulnesse have we all received and grace for grace Joh. 1.16 Omniae habemus in Christo omnia nobis Christus Ambros LONDON Printed by Robert Young for John Bartlet at the signe of the gilt-cup neere Saint Austens Gate 1640. TO MY MOST DEARELY Beloved and much honoured friends howsoever dignified or distinguished the Inhabitants of Plympton St. Mary the increase of all saving grace and everlasting blisse LOve among the Ancients was pourtrayed and shadowed out by and under the image of a woman cloathed in a greene garment having written in her forehead Procul Propè afarre off and neere at hand in her breast Mors vita life and death in the hemme of her garment Hyems aestas winter and summer in her side Vulnus apertum an open wound thorough which her heart within might be seen My love to you farre from me be all base flattery and selfe-commendation hath beene very fervent like the love of women greene and never withering alwayes fresh and flourishing not only while I was present with you but since I have been absent from you the sense at least of my love hath beene more abundant towards you such hath been my love to you that you were in my heart to live and to dye with you I could willingly in winter and in summer in all changes have continued your servant as Jacob served Labans flock in the heat and in the cold My heart is open to you as a Bridegroomes heart and house is open to receive the Bride and had your former beene like the last manifestations of your love towards me I am assured all the proffers and perswasions of the world should never have drawne me from you Great is the power and strength of affection with which faithfull Ministers love the Lords people as grace is more powerfull then nature so is their love stronger then the love of nature Non minus vos diligo saith Ambrose quos genui ex Evangelio quà m si suscepissem conjugio gratia quippe vehementior est ad diligendum quà m natura I love you no lesse whom I have begotten by the Gospel then if I had begotten you in matrimoniall conjunction because grace hath more energy and vehemency in the way and worke of love then nature And in my unfained love and as a pledge and testimony of my never-dying love I have sent you these papers part of which is the last Legacy I had to bestow upon you at the time of my departure from you It is very usefull for all Christians to renew the memory of the past labours of Gods messengers Every good child desires a copy of his Fathers will to see his Fathers love to know his Fathers gift to remember and observe his Fathers charge and counsell Children within some few dayes after their Fathers death expect the receipt of their parents Legacie and bequeath and loving children are ever very glad to accept and very carefull to keep their parents last gift though of slender worth the last words of Gods Ministers our spirituall parents doe commonly like the words of dying men take the deepest impression in their hearers True Christians thinke often and put great price upon the last labours of Gods Ministers I therefore here present unto you that which I published as my last ministeriall Will and Testament among you with some part of my poore labours since bestowed on others desiring you like loving children to accept it like provident and carefull children to make the humble true and best use of it A small gift well used proves many times an instrument of great inrichment Though I cease to be your Minister and am now no more your Instructer yet I cannot cease to bee your true though weake and unworthy perhaps despised friend and as ointment and perfume according to Solomon rejoice the heart so would I gladly by hearty counsell distill on you the drops of some friendly some Christian and spirituall sweetnesse to the rejoicing and revivement of your soules and as iron sharpens iron so am I willing by some words of admonition exhortation and excitation to sharpen and quicken your affections Let me therefore as a constant lover of your soules and a carefull remembrancer of your welfare intreat and perswade you all 1. To grow in the sight and sense of your sinne Beware of hardnesse keepe your hearts soft and contrite nourish and maintaine all tendernesse in your consciences sense of misery sweetens mercy the feeling of sin breeds both the loathing and leaving of sinne mans sight of his owne vilenesse makes Christ very precious and breeds a low opinion of all worldly excellencies The Hart feeling within him the operation of the serpents poyson goes from the thornes and thickets and passeth over the greene and pleasant pastures desires nothing but the fountaine sense of the venome of sinne and uncleannesse makes man go from the thornes and thickets of worldly cares and riches and passe from the greene medowes of carnall pleasures the soule being restlesse untill it comes to Christ Jesus the fountain of all spirituall refreshments Secondly take heed deceive not your selves with shewes and shadowes in stead of substance with a forme in stead of the power of godlinesse As the Poets fable it of Ixion imbracing a cloud in stead of Juno or as mothers in haste somtimes catch at the swadling clothes and leave the child behind them It is very dangerous to stay and applaud our selves in the ceremony of Religion and godliness not taking with us the Lord Jesus as sometimes Mary and Joseph went on with the multitude for company and left Christ behind them all religious observations prove complementall frivolous and fruitlesse if in them we see not taste not receive not enjoy not Christ religious exercises are lost labours to the soule that gaines not the Lord Jesus Thirdly Be truely meeke and humble bee emptied of all opinion of your owne worth and wisedome this will make you wise unto salvation He that is in the low pits and caves of the earth sees the starres in the firmament when they who are on the tops of the mountaines discerne them not Hee that is most humble sees most of heaven Bona est via humilitatis saith Bernard quâ veritas inquiritur charitas acquiritur generationes sapientiae
their sinne their profane and evill estate it is a great terrour to them it troubles them as the star did i Mat. 2.2 Herod the men of Ierusalem Man can never take pleasure in that fulnesse of light which shineth from Christ Jesus untill hee hath emptied himselfe of the fulnesse of his corruptions Secondly from the want of love to the truth The woman that wants love to her husband readily prostitutes her selfe to strangers The soule that loves not Christ and his truth doth easily open it selfe to corrupt and deceitfull doctrines because they k 2 Thes 2.9 10. received not the love of the truth that they might bee saved for this cause saith the Apostle God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve a lye Corrupt and carnall doctrine is very welcome where the love of the truth is wanting hee that receives not the truth into his affection as well as into his judgement will soone bee drawne from it Under the Law it was usuall for a man that married a l Deut. 24.1 woman if hee loved her not to give her a bill of divorcement and send her out of his house It is common with men under the Gospel who in regard of externall covenant and profession are married to the truth yet afterwards through the want of love they give the truth a bill of divorce and become strangers to it It is love to the truth that causeth man to continue constant with it m Cant. 8.6 7. Love it and you shall never depart from it Thirdly from a desire of novelty Men naturally desire new things as they desire new fashions of apparrell for their bodies so new doctrines for their soules The eye is little affected with the Sun because it shineth every day it much admires a blazing star because but seldome seene Things of greatest worth because common are little esteemed vaine and empty things because new are much regarded Saint Paul tells Timothy that the time will come when men will not n 2 Tim. 4.3 endure sound doctrine but after their owne lusts shall they heap unto themselves teachers having itching eares Men having the itch delight in scraping men over-spred with the loathsome scab of unclean lusts desire to bee soothed daubed flattered in their sinnes and to have their eares tickled and pleased with some new and strange things with o Isay 30.10 smooth things and deceits with the p 1 Cor. 2.3 enticing words of mens wisedome The Israelites q Numb 11.5 loathed the Manna and lusted after the Onions of Egypt Men of corrupt hearts after a while loath the pure and plaine preaching of Christ and fall a lusting after Philosophicall superstitious and vaine doctrines No man so desires change of new and strange doctrines as he that meanes not to change his conversation were the hearts of men truly changed the true and common doctrine of Christ would bee very pleasant the soule would never grow weary of it Fourthly from their estrangement from Christ they discerne not Christs beauties they taste not Christs sweetnesse they feele not Christs goodnesse there is no sutablenesse between Christ and their hearts they have not r Ephes 4.21 learned Christ as the truth is in him they have not learned the wisedome of Christ to bee guided by him the authoritie of Christ to subject themselves unto him the beauties of Christ to admire him the love of Christ to delight themselves in him the death of Christ to mortifie their lusts the resurrection of Christ quickning them to a new life the power of Christ to depend upon him the holinesse of Christ to imitate him the all-sufficiencie of Christ to content themselves with him Christ is to them a ſ Rev. 2.17 hidden Manna whom they taste not they see t Isay 53.2 nothing in him for which they should desire him It is recorded of Agesilaus comming to help the King of Egypt in his distresse that ob corpus incultum vestis vilitatem venit in contemptum ejus gentis hominibus qui sperarunt se visuros Spartanum regem talem qualis esset rex Persarum corpore decentissimè ornatum for the unhansomnesse of his body basenesse of his garment hee was had in contempt among the men of that nation who hoped to have seene a Spartan King such as the King of the Persians most comely adorned in his body So Christ comming to helpe us in our distresse for the want of externall pompe in his Ordinances and worldly glory in his Ministers and Members the splendor of humane eloquence in his doctrines is despised by the men who frame and forme unto themselves a Christ like to one of the mighty Monarches of the earth Hee that discernes not the spirituall beauty of Christ in his doctrine doth easily degenerate to humane superstition Fifthly from the disagreement betweene them and Christs doctrine There is no proportion no likenesse no answerablenesse betweene their hearts and this doctrine they are darknesse and this is light they are carnall and this is spirituall they are from beneath and this is from above their wayes are contrary to it their hearts are full of enmitie against it they hate it as u 1 King 22.8 Ahab hated Micaiah because hee never prophesied good to him Such is the brightnesse the holinesse the power of it that they cannot endure it they are loath to bee searched to have their sinne discovered as Rahel when shee sate upon her Idoll unwilling to bee reproved to have their lusts mortified as David was to have Absolom put to w 2 Sam. 18.3 death and therefore charged the Captaines of his Army to deale gently with the young man The rough handling of profane mens vices makes them weary of Gods ordinances and moves them to seeke out some more gentle and easie doctrines But brethren The vanity of humane doctrine displayed as Solomon sometime said of Laughter It is mad and of Mirth what doth it so let me say to you of this rotten deceitfull and pleasant doctrine It is mad the words of wisedome and sobernesse are not in it and of all humane observations and Philosophicall dictates in the Schoole of Christ What do they Why surely they doe x Isai 8.20 not discover sinne they search as Laban did not as the Master in Ionah did they are but a key of straw they open not the doore of the heart they leave man ignorant of God and himselfe No doctrine can shew us God but that which is from God Secondly they humble not the soul As Zebah Zalmunna said of Iether y Iudg. 8.21 Such as the man is such is his strength so such as the doctrine is such is its strength The Divell regarded not the sonnes of z Acts 19.15 Sceva's adjuration his holds are never cast downe by a humane doctrine Thirdly they nourish not The a Luke 15. Prodigall was like to starve before hee returned to his
fulnesse in Christ so all Christians must worke their hearts to a holy gracious full and constant acquiescence in Christ to stay on Christ to quiet and content themselves in and with Christ never declining from Christ never stepping out nor going aside from Christ to any other helper but as the eye doth quiet it selfe in the fulness of the light of the Sun and looks for no other light the builder quiets himselfe in the strength of the rock and looks out for no other foundation to build upon So let us quiet our selves in Christ and looke for no other guide no other supporter no other helper no other comforter no other Saviour As old Iacob sometime said of Ioseph It is f Gâ—â— 45. â—8 enough Ioseph is yet alive I will goe and see him so let us say It is enough Christ liveth Christ reigneth Christ hath fulnesse wee will goe to him stay on him satiate and delight our soules in him This the Lord requires Hee g Isâ—y 5â— 10 that walkes in darknesse and hath no light let him stay upon the Lord and trust in the name of his God Mat. 6. As the house in the Parable stayed upon the rocke when the windes did blow and the waves did beat thus in the windes and waves of all trouble let us stay on Christ without wavering to this the Lord gives many sweet encouragements h Psal 37. Verse 3. Trust in the Lord with a full a quiet a composed and resolved minde and doe good live graciously walke holily keepe close to God so shalt thou dwell in the land thou shalt not bee dismayed with any feares nor grow impatient with troubles nor bee overcome with sorrowes nor removed from thy station but verily thou shalt bee fed thou shalt enjoy every necessary good thing with a settled quiet contented minde Verse 4. Delight thy selfe also in Lord as a childe in the father as a wife in the husband as a rich man in his treasury delight thy selfe in the commandement of God as in the light which guides thee in the promise of God as in the staffe which sustaines thee in the favour of God as in the warmest Sunne that ever shined upon thee in the attributes of God as in the branches shadowing and streams refreshing thee Thus delight thy selfe in the Lord and hee shall give thee thy hearts desire he shall fully answer all thy holy and gracious desires when thou hast thus fully committed thy selfe unto him and quieted thy selfe with him verse 5. Commit thy way also to the Lord receive all thy direction from him doe all according to his prescription leave the issue of all to his disposition and he shall bring it to passe give it such an issue as shall be greatly for thy comfort verse 7. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him though thou suffer many evils doe not repine doe not limit nor prescribe God doe not step aside from God to any forbidden helpes suppresse the tumults of thy heart and wait as Noah did for the abatement of the waters and comming of the Dove quiet thy selfe in Christ looke upon the authoritie of Christ to dispense all as hee pleaseth upon the wisedome of Christ to make a way for thy soule to escape upon the power of Christ to deliver thee upon the presence of Christ to minister encouragement to thee upon the love of Christ to sweeten the bitterest estate unto thy soule upon the faithfulness of Christ never to forsake thee upon the happines of cleaving close to Christ thogh all the world oppose thee and upon the abundant fulnesse that Christ is to thy soule when all other things are taken from thee and thou shalt solace and stay thy selfe upon Christs fulnesse with a full acquiescence From the fulnesse of the Lord JESUS flowes a full fountaine of consolation to the soules of all beleevers 7. Consolations flowing from Christs fulnesse consolation against all externall wants He cannot bee poore that hath Christ in whom is all fulnesse when hee is spoyled of all hee hath an abiding substance Christ is the Sunne in whom is all light the Pearle in whom is all worth the Tree on whom grows all fruit The Soule which is espoused to the heire of all things hath no cause to complaine of the want of riches hee that enjoyes Christ and distracts himselfe about worldly abilities knowes not his own happinesse under-values the portion which God hath given him having a feast of fat things a rich jewell a living spring a glorious Sunne at home seekes abroad for huskes to feed him drosse to enrich him a glow-worme to warme him and ditch and dirty water to quench the thirst that is within him What is the vintage of Abiezer to the gleanings of Ephraim the onions and garlicke of Egypt to the grapes of Canaan Is Pharphar like Jordan Is the broken cisterne like the fountaine The fulnesse of the world to the fulness of Christ is nothing hee that hath Christ hath the richest portion though he have nothing besides him Here is consolation against the want of carnall friends earthly peace and worldly comforts though Saul cannot be merry without a Fidler Ahab without Naboths vineyard Haman without Mordecays courtesie a man that hath Christ hath that which makes him merry without all these If Plato could tell the Musicians that Philosophers knew how to dine and sup without them much more they who enjoy Christs fulnesse know how to solace themselves in the absence of earthly comforts Here is consolation against all opposing powers in Christ is all fulnesse hee is a Shepheard able to deliver his flock from the Beare and the Lyon hee is a wall of fire able to defend his citizens and burne their enemies hee is a husband able to rescue his Spouse and destroy them that make warre on her as David rescued his wives and destroyed the Amalekites that carried them away captives Here is consolation against all soule infirmities in Christ is all fulnesse fulnesse of mercie to pity and pardon us fulnesse of power to strengthen us fulnesse of grace to heale us fulnesse of love to solace us fulnesse of peace to quiet us and the fulnes of all goodnes to perfect us The Lords servants should not bee so much dejected with the thought of their owne emptinesse and weaknesse as revived and cheared with the meditation of Christs fulnesse CHAP. XI Declaring the inseparable union of Christ's two natures in one person THE third thing in these words is an act dwelleth an act of permanencie and duration expressing the inseparable union between the two natures of Christ in one person the divine dwelling in the humane Man i Ioh. 6.56 1 Ioh. 4.16 dwells in Christ and God by faith as by an instrument by love as by a witnesse of his societie and communion with God and Jesus Christ God and Christ dwell in men by grace and heavenly effects regenerating the hearts of men
readinesse in the ground to receive raine from every cloud a readiness with diligence to follow every good worke 2 Tim. 2.21 as there is a readiness in the hand of a good Scholar to write after every letter in the copie 3 By the fulnesse of liberty and freedome from the rule and power of every sin 3 Fulnesse of liberty from the rule of sin as Josuah put all the Canaanites under so doth fulnesse of grace put downe every lust it suffers no sin to reigne as Asa deposed his owne mother 2 Chr. 15. so doth this the mother sin of the soule the sin that is most deare If the eye offend it plucks it out Mat. 5. if the hand offend it cuts it off it doth not worke by halfes as Saul did but destroyes all as Samuel did 1. Sam. 15 it restores the whole man to liberty the understanding to know as Christ restored the blind man to sight the will to embrace Christ as the man whose hand was withered had it made whole to receive any gift the imagination and affections to mind and meditate upon to love and delight in the things which are above as Christ healed the woman that had a Spirit or infirmity making her able to walke upright it makes the whole man free to move and come to Christ as the Rivers move towards the Sea This the Psalmist termeth an inlarging of the heart to run the way of Gods commandements and where the Spirit of the Lord is Psa 119.32 2. Cor. 3.17 there is liberty saith the Apostle 4 By the fulnesse of mans application of himselfe to Christ 4. Fulnesse of mans application of himselfe to Christ The more fully man receives of Christ the more fully he doth apply himselfe to Christ the more the River receives from the Sea the more strongly speedily and fully it returns again and empties it selfe into the Sea Mans motion to Christ is according to his gracious receivings from Christ where there is fulnes of grace Christ is apprehended as a King for his authority as a most precious Pearl for his worth as a Ransomer for his purchase which he hath made of us as a Bridegroome for his love to us and conjunction with us and as the wife which receives the husband gives her selfe againe unto the husband thus the soule which receiveth Christ doth give it selfe againe to Christ Saint Paul saith of the Macedonians 2 Cor. 8.5 they gave themselves unto the Lord as to their Counselour to direct them as to their Shepheard to feed them as to their King to honour him as to their Lord and Master to serve him as to their Husband to love him to rejoyce and delight in him and bring forth fruit unto him and this is stiled a yeelding vp of our selves to God and a living unto God Ro. 12.1 2. Cor. 5.15 mans subjection unto God and Christ being ever sutable to the power and dominion of grace within him This should perswade and move all men to labour for spirituall and heavenly fulnesse to abound as the Corinthians did Perswasion to this fulnesse in every gift to abound in knowledge as good schollers in learning as the starres in light 2 Cor. 8 7 2 Pet. 3.18 to grow in knowledge In the knowledge of our selves and bee abased In the knowledge of the Law of God and bee reformed by it and conformed to it In the knowledge of the majestie puritie and perfection of God and bee humbled in the apprehension of it In the knowledge of the authoritie and dominion of God and feare to offend him In the knowledge of the power of God and hide our selves under him In the knowledge of the promises of God and build upon them In the knowledge of the bounty of God and bee thankfull In the knowledge of the love of God and be cheerfull In the knowledge of the gracious working of God and ascend to more spirituall perfection In the knowledge of the death of Christ attaining to a greater measure of mortification In the knowledge of the resurrection of Christ being more and more quickned by him In the knowledge of the fulnesse of Christ drawing neerer to him receiving more and more from him more and more solacing quieting and contenting our soules in and with him Let us labour for fulnesse of Faith as the tree increaseth in the fulnesse of his roots Col. 2.7 beeing rooted and built up in Christ and stablished in the faith abounding therein with thankesgiving Let us strive to bee full of love as a fire of much wood is full of heat and as the bride is full of love even sick of love towards the bridegroome to bee full of joy with the light of Gods countenance as the favourite is full of joy with the Kings countenance the light of the Kings countenance being unto him as life and his favour as a cloud of the latter raine O let us endevour to bee full of the holy Ghost full of the fruits of the Spirit as a good orchard is full of all sorts of fruit And the better to provoke our soules to this let us meditate Upon the fulnesse of that power which doth oppose the welfare of our soules Foure meditations moving to this fulnes 1. Fulness of opposing power There is a fulnesse of sinne a fulnesse of Satan a fulnesse of worldly vanities which without a fulnesse of grace we can never withstand subdue and cast downe When the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon Sampson he rent the Lyon Iudg. 14. when the Spirit of the Lord cometh mightily in the fulnesse of his grace upon us then Satan the roaring Lyon is put to flight then his workes are dissolved then the strong holds of sinne are cast downe and the soule prevaileth Therefore the Apostle chargeth us to bee strong in the Lord and in the power of hâ—s might to put on the whole armour of God that wee may bee able to stand against the wiles of the Divell 2. Sweet agreâ—ment beâ—ween Heaâ—t and Word Upon the sweet agreement which will arise from this fulnesse betweene our heâ—rts and the word of God This will make the commandement an easie yoke a plaine path this will make the Word sweet and pleasant as the light unto a cleare eye wine unto a thirsty palate or meat to a healthy and hungry stomacke or the voyce of the bridegroome to the bride when her heart is full of love towards him 3. Satisfaction which it ministreth Iâ—h 4.14 Ioh. 7. Mat. 13.44 Upon the satisfaction and contentment which this fulnesse of grace will minister to the soule It will bee as a living spring as floods of water within us quenching our thirst and taking off all our longings from the world it will bee to us as the pearle to the Merchant in the Parable in stead of all worldly treasure it will content us in every estate bee in stead of all to our soules
ignorance and ingratitude speaking out of the ardencie of his affection in a patheticall manner to them If thou hadst knowne thou that art the head Citie of Judah the habitation of God in respect of his Temple a holy Citie in respect of thy profession the lampe and light of the Church in respect of the residence of the Priests and Prophets in that place and yet shee knew not the things belonging to her peace Much common knowledge is often attended with damnable and damning ignorance they had been often punished wasted embondaged againe restored Christ came preached proffered salvation but they knew not Christ as the Sonne of God Isa 53.2 as the Prince of peace to reverence him but despised him as one that had no forme nor comelinesse they knew him not as the Way Ioh. 14.6 the Truth the Life by a lively faith to lay hold upon him as the Prophet from whom they were to receive instruction as their husband in regard of love and affection as their Lord and Master in regard of subjection And because they did not so know acknowledge receive him the things belonging to their peace were hidden from them Many things might here bee noted but their unprofitablenesse ingratitude rebellion under so great meanes afforded them being that for which our Saviour Christ did chiefly lament and weepe over them and for which especially hee did upbraid them you may see that The estate of that person or people is very dolefull Doct. which continueth barren and unprofitable under the plentifull and powerfull meanes of salvation whether it bee a publicke nation a private congregation or particular person which thrives not under the meanes of life their estate is much to be bewailed This is manifest by our Saviours commination c Math. 11.20 21. Woe bee unto thee Chorazin woe bee unto thee Bethsaida if the mighty workes which have been done in thee had been done in Tyre and Sydon they would have repented long agoe in sackcloth and ashes therefore it shall bee easier for Sodome and Gomorrah in the day of judgement then for thee Where God hath most abounded in his goodness he will be most severe in his punishments if the people remaine unfruitfull abused mercie is the forerunner of the greatest misery the impure conversation of the people the heavy judgements ready to surprize them for their barrennesse disobedience and prosligate kinde of life under the plentifull meanes of grace ministred to them caused the Prophet to wish Ier. 9.1 that his head were teares and his eyes a fountaine to weep day and night for the daughter of his people And for this another Prophet crieth out Woe is me Mic. 7.1 2 for I am as when they have gathered Summer fruit as the grape gleanings of the vintage there is no cluster to eate The good man is perished out of the earth there is none upright among men c. And thus the Lord expressed as in a type by a girdle bought Ier. 23.1 girt about the Prophets loines and afterwards rotten by the river Euphrates and so cast away as good for nought that Israel might see how God had brought them out of Egypt exalted them above all nations joyned them neere unto himselfe as a girdle about his loynes but in the multitude of their prerogatives and priviledges they corrupted themselves grew obstinate and were rejected of the Lord and the estate of such people is very dolefull First in regard of Frustration they having frustrated the labours of Gods faithfull Ministers all the work of their Ministery in regard of any saving good to their soules hath been as the powring of water upon the rocke the sowing of seed upon the sand the lighting of a candle to the blinde As David said of his labour and care about Nabal 1 Sam. 25.21 In vaine have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wildernesse So may the Lord say In vaine have I set my Ministers as watchmen upon their walls in vaine have they like husbandmen planted manured watered the soules of the people and there is no fruit Thus the flower of the Prophets in the person of Christ Jesus complained of old Isâ— 49.4 I have laboured in vaine I have spent my strength for nought Secondly in regard of Inexcusablenesse they have no cloake for their sinne they cannot say as Abimilech did in another case to Saul 1 Sam 22.15 Thy servant knew noâ—hing of all this lesse or more The presence of the meanes of grace amongst them is a great aggravation of their corruption their sin without the means is not simply but comparatively no sinne Ioh. 15.22 2 Cor. 3.10 As the glory of the Law though very glorious had no glory as the Apostle speaketh in this respect by reason of the glory of the Gospel which excelleth so that which was sinne before though very great sinne yet was no sinne in comparison of their sinne now joyning malice and wilfull obstinacie to their ignorance Thirdly in regard of Perversion They are by accident made the worse by the meanes of life As some diseased eyes are made the more blinde through the brightnesse of the light some stomackes are made more sicke by good physicke So accidentally through the great strength and power of their corruption the Word is made the savour of death to death to some Plutarch relates of the Tygers Si quis tympanis circumsonet in rabiem aguntur adeo ut seipsas denique discerpant And thus many people of a savage disposition are disquieted perplexed inraged to heare the sweet and heavenly musicke which the Word maketh Fourthly in regard of Desertion The Lord will leave such a people as a Physician doth the Sick Ier. 51.9 Isa 5.3 4. which are incurable the Husbandman the Field which after much cost paine care labour remaineth still barren the Lord will leave such to Satan to blinde and harden them to deceivers to seduce to the allurements of the world to ensnare them to their owne lusts to rule over them to hell at last to swallow them Fifthly in regard of Condemnation These shall have the greatest condemnation the more favours the more torments Capernaum that was exalted to heaven temporally Mat. 11.25 excelling all the cities of Galilee in greatnesse noblenesse worldly fulnesse exalted to heaven spiritually in regard of Christs bodily presence preaching miracles which hee wrought there for her ingratitude obstinacie plenitude of all profanenesse is brought downe to hell in regard of temporall devastation and everlasting destruction This by way of humiliation Use must teach every one of us to acknowledge and bewaile our barrennesse obstinacie disobedience under that plentifull meanes of grace which God doth minister to us and to humble our selves under the mighty hand of God for it 1 Sam. 1.10 Hanna was much grieved in great b tternesse of soule considering the barrennesse of her womb and shee prayed and wept sore let us in like
home the waters which are drawne out of the Wells of salvation as in firme and sure vessels by engraving upon your hearts as letters written with a pen of Iron or the point of a Diamond that it may never bee blotted out by ruminating and meditating thereupon day and night writing them upon the tables of your hâ—arts Pro. 7.2 3 4. keeping them as the apple of your eye binding them as jewels and precious stones upon your fingers in regard of your affection to them high estimation carefull preservation continuall remembrance of them singular delight in them let them be to you as sisters and kinswomen for your daily commemoration of them familiar communion and acquaintance with them Bee fruitfull in your affections let your love grow as the waters which flowed out under the Temple Ezek. 47.5 1 King 18 44 45. as the Cloud which was first no bigger then a mans hand and at length so great that it covered the whole heavens let it grow to a great love to a flaming and a burning fire a fire so strong that no floods be able to quench it to a love like Jonathans love to David a love surpassing the love of women to their children O love the Lord all ye his Saints Ps 35.23 saith the Psalmist love him with a childs love a friends love a wifes love love him with all manner of love love him purely in regard of the spring whence your love ariseth love him sincerely for the quality love him fervently for the measure love him continually constantly for the time love him universally for the extent love him in his Attributes as a God of power supporting a God of wisedome guiding a God of mercy forgiving love him in his Creatures as an Almighty Maker love him in his Word as a King prescribing lawes of obedience as a friend revealing his counsels declaring the riches of his mercies love him in Christ Jesus as a Father love him in his children as the fountaine of all grace and sanctification Bee fruitfull in all your sufferings As spices the more bruised the more fragrant resemble the fire in Nymphaeus which if we give credit to Pliny imbribus fit ardentior let all your sufferings be as Schoolemasters teaching fires purging trumpets awakening spurres quickning Zac. 10.9 winds driving neerer to God come forth of the fornace of affliction as gold out of the fire be able to say out of experience to Satan tempting to the world hating Gen. 50.20 traducing persecuting as Joseph said to his brethren Ye thought evill against me but God meant it unto good as it is this day Be fruitfull in your Callings Ministers in teaching Magistrates in governing every man in his particular Calling As every member in the body the head eyes hands feet are all profitable in their places so should each of us be fruitfull in the station wherein the Lord hath set us Every wheele in the clock hath his motion doth his part every starre in the firmament sendeth forth his influence giveth his light so must every person in that politicall or ecclesiastical orb where God hath set him abide and be fruitfull 1 Cor. 7.24 6 Be fruitfull in all your Actions in your hearing as fields receiving good seed in your prayers draw some water out of Gods well let not thy prayer returne empty Heb. 10.24 but like Noahs Dove with an olive branch of some comfort in your meetings Consider one another provoke one another to good workes in your speeches let your tongue be as choice silver Pro. 10.20 21. and fruitfull pasture for the purity sincerity profitablenesse enrichment of others feeding filling the hungry rejoycing the sorrowfull strengthening the weake by your gracious communication as by a spirituall banquet in your families let every man wife Luke 1.6 like Zachary and Elizabeth walk in all the ordinances of God and be blameles every master like Abraham Gen. 18.19 command his people to keepe the way of the Lord every servant like Joseph in Potiphars house so religious towards God so observant of his master so faithfull in his Calling that all his undertakings may be prosperous every son and daughter so attentive to the parents instruction so full of grace and godlinesse that they may make glad the hearts of their parents be an ornament to their families as the flowers to the garden every subject so loyall faithfull and obsequious to his Soveraigne that he prove both an honour and strength to the Kingdome every houshold like Philemons house Philem. vers 2. a Church of God in regard of holy instructions there delivered religious duties there observed in regard of the lively faith and holy life of such as live in it thus let us endevour to be fruitfull thus let us grow in grace Hearken beloved how Saint Paul perswades you We beseech you brethren 1 Thes 4.1 and exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walke and to please God so ye would abound more and more Consider deare Christians how Saint Peter presseth it 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. Giving all diligence adde to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godlinesse And to the end you may be fruitfull under the meanes you must be 1 Carefull in preparing a prepared field is made fruitfull by the seed and a prepared soule receiveth much benefit by the ordinances of the Lord you must put iniquity farre away from you Job 11.13 by desertion detestation declination of every occasion leading thereunto Gen. 43.24 Josephs brethren washed their feet made ready their present when they were to come before him and bowed themselves unto the earth and then Joseph made them eat and drinke and they were merry with him thus when we come before our Joseph our God and our Christ Isa 1.16 we must wash and be cleane wee must make ready our eare to heare our heart to pray and present our petition before the Lord and then the Lord Jesus will sup with us feast and feed us and make us merry Rev. 3.20 Isa 56.7 joyfull with him in his Ordinances 2 Diligent in frequenting the house of God the place where the meanes is we must wisely forecast all our businesse that we be not hindered husband our time well that we may have time to spare for good duties Cleanthes carried water by night that he might not be hindered from studying the Liberall Sciences by day thus should we rather worke by night then be absent from the house of Christ by day It is a foule shame that Shops Tavernes Market places nay the house of Baal 2 Kin. 10.20 21. should be full and the house of God empty If you purpose to be fruitfull you must attend on the Ministers of the Lord as Lydia did on Paul Act. 16.14 the lame man at Bethesda as Suiters
Clients wait day by day and houre by houre at the gates of Princes and Counsellours to have their suits heard causes favoured petitions granted thus must wee wait daily upon the posts of the Lords house and then we shall be blessed Pro. 8.34 3 Holy fervent and frequent prayer pray for a powerfull and faithfull ministry for a zealous and godly Magistracy in every Corporation and Congregation in the Kingdome for an universall reformation in every particular family Hanna was in bitternesse of spirit prayed 1 Sam. 1.10 and her barren womb was opened and made fruitfull thus fervent prayer is an instrument of great antemnae quò altius malo affiguntur eò velocius navim impellunt and they render the reason quia virtus movens quò est remotior à centro eò velocior validior so in this case the more the mind thoughts and affections of a Christian are raised up the more strong speedy and cheerfull he is in his spirituall motion the more fruitfull in every religious and holy undertaking therefore according to that of the Apostle Col. 3.1 2. If you be risen with Christ seeke those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Thus of what we are to gather from the first branch of this text our Saviours Commiseration next followeth his Exprobration of them wherein we may behold 1. The reason why our Saviour did upbraid them their ignorance they knew not They had Cognitionem Historicam but not Mysticam they had Cognitionem speculativam but not affectivam they had Cognitionem apprehensionis but not Approbationis they had Cognitionem discursivam but not Experimentalem Thus they knew not Christ in regard of affection he was as a stranger whom they loved not in regard of affiance as a withered reed on whom they leaned not in regard of feare as a Carpenters sonne a poore man whom they reverenced not in regard of joy and estimation hee was to their eye as a face in which is no beauty nor comelinesse Thus were they ignorant 2. Here is the matter whereof they were ignorant the things belonging to their peace happinesse and everlasting welfare Peace cometh of a word signifying perfection it compriseth in a large sense the whole welfare of soule and body Peace in regard of the Subject where it resideth 1 Thess 5.3 Rom. 14.17 Judg. 4.17 is either carnall or spirituall in regard of the Object or parties with whom wee embrace it it is either civill between man and man Gal. 5.22 or Christian between Gods children Ephes 2.14 or divine and heavenly between God and the soule of man in regard of the Adjunct Psa 121.6 2 King 20 19. Rom. 12.18 Phil. 4.7 it is either publicke of the Church or Common-wealth or private between our selves and our neighbours or secret between each particular person and his owne conscience The peace here spoken of is a spirituall and heavenly peace between God and their soules a peace in regard of the fountaine flowing originally from God the Father Phil. 4.7 Isa 53.5 the cause meriting Christs sufferings the instrument revealing and working it Eph. 6.15 the Gospel the medium by and through which it is revealed Col. 1.20 the Sonne of God the Mediator the cause efficient Rom. 14.17 Isa 54.13 Isa 57.20 the holy Spirit the subject receiving it the heart sanctified They knew that true peace consisted in having perfect communion with God but that the preaching of the Gospel was the instrument and Christ the procuring cause of it they knew not and for this they were upbraided Here is the amplification of their ignorance Mat. 3.1 taken from the season In this thy day Day generally signifieth time specially a naturall or artificiall day Ios 11.9 but usually in Scripture day is three wayes taken First Psa 90.9 there is dies vitae as the day is short full of changes and attended with the night so is the life of man of small continuance subject to many changes ever waited on by death Secondly there is dies doctrinae 1 Cor. 3.13 the day is lightsome discovereth things hidden such is the nature and such is the effect of the word of God Rom. 13.12 Thirdly there is dies gratiae this is the day here mentioned a time wherein God offered mercie to them fitly resembled to the day in regard of Revelation without the Gospel it is all night all darkness In regard of Adornation the Gospel the meanes of grace is the crowne honour beauty of a place or people as the day is the glory of the world In regard of Consolation the day is pleasant Eccles 11.7 It is a pleasant thing to the eye to behold the light so are the meanes and times of grace pleasant comfortable to the souls of the people In regard of Distinction the day distinguisheth one thing from another so under the meanes of grace Jer. 15.19 the pretious are separated from the vile the chosen from the reprobate In regard of speedie preterition a day is soone gone so is the meanes of grace soone removed a night of uncomfortable darknesse brought upon us if wee make not vse of the meanes when we have it which is the 4th and last thing here observable their deprivation of the meanes of grace the things belonging to their peace were hidden from their eyes the punishment of their former ignorance contempt rebellion barrennesse ingratitude they were left in their blindnesse From the exclamation and amplification our Saviour upbraiding them for their ignorance depriving them of the meanes of life for their barrennesse blindnesse disobedience under it we may learne that Doct. It is very dangerous and fearfull for any people or person to neglect the meanes and times of grace which God doth offer them There was a Law in the dayes of Moses that when they came to fight against a Citie Deut. 20.10 11 12 13. peace must bee proclaimed if they would not accept the peace proffered and become tributaries then they should besiege it and when the Lord had delivered it into their hands they should smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword In like sort the Lord by the ministery of the word laieth siege to our soules proffereth conditions of peace but if wee refuse peace when hee offers it and will not bee reconciled and will not become tributaries to him but deny to him the tribute of love above all creatures the tribute of obedience before all persons the tribute of dependance in all estates and conditions the tribute of contrition confession for all offences the tribute of humiliation at the apprehension of our present vilenesse the tribute of thankfulnesse for all received mercies if wee refuse this the Lord will besiege us with an Armie of fearfull plagues and punishments and at length miserably destroy us hee
into the same or greater evills The sinne of one man would be the sinne of every man did not God restraine him Secondly by way of commemoration I may tell you First how hee professed much sorrow for his sinnes Mans sin doth ever prove mans sorrow it is the shame of man to commit sin it is the honour of man to confesse and forsake his sin though sorrow constrained and carnall be alwaies unacceptable yet true and godly sorrow is ever availeable to salvation He that sowes in tears shall reap in joy Psa 126.5 Secondly he promised reformation greater strictnesse of life if God were pleased to lengthen his dayes though the vowes of mâ—ns adversitie be often forgotten in the dayes of mans prosperitie yet resolutions truly gracious are with God as the very performance Thirdly he spake of a great change which God of late had wrought in him Hee that is not changed by the gracious hand of God in this life is never received by the merciful hand of God in the next life the procrastinâ—tion of repentance is ever very perillous yet God is free in the dispensations of his mercies not limited to times and seasons Fourthly the rehearsal of Gods mercies upon condition of true repentance seemed much to affect him As hee is cursed that turnes the grace of God into wantonnesse so hee is blessed who by Gods mercies is lead to true repentance And let all this admonish us to labour for timely and true repentance to vow amendment and performe it to feele our hearts truly changed Gods mercies powerfully drawing our soules to obedience by fervent prayer increasing our communion with God enriching our soules more and more with all heavenly gifts and graces that wee may at last with great comfort and much assurance say Come Lord Jesus FINIS SAINT PAULS LEGACIE 2 COR. 13.11 Finally brethren farewell Be perfect be of good comfort bee of one minde live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you EVery communion amongst men on earth hath his dissolution be it never so entire never so sinne never so delightfull yet at length there comes a separation the sweetest fellowship the societie which is most intimate hath the cords and chains thereof at length dissolved Communion with God is everlasting communion with man is transitory and temporall The Arke was transportative removing from place to place till it came to Solomons Temple such is mans condition subject to continuall change and motion till he comes to heaven where Gods people shall have an endlesse and unchangeable communion The fellowship betweene Abimelech and the men of Shechem was very strong and intimate they were a Iudg. 9.23 bone of bone and flesh of flesh yet at length there came an evill Spirit between them and they were divided Great is the enmitie of Sathan against mens sweet and comfortable communion Abraham and Lot sweetly conversed and dwelt for divers dayes together yet at length they parted b Gen. 13.6 their substance was so great that they could not dwell together Much sweet communion commerce between Gods people is often hindered by the fulnesse of the world Singular was the friendship pleasant was the fellowship between Jonathan and David their love was c 2 Sam. 1.26 wonderfull passing the love of women yet by an arrow in the battell Jonathan fell and their sweet commerce was ended Death dissolveth all humane fellowship Eliah and Elisha enjoyed many dayes most blessed and gracious communion together yet at length it came to passe that as they d 2 King 2.11 went and talked there appeared a Chariot of fire and Horses of fire and parted them both asuâ—der God doth often remove the dearest friends and comforters of his servants to learne them to depend alone upon Christ Jesus God doth sometimes take away the Guides and Teachers of his people to let them see that the choycest instruments of mans happinesse are not of everlasting continuance Saint Paul had been for divers dayes a preacher to the men of Corinth preaching to them many powerfull and heavenly sermon delivering to them many found and wholsome Doctrine writing also a first and second Epistle yet his ministery was not for perpetuity nor his presence of everlasting continuance a time of separation came and his labours drew to an end and in these words hee takes hiâ— last leave and farewell of them â—â—nally brethren farewell Bee perfect bee of good comfort bee of one minde live iâ— peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you The Apostle Saint Paul had in this whole Epistle sharply rebuked the Corinthians for opposing his doctrine for slighting and despising his admonition and now that they might not thinke he either spake or wrote out of hatred or distemper of spirit many arguments and evidences of his great and singular love are intermixed chiefly in this his conclusion mitigating all the severitie and bitternesse which hee seemed to use towards them concluding and shutting up all in a holy sweet and gracious exoptation or wish of all perfection consolation peace concord and communion with God unto them Finally brethren farewell Bee perfect c. The Lord who giveth e Ephes 4.10 some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the worke of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ The Lord who f Jerem. 3.15 gives his people Pastors according to his owne heart to feed them with knowledge and understanding hath in the course of his gracious providence made me for more than fifteene yeares an under-overseer of your soules wherein as his weake and fraile feeble and unworthy instrument I have been the Lords and your servant endevouring though neither with such diligence and industry as I should nor with that blessed and plentifull successe which I desire and wish to open Gods counsell to propose and set forth Christ before your eyes to make him glorious in your apprehension to humble your soules to convert your hearts to draw you by faith and love to Christ the complete and onely Authour of your everlasting welfare And now as Saint Paul said sometimes to the men of Ephesus g Acts 20.25 Behold I know that yee all among whom I have here stood preaching the kingdome of God shall after this day in all likelihood behold my face in this place no more being now to you as a dying man whose last breath is going forth as a starre setting and rising no more in this horizon as a lampe going out and shining no more in this your house of sacred meeting As a man dying and loth to dye I shall in the ardencie of my love and great anguish of my spirit in the words wish of S. Paul take my last leave and valediction Finally brethren farewell Be perfect be of good comfort be of one minde live iâ— peace and the God of love and peace be with you In