but Christ is inwardly revealed and the Soul is convinced this is Christ. 2. By forming Christ in a Man Gal. 4.19 I travel in birth till Christ be formed in you that is that he be imbraced by your Faith and held fast in your Soul and your Souls are made to live by Christ and to Christ so as that it may appear in your Conversation that Christ is in your Hearts from both gather that where Christ is truly known he is revealed in a Man the Soul comes to see and to be acquainted with Christ yea Christ is known not only Speculatively but Experimentally Christ is formed the power of Christ's acts and works in the whole Soul and when Christ is thus known then is there that Excellency of Knowledge see Phil. 3.8 9. where Observe three things wherein the Excellency and Experimentalness of this Knowledge appears to be in a Man 1. There is an accounting all things but dung that a Man suffers the loss of for Jesus Christ many Men may suffer the loss of Goods for Christ's saâ—e that yet it may be have not attained to this Excellency of Knowledge but such an Excellency of Knowledge such a high degree of Prizing Christ as to look on Honour on Riches the best of Worldly Accommodations as Dung that can part with them yea utterly contemn them and cast them away as Dung and Filth so I may enjoy Christ and have Communion with him this is Excellency of Knowledge 2. A Man will be found trusting in Christ alone for his Justification he knows no Righteousness no Merit of his own no Duties that he will be found in and plead for his Acceptance with God he sees abominableness in his best Performances Iniquity in his most holy things so that cannot render him beloved but the more abhored but he sees perfect Righteousness in Christ no stain no defect in it and that his Beauty and Renown may be perfect through his Comeliness that Christ's Righteousness is a perfect covering for all his Spots and Deformities which if cast on him that then he is so perfectly Justified that God shall not see Iniquity in him and that if it be sought it shall not be found and that Christ's Righteousness is not like that Covering Isa 28.20 that 's narrower than a Man can wrap himself â—n it If the greatest Sinner can wrap himself in this Covering it will be enough to hide all his Iniquities 3. There is a knowledge of the Power of Christ's Death and Resurrection that is 〈◊〉 knows and feels a Power of Christ 's death which makeâ— him conformable unto his death whereby his old man is Crucified as Christ was Sin ceases to reign in him the strength of corruption is abated in him and a Power of his Resurrection whereby you have been quickned and made to live a life of Grace such a life as Christ lived that is to glorify God on Earth by doing his will 6. Your Knowledge must be an affectionate knowledge A knowledge of the Excellency of Christ in such a manner as that your hearts be enflamed with love to him Knowledge is sometime put for Love 1 Cor. 8.3 or else it is to be interpreted as taking love to it as John 10.15 As the Father knoweth me so I know the Father that is because the Knowledge of God must infer love As the Father loves the Son as Beza And certainly there is that in Christ which will beget love if it be rightly known John 10.17 So the Father loveth me because I lay down my life So if we come to know the love of Christ in laying down his life and the unspeakable good that comes thereby we shall love him Cant. 1.3 therefore the Virgins love thee and Chap. 2.3.4 Let me ask that question of you as Christ of Peter John 21. Lovest thou me Do you love Christ So will you if you know him Yea as he said Lovest thou me more then these If you do you love him above all other Excellencies more than these Bodies than these Estates than these Friends c. 7. Your Knowledge must be Operative Excellency of Knowledge will beget an excellent practise a good conversation 2 Pet. 1.8 They shall not be barren in the Knowledge of Christ Rev. 22.4 They shall see his Face and his Name shall be in their foreheads that is shall know him and outwardly profess him where Christ is seen his Name his Honour and Dignity is born forth in a Christian practise held out in a holy Conversation Rev 21.24 in the description of the New Jerusalem i. e. the Church 't is said The Lamb is the Light of it whence follow two things 1. The Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it They that have light saving knowledge and are in the way to be saved they shall walk in the light of it having this Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ they shall walk by it they shall walk according to the Lamb's precepts 2. The Kings of the Earth do 〈◊〉 their Glory and Honour to it that is to the â—â—mb that is light c. 1. They shall subject thâ—â— Glory and Honour to the Honour and Excellency of Christ reigning in his Church They shall acknowledge all to be inferior to his their Glory shall stoop and bow to Christ as the Moon and Stars made obeisance to Joseph in his Dreâ—m 2. If 〈◊〉 Glory Honour Power may add any Glory to Christ or may help to make this Jerusalem a praise and afford any benefit to the Saints they shall bring it in and freely give it up So where there is the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ all Glory and Honour will be made to stoop to Christ and all given up and laid forth in the cause of Christ you will rejoyce to spend your selves and Estates and be spent in that way wherein Christ may be magnified the Gospel advanced the Church profited the Saints comforted and refreshed 3. Means to get this Knowledge 1. See a necessity of attaining this knowledge without which you shall never obtain Life and Salvation This is Life Eternal c. If you want this knowledge you must be destroyed Vengeance is to be rendred on all that know not God To whom should we go said Peter thou hast the Words of Eternal Life Every one that will not labour to get the knowledge of Christ must needs perish Hos 4.6 Isa 33.6 Wisdom and Righteousness shall be the stability of thy times and strength of Salvation Do as the Wise Man exhorts Prov. 2.2 so that thou incline thine Eear unto Wisdom and apply thine Heart to Vnderstanding Yea if thou eryest after Knowledge and liftest up thy voice for Understanding 2. Look not on Christ after the Flesh 2 Cor. 5.16 Henceforth know we no Man after the Flesh no not Christ What is it not to know a Man after the Flesh This is not to regard those Outward and Carnal Excellencies by which a Man gets esteem above
He will esteem thy Reproaches c. and thy parting with wealth for his sake 2. Better Riches in regard of better gain by them the gain of Grace Spiritual consolation of a Kingdom c. If sufferings for Christ abound consolations abound more 6. The love of Christ is every thing we need this is the Gold that will make us rich Money answers all things but 't is most true concerning the love of Christ 1 Cor. 15.28 That God may be all in all so he is in himself and by love he is all things to the Saints Christ's love is Grace and Glory and every good thing Jacob might well say to Esau I have all Gen. 33.11 So 't is in the Original because God said Jacob have I loved 7. The love of Christ is such that it will make him when glorified serve the Saints As their Duty is to serve one another in love so Christ doth this he did in his state of humiliation but how much more to be admired is this Luke 12.37 Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching verily I say unto you he shall gird himself and come forth and serve them Here we may say as the Disciples when Christ said a little while and ye shall not see me and then a little while and you shall see me we know not what he saith we are not to understand it after a carnal manner Christ did serve his Disciples at his last Supper he feasted them with himself as Crucified and with the benefits of his Death In his Kingdom he shall feast them with his Glory and with himself as glorified in that he feasted them now with signs of himself in this with himself in sight shewing all his Riches and Glory to them John 16.14 Christ promising the Spirit said he shall receive of mine and shew it unto you this he doth in the conversion of a sinner shewing the Righteousness Merits Power and Wisdom and Love to his Saints but when Christ himself shall appear then he himself shall shew them all that he is and hath here is my righteousness the price and value of my Blood her 's my Love and Grace her 's my Glory He kept the Passover with his Disciples feasting them with the benefits of his Death in a large upper-room furnished c. Heaven is indeed the large upper-room furnished there Christ is feasting the Spirits of just men made perfect with the Glory of his Life he shall shew his Glory as having the fulness of the Godhead in him as the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth as a Prince and Saviour as a Bridegroom Joseph said to his Brethren ye shall tell my Father of my Glory in Egypt Christ shall when he appears tell the Saints of all his Glory in Heaven and let them see and hear that which Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard c. as Hezekiah shewed to the Ambassadors of the King of Babylon the House of his precious things and there was nothing of worth which he shewed not unto them This is the Entertainment that Christ will give c. What encouragement is this to be found in those duties to which this Promise is made That is Seek the Kingdom of God give Alms lay up Treasures in Heaven let your Loins be girt Lamps burning be like men waiting for their Lord This is farther set forth Math. 26.29 I will drink no more of the fruit of the Vine until I drink it new with you c. Quest What is that Wine Answ Contraries illustrate one another now in Rev. 14.10 there is mention of the Wine of Wrath without mixture as the portion of the wicked on the other side then the Wine of Love without mixture is the portion of the Saints Pure Wrath is the portion of the Ungodly pure love the portion of the Godly Evil without mixture of good is the portion of the Wicked Good without mixture of Evil shall be given to the Saints Wicked men shall not have so much as a drop of Water to cool their Tongues Saints not so much as a spark of Fire to torment them Thus we see what Riches of Love there are in Christ which we should be careful not to despise nor abuse by indulging our selves in any evil way because we hear of such Riches of Love If any shall turn Grace into Lasciviousness they may know that there is fury that shall smoke against such Behold the goodness and severity of God goodness to such as continue in his goodness but severity to such as abuse his goodness as who knows the Power of his Love so who knows the Power of his Wrath His Love is above our Faith and his Wrath above our Fear Learn then to love Christ because he loves to live to him because he loves please him serve him deny our selves take his Yoke because he loves and take heed we do not that abominable thing which he hates take heed of that abominable thing Covetousness of that abominable thing Pride Lying Deceit Hypocrisy Lukewarmness and remember that he that loves Saints so much hates sin as much and he looks that those whom he loves should love him and hate the thing that is Evil. CHAP. IV. 2. THere are in Christ Riches of Righteousness Rom. 5.17 They which receive abundance of Grace and the Gift of Righteousness Abundance relates to both there is abundance of Grace giving and abundance of Righteousness given there is uncreated Righteousness in Christ as God which is Infinite Perfect Unchangeable so there is Riches of it and no Iniquity in him Christ may challenge all as God did the Jews what Iniquity have your Fathers found in me Jer. 2.5 There is also the Righteousness of Christ as Mediator which is twofold 1. In his works for Men. 2. In his works towards Men. First In his works for Men being a surety and representative undertaking to fulfil that Righteousness for them which they could not for themselves that hereby he might reconcile them to God and make them stand as just in his sight Here consider 1. Christ's Righteousness fulfilled for the Elect is a full and compleat Righteousness Christ taking the form of a Servant did fulfil the Law both for matter and manner substance and circumstances The Law requires not more active and passive Obedience than Christ yielded The Law is exceeding broad Christ's Righteousness as broad as that The Law was Spiritual so was Christ's Obedience Sin was infinite in Evil because committed against an infinite Person Christ's Righteousness had infinite good in it infinite Glory because fulfilled by an infinite Person who obeying was Equal with the Person commanding Obedience and demanding satisfaction for man's disobedience so that here are Riches of Righteousness Paul had good reason to be found in it What a glorious change is wrought by its imputation it makes a sinner a righteous Person By the Obedience of one many shall be made Righteous 2. It 's
find out a way wherein Sinners should be saved by the Satisfaction of Justice and yet by Free Grace they could not have found any therefore the Angels desire to look into these things 1 Pet. 1.12 Christ died for our Offences the Son of God that was made Man so made compleat satisfaction we have a Righteousness by which we are Justified yet Justified freely by his Grace see this Eph. 1.7 and Rom. 3.24 and Psa 85.10 where is a Prophecy begun ver 9. of a Spiritual Restoration from the miserable condition a Man is in by reason of Sin unto a glorious Estate of Happiness of which the delivery from the Tyranny of Antiochus was a Type which the Prophet hath respect to as Interpreteâ—s conceive which is spoken of Dan. 8. â—4 Now in what way is it that Redemption is wrought out that the Psalmist shews ver 10. Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other 3. See the Party offended upon the Cross satisfying for those Offences which were committed against himself the great God that was wronged Righting himself him that was dishonoured repairing his own Honour This is a great Mystery behold him made Sin against whom Sin was commited see him that was the Just God to punish Sin and will not clear the guilty bearing the Griefs and carrying the Sorrows of Sinners him making his Soul an Offering for Sin whose Heart was vext and grieved by Sin As God equal with the Father he was the Party Offended As God and Man he was Mediator so he satisfies for the Offence 4. In that Men are Justified Redeemed and Saved by Christ's being Crucified on the Cross to which Crucifixion they set a helping hand this is a Mystery that Men should be saved by the Death of Christ which they were the cause of A Man could not have conceived this that those might be Eternally saved by Christ's Death that did help to put him to death and that that blood should take away all guilt the guilt whereof lies on Men. His Blood be on us said the Jews that is in the guilt of it which surely was a most horrible Crime yet by that Blood they may be saved there was a Vertue in that Blood to take away the guilt of that Blood and all other Sins from them Is not this an admirable Mystery See it Zach. 12.10 Revelat. 1.7 Act. 2.38 39. 5. In that all the Elect suffered punishment of their Sins and satisfied the Justice of God in Christ's being fastned to the Cross and so by Christ's once offering of himself are for ever perfected Christ was a common Person As in Adam all die all sinned so in Christ the second Adam all suffered the Sins of all the Elect were laid on him were imputed to him and he satisfied for them all And so the Elect may reckon themselves to have suffered and satisfied according to that of the Apostle Rom. 6.10.11 In that he dyed he dyed unto Sin once c. likewise reckon you your selves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord that place is meant concerning mortification of Sin and is to comfort Believers in that the work of Mortification is yet imperfect This is true as if the Apostle had said if you look on your selves for the present in reality you are but imperfectly mortified but you may reckon your Selves to be perfectly mortified by being in Christ your head who was a common Person on the Cross and you all were reckoned to be in him and you may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reason or reckon your selves wholly dead in and through Christ Now as for Justification that you may truly reckon to be perfect and compleat your guilt is wholly taken off and you acquitted and discharged in Christ's dying 2. Here is a mystery of Love in the Crucifying of Christ Infinite Love appears 1. Of the Father as under the Cross of Christ is contained a Mystery of Infinite Wisdom of the Father which the Apostle speaks of Eph. 1.8 In Redemption by Christ he hath abounded towards us in all Wisdom and Prudence as you have heard so likewise under it is contained a Mystery of Infinite Love which in the next verse is called the Mystery of his Will according to his good Pleasure which he purposed in himself now this Mystery of his Will was the Infinite and Eternal Love of the Father which was the only ground of the gracious Purpose and Decree of his to give his Son to suffer Death to make satisfaction to pay the price of Redemption that so as it follows verse 10. In the dispensation of the sulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ c. that is that by Christ he might destroy the Enmity which was betwixt God and the Elect betwixt Good Angels and Sinful Men betwixt Innocent Creatures and Corrupt Man that so a perfect Reconciliation and Union might be made of Men Elect and of Holy Angels under one head Christ This Love of the Father we have mentioned Joh. 3.16 God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have Everlasting Life that is to suffer Death for the World of the Elect 1 Joh. 4.9 In this was manifested the Love of God towards us because God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live by him that by his Death we might live Rom. 5.8 Herein God commended his Love as if he had said here is a Mystery indeed a glorious Mystery a most high commendation of Love in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us This is a most sweet thing to contemplate on in the Cross of Christ God gave him to die for Sinners yea for Enemies this is a Mystery worth the searching into and in considering Christ Crucified this you must labour to know 2. Here 's the Mystery of the Love of Christ 2 Cor. 5.14 the Apostle mentions the Love of Christ was a constraining Love to him which made him besides himself in the opinion of Men that is so zealous to magnify and set forth the Honour of Christ that he was accounted for this as a Mad-man But in what doth the love of Christ manifest it self In this that Christ died for those that were dead to raise them to life What death were they under A death of Sin Eph. 2.1 2. in which Estate they lived to themselves contrary to the will of God yet Christ died that they might live Eph. 2.6 raised with Christ and made to set together in Heavenly Places Well might this be a constraining love to the Apostle This see farther set forth Eph. 5.25 26. Husbands love your Wives as Christ loved his Church How did he love He gave himself for it that he might sanstify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the word by washing of Water that is in Baptism a Sign and Seal of washing
Sin and taken great pleasure in it and when they hear what the word says that such must be damned banish'd from the presence of God and be everlastingly tormented with Devils and that this that the word speaks should strike such unspeakable terror to the Heart of Man what doth this argue but that the word is powerful Joh 18.6 as Christ spake but a word and his Enemies that came to take him fell back so that Mens proud and stubborn hearts should fall down before the word and are made to say as the Devils why art thou come to torment us this shews that there is an Almighty God speaking in the word and this fâ—â—ther That some Men yet in a natural condition who love Sin as their own Souls should not dare to commit some Sins because the word pronounceth Judgment and that Men that hate holiness as 't is evident that many do yet out of fear of Judgments denounced in the word should be brought to make some Profession of Holiness that as the unclean Spirit fell down and confessed Christ to be the Son of God so Men of unclean Hearts not renewed are forced to confess the word is of God 2. In the Conversion of Sinners I may say concerning the Word as Christ in his Message to John The Dead are raised the Deaf hear the Dumb speak and tâ— the Poor the Gâ—spel is Preached that a word preached should do this shews it to be the word of God so Men that are dead in Trespasses and Sins are raised by it the word doth bore some Mens Ears and make them hearken and obey it Consider that Men that take such great delight in Sin as we all do by Nature working uncleaness with greediness going to it as an hungry Man to his Meals ready to pine away for the pleasures of Sin and be discontent when we cannot satisfy our Lusts as it was with Ammnon Now that any of us because the word says cease to do Evil Sin no more should loath what we so dearly loved and that our hatred of Sin should be greater than our love was to it and it may be some can tell the time and remember the word that wrought such a mighty change what is to be concluded hence but that this is none other but the word of God Again we know how we love our selves by nature even so as that self-love is the supreme Law with corrupt Nature now that such an one should because the word says if any Man will be my Disciple let him deny himself cast off self-love and self-respects and sacrifice or give himself up to Christ and be his only and prize the Glory of God more than his own good yea choose to undergo the greatest Evils rather than dishonour God this shews the invincible power of the word Again if you have any knowledge of your selves you know what bitter enmity there is in our natures against holiness now that because the word commends holiness any of us should come to delight in it this likewise adds a Seal for the confirmation of this Truth that the word is in truth Gods word Again you know how we naturally love the World even so much that some can even in these plundering times think it better to loose our Lives than our Goods now that any should despise the world for Christ's sake and esteem his Reproaches better Riches only because the word doth commend Christ above the World and propose him as the best Good What doth this argue but a divine efficacy of the word and the power of a God making use of his word as an instrument of his own to bring to pass such mighty works 3. In confounding Christ 's Enemies Psa 8.2 Out of the mouths of Babes hast thou ordained strength to stâ—ll the Enemy this strength of mouth â— Prayer which is grounded on the word and preaching when men come with revengeful Spirits and think to swallow up the People of God the word shall stop and still them the word doth gather Men together and stir them up to fight against Anti-christ Rev. 16 16. and Rev. 17.16 The ten hornes shall hate the Whore c. why the word shall discover her and hence 't is said 2 Thess 2.8 That Man of Sin shall be revealed c. he shall destroy him with the Sword of his Mâ—uth and brightness of his coming Dan. 2.34 A stone cut out of the Mountain without Hands breaks the Feet of the Image and that shall overcome the great Roman Monarchy What is this stone c. a poor weak dispised People of God called by the word believing the same and walking by it these shall overcome all Antichristian powers and as the worm Jacob thresh the Mountains Use To make some application of this by the way Is there such a power in the word and may that be truly said of the word which is falsly of Simon Magus it is the great Power of God 1. Then take heed of despising it Heb. 12.25 see that ye dispise not look well to it if you despise the word you dispise the Power and Authority of God which is in it and which shall be manifested by it either in Conversion or Confusion either in unspeakable Terror or Consolation either it shall be the power of God to save you and then you must believe it and receive it with all readiness or to condemn you if you despise it if it do not now work effectually in you to turn you from Sin into the obedience thereof then it shall Judge you in the last day now you may hear it speaking comfortably to you bringing the glad Tydings to your Souls of good things of a Saviour that is offered to you a Pardon proclaimed Heaven opened to Men that are shut up under Sin and Wrath that is if you will now suffer your Consciences to be awakned to see what condition you are in but if it be not hearkned to it shall speak terribly to you and then you shall not sleep when 't is spoken you shall not sit carelesly under it as you do now but then you shall know the Terrors of the Lord you shall know the power of Divine Wrath to prevent which you should desire to feel the exceeding greatness of his Power in creating Faith in you and the length and breadth of his Love which is revealed therein so when the word is spoken to you let me exhort you as the Prophet Jer. 13.15 Learn be not proud the Lord hath spoken Act. 13.41 Behold ye Despisers and wonder I 'll work that you will not believe If you will not believe what I have said in the Word Precepts and Promises such Judgments shall be brought on you which you would not before believe 2. Believe the Word rest on it be strong in Faith your Faith shall not be in vain you rest not then on a broken reed but on the word of the great God on the great Power of that God The Power of God
says a sinner must dye but what saith Paul He loved me and give himself for me out of love he made his Soul an offering for sin and now who shall condemn by which it appears that the power of his love to work out Salvation is beyond the power of sin to Destroy 2. The love of Christ towards the vessels of Mercy did abound beyond self-self-love The Law is to love our Neighbour as our selves Christ did more When Peter said Master pity thy self he was so great an offence to him that he calls him Satan He pitied Souls to be saved more than his Body and loved their lives even to his own Death And if the Jews had ground to say when he wept over Lazarus behold how he loved him much greater cause is there to say when Christ dyed for sinners behold how he loved them If the sheding of tears was so great a demonstration of his love what was this that he yielded his Blood should be shed 3. It abounds beyond all the wants and weaknesses of Saints It is not exhausted by what he hath done for them or bestowed on them as he hath the Residue of the Spirit so the Residue of Love and Grace even the fullness of it so as he accounted no suffering too great to undergo for them so no good thing too great to give them Heaven a Kingdom the fullness of Joy Holyness Light and Grace is not too much for his love to bestow we cannot have less to make us happy and 't is not more then his love can make us partakers of 2. The love of Christ is an abiding love he loves with an everlasting love here 's a love not to be quench'd with many waters which no floods of either Human or Diabolical or Divine wrath could Drown Having loved his own he loved them to the end John 13.1 that is the finishing of that work he had to do for them in the World and will to the end of his Mediatory work till he hath brought up all the Saints to the measure of the stature of his own fullness and when his love shall have brought him to this glorious end of his work in perfecting all the Saints and presenting them to the Father who shall be all in all and he shall have thus loved them to the end then he shall love them without end The Saints have then ground to comfort themselves with the abiding love of Christ If the World pass away if Riches come to nought c. yet the love of Christ doth not pass away and when there is so constant a hatred from the World and such abiding malice against the followers of Christ in evil men and evil Angels there is an abiding love of Christ to comfort them 3. The love of Christ was once a love fulfilling the Law and now is a love fufilling the Gospel it was once a love fulfilling Precepts and now is a love fulfilling Promises Rom. 13.10 Love is the fulfilling of the Law such was the love of Christ love brought him that was Lord of the Law under the Law and carried him through it even to perfect obedience â—is love made him say it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness and by this there is Reconciliation and Peace with God and as it was once the fulfilling of the Law so now of the Gospel All the Promises are yea and Amen in Christ's love When Saints are unworthy of the good of the Promises the love of Christ will bestow it on them There are Promises of not remembring sin of giving Grace and Glory and every good thing of putting the Law in the mind of turning all to good of saving out of all troubles and love will fullfil them all the Gospel is the Testament and Will of Christ and there must be the Death of the Testator that the Will may be of force Now here we may take notice of this truth Christ dyed that his will may be of force and lives again to the Executor of his own will and his love is the fulfilling of it hence Christ promiseth to his Disciples I will not leave you Orphans I will come to you John 14.18 Christ being dead they were Orphans c. but happy were it for many poor Orphans if their Fatheâ—s could come again and set all things right and see that every Child should have his portion now although this cannot be yet it was so with Christ He arose from Death and will be the Executor of his own Will and hence he is called the everlasting Father having a Fatherly love and regard to all the Saints which is everlasting and which will perfect that which concerns them Saints are the travel of Christ's Soul and he must see the travel of his Soul Isa 53.11 Rachel said give me Children or else I dye Christ said let me dye that so I may have Children Rachel dyed in travel and did not live to see of her travel Christ dyed in his travel with the vessels of Mercy and lives again to see of the travel of his Soul Every Saint at first was a Benoni a Son of Christ's sorrow in that he dyed in bringing them forth but afterwards a Benjamin a Son of his right hand he being alive for ever more and is ever seeing them to his satisfaction and they shall see him for ever to their satisfaction and living again he will see that they be partakers of that Grace and Glory that he bequeathed to them 4. The Love of Christ is such that when it finds not its Object lovely it can and doth make it lovely Christ found Mary Magdalen a sinful Woman and so not lovely but made her lovely in converting her Paul was an Enemy to Christ but he converted him his love made him lovely it made him a Believer a Saint a faithful Servant unto him This is set forth in Ezek. 16. Thou wast polluted in thy Blood I passed by thee and thy time was the time of love and love made them lovely I spread my skirts over thee I washed and clothed thee and decked thee with ornaments and thy beauty and renown was perfect through my comeliness put upon thee If we have cause to say as Isaiah wo is me a man of unclean lips If we abhor our selves and repent we may take comfort in this Christ doth not abhor but his love doth make us lovely 5. The love of Christ turns all evil things to good life death things present things to come all are yours the love of Christ makes them so and gives an advantagious and profitable propriety in them and makes even Reproaches for Christ's sake Riches and better then the Treasures of Egypt Heb. 11.26 Riches are things of worth so are Reproaches for Christ The Apostles rejoyced that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ And better then Riches 1. In that God doth not esteem any man's wealth nor him for his wealth's sake will he esteem thy wealth Job 36.19
Paul apprehended this to add a great deal of worth and esteem to the knowledge of Christ that he was Crucified it being of absolute necessity to Salvation that Christ must be apprehended and believed in under this notion and when he speaks of the Knowledge of Christ crucified he means not only the History of Christ Crucified that he suffered under Pontius Pilate c. but the mystery of the Cross the former many may know and yet be Ignorant of the latter but this is the life and excellency of this knowledge to know the Mystery c that is the Eternal Wisdom and Goodness of God in ordaining such a way for the Redemption of lost Man the great love of Christ the infinite satisfaction made the vertue of the death of Christ the glorious Conquest he made c. Some Observations I shall raise and touch at and pass by and then come to the main point to be insisted on From that word I determined observe that Doct. 1. A Minister of the Gospel ought to put on a fixed and setled Resolution to go through with his work of Preaching the Gospel be the work never so great difficulties many oppositions mighty he must resolve to go through with it 't is said of Ruth Chap. 1.18 She did stedfastly set her self c. or she strengthned her self a fixed Resolution is a strengthning and fortifying a man's self before hand against difficulties and oppositions the more Resolution the more strength for the work A Minister must imitate Christ his Master Luk. 9.51 He did stedfastly set his Face to go to Jerusalem I shall not insist on this only shew what is required to the making of a Resolution that it may be a strengthening to a Man 1. It must be a Resolution of Faith grounded on Faith 1. That God calls and sends a man Judg. 6.14 God says to Gideon go in thiâ— thy night have not I sent thee God's call and mission was his Strength upon this he may safely resolve and undertake the work and fear no terrors God's Mission is our might be assured of a divine Call and then you may resolve to undertake the work And 2. A continued dependance on God for strength God's sending at first is not enough to carry a man through but he must renew his strength rely on God for actual supplies and in this Faith fix a Resolution and say not by power or might but by the might of the Spirit of God going along and assisting in the work 2. It must be a Resolution of Sanctifying God's Name and Glorifying him This must be the aim and drift a Resolution to help to pluck Men out of the fire to build up the Spiritual House and inlarge Christ's Kingdom Use Proportionably hereto must fix your Resolutions to Hear Believe and Imbrace the Word you must determine to walk by it strengthen your selves with believing Resolutions 1 Laying hold on the strength of Christ to enable you to make good your Resolutions and say I can do nothing without strength from Christ I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me 2. The aim in your Resolutions must be to glorify God the end of Hearing of Worship and Profession must be to magnify Christ to hold out his Name and Honour in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation then resolve such Resolutions will be your strength you must not be half Perswaded with Agrippa but altogether resolved to be such as Paul a Zealous Doer and Patient Sufferer for Christ to follow Christ according to the Gospel as Ministers must have fixed Resolutions to Preach so you to live in the way of the Gospel Not to know any 1. Paul was not like some others who Preached with Excellency of Speech and Wisdom to publish their Gifts rather than to make known Christ but I determined not to know any thing save Jesus Christ and him Crucified Doct. 2. The aim of a Minister of Christ must not be to Preach himself or to purchase himself applause His aim must not be to bring himself but Christ into esteem with a People he must not make a vain ostentation of his own Gifts but hold out the Graces of Christ not his Wit but Christ's incomparable Worth not to magnify his own parts but the Power of Jesus Christ he must take Paul for his Pattern 2 Cor. 12.16 Not make a gain of the People but labour to gain them to Christ by shewing them that Christ is the greatest gain 2. He must spend himself for the Peoples Souls ver 15. I 'll gladly be sent for you the Greek is for your Souls his Peoples Souls must be more precious then his own Body 3. He must love abundantly though smal retribution for love though he be less loved because of the manifestation of his love v. 15. 4. He must bewail those that sin any do not repent v. 21. so that all must be to perswade a People over to Jesus Christ and to imbrace the Gospel proportionably must you carry your selves that is you must profess your Selves to be the Servants of Christ not to get esteem to your selves but to Christ that he may be magnified by you not that you may be like the Giants of old Men of Renown but that Christ may in and by you have greater Honour and Renown by your Holy Christian Conversateon and Godliness But Jesus Christ although the Preaching of the Cross was accounted foolishness Doct. 3. A Minister must resolve to Preach Christ although he be accounted a Fool for his labour He must account the Preaching of Christ a most precious Service although the World account it foolishness because 't is both the Wisdom of God which the World accounts foolishness and the Power of God which it judges weakness Proportionably hereto Although the World may esteem diligence to hear the Word Preached Foolishness and a needless labour yet you must not be ashamed although the world may reproach you for preciseness in the ways of Christ and zeal in the cause of Christ yet after that way which they account foolishness you must Worship God and Honour Jesus Christ which is the way that leads to Life and Salvation Not to know c. knowing is put for making known that Paul accounts himself to know which he is careful to make known Doct. 4. Then a Man may be said truly to know Christ himself when he labours to make him known to others they are knowing Men that communicate what they know This were a Point very profitable to be handled but I shall have occasion to make use of it in the main point and so shall say the less of it now 1. God doth not account you to know what you do not communicate you are in his account ignorant Persons that labour not to Instruct the Ignorant in what you know for the Gift of Knowledge that you have is given to profit withal that you may be Eyes to the Blind Christ says that he knew not the
us a Child is born to us a Son is given c. or as the Wise Men or as Peter thou art the Son of God the Saviour of the World thou hast the Words of Eternal â—ife What Christ said was wanting in them that followed him because of the Loaves let that be in 〈◊〉 Joh 6.26 Ye follow me because ye eat of the Loaves not because of the Miracle of the Loaves thar is you do not follow me because I am the Son of God sent into the World to save Sinners which you should have been convinced off by the Miracle of the Loaves but you follow me for the advantage of eating the Loaves Thus you must know Christ not after the Flesh only not only as having Flesh and being Man not only as you pereceive something in him to satisfy your Carnal Desires of being filled with temporal good thingâ— or fâ—â—â—d from Temporal and Eternal Evilâ— but know him as the Son of God and Christ anointed of the Father to be the Saviour of the World You will never know Christ aright in his Glory you will never fully resign up your selves to him till you be convinced of this O therefore reâ—ieve this Truth that Christ whom we Preach is the Son of the Living God Then you know that he is able to save and you will believe in him then you know that he must be worshiped and served by you being the Great God so you will obey him then you will apprehend greatest love in Christ that being God he should die for you then you will love him and your love will constrain you to obey him and this is totum hominis the whole of a Man the whole of a Christian Man to believe in him as the Son of God and Saviour of Men and to be constrained by Love to Obey him This is the second means 3. Take heed of any conceits of a sufficiency of Knowledge Many think they know enough of Christ as much as they need and content themselves with what they have they hear not the Word they apply not their Hearts search not for more Knowledge If there be any of such an Opinion I shall leave two places for you to meditate on 1 Cor. 8.2 You that think you know enough know nothing as you ought c. You that dream of a sufficiency of Knowledge that you have are like the hungry Man that dreams he eats but waking he is empty You are most deficient 1 Cor. 3.18 Become a Fool. Though never so wise in regard of Worldly Wisdom yet know your selves to be Fools in respect of the Knowledge of Christ that you do want and this you must know that you may be wise Joh. 14.21 4. If you have attained any measure of knowledge you must follow on to know the Lord Hos 6.3 follow on in Study Prayer Hearing Meditating to get more Knowledge His going forth is prepared as the Morning Christ doth not reveal himself all at once but as at going forth of the morning-light 't is by degrees there is a dawning and twilight and then perfect light when the Sun goeth forth in its might so is the going forth of Christ and so you must follow on to know more still of Christ You are not capable of receiving perfect knowledge at once John 16.12 I have many things to say but you cannot bear them now Men are at first but Babes in Christ they we know encrease in understanding strength and stature by degrees what you cannot bear now you must learn another time you must go from strength to strength from one degree of knowledge to another you must follow on to know you must grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of Christ Use 3 Comfort to those that have gained the knowledge of Christ I shall shew 1. Some Signs whereby to know this 2. The grounds of comfort arising from thence 1. The Signs as 1. If you know Christ in such a manner as that your Souls are raised up to an esteem of him above any thing in the World thus it must be and this is the least of Christ that a true Christian can have he must love Christ more then these Esteem Christ more then Honours Riches c. in some degree otherwise he hath not the true Knowledge of Christ He that loveth Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me The Young man being brought to the Trial which he loved most Christ or Riches left Christ hence it appears that he knew not Christ aright for there is no comparison betwixt Christ and Riches He that will nor forsake the World for Christ is ignorant of Christ he knows not the worth of Christ John 11.48 49. 2. If the word that hath been spoken unto you have been Spirit and Life if the Gospel hath been the Power of God to beget Faith in you to embrace it and lay hold on Christ revealed in it John 6.63 As when Christ said to Lazarus Come forth his words were Spirit and Life to Lazarus he cometh forth so if the words of Christ in the Gospel calling you to repent and to believe the Gospel have been life in this regard if that word Come forth from amongst them that are Sons of Belial have been life to you then have you gain'd this Knowledge When Christ said to his Disciples follow me they followed him O this hath Christ said to you often you have been called on many times have you left your Lusts to follow Christ left the practice of Sin to practice Holiness have Christ's words been Spirit and Life have they been as the Seed that is cast into good ground that lives and grows and brings forth Fruit Then may you comfortably assure your selves that you have gained the Knowledge of Christ 3. If you can rejoyce in the knowledge of perfect Holiness Righteousness and Justice of Christ as well as the Merit Grace and Loving kindness of Christ as well in this that he hath no sin and that he will not have sin to reign in his Members as in this that sin was imputed to him and that he imputes it not to his Members Many love the Knowledge of Grace to hear of satisfaction made c. but yet would continue in Sin They love to hear of a Pardon that might Priviledge them to commit Sin they would be freed from the malediction but not tyed to direction of the Law But if you know Christ aright you will rejoyce in him as pardoning Sin and purging Sin as in his freeing from the condemnation of Sin so in his condemning Sin in the Flesh as in pardoning and exercising Loving kindness towards humbled Sinners so in executing Judgment on impenitent and hardened Sinners Jer. 9.23 24. 4. If the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence Math. 11.12 that is since Christ Preached and men knew him there is a great slocking and concâ—â—â—se of People as if men would take Heaven by force the meaning is Men will strive to enter in at the
not enough for a Christian to know the personal Excellencies of Christ For although if Christ were revealed in his Personal Excellencies of Grace and Glory which follow upon the Hypostatical Union this were enough to allure the Heart unto Christ to close in with him for so he were a fit Object for Men and Angels to imbrace Angels that are wholy clean and without Sin would think it an Addition to their Happiness to have him for their Head and Husband which Happiness 't is probable they have but Men are guilty of Sin and they cannot draw near to Christ to take delight in his Personal Excellencies except Sin be first done away Christ as considered in his Personal Excâ—llencies is not an Object â—â—â—ted so Sinners wherefore 't is not enough so to know Christ When Christ was transfigured in the Mount Math. 17. His Face shining as the Sun and his Rayment as white as the Light Peter thought tâ—â—n that they had seen enough of Christ and seems to be contented with this Representation of Christ's Glory ver 4. 't is good to be here let 's make Tabernacles settle our abode but Christ knew 't was not good to abide there something more was to be known of him so he leads them down from the Mountain they had not seen enough of Christ they must know him in another manner therefore ver 9. Christ says tell the Vision to no Man until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead Intimating that it was not enough to know Christ in his Glory but he must be known in his State of Humiliation as dying c. buried and risen again when the Apostâ—â—s thought they had seen enough of Christ in beholding his Personal Excellencies Christ then leads them to the Consideration of his Death Christ must be known in his Personal Excellencies but that is not enough we must look on him as dying as cloathed with his Garments of blood so he is a sit Object for Sinners The Prophets of old did not only represent him in his Glory but as dying Isa â—3 1 2. Who is this that cometh with dyed Garments from â—ozrah glorious in his Apparel and 〈◊〉 in his Apâ—arel This Christ himself in his Preaching of himself declares Math. 16.34 From that time Jesus began to tell his Disciples that he must suffer this the Disciples were a long time Ignorant off and so long were very rude and ignorant indeed and knew but little of the Mystery of the Kingdom of God although Peter could say in the name of the rest of the Disciples thou art Christ the Son of the Living God yet here he was Ignorant of this Mystery and when Christ speaks of his Death Peter rebukes him and says far be it from thee for which Christ called him Satan and said thou savourest not the things of God you know nothing of Christ aright unless you be acquainted with the Mysteries of his Death 2. 'T is not enough to know the History of Christ Crucified 't is not sufficient to meditate and contemplate on the great injuries done by the Jews the grievousness of his sufferings and the shame he was put to this may move the heart to a relenting and compassion to him as it will also to read the Stories of other Martyrs it may move the heart to indignation against the Jews for Crucifying of him this may beget admiration of his noble and heroical love which men may think to be Grace this is not enough This seems to be the fault which Christ reproved in those Women Wâ—ep not for me but for your selves and children Luke 23.28 You weep for me only out of natural pitty and compassion so indeed you may weep for your selves and your own miseries so you may weep for your Children and their calamities but you should not look on my sufferings as such as your selves undergo or your Children endure you must have more spiritual more raised thoughts of my sufferings not weep at them but rejoyce in them or weep for your Sins but rejoyce in my sufferings by which your Sins are done away 3. You must know the mystery of the Cross of Christ that is not only that he dyed but the ends for which he dyed and the benefits thereof that he dyed for our offences Rom. 4.25 That as Caiaphas Prophecyed Christ dying the whole Nation did not perish but some were saved by his death Now that thus you must look on Christ is evident because thus Christ is the object of justifying Faith Christ in his Personal Excellency is not the object of justifying Faith but the formalis ratio the proper respect and consideration that maketh Christ the object of Faith as justifying is his dying for Sin his sheding his blood that by it there might be the remission therefore Christ is a pleasing and grateful object to the Soul Christ as humbling himself and becoming obedient to death is an object suited to a humble Soul As the Brazen Serpent was lifted up c. so Christ on the Cross John 3.14 so the Scripture sets him forth Rom 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiatian through Faith in his Blood Look on Christ as by his Blood there is a propitiation for Sin so that then our care must be to know Christ as Crucified A humbled Soul must have recourse to Christ who is glorified and sits on the Right hand of God and yet to him as once upon the Cross 2. Now that I may in some measure unfold the Mystery unto you consider a threefold Mystery of Wisdom Love and Vertue 1. Of Wisdom in these particulars 1. Christ was delivered by the determinate Counsel and foreknowledge of God for a most Glorious and Blessed end that sinners in him might have the forgiveness of sins Act. 2.23 And he Blest with all Spiritual Blessings Eph. 1.3 Of Grace here in acceptation v. 5. and in receiving the Holy Spirit in the saving Graces and Workings of it Act. 2.38 Repent and be Baptized in the name of Christ and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost And of Glory hereafter Heb. 2.10 He is the Captain of Salvation by whom many Sons are brought to Glory This end see in Eph. 1.9 10. that is to make a perfect Reconciliation and to close up all breaches betwixt God and the Elect betwixt them and the Creatures there was Enmity even betwixt them and the good Angels Christ was sent that by him a Recapitulation might be made that all might be gathered under one head i. e. Christ for the end c. Isa 42.1 so that in meditating on the story of Christ Crucified we must look back to the Eternal Counsel and Decree of God consider that everlasting Design and Plot that was laid therein the Covenant made betwixt God the Father and Christ 2. See a Mystery of Wisdom in a sweet and admirable Conjunction of Justice and Mercy such a thing that if the Angels had laid their heads together and studied to Eternity to
by the blood of Christ and by the word that is of promise of free Justification by Christ and Sanctification to be received by Faith This is more plainly exprest Heb. 13.12 Jesus also that he might sanctify the People with his own Blood suffered without the Gate Here is Love indeed Christ passing by and seeing us weltring in Blood cast out to the loathing our Persons having no loveliness nothing but Spots from the Crown of the Head c. and our defeâ—t being to be cast into Hell then Christ gave himself to redeem us by his own Blood to sanctify us by his Blood Thus you see here is a Mystery of Infinite Love of Divine Grace God herein appears to be rich in Mercy and that great Love wherewith he loved us Eph. 2.4 is made manifest 3. Herein is a Mystery of Vertue There is an Infinite Vertue in the Blood of Christ which in general is set forth by the Apostle 1 John 1.7 The Blood of Christ cleanseth from all Sin particularly there is a Vertue going upward expiating guilt and a Vertue going downwards taking away the guilt with the Power and Pollution of Sin out of our Nature 1. There is a Vertue going upward to the Father taking away the Guilt of Sin Quest. How could there be such an Infinite Power in the Blood of Christ Answ Because it was the Blood of him that was God the infiniteness and worth of the Person did derive an infinite worth and value to the Blood of Christ thereby his Blood became an infinite price proportionable to the guilt of Sin which was Infinite As Sin becomes of Infinite guilt from the infiniteness of the Object against whom it is committed so Sin is an Infinite Evil because committed against God an Infinite Good on the otherside satisfaction for an Offence hath its efficacy and worth from the dignity of the Person satisfying so satisfaction made by Christ the price of his Blood becomes of infinite value adequate to the guilt of Sin because the Person whose Blood was shed was Infinite You see how the Blood of Christ hath such an Infinite Vertue For the proof of it that there is such a Vertue see it Zach. 9.11 By the Blood of the Covenant I have sent forth thy Prisoners that is by the Blood of Christ who is called the Covenant Isa 42.6 that is as the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 as the following words a Light to the People seems to confirm from the Pit wherein is no water that is I have redeemed from under the Babylonish Captivity which was a Type of Spiritual Redemption and deliverance from that cursed estate a man is in by Sin Now how is this but by satisfying the Justice of God paying the price of Redemption unto God by whom a Sinner was cast into Prison Luk. 22.20 This Cup that is the Wine in this Cup is the New Testament or New Covenant that is a Seal of the Covenant in my Blood that is which is established in my Blood because thereby is the Remission of Sins and so a Person comes to have part in that Covenant In this see the Vertue of the Blood of Christ. In the Covenant lies all a Christians Happiness therein God is engaged to be his God not to remember Sin any more but to be his God All sufficient Now this is a Covenant in Blood that is that is established and confirmed in the Blood of Christ the Blood of Christ that satisfied Justice therein was a repairing of all that Injury which was done to God by the Sins of the Faithful so Justice hath nothing to plead against them and the Riches of Grace which are contained in the New Covenant are revealed to them and of right do belong to them So they come to lay claim to the Love of God and to that Eternal Inheritance prepared by Christ The Vertue of Christ's Blood as looking upwards is double 1. Satisfying Justice 2. Purchasing and Meriting Everlasting Life There is Redemption from Misery and the Purchasing an Inheritance both these are called Redemption Eph. 1.1 In whom we have Redemption that is the forgiveness of Sins ver 14. until the Redemption that is buying again and putting into actual Possession of that Inheritance The Blood of Christ redeems out of Misery inflicted by reason of Sin and redeems the Inheritance of Eternal Life which was lost by Sin Heb. 10.19 We have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus that is by the Blood of Jesus the way to Heaven is opened for us 2. There is a Vertue going downwards taking away the Power and Pollution of Sin out of the Nature and the Guilt out of the Conscience 1. The Guilt of Sin out of the Conscience God Condemns a Sinner the Law condemns and so his own Conscience when convinced of Sin condemns also Now by the Blood of Christ God and the Law are satisfied and so a Sinner is acquitted in his own Conscience he is freed from a eondemning Heart 1 Joh. 3.21 If our Heart condemns us not c. 'T is the Application of the Blood of Christ that frees from this condemning Heart Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true Heart c. having our Hearts sprinkled from an Evil Conscience that is with the blood of Christ an Evil Conscience is an Accusing Conscience The sprinkling of the Blood of Christ that is a fiducial Application of it to a Convicted Conscience acquits it from all Accusations Horrors Fears c. 2. The Power and Pollution of Sin Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the Blood of Christ purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the living God Which as it notes the purging of the Conscience in regard of the guilt of dead works that is dead Services dead Duties performed by Men dead in Sin so also it implies a purging of the Heart from the power of Sin as appears by that which follows to serve the Living God From the Blood of Christ applied to the Conscience a Vertue goes forth to the abating of the strength of Corruption and enabling it to serve the living God This see farther Rom. 6.2 How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein That is by Vertue of Christ's Death having therein a Fellowship with him the strength of Corruption comes to be abated ver 6. Our old Man is crucified with Christ c. Quest How is it that there is such a Vertue in Christ's Death and comes to be conveyed to us Answ 1. The proper and principal cause to which this work of mortification of Sin is attributed is the Spirit Rom. 8.13 If ye through the Spirit c. and ver 2. The Law of the Spirit of Life hath made me free c. That is the power and efficatious operation of the Spirit in me c. 2. The formal cause is our union with Christ and planting into him For hereby the Spirit of Christ the Righteousness Grace Merit Life of Christ
your hearts c. the refusing to hearken will harden your hearts against Christ there is no other name given whereby you may be saved neither is there Salvation in any other Act. 4.12 look whether you will there is no Salvation you may look to the World you may look to your Riches Lands c. but there 's no Salvation in them so then say to your selves that its vain for me to say to my Soul sit down here in Christ alone is Salvation to be had then look to him say that it 's good to be here here I will dwell this shall be my rest for ever I 'll commit my Soul to him who is able to keep what I shall commit to him against that day Christ in you the hope of Glory Christ formed in you Christ revealed to you Christ appearing with his Blood in the heart as well as in Heaven Christ sheding abroad his Love Christ believed on Christ judged worthy of Glory c. most worthy of Love and Obedience Christ esteemed as the chiefest of Ten Thousands as altogether lovely Christ being thus in the Heart is the hope of Glory in that Heart and assurance of Salvation in that Heart when the Sun of Righteousness thus shines into your Hearts then you shall see Salvation sure 'T is not the performance of Duties praying with fervency hearing with delight and abstaining from this or that Sin that is a sure ground of assurance of Salvation any Duty and Grace if there be a beam of Christ that you see derived from Christ the Sun of Righteousness coming from him and tending to him may afford some light towards assurance but then is full assurance when Christ the Sun of Righteousness shines in the Soul God shines in the Face of Christ and sheds abroad his Love in the Heart by Jesus Christ 2. Consider the properties of true assurance of Salvation and the concomitants c. 1. The more assurance of Salvation there is the more Purity true assurance is purifying The more you dwell in the love of God the more will you labour to be like unto God and the more will you abhor impurity and the more will you follow after holiness Assurance will not make licentious dwelling in love and walking in your Lusts hopes of Glory and conforming to the courses of the World a looking for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein Righteousness dwells and not a putting off the old Conversation these will not consist together He that hath this Hope purifies himself even as he is pure 1 Joh. 3.3 Seeing we look for such things be diligent that we may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 2. It makes fruitful in good works the abounding of the Love of God in the heart will cause an abounding in the work of the Lord it will constrain you to serve the Lord and to live to him 3. The more Assurance the more heavenly mindedness our conversation is in Heaven whence we look for a Saviour when Heaven is sure the mind will be most in Heaven If there is your hope there will be your hearts This will make you willing to leave all these things here below this will make you sojourners here in the World By Faith Abâ—aham sojourned â—n the Land of Promise as in a strange Land If you look for a City that hath Foundations then will you be strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth 4. An earnest desire of Christ's appearing Where there is true Assurance a Man shall say to be with Christ is much better Let my beloved be like a Roe on the Mountains of Spices let him make haste to come let him come quickly When there 's a taste of the Love of God the Soul would have it fully When God shines into the hearts in some beams of his Glory the heart would know him perfectly and enjoy him fully That heart that enjoys Assurance of everlasting Love would have an everlasting and uninterrupted sense of that Love That Soul that sees its self above danger of wrath and loss of Love would be above danger of the with-drawings of Love That Soul that is Assured of Eternity of Love would be in such a condition as not to be subject to any moments displeasure in regard of the hidings of God's face 3. Take heed you give not the Right Hand of fellowship to the Enemies of Assurance As 1. Do not love darkness and hate light there 's no greater Enemy to the Assurance of your Salvation then this This is thâ— most direct way you can take to make your reprobation your damnation sure This is the condemnation this makes condemnation sure that light is come into the World and men love darkness rather than light John 2.19 Do not shut your Eyes from beholding the things of your Peâ—ce How should you be assured of your Salvation if you now shut your eyes from Salvation that is spoken to you c. or if you refuse him in whom Salvation is to be found and no other Rom. 1.28 Because they liked not to retain God in their Knowledge God gave them up to a reprobate mind c. 2. Be not enslaved to the World to the Riches and to the Pleasures of it this will hinder you from desiring or seeking Salvation to be made sure The Love of Money is the Root of all Evil which while some have coveted after have erred concerning the Faith to deny the Faith to keep Richeâ— this is a great cause of Mens erring so dangerously concerning their Souls that they do not provide better for them that they study not the good of them because their Hearts are so much glued to the World 3. Let not Sin reign in your Mortal Bodies that you should obey it in the Lusts thereof so long as Sin â—â—igns you are in danger of Death for Sin reigned unto Death and you cannot say you are under Grace for that Spirit that speaks peace to a Sinner proclaims war against his Sin that Spirit that sheds abroad the love of God in the Heart will lust against the Flesh that Spirit that brings Chyist into the Heart as the hope of Glory will write the Law of Christ in the heart and cause a walking in newness of Life 4. Take heed of grieving and quenching the Spirit the Spirit strives in the preaching of the Gospel as with the men of the Old World Noah was a Preacher of the Righteousness of Faith Assurance is a Grace of the Spirit a Gift of the Spirit and if you resist the Spirit the Spirit will not witness with you that you are the Children of God but against you that you are Enemies to God 2. Be not Enemies to the dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ's Kingdom of Light Assurance is a Priviledge of his Kingdom and of those that belong to it When you can see your selves translated out of the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ then happy are you then you are past all danger of
that sins should grieve and but grieve the Godly they should not doubt of Love and fear Wrath if once the Soul trusts in the Name of the Lord and stay upon God If once ye be founded on the Rock Christ then your sins should work grief for God dishonoured not fear of God's Wrath Grief for God dishonoured and Joy in God well pleased by Christ may consist together This is the way oâ— the Gospel but indeed a narrow way too hard to keep in it if ye joy in God notwithstanding sin then not to turn to the left hand of making light of sin or if ye grieve then not to turn to the right hand of questioning the love of God and so remitting joy 7. God may afflict yet not hate he may afflict and that grievously as he did Job and yet be well pleased whom I love I rebuke and chasten c. Rev. 3.19 8. For a Believer to doubt of Salvation that takes hold of Christ and is founded on him is his sin For 1. The Spirit of God doth not witness that he is not a Gâ—ild of God If the Spirit of God doth convince a natural Man that 's out of Christ of his carnal and cursed Estate and then he say he cannot lay claim to the Promises of the Gospel to the Benefits of Christ this is not his Sin because it may be that the Spirit is a Spirit of bondage in him and witnesseth this to him and so 't is true But for such as believe in Christ and look for Salvation no other way such never receive the Spirit of Bondage again to fear Rom. 8.15 that is the Spirit doth not bring them into bondage The Spirit doth not witness that they are not the Children of God for he should witness untruth then but their doubting Hearts bring them into bondage 2. 'T is through wanâ— oâ— Fâ—ith that such doubt of Salvaâ—ion 't is for not believing as they ought and that is their Sin and Christ may repâ—ove them as he did Peter O thou of little Faith wherefore did it thou doubt As God hath made the Salvation of Believers sure in Christ c. so they ought to believe it to be sureâ— and 't is their Sin to doubt of it not to believe is to make God a Liar 1 Joh. 5.10 Section 7. 2. How Believers ought to carry themselves in the want of Assurance 1. Desire it thirâ—â— and long for it account it a Mercy worth the enjoying better than all the World can afford and God hath promised to satisfy the hungry with good things and not to send them empty away so then breath after it as the Hart panteth after the water-brooks 3. Wait with patience of God till he return with joy and peace into the Soul I will wait on God that hideth his Face from the House of Israel Isa 8.17 3. Exercise Faith of adherence when you want the Faith of evidence this is the advice of the Prophet Isa 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant that is Christ Iâ—a 42.1 That fears the Lord and serve him in Christ being acquainted with the great Mystery of Godliness here 's Faith of adherence which Judges Christ worthy of Glory and walketh in darkness and sees no light here 's want of Faith of Evidence now what should be done in this case Still trust still hold fast Christ look for Salvation in him and none else trust in the name of the Lord trust to the mercy of God his abundant Grace manifested in giving Christ as sufficient to â—ave you and stay on his God God iâ— his God though he knows it not stay upon him let the Soul he fixed on him and say as Job though he kill me I will trust in him If I perish it shall be at the feet of Mercy and then though you may walk in darkness for a time yet the Lord shall be a light unto you Sâ—ction 8 From the second sense of these words work out that is desire and endeavour this that Salvâ—tion begun to be wrought out may be perfected so much the word signifies Rom. 7.18 How to perform that which is good I find not Doct. 2. The perfecting of Salvation that is begun should be the great desire of all Believers when 't is begun to be wrought they should desire that Salvation may be wrought out a Person begun to be saved should long to be saved to the utmost Here consider a few things 1. The Salvation of Believers shall be perfected This is a work that shall be finished As in the fiâ—st Creation of the World things were imperfect at first but God did not cease Creating till Heaven and Earth were finished and all the Host of them so at the first Conversion when Salvation fiâ—st comes to the Soul it may be it is very imperfect a little Faith a little Love but weak and faint breathings of Spirit but smoking Flax a bruised Reed But God will go on in this work till every Saint be made perfect and all the Host of them Phil. 1.6 He that hath begun a good work will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ He wi l keep Believers till the day of Christ and perfect their Happiness in that day which shall endure for ever Christ dying said it is finished that is the types of the Law are fulfilled what Christ had to do towards the obtaining Man's Redemption was finished for Satisfaction Reconciliation Merit all are fiâ—ished and nothing remains but the application of Christ to the Soul and bestowing the Benefits purchased for the Elect by Christ that Christ lives to finish he died to finish the work of Satisfaction and Reconciliation he lives to finish the work of Sanctification and Glorification He died to finish the work hâ— had to do respecting God's paying the price 〈◊〉 Redemption recompencing him for the d shonoâ—r that was done him by Sin and he lives to finish the work he hath to do respecting the Elect which is to pour out hâ—s Spirit into their â—â—â—â—ts and to form them for himsâ—â—l and to fashion Soul and Body like to himself this is the meaning of that place Rom. 5.10 For if when were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his Life He died to finish a work with the Father for Men making peace for them he lives to finish a work in them which is to make them Holy aâ—d Happy and whatever Enemies there are to the happiness of the Saints Christ shall subdue them 1 Cor. 15.25 He must Reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his Feet and till all his Members be conformed in glory to him and placed in Glory with him Joh. 17.22.24 The Glory that thou hast given me I have given them Now Believers have a right to but they shall also have the possession of it they shall partake in Christ's Glory in all his
S raphins had six Wings with twain they covered their Faces and with twain their Feet Shewing that beholding the Infinite Glory of God they were as it were ashamed of themselves of their own emptiness and the great disproportion betwixt God and themselves that they were far from high mindedness and boasting in any perfection they saw that what they had they had from God and that perfection they had came Infinitely short of God and so rejoyce in him and not in themselves And so many Saints Isaiah cried Woe is me I am unclean for mine Eyes have seen the King the Lord of Host c. And Peter said when the Glory of Christ's Godhead appeared in that Miracle Depart from me for I am a sinful Man O Lord. An Expression of Humility and of an opinion of his own unworthiness even so the Infinite Grace and Love of God in Christ's appearing this begets Humility this puls Pride out of the Throne and high mindedness Pride falls before the discoveries of God in the Soul This is that especially which is to be understood in this place by Fear and Trembling The Scripture uses this Expression sometimes and still it signifies Humility as Psa 2.11 Serve the Lord with Fear and rejoice with Trembling Be humble in your Service trust not to your own Strength be humble in your Rejoycings take not the Glory to your selves say that you are nothing rejoyce in God and give Glory to him Again 1 Cor. 2.3 I was with you in weakness and fear and much trembling that is I did not boast my self to be some body I was not with you in a proud and stately deportment I did not seek Glory with ostentation of Eloquence but I carried my self with humility amongst you Eph. 6.5 Servants be Obedient to your Masters with fear and trembling that is be humble and submissive not proud and stout against them so work out your Salvation with fear and trembling and be cloathed still with Humility both in Heart and Life be far from high mindedness and carnal Confidence think not to travel towards Heaven in your own strength Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but fear So see the love of God let your Eye be fixed on Christ who died to reconcile and lives to save you Behold the Trinity carrying on the work the Father loving from all Eternity Christ mediating and rejoyce in the first fruits of the Spirit believe that the Spirit of Christ that 's dwelling in you shall renew and Sanctify you till Sin be wholy abolished and shall quicken your Mortal Bodies and make them like to Christ's glorious Body and know that you can do nothing of your selves and so you shall work out your Salvation with fear and trembling So that Fear and Trembling is to be taken here 1. As opposed to Hardness Stupidity and Insensibleness That when God manifests forth the Glory of his Infinite Goodness in Christ unto Sinners the Heart is no way affected or moved herewith a fearing and a trembling Heart that 's here meant is a Heart affected with the shining forth of God's Glory in Christ. God that commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts giving of the light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ Now when the Heart is affected herewith and raised in admiration then it fears and trembles 2. As opposed to high mindedness to high thoughts of a Man's self of his worth and goodness A fearing and trembling heart is a heart sensible of its weakness and nothingness 3. As opposed to Carnal Confidence to trusting in a Man 's own Righteousness and Power as if a Man could merit Heaven by his Righteousness or travel thither in his own strength Section 13. Use 1. Is of Information By this it appears that many there are to whom the way of Life and Salvation is not discovered All that think they are travelling to Heaven are not indeed going thither Many there be that think they are working out their Salvation but there be but few that work it with fear and trembling This is the temper of those that God hath brought into the way of Life their hearts are fearing and trembling hearts hearts admiring at the Riches of Divine Grace hearts that are humble and broken off from Carnal Confidence But how few among the multitude that would be thought to be travelling towards Heaven have these fearing and trembling Hearts Rom. 3.17 18. The way of Peace have they not known there 's no fear of God before their Eyes Christ is the way of Peace Life and Salvation is the woâ—k of the whole Trinity If the way of Peace be known and the Trinity be look'd on as engag'd in this work it will work fear but the fear of God is not before the Eyes of many and so the way of Peace have they not known As many as are without fear and Holy trembling I do not mean slavish fear but reverenâ—ial fear are yet ignorant of the way of Life 1. As many as have not their Hearts deeply affected with and sâ—nsible of the Glory of Divine Grace and Goodness in Christ to Sinners As many as do not fear the Lord and his Goodness as many as heaâ—ing yet do not taste that the Lord is gracious The Apostle speaks of some that counted the Blood of the Covenant as a common thing they not apprehending the price and value of it So many there are that look on the glad Tidings of the Gospel the discoveries of Divine Grace and of the Infinite Love of the Lord Jesus but as common things and are no way taken with the Glory of the Gospel and the Riches of Divine Grace therein discovered This insensibleness of Heart towards the precious things of the Gospel this unaffected Spirit bewrays their Ignorance of the way of Life and what a common thing it is for Persons to make light of the Gospel and to neglect their Salvation that is spoken therein nay to despise the Gospel and to discover enmity against it There 's nothing more contrary to fearing Goodness than the making light of and despising Goodness and there 's nothing more common than that And what greater Evidence can there be than this that Men are not in the way of Salvation Hos 8.12 I have written unto them the great things of my Law but they were counted a strange thing c. 2. As many as are full of high thoughts of themselves As the discovery of this that Salvation is the work of the Trinity the beholding of God in Christ will bring down high thoughts so where high Thoughts are in the Throne and an opinion of Righteousness in Men's selves this bewrays an Ignorance of the way of Life They do not fear and tremble c. 3. As many as work uncleaness with greediness as freely yield up themselves Servants to Lusts fearing and trembling doth not consist with such freedom in Sinning the fear of goodness will restrain
love of God in your Electing or accepting Christ on the terms offered chusing him above the World and to serve him rather than your Lusts You may read your own Election or God As 't is said of Mary Magdalen much was forgiven her for she loved much Pardoning love was to be read in her love this is one fruit of the love of God on the Soul So you may say God wills for the Creatures wills This will is of God's working and this testifiâ—s of God's will 2. Such as once will to be saved shall continue to will and to do what they ought in the way of Life They shall not reject Christ they shall not cast of his Yoke they shall so live and do as those that are in the way of Life ought for God will work the immutability of God's Counsel shall cause an immutability in their will of following Christ As nothing shall seperate them from the love of God Angels Principalities Powers c. noâ—hing shall alter God's will towards them so noâ—hing shall alter their will towards God They shall not grow out of the Love of Christ into utter dislike or dis-esteem of him their Conversation shall be in Heaven they shall breath and long for Salvation They shall deny themselves and walk contrary to the World they shâ—ll â—vercome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their Testimony and not love their liveâ— o the Death For God shall work in them both 〈◊〉 will and do of his good pleasure c The End of the Fourth Discourse THE FIFTH DISCOURSE Of Sanctifying the Sabbath or Lord's Day ISAIAH lviij xiij If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath from doing thy Pleasure on my Holy Day and call the Sabbath a delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways not finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Verse 14. Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride on the high places of the Earth and feed thee with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it THe occasion of making choice of this Text is a late Discourse concerning a Reformation which there is ground to hope there will be in the World which will be usher'd in with some sweeping Judgment and therefore our present work is to prepare for a Storm Many Directions were given how we may prepare for a Storm The last was this Furnish your selves with those Graces with which the day of Reformation will flourish when it comes Now of many Graces mentioned which will live in that day this is one in that great day when the Church shall be glorious through the destruction of Anti-christ by an increase of â—ight so that the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters coveâ—â—he Sea and the Spouse shall be prepared as a Bride adorn'd to her Husband when the Jews shall be called and the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in and these shall be filled with all the fulness of God and there shall be a Church which shall be the fulness of him which filleth all in all In this glorious day the Sabbath shall be an Holy and Honourable day in the Churches of Christ and the Duties thereof shall be performed with great delight Now if you wiâ—l prepare for a Storm and have some hâ—ding place in the day of the Lord's anger See that you be found in a strict observation of the Lord's day Doctrine When suâ—h a Reformation shall come which shall mak◠〈◊〉 â—hurch glorious on Earth then shall the Sabbath be look'd on by the People of God as Hâ—ly â—nd Honâ—urable and shall be observed as with verâ— much strictne s so with great delight Or in fewer words thus In the last and purest of Gospel time there â—â—ll be a very strict observation of the Sabbath-day â—ich now we call the Lord's day Quest. You will ask what ground there is to conclude this from these words Answ Let the context be well considered and we shall see a Prophecy of such things which as yet have not had a full accomplishment but shall in the lâ—st days And the observation of the Sabbath is made the condition of the Promises here made if the Sabbath be duly kâ—pt then what is promised before and in the Text shall be performed and if it be so then God commands the keeping a Sabbath under the Gospel And as there was before so there was when the Law was given on Sinai a Sabbath given There remains a Sabbath a day of holy rest for the People of God Let us search this Scripture then and see whether there will not câ—me forth of it a Jus Divinum for a Sabbath now under the Gospel The Prophet was sent to shew the House of Jacob their Transgressions and in particular to reprove them of their Hypocrisy in the Duties they performed and especially in their fasting which was a counterfeit Fast and then shews them what is the true Fast and then makes many gracious Promises which is his usual method after reproving present Evils he makes Promises which not only had respect to present times but chiefly to the times of the Gospel as we see plainly in the next Chapter He mentions present Sins and present Judgments ver 16. He complains that no Man did endeavour to set things right and so declares the Lord putting on Righteousness and an Helmet of Salvation to execute Vengeance on his Enemies and then the Effect of this They shall fear the Lord from the West And then the Redeemer shall come to Zion And in this observe how suddenly he falls into Prophecying of Gospel times and the last of them For so he doth as appears Rom. 11.26 There shall come out of Sion the Redeemer and shall turn ungodliness from Jacob. Those words are brought in as a Proof for calling the Jews and bringing in the fulness of the Gentiles In like manner he doth here which will the better appear if we consider the particulars of this Prophecy in this Chapter which will manifest that these chiefly respect the last Gospel times 1. See ver 8. Thy Righteousness shall go before Thee c. that is The Lord thy Righteousness as he is call'd in Jer. 23.6 When we consider that their Righteousness shall go before that 's some evidence of this sense as best Besides in what time is it that Christ and the Church of the Jews shall be called by this Name and why In the place before mentioned it is said Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a Righteous Branch and a King shall Reign and prosper and shall Execute Judgment and Justice in the Earth In his days Judah and Israel shall dwell safely So 't is to be fulfilled when Israel as well as Judah are brought out of bondage then he shall be The Lord our Righteousness Jer.