nothing in us that moved Goâ—â— to bestow his Sonne upon us to be crucisied fâ—â— us but it was his free love Herein is love 〈◊〉 that we loved God but that he loved us and seâ—â— his Son to be the propitiatin for our sins 1 Johâ— 4.10 Hereby perceive we the love of God becaâ—â— he laid downe his life for us 1 John 3.16 Aâ—â—â— while we were yet sinners Christ died for us eâ— when we were dead in sins Ephes 2.5 For so loved the world that hee gave his only begotten Sonne that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved John 3.16 17. For I came not to judge the world but to save the world John 12.47 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay downe his life for his friend John 15.13 That is the greatest love that friends can shew one to another but Christ hath loved us with a greater love for while wee were his enemies he dyed for us to reconcile us to God and to make us his friend hee takes occasion by our sins to shew us merie The Lord complains of the spirituall Idolatry of his people in Hosea 2. which of all sins that is partly the greatest to forsake God and cleave to Idols and to give that to them that belongs only to God for they made their Idols their God gave honour and glory to them but the Lord saith I will not give my honour to another nor my glory to graven Images Hos 2.13 14. Shee decked her selfe with her ear-rings and her jewels and she followed her Lovers and forgate me saith the Lord. Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the wildernesse aad speake comfortably to her Hos 11.7 My people are bent to rebellion against me though they called them to the most High yet none at all would exalt him Yet this did not turne the love of the Lord from them for in the 8. and 9. verses he saith How shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I delive thee Israel how shall I make thee as Admah how shall I set thee as Zeboim Mine heart is turned within me my repentings are rouled together I will not execute the fiercenesse of my wrath I will not return to destroy Ephraim for I am God and not man the holy One in the midst of thee Ezek 20.44 And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have respect unto you for my Names sake and not after your wicked wayes nor according to your corrupt workes O ye house of Israel saith thâ—â— Lord Isa 43.25 I even I am hee that putteth away thine iniquities for mine owne sake and wilâ— not remember thy sins Isa 44.22 I have put away thy transgressions like a cloud and thy sinner as a mist turn unto me for I have redeemed thee Jer. 33.8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me I will pardon all their iniquities wherby they have sinned against me and whereby they have transgressed against me Jer. 50.20 And in those dayes and at that time saith the Lord the iniquitieâ— of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none and for the sinnes of Judah and they shall not be found for I will be mercifull unto them Here is the free mercie of God and riches of his love belonging to all man-kinde that ever was is or shall be there is not any one excluded from his love for there is nothing can keep us from God but our sins and that Christ hath dyed for and hath made full satisfaction to his Father and hath obtained of his Father a full pardon for all the sinne of all man-kinde although they be never so great 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chiefe He was a persecuter and a blasphemer and an injurious person yee saith he I obtained mercy The Lord is no respecter of persons He shed his dearest heart-blood for all sinners as well for the chiefe of sinners as any other for without blood-shedding there can be no remission of any one sinne though never so small in our apprehension but by the blood of Christ being shed for us the greatest sins are pardoned as well as any For the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all unrighteousnesse And this gift of God in giving his Sonne is a free gift of God given to all to redeeme all from sinne hell and the Devill Hes 13.9 O Israel one hath destroyed thee but in me is thy helpe The Devill having overcome man by his tempting the woman and they yielding to him wee were all destroyed by the Devill but in Christ is our helpe against him Jer. 31.11 The Lorâ— hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he All man-kinde fell by and in the fall of Adam from that glorious condition that thâ—â— were in before they sinned So we all fell froâ— that glorious condition with him into a staâ—â— of condemnation sin and the wrath of Goâ— both spirituall and temporall and hell anâ— damnation and as we all fell in Adam so we are all raised by and in Christ not to thaâ— condition that Adam fell from but from thaâ— condition that he fell into and as we all dyeâ— in Adam so wee are all made alive in Chriâ—â— Adam was a publique person for man-kind so was Christ therefore he is called the seconâ— Adam Therefore as by the offences of one which was Adam judgement came upon all men to câ—â— demnation even so by the righteousnesse of ouâ— which is Christ the free gift came upon all mâ—â— unto justification of life For as by one mans disâ—â— bedience many were made sinners so by the obeâ—â—ence of one shall many be made righteous Rom. â—â— 18 19. All were made sinnners in Adam so all aâ—â— made righteous by Christ Quest How are all made righteous 〈◊〉 Christ Answ He being made a publique person so all man-kinde he undertook to make full satisfaction for our sins which he did comit so he redeemed us from that condemnation that came upon all the world by the fall of Adam so that for those sinnes wee shall never be condemned Hee hath redeemed the whole world from the Devill and sin to himselfe that we should serve him in all love so the Devill and sinne cannot keepe the world out of heaven they can doe us no harme yea those that are very great sinnes cannot nothing but unbeliefe can keepe us out There was nothing that kept the children of Israel out of the Land of Canaan but unbeliefe We see they could not enter in because of unbeliefe Heb. 3.19 They had committed many sins and those that were very great ones and God complained of their sins in
for all this â—â—â—ing but now Christ hath cloathed us â—â—th his righteousnesse Mat. 6.32 And this â—â—ghteousnesse is perfect and it doth exceede â—â—e righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees â—â—d that white raiment that thou maist be cloâ—â—ed and that the shame of thy nakednesse doe not â—â—peare Revel 3.18 And to her was granted â—â—t she should be arraied in fine linnen cleane and â—â—ite For the fine linnen is the righteousnesse 〈◊〉 the Saints Rev. 19.8 And white robes were â—en to every one of them Rv. 6.11 And being â—â—athed with this robe we have no cause to â—â—e affraid wee have free accesse to goe to God 〈◊〉 Christ all our sins that wee have commitâ—â—d hath been against God and Christ hath â—â—tisfied his Father for them all and therefore â—â—e justifieth us and hath nothing to say aâ—â—inst us Who shall lay any thing to the charge 〈◊〉 Gods elect It is God that justifieth Who is he â—â—at condemneth us It is Christ that dyed yea â—â—ther that is risen again who is at the right hand â—f God who also maketh intercession for us Who â—â—all separate us from the love of Christ shall triâ—â—lation or distresse or persecution or nakednesse 〈◊〉 famine or perill or sword Nay in all these â—hings wee are more than Conquerours through â—â—im that loved us For I am perswaded that neiâ—â—er death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to comâ—â— Nor heighth nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of Gâ—â— which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8.33 34 35 37 38 39. There is not any that can separate us froâ— God in Christ our sins cannot doe it I eveâ—â— I am hee that blotteth out thy transgressions for 〈◊〉 owne sake and will not remember thy sins Isa 43.25 Thou art my servant O Israel thou shalt 〈◊〉 be forgotten of me I have blotted out as a thicâ—â— cloud thy transgressions and as a cloud thy sinnes returne unto me for I have redeemed thee Isa 44.21 22. Feare not For I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine When thou passest through the waters I will beâ— with thee and through riveâ—â— they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thâ—â— shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindlâ— upon thee For I am the Lord thy God the holy One of Israel thy Saviour Since thou hast beenâ— precious in my sight thou hast been honourable I have loved thee Feare not for I am with thee Isa 43.1 2 3 4 5. I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed for the Lord dwelleth iâ— Sion Joel 3.21 Fear not rejoyce and be glad for the Lord will doe great things Joel 2.21 Behold I will bring it health and cure and I will cure them and will reveale unto them abundance 〈◊〉 peace and truth Jerem. 33.6 I have seene his â—â—es and will heale him I will leade him also â—â—d restore comforts unto him Isa 57.18 And 〈◊〉 will sow her unto mee in the earth and I will â—â—e mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy 〈◊〉 I will say to them which were not my people 〈◊〉 art my people and they shall say thou art my 〈◊〉 Hos 2.23 It is the Lord that hath done all things for 〈◊〉 and in his time he doth make it known to 〈◊〉 that we may know his love to us and so to â—ake us love him and the Devill doth what â—e can to accuse God to us and tells us God 〈◊〉 angry with us to keepe us from him For if 〈◊〉 can but perswade us to keep from God he â—â—es not and he thinks that is the way for â—â—e knowes that if Christ comes to reigne in us â—â—ce his kingdome in us shall not stand So 〈◊〉 doth what he can to deceive us by his false â—â—les for this is the Tale-bearer that doth â—hat he can to part that friend-ship that is beâ—â—een God and us He is the false witnesse that â—eaketh lies and him that soweth discord aâ—â—ng brethren Prov. 6.19 Lay not waite O â—â—ked man against the dwelling of the righteâ—â— spoile not his resting place Prov. 24.15 God 〈◊〉 that resting place Heb. 3.18 There remaineth therefore a resting place 〈◊〉 the people of God For he that is entered into his rest he also hath ceased from his own-wakeâ— Heb. 4.9 10. And so farre as God doth mâ—nifest himselfe in us wee dwell in this restiâ—â— place and the Devill doth what hee can 〈◊〉 hinder us of it by telling us false tales but liâ—â—en not to him for he is a deceiver and a lyâ—â— from the beginning When he speaketh a lye 〈◊〉 speaketh of his owne for he is a lyar and the Fâ—ther of it John 8.44 And if he doth tell thâ— that God is angry and thou must do thus aâ—â— thus to pacifie him through thy obedience though he brings Scripture for what hee saitâ— as he did to Christ Matth. 4. yet believe hiâ— not Yea if any one deliver any other dâ—ctrine to us than that doctrine of Christ whicâ— is the setting forth of the love of God to us 〈◊〉 farre as it is not of God it is of the Devilâ— and hee is accursed And the Lord doth coâ—â— with power to destroy the workes of the Devilâ— 1 John 3.8 Thou art not onely set upon his heart foâ— him to love thee but upon his arme to defenâ— thee against thy spirituall enemies the Deviâ—â— and his Armie which is sinne and wickedness and our owne righteousnesse which doth peâ—secute this seede of God in us and hath doâ— the uttermost of his power to destroy it quite and this kingdome of heaven hath suffered violence by the Devill and this seede of God i◠〈◊〉 hath been kept under and as it were impriâ—â—d by the Devill and himselfe hath reigned 〈◊〉 with tyranny and cruelty that maketh â—o put up many prayers and teares and 〈◊〉 and groans to God for him to deliver us 〈◊〉 these prayers sighes and groanes of these â—â—soners hath entered into the eares of the â—â—d Exod. 3.7 8. Then the Lord said I have â—â—ly seen the trouble of my people which are in Aeâ—â— and have heard their crye because of their â—â—ke-masters for I know their sorrowes Thereâ—â— I am come downe to deliver them And our â—â—ow is greater than theirs for theirs was a â—â—poral bondage but ours is spiritual Behold 〈◊〉 Lord God will come with strong hand and his 〈◊〉 shall rule for him Behold his reward is with 〈◊〉 and his worke before him Isa 40.10 But 〈◊〉 Israel art my servant Jacob whom I have 〈◊〉 the seede of Abraham my friend Thou â—â—m I have taken from the ends of the earth â—â—ed thee from the chiefe men thereof and said 〈◊〉 thee Thou art my servant I have chosen thee 〈◊〉 not cast thee away Feare thou not for I am 〈◊〉 thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I 〈◊〉 strengthen thee
eate of it yeâ— shall not surely dye God did not love youâ— and therefore he would not have you eate oâ— it and faith ye shall dye if ye eate of it But believe me I doe tell ye the truth and I speakâ— in love you shall not dye but you shall be as God knowing good and evill And who is it thaâ— would not be in that condition if they could and this is the way to bring them to it and iâ— is an easie way and pleasant to eate of the fruiâ— â—f a tree that is a small matter thou needst â—ot feare that will doe thee no harme Thus â—he Devill first accuseth God to the woman â—o make way for the tempting of her that so â—e might the better prevaile with her with his â—emptations So shee listned to him and beâ—eved him what hee said and did eate of the â—â—uit and did give to her husband and be eate â—â—so Thus they believed the Devill in all things â—nd thought God to be their Enemie and â—o be a lyer in all things Thus they forsook God and made the Devill their God in obeyâ—â—g him and in doing this thing they commit â—â—l manner of sinne and we were in their loins â—nd sinned with them and of all sinnes God â—ost complaines of Idolatry and here was â—is sin in a high degree to forsake God and â—ould not believe him nor obey him but beâ—eved the Devill and obeyed him who was â—ods enemie and the eyes of them both were opeâ—â—d they knew that they were noked And vers Their eies were opened to see their miseraâ—â—e condition that they had brought themâ—â—lves into Before they eate of it they knew â—othing but good and they were not contenâ—d with this but they would know evill too â—â—d the eating of this forbidden fruit brought â—â—em to know nothing else but evill so now they know good and evill And this aggravated their misery to know what a good condâ—tion then they were in and now what a feaâ—full condition they had brought themselves in to And when the Lord came into the gardeâ— and called to Adam then they ran away anâ— hid themselves after they had sinned thâ— were affraid of God that kept them from thâ— sweete communion of God which beforâ— they eate of that fruit they did enjoy and hâ— was their full happinesse but now they weâ— affraid he should see them and they did whaâ— they could to hide themselves from him bâ— yet he found them out And hee said unto tâ— man hast thou eaten of the tree whereof I coâ—manded thee that thou shouldst not eate And tâ— man said the woman whom thou gavest to 〈◊〉 with me she gave me of the tree and I did eaâ— Gen. 3.11 12. Here the man doth what he can to excuâ—â— himselfe and laid the fault on the woman 〈◊〉 was shee that gave it me and he blames Goâ— for giving the woman to him It was the woâ— man that thou gavest me it was she that gave 〈◊〉 me If thou hadst not given me the womaâ— I had not eaten it for it was through hâ— meanes that I did it if thou hadst not give me her I had not eaten it And the Lord Gâ—â— said unto the woman what is this that thou hâ— done thou dost not know what a miserable condition thou hast brought upon your selves and your posterity for ever For by this thing doing you have lost all your happinesse both spirituall and temporall and procured all manner of spirituall and temporall judgments both here and hereafter For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die And the Woman said the Serpent beguiled me he told me that I should not die but wee should be as God knowing good and evill or else I had not eate it So she excused her selfe and laid the fault on the Serpent And the Lord God said unto the Serpent because thou hast done this thou art cursed and I will put enmity betweene thee and the woman and betweene thy seed and her seed It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heele Gen. 3.13 14 15. The Devill hath got an interest in all mankind by their listning to him and believing of him and obeying him they made him their God And man being in this fearefull condition by the Devils getting an interest in him is led by him to doe what hee would have him to doe and there is no remedie to be found by man For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou must dye eternally For the wages of sinne is death Rom. 6.23 The soule that sinnes it shall dye Ezek. 18.4 There could be no way found out by maâ— nor any thing in man that could make satisfâ—ction for those sins that they had committed but God hath found out a way he hath fouâ— out a sufficient ransome to redeeme thee froâ— the wrath of God and the cruelty of the Dâ—vill and sinne and heil which is the Sonneâ— God which was to take flesh upon him anâ— he was to be born of a woman and he was 〈◊〉 make full satisfaction to his Father for all oâ— sins And this is the feede of the woman thâ— would breake the Serpents head Which seedâ— Christ Gal. 3.16 And God was well pleasâ— with man-kind looking upon them in Chriâ—â— what he had undertaken for them and in thâ— fulness of time he was to come and perform iâ— and it was already done in his account Anâ— this the Lord made known to Adam but hâ— had not a cleere knowledge of this but it wâ— typified to him in sacrifices Gen. 4.4 And 〈◊〉 made knowne these things to them in a darâ— way by degrees as was to his glory and theâ— good and so all along the olde Testament 〈◊〉 was typified to them in sacrifices and ordinaâ—ces and ceremonies still in a darke way yâ—â— a more clearer manifestation of him then bâ—fore but all along it speaks of sacrifices anâ— without there wâ—â— nothing to be done Thâ— were to offeâ— Peace-offerings Levit. 3. 〈◊〉 And if his Oblation be a sacrifice of Peace-offering if he offer it of the herd whether it be a male or female he shal offer it without blemish before the Lord And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering and kill it at the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation Aarons sons the Priests shal sprinkle the blood upon the Altar round about This was their Peace-offering it was to make their peace with God which sacrifice was a type of Christ for he was the true sacrifice that then was to make peace for man-kinde to his Father and his blood was shed to sprinkle our hearts or wash our hands from dead workes to serve the living God Therefore was the sacrifices commanded to put them in remembrance of Christ which was the substance and he which they typified and for every sin almost there was to be sacrifices as in Lev. 4. al along the Chap. there it speaks what must be offered and
way to life eternall but they continue refusing and loving their own darknesse better then the light or Jesus Christ and hate him in his waves and persecute him in his members and make a mock of godliness and thinke to get a righteousnesse of their own that shall carry them to heaven and so they undervalue the righteousnesse of Christ and tread under foote the Sonne of God and count the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified and unholy thing they doe not regard it but slight it and doe not really believe him And hee that doth not believe the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3.36 He that believeth not God hath made him a lyar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Sonne 1 John 5.10 It is the free mercie and love of God thaâ— is offered to all it is that that shall condemâ—â—â— all those that continue alwayes in unbeliefe Christ came neare Jerusalem and wept oâ—â— it and said O Jerusalem Jerusalem that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent â—â—to thee how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood â—â—der wings and ye would not Luke 13.34 Mat. 23.37 And in Mat. 23.31 there we may sâ—â— what children these were that hee would haâ—â— gathered to him Ye be witnes unto your selvâ—â— that ye are the children of them that killed the Prophets and they commit the same sin as their Fathers did In the 34. and 35. verse of this chapter Behold I send unto you Prophets and wise men and Scribes and some of them yeâ— shall kill and crucifie and some of them shall yeâ— scourge in your Synagogues and persecute theâ— from Citie to Citie That upon you may come alâ—â— the righteous blood shed upon the earth from thâ— blood of righteous Abel unto the bloud of Zacharias sonne of Barachias whom ye slew between the Temple and the Alter These are the children that Christ would have gathered to him and his bowels of compassion yearns to them Hee wept over them to think what a miserable condition they were in and hee would have preserved them from it but they would not And thus hee offers himselfe still to all even the chiefest of sinners 2 Chron. 26.15 16. And the Lord God of their Fathers sent to them by his messengers rising up betimes and sending because hee had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place But they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his Prophets untill the wrath of the Lord rose against his people till there was no remedie Prov. 1.24 to the 31. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded But ye have set at nought all my counsell and would none of my reproofe I also will laugh at your calamity I will mocke when your feare commeth When your feare commeth as desolation and your destruction commeth as a whirle-winde when distresse and anguish commeth upon you Then shall they call upon mee but I will not answer they shall seeke me early but they shall not find me For that they hated knowledge and did not chuse the feare of the Lord. They would none of my counsell they despised all my reproofe Therefore shall they eate of the fruit of their owne way and be filled with their own deviecs Thus he strives with them till there is no remedie and then hee giveth them over And when they have thus hardned their own hearts that they refuse all instruction and shut their eyes that they will not see then God hardened their hearts as he did Pharaoh's Exod. 10.1 and blind their eyes Mat. 13.14 15. By hearing ye shall heare and not understand and seeing ye shall see and not perceive For this peoples heart is waxed grosse and their eares are duâ—â— of hearing and their eyes they have closed lest at any time they should see with their eyes and heartâ— with their eares and should understand with their hearts and should be converted and I should heâ—â— them And therefore he spake to them in parables that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand Luke 8.10 Isa 6.9 Mark 4.12 God hath given them thâ—â— spirit of slumber eyes that they should not see anâ— eares that they should not heare Rom. 11.8 Sâ—â— the fault is in the creature and not in God for this good seede is sowne in all sorts of ground in good ground and in that which is stonie and that which is thorny and by the way side so it is sowed in all and the fault is not in the seede for the seede is all alike That seede is the word of God Luk. 8.11 which is sowne in all man-kind He that was the unprofitable servant had received a talent of his Lord as well as the profitable servants So God hath justified himself and left the world without excuse that they shall have nothing to say for themselves at the day of judgment and this is that that will be their greater condemnation Those mine enemies that would not that I bould reigne over them bring them and slay them â—efore my face Lu. 19.27 Not to have Christ â—eigne over them is that which condemnes â—hem CHAP. VIII How God doth compell those that are his children to come in to him GOd hath chosen and elected some before the world began to bee the children of God in Christ and to reveale himselfe unto â—hem and to give unto them eternall life â—aving predestinated us unto the adoption of â—hildren by Jesus Christ to himself according â—o the good pleasure of his will to the praise of â—he glory of his grace wherein he hath made â—s accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.5 6 According to the eternall purpose which he hath purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord Ephes 3.11 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gosâ—â— 2 Tim. 1.9 10. God did not see any thing in us where to love us but he loves us in his Sonne freâ—â— for his Sonnes sake Christ hath obtained 〈◊〉 things of his Father both in heaven and earâ— for us and there is not any thing that 〈◊〉 keepe them from us and at the time appoiâ—ted of the Father they shall be revealed to 〈◊〉 But the heir as long as he is a childe differeth 〈◊〉 thing from a servant though hee he Lord of 〈◊〉 Gal. 4.1 Before we be called with that hoâ—â— call which is that new work wrought in 〈◊〉 which is alone the worke of the spirit to 〈◊〉 borne againe not of corruptible seede but of inâ—â—ruptible by the word of God which liveth and
but in Christ which is the fountaine and these streames ebbe and flow according to the wisdome of God And so long as thou dost live upon these streames thy comforts ebbe and flow with the streames but the Lord did not send these streames of his love to thee that thou shouldst live upon them and build thy comforts upon them but he lets these streames of his love sometimes flow forth in thee to keepe thee from despairing and at other times with-draws the sense and feeling of it that thou shouldst not Idolize them but looke up higher and see Chrisâ— who is thy full happinesse and he unchangeâ—ble I am God I change not therefore ye Sonnâ— of Jacob are not consumed We have thought God to be changeable liâ—â— our selves when we performed duties he wâ—â— well pleased with us and when we fell into fâ—â— hee was angry with us and when wee haâ—â— thought God angry with us wee have kepâ— from him and durst not goe to him Isa 5â— 7 8 9. Let The wicked forsake his way and 〈◊〉 unrighteous man his thoughts and let him râ—turne unto the Lord and he will have mercy upâ—â— him and to our God for he will abundantly paâ—don For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your wayes my wayes saith the Lord. Fâ—â— as the heavens are higher than the earth so are â—â—wayes higher than your wayes and my thoughâ— than your thoughts You must forsake your owne thoughts 〈◊〉 God you have thought him to be changeabâ—â— like your selfe and his wayes like yours bâ—â— you must doe so no more For his thoughâ— are thoughts of peace and love and good wiâ—â— Jer. 31.3 I have loved thee with an everlastiâ— love His love is unchangeable love for whâ— he loves he loves to the end Is God unchangeâ—ble this is exceeding comfortable to the châ—â—dren of God this will encourage them not 〈◊〉 be troubled though they cannot performe duties alwayes alike sometimes wee cannot pray we want words to speak to God But the Spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought But the Spirit it selse maketh intercessian for us with groanes which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth the minde of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8.26 27. What little cause haft thou to be troubled though thou carest not pray when the Spirit of God prays for thee to the Father and Christ hee hath prayed for thee John 17. And he makes intercession for thee 1 John 2.1 And it is impossible but that the prayers of Christ and the Spirit will be granted for the Father will not denie Christ anything And in Christ thou art very neare and deare to him and he is very tender and carefull over thee and will do any thing for thee which is for thy good Hee will not keep backe anything from thee which he sees is for his glory thy good in his time but thou must waite his time and a waiting condition is a happy condition And it is hee that makes thee to waite Isa 40.29 30 31. Hee giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall But they that waite upon thâ— Lord shall renew their strength they shall mounâ— up with wings as Eagles they shall runne and noâ— be weary and they shall walke and not faint Thus I have shewed you what it is to stanâ—â— still CHAP. IV. How Christ makes a way through the Red Sea oâ— his owne blood which he hath shed for thy sinnes for thee to passe out of the spirituall Land of Aegypt into the spirituall Land of Canaan GOd made man in his owne Image Gen. 1 27. He being without sin and in a glorious condition and he knew God and there was nothing to hinder his communion with God He saw God as he was and he had a clear enjoyment of him for he saw God with a spirituall eye and he was what God would have him to be and willing to be at the disposing of God then was no complaints made oâ— him and God planted a garden Gen. 2.8 9. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for foode the tree of life also in the midst of the garden and the tree of knowledge of good and evill The Lord placed Adam there in the glorious place that was upon the earth suitable to his condition there was all things that his heart could wish or desire Vers 16 17. And the Lord God commanded the man saying Of every tree of the Garden thou maist freely eate but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evill thou shalt not eate of it for in the day thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die The man and the woman were in a glorious condition so long as they continued thus both in spirituall and temporall things So their happinesse was upon condition for so long as they forbore eating of the tree of knowledg of good and evill they continued in this happinesse but if they eate of it thou should surely dye And the Devill envied mans happy condition and he enters into the Serpent and came to the woman and said Yea hath God said ye shall not eate of every tree of the Garden And the Woman said unto the Serpent we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden God hath said ye shall not eate of it neither shall ye touch it lest ye die And the Serpent said unto the woman ye shall not surely die For God doth know that in the day ye eate thereof then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing good and evill And when the woman saw that the tree was good for foode and that it was pleâ—sant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to maâ—â— one wise shee tooke of the fruit thereof and diâ— eate and gave also to her husband with her anâ— he did eate Gen. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. Here the Devill came and accused God tâ— the Woman hath God said ye shall not eate of every tree of the Garden For God doth knowâ— that in the day that yee eate thereof then your eye shall be opened and you shall be as Gods knowinâ— good and evill As if he should say if God diâ— love you he would not have barr'd you froâ— eating of the fruis of that tree whereby yoâ—â— should become as Gods to know good and evill He had better have barr'd thee from all the otheâ— things in the garden then from this therefore his barring of thee from this thing whicâ— is so good for thee may make thee questioâ— his love to thee in all other things Anâ— though he said ye shall dye it ye
it up againe this Commandement have I received of my Father So now the time of his suffering being come hee was willing to lay downe his life for poore miserable fallen man-kinde he being nail'd upon the Crosse hee endured sore paines in his body and much more in his minde for the whole wrath of God lay upon him for all our sins for he was wounded for our transgressions both spirituall and temporall A man may bear the infirmities of his body but a wounded spirit who can beare They that hâ—â—â— beene wounded in spirit can tell that it i◠〈◊〉 very sore thing and heavy to be borne Hâ—â— much more sorer and heavier was it upâ—â— Christ when he was wounded for all the fâ—â— of all man-kinde it made him to cry out 〈◊〉 God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mar. 1â— 34. Is it nothing to you all ye that passe by 〈◊〉 hold and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrâ—â— which is done unto me wherewith the Lord hâ—â— afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger Lam. 〈◊〉 12. There was never affliction like this thâ—â— was done unto Christ his love was so grâ—â— to man-kind that there was not any thing tâ—â— deare to him but he was willing to for-go◠〈◊〉 for their sakes he shedde his heart-blood fâ—â— their sakes our sins could not be pardoneâ—â— without his blood being shed for withoâ—â— blood-shedding there is no remission Heb. 〈◊〉 12. And it is not possible that the blood â—â—buls and goats should take away sins wheâ—â—fore when hee commeth into the world hâ— saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt offâ—rings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleâ—sure Then said I loe I come to doe thy will 〈◊〉 God By the which will wee are sanctifâ—â—â— through the offering of the body of Christ Jesâ—â— once for all Heb. 10.4 5 6 7. It was not tâ—â— sacrifice of beasts that could take away sin or make satisfaction to God therefore he prepaâ—ed Christ a bodie and he was the only saâ—rifice that could and did make full satisfactiâ—n to God for the sins of the whole world 1 â—et 2.24 Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in â—is owne bodie on the tree that we being dead to â—â—nne should live unto righteousnesse by whose â—â—ipeâ— ye were healed Titus 2.14 Who gave himâ—â—lfe for us that he might redeeme us from all iniâ—â—ity and purifie unto himselfe a peculiar people â—â—â—alous of good workes Col. 1.14 In whom wee â—ave redemption through his blood even the forâ—â—venesse of sins Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed â—â—s from the curse of the Law being made a curse â—or us For it is written cursed is every one that â—angeth on a tree So Christ was made perfect â—or us through suffering John 19.28 After â—â—is Jesus knowing that all things were now acâ—omplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled â—nd vers 30. He said it is finished and he howâ—â— his head and gave up the ghost I have now shewed you that the Father hath â—â—id all our sinnes upon Christ and hee hath â—ade full satisfaction to the Father for them All our sins being laid upon Christ they are â—ecome his they are not ours but his For â—e hath made him to be sin for us that knew no sin â—hat we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 And Christ redeemed us frâ—â— the curse of the law being made a curse for 〈◊〉 How was Christ made sin and a curse for 〈◊〉 If a man be bound to pay another mans deâ—â—â—â— he is become the debter and if the Creditoâ—â— follows the Law of him he must pay the debâ—â—â—â— and he paying the debt the other that owâ— the debt is freed there is nothing to be doâ—â—â— against him because the other hath satisfiâ—â— the Creditour So our sinnes being laid upon Christ anâ— he undertaking to pay a full satisfaction to 〈◊〉 Father for them he is become the debter oâ— sins are his and his Father lookes upon hâ—â— as the sinner not that himself had sinned 〈◊〉 bearing our sinnes and as he became the siâ—ner for us so hee became a curse for us Fâ—â— the Law saith Cursed is every one that continâ—eth not in all things which are written in the bâ—â—â— of the Law to doe them Gal. 3.10 So God hath required this debt of Christ 〈◊〉 be paid by him to the utmost farthing and 〈◊〉 hath done it for us there is nothing to bâ— done for the salvation of our soules but all 〈◊〉 done already for us by the sufferings of Chriâ—â— and God is fully satisfied and well pleasâ—â— This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleâ—sed Mat. 3.17 And he is as well pleased wiâ—â— us in his Sonne as he is with his Sonne aâ—â— he hath no more to say against us for our sins than hee hath against his Son And God doth â—ove us with the same love that he hath loved Christ withall John 17.23 CHAP. V. Now Christ is offered freely to all man-kind without any price or worthinesse of their owne GOd was pleased to make Christ a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world to reconcile â—he world unto himselfe not imputing their sinnes â—â—to them 2 Cor. 5.19 And God would have â—â—e world to know what Christ hath done for â—â—em he would not have his love and mercy â—nd great goodnesse to be hid from them but 〈◊〉 be made known to them that poore souls â—â—at are wounded with sinne may looke upon â—hrist that was crucified for their sinnes and 〈◊〉 him see God as well pleased with them as 〈◊〉 is with Christ There is nothing now to â—nder Gods love to us he loves us freely I â—ll heale their rebellions I will love them freely 〈◊〉 my anger is turned away from them Hos 14. 〈◊〉 Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I â—ll make a new covenant with the house of Israel 〈◊〉 with the house of Judah Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers wherâ— I tooke them by the hand to bring them out of thâ— land of AEgypt the which my Covenant they brake although I was an Husband unto them saith thâ— Lord. But this shall be the Covenant that I wiâ—â— make with the house of Israel After those dayâ— saith the Lord I will put my Law in their iâ— ward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people Fâ—â— I will forgive their iniquity and will remembâ—â— their sins no more Jer. 31.31 32 33 34. That old covenant that he made with theâ— was a covenant of workes and that covenanâ— they broke they were not able to keepe it bâ— now God hath made a new covenant with 〈◊〉 in Christ a better covenant than the other for God hath given Christ to us for a coâ—nant for him to undertake to make full satisfaction for our sinnes and to be a Mediâ—tor betwixt God and us There was
many places of Scripture yet none of them kept them out of the Land of Canaan which was a type of heaven but only unbelief And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkenesse rather then light John 3.19 Christ hath obtained of his Father a full pardon for all the sins of the world and a perfect righteousnesse and heaven and spirituall and temporall things and it is kept in store for us in Christ all the spirituall things are till wee doe really believe what Jesus Chriâ—â— hath done for us in particular and he woulâ— have his love made knowne to the world thaâ— they might believe and then hee will makâ— known to them that their sins are pardoned and how great his love is to them and whâ—â— hee hath purchased for them and what theâ— are in him And although there remaines sâ—â— in the conversation yet sin in the conscienâ—â— is done away The blood of Christ which througâ— the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spoâ—â— purge your consciences from dead workes to serâ—â— the living God Heb. 9.14 And he speaking iâ— the 9th verse of this chapter and verse 2. of thâ— 10th chapter of the sacrifices in the time of thâ— Law there was offered gifts and sacrifices thaâ— could not make holy concerning the conscience of him that did the service for if it could would they not then have ceased to have beeâ— offered because that that the offerers oncâ— purged should have had no more sine in theiâ— conscience but those sacrifices could not take away sin in the conscience Heb. 9.24 25 26. For Christ is not entered into the holy places maâ—â— with hands which are the figures of the true buâ— into heaven itselfe now to appeare in the preseâ—â— of God for us Nor yet that he should offer himselfâ— often as the high Priest entereth into the holy plâ—â—â— every yeare with blood of others For then must often have suffered since the foundation of the world but now once in the end of the world hath be appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himselfe And it is he alone that can and will sanctifie us in our conversation Let us draw neer with a true heart in assurance of faith sprinkled in our hearts from an evill conscience and washed in our bodies with pure water Heb. 10.22 Christ shed both water and blood John 19. â—4 His blood for to sprinkle our conscience from evill works that so they shall not damn us and water to purge and sanctifie us in our conversation that sin shall be mortified in us and we shall walke in obedience to God And this Christ hath done for all and would have all know it that they all might come to Christ and be saved For be tasted death for-every man Heb. 2.9 And be dyed for all that they that live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose again 2 Gor. 5.15 Christ not only dyed and was buried but hee also rose from the dead which doth declare unto us that hee hath gotten the victory over the spirituall death for us he triumphed over it for us Death is swallowed up in victory O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Chrisâ— 2 Cor. 15.54 55 56 57. So Christ hath done all things for thee anâ— hath made way for to goe to God by him Jâ—sus said I am the way the truth and the life â—man commeth to the Father but by me John 1â— 6. And now he makes a generall proclamatâ—on for all to come unto him and he will giâ—â— them life for their life is hid in him and they doe not come unto him they shall dyeâ— their sins and the Lord saith As I live I wiâ—â— not the death of a sinner Isa 55.1 2 3. Ho evâ—â—â— one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and 〈◊〉 that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea comâ— buy wine and milke without money and withâ—â—â— price Wherefore doe ye spend money for that whiâ—â— is not bread and your labour for that which satiâ—fieth not hearken diligently unto me and eaâ—â— ye that which is good and let your soule delight selfe in fatnesse Encline your eare and come unâ—me heare and your soule shall live and I wiâ—â— make aneverlasting Covenant with you even tâ—â— sure mercies of David The waters that we are invited to come 〈◊〉 to is Christ he is the water of life John 4 1â— And he calls all to come without any worth nesse of their owne though they are never 〈◊〉 great sinners let them come let them not keâ—â— back because they are great sinners but therâ—fore let them come for he dyed for their sins â—nd if they come unto him he will give them a â—ardon for their sins their sinnes cannot be too great for him to pardon and doe not stay for â—ualification to come to Christ for there is â—o qualification out of Christ but come unto him and he will qualifie thee there is no vessel so unclean but the blood of Christ wil cleanse â—t And saith Christ Those that come to me I will â—â—n no wise cast away and that wine and milk is Christ John 15.1 I am the Vine that brought forth those grapes that this wine came of and he was pressed in the wine-pres of the wrath of God for us to drinke of the fruit of it And as it is the nature of wine to comfort strengthen and refresh those that are ready to faint So it is with this spirituall wine Christ whosoever hath tasted of him it comforts him exceedingly and when they are ready to faint through the sence of their sins this wine refreshes them and strengthens them against the Devils temptations and their owne sins and this milke is to feede those that are babes in Christ I have fed you with milke and not with meate for bitherto ye were not able to beare it 1 Cor. 3.2 For every one that useth milke is unskilfull in the word of righteousnesse for he is a babe Heb. 5.13 So Christ is this milke that feeds those that are babes in him he is their nourishment and hee revealeth his love to them by degrees and 〈◊〉 are babes at the first and grow by degrees be men in Christ and hee leades them accoâ—ding Wherefore doe ye spend money for that whiâ—â— is not bread you spend a great deale of cost paines to get a righteousnesse of your own aâ—â— so feede upon that but that is not bread thâ—â— is but ashes that will not nourish thee bâ—â— wildo thee more harm than good Christ saitâ— He is the bread of life John 6.48 This is 〈◊〉 bread which came downe from heaven that a mâ—â— may eate of it and not dye I am the living breâ—â— which came downe from heaven if any man
to him for righteousnesse For the promise that he should be the heire of the world was not given to Abraham or to his seed through the Law or his righteousnesse that hee had obtained by the workes of the Law but through the righteousnesse of faith for if they that are of the Law be heires faith is made voyd and the promise is made of no effect for the law causeth wrath because we cannot keep it for where no Law is there is no transgression it is the Law that discovers sinne unto us Romans 7.7 therefore it is by faith that it might come by grace Rom. 3.23 13 14 15.16 For by faith the righteousnes of God is revealed from faith to faith as it is written The just shall live by faith Rom. 1.17 Know that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we I say have beleeved in Iesus Christ that wo might be justified by the faith of Christ and noâ— by â—he works of the Law because that by the workâ— of the Law no flesh shall be justifie Galat. 2.16 If there had been a law given which could have given life surely righteousnesse should have been bâ— the Law but the Scripture hath concluded all under sinne that the promise by the faith of Iesus Christ should be given to them that beleeve but before faith came we were kept under the Law anâ— shut up unto the faith which should afterwards 〈◊〉 revealed wherefore the Law was our Schoolmastâ—â— to bring us to Christ that we might be made rigâ—teous by faith but that after faith is come we 〈◊〉 no longer under a Schoolmaster Galat. 3.21 22 23 24 25. Now the Law is not our School master to bring us to Christ for Christâ—come and the Ministers ought to preach tâ— aâ—l people what Christ hath done for then that they might beleeve and how can they beleeâ—â— in him of whom they have not heard Rom. 1â— 14. They must fiâ—st heare what he hath doâ—â— for them before they can beleeve and Chriâ—â— hath commanded his Apostles and Disciplâ—â— to preach the Gospel to all Matth. 28 1â— and what is the Gospel but glad tidings 〈◊〉 peace and good things Rom. 10.15 How beautifull upon the mountaines are the feet him that declareth and publisheth peace thâ— declareth good tidings and publisheth salâ—tion saying to Sion Thy God reigneth Isai 5â— They are to publish and make knowne to all â—orts of people what Christ hath done for â—hem how he hath made peace with God for â—hem in taking upon him all their sinnes and making full satisfaction for them and hath wrought a perfect salvation for them and 〈◊〉 perfect righteousnes for them and all things â—s already finished for them Iohn 19.30 and â—ll things are ready come to the marriage Matth. 22.4 that Christ hath made all â—hings ready for us there is nothing to be â—one by us for our salvation but for us to â—ome to him and he will give us all things â—reely and he will teach us all things and â—ead us in the way that we should walk in for 〈◊〉 am the Way saith Christ the Truth and the Life no man cometh to the Father but by me Iohn â—46 As soon as Christ was born there was an Angel came and declared to the Shepheards in â—he field and said to them Be not afrayd for â—â—bold I bring you glad tidings of great joy that â—hall be to all people that is that unto you is born 〈◊〉 Saviour which is Christ the Lord Luke 2.10 â—1 God sent his Angell to declare this to the â—hepheards that they should declare it to others And this shewes unto us that those â—hat God hath made known his love unto by â—heir enjoyment of it they must make it â—nown to others that they also may be partakers of it and the Angel fell a praising God aying Glory be to God in the high heavens anâ— peace in earth and good will towards men at thâ— 14. verse Christ being born into the world was â—â—ceeding to Gods glory and by his comiâ—â— he hath made it known to us that he is glorified and he hath made our peace with God and hath made known to us that he is at peaâ— with us what love and good will God had to us in Christ and the Angel could doe nâ— other but declare this that all might knoâ— this and beleeve And this is the Gospel thâ— Christ hath commanded should be preacheâ— and his Apostles did preach it and Paul saith there is a constraint laid on me woe be to 〈◊〉 if I preach not the Gospel I am not ashamedâ— the Gospel of Iesus Christ for it is the power 〈◊〉 God to salvation to every one that beleeveth Tâ—â— comes with power and overcomes the chiefeâ— sinners as it did Paul to heare of the love 〈◊〉 God to them and what Christ hath done aâ—â— suffered for them and hath obtained a pardoâ— of his Father for them and calls every one tâ— come to him and receive their pardon of hiâ— This will worke more upon them then 〈◊〉 preach the law and judgements to them aâ— tell them that God is angry with them thâ— drives them from Christ and the messengeâ— of Christ must doe the message of Christ and not any thing to drive them from Christ but to set them on beleeving in Christ So now ye may see that the Law is not now our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ now Christ is come the law must not be preached to us except it be to tell us how Christ hath fulfilled it for us but to tell us that we must doe thus and thus or else God will not doe thus and thus for us what is this but to be justified by the workes of the law and in so doing they make God a liar and take the honour from God and give it to themselves for we are wholly justified by faith alone and not by works and it is not our faith that justifies us but it is the faith of Jesus Christ Know that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have beleeved in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ Galat. 2.16 and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Sonne of God Gal. 2.20 By grace are â—e saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of Gad not of workes lest any man should boast Ephes 2.8 9. It is not our faith that can justifie us if it could then should we boast that we are justified by our faith and â—o make our workes the cause of our justification but here Paul tels us that by grace we are saved that is by the grace of Christ for 〈◊〉 hath justified us freely by his grace througâ— the redemption that is in Iesus Christ so it 〈◊〉 alone by Christ that we are redeemed saw and justified
and we come to beleeve this 〈◊〉 the faith of Christ this faith is the eye to 〈◊〉 what Christ hath done for us so through thâ— faith we are justified by Christ and this is thâ— free gift of God and is not any thing of oâ—â— selves our faith is imperfect and therefore 〈◊〉 cannot justifie us I beleeve Lord help my unâ—â—liefe So that our faith cannot justifie us bâ—cause there is unbeliefe in it Lord help my 〈◊〉 beliefe but the faith of Christ is perfect aâ— that alone doth justifie every one that hathâ— and without this faith it is impossible to pleâ—â— God Heb. 11.6 and every thing which is 〈◊〉 of this faith is sinne and Christ is the authoâ—â— and finisher of this faith Heb. 12.2 And all long the 11. chapter of the Hebrewes the speakes what great things were done by tâ—â— faith and the Lord calls and invites all men come to him and eat freely of this spiritoâ— feast that he hath prepared for them he 〈◊〉 vites them by the outward preaching of 〈◊〉 word and inward movings of his Spirit Pâ—â— 1.20 21 22 23. Wisdome crieth without uttereth her voyce in the streets she crieth the chiefe place of concourse in the openiâ— of the gates in the citie she uttereth her words saying How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning and fooles hate knowledge turne you at my reproofe behold I will poure our my Spirit unto you I will make known my words unto you Here is the outward call and in Genesis 6.3 there is the inward And the Lord said My Spirit shall not always strive with man So it doth appeare that his Spirit doth strive with man to bring him to himself Iohn 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me Hosea 11.4 I drew them with cords of a man with bands of love and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jawes and I laid meat unto them Thus â—hrist drawes all both inward and outward with the bonds of love that he might take off that heavy yoke off their sinnes off them and see them laid upon Christ and see this spirituall meat which is laid before them and they to feed on it and doe appeale to every ones conscience whether they doe not find at one time or other an inward moving by the Spirit of God for to goe unto God and the Lord will receive them and they have some glimpse of the love of God to them to invite them to goe and there is nothing can move us to go to God but the Spirit of God therefore it is the Spirit of God that doth draw all CHAP. VII None can truly repent till they goe unto God anâ— when they do goe he will give them a true repentance THere is not any that can truly repent 〈◊〉 their sinnes till they doe see in some measure the love of God to them they may repent because their sinnes provoke Gods angeâ— against them and for feare of hell and the judgements of God and because they keep them out of heaven but this is not a true repentance a true repentance is such a repentance that they need not repent them of buâ— there requireth a repentance to repent of this repentance but it is the love of God made known to them that makes them to be humbled for their sinnes because they offend so loving a God and they were the cause that Christ was crucified and therefore they hate their sinnes because they are an enemy to God and keeps them from the communion of God O the love of God to thee constrains thee to love him againe and thou art ashamed of thy sinnes and hatest them because God hates them so it is the love of God to them that causeth true repentance When Christ looked upon Peter then he went out and wept bitterly Luk. 22.61 62. Ephraim shall say What have I to do any more w th Idols Hos 14.9 Ephraim was a great sinner he worshipped Idols yet when he saw the love of God to him it so overcame him that he cries out Whot have I to doe any more with Idols though I have had to doe with them yet now I hate them because God hates them Ierem. 31.18 19. I have heard Ephraim lamenting thus Thou hast corrected me and I was chastised as an untamed Colt convert thou me and I shall be converted for thou art the Lord my God Surely after that I converted I repented and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh I was ashamed yea confounded because I did bear the reproach of my youth Ezek. 16.62 63. And I will establish my covenant with thee and thou shalt know that I am the Lord that thou mayst remember and be ashamed and never open thy mouth any mouth any more because of thy shame when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord God Thus the love of God drawes all to repentance and it prevailes more with them to bring them to repentance than to heare of the wrath of God and judgements and this repentance is a true â—â—pentance to hate sinne and to be huâ—bled for it because it offends so loving a Goâ— and therefore to forsake them though neâ—â— so neer and deare to us and be affraid of coâ—mitting sinne for feare of offending God 〈◊〉 Joseph said How can I doe this and sinne agaiâ—â— God Gen. 39.9 Object If it be so that God doth draw 〈◊〉 men thus to himselfe what is the reason thâ— all doe not come unto him for wee see thâ— most keep from him and live in sin and wiâ—â—ednesse Answ The fault is in man O man thyâ—â—struction is of thy selfe For what coâ—â— I have done to my Vineyard that I have 〈◊〉 done it Isa 5.4 And though they goe aâ—â— from Christ yet hee will not leave themsâ—â—â— hee followes them 1 Cor. 10.4 They did 〈◊〉 drinke the same spirituall drinke for thâ— dranke of that spirituall rocke that followâ—â— them and that roche was Christ Hee followes them with his mercie and â—â—ving kindnesse to draw them to him but thâ— would not Ye would not come unto me thâ—â— might have life And if ye believe not that Iâ— he ye shall dye in your sinnes John 8.24 There is nothing that condemnes the woâ—â— but the rejecting and undervaluing of Jeâ—â— Christ and continue so doing and live and dye so He that believeth not is condemned already because hee hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Sonne of God And this is condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darknesse rather than light John 3.18 19. Christ is the light to lighten every one that comes into the world and hee invites all to come unto him and he will give them of his light that they might see to walke in his way and he would direct them what to doe and lead them in the
hath heard as the Eunuch â—â—d he read in the Prophet Isaiah and Philip â—â—ent to him and heard him read and he said â—â—to him Vnderstandest thou what thou readest 〈◊〉 he said how can I except some man guide me 〈◊〉 8.30 31. The heart of man is darkned that 〈◊〉 cannot understand the things of God Rom. 1. â—1 And that which is darknesse cannot comâ—â—hend light therefore the Eunuch said how 〈◊〉 I understand Can flesh understand the spiâ—â—t for they are contrary one to the other For we have need of one to teach us and it is oâ—â— the Spirit of God that doth know and theâ—â—â—fore it is hee alone that can teach us for 〈◊〉 doth know all things of God for hee is 〈◊〉 with him and is the very God therefore 〈◊〉 knows all things For he searcheth all things 〈◊〉 the deepe things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 As mâ— hath an eye to see and an eare to heare and heart to understand and other members suâ—â—ble for man to see and heare and understanâ— and perceive the things of man So for 〈◊〉 weake capacity God is set forth to us in 〈◊〉 Scripture by those things as an eye to see bâ—â—cause hee sees all things Neither is there 〈◊〉 creature that is not manifest in his sight 〈◊〉 all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of 〈◊〉 with whom we have to doe Heb. 4.13 And he is said to have an eye to see all our actioâ— and hee also seeth all the things of God in 〈◊〉 truth of them as the truth is in Jesus Aâ— therefore he is said to have an eye because 〈◊〉 the eye we see and so an eare to heare Wâ—â— you are in trouble call upon me and I will heâ—â— The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous â— eares are open to their crye Psal 30.15 He hâ—â—reth all things both the things of God whâ—â— are spiritual and all things else so he is saiâ— have an eare because by the eare we heare for our weake capacity God is said to havâ— eare because he heareth all things And so he is said to have a heart for with the heart wee come to understand thinke know and believe the things of man I know the thought that I have to you saith the Lord thoughts of peace and love and good will Isa 55.8 My thoughts are not as your thoughts Psal 139.17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto mee O God how great is the summe of them So the Lord hath thoughts towards us but we as wee are men know them not and he understands all the wayes of man and knows them for he is the maker of man therefore he must needs know all the wayes of man and he also knows all the things of himselfe and none can know the things of God but that which is one with God and that is alone the Spirit of God and he doth understand and â—hinke and know and believe the things of God For the first he doth understand the things of God Hee it is that doth understand the â—ruth of those things that he doth see heare There is a secret mysterie in all the things of God and it is all hidden from man as man â—e doth not nor cannot know any of them â—or understand any thing of them but the Spirit of God doth understand them all even â—he most secret things of all and all those excellent things that the Spirit of God doth seâ— and heare and understand what the truth of it is they are all purchased by Christ for thâ— children of God and is all kept in store is Christ for us to be revealed by this Spirit iâ— us and to us at the time appointed of the Father So the Spirit of God being given to 〈◊〉 makes us Saints so as we are men we understand not any thing of God yet as wee anâ— Saints and have the Spirit of God this spiriâ— in us understands all the things of God anâ— so by degrees reveales it in us and to us thâ—â— as we are Saints wee understand the minde 〈◊〉 God and those things that are laid up in stoâ—â— for us and this Spirit of God doth thinke the thoughts of God it thinkes all the excelleâ— thoughts that God thinkes for it knowes alone the thoughts of God what he hath to hiâ— children in the purity of them So though 〈◊〉 we are men wee cannot thinke the thought of God nor any thing aright of God yeâ— this spirit of God in us knows al the thought of God to us and it thinkes those thoughts oâ— God that God would have It thinks and sâ— by degrees reveales in us as we are Saints whaâ— the thoughts of God to us are this Spirit 〈◊〉 God knows all the things of God he doth nâ—only understand what the meaning of thâ—â—â— things are that hee sees and heares but hâ—â— knowes them to be very truth because hee is one and the same in it therefore man cannot know any thing of God For as he is man he is not one with God and to know is to be certaine that it is so and how can man be certaine that that is truth that hee can neither see nor hear nor understand it to be so But the Spirit of God is one with God therefore hee knowes it to be truth for hee searcheth all things and knows them all yea the deepe and most secret things of God all is for the Saints So the spirit in us knows all the things of God though man as man is quite ignorant and knowes not any thing of the ways of God so this Spirit brings us as we are Saints to know the things of God in his time Prov. 2.5 6 7. Then shalt thou understand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God For the Lord giveth wisedome out of his mouth commeth knowledge and understanding Hee layeth up sound wisdome for the righteous This Spirit doth bring us to know God for wee must first know God before wee can know the things of God so the Spirit leadeth us in that way that brings us to know God and that way is Christ Jesus for through him wee know God and hee brings us to the knowledge of Jesus Christ which to know him is to know the fulnesse of our happinesse for out of him God is an enemie to us but in him God is as well pleased with us as he is with Christ for through him wee have free passage to goe to God and Paul prizes the knowledge of Christ above all things in the world Phil. 3.8 Yea doubtlesse I count all things but losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but dung that I might winne Christ and be found in him For to know Iesus Christ is to know al things for we cannot know him as he is but we shal know what we are in him Ephes 1.17 18. That the God
that thou hast anâ— be as well contented with that thou hast received of God as if thou hadst more still waiting patiently for a further manifestation 〈◊〉 himselfe to thee for he will doe it by degree by his Spirit in his time in us and ye shall sâ— in some measure that hee prepares the way 〈◊〉 the Lord for us for the way of the Lord is toâ—â— hard for man to finde out but he findeth oâ— the way for us Ier. 10.23 I know that the wâ— of man is not in himselfe it is not in man thâ— walketh to direct his steps It is only the Spiâ—â— of God that can doe it for there are maâ—â— stumbling blockes to be taken out of the way which is only the worke of the Spirit to doe â—hen there will be a pleasant way to walke in CHAP. XI â—f the two seedes Of the seede of the woman and the seede of the Serpent THe two seedes are a great stumbling-block in our way to hinder us while we come 〈◊〉 some measure to discerne the difference aâ—ight betwixt them which is the work of the â—pirit to doe it Our God revealing himself to 〈◊〉 is Children and shewing them the mystery â—f his wayes in the truth of it in some measure â—e makes them instrumentall many times by â—is Spirit to bring others to know the things â—f God and therefore he reveales himselfe to â—ome in a greater measure and in a more highâ—â— and glorious manner and enables them to â—peake to us those things that God hath made â—nowne to them that others might know the â—â—ings of God it is not because God loves â—â—em better than hee doth them that hee hath â—ot revealed himself too for he is no respecter 〈◊〉 persons for he loves all his children alike â—ith the same love that he loves Christ withal but he makes them instrumentall for the goâ—â— of others When Christ was to suffer he prayed to 〈◊〉 Father Iohn 12.28 29 30. Father glorifie thâ— Name Then came there a voyce from heaven saying I have both glorified it and will glorifie 〈◊〉 againe Then the people that stood by and heaâ—â— it said that was a thunder others said an Aâ—gel spake to him Iesus answared and said Tâ—â—â— voyce came not because of mee but for your sakâ—â— So the manifestations of the love of Gâ—â— and the things of God made knowne to anâ— it is not only for their sakeâ— but also foâ—â—therâ— so if the Spirit of God workâ— by thâ—â—â—strument in them that heares they have 〈◊〉 benefiâ— of it But if the Spirit doth not wiâ—â—â— is us those things that are spoken to us thâ— those things are truth and belongs to us thâ— instrument cannot worke upon us so let 〈◊〉 heare the instruments speake but it is the Spirit alone that can witnesse I shall in soâ—â— measure shew you the difference of the tâ—â— seedes and leave the successe to God Gen. â— 15 I will also put enmity betweene thee and tâ—â— woman and betweene thy seede and her seede 〈◊〉 shall breake thy head and thou shalt bruise 〈◊〉 heele The seed of the woman was Christ Gal â— 16. and the seede of the Serpent was thâ—â—â—vill And seede is to be sowne and the nature of seed is to bring forth that which is one and the same with it There is the seede of God which is one and the same with God which is Christ not as hee was man but as hee is God This is the good seed that is sown in all and this seede which is spirituall being sowne in us which is the Spirit of God in us is the seede of God and it is one with God Now as a seed is but a small matter to the whole bulke so the seede of God in us is but in a small measure to that fulnesse which is in God yet it is one with him Mat. 13.30 31. The Kingdome of heaven is like a graine of mustardsâ—â—de which a man taketh and soweth in his field Which indeed is the least of all feeds but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs and it 〈◊〉 a tree so that the birds of heaven come and build in the branches thereof This parable Christ spake concerning thâ— seed of God sown in his children that though they have this seede in a small measure and that which they have may lye hidde a great while in them that they cannot perceiv it nor doe not know whether they have it or no â—et then God is making a way for a cleare manifestation to us that it doth begin to spring â—â—rth in us and he waters it daily with the â—â—reames of his owne selfe which is only that which doth make it grow and the Sonne of righteousnesse shining upon it makes it spring forth and grow by degrees and flourish in 〈◊〉 that it will appeare very glorious for it is the seed of God and it is like God and it is God And this seede being sowne in the children 〈◊〉 God hee makes it fruitfull there will bâ— fruits sutable in some measure to the seed in 〈◊〉 and more and more as this seed grows up in 〈◊〉 it will appeare more glorious and will bring forth fruits sutable to God and over-powâ—â— us and bring our wills into subjection 〈◊〉 himselfe that wee shall be willing for him 〈◊〉 reigne over us and so farre as he revealeâ— himselfe to us with his power to over-power 〈◊〉 wee are willing to be what hee would have 〈◊〉 and doe what hee would have us doe so God accepts of it and will reward us for it so also there is the seede of the Serpent that 〈◊〉 sown in all man-kind by his overcomming Adam and so getting an interest in him and for him in all man-kinde And the seed of the Serpent which is the Devill for it was hee iâ— the Serpent that overcame Adam is one anâ— the same with the Devill and he is also a Spirit and this seed of the Devill is sown by hâ—â— in all Mat. 13.24 25. The kingdome of God 〈◊〉 like a man which sowed good seed in his field Bâ— while men slept there came his enemie and soâ—â— tares among the Wheat and went his way God did sowe nothing in Adam but that good seede of himselfe there was no evill in him hee was made after the Image of God for spirituall things but the Devill being the enemie of God he envied mans happy condition hee came and sowed that evill seed of himselfe in Adam and in all man-kinde and his seede in us is the same as he is though it be small in it selfe yet it being sowne in us it quickly takes roote in us and appeares for this comes naturally and there is nothing to let and hinder it from growing in us except the Lord doth blast it by a new work wrought in us which comes not by nature and the Devill doth water this seede of himselfe in us with the streames of his temptations and causeth it to flourish and grow
his Church the body and every particular Saint is the members of it and Christ which is the head hath compact and fitly joyned this body together he being the head of it the head is the principall of all for that receives sustenance for the nourishment of the bodie as a tree receiveth nourishment by the roote for the sap is in the root and springs into the body and so infuseth into the branches and causeth them to bring forth fruit I am the vine ye are the branches He that abideth in me I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can doe nothing Joh. 15.5 Christ in all the Saints in the Vine and every particular Saint are the branches and Christ hath the fulnesse of the God-head which is the roote of all and the Church is of the seede Christ is the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all Ephes 1.23 He is the head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together encreaseth with the encrease of God Col. 2.19 And he hath put all things under his feete And gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body Ephes 1.22 23. So he supplieth the wants of the Saints with the infusing of the fulnesse of himselfe into them working effectually in them according to the measure that he infuseth in them in his wisedome so though we have but the manifestation of himselfe in a small measure let us not say I am not of the body because I have no more for the body cannot be without the foote but beâ— contented with that thou hast still desiring waiting patiently for more and those that are the weakest members in this spirituall body the Church hath as much honour with God as the highest members and are as glorious Those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary and thoâ—â— members of the body which wee thinke to be lest honourable upon these we bestow more abundant honour and our uncomely parts have more abundant comelinesse for our comely parts have no neede but God hath tempered the body together having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked that there should be no schisme in the body but that the members should have thâ— same care one for another And whether oâ—â— member suffer all the members suffer with 〈◊〉 or one member be honoured all the membâ—â—â— rejoyce with it 1 Cor. 12.22 to the 26. And â—is Church is compared to a building and 〈◊〉 called a spirituall building whose builder and â—â—ker is God Ye are the Lords building and yee â—e built upon the foundation of the Apostles and â—rophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe â—â—er stone In whom all the building fitly fraâ—ed together graweth unto an holy Temple in the 〈◊〉 In whom you also are builded together for 〈◊〉 hobitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2. â—â— 21 22. The foundation of the Prophets and Apoâ—â—es is Christ and he is the corner-stone Ye also as lively stones are built up a spirituall house 〈◊〉 holy Priest-hood to offer up spirituall sacrifice â—â—ptable to God by Jesus Christ Wherefore it 〈◊〉 contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in â—â—ion a chiefe corner-stone elect and precious and 〈◊〉 that believeth on him shall not be confounded â—sa 28.16 It is he that is the builder and he â—uilâ—s his Church upon himselfe hee is the â—ooke and he faith Vpon this rocke will I build â—y Church This is sure builded Therefore whoâ—â—ver beareth these sayings of mine and doth them â—ill liken him unto a wife man that built his â—â—se upon a rocke And the raine descended and 〈◊〉 â—â—oods came and the winde blew and beate 〈◊〉 that house and it fell not for it was founded â—â—on a rocke Mat. 7.24 25. And he is the corner-stone that joynes the building fast toâ—â—â—ther and this corner-stone holds up the bâ—â—â—ding and in the corner two meete together he gives the Jewes and Gentiles to himself and the Spirit of himself in us is the stone thâ—â— he builds withall through that word of Gâ—â— that was taught by the Prophets and Apostâ—â—â— and this Church and building is the Spousâ—â— Christ a garden enclosed is my sister my Spouse spring shut up a fountaine sealed Cant. 4 1â— There is the nearest relation betwixt Gâ—â—â— and his Church as can be and all his fulneâ—â— of love and all glory and all happinesse for his Spouse but yet it is shut and sealed thâ—â— she cannot see it yet it is shut up in her beleved for her and he will come quickly It shâ—â—â— not be long before he will come and break open this seale to thee that art the Spouseâ— Christ There is none can doe it but he aâ—â— he will shew thee that fulnesse of happiness thâ—â— thou hast in him and how it was thine whâ—â— thou wert an enemie to him and he hath kâ—â— it in store for thee though thou knewest is noâ— O what sweet expressions of love hee utterâ—â— to her that she might know his love hee â—alâ— her my love my dove my faire one Cant. 2 1â— Thou art all faire my Love and there is no spâ—◠〈◊〉 thee And my Dove my undefiled is bu◠〈◊〉 Cant. 6.9 Though some be growne in some measure â—â—gh Saints and some lies low some have â—uch enjoyment of God some little and some â—one at all yet they are all his Love his Dove â—is undefiled and faire one They all but only thee is his Spouse hee hath but one love for them all he loves them all alike with an everlasting love and none can keepe them from him she is his Wife I have married thee to my selfe Hosea 2.19 20. I will marrie thee unto 〈◊〉 for ever yea I will marry thee unto me in righteousnesse and in judgement and in mercy and in compassion I will marry thee unto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. The Lord hath married us unto himself before the foundation of the world for he knew what should come to passe but wee doe not know it for it is shut up in Christ and sealed and in his time he comes and breaks open this seale to us by degrees and opens himselfe to us and sheâ—s us that he is married to us he is our husband Jer. 31.32 and we are his Wife Let us be glad and rejoyce and give glory to him for the matriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her selfe ready Revel 19.7 O what comfort is this to every member of this Church that Christ is thy husband and thou art his wife My well-beloved is mine and I am his Cant. 2.16 There cannot be a nearer relation for hee being our husband aâ—â— things are ours in him whether they be thingâ— present or things to come even all are yours 〈◊〉 you are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.22 23. And being married to Christ God 〈◊〉 our Father and
hast given mee bee with mee where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst mee before the foundation of the world His love is so great to us that he must have us with him wheresoever he is so he carrieth us in his bosome upon his heart and he is gone into heaven and we are there with him though we see it not and we are glorified with him And the glory which thou hast given mee I have given them that they may be one even as we are one I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thoâ— hast loved me John 17.22 23. There is not any thing that Christ thinke too deare or too good for us hee bestows alâ—â— his excellent things upon us hee loves us 〈◊〉 dearly he cannot keep them from us His lovâ— to us passeth the love of women to their chilâ—dren yea the greatest love that they can beâ—â— to them Isa 49.15 16. Can a woman forgâ—â—â—ber sucking childe that she should not have 〈◊〉 passion on the sonne of her womb yea they 〈◊〉 forget yet will I not forget thee Behold I haâ—â— graven thee upon the palms of my hands and thy wayes are continually before me He would have us to take notice of his love Behold I have graven thee upon the palmes of my hands he hath done it and wee must behold it and take good notice of it it is done already it is not to be done by us but God saith I have done it And there is not any thing in us that can hinder his love to us I have loved you with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindnesse have I drawne thee These are expressions of God to us that we are set upon his heart and arme and hand is to shew us how neare we are to him and hee would have us to know it therefore he comes himself and declares it to us by his Spirit Fear not for I am with thee be not affraid for I am thy God Isa 41.10 Man naturally is affraid of God and it is because of our sins and ever since Adam fell wee have beene affraid of him some affraid of his anger and some affraid of punishment Gen. 3.9 10. And the Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him where art thou And be said I heard thy voyce in the garden and I was affraid because I was naked and I hid my selfe The righteousnesse of God which Adam had before his fall did cloath him he saw no nakednesse he was not ashamed of the nakednesse of his bodie that was nothing he could see nothing but what was of God and he was cloathed with him and there was a sweete communion betweene God and him hee was not affraid of God and there was no cause of fearing any thing else for all things below God were under Adam they had no power to doe him any harm But after Adam fell his falling stripped him of the righteousnesse of God and so he became naked and then hee was affraid of God And thus by nature wee are naked and are affraid of God and it is our nakednesse that causeth our feare and makes us affraid of every thing below God as well as of God and there is not any covering that can cover our nakednesse and so take away the cause of our fear for Adam did what he could to hide his nakednesse Gen. 3 7. And the eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons They saw but some part of their nakednesse and so far as they saw it they made a covering to hide it and it was of the leaves of a fig-tree faire great leaves and that tree grew in the Garden of Eden where Adam was put and that was the best covering they could get yet they were affraid and hid themselves from God for all that covering This Garden of Eden was a type of the â—hurch of God which is the Spouse of Christ â—â—â—t 4.12 15. and chap. 5.1 6.2 And this Garden in the midst of it is the tree â—life which is Christ Rev. 2.7 To him that â—â—reommeth will I give to eate of the tree of life â—â—ich is in the midst of the Paradise of God Joel 〈◊〉 27. And ye shall know that I am in the midst Israel and that I am the Lord your God and â—e else and my people shall never be ashamed â—â—d he is that water of life that runneth in the â—idst of the garden Revel 22.1 Whosoever â—â—nketh of the water that I shall give him shall â—â—er thirst But the water that I shall give him â—â—ll be in him a well of water springing up into eâ—lasting life John 4.14 Jesus stood and cryâ—â— saying If any man thirst let him come unto 〈◊〉 and drinke He that believeth on me as the â—â—ipture saith out of his belly shall flow rivers of â—â—ing water John 7.37 38. And this is that â—â—e of life that whosoever eates thereof they â—all live for ever And this the Saints feed upâ—â— but Adam did not eate of this And out of 〈◊〉 ground made the Lord God to grow every tree 〈◊〉 is pleasant to the sight and good for food â—â—en 2.9 So in the garden the Church of God out 〈◊〉 the ground of the love of God for he is the â—ound of all our happinesse hee causeth to grow every tree that is pleasant to the eâ—â— and good for food which is a comfortaâ—â— enjoyment of all temporall things and gooâ—nesse hath a promise of all things in this 〈◊〉 for temporall things so far as it is for Goâ— glory and for our good and for things come which is spirituall but the trees of 〈◊〉 ward mercies doe grow by the high way◠〈◊〉 all sorts of people to eate of as well as the châ—â—dren of God But this is but by the way 〈◊〉 shew you that wee have the enjoyment of oâ—â— ward things by the enjoyment of spiritual 〈◊〉 in the garden of God so farre as Christ 〈◊〉 peareth in it it brings forth good fruits sâ—â—ble to him for hee is a Spirit and the frâ—â— that grow in this garden are spirituall and have not this fruit by nature for except 〈◊〉 are in the Vine we cannot bring forth frâ—â— sutable to God and we by nature are nakeâ— and we seeing our selves naked and knowâ— there is no appearing before God so we taâ—â— of the broadest and fairest leaves of the shew godlinesse that we can get and sew them handsomely together as wee can and coâ—â— that part that we see naked but there is a gâ—â— deale of our nakednesse that we doe not 〈◊〉 and that wee cannot cover yet God sees our nakednesse both that as we cover 〈◊〉 as we doe not cover When God doth appâ—â—◠〈◊〉 we are affraid of his seeing us
and being overcome and wholly swallowed up in it we are what the Spirit would have us to be and thinke speak and doe what it would have us We are no longer our owne but Gods and his will is become ours and our will is to doâ— his will and is become his so wee are now no longer twaine but one and all our delighâ— is wholly in him and all his delight is wholly in us for it is the manifestation of his love to us that causeth us to love him and the more we see him the more we shall love him and we cannot see him but we shall be like him for we shall see our selves the same in him for as he is so shall we be in this world as wee are Saints the seeing of him by his Spirit doth cleanse us in our conversations So farre as we have seene him wee shall be like him in our conversations for we shall hate all sinne and so farre as we live in God wee shall have neither will nor power to doe any thing that is contrary to him so farre as he revealeth himselfe in us and that is by degrees enlarging our vessels and filling us with himselfe as wee are able to beare him and when he reignes in us we also reigne with him over all things in us that is contrary to himselfe and this is the time of Satans being bound Rev. 20. For Babylon in us being fallen whereby Satan hath overcome us and Christ himselfe having taken possession in us he binds Satan that he cannot â—o what he would against us yet many times God doth let out the linke of Satans chaine â—nd so far as he hath power given him to goe â—e doth wind every way into us will by his â—cting in us ecclips the glory of God but hee â—â—all not overcome us this shall be for the gloâ—y of God and for an humbling to us and â—â—aking us to see that all things that are good â—re of God and how weake we are and reaâ—y to fall if hee with-drawes himselfe but hee â—ill draw backe this chaine of Satan and his â—lory shall appeare more glorious in us and â—his perfection of Christ shall be revealed more â—nd more in us and wee shall see our selves â—ore and more like him 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all â—ith open face beholding aâ— in a glasse the glory of â—he Lord are changed into the same image from â—lory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And this Church of God is called a garden â—here all manner of choise fruit grow which 〈◊〉 the fruit of his Spirit in us and he doth water â—t and make it fruitfull and keeps it night and â—ay and is as a wall and bul-worke about it â—o keepe out all our enemies and the greatest â—annon-shot as can be shot by the Devill aâ—ainst us this bul-work will defend us against 〈◊〉 for it cannot pierce it nor do us any harm CHAP. XIX Christ being come into his garden doth feast his Spouse and his Spouse is feasted with him THe Spouse of Christ hath beene as a garden enclosed a spring shut up and fountaine sealed up that shee hath not appeared what shee is but shee hath beene hidden in Christ And now he saith I am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse Cant. 5.1 Hee was ever in his Garden feasting himselfe though wee saw it not but now hee makes it knowne to us that hee is come in his glory to marry us to himselfe and to sit downe together at this heavenly Table and eate of those spirituall dainties that hee hath prepared for us and to rejoyce together and to remaine alwayes together and the first thing that hee doth when hee is come into us that are his Saints for that is his Garden he calls unto us Cant. 2. My beloved spake and said unto me Rise up my Love my faire one and come away For loe the winter is past the raine is over and gone the flowers appeare on the earth â—he time of the singing of birds is come and the â—oyce of the Turtle is heard in our Land The figâ—ee putteth forth her greene figges and the vines â—ith the tender grape give a good smell Arise my â—â—ve my faire one and come away O my dove â—hou art in the cleft of the rocke in the secret plaâ—es of the stairs let mee see thy countenance let â—â—e heare thy voyce for sweet is thy voyce and thy â—â—untenance is comely She lay in the clefts of that rocke Christ Jeâ—us and when she was in the clefts she could â—ot see the full glory of that rock wherein shee â—ay But there she was hid while the stormes of â—he winter were past that is Before Jesus Christ hath manifested his love and goodnesse â—o us and when this sunne appeareth but low 〈◊〉 us then there is much darknesse and glooâ—inesse in us and much coldnesse and then â—e storms of Satan ariseth against us but now â—ee is risen in his glory with a burning heate â—â—d laid the stormes of Satan and hath burnt â—â—p all that hath hindered us from seeing him â—â—d now he bids us come away for hee tels us â—â—e winter is past that which hindered us is â—one now the spring Christ Jesus is come â—â—d his voyce which is that pure Turtle is â—eard in our Land that is in us and he cauâ—th all that is of himselfe in us to appeare and grow fruitfull and flourish though they bee but young and tender at the spring at the first appearing of Christs manifesting himselfe in us yet they give a good smell and our beloved takes a great delight in them and he cals twice to her to come away that he might behold her for she is very comely and beautifull and glorious for shee is one with him she is attired in the glorious robes of Christ and all his rich ornaments are upon her and his crowne of glory And when he lookes upon her he is ravished with her that is hee is overcome with the sight of her all his love runneth forth to her There is not any two lovers upon earth that their love can be so great as the love of Christ and his Spouse is one to the other and she is called forth to behold him Cant. 3.11 Goe forth O ye daughters of Sion and behold King Solomon with the Crowne where-with his mother crowned him in the day of his spousall and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart Christ is compared to King Solomon because hee had the most glory of any King upon the earth and in the day of Christs Espousall doth his glory appeare to us and the gladnesse of his heart and all is for joy of his marriage to us and it is his joy for us to behold it and she beholding her beloved in his glory and seeing his love to her she is also ravished and wholly overcome and swallowed up in him in seeing him to be her beloved My beloved is