could see this Numb 23.19 This fenced and fortified them there in Gods love against all the sorceries and inchantments of their enemies This also fenced and fortified them in Gods love against the greatest provocations by their own sins Hos 11.8 9. God loved Jacob in the Womb and continued to love him through Old and New Testament Mal. 1.2 Rom. 9.13 Thirdly the faithfulness of God confirmed by Oath by which they are fenced and fortified in the love of God against all their own backslidings and the severest dispensations of Gods displeasure Psal 89.30 33. Nevertheless my loving kindness confirmed by Covenant and Oath v. 34 35. Fourthly the All-sufficiency of God He is God of all grace and hath called them he will settle them 1 Pet. 5.10 Thus they are fenced and fortified in Gods love against all their own wants doubts weaknesses and imperfections 3. Dem. Is taken from the nature and quality of the love of God to believers as it is said to be in Christ Jesus First hence it will appear to be an everlasting love from eternity to eternity the love of God was from everlasting to everlasting Jer. 31 3. and the love of Christ is to everlasting John 13.1 Believers have full security for their continuance in Gods love because it is the love of God in Christ who is to carry it on through all its passages oppositions seeming interruptions to Eternity Secondly the Lord Iesus his love is a victorious love it brings off believers more then Conquerours over all things that can attempt or endanger a separation Rom. 8.35 37. More then Conquerors because whenever they fight with any enemies for the prize the love of Christ they always come off Conquerors not wounded nor wearied nor discouraged nor with any loss but they come off sounder stronger holier fuller of all grace and more confirmed in the love of Christ Thirdly the love of God in Christ is indelible the persons are engraven on his heart it is invincible they are engraven as a Seal on is Arm Cant. 8.6 you may as easily pluck out Christs heart as pluck away believers from his love she is seal'd on his Arm to shew that mighty Power Christ still engageth to keep them in his love to support her infirmities and to subdue all the enemies that rise up against her 4. Dem. Is taken from this love of God as it is scituated in Christ Iesus our Lord. First he is Son and Heir of all Gods love and the Heir is Lord of all Jesus Christ is Lord of all his Fathers love and the love of God the Father is primarily his portion and inheritance Now this Jesus Christ is our Lord so that what he possesseth of Gods love is ours and upon what terms he possesseth it It is for us Iohn 17 23 26. Now who can dispossess Christ Jesus of Gods love or separate him from the love of God No more Secondly the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord is Protection to itself and all that are under it against the violence of all its enemies Cant. 2.4 his Banner over me was love Where the colours is there is the Captain where the Standard or Banner is there is the King The love of God in Christ Iesus our Lord is as a banner displayed in the heart and a believer may say of all the enemies reckoned in the Tex as the Prophet Isa 8.9 10 for Emanuel God is with us Christ Iesus our Lord. Thirdly Christ Iesus our Lord will make believers invincible in the love of God what is the power of all these enemies in the Text to the power of Christ Jesus our Lord he will bring them under believers feet and make them know he hath loved them and they shall never separate them from his love Rev 3.9 5. Dem. Is taken from the nature and quality of that love of God which is in the hearts of believers which is produced by the love of God to us in Christ Jesus First there is more sweetness in the love of Christ then bitterness in all the sorrows troubles afflictions that be fal them for the love of Christ Jacobs seven years servitude seemed nothing to him for his love to Rachel Gen. 29.20 The love of Christ is said to be better then wine Cant. 1.2 4. Wine makes glad the heart Zach. 9.7 it makes a man neither to feel nor remember his sorrows the love of Christ in the foul makes every bitter thing sweet nothing can kill the love of Christ in the heart Secondly this love of Christ in believers hath a mighty potency in it 2 Cor. 5.14 stronger to keep us to Christ then all adverse power to separate us from him It conquers death that conquers all other things it swallows up the grave that swallows up all things consumes coals of fire which consumes all things and many waters Cant. 8.6 7. Thirdly that love by which believers love God as first loved of him dwell in God who then can separate 1 John 4.6 6. Dem. Is taken from the impotencie of all things that encounter a believer fortified in Gods love how mighty soever in themselves and in other Cases yet in this attempt they are impotent They are not able saith the Text to sepâ—rate So that if we shall consider the nature and quality of Saints Communion with God and of that God in whom this love is as in its original and the nature of it as in Christ Iesus as in Christ Iesus our Lord and the nature and quality of it as it is in believers then we may conclude the Point in hand Obj. But some say this Persuasion is not common to other believers Paul had it by revelation Answ First nay Paul had it by the lively exercise of faith on the doctrine of Justification by free grace as the context shews Secondly the Apostle in this Persuasion of faith includes all believers with himself shall not be able to separate us he is much perswaded for others as himself Thirdly though all believers have the same Communion with God and Christ Iesus in love as hath been declared all have not yet the same measure and degree of confidence assurance and full Persuasion of faith in this Fourthly no believers security is founded on the Persuasion of his faith but the Persuasion of his faith is founded on the love of God which is in Christ Iesus his Lord. A believer sins this weakens his faith he griâ—vs the Spirit this weakens his Persuasion he neglects the means this weakens his confidence it may be God for his trial voluntarily withdraws this weakens his assurance yet this stands firm nothing can separate him from Communion with God in love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1. Use For Instruction Let Christians who design and aim at the comfort of Christianity cast their thoughts defires endeavors into this Mould viz. how to compass an assurance of Gods love in Christ While some Christians are endeavoring desiring longing O that I knew
I had this grace that grace the other grace in truth Do thou endeavor to get thy state cleared up to thee in the love of God in Christ Jesus thy Lord. Hath Christ prayed that the World may know John 17 23. to their Conviction Conversion or Condemnation that God hath loved his And shall not they endeavor to know for this end First live much in Communion with Christ It is the love of God in Christ Jesus See John 17. ult Secondly dearly entertain the sweet Spirit of God Rom. 5.5 2. Use To such as have clear'd up to them their Communion with God in love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Bring up your faith to this Persuasion that nothing shall be able to separate you from Put on the breast-Plate of faith and love Fear no enemy for God hath not 1 Thes 5.8 9. I say to you as Gideon to his men Judg. 7.15 Arise for God hath delivered the whole Host of your enemies into your Hand Nor Death nor Life nor shall be able ROM 8.38 39. Nor Death nor Life shall THE Apostle having raised his Fortress built his Towers fenced and fortified his faith in its Communion with God in love through the Lord Iesus and having taken a distinct view of all his enemies now hangs out a Flag of defrance throws the Gauntlet triumphs in the Conflict over all The first rank of enemies he encounters with is death and life which he overcomes by faith Doct. A Christian fortified in the love of God through Christ or his Communion with God in love hath full security against all the attempts whereby death or life may endanger a separation I. We shall consider how far a believer may be in danger by death and life as to a separation from God and his love First as to death it is a dangerous e 〈◊〉 considered in its abstract nature First death is the punishment Gods Iustice every way fitted and proportioned to sin In the day thou eatest thou 〈◊〉 As sin contains in it all the evâ—l the creature 〈◊〉 do against God so death includes in it all the evils mischiefs miseries the wrath of God can bring upon the creature Secondly the Power of Death was committed to the Devil hence the generality of believers under the Old Testament were all their life kept in bondage through slavish fears Heb. 2.14.15 Thirdly death is a thing can no more have Communion with God then sin can sin is absolute opposition to Gods 〈◊〉 and purity Death is absolute opposition to Gods life and being he is called the living God who is eternal unchangeable immortal Fourthly death is attended with Hell in its first institution Rev. 6.8 which is everlasting separation from God By sin the creature separated it self from Go and its punishment was to be everlastingly separated from God Fifthly the Saints of God have mightily cried out to God when they have been in danger to be separated from God by death Heman Psal 88.3 4 5 10 11 12. David Psal 116.3.4 But death can never separate a believer from his Communion with God in love through Christ lesus First the love of God and the love of Christ never dies Death could not abolish Christs love to believers Iohn 13.1 nor can it abolish the love of believers to Christ Rev. 12 11. The love of Christ to believers and their love to him is strong as death Cant. 8.6 they never encountred death but overcame Secondly Saints have walked in the â—alley of the shadows of death and have â—ept their Communion with God and have not heard nor felt any evil Psal 3.4 Thirdly Christ hath taken the Power of Death out of Satans hand and taken it into his own hands and commanded his people to fear not Rev. 17 18. Fourthly Christ hath executed that revenge threatned Hos 13.14 against Death and the Grave for all the sorrows fears temptations cruelties it hath executed against him and his holy Saints Fifthly Christ hath abolisht death 2 Tim. 1.10 the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifiâ—s to make weak and useless to take away all the power and strength of a thing death is not now as it was its sting is gone Boys play with a Bee when the sting is out Nor only so but Christ â—ath brought in the room of it Life and Immortality hence that Iohn 11.26 Mat. 22.32 Sixthly Saints now die like Christ though in the Grave his soul was separate from his body yet neither was separated from the Godhead Though death may separate between soul and body in a Saint it cannot separate either from Communion with God Rom. 8.11 Seventhly death to Saints strengthens their Communion with God it separates an holy Saint from a filthy world a precious soul from a 〈◊〉 body precious graces from filthy corruptions 〈◊〉 precious Spirit from vile flesh Death to Saints separates only the precious from the vile whereby they come into more intimate Communion with God 2 Cor. 6.17 Eighthly it is not to believers Death and Hell follows it but Death and Heaven follows it Death is so far from separating it carries the soul into the full enjoyment of God Secondly let us consider how far a Christian may be endangered by life Here consider four things First the many errors slips falls backslidings believers are subject to in this life Psal 19.12 James 5.19 20. if any of you erre in judgement or practice How much by these things a believer is endangered to a separation from the love of God and his Communion with God appears Heb. 3.12 Hebr. 10.38 2 Pat. 3.17 Secondly they are endangered in this life by the corrupt customes and conversations of the ungodly with whom they converse in the world how apt Gods people are to this appears by that exhortation Rom. 12.2 How much they are endangered thereby See Psal 106.36 what great Apostacies false Professâ—â—â— have made thereby See 2 Pet. 2.20 Thirdly they are endangered by the profits pleasures promises and allurements of the world By these Demas was brought off from his fellowship in the Gospel 2 Tim. 4.10 Hence that 1 Tim 6.10.11 How much hereby they are endangered to fall from the love of God 1 John 2.15 Fourthly they are endangered by those many afflictions temptations reproaches persecutions that befal them in this life when many afflictions followed the believing Hebrews their 〈◊〉 began to saint their handâ— hang downs their knees grow seeble and their 〈◊〉 were in danger of turning 〈◊〉 from the ways of God Heb. 12. â—â— 1â— When Christ spake bus of his own sufferings to 〈◊〉 he startled and said Master 〈…〉 self when Christ call'd him to be an eye witness of his sufferings Peter 〈◊〉 to sleep he that promised never to forsake Christ to die with him comes to deny him had not Christ prayed aâ—prehand for him his faith bad utterly â—â—â—ed Yet none of these things that 〈◊〉 a believer in life shall 〈◊〉 him First not the first the Office of Christ is to
and Son is chiefly managed and transacted 1 Iohn 16.14 15. and by whom it is manifested 1 Iohn 4.13 Thirdly be much in those duties frequent those Ordinances where God manifesteth and most communicateth himself to his own 4. Use Let Believers be exhorted to live walk act and work all their works in the strength of that grace that flows from this Communion First hence our victory over all dangers enemies difficulties 1 Iohn 4.4 Secondly hence your fruitfulness in Christ John 15.4 5. ROM 8.38 For I am Perswaded c. IN the first Point I opened the doctrine of Believers Communion with God The second is the bond of this Communion The Love of God Doct. The Love of God is a sweet a sacred bond of inseparable Communion between God and believers Though the love of God in Scripture somtimes signifies our love to God yet here it must needs signifie Gods love to us for not our love to God but his love to us is the only foundation on which a believer can build such high resolution strong confidence glorious joy triumphing faith as is in the text There is a threefold love of God to us First a general love a love of benevolence or good will common to all his creatures as they are the works of his hand so his mercy and love are over all his works the invisible things of his Wisdom and Power are seen in every creature Rom. 1.20 And what of God is in any creature is lovely and he loves every thing himself hath made Secondly a particular love a love of beneficence or bounty Thus he loves man above all his other creatures before his fall Pro. 8.31 After his fall Psal 8.45 Heb. 2.16 Tit. 3.4 Thirdly a more special and peculiar love a love of Communion and Complacency it is of such out of mankind whom God hath loved in Christ with an everlasting love these are believers according to Election Man is Partaker with other creatures of all that love of God that communicates to them yet hath a special love of God that communicates to him and no other creature hath part with him Believers partake of all that love of God that communicates it self to all other creatures and to all other men yet hath a special love of God in which no other creature and no other men partake with him Thus a believer is Heir of all that love that ever issued forth from God of this love of God the Text speaks First it is the bond of our Communion as being that which draws us into this Communion There is in every man by nature an unwillingness to come to God a drawing off from God and Communion with him Partly from sin and corruption which is in man which is a privation of our suitableness and likeness and conformity to God and is a positive contrariety and opposition to God both which are flatly repugnant to Communion and partly also from the apprehension of the wrath and displeasure of God and our obnoxiousness to his Iustice whom most unjustly and injuriously we have offended hence no man will come into Communion with God except drawn Iohn 6.44 But what then doth God compell men against their wills no this would destroy that natural principle of liberty God hath implanted in that faculty therfore in infinit wisdom he hath ordered to bring them in by a way of voluntariness and free obedience and the meanes by which the power of his grace shall produce effectually those effects in the hearts of men to which they shall freely and willingly consent to is a way of love Hos 11 4. Love is the cord that drawes men that drawes man into communion with God Ier 34.3 When God by his Spirit manifests his love to the soul whom no other meanes could perswade much less compel the soul is conquered by the secret ineffable potency and Tweetness of the operation of love love drawes and the soule comes yea runs into his armes yea into that bosom where love opens Cant. 1.1.4 Secondly it is the bond of our communion with God because it binds God fast to us and us fast to God First it binds God fast to us in this sacred communion First this it doth by bringing us into an everlasting Covenant with God Ezek. 16 8. 1 Sam. 18.3 No after-sins â—ack-slidings no temptations persecuâ—ions of the world nor chastise rents of God can break Covenant because founâ—ed on love Our Communion with God is foundâ—d on the Covenant the Covenant founâ—ed on love hence we call it a Covenant â—f grace or love It is exprest to be a Covenant of Conjugal love Hos 2.18 19 20. when God threatens to visit the sins of his people c. yet my loving kindness c. nor breaks my Covenant c. Isa 89 31.34 Secondly this is that doth dispense all the blessings of the Covenant to believers in this Communion This love of God is that which first gives forth Jesus Christ to them 1 Jo. 4.10 And with Christ all other graces and Priviledges of grace that concur to salvation T it 3.4 7. This love makes the first great change and alteration in mens estates and conditions v. 3. this love of God goes on to manifest it self to such in Christ in the Renovation of the Spirit in Justification in making us heirs of glory and eternal life So love the Fountain of all grace Eph. 2 4 5 6. see 2 Thes 2.16 17. the love whence flows all consolation as from the original is there expresly affirmed of God the Father Secondly it is the bond of this Communion as it binds us fast to God this it doth First by engaging us to believe in his Son Jesus Christ John 3.16 God o loved c. the love of God here is made matter of greatest encouragement to finners to believe against all doubts of strongest engagement to believe against all Pleas Pretences on the contrary God so loved c. So How so as we cannot tell so as the tongue of men and Angels cannot express so infinitely so ardently so in comprehensibly as exceeds our thoughts as far as heaven is above the earth Gods love with a So swallows up all our sins doubts fears difficulties wants weaknesses unworthinesses or whatever stands in the way of believing Secondly by enabling us to believe 1 John 4.10 We have known such whom no means no Prâ—misâ—s no Persuasions could prevail with to believe if God make known but a secret hint of his love forthwith it believes against all unbelief believes in hope against hope and gives glory to God Faith is called the Gift of God Eph. 2.8 and every gift springs from love Christ is the Gift of God love and faith is the gift of Gods love the love of God brings Christ and faith together and unites both together Thirdly by begeting in our hearts a love to God in some manner of Analogie like that of his to us Love begets love as fire begets fire and in this flame
the soul like Manoahs Angel ascends up to God in heaven it is a common proverb that love alwayes descends seldome ascends It is not so between God and beleivers 1 Jo. 4 19. and that love which ascends from us to God what is it but that which first descended from God to us A woman that hath no love no affection for such a person nor any thoughts of him it may be never saw him yet when such a person comes to make known his true love and affection to her it presently begets love in her bosom so Thus the Apostle doth describe it Eph 1.4 see how it begins in the love of God to us and ends in our love to him this is that the eternal love of God aimed at and works up every believer to God loves that he may be loved Where God loves he takes up his rest in that soul Zeph. 3.17 where the soul lovâ—s God it takes up its rest in God Psal 116.7 and values the love of God above richest enjoyments Psal 63.3 Now it cannot live but in the love of God Psal 30.5 Fourthly by actuating the whole foul in a way of service and sincere obedience to God What the Apostle saith of the love of Christ 2 Cor. 5.10 the same is true of the love of God it constrains it besiegeth it hemms us in it takes full possession of the soul brings it under the regency of divine love is wholly at the Command of love 1 John 5.3 This is the love of God Herein is Gods love manifested to be special love to us and herein is our love manifested to be sincere love to him This is the spirit in the wheels that moves all the faculties and affections of the soul to God in a way of duty and obedience In this way God manifests his Communion of love with us Jo. 14.23 and we manifest our Communion of love with God 1 John 1.7 To walk in the light is to walk in a way of holiness and holy obedience to God and whereas many failings and fallings short will be found in the best obedience yet there is a remedy provided the blood of Christ 1. Use This point leads us to the uppermost spring the highest original of grace and glory to believers and that is the love of God not the love of Christ as Mediator but the love of God whence Christ and all spiritual blessings with him originally flow to us In vain shall we seek for any other motive to God in his dispensations of grace to us besides his love Deut. 5.7 8. God hath predestinated you to the adoption called justified sanctified you and will glorifie you only because it pleased the Lord to love you 2. Use Is love the bond of our Communion with God First then it is a very near close intimate Communion Love is a transanimation one soul in another 1 Sam. 18.1 or with another it is a believer engraven in Gods heart appled in Gods eye carried up and down in Gods armes like a beloved disciple lying in Gods Bosom the Place the Seat the Center of love Secondly it is of love therefore a choice Communion Love singles out its object it looks upon many chuseth few the children of his love are a chosen generation 1 Pet. 2.9 God singles some out of all the world to have Communion with and they single God out of all the world to have Communion with him Psal 73.25 Thirdly it is of love therefore a strong Communion Love is strong as death invincible by any opposition conquering every thing that is against it The Love of God pardons all sin swallows up all distances The love of God in communion with the soul sweetens every bitter thing heals all lapses repairs all breaches ends all controversies between God and the soul Hos 145 5. Fourthly it is an everlasting communion because it is of love the love of God in the heart of a believer never faileth 1 Cor. 13.8 much less can the love of God fail in his own heart the love of God is one of the longest and most lasting things in God Psal 36.10 Continue in the Hebrew Draw out at lengthâ— as is the love so is the Communion 3. Use Is love the bond of our Communion with God take that exhortation Jude 21. Keep your selves in the love of God keep up your faith in Gods love keep the apprehensions and manifestations of Gods love warm in your hearts This will keep you in sweet Communion with God which is the life of ouâ— faith the soul of our Christianity thâ— joy of our salvation all joy and peace iâ— believing This is strong consolation Peace that passeth understanding Thiâ— is our stability in grace our security for glory 1 Iohn 4.16 we have known and believed God is love ROM 8.38.36 VVE are come to the third particular viz. the primary and principal subject in which the love ef God to us centred and that is Jesus Christ which is in Christ Jesus Doct. That love of God which is the bond of communion between himself and believers with all its gracious effects Blessings Priviledges is manifested and dispensed to us only in and through Jesus Christ Our life and salvation is first in God himself with whom is the fountain of life and who is the Father of lights in whom our life is said to be hid Coll. 3.3 and so in him it is ours by the eternal purpose of his love and grace in himself This love of God as it was the only moving cause to God of the eternal purpose of his grace concerning us so it is the chief Agent and principal Efficient of all grace in us as we declared in the last Point Yet we must consider the only Medium or means by which God doth manifest his love to us through which he doth dispence all the effects of his eternal love and grace to us is Jesus Christ who is appointed of God to be the only Executor of all his Decrees of love and grace and is ordained to come in as Mediatour in all things between God and us This I shall endeavour to demonstrate 1. Demonst Jesus Christ was anointed with all that love which God the Father had taken up in his own bosom to be laid out on all his elect ones and thus he became Son and Heir of all the love of God to his beloved Hence Christ is made known to us as the eminently beloved one of the Father Mat. 3.17 The beloved with an Amphasis in whom we are said to be accepted Eph. 1.6 his dear Son or the Son of his love into whose Kingdom we are said to be translated Col. 1.13 And from the love of God to him is the love of God derived to us John 17. ult 2. Dem. Jesus Christ alone is the great manifestation of Gods eternal love to us as being the first and most immediate effect of it 1 John 4.10 so as we cannot nor ever could come to the least measure of knowledge of
THE Inseparable Communion OF A Believer WITH GOD IN HIS LOVE Being the Substance of Several SERMONS Preached on ROM VIII 38.39 By that Reverend Minister Mr. THOMAS MALLERY late Pastor of a Church in London LONDON Printed for R. D. near the Royal Exchange MDCLXXIV AN ADVERTISEMENT TO THE Christian-READER THE Author of this short Treatise was so well known to the Churches of Christ in and about this City that neither himself nor any of his holy Labours do need an Epistle of Commendation to them For though he be dead he yet speaketh by his past Example to Believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity And by his Ministry which he Managed as the Steward of God holding fast the faithful Word with uncorruptness and dispensed with gravity sincerity sound speech as cannot be condemned rightly dividing the Word of Truth whereby as he did approve himself to God a Workman that needed not to be ashamed so also to every Mans Conscience that knew him and more especially to the Flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him Overseer to whom in Christ Jesus both his Personal Grace and Ministerial Abilities are acknowledged as the Auther and Finisher of them The design therefore of these few lines is not so much to bespeak an Acceptance with the Reader as to Advertise him That these Sermons were not prepared or for ought is known ever intended by himself for the Presse but are made publick by some of his Friends in whose Memory his Name and Labour yet live as those that God made useful and savoury to them when he Preached them and which they hope may be Profitable to all the Saints Yet the Reader may be assured That they are the true Copy of his own Notes the Errors of the Transcriber excepted which he Prepared to methodize what of the Word he Ministred in his daily course which were enlarged and further emproved in the lively Delivery of them which latter if we could present thee with as truly as the substance of them is here emitted especially if it had pleased the only wise God to have spared him to a Review of them by that spiritual Judgment which he was singularly blest with to deliver the things of God not only solidly but in many things very sublimely there would need no Apology to the World whose course is to censure rather then to study profit by the Labours of Gods Servants for the seeming abruptnesse of some of his notions and the brevity of the whole which last inconvenience yet is attended with this advantage That the godly Reader may with less expence of time peruse them and with greater facility retain them and the worth and weight he finds in them will recompence his labour through the blessing of the Holy One who teacheth us to profit as he hath Promised to all that are interessed in this inseparable union to and communion with him in Jesus Christ who will through him make us Conquerours over the unprofitablenesse of our own hearts as well as all other our spiritual enemies The Substance of several Sermons ROM 8.38 39. For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come Nor heighth nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. IN the 33. and 34. verses we have Paul with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration he sets one foot on Mount Calvary where Christ died the other on Mount Olivet where Christ ascended and by faith takes in a full view of the infinite dimensions of the Grace of Justification and triumphs over the Law and Satan the grand Accuser of the Brethren In 35 36 37 verses he triumphs over the world and the worst the world can do by power or malice by faith in the love of Christ In the Text is a higher Rapture of faith it takes a view of all things in Heaven Earth and Hell and triumphs over all Enemies real or imaginary that can be supposed to endeavor to separate believers from the love of God in Christ ver 38 39. 1. Here we have one thing implied a Mystery that lies hid in the bosom of the Text viz. Communion with God Secondly the Bond of that Communion the Love of God Thirdly the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or first subject of that love Christ Jesus Fourthly the Propriety Believers have to Christ for this end viz. Communion with God in his love Christ Jesus our Lord. Fifthly the triumph of faith in this love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord over all things in Heaven Earth or Hell that can be supposed to separate from the love of God 1. All Believers have a most intimate spiritual Communion with God though in a mystical and wonderful way This truth is couched in the Text and lies hid like a spring in a Watch which yet moves all the Wheels in the Work it is implied in the word Separate for separation is the disjoyâ—ting or disuniting of things conjoyned together in common union and therefore somthing and in the first place is to be spoken to it In which we must consider three things Union Communion Communication between God and Believers 1. We must consider the Union that is between God and Believers which is the foundation of all Communion There are several sorts of Union First A natural union an union of persons in the same common nature such an union there is between Christ and believers Heb. 2.11 and through Christ between them and God for hereby God became Emanuel God with us one with us and we one with him Secondly there is an union by Covenant thus all the sons of men were one with the first Adam the Apostle speaks of this one man as including all men Rom. 5.18 Such an union there is between Christ and believers Eph. 1.10 and through Christ with God Zach. 13.9 I will say it is my people and they c. Thirdly there is an union of Amity or Affection as between Jonathan and David 1 Sam. 18.11 and 20.17 as between those Acts 4.32 such an union is between believers and Christ Eph. 5.25 Christ loved his Church and gave himself Such also between God and believers now reconciled by Christ Eph. 2.14 Fourthly there is a Conjugal union of persons by Marriage Eph. 5.28 31. such an union there is between Christ and believers 2 Cor. 11.2 and such between God and believers Isa 54.5 Isa 62.5 Hos 2.16 19.20 Fifthly there is a spiritual union between all believers 1 Cor. 12.13 such an union hath believers with Christ 1 Cor. 6.17 and through Christ with God 1 Cor. 2.13 with Eph. 2. ult But there is an union of believers with God beyond all these most spiritual most mystical and as yet incomprehensible such an union as is made to resemble the union between the Father and his Son John 14.20 and John 17.21
Gods eternal love to us but only in Iesus Christ 2 â—or 4.6 Knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ By the glory of God we are in a special manner to understand it of the glory of his eternal love and grace if with this we compare Eph. 1.6 and 12. every believers experience will bear witness to this truth 3. Dem. God did first accomplish all that grace in Christ which his eternal love had purposed to perform in us 2 Cor. 1.20 Hence Christ became the first-born Rom. 8.29 the first-fruits 1 Cor. 15.23 The Image Patern and Exemplar of all the grace and glory of God to us 2. Our salvation was founded on the eternal Election of God Christ was elected Isa 42.1 He was not only one chosen out of all Creatures Men and Angels but chosen out of all the three Persons in Trinity to be the Mediatour of our Peace by the Election of Christ ours is ratified and confirmed Secondly our salvation includes in it a Predestination to the Adoption We were ordained to be sons of God So Christ in our nature by its personal Union with the Divine was the Son of God Luke 1.45 Gal. 4.4 5. Thirdly our salvation is carried on by our Calling Iesus Christ had his Call of God to all the Offices that concerned him in the Work of our Redemption Heb. 5.4 5. Fourthly our salvation is carried by Iustification so Christ was first justified Isa 50 8. 1 Tim. 3.16 Fisthly our salvation is carried on unto a final victory over all our enemies for Christ Iesus he hath first overcome Rev. 3.21 Sixthly our salvation is perfected by the Resurrection from the dead and a possession of glory for Christ first rose from the dead and entred into his glory Eph. 4.5 6. So what faith hope love holiness patience humility obedience God should require of us was first performed by Christ who became a Pattern and Examplar of all grace unto obedience for us John 15.10 and our constant Growth and Increase in Grace is called a growing up in all things to Christ our Head Eph. 4 15. 4. Dem. All these treasures of salvation which God hath in his eternal love decreed to lay out on his Elect both in grace and glory are given into Christ Col 1.19 Col. 2.3 Christ Heir of all things by appointment Heb. 1.3 Here he is said to be made of God unto us whatever God intended to make our salvation compleat by viz. Wisdom 1 Cor. 1.30 Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption These four Ingredients are perfect and compleat salvation So that of Christs fulness we still receive grace for grace and glory for glory 2 Cor. 3.18 John 1.16 and our compleatness is in him Col. 2.9 10. Hence Christ is said to be not only given us for a Saviour but to be the salvation of God to us Luke 2.30 because he contains in himself the whole matter of our salvation every part and parcel that makes our salvation compleat 5. Dem. When God actually performs any of that grace his eternal love purposed and decreed for us he first makes us to be in Christ makes us one with Christ 1 Cor. 1.30 Of God are ye in Christ Iesus he gathers into one in Christ Eph. 1.10 he calls them into the fellowship of Christ 1 Cor. 1.9 whom he intends to save As we are said to be chosen in Christ Eph. 1.4 so we are said to be made the sons of God in Christ Gal. 3.26 reconciled in Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 to be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. ult to be made new creatures in him 2 Cor. 1.17 to be made an habitation of God in him Eph. 2. ult to be sanctified preserved called in Iesus Christ Iude 1. hence we are called the Workmanship of God in Christ Eph. 2.10 The grounds of this truth why God should make out all the manifestations and dispensations of his love to us in Christ Iesus may be 1. Christ only is that among all three Persons in Trinity which God did ordain us to be viz. the Son of God The grace of our Adoption is the supreme Priviledge of all that grace we receive from Gods love 1 Iohn 3.1 and is our Right and Title to all other blessings if sons then heirs We must be sons before we can have right to any part of the Inheritance Now Christ having this Prerogative peculiar to himself to be the Son of God it was necessary that we should be made the sons of God in Christ Iesus Eph. 1.5 Secondly because Christ was as the only begotten Son of God so the only beloved of the Father sole Heir of all his Fathers love and his Fathers blessings both in grace and glory Therefore it behoved that the manifestations of the Fathers love and the dispensations of his love to us in the blessings of grace and glory should be made in Iesus Christ Thirdly that the glory of our salvation might not be communicated in any part to the creature but to God alone of whom through whom to whom are all things to whom be glory for ever It is God who of himself and in himself and by himself worketh all grace in us of himself as the Father in himself as the Son by himself as the holy Spirit The Uses of this Point are I. For Information First it informs us how miserable men are who are yet out of Christ they are in no capacity to receive one token of Gods saving love They may love themselves and do good to themselves the world may love friends may love them and shew them love but God will shew them no love out of Christ Secondly it informs us of that excellent order and method the Wisdom of God hath observed in stating our salvation The love of God which is the great spring of life and grace is first in God himself as the original Then it is in Christ as he to whom belongs the Birth-right and the blessings of it in whom all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen Then it is in us who are in Christ Iesus in whom we are made Partakers of the righteousness holiness and glory of God Thirdly that no natural goodness in our selves nothing we can do in conformity to the Law of God no external duties of Worship to God no moral Righteousness towards man can be the least part of that Righteousness that can bring us into a state of love and favour with God It must be what God doth bestow on us in Iesus Christ for no man is made that unto which the love of God hath predestinated him in himself and through himself but in and through Christ only Fourthly it informs us in what glass we may most clearly behold the love of God to us in all its effects it is Iesus Christ Would we know the love of God to us look upon his love to Christ or know the dignity of our Adoption look upon the Sonship of Christ or know the dignity
of our Iustification look upon the Righteousness of Christ or know the glory God intends us Many things that concern our salvation have yet no other subsisting in us but what saith giveth them which yet are actually accomplisht in Christ they are in us yet imperfect which are compleated in Christ Fifthly it informs first of the infinite loveliness 1. Of Christ who had all the pourings out of divine love on him all the love of God that was due to himself and to all the Saints besides Secondly the infinite capacity of Christs Person who can contain in himself all the love and all the Priviledges of the love of God to all his Elect both in grace and glory Thirdly the infinite love of Christ to us in being willing to impart to us a share of that love of God that grace and glory of God that was only due to him in the right of the first and only begotten 2. Use For instruction 1. When we go to God for any manifestation of his love or any dispensation of love in any spiritual or heavenly blessings go out of your selves get into Christ in him alone we can know his love and receive the blessings of iâ— Eph 1.3 Nothing comes to us immediately from God but mediately in and through Christ who is Mediatour between God and us in all things divine have hath decreed for us Secondly how much doth it concern us a mong the highest and chiefell concernments of salvation to have our union with Christ our interest in Christ cleared up There only we can know what divine love purposed for us from everlasting what it hath done for us what it hath further to bestow upon us how it is forming and fashioning us by degrees into a blessed Conformity with the Son of God in grace and glory Thirdly let this teach us how to manifest our love to God how to return our love to God in faith and all the duties of our worship and obedience after the manner of all the dispensations of Gods love to us that is do all to God in and through Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Col. 3.17 3. Use In point of Consolation 1. Admirable comfort to be loved of God with any kind of love is sweet but to be loved of God in Christ to be loved as Christ this excelleth To have fellowship with Christ in his sufferings afflictions reproaches is great honour but to have fellowship with Christ in the love of God and all the wonderful effects of it This is to Admiration Secondly therefore the love of God hust needs abide and the state of Saints â—ternal immurable unchangeable in Gods love because â—t is in Christ Iesus â—nd they maâ—e of God to be not in â—hemselves but in Christ ROM 8.38 For I am Perswaded WE are come to the fourth ground of this great Persuasion of the Apostle â—rist Jesus our Lord. Mark the order First here is a marvellous and mysteâ—ns yet real Communion between God â—â—d believers Secondly the Bond of this Commuâ—â—on is the love of God in himself Thirdly the great manifestation and â—ensation of this love of God to us â—n Christ Iesus Now follows the â—â—th This Christ Iesus is our Lord. Doct. We are to consider that Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 great Lord Christ is to be considered in a twofold capacity as the eternal Son of God and as God-Man or Mediator In both respects he is a Lord. 1. As he is the only begotten Son of God by eternal generation So he is Lord of the whole Creation of God all things have their being and sustentation of him Col. 16.17 Heb. 1.3 He is called the Image the first-born Col. 1.15 The first-born in Scripture notes Principality Lordship and Dominion the first-born is Heir of all and the Heir is called Lord of all Gal. 4.1 From this his Primogeniture the Apostle inferreth his Lordship or Dominion over the Angels Heb. 1.6 Secondly as he is Mediatour God-man so he is Lord. 1. By Ordination or Constitution Heb. 1. 2. Him hath God appointed See that John 3.35 The Man Christ is made Lord of all Acts 2.26 He hath this Lordship by Patent from the Father he hath it by Commission John 5.22 He hath committed all Judgment to him by Judgement here we are to understand an absolute dominion and sovereignty over all things and all persons in heaven earth and hell Phil. 2.9 10 11. Hence we have the four beasts with twenty four Elders with the Angels Rev. 5 11 12 13. Thus the Man Christ is said to be made higher then the Kings of the earth Psa 89.27 Rev. 19.16 Secondly by Unction he is anointed with the power of a Lord Acts 10.38 and this power is universal Mat. 28.18 And he is anointed with the spirit of Wisdom and that Wisdom is proportionable to his Power that all Power and this all Wisdom Col. 2.3 By both these he is throughly furnisht for the administration of that dominion which belongs to him as Lord Power to protect Wisdom to govern all his subjects and servants Power to crush Wisdom to defeat all the counsels of his enemies Power able by weakness to confound things that are mighty and Wisdome able by foolishness to bring to nought the understanding of the Prudent and both these anointed with Righteousness the stability of every Kingdom and the Perpetuity of Christs Heb. 1.8 Thirdly by Conquest and Victory he hath overcome all his enemies he hath overcome the strong man Satan taken away his Armour divided the spoils of that Kingdom of darkness Luke 11.21 he hath overcome the wrath of God the severity of his Justice the Malediction of the Law Gal. 3 13. He hath blâ—tted out spoiled Principalities Col. 2.14.15 Jer. 12.31 He hath overcom sin Dan. 9. 24. He hath overcome the world Iohn 16.24 He hath abolisht death 2 Tim. 1.10 Rev. 1.18 Secondly we are to consider Jesus Christ as the Lord of his Church Lord of all believers Col. 1.18 that he might have the Preeminence or Lordship All believers acknowledge him to be their Lord 1 Cor. 8.6 when they first receive him by saith they receive him as a Lord Col. 2.6 Thus the Angels preach'd him to the faith of men when he was first-born into the world Luke 2.11 Thus the Apostles preach'd him when they exhibited him to the saith of the world by the Gospel Acts 10. 30. Every particular believer may say of Christ as David My Lord Psal 110. 1. and as Thomas John 10.28 Let us consider what the nature and quality of Christs Dominion or Lordship over believers is and then how it is exercised 1. The quality of Christs dominion of Lordship over believers and his whole Church is a dominion of grace Rom. 6.14 a Kingdom of righteousness and grace Rom. 5.21 Grace hath reigned through Righteousness by Iesus Christ our Lord. Secondly it is exercised in a way of grace he is called a gracious Lord 1 Pot. 2.3 First by converting their souls by pulling down the
strong holds of sin and Satan in their Consciences by casting down the imaginations and bringing them into subjection 2 Cor. 10.4 5. This he doth Ministerially by the Word of Reconciliation effectually by his Spirit Thus being delivered from the power of darkness they are translated into the Kingdom of Gods dear Son and Christ is become their Lord. Secondly he is the only Lord of their saith as he is Authour of it Heb. 12.2 To him only we can say as that poor man Lord I believe help my unbelief as the disciples Lord increase our saith And he only is the object or matter of our faith the Apostle preach'd him the only Lord our faith 2 Cor. 4. 5. It is highest sacriledge horrible usurpation to impose any thing to be believed for salvation which Christ hath not commanded Thirdly he is Lord by justifying their persons and forgiving their sins he is called the Lord our Righteousness Ier. 23.6 He is to us a Melchizedech a King of Righteousness Heb. 7.2 To forgive sin is Royalty the Prerogative of such a Person who hath dominion over us as a Prince and Lord Acts 5.31 Fourthly by ruling leading governing them whom he hath justified and pardoned Isa 55.6 This he doth by writing his Laws in their hearts by giving a spiritual understanding in the knowledge of his Will by forming and fashioning their affections and conversations into holy obedience to the heavenly and spiritual nature of his Kingdom Fifthly by affording all needful supplies to all their wants by affording mercy and grace to help Joseph was made Lord of Egypt and he had all the Granaries and Store-houses at his Command to dispence So Christ is Lord of all his Fathers Treasures and he giveth all things 2 Pet. 1.3 Sixthly in protecting upholding succouring them in all their dangers amidst all their temptations infirmities discouragements 2 Cor. 12.9 by his compassions pltying them Heb. 4.15 by his power and grace helping them by his care and wisdom proportioning their strength to their trials to him every believer may say Lord save me or I perish Seventhly in overcoming all the enemies of their salvation the two Heads or Generals whereof are Satan Rom. 16.20 and Antichrist Rev. 17.14 Eighthly he hath manifested himself to be our Lord when he died for us and rose for us and sate down at the right hand of God for us and hath quickned us together and raised us together and set us together with himself in heavenly places Eph. 25 6. Thirdly consider how much this consideration that Christ lesus is our Lord doth afford to this triumph or ful persuasion of faith that nothing can separate us from the love of God He is our Lord and Lord over all creatures in Heaven Earth and Hell Lord over Angels Men Devils Lord over Life and Death Lord over all Prineipalities and Powers Lord in the heighths and Lord in the depths Lord over things present and Lord over things to come such as have a Lord so full of Love Power Wisdom Compassions Grace can never fall from the Love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 1. Use Is Christ Iesus a Lord over all creatures here is encouragement for any poor creature that lies under the sense of sin and wrath to come to Christ and say Lord save me or I must perish Doth the wrath of God threaten thee run to Christ and say be mâ—rciful to me O Lord under the shadow of thy wings I come for shelter Dost thou feel a dominion of sin a tyranny of prevalling lusts leading the captive come and say Lord many lores have dominion over me O let me be under the Dominion and Government of thy grace Doth Satan pursue Conscieâ—ce accuse Law condemn Death threaten Hell open upon thee Come to Christ who hath spoiled Satan pacified Conscience satisfied Law abolisht death triumph'd over Hell he is Lord over all hath swallowed up all in victory Dost thou want a Righteousness to lustifie thee Christ is Lord of Righteousness Dost thou want Pardon of sin Christ is Lord and hath power to forgive sin Dost thou want any grace within the whole compass of the Promises Ordinances Treasures of God Christ is Lord of all Dost thou want a good title to Heaven Christ is Prince of life and Lord of Glory 2. Use Is Christ Iesus in a special manner the Lord of his Church the Lord of believers I. Let us own Iesus Christ to be our Lord for this end two things are necessary First Faith when the Apostle represents this Lord absent to us he saith We walk by faith 2 Cor. 5 6 7. Other lords are present with us to command encourage oversee over rule and to reward us Christ is absent therefore to stand in awe of him to be diligent in his Work to do to suffer for him to fear to offend him to endeavor that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him this requires much faith Secondly the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 It is not every one that saith Lord Lord Many that live under the Education and external Profession of the Gospel in words call Christ Lord yet they will never yield up themselves in obedience to him as their Lord without the over-ruling grace and power of the Holy Ghost II. As ye have received Christ Iesus the Lord so walk in him Col. 6.2 Give up your selves consciences thoughts desires the secrets of your souls and the conversations of your lives to be guided ordered governed by his Word and Will Thirdly honour Christ Iesus your Lord both in life and death Rom. 14 7.8 9. Fourthly let us be faithful sincere constant and abundant in his service we have a Lord that can and will reward us 1 Cor. 15. ult Fifthly if Christ Iesus be our Lord let us trust him and live in dependance upon him for our present subsistence and future expectations the Lord never failed them that waited on him ROM 8 38 39. I am Perswaded THE Apostle having taken himself and all believers to their strong holds which is Communion with God and having strengthned this Communion with God by love and fortified this love of God in Christ Iesus and having engaged Christ Iesus his Lord his Leader the Captain of our salvation Now he prepares for the encounter 1. He takes a view of all his adversaries and then encourageth his faith against them all I am Perswaded Expects an assault from all kind of enemies Satan mustering his Aemies from the four quarters of Heaven Earth and Hell compassing the Camp of the Saints endeavoring to overthrew the beloved City the strong hold of Gods beloved ones he musters death and life Doct. Such as are beloved of God in Christ Iesus may yea must expect to encounter all kinds of enemies or evils possible or imaginable in this world I. In these enemies the Apostle reckons up in the Text which befal Saints on the Account of Gods love to them First consider the reality of them they are
all things which have a true real being and subsistence there is life and there is death The Apostle doth not fight with his own shadow or in fighting only beat the Air he doth not propound to himself or us dangers evils enemies which have only a notional aiery empty existence but such as have a real solid being not one of them but believers may expect to encounter with at one time or other Secondly the multitude of them the Apostle reckons up but the chief Heads Leaders and Commanders of these evils enemies and dangers eight in number Death Life c. How many Armies of dangers evils enemies may march under the Conduct of every one of these Commanders are innumerable Psal 40.12 how many under death how many under life c. Thirdly the variety of them they are of divers kinds some arise from life some from death They are managed by variety of Agents and Instruments some by Angels good and bad some by Principalities and Powers They are inflicted at divers times some from the present some from the future They come from divers places some from the heighth some from the depth Fourthly the strange contrariety in them Death is opposite to life good Angels to bad the Principalities and Powers of the World opposite to one another things present opposite to things to come heighths to depths Here is Ephraim against Manassch and Manassch against Ephraim but both against Iudah here is Herod and Pilate at variance between themselves but both against Christ from these opposite interests arise dangers to the people and how contrary soever each to other yet they all one way or other endanger the salvation of Saints and most of them vigorously endeavor and design their destruction to the utmost These are the evils afflictions which may befal them who are in the love of God Little less the Apostle had declared before verse 35 36 37. should befal them upon the account of Christs love which is Tribulation Here the world is mustering up all its forces and arming it self with all the weapons of its indignation against them who are loved of Christ 1. Observe from hence all the evils the power and malice of the world can inflict may befal them that are under Christs love These here reckoned are the worst and they comprehend all the evils the world can inflict Secondly not only the worst of evils in the world may befal such but this in the highest degree not only tribulation but tribulation with distress not only distress but distreâ—s with persecution nor only persecution but persecution with famine nor only famine but famine with nakedness nor only nakedness but peril of life nor only peril of life but the destruction of the sword Not only to be troubled but to be distressed nor only distressed but persecuted nor persecuted only but famish'd nor only famish'd but stript naked nor only stript naked but in peril of life nor in peril only but killed by the sword killed all the day long This is misery to the height There are two evils which are commonly made to comprehend all the miseries in hell The pain of loss and the pain of sense Both these in their kind may befal those in this world who are under the love of God First Pain that ariseth from loss loss of all their outward comforts dearest relations and sweetest enjoyments of the world Mar. 10.28 29 what hath a man to lose more Paul Phil. 3.8 I have suffered the loss of all Secondly Pain of sense Heb. 11.35 36.37 Tortured You say these were of the Church of the Old Testament the New Testament Church hath greater Priviledges No compare Psal 44.22 with Rom. 8.36 the Apostle speaks in the same words as the Prophet as the words are the same the conditions are the same no difference between that Church and this and this in respect to afflictions We are killed all the day not one day but every day nor one part of the day but all the day though this slaughter do not befal every one in the Church every day yet it is probable no day passeth wherein more or fewer are slain in one place or other the Church suffereth every where in her Members and every day though every particular Member doth not We are counted as sheep sheep are killed to feed and to feast the ungodly world hunger and thirst as much after the blood and flesh of Saints feed and feast on it with as much delight as men do on slaughtered sheep hence that 1 Cor. 15.19 Secondly we are to demonstrate that all the evils afflictions that Saints suffet in this world either from God or from the world are upon the account of Gods love to them in Christ I All they suffer from God or his more immediate Instruments and Agents is 1. Because he hath loved them all his chastisements are from love Heb. 12.6 Rev. 3.19 Secondly as they are from love so they are for love for the further manifestation of Gods love to them and for the strengthning of their Communion with God in love Zach. 13.9 I. All they suffer from the power and malice of Satan and the world is upon the account of Gods love to them First either because God loves them there is an irreconcileable enmity between God and the world God hates the world and the world hates God and all that God loves and because God loves them Wherefore did Cain hate his brother because God shewed more love to Abel in accepting his offering wherfore did Ishmael persecute Isaac because God shewed more love to Isaac why did Esau hate Iacob because God loved Iacob and Secondly or because they love God more then the world wherefore did Pharaoh persecute Moses because he loved Christ the reproaches of Christ and the sufferings of his people above all preferments pleasures of sin in Pharaoh's Court or the rich treasures of Egypt Heb. 11 24 5 6. Thirdly or because hereby they might bring them out of love credit favour with God so much is imported Rom. 8.35 But they are never more in account with God more in Gods love then in and under the sufferings Heb. 11.38 Fourthly or because hereby they design to bring them out of love with God and Christ and the ways of God So much seems to be implied Psal 119 87. Psal 38.20 No Courtesiâ—s will oblige the ungedly except the godly will leave doing good The Grounds of this Point 1. To make all the Children conformable to his own Son and all the Brethren conformable to their elder Brother Rom 8.29 All our sufferings and afflictions are Christs Cup it is one and the same Cup Christ and his disciples drank of Mat. 20.23 And Christ saith Te shall indeed drink Now this Cup of Christ had in it not one or two only but a mixture of many bitter ingredients Secondly to conrâ—m Saints in the faith of Gods love and the love of Christ Acts 14.22 Consider here First the Apostles did
affirm concerning afflictions with the same certainty they preach'd the Gospel Secondly they affirm not concerning a few but many afflictions Thirdly they declare in some respect a necessity Fourthly this is the way that leads to Gods Kingdom Fifthly hereby they confirm believers and strengthen them to continue in the faith of Gods love Thirdly to make full trial of the sincerity constancy strength of our love to God and to Iesus Christ Cant. 8.7 When Peter had fully declared his love to Christ then Christ tells him of his sufferings for him John 21.17 18. Because some pretend love to Christ as the stony ground which gladly received the Gospel but when persecution came fell away Others who pretend love to Christ can suffer in some kinds but not in others some can suffer a while but not long therefore God hath appointed many great of divers kinds yea sufferings to the last not only some present but some to come to try the sincerity of our love to Christ to the utmost 1. Use This Point convinceth the world and the generality of men who yet live within the sound of the Gospel of gross ignorance misapprehension They judge of the love of God and the ways of God as they are attended with outward peace liberty security from evils en mies dangers by that worldly felicity that attends them Secondly it reproves those who are informed in this truth and therefore dare not engage for God cannot love the ways of God because they know they must thereby expose themselves to so many kinds of sufferings and afflictions Most men love a dainty nice delicate Profession they can love Christ and his Priviledges but not Christ and his sufferings they can like the love of God in Christ but not the manisestations of that love through so many afflictions these cry out as the base Iews to Christ Come thee down from the Cross and we will believe in thee profess thee c. Thirdly for Exhortation to young Christians who are considering and consulting about giving themselves up to Christ and his ways to take that Councel of Christ Luke 14.28 31. to sit down seriously and consider what it will cost you to consider whether with our ten thousand the Promises Graces Comforts Priviledges we have in the Gospel we can meet twenty thousand such is the number of the afflictions trials temptations will encounter us Secondly to those who are engaged in the faith love Profession of Christ do not fancy to your selves some few some small some kind of troubles state the condition aright expect many and great and of several kinds all what is in the text It is true for our comfort all these in the text are not commonly the portion of every Saint but of the whole Church and God divideth to every Saint as he sees good But it stands us in hand to prepare for every one for the greatest men arm themselves all over because they know not where the blow will light Fourthly for Instruction Judge not of your selves nor other Christians by the multitude magnitude and variety of the greatest troubles that do befal you or them they are all founded in the love of God to you in Christ Iesus your Lord. ROM 8.38 39. For I am Perswaded THE Apostle having attained a full assurance of the love of God in Christ he builds his strong holds fortifies his saith in that love and then takes a view of all his enemies to the utmost which might be supposed to endanger him as to a falling off or falling away from this state and then by faith triumphs over all as weak impotent things as unable by their several or Conjunct power or concurrent strength to break the Communion Saints have with God in love through Christ lesus their Lord. The word I am perswaded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports A Persuasion that ariseth from strong conviction fulness of evidence undeniable Arguments therefore notes a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which comes from the same word which is A Persuasion with full confidence of faith Eph. 3.12 see Rom. 14.14 2 Tim. 1.12 It is joyned with a certain knowledge of the thing therefore the Persuasion must be certain and this certain Persuasion cannot be less then a strong confidence and full assurance of faith Doct. Such as have truly believed the Love of God in Christ Iesus their Lord may have a full Persuasion of faith they shall continue in the Communion of that love against all enemies that shall attempt a separation from it This I shall endeavor to demonstrate I From the nature of that Communion believers have with God in Christ Iesus First it is a fellowship with the Father and his Son Christ Iesus 1 John 1.2 In which observe first the reality and certainty of this Communion truly our Fellowship Secondly this Communion is a Priviledge common to every believer with the chiefest and highest Apostles one of which was Iohn called the beloved disciple he whom Iesus loved and laid in his bosom yet that ye might have fellowship with us Thirdly the effect that naturally flows from that Communion to believers viz. fulness of joy ver 4. Could any thing did any thing separate the Apostles from their Communion with the Father and his Son Iesus Christ every believers Communion with the Father and is the same Is there a most unquestionable truth and reality in that Communion whence slows fulness and compleatness of joy to believers then certainly none can separate them from it for then the joy would be very impersect narrow and scanty and by reason of the uncertainty of it the joy of a believer in his Communion with God would prove but like that spoken of Iob 20.5 Secondly it is a Conjugal Fellowship and Communion be ween God and believers Hos 2.19 20. It is for everlassing never to be violated it is performed with those solemnities ratified and confirmed by those engagements which make it sure and inviolable God undertakes for his part and pawns his Righteousness his Iudgment his loving kindness his mercies and his faith fulness for Performance and he undertakes for our part they shall know the Lord and they that know the Lord will never depart from him He who faith of man and woman in Conjugal Communion he hates puting away Mal. 2.16 will much less put away whom he hath betrothed to himself 2. Dem. Is taken from God in whom the love that flows from this Communion is in as its upper fountain and original The love of God the love which is in God There are four things in God First the Power of this God engaged to keep his in close Communion with himself against all adverse power that can attempt a separation John 10.29 If none can pluck them out of his hand less can they pluck them out of his bosome A man may have that wrung out of his hand by violence which cannot be pluckt out of his heart Secondly the unchangeableness of God a Balaam
compassionate their 〈◊〉 Heb. 4.15 to present the sacrifice of himself for the errors of his people Heb. 9.7 See Eâ—â—k 24.10 he will succour their temptations and heal their backslidings he wil keep them from falling from the love of God and Communion with God and present Jude 24. Secondly not the second for Christ hath prayed John 17.15 16. Gal. 1. â— God hath promised to sanctifie them wholly and he will do it Thes 5.23 24. and Christ will do it 2 Tim. 4.18 Thirdly not the third God out-bids the Promises of the world 1 Tim. 4.8 when David in a temptation was ready to quit the ways of God by reason of the many hardships and difficulties and to fall in with the pleasures profits and prosperity of the world God kept him in close Communion Psal 73.23 24. Fourthly not the last because all these afflictions aâ—e made ordered and design'd to work up a believer unto a fitness for everlasting Communion with God in glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Heb. 12.10 Holiness sits for Communion with God 〈◊〉 The reasons of the point Reas 1. Because that God who hath taken believers into Communion with himself in love hath a Sovereignty and Authority over death and life and 〈◊〉 things that concern the state of both Deut. 32.29 Reas 2. All believers have Communion with Christ in his life and death Rom. 5.10 by which death and life and all things that befal them in life and death are sweetned and sanctified to them Thirdly Iesus Christ is to be magnified in believers whether it be by life or death Phil. 1 20. Fourthly Life and Death are reconciled to them who are reconciled to God they are ours as Christ is ours 1 Cor. 3.12.23 Fifthly Life and Death to believers are great advantages in Christ Phil. 1.21 Sixthly a Christians state in life and death is wholly consecrated to God â—om 14.7 8. 1. Use Let this caution believers concerning Life and Death both of them naturally afford many advantages to the enemies of your salvation continually against you In life walk circumâ—â—â—â—â—â— you walk among snares be thou in the sear of the Lord all the day be in the faith of the Lord all the day be faithful unto death Wonder not if you meet with strong Conflicts to the last Attempts will be made to separate you if possible from Use 2. Christians be diligent above all things like the Apostle to fortifie your faith in the love of God which is in c. Here is your comfort and security against all the troubles and temptation in life and all the fears and â—errours of death Life and death are at the Command of God for good and not for evil to his beloved ones with him is the fountain of life to him belongs the issues from death Use 3. This should teach us patience under all the afflictions or suffâ—rings that befal us in life or death Many evils sorrows temptations may sorely afflict the godly in life and death but here is the consolation none shall separate him The Apostle makes no reckoning of all other troubles when a Christian remains inviolable in his Communion with God in love ROM 8.38 39. Nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers WE have seen the Apâ—stle as the mighty Champion of believers encountring conquering and triumphing over the first Rank or Regiment of enemies that appear in this cause viz. that either attempt or endanger a separation The second Rank or Regimeat follow Angels Principalities Powers Life and Death are but certain states and conditions wherin Saints may be endanger'd abstractly considered are unactiver hangs in themselves but Angels Principalities and Powers are living Agents that have a mighty activity in them to hurt and endanger the welfare of such an they oppos Interpreters agree not in stating the quality of these three Agents First some by Angels Principalities and Powers understand the whole Host of good Angels distinguisht by their orders degrees and dignities as Cor. 1.16 The good Angels are called Principalities and Powers Secondly by Angels Principalities and Powers some understand the whole Host of Angels good an bad those in Heaven are called Principalitie and Powers Eph. 3.10 so are those in Hell Eph. 6.12 Thirdly but I rather judge the Apostle here intends three particular and distinct Agents all the creatures in Heaven Earth and Hâ—ll for by his last expression And no other Creature it appears he intended to take in all creatures By Angels I understand the good Angell in Heaven by Principalities the Rulers Magistrates Governours of this world Tit. 3.1 Luke 12.11 by Powers the Angels of darkness Eph. 6.12 Dect The Point is That neither Angels who are the Powers and Principalitie of Heaven nor men who are the Powers and Principalities of this world nor Devils whâ— are the Powers and Principalities of Hell shall ever be able to separate I shall consider the first particular touching Angels First why the Apostle ranketh good Angels among them who attempt or endanger to separate seeing there is no cause of fear or real danger from them in such a cause Answ 1. Because I answer first the good Angels stand not by their own strength if lest to themselves and the fraiâ—ty of their own nature they might fall from their present station become Apostates and turn as bad enemies to believers as Devils are Their stability and unchangeableness is not from any natural power of inherent grace in themselves The Apostle here speaks by suprosition not as if the good Angels would really attempt to do it but if they should they could not It is like that speech Gal. 1.8 If an Angel Saints in the height of their saith and confidence of security in God have supposed such dangers as never were like to be and triumphed over them as if they had really been Psal 46.1 4. This wonderfully magnifies the security of Saints in Gods love that it is above all real or imaginary possible or â—upposed dangers Thirdly the Apostle holds forth the greatest Hyperbole of faith the Elevation of a soul wrapt up in Gods love above and beyond every creature of the highest Perfection Therefore he takes in the latitude of the whole creature that is below God himself not only men and devils but even the Angels and triumphs over them in this Cause Fourthly the Apostle here speaks as a man going into the field to meet his enemie who in the height of his resolution in the confidence of his strength and skill in his weapon bids his enemy chuse his Weapon chuse his Ground chuse his Second to his best advantage So the Apostle arm'd with Gods love enclosed in Gods bosom and confident nothing shall separate him bids his enemy in this cause chuse his Weapon Life or death Chuse his Ground Earth Hell or Heaven chuse his Second Men or Devils or the whole Host of Angels if these shall appear against him he fears not to encounter them be doubts not of victory over them By this the
the New Testament but the Principalities of the World rose up against him Acts 4â—25 26. what began in his Person would be continued in his Saints Luke 21.12 what first befel the Apostles was continued to the Churches for three hundred years under the Principalities of the Roman Heathenish Empire when the Church after many pangs and hard Travel had brought forth the Man-Child Christ mystical in the Romans Empire No sooner were the Principalities of the Empire turned Christian but they turned Arrian and raised a new and more fierce persecution against the Saints that kept the Testimony of Jesus Here Christ sent in the barbarous Nations to ruine the persecuting Christian Empire and they brake the Western part of it in the European World into ten Kingdoms which helped the Church against the flood of Arrian persecution Rev. 12.16 But then they set up Antichrist and with one minde these ten Kings give their Power Rev. 17.12 13 14. and how much ever since the Saints of God have suffered under the Principalities of these ten Kingdoms is notoriously manifest What will be the fate of the Saints of the Church and Kingdom of Christ under all or any one of the Principalities of those Kingdoms while devoted to Antichrist is clear Let us consider what are the grounds of this great opposition the Princes Principalities and Lords of the Kingdoms of this world make against Jesus Christ and his Saints Reas 1. Christ and his Church Christ and his Saints which are his subjects are a Kingdom a great Principality set up by the God of Heaven in the days and â—n the midst of the Kingdoms of the â—orld Dan. 2.44 Therefore no wonâ—er â—t finds such opposition If one Kingdom be set up in the midst of another there will be continual Conflicts between the Princes and Principalities of both beâ—ween the Principalities of the world on the one side and Christ and his Saints on the other for every Kingdom Parem â—nec patitur nec superiorem can brook no Competitor in it self much less a Superior Secondly the Kingdom of Christ is of a growing increasing property Isa â— 7 It enters upon the World by Conquest and where it conquers it goes forth conquering Rev. 6.2 and never leaves till the seventh Angel sounds Rev. 11.15 God the Father hath given Christ a Kingdom Psal 2.6 a Kingdom that is extended over all the Kingdoms of the world verse 8. by the irreversible decree of God he shall rule them by a Scepter of grace as subjects or with an iron Rod â—s Rebels v. 9. no wonder it s so much â—ated and opposed Thirdly it is Regnum Crucis the Kingder of his Patience Rev. 1.9 It began in â—re form of a servant the first Throne on which it was set up was a Cross the first Crown that was bestowed on it was a crown of thornes and no way into this Kingdom but by many afflictions Acts 14.22 The Prince of this Kingdom was the Lord of Glory whom the World knew not and therefore crucified in the ignominy of a servant 1 Cor. 2.8 for they knew him not The Nobles and subjects of this Kingdom are none of the wise mighty and noble of the world but 〈◊〉 1. Cor. 1.26 27. The great Royalties and present Rewards of this Kingdom are two afflictions and persecutions Luke 22.28 29. Oâ— how contrary is this to the lusts pleasures sensual delights the Principalities of the Kingdoms of this world their only value No wonder therefore if the Kingdom of Christ and his Saints be vilified slighted opposed derided persecuted by the great the mighty the Principalities of the Kingdoms of this world Fourthly it is Regnum Nihilitudinis A Kingdom of Self-denial To which the Principalities of the World are most absolutely averse God hath sworn every knee shall bow to him Rom. 14.11 not only of the meanest but of the highest Potentates in the World He hath commanded Kings to Kiss Psal 2.11 He will have Kings to bring Presents to him Kings must throw down their Crowns at his feet Kings must have their Wills in subjection to his Will all their lusts to be his Vassals to be subdued spoiled condemned and crucified by him No wonder they say We will not have this Man Reign overus Fifthly it is an invisible Kingdom unconspicuons not attended with outward pomp and visible glory as the Kingdoms of the world which glory is yet but a Magical Inchantment which Satan the old Magician and god of this World hath put upon it Mat. 4.8 Christs Kingdom is not attended with worldly Pomp or Glory Luke 17.20 21. it is within you The Church the Kingdom of Christ is all glorious within The Principalities of Christs Kingdom are Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 all internal things The subjects of this Kingdom are put to walk by saith not by sight to believe things they have not seen to hope for things they know not the Kingdom of Christ in appearance is an ignoble thing Sixthly it is a heavenly and spiritual Kingdom it is not of a worldly Constitution John 18.36 it s frequently called The Kingdom of Heaven It s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in Heaven Phil. 3.20 All its Laws from Heaven all its subjects gathered out of the Kingdoms of this world and translated into the Kingdom of Gods deaâ— Son Col. 1.13 no wonder the Powers of Hell and the Principalities of this World oppose it Now I shall shew that no Principalities of the world shall be able to separate the Church from Christ or the Saints in the Church First the Church hath Emanuel God with us Isa 8.10 and in him more for her then are against her 1 John 4.4 The world hath Power therefore her Principalities are called Hornes Zach. 1.18 Rev. 17.12 Jesus Christ is furnished with all Power â—niversal Power Power and not weakness no Power without him and what can any Power do against him The World and its Principalities are furnisht with Wisdom and Policy much is spoken of the Wisdom of the World Psal 83.2 5. Christ hath all the Treasures of Wisdom Col. 2.3 Wisdom by foolishness to bring to nought the understanding of the Prudent The World hath malice Jâ— 17.14 Christ hath more love love that amounts to a jealousie if Christs love â—â— angred displeased woe to them thâ— stand in opposition against him Zach. 1.14 Secondly because Christ ruleth still though in the midst of his enemies Psal 110.2 The Church of Christ which â—â— his Kingdom is like a Garrison besieged round about with enemies but is invincible by all oppositions for Christ râ—leth in the midst of her and her enemies He will rule in the spight of all his enemies and will rule securely in the midst of them none can separate believers believers from Christ who cannot first lead Christ captive or separate Christ from them Thirdly because Christ is both King of Saints and King of Nations Jer. 10.7 Rev. 15.3 This renders him and
daily Mat. 6.34 sufficient for Every day is in travel and bringâ— forth some new trouble every day Christ hath taught us to pray for deliverance from evil David complaineth of his grief and sorrow daily Psal 13.2 see Psal 73.14 Thirdly the present evils usually surprize us unawares he that expects thâ— evil yet is commonly surprized with the manner and kinde of it unexpectedly We often say of this or that present evil that befals us we never dreamt 〈◊〉 it as God is said to work deliverance and mercies for his people they looke not for Is 64.3 so often he sends trouble and afflictions they looked not for Jer. 8.15 Yet no present evils nor troubles shall separate 1. Because in all present troubles believers have God present with them a very present help Psal 46.1 yea in their most dismal and darkest troubles in which they cannot see him they may believe his Presence Psal 23.4 his Word and Spirit his Rod and Staffe He hath a Cordial in a readiness for every present dejection a Comfort in a readiness for every present tribulation 2 Cor. 1.3 4. Secondly because they are though sometimes they see not feel not continually with God Psal 73.23 and they who have complained of daily afflictions have blest God for daily mercies Psal 68.19 And they who have cied daily to God of their troubles Psal 86.3 have been able daily to praise him Psal 61.8 Thirdly because no present trouble can swallow up the joy that springs to believers from future glory Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17.18 1 Pet. 1.5.6 Fourthly against all present and pressing evils that Sâ—ints have that promise more precious then gold of Ophir 1 Cor. 10.13 O saith one I am under such trials and troubles that I have non-plust my faith but God is faithful O I am not able to bear or stand under them God saith he will lay no more then you are able to bear O I see no end no way of escape out God will make a way to escape Secondly as for things to come It is with the godly in this life as with Solomens old man the clouds return after rain present evils afflict him and future threaten him as it s said Rev. 11. One woe is past a second is and a third woe cometh quickly Evils to come may much endanger Saints in their Communion with God 1. Because Saints are very subject to this temptation about what may befal them for time to come as appears by that of Christ Mat. 6.34 who will not themfore allow his people one anxious thought about what shall fall out on the morrows This temptation hath two evils in it 1. It begets fear and that fear hath great torment 2. It takes away the relish and sweetness of the present mercies we enjoy while we take in a deeper apprehension of what troubles are yet to come upon us Secondly because God usually makes the troubles that are to come heavier then the present the waters of affliction like the waters of the Sanctuary rise by degrees higher and higher from the Ancles to the Knees Psal 42.7 Psal 69.1 â— No trial can be so great but God can make it greater no affliction so heavy but God can make it heavier God deals with his children as men do with theirs Fathers correct children first with a branch of Rosemary then a Rod afterward it may be with a Staffe that makes them as David cry out of their boâ—es calls them to bear burdens and do service according to their strength As they grow up in faith holiness huâ—â—lity patience spiritual strength so their trials temptations afflictions increase and their latter often become greater then their former Thirdly because the trials and troubles of the Church which are to come are certainly like to be the greatest Those which more immediately precede the coming of Christ very dangerous and great for sin 2 Tim. 3.1 5. and for judgement Luke 21.25 26. Yet no troubles to come shall be able to separate First because all things shall certainly work Rom. 8.28 we know there is no doubt hesitancy uncertainty in this knowledge that all things things present and things to come all things none excepted shall work all things that have any spirit power vertue activity in it that works to any end shall work together all Agents Instruments God shall make use of how various in their kinds how different in their operations how distinct in their intentions yet they shall all work together with God by whom they are guided ordered over-ruled in all their motions and actions and the same things which work for evil unto others are all made to work for good unto them Secondly from the immutability of Gods love it is everlasting Ier. 31.3 God is not as man that he should repent whom he loves he loves to the end He doth not love to day and hate tomorrow love at present and revoke in â—â—ture he hath loved and no sins of the creâ—ture could violate it he doth love therefore no present evils can interrupt it he will love therefore no future things shall prevail Thirdly from the nature and quality of that Covenant in which God hath taken them into Communion with himself to be their God in which the first Promise is I le â—e to them for a God the second is I le pardon their sins and remember their iniquities no more All the advantage things present or things to come can have against Saints for evil is sinne for nothing can separate between God and the soul but sâ—t Now the Act of Gods Pardoning Mercy is a compleat Act of Grace it cannot be said of a believer one moment that he stands under unpardoned guilt no more thâ—n it can be said he is an unjustified person If a believer may believe sins pardoned under all present evils he may believe sins pardoned under all future therefore as not things present so no things to come can separate 1. Use Terrour to the ungodly who have no Cemmunion with God in love through Christ Iesus they are yet in their sins without God and Christ in the World it may be things present are for thee Health Wealth Liberty Prosperity Plenty O but things to come are terrible and against you Son said Abraham to the rich man Remember thou in thâ— life-time badst thy good things and now nothing but torment and misery â—o thy present enjoyments thou sayst Soul take thine ease thou hast Goods laid up for and thinkest not thou art treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath thou dost rise up comfortably and walk delicately like Agag but O the bitterness of death is not past There is a wrath to come the Devils believe and tremble O come to Christ quickly he will not treat you so roughly as John Baptist did the Pharisees O generation of Vipers he will deal gently and mercifully with you 2. Use To the godly First by way of Instruction to turn security out of their hearts in reference to their
yet shall never enjoy them so he makes some to taste the wrath and torments of that wrath which is to come who never yet shall feel them Thirdly into this Deep falls in the depths of Satan deep temptations as it was with Christ in this condition so 't is in its meawith Saints now the devil and the powers of darkness bestir themselves Luke 22.33 When Sun sets and darkness covers the earth then the Lions and wilde beasts go forth Psal 104.20 21. so when God hides his face see Christs Complaint in that day Psal 22.1 12 13 16 20. Fourthly into this Deep falls the depths of Hell Hell is deep and large Isa 30. ult nothing deeper Job 11.8 the bottomless Pit Rev 7.1 In the depth of spiritual desertion Saints have complain'd of the snares of death and sorrows of Hell Psal 116.3 Christ Psal 16.10 so â—â—man counted himself 〈◊〉 free of that damned Company and Corporation of devils and reprobates Psal 88.5 Such scorching and scalding drops of wrath God in this condition sometimes lets 〈◊〉 the Conscience as if they were Pledges and Earnests of damnation as if be haâ— already kindled Hell fire in the foul Fifthly into this Deep falls the depth of sorrow and affliction Psal 102. see the title Psal 69 1 2. here is Complaint see his Prayer ver 15. No sorrows like these no afflictions so deep as these they enter into the soul here often misery appears remediless and the foul expects endless sorrow yea refuseth all the comforts that are administred from any hand but Gods alone Psal 77.2 Thus you fee spiritual desertion is a Depth into which many Deeps fall the Depth of sin ' wrath Satan one Deep here calleth on another Secondly let us consider how much these Depths may endanger to separate a believer First in this state Saints apprehend a total cessation of Gods love to them an everlasting night on them that the light of Gods Countenance shall never shine on them more Jonah 2.4 I am cast out of thy sight Thus they say The Lord will cast off for ever Psal 77.8 9. so David Psal 13.1 How long for ever In the favour of God is life Psal 30.5 If he frown who can live In his favour is light if he hide his face who can behold him Job 34.29 Secondly in this state God may seem to withdraw that Spirit which is the bond of our Communion with God hence that Psal 51.11 12. The Spirit in this state useth to suspend its Testimony refuse light to our Evidences and withhold that witness it formerly bare to our Adoption yea it may suffer Satan to bear false witness to our spirits and perswade us that we are hypocrites children of wrath fitting for destruction Thirdly in this state God calls to remembrance sins which the soul thought had long since been repented of and that God had pardoned Thus were the sins of Jobs youth and Davids original sin thus a believer may be brought to question all Gods former Acts of grace and his own faith and repentance and suspect all his former comforts yea the being of any grace at all in truth and this is very dangerous Fourthly it is a state of darkness and no light Isa 50.10 Cant. 3.1 Now he that walks in darkness knows not John 12.35 so these knew not what to do what way to take He that walks in darkness trembles at every thing even the Promises of grace are stumbling blocks to that soul In darkness are terrible apprehensions as to the Egyptians in the Plague of darkness Psal 78.49 the terrours of God are upon Saints in spiritual desertions Psal 88.15 16. Job 7.14 Fifthly in this state God seems for the present to neglect all their Prayers Lam. 3.8 Christ Jesus Psal 22.1 2. Saints here are ready to say as Saul The Lord is departed from me and answereth me no more Sixthly in this state the soul suffers the affliction is on the spirit of a man it s a wound on the spirit Prov. 18.14 a Dagger at the heart â— Psal 42.10 see Christ in his Desertion Maâ— 26.38 Heman suffered not in his inferiour only but in the superiour faculties of his soul Psal 88.15 In other afflictions the body suffers and the soul only by sympathy here the soul suffers and the body only by sympathy Thirdly let us consider these depths shall never be able to separate I. Because they are all consistent with love and always end in love 1. They are consistent with love Heb. 12.5 6. he seems if not only yet principally to intend the Castigation that fall upon the souls and spirits of believers God never loved Christ better then at that time when he cried out My God My God Josephs bowels yearn'd most when he dealt most roughly with his brethren so God Ier. 31.20 II. Be sure all will end in love Isa 54 7 8. Cant. 31 5. Isa 57.18 Secondly because these Depths of spiritual desertion are but to bring forth fulâ—ess of Conformity to Christ in his Death and Resurrection Christs sufferings were some in his body these were call'd his Baptism some and the greatest in his soul these were call'd his Cup Matth. 20.22 23. in this Cup was a mixture of sin wrath death â—nd hell He tells those disciples they should â—artake with him in both When Christ â—ried out My God my God why it was â—bstractio visionis not dissolutio unionis for â—ill he cried My God so it is to Saints in â—he like condition and what faith Christ â—xercised in that state he commanded other â—elievers to do Isa 50.10 Thirdly because there are depths in the â—ercy and free-grace of God that easily wallow up this depth of spiritual deserâ—on and all the depths that run into it â—om 11.33 O the Depth Eph. 3.18 The â—ee-grace of God is a mighty Ocean Miâ—h 7.19 Fourthly because God hath pawn'd all â—e Ordinances of Heaven and Earth that â—othing what he seems to do against them and nothing they do against him shall provoke him to cast them off Jer. 31.35.36 37. 1. Use If such who are lockt fast in the Armes of God such who are in everlasting Communion with God Communion with God in love which love is unchangeable as God himself in love which is in Christ Iesus and therefore can no more fail then his love to Christ can fail If such as these may fall into these depths of spiritual desertion in which are the depths of sin of wrath O where shall the sinner and ungodly appear who are treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath O the infinite unsearchable bottomloss depths of sin wrath devils hells worst of sorrows endless torments wherein all unbelievers impenitent unregenerate persons shall be plunged in swallowed up without Redemption 2. Use This fully informs us that the beâ—â— of Saints must live all their days in every â—ondition on a dependence onthe freâ— grace of God By the Eclipse of the Moon we comâ— to know it borrows its light
from the Sun so by these spiritual Eclipses and Desertions we know our whole state in grace and comfort depends wholly on the free-grace of God when you first believed after you had laboured under the apprehensions of sin and wrath and the souls pinching wants of Gods love and favour then you could readily cry up the praise of free-grace by the returns of the like apprehensions in â—oul-desertions after you have believed and have had sweet experiences of love in Communion with God he will have you know that free grace continues your state as it began it and that as the Foundation stone was laid with the shoutings of grace to it so the Headstone is to be brought with shoutings of grace grace to it also After you have believed and loved God and had done something for him you think God is beholding to you but he will hide his face and tell you he can set you for all this where he found you that you may know you are beholding to him not he to you 3. Use For comfort to believers in their Depths they shall not be able to separate For Direction First rebuke the dejections of your soul through unbelief as David Psal 42. Why art thou cast down say as he Psal 77. This is my infirmity not the unfaithfulness of Gods love Secondly resolve to believe in hope against hope as Job though he flay me oâ— camâ— me I le trust him as Jonah I said I am cast out of thy sight but I will look Thirdly do not restrain Prayer waiting for the return of divine mercy but prevent it be fore-hand with God and put him to the utmost try him what he can do whether he can do more then ever yet he hath done Psal 88.9 13. Fourthly hold fast still your interest in God as Christ My God my God and as Cltrist gives the same direction to others Isa 50. Let him trust in the Name of his God ROM 8.39 Nor any other Creature WE are come to the last Rank or Regiment of enemies which may be supposed to endanger a separation between God and a believer in sweet Communion in which the Apostle in the name of all believers comes off with victory Let us consider what is meant by this expression First Nor any other creature The Apostle having reckoned up all known Adversaries in this cause by name he riseth higher and speaks by way of supposition If there be yet any other creature besides what I have mentioned if any know any other adversary then what I have named I fear not to encounter I doubt not but to overcome it Secondly Nor any other creatures By creature here saith a learned Author we are to understand all things that are done in the world Gryâ—â—â— whether good or bad and all the thoughts words actions employments councels contrivances of men Angels Devils with all other creatures within the Compass of the whole Citation of God Thirdly Nor any other creature the word rendred Creature is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which often signifies the Creation the whole Creation The Apostle had hitherto encountred the enemy in Parties and single Regiments but now he encounters the whole body he musters up all the enemies he had before spoken of into one body he fears not to encounter the united strength and combined power and rage of the whole Creation If all creatures should rise up together with one hand and one heart to endeavor to separate They shall not be able Doct. Not the Concurring Power of the whole Creation of God if they were in one Confederacy can be able to separate This I shall prove 1. The concurrent power and endeavour of the whole Creation cannot make God to be against his people who are in Communion with him Balak hired Balaam to do this work to separate God from his people Balaam used all means to this end he offered sacrifices he used inchantments and divinations but nothing could prevail Numb 23.19 God is not as man see ver 23. Hence the Apostle speaks as a man astonisht fill'd with abundance of evidence and assurance in this point Rom. 8.31 If God befor us Such as have Emanuel God with them God in Communion with them have also God for them and what can the concurrent power of the creature do against them Secondly that that love of God which hath gathered believers into this blessed Communion with God and still embraceth them in the loftest Armes of Peace it is everlasting as God is Ier. 31.3 It takes hold on both Eternities that which is past and that which is to come This Love runs Parallel with the Life of God from Eternity to Eternity Can the concurrent wrath rage and malice of the whole Creature bring God out of love with them whom he loved from everlasting Is there more power in the wrath of the Creature then in the love of God Can the poor Creature make that not to be which God hath made to be from Eternity to be for Eternity Thirdly the golden Chain of salvation cannot be broken Rom. 8.29 30. The two extreme links in this Chain are Election and Glorification the two middle links are Vocation and Justification This seems to be the Chain which so much ravisht the heart of Christ about the neck of his Spouse Cant. 4.9 The two ends of this Chain God keeps in his own hands in Heaven the two middle links are those God lets down from Heaven and so draws us up to himself and linketh us fast to himself for ever What Confederacy or Combination of the creature can pull the Son out of Heaven Further can they pluck any end of this Chain out of Gods Hand Can they rise up and blot out the book of life and rase out the names that are written in Heaven Can Creatures some whereof are in Chains of darknesse all in iron Chains of divine Providence break that golden Chain of grace in which believers are kept close in Communion with God Can the concurrent Power of the creature rise up and cancel the great Charter of salvation whose records are kept in Heaven Fourthly the concurrent power and malice of all creatures cannot separate them from Christ in whom they have this Communion with God in love I. They are said to be in the Hand of Christ which Hand gives them eternal life and they shall never perish John 10.28 what creature can pluck them out II. They are said to be engraven on the Palmes of his hand Isa 49.16 what is engraven cannot be taken out without mangling the Hand of Christ If you could suppose they could be taken out of Christs Hand as loose things yet they cannot as engraven things will Christ suffer his Hand to be maculated or cut off III. They are said to be in the Armes of Christ Cant. 8.6 They are sealed on the â—â—rm of Christ with the indelible characters and impressions of divine love If the Arm of Christ cannot be separated from him then cannot