our good works and glorify our father as every fountaine sendeth forth a streame according to what it hath received every starre giveth light according to the light infused into it knowing that for this end we have received 1 Cor. 12.7 Mat. 10.8 Reas 4 Because this will stirre up men not to envy but to imitation of them whose graces do excell to pray for the like graces to use the like meanes to run the same race to labour in the same vineyard to sow the like seed that they may win the like price receive the like wages reape the like harvest thus Heb. 6.11 12. 1 Cor. 4.16 1 vers 11.1 Ia. 5.10 11. Not to murder Abel because more righteous but to tread in his steps to labour for his faith not to envy David for his great conquests but to strive after the like victories Reas 5 Because this will breed love in our hearts towardsthem their virtues will be as a savoury ointment as a sweet smelling flower in our nostril as a load-stone to draw our hearts toward them when we see how the Lord doth love them How he doth beautify them with his graces how in them are those excellencies after which our Souls long then they will be to us as one of a thousand Job 33.23 As Apple trees among the thornes as starres among the clouds as flowers among the weeds all our delight will be on them that excell in vertue Ps 16.3 Use Therefore whensoever the Spirit of envy doth begin to move within us at the sight of other mens endowments when the light and lustre of their vertues beginneth to trouble our diseased and malignant eyes when at any time the pleasantness and fertility of Naboths vineyard causeth Ahab to languish and repose himselfe upon his bed when Esau conceiveth hatred deviseth mischief against Iacob because he hath gotten the blessing when our hearts begin to repine because the cloud of Gods bounty had dropped more abundantly on others than on us let us look upon the state of our owne Souls let us consider how there is nothing in us why God should bestow any thing upon us why we should expect any thing at his hands Let us consider how the Lord is no way bound to us but may do with his blessing what he will no man can controule him or lay either indiscretion or injustice to his charge And then as David playing on the Harp appeased Sauls evill spirit so shall this appease the distemper of our Spirit and without murmuring magnify the wisedome and freedome of God in the dispensations of his mercies and for the better inuring of our hearts hereunto consider we 1. That God doth distribute his gifts most wisely and justly as may serve most for his owne honour the good of his people as he hath in great wisedome disposed the body naturall and all the members thereof and accordingly given them abilities sutable to their severall places so he hath also in great wisedome dispensed his favours to all the members of the mysticall body of Christ Jesus he hath done all things in number weight and measure and Psa 145.16 17. As he hath filled the Sun Moone and Starres with such quantity of light as may make most for the benefit and ornament of the whole universe so hath God dispensed to his people c. 2. That God hath bestowed some gift upon every one of his family he that hath least hath enough to make him everlastingly happy 1 Cor. 12.8 9. No tree in Gods Orchard but hath some soile about his roots no vessel in Gods house but hath some liccour Mat. 25.15 3. That to murmur against our brethren is to murmur against God for the graces they have are not of their owne getting but of Gods bestowing and therefore as Moses said Exo. 16.8 So it is in this behalfe therefore Augustine Quoties hominibus praesse desidero toties Deo meo praeire contendo As often as I desire to be preferred above men so often I strive to go before my God as arguing discontentednes in the place wherein God had set him 4. That it is farre better to use well the little we have received then to envy our brethren because they have what we have not he that hath least doth not imploy it so well but he might make better use of it and the good use of what we have will give much contentment for the present and hath the promise of a large increase for the future to him that hath shall be given Mat. 15.23 29. Prov. 11.25 5. That what God hath communicated to others is not for themselves but for the good of them that shall need it the cloud hath raine for the dry ground the Sun hath light for the dark aire the tree hath fruit for the hungry stomack the eye hath sight for the body he that gathered much Manna gave to him that had little we are but stewards 6. That the beholding of the graces which are in them must provoke us to pray for the like measure of grace to use all holy means to attaine the same degree of holines when the prodigall saw what they enjoyed who lived in his fathers house he desird to be as one of them 7. That envying at other mens abundance will rob us of the comfort of our endowments as Esth 5.10 11 12 13. Saul so maligned David for his mighty conquests that he lost all the comfort he might have gathered from his owne victories 8. That God doth give as much as we have ability well to manage vessels put to Sea are loaden according to their strength the Master of the family placeth all according to their abilities Mat. 25.15 9. That God will expect from us but as he giveth to us Luc. 12.48 10. That a faithfull imployment of what we have received shall surely be accompained with a blessed increase a little sowne in good ground husbanded well bringeth a competible increase Thus of the connexion prescribing a remedy to the disease of the Disciples of the Baptist in the words themselves we have set before us 1. Our owne emptines a man can receive nothing of himselfe by his owne art industry ability worth he can receive nothing bodily or spirituall transitory or eternall 2 The Fountaine whence all the good we enjoy like so many streams do flow from the first we learne Doctr. That man hath of himselfe no ability to the performances of any good duty he is a Lamp without Oile a well without Water a withered arme without strength therefore like to an evill tree which beareth none but evill fruit Mat. 7.18 to an uncleane Fountaine sending forth none but uncleane Waters Job 14.4 to a black-Moore that cannot make himselfe white Jer. 13.23 to a dead man that cannot performe any action belonging to the living to a wild Olive Prov. 11. Col. 2.13 and therefore the Apostle strippeth man of all inclination or motion unto good Rom. 11.19 2 Cor. 3.5 and the Psalmist saith
Bridegroome so do they to hear the voyce of Christ Cant. 5.16 Reas 6 From the love which it doth breed in their hearts towards Christ This like a bellowes bloweth up the coales of their affections like the warme Sun it heateth their frozen hearts causeth them to be rooted and grounded in love Ephes 3.18 19. So to love him as to leave all for him Mat. 10.37 to despise all in comparison of him Luc. 14.26 an affection so strong that nothing can breed a separation Rom. 8.35 38 and loving Christ so fervently they cannot chuse but rejoyce abundantly in him love and joy like joynt companions go together Gal. 5.22 like the Sun and the light they will not he separated the one from the other Reas 7 From the operation of the Holy Ghost which doth attend it the Spirit of God which is the Fountaine of all joy is given with the Ministry of the word this is the key by which our hearts are opened and the Holy Ghost admitted into our Souls hence Acts 10.44 1 Thes 1.6 Acts 13.52 Reas 8 From the benefits which arise from hence by this the understanding is enlightned 2 Cor. 4.6 their faith is confirmed Ephes 1.13 victory over Satan obtained Ier. 31.11 their hearts are so softened and made tender as ground by the dewes Deu. 32.2 Isa 55.10 their affections are purified as the Corn by the fanne Mat. 2.12 Ier. 23.29 their consciences are purified Isa 57.19 their love and zeale is increased of a small drop these affections become like a flowing streame of few sparks become a burning flame of weake plants they become tall trees full of good fruit and hence as Acts 3.8 so Isa 35.5 6. Reas 9 From the protection which by this meanes they enjoy the Ministry of the Gospel is as Horsemen and Chariots to the people a sure defence Gods Ministers the best Watchmen the best Souldiers the Word of God is the surest shield the strongest shot the sounding of the Trumpet prevailed more against the walls than much Canon shot the shining of the Lamps the cry of the Sword of the Lord and Gideon put the Midianites to flight sooner than an army of men the Arke put the Philistines in greater feare than all the Israelitish army when the Ministry of life was removed from Ierusalem their house lest desolate then the Temple was cast to the ground Reas 10 From the grief which they conceive at the removing of it as Phinea's Wife would not be comforted when the Arke was taken away 1 Sam. 4.21 Ioseph and Mary went up and down sorrowing when Christ was lost Luk. 2.46 so the people of God are full of heaviness at the absence of the Word La. 2.6 12. Ps 74.9 Use This discovereth the misery of such as take no joy as delight not in the fruition of the Gospel to whom it is as light to the blind not seeing it musick to the deafe not hearing it food to the sick not relishing it want of delight in that Word of God is a sufficient argument of alienation from God an apparent testimony that we are not of God that we have not tasted of Gods goodnes he that doth not with David dance before the Lords Arke hath not Davids heart wanteth Davids love is a strangers to Davids sence and feeling of the working of Gods Word and Spirit within him He that looketh on this as on a vessell without water a tree without fruite a Lamp without Oile hath a heart without grace who is it but a Stoick a man of a stupified heart a seared conscience that accompteth Pauls preaching to be but babling that saith Job 21.14 A theef hideth himselfe from light Ioh. 3.20 Who but the deaf taketh no comfort in pleasant musick Psal 58.5 Mat. 11.17 Who but they that know not the things belonging to their peace Luk. 19.42 are not delighted with the Gospel of peace how canst thou be the Child of God if thou rejoyce not to heare the voyce of thy Father How canst thou be the Bride of Christ if thou art not affected with the language of thy Husband How canst thou be a new creature if like a new borne Child thou art not delighted with the milk of these breasts How canst thou be a traveller towards the heavenly Canaan and not be glad to see this fiery Pillar shine before thee How canst thou be a man of a hungry stomack and not be glad of this honey-comb How canst thou be experienced in the assaults of Satan and not rejoyce at the having of this weapon he cannot be the faithfull servant of God that findeth no delight in the Word of God Vse 2 This discovereth the cause why the people of God do so desire Gods Word Psa 27.4 Why they thirst after it as dry ground thirsteth Ps 63.1 Why they seek it Amos 8.12 why they incourage one another Zach. 8.21 why they wait Pro. 8.34 as Ioh. 5.5 Acts 3.3 why they say Ioh. 6.34 It is musick to their eares and they like David 2 Sam 6.16 it is Isa 25.6 and as Eccles 10.19 it is the joy and rejoycing of their hearts Ier. 15.16 It is the Sun that giveth light to them in darknes the staffe that sustaineth them in their weakenes the Arke bearing them up in the deepest deluge of troubles the Fountaine affording refreshment when all their water brooks do faile therefore no wonder they attend upon it Use 3 This must cause every one of us to try whether we can find this joy in the Word of God in hearing the Gospel preached whether it be to our Souls as the voyce of a kind friend a gracious Father a loving husband whether these apples these flagons Cant. 2.4 comfort stay and glad our hearts as they with their bottles Hos 5.3 made the King glad and if we doe rejoyce at it indeed it will appeare 1. By our conscionable preparation to it as sick men prepare their stomacks and Husbandmen their vineyards before the one receiveth Physick or the other soweth his seed so do they that delight in the Word for this is Physick and seed which they who wisely husband their Souls and highly value the wored of the Lord will not suffer to be sowne among thornes and briers but as Exo. 19.10 2. By our frequent meditation upon it man often thinketh upon that wherein he rejoyceth thus Psal 11.2 delight is a loadstone that draweth the thoughts a Chariot that carrieth the mind with an irresistible force to the thing rejoyced in 3. By our constant attendance on the same if we delight in it we will wait patiently and constantly upon it we will hearken diligently what the Lord will speake unto us we will be no strangers in Gods house but we will take every opportunity to go thither desire to make it our habitation Ps 27.4 accompt it our happines to have admittance within the gates of his house Ps 84.10 4. By our high valuation of it as the Sun above the Candle pure wheat
But sound repentance like Moses will carry away all not leave so much as a hoof behind even the dearest sinnes as deare as an Idoll to the Idolater shall be removed Isa 30.22 Sinnes as pleasant as the body shall be rejected Math. 5. vers 29. 3. Hereby we shall shew the life and power of our obedience and subjection to the will of God when we subject our selves to him in all things When with Abraham we put our knife to the throat of our onely Isack if God command it that obedience is true which is universall An obedient servant observeth every Lawfull precept a loyall subject conformeth to every Lawfull injunction of his Soveraign Jesurod will doe many things Jehu will kill Baals Priests and overthrow his idols but he will still adore the Calfe in Dan and Bethel It is Asa that putteth away the idols of all the Land that removeth his owne mother because an Idolater 2 Cron. 15.8 12 15 16. 4. Hereby we shall discover the strength of our love to God when no sin is so deare but our love to Gods will constraine us to renounce it as dung When no duty is so irksome to flesh and blood but we will gladly do it Therefore Iohn 14.23 Christ sets it downe as a note of love the keeping his Words You may remember what Dalilah said to Sampson Iudg. 16.15 So how canst thou say thou lovest God if thy heart be not with him if thou reserve any sin which God hateth if thou turne thy feet from any duty which God commandeth 5. Hereby we shall give God occasion to take much delight in us as a Master in a Servant observing all his precepts as a Gardner in a tree whereof every limbe is richly loaden a Generall in an army whereof every souldier is wel armed experienced ready and succesfull in the battell This universall Reformation and obedience is a very sweet Sacrifice to God 1 Sam. 15. To obey is better than Sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rammes Prov. 11.20 Such as are upright in their way are his delight 6. Hereby we shall find much delight in Gods Ordinances as a healthy stomack in food as a sound body in a warme garment as David in the Arke 2 Sam. 6.16 As the Wisemen in the starre Math. 2.10 Then their feet indeed will be beautifull Rom. 10.15 Then Christs mouth will be lovely indeed Cant. 5.16 Then they will be well able to say as Saul did 1 Sam. 15.13 Blessed be thou of the Lord I have performed the commandement of the Lord. 7. Hereby we shall have much peace in our consciences they shall be as an eye that hath no mote to trouble it as a Kingdom that hath no rebell to annoy it as a Ship that hath no leake to disturbe it Psalm 119.165 Great peace have they that keep thy Law and nothing shall offend them as in Exod. 11.7 Not a Dog moved his tongue against them So what barking soever their be without their shall be tranquility within and that not a little but much Isa 48.18 as 2 Cron. 15.15 Therefore be diligent be vigilant be carefull get the whole man to be Baptized get thy heart Baptized that Math. 5.19 it may be no more the fountain of murders adulteries false witnesses blasphemies Get thy tongue Baptized that it may be no more as a fire of iniquity a defiler of the whole body a setter on fire of the course of nature c. Iames 3.6 8. Get thy hands Baptized that they may labour working the things that are good Eph. 4.28 Psalm 26.6 Get all the faculties of thy Soul Baptized that thou maist see the things belonging to thy peace that Eph. 3.18 Thou mayst be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the height breadth length depth and to know the love of Christ c. That thou mayst love Dutr. 6.5 6. the Lord with all thy heart c. That thou mayst chose the good and hate the evill that Rom. 6.13 thou yeild not thy members as instruments of unrighteousnes unto sin but yeild your selves to God c. That thou mayst deale with thy sin as Iosuah with the men of Ai Jos 8.26 Draw not back thy hand till all thy sins be destroyed Doe as Caleb did Ios 14.9 Wholly follow the Lord thy God follow him fully and then as Moses promiseth him surely the Land wherein thy feet hath trodden shall be thine inheritance and thy childrens for ever So in the name of the Lord Iesus will I promise thee that all the great and glorious things whereof thou hast heard all the peace joy glory whereof the Word of the Lord doth make relation it shall be all thine for ever and ever 5. The last thing herein noted was the wisedome of the Baptist in making choise of the most convenient place for his purpose such a place where was much water a place commodious for Baptisme Teaching us Doctr. That Ministers ought to make choise of the most convenient places for the execution of their office Where their is hope of doing most good of bringing most glory unto God As Fisher men make choise of such places in the water where in all probability their is most fish to be taken so must these Fishers of men Math. 4.19 Cast in the draw-net of the Gospel where there is hope of drawing most Souls unto God out of the gulph of sin The Husbandman soweth his seed in the soile which is likely to bring forth the best crop so must these spirituall Husbandmen 1 Cor. 3.9 Sow the seed of Gods Word among such people as like good ground will receive it and bring forth the fruits of it Math. 13.24 Hence Prov. 9.34 5. Wisedome is said to send forth her maidens to cry upon the highest places of the city c. They went not into blind corners where was little or no people but on high places therfore are those places Acts 18.10 Acts 13.46 47. Iohn 7.37 Psalm 40.9 10. The grounds of the point are these Reas 1 Because they are the light of the world Math. 5.14 John 5.35 The light is not set under a bushell or in an obscure corner of the house but on high in an eminent place Math. 5.15 Reas 2 Because hereby they shall make it appeare that they seek not their owne case or private comodity but the honour of God the good of mens Souls the increase of Christs Kingdome according to the generall charge 1 Cor. 10.24 The Apostles practise vers 33. The contrary whereto is generally practised Philip. 2.21 Reas 3 Because hereby they shall make the Gospel more glorious the more eyes behold the light the more it is esteemed the more largely the Sea doth convey her streams the more her fullnes is commended the more heare it the more the goodnes of God and riches of his grace is commended the more men are convinced made excuseless and if they convert not God in their condemnation shall
before the Lord with sincere and unpright hearts and then Ps 145.18 19. Let us have no more to do with sin but say as Ephraim to his Idols Hos 14.8 let us take us Words vers 2.3 and then vers 4.5 6 7. Let us win on God with patience and constancy and the Lord at length will look upon us in mercy Heb. 10 35. Whatsoever be our want in the Lord is all fullnes all readiness to supply us therefore as Ia. 1.5 So if thou want faith knowledge patience if thou want tendrings of heart peace of conscience sence of Gods love or any other good blessing aske it the Lord will surely bestow it on thee Hanna was troubled with her barrenness cryed to the Lord he opened her womb Solomon considered the weightines of his calling sought wisedome and the Lord gave him wisedome Sampson was much oppressed with thirst called on the Lord and the Lord gave him water Iud. 15.18 19. In like manner when the barrenness of grace want of knowledge doth afflict thee seek it at the hands of the Lord and the Lord shall grant the supplication of thy Soul unto thee had we but hearts to seek we might enjoy what now we want the ignorant might be full of knowledge the empty Lamp might be full of oile the weake faith which shaketh like a withered reed might be like a Cedar of deep and strong roots the Soul which is like a barren vineyard might be full of grace like the valleys overspread with Corn and good pasture the naked Soul might be well armed richly apparelled the dejected Spirit might be full of comfort the mind that is pressed down with worldly cares like a cart with sheaves might soar aloft as on eagles wings unto the heavens the unstable Soul might be as well fastned the wilderness of the life might be made a Paradise a sweet Communion with God a holy fellow ship with the saints might be maintained much delight might be found in Gods Ordinances Isa 41.17 18 19. Isa 44.3 This must teach us to receive all as from God whatsoever our care labour industry hath been yet let us not look upon what we possesse as upon yarne of our owne weaving fish of our owne taking Hab. 1.16 Upon a house of our owne building as Dan. 4.30 But let us looke on all we have as on Gods blessing a gift from Gods hand a light shining from the sun of Gods bounty though Paul plant and Apollo water the encrease is Gods though Israel fight the victory is the Lords whatsoever evill is in us whatsoever evill is committed by us is the seed of our owne sowing whatsoever evill is inflicted on us is a wages of our owne deserving whatsoever good we work it is the labour of Gods finger whatsoever good we receive it is of the fulnes and freedome of Gods bounty therefore we must all say as 1 Cor. 29 11 12 13.14.15 16. for Prov. 21.31 Therefore let us fasten our eyes on all both internall and externall endowments as on shewers falling from the cloud of Gods love as on gifts given by the Lords hand even the least the meanest as well as upon the fairest of our possessions this will make us the more sensible of Gods love the more ashamed of our ingratitude and disobedience this will the more endeare and oblige our hearts to God this will make us the more thankfull the more circumspect and heavenly minded in the use of them nothing doth more occasion the abuse of Gods blessing than forgetfulnes of the hand whence they have there originall and beginning Ps 78.10 11. 4. This may acquaint us with a sure way how to be provided for in all estates to find a supply in all our wants to have some liccour alwayes in our vessel to refresh us some fruit upon the barrenest tree to relieve us God you see is the giver of every good blessing all cometh from him therefore get into his favour and you shall want no good thing be regenerate become a new creature make God your Father and your wants shall be supplied let the prodigall returne and in his Fathers house there is all manner of provision his Father kindly entertaining him Luc. 15. So let us do c. for as Mat. 7.11 this hath the promise Psal 84. â—â— Used as a motive to stirre up men to feare God Psal 34.10 to follow Christ Matth 19.29.30 This will bring us within the Covenant giveth us interest in all Gods blessings we shall be in league and Job 5.23 24 25 26. We shall enjoy security boldnes towards God tranquility and cheerfulnes in our hearts Job 11.13 14 15 16 17 18. It is not a carnall vexing care a greedy heaping up of things of the earth that will be sufficient defence a never setting light a never failing streame but the fruition of Gods love is the way to win it Mat. 6.33 this Psal 23. â— If God be Shepheard he will provide pasture and Ps 37.25 it is iniquity an ungracious conversation that bringeth want Pro. 13.25 Eccles 5.13.14 5. Is every good gift from God cometh it all from him then let us remember that we must give an accompt of all we do enjoy we are not Lords but stewards of Gods blessings such as must yield accompt to God of all our abilities though it be long before the Lord call us yet he will at length require a strict accompt of all our doings how we spent our time our strength our temporall blessing our spirituall graces how they have been improved what increase hath been made therefore as the Apostle said in another case 2 Cor. 1.24 1 Pet. 5.2 3. So in this case use what you have received not as Lords to do with it what you list but as they who must be accountable to the Lord that not onely for the greatest but also for the least blessings as our Saviour said we must render accompt of every idle Word so we must render accompt of every little favour which God hath bestowed on us the time will come Luc. 16.2 Therefore we should think of this that we might be able to do it with joy Heb. 13.16 6. As it is all from God so let us be carefull to imploy it to the honour of God his good ground receiving good seed yieldeth a good increase as the good servant Mat. 25.20 as it cometh from heaven so let us use it in a heavenly manner to the praise of him whose dwelling is in the heavens this their very originall doth challenge Ro. 11.36 This the Dominion that God hath over all doth claime this the end which God proposeth to himselfe in all his works doth require Prov. 16.4 Rev. 4.11 Ephes 1.5 6. and it is the charge 1 Cor. 6.20 and if we neglect this we abuse the gift we have received it is a wrong to the creature to restraine it from the service of the Creator I. It is a wrong to the light
by our conversion to Christ and conjunction with him we become as a vineyard sowne with much seed as a Mother of many Children plentifull in the grace of the Spirit Isai 54.1 2 3. And the Church is filty resembled to a Wife 1. In regard of her subjection as the Wife is subject to the Husband so must the Church be subject unto Christ in all things Ephes 5.24 she must not live as she list make lawes of her owne forget like a harlot the guide of her youth but she must follow Christ Mat. 17.5 He hath all authority and power given him all is made subject to him 2. In regard of affection as the Wife loveth the Husband so must our hearts adhere to Christ he must be in our eye the fairest of ten thousand we must be sicke of love Cant. 5.10 so love him as to leave all for him Psal 45.10 11. Luc. 18.28 Mat. 10.39 3. In regard of chast reservation of our selves as the Wife must reserve her selfe for her Husband so must the Church reserve herselfe from all others from seducers from the world from the devill from the flesh Mat. 4.10 The want of this much provoketh God and breedeth grievous afflictions Hos 2.6 7. Vse 1 Is Christ the Husband of his Church is he joyned in spirituall wedlocke with them then this may assure all Gods faithfull servants that Jesus Christ doth beare a singular love and fervent affection to them a love that passeth the love of women as David said of Ionathans love a love most sweet most pleasant most wonderfull a love wherewith we cannot but be much affected if we looke 1. Upon the order of it Christ loved us first as the aire heated by the Sun is hot so Christ loveth us before we love him 1 Ioh. 4.19 The savour of his good ointments in our nostrill draw love from us Cant. 1.2 He seeketh us as a Shepheard the straying Sheep Isai 65.1 He woeth and inviteth us before we think of coming to him Matth. 22.4 2. The freedome of his love there was nothing in us why he should love us we were void of all spirituall beauty and comelines a barren wildernes an unsavoury carkasse a garden altogether overspread with weeds unworthy of any love deserving all hatred Ezek. 16.6 therefore Hos 14.4 5. Rom. 5.8 3. Upon the truth of his love he did not love in word and in tongue onely but in heart and in deed also his love was not a painted but a reall fire not an empty well but a full streame he loved us not for any by or base end but for our good for Ephes 5.25 26. Ioh. 15.13 4. The quality of his love it is a pure and heavenly love a love fastnying it selfe chiefly upon the Soule a love respecting our spirituall and everlasting good a love causing him to sanctify us to make us vessels of honours to wash away the Leprosy of our Souls in the Jordan of his blood Tit. 3.4 5. 5. The quantity or measure of his love it was not a little sparkle a small streame but a fire of much wood a strong flood a love that cannot be paralelled Joh. 10.11 Joh. 15.13 6. The continuance of his love it is not like a morning dew that soone vanisheth like a fire in straw which soone extinguisheth like a tree of no roots that quickly withereth but the love of Christ is a constant love like a living fountaine alwayes flowing a Sun never setting the fire on the Altar alwayes burning a love more permanent than the mountaines Isa 54.10 for Jerem. 31.3 and Joh. 13.1 7. The fruits of his love no such grapes grow on any vine no such flowers as these in any garden no Bridegroome bestoweth such rich tokens of love as Christ doth on his spouse Ezek. 16.9 10 11. In his love he raiseth us out of the grave of sin to a new life Ephes 2.5 as he raised Lazarus Joh. 11.44 In his love he maketh us conquerours Rom. 8.37 In his love he hath made himselfe a Sacrifice to God for us Ephes 5.2 In his love he hath reconciled us to God given us interest in all good things filled us with much consolation 2 Thes 2.16 Washed us from our sin Tit. 3.4 5. Rev. 1.5 6. The consideration of all which should much affect our hearts like a burning Sun melt away the icy coldnes which is within us like a powerfull load-stone it should draw our hearts againe to love him like a musicall instrument sweetly tuned it should much affect us like sweet wine it should make our hearts cheerfull and fill us abundantly with love againe to him Vse 2 This must teach wicked men to take heed that they abuse not Gods Children and Servants that they wound them not with the venomous arrowes of reproach that they lay not on them the heavy burthen of affliction Christ is their Husband loveth them most entirely and therefore will surely be avenged on them that wrong them as a Husband on him that abuseth his Wife as David 1 Sam. 30.17 so will the Lord discover his indignation against them that abuse his people therefore likened to a jealous man Zach. 1.14 15. he will plead the cause of his people Isai 51.22 23. as Sampson Iud. 15.7 8. so will God on them that wrong such at have betrothed themselves to him they are deare to God Zach. 2.8 they are his Jewells Mal. 3.17 He will not endure that to be abused and cast into the dirt they are his flocke he is their Shepheard Psal 80.1 and as 1 Sam. 17.34 35. so will God deale with them that prey upon the lambs of his fold thus Pro. 11.8 though the Lord let them alone for awhile to correct and humble his people yet as the Goldsmith extinguisheth the fire when the Gold hath been thoroughly purged so will God Isai 10.12 Though the Lord spare till their sin be ripe yet at length as Isai 13.8 so though they are as a rod to scourge Gods people yet the Lord at length will breake them in pieces Isa 14 5 6 7. thus Ier. 30.16 17. as Adoni-bezek said Iud. 1.7 so shall wicked men say at last as I have dealt with Gods people so hath the Lord dealt with mee Zech. 1.18 19 20. They that cast the three Children into the fire were burned they that caused Daniel to be cast into the Lions den were themselves devoured of the Lions Dan. 3.22 Pharaoh that pursued Israel was swallowed in the red Sea Dan. 6.24 Therefore let every man take heed how he reach his hand or open his mouth against the people of God Exo. 14. how he touch the Lords anointed or do his Prophets any harme 1 King 13.4 Psal 105.15 Vse 3 This must cause all Gods people all that professe communion with Christ to yeeld an internall externall universall cheerfull hearty and spirituall obedience unto him as a carefull and respective wife to the Husband not as a slave to a tyrant not as a servant to
thing in the Verse was the Ministers office as the friend of the Bridegroome prepareth a Bride for him so do Gods Ministers persuade prepare and fit the people to joyne themselves in a Holy wedlock to Christ Jesus Doctr. THat it is the speciall labour of Gods faithfull Ministers to perswade the people to turne unto and joyne themselves in a holy wedlock with Christ Iesus as Abrahams Servant sought a Wife for his Sonne Isaac made an oath to be faithfull praying for good speed Gen. 24.9 12. gave the Woman bracelets and a golden earering vers 22. would not eate till he had done his errant vers 33. commended the riches of his Master vers 35.36 So must the Ministers of the Lord seek woo and perswade men to joyne themselves unto Christ in a spirituall marriage Hence Paul saith he had espoused the Corinthians to one Husband that he might present them as a chast virgin unto Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 the Ministry of the Gospel compared to the marriage feast the Ministers unto Servants inviting men to the wedding by the use fruition sence and feeling of his Ordinances the spouse was made sick of love and filled with vehement and earnest longings after Christ Jesus Cant. 2.4 and this the Apostle sheweth to be their chiefest labour 2 Cor. 5.19 20. and so they make it 1. Because it bringeth much honour to God as Prov. 14.28 So by the encrease of godly men the bringing of many to yeeld ready and cheerefull subjection unto God is the name of the Lord much honoured by this the Scepter of Christ Iesus is erected in the hearts of men the Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles are constrained to bow before him to subject their necks to his yooke to plow up the fallow ground of their hearts and to bring forth fruit unto God by this they are brought to confesse their sin and to give glory unto God as Achan did when the Lot was cast upon him Ios 2.19 by this they are turned from Idols and wordly vanities to serve the living God 1 Thes 1.9 by this their nature is changed Isa 11.6 they are made to be at peace with God and among themselves by this of a barren wilderness they are made a fruitfull vineyard Isai 35.1 2 5 6 7. 2. Because it is very pleasing unto God the returning of the prodigall was delightfull to his Father as appeareth by the hast he made to meet him by the entertainement he gave him the bringing home of the lost sheep doth much rejoyce the Shepheard so the conversion of sinners is very pleasing unto God Luc. 15.7 What the bringing of many sheass into the barne is to the Husbandman what the birth of the Child is to the Mother the same is bringing of many to the new birth the gathering home of many Souls into Gods garner it is not the adorning of the body with gold and silver but the adorning of the heart which is in the sight of God of the greatest price 1 Pet. 3.3 4. It is not the bestowing of much riches upon men but the making of them rich in the grace of the Spirit which God respecteth 3. Because this doth bring the greatest ruine unto Satans Kingdome this like a key openeth the prison doores of sin and bringeth forth the Souls of men to liberty as the Angel brought Peter out of prison Act. 12.7 this overturneth his strong holds 2 Cor. 10.11 driveth him from his former possession Luc. 11.21 as the breaking of the pitchers shining of the lights with the cry of the sword of the Lord and Gideon put the Midianits to flight and gave freedome to Israel thus Isai 9.4 5. 4. Because this is most profitable for the people this of dead doth make them new and living creatures Joh. 5.25 of dry trees doth make them like trees planted by the waters side Psal 1.3 of barren Souls it maketh them fruitfull like a Mother of many Children Isai 54.1 of a desolate and forsaken people it bringeth them to a holy fellowship and honorable Communion with Christ Jesus by working faith in them Ephes 1.13 By separating them from profane persons like sheep from goats Chaffe from Corn Mat. 3.12 Ier. 23.29 Use This therefore discovereth the fearefull sin of such in the Ministry as in stead of turning men unto God do turne them from God in stead of joyning them in wedlock unto Christ do separate them from Christ in stead of drawing the hearts of men unto God and to the love of holy duties do like Absolon steale away the hearts affections of men from delight in the works of sanctification from subjection unto Gods precepts 2 Sam. 15.6 Some like the false Apostles seek to marry the people to themselves not to Christ seeking their owne praise not the honour of the Lord Jesus as the Disciples of the Baptist would have had their Master have taken the honour to himselfe which was due to Christ so there are some Masters labour to make their Disciples give them the reverence obedience praise which is due to Christ alone by making their sayings to be a Law an infallible ruse which must be followed giving preheminence or equalizing their traditions and unwarranted Doctrines to the Scriptures exercising Lordship tyranny over the faith and consciences of men rather than assisting them contrary to that of the Apostle 2 Cor. 1.24 and that of our Saviour Mat. 23.8 9 10. as if they were authours when they can be but instruments the fountaine when they must be like cisternes conveying the waters of life which they receive from God the Sun when they must be but starres in the right hand of Christ shining in the light which they receive from him Ier. 6.14 II. Some draw others from Christ by their false Doctrine flattering them in their sin speaking peace when there is no peace healing the disease of the people deceitfully like an unfaithfull Physician Ezek. 13.10 daubing with untempered morter like a deceitfull builder promising liberty when themselves are the servants of sin 2 Pet. 2.19 III. Some hinder men from coming to Christ harden them in sin by opposing and disgracing the wholesome Doctrine and gracious admonition given by their fellow brethren by sowing tares to choake the wheat by withstanding like Elimas Acts 13.8 by forbidding them to speake Amos 7.10 by seeking to alienate the hearts of the people from them Gal. 4.17 by incouraging the people in evill 1 King 22.11 12. IV. Some hinder men from coming to Christ by their silence they teach not the way of life and salvation they open not the danger of the naturall mans estate they acquaint not men with the riches of Gods mercy but Isai 56.10 11. A man that is both blind and dumb is an unfit man to make a marriage so they who are spiritually blind and dumb are no way meet to perswade the people to joyne themselves in wedlock unto Christ they cannot open unto them the honour
above chaffe gold above drosse honey before gall Psa 119.72 102. Ier. 23.23 Prov. 8.10 11. 3. This must stirre up every man to rejoyce and delight himself in the preaching of the Gospel as in the Schoole of Christ where alone true wisedome is to be learned in the food of our Souls whence spirituall strength is to be gathered in the light which alone sheweth the way to the life which is eternall and for that end we must bee I. Truely sanctified and then as the Baptist leaped in his mothers womb when he heard the voyce of the mother of our Saviour in whom Christ was conceived so shall our hearts rejoyce to hear the voyce of our God in the Ministry of his Word Psa 97.11 Ps 32.11 II. The Word must be hidden in our hearts Ier. 15.16 It must be as fire in our bones Ier. 20.9 as Wine in our stomacks Mat. 13.45 III. Come with a longing appetite to it as to a delicate feast Isai 25. Prov. 27.7 IV. Get assurance that the comforts thereof belong unto your owne Souls propriety and interest in the good things of God will fill our hearts with joy and gladnes in the Lord when we can claime them as our inheritance then we shall rejoyce in them like the Psalmist V. We must sell all put away whatsoever may hinder the power and efficacy of the Word of God the scales must be taken from Pauls eyes or the light of the Sun will afford him no comfort so Ia. 1.21 1 Sam. 7.3 4. Mat. 13.45 This my joy therefore is fulfilled The last thing is the great joy the Baptist conceived in beholding the people to convert and turne unto God in seeing the Kingdome of Christ to flourish the eyes of men to be fastned on him the hearts of men to embrace him the Ministry of his word to be effectuall whence note THat the conversion of the people doth make the Ministers of God exceeding joyfull as the Bridegrooms friend rejoyceth when he hath prepared a spouse for him so doth every faithfull Minister of God when he hath prepared a Bride for Christ likened to the joy of harvest when the Husbandmen and his Servants gather in the sheafs into the barne to the joy of souldiers when they divide the spoile Isai 9.3 as Moses rejoyced and sung when he had led Israel out of Aegypt from the bondage of Pharaoh thorough the Red Sea so do the Ministers of God when they by the blessing of God upon their industry have brought the people of God out of bondage of sin and Satan hence 1 Thes 2.19 20. this filled his mouth with matter of glorying 2 Cor. 9.2 The relation which Titus made to Paul of the repentance faith love constancy of the Corinthians made him exceeding joyous 2 Cor. 7.4 13. Phil. 4.1 so great that it maketh them rejoyce in affliction the welfare of the people is very comfortable even when the Minister is in much trouble Phil. 2.2 Philemon vers 7. Ioh. 3. Eph. 4. Ioh. 2.3.4 Reas 1 Because the faithfull Ministers of God do beare a singular love unto the people as the parent and nurse to the Children they are their jewels and treasure under God and Christ the object of their love 2 Cor. 6.11 2 Cor. 2.4 a love which maketh them Phil. 2.17 and 2 Cor. 7.3 and therefore as they love them so they rejoyce in their welfare vers 4. Reas 2 Because the faithfull Ministers of God do heartily and with much earnestnes desire the spirituall good and everlasting welfare of the people of God even more than they desire their owne peace liberty or welfare 2 Cor. 12.14 1 Cor. 10.24 Phil. 1.8 9. never did Rahel more desire Children than they do the regeneration of the people this is the choise of all their wishes the most servent of all their longings for this they make them petition Ephes 3.14 as Isaac for the opening of the womb of Rebecca Gen. 25.21 as Hanna for the making of her barren womb fruitfull 1 Sam. 1.10 and as shee shewed herselfe joyfull thankfull when God gave her a Child 1 Sam. 2 1 2. so do Gods Ministers when God doth open the hearts of the people as Acts 16.14 and Isai 54.1 Reas 3 Because they hereby see that they have not preached to no purpose that they have not plowed the sand sown among thornes and briars washed a blackmore charmed a deaf adder piped to the deaf nor held a Lamp to the blind they see that they have not Isai 65.2 3. that they have not as Hos 8.7 But they see that the Word in their mouth hath been as a two edged sword Heb. 4.12 as seed in good ground Matth. 13.23 as the dewes upon the Herbs Deut. 32.2 Isai 45.8 and 26.19 Hos 14.6 7. Psal 133.3 aad therefore Phil. 2.16 Reas 4 Because it is their honour and dignity as it is the honour of a souldier to win the conquest so it is of the leaders of Gods army to conquer Satan to subdue sin to cast down the devill like lightning to open the Prison doores by the key of the Gospel Isai 61.1 to give deliverance unto Gods people to raise them out of the grave of sin as the Prophet revived the dead Child 1 Thes 2.19.20 and as Luc. 10.17 so c. Reas 5 Because they take much paine to convert and turne them as the Husbandman to make a barren field fertile a rough way even a mountaine a low valley Luk. 3.4 5. Ier. 1.10 2 Tim. 2.3 encounter with many enemies Ephes 6.12 Gal. 4.19 and therefore as Ioh. 16.21 Reas 6 Because it is a seale of their Ministry an argument that God sent them that he hath given endowments to them for the calling and doth accept of their labours 1 Cor. 9.10 Ier. 23.22 as Leah said Gen. 29.32 Reas 7 Because it is a secondary evidence of their renovation for God doth usually call and convert men by them whom he hath converted Paul himselfe is first converted before he is sent to preach the Gospel Acts 9.3 and Isai 6.5 Mal. 2.5 6 7. Reas 8 Because it is the chief end of their calling to gather home men to God and to save the Souls of the people therefore likened to Shepheards Stewards Physicians Husbandmen Nurses Embassadours as the Shepheard rejoyceth in finding the lost sheep the Physician in recovering his patient the steward in the welfare of the servants of the family the nurse in the growth of the Child the Embassadour in the reconcilement of the people so do the Ministers of God Reas 9 Because it is as great a grief to the Ministers to see the people continue in sin as a carefull husbandman to see his field overspread with weeds to the nurse to see the Child languish to the Physician to see the patient grow more and more diseased Psal 119.136 Isai 49.4 Jer. 9.1 Luk. 19.41 42. Reas 10 Because it is a pledge of the Ministers sharing in the highest degree of heavenly glory
soone dryed up like a tree of rotten roots is soone withered like a morning dew soone gone many times soone changed into deadly hatred like Amos love to Thamar many times full of fraud like Dalilahs love to Sampson like Judasses kisse to our Saviour 4. Because Christ is above all in Care No Watchman so vigilant no Keeper so carefull as Christ is over his people he keepeth them as a man will keep the apple of his eye Zach. 28. he maketh them up as a man will make up his Jewells Mal. 3.17 he leadeth them like a carefull guide in a desolate way Deut. 32.12 becometh with them as a Shepheard with his flocke Isai 40.11 As Jacob dealt with his Sheep Gen. 33.14 so doth Christ with the Sheep of his pasture Isai 42.3 he dealeth with them as a Physitian with his patient Isa 61.1 as a vine-dresser with his vine Isai 27.3 as Phil. 2.20 So it is much more true of Christ and therefore it is great folly to neglect him who is so carefull for us and to set our hearts on that which hath no respect unto us no care for us no thought if wee perish 5. Because Christ is above all in goodness and sufficiency in him is all fulnes Rev. 22.1 he is a tree of life loaden with twelve sorts of fruite whatsoever good thing the Souls of man can desire it is fully in him above measure John 3.33 so fully that we shall be able to desire no more in him so much that he can quench our thirst John 4.14 he will fill us with good things Luc. 11.1 52. he will satiate our Souls with fatness and fill us with goodness Ier. 31.14 He can fill the understanding with knowledge the heart with faith love zeale and every good gift in prosperity he can fill us with meeknes in adversity with patience in a low estate with contentedness in every condition he will be enough unto us If we do but imbrace him turne our hearts to him settle our affections upon him then as Solomon gave charge in another case Prov. 5.18 19. so shall we find in this for they who convert unto Christ have the promise Ier. 50.19 20. His Ordinances are the breasts which yeeld the milke that satisfieth Isa 66.11 12. The River that refresheth Psal 36.8 Is it not now exceeding folly to leave Christ in whom is such and so great fulness 3. Hath Christ preheminence and dominion over all creatures then this must teach us to give Christ preheminence 1. In our knowledge if we know nothing else let us not be ignorant of him who ever be a stranger to us let us get and maintaine an holy intire and gracious acquaintance with the Lord Iesus for he is our portion Psal 16.5 6. and therefore as a man will know his owne Lands and revenewes though he remaine ignorant of all other mens possessions so must we know Christ Iesus and our interest in him of whatsoever beside we are ignorant of he is our Husband our beloved Can. 2.16 he is our Shepheard Isai 40.11 he is our Prophet our teacher Acts 10.38 he is our Physician Isai 61.1 he is our Friend Iohn 15.13 and therefore as a Woman knoweth her Husband above all other men the Sheep know the voyce of a Shepheard and will not hearken to the voyce of a stranger as the Scholler knoweth his teacher above all other instructours the sicke man his Physician and a friendly and loving man knoweth his friend which is to him as his owne soule Deut. 13.6 So must we know Christ Iesus above all others with a more cleare familiar affectionate and delightfull knowledge than we know any other we must study to excell in this knowledge this must be the first lesson we learne the art we should every day study we must cry after this Prov. 2.2 3. strive to be filled therewith as the aire with light Col. 1.10 to grow herein as good Schollers in learning 2 Pet. 3.18 esteeme all knowledge as vaine without this 1 Cor. 2.2 and accompt this our best gaine Prov. 4.7 8. a tree bearing the sweetest fruit Prov. 3.16 17. a knowledge surpassing all other knowledge for profoundnes pleasantnes profitablenes holiness as farre as the Heavens are above the Earth Ephes 3.18 19. therefore rest not till you are better experienced in this knowledge than in any other knowledge 2 Let us give him preheminence in our feare fear him above all creatures feare to offend him rather than any other whatsoever beside him feare the losse of his favour the frowne of his displeasure rather as the Wife fears the Husband more than the handmaid the subject the King more than his fellow subjects the Servant his Lord and Master more than his fellow Servants Christ is the Husband of his Church the King of his people the Lord and Master of his Family all creatures are his subjects and Servants yea the very Angels are fellow-servants with us Rev. 22.9 therefore let him have the preheminence in our feare none so well able to recompence our obedience none so powerfull to revenge our disobedience the losse we sustaine for him turneth to our best advantage Mat. 19.28 29. the service we performe unto him hath the best wages Rom. 2.10 the headship which he hath over us the price which he hath paid for us the interest which he hath in us the great things he hath done for us the good things he hath bestowed on us the glorious things he hath provided in the Heavens his ability to support us in all assaults to comfort us in all afflictions to deliver us out of all troubles the many relations which are between us do challenge preheminence in our obedience and bind us to exalt him in our feare as God hath exalted him in his place Acts 5.29 30 31 32. Mat. 10.28 thus Heb. 11.26 27. Pet. 3.13 14 15. all creatures are nothing in his hand none can hurt us when he is pleased with us none can defend or comfort us when his indignation is kindled against us therefore Rev. 14.6 7. he giveth victory to such as feare him over their enemies therefore Rev. 15.3 4. and it is the charge 2 King 17.36 to 39. 3. Let us give him the preheminence in our thoughts as he is above all so he ought to be thought upon before all his owne worthines his goodness compassion love to us doth challeng and the love which we should beare to him ought to enforce us to yeeld him precedency in our thoughts and the first fruits of our meditations he should be the last we think on in the evening the first we think upon in the morning the companion of our thoughts in the whole dayes travell as the Wife thinketh on her Husband with more frequency with more delight with more seriousnes and affection than on any stranger so must we thinke of Christ the Husband of our Souls this is the charge Mat. 6.39 thus the spouse Cant. 3.1 the Psalmist Psal
credits with our possessions trust him in prosperity when we have the abundance of all things rely on him alone as if we had nothing trust him in adversity when we have nothing being as confident as if we had all things as the Apostle saith of patience Ia. 1.4 So let me say of faith let faith have his perfect worke trust the Lord in every estate in every undertaking in every affliction trust him in health in sicknes in liberty in bondage in riches in poverty in temptation in peace trust him in six and be not doubtfull of him in seaven trouble for he is above all he can doe all nothing is impossible if we can beleeve Mar. 9.23 all things shall be according to our faith Mat. 9.29 there is water enough in this Well if we have faith like a bucket to draw there is riches enough in this store-house if we have faith like a key to open there is stedfastnes enough in this rocke if we have faith like a sure anchor to lay fast hold upon it there is no danger so great but if we have faith in him we shall passe thorough it Matth. 17.20 by faith we shall do as they did Heb. 11.29 30 31 32 33. By faith Christ dwelleth in us is become ours and then nothing can be too hard for us when he is omnipotent who is within us 1 Sam. 17.45 Goliah was better armed but by faith the Lord was with David by faith the Lord is our strength Psal 37.39 and Marc. 5.26 29 34. this is Gods precept 1 Ioh. 3.23 this is the way to prosper Ier. 15.5 therefore as 2 Cro. 20.30 7. Let Christ have preheminence in our love as he is above all so we must love him above all creatures the choise the strength of our affection must be bestowed upon him Deut. 6.4 We must love him with all manner of love as the work the of his hand that framed it the creature the Creator for we are the work of his hands Col. 1.16 as the subject loveth his gracious Soveraigne for he is the Prince of our peace Isa 9.6 as the ransomed loveth him that redeemed him for he is our Redeemer 1 Tim. 2.6 as the Disciple loveth the teacher for he is our Master Mat. 10.24 as one friend doth love another for he is our choisest friend Iohn 15.13 as the Wife the Husband for he hath joyned himselfe in wedlocke to us so we must love him with creatures love a subjects love a ransomed mans love af a true love c. Hos 2.19 none in himselfe so worthy to be beloved none ever can so well deserve our love none will none is able so abundantly to requite our love none doth or can so well entertaine our love none can yeeld such abundant satisfaction to our affection therefore let us give him the chiefest roome in our affections let us have our hearts so wrought upon that with the spouse we be even sicke of love Cant. 2.4 that Psal 73.25 that 2 Cor. 5.14 8. Let Christ have the preheminence in our joy as he is above all so let us rejoyce in him more than in Father Mother Child Wife or any other endowment as Paul said of the Thessalonians so let us say of Christ 1 Thes 2.19 20. this was the Apostles charge Phil. 4.4 and his resolution Gal. 6.14 Gods people can see nothing but Christ worthy to be rejoyced in the men of the World do hate them Ioh. 15.19 the strength riches of the world have vanity and changeablenes in them Psa 33.17 Psal 60.11 1 Cor. 3.20 21. the peace and pleasures of the World are great strangers to them their way is full of thornes their day full of clouds their habitation is like a house in the wildernes their condition like the condition of Pilgrimes Psa 34.19 1 Pet. 2.11 onely Christ is their comfort Phil 3.3 He bringeth remission of sin reconcileth them to God and therefore in him they rejoyce Rom. 5.11 He maketh peace for them worketh peace in them he revealeth Gods counsell to them 1 Cor. 1.30 therefore vers 31. they have nothing whereof to rejoyce but it cometh from him therefore behoofull they should rejoyce principally in him and turne all matter and occasion of rejoycing to rejoycing in Christ 9. Let us give him preheminence of Dominion in our hearts in our lives above all others above the World above Satan above our own corruption Let Christ have the whole possession of the heart let sin like Dagon be cast to the ground and the Kingdome of Christ like the Arke erected let the whole man be made universally subject to him let the eye in seeing the ear in hearing the tongue in speaking the hand in working the foot in walking the heart in thinking the understanding in judging the will in chosing the affections in imbracing or refusing shew their subjection yeeld unto Christ the chief Dominion every Member every faculty must be so serviceable that Christ may be able to say of it as the Centurion of his Servants Mat. 8.9 They must all wait like Ahimaaz for their commission run as soon as Christ shall give their charge unto them This is the Apostles charge Rom. 6.13 his commendation of the Romans vers 17. Christ must have no corrivals he must raigne as King alone he will not live as a Servant it must not be in this as Solomon saw it sometimes in another case Eccles 10.7 Christ will not walk on foot and the World Sin and Satan on hors-back no neither will he ride in the same Chariot with them 2 Cor. 6.14.15 as he is above all so he will rule over all 10. Let Christ have the preheminence in all our undertakings as he is above all so let us above all things seek his glory let us as it were set Christ upon our shoulders that he onely may be preheminent that he onely may be seen and we like men stand in the croud not taken notice of if Christ may be honoured let us be content to be reproach'd if be may be enriched let us be willingly made poor thus the Baptist was content to be as a tree that withereth that the beauty of Christ the tree of righteousness might be the more glorious to lose his honour if thereby the honour of Christ might increase so Paul 2 Cor. 4.3 he exalted Christ did not preach himself did not set forth himself shew his wit learning eloquence hunt applause but sought onely how to make Christ glorious as a man that carrieth a light to direct others doth not put forth himself but putteth forth his light that all may see by it a man that goeth to take fowl putteth forth his bait but hideth himself so Gal. 1.10 Acts 20.24 1 Cor. 10.31 33. Acts 3.12 In all these things we must study to give Christ the preheminence This serveth for the singular comfort of all Gods Servants who by a lively faith are ingrafted into Christ and have imbraced him as their
this they are as no gift at all Prov. 19.14 So c. therefore 1 Pet. 5.5 5. Because these are the choisest and surest testimonies of the Love of God to our soules he giveth common and worldly endowments to his enemies as well as to his friends the Master of the Family giveth food rayment some-time money to the servant as well as to the childe the Raine falleth on the Rock as well as on the ground Eccles 9.1 But as the Master of the Family sheweth his love to his children in putting them to Schoole giving good education to them so doth God shew his Love to his Children in training them up in the Schoole of Christ in educating them with the saving knowledge of his will in framing their hearts to love him and to walke sincerely and uprightly towards him when he leaveth others in darknesse and in the shadow of death as Christ sheweth his Love to Lazarus in raising him out of his grave Jo. 11.44 So doth he shew his Love to us in raising us to a new life as he shewed his love to Israel in causing the Sunne to shine upon them when all Egypt sate covered with darknesse so doth hee open the Fountain of his Loving-kindnesse in causing the light of his truth to shine among us Jerem. 3.14.15 Isaiah 62.5.6 Psalm 87 2.7 6. Because these do most endeare men unto God these like a Load-stone draw the Love care and goodnesse of God towards us cause him highly to esteem us tenderly to affect us carefully to watch over us mightily to defend us as 1 Sam. 16.7 8. So it is neither for riches honours nor beauty that God respecteth us neither Dives wealth Absolons beauty Sampsons strength Achitophels Policy Senacharibs victories nor Solomons royalty can move or draw affection from the Lord but the holinesse and sincerity of his servants Isa 57.15 Isaiah 66.2 Pro. 11.21 Psalm 16.3 Vse Our spirituall gifts of all others the most excellent are these the graine and world the chaffe are these the sweet the earth the sower grapes then behold and be astonished at the strange and wonderfull folly of the greatest number of the world who like the Jewes of old preferre Barrabas before Christ who like Esau value a messe of earthly pottage above a Heavenly birth-right like revolting Israel are more affected with Egyptian Onions and Garlicke then with the best fruit growing upon the Heavenly Canaan what more frequent amongst men then to cry after the things of the earth like the horsleeches two daughters Pro. 30.15 what more common then to runne after riches honours pleasures as Mica after his Idol Jud. 18.23.24 How many see wee rising early setting up late and eating the bread of sorowfulnesse to dig silver out of this Mine how many behold wee wounding and piercing themselves with sharpe thorney care intangling and wearing themselves with worldly snares for triviall and transitory riches how many see wee making ship-wrack of Faith and a good conscience to load themselves with this treasure what more usual with men then to deprive themselves of rest peace all true comforts to neglect God their souls heaven the Crown of Eternall Glory for the vanishing cloud of worldly abilities as if all our felicity safty comfort stood in the having of the abundance of the earth the saving grace of Gods Spirit were nothing worth but these mens folly will be easily descerned if they would but looke 1. Vpon the vanity of the world what is the riches and honoures when thou hast it without the grace of Gods Spirit but as the Apostle said of false teachers 2 Pet. 2.17 It hath no filling satisfying nor contenting vertue in it Isa 50.11 Hag. 1.6 If at any time they have abundance and seem like the first Kine in Pharaohs dreame to be fat yet presently one thing or another ariseth like the second Kine in Pharaohs dream to deceive and devour all the fat so that still the soule is an empty vessell a barren womb not satisfyed 2. The impotency of these outward things they are weak unable to defend themselves or their owners like the Idol gods unable to keep themselves and therefore must bee kept by their worshippers the rust will consume it the theefe steale it the fire burn it if the Lord smite thee with sicknesse though with Asa thou hadst a kingdome it cannot procure health for thee if God send an enemie and thou hast horses swift of foot yet it will not deliver thee Isa 15. Psa 33.16 If thou hast all kind of delights art seated in a Paradise of worldly pleasures yet if God doth send a dreadfull noise into thy eares then wilt thou runne like Adam to the covert If God awaken thy conscience it will be with thee as with Balshazar Dan. 5.4 5. Zeph. 1.18 3. The impiety it is full of truble as Achans golden Wedge troubled the whole army so the things of the world if they bee not sanctified if men want grace to esteem affect and imploy them as they ought they are a great trouble as Adams forbidden fruit in evill men as a heavy burthen to the back as a net full of snares to the feet as a bed of thornes in the night Pro. 11.17 Pro. 15.6 As the Sea where are most waters are most tempests 4. Their commoneness a flower grown in the worst as well as in the best mans garden a livery worn by Gods enemies as well as by Gods followers a gift in the hand of a reprobate as well as in the hand of Gods chosen Solomon saw servants on horse-back and Princes on foot and wee may easily see the servants of sinne the bondmen of Satan on horse-back on the Throne in place of eminency enriched with the abundance of the earth men as Princes men richly adorned with the grace of the Spirit men who are conquerors over Satan and their lusts who are Kings and Priests to God goe on foote are in a low state of no reputation in the world the most wicked usually are most favoured and suck most milke out of the breasts of the world Jo. 15.19 Job 12.4.5.6 Is it not great folly to neglect the graces of the Spirit which are so sweet so pure so full so pleasant so peculiar to Gods people so precious as nothing in the world is sufficiently able to expresse it and to seeke after the things of the earth which are so vaine so weake so beggarly so troublesome so common that he that hath the greatest abundance of them may be and often is the divells bondman an abomination in Gods sight a vessel of Gods wrath a firebrand of everlasting destruction 2. Therefore since the graces of Gods Spirit are of all gifts the most excellent this must cause us 1. To desire them most earnestly to long after them as Rachel after children Gen. 30. 1. As the thirsty ground after water the hungry soule after food th man that setteth in darknesse after light Psa 143.6 Psa 42.12 Cant.
3.1 Isa 26.8.9 2. To use all diligence to get them all businesse set apart all other gaine neglected let us seek to be partakers of Grace of the Spirit as the Wise men left their owne countrey to come to Christ the disciples left all to follow him so let us take off our hearts from the world from carnall friends and from whatsoever is deare unto us and seeke to bee endowed with heavenly riches let us Pro. 2.2 3. Let us with David Psal 27.4 desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all our life that we may behold the beauty of the Lord to enquire in his temple Jer. 50.4 Dan. 9.3 Let us by hearing premeditation fasting and by all holy meanes seeke this grace 3. Let us value it more highly then all the treasures of the earth for Job 28.19 Psa 84.10 Psa 119.72 4. Let us love it more entirely then any other endowment give them the preheminence in our affections the chiefest roome in our hearts let us enlarge desires of our hearts towards them let us bestowe the strength and quintessence of our love upon them let us so affect them that with the Spouse we be sick of love Cant. 5.2 So love them that it make us long for them Psal 119.20 so love them that with Jacob we serve an apprentiship for them 5. Let us rejoyce and delight in it more then in all earthly treasure as Matth. 2.10 So wee to see any starre of Grace appeare in the heart as Anna 1. Sam. 2.1 So wee for our new birth thus Psa 4.6 6. Let us receive it more thankfully as Eccles 16.1 Gal. 6.14 7. Let us treasure it up more carefully when Achan had gotten a golden Wedge hee hid it 8. Let us receive the saving graces of the Spirit more thankfully then any common endowments and render more praise to God for this then for any other favour let us be more thankeful for our new birth then for noble birth so for victory ouer sin then for conquest our all bodily enemies for the riches of grace then for all worldly treasures for knowledg faith love meekness patience the joy of the spirit then for all the choisest jewels and most precious praises in the world As wee receiv a cup of pure and pleasant wine more thankfully then a cup of small water a piece of gold more thankfully then a handful of ordinary and common earth as Theodosius gave more thanks that hee was a member of the Church than head of the Empire so should wee give more thanks that wee are the members of Christ Jesus than for the greatest earthly present whereunto the hand of the world can advance us as Naman was thankful for the purging of his leprosie so let us for the washing away of the filth of sin as Moses sang praises to God for their deliverance from the hand of Pharaoh so let us for our deliverance out of the hands of Satan for the donation of the spirit and the grace wherewith wee are enriched Ephes 1.3 This was the Saint's practice Col. 1.12 13. Wee should say for this as David did 2 Sam. 7.18 19 20 22. so should wee com and stand before our God and say Who are wee O Lord God that thou shouldest bring us hitherto that of slaves thou shouldest make us thy free men that of men dead in sin putrified in the grave of corruption thou shouldest raise us to a new life of thorns briars thou shouldest make us fruitfull and bearing vines of strangers thou shouldest make us thine own adopted Children of poor and blinde naked thou shouldest make us rich with the saving grace of thy spirit and this was yet a small thing but thou hast also prepared everlasting mansions for us to dwell in immortal crowns for us to wear upon our heads a glorious ever shining sun to give us light even fulness of joy at thy right hand for ever And what can wee say unto thee our God for all these things how can we sufficiently laud thee for thy goodness for in this are all the motives and inducements of thankfulness If you will sing for refreshment received in the day of drought as Israël did for the spring of water Num. 21.17 here is our welspring of everliving water Joh. 4.14 If yee will bless God for victorie as Debora and Baruc did Jud. 5.1 Here is that which inableth you to tread Satan under foot Rom. 16 20. and maketh you more then conquerers in all assaults Rom. 8.36 If you will offer sacrifice and make vows as the heathen marriners for the appeasing of the tempestuous and raging Sea Jona 1.16 here is that which appeaseth a greater storm which breedeth a sweeter peace Phil. 4.7 If yee will give thanks for the opening of your eies which were blinde as the blinde man did Joh. 9.38 here is that which openeth the eie of the understanding inableth you to see the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2 9.10 This is the sword which conquereth the Physick which healeth the musick which delighteth the milk which nourisheth the wine which cheereth the friend which comforteth the hand which enricheth therefore wee should bee thankfull for this above all other blessings 7. Let us treasure up these gifts most carefully as the husbandmen hide the good seed in the ground that it may bee preserved from the fowls of the aër take root and bring forth increas as rich men lock up their jewels in strong chests place them in close and sure rooms that the hand of the thief may not reach them so must wee with all diligence hide and with all carefulness keep the saving grace of the spirit it is our choicest endowment it will yield us most comfort do us most good stand us in most stead as the people said of David 2 Sam. 18.3 Thou art worth ten thousand of us so the grace of the spirit is worth ten thousand of your sheep oxen gold and silver therefore bee as careful to keep it as the people were to keep David as a man would be to keep the apple of his eie or his right hand It was Solomon's charge to his Son a charge often repeated to make him heedful of it Proverb 3.21 4.23 urged by our Saviour Rev. 2.21 3.12 The like may bee seen in Paul Tit. 1.9 1 Tim. 6.12.13.14 Satan the the World the Flesh will all strive to wrest from us the grace of the spirit by force by flattery by promises and provocations as Dalila labored to cut away Samson's locks so will these strive to rob us of God's saving grace therefore wee must give all diligence to keep it 8. Let all God's people bee contented how slender soëver their outward estate bee though you wash not your feet in butter neither doth the rock yield any oil though your root spread not out by the waters nor the dew lay not all night upon your branch though your outward glorie be not fresh
to the hous of God spiritual blessings are of the chiefest use they are profitable to all things and in all estates they are the choicest ornament they are of the greatest price they bring the sweetest peace and are of the longest continuance and therefore if you will shew your love in any thing shew it in this In making them whom love partakers of these blessings 5. This must comfort all God's children all such as are truely sanctified all on whom God hath poured out the saving grace of the Spirit though the world hate you as Esau hated Jacob Gen. 27.41 as Ahab hated Micaiah 1 King 22.8 as Saul hated David 1 Cor. 4.13 though you are of no reputation in the eies of men yet comfort your selvs in this the Lord loveth you the Lord hath shewed the testimonies of his choicest affections towards you therefore bee sure that in his love hee will supply you when you want solace you when you are heavy deliver you when you are oppressed rais you when you are cast down as in his love hee brought Israël from the iron fornace the Egyptian bondage so in his love hee will in due season put an end to all your affliction and let his love bee a sufficient recompence for the want of all mens affection a strong stay in all trouble the King's love fully answereth the beggars hatred the Master's love the servants displeasure the light of the sun the want of all other lights plenty of wine the want of small drink his love is better than the richest treasure the choicest dainties the brightest sun Cant. 1.4 his love is everlasting a stream full of refreshment a hand full of strength a lamp of oil Jer. 31.3 that which is and may well be to all that have it instead of all friends peace joy dignity riches a thousand fold better then any earthly abundance Thus of the Connexion in the words themselvs wee have set before us 1. the love of God the father unto Christ The Father loveth the Son 2. the sequel of this love and hath given all things into his hands 1. Of the love of the Father to the Son whence two things are to bee noted I. That God the Father doth bear a singular affection unto his Son Christ Jesus II. That the love of God to Christ Jesus is the fountain of all happiness which cometh to his chosen servants First of the former of these Doctr. That God the Father doth bear a singular affection unto his Son Christ Jesus the love of God the Father unto Christ is so great so wonderfull so unspeakable that no capacity can fully comprehend it no tongue perfectly describe it no similitude sufficiently express it if I should liken it to the sun the sea the whole element of fire the glory of the sun is but a glow-worm to it the whole ocean but as a few drops the element of fire but as a few sparks of this but slender resemblances of it there is no comparison between things finite and infinite but the truth of this is manifest by the title given unto Christ called by a kinde of excellency God 's beloved Eph. 1.16 twice testified to bee so by an audible voice from heaven Mat. 3.17 Mat. 17.5 the excellency of it by way of comparison far excelling the love that God did bear to the Angels Heb. 1.5 the truth of this is moreover evideneed Reas 1. By the near union between the Father and the Son the Son in respect of his God-head beeing one substance with the Father as the water in the stream is one and the same in substance with the water in the fountain distinguished onely by relation as one and the same man may be a father and a son in several relations yet but one man hence God the Father and God the Son are said to bee one 1 John 5.7 John 10.30 2. By the similitude and likeness between them as the Father so the Son is holy absolutely independently according to his God-head and also as hee was man hee knew no sin there was no guil found in his lips hee was a lamb without spot pure grain without chaff 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Pet. 2.22 1 Pet. 1.19 Luke 23.41 3. By the high and admirable privileges wherewith hee endued him even as hee was man hee made his son not onely by creation as the Angels by adoption as his converted people but by grace of hypostatical union making the humane nature one in subsistence with the Second person in the Trinity hee hath made him head of the Church the Fountain of grace to all his chosen the Prince of peace the Lord of glory annointed King Priest and Prophet of the Church Eph. 1.22 Eph. 1.4 Isa 9.6 1 Cor. 2.8 Vse This must therefore stablish the faith of all God's people cause them to build upon Christ as upon a sure rock a strong foundation the love of the Father towards him is unspeakable the Father so loveth him that hee will not deny any petition of his but hee is heard in whatsoëver hee doth sue for hee putteth all into his hand as Gen. 41.40 once Pharaoh put the government of his kingdom into the hands of Joseph set him over all his house and ordained that according to his word all his people should bee ruled onely in the Throne hee would bee chief so hath God the Father put all into Christ's hand committed the ministration of his kingdom unto him onely in the Throne God will be chief above Christ as Mediator and therefore as a man having a friend in the King's Court whom the King loveth above all others hee cometh with confidence is assured that hee will prevail with the King for him the love of God to Christ doth infinitely surpass the love of any King to his Favorite or any other whosoever is most dear to him the love of God to Christ is most pure most perfect most full immutable and everlasting and therefore let us bee confident wee shall finde acceptance in him for all the promises of God in Christ are yea and amen 2 Cor. 1.2 and wee shall obtain whatsoëver wee ask in his name Joh. 16.23 God for the love hee beareth to Christ Jesus will not deny the suits of any of his servants 2. This serveth for the singular comfort of all the members of Christ though they bee unworthy of any love or favor in regard of their failings and manifold infirmities yet God hath a fervent love to Christ their head though the clouds of their sin hide away the light of God's face and the Lord seem to have forsaken them yet hee still loveth Christ their head their husband their friend if the King should bee highly displeased threaten death to a woman for som offence committed yet if shee had a husband whom the King loved unfeignedly and earnestly to whom hee would deny no request this would comfort her exceedingly Such a husband have wee and therefore wee may boldly approach unto the
as the Dove finding no footing returned to the Ark. 7. Because true believers do make Christ their portion their joy their crown their riches and their glory hee is to them instead of all they will leav all to enjoy him Mark 10.28 they esteem all to bee dung in comparison of him Phil. 3.3 all to bee thorns in respect of this vine Cant. 2.2 to bee barren in respect of this fruitfull tree as the wise men rejoiced more in the star which lead unto Christ then in all other stars in the firmament Mat. 2.10 so true believers rejoyce in Christ more than in all the world and therefore their hearts cleav to him and rest upon him 8. Because true faith in Christ is alwaies attended with a singular love to Christ Jesus according to the strength of our faith is the fervency of our love the more wee apprehend the height depth and length of Christ's love to us the more do our hearts burn with love again to him Ephes 3.19 the nigher wee stand to a great burning fire the more wee are heated with it so the sense of Christ's love apprehended by saith breedeth love again unto the Lord Galat. 6.5 Vse This serveth to shew us that a general consent to the word of God as true is not enough to bring us unto life but besides this there must bee a peculiar resting staying and confidence of the heart thereupon If an earthly man of ability and truth promise us this or that help to bestow upon us this or that gift wee do not only know and think and perswade our selvs that hee saith true but besides wee say that wee trust hereunto rely hereupon quiet our selvs and seek no further the like resting of the heart must wee find upon the promise of God in Christ by this particular confidence and resting of the heart upon Christ do true believers go beyond reprobates by this do they receiv nourishment from Christ as the sions from the stock by this have they claim and interest in Christ as the wife in the husband John 15.2 Cant. 6.3 by this have they claim to the promises of God 2 Pet. 1.4 as the tenant in lands granted him under hand and seal by this is Christ very pleasant and delightful to them as the sun to the opened eye Mal. 4.2 pure and precious liquor to the thirsty Isa 55.1 by this are they distinguished from others as children from strangers John 1.12 by this they have maay sweet relations to Christ which others have not as the members to the head the branches to the vine by this they stand in the time of trouble as a ship fast anchored when others are tossed like a ship without an anchor Heb. 6.19 by this Satan's darts are expelled Ephes 6.16 when others are wounded like men that are naked by this believers are bold and confident as the lion when others fly like a hare before the the hounds Eph. 3.12 Prov. 28.1 by this wee have access to the throne of grace Rom. 5.1 when others like the foolish Virgins having no oyl in their lamps were shut out by this our services are acceptable unto God Heb. 11.6 when others like him that wanted a wedding garment are cast into utter darkness Mat. 22.12 by this the Word of God becometh sweet and savory to our palates Jerem. 15.16 when as it is like gall to others Heb. 4.2 by this it is to us as good seed to good ground and good meat to a healthy stomach 2. Therefore every man must try whether hee finde his heart thus to cleav unto and to rest upon the Lord Jesus whether hee bee sensible of the life and operation of his affection this way whether hee feel his heart trusting and resting upon the Lord as the childe upon the parent the building upon the foundation the wife upon the husband and this wee must discern 1. By the deniall of our selvs and the rejection of all humane abilities as every way insufficient to bring us unto life the more the heart resteth upon the Lord the less it resteth on worldly and created powers Prov. 3.5 the true believer knoweth the wisdom of the flesh to bee foolishness with God yea enmity against God Rom. 8.7 to bee a false prophet a deceitfull guide a withered feed and therefore will not lean thereupon will not trust thereunto any more then a traveller to a blinde guid a passenger to an ignorant pilot a sick man to one that will as soon minister poison as good physick to him but will search and seek out for a better instructer for a surer guide this the Apostle taught 1 Cor. 3.18 this the wise man gave in charge Prov. 3.7 this the prophet perswaded Isa 8.19 20 and declareth the dolefull issue of the contrary Isa 50.11 2. By our constant abiding with God in the time of affliction in the hour of temptation the more true faith is assaulted the more strongly the heart layeth hold upon God the more the childe is made afraid with any thing the more earnestly hee cryeth to his parent to keep him the more closely hee applieth himself to him the furious assault of the enemy causeth men to lay the faster hold upon the sword to hide themselvs in castles and places of sure defense the seed sown in good ground held out to the harvest Mat. 13 24. so the heart which resteth once upon the Lord abideth constant with him as a woman joyned in wedlock abideth with her husband till death so nothing can make a separation between God and the true believer hee findeth such sweetness such goodness in the Lord that neither pleasure nor torment honor nor ignominy shall remove him Job 13.5 Ro. 8.35 Isa 50.10 Psal 55.22 3. By the blessed apprehension wee have of God's goodness towards us when wee believe men will do any great thing for us then wee feel a love in our hearts arising towards them so wee first apprehend love of God in Christ towards us and then our hearts rest upon him in nature nothing moveth in desire to this or that but as wee see it lovely no more do our souls move towards or rest on God till wee apprehend him reconciled the sinfull soul doth see God forgiving many sins and then it loveth much again Luke 7.48 therefore the Apostle having mentioned our peace with God through faith annexeth the shedding of God's love abroad into our hearts Rom. 5.1.5 4. By our abundant delight and joy in God and the light of his face by our alacrity in runing the race of his commandements Psal 37.3 4. wee must delight our selvs in God with all manner of delight as the rich man is delighted with his treasure the souldier in his victories the wife in her husband Rom. 15.14 5. By our well-doing Psal 37.3 wee must strive to bee full of good works to bee plenteous in well-doing to bee fruitfull trees bearing much fruit as good servants well imploying our talent and so
in causing a light to shine to them who sat in darknes Mat. 4.16 In opening the eyes of the spiritually blind as it is in Isa 35.5 6. In turning men from iniquity as it is in Acts the 3. verse 26. In teaching them to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts Tit. 2.12 13 14. In making us the Sons and Daughters of God as you have it in 1. Iohn 3.1 In washing us from the spirituall filthyness of sin Eze. 6.7 9 10. And in this manner must we shew our love towards our bretheren that it may appear we love the Jewel and not the casket the soul and not the carkase that our love may be fastned on Gods image and not on that which is but dust and ashes that the fruit of our love may be everlasting Prov. 13.24 What Solomon speaks there he that spareth his rod hateth his son but he that loveth him chastneth him betimes So in this case he that loveth his field manureth it he that loveth his tree pruneth it 3. That we have not unfained love to God No better argument of love to God than in seeking to take from men that sin which God doth hate to restore them to holiness wherein God doth delight and therefore this is made an argument to demonstrate Peters love to Christ his feeding his sheep Iohn 21.17 by this we shall gather them home to Gods fold make them Members of Christs body heires of Gods Kingdom servants in Gods family Trees in Gods Orchard souldiers fighting Gods battles and so shall shew our love to God by being a means of bringing much honour to him and to them that seek not the good of there bretherens Souls I may say as in the 1. Joh. 3.17 How dwelleth the love of God in him 4. That we have no feeling of the goodness of God in our Souls of the lively opperation of his word of our happiness in being in Christ had we the sence of this we would with David in Psa 66.16 Invite men to us and say Come and hear all ye that fear God and we will tell you what he hath done for our Souls and we would being converted strengthen our bretheren as you have it in Luk. 22.32 Wee would say as the Samaritan Woman Ioh. 4.29 come see a man which told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ and as they that were sent to spye out the Land when they saw it and how good it was incouraged the rest to go to it saying in Iud. 18.9 Arise that we may go up against them for we have seen the Land and behold it is very good and are ye still be not sloathfull to go and to enter to possess the Land Even so those that have felt and seene the goodness of the Lord are ready to incourage others Saying to those that stand still arise why ly ye still why are ye slothfull come into the way of God that is so good so pleasant 5. That we have no feeling of their misery did we feel there sin as a heavy burden upon our Souls as a thorne in our sides as a burning fire in our own bowels it would make us mightily to awaken them out of sin as the Woman of Canaan having her Daughter vexed with a divell cryed out have mercy on me O Lord thou Son of David for my Daughter is grevously vexed with a devill Math. 15.22 So will it be with a soul that hath had any feeling of the misery of sin it will cry out in the behalf of poor sinners have mercy O Lord for we have bretheren greivously vexed with sinnes and devills 6. That we are not greived to see Gods Law transgressed as David was in Psal 119.136 rivers of tears run down my eyes because they keep not thy law the wayes of God neglected as Lam. 1.4 that the name of God is dishonoured 7. That we are not troubled at the beholding of their sinfull conversation as 2. Pet. 2.8 That they are not as Cananites to Israel Iud. 2.2 3. as the men of Mesech to David Psal 120.4 as the Daughters of Heth to Sara Gen. 27.46 Were they such a grief we would pray to God to convert them as we would to cure a man of the plague in our Families to roote thornes and bryars out of our vineyard 8. That we do not fear the provocations of the Lords wrath against the place where the Kingdom and Church wherein we live by their sin did we consider how for the adultery of one Zimri and Cosby the plague might fall on all the people Num. 25.8 9. How for the disobedience of one Ionah the whole ship might be in danger of miscarrying Ionah 1. How for the theft of one Achan the whole army might be defeated Ios 7. did we consider and lay to heart how many evils may befull us for the sin of them that dwell about us we would do as Ezra did Exra 10.1 and according to our best abilities by prayers teares intreaties endevour their reformation Vse 2 Therefore let us all humble our selves for our past default in this behalf and for the time to to me let us labour to do more good let us in all places in all companies so manage all occasions so dispatch all busines so husband our time that we do some good if it be possible to the Souls of our bretheren that we help them a little forward in the way to heaven As Iron sharpens Iron as it is in Prov. 27.17 So let us sharpen the Souls of our bretheren Let us be to them as the rock to Peter Math. 26.75 as Philip to Nathaniel Iohn 1.45 let us be to them as Horse men and Chariots to stirre them up to drive and draw them forward as bellows to kindle and blow up the gifts of Gods Spirit within them let us communicate what we have received like good stewards feeding Gods family like fruitfull trees yeilding some fruit like shining stars casting out some light As Mary opened her box of alabaster and perfumed the house therewith Luk. 7.37 So let us with our gracious speeches holy instructions and pious discourse leave a gracious savour behind us and impresse some good in them that are with us As wicked men sleep not untill they do some mischief Prov. 4.16 No more let us take rest unles we do some good as Iacob would not let the Angel go till he blessed him Gen. No more let us depart from our bretheren without leaving some blessing behind us And to the end we may do good in all places companies consider these things 1. Let us make a spirituall use of earthly things As our Saviour by the water which the Samaritan Woman drew took occasion to speak of the water of life by fishing with nets in the Sea took occasion to speak of catching and drawing out of the Sea of sin by the draw-net of the Gospell by the pearle took occasion to speak of the pretious pearle of the Gospell by sowing of
seed took occasion to speak of the word sown in the hearts of men This is a blessed use of things earthly it sweetneth our Meditation it plainly informeth the weakest understanding it strongly convinceth it deeply in presseth upon the memory we find like Sampson a hony combe in the Lyon and fetch water from the rock 2. Let us be well acquainted with the sacred Scriptures let us get the word of God to dwell with in us plenteously Coll. 3.16 and then as a full fountaine sendeth forth waters a full cloud poureth out the raine so shall our lips drop down knowledge when there is much fewel in the fire it giveth heat to al that come nigh to it if the Word of God be as a fire in our bones it will make us that we shall not be silent see it in Iob in Iob 32.18 19 20. in Jeremiah Ier. 20.8 in David Psal 40.10 11. 3. Let us get our hearts inflamed with love to God his word his wayes we easily break forth into a large and full discourse of the persons and things we entirely love the worldly man of his wealth the voluptuous man of his pleasures the ambitions man of his honour every mans tongue is ready to discourse of the object of his love so David the commandments being his love see what he saith Psa 119.46 47. I will speak of thy testimonies also before Kings and will not be ashamed and I will delight my self in thy commandments which I have loved This will make us with the spouse to enter into a large discourse of the diety of her Saviour Cant. 5.11 of his judgement and understanding in all things vers 12. of the sweet manifestation of himself in his ordinance vers 13. of the excellency of his actions depth of his councels vers 14. of the stability of his proceedings of the amiablenesse and uprightness of his carriage towards his chosen vers 15. of the sweetnes of his voyce and the singular comforts which flow from him reside in him vers 16. 4. Let us get our Souls filled with the knowledge of the Lord and of his wayes We must first inform our selves before we can well inform others the Lamp can give no light unless it self be first filled with Oile the blinde man is not fit for a guide therefore David prayes Make me to understand the way of thy precepts so shall I talk of thy wondrous works and that of the Prophet in Isa 50.4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary c. We must be skilfull like Physicians to apply our exhortation aright it is not enough to speak but it must be to edifying to good purpose so as it may minister grace to the hearers therefore Prov. 15.2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright c. 5. Let us labour to be thoroughly affected with the goodness of God towards our Soul to be assured of the forgiveness of all our sins to have a lively feeling of Gods love and the joyes of his spirit and this will make us ready and cheerfull in teaching others as we have mentioned in that of David Psal 51.12.13.14.15 Restore me to the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit Then will I teach transgressours thy wayes and sinners shall be converted unto thee c. And that Psal 66.16 6. Let us strive to be truely good and gracious sanctified throughout both in our Souls and also in our bodies let grace be as a fountain of living water in the heart and the speech shall be as many gracious streams issuing from it As waters to the citie as silver to the needy as food to the hungry so shall be the speech of a gracious man Prov. 10.11 20 21 32. If these things be in us we shall not be idle nor unprofitable but we shall communicate of what we have received impart what we know stirre up others to attain the like measure of grace and assurance with us And let not any say like the sluggard there is a Lyon in the way if we seek the good of mens Souls we shall be hated reproached say not they are dissolute or wordly businesses shall be hinderers for as Solomon saith Eccl. 11.4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap But look upon Christ the Prophets Apostles Gods precept bretherens wants Gods blessing Gods acceptance clearing of thy owne conscience joy which will accompany the due performance and so go forward in it without fainting So much for the first point We have seen the connexion next we are to take notice of the words and therein first of all the place whereunto he journied namely into the Land of Judea that is into that part thereof which was nigh unto the city Aenon a city situate in the Tribe of Manasses thither he came to shew himself a Saviour to them to tender life and salvation to declare Gods counsell he did not stay altogether in one place but went from place to place to publish the tidings of life Thereby shewing thus much Doct. That some of all places and of all nations are appointed to eternall life by Christ Jesus As the Sun in the Firmanent though not all at once yet by succession doth cast his light and heat upon all the parts of the earth more or lesse So the Son of righteousnes sooner or later bringeth some out of all places and nations from darknes to light from death to life from ignorance to the knowledge of the truth This was shadowed as some conceive by the four corners of the Altar and sprinkling of blood round about it Exod. 27.6 7 8. nothing the all-sufficiency of Christ's death the plenty of his bloodshed the manifestation of him to the four corners of the world by the ministry of the Gospell This was Prophesied Zzech 14.8 And it shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem half of them towards the former sea and half of them towards the hinder sea in Summer and in Winter shall it be As the sea sendeth her streams to all the corners of the earth as the King swaying over the parts of his Kingdom Psal 72.6 7 8. He shall come down like rain upon the mowen grasse as showers that water the earth In his dayes shall the righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth he shall also have Dominion from Sea to Sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth Therefore he gave his Apostles a large commission Math. 28.19 Go teach all nations c. and long before he told the people Math. 8.11 I say unto you that many shall come from the East and West and shal sit down with Abraham Isaac and Iacob in the Kingdom of God and this was the tenure of their song Rev. 5.9 And they sung a new song saying thou
sheeps cloathing have been shunned by the Lords flocke and the Factors of Rome have had no good utterance for their deceiptfull wares But the Gospel happily and well were it if not unthankfully preserved Christ hath tarried with us longer than in the Land of Iudea we may say as Cant. 2.11 12 13. Lo the winter is past the rain is over and gone The flowers appear on the earth the time of the singing of birds is come and the voyce of the Turtle is heard in our Land The figtree putteth forth her green figs the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell c. Vse 2 Is it such a favour a blessing of such eminent nature to have the Gospel continued to have our Souls watered with these dews our eyes lightned with this light and hath our God in this manner for so long from the Grandfather to the Father from the Father to the Children caused this streame to run without any interruption this Sun to shine without any Eclipse to hide it what should we doe for our God which hath don so much for us how should we all say as the Psalmist Psal 116.12 13 14. What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards mee I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all his people How should we all study day and night how to honour that God who hath so honoured us above many other nations These things it should cause 1. This should cause us to love God most entirely how do we love the hand which healeth us when we are sicke the hand which feedeth us being hungry which delivereth us being captivated which cloatheth us being naked which bringeth a light to us being in darkenes which advanceth us to honour out of the dust how much more should the goodnes of God inflame our cold revive our dull affections how can we look on these tokens of Gods love and not be ravished with admiration How can we set in this Banqueting house and not be sick of love Cant. 2.4 How can we live so long under the burning beames of this Sun and not burne with love to him who hath loved us How can we receive so much from God and not gladly leave all for the love we beare him Is not the heat of the fire answearable to the quantity of the wood Is not the depth of the waters in the Channel proportionable to the water distilling from the clouds arising from the fountaine remember you not that place Luk. 7.41 42 43. Hath he not given and forgiven us more than others therefore let us accordingly in our love go beyond other people 2. This should cause us to love the Gospel most unfainedly we have had the experience of it we have seen the wonders it hath wrought the powerfull effects it hath produced we have seen the blessings which have accompanied it how the hand of God hath been with it It is said of David that all Israel and Juda loved him because he went out and in before them and God was with him 1 Sam. 18.14 16. We have had as blessed experience of the goodnes of the Gospel of the long continuance of it of the mighty power of God accompaining it toward us against our enemies as ever the men of Iuda and Israel had of David and therefore we should now set our hearts upon it As Solomon saith in another case Prov. 5.19 Let her be as the loving hinde and pleasant roe let her breast satisfie thee at all times and be thou ravisht with her love We should be so affected with it that with them Iohn 6.34 We should say Lord evermore give us this bread that with Peter Math. 17.4 We should say it is good being here if thou wilt let us make here three Tabernacles c. and with David Psal 119.72 The Law of thy mouth is better to mee than thousands of gold and silver and as the spouse Cant. 1.2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth c. Long continuance in the Schoole causeth the Schollers delight this is the instrument of our peace safety comfort and direction therefore as Israel 1 Sam. 4.5 When the Arke of the Covenant came into the camp shouted with a great shoute so that the whole earth rang againe so should we for the continuance of the Gospel 3. This should make us resemble God abundantly in holines and true righteousnes The Iron that lyeth long in the fire burneth like the fire Naaman that hath been seven times in Jordan cometh forth cleansed if the Sun shine long the aire is fully enlightned Moses was but forty dayes in the mount and his face shined we have been more than forty years in this mount with our God and therefore we should shine in holines trees that have long growne in a fertile soile much cost art and labour bestowed about them beare much fruit Psal 1.3 as in the 2 Pet. 3.11 12. Seeing then all things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godlines So in this case seeing the Gospel hath been so long continued so powerfully preached what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation 4. This should fill our mouths with praises and thanksgivings it should make us to rejoyce as the wise men at the beholding of the starre as the Angels at the birth of Christ. But if insteed of loving God of delighting in the Gospel of God of resembling God of consecrating our selves to God of magnifying him for his long continued merices We dishonour God we disgrace the Gospel by our Religious conversation What can we then looke for at the hands of God but that he turne our long and shining day into a night of everlasting darknes what can we expect but that he take away our Candlestick Rev. 2.5 Put out our Candle Acts 13.46 3. Let us try whither as the long continuance of the Gospel is a blessing in it selfe so it be a blessing to us 1 Sam. 4. Israel had the Arke rejoyced in it Yet the Philistines had the victory Many shall say at last Luk. 13.26 and yet vers 27. Therefore that it may appear to every mans owne conscience that it is a blessing to him it will appear by signes and fruits thereof Signe 1 By the inward holy and thorough chaunge which it worketh to whom-soever God doth blesse it purifieth their hearts as fire doth purify the drosse from every part of the gold like a good houswife it sweepeth every roome like a launcing knife it lets out the corruption which was hidden within like good Physick it hath purged the disease of the Stomacke it hath like a mighty weapon overturned the hold of Sathan like the Arke it hath cast down even Dagon it selfe it hath not onely paired the branch but cut through the roote of sin Signe 2
more burthensome than they would be many hands can easily beare that weight which is a burthen insupportable to one arme A Ship strongly linked joyned together will endure that storme which will sink a leaking Ship to the bottome of the Sea 7. Hereby many times the Ordinances of God are perverted Physicke is turned into poyson the Lamp is made a stumbling block the staffe is become a snare 1 Cor. 11.17 18. And therefore all that beare the name of Christians specially they who professe themselves to be the friends of Christ the Children of light the lovers of the truth the Family of God the Disciples of Christs Schoole must strive to have their hearts firmly linked and knit together in Christ Jesus Leading a peaceable life in all godlines and honesty 1 Tim. 2.2 And according to that charge of the Apostle let us be all of one mind c. 1 Pet. 3.8.9 10 11. And especially let us be carefull to agree in matters concerning life and salvation wich is the next thing to be considered the matter where about this controversy was about Purifying To purifie is to make that cleane and pure wich was foule and defiled this was typically done by the blood of buls goats and beasts before the coming of Christ Heb. 9.14 Sacramentally by Baptisme under and since Christ Ephes 5.26 But effectually by faith in the blood of Iesus Christ wich maketh us perfectly pure by imputation and imperfectly pure by sanctification Acts 15.9 By purifying here Baptisme is most probably conceived to be meant For so the Disciples of John in the next verse complaine to their Master that Christ Baptized this then presenteth the matter of there controversie Baptisme the nature of it the fruit which they who are truely baptized obtaine Purity from the first we may learn Doctr. That in the Church of God there usually have been controversies beetween the people about matters appertaining to life and salvation 2 Pet. 2.1 Acts 15.1 2. I might relate an infinite Catalogue of Heresies which in all ages have pestered the Church of God and causing strivings between the people professing Christ as between Jacob and Esau in one womb who shall have the the preheminence as between the two Women living in one house whose should be the living and whose should be the dead Child 1 King 3.23 and the reason of it ariseth 1. From the wisedome of God hereby intending to try the integrity the faith love and constancy of his people as Deut. 13.1 2 3. So 1 Cor. 11.18 2. For the better illustration of the truth the more the light of the Word is opposed the more it shineth the more cavils are raised against it the more Gods people are stirred up by study prayer meditation conference to seek out the truth of it many grounds of Religion many points needfull to salvation would never have been so clearly unfolded had they not been by Hereticall cavillers opposed Moses Serpent devouring the counterfeit Serpents of the magitians was more abundantly declared to be a true Serpent than it could if their had been no such counterfeits The Gold enduring the fire shineth the more brightly thereby sheweth its excellency the Sun consuming the clouds doth thereby shew its force and efficacy 3. From the Perversnes of many Mens minds living within the pale of the Church such as in the pride of their hearts will not submit unto sound Doctrine 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. 4. From that self-love wich swayeth in many living in the Church of God that are lead by affection more than by sound judgement that seek themselves more than the honour of God 1 Cor. 3.3 4. They depended on the persons of men more than on the Word of God 5. From the desire that many within the pale of the Church have to fulfill their owne lusts some are swayed with pride some with covetousnes some with envy some with one lust some with another hence 1 Tim. 6.5 2 Tim. 3.6 7 8. 6. From the wisedome of God in discovering Hypocrites Hereticks men of corrupt minds unsound hearts infatuated judgements and vile affections that all his Children may discerne and shun them 2 Tim. 3 9. Thus God bringeth good out of evill truth out of falshood as he brought light out of darkness in the first creation as Sampson fetched meat out of the eater sweet out of the sower and as the wind by shaking doth often fasten the tree so these quarrels contentions Heresies these blasts wich at first do shake do in the end the more confirm the people of God in the truth according to that of Augustine Haeretici plurimum prosunt non verum docendo quod nesciunt sed ad verum quaerendum carnales ad verum aperiendum spirituale Catholicos excitando Euagrius per eos qui Ecclesiam diserpserunt recta fedei dogmata emerserunt Vse This may therefore in forme us in the state of the Church in this behalfe in all ages may assure us that it shall never be free from contentions quarrells Heresies offences divisions during the peregrination thereof on earth neither must we think it strange nor take offence thereat since God doth thereby make the truth the more illustrious the graces of his Servants the more conspicuous these do not disanull the Church any more thā tares do disanull the field of wheat from being a field of good graine or Ismael in Abrahams house did disanull his Family to be a house of good and faithfull people or some rebels in a Kingdome do disable it to be a good and well governed Kingdome Yet the Papists wanting other arguments labour much to prove us not to be the people and Church of God because there be as they say inter Evangelicos varia de Religione dissidia But this is no new Calumny no sound argument for we may learne from Clemens Alexandrinus that then the Jewes and Philosophers objected to the Christians their discords and controversies about matters of faith upon whom he retorted the darts of their owne quiver confuted them with their owne arguments as once David cut off Goliahs head with his owne sword telling the Jewes that they themselves had many Sects among them Pharises Saduces Essens and as touching the Philosophers he reckoneth up innumerable factions among them therefore telleth them if they did not for their divisions cease from their Philosophie and condemne it as evill because their Philosophers erred in many things how could they condemne the Christian Religion for the dissensions of Christians Tell them that Christ and the Apostles had foretold them that there must be Heresies adding further that multiplicity of sects prove not the falsity of Doctrine but must breed a more earnest investigation and searching out of the truth For tares grow with the wheat and unprofitable sour grasse with the best garden flowers yet the Husbandman did neither ceas to dresse the vineyard nor the gardner the garden the same may be given in
the heart in thinking the will in chosing the affections in imbracing the eye in seeing the eare in hearing the hand in working the tongue in speaking the foot in walking aime at the honour of God according to that of the Psalmist Psal 103.1 2. thus we shall answer Gods goodnes Isa 43.20 shall have honour in the eyes of Gods Servants 2 Sam. 6.22 so shall we accomplish the end for which God hath delivered us 1 Cor. 16.35 rejoyce in Gods presence 1 Cor. 16.28 29 33. So shall we shew our thankfulnes for his mercies so shall it appeare that we have been sensible of his goodnes towards us mindfull of the vows we made in our distresses Psal 66.2 11 12 13. So shall we be sure of honour when others are buried under the dust of ignominy so shall the clouds of all our disgrace be turned unto a bright and shining Sun our dunghill into a palace our wildernes into a paradise our thorney into a golden crowne Isa 58.13 14. Though we are now as a desolate widdow yet we shall be the spouse of Christ Isai 62.3 4 5. and so here VERS 29. IT hath ever been usuall with Christ the Prophets Apostles and all the Agents whom the Lord hath used for the edification of his Church by similitudes drawn from things temporall earthly to expresse unfold lay open things spirituall and heavenly because hereby the nature and use of such things is plainely unfolded clearly perceived firmely remembred the judgment is informed the conscience convinced the faith established the affections most warmed even the shallowest capacities left excuseles therefore the Baptist having laboured to cure the errour of his Disciples acquanted them with the preheminence of our Saviour above them that there might no scruple remaine he expresseth the whole matter by a common similitude likening the Church to a spouse our Saviour to the Bridegroome or Husband of the Church and himselfe to the Bridegroomes friend therein plainely shewing that not he but Christ was the head of the Church that not to him but to Christ must the Church be gathered and that it his joy to see men by the Word of Christ the Ministry of the Gospel converted as the friend rejoyceth to see the spouse joyned in wedlock to the Bridegroome whom he loyeth Wherein we may more particularly observe I. The near and sweet relation between Christ and the faithfull he is the Bridegroome and they the Bride II. The affection between Christ and his Ministers they are his friends III. Their office as a friend perswadeth the spouse to joyne herselfe in wedlocke to the Bridegroome so do Gods Messengers perswade men to convert and turne to God IV. Their commission they speak not of themselves but they stand and heare what the Lord will say to them V. The joy they have in searching out and publishing the tidings of life and salvation he rejoyceth to heare the voyce of the Bridegroome VI. The singular comfort they take in seeing their labours succesfull in beholding many to turne unto God his joy is full from the first we learne Doctr. That all Gods faithfull Servants are joyned in a spirituall wedlock with Christ Jesus this is promised Hos 2.19 This is a title by which the Lord for the comfort of his Church stileth himselfe Isa 54.5 and the Ministry of the Gospel by which this spirituall marriage is wrought is termed a marriage-feast Mat. 22.2 3. And the Apostle expresseth it by the marriage between a man and his wife Eph. 5.23 30. And Solomon in his song of the marriage between Christ and the Church doth very familiarly thus expresse the Union and near conjunction between them Cant. 1.14 15 16. Cant. 2.3 4. and Psal 45.10 11. And fitly is our Saviour likened to a Husband 1. For his Dominion over the Church as the Husband is the head of the Wife so is Christ the head of the Church 1 Cor. 11.3 and Ephes 1.22 Ephes 5.23 He is a head over all in regard of all creatures in regard of his absolute Dominion as the King is head over all living within his Kingdome subjects and rebels the Master head over all within his family whether they love or hate him so Col. 2.10 But Christ is after a more sweet comfortable and gracious manner the head of his faithfull people as the Husband is the head of the Wife not swaying by tyranny but ruling by love 2. In regard of his love as a Husband doth his Wife so Christ doth love his Church Ephes 5 25. Jonathans love was never greater to David than the love of Christ to his Church it is a great love a strong love an everlasting love Joh. 13.1 3. In regard of his care as the Husband taketh care for the wife so doth Christ take care for the Church he is a keeper that doth never sleepe a Master of a family that is ever thinking of doing good to his people he is never weary of seeking their welfare Isai 42.11 Isai 32.2 Mal. 3.16.17 4. In regard of his presence among them as the Husband with the Wife it is his promise Mat. 28.20 Their heart is his throne Ephes 3.17 and they are said to be brought into the Kings Chambers Cant. 1.4 and he hath given them his Word Isa 45.1 2. Psal 76.2 5. In regard of his directions as the Husband giveth counsell and direction to the Wife so doth Christ to the the Church as the Sun in the Firmament giveth light to the inferiour parts of the World so Christ the Sonne of righteousnes giveth light to his Church Joh. 1.9 Without him we set in darknes Mat. 4.16 It is he doth guide our feet into the way of peace Luc. 1.79 he Joh. 1.18 Col. 2 2 3. and Matth. 11.17 therefore Mat. 17.5 6. In regard of his Union with the Church as the Husband is one with the Wife no more twaine but matrimonially one flesh Mat. 19.6 so are Christ and his Church mystically one Ephes 5.30 1 Cor. 12.12 13. By vertue whereof we have a most glorious condition Psal 8.4 5. Angels for our attendants Heb. 1.14 an entrance into heaven we do already in part possesse it Eph. 2.6 Ioh. 5.24 an assurance of sufficient supply of all things Joh. 1.16 7. In regard of the many gifts which he bestoweth upon the Church as the Husband bestoweth gifts upon the Wife so doth Christ on his Church he led captivity Captive and gave gifts to men Ephes 4.8 11. as Ezek. 16 6. as Luc. 15.19 20 22. so 2 Pet. 1.3 4. sonneship with God Ioh. 1.12 interest to all that Adam lost 1 Cor. 3.21 freedome from the bondage of Satan and our owne corruption Joh. 8.36 accesse to the throne of grace Rom. 5.1 2. peace with God Ephes 2.14 and such as 1 Cor. 2.9 11. 8. In regard of making the Church fruitfull as the Wife without the Husband is barren so is the Church without Christ Joh. 15.5 as a desolate wildernes as a womb shut up but
his Lord but as a Wife to the Husband as a sonne to the father with love and cheerfulnes this is the commendation of the Romans Rom. 6.17 the property of Gods people Psal 110.3 hath gracious acceptance 1 Sam. 15.22 a blessed recompence Iob 36.11 12. 2. To love him intirely fervently incessantly above all creatures with all the powers of our Souls bodies Mat. 22.37 None must be so deare to us as Christ our love to him must be as a streame of much water as a chimney having a great fire Mat. 10.37 3. To delight in him as the Bride in the Bridegroome to esteeme and rejoyce in him more than in all the World thus Phil. 3.8 and this he gave in charge Phil. 4.4 thus Cant. 2.3 Psal 94.19 to this they are invited Isai 55.1 2. 4. To depend upon him firmely as upon a sure friend a firme foundation a never failing rock his ability his faithfulnes his love invite us hereunto they that trust in him shall never faile Ier. 17.6 7. their undertakings shall be succesfull 2 Cor. 20.20 their consciences shall be full of joy peace Rom. 15.13 their is not another on whome we may repose our selves Ioh. 6.68 5. To rest our selves contented with him as the Wife with the Husband not joyning any corrivals with him though we have nothing besides yet having him we have enough as Elkana said to Anna 1 Sam. 1.8 Vse 4 This serveth for the singular comfort of every faithfull servaÌ„t of God as an Ark to beare them up in every deluge as a Lamp to shine in every dark night as an anchor to stay them in every storme Feare not saith the Lord to Iacob thou art mine Isai 43.1 Gods interest and propriety in his servants must support them in all dangers encourage them in all feares assure them of a happy passage out of all troubles be unto them as the honycomb in the belly of Sampsons Lion as water out of the rock to Israel they may upon good ground say with the Psalmist though they be poor and needy and Psal 40.17 but more particularly the neare Union between Christ and them may comfort them 1. In regard of reproach though the World dispise there as Rahel despised bleare-eyed Leah though in their eye they be blacke Cant. 1.4 and like the tents of Kedar void of beauty as a garden without flowers as a tree without leaves and blossomes a face without comeliness looked on as signes and wonders Isai 8.18 esteemed as the dung and off-scouring of all things as of all men the most miserable yet Jesus Christ is their Husband the Prince of the Kings of the earth hath joyned himselfe in wedlocke with us 1 Cor. 4.13 1 Cor. 15.19 we are all glorious within comely in his eyes faire as the Moone and cleare as the Sun Cant. 6.10 No estate so honorable as the estate of Gods people none in the eyes of men more despicable none in the eyes of God more beautifull in the eyes of men they are like the Pelican in the wildernes c. Ps 102.6 7. in the eyes of God as the beautifull Doves Cant. 2.14 Though they seeme black as scullions whose lodging is in the chimneys yet Ps 68.13 they shall be beautifull let the honour that God affordeth us sustaine us against all the dishonour that man can cast upon us let the crowne of glory which God hath provided for us cause us patiently to weare the crowne of thornes which wicked men do put upon our head Rev 2.17 Let the new name that God hath given us cause us contentedly to endure the casting out of our name as abominable among men let our Union with God inable us to endure a separation from men Luk. 6.22 for how contemptible soever we are in the eyes of men yet Isa 62.3 4 therefore Isa 51.7 8. 2. In regard of enemies hating us advancing themselves against us insulting over us the Lord Jesus he is our Husband he is a faithfull friend he will be a wall of fire about us in stead of all munition to defend us to destroy them that rise against us a wall round about us no place shall be undefenced this he will be for ever Psa 125.2 and he will not onely be a defence but a glory to us Zach. 2.5 He will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks he will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him Isa 26 1 3. He will be a sure foundation bearing up all that are builded on â—im a victorious Captaine of the Lord of hoasts Ios 5.14 make his people conquerours over all that rise against them Rom. 8.37 he can easily subdue their adversaries Psal 29 The love of the Lord Jesus must weigh downe the hatred of all enemies the light of the Kings face will countervale the frownings of many inferiour persons the shining of the Sun comforteth the traveller against the clouds which hang over his head thus Psa 46.6 7. 3. In regard of the failing of all earthly friends though these forsake us and stand aloofe off from us as from men that have the pestilence Psal 38.11 though they run from us as mice from the barne when the Corn is gone as marriners from the ship when it is broaken and beginneth to sinke though they breake the bands of nature in which they were tyed to us though our familiar friends offer us the greatest injuries Psal 55.12 13 14. though they which have been lodged in the same womb with us contend against us like Esau against Jacob Mat. 10. though their hands lay heavy burthens on us whose breasts have nourished us whose knees have dandled us Psal 27.10 Though father and mother faile us Yet Christ is our Husband his love is unchangeable his friendship is a tree which never withereth a bow that never starteth a chaine that never breaketh a Lamp that is ever full of Oile allway shining the love of Christ is like the cruse of Oile that did not faile with using 1 King 17.16 Like the shoes and garments of the Israelits that did not waxe old with using Deut. 29.5 Though Orpah went back yet Ruth clave to Naomi so though all thy friends go back from thee yet Christ will still cleave unto thee Mat. 28.20 he will not be as a Liar nor as waters that faile Ier. 15.18 but as Mat. 5.18 so the love of Christ is perpetuall Isai 9.6 Isai 54.8 4. In regard of barreness in grace though we are as a woman of dry breasts a field wherein is little Corn as a tree wherein is a small portion of fruite yet here is comfort Christ Jesus is our Husband he can if we be instant with him he will make as fruitfull in the grace of the Spirit as the Lord opened the womb of Sarah Gen. 18.10 when the time was past in the course of nature Ps 113.9 and maketh the barren woman the mother of many Children so can ke make us fruitfull in all holines like trees
By the stirring struggling and striving nature of sin within them it is not asleep it lieth not like a dead man as it doth in the hearts of carnall and unregenerate people but it fighteth and warreth like a Souldier Gal. 5.17 It is not like a resty jade in the pasture but in the bridle under spur whip It is as pricks and thornes in their sides as the Canaanites were to Israel Iudg. 2.3 as a heavy burthen on their backs Psal 38.4 as a dead body a rotten carkasse unsavoury noisome hatefull a continuall vexation Rom. 7.24 afflictions are very availeable to make and keep a man humble but the feeling of the nature and operation of sin as working more immediately upon the soule conscience is much more forcible to drive man out of himselfe to make him humble this will make a man endued with a propheticall Spirit to say Prov. 30.2 3. It will make a man of the rarest endowments of the greatest industry to say Rom. 7.24 and for this it is that God doth leave sin in the hearts of his Servants 2 Cor. 12.7 3. By the continuall subtle and violent assaults that Sathan doth make against them he spreadeth snares and layeth stumbling blocks in the way to make them fall he seeketh as a Pyrate to rob them like an enemy he layeth continuall siedge against them hunteth like a roaring Lion to make a prey of them he casteth his fiery darts at them to affright such and if it were possible to burne and utterly consume them he raiseth many stormes within and without to disturb and amaze them so mighty so incessant so fraudulent are his attempts that as Israel said in another case Psal 124.1 2 3. So do Gods people in this case and by this meanes it cometh to passe that as the Princes of Israel and the King humbled themselves when Shesack had taken some of their Cities and was come up against Ierusalem 2 Cro. 12.5 6 7. so the people of God perceiving how this Prince of darknes taketh advantages against them how he is in continuall warre with them how they are buffeted by him do still walk humbly before the Lord and this is one use God doth make of him 2 Cor. 12.7 4. By the disposition and qualification of their hearts of Lions they are become Lambs of hard they are become soft and tender ground trembling at the Word of God contrite and breake thorough godly grief and sorrow as a high building beaten to the very dust as a strong body having all the bones broken emptied of all conceit of their strength abilities excellencies cast like Paul from the horse back to the ground denying themselves their owne reason affections purposes thoughts ends renouncing their owne wisedome as folly looking on themselves as on a Lamp that hath no Oile as on a broken vessell wherein is no liquour as on a wounded body wherein is no soundnes 5. By the nature and operation of true and saving grace wheresoever this taketh possession it maketh the heart meek and humble according to the sway and dominion which it beareth the full eare of Corn boweth downeward the full loaden ship goeth deep in the waters The nigher Abraham came to God the more humbly he thought of himself Gen. 18.27 The more grace any man hath the more hee seeth the deformity of his owne hearts the obliquity of his wayes the unprofitablenes of his works Luk. 17.10 it maketh them loath themselves Ezek. 36.25 31. This maketh them esteeme others better than themselves Phil. 2.3 to neglect temporall and externall dignities Heb. 11.24 Christ Iesus in whom was the fulnes of all holines was the most compleat and absolute patterne of all meekness Mat. 11.29 Ioh. 15.3 this is a jewell wherewith they be alwayes adorned a garment with which they be every day cloathed without this they think themselves naked 1 Pet. 5.5 Humility waiteth on true grace like the handmaide upon the Mistriss like the threed following the needle the light attending the Sun the Daughter the Mother Ruth Naomi Gal. 5.22 this is one of the wayting maids belonging to this Princesse one of the branches which springeth from this roote 6. By the work of Gods Word upon their hearts this like a hammer doth breake and bruise them like fire doth melt them Ier. 23.29 like an axe laid to the roote of the tree it doth cast them to the ground Mat. 3.10 like dew it doth soften their hearts which are hard as clay under a long Sun shine Deut. 32.2 Like a warlike weapon it doth cast down the mighty Holds of sin maketh high thoughts stoope 1 Cor. 10.5 maketh hils to become low as the Valleys Luk. 3.5 As the Priest looking upon pronouncing the leprous uncleane caused him to lay his hand upon his mouth and to cry uncleane Lev. 13.44 45. So the Minister of the Lord presenting to Gods people the leprosy of their Souls by the Ministry of the word causeth them Acts 2.37 Rom. 7.9 As David by his perswasions and proffers 2 Sam. 19.14 so God by the Ministry of the Gospel doth bow the heart of the people Psal 45.5 7. By the opinion and apprehension they have of their owne works their best performances their sincerest duties they look upon them as on water running through an impure channel on silver mingled with much drosse a heape of Corn mixed with much chaffe an apple having much rotteness within it their understanding like Leah is bleare-eyed their faith like a palsy mans head hath much shaking in it Joh. 11.44 their will like Lazarus comes forth of the grave bound hand and foote Gen. 32.31 their love is but like a fire in green zeale like the flying of a bird whose wings are broken in their best duties they halt like Jacob and find occasion of humiliation after the performance of their choisest service need to pray for forgivenes of what is amisse for Iob 9.3 Psal 143.1 2. 8. By the afflictions which doe befall them they are a ship tossed a tree shaken corn winnowed spice bruised a field plowed a patridge hunted a body Physicked a Child corrected an oxe in the yoake a tree under the pruning knife Zeph. 3.12 Psal 34.19 Heb. 11.25 and this will keep them low and humble this will make them stoop and bow down to the commandements of the Lord. 9. By the base estimation the World hath of them they are in the eye of the World as the dung and the off-scouring of all things 1 Cor. 4.13 as monsters signes wonders Isa 8.18 Zach. 3.8 gazing stocks Heb. 10.53 excommunicated persons Luk. 6.22 pestilent people unworthy to live upon the face of the earth Acts 22.22 Acts 24.5 driven into dens and caves Heb. 11.36 37. and by this meanes they are also kept meek and humble 10. By the sight and apprehension they have of God which others have not they by faith see him who is invisible are sensibly affected with the beauty
an enemy by their evill works cause him in steed of being a comfortable and shining Sun to be a consuming and burning fire needs must their estate be dangerous for Christ whom they dishonour whom they provoke is above all none is able by his strength to make his part good against him no wicked man shall by any device be able to escape from him he will not be born down with might he will not be appeased with money he will not let any man escape for his nobility or place of eminency though your estate were as glorious rich strong as the image in Nebuchadnezzars vision Da. 12.32 yet vers 34.35 none can exalt himselfe against him but to his owne destruction Mat. 21.44 there will be no hiding place from his wrath he is above all all the creatures are at his command like the Centurious servant Mat. 8.9 They are his armies to execute his wrath upon his enemies he is above all there is no hiding of our selves from him Psal 139.5 6 7. Amos 9.1 2 3 4. The strongest shoulder is too weake to beare the burthen of his indignation the frownings of his face will make the stoutest heart to stoope all the nations of the World are in his hand but as the drop of a bucket Isai 40.15 as chaffe before the wind as stubble before the fire Nah. 1.4 5 6. Iniquity is so repugnant to his nature to his honour to his office so advantagious to Satan so averse to this Kingdome that it shall not escape without punishment where it is found without repentance no hiding no vailing no vaine and frivolous pretences shall excuse or patronize us but as the arrow smote Ahab though he disguised himselfe in the battel so will the arrow of Gods judignation smite all ungodly men notwithstanding all their disguisements for Prov. 21.30 though they be never so high God will bring them down Obad vers 4. he will tread them as the dust under his feet Psal 110.1 If they want their garment Mat. 22.13 If they refuse to be subject to his governement Luk. 19.27 As it was with Sodome that would not have Lot to rule over them they were burned with fire and brimstone so will it be with such as will not suffer Christ to rule over them however they may flourish for a time like the old World promise themselves great things like the rich man Luk. 12.19 yet 2 Thes 1.8 Psal 2.9 2. This setteth before us their folly who neglect and leave Christ Jesus and pursuing and following other things turne their backs on him who is from above and turne their faces on the things which are here below leaving the living fountaine and digging to themselves broken cisternes a folly very manifest I. Because Christ is above all in power none so able to deliver out of danger to preserve in safety he is a sure rocke they who are builded on him shall not sinke he hath a strong arme there is none shall plucke his people out of his hand he is a faithfull keeper Psal 32.7 He is a Lion at whose roaring all the beasts of the forrest shall tremble Deut. 32.11 he is an Eagle bearing his people upon his wings an Arke sustaining them in the deluge of trouble he hath power to restraine the fire that it burne not the winds that they blow not the Seas that they be not boisterous all creatures are in his hands and he can turne them for us or against us Luk. 11.21 Ioh. 11.44 Gen. 18.14 Now is it not great folly to forsake this rocke and build upon the sand like the men of Shechem to leave the shadow of this tree and to hide our selves under the bramble to leave this shield and to arme our selves with browne paper to forsake Christ and trust to the World which will prove a leaking ship in the stormy day a broken bow in the battel able to do nothing 2. Because Christ is above all in wisedome all treasures of wisedome are hid in him as in a store-house Col. 2.3 as light in the Sun as waters in the Sea he is able to endue us to fill us with the truest the sweetest and most usefull knowledge he is able to frustrate the policy of all our adversaries discover and defeate all the stratagems of the old Serpent he knoweth how to heale all the diseases of our Souls he can teach us how to get the favour of God Ephes 4.20 how to become the Sonnes and daughters of God how to find sweetness in his Ordinances Isai 48.17 18. how to attaine peace in our consciences contentment in all estates and conditions how to make a healing Medicine of very poyson how to use an enemies sword as a launcing knife now what folly is it to leave him to reject his counsell and follow them who cannot teach us the Lords way open Gods counsell make us wise unto salvation that cannot shew us how to win the favour of God how to get freedome from Satan this is a wisdome which the World doth not know which her Schooles cannot teach which her treasure cannot buy Job 28.12 13 14 15. 1 Cor. 2.7 8. 3. Because Christ is above all in love all the love of the Creature is but a sparkle to that flame which is in Christ but a shadow to the substance of his love Jacobs love to Rahel causing him to serve for her seaven yeeres in the heate and in the cold was much Jonathans love to David was wonderfull but Christs love doth farre excell them Joh. 15.13 never such love manifested a love so strong that like a mighty streame it did beat down all the banks of opposition Cant. 2.8 a love like an ever living Fountaine alwayes yeelding waters of refreshment like the fire on the Altar alwayes burning Jo. 13.1 A Sun that never setteth though sometime for a moment eclipsed Isai 54.7 This is a love as high above the love of men as the Heaven is above the Earth as the Sea in deepth doth excell the shallow brooke a love so deep so wonderfull that the line of our reason cannot fathome it Eph. 3.19 A love so sweet so pleasant so full of contentement that it beareth a man out against all the hatred of the World it maketh a man cheerefull in the deepest affliction Rom. 5.5 Confident in the strongest opposition constant in the duties of Religion full of inward rejoycing heavenly meditations holy and gracious desires Cant. 1.2 better than Wine Wine is one of the most comfortable Creatures rejoycing the heart of man Psal 104.15 maketh the life joyfull Eccles 10.19 causeth to forget affliction poverty misery Psal 31.6 7. but the love of Christ sensibly felt in the hearts of his Servants doth farre excell all worldly pleasure and causeth such as drinke thereof to forget their bitterness poverty and sorrowes Now is it not great folly to leave this love of Christ so farre above all love for the love of the World which like a shallow brooke is
grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 If any man want wisedome to discerne the things which differ to know the deepe things of God let him seeke it at the hands of God for this is also Gods gift Matth. 16.17 If any man want faith let him aske of God for this is also the gift of God Phil. 1.29 If any man want peace let him seeke it from the Lord for it commeth from him Ro. 16.20 If any man want love let him addresse himselfe to God for it for hee is love 1 Jo. 4.8 And the God of love 2 Cor. 13.11 If any man want patience let him sue to God for he is the Authour of it Ro. 15.5 As the lame men came to Bethesda to be healed as Naaman came to Iordan to bee washed as the lame man lay at the gates of the Temple for an almes so come you to God to bee healed to be cleansed to be enriched with every good gift hee alone can supply your wants Hos 13.9 All other helpers are Physitians of no value you shall be constrained to come to him at last goe whither yee will for the present Mar. 5.29 You shall be constrained Hos 14.3 All the world shall say as 2 Kings 6.26 27. Hee alone hath promised to lend the hand of assistance to open the fountaine of his Loving-kindnesse to warm us with the Sun-shine of his countenance to delight our soules with his comforts Mat. 7.7 Mat. 11.28 Psa 81.10 Hee alone knoweth our wants is acquainted with our weaknesses he knoweth what wee need before wee aske Nah. 1.5 Hee alone careth for us in our distresse as a father for his childe a Shepheard for his flock his eyes are upon us Psa 14.15 He is sensible of our afflictions Isa 63.9 As a mother of the affliction of her childe Isa 49.15 Therefore let us not goe to Egypt to Baalzebub to Endor let us not goe to the Physitians which have no skill to the trees which have no fruit to hives which have no honey to the store-houses which have no treasure to the lamps which have no light to withered hands which have no strength but let us goe to God in whom is all fulnesse all goodnesse all abundance and hee will surely give if wee aske in faith Iam. 1.5.6 In humility Iam. 4.6 In sincerity Psa 145 19. In fervency Iam. 5.16 In constancy Lu. 18 3. 2. Over all blessings Gods gifts are the free favours of his hand then be not proud of thy great abundance art thou advanced above others is the roots of thy tree more abundantly watred then others hath the Sun shined more warmly on thee and thy dwelling then others hast thou more feathers in thy nest in thy wings then others have be not proud it is all the gift of God what hast thou which thou hast not received hast thou riches hast thou honoures are not these branches growing upno Gods Tree 1 Chr. 29.12 1 Sam. 2.8 Psa 75.6.7 Hast thou knowledge is thy soule full of light is not this a Lampe of Gods kindling Col. 1 26.27 Hast thou faith is not this a work of Gods finger Jo. 6.29 Hast thou holinesse is not this a garment of Gods weaving of Gods putting on Ezeck 16.8.9.10 Was not thine iniquity purged with a Coale from Gods Altar Isa 6.5 Think upon any gift any endowment of the body or of the minde where-with thou art adorned and see if it be not a streame of Gods fountaine a letter of his writing an undeserved favour of Gods bestowing looke upon the freedome of Gods goodnesse thinke upon thine own unworthiness meditate upon Gods end and purpose in the donation of his favours bee affected with thy walking unworthy of Gods mercies let thy thoughts be upon the strict account whereunto God will call thee for the imployment of all the favours hee hath bestowed on thee and then bee not high minded but feare 3. Is every blessing every good thing we enjoy Gods gift then let us give God the praise of all let us so imploy all that wee may glorifie God in the use thereof as they have their originall from him so in their use they must serve him Rom. 11.36 Who saith the Apostle planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk 1 Cor. 9.7 So shall God feed us shall God plant us shall God water us shall God bestow upon us all manner of blessings and shall not he have the praise thereof shall not he be honoured with it Prov. 3.9 Shall not all be so ordered so disposed that God may be magnified according to that 1 Pet. 4.11 Is not God who hath made all who hath preserved all who hath done all for us worthy of praise Rev. 4.11 Is not this the voice of all creatures doe they not all say Rev. 5.13 And shall not man who hath drunke deepest of the cup of Gods mercies tasted most abundantly of the River of Gods Loving-kindnesse bee thankfull to him for his blessings and study to glorifie him in the use of such talents as you hath received from him and to the end wee may glorifie God in the use of his gifts and be thankfull for his mercies 1. Wee must looke upon and take notice of every gift of every blessing wee enjoy as of a gift comming from Gods hand as on a dew falling from Gods cloud as on fire taken from Gods Altar looke not so much upon second as upon the first cause upon inferiour meanes as upon God who doth all in all raise your hearts to this pitch that you may be able to say with Jacob Gen 30.8 Gen. 33.5 With Joseph Gen. 48.9 As Moses taught Israel to say Deut. 26.9 So thou must be able feelingly to say God hath given mee his Word his Sacrament his spirit God hath given mee health strength liberty food raiment Wife children take it all as a gift of God and then thou shalt strive to give God the glory of it Deut. 26.10 2 Labour to get your heart throughly affected with the goodnesse of God therin strive to see it to take it as a singular mercie from the hands of God to read therein the lively characters of Gods Love to tast the sweetnesse and goodnesse of God in the same to be stirred up to rejoyce in God thereby and then wee shall seeke to glorifie God therein as 1 Sam. 1.27 28. She was affected with Gods goodnesse in the gift and therefore gave the same again unto God and to this we are exhorted Psal 34 7 8. And of this we have example Psa 38.17 19. 3 Be thereby stirred up to love God let it be as a Bellows blowing up thy cold affections as beams from the Sun warming thy heart as a Load-stone to draw thee neerer unto God Psal 116.1 2. And then he disputed with himself casts about what course to take that he might glorifie God verse 12. this will constrain them to doe all for Gods
holiness hee hath healing in his wings Mal. 4.2 hee is like Mal. 3.2 3 4. Isa 35.6 7 8. he can Mat. 1.21 Tit. 2.14 1 Joh. 3 8. as Joh. 11.44 hee can bring you out of the grave of your corruption though no nitre can purge you yet Jerem. 2.22 yet hee Ephes 5.25 26. 5. If they want temporal endowments our outward estate bee slender our wealth small our love friends honor respect and place in the world nothing at all if our outward abilities bee like waters in a dry summer at a low ebb like the heat of fire arising from a little wood like the light of a lamp wherein is but little oil though our backs bee cloathed with camel's hair a leathern girdle sheep-skins goat-skin or vile raiment though we feed with puls barly bread or a few fish have nothing but a little oil in the cense a little mâ—aâ— in our barrel though with David wee bee set behinde the ews with Amos bee gatherers of Sycamore fruit with Gideon our family bee poor among the families of the earth and wee the least in our Father's hous though with Jacob wee have but a stone whereon to lay our heads with our Saviour have no room in the inn of this world where none but they that have store of money in their purs are welcom though wee have nothing but a manger to rest in yet remember that in Christ the head of the body whereof yee are members the Master of the family whereof yee are sons daughters the husband of the souls in him is all fulness hee is the heir of all things Heb. 1.3 hee is the maker the preserver of all the great Lord treasurer of the world in him saith the Apostle all things consist Col. 1.16 in respect of conservation hee continueth them in their beeing in respect of precept hee prescribeth the laws by which nature policy and religion are governed in respect of operation in that all things move by the influence of his hand in respect of ordination hee appointeth all things to their end in respect of disposition hee disposeth the means to the end intended and therefore since all things are in him thus dispensed by him let us say in our needs as the prodigal in his wants Luke 15.17 10. there is enough in Christ and therefore let this sustain us 2. As this comforteth against all wants so it is full of consolation against all evils if wee bee full of sin the blood of Christ is full of virtue to purge it out 1 Joh. 1.7 Heb. 9.14 Zach. 13.1 2. If the law bee full of exactness and rigor all the letters thereof written in blood every sentence a sentence of death though it stand like the Cherubin and flaming sword to keep us from entring into eternal life as that kept the way to the tree of life Gen. 3.24 yet in Christ is righteousness exactly to answer every title of it hee hath fulness to satisfie it so that it becometh as a serpent without sting as a sword without edg it cannot condemn the people of God though God bee a consuming fire yet in the merits of Christ is fulness enough to appeas his anger to procure his favor to turn his angrie into a pleasant voice his frowning into a shining face of an enemy to make him a friend of one dreadfull as a lion to make him gentle as a lamb of a stranger to make him the loving husband of our souls though Satan assault with violence though his holds bee strong his weapons venemous his attempts incessant his devices deep his instruments subtile his stratagems treacherous yet in Christ there is all fulness to prevail against him to put him to flight to drive him to his den to roul a stone upon his cave and tread upon his neck as Joshua did upon the five Kings of Canaan Jos 10.18 24. cast him down in his own pursuit as hee did the Egyptians Pharaoh Exod. 14.24 disarm him as David did Goliah 1 Sam. 17.51 Col. 2.15 Eph. 4.8 if our enemies be strong many violent merciless and wee have no power no helper no way to fly but begin to despair to hang down the head and lose all our comfort then look upon Christ's fulness and as Elisha said to his fearing disquieted and perplexed servant 2 King 6.16 17. so may you say to your own souls for Christ will bee with you stand by you work for you and overthrow all such as rise against you Isa 54.17 Psal 2.9 the stoutest opposers the greatest disputers the most bloody persecutors iron-handed oppressors and iron-hearted and brasen-faced dispisers shall by the Lord Jesus be scattered as the chaff trodden down as the dung rooted up as thorns and briars thrown out as the salt which hath lost his savour and is good for nothing but the dunghill therefore Mat. 18.6 Isa 35.3 these and the like are the streams of consolation which flow from that full fountain of all goodness which is in Christ Jesus this is the pleasant and soul refreshing fruits which grow upon this tree of life the delightfull and heart-rejoicing beams which discend to the souls of God's people from this sun therefore let us all strive for interest in him communion with him let us in all estates depend upon him in every condition rest our selvs contented with him hee hath fulness of riches for all his faithfull that are now poor fulness of honor for all that are now in ignominy fulness of peace for all his that are now in trouble fulness of joy for all that are now in heaviness fulness of liberty for all that are now in bonds fulness of power to deliver all his which are in any distress for Vers 35. The father loveth the son and hath given all things into his hands THe Baptist having set before his disciples the authority of Christ the commission which the father gave him to undertake the great and mighty work of our salvation having also declared the sufficiency of Christ the abundant effusion of the saving grace of the Spirit upon him descendeth now to discover and lay open the ground hereof even the love of God as if hee had said The Father hath wonderfully enriched the Son with many choice and singular endowments bestowed upon him a rich store-hous of all graces and why hath hee done so becaus hee loved the Son so that from the coherence of this with the former vers wee may learn Doctr. That the bestowing of the saving gifts and graces of the Spirit is the choicest testimony of the love of God a greater testimony of the love of God to fill the vessels of the soul with sanctification then to fill the barn with corn the fold with sheep the stall with oxen the chest with gold the life with pleasure or to set upon the head a crown of worldly honor therefore when God entred into Covenant with his people promised to bee their God and took them above all the people of the
kill him 2 Sam. 13.28 so when God prepareth dainties bestoweth favors to all sorts of people to som hee doth in love to others in anger 2 God hath two sorts of blessings common and special the common belong to all and are no assured testimony of God's love Eccles 9.1 Mat. 5.45 the special belong to his children and are a never faling pledge of God's love towards them 1 Cor. 2.9 10. as Abraham hath Moveables which hee gave to the seed of the bond woman but an Inheritance which was reserved for the seed of the free woman Isaac had two sorts of blessings the best for Jacob the fatness of the earth for Esau the Master of the familie bestoweth common favors on the servans but the choice is reserved for the children 3 Externall endowments are good of themselvs but without a further blessing they prove not only unusefull but also hurtfull food is good in it self but often is as poison to many sick men wealth and honors without grace to use them prove like large sails and strong winde to a little bottome an empty vessel an occasion and instrument to overthrow it outward endowments without inward holiness make us proud wanton forgetfull of God Deut. 8.12 13. exorbitant in our courses like fat pasture to a hors not accustomed to the bridle Jer. 5.8 4. The goodness of a thing is not so much to bee considered in what it is in it self as in the end why it is given afflictions which in themselvs are a fruit of sin and in that respect evil are yet in their use and end made good to God's people pils which in themselvs are bitter and distastfull to the palate are yet in their use and end of administration by the physician turned to the good of the patient so on the other side outward peace and plenty are given to sinfull men to the end they may live the more securely sin the more freely and at length bee condemned the more justly punished the more severely fat pasture in it self is good but given to the beasts to make them fit for the day of slaughter so Psal 92.6 when Jehu prepared a large sacrifice for Baal 2 Kin. 10. then hee slew the priests of Baal so when God prepareth a fat sacrifice for the wicked then they are nigh unto destruction and so much for answer to this that outward things are Gods gift and blessing but no infallible testimony of his favor to the owner of them 3. This must occasion every man to try whether hee bee lov'd of God whither hee bee dear unto him or not For the discovery whereof every man must examine not what riches what earthly preferments God hath given him but what knowledg what repentance what love what faith what purity what meekness what zeal what God hath wrought in him these are the testimonies of his goodnes and love to his children by this hee is known to bee a friend a fathér a husband to him Isa 44.5 8 13. the love of the father is known to the child more then to the servant when hee setteth him to the school giveth him good nurture traineth him up in good learning so the love of God to his people is known when hee giveth them the ministry of the Gospel Jer. 3.14 15. bringeth them unto the school of Christ maketh the light of rruth to shine in their hearts 2 Cor. 4.6 inableth them to comprehend with all Saints the heighth depth breadth and length of his love Eph. 3.19 when hee washeth and cleanseth them from their sins Tit. 3.4 5 6. as Jordan cleansed Naaman from his leprosie as the new born child is washed and cleansed from it's native uncleanness Ezeck 16.4 6. the Fullers love to the cloth the Goldsmith's to the gold is seen by purging it Mal. 3.3 4. as the fuller's sope doth purge the cloth and the refiners fire the gold put into it as our Saviour shewed his love to Lazarus by raising him out of the grave John 36.44 so it is a sure testimony of the love of God to thy soul when hee doth raise thee out of the grave of sin putteth a new life into thee Eph. 2.4 5. maketh thee a new creature dissolveth the works of the devil inableth thee to walk in the way of his commandements affecteth thy soul with the light of his countenance filleth thy heart with peace replenisheth thine inward man with grace when of unprofitable hee maketh thee proffitable Philem. 11. of a stranger hee bringeth thee nigh unto himself Eph. 2.17 when of a thorn hee maketh thee a fruitfull vine of a lion hee maketh thee a lamb Isa 11.6 7. of a ruinous heap he maketh thy soul like a polished palace Is 54.12 when of a man deaf blinde lame dead hee openeth thine ears to hear thine eies to see thy feet to walk in his way and of parched ground maketh thee a standing pool Isa 35.4 5. filleth thy soul with the waters of life Isa 44.2 3 4. then thou mayest assure thy self thou art highly loved of God It is not growth in wealth but growth in grace that can assure the heart of God's love 4 This directeth us how and in what manner to manifest our love to our brethren to such as appertain or are any way dear unto us as God manifesteth his love by giving spiritual gifts to his children so let us manifest and declare our love by being instruments to convey spiritual blessings on such as have any relation to us temporal favors can get none but a temporal a natural love they conduce but to the welfare of the body they are transitory there is no continuance in them spiritual favors are the truest testimony the best evidence of a good affection therefore thou that art a master of a family shew thy love unto them by teaching and commanding them to keep the way of the Lord as did Abraham Gen. 18.19 thou that art a father of children teach them to retain the word of the Lord in their hearts to keep his commandements to get wisdom as David taught Solomon Prov. 5.3 4 5. thou that art a husband shew thy love to thy love to thy wife by dwelling with her according to knowledge 1 Pet. 3.7 thou that art a magistrate shew thy love to thine inferiors by abolishing and beating down sin and occasions of sin as Asa and Hezekiah did 1 Kin. 15.12 2 Kings 18.4 by giving thea religious pious and godly example as David 2 Sam. 6 20. Samuel as Jehosaphat did by provoking and encourageing them to true repentance and amendment of life as Jehoshaphat and the king of Nineveh did thou that art a minister shew thy love to the people by giving them good wholesom sufficient food for their souls as our Saviour charged Peter to testifie his love thou that art a common man a friend a neighbour testifie thy love by considering thy neighbour by assembling together by provoking to love and good works by calling upon them to go
throne of grace in his name wee shall finde acceptance for his sake Hebr. 10.22 Rom. 5.1 2. though Jonathan could not appeas the anger of his father Saul against David yet our Jonathan will surely prevail with our God for us though wee are unworthy yet as the man of God looked on Jeboram for Jehoshaphat's sake 2 King 3.14 so will our God look favorably on us for Christ's sake 3 This must quicken and stirr up us to love the Lord Jesus the children use to love where the father doth the servants use to affect where their Lord God the Father loveth the Son therefore let us also get our hearts inflamed with love to him to them that love him all felicity is wished Eph. 6 24. to them that love him not all evils are denounced 1 Cor. 16.22 and many inducements there are to move us to set our affection upon 1. the dignity beauty majesty glory and excellency of his person Isa 45.3 Cant. 5.10 2. The love that hee hath shewed to us Joh. 15.13 Rom. 5.8 Jonathan's love to David caused David again to love him fire begetteth fire 3. The great afflictions hee hath suffered for us 4. The great endowments hee hath bestowed upon us 5. The many enemies hee hath conquered for us 6. The great things hee hath purchased for us in the heavens these are as so many load-stones to draw our hearts unto Christ Jesus as so many bellows to blow up the fire of our affections to inflame or hearts with fervent sacred and constant love unto the Lord Jesus and that so much the more because wee have hence seen Doctr. That the love of God to Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness which cometh to God's servants as the waters come to us from the fountain by and thorow the cistern the light cometh from the sun to the eie by and thorow the aër so is Christ the medium whereby all the goodness of God cometh unto us and God's love to Christ is the original and prime cause hereof as Gen. 45.17 18. the love of King Pharaoh to Joseph was the moving caus of all the favor and kindness hee shewed to his father and brethren when they were in great distress by reason of the famine so the love of God the King of kings viz. Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness peace comfort which is derived and communicated to the brethren of Christ Jesus as the Ark was the caus of the wellfare of Obed-Edom's house so is God's love to Christ the caus of all our welfare this was shadowed out by the ladder in Jacob's vision Genes 28.11 12. reaching from heaven to earth the Angels ascending and descending to shew how all the goodness of God descendeth unto us by and thorow Christ this was also prophecied as the Lord hath put the grace of his spirit upon the son of righteousness to enlighten them that sit in darkness and why hath hee done so but because hee delighted in him and the Apostle speaketh plainly that wee are accepted in the beloved Ephes 1.6 Acts 2.33 Reas 1. Because wee are from all eternity elected in Christ as the Apostle witnesseth Eph. 1.4 saying wee are chosen in him before the foundation of the world in him noting the order in which wee are elected not the cause of election the grace of election beginneth first with Christ our head and descendeth to us in him wee are not first elected and then Christ is chosen by reason of our fall but God out of his love did first chuse him to bee the head of the body mystical and then are wee chosen to bee his members as the head corner stone in the building is first chosen Psa 116.22 and then the other stones which are to bee put into the building hence hee is said to bee the first begotten amongst his brethren Col. 1.18 to have the preheminence to bee sealed John 6.27 set apart to be the prince of our salvation to be fore-ordained before the foundations of the world 1 Pet. 1.20 by how much more excellent things are by so much more timely and principally they bee in God's decree hee doth not think of electing and predestinating us first as a body and then come afterward by occasion to think of a him who is the head hee is the first pattern and wee are predestinated to bee like him Rom. 8.29 and as the master-picture and pattern is first and then the thing which is to bee drawn by it as in a naturall birth the head cometh first and then the feet after it so first was Christ chosen then as the head or the elect and fountain of grace and then are wee chosen in him things in their material existing have one order in their intentional another as for example a man that maketh a house intendeth to dwell under some covering 2 hee intendeth to build a house 3. to hire workmen 4. to prepare matter but in the execution hee 1. setteth stone and wood in place 2 hee hireth workmen then raiseth the frame and lastly entreth in and dwelleth there In order of materiall existing Christ is revealed promised exhibited after sin but intended before sin 1 Cor. 3.22 23. The Apostle reckoning the order in which things exist mentions 1. the world 2 the elect 3 Christ then God but giveth us to understand in order of intention that God intendeth first his own glory then Christ then the Church then the world out of which hee intended to gather such as should bee saved by Christ and thus Christ is the head of the elect and the fountain of grace 2. Because all the promises of God are to us in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 hee is the cistern by which God hath promised to convey the waters of life to our souls It is hee who of God is made unto us all things behooffull to our salvation 1 Cor. 1.30 it is in him that God hath promised audience and acceptance to our persons Gen. 3.15 it is in him that the blessing was promised to all nations Gen. 12.34 it is in his dayes that all peace and felicity was promised to the Church Jer. 23.5 6. it is hee that brought good and joyfull tidings Micah 4.4 5. 3 Because God hath put all fulness in him for the good of his Church as hee hath put all fulness of light into the sun for the giving of light to the world all fulness of water into the sea for the watering of the earth so hath God put all fulness into him for our behoof that are in him that wee might receive grace needfull to salvation Col. 1.19 John 1.16 Isa 61.1 2. as all Aegypt fetched out of Joseph's store as the ointment on Aaron's head ran down to the beard even the skirts of his garment Psalm 133.1 2. 4. Because our life the life of grace is hidden in Christ even when wee were dead in sin Col. 3.3 as the life of the tree in the winter is in the root the
life of children before they are born in their parents so our life is in Christ the tree of life the second Adam the common parent of God's people and as the tree when the spring cometh and the sun shineth it full of life buddeth and blossometh so when the sun of righteousness ariseth and causeth the light of his truth to shine in our hearts then that life is manifested in us which before was hidden in him John 14.6 5. Because all the favors and gifts which God bestoweth on his people are bestowed on them in and thorough Christ in him they have redemption remission in him wee are blessed with all spiritual blessings Ephesians 1.3.7 thorough him wee have all things that pertain to life and Godliness 2 Pet. 1.3 all that God giveth to any person in love or in mercy hee giveth it in and through Christ as the King by reason of some eminent man in the Court whom hee highly favoureth bestoweth many gifts on them of his family kindred and acquaintance 6. Because it is in him alone that God is well pleased Mat. 3.17 thorough him hee accepteth our services thorough him hee graciously casteth out upon us the light of his countenance as David shewed kindness to lame Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake 2 Sam. 1.1 2 11 12 13. so God sheweth mercy and kindness to us who are lame deformed unworthy of any favor even for his son's sake for God is in Christ reconciling us unto himself 2. Cor. 5.19 Vse This may serve to assure the children of God of the stability of God's love towards them were they loved in themselvs their disorderly conversation their unholy walking their unseemly carriage might avert the love of God from them but being loved in Christ the love of God will ever continue constant with them for Christ is ever the same with God alwayes the beloved of God ever dear in God's sight and hence the love of God to his people is as a hous builded on a rock which neither winde nor water can overturn as a sun that ever shineth as a fountain that never faileth an everlasting love Isa 54.6 9 10. a love more durable than the mountains a love continued when wee have no feeling of it when wee by our sin have deserved an utter extinguishment thereof yet in Christ wee are still beloved God hath given us unto Christ for an inheritance God hath joined us in wedlock unto Christ and wee shall bee loved for our husband's sake a great stay it should bee to God's people that God's love shall ever continue to them Two things much commend Love Antiquity and Constancy wee say such one hath loved mee 30 40 years and will not fail mee 2 This move's us to labor for interest in and for a near communion and more intire fellowship with Christ Jesus because thorough him the love of God descendeth upon us men seek for infinite acquaintance with and labor much for near communion with them that are in favor with earthly princes that they may also enjoy the love of such worldly potentates the like care should wee use to enter communion with Christ that so weee might gain the love of God and great and sweet inducements there are to move all men to labor for this fellowship with the Son 1. The dignity of Christ hee is the Son of God Psal 2.7 the Prince of peace the Lord of glory the subject's much desire highly esteem intire acquaintance with the young Prince the like and much more should wee do to have communion with Christ 2 The honor whereunto wee shall bee advanced wee shall bee the sons of God by adoption the members of Christ citizens of the new Jerusalem the Lord's free-men a roial Priesthood a chosen generation wee shall bee in respect of others as the sun to the clouds as the vine to the bramble the lily to the thorn the conqueror to the captive the son to the servant the richly arrayed to the naked the Queen to common women 3. The neer relation wee shall thereby have with Christ thereby wee shall bee servants of the family whereof hee is Lord subjects of the common-wealth whereof hee is King sheep of the flock whereof hee is shepherd scholars of the school wherein hee is chief teacher vines in the garden whereof hee is the dresser souldiers of the army whereof hee is the leader members of the body whereof hee is the head the spouse to whom hee shall bee the husband 4. The clear and comfortable knowledg wee shall thereby have of the will of God the nearer wee approach to the sun the more light wee receive Christ is in the bosom of the Father Joh. 1.18 in him are all the treasures of knowledg hidden Col. 2.3 hee can open the book with seven seals Rev. 5.5 he can open the deep things of God the hidden mysteries of our salvation 1 Cor. 2 10. though as dark as Sampson's riddle hee will give light to such as sit in darkness if they do but approach unto them Luke 1.79 5. The sweet and heavenly sense and feeling of God's love which wee shall hereby attain hereby wee shall feel the love of God shed abroad into our hearts Ro. 5.5 bee made exceeding glad with the light of his face Psal 21.6 this will inable us to look upon him as a childe on his loving father as a malefactor on his reconciled Sovereign this will inable us to rejoice in the light of God's face as in the face of our dearest friend and as Solomon saith of a friend Pro. 27.9 so shall wee bee able to say of God as ointment and perfume rejoice the heart so shall the Lord our God rejoice our souls if wee have communion with his Son 6. The blessed and unspeakable peace which wee shall hereby enjoy Rom. 5.1 the raging tempest of our souls shall bee appeased the piercing arrows of trouble removed the fiery darts of Satan quenched the hideous cry of an accusing conscience silenced the deadly wounds of the soul healed the heart so quieted all sorrow and heaviness so taken away Rom. 15.14 all inward comforts so restored that wee shall say as Peter said of the Mount Phil. 4.7 It is good beeing here 7. The glorious victory wee shall hereby win over all the enemies of our salvation wee shall hereby conquer Satan as David did Goliah 1 Sam. 17. subdue sin as Joshua did the walls of Jerico Josh 6.20 1 Job 3.8 pass through affliction as Moses and Israël thorow the red sea Job 16.35 and pass as the three children thorow the fiery fornace Rom. 8.35 8. The stability and growth in grace which waiteth hereupon this will cause the grace of the Spirit to bee in us as a living spring that is never dry as a light that shineth more and more as an immortal seed which doth not fade this will cause us to bee as trees planted and willows growing by the river's side as trees bearing much fruit in our old age this will
but this is a fire that ever burneth a stinging worm which without any cessation gnaweth a cloudy day whose darkness is never dispelled so that here wee have our loss arising from unbelief set before us privatively and positively privatively inferring a denial a removeal or absence of all good of all peace of all comfort positively an imposition inflicting and presence of whatsoever may make man miserable From the privative loss wee gather Doctrine That unbelief doth for ever exclude men from everlasting happiness and all the joy of the next life the foolish Virgins were shut out from entring in with the bridegrome for want of oyl in their lamps Mat. 25. Israël of old entered not into the rest of God because of unbelief Heb. 3.19 Heb. 4.6 the publicans and harlots believed and found entrance into God's kingdom the Pharises believed not and therefore could not finde any admission Mat. 21.31 32. this was the general scope and sum of the doctrine which our Saviour would have the Apostles to deliver to the people Mark 16.16 and no wonder that unbelievers are excluded from everlasting happiness for Reas 1. Where there is no true faith there is no union with Christ no participation of the benefits which come unto us from the Lord Jesus but men are as withered branches dead members Rom. 11.20 whatsoever profession wee make of love to Christ of fellowship with Christ whatsoëver shews of goodness do appear yet if wee bee destitute of a lively faith wee build upon the sand our building will fall Matth. 7.24 2. There is no purity no sanctification no saving grace where the root is not there are no branches where there is no spring there are no streams it is faith that setteth the whole man a work in God's business it is the apprehension of God's promises which causeth us to cleans our selvs from sin 2 Cor. 7.1 it is the perswasion of God's goodness that leadeth us to repentance Rom. 2.4 it is our interest in Christ it is Christ's dwelling in us by faith Eph. 3.18 it is our participation of his fulness which giveth us victory of our corruption 1 John 5.4 it is the meditation and perswasion of what God hath done of what hee hath bestowed already of what hee hath provided to bestow this is that which causeth us to depart from every evil way 1 John 1 2 3. hence Acts 15.9 hence faith without works is said to bee dead James 2.17 not that the life of faith commeth from works but because works are second acts flowing from the life of faith and faith is said to bee made perfect by works James 2.22 not by essentiall perfection as the effect is perfected by the cause but by a complemental or filling perfection as the caus is perfected or made compleat in the production of its effect as the tree is made perfect in the bringing of fruit man in the generation of his like it is the nature of the perfection and excellency of faith to bee fruitfull and where this faith is not the soul is like a barren woman at best but like the tree in the Gospel 3. There is no love to God his word or people it is faith which joyneth us in wedlock with Christ that breedeth communion between us and God that maketh his word sweet and savory that maketh us delight in them that excell in virtue therefore Gal. 5.6 not that the efficacy of faith dependeth upon charity as the cause ground life and being to faith but that faith doth put forth and manifest its efficacy in the excitation and stirring up of love to God and his wayes so that where faith is not there â—s no love 4. There is no promiss of life for all the promises of God are to us thorough faith in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 Acts 2.39 without this wee are aliens strangers and enemies Ephes 2.12 and wee have nothing to do with God's Covenant Psalm 50.16 wee have nothing to do with the fruit growing within the pale of this garden nothing to do with the bread on this table it belongeth not to the dogs but to the children 5. There is no sweetness no benefit no consolation to bee drawn from the Ordinances of God without faith they are as musick to a deaf ear as water to a vessel whole mouth is stopt as rain to the hard rock it doth not profit Heb. 4.2 6. Because without faith there is no shield to defend us from the darts of Satan no fence to keep us from the wild boar of the forrest no weapon to overcom the Prince of darkness no stone to beat down this great Goliah but wee are as a field without fence a city without wells a souldier without armor Ephes 6.16 1 Pet. 5.9 without this wee can do nothing so that unbelief separating us from Christ filling our hearts with uncleanness disabling us to love God excluding us from interest in God's promises making the Ordinances of God fruitless exposing us to all Satan's suggestions leaving us to bee led captive by him at his will it must needs follow that all unbelievers are hereby excluded from everlasting happiness Vse This presenteth before us the uncomfortable condition of all such as live in unbelief are not incorporated into Christ in whom the nature and life of true faith cannot bee found whose souls cleave not to God as the heart of a childe to his father as the heart of a wife cleaveth to her husband the heart of one brother or friend to another the heart of Jonathan to David 1 Sam. 18.2 for this is the nature and property of faith to cleav to God strongly affectionately feelingly with the full power of the soul Joshua 23.6 Acts 11.23 1 Cor. 6.17 to choose and rest upon the Testimonies of the Lord Psal 119.30 31. and such as do not in this manner believ they shall never see life whatsoever great and glorious things are revealed proffered promised they shall never enjoy them they are as fruit upon a high tree which they have no hand to reach as water in a deep well which they for want of a bucket cannot draw as the glorious sun to the blinde which for want of an eye they cannot behold to them there is no help of rest no promiss of bliss though the light of God's face bee better than life the presence of Christ bee delighfull as the shadow of a great tree though the Ordinances of God bee as marrow and fatness now Psalm 63.5 Isa 32.2 Cant. 2.3 Psal 65.5 and the ensuing comforts of Gods people a thousand fold more glorious yet unbelievers shall never taste hereof they are in bondage from whence is no freedom in a darkness where there shall never bee no any sunrising in a sickness out of which they shall never see a recovery for the Lord hath denied them all good things as 2 Kings 7.1 2. so whatsoëver Gods plenty or fulness bee to others yet his hand shall bee empty to unbelievers all his
gooness shall bee to them as a sealed letter which they shall never read as a light under a bushel which they shall never see Deut. 1.35 yea this shall bee the least part of their misery to bee exiles from God's face shut as strangers out of God's kingdom this is a loss infinitely surpassing the loss of the whole world yet this is little to the damage of unbelief for besides this the wrath of God abideth on them From whence learn Doctr. That unchangeable miseries and torments are the portion of all unbelievers hee that had not a wedding garment was not onely excluded the feast but also cast into utter darkness Matth. 22.12 the servant which made no use of his talent had not only his talent took from him but hee was besides cast out where was weeping and gnashing of teeth Matth. 25.29 God doth not only punish unbelievers with a deprivation of all good but also with an imposition of all evil hee doth not only leave them as chaff and tares without the door but hee also burneth them with unquenchable fire Mat. 3.12 Mat. 13.40 John 15.6 Therefore the Apostle saith that all that believe not the truth shall be damned 1 Thes 2.12 the sentence of condemnation and destruction shall be executed upon them they shall not onely be excluded from drinking of the cup of Gods mercy but they shall also be constrained to drink up the dregs of the cup of Gods indignation and fury and the sentence at the last day will not bee onely from Gods gracious presence but to everlasting burnings 2 Thes 1.8 9. this was the judgment befalling the portion given to unbelievers of old Jude 5. and for this there is great reason Reas 1. Because it robbeth God of his glory taketh from him the praise of his truth goodness power mercy and constancy which in effect is to make him no God at all but an idol Psal 78.41 2. Because it is a great reproach to God it maketh God a liar which is an intolerable injury 1 John 5.10 there is nothing more essential nor more dear to God than his truth he that believeth not what God hath spoken esteemeth of God but as of a vaine and light man 3. Because it breedeth a base contempt of all the good things which God hath promised to us it judgeth them to be but an empty vessel a painted fire a withered tree Psal 106.24 25 26. 4. Because hereby men do continue live and die in their sins unbelief like a girdle bindeth on sin as a suit of apparel how much soever it be shaken and weakened yet infidelity will be to it as bands of brasse and iron to the roots of that tree Dan. 4.15 there is neither removal nor remission while we live in unbeliefe John 8.24 Job 20.11 and this is that whereof the Spirit of God by the mouth of his Ministers doth now convince the world the obstinate the refractory John 16.8 9. 1. That they sin in not believing imbracing and entertaining Christ 2. Of righteousnesse that whereas they condemned him of guilty they are now convinced of his innocency 3. Whereas they run on in sin as if there were no day of judgement yet they are convinced in their consciences that Christ whom they despised shall be the Judge 5. Because unbelief is the mother of all evil hence it is that we run into all manner of sin even because we believe not his word 6. Because unbelief doth violate the whole doctrine of the Gospel whereas other sins are committed onely against some part or parcel of the Word of God but this maketh the whole Gospel of God to be of none effect Vse This therefore setteth before us what a dangerous and fearful thing it is to live in unbelief such are every moment under the wrath of God exposed to everlasting destruction every hour no assurance of freedome from everlasting burnings no not for a moneth without refuge without stay without comfort if God once begin to set himself against them they are like a ship in the stormy sea without anchor like a tree in the midst of a violent winde without roots there is no safety no deliverance no salvation Rom. 2.8 Rev. 21.8 2 Therefore let us all beware of an unbelieving heart if this be removed no other sin shall destroy us if this sway in our souls there is no entrance into Gods Kingdome therefore take heed let not this weed grow in the garden of your hearts let not this disease raigne in your souls let not this viper finde any resting place in your bosomes this will disable the Ministry of the Gospel to work upon us it will make it as physick to a dead man as musick to a deaf man it will work no change no repentance no reconciliation no life of godlinesse it will do little or nothing with us Mark 6.5 it will disable us to overcome any sin to withstand any corruption it will give every base lust liberty to rule over us Mark 9.18 19. it will spoil us of the comforts which the word affordeth make us fear when we should rejoyce make us goe empty from the word of God when we might depart replenished with sweet refreshment Luke 24.25 it will make us like Pharaoh's lean kine notwithstanding the fat which they eat Gen. 41. notwithstanding all the means which God useth yet we shall be poor in knowledge in love in peace in joy for it is faith maketh rich in'grace this fetcheth plenteously out of the store-house James 2.5 it will make us weary of the wayes of God it will open our ears to hearken to any seducing allurement Heb. 3.12 it will give God occasion to withdraw the meanes of salvation from us Acts 19.9 to leave us to our selves to give us over to vile affections and therefore strive against it as against a most mortal enemy labour to be healed of it as of a most dangerous disease keep from it as from a swallowing gulf a killing arrow an intangling snare and strive by a lively faith to draw nearer to God to build more strongly upon God to taste more sweetness in the promises of God to finde more delight in your communion with God and rest and peace everlasting in the heaven that not the wrath but the love of God may abide upon you for ever FINIS Jesus Christ compared to the Sun Christ baptized by Iohn on the 10th year of his age Christ calling of Disciples The first maracle Christ wrought In the Conexion of the words Christ care and practise to win Souls 1. Christ journey 2. Attendants 3. Commoration 4. Worke. Christ baptized none Christ constant endeavour Doct. Heb. 4.12 2 Cor. 10.4.5 1 Sam. 5.4.5 Mat. 11.29 1 Cor. 11.2 2 Cor. 5.18 August haeres 46 cont Maniches Partly from Iudaisme Partly from blind zeale Partly the abuse of the Churchs practise Vse See Perkines 1 volume Page 74. In former times men of age were baptized There countrey was hot Few of ripe years