shaking of these tall Cedars is one of the greatest works in the world that which notably holds forth Jesus Christ I shall therefore indeavour to open the shaking of these earthly powers both from the consideration 〈…〉 Jesus Christ and that both 1. As King of the World 2. As King os Saints Secondly of these great persons and that both in regard of 1. Themselves 2. Their Relations All which we shall cast into several positions to be handled in the chapters following The consideration of Christ as King of the World gives you a very faire account of the turnes in these latter Ages which that you may the better understand we shall lead you on by twelve several Positions all of them contributing some thing to the right and religious understanding of these turnes Now the first Position is this All power is given to Christ in Heaven and Earth Math. 28. 18. Dan. 2. 44. The God of Heaven sets up Christs Kingdom and the Kingdome shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all those Kingdomes and it shall stand for ever Christs power it so resides in him that it cannot be translated It s a conquering power for it breakes in peices and it enjoyes the fruit of such conquests for it stands for ever This we shall open in five passages 1. That all power is in Christ it is in him as in the proper seat of it He is the first fountaine of all power and all the power in all the creatures flowes from him their power is but a drop of his Ocean the highest and best kinde of power dwells in him He is the first borne of every creature His power is extensive to all creatures and times all creatures are either in heaven or in earth and his power reacheth both Col. 1. 16. By him were all things created that were in Heaven and Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers And Jer. 10. 7. Who would not feare thee Oh King of Nations Psal 22. 28. The kingdome is the Lords and he is Governour among the Nations All earthly powers have their periods their rise and fall their beginning and ending but it s not so with Christs power for Heb. 1. 8. It s spoken to him Thy throne oh God is for ever and ever 2. All power was Christ his due upon the taking of our nature So much is wrapped up upon the assumption of our flesh that thereupon all created power was to be under him Suppose man had not fallen nor Christ suffered yet if he take our nature to himselfe upon this all power in all creatures must be under him Heb. 2. 6. When he bringeth in the First begotten into the world he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him Observe he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the First borne Christ as taking our nature had a being in the counsel of God and was before any creature was and by that priority and firstnesse of being he hath a preeminence above all creatures whatsoever Col. 1. 18. In all things he must have the pereeminence The first begotten under the Law had a priviledge above all his brethren he had the rule and the double portion So hath Christ he hath the rule of all creatures he guides them to their end and indeed they are all his portion given unto him as the First begotten Againe observe the text mentions God the Fathers bringing Christ into the world which was when at his exhibition in the flesh he manifested it to the world that he was his onely begotten Son And observe lastly that upon this taking of our flesh the Angels which are the highest ranke of creatures are subject to him nay with the highest subjection namely that of adoration now if Angels the highest of creatures surely all other creatures much more 3. That though this power were his due yet it is rightly said to be given to him in that its a power falls on him as in our nature not considered onely as second person Now being thus in our nature the Father is greater then he Joh. 14. 28. I goe unto my Father for my Father is greater then I and he is in that regard lesse then the Father The Father gives all to Christ and Christ returnes all to the Father Dare est dominium transferre John 3. 35. The Father loveth the Sonne and hath given all things into his hand giving is a transferring out of love and the Fathers love is so great he cannot give him lesse then all v. 34. He give the spirit to him but not by measure Joh. 10. 39. God the Father gives all his elect chosen ones to Christ and he gives him worke to do for them Joh. 17. 4. I have finished the worke which thou gavest me to doe Joh. 5. 26 27. He hath given to the Sonne to have life in himselfe v. 27. and he hath given him authority to execute judgement also because he is the Son of Man In regard of all creatures He hath power given him over all flesh Joh. 17. 2. The Government is laid upon his shoulders and he rules among the Nations Dan. 4. 21. 4. Jesus Christ hath had but little glory of all his power Joh. 1. 11. He came to his own and his own received him not How many are there in the world that never heard of Jesus Christ how many that are professed enemies against him and among all that beare his Name how few live indeed by him How many thousands are there in the Synagogue of Antichrist that although they beare his Name being called Christians and make profession of him yet in workes deny him Look upon the great ones of the Earth who have that power of his derived unto them that others have not yet how great strangers are they unto him Nay looke among those who pretend to Reformation and to be adversaries to all superstitions yet how little do they take notice of his power put forth in the World or give him the praise of it 5. Christ will exalt himself in such great various turnes on Kings as shall extort acknowledgement from their consciences that he is above them and make them confesse This is the hand of Christ upon us whose Vassals we are Our Crownes and Scepters are more his then ours He He is the Lords Annointed All powers of earth are immediately and fully given to him and not to us We poor worms struggle for this earth but heaven and earth and all power are his and we are but his underlings Isa 10. 12. I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks Let us conclude this with the confession of Nebuchadnezzer Dan. 4. I Nebuchadnezzar extol the King of heaven all whose words are truth and his wayes judgement and those that walke in pride he is able to abase
cum rebus humanis ut meliora placeant plurimis Such is the disposition of humane affairs that the best things ever please fewest W. Gr. The Contents of the Book CHAP. I. SHeweth the occasion and Scope of this Treatise CHAP. II. HHandleth these eight Proposals 1. God delivers his Prophesies in way of a Promise 2. New-Testament Promises are set forth in Old-Testament language 3. Both Prophesies and Promises are to be taken in the largest sense 4. That both Prophesies and Promises admit of divers Degrees Seasons Manners of fullfilling 5. That under one Person or things named a whole Series both of persons and things is to be understood 6. God performes his Promises in these latter Ages in a way of proportion to his former glorious workings 7. The inflicting of judgement on the Adversaries of his Church is subordinate to the performance of his Promises 8. That the time of fullfilliug Prophesies and working great changes is at or before the coming of Christ CHAP. III. SHeweth the Meaning Doctrines and Method of Haggai 2. 6 7 8. CHAP. IV. HAndleth this Doctrine In the great Turnes of Ages God dispenseth himselfe in the way of a Promise 1. This holds out God as a Father 2. Exalts the honour of Christ the Son 3. Honours God in the person of the Spirit 4. Makes notably for the security and improvement of grace 5. Notably confounds the men of the World 6. Greatens our estate Vse 1. of Instruction shewing 1. In great Turnes are great wants 2. It shewes the vanity of the creatures 3. That Gods wayes are in the deeps Vse 2. of Exhortation to search out the Promises of the latter Age. The Motives are six 1. This renders you children of wisdome 2. It s a blessed preservative against the infection of sin 3. It advanceth your faith and love 4. It s proper to conquer difficulties and discouragements 5. It s apt to make you watchful and dutiful 6. It advanceth your heart in praises CHAP. V. SHeweth that when Christ is about to performe his Promises he causeth Changes in Natural bodies How 1. Jesus Christ hath given a being and constant course to Heaven and Earth 2. He maintaines what he hath given 3. The creatures thus made and maintained are at his becke 4. That it is his pleasure they should sometimes step aside from their ordinary constant course 5. Christ governes them in all their turnings aside 6. That these turnes carry the nature of Signes yet favour not Astrological Predictions Why because 1. This is the beginning of taking to himself his great power 2. By this meanes he speaks to all the World 3. By this way of working he minds us that the creatures are not in that state he intends for them 4. By these turns in Natural bodies he knows how to draw forth spiritual actings in his people Vse 1. of Instruction 1. To see Christs excellency 1. In that he causeth these turnes 2. In that he can doe more 2. It s a vain thing to set against Christ 3. It s easie hence to conceive the Promises of this life shall be performed Vse 2. of Exhortation 1. To consider Christ in all these Changes 2. To feare before him 3. To advance your faith 4. To exalt him above man or meanes CHAP. VI. SHeweth the change of Angels and this Doctrine That Jesus Christ in the great turning Providences imployes the ministration of Angels For clearing of which Doctrine take notice of these nine things 1. Jesus Christ God-man is head of Angels 2. Angels are to serve him not in his person alone but in serving of his Saints 3. Angels are to serve Christ and his Saints in the destruction of their enemies 4. Angels are to have more apparent declaration made of their service toward Christ and his world 5. Angels are brought in in the visions and so in the execution of those visions 6. Angels have worke deputed to them concerning Kingdomes and Nations 7. Angels and Saints shall be joyned together hereafter and therefore they are conjoyned in the worke here 8. Christs last dispensations are his greatest wherein he useth Angels 1. In the working of his wisdome 2. When he takes to himselfe his great power 3. Vpon more immediate administration of Saints 4. Shewing forth his unchangablenesse 9. Christ must have his Angels as well as the Dragon his Vse 1. of Instruction 1. To see Christ his excellency who is far above Angels because they are but his servants where Heb. 1. is breifely opened Vse 2. Of Exhortation 1. To behold those glorious works 2. To draw forth your faith and love 3. To provoke you to come forth in the service of these latter dayes to be fellow-servants with the Angels CHAP. VII COntains the shake of Kings for four Reasons because 1. They make the great turnes in the Earth 2. They pretend to be exempt from mans power 3. Dealing with them is a compendious way of dealing with the world 4. They are decked with all worldly power and seem to be the fittest match for Christ Vse of Instruction to see that there is 1. A meanesse in their Majesty 2. That the management of particular places must be reckoned for 3. He will surely account with meaner men 4. It s lawful to appe ale from Princes to Christ 5. Judicial proceedings against Princes is stamped with remarkable Characters of Christ Vse of Exhortation 1. to meditate on these dealings of Christ 2. to give unto Christ the honour due to his Name CHAP. VIII SHewes Pos 1. All power is given to Christ in Heaven and Earth Where observe 1. All power is in Christ 2. All power is his due upon the taking of our nature 3. though it be his due 't is rightly said to be given to him 4. Jesus Christ hath had but little honour of all his power 5 Christ will exalt himselfe in such turnes upon Kings as that they shall honour him in their consciences Vse 1. Of Instruction to teach us 1. the riches of Gods love to Christ 2. that the Father is fully satisfied in the power laid on him 3. the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in Christs hand 4. Christ returnes all his power to the Father Vse 2. of Exhortation 1. To flocke about Christ in love 2. to come with resolvednesse to be at his disposal 3. tremble ye wicked ones though the mighty of the Earth 4. The Lord reigneth let the earth be glad CHAP. IX SHewes that Kings reigne by Christ 1. They are or are not by him 2. He blesseth or blasteth them in the worke of Government 3. What wisdome or power they have they cannot put forth without him 4. the continuation or succession of them is from him 5. Bad Kings as well as good are from him where observe 1. Good men may be bad Kings 2. the badnesse of Kings is not from Christ for 1. It s not by his command 2. It s not by his working 3. He doth not stirre them up to any
1. Take notice of the exceeding riches of Gods love to Christ and in him to us He loves and gives and gives no lesse then all not some but all power Power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rightful power priviledged power Christ hath the highest and the sweetest Title He hath all by gift The Father gives and gives to him immediately nothing intervenes between the Father and Christ In all his giving to us Christ comes between he is the Mediatour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the middle person but in this gift to Christ none comes between him and the Father 2. Learne hence the Father is fully satisfied in that he hath laid all power on Christ he will never question Christ his Title he is as he would have him to be All power would cracke the creatures shoulders Christ alone is able to beare it Men under a little power how do they pride pranke and wanton it But behold Jesus Christ altogether lovely and lovely in his power The power is given him not onely of heaven or over the things in heaven but it s given him in heaven The power is the most glorious power and it s given him in the most glorious place for so the words may be read not onely all power in heaven is given me but all power is given me in heaven Men receive their Commissions here on the earth Christ takes it in Heaven 3. Doubtlesse as it is Isa 53. 10. The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand he wants nothing to effect it He hookes the unruly Leviathans restrains the cruelty and oppression of their power and turnes their vanity to his Fathers glory power shall not alwayes be in the hands of the wicked the Saints shall rule for Christ is the greatest Saint 4. Christ returnes alI to the Father He receives all power from him and shall returne it all to him 1 Cor. 15. 24. He delivers up the Kingdome to God even the Father The Kingdome is Christs power in the whole frame and body of it but that he delivers up to his Father and for the present he will sacrifice all the unjust powers of the earth to his Fathers justice and cause goodnesse to arise with greatnesse and peace with power Let me adde one word to exhort you 1. To flocke about Christ in love to come where the power is and Loe here is all power were Christ powerlesse or weak I would never invite you to him Heb. 7. 25. He is able and able to save and to save to the utmost Oh why hang you backe why linger so long are you unwilling to be happy doe you love your weaknesse that you run not to his power What is scattered elsewhere is centered here It s a Christian art rightly to abstract all earthly powers all are but ciphers till Christ put a figure to them Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts Now who can give so much as he that hath All and is it not our wisdome to have him to friend Let me bespeake you as Balak said to Balaam Num. 22. 37. Am not I able indeed to promote thee to honour So is not Christ able indeed to pay all thy debts to heale all thy diseases to protect thee from dangers and to inrich thee with fullest enjoyments Oh! come come stay no longer let that which can command invite you namely his power 2. â—â—me and wellcome but come with resolvednesse to be wholly at his disposal Ordinary and common observance will not suffice All power doth challenge all love and all subjection from all hearts Oh! let Christ have all bring your Lamb to him for he is worthy How little is your all to his your largest compasse is in your thoughts and desires Oh bring them to him let him be in all your thoughts and the onely desireable one to you He demands your hearts you have his already your hearts and therein your all what is heartlesse is nothing Let your hearts then and with your hearts your feare and hope and faith and joy attend him 3. Tremble you wicked ones though the mighty of the earth Against whom have you exalted your selves how will you deale with him that hath all power all power to punish as well as reward your power is his and he must not suffer his power in your hands to be abused Your mountains and your hills cannot cover you from the power of his wrath who makes Rivers of brimstone and everlasting burnings for you and prepares Tophet of old 4. The Lord Reigneth let the earth be glad Feare not your Summer and Winter your Seed-time and Harvest your Sun to shine and raine and dews to fall your dayes and nights provisions and protections for all power is his and honour him to whom all power is given CHAP. IX Shews Pos 2. That Kings reigne by Christ 1. They are or are not by him 2. He blesseth or blasteth them in Government 3. What wisdome or power they have they cannot put forth without him 4. Continuation and succession is from him 5. Bad Kings as well as good are from him Vses for Instruction and Exhortation CHrist hath all power as we shewed in the former Chapter and as he hath all so he gives all It s his glory to communicate he hath of the best and he giveth of the best All Kingly power is given to him and he gives all power to men whence followes this second Position The Kings of the Earth they reigne by Christ this is set down in so many words Pro. 8. 15. By me Kings reigne and Princes decree justice v. 16. By me Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the earth I observe three things from those words 1. That the several ranks of Governours are from him both the supreame and the subordinate Magistrates not onely Kings but Princes also rule by him not onely Kings and Princes but Nobles and Judges 2. I observe in the highest act of power that Kings and Princes put forth that therein they are but Christs Substitutes To make Lawes and Decrees to decree that which is right and for publicke good is one of their highest and most noble acts of power but that they cannot doe without him I observe thirdly That the particular execution as well as the decree is from Christ to bring down this or that Decree or Law to this or that person or case the application of the Law to those whom it doth concerne even this is from Christ for all the Judges of the earth are by him Judices sunt qui inter litigantes jus dicunt Judges are they that declare what is Law among those that are at variance and these Judges and their sentences are here referred to Christ you will more fully apprehend this Position by the five passages following 1. That Kings are or are not by him They have not onely their being from him as they are men but as they
Lord against the mighty Sect. X. The great worke of the latter dayes shall be to exalt holinesse and righteousnesse in Kingdomes and Common-wealths Ezek. 37. 23. They shall not defile themselves any more with their Idols nor with their detestable things nor with any of their transgressions But I will save them out of all their dwelling places wherein they have sinned and will cleanse them so shall they be my people and I will be their God This blessed Covenant shall be made good both to Jews and Gentiles Joel 3. 17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Sion my holy mountaine Then shall Jerusalem be holy and there shall no strangers passe thorow her any more These Promises have not received their full accomplishment I say their full accomplishment but remaine yet to be fulfilled according to what was laid down in the second Chapter The holinesse and purging spokâ—n of in these Promises shall not be the portion of Jerusalem onely she alone is not to obtain this holinesse and righteousnesse and others left out But it shall be the portion of other people the Gentiles also according to the Prophesie of John in Rev. 22. 3. There shall be no more Curse then surely there will not be that that causeth the curse which is sin so far as the curse shall not be sin shall not be But the Throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it Now the Thrones of men and of the Beast the Thrones of prophanesse and Idolatry are set up but it shall not be so then but his servants shall serve him Now they serve their own lusts and the wills of men too much but then they shall serve the Lamb Christ and how and wherein Psal 45. 6. The Scepter of his Kingdome is a right Scepter v. 7. Thou lovest righteousnesse and hatest wickednesse and as Christ loves and hates so shall his servants then eminently they shall have his minde and heart 2 Pet. 3. 13. We according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse When the new heavens and the new earth shall be righteousnesse then shall be no stranger there but a home dweller it shall abide there as in the proper seat of it Sect. XI Saints shall have notable conquests over their adversaries Nnmb. 24. 17 18. The Star out of Jacob and the Scepter that shall rise out of Israel shall smite the corners of Moab Edom shall be a possession and Israel shall do valiantly out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion and shall destroy him that remaineth of the City The names of Moab and Edom and the City hold out the enemies of the Church Israel and Jacob are to be referred to the Israel of God in the Gospel and his people now as well as then and pardon me if I conceive our late domestick Wars and Triumphant Victories to look this way Joel 3. 19. Egypt and Edom shall be a desolation for the violence against the children of Judah because they have shed innocent blood in the land Egypt and Edom comprehend the enemies of Gods people now as well as formerly and precious in the sight of the Lord is the blood of his Saints Tremble and be horribly afraid France Spain Savoy Germany England yea all Nations on whom lieth the heavy guilt of Saints blood he that hath a bottle for their teares will certainly account for their blood and who knows but he may now be upon his Circuit and beginning to repay and to require blood for blood Obad. v. 18. The house of Jacob shall be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame and the house of Esau for stuble and they shall kindle in them and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau for the Lord hath spoken it Psal 149. 6 7 8 9. The praises of God shall be in the mouthes of Saints and a two-edged sword in their hands to execute on them the judgement written To execute vengeance on the Heathen and punishment on the people To binde their Kings in chains and their Nobles in links of Iron This honour have all his Saints and this ruine shall all his adversaries have Hag. 2. 22. I will overthrow the Throne of Kingdomes and I will destroy the strength of the Kingdomes of the Heathen and I will overthrow the Charriots and those that ride in them and the horses and their riders shall come down every one by the sword of his Brother Sect. XII This Holinesse and Righteousnesse these glorious Conquests and these great Changes shall not be all at once but be brought on by degrees Thus Moses carries Israel through the Wildernesse but Joshua brings them into Canaan Moses must not do all nor Joshua both have their proper works David provides for the Temple but Solomon he must build it Deut. 7. 22. I will put out these Nations before thee by little and little thou mayst not consume them at once God works and performes his promises now in proportion to what he did formerly and as it was by degrees then so now though its possible God may make more haste God builds up his people as he destroyes his enemies and that is by degrees By the seven Seals he destroyes Heathenish Rome Rev. 6. By the seven Vials successively the Antichristian Romish party Rev. 17. So by degrees he will raise his Church CHAP. XXII Contains the Vses of the former Doctrine namely That Christ is King of Saints HAving declared Christ in the former twelve Sections to be King of Saints Give me leave now to adde a word of application and that 1. By way of an inviting Instruction 2. By way of Exhortation The inviting Instruction you shall finde in these three passages discovering 1. Christs excellency 2. The properties of his Kingdome 3. The glory of his Saints 1. To shew you Christ's excellency in that he is King of Saints None so glorious and therefore none so desirable as Jesus Christ Rev. 15. 3. where he hath that high and mighty Title of King of Saints ascribed to him he is also called Lord God Almighty whose workes are great and marvelous and his wayes just and true Now to elevate your thoughts to his Excellency let me set before you these four things 1. His right and Title 2. His Qualifications 3. His Administrations 4. His Communications 1. His â—ight and Title which you shall finde the justest and highest Title He is no usurper of his Kingdome for he hath it by a fivefold right 1. Of Election 2. Of Donation 3. Of Birth 4. Of Purchase 5. Of Conquest 1. His right is by Election for He is chosen to it by God the Father Isa 42. 1. Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth Gods everlasting love is on him and on him for the great work and service of the Mediatorship he hath passed by all in Heaven and Earth and
jesting you have met with a mixture of too much folly and vanity in your mirth Giving of thanks should be the language of Saints on earth as it is of Saints and Angels in heaven and then are your tongues your glory and therefore it s brought in with a sed potius but rather giving of thanks Let your speech be gracious always seasoned with salt Col. 4. 6. Mark how God comes to regulate your speech It must be gracious that is as you heard minister grace to the hearers and it must not be so for a fit or a spurt but always There are two notable arguments set down to bridle your tongue First that when your speech doth not minister grace to the hearers you grieve the Spirit of God Eph. 4. 29 30. and how sad should that fall upon us to grieve him by whom we are sealed unto the day of redemption And a second argument is in this sixth verse that you may know how to answer every man Men will be apt to object against you and to object against you from your own words and you cannot be in a capacity to answer them except your speech be gracious It peirceth a godly tender soul to heare the swearing and cursing the blasphemy and railing that your Streets swarme withal to have their eares buffered with uncleane rotten filthy communications But by how much you finde the sinfullnesse and carelessnesse of most men the more ought you to bridle your tongues and aspire to that perfection not to offend in that unruly member and so shew forth that your Religion is not in vain You must not onely be good speakers but doers of that which is good you must be hearers but not onely hearers but doers also but mark what you must be doers of not your own will or the lusts of men but doers of the word not praters but practitioners and there is a strong argument added that you may be blessed in your deed not onely after but in your deed Holinesse carrieth happinesse along with it Rom. 6. 22. they have their fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life they have their fruit now hereafter too now in holiness herafter in life everlasting You must deny your selves Matth. 16. 24. you must undoe as well as doe deny as well as grant deny your own carnal reasonings affections experience and conversation Tit. 2. 12. You must deny not some but all ungodlinesse all beginnings thoughts occasions meanes signes and measures of ungodlinesse and though the world should make large proffers to you of pleasure or profit yet you must deny your worldly lust your lust and desire after those worldly things and Moses like refuse the pleasures of sin which are but for a season and account suffering affliction with the people of God greater riches then the treasures of Egypt and as Moses saw him by faith that was invisible so you must deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts upon a ground of faith and hope for so it follows looking for the blessed hope The blessednesse hoped for being duely looked on by an eye of faith is the ready way to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts How contemptible will the world seeme to us when we consider the glorious appearance of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Oh then look on Christ as appearing and on his appearing as glorious look on Jesus Christ as the Great God and the Great God as your Saviour and then you will abominate ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and say to them Get you hence what have I any more to doe with you V. 14. Christ gave himselfe that he might redeeme us from all iniquity How free full is that gift who is able to express the greatness of it He gave himselfe laid aside his own glory and excellency and though he were God equal with the Father was content to be in the form of a servant and though he were the Lord of glory to become of no reputation and why all this to redeeme us from all iniquity It s much according to the heart of Christ that you and your iniquity should be parted and that sin should have no more dominion over you that you should no more be to your own lust or to the lusts of men but a peculiar people to himselfe living soberly righteously and godly in this present world and not onely working what is good but continually zealous of good works working good although evil oppose you Being Saints the Promises are yours and you are the dearely beloved ones and therefore 2 Cor. 7. 1. You must cleanse your selves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit The love of God and the Promises are all so cleansing Gods love cannot indure to see the spots in his Spouse and therefore stricks at all filthinesse filthinesse of flesh and filthinesse of spirit observe its cleansing not onely forbearing your lust for a while but taking away the defilement of it How ever men may conceit of their sins they come to pollute and defile them Now it s the imployment of a Saint to be purging and purging upon spiritual grounds upon the ground of having the Promises and being the dearely beloved ones The being of a Saint lieth in holinesse no holinesse and no Saint and a Saints duty it is to be serious and constant in the perfecting of holinesse and that in the feare of God You must be obedient Phil. 2. 12. and worke out your salvation with feare and trembling V. 13. Doe all things without murmuring V. 14. That you may be the sons of God V. 15. that is that you may appeare to be the sons of God Blameless not onely free from fault but as he said of Caesars wife Oportet uxorem Caesaris non modo a culpa liberam esse sed a suspitione culpae you must be free from the very suspition of fault not onely abstaining from evil but all appearance of evil You must be harmelesse or else you cannot be blamelesse if you be fighting and quarrelling snarling and wrangling you are as the men of the world and not as the sons of God How ready will those men be to reproach you without a cause but if you give a cause oh then what vaunting and triumphing is there whereas it lies on you to walke so as to put to silence the carpings of malicious men You are in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation in the midst of a darke world and God hath made you as so many Stars to have light and to give light Oh let not any league with any sinful lust darken your souls If the light in you be darknesse how great is that darknesse You must like John be burning and shining lights not onely have the light of grace within you to guide you to happinesse but this light must be burning and shining in clearnesse of knowledge and warmness of affection so as to help others when
they are in the darke and that your zeale may provoke very may You must hold out the word of life you have not onely the word of light but the word of life within you which to you is a quickning word dividing asunder between the joynts and marrow and this word of light and life this living word you are to hold out for your light must shine before men that they may see your good works before men most men are in darknesse and sit in darknesse carnal sensual men cannot receive the things of God and yet God requires such a shining in you that these men these blind men may some way see and here again observe it must be good works and good works with light not barely good words or good profession that will convince them you may talke long enough and these men will never see any good unlesse you worke it frequently and constantly You must glorifie your Father which is in heaven and they by you It was Christ his work upon earth and it s yours and he finished that work and so should you Joh. 17. Herein is my Father glorified that you bring forth much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples You must be abounding and abounding alway in the work of the Lord knowing your labour is not in vain filled with the fruits of righteousnesse which are by Christ to the glory of the Father giving all diligence and adding to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience to patience godlinesse and to godlinesse brotherly-kindnesse and to brotherly-kindnesse love These things must be in you and abound in you that ye may not be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ You have been the servants of sin long enough now it concerns you to obey from the heart the form of Doctrine into which you were delivered It lies upon you to raise common things by holy ends and to turne outward objects into spiritual converse If you do but eat and drink walk or work work or recreate what ever ye do in word or deed it must be all to the glory of God in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks to God the Father by him Eating and drinking are but natural actions but they must have Gods glory as their end Nature may teach you to give thanks but it s the Gospel that teacheth you in your thanksgiving to haverecourse to God the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus The meanesse of your condition must not hinder the raisednesse of you holinesse Suppose you are servants the Gospel teacheth you how to make your service to become divine Col. 3. 22. Servants obey in all things your Masters not with eye-service as men-pleasers but in singlenesse of heart fearing God and whatever you do do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive a reward for ye serve the Lord Christ You must obey your Masters but so as you must declare you are fearing God while you are obeying them you must render them service but not eye-service God requires the heart for himselfe and when he requires your respect to another he requires your heart thereto How unlike is your complemental expression of saying Your servant your humble servant Sir to the singlenesse of heart here mentioned You must please men and yet not be men-pleasers but please God in the pleasing of them you must do and do heartily but as to the Lord and not to men and there 's good reason for it for of him you must receive the reward for ye serve the Lord Christ he tells you of serving men and serving Christ yea serving Christ in serving men and thus you greaten little and highten low things You should be persons of a raised manner of behaviour in all actions states and conditions in all holy conversation and godlinesse But most of all when you come to worship God who will be sanctified in his nigh ones and glorified before all the people Levit. 10. 3. To worship God is to be neer to him you are then under a promise of his special presence But then he will be sanctified either you must sanctifie him or he will sanctifie himselfe he must be sanctified either in and by you in the holinesse of your hearts or upon you in the execution of his just judgements You must not think to content your selves with pretence to worship God alone in your Closet or Family but you must worship him also before all the people and that is a glorifying him You must worship the Father Joh. 4. 24. but it must be in spirit and truth Gospel-worship hath lesse outward pompe and ceremony then that under the Law and therefore it must have more of plainesse and purity else God should be a loser You must pray alwayes Eph. 6. 18. with all manner of prayer and supplication not prate but pray repetition of words in form of confessions or petition are not prayer your praying must be in the spirit your spirits in prayer must be drawn forth and acted by Gods spirit your affections must be spiritual or you cannot pray it may be babling and howling but praying it is not unlesse it be in the spirit your heads may work and your lips may move but it s no prayer if the heart lie still the voice of words is not the voice of prayer but the sighs and groans that cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26 27. You must lift up your souls in prayer lay hold on the strength of the Almighty and wrastle with him not letting him alone until he blesse you Jesus Christ hath set up and set open a Throne of grace and given us a boldnesse of accesse Eph. 3. 12. You must come in his Name with confidence Aske and you shall bave seeke and you shall finde knock and it shall be opened to you You must watch and pray yea watch unto prayer with all perseverance and joy Eph. 6. 18. You lose many sweet praying opportunities by not watching your season you lose the acting and improvement of many graces and obtaining of many precious comforts and sweet returnes by not persevering in prayer Far be it from you to pray as a task or as a work which you are soon weary of and glad when it is over but you must persevere in prayer and pray with joy and joy to pray You must attend at the posts of Wisdomes door Prov 8. 34. Laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envyes and all evil speakings as new born babes desire the sincere milke of the word that you may grow thereby 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sincere milke the form of wholesome words not sugared with the wisdome of words but coming in the demonstration of the spirit and with power That word desire and desire as new born babes out of
dispenseth himselfe by the way of a promise Gen. 9. 13. Gen. 17. 4. Reas 1. This holds out God as a Father Reas 2. Exalts the honour of Christ the Son Reas 3. Honour God in the person of he spirit Joel 2. 28. Reas 4. Makes for the advantage of Gods people 2 Cor. 7. 1. Reas 5. confounds the men of the world Reas 6. greatens our estate Use 1. of Instruction Great turnes have great wants That God then withers the arme of flesh Psal 76. 5. Gods wayes are in the deep Use 2. To search the promises Dan. 2. 28. Moti 1. This renders you children of wisdome Mot. 2. Preserves against sin Mot. 3. Advanceth your faith and love Mot. 4. Conquers difficulties Mot. 5. Makes us watchful and dutiful Mot. 6. Promotes the praise of God Doct. Christ workes alterations in the natural bodies of heaven earth Christ gives a being to all creatures Maintains what he hath given They are at his beck They sometime step aside from their ordinary course Chirst guides those steppings These turnes have the nature of signes Signes Rememorative Demonstrative Prognostical Practical Reas 1. Christ begins to take his power Reas 2. Speakes to all the world Reas 3. Creatures are not in that estate he intends Rom. 8. 22. The creatures groaning opened Gen. 1. 26. Reas 4. Christ draws out spiritual actings Use 1. See Christs excellency It s vain to oppose Christ It s easie to believe promises of this life shall be performed Use 2. of Exhortation 1. Consider Christ in all the creatures Fear before Christ Expect great things Rom. 4. Praise Christ Angels called Heavens Job 15. 15. How Angels are changed Heaven shaken when Christ takes our nature At Christs birth At Gospel preaching 1 Pet. 1. 12. Angels changed when God reveals new things to them Omnis locutio Dei ad angelos est illumiâ—atio When they have new imployment Doct. Angels minister in these Turnes For 1. Christ is head of Angels Math. 26. 43. Dan. 7. 10. Angels are to serve Christ in â— members Heb. 1. 14. Psal 91. 11. In destruction of enemies Angels are to have honour of their service Angels are in the vision and so in the execution Angels have kingdome worke They shall be coâ—joyn'd with Saints hereafter and so Now. Christ being upon his greatest worke useth his best servants Christ must have his Angels as well as Satan hath his Object Sol. 1. Use of Instruction Use 1. Christ is far above Angels Heb. 1. opened V. 4. V. 6. V. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 V. 2. V. 6. V. 2. V. 3. V. 8. 7. and 10. V. 8. V. 13. Use of Exhortation 1. To behold these works 2 Not to be discouraged 3. Rise in love 4. Come forth to be fellow servants with these Angels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heaven meanes hâ—gh things Rev. 12. 7 8. Isa 61. 15 16. Isa 65. 17 18. Isa 34. 4. Doctr. Christ shakes Kings and Princes Reas 1. Kings make great turnes Isa 14 12. 13. Reas 2. They seeme exempt from mans power Reas 3. Dealing with them is a way to deale with Nations Reas 4. Kings seeme to be Christs match Use 1. 1. There is a meanesse in their majesty 2. Management of particular places must be reckoned for 3. Christ will surely account with meaner men 4. We may appeale to Christ 5. Judgements on Kings have characters of Christ on them Rev. 6. 2 3 4 5. V. 2. V. 3. 4. V. 5. 6. V. 7. 8. V. 9. V. 12. Rev. 8. 2. Rev. 16. 1. Use 1. of Exhortation To meditate on Christ and his shaking 2. Give Christ the honour due to him Pos 1. All power is given to Christ 1. All power is in Christ 2. His due upon the taking of our nature 3. All power is rightly said to be given Christ 4. Christ hath had little glory of all his power 5. Christ will exalt himselfe so as Kings shal confesse his power Dan. 4. 37. Use of Instruction See Gods love to Christ 2. The Father is fully satisfied that all is in him 3. The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper Use 2. Exhort 1. To invite to love Christ 2. To be at his disposal 3. Let wicked ones tremble 4. Let the Earth be glad Psal 97. 1. Pos 2. Kings reigne by Christ Prov. 8 16. For 1. They are or are not by him 2. Christ blesseth or blasteth in goverment 3. Kings cannot put forth their power without him 4. Continuation and succession is from him Bad Kings as well as good reigne by Christ Good men may be bad Kings 2. The badnesse of Kings is not from Christ 3. Yet he suffers them to be 4. Christ is righteous in thus suffering them Hos 13. 11. 5. Christ â—s gracious as well as righteous 6. Christ reigns more in those who are good then in those who are bad Use 1. For Instruction Christ stamps a majesty on them 2. To rise against them is to rise against Christ Rom. 13. 2. 3. Ascribe the good of government to Christ 4 A ground of patience under bad Rulers 5. Christ is more glorious then all Kings Use 1. of Exhortation Psal 2. 10. 1. To be wise 2. To be instructed 3. To feare 4. To serve 1 Pet. 2. 14. Prov. 20. 26. 5. To rejoyce with trembling 6. To kisse the Son Pos 3. Government is for the Worlds good 1 Pet. 2. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. It keeps the world in order Persons so kept enjoy propriety 3. Government promotes increase 4. Protects our peace 1 Tim. 2. 2. 5. When God fits some and makes others consenting 6. This is for the good of all ranks of men 7. In their whole lives 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 2. 2. 8. Honour due to governours Use 1. for Instruct 1. God is a faithful Creator 2. Governours need wâ—ldome and publick spirits Use 2. Exhort 1 To esteeme them highly 2. Make honourable mention of them Gen. 42. 10. 3. To speak to God for them 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. 4. To submit to every ordinance of man 5. To serve in person purse Pos 4. Government is apt to change 1. Governours change 2. Forms of government change 3. People change 4. Laws change 5. Leagues and Trade change 6. Christ changes them by his judgements on them Use of Instruction 1. Surely lesse bodies will change 2. See the creatures vanity Psal 118. 8 9. Use 2. of Exhort 1. To governours to look after true wisdome and righteousnesse 2. To be little in their own eyes 3. To have our Treasures in Heaven 4. Cast off quarrelling passions at these Turns 5. Contend that the change may be for the better Pos 5. Kings abuse their Power Gen. 10 10. 1. They serve themselvs more then others 2. They turn their power to the hurt of others 3. The Powers were against Christ in his person 4. They have been enemies to Christ his people 5. They give up their power to the beast Use of Instruction 1. See