THE BUDDINGS AND BLOSSOMINGS OF OLD TRUTHS Or Severall practicall Points of Divinity gathered out of that sacred Evangelist St. JOHN Chap. the third from Verse 22. ad finem By that worthy Light and Lamp of Heaven Alexander Gross Bach. of Divinity and late Preacher of Ashberton in Com. Devon LONDON Printed by W. Bentley for Andrew Crook at the signe of the green Dragon in Pauls Church-yard 1656. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Christian Reader I Am constrained in a double respect to salute thee with a brief Epistle First by custome whose bare word is holden and imbraced as a law Secondly by necessity the Author of the Book being dead leaving the notes with me Death interrupting him could not preface it so that either the Book must come to thee without an Epistle or I must write one Two things briefly I shall acquaint the Reader withall First with the Authour Secondly with the Work For the Author his name was Mr. Alexander Gross Batchelor of Divinity and Minister of Ashberton in the County of Devon he was a painful a faithful Minister of Christ a skilful a powerful dispenser of the Word the proofs of which were his constant and incessant imployments in preaching twice every Sabbath for many years yea and that in the Bishops times as also that he might keep men from drunkennesse and other deboist practices he was wont to preach every Holy-day in the year Which Ministery of his was very effectual many being converted by him Those two things which make a compleat man had an happy conjunction in him viz. integrity and judgement yea he had that which made him a compleat Minister namely that he would speak his minde fitly and that he durst speak it freely a proof of the former you have cleared in his writings that are already in print and are printed as he preached where you may find clear method sound proofs pregnant similitudes plentiful illustrations pithy perswasions sweet insinuations powerful inforcements For his freedome of speech in reproving of sin even to the faces of the greatest many are able to testifie and particular instances I could give I have heard him very much commended for these things 1 That he was an excellent Scripturist and it is reported that he had them ad unguem he was in all his preachings very full of Scripture 2 That he was blessed with an excellent memory seldome used any note in his Pulpit though he alwayes wrote Notes of what he preached 3 That he was a man furnished with that heavenly gift of prayer in which he excelled most men some Ministers have told me that they have much admired his ability in that holy Exercize 4 That he was a man hating novelties and yet abhorring superstition he stuck close to the antient truths of God and contended earnestly for the faith 5 That his life was an excellent Paraphrase on his Doctrine his Doctrine Life disagreed not As he was a Preacher of holinesse so he was a practiser of holinesse What is spoken of Saint John may be spoken of him That he was a burning and shining light and I know that many wicked men that hated him for his goodnesse shall in the day of their visitation bless God for his good words and good actions In a word he spent his time his strength his all for God and at last he died in a good old age A little before his death he preached on that passage of the Psalmist Whom have I in heaven but thee and as I was informed by a godly man his hearer that he was so wonderfully carried forth in his preaching that he much feared he should not long enjoy him and so it happened for a short space after he died and now injoyes the glorious presence of the God whom he so faithfully served As concerning this work left in my hands I have little more to say besides what the parents of the blinde man said of their sonne though in some respects it is newly come forth yet in regard of the truth and substance of it it is old enough let it speak for it self This I shall say concerning the Book that there is nothing in it but what is sound and orthodox which cannot be said of many Books that come abroad the matters contained in the Book are plain and easie to be understood food it is for babes and nourishment it may give to strong men A few hints I have here given you of what you may read more largely in the Book 1 That the Ministers duty it lies mainly in the endeavouring the conversion of sinners the drawing home of souls to God 2 That the peoples duty lies in attending upon their Ministers and Ministry 3 That the redemption of Christ it is effectual to some of all Nations but not to all in all Nations Matth. 8.11 Rev. 5.9 4 That men may not at their own pleasure leave their callings but follow them while God doth give ability to perform them 5 That the Sacrament of Baptisme must be carefully administred to such as are capable of it and that it must be administred in pure water without any mixture c. 6 That the clear and open shining of the Gospel hath been attended with much contention 7 That contentions have been in Gods family 8 That self-self-love and ambition are many times an occasion of contention 9 That men have of themselves no ability to do good 10 Gods servants must not seek their own but the honour of Jesus Christ 11 That all the faithful are joyned in spiritual wedlock with Christ Jesus 12 That the Lord Jesus beareth a singular love to his Ministers 13 That Gods faithful Ministers are after a special manner acquainted with his counsels 14 That the calling of the Ministry requires some good preparations and large abilities 15 The voice of the Lord Jesus heard in the Gospel is the joy and rejoycing of a sound Christian 16 That the conversion of sinners by the Ministry of the Word is the great joy of the Ministers thereof 17 Those are least conceited of their own goodness that are best and most sanctified 18 The revelation of the Lord Jesus unto men is by degrees 19 Christ the Redeemer the Son of God by eternal generation 20 The Lord Jesus hath preheminence above and dominion over all creatures These with many more excellent points shalt thou find in this little Book worthy your view God grant that your hearts may be as Cabinets to retain and keep these jewels it is true that the matters are common and the ordinary subject both of many Sermons and printed Books in these dayes yet we know that the commonest meats do yield the most wholesome nourishment whereas new found dishes do but clog the stomach and fill the body with unwholsome humours And for the preventing or removing of all prejudicate opinions which may arise concerning this Book as though strumpet like any bastardly brood unlawfully begotten should be fathered and fastened upon so divine
Husband their portion and the onely beloved of their souls there is no cause of repentance of going back of leaving Christ though Christ be alone as Naomi was in much affliction in much reproach poverty envy trouble yet they may well say to him as Ruth to Naomi Ruth 1.16 and to all that shall question with them hereabout as Pilate answered them Ioh. 19.22 what I have chosen I have chosen I will not reverse it and to all you that have laid hold on him that have entred into Covenant with him let me say as Paul in another case to the Galatians Gal. 5.1 stand fast in the choise you have made suffer not your hearts to be divorced from Christ to be brought again in bondage to the World let not honours pleasures on the one side nor taunts reproaches persecutions losses on the other side divide your hearts from Christ as once the evill spirit made a breach between Abimelech and the men of Sechem But ever remember whatsoever the World proffer or threaten Christ is above all he will make a large satisfaction for all and therefore having Christ comfort your selves 1. Against adversaries be they never so powerfull subtile violent full of fury and indignation Christ is above all above all in wisedom turning all the devices of the crafty Achitophels of the earth into foolishnes and Isa 44.25 he taketh them in the snares of their own spreading in the pits of their own digging there is Prov. 21.30 31. for he can do great things Iob 5.9 10 11 12 13. he is above all in power he can open the prison Acts 12.7 8. he can divide the Sea Exod. 14.30 31. he is a man of warre Exod. 15.3 he is a valiant Captain Ios 5.14 he can make us valiant Psal 60.12 he can make one of us chase a thousand Ios 23.10 If he be the leader of the army he can overthrow the Wals of Jericho with the sound of a Rams horne he can smite our enemies with blindness send a trembling into their hearts overturn them with a barley cake and make their bowels sheaths for their own swords it is all one to overcome with few or with many to cast down with a stone or with a sword with a Jaw bone or with a thousand men with a goade or with a multitude of Canon shot 2. Against the strength of sin the mighty power of Satan though our lusts be as untamable as the wilds beasts in the forrest yet he can put a bridle into their lips though they be like the bloudy issue which no Physician could cure yet Christ is above all he can dry them up though they be like a deep a strong and swift runing stream he can stay them though they be like Trees of a deep Root of a mighty growth yet he can pluck them up though they be strong holds yet he can cast them down as David took the fort of Syon notwithstanding all the strength thereof so 2 Cor. 10.5 he can tame the Lion Isai 11.6 7. the vertue of his death can make iniquity to moulder like a tree whose roots are rotten like a house whose foundation is decayed like a body which hath received a deaths wound though it be as strong as the buildings of the Temple yet as that was cast to the ground not one stone left upon another so can Christ cast down our sins that not one lust shall remain upon another as David overthrew Goliah and made all the Philistines fly So will Christ overthrow Satan and put all our lusts to flight the same power that opened the eyes of the blind that healed the lame that raised the dead can and will do the like for us He is above all who is our Saviour our Physician our Husband our Friend the beloved of our Souls therefore think of this and be comforted 3. Against spiritual assaults and grievous temptations perplexity and anguish of conscience though no bed can give us rest no Sun can give us delight no Fountain afford refreshment no Musick can give any comfort no friend no earthly treasure no tidings give contentment but all paths are paths of Thorns every speech dreadfull as Thunder every Fountain as the waters of Marah all manner of comfort that can be presented like the Prophets pottage whereof they cried there was death in the pot yet the Lord Jesus is above all he is the Prince of peace Isa 9.6 he he can still the stormy Tempest Math. 8.26 he can cast out the unclean spirit that casteth men into the fire and into the water into manifold troubles and perplexities he can cure the stinging of the fiery Serpent Math. 21.6 7. he can binde up the broken heart and heal the wounded spirit though it be a burden in supportable yet he can give us ease Matth. 11.28 he can make our peace like a River turn the winter of our sorrow into a pleasant spring the Hail and Thunder of trouble into the Sun-shine of sweet and pleasant rest 4. Against all reproches contumelies Christ our head our soveraign our husband is above all therefore though for the present we are in the eye of the world as our Saviour was a face wherein was no beauty a dry Tree without leaves without fruits signs wonders spectacles gazing stocks a cursed people out-casts the worst of all sinners the most miserable of all base things and things which are not yet let us remember that Christ is above all and that we are Members of the body whereof he who is the head is above all the spouse of that husband who is the Prince of all Kings let us remember whatsoever we are in the eye of the world yet in and through Christ we are Exod. 19.5 as the Sun Phil. 2.15 Jewels Mal. 3.17 Kings 1 Pet. 2.9 the most honourable and glorious people in the world therefore Cant. 1.9 10 11. Cant. 6.10 5. Against all wants Christ Jesus who is ours is above all in him there is all fulnesse Therefore let us comfort assure our selves in all our necessities there shall no good thing be wanting for all things are in Christ in a transcendent manner after a more full larger sort than in the creature as light is in the Sun after a fuller manner than in the Gloe-worm he who hath him if he be well experienced in him shall find enough to supply himself if a man want love from the world the love of the Lord Jesus will abundantly recompence it as the love of the King of the Master will abundantly recompence the want of the love of the begger of the servant if a man want honour estimation respect among men to be honourable in the sight of God to have sonship with God heirship with Christ will largely answer it if a man want fellowship with men fellowship with God Christ sufciently countervaileth it if a man want rich and glorious apparel the royal
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
ground the perswasions of our hearts upon apparant testimonies which will not deceive us Let us still be of humble disposition readily subjecting our selves to the Doctrine of Gods Word Let not affection conceit fond opinion but a judgment well informed be our guide Let all truths find entertainment approbation subjection so shall the Word bring comfort stablish our faith reconcile and draw us home to God assure us of his favour enrich us with his grace I. But if prejudice possesse our hearts bear sway within us we are taken in Satans snare we shall be lead like blind men into the pit of our destruction he hath put out the eye of the understanding that we shall not see the glorious light of the Gospel 2 Cor. 4.4 II. The sweet waters of life will be to our Palate as bitter as Gall the most sumptuous feast shall be but as the bread of adversity and the water of affliction Mal. 3.14 The most pleasant and delightfull light will be either an offence to the eye or at least as a Lamp without Oile Iob 34.9 All Religious and holy exercises will be as a cloud without raine as a vine without grapes III. The wisest counsell will be taken either as flattery or as treason the truest testimonies of the sincerest love will be looked on as baits upon the hooke to draw the fish to his death as meat spread by the fowler an allurement to the snare 2 Sam. 10.4 IV. Prejudice like a diseased stomack turneth good food into corrupted humours 2 Cor. 2.14 Like a diseased eye it beholdeth things in contrary colours Like David in one case it taketh friends to be enemies and enemies to be friends 2 Sam. 19.6 Like thornes and bryars in the field it causeth the seed of the word that it can take no roote Matth. 13.12 Like Sheba that blew the Trumpet of Rebellion it causeth the people to disclaime the Messenger of the Lord and to say they have no part in his Doctrine 2 Sam. 20.1 2. Like the evill Spirit that arose between Abimelech and the men of Shechem it doth breed a great division hasten their ruine Iud 9.23 Like a disease in the body it maketh men greedily imbrace what will nourish it Ahab being possessed with prejudice against the Prophet cast him into prison opened his eares to the false Prophets who deceived him 1 King 22. for the prevention whereof we must labour 1. For a sound judgment to be able to discerne the things which differ to make choise of the things which are most excellent a cleare eye judgeth and distinguesheth colours best delight is most welcome to that sight which hath most perfection sound Doctrine hath best approbation among men of sound knowledge and good understanding and surely as Paul said in another case Acts 26 2.3 So may the Minister of God say in this case and therefore 1 Cor. 14.20 Col. 1.9 1 Cor. 10.15 1 Thes 5.21 but ignorance is the common cause of prejudice 2 Pet. 2.12 2. For a good affection an entire love to the Messenger of the Lord this the Apostle requireth 1 Thes 5.13 This will cause us to hearken to their Doctrine with diligence to endure the word of exhortation with patience to imbrace it with thankfulnes to subject our selves to it with readines we take bitter pils contentedly from the Physitian whom we affect and you know what the Apostle saith of love 1 Cor. 13.5 6 7. 3. We must strive for an humble and teachable Spirit the broken ground entertaineth the seed the meeke in heart do readily subject themselves to the Doctrine of salvation the yoke of Gods precept is not irksome to the humble therefore Mat. 11.29 were we humble as Christ was then as he notwithstanding all his sufferings Isa 42 2. no more would we stirre and cry and make a noise and tumult when the axe is said to the roote of the tree we would not kick against the Word of the Lord though it prick like a goade and pierce like an arrow Ex. 12.11 Ps 45.4 The humble â—oul shall find sweetnes in it it shall be a word of glad tidings Isa 61.1 a pleasant food Psal 22.26 4. Carefully try all things by the touch-stone of Gods Word examine it by that line wherein there is no crookednes weigh it in that ballance wherein is no deceit try it by that touch-stone which will infallibly distinguish between good and reprobate silver the day 1 Cor. 13 13. that is the light of Gods Word Rom. 13.12 shall make it manifest the fire Gods Spirit speaking in the Scriptures will certifie you of the truth of what was taught therefore Isa 8.20 1 Joh. 4.1 Acts 17.11 By this meanes shall ye find that it is not so much man as God that speaketh by this meanes ye shall perceive more power in it attend with more feare and reverence to it and subject your selves thereunto with more willingness 5. Allow not your selfe in any evill way be not wedded to any sin but resolve in the uprightness of your hearts to subject your selves to the whole will of God be glad to be informed in any truth and be able to say to Gods Messenger as Cornelius did to Peter Acts 10.33 and the people to Moses Deu. 5.27 Then shall not your hearts rebell against any truth not distast any wholesome Doctrine not take offence at any godly exhortation more than a traveller resolving to go to his journeys end doth to be guided in the right way when he strayeth or a sick man desirous of a freedome from all diseases doth at the good counsell of a wise Physitian but shall with David 1 Sa. 25.32 33. The allowance of sin maketh true Doctrine unacceptable godly admonition unwelcome the tidings of peace an occasion of trouble the sweet flowers gathered out of the garden of the Scriptures as a bundle of noisome weeds the honey comb of the word as gall therefore let us put iniquity farr away and let no iniquity dwell in our tabernacles and then we shall receive the word without prejudice The Third thing is the Baptists deniall of himself the removing of all that honour from himself which they would falsely have ascribed to him Doctr GOds Servants must not seek their owne but the honour of the Lord Jesus This is given in charge 1 Cor. 6.20 this we are taught to make our first Petition Mat. 6.9 This the Saints Angels of God have refused to receive when men either ignorantly or superstitiously would have bestowed it on and have willed them to give it unto God and Christ Acts 10.25 26 Acts 14 14 15. Rev. 19.10 our Saviour blamed the want of this in the Pharises Joh. 5.44 and the Lord plagued them that neglecting his sought their owne glory Acts 12.21 22. Dan. 4.30 31. Reas 1 In regard of that perrogative which God hath over all he is the Prince of the Kings of the earth Rev. 1.5 every knee must bow to him Rom 14.11 He hath
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
planted by the water side Psal 1.3 like an orchard of pomegranats Cant. 4.13 5. In regard of remaining corruptions and imperfections 1. If there be much ignorance in us and we see the things of God but darkly as the man that had his eyes opened did at the first see men as trees The Lord Jesus is in the bosome of his Father Mar. 8.24 in him are all the treasures of wisedome Joh. 1.18 and he is our Husband therefore he will instruct us more perfectly Col. 2.3 In his Schoole we shall learne wisedome he will give us his Spirit Ioh. 14.26 he will open the Scriptures Luc. 24.32 He will give us pastors to feed us with knowledge Ier. 3.14 15. and Luc. 1.77 he will open the sealed book Rev. 5.2 2. If we be weake in faith Christ will strengthen us and make us strong in faith like Abraham Rom. 4.20 Cause us like trees to be rooted in faith Col. 2.7 he will mightily persuade us Rom. 8.37 38. 3. If we find our Souls like a diseased body annoyed with sin as with a strong disease Iesus Christ is a Physician he will heale us Hos 6.1 If our consciences be burdened he will ease us Mat. 11.28 Isai 61.1 2. as Mat. 8.25 26. 6. In regard of perseverance though Satan buffet us though our corruption like a heavy burthen presse us down though the World hang like birdlime about the wings of our Souls Though we sometimes think and are ready to say of sin and Satan as David did of Saul 1 Sam. 27. I. Yet let us remember we are married unto Christ Iesus and that for ever Hos 2.19 there is no dissolution of this wedlocke being in his hand we shall be held fast Ioh. 10 28. We shall be kept by the power of God unto everlasting life 1 Pet. 1.5 Satan may win now us but Christ will not suffer our faith to faile Luk. 22.32 the Ship of our Souls may be shaken but it shall not sinke we may receive many wounds in the battel but yet we shall have the conquest as 2 Cor. 4.8 9. The next thing is the affection which Christ doth bear unto his messengers he calleth them his friends the friend of the Bridegroome a friend is one whom we do entirely love above others and use more familiarly and privately than we do others as David did Ionathan and of such a friend Solomon saith Prov. 18.24 A friend of God is one to whome God imparteth his mind and secrets so familiarly and fully as one friend doth to another Gen. 18.17 and the Apostles Ioh. 15.15 and thus doth the Baptist stile himselfe the friend of Christ noting the love which Christ did beare unto him and the understanding which he had of Gods will and counsell whence Doctr. That Christ Iesus doth beare a singular love to his faithfull Ministers II. Gods faithfull Ministers are after a peculiar manner acquainted with Gods Counsells III. Every faithfull Minister of God is an unfained friend unto God First of the first of these Christ Iesus doth beare a singular love unto his faithfull Ministers this appeareth plainely I. By the place wherein see hath set them made them his Embassadours 2 Cor. 5.19 20. starres in his right hand Rev. 2.20 his mouth Ier. 15.19 keeper of his vineyard Cant. 8.11 steward of his family 1 Cor. 4.1 The nurses of his Children 1 Thes 2.7 II. By the trust he committeth to them the instruction conversion edification salvation of his people hence are they called Fathers 1 Cor 4.15 Saviours Obad vers 21. 1 Tim. 4.16 builders 1 Cor. 3.9 watchmen Heb. 13.17 Shepheards having the custody of Gods flocke Ezek. 34.4 6. the charge to feed Gods people Ioh 21.17 III. By the service they doe him like Souldiers they lead his armies fight his battels subdue sin and Satan his enemies 2 Tim. 2.3 4. 2 Cor. 10.5 Isa 49.2 Psal 45.4 5. Like Husbandmen they roote up the thornes and briars in the Lords vineyard breake up the fallow ground of mens hearts sow therein the seed of Gods Word plant trees of righteousnes and like good Husbandmen bring much fruit unto the Lord Ier. 1.10 1 Cor. 3.6 Like Shepheards they gather home the lost Sheep to Gods fold Like Fishermen by the draw-net of the Gospel they draw the Souls of men out of the gulfe of sin IV. By the acception of the wrongs done unto them he taketh it as done to himselfe as a King taketh the wrongs done to his Embassadour as done to himselfe Luk. 10.16 Exod. 16.8 V. By the care he hath to defend them the arme stretched out against them shall wither 1 Ki. 13.4 the tongues which mock them shall not go unpunished 2 King 2.24 2 Cor. 36.16 and it is the Lords promise Ier. 15.19 20 21. VI. In regard of the recompence provided for them their love and labour shall not be in vaine they that strive lawfully shall have the prize 2 Tim. 2.3 their work is with the Lord Isai 49.4 as they shine by their Doctrine and conversation now so shall they shine hereafter Dan. 12.3 VII In regard of the love they beare unto him Joh. 21.16 a love which maketh them industrious in their callings 2 Cor. 5.14 joyfull to see men convert unto the Lord Iesus 1 Thes 2.19 20. ready to lay down their life Acts 20.24 Vse 1 This must therefore occasion the Ministers to endevour to walke worthy of this love of the Lord Iesus to order themselves in such manner that the Lord may still continue a friend unto them as men near about earthly Princes enjoying the favour of their Soveraigne are carefull to keep so must we by our holy walking sincere faithfull and frequent teaching be carefull to keep the favour of the Lord Iesus II. This must encourage them to beare the hatred of wicked men because the Lord is their friend to be patient in the bearing the difficulties of their calling the Lord will recompence them Vse 2 This must cause the people to love and reverence the faithfull messengers of the Lord to be friends to them to whome Christ is a friend this is required Thes 5.13 not an ordinary but a singular love a peculiar honour and respect 1 Tim. 5.17 and surely there is great cause for I. These are your spirituall parents by whom you are begotten againe to God raised out of the grave of sin to a new life Iohn 5.25 II. These are the instruments by whom we are inabled to behold the great things of the Law of God these are the lights of the World Mal. 2.7 these are as the fiery Pillar to Israel Exo. 13.21 as the starre to the Wisemen Mat. 2.10 III. These are the Lords Champions by whom we are delivered out of sin and Satans bondage these are the Priests who by sounding the Trumpet of the Gospel cast down the walls of Iericho who by the thunder of the Word threw Satan down like lightning IV. These are the Messengers who bring glad tidings of peace
eyes for their understanding to Fishpooles for the letting of the people to see the face the quality of their estates for watering them with the Doctrine of life and salvation to a nose like the Tower of the Lebanon for their judgment in finding out the sins and discerning the states of the people as men discerne smels by their nostrils 5. In regard of the weakeness of mens capacities they cannot conceive the things of God unles we plainely unfold them rightly and powerfully apply them they cannot walke in this path unles we guide them Acts 8.31 they are Children and we must draw forth the breasts of the Scripture to them they are ignorant and know not the sound of this musick unles we give the distinction they cannot feed on the Corn in these eares before the Ministers of God like the oxe do tread it out Therefore in these and such like respects it is very needfull that every faithfull Minister should be after a peculiar manner acquainted with Gods counsell Use Such therefore as are deprived of the true knowledge of God and have not after a peculiar manner acquaintance with Gods counsels are altogether unfit for the Ministeriall function the blind are unfit to lead the way descry the snares foresee the thiefs forewarne their followers of ensueing dangers disswade them from the crooked incourage them in the right way a lanterne without light is unusefull a Lamp that hath no Oile is unprofitable ignorance in them that possesse the place of Ministers doth not onely make them unprofitable but also very perilous to the people as an ignorant Physician to the patient an unskilfull Pilot to the Ship Mat. 15.14 II. They have no approbation in Gods sight Hos 4.6 Considera saith Ierome sacerdotis esse officium de lege interrogantes respondere si sacerdos est sciat legem Domini si ignorat legem Domini ipse se arguit non esse sacerdotem Domini sacerdotis est enim scire legem ad interrogationem respondere de lege A blind eye is as no eye an empty well is as no well cathedra non facit sacerdotem sed sacerdos cathedram non locus sanctificat hominem sed homo locum Qui bene sederit super cathedram honorem accipit ab illa qui male sederit injuriam facit cathedra Chrysost in Mat. 23. III. These cannot descry the cunning of Satan the grovth of sin the good from the bad any more than a blind Watchman can see the coming of the enemy a blind Gardener the encrease of the weeds or a blind Sheepheard the goates from the Sheep he cannot separate the precious from the vile Ier. 15.19 Eze. 22.26 IV. The accompt of these men at the last will bee fearefull when they shall be constrained to answer for all the Souls that have perished for want of instruction these cannot say as Paul 1 Thes 2.19 Acts 20.26 but as Ezek. 3.18 and such as have Pastours not acquainted with Gods counsell unable to informe them in the way of life and salvation are bound neither by the Lawes of God nor godly men to attend upon them whosoever doth confine himselfe to them hath no more sure ground to expect salvation than a Child depending upon my breast having no breasts Use 2 Therefore here you see how needfull it is that Gods Ministers should be well acquainted with Gods counsels perfectly instructed in the Scriptures like Timothy 2 Tim. 3.15 16. able to Minister a word in due season Isa 50.4 Like a good steward bringing forth new and old out of his store Luk. 13.52 Like a Lamp full of Oile giving much light of heavenly knowledge 2 Cor. 4.6 Like fountaines full of these waters as the Fishpooles of Heshbon that so they may refresh the wearied Souls of Gods people Vse 3 This must make the people resort to them more frequently attend their Doctrine more carefully that so they may be made wise unto salvation for these are appointed of God to feed men with knowledge Ier. 3.15 to build them up in grace to hew them square them and fit them for the Lords building 1 Cor. 3.9 Ephes 4.11 to guide them in the way wherein they should walke Luk. 1.79 to resolve them when they are doubtfull Mal. 2 7. to open to them the great things of Gods Law Acts 10.33 to comfort them when they are afflicted Isai 50.1 2. to heale them when they are wounded Isai 61.1 3. Therefore come to these as Iacob to Aegypt for bread-corn when there was a famine as the men of Gibeon to Iosuah when they were beseidged by the Amorites Gen. 42.1 as Israel to Moses when they were stung by the fiery Serpents Ios 10.6 as the Children to the nurses ordained to feed them Neh. 21.6 Open your eares to their Doctrine subject your necks to the yoake of Gods precepts Ephes 2.7 Follow their counsell with cheerfulnes and you shall find your Souls replenished with many sweet consolations and as themselves are so will they cause you following their counsels to become the friends of the Lord Jesus and thus are we come to the third observation Doctr. Every faithfull Minister of God is an unfained friend of God therefore they are called his friends Joh. 15.15 men after Gods owne heart Jer. 3.15 and Paul found his heart cleaving unto God so firmely that Rom. 8.38 And every Minister must endevour to shew himselfe the friend of Christ 1. By walking in the steps of Christ by being holy as Christ was holy by yeelding sound obedience to his precepts by shining in the integrity of his conversations this is the way to testify our love and friendship 1 Joh. 5.3 and Joh. 15.14 He that liveth ill is an enemy to the Lord Iesus though he preach well the gall of bitternes is in his heart though he seem to have a honey-comb in his mouth Like Iudas he betrayeth Christ by his ungodly walking while he seemeth by his Doctrine to give him a friendly salutation 2. By their diligent conscionable faithfull and powerfull preaching by being instant in season and out of season 2 Tim. 4.2 By dividing the word aright giving every man his portion 2 Tim. 2. â—5 as Eccles 11.2 6. Taking every opportunity Gal. 6.10 going up and down doing good and teaching the Servants of the Lord the way of God making it their joy and their glory to turne men from iniquity 1 Thes 2.19 2 Cor. 1.11 12. 3. By bearing contentedly all reproaches by undergoing readily any losse for the honour of Christ for the testimony of his truth 4. By doing the duties of our calling with a willing and ready mind 1 Pet. 5.2 3. in love 2 Cor. 5.14 15. and as the Minister must in this manner shew themselves the friends of God So must the people shew themselves to be the friends of Christ by attending on the Word diligently receiving it thankfully subjecting to it patiently readily cheerefully bringing forth the fruit thereof abundantly The Third
the whole man shall be cleansed from all iniquity and to labour for this estate let us be perswaded 1. Because this will interest us in all Gods favours make all things to become ours to be comfortable helpfull beneficial this will make God to be our God our Father Christ to be our friend Mediator Advocate Husband Sun Shield Prince of peace the Spirit of God to be our comforter Ioh. 15.26 our guide Io. 16.13 to be our earnest penny and our Seal to assure us of the Lords mercy and loving kindnesse Ephes 1.13.14 a fire to warm us 1 Thes 5.19 water to cleanse us Isa 44.3 the Ministery of the Gospel to be a Ministery of reconciliation to us 2 Cor. 5.18 a pleasant light to shine unto our feet Psal 119.105 a heavenly Manna pure milk to feed our Souls 1 Pet. 2.2 a goad to drive us forward Physick to heal us a weapon to kill sin and defend our Souls all the earth shall be serviceable to us this life and the life to come shall be ours 1 Tim. 4.8 we shall be the richest people upon earth have better revenues than all the mighty men in the World Psal 34.10 Because this will inable us to finde many sweet and heavenly comforts in Gods ordinances this will make them full of precious and choise delights to our Souls this will make them be a delicate and dainty feast this will cause us to behold them as a letter of love from the Lord Jesus the Bridegroom of our Souls this will make them sweet as the hony-comb to our palate Psal 19.10 even the rejoycing of our hearts Jer. 15.16 this will make them more precious than any Treasure Psal 119.72 more pleasant than any tidings Luke 2.10 this will make them the savour of life to our Souls 2 Cor. 2.14 this will make them speak peace to our consciences Isa 57.19 this will make them as a banquet to the hungry stomack Cant. 2.4 this will make them as the Dove to Noah as the Star to the wise-men as the water out of the Rocks to Israel this will inable us to say of them as David of Jonathan 2 Sam. 1.26 3 Because this will cause all to work for our good if we be regenerate whatsoever is against us shall in the issue be with us prove beneficial for us as David said of Shimei's railing 2 Sam. 16.11 So the fiery darts which Satan casteth the venemous arrowes which the evill speakers quiver shooteth the heavy burthens which the hand of the potent enemy imposeth imprisonment sicknesse poverty temptations disgrace and whatsoever it be it shall all by the gracious hand of God be turned to our good if we like David be men after Gods own heart for Tit. 1.15 all shall be for their welfare all shall be blessed to them the sword which is unsheathed against them shall like Goliah's sword become an instrument to cut off the enemies head the envious practises of their brethren shall be a means of their advancement as in Joseph the pit which is digged the snare which is spread for them shal take and entangle him that spread it every obstacle shall be turned into a furtherance every burthen into wings every lyon shall have a honey-comb in his belly This is the priviledge of Gods people the prerogative of sanctification an inducement full of power to perswade all that are not past feeling to return to God by true repentance to serve him in holiness and true righteousness 4. Since the natural mans workes are all naught water of a poysonous fountaine fruit from an evil tree let us all examine and try our selves what our workes are whether they be good or evill And this we shall discerne 1. By the fountaine whence they spring all good works must come from a good and a sanctified heart The good ground which brought forth good fruit resembled a good and honest heart and Matth. 12.35 Matth. 7.17 all the works of a carnal man are dead works in regard of their original nature and issue none but a new creature can doe the works of new obedience All our actions are actions of uncleanness till we be washed and justified by the blood of the Lord Jesus 2. By the rule by and in obedience to which they are done They must not be done after our fancy in obedience to our own will our Sacrifice must be offered with fire from Gods Altar what we doe must be that which God required and it must be done because God hath required it Lev. 10.1 2. 1 Sam. 15.22 out of conscience to Gods precept 3. By the faith and perswasion we have in our heart when we do it We must beleeve that God in Christ is well pleased with us we must bear fruit as branches of Christ else it will be in Gods account as soure grapes Heb. 11.6 As we must ask all so we must do all in the name of Christ 4. By the affection wherewith it is performed It must not arise out of feare nor proceed from constraint but out of unfeigned love to God This must be the first mover in all our undertakings 1 Cor. 16.14 2 Cor. 9.7 as Jude 5.2 5. By the circumstances wherewith it is apparelled as Prov. 25.11 for Eccles 3.1 and Matth. 6.3 4. 6. By the end whereunto it is done We must chiefly look unto God all our arrows must be levelled to his glory as to the chiefest mark we are not our own but his by our election he hath chosen us Eph. 1.5 6. By our creation he hath made us for himselfe Prov. 16.4 By our redemption he hath bought us to himselfe 1 Cor. 6.20 By our vocation he hath called us to shew forth his praise 1 Pet. 2.9 and to him must we live 2 Cor. 5.15 If our works be thus qualified we may be sure they come from a regenerate spirit and are well accepted of him who is above all This is a repetition of what was formerly spoken to shew his disciples that they must needs subject themselves to Christ and to let them see how difficult it is he doth againe repeat it So that you see the repetition and the reason of the repetition The former may teach us Doct. 1 1. It is very needfull that Gods Ministers should often urge and presse the same material duties upon their hearts Phil. 3.1 that they may understand it more clearly be awakened by it more effectually affected with it more throughly that it may be imprinted upon their hearts the more effectually that it may abide with them the more constantly People must not think it unprofitable to heare the same points of doctrine often pressed upon them Naaman went seven times into Jordan Peters cock crowed thrice From the other we may learn Doct. It is a very hard thing to make men renounce all self-confidence and subject themselves unto and altogether rely vpon Christ Jesus therefore the Baptist doth againe and againe presse it This occasioned
for Job 34.19 it is onely true piety which maketh us dear and pretious in God's eies which moveth God to fasten his affection upon us and to delight himself in us men may bee admired by men for their endowments because men judg according to external appearance as 1 Sam. 16.6 but as vers 7. so God looketh not on men because tall in honors high in external callings great through a worldly abundance but the holy man is the object of God's affection Psal 146.8 these are God's chois Jam. 2.5 these are God's delight Pro. 11.20 these are a diademe and a crown of glory in God's hand Isa 62.3 to these doth hee look with these doth hee delight to dwell Isa 57.15 Joh. 14 23 24. these are unto Christ in stead of all others Mat. 12.50 And indeed upon whom hath the cloud of God's love distilled on whom hath the light of his countenance shined towards whom have the infallible testimonies of God's favor been manifested but onely to such as are endued with the saving gifts and graces of his Spirit to whom hath hee vouchsafed his presence as a father among his children as a shepherd among his flock as the sun among the stars in the firmament surely onely to such as fear him Psal 46.5 Zeph. 3.15 Gen. 28.12 upon whom doth hee cast forth the light of his countenanee whose soul doth hee affect with the sens of his love but onely such as by a lively faith imbrace his promises and keep their feet within the way of his commandements Psal 11.7 Rom. 5.5 to whom doth hee make his Word a joifull tidings a healing salve a sweet savour but onely to such as pass their time in his fear order their conversation in a holy manner to them the meditation thereof is sweet Psal 104.34 common favors indeed are vouchsafed to the bad as the rain falleth on the bad ground as well as the good Mat. 5.45 but the special pledges of God's love are conferred onely upon the righteous Psal 50.16 But it may bee you will say That riches and honors and these external favors that they are also blessings they are water out of God's well rain out of God's cloud a gift from his hand 2. They are therefore very much deceived who bless themselvs as being God's dearest favorites the choisest of his beloved because they are most plenteously enriched with these common endowments because their houses are fairer their possessions larger their dignities greater their earthly delights pleasures and comforts far excelling other this is a sandy foundation to build upon a deceitfull balance to weigh themselvs in a fals rule whereby to judg of God's love who had more pleasure than the glutton faring deliciously and wearing fine apparell every day yet a fire brand of hell Luke 16. who richer than hee that builded his barns greater cheared up his soul with the thought of his great abundance yet who at the last were his attendants but the devils Luke 12. where was his dwelling but in everlasting darkness who perished in the red sea was it not Pharaoh king of Egypt Exod. 14. who was eaten up of lice was it not Herod that sate upon the throne Act. 12.22 On whom came sorrow widowed and loss of children in one day was it not upon the Babylonish Queen that lived in pleasures Isa 47.7 8. Who stand in slipery places but they who have more than heart can desire Psal 73.18 Who perish like their beasts but they that boasted of their wealth Psal 14.49 on the other side Who poorer than Lazarus who had resting place in Abraham's bosom Luke 16.8 Who had no other cradle but a manger Luke 2. Who had not where to lay his head but the Son of man Christ Jesus who of all others was most dear to God Who were in sheeps skins and goats skins in the wilderness in caves destitute afflicted tormented but the good people of God of whom the world was not worthy Who were accounted as the dung and of-scouring of the earth but the Apostles of the Lord Jesus the transgressors they have grown as the grass overtopt the righteous as the tares the corn advanced themselvs in the world like the cedars in Lebanon they have been among men as the Leviathan among the fishes of the sea as the lion buls bears among the beasts of the field as the eagle among the birds of the aër as the tree by the great waters among the trees of the forrest the most unholy have many times the greatest abundance of outward favors and therefore wee cannot but falsly conclude them to bee most happy who have most earthly plenty fatness and prosperity for having nothing but this 1. they are dead in sin and whom judg wee most happy the dead with a goodly tomb or the living that hath life in him the widow living in pleasures was very wretched because dead in sin while shee lived 2. these are destitute of God's image it is not the adorning of the body with gold and silver but the adorning of the soul with grace which is in the sight of God of great price 3. these have no communion with God it is not by wealth but by faith and holy life that wee have fellowship with God 1 Joh. 1.6 4. these are strangers to true peace it is not wordly riches but true grace that bringeth peace unto the conscience riches usually breed many troubles they have unability to appeas a stormy tempest of a troubled conscience Ez. 19.7 But it may bee you will say that riches honors and external favors are blessings also that these are waters of God's well rain out of God's cloud a gift from God's hand and therfore also a testimony of God's love to which I answer it is true they are blessings in themselvs for every creature of God in it's own kind is good Gen. 1.31 they are all from the Lord the giver of every good gift Isa 1.17 for the earth is the Lord 's Psal 24.1 riches and honor come from him 1 Chro. 29.12 the Lord setteth one and pulleth down another 1 Sam. 2.7 all cometh from God's providence but all cometh not from God's mercy and love to them who are possessors of it it is one thing to have a thing by the cours of God's Providence another thing to have it from God in love and in favor for God giveth in wrath as well as in mercy as Hos 13.11 so God giveth wealth and riches in his wrath and taketh it away in his displeasure thus Israel had quails given but it was in wrath Numb 11.33 better they had been without them Thus Solomon saw this evil under the sun riches kept for the owners thereof to their own hurt Ecles 5.13 when Absalon made a feast hee invited all his brethren prepared dainties for them som hee invited in love but Amon in hatred for hee gave charge to his servants when they should see him merry with wine that then they should fall upon him and
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
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
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
By the delight it breedeth in the wayes of holines It hath made that which was once as an iron yoke to thy neck to become as a garment about thy back what was once as a thorney way to become a plain a smooth path what was once as a moate to thy eye is now become as the light a pleasant thing thereunto it is no more a trouble but meate and drinke to do thy Fathers will Iohn 4.34 Psal 40.8 1 John 5.3 all these places intimate as much Signe 3 By the firme Union holy Communion it doth work between Christ and thee it causeth thy heart to cleave to him as the heart of the bride cleaveth to the bridgroome as the stones in the building cleave unto the foundation with firmeness with affection it taketh thee out of the wild Olive and grafteth thee into the living vine it separateth thee from the World causeth thee to give a bill or divorce thereunto it maketh the World whom thou once entirely affected to become as a Husband that is dead and it doth contract thee unto Christ and whereas heretofore thou hast lived towards Christ as towards a stranger whom thou knewest not affectedst not regardedst not now you live to him as a wife to her Husband you know Christ converse with Christ open the secrecies of your Soul to him aske his counsell know the excellencie of his love towards you obey him delight in him meditate upon him study in all things how to please him Much more might be said but this will sufficiently discover it 4. Is the long continuance of the Gospel such a blessing then let us be carefull so to walke towards the Lord that it may shine like the Sun to the end of the World that it may be to us our posterity as an everlasting fountaine whose waters may never be dryed up that may shine like the fiery Pillar from one end of our jorney to another And for that end let us be carefull 1. To remove our transgressions far from us God will ever be our friend it we handle sin as an enemy if we cast this out of our bosome he will most graciously embrace us most abundantly communicate his mercies to us It is sin onely that causeth God to estrange himselfe from us to deprive us of his blessings the thornes and bryars occasion the Husbandman to withhold the soile from the vineyard the sower grapes cause God to pull down the hedge Isa 5.4 5 6. Ungodlines setteth God against us and us against his Ordinances if the Philistins love his Dagon the Arke cannot long continue if Ahab keep his resolution of going up to Ramoth Gilead Michaia shall surely lose his freedom 2. We must take heed of losing our first love we must not put our hand to the plough and look back we must not with Israel long again for the flesh-pots of Egypt but grow more and more in love with God and his wayes thirst more after Gods goodnes and God shall replenish you with his mercies 3. We must not grow weary of Gods Ordinances as Israel of their Manna as diseased stomacks of their food as soar eyes of the light as ulcerous bodies of a straite garment as bruised backs of a heavy burden But we must strive to take more delight and comfort therein to feel more sweetnes to perceive more efficacy to find a greater stability of faith thereby wrought The longer a man travelleth in the heate of the Sun the more his body is warmed the longer a man doth exercise in any trade the more contentement and delight he findeth in it make it then your delight Isa 58.13 14. Hunger and you shall be fed seek and you shall find But if we grow weary of the Ordinances as they in Amos 8.5 The Lord will remove the Ordinances as in vers 11. 4. We must not oppose reproach nor disgrace the Messengers of the Lord abuse the Kings Messengers he will send no more When Hanun abused his Messengers he sent no more in Kindnes abuse the Physitian and thou maist languish without cure Acts 13.45 46. Mar. 6.11 Let then their feet be beautifull Rom. 10.15 Let him be as one of a thousand Job 33.23 5. We must bring forth the fruits of the Gospel let it be as seed sowne in good ground as soile about the rootes of a good tree as milk from the Mothers breasts making the child grow 1 Pet. 2.2 Lastly Is the long continuance thereof such a blessing then the taking away thereof must needs be a curse if the one be a testimony of Gods favour the other must needs be a testimony of Gods anger Therefore likened to a famine what greater punishment than to be deprived of bodily sustenance Likened to the extinguishing of the light what more uncomfortable than to be left in darkenes This is our weapon what more dangerous than for a man to be left without any instrument of defence in the midst of his enemies These are the wells whence we draw the waters of salvation what more lamentable than to stop up the running streams which water the adjoyning countrey Therefore wretched is the condition of that people where this Lamp doth not shine of that vineyard where these dewes do not distill heavy is Gods indignation upon the people whose ears hear not the sound of the Gospel But more than miserable is the estate of such as have it and do not regard it The last thing here considerable is his action his work what he did He baptized not that he did it by his one hands but by others as appeareth in that place John 4.1 2. Yet he is said to do it To teach us Doct. That the efficacy of the Sacrament is not from the Minister but from Christ the Ordainer he must be a Minister called and Sanctified of God thereunto that doth administer it But yet it is the Lord that giveth efficacy unto it Moses smiteth the rock but it is the Lord that standeth before him and causeth the water to gush out Exod. 17.6 The Priests and the People compasse the walls of Jericho and sound the rams hornes but it is the Lord doth overthrow the citie Iosuah 6.16 It is Paul plants c. but God that giveth the encrease 1 Cor. 3.6 And this the Baptist acknowledged Math. 3.11 Reas 1 Because the ministers are but the instruments God is the chief agent they are but the rod in the hand of God the power is not mans but the Lords as in another case it is spoken 2 King 6.27 So if God do not help we cannot Our duty is to use the means it is Gods goodnes and mercy to give the blessing as Prov. 21.31 The Horse is prepared against the day of battle but salvation is of the Lord so faithfull and able ministers must be provided but yet the Lord giveth the blessing 1 Cor. 3.5 Reas 2 Because it is not mans but Gods Ordinance and the efficacy of every Ordinance dependeth
to run the race he hath set before us striving to draw near to him to walk more worthy of his favour vouchsafed to us of the calling wherein he hath set us not looking back with Lots wife not lusting with Israel but as Noah continued constant in the building the Arke so let us be constant to the end in the duties God hath enjoyned us and so like Noah we shall escpe the deluge of destruction which will overtake other people VERS 25. THe Gospel seldome enjoyeth amy long or succesfull progresse without opposition The Sun shineth not many dayes but some clouds arise to obscure darken it The Corn cannot spring so fast but some weeds will spring up amōg it to overtop if If foraigne enemies fail domesticke jarres quarrels shall be raised rather than Christs Kingdome shall go forward without contradiction the Disciples among themselves shall be at variance rather than the Schoole of Christ shall enjoy quietness No sooner did our Saviour publickly undertake his office his Disciples baptize people frequent their baptisme but then their arose a question between some of the Disciples of John and the Jewes about purifying In which words we may take notice I. Of the time when this question or cōtroversie arose then II. Of the parties between whom it arose some of Johns Disciples and the Jewes III. The matter whereabout their controversy was about purifying First of the time then our Saviour came into Judea tarried there his Disciples baptized many he poured the gifts and graces of his Spirit upon them many resorted to him the day-starre of the Gospel began now to shine more clearly the way of life and salvation had more travellers in it than usuall and now began the contention whence note Doctr. That the cleare open shining of the Gospel is usually attended with much contention the shining of Gideons Lampes and the cry of the sword of the Lord Gideon made the Midianites to sheath their swords each in others bowels Herod the men of Ierusalem were much troubled when the Star pointing out the birth of the new borne King appeared and our Saviour himselfe hath beforehand told us Mat. 10.21 22 34. And you know the parable Matth. 14.25 Luc. 12.49 50 51 52 53. Reas 1 The more plainely and powerfully the Gospel is preached the more Satan is enraged the more his malice is like the waves of the Sea when the wind bloweth high are tossed he is loath to lose his prey to forsake his Kingdome therefore he roareth like a mighty Lion when God sendeth out his Shepheards to take his prey from him when the Lord of hosts laieth siege against him by the Ministry of his Gospel When Israel began to hearken to Moses then Pharaoh raised his forces when the good wheate was sown then the envious man sowed his tares the enemy cast not tares in before the carefull Husbandman had sown good seed Reas 2 Sathan is subtil and by raising quarrels and contentions he doth hope to dishonour the Gospel to open the mouths of wicked men to reproach it to withdraw themselves from it to shun all fellowship with them that entertaine it accompt Gods faithfull messengers seeds-men of discord 1 King 18.17 pestilent Persons Acts 24.5 Reas 3 The more plainly and plenteously the Gospel is preached the more Sathans Kingdome is shaken the more the number of his souldiers are abated and therefore he stirreth himselfe so much the more to defend his owne Kingdome against the ministry of the Gospel when a house is beset a city a countrey beseidged the Master of the Family the Gouvernour of the towne the Prince of the countrey girdeth on his armour stirreth up all that are under him for the defence of the House Towne or Kingdome they that slept are now awaked they that were on the bed are now in the street in the field they who were naked are now strongly armed thus Zach. 3.1 Acts 13.8 therefore c. Luc. 11.21 As the thunder sendeth downe the lightning so doth the thunder of Gods Word cast down the Devill Luc. 10.17 18. Reas 4 It is a great vexation and torment to Sathan to see the Kingdome of Christ to flourish as it was to Saul to see David thrive to Esau to see Jacob prosper to Pharaoh to see Israel encrease it is to him as a prick in the eye a thorne in the side an arrow in the bowels fire in the bones a grievous torment Matth. 8.29 Reas 5 The cleare and open shining of the Gospel doth provoke and stirre up the corruption wich is in the hearts of the people like a sounding trumpet it awakeneth the sleepy like a searching Officer it discovereth the stolne goods like a storme it searcheth the Ship rowseth them that are in it hence many that were quiet sociable peaceable men not having the Word of God preached to them discover much hatred of the truth utter hard words against the truth against the people of God whē the word hath been faithfully preached amōg them much coine that hath been thought good hath been found naught by the touch-stone many bodies have discovered much distemperature after the receiving of Physicke Rom. 7.8 Reas 5 The faithfull ministery of the Word doth breed a separation between people it converteth some unto God endoweth them with new qualities maketh them holy righteous full of love to God his wayes his servants leaving other in ignorance uncleaness hardnes of heart enlightning the one making the other more blind like the Sun softing the waxe hardning the clay so that thornes and bryas vines light darknes Lambs Lions are not more unlike one another more repugnant one to the other than these are Gen. 3.15 1 Iohn 3.11 as Exod. 32. They that joyned in adoring Idolls when Moses came sheathed their swords in each others bowells Reas 6 The faithfull ministry of the word and successe of the Gospel is much maligned and stirreth up envy in the hearts of many that hear it as Sanballat and Tobihu were grieved to see Nehemiah to build up the walls of Ierusalem Neh. 2.10 thus Acts 13.45.46 Obj. If such contention be occasioned by it then better be without it how can it be a Gospel of peace if it occasion such and so much warr an ambassage of reconcilement if it breed such division Ans 1. It is in it selfe tidings of much joy a fountaine full of pure pleasant water a tree loaden with delightfull fruite an Alabaster boxe of precious ointment a Sun full of light 2. It is to Gods People a river making them glad Psal 46.4 A feast of sweet and savoury meat 2 Cor. 2.15 A joyfull message Rom. 10.15 A healing medicine Jsai 57.19 A word of much peace like the Olive branch to Noah like the voyce of Christ to his Disciples in the tossed Ship rebuking the winds and the waves of the Sea like Jordan to Naaman washing away the sin of their Souls 3. To wicked men it is
answer to the Papists for none at greater variance than themselves among themselves who can reckon up the discords between the Popes themselves the secular Priests and Jesuits the Monks Canonists and the like they must first heal their owne wounds before they can object our scarres Yet their discords will not justify our contentions no more than quarrels between thieves cut-purses drunkards will justify the contention of honest sober men but we must bewaile the discords that are amongst us pray to the God of peace to suppresse attend the word of peace the instrument with which God doth use to work therefore let mee say to you as the Apostle doth to the Thessalonians 1 Thes 5.13 14. Let us labour for sincerity of heart freedome from corruption this sin is the cause of all quarrell nothing is more effectuall to quench this fire than the water of sanctification which is the internall baptising of the heart and for this the outward baptisme is called a purifying whence note Doctr. The efficacy and the proper fruit of Baptisme consisteth in the purging away of our corruption Therefore Paul resembleth it to a grave wherein our corruption is buried like a dead man Rom. 6.4 Other to a sprinkling of water not upon the body but the conscience 1 Pet. 3.21 not the putting away the filth of the flesh c. Reas 1 Because they who are effectually Baptised have Communion with Christ Gal. 3.27 None are in Christ but such as are sanctified 2 Cor. 5 17. Reas 2 Because they who are effectually Baptised are truely penitent therefore called the Baptisme of repentance Luc. 3.3 Marc. 1.4 True repentance there is none where there is not sanctification where sin like filthy dirt in the house is not washed away Reas 3 Because they who are effectually Baptised are ingrafted into the Mysticall body of Christ 1 Cor. 12.13 Now none are true and living members of that body but such as are truely cleansed from their sin Use This must therefore teach us not to content our selves with the outward washing of the flesh in baptisme but let us strive to feel the internall effecacy of it in our Souls Having our consciences sprinkled within our bodies washed without the inward and the outward man also renued not thinking it enough that we have the shell unles we have also the kernell the sheath unles we have also the sword the bowe without the arrow the parchment without writting hand seale delivery Pharaoh and the Aegyptians were in the red sea as well as Israel but they were drowned Israel had a safe passage as Jo. 6.63 You must feel the quickning Spirit move in your Souls in the use of this Sacrament as the Angel moved in the Pool of Betheshda or the diseass of your Soul will not be healed you must find your lusts mortified it is nothing worth your bodies are washed if the fire of concupiscence within be not quenched as Gal. 6.14 15. Nothing in the Kingdome of God is of any accompt but onely a new creature therefore under circumcision he comprehendeth the preheminence of the Jew which though it were much Rom. 3.1 Rom. 9.4 by uncircumcision the wisedome strength love Policy of the Gentile though of great esteeme in the eyes of the world yet of no accompt in the eyes of God Regeneration sanctification are in chief esteeme with him not the noble wise rich strong creature but a new creature see Luc. 16.15 1 Cor. 1.26 and 1 Tim. 4.18 Therefore as Gideon pulled down the Altar his father had erected and then set up another at Gods commandement as men put off an old and then put on a new garment so let us Eph. 4.22 whatsoever we have hitherâ—o have been let us be so no more but let us strive to be such that it may be said of us as 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. VERS 26. IN this Verse we have set before us the occasion of the controversy between some of John's Disciples and the Jewes the Disciples of John saw the people frequent our Saviours Doctrine morâ— than they did their Mr the Baptist and hereupon took occasion to quarell with them came to the Baptist and complained of it as loath to see their Masters honour overshadowed by the shining of a more glorious Sun 2. Their ignorance they heard what the Baptist had taught of our Saviour they saw what he did to our Saviour how he Baptised him but yet did not understand that Christ was the Sonne the Saviour and Redeemer of the World 3. The danger of over-much admiring the persons of our teachers they â—o admired his person that they did not rightly conceive his Doctrine that they did disable Christ and cried up the Baptist 4. The fidelity of the Baptist in his calling for so they confesse that the Baptist did beare witnes of Christ 5. Their envy at the successe of Christs Ministry of these in their Order From the of these we learne Doctr. That self-love and ambition are many times an occasion of most contention this is like the evill Spirit that came between Abimelech and the men of Shechem turning their Union into division their love into hatred their peace into trouble this is a bellowes kindling the coales of strif betweeÌ„ such as are knit together in the strictest bonds why did Josephs Brethren sell him into Aegypt but out of self-love because they would not be subject to him Why else did Eliab quarrell with David 1 Sa. 17.28 This made Saul seek the life of David a most faithfull beneficiall Servant this disturbed the peace even of the Apostles Luc. 22.24 and Solomon maketh it a generall rule Prov. 13.10 Reas 1 Because pride and self-love doth breed envy at other mens endowments and at the successe of other mens undertakings envy is the spawn of pride the daughter of self-love a branch alwayes adhering to this root Luc. 15.18 Dan. 6.4 Phil. 1.15 Reas 2 Because pride and self-love cause men to aime at by and base ends neglecting the glory of God the welfare of the Gospel the good of their brethren and to seek their owne applause ease wealth as the Apostle long since complained Phil. 2.21 and our Saviour discovereth this as the speciall cause of the Pharises contention against him Ioh. 5.44 Reas 3 Because self-self-love and pride doth occasion men to make evill and false constructions of the doings and purposes of others 1 Sam. 17.28 This made the Pharises think that our Saviour came to take their place from them Reas 4 Because pride and self-love doth make men ingratefull yea to contend with and render evill to such as seek to do them the greatest good yea that have shewed them the greatest love let David be a wall about Nabals men and possessions in the Wildernes 1 Sam. 25.16 yet Nabal that regards no man but himself will raile at him abuse him if he demand any assistance from him so Jud. 8.1 and Jud. 12.1 2 3. Thus self-love made the
Pharises who should have rejoyced in the coming of Christ as at the appearing of the most glorious and comfortable Sun that ever did shine to be full of indignation at it Use This must therefore cause us if we purpose to enjoy any true peace to receive any true comfort by Gods Ordinances to hold any comfortable Communion with Gods Servants to pluck up this evill weed to quench this fire to hew down this tree to suppresse this self-love and haughtines of Spirit no more seeking our selves no more serving our lusts no more living to our selves no more accompting all fish lost which cometh not into our owne net all the Oile spilt that is not put into our Lamp the honour misplaced that is not bestowed on us as they Mic. 3.5 But let us learne 1. To deny our selves our owne lusts reason ends desires living no longer to the flesh Mar. 8.34 Let us become little in our eyes lower and viler than dust truely apprehensive of and thoroughly affected with our owne sin with our owne unworthines and we shall find little occasion to contend with our fellow brethren to envy the graces of God in them but rather desire them out of their abundance to communicate to our necessities and this is their surest way to honour as our Saviour said in another case Math. 10.39 So in this case he that seeketh his owne honour shall loose it but he that forsaketh his owne praise he shall find it as Ioh. 8.50 54. Luc. 14.11 Before honour humility c. Ia 4.6 1 Pet. 5.6 2. To live wholy and altogether unto God seeking his glory bringing forth fruit to him devoring our selves wholy to his service as the wife forsaketh her fathers house becometh her Husbands and seeketh how to please him So must we leave the World and things most deare to the flesh and study how to please the Lord this is given in charge 1 Cor. 10.30 To this we are earnestly perswaded Rom. 12.1 2. 2 Cor. 5.15 and did we make Gods honour the mark whereunto we levell all our arrowes did we make this the end of our labour and desires as Phil. 1.15 16. We would be glad if God might be honoured whither by our selves or by any other instrument did we thus glorify God we should not faile to receive honour from the Lord 1 Sam. 2.30 3. To seek the good of our brethren as one member in the body doth seek the good of another to communicate what we have received as the full clouds do their raine to the barren grounds This is required 1 Cor. 10.24 practised 2 Cor. 12.14 This is the way to abound in the grace of the Spirit to shine in holines not the envying of other mens spirituall welfare but endeavouring to increase it 1 Cor. 9.6 Heb 6.10 4. To rejoyce in the welfare of our brethren as in our owne not like Cain that murdered Abel because more righteous than himselfe Not like Esau hating Iacob because he had obtained the blessing Not like Saul maligning David because he had slaine his ten thousands when Saul himselfe had slaine but his thousand but rather because with David 1 Chro. 29.17 2 Cor. 12.26 Iohn 12. Eph. 4. The second thing is their ignorance they heard what testimony the Baptist gave of our Saviour yet they understood it not for then they would not have envied but readily followed him as others did Doctr. That there are many who heare good and sound Doctrine delivered affect the person teaching it and yet do neither truely nor savingly understand it The Disciples saw the Miracles of Christ heard the Doctrine he delivered gave some Testimony of their love for they followed him but yet understood not his Doctrine Ioh. 6.60 61. This is also verified in Nicodemus Ioh. 3.5 8 9 10. In the Women of whom Paul speaketh 2 Tim. 3.7 Yea some undertake to be guides to others themselves not knowing the way 1 Tim. 1.6 7. and this so cometh to pass 1. Partly thorough the spirituall high and heavenly nature of divine things which the carnall eye cannot discerne 1 Cor. 2.14 A riddle which the naturall man cannot unfold unles he have Gods Spirit vers 11. As Sampson told the Philistines they could not have opened his riddle unles they had plowed which his heafer 2. Partly thorough some base and by ends which men propose unto themselves making their attendance on the word a hooke to take some other fish Judas followed Christ because he did beare the bag the Disciples because they had eaten of the bread 3. Partly thorough the sinister notives which stirre up some to attend upon the Word the novelty the applause accompanying carnall relations to the teachers of it to them that do embrace it horrour of conscience dismall feares which cause them to attend on it the Raven cometh into the Ark for feare of the Deluge Ahab humbleth himselfe when a judgment is threatned 4. Partly thorough the deceitfulnes of many mens hearts supposing it enough that they do heare though they do no more never searching as the Bereans did Acts 17.11 Never enclining the eare and applying the heart unto understanding as Solomon giveth charge Prov. 2.2 3 4. But as Ier. 7.10 as Prov. 7.14 therefore Ioh. 1.23 24 25. 5. Partly thorough the just judgment of God who sendeth a spirituall slumber upon some that seeing they shall not perceive and hearing they shall not understand Isa 6.10 but Isa 29.11 Whereunto agreeth that of our Saviour Mat. 13.13 14. and 2 Cor. 4.3 Vse This therefore must give every one of us occasion on to make triall of our selves whether we are not guilty of this sin whether we do not content our selves with the bare hearing of the Word or else do also savingly know and understand it a grace whereof few do participate a lamp that shineth in few mens Souls a work of a singular nature of the truest comfort of the greatest benefit a blessing peculiar to Gods faithfull a jewell not gotten without much diligence a tree loaden with the choisest fruit fountaine full of the purest water Therefore it is good wisedome to try while we are endowed with it 1. True knowledge is alwayes accompained with true humility contrition of heart meeknes of Spirit and a Holy teachablenes the whole man will readily subject it selfe to every Ordinance of God So that he who was once an indomitable beast now a child a weake man Gods Minister shall lead him Isa 11.6 True knowledge taketh downe the haughtines of the Spirit breaketh the obstinacy of the heart maketh man say as Paul did Acts 9.6 as Cornelius Acts 10.33 and maketh him with Job Job 42.6 putteth him altogether out of conceit with himselfe 1 Cor. 3.18 thus Ia. 3.17 The wisedome which is from above is gentle easily intreated as Naaman having the sight of his Leprosy hearkned to the advice of a maid to go to the Prophet and afterward to go to Jordan by the persvasion of his Servants Mat. 11.29 2.
True knowledge is accompanied with unfained purity of heart life all the nasty corners of the Soul are swept which before the shining of this light were altogether over-spread with the dirt of sin and iniquity as the shining of the Sun dispelleth darknes and scattereth the thick clouds which hang in the aire so doth saving knowledge drive away the sin of our Souls therefore Ia. 3.17 The wisedome from above is pure and purifieth the Soul where it dwelleth Psal 19.8 9. It maketh the transgressour cast away his sin as a menstruous garment Isa 30.22 Their Souls are not like a dirty book wherein is nothing but the hand writting of sin and Satan but the Law of God is written therein Ier. 31.33 34. They are no more as strangers but they are returned unto God Jer. 24.7 3. True knowledge is accompanied with bowels of mercy and compassion to our fellow brethren we are grieved to see them in the snare of Satan labour to the utmost of our abilities to free them Psa 119.136 As Moses laboured to bring his brethren out of Aegypt As Paul when his eyes were opened and he instructed he laboured to turne men to God Acts 9. He built all up as fast a ever he did pull down was as diligent for Christ as ever he was laborious against Christ as abundant in his labour as he was before in persecutions all his threatnings were turned into encouragements 4. True knowledge maketh us industrious in imbracing all opportunities for the furtherance of the work of grace to become rich in sanctifications to be freed from sin more thoroughly to performe holy dueties more cherefully more acceptably to be able to withstand temptations more strongly as a man fallen into the hands of theeves having his eyes open watcheth every opportunity to go from them a wise merchant observeth the mart an understanding Husbandman taketh the seasons of the year so will the Children of God entertaine the fittest opportunities to pray when their hearts are most affected with the fence of sin most moved with the desire of grace Jon. 2.1 As Jonah prayed out of the Whales belly the Jewes came to the Apostles when their hearts were pricked Acts 2.37 Anna prayed when she was affected with the fence of her barrenness 1 Sa. 1.6 10. We must be allwayes instant 2 Tim. 4.2 Eph. 5.15 Prov. 8.34 5. True knowledge valueth the best things at the highest rate it esteemeth dross as dross gold as gold 1 Cant. 1.2 The earth is a transitory vaine and flitting thing a snow melting before the Sun a crackling thorne whose fire is as soone extinct but it esteemeth spirituall and heavenly things as things of an abiding nature as a tree never barren of fruit a fire never going out as a Jewell of greater price than all the world thus Psa 119.72 Psa 84.10 Phil. 3.8 Luc. 18.28 It doth not as Luc. 14.18 6. True knowledge is accompanied with a holy jeolausy vigilancy feare care that it may not fall againe into any sin having once gotten it selfe free having had experience of the heavy burden of sin having felt the wounding arrowes of an accusing conscience being acquainted with the propensity of his heart unto sin thorough the remainder of corruption wilines and industry of Satan having felt how hard the passage was from Aegypt to Canaan how full of anguish the throwes of his new birth were how difficultly the broaken bones were healed and being sensible of the peace and comfort of his present estate he is fearefull and carefull that he may not lose it Like a man gotten out of some dangerous gulfe where the darknes covered him the Mire defiles him Serpents sting him heavy burthens oppresse him and whence he had no power to get himselfe free nor no Sun could shine upon him no licour could refresh him no musicall instrument could delight him where every thing seemed as the shadow of death a dreadfull terrour to him will be carefull to keep aloofe off never to full in againe so the Children of God that hath escaped this Dungeon of Sin wherein c. will look well to himselfe he will no more come neare this forrest that he fall not into this Lions mouths 2 Cor. 7.10 11. 1 Thes 5.22 1 Cor. 10.23 Gen. 34.10 These many such are the fruits that grow on this tree the eams which issue from this sun and these must we be able to find in truth wrought in our selves or else our knowledge is vaine and this knowledge must we all strive if we purpose to know the things belonging to our peace to attaine this we must be sensible of our spirituall blindnes otherwise Io. 9.41 We must bewaile it as Prov. 5.4 We must cry after it as blind men did for eye sight we must waite upon the Word the instrument of our illumination The third thing here observed was the fidelity of the Baptist though these Disciples of John did not imbrace Christ yet they do acknowledge that the Baptist taught Christ and gave testimony of him Doctr. Gods Ministers must strive to shew themselves so sound in their Doctrine so industrions in their calling that if it be possible all sorts of people may in that behalfe be constrained to give testimony of them 1 Tim. 3.7 That all may say as they did of our Saviour Marc. 12.14 So we shew the integrity of our hearts the God the sincerity of our minds in the performance of our calling so shall we convince the consciences of our hearers be partakers of much peace within us and give much the more cheerfull accompt of our callings it is our joy 1 Thes 2.19 20. But if this cannot be yet Isa 48.4 Ezek. 33.33 Acts 20.26 27. The next thing is the danger of admiring the person of the person beyond what is convenient Doctr. It is very daungerous to be so devoted to the person of any Minister as thereby they do envy or disgrace a more able teacher This is repugnant to the rule of the Apostle Iam. 2.1 To the charge 1 Thes 5.13 14. 1 Tim. 5.17 Of this the men of Corinth were not innocent they were much devoted to the false Apostles so much as they undervalued the true A just reproof for such as so fasten their eyes upon blind guids and other insufficient Ministers in whose Lampe is either none or at least no good Oile that they reject the best teachers Like the Philistines who were so deeply in love with Dagon that they removed the Arke like seduced Israel 1 Sam. 5.4 5 6. That forsook the living Fountaine and digged broaken cisternes that forsake the living God Ier. 2.12 and made supplication to Baal who could not hear these mens knowledge must needs be according to the wisedome of their instructours there growth must be like the milk flowing out of the Nurses breast and surely of all such both teachers and hearers may that of the Psalmist be spoken Psa 115.5 6 7 8. Lastly they envied the
successe of our Saviours Ministry it grieved them to see so many attend his Doctrine frequent his baptisme Doctr. It is an apparent signe of a carnall hearer to envy the good successe of him that is not his owne teacher they that rejoyce not in but grieve at the labours and gracious proceedings of other Ministers besides their owne never attended with a sincere mind upon the Doctrine which their owne teachers delivered to them it is an evill eye that grieveth to see more Corn in another mans field more Sheep in another mans-fold more Fruit on another mans tree than on his owne every Child ought indeed most entirely to affect its owne breast every scholler his owne Mr every souldier his owne leader yet not so as thereby to envy the breasts which yield more milk the Mr whose Scholars grow more abundantly in learning the Generall whose souldiers are more victorious more succesfull in their battle so to affect Cephas as to despise or envy Paul or Apollos is a streame flowing from a carnall Fountaine 1 Cor. 3.3 4. To envy the succesfull Ministry of any faithfull teacher is a branch springing from a very accursed roote Acts 13.45 an argument of a blind and obstinate minde Joh. 9.28 29. A signe they never truely learned as their owne Minister faithfully taught them an apparent testimony that they value the person above the Doctrine Joh. 5.45 46 47. That they are not guided by sound reason but blind affections an evill guide a wandering starre an unskilfull pilote seldome ever setting at the sterne but it causeth shipwrake for multa nos cogit facere affectus dum propinquitatem respicimus corporum corporis animae offendimus creatorem affection maketh us do many things and while we fasten our eyes upon the nearenes of our bodies we offend God the Creator both of Soul and body Let us all therefore strive to have our hearts so affected with the glorifying of God so bent to the setting forth of his praise that we may rejoyce to see the Kingdome of Sathan beaten downe the Kingdome of Christ to flourish the number of Gods people increase the seed of the Word plenteously sown the Lords vineyard well manured many trees of righteousnes planted in the Lords Orchard the diseased Souls of our brethren healed whosoever be the Physitican curing it the Lord may use whome he pleaseth convey the water of salvation to the Souls of his people by what cisterne he will he is free in the dispensations of his favours he may do with his owne what he will our eye must not be evill because Gods eye is good but where the graces of God are most conspicuous and apparant there let our love be most strongly fastned considering that a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven VERS 27. THe disease hath been discovered the cure ensueth the wound opened the plaister is now to be applied ambition self-love envy at the multiplication of Christ's Disciples was the disease of the Disciples of the Baptist Serious considerations of Gods freedome in the dispensations of his graces bestowing them on whom he pleaseth is the matter John answered and said a man can receive nothing unles it be given him from heaven whence from the connexion of the words we may observe Doctr. That the serious consideration of our unworthines and Gods Freedome in the communication of his favour is a forcible means to withhold us from envying at other mens eminences it was the argument the Lord of the vineyard used Mat. 20.15 for the answering of them that envyed at the wages given to them that came last into the vineyard and hence also the Apostle persuadeth all men to humility sobriety contentednes and industry in their places and callings without insulting one over another without advancing themselves one against another Rom. 12.3 6 7 8. and to the same purpose the Apostle to take down the insolency of such as did excell and to appease the murmuring of such as had more slender gifts bestowed on them laboureth with the men of Corinth to consider what themselves once were followers of dumb Idols 1 Cor. 12.2 Whence the gifts bestowed on the Church had their originall from God vers 11. Why they were given to proffit withall vers 7. and the consideration of this is very effectuall Reas 1 Because hereby we shall see though we have never so little yet we have more than we are worthy of and that God hath dealt very bountifully with us though he hath given us but the place of a doore-keeper in the lowest roome in his house Ps 84.10 though he hath made us but as one of his hired servants Luc. 15.19 We shall say with Jacob Gen. 32.10 and with Paul Phil. 4.11 as Solomon saith of the labouring man Eccl. 5.12 so it will be with us whether we have little or much our hearts will be quiet considering it is Gods free gift and farre beyond our desert Reas 2 Because this will cause us to study how to be thankfull for what we have received and not to repine murmurre for the want of what we have not this will cause us to blesse God for one talent if we have no more to be thankfull for a dish of green herbs if we have no better cheer though we have not the full vintage yet if we have but a few gleanings of Gods love yet we will bless with Naomi Rut. 2.20 Though we have not so large a messe and so many change of apparell as Benjamin Ier. 43.34 Yet if we like Josephs brethren be sensible of our unworthines of the wrong we have done to our Joseph we will be glad if Ps 128.3 we have but one messe but one suite of raiment Psa 127.5 Though our Children be not like Olive plants round about our table Though our quiver be not full of these arrowes yet if we be sensible of our unworthines as Hanna was of her barrenes we will blesse God for one Child 1 Sam. 2.1 I meane for any one good gift that God shall bestow upon us Reas 3 Because this will make us carefull to imploy what we have received to the honour of God who gave it if we behold it as water dropping from the cloud of Gods bounty as a gift out of his hand as a testimony of his free favour if we fasten our eyes upon our owne unworthines Mat. 25 25. This will make us carefull not to hide our talent though the least in a napkin Mat. 5.15 Not to put our light under a bushell not to quench our Lamp though there be but little Oile therein not to hide our Graine in the garner as covetous men do their Corn that the Souls of the poor curse them Prov. 11.26 But like good stewards carefull servants diligent Husbandmen we will imploy it to the advantage of our Lord and Master committing our seed to the earth that it may encrease causing our light to shine that other men may see
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
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
to hide it under the bushell to the seed to withhold it from the earth II. We rob our selves of the comfort we might enjoy in the good inployment of our received Talent Gods service well performed is comfortable not onely when it is finished but even in the very performance of it Paul and Silas sung before they had the crown even while they were in prison c. 2 Cor. 1.12 It is a joy to the husbandman to see the Corn spring though long before the harvest a comfort whereof the sluggard is utterly deprived III. We expose our selves to an utter deprivation of what we have received the one Talent was taken from him that did not imploy it and it is generally threatned from him that hath not shall be taken away even what he hath c. Prov. 11.24 IV. We discover our selves to be altogether vile and evill it is evill ground that after much soile and seed is full of weeds a corrupt body that after much Physicking is more diseased therefore Mat. 25.26 7. This teacheth us to waite and depend upon God for every good thing and in the use of means to seek to God by prayer for a blessing for as his goodness giveth us the means so his providence must make them effectuall for our benefit thus Jehosaphat's eyes were towards the Lord for help in the day of distress 2 Chro. 20.12 Thus David would not look to the earth and seek for help among the things there below but Psal 5.3 Thus the Prophet would have them look unto the promise which God had made to their fore-fathers Isai 511 2. and the Psalmist Psa 44.5 6. Thus Nehemiah used means but prayed unto God for a blessing Neh. 4.9 and this even Joab had respect unto 2 Sam. 10.12 and indeed without this Psal 127.1 2. 8. This must stirre up the hearts of men to love and praise God every man according to that which God hath bestowed upon him according to the number and the measure of our graces must be our thankfulnes we have nothing but it is the Lords gift and many are his favours challenging thankfulness from us the Donation of his Sonne Joh. 3.16 the giving of his Word Ier. 3.15 the separating of us from the workers of darknes 1 Pet. 2.9 saith in his promises Ioh. 6.29 peace of conscience forgiveness of sin sence of Gods love with every other good grace they are all the gifts of God 1 Cor 2â—1 We were not worthy of any of this but deserved the coÌ„trary when we deserved death the Lord gave us life when we sate in darknes and the shadow of death and were worthy to be so left then did God send us light Mat. 4.16 When we were in bondage the Lord made us free when we lay like the man between Jericho and Jerusalem robbed wounded Luc. 10.30 then did God like the mercifull Samaritan help us when the Leprosy of sin had altogether overspread us then did the Lord wash us in the Jordan of his Sonnes blood 1 Ioh. 1.7 when we could expect nothing but everlasting burnings then God turned his consuning fire into a shining Sun our tempestuous Sea into a calme River our Hell into a Paradise and oh that we had hearts to love him laud him delight in him for this his goodnes and mercy towards us 9. Lastly this serveth for the great comfort of the Children of God every good thing is in their Fathers hand he that loveth them is the Lord of all things Psa 23. therefore they may rest themselves assured that they shall never want any good thing were these things in the hand of any stranger they might in the hand of an enemy they surely should lack them but now since all things are in the hand of God be sure of this I. God will give you the best things though Ismael have the movables Isaac hath the inheritance if Esaa have the fatnes of the earth yet Jacob shall have the birth-right if profane men have what the bodily eye doth see yet 1 Cor. 2 9. II. You shall have a competency that which shall give contentment Phil. 4.11 You shall have such peace therewith as will make the coursest dirt more pleasant than the danitiest feast Prov. 15.15 III. You shall have that which God doth see to be best for you as a loving Physitian a wise father giveth what is best for his child for his patient so will our wise loving God do for us VERS 28. THe matter contained in these Words hath been already opened for the most part onely here we may observe I. A reprehension of that particular sin whereof they were guilty II. How hardly men are brought to the knowledge of the truth being once possessed with prejudice III. The desire of Gods people to have all the glory given unto Christ not to rob him of the least part of it The first of this will teach us Doctr. That Gods Ministers must reprove the peculiar and particular sins of their hears the Physican doth apply to the particular diseases of his patient the gardiner reacheth the hands to the weeds which are most noysome thus Isa 58.1 and 2 Sam. 12.11 12. Mar. 6.20 Acts 2 36. Reas 1 Because these sins are most dangerous it is the predominant disease that threatneth the dissolution of the body Reas 2 Because this will awaken the conscience convince the judgment lead unto repentance 1 Sam. 15.14 19. When the Lot was cast on Achan than he confessed so 2 Sam. 12.13 Vse 1 Therefore Ministers must acquaint themselves thoroughly with the state of the people search into their particular diseases as Physitians try the estate of their patients marriners look to the state of their ships builders the decayed places of the house and accordingly prepare their exhortations for the convincing of the obstinate informing of the ignorant awakening of the secure reclaiming of them that stray 2 Tim. 3.16 and consolation of the dejected thus as they are stiled so shall they shew themselves seers stewards Physitians guides lights and thus Ier. 15.19 Vse 2 This must cause the people to be patient willing thankfull to hear their particular sins discovered reproved as they would have the disease of their body launced the breaches of their houses repaired Ps 141.5 1 King 18.21 Heb. 13.23 The second point teacheth us Doctr. That men are hardly brought to the knowledge of the truth when once they are possessed with prejudice against it these men were perswaded that the Baptist was the Christ they would not be driven from it though he plainely told them he was not Mat. 13.56 57. Ioh. 7.52 By this means things appear in other colours than indeed they are as to him that looketh thorough a glasse of a red colour things seeme to be of a red colour therefore let us take heed that this weed arise not stand not in the garden of our hearts quench it like fire destroy it like stubble Isa 20 8. Psa 57.3.17 Let us
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
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
roabs of Christs righteousnesse the Needle-wrought Garment of sanctification will abundantly supply that want if a man want dainty food have nothing but the bread of adversity and the water of affliction the spiritual dainties which God affordeth his servants will be sufficient he who hath Christ hath all things hath him who is above all things he hath Lands Gold Silver honour peace pleasure more than all this as he who hath the Sun hath the light which is in many Torches and more again if a man want an earthly object whereon to fasten his love his trust whereon to expresse his joy whereto to reveal his minde yet Christ is above all and on him and about him he may with more delight and fulnesse of contentment expresse his love his joy his trust desire speech than to any creature in the world so that this should exceedingly comfort us in all our wants for Ephes 1.21.22 6. Against the fiercenesse of Gods anger the mighty force of Gods displeasure though it be a fire which all the water in the world cannot quench as the roaring of a Lion that maketh all the beasts in the forrest to tremble like a mighty wind rending the rocks Nah. 4.5 like that 1 Kings 19.11 an Arrow that drieth up the spirits Job 6.4 a burthen which no created shoulder can bear a Sword whose prickings a Scorpion whose slingings a rod whose lashings none can without desperation endure though it makes profane men at last say as once Job in the extremities of his anguish did Job 3.3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. that Rev. 6.16 though like the appearing of the hand-writing Dan. 5.4 5. like the tidings Jos 5.1 though it be of all terribles the most terrible of all noises the most hideous of all fires the most hot the most fervent of all Arrows the most sharp of all Gall the most bitter of all Clouds the most dark of all wayes the most Thorny of all burthens the most heavy of all tidings the most dismall yet fear not the Lord Iesus is above all he is at the right hand of his Father interceding for us he will stand between us and his fathers indignations his bloud speaketh better things than the bloud of Abel Rom. 5.9 10. 1 Thes 1.10 by him we have accesse to God Rom. 5.1 Eph. 2.17 he will turn the consuming fire into a warm and shining Sun the exceeding winde into a still voice the stormy Tempest into a calm the dreadfull voice into a joyfull sound Mount Synai into Mount Syon he will bring us from Mount Ebal to Mount Gerizim Deut. 11.29 7. Against the difficulty of attaining grace working perfecting true holinesse though it be a work of the highest transcendency a work not to be wrought by the finger of men or any angel not sound in any earthly Mine a flower not growing in our Gardens a Tree not to be planted by the Art of the choisest husband-men though Iob 15.14 though 2 Cor. 3.5 though Ier. 13.23 though Mat. 7.15 16. though Isa 11.6 though Ier. 2.24 Ier. 17 9. though as Martha told Christ Ioh. 11.39 so we stink in the grave of sin yet Christ is above all though Abana and Pharpar cannot wash away Naamans Leprosy yet Jordan can though the Disciple cannot cast out the unclean Spirit yet Christ is able he can turn the Lion into a lamb the thorne into a vine as he turned water into Wine he can open the eyes of the blind the ears of the deaf heal the hands that are withered the feet that are lame he can stop the bloudy issue cure all diseases he can send his Spirit into our hearts 1 Ioh. 1.7 Ioh. 1.29 Ioh. 8.36 1 Pet. 2.9 1 Thes 5.23 Ephes 5.26 27. therefore think on this and be comforted Thus of Christs excellency next let us look upon mans indignity described by his originall of the earth Man is resembled to the earth in regard of the bodily part whereof he consisteth he was made of the dust and in regard of the corruption he hath contracted dishonorable condition whereinto his sin hath brought him for as the earth of all the other Elements is most subject to mens feet tendeth downward is ful of slime corruption and the receptacle of worms vermines and many noisome creatures so are the bodies of men brought into a low estate even as low as hell thorough sin the minds of men are altogether downward upon the things of the earth dens of all uncleaness such doth the Baptist shew mans originall to be to his Disciples to teach them not to magnify man nor to think over highly of him but to ascribe all honour unto God and the Lord Jesus who is from above whence learne Doctr. THat Man is of a very low and weak originall and beginning dust and ashes Gen. 18.27 composed of the dust in regard of his bodily visible parts Gen. 2.7 his foundation is said to be laid in the dust to note his frailty easily cast down as a house builded on no better foundation than the dust Iob 4.19 Use 1 This must teach us humility we are but earth dust weak poor frail vessels of a very base beginning the earth which our eyes always behold whereon our feet continually tread should teach us this lesson this earthly garment of the flesh which covereth us by day and is not put off by night should always minde us hereof be as water to quench as a warlike instrument to throw down all high thoughts which exalt themselves the flowers have beauty the trees have blossoms leaves fruit the Cattle have strength the starres have brightness and glory but what hath the dust whereof to glory no Creature hath lesse cause of glorying than man hath of himself if we look either upon his earthly originall or corrupt condition since the fall of Adam therefore as the blackness of the Peacocks feet take away the pride he would otherwise take in his feathers so must the dusty condition of man take away all occasion of glorying which may arise from the other endowments God hath bestowed on him Use 2 This teacheth us to acknowledge the freedom of God in the Donation of his favours it is earth and dust that God hath advanced therefore let us not dream of any worthiness in our selves of any thing in us that might move God hereunto but 1 Cor. 1.20 Ioh. 3.8 Exod. 3.2 3. Zeph. 3.12 Use 3 This must teach us so much the more to admire the goodness and the singular love of God in advancing us into so high estate as to have sonship with him hership with Christ David thought it much that he having stood behinde the Ewes should be advanced in marriage with an earthly Kings Son how much more should we magnify the Lord for advancing us to Wed-lock with Christ the Sonne of a Heavenly King so did the Psalmist Psal 8.3 4. Oh! let this till our hearts with love to God with joy
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.
a lion yet at length hee shall seed upon the hony-comb of consolation though hee pass like Israël thorough the red sea the wilderness Iordan yet hee shall have a land that floweth with milk and hony though hee now wear a crown of thorns yet hee shall hereafter wear a crown of glorie though his drink bee now mingled with gall and bitterness yet hee shall drink out of the river of God's pleasures though David was long oppressed yet at length hee attained the Kingdom though the three children were cast into the fierie furnace yet they attained honor in the province of Babylon So Isa 65.13.14.15 Isa 35.4.5.10 Ecl. 8.11.12 From the gift descend wee to take notice of the measure of the gift not scantly slenderly sparingly but above measure abundantly plentifully fully Whence learn Doctr. That Christ Jesus was superabundantly filled withall heavenly gifts and graces As the Sun in the firmament is full of light and brightness so is the Son of righteousness full of true holiness and even according to his humane nature exceedingly filled with all goodness even full of the holy ghost as the fountain is full of waters This fulness of his was many waies evident 1. by the fulness of his wisdom his lamp was full of oil it gave a very great light a light enlightning all the world a wisdom breeding admiration in them that saw it Mat. 13.54 a wisdom whereby as the Psalmist saith of himself Psal 119.98.99 so and much more may it bee verified of Christ for in him Col. 23. and Ioh. 1.18 hath a most full and intimate knowledg of God 2. By the fulness of his power it was not a withered arm but an arm endued with fulness of strength able like David to conquer the Bear the Lion the great Goliah able to dash his enemies in pieces like a potter's vessel Psa 29. a stone hewn out of the mountains breaking in pieces the image representing the glorie riches and strength of all kingdoms Dan. 2.44 Able to heal the sick raise the dead ransom the captived nothing was too hard for him 3. By the fulness of his holiness his face had neither spot not wrinckle there was no defilement stuck in his garment his soul was a field no tares mingled with his wheat a garden all flowers no weed a tree all bearing no barren withered no unfruitful branch upon it as it is said of Absalom 2. Sam. 14.25 so it is 1. Pet. 2.22 Ioh. 14.30 1. Pet. 1.19.4 by the fulness of his love a love like a full Sea a flameing fire a strong Chariot that drew him from heaven to earth from the highest honor to the deepest ignominy from a paradise of pleasures to a wilderness of sorrows his love to us of a Lord caused him to become a servant Philip. 2.7 of a Sovereign a subject Gal. 4.4 of rich poor 2 Cor. 8.9 of a joyfull man a man of sorrows Mat. 26.38 It brought him from the throne to the cross from the highest heavens to the lowest parts of the earth Joh. 15.13 Joh. 15.9 As the Father so loved him that hee communicated all good things to him sustained him under affliction and delivered him from the power of hell and the grave so doth the Son so love us that hee imparteth all good things to us beareth us up in all our distresses and delivereth us from all miseries 5. By the fulness of his patience hee was the mirror of meekness the perfect pattern of true humility Isa 53.7 1 Pet. 2.23 Hee was one in whom patience had her perfect work Jam. 1.5 patient in poverty patient in ignominy patient in sorrowfulness patient in doing patient in suffering patient in life patient in death the patience of Job and the Prophets was marvelous yet as 2 Cor. 3.10 so their patience compared with his was no patience therefore well might hee propose himself for an example Mat. 11.29 and thus full of all grace it was requisite our Saviour should bee 1. In regard of the holy precise exact and perfect rule of the Law which hee was to fulfill every letter of his life must without any the least variation answer the copy every faculty of the soul the disposition of the whole man must bee suitable to this frame every thought of his heart every motion of his affection every word of his mouth every deed of his life must be as arrows falling neither under nor above but fully pitching upon this mark therefore Gal. 4.5 Matth. 5.17 2. In regard of the love God beareth unto him and wonderfull delight which hee had in him as Elkanah 1 Sam. 1.4 5. as Joseph Gen. 43.24 so our God giveth portions of grace to all his children but to Christ hee gave a worthy portion more then five times as ample as to any of his brethren because hee had a more abundant love to him Isa 42.1 Mat. 3.17 3. In regard of the Office hee had undertaken to be a Mediator between God and man a peace-maker by appeasing of Gods wrath in suffering for man by making him just Phil 3.9 by being found cloathed not in their own but in the righteousness of Christ the party dying and satisfying the law for another must bee innocent and not dy for his own offence the righteousness which maketh another just must bee free from all blemish therefore 1 Pet. 3.18 2 Cor. 5.21 4. In regard of our emptiness wee were all poor and therefore it behooved him to have a full hand to make us rich wee were all blinde and therefore it was requisite hee should bee full of knowledg to make us wise wee were all sick and therefore it was needfull hee should bee a skilful Physitian to make us whole all unclean and therefore behooffull hee should bee full of holiness to make us pure all captivated and dead in sin and therefore needfull hee should bee full of power to ransom us Hence that prophesie Isa 61.1 that invitation Rev. 3.17 18. Isa 55.1 for Joh. 1.16 Eph. 1.21 22. 5. In regard of the enemies hee was to conquer Sin Satan Hell Death trees not able to bee rooted up by any mortal hand walls not able to bee beaten down by any cannon shot fetters not to bee broken by any creäted strength enemies not conquerable by the most valiant among men as all Israel trembled till David came 1 Sam 17. so Heb. 2.14 this is the Moses dividing the waters Exod. 14.21 this is the Sampson bearing away the gates of Gaza this is the David delivering his sheep this is the Cyrus opening the two leaved gates Isa 45.1 this is the Angel bringing Peter out of prison Act. 12.7 6. In regard of the depth of Gods counsels which are to bee opened a well whereof none can drink before Christ rowl away the stone as Jacob did from the wells mouth a riddle which cannot bee unfolded unless wee plow with Gods spirit a sealed book which none but the lion of the tribe of Juda can open a vision which
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
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
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
and confidence in God let this cause us to study how to walk worthy of the loving kindness and mercy of the Lord let us in nothing provoke him Thus of his originall next of his disposition earthly before we proced any further in it how the Baptist could say he was of the earth and earthly whether in saying so he did not offer wrong and injury to his Doctrine in so saying since it is said Ioh. 1.6 and Mat. 21.25 also Luc. 7.30 Resp this is a comparative speech between the Baptist and our Saviour in regard of whom he was as nothing no more than no nor so much as the Earth to Heaven the Servant to his Lord the Candle to the Sun 2. the Baptist sheweth what man is being once set in opposition against Christ even the most excellent then he becometh earth dust corrupt unprofitable intimating plainly that if his Disciples did so fasten their eyes on him as thereby to neglect Christ then how holy how Heavenly how excellent soever yet he should be to them as an earthly and a carnall man 3. He sheweth what man is being considered in himself and of himself nothing but earth and earthly disposed 4. Though his Doctrine and commission were from heaven yet this was not a stream from his own fountaine a light of his own kindling but he had it from above it was the Lords and not his thus you see how and why the Baptist said he was of the earth and earthly thereby teaching Doctr. That mans naturall disposition is altogether earthly and carnall a stream whose waters are altogether slimy bitter unsavoury like the waters of Mara unwholesome like the pottage in the Prophets pot till grace be infused as the tree was cast into the water by Moses and the meal into the pot by the Prophet therefore likened to a corrupt tree whose nature and fruit are both naught Mat. 7.17 to a vine bearing no other but sower grapes Isai 5.4 to evill ground bearing thornes and briars Heb. 6.8 to swine wallowing in the mire of sin trampling the precious pearles of the Gospel and sanctification under their feet Math. 7.6 to a sick man whose Palate is altogether disordered Rom. 8.7 2 Cor. 2.14 to a dead man whose inclination is wholy to the earth Ephes 2.1 and therefore Psal 14.3 Gen. 6.5 5. and this is moreover manifest 1. By the absence of all true saving grace there is nothing of heaven remaining in him their souls like the pit whereinto Joseph was cast are empty having no water of grace in them Gen. 37.24 like a barren wombe that hath neither birth nor conception a barren Tree that beareth no fruit Hosea 10.1 like a man fallen into the hands of thieves like him Luk. 10.30 stript of all the apparell which should cover his soul robbed of all the jewels of grace wounded and half dead in his very naturall abiliaments of whom that may be verified which the Prophet speaketh of Niniveh Nah. 2.10 the naturall man is empty and void and wast blackness covereth his soul he is full of uncleanness there is no heart nor courage for God remaining in him and which the Prophet said of Nebuchadnezar Jer. 51.34 the naturall man may much more say of sin and Satan the great Nebuchadnezar the great Babylonish Prince of darkness He hath crushed them and made them empty vessels taken away their heavenly riches and hath cast them out of Gods favour and gracious presence made him as a naked house wherein is no inhabitant no houshold implement Rom. 7.18 all their abilities to good are now become like Jeroboams withered hand which he could neither put forth nor take in so they are neither able to reach forth to any good nor take their hands in from any evill 2. By the presence and the fulnesse of all sin being full of uncleannesse as pits in a rainy day of water as an Adder of poyson as a grave of rottenesse as a Lion of fiercenesse as a Cage of unclean Birds as the sluggards field of thorns and bryars as the Prophet said of the people Ezek. 7.23 the Land is full of bloudy crimes the City is full of violence so is the body of man full of iniquity and the Soul is full of uncleannesse as the waters in Aegypt which were clear were turned into bloud so that the fish died and the Rivers stunk so that all the faculties in the Soul and Members of the body are corrupted perverted and the grace which once was in them is utterly dead and man is now become as an unsavoury carkasse in the nostrils of God 3. By the Dominion and sway of Satan he rules like a King Eph. 2.3 leads like a Tyrant 2 Tim. 2.26 works like a Black-smith upon his Anvill Eph. 2.2 is worshipped like a God 2 Cor. 4.4 affected reverenced obeyed like a father Ioh. 8 44. as ready to execute his commands as the servants of Absolon were to accomplish his 2 Sam. 13.28 29. If he bid then wait an opportunity to do mischief they waite bid them open their mouths to revile blaspheme use filthy communication presently they swear reproach and utter unseemly and corrupt language c. 4. By the wonderfull agreement which is between the carnal heart and sin and the world these like Simeon and Levi they are brethren in evil like Herod and Pilate they conspire against Christ the truth the life the power of Godlinesse like Jehu Jehonadab they give the right hand of fellowship one to another and ride both in one Chariot and what combates soever may seem to be between them however sin may sometime trouble the natural mans conscience how sick soever it may make him for the present yet with the Dog he will eat up again his vomit he will never so fall out with sin but he will soon be friends he will be able still to call it brother as Ahab after his wars with Benhadad could ask is my brother Benhadad yet alive and though the Lord command him to destroy his sin give it into his hand gave him all advantage over it yet as Ahab made a Covenant with Benhadad and let him goe so will the natural man with his sin sin is the natural mans Absolon David warred against Absolon but hath had no purpose to destroy him so the natural man when his sin doth sometime disturb him begins to make a little war against it but never means to set himself so to work as to destroy it sin is the natural mans Paradise wherein he doth desire to live his path wherein he would alwayes walk the companion with whom he delighteth to communicate the forbidden Tree of whose fruit he delighteth to eat the fountains of whose waters he thirsteth to drink the onely recreation wherewith they desire to be refreshed Prov. 14.9 they can say of sin and the world as Ruth of Naomi Ruth 1.15 6. they will not be intreated to leave it but when it goeth they will go