worketh in him sutable indeavours setting him on work for the purging and purifying of himself And this let all of us in the fear of God seriously set about The washing of our hands This David resolves upon I will wash mine hands in innocencie Ps 26.6 And this the Lord calleth for from his people Wash ye make ye clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ceas to do evil Isai 1.16 And washing our hands wash our hearts also wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved Jer. 4.14 wash hands and hearts cleanse your hands ye sinners and purifie your hearts ye double minded Jam. 4.3 Thus put away not only sinfull words and Actions out of the life but sinfull lusts out of the heart Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 if a man purge himself from these things he shall be a vessel unto honour sanctified and meet for the Masters use 2 Tim. 2.21 2. The positive part of it 2. But rest not in the Negative that we are not so and so as some others are but seek after a positive Purification He that hath this hope in him or on him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is on Christ purifyeth himself as he is pure saith John 1 Ioh. 3.3 All those who look for salvation by Christ besides his righteousness imputed they must be made partakers of his holiness Heb. 12.10 And this do we all of us seek after Cleanse our selves from all filthiness in of the flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God as it there followeth 2 Cor. 7.1 that we may be adorned with all those graces which may render us such as becometh the Redeemed of the Lord to be a holy people Those Virgins which I speak of which were to be brought into the King they were not only to be washen from Bodily defilements but they were to be purifyed by Myrrh and other fragrant spices Thus think we it not enough to free our selves from sinfull lusts which are the pollutions of the soul but seek after such a Positive purification that our souls may be indued with all such graces as may render us acceptable to our heavenly Husband the Lord Iesus and fit us for Communion with him In such a way Saint Peter speaking of beleevers to whom he writeth saith that they had purified themselves 1 Pet. 1.21 Seeing ye have purified your selves in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren Thus it is not enough to free the heart from rancour and malice but it must be purified to unfeigned love love to God and Jesus Christ and love to his Saints for his sake And so for other graces of the Spirit see we that our souls be adorned with every of them so as what the Apostle saith of his Corinthians 1 Cor. 1.7 it may be made good in us That we come behind in no gift no grace Christians to express purity in their lives in word and deed And being thus laid in with this inward purity of soul being as it is said of the Kings daughter the Church Psal 45.13 glorious within now let us expresse it outwardly in the course of our lives and conversations endeavouring to approve our selves as to God so to the world true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pure and holy in word and deed In word having a pure language which the Lord promiseth to his people Zeph. 3.9 In deed This Paul presseth upon Timothy as a Minister 1 Tim. 4.12 Be thou an example of the Believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity And so again in the Chapter following Cap. 5. v. 2. he bids him that having to deal in the instructing of young women he should do it with all puritie so as his carriage might not give ground for the least suspition of levity And thus let all as Publick persons in special who are herein to be exemplary to others so all private Christians carry themselves towards others in all their dealings with them with all purity thereby shewing themselves to be in the number of those for whom Christ hath given himself which he did to this end that having Redeemed them he might purifie them Thus let all of us seek after Purity and Holinesse Negative and Positive Inward and Outward purity of hâ—art and purity of life learning and practising this lesson which our Apostle here teacheth us v. 12. to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world Which if we shall not do what do we but therein cross the design of Jesus Christ in giving himself which was that Redeeming his people from all Iniquity he might Purifie them And Wherefore purifie them That is the last Particular in the Text which holdeth forth to us the End or the Design wherefore it was that Christ was and is at this Cost and Paines as in Redeeming so in Purifying of this people Branch 3. Christs design in Redeeming and purifying his people This he hath done and doth as with an eye to them so to himself So it followeth Purfie to himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sibiipsi This was the design of Jesus Christ in what he hath done and doth for the sons of men in Redeeming Purifying Iustifying Sanctifying of them that so he might acquire unto himself a people Obs That he might acquire unto himself a people a people who being serviceable to him here might reign with him hereafter So our Apostle elswhere setteth forth the End of his giving himself for the Church sanctifying and cleansing it which speaketh the very same thing with this in the Text. This he did saith he That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle c. Eph. 5.27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Present it to himself Which he doth first in his Kingdom of Grace then of Glory In his Kingdom of Grace as serviceable tâ— him in his Kingdom of Glory to have an everlasting Communion with him Even as King Ahashuerus in causing those Virgins to be separated and Purified as they were he did it that so they might in due time be presented unto himself and so Purified them unto himself Hest 2.12 Even thus doth the Lord Christ purifie those whom he hath Redeemed purifie them unto himself that they may be presented to him in his Kingdom of Grace and Glory It is the former of these which our Apostle here speaketh of in the Text And Purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Obs Christ purifieth his Redeemed ones that they may be set to be his people Therefore it is that Christ purifieth those whom he hath Redeemed Sanctifieth those whom he Iustifieth that so they may be a people fit for himself fit for him to own and fit for him to use To own as his People to make use of in his service
Each nature contributing what was congruous and agreeable to it for the effecting of this great work of Reconciliation Such a Communion there was betwixt the two natures from their first union that the one did not act without the other not the Divine without the Humane nor yet the Humane without the Divine which some of our adversaries in some cases are inforced to acknowledged As for what is by them alleged from that obvious text commonly taken up in this cause 1 Tim. 2.5 where it is said There is one Mediator betwixt God and Man the man Christ Jesus it is soon and easily answered True it is Christ who was truly Man is this Mediator but not Quâ homo not only as Man Even as before it was said in that other Text that God shed his blood Deus sed non quâ Deus He that was God but not as God Both Natures being personally united did mutually contribute to this great work whilest the one properly suffered the other as is said supported it in suffering and gave value to those sufferings Let it then be concluded as a truth clearly and convincingly held forth by this Text that whole Christ Christ God and Man is the Gift here spoken of The great God even our Saviour Iesus Christ who gave himself Loe here then the Gift of Gifts Obs The Gift of Gifts Jesus Christ the greatest Gift that ever was bestowed upon any Creature Such was the Lord Iesus Thence called by himself the Gift of God Joh. 4.10 If thou knewest the Gift of God saith he to the Samaritan woman 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Donum illud as Beza rightly renders it that Gift Istud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accipiendum est pro exegesi Beza Gr. Annot. in Loc. meaning himself as the sequele explains it And who it is thaet saith unto thee c. which words are most fitly looked upon as exegetical Expository to the former shewing what Gift he there spake of viz. himself who may well be called that Gift being as I sald the Gift of Gifts a Gift not to be parallelled R. That it is so will easily and plainly appear if we do but consider 1. A gift in it self invaluable 1. The value of the Gift it self wherein it infinitely exceeds all other gifts As for other gifts how rich soever yet they are but Creature-gifts this gift is the Creatour himself The great God gave himself 2. Most beneficial to others 2. The great benefit which accrueth to those to whom this gift is given As for other gifts they are oftimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gift-less gifts though it may be of much worth and value in themselves yet of no great use to the parties that are possessed of them nay sometimes proving prejudicial to them as the Preacher saith of Riches which are oft kept for the hurt of their owners Eccl. 5.13 So is it not with this Gift which as it is of infinite value in it self so of unspeakable benefit to those to whom it is given they being hereby made happy for ever Other gifts a man may injoy yet perish with them As Peter said to Simon Magus when he offered him a gift Thy money perish with thee Act. 8.20 Not so where this gift is given and received So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3.16 In this Gift all other gifts are as it were bound up So as they who are interested herein shall not want any other gift which may any wayes conduce to their happiness How shall not God with him with Christ also freely give us all things saith the Apostle Rom. 8.32 all things necessary and expedient Other gifts are but accessaries this the Principal Applic. Applica All seek after this Gift O then let all of us look out for our share in this Gift Gifts if of value and profitable they are things which nature inclines men to look after and that too often in an inordinate manner and way Every one loveth gifts saith the Prophet Isai concerning the Princes of Iudah Isai 1.23 O that grace may incline all our hearts to be in love with this Gift As for other gifts some of them are not to be loved but hated Hee that hateth gifts shall live saith the wiseman Prov. 15.27 speaking of Bribes which oft-times prove baneful to the receivers of them whereas tbose upright Judges who refuse them live in grace and favour with God and men And for other Gifts gifts from men though happily they may lawfully be received yet sometimes they are better refused than accepted So are those Gifts which Princes sometimes bestow upon their favourites upon whom they confer great Honours and Dignities and Estates All which when offered by King Belshazzar to Daniel the story tels us they were refused by him Let thy gifts be to thy self O King saith he Dan. 5.17 But loe here is a Gift which whosoever receiveth shall never have cause to repent him of it A Gift which alone is able to make him perfectly happy and that unto all Eternity O let all of us look after this Gift not contenting our selves to hear that there is such a Gift given to and for the Sons of men but every of us labour to assure our interest in it to make this sure that Christ is given for us and to us which how it may be done I shall God willing shew you hereafter Such a Gift is Jesus Christ Quest Quest How Christ was given for the Sons of men But how was this Gift given or how did Christ give himself for the Sons of men Ans To this it may be answered given he was for them throughout his whole course Answ He was through his whole course In his Incarnation Birth Life Death Resurrection Ascension Intercession All which were and are for their sakes 1. So was his Incarnation 1. In his Incarnation wherein he gave himself to be made Man The word was made flesh Joh. 1.14 that is the Son of God the substantial word of his Father by whom he declared his will to the Church as our minds are made known to others by our words he was made man by taking the nature of man into a personal union with his God-head Thus was he given to us as a man that giveth himself in mariage to another whom he loveth Thus did the Son of God out of his love to the Sons of men he as it were maried himself to their nature taking it into an indissoluble union with his God-head This he did in his Conception 2. And secondly in his Birth 2. In his Birth To us or for us a Child is born to us a Son is given Isai 9.6 3. And thirdly in his Life 3. In his Life Being born for us he lived for us throughout the whole course of his life devoting himself to the seeking of our
be also an Elect world 5. The Elect world And in this sense though Arminians are loath to see it we shall find the word more than once used in Scripture As Ioh. 17.21 where our Saviour maketh this his request to his Father That the world may believe that thou hast sent me And again v. 23. That the world may know that thou haw sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me Now what world was this Not the reprobate world for that he had plainly declared before that he did not would not pray for v. 9. But the Elect world even those which were given to him by his Father So the 24. v. doth clearly explain it Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me This is the world which there he speaketh of even the Elect world the Believing world And so much Tolet though a Iesuite Attende Mundum hoe in loco non malos Incredulos sed credentes de Mundo vocatos significare Tolet Com. in Joh. 17.21 23. and a Cardinal writing upon it doth freely acknowledge declaring that the word there cannot be taken in any other sense To these adde those other known Texts Ioh. 6.33 where our Saviour speaking of himself saith The Bread of God is he which eometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world What world why the Elect world So he elsewhere explains himself Ioh. 10.27 28. where speaking of his sheep I know them saith he and I give unto them eternal life Now who are these sheep but Gods Elect So much Arminians themselves will not deny This is then the world there spoken of And in this sense most fitly and properly may we understand the latter of those Texts alleged viz. 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself that is the world of his Elect who only are actually reconciled to God not having their sins imputed to them as it there followeth The word world Joh. 3.16 by some expounded of the Elect world And so is that other Text also looked upon by some and many Ioh. 3.26 God so loved the world that is say they the world of his Elect whom he loveth not only with a Common love wherewith he loveth all his Creatures willing their conservation Thou lovest all things that are and hatest none of them whom thou hast made saith that Apocryphal Author Wisd 11.21 but with a special a peculiar love loving them to Eternal life which love is proper to Gods Elect as we may learn from the Apostle who puts these two together Elect of God and beloved Col. 3.12 And should we herein concur with them so construing the word in that place I do not see any such absurdity to follow upon it as the Adversaries imagine God so loved the world the world of his Elect that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Original every one believing that is every one of them So the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Every one or whosoever may there without any violence be construed not as being Distributive but Collective Not as dividing the world of Gods Eled into two Ranks some of them believing and having everlasting life and others not but only as distinguishing their two fold state their state by nature what they were when he first loved them gave his Son for them viz like the rest of the world and their state by Grace what they are when he bestoweth eternal life upon them viz. believers believing on the name of his Son That Exposition not adhered to The world of man-kind indefinitely considered But I shall not adhere to this Exposition there being another to be found which may be fully satisfactory God so loved the world that is the world of man-kind but how Not Vniversally but Indefinitely considered not as comprehending every individual every particular person in the world but the several sorts and conditions of men some in all ages all Nations of all ranks and estates In this sense are we to understand the word in some other places As Ioh. 1.29 where Iohn espying of Iesus maketh that Proclamation Behold ihe Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world And so in that verse following the Text alleged Iohn 3.17 God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved Not that Christ intended an universal Salvation of all of every particular person in the world but of some in all Nations not only of Iewes but of Gentiles And thus may God be said to have loved the world though he never intended to save all in it nor to give his Son for every particular person yet that he had such a gracious purpose towards any so as not to suffer the whole world of man-kind being fallen to perish as he did the Angels which were in the like estate this may be called his love to the world the world of man-kind Let it then be concluded as to these Texts which the Adversaries look upon as principal Pillars and main supporters of their cause that however they may be taking with vulgar apprehensions yet being rightly weighed they do not speak what they would have them Arg. 2. 1 Joh. 2.2 Christ the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world But say they if these do not yet there is one other that doth which speaks more home than the former viz. that which we meet with 1 Iohn 2.2 where we read expresly that Christ is the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Than which what can be more plain and full Answ 1. The whole world the world of Gods Elect. So indeed it may seem at the first hearing but let it be examined and we shall find it speaking no more than the former Texts did and so admitting the same Answers viz. 1. that by the whole world there we may understand the whole company of Gods Elect collectively considered all believers in all ages of the world So the sense may fitly be given He is the Propitiation for our sins And not for ours only that is us who are now alive and believe already but of the whole world of all believets which have been shall be from the beginning of the world to the end of it Repl. Repl. Gods Elect the least part of the world But is not this strange that those whom we look upon comparatively as a small number a little little flock as our Saviour calleth them Luke 12.32 where there are two diminutives put together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shew the exceeding littlenesse of this Company a small part of the world should be called the whole world Ans Ans But the chief and principal part of it And why more strange than that unbelievers and Reprobates should be so called which we find them to be
the apprehension of this unspeakable benefit obtained for us by Jesus Christ our spiritual Redemption let it affect our hearts with joy and gladnesse Rejoycing in this more than in all our other Temporal inioyments herewith drowning all our carnal fears and sorrows Fear not for I have redeemed thee Isa 43.1 2. And rejoycing in it give unto our Redeemer the Glory of this his work 2. Give unto their Redeemer the Glory hereof 1. Admiring the love 1. Admiring the love of Jesus Christ which the Lord Jesus hath herein expressed to us that he should thus engage for us giving himself to Redeem us purchasing our Redemption at so dear a rate Not with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with his own pretious blood as Saint Peter there hath it 1 Pet. 1.19 O what love was this So a poor Prisoner would look upon it Should another come and freely ingage for him for the payment of his debt though it were but some small sum of ten or twenty pound which himself was no waies able to have payed he would never forget this love What cause then have we to admire and adore this love which the Lord Iesus hath herein shewed unto us in this giving himself to redeem us 2. Admiring it 2. Giving thanks to him return unto him the promise which is due unto him for it This David calleth upon himself to do for his Temporal Redemption Psal 103.1 2 4. Blesse the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me blesse his holy name Blesse the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his benefits Who Redeemeth thy life from destruction And was he so thankfull for a Temporal O how thankfull should we be for this Spiritual this eternal Redemption which we have obtained by Iesus Christ For this let our Souls for ever bless him giving thanks unto him O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good c. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so saith the same Psalmist Ps 107.1 2. acknowledging his goodness in their temporal deliverances And this do we much more who are the Redeemed of the Lord Iesus give we thanks unto him for this so unspeakable a benefit 3. And giving thanks to him let it be our in devour to express this our Thankfulness 3. Express their thankfulness to him Which do we 1. 1. By loving of him By answering this love with love loving him who hath expressed such love to us This it was and only this that induced him to undertake this work for us his Love This it was that moved God to work that Redemption for his people Israel out of Egypt In his love and in his Pitty he redeemed them Is 63.9 And what else was it that moved the Lord Iesus to undertake this work of eternal Redemption for us He loved us and gave himself an offering for us Eph. 5.2 He loved the Church and gave himself for it v. 25. who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his blood Rev. 1.5 O then let us labour to answer this love with love loving this our Redeemer who thus meerly out of his love hath given himself to Redeem us 2. And loving him Live to him 2. Living to him Let this love of Christ constrain us c. That seeing he dyed for us to Redeem us we who live do not henceforth live unto our selves but unto him who thus dyed for us as the Apostle applies it 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Living unto him according to his Prescriptions and to his Glory as you heard that phrase opened before 3. And living to him let us also Dye to him 3. Dying to him Whether we live we live unto the Lord or Whether we die we dy unto the Lord Rom. 14.8 In both dedicating our selves unto him As in life so in death As living to him so dying in him Blessed are the dead which dy in the Lord even so saith the Spirit Rev. 14 13. that is in the faith of Christ Thus dyed the Patriarch All these dyed in the faith Heb. 11.13 in the faith of the promised Messiah And so see that we Dy. Not only in the Profession of the doctrine of faith the Gospel but in the practice and exercise of it Resting and learning upon this our Redeemer Even as Iacob is said to have done upon the top of his staff Heb. 11.21 Bequeathing and commending our spirits unto him as the Martyr Stephen did who breathed out his Soul with these words Lord Iesus recieve my Spirit Acts 7.29 Thus living thus dying now doubt not but that in due time we shall be made partakers of that full and perfect Redemption which Christ is said to be made unto all Beleevers 1 Cor. 1.30 Even that Redemption of our Bodies of which the same Apostle speaketh Rom. 8.23 Our Souls being here Redeemed from the Guilt and power of sin both Souls and Bodies shall be hereafter freed from all the Consequents of it 4. Hath Christ given himself to redeem us from Iniquity Vse 4. The Redeemed of the Lord not to inslave themselves by returning unto sin O then far be it from any of us which are so Redeemed to return to this Bondage again by inslaving our selves to any base lust Which who so shall do they thereby shew themselves unworthy of such a Benefit So we would think of a Captive who being redeemed out of the hands of his Enemies by a great ransom should being in his right wits put himself under their power again returning to his former slavery who but would judge him worthy there to remain unworthy of such a second favour And truly such a Judgment hath the spirit of God passed upon wilfull Apostates whose doom we may read in those two known terrible Texts The one Heb. 6.4 ◠6. It is unpossible for those who were once enlightned with the knowledge of the truth and have tasted of the heavenly gift of Christ that gift of God and of this great benefit of Redemption by him having a general knowledge thereof and made some particular application of it to themselves not without some delight If they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame If they return to to their former estate there is little or no hope of such in as much as by this their wilfull Apostacy they offer so high an affront to him whom once they owned and acknowledged cor their Saviour and Redeemer treading him under foot As that other Text hath it Heb. 10.26 c. If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrîfice for sin but a certain fearfull looking for of Judgement and fierce indignation He that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy Of how much soarer punishment shall he be thought worthy who hathtrodden under foot the Son of God and counted the blood of the Covenant
unto so as not willing to over look or neglect any of them Such was Davids obedience I shall not be ashamed saith he whilest I have respect unto thy commandements Psal 119.6 And the like we read of Zacharie and Elizabeth They were both righteous before God walking in the Commandements of the Lord blameless Luk. 1.6 And such must the obedience of a Christian be an universal obedience such in desire and indeavour so as not willingly to balk or neglect any commandement That Ruler which we speak of how strict soever he had been as he said of himself in observing of the rest of the Commandements yet withdrawing his obedience **** to that one which our Saviour for Probation or conviction sake propounded unto him that he should go and sell all that he had and give it to the poor he thereby shewed himself to be no better than an Hypocrite And so do they who pick and choose their Duties yeelding a partial respect to the Law of God obeying in some things not in other For which that of Saint Iames is express Iam. 2.10 Whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all Suppose a man so exact as that he should strictly observe the whole Laws except only in some one particular therein required or forbidden yet allowing himself in that one particular breach of it that declareth him not to be what he would be thought a righteous person That general Maxim holdeth true in this case A quatenus ad omne He that yeeldeth obedience to one Commandement because it is a command of God upon that account will yeeld the like obedience to all And this are Christians to do And this being sincere they will do Being such as are truly Sanctified now as the Apostle saith they are prepared to every good work 2 Tim. 2.2 Ready to do what ever their God requireth fromt hem And such see that your obedience be as to desire and indeavour an Vniversal obedience doing that all that which the Lord requireth in his word Here is the Matter of good works which Christians are to have an eye at in the first place 2. And then secondly have an eye to the Order first looking at the more weighty duties Dir. 2. Good works to be done in right Order It was that which our Saviour chargeth upon the Pharisees denouncing a woe against them for it Mat. 23.23 woe unto you scribes and Pharises hypocrites for ye pay tithe of Mint and Annise and Cumin and have omitted the weightier things of the Law Judgment Mercie Faith To be carefull in small matters but regardlesse in those of greater importance is a sure sign of an Hypocrite Not but that these things also are to be regarded These things ought ye to have done saith our Saviour there to them but not to leave the other undone Those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the weightier things of the Law duties of greatest importance Christians must have an eye at in the first place Not slighting not neglecting them however Yea and if it happen that there be any competition these are to have the precedence First look at the more weighty duties preferring them 3. Doing these works in a right Order that they may be truly good works see that they be done out of a right Principle Dir. 3. Out of a right Principle viz. a threefold Principle of Faith and Love and Obedience 1. Of Faith 1. of faith without which the Apostle tells us it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 Faith as concerning the work which we doe that it is a thing required by God agreeable to his mind and will of which the Apostle speaks Rom. 14. v. last where he concludes whatsoever is not of faith is sin What-soever is done though the thing it self be indifferent or good yet being done with a wavering conscience without assurance that the work is in it self well-pleasing to God and that it hath good warrant from the Word it is sin in him that doth it so also concerning Gods acceptation of our persons and services that he doth and will accept whatever we do in the name of Christ Out of such a Principle did the Patriarchs do those works for which they are commended Heb. 11. What they did they did it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in faith by faith 2. Of Love 2. Of Love In this sense see that Faith work by love What we are sure to be agreeable to the mind and will of God do it out of Love Love to God I will love thee O Lord saith David Psal 18.1 And love to his Law O how do I love thy Law saith he Psal 119.97 Love to his Testimonies I love thy Testimonies v. 119. Love to his Commandements and Precepts I love thy Commandements above gold yea above fine gold v. 127. Consider how I love thy Precepts v. 159. And out of this love keep and observe them My soul hath kept thy Testimonies and I love them exceedingly v. 167. And thus also what duties we do unto our Neighbour do them out of love Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self Thus what good works we do do them out of a right Principle of Faith and Love 3. And Thirdly Obedience 3. Obedience Not out of any by and sinister respects but in way of Obedience unto God So did Abraham when he went out to seek a Country which he knew not where to find yet by Faith he obeyed saith the Text Heb. 11.8 So doe we taking notice what God would have us to do now not standing to consult with flesh and blood about it which Paul saith he did not Gal. 1.16 in obedience to him do it Thus did Peter though he had fished all night and caught nothing yet Neverthelesse saith he to his Master at thy word I will let down the Net Luke 5.5 Thus having a word from God now in obedience to him do what he requireth Thus did our blessed Saviour suffer what he suffered He was obedient to the death Phil. 2.8 And thus let us do what we do All our works do them in obedience unto God doing what we do to Man as unto God So the Apostle requires servants to do their duties unto their Masters Eph. 6.5 Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singlenenesse of heart as unto Christ doing what they did in obedience to their supream Lord and Master Christ in serving them serve him Not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart so he goeth on v. 6. Mark it In doing their Masters work they must have an eye at God doing what they do as his will With good will doing service as to the Lord and not unto men v. 7. Not looking onely or yet chiefly at their Masters on earth but at their great Lord and Master in heaven the Lord Christ who requireth
meeting with him saluting him in that scornful manner as we find it there v. 20. How glorious was the King of Israel to day who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants as one of the vain fellows shamefully uncovereth himself But what saith David this That we may read in the verses following v. 21 22. It was before the Lord saith he which chose me before thy Father and before all his house c. Therefore will I play before the Lord and I will yet be more vile than this So far was this from quenching or cooling his zeal that it inflames it so far from taking him off from such demonstrations of his affection to his God that it heightens his resolution that way And of like use let the reproaches and scorns which wicked men cast upon the wayes of God and those that walk conscionably in them be unto us every one as a blast to blow up this fire 3. This fire to be kept in Which being thus kindled and blown up then let our next care be to keep it in This was the Charge which God committed to his Priests under the Law concerning the fire upon the Altar That they should look to it to keep it in by day and by night so as it should never go out but be continually burning as we have the Law for it Lev. 6.12 13. And such care let all the Lords people have of this heavenly fire this holy zeal for their God Being once kindled in their hearts let them be careful to keep it in See that it do not die and go out As knowing it that they shall have occasion every day to make use of it Upon this account was that fire upon the Altar to be looked to in that manner Reason 2. Being of daily use in regard of the dayly use which they had of it in offering of Sacrifices And upon the like account let all the Lords people have a care to keep in this sacred fire in their hearts in as much as they shall have a daily use of it Use of it in all the services which they do to God or Man All which they are to do with a holy zeal and fervour And 2ly if it be not looked to Reason 1. Subject to die it is ready to go out So the Spirit tells the Church of Sardis concerning her graces Rev. 3.2 Strengthen the things which remain which are ready to die So is it with Graces themselves and so is it much more with zeal which is as I said not so much any distinct grace as the intension and heightning of other graces Now this Christians are subject to lose Though the fire be not quite put out yet the flame may Though believers shall never fall from grace it self totally and finally yet from the degree they may So was it with languishing Ephesus against whom the Son of Man the Lord Jesus bringeth that Action Rev. 2.4 Neverthelesse I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love Though not her Love yet her first love her zeal was gone This is a fire which if not looked to will quickly go out especially having so many Quench-coals as it meeteth with in and from the world which should make Christians looking upon this as heavenly fire as that upon the Altar was fire which came down from Heaven to be the more carefull of it Quest How kept in Quest What then shall we do for the keeping of it in A needful Question in these declining Apostatizing times wherein how many may we see every where sick of Ephesus's disease having lost their first love Times too like those which our Saviour foretold of Mat. 24.12 Because iniquitie shall abound saith he the love of many shall wax cold Love to God and love to man shall grow cold not shewing it self as before in offices of Piety and Charity A truth which we see too sad an experience of everywhere So as this Question as it is useful at all times so needful at this Ans The Metaphor followed Ans In Answer hereunto I shall still follow the Metaphor which the word in the Text leadeth me to which as I have shewn you is taken from fire Now for the keeping in of fire there are three things principally useful and needful viz. the Stirring of it Blowing of it Feeding of it And every of these let us in a spiritual sense practice as to our zeal 1. Stirring up this fire Dir. 1. This fire to be stirred up That is the advice which Paul giveth to Timothy concerning his Ministerial gift 2 Tim. 1.6 I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Metaphor taken from fire which being ready to go out is revived by stirring it up And this do we concerning those graces which we have received stir them up And as all other so specially our love whereof as I said zeal is the flame the Intension of it Stir we up this Grace Which do we as by other means so specially by working those aforesaid considerations upon our hearts touching the love of God and Iesus Christ to us manifested in giving himself for us Which was Love in the height of it Zeal love beyond all our Comprehensions So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son John 3.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So so as cannot be parallell'd nor yet expressed Often call we to mind this Love this Zeal of God and Jesus Christ for us This will be of singular efficacie in stirring up the like intense affection in us towards them again The love of Christ constraineth us 2 Cor. 6.14 2. Stirring up the fire blow it Dir. 2. This fire must be blown by Prayer Which is done by Prayer Prayer is as the Bellows for the blowing of this fire which Christians upon that account are every day to make use of Pray without ceasing 1 Thes 5.17 Begging from God not only Grace to do his will but Zeal in doing it This course took Baals Priests when they would have fire to consume their sacrifice They cryed unto their God for it They called on the name of Baal from morning to evening saying O Baal hear us 1 King 18.26 What they did in an impious way to their deaf and dumb Idol do we the like in a Religious way to the true and living God as Elias there did v. 37 38. Being every day to offer up the sacrifice of some good works or other unto him beg we from him this heavenly fire that he would inflame our hearts with affections suitable to the services which we are to do Dir. 3. This fire to be fed 3. And then in the third place Feed this fire This course took the Priests for the keeping in of the fire upon the Altar they fed it with wood every morning as we find them ordered to do Lev. 6.12 And
talibus dominus passus sit certissimis clarissimis testimoniis nobis demonstrare potuerunt boni viri qui talia definierunt dignum omnino est ut credamus nos Si verò non potuerint cessent contendere pro eo quod non legunt pudeâ—t eos definire quod nesciunt timeant statuere quod nullum Sanctorum Patrum Concilium nullum Apostolicae sedis Pontificum nullum Ecclesiasticorum Dogmatum decretum hactenus inveniant statuisse quod etsi quid a sanctis venerabilibus Ecclesiae Doctoribus vel scriptum vel dictum unde hujusmodi sensus occasio sumi posse videatur inveniant salvâ eorum debita Reverentiâ cohibeant se potius submittant se humiliter divinae auctoritati rem tam obscuram tamque inusitatam divinae reservent humiliter Majestati Vsheri histor Gotteschal pag. 81. As for the rest say they which having persevered in their infidelity and perished in their ungodliness if it can be proved by Testimony of Scripture that Christ died for them it is fit that we also should believe it but if men cannot so prove it then let them cease to contend for that which they read not let them be ashamed to define that which they know not and let them be afraid to affirm that which no Councel of Fathers none of the Apostolical Sea and no Ecclesiastical Decree hath affirmed or established and if they find any word in the holy and Reverend Doctors of the Church from whence the occasion of such a sense may arise let them rather contain themselves humbly submitting to Divine Authority and refer themselves in so obscure a matter to the Divine Majesty Wherefore good Reader being compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses I am not unwiling to bear my Testimony also though of small moment unto this Truth presented to thee and to accompany my Reverend and Learned Brother to the Press Now the Lord give thee an heart to receive this and all other truth in the love thereof Thine in the service of the Gospel WILLIAM BRIDGE Febr. 15. 1658. Yarmouth Errata 1. Treatise PAge 2. line 5. r. there propounded p. 7. l. 9. r. acknowledge p. 36. l. 6. r. speciatìm p. 37. l. 29. r possession p. 38. l. 5. m. r. crederent ibid. l. 23. m. r in uno l. 28. r. the main p. 39. l. 2. r. censured p. 52. l. 16. r. Texts ibid. m. r. counterpoized p. 59. l. 8. r. so as to ibid. l. 28. r Abrahami p. 63. l. 12. r. in it self p. 65. l. 12. r. this is p. 87. l. 3. r. as our p. 97. l. 12. r. Assurance p. 101. l. 2. r. chose p. 102. l. 1. r. rest a going p. 104. l. 5. m. r. dominicum ibid. l. 10. r. coelestem p. 106. l. 17. r. ascertain p. 107. l. 16. r. immerge p. 111. l. 1. m. r. poculum l. 18. r. himself l. 25. r. stave those p. 112. l. 14. r. to do p. 116. l 13. r is it p. 120. l 18. r. fastning p. 131. l. 20. r. and Tyranny of p. 145. l. 24. ra r. abrupit p. 150. m. r. arietino p. 152. l 11. del of p. 161 l. 14. r. the praise p. 163. l. 6. r. and leaning p. 164. l. 19. r. for their ibid. l. 24. r. and fiery p. 166. l 20. r. it becometh p. 167. l. 20. r. thoughtful p. 169 l. 8. r. purifying l. 13. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 170. l. 9. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 171. l. 27. r. inquinamentum l. 30. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 175. l. 2. r. Mal. 3. p 176. l. 24. r. fining-pot p. 179. l 10. r. the Element p. 182. l. 12. r. he here p. 187. l. 15. r. I spake p. 192. l 31. r Segullah p 200. m r. fit to be p. 204. l. 5. r. Absconditi p. 211. l 4 m r. Apostolus p 218. l. 28. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 225. l. 8. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 228. l. 9. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 237. l. 23. r. all thy p. 246. l. 22. r. to a Disciple p. 251. l. 14. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zelus l. 15. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ibid. m. r. Capessentem l. 31 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 152. l. 13. r. it is written p. 256. l. 6. r. maketh it p. 269. l. 7. r. from whence ibid. m. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p 270. l. 3. r. this service p. 276. l. 19. r. to this p 277. l. 11. del it p. 287. l. 10. r. mocking of God p. 295. l. 1. r. be drawn 2. Treatise PAge 4 l 4. r. find him p. 7. l. 21. del and. p. 8. l. 5. r. in all ibid l. 28. r. Thine they were saith our Saviour p 11. l. 9. m r. hic cum affectu l. 11. r. previous p. 22. l. 8. r. profess p. 31. l. 14. r. to the. p. 35. l. 26. r. may be p. 47. l. 4. r. in the like Mr. Brinsley's Gospel-Marrovv GOSPEL-MARROW THE Great God giving himself for the Sons of Men. TIT 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself ae peculiar people zealous of good works IN the Verse next but one precedent to the Text Coherence we have a practical Lesson held forth in and by the Gospel a Lesson which all those who expect to have any share or interest in that Grace of God which bringeth Salvation are to learn and take forth This we have there set down first Negatively shewing them what they are to eschew and abandon That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts then Positively directing them what to practise how to live we should live soberly and righteously and Godly in this present world And what is thence propounded in the two verses following we have prosecuted and pressed and that by a double Argument each serving as an effectual Motive to put Christians upon and to continue them in such a Godly and Religious course The former taken from the second coming of Christ his coming in Glory at which time they who so live shall receive the end of their faith even that blessed hope eternal Salvation which they not onely may but ought to look for looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Crist v. 13. The latter from his first coming his coming in the flesh and there doing and suffering what he did which as it was for them for their benefit their Salvation and so layeth a great ingagement upon them so it was for this very end that he might redeem and deliver them as from the guilt and punishment so from the power and dominion of sin as Iustifying so sanctifying of them This you have in the words now read who gave himself for us that he might redeem us c. A passage of which we may say as one hath done before us singula verba singularem emphasin
he himself is also compassed with infirmity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 potens Beza Gr. Annot in loc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic rursus ad affectus pronitatem referendum est Grot. ibid. i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Beza expounds it aptus idoneus one fit and meet to take compassion And so is the Lord Jesus our great High-Priest rendered by his sufferings Having in his own person had experience of them he is made more compassionate towards others in like condition as the same Apostle hath it Heb. 4.15 We have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin All this we acknowledge to be truth 2 Christ giving himself in our stead as our Surety But not the whole truth Christ as he dyed for our good so secondly in our stead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For us Even as David lamenting the death of his Son Absalom is said to have wished would God I had dyed for thee O Absalom 2 Sam. 18. last that is dyed in his stead that so by his own temporal death he might have prevented the danger of his Eternal death Thus the Lord Iesus Christ out of that wonderful love which he bare to man-kind he gave himself for them dying for them that by his death he might prevent theirs which otherwise he saw them bound over to In this sense Christ is said to have dyed for us in that Text Rom. 5.8 God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were sinners Christ dyed for us that is in our stead as our surety to save and deliver us from death So the verse there foregoing explains it where it is said scarsly for a righteous man will one dye yet for a good man some would even dare to dye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a good man that is in his stead to prevent his death And thus did the Lord Jesus give himself for his people dying for them in their room and stead so to free and deliver them from death And so most fitly and properly are we to understand the word in the Text. Who gave himself for us viz. as our Surety making satisfaction to the Justice of God for our sins So the next words clearly explain it who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity from the guilt and punishment of sin of which God willing more hereafter And in this way did Christ give himself for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his whole self Thus he gave his whole self both Body and Soul as was in part shewed before Both which were partakers in his sufferings Not only his Body to which by a Synecdoche this is sometimes attributed and referred Thus our Saviour speaking to his Disciples Joh. 6.51 tels them The bread which I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world And Heb. 10.10 we are said to be sanctified through the offering of the Body of Christ Not by presenting it in heaven as Grotius would expound it but offering it upon earth upon the Altar of the Crosse Which Texts and the like we are to understand Synecdochically Not that only the Body of Christ was interested in these his sufferings but his soul also So it was before his Passion having divers conflicts specially with the apprehension of that death which he was to undergo Now is my soul troubled saith he to his Disciples Ioh. 12.27 and what shall I say Father save me from this hour And so again in the Garden he complaineth in the like manner to some of them My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death Matth. 26.38 And as before so much more in his Passion where conflicting with the wrath of God being under a cloud of spiritual desertion he cryeth out in the anguish of his soul My Lord my God why hast thou forsaken me Matth. 27.46 Thus was his soul also made a partner in this suffering as the Prophet Isai expresseth it in the three last verses of his 53. Chap. When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin v. 10. He shall see of the travail of his soul v. 11. He hath powred out his soul unto death v. 12. Thus did he in his suffering give himself wholly his whole humane nature both Body and Soul The divine nature in the mean time supporting of the Humane as I said and seeming as it were to suffer with it And thus you have seen this first Particular in the Text somewhat largely opened and explained wherein hath been shewed unto you both what this Gift was and how said to be given Now adjourning the Application till afterwards not having as yet so full a rise for it as I desire proceed we to the second which acquaints us with 2. Partic. The Giver of this Gift Christ himself The Doner who it was that thus gave this gift which is Christ himself So it is the Gift and Giver here are both one who gave himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So we find it often elsewhere Gal. 1.4 who gave himself for our sins c. 2. v. 20. who gave himself for me Eph. 5.25 Christ loved his Church and gave himself for it 1 Tim. 2.6 who gave himself a ransome for all All speaking the same thing with this in the Text. The great God even our Saviour Iesus Christ who gave himself for us Obj. Gave himself But what Obj. 1. God the Father gave his Son do we not elsewhere read that he was given by his Father God so loved the world saith that known Text Ioh. 3.16 God the Father that he gave his only begotten Son In this was manifested that love of God towards us saith the same Evangelist because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might be saved through him 1 Ioh. 4.9 And again in the verse following Herein is love not that we love God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins It was God the Father that sent his Son upon this errand Him hath God the Father Sealed Joh. 6.27 given him Commission to do what he did Yea and sending him into the world he delivered him up unto death He spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all Rom. 8.32 And the Prophet Isai describing his Passion tels us Isai 53.10 It pleased the Lord to bruize him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin speaking of God the Father And so much we may learn from Christs own mouth who speaking to the woman of Samaria calls himself The Gift of God Joh. 4.10 How then is he said to give himself Ans Father and Son concurring in this Donation Ans To this the Answer is obvious God the Father gave his Son yet his Son gave himself both concurring in the same Act. So it is in all
are necessarie attendants upon and inseparable companions to that faith which purifieth which must be a working faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostle calleth it in that Text forecited Gal. 5.6 An Energetical an operative working faith a faith working by love shewing it self in a ready performance of all offices and duties both to God and man And therefore to go on with the Exhortation propounded Good works how necessary let not any of us content our selves with such a faith a solitarie faith faith alone But withall Bona opera sunt necessaria ad salutem vel potius in salvandis sic enim praestat loqui vitandae ambiguitatis causâ Ursin Catech. Q. 91. have a regard unto works good works which are no less necessarie unto salvation or if we will speak more warily as some advise us to do in salvandis in those that are to be saved than faith it self is It it is but a slander and a groundlesse one which they of the Church of Rome cast upon those of the Protestant Reformed Religion that they cry up faith decrying works at least not regarding Extrà statum Justificationis â—emo potest bona opera satis magnifice commendare Luther but flighting them not looking upon them as in any kind necessarie Than which what more false Necessarie we hold them to be However not as they do who look upon them as meritorious causes of salvation yet upon a divers account as I. Necessitate praecepti in regard of Gods command 1. In regard of Gods Command which requireth them at the hands of his perple Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently Ps 119.4 2. Necessitate Praesentiae as necessarie concomitants of faith 2. As Concomitants of faith without which a man cannot be justifyed and saved 3. 3. As the way and means leading to salvation Necessitate Medii as a necessary means to bring men to salvation Via ad Regnum though not Causa regnandi as Bernard rightly though not the cause of reigning yet the way to the Kingdome 4. 4. As evidences of faith and assurances of Election Necessarie as to a mans self for the justifying of his faith and assuring his election Justifying of his faith Faith justifieth the Person works justifie faith evidence it to a mans self to be a true lively faith As a man by feeling his pulse beat regularly he knoweth that his vitals are sound so by the working of his faith he taketh notice that it is a true faith And assuring his election Give diligence saith Saint Peter to make your Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 And how shall this be done Why If ye do these things ye shall never fall those things which before he had spoken of viz. Adding to faith virtue v. 5. meaning moral virtues as Justice and Temporance and Charity of which he speaketh afterwards as also Godliness and so indeavour to perform all offices and Duties to God and Man So doing hereby may Christians be assured of their Election and so consequently of their salvation that they are in a state of grace and shall never fall from it 5. 5. In regard of others for the gaining of some And so again necessarie in regard of others For the winning of some Upon this ground Peter requires wives to be obedient to their Husbands to do their duties unto them that saith he if any obey not the word being as yet unbelievers they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives 1 Pet. he 3.1 And in the Chapter foregoing v. 12. requireth the beleevers to whom he writeth that they should have their conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas saith he they speak against you as evil doers they may by your good works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation when God shall in mercie visit them calling them to the fellowship of the Gospel Thus sometimes unbelievers are won to a loving and liking of Gods Religion by beholding those who make a profession thereof to walk answerable to that profession living soberly righteously and Godly And as some may be won so others may be confirmed hereby Confirming of others who otherwise might be offended and scandalized and brought out of love and liking with that Religion whereof they see no fruits in the Professors of it However the mouths of wicked men shall hereby be stopped Stopping the mouths of wicked men and themselves ashamed Having a good Conscience saith the same Apostle Saint Peter that whereas they speak evil of you as of evil doers they may be ashamed that falsly accuse your good conversation in Christ 1 Pet. 3.16 Christians exhorted to be serious about good works In these and many other respects we look-upon good works not only as expedient but Necessarie And so looking upon them let all of us seriously set about them Being hearers of the Law be we doers of it Not the hearers of the Law are just before God but the doers of the Law shall be justified so the Apostle tells the Jews who looked for salvation by the Law Rom. 1.13 It was not their knowing but their doing that could benefit them in that way And so is it with Christians who look for salvation by Christ It is not their Knowledge and Profession but their Practice must render them acceptable unto him And therefore let all of us up and be doing Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own Souls saith Saint Iames Jam. 1.22 Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven saith our Saviour Math. 7.21 Not every one that taketh acquaintance of Christ professing himself to be his Disciple and to look for salvation through him but such as bring forth the fruits of true Sanctification and new obedience indeavouring to do what both Law and Gospel requireth They and only they can look for salvation Quest Quest What good works to be done and how But what good works shall we do in order hereunto Ans Ans That was the question which the Ruler put to our Saviour Math. 19.16 Good Master saith he what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life But this he propounded in a Pharisaical way with a wrong intention dreaming of a merit of works But let the thought hereof be abandoned by all Christians who propound the like question And then I shall return Answer to it as in part I have already done giving you some usefull directions concerning what works you are to do and how you are to do them 1. Good works to be performed by Christians are as I have said all such works as God requireth Dir. 1. All such works as God requireth in his word whether in the Law or Gospel All which Christians are to have an eye and regard
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is good to be zealously affected saith the Apostle there Gal. 4.18 To be zealous in good works is a good thing Good 1. In as much as it is acceptable to God 1. Acceptable to God That is Pauls Argument which he maketh use of to bring Christians upon their knees to pray for Magistrates supreme and subordinate For Kings and all that are in authoritie For saith he this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour 1 Tim. 2.3 And so is such a zealous performance of duties it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 good acceptable in the sight of God So was Phinehas's zeal whereby he made an atonement for the people and procured to himself and his the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood as the Lord tells Moses Numb 25.11 12 13. Phinehas hath turned my wrath away from the Children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake among them Wherefore say Behold I give unto him my Covenant of peace And he shall have it and his seed after him even the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood because he was zealous for his God c. Nothing more acceptable unto God than zeal for him Which he hath such a regard unto that for the sake thereof he oft times overlooks many infirmities in his people So was it in that act of Moses of which we read Exod. 32.19 When being transported with a holy zeal for God and his glorie he cast the Tables of the Law which God had newly written with his own finger out of his hands and brake them An Act however by some excused and defended as being done by a divine Instinct and so rather out of deliberation than Passion to signifie the Breach of Covenant betwixt God and his people whom they had so highly provoked by their Idolatrie yet it is more probably looked upon as unadvisedly done His spirit being exasperated by what he saw tending so highly to the dishonour of his God as thereupon he spakes unadvisedlie with his lips which the Psalmist saith he did Psal 106.33 so he also did unadvisedly with his hands But in as much as it was a holy zeal for the glory of God that thus transported him we do not any where find that God was angry with him for it So well pleased is God with such a Zeal in his people a holy zeal a religious zeal zeal for his glory that where that is he overlooketh any imperfections and faylings in their performances And secondly as it is acceptable to God so profitable to a mans self being very advantagious to a Christian in the course of his obedience 1. Fitting him for good works 1. Fitting him for it preparing him to every good work Of such use is Natural heat in the Body it maketh fit for motion and Action which otherwise being cold it is indisposed to and unfit for And of like use is this Spiritual heat a holy fervour in the Soul it fitteth and prepareth it for well doing the doing of what ever service to God or Man 2. And secondly preparing a man for it it putteth him upon it 2. Putting him upon them causeth him not to delay but to make haste to take every opportunity that is offered for the doing of good Even as fire being in a flame now it layeth hold of whatever combustible matter commeth near it So doth Zeal which is nothing but Love in a flame it readily taketh hold of all opportunities of doing good works making men not sloathfull but diligent in the work and service which they have to do Thus it is said of Apollos Act. 18.25 that being fervent in spirit he spake taught diligently the things of the Lord. Tuhs where there is this zeal in the heart it will set the head and hands on work making men as I said not sloathfull but diligent in the service of their God So much the Apostle insinuates in the Text Rom. 12.11 where he conjoines those Precepts Not sloathfull in businesses fervent in spirit serving the Lord. 3. Carrying him through them 3. And thirdly thus putting a man upon good works it will carrie him thorow them not withstanding what ever difficulties he may meet with in his way So is it with the Traveller having as we say a good will in his way now he goeth through thick and thin through all wayes and weathers And even so is it with a Christian that is zealous in the service of God this carrieth him through whatever opposition or discouragements he may meet with Such effect it had in and upon the blessed Apostle S. Paul who notwithstanding he took notice what rubs lay in his way how that Bonds and Affliction did abide him wait for him as the Holy Ghost witnessed in every City as himself telleth the Elders at Miletum Acts 20.23 Yet saith he none of these things move me neither count I my life dear to my self that I might finish my course with joy and the Ministerie which I have received of the Lord v. 24. Being zealous for his Lord and Master Christ that carrieth him through the service which he had to do for him maugre all opposition And so will it do the Christian in whose heart it lodgeth Thus is this zeal a good thing acceptable to God and profitable to a mans self preparing him to good works putting him upon them and carrying him through them And not only good but Necessary Reas 2. Zeal necessary without which good works cannot be done well so done as that they may be acceptable to God As it was before and under the Law the Sacrifices could not be offered without fire And therefore Abraham being to offer his son he carrieth fire with him He took the fire in his hand and went Gen. 22.6 And to this end was it that the sacred fire which first came down from heaven was continually kept in upon the Altar that they might alwayes have it at hand to offer their sacrifices with upon all occasions Even of such use is zeal to the Christian who must himself be salted with fire So our Saviour expresseth it Mar. 9.49 Every one shall be salted with fire have his heart seasoned with the fire of divine love and zeal without which he cannot offer up a sacrifice unto God It was the fire which made the smoke of the Incense-offering to asscend up unto heaven And so it is the zeal of the person in doing good works that maketh them come up before God As the Angel telleth Cornelius Acts 10.4 Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God How so why he was zealous of those good works A devout man and one that feared God with all his house giving much alms to the people and praying to God alwaies as the second verse there describeth him He was a true Zelot And being so his services were accepted To proceed no further in the Doctrinal part You see that it is so and why