the Lamb that was flain to enjoy it yet then gloriously of his fulness shall they receive and grace for grace They shall not then need those Mediums for their help that now they do whether they be Prophecies they shall fail whether there be tongues they shall cease whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away for we know in part c. 1 Cor. 13. 8 9. All those gifts of Apostles Prophets c. shall then cease for they are given from on high to continue till we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4. 8 13. they shall not then â—each every man his neighbour and every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know him from the least to the greatest Jer. 31. 27 34. Heb. 8. 11. and it appears this perfect knowledge they shall have through the sight of him Now in looking to him they are lightned Psal 34. 5. But Oh! how shall they then be inlightned when they shall see him as he is Hence their knowing now and hereafter is put as the effect and consequent of their seeing 1 Cor. 13. 12. For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known signifying that according to the sight of him whether darkly or clearly such is and will be our knowledge And from this sight and knowledge of him they shall be filled with love to him and God in him and with love and charity one to another for charity never faileth 1 Cor. 13. 8. their hearts shall then be ravished with him from that clear and open discovery of his love and loveliness their love now to him which is in part is begotten and increased through the understanding of his we love him because he first loved us every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God for God is love in this was manifested the love of God towards us because he sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him whom having not seen ye love 1 Pet. 1. 8. but when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away and they shall compleatly love him and delight themselves in and be abundantly satisfied with his love 1 Joh. 4. 7 10 19. 1 Cor. 13. 10. and shall be filled with divine love one to another yea and with all heavenly vertues when they perfectly know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge even all discovery and manifestation of it vouchsafed for it is greater than is contained in any revelation of it and therefore it exceeds all our knowledge and perception of it they shall be filled with all the fulness of God Eph. 3. 19. and so they shall be like to the Angels that do his commandments hearkening to the voice of his word Luk. 20. 36. with Psal 103. 20. his will shall then be done on earth as it is in heaven Mat. 6. 10. And in seeing and beholding him they shall appear with him in glory then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the kingdom of their Father Mat. 13. 43. When Moses was in the Mount seeing and beholding the similitude of the Lord his face shone that the children of Israel were afraid Exod. 34. 29 30. with Numb 12. 8. yet he could not see his face or glorious appearance so no man hath seen him nor can see him but then they shall see his face and his name glory and dignity shall be upon their foreheads the Lord shall arise upon them and his glory shall be seen upon them Rev. 22. 4. Mat. 5. 8. Isa 60. 1 2. 35. 2. 6. In this glorious condition they shall then together keep an everlasting Sabbath in that rest or keeping of Sabbath which remains for the people of God Heb. 4. 9. and together shall they then sing for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion Isa 52. 8 9. they shall then sing Hallelujah salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord our God Rev. 19. 1 7. they shall sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb Rev. 15. 3. in which they shall with thankfulness and rejoycing remember the infinite grace of the Son and of the Father in him in what he hath done and is become in what he is now doing and in what he will then do all summed up in that new song of the four Beasts and four and twenty Elders mentioned in Rev. 5 9 10. to wit That the Lamb was not is slain and is raised again in that same body in which he bare our sins on the Tree and hath destroyed all our enemies by himself in the name and authority of the Father his own right hand and his holy arm hath gotten himself the victory he hath purged away our sins overcome and abolished death destroyed the devil and obtained all glory into himself in our nature and for us this is the song of Moses in the type The Lord hath triumphed gloriously thy right hand O Lord is become glorious in power thy right hand O Lord hath dashed the enemy in pieces Exod. 15. 1 12. God is gone up with a shout the Lord with the sound of a trumpet sing praises to our God sing praises sing praises to our King sing praises Psal 98. 1. 47. 1 6. and this the song of the Lamb that God hath brought him out of the horrible pit out of the miry clay and set his feet upon a rock c. And put a new song into his mouth praise to our God who hath so delivered him and made him triumph over all our enemies sin death hell Devil c. Psal 40. 1 3. 22. 19 25. This is the Psalm or song for the Sabbath day I hat God hath made Christ glad through his work in delivering him and us in him from all our enemies and exalting his horn like that of an Unicorn and anointing him with fresh oyl with the oyl of gladness above his fellows this is the day which the Lord hath made they shall then for ever be glad and rejoyce in and for it Psal 92. 1 4 10. 118. 21 24. And that he hath redeemed them unto God by his bloud in discovering the preciousness of it in his testimony and testimonies of his goodness out of every kindred and tongue and people and Nation when they were sometimes of them and so of the world children of wrath by nature even as others yet then God who is rich in mercy for the great love wherewith he loved them when dead in sins quickned them together with Christ as Eph. 2. 1 5. for this they are now instructed to sing Allelujah Psal 135. 1 4. Praise ye the Lord c. for the
that his grace is sufficient for them though the temptation and affliction be not removed and hereby shoes their feet that they may not be discouraged or driven back by any afflictions though they seem to be very grievous Rom. 5. 2 6. 2 Cor. 12. 8 9. Eph. 6. 15. yea it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth and whereby they are kept through faith unto that salvation ready to be revealed in these last times Rom. 1. 16. 1 Pet. 1. 5. it is able to build them up c. as it follows in the after part of this verse And Oh that we may never forget it or let it slip Forget not wisdom neither decline from the words of her mouth forsake her not and she shall preserve thee love her and she shall keep thee exalt her and she shall promote thee c. she shall give to thine head an ornament of grace c. Prov. 4. 2 9. Thus though weakly I have spoken to the first thing proposed in this resignation viz. the person and thing to which he commends them in which in some little measure we may see the worthiness and excellency of this Object and Medium to which he now commends them and that for our instruction also that in God we may praise his word as Psal 56. 4 10. and now come to consider the next thing viz. 2. What is here meant by commending and what is imported to us herein 1. By commending here is not meant a praising or speaking honourably of them and so in their commendation as many times the word signifies they deserved not in this sense to be commended to God yea he of himself saith that though he knew nothing by himself yet â—e was not hereby justified this would not commend him to God 1 Cor. 4. 4. If I be righteous saith Job yet I will not lift up my head Job 10. 15. Those holy men that trusted in God have been so far from commending themselves in this sense that they have abased themselves in God's presence and prayed him not to condemn them Job 10. 2. not to enter into judgment with them Psal 142. 2. and have intimately acknowledged that if God should mark iniquities none could stand as approved and justified before him Psal 130. 3 4 7. and our Saviour instructs his Disciples to say when they have done all those things which are commanded them we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luk. 17. 10. and not to praise themselves or one another But the word commend doth here and elsewhere signifie a committing a person or thing to the care or custody of another to betrust one with such or such a thing or person and so to commit and commend seem to be used indifferently So when it is said in one place Into thy hand I commit my spirit in another our Saviour as it appears referring thereto saith Into thine hands I commend my spirit Psal 31. 6. with Luke 23. 46. and so the Apostle commendeth these to God c. to be taught directed cared for and preserved and so unto and for all things as the needs of their matters did require 2. Now then in that he saith I commend you therein is imported something as to the person and thing to which he commits them something as to himself who did thus commend them something as to the persons he thus commended 1. As to the person and thing to which he commends them there is intimated therein 1. A willingness and readiness to take the charge and care of those committed to him amongst men they commit not a person or thing to any one that is not willing to receive that trust and much less can any commend to him unless he were graciously willing to receive them and that he is so hath been the design of what is spoken to evidence and demonstrate and it is shewn abundantly in the word of his grace He is one that hath greatly loved us when dead in sins and trespasses and manifested his love in laying down his life for us yea and made it known in due time through preaching and first prevented us with it when we sought not after him he manifested himself to them that asked not after him and will in no wise cast off him that cometh but loves them with peculiar manner of love even with such manner of love as wherewith the Father loves him Joh. 15. 9 10. he receives them and will be a father to them and these were by the father already committed to him and his peculiar care he was their shepherd that had bought them and was rich in mercy to them he hath an high account of such and hath set his heart and eye upon them yea he is one that is especially ready to receive those of this chosen generation committed to him when he takes away those that have been instruments of help to them he is a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in the time of trouble even then after a peculiar consideration Psal 9. 9. he is an helper of the fatherless Psal 10. 14. a father of the fatherless a judge of the widows of those that are desolate is God in his holy habitation Psal 68. 4 5. in him the fatherless find mercy Hos 14. 3. and now when he takes away such as have been eminent helpers to them he is then abundantly ready to receive those that are committed and do commit themselves to him So much he signifies in that when the faithful failed he then saith Now will I arise saith the Lord Psal 12. 5. And on a like account and in the incouragement of his special readiness to receive those that come at such a time when there is none shut up or left that might here be comforters to them the Prophet resolves to look to the Lord and wait for him My God will hear me when I sit in darkness when those instruments that have shined as lighâ—s are gone the Lord will be a light unto me Mic. 7. 1 8. he will not leave them fatherless or Orphans but will then especially be nigh unto them and ready to receive them Joh. 14. 18. 2. His ability and faithfulness to keep them committed to him 2 Tim. 2. 2. and this hath also been evidenced in what hath been said he is the wise God and our Saviour who is able to keep them from falling through his powerful word the word of his grace and to present them faultless before the presence of his glory Jude 24 25. he hath wonderfully manifested his faithfulness in what he hath suffered and indured for us and we are instructed to consider him who was faithful to him that appointed him and to be always looking to him who indured the Cross despising the shame and therein we may behold and be fully assured of his faithfulness in perfecting whatsoever concerns us Heb. 3. 1 2. 12. 2. Isa 42. 1 3. and he is able to
he is the great Apostle and High-Priest of the believers profession and able to save to the utâ—ermost all that come to God by him and they that forsake him shall be ashamed of all other confidences consolations bread of secresies and stollen waters while in him all the seed of Israel shall be justified and shall glory 2. We have also direction given us to know so as to beware of those grievous wolves Our Saviour gives a general one to his Disciples By their fruits ye shall know them Mat. 7. 15 16. where by their fruits is not meant their outward cloathing or outward appearance Such may seem unto men to have a good life and conversation and be therein blameless among men Phil. 3. 6. appear outwardly righteous unto men Mat. 23. 28 desire to make a fair shew in the flesh Gal. 6. 16. have a form of godliness upon them 2 Tim. 3. 5. abstain from many gross evils Luk. 18. 11. be transformed as the Ministers of righteousness 2 Cor. 11. 15. boast of their sufferings and preaching freely 2 Cor. 11. 7 13 23. zealously affect the believers Gal. 4. 17. commend themselves and justifie themselves before men 2 Cor. 10. 7 12 18 Luk. 16. 15. promise others liberty and fulness of contentment and satisfaction in listening to them Prov. 7. 14 18. 2 Pet. 2. 18 19. and yet be inwardly ravening wolves and therefore the way to know them is not by their outward appearance for that may be so specious in evil workers that the believers themselves while judging and walking as men may have such a good opinion of them as to fall too much in love with them and to count them their enemies who give a true discovery of them Gal. 4. 16 and occasion grief to those that are over them in the Lord and admonish them because they are so hardly perswaded to beware of them Phil. 3. 18. judge not according to appearance saith our Saviour but judge righteous judgment Joh. 7. 24. as signifying the judging according to appearance is not righteous judgment for such as are the enemies of the Cross of Christ may have a beautiful outside do ye look on things after the outward appearance saith the Apostle when he is warning of deceitful workers 2 Cor. 10. 7. This is the way to be mistaken and deceived But by their fruits is meant 1. The fruits of their lâ—ps even those divers and strange doctrines which they bring in which they cause to err from the words of knowledge And this appears to be the meaning of it and not their outward appearance because such have sheeps cloathing as is said before as well as also it is a direction for knowing not evil persons in general but false Prophets in particular Now how should they be known so well as by their strange voice and a strange voice it is indeed to hear persons that appear to be and are by many taken for sheep and have sheeps cloathing upon them to bark like wolves against the Shepherd and the Testimony of Christ to appear like a Lamb and speak as a Dragon as is said of the man of sin Rev. 13. 11. and this understanding of it suits well with what our Saviour gives as the reason why the sheep will not follow a stranger which also he calls a wolf namely because of their voice and not their outside appearance A stranger saith he they will not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of strangers Joh. 10. 4 5 12. by their words then they may be discovered and condemned And that this is meant â—y fruits will further appear by those rules of direction given to know false Prophets by by the Apostles I shall particularly pitch upon those two given by the Apostle John 1 Joh. 4. 1 6. where he warns the believers not to believe eye y spirit but to try the spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the world And that we may try them he gives two rules for tryal by which we may know them 1. Every spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist ver 3. So again 2 Joh. 7. Many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not Jesus Christ come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist The person they confess not is Jesus Christ which is come in the flesh and hath finished the work which the Father gave him to do in his own body even Jesus of Nazareth who was born in the dayes of Cesar Augustus when Cyrenius was Governour of Syria who was delivered for our offences and raised again in the same body in which he was crucified the third day according to the Scriptures as distinguished from all other persons and things And by confessing is meant an open and plain acknowledgment that he hath come with a praising commending and speaking honourably of him according to the Scriptures giving thanks unto him or giving him the praise which is due unto him and so thankfully acknowledging in their doctrines that he hath done such things is become and is such an one as the Father hath testified of him So where it is said Psal 18. 49. I will give thanks unto thee or praise thee it is thus rendred Rom. 15. 9. I will confess to thee among the Gentiles So where we read in Psal 107. 8 15 21 31. Oh that men would praise the Lord. In every of these verses in the former translation it is rendred confess So Mat. 11. 25. At that time Jesus said I thank or praise thee it is in the Margin I confess c. See also Heb. 13. 15. So here Every spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ which is come in the flesh that is that praiseth not magnifieth nâ—t lifteth not up celebrateth not him is not of God We may instance a little particularly 1. Those persons confess not praise not Jesus Christ come in the flesh who tell us That the bread and wine in the Supper when consâ—crated is transubstantiated into the very body and blood of Christ They hereby praise not that Jesus of Nazareth that was born of the Vâ—rgin Mary and dyed for our sins at Jerusalem and is raised again but somewhat else in the room and stead of him that was not then nor many hundred years since in being which was never crucified for us never buried never raised again as he was yea blasphemously they lift up and magnifie themselves who think they can make their Saviour and so are greater than he besides they cast him down from his excellency for he is but one 2 Cor. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 8. 6. but of these it may be said according to the number of their Cities are their Christs as Jer. 2. 28. 2. So also they confess not Jesus Christ who say the body of our Lord Jesus lyes where they laid it and is turned to dust and rottenness
and that he is not raised from the dead in that same body in which he bare our sins on the Tree but call some light spirit or seed in every man the Christ in somedying in others rising c. These deny Jesus to be the Christ and so are Antichrists 1 Joh. 2. 22. and even call him accursed one who hath failed in the work appointed him to do and hath not redeemed us from the curse of the Law for if Christ be not raised from the dead in that same body in which he died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried then is our preaching vain saith the Apostle and your faith is also vain ye are yet in your sins 1 Cor. 15. 3 4 12 20. They speak indeed many times of a Christ but they deny or confess not him who is so indeed for he is one who shewed himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs and rose in that same body in which he was crucified though not in the weakness it was sometime in in that body which hath flesh and bones 1 Pet. 2. 24. Joh. 2. 21. Act. 1. 3. Luke 24. 39. and evidenced that it was he himself that was alive after his resurrection by shewing to his Disciples his hands and his feet Luk. 24. 39 40. and his hands and his side namely his hands that were nailed to the Tree and his side that was pierced with a spear and saith to Thâ—mas reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side c. And these things are written that we might believe thaâ— Jesus the son of the Virgin Mary that had that name given unto him on the eighth day when he was ciâ—cumcised and was known by the name of Jesus of Nazareth by friends and enemies is the Christ the â—nointed one of God Joh. 20. 20 25 27 31. with Chap. 19. 34. and in that very body he ascended and offered it up to God according the will of God by the which will of God we are sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus once for all even of that body which the Father prepared for him when he came into the world Heb. 10. 5 10. and hath in heaven a glorious body distinct from his body the Church which while here is vile Phil. 3. 20 21. and is there and from thence namâ—d himself unto Paul Jesus of Nazareth â—ct 2â— 8 and in that body of his flesh as distinct from his body the Church he doth and will present holy unblameable and unreproveble in his â—ight his body the Church even such as continue in the faith grounded and setled and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 22 24. and so he in that same body even the man Christ Jesus is the Mediator between God and men 1 Tim. 2. 5. and by this man God shall judge the world in righteousness whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Act. 17. 31. Mat. 16. 27. 19. 28 25. 31. 3. And so they are not of God who deny Jesus Christ to be or confess him not to be the only foundation of our faith and hope but call some purpose or decree of election respecting mens persons in a personal consideration the foundation There is no purpose of God which is the foundation and much less that which many plead for which is no purpose of his and which renders the Cross of Christ and the preaching of it a foolish and undesirable thing As wâ—ll as also they confess nâ—t Christ in their doctrines who direct men to look into themselves originally for some sign and witness of God's lovâ— before they can assure them Christ hath died for them and God loves them and if upon examination they find as they conceit some love to God before they know whether he hath loved them thâ—n they â—â—ll them they are in a good condition Christ hath died for them and God loves them and righteousness is prepared for them and so they have according to such doctrines the beginning of their confidence bottom matter of their faiâ—h in themselves in some frame change alteration love to God before they know God hath loved them which is not love herein not confessing Jesus Christ which is come in the flesh to be the foundation which he only is 1 Cor. 3. 11. 1 Joh. 4 9 10. And so such praise not Jesus Christ who confess him not to be the only High-Priest and Head of the Church but give that honour to another besides him or together with him and confess not the infinite excellency and abiding vertue of his one sacrifice of his own body offered by himself once for all but offer up a propitiatory sacrifice besides for the quick and the dead hereby counting the blood of the Covenant a common thing and like the blood â—f Bulls and Goats and his sacrifice like those offered by the Law which because they could not purge away sin were therefore continually offered Heb. 9. 12 14 25. 7. 27. 10. 1 14. or that confess him nor to be â—he only door of approach to God Joh. 10. 4 5 7 9 12. or the only bread of life Joh. 6. 35 51. or the only Mediator but multiply Mediators to themselves as Saints departed c. 1 Tim. 2. 5. to which we shall add no more now but that which the Apostle saith If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maâ—anatha 1 Cor. 16. 22. 2. But because many say Lord Lord and do make some right acknowledgment of Christ viz. that he was delivered to death and rose again and ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God c. which is true and yet give not to him the praise due to his name nor lift him up and praise him as he worthily deserves therefore we have another rule of trial given us in 1 Joh. 4. 6. We are of God namely the Apostles in their word and doctrine he that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us that is he is not determined by ouâ— word in all his confessions he alwayes heareth not adhereth not to the words which the Apostles have spoken viz those which the Holy Ghost teacheth but rather speaks in the words which mans wisdom teacheth hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error By this word of God's grace we may mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which the believers have learned of Christ by his Apostles so as to avoid them Rom. 16. 17. to this râ—le we are often directed To the Law and to the testimonâ— if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. If we saith the Apostle or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than what we have preached
who in all ages have disallowed the living stone who is the foundation and corner-stone lest your bands be made strong but incline your ear and come unto him who is the rock and whose work is perfect Isa 28. 12 16 22. Psal 118. 22. Mat. 21. 42. Act. 4. 11 12. 1 Pet. 2. 4. 7. Yea and he is the foundation as distinguished from the purposes and decrees of God and so from any purpose of his which he hath purposed in himself concerning his loving some with peculiar manner of love Indeed he was purposed from the beginning to be the foundation and this was his decree the sum of his decrees concerning sinful mankind and out of the bowels of which all his decrees issue concerning them that he would raise Christ in due time from the dead Psal 2. 7. and hath fulfilled the promise and purpose but not his purpose and decree simply but Jesus Christ is the foundation the one and only foundation For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ And this appears evidently from that place some men alledge to prove some purpose of God to be the foundation viz. 2 Tim. 2. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure c. Which saying is not only opposed unto the effect of the evil doctrines of the false teachers namely they overthrow the faith of some nevertheless notwithstanding they have corrupted some and removed them from Christ the foundation yet the foundation of God stands steddy but also it is opposed to the doctrine it self of those vain bablers they said the resurrection is past already meaning as appears by resurrection some metaphorical or allegorical resurrection they said not there was no resurrection but they said there was no resurrection of the dead like those 1 Cor. 15. 12. and so consequently that Christ was not raised in that body in which he bare our sins on the Tree and so indeavoured to raze the foundation for if Christ be not raised ye are yet in your sins saith the Apostle preaching faith and hope is in vain But notwithstanding what they say Christ is risen from the dead and is become the first fruiâ—s of them that sleep and so the foundation of God stands sure notwithstanding their babblings and batteries made against him Compare 2 Tim. 2. 18 19. with ver 7. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 12 20. Yea it further appears in that pâ—ace that Christ is the foundation and not some purpose in God concerning some peculiar manner of love to and owning of some persons for his knowing owning and loving with peculiar manner of love is not the foundation but the seal of the foundation the foundation hath this seal for the evidence and confirmaâ—ion of its steddyness and goodness the Lord knoweth owneth approveth them that are his or iâ—s that are built and abide upon the foundation and so no purpose simply but Câ—rist as declared in the tâ—stimony is the foundation And much less is that the foundation of God which men call a purpose or decree of his that is not so viz. such a purpose as in which he hath absolutely purposed in himself and decreed a certain number of persons to salvation before they were born for this is no purpose of his but a device of men who are ignorant of the truth as it is in Jesus See what my Brother and helper in the Lord Mr. Tho. Moor hath spoken more largely to this in his explicite declaration of the Testimony Page 389 410. And so in coming unto and being built upon this foundation they became living stones and were made a spiritual house and habitation of God through the Spirit 1 Pet. â— 4 5. their sins were forgiven them for Christ's name sake on which they believed which is even the sum of all blessedness Rom. 4. 5 7. and that where-through he gives all knowledge and injoyment of further salvation Luk. 1. 77. and therefore it seems the receiving the forgiveness of sins answers unto and is put for the being built up Compare this Act. 20. 32. with Chap. 26. 18. or he quickned them together with Christ and made them lively stones and a spiritual house having forgiven them all trespasses Col. 2. 13. with 1 Pet. 2. 5. And so in being bottomed on Christ as preached in the word of his grace and united to him who is originally and compleatly the temple of God in whom dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily in whom God dwells and will dwell for ever they also became the temple of God in whom he dwells and walks in and through whom he manifests himself and so they were made of the houshold of God 1 Cor. 3. 16. 6. 19. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Eph. 2. 19 22. And as this instruction is for admonition to them that are built on this foundation of God and made of this temple of the living God that they should be clean and not defile the habitation of God which is holy devoted and dedicated for peculiar use and service to him with any filthiness of flesh or spirit lest they provoke God to destroy them and suffer the Boar out of the wood and the wild beast of the field to devour them even those grievous wolves before spoken of for he cannot indure that his habitation should be polluted but holiness becomes his house for ever 1 Cor. 3. 17 18. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. 7. 1. Psal 93. 5. So the consideration hereof that in coming to Christ and being built on him they were made a spiritual house is of great usefulness to them to incourage them in well-doing to commit themselves to God and the word of his grace for his receiving them and being a father to them when he deprives of faithful instruments for he hath a favour for such they are his building his family the sanctuaâ—y and true tabernacle which the Lord hath pitched and not man no servant hath such right in them or love to or care for them as he This man is counted worthy of more honour than Moses though Moses was faithful in all hâ—s house inasmuch as hâ— who hath builded the house haâ—h more honour than the house Moses was of the house and faithful as a servant in the house bâ—t he that built all things is God the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant c. but Christ as a Son over his own house they are his own house pitched by him his own family the children God hath given to him members of his body of his flesh and of his bones even begotten by the resurrection of Christ from the dead and holding â—ast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm to the end he doth and will nourish and cherish them when in the wilderness and guide them therein like a flock Heb. 3. 1 6. Eph. 5. 29 30. with Luk. 24. 39 Rev. 12. 14. Psal 78. 52 53. he is
ignorant of and not come unto Christ and the word of his grace that they may have life and so miss of it John 5. 39. Acts 13. 27. The holy Scriptures are no otherwise able to make wise to Salvation then thorow faith which is in Christ Jesus as before 2 Tim. 3. 15. Oh this is the great thing in the Scriptures and that by which God teacheth all things and leads into all truth Joh. 16. 43. 14. and unto which he gives testimony Act. 14. 3 and that by which all the Scriptures may be opened for his testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy the quintessence of all writ and it is the wisdom of God hence our Saviour in and by the Light hereof opeâ—ed thâ— Scriptures to his Diâ—ciples and inflamed their hearts and opened their eyes to understand the Scriptures Luk. 24 25 27 32. 44. 45. Rev 19. 10. And it is the power of God this was that which Christ was anointed to preach and he spake as one having authority and not as the Scribes to whom the vision of all was as a sealed book for though they were zealous for and strict in the observing lighter matters yet they passed over the great things of Gods Law judgement and the love of God Isa 61. 2. Mat. 7. 20 1 Cor. 1. 22. 23. The thing then to which he commits them it is the word of his grace not of ours as he had directed them to the most excellent person so here to the most excellent means for the discovering of him to us and this to shew us further the praise worthiness of this excellenâ— one and this is added that it may be a light to uâ— in our darkness For some might saâ— how shall we know Gods name or his sons Nâ—me how shall we know he hath bought us or hath any love toward us whether he gâ—ve himself a ransome for us and is our Shepherd many there are who seem to speak high of God that bring an hard report of him and deny that â—â— cordially loves the greatest part of men and so render his grace and the ground of incouragement for our coming to him doubtfuâ— and even cut off the feet Now that we may not be misled by them or by our own thoughts which in times of such great correction especially are leading us to call into question his love and faithfulness he not only commends them to God but to the word of his grace in which we mâ—y so behold him as to be strengthned to hate thoughts our own and others for every word of God is pure Prov. 30. 4. 5. That in God we may praise his word in the Lord we may praise his word and so in God we may put our trust Psal 56. 4. 10. We need not that any man teach us but as that anointing teacheth of all things and is truth and is no lye and even as it hath taught us we shall abide in him 1 Joh. 2. 27. Now for some usefulnesâ— to us in this thing to which he commends them we shall consider 1. What is this word of grace 2. Why it is so called 1. What is this word of grace Surely it is the same which he received of the Lord to testifie even the Gospel of the grace of God ver 24. And which he had preached even the Kingdom of God ver 25. All the counsel of God ver 27. Even the Gospel of Christ especiall as it is now revealed in the Revelation of the Mistery and that it is so appears by that Act. 14. 3. And compared with what goes before and follows There we have an account given us of Pauls exercise at Iconium and the success of it and how God stood by him for it is said he gave testimony to the word of his grace and when driven from Iconium he came to Lystra c. And there he preached the Gospel ver 6. 7. now ver 21. 22. It is said he returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch exhorting them to continue in the Faith namely in that word of faith which he had preached and they had received in which expression he sums up in one word what he had preached at those three places to signifie that it was but one thing and so that the word of his grace was the same he had preached at Auticâ—h Act. 13. 32. 39. and which he preacht at Lystra chap. 14. 7. to wit the Gospel Yea it there appears also that by the word of his grace is meant such a discovery of it as the Jews could not indure it was to the Jews who were seeking after a sign a stumbling block namely it is especially in the first things of it such a declaration of the grace of God as in which glad tidings is proclaimed to every poor sinful creature of mankind while it is called to day to the worst of men such as were the Gentiles and so to Idolaters Adulterers effeminate c see Act. 14. 2. 6 and 13 45. 47. with 1 Thes 2. 15. 16. Such as in which glad tidings of great joy is brought unto all people 2. Now this is called the word of his grace as in part is intimated and signified 1. Because it discovers the grace of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and of the Father in him 1. In what Christ was abased and became obedient unto for us and hath by means and by vertue thereof effected and obtained into himself for us 2. In what he is now doing 3. In what he will do hereafter 2. Because in and with this word he gives Grace to Men. 3. Because he makes them partakers of grace thorow it that turn at his â—eproofs 1. It is called the word of his grace because herein he discovers his pitty and kindness to Man-ward and that 1. In what he was abased and became obedient unto for us and hath by means and by vertue thereof effected and obtained into himself for us and is become his grace is herein greatly evidenced that we might behold it he hath manifested his word and grace thorow preaching and so 1. His grace was manifested in this that he hath undertook and was abased for us was so excellent an one it was God laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16 One who was in the form of God and thought it no robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2 6. He was rich the Lord and heir of all things and yet was abased for us herein it appears it was grace there was nothing in us in that condition we were in to deserve such a favour and so to ingage him to it yea much that might have hindred as afterward may be seen Nor any thing for the future could be expected from us that might recompense his kindness yea his goodness extended not to himself for he could not be added unto for he was glorious with the Fathers own self before the World was this was therefore grace indeed and herein the
them yea though the Prophet was unto them as a very lovely sâ—ng of one that had a pleasant voice and they heard his words delightfully it seems yet they did them not Ezek. 33. 29 33. yea mens persisting in such iniquity will at last provoke him to lay them open to the wild beasts to devour them as here ver 29. the earth which drinking in the raâ—n that oft cometh upon it yet beareth bryars and thorns is rejected and nigh unto cursing c. namely it is rejected from that use it was set apart for and peculiar care that was toward it and pains used in it and about it Whereas it was set apart for a vineyard or garden and so dealt with in every respect and inclosed their still bearing bryars and thorns instead of herbs and fruit meet for him by whom they are dressed will provoke the Husbandman to take away the hedge thereof and break down the wall thereof and so reject it from that peculiar use it was intended for and nighness it was brought into and so it is nigh to cursing even now to be eaten up and trodden down yea it provokes God in judgment to forbear pruning or digging it and on his judgments to write their sin as they brought forth bryâ—rs and thorns as their sin so now by his taking away the hedge and forbearing to prune and dig them there should in judgment come up bryars and thorns and he will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it Heb. 6. 8. with Isa 5. 1 7. the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness and suffer it not to redeem them unto God from their sins and idols for this abiden in and yielded up to would make free from the dominion and service of sin and coâ—secrate and devote men unto God and make them servants of righteousness yea for this the wrath of God is so revealed that therefore God shall send men strong delusions that they should believe a lye c. because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved namely they received it not to that end they might receive it after a manner and many did and do receive it as good tydings as a right and true opinion are perswaded of the truth of it and plead for it against opposers and yet still they retain a lye in their right hand and are not washed hereby from the pollutions of the world into Jesus Christ and so how firmly soever they may credit it and how stiffly soever they may plead for it yet while they love darkness rather than light they are under condemnation and reckoned amongst such as believe not on the name of the Son of God and reputed as such as have not received the truth but as such as have pleasure in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. Joh. 8. 31 32. Rom. 6. 17 18. 2 Thes 2. 10 11. Joh. 3. 18 19. with 2 Thes 2. 10 12. Yea this receiving his grace in vain so provokes God as that he will hide his face and will not hear or take notice of their crying unto him so as to give gracious returns how fervant soever they seem to be therein yea though they fast and pray and seek him daily and delight to know his ways and take delight in approaching to God yet he will not hear So God himself by his Prophet in his answer to the demand of such signifies Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest not wherefore have we afflicted our soul and thou takest no knowledge Behold saith the Prophet the Lord's hand is not shortned that it cannot save neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear c. but your iniquities who thus seek him daily and fast and pray have made him hide his face from you that he will not hear Isa 58. 1 3. 59. 1 2. yea though men fast and mourn and weep and set apart extraordinary times for it and continue a long time in thus crying unto him yet their having hardned their hearts against his words and not being doers of them and in their waitings on him not making this the one thing principally sought for that they may turn from their iniquities and understand his truth this causeth him not to hear when they cry Zech. 7. 2 13. with Dan. 9. 13 14. yea when his people who have his name upon them love to wander and refrain not their feet it provokes him to be as a man astonied as a mighty man that cannot save and though they fast and cry yea and though his faithful servants pray for his mercy for them yet he will not hear Jer. 14. 7 9 10 12. with Chap. 15. 1. yea when men bless themselves in their hearts concluding they shall have peace though they walk in the imagination of their heart to add drunkenness to thirst and so abuse the goodness of God and turn his grace into wantonness continuing in sin because grace hath abounded this provokes God greatly to angry and causeth him to smoak even against the prayers of such Deut. 29. 19 20. with Psal 80. 4. And this is for admonition to us all that we walk while we have the light lest darkness come upon us c. even to believe in the light that we may be the children of the light born of it and walking in the light as God is in the light as he is in it reproving and discovering our vileness and sinfulness so to confess it as discovered and to lay apart all filthiness and super fluity of naughtiness and to receive with meekness his ingrafted word which is able to save the soul Joh. 12. 35 36. Jam. 1. 22 25. 2. More particularly the cause of God's taking away his faithful servants untimely and in anger to the survivers is because those to whom such have prophesied cannot indure sound doctrine but have been angry with and secretly at least haters of faithful reproofs and reprovers this is an iniquity which is very provoking to God when those that are hearers resolve not to give heed to their words in which they are faithfully admonishing of what is evil and shewing to them the bitter fruit of going on still in their trespasses and that whoso walketh in crooked paths shall know no peace Jer. 18. 15 18 23. This provokes God at some times to stop the mouths of his servants while he continues them in the Land of the living even mens hardning their hearts against warning and admonition For this cause God saith to the Prophet I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth that thou shalt be dumb and shalt not be to them a reprover for they are a rebellious house Ezek. 2. 3. 7 26. and God hath more generally given instruction of this nature Rebuke not a scorner namely one that heareth not rebuke that loveth not one that reproveth him Prov. 9. 8. with
is said of those that died in the faith that these all having obtained a good report through faith received not the promises God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect Phil. 3. 11 12. Heb. 12. 39 40. Though believers are complâ—at in Christ who by the one offering of his personal body once for all hath perfected for ever in himself and that provision he hath made and Covenant he hath sealed them that are sanctified so as there needs no more offering for sin yet in themselves they are not compleat nor compleatly in him and are therefore instructed to walk in Christ as they have received him rooted and built up in him and to have their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water Col. 2 10. with ver 2 7. Heb. 10. 14 22 their being built up is by degrees they go from strength to strength Psal 84 7. and are changed from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3. 18. And hence they are said to grow like a Cedar Psal 92. 12. to grow up Eph. 4. 15. to increase 1 Thes 4. 10. Col. 2. 19. to abound more and more 1 Thes 4. 1. to press toward the mark Phil. 3. 14. to run the race Heb. 12. 1. All which expressions signifie that the believers while here in mortal bodies have not yet attained to compleatness in themselves or to a compleat iâ—joyment of what is to be possessed and which while here they seek and wait for Here though he that is perfect in knowledge is with them abiding in Christ yet they are not perfect in knowledge but are instructed to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savâ—our Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. And the Apâ—stle prayes for these Ephesians who were sealed with the holy spirit of promise that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of glory would give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation c. The eyes of their understandings being inlightnâ—d that they might further know what is the hope of his calling c. Eph. 1. 13 20. and that they might know the love of Christ Chap. 3. 14 19. And hence that holy man so oftentimes prayes that God would open his eyes make him understand teach him the way of his statutes give him understanding teach him knowledge c. Psal 119. 18 19 27 33 34 64 66. yea the Apostle Paul who as a wise Master-builder laid the foundation and preached the Gospel according to the revelation of the mystery affirms of himself and other believers that now they knew in part and not perfectly 1 Cor. 13. 9 12. And so they are not perfect in their faith in their hearty perswasion and imbracement of what God hath testified of his Son and dependance on him according thereto so as to live the life they now live in the flesh by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave himself for us and to walk by faith but many weaknesses and mixtures are found with them and much shortness according to what the Apostle signifies concerning the Thessalâ—nians where he saith night and day praying exceedingly that we might perfect that which is lacking in your faith 〈◊〉 â—â—â— 3. 10. and thanks God because thâ—â—â—â—iâ—â—â—iâ— grow c. 2. Thes 1. 3. and tells the Corinthians thaâ— he had hope that when thâ—ir â—aith was increased they should be iâ—arged â—y them 2 Cor. 10. 15. and surely this appears when God is ordering â—â—ptâ—â—ions and tryals of the faith to them by their weakâ—ess and readiness to faint â—â—d be wâ—aâ—y that they baâ—e nâ—t yet attained unto a most â—ull assurance of â—â—iâ—h what douâ—â—ings and aptness to be calling into question God's love and â—aithfulness what jealousies and â—ears concerning him as if he would leave and forsake them what readiness to be looking or vain hâ—lp and turning the eyes this way and that way is found with such the Scriptures testifie and the experiences of such confirm Psal 31. 22. 77. 7 10. 116. 11. How oft our Saviour reprehends his Disciples on this account may be seen mat 6. 30. 8. 26. 14. 31. 16. 8. Mark 4. 4â— Luk. 8. 25. yea when they said We believe that thou camest forth from God Jesus answered them Do ye now believe Behold the hour cometh yea is now come that ye shall be scattered every one to his own c. Joh. 16. 30 32. That hour that came upon him made discovery of them that there was yet somewhat lacking in their faith how confident soever they were of themselves yea it may seem there was sometime some shortness found with Abraham the father of the faithful though not imputed of whom it was said he staggered not at the promise through unbelief but was strong in faith for when God promised that Sarah should be a Mother of Nations c. Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said unto God O that Ishmael may live before thee Gen. 17. 17 19. and surely believers have need to pray Lord help our unbelief as he Mark 9. 24. or however as the Disciples Lord increase our faith Luâ— 17. 7. Nor are they yet perfectly conformed to Christ and filled with the fruits of righteousness there is yet sin dwelling in them and in many â—â—iâ—gs they offend all and need therefore to be still sanctified and washed with the washing of water by the word to which end Christ gives himself to them for them Eph. 5. 25 26. 1 Thes 5. 23. their love to Christ and God in him may yet abound in all knowledge and judgment and though they love one another and all men yet they may increase and abound therein Hence they are instructed to add to their faith vertue c. Phil. 1. 9 11. 1 Thes 3. 12 13. 4. 1 9 10. 2 Pet. 1. 4 8. And as this instruction is useful to preserve us from the error of those wicked and Antichristian spirits who boast that they are sinless and perfect and injoy the fulness of all blessing and that they have need of nothing while yet they are poor and miserable and blind who though they are pure in their own eyes yet are not washed from their filthiness Wo unto them for they have received their consolation And also from their swelling words of vanity who being pufâ— up with their fleshly mind and not holding the head boast of their merits and works of superâ—rrogation c. seeing it shews our shortness and incompleatness in our selves while here that pride may be hidden from us and no flesh may glory in his presence but that even unfeigned believers may confess that when they have done all that is commanded them they are unprofitable servants So also it is proper as viewed in the glorious Gospel to move us continually to come unto Jesus Christ and to give more earnest heed to the things we have heard that with open face
is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed Joh. 6. 40. Rom. 4. 16. and this alwayes excludes boasting and shâ—ws that this inheritance will be given to them of grace and that in Christ and not in themselves shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Isa 45 25. What hath been said to this second branch of the further declaration of the excellency of the person and thing to which he commits them viz. which is able to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified may be useful to us 1. To shew unto us among whom this inheritance is to be injoyed and shall be possessed it is among all them that are sanctified even by saith in Christ and so 1. It is not to be inherited by such who are contentious against the truth and enemies to the testimony of God concerning Christ such as these shall inherit folly Prov. 14. 18. and shame shall be their promotion Prov. 3. 25. all that are incensed against Christ shall be ashamed Isa 45. 24. to such God will render indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish Rom. 2. 8 9. Whatever inheritances they may have here and how rich soever they are here yet then God will in flaming fire take vengeance on them that know not God Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord When he comes to be glorified in his Saints and sanctified ones 2 Thes 1. 8 10. 2. This inheritance shall not be injoyed by such as though they prosess to know God and believe his Gospel yet obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1. 8 10. Who though they receive the love of the truth yet receive it not in such manner and to such end as to be saved thereby but still hold fast deceit and refuse to return 2 Thes 2. 10 12. This is the will of God our sanctification that we should abstain from fornication from all filthiness of flesh and spirit He therefore that despiseth despiseth not man but God 1 Thes 4. 3 8. Oh let us not deceive our selves nor be deceived by others as if we should inherit though we receive his grace in vain and suffer it not to save us from our sins and idols or though we did run well yet are hindred from obeying the truth This ye knew that no whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man which is an idolater hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God Eph. 5. 5 6. they that do the works of the flesh shall not inherit the Kingdom of God â—al 5. 19 21. 6. 7. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. 3. Nor shall this inheritance be possessed by the children of the bondwoman who are born to the hope of and challenge the inheritance from some wisdom and strength of the flesh such as have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge who being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish a righteousness of their own submit not unto the righteousness of God Gal. 3. 16 18. 4. 22 30. such shall not inherit with the children of the promise who trust in themselves that they are righteous Joh. 1. 12 13. 2. Seeing there is such an inheritance prepared for the sanctified ones it may be of usefulness to those that are in Christ Jesus to walk after the Spirit and yield up to the saving efficacy of the grace of God and having such promises to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord And as he who hath called them is holy so to be holy separated from uncleanness and devoted to God in all manner of conversation 2 Cor. 7. 1. Col. 3. 1 5. Heb. 11. 13 15. 1 Pet. 1. 13 18. 1 Joh. 3. 2 3. And to chuse rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to injoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of this world having respect unto the recompence of the reward Heb. 10. 32 34. 11. 24 26. 13. 13 14. 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. 3. It shews the blessedness of the sanctified ones though they are generally the poor of this world and for Christ's sake killed all the day long and appointed as sheep for the slaughter yet they are rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which God hath prepared for them that love him Jam. 2. 5. 1. 12. 5. 11. Isa 54. 6 17. 4. In that the inheritance is among all them that are sanctified it may instruct them to live together according to knowledge and as heirs together of the grace of life that their prayers be not hindered 1 Pet. 3. 7. Eph. 4. 3 4. 5. Yea and it may strengthen them with strength in their souls not to fear for it is their fathers good pleasure to give them the Kingdom Luk. 12. 29 32. and therefore though now they walk in the midst of trouble he will revive them he will stretch forth his hand against the wrath of their enemies those grievous Wolves c. that spare not the flock and his right hand shall save them and though he hath removed eminent and faithful instruments yet the Lord will perfect by the word of his grace what concerns them his mercy indureth for ever he will not forsake the works of his own hands Psal 138. 7 8. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant make us perfect in every good work to do his will working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen THE END