12.15 Act. 7.57 Summa mundi ingratitudo the more a Saints spirit in pitty is for their good the more are their spirits in rage against Saints to their hurt 3. They have yearnings of soule after such that deviate from truth that goe astray in the wildernes of sin striving to reclaime them and to bring them into the way of the Lord to walke towards holynes Act. 17.23 Paul was employ'd in such a busines as this at Athens amonst a people that were wandering after an unknowne God that went they knew not whither Luk. 15.4 that worshipped they knew not what As a man lookes after a wandering beast to bring it home so doth Christ a wandering soul and this is part of the employment of such that can say As he is so are we in this world Ezech. 34.6 7 8 9. Christ is highly displeased with such that should looke after scattered soules and are negligent they walke contrary to him but such please him that are painfull in preserving those are his that undertake any employment for the recovery of soules from error to truth from out of the Devils common to Christs sold They are deare friends to Christ that to their utmost are helpful to the purchased possession of Christ you that are good servants to Christ you shall find him a good Master to you be like him in action and he will make you like himselfe in the reward he that works in his vineyard shall have faire wages Blessed are you that now serve not your selves but the Lord Jesus Christ this busines will make Christ honour you your striving to reclaime such that wander from the commandements of the Lord Dan. 12.3 They that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse as the starres for ever and ever God will honour them that strive to save others Jam. 5.20 How like Christ are they that strive to convert a sinner from the error of his way and to save a soul from death Is not such work Christs worke do not they follow him that works thus When Christ works in us for making us like him we will worke abroad to bring soules unto him 3. They loath sinne they that are like Christ they detest and abominate what Christ detests Sin is a devil and who can abid him unlesse wretches that are like him Sin will eat up a soul can any unlesse a mad-man love that which will utterly undoe him Sinne brings plagues upon a mans selfe and all he hath entertain not a guest that hath such ill attendants thou canst not embrace sin but thou must wound Christ wilt thou shew so much hard-heartednes as to wound him that hath suffered so much already Isa 52.14 yea such sufferings as never any suffered besides him besides you cannot sinne against Christ but you must hurt your selves yea your best part Pro. 8.36 your souls but to cast such weeds aside and to speak of men and practises fiting the place and time and that is Saints their behaviour in this particular towards sin they abhorre sin upon the same reasons and grounds that Jesus Christ abhorres it 't is indeed Christ in them that makes them dislike it if their dislike be such as it should be there are soules that may have some dislike of sin yet they may not with a Saints spirit loath it 1. Some there are that stand aloofe from sin when it allures because should they yeeld it may cause some disgrace to them it may make some cast them off that now they have favour withall and whose favour it may be is more beneficial for present then their sin can be they are sollicited unto These deserve no thankes from God for love to God makes them not dislike sin 't is the upholding of some reputation and credit amongst men that for present restrains them They say not I have receiv'd mercy from Christ how can I sin against him that hath been so good to me but I have a reason of mine own saith the carnal soule and therefore I may doe this or that not but that he loves the sin but it stands not with his end for present to meddle with it 2. Some are kept off from sin as the dog from the bone with the cudgel the feare of the Law deters them faine they would be doing but then they feare suffering they thinke it might be beneficiall to steale but they like not hanging the money might help them but the halter would hurt them Christ is not beholding to these nor to any such for love to him prevailes not with them Mat. 14.5 these are kept from evil as Herod at first from killing John for feare of the people Luk. 22.2 as the Chief Priests Scribes from killing Jesus or the Captain and Officers from offering violence to the Apostles Act. 5.26 That many are not more vile wee may thanke their feare of the Law not their love nor likenesse to Christ 3. Some are kept from some sins for fear of hell Hell is not seen and therefore not much feard men think strangly of hell take heed you never know it this place of Torments is not much considered of now or if it be men think they are far enough from it and may escape If love to Christ keepe not from sin fear of hell will not 't is the mercies of Christ that Paul presents as a bait to allure to holinesse and drawe men off from the world Rom. 12.1 Significans cogitionem miserecordiae Dei debere nobis esse stimulum ad vitam Deo placentem transigendam mercies are very invitive especially the mercies of Christ that are such sweet precious mercies mercies that had never any like them the world had never such another in it for mercy as Christ Mercies drawe Saints to abhorre evill and as God shall call you to be Saints you will do likewise Sin is offence to Christ and goodnesse is pleasing to him Saints are acquainted with him and know it and strive it should be so to them Christ and inside Christians have but one object of their love but one of their hatred viz good and all good and that they effect together evill and all evill and that they reject a like you may conceive of such to be Saints that go so right with Christ 4. Saints indeed soules like Christ they are such that aime at the glory of God in all their undertakings it was Christs meat and drinke to do the will of his father so 't is theirs that are Christs if men will be pleas'd seeing them in Gods businesse they rejoyce but if they will not they neverthelesse continue doing There was a Gallant courage in Christ to glorify his Father so is there in Saints they will honour God if they die in the action Act. 5.19 they if oppos'd durst bidt heir opposers judge whether it be better to obey
such multitudes of men and women in the world and so few of them good so few gracious 'T is sad to see a throng in the way to hel men pressing forwards to destruction and to everlasting perdition and to see but now and then one going towards glory towards everlasting salvation Wickednesse hath many that owne it and wicked waies are ful of footsteps but for goodnesse 't is not look'd upon nor the waies of goodnesse travel'd in holinesse is become like a poor man Cognatus pauperi nullus Diviti cognatus est quilibet none cares for being of his kindred or acquaintance but wickednesse like the great men of the world have many followers This is a trouble to Saints to behold yet as there may be by a Traveller some Englishmen found in a remote country though but a very few in comparison of the Natives so some heavenly souls some new-born christians here in the world though but a few in respect of what are are earthly and born onely after the flesh As a man may rejoyce much in finding one piece of gold or some one pretious stone so if you find but some one that is Godly yet be comforted in hopes that there are more though you for present know them not And rest assured that there are precioos Saints in this age in the world as wel as in former ages and that you shal meet them all in glory It may give you some hint who they Vse 2 are that are such precious souls such rare Creatures such jewels souls like Christ holy as Christ is holy pure as Christ is pure that are excellent here upon earth that are Kings and raigne in life by one even Jesus Christ 1. They are such that enjoy a Christ within that have Christ himself dweling in them many dwel where Christ dwelleth and so content themselves never considering whether Christ dwel in them we have nothing nor are worth nothing if Christ be not in us all that a man hath perish and faile and come to nothing if he hath not Christ 'T is Christ that is the souls all he is the onely good and the onely lasting good and such soules may be said to have some thing that have him yea al things but they that enjoy him not have nothing they have no oyle in their lamps and being so wil be shut out and not enter with the bridegroome into joy But now all are ready to say they have Christ in them have you so examine your souls are they delighted with Christ is Christ that which delights you doth Christ give peace doth Christ drawe your hearts heaven-wards lovers whose hearts are delighted with one they love how are they drawn towards such places where they may enjoy their love Love is a loadstone drawing souls to Christ We cannot forbeare we cannot abstaine from longing to be in more ful enjoyments of Christ if so be that Christ be in us Christ is the great the infinit good that is given out to men they rejoyce infinitly that have this infinit good their portion they that have Christ have him that is good beyond compare and this is he that makes souls precious There are as many precious souls in this congregation as there be soules enjoying Christ And there are so many enjoyers of Christ as there are lovers of Christ that love him as their owne souls as their owne lives nay much better then either There are many that talke of loving Christ but their love to Christ is but such as the hosts to his guest he is bid welcome more for his money sake then for any desire of communion and fellowship If they may gain by Christ they wil waite on him if not they wil be strange to him you that talke of loving Christ what doe you know of Christ Ex aspectu nascitur amor love riseth from knowledge what have you seene of him have you seene his beauty seen his glory seen his comlines He is altogeather lovely have you seen this lovelines have you tasted of his love love is mighty in ' its operation love the love of Christ coming in Socrates putat animam immersam corpori velut expergisci amoris stimulis c. stirs the soul wonderfully it rouseth it up it sets it a worke for Christ Love produceth action it sets men upon difficulties and makes them go through hardships doth Christs love do so with you try you may know if you deal faithfully in this thing you know who dwels in your house much more in your hearts you know why you do this and that what is it of all you do that you do for Christ and that from the life of Christ Paul was precious in his actings and precious in himself and all was by Christ that liv'd in him as many of you as have receiv'd Christ are happy Consider wel of it whatsoever you are outwardly in appearance in forme in possessions in friends c. I speak not of 't is nothing you are precious if you have Christ within precious children precious souls precious Saints all of you precious all of you jewels that have Christ 2. They that are precious are such whose iniquities are hid and whose sins are done away such in whom the Lord sees no guile such that are holy such that are nourished and carried in the bosome of the mercy and goodnesse of God Obj. But is not every soul a sinner do not all complain of their corruptions weaknesses failings errors c Ans A Christian man is both righteous and a sinner holy and profane an enemy of God and yet a child of God for a christian man by the force of his natural coruption may doe such things as the word of God forbids and as he himself as spiritual abhorres Paul himselfe did many things which were repugnant to the law of God therefore he had cause to say he was not already perfect Phil. 3.12 Scriptures are not altogether silent as concerning Abraham Jacob Rebeccah Sara Moses Job David Hezekiah All good and godly souls take them as Saints and walking after the Spirit yet take them as in the body and sometimes they did not alone doe good things unperfectly and leave some good things undone but also do some evil actions See Rom. 7 c. which were directly repugnant to the rule of Gods law and to their own renewed minde thus may they be stil sinners unholy in respect of their failings weaknesses imperfect sanctification or sanctification in part but take them as justified believers and in Christ they are righteous holy just the sin which they slip into is not laid to their charge but is done away for Christs sake in whom they believe whose righteousnesse is their righteousnesse and their sin Christs sin Vt Christus fuit peccator ita nos justâ— sumus His by imputation who is most just and innocent of himself yet was the curse and punishment imposed upon Christ to whome sin
see men advanced to worldly honours that they enjoy such honours and dignities or if they see people beautifull or gorgeously apparel'd they cannot it may be say they have so faire a face or rich cloaths c. Saints think they are rich enough honourable enough that they are very faire and gallant if like Jesus Christ In respect of many worldly injoyments that the sons of men possessed 't is probable the sons of Zion could not say they were like them yet this was their comfort that they had the witnesse of the spirit Rom. 8.16 that they could say they were like God they were holy souls like the holy God union with God brought forth likenes to God 1 John 4.15 16 Deus charitas est quid pretiosius Et qui manet in charitate in Deo manet quid securius Et Deus in eo quid jucundius Haec gloria christianorum magna est a blessed God dwelling in them makes them blessed souls Exceeding blessed and ever happy are they that from in-dwellings of Father Son and Spirit in them can say God is holy Christ is holy the Spirit holy and we as Saints delight to be holy and so to be like Father Son and Spirit The Apostle speaks largely in his own and Saints commendation in uttering a few words saying As he is so are we in this world He had spoken much of God and of the Son of God 1 Joh 4.16 and of Gods dwelling in Saints and of Saints being born of God 1 Joh. 4.7 and knowing God and having laboured with his Divine and Heavenly Rhetorick he endeavoured to give God the honour due unto him and he would not let slip an opportunity of magnifying the grace of God in Saints 1 Joh. 3.1 1 Joh. 5.12 and how much they were dignified by enjoying God and as to extol their greatnesse and goodnesse in the world so to chear up themselves that had received such kindness of God and that they might with boldnesse stand up pleading their own dignity and blessedness 1 Pet. 4.14 against all the reproaches disgraces and scorns of the world he holds out God and then himself and Saints As he is so are we in this world We shall look upon the Text as it hath relation mainly to God as making out himself to us in Jesus Christ Loquitur hic de conformitate in puritate innocentia vitae Hem. 1 Pet. 1.15 2 Cor. 5.21 Luk. 6.36 and to Saints through grace enjoying God within and by that enjoyment striving to be like God in holinesse righteousnesse mercy love patience longsuffering goodnesse gentlenesse c. And although 't is impossible for Christians to be such as God for purity and perfection Haec conformitas nostri cum Deo in imitatione conaâ—u omni puritate perfectione posita est Rom. 8.29 yet through the Spirits help may they imitate God and for the manner of living holily strive to be conformable to the Lord So that as God is a God of love Christians are Christians of love that love that is in a Christian to God it is but a son it is but a fruit of the love that is in God to a Christian 't is but the springing forth of somewhat of God himself planted within in the soul Eccles 1.7 't is but a stream running back to that Sea from whence it came returning God his due like for like love for love a Saint knows love deserves love Gods love is love 1 Jo. 4.19 In this way of love he acts freely 1 Pet. 5.2 and so is like God it is as ordinary for a Christian to love as to live for what maintains his being as a Saint produceth love to the ornament of his being As it rejoyceth in having the life of a Saint Gal. 2.20 Act. 4.20 Psal 40.8 so it is pleased in doing the work of a Saint laying out it self in what is pleasing to the Lord Joh. 7.18 God cannot but act what is good and what tends to his own glory take a Saint as having God living in it 1 Joh. 3.18 19. and from that living of God in it acting it doth what is good and also tends to the glory of God 1 Cor. 15.58 It knows 't is not lost labour to be doing for God and that it is not in vaine There is infinite good in God and there is some good in a Saint Infinitnesse in God enables God for infinite worke God is able to do like himself beyond what a soul can think or conceive A soul that enjoyes somewhat that this all-good-God gives out in his love through Christ 1 Cor. 15.10 is in his actings according to what he receives and as that receiving springs and sprouts out Omnia gratiae divinae tribuit A spark of fire will do what a spark can do and a drop of water what a drop may indeed it cannot do so much as the Sea or Element of fire can do 'T is a Christians joy that of Christs heavenly fulnesse it receives some grace Joh. 3.34 Christ hath what he hath without measure a Christian in measure a Christian is glad that it finds Christ saying 1 Cor. 15.48 As is the heavenly such are they that are heavenly and that by the spirits work 't is fashioned to be like Christ now 't is in the world and so chang'd into the same Image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3.18 And though it live in a wicked world amongst wicked men yet it is not like them but it is like him that is heavenly it is not conformable to those it lives withall without in the body but to him that lives within in his soul Dearly beloved what are you what can you now say for your selves can you say you are like Christ have you a life like Christ have you a conversation like Christ are you cloath'd like Christ Col. 3.12 have you put on as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse long suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any Christus non tantum nobis est donum verum etiam exemplum Miraculosae actiones Christi mentem nostram de veritate doctrinae ipsius confirmabunt Peculiares actiones quae sunt ipsius officii propriae hae ut expiatoriae peccati nostri fuerunt ita salutis fiduciam in nobis alent confirmabunt even as Christ forgave you so also do yee The actions of Christ should be instructions of christians yet consider rightly of Christs actions some were miraculous as fasting forty daies raising the dead c. these are not to be immitated because they cannot yet these may help to strengthen our faith and confirme us concerning the truth of the Doctrine of Christ Some are peculiar actions belonging to his office as to redeem or make intercession c. these also are
state and also honourable c Ans I may say because they have not receiv'd of the heavenly gift are not by heavens hand polished Besides 't is not the fashion of the world To be holy is exceedingly out of fashion in these times to be holy is to be singular the last is to be wondred at if not disdain'd it sets all men a wondering to behold the assemblies of Saints Psal 38.5 Some-times besides wondring they are enrag'd against them Reges terrae inito inter se consilio congregati sunt contra hanc Dei civitatem ejusque cives pariter ad nos expugnandos convenerunt I shal spare any further discourse upon such that differ so much from Christ I am sure if they never be made like Christ they will wish they had if they be chang'd into the like Image I need not bid them their own graces will quicken them to praise the Lord. The first Doctrine is left to your meditation I desire you may be as like Christ as the Doctrine is like truth the next thing to present to your soules is this Doct. 2 They that know Jesus Christ may know Saints I know many questions might be propounded about this Doctrin but I omit them what may be said of two men that are much a like he that knows one may know the other so he that knowes Christ may know Saints I know no one surer way to try men by then this looke well upon Christ consider his graces and all his endowments â—mor Dei est illud sigillum quo Deus electos credentes obsignat taste his sweetnes smell his savour where you find that is like what you find in Christ conclude they are Saints Men know their goods by the mark their leases by the seale servants by their livery so may Saints be known by Christ Study Christ well and thou wilt say such are Saints let their appearances bee what they will let them be by name Jew or Gentile circumcis'd or not circumcis'd if Saints their graces will discover what they be Christians judge not according to the flesh and formes but according to the Spirit a gracious soul is lovely to a gracious spirit let it be of never so different judgement in some low things that are subject to vanish They are children of one Father Reas descended of one Royal stock Know the Eldest child well you may know the Younges consider of Christs comlines the Saints 〈◊〉 may the better appear know the righteousness of Christ and you may know holy Saints the voice of Christ and the voice of Saints God gifts and cloths his children much alike what the eldest hath the youngest hath the same indeed the eldest is larges and the difference is onely in the measure not in the manner Al grace is in Christ and some in Saints There 's grace in al head and members have life every part of the body its ornament so whole Christ and this in holines Their employment is a like Reas Do you know the busines of Christ can you say this is the work of Christ and herein he is excercis'd Consider who acts like him and then judge Compare things together the holy and heavenly work of Christ let that be the pattern esteem and commend those souls whose workings are most like the pattern Children are commended that write most like the Copy and so is the Limner whose draught is most like the body whose picture agrees best with the life Suffer a word of exhortation Eph. 5.1 Be ye therefore followers of God as deare childien and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour Christ yeel'ds a sweet savour in his love and in his obedience 2 Cor. 2.15 so do Saints they are unto God a sweet savour Study Christ soundly and when you have done see how men agree with Christ and accordingly let them have the repute of Saints Be not partial in your judging but judge righteous judgement Vuse You may now hint whence it is that Saints are no better known I conceive it is because Christ is not known Ignorance of Christ effecteth an ignorance of Saints 1 Cor. 2.8 Christ was kild by such that knew him not and so are Saints How many precious Jewels have been taken for drosse and so cast out how many gracious souls esteem'd not worthy to live and why because like Christ Act. 22.22 both Christ and they taken for evil doers for disturbers of the places where they come yea sometime for blasphemers you seldom see any reverence godly souls that yield not reverence to the God of souls Joh. 16.2 3. that respect Saints that honour not Christ Men that are farthest from Christ are the lap-children of wicked men if any have their respect they are such that are like themselves ungodly Good men you complain of your slightings wrongs and divers sufferings in the world and complain you may your sorrows are ungodly mens musick they never rejoyce more then when the Saints tears run down fastest This hath and will be the worlds pastime even good-mens sufferings Christ sufferings pleas'd the Jews heartily so doth the sufferings of Christs people Jewish natures to this day Men do they know not what in wronging the deare jewels of God and pluck on themselves a most heavy wrath from the God of Saints The works of wicked men now are such as the wicked generations that went before 1 Thes 2.15 for they killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted Saints and all was because they were blinded of Satan and the glorious Spirit of holines shone not into their souls to give them the knowledge of Jesus Christ How were it possible that men should be enemies to Christ or to Saints the friends of Christ did they know what he hath suffered and undergone for souls Amor è caelo ad terram eum traxit ad columnam ligavit cruciaffixit sepulchro clausit ad inferos atâ—raxit how out of love and pitty he came down from heaven underwent many a gracious suffering and all to do poor wretched man good but here is a sad sight al is slighted of many Is it not strange to hear a groaning Christ and sinners mocking a Christ wounded to the heart and souls mad at heart against him to see the everlasting Father dying and yet the children of that Father abus'd and that by such for whom the Father is suffering It was an ungratful act of Joash to slay the child of Johoiada that had holp him to the Kingdome but as the sufferer prayed God acted punished the wicked doer God is just wait his time and then see what he wil do to Christ and christian wrongers You have need of patience you Christ-like souls you are sufferers you will be so in this world you are not known neither is your
Saviour and indeed because your glory is hid is it that your sufferings are open but be of good chear God will help you he knows Christ and he knows you he holp Christ and will help you I shall say onely this to such that say they know not who are Saints what these Saints mean they know not c. I fear you know not Christ if it be so 't is sad with you and your state is miserable and were I able this day to weep I should willingly weep for such that know not the Lord Jesus Christ Let not a form of worship bear overmuch Vse 2 sway with you and so think all Saints that are under such a form and for all others to thinke that they are heathen to suppose that they are without Christ because without such a form a form affected by you These forms of worship I mean Idolizing them hath made a miserable stir amungst professors The devil hath taken great advantage to nourish strife and discord amongst brethren by them and he hath blasted charity abundantly nay so much that some will not joyn in prayer with any unlesse of their form nor hear the word unlesse from one of their judgment Is this a knowing of Christ then Saints or is it a knowing appearances Saints by them The Lord reconcile Jew and Gentile The foot may be lov'd though it be not an eye because 't is of the body so may a soul though of a different outward appearance because it belongs to Jesus Christ In the body there are several members yet are all useful in their places wherin the Lord hath been pleased to place them so it is in the several attainments and Administrations the Saints are under All may be useful and he that is in the lowest Attainment especially that may be of some so judg'd may there enjoy God and be useful to the body and though it see not with the eye yet may it be a foot to help carry on the body I could wish that we could more look after Christ and where we find him esteem them Saints whether they be circumcised or uncircumcised whether bond or free I know not why any should consider them that are in a low appearance as 't is judg'd in mean attainment Who knows but Christ may be with them if so that 's enough if Christ ascend they shall ascend with him Noahs Arke rose as the waters did so shall Saints as Christ pleaseth to bear them up and at length all forms shall die and Christ to his appear all in all For the resurrection and appearance of the Lord is the death of man and the death of forms and the death of flesh for all these things are but shadows and when Christ cleerly appears they shall be abolished The Lord make out his appearance clearly that so we may know him and by knowing him know those that are his and from a right knowing love and love increasing our mutual joy may abound in the Lord. Would you soules be taken for Saints Vse 3 do you desire the people of God should have such an esteem of you indeed You must be like Christ or they durst not own you under that name you must be anointed with that anonting he is anointed withal Ro. 8.9 you must have the same spirit within and you must be fashioned without like Christ Omnis vita nostra conformis illi reddatur qui examore nostri totum sae nobis conformavit your conversation must be holy and as becometh the Gospel Two cannot walk together except they agree saith God now what agreement can be between Christ and Beliall between the wolfe and the lamb what agreement was there between Saints and Paul all that time he persecuted could Saints take him for a Saint then No he must be made a new creature he must be changed Christ must be revealed in him Some of you are angry because you are debar'd from something that is the priviledge of Saints Pray know this Gods sheepe are known by his mark shew your mark let appear that your spot is the spot of God and such as he puts on his flock Every man may not sit in Parliament is such that are chosen and sent so not every one may fit in the assembly of the righteous but such that are called and chosen and faithful Obj. You will object it may be and say what do I think you are not holy do I not take you for Christians do I think th you have not a care to serve God and live holily do not wee you 'l say keep our church as much as any do not we pray and hear We were formerly taken for good people and there was no exception what must we now be suspected must our faith be now call'd in question scuh things Carnall people object Ans Soules from this plea I cannot say you are Saints I know many a Nominall Christian goes to hell many go to Church as they stile the house of publike worship are never the more reformed Eccl. 8.10 they continue wicked and are unregenerated it may be for al this Ro. 2.28 I may use Pauls words He is not a Jew which is one outwordly neither is that Circumcisition which is outward in the flesh Qui tantum professione externa nuncupatione est Judaeus non coram Dei judicio consetur Judaeus sed is solus c. Non qui est in operto Christianus is Christianus est nec qui est in aperto tantum baptismus is baptismus est c. Now know this that the meaning is I conceive He is not a true Jew or true Israelite viz. gracious that can onely plead his naturall birth or the cutting off the foreskin of his flesh neither is he a true Christian that is so by name onely and borne in a Christian country and that hath received the outward badge being sprinkled with water Paul discovered how little such outward things profited when he renounced all fleshly Confidence Phil. 3.4 Though he could plead as great fleshly priviledges as any yet he counted all as nothing worth in comparison of Christ When he had received Christ Eph. 5.13 he saw cleerly by that light that manifests all things that all natural endowments and enjoyments without Christ were of no benefit to the soul Now as Paul though comparing them with Christ counted them dung and drosse yet he did not detract any thing from the endowments and enjoyments themselves Haec nihil detrahunt dignitati sacramentorum c. No more would I from the name Christian or from publike meetings or from baptism but wiling I am to give all their due so that Christ be not rob'd but acknowledged all and in all I must tell you souls they are fooles and unwise that pride themselves in any thing that is not very Christ Baptisme is nothing if a soul hath not Christ a Sermon is nothing preaching nothing if Christ be
not preached the name Christian nothing if Christ be not in the soul The sum of the sum of all is Christ 'T is a common fault God weed it out of mens hearts for men to vatut in some outward thing and glad many are if they can denominate themselves of this or that opinion or judgement or of this or that man as a hearer follower or of his Congregation or got into some attainement that bears high amongst professours I shall onely say this beware you do not deceive your selves Christ is all and all you must have Christ or you will perish eternally I might have added severall Reasons why Saints are so wary who they take into their fellowship as that they will not take in such that bear a name onely and in life and conversation are sensuall carnall heathenish devilish nor such as barely beleeve only a Christ without that can speake of the letter of scripture and the history of Christ but have not a Christ manifested within but I shal not stay here much for Saints them already and for others they as Swine pearles will tread them under their foot they will scorn them as that they savour of over much strictnesse and novelty it may they will say of Independencie and Anabaptisme But a word of them 1. It is uncomfortable to Saints to take them into fellowship that have not a Christ within Is it not uncomfortable living for a living man to be yok'd to a dead body and to have dead men for his Company What are men without Christ but dead men Eph. 2. 1. Joh. 1.22 souls without life stincking rotten loathsome souls that have no comlinesse 2. It is dangerous to Saints to joyn in any intimate fellowship with such by reason they are infectious persons a body infected with the plague is not more apt to infect mens bodies then sinfull vile souls are such that nourish fellowship with them ps 18.29 Men are very apt to fashion themselves like those with whom they converse and live to imitate their words and actions and to be confederate in their doings and so allured or enticed from what is right and agreeable to the perfect rule of the word 3. It is scandalous for if such be taken into fellowship and church society that are vile or that have but a form of Godlinesse and so adorn not the profession of the Gospell how doth it give ungodly men occasion to speak evil and to open their mouths against the way of the Saints and to stand out so much the more stifly by way of oppossition against truth because of some bad ones got into outward society that have not the inward enjoyment of truth Saints had need beware upon this consideration who they take into church-fellowship that so it be not such that by falling off from holinesse give offence but such that are held in by the power of truth to the credit of truth and truths professors with whom they are in communion Souls you that know Christ look about you consider of men rightly take a serious consideration of them Sanctam vitam cum ip so amant Discite a me quia mitis sum humilis corde Sivis esse adoptivus Dei filius vide quomodo conversetur filius ille unigenitus take them for Saints that are like Christ such that are like holy as Christ is holy pure as Christ is pure precious as Christ is precious sweet lovely comely beautiful as Christ gentle lowly as Christ they that are Christs are like Christ The adopted sonnes of God like the only begotten sonne of God the younger brothers like the Elder Saints like their Saviour Christ is humble gentle loving merciful full of bowels of kindnes and goodnes they that are Saints indeed are like him he it is they strive to imitate he they look vnto as their rule Sancta Christi vita est perfecta vitae nostrae regula he is the patterne they have always before them I guide you not to this or that forme attainment opinion judgment or the like to find Saints but I point out to you Christ and if you see any like him esteem them if you find any that have the same spirit as Christ vbi spiritus vnus ibi eadem voluntas ubi voluntas eadem ibi etiam actiones eaedem that have the same will the same actions look on them love them and for Christs sake esteem them because they are like Christ the very image of Christ The main resolution of their souls and actings of the body is to know God and promote his glory to ascribe praises to him to do good to Saints to put forward whatsoever is agreeable to his wil with all their might Si propter Christum proprio honori proprio amori propriae voluntati in hac vita renuncias Christus in futura sui honoris sui amoris compotem te faciet 'T is not mens frownes t is not allurements 't is not losses 't is not Crosses can deter them from the work of God they know if they deny themselves seeking here not their own honour nor self advancings but following the advice of Christ observing his will doing his work laying out themselves wholly for him he will reward them by giving out unto them of his honour of his love and the like in the world to come I shall leave you now to the search and finding out of Saints by the wisdome of Christ owning and esteeming such for Saints that are like Jesus Christ they that know Christ may know Saints And so much shall suffice to be spoken of that second Doctrine We shall as God shall enable us by his spirit give out somewhat more from the Text that may be of further use comfort to souls which is this Saints brought to heaven shall not have another being Doct. 3 onely a perfecting of what is begun on earth They have a glory already in them upon them Joh. 17.22.23 even the glory that was given to Christ in heaven they shall have more abundant glory They have Somewhat for breeding as heirs under age not come to their full inheritance yet growing to a ripenesse of years and so to a possession of the inheritance even a knowledge of the excellencies of God and Christ fully and clearly yea and of their own excellency by vertue of union and communion with Father and sonne For then shall that glory be manifest and apparant above which is not so manifest and apparent below Christians have some light now though but small they have part of what they shall enjoy in perfection they now see though but darkly then face to face clearly They enjoy visions of God though in a cloudy and darke manner God and glory are reveal'd but in part to Saints whilst here on earth and all they see and know is but dark and imperfect to what they shall see and know God communicates and makes out of his
corruption and the like here is much of mercy and goodnes in all this but the crown and perfection of all is the bringing seating crowning of souls in glory How beautiful are souls in that day how glorious how lifted up how exalted how honour'd when they shal not alone see Christ but they shal live with him Not alone behold him in a Throne at the right-hand of the maiesty on high but they shal be seated in Thrones with him Rejoyce O souls in the meditation of this let the consideration hereof be sweet and pleasant to you for you shal be ever with Christ the Lord Ibi summa certa securitas secura tranquillitas tranquilla jucunditas jucunda felicitas felix aeternitas aeterna beatitas Gaudium erit sine tristitia quod continet aeternam laetitiam salus erit sine dolore vita sine labore lux sine tenebris amor nunquam tepescet gaudium nunquam decrescet gemitus non audietur neque dolor sentietur triste nihil videbitur lâ—â—iâ—â—a semper habebitur c. with Christ the glorious there shal you be safe there shal you have delight there shal you have happines and that eternal happines and everlasting blessednes all good all the excellent enjoyments of heaven shal be endlesse light endlesse joy endlesse pleasure endlesse friendship endlesse and as endlesse so pure without mixture there shal in Christs Armes in Christs presents be joy without sorrow health without grief life without labour light without darknesse continual fresh and flourishing love abounding joy mourning shal not be there neither shal there be any grief sorrow or sadnes or any such thing I desire to speak more clearely of these things but I cannot utter them as they deserve you that have had any refreshing from Christ here can best judge and discerne what it is to possesse him wholly and live with him altogether 4. Christians in glory you shal have much happines arise to you from the sweet communion and blessed fellowship you shal have with Saints you know some Saints now and you take some delight in their company you are glad when you can meet with them to converse and talke with them and to joyne in ordinances your joy in these things shal be much more abundant for you shal know all the blessed Saints in glory they that were taken up thither before you and they that shal come thither after you shal be known of you and you known of them All Saints shal be known of every particular Saint and every particular Saint shal be known of all in coelo nullus erit alienus there shal be no stranger in heaven a Saint there shal have as much acquaintance as all the Saints in glory may afford as many friends as there are Saints You that now desire communion with holy souls shal have your fill of familarity you that joy to see and meet with Saints now shal have your joy increas'd Christians on earth complain of the strangnes of other Christians but in heaven there shal be no cause of such complaints as we shal be joyned one to another and all to the Lord Nemo ibi laediiur irascitur nemo invidet nemo cupiditas nulla exardescit c. so shal we love one another in the Lord. In glory none shal hurt other none shal envy other none shal desire others good for every one shal have enough even his fil of good and shal rejoyce to see one another happy consider I pray what love to Saints now what delight in their company what refreshment to see the faces of Saints and enjoy the fellowship of sanctified soules if it be right if truely spiritual and what it should be It wil heareafter satisfie you to the ful when you shal have the perfect knowledge of al Saints Let this comfort you against worldly mens slightings yea and good mens shiness as for worldlings slightings care not they are such that shal be shut out from the presence of God and fellowship of Saints And for any Saints shiness be not grieved it wil not long continue in heaven there is no such thing there all Saints shal be kind each to other shal know each other perfectly and love each other sincerely and truly Happy are they that have some beginings of sanctified love and communion with the holy and beloved ones of Jesus Christ now it shal encrease and be more abundant as they growe up in Jesus Rejoyce in this Christians you shal see know have fellowship dwel with for ever all blessed Saints such as Abraham Mat. 8.11 Jsaac Jacob Noah David Daniel Paul Sarah Rebeccah the Virgin Mary c. you shal know their persons names natures Excellencies delight in them and they in you I shal speak no more of this Use Vse 3 Thirdly Si in hac vita non gustes aeternae felicitatis initium nunquam plenum percipies complementum let me give out somewhat by way of reproofe to such men that thinke they shal goe to heaven and hope they shal dwel in glory hereafter yet despise nothing more then what is heavenly and what tends to help them thither let such be assured that they that have not some taste and rellish of heavenly things now and delight in them wil never have their ful sotiety in glory Doe you thinke to goe to heaven that now hate holines and speak evil of the wayes of the Lord That abhorre Saints as bad as the sight of Toads what wil you doe in heaven you cannot abide praises hallelujahs and the glorious exercises of Saints you cannot endure the fellowship of holy men and women you abhor them now yet they are not so pure as they shal be and then doubtless you wil loath them more Do not some of you abhorre being in places and amongst people where Godlines is in exercise do you not delight to be where you may drink and swel sing and roare card and dice hunt and hawk mock and jeere scoffe and deride goodnes and good-men nay if it were in your power would you not kil slay the Saints do you not defie their waies courses and behaviour yea and that because holy pure sincere upright and such as are becoming the Gospel of the blessed God Consider I pray your selves whether you are not such that God himself reproves Ps 50.17 for hating instruction and casting his holy and heavenly councel behind your backs and for letting your mouth be open to speak evil yea and that against the righteous Do you thinke that God wil set such with himself in glory hereafter that now cast aside his councel that wil not be instructed by him honour such with his Saints that now despise them place such in the kingdome of glory that now abhor the heirs of glory No no he hath a place for such naughty wretches to put them by themselves Psal 9.17 Aeternis addicti suppliciis they shal be turned into hel there the being