in Christ. 6. We must come with sincere hearts The Tribes of Israel being straitned in time wanted some legal Purifications yet because their hearts vvere sincere and they came vvith desire to meet vvith God in the Passeover therefore the Lord healed the people 2 Chron. 30. 19. Bad aims vvill spoil good actions An Archer may miss the mark as well by looking asquint as by shooting short What is our design in coming to the Sacrament Is it that we may have more victory over our corruptions and be more confirmed in holiness Then God will be good to us and heal us Sincerity like true Gold shall have some grains allowed for its lightness 7. We must come with hearts fired with love to Christ. The Spouse vvas in a burning fit of love Cant. 2. 6. I am sick of Love Let us give Christ the Wine of our love to drink and vveep that vve can love him no more Would vve have Christs exhilarating presence in the Supper let us meet him vvith strong indearments of affection Basil compares Love to a svveet Oyntment Christ delights to smell this perfume The Disciple that did love most Christ put him in his bosom 8. We must come vvith humble hearts We see Christ humbling himself to the death and vvill an humble Christ ever be received into a proud heart A sight of God's glory and a sight of sin may humble us Was Christ humble vvho vvas all Purity And are vve proud vvho are all Leprosie O let us come vvith a sense of our ovvn vileness Hovv humble should he be vvho is to receive an Alms of Free-grace Jesus Christ is a Lilly of the Vallies not of the Mountains Humility vvas never a loser The emptier the Vessel is and the lovver it is let dovvn into the Well the more vvater it dravvs up So the more the Soul is emptied of it self and the lovver it is let dovvn by humility the more it fetcheth out of the Well of Salvation God vvill come into an humble â—…eart to revive it Isa. 57. 15. That is none of Christ's Temple vvhich is not built vvith a lovv Roof 9. We must come vvith Heavenly hearts The mystery of the Sacrament is Heavenly vvhat should an Earth vvorm do here He is not like to feed on Christs body and blood vvho vvith the Serpent eats dust The Sacrament is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Communion 1 Cor. 10. 16. What communion can an Earthly man have vvith Christ First there must be Conformity before Communion He that is earthly is no more conformed in likeness to Christ than a clod of dust is like a Star An earthly man makes the World his god then let not him think to receive another God in the Sacrament Oh let us be in the Heavenly Altitudes and by the vving of grace ascend 10. We must come vvith Believing hearts Christ gave the Sacrament to the Apostles principally as they vvere Believers Such as comâ—… faithless go avvay fruitless Nor is it enough to have the habit of faith but vve must exsert and put forth the vigorous actings of faith in this Ordinance 1. Let us exercise the eye of faith Faith hath an Eagle's eye it pierceth into things far remote from sense Faith takes a Prospect of Heaven it discerns him who is invisible Heb. 11. 27. It beholds a beauty and fulness in Christ it sees this beauty shining through the latice of an Ordinance Faith vievvs Christs love streaming in his blood Look upon Christ vvith believing eyes and you shall one day see him vvith glorisied eyes 2. Exercise the mouth of Faith Here is the bread broken What use is there of bread but to feed on Feed upon the bread of God Adam dyed vve live by eating In the Sacrament vvhole Christ is dished-out to us the Divine and Humane nature all kind of vertue comes from Him Mortifying mollifying comforting Oh then feed on him This grace of Faith is the great grace to be set on vvork at the Sacrament Quest. But doth the vertue lie simply in Faith Answ. Not in faith considered purely as a grace but as it hath respect to the Object The vertue is not in faith but in Christ. A Ring vvhich hath a precious stone in it vvhich vvill staunch blood vve say the Ring stauncheth blood but the vertue doth not lie barely in the Ring but in the stone in the Ring So Faith is the Ring Christ is the precious stone all that faith doth is to bring home Christs merits to the soul and so it justifies the vertue is not in faith but in Christ. Quest. But Why should faith carry away more from Christ in the Sacrament than any other grace Answ. 1. Because Faith is the most receptive grace it is the receiving of gold enricheth So faith receiving of Christ's merits and silling the Soul with all the fulness of God it must needs be an enriching grace In the Body there are Veins that suck the Nourishment which comes into the stomack and turn it into blood and spirits Faith is such a sucking vein that draws vertue from Christ therefore is called a precious faith 2 Pet. 1. 1. 2. Faith hath more of Christ's benefits annexed to it because it is the most humble grace If Repentance should fetch Justification from Christ a man would be ready to say This was for my tears but Faith is humble it is an empty hand and What merit can be in that Doth a poor man reaching out his hand merit an Alms So that because faith is humble and gives all the glory to Christ and Free-grace hence it is God hath put so much honour upon it This shall be the grace to which Christ and all his merits belong Therefore above all graces set faith a work in the Sacrament Faith fetcheth in all provisions This is the golden Bucket that draws water out of the Well of life But there is a Bastard-faith in the World Pliny tells of a Cyprianstone which is in colour and splendor like the Diamond but it is not of the right kind it will break with the Hammer So there is a false faith which sparkles and makes a shew in the eye of the World but it is not genuine it will break with the Hammer of persecution Therefore to prevent mistakes that we may not be deceived and think we believe when we presume I shall give you six differences between a sincere faith which is the flower of the Spirit and an hypocritical faith which is the fruit of fancy 1. An Hypocritical faith is easily come by It is like the seed in the Parable which sprung up suddenly Mar. 4. 5. A false faith shoots up without any convictions and soul-humblings As Isaac said Gen. 27. 20. How camest thou by thy Venison so soon So how comes this man by his faith so soon Sure it is of an heterogeneal nature and will quickly wither away But true faith being
Blood shed for them Rom. 11 7 The Election hath obtained it Christ passed by others and dyed intentionally for them Impenitent Sinners have no Benefit by Christ's Death unless a short Reprieve Christ is given to the wicked in wrath He is a Rock of Offence 1 Pet. 2 8. Christs Blood is like Chymical Drops of Oyl which recover some Patients but kill other Judas sucked Death from the Tree of Life God can turn Stones into Bread and a Sinner can turn Bread into Stones The Bread of Life into the Sâ—…ne of Stumbling 5. The fifth thing observable in the Text is the benefit of this Supper in these Words For the remission of sins This is a mercy of the first Magnitude the Summum genus the crowning blessing Psalm 103. 3 4. Who forgiveth thy iniquities who crowneth thee with loving-kindness Whosoever hath this Charter granted is enrolled in the book of Life Psal. 32. 1. Blâ—…ssed is he whose transgression is forgiven Under this Word remission of sin by a Synecdoche are comprehended all Heavenly Benedictions Justification Adoption Glory in respect of which benefits we may with Chrysostom call the Lords Supper The Feast of the Cross. This Doctrine of the Sacrament confutes the opinion of Transubstantiation When Christ saith This is my body The Papists affirm that the Bread after the Consecration is turned into the Substance of Christ's Body We hold that Christ's Body is in the Sacrament spiritually but the Papists say that it is there carnally which opinion is both Absurd and Impious 1. Absurd For it is contrary 1. To Scripture The Scripture asserts that Christs Body is locally and numerically in Heaven Act. 3. 21. Whom the Heavens must receive until the times of Restitution of all things If Christ's Body be circumscribed in Heaven then it cannot be materially in the Eucharist 2. It is contrary to reason How is it imaginable that a thing should be changed into another Species yet continue the same That the Bread in the Sacrament should be transmuted and turned into Flesh yet remain Bread still When Moses Rod was turned into a Serpent it could not be at the same time both a Rod and a Serpent That the Bread in the Saâ—…rament should be changed into the body of Christ and yet remain Bread is a perfect contradiction If the Papists say The Bread is vanished This is fitter to be put into their Legend than our Creed for the colour form and rellish of the Bread still remains 2. This Opinion of Transubstantiation is impious as appears in two things 1. It is a Profaning Christ's body for if the Bread in the Sacrament be the real body of Christ then it may be eaten not only by the wicked but by Reptils and Vermin which were to disparage and cast contempt upon Christ and his Ordinance 2. It runs men inevitably upon sin for through this mistake that the bread is Christs very body there follows the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Divine Worship given to the bread which is Idolatry as also the offering up of the bread or Host in the Mass which is a blasphemy against Christs Priestly Office as if his Sacrifice on the Cross were imperfect Therefore I conclude with Peter Martyr That this Doctrine of Transubstantiation is to be abhorred and exploded being minted only in mens phancies but not sprung up in the field of the Holy Scriptures 2. This Doctrine of the Sacrament confutes such as look upon the Lords Supper only as an empty Figure or shadow resembling Christ's Death but having no intrinsick efficacy in it Surely this glorious Ordinance is more than an Effigies or representative of Christ Why is the Lords Supper called The Communion of the body of Christ but because in the right celebration of it we have sweet communion with Christ In this Gospel-Ordinance Christ doth not only shew forth his Beauty but send forth his Vertue The Sacrament is not only a Picture drawn but a Breast drawn it gives us a Tast of Christ as well as a Sight Such as make the Sacrament only a representative of Christ do shoot short of the Mystery and come short of the Comfort Use. 2. It informs us of several things 1. It shews us the necessity of coming to the Lords Supper Hath Jesus Christ been at all this cost to make a Feast then sure there must be Guests It is not left to our choice whether we will come or no but it is a Duty purely indispensable 1 Cor. 11. 28. Let him eat of that Bread Which Words are not only permissive but authorative As if a King should say Let it be Enacted The Neglect of the Sacrament runs men into a Gospel-Premunire It was infinite goodness in Christ to broach that blessed Vessel of his body and let his sacred Blood stream out and for us wilfully to omit such an Ordinance wherein the Trophie of mercy is so richly displayed and our salvation so nearly concerned well may Christ take this as an undervaluing of him and interpret it no better than a bidding him keep his feast to himself He that observed not the Passeover that soul was to be cut off Numb 9. 13. How angry was Christ with those that stayed away from the Supper They thought to put it off with a Complement but Christ knew how to construe their excuse for a refusal Luk. 14. 24. None of those men which were bidden shall taste of my Supper The Rejecting Gospel-mercy is a sin of so deep a die that God can do no less than punish it for a Contempt Some need a Flaming Sword to keep them off from the Lord's Table and others need Christ's Whip of small Cords to drive them to it Perhaps Some will say They are above the Sacrament It were strange to hear a man say he were above his Food The Apostles were not above this Ordinance and doth any one presume to be a Peg higher than the Apostles Let all Enthusiasts consult that Scripture 〈◊〉 Cor. 11. 26. As often as ye eat this bread and drink this Cup. ye shew the Lords death till he come The Lords Death is to be remembred Sacramentally til he come to Judgment 2. See the Misery of Unbelievers though the Lord hath appointed this glorious Ordinance of his Body and Blood they reap no benefit by it They come indeed to the Sacrament either to keep up their Credit or to stop the Mouth of Conscience but they get nothing for their Souls They come empty of Grace and go away empty of Comfort Isa. 29. 8. It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty So wicked men fancy they eat of this spritual Banquet but they are in a golden Dream Alas They discern not the Lords body The Manna lay round about Israels Camp and they knew it not Exod. 16. 15. They wist not what it was
an Outlandish Plant and of an heavenly extract is hardly come by it costs many a sigh and tear Acts 2. 37. This spiritual Infant is not born without pangs 2. An Hypocritical faith is afraid to come to tryal The Hypocrite had rather have his faith commended than examined He can no more endure a Scripture-trial than counterfeit Metal can endure the Touchstone He is like a man that hath stollen-Goods in his House and is very unwilling to have his House searched So the Hypocrite hath gotten some stollen-Goods which the Devil hath helped him to and he is loth to have his heart searched whereas true faith is willing to come to a trial Psal. 26. 2. Examine me O Lord and prove me try my reins and heart David was not afraid to be tried by a Jury No though God himself were one of the Jury Good Wares are never afraid of the light 3. An Hypocritical faith hath a slight esteem of true Faith The Hypocrite hears others speak in the commendation of faith but he wonders where the vertue of it lies he looks upon faith as a Drugg or some base Commodity that will not off he will part with all the faith he hath for a piece of silver and perhaps it might be dear enough of the price But that man who hath true faith he sets an high value upon it he reckons this grace among his Jewels What incorporates him into Christ but faith What puts him into a state of Sonship but faith Gal. 3. 26. Oh precious faith A Believer would not exchange his shield of faith for a Crown of gold 4. An Hypocritical faith is lame on one hand With one hand it would take Christ but it doth not with the other hand give up it self to Christ. It would take Christ by way of surety but not give up it self to him by way of surrender whereas true faith is impartial it takes Christ as a Saviour and submits to him as a Prince Christ saith With my Body and my Blood I thee endow and faith saith With my soul I thee worship 5. An Hypocritical faith is impure The Hypocrite saith he believes yet goes on in sin He is all Creed but no Commandment He believes yet will take God's Name in vain Jer. 3. 4 5. Wilt not thou cry unto me My Father thou art the guide of my youth behold thou hast done evil things as thou couldst These Impostors would call God their Father yet sinned as fast as they could For one to say he hath faith yet lives in sin is as if a man should say he were in health yet his vitals are perished but a true faith is joined with sanctity 1 Tim. 3. 9. Holding the mystery of faith in a pure Conscience The Jewel of faith is always put in the Cabinet of a good Conscience The Woman that touched Christ by faith felt an healing vertue come from him Though faith doth not wholly remove sin yet it subdues it 6. An Hypocritical faith is a dead faith it tasts no sap or sweetness in Christ. The Hypocrite tasts something in the Vine and Olive he finds contentment in the carnal luscious delights of the World but no sweetness in a promise the Holy Ghost Himself is spiritless to him That is a dead faith which hath no sense or taste But true faith finds much delectation in heavenly things The Word is sweeter than the Honey comb Psal. 19. 10. Christ's Love is better than Wine Cant. 1. 2. Thus we see a difference between the true faith and the spurious How many have thought they have had the live Child of faith by them when it hath proved the dead Child Take heed of presumption but cherish faith Faith applies Christ and makes a spiritual concoction of his Body and Blood This Supper was intended chiefly for Believers Christs Blood to an unbeliever is like Aqua-Vitae in a dead man's mouth it loseth all its vertue 11. We must come to the Lord's-Table with charitable hearts 1 Cor. 5. 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven The leaven of malice will sowre the Ordinance to us Though we must come with bitter tears yet not with bitter spirits The Lords Supper is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Love-feast Christs blood was shed not only to reconcile us to God but one to another Christ's body was broken to make up the breaches among Christians Howsad is it that they who profess they are going to eat Christs flesh in the Sacrament should tear the flesh one of another 1 John 3. 15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a Murderer He who comes to the Lord's-Table in hatred is a Judas to Christ and a Câ—…in to his brother What benefit can he receive at the Sacrament whose heart is invenomed with malice If one drinks down poyson and presently takes a Cordial surely the Cordial will do him no good Such as are poysoned with rancour and malice are not the better for the Sacrament-Cordial he that doth not come in charity to the Sacrament hath nothing of God in him for God is love 1 John 4. 19. He knows nothing of the Gospel savingly for it is a Gospel of peace Eph. 6. 15. He hath none of the wisdom which comes from Heaven for that is gentle and easie to be intreated Jam. 3. 17. Oh that Christians were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Ignatius speaks rooted and cemented together in love Shall Devils unite and Saints divide Did we thus learn Christ Hath not the Lord Jesus loved us to the death What greater reproach can be cast upon such a loving Head than for the Members to sâ—…ite one against another The good Lord put out the fire of contention and kindle the fire of love and amity in all our hearts 12. We must come hither with praying hearts Every Ordinance as well as every Creature is sanctified by prayer Prayer turns the Element into spiritual Aliment When we send the Dove of Prayer to Heaven It brings an Olive-leaf in its mouth We should pray that God would enrich his Ordinance with his presence that he would make the Sacrament effectual to all those holy ends and purposes for which he hath appointed it that it may be the feast of our graces and the funeral of our corruptions that it may be not only a sign to represent but an instrument to convey Christ to us and a Seal to assure us of our heavenly Joynture If we vvould have the fat and sweet of this Ordinance we must send prayer before as an Harbinger to bespeak a blessing Divers are so distracted with worldly cares that they can scarce spare any time for prayer before they come to the Sacrament Do they think the Tree of blessing will drop its fruit into their mouth when they never shaked it by prayer God doth not set his mercies at so low a rate as to cast them away upon those that do not seek them Nor is it enough to pray but it
must be with heat and intenseness of soul. Jacob wrestled in prayer Gen. 32. 24 Cold Prayers like cold Suitors never speed Prayer must be with sighs and groans Rom. 8. 26. It must be in the Holy Ghost Judev. 20. He who will speak to God saith St. Ambrose must speak to him in his own language vvhich he understands that is in the language of his Spirit 13. And lastly we must come to the Lords Table with self denying heâ—…rts When we have prepared our selves in the best manner we can let us take heed of trusting to our preparations Luk. 17 15. When ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants Use duty but do not idolize it We ought to use duties to fit us for Christ but we must not make a Christ of our duties Duty is the golden path to walk in but not a silver Crutch to lean on Alas what are all our preparations God can spie an hole in our best garments Isa. 64. 6. All our Righteousnesses are as filthy rags When we have prepared our selves as hoping in God's mercy we must deny our selves as deserving his Justice If our holiest services be not sprinkled with Christ's blood they are no better than shining sins and like Uriah's letter they carry in them the matter of our death Use duty but trust to Christ and Free-grace for acceptance Be like Nâ—…s Dove she made use of her wings to fly but trusted to the Ark for safety We see how we are to be qualified in our addresses to the Lord's-Table Thus coming we shall meet with embraces of mercy We shall have not only a representation but a participation of Christ in the Sacrament we shall carry away not only panem but salutem We shall be filled with all the fulness of God 4. Hath Jesus Christ made this Gospel-banquet Is he both the Founder and the Feast Then let poor doubting Christians be encouraged to come to the Lord's-Table Satan would hinder from the Sacrament as Saul did the people from eating honey 1 Sam. 14. 26. But is there any soul that hath been humbled and bruised for sin whose heart secretly pants after Christ but yet stands trembling and dares not approach to these holy Mysteries let me encourage that soul to come Mark 10. 49. Arise he calleth thee Object 1. But I am sinful and unvvorthy and what should I meddle with such holy things Answ. Who did Christ die for but such 1 Tim. 1. 15. He came into the world to save sinners He took our sins upon him as vvell as our nature Isa. 53. 4. He bare our griefs In the Hebrew it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our sicknesses See thy sins saith Luther upon Christ and then they are no more thine but his Our sins should humble us but they must not discourage us from Christ the more diseased we are the rather vve should step into this Pool of Siloam Who doth Christ invite to the Supper but the poor halt maimed Luk. 14. 21. That is such as see themselves unvvorthy and flie to Christ for Sanctuary The Priest was to take a bunch of Hyssop and dip it in blood and sprinkle it upon the Leper Lev. 14. 7. Thou who hast the leprosie of sin upon thee yet if as a Leper thou dost loath thy self Christ's precious blood shall be sprinkled upon thee Object 2. But I have sinned presumptuously against mercy I have contracted guilt after I have been at the Lord's Table and sure Christ's Blood is not for me Resp. It is indeed grievous to abuse mercy It vvas the aggravation of Solomon's sin his heart was turned from the Lord which had appeared unto him twice 1 Kings 11. 9. Presumptuous sins open the mouth of Conscience to accuse and shut the mouth of God's Spirit which should speak Peace yet cast not avvay your Anchor look up to the blood of Christ it can forgive sins against mercy Did not Noah sin against mercy vvho though he had been so miraculously preserved in the Flood yet soon after he came out of the Ark he was drunk Did not David sin against mercy when after God had made him King he stained his soul with lust and his robe with blood Yet both these sins were washed away in that Fountain which is set open for Judah to wash in Zach. 12. 1. Did not the Disciples deal unkindly with Christ in the time of his suffering Peter denied him and all the rest fled from his colours Mat. 26 56. Then all the Disciples forsook him and fled Yet Christ did not take advantage of their weakness nor did he cast them off but sends the joyful news of his Resurrection to them Mat. 27. 7 And of his Ascension John 20. 17 Go to my Brethren and say unto them I ascend to my Father and your Father And lest Peter should think he was none of the number that should be interested in Christ's love therefore Christ dispatcheth away a special Message to Peter to comfort him Mar. 16. 7. Go tell the Disciples and Peter that he goes before you intoGalilee there shall you see him So that where our hearts are sincere and our turnings aside are rather from a defect in our power than our will the Lord Jesus will not take advantage of every failing but will drop his blood upon us which hath a voice in it which speaks better things than the blood of Abel Object 3. But I find such a faintness and feebleness in my soul that I dare not go to the Lords Table Resp. Thou hast the more need to go Drink of this Wine for thy often infirmities 1 Tim. 5. 23 Were it not strange for a man to argue thus My body is weak and declining therefore I will not go to the Physitian he should the rather go Our weakness should send us to Christ his blood is mortal to sin and vital to grace Thou sayest thou hast defects in thy soul if thou hadst none there would be no need of a Mediator nor would Christ have any work to do Oh therefore turn thy disputing into believing be encouraged to come to this Blessed Supper Thou shalt find Christ giving forth his sweet influenences and thy grace shall flourish as an herb Object 4. But I have often come to this Ordinance and find no fruit I am not filled with comfort Answ. God may meet thee in an Ordinance when thou dost not discern it Christ was with Mary yet she did not know it was Christ. Thou thinkest Christ hath not met thee at his Table because he doth not give thee comfort 1. Though he doth not fill thee with comfort he may fill thee with strength We think we have no answer from God in a duty unless he fill us with joy yes God may manifest his presence as well by giving strength as comfort If we have power from Heaven to foyl our corruptions and to walk more closely and evenly with God
wounded hath a double Emphasis either it may signifie that he was pierced through as with a dart or that he was profaned He was used as some common vile thing and Christ might thank us for it He was wounded for our transgressions So that if the question were put to us as was once to Christ Prophesie who is it that smote thee Luk. 22. 64. We might soon answer It was our sins that smote him Our pride made Christ wear a Crown of Thorns as Zipporah said to Moses Exod. 4. 25. A bloody husband art thou to me so may Christ say to his Church A bloody Spouse thou hast been to me thou hast cost me my heart-blood Quest. But how could Christ suffer being God the Godhead is impassible Resp. Christ suffered only in the Humane nature not the Divine Damascen expresseth it by this Simile If one pour water on Iron that is red hot the fire suffers by the water and is extinguished but the Iron doth not suffer So the Humane Nature of Christ might suffer Death but the Divine Nature is not capable of any passion VVhen Christ was in the Humane Nature suffering he was in the Divine Nature triumphing As we wonder at the rising of the Sun of Righteousness in his Incarnation so we may wonder at the going down of this Sun in his Passion Quest. But if Christ suffered only in his Humane Nature how could his suffering satisfie for sin Answ. By reason of the Hypostatical Union the Humane Nature being united to the Divine the Humane Nature did suffer the Divine did satisfie Christs Godhead did give both Majesty and Efficacy to his sufferings Christ was Sacrifice Priest and Altar He was Sacrisice as he was Man Priest as he was God and Man Altar as he was God It is the Property of the Altar to sanctifie the thing offered on it Mat. 23. 19. So the Altar of Christs Divine Nature sanctified the Sacrifice of his Death and made it Meritorious Now concerning Christ's suffering upon the Cross observe two things 1. The Bitterness of it to him He was broken The very thoughts of his Suffering put him into an Agony Luk. 22. 44. Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as great drops of blood falling to the ground He was as full of sorrow as his heart could hold Mat. 26. 38. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death Christ's Crucifixion was 1. A lingring death It was more for Christ to suffer one hour than for us to have suffered for ever but his death was lengthened out he hung three hours upon the Cross. He dyed many deaths before he could dye one 2. It was a painful Death His Hands and Feet were nailed which parts being full of sinnews and therefore very tender his pain must needs be most acute and sharp and to have the invenoned Arrow of Gods wrath shot to his heart this was the direful Catastrophe and caused that Vociferation and out-cry upon the Cross My God my God why hast thou farsaken me The Justice of God was now inflamed and heightned to its full 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8. 38. God spared not his Son Nothing must be abated of the debt Christ felt the pains of Hell though not locally yet equivalently In the Sacrament we see this Tragedy acted before us 3. It was a shameful Death Christ was in medio positus he hung between two Thieves Mat. 27. 38. As if he had been the principal Malefactor Well might the Lamp of Heaven withdraw its light and mask it self with darkness as blushing to behold the Sun of Righteousness in an Eclipse It is hard to say which was greater the blood of the Cross or the shame of the Cross 4. It was a cursed Death Deut. 21. 23. This kind of death was so execrable that Constantine made a Law That no Christian should dye upon the Cross. The Lord Jesus underwent this Gal. 3. 13. Being made a Curse for us He who was God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. was under a Curse 2. Consider the Sweetness of it to us Christs Brusing is our Healing Isa. 53. 6. By his stripes we are healed Calvin calls the Crucifixion of Christ Cardo salutis the Hinge on which our Salvation turns And Luther calls it Fons salutis a Gospel-spring opened to refresh Sinners Indeed the Suffering of Christ is a Death-bed Cordial 'T is an Antidote to expell all our fear Doth Sin trouble Christ hath overcome it for us Besides the two Thieves crucified with Christ there were two other invisible Thieves crucified with him Sin and the Devil 4. The fourth Particular in the Institution is Christ's administring the Cup And he took the Cup The taking of the Cup shewed the Redundancy of Merit in Christ and the copiousness of our Redemption Christ was not sparing he gave not only the Bread but the Cup. We may say as the Psalmist With the Lord is plenteous Redemption Psal. 130. 7. If Christ gave the Cup how dare the Papists with-hold it They clip and mutilate the Ordinance They blot out Scripture and may fear that doom Rev. 22. 19. If any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life Quest What is meant by Christs taking the Cup Answ. The Cup is figurative It is a Metonymy of the Subject the Cup is put for the Wine in it By this Christ signified the shedding of his Blood upon the Cross when his Blood was poured out now the Vine was cut and did bleed now was the Lilly of the Vallies dyed of a purple Colour This was to Christ a Cup of astonishment But to us it is a Cup of salvation When Christ drank this Cup of Blood we may truly say he drank an health to the World It was precious Blood 1 Pet. 1. 19. In this Blood we see Sin fully punished and fully pardoned Well may the Spouse give Christ of her Spiced Wine and the Juice of her Pomgranate Cant. 8. 2. When Christ hath given her a draught of his warm Blood Spiced with his Love and perfumed with the Divine Nature 4. The fourth thing is The Guests invited to this Supper or the Persons to whom Christ distributed the Elements He gave to the Disciples and said Take Eat The Sacrament is Chilarens bread If a man makes a Feast he calls his Friends Christ calls his Disciples if he had any piece better than other he carves it to them Luk. 22. 19. This is my body which is given for you That is for you quatenus Believers Christ gave his Body and Blood to the Disciples chiefly under this Notion as they were Believers As Christ poured out his Prayers so his Blood only for Believers see how near to Christ's Heart all Believers lie Christ's Body was broken on the Cross and his
So carnal persons see the external Elements but Christ is not known to them in his saving Vertues There is honey in this spiritual Rock which they never taste They feed upon the bread but not Christ in the bread Isaac eat the Kid when he thought it had been Venison Gen. 27. 25. Unbelievers go away with the shadow of the Sacrament they have the Rind and the Husk not the Marrow They eat the Kid not the Venison 3. See in this Text as in a Glass infinite Love display'd 1. Behold the love of God the Father in giving Christ to be broken for us that God should lay such a Jewel to pawn is the Wonderment of Angels John 3. 16. God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son It is a pattern of Love without a Parallel it was a far greater expression of Love in God to give his Son to dye for us than if he had voluntarily acquitted us of the Debt without any satisfaction at all If a Subject be disloyal to his Soveraign it argues more love in the King to give his own Son to dye for that Subject than to forgive him the wrong freely 2. Behold the amazing Love of Christ His body was broken The Cross saith St. Austin was a Pulpit in which Christ preached his Love to the World Let us see an holy Climax or Gradation of the Love of Christ 1. It was wonderful Love that Christ who never had the Viper of sin fastened on him should be reputed a sinner That he who hated sin should be made sin That he who is numbred among the Persons of the Trinity should be numbred among transgressours Isa. 53. 12. 2 That Christ should suffer peath Lord saith Bernard thou hast loved me more than thy self for thou didst lay down thy life for me The Emperour Trajan rent off a piece of his own Robe to bind up one of his Souldiers Wounds Christ rent off his own Flesh for us Nay that Christ should dye as the greatest sinner †having the weight of all mens sins laid upon him here was Love usque ad stuporem dulcis It sets all the Angels in Heaven a wondring 3. That Christ should dye freely John 10. 17. I lay down my Life There was no Law to enjoin him no Force to compel him It is called the Offering of the Body of Jesus Heb. 10. 10. What could fasten him to the Cross but the Golden Link of Love 4. That Christ should dye for such as we are What are we Not only Vanity but Enmity When we were fighting he was dying when we had the Weapons in our hands then had he the Spear in his Sides Rom. 5. 8. 5. That Christ dyed â—…or us when he could not expect to be at all bettered by us We were reduced to penury we were in such a condition that we could neither Merit Christ's Love nor Râ—…quite it for Christ to dye for us when we were at such a low Ebb was the very Quintessence of Love One Man will extend kindness to another so long as he is able to requite him but if he be fallen to decay then love begins to slacken and cool But when we were ingulphed in misery and were fallen to decay we had lost our Beauty stained our Blood spent our Portion then Christ dyed for us O amazing love which may swallow up all our thoughts 6. That Christ should not repent of his sufferings Isa. 53 11. He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied It is a Metaphor that alludes to a Mother who though she hath had hard Labour yet doth not repent â—…it when she sees a Child brought forth so though Christ had hard Travel upon the Cross yet he doth not repent of it but thinks all his Sweat and Blood well bestowed because he sees the Man-child of redemption is brought forth into the World He shall be satisfied the Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies such a satiating as a man hath at some sweet repast or banquet 7. That Christ should rather dye for us than the Angels that fell They were creatures of a more noble Extract and in all probability might have brought greater Revenues of glory to God yet that Christ should pass by those Golden Vessels and make us Clods of Earth into Stars of Glory O the Hyperbole of Christ's Love 8. Yet another Step of Christ's Love for like the waters of the Sanctuary it riseth higher That Christ's Love should not cease at the hour of Death We write in our Letters Your Friend till Death But Christ wrote in another Style Your Friend after Death Christ dyed once 〈◊〉 loves ever He is now testify 〈◊〉 his Affection to us he is making the Mansions ready for us John 14. 2. He is interceding for us Heb. 9. 27. He appears in the Court as the Advocate for the Clyent When he hath done dying yet he hath not done loving what a stupendious love was here Who can meditate upon this and not be in an Extasie Well may the Apostle call it A love that passeth knowledg Eph. 3. 19. When you see Christ broken in the Sacrament think of this Love 4. See then what dear and intire affections we should bear to Christ who gives us his body and blood in the Eucharist If he had had any thing to part with of more worth he would have bestowed it upon us O let Christ lie nearest our Hearts Let him be our Tree of Life and let us desire no other Fruit â—…et him be our Morning Star â—…nd let us rejoice in no other Light As Christs Beauty so his Bounty should make him loved by us he hath given us his Blood as the Price and his Spirit as the Witness of our Pardon In the Sacrament Christ bestows all good things He both imputes his Righteousness and imparts his Loving-kindness He gives a Fore-taste of that Supper which shall be celebrated in the Paradise of God To sum up all In the blessed Supper Christ gives himself to Believers and what can he give more Dear Saviour how should thy Name be as Oyntment poured forth The Persians worship the Sun for their God let us worship the Sun of Righteousness Though Judas sold Christ for Thirty Pieces let us rather part with all than this Pearl Christ is that Golden Pipe through which the Golden Oyl of Salvation is transmitted to us 5. Was Christ's Body broken then we may behold Sin odious in the Red Glass of Christ's Sufferings It is true Sin is to be abominated as it turn'd Adam out of Paradise and threw the Angels down to Hell Sin is the Peace-breaker it is like an Incendiary in the Family that sets Husband and Wife at variance it makes God fall out with us Sin is the Womb of our Sorrows and the Grave of our Comforts But that which may most of all disfigure the Face of
Sin and make it appear Ghastly is this It crucified our Lord It made Christ Vail his Glory and lose his Blood If a Woman did see that Sword which killed her Husband how hateful would the sight of it be to her Do we count that Sin Light which made Christ's Soul Heavy unto Death Mark 14. 34. Can that be our joy which made the Lord Jesus a man of sorrows Isa. 53. 3. Did he cry out My God why hast thou forsaken me And shall not those Sins be forsaken by us which made Christ himself forsaken O let us look upon Sin with Indignation When a Temptation comes to Sin let us say as David 2 Sam. 23. 17. Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives So Is not this the Sin that poured out Christ's Blood Let our Hearts be enraged against Sin When the Senators of Rome shewed the people Caesar's bloody Robe they were incensed against those that slew him Sin hath rent the White Robe of Christs Flesh and dyed it of a Crimson Colour let us then seek to be avenged of our Sins Under the Law if an Oxe gored a Man that he dyed the Oxe was to be killed Exod. 21. 28. Sin hath gored and pierced our Saviour let it dye the Death What pitty is it for that to live which would not suffer Christ to live 6. Was Christ's Body broken Let us then from his suffering on the Cross learn this Lesson Not to wonder much if we meet with Troubles in the World Did Christ suffer who knew no Sin And do we think it strange to suffer who know nothing but Sin Did Christ feel the anger of God And is it much for us to feel the anger of Men Was the Head crowned with Thorns And would the Members lie among Roses Must we have our Bracelets and Diamonds when Christ had the Spear and Nails going to his heart Truly such as are guilty may well expect the lash when he who was innocent could not go free 2. The second Use is of Exhortation and it hath several Branches 1. Was Christ's precious body broken for us Let us be affected with the great goodness of Christ Who can tread upon these hot Coals and his Heart not burn Cry out with Ignatius Christ my Love is crucified If a Friend should dye for us would not our Hearts be much affected with his Kindness That the God of Heaven should dye for us how should this stupendious mercy have a melting influence upon us The body of Christ broken is enough to break the most flinty Heart At our Saviour's Passion the very Stones did cleave asunder Mat 27. 51. The Rocks rent He that is not affected with this hath an Heart harder than the Stones If Saul was so affected with Davids Mercy in sparing his Life 1 Sam. 24. 16. How may we be affected vvith Christs kindness vvho to spare our life lost his ovvn Let us pray that as Christ vvas Crucifixus so he might be Cordi-fixus As he vvas fastened to the Cross so that he may be fastened to our Hearts 2. Is Jesus Christ spiritually exhibited to us in the Sacrament Let us then set an high value and Estimate upon him 1. Let us prize Christs body Every crumb of this bread of life is precious John 6. 55. My flesh is meat indeed It is Panis eximius supersubstantialis as Cyprian calls it The Manna was a lively Type and Emblem of Christ's Body Manna was sweet Exod. 16. 31. The taste of it was like wafers made with honey it was a delicious meat therefore it was called Angels Food for its excellency So Christ the Sacramental Manna is sweet to a Believer's Soul Cant. 2. 3. His fruit was sweet to my taste Every thing of Christ is sweet His Name is sweet his Vertues sweet This Manna sweetens the Waters of Marah Nay Christ's Flesh excells Manna 1. Manna was Food but not Physick If an Israclite had been sick Manna could not have cured him but this blessed Manna of Christ's body is not only for food but for medicine Christ hath healing under his wings Mal. 4. 2. He heals the Blind eve the hard Heart Take this mediâ—…ine next your Heart and it will heal you of all your spiritual Distempers 2. Manna was Corruptible It ceased when Israel came to Canaan But this blessed Manna of Christ's Body will never cease The Saints shall feed with infinite delight and Soul satisfaction upon Christ to all Eternity The Joyes of Heaven would cease if this Manna should cease The Manna was put in a golden Pot in the Ark to be preserved there So the blessed Manna of Christ's Body being put in the golden Pot of the Divine Nature is laid up in the Ark of Heaven for the Saints to feast upon for ever Well then may we say of Christ's blessed Body It is meat indeed The Field of Christ's Body being digged upon the Cross we find the Pearl of Salvation there 2. Let us prize Christ's Blood in the Sacrament It is drink indeed John 6. 55. Here is the Nectar and Anibrosia God himself delights to taste of This is both a Balsom and a Perfume That vve may set the higher value upon the blood of Christ I shall shevv you seven rare supernatural Vertues in it 1. It is a reconciling blood Col. 1. 21. You that were sometime alienated and enemies yet now hath he reconciled through death No sooner vvas the Message brought to King David Uriah is dead 2 Sam. 11. 21. but the anger of David vvas removed No sooner vvas the blood of Christ poured out but God's anger vvas pacified Christ's blood is the blood of atonement Nay it is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not onely a Sacrifice but a Propitiation 1 John 2. 2. Which denoteth a bringing us into Favour with God It is one thing for a traytor to be pardoned and another thing to be brought into Favour Sin rent us off from God Christ's Blood doth soader and â—…cment us to God If we had had as much grace as the Angels it could not have wrought our Reconciliation If we had offered up Millions of Holocausts and Sacrifices if we â—…ad wept Rivers of Tears this could never have appeased an angry Deiâ—…y only Christ's blood doth ingraâ—…iate us into God's Favour and make him look upon us with a smiling Aspect When Christ dyed the Vail of the Temple was rent This was not without a Mystery to shew that â—…hrough Christ's blood the Vail of our Sins is rent which did interpose between God and us 2. Christ's blood is a quickning â—…lood John 6. 54. Whoso drinketh my blood hath eternal life It both â—…egets life and prevents death Lev. 17. 11. The life of a thing is in the â—…lood Sure enough the life of our â—…oul is in the blood of Christ. When we contract deadness of Heart
Use. Let us take heed of growing weary of Christ this blessed Manna At first Israel did highly esteem Manna they ran out to gather it Happy was he that could get Manna But this Food from Heaven which at first was so sweet to their Palat within a while was loathed and contemned Our nature is such that we are apt to disesteem the richest blessings when they are common If Pearls and Diamonds were plentiful none would value them If the Sun did shine but once a year how would it be prized but because it shines every day few admire this Lamp of Heaven Take heed of despising Jesus Christ Mat. 22. 5. If God was so angry with Israel for slighting of Christ when he was hid under a Type how angry will he be with those who slight Christ after he hath been visibly revealed Hebr. 10. 29. Of how much sorer punishment shall they be thought worthy who have trod under foot the Son of God Jesus Christ is a super-eminent blessing a magazine and storehouse of all good Things And the love of God was never so much seen as in giving of Christ therefore to slight Christ is to slight the love of God Quest. But who dares slight Christ Resp. It is a slighting of Christ to slight his Gospel and offer of Grace and hath not this been England's Sin have not we formerly nauseated Manna did not we grow curious and wanton and esteem'd the Manna of the Gospel light-bread and was not the Lord provoked with us Did not he send though not Fiery Serpents yet a Fiery Rod among us in this City that hath burnt down our Dwellings Christians I beseech you take heed of this for the future If God indulge you with Manna again beware of surfeiting on the bread of life The loathing of Manna is the next way to the losing of Manna God will take away his Mercies if they are undervalued If you play with the light God will put out the light 2. The Punishment it self which was Fiery Serpents These may be understood 1. Literally they were called Fiery Serpents 1. Because they were of a fiery colour 2. From the effect They were Seraphims Burners For when they did bite the people they did burn with extream heat and thirst The Septuagint translates them Killing Serpents Many of the people died ver 6. 2. These Fiery Serpents may be understood mystically So these Serpents were first a Type of Satan called the old Serpent Rev. 12. 9. He is indeed a Serpent for his subtilty The Hebrew word for Serpent comes of a Verb that signifies to use subtilty Gen. 3. 1. So Satan is a Serpent very subtil in his temptations he hath his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his depths Rev. 2. 24. and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his devices 2 Cor. 2. 11. The Devil doth with his artificial varnish put a fine gloss upon his Temptations that he may the better draw men to his lure he either hides his malicious designs or colours them 2 These Fiery Serpents were a Type of Sin Doct. 3. Sin is a Fiery Serpent This Serpent is bred in our nature it is within us We would think it sad to have Spiders and Serpents in our bodies as it is said of Maximinus the Emperor his body bred vermin But it is worse to have the Serpent of Sin in our Souls Sin is a Serpent 1. For its Poyson Sin hath invenomed us and that is the reason we swell Why doth one man swell with Pride another with Passion another with Lust he is poysoned If one had achild whom he dearly loved mortally poyson'd how would he grieve for it Our Souls are poysoned yet we grieve not How oft do sinners poyson the Sacramental Cup 2. Sin is a Serpent for the sting of it 'T is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sin at first shows its colour in the glass afterwards it bites as a Serpent Prov. 23. 32. Sin is a Serpent with four stings 1. It stings with guilt Rom. 3 19. 2. With horror of Conscience which is Limen inferni Judas and Spira felt this all the racks strappadoes and tortures in the world are but Ludibria risus a sport in comparison of this deadly sting no outward comforts can ease a Conscience stung with sin no more than a Crown of Gold can cure the Head-ach 3. Sin stings with death Rom. 5. 12. and death by Sin Sin is the wild Gourd that Adam gathered and eat and the next news was There is death in the pot 4. Sin without Repentance stings the Soul with damnation This Fiery Serpent brings to the Fiery Furnace I have rcad of the City Amycle in Italy destroy'd by Serpents Such a destroying Serpent is sin Use 1. See the sad condition of wicked men They make light of sin but sin is a Fiery Serpent crept into their bosom When the Serpent hath bitten one saith Pliny the venome and contagion of it spreads all over his body Sin hath invenomed men all over their hearts are full of poyson Rom. 1. 29. Being fill'd with all unrighteousness Their Tongues spit forth the poyson of the Serpent in Oaths and Curses Psal. 58. 2. The poison of Asps is under their Tongue This may serve to humble God's own people though they have the meekness of the Dove yet they have aliquid serpentis something of the evil evil of Serpent in them Though the curse due to sin is taken away yet the venome of this Serpent doth in part remain They have much love of the World much Unbelief much unmortified Passion Among Christ's Disciples there was Pride and Emulation Tho Christians have something of God's Spirit in them yet they have something which is Serpentine This Viper of sin will not be shaked off till death Oh how may this humble the best of God's Saints The Bishop of Alexandria when Egypt was converted to the Faith destroyed all their Idols but one that so looking upon that they might see their folly and abhor themselves for their Idolatry So God suffers not sin to be perfectly abolished in this life he leaves some corruption in the heart Something of the Serpent that his people may loath themselves in the dust What need have Believers to drink Christ's Blood in the Sacrament which is the best antidote against the poyson of the Soul 3. See that which may raise in us abhorring thoughts of sin It is a venemous Fiery Serpent will any man hug a Serpent Oh look not on the sine coat of the Serpent but the sting It stings with the wrath of God Pursue sin with an holy malice Mortifie the deeds of the flesh Rom. 8. 13. It is an happy thing when a Christian can say Though the Serpent be not dead yet iâ—… is dying Kill this Serpent or it will kill you 4. If sin be a Fiery Serpent then be sensible of the malignity and virulency of this Serpent feel your selves stung Feel your Hypocrisie
frequent Celebration of the Lords Supper where Christ in a special manner is lifted up though we have looked upon this Brazen serpent formerly yet still we have need to look upon him we are not perfectly healed Indeed Israel if they had looked but once on the Brazen Serpent they were perfectly cured but though we have looked several times on Christ in the Sacrament and can say by experience We have fetched vertue from him yet we are not perfectly cured Though the guilt of sin be taken away yet not the presence and in-being Our bloody issue is not quite dried up our wounds bleed afresh our sins break out again I appeal to the best hearts alive how often have they been stung with sin and tentation since they looked last on Christ lifted up in the Sacrament O what need then to come often to this Ordinance Herein the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper differeth from the Sacrament of Baptism which is to be administred but once this often 〈◊〉 Cor. 11. 26 If we consider how strong our corruptions are how weak our Graces how numerous our wanâ—…s it may make us come often to the Lords-Table where we may have an healing sight of Christ. He that wants Gold goes often to the Indies Our Spiritual indigence may renew our addresses to the Lords-Supper for strength and comfort 3. Bran. See in this Mystery the Cabinet of Free-grace opened and God's love sparkling forth Three ways 1. That God hath provided Christ this Brazen Serpent as a remedy for stung lapsed sinners Oh infinite goodness of God that when vve had degenerated from him by Apostacy the Lord should take pity of us and instead of brandishing his flaming svvord should erect a Brazen serpent and make Christ knovvn to us in his healing vertues When the Angels sinned there vvas no Brazen serpent for them God did not send them to the Hospital to be healed but to the Jail to be punished They are reserved in everlasting Chains Jude 6. O rich Free-grace that hath indulged us vvith a remedy and found out a vvay of cure for all our desperate maladies 2. See Gods Free-grace that some should be healed of their sting and not others There are but a fevv healed There is a time vvhen sinners vvill not be healed Jer. 51. 9. We would have healed Babylon but she is not healed and there is a time vvhen sinners cannot be healed Nah. 3. 19. There is no healing of thy bruise Novv Christian vvhen most die of their vvound that the Brazen serpent should be sent to thee to cure thee Oh stupendious Grace that God should lay his left hand upon many of the rich and noble and lay his right hand upon thee that Heaven should fall to thy lot that thou shouldst be one of those few that are saved* cry out in admiration Lord how is it that thou shouldst show thy self to me and not unto the world 3. See God's Free-grace that he cures us upon such cheap terms When we were wounded so deadly God did not put us to charges we were not to bring money to purchase our Cure not rivers of Oyl or drops of blood no only look upon the Brazen Serpent and the Cure is effected Isa. 55 1. Come without money and without price We are not to pay for our Cure Spiritual Blessings are too dear for our purse to reach Christ made a purchase for us in his Blood all he requires is to receive it and be thankful 4. See how justly all wicked men perish God hath provided a brazen Serpent a glorious Saviour that whoever believes in his blood may obtain mercy God beseecheth yea chargeth men to believe if therefore through folly they neglect Christ or obstinacy refuse him how righteous will God be in pronouncing that last and fatal sentence upon them They who perish under the Gospel must needs be double damned Hell's furnace will be heated seven times hoter for them because they put away Salvation from them Act. 13. 46. Pagans perish in the want of a Brazen serpent and Christians in the Contempt Jesus Christ saith Come unto me all ye sinners who are stung with guilt I will heal you I conflicted with my Fathers wrath I was wounded and out of these bleeding wounds comes forth a soveraign medicine to cure you But desperate sinners love their disease better then their remedy They had rather die then look up to Christ for life Psal. 81. 11. Israel would none of me Oh strange delirium the old Serpent after he hath stung men hath bewitched them that they mind not a Cure Who will pity such as willfully cast away themselves how will mercy slight their tears at last and God's justice triumph in their deserved ruin Use 2. Let us look in a right manner upon this Mystical Brazen Serpent Heb. 12. 2. Looking unto Jesus The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies the stedfast fixing of the eye upon some lovely beautiful object Faith will be of more use to us than any other grace As an eye though a dim one was of more use to a stung Israelite than any other member Faith discerns the Lords body To encourage Faith Consider 1. Christ was lifted up upon the Cross purposely to cure us Christ had no other end in dying but to heal his blood is a soveraign balm for a sin-sick soul. Such as feel the burden of their sins need not question Christ's willingness to save them when the very design of his death was to cure Psal. 147. 3. He healeth the broken in heart Serpents as Naturalists affirm have a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or great love to their young and will hazard their lives for them So full of love was Christ our Mystical Brazen serpent as to die for us by whose stripes we are healed Isa. 53. 5. 2. Such as do not look up to Christ's merits do necessitate themselves to damnation Mar. 16. 16. He that believeth not shall be damned Had not Israel lift up their eyes to the Brazen serpent they had died for it If thou dost not look up as David did Psal. 25. 15. Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord then thou must look up as Dives did Luk. 16. 23. In hell he lift up his eyes Oh therefore let us fix our eye upon the Brazen serpent looking unto Jesus Let us look up to the sacrifice of Christ's blood and to the cloud of incense which he sends up by his glorious Intercession Object 1. But I fear I have no Faith alive in my Soul whereby I should look up Though Israel were stung yet they were alive but how dead do I find my heart Answ. We must distinguish between a Christian that is liveless and that is without life A sick man is liveless and hath no mind to stir yet he is not without life So Christian thou maist be liveless and thy grace dormunt yet the seed of Faith may be alive in thy heart
communicates influence only to its own Branches The wild Olive hath no fruit from the Vine Such as abide in the old stock of nature Branches of the wild Olive have no benefit from Christ. It is cold comfort to the Reprobate part of the world that there is a Vine growing which bears the fruit of Salvation as long as they remain strangers to Christ and hate to be united to him Fire will come out of this Vine to devour them 3. Bran. See the Goodness of God! When we had forfeited the fruit of Paradise â—…e hath given us a better tree then any grew there he hath enriched us with a pleasant Vine When Christ suffered now was this blessed Vine nailed to the Cross now it was cut and did bleed and Salvation comes to us in the blood of this Vine The gleaning Grapes here are better then the World's Vintage This Spiritual Vine 1. Chears the heart Curam metumque juvat dulci lyaeo solvere Horat. Are we sad in the sense of sin and think our selves unworthy to come to the Lords-Table this wine of Christ's blood is a Cordial It is both the Price and Seal of our Pardon 2. It strengthens the Vine hath a strengthning vertue So when our Graces are spiritually consumptive by tasting the fruit of this Vine we renew our strength in the Holy Celebration of the Lord's Supper fresh influence is communicated to us This Spiritual Vine did invigorate the Saints and Martyrs of old and infuse a spirit of Magnanimity into them That I may raise the Saints esteem of Christ and that they may come to the Sacred Supper with more eagerness to drink his Blood I shall show wherein this True Vine surpasseth in glory all other Vine-Trees 1. In the Vine there is something unuseful Though the fruit of the Vine be sweet yet the wood of the Vine is unuseful it is good for nothing Ezek. 15. 3. Shall the wood be taken thereof to do any work or will men take a Pin of it to hang any Vessel upon But it is not so with Christ there is nothing in this Vine but what is useful We have need of Christ's Humane Nature to suffer of his Divine to satisfie we have need of his Offices Influences Priviledges there is nothing in Christ we can be without 2. There are variety of Vine-Trees But there is but one True Vine that brings Redemption to Mankind The Papists would fetch comfort from more besides Christ From the Angels and the Virgin Mary The Angels themselves are beholding to this Vine the Lord Jesus they are by Christ confirmed in their obedience that they cannot fall And as for the Virgin Mary it is not her milk that saves but Christ's blood The Virgin Mary though she was Christ's Mother yet she calls Christ her Saviour Luk. 1. 47. The Virgin Mary is saved not by bearing the Vine but by being ingrafted into the Vine 3. The Vine bears but one sort of fruit 't is all but Grape But the Lord Jesus bears several sorts of fruit 1. This Vine bears the the fruit of Justification Rom. 5. 9. Being justified through his blood In Justification there is remission of sin and imputation of righteousness A Believer triumphs more in the Righteousness of Christ imputed than if he had Adams righteousness in innocency nay then if he had the Angels righteousness for now he hath the Righteousness of God 2 Cor. 5. 21. Without this a sinner is put into a continual Ague of Conscience but by virtue of Justification he arrives at an holy Serenity Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith we have peace with God 2. This Vine bears the fruit of Sanctification 1 Cor. 1. 30. He is made to us Sanctification A man may have pleasant fruit growing in his Orchard and others be never the better for it but holiness in Christ is diffâ—…sive this fruit is for all the Elect they are made holy with Christ's Holiness 3. This Spiritual Vine bears the fruit of Consolation Cant. 2. 3. His fruit was sweet to my tast This is a bunch of Grapes by the way when a Believer hath tasted some of this fruit from Christ he hath had such Transfigurations of soul and been filled with such ravishing delight that he could be ready to say as Paul Whether in the body I cannot tell He hath been put in Heaven before his time 4. A Branch may be cut off andâ—…separated from the Vine But no Branch shall be ever separated from Christ this Heavenly Vine The Arminians tell us A justified person may fall away finally Is not Christ a perfect Vine He is not perfect if a living Branch may be pluck'd off from him Hath not Christ said of his Elect They shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of his hand Joh. 10 28. If any Branch be pluck'd away from Christ it is either because Christ is not able to keep it or because he is willing to lose it He is able surely to keep it for he is strengthen'd with the God-head and he is not willing to loose it for why then would he have shed his blood for it So that no Branch shall be ever separated from the Coelestial Vine You may sooner pluck a Star out of the Sky than a true Believer from Christ. Indeed Hypocrites who look like Branches fall off but they were never really in the Vine They were in Christ by Profession not by Union They were tyed on to the Vine but not ingraâ—…d An Elect Branch can no more perish than the Root 5. The Wine that comes from the true Vine is better than any other 1. Wine from the Grape delightâ—… the Palat and revives the Animal spirits but Christ's blood chears the Conscience 2. One may take too great a quantity of Wine and then it bites as an Addar But it is otherwise with the Wine which Christ gives we cannot have too much of it as a man cannot have too much health Christ's blood is Pardoning and Pacifying and the more we drink of it the better the deeper the sweeter the death of the Soul is not by drinking too much of Christ's blood but by refusing to drink 3. Wine will chear a man when he is living not when he is dead Wine in a dead mans mouth loseth its vertue but Christ's blood hath such a flavour in it it doth so sparkle and is so full of spirits that it will fetch life in them that are dead If they are dead in sin the blood of Christ makes them revive Joh. 6. 54. He that drinks my blood hath eternal life 4. The Wine that comes from the Grape doth but chear mans heart but that Wine which is distilled from Christ the Heavenly Vine chears God's heart The Lord did smell a sweet savour in the Wine of Christ's Blood and was so infinitely pleased and delighted with it that for this he spared all Mankind Use 2. Labour to be real Branches of