but broken Cisterns these are not worth the making sure but the Fountain of living waters is worth the making sure The Father who is the Father of Lights his Love is worth tho making sure Christ in whom is Righteousness Merits Glory in whom all fulness dwells The Spirit who shall be a Well of Water springing up to everlasting life who shall be in the heart as flowing Rivers of Grace Comforts Joy Fullness of Joy Pleasures for evermore these are worth the making sure Sect. 3. For the further clearing of this consider 1. What Salvation is 2. And what the Assurance of it is 1. Now Salvation is the restoring of an undone Creature from fulness of misery to fulness of Glory 1. Salvation begun in this life is a Translation of a Sinner from a state of Guilt Unrighteousness Condemnation to a state of Righteousness and Justificaâ—ion from Polution to Purity from Prophaness to Piety from Wrath to Grace from a state of Emptiness and Poverty into a state of Fulness in Christ from the Power of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ 2. Salvation perfected is the bringing of a Creature into the presence of God making it partaker of the Glory of Christ God shining to the Soul in all his Glory Christ in his infinite Excellency God shining on the Soul in perfect likeness and suitableness to him We shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3.3 This is that which is worth the making sure II. What assurance of Salvation is Now that is when that is done in the heart which the Apostle speaks of 2 Cor. 4.6 God that commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our hearts giving the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ unto the Soul then the Soul is at rest God appearing in the Glory of his Love reconciled in Christ in the Glory of his All-sufficiency Power and Wisdom God appearing as your God to your Souls the seeing of your selves to be partakers of the Divine Nature with Christ that as Christ hath the Divine Nature so you partake with him in it this is assurance of Salvation Now is not this a Pearl worth the selling all to purchase it Sect. 4. Use 1. Fxhort To perswade you that amidst the multitude of your Affairs and Imployments in the World this may not be neglected but with the greatest diligence prosecuted the making your Salvation sure to your selves As Solomon says above all keeping keep the Heart so above all working work out your own Salvation make sure that which may be made sure and is indeed worth the making sure You are made for ever if once your Salvation be made sure and whatever you are you are most miserable if the Salvation of your Souls be not made sure Be not like Martha troubled about many things cumbred with much serving with serving your Lusts serving of Men serving of the Body Take heed of loosing your Lives in seeking to save your Lives Take heed of loosing your Souls in seeking the things appertaining to the Body of coming short of Heaven in your toiling in Earth but chuse with Mary that better part She sate at Jesus his Feet and heard his word Luke 10.39 Look on this as the one thing needful as the best part that you can choose to hear the word of Christ to search the Gospel of Christ to study that Salvation that is in Christ And wrought out in their hearts that come to Christ behold that life and immortality that is brought to light in him To provoke hereto consider 1. The Father makes it his great work to save Souls a greater work than the Creation of the World wherein more of his Glory is manifested the greatest of God's works next to the Incarnation of the Son of God Now as God makes it his great work so next to the glorifying of that God in Christ this should be your greatest work to get an assurance of your Salvation 2. Jesus Christ died to make Salvation sure to the Elect to the Children of Promise 't is so glorious a work that Christ valued it above his own Life he delighted not so much in his own Life as in the Salvation of Sinners The Son of God pleased not himself that he might do whatsoever pleased him He denied himself that might do what he pleased He humbled himself that was Lord of Glory that he might save poor lost Souls He put himself into the miserable condition of Sinners that they might be translated into his estate of Happiness and Glory so this is a most glorious work for to take Salvation from Christ or make Christ sure or the favour of God Eternal Life in him should be your great work and such a work as you should not leave though you may be reproached and persecuted in it we should be contented to loose Temporals to make sure of Eternals to loose Life to save Life If you were in a Ship at Sea that was full of Gold and in danger of drowning you would cast out all to save your Life so let all things stoop to this work of saving of your Souls yet it is not always so you may make Salvation sure and keep your Riches haply enjoy Peace and not endanger your temporal lives 3. Salvation assured shall be an Anchor sure and stedfast to your Souls you shall see Christ holding you fast and hereby you shall hold fast Christ. And hereby you shall have Hope and Joy in the greatest troubles there 's no Tempest of afflictions shall carry away your hearts from Peace Your Joy is sure Joy your Comforts sure Comforts if you have this sure and stedfast Anchor nay there 's no sin shall trip up your heels of Joy and Peace in Christ with the Father in Christ's Righteousness to cover your Sin in Christ's satisfaction for Sin it should work in you Godly sorrow for doing any thing repugnant to his Glory but it should not disturb a Believers Joy in God And hereby you shall be kept stedfast in the Faith and in the profession of Godliness and in following the Lord Jesus you shall be armed against all trials and oppositions Eph. 6.13 Take the whole Armour of God v. 14. Have on the Breast-plate of Righteousness make that sure and that shall be the Armour of proof on your hearts and nothing shall kill the heart of your Peace and Joy whilst you keep that as a Breast-plate v. 15. Have your Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace By Feet are understood also Legs It was a custom antiently to wear a kind of Brazen Boots on the Legs 1 Sam. 17. Goliah had such greaves of Brass on his Legs to defend him against darts c. And they that have such may walk on Thorns and Briars and not be hurt Now have your Feet shod that is walk in Gospel-ways have the Gospel of Peace in your hearts believe the Gospel Promises Gospel
Grace Gospel Righteousness have a Gospel Spirit So you are well prepared and walk through troubles dangers and oppositions in the midst of Satan's fiery darts and the World's reproaches and still the life of your Peace and Joy in the Love of God in Christ be preserved v. 17. Take the Helmet of Salvation Salvation being made sure shall be an Helmet on your Heads whereby you shall receive the blows of Tongues c. and not be hurt this shall defend you against all the Curses of the Law 1 John 4.17 Herein is our Love or Love with us made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment When others shall fear the Wrath of the Lamb c. you shall have boldness and not be ashamed in this World c. when your Salvation is sure the Soul dwells in God in the Love of God All-sufficiency Power Wisdom c. 4. The more assurance you have of your Salvation the less earthly will your thoughts and hearts be this will raise your Spirits and carry them up to God in Christ So that 1. You shall dwell in Love you shall dwell in God and God in you He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 John 4.16 And this is a glorious habitation for a Soul to dwell in the Love of God in Christ The World will be but the habitation for your Bodies The fulness of the Lord Jesus the Love of God which hath length and breadth c. shall be the habitation of your Souls The want of this the not breathing after the Assurance of Salvation makes men so earthly that their Souls are still travelling in the Creature seeking Joy and Contentment in the World 2. You 'll dwell safely and secure who can hurt those that dwell in God God must be overcome before they can be destroyed God is a better habitation then the World so whilst you dwell in the World above all labour for the assurance of the Love of God 5. The more Assurance you have the greater abounding of Grace there is from Christ 2 Pet. 1.11 Give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure so an entrance shall be administred aboundantly to you into his everlasting Kingdom then shall you expect the more and receive the more you shall come with the more boldness and receive the more Grace 6. Now is the day of Salvation the day wherein great Salvation is offered to you Behold now is the acceptable time now is the day of Salvation 2 Cor. 6.2 Now in my absence work out your own Salvation Now is the day to make Salvation sure now Salvation is offered to you and revealed Christ now calls on Sinners and beseeches them to be reconciled to God Now God lets down the coâ—ds of his love in Christ that you may take hold on them and live Now is the Righteousness of God revealed for Sinners to embrace that they may be justified Now is the day in which the Spirit is poured forth Now is the day in which Christ is working the works of God that is for calling of Sinners out of the World and gathering the Elect into his Kingdom by the preaching of the Gospel for the saving of Souls and reconciling them unto God And this day shall have a night And now is the day and season for you to work out your Salvation to make it sure A night shall come when none shall have the means and opportunity of working out their Salvation the Night of Death or day of Judgment which is a Night in this respect then 't is too late to work out Salvation if you neglect Salvation now you shall not escape wrath in that day Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at first begun to be spoken by the Lord 't is great Salvation Salvation from the greatest misery to the enjoyment of the greatest Glory to an exceeding eternal weight of Glory 't is great Salvation spoken to not hid from you but spoken to you that you might make it sure And if the Gospel be hid when spoken consider what the Apostle says 2 Cor. 4 3. If our Gospel be hid it is to them that are lost Section 5. Use 2. Direct 1. To Sinners Such as are yet strangers from Christ and from the Covenant of Promise that you may make Salvation sure To this end 1. Build on a sure Foundation let your hopes of Glory be founded on Christ Christ is a sure Foundation Isa 28 16. A foundation of Justification Sanctification and Life that will not fail You may be as sure of acceptance as Christ anâ—â—o continue in favour with God as sure of Glory as Christ and to remain in a state of Glory and as sure of Life as Christ as sure to live because I live ye shall lille also Joh. 14.19 Christ's Life is a sure foundation of a Believers Life Christ's Acceptance a sure foundation of his Christ's Glory a sure foundation of his Glory so then hearken to the Lord's call Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the Earth Sinners look to me who came to save you from your Sins know that there is death in Sin there is Damnation to all that are out of me your Lusts are hurtful Lusts if you follow them they will work out your ruin will bring everlastiâ—g hurt to your Body and Soul Fleshly Lusts war against the Soul they war against the Salvation Life and Peace of your Souls your Life consists not in the abundance of your Riches c. 'T is no profit to you to gain the World and loose your Souls in the Creature Neither is theâ—e any life in youâ— Dâ—tiâ—s These aâ—e no sure foundations to build youâ— Salâ—ation upon hopes of Salvation built only â—n them is like a House built on the Sand. So 〈◊〉 Christ to you look off from all those Behold me behold Life in my Death Peace in my Blood Righteousness in my Obedience Behold Love in me and Bâ—wels of Compassion with which you shall be received by me thus look to Christ and you shall â—e Salvation in him he that believes on him shall not be ashamèd for he shall be sure of Salvaâ—â—on You are all by nature of the World that lies in wickedness on which condemnation is coming apace Now prepare an Ark for the saving of your Souls Christ is this Ark as Noah in the Ark was safe and sure of being safe let the Waters rise as high as they would the Ark caâ—ried Noah still above them and when he was in the Ark God shut him in and then if any would have entred in none could Christ is the Ark prepared for the saving of Souls the Door of the Ark is not yet shut Christ calls you to come in unto him if you come not before God shuts the Door of this Ark there is no escaping of Condemnation O whilst it is to day if you will hear his voice harden not
lowest and meanest Prudence orders the way and means foâ— bringing about that which Wisdom judgeth best to bâ— dâ—ne Prudence is the Guide of Action and s conversant in doing Wisdom counsels and consider Prudence puts upon working that which counsel determines He worketh all things after the counsel of his own will Eph. 1.11 Wisdom is conversant in counsel Prudence in working after that counsel Many men have a great measure of Wisdom and knowledge but they rest in knowing and content themselves in Speculation there is mention of a Servant who knew his Master's will and did it not His Wisdom did not dwell with Prudence he that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin 't is not so with Christ his Wisdom dwells with Prudence nay he is Wisdom c. Prov. 8.14 As he knows how to do good so he doth it He knows how to convince gain-sayers he knows how to Justifie Sanctifie and Save and how to subdue and destroy his Enemies The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Thus Wisdom dwells with Prudence and finds out knowledge of witty Inventions The Scripture discovers many of the witty Inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence foretelling and promising more 1. What a wise Invention was the World the Heavens the Earth and all the Host of them These Works of the Lord are great and to be sought out when we consider the Heavens the work of God's hand the Moon and the Stars which he hath created the Earth and variety of Creatures therein but especially man in the frame of his Body but chiefly his Soul There will be abundant cause of admiring the witty inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence and we may say of all they are fearfully and wonderfully made 2. When man was fallen by the subtil inventions of Satan what a witty Invention came forth of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence to recover man fallen The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 3. When the World was to be destroyed by a Flood what a witty invention was there of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence to save Noah and his Family and a stock of all living creatures in the Ark 1 Pet. 3.20 4. When Joseph's Brethren had their witty inventions to make void his Dreams then wisdom dwelling with Prudence had its witty inventions to accomplish them and herein to be admired that their wicked inventions intended by them to frustrate were made the means to further the fulfilling of them Gen. 50 2â— 5. When Pharaoh thought he saw an advantage against the Israelites they are intangled in the Land the Wilderness hath shut them in and now he resolves to pursue and overtake c. But what a witty invention was there of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence for the Salvation of Israel and utter destruction of Pharaoh and his Host at once by the same invention Exod. 14. 6. When Haman had a mischievous invention to destroy the Jews Wisdom dwelling with Prudence had a witty invention to save them and to cut off Haman Esther 6.7 7. There was a witty invention to cut off those three Shadrach Meshach and Abednego by setting up an Image and commanding them to worship it and because they would not worship it they were cast into the fiery Furnace but then Wisdom dwelling with Prudence that is the Son of God appeared in the Furnace and walked with them in the midst of the Fire restraining it that it had not power upon their Bodies or Garments only as we may conceive it did burn up their Bonds for they were cast in in Bonds but walked loose which is worthy of our Observation in that it hints to us God's great design in the fiery Trial at any time happening to the Saints which is to burn up their bonds Lusts within are Bonds these will the Lord consume by the fiery Trial and too often outward things as Riches Glory Prosperity are like the hands of the whorish Woman that is bonds to the Soul which sometimes are loosed by the fiery Trial and what is Death to Saints but the loosing of the bonds of the mortal body that so the Soul may go to its rest Hence Paul â—ays Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissâ—lved to be unbound to be let loose and to be with Christ which is much better And the design of destâ—oying Daniel in the Dâ—n of Lions was frustrated and ended in the destruction of the contrivers Here we may see 1. That there are Inventions within Inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence within Satans and wicked men's inventions 2. The inventions within that is of Christ are the standing inventions Many are the devices of men's hearts saith Solomon but the counsel of the L rd shall stand Christ's inventions do oveâ—-rule and over come all Satan's and wicked men's inâ—entions As 1. Sometimes making them prove abortive destroying the Wisdom of the Wife and bringing to nothing the understanding of the Prudent 2 Setting them their bounds thus far shâ—ll â—hey come and no farther and here shall theiâ— pâ—oud waves be stayed c. 3. Giving them their tendency which is many times directly contrary to what men aim at making them serve to the Author's destruction men have perished and will perish by their own inventions and fall by their own counsel the Lord will be known by his Judgments herein and his Wisdom must triumph over all the Wisdom of Hell and the World But 1. Of all the witty inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence the most Glorious is that of the Word being made Flesh and so made sin that sinners may be made the Righteousness of God in him Satan had a Subtile invention to destroy the the Lord a more witty invention to save men what an invention was here that one Person should be God-man Creator and Creature Off-spring of David and Root of David his Son and yet his Lord The Salvation of Sinners seemed utterly impossible God had said a sinner must dye There was an invention of fulfilling this Law upon a Surety which undertook for man As an Infinite Person was offended so there must be an infinite satisfaction and price of an infinite value without which man could not be reconciled to God what a glorious invention was here The Surety undertaking this was an infinite Person equal with the Father he gave a life of an Infinite Value he had in the humane nature united to him A Body hast thou prepared me It was the Body of the Son of God and so a Sacrifice of Infinite Value the Priest offering the Sacrifice was infinite the Son of God the Altar Sanctifying the Gift was the Divine Nature What an invention was it for the redeeming of lost man The Incarnation of Christ the Hypostatical union was the chief of the witty inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence 2. The next is the mystical union betwixt Christ and the Vessels of Mercy who are joyned to the Lord and become one Spirit with him being
which I have committed to his care and custody to bring it forth a glorious Soâ—â—at that day and my vile Body that he may make it a glorious Body like his own This I have committed by Faith and Hope deposited with him This is the great Command of the Gospel that you give up your selves to Christ that you deposite your Souls and Bodies with him and trust him for the saving of both that he is able and willing to do it 2. Do what Christ would have you to do deny your selves to do Christ's will Let not his Commands be grievous to you Let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel in Holiness Meekness c. This some do conceive to be meant by the Wedding Garment a conversation becoming the Gospel The Gospel calls to a Feast it contains fulness of Blessings as Rom. 15.29 I shall come in fulness of the Blessing of the Gospel of Christ Blessings for Soul Body enough for both Eternity of both He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life He shall live and reign with Christ. This is the Feast that believers are called to Now 't is required in all that would be meet Guests that they be Holy Obedient in carriage As you know 't is an unseemly thing for a Man to come to the Marriage-Feast of a King's Son only to enjoy the pleasures of that solemn meeting without respect of decent apparel befitting such solemnity So you that would eat of the Feast of fat things contained in the Gospel must have decent apparel a Conversation beseeming a Christian Calling becoming the Gospel suitable to it in all holy conversation and godliness as you would lay hold on the promises and blessings of the Gospel so you must have a Gospel-garment a Gospel-frame of life herein many come short they do profess to believe in Christ and hope for Pardon and Mercy at that day but have no Wedding Garment no Gospel Garment no Conversation becoming the Gospel and to such Christ shall say How comest thou in hither out with him here 's one that lays claim to Promises and would not regard the Precepts he comes in his filthy Garments of sin now this is to be so doing Mat. 24.46 Blessed c. that so doing trusting in Christ and walking in Gospel ways endeavouring to honour the Lord Jesus as Lord and King this is Oyl in your Lamps a heart believing the Gospel subdued to Christ establish'd with Grace Oyl in the Lamp is Faith and Love a Lamp without it is an empty Profession and form of Godliness your hearing praying professing to believe in Christ that is your Lamp your Eaith Love Zeal for the Honour of Christ is your Oyl in the Lamp have not this to seek when you should come to meet Christ 3. Look for this day looking for the blessed hope Tit. 2.13 all the hope of a Christian is in that day of Christ If in this Life only they had hope then they were most miserable then more miserable than wicked Men they have pleasure and enjoy their good things and Saints for the most part in regard of their outward Condition have torments So look for that day and long after it be not overcharged wlth the cares of the World say not this is your rest look for rest for your portion and inheritance at the day of Christ's appearing to them that look for him he shall appear without Sin c. Christ hath so foretold it and before his coming he shall give evident signs that he may be looked for so look beyond Friends Estates beyond the end of the World beyond Life Death even to Christ's day be frequent and serious in your thoughts of it 't will disengage your thoughts from the World Enoch the seventh from Adam that lived in the beginning of the World his thoughts did reach to the end of it to Christ's appearing though the Vision be far of and a great while to come Judg. 14 Enoch prophecy'd The Lord shall come with ten thousands of his Saints how much more should we look after it upon whom the ends of the World are come now the time is so near that Christ is as it were at the door so watch and wait for him 2 Pet. 2.12 Looking for and hasting to the coming of the day of God or hasting the coming going forth to meet Christ let your thoughts and desires be sent out to meet him Vse 3. Comfort for Saints here they find trouble c. but they shall find mercy at that day there shall sure right be done them and be avenged of the wicked as the Jews are wont to comfort themselves when they meet with any knotty place of Scripture in the old Testament that cannot understand Elias veniet et euodabit omnia So Christ will come and then wo to the wicked it shall be ill with them say to the Righteous it shall be well with him Isa 3.10 't is the day of the Saints Redemption and Adoption when they receive Inheritance as well as have right to it As Rom. 8.23 we wait for the Adoption even the Redemption of our Bodies FINIS
says a sinner must dye but what saith Paul He loved me and give himself for me out of love he made his Soul an offering for sin and now who shall condemn by which it appears that the power of his love to work out Salvation is beyond the power of sin to Destroy 2. The love of Christ towards the vessels of Mercy did abound beyond self-love The Law is to love our Neighbour as our selves Christ did more When Peter said Master pity thy self he was so great an offence to him that he calls him Satan He pitied Souls to be saved more than his Body and loved their lives even to his own Death And if the Jews had ground to say when he wept over Lazarus behold how he loved him much greater cause is there to say when Christ dyed for sinners behold how he loved them If the sheding of tears was so great a demonstration of his love what was this that he yielded his Blood should be shed 3. It abounds beyond all the wants and weaknesses of Saints It is not exhausted by what he hath done for them or bestowed on them as he hath the Residue of the Spirit so the Residue of Love and Grace even the fullness of it so as he accounted no suffering too great to undergo for them so no good thing too great to give them Heaven a Kingdom the fullness of Joy Holyness Light and Grace is not too much for his love to bestow we cannot have less to make us happy and 't is not more then his love can make us partakers of 2. The love of Christ is an abiding love he loves with an everlasting love here 's a love not to be quench'd with many waters which no floods of either Human or Diabolical or Divine wrath could Drown Having loved his own he loved them to the end John 13.1 that is the finishing of that work he had to do for them in the World and will to the end of his Mediatory work till he hath brought up all the Saints to the measure of the stature of his own fullness and when his love shall have brought him to this glorious end of his work in perfecting all the Saints and presenting them to the Father who shall be all in all and he shall have thus loved them to the end then he shall love them without end The Saints have then ground to comfort themselves with the abiding love of Christ If the World pass away if Riches come to nought c. yet the love of Christ doth not pass away and when there is so constant a hatred from the World and such abiding malice against the followers of Christ in evil men and evil Angels there is an abiding love of Christ to comfort them 3. The love of Christ was once a love fulfilling the Law and now is a love fufilling the Gospel it was once a love fulfilling Precepts and now is a love fulfilling Promises Rom. 13.10 Love is the fulfilling of the Law such was the love of Christ love brought him that was Lord of the Law under the Law and carried him through it even to perfect obedience â—is love made him say it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness and by this there is Reconciliation and Peace with God and as it was once the fulfilling of the Law so now of the Gospel All the Promises are yea and Amen in Christ's love When Saints are unworthy of the good of the Promises the love of Christ will bestow it on them There are Promises of not remembring sin of giving Grace and Glory and every good thing of putting the Law in the mind of turning all to good of saving out of all troubles and love will fullfil them all the Gospel is the Testament and Will of Christ and there must be the Death of the Testator that the Will may be of force Now here we may take notice of this truth Christ dyed that his will may be of force and lives again to the Executor of his own will and his love is the fulfilling of it hence Christ promiseth to his Disciples I will not leave you Orphans I will come to you John 14.18 Christ being dead they were Orphans c. but happy were it for many poor Orphans if their Fatheâ—s could come again and set all things right and see that every Child should have his portion now although this cannot be yet it was so with Christ He arose from Death and will be the Executor of his own Will and hence he is called the everlasting Father having a Fatherly love and regard to all the Saints which is everlasting and which will perfect that which concerns them Saints are the travel of Christ's Soul and he must see the travel of his Soul Isa 53.11 Rachel said give me Children or else I dye Christ said let me dye that so I may have Children Rachel dyed in travel and did not live to see of her travel Christ dyed in his travel with the vessels of Mercy and lives again to see of the travel of his Soul Every Saint at first was a Benoni a Son of Christ's sorrow in that he dyed in bringing them forth but afterwards a Benjamin a Son of his right hand he being alive for ever more and is ever seeing them to his satisfaction and they shall see him for ever to their satisfaction and living again he will see that they be partakers of that Grace and Glory that he bequeathed to them 4. The Love of Christ is such that when it finds not its Object lovely it can and doth make it lovely Christ found Mary Magdalen a sinful Woman and so not lovely but made her lovely in converting her Paul was an Enemy to Christ but he converted him his love made him lovely it made him a Believer a Saint a faithful Servant unto him This is set forth in Ezek. 16. Thou wast polluted in thy Blood I passed by thee and thy time was the time of love and love made them lovely I spread my skirts over thee I washed and clothed thee and decked thee with ornaments and thy beauty and renown was perfect through my comeliness put upon thee If we have cause to say as Isaiah wo is me a man of unclean lips If we abhor our selves and repent we may take comfort in this Christ doth not abhor but his love doth make us lovely 5. The love of Christ turns all evil things to good life death things present things to come all are yours the love of Christ makes them so and gives an advantagious and profitable propriety in them and makes even Reproaches for Christ's sake Riches and better then the Treasures of Egypt Heb. 11.26 Riches are things of worth so are Reproaches for Christ The Apostles rejoyced that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ And better then Riches 1. In that God doth not esteem any man's wealth nor him for his wealth's sake will he esteem thy wealth Job 36.19
and the heart of Cyrus to make Proclamation of Liberty for the Jews return to Jerusalem and hence this is an Expression to set forth the Power of God Isa 44.24 Thus saith the Lord that stretcheth out the Heavens v. 27.28 that saith to the Deep be dry that saith to Cyrus he is my Shepherd he shall perform all my Pleasure What comfort is this when Saints see what bad hearts they have they know that Christ hath power to make them better and what malicious hearts wicked men have Christ can either destroy or incline them to shew kindness as he did the heart of Esau to Jacob. Gen. 23. 6. Christ hath power over all Creatures to do with them as he pleases and to do what he will by them they go and come move or not move live or dye they are or are not at his will He sends forth his Spirits they are created he takes away thâ—ir breath thâ—y dy He hath power of nothing to make something of darkness to make light of evill to turn it to good of death to bring out life from it it 's the Prerogative of God he calls the things that are not as though they were 1. Cor. 1.28 and commands them to be and much more can he confound that which is of Babylon he can say of it Babylon the great is fallen is fallen This is matter of abundant consolation to the Sainis thy Redeemer is strong the Lord of Host is his Name 2. Tim. 2.12 I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep me c. Believers know whom they have chosen believed in whom they love and serve how full of might he is and when the power of Hell and of the World lying in wickedness is against them they may comfort themselves in this the power of the Lord is for them God made Nebuchadnezzar to know that the Heavens do Rule Dan. 4.25 26. that is the three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit which Spirit is in the hearts of Saints also of which the Apostle says Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the World 1. John 4.4 the holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Church Satan is the Spirit of the World the Saints comfort is they have the greater Spirit and if their Spirit be greater than the Spirit of the World much more is it greater than the Flesh of the World Particularly 1. Christ's Riches of Power are to be excercised for the good of the Heirs of Salvation Psa 89.19 I have laid help on one that is mighty the Father hath laid it on Christ with his power to help Unbelief to help Infirmities to help the Spirit against the Flesh the law of the Mind against the law of the Members None will stand by me in these things but Michael your Prince Dan. 10.21 .12.1 Let the weak then say I am strong Joel 3.10 In the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength Isa 45.24 In the Lord it is and in the Lord I have it 2. Christ's Riches of Power is a Fountain of Power to the Saints 1. In Regeneration he propagates his Power he begets and maintains a Power of Godliness in the new nature 2 Tim. 1.7 A Power to serve God a Power to confess his Name to take up a Cross and follow him Joseph's bow abode in strength when the Archers shot at him being made strong by the mighty God of Jacob Gen. 49.24 So are Saints strenghtened by the mighty Power of Christ resting on them Sin is from weakness how weak is thine heart seeing thou dost these things Ezek. 16.30 Vertue is a Power to do good which is from Christ 2. In the Resurrection Christ will give great Power to the glorified Bodies of the Saints 1 Cor. 15.43 It 's raised in Power the Power of raised and glorified Bodies shall be exceeding great there is not such power in any thing in the World as will be in them if God should give commission one glorified Saint might be able to destroy a World of ungodly men 3. In the World to come all weakness shall be swallowed up in Power there will not be cause to complain of the Power of Sin and weakness of Grace Heb. 6.5 there is mention of the Powers of the World to come there is no weakness but power in that World the power of Godliness the power of Love the power of an Endless Life Heb. 7.16 of Endless Holiness of Endless Joy Josh 14.11 As my Strength was then so it is now herein was Joshua a Type of the perfect and abiding strength of the Saints in the World to come And there being such Power in Christ learn 1. To Trust in him Isa 26.4 because in him is everlasting Strength Isa 3.15 O my Soul thou hast troden down Strength Judg. 5.21 Deborah's Soul having strong Faith and being poured out in Prayer did most in that Victory Deborah's Soul with Barah's Sword overcame the Host of Sisera Saints do most with the strength of their Souls and in this have great advantage of their Enemies and with this they shall tread down Satan and the Man of sin when a Saint hath no power in himself he may say as John there is one mightier than I and mightier than all my Enemies Jer. 31.22 A Woman shall compass a Man that is the weak shall overcome the strong as Deborah and Jael did one trod down the strength of the Host with her confidence and the other slew Sisera the Captain of it the Woman clothed with the Sun having the Moon under her feet though driven into the Wilderness yet at last must compass and conquer the Man of sin and then her Wilderness shall be as Eden and her desert as the Garden of the Lord and Babylon's fruitful Field shall become a Forrest 2. Fear him who hath Riches of Power he can destroy both Body and Soul in Hell Who art thou that art afraid of a Man that shall dye and forgettest thy Maker Fear him that hath made Heavens and the Earth the Sea and the Fountains of Water 3. Praise his Power Psal 21.13 Be thou exalted Lord in thine own Strength so will we Sing and Praise thy Power The Saints shall have abundant matter ministred unto them in the last days of praising the Power of Christ and of saying Salvation and Strength to our God and to him that sits upon the Throne Psal 145.11 12. They shall speak of the Glory of thy Kingdom and talk of thy Power 4. Be in subjection to Christ and serve him if we ought to be in subjection to the higher Powers then much more to him that hath the highest Power and take heed that we be not found in opposition to him Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy are we stronger than he Job 9.4 5 6. He is wise in Heart and mighty in Strength which removeth Mountains and they know not Who hath hardened himself against him and prospered
the Sea and run to the Sea all flows from the Grace of God and should be to his Glory and thus if Glory be our end in doing all the sight of his Glory shall be our Reward 5. Câ—nsiderations of Christ's Riches of Glory should take off the Heart from all worldly Glory Gal. 6.14 Paul was Crucified to the World by the Cross of Christ and the World to him the World was a dead thing to him and he was dead to it the World did not care for him neither he for the World the World did disesteem him because of his confidence in Christ Crucified and he did disesteem the World knowing that Christ was infinitely better now if the Cross of Christ crucified him to the World much more may the Crown of Christ raise above the World Joh. 12.32 If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me this he spake signifying what Death he should dye as the brazen Serpent lifted up did draw the Eyes of those that were stung with the fiery Serpents So Christ Crucified will draw the Hearts of such as are stung with the terrors of the Law and so the Glory of Christ lifted up far above all Heavens should draw our hearts unto him CHAP. VIII A General Application of the Whole 1. WE may learn hence what reason we have to prize Christ above and prefer him before all other things and to be of the same mind as Paul who counted all things but Dung that he might win Christ Phil. 3.8 there is little reason for setting our hearts on Earthly Riches but greatest reason to set them on the Unsearchable Riches of Christ here 's the Treasure and where the Treasure is there the Heart should be This is the better part which if we choose shall never be taken from us he that covets and prizes them above all may have them without price The Poor have the Gospel of these Unsearchable Riches Preached unto them Men travel far and take great Pains and can be content to endure much the cold of the Night and heat of the Day as Jacob did in the pursuit of Earthly Riches how much more should we to get Heavenly Riches Take Christ as Sâ—viour and Lord as Righteousness and â—ife then the Riches of Grace and Glory even the Riches of Heaven and Christ's Kingdom shall be yours Those that are young are content to engage themselves in Masters that they may learn a Trade to get Wrâ—â—th of what greater concernment is it to tâ—ke Christ for our Master the like to him is nâ—â— to be found on Earth Masters here seek gain by thâ—â—r Servants and aims to be enriched by them but Christ is such a Master that aims at his Servants gain and is for the enriching them where I am there shall my Servant be and what I have shall be my Servant's Well done thou good and faithful Servant enter into the Joy of thy Lord now Joy by believing enters into them and they shall at last enter into Joy and shall not be called Magor Missabib i. e. fear round about but Joy round about 2 Cor. 8.9 Ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ when he was Rich he became Poor that ye through his Poverty might be made Rich and if his Poverty tend to our Enriching how much more his Plenty If his Emptiness how much more his Fulness Here consider I. What is forbidden as evil in Relation to Earthly Riches is commanded in Relation to the Riches of Christ As 1. 'T is forbidden to covet Earthly Riches this is an evil covetousness Shouldest thou seek great things for thy Self Seek them not Jer. 45.5 Give me â—either Poverty nor Riches but Food convenient Prov. 10.8 but 't is a duty to covet Christ's Riches Covet earnestly the best things 1 Cor. 12.31 buy of me Gold that thou mayest be rich a little Knowledge and a little Grace should not satisfie Here we should love abundance and seek great things for our Selves to be filled with all the fulness of God Eph. 3.19 2. 'T is forbidden to Trust in uncertain Riches this is a cursed confidence lo this is the man that trusted in the abundance of his wealth Ps 52.7 But 't is our duty to Trust in Christ's Riches though worldly wealth is not yet these shall be to the Saints their strong City Prov. 18.10 11. Isa 26.1 4. 3. 'T is forbidden to Glory in the Riches of the World Jer. 9.23 Let not the Rich man glory in his Riches Hose 12.8 Ephraim loved to oppress and boasted that there by he became Rich. Zach. 11.5 They that sell them say blessed be the Lord I am Rich this is a glorying that is not good but having Christ ye may well glory in his Riches Let him that glorieth glory in me c. Jer. 9.24 1 Cor. 1.31 Having found Christ you have found you out substance Prov. 8.21 II. What is wanting in Earthly Riches is abundantly made up in Christ as Paul says what the Law could not do being weak through the Flesh God sent his Son and he did it so what Earthly Riches cannot the Riches of Christ will do for us 1. Earthly Riches will not profit in the day of wrath many will be the worse but none the better for them then The Rich are honoured esteemed their favour is sought and they are feared in the World but will not be so in the last day the Rich Transgressor mâ—st look to suffer as well as the mean but the Riches of Christ will profit in that day Phil. 3.9 2 Thess 1.10 2. Men carry not their worldly Riches with them when they dye they descend not after them Ps 49.17 but the Saints shall carry Christ's Riches with them yea gain the fullness of them by death whence to dye is gain Phil. 1.21 to dye is great loss to carnal men loss of the World loss of the Soul but when a Godly man dyes there 's gain he knows as he is known 1 Cor. 13.12 he apprehends that for which he is apprehended of Christ Phil. 3.12 he sees what he did believe enjoys what he hoped for and hath all the desire of his heart given him 3. Earthly Riches do not satisfy He that loveth abundance shall not be satisfied with increase Eccl. 5.10 but the Riches of Christ will satisfy the Soul as with Marrow and Fatness a Man's Life doth not consist in worldly Riches but it doth in Christ Worldly Men are Fools in saying Soul take thine ease thou hast much Goods c. but Saints are wise when they say Soul take thine ease thou hast all good laid up in Christ not for many years but for Eternity III. There are great mischeifs ordinarily attending Earthly Riches which Christ 's is no way subject too 1. They may flee away and as the Raven from the Ark never return any more a man heaps up Riches sometimes and begets a Son and nothing is left in his hand but Christ's Riches never flee a way they are
Justice that it might not take hold of Sinners This as Priest He Preaches Peace Eph. 2.17 as in the days of his Flesh he Preached to the Jews the things concerning their Peace This as Prophet Then the knowledge of him must needs be most precious How beautiful upon the Mountains are the feet of him that publisheth Peace i. e. Ministers that Preach Peace c. Isa 52.7 much more beautiful is Christ Prince of Peace c. the knowledge of Christ as our Peace is said to Justify Isa 53.11 Knowledge is not taken for bare Knowledge of Christ but as comprehending Faith affiance in Christ which is set forth under the name of Knowledge because this is necessary to faith the beginning of it its first Act now then this knowledge of Christ must needs be most precious The knowledge of all the pleasant and most precious Objects in the World will not Justify 't is not that which can quiet the Soul from trouble at the guilt of the least Sin when Sin is truly discoverd nay not the knowledge of the Nature and Attributes of God not contemplative knowledge of the word of God but only the knowledge of Jesus Christ And to set forth farther the Excellency of this Knowledge in regard of its Effects consider that this alone renders the Knowledge of the highest and most perfect Object sweet and delightful that is of God 'T is Death to a Man to know God out of Christ He sees Everlasting Righteousness in God to condemn and punish Everlasting Power to punish and then he cannot see God and Live he will cry out wo is me as Isaiah or as the Jews let not God speak least we die O what Horror and Dread doth this beget upon the Spirits of Men but when God comes in Christ revealing himself reconciling himself to Men becoming their God and Father then the Soul can take delight in the Knowledge of God then it can request with Moses I beseech thee shew me thy Glory now a Man can never know too much of the Power Justice and Eternity of God c. 'T is Eternal Life to know God this is through the knowledge of Christ 2. This transformes into the Image of Christ. The Heart that knows Christ aright will strive to a conformity with him 2 Cor. 3.18 beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image c. where there is a learning of Christ there is an endeavour to put off the old Man c. Eph. 4.21 22. and is not that excellent Knowledge which will make you like God partakers of the Divine Nature 3. This makes a Man partaker of Eternal Life John 17.3 This is Life Eternal 1. This is the way to Eternal Life to know Christ as Crucified c. 2. This formally is Eternal Life which is begun as soon as this is wrought The first Fruits of Knowledge is the first Fruit of Eternal Life The Knowledge of God through Christ perfectly is perfection of happiness Simeon had a sight of Heaven when he saw Christ as Moses on Nebo which makes him desire to depart Use 2. Exhortation Be stirred up with earnestness of your desires and endeavours to labour after the Knowledge of Christ as 't is said of Samson he bowed himself with all his might Judg. 16.30 So do you bow your Souls with all your strength and might to pull down high imaginations which advance against the knowledge of Christ and determine dâ—sire to know nothing but Christ search for Wisdom that is for the Knowledge of â—hrist who is the Wisdom of the Father as for hid Treasures The Knowledge of Chrest is the richest Treasure so it deserves all your desires study searrh to be imployed for the attaining of it 't is hid so you must search diligently take pains for it you must hearken diligently and apply your hearts to get Understanding and the Knowledge of Christ And as the excellency of the Knowledge of Christ should be a strong and prevailing motive with you to set your self to seek after the Knowledge of Christ so great encouragement you have from the planty of means God doth afford whereby you may attain this Knowledge You need not say who shall ascend into Heaven to bring down Christ who shall descend into the deeps to fetch up Christ But the word is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart It comes to your hearts and waits there for entertainment Christ in his Ordinances is come down amongst you he walks in the midst of the Golden Candle-sticks in the Assemblies where he is Preached John 1.36 John and two of his Disciples stood and looked on Jesus as he walked and he said behold the Lamb of God! This we may affiâ—m in a spiâ—â—â—al sense now Jesus walks he comes to you in 〈◊〉 word and those that have Eyes of Faith do see 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 say to you behold the Lamb of God! Behold Câ—â—ist here â—eâ—â— and when you are told of Christ what should you do but as the Disciples 〈◊〉 they â—â—ard him speak they followed Jesus 〈◊〉 desire more Knowledge of and acquainâ—â—â—e with him and know then that you shall find Châ—â—st not going away â—or hiding himself but as v 38 when they followed Jesus turned and saw them following and saith what seek ye Christ is willing to come to you ready to turn to you and make himself known to you when you follow him He will invite you to him Come and see I am ready to entertain you I will be your Mediator I will save you Come and see I 'll reveal all my worth and excellency to you as Hezekiah Isa 39. shewed the House of his precious things to the Ambassadors of the King of Babylon and all that was found in his Treasures that will Christ do to you he will shew you the House of his precious things that love of his which passâ—th knowledge that Infinite pâ—ice of his own blood the value of which is enough to redeem a World lying in wickedness the vertue of it is sufficient to conquer Sin Death Hell that Infinite merit by which he prepares Mansions and Thrones for you in Heaven In a word all his Treasures of Righteousness Grace and Glory O therefore awake then that sleepest thou Sinner that art in a natural state yet in danger of wrath being under the curse of the Law and sleepest in that condition that is dost take thy rest securely not knowing the miserable condition thou art in awake be rowzed up arise from the dead and look after Christ that walks amongst you and he shall give thee Light Eph. 5.14 He shall give the light of saving knowledge to thee in revealing himself who is the true light and as the Prophet exhorts Isa 60.1 Arise and shine for thy light is come that is Christ is come in his Ordinances therefore arise and follow him look after shine or be enlightned know him that is revealing himself to you so you shall have
straight Gate they will follow hard and press towards the Mark c. they put on with Zeal and Resolution in the way that leads to life They go to Sion with their faces thitherward that is they come to ordinances with strong affections as a hungry Man to a Feast They run with patience the Race set before them this is an evidence of the true Knowledge of Christ. 2. Next I shall lâ—y down the grounds of consolation they have who have attained to the saving Knowledge of the Excellency of Christ. 1. You that have attained to Excellency of Knowledge of Christ shall have the perfection of the Knowledge of Christ. He that knows in part shall know as he is known He that sees Christ darkly as in a Glass shall see him face to face He that knows his back-parts shall know his fore-parts This is evident from that of Christ to the Woman of Samaâ—ta John 4.14 Whosoever shall drink of the Water I shall give shall thirst no more that is shall not thirst after other Waters he shall not seek other comforts he finds enough in Christ that knows Christ aright and can say as Peter to whom elsâ— shâ—uld I go then hast the words of Eternal Life he goes not to the creatures to suck comfort from them he shall thirst no more after other things He shall thirst no more that is he shall be filled with Christ he shall have enough in Christ to satisfy him tho' as yet he hath not When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness satisfied with the clear Vision and Knowledge of Chrest so as that he shall desire to know nothing but Christ and shall know as much of Christ as he can desire 1 John 3.2 Now we are the Sons of God c. and we shall see him as he is that is now we see him darkly then face to face clearly perfectly Christ now looks through lattess Cant. 2.9 but Christ shall lay himself open to our view Then the Glory of Christ's Person shall be made visible to us then Christ in all his Glory shall appear then the mystery of Christ shall be made plain then Christ who is altogether lovely shall be altogether known as lovely then there shall be perfect knowledge of that Love of his which now passeth knowledge then Faith shall be swallowed up in Vision Desire shall end in perfect Delight What comfort then may this afford to those that have in some measure attained to the Knowledge of Christ and thirst for more you shall have what yea more than you thirst after 2. There shall be wrought in you a perfect Conformity unto Christ in Glory this shall follow upon the perfecting of your Knowledge If you behold as in a glass the Glory of the Lord and are changed c. translated c. then much more seeing Face to Face you shall be changed from Glory to Glory that is Glory you shall have in some measure answerable to the Glory of Christ The Glory of the Members shall be in their measure proportioned to the Glory of the head this appears 1 Joh. 3.2 When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is because we shall see him so we shall be like him and what a glorious condition shall you be then in Christ as you have heard is a most glorious Person therefore 't will be your greatest Glory and Happiness to be made like him 3. You have reason to be strong in Faith you know whom you have believed to whom you have committed your Souls for Salvation and from whom it is you look for Life and Immortallity Glory Honour you know him to be the Son of God and so that he is able to keep what you commit to him you know his Righteousness that it is not a Covering too narrow for a Man to wrap himself in but adequate to the breadth of all your Sins you know him to be Intercessor with the Father in the bosom of the Father nay one with the Father so that you need not to fear the wrath of God nor to fly from him as a Consuming Fire you can with Moses go up to the top of the Mountain to talk with God when others may justly fear to touch the foot thereof least they be consumed you need not fear the wrath of the Devil you know one that hath led him captive that is able to bind that strong Man and hath done it you know that there is a Vertue in Christ's Blood which you know how to make use off and by it to overcome the Devil who is the Accuser of the Brethren Rev. 12.11 when he comes and hath great wrath then a wo is denounced to the Inhabitants of the Earth but rejoyce ye Heavens c. ver 12. you have not need to fear the wrath of Man you know Christ who is able to turn the wrath of Man to his own Glory and to your Good Isa 43.1 c. in a word you have in all your Distresses ground of strong Consolation and may comfort your Souls as Job did Chap. 19.25 c. you are assured of Safety and Salvation therefore be strong in Faith let not your Hearts be moved at the apprehension of Danger hold you your Confidence stedfast to the end let it be your care to keep a good Conscience to hold forth the Honour of Christ and if your Hearts suggest Dangers answer your fears as Abraham did Isaac the Lord will provide Christ will take care of your Safety 4. You that know Christ are known of Christ he knows you for his own he owns you he appears for you he knows your Souls in all your Adversities and that as a Father pittieth his Child in all his distresses and will do his utmost to relieve and ease it Psal 31.7 I know my Sheep and I am known of mine Joh. 10.13 14. noting his care of them Gal. 4.9 Since ye know God or rather are known of God those that know are known as 't is said we love God because he first loved us so if we know Christ he hath first known us if our Earthly Friends forsake or will not own you as Job's and David's yet Christ will not he will not forget or forsake you therefore you should be always ready to own Christ he knows you in your Sufferings know you him in his Sufferings c. and you need not to fear that dreadful Sentence of Christ Depart from me I know you not to all that now know not God and that desire not to know him so he shall say but to you Come ye Blessed c. Doct. 2. The Principal study and care of a People must be to know the Mystery of the Cross of Christ This Point I shall endeavour to prove and then to unfold the Mystery and shew what 't is you must labour to know of Christ Crucified and so descend to Application I. I shall prove it by these steps and degrees 1. 'T is
that Men ought to come to him that they might have life because he said that God was his Father making himself equal with God the Jews sought to kill him Joh. 5.18 because he went about continually to do good therefore the Jews sought continually to do him mischief Joh. 10.32 Many good works have I shewed you from my Father for which of these do you stone me Christ's question implies an affirmation that it was for some of these that they did stone him but the main cause of all was that he preached himself the King of the Jews that was the question Pilate asked of him Math. 27.11 and was his accusation ver 37. this did inrage the wicked World this provoked the Red Dragon to muster up his forces against him c. Now be ready to suffer for Christ's sake and see that we give the Enemies of Christ no other occasion to speak evil of us or do evil against us but such as Christ gave them take him for our pattern believe in Christ with our Hearts as the Son of God and confess him with our Mouths let it be our care continually to go about doing good to hold forth the Truth and Honour of Christ especially acknowledge him as King and plead for his Power and Prerogative this is opposed this is cried down by Men's words this is practised down by their deeds let it be our labour to set up Christ as King for this the People of God are now and shall be persecuted hence comes Wars and Fightings among us because some will not have Christ to reign now let us be zealous in this cause be content to suffer any thing in contending to set up Christ in his Throne Christ himself suffered that he might be crowned with Glory and Honour therefore let us suffer any thing so Christ may be crowned among us with Glory and Honour so he may rule in our Land and be the Lâ—ght and Glory of it and then we shall have fellowship c. so by our sufferings Christ shall be exalted and we likewise 2. Have the same mind in suffering as Christ had 1. Be not high minded the high minded man will not stoop to suffer if Christ had been high minded he had never been Crucified so if you mind high things your own Honour and greatness if you seek great things to your selves and worldly advantage you will not suffer with Christ Christ was humble and lowly in his mind before he was cast into a state of Humiliation inwardly before outwardly in mind before in body then was brought low by sufferings now faith the Apostle Phil. 2.5 Let the same mind be in you as in Christ be so far from thinking your selves too good as not worthy to suffer c. Be contented to descend from the heights you are in to lay aside Honour to become of no reputation and to empty your selves of your Estates and become obedient to the Death if Christ lead you thereto to give testimony to his Truth 2. Let there be a willingness before hand to endure the Cross as Christ was Christ gave them power against him that had no power but what was given he delivered himself up into their hands and went up to the Passover that the Jews might have opportunity to take him he laid down his Life which notes his willingness to suffer herein we should be like him be willing to suffer for Christ count it your Joy c. this is that our Saviour requires when he says take up the Cross take it up in the thoughts of it preparations for it and willingness to undergo it God loves a cheerful giver and cheerful sufferer as God accepts the will for the deed but not the deed where there is no will so God accepts willingness in suffering not suffering without willingness if you suffer unwillingly in a good cause then you suffer as evil doers the go heavily to sufferings and well they may they take no delight or joy in suffering and if you suffer unwillingly what ever your cause be if for well doing you suffer as evil doers i. e. with such a mind as they suffer but if you suffer for well doing and willingly happy are ye then you suffer as Christ did 3. Patience under the Cross Christ had a patient mind under the Cross Isa 53.7 he was oppressed and opened not his mouth c. 1 Pet. 2.21 22. Christ suffered leaving us an example that we should follow his steps How did he suffer 1. He did no Sin to deserve suffering of that step you heard before 2. When he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not that is to revenge c. but committed himself to him that Judgeth Righteously an excellent pattern for us be patient not provoked to wrath be silent from threatnings and revilings fiducially and contentedly commit our selves to God that judgeth Righteously with whom 't is a righteous thing to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to the troubled rest so then because Christ suffered we must suffer this is a call to us to follow his steps that is as ver 20. but if when you do well and suffer for it and take it patiently this is accepted with God 2. This must be a ground to you of worshipping Christ and giving Honour and Obedience to him because he became obedient unto death so we must become obedient to him to whom should we live but to him that died for us Paul said that the love of Christ did so restrain him and whose should we be in service and obedience but his that bought us c. Redeemed us with his own Blood Heb. 5.8 Christ learned obedience by the things that he suffered much more should we learn obedience to him by the things he suffered for us Ps 116.8 9. Thou hast redeemed my Soul from death c. what follows I will walk before the Lord in the Land of the Living Christ for suffering of death was Crowned c. and because he suffered we must serve him Phil. 2.8 9. He became obedient to death wherefore God also hath highly exalted him c. Rev. 1.5 6. and 5.9 and 12. and let Christ have in Service what he hath purchased and redeemed that is the Soul from death that Soul should bow to him let him have Soul-services he redeemed our lives let our lives be dedicated to him no less in thankfulness you can return to Christ than this let him have that in Service which he hath redeemed from Slavery Christ satisfying our Debts makes us Debtors to him Rom. 8.12 as the Jews said we have no King but Cesar they would acknowledge no other King than him that had made them Slaves let us say we have no King but Christ there is far more reason he died to free us from the worst slavery Quest How must we worship Answ We must worship Christ in Spirit and Truth according to his own Laws and Rules in that way alone
which himself prescribes 1. According to his own Laws c. acknowledge no other Lord or Law-giver in matters of Religion Lord of Faith things to be believed Lord of Worship things to be done know that whatever is more than Christ commands is Sin whatever Ceremony to be used in a Religious way as representing and signifying some spiritual thing enjoyned by Men is Sin that is forbid in the Second Commandment thou shalt not make c. i. e. institute and appoint or invent to thy self any way of Worship anything to be used Religiously to set forth any spiritual thing but what God requires that only thou shalt observe herein is the great Apostacy of the Papists and herein consisted that great Sin of our Land which above others hath provoked God to bring this Judgment of War that Men's Laws have been Rules to us in matters of Religion because Men did make Ordinances and enjoyn Ceremonies to be used in a Religious way here was an Intrenching on Christ's Kingly Office herein was Superstition Will-worship and because the abomination of desolation was set up therefore we like Ephraim are smitten in Judgment because we willingly followed after their Commands so are delivered into the hands of the Cruel they that caused us to err are causes of wo Now that we may be healed again let 's remember whence we are fallen and how fallen from the purity of Christ's worship cast off all mixtures in Religion let not our Heart hang after the Onions and Garlick of Egypt after old Ceremonies be longer the Servants of Men. when the Corinthians some of them ascribed too much to Paul too much to Apollo Paul reproves this 1 Cor. 1.13 was Paul Crucified for you intimating he must be honoured above all his Doctrine his Laws we must imbrace and be led by in matters of Religion who was Crucified for us that was Christ 2. Do what Christ enjoyns in Spirit and Truth not feignedly but in truth not outwardly and bodily only but spiritually let the Service we perform be a work of our Spirits pray with the Spirit hear with the Spirit and when you receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper It must be done with the Spirit and the work of the Spirit amidst all these Services is especial in a work of Faith laying hold on what Christ promises and conveys in and by his Ordinances that Grace Life and Strength c. 3. That which Christ's Crucifying especially calls for and most nearly answers it is the Crucifying of our Flesh with the Affections and Lusts that our old Man be Crucified with Christ Gal. 3.23 where you see 't is not enough to have some Members cut off to forsake some particular Sins that may be and the body of Sin live still but crucify the Flesh crucify Original Corruption that is that strength and power of Sin which is in the Heart Quest Now wherein lies the strength of Sin Answ In the Will when Sin hath the Will so that what Sin a Man commits the bent of his will the disposition of his Soul is to commit them if a Man sins and wills to sin then Sin reigns Eph. 2.3 fulfilling the desires of the Flesh c. Sin is a King when the love of Sin constrains a Man to do Iniquity as on the other side Grace reigns when the love of Christ constrains c. then crucify the Flesh so as that Sin may cease to reign if Sin have your Members sometimes yet let it not have your Wills let the strength of all your Faculties be turned against Sin of your Understandings to search into the Evils of it and to study out ways to overcome it let your wills be to be freed from it your Affections turned all against it to hate loath c. Sin cannot be wholy purged out in this life the mortifying of Sin is a work done by degrees as those that are hanged on the Cross dye by degrees 't is a lingring Death such is the death of Sin that railing Thief on the Cross you may take as an Emblem to set forth Sin in the Saints where 't is Crucified his Body hanged on the Cross his Hands nailed he could not rob or spoil any more he ceased now to be a reigning Thief but then his Tongue he used in railing against Christ so for those that are Members of Christ their old Man is fastned to the Cross it cannot reign any longer some life remains it may strugle with the renewed part the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit it would fain overcome but the Spirit of God in the Soul keeps it under and by all the striving of Corruption again Grace Corruption waxes weaker till at last it be wholy vanquished Now this Effect you must labour to shew forth of the Death of Christ and herein be conformed to him Be planted together in the likeness of his Death now be freed from Sin and be no longer Servants to it let it not reign and as Christ being raised dieth no more Death hath no more Dominion over him Rom. 6.9 so labour that Sin may in such manner be Crucified as that it never have dominion in you again 4. Learn hence to make use of the Blood of Christ for obtaining your Justification and Peace with God By the shedding of the Blood of Christ is Remission of Sins this is the Sacrifice that makes Attonement Christ made Peace by the Blood of this Cross Labour for Faith to draw forth this Benefit out of the Blood of Christ to apply it to your selves that it may be yours in the Justifying Effect that peaceable Fruit of it Now what is required of us 1. To believe the Vertue and Value of it that 't is sufficient to redeem a Soul and your Soul 2. To believe God's offer and tender of it to you and Christ's willingness to give it to you if you will but imbrace it 3. That you cast your Souls into that Sea of Blood and rest only on the Vertue of it for Life and Justification Do thus then rest confidently assured of acceptance with God you may go with boldness into the Holiest c Vse 3. Trial. By this you may know what Knowledge you have in the Mystery of the Cross of Christ c. viz. if you so know him as to believe in him to count his Blood most precious to be resolved to obey and suffer for Christ in a due manner and draw Vertue from his Cross for Crucifying Sin and conquering all the World and comforting your Hearts in all Tribulations and Deaths this is to know the Mystery of Christ Crucified Gal. 6.14 The End of the Second Discourse THE THIRD DISCORUSE A Sermon concerning the Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures 1 THESSALONIANS ij xiij For this cause also thank we GOD without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which you heard of us ye received it not as the word of Men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh
him as Jacob by wrestling c. Isa 26.8 9. Hos 12.2 3 4 6. 5. When God gives Precepts and lays Commands on us know that the Holiness Majesty and Goodness of God deserves Obedience and sing as the 24 Elders Rev. 4. ult Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Honour c. you must see the greatest reason of yielding Obedience Now these qualifications make up that honest and good heart Luk. 8.15 That having heard the word keeps it c. by this try the honesty of your hearts many think they have honest hearts because they hate no man do no Injury but are upright in their dealings but here 's a way to try the honesty of your hearts indeed do you not hate some part of the word there is self-denial mortification of Lusts required heavenly mindedness a seeking the praise of God only and not of Men. Joh. 5.42 43 44. Rom. 2.29 Signs of true receiving the word of God 1. Holding fast the word undeâ— Persecutions Luk. 8.15 there are four sorts of Hearers only the last that believe the word aâ—ight and they grow by it and live on it and according to it and when Persecutions do arise for the word's sake a mock or scoff from Men is not so grievous as the word is precious As Christ endured the contradiction of Sinners so can they this is set forth as the highest of Christ's Sufferings Heb. 12.3 Consider him that endured Contradiction of Sinners c. and mockings are called Cruel they are hard to be born Heb. 11.36 these will try whether the word be received and blest so as to see Sin the greatest Evil. 2. If it work effectually to thorough Conviction and Conversion so that all high Imaginations stoop and the strong holds of Sin are demolished Agrippa was almost perswaded So the word did not work effectually in him The Jews did halt between two Opinions when the word works effectually then Men will pitch on Joshua's choice I will serve the Lord Josh 24.15 and the World will be despised for the word's sake You will go into Patmos for the word as John did Revelat. 1.9 rather than leave the word to escape Persecution This Discourse concluding so abruptly seems Imperfect but the Authors Notes proceed no further THE FOURTH DISCOURSE Of working out our Salvation PHILIPPIANS ij xij Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling ver 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good Pleasure THese words contain 1. An Exhortation work out Salvation 2. A Direction intimating tâ—e way and manner in which Salvation is to be wrought out which is with fear and trembling 3. An encouragement in this work for it is God which worketh c. or a reason the Apostle gives of his Direction 't is to be wrought with fear and trembling because it is God's work And the Soul of a Believer eyeing and beholding God going on in this work appearing in his glory ought to fear and tremble even at that glory â—â—â—ifested forth therein The Exhortation is to a duty of very great consequence there is no work that so nearly concerns us as this the Apostle here perswades us to set about work out c. so we should give diligent heed to this work Sect. 1. Explaining the sence of the Text. Take the meaning of the words thus work he means not either that Sinners in their natural state can by working raise themselves into a state of spiritual Life nor that Believers when they are spiritually quickned can or should so perform Duties as to think they shall merit Salvation thereby nor so work as the mercenary Pharisees did trusting in their own works Paul was no such Legalist but his meaning is consider the condition of your poor Souls that they are wretched and miserable c. look to the saving of them study the way of Life give not rest to your eyes till you have found it out search the Gospel wherein Salvation is revealed labour to be acquainted with the Mysteries of Christ work out Salvation this is meant two ways 1. Give Diligence to make Salvation sure to your Souls desire that it may be made out to your Spirits in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit Rejoyce in nothing but the assurance of Salvation that as it is wrought out in Christ so also in your Hearts 2. Work out that is Salvation being begun to be wrought desire the perfection and accomplishment of it Christ having begun to save you look to be saved to the utmost by him having received the first fruits of the Spirit groan for the adoption viz. the redemption of the body leaving the first principles of the Doctrine of Christ that is these being well laid go on o perfection Heb. 6.1 Labour to know more of Christ and to receive more from Christ till we attain to the measure of the stature of the fâ—lness of Christ Your own Salvation Your Hearts desire and endeavour must be that others also may be saved but especially look to the saving of your own Souls And indeed you cannot desire the Salvation of others unless the Spirit of God have first stirred up your hearts to desire the Salvation of your Selves With fear and trembling The Apostles meaning is not that you should have doubtful thoughts and perplexing fears about your Salvation like such as are under a Covenant of works whose condition the Apostle sets forth Rom. 10.5 6. Who shall ascend into Heaven c. who can tel whether we shall go to Heaven or Hell Fear and trembling is not opposed to Faith and full assurance but to highmindedness to glorying in the Flesh or to carnal Confidence Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but fear Again with fear that is see God in Christ working your Salvation reconciling you to himself by his Spirit calling in your hearts and conforming you to himself and so fear and tremble at the glory of Wisdom Power and Love that shines forth from this work For it is God which worketh this is a reason why we should fear take notice of the work of God in Christ and the work of God in the Heart causing his Spirit to dwell in an unclean Soul to make it a holy and spiritual Temple for himself to dwell in let the discovery of God and his glorious approach to your hearts in this great work work fear and reverence in your Hearts this also is an encouragement to work out Salvation and look to be â—aved and to be assured of it because it is a work that God hath undertaken whatever difficulties there are in it God hath undertaken he will master them whatever is to be done by Men as they are to believe they are to repent they are to deny themselves and to take up their Cross and to follow Christ all this God will work in them To will and to do so work it out by Faith in the good pleasure and power of God for the perfecting of
your Salvation look that when God hath begun God should finish The words are a full answer to the Goaler's question What shall I do to be saved and being thus cleared offer several Propositions Sect. 2. From the first sense of those words work out i. e. make it evident get assurance Doct. 1. The great business that requires greatest diligence is making Salvation sure That which most nearly concerns Men to set about with all diligence is the working out their own Salvation the full assurance thereof in their own hearts your work should be to make Salvation sure Heaven sure God and his All sufficiency Christ and his fulness sure The Apostle says he that provideth not for his own is worse than an Infidel If it be so great a fault to be so negligent of making Provision for your Family Children c. then how great a fault must it be to neglect your own Salvation not to make provision for the Soul especially when great Salvation is offered when the way of Life is discovered when Christ is preached that he is willing and able to save them to the utmost This is a work you should set about with so much zeal as never to rest satisfied till the Spirit of God evidence it to your Spirits that you are the Children of God till you see your selves founded on that sure foundation Jesus Christ and till by Faith you can see Heaven opened and Jesus sitting at the right hand of God making Intercession for you preparing Mansions for you so that you may say where Christ is I shall be what Christ is I shâ—ll see For the clearing of this point weigh seriously these particulars 1. Saâ—vation may be made sure Here consider First That for such as are ordain'd to Life or are Heirs of Salvation and have â—elieved in Christ their Salvation is a thing in it self most suâ—e Salvation is entail'd to them and this entail shall never be cut off they shall never be disinherited no Angel Principality nor Power c. shall be able to seperate from the Love of God in Christ 't is as sure as the whole Trinity can make it 1. On the Father's part sure He hath written their Names in the Book of Life And if God writes them who shall blot them out God the Father doth own them The Lord knows them that are his and this the Apostle calls a Foundation that stands sure God's knowing is chusing in his eternal Decree that is of ordering to Salvation That 's a sure Foundation nothing shall make it void 2 Tim. 2.19 And the Father hath covenanted with Believers to bestow Salvation and Liâ—e upon them and for the making good his Covenant hath given his Word and Oath Heb. 6.18 The Salvation of Believers depends on immutable causes so is most certain If Believers should perish God should break his Word and Oath now 't is impossible for God to lye so that â—â—om this place you may gather that 't is now as impossible that a true Believer should come short of Glory and eternal Life as it is that God should Sin So that we may argue thus God can't sin so a Believer can't dye Were a Man nder a legal condition under a Covenant oâ— woâ—ks he might argue thus concerning himselâ— I have sinned so ought to dye I have broken the â—â—w so the Law curses and condemns me and that justly But a Believer in a Gospel estate under the Covenant of Grace may argue thus God canâ—ot sin so I shall be saved God cannot lye so I shall never dye A Believer slips sometimes and may sin out of infirmity but the comfort iâ— though he may sin yet God cannot sin And 't is not a Believers not-sinning that is the Foundâ—tion on which Salvation is built but on the impossibility of God's sinning this is the sure Foundâ—â—ion 2. O Christ's part most sure He hath undertaken to â—ave that is mighty to save that is able to save to tâ—e utmâ—st 1. He is able to conquer the Enemies of Salvation 1. The Law that 's an Enemy to the Salvation of Sinners Those that are Enemies to it it says Curse And it hath dominion over men that are under it Christ was made under the Law who was above the Law he obeyed the Law being Lord of the Law So hath fulfilled the Righteousness of the Law which it required of men and undergone the Curse due to Sinners as Sinners and conquered the dominion and killing power of the Law so that the Law is not against the Promises against the Salvation of such for whom Christ is made a Curse so that there 's no power in the Law to kill a Believer 2. Sin Christ was made Sin it being imputed to him he dyed under the Sin of the Elect underwent punishment and being an innocent and infinite and most Glorious Person he suffered as much punishment as Sin deserved so Believers Sins shall never be punished on them And Christ dying under Sin he now undertakes to be the destroyer of Sin there may be motions of Sin but motions of Sin in Believers are but Sin 's death-pangs Christ hath given Sin a deadly wound Our Old Man is Crucified with Christ Rom. 6.6 Christ dyed for the Sins of Believers Christ will be the death of Sin in them This is a sure Foundation so they shall not dye 3. Satan Christ ascended and led captivity captive He hath taken the Devil captive that had the Elect in captivity Satan seeks to devour but shall but seek to devour the Elect. Christ is conqueror of Satan the Lord shall tread Satan under your feet Rom. 16.20 and Christ shall make them his foot-stool Thus amidst the many Enemies of Salvation Christ shall keep Believers to Salvation 2. Christ is able to make meet for Salvation Col. 1.12 Know ye not that no unrighteous Person c. shall enter c. 1 Cor. 6.11 into the new Jerusalem c. Now Christ can Wash Sanctify Justify his obedience is more able to make Righteous then Adam's disobedience to make Sinners his Righteousness is infinite perfect immutable Rom. 5.15 17. The Justification of Believers depends on a sure Foundation Adam's Righteousness is a slippery Foundation Christ's a sure Foundation No unclean thing shall enter but Christ of unclean can make clean 3. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday to day and for ever so that still Salvation depends on immutable Causes and an immutable God and an immutable Christ His Righteousness is the same sufficient to cover all Sin His Power is the same his Love is the same ground not so much your hope of Salvation on your selves on your abstinâ—nce from Sin or activity in Duties there is a great deal of change yesterday haply lively and quick in Duties to day dead let an immutable Christ Christ the same yesterday to day c. be in you the hope of Glory so your Peace Joy and assurance shall be the same 3. On the Spirit 's part sure The
Spirit dwells in Believers and whatsoever is required of Believers the Spirit hath undertaken to do in them I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to walk in my Statutes Ezek. 36.27 That Covenant which is confirmed unto you by immutable things hath this Promise in it He is a Spirit of Faith Love Meekness and of Light to lead into all Truth to make the heart willing to follow Christ as King to deny self This Spirit is the earnest of Heaven and perfect Glory The Father hath made a bargain confirmed by his Word and Oath and by giving earnest This bargain he Seals and the Seal is the Spirit Eph. 1.13 This is a Seal that is sufficient to confirm Believers that Glory shall be perfected because they have the Spirit of Grace That Spirit that dwells in them shall quicken their mortal bodies Rom. 8.11 2. As the Salvation of Believers is in it self most sure so it may be made sure to them 1. Some have attained it Job 19. I know that my Redeemer liveth c. David Paul Rom. 8.38 I am perswaded c. He includes himself and this was not a singular pâ—iviledge given to some Saints more eminent then others or an extraordinary gift But 2. That which ordinarily God was pleased to bestow on the Saints Rom. 8.15 Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby ye cry Abba Father This is true of all Believers and the Spirit beareth witness The Spirit where he is a Spirit of Adoption is usually a witnessing Spirit sealing up their hearts sealing up and treasuring Salvation in the heart The assurance of Salvation is a precious Jewel which ordinarily the Spirit doth treasure and seal up in the hearts of Believers giving the first Fruits of Heaven to their hearts And as Moses on Nebo had a view of the Land of Canaan so 't is not unusual for the Spirit to carry up the hearts of Believers above the World into the third Heavens and give a sight and taste of that most Excellent Glory 3. A way is shewn in the Gospel in which it may be attained Rom. 10.9 Say not who shall ascend into Heaven c. Do you doubt of Salvation Are you in fears about it Consider Christ hath been in the deep Christ is in Heaven Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe with thine heart and thou shalt be saved As Christ coming into the Ship when tossed and almost full of water there was a great calm an end put to the Disciples feaâ—s So Christ coming into the heart rebuking fears revealing himself as dying rising and sitting at the Right hand of God there shall then be a great calm in the heart Christ the Peace Joy hope of Glory in the heart 3. Salvation ought to be made sure it is the Duty of all that look towards Heaven to make their Salvation sure this is that which should be in your aims and desires Rejoyce that your names are written in Heaven saith Christ Luke 10.20 This should be the matter of the Saints Joy this implies that we ought to seek after the assurance of this that our names are written in Heaven Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true heart that is ye that look on God as the Life of your heart God in Christ reconciled loving embracing us the Peace Joy Delight Contentment and Rest of the Heart A true heart is a heart that says concerning God as the Rich Man concerning Riches Soul take thine ease in God and with full assurance of favour and acceptation with God And then shews how it may be attained for the Gospel as it requires things to be done so it shews us the way how The Gospel requires not impossibilities but makes all its Precepts possible The Law did not thus it did not make its Precepts possible but the Gospel doth it leads to Christ by whom whatever is required is or shall be accomplished as to Believers Now look to Christ and so your hearts shall be sprinkled fear and guilt shall be purged out of the Conscience and Peace Joy and full Assurance brought in 2 Pet. 1.10 Give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure And if Election then Salvation there is a Golden Chain mention'd Rom. 8.29 30. if you get hold of one link of it then you have hold of all this reaches from Eternity to Eternity from Eternity of Election to Eternity of Glorification Now our care should be to fasten on this Golden Chain this Golden Chain is fixed in Heaven let it also be fixed in your hearts so shall you have hope as an Anchor fixed in Heaven and so Heaven shall have fast hold in you and you shall have fast hold in Heaven Heaven shall not loose you nor you shall not loose Heaven 4. Nothing besides Salvation can be made sure The Life of your Bodies cannot be made sure the Life of your Souls may 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a Building of God an House nâ—t made with hands Eternal in the Heavens Earth cannot be made sure Heaven may be made sure So lay not up for your selves treasures on Earth but in Heaven The favour of Man cannot be made sure the favour of God may Riches on Earth cannot be made sure they will fly from you or you shall fly from them Riches of Glory may be made sure worldly prosperity and happiness cannot be made sure Earthly Men in their best estate of prosperity stand but in slippery places But everlasting happiness in Heaven may be made sure Honour amongst Men can't be made sure Honour with God may Creatures can't he made sure Christ may Comforts flowing from Creatures cannot be made sure Consolations abounding by Christ may be made sure So for other things those that have them should be as if they had them not Those that buy as if they possessed not those that have Wives should be as if they had none those that have Riches as though they had not and those that labour in the World as if they did not because nothing of them can be made sure So then take heed of spending your selves for them Salvation alone Christ Heaven the favour of God alone can be made sure so labour to make that sure and nothing else Judge the making Salvation sure the one thing that 's necessary because that alone can be made sure 5. Salvation and nothing besides Salvation is worth the making sure If you have Riches worldly prosperity and abundance if you have health and Houses to dwell in Children Men Servants Women Servants Sheep Oxen Shops full of Wares c Hearts full of contentment in enjoying of these things what shall all this avail you Riches cannot profit you in the day of wrath all these things can't redeem your Souls yet in bondage still going to condemnation What shall it profit you to gain the whole World and loose the Soul Math. 16.26 Creatures are
perishing Christ will â—ose none of his but â—aise them up at the last day And know that if you are oâ— Christ's Kingdom you do Judge him worthy and are willing to serve him And tâ—ere is nothing that more directly opposes the Assurance of your Salvation than an unwillingness to come under the yoke and opposing the Kingdom of Christ a walking contrary to the Gospel which you shall see clâ—â—r from that glorious Promise which Christ makes Rev. 3.12 Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God c. Such as overâ—ome the Enemies of Christ Sin Satan and the World and come and live under the dominion of Christ so as that they have their conversation in the Gospel of Christ such as walk in Christ in his will to his Glory They shall be made Pillars in his Temple This Temple is Spiritual the Church Militant and Triumphant this Pillar is Spiritual and notes the stability of the Sons of God a confirmed Estate of happiness from which they shall never fall 't is spoken in allusion to the Pillars of Solomon's Temple 1 King 7.21 He set up Pillars in the Porch of the Temple the right Pillar he called Jachin which signifies he shall establish so I will make them Pillars this notes an establishment in the favour of God through Christ an establishment in a state of Grace and Glory The left Pillar he called Boaz this shall always remain in its strength so that they are Pillars and their Salvation is sure that is they shall not be overcome but remain in their strength that have overcome by the Spirit of Christ poured into them whereby they are translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Christ They shall go no more out such as are in favour shall go no more out of favour such as are in Christ shall go no more out of Christ And I will write upon him the name of my God that is he shall be acknowledged to be the Child of God he shall be able to see and read his Adoption by the Spirits witnessing it in his Heart and sealing it up and others shall read his Adoption in his holy Conversation and in his zeal of following Christ and his love to the Saints c. I will write upon him the Name of the City of my God he shall be known to himself and others that he is one of God's City and Houshold And my new Name he shall be honoured for King and Conquerer he shall be highly Exalted and Crowned with Glory like to Christ Rev. 2 17. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna an allusion to the golden Pot of Manna kept in the Holiest of all Heb. 9.4 which is meant of Christ the Spiritual Manna he shall feed on the fulness of Christ whatever is in Christ he shall take for his own most freely and nothing shall be with-held from him Now Christ's Kingdom is the golden Pot wherein this Manna is hidden so that if you come to Christ as your King and be his Followers you shall feed on him as Bread of Life I will give him a white Stone The Antients did absolve Persons accused of any Crime and cleared of it by giving them a white Stone to this Christ alludes and says I will give him a white Stone by this is meant assurance of a Discharge of all their Sins the Spirits witnessing to any that they are the Children of God A new Name that is of Sons of God this shall you know and read and rejoyce in By this know that assurance is part of the Glory and Priviledges that they enjoy who are of Christ's Kingdom You have not this white Stone this new Name that are Enemies to his Government over whom Sin reigns and who commit it with greediness Sestion 6. 2. Direct To Saints and Believers to shew them how assurance may be obtained confirmed and continued To make way for this let these things be premised 1. The Salvation of a Person may be sure and yet he want the assurance of it Salvation may be made sure in Heaven yet not in the Heart sure in regard of God's knowing them to be his but not in regard thâ—ir knowing God to be their's or themselves to be God's An Interest in Christ and an evidence of that Interest are not always Companions there may be Peace with God and not Peace in their Conscience 2. Assurance is a Gift of God bestowed upon whom and at what time God pleases 't is a fruit of free Grace it is the shining of God in the Face of Christ in the Souls of Believers Now as when the Sun arises it fills the World with light and makes it day though it may be under a Cloud and the beams thereof are not to be seen so God sometimes shines into the Heart and brings out of darkness into light so far as that there may be trust and affiance in the free Grace of God through Christ yet the light beams of his loving kindneâ— mâ—y be so far with-held as that the Soul may not have the evidence of his favour There is a direct act of Faith whereby Believers look on and trust to the Grace of God in Christ as the Foundation of their Salvation this all Believâ—â—s 〈◊〉 There is a reflex act of Faith a Person 's â—elieving that God is reconciled to his Soul in particular and that Christ died for him c. â—his God gives at what time he pleaâ—es â—â—ith in thâ— fiâ—â—â— act is sometimes given and 〈◊〉 in the laâ—ter 3. The assuâ—â—â—â— of Salvation having been given it may be loâ—â— again Salvation shall not be lost assurance of it may For a small moment have I forsaken thee Isa 54.7 8. I hid my face for a moment This God may do 1. Out of his Soveraignty that the Soul may acknowledge it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 2. Out of his Love that the Soul may set a higher esteem on the light of God's Countenance and may be more abundantly satisfyed in the beams of his Glory shining in the Soul more than in all worldly Excellencies And that he may look on God's Favour and Loving-kindness as that which is better than Life and that he may say as the Spouse thy Love is better than Wine Spiritual Joy is sometimes in danger to be overwhelmed in worldly Joys The Souls of Believers are sometimes oppressed with carnal security as the Spouse when Christ came Cant. 5. I have put off my Coat c. Then Christ withdrew himself worldly things withdraw the Heart too much from Christ and that may cause a withdrawing of God from the Soul Now the Directions to Saints 1. How to get assurance are these 1. Take heed of surfeiting with worldly Joys and Contentments If with Solomon you will not withold your Hearts from any Joy God may withold Joy from your Hearts the Earth being betwixt us and the Sun this makes
that sins should grieve and but grieve the Godly they should not doubt of Love and fear Wrath if once the Soul trusts in the Name of the Lord and stay upon God If once ye be founded on the Rock Christ then your sins should work grief for God dishonoured not fear of God's Wrath Grief for God dishonoured and Joy in God well pleased by Christ may consist together This is the way oâ— the Gospel but indeed a narrow way too hard to keep in it if ye joy in God notwithstanding sin then not to turn to the left hand of making light of sin or if ye grieve then not to turn to the right hand of questioning the love of God and so remitting joy 7. God may afflict yet not hate he may afflict and that grievously as he did Job and yet be well pleased whom I love I rebuke and chasten c. Rev. 3.19 8. For a Believer to doubt of Salvation that takes hold of Christ and is founded on him is his sin For 1. The Spirit of God doth not witness that he is not a Gâ—ild of God If the Spirit of God doth convince a natural Man that 's out of Christ of his carnal and cursed Estate and then he say he cannot lay claim to the Promises of the Gospel to the Benefits of Christ this is not his Sin because it may be that the Spirit is a Spirit of bondage in him and witnesseth this to him and so 't is true But for such as believe in Christ and look for Salvation no other way such never receive the Spirit of Bondage again to fear Rom. 8.15 that is the Spirit doth not bring them into bondage The Spirit doth not witness that they are not the Children of God for he should witness untruth then but their doubting Hearts bring them into bondage 2. 'T is through wanâ— oâ— Fâ—ith that such doubt of Salvaâ—ion 't is for not believing as they ought and that is their Sin and Christ may repâ—ove them as he did Peter O thou of little Faith wherefore did it thou doubt As God hath made the Salvation of Believers sure in Christ c. so they ought to believe it to be sureâ— and 't is their Sin to doubt of it not to believe is to make God a Liar 1 Joh. 5.10 Section 7. 2. How Believers ought to carry themselves in the want of Assurance 1. Desire it thirâ—â— and long for it account it a Mercy worth the enjoying better than all the World can afford and God hath promised to satisfy the hungry with good things and not to send them empty away so then breath after it as the Hart panteth after the water-brooks 3. Wait with patience of God till he return with joy and peace into the Soul I will wait on God that hideth his Face from the House of Israel Isa 8.17 3. Exercise Faith of adherence when you want the Faith of evidence this is the advice of the Prophet Isa 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant that is Christ Iâ—a 42.1 That fears the Lord and serve him in Christ being acquainted with the great Mystery of Godliness here 's Faith of adherence which Judges Christ worthy of Glory and walketh in darkness and sees no light here 's want of Faith of Evidence now what should be done in this case Still trust still hold fast Christ look for Salvation in him and none else trust in the name of the Lord trust to the mercy of God his abundant Grace manifested in giving Christ as sufficient to â—ave you and stay on his God God iâ— his God though he knows it not stay upon him let the Soul he fixed on him and say as Job though he kill me I will trust in him If I perish it shall be at the feet of Mercy and then though you may walk in darkness for a time yet the Lord shall be a light unto you Sâ—ction 8 From the second sense of these words work out that is desire and endeavour this that Salvâ—tion begun to be wrought out may be perfected so much the word signifies Rom. 7.18 How to perform that which is good I find not Doct. 2. The perfecting of Salvation that is begun should be the great desire of all Believers when 't is begun to be wrought they should desire that Salvation may be wrought out a Person begun to be saved should long to be saved to the utmost Here consider a few things 1. The Salvation of Believers shall be perfected This is a work that shall be finished As in the fiâ—st Creation of the World things were imperfect at first but God did not cease Creating till Heaven and Earth were finished and all the Host of them so at the first Conversion when Salvation fiâ—st comes to the Soul it may be it is very imperfect a little Faith a little Love but weak and faint breathings of Spirit but smoking Flax a bruised Reed But God will go on in this work till every Saint be made perfect and all the Host of them Phil. 1.6 He that hath begun a good work will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ He wi l keep Believers till the day of Christ and perfect their Happiness in that day which shall endure for ever Christ dying said it is finished that is the types of the Law are fulfilled what Christ had to do towards the obtaining Man's Redemption was finished for Satisfaction Reconciliation Merit all are fiâ—ished and nothing remains but the application of Christ to the Soul and bestowing the Benefits purchased for the Elect by Christ that Christ lives to finish he died to finish the work of Satisfaction and Reconciliation he lives to finish the work of Sanctification and Glorification He died to finish the work hâ— had to do respecting God's paying the price 〈◊〉 Redemption recompencing him for the d shonoâ—r that was done him by Sin and he lives to finish the work he hath to do respecting the Elect which is to pour out hâ—s Spirit into their â—â—â—â—ts and to form them for himsâ—â—l and to fashion Soul and Body like to himself this is the meaning of that place Rom. 5.10 For if when were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his Life He died to finish a work with the Father for Men making peace for them he lives to finish a work in them which is to make them Holy aâ—d Happy and whatever Enemies there are to the happiness of the Saints Christ shall subdue them 1 Cor. 15.25 He must Reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his Feet and till all his Members be conformed in glory to him and placed in Glory with him Joh. 17.22.24 The Glory that thou hast given me I have given them Now Believers have a right to but they shall also have the possession of it they shall partake in Christ's Glory in all his
the Mark they put forward with all their might so do Christians with all their Souls and strength Heaven and nothing but Heaven should be lookt on as the place of rest looking unto Jesus Make Christ your pattern What was his great desire Father glorify thy Son that thy Son may glorify thee Glorify me with the Glory I had with thee before the World was There was Joy set before him so Christ is set before the Saints revealed to their Faith they should long to see him as he is Glory is set before them c. In the World is Vanity in themselves Corruption Crosses on all hands Shame Reproach c. Before and above all in Heaven is set everlasting Joy Pleasures for evermore Where this Joy is there Believers hearts should be the mind the will and affections of a Believer should still be travelling towards this Joy running a Race towards Heaven as 't is said of the Creature Rom. 8.21 The earnest expectation of the Creature waiteth c. The Creature is in Bondage to Corruption Slaves to Lusts this is contrary to the end for which the Creature was made they naturally make towards that end to be Servants to the Saints and to be instrumental towards the manifesting the Glory of the Creator and to be free of Bondage So should Saints desire perfect freedom from Bondage to enjoy the Liberty the Inheritance portion and perfection of the Sons of God in the presence of God This hath been the great desire of Believers Rom. 8.23 We which have received the first Fruit of the Spirit What is meant by these The beginnings of Grace Knowledge of Christ Faith Love Humility Heavenly Mindedness the Comfort and Consolations of the Spirit we that have received these groan within our selves We would receive the whole lump of the Spirit there are burdens we groan under Sin is a burden when the Spirit hath wrought Holiness earthly things are a burden they cannot be gotten but by the sweat of our brows when Salvation that is purchased by Christ is believed then mortal estates are a burden when immortality is brought to Light then to be out of Christ's presence is a burden where Glory and the fulness of Christ is revealed we groan waiting for Adoption c. There 's Adoption in making you Sons and there 's Adoption in bestowing the Inheritance Glory and Liberty which belongs to them as they are the Sons of God They that are Sons and have the Spirit of Sons crying to God Abba would fully enjoy all the Priviledges all the Glory and all the love which belongs to them as the Sons of God in Christ Phil. 1.23 To depart and to be with Christ is far better beyond all comparison better there 's Joy without Sorrow Holiness without Sin Knowledge without Ignorance Eternity of all So to be in Christ in the World is infinitely better then to be in the World enjoying the contentment of it without Christ And to be in Heaven with Christ is exceedingly much better then to enjoy Christ only in the World The state of a Christian in Heaven is exceedingly beyond the state of a Christian on Earth though the Body may dye and be laid in the Grave Phil. 3.13 14. I count not my self to have apprehended I have not Knowledge enough I have not Grace enough I have not enjoyment of Christ enough it was much he had yet not enough but this one thing I do this is my main business forgetting the things behind earthly things behind and Grace receiv'd behind so far as not to be satisfied there with I reach forward to the things before The heart reaches out Faith is the hand that reaches out after earnest desire carries the Soul out unto them I press towards the Mark as a Man in a throng c. through a throug of Lusts and Temptations c. For the price of the high calling that I might enjoy all that Glory and happiness that God hath provided in Christ 2 Pet. 3 12. Looking for and hastning to the coming of the day of God That day hastens and is coming be you hastening to it i. e. your Hearts and Souls by Faith and desire that it may come hasten to it Sect. 9. Use â— Information By this it appears that many there are that as yet are not in the way of Salvation Because they can't say as Paul this one thing I do Who 1. Such as have nothing before them but worldly things worldly profits and pleasures that have their hope only in this Life and not Hope as an Anchor fixed in Heaven but the love of the World fixed as an Anchor in the Earth whereby their Hearts and Souls are fastened to the World that with the two Tribes could be content to have their Portion on this side Jordan that their Houses Lands and Temporal Lives might continue for ever would desire no better Portion that see more gain in Life than in Death this is an evidence that they have not drunk of the Water that Christ gives their Souls have not been filled with the Glory of the World to come they are not acquainted with the Riches of Christ they know not the price of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus This is an inseperable property of a true Believer a desire to have his Salvation wrought out and finished where ever this work is begun the Heart would have it finished where Holiness is begun the desire of the Soul is to have it perfected There 's no greater burden than Sin to a Gracious Heart all the Contentments of the World cannot content a believing Soul nothing beneath Heaven nothing without the Presence of God nothing besides the Glory of Christ can make it perfectly Happy to be where Christ is that is best of all Faith will make us sojourn in the World when you are in the way of Salvation perfect Salvation is the mark which the Soul presses towards Now lay your Hearts to the bond of this undoubted Truth and do not conclude your selves to be in the way of Life if perfect Salvation be not the mark you press towards if it be not the presence of the Lord that you account the perfection of Happiness if you could be contented with worldly Felicity and your Desires are only towards the things of this Life then the root of all Evil is yet alive and growing in you 2. Such as dream of a present perfection that think they know as much as they need to know and do as much as is needful to be done He that thinks he knows enough knows nothing as he ought 1 Cor. 6.2 He that thinks he hath enough of Christ hath nothing of Christ Where there is true Knowledge of Christ begun the Soul is carried out with such earnest desires to know more that it accounts it self to know nothing I forget that which is behind Gal. 4.9 Now we know God or rather are known of God we are known perfectly but we do not
suffer Death for them the Spirit works to will and to do to consent to be saved by Christ to take Christ for Saviour and Lord and to believe in him as the Author of and to follow him as the Câ—â—tain of Salvation 2. There 's a most glorious manifestation of God in this work All God's works are God's manifestations they are his visible appearances and out-goings The Creation was the first manifestation of God The Heavens declare his Glory and ths Firmament shew his handy work Psa 19 1. Rom. 1. His eternal Power and Godhead is seen by the things that are made as 't is said of Christ Joh. 2.11 This beginning of Miracles he did and manifested forth his Glory The most glorious manifestation of God is in Christ the Word being made Flesh the fulness of the Godhead in him being made Flesh made Lord and King He has Love Power and Wisdom to set up his Kingdom and to make his Enemies his Foot-stool This is the greatness of Gods works Godman being made by this work that is the Union of God and Man in one Person the effect of this work The second Glorious Manifestation next to this is in saving Sinners by Christ He shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that bâ—lieve A Manifestation of Power exceeding greatness of Power As great a work to save a Sinner as to raise Christ from the dead Of Wisdom in finding out a way to save Sinners so as that Justice might be satisfied and love be abundantly discovered an infinite Satisfaction an infinite Obedience and an infinite price to be paid Where should such be found Men were not able to give it Angels could not bring it The Son of God became Man and Mediator an infinite Person undertakes to lay â—down his Life and to yield Obedience and so an infinite Price is paid and infinite Obedience is yielded c. Here the Wisdom of God is most clearly seen And Lastly Here 's a most glorious discovery of Mercy and Grace he makes known the Riches of his Grace on the Vessels of Mercy When Sinners aâ—e Enemies and nothing lovely God loves the Elect so as to give Christ to taste Death for them and Christ loves not his Life to Death He that was in the form of God humbles himself and puts himself into the miserable condition of Sinners that he might translate them into his own Glorious Estate whom he will make like to himself and partakers with him of the Divine Nature and of all his Glorious Priviledges 3. This Glorious manifestation of God in the Soul cannot but work fear and trembling in it Fear will be the effect of the discoveries of God to the Creature There is so much Majesty Glory and Greatness in it that will awe the Heart of the Creature When God appears in the Glory of his Justice and Almighty Power Then the wicked shall fear The Kings and Captains c. shall cry to the Mountains to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. And the discovery of the infinite goodness of God will work fear in the Hearts of the Saints they shall fear the Lord and his Goodness because his goodness is the goodness of God that is infinite and exceeding great goodness to sinful nothing Creatures The apprehension of this should work fear Hos 3.5 Section 12. Now this fear consists 1. In admiration of this Glory reveal'd Such Wisdom and Grace that if it be apprehended will raise the Soul in holy admiration of God David said he was fearfully and wonderfully made Psa 139.14 In respect of the excellent frame of the Body such variety of parts and so fitly composed therein may be seen so much of the Wisdom and Power of God as may make the Heart wonder and fear that God that made him so Persons that are sav'd are fearfully and wonderfully sav'd if it be reveal'd in the Soul how this work is undertaken and carried by the Trinity The Father loving from Eternity Christ dying in the fulness of time and the Spirit living and acting in the Soul making it his own Habitation Sinners become the Apple of God's Eye precious c. Christ's Members Joynt Heirs with Christ Sinners having access to God and are partakers of the Divine Nature What a fearful and wonderful thing is this So much favour shewn by God to a Sinner when there is so vast a disproportion betwixt him and God may well beget admiration When Saul said he would give David his Daughter to Wife 1 Sam. 18.18 He replys What am I What is my Life or my Father's Family in Israel that I should be Son in Law to the King The apprehension of the great disproportion betwixt him and Saul was the cause of his so much admiring at the favour that was shewn him so there is the greatest disproportion betwixt God and Sinners As Men and as Sinners As Men they are not so much as a drop to the Ocean And as Sinners as great as is between Light and Darkness c. That such Creatures should be comprehended in love and brought near to God c. What am I and what is my Life that I should be brought hitherto Deut. 28.58 Thou shalt fear this great and dreadful name the Lord thy God God that is Infinite Thy God that art a poor and inconsiderable Creature God that is so holy thy God that art so unholy God that is Just and will not clear the Guilty thy God that hasâ— so much abounded with Sin clearing thee of Guilt that hast so much abounded with Guilt This Name This is dreadful this is a wonderful and dreadful Manifestation of God As the Psalmist says They that know thy Name they will put their trust in thee So they that know this Name The Lord thy God will fear and tremble They cannot but admire at such Infinite Grace when the Son of God was made Man the Word made Flesh and Crown'd c. This was a dreadful Manifestation of God! There 's cause to admire at the Grace that was shewn to the humane Nature of Christ whence as the Apostle says Heb. 2.6 One testifies What is Man that thou art mindful of him c. Thou Crownest him with Glory and Honour And Christ himself is said to fear as Man So as Man he is most deeply sensible of and affected with the Grace shewn to the humane nature So a Believer may say What am I that God should be so mindful of me That he should visit me with Salvation-love That I that am the lowest and worst of Creatures fit for Hell and to be a Companion for Devils should be Co-Heir with Christ and partaker with him of all his Glory 2. In Humility The discovery of such Grace and Goodness will bring down high Imaginations and beget lowliness of Mind it will convince the Creature of its own emptiness and nothingness This hath been the effect of the appearance of God both to Men and Angels Isa 6.2 The
his Spirit in the Heart he is the Well of Water that is springing up to everlasting Life For Explication of this point before I come to the proof I shall distinguish first of Good which is two fold 1. Carnal Outward Worldly good good that pertains to the Body and outward Man As the enjoyment of the things of the World in a sufficiency for Food and Raiment to preserve the Natural Life This good Men can embrace and they can be diligent in their several Callings to get this Worlds good 2. There 's a spiritual good that appertains to the Soul which is the life perfection and peace of the Soul Eternal Everlasting good Meat that endures to everlasting life That is an All-sufficient God There 's none good but one that is God a God reconciled believed and enjoyed in Christ This good a natural Man cannot will or desire because 't is not possible for him to apprehend it There 's no suitableness in Man for it 2. I shall distinguish of God's working which is two fold I In the old Creation So 1. God gives to Creatures a being some of one kind and some of another kind and puts several faculties and dispositions into them to work in several ways and to bring forth Fruits of several kinds He Created the Sun and filled it with Light and put into it a faculty and disposition to run a race in the Heavens and to be the Light of the whole World He Created the living Creatures and gave them a power to propagate after their kind 2. God doth by the same power by which he created preserve and continue them in their beings So 't is said they are created by God That is confirmed Rev. 4.10 Conservation being a continued Creation 3. God doth stir up the â—aculties and Powers put into several Creatures determining to several operations This or that every Creature shall do God concurring with them in their operations so they all act and move by the power of God in them So it 's said In 〈◊〉 we live move and have our being Acts 17.25.28 The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the Waters Gen. 1.2 Which imports the effectual quickning power of the Holy Ghost which upholds and sustains and gives vertue to all Creatures whereby they live move and have their beings So that of all Creatures this is true whatsoever they do 't is God works them to do What a Rational Creature wills God works it to will iâ— a way suitable to the faculty of Rational Creatures that is in presenting of objects to the understanding thereby moving and inclining the wi l. Now in this old Creation there 's no willing or dâ—ing that which is good wiâ—hout special grace There s no disposition or faculty towards it there 's no willing of God to take him as the Supreme Good and the will of God as the Supreme Rule the glory of God as the Supreme End There 's no Piety no Holiness left in the Old Creation Men are Corrupt the Creature is subject to Vanity and in Bondage to Corruption II. Thâ—re is God's working in the new Creation this begins in the Souls of Men c. Herein God works i. e. of Carnal makes Spiritual from Spiritual Death raises to a Spiritual Life and stirs up to Spiritual Operations and brings into Holy ways Now as in the Old Creation it 's said all live move and have their being so in this New Creation all live move and have their being in God God makes New and places Holy dispositions and God preserves and upholds them once made God determines and stirs up by an actual influence of his Spirit So God works to will and do of his good pleasure For the proof of this Three things are to be clear'd 1. Consider In the Natural man there 's no free will to Spiritual good no embracing or doing of it There is free will to Sin in the Men of the Old Creation Free will to natural actions in as much as herein they act by Knowledge and Election chusing to do this and not that There 's no free will to Spiritual good 1. Because they are under such darkness that covers it that they can't know and apprehend Spiritual objects Spiritual things can't be apprehended but by a Spiritual Eye Now the Soul of every Man is Carnal 't is imprison'd in Flesh it dwels in thick darkness As God is said to dwell in thick darkness because his glory is vailed and hid 1 Kings 8.12 He is hid by the thick covering of Carnal things that he doth not shine forth in Spiritual glory in the World so the Soul of man dwells in thick darkness God is above it and full of Glory Splendor and Majesty in himself Men are under it they are darkness so that they cannot look beyond things Carnal they see no good but in things Carnal The Carnal Man perceives not the things of the Spirit of God neither can he know 1 Cor. 2.14 So can't chuse and embrace them What the mind can't know as good the will can't embrace as good Now this mind cannot judge and apprehend God in Christ to be the chief good When Peter confessed Christ who he was he replies Flesh and Blood hath not revealed this to thee but my Father which is Heaven Math. 16.17 There 's no more of saving Spiritual Light in the Carnal Man before the New Creation then there was of Natural Light before the Old Creation The Men of the Old Creation have Light whereby they know the Creatures and have Souls terminated in them but not Light whereby they know God Whence the Apostle sais Ye were darkness Eph. 5.8 Men naturally dwell in the darkness and not in the Light of the Lord. They walk in the darkness of Creature-comforts and not in the Light of Divine glory And that which strenghtens this argument is that Men love darkness that covers them They had rather dwell in darkness than in the Knowledge of the glory of God Men do turn from Light and would turn the Light from them A Man hath free will towards darkness that he chuses but not free will towards Light that he refuses Light is come into the World into the Old Creation but Men as Men in a natâ—ral temper as sinners do evermoâ—e loâ—e darkness There must be a New Câ—eaâ—ion before Light will be received with Joy 2. They are under a state of deadness to all Spiritual good there 's no free will in a Dead Man to Spiritual Actions and there is no mâ—râ—â—n a Natural Man to Spiritual Actions Ye are Dead in Trespasses and Sins As Dead to Spiritual Life as the Bodies that lye in the grave to Natural Life As dead to a Life of God as Dead Bodies are to a Life of Man God lives in himself he lives to his own glory to this whatever he doth tends A Natural Man is alienated from this Life of God 3 Under a state of â—nmity against Spiritual good The Carnal
love of God in your Electing or accepting Christ on the terms offered chusing him above the World and to serve him rather than your Lusts You may read your own Election or God As 't is said of Mary Magdalen much was forgiven her for she loved much Pardoning love was to be read in her love this is one fruit of the love of God on the Soul So you may say God wills for the Creatures wills This will is of God's working and this testifiâ—s of God's will 2. Such as once will to be saved shall continue to will and to do what they ought in the way of Life They shall not reject Christ they shall not cast of his Yoke they shall so live and do as those that are in the way of Life ought for God will work the immutability of God's Counsel shall cause an immutability in their will of following Christ As nothing shall seperate them from the love of God Angels Principalities Powers c. noâ—hing shall alter God's will towards them so noâ—hing shall alter their will towards God They shall not grow out of the Love of Christ into utter dislike or dis-esteem of him their Conversation shall be in Heaven they shall breath and long for Salvation They shall deny themselves and walk contrary to the World they shâ—ll â—vercome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their Testimony and not love their liveâ— o the Death For God shall work in them both 〈◊〉 will and do of his good pleasure c The End of the Fourth Discourse THE FIFTH DISCOURSE Of Sanctifying the Sabbath or Lord's Day ISAIAH lviij xiij If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath from doing thy Pleasure on my Holy Day and call the Sabbath a delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways not finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Verse 14. Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride on the high places of the Earth and feed thee with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it THe occasion of making choice of this Text is a late Discourse concerning a Reformation which there is ground to hope there will be in the World which will be usher'd in with some sweeping Judgment and therefore our present work is to prepare for a Storm Many Directions were given how we may prepare for a Storm The last was this Furnish your selves with those Graces with which the day of Reformation will flourish when it comes Now of many Graces mentioned which will live in that day this is one in that great day when the Church shall be glorious through the destruction of Anti-christ by an increase of â—ight so that the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters coveâ—â—he Sea and the Spouse shall be prepared as a Bride adorn'd to her Husband when the Jews shall be called and the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in and these shall be filled with all the fulness of God and there shall be a Church which shall be the fulness of him which filleth all in all In this glorious day the Sabbath shall be an Holy and Honourable day in the Churches of Christ and the Duties thereof shall be performed with great delight Now if you wiâ—l prepare for a Storm and have some hâ—ding place in the day of the Lord's anger See that you be found in a strict observation of the Lord's day Doctrine When suâ—h a Reformation shall come which shall mak◠〈◊〉 â—hurch glorious on Earth then shall the Sabbath be look'd on by the People of God as Hâ—ly â—nd Honâ—urable and shall be observed as with verâ— much strictne s so with great delight Or in fewer words thus In the last and purest of Gospel time there â—â—ll be a very strict observation of the Sabbath-day â—ich now we call the Lord's day Quest. You will ask what ground there is to conclude this from these words Answ Let the context be well considered and we shall see a Prophecy of such things which as yet have not had a full accomplishment but shall in the lâ—st days And the observation of the Sabbath is made the condition of the Promises here made if the Sabbath be duly kâ—pt then what is promised before and in the Text shall be performed and if it be so then God commands the keeping a Sabbath under the Gospel And as there was before so there was when the Law was given on Sinai a Sabbath given There remains a Sabbath a day of holy rest for the People of God Let us search this Scripture then and see whether there will not câ—me forth of it a Jus Divinum for a Sabbath now under the Gospel The Prophet was sent to shew the House of Jacob their Transgressions and in particular to reprove them of their Hypocrisy in the Duties they performed and especially in their fasting which was a counterfeit Fast and then shews them what is the true Fast and then makes many gracious Promises which is his usual method after reproving present Evils he makes Promises which not only had respect to present times but chiefly to the times of the Gospel as we see plainly in the next Chapter He mentions present Sins and present Judgments ver 16. He complains that no Man did endeavour to set things right and so declares the Lord putting on Righteousness and an Helmet of Salvation to execute Vengeance on his Enemies and then the Effect of this They shall fear the Lord from the West And then the Redeemer shall come to Zion And in this observe how suddenly he falls into Prophecying of Gospel times and the last of them For so he doth as appears Rom. 11.26 There shall come out of Sion the Redeemer and shall turn ungodliness from Jacob. Those words are brought in as a Proof for calling the Jews and bringing in the fulness of the Gentiles In like manner he doth here which will the better appear if we consider the particulars of this Prophecy in this Chapter which will manifest that these chiefly respect the last Gospel times 1. See ver 8. Thy Righteousness shall go before Thee c. that is The Lord thy Righteousness as he is call'd in Jer. 23.6 When we consider that their Righteousness shall go before that 's some evidence of this sense as best Besides in what time is it that Christ and the Church of the Jews shall be called by this Name and why In the place before mentioned it is said Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a Righteous Branch and a King shall Reign and prosper and shall Execute Judgment and Justice in the Earth In his days Judah and Israel shall dwell safely So 't is to be fulfilled when Israel as well as Judah are brought out of bondage then he shall be The Lord our Righteousness Jer.
33.14 At the same time the Church of the Jews shall be call'd the Lord our Righteousn ss So here Thy Righteousness that is the Lord thy Righteousness c. So this Prophecy reaches to that time of the Gospel when the Jews shall be called especially considering what follows The Glory of the Lord shall be thy Rereward that is there shall be a time when the Lord's presence with and providence towards his Church shall be as eminently haply more eminently on with and towards the Jews than when they came out of Egypt Then the Lord their Ruler went before them in a Cloud and Pillar of Fire and when Pharaoh pursued them the Cloud and Pillar went behind them so then the Glory of the Lord was their Rereward And now in this time not only the Lord as Ruler not only David their King but the Lord their Righteousness shall go before them and the Glory of Power and Grace shall be their Rereward 2. Verse 10. Then shall thy light rise in obscurity and thy darkness be as the noon-day Compare Isai 60.1 Thy light is come the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee One observes that the word in the Original is of the Dual number and so translates it Sicut Duo meridies As two Noons as if two Suns should shine together there shall be greater light then ever was before The Lord shall appear in greater Glory so that it 's no more said the Lord liveth that brought them up out of Egypt but that brought them out all Lands Jer. 16.15 which was not fulfilled at their return from Babylon but must be in the last days of the Gospel 3. Verse 11. The Lord shall guide thee continually and satisfy thy Soul in drought as he did in the Wilderness and make fat thy bones and thou shalt be like a watered Garden and like a Spring of Water whose Waters fail not The best exposition is Psa 72.7 In his days shall the Righteous flourish and abundance of Peace as long as the Moon endureth They shall be in a flourishing condition their Souls shall wonderfully prosper their Garden the Paradice of God shall yield them Fruit enough The Tree of Life shall yield them all manner of Fruits to nourish and refresh their Souls And the Waters of life better than the Jews Honey out of the Rock shall flow abundantly And observe that the flourishing state shall continue He shall guide thee continually and Waters fâ—il thee not And in the other place so long as the Moon endureth or till there be no Moon that is no change in the Chuâ—ches Prosperity and Peace The Moon is often changing then the lâ—ght of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun Isa 3â— 26 That iâ— as there shall be a greater so a never-failing â—ight Light fails in the Moon but not in the Sun Light shall not fail Waters shall nâ—t fail Now was it thus with the Jews after their return from Babylon Can we find any thing like a full accomplishment of this Prophecy No ceâ—tainly We must wait for the full accomplishment of it hereafter 4. Verse 12. And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places The Captivâ—ty in Babylon lasted but one Generation the waste places thereby could not be very old Thou shall raise up the Foundation of many Generations That is either 1. Which have lain waste many Generations much longer then during the Babylonish Captivity so had not its full accomplishment after their return from thence Or 2. After their return from Babylon the Foundation of their Temple was laid and then the work was interrupted which after some Generations was reviv'd and that Temple built and the top-stone lay'd So one in answer to this under the Gospel says the Foundation was lay'd by the Apostles but Spiritual Temples have not been built up answerable to the Apostles Foundation Satan and the Man of Sin have hindred this work but at last there shall be a Temple and glorious Church built upon those Foundations like to them that were laid by the Apostles and the top-stone shall be laid crying to it Grace Grace The Grace that shall appear to be in it shall make to cry Grace Grace to it 3. Calvin gives the sence thus We may refer it to the times to come thou shalt raise up the Foundations that shall continue very long c. As if he had said other Buildings have not long continued as the Temple c. but this shall continue many Ages It hath been but a day of small things with the Church yet these small things small Assemblies and the small numbers of witnesses have continued in all Ages since the Apostles much more that large and glorious Temple and City of God which is to be built up will continue many Generations till at last it will be translated into Heaven when as before Christ presented it to himself a glorious Church so at last he shall present it to the Father when he shall deliver up the Kingdom to him and God will be All in All. 5. There is more yet in this Verse Thâ—u shalt be call d the Repairer of the breaches the restorer of the Paths to dwell in All breaches made in the Church either by the Persecution and Violence of Enemies or by the Saints divisions shall be made up And the Restorer of Paths to dwell in By Paths we are to understand the ways of God's Commands and Ordinances the way of Divine worship instituted by God And all ways and paths of will-worship made and invented by Men Anti-christian Paths shall be for ever forsaken And the Paths of the Apostles and Primitive Christians which they walk't in shall be perfectly restored to the Church which for a long time the Man of Sin hath hedged up Compare with this Ezek. 43.11 Shew them the form of the House and the fashion thereof and the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and all the forms thereof and all the Ordinances Forms and Laws that they may keep the whole Form thereof and all the Ordinances thereof The meaning is the paths of the Temple the goings out and comings in shall be restored and be as well known to the Saints as the ways are now to the places of meeting and they shall walk freely in them Lastly Observe the expression they shall dwell in thesâ— paths they shall continue and abide in them they shall not turn out of them to the Right-hand or to the Left-hand but as Isa 30.21 Thou shalt hear a Voice behind thee saying this is the way walk in it when thou shalt be ready to or should without this Voice be turned to the Right-hand or Left See what these paths are Isa 38.8 where is a Prophecy of Christ's Kingdom An high way and a way it shall be called the way of Holyness the unclean shall not pass over it No Prophane or Hypocritical Persons for they are most unclean and within are like Painted Sepulchres but
it shall be to those The Reading in the Margin is very considerable for he shall be with them the unclean shall not be there because the Lord shall be with them there as before the Lord their Righteousness the wayfaring men tho' Fools shall not err therein Tho' in themselves Fools without Divine teaching yet being taught of God they shall not err Verse 9. No Lyon shall be there nor any Ravenous Beast shall go up thereon None to affright them out of those Paths but the Redeemed shall walk there and as here Dwell there They shall be Pillars in the Temple of God and go no more cut Rev. 3.12 We read of lively Stones 1 Pet. 20.4 made so by coming to Christ the living Stone so are Saints the Materials of the Church Stones but living Stones seeing Stones upon one Stone was Seven Eyes Zech. 3.9 So hearing Stones speaking Stones and walking Stones so these Pillars shall be lively Pillars walking Pillars going in the House of God but never going out of its Paths they shall be Paths to dwell in 6. Verse 14. I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the Earth thou shalt get above all former troubles and Persecutions Rev. 17.7 The Woman the Mother of Harlots hath a Beast carrying her on which she rides having Seven Heads and Ten Horns and this Woman Verse 15. Sitteth on People Multitudes Nations and Tongues on these she rides they carry her and on those she rides over the Saints and treads them down who are the true worshippers and rides over their backs This Woman rides upon the High places and High Persons of the Earth which carry this Woman giving up their strength and power to the Beast which is called before the Woman here 's a Beast riding over the true worshippers whose condition is suitable to what is said Isa 51.23 They said to thy Soul bow down that we may go over and thou hast laid thy Body as the ground and as the street to them that went over The great Whore says to the Soul bow down and would have them submit their Souls and Consciences to her and to receive her Doctrine Commands c. But observe when Souls are call'd for the Saints will not yield them to bow down but thou hast laid thy Body as the ground Saints chuse to have their Bodies trodden down rather then to bow down to an Idol with their Souls This hath been long the condition of the true witnesses and so will whilst the Woman rides but what is said there I will take the Cup of trembling out of thy hands and put it into the hands of them that afâ—â—ict thee which say thus to thy Soul Observe Rev. 17.16 The Ten Horns that is the Ten Kings that give up their power and strength to the Beast shall hate the Whore shall throw off their Rider and shall make her desolate and naked and eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire And then shall the true Church ride upon the High places and be above former troubles How was this fulfilled to the Jews after their return from Babylon when they were subject to their Enemies and had seldom any breathing time from their troubles Doubtless then this Prophecy looks far beyond these times 7. 'T is Promised and Prophecied I will feed thee with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father Q How doth this prove that this Prophecy respects Gospel-times and in special those times when the Jews shall be called Ans Thus. When the Jews came out of Babylon it was but Judah that returned And so one upon the place who would understand it only of the Jews returning from Babylon straitens the sence thus The Heritage here meant is the land of Canaan part of which was the Land of Judah and so when 't is said to ride upon the High places of the Earth by Earth in general saith he we are to understand the Land of Judah in particular But observe the promise is I will feed thâ—e with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father and it was the whole Land of Canaan was Jacob's Inheritance and so the Promise of being fed thus includes the calling and bringing back of the Ten Tribes when the stick of Joseph and Judah shall become one Jacob gave all his Sons an Inheritance in Canaan and now when this Prophecy shall be fulfilled then all the Tribes shall be called and have their Lot as is fore-told Ezek ult Now observe as it appears that these Promises have respect to the Gospel times so the condition of them is a strict observation of the Sabbath-day under the Gospel And so in this Prophecy of the Old Testament we find a Jus Divinum for the Christian Sabbath which may well go under its old and first Name though another also be given it under the New Testament The Lord's day which now we are to observe by vertue of the Fourth Commandment tho' the day be changed and the Fourth Commandment does require us now to observe the first day of the week that being made a Christian-Sabbath by divine appointment as much as it did the Jews to observe the seventh day which may be cleared by an Instance in the Second Commandment which hath a negative part not to make any graven Image forbidding Men to institute and appoint ways of Divine Worship and an affirmative part requiring us to worship God in these ways and in the use of these Ordinances which he hath commanded So under the Law the Second Command did bind Men to observe the Ordinances of Circumcision the Passover and offering Sacrifices And now under the Gospel it bind us to observe Gospel Ordinances as Baptism the Lord's Supper c. But the Second Commandment remains the same only hath different respects so the Fourth from the beginning and under the Law did oblige to the observing of the seventh day and now the first day yet the Command is in matter the same there 's no change in the Command only it hath different respects Quest How doth this change appear and how will it be made out that Christ commanded the observation of the first day Answ It 's evident there was Apostolical and Christian practice of it in the Primitive times and so ever since then were the solemn meettings for Worship Act. 20.7 Upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul Preached unto them till midnight And then Collections were made for the Poor 1 Cor. 16.2 As on the first day of the wâ—ek when Christ rose the Disciples were assembled Jesus came and stood in the midst of them so from this time this was kept as the Christian-Sabbath and it may be well thought that Christ commanded the Apostles to observe it Act. 1.2 3. Christ gave Commands by the Holy Ghost unto the Apostles and spake of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Now this is a great thing that pertains to the Kingdom of God upon Earth or if Christ
did not then yet after by the Holy Ghost in the Apostles he gave this Command And that a Christian Sabbath is now to be kepâ— by Divine Institution may be gathered 1. From Mark 2.27 The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath ver 28 For the Son of Man also is Lord of the Sabbath-day I gather this hence Man did need a Sabbath and it was given to Man because he doth stand in need of it Men do need and cannot be without it therefore the Son of Man who is Lord of the Sabbath must give him a Sabbath God shall supply all your need Phil. 4.19 If Christ did not then he was not so faithful as Moses he gave a Command for a Sabbath because the Jews did want it therefore it is not to be questioned but that Christ gave a Command for the Christian-Sabbath Let this then be well considered the Sabbath was made for Man's benefit for his good and he so needed it that he can't well be without it and Christ being Head will give what the Members do need the Lord will give what the Servants do need the Husband will give what the Spouse shall need 2. When it was given Adam in Innocency 't was made for Adam's good and because he stood in need of it and if Adam in Innocency did need a Sabbath do not we much more now that we may the better recover what was lost by the fall 3. It was made for the Jews this was one of their advantages Rom. 3.1 2. What advantage had the Jews Much every way they had Oracles and the word of God they had his Laws Psa 147. He dealt not so with other Nations and in particucular the Law of the Sabbath was a great advantage and as much profit in it Now if Christians under the Gospel should not have a Sabbath given them than the advantages of the Law were above the advantages of the Gospel and the profit which the Jews had beyond the profit of Christians whereas the advantages of the Gospel are beyond the advantages of the Law the ministration whereof exceeds in Glory in Profit and Advantage Quest How was the Sabbath made for Man Answ 1. For man to rest in for the rest of his Body from labour and of his mind from thoughts care and study about his worldly Affairs 2. 'T is for Man that he may set himself in a more solemn and serious manner to praise the Lord for the great work of Redemption by Christ i. e. the work of the new Creation begun and for the works of Providence Sabbath work is the work of Heaven begun on Earth It was made for Adam that on the seventh day he might contemplate and praise God for the work of the six days and he was to think on God manifest in the Creatures aâ—d to see the invisible things of God his Eternal Power and Godhead in the things that were made The Christian-Sabbath is made for the Saints to contemplate the great Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh c. As Man was Redeemed Quickened Called Sanctified that he might be to the Praise of the Glory of his Grace and to shew forth the Vertues of him that died and rose again c. So this is the day the Lord hath made for the solemn Performance of this work 3. 'T is for a Man to gather Manna for the six Days The Jews were to gather Manna for the body on the sixth day for the seventh we on the Sabbath for the six days this is a day to trade for the Soul to buy of Christ Gold white Raiment and Eye-salve and to be digging for Wisdom and to search out for hid Treasures As God hath given Apostles and Prophets for the wâ—rk of the Ministry for edifying the body of Christ so a day also for the work of the Ministry for the edifying the Body of Christ and to continue with the Ministry till we all come in the unity of Faith and knowledge of the Son of God Eph. 4.13 Thus you see the Sabbath is made for Man for his use good and benefit and he can't be without it his Body and Soul need it and Christ is Lord of the Sabbath and it being so necessary for them he would make a Sabbath for them and not make it void He came not to destroy but to establish the Law Math. 5.17 The next thing to be handled is that there ought to be and when the Church shall be Gloririous in the World there will be a strict observation of the Sabbath As appears in this place 1. If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath-day to unlawful Works to sinful Company not go any unnecessary Journeys or to Sports and Recreations you must not walk your own Steps as well as not speak your own Words Now there is more understood when there is less spoken as thou must turn away thy Foot so the Hands the Eyes the Ears from the Sabhath-day the Hands from the works of thy Calling the Eyes from the delightful beholding of Earthly things the Ears from hearing vain Discourses and Talks about worldly matters Men's own words Likewise the Feet of the Soul as thoughts and affections with these Feet many Souls many times travel on the Sabbath as the Devil doth that is to walk to and fro in the Earth and by observing lying Vanities to allude to that in Jonah forsake th â—r own Mercies Now as Solomon exhorts keep thy Foot when thou goest into the House of God Keep your Feet when the Sabbath comes and turn not these away from it let not these be Instruments of Prophanation on the Sabbath-day 2. Turn from doing thy Pleasure self-pleasing works are Sabbath prophaning works God's pleasure is to be fulfilled then altogether and nothing of our own pleasure is to be done in that time all bodily Recreations are forbidden all works tending to our worldly profit are unlawful for we must deny our selves in point of Pleasure and so also in point of Profit 3. Not finding thy own ways Most properly the works of Men's Callings are their own ways Let every Man abide in his Calling the works of our Calling are our own works these must not be done on the Sabbath-day they are the works of the six days 4. Not finding thine own Pleasure As we must not set our selves to self-pleasing works so if any pleasurable Objects are presented and come in your way you must not find them that is you should not take notice of them nor regard them If they find you and tempt you do not you find them Satan lays matter of Pleasures in your way but do not find and take it up 5. Nor speaking your own words Such words as you may speak at other times we ought not to be speaking of worldly Matters what we must not do what we must not find pleasure in that we must not talk of as we must not work so we must not talk of work we
The Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his Servants shall serve him Then they shall serve him and not their Enemies any more and they shall serve him in-deed Now his Servants in name do serve other Lords Hypocrites go for the Servants of God but then his Servants shall serve him All Servants in name shall serve him indeed that is all shall serve him in sincerity so his Servanâ—s shall serve him throughly and to purpose 'T is so little Service that God hath now from his Servants that they can hardly be said to serve him but when they are before the Throne of the Lamb then shall Christ have abundantly more Service from his Saints As there shall be more light more warm Affections heat of Love in a high degree So there shall be much better Service Quest Shall there be a keeping of a Sabbath in the new Jerusalem the Holy City 't is said thus no Temple there no Sun nor Moon No Ordinances because the presence of the Lamb shall supply them and so make them useless and if no Ordinances then no First-day-Sabbath but every day a Sabbath Answ We must distinguish between the Holy City New Jerusalem and the Nations of them that shall be saved and shall walk in the light of it Rev. 21.24 Who bring their Glâ—ry and Honour into it mentioned Chap. 20.9 That is the Nations of them that shall be saved in the time of the Thousand Years as it is the same word which is used for the Congregation of Israel when they went out of Egypt travelling towards Canaan In like manner in the time of the Thousand Years besides the beloved City there will be a Camp of Saints there will be saved Nations called and converted then travelling towards the Holy City The Law shall go forth from Sion and the wâ—rd of the Lord from Jerusalem And they do walk in this light towards it Now in the beloved City Ordinances cease and the keeping of one day in seven ceases but in the Camp of the Saints c. amongst the Nations saved and walking in the light of the New Jerusalem there will be Ordinances and the keeping of the Sabbath in manner as is here prescribed Uses If there ought to be so strict an observation of the Sabbath day then how short do men come of the keeping of it Where are the Persons to be found that walk on the Sabbath according to this Rule 1. How loose are some in their Principles in writing and speaking against a Divine Institution of it as if there were not ground for the keeping of it but from Custom and the Commands of Men and so it shall be but the Holy of Men and not the Holy of the Lord whereas this is that which makes it H nourable and is the ground why we should call it Honourable because it hath the stamp of Divine Authority upon it And it 's Christ that is the Lord of it and not Man 2. And what loosness is in the practice of almost all Who be they that turn their Feet the Feet of the Body and Soul from it Where are any to be found that do not find their pleasure and speak their own words c. 2. Learn what reason there is to long for that glorious Reformation which shall be in the World As the Creatures groan to be delivered for the bondage of Corruption and from being in such bondage to Men's lusts who do abuse them so much to the dishonour of God and make them the matter of Sin So those that have the first fruits of the Spirit should groan within themselves waiting for the Adoption That is as they that believe have the power of Sons so they should wait for the Inheritance of Sons and long to have more of the Spirit of Sons that thereby they may be enabled as in their whole course to carry themselves as Sons towards their Heavenly Father So on the Lord's day they may come before the Lord in that Holy Spiritual and Heavenly frame which is here required What a blessed time will that be when he that is feeble and fails so much in Duties shall be as David the Man after God's own heart doing all his will Christ advised the Jews to pray that their flight might not he on the Sabbath-day Many times there is flying on the Sabbath-day and this is sad times Sometimes there is flying from Meetings flying from Duties for fear of Enemies and too often our Hearts on that day are flying away from God and the duties of his worship upon the wings of worldly thoughts and affections A happy time will it be with the Saints when there shall be no flying on the Sabbath no flying upon the wings of fear nor no flying upon the wings of worldly love but then David's wish shall be fulfilled to those that shall serve the Lord and David their King and fear the Lord and his goodness They shall have the wings of the Dove wherewith they shall fly to the Holy Spiritual Soul-refreshing rest of the Sabbath and fly to Heaven to the Throne of God and the Lamb c. Use 2. Exhortation Let that Holy Spiritual Strict Observation of the Sabbath which shall be hereafter be your pattern now 1. It will be a good evidence of your being in Covenant and of the truth and reality of Grace when you can thus holily and spiritually keep a Sabbath to the Lord. This is the Man that is likely to perform the duties of his Calling on other days to the honour of the Lord he will work he will Buy and Sell he will Plow and Sow he will Eat and drink to the honour of God and he will be careful that his business in the World be acted in Religion Isa 56.1 2. Keep Judgment do Justice Keep the Sabbath from polluting it The former comprehends the duties of the Second Table the latter the duties of the First So necessary is it to the right worshipping of God to keep a Sabbath that this is put for and made comprehensive of all the duties of God's worship 2. Thus shall you be the better prepared for a Storm For as here are Promises of being above troubles of riding on the High places of the Earth c. So hence you may conclude you shall have protection under trouble The true worshippers who worship God in Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus may have great confidence and peace in their hearts in such a day Psa 27.4 5. One thing have I desired of the Lord c. In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his Pavillion in the secret of his Tabernacle c. Those that come to his pavillion-love to be where God is and to be near him and to have communion with him c. When the Woman is in the Wilderness she is nourished there and when a stream comes and the Dragon casts out a flood out of his Mouth to swallow her up the Earth shall help her
with fear Doct 1. They are willing and doing Christians that are in the way of Life They will and do that are in the way of Life they will good and do good they will to take Christ and they will Christ should save them they will Christ should reign over them and are careful to do the will of Christ Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power Ps 110.3 They are willing to receive of Christ and are willing to give to Christ they are willing to receive grace and willing to give glory Willing to live by Christ and willing to live to Christ This is the will of a sound Christian Cant. 6.12 Mr Soul set me on the Chariot of Amminadab i. e. of my willing people That which the Apostle speaks in relation the duty of ministring to the Saints 2 Cor. 8.10 11. you may apply to the whole duty of Christians It is expedient for you to do and also to be forward That is to do good and do it willingly Now so perform the doing of it that as there was a readiness to will so there may be a performance also The sum is this let Will and Action go together perform willingly and will performingly Let there not be performance without a willing mind nor a willing mind without performance of that which is good Sect. 16. Now for opening this point First shall be shew'd how and in what respects such as are in the way of Life are willing Christians Now they are willing Christians in two respects 1. In respect of consent of heart to be sav'd by Christ They are made to will this To receive Christ as he is tendered in the Gospel as the Way Truth and Life As Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Christ complains of the Jews How oft would I have gathered you as a Hen gathereth her Chickens undâ—r her Wings buâ— ye would not Ye refuse to be gathered and to be saved by me Christ says I am come that they might have life and complains of the Jews ye will not come to me that you might have life Your hearts do not consent to the taking of me as liâ—e Now what the Jews refused and would not that â—â—ch as are in the way of life do consent unto They are willing to be gathered by Christ They disclaim a Self-sufficiency Merit or Righteousness and will have none but Christ. Christ my Pâ—ace Buy of my Gold says Christ I offer it and will freely give to those that are willing to take what I offer Now to Buy is nothing but to consent to take what Christ offers A Will to embrace Christ in all his fulness and glorious excellencies This see in Peter To whom shall we go We will abide in thee and with thee we will seek life no other way This Will was in Paul I desire to be found in him not having mine own Righteousness God offers a Covenant he is ready to bind himself to men he calls on men to take hold on the Covenant to take hold on the Promi Priviledges Grace Blood and Blessings of the Covenant Now this is to take hold of the Covenant Consent to God's Covenant be willing it should be Ratified and stand firm betwixt God and you that God may be yours and you his Conâ—ent to take God in Christ as your God and Father and Consent to be his in Christ There is none good but one that is God God in Christ the Supreme good then the will is made perfect when it closes in with God as the Supreme good Now this upright Will this Consent of heart is wrought in all that are in the way of Life Observe the steps by which Salvation is wrought First the Father wills it he chuses to Life in Christ And wills that the Son of God should be made Man and dye c. This Christ was willing to do Lo I come to do thy will Then the Spirit is given to the Elect he makes their hearts to Will to be saved by Christ and draws forth a Consenâ— from the heart to be saved by grace in Christ and no other way then God and the Creature both Will it God works two ways for saving the Elect. 1. God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself That is God gave Christ Christ Satisfied his Justice he punished sin on Christ and God did accept of what Christ did as perfect satisfaction And God was in Christ That is while Christ was Mediating Redeeming Dying and Rising God was in him Hereby he was strengthened for the work and supported in it hereby the price of his blood is of infinite Value his Obedience of infinite Merit sufficient to Redeem out of Misery and to purchase an Inheritance of Glory 2. God in the heart perswading to live to God in Christ and to accept of Life that is offered Thus drawing in their hearts to God as the Life of the Souls God in the heart reconciling it to himself making it willing to have Christ rather than the World and God rather than the Creature 2. In respect of Consent of heart to serve God in Christ The heart of a Christian is thus made willing that God's will should be its ‑ Rule above its own it is made Subordinate unto it as Israel said when the Law was given All that the Lord hath spoken we will do There was their consent that the Lord should Rule them and they would fear him So this is the will of a Christian under the Covenant of Grace and in the way of Life All that the Lord speaks I will do Lord says Paul What wilt thou have me to do The Angels and Saints cryed with a loud Voice c. Expressing their willingness that Christ should be honoured as King Rev. 5.11 12. There are two things to be observed about the tenders of Christ in the Gospel unto Believers 1. The fulness of God that 's held forth in him even his Blood the Way to it that is Faith in his Blood Mediation and Intercession hereby is access to God 2. The Terms on which Sinners must take him For that Christ says If any Man will follow me let him deny himself Self-righteousness Pleasure Profit and any thing that stands in opposition to Christ Let him take up his Cross and chuse to suffer rather than sin and lose any thing rather then me Math. 16.24 He must love Christ more than all things then he will consent to leave all things for Christ So let him follow me and go whither I lead him walking in such ways as I command him Then the Man doth will uprightly when he consents to take Christ in both these respects There is fulness of good in him and I will take him and depend on him for every good thing This shall be my Hope Joy Rest and Life for ever All good is treasured up in Christ the fulness of the Godhead is in him He seeks no further I have found him whom my Soul loveth
and am abundantly satisfied with him I am Empty Poor Blind and Naked I will buy of him Gold White Rayment Eye-Salve c. And he hath bought my Life bought my Service and he is worthy of it And I am not my own I will glorify him This is the will of a sound Christian that is in the way of Life 2. They are doing Christians Math. 7.21 Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven He that is travelling in the way towards Heaven is careful to do the will of the Father in Heaven Doing his will is not the way so as Christ is the way but such as are in the way are doing Christians He that looks on God as the Supreme Good can't but look on the will of God as the Supreme Rule and the Glory of God as the Supreme End and if God be in the heart he will be in the Life God is seen in his doings he that dwells in God will work in God and will bring forth Fruit unto God will abound in the work of the Lord and their labour will not be in vain in the Lord. Abound in Zeal for God's honour fruitfulness in the work of Righteousness Labour in the Lord in the will of God live Godly Righteously and Soberly and youâ— labour shall not be in vain Altho' your work deserve not a Reward yet God will not forget your work of Faith and labour of Love So Christians that are in the way of Life must be doing in the Lord such as are travelling towards Heaven must have their conversation in Heaven they that walk towards God must walk with God Sect. 17. Use By this it appears that few there be that walk in the way of Life Few there be that WILL like Christians and that DO like Christians that act like such that are in the way of Life How few that set their Souls to the Gospel that is full of precious Promises of tenders of Mercy it holds forth the glorious things of Christ his infinite fulness to Sinners and their freedom of access to it But are not these by most counted a strange thing Are they not made light of How rare is it to find a plenary and full consent of heart to the proffers of the Gospel A full will to take Christ and to enjoy God as the Supreme Good Hos 5.4 They will not frame their doings to turn to God So you that follow the course of the World that wallow in the pollutions of the World as Drunkeness c. Your doings are not framed like the doings of those that are turned towards God that go towards Heaven with your Faces thitherwards your Faces your outward aspects and appearances are not thitherwards if the hearts be thitherwards then the Face and outward appearance are so also The will is not right in many as Particularly 1 You that allow your selves in Sin and consent to Lust What I do said Paul I allow not That is in doing any thing that 's contrary to the will of God he did not allow himself Now if you allow your selves in Sin if you Sin with a secret allowance of Heart that is contrary to the will of a true Christian The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit if you consent to the Flesh and have no lusting against it then your will and consent is not the will of those that are in the way of Life 2. You that delight not in the Law of God after the Inner Man your Wills are not upright That Will that 's spoken of in the Text is not wrought in you Rom. 7 2â— I delight in the Law of God after the Inner Man There 's a suitableness in my will to the will of God the will of God's working is that the will of God should be the Rule or that it should stand The Will of God's working delights in the will of God and rejoices in acknowledgement of his Highness Isa 13.3 Let God be acknowledged as God and be feared and loved c. his will is against Sin and 't is for Holiness Rom. 7.16 If I do that which I allow not I consent to the Law that it is good There is consent to the Law and dissent from sin for where there 's no consent betwixt your Wills and the Law your wills are not those in the Text. The Will that 's mentioned in the Text is 1. A Will altogether perswaded to embrace Christ Not like Agrippa's Will almost perswaded not an imperfect Will but a thorow Will a Will that consents to God as the supreme good consents to come to Christ as the way of Life to take hold of Christ as the one thing necessary and as most lovely and to walk in the way of the Gospel as the best way Not like ths young Man's Will he was willing to follow Christ but not to depart from his Riches to follow Christ He did love Christ but his Riches more than Christ this is but an imperfect an almost perswaded Will. Here was not a full consent I will take Christ whatever it costs me though it cost me Lands and Life c. This thorow Will this willing altogether to take Christ and to obey the Gospel is the Will of such a one as is in the way of Life Whoever go thorow to Heaven have this thorow Will The young man that was but almost perswaded and had but a half Will and Consent to take Christ was but almost come to the Kingdom of Heaven not far but almost willing c. and so but almost a Christian Math. 12.34 2. A Will altogether perswaded to take a whole Christ a whole Will to have a whole Christ Christ as Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Christ to Redeem and Christ to Reign over I count all things but Dung to win Christ c. Every thing in Christ is precious to a perfect Will As his Humiliation so his Exaltation over them as his Obedience imputed 〈…〉 his Dominion exercised over them His Mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely in every part in every Office As the Will in the Text is not divided so not a dividing Will as a Will not divided halting between Christ and the World so not a Will dividing Christ parting his Offices which is a greaâ—er evil than parting his Garments As not half perswasion to have Christ so not a perswasion to have but half Christ but a whole Will to have a whole Christ 3. A Will that 's altogether towards Heaven that is that consents to this that Heavenly things are better than Earthly Eternal better than Temporal and to be with Christ is better than to be in the World 'T is better to be in Heaven than in the midst of Earthly Pleasures and Delights 2. For Doing consider that their doing who are in the way of Life is 1. A doing the will of God When the Will is that God's