2. They are free from alâ— pâ—â—secutions in words gestures or actions they are hid in the secret of God's presence from the pride of man and kâ—pâ— secretly in a pavillion from the strife of tongues Psal 31 19. after the body is dead their enemies have no more that they can do Luk. 12. 4. there the wicked cease from troubling and there the weary are at rest there the prisoners rest together they hear not the voice of the opprâ—ssor Job 3. 17 19. The reproaches laughâ—ers scorns and persecutions that here they met with did seem to be grievous to them as to what they themselves thereby indured Psal 69. 20. as well as also as to their enemies it caused great grief to them rivers of waters run down their eyes and they were troubled in spirit because men kept not God's Laws but persecuted them wrongfully and were enemies to them for following the thing that was good Joh. 13. 21. this caused heaviness to them to consider the greatness of their iniquity and severity of the judgment they were pulling upon their heads by such iniquities They are now out of the danger of miscarrying and from henceforth there is laid up for them a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give unto them in that day 2 Tim. 4. 8. there is now a great gulf fixed and no passing from one place to another no altering of their condition no not for ever Luk. 16. 26. Eccl. 11. 3. Now abiding in Christ they are safe he that abideth in him sinneth not transgresseth not and misseth not the mark but if a man abide not in him he is cast forth its possible that such as have begun to run well may turn aside from him that called them into the grace of Christ 1 Joh. 3. 6. Gal. 1. 6. 5. 7. but then no change of their state and their works follow them all their work of faith and labour of love and patience in tribulation these shall not be forgotten but be recompensed in the resurrection of the just Luk. 14. 14. And now they are present with the Lord as here they were not when at home in the body seeing and beholding in their spirits the glorified and glorious body of our Lord Jesus and then walking by sight as now they do not for they are more excellent and therefore sorrow not for them as those that have no hope Isa 57. 2. 2 Cor. 5. 6 7 8. Phil. 1. 23 24. 2. It discovers his grace to all of this body both in soul and body when Jesus Christ shall appear the second time without sin to salvation Heb. 9. 28. in which his Israel shall be saved with an everlasting salvation they shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end Isa 45. 17. this is that which Peter exhorts the believers to hope for Gird up saith he the lions of your minds be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 13. and this he calls the grace of life 1 Pet. 3. 7. and indeed that eternal life they shall then inherit gloriously it is not wages as death is of sin buâ— a gift of grace Rom. 6. 23. Zech. 4. 6. And this grace that shall then be brought to them is so exceeding great as none here fully knows Hence that admiration Oh! how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men Psal 31. 19. since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear by any thing they have heard in any declaration vouchsafed neither hath the eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him Isa 64. 4 These things were indeed revealed to the Apostles by the Spirit as in formâ—r times they were not and so they have declared them and yet they did but see in part and therefore Prophesie in part 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. with Chap. 13. 9. This grace is inexprâ—ssiâ—ly yea inconceivably great it hath not entred into the heart of man and much less can I declare it in order who have seen so little of it in the testimony but yet as I may be helped I shall speak a little of it 1. They that sleep in Jesus shall be raised and the living changed when Christ shall descend from heaven and so before the rest of the dead 1 Thes 4. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. As in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive but every man in his own order not all at once Christ the first fruits he is risen from the dead already and is become the foundation of the resurrection from and of the dead for if he be not raised there could be no resurrection and he shall be the effecter of it and is become the first fruits of them that are fallen a sleep in him especially like to whom shall be that lump Rom. 11. 16. afterward they that are Christ's at his coming then or afterward as ver 5. the end namely after the end of the thousand yeaâ—s of Christ's and his Saints reigning on the earth there will be the second and general resurrection when the dead small and great shall be raised and stand before God Rev. 20. 7 12 13 15. 1 Cor. 15. 22 24. So the Apostle John saith I saw to wit in vision the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which had not worshipped the beast neither his image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years but the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished Rev 20. 4 6. Isa 26. 19. 2. In their being raised they shall be saved wholly from all sin death and other enemies And so From sin he shall present them to himself a glorious Church not having spot Eph. 5. 27. they shall then be sanctified wholly in spirit soul and body and be presented blameless before the throne of his glory 1 Thes 5. 23 24. 3. 13. Jude 24. No sin in them but as the first fruits Jesus Christ is holy so will be the lump then compleatly nor any imputation of sin to them or remembrance of sin upon them their sins shall then be compleatly blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and he shall send us Jesus who now is preached to us There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit but yet there is sin in them and if any of them say they have no sin they deceive themselves and the truth is not in them yea and there is some remembrance of sin upon them And as to those that dye in the
beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord we may be changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. And this leads us unto another instruction contained in this branch of the declaration of the excellency of this person and word to which he commits them Namely 3. That God and the word of his grace is able to build up believers this is the work of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and the means by which he doth it is the Gospel of himselâ— according as it is vouchsafed he gives all things that pertain to â—ife and godliness but he gives it through the knowledge of himself 2 Pet. 1. 3. Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of the faith Heb. 12. 2. the Alpha and the Omega he who hath begun the good work and who also will perform it Phil. 1. 6 7. he is the foundation and he shall bring forth the head stone with shoutings crying grace grace unto it Zâ—ch 4. 6 7. Jesus Christ is â—â—â—â—oundation of God and yet he is so laid in the word of his grace and those that come unto him are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets as before It is his work and office to open mens eyes and to turn men from idols to himself but he doth it in preaching the Gospel Isa 42. 6 7. with Chap. 61. 1. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple giving wisdom to them that have none and revealing him in beholding whom they may be made wise and the Law and doctrine of the Lord is perfect converting the soul both at first and continually Ps 19. 7 8. Hence the Apostle was sent with this to open the eys of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Act. 26. 18 23. He gives unto makes them partakers of the forgiveness of sins that turn unto him but he doth give it they receive it through his name even through the word of faith Act. 5. 31. with Chap. 10. 43. 26. 18. He gives wisdom to the wise but he gives it through this word of wisdom The Lord giveth wisdom and out of his mouth his doctrine cometh understanding the spirit of wisdom and understanding is still and further given in the knowledge of him Prov. 2. 1 6. Eph. 1. 17. Joh. 7. 37 39. He quickens them to a lively hope but he doth it by his resurrection from the dead as declared in the Scriptures 1 Pet. 1. 3. his words are spirit and life his word quickens them Joh. 6. 63. Psal 119. 50 93. He it is that increaseth the faith of believers but he doth it in and by his testimony he hath written it that those that believe may believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God that they may go on believing be more strong in faith that their trust may be in the Lord he hath written to them excellent things in counsels and knowledge Prov. 22. 17 20. 1 Joh. 5. 10 13. He is faithful who will establish them and keep them from evil 2 Thes 3. 3. but he doth it according to the Gospel they are stablished in the faith Rom. 16. 25. Col. 2. 7. He doth and will sanctifie them throughout but he doth it through his truth and his word is truth 1 Thes 5. 23. Joh. 17. 17 19. he sanctifies and cleanses them with the washing of water by the word Eph. 5. 26. He fills them with the fruits of righteousness and makes their souls like a watered garden but it is by his Gospel this brings forth fruit in them and they that delight themselves in his Law and meditate there in day and night shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth his fruit in his season Col. 1. 6. Psal 1. 2 3. he doth build them up but it is by the word of his grace and they are therefore instructed to be building up themselves on their most holy faith Jude 20. In short they are kept by the power of God the Gospel of Christ through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. with Rom. 1. 16 17. they live by faith and therein they may go on to perfection as far as here they are capable Heb. 6. 1. it is able to make wise unto salvation and profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished and perfected unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 15 17. and those gifts which Christ having ascended up on high hath given and which continue with us in the Gospel are for perfecting the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ c. Eph. 4. 12 13. And this is of usefulness to those that go before others in the word of the Lord yea and to all unfeigned believers to beware of Philosophy and vain deceit for in Christ as preached in the Gospel are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and in him believers are compleat Col. 2. 3 10. And that they turn not to the Law or any other doctrine or tradition of the Elders to perfect that by the flesh which was begun by the spirit for this Law and doctrine of the Lord is perfect in it self and in its effect for convincing the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and turning and conveiting the soul and for teaching believers and guiding them into all truth and shewing them things to come and in walking after the Spirit in the testimony the righteousness of the Law shall be fulfilled in men he will put his Laws in their hearts and write them in their minds Joh. 16. 7 15. Psal 19. 7 8. Rom. 8. 4. 2 Cor. 3. 2 3. Heb. 10. 16. And this shews unto us wherein their great strength lies and how they may be preserved from all that would corrupt them and whereby they may be strong in the Lord this Gospel is the power of God it is able to build them up whoever would pull them down they cannot build up themselves by any wisdom or strength that is in them as of them but this is a powerful wâ—rd whereby they may overcome the wicked one and overcome the world be inabled to withstand in the evil day and having done all things to stand Eph. 6. 10 17. 1 Joh. 2. 13 14. 4. 4. 5. 4 5 18. to the end they may cleave to the Lord wiâ—h full purpose and love his Law the perfect Law of liberty and it might be their mediâ—ation night and day 2. He further shews the excellency of God and the word of his graâ—e in saying And which is able to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified Which is still powerful to move us to 〈◊〉 ourselves thereto We shall here brâ—â—fly consider 1. What is this inheritance
give them a mouth and wisdom which all their â—dversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist Luk. 21. â—4 15. Yea what shall I say for the time would fail he will be abundantly nigh unto them in this â—ime of trouble For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears open to their cry 1 Pet. 3. 12. he will fulfil their desires Psal 145. 18 19. Purge away their transgressions Psal 65. 3. Subdue their iniquities Mic. 7. 19. Fight their battels 2 Chron. 32. 8. Renew their inward man 2 Cor. 4. 16. Revive them in the midst of trouble Psal 138. 7. Supply all their wants according to his riches in glory Phil. 4. 19. Perform all things for them Psal 57. 2. And perfect whatever concerns them Psal 138. 8. And so sanctifie them throughout that their whole spirit soul and body shall be pâ—eserved blamelâ—ss unto the coming of the Lord Jesus 1 Thes 5. 23. In short he will never leave them nor forsake them so that they may boldly say The Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man can do unto me Heb. 13. 5 6. And he is faithful that hath promised Oh! let us then hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering Heb. 10. 23. and not be afraid of men or their fear nor say a confederacy with them that say a confederacy but sanctifie the Lord of hosts in our hearts and make him our fear and our dread and he shall be a sanctuary unto us Isa 8. 12 14. Consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our profession who was faithful to him that appointed him in that hard and difficult work he hath been wonderfully tryed and did not fail therein nor was discouraged but for the joy set before him indured the Cross despising the shame He set his face like a flint and patiently indured the judgment of the world and waited for the Lord till he brought him out of the horrible pit miry clay and set his feet upon a rock He was for this purpose manifested to take away our sins and in him is no sin and therein may we so behold his faithfulness as to be strengthned to rest in him and wait patiently for the performance of what yet remains for faithful is he that hath promised who also will do it And he is the Mediator of the New Testament which he hath confirmed by his blood He it is who liveth and was dead and is alive for evermore to make intercession for them that come to God by him that their iniquities might not with-hold good things from them make them know God's breach of promise Rev. 1. 18. Heb. 7. 25. Numb 14. 34. He mediates the New Covenant and appears in the presence of God in the vertues of his sacrifice once offered as the propitiation for their sins to take them away and cover them and in their confessing them he is faithful and just to forgive them their sins and his blood cleanseth them from all unrighteousness 1 Joh. 1. 7 9. 2. 2. and he lives to perform and execute this Testament of his own and to dispense to them all things that pertain to life and godliness that the called may obtain the promise of the eternal inheritance Heb. 7. 25 28. 8. 6. 9. 15. 3. Yea and he hath set a blessed hope before them that those that suffer here with him shall reign with him and be glorified together And he that hath this hope in Christ purifieth hemself from desires of present manifestation as he is pure 2 Tim. 2. 12. Rom. 8. 17 18. 1 Joh. 3. 2 3. which hope is now powerful as declared in the word of the truth of the Gospel to save them from their sins and idols and from being afraid with any fear of amazement Rom. 8. 24 25. and it is so confirmed that they might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them which they have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entereth into that within the vail whether the fore-runner is for us entred Jesus made an High-Priest after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 6. 18 20. He will then give compleat rest to them who are now troubled avenge them of their adversaries and save them with an everlasting salvation And this is now reported to us in the Gospel that looking to the end from the beginning we might be strengthned with strength in our soul according to that Isa 35. 3 10. Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees say to them that are of a fearful heart be strong fear not behold your God will come with vengeance God with a recompence he will come and save you and then no Lyon shall be there to afflict them nor any ravenous beâ—st and so no grievous Wolf c Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away There will be an end of all these troubles and afflictions to those that live godly in Christ Jesus and their expectation shall not be cut off yea now it is but a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry and will redeem them out of all adversity and they shall then obtain that salvation in Câ—rist Jesus with eternal glory and therefore they have cause and are instructed to rejoyce in as much as they are partakers of Christ's sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed they also may be glad with exceeding joy 1 Pet. 4. 13. Jam. 1. 12. Rev. 2. 7 10 11 13 17. Surely there is that contained in God and the word of his grace which may strengthen us to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness so as we need not fear any of those things we may suffer but rather rejoyce that we are counted worthy to suffer for his sake who so willingly indured so great sufferings for us 2. To God and the Word of his grace he commits them for their preservation from grievous wolves as taken in the second sense before mentioned viz. for false Prophets and seducers to the end that committing themselves thereto they might not be led away with the error of the wicked and so fall from their own stedfastness but be preserved from hearing and receiving those instructions which cause to err from the words of knowledge and great need we have to commit our selves to him and his word on this account that we mâ—y go from the presence of such foolish ones in whom we perceive not the lips of knowledg for these or many of them are very powerful to deceive For 1. The Ministers which Satan imploys as his instruments in sowing tares they are such many times as are very specious in their outward apperance they come unto you in sheeps cloathing saith our Saviour Mat. 7. 15. namely appear in their outward conversation as if they were of the sheep of Christ
Lord is good sing praises to his name for it is pleasant for the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself and Israel for his peculiar treasure they shall then gloriously triumph in the works of his hands which he is now working in leading forth his people which he hath redeemed out of the world Exod. 15. 13. Psal 92. 4 5. and the Lord himself shall rejoyce in his works Psal 104. 31. And that he shall then destroy all enemies and save his people with an everlasting salvation and they shall then reign on the earth These are now his thoughts which are very deep his enemies and theirs shall then perish and all the workers of iniquity be destroyed for ever but his horn shall be exalted with honour gloriously and visibly and the righteous shall flourish Psal 92. he shall then bring in his people and plant them in the mountain of his inheritance in the place which he hath made for them to dwell in in the sanctuary which his hands have established and the Lord shall reign for ever and ever Psal 149. Exod. 15. 17. 18. 7. And now they shall have a glorious inheritance to which I shall not here speak because it more properly refers to the latter end of the verse And thus according to my great weakness I have shewed the first Reason why the Gospel is called the Word of his Grace 2. This is called the Word of his grace because hereby he gives grace unto men even as it is called the Word of Life because as it discovers that eternal life in Christ so it gives life unto others The words that I speak unto you saith Christ they are spirit and they are life Joh. 6. 63. so it is called the word of salvation because it not only shews where salvation is wrought and compleated but therein and therewith also it brings salvation to men c. So here answerably the Gospel of Christ is called the word of his grace because as it is the most excellent means whereby God manifests and reveals his grace in Christ as before so hereby he gives grace unto men he doth manifest his goodness and graciousness unto men and gives them some discovery and discerning of it by all means The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy work he left not himself without witness to the Gentiles Psal 19. 1 6. 147. 7 9. with Act. 14. 17. Rom. 1. 19 28. but he was more especially good to Israel therefore they especially were to praise him and had peculiar ingagement so to do He shewed his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Iâ—â—ael he had not dealt so with any Nation and as for his judgments they had not known them Psal 147. 12 19 20. What advantage hath the Jew c. much every way chiefly because unâ—o them was committed the Oracles of God though hereby simply they were not better as to their gracious state with God yet they had greater advantage so to be Rom. 3. 1 2 9 and still greater advantage is given to us now the Gospel is prâ—acâ—â—ed according to the revelation of the mystery And hence it is said That grace and truth came by Jesus Christ Joâ— 1. 17. and that the Prophets in former times prophesied of the grace that should be brought and vouchsafed to us 1 Pet. 1. 10. namely the more clear and abundant revelation of it and therewith a more free dispensiâ—g of it whereby he gives and prevents men with capacity to behold his grace in Christ and is turning them from idols unto God to serve the living true God The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul whether men be converted by it or no it is converting restoring and bringing it 〈◊〉 Gâ—d and in order hereto the testimony of the Lord in which God hath testified unto us what Jesus Christ hath done for us and is become and his grace in him this is sure making wise the simple even those that are without mixture of wisdom it fails not in this efficacy of it it discovers Jesus Christ who is the fountain and object of wisdom in knowing whom we may be made wise and it gives wisdom and subtilty to the simple Jam. 1. 5. Prov. 1. 4. The commandement the old and new commandement declared from the beginning in which was prophesied and promised that the seed of the woman should break the Serpents head and which is now more revealed because the darkness is past 1 Joh. 2. 7 8. this is pure namely in its effect also inlightning the eyes and therewith converting Psal 19. 7. 8. Hereby he gives grace of repentance unto men and is operating faith in them his spirit being alwayes vouchsafed and present in and with this testimony of Christ in the faithful ministration of it even unto the end of the world so that he that rejecteth rejecteth not man but God Mat. 28. 20. 1 Thes 4. 8. Surely he doth accompany all means which he affordeth while it is called to day with some presence of his Spirit and doth in due time give some supernatural light unto men because he is willing all should come to repentance There is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding Job 32. 8. He saith not it must give it them if they have it but it doth give it unto them So he is said to give breath unto the people upon the earth and spirit to them that walk therein Isa 42. 5. and that his Spirit is sent forth into all the earth even that Spirit which the Lamb that was slain hath received Rev. 5. 6. 1 Pet. 3. 19 20. and in and with his Prophets he spake by his Spirit and gave his good Spirit even unto them that rebelled against him to instruct them and this aggravated their iniquity that they alwayes rejected the Holy Ghost for God did not only call them with an outward call but he sent his words in his Spirit in the light and power thereof and so stretched out his hand unto them Neh. 9. 20 26 30. Zech. 7. 12. Isa 65. 2. but now in and with the Gospel of Christ as now preached according to the revelation of the mystery he doth pour forth of his Spirit upon all flesh namely to glorifie Christ and shew his excellency and comeliness for our escape and therein and therewith to wither all flesh to shew that all flesh is grass and all the glory of man the goodliness of the flesh is as the flower of the field that men might cease therefrom and turn in his reproofs and so he will further pour forth his Spirit unto them Act. 2. 17. with Isa 40. 3 8. Hence it is called the ministration of spirit even of this spirit of grace 2 Cor. 3. 6 8 With this Gospel the Apostle was sent to open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God
Act. 26. 17 18 22 yea any man in having and declaring it faithfully doth minister grace to the hearers Eph. 4. 28. with Col. 4. 6. It is true men have no knowledge of or will to any thing that is spiritually good yea they are naturally inclined to all evil lusting after vain things but he giveth more grace grace abounding and exceeding their natural corruption pulling down their strong holds casting down their imaginations and every high thing that exalts it self against the knowledge of God it presents more excellent and glorious arguments and gives more strength where ore he saith God resisâ—â—th the proud such as still refuse to humble themselves and turn at his reproofs Jam. 4. 5 6. the grace of God saving to all men hath now appeared Tit. 2. 11. and therefore mens sin is rendred hereby to be exceeding sinful because they either receive not this grace or receive it in vain because they receive not the love of the truth so as to be saved thereby 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. But no more to this because it hath been in part spoken to already 3. This Gospel of Christ is called the word of his grace because it is that whereby he gives grace more abundantly to them that hear in hearing he rejecteth the proud that scorn to receive his grace but he giveth grace to the humble Jam. 4. 6. He so gives testimony to the Word of his grace as that in receiving this men receive the Spirit even through this hearing of faith and not by the works of the Law even that spirit of faith whereby they have the faith of the operation of God wrought in them and so they are said to have believed through grace Gal. 3. 2. Act. 14. 1 3. 18. 27. Hence this is called the Word of faith both because it testifies Christ to be the foundation and object of faith and because by it he is working faith in those that hear it yea and doth work it in all those that in hearing hear Rom. 10. 8 17. and so chuses them out of the world from the state and fellowship thereof saves them from their ignorance of God and enmity unto God Rom. 11. 5 6. Tit. 3. 3 5. it is that means whereby he makes them partakers of the forgiveness of their sins in their minds and consciences they are justified by grace justified by faith by this word of faith believed even from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Tit. 3. 7. Rom. 5. 1 Act. 13 39. he makes the opening of his name in his testimony the very declaration of that justification and forgiveness he hath received powerful to wash them from the guilt of their sins and so speaks peace to them Act. 26. 18. the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus doth make them free from the Law of sin and death and so from the a cusation of sin by the Law in opening this arâ—ument unto thâ—m that what the Law could no dâ— in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the â—â—eness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Rom. 8. â— 3. It washes their heart from an evil conscience namely from a conscience that chargeth and condemns it self as held under wrath because our first Father hath sinned and we in him and come forth frâ—m him naturally and necessarily polluted for this is not now the condemnation and from an evil conscience that seeks by dead works to wash it self and speak peace to it self from some works of righteousness of ours This truâ—h known makes free and so the Son hereby Heb. 10. 22. Joh. 8. 31 32 36. yea and hereby they receive remission of those sins in which they sin after the similitude of Adam's transgression To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive forgiveness of sins Act. 10. 43. And so being justified by faith they have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ freedom from the fear of his wrath and that in believing this Word he fills with joy and peace in believing and multiplies grace and peace to them through the knowâ—dge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord even â—â—rough the doctrine of him known and received by them Rom. 5. 1. 15. 13. 2 Pet. 1. 2. and so begers them again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the deaâ— as discovered in the Gospel for it is his word that quickens them 1 Pet. 1. 3. Psal 119. â—0 93. yea hereby he washes them â—rom the dominion and service of sin in their members that henceforth they should not serve sin and walking in the Spirit in minding the things of the Spirit and yielding up to its operations sin shall not have dâ—minion over them nor shall they fulfil the lusts of the flesh Joh. 15. 3. 8 32. Rom. 6. 14. Gal. 5. 16. Psal 17. 4. 119. 9 11. through this knowledge of Christ and God's grace in him he gives unto them still and further the spirit of wisdom and revelation to glorifie Christ and enamour their hearts on him and so to redeem them from their vain conversation Eph. 1. 17 18. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Tit. 2. 14. And hereby he gives unto every one of this body grace even some gracious giâ—t whereby they may speak to God and pour out their hearts unto him and some useful gift to speak to men as this testimony of Christ is received by them and confirmed in them Rom. 8. 26. 1 Cor. 1. 5 6. Joh. 7. 38 39. yea in and with this he doth establish them and save them from the error of the wicked and from divers and strange doctrines that they may not be as children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine Heb. 13. 7 9. Eph. 4. 11 14. 1 Cor. 15 1 2. Psal 17. 4. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son to preserve and keep him from those deceivers that are entred into the world and to make him strong that the wicked one shall not touch him so as to corrupt him from that simplicity in Christ 2 Joh. 7 9. 1 Joh. 2. 13 14 4. 4. 5. 18. yea hereby he gives grace to them to strengthen them with might unto all long-suffering and patience with joyfulness in those afflictions and tribulations which he is ordering unto them this is their comfort in their affliction for his word quickens them and it is unto them the joy and rejoycing of their hearts Col. 1. 11. Psal 119. 49 50 78 82. Jer. 15. 15 16 17. he creates the fruit of his lips unto them in his testimoâ—y peace peace and so heals them that are broken in heart and binds up their griefs Psal 147. 2. with Psal 107. 20. Isa 57. 15 19. with Chap. 61. 1 3. and so causeth them to know and prove
what God hath been putting into their hands Ezek. 33. 31 33. The love of money is the root of all evil not only of the evil of sin but also of judgment and affliction and it appears that the Apostle doth include that also in the evil of which covetousness is the root for he saith which while some have coveted after they have erred from the faith this is a great iniquity and that which leads to many other iniquities and pierced themselves with many sorrows caused much grief and procured many judgments to themselves 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. So when the Prophet had been saying The righteous perisheth c. and merciful men are taken away the Lord as I conceive shews that this was the cause of this judgment For the iniquity of his covetousness I was wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth c. Isa 57. 1 17. This iniquity followed after causeth men to hate faithful reprovers and so provokes God to take them away Mic. 2. 2 6. yea this being inclined unto and persisted in and suffered to bring forth its fruits will even procure that great judgment of depriving such of or of the usefulness of all faithful helpers or such as have the words of wisdom fitted in their lips for speaking profitably unto others so for this the Lord threatens Amos 8. 3 13. The songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day saith the Lord God c. Hear this ye that swallow up the needy even to make the poor of the Land to fail saying when will the new Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat when will those appointed days and meetings be over that we may follow and seek after our profit that we may buy aâ—d sell and get gain making the Ephah small namely the measure and so we may say the weight or any thing they sell and the shekel great getting as much money as they can though to the defrauding and over-reaching another and think this honesty too and falsifying the ballances by deceit that they may wrong others as follows the Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob surely I will never forget any of their works shall not the Land tremble for this I will turn your feasts into mourning and your songs into lamentation And Behold the dayes come that I will send a famine in the Land not a famine of bread or a thirst for water but of hearing the words of the Lord and they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it Yea this and its direct fruits provokes God to shut out mens cryes even the oppressions of those upon whom God's name is called and their want of pity and mercy their with-holding more then is meet tendeth to poverty even to poverty in spiritual things it provokes God to take away or with-hold such faithful helps for their growth as they might have had and such betrusting with the true riches as might have been committed to them If therefore saith our Saviour to his Disciples ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous Mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches and if ye have not been faithful in that which is another mans who shall give you that which is your own This is anothers given to them for the good of others and especially that they might communicate to those that teach them in all good things if they have reaped their spiritual things their duty is also to Minister unto them in carnal things Luk 16. 9 12. Gal. 6. 6. Rom. 15. 27. And as I was saying it causeth God to hide his face that he will not hear To this purpose is that of the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah The new Moons and Sabbaths the calling of Assemblies I cannot away with it is iniquity or grief even the solemn Meetings c. And when ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when ye make many prayers I will not hear your hands are full of blood And what he means by blood he afterwards explicates and shews to be their oppression and not shewing mercy to the oppressed and helpless for he adds Wash you make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil learn to do well seek judgment relieve the oppressed judge the fatherless plead for the widow Come now let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow c. Isa 1. 10 23. Like whereto is that Isa 58. 3. 12. Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest not c. Behold in the day of your fast ye exact all your labours Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house when thou seest the naked that thou cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thine own flesh then shall thy light break forth as the morning Then thou shalt call and the Lord shall answer thou shalt cry and he shall say here I am c. Add hereto also that of the Lord by the Prophet Zechariah Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts saying execute true judgment and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother and oppress not the widow nor the fatherless the stranger nor the poor c. but they refused to hearken yea they made their hearts as an Adamant stone therefore it is come to pass that as he cryed and they would not hear so they cryed and I would not hear saith the Lord Zech. 7. 9 13. He shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy Jam. 2. 12 16. And truly there might be some intimate reproof of these to whom the Apostle speaks for being so much inclined to this evil in that he appeals to them and saith Your selves know that these hands have ministred to my necessities and those that were with me it had been a small thing for him or those with him to have reaped of their carnal things who sowed unto them spiritual things Act. 20. 33 34. with 1 Cor. 4. 11 12 14. 9. 11 12. Eph. 4. 28 32. 5. 1 2 3 5 6. 4. And to add no more when pride is not hidden from the people of God but they retain high thoughts of themselves by their wisdom knowledge gifts and attaiments c. and go on serving their pride and bringing forth the fruits thereof in envyings strifes contentions divisions for only by pride cometh contention Prov. 13. 10. 28. 25. and are not with all lowliness indeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace this deprives their souls of good it hinders them from partaking of one anothers grace and of that delightful and profitable fellowship in the Gospel of Christ they might have
Zion where ye may cause the weary to rest and this is the refreshing namely that matter wherewith they might refresh those to whom they spake in directing them to the vision of all even to Jesus Christ as he was witnessed in the Law and the Prophets Isa 28. 12 16. These are Pastors after God's own heart that feed with knowledge viz. with the doctrine of Christ and with understanding with skilfulness in the word of God's righteousness Jer. 3. 15. To this then he commits them as to that wherewith they might do all their work for the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth So the Apostle charges Timothy Preach the word namely the Word of truth the Gospel of our salvation be instant in season out of season 2 Tim. 4. 2. And this he determined to know amongst the Corinthians even Jesus Christ and him crucified as the one thing for and unto all things 1 Cor. 2. 2. Yea this our Saviour commanded his Apostles to preach the Gospel as the one thing in and unto their whole work of discipling Mat. 28. 19 20. Mark 16. 15. Luk. 24. 46 48. and so they did preach even Jesus Christ and not themselves or the Law Rom. 10. 8. Act. 10. 42. yea our Lord Jesus the great peace-maker and peace-preacher was anointed with the holy Ghost to preach the Gospel Isa 61. 1 3. Luk. 4. 18. And it 's the work and office of the holy Ghost to bear witness of Christ to glorifie Christ and therewith to convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and to guide the believers into all truth and to shew them things to come Joh. 16. 8 14. Surely this word of God's grace is a compleat doctrine both for opening the eyes of the blind and turning to the Lord and for perfecting them that do believe so as there is no need for preaching the Law either at first to prepare men for Christ or afterwards to perfect that by the flesh which was begun by the Spirit In Christ as declared in the testimony ye are compleat c. Col. 2. 3 10. Nor is the Law in the use of it good unless it be lawfully used according to the glorious Gospel 1 Tim. 1. 7 8 11. This is that food then wherewith they might feed even with the Gospel of Christ in which is spiritually given to us his flesh which is meat indeed and his blood which is drink indeed and so here they might be instruments of causing the flock to lye down in green pastures this God even our God being alwayes with this word of his grace in the plain and faithful ministration of it to give himself to us to feed upon even his flesh which he hath given for the life of the world And so in green pastures Psal 23. 2. namely such as are delightful and pleasant to the eye and sweet to the taste sweeter than honey and the honey comb Psal 19. 7 10. 119. 103. And such as are fruitful and which cause growth and increase that from the head all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together may increase with the increase of God Col. 2. 19. For this bread of life cometh down and is given to us in this Gospel of grace so as that while Paul planteth and Apollo watereth God giveth the increases the feeding that is in this word of his grace is not dry like the heath in the wilderness but that which hath â—â—p in it and in which the Lord is the dew unto his Israel to cause them to revive as the corn and flourish like the Palm-tree and grow like a Cedar in Lebanon Psal 92. 13 15. Hos 14. 5 6. 2 Thes 1. 3. And green pastures such as are not â—ouled and sullied but this word is very pure it is a wholsom word Psal 12. 6. 119. 140. there is no lye of it 1 Joh. 2. 27. every word of God is pure Prov. 30 4 6. Though men may corrupt the word of God in their interpretations and glosses and meanings which they put upon it yet it is pure in it self and he hath kept it and will preserve it so in the records of it that we may safely â—eed thereon and therewith And green even tender and easie of digression for the weakest milk for babes as well as strong meat for those that are strong yea such an abundance of feeding here is that the flock may lye down as satisfied as with marrow and 〈◊〉 and lye down and still feed and such security in those pastures as they may lye down and none shall make thâ—â— afraid Jer. 23. 4. Herein also they might instrumentally dâ—rect them to the still waters to give refreshing to their thirty â—â—uls even to him who is the fountain of living waters in whom is forgiveness of sins and fulness of spirit who is filled with grace and truth in whom is and who gives water of life which causeth fatness and fruitfulness and gives satisfying so as he that drinketh hereof shall never thirst yea their soul shall be as a watered garden and as springs of water whose waters fail not Joh. 4. 10 14. Isa 58. 11. and these are still waters even the consolations of Christ as given in the Gospel like the waters of Shiloah that run softly and make no noise in the world This doctrine of the grace of God is not like the divers and strange doctrines of men which make a noise like the noise of many waters and who have the wisdom of this world excellency of speech strength of reason consent of fathers approbation of great ones and power on their sides which makes them appear so strong as if they would carry all before them but this is the weakness of God and foolishness of God and that which being declared in the words which the holy Ghost hath taught is every where spoken against Isa 8. 6 7. 1 Cor. 1. 25. Act. 28. 22. And yet still waters in their effect that whereby God doth and will still and quiet the enemy and the avenger Psal 8. 2. confound the wisdom of the wise and bring to nought the understanding of the prudent and will make them quiet that they shall have nothing to say Act. 6. 10. the weapons of this warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down strong holds casting down imaginations c. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. yea still waters waters of quietness in their efficacy to any and every one that takes and drinks of this water of life which any one may do freely Isa 55. 1. Rev. 22. 17. they give quietness to the soul cause it to dwell at ease Psal 25. 13. cool its thirst quiet its fears still the clamours of sin deliver from the fears of God's wrath and make quiet from the fear of all evil adversity and tribulation so as in Christ they have peace while they have tribulation in the world Joh. 16. 33. yea
how then could we live This wâ—uld make us faint in our sighings But bless the Lord O my soul saith the Prophet Who forgiveth all thine iniquity whose office it is so to do unto all that come unto God by him and to make them partakers of the forgiveness of sins through the word of faith Psal 103. 1 3. Act. 26. 18. 10 43. He is one who is made perfect through sufferings and so he orders nothing but what he himself indured for he was in all points tempted like unto us yet without sin yea he bare our sufferings with the sting in them He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief And how may this strengthen us and make us willing to follow his steps considering he indured so great afflictions for our sins and hath taken the sting out of what remains for us to suffer Hath our Lord so willingly humbled himself for us and for the joy set before him that he might bring us to God indured the Cross despising the shame and shall not we count it an honour and rejoyce that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for him seeing also we have but the shadow of death to pass through Consider him that indured such contradiction of sinners against himself that ye be not weary nor faint in your minds Heb. 12. 1 3. Yea and since he hath suffered being tempted he is able also even fitted and disposed to succour them that are tempted He hath also been compassed with Bulls Lions Wolves c. and knows how to have compassion on us and to sympathize with us to be even afflicted in our afflictions and to pitty us therein as a father pityeth his children Heb. 2. 18. 3. 1. 4. 15. Our High Priest is one on whom rests the spirit of wisdom and understanding who knows all things and knows the hearts and thoughts of men Joh. 21. 17. Act. 1. 24. the darkness and the light are both alike to him Great is our Lord his understanding is infinite Psal 147. 5. And with this infinite wisdom is he filled and furnished for the good of men and especial good of those that believe that he may improve it for their good in so befooling and disappointing their persecuters that their hands may not perform their enterprizes his eyes run to and fro to shew himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect with him 2 Chron. 16. 9. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Seeing then we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens let us hold fast our profession Heb. 4. 13 14. Had we more to do with him and did we consider that in him we are compleat our souls would dwell at ease and it would preserve us from those fears of amazement and cares wherewith we afflict our selves to know mens intentions and to save our selves Psal 10. 11 14 35 22. Jer. 11. 18 19. And together herewith He our Lord is of great power Psal 147. 5. and hath received this and will manage it for the special good of those that believe The Father hath put all things under his feet and given him to be head over all things unto his Church And the Apostle prayes for the believers that the eyes of their understandings might be inlightned to know this which would delight their souls in the multitude of their thoughts within them Eph. 1. 17 20 22. And this compleats the answer of the good conscience that he is gone up into heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels Authorities and powers being made subject unto him 1 Pet. 3. 21. 22. Heb. 4. 14. 8. 1. 12. 2. All are his servants Satan and all his instruments are ordered by him and when he suffers them to take away from us or afflict us yet it is the Lord that taketh away and orders that affliction to us though he is not the author of the sin yet who is he that saith and it cometh to pass when the Lord commands it not Out of the mouth of the most high proceeds not evil and good Job 1. 21. Lam. 3. 37 38. Consider then when any grievous wolves enter in among us that it is the Lord that dyed for us yea rather that is risen again that hath ordered those cruel ones to us and his will is good perfect and acceptable and therefore let him do what seemeth him good He is such an High Priest who hath confirmed great and precious promises in his blood even for this life also as He will debate in measure both as to the weight and continuance of the affliction The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put forth their hands to iniquity Isa 27. 8. Psal 125. 3. There hath no temptation taken you saith the Apostle but that which is common to man or moderate and God is faithful for the time to come who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able but will with the temptation make a way of escape that you may be able to bear 1 Cor. 10. 13 14. To this purpose also speaks Moses Deut. 8. 5. 6. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart that as a man chasteneth his son so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee namely with compassion and much tenderness He is a God of judgment by whom actions and afflictions are weighed The fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument neither is a cart-wheel turned about upon the cummin but the fitches are beaten out with a staff and the cummin with a rod he will not lay upon his people more than they are able or he will inable them to bear but beat them with a rod and a staff and not bring the wheel over them Prov. 20. 26. and his rod and his staff shall comfort them namely his moderate afflictions as Psal 23. 4. bread corn is bruised because he will not ever be threshing it nor bâ—eak it with the wheel of his cart nor bruise it with his horsemen This also cometh from the Lord of hosts which is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working who knows our frame and weakness and is excellent in working for our escape that the Spirit may not fail before him and the Soul which he hath made Isa 57. 16. Abruised reed he will not break Isa 28. 26 29. 42. 1 3. Psal 103. 13 14. Surely saith the Prophet the wrath of man shall praise thee and the remainder thereof which would not tend to his praise in the profit of his people thou wilt restrain Psal 76. 10. He will be with them in all the grievances he is ordering to them according to that Isa 41. 10 14. Fear thou not for I am with thee be not dismaâ—ed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I
is said of those that died in the faith that these all having obtained a good report through faith received not the promises God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect Phil. 3. 11 12. Heb. 12. 39 40. Though believers are complâ—at in Christ who by the one offering of his personal body once for all hath perfected for ever in himself and that provision he hath made and Covenant he hath sealed them that are sanctified so as there needs no more offering for sin yet in themselves they are not compleat nor compleatly in him and are therefore instructed to walk in Christ as they have received him rooted and built up in him and to have their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water Col. 2 10. with ver 2 7. Heb. 10. 14 22 their being built up is by degrees they go from strength to strength Psal 84 7. and are changed from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3. 18. And hence they are said to grow like a Cedar Psal 92. 12. to grow up Eph. 4. 15. to increase 1 Thes 4. 10. Col. 2. 19. to abound more and more 1 Thes 4. 1. to press toward the mark Phil. 3. 14. to run the race Heb. 12. 1. All which expressions signifie that the believers while here in mortal bodies have not yet attained to compleatness in themselves or to a compleat iâ—joyment of what is to be possessed and which while here they seek and wait for Here though he that is perfect in knowledge is with them abiding in Christ yet they are not perfect in knowledge but are instructed to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savâ—our Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. And the Apâ—stle prayes for these Ephesians who were sealed with the holy spirit of promise that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of glory would give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation c. The eyes of their understandings being inlightnâ—d that they might further know what is the hope of his calling c. Eph. 1. 13 20. and that they might know the love of Christ Chap. 3. 14 19. And hence that holy man so oftentimes prayes that God would open his eyes make him understand teach him the way of his statutes give him understanding teach him knowledge c. Psal 119. 18 19 27 33 34 64 66. yea the Apostle Paul who as a wise Master-builder laid the foundation and preached the Gospel according to the revelation of the mystery affirms of himself and other believers that now they knew in part and not perfectly 1 Cor. 13. 9 12. And so they are not perfect in their faith in their hearty perswasion and imbracement of what God hath testified of his Son and dependance on him according thereto so as to live the life they now live in the flesh by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave himself for us and to walk by faith but many weaknesses and mixtures are found with them and much shortness according to what the Apostle signifies concerning the Thessalâ—nians where he saith night and day praying exceedingly that we might perfect that which is lacking in your faith 〈◊〉 â—â—â— 3. 10. and thanks God because thâ—â—â—â—iâ—â—â—iâ— grow c. 2. Thes 1. 3. and tells the Corinthians thaâ— he had hope that when thâ—ir â—aith was increased they should be iâ—arged â—y them 2 Cor. 10. 15. and surely this appears when God is ordering â—â—ptâ—â—ions and tryals of the faith to them by their weakâ—ess and readiness to faint â—â—d be wâ—aâ—y that they baâ—e nâ—t yet attained unto a most â—ull assurance of â—â—iâ—h what douâ—â—ings and aptness to be calling into question God's love and â—aithfulness what jealousies and â—ears concerning him as if he would leave and forsake them what readiness to be looking or vain hâ—lp and turning the eyes this way and that way is found with such the Scriptures testifie and the experiences of such confirm Psal 31. 22. 77. 7 10. 116. 11. How oft our Saviour reprehends his Disciples on this account may be seen mat 6. 30. 8. 26. 14. 31. 16. 8. Mark 4. 4â— Luk. 8. 25. yea when they said We believe that thou camest forth from God Jesus answered them Do ye now believe Behold the hour cometh yea is now come that ye shall be scattered every one to his own c. Joh. 16. 30 32. That hour that came upon him made discovery of them that there was yet somewhat lacking in their faith how confident soever they were of themselves yea it may seem there was sometime some shortness found with Abraham the father of the faithful though not imputed of whom it was said he staggered not at the promise through unbelief but was strong in faith for when God promised that Sarah should be a Mother of Nations c. Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said unto God O that Ishmael may live before thee Gen. 17. 17 19. and surely believers have need to pray Lord help our unbelief as he Mark 9. 24. or however as the Disciples Lord increase our faith Luâ— 17. 7. Nor are they yet perfectly conformed to Christ and filled with the fruits of righteousness there is yet sin dwelling in them and in many â—â—iâ—gs they offend all and need therefore to be still sanctified and washed with the washing of water by the word to which end Christ gives himself to them for them Eph. 5. 25 26. 1 Thes 5. 23. their love to Christ and God in him may yet abound in all knowledge and judgment and though they love one another and all men yet they may increase and abound therein Hence they are instructed to add to their faith vertue c. Phil. 1. 9 11. 1 Thes 3. 12 13. 4. 1 9 10. 2 Pet. 1. 4 8. And as this instruction is useful to preserve us from the error of those wicked and Antichristian spirits who boast that they are sinless and perfect and injoy the fulness of all blessing and that they have need of nothing while yet they are poor and miserable and blind who though they are pure in their own eyes yet are not washed from their filthiness Wo unto them for they have received their consolation And also from their swelling words of vanity who being pufâ— up with their fleshly mind and not holding the head boast of their merits and works of superâ—rrogation c. seeing it shews our shortness and incompleatness in our selves while here that pride may be hidden from us and no flesh may glory in his presence but that even unfeigned believers may confess that when they have done all that is commanded them they are unprofitable servants So also it is proper as viewed in the glorious Gospel to move us continually to come unto Jesus Christ and to give more earnest heed to the things we have heard that with open face
to God and the word of his grace we may be helped to become fools and so to be crucified to the world and not matter though we be accounted unlearned ignorant men and such as have never learned which is part of the Cross of Christ that is to be taken up and born by us Joh. 7. 15. Act. 4. 13. This wisdom is part of the goodliness of the flesh the glory of man which the spirit in the testimony is withering Oh! that he might be suffered to have his perfect work in us And oh that this were considered by them that are taught that that manner of preaching the Gospâ—l which is with wisdom of words makes the Cross of Christ of none â—ffect when men receive the word of God as the word of men and their faith stands in the wisdom of man that is they hear it with delight and credit it because such as bring it to them are furnished and come with excellency of speech or of wisdom though it is the word of God that is received yet it works not effectually in them 1 Thess 2. 13. 1 Cor. 2. 5. And truly we all need to be admonished of this evil for men naturally love and admire the wisdom of this world and oh that there were not too much cause to say that many of God's people are too much polluted with this iniquity If a man be made willing to become a fool for Christ's sake in declaring the testimony how ready is he to be despised and lightly esteemed Whereas if another be wise in Christ and exalt himself this they can suffer gladly and love to have it so and stâ—engthen those that so teach thâ—m in this evil way while they weaken the hands of others 1 Cor. 4. 10. 2 Cor. 11. 20. Oh let us all beware of the inâ—icing words of mans wisdom and so of Philosophy c. for in Christ dwelâ—s all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in him we are compleat Col. 2. 2 4 8 10. 3. And in this to which the Apostle commits them there is contained motive for feeding that which is powerful to strengthen to seek the good of men generally and especially the good of the flock of Christ As to say 1. Herein they may behold the infinite grace of Jesus Christ and God in him toward every sinful soul of mankind and that he is not willing any man should perish but that all should come to repentance as is wonderfully evidenced in this that Christ by the grace of God tasted death for every man Oh how will this constrain to indeavour the good of men and especial good of believers The love of Christ constrains us saith the Apostle because we thus jâ—dge that if one died for all then were all dead and he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that died for them and rose again This judgment received by them did powerfully move them to perswade men and they could not but speak the things they had seen and heard 2 Cor. 5. 11 15. Act. 4. 19 20. This love of God known and believed with the heart effects in them that so receive it an hearty desire and prayer to God that they may be saved who are ignorant of and enemâ—es to the righteousness of God it framâ—s them to some like mindedness with their heavenly fatâ—er and causeth their hearts to burn within them in an ardent affection to and desire of the good of those that are ignorant and out of the way 1 Joh. 4. 14 16. Luke 24. 26 27 32. Jer. 20. 9. Whereas others that have not received thâ—s judgment that one died for all and rose again what appearance of zeal and devotion soever they have yet the love of Christ doth not constrain hereto but either they do what they do that they may have praise of men or out of a desire of filthy lucre or to establish a righteousness to themselves yea and this judgment received and believed is the bottom ground and motive to move them that have it to feed the flock of Christ to pray them to be further reconciled to God and not to receive his grace in vain 2 Cor. 5. 14 19 21. 6. 1. their hearts are purified in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto the unfeigned love of the brethren 1 Pet. 1. 22. And so 2. They have this further motive to move them to feed the Church that they are Christ's flock the Church of God which he hath purchaâ—ed with hâ—s own blood not only hath he given himself a ransom to God for them as he hath done for all but he so evidenced the preciousness of his blood to them in the peace and atonement which he thereby made in the victory thereby obtained in the righteousness thereby compleated in the fulness of grace and truth thereby received in the New Testament and everlasting Covenant thereby confirmed as that they not being disobedient to the heavenly call were hereby redeemed unto God and what things were formerly gain to them these they counted loss for Christ and so were made of the chosen generation and of his flock in a peculiar consideration being all baptized into one body and made to drink into one spirit called in one hope of their calling c. such as Christ loves with peculiar manner of love and frames those that receive his grace to the same mind even to do good to all but especially to the houshold of faith Gal. 6. 10. to love one another with a pure heart fervently 1 Pet. 1. 22. and so to be followers of God as dear children and walk in love as Christ hath loved them Eph. 5. 1 2. This is a great moâ—ive for a servant to love and seek the good oâ— such as are his Lord's children and such as he delights in So Peter from this motive exhorts the Elders Feed the flock of God that is among you 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. yea and in that they are his flock there is contained in it this further incouragement that he will bless and assist their helpers and be with them in the faithful declaration of the Gospel unto the end of the world Mat. 28. 18 20. For who goeth a warfare at any timâ— at his own charges yea these had some oversight of the flock committed to them and it is required of Stewards that a man be found faithful and the shepherd will require the flock at their hands Ezek. 34. 10. Oh let such take heed therefore to themselves and to all the flock that they may be pure from the blood of all men Nay surely in their places and according to their capacity all the holy brethren are partakers of the heavenly calling though not all chosen into office and the grace of God doth instruct them and God their Shepherd doth furnish them that they may edifie one another on their most holy faith Jude 20 21. 1 Thes 5. 11. Rom. 15. 14. The manifestation
of the Spirit is given to every one of the chosen generation to profit withal and they ought to be teachers who are faithful in the Lord 1 Cor. 12. 7. Heb. 3. 1. â— 12. and it is required of them to look diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God Heb 12. 15. 3. To move hereto also our God hath in the word of his grace set great incouragement befoâ—e them that when the great shepherd shall appear they that have fed the flock faithfully or who shall be reputed graciously so to have done shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 1 4. he will then say to such Well done good and faithful servant c. Oh then blessed will that servant be whom the Lord when he comes shall find so doing viz. giving to his houshold their portion of meat in due season Of a truth saith our Saviour I say unto you that he will make him ruler over all that he hath Mat. 25. 21 23. Luke 19. 17. 12. 42 44. Dan. 12. 3. And on the other hand wo will be to them that have received the word of reconciliation if they hold not forth the woâ—d of life in word and conversation but abuse their talent or hide it in a napkin the Lord will be terrible to them Oh that therefore knowing the terror of the Lord they may labour that whether present or absent they may be accepted of him Luke 12. 45 48. Mat. 25. 24 30. 1 Cor. 9. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 9 11. Yea and to provoke these to whom he speaks to feed the flock and therefore to commit themselves to God and the word of his grace he adds ver 29. I know that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock and this leads us to the next general head proposed viz. That he doth commit them all to God and the word of his grace 2. For their preservation that they might not be destroyed or moved from the faith by such as would indeavour it but might trust in God before the sons of men By grievous Wolves is here meant as is before said 1. Violent persons who indeavour by force and cruelty to scatter the flock and cause them to flee as a Bird to their Mountain to cast in their lot among them for this is the end of their persecutions and secret speech of all their cruelty Psal 11. 1 2. these are called Wolves Mat. 10. 16 23. Luke 10. 3. And so the Psalmist speaking of the wicked that persecute the poor saith His wayes are alwayes grievous and in such grievous wayes they walk because of their evil thoughts as is there said God is not in all his thoughts Or all his thoughts are there is no God and hence his wayes are alwayes grievous and Gods judgments both of his mouth and hand are far above out of his sight Those wayes and persons walking therein are grievous to God they grieve him at the heart and they are grievous to the congregation of Gods poor ones Psal 10. 4 5 9. So it is said of those oppressive and cruel rulers even amongst those on whom God's name was called they decree unrighteous decrees and write grievousness which they have prescribed Isa 10. 1. Psal 31. 18. yea and Princes and Judges in the professed Church were for their cruelty compared to Wolves Ezek. 22. 27. Zeph. 3. 3. 2. Hereby is also signified false Prophets that come to corrupt from the simplicity that is in Christ and the voice of whose instructions which cause to err from the words of knowledge in sum is stollen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret places is pleasant Prov. 9. 17. who commend unto us somewhat which is not the bread which wisdom hath prepared for that is the flesh of Christ which he hath given for the life of the world Prov. 9. 5 17. Joh. 6. 51. such are called Wolves as Mat. 7. 15. Beware of false Prophets that come to you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly they are ravening Wolves So those that come with a strange voice from that of Christs those thieves and robbers that come not in by the door these are compared to Wolves and do come to catch and scatter the sheep John 10. 1 5 10 12. And herein both violent and deceitful persons agree they are both enemies to and such as will not spare the flock Now then that they might be preserved from the fear and terror of the former and the deceit and subtilâ—y of the latter he commits them to God and the word of his grace thereby giving us to understand that the name of the Lord is a strong tower and those that run into it shall be set on high Prov. 18. 10. according to that Whoso hearkneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of evil Prov. 1. 33. And so the Apostle when he foâ—â—waâ—ns Timothy That all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution and that evil men persecuters and seducers â—alse Propheâ—s shall wax worse and worse He adds But continuâ—â—hou in the things thou hast learned of God in the word of his grace this will preserve thee from the evil of the violence of the one and cunning craftiness of the other 2 Tim. 3. 12 14. 1. Then the Apostle here commits them to God and the word of his grace with desire they should commit themselves to him and it and be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and so rest in the Lord expecting his gracious preservation of them from the hurt of those grievous violent Wolves and waiting patiently for him induring hardness as good Soldiers of Christ Jesus not being afraid of the terror of persecuters neither being troubled or hindered from holding fast the profession of their faith 2. Tim. 2. 1 3. Psal 37. 7. 1 Pet. 3. 14. And in this he signifies to us that there is good cause and incouragement to commit our selves to God and the word of his grace when he is taking away eminent and faithful instruments and suffering grievous wolves to enter in At such a time in the Lord we may praise his word and be strong in him and the power of his might Now especially when the godly man ceaseth the wicked then insult and say Seeing the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do now they cry flee as a Bird to our Mountain your pillars the principal of the flock are removed those upon whom you leaned and who were supporters to you and upholders of you and what will you now do at such a time as this when they thus rejoyce the righteous have this still to incourage themselves in Though those you call foundations are removed yet the Lord is in his holy Temple the Lord's throne is in heaven Psal 11. 1 4. yea now especially as before is noted he hath promised that he will be nigh to them for the oppression of the poor