A TREATISE CONCERNING the free grace of God the Father, and of the love of Jesus Christ. In which is contained the Fountain of precious Consolation to all the Saints beloved and redeemed. PSAL. 46 4. Yet there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God: even the sanctuary of the tabernacles of the most High. By TIMOTHY BATT. LONDON: Printed by T. P. and M. S. for Ed. Blackmore, at the Angel in Paul's Churchyard 1643. TO THE BELOVED Churches in God the FATHER, and in JESUS CHRIST the blessed Redeemer, living in Transilvania, sanctified in Christ Jesus, grace and mercy be multiplied from God our Father, and from Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. DEarly beloved, seeing we are bound, by the dear love of Christ, not to conceal the mind of Christ, and that we are not our own, but every one bound by the bond of dear affection, to tender the good one of another, not only in temporal, and common affairs, but also in spiritual and celestial matters; and not to retain as churlish Nabal, but rather dispense as Booz, unto Ruth; I therefore upon the aforesaid considerations am determined according to the strength and power which Christ hath given unto me, to bring to the view of the Saints, this heavenly Doctrine of free grace, of vocation by the Spirit, of Adoption, of Mediation by the Lord of life, and glory; of Reconciliation by his blood; of sanctification, by the Spirit; of union through faith and love, and of glorification through that sweet communion which we shall enjoy in him who is the Lord of life and blessedness for ever. To whom shall I present these lines? except to you who know the mystery of life and salvation, who are heirs and coheires with God in Christ, who have interest in all that is the Fathers, and Jesus Christ's whom he hath sent, and walk in the light, as Christ is the light of truth, and Redemption. I am persuaded of your entire loves and affections to the Word of life and salvation; and that nothing is so dear unto you as to hear of the praise of your beloved. In the true knowledge of what is Christ's, consists the true solace of heart, joy in conscience, and contentment of mind. What joy? what peace? what consolation can be without this knowledge? that God communicates to his grace, undeserving: that they are called from the kingdom of Satan, to the kingdom of Christ: that they who were slaves, and captives of hell, are made the brethren of Christ, that they are united to the beloved Christ, from whom they receive their being, and well-being, that they are sanctified by the Spirit of life, which frees them from the law of sin, and death; that they are clothed with the royal robes of Christ, and that they shall for ever dwell with Christ, in the heavenly Jerusalem. This fountain is as Gileads balm, and Damascus rivers; As a continual spring, of the sweetest repast: as a fountain of overflowing pleasures, and the delightsome delectation of all the faithful. Hath eyes seen, hath ears heard, or mind conceived the admirable joys, that God hath laid up for them that love him? or hath eye seen, ear heard, or mind conceived the singular consolation which comes from the knowledge of these to the Saints through the hand of a Mediator? Was Jacob joyful because Joseph was yet alive? was Isaac comforted because of Rebeckah his wife? and may not the Saints be consolated in this divine love and favour through the testimony of the Spirit? O the height of favour, O the deepness of love, O the breadth of grace, and the longitude of free immense, and in comprehense mercy of God to his poor servants, that the clouds are discussed, the mists and fogs of darkness dispersed, and the Saints behold the mirror of divine glory in the face of Jesus Christ! I confess (beloved brethren) that my talents in number answereth his who had but two; and the composure of these lines are as the glean of the vintage: yet doubt I not of your loving and sweet acceptation, therefore I rest upon your loving acceptance: yet will I never rest, nor cease day and night imploring and beseeching the Father of supereminent grace, and bounty, to seal these spiritual and heavenly benedictions to your souls, wishing your strength like Judah's; your blessing like joseph's, and your triumph like Gads, through the good will of him who was in the bush; and the sweet pleasure of him who died on the Cross: that so you may be preserved from misery, unto eternal felicity, through the Son of everlasting righteousness and glory; to whom be ascribed all glory, and honour for ever and evermore. Amen. Yours in all love, and dear affection in the Rock Christ, TIMOTHEUS BATT. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. Christian Reader, THou art not ignorant that the barren ground is not answerable to the fruitful soil, notwithstanding through the dewy drops, which cometh from the clouds, it yields fruits for the use of man; Though that the expressions of lines do not superabound with the sweetness of phrase, or curiousness of stile, yet according to the strength which from Christ I have received, I have not been wanting for thy use or benefit: Insensible creatures express according to that which to them is communicated; and shall not man, who is a sensible creature, express according to communication? The divine and abundant love of God, binds not only life, but pen to move, if it may make for his glory, and the honour of Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent; Both the great and little foxes run abroad to obscure the doctrine of grace and justification: It is neither known to the Papists, nor taught in the Churches of Arminians, it is our Crown, and dignity, not only to hold forth the Word of life and salvation by preaching, but also by writing. Light is given to the Sun, that the lower region might be enlightened: In the plejades is placed the strengths of influence, that of inferior things it might be received. The end of God's donation to rationals, is, that to others it might be revealed. Every element moves to its proper place; the earth and water downward; and air and fire upward: every good Christian moves to his proper end, to wit, to the glory of his Maker, and the good of his brethren. If a man plants a vineyard, it yields its fruits in time convenient; If we have spent our labours in studies, shall it not be declared in time expedient? What is hotter than fire? Love, Love as a fire within my breast, hath burned a long season: Therefore I could not choose but set my pen to paper in the course of indictment: these have I not indicted because they are not known, but because they are known; or that the yongnes of days could equal the gravest sentences of the ancient, or that my ambition is to answer the meanest of Rhetoricians: but because my candle is lighted, and two talents must not be interred, sigh that for the benefit of others it is convenient they should be used: (these presented) passing thy meditation, expect not the strongness of the aged, or the boughs of a Cedar, from a twig, but let thy wisdom and discretion (Christian Reader) pass by the weakness of the writer; More must not be expected then is communicated; therefore it is not meet that acceptation should be further requested, yet requesting that the benefit of these may be to thy conscience sealed, that thou mayst live, and not die; that thou mayest die, and live no more to the creature, but to God blessed for ever. To whom be ascribed all blessedness through Christ Jesus for evermore. Thine in the Lord Christ, beloved of the Father, and respected of the Saints, Timothy Batt. The Table of the several Heads contained in this Book. 1. Of Grace. 2. Of Election. 3. Of the Covenant of Grace. 4. Of Union. 5. Of Vocation. 6. Of Adoption. 7. Of Redemption. 8. Of Christ's Mediation. 9 Of Reconciliation. 10. Of Justification. 11. Of Sanctification. 12. Of Glorification. CHAP. I. Concerning Grace. Definition. 1. THe Hebrew word Chen, from Chanan, doth signify to pity: The Greek ward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from charistomaj, signifies to show kindness to a man immeriting, or undeserving. Definition. 2. Grace is the free benevolence, or gracious favour of God the Father in Christ, through which he loves his chosen and peculiar people, remitting their transgressions; imputing them just and righteous, and bestowing on them the spirit of Adoption, and eternal hope and benediction: Jer. 31.33, 34. I will be their God, and they shall be my people; I will forgive their sin, and their iniquity I will remember no more. Ephes. 1.3. Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ. 3. The prevenient grace of God is, that through which God loves his, in the beloved, without any respect to any merits or deservings in his own peculiar, 1. Joh. 4.19. We love him, because he loved us first. 4. The concomitant grace of God is that whereby he doth continually supply his own with sweet communion with himself in the day of grace, and perfect fruition, and communion with his Christ in the eternal weight of glory. 1. Joh. 1.3. That which we have seen and heard, that declare we unto you, that ye may have communion with us, and our communion is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 5. The subsequent and prevenient grace of God are all one, and the same, only they differ in respect of dispensation. 6. Operating grace is that, which changeth the mind, will, and affection. Cooperating grace is that which makes the Saints move to Godward, when the will is changed 1. Cor. 6.11. Such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Phil. 4.13. I am able to do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 7. The grace of Christ is that whereby he dispenseth abundantly to the Saints from the overflowing and abundance of grace enwrapped within himself; and procureth for his eternal favour, through which they are ever beloved of his Father, Joh. 1.16. And of his fullness all we receive, grace for grace. Judas 21. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8. The supereminency of divine grace and bounty is declared, in the redemption, union, and salvation of the unworthy, and immeriting. Ephes. 2.7. That he might show, in the ages to come, the supereminent riches of his grace, according to his bounty towards us in Christ. 9 Grace is proposed unto all, in the Gospel of life, and reconciliation, but made effectual to none but the Saints, believing; Hebr. 4.2. The Word profited them not, because it was not mixed with faith in them which heard it. 10. The fruits of holiness and righteousness mediately are produced, by the Saint's communion with Christ; and immediately by grace, the cause of everlasting hope and reconciliation. 1. Joh. 1.6. If we say we have communion with him, and walk in darkness, we make him a liar, and there is no truth in us. Tit. 2.11. The grace of God which bringeth salvation to all men, hath appeared, vers. 12. Teaching us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live chastely, godly, and righteously, in this present world. 11. The collocation of inestimable and unspeakable graces abounded in Christ, sigh he was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows, and the Spirit was not given to him by measure, Hebr. 1.9. Joh. 3.34. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God, for God giveth him not the Spirit by measure. 12. There is an inseparable conjunction between the grace of God and the satisfaction of the Lord Christ, sigh the Lord Christ hath not otherwise merited life and salvation by his merit or satisfaction, save by the favour or divine pleasure of his Father. Luk. 22.42. Father if thou wilt take this cup from me, nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done. Joh 3.16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believed on him might not perish, but have eternal life. 13. There is an inseparable bond betwixt the satisfaction of Christ, and the pleasure of God the Father. Hence whatsoever the Lord Christ hath procured, it is his Father's pleasure to bestow it. Matth. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. 14. The inestimable grace of God, which is collocated in the Lord Jesus, and from him effectually bestowed on the Saints redeemed, cannot utterly be abolished or extinguished. Rom. 8.39. Neither height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 15. The Lord Christ by the grace of supplement, doth supply the travellers of his hope, in the estate of love and mercy, and by the grace of compliment doth crown his peculiar with the fruition of glorious and full communion in the estate of glory, 1. Cor. 1.30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who is made unto us wisdom of God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; Which is his body, the compliment of him who filleth all in all. Ephes. 1.23. 16. Answerable to the act of faith pitching upon God the Father in his beloved Christ, so is the gracious enjoyment of the sense of God's free mercy, and benevolence in Christ. Ephes. 3.17, 18, 19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. 18. That being rooted, and grounded in love, ye may be able to comprehend what is the breadth, and the length, and the depth, and the height. 19 And to know the love of Christ which passeth all knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God. 17. Pacification of spirit, and peace of conscience ariseth, whilst the faithful rest on God's fatherly indulgency, being certainly persuaded that whatsoever they do according to his pleasure, is accepted in the hands of Christ Mediator, Ephes. 1. Unto the praise and glory of his grace, whereby he hath freely accepted us in his beloved. 18. The effects of divine grace and favour, are the remission of sins, the imputation of righteousness, the donation of the Spirit of peace and consolation, and everlasting blessedness in the kingdom of hope and fruition. 2. Thess. 2.13. God hath chosen us from the beginning unto salvation by sanctification of the Spirit, and the faith of truth. 14. Now the same Lord Jesus Christ and God; even our Father which hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace. 19 Christ died for the sins of his Saints, and is risen again for their righteousness and justification; so that he is not only become our salvation, but his Father is gracious, and propitious to us for his sake. Rom. 4.25. He was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification. Matth. 17.5. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear him. 20. As by the sin of Adam we were estranged from God, and destinated to destruction: so by the obedience of Christ we are received into favour, and imputed righteous to justification. Rom. 5.19. As by the disobedience of one man many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one man many were made righteous. 21. God began to embrace through free favour whom he loved freely before the foundation of the world: than it appeared apparently when he reconciled us to himself through the precious blood of his beloved Son. Ephes. 2.4.13. Through his great love wherewith he loved us, now in Christ Jesus, ye who were sometime afar off, hath he made nigh by the blood of his Son. 22. God through his benevolence hath not only given the body of Christ, but the soul of Christ, to feel the sense of his wrath for the redemption of mankind; that although we were lost, we might be found; and although through the law we could hear nothing but condemnation; yet now through Christ we may hear the sentence of salvation. Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that abideth not in all things which are written in the Law to do them. 2. Tim. 1.10. But now is made manifest by the glorious coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and brought in life, and immortality into light by the Gospel. 23. In this hath appeared the immense love of God towards men; whilst he was sent into the world for their delivery; whilst he was made a sacrifice to pacify the wrath of his Father, which was so hot against them. 1. Joh. 4.10 In this is love, not that we have loved God; but that he hath loved us, and hath sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 24. God was most clementious, and propitious in the beloved Christ, making him the Redeemer of humane generation; whilst the beloved Christ was willing to redeem them. Heb. 10.6, 7. Burnt-offerings and sacrifice thou wouldst not for sin: then said I, behold I come. In the volume of thy book it is w itten of me, that I should do thy will, O God. 25. The free grace of God is the stay of the mind, the prop of the soul, and the hope of the conscience, in the midst of all sorrow and tribulations. Lament. 3.21, 22. This call I to mind therefore have I hope: It is the Lords mercy we are not consumed: but his compassions fail not. 26. If any man shall set himself before the tribunal seat of an angry God, he shall not stand; being there is nothing in him that may merit favour, or deserve love at the hands of God. Psal. 130.3. If Jah shall observe iniquities, O Lord who shall stand! 27. Christ through his obedience hath obtained favour, he hath satisfied for our sins; he hath born the punishment for us; and through his obedience God is well pleased. 2. Cor. 2.21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Contemplation. O Christian, look to the Rock from whence thou art hewn; and to the hole of the pit from whence thou art digged: all that thou receivest is from free favour and grace of a loving Father; had he not favoured thee, where hadst thou remained? or where hadst thou been? assuredly in the bottomless pit, under the heat of everlasting burn, bound by the black swadle bands of the devil; locked up under the blackness of darkness to the judgement of the great day; arraigned by the power of justice, and condemned by the moral Law, never to have heard the sweet sound of reconciliation; or the heavenly harmony of the gracious doctrine of redemption, except the bowels of overflowing mercy had yearned, and the gracious countenance of thy loving Father had been manifested: The clouds open, and distil their drops, to the refreshing and replenishing of the sublunary creature. Thy gracious Father hath yearned by the bowels of his compassion, and hath replenished and refreshed thy soul with his abundant kindness. Thy days might have been days of sorrow, and thy night's nights of terror: The terrors of death, the horrors of hell; and the affrightment of a woeful conscience might have sadded thee, had not free love and superabundant grace prevented: Is not his grace better to thee then kingdoms? then Consulships? then riches? then Honours? then dignities? or dominions? The Disciples wondered at the rare and famous buildings of the Temple, and mayest not thou wonder at the excellency and incomparableness of the free grace of God thy celestial Father? O how sweet is his grace unto me! is it not as an ointment poured out? as the sweetest drops distilling from the fullest clouds? and as the sweetest dews upon the tender herb? Did the babe spring in the womb of Elizabeth, at Mary's salutation? and doth not joy spring in my conscience, because of free grace in everlasting redemption? Here is grace incomparable, here is mercy ineffable, and here is bounty unalterable; is not this the River from whence my soul hath water? is not this the Sun from whence my mind hath light? is not this the heart from whence my will receiveth vital motion? I am adopted to be a son elected to salvation, redeemed from bonds, united to the Lord Jesus Christ; But from whence flows all these? but from the rivers of free love, and the fountain of gracious love and bounty? My life, my hope, my peace, my rest, my faith, my all, is from Christ, all in all, as the Apostle saith, Rom. 11. last verse, For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be praise and glory for ever. Amen. CHAP. II. Concerning Election. 1. ELection is the selecting or choosing of some certain men, that the glorious and supereminent grace of God may be manifested upon them. Rom. 9.23. That he might declare the riches of his glory upon the vessels of mercy, which he hath prepared unto glory. 2. God in the election of free grace wils the glory of the riches of his grace, and the everlasting benediction of his people. Hence he hath disposed a way for them, that they may come to everlasting life and benediction. Ephes. 1.5, 6. Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ in himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. vers. 6. Unto the praise of the glory of his grace, whereby he hath made us freely accepted in his beloved. 3. Christ is not the meritorious or impulsive cause of election, nothing in election must be considered, but the mere and free goodness of God our heavenly Father. Ephes. 1.11. In him, I say, in whom we have obtained lot, whilst we were predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. 4. The fruition of glorious salvation is founded on the free mercy and bounty of a loving God; the matter upon the obedience or satisfaction of Christ the instrument is faith, and the end is the glory or illustration of divine mercy. Ephes. 1.4. As he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we may be holy, and unblameable before him in love. 5. The elect can never fall finally or totally from grace received, sigh in Christ their grace is founded, and that God's love to them in Christ cannot be altered. Isa. 54.10. For the mountains shall remove, and the hills shall fall down, but my mercy shall not departed from thee; neither shall the covenant of my peace fall away, saith the Lord, that hath compassion on thee. Rom. 8. last verse, Neither height, nor depth, nor any other 〈◊〉, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 6. To the Elect is given the sound and solid knowledge of God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent; sigh that to them is not only given the knowledge of the letter, but also the revelation of the mystery of God & Christ, through the Spirit. Colos. 1.27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory. Contemplation. BEfore man had a being, God moved to man through love the being and well-being of every creature; He singled Angels to stand in the estate of purity, and man to stand in the estate of innocence and integrity; Love chose us before we were chosen; Love embraced us before we loved. Much was given to Mary, she loved much; much is given to the Saints before they loved; before we were the children of wrath, we were the children of mercy, and whilst we were the children of mercy, we became the children of wrath; we were that we are not; through love we are that we were not; not for beauty, amiableness, or comeliness, not for works, do, and performances; not for riches, honours, or dignities, are we chosen to salvation. Our silver became dross, our excellency became a dunghill of iniquity; and our glory was turned to impurity. The Father of mercy moved in mercy, shown mercy, and yearning in the bowels of compassion, encompassed poor souls with dear compassions: when they were in their blood he said unto them, Live; when they lay wallowing in their blood, he made them live for ever; they were received when the righteous were refused; the poor prodigals are received in their father's house, when the self-conceited are despised. The loveliest stars and the choicest cedars were chosen for the building of the Temple; the poorest spirits, and the captives of hope, are chosen to be temples of the holy Ghost: Oh my soul, thou art become a child of bounty, through bounty; and a vessel of glory through the riches of eternal glory: thy Father delighted in thee when thou hadst no delight in him; he loved thee when thou hadst no love to him, and gave thee the right hand of fellowship and communion, when thou stoodst not related to Godward, by relation or union. Fear nothing, O my soul, what though thou art not famous, nor glorious in the world? what though thou possessest not the riches and pleasures thereof? what though no eye under heaven show pity or compassion towards thee? yet thy God will extend the bowels of that his tender bounty towards thee. Art thou not chosen of mercy, to express mercy? and a vessel of glory, to express the riches of his glory? thou art chosen to be that thou wouldst be, and denied to be that thou wouldst not be; denied to be a child of wrath, and death, and chosen to be an heir of mercy, and life. What wilt thou give to God for so great a kindness? what wilt thou render to God for so great a favour? though thou canst not answer mercy; yet declare of mercy: and though thou wantest in the expression of favour, yet declare and express the favour of thy loving God and Father. Psal. 136.23. Who remembered us in our base estate, for his mercy endureth for ever. CHAP. III. Concerning the Covenant of grace. Definition. THe Covenant of grace, is the free promise of God in Christ Jesus, through which he strongly assureth his chosen people, that he will be their God, and they shall be his people. Jer. 31.31, 32, 33. The 31. verse, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah. The 32. Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, which my Covenant they break, although I was an husband unto them, saith the lord The 33. But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts: and will be their God, and they shall be my people. The difference betwixt the old and the new Covenant. 1. Under the old they had the promise of Christ to come; we the testification that Christ is come. 1. Joh. 5.6. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood: and it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 2. They had the time of infancy and bondage; we the time of freedom, and the spirit of adoption. Galat. 4 5, 6. The 5. To redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. The 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 3. In old time it was made known only to one people; in our time, to all Nations under heaven Isa. 54.1. Sing O barren, thou that didst not bear: break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travel with child; for more are the children of the desolate, than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord. Rom. 10.6, 7, 8. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise; Say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven? that is to bring Christ down from above. 7. Or who shall descend into the deep? that is to bring Christ again from the dead. 8. But what saith it, the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is the word of faith which we preach. 4. They had the grace of God darkly, and obscurely; we plainly, and apparently. 2. Cor. 3.18. But we all with open face beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 5. The communication or gifts of the Spirit under the Gospel of reconciliation, are more excellent than those which have been communicated under the Law. Act. 2.17, 18. the 17. And it shall come to pass in the last days (saith God) I will pour out of my Spirit upon all lesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. The 18. And on my servants, and on my handmaids, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 6. The old Covenant was given by Moses, this by Jesus Christ. Joh. 1.17. For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 7. The old Covenant binds us over to absolute righteousness; the new commands us to seek it in Christ the Lord our righteousness. Joh. 6.40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seethe the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Rom. 3.26. To declare I say at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 8. The old Covenant was given to impel men to Christ; the new to hold forth and exhibit Christ. Joh. 5.39. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me. 9 The proper object of the old was to consternate and humble; the new to comfort them who are consternated, and humbled. Matth. 11.28, 29. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 10. They differ by accident, and through our infirmity, for the Law without the Gospel is insufficient to salvation. Rom. 8.3. For what the Law could not do, in as much as it was weak through the flesh; God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. 11. The Lord Christ is the Mediator of the new Covenant, not only because the Covenant is made with his for his sake; but because through the virtue of his mediation, this Covenant cannot be disannulled. Hebr. 8.6.9. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established upon better promises. 9 Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they continued not in my Covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 12. The supereminent, superabundant, and superexcellent grace of God, our dear and propitious Father, is manifested to his poor servants, in that he hath established the everlasting Covenant of free grace and mercy in the hand of Christ Mediator. 2. Cor. 1.20. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Hebr. 9.15. And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 13. The Covenant of grace is an everlasting and perpetual Covenant, sigh the foundation of that Covenant is the free grace of God; and the ratification and confirmation of the same is the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hebr. 12.24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel. 14. The supereminence of divine grace and favour hath not only appeared in this, that he hath established this Covenant in the hand of a Mediator; but also in this, that he hath smitten a Covenant with the immeriting and undeserving. Hos. 2. the last; And I will sow her unto me in the earth, and I will have mercy upon her, that had not obtained mercy: and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people: and they shall say, thou art my God. 15. The grace of God is the ground; the blood of Christ the matter; the end, eternal life and beatitude, made over to the faithful in all ages, that they might be certainly and fully assured that God will be their God and Father everlasting. Hos. 2.19. And I will betrothe thee unto me for ever: yea I will betrothe thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgement, and in loving kindness, and in mercy. 16. The true and solid knowledge of this free Covenant of grace & bounty, causeth the beloved Saints and believers to hate all Pharisaical performances, or the righteousness of Justiciaries. Phil. 3.9. That I may be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is by the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God through faith. 17. The benefits of the free Covenant of pity and clemency, are the remission of sins and condonation of transgression; the donation of the Spirit, everlasting and continual communion with the Lord Christ in the kingdom of felicity; perseverance in the state of grace, by the all-sufficient hand of God, our clementious and heavenly Father. Jer. 31.34. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: For they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, saith the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. 1. Joh. 3 24. And he that keepeth his Commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him; and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 1. Pet. 1.5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, to be revealed in the last time. 18. The intrinsical seal of the Covenant of grace and salvation, is the Spirit of glory and obsignation; the extrinsical, is the Lords Supper, & Baptism. 1. John. 5.8. And there are three that bear witness in earth; the Spirit, and the water, and blood: and these three agree in one. 1. Cor. 10.16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 19 Whosoever are under the Covenant of grace, are not under the Law, but under grace; not under the jurisdiction of the devil, but under the rule and command of Christ; not under the dominion of sin and transgression, but under the Regiment of the Spirit of life and adoption. Rom. 8.2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom. 8.14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 20. The faithful after the time they are assured that God is their God through the Covenant of free grace and mercy; are wholly removed from the bar of justice, to hear what tidings of peace, mercy, and salvation, shall come from the throne of grace and mercy. Hebr. 12.18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. 21. The Covenant of grace is smitten with the faithful in Christ the only and absolute Mediator, before they come to the true and effectual assurance thereof in their hearts and consciences. 22. The joy of the holy Ghost doth then fill the hearts of the faithful, when in the receiving the seals of the Covenant, they through the act of faith, do firmly and strongly behold the marvellous and exceeding freeness of that, to them undeserving. 1. Tim. 1.14, 15. the 14. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith, and love, which is in Christ Jesus. 15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 23. If any man would have assured confidence that he shall live immortally, and that grace communicated to him shall never be removed, or extinguished; let him turn his eye upon the freeness and newness of the new Covenant, established and confirmed to him in the hand of a Mediator. Hebr. 8.6. 24. The Moral Law is no part of the new Covenant, in equality and substance, it is the same which was made with Adam in his innocency and integrity. Gal. 3.12. And the law is not of faith; but the man that doth them, shall live in them. 25. As the Father of admirable love and kindness makes his covenant with his in Christ; so doth every Christian make his covenant with God in Christ, sigh that in himself there is nothing but indigency, want, and deficiency; and that through Christ the fountain and wellspring of fullness and excellency, he may receive sufficient to perform what he hath promised to God-ward for his own particular. Joh. 15.5. I am the Vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 26. Our covenant is an holy resignation of soul and body, to serve, obey, fear and love God, our dear and loving Father, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, in answer to that free Covenant which he hath made to us in Christ, when he chose us to be a peculiar people zealous of good works. Rom. 12.1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Tit. 2.14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Contemplation. THe eye that seethe, the ear that heareth, the mind that conceiveth the immense and incomprence love of God to his, may admire that God through grace should make a new covenant of grace to his people, undeserving grace; he saw them in their blood, defiled, stained, spotted, and impure; yet he chose, and did not refuse them in that woeful state and condition. Though they were unfaithful to God in the first covenant, he is faithful to them in the second: through the breach of the first they lost all; through the help of Christ in the second they recover all, in that they stood not in the first, they shut the gates of heaven upon themselves; through, or by virtue of the second, heaven is open for them to have free entrance: though the Law of works speak bitter, heavy, and terrible things to the conscience, yet the second speaks not of bitterness, dreadfulness, or terribleness; but of favour, bounty, and benignity to the soul or spirit. The first was in the hand of man, the second in the hand of Christ. Hence it is so fast strong, and permanent, that neither heights, nor depths, principalities, nor powers, neither dominions, nor the prince of darkness with all his rabble, can annihilate, disannul, or bring to nothing. O Christian, whilst thou art comprehended, behold that which is incomprehensible; whilst thou art measured, behold that which is immeasurable; whilst thou ponderest of something, ponder of that which is unutterable. Rom. 11.33. O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God; how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out! CHAP. FOUR Concerning Union. Definition. 1. Union is the work of the Spirit of Christ through faith, whereby the Saints are united unto Christ, and to the Father in Christ, to the end they may enjoy communion in the promises and benefits of Christ in the state of grace, and in the estate of glory, everlasting beatitude and perfection. 1. Cor. 6.17. But he that is joined unto the Lord, is one spirit. 1. Cor. 3.22. Whether Paul, or Apollo's, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is Gods. 2. The faithful are not only united to Christ, by faith as the instrumental cause, by the Spirit, the cause principalliter operans; but also by the blood of Christ as the cause material. Ephes. 2.13. But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were fare off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 3. It hath not only been the divine pleasure or benevolence of our heavenly Father, that we should be united to his dearly beloved Son by nature, but that we should be united to him by a secret and mystical union. Joh. 17.23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one: and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me. 4. The Son of God took upon him the humane nature of mankind, through which he is joined to all men; but that is infirm, and weak, and not able to bring us to eternal glory without the union mystical. I in them, and they in me, etc. Joh. 17.24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 5. This union is produced through effectual vocation, through which the Saints are brought from the world's delectation to love the Lord Christ, with a dear, entire, and tender affection. 1. Cor. 1.9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Cant. 1.2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy love is better than wine. 6. By how much the Saints feel the sense of God's dear and sweet bounty, and enjoy sweet communion with their Lord that bought them; by so much the more they rejoice in the love and fellowship one of another. 1. Joh. 1.7. But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 7. There is so strong an union betwixt Christ and his Saints, that there is no need of his corporal presence in this veil of misery; sith more excellent benefits redounds to the Saints by his presence in heaven, than if he should remain on earth. Hence he is said to have consummated the work of our redemption, to sit at the right hand of God, to make intercession for us, and to go to his Father to provide for us an habitation. Joh. 14.3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that Where I am, there ye might be also. 8. The greatest dignity under heaven is to be a member of Jesus Christ; a branch of the vine Christ, and one of the spouses to Christ our royal and loving Bridegroom. Hence the Church glories in her privilege. Cant. 2.16. My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the Lilies. Revel. 19.7, 8, 9 Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honour unto him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8. And to her was granted, that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of Saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Writ, blessed are they which are called to the marriage of the Lamb. 9 All the strength, power, & might of all the enemies of salvation, cannot separate the branches from the vine; the members from the head, or the spouses of the Lord Christ, from Christ her dear and loving Bridegroom, Because they are made perfect in one through union with Christ, and with the Father in Christ. Joh. 17.23. 10. Christ by the grace of compliment, will crown all his absolutely with full fruition in the kingdom of beatitude; and with the grace of supplement in the kingdom of grace, and primary communion, that they might not want in the day of fiery trials a supply by his gracious hand of dispensation. Revel. 22.5. And there shall be no light there, and they need no candle, neither light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever. Joh. 1.16. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. 11. There is an inseparable link betwixt union with Christ, the peace and obsignation of the Spirit of glory, and the fruits of holiness and righteousness to the glory of the Father. Joh. 15.5.8. the 5. I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. The 8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. 12. The united have interest in God through Christ, from whom they receive the spirit of Adoption, which worketh in them effectually, that they might be delivered from sin, and regenerated to the hope of eternal life. 1. Cor. 3.22. Whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours. 1. Pet. 1.3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which ac-according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Josus Christ from the dead. 13. The members of Christ are moved by the same Spirit, known by the same badge of love, fruit and charity, and have the same end, which is life eternal and salvation. Joh. 15.16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you; and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my Name, he may give it you. 1. Pet. 1.9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 14. Though the Saints, who are united unto Christ, may appear to be dead in themselves, yet the life which they received in their first communion and union with Christ, cannot be utterly abolished or extinguished; The ground is this, sigh there is an inseparable conjunction betwixt the perpetual communion and everlasting union of the Saints with and in Christ their Lord that loved them, and bought them with an eternal worth or price impervestigable. Contemplation. Who could search the depth of the waters of the Sanctuary? or who can search the depth of this glorious and heavenly mystery? It is a mystery of mysteries, a depth of depths, and a riddle past finding out. If I had the tongue of a thousand Angels, the rationality of a thousand men, yet could I not relate the excellency of this union betwixt Christ and the soul, and the soul and Christ; Rare is the influence of celestial bodies in sublunary creatures; Rare is the vital motion in rational creatures; but more is the working of Christ in them, who are his redeemed and united people. O my soul, when thou wast as far from Christ, as heaven is from hell, as the East is from the West, the North from the South, thy Lord came by his ointments poured out, by his drops of liquid myrrh, by his precious & incomparable blood, and made thee one with him, who was so distant from him; thou wast a dead branch, fit for the everlasting burn; thou wast a dead member, fit for hell's interring; thou wast a divorced Spouse, not worthy of enjoying; yet his eye of love was dear over thee, and thy Lord hath made thee, a branch, not of hell, but of the Vine of Consolation; a member, not of death, but of himself the head of his Church, and sweet dilection; a Spouse, not of an earthly Prince, and Monarch, but to himself the beloved, his Father's delectation: Oh! what love is this, that my Lord should go to the gates of death, the bars of hell, to the tribunal seat of Justice, to the chained under the black swadle bands of the devil, and fetch my soul from thence, and make me one of his: Oh! what mercy is this to my soul, that my Lord is become my Bridegroom, to satisfy me with pleasurable and delectable delights; my head, to fill me with wisdom sufficient to salvation, and my Vine, to make me abundantly fruitful through fruition; am I not bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh? Should I not enjoy the benefit of his mediation, the fruit of his glorification, and the privilege of glorious and sweet Communion? who shall separate me from the love of my sweet Saviour? shall Satan? No; shall imperfections and infirmities? No; shall the Law, or the Gaoler of hell? No; they are of no force to disjoin them whom God hath joined by a bond inseparable. Now I am assured, he will fill me with love, confirm with his promise, love me with his beloved ones; watch over my soul, and deliver me from the roar of the devil, though the Charets and horsemen of hell pursue me, I shall possess his glory of inheritance; Though I fall, I shall rise again, though I was in the veil of death, I would not be afraid, for his sweet streams would comfort me. Hence will I take up the resolution of the Psalmist, Psal. 46.2.3. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved; and though the hills be carried into the midst of the Sea. Though the waters thereof rage and swell; and though the mountains shake at the tempest thereof. CHAP. V Concerning Vocation. Definition. 1. VOcation is a gathering of men unto Christ, by the Gospel of life and everlasting salvation, that they may be united unto him, by a happy and perpetual union. 1 Cor. 1.9. God is faithful, by whom we are called unto the Communion of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 2. Vocation, is efficatious, or inefficatious. 3. Efficatious vocation is that through which the faithful are called from Satan's Kingdom, to the Kingdom of grace and glory, by the sanctifying Word of truth, and the effectual work of the Spirit, that they may not want in the appointed time, that glorious salvation which Christ their Lord hath purchased. Act. 26.18. That thou mayest open the eyes of the blind, and convert them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive the remission of sins, and an inheritance amongst them who are sanctified by faith, which is in me. 4. Inefficatious vocation, is when the sons of men are under the sentence of the Gospel of atonement and reconciliation, yet never find the effectual operation of the holy Spirit, unto an absolute Conversion; Hence many are called, and few are chosen. 5. Vocation is Universal or Special. 6. Vocation universal, is that whereby God invites all men, through the ministry of peace and propitiation, that they would come to the knowledge of himself, and Jesus Christ, the appointed Redeemer of his elect and peculiar. Col. 1.23. For which cause I Paul am made Minister, to preach the Gospel to every creature under heaven. 7. Special vocation is that whereby God doth dignify his own peculiar, whilst he doth illuminate their minds, working in their hearts effectually by his Spirit. Rom. 5.5 Moreover, hope makes not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by his holy Spirit. 8. Universal Vocation, hath been shadowed out by Types, or divine Oracles. 9 By Types, Melchesidecke, although he was a Gentile, and without the promises of Abraham, nevertheless, he was the Priest of the most high GOD, Heb. 7.1. 10. By Oracles, he shall be the expectation of the Gentiles; Mat. 12.21. And in his Name shall the Gentiles trust. 11. In vocation, there is Christ's oblation, and the Christians reception considerable. 12. Christ's offer is, that he will be a sufficient Redemption, Reconciliation, and Salvation to every one who believeth, and resteth on him, as his assured refuge and eternal Sanctury. 1 Joh. 4.14. Whosoever shall drink of the water which I shall give unto him, shall not thirst again: but the water which I shall give unto him, shall be in him a fountain of springing water unto eternal life. 13. Christ's proffer is internal and external. 14. Christ's external proffer is, when by the Ministers of the Word of truth, and salvation, he proposeth himself the only and absolute salvation in heaven and earth. Act. 4.12. Neither is there salvation in any other, neither is there any other name given under heaven, by which we must be saved. 15. Christ's internal proffer is, when Christ proposeth himself effectually to the hearts of the faithful, through which they have assured confidence, that Christ hath redeemed and saved them from sin, Satan, the Law, hell, and destruction, and that the Lord Christ will communicate to them eternal life, peace, joy, and everlasting reconciliation. Col. 2.2. That their hearts might be comforted, and they knit together in love, and in all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to know the mystery of God, even the Father, and of Christ. 16. Reception is through which the faithful do not refuse the proffer of grace, but receiveth it through the help of the Spirit of glory. Act. 10.43, 44. To him give all the Prophet's witness, that through his Name whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins. While Peter spoke these words, the holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. 17 Sometimes there is a reception of the Word of mercy and propitiation, which is not operative, or effectual to salvation. Mat. 13.20, 21. And he that receiveth seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the Word, and anon with joy receiveth it. Yet hath not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth, because of the word; by and by he is offended. 18. Reception is either taken actively or passively. 19 Actively, when the heart resteth on Christ the blessed Redeemer of his; redeemed & reconciled, passively when there is a spiritual being of grace in the hearts of actual Believers. 1 Pet. 2.2. As new borne babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. 20. Sometimes the Saints are called alone by the efficacy of the Spirit of obsignation: Sometimes by the Word, and efficacy of the Word of Life and Redemption. The Word and the Spirit are not separated in the vocation of the Saints. Ephes. 1.13. In whom also ye have trusted after that ye heard the Word of truth, even the Gospel of your salvation, wherein also after ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise. 21. All the faithful have been effectually called from eternal, by virtue of God's decree, notwithstanding the Declaration thereof, is, as it may make for their good, and the glory of God their heavenly and gracious Father. Ephes. 1.11, 12. In him, I say, in whom ye have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated, according to the purpose of him who worketh all things, after the council of his own will. That we may be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 22. God calls not all his Elect and Adopted in the same moment, to the knowledge of his sanctifying truth, and the sense of free and benignous favour and experience, Mat. 20.5, 6. 23. This hath not been without the divine pleasure of our gracious and heavenly Father, that Election which hath been before the world was, he maketh known to his by operative and effectual Vocation. Rom. 8.30. Whom he hath predestinated, them also hath he called, and whom he hath called, them also hath he justified; and whom he hath justified, them also hath he glorified. 24. Election and Vocation proceeds from the free benevolence of a loving God, and are confirmed to the consciences of true believers, through the true and faithful testimony of the Spirit of Adoption. Rom. 8.17. And the Spirit witnesseth together with our spirit, that we are the Sons of God. 25. If we desire to see and know the propitious mind of God, let us turn our faces towards Christ, in whom the Father is well pleased, if we would seek eternal life, and the immortality of the celestial Kingdom. Not to any other but to Christ must we fly, for he is the fountain of our life, the Author of our salvation, and the ground of our Adoption, and effectual calling. 1 Thes. 5.9. For God hath not appointed us unto wrath, but to salvation by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 1.9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our work, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us through Jesus Christ before the world was. 26. Now whitherward doth our Election tend? but that through the bounty of him, who is propitious towards us, we may enjoy the filiation of sons, immortality and salvation; and although our minds are troubled, and our consciences perplexed, yet no otherwise can we know the certainty thereof, but by vocation, and absolute regeneration, for absolute regeneration and vocation, are assured pledges of our salvation, immortality, and filiation. 1 Pet. 1.3 4. Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant bounty, hath begetten us to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance immortal, and undefiled, and that withereth not, reserved in heaven for us. 27. Although our heavenly and gracious Father, love all his people, as he loved his beloved Christ; yet it is his divine grace and pleasure, in effectual vocation, to try some of his in the fiery furnace of sorrows, and great tribulation. Act. 2.37. Who when they heard it, they were pricked in their hearts, and said to Peter, and other Apostles, Men and Brethren, What shall we do? Isa. 6.5. Then said I, I am a man undone, I am a man of polluted lips, and I dwell amongst a people of polluted lips; mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts. 28. Our life is hid with God in Christ, and we are called efficaciously from the world, unto celestial grace, and from woeful darkness, unto his glorious light, that we may live godly in this present world, expecting the coming of our Lord and Saviour. Ephes. 4.1. I therefore being prisoner in the Lord, pray you that ye walk worthy of the vocation whereunto ye are called. Titus 2.13. Expecting that blessed hope, and that glorious coming of that great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Contemplation. THis was the saying of Moses, Who is a Rock, like our Rock, or who is a God like the God of our salvation? We may say, Who hath a Father like our Father? or who hath found any so sweet and delectable, as he hath been to us? As the sweet influence of the Plejades, and the sweet distilling drops from the Clouds, so hath he been in our vocation; his words are rarer than the words of Moses; the one is Law, the other grace and peace. Joh. 1.17. The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth, cams by Jesus Christ. The one a kill Letter, the other a quickening Spirit. 2 Cor. 3.6. Who also hath made us able Ministers of the new Testament, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit; for the Letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life: The one the ministry of condemnation, the other the ministry of life and salvation. 2 Cor. 3.9. For if the ministry of condemnation hath been glorious, much more the ministry of righteousness doth abound with glory: The one written in Tables of stone; the other in the fleshly Tables of our heart. 2 Cor. 3 3. In that ye are manifest, to be the Epistle of Christ, ministered by us, and written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in Tables of stone, but in the fleshly Tables of the heart: The one accuseth us before the Bar of Justice, the other acquitteth us before the Mercy Seat. Joh. 5.4, 5. Think not that I am come to accuse you before the Father, there is one who accuseth you, to wit, Moses, in whom ye trust. Hath Moses fetched home the lost sheep? sought the lost groat; or embraced the poor, returned Prodigals; No; it was our Christ, the great and blessed Shepherd of Israel. What are the drops or dews, without the Sun? or what can the body effect without the soul? or what can the Law do in the act of vocation, without the effectual operation of the Spirit of Jesus: from whence art thou called, O my soul? Not only from the receipt of custom, but from the custom of hell; Not only from profaneness to civility, from civility to morality; but from all to heavenly and celestial grace and glory; What hast thou found in Christ, since he called thee? I have found my life in him. my name in the heavenly places; a hope amongst his peculiar; a rest in his love; a communion in his promises; a fellowship amongst the Saints; and the glorious, gracious, and loving face of a sweet Father. And hast thou not also found rare effects in thee since the time of his overpowering of his precious graces; yea now his love is more to me then Kingdoms, than Consullships, than riches, than honours, than dignities, than Dominions; yea then all things. If I were possessed with the wealth of Arabia; the riches of India; the treasure of Africa; and the glory of Europe; what would those be to me without a Christ? I would rather choose one dram of his grace, than mountains of gold, than a sea of silver, than an earth of pleasures, and Kingdoms, and Provinces of delights, and delectations. Rachel said, Give me children, or else I die; I say, give me Christ, or I shall die. Abraham said, What avails all these, if I go childless? I say, what availeth all, if I go Christlesse? Was Jacob comforted, when he wanted Joseph? or can I be comforted, when I want my Beloved? And did not Rachel mourn, and would not be comforted when her children were not? And do I not mourn, and cannot be comforted, because my Christ is not? From henceforth will I triumph, with the triumphers, and take my place amongst the conquerors; for I am not called from the sheepfold, but from the gates of hell, and made a King and Priest to God the Father; I am not called from Pharaohs dungeon, but from the dungeon of darkness to be a son of God the Father, and a brother to the Prince of grace and glory; therefore I shall see my Father's face, and behold his glory. Rev. 22.4. And they shall see his face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads. Verse the fift; And they shall reign for evermore. CHAP. VI Concerning Adoption. Definition. ADoption is the gracious sentence of God, through which he doth accept of the faithful for sons and daughters in Jesus Christ. 1. Joh. 3.1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. In Adoption there is a gracious manifestation of the good will and pleasure of God, that he would adopt us in Christ for his peculiar, who by sin were the children of wrath and of the devil, and were by nature the children of wrath as well as other. Ephes. 2.3, 4. But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. Ephes. 1.5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Adoption proceeds from God's decree, it is collocated in Christ, and sealed to the Saints through the Spirit of adoption. Rom. 8 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Adoption is not only for Christ's sake, who hath merited the same for us; but it flows also from God's benignity and bounty towards his elect and chosen. Galat. 4.6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. The faithful do not only look for eternal life through the title they have by redemption; but also through the title they have by adoption. Rom. 8.23. And not only they but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit; even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. The sweetness and consolation of the faithful ariseth when instead of the sons of the devil they through faith apprehend themselves to be the sons of God. Joh. 1.12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name. 7 As the Lord Christ in justification is applied as a garment to cover sins; so in Adoption he is applied as the Prince of our life and salvation. Hebr. 2.10. For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 8. This conjunction is so strong, that although Christ is properly the Son of God by nature; hence termed the first begotten of God, notwithstanding by this grace of adoption and communion with God in Christ, all the faithful are called the sons of God. 2. Cor. 6.18. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 9 Although Adam was the son of God by creation, yet not by the mystical conjunction and union with Christ as we are by adoption. Joh. 17.21. That they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may know that thou hast sent me. 10. The dignity which we have through adoption doth not only superabound that common relation which every creature hath to Godward, but also that which Adam possessed before he relinquished his purity and integrity. 11. God hath taken the adopted into the number of his own flock or family, and given to them his name, and hath undertaken to be their eternal protector in the time of danger. Revel. 3.12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the Name of my God, and the name of the City of my God, which is the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new Name. Isa. 4.4 5. the 4. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgement, and by the spirit of burning. The 5. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory shall be a defence. 12. The inheritance to which the faithful are adopted is eternal life, glorious communion, and everlasting blessedness. Joh. 17.2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh; that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 13. That blessedness which belongeth to the Saints redeemed and beloved, is not communicated to them for their merits or deservings, but through free grace, through which they have obtained the dignity of sons, through adoption or filiation. Isa. 56.3.5. Neither let the son of the stranger that hath joined himself to the Lord speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people; neither let the Eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. The 5. Even unto them will I give in mine house, and within my walls, a place, and a name better than of sons and daughters: I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. 14. Divine Adoption is not ordained to succession, but to the participation of an inheritance assigned. Ephes. 1.18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling; and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints. 15. The proper adjunct of adoption is the testification of the holy Spirit which is given to the faithful. Hence they are said to be sealed by the Spirit. 2. Cor. 1.21. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us is God. The 22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts. 16. God hath adopted his elect unto himself; not that he had no other Son, for Christ was termed his beloved and only begotten Son: but amongst the sons of men he had no other, until they were adopted to be beloved in Christ. Gal. 3 26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 17. Through the Spirit of Christ we have faith, through which we lay hold on the death of Christ Mediator; and the promise of God our benevolous and gracious Father, by which we are adopted to be sons and daughters. Galat. 3.26. vide. 18. By Adam we were alienated from God, wherefore God hath sent his only begotten and beloved Son, that through him he might choose many sons out of humane generation. Hence we are said to be chosen out of the world, through his divine love and free benevolence. Joh. 15.16. Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my Name, he may give it you. Joh. 17.14. I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them; because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 19 The royal robe of Christ's righteousness is their covering in the day of judgement; the blood of Christ is their peace in the day of evil; and the name of God is their glory in the midst of afflictions. Isa. 26.8. Yea in the way of thy judgements, O Lord, have we waited for thee: the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 20. The adopted are made kings and priests to God the Father, through the blood of the Son of God Christ Jesus. Revel. 1.5, 6. the 5. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth: unto him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Verse the 6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father. To him be glory and deminion for ever and ever. Amen. 21. The sons of God by adoption may feel the sense of God's anger; yet God is not angry with them, but exceeding loving, bountiful, and full of clemency towards them. Micah 7.18. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. Malachi 3.17. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels: and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 22. Though the Father of dear love do crown his dear people with dear love, grace, and mercy, yet he doth not always endow them with outward blessings and prosperity. 2. Cor. 6.4, 5, 6. the 4. But in all things approving ourselves as the Ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. The 5. In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watching, in fastings: the 6. By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the holy Ghost, by love unfeigned. 23. The cries, groans, and sighs of the sons of God, whether in the day they want the sense of God's dear love and rarest bounty towards them, or in the time of great and strong temptation over tops the roar of Satan, the cries of vengeance, and the arraigning sentence of the Law so terrible. Rom. 8.26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groan, which cannot be uttered. 24. Though the sons of God may lose the sense of their first communion, yet they shall for ever enjoy everlasting and perpetual union, so that God for evermore stands in relation unto them as a Father; and they to him as loving and dear children. Isa. 63.16. Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledgeth us not: O Lord, thou art our Father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting. Isa. 64.9. Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever; behold, see us we beseech thee, we beseech thee, we are all thy people. 25. Though we were the sons of God by creation, yet we became through sin the sons of the devil, of wrath, of incredulity, of diffidence, of this world, and of darkness; notwithstanding by adoption we are made sons, partakers of the divine nature, brethren of Christ, and children of light; that we might not sin, but that we might be one with Christ through union; and that we might love the brethren with entire love and affection. 2. Pet. 1.4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Hebr. 2.11. For both he who sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all one: For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. Joh. 15.12. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. 26. The kingdom of our God, the glory of which is unutterable, unspeakable, and unmentionable; hath been prepared of old for those who have a being in Christ; interest in the free promises, and have been beloved of the Father before the world was. Matth. 25.34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Contemplation. OH the deepness of immense and admirable love, that of the children of diffidence and destruction, through Christ are made Saints and sons of salvation; that of vessels of wrath, hell, the devil, and damnation, we are made the vessels of rich mercy, peace, love, and happic consolation. When I was a poor distressed captive taken by the devil, did I think to be made an heir with Christ, and freed from the accusing law, and woeful evil? not thy wisdom, but the wisdom of thy dear & benignous Father, hath found a way in the time of misery, to bring thee to glorious and blessed felicity. That was not found in the land of the living. Ask the depths, and they will say that wisdom was not found there? Ask the Sea, and it will say; it had no habitation there; in thy dear Father hath been the place of singular wisdom and rarest intelligence. Pharaoh knew his dream, but was ignorant of the interpretation; thou knowest thou waste a slave, but wast ignorant of thy redemption and adoption. O admirable privilege, and excellent prerogative! O wonderful dignity given to the Saints, by filiation! What is it to be the son of a King? or an Emperor? of a Monarch? of a Potentate? What is it to be an heir to Kingdoms, to Provinces, or to Empires? What is it to enjoy pleasures, joy, or delectations in this orb terrestrial, if we enjoy not the privilege of the daughters, and the sons of the living God? It cannot avail thee to be an heir, and not an heir of Christ's kingdom. It cannot advantage thee to be a son of an Emperor, and not to be the son of God by adoption; it cannot help thee to be nephew to a Potentate, and not to be an inheritor with the Lords inheritance. Thou art Gods by creation, but art thou Gods by a special relation? Thou hast treasures abundant, but art thou his chief treasure? thou hast inheritance amongst the sons of men, but hast thou an inheritance amongst the sons of royal possession? O my soul! what will thy sweet Father do for thee? great things, he will give thee a name better than of the sons and daughters; He will protect thee by an invincible protection, and crown thee with everlasting and glorious salvation. The best of the land of Egypt was given to joseph's brethren; the best of the treasures of mercy and righteousness is given to thee. Gifts were given to the sons of Keturah, but the possession was isaac's; gifts are given to the sons of men, but the possession amongst the Lord's inheritance is given to thee. O my soul! thou hast obtained a lot above all lots, and a mercy above all mercies. Therefore exalt his name with the Church, saying, His mercy endureth for ever, his mercy endureth for ever. And make mention of his love with the Apostle, Behold how great a love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. 1. Joh. 3. CHAP. VII. Concerning Redemption. Definition. 1. Chief our knowledge consists in this, that having lost what was given in the creation is again restored to us by the hand of Christ in the act of Redemption, who shed his blood to redeem us from evils. Phil. 3.8. Yea doubtless I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things: and do count them but dung that I may win Christ. 2. The knowledge of Christ our redeemer is known by the fall of Adam, and by the material cause of our Redemption. 3. Redemption is the bringing of man to the state of liberty from the slavery of sin and Satan by the exhibition of a inst price. Matth. 20.28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 4. The end of Redemption is application, and the fast measure, rule, and reason of application, is the fame gracious will of God which hath been the cause of man's Redemption. Galat. 2.20. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 5. Man being lost, he must seek for the Redemption of his soul through the hand of Christ: Christ is the adoption of the elect, the conservation of the Church, the instauration after dissipation, and the redemption of his from Satan, sin, and all miseries. Tit. 2.14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity; and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 6. We receive the virtue of that redemption by Christ through the power of the Spirit of Christ, who joineth us with Christ. Hence is he called the Spirit of sanctification and adoption, and the seal of our redemption and salvation. 2. Cor. 1.22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts. Ephes. ●. 14. 7. When as in the loins of Adam whole humane kind was lose, so that the nobleness and excellency of our estate of integrity cannot profit us when we think upon it; but rather turn to our greater shame, until God the Father appear in the person of his only begotten Son to the saving or freeing of our souls from all calamities. 1. Cor. 1.30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 8. After the fall of the first Adam, whole mankind was enthralled, his knowledge of God unto salvation sure would profit him nothing without a Saviour. Hence saith our Saviour, Joh. 17.3. This is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. 9 Whilst we are condemned by the Law, dead in sin; naked, wanting righteousness; poor, wanting riches; and bondmen, wanting liberty: we must seek for these at the hands of our Redeemer, in whom, and at whose hands we may receive these in the time of necessity. Hebr. 4.14, 15, 16. Seeing then that we have a great high Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like us, yet without sin, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy; and find grace to help in time of need. 10. Not rashly, nor by hap, or chance, or by the will of man, that Christ should have this name (Jesus) but from the will of God, delivered by the Angels; that he should save his people from their sins. Mat. 1.21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins. 11. God was an enemy to man, till by the death of Christ, he was restored into favour. Man was accursed, till by the sacrifice of Christ, his iniquity was expiated: he was separated, until by the body of Christ, he into Conjunction hath been received, Ephes. 2.16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross, having slain the enemy thereof. 12. God loves us first, after by Christ he redeemeth us unto himself, and until Christ by death redeem us from him that hath the power of death, iniquity doth remain, which may deserve the indignation of God; so that through it we may stand accursed, and condemned in his sight. Rom. 3.19. Now we know that what things soever the Law saith, it saith to them who are under the Law: that every mouth may be stopped, & all the world may become guilty before God. Gal. 4.4, 5. Verse the 4. But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the Law. Verse the 5. To redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the Adoption of sons. 13. When as we are redeemed by the death of Christ, it is not so understood, as though now he should begin to love us, whom before he hated: but that now loving us, he doth redeem us to be his people. Gal. 1.4. Who gave himself for our sins, that he may deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. 14. It was not sufficient for the taking away of condemnation, that Christ should undergo death, but also that he might feel the sense of his Father's wrath upon him for us, that so our Redemption from wrath might be fully accomplished. 1 Pet. 2.24. Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes ye were healed. 15. The Father hath abolished the power of sin, when the curse of God rested on the flesh of Christ, than Christ was a satisfactory sacrifice to his Father for sin, that the strife being ended, through his sacrifice, we may cease to fear the anger of God any more. Heb. 2.14, 15 Verse the 14. For as much then as the Children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death, he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the Devil. Verse the 15. And deliver them, who through fear of death, were all their life time subject to bondage. 16. God hath commended his love to us, who gave Christ the price of Redemption for us; commanding us to flee for secure to his blood, that through that we might stand secure in the day of Judgement. Rom. 5.8. God hath commended his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 17. Christ hath been subject to the righteousness of God, that he might perform what was required of us, fully performing what was necessary, to the delivery of those who are true believers. Rom. 10.4. For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness, to every one that believeth. 18. The great grace and righteousness of God, is manifested in the freedom of his from evil, to enjoy the chiefest good. Psal. 136.23. Which remembered us in our low estate; for his mercy eadureth for ever. Verse the 24. And hath delivered us from our enemies; for his mercy endureth for ever. 19 The application of delivery, is the singular work of the Spirit of life and Adoption. Hence the Spirit is said to be the earnest of the Saints Redemption, and the seal of their everlasting delivery and liberation. 20 Redemption floweth from the divine Decree and Donation of GOD, whereby he doth give certain men unto Christ, that he might redeem and save them from sin and iniquity. Luk. 1.68, 69. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. 21 Redemption is not without the mind of Christ, being Christ determined, that his satisfaction should be for the good of them whom he would redeem by his blood unto God. Rev. 5.9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God, by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and Nation. 22. The shedding of the blood of Christ, is not without the acceptation of his Father; being his Father accepteth his satisfaction through his blood, as sufficient to salvation, redemption, and reconciliation. Col. 1.20. And (having made peace through the blood of his Cross) by him to reconcile all things to himself: by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 23. Liberation or Redemption from sin, and death, not only hath been established in God's Decree, but also in Christ, and granted to us, in him, before it be received of us. 1 Joh. 2.2. And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 24. Christ did satisfy for them only, who by him are saved; although in respect of his sufficiency, he hath satisfied for all, and every one. 1 Tim. 2.6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be a testimony in due time. 25. The death of Christ frees from sin; the blood of Christ from the anger of God, and iniquity: The power of Christ from the jaws of Satan; and Christ's active and passive obedience from the force of the moral Law. Gal. 3.13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us; For it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. 26. Through the delivery or freedom from these, we have not only assurance, that we shall inherit the Kingdom of glory; but also in the state of grace we have assurance, that we shall continually have supplies, of that abundant and overflowing grace, which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Joh. 1.16. And of his fullness, have all we received, and grace for grace. 27. Peace of Conscience, joy in the holy Ghost, holiness of conversation, are adjuncts of this freedom, or Redemption. Luke 1.74, 75. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear. 75. In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 28. Redemption hath been once performed, twice manifested in the day of grace, and the hour of Judgement. Rom. 8.23. And not only they but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves, groane-within ourselves, waiting for the Adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 29. Redemption doth so fare free the Christian, that he is wholly taken from the bar of Justice, and placed always at the throne of grace and mercy. Heb. 12.18.22, 23, 24. Verse the 18. For ye are not come unto the Mount, that might be touched, and that burneth with fire, nor unto blackness and darkness and tempest. Verse the 22. But ye are come unto Mount Sien, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels. Verse the 23. To the general Assembly, and the Church of the first borne, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. Verse the 24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things then that of Abel. 30. The comfort and consolation of the Redemption by the hand of Christ Redeemer, is according to the act of faith in Christ, by whom this redemption is wrought. Psal. 116.8. Thou hast delivered my soul from death: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. Isaiah 51.11. Therefore the Redeemed of the Lord shall return; and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness, and joy, and sorrow shall flee away. 31. There is an inseparable conjunction between Election and Redemption, sigh that before the foundation of the world, Christ was chosen to be the Redeemer of his chosen and peculiar. Ephes. 9.7. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he had purposed in himself. Verse the 7. In whom we have reaemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Contemplation. SUch was the kindness of God to Israel, that once in fifty year, they had a year of Jubilee; in which he who was in bondage, and thraldom, was set at liberty, and freedom: Such hath been the bounty of God to us, that he hath appointed a year of deliverance, by the hand of Christ, that we being Captives might be set free, and being also bondslaves, we might be set at liberty. Christ was anointed for that end, not with the oil of Olives, or other material substance, but with the abundant and overflowing grace of God, that he might bring poor Captives from Captivity, and we who were poor bondmen, from everlasting slavery. What is the bondage to man, in respect of the bondage to Satan? or what is the liberty amongst men in respect of the liberty of Christ Jesus? From what are we freed? yea from what are we not freed? from the dominion of sin, the slavery of the Law, the tyranny of Satan, and the gates of the pit of hell and destruction. By what art thou freed? yea by what art thou not freed? From sin by the precious, incomparable, inestimable blood of Christ, out of the jaws of Satan: by the potent, invincible, and unconquerable strength of Christ, from the force of death: by the virtual, and efficatious death of Christ, and from the cursing, condemning, and arraigning power of the Moral Law, by the full and satisfactory obedience of Christ. It hath not been in the power of man, nor the will of man to work out the work of satisfaction, or the work of Redemption; the Winepress of God's wrath, would have been too hot, and too heavy for him: It hath not been in the mind of Angels, it would have crushed them to the earth, yea to hell, to have born that weighty wrath, and fierce indignation of God against sin, when neither spear nor shield was found among any in the world, for the delivery of mankind; strength and power hath been found in the arms of Christ, fully to perform the work of deliverance: if a world had been given for the Redemption of one soul, it would have been refused; an infinite would admit of nothing finite. O! what worth? what value? what price is the blood of Christ, which is of sufficiency to redeem all men? all the power of the Creature, could not bring one soul out of the slavery of the Devil. Oh! what power? what strength? what worth of excellency is there in Christ? who by his power, strength, and might, hath brought thousands out of the bondage and slavery of hell, and the Devil? All the Angels in heaven could not by their skill remove one poor soul from the bar of Justice, and bring it to the mercy-seat, to hear one word of mercy. What a Sea of wisdom is in Christ? who by his wisdom can bring all the poor and distressed Consciences to the throne of mercies, to receive whole Rivers of mercy from thence unto their souls. Samson overthrew more at his death, than he did all his life: Christ did more in the Redemption of his in death, than he did in the time of his life. Let us therefore lift up our eyes to heaven, and behold the bountiful and benignous mind of God unto us, that whilst our cases were desperable, and we saw no way for delivery, God hath found out a way, and hath sent from heaven the Son of his love, to be our deliverer. A Ram was not provided, but a Lamb, that through his blood took away the sins of the world, satisfied God's Justice, and procured for his people, a joyful and glorious freedom. God manifested his power from the Cloud, and overthrew Pharaoh, his Charets, and horsemen in the red Sea. God manifested his mighty strength in the subverting of Satan and sin, through the blood of Christ. When Peter was in bonds, the Angel set Peter free; when we were bound by chains, in the dungeon of darkness and death, Christ hath set us free; So that now the consciences and spirits of the faithful, and ours also, are free to grace, and to the enjoyment of the Kingdom of felicity; let the Christian therefore think on these things, and triumph with the Apostle; Oh death, where is thy sting; oh hell, where is thy victory; let him not fear, neither Law, nor hell, nor death, nor the Devil, sigh he is redeemed from the world, though he live in the world, to God above, who is all in all; to whom be ascribed the praise of all for evermore. 1 Tim. 1.17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, and the only wise God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever, Amen. CHAP. VIII. Concerning Christ's Mediation. Definition. 1. THe Mediation of Christ is the presentation of himself, that external and infinite oblation once offered to God his Father to that end, that the riches of heavenly grace might be infused, his redeemed might have free access to his Father's Majesty; and his Father everlastingly reconciled to his peculiar and selected. Hebr. 7.25, 26, 27. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled; separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. Who needeth not daily as those high Priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 2. It is convenient that Christ who is the Mediator betwixt God and man, should be God-man; unless he had been man, he had not been a fit sacrifice: unless he had been God, he had not been of sufficient virtue. 1. Tim. 2 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 3. Through the personal union of both natures, Christ Mediator is become King of his Church, and head of the same kind with his body. Ephes. 1.22, 23. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. 4. The humiliation of Christ through which he submitted himself to answer the righteousness of God, and his exaltation which was manifested when he risen again from the dead, ascending on high, leading captivity captive, hath obtained a perfect redemption for the faithful. Ephes. 4.8. Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Hebr 9.12. Neither by the blood of goats, and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 5. The satisfaction and merit of Christ Mediator, hath taken away condemnation, and hath brought eternal life and salvation. Colos. 1.13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. 6. The merit and satisfaction of Christ differ in divers operations. 7. The exaltation of Christ is no part of the merits or satisfaction of Christ, through which he mediates for his with his Father. The ground is this, sigh the exaltation of Christ Mediator, followeth his cross or satisfaction. 8. Christ is said to be Mediator betwixt God and the faithful, not that it wholly agreeth to the human nature of Christ, but also to his divine nature. Act. 20.28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 9 The satisfaction of Christ according to the substance of it presupposeth grace: through grace Christ hath been called to the work of satisfaction. Isa. 53.10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands. 10. When we speak of the Mediator Christ Jesus, we must have reference to the divine pleasure of God; for through that he hath ordained Christ to be Mediator, that he might obtain eternal peace for his redeemed. Isa. 53.6. And we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 11. The price of our redemption could not be paid by man; therefore it hath been the work of a Mediator to pay the ransom, to intercede betwixt God and man; not only by payment, procuring redemption, but also by intercession, making a perfect peace and reconciliation. Isa. 53. the last verse: Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong: because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Ephes. 2.14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. 12. When as our sins were as a cloud betwixt God and us, we being banished and shut out from his presence, so that we could not behold his favour: neither could we ascend to him, unless he had descended down to us by the hand of a Mediator. Ephes. 2.17, 18. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father. 13. Although man had stood perfect and entire without spot or wrinkle, yet was he of so mean a condition that he could never come to God without the hand of the Mediator Christ Jesus. The ground is this, sigh it would have been a dishonour to the Lord Christ, if man should have access to God blessed for ever, except by himself who was the appointed Mediator. 14. The mission of Christ that he might be Mediator, and that he might be reconciler betwixt God and man, floweth from the divine decree of God, upon which dependeth the beatitude or felicity of man. Ephes. 1.9, 10. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himself. That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth even in him. Luk. 2.14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. 15. In the person of Christ the Mediator there are two things considerable; the distinction of natures, and the personal union of both together divine, so fare as he is the second person of the Trinity: human, so fare as he took upon him the seed of Abraham. Hebr. 2.14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil. 16. The intercession of Christ is twofold; verbal, or meritorious. Verbal in his prayers for his whom he would redeem and justify; meritorious being an oblation of infinite value accepted of his Father; that through that, the prayers, persons, and services of believers may be accepted in all ages. Joh. 17.9. I pray for them, I pray not for the world; but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine. Hebr. 10.5, 6. Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me. In offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 17. The office of Christ Mediator, is not only to pray for his, but to offer up his life for the redemption or delivery of the life of his people. Matth. 20.28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister; and to give his life a ransom for many. 18. The intercession of Christ Mediator, is the cause of the intercession of the Spirit in us. Rom. 8.27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit, because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God. 19 Christ Mediator intercedes for his with his Father: he is ever present with his Father. The Father ever remembreth that sacrifice once offered by him for his peculiar. Hebr. 7 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 20. The intercession of Christ Mediator, hath been sufficient and efficatious from the beginning, by virtue of the decree, promise, and acceptation. Hence he was termed a Lamb slain from the beginning of the world. 21. The adoption of believers, dependeth on the grace of Christ Mediator. 22. Christ Mediator was never promised without the shedding of his blood; being it hath been the eternal counsel of God that none should be cleansed from sin without that blood so precious. 1. Pet. 1.18, 19, 20. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation, received by tradition from your fathers: But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish, and without spot. Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Revel. 1.5. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth, unto him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. 23. The prayers of all the faithful from the beginning of the world hath had acceptation alone for the Mediators sake Christ Jesus. Dan. 9.17.23. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate for the Lords sake. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee for thou art greatly beloved; therefore understand the matter, and understand the vision. 24. The anger of God rests on them who leave Christ the only Mediator, by the appointment of God the Father. Joh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son; hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. 25. God never showeth himself propitious to any without the mediation of Christ the absolute Mediator. Matth. 3. ult. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 26. The sacrifices in the time of the Law taught plainly, that God would not be merciful to any, but through Christ; and that salvation could not be found elsewhere save in the expiation of Christ, who should pour out his blood for his people's ransom. Luk. 22.2. Likewise also he took the Cup after supper, saying, this Cup is the new Testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 27. When as man hath not been able to stand in God's sight, through the fear and terror of transgression, that we might appear without fear and terror, he hath given Jesus Christ our Lord, that he might be Mediator and Advocate with himself for us. 1. Joh. 2.12. I writ unto you little children, because your sins are forgiven you, for his Names sake. 28. Christ is Mediator to day, yesterday, and for ever. Hence God's people never fail of acceptation in God's sight that loves them. Heb. 13 8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Ephes. 1.6. He hath made us accepted in the beloved. 29. Who of the sons of men could make themselves the sons of God; of captives, heirs of the celestial kingdom? except Christ, Mediator, who assumed the human nature of man, that he might give to them that plenitude of his grace which was given unto him, and that he might take to him that which belonged unto them. 2. Cor. 5. last. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 30. The prayers which the faithful offer up to God are freely accepted, through the mediation of Christ. Ephes. 5.2. And walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice unto God for a sweet smelling savour. 31. Christ for ever appearing Mediator and Advocate in the presence of God; God doth turn away his face from our sins, and turn his face toward his righteousness. Dan. 9.24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy City, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision, and prophesy, and to anoint the most holy. 32. Through the mediation of Christ, true believers have free access to the throne of grace, from which they are filled with divine grace, and heavenly blessings, being freed from the terrors & horrors of their spiritual enemies. Luk. 1.74. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, may serve him without fear. Hebr. 2.15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage. 33. Damned preparatories will fail in the hour of death and judgement, when the mediation of Christ will be a city of refuge against sin, and an ark of covert against the rigour of the Law, and all evils. Rom. 8.34. Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again: who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Contemplation. SUch was thy separation, O Christian, from God, that thou nor I could approach nigh to God without the hand of our Mediator Christ Jesus; through sin the hand-writing is written against us; we are laid in the balance and found too light: the mighty wall of separation doth so prevent us from approaching, that unless God did descend down to us by Christ, we could not ascend to him. If we did but think of ascending to God without Christ, our quake would be like the quakings of Beltashazar, and our tremble as the tremble of Israel, before Mount Sinai: or we should hid our faces from him as did Adam our Father. How terrible? how dreadful? how angry is God with those who look toward him for mercy without Christ's Mediation? Assuredly if God should but enter into judgement for one sin, should but ponder or weigh one iniquity, none could stand before him. If the Angels are impure, in respect of the purity of his nature; how much more sinful or ungodly men? Man may offend or trespass against man, and man may plead for him: But if man sin against God, who shall plead for him but Christ? By him alone we have recourse to the throne of grace for grace, and to the throne of mercy for mercy. Without him the heaven should be as brass, and iron, so that our prayers could not enter into the celestial Sanctuary, nor find acceptation in the presence or sight of God. Where now is the hand of mercy? the sceptre of bounty? and the comfortable answer of God to the conscience? but in Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us. Wherefore if we want wisdom, peace, and righteousness, remission of sins, and joy of the holy Ghost, let us look towards heaven, and remember that Christ's oblation once offered is so prevalent, that through that we shall have an answer of what our souls desire. Though we may hid our faces as did the Cherubims, in respect of our own vileness, yet may we look up to God for spiritual blessings, through the mediation of Christ with confidence. No child may go freer to his father, no wife to her husband, than we may have recourse to God through Jesus Christ. Whilst our prayers are weak, Christ's mediation is strong; and whilst our performances deserve to be denied, through Christ's oblation they are accepted. Hester found acceptation, although the golden Sceptre of Ahashucrus was not stretched forth: much more shall we find accepration, sigh that in Christ the Sceptre of bounty is stretched forth; not faithless requests, loudness of voice, repetitions of hell, and death, cause an answer of desires; for had not Christ merited an answer, we could not be answered. Hence before our requests touch the heavens, we have an answer on the earth. Dan. 9.23. At the beginning of thy supplications, the Commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly Beloved, therefore understand the matter, and consider the Vision. CHAP. IX. Concerning Reconciliation. Definition. 1. REconciliation is an Act of the free and dear love of God, our heavenly, gracious, and clementious Father, whereby through the death, and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, he hath reconciled us unto himself; to the end, that we might enjoy everlasting peace and communion with himself, through his beloved. 2 Cor. 5.19 2 Cor. 5.18. Rom. 5.10. Coll. 1.20. 2. As the blood of Christ is the cause of Redemption from sin; so it is the cause of Reconciliation to God. Coll. 1.20. And (having made peace, through the blood of his Cross) by him to reconcile all things unto himself, by him, I say; whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 3. The only subject in whom we are reconciled to God our Father, is Christ Jesus our Lord; sigh that in him alone God doth not impute our sins to us. 2 Cor. 5.19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation. 4. The ends of Reconciliation, are the peace of Conscience, the dignity of Christ our Mediator, and the faithfuls fruition of God's presence, which was obscured or hidden from them by reason of iniquity. Ephes. 2.14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and broken down the middle wall of partition between us. 5. Whilst the soul apprehendeth not this reconciliation with God in Christ, there is nothing but disturbance; but when the Spirit of God doth assure us of our Reconciliation with him, we then enjoy the peace of Conscience. Isa. 26.3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. 6. The sense of Reconciliation, through the hand of Christ Mediator, is the beginning of tranquillity of mind, and the upholder of the Spirit against the fear of the hour of death and Judgement. Isa. 26.12. Lord thou wilt ordain peace for us; for thou also baste wrought all our works in us. Isa. 25.8. He will swallow up death in victory, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces, and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it. 7. The more a Christian hath the sense of this estate and condition, he is more heavenly in his meditation, more comfortable in declaration, and holy in conversation. The ground is this, sigh the dear love of God in the act of Reconciliation, is the ground of our affection to Christ in the heavenly places, and of obedience to Gods blessed and sacred Majesty. 8. It is impossible he should lose God's favour any more, who through the death of Christ, is to God reconciled, sigh that sin's hand-writing is wholly removed, and that this precious death is a sufficient ransom from all iniquity. Col. 2.14. Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his Cross. Rom. 4.25. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. 9 The faithful under the Law, did not only look for salvation, but also for reconciliation by the hand of Christ. Isaiah 26.12. Lord thou wilt ordain peace for us; for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. 10. God was reconciled to man before it was virtually manifested, and after virtual manifestation, he is reconciled before of his it be received. The ground is this, Sith it is the wisdom of the Faether, that in himself there should be the primary ordination, afterwards answered by Christ in the act of Reconciliation, and conferred to the Saints by way of Reception. 11. For as much as it hath been impossible, that any creature could reconcile himself to God infinite in nature, it hath been the free grace of God to send his beloved Son, that being infinite, he might answer, what infinite Justice did require. Isaiah 63.3. I have trodden the Winepress alone, and of the people there was none with me. 12. He that supposeth that by answer to the moral Law, he either pacifieth God's Justice, procureth God's favour, or maketh peace with God, is deceived, for there is no other means under heaven, to give us rest in the day of great necessity, or peace in the depths, or gulfs of misery, save by the death and sufferings of the Lord Jesus. Isaiah 53.5. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. 13. To attribute Reconciliation to any Creature save unto Christ Mediator, is blasphemy, and a point of high Arminianism. 14. Although we have been estranged from God through sin, heirs of anger, of eternal death, subject to destruction, shut out from all the hope of salvation, and alienated from the blessings of God, and under the yoke and bondage of the Moral Law, notwithstanding, such hath been the love of God unto us in Christ, that he would remove all these, and not only reconcile us unto himself, by the blood of Christ, but also by his death. Rom. 5.10. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God, by the death of his Son; much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life. 15. By the knowledge of God's anger against us, we come to the knowledge of our misery, and of his mercy; and unless we know, how great a sepation or distance there is betwixt GOD and us, we can never value or prize, the exceeding or excellent virtue of our Reconciliation by Christ. 16. As God first loves us before he doth redeem us, so doth he love us, before he reconcile us unto himself; albeit, we have no assurance of his love, until we through faith apprehend him to be reconciled unto us through Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 5.18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given us the ministry of Reconciliation. 17. Incomprehensible and immutable is the love of God, that although we were not reconciled actually through the blood and death of his Son, yet he loved us before the foundation of the world. Ephes. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love. 18. As Redemption, Adoption, Union, and Communion, can never be disannulled, sigh they are obtained by Christ, and in him established: so reconciliation being the work of God in Christ, and procured, both by the precious blood, and virtual death of Christ, can never be annihilated. 19 Not only the presentation of the chosen of God, but also the glory of God, & the honour of Christ Mediator, hangs upon the everlasting reconciliation of the faithful to God. Col. 1.22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable, and unreprovable in his sight. Heb. 9.24. For Christ is not entered into the holy places, made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. 20. The infinite worth and power of Christ, in matter of Reconciliation, is so sufficient to answer Gods infinite purity, that God's pure nature desireth no more in matter of Reconciliation. 2 Pet. 17. For he received from God the Father, honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory; This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 21. Though there is a participation of the virtue of Christ's Reconciliation in this veil of misery, yet the full fruition is not enjoyed of the faithful, until they come to the Heaven of felicity. 1 Cor. 2.9. For it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 22. The assurance that the faithful have of the answer of mercy, and of the treasures, riches, and wisdom of Christ, is, because that through the infinite worth of Christ's death and blood, they are absolutely reconciled to GOD the Father. Col. 2.2. That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. Col. 1.21, 22. Yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable, and unreprovable in his sight. Contemplation. THe saying of Ahaziah, King of Israel, to Jehu was; Is there peace? His answer was, What peace? The reply of the wounded Conscience is; Is there not peace? The answer is given, there is peace: God who was an enemy, is now become a friend; his hatred against sin was so great, that it could not be pacified or assuaged by any humane creature. The bars of Hell, the gates of death, the iron bands of sin, the fierceness of the Moral Law, is removed by a person infinite; the same virtue and worth, which hath procured Redemption, hath procured Reconciliation. The strength of Samson, was more than the gates of Azzah; the virtue and worth in Christ, hath been above the enmity betwixt God and man. What is like to this great and wonderful work of Reconcilement? As nothing can parallel the work of Redemption and Union with GOD through Christ, so nothing can equal the work of Reconciliation to God by the hand of Christ. When we see the Rainbow, we admire, yet we cease to admire, when we consider the hand that made it. When we behold the famous work of Reconciliation, we may wonder, yet cease to wonder when we consider the hand that did it. How comfortable is the calmness of weather, after stormy times? How passing comfortable is the peace of Conscience from Reconcilement to God, after the stormy times of temptation? Out of the sweet comes Corroboration; and out of this comes the greatest consolation. When Balacke saw the standing of Israel in the Wilderness, he said; How comely are thy tents, O Israel; and thy habitations O Jacob? When the faithful through the eye of faith, behold the fruits of reconciliation to God, they say, how great delight, and comfortableness, ariseth from that peace which is made betwixt God and their souls? Hence from the work of Reconciliation, comes the work of a Christians moving to God-ward with freeness of spirit. Hence comes the Gospel of Reconciliation, which speaks better things than the Law: the Law speaks evil; as Micah against Ahab; as Do●g against the Priests of the Lord; as the Jews against our Saviour, but now the Gospel speaks graciously and sweetly of peace, of grace, of mercy, being that man to God is reconciled through the hand of the Mediator Jesus Christ: turn therefore thine ear from the Law to the Gospel, and walk thou in the comfort thereof, till thou come to see thy Redeemers face in Zion, and the brightness of the countenance of thy loving God and Father, blessed for evermore. Then shalt thou be satisfied with his favour, filled with joys, and his sight and Image shall be thy great contentment. Then shalt thou say with the Psalmist, Psal. 16 11. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. CHAP. X Concerning Justification. Definition. 1. ZAdick Just, in hiphill, signifieth righteousness: in hisdi●k justificare, that is, to account some man just or righteous. Rom. 3.26. To declare; I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 2. Justification is the gracious sentence of God, through Christ apprehended by faith, whereby he doth free the sinner from sins, death, and condemnation; and repute them just to life, glory, and salvation. Rom. 3.24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Rom. 5. ult. That as sin hath reigned unto death; even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord. 3. This gracious sentence in Justification proceeds from God's decree, that it might be pronounced in Christ our Saviour to his people, and virtually sealed to the soul by the holy Spirit, that the Saints might be assured of the condonation of iniquity, and the imputation of divine and heavenly righteousness. Micah 7.18. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. Rom. 5.18. Therefore as by the offence of one, judgement came upon all men to condemnation: even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 4. By the same grace whereby Christ was called unto the office of a Mediator, the elect are called to union and communion with Christ, and by that accounted just in the sight and presence of God. Hebr. 3.1, 2. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and high Priest of our profession Christ Jesus. Who was faithful to him that appointed him; as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 1. Cor. 1.9. God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 5. The efficient cause of our justification is the rich and free grace of God; the mereitorious cause is themerit of Christ; the instrumental cause is faith, apprehending and resting on the promises of God; the end is the glory of God the salvation of believers, and the illustration of divine mercy. Rom. 5.17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gifts of righteousness, shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ. 6. Christ is dead, and all are dead, that the righteousness of one might be imputed to all. 2. Cor. 5.15. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Rom. 4.24. But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. 7. Christ willingly died, and was willingly crucified, and willingly bore the sense of his Father's wrath for our sakes, that he might break the bonds and chains of death, that he might satisfy the justice of his Father, and bring in everlasting peace, atonement, and reconciliation. Isa. 53.6, 7. All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb: so he opened not his mouth. 8. Christ changeth our estate and condition, and clotheth us with his pure, divine, and spotless righteousness, that in his Father's sight and presence we might find acceptation. Ephes. 1.6. vide. 9 This is the stream of sweetest consolation, that the Lord Christ was accounted unjust, that we might be counted just, and that he stood in the place of the unrighteous, that we might stand in the place of righteous. 1. Pet. 3.18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God: being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 10. Christ the Son and Lord of righteousness, who is our life, and everlasting righteousness, overcoming death, shineth by the Gospel, maketh us now to sit with himself in the heavenly places; that there might be nothing wanting to our felicity, and to the praise and riches of his grace and bounty. Ephes. 2.6, 7. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus. 11. Now the Son and Lord of righteousness doth shine, and we have the perfect beauty of his divine and pure righteousness revealed in the Gospel of life and reconciliation: such as is the clearness of noonday, although in former ages it hath been hidden and obscured. Ephes. 3 8, 9 Unto me who am less than the least of all Saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. 12. Adam whilst he stood in his integrity, innocency, and purity, was not so pure in the sight of God, as the Saints who are presented spotless in the flesh of Christ, and imputed righteous through the righteousness of Christ the Lord, and Prince of righteousness. The ground is this, sigh the righteousness which is given to the Saints through union with Christ, surmounteth that which was given to Adam when he was created. 13. The righteousness of God is not sufficiently manifested and declared, unless by that the Saints and redeemed may be accounted sufficiently just in his sight; and that God should communicate righteousness to the undeserving. 14. This is our trust and glory, that Christ the Son of God, the only author of our salvation, is become our righteousness; and that we in him are the sons and heirs of the celestial kingdom, made partakers of the divine nature, and called to the hope and expectation of everlasting beatitude. 1. Pet. 1.3, 4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Rom. 8.17. And if children, than heirs, heirs with God, and joint heirs with Christ: If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 2. Pet. 1.4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption, that is in the world through lust. 15. The sinner is received into communion with Christ, whilst by the grace of God he is reconciled, and by the blood of Christ he is purged from transgression; and not otherwise doth he stand before the tribunal seat of God, save by the righteousness of God his Saviour, and of Jesus Christ his blessed and sweet Redeemer. The ground is this, sigh no righteousness can answer the righteousness of God, but the pure and infinite righteousness of Christ. 16. There is an inseparable conjunction between the pardon and remission of sins, and the imputation of divine and absolute righteousness, which is conveyed to the Saints through communion with the Lord Jesus: so that their imperfections are covered, the spots and filthiness thereof are deleted, lest they may come into question by eternal and absolute judgement. 17. If we seek by what means the heart is fixed, and the conscience satisfied, by no other way or means shall we find it, save by the power of the cross of Christ, interest in his death, the efficacy of his resurrection, and the imputation in pure and everlasting righteousness. 18. Whosoever doth desire to be just before God, he must seek to be freed from sin, by the precious and incomparable blood of Christ, and from the riged force of the Moral Law, by his active and passive obedience. Rom. 10.4. For Christ is the end of the Law, for righteousness to every one that believeth. 19 By his purity all our spots are covered, and the uncleanness of our imperfections to us is not imputed; and our transgressions in Christ's grave buried, that they might never plead against us before the bar of Justice. 20. When we are inserted and engrafted into Christ, then doth he dignify us, making us one in himself, that we may glory that we are admitted into fellowship and communion with the Father, with himself, and with his people who are sanctified by the Spirit, and accounted a glorious people through his glorious and perfect righteousness. 1. Joh. 1.3. vide. 21. Although justification is for and in Christ the beloved Mediator; notwithstanding the Saints are not justified in the sight of God until faith is given to the Saints, by which the Lord Christ is apprehended Rom. 5.1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. 22. Christ is the adequate object of faith, so fare forth as faith doth justify. Galat. 2.16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified. 23. Faith upon no other consideration is said to justify, save, because it apprehendeth the superabundant grace of God in reconciliation, applieth Christ's death, blood, and resurrection to the Saints, and resteth upon the promises of God, which are yea, and Amen, to the glory of the Father. 2. Cor. 1.20. vide. 24. This is the life of saith, through which a sinner doth come to the possession of his own salvation, whilst by the doctrine of the Gospel he doth acknowledge himself reconciled to God, redeemed and ransomed by the inenarrable blood of Christ, sealed by the Spirit of life and obsignation, and filled with joys unspeakable and glorious. 1. Pet. 1.8. Whom having not seen ye love, in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious. 25. We are justified before men by holiness and uprightness of conversation, but before God by the imputation of righteousness in justification. Jam. 2.18. Yea a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 26. In the justification of the Saints through faith, we must consider the remission of sin and transgression. The imputation of divine and celestial righteousness, the gracious acceptation of the Saints prayers and praises; and that free and gracious reconciliation with God our bounteous and celestial Father. 27. True justifying faith hath always joined with it a certain persuasion of the bounty and exceeding mercy of God the Father in Christ Jesus. Hebr. 6.18, 19 That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Which hope we have as an ancre of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil. 28. Though the Saints after their justified estate and condition, may ask the pardon of sin, and the forgiveness of iniquity, notwithstanding the end thereof must be the further assurance thereof; the exaltation of the riches of grace, and the praise of the blood of Christ, which is the cause of condonation or remission. The grounds are these, that diffidence and unbeleef may be removed, and the exaltation of the love of God in Christ may be exalted. 29. The new creature presented in Christ unblameable and unreprovable in the sight of God through reconciliation, made perfect and pure in the presence of God through justification, endued with the heavenly & pure grace of sanctification, is so freed from sin, iniquity and transgression, that God beholds no more sin in it then in the Lord Jesus Christ. Joh. 17.23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me. 30. O admirable change! O garment most sumptuous! O royal and beautiful robe of Christ's purity, and divine righteousness, wherewith the Saints are adorned, his chosen invested, and his beloved friends and brethren enrobed, that they may be for ever and evermore presented glorious in the sight of God, who is most righteous and holy. Revel. 3.4. Thou hast a sew names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. Revel. 7.13, 14. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and they have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Contemplation. THe Church of Christ is all glorious within, through the rare enduements of the Spirit of grace; she is all glorious without, through the righteousness of Christ imputed to her; God her Father beholds her complete in the garment of her elder brother: if she sin, she is washed; if she is washed, she is purified: if she is purified, she is spotless, being she is purged by the blood of the Lamb Christ Jesus. The robe of righteousness wherewith she is attired, is not beggarly but rich; not impure, but pure: not finite, but infinite. Though the world judge her poor, naked, and miserable, yet she is holy, pure, and clean; she is, as she is made to be complete in Christ, who is her head and bridegroom, we believe there is an holy Catholic Church, we see it not, for it is invisible, notwithstanding God's imputation is not to be gainsaid by the rabble of unlearned Doctors. If God speak the thing it is so; if God impute her just, shall it not be so? If the Son make her free, she is free indeed; if God account her just, she is just indeed. If a King forgive a rebel, who shall impute that fault to him? If God acquit his Church, who shall lay any thing to her charge? When Jacob was clothed with the garment of Esau, his nakedness appeared not to the sight of his old father Isaac. The Church being clothed with the righteousness of Christ, her nakedness appears not in the sight of God her heavenly Father through this garment wherewith she is so strongly invested, she is worthy to follow the Lord Christ from earth to heaven; not only by the ascent of heavenly meditation, but by ascent of soul after her pilgrimage is ended. For what ends? to participate of all the rich and celestial treasures which have been prepared for her before the foundation of the world; and to see the face of her loving Father in celestial glory. What now shall fear her? shall wrath? shall anger? divine justice? or indignation? No, for she is beloved, through her well beloved Christ, the very Angels rejoice, because she is rich and full of treasures; beautiful and exceeding amiable through the beauty and amiableness of Christ which is given to her. Had Benjamin a suit passing the suits of his brethren, and hath not the Church a righteousness passing the righteousness of Pharisees? Hence she loveth, knoweth, nor acknowledgeth any other righteousness save the righteousness of Christ; she detesteth even her own works in matter of justification: she will wear no linsey-wolsey garments, for her pride is great, and her ambition much in that particular: All her glory is in the Lord, her righteousness, all her thoughts is now to love and praise her Saviour, and cease from working any more in the way of justification; confessing that of, and from, and in him she enjoyeth it, ascribing continually to him the praise of righteousness. She giveth the glory of glory to the Prince of glory; she rendereth the praise of life to the Lord of life; she ascribeth the honour of peace to the Mediator of peace, and she attributeth the dignity of righteousness to her Lord of righteousness. She is in Christ, as a branch in the Vine through union. She is in Christ as a man in the Sun, by glorification; she is in Christ as a man in his garment through Justification. She desireth none to rest in her, but Christ the hope of glory: she requesteth to be in none but Christ her everlasting righteousness; for his righteousness is the righteousness of God, and it is his Father's pleasure, that he should become the Lord her righteousness. Upon which consideration, he is termed the God of her righteousness. Psal. 4.1. Hear me when I call, O God of righteousness; for thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble, have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer. CHAP. XI. Concerning Sanctification. Definition. 1. SAnctification is a real transmutation from the filthiness of sin, unto the purity of the Image of God. Ephes. 4.22, 23, 24. That ye put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And that ye put on that new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 2. There are two degrees of Sanctification, infancy, and strong age; the one is in the estate of grace, the other in the estate of felicity and glory. 2 Cor. 3.18. But we all, with open face, beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same Image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 3. In Sanctification, there are two parts considerable. 1. Mortification. 2. Vivification. 4. Mortification is the first part of Sanctification, through which sin is mortified, and the force thereof weakened and abated. Rom. 6.6. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we might not serve sin. 5. Vivification is the second part of Sanctification, through which the Image of God is restored and renewed. 1 Cor. 15.49. And as we have borne the Image of the earthly, we shall also bear the Image of the heavenly. 6. The efficient and absolute cause, is the Father of eternal grace and mercies. 1 Thes. 5.23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God, your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7. The meritorious, or formal cause, the precious & dear blood of the Lord Christ, that bought us, Heb. 10.10. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb. 10.29. Oh how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the Covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace? 8. The instrumental cause of our Sanctification, is the precious and sanctifying Word of the Lord Jesus. Joh. 17.17. Sanctify them through thy truth, thy Word is truth. 9 The spirit of life and glory, is the cause principally working and perfecting of our Sanctification. Hence the Spirit of Christ is termed the Spirit of Sanctification, Rom. 1.4. 10. There is an inseparable link and conjunction betwixt the act of Justification, by or through the righteousness of the Lord our righteousness; and the act of Sanctification, through the Spirit of life and Adoption. The ground is this, Sith the end of Justification through the love of God, and righteousness of Christ, is the holiness of our lives and conversations. 11. Whilst the inability of man, is insufficient to mortify sin, transgression and iniquity, the Spirit of life and consolation, worketh faith in the hearts of the faithful, which layeth hold on the dear blood and precious death of the Lord Christ, which draweth strength from thence, to the utter subduing and mortifying of corruption. Heb. 9.14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Rom. 6.8, 9, 10. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dyeth no more, death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once, but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 12. Whilst man is insufficient to restore again the Image of God, which he lost in Paradise, to him is given the Spirit of life, through which he is freed from the Law of sin and death, and raised again to live by the life and resurrection of Christ. Rom. 8.2. For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the Law of sin and death. Rom. 8.11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 13. The New Creature, reconciled through blood, justified through righteousness, and sanctified by the Spirit, is really & absolutely freed from blame, reproof, and sin in the sight of, God the Father. 2 Cor. 5.17. Coll. 1.22. Vide. 14. As God hath glory by faith in his promise, love to his Name, and hope in his salvation; so he hath glory by holiness and sanctity in our lives and conversations. Rom. 4.20. He staggered not at the promise of God, through unbelief: But was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Joh. 17 10. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. 15. Though the Father of glory, and God of all consolation, give us life eternal without the desert of holiness and sanctification, yet he doth not give the joy of the Spirit, & supply of grace, without the means of sanctimony or sanctification. Act. 10.43, 44. Vide. 16. Answerable to the sense of God's divine favour, the apprehension of the divine love of Christ, and the over-fillings and over-flowing of the joy of the Spirit; so is the faithfuls progress to the high calling of God in Christ. Phil. 3.14. I press toward the mark, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 17. So fare as our sanctification or holiness, is an assurance of our glory and blessedness hereafter, that it shall receive the crown of hope and approbation in the day of Judgement, and that through it we glorify our heavenly Father, before the sons of men, we may rejoice before God, with an assured confidence. Act. 24.14, 15, 16. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call Heresy, so worship I the God of my Fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prephets. And have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and men. 18. Not the terrors of the Law, the fear of hell, the dread of Justice, nor the affrightment through condemnation, aught to move the Saints to the obedience of the Gospel of life and salvation, sigh they are bound to the obedience thereof, by the love of God, a reconciled Father, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. Joh. 15.12. This is my Commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Joh. 14.15. If ye love me, keep my Commandments. 19 Though the Saints for their sanctity and holiness, are not assured of life and immortality, yet without sanctity and holiness, they are not assured of beatitude and glory. Heb. 12.14. Fellow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 20. When the faithful do not consider their justified estate and condition, and their glorious presentation, through the act of reconciliation, but opposeth and compareth their works, with the Commands and Precepts of the Moral Law. It doth possess them with dreadful grief, and woeful sorrow. Heb. 12.18, 19, 20, 21. 21. The works of Sanctification, makes us not the more beloved of God the Father, or purer in his sight or presence. The ground is this, Sith the absolute, free and eternal love of God the Father, and the righteousness of Christ, praeceeds the work of Sanctification. 22. The imperfection of sanctification, is not imputed to the Saints and Redeemed, sigh they are absolutely done away in the blood of the Lord Jesus: The ground is this, sigh the end of the effusion of the blood of Jesus, is the pardon or remission of iniquity and impiety. 23. Whilst the faithful present themselves in the sight and presence of God the Father, they must not look to their own weaknesses, infirmities and imperfections, but to God's sweet and loving acceptation in Christ, in whom God alone is well pleased. Ephes. 1.6. The ground is this; Sith the end of God's acceptation is, that through which the Saints may have or enjoy the remission or condonation of iniquity, weakness, and infirmity. Contemplation. THe Lord Christ the Author and finisher of our saith, the fountain and well spring of our refreshment, the ground of all our hope and dependence, is the cause and finisher of our sanctification. The lower Spheres are moved by the first Motion; our affections are moved by the power and might of the Lord Jesus. Doth the mighty waters move, without the motion of the Moon? or the body move, without the Intellectuals? or the soul move to Christ, without the exceeding and operative power of Christ? O my soul! thou hast to deal with that roaring Lion the Devil, the bonds and cords of iniquity, the strong gates and bars of death and all evils, and with the flesh, which is an enemy against the Spirit of life and glory. But thy knees are feeble, thy hands are weak, and thy spirit fails thee in the day of battle: Therefore thou canst not ride the wild Ass' colt, or tame the wild Hinds of the Wilderness, or bring the untamed Unicorn to thy beck and command. The day is Christ's, not thine: Thou art a triumpher, but by his power; thou art a victorer, but by his might; thou art an overcomer, but by his strength; Thy righteousness, thy life, thy peace, thy joy, thy love, thy hope and communion is from Christ all. Thy mortification, thy vivification, thy sanctification, is from Christ all in all: Is his blood the cause of remission? his righteousness the cause of Justification? his Spirit the cause of thy Adoption? and not his life and death the cause of thy sanctification? To thee is given the life of faith; the life of love and obedience, to live unto God, blessed for ever. To thee is given power from the death of Christ, (who could not be retained by the bonds of death) blessed for evermore. Where then are the fiery darts of Satan? the presumption of the flesh? the high looks of Principalities and Powers? Sith thou art made a Victorer, through the Lord of Victory; and hast obtained a Triumph, through our Lord Triumpher. As the weak falls before the mighty and valiant, and light gives way to darkness: so doth hell, the flesh, the Devil, and evils give way to the Spirit of glory and sanctification. In the day of the Cross, that roaring Lion, the Devil, could not stand before the Lion of the Tribe of Judah: In the day of the Resurrection, the black King of darkness and terrors, could not stand before the Lord of life, light, and salvation. In the day of thy fight or combats, the powers of hell, or the bars of death cannot stand through thy Lord that loves thee. O my soul! Where now is thy thought? lower than the throne of grace? No. Where is thy contemplation? lower than the Mercy-seat? No. Where is thy affection? below the heavenly places? no. Thy Lord hath drawn thee, and thou art drawn; thy Lord hath alured thee, and thou art alured. In the time of his love, he brought thee from earth to heavenly places; from hell and death, to possess a Being of heaven and life. Where thy Lord is, there wilt thou be; if he was upon the Cross, there wouldst thou behold him; if he were in the grave, there thou wouldst lodge with him; if he be at the right hand of his Father, there wilt thou dwell with him. All thy Songs are, Praise and Glory; all thy phrase, power, and wisdom, all thy meditations, wisdom and strength be ascribed to thy Lord of life and light. So that thou sayest with the Angels. Amen, Benediction and Glory, and Wisdom, and Thanksgiving, and Honour, and Power, and Strength to our God, for ever and ever, Amen. Rev. 7.12. CHAP. XII. Concerning Glorification. Definition. 1. GLorification is a real transmutation from the misery, punishment, guilt, and impurity of sin, into eternal felicity, and everlasting beatitude and glory. Apoc. 21.4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Psal. 16. last. Thou shalt show me the path of life: in thy presence is the fullness of joy, and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore. 2. Respectu termini à quo: It is called a freedom from sin, and a conservation from anger, death, and the kingdom of darkness 1. Thes. 1.10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come. Matth 4.16. The people which sat in darkness saw great light: And to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up. 3. Respectu termini ad quem: It is called beatification, benediction, life eternal, glory, the kingdom of our God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1. Joh 5.11. And this is the record that God hath given to us, eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Ephes. 1.3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Apoc. 12.10. And I heard a loud voice, saying, In heaven now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God, day and night. 4. Such shall be the glory of the faithful in the kingdom of their God and Father, that no ear hath heard, no mind conceived, nor any tongue can speak of, that glory so inenarrable, and incomparable. 1. Cor. 2.9. But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them which love him. 2. Cor. 4.17, 18. vide. 5. Though the glory of the Saints hath been intended before the world was, nevertheless it hath been in time by the Lord Christ procured and purchased, and after time of the glorious Saints shall be possessed and enjoyed. Ephes. 1.14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 2 Cor. 5.1. For we know, if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hand, eternal in the heavens. 6. The glory and dignity of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, consists not in temporal joys, terrene pleasures, or earthly jucundities, but in the divine manifestation of the blessed presence of a God most loving. Psal. 4.7, 8. Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in mine heart, more than in the time that their corn, and wine, and oil increased. Psal. 17.15. They have children at their desire, and leave the rest of their substance for their babes. Verse the 16. But as for me I will behold thy presence in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I wake with thy likeness. 7. Not only the whole Church, espoused, redeemed, and reconciled, shall have possession in the Kingdom of hope and consolation, but also they shall be possessed of it for ever and evermore. Hence she is said to reign for ever and evermore. Apoc. 22.4, 5. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the Sun; for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. 8. That privilege from bonds by redemption, the righteousness of Communion with Christ, and of the bright shining and glorious countenance of God in Christ, shall be more fully comprehended in the Kingdom of felicity, then hath been comprehended or apprehended in this veil of misery. 1. Joh. 3.2. Behold now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 9 The sense of the dear and tender love of God through union and communion with the Lord Christ, is that happiness, felicity, glory, and beatitude which shall be enjoyed of the Saints for ever and ever. 10. The abundant, fluent, and supereminent grace of God poured upon the faithful and beloved Saints in the estate of grace, is their glory, hope, and bliss in that estate and condition. Rom. 5.2. By whom also we have access by faith, into this grace, wherein we stand and rejoice under hope of the glory of God. 11. The heavenly Canaan hath been designed out by the promised Land of Canaan; and our heavenly Jerusalem hath been figured out by the earthly Jerusalem. Gal. 3.25, 26. For this is Agar in Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 12. Predestination from eternal, vocation by the Word of truth, and the Spirit of glory; Justification through the admirable and pure righteousness of Christ; Sanctification by the death and resurrection of Christ, are insepably conjoined to the glorified estate and condition of the Saints in glory. Rom. 8.30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 13. Joys supereminent, comforts superexcellent, consolations superabundant are annexed to the faithful and dear children of glory, when they think and consider they shall have an end of all their hopes; a fullness of all their wants, an answer of all their desires; in that heavenly, glorious and famous City, where their loving Redeemer and dear Father dwells and inhabits for evermore. Isa. 15.8. He will swallow up death in victory, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces, and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. Psal. 36.9. For with thee is the well of life, and in thy light shall we see light. Apoc. 7.15, 16, 17. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple: and he that sitteth on the Throne, shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Contemplation. SWeet were the streams which were in Paradise, precious are the streams which flow from this fountain of grace and glory: it is a free glory which is bestowed upon the Saints beloved. Freeness of grace is the cause of justification, the freeness of love the cause of sanctification; the freeness of bounty the cause of glorification. What worth, what value, what dignity hath there been in thee, O my soul? For in thy conscience hath been impurity, in thy will contradicencie; in thy affection indignity; and in thy flesh, impugnancie. Thou that wast purer than the purest Nazarene, becamest more leprous than Naaman the Syrian. Thou that wast more polished than the polished Saphir, becamest most vile by thy wicked nature, thou mayest confess that thou art nothing: thy Christ is all, yea a thousand nothings, for he is all for evermore. This glory was destinated for thee before the world was, promised to thee in the covenant of free grace and bounty, treasured up in Christ the Mediator of free grace and mercy; and sealed by the Spirit of Adoption life and glory. What said I, is it laid up in Christ? Yea, for in him is thy power, wisdom, strength, and felicity, in him is thy peace, rest, life, and glory; in him is thy redemption, wisdom, righteousness, and excellency. Hast thou not heard that in him the Father is well pleased, in him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and that the light of the glory of God shines in his face and favour? Not only mediate communion is granted to thee in the day of thy grace, but immediate communion shall be granted to thee in the day of thy glory and felicity. It is meet that Christ who is the Redeemer of poor souls, the justifier of the ungodly, the Reconciler of them who were at enmity, the selector or chooser of a people undeserving, that he should be the fountain of their blessedness and beatitude. It is an honour too great to be given to principalities, to powers, to dignities, to Might's, or to Dominions; this only befits Israel's eternal Shepherd, the Author of their peace, and Prince of their consolation. This hath been the Father's pleasure, that as all their joys, love, peace, righteousness and promises should be communicated to the Saints by Christ in the vale of misery: This hath been the Father's bounty, that the communion of the Saints, the perfection of his people, the coronation of his Martyrs, should be given to his in him, in that state so happy. The end of predestination is vocation: the end of vocation, union; the end of union, communion; the end of communion, hope and righteousness; and the end of hope and righteousness is everlasting bliss and blessedness: Therefore I may say, Christus meus & omnia. Millies hoc dicam, millies hoc cogitabo, millies hoc; & usque, & usque, & usque millies repetam. Neque enim vel dicere vel cogitare majus possum aut melius, quam hoc ipsum, Christus meus, & omnia. Alii alia quaerant, alia desiderent; unum ego Christum meum quaero, Christum desidero: O Christus meus, & omnia. Opens aliis & honores, voluptates aliis universas relinquo: Christum ego habean, & omnia habeo. Totos aliis ego mundos concedo: Aureos & gemmeos montes non invideo; summas delitias permitto; mihi Christus meus est omnia. Nihil ita bonum, nihil ita pulchrum aut jucundum, quin summum illud & primum●●num, & melius sit, & pulchrius sit ac jucundius. Christus meus, & omnia! quam me varia saepe accedunt desideria, quam diversis subinde aestuo cupiditatibus! ita ut cum lunatico illo adolescente, modò in ignem, modò in aquam rapiar. Sed quaenam illa tanta bona sunt, quae ego tam anxiè appeto? Num hoc vel illud genus edulii aut potionis? Christus meus, cibus meus, potus meus, & omnia. Num hoc vel illud genus relaxationis aut voluptatis? Christus meus, gaudium meum, voluptas mea, & omnia. Num hoc vel illud genus honoris aut dignitatis? Christus meus, honour meus, dignitas mea, & mea omnia. Quid est tandem quod appetere possim, & cujus loco mihi non Christus sit, & sit omnia? Mihi epulatio, mihi oblectatio, mihi quies, mihi thesaurus Christus est, mihi Christus omnia, & plus quam omnia. Nam etsi cibis, quibus inhio, vesci: potu quem sitio, refici: voluptate, quam ardeo, frui: honores, quos ambio, assequi liceat: quid istudvesci, quid istud refici, & frui, & affequi? Christus meus, & omnia, te frui, à te refici, est perfectissimè refici, est frui omnibus bonis Christus meus, & omnia. At vero labor premit, dolour affligit, curae distrahunt, homo turbat, & exagitat. Nihil horum metueodum; neque enim haec omnia, etiamsi simul ingruāt mala sunt, si summum illud bonum opituletur Christus. Christus meus, & omnia. Tu mihi, O bone Christ, O bonitas, tu in labour quies, in dolore voluptas, in curis securitas, tu mihi ab omni hominum insultu propugnaculum tutissimum; tu mihi ab omni malo refugium: tu mihi es omnia, quaecunque tandem desiderare p●ssum. Ergo quandecunque in posterum, & quodcunque bonum appetiero, hoc ipse mihi semper occinam: Christus meus, & omnia. Desine O homo, impuros rivulos sectari, cum fontem purissimum habeas: Christum habes, omnia habes, quaecunque habere concupiscis. O ye sons & daughters of men, O ye Watchmen of Israel, marvel not though I exalt the glory of the Lord of glory. For I have none to mediate my cause in heaven but him; nor none to comfort my distressed soul on earth besides him. Do the thirsty long for water, the hungry desire bread, and the Hart bray after the rivers and springs of water; and do not I long, desire, and bray after my Lord that bought me? I cry how long Lord, how long shall it be ere I see thy glorious face and lovely countenance. O my soul, what though thy tears trickle down thy cheeks? what though thy face is bedewed with tears? what though thy heart is full of heaviness? Because the battle is strong betwixt thee and the black prince of death and darkness, the world hates and contemns thee, and Angels of light have made thee worse than the filth of the earth, yet shalt thou not be dismayed; for there is a City provided for thee, whose maker and builder is God: in which, there is the crown of righteousness, the crown of life, and the crown of glory; in which there is fellowship with the Angels, with the Saints, with the Father, and with Christ the beloved Mediator and Reconciler: in which is everlasting praise, eternal comforts, and infinite fruition. Therefore I will walk with the travellers, run with the runners, and fight with the fighters, laying hold of eternal praise and glory, saying, with the lovers of free grace, the waiters for mercy, and the poor captives of hope, praise be given to God our celestial, gracious, and bountiful Father; honour be ascribed to Jesus Christ, our propitious and benignous Mediator, now and for evermore. Amen. FINIS. HEAVENLY Contemplations. REvel. 22.4. And they shall see his face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads. And they shall see his face. THey which go down to the Sea, and occupy in the great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep: So they that go into the Church of Christ, and view what Christ hath done for his Church and chosen, they see the works of Christ, and the wonders he hath wrought; hath he showed his admirable work in the act of Redemption, his famous work in the act of Justification; and hath he not showed his famous and admirable work in the act of donation? What hath Christ given? yea, what hath he not given? He hath given his redeemed Saints to see his loving face, and lovely countenance. And they shall see his face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads. They. What they? yea; they shall see his face, they whose names are written in the book of the living, whose lives are hid with God in Christ, who are presented spotless, blameless, reprovelesse in the sight of God their loving and beneficial Father. What they? yea they who are cleansed from sin by the blood of the Lamb incontaminate, and immaculate, who are blessed with spiritual and celestial blessings; who are collocated in the heavenly places in Christ, and have undervalved their lives to the death for Jesus cause. What they? Yea they, who are brethren to Jesus Christ, sons of God the Father, redeemed from all evils, and beloved before the world was, according to the Text. And they shall see his face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads. They shall. NOt now, yet now in part, not in full perfection or fruition; now they stand and rejoice, under the hope of glory, now Christ is in them the hope of glory; now by the Spirit of life, and adoption they pass from glory to glory; now environed with great tribulations, now they are under great temptations, now they mourn with the saddest lamentations: are not their mournings as the mournings of Rachel? their tears are superfluent, as the tears of Jeremiah; and their sadness as the sadness of Hagar: they see in grace, not in glory, yet not without glory; they see in glory without the perfection of grace, yet not without grace; though grace and glory is no cause of heaviness, yet sometimes the Saints are in heaviness; But their Lord will see them again, their hearts shall rejoice, and their joy shall no man take from them. They shall see. CAn mortal man behold the face of God in glory? No. Can mortality behold him who is invisible? No, or can the frail creature eye him who is immortal? No▪ No man hath seen God at any time, but the Son out of his bosom, he hath declared him; but when corruption shall put on incorruption; when weakness and frailty shall be clothed with strength, and glory; and mortality shall put on immortality, then shall they see his face. His. What the face of an earthly Potentate? No: what the sight of an earthly Prince? No. What, the countenance of a mighty Monarch? No. What then? the face of him who is the God of sweetest consolation, the Father of divine and shining glory; the Creator of the heavenly wights, and the orb terrestrial, the Lord of hosts, our Israel's King, and the God only wise, blessed for evermore. Amen. His face. Where are the fountains of pleasures? where are the springs of delectation? where are the rivers of supercelestial joys and consolation? save in his sweet and gracious presence. Is not that the river that makes glad the City of our God? Is not that the stream which maketh glad the Tabernacles of the most high? Is not that the sweetest spring that refresheth all the Saints beloved? Are Abanah and Pharper, rivers of Damascus comparable? the waters of Jordan answerable; or the waters of Bethlehem in parallel to this? No, the captives say by this they are delivered; the wounded affirm, by this that they are healed; the dead relate, by this they are revived; this makes the thirsty land a pool of pleasant waters; the driest land a spring of sweetest solace: and the desert place a place of hopeful situation. If we might enjoy heaven, and not this, what sweetness? If we might enjoy the company of celestial weights, what delightfulness? If we might enjoy all things, and not this all, what cheerfulness? The thought thereof makes the travellers to heavenly glory comfortable and triumphous in their walking; the fighters for the heavenly crown of righteousness, valiant and victorious in battle: and the prisoners in bonds and chains for Christ's sake, pleasant, and joyous in praises. O what thought like this thought? O what cogitation like this cogitation? or what consideration like this ponderous and serious consideration? To consider that through the light of this countenance, and the cheerfulness of this blessed face, and favour, the Saints shall be delivered from all evil, to enjoy the highest and supremest good. For they shall see his face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads. What delivered from all evils? Yea, by this the Law hath no power to accuse before the bar of Justice; arraign before the tribunal throne of God; condemn through the infinite and eternal justice of God, or to command us to stand righteous or holy in the sight and presence of God. By this the fears of death are removed, the terrors of death abolished, the sting of death extinguished, and the delivery of death unto the second death prevented: by this the roar of that roaring Lion the devil are stopped. The cunning of that old crafty Serpent subverted; the fire-balls of the black prince of darkness repulsed; and the power of the prince of the air utterly annihilated. By this the spot of sin, the impurity of iniquity, the wrath and indignation for transgression cannot take hold upon the Saints redeemed. By this they are delivered from the outcries and blasphemies of the damned, the chains of miserable and woeful darkness, the judgement of the great and notable day of the Lord, from the woes and miseries of hell for evermore; for they are a people blessed, beloved of the Father. For they shall see his face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads. To enjoy the chiefest good, what said I, the chiefest good? Yea, for in the enjoyment of this hopeful and blessed countenance, they shall enjoy the promises. Shall not the dead enjoy the promises of life? Shall not the weary and heavy laden enjoy the promise of rest? shall not the fighters for glory enjoy the crown of righteousness? shall not the Saints and Martyrs enjoy the crown of glory? Yea, for his word is as fast as heaven and earth; his Decree as absolute as the Decree of the Medes and Persians; and the foundation of his truth more stable than the centre of the earth; Hath he not engaged himself by oath, affirmed by his Word, and established by his promise? His promises are in Christ, yea, and Amen, unto his glory. Shall they not understand the infinite and eternal price of Redemption, the sweet and the delightsome peace of Reconciliation, the glorious beauty of the righteousness of Christ in Justification; the blessed communion and union with Christ, annexed to vocation, and that eternal and blessed weight of glory in glorification? What benefit hath been procured by the cross of Christ, what conquest by the death of Christ, what life and righteousness through the resurrection of Christ? or what privilege through the mediation or intercession of Christ, that is not communicated to the Saints through this blessed face and favour? For they shall see his face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads. As they may glory, so will I glory and triumph; though the Sea roar, though the mountains be cast into the midst of the waters, though the earth should quake, and the heavens should be shaken, yet would I not fear. O my soul, what if thou wast cast into a den of Lions with beloved Daniel, what though thou wast cast into the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego! what though thou wast in prison with Peter bound in chains amongst the four quaternions? yet this would refresh thee. What though thou wast with David shut out from the Lords inheritance, suffered the want of light in a dungeon of darkness; and sustained the loss of goods, friends, and acquaintance? yet this would replenish thee: this will make thee more joyful than others, with all their corn, and wine in abundance. This will make thee more cheerful than others, having treasures with superfluance; this shall make thee more delightful than others that possess all things with excrescence. When thou awakest with this Image, thou mayest be satisfied with the sweetness of his face and blessed vision: thou mayest be ravished, for in his face is fullness of joy, and pleasures for evermore. Shall others see, and not I? shall others behold, and not I? I shall behold him, and now near, I shall see him, and not fare off. Therefore will I glory with them that glory, sigh my lot with theirs is fallen in goodly places: For we shall see his face, and his Name shall be in our foreheads. And his Name shall be in their foreheads. O Admirable privilege, the Church's admiration, because of the savour of thy sweet ointments, thy name is an ointment poured out, the Virgins love thee: Is this a small matter to be called Branches, Members, & Spouse to Christ thy worthy and loving Bridegroom to his redeemed and chosen? Is this a thing of no worth to be called heirs, coheires with Christ, and sons and daughters of the living God? Is this thing of no consequence, that we should be called the redeemed of the Lord, the friends of Christ, and the Lords inheritance? O my soul, shalt thou not rejoice, and rejoice again to consider that thou bearest the name of God, the new name of the City of our God, even of the new Jerusalem. Now thy name is altered and changed, thou wast called, a child of wrath; now a child of favour: a servant of the devil, now a servant of Jesus Christ: an alienate from the commonwealth of Israel, now a citizen of the Kingdom of heaven: A limb of the house of hell and death, now one of the family of God thy dear and tender Father: A stranger from the Covenant of promise, now one of the familiars and acquaintance of Christ. Was that a privilege that Abram should be called Abraham, and not this a privilege to thee, that wast a slave to the black king of darkness, shouldst be called a servant of life and light. Was that a dignity that Jacob should be called Israel? and is not this a dignity to thee, that thou who wast a vessel of hell and wrath, shouldst be called a vessel of bliss and glory? O my soul, triumph that thou hast a name better than the sons and daughters, better than of kings and Princes, better than Adam in the day of purity and integrity; for thy name is written in the book of life, it is known in the land of the living, and engraven on the breast of Israel's Redeemer. Thou therefore with boldness shalt bear his Name in thy forehead; neither principalities, nor powers, nor dominions shall affright thee; neither prison, chains, nor bonds shall amaze thee; neither sword, famine, nor pestilence shall discourage thee; neither shipwreck, whips, nor reproaches shall daunt thee: thou shalt with boldness confess his Name before men and Angels, for thou shalt behold his face in glory with them that behold it. Revel. 22.4. And they shall see his face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads. REvel. 22.5. And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither the light of the Sun: for the Lord God doth give them light, and they shall reign for evermore. And there shall be no night there. It was said of Asher, that his bread should be fat, and he should yield pleasures for a King. It may be said of this, that the fruits thereof will be sweetness, it yields sweetness to Kings washed and beloved. It was spoken of Naphtalie, that he should be as a Hind let go, speaking goodly words; It may be spoken of Christ, that he came out from the Father, uttering gracious speeches: And of Joseph, that his bow abode in strength, his hands were strengthened by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob, the stone and Pastor of Israel. It may be related of the Saints that they abide invincible, and their faith inconquerable by the hands of the Lord of life and salvation, and by the words of the great Shepherd, the Redeemer and seeker of Israel. By what words? by the words of death, of darkness, of sin, hell and condemnation? No, but by the words of life, light, remission, heaven, and salvation, according to the text: And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither the light of the Sun: for the Lord God doth give them light, and they shall reign for evermore. No night there. What no night there? What no darkness there? what no promiscuousnesse nor dimness there? No, time was they sat in the region and shadow of death; but to them the light of Christ the Sun of righteousness both appeared. Time was they sat in darkness, being bound with affliction and iron; but to them the brightness of glory in the face of Jesus Christ hath been manifested. Time was the god of this world had blinded their eyes, that they could not behold the glory of the Lord in the land of the living: but now Christ the Light of the world, the Son beloved of the Father, to them hath been declared: shall they sit in solitary places? No. Shall their bonds be everlasting bonds under darkness? No: or shall their feet stumble upon promiscuous mountains? No. For the Gospel of life and light is their clarity; the Sun of glorious righteousness their glory; and the shining countenance of their heavenly Father their beauty. For there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither the light of the Sun: for the Lord God doth give them light, and they shall reign for evermore. And they need no candle. What not of the candle that yields light in the hidden and secret places, that is a pleasure unto sublunary creatures; that directeth the paths of them that walk in obscurity? No. What not of the word of Reconciliation, that is a lantern to our feet, and a light to our paths; not of that which sought out man upon the mountains of sin, and the craggy rocks of iniquity, of that which bringeth in life, peace and immortality? There is no need of the terrene and earthly, but of the spiritual and heavenly; that alone is needful in the day of grace, not in glory, the daystar appearing, the lesser lights are extinguished: The Sun of light and glory appearing, the inferior lights are deleted. Though we need a candle in the day of grace, yet we need no candle in the estate of glory: for the Lord God who giveth grace and glory, immediately enlighteneth by his glory: For there shall be no night there, neither need of the candle, neither of the Sun: for the Lord God doth enlighten them, and they shall reign for evermore. Neither of the light of the Sun. What not of the light of the Sun? which is as supreme amongst the Planets, the rarest of lights, the delight of sublunaries, the beauty of the world, the illumination of hidden and secret places, and the rejoicing of the lower orbs or inferior Regions? No. What not of Christ the effulgencie and character of his Father's person, the Son of the bosom full of grace and truth; the Mediator of the new Covenant, the Prince of peace, the Lord of life and salvation, the great Shepherd of his sheep, the Son of light, righteousness, and immortality. Yea, for as our life is deadness without his life, our righteousness unrighteousness without his righteousness; our glory deformity without his beauty; our riches poverty without his treasure: so our light is darkness without his shining beams of glory. Though there is no need of the light of the Sun, yet there is need of the light of the Son of righteousness. For there shall be no night there, for the Lord God doth enlighten them, and they shall reign for evermore. For the Lord God doth enlighten them. What said he, for the Lord God, that is, he who was, who is and is to come, who is the Alpha and Omega, who hath been from everlasting to everlasting, and from eternity to eternity, who is the Lord of hosts, the holy One of Israel, the King of Kings, the God only wise, blessed for evermore; who is the Father of glory, the God all-sufficient, the fountain of consolation, the wellspring of living waters; the ancre of hope, and the Lord God of Israel to Israel his redeemed; who is strong, gracious, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth. He will give grace and glory enlightening them, with his light and glory, according to the text. For the Lord God doth enlighten them, and they shall reign for evermore. Doth enlighten them. O Admiration of admirations! O wonder of wonders! O gift of gifts, that the high and holy One of Israel, the Father of eternal mercies, of incomprehensible and infinite kindness, who dwells in light in accessible, should communicate his light and glory to poor distressed captives, who walked upon the dark mountains, who were bound by Law and justice to everlasting chains under darkness, who were blinded by the fearful king of terrors, that roaring Lion, whose dwelling and habitation is in eternal woe and misery! O my soul, was not thy darkness worse than the darkness of Egypt? was it not more terrible than the darkness of the night season? waste thou not as blind as the Sodomites, yea thy blindness worse than the blindness of the Aramites? In that day of darkness and obscurity, thou sawest nothing but sin, transgression, and iniquity; but hell, death, and calamity; but justice, wrath, and fury; but destruction, woe and misery: though the glory of God shown in the land of the living, though the beauty of Christ shown amongst the believing, yet thou beheldest not his glory; but now he hath enlightened thee: when he became the day star in thy heart, a Sun of brightness in thy understanding, and his glory shown in the face of Jesus Christ upon thy conscience? What light is like this light wherewith thy Father hath enlightened thee? not the light of the stars; Christ the day star is thy illumination; not the light of the candle, the Spirit of Christ is to thee the Spirit of revelation: nor the light of the Sun, though it shine in the Meridian. That enlighteneth the air, this thy soul that contents thy eye, this thy conscience, that setteth and riseth; this riseth and never setteth; that draweth vapours from below, this draweth thy soul as high as the heavenly places: that enlighteneth Towns, Cities and Countries, this enlighteneth thee to the heavenly City, whose maker and builder is God. O my soul, is light sown for the righteous, and not for thee? Hath light appeared in a dungeon of darkness, and not to thee? Or hath Christ the Light of the world appeared, and not to thee? Yea, for though thou wast born blind, yet now thou seest: and though thou wast encompassed with obscurity, yet now thou beholdest: what dost thou behold, yea what dost thou not behold? For his grace is thy glory, his face thy comfort, his promise thy rest, his Christ thy hope, his kingdom thy end, and the fruition of his face thy great felicity. Thou sawest the Sun, whilst the Son of righteousness was obscured: and whilst the Son of righteousness appeared, the Sun in the midst of the Planets was eclipsed; so that whilst thou wast deprived of the one, thou didst enjoy the other: as the text relateth. For thy God enlighteneth his, and they shall reign for evermore. And they shall reign for evermore. What they who received the holy unction, who have been made Kings and Priests to God our Father, through the blood of Jesus, who have washed their long white robes through that blood most precious. They, yea they, who have been cast out to the open shame and contempt of their faces, who have been unsavoury salt, whom no eye pitied, neither towards them hath the bowels of mercy yearned; yea they who have not been ashamed of chains, fetters and bonds for Christ's sake; who have endured reproaches, slanders, shipwrecks, whip, and rebukes, for Christ their Master, who have not been ashamed to confess the Name of Christ before Kings, Princes and Monarches of the earth. They, yea they who have been strangers from the Commonwealth of Israel, alienates from the Covenant of promise, without Christ, and without God in the world. They shall reign with Christ for evermore. They shall. WHat not now, who are more than conquerors through Christ that loved them, who have encountered with sin, fought with Satan, overcome death, and by the power of their blessed and loving Mediator have suppressed all evils, and removed all the force of powers and principalities? Not now, who are already anointed with the holy unction, filled with the fullness of grace and mercy, made Kings through Christ the beloved King, and Lord of life and reconciliation. Yea now, for Christ lives in them, they in Christ; Christ dwells in them, they in Christ, Christ reigns in them, and they by Christ; And they shall reign for evermore. Reign. What they? yea they who have wandered in sheepskins, and goatskins, they who have been counted as sheep to the slaughter, and have been slain all the day long for his name's sake. They, yea they, who have not had the oil of unction, who have not had a foot of inheritance amongst the sons of men, who are the mock of the world, the derision of the people, adjudged unworthy, though most worthy, whom the world is not worthy of: they shall enjoy a kingdom not earthly, but heavenly; not mortal, but immortal; not momentary, but eternal; not made of stone, of lime, of gold, of silver, or established upon any earthly foundation, not sensed with walls of brass, and posts and gates of wood and iron; but encompassed about with an eternal protection: not filled with terrene fruits and pleasures delectable, but with heavenly pleasures, and joys inenarrable: not with terrene or terrestrial profits, accounted valeable, but with heavenly treasures and thing unvaleable. O the Hymns, the Songs and Psalms that are in that City! O the praisings, lauding, and honours that are in that Jerusalem! O the dignifying, lauding, and magnifyings that is in that kingdom! There is nothing but peace, love and amity; there is nothing but blessedness, life and felicity; there is nothing but heavenly fruition; glorious communion, and the excellent and eternal weight of glory. For the Lord Jehovah dwelleth there: Therefore they shall need no light, and they shall reign for evermore. For evermore. NOt for days, times, years, months and hours, not for ten, hundreds, thousands, and millions, but for eternity. What day like that day wherein the Son of righteousness shall never set? what time like that time, wherein the splendorous, glorious & gracious countenance of God shall shine upon the Saints for ever and ever? What season like that season wherein the Saints shall enjoy the fruit of inestimable redemption, the benefit of undeclarable reconciliation, the effect of that inutterable union, and the blessing of that gracious presentations in the act of justification? O my soul, that shall be to thee a lot of lots, a portion of portions, and a blessing of blessings; that shall be to thee a mercy of mercies, a dignity of dignities, and a fruition of all fruitions. Was Jacob satisfied when he saw the face of Joseph? and shall not I be satisfied when I shall behold that day of light and beauty? Was Elkanah better to Hannah then ten sons, and is not this better to thee then ten thousands? Therefore rest in this rest, hope in this beatitude, wait for this communion and glory. Sith tears shall be no more, death shall be no more, sorrows shall be no more. For thou with them shalt reign for evermore, and there shall be no night there, neither need of the candle, neither of the Sun: For the Lord God doth give them light, and they shall reign for evermore. FINIS. HEAVENLY Contemplations. PHIL. 9 And now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. WHy did not Paul glory that he was an inheritor of an inheritance immortal and immarcessible? why did he not glory that he was admitted to sweetness of communion and nearness of union with his Lord and Mediator? why did he not glory that he had the gift of healing, the excellency of Ministry, and the power in casting out of evil spirits; but in bonds and chains for Jesus sake? (there hath been great cause wherefore) for this is a great and exceeding dignity, greater than either Kingdom or Consulship. For nothing is so glorious as chains about those hands, as fetters about those feet, as iron bonds about those necks which are born for Jesus cause. To be a prisoner for Jesus, is better than to be an Apostle, then to be a Teacher, then to be an Evangelist. If any man love Christ, he knoweth what I say; if any man be ravished and inflamed with the love of his Master, he knoweth the force of those bonds: he would rather be a prisoner for Christ, then to dwell in heaven; he showeth to them those hands more bright than any gold, than any King's Crown; for a Crown set with precious stones doth not so gorgeously set out the head whereon it standeth, as an iron chain wherewith one is bound for Christ's sake. Perhaps this is more honourable then to set him upon the twelve thrones: perhaps this is more glorious then to set him at his right hand: perhaps this is more glorious then to enjoy all terrene and earthly blessings. But what speak I of human things? I am ashamed to compare riches and ornaments of gold to those bonds; I am ashamed to compare mountains of pearls to those chains; I am ashamed to equal Seas of riches to those fetters. If any man would give me heaven or such sufferings, I would choose those sufferings. If one would place me with the Angels above, or with Paul in prison, I would rather choose to be with Paul in prison: if any one would make me one of those powers that be about heaven; I would rather choose to be such a prisoner: I would gladly see those chains which the devils fear and tremble, and the Angel's reverence: I would gladly rest in those places where those bonds remain. Do I count Paul so blessed for that he was taken into Paradise, as I do for that he was cast into prison? No Or do I count him so blessed for that he was ravished with the joys of heaven, as I count him blessed in imprisonments? No. O my soul, if thou art brought to the Cross with thiefs, if thou art carried to answer in chains before Princes and Monarches; if thou art adjudged worthy of death with the condemned, spit upon, buffeted and reviled; yea although by transformed. Angels of light: Notwithstanding those shall be thy glory; the gift of suffering is greater than the staying of the Sun and Moon, greater than the moving of the world, then to conquer Satan, or drive away devils. The devils are not so grieved when they are driven away by faith; as when they see thee valiant and stout in bonds and fetters. How great rejoicing, how great honour, how great glory, how great pleasure is it to be in bonds for such a Saviour? O blessed hands, which are so adorned with those unvaluable chains. Doth our Lord say that they are blessed who raise the dead, or they are blessed who open the eyes of the blind? No: But they are blessed who suffer for righteousness sake. They are now in heaviness, but their Lord will see them again; their hearts shall rejoice, and their joy shall no man take from them. They are now despised, yet beloved: now abhorred. yet embraced: now undervalved, yet esteemed. What shall I say, O that I might have seen the cave where David was! O that I had seen the prison where Peter was: or that I had seen the fiery furnace of those worthy sufferers, or the den of Lions where Daniel was: then should I have admired at the gracious hand and admirable providence of Christ to his poor sufferers. The Lions did honour daniel's suffering, the fiery flame did abate at the three children's enduring: the vipers did reverence Paul's chain it was so glorious. Have the sufferers for Christ lost their names? they have a name written in the book of life. Have they lost their liberty? they have the liberty of grace and glory. Have they lost their lives? they have a life laid up with God in Christ. Have they lost their treasures? they have hidden and glorious treasures. And have they lost all? they shall possess and enjoy Christ Lord of all. O my soul, whilst others glories in riches, in honours, in pleasures, in vanities of the world, thou shalt glory in bonds, in fetters, in chains, in scourges, in reproaches, in stonings, in shipwrecks, and in all imposements: for thy Lord hath said in the world thou shalt have trouble; but with him thou shalt have peace, he will see thee again, thy heart shall rejoice, and thy joy shall no man take from thee. Thou shalt therefore glory as much in those chains, as in the robe of righteousness, as in his precious blood, as in his rich inheritance, and in his faithful promises: for though thou hast been a prisoner in Christ, yet not bound in Christ: though a prisoner to Christ, yet not bound by chains of iron, but by bonds of love a prisoner of Christ: Sith thou hast suffered reproaches, imprisonment, stoning and flight for his Names sake. No marvel though the Apostles were more than conquerors; no marvel though they went rejoicing from the Council: no marvel though Paul and Silas sung in bonds and fetters. Sith the presence of Christ is as delectable in prison as in heaven, the love of God as precious in prison as in the heavenly places; and the chain of Christ in prison more rich than a chain of pearls and jewels: therefore the Apostle gloried in this chain. Phil. 9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Of CHRIST. 1. CHrist is our glory, and our strength for ever, A help at need, a hold that faileth never. 2. When darkness is, the Sun appeareth bright, The darkness past, the Sun we have in sight. 3. And though the darkness for a time remain, It passeth over, light springeth again. 4. And light appearing, Christ came from on high, Passing his word, to be our Surety. 5. To answer, what of man the Law required, Or Justice plea, of right the truth desired. 6. By worth of death, and blood, to satisfy His Father's wrath, & sins most heinous cry. 7. So heaven did its drops to earth distil, And with its springs, the vast places did fill. 8. When heaven high adjoined itself so low, All fluent favours on it to bestow. 9 Distance of place, prevents not influence, The eye may see, a love incomprehence. 10. The height, the depth, the faithful do admire, With serious thoughts within themselves retire. 11. To think such favour, kindness, & free grace, Laid up for them in the celestial place. 12. Obtained by Christ, the Lord of peace & life Shedding his blood, that he might end the strife. 13. Hence than Christ pleads, & saith, that all is mine My blood, and death, it hath redeemed thine. 14. For to enjoy the fullness of my store, For them laid up of old for evermore. 15. With Angels, Saints, songs of celestial praise, Mention thy bounty, favour eke always. Of Faith. 1. THy suit pursuit after the place celestial, Thy highest thoughts do leave the place terrestrial. 2. Thy sweet repose, and steadfast acquiest, In God through Christ, for everlasting rest. 3. This faith of thine, is placed in intellect, Ever on Christ thy object doth reflect. 4. Which changeth nature, & old age reneweth Altering the will, and will obeys the truth. 5. To truth consenting, and doth not gainsay, What divine truth will have it to obey. 6. God ours in Christ, through faith we do assent, By it from Christ, our joy, and compliment. 7. Our hope through faith, looks unto God future, To be persuaded of a kingdom sure. 8. Sith promise faithful is our faith's foundation, Assuring us in Christ, our great salvation. 9 Faith saves its true, yet not without Christ's blood, Though it conduct us to eternal good. 10. And though we are the sons of God most high Yet that's through faith, the truth doth not deny. 11. Whilst we are just through royal righteousness, From Christ, not man, our faith doth that confess. 12. Whilst we are holy, by Christ's Spirit free, Our faith applieth Christ to thee, and me. 13. Whilst we adorn, and reverence his Name, Faith gives the virtue, power to the same. 14. Whilst we do mourn, faith causeth to repent, Moving the vitals, yet not to relent. 15. And whilst we have a glorious rich reward. Faith saith that God our works doth not regard. 16. But looks to Christ, who hath obtained the Crown, Obtained honour, conquest and renown. 17. It never leaves to bring the grey and hairy Unto the place of their celestial glory. 18. Where sing they shall, and evermore remain, hallelujahs song, and nevermore refrain. 19 Sith lot is good, a portion them befall, To be with Christ, who is theirs all, in all. T. BATT. FINIS.