Qass__^_- _ r:ro SACRED TROPOLOGY:': OR, A BRIEF VIEW OF. THE FIGURES, AND EXPLICATION OF THE METAPHORS, CONTAINED IN SCRIPTURE. By JOHN BROWN, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT HADDINGTON John v. 39. Search the Scriptures.—— Hofea xii. 10 I have ufed SIMILITUDES, by the miniflry of the Prophets. Honoon: 8 PRINTED TOR W. BAYNES, NO. 54 PATERNOSTER- ROW. "E&5* 1 K. niCHARDSOK, »AlM£Jt 4 BfiRYVieKt PREFACE. THE advantage of a clear, comprehenfive, and regu- lar view of the figures, the types, and the predic- tions of fcripture, is obvious. By the first, we mark the furprifmg eloquence of Heaven, and difcern almoft every form in nature, a guide to, an illuftrator of infpired truth. By the second, we perceive the whole fubftance of the gofpel of Chrift truly exhibited in ancient Iha- dows, perfons, and things ; in laws apparently carnal and trifling. In the thib_d, we obferve how aftonifhingly in- fpired predictions properly arranged, with the hiftory of nations and churches, do illuflrate each other ; and mo- dern events, as with the evidence of miracles, confirm our faith in the oracles of God. The fubfequent meditations relate to the figures of facred writ. To avoid too peremptory parallels; to a- waken devotion, they are call into the prefent form. The emblems, whofe fignification appeared uncertain or diver- sified, are repeated under different heads. To fhun inter- fering with types, many rich emblems, as of Zion, priests, Zsfc. are wholly omitted or but (lightly touched. To fhun a tirefome length, and a finking dulnefs, what was juft before hinted on a fimilar emblem, is not feldom pafled over •, and the hiftory of emblems is left to be col- lected from the account of the objects they reprefent ; nor on this is ought but hints offered, and the enlarge- ment is left to the reader's own meditation. What friendly indulgence is requifite to pardon miftakes, the perufer rmifl judge. Meanwhile, it is hoped, he will remember, the efpial of faults is much eafier work than to avoid them. CONTENTS, BOOKI. A general view of the FIGURES of fcripture language ', P a ge 5, 14. BOOK II. Explication of METAPHORS refpebling PERSONS, viz. God, page 14. — Chrifl, 41. — jfe ffo/y G^g/?, ill. — Holy angels, 119. — Fallen angels, 1 21. — .M^ in general, 1 27. — Saints, 1 40. — Wicked men, 1 86. — Faithful miniflers, 211. — i*fl^ teachers, 225. — 7#* true churchy 231. — C 2 ^. o. Introdection offpeeches realor feigned : as. of the chofen ruler of Judah Ifa. iii. 7; of their women, Ifa ir« I : of the fir-trees, and the dead, Ifa. xiv. 8, 9; of hell and deftrii&ion, Jobxxviii. 22. When thefe fpetches are wicked, they are fqmetJmes cxprefled, not as uttered by 'the author, but ?,s tht-y truly meant. Tins {inful means of relief are called, a covenant with hell, and agreement with death, If?, xxviii 15 ; flattering prophecies are cal- led deceits, ifa. xxx« 10: falfe witnefles are caUed fons of Eelial, 1 Kings xxi. 10. jo. Questions, expufEve <>f abfurdity, v onder, doubt, demonftration, expoftulatic:>, anger,infultj grief, negation, pity, defire, refufal prohi- bition: as, Mow can a man be born when he is ole? John iii. 4. Mew excellent is thy loving-kindnefs! Pial. xxxvi. 7. Shall S^rah, that is ninety years old bear? Gen. 2.vii. 17. Is any thing too hard tor the Lord? Gen. xviii. 14, g£c. 11. Appeals to thefe argued againftj as, of the aaoJUea to the Jtwifli rulers, A els iv. 10; of Paul to the Of the figures of scriplure-langitage hi general. 7 G^latians, chap. iii. 2. 12. Retortion, or throwing back an accufatioa or obje&ion on the flarter of it. Bo God throws b'Hck thechargeof inj aftice on the J. , ws,who charged him with it, Ezek. xviii; the Syrophenician wo- man pleads the character of a dog, thrown out againlt her, as an argument for mercy, Matth. x\ r . 26, 27: to repel the queitionby what authority he acled,Jefus pofed the inquirers, Whether the Baptifm of John was from heaven, or of men? Matth xkl. 23,-25. 13. Preven- tion of objections, by anfwering them before they ara flatted: thus the objection of God's deferting his church, is prevented, Ifa, xlix 14, 15. 14. A.n apparent yielding of what an oppofer pleads, inorder to mew its abfurdity; or its infufficiency toeftablilh the point in dilpute. So Paul grants thejews to have great-knowledge of thelaw; and a capacity to inftru£t others; in order to mew them,' how their fin in breaking the law was aggravate, Rom. ii. *7» — 2 4« James grants the ungodly profeffer, that he had faith; but ihews that the devils alfo believed and trembled, Jam. ii. 19. 15. Assignation of the reafon of an aclion or name. Thus Paul was not afhamed of the gofpel, becaufe it was the power of God for falvation to believers; and it was fo, becaufe therein the rigateoufriefs of God was revealed, Rom. i. 16, 17. Tne law filences and condemns ail men, becaufe by it is the knowledge of fin; and therefore by the deeds of it, mall no flefli be ja- ftitied, Rom. iii. 19, 20. No man can be faved by the law; becaufe it worketh wrath in our corrupt nature a- gainft God, and condemns us to his j aft wrath, Rom. iv. j 4, 15. 16. Lively descriptions which, as it were, pre- sent the objects, to our eyes, and other fenfes; as, of To- phet, lfa xxx. 33; ofGoliah, 1 Sam.xvii. 4—6 ; of God's companion Jer. xxxi.20. Bof.xi. 7, 3. 17. Digressions ; wherein the fpeaker for a time turns ancle from his imme- diate fubje£t, and defcants upon an objscl, occafionally mentioned. Thus the apoltles oft turn aiide to difcourfe concerning Jefus Chrift: as Rev, i. 5,— -8. Col. i. 14.— 22. 18. Transitions; wherein one part of the fentence re- fpe£ts what went before; andanother win t follows- Thus, Covet earneftly the bed gifts, refpetb what precedes-; and, i (hew youa mare excellent way, what follows, iCar. A2 8 SACRED TROPOLOGY. xii. 3* T 9- Contrasts; wherein fubje&s difHmilar are compared in order to mark clearly the nature value, or unworthlhefs of the one: fcrthe condition of the wicked is contrafted with that of the righteous, Pfal. i. Goa'3 kindnefs,and mens uufraitfulnefs and wiekednefs,are con- trailed, Ifa. v. i, — 4. Men, and the Holy Ghoft, are con- traded, A£s v. 4. 20 Comparison of things, like or unlike, in order to argue from the one to the other. Thus Chrift argues from the lefTer to the greater, Matth. vi. 3c, and vii. 11; and that God is to be feared rather than men, Matth x. 28 2 1. Induction; wherein compound things are reprefented in their various parts And here, there is generally an afcending as to the object, or the lan- guage. Thus the defdlation of a country is defcribed from the cafe of the fields, the inhabitants, people, prieft, fervant, matter, feller, buyer, &cc. Ifa xxiv. 1,-3. God's Jaft judgment is reprefented in his rewarding the righte- ous, andpuniihing the wicked, Rom. ii. 6, — §■ The re- furrecVion h defcribed, as partly to happinefs, and partly to damnation, John v. 28, 29. ChriU's iiate is defcribed, from the debafed and exalted circumitances thereof, Phil. i. 6, — 10, Thus the fin, or the judgment of men, 5s often defcribed in a variety of particulars, Ezek*xxii. and xxiii 22. Crowding of various qualities or things into one fentence; as, of facrifkes rams, bullocks, lambs, he goats, vain oblations, new moons, Sabbaths, aiTemblie s, Ifa.i. 11, 13,14? of foreknowledge, predefiinntion, call- ing, jollification, glorification, Rom. viii.29,30. 23 Re- doubled representations ; wherein objects are repre- sented, firit more obfeurcly, and then more plainly ; as, Hear the right; attend to my cry; give ear to my pray, er, Pfal. xvii. 1 ; water and the lpirii,John iii. 5. Thy iilver is be come drofs, thy wine is mixt with water; thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves, iia. i, us,. 23. 1%. Circumlocutions; wherein for raode^y, or to iweeteu or heighten the lang-nage, the proper name i>i an object is avoided, and an indirect defcription given 5n its Head. So a chamber-pot is called a vcffel wherein there is no plenfure, Jer. xxii. 28. Urine is called the waters of the feet, 2 Kings xyiii. 27. Heb. Death is call- ed the l;ing of terrors, job xviii. 14. 25. References ; Of the figures of fcripture- language in genera!' $ wherein the words, or fenfe of another fpeaker, or writer, are quoted, or alluded to. Here the words are fometimes quoted in a fenfe they did not originally feem to bear; and fometimcs the terms or the fenfe of divers pallages are conjunctly quoted into one. — Quotations or ailuflans abound in the New Teftament, Matth. i. 23, and xxi. 4, 5. Ads vii. 43, Sec. &c. Complex ffgiirts are, metonymy ; fynechdoche ; mei- olis ; hyperbole; irony; metaphor. By metonymy, the n?.me of one object. is given to a- nother, becaule of fome connection, not fimilitude, be- twixt them. Thus, r. The name of the matter, the au- thor, the caufe, or instrument, is given to what is pro- duced from, or by it : or the name of the effect is given to the author, caufe, or inilrument. Thus the wood u\ the houfes and furniture of J erufalesn, is called a foreit, Jer. xxi. 14 ; the temple, for its plenty of Cedar-wood that grew in Lebanon, is called Lebanon, Zech. xi. I ; 3 heavenly frame is called the Spirit, Rev. i. ic ; the name of a father, as of Jacob, Moab, Sec. is given to his po- iterity, Ifa. xliii. 22; a t'eflimony is called the mouth, Deut xvii. 6 ; fpeech is called the tongue, Prov. xxv. 15 ; the benefits God beftows are called his love, t Joha fti. 1. Contratiwife, Chnit is called falyation, becaufe the author of it. Gen. xlix. 18 ; Efau taking Canaani- tifti wives is called a grief, i. e. a caufe of grief, Gen. xxvi. 35 ; the gofpel is called the power of "God, i. e. the inftrument, of exerting it, Rom. i. 16; victory over the world is called faith, as faith obtains it, 1 John v. 4 ; the tranfgreffion of Ifrael is called Samaria ; and the high places of Judah, Jerufalem : becaufe thefe cities chiefly promoted wickednefs and idolatry, Mic. i. 5. wifdom and knowledge are called (lability, becaufe they are the means of it, Ifa. xxxiii. 6. 2. The name of 3 fubject is given to its adjunct j and of an adjunct to its fabject. Thus a city, a country, the earth, the werld, is put for the inhabitants thereof, Jer. iv. 29. Gen. vi. 11 ; a cup for what is contained in it, 1 Cor. xi. 25. This cup, &c. Pfal. xxiii. 4 : a neft for the pullets in it, Deut, xxxii. 11 ; the heart, for the defires, or other things contained in it ; Pfal. Ixii, 8, Pour out your hearts; A3 10 SACRED TROPOLOGY. The r.sme of a poffeffor, is given to what is pofTeffed ; fo Chrift's people are called himfelf, Matth. xxv. 31. 1 Cor. xii. 12 ; fo the Lord; i. e. what offerings belong- ed to him, is called Levi's inheritance, Dent. x. 9. The name of the thing fignified is given to the fign : fo the wine in the Lord's fupper is called Chrift's blood, or the New Teftament in it, Matth. xxvi. 26; and of the irgn to the thing £gnified ; the fovereign rule is called a fceptre, Gen, xlix. is. The name of the quality is gi- ven to its fubjecl ; fo a fcarlet and criinfon coloured thing is called fcarlet and crimfon, Ifa. i. 18. The name of what is contained, is given to what contains it ; fo fields are called the upper and nether fprings, Jofn. xv. 19. 2. Names are put for the perfon or things named ; fo the name of Chrift, or of God, oft fignifies precifely Chrift, or God himfelf, Aclsiv. 12. Deut. xxviii. 58.4, Ferfens and things are named according to appearance, not reality : fo angels are called men, Gen, xviii. ; Sa- tan is called Samuel, 1 Sum xxviii. 14, — 20: erfor is called a gofpel, Gal. i 6. Ey synecdoche, j. More univerfal terms are put for fuch as are more reftricled : as all, for many : for all kinds , for the greater or better part, Matth. iii. 5, and xix : 28 ; the world, for the Roman empire, the Gentiles, the wicked, the Antichriftians, Luke ii. 1. 1 John ii. 2. and v. 18 Rev. xiii. 8 ; every creature, for men, Mark Xvi. 15 ; or the plural number for the fingular, as chil- dren for child, Gen. xxi. 7. a. More reitricled terms are put for fuch as are more extenfive: as, one for all of the kind, Pfal. i. 1 ; yefterday, tor lime paft, Heb. xiii. 8 ; a limited number, as thrice, feven times, for frequent- ly, 4 Cor. xii. 85 Pfal. cxix. 164 : £ve, a thoufmd, for an uncertain number, Ifa. xxx. 17. 3. A whole perfon, thing, place, or time, is put for an adjuncl or part of it. So Cnrift is faid to die ; to be buried; when only his body died, and was bu'ied, John xix. 42, and ii. 13; world is put for Canaan, Pvom. iv. 13 ; north, fer Caldea, Jer. i. 13 ; for ever, ior a long time, Dan. ii. 4. 4. A part of a perfon, thing, place, or time, is put for the whole of it, So fouls denote human perfons, Acls ii. 41 ; Gf the figures of fcripturs- language in general, *i refurrection is put for Ghrift's whofe appearance in cur nature, Acbi. 22 ; hour for a period of time, John iv. 23. By meiosis, a great deal kfs isexprefTed, than is real- ly lignified. Thus, in the negative precepts, much more isintended, than is literally exprelT^d, Exod. x.x. 3, — 17. By hyperbole, things are reprefented, as far more m- lignificant, great, glorious, or numerous than they really are. So the Hebrew fpiesare reprefented a sg raff- hoppers, Numb. xli. ^ ; the top of a tower or wall is faid to reach to heaven, Gen. xi. 4 ; the hiftories of all GhrifVs works could not be contained, rather perufed, by- the world, John xxi. 25 ; the Ifraelites are reprefented as in number like to the fand on the fea fhore, or dull of the earth, Gen. xiii. 16 : fo contentions are called wars, Jain, iv. 1 ; plenty of milk, honey, and butter, or oil, is repre- fented as rivers of it, Job xx'ix. 6 ; Saul and Jonathan are reprefented as fwifter than eagles, and ftronger than lions. The terms of this figure mult always be under- ftood with due limitation. By irony, the terms are uttered with fuch an air, or other circumftance, as makes them bear a fignificatioa quite contrary to their common one : as, Let them, the falfe gods, rife up and help you, Deut. xxxii. 38. Blefs God, and die, Job ii. 12. Rejoice, O young man, &c. Keel, xi, 9. Sleep on now, Sec Match xxvi 45. Cry a- loud; for he is a God, Sec 1 Kings xviii. 27. Go up and profper ; for the Lord, &c. 1 Kings xxii 15 When the irony is extremely fharp and reproachful, it is called a farcafm, as a goodly price, Sec Zech. xi. 13 ; How glorious was the king of Ifra^i to-day ! 1 Sim. vi. 2c. He trufted in God, Pfal. xxi*. 8. By metaphor, the names, qualities, and actions, pro- per to fame perfons or things, are afcribed to ot ler per- fons or things ; becaufe of fome likenefs between them* Thefe of rational beings, are afcribed to other rational beings ; fo Satan is called a God ; :ni niters, angels &c. Thefe of inanimate things ; fo God s purpof- or g >fpel is called a foundation, &c. Thefe of living creatures, to things without life : fo the creation is faid to groan, to travail, to will, Sec. Thefe of things without life, to fuch as have it : fo Chriil is called a way. a doer, the 12 sacred tropology. truth, &c — That by comparing the volumes of nature with the oracles of God, we may be alway, and every where, furrounded with fpiritual monitors, no figure is more frequent than this : nor is there almoft any thing in nature, from whence it is not drawn. Particularly, I. From rational beings: as God, holy angels, devils, chiefly from men; in their PARTS, foul, body, fieih, blood, bones, head, face, eyes, ears, nofe, mouth, cheeks, locks, hair, neck, moulder, back, belly, hands, loins, bowels, navel, bofom, knees, legs, feet ; in their relations, marriage, hufband, fpoufe, men, women, virgins, young men, fathers, mothers, fons, daughters, children, babes, widows, mailers, fervants, kings, judges, captains, fub- lecls, fo-Idiers, army, fhepherds, teachers, merchants, Canaanites, Arabians, Sodom, Gomorrah, Babylon, E- gypt; in their adjuncts, life, health, ftreng.th, beauty, wound, ficknefs, ieannefs, lamenefs, blindnefs, plague, confumption, death, burial; and in their sensations of feeing, hearing, fmelling, fading, feeling, hunger, thrift ; with their relatives, comely, green, red, white, black* ugly, fweet, bitter, loath feme, hard, foft *, in their acn TIons, eat, drink, ftay : Hand, walk, run, gird, care, fight, Ileal, rob, beget, &c. 2. From beasts, fowls, birds, eagles, pelicans, owls, doves, hens, fparrbws, flies, bees, locufls, grafshoppers, lions, unicorns, leopards, bears, boars, wolves, foxes, hinds, harts, roes, goats, kids, horfe, bullock?, kine, heifers, a(Tes, wild alTes, dromedaries, dogs, fwine, fheep, rams, lambs, dragons, ferpents, afps, vi- pers, fcorpions, worms, fpiders, fifties : with their ad- juncts, tail, horns, tee'h, wings, fcales, Ring, fat, milk : and actions to bite, fling, fwallow, tear, fly,. &.c. 3. From things celeftial, heaven, firmament, light, fun, moon, ftars> clouds, vapour fhadow, darknefs, rain, dew, wind, hail, fnow, thunder* tempeft, lightening, rainbow, &.c. 4. From fire, flame, coal, brand, ftwel, furnace, fmoke, light, heat, burning. 5. From liquid fubftances, water, fea, fountain, rivers, dreams, brooks, ciilerns, channels, banks, flowing, overflowing, breaking our, dropping, f welling, honey, wine, oil, &c. 6. From tilings earthly, dull, fand, mountains, hills, Carmel, Le- banon, Sharon, Baihan, earth, rocks, dens, deeps, pits. Of the figures of f crip f tire- language in general. 1 3 valleys, fields, gardens, ways, deferts, dirt, dung, ir^nes, gold, filver, brafs, iron, tin, lead, carbuncles, agates, a- damants, fardine, fapphire, jafper, Emerald, jewels nitre, brimltane, fait, pearl, woods, trees, cedars, £rs, oaks, tyles, Shittahs, palms, apple- trees, pomegranates, myr- tles, olives, vines, thorns, briers, flowers, myrrh, cam* phire, fpikenard, cinnamon, lilies, wormwood, nettles, grafs, corn, feed, root, leaves, branches, buds, plants, fruit, mandrakes, apples, grapes, wheat, barley, chaff, plowing, (owing, planting, reaping, thre-ming, winnow- ing, lifting, grinding, hatveft, vintage, grape-treading, leaven, bread, earthquake, &c. 7. From human accom- modations and utenfils, kingdom, nation, country, city, houfe, chamber, foundation, wall, pillar corner, window; gate, door, bed, bar, beam, rafter, gallery, fort, prifon, grave, food, feaft, fupper,morfel, table, veflll, cover, gar- ment, girdle, yoke, bond, cord, rope, mirror, rod, armour, fword, iheath, fnield, fpear, helmet, bow, arrows, quiver, ftaff, chariot, bridle, race, prize, price, fpoil, meafuro balances, weights, feales, wealth, treafure, inheritance, debt, wages, hand writing, tefiamsnt, crown, fcf ptre, throne, guard, fhip, nail, hammer, net. 8. From dura- tion of time, year, month, week, day, night, watch of the night, morning, noon, evening, hour, moment. 9. From Old Teilament types and New Teilament inftitu- tions, as from Adam, David, Solomon, Ifrael, priefts, Levites, Canaan, Jerufaiem, Zion, tabernacle, temple, holy of holies, altar, mercy-feat, facrinces, firfi-fruits, cxrcumcilion, fprinkling of blood, anointing with oil, new moons, pafibver, feait of tabernacles, baptifm, &c. To underfland metaphors, it mutt be cbferved, that the foundation thereof is LIKENEsS between the thing whence the metaphor is drawn, and that to which it is applied. "When this likenefs is exhioiitd m one or a few exprefiions, it. is a SIMPLE metaphor, When it is purfued in a variety of exprefiions; or there is a con- tinued aflfemblage of metaphors, it is an allegory. When the refemblance is harm and far fetched, as to fee a voice, it is a catachr.esis. When it is couched in a fhort faying oblcure and ambiguous, it is called a rid- dle. When it is couched in a fhort faying comnaoniy * . . MCRED TR'.POLOSY. u 'td,it is termed a proverp Wi,„„ .. , . parable. 2 B c 'f!;; , fol ' m 1 . cf a ''H. » R » and operations one K *' """J 8 haS V3 ' ious <^ lities biem of perS " ^ or thin",! %* ** "* meta P'™"= em- I** is th'e enrblem G^Chnft^f T&i '° * goooSwd bad. , Tne Twl . ' ° f Satan ' ot m ™> and the vbi ft 3\hl dlS T nCe b;tWeen ,he emW <™. whence" S^LTh^ ' 1 ""' '' S ' bctwe " &" "Kts; rend " s P r i »ffibe 8 T > ' ^ ^ wWeh * **" be found ThJc* rSlT 8nd ^^ ° bj '^ flwu,d "" decenc? with refn„« P , fu "her than truth and the myfteues of G ™ N v i ° ,h f ^ 3ad darken one particular is ^A\ Y' ■' e faCred m ^phors, feould from the eir^ th '"" ent, « ' '«<»* or preacher, BOOK II OF METAPHORS REPRESENTING PERSONS, CHAP. I. Of METAPHORS RESPECTING GOD. der affeclion ,„ v „ B r' ' domin 'on over, and ten- <*•. afiS^X""' -?'. Things refpefling emblems of his ~rfi!E ' ? dlv '»«)7 conftitute the «EA» of Ch ft P toST aml W0 '^ H < " CaIled the undoubted fBDerinr ?„*• m; ",'- a: ' d Mediat <»> he is the luperio. , and ,t „ his to fupport, rule, and Of metaphor* rcspectinr God , , *r«a _him, as foci, a. His countenance and ftce when ^prefented as fet againft K1! y, denote J „,^ ^ thw s fi"nif r^ ,vmh ^ i «-h grace c Commonly his eyes import his.knowled° e • his care; Ins favour and regard; but fcmetimes thedi/War o h,s wrath ,/. H,s ears denote his perfta kno _,JT »' h.s exaa obferva.ion, anJ favourab/e "^d™ H & ft. lsand nofe figmfy h,s anger, his approbation, and his xaa juc.ga.ent/ H,s mouth and lips denote his wi lu=authont y ; his word; his command ; his wrart V His back imports b IS an'ger and difrceard j Hi, I- '/' incn as a.e l^anty and obicure, in refpeft c f our imrhe- c ate vtfouot him, face to face, in heaven i. His arts Ins hands, his fingers, denote his almighty power mart' fefiec in aa, et fovereignt,, judice, lunty, %T££ Raited fiation of Chr.fi, it ^.^ ^ an horny, glory, d.gnity OT . The hollow of hil hand u ,o es hiseafy comprehenfion, protean, and fupporl m .11 things n. His foul ,s his nature, his holinefs" and love o. His heart is his efience ; his will ; purpofe- plea wl hn£ ' m 7 C7; ?nd •"• b «»r:ded compaffion „. Pes baton import, kcn . fif effii n r e , rnd ^.* amazing intimacy , and eirdeared loje r. His feet are the left g or,6« manifeftanons of his preface ; the Z evc.fe ot his power . a ,,d providence, for the relief of h is people, and overthrow of his enemies s. a rifd.fcfi t T P °H ? f d T" e pIeafare; »PP^«r fury, denoW has fixed, high, and holy diipleafure with fin; and fin. • *■• ■ /. u iiei) \\>. i{ Dent xi i? d -i «■ • * ^^Ji. via. ,i J„ x/x 5 . ai , v, 4 / fl X 2™\ ?i? 49- ^ Gjn. ri 6. and M»*iuj8. ,Isa Kvi ,; v 4 ? '-'-Mil. (i . r Ps.,1 l.vxiv. u. 1 6 SACRED TROPOLOGY. ners ; and his awful difplay thereof, in his righteous judgments a. His fadnefs and grief import his juft dif- pleafure and righteous withdrawment of favour b, Hi* grief for the mifery of his people, denotes his tendei mercy; his infinite companion toward them c. His repentance imports the changing, not of his mind and purpofe, but of the courfe of his providential work d. His jealoufy denotes his diftruft of his creatures ; his tender regard to his honour ; his love to his people, and his indignation againft his enemies e. His knowledge imports his clear view of all things ; his difcovery of fe- crets j his approbation and love f. His thoughts are his purpetes ; and his judgment concerning things £. His enquiry and fearch imports the perfection and in- fallibility of his knowledge ; his patient and convincing procedure againft tranfgrenors ; his difcovery of things that are hid h. His remembrance denotes his extenfive knowledge and notice ; with the fignal difplays of his pity, favour, or wrath i. His remembering fin imports his puniflring on account of it: his not remembering it, denotes his gracious forgiving of it k* Mis forgetting perfons, imports his difregardiog and expcfing them to affliction and mifery /. His hilling for men, denotes his eafy and fudden affemblinp-, and bringing them to exe- cute his judgments m. His breath or breathing fignifies the exercil'e of his power in the eafy formation of man ; in the readydeftruclion of his enemies, or deliverance of his people n. His mccking and laughing at men, denotes his pleafure in their juft puniihment ; his full fecurity from, and disregard of their wicked attempts againft his interefts; and his contemning the prayer they prefect to him in their affliction o. His crying out, imports his earned invitation of finful men to accept his favours, and return to their duty ; and his fevere correction and pu- niihment of thefe that obftinatcly oiftnd^>. His fpeaking, a P6al. v. 4,— 6. and vii and lb. Jerix. 9. ft. 'Isa. Ixiii. io Ezek, vi. Q. c Judg. x. \6. d Gen, vi. 6. i Sam. xv. 19. a Exod. xx. 6 Zech. i. 14, i 5 /John xx i. 17. Manh. vii. a J. Gen. xxii. 12 g. Jer. xxix. 11. Isa. lix 8. h Gen in. * Zeph i 12. / Isaxliv 21. m Exod xxxii $1. Rev* xxii i3. 11 Paal ixxxviii. 5. Of metaphors respecting God* 2t His writing things in a book, denotes his perfect know- ledge, exact remembrance, and continued, juft regard to them a. His writing bitter things againft one, lignifies his gradual afflicting of him with fevere and lading trou- bles h. His writing his law in mens heart, and fealing them wich his Spirit, imports his applying his word by his Spirit to their heart ; that they may be conformed to his image and law ; and comforted by his influence c. His writing mens names in heaven in his book of life ; with the living; with the righteous, imports his parti- cular and fixed choice of them with the reft of the elecTt, to obrameverlalting life d. His writing his name in their foreheads, imports his rendering them like him in hoii- nefs ; and enabling them to make an open profcflion of his truth e. His putting their tears into his bottle and marking them in his book, imports his 1 * VccHen it) and careful rewarding thereof/*. His en the one corner-ftone, implies his formi nature ; his furniihing it with ail beaul his fevere bruifing, and deep woundii itrokes of his wrath jr. His breaking mens teeth, arms, or bow, imports his depriving them of ability, of courage, of opportunity to opprefs and do violence to others ; or defend themfclves h. His putting his hook in their nofe, and his bridle in their jaws, denotes his checking their fury, and thwarting tneir projecls z. His fanning men imports his trying, his {battering, and deft roying them k. His cutting off their fpirit fig nines his taking away their wifdom, their ftrength, their courage, or life /. His f weeping a land with the befom of deftruclion, imports his cutting off the inhabitants by death, or giving them up for captivity and fpoil ; his overturning the Buildings, and rendering it defolate m. His bruiting Satan under the feet of his people, implies his reltraining, his con- quering, and triumphing over him in, and by them n His bruifing, finking", (tricking, wounding men, imports his laying heavy afflictions on them o, a Isa. !xv. 6, and xlix. 16. b Job xiii. 26. c 2 Cor. iii £. Jer. xxxi. 35. 4 Lukgx. 20. Rev.xiii. 8. Psai. Ixix. 28. Isa. iv. 3. e Hev. xiii, '2, and xv. 1. /Psai. ivi. 8. g-Zech. 1119. b Psal. x. 15, anH Iviii. 6. Hosea i. 5. i Isa. xxxvii. 29. ' k Matth. iii. \i. Jer. xv. 7. t Psal. lxxvi. 12. m Ua. XiV. 2j. n ROiU. xvi. 20. Isa. liii. 4. io. it 3 22 SACRFD TROPOLOGY. His fealing up mens hand denotes his forbidding, his hindering them to act #. His foaling, or i'ewino up \ v .[ m qi«ity in a bag, in. ports his ex- 61 knowledge of it ; his ccntmu dremrmbran^eof it, undreadinefsto revt nge it£, His fealmg up his people, denotes his particular piotec- tion ot them iti danger ; his confirming and marking them- by his Sp rit ; his affuring them of his fptciaj love c. Kis fealing of Chritt imports his lending him into the world with fufficient authority and furniture to be the Mediator, Saviour, Prophet,. Pric-ft, and King of his church d. Hs drawing men imports his freeing them from trouble ; his bringing them irom a ftate of fin and milcry ; enabling them to receive his Son ; and giving thorn more and more intimate fellowfnip with himftlf e. His purfuing men, his driving them away, imports his bringing fudden and heavy judgments upon them, not- withftaiiding • f whatcvet tuey can do to prevent, or efcape them ', his q.Jck and wrathful bereaving them of their outward property, comfort, or lifey. His fetting a hedge about men, denotes his favourable protection of them ; or b's angry funounding of them with maniiold grievous uffliclior s g. His removing the hedge implies hisexpofiiig ih m to dan^ ei and ruin h. His. treading men under his feet, imports his fevere puniihing ©f them, his reducing them to the lowtft p.unge of mifery and Want I. Hi? feeking or looking to perfons or things, implies his ex.61 k, owled.e of t htm ; his gracious favour and ap robation; the ex cution of his righteous indignation k. B fore him ; before his eyes; or in his fight, is openly, boldly, v*eil known to him. Out of his fight, is out of his favour, dcrivt-d ot tne peculiar dilpiays of his love and cire j out of his peculiar land and chinch /. His hearing denotes his fix d attention to, and exacl: know- ledge of nil t 1 ings j chiefly his gracious acceptance, and kind ai.fvvt.ring of his people's prayers m. His fmelling and tailing, import his unerring judgment, and gracious i Jnbxxxvii 7« 6J^xiv. 17, c 1 Cnr i 22 Rey. vih f. WJohnvi. 2-j , P 1 xvni 16 J.hnv,. 4 a mod.' r 4. /L;im i/i 66. J'iov xiv. ?2 ^J hi 10. Lam ii'.Q. 4P..I. \*xx 1 1. and Ixxxix 40. 1 Lam., i. -. /Paxe, md xxxiv 9. Nuino. xvi. 15. / Gen x. 9. a Kings ZVU io. Gtu iV. 16. ,7J Psat x 16. Of metaphors respiting Cod. 23 approbation of things a. His- touching' denotes his eafy change md removal of things ; his afflicting of ptrions b. Ho ileping denotes his apparent indiffctency bout his caufe an) people ; his delaying to comfort or help them c. His awaking and rifing up^ imply his manifeifation of his power, nn rcy, and wrath, in favours of his people, and for the ruin of his enemies d. His coming to men, his vinring and meeting. them, imports- his freely grant- ing tru-m his comfortable pretence, deliverance, or help ; or his feverely puniming and afflicting them e _ His go- ing or walking with men, fignifi.s his pleaiure to grant Bis comfortable p:el'ence, abide with, do good to, uphold,, and iit-fend, and direct them f His walking contrary to men, imports his deliberat ci offing, of tueir defigns, and his extcutinghis terriole judgments upon them g. His ihr ving himfelf froward, or a wreltler with the iroward, ii v ifi.s hi* heaping the moft difagreeabk and irrvfiiwble troubles upon tl em h* His coining down denotes bis eondefcenfion ; his manifeitation cfhis p culiar pre fence on earth, to favour and bleis his people y and for the punilhment and dell ruction of his en emk s z- His *>o-~ ing up fignifies th; afcent, the removal of fome vifible token ot his prefence k\ His returning 10 his pi ^ce, im- ports the withe raiment of his favouis; ana his coming out of it, denotes his beginning to airplay his. peril etion,, in executing judgment upon his oppolers-/. His re- turning on high, imports his open difpiay of his glorious and tremendous ex elk ricies and fovereign dominion, in helping and comforting his?oeople. and i. avenging nin- felfof his adverfiries -m* His returning to men, denotes his fhewing them his glory and grace ;. and bellowing, his favours on them afters fign^l hiding or withdraw — ment thereof n. Hisiniding himfelf,.his covering him- felf with a cloud, his Handing afar cfT, import his rcfu- fip.g to difcover his glory *nd grace j.and denying to be* How feniible favours, to regard or grant mens r< queffs, or to help them in a time of need 0. Hs riding on che— Exod xxix iS, 25,41. Hosea ix 4. b -Psal. civ. 32, anloxli. 5. f, d, Ps-il. xhv 23 24. N'si-nh x 35 Pa. lx> iii 1. e Exo ; l xx 24. Gen xxi 1. Psalxviij. Isaxxvii »; /Lev xxv, ( 2. Ge :i xlvi 4. g Let xxvi 24. b Psal xiii. 26.. i Isa Ixv 1 Gen xi 5, 7 I G 1 xx>vu J Hosea v rs. isa xxvi u. m Psai vii 7, n Psal vi, 4, 5, Psai xm 1. Lam hi. 44, Ptalx it 24 SACRED TROPOLOGY. rubims, reprefents his majeflic employment of angels m the acminiftrations of his providence a, His riding oft fwift clo-ds, imports his awful and majeitic fpeed, in executing his manifold, his aftonilhing judgments b. His running, his flying, denotes the quick, the eafy progrefs ef his wrathful or merciful providences c. His pafling by iniquities, import his forgiving them, and forbearing to punifk men on their account d. His palling through, or over a people or land, fignifies his forbearing to afflict them, or his humbling them by lighter ftrokes e. His fearchin^ out a land, implies his wife allotment of it to a people ; and his preparing it for them f. His fteking and finding of men, imports his delight in men; and his delivering them from their fallen ftate ; or from the deeps of apoftacy, diftance, diftrefs g. His feeking, finding out, and vifking iniq dty, denotes his discovering it, and punifliing men for it h* His finding out his e- nemies, implies his exact knowledge of their perfons and crimes ; and his irreiiitable and eafy execution of his vengeance upon them i. His-fmding out Chrift, imports his infinitely wife choice of him to be our Me- diator k. His anointing of perfons, denotes his calling them to an c ffice ; or his giving them the Holy Giioft to f notify, comfort, and flrengtnen them /. His tempt- ing a perfon, imports his trying his obedience ; and call- ing him to make a clear dilcovery of his real grace ///. His lead.ng into temptation ; his hardening, deceiving, blinding, or ileepening men, imports his righteous ex- pifare of them to fucii things a, may innocently occalion i: ir fin; his withholding, his prpferving, foftening, directing, and auakening influences ; and his permitting Satan, wicked men and their own lulls to entice tnem to fin, and render them ftupid and obftmate, millaken, ig- norant, and carelcfs therein n. riis being diijointed from his prof fii.ig people, implies how very difagreea- ble it is to him, to be provoked to withdraw his fpeciai favours from them o. His being made to ferve with a Paalxviiiia I Laxix i. c Luke xv 20. PsaLxviii to. d Micah >i; is. t Auto* v\\ 5, and vitii. Hosea x 11. /fczekxx6. gJuhniv iy fa c.\ix 176. /. GeoxJn 16. Exud xx 6. /' Psal xx/S. k Psal Jxxxix :o. / P 3 a] x:v 7. 2 C01 i 21. m Gen xxu I n Matlh vi 13. i.Aydv;ij Ej«kx*F9, Row a. 8, *Javi8, Cf metaphors respecting God. 25 mens fins, fignifi.es that his goodnefs, his mercy, his pa- tience, his ordinances, words, and works, are by them rendered occafions to, and iaff ruments of iniquity a. His being wearied with, grieved by, and preflcd under fin anvi iinners, import his being long and Angularly provok- ed, by their'courfe of iniquity ; his purpofing fpeedily t® puniih the guilcy tranfgrelTors b. God's place or prefence denotes his being every where; his fpecial friend (hip, intimacy, and favour, or that part of creation, as Eden, the tabernacle, temple, heaven, See* where fome fymbol of his glory is feen c. His feat or throne is Chri ft; his. ordinances; heaven; or whatever he difplays his efpecial prefence, majedy, and authority in d His dwelling in Chrifl ; in eternity; in heaven ;. in the hearts of his people;, in the temple, imports his abiding and delightful connection therewith ; and his fhewing forth, and exerting the riches of his glory and grace therein e. His footftool is the earth, where he vouchfafes but imperfect difplays of his excellency and brightness: and where he crufhes down and afflicts his ad<* verfaries : and his tabernacle, temple, or ordinances ; where he abides with imperfect faints, and bellows but fcanty views of his glory f. His Handing imports his fu- nds to govern,andhis readinefs to help, comfort, correct, or puniih men g His fitting denotes his fupreme autho- rity; his unlimited power; his- ever fixed happinefs; and undifturbed repoie b. His lifting up his hand, imports his f wearing, his living the moil folemn, firm and evi- dent fecurity- for a thing; his threatening of trouble; or his exerting his power i. Hi? life denotes the eternal exiltence, activity, and hap-- pinefs of his nature k. His days and years fignify his everlafting and unfucceffive duration ; with the diitin- guifhed.feafons of his mighty works /. His being clo- thed with light, with majefty, with honour, zeal, &c„. imports his divine pleafure in his conftant and glorious a r§a. jliii. 24, b Isa. xliii. 24, Gen. vi. 6. Amos ii. 13. c Psal. exxxix. 7. Psal. xxiv. 3. Gen. iv. 16. d Heb. iv, 16. Mafth. v 34. e 1 Cor. v. 19. Isa. jvii. 15. Psal cxv. 3, /Isa. lxvi. i. P al. xcix 5. g Psilm oix. 31. b Psal. Ji. '4. and xxix. 10. i Dent, xxxu 40. Ezek. xx» 5, 6. k Psal. xyiii. 46. Jer. x. io. I Dan. vn. 9. Psal. ixxvu. 10.. 26 SACRED TROPOLOGY. difplay of his wifdom, holinefs, power, greatnefs, autho- rity, righteoufnefs,kindnefs, or wrath a. His being arm- ed denotes his full fufSciency, his perpetual readinefs to conquer and protect his people ; and to puniih his ene- mies b. His bow, his firings, and arrows, his fword, his fpear, and helmet, are his power and ju.tice, with the threatenings and inftruments of his vengeance: or his all-conquering, and protecting love, promife, and grace c. Wicfceu men are called his word and hand, beeaufe by them lie executes his afflictive deiigns d His buckler and banner denote his all powerful help and protection of his people, by means of his word, his Providence, and grace *. His rod, his ftaiF, and fceptre reprefent the direction, fupport defence, and coi reclion of !.:.> people according to his promife, and the dcftru&ion of his enemies accord- ing to his threatening : rod too denotes the inftruments of God's judgment/". The cup in his hand, is anger, wrath, ripe for execution ; which is full of mixture, as the judg- ments contained are numerous, various, and bitter^. And without mixture, as no mercy is mingled therewith in hell h. His chariots are clouds, angels, and provi- dences i. His chariot-wheels are the wind, or eafy roll- ing clouds >£. His riches are his fuineis of snajsfty, glo- ry, and grace, with ail the bieifed effe&a thereof/. His treafures arc his power, vengeance. jufticc,goodnefs, pa- tience, or the clouds and heavens m. His furnace is the execution of his juft judgments for the refining of his people, and the ruin of his enemies n His lot and por- tion is his chofen people, whom he efteems delights in, and receiye6 a revenue of glory from o. The Mof*ic la- orifices arc called his bread, and the wine offerings re- prefented as cheering his heart: they were food delicate to his fervice ; and he accepted and delighted in them, when offered in the faith of his promifed Son p. His book is his predefining purpoie; his infinite knowledge; « Psal. xriii. i. and civ. i, 2. Isa !i. 9. and lix. 1 7. b Isa. lix. 17, )8. e Paal. xxw. 23. Lam. ii. 4. Dent, x&xii 41. Hab. iii. 11 P^ai. xlv. 3, 5. d. Psal. xvii. m, 14. e f'-alm. xxxv. 1. and Ix 4 /Psal. xxi, 1. 4. Micah vii. 14, Psal. li 89. Isa. x- 5. g Psal. Ixxv 8. 4 Ke>'. xiv. 10. i Psal. Ixviu 17. Isa. xix. 1. AP:al. Ixv. u I Phil. iv. 19. m Deut. xxxii. 34 and xxvui. 11. u La. x.x.w.9. o Ltui. xxxii. 9 p Numb, xxviii, 2. Pwhn ci\. Of metaphors respecting God. 27 his unfailing remembrance; and e-::a£r providential care a. His fig-net and feal is what is very dear to him: chiefly his feal is his holy Spirit b. "My foul, is every thing in me, every thing about me, an emblem of God? why then are not the thoughts of him innumerr-b'e r ?nd pre- cious to me? why, when I walk by the way; when I lie down or rife up, am not I ftill with him? Why dees not my God, my all, meet every view ? 2. God is called the ancient OF days c ; he is from everlaiting to everlafiing: when empires-are overturned, and nations deffroyed. he continues ever the fame. His garment white as fnow, is the purity of his nature; the brightnefs of his glory and majelty; and his uncoi rupt- nefs in judgment His hair like pure wool, denots his ve- nerableneG. gravicy, wifdom, and ficnef^ for [judgment. His fiery throne denotes his awful nature: his levere ir- refiftible, and piercing judgments: its fiery wheels may fignify his clear and ditiinft view of all things, and the fpeedy, and terrible execution of his fentences. 3. God is compared to a fatiilr d. In the firfl perfon cf ihe adorable Godne>d, lie from eternity, begot our Lord Jefus Chrilt He is the contriver, p'opofer, former, and prelerver of all thiols. He is the author arid fource of light, knowledge, glory, mercy and p-^odnefs. From eternity he chufe into the number of his children y in time he fpiritually begets all his ranfomed people: he bears, preferves and comforts them; he nourifhes them with the fiefh and blood of his Son ; with the fulnefs of his love; the influences of his Spirit; $nd the fincere milk of the word ; he clothes them with the imputed righteeufnefs of his Son; the robe of implanted grace; and of a glorious gofpel converfation- Never is he judi- cially wroth with any of his faints; but, to aflonifliment loves and delights, in their perfons, their graces, and good works ; never doth he hurt; butfaves and defends tnem, from fii, Sitan, and the world. He is efpecially tender of chem, when they are weak and afilicled. Him- felf he propofes for their copy and pattern ; in every point of due behaviour, ia all ipiritual knowledge, gcd- a Tsa. iv. 3. Dan. xii 4. Psa?. cxxx : x. 16. Exod. xxxii. 32. b Jer. xxu. 24 .Lph.i. 13, cJDanvii.9. eofard a. How infinitely- comely and glorious in himfelf ! how 'diverlified his ap- pearance to creatures ! How fierce, efpecially after a long fleep of exercifed patience ; is his wrath againft his enemies I how he obferves their goings ! watches for the evil to bring it upon them ! how oft his judgments break forth on them ere they are aware ! and what fpi ritual ■ blindnefs and everl ailing darknefs are their remedilefs doom ! With me, Lord, wait that thou mayeft be graci- ous ; be exalted that thou mayeft fhew mercy : and be- caufe thou art a God of judgment, let me wait for thee. 22. God is compared to a bear bereaved ©f her whelps, and lying in wait b. How terrible, though of- ten flow, are his judgments- ! how wifely his providence decoys thefe, who hate bim, into deftruftion and ruin ! How aftoniuiing his love to, and care of his people, whom by the application of his infinite kindnefs in his promife he forms into new, into perfect men! How fearful hisvengeance againft thofe that hurt them, or feek to draw them from him ! In hell his mercy is clean gone, and he will be favourable no more! Behold, my foul, the good- nefs and feverity of God! on others that fell, fe verity ; towards thee, goodnefs, if thou continue in his goodnefs other wife thou Ihalt alfo be cut ofF. 23. God compares himfelf to a moth and rotten*, NEssc. Secretly, infenfibly, gradually, he oft, by his judg- ments, wades mens fpirits ; their gifts * their privileges ;, and property; and renders them ufelefs and contemptible. 24. God is called love d. O the incomprehen£ble and unbounded love of the three divine perfons one to another ! O his kindnefs to all his creatures ! How full of love his, heart, his purpofe, his word, his work;, chiefly the giving of his Son for and to fmful men ! How kindly he wills good to them ! does them good I and de- lights in them ! How high ! how extenfive ! how free J how powerful and conquering his love to my foul ! may it ever be filed abroad in my heart by therloly Ghoftl a, Hos, x'ii, 7« &. Hos, xiiii 8. e, Hos. v, u. J. 1 John iv. 8, t . 36 SACRED TROPOLOGY. 25. God is compared to light a. How infinitely glo- rious, pure, holy, pleafant, and incomprehenfible his na- ture ! how clear and unbounded his knowledge! how unlimited his ©mniprefence ! O the quick approaching, the refrefhful, the illuminating, difrovering, and direct- ing influences, of his goodnefs and grace S Walk, my foul, for ever walk, in the light of the Lord. 26. God is compared to the SUN b. O his unfpeaka- ble greatnefs \ his dazzling glory \ his tranfcendent high- nefs ! He is the reftful centre of all things ; the father and fouree of all light, natural, gracious, or glorious: all things are naked and open to him : and it his to re- frefh, quicken, and fupport his creatures, chiefly his chofen ; and to. render them fruitful after their kind. He is always the fame, and ufeful to the whole world : all his influences are bellowed without money, and without price. Yet, O your unhappinefs, who live far from him ! ye who live in the torrid z^ne cf a na- tural, an infernal ftate, what power has he to fcorch you with fire ! Uncreated fun, now during our temporary night, we hut fee thee by the reflected rays of thy glory in creatures, in ordinances, in words, in "works; and though it be a day of grace to our foul, how clouds of guilt, defertion, dark providences, fhear thy rays, and hide thee from our view ! O for that eternal noon, when my fun fhall no more go down, no more be hid 3 but I fhall for ever fee thee as thou art; fhall for ever, en- lightened and dazzled with thy brightnefs baik, and melt in the rays of redeeming Godhead; till my foul be kindled into a pure, an endlefs flame of love ! 27. God is compared to FIRE c. the infinite pure- nefs, power, and awful majefty of his nature ! How heart-warming, purifying, and foftening his influence ! He is a confuming fire • how terrible the nature of his juftice and wrath ! how righteous, holy, tremendous, irrefiftible, quick, fpreadin?, and deftruftive his ven- geance ! how fuddenly his judgments break forth in an inflant ! how efrVftually they purge away his people's drofs, while they fill their heart with terror.' how fear- a 1 John i. 5. h Psal. Lxxxiv. 11, c 1&, x . ,7. Deal. iv. 24. Of metaphors respecting Cod. 37 fully they confume the wicked ! and, as inafolemn day, fur round them with horror ! 28, God is compared to a CLEAR HEAT after rain ; and a cloud of dew in harveft a. How refremful ! how nourifhing, comforting, and fructifying the faving in- fluences of his goodnefs and grace, during or after our trouble ! How refrefhfiil, ye Jews, was yourdeliveranee from Sennacherib, after the fearful judgments of God on Egypt and Ethiopia' 29. God is compared to a Fountain h. O the purity ; the perpetuity ; the felf- exigence of his nature, andinflu- ehce ! O the myfrery, not of his origin, but of his unori- gination! How fweet the fulnefs! the refremful, cleanfing, and fructifying virtue of his influence ! How free ! how common ! how patent our acce{s to receive of his good- nefs, redeeming, ornatural ! O fountain of living waters, it is thine to poflefs an infinite fulnefs of life, and of ever frefh influence, in thyfelf : thine to be the fource of all created life, natural, fpiritual, or eternal: thine tobetver communicating fuch virtue as begets, maintains, reftores, increafes, and perfects life, in thy creatures ; chiefly thy redeemed. O fountain of life, becaufe thou Lfveil, I ihall live alfo. 30 God is compared to broad rivers c. By him, you faints, are you, your fituation,your bit flings adorned, and beautified : by him the air, your fouls breath in, is rendered pureand whoiefome: by him you are completely defended from every foe : by him you have full accefs to the profitable commerce of the celeftial country : in him how wide your profpect intoeternicy ! into things in hea- ven andon earth ! how inexhaultible his fulnefs to quench your third ! fatisfy your defire ! refreih your foul, and purge away your filth ! Art thou Lord, my God, that fatisfies, that fanctifieth me ! 3 1 . God is compared to a rock d. How tranfcendent his height ! how immoveable his firmnefs ! though in- visible in his nature, how vifible in all his works ! clear- ly feen by the things which he hath made ! What a re- freftiful and protecting fhade to his people ! what herbs of precious bleflings and healing promifes proceed from a Isa.xviii. 4. b Jer. ii. 15. e Isa. xxxiii. 21. d Deut. xxxii b> 38 SACRED TROPOLOGY. him! what unfearchable' and enriching' mines of grace and glory better than gold are in him ! what fprings of comforting, of nouri/hing virtue flow from him ! Be thou, Jehovah, my reck, to which I may ever refort : what time mine enemies are in power, I will truft in thee. 32. God is compared to a shadow a. How fweetthe fafety, the refrefhment, the fecret happinefs, his people find in him ! in the exercife of his perfections towards, and the aecomplifhment of hispromifes, to them ! Here may I hidemyfelf, till all calamities be overpaft. 33. God is compared to a hiding-place h. Invifible is his nature ; hidden and myfterious are his methods of protecting his people. In him how great their fecret comfort and happinefs ! how fully his defence of them preferves them from every danger, encourages their fainting heart, difpels their fears, and difappoints their foes I Lord I flee to thee to cover me; hide the outcaft, the criminal that flies to thy refuge. 34 God is compared to a refuge c. In his perfec- tions, his covenant, his promife, his providence, what unlimited fulnefs ©f fure protections, from every danger, every enemy! With fpeed, wich ailurance of welcome^ ought every man to flee to him, through Chrifl the new, the fole, the plain, the patent way. In him we may boldly defy our adverfanes; and in him we mull for ever abide : for O tne fearful, the eternal, the unavoid- able danger of thefe, who in the moments of death, of judgment are found without him ! Lord, all that are far from theefliall periih* When all refuge fails me, when no man cares for my foul, then be thou my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. 35. God is compared to a strong-hold and ro'R- Tpess d. In Inm is ail fulnefs of fpiritual defence, ar- mour, and provision : it is impoffi >le tobatter down, fcale, or undermine, the Eternal; and with inrinite hazard do any attempt it ; or to hurt thefe who are in him. It is only his to be the protector of his people : only thefe who flee to him, (bare oi his full fecurity, and fafe reil: and it is theirs to boafl and glory of him ; and by his in- a Psa!. lvii. 1. b Psal. xxxii. 7. / Psa!. x !vi. 1. 4 Psa!. xviu, 1, j. Of metaphors refpeBing God. 39 fluence to fight againft, and annoy- their fpiritual ene- mies, fin, Satan, and the world. 36. God is called his people's reward a. While un- fit, while unready, to defend themfelves againft the fecret, the fudden attacks of their enemies, he 'kindly protects their perfon, and maintains their caufe. Cry, my foul, unto God, unto God, who performeth all things for me. 37. God is compared to a shield : hi3 love, favour, and truth, to a shield and euckler b. His perfections, his promife, his providence are efpecially ufeful in dan- ger : they protect the whole man, ehiefly, what is mod expofed ; and from the mod eminent enemies, temptations, and troubles, are we thereby protected: by God's exerting his favour, and fulfilling his truth, his faithful word; he not only defends from dangers, hut tmboldens and enables us, unhurt, to contend with our fpiritual foes. Let me fay of the Lord, He is my fhield and buckler, my God in xvhom 1 will truft : though an holt encamp againft me, 1 will be confident in this. 38. God is compared to a wall, and wall of fire c. He is the great fupport, beauty and protector of his peo- ple on every fide: he furrounds them with his promife, perfections, and prefence; and on him do all their cham- bers of ordinances, and worfhipping affemblies depend : with his benign influence, he enlightens and warms the hearts of his people: with his complete, his awful protec- tion, he renders them. Cafe, bold and fearlefs, amidit bru- tifh and outrageous foes. 39. God is compared to an HABITATION and DWELL- ING PLACE d. Into his favour we enter bj r Jefus as our door, our way; in him are contained all our choice riches, and comfort : in a ftate of union to, and fellowfhip with him, we are fate from the fcorching heat of divine wrath, the fiery darts of temptation, the cold of fpiritual dead- nefs, and dorms of trouble ; and enjoy complete pieaiure, and reft to our foul; with every thing comely ana ufeful; here we have fweet fellow ihip with divine perfons, holy a Isa. lii. 12. b Gen. xv. 2. psal v. 12, and xci. 3, 4,, c tzeki tl\, 41. Zecu, ft. 5. d Fm\, xc. 1. 40 SACRED TROPOLOGY. angels, and ranfomed men. Thrice, thrice unhappy is our cafe, if without him! we want every thing good; and are expofed to endlefs danger, wand. ring and woe. 40. God is compared to a portion and INHERITANCE, a In infinite kindnefs and through our relation tojefusas our father, is he freely bellowed upon us; in himfelfhe comprehends every thing neceffary, ufeful, precious, or comely: the enjoyment of himfupports, fadsfies, enriches ennobles enables to ufefulnefs in our fration; and highly, O Jehovah, are we to efteem, love, delight in, and boaft of thee; O thou incorruptible, fweet, ever prefent, infi- nitejUeceffary, all-comprehending, unmixed, unmatched, and everlafting portion of our foul ! Whom have I in hea- ven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I de£re befLies thee ? 41 God is called an exceeding great reward; and exceeding joy b. Our enjoyment of him is the proper reward of Chrift's righteoufnefs imputed; and the graci- ous reward of our holy obedience: infinitely he furpafTeth every other priviledge. Nothing, my foul, is worth thy joys or lovely as thy God: infinitely he tranfeends our comprehenfion, and defert. He is the caufe and object of fuchfolid, pure, and fpintual joy, as in fvreetnefs, ufefui- nefs, and duration, far exceeds the joy of child-birth, of marriage, of harveft, of viclory, of friendlhip, of reco- very of what had been loft. >R<-joice, my foul, in the Lord, and again rejoice. ' 42. God is compared to gold and stlyEr c. How in- finitely pure, precious, glorious, deferable, durable, ufeful, and enriching! How glorious and honourable he renders every one that enjoys him! how to them he anfvvereth all tilings; how he emboldens them towards himfeif; toward their confeience ; toward Satan ; and toward a prefent evil world ! Be thou, O Almighty, my gold, and I fhali have plenty of fllver. 43 God is compared to a jasper stone d. Which is either white ; or green, and ipoited with rtd or purple. O the excellency! the glory! tne brightnefs ! the majelty! and the refrefliful influence of lus nature, and counte- a P; il. xvi. 5,6. b Con xv. 2. Psalm xliii. 4. c J^b xxii 25. • d Rev. iv. 3. Of metaphors refpeBing God. 41 nance! He Is light itfelf, dwells in, and is cloathed with it. How fweetly, howmvftenouily, are all his perfections connected together, and contained in one another! Thrice fair Original of all that is lovely, be thou mine, my God ? and my all in all. 44. God is likened to a red sardine stone a. How terrible his majefty ! How fiery his indignation againft his enemies; How fevere his correction of his people! No wonder my foul be with Mofes afraid to look on God. 4 5 God is called the strength ; "salvation ; hope ; glory, of his people b He is the author, the fubftance, the maintainer, perfecter, and end of their glory, falva- tion, and Itrength ; and the ground, the object, the che- rifher, preferver, and perfecter of their hope. Is Jeho- vah now my itrength and fong ? Is he alfo become my falvation ? 46. God's jnuice is called his swords. By it, -with aftoniming pain, was ilaughtered the Son of his love ; it reached even to his heart. His foul was amazed and very heavy ; troubled till he knew not what to fay; for- rowful even unto death. By it, with tormenting pain, and oft fuddenly, he cuts off his enemies. Thou bloody flaming fword, how fheathed in a Saviour's heart for me ! CHAP. II. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING CHRIST. I. ~ /CHRIST is compared to an angel d. As Me« v_> diator, he is his Father's fervant, his principal attendant ; fits at his right hand ; is admitted into inef- fable nearnefs and intimacy ; clearly he always beholds, and with infinite pleafure and delight is he always be- held by him ; God's heart and eyes are on him conti- nually. It is thine, O Jefus, to excel in holinefs, in ac- tivity, wifdom, and Itrength : thine to be fent on the principal errands of Heaven ; and to publifh the molt a Rev. iv. 3. b Isa xii. 2, and Jx. 19. Joel iii. 16. c Zech. xiii. 7, £ Isa.lxiii.9. Dan. xii, 1. Rev. xii. 7, and xiv. j8, and xvili. 1. D 42 SACRED TROFOLOGY. important meflfages of God to men. He is the great Michael, who is as the mighty God ; who faves, pro- tects, and delivers his people j and retrains and con- quers his foes : the Angel that appeared to the ancient patriarchs ; and was with the Hebrews in the wildernefs. His having power over fire, imports his abfolute domi- nion over all the judgments of God, and the angry con- tentions of men; and his coming in flaming fire, to take vengeance on thern who know not God, and who obey net the gofpel. His lightening the whole earth with his glory, imports his difplay of his mining excel- lencies in his righteeus and fearful judgments ; and in the fpread of his glorious gofpel. Is it not thine, bleiTed Angel, to minifter to me ; to encamp about me ? Am not I fanclified by God the Father, preferved in Chrift Jefus and called ? 2. Chrift is compared to a man a. In the new cove- nant tranfrclion, lie reprefents only men ; under the Old Teflament he often appeared in the likenefs of man ; in his incarnation he partook of the common nature of man ; to reprefent him are the parts, the actions, the adjuncts, and relations of men ufed in fcripture, times almoft innumerable. His whole body, fignifies his per- fon, God man ; or his obedience and fullering in his hu- man nature b. His having the appearance of brafs, imports his firmnefs, ftrengtJi, parity, and brightnefs c. His likenefs to amber, or rather a metal mixed of gold and filver, imports the precionfnefs and finning glory of his perfon : and the union of his two natures therein : or, if the word fignifies a burning coal, it denotes his in- finite purity ; his being the brightnefs of the Father's glory ; his fhming love to his people ; his burning zeal for their good, and his Father's -honour ; and his fiery indignation againf! his enemies d. His having the ap- pearance of a rainbow, fignifies that he is the furety, the mediator, the head, the mtffinger, the all of the new covenant c. His having the appearance of fire, imports his ?wful and unf potted Godhead ; his warming, and enlightening his people ; his being a wall of fire topro_ a Zee'', vj. r:. b Dan. x. 5. c Ezek. xl. 3. d Luk.i. 4, 27. t Ezek. i. 2S. Of metaphors respecting Christ, 43 ted, and .1 pillar of lire to direifc and guide them a. His body being like the azure beryl, denotes his excel- lency, precioufnefs, heavenly glory, and brightnefs : or if the fardoax, a flefh-cploured itoue is meant, it iignifies his dwelling in our nature b His body as diftinguiilied from his head, denotes his church, which by the neck of covenant-union, of fcripture, of minifters; is unite to him, directed, and nourished by him c. He is white, glorious, pure, and comely in his divinity, his holinefs, his exaltation, and love j and ruddy in his manhood, his bloody iufTering, his low abafement,and his tremendous vengeance d. His head as the mod fine, the moil foiid and mining gold, is his ail-comely, exalted, precious, and durable Godhead, high dignity, and royal dominion over all e. Rut the filling of his head with the dev/ t and hi? locks with the drops of the night, imports bis manifold, his mocking and perplexing fuilerings for oar fins; and his enduring our innumerable and provoking affronts f. ' His white hairs; denote his wifdom, his majefty ; and his being from everlafting God g. His bulhy and black locks, imports his unchangeablenefs ; his perpetual vigour, frefhnels, and beauty ; with the mining wifdom of his appearances and counfels h. His eyes denote his knowledge of all things ; his tender care and affection towards his people. Thefe like the eyes of doves warned with milk, and fitting on fuinefs, are pure, clear, comely, condefcending, and fixed on his chofen bride ; are ever fixed on his own fuinefs of God- head and communicative grace, on the fuinefs of time appointed by the Father, and on the church which is the fuinefs of him that filleth all in all i. Thefe like a flame of fire, are piercing, irrefirtible, and terrible, to his foes k. His lips- and mouth, denote his authority and word ; which like liliies dropping fweet-fmeliing myrrh, are pure, pleafant, favoury, glorious, majeflic, and condefcending ; and do gradually, powerfully, con- stantly, and gently communicate his ever frefh, his pre- . cious, his purifying, his (oul-refreiliing, and perfuming, D2 a Ezek. i. 27. b Dan. x. 6. c Eph. i. 22. d Song v. 10. t Song v. 11. j"b©ng v. ii. g Rev, i. 14. b. Song v, ir. *« Song v. iz. k Dm. x. 6. Rev i. 14, 44 SACRED TROPOLOGY. grace and glory « His cheeks like abed of fpices, are the comely, delightful, refrefhful Tenements of his "word ; and the ordinances' of his grace ; the rnanifefta- tion of his glory to us ; or his humiliation and fuffering in our fie ad b. His mighty voice like many waters, like the roaring of a lion, or the voice of a multitude, is the awful, the important language of his woid and pro- vidence; which extends to every end of the earth ; leaches the heart of men: brings manifold particular jfielTages ; is terrible to his enemies, and threatens them with fudden and fearful definition c. His whole face and countenance, are his map- i fed at ions of himfelf, in his per fori and cilice ; which like lightening, are fur- prifing, msjeflic, and awful; like the fun iliining Ii 'his ftrengtb, are enlightening, warming, glorious, dazzling, andpleafsnt: are as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars, ever frefb, firm, comely, and delightful. But his face and vifage as marred more than any man, imports the dreadful fiifFering and ilia me he endured in his human nature d. His moulders, denote his almighty power, his ii. finite wifdom, care, and love, which qualify him to bear our iins in his own body on the tree; to bear our perfons trj glory ; and to bear the charge of government committed to him by the Father e. His arms like polifhed brafs, are his powerful, his glorious ftrength, providence, me-icy, and iove.y. His hands, are his power, his opera- tion, and bounty ; which like gold-rings ftt with the beryl, are perftct. celeftial, comely, and every way ex- cellent ; and by which he apprehends and holds £ift his jewels, his chofen feed^. His paps denote his commu- nicative, his all-nourifiiing, fulnefs of grace and glory b. His bofom is his love ; his care ; his fpecial protection ; his tefiowal of eminent fellow f nip with himfelf i. His btlly or bowels as bright ivory overlaid with fapphires, are his tender fympathy; his boundlefs compaffipn; Which, O how valuable ! how pure and unmixed ! how COnflant, firm and durable ! how reviving, refreihing, m Sung v. 13. b. IbiJ. * Rev, i. 15. and x. 3. Dan. x. 6. d Dan. x. 6. Hev. i. rft. Sonj» v. 15. Isa. Hi. 14. e Luke xv. 5. Isa. ix. 6. y ha, xl. 11. Don. x. 0. £ Song v, 14. b Rev. i. 1 3. iisa.xL.4lu, Of metaphors respecting Christ. 4£ and love exciting a ! His heart, denotes his molt en- deared affection, and tender regard b. His loins, are his firm purpofes, an:? almighty power c. His legs like pillars of marble fet in fockets of gold, denote his everlaftihg ability, to fupport the weight of creation ;. the Weight of the new covenant concerns" ^ the weight: of the perfons, the fins, the punimmerits, the care, and falvation of his people ; and the weight of the, glory bellowed on hi mi by the Father; and Insuf- ficiency to travel the whole journey, run the whole race of our redemption, let before him; and to tread down Ins oppofers wuth fury and eafe d. His feet, are his providence ; his various motions, in coming to this world, in travelling- thro' fu fife ring and wo, in treading the wine»prefs of his vengeance, and trampling down his obdurate foes; which like po'limed brafs, are firm and determined, glorious and pure: and like fire or brafs burning in a furnace, are awful and rrrajeftic 10 al], but deftructu'e and terrible to them that oppofe him e . His heel, is his -holy, but created manhood, which Satan bruifed and afflicted during his humbled debafement ; and his people and followers, whom, while on earth, Sa- tan bruifes and afflicts by his manifold temptations f. His iteps and goings, are his various approaches to- wards incarnation in, the iikenefs of hnful ilem ; his con- duel: in fulfilling all righ-teoufnefs, and "receiving his glorious reward : his manifold approaches towards our perfons, in the influence of his grace; his operations in- numerable in managing the world g. His one foot on the fea, and the other on the earth, fignifies that ail the creation, every thing troublous, or reitful, is fubj?ct to his will, and under his care h. His having a rainbow roundabout his head, imports his- high eftimation of the new covenant ; his being ever mindful of it; and in his whole conduct acting accord- ing to the tenor of it i. His power, his glory, and zeal for our falvation, and his Father's honour, are his beau- tiful garments, which adorn his perfon, and render him D 3 a Song v. 14. b Son? via. 6. e Dan. x. 5. d Song v. z$» e Dan x. Rev. i. 15, and x 1. /Gen iii. 15. g- Fial. Jxxxix. 5* and lxviji. 24. k Rev, x. 2, i Rev. x> i» 46 SACRSD TmPCL^GY. fit for his work a. His linen garment down to the foot, is the univerfal purity of his adminiftration ; and the finiihed rigbteoufnefs, which covers both him and his feed b. His being clothed with a cloud, imports his tremendous majcftv : his incomprehenuble nature; and his gloomy and unfearcbable providence c. His glori- ous, his pure, andeverhfting power. faithfulnefs, equity, and love; and his Father's comrniflion, to be our pried and fovereign, are his golden girdle, whereby he is a- dorned and qualified for his mediatory work^/. His life, is his uninterrupted activity, with the fulnefs of grace and of glory, lodged/in him, for us e. His meat, is the infinite pleafure he takes in honouring his Father, and faving his ctfdfen/1 His fitting at God's right hand, imports the firm fe- curity, the uncealin? continuance of his high dignity - y his extenfive authority, and undiiturbed reft g. His fitting on a cloud, or white cloud, denotes the myiterious, the awful, but pure, righteous, and glorious nature of his procedure h. His Handing at God's right hand, and appearing in his preftnee, ngnifies his conit ant, zealou?, and ever-prevalent interceffion for us i. His (landing among the myrtle-trees in the bottom, and at the right hand of the door, and at the door of our heart, denotes his favourable prefence with the Jews in their captive and diftrefled condition ; his prefence with his people in their deepen" afflictions ; and his readinefs to help and relieve them ; and his readinefs to enter into our foul, and delire to be received by us k. His walking among the golden candleflicks, imports his peculiar prefence and delight in his churches ; his conftant operations in them ; his unceafmg fupply of them with the oil of his fpiritual influence; and his unwearied fnuffing ofF their corruptions /. His walking with perfons in a fiery fur- nace, reprefeuts his diftinguiQiing nearnefs to, comfort and fuppjrt of, his peop.'e, under their heaviefl and ftiarp;R trials in. His treading in the wine-prefs, and ftaininghis garments with red, imports his terrible and a Isa Iix. 17. Rev. i. 13. c Rev. x. i< fpirati<*n derive their origin from him It is only his to enaclflatutes of doctrine, worfhip, ditcipline, and govern- ment, for his viflbk church. It is his to give us the law of faith, fulfilled not by doing, but by believing on iim that juflifieth the ungodly ; to give us the n^oral law, without an annexed fanclion of e term I life or death 5 to a Song. v. 16, b Rev, ix zi* E 54 ' SACRED TROPOLOGY. give us the new commandment, to love one another. And from regard to his authority, muft we ranfomed obey ; for tho' dead to the law, as a covenant, we are not with- out law to God, but under the law to Chrift. O Jefus, how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all the day. 15. Chrift is called a king a. As God fee has a na- tural right to rule over all ; as Mediator, he has given to him all power in heaven and on earth. It is his to prefcribe rules for his kingdom of the church, and fee to the execution thereof. It is his to creel:, maintain, and order his kingdom : his to lubdue to himfelf, to pardon, to rule honour, reward, and protect, his people; and to obferve, reft rain, conquer, and punifh his, and their ene- mies, as is good in hit light, in his hands is the power and difpofal of our life and death, fpiritual, temporal, or eternal. His fpecial kingdom is the church vifible and invitible, militant or triumphant. His palace is the ce- leflial maniions, the gofpel-church ; nay, every fanclified heart. The new covenant, the true church, the ordi- nances of the gofpel, are his royal chariot and bed of ftate. The Father's right hand, the airy clouds, the ordinances of his worftiip, ttie hearts of his people, are his ftately throne. The oracks of infpiration, are his ufeful, his unblemiihed, his binding laws. The promifes and thteatenings, with the execution thereof, are his golden and iron fceptre, whereby he manifefts his favour and wrath. The Holy Ghoft is his royal feat, which dif- tinclly marks and fecures what is his. The high dignity, the amazing glory, the various offices beitowed on him by his Father, the honours afcribed to him by his mo- ther the church, are his everlafting, his golden, his many Crowns. The fervice of every creature, the praif s of angels and men, are his revenue royal Gofpel minilters are his w;uch men, deputies, ambaffadors, heralds. Every crtature, chiefly angels and faints, are his army and honorary guard. Ti uly, O Jefus, many kings navedc *e virtuoufly, but thou excelled them all. It is mine to form t.iv fubjefts in creation ; to make them anew in regeneration ; 1 > need nothing from them ; to be anointed by God himfelf; to poffefs an univerfal dominion, « A'sal. ex. 5. Rev. xv. 3, and xix. 16. Of metaphors respecting Christ. $r Thine to be infiuitely wife, mighty, merciful, patient, peaceful, honourable, unchangeable, immortal. Have I, my foul, feen this King in his beauty? Have I beheld his goings in the fan&uary? Have i felt his powerful voice, and mighty arm in my heart ? Do I think, do I fpeak of the things that concern the King ? Is my tongue as the pen of a ready writer ? 16. Ghrift is a counsellor «• O his infinite dignity, wifdom, and prudence ! He is the high favourite or Hea- ven ; entirely acquainted with all the divine fecrets. Nor is any thing iranfa&ed by his Father, without his exprefs concurrence. In harmonious concert, witfejiis adored Father, and blefTei Spirit, he devifed, he fixed, the whole plan of our redemption, and every concern thereof, without ever needing rffiftance from the wifdom. of creatures. His whole conduct is infinitely reafonable, and wife in itfelf, though oft dark and myilerious to created, chiefly to carnal reafon. It is thine, O Jefus, to adviie and direct us, in every hard and intricate cafe ; to acquaint us fayingly with the laws, the flatutes, the go- fpel-etii&s, of Heaven. Thine to fhew us the weak.neis or validity of our claim, and of our evidence of right to the inheritance above, Thine to manage every impor- tant concern of our fpiritual marriage, our peace, or profperity, to thy honour, and our endlefs advantage. Shall I blefs the Lord, that gave me counfel, and made my reins to inftruct me, in the fecret watches of the night! 17. Ghrift is reprefented by the prince in Ezekiel's laft vifions b. By his own righteoumefs, and as the fo- vereign head of the church, he alone enters into the temple, the prefence of God* Extenfive is his domi- nion, and redoubled his glory in heaven and earth . Un- der his evangelic, his millenial reign, magiftrates, mi- nifters, and people, do juftice ; work righteoufnefs j and cheerfully exert themselves, and their fubftance, to promote his honour. It is his to bear the whole ex- pence of offerings for his chofen fubje&s. His to offer himfelf an atoning facrifice ; and to enable them to offer their perfons and fervice, living and acceptable facri. « Isa ix6. b Ezek. xliv. »y— 3, and xlv. 7,-25, andxivi, j,-— 18. E 2 5 Of metaphors respecting Christ. $7 Will not pardon my wilful, my final, tranfgrefiions ; for the Father's name is in him. 19. Chrift: is a judge a. In his Father's name and authority, he, with unlimited wifdom, impartial equity, almighty power, and undaunted courage, maintains the honour of the divine law, and the peace and order of his fubjects. By paffing and executing proper and feafonable fentences, he renders himfelf infinitely terrible to offen- ders. It is his to recognize every man's deeds, and to reward or revenge, as they are good, or bad. Now, every confcience, every church-ruler, is deputy under him. At the laft day, every man, every apoftate angel, fhall be publicly fifted at his decifive tribunal. By the teftimony of God, and of their confcience, fhall he fully evince; and openly fhall he declare, what they have been or done. According to his righteous law fhall he pro- nounce and execute their lentence, difmifling the wicked into everlafting puniihment, but the righteous into life eternal. Meditate terror, you obltinate tranfgreffors, behold he cometh with clouds; and every eye fhall fee him, they alfo which pierced him; and all the wicked kindreds of the earth fhall wail becaufe of him. Now, Now, is the accepted time ; Now, is the day of falvation; Now, embrace him as youroffered your all fufficient Savi- our ; fo ihall you be for ever delivered from him as your angry Judge. If this you neglecl, how fhall you abide the day of his coming in flaming fire, to take vengeance on all them that know not God, and who obey not the gofpel I Lift up thine head,' my foul; none elfe is judge but Chrift. Will he, who bare my lins, plead againlt me in judge- ment ? No ; but he will put flrength in me. I know in whom I have believed ; and that he is able to keep that falvation of my foul, which I have committed to him againlt that day. 20. Chrift is an advocate b- According tc his Fa- ther's appointment, he openly invites finful men, particu- larly his children, tc commit their fpiritual caufes into his hmd Kindly, freely, readily, and often ttndefired, he undertakes them, as far as equity permits. With infi- nite ikill, integrity, faith fulnefs, boldnefs, care and fuc- flJohnv. 22, 2 Tim. iv. 8. h 1 John ii, 1. £3 £0 SACRED* TROPOLOGY. cefs, he pleads them at his Father's bar, maugre al! that a broken law, a malicious devil, or guilty confcience, can mileage to oppofe him, infilling on the unanfvver^- ble plea, of his finifncd righteoufnefs, of his own and his Fai.be r 's honour, love, promife, his intetceflion ftlfrays prevails, obtain the gracious pardon of every crime, the full claim to, and perfect poildlion of that grac^, that glory allowed and titablilhed by the laws of the new covenant. Hail, my foul, Jefus is able to Cave me to the Tittermoft j feeing he ever livtth to make interceflion ior me. ii. Chriftis the captain of falvation a By his Fa- ther's commandment, he, in the difpiay of his honour, }jis valour, his wifdom, faithfokiefs, and flrength, cheer- fully, openly, and boldly proclaims war with {in, Satan, and a carnal world. Armed with zeal, with righteouf- nefs, with pow T cr and wrath, he in his incarnation, his death, refurrection, afcenfion, his fpiritual and fecond coming, fights with, conquers, and fpoils them ; enrich- ing his friends with the prey. It is thine, O Jefus, v/ith the fvvoid of the Spirit, which is the word of God, "with the gofpsl arrows, of deep conviction, of fav- ing illumination and heart-melting influence, to fubdue thy people, and mske them willing in the day of thy power. It is thine to caufe them enliil under thy banner, •and take hold of thy covenant. Thine to teach their hands to war and their lingers to fight, with pricinali- ties, powers and fpiritual wiekedncts in high places ; and to mortify the deees of the body, and crucify the flefh, that they may live. Thine to array them with the military robes of thy righteoufnefs and grace, and to equip them with the whole armour of God. It is thine to appoint each his particular ftation and work, and direct them to watch, march, attack, or retreat; to watch againfl /emptation ; luft againil the flefh j refill the devil ; or flee youthful lulls. Jt is thine to encou- rage their heart, with the hopes of victory, and of an exceeding gicat reward. Thine to provide their fpi- iituid provifion ; to fhew them the enemy; prudently discover their force, and reint out their Uratagems, a Ilcb. ii. jo Rev.juXjJ — 21| lia.lv. 4, Of metaphors respecting Christ. 59 Thine to prated from the fiery darts of the devi!, and keep from evil, that it may not grieve ibem. Thine to lead on to the attacks ; and to fucceed, prefer, reward, or correct, as is good in thy fight. It is thine to pur- chafe, to bellow, to promote, and maintain our everlaft- ing falvation ; and to punifh with infupportable ruin, fuch as refufe thy terms of peace, or decline to enlift in thy bands. In all my fpiritual waifare, let me fet the Lord continually before me: let me (land fall, and fee his falvation ; follow after him, only to fpoil. 22. Ghrift is a leader and gulden. By his divine providence he directs all things. Jn the wildernefs of a natural flate, and of a prefent evil world, he meets with his chofen. In their regeneration, he converts them from the error of their way ; makes them to enter in at the flrait gate; and brings them into himfelf, the way that leadeth unto life. He abides with, comforts, affifts, goes before, and fhews a pattern to them : and by his word and Spirit directs them in every cafe, till they enter into the joy of their Lord. Rejoice, my foul, in the way that is right, he fhall guide me; thy way to him commit; he fhall bring it to pafs ; with him I mail walk, and not be weary ; I mail run, and not be faint. 23. Chrifl is called a prophet and teacher h. In confequence of divine appointment and furniture for his work, he, by his word and Spirit, faithfully and infalli- bly reveals to men his fathers will; chiefly, what relates to their future ftate, and the way to it. Unbounded and exact, is his knowledge of the divine mind. It is his to have comp«fTion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way , with aftonifhing patience and care freely to teach them the myfteries of the kingdom. It is his to inform his people, how to cleanfe themfelves from iniquity. How to avert divine judgments ; how to war with their fpiritual foes, and toaffure them cf fuccefs therein. His to folve all their doubts ; i^nd fpeak a word in feafon to them that are weary. It is his to confirm his million with miracles, obvious to the world: and with almighty influence felt by the heart a Isa. lv. 4. b Acts iii, 2Z, John Hi, 6© SACRED TROPOLOGY. Kis to appoint and qualify every true teacher in his chureh. And ah the fearful doom, that awaits fuch as neglect to attend his inftrucYions ! O ye fons of men, whether you hear, or whether you forbear, you (hall know that a prophet was among you ! God forbid. that our Prophet mould be without honour in his own country. 24. Chrift is the interpreter, one among a thou- fand a. To his children he explains the fecrets of his covenant ; the myfteries of his word; the deeps of his nature, perfon, and purpofe; the wonders of his provi- dence. By him they are made to underftand, when, and what, the Lord fpeaks to them ; and taught to ex- prefs the language of heaven in prayer, praife, and holy conference. When, O Jefus, wilt thou privately explain every parable to me ? When wilt thou unteach me this Aflidod-like jargon of carnal and unknown words ? and turn to me a pure language? O when ihall this Babel- like ftrife about words entirely ceafe ; and men ferve the name of the Lord with one confent ! 25. Chrifl is called the faithful and true witness b. Divinely called, he, with the utmoft fidelity and clear- nefs, declares to men the whole truth of God, neceffary to be known, and nothing elfe. Solemnly he confirmed it, by his own and his prophets and apoftles miracles, al- moft innumerable. Solemnly he confirmed it, by his own fufTering and death. Solemnly he confirms it, by his oath and facraments ; by the teftimony of his Sprit to the confcience, and by the attefting courfe of his provi- drn r e in the world. And according to thy declarations, O Jefus, ihall we be judged at the iaft day. Shall 1 re- ject the attetted promifes of God? My foul, doll thou now believe ? 26. Chrift is called the apostle, ormiflionary of our profeflion c. Solemnly has God oiled thee, O Redeem- er ; and wonderfully hath he qualified thee, to make a clear, complete, and infallible revelation of his will to men, as the ftandard and rule of their religious pro- feflion. It is truly thine to confirm thy million an.: doc- trine with miracles benevolenr, great, ana many ; to con- fer the Holy Ghofl, by laying on oi thy hands ; to be a Job xxxiii. 23. b Rev. iii. 15. Isa. I v. 4. c Heb. iii. 1, Of metaphors respecting Christ 6t equally concerned with all the churches ; and to be pro-- periy fucceeded by none in thy office, Thine to frame, to found, and order the gofpel-church ; and to be the 2uthor, matter, and end, of our whole Chriftianity.- — — My foul, confider him ; let him be thy meditation all the day. 27. Chrifl is called a BISHOP, overfeer, and MINISTER a. For the welfare of his church, he overfees, watches over, preaches the gofpel to, initruets, governs, and in- tercedes for, his people. He is the bifhop of fouls; he fearcheth the heart, and trieth the reins; lie indriscls, governs, and corrects, the fouls of men; nor does a vi- able profeiiion, but real inward grace, conilitute any the fheep of his paflure. He is called the minifter of the fan&uary. How near he approaches to God ! intercedes in the holy place above ! and at lafl will for ever remain the only minister of the church. He is called the mi- ni iler of the circumciiion. Tn bis debafed flate he preached to few but circumcifed Jews -Am I re- turned to this fh^prrerd and bifhop of fouls ? Am 1 of the true circumcifion, which worfnip God in the fpirit, rejoice in ChriH Jefus, and have confidence in thenefh? 28. Gbriff is called a priest &. Taken from among men, with refpecl to his humanity, he is folenmly called ©f God, and furmlhed with all neceffary gifts and grace, to give himfelf a facriilce of infinite value, to fatisfy di- vine jaftice, and reconcile us to God; and to make con- tinual interceflion for us. His golden altar, is himitlf, bis own precious and divine nature. The much incenfe, wherewith he offers up the prayers of all faiuts to God, is his own merits and interceflion. His taking fire fiom the altar, or from between the cherubuns, and calling it o*. the earth, imports that the contempt of his perfou andfinifhedrighteoufnefs,is the great caufe of vengeance; and he has the management of all the'fiery judgments of God fent upon apoiiate churches. He is made priert with an oath : for his encouragement, and for our com- fort and ftedfaftnefs, in the faith of his righteoufnefs and interceflion, God hath, in the mod folemn way, afcer- a 1 Pet ii. 25. Heb. viii, 2. Rom. xv. 8. b Heb.iii. 1, and vii. 21. Rev. viii. 3, — 5. Ezek. x. 7. 6ft SACRED TROPOLOGY. tained the eternal duration of his priefthood. He is a prieft of good things to come : his purchase and inter- xeffion chiefly relate to the good things, the fpiritual privileges enjoyed in the evangelic and eternal ftate of the church. He is the high prieft of our profeffion our only Mediator, whofe faenfice and interceflion are the whole fum and fubftance of the gofpel. 29. Chrift is called the breaker that is gone up a. In the greatnefs of his wildom and power, he, in the council of peace, came up, and engaged lor us. In his incarnation, he came up, and affumed our nature. In his life, in his death, he came u?, and obeyed the law, and fatisfied the ;juftice of God in our {lead. In his refur- re&ion, in his afcenfion,he went up, and took pofleiTion of everlafting felicity in our name. In his interceflion, he (lands up as our advocate, to appear in the prcfence of God for us. A.t laft ne will break, through, and come in the clouds, liven now, he breaks through and comes UP, in the offer and application of his grace. Having, through manifold impafTable-like paths, broken up a new and living way to eternal happmefs, he breaks tne head of Satan, by deftroying his power : breaks off our chains of darkntfs ; removes our guilt an i corruption ; brings us out of our fpiritual priibn of blindnefs and bondage. By conviction and illumination, he breaks up the fallow- ground of our heart. By the almighty influence of his love, h^ breaks the power of our enmity and rebellion. With heavy chaftiLments, he often breaks the fpirits of his people. And with unrelenting ftrokes and ceaielefs florms of wrath, he breaks to pieces his incorrigible foes. Rejoice, my foul, for I {hall go up and pafs through; and the fcord on my head Break all things as they will never mall I be broken off from him. 30. Chrift is compared to a master and lord 3. With infinite expence, tendernefs, fkill, and authority, he erects his church; and provides for her every thing necefTary. He inftructs, admonifhes, and corrects his people; afligns them their reipe&ive work and reward. It is his to be heartily choien, highly feared, loved, honoured, and fervedwith faithfnlnefs, and finglentfs of a Micah. ii. rj f k John xiii. 1 3. Of metaphors respecting ChrhU 63 heart. ■ Let rac call no man ro ft ■•■ r ; for ori3 is my mailer, even Chrift : he is my Lord : my foul, worfhip thou him. 31. Chrift is compared to a minister of state, % treasurer, and stewart a. To him has the Father committed all power in heaven and earth j given him to be h-ad over all things to the church. Into his hand is given all the fulnefs of grace and glory, to be diftribute by nim tofinful men, according to tlxe manner prefcribed in the purpofe and covenant of God. On him the hap- pineis of creation, chiefly of his body the church doth depend: and to him we mu ft apply in every time of need With infinite prudence, with unfpotted fidelity^ be manages, and difpenfes every thing committed to his charge. In the end he fha!l render to God, an honour- able account of it ; and be rewarded with everlafting glory and greatnefs. My foul, caft all thy care upon him ; for he careth for thee; and will give thee thy por- tion in due feafon. 32. Chriit has the key of David h. He openeth, and no man Ibutteth ; and fhutteth, and no man openeth. His is the key of knowledge ; he knows all his people's perfons, cafes, and cares : he underftands the fcriptures, and appoints others to explain them. His is the key of authority, and government in his church ; he fixeth ordinances, bellows gifts, and difpenfes bleflings as he pleafeth. Maugre all oppoGlion, he opens the icripture; fpreads the light and knowledge thereof; he opens a door of opportunity to preach the gofpel, and gives mi- nifters a door of utterance therein ; and opens the heart to receive the ingrafted word, to the favingof the foul. It is his to open the door of the church, and admit his chofen fheep, admitting daily fuch as fhall be favecl. His to open the door of heaven by his blood, and bring his faints into that glorious palace* Notwithstanding of every contrary attempt, it is thine, O J-fuS, to ihut up the fcripture, and render it a fealedbook; to (hut out the gofpel, by forbidaing to preach it; to Ihut the oeart, by giving it up te the powei of its corruptions ; or cJohniii. 35. Col. i. 19. Psal.Uviii.i8, Heb. iiif'*. b Rev. in. 7. Isa. xxu. 22. 64 SACRED TROPOLOGY, having entered thyfelf, to fhut <>ut rhy rivals ill hell or in earth ; and ^t lad to fhut the gates of bsppinefs a- gainft thine obftin :te defpifers It is his to (hut up men in trouble, fpiritual or temporal ; and to relieve them th-rrfrom at bis pleafur?. O bring my foul out of pri- son that I uny glorify thy: name. Snut be my heart to everv tempt-ition ; to every vanity ; to every iuft ! 33 Chrift is compared to an husbandman, or matter ef a field, or vineyard a. With the ineitimable price of his b^ood, he ptirchafed the field, the vineyard of his church He hedges it about with difcipline and govern- ment. Every one in, or about it, he places in his proper flation. Adl his people, chiefly, his minifters, he ap- points tolabeur in, and watch over it. By convict-ions he digs, and ploughs it- Bv gofpel offers and gracious influences, he fattens it. With his full flood of divins doctrines, and fpiritual grace, he waters it. By cutting off unruly profeflbrs, by death, or by church-cenfure; by purging out unruly lufts, and irregular practices; by means of fanctined afflictions, good laws, and gracious influence, he prunes, and weeds it With infinite plea- fure he reviews, walks in, witches over it, and patient- ly waits for the fruit of it. His ripe faints he cuts down, tranfports them to his celeft ial barns, and ftore- houfe ; while he cads the wicked tares into unquencha- ble fire. — The chief honour of the whole management, he claims for himielf ; but allows a proportionate re- ward to his minifters, hi» people. Ee thou, my foul, the vineyard of the Lord of holts ; and be my graces his pleafant plants. 34. Chrift is compared to a sower 3. With infinite care and ikill he cafts abroad the gwod feed of his word in the vifible church. Partly it falls upon inattentive (inners, who, like the way fide, give it no reception, not fo much as into their memory and judgment : part of it among thorns, upon Turners under the power of carnal cares, whieh choke and render it unfruitful: part of it uooa (tony ground, upon obdurate and hard hearted fin- Hers, who, though at ftrft fomewhat effected, quickly. a Luke xiii. 6,— 9. 4 Mhitli. xiii.3,— S, 24,— j ? . Of metaphors respecting Christ, 6£ either and return to their wonted unconcern : part of it upon good ground, upon renewed hearts, which in dif- ferent degrees, bring fortli abundant fruits of righteouf- nefs, to the praile and glory of God. After ploughing ; our hearts by conviction and trouble, it is thine, O jefus, to caft into it, the good feed of thy grace ; thine by re- peated influence to water, and harrow the foil. — — Jollly doft thou call, and look for our precious fruits ; juilly doll thou reckon thyfelf honoured, when evangelic truths, gracious influences, and fpecial providences, make us to abound in the work of the Lord. — O thy long^fafrering patience, and kind waiting for our repentance ! — But ah the vengeance that {hall at laft overtake fuch as are ob- flinate and barren!- Alas! what tares of hypocrites, Satan fows in thy church ! What tares of finful inclinations and practices are in our heart and life ! But we look for a time when thefe diffemblers (ball be utterly ^deftroyed. •— Haften, my foul, unto the coming of this day of God. 35. Chrift is compared to a shepherd a, Kim the . Father hath appointed to ovei fee his people, the flock of his pait ure, to feek and fave them when loft. In the wildernefs- of a natural ftate, on the mountains cf vanity and guilt, he leeks them out, follows after, and appre- hends them by the w T ord and power of his grace: with joy and gladnefs he lays them on the moulder of his al- mighty love ; bears them into a new covenant Hate ; carries them through a prefent evil world j and, not- withstanding of weaknefs and frowardnefs, bears them at laft to his heavenly fold. E^acl, O Saviour, is thy knowledge of them, in their perfons, their ftate,.. and cafe. It is thine, to mark the fheep of the outer p allure, thy vifi ble church, with a femblance of fanctity ; thefe of the I inner, the invisible church, with thy real image and Spi- rit in the hidden man of their heart . Thine to feed them with knowledge and under ftanding, upon the green paftures of thy perfon, thy relations, covenant, righte- oufnefs, and love. Thine to preferve them from the unwholfome paftures ot ialfe doftrine, linful corruption, I and carnal care. Thine to gather the weak lambs with thy arms, and carry them in thy bofom \ and gently to F a Isa. xh 11, Ileb.xiii. 20, 66 SACRED TROPOLOGY. lead thofe who are burdened in fpirit, and are with ^young; concerned to converc others to thy way. Thine to gather thy chofen into the fold of the vifible church, and of intimate" nearnefs to thyfelf. In the fcorching noontide of perfecution, of temptation, or of prevalent corruption, it is thine to give them reft under the fba- dow of thy powerful protection and love; to caufe them lie down in the green paftures,and befi.de the ftill waters, of refreihful ordinances, redeeming kindnefs, and gra- des influence. By expofing, by giving thy life fo# them ; by applying thy righteoufnefs ; and by exerting thy providence, in their defence, itis thine to fhelter them from every ftorm ; Lo fave them from every devourer ; and preferve them from deft ruclion : if is thine, tenderly, and with infinite exaclnefs, to obferve their condition, watch over and keep them, that none may ever be loft : thine to follow after, and by power and love reduce them from every wandering ; kindly to pluck them out of every fearful pit, and miry clay, and warn from their filthinefs in the ft reams of thy blood, thy Spirit. It is thine, to heal their grievous, their unnumbered difeafes; to red ere their foul when faint ; and lead them in a way that is right. By church-cenfure, he now ff pa rates the ir.fecled with fcandal, that the reft be not pai lakers ih their fins, or their plagues : at laft he will fully fepo- rate the ftoats, the unclean, and prefent the rtfidue be- fore God, without fpot, or wrinkle, or any fuch thing. The Lamb rhat,is in the midfi of the throne fhall for ever ited them in a good pafture ; unto fountains of living water fhall he guide them. Blefs the Lout, O my foul, that he brought again from the dead, the great fhepherd of the ibeep, by the finifLed price of our redemption, the blood of the everlafting covenant. 36. Chrift is compared to a physician a. Him the Father hath lent, fealed, and furmfhed, to heal our f pi ritual ailments. Every man, whole foul is affected with the blindnefs of ignorance, the dtafnefs offpiritual unconcern, tie fever of concupifcer.ee, the jaundice of malice, the iwelling tyttopan'y of pride, the vertigo of in- confianc} T , the ejuinzy of curfiug and blafphemy, the « Matth. ix. 12, 13. Isa. lxi. 1. Excd. xv. ^6. Of metaphors respecting Cbrht, &j dropfy of covetoufnefs, the palfy of ftupidity, the pleu- rify of envy, the rheumatifm of difcontent, the delirium of conftant levity, the moonilruek madnefs of paiFion and rage; or with legality, unbelief, hardnefs of heart, the temptations of Satan, the (lings of conference, or any o- ther plague, has full warrant to apply to him for a cure. In the word of the everlafting goi'pel he exhibits his ftgn, publifhes his all-comprehending fkill, and the un- failing efficacy of his prefcriptions. Fully he under- stands our diftempers, and their proper, their infallible, remedy. By day, or night, infinite is his readinefs, to vifit the diftrefTed! how he rides on cherubs, on wings of everl ailing love, to attend them ! O his infinite concern for the welfare of his patients! &11 of them poor and needy, he heals without money,and without price. How oft, while infeniibility,felf-naughtinefs, unbelieving fear, and ihame, reftrain us from calling him, comes he of his own accord, and faith to our foul, Wilt thou not be made whole ? O the large afTortment of his fpiritual medicines, contained in the promifes of the new covenant! When- he applies them, how thoroughly he examines our cafe, not that he, but that we, may know it ! How thoroughly he fearches our wounds, by convi£lions, and trouble ! 1 he poifonous xnorfels we had fwallowed^ he makes us by penitent grief to vomit up : our finful, our inward filth, he purgeth away. Every means of cure he applies in its proper order and time. Tenderly he binds up our painful wounds j and by his promife applies his blood, his righteoufnefs, and grace to our foul. To prevent, or re- cover from, fainting fear and defpondency, he pours out his Spirit, fheds abroad his encouraging, Supporting, and refrefhful love in our heart, by the Holy Ghoit. How oft he vifit s ! how kindly he fympathizes with us in our affliction ! How greatly he rejoices in our recovery ! Bow wifely he prefci ibes fuch fpiritual exerciie and diet, as infallibly tend torellore and promote our inward health ! Nor do any ever perifh under his hand — — Is he the Lord my God, that healeth me? My ail' difeafed fou! 9 what wouldfl thou, that Chrift ihould do unto thee ? 37. Chrift is the fpiritual miracle worker a f. Such .* Matth. xi. 5. John ii. 1,— 19. Matth. xxi. 12. John iv. 44. Mark F 2 £3 SACRED TROPOLOGY. as were dead in trefpafles and (ins, be raifed to fpirittial and everlafting hfe. To the blind and ignorant he gives faving inftruftion. The deaf, the ftupid, he caufeth to hear his melting, his (till, his ffiiall, his gofpel-voice. The dumb, he enables to exprefs themfelves in prayer and praife. lie cleanfes from the leprofy of indwelling fin. The gofpel of peace, the gbd tidings of falvation, he preaches to finful men, poor, wretched, miferable, blind, and naked. In confequence of our happy marriage with him, he turns our water of adverfity into comfort and nfefulnefs; hs fweetens it, enables to rejoice in it, and caufeth it work for us a far more e>:ceeaing and eternal weight of glory. The Jewilfe confined and carnal facri- fices. he threw out of his church, and made her a fancli- fted houfe of prayer for all people. Many Gentiie fin- ners, many Roman fabjects, netwitbftanding of their ailonifliiug ignorance and unbelief, he reftorcd to ever- Jailing Hie. Satan he ejects from our heart. By a word, a touch, of his power, he cures our fpiritual fever, our Jong-running iffues, our agtd impotency ; and determines us when healed, to honour him with the beft that we have, and lo fpread abroad the good favour of his fame. Along with his command, he enables the withered to ftretch out the hand of faitlxfor a cure. Such as. »-•>» not only fpiritually dead, but by repeated a&s of horrid tranfgrefiions, feemingly defperate ; or by long cuilom, ilinkmg and utterly lotnfome in luit, he reftorts to eter- ral life; and m-kes the diflinguiflied tranigreiTcrs the chief of his faints. By defpifed ordinances and prornifes ; by conviction of our blindnefs ; by the warning of .his blood and Spirit, he opens our blind underftanding ; gra- dually he increafes our fpiritual knowledge, till we fee every thing clearly in the immediate virion of God. The enraged, the torn by Satan, he kindly delivers, and makes found in the faith. The florins of trouble, outward or inward, his word changes into a c;lm of peace. }\y a i. 21, — 46 Luke viii. 42,— -44. John v. 5, ---9. M-nk i:i. 5. Luke viii 49. ---55, aixl v i 11 ---17 John xi. 39, ---44. John ix. Mark v ni. 22,-— it>. Matlh. nx 34 Matth. viii. 24,— -33, M*rk v. r,---20. Jvlatth. xiv. anil xv, Matin, viii. 5, ---13, an I xv. 21,-28. Luke xxii. 50 5f. Matlh xxi. 16, 19. Luke v. 1, ---10. John xx; 6. f It is here supposed Christ's r:a; outward miracles were emblems of his spiritual aoik. Of metaphors respecting Christ 69 few debafed apoftles, he nourifhed the fouls of tinners un- numbere4 in the wildernefs of tho. people ; by a few de- fpifed truths-; he nourifhes His people in this wildernefs^ world, without diminifbing the virtue thereof: nay, the more of his provifion we receive, the more we behold to remain. How ready to do any thing expected by a vigorous, a couragious faith ! Howmany of his betrayers and murderers, did he heal by his faving touch ! How fearfully, amid their lazy, their fair pretences to holirjeis, did he curfe the Jewifh church into barrennf is ; and quickly after his afcenfion, make them to wither away ! But w T itntrfs, ye apoftles, when you call the gefpel-net on the right, on the New Teftament fide of the church, what thoufands of fouls were caught in it.' Sing unto the Lord, for he hatb done excellent things; this is known in ail the earth. Is anything too hard for the Lord ? 38. Chrift is compared to a merchant a. Infinite is his affortrnent of all necefiary and ufeful bleilings, tem- poral, fpiritual and eternal, in the gofpel he publishes his fulnefs, and gracious terms of fale. How there he conftantly exhibits his manifold blelTings, to attract out? affection, and excite our fouls to buy ; to receive thenx as the free, the unfpeakable, the offered gift of God,, without money and without price, without righteoufnefs prefent ; and without engaging to render a requital I How earneir. his invitations ! How enraptured his joy,, when numbers apply for his benefits, and humbly tub— mir to his terms of grace ! How grieved,, when we will- have none of him ! will not come to him, that we may have life ! How difpleafed, when, by preferring our bale, our counterfeit, our felf-righteoufnefs, we aver that his gifts may be purchafed with our money; and try to raife his price ! — Alway he underftands the whole flate of his affairs ; what bleifings he has on hand ; who are his mer- chants ; and what debts they owe : and at thelaii day, {hall he call every man to an account,. Trade with him, my foul, for thy God, thy glory, and thy all in all. 39. Chrift is compared to aREFlWER b. Finding his ehoien in a flate of corruption ana mifery, he breaks them, with the hammer of his word, melts them in the: a- lsa.lv. 1. R.ev. iii. 18. b Mai, iii. 2, 3. F 3 70 SACRED TROPOLOGY". furnace of a fiery law, of fiery troubles, efpeciully, of his love contained in the promife, and (lied abroad in their heart by the Holy Ghoft, the fpirit of burning. Thus he purges away their corrupt drofs, and nothing more : und forms them into glorious veffels of eternal mercy, and happinefs. By perfecution, and cenfure, he purges his church from fcandalous and naughty perfons, till at lad he prefent her before God, without drofs, without fpot, or wrinkle, or any fuch thing. Bleffed. Refiner, O when wilt thou purge away all my drofs, and take away fell my tin ? 40. Chrift is compared to a builder a. Upon the foundation of his infinite love, he, with his everlafVing Father, and adored Spirit, laid the foundation, and built up the whole ftrudture of his new covenant, and of our faivation by it. The fabric of his human nature he built tip inafTuming it : this temple being dellroyed by death ; riling from the dead, he reared it up in three days. By his birth, his life, his death, his refurrection, his afcen- fion, interceflion, and fecond coming ; by his word, ordi- nances, and influences, he builds up the church and temple of God. On his marvellous perfon he founds it : with his blood, grace, and truth, he cements it : myfterioufly he connects all the parts and concerns thereof: according to this ancient purpofe and plan: he frames every thing relative to it It is thine, O Jefus, to dig us, thy cho- fen, out of the quarry of our natural flare ; to hew and form us by regeneration and falsification ; to bind us to thy felt' by my (Heal union : to rear up a ftruclure of grace in each of our hearts ; to adorn and finifli the work, with ilioutings of grace, grace unto it — mercy fhall be built up for ever. 41. Chrift is compared to a traveller b. In the greatnefs of his fhength, in the dilplay of his love, he, as it were, goes about in die ordinances, and influences of his grace, to feek and favc finners, even the chief ; and to vifit his people. How oft he endures the faddeft injuries ! By his word, his providence and Spirit, how he knocks at the door of our heart ! How wickedly ! how flianiefully is he often refilled, and excluded ! a Zechi vi, 13. b Isa. Ixiii. j. Of metaphors respecting Christ, 71 What ravifhing feaft of fpiritual delight, he beftows 011 thofe who receive him ! He and his Father enter in, and manifeft the glory and fweetnefs of their petfon and love! 42. Chrift is compared to a servant, a. Chearfully he engaged to his Father in the fervice of our falvation. With amazing diligence, faith fulnefs, humble condefcen- fion, and fingle regard to his 'Father's honour, he affirm- ed our nature, obeyed and fuffered in our ftead. By his word he publishes, by his Spirit he applies his purchaf- ed redemption to our foul. In all his mediatorial proce- dure, he promotes our everlafting happinefs ; glorifies bis Father to the higheft, performs the work he gave him to do ; and fhall receive from him, a tranfeendant, an eternal reward of perfonal glory, and a numerous feed. What, O Redeemer, fhall I render unto thee for thy fervice for me 1 Truly I am thy fervant 5 I am thy fervant: thou haft loofed my bonds. 43. Chrift is called a forerunner, b. His goings for us were of old from everlafting. With what fwift- nefs, fcrength, and courage ! with what patience, chear- fulnels, and joy did he run the race fet before him ; go about doing good, healing difeafes, preaching the gofpel, obeying the law, and fuffering death for us ! Glorious Jefus, how much more excellent than all ! How haft thou out-run and exceeded all ! how haft thou iirft en- tered into heaven by thy blood ; and opened the gates thereof for us ; and taken pofTeffion of it in our name! How haft thou at once paved our way, and given us a complete pattern ! Lord, draw me ; we will run af- ter thee. 44. Chrift is compared to a burden bearers. He bare our fins and the punifhment thereof, in his own bo- dy upon the tree. He bears the care of all the churches. On his fhouiders of power, mercy, and love, he bears the perfons of all his faints, and carries them fafe to the manuons above: he bears their cares, in lightning their ' preftare, and caring for them : he bears their troubles, in fvinpathizing with, and fupporting under them; he be«Hrs their burden of fervice, their work aad labour « Isa, xlix. 3. b Heb, vi, 20. c P;al. iv. 2. fj SACRED TROPOLOGY. Qf love, in performing it, in and for them, working m them to will and to do, of his good pleafnre.- It is thine, O Jefus, to bear me up, under every preiTtire; bear me out, a-Jainft every oppofition ; bear me on, in the way of holinefs ; bear me heme, to glory; and bear me in, to thy immediate embraces, that where thou art, I may be there alfo, to behold thy glory. 45. Chrill refembles the kind Samaritan a. How- ever hated, reproached, and abufed by out race ; yet finding as fallen among thievifti and murderous devils and corruptions, and by them rendered dead in trefpaf- fes and fins ; when neither broken nor ceremonial, law, nor any thing earthly, could mew us the leail pity or relief; tenderly he turns aiide to us, binds up our wounds, applies the mod effectual medicine, commands his an- gels and minifters to take care of us, comfort, and help us with the doctrines of his word; and promifes to them a proper, an abundant reward. Blefled Redeemer, pafs by me, more than half dead ; let my time be a time of love; and fay unto my foul, LrvE. 46. Chi irb refembles lazarus of the parable £. In his cfebafed eftate he was exceeding poor, had no help but in God alone ; was oppreiTed with griefs, forrows r wounds, and bruifes. As an humbled Saviour, he was divinely fent, to be offered and laid at the door of Scribes, Phafifees, and other Jews;- urged on their heart and conscience. Thefe rich in the conceit of their own ri^hteoufnefs ; many of them rich in worldly ho- nour and wealth; and every day refrefhed and delight- ed with the view of their numerous admirers, wickedly refi.fed and defpifed him. Mean while, numbers ofde- teit. -d publicans, unclean Gentiles, and notorious tinners, affectionately applied his blood and fullering, for the nourimment of their foul. In due time he died ; quick- ly he rofe again : and thereafter, amid innumerable holts of angels, afcriided to heaven. Soon after, Gods flam- ing vengeance to the nttermotl came upon his Jevvifo defpifers. In a hell oP trouble upon earth, they were partly awakened, and lift up their eyes: pirtly con- victed of his M- fiiahfhip, they escrndlly wifhed lor fu:- o Luke x. 30,— 37* frLukaxvi. 19, — 31, Of metaphors respecting Christ, 73 ther dernonftration thereof to themfelves, their various "fecis, and their brethren of the ten tribes But not- withftanding of their requefts, and of their relation to Abraham, never (hall any, but fcripture evidence, be al- lowed them If you believe not this, ye children of men, neither will ye be perfuaded though one rofe from the dead. 47. Chrift is compared to a travailing woman Of metaphors respecting Christ. g f 64. Chrift is called the unfpeakable gift of God a. Freely, without conftraint, without requeft, without de- fert, without hope of any requital, without money and without price, God, in the council of peace, and in his debafed eftate, gave him for us as our furety andranfom. Now, in the gofpel invitation and promife,he gives him as a complete, able, willing, and ready Saviour, a glori- ous hufband, and everlafting portion to us, as miners, even the chief. Is not unfpeakable love the fole fource and motive of the donation ? Is there not in him all in- expreffible, all inconceivable goodnefs, all the treafures of wiidom and knowledge ? Is he not made of God to us unfpeakable fulnefs of wifdom, rightcoufnefs, fandti- fication, and redemption ? How unfpeakabh r precious and nfeful, in his perfpn, office, and work ! From what unfpeakable corruption and mifery ; and to what un- fpeakable holinefs and felecity doth he fave us ! How unfpeakably his entrance into our heart endears God; makes room for him in our inmoft fuul ; and worketh iu us, gladnefs and joy unfpeakable, and full of glory ! And through what unfpeakable, inconceivable duration, lhall he abide with us as our God, and our all ! Thanks be to God for his unfpeakable gift. 65. Chrift is called the covenant given to the peo- ple b. He is the foundation, the framer, the furni flier, the fulfilicrof the new covenant. . He is the furety, the Mediator, the prieft, the truftee, the teflator, the pro- p!o r, interpreter, meffenger, witnefs, and king of it. Its condition he undertook and performed . its blefflngs he purchafed ; and is the fubftanee and glory thereof. All of them are primarily promifed to him, and lodged in his hand. According to the terms of it, he bellows them upon linful men, who, clothed with his righteouf- nefs, quickened by his Spirit, do, in his ftrength, lay hold on it, enter into the bond of it> and perform the grati- tude required by the law thereof. Blefle'd covenant, thou art all my falvation, and all my delire. 66. Chrift is called our peace c. From eternity he deviled the matter, the means, the meafure of our peace G3 ai Cor. ix. 15. b Isa t xlii,6, and xlix. 8. t Micah v. 5. Eph. ij. 14. ^2 SACRED TROPOLOGY. with God ; with'our confcience ; with neighbours ; with angels; with animals; with creatures unnumbered. With his blood he purchafed it. His continuance in our nature is the unceafing pledge and fecurity of it. His advocacy before God procures and maintains the actual pofTeffion of it. In the blefled gofpel he preaches it to them that are afar off, and to them that are near. In our new birth, our pardon, our acceptance, our adoption, fancthication, and endlefs felicity, he, by his Spirit, ap- plies it; flays our enmity ; and conilrains us to love God, whofirft loved us. By his incarnation and death, he made of Jews and Gentiles one new man, fo making peace. BlefTed Teconciler of all things, author, means, and end, of all true peace in the church, militant or triumphant ; thy peace thou haft left us; peace thou haft given us; not fparingly, not revocably, as the world giveth. In the tvorld we mall have tribulation ; but in thee we fhaH have peace. Thy covenant-office (hail not be broken. 67. Ghrift is called the salvation of God «. Of cur great deliverance from fin and wo, to everlafting holinefs and happinefs, his love is the fource, the moving caufe ; his wifdom the devifer; his blood the price; his perfon and fulnefs the fubftance, the repofitory ; his word the publifher; hisfpirit the applier and confirmer ; his glory the end. Blefs the Lord, O my foul, that he remembered us in our low eftate. He hath devifed means that his banilhed be not expelled from him. He hath delivered my foul from the loweft hell. The Lord Jehovah is my ftrength and fong ; he alfo is become my falvation. 68. Chrift is called the consolation of Ifrael £. He is the devifer, the procurer, the price, the difpenfer, the matter, and ground, the end of all our true joy and com- fort. In his undertaking, his perfon, his office, his acts, paft, prefent, and future, how our fpirit rejoiceth in God our Saviour ! In every divine perfon, character, word, and work, as manifefted in him, how exceedingly we re- joice, and are glad ! how comforted when call down 1 In him fhall I be juftiiied, preferved, and fan&ified ; and ia him will I glory. Nor principalities, nor powers, hi, xliz. 6, h Luke ii. 2$. iw Of metaphors respecting Christ. §3 nor fin, nor trouble, nor death, mall flop me of this boafl- ing. Rejoice, my foul, in the Lord} and again rejoice* Rejoice evermore. 69. Chrifl is called the resurrection a. By his in- carnation, his death, his refurre&ion, and fpiritual influ- ence,!^ recovers us from the fling of a natural, and from the power of fpiritual and eternal death. The honour of the divine perfections, and broken law, man's primi- tive integrity, knowledge, righteoufnefs, holinefs, peace, friendfhip, and intimacy with God, he recovers from death, rubbifh, and ruin. He is the life-giving fource and author of our faith, our hope, our repentance, love, and new obedience. His it is to revive our languifhing graces and comforts ; toreflore the expiring life, beauty, and order of his church ; to quicken the dead, and bring them out of their graves; fome to everlafling life, and fome to everlafling ftiame and contempt; He that be- lie veth on him, though he were dead, yet fhall he live. 70. Chrift is called the life b. He is the living God, which giveth life and breath unto all things. In his wif- dom and love he devifed ; with his obedience, fuffering, and death he purGhafed ; in himfelf he exemplifies ; by his interceflion he procures; from his fulnefs he gives; by his word and Spirit he conveys and maintains ; him- felf and fulnefs are the matter, and his glory the end of, our life of juftirlcation, holinefs, comfort, and endlefs felicity. It is his to revive us again ; reftore our faint- ing foul ; and render us lively and active in the fervice of God. Is my life hid with Chrifl in God, that when he who is my life fhall appear, I may alfo appear with him in glory ? Am I crucified with Chrift, and yet live ; and yet not I, but Chrifl liveth in me ? Is the life that I live, by faith on the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himfelf for me ? 71. Chrift is called light c. He is the excellency, the jnfluencer, the director, the glory of all things. Coequal with his eternal Father, that divine Son, how fweet, plea- fant, incomprehenfible, bright, and glorious ! He gives the power of vifion ; is the caufe, means, and firft object ©f fpiritual knowledge ; is feen in his own influence, and « John xi. 25, b 1 John v, 20, ( John i. 4, % and viii. 12. 84 SACRED TROPOLOGY. by his own light, It is thine, O light of life, to diffufe beauty, cheerfulnefs, joy, and life, among thy people. Thine, by thy prefence, to chafe away the ihadcws and darknefs of ignorance, corruption, and wo. Without thee, every thing appears to lofe its beauty and come- linefs ; exiflence, enjoyments, creation, nay Godhead, appears an unfightly, an awful, fpeclre to my foul. How free, common, accefiible, and ufeful ! and yet only re- ported of, to multitudes of blind finners, who never be- held thy brightnefs ! It is thine to difcover things in their true nature : and hence how hated, how fhunned by men, whofe foolifh heart is darkened ; whofe deeds are evil ! Thine, without contracting any defilement, to penetrate, to mine into, denied churches and fouls. How fwift thy approaches to, and thy motions in our heart ! And as the lightening cometh from the eaft, and fhineth unto the well; fo mall thy coming O Son of man be. BlefTed author, purchafer, price, repofitoi'y, be- llower, fubltance, of all our light, fpirituai and eternal, when I fit in darknefs be thou a light unto me ; my e- verlafiing light, my God, my glory. 72. Chrift is called the day-spring from on high a. He is the Mod Hip^h, God over all blelT^d for ever, a- men. How neceiTary ! how choice ! how refrefhful a bleffing to men i Breaking up and appearing for us in the council of peace ; breaking forth towards us in an- cient promifes and types; in his actual incarnation ; in his obediential life, bloody death, and glorious refur- re&ion ; viiiting us in the gofpel-revelation ; manifeft- ing himfelf to us in the moment of converfion, of re- newed difcoveries of his love, of death, and at the lad day, he, after a fad cold and dark night of ignorance corruption, trouble, or death, doth in a moll fovereign, certain, free, gradual, end irrefiftible manner, roufe, re- frcfh, quicken, and enlighten his people or church; and manifefl his own glory - and introduce a pleafant, a happy day of love, of grace, of power, of falvation, of fpirituai efpoufals, of life, of liberty, of everlalting fe- lr:ir, 1 ■ ration, and praife. Dawn, O DAY- a Luke i. *>S % Of metaphors respecting Christ. 85 spring, on my foul, on the world. Let the whole earth thy glory fill. Amen, and amen. 73. Chrift is called the sun of righteoufnefs with heal- ing in his wings a. All things are obvious, naked, and open to him. He is the only fountain of faving light and knowledge. From him do angels, minifters, and faints, derive their whole infight into the myftery of our falva- tion. How wonderful ! how unbounded ! how high ! how fovereign ! how comely ! how glorious ! how pure, un- dented, and undeniable ! how pleafant ! how ufeful our bleffed Sun ! How cheerfully ! how freely ! how regu- larly ! how conilantly ! how unweariedly ! how power- fully ! how extenfively ! he communicates his convincing, his enlightening, his heart penetrating, warming, and melting ; his foul quickening, healing, refrefhing, direc- ting, and fructifying ; his fin-withering and con fuming influence ! How truly is he the reftful centre of all things, chiefly of you redeemed, and of all your concerns ! How fall fixed in his fphere ! No principality nor power, nor fin, nor trouble, nor death, fhall ever pluck him from, his ftation, in the new covenant, in the third heaven, in the church, or in my heart ; nor ever arreft his courfe. Not ten thoufand lamps of ordinances, minifters, or graces ; not ten thoufand moons of creation, but his countenance alone, can give day to my foul. It is thine, bleffed Sun, to bring life and immortality to light ; to guide our feet in the way of peace. Oh, how fweet to walk in thy light, and work out our falvation with fear and tremb- ling ! It is thine, to warm my cold affections, to melt my frozen heart, to enkindle my foul into an unquench- able flame of love. Thine to difpel my clouds of igno- rance, guilt, defertion, temptation ; to chafe thefe fha- dows as far as eaft is diftant from the weft. Thine to gild my clouds of trouble, and make my darknefs, my death, my grave, to fmile. Thine to chear my heart, call forth my flowers of grace, make them call out their roots, andfpread their fmell as Lebanon. None, O Jefus, remain in darknefs, but who fhut their eyes to thy illu- mination. Ye fons of floth, you offspring of darknefs, a- wake from your ileep ; arife that Chrift may give you * Mai. iv, 3. 85 SACRED TROPOLOGY. light. It is high time for you to awake ; the day of your life is far fpent ; now is your damnation, if mercy prevent not, nearer than when youwere conceived. How different, Lord, the tendency of thy folar, thy gofpei light ! how it operates according to the nature of thefe on whom it mines ! Some are inftrucled, melted, fructified, and ri- pened in grace; others are blinded, offended, hardened, fcorched, and fitted for endlefs fire. Bleffcd Sun, how di- verfified thy appearance ! thy perceived influence ! Now, the clear fhine of thy incomprehenfible brightnefs, makes all my heart to leap, and all my lot to fmile. with joy and gladnefs. Viewed, in the firm faith that thou art mine, the defert of adverfity, the valley of the (hadowof death, blovToms as trie rofe; the excellency of Carmel and Sha- ron is given to it ; I account myfelf above all, loaded with loving-kindnefs, and tender mercies. Dazzled with thy glory, thatexcelleth, my eyes lofe fight of created, comely fcenes ; I tread the moon of this world, under my feet : I count all but lofs, but dung, for the excellency of Chrirfc Jefus my Lord : all my powers cry out, O Lord, who is like unto thee ? Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none on earth that I defire beiides thee. Anon, how beclouded with black defert ion, towering guilt, fla- vifh fear, and' raging corruption! How eclipfed by our earthly moon ! Her cares, her comforts, come between thee, and my heart 1 Ah, how they hide thy face, {hear thy rays, and blot out the day from my foul! How oft is my fun put down at noon ! Now, blefTed Lord, thy near approach, thy high elevation, create the fummer of my foul: I bafk, I melt, below thy warming ravs; am love-fickened with thy genial heat. Anon, thou doft withdraw, and {lands from me afar ; fure caufe of in- ward wintry wo ! What then fucceeds ? A withered, fruitlefs, miry life ; a faint, a frozen, carelefs heart ! Have I forgot the (hocking period, when the fun him- felf was darkened; the caufe of lurnmer bewintered ! Bright Sun ! brightnefs of the Father's glory! how waft thou turned into blacknefs, and to blood? how fall from heaven ! lie groaning on the ground ! hang fixed to a crofs ! defcend to the fides of the pit ! darknefs thy curtain, and thy bed the grave! the aftonifhed earth on Of metaphors respecting Christ. 87 trembling fell! created fun was {hocked to fee thy {hame! How I faw ! ten thoufands faw thee fet in darknefs, and in purple gore ! Vile, rocky, fhamelefs heart, didft fee, and fit unmoved at the fight ! Curfed be my fins, my ] nfts, the guilty eaufe. But happy morn! I by faith faw him burft the bonds of death? I faw him rife; rife with ten thoufand charms ; my fmilhed ranfom ; my endlefs light; my God ; my glory ;. and my all in ALL ! I faw him rife with thoufands of once fallen, but now riling ftars. I felt the railing power, and ftraight with him did mount, to plant the new-framed heavens of grace. How, blefTed Jefas, by rifing in the ancient pro- mife, didft thou difpel the midnight ignorance, and utter hopeleflhefs of men ! By rifing in thy birth, thy death, thy refurrection, and afcenfion, difpel the darknefs, and chafe away the fhadows of Hebrew ceremonies ! By a- rifing in gofpel ordinances, abolilh the winter of Hea- thenifm, error, and deluficn ! By rifing in thy fpiritual influence, how thou turned our darknefs into light ; makeit our darkened fouls become light in the Lord ! By rifing to judgment, how thou wilt totally, wilt final- ly, difpel the darknefs of ignorance and error ! banifli th?± cold of fin,trouble, temptation or death! chafe far oC every madow of imperfection, of vain imagination ! ex- tinguish, every candle of minifter, ordinance, or fcrip- ture ! and ufiier in the eternal neon of perfect viiion, and unclouded glory! Eternal Sun, whofe morning meafures all our temporary periods of duration, gradu- ally halt thou rifen all along ; and gradually thou rifeft in my foul. when wilt thou attain thy blefifed me- ridian, that in my flefh I may fee God ; fee him as he is, and know him even as I am known ! Art not thou, the Sun of righteoufnefs ? Thine it is to bring in an everiaft- ing righteoufnefs. Thine to declare and preach the righ- teoufnefs of God. Thine, by the imputation of thy life, thy death, and by the influence of thy graee, to render all thy people righteous. O the healing in thy wings ! If 1 but fee thy countenance; if I feel thy rays ; 3 am made whole of whatfoever difeafe I had. 74. Chrilt is called the morning-star*. In greatnefs, a Rev. ii. 28. S8 SACRED TROPOLOGY, and conftancy, how far his height, his glory, his benign influence, tranfcend thefe of angels and minifters ! Who, O Jefus, among gods, or ftars, is like unto thee! O great ornament in the firmament of the creation and church, it is thine to guide thy chofen in this world ; chiefly in the winter of their affii&ion. Thine to be the fure pledge of an approaching, an' everlafting glory. Thou art the firft and the laft; the Alpha and Omega of all our falva- tion, and all our defire : the author and the finifher of our knowledge, our faith, our hope, our repentance, love and new obedience ; our evening, our morning comfor- ter and guide. Nothing can pluck thee from thy office and ftation. Nothing can arreft thy courfe, or retard thy coming to fuffer or fave. To the adulterous and thievifh fons of obfcurity, how unwelcome and terrible thy brightnefs ! But how defired of thefe, who hate the unfruitful works of darknefs ! Thy coming in the flelh uftiered in the day of the gofpel-period; Thy fpiritual advent ufhers in the day of effectual falvation. Thy coming in the clouds mail introduce a day of univerfal account, and of endlefs glory. Is this day-ftar, my foul, rifen in thy heart ? 75. Chrift is compared to rain and dew. a. Jehovah alone is his Father. He is at once the Lord from heaven; and the virgin's fon, the fruit of the earth. From the vaft ocean of redeeming love, his offices, his relations, his promifes, and influences, proceed; and to the glory thereof, they return and redound. O how fovereign ! how feafonable ! how gradual ! how comely ! how nume- rous and neceffary ! how refrefhful ! how reviving, and nourifhing, and fructifying, their applications to our heart ! 76. Chrift is a fountain or well b. In the council ©f peace, in his incarnation and death, he was digged by his Father. In his perfon, his office, his relations, his righteoufnefs, and grace, what a marvellous, a deep, an abundant, a never-failing fource of all neceffary, free, plentiful, pure, pleafant, refrefhful, heart cooling, com- forting, cle anting, quickening, and fructifying influence to men I and which are efpecially conveyed to them, aPsal. lxxii. ilg»ca xiv. b Song iv. 15. Zech. xiii. j. Of metaphors refpettwg God 89 while they are abafed in his fight ! Thrice bleued, that, by purifying millions of polluted fouls, himfelf can ne- ver contract defilement, He is a fountain of gardens for the ufe of his churches; inthefe; iti his worfhipping alTemhiies , in the hearts of hia people; his influence breaks forth, and is efTeclual. He is a fountain of living; waters. The ever-frelh influence of his word, his blood, his Spirit, begets life in dead finners, maintains it in faints, reflores it when languiftnng, and perfects it itko life eternal. He is a fountain opened. Publicly and f reel j is he exhibited to every {inner in the gofpel ; and conitant .is our acuefs to apply his word, his blood, his Spirit, for our purification. So," Je'fus, fprinkle thou many nations. Except thou warn me, lean have no part in thee. 77. Ghrilt is compared to rivers of water in a dry place a. To you, ions of men, who live in. the dry, tfoiz barren, the blalted, withered wildernefs of this world ; to you who are in the barren, faplefs ftate of nature ; to you who are in a fcorched, withered, and lifelefs condi- tion; there is in him an open, free, common, a perpetual, pure, frefh, ever-running, and abundant fulnefs of clean- ling, comforting ftrengthening ; of fructifying, adorning., enriching, protecting power, grace, love, wifdorn, righ- teoufnefs, fanctification, and redemption. Here drink, here bathe, my foul ; drink, yea, drink, and wafh abun- dantly, O beloved. 78. Ghrift is called streams from Lebanon £. From the bowels of Godhead, do his Mediatory office and ful- nefs proceed. From the high mountain of his divine per- fon 3 do his influences flream. How vaiious their form and. effect! How powerfully they bear down, conquer, and re- move every impediment of fin, unworthmeib,- or guilt ! How free! how cooling! how pleafant ! how refrefhfui, nourifhing, and conitant ! Ho every one that thirtieth, come ye to the waters; whomever will, let him take of the water of life freely ; come to him, and drink. Ne- ver, ye chief of finners, fhali you be able to exhauh, and draw up this overflowing Jordan into your mouth. Ye leprous Syrians, warn here; wafh feven times and <* isa, xxxii. 2. k Song v. 2$, H 9<3 SACRED TROPOLOGY. be clean Will men leave this fnow of Lebanon, that cometh from the Pvock of ages, the rock of the rleld, the free, the common, the obvious Saviour? Shall the cold flowing waters, that come from the heavenly place, be forfaken ? 79. Chrift is compared to a tree a. How deep-rooted in felf-exiflence, abiblute independency, and immutabi- lity, is liis divine perfon! How ftrong ! how durable, ex- alted, and glorious ! How firmly rooted in the everlaft- ing. and infinite love, in the unchangeable perfections and purpofes of God, are the confutation of his perfon as God-man, and his mediatory cfHce ! In his humble birth, how in his manhood grtw he up, as a root out of adry ground! In his life afflicted and forrowful, how grew he up ! how increafed he in grace, and in favour with God and with men ! In his fuffering, hew the axe of his Father's wrath was laid to the -root of the tree ! In his death how cut down ! Three days and three nights, he lay prohhate in his grave. In his resurrec- tion, in his afcenfion, he grtw up to aftonifhing height, tranfeending both angela and men. Now he is planted, he grows on the high mountain and eminent of his Father's right hand ; on the lofty ordinances of the gof- pel-church. In him there is abundant fap, a never-tail- ing fulnefs of grace and glory. Among the branches, and under the ihaCow,of his excellencies, ofliccs, and relations, do the ranfomed birds of paradiie fix thcmfelves, and ling forth his praife. 80. Chrift is called the tree of life b. He prepared, he purchafed, he offers, he bellows, he reflores, main- tains, and perfects our life, fpiritual and eternal. He is the food on which we now live by faith : the certain pledge that we fhall live for ever ; becaufe he lives, we ihall live alfo : and when pie who is our life (hall ap- pear, we fhall alfo appear with him in glory. He grows in the ftreet, and on either fide of the river in every gofpel-ordinance, lie is exhibited: to men in general, wicked, or gracious, Jews, or Gentiles, he is offered : every where, in his church militant, or triumphant, is he prefent, and ia the life, the open refrefliment, the a Efcek. xvii. 22.— -2 * 6 Rev. xxii. 2. Of metaphors respecting Christ, §«. fubftance, the fupport, and glory thereof. And by the influence of the bleffed Spirit, that river of life, is he apprehended and enjoyed. He bears twelve manner of fruits every month : by him an angry God is appeafed and reconciled ; juftice is fatisfied ; the broken lav/ is magnified; an everlafting righteoufnefs brought in ; the covenant of grace confirmed ; Satan conquered ; our fin pardoned and fubdued; our perfons accepted ; our hopes of glory recovered ; our victory over fin, Satan, death, and an evil world, fecured ; minifterial gifts bellowed; the gofpel publifhed ; the Holy Ghoft fent to fanclify, preferve, direct, and comfort us ; the manuons of hea- ven prepared for us ; freedom from a broken covenant, a ceremonial law, and Satanic temptations ; boldnefs to- wards God; familiar intimacy with him; a full and ready anfwer to every charge, that can be laid againft us, before him ; the favourable acceptance of our good works ; the conflant hearing and feafonable granting of our requefts ; a believing aliarance of all new covenant- bleflmgs, are infallibly fecured. All are ever ripe and ready, for the enjoyment of his people, in every cafe de- lightful or grievous. His leaves for the healing of the nations, are his word, his ordinances, and fpiritual influ- ence, which communicate fpiritual healing to the nations of them that are fayed,- in every age, place, and condi- tion. 8 1. Chrift is compared to an apple- tree a. In ufe, fulnefs, for honouring his Father, and faving his people* in comelinefs and beauty, he infinitely tranfeends angels and men; he is the darling, the chief care of Heaven. Eaiily is his honour injured: quickly is he touched with the injuries done to his children. For us, he bears the wholefome, the fweet, the favoury, the cooling, refrefh- ing, the healing, the'love-exciting, apples of everlafting righteoufnefs, of pardon, acceptance, regeneration, adop- tion, faadincation, of fpiritual peace, comfort, and endlefs happinefs. How favoury ! how medicinal, are the very leaves and bloilbms of his word and ordinances, to theie who labour under the fenie of their fpiritual enmity, ignorance, pride, hypocrify ; of malice, Qnvy^ unbelief, a Song ii. 3. H2 9 2 SACRED TROPOLOGY. legality, earthly mindednefs ; of heart- wandering, dead- nefs, or other inward plagues ! If by faith, we touch the hem of his garment, we ifiaU be made whole. But if the FOMECITKON TREE be here meant, Ghrift is com- pared to it, for his greamefs and excellency. In the production, how bitter tailed to him, his fruits fo fra- grant to us ! and amid what bitter tribulations we now experience their delightful fweetnels ! How contfanily ripe ! how effectual a remedy againft the poifon of fin ! How they ftrengthen, arid perfume cur fpiritua] breath! Sit, my iou], under his (hadow with great delight, and let his fruit be fweet to my taftei 82. Chrifl is compared to a CEDAR-TREE a. How in- finite the depth, the firmnefs of his root ; his Godhead • How high ! how excellent ! how ftrong, firm, and incor- ruptible ! hoWever-flourilhing and comely ! In his incar- nation, he grew as a root out of dry ground. In his hu- miliation, how expoied to ilorms and fuffering ! How complete.' how extenfive and refreshing the fhadow of his protection and rignteoufnefs ! How abundant his fuinefs of fap ! of grace and virtue ! How manifold his ufe in erecting the temple! the church ! the new-cove- nant building of mercy ! and the frame of grace in our heart ! How fweet ! how fragrant to our foul, his per- ion, his office, his relations, his names, his ordinances, righteoufnefs, and grace ! is he to me as Lebanon, ex- cellent as the cedars ! 83. Chrift is compared to a FIR-TREE />. In his de- baiement, he fpru.ng up in a barren ground, from a de- generate nation, frcm a debafed family, and an impover- ifhed virgin ; and grew up in the cold, tne barren foil of a blafted world, a low, an tfilicled life. How infinite nis excellency and comelinels ! h«w untainted his in- tegrity and uprightnefs ! Exalted to the right hand of the Majefty on higbj how he bends downward his boughs of proinifcs and influences, that he may dwell with, and »>e apprehended and held fall by the debafed tranf- greffor, the humble foul ! How perpetually verdant; the fame vt fit rdi^v, to day, and lor ever ! How unfading iiii glory ! How free from every knot of corruption ! a Song v. 15. E*cl<. xvii. 23. b Rosea xiv. 8. Of metaphors respecting Christ. 93 How unbounded his fap, his fulnefs of grace! of glory ! In him it.pleafed the Father that all fulnefs fhould dwell! How completely he protects his chofen from the heat, the dorm of almighty vengeance, and of the temptations of Satan! How he expofed his head, his heart, for our fake ! How fweet ! how op*n ! how abundant the accefs of unclean ftrokes of polluted tinners to enter and abide under the ihadow of his brunches ! My foul, make him thy houfe, thy fafe, thine endlefs habitation. 84. Chriit is compared to an olive-tree, or two olive BRANCHES a. Infinite is thefaluefs of grace, which refides in his complex perfon. Infinite is his readinefs to communicate it to his people. And what a fare em- blem of perfect peace between God, and my foul ! If I hear of him in the gofpel, it is the voice of the Lord, faying, Peace, peace to him that is afar off, and to him that is near. If I believe ; if I feel him in my heart ; God keeps me in perfect peace : his covenant of peace fhall not be broken. 85. Chrift is compared to a cluster of copher in the vineyards of Engedi b. \l co?her mean the cyprus- vine ; Chriit refembles it in his abundant, his nouriGi- ing, his ilrengthening, and comforting virtue. If it mean the cyprefs-tree ; Chrift refembles it in his fweetnefs, his purity, his healing, and anointing virtue ; his ever appearing as our dying, our crucified Redeemer. \i it fignify the cypirus or fword-grafs; Chrift refembles it in his fruittulnefs, his favourinefs, his marvellous vir- tue to ftrengthen our foul, and heal the bites, the flings, the wounds made by the old ferpent. If it means dates, the fruit of the palm-tree ; Chrift refembles them in his ivide-fpread renown, his infinite fweemefs, and nourilh- ing virtue. \i it denote balfam ; Chrift refembles it in his precioufnefs, his acceptablenefs, his fweetnefs and fragrancy, his preferving, his all healing, and nourifh- jhg virtue. If it be oamphire; Chrift refembles it in his wood favour, his healing, his reviving, and exhilarating virtue. He is compared to a cluster: for O the ful- nefs, the fweet, the firm, the myfterious connection of his unnumbered excellencies, graces, bleffings, promifes! Hj * Zech. iv. 1 1, — 14, h Song i» M» 94 SACRED TfcOP3LO<3Y. 85. Chriil calls bimfelf the thus vine ch In his hu- manity, how tender, weak, debafedi -expo fed to contempt and filtering' ! hoWrfpoiled bj foxes, by Satan, by {ewifn ieducers ! by Gentile profecutors ! But how honourable in his perfon,his character, and office ! How eafily; how much injured ! how fenfible, and obfervani of it ! How quickly he grew up in favour with God, and with men! How early about his Father's bufinefs ! How he abound", with quickening, with heart-warming, and enlightening virtue ! What fweet, what profitable, refreshing, and medicinal grapes of righteoufnefs, of peace, of pardon, acceptance; of fpiritual fonfhip, fanclirication, perfever- ance, comfort, and eternal glory, he brings forth ! what exten£ve and refrefhful ihadow of protecting perfections offices, promifcs, and providence, he affords to his peo- ple ! Bleffed Vine, why, after thy fruitfulr.efs, waft thou cut down ! why burnt in the fire of thy Father's wrath! Not for thine, but for our barrennefs, our unprofitable- ness. Why trodden in the wine-prefs of his indigna- tion ! why thy foul troubled, fqueezed, and prefTed out of meafure! Was it that I might for ever drink new -wine with thee in the Father's kingdom ! Arife, ye tin- ners, ye companions of forrow; take this cup of falva- tion, and call on the name of the Lord. With pleafure, fit every one under the ihadow of jefus, his own vine, his own fig-tree. 87. Chrift is compared to a root b. He is the hid- den, the invisible God: on earth his glory was vailed : now we fee him not, but believing rejoice. How in- finitely fafe,firm, and unchangeable ! how full of fap, of communicative virtue ! how he fupports ! how myfte- rioufly he conveys exiflence, life, and rourifning virtue to his people ! In the winter of fpiritual indifference, deadnefs, darknefs, defertion, in the floims of perfe- ction, temptation, and trouble, how effectually he pre- ferves them from total withering f Againlt him, in his perfon, office, nghteoufnefs, and grace, do our enemies with their axe of oppofition principally flrike. Bleffed Koot of David, and of every other creature, efpecialiy of thefe of the houfeheld of faith, nor florm, nor drought, • Johnxv.i. ilsa.liii 1. Rev. xxii. iG. Of metaphors respecting Christ. 95 nor axe, nor age, can defpoil thee of thy vigour, thy freihnefs. When the earth and the works thereof are burnt up, ftult thou appear in all the budding glories of the fpring, becaufe thou lived, I fhall live alfo. 88. Ghrift is called the branch of growth a. In his humanity he fprings out of the root of Jeffe. His hu- manity has no root of itfelf, but fubfifts in his divine perfon. How comely, verdant, and fruitful, with ho- nour to God, and happinefs to men ! He is a top branch, fprung of David's royal family; and in himlelf molt excellent and honourable, higher than kings of any land. He is the branch of the Lord, raifed up by, cared for, and fruitful to the glory of God. He is a branch of righteoufnefs ; for the difplay of his righteoufnefs, God fent him into the world, raifed him up, and made him bring forth, an everlafting righteoufnefs, for our j uni- fication ; and by his influence are all his children made righteous in good works. 80. Ghrift is called the plant of renown raifed up by God h. In his ancient purpofe, in his incarnation and death, God planted him: in his refurrecYion and af- cenfion, he raifed him up, and gave him glory: in the preaching of the gofpel, in the efteem and afFe&ion of his people, he continues to exalt him : at the laft day he will r&ife him up to judge the world, and thereby dif- play his aftonifhing height and grandeur. In his pedi- gree, his perfon, his natures, names, his qualites, offices, relations, and work, how infinitely famous ! For anti- quity; for deep humiliation; for excellent beauty ; for never-fading verdure ; for nouriihing and medicinal vir- tue ; for refrefnful favour and ihadow; for alloniihing fruitfulnefs in every neceffary, every ufeful benefit - y how widely renowned ! O publim his name ; declare his doings among the people ; aferibe ye greatnefs to our Ghrift; let every one to another, the lathers unto the children, declare his truth. 90. Ghrift is called the rose of Sharon, or field c. In his birth, he grew out of David's withered root ; he grew up in the field of this world, and was therein ex- pofed to contempt, trouble, aud death.. In the field of By his Father's royai appointment, he came into this world. Every impediment of our accefs to God he removed, and left us an example to walk in his ileps. Through his me- diation, his atonement and inteictfiion, we mull go out to our warfare with Satan, with the world, and our lulls ; mull go forth to trade with heaven in the free receipt of all the fulnefs of God ; and to walk in boli- ntfs towards the ecleftial blifs. In the gofpel, his perfon and office are exhibited, as the fole means of Jehovah's kind vilits to us, and of our pailage from Satan to God ; and from Qn and mifery to grace and glory. In THIS, all who hear the gofpel are fully warranted to enter and walk: and by him are they gracioufly received, a i Pet. U.S. b Johnxiv. 6. Of metaphors respecting Christ, j o 1 freely fnpported, perpetually directed, and finally uiher- ed into endlefs felicity. . O new and living way of ho- linefs, in which men mall net remain unclean, though it be for TKoss! O fure, fafe-, eafy. plain, pleafant, hea- venly ! O coftiy, free, divine way! may foolifh I walk in thee without erring! United to thy perfon ; juftified by thy blood ; influenced by thy love ; enabled by thy ftrength ; fubject. to- thine authority ; acting as under thine eye; alway intending- thine honour ; let me fol- low thee, go up and down in thy name, and walk humbly with my God. I ©3. Chrift is compared to a GATS and DOOR a. By the wifdom, the power, and authority of God, he is con- ftitute the proper m^ans of our adaiiflion to the church, *nd the offices thereof: thecnly means- of our accefs into a gracious ftate, or into the knowledge, favour, and pre- fence of God : the fole means of our defence from the florin of divine wrath, or the violence of our fpiritual foes. Thro 1 him alone. Jehovah bellows his gracious alms of a full falvation, on thefe deilitule tinners, who apply for the fame: and in him alone, are our prayers and fervices accepted. Now, in the promifes, the invi- tations, and offers of the gofpel, he is wide opened to men; him that cometh to him, he will in no wife call out. At death this exhibition will be fhut to us; at the judgment, to ali his defpifers : for ever, fliall thefe, who are found without him, be confirmed in their rui- ferable eflate. Fie is reprefented as various, as twelve gates, three looking towards every airth ; he is preach- ed to tinners in all the ends of the earth; and O their free, their abundant accefs to God by him ! he is repre- fented as gates of pearl: for, O his unbounded preci- oufriefs and excellency, in bis perfon and mediation ! And bleffed be the Lord, he is open night and day, in every cafe, a ready means of accefs to God. They that come to him (hail, in fpiritual liberty, go in, and out, and find paiture ; but mail no more go out from their gra- cious Hate. By this gate of God, let me enter in, and blefs the Lord. 104. Chrift is compared to an habitation, and dwel- a John x. 9, 1 i communion with him v\ itatafmiiar bok.mis, live and improve the right^oufhefs-, peace, pav- piairce, adoption, wiklora fai.ciirlcation, and re- 302 5.ACRFDTR0? LOGY. }in£ places. Row furnifhed with every neeefTary ac- commodation, all fpi ritual piby'ifiori ! His righteoulnefs andftren^th are the covering: his love the bed torefreih, f id the fire to warm and difTclve our heart: his fl e ill and hiood ; his perfon, rightecufnefs, and purchaied benefits, £ve the nourifhmg provilion : he, his Father, and bleffed Spirit, the delightful companions. With tranfcendent pleafure and gl'adnefs, his people abide in their ftcte of union and communion with him W ith familiar bole in far, they receive don, accep demption, which are Judged in him. Where, my foul, dwellefl thou! Is Chrifi thy home? Hail then thy happy flate ! No plague mall come ne;-»r thy dwelling. Charge me, mv conlcience, to be n k eper at heme, that my houf may guide me : never let me be a bird wandering from her nelh ioq. Chrifi is compared to a covsrt and hiding- place^. Secretly and myilenoufly, in his perfon, rip :■ - teo-ufnefs, power, and love, are thepeifons the iife,fafe- ty, happiiielsand comfprtof his people, hid, and infallibly fecured, from the avenging fury of an angry G-cd, and a- gainft all danger and hurt, from fin, Satan, the world, death, or hell. Am 1 hid in him? Let rains come, ana winds of temptation blow; no evil ftial} come near me. Quickly, O mine enemies, {ball you fcek me, ar.d Ihall not find me: nay, even now, whether 1 go, ye can- rot come; for into his heart, his hand, the Lord hath fliut me in. ico Chi ifr is called a sANCTUAKYard REFUGEE. What a fuflicicnt (fielfr and refidence for guilty and behorrned fihriers! How divinely prepared and allotted them, to flee tb, for protection from avenging junice, from a bn ken law, a raging devil, and an evil worlu! And in him we afpj ritual wandering ; the fulled fatisfaftion to all our deiires ; and the fweettft refreshment, joy, and comfort to our foul. Return to this reft, O my foal, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. T*>9. Ghrilt is reprefented as God's HABITATION; his reding place ; his throne of grace b. Not only is the Father in him,)>y mutual coexidence of nature; but emi- nently and eternally is he glorifr d by, fathfied with, de- lighted irij and rejoices over him, as our Mediator. Li Ijim is God ever acceuible to our humble rcqueds, and ever found ready to beftow hispurchafed mercy and grace. Go therefore boldly, my foul, to his throne of grace, that tnou mayeft obtain mercy > and find grace to help in time of need. no. Ghrift is compared to a foundation c. Fiift, in order of nature, are his perfon, his office, his righteouf- * Matth. xl 28. JPsa!. cxvi. 7. b 2 Cor. v. 19. Ileb iv, 16. e Isa. xwin, i6. i 2 J Ci 4 SACRED TROPOLOGY. nefs and interceffion, placed by his Father, as tho firm, the eternal principle, fupport, fecurity, and ornament of his whole difpenfatidn of mercy and grace; and of every doctrine, ordinance, and true member, of the church ; and of all oar religions worfhip and fervice ; and ci all our hopes of eternal felicity. Another foun- dation cm no man lay, than that which is laid, which is Chrlft Jefus. Be thou, my foul, grounded in him ; nor do thou build on them the hay and ftubble of leg'. 1 ii^h* teoufnefs, of fanciful opinions, or unwarranted prac- tices. - : in. Ghrifl is c.lled the chief Corner stone a. Bef- pifed and rejected indeed he was, by the jewiili builders, their rulers in church and (late: but by his perlbn, his office, his relations, h'-s- righteoufnefs, his interceilion, power, and love; is the whole new-covenant building of mercy, the whole temple of the church, Jewifti or Gen- tile, militant or triumphant, the whole ilruclure of grace in every believer's heart, myfterioufly and beautifully u- nite, regulate, adorned, fupported, flrengthened, and p refer ved. Bleffed Comer-ftone, cement my foul to thee. 112. Chriil is compared to a nail in a fnre place b* On him as irrevocably appointed of God, to be our fole, our all fnfficient Mediator, does every purpofe, promife, and providence of God, relative to our laivation ; dees the whole doctrine, worfhip, difcipiine, and government, of the church ; every office, officer, and members there- of; and every perfon, pi iviledge, gift, and grace, of his people, firmly and fafely hang* and depend. Here hang, my foul, thy life, thy hope, thy work, thy care, thy all. , 113. Clvviftis reprefented as food INDEED, and BREAD OF LIFE r. Broken and bruiied for our fins ; trodden in the wine-prets of his Father's wrath; roafted in the flames, of his indignation; his perfon, his righteoufnefs, and Uving benefits, ar^ the moil excellent, the whole- foihe, pleafant, nourifbing, the ftrengthening", and me- dicinal, the tmiverfa), absolutely nec< id nevtr- furfeiting provilioi) of our foul, which berets, re (lores, a Eph, ii. 20, k I*a. xxii. 21,— -24. f . J»hn vi. 35, — 43* Of metaphors respecting Christ, J 05 maintains, and perfects our everlailing life. Bread that comcth down from heaven, tru2, fubiianlial provifion given of God to us, ftarving", finful men ; may I, with ail faints, daily by faith receive thee, with earned dtflre, particular appropriation, and inward delight. Ever- more give us this bread. 1 1-4 Chnd is called the hiddfn mannas Hi in f elf and his falacfs are the heavenly, the d ; vinely prepared, t'hefcee, the all-inking prcvilion, on which his chofen people are for ever nounlhed and fed. How inviiible and unknown to a carnal world ! How much at preient un- known to the faints ! How incompreheniible in any flatq, to angtls or men ! Ever may my foul have this bread to ear /which the world knows not of. 115. Chrifl is compared to raiment 3. How exa&ly fuited to oar condition, are bis imputed righ ted ufnefe, and imparted grace! How they hide ; they remove, our finful deformity^guilt and pollution ! How they protect from fcorching heat, from freezing cold, and every other fp: ritual hurt ! How comely and acceptable they render us before God, angels, and good men ! What Spiritual health what warmth of aiFeftion to good, they promote! How they qualify us for good works, and diftingm& us from the reil: of the world ! They are white raiment, fine linen, clean and white! How pure and beautiful ! How comely a badge, that we are more than conquerors of (in, Satan, ami the world \ and do always triumph in him \ and always called to rejoice in him, as the God of our faivatiot.'! How they extract our corruption, and rcfreili one heart ! They are a wedding-gu-ment applied la the moment of our myilical marriage to Chriit. How tran- icendent their richnefs, 2nd beauty ! How ornaments 1 10 oar perfjn and nature! How far preferable to any other covering! His rigiiteoufnefs imputed, is the ground of our joy ; the foundation of our right to the prefenee ami favour of God. His grace imparted, is the occailoa of onr fpirituni joy ; the market our union to Chrifl: ; and the iubitance of our mtetr.efs for his fellowship, and of cur becoming a joy and rejoicing to him. Net only pra~ a Rsv. ii. j 7. b Rom. xiii. r^. Re v. Hi, iJ, and xix. 3. ■Maith. xxii ir,< J. 13 Io6 SACRED TROPOLOGY. fefs, but put on, my fom, the Lord Jefus, and make no provilioA for the (kill to fulfil the lulls thereof; let my garments of a holy, cheerful converfation, be always white ; and let my head, my heart lack no ciatment of his grace. 116. Chrifl is compared to gold tried in the fire a. How folid and fubilantial are his perfon and fulnefs ! How comely, pure, and unmixed ! How precious, incor- ruptible, and lading! What an enriching, a fatisfying treafure and ornament! How tried in his Father's efti- mation ; in his own fiery fufferings ; and in his people's hot tribulation ; and yet alway found furncient and ge- nuine ! Effectually counfcl me, OJefus, to buy this gold tried in the tire, that I may be rich ; and thy white rai- ment of imputed atonement, that I may be clothed ; and that the fhame of my filthy, my iinful nakcdneiSj do not appear. 117. Chrifl is called the pearl of great price 3. How wonderful his divine, his human generation ! Who can declare it ? Not round, in fhape, but the everlaflingGod, .an abfolute fulnefs of fpiritual excellency ! How T folid, fubflantial, comely, and glorious ! How truly he recon- ciles hearts, makes peace by the blood of his crofs, and is the one Mediator between God and man ! How adorn- ing, preferving, healing, ftrengtftening ! how enriching* and ennobling his virtue ! What care ; what diligence it requires to find him ! How oft, diving amid waves, and floods of guilt, corruption, ar.d trouble, are y e ln danger of being torn afunder by Satan and his agents ! How precious ! not millions of worlds ; not the obedience of angels or men ; but only thine own bleeding righteouf- nefs, can purchafe cur title to thee. Yet ah ! how few poffefs, deli re, or know, thine excellency ! Having found thee in the gofpel, let me deliberately confent to fell all, difelleem all, forego all, to win Chrili, and be found in him, and he in me the hope of glory. Tread not, my foul, on him : turn not again to tear the Father that give tli him. lib*. Chrifl is called a treasure hid in the field r. How precious and inexhaustible his excellency and ful- «Hev.iij.il. b Matili, xJii.45, 46. t Matth.xiii. 44. Of -metaphors respecting Christ. i C m tiefs ! How he fatisfies, enriches, ennobles, and, before God, devils, and men, emboldens fuch as poiTefs him ! What bleffings, ufeful, lafting, invaluable, unnumbered, are comprehended in him ! In him are all the promifes and benefits of the new covenant, fummed up ! On hira his faved nations for ever live ; and of him do they boail and glory ! With infinite flail is he fecurely depoflte in the purpofe, the power, the love, the faithfulnefs of God ; in the field of infpiration : divinely is he laid up, hid, and concealed, that carnal, carelefs iinners, behold him not. O for a firm, a lively faith, to claim the Almighty's word, and call the treafure all my own ! Be it hid for ever in the treafure of my heart. 119. Ghrift is compared to a treasury or store- house a. In him, as Mediator, God-man, hath God hid, lodged, andfecured, all the bleflings of the new covenant, rich, innumerable, and everlafting; that they might be ever near to us ; none of them be loft : and that he mipht be honoured in the conveyance thereof. Without re- ceiving him, we obtain no faying benefit-; and in embra- cing him, we obtain all inexhauftible ftores of grace and glory. Fear God, my foul, there is no want to them that fear him. 1 20. Ghrift is compared to a refiner's FIRE and fuller's soap b. By the pure preaching of his word, he removes drofly, and fpotted errors and herefies. By the influence of his Spirit, he purges out fpots, and drofty corruption from our heart* By common or fpecial influence, he ren- ders fpotted perfons apparently, or really, pure in his fight. By fearful judgments, he removes the fpots, the wicked perfons, of a nation or church, into endiefs wo. Who may abide the day of his coming ! 1 2r. Ghrift is compared to a standard, ensign, or banner c. The elevation of him in his perfon, his f&ith- fulnefs, and love, .in the ancient counfel of peace ; in the Old Teftament promifes and types ; in his incarnation life, death, refurre&ion, and glory j in theg«fpel revela- tion, and fuving difcovcry of his excellency ; is God's great fi*nal of war with fin, with Satan, and the world ; and of his victory over them ; and of our peace with a Col. i. 10. b Mai. iii. 2. rl&a.xi. io, apdlis.^9. Io3 SACKED TROPOLOGY. Go!, with our cjnicience, with holy angels, and good men: it i-~ the grand means of difpiriting 3at«tn and his allies ; and of gathering and enliHihg us to Jefus hirnfelf ; the great means of e&citiajg, encouraging, and directing us i:i our fpiritaal eouiliet-S, and enabling us to obtain compete victory therein. He is represented as a ftand- ard beater among ten thoufand. In the shove manner, and for the mentioned purpofes, he lifs up himfelf, and goes before his people in their fpiritual war. Be thou, my foal, ftrong in tire Lord, and in the power of his might. 122. Chrid is compared to a staff, a stay, or sup- porting friend a. By d^pendarice on his righteounfefs, his power, his love, his intercefSon, and faith fulnefs, are his'chofen people fupported under their burdens, of guilt, of corruption, or trouble; and enabled to walk up to ro' this wildernefs world, to the high, the promifed land of encilefs felicity. For ever, O Jeihis, let me lean on thee, 123. Ghiiil is like the chariots of Amrninadib 3. H»w quick! how ma jell ic his love approaches, to relieve and co r>. fort his diftireffed faints! in what eafy, fafe, quick, and royal manner, he bears and carrier them, through this waile howling deferr, into eternal happi- nefs! 1 2 l. Chrift is called wonderful c. What countlefs I what Linfearchabiemyfteries and miracles of infinite, eter- nal, and immutable, being, wifdom, power, holinefs^ juUce, goodnefs, and truth, ane exhibited in his periun, iiis oiiihe, appearance, and work ! in him every wonder- ful union, created, or divine coi curs, and every marvel- lous gurpofe, doctrine, pramife, and providence, doth centre ! ilow incompreheofibte, his divine excellencies.! his eternal generation ! his afFurning the iikenffs of iin- f &l fl (h ! How-dee] his abafement ! how high his ex- alt • >n ! how Snilhed nis righteoufnefs ! how tender his Lj . e ! ho ■■. 11 comprehenfible his whole work! howflrangc his bounty ! how m rvellous his habitationin us i ah I his returns to blefs Us ! Aik, my foul, pry into, hi. name ; for it is fecret. j 25. Giirift js Galled all in all d. He is hi all place* f a ^flOBg viii. 5, iSo.'v^vi.w, clsa.. «► 0. iCj«..i. 1:, Of metaphors respecting Christ* $o^ in all the churches, and all the hearts of his people. He makes and performs all things: he comprehends all ex- cellency, tranfcends all creatures, contains, and beftowa all good. He is the Creator, the preferver, the gover- nor, difpofer, heir, and end of all creatures ; the anti- type, the fubftance, the fcope, and end of all divinely in- stitute ceremonies ; the devifer, the foundation, the means, and end of ail divine purpofes ; the maker, the farnimer, the publisher, the'confirmer, the fuliiiler, the fubftance, centre, and fcope, of all gracious promifes ; the author, the revealer, theexempliiier, the fubjecl:, end end of>all infpired doctrines ! the giver, the fufiillei, the end of all facred laws ; the contradter, the magnifier, and executor of all divine covenants; and the pnrchafer, price, difpenfer, matter, and end of all faving privileges. He is the iniiitutor, maintainer, fubftance, and fcope of all golpe l-o rcli nances ; the author, the object, the exam- ple, the preferver-, reitorer, incrtafer, and iioimer of all Chrifliau graces ; and the caufg, the pattern, the motive, the alii fl- ant, the direclor, and means of acceptance in all holy exercifes. All comprehending Lord : art thou Ml God, and my all ? 126. Chriit's name is like ointment poured forth a. Apprehended bj faith, his perfon, character, cilice, re- lations, righteoufnefs, and grace, have a mofc free, a moil extenfive, precious, and fweet-fmelling influence, to quicken, cleanfe, mollify, heal, ftrengthen, exhilarate, and adorn our foul, and tit them for wreffcling with Satan and our lufts : and for running in the way ot God's com- mandments. Be thou, my foul, a good favour of Chriil, to all around. 127. Chrift's Iovq is life, and better than life £. It is the fource, the begetter, the rtftorer, the maintain- er, and perfecter of our fpiritual life"; the befiowei^con- fervei's and fubftance of our eternal life. How inexpref- iible its comforts! How it fweetens my natural exif- tence ! heals my maladies ! redreffes my grievances ! en- riches my foul with God as her portion ! and enraptures my heart ! How much more precious, pleafant, iafting, lure, and ufeful than this natural life ! When heart and a Song i. 3. b Psal. xxx. 5, and Ixiii. 3. 3 IO SACHFD TROPOLOGY. fle(h faint and fail, it (ball be, my eternal excellency, ans( joy cf many generations. 128. Chrift's love is compared to wine a. By his b?ing trode in the wine-fat of his Father's wrath, was it manifeiied, and prepared. How precious, pleafant, and diilinguiihing is it ! What a reviving, comforting, Healing, appetizing, invigorating, and emboldening in- fluence na«h it on our heart ! And for antiquity, dura- tion, harailerTneis. freenefs', purity, plenty ; and for its rower to quicken the dead in trefpaffes and lins, preferve from death eternal, and create joy unfpeakable, and full of glory, how far it exceeds ?ne belt wine ! Drink here- of abundantly, my foul, that thou may ft forget thy for- rows, a^d remember thy mifery no more. 129. Ghrift's love is compared to a banner difplayed in a barqueting-houfe b. While he opens his word to his p:-opIc ; while beadenits them into covenant-union, aad entertains them with fpecial intimacy with himfelf ; how his love engages and draws their heart to his fer- vice ; and excites, encourages, ttrengthens, diitinguifhes, directs, and protects them in their fpiritual eonfljcls with Satan, the world, and their iulis ! Thus let me fight with princioalines and powers, and with fpiritual wickednds in high places. j 30. G;irill's righteoufnefs is cdled ELCOD c, By the mending of his blood he fniiihed it. C:oieiy it adheres where-ever it is applied. How marvellous its eflicscy to quench the fiery indignation of God, the fiery darts of Satan's temptation, and the flaming enmity of our cor- rupt heart ! The fprinkling of it, imports a real, a clofe, a liberal, full, kindly, and Skilful application ot it to our conference, bv the Spirit of God. To him who loved us, and warned us from our (ins in his niood, be glory aad honour for ever and ever. Amen. 131. Chrilt's righteoutiufs is called CLEAN WATER 'f. It is the pure righteoufnefs of God. How f.vcctty >t reireffies cur heart, purities our c< nfcience from dead works, purges off all our guilt ; and, before God as a judge, renders us clean every whit, whiter than tile faow! bicUe i vviter, how plentiful! how common and free \ € Song i. 2, 4. k Se,i^ ii. 4. c 1 Pet i. 2. d Ezek. xxxri. 25.. OfmeLipbors respecting the Holy Ghost. m how uffcful, quickening, and refrefhing ! how it fpreads its virtue ; penetrates into my heart ! How unhampcr* ed my aecefs to drink of, or ba:he myfeii therein ! 132. Cliriii's rightebufnefs is compared to a ereast- JLATE a. Imputed by God; applied by faith, it protects oar foul, repels Satan's accufations, refills his fiery temp- tations, and fecures us fioiii the condemnation, the ven- geance of Heaven. Chrift's rightebufnefs is compared to a garment or li- nen robe: See No 115. C H A P. HI. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING THE HOLT GHOST. I. HHHE Holy Ghoft is compared to an amuapsa- -** dor b. Agreeable to the dii'penUtion of the new covenant, he is fent by : he comes in the name of Jefus Chrifl, the King of nations, aim of his adored Fa- ther. And with infinite wifdom, power, and foiemnuy, he, in the word of the gofpel, propofes to our foul a treaty of peace with Gcd, of marriage with Ghrilt, and of traffic with heaven. Powerfully he perfuafUs us heartil} 7 to accept thereof; and by foaling us up to the day of redemption, he irreverlibly ratifies the agree- ment. And ah ! how vexed', how grieved with our rejection of his propolal's ; our reuftance to his motions, and his ftriving with our conicience ! Grieve not, my foul, the holy Spirit, whereby I am fealed to the day of redemption, 2. The Holy Ghoft is called an advocate c By his word, by the miracles and common operations that at- tend it, he pleads the caufe of our adored Redeemer a- gainft an evil world. By his faving difcoveiiss and in- fluences, he pleads it in our heart, againll our corrupt luffs, and affections ; and againft the fail e and injurious allegations of Satan. According to the will of God, he makes interceffion for the faints, exciting them to prayer; enditing their requefts ; directing and enabling them to & Eph. vj. 14. b John xvi. 7. c John xvi. S,— 10. Rom. viii, 26, 27. TI2 SACRED TROPOLOGY. prefeut them at a throne of grace ; and wait for the gra- cious anfwer thereof. Bleffed pleader, make intercef- fion for and in me, with groanings which cannot be ut- tered. 3. The Holy Ghofl 15 compared to a teacher a, PolTeiTed of a comprehenfive, an infinite knowledge of all things j and notwithitanding of the moft fearful con- tempt and oppoiition. he, with amazing fkill, care, kind- nefs, and patience, feafonably and eftV£tually infpired, and ftill opens up the myflerious doclrines, laws, pro- rnifes, and threatening of the oracles of God, and fixes them in our memory and heart. He (hews us the fin- fulnefe and rnifery of our fallen ftate : {hews what and whofe we are. He. enlightens our mind in the know- ledge of the perfon, the ofnces, the relations, righteouf- nefs, power, and love of Jefus Chrift : and initructs us how to receire and improve him, as made of God to us wifdom, lighteoufnefs, fancliflcation, and redemption. Ke teaeheth us the way to manage our heart, our time, our gifts, our grace : how therewith, belt 'to promote the glory of God, and our own, and eur neighbour's real and lading felicity. His pretence, how inestimable a bleffing ! his abfenc*, how fearful -a plague! When fmners remain hardened in fin, how oft he ceafes ft riving with their confeience, and gives them up to the lulls and imaginations cf their evil heart ! Unmatched inftructor, open thou mine eyes, that I may fee wondrous things out of thy law. Inftrud and teach me in the way wherein 1 mould 20. 4. The Holy Ghofl is compared to a witness b. With unbialTed fidelity, unfullied elearnefs, and evidence, he teuifies againfl us ; undeniably proves to our confcience, the truth, the heinous nature, of our crimes ; he teiti- fies of Chrift ; convincingly proves to our foul, that he is infinitely glorious, powerful, fuitable, ableand ready, to fare us who are loll : he teftines of the promifes of the new covenant, that they are adapted to our cafe, and divinely directed to our confcience; he teftifkd the truth of our gracious eflate, witneiling with our fpirits that « John xiv. 26. k John xv. 16, Rom, viik 16, Of metaphors refpeSilng the Holy Ghoji. 113 we are the children of God ; exciting and mining on the grace within us, and on the marks of it noted in the word ; and perfuading us of the true limilitude betwixt them : he tefcifies the iiocerity of our good works, wit- neffing with our conference, that they proceed from Je- fus' preCence in our heart, are agreeable to God's law, and acceptable in his fight. 5. The Holy Ghoft is compared to a leader and. GUIDE a. PoiTclTed of a perfect knowledge of the wilder- nefs and fea of a prefent evil world, and of the courfe proper for every believer therein, he comes to them in their time of need, continually abides with them, dwells in their heart, and by his word, and influence leads them to the promife, the perfon, the blood and righte- oufnefs, power and fulnefs of a Redeemer ; he encourages their fpirit ; directs them to their duty ; and points out: the dangerous errors, habits, and practices they ought t® avoid: he protects them from theafTaults of fin, Satan, and the world; and at laft brings them fate to the de- fired habitation of endlefs felicity. To thee, good Spi- rit, I rcfign my blind, my bewildered fuul; lead thou me to the land of uprightnefs: let me no more com- plain of rough ways ; it is the Lord who leads me a- bout to humble me, and to prove me, and to do me good in my latter end. 6. The Holy Ghoil is called the comforter b. How kindly he fympathizes with the faints in their manifold afflictions! be comes to, abides with, and is highly defired and eiteetned by them. Tenderly he examines our cafe t reproves what is faulty, and enables us to warn off its % guilt in a Saviour's blood, and in his ftrength, mortify the deeds of the body that we may live, In his word he fea- fonably prefents the moff fvveet, and fubftantial, and fure grounds of fpiritual comfort ; that Jelus the Son, the fent of God, has borne our griefs, carried 0111 forrows,fatisficd for our fins, and brought in an everlaiting righteoufriefs tocover our guilty fouls: that, well pleafed, for his righ- tcoufnefs fake, God who loves us with an eveilaiting love, doth in the promife give himfelf to be our God ; tha in the new covenant p^rnifes, the whole fulnefs K a John xiv. 16 , 17, b John xif. 26. 114 SACKED TROPOLOGY. of God ia brought near and fecured to our foul ; that cur manifold troubles flow from redeeming kindnefs, are light and fhort ; but ufeful to promote oar fandlifi- c*tion; and work for us an exceeding and eternai weight of glory : thst we mall be for ever with the Lord, filled with his fulnefs, and made like him, by feeing him as he is. Thefe he determines our heart to apply, and fo quickens, fupports, refrtfhes, fanctifies, 2nd fills it with joy unfpeakable and full of glory. 7. The Holy Spirit is reprefented as a guest, an in- habitant a. His perfon being infinite, and all the faints the one myftical body of Chrift, he in his per- fon and influence, rtfides in each of their hearts. This dwelling he chufes, prepares., and fumifhes for hira- felf, and is, with inexpremble delight, ever prefent' and operative therein. BiefTed one, let all my powers be filled with thy glory. It I have not thee, I am none of Chrift's. 8 He is compared to a dove or turtle £. In fubfift- ence he is diflinc"r. from the Father and Son ; is a com- plete, a divine perfon in himfclf. How inrinitelyglorious, pure, and holy! How meek,condefcending, and peaceable! How firmlj he cleaves to fuch as are once joined to him ! How fwiftly he flies to relieve and eomfort them ! How affectionately he delights in them ! how convincingly he informs their confeience, that the winter-ftorm of God's wrath is pafl, and the floods of his vengeance dried up! And, by refiing on Chriit and his members, how mynVri- oufly he conveys his quickening^ fanclifying, meekening, and refrefliful influence ! 9. He is called the power or finger of God c. Ope- rating in his perfen, with what allcniming might and ikill, doth the divine nature make, furnifh, and adorn the works of creation, providence, and redemption ! Come, my foul, behold the doing of the Lord; let it be won- drous in thine eyes. 10. He is c m pared to FIRE, and called the fpirit of burning d. How powerfully his influence penetrates into the iinnuil re$ (Tea c f our foul ! How it enlightens our m Rom. viii. b a! it h, Hi. 16. Son? ii. 12. c Luke i. 34, and xi. 20. d iia, iv. 4. Acts ii. 3. Of metaphors respecting the Holy Ghost. ii£ mind; melts, foftens, and fubdues our will ; purges our confcience^ warms and quickens our afte&ions; comforts our heart : confumes our drofs, rendering us holy as*he is holy, and enabling us to afcend in heavenly delires, affection:: and meditations ! But ah ! how hindered, ob- fcured, and quenched, by carnality of mind ; by fenfua- lity ; (loth, or pre fumptuous iinning! He is reprefented by cioven tongues of lire fitting on the apoftles, to de- note his qualifying them zealoufly, fuccefsfully, and in divers languages, to preach the everlaiting goipel. He is called feven lamps of nre, to denote his perfect fulnefs of enlightening and heart-warming influence. 11. He is compared to WIND a. in what a fovereign, furpriling, incomprenfibie.. inviiible, piercing, powerful, and conquering manner, do his convincing, his iljuniinat* ing, his renewing, comforting, ftrengthening, his heart- melting, drawing, enlarging, ianctiiying, his luff-cooling, fin-mortiiying, his interceding, wiuiefiing, and feaiing in- fluences afiecl our fouli His influences are reprefented by a mihing mighty wind; toiignify, that nothing can with- stand their power. They are called four winds ; to de- note their abundant variety; their fitnc fs and readinefs to anfwer every man's cafe. His convincing influences are called the north wind, becaufe often boiitercus, alway nipping to our confeience, cauiing us to tremble on ac- count of our iinful nakednefs and guilt. His enlighten- ing and comforting influence is called the fouth wind, becaufe it delights, warms, refrefhes, and fr-uclifies our heart. i 2. The Holy Ghoft is compared to rain and dew h. What a free, a fovereign, a feafonable gift of God to men! How gently; how gradually; how exteniively, and irrefti- biy, do his influences defcend on our foul ! and on lorne, while others are palfeG by! How abfoluteiy necefTary in the feed-time of converfion; and in thefeafon of fpi ritual drought, whether occafioned by defertion or caufed by carnal care, and prevalent lull ! How oft they defcend m confequence of fervent prayer ! And what a beneficial, foftening, and refrething, fructifying, and adorning mer- cy to the church! a John iii. 8, Ezek. xxxvii. 9. Seng iv. 16. b Isa y, 6. Il6 SACRED TROPOLOGY. 13. He is compared to water **. How abfolutely ne- peffary his influences to our fpi ritual life ! In the gofpel, how generally offered and free! How effectual to quench tne fire ©f luff, of pride, of paiTion. hatred, malice; to ex- tinguiGi the fiery darts, the temptations of S-.tan ; to cleanfe away our finful defilement; heal our ipititual wounds and bruites; foften our ltony hearts, and render them fufceptible of imprefiaons by the word, the provi- dence of God! How fweetly they refrefh our languishing foul; quench our finful thirft after carnal things; noi.rim our new man ; render us itrong in gracious habits, and fruitful in every good word and work ! God's pouring put this water, denotes his liberal and abundant com- munication thereof. His fpnnkHng it on us, imports his real, his- clofe, his plentiful, kindly, fkilful, and gradual application thereof. 14. He is compared to waters; rivers; and Floods b, How pure $ perpetual, free, patent ! How abundant, powerful, unfearchable, fpreading, and all- overcoming his influence ! How pkafant, refrefhing, cleaning ! How fructifying, enriching, adorning, and protecting ! How, on fome occafions, they overflow the banks of ordinances, their ordinary channels ! By thcfe, how fweetly we trade with God, in receipt of l;is free favours, and returns of holy duties ; and with men, in the exercite of charity and brotherly kind- nefs ! By them, how fweetly are we feparate and diitjn- guifbed from carnal men, are protected from our fpiri- tual foes; and at laft carried out into the ocean of enolefs felicity! He is called living waters.; water of lite ; a well of water, fpringing up to everlaiHng life. His influ- ences are ever frtiri and running ; and do beget, refiorc, maintain, and perfect the life of our foul. His proceeding from under the temple; from Jeruialem; from under the throne of God, and the Lamb; bis running befide the al- tar in the mid it of the city towards the eait, to water the valley of Shittim ; and running into the dead fea, caufing very thing to live, and be fruitful ; henlingevery thing except the mariihes, and continuing both fumtntr and a John iii. 5. b I«a xxxv. 6, and x)iv. 4. Zech. xiv. 8. Kev\ xxii 7- Jo^i iv. 14. Ezek. Klvii. i,— 15. iiev. xxii. i, 2, JoelmiS. c Of metaphors respecting the Holy GbosU lif winter ; imports, that is faving influences are the fruit of Jefus' death, and of God's being pacified and pleafed in him ; that they are eafiiy and equally acceffible to all in the church ; that they water the lowly, fructify the bar- ren, quicken the dead, and make all that are ordained to eternal life to revive, and live by faith on the Son of God ; that they are to be obtained, and do attend the faints, in every cafe, pleafant or diflrefiing. BlefTed River, O quicken and make glad the city of our God, May thy floods prevail, till our high-eft mountains of corruption, error, and di virion, be covered. 1 5. The Holy Ghoft is compared to Wine a. Is not his faving influence the fruit of Jefus' prefTure, in the fat of his Father's fury ? And how refremful, exhilarating, nutritive, flrengthening, and emboldening to our foul ! How, bleffed Spirit, it refreflies my languishing heart, and reftores her again ! How it fills me with joy and gladnefs ; itremgthens me in the Lord my God; enables me to run in the way of his commandments, when thou hail enlarged my heart ; makes me to rejoice in God my Saviour, rejoice in tribulation, and fill my mouth with his praife all the day ! How it emboldens, me to come near unto God, even to his feat, and plead my very- crimes, as an argument for mercy ! Refrefhed with this wine, I feek out my fpi ritual enemies ; and in the name of the Lord deilroy them. Though ten thoufands rife lip againft me, in this I am conn Jen t :, dauntlefs, I re- fill the devil, till he flee from me; crucify the lie fh with her affections and lufls ; glory in the crofrof Ghrift, by which the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world, 16. The holy Ghoft. is compared to MILK h. How pure and unmixed his influence! How fweet and plea- fant ! How nouriiliing under weaknefs ! How natural provifion to the heaven born foul ! How medicinal and healing ! How reftorative under fpiritual confumptions! 17. He is compared to oil and ointment £. How ef- ficaciouily his influences enlightenour mind in the know- ledge of Ghrift and fpiritual things; foften our hearty a Isa. W, x. Joel iii. 18. b Song v. 1. c 1 John ii. ao z7, JPs.il. xlv. 7. Rev. iii. ;S. K3 Il8 SACRED TROPOLOGY. fearch, cleanfe, and cure our fpiritual wounds ! revive exhilarate, warm, refrefh, nourifh, ftrengthen, and adorn our foul ! How they fweeten, give an agreeable relifh to the word, and providence of God ! expel the poifon, the venom of finful corruption ! prevent convulfive fits of ■unbelief, defpordent fainting, and carnal fear I open ob- ftruclions of legal terror and perplexing doubts ! how they enable to breathe after God in holy defire and fer- vent prayer! anoint and confecrate us to, and qualify ■us for ferving God, and warring with our fpiritual foes! Never, blefled Spirit, can thy influence utterly dry up, florin the leaft incorporate with our luft : and for this, how hated ; how difrelifhed by carnal men! He is called the o:l of joy or gladnefs ; for, what pleafure and joy, efpecielly in the heavenly ftate, doth his influence pro- duce ! Under its power, I rejoice in tribulation, count it all joy when I fail into divers temptations. 1 8. The Holy Ghoft is compared to a seal a. By the application cf his word and gracious infiueuce, he, with infinite power and authority, changes our heart, making us hely as he is holy. H^ ftamps the authority of Hea- ven tapon the hiftories, the doctrines, the laws, the pro- mifes, threatenings, and prediclio:.s of fcripture; and unfolds, or conceals them from men as he pleafeth. His chofen he confirms the new covenant with, confirms them in their gracious ftate, feals them up to the day of redemption, hides, fecures, and diftinguifueth them from the reft of the world. Nay, he it was that furnifhed and marked out our adored Jefus to his mediatory office. .At your higbeft peril, do you, fons of men, counterfeit and break this feal, by adding to, or taking from the terms' or fenfe of his word j or by indulging yourfelves in hy- pocrify and luft. If I name the name of Chrift, let me depart from iniquity. 19. He is compared to an earnest h. Of the fame nature with thefe in heaven, are his influences conferred in this life : they confirm God's covenant to us, and our engagement to him : they fecure our eternal hsppinefs ; and are fufficient to prefcrve our fpiritual life, till we arrive at that more abundant perfection. BlefTed Spirit, a Eph. i. 13, and iv. 30. b Eph. i, 14. Of metaphors respecting good Angels. 1*9 be thou in me, my God, my guide, my feal, my earneft my all. +*• ■*- s- (U *? ^- -^- CHAP IV. OF METAPHORS RESPECTI NG GOOD ANGELS. I. ^Y NGELS are called Elohim or Gods a, for their jLJL fpiritual nature, their tranfeendent dignity, power and wifdom. 2. They are called sons of God b. Immediately were they created by hiin, and dearly are they beloved in his fight ; daily they attend his glorious prefence; and hit® the moll familiar intimacy are they admitted. How like him in their fpiritual fubftance, wifdom, and ilrength ! How actively they imitate him in his fpotlefs holinefs, and care of his church ! And with what readinefs, de- light, and pleafure, do they keep his commandments, and hearken to the voice of his word ! 3. They are called princes, principalities, powers, thrones, dominions c* With diftinguifhed power, and as the deputies of God, do they infpeel:, manage, and direct events unnumbered, and execute his purpofes of mercy and judgment on earth. 4. They are called God's host d. Commanded by Je- hovah, by Jefus the captain of our falvation, in comely order, they guard and protect his faints ; reprefs, or cut off his and their enemies ; and with loud Hallelujah's ce- lebrate his victorious triumphs. Rejoice, ye ranfomed, more and ftronger are with you, than with the world. 5. They are called watchers e. They fleep not, day nor night ; but continually are they exercifed in attend- ing and prailing God ; in waiting their respective orders from him ; ia careful obfervation of perfons and things in this world ; in providing for, in healing, comforting, teaching, encouraging, guarding, delivering, and rejoicing over the faints ; m tranfporting their foul to heaven at death, in gathering and feparating them from the wicked Psal. xcvii. 7. b Job xxxviji. 7, c Col i, 16. Dan, x. 21, 4 Gen, xxxij, 2. $ Dan. iv. y?0 SACRED TROPOLOGY. at the laft day ; and in infatuating, reftraining, and ruin- ing their enemies : and are not they fometimes divine- ly employed to give warning of approaching judgments or mercies ? 6 Angels are reprefented as the messengers of God, and ministers to his faints a At God's commiflion they come forth to anKt the feints, in whatever bufinef3 they have need of them. How oft they affift to provide for tfeeir bodies, to heal their maladies ; direct and pre- ferve them on journies ; deliver them from outward ca- lamities ; reftrain what tends to hurt them ; or cut off their enemies ! How oft they make known to the faints the will of God; fuggeft good thoughts ; comfort them; help and afliil them againft temptations ! See No 5. 7. They are called men h. Oft they appeared in the likenefs of ftrong and beautiful men, importing their beauty of holinefs, and their readinefs to run in the way of God's commands, or to fight his battles. 8. They are called (JHERUBIMS c> becaufe of their ftrength and comelinefs. And if the cherubims of image- work had four faces, that of a man represented angels knowledge, affection, majefty> prudence, and beaut}' 1 : that of a lion, their might, boldnefs, «":nd courage ; that of an ox, their delight, patience, activity, and faithful- nefs in God's fervice ; that of an EAGLE, their immediate vifion of God ; their deep penetration into his myfteries; their perpetual vigour; and quick execution of their work". 9. Pei haps they are called seraphims, or fiery ones d becaufe of their fpiritual nature, parity, ftrength, and majeflic awe. Their wings import their vigour, readinefs, and quick execution of God's commandments; the covering of their faces with their wings, Cgnifies their incapacity to behold the full brightnefs of the di- vine glory ; their covering of their feet with their wings, denotes tiieir blufhing at their beil fervice before God. 10 Angels are compared to chariots and horses e, beeauft ot their fpifxt&al comelinefs, ftrength, courage, c Heft, i . r 4. b Oen. xviii. and x;x. c ?sa!. xviii. 10. d fca. vi. 2,-4, t i Kings ii. Hj a.ivi vi. 17, Of metaphors respecting good Angels, tit and ufefulnefs, in the difplay of Ged's prefence, majefty, glory, and might; in faving his people transporting them to paradife, and in conquering and treading down their oppofers. They are ibmetimes reprefented as red and fiery, to fignify how terrible and deftru&ive their exe- cution of God's wrath ; and what dread their protection of the faints i'pread among their, enemies ; fometimes as white, to denote their execution of God's purpofes of mercy and love ; fometimes as black, to fignify the un- feai chabte, awful, and confounding nature of their work; fo.meti nes as bay and grizzled, to li^mfy their mixed execution of merry and w T rath. 11. Angels are called morning stars a. Created in the beginning of God's work, hovv beautiful and glorious in their nature ! how conftant in their holy exercise ! how ufeful to conduct, and comfort the faints, in the dark morning of their militant {late ! And is not their attend- ance, s fure pledge of an approaching, a near day of endlefs brightnefs and joy ? 12. They are compared to flames OF FIRS b. How eminent their love to God ! how burning their zeal for his glory ! How awful, irrefiitible, and oft fudden, is their deil ruction of the wicked ! How complete their defence of the faints ? 13. They are campared to the wind c Invifible to our bodily eye, they come forth, move, and act at the pleaiure of God. How trarifcebdentiy quick and power- ful their operation, in blafting the perfon and property of the wicked "; and in refreihing the faints, and help- ing them iorward to their haven of blifs I CHAP. V. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING FALLEN ANGELS. 1. ^r'HEY are called devils, or falfe accufers d. -*. Moll wickedly they flander God to men, xnif re- presenting his wifdom,his power, holinefs, jullice ? good- Dels, mercy, and truth ; hia doctrines, his laws, purpofes, a Jobxxxviii. 7. b Psal. civ. 4. c Psa!. civ. 4. Heb. d Matth. iv. 24. I 32 SACRED TROPOLOGY. promifes, threatenings, and providence. To obtain hi 6 permifiion to hurl and deftroy, how oft they malicionfly accufe men to God ! Hew oft to mens own confeience they falfely accufe them, flints as hypocritic diffemblers; and convinced perfons as chargeable with the unpardon- able fin ! How actively, though fecretly, they fuggeft the reproachful thoughts and fpeeches fo common on earth ! Till I chufe to be a devil incarnate, let me fpeak evil of no man. 2. They are called principalities, powers, and ru- lers, of the darknefs of this world a> How great and extenfive their power anddominion over Jews, Heathens, Mahometans, and nominal Chrifttans, thefe large, but blind and ignorant tribes of mankind ! Ignorance and de- lufion are the iupport of their power and influence ; men being all naturally ignorant of God, are fubject to them, till effect u ally caUed from darknefr, toGoJ'i marvellous light : and where, on earth, the light of infpired truth is unknown, or obfeured, they openly govern. Ah, how thefe other lords have had dominion over me I But now Lord, will I only make mention of thy name! 3. They are compared to warriors b. Armed with the permiflion of God and their own malice, with the ut- moft fury and fraud, they appofe the work of God, in his church and the fouls of men 5 terrible, dettructive, and fiery darts of temptation thzy call into mens hearts ; fiery contentions and perfections thej- call into the vifible church ; often, with open violence, they attack the peo* pie of God ; oft, under ibme innocent or holy appearance, they lay fnares for their life : proud, daring unwearied, and cruel, they alway thiifl for our ruin: Con dandy they watch in their own defence, and feizs every advan- tage againft our foul. How ofc they take captive, and cruelly ufe the molt precious faints ! How haughtily they triumph in r-very defeat given to the church, and her true members I Butfrcih rprinkled witkjefus'a blood ftrong in his might, refill, my foul, the devil, and he m.ill ile.- from thee. 4. T Key are called Belial without yoke, profit, or af- Ccuc c. Furioufly they rebel againft God, as if unoound % l: ph. /i. II. b Rev, x;i. 7. c z Cor. vi, 15. Of metaphors respecting fallen Angels. 12^ by his law ; no promife to their deluded votaries they fincerely regard : nothing in them, or done by them, is of any true value or ufe ; never {hall they regain their former eftate, or afcend to their ancient felicity. 5. They are compared to FRJ30NERS and CAPTIVES a. In the llrong, the tormenting, the fhameful chains of darknefs ; the chains of their own corruptions, and of the condemning curfe, and reftraining providence of God, are they confined, and bound over to endlefs wrath. From their wretched (late they can never efcape ; nor can they do ought, without a divine permiflion. In his death, m his exaltation to glory, Jefus took them captives, and condemned them to the 11a villi drudgery of fcourging his foes, or chaflizing his children, as he pleaferlj. Let never their dread damp my foul ; they are fail bound in my God, my Saviour's chain. 6. They, and their agents, are compared to fowls of the air b. How devoid their condition of all truenxed- nefs and reft I How fuddenly they afT.mlt us when hearing the facred word, and carry it off from our memory, our heart, our aifeclion ! Lord, hide it deep in my foul, that it may ever abide with me, and bring forth much fruit. 7. They are called goats, or hairy ones c. Before God, their moral appearance; oft before men, their vifi- ble, howunfightly, abominable, and (hocking 1 How they delight in, feed upon, and are filled with the poifon of iniquity! their behaviour, how deteftable to every one holy and pure ! With what pleafure they perform mif- chief ; what injury they do Ch rift's militant Iheep ! And how oft, under the form of goats, fatyres, and other hairy animals, have their Heatheniih votaries adored them ! 8. Evil angels, efpecially their chief, is called Satan, the malicious, obilinate, impudent adverfary d. How burning, fhamelefs, and implacable, their malice towards God, or towards men ! How craftily; how furioufly they feekand feize opportunities of diihonouring the former, and ruining the latter ! When he fpeaketh fair, my foul, a Rev. xx. r, 2. Jude 6. P*a!. Ixviii. 18. h Ma'ttV. xiii. 4. cLev. xvii. 7. z Chroa. xi. 15. Heb. d Job i. and ii. 124 SACRED TROPOLOGY. believe him not, for there are fevea abominations in his heart. 9. Satan is caDed the god ot-this world a. The moil parts of men on earth he gives laws to, governs, directs, and influences ; ^nd by their ignorance, profanenefs, dif- fimulation, idolatry, and fuperliuion, is he chearfully and zealoiitly worshipped and ferved. Other evil (pirns, wick- ed magistrates, ana minillers, are his angels, meflfengers, attendants, and deputies, whom he fends forth to aft in his name. Tranfgreffing againft Go£ 9 and injuring the fouls of men, is his acceptable worihip. Sinful oaths, witchcraft, forcery, charming, necromancy, are his folemn appointments. Supetftitious feafons are his fab- baths, his feitivals. Balls, iiage-plays, drunken clubs, conventions for idolatry, or will- worihip, are the folemn aflemblies of his adorants. Come not, my foul, into their fecret : mine honour be thou not united. ic. Satan is transformed into an angel of light h. Once he was fo ; and how oft, while he feeks to promote the vileft crimes, doth he put on the moil mining pre- tences to eminent knowledge, wifdorn, evangelic liberty, holinefs, or zeal ! Be not, my foul, ignorant of, or in«ci- vertant to his devices. 11. He is callea the prince of the power of the air c. Such evil fpirits as partly rtfide in, and fly about in the air ; fuch unliable men as labour and feed on airy and unfubitantial fancies, are under his rule and direction. And, at God's permiflion, he can raife aerial (terms and tempefts. Is my God in the heavens ? wbatpleafed him he hath done : die not then, my foul, for want of fubftantial wifdom ; sik it of God. 12- He is called the FATHER of lying and liars d. By him was deceit and ialfehood conceived and brought into the world By him it is aiitdionately chtrifhed, pro- tected, encou aged, and rewarded with momentary, but carnal profit and pieafurc. Men he iiifl rendered wicked and deceitful; and by them is he naturally, cheerfully, and readily honoured and obeyed. Behold yourparent, you children of falfchood ar.d guile ; be alhamed ; re- turn, do fo no more. (i 2 Cor. iv. 4. b 2 Cor. xi. 14. c Epl), ii, 2, d John viij. 44. Of metaphors respecting fallen ait gels. 12$ 13. He is compared to a captain a. How aclive, dar- ing, and crafty, in his warlike attempts againft God and bis people ! What numbers of evil angels, of wicked men, of raiftaken faints, he gathers, hires, encourages, directs, and commands to concur with him in fighting againft God and his ways ! But if God be for me, who can be againft me ? Though mine enemies flourifh, it is that they may be dtftroyed. 14. Satan is called a strong man armed, that keep. eth the houfe in peace b. Armed with his own ma- lice, with the divine permiflion, with the curfe of the broken law lying on men's confcience, and with the dominion of fin over our heart ; he, with great power, activity, care, and craft, maintains his work of wicked- nefs in, and his authority over us ; confirms and pro- motes our ignorance and unconcern j bolts our heart with carnality, enmity, unbelief, or defpair, till Jefus, who is ftronger than he, in the day of his power come, recal his permiflion, awaken our confcience, enlighten our mind, remove the curfe, fubdue our corruption, and fo fpoil him of his armour and goods. Search, my foul, and look, who is thy guardian j who keepeth thee. 15. Satan is compared to a traveller c. Conftanr- ly he walks to and fro in the earth, to fpy opportuni* ties of miichief ; to tempt and ruin men. Oft for a while, he fecmingly departs from wicked profeflbrs, with-holds his grofs fuggeftions, or even ftirs up to the external performance of religious exercife. After em- ploying himfelf a while in the heart of real belie vers t where there is lefs corrupt moifture to work upon, or in dry and withered Heathenifli countries, he returns to thefehe had deierted, and hurries them more furiouf- ly than ever into wickednefs. Why, to entertain him, didft thou, Hebrew monarch, defile the wife of thy faithful hero? his one lamb, that lay in his bofom ? 16. Satan is compared to a sower of tares d. In the field ef creation he firft fowed the feeds of iniquity His curfed temptations he daily fows in our heart, to pro- Ju a Rev. xii. 7. & Matth. xii. 29, c Matth# zii, 4f» to tf* d Matth. xiii. 39. i^5 SACRED TROPOLOGY. iduce the good-checking tares of finful luft. By him Is the feed of open abominations, contention, idolatry, and willworfhip Town among men. He is the true parent cf r-verj tare-like, every naughty perfon in the church. How Lord, has thy enemy (owed tares in my foul, while I flept ! Nor {foall they be weeded out, till 1 die. 17. He is compared" to an hunter and fowler a. "With ailon idling and unwearied cave, alertnefs, and fraud, he allures, heindifoernibiy fpreads his entangling nets of temptation ; transforms nirafelr into an an^el of light ; employs falfe teachers, wickeci rulers, and de- ceitful men, to enfnare and ruin our foul. And how oft we are unawares entangled, undone ! Lord, deliver me as a bird, as a roe, from this hunter j from the fuare of this fowler. j 8. He is compared to a lion b. How terrible his roaring, hi.,- temptations to the watchful faint ! How in- idtiable in doing mifctiief 1 With what vigour, violence, and cruelty, he ever fetks to devour the iouls, efpecially of his oppofers ! Blefted Lion of the tribe of judah, for me, tear nim in pieces, while there is none to deliver: make me iober and vigilant ; becaufe he gees about ie eking whom he may devour. 19 Lie ia called a great dragon c How terrible his appearance ! How mocking his nercenefs ! his bloody cruelty ! How outrageous his fury and malice againit mankind, chit fly again!! Chrift and Ins followers, who dare to oppofe him, and trample on his authority ! How fuddenly he afTaults ! How infectious and deadly his Lites^ his breathing, his temptation to our foul ! In the night of debafement, how he !.it and bruifed, though not infected the heel, the manhood of Jcfus ! In the night of ignorance, defection, and trouble, how he allaults the childr< n oi men ! When, Lord, wilt thou bruifc : when ihali 1 iread the Lion, and the dragon under my feet? ic. batan is called an old sEHPENT d. In the form of a fcrptnt, he anciently feduced mankind. In this form, have the}- (nice frequently adoied him 1 How filled with the poifaii of fintui coi 1 upiion, wherewith lie infects and juius t»ie children of men ! How ailoniihing his fubtle • Pfov. vi. 4, 5. b \ Tet, v. 8. t RCV, ix, 24, J Kcv.xx. z» Of metaphors respecting men in general* izy deceit ! How deep rooted his envy ! His iiralice, how im- placable ! With what furprifing care, craft, and vigour, he fecures his head, his authority! Come not, my foul, into his lurking places; pafs not by his paths; turn it- way; get thee far hence. CHAP VI. OF METEPHORS RESPECTING MEN IN GENERAL. I *]\ TEN are compared to a human body. A human -L*A body is their mod vifible part ; their complex frame confifts of various well-conne&ed powers and mem- bers, and grows to a proper meafure and frature. Many bodily members and a6ls, are ufed as fimbols of human acls and endowments. To bow down the head as a bul- rufti a. imports appearance of humiliation and grief,with- out any real concern. Women's having power on their head becaufe of the angels h, imports, that in religious af. femblies, where holy angels obferve, where evil angels tempt, women ought to mark their huiband's power over them by a* decent covering on their head. The failing of the countenance c, denotes a mixture of fhame, anger, and grief. To open the ear d, is to hear, or make one hear with attention. To flop the ear e, is to refufe and difiegard. Tingling of the ears f, iignifies mocking terror at the report of fome fearful calamity. Itching ears g, denote uafettled levity of mind, always defirous of novelties, and not rclifhing fimple truths. Eyes h reprefent knowledge, and what h dear to a man. A right eye to be plucked out i, is a beloved iuft, or en- deared iiiif ul enjoyment, deemed very pleafant and u(e~. ful ; and which cannot, without much pain, be morti- fied or forfaken To lift up the face or eyes k imports boldnefs, courage, expectation, and delire. Not to do it /, implies fhame and bluftii.ig. Oar eyes look ftraight on>7z, when we fingly aim at the glory of God ; candidly efpy and follow the path of duty, without turning afic|e L 2 a Tsa. Iviii. 5. 61 Cor. xi. 10. c Gen. iv. 5. d Isa. xiii. 20. « Acts vji. 57. / 1 Sam. xiii. 11. g 2 Tim iv. 3. b Deut % xvi. 19 Gen, ili. 5. iMatfb.v.29. k Job xxii. 26, Isa. xxxvii. 23* JP;iaL c:\xiii. 1. I Ezra. ix. <5. m Prov. iv. 25. IjS SACRED TROPOLOGY. to any crooked way. An evil eye a, imports difcovered CovetQufnefs, malice, hatred, or difcontent. To be ofc one month b 9 is to be, profefs, and fpeak the fame rhing- To devour with open mouth c t is greedily, quickly, extenfively, and almolt irrecoverably, to fwallow up and deftroy. To open the mouth wide, that God may fill it d, is earnestly to defire, pray for, expecl:, and receive his promiied goodnefs. To draw out the tongue, moot out the lip, and make a wide mouth againft one e, is cruelly, openly, and impudently, to mock and reproach him. To flop the mouthy, is to be, or to render one iiient, afhamed, and fenfible of guilt. To come out of the mouthy, is to proceed from one's authority, influence, or principles. To bring out of one's mouth or belly, what he had fwallowed h t is to take from him what he had unjuftiy feized, and feemingly fecured to himfelf. One's mouth kiffing his hand i, imports idolatrous re- verence, and w or (hi p. To keep the mouth or lips i, is to watch carefully over our fpeech. To lay the hand upon the mouth /, imports fenfe of guilt, blufhing, lhame, and refignation to the will of God. Mouth, lips, and tongue m, lignify fpeech. Uncircumcifed lips «, de- note a difficulty of fpeaking freely, readily, and pleafant- ly. God's fpeaking to men with ftarnmering lips, deep Ipeech, and another tongue c, imports his declaring his will, by making a foreign nation, whofe language is not underflood, to harrafs or deftroy them. To make the lips of thofe that are afleep to fpeak p, is to awaken, re- vive, edify, comfort, flothful and unconcerned fouls, and induce them to praife the Lord, andexprefs his kindnefs. The calves of theiips, and the fruit of the lips q, facred to, or created by God, are facriflces of prayer and praife, through his influence, offered up unto him. The priefts lips keeping knowledge r, imports their habitual readi- nefs to give good and wholefome inftruftion or reproof. The talk of the lips tendeth only to penury s, when it is vain and unprofitable, wafles time, is not attended with, a Frov xxiii 6. h i Kings xxii 13. c Isa ix 12. d Psallxxxi 10. « I^a lvii 4. /Rom iii 19. ^Rexxviij. £ Job xx 13,15. iJobxxxiJ7. k Fsa! xxxix. 1. / Job x l 23. ro Job xix 16, and li 10. n Exod vi 30. e Isaxxviii 11. p Song vii« 9- 5 Hos xiv 2. Isa lvii. 19. i* Mai. ii. 7* jProvxiv 23. Of metaphors respecting men in general 129. but hinders our proper work. The tongue 15 repre- fented as a fcourgea, beeaufe with its reviling, angry fpeeches, we kfh our neighbour. It is compared to a fire b, beeaufe its paffionate and fmful words emit the fire of inward luft j and kindles the In ft, pride, or paflion of others. It is called a world of iniquity. What aftonifhing and extenfive wickednefs is contained in our language! Or the words may be rendered an ornament of iniquity c, beeaufe by excufing, extenuating, and de- fending, it attempts to deck and gild over our fin with fair colours. It is reprefented as untameable d, beeaufe no creature can wholly reftrain it from evil. A foft tongue which breaketh the bones e, fignifles meek, mild, and humble language, which removes prejudices, melts the heart, and draws out the love, the compaflion of our friend or neighbour. The cleaving of the tongue to the jaws, or roof of the mouthy imports deep filence, jjain- ful thirft. Whifpering, or low fpeech g t fignifies our fpeaking in a humble, a debafed manner. Fair fpeech h, is flattery whereby we mew much more kindnefs than is really in our heart. Hard fpeeches z, are thefe which arepaffionate, contemptuous, and reviling. Sound fpeech i, is what is true, folid, and edifying to men's foul, To have a ft iff neck, a neck like an iron finew /, is to be obftinate and perverfe in finning. To harden our neck or heart m, is to defpife the alarms of God's word and providence, and refufe to return to him. To have a yoke on the neck n, is to lie under fore trouble and bondage. The arm 0, denotes help, power, and wealth. A fword on the arm p> denotes an enraged enemy, taking away our power and wealth. Drying up of the arm o t fignifles the lofs of our ftrength or riches, or of the pro- per ufe thereof. Pvfens eating the flsfli of their own arm r, is their deftroying what ought to be clear, or would be helpful to them. To make flefh our arm j, is chiefly to depend on men for our afiiftance and felicity* a Job v 2 r. h James iii 6. c James Hi 6. d James iii &. r Prov xxv 15. / Psal xxii. 35, and exxxvii 6. g Isa xxix 4. b Prov vii zt t jJudeis. ATitiiS. /Jerxvij«3. Isa xlvin 4. CTNehixi6.- D*utxv7„ n Jer xxvii 12, o Exek xxx 2r. p Zcdi xi 17. « Z&h Xi 17* r isa. ix 20. s Jer 5.vjii £. 1 3° SACRED TROPOLOGY. Hands a, fignify power of receiving or acting ; and ou r actions and practice. Clean or cleanfed hands b t denote a holy and blamelefs converfation. Laying on of hands c, imported the conveyance of the Holy Ghoft in his miraculous influence, or the ordaining of men to office in the church. Stretching out the hand to God d, im- ports earneft prayer for, ready reception of, his faiva- tion, and cheerful furrender to his fervice. To lift up the hands to him e t is to pray earneftly. To lift up the hands that hang down, and feeble knees/, is to help and encourage perfons faint and diftrefTed. To lift up the hand againvt a king g, is to rebel againft him. Con- federation to the Jewilh priefthood is called filling of their hands h 9 becaufe therein their hands were filled with their wave-offering. Wafhing of the hands i, imports a folemn profeflion of innocence ; an application of jefus* blood for the removal of paft guilt ; and a ferious pur- pofe of reformation. Pouring water upon one's hand k 9 fignified to be his fervant. Smiting the hands together /, imports an alarm of approaching judgment j or lamenta- tion over diftrefs. Clapping of hands m, denotes mous- ing for viclory; great joy and gladnefs. Men of war not finding their hands a, implies their being quite di£. piritedand difenabled to exert their might, and improve their advantages. A right hand, or right foot offending, to be cut off o, is a beloved luft, however dear and appa- rently ufefal, to be mortified. Their being a lie in our right hand/>, imports our loving, praftifing, and holding faft hypocrify and deceit. The putting out of the fin- ger q t imports ridicule and reproach. Rehoboam's little finger being thicker than his father's loins r, fignified, that he would reduce his fubje&s to far more grievous feivitude and punifhment. Shoulder s, fignifies ability to bear, help, or opprefs. Breads f, denote uleful com- fort and afliftance. Breafts or teats of virginity preifed •r bruifed u, imply eommiflion of whoredom, natural, or fpiritual. Smiting or tabering on the breafts v, implies «Jtrxxiiii4. fcJobxviip. c2Timi6. d Psal Ixviii jj : «Psal ixviii 2. /Hebxii iz. g iSam xx zi. fcExodxxixi). Heb. i Psaf axvi. 6. kz Kings iii u. / E/«k xxi 14. mPialxlviii. n P*al Ixxviii $• Mattu v 39. p Isa xlir zo. 4 Isa lriii 9,. r 1 Kings xii i«« )I$ajX4* ' Song.viii. lo. tfEzckxxiii.}. v Neh 11 7. Of metaphors respecting men In general. 131 fore trouble, vexing grief, and bitter lamentation. Bo- fom a, denotes love, intimacy, fecrefy. But to hide the hand in the bofom b, imports exceflive floth. Bowels c t import companion, or the foul. Inward parts, heart, belly d 9 fignify the foul^ underftanding, will, afFedlions, and confcience. The curfe coming like water into one r s bowels e 9 imports extenfive and mocking inward fear, trouble, and grief. Unequal legs of the lame f % fignify, that one's profeffion and practice, or fome part of either, does not correfpond with the other. Feet or foot g, de- note the affections and converfation. To dip one's foot in the blood of his enemies h, is to behold an awful re- venge of their injuries. T© dip one's foot, or warn one's fteps in butter honey, and oil z, is to enjoy great pros- perity, or great abundance of thefe particular comforts. Stumbling or flipping of the feet i, implies the lofs of comfort or hope ; the falling into fin, temptation, or trouble. To withdraw the foot /, is to leave off a dan* gerous or (infill practice. To keep the feet m, is to watch over our affections and converfation, to preferve them from fin and danger. To open the feet, and fcatter the way to flrangers », implies great forwardnefs to whore- dom or idolatry. Stamping with the foot. ©, is expref- five of great trouble and anguifh. Stamping down, treading under foot />, implies contempt* abufe, utter de- ftru&ion. To lift up the feet q 9 imports walking with fpeed, alertnefs, and joy. To lift up the heel ; to kick againft r 9 imports contemptuous treachery and rebellion* To kick againft the pricks s 9 is furioufly 10 offend God, and injure his people, notwithftanding of eminent warn« ing and danger. The iniquities of our heals t 9 are the fins of our daily converfation. Steps, footfleps u y repre- fent the a&s of our life, whereby we fet an example to others. To hear x, is to attend to, perceive, be afjfe&ed with. To lee y 9 is to difcern, experience, enjoy, iuffer, feel. To lafte z, is to experience, know, feel the power a Ecel. vif. 9. b Prov. xix 24, c Jsa. xvi. if. Psal. Ixviii, 2_j. jjobxxix. 6. 4Jobxii5, 2 Prov. xxv, 17. Isa. Iviii, 13, m £ccl. v.i, n Ezek.xvi. 25. oEzekvi.n. p Dan. viji. 13, q Gerj xxix. it r Psal xli. 9. t Acts ix 5. t Psal. xlix, 5. 9 Song i 8, j Isa. lv, j, j John vi 40. * Psal. xxxiv* 5, 132 sacred Tropology. of, To handle a, is to have a familiar knowledge. To pant, hunger, thirfl b, is to have a deep, painful fenfe of. want ; and an earned defire and longing. To ftand c, imports a fixed condition ; a bold appearance; earneft prayer. Sittings/, imports reft; continuance; and fome* times honour. To fit under one's vine and fig. tree e t implies fafety, profperity, and comfort. To fit in the duft /J implies humility and abafement. Dwelling^, implies fixed continuance, and oft that attended with pleafureand delight. Walking h t reprefents thepraclice and converfation. Being hid f, is to be unknown, or protected. Clothing or garments k t reprefent the prac- tice, or what cleaves clofe to us, as our garments and or- naments do. 2. Men are compared to husbandmen/. With great care and diligence are they to manage and keep the field, the vineyard of their heart and converfation. They are earneflly to breakup the fallow-ground of their foul; to labour after thorough convictions ; and as they fow in the fpring tide of this life, fo mail they reap hereafter : thefe that fow to the Spirit, fow in righteoufnefs, receive the righteoufnefs and Spirit of Chrift, and live agreeably thereto, mall reap in mercy, reap everlafting life : and thefe who fow to the flefh, fow among thorns, live under the influence of finful corruption and carnal cares, mall reap endlefs wo. 3. Men are compared to beafts m. Their bodies are of the earth, earthly. How ignorant ftupid, and thought- lefs ! How vile, carnal; how outrageous, untameable, hurtful ! How generally they care only for their body, and neglect the concerns of their immortal, their rational foul ! How oft are even the worft horned with authority, and teethed with power of doing milch ief! How they roar like lions I mourn fore like doves, who have loft their mate ! hifs like ftrpents ! with anguifh wail like dra- gons I enlarge their baldnels ; mourn defperately ; and become ftripped of all things, like moulted eagles ! But bleiTed be the Lord, that now the Gentiles, as well as « 1 John i. t. b P«al. xlii I. MaltJi. v. 6, e Psal. i 5, 1 Kingsxvii j, A Rev. jii. 21. fMJrahfryf, /Isa. xlvii 1. Z Joe] jit 20. h 2 Cor, x 3. i Nah. iii n. Job v 2a* *Jude2.j. / Hosca* J*. « EccJ iu iZ, Of metaphors respecting men in general, 133 Jews, are cleanfed, and no man has right to exclude us from the ofrer of a Saviour, as common or unclean. 4. They are compared to fowls or birds a How light and vain their difpofition ! How neceffary their depen- dence on air ! How great their flupidity ' their readi- nefs to be enfnared in the evil net of temptation ! How frequent their expofure to ilorms and hazard! How un- fettled their neil of carnal confidences, and earthly en- joyments ! What need of Jehovah for our provider, di- rector, and deliverer ! And how quickly mull we wing our flight into the eternal ftate ! 5. They are compared to asses and wild AssEs b. How ftupid and unteachabie ! How excceedingly they affect the wildernefs of a prefent world; and of a natu- ral ftate ! how they fnuff up, and amufe themfelves with vanity ! how averfe to reftraints of their inclina- tion ! Stupendous ! has God redeemed me, a wild afs, with the death of his Son ; bis lamb ! hath he fent out my foul free ! and allowed me to diink my fill of the ri- ver of life, that runs among the hills of divine ordinan- ces ! the range of the everlafting mountains is my pa- sture. Scorn, my foul, the multitude of the city; be not conformed to the men of this world, who aft, as if born to make a noife, and no more. 6. They are compared to dead dogs c. How delli- tute of power and life ! How bafe ! how vile and insigni- ficant And did the Son of God look upon ! did he die for ! did he efpoufe fuch a dead dog as I am ! Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I ceale to pu- blifli the praifes of his love. 7. They are compared to fishes d* How aftoniflbing their multitude! How different their difpofition, their fta- tion, power, and guilt ! In the fea of this world, in the fea of their natural date, with what confufion and uncon- cern they live and act! How barbaroufly they prey upon one another ; robbing every one his neighbour of his character, property, or life ! At laft, hew caught in the gofpel-net, and drawn to Jefus! Or caught in the net of trouble and punilhment, and drawn to infernal fire ! a Dan. iv. 12. b Job xi. 12. czSam.ix. S. 1 Sam* xxiv. 14. iHab.i.13. — 19. Matth. xiii. 47* j*4 SACRED TROPOLOGY. When, my Lord, mall I be fit for drawing to the happy, the eternal more ? 8. They are compared to worms n. From the earth our bodies proceed j on it they live and move; and to it at death they return. How much we affect earthly things! Tne heart of the earth, the grave, is our long home. How infignificant our value and ftrength! How daily ob- noxious to ten thoufand dangers ! How e:ifi!y affrighted cr ruined! How different our tempers and difpofitions ! Some delight in the dunghill riches and prongs of this prefent world. Others with pleafure wallow amid un- fufferable corruption, uncleannefs, drunkennefs, malice, and other vices unnumbered. Some have a hypocrite, a gilded appearance, while their heart is filled with all unrighteoufnefs. Some, as glow-worms, mine only in the dark night of trouble or time ; in diltrefs how gra- cious, when pangs come upon them ! they fear the Lord, and cry to him. How many, as caterpillars and canker-worms, mar every thing good, which comes in their way ] How many, as the {ilk-worm, out of their own bowels, fpin a covering of feif-righteoufnefs ! But ah! how few, like her, fpend themfelves to be ufeful! Be thou, my foul, one of thefc; ready to fpend, and befpent for Chrift. 9. David compares himfelf to a flea£ How hard for Saul to apprehend him ! And to how little pur- pofe, when done! Aftonifliing! how,Lord, haft thou pur- ' fued and laid hold on me ! My goodnefs extendeth not into thee. O, why was not I curled, with the enjoyment of my mad wifb, of vanity, of filth, of di fiance from my God ! ic. Men are compared to flesk r. Our bcdy is a fl.fliy fubftance; and how weak and trail ;;rc we ! What a fource of inward corruption! Unlefs faked with God's purifying, his preserving, and fin-mortifying influence, how quickly, efpecially in the lummer of p: ^l'perity, do we be.o.iic utterly corrupt and noifome, with fi.it ul ha- bits, and wicked courfesj How quickly we die away to a ftate of corruption in th.* grave! Lord, what an infig- nificant dog's head am I ! O reclify me with thy grfcee a J Jb xxv. 6. b 1 Sain. xxiv. 14. c Isa. x!. 6. Of metaphors respecting men hi general. ij^ and make me as feaioniag, as purifying fait, to all a- rouncf me. ii. Men are compared to FRUIT- bearing trees.?. According to the quality of our nature, fuch is the fruit, the works, we bear in our life. If our heart be unrege- nerate, every thing we do is evil fruit; iboraination to the Lord ; we cannot ceafe from fin. If our nature be changed, we cannot b.ut in fome degree bring forth good works ; our pcrions accepted in Chrift, eur good works muit be well pleafing in his light. Now, my foul, the axe is laid to thy root; take heed left, for thy bad fruit, his judgments fuddenly cut thee off. 12. They are compaVed to Tt dust, and ashes e. Of earth we are formed ; on earth we live ; and to earth we return, by death. Naturally our affections cleave to earthly things. Ah! how unfit for fpiritual medita- a Joh. xiii. 2$. [b Fsal. Ixxviii. 39. e R»m. ix. 21. d Isa. xlv. 9, t Jer. xxii. alind, now bribed, now feared confcience awake upon you ? For your breaking over the hedge of th e divint law, how fhall it bite you like a ferpent, and ftiiin- flPsaliv. 4, 6Eccl.x. 8. Mark x. 44. M a *4° SACRED TROPOLOGY. like an adder! How call your fin to remembrance, and flay jour foul i What lively, bright horror ihall flare through your eyelids, while the living worm lies gnaw- ing within you ! Be my conference* adored Redeemer, fatiate with thy blood ; fo iball it be a pieafant roe in my bofoin, a fupporting ftafFin my hand. C H A P VII. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING SAINTS. l % r I 'HE faints are likened to God a. They are made -1 partakers of, and have fellowship with the di- vine nature. How fpiritual their mind ! how real their wifdom ! their fan&ity J How tranfeendent their excel- lency above their neighbours ! How powerful their in- terefi, their prajer. in the government of the world I By weeping and (application they have power with God, and prevail; command him concerning his fons and his daughters, and the work of his hands : for their fakes the days of tribulation are fliortenecj ; and they have power to finite the earth with plagues as often as they wilL All are theirs, and they are Chrift's, and Chriit is God's. 2. They are compared to angels h. How near a peo- ple to the Mod High ! How real and efficacious their views of his glory ! How intimate with Heaven! The fecret of the Lord is with them that fear him. How they run the way of his commandments, beaikcning to, and declaring the voice of his word ! In the future ilate, how marvellous their fpiritual wifdom and ftrength ! How perfect in holintfs ! How fully difengaged from e- very natural relation, and carnal concern ! How unin- terrupted ; how ready ; how chearful, unwearied, and iiniverfa), their fervice to God and the Lamb ! What manner of perfon ought 1 then to be, in all holy conver- sion ! 3, In refpedt of different degrees of grace, they are likened to men of a different age c. Weak faints are a Zech xu 8. b Zeeh %ii 8. 1 *>tt i 4. c \ John i\ J*,—l4. Of metaphors respecting Saints. \±t called babes, and little children". They cannot five comfortably without pleafant franus. How apt to be eafily tofTed to and fro, with temptations! with every wind of doctrine! How weak and unfit to digeit and feed on the deeper myfteries of God's word! or, without fre- quent daggering, to continue in the courfe of their duty! Saints of a moderate (landing and experience in grace, are called young men ; becaufe of their vigour j their alertnefs ;_and ability to attack and fight the good fight of faith, with Satan, with their lulls, and with a prefent evil world. And how upright their ftarure ; their con- verfation ! how heavenly ! how ready to run in the way of God's commandments ! Aged eminent faints are cal- led fathers. How multiplied their experience of Jefus' kindnefs ! How dillinguifhed their fagacity in knowing his voice and way ! How prudent their forefight of dan- ger; and ready hiding of themfelves under his wings ! How tender their love to weak faints ! How easneft their endeavours to inftruct, admouiih, and give them an inviting pattern of gofpel-nolinefs ! 4. In refpect of different attainments, faints are com- parable to WOMEN of different ftations in life a. Young weak faints to virgins and daughters. Though their grace be real, yet how fcanty their experience of Chrift's power and love ! How fmail their boldnefs and confi- dence before him ! How ready to be flivifhly afraid, that every trial mall fink them ; every temptation feduce them from Chrift ! Others of fome ftanding, to concu- bines. For, how legal their difpofition ! How power- ful their fpirit of bondage ! How much influenced in duty by legal hopes of heaven, and fervile fears of hell I How limited the beauty and cheerfulnefs of their fpi- ritual practice ! How few diftinguifhed Vifits and views of Jefus' love they enjoy ! Strong believers are compa- rable to qjjeens. In the afTured faith of their marriage relation to Chriil, they daily live ; great is their fami- liar boldnefs, and fweet their intimacy with him. How triumphantly free grace reigns in tfceir heart ! How glorious it renders them before God, and their fellow faints .' Be thou, my foul, one of thefe ! a Song vi. 8, 9, and j. 5, and iii. 1 1 , M 3 1$1 SACRED TROPOLOGY. 5 Saints in general are compared to women a : for their beauty, as adorned with Jefus* righteoufnefs "and grace; for their weaknefs; their tender affection ; their Hi ejection to manifold infirmities, troubles, and dangers on earth. The human body, efpecially of women, in its members and adjuncts, is often ufed to reprefent their endowments and concerns.. Their head upon them as Carmel, or crimfon I, fignifies Chrifl himfelf as a lofty, a bleeding Redeemer ; or, their top grace of hope, founded in his biood, iupportcd by faith as a neck, and animating their fpirit, and preferving it from finking ; and which looks at things that are heavenly, diftant, and eternal. Their hair on their head, as a flock of goats, and as purple c may fignify their numerous, their beau- tiful, their adorning, though fmali, and felf- undervalued, holy thoughts, words, and deeds, that fpring from Jefus' fulnefs, and our allured hope of feeing him as he- is. Their locks d y reprefent the beauty and connexion of -their gracious exercifes. Their eyes e, are their fpi- ritual knowledge, their faith, by which they difcern fupernatural things, and are exceedingly beautified be- fore Gcd. Thefe are as doves eyes, comely, chafte, and fixed on Jefus their hufband. Their eyes being within their locks, implies their modefty; and how un- feen their grace is to a carnal world. Their being in their head/, denotes the propriety, ufefulnefs, and ex- cellency of their knowledge. Their ears g, denote their attention to, knowledge of, and obedience to, ChrifVs veice, in his word. Their nofe like the tower of Leba- non looking towards Damafcus h y is their holy courage ; their prudence, and their fpiritual difcerning j whereby their converfation is mightily adorned ; themfelves ren- dered (lately, and majeftic; their worft, their Syrian- like adverfaries are watched and difmayed; and their pleafant favour of inward grace manifefled. Thefmell of their nofe like apples, imports, that they relifh hea- venly and fpiritual things; and that the exertion of their inward grace in holy defire, edifying fpeech, or ufeful if Snnsri.8, 10. n, \6, 17, and iii. 6. b Song vii. 5. c Song iv. 1. aid vii. 5. dSongvj.7. r Song iv. 1, and vii. 4. /Etci. ii. 14. g Isa. \v. 3. b Song vii. 4, 8. Of metaphors respecting Saints. 143 converfation, is extremely agreeable to Chriit and his people. Their cheeks and temples as a piece ofpome- granate a, denote their holy blufhing ; and their humble, fober, and chaite converfation; which in adiftinguiihed manner adorn them. The rows of jewels, on their cheeks h, may fignify the laws of Chriit ; which are ex- emplified, and his graces exerted, in their holy humble practice. Their mouth being a deliverer c, imports, that by their prayer and godly initruction, many are refined and preferved from (hares and trouble. Their whole- fome tongue being a tree of life ; health ; honey and milk under their tongue : and their lips feeding many d, imports, that, by their fervent fupplications and fpiritual conference, many are gracioufly quickened, refreihed, healed, and nourifhed; and themfelves kept in vigour and health ; and prepared for eternal life. Their lips of knowledge and initrudtion, are as a precious jewel, or choice filver e ; comely, precious, and ufeful. Their words are as deep waters, very refrelhful and unnoify ; fitly and feafonably fpokcn, they more adorn their life, and prove more beneficial to others, than apples of gold in pictures of filver f. Their lips are as a thread of fcarlet^: their gracious converfe, their earneft prayer, and grateful praife, turn upon Jefus' bloody death ; are prefented to God through his bleeding righteoufnefs ; and are a fure token of the foundnefj of their inner man. Their teeth like an even fhorn, newly warned, and fruit- ful flock h, are their divinely cleanfed faith, and fpiritual meditation, whereby they chew the bread of life, and render themfelve£ truly holy, and fruitful in good works ; or their holy, regular, and prudent zeal, where- by they are active in railing up monuments of praife, and a feed to ferve the Lord Chriit. Their neck i, is their faith,whereby they are united to their Redeemer as their head ; whereby they receive nourifhment from him, and return their love and praifes to him ; and are exceedingly beautified before him. The chains of gold about it k, are the precious and everlalting promifes it a Song i. x io, and iv. 3. r b Song i. 10. e Pro v. xii. 6. d Prov. xv, 4, and xii. 18, and x. 21. «? Prow xx. 1 5, and x. io. /Prov. xviii. 4, and xxv. u. g Song iv. 3, b Soag iv. i, * Song iv. 4, and vii. 4. * Song i, 10, r _j4 SACRED TROPOLOGY. e mbraces; the bleffings it receives ; the graces it ac- tuates; and the gifts it improves. Th«ir fhoulder and back a, are their ftrength and patience; or that where- in they are expofed to burdens, fcourges, and fuffering. Their hands and fingers dropping with (weet-fmelling myrrh upon the handles of the lock b, are their faith, whereby they touch, and receive Chrift; and work, by- love ; and which, O with what refrefhful, and purify- ing virtue, it attempts to open the heart to Jefus. Their breads like young roes, towers, or clufters of grapes c,- are their love, their affection, and deiire after Chrift, and their edifying talk and conduct ; whereby their foul is beautified, and endeared tp Chrift ; and whereby others are refrefhed, helped, encouraged, and nourifhed with the fincere milk, and fpi ritual .wine of his word and grace. Betwixt their bre^fts d % is, in their heart, their molt endeared embrace. Their heart is at their right hand e ; they execute their purpofes with dexterity and difpatch. Their rperry heart or good confcience, doth good like a medicine f y promotes their foundnefs, and itrengtb, natural, chiefly fpiritual, and eternal ; and is a continual feaft, affords eminent and unceaflng fatisfac- tion, joy and pleasure. Their bowels ^[aremercv, kind- nefs, long fuffering, gentlenefs. Their belly like an heap of wheat, fet about with lilies h, may denote their particular application of Jefus Chrift, and feeding on him for fpiritual nourishment ; and their tender concern to bring forth, and win others to him ; both which are eminently and plentifully connected and adorned with folid,favoury, and flourishing promifes and fruits. Their navel as a round goblet full of liquor i, may hgnify their ever-receiving appetite and deiire after Jefus Chrift; whereby nourihSmcnt is conveyed to their tender grace. The joints of their taighs Hke curious jewels i, are their valuable, their holy principles of faith and love ; whi.ch curioufty r 'r • ..>.ti by the Redeemer, enable them with decency, pleafure, and exactnefs, to walk in* his way. Their feet /, denote their affections and well-ordeied a Psal. rxxiv >. b Pong v. 5. c Song- vii. }, 8, and vjii. 10. d hud/,' 1 rj e Reel. \. z f Prov. xvii. 2:, and xv. jr. g CqI. ill. 1 2 V * Song vii. z, i Song vii. 2 . A bong vii. i. / Song vii, 6 Of metaphors respecting Saints, i*? Oonverfation : their (hoes on their feet, denote the gofpel of peace, as it were fupporting, animating, and inter- woven with their affe&ions and practice, that with fpi- ritual freedom, courage, and fafety, they walk by gof- pel-influence, and according to gofpel-rule. Their feet only need to be w T afhed a \ the juilification of their per- f o a is at firft complete ; but the guilt of daily fins in their foul and pradtice, ever needs to be warned away. But the waihing of feet, pled in excufe for not readily recei- ving Chrifl h; is indifference about gofpel-truth, and wearinefs of fpi ritual exereife. The faints being black, but comely ; the faireft among women c, imports, that though in their own view, though in themfelves, and as furrounded with infirmities and trouble, they be un- fightly, yet as adorned with Jcfus righteoufnefs and grace, and in his kind eftimation, they are exceedingly comely and beautiful. Their gloriousgarments wrought with embroidery of gold, and of fine linen d t are his Tighteoufnefs and grace ; and the holy conver fatioa founded thereon. It is their converiaticu-garment they wafti and make clean in the blood of the Lamb e ; by improving.it as the fole ground of their hope, of their pardon, falvation, and acceptance with God. But the putting off the coat, which indifpoies them to receive Chriityj is indifference about him and his righteoufnefs, leaving off tirfl love to him, neglect of commanded duty, inclinatiou r to carnal eafe, and fpiritual flcep. Unfaith- ful minifters take away the faints vail from them^; they expofe their infirmities : deny them the faithful preaching of imputed righteoufnefs ; corrupt them from the fimpiicity of truth; and draw them to a compliance with the fuperftitious devices of men. Their borders of gold and ftuds of filver for their robes h> are the preci- ous, and permanent bleffings, graces, and gifts, which flow from their Mediator's righteoufnefs j and which ihine in their holy converfation. Their green bed i, is the come- ly, the refreihful, the flourifhing find fruitful church, new covenant, fcriptures, ordinances, and peculiar fellow/hip c John xiii. ic, [i Song v. 3, c Song i. 5,8. d Psal* xiv. 13, 14. *Rev. vii. 14. / Song v. 3. g Son£ v, 7* b Song i. 1 J. t Song i. 16. I46 SACRED TROPOLOGY. with ChrlfL Their perfumes «, are the grace given them. The church below, the heaveus above, Lre their houfe, and refidence 3. Their heart, and the talk, of du- ty affigned them, are the vineyard appointed to their care c. 6. The faints are compared to royal persons, kings, queens princes, princ^fTes d. Begotten of God, the King of all the earth: begotten of Jefus, the King or kings, by the travel of his feul; they pofTefs royal blood, are par- takers ot the divine nature, endowed with a living prin- ciple of grace derived from Cnrift j are royally educate at his fchool of facred infpiration, fpirirual influence, and fanctiried trouble ; are diipofed to a free, a generous, and princely fervice of him ; are married to him 111 the day of his power ; and from him receive their honour, their ^Blnefs, and their title to an enalefs crown. How royal their apparel of imputed righteoufnefs! implanted grace! and holy converfation ! How royal their nourifhment of his flefh anu bloody of all thefulnefs of God ! How ryal their palace of his niviiible church, his celeftial manfion! How royal their chariot of the new covenant and goipel of God ! how royal their reft in his well-guarded b«d ! How royal their guard of divine attributes, holy angels, and faithful miniiters ! Flow royal their unction o* the Holy Ghoft, to confecrate ana furnifh them for their ^'ork! How royal the crown of divine loving kindnefs, and tender mercy, which they wear, and the triple crown of glory, :.fe, and righteoufnefs, which they expect! How royal their throne, being railed up together, and made to Hr together, in heavenly places, in, and with Chrift Jefus! How royal :heir counfel, the ADORED THREE fptakmg in the fcripture \ How royal their heart ! let upon things above, «nd not upon things of the earth! How royal and extenfive their influence in managing an:l protc&inj the world, ruling the nations with a rod of iron, bearing rule over their own lpirit, ana conquering Satan and th«ir lufts! O marvellous-, that by the giace of God I am what LIU 7. T.'i^y are a Royal priesthood e. Moil honour- a Songiii 16 b Song i. 17 c Sjr.g i. 6, and viii. 12. " their treafure, their heart are in heaven : in heavenly tilings they trade ; in good and perfect things that come from above : they fet their affections on thefe things that are above, where Jefus is at the right hand of God. Shortly (hall there be their endlefs relidence ; they {hall fee the King in his beauty, and dwell in his prefence. G an ft thou, my foul, inftruct thy celefdal lineage; fpeak the heavenly dialed: or cordial praife ? is the ticket, the everlafting covenant laid up in my heart, as all my fal- vation, and all my deiire ? 14. They are reprefented as an HOUSEHOLD and FAMI- LY a- How gathered, protected, and ruled of God, they dwell together in unity ! How cloiely joined in GhrifJ ; 'in God, their habitation ! How bound and difpofed to promote one another's welfare and joy ! They are the houfehoid of God, mr.de collected, owned, provided for, employed, and governed by him to his own glory. They are the houfehoid of faith. By the grace of faith they credit, and contend earneflly for the doctrine of faith once delivered to the faints. By thefe things they live ; and in them be the life of my. foul. 15. They are represented as CHILDREN of God h. Of him they are adopted ; of him their new nian is Spiritual- ly begotten and born. His image is engraven, his name called upon, and his Spirit put within them. Dearly he loves them. Every thing neceiTary for time and eternity, he provides for them. In tYQTy danger he pro- tects; in every part of conduct, in every good word and work, he directs them; and for their faults, chiefly their Jtubborneis, he coi rectsthem. Their prayers he hears ; their fuits lie grants* They are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Ghrift. It is theirs to be humble, teacheable, and obedient before him. Theirs to imitate him in mer- cy, in meeknefs, in holinefs, righteoufnefs. Theirs to hate what he hates ; love what he loves. Theirs to in- cline to abide in his family ; dwell in his prefence ; and feek after the moil intimate fellowfhip with him. It is theirs to know, efleem, love, delight in him, as their fa- ther j and to trike pleafure in his word, his ordinances, * Ech. ii. 20. Gal. vi. ro. b Rom. mi, 17, N l! yO SACRED TROPOLOGY. and people. Their9 to be grieved and concerned when he is difhonoured, or his church oppreffed or polluted. Are thefe things, tny foul, found in thee ? Am I certainly a child of God by faith in Chrift: Jefus ? 16. Saints are compared to eabes a. In themfelves how exceeding helplefs, weak, andinfignificant ! How ex- pofed to danger ! but wonderfully protected, and pre- fer ved of God. In what im per feci: degree, they hear poflefs all the graces of the perfect, the glorified faints ! How native ; how earneft their inclination to pray ; to fuck the fincere milk of God's word ! How carefully, by Chrift, by his angels, and minifters, are they watched, and guided, and guarded ! If not hindered by their peeviili temper, how quick their fpi ritual growth, about the time of their heavenly birth ! How innocent, meek, harmlefs, and humble ! How candid and fincere in their faith ; their love ; their Chriftian profeftion, and holy obedience ! Except, my foul, thou become as a little child, thou fhalt in no wife enter into the kingdom of heaven. 17. They are called sons; heirs; first-born b. For a time indeed they continue in a low condition, and retain much of the Spirit of bondage ; but folemnly are they feparate to the fervice of God, as his peculiar pro- perty. BlefTed are they with all the bell bleffings of his righteoufnefs, his grace, and falvation. Princely and exalted is their dominion over the reft of the world. A fubftantial blefling and honour are they to them. Sure and fweet is their title to the everlafting inheritance. Rejoice, my foul, I am an heir of God, and joint-heir with Chrift : nor can fins, nor devils, nor wicked men, difinherit me. God is my Father, my tutor, my all. His covenant is my charter : thrice furer than heaven or earth. 18. They are called daughters ; virgins; sisters of Chrift c. How weak in themfelves ! How expdfed to danger and infirmity ! How engaging their fpi ritual comeiinefs ! How glorious their apparel of imputed rig'iKoufnefs, implanted grace, and holy converfation ! Matth >i. 25. I Pet. li. I. b Gal. iv. 4,— -6« Heb. xii. 23. c Song i, 3, 5, and lii. 1 I, and v I. Fsal. cxlix. },i Of metaphors respecting Saints. %$t How fingle their love to Jefus ! How chaite their adhe- rence to him ! How found and uncorrupt in the faith I How fincere in their worftiip ! How pure in their heart and life ! How candid their care to avoid temptations to, and appearance of evil ! How difpofed to blufh at the bell of their fervice ! Inferior, indeed, in every refpe£l, they are to Chrift ; but begotten of the fame Father, children. in the fame family, they partake of the fame human na- ture with him ; have his image on them ; are nearlv connected with, dearly beloved, and tenderly cared, and provided for, by him. They are daughters of Jerufa- lem, children of Zion. In the true church, they are born ; and by means of her ordinances and miniiters, is their fpiritual bivth accomplilhed. On her fpiritual pro- vifion ofgofpel truths, and new-covenant bleffings, they arenouriflied. With the garments of falvation divinely granted to her, are they clothed. In her they abide ; and are governed, directed, protected, and perfect d. If I am fuch, why mould I wear the attire of an harlo ? why whorifhly turn afide by the flocks of thy compa- nions ? When, O my Brother, fhall I find thee without", on thy great white throne, that I may kifs thee, may em- brace thee, and not be amamed ? When {hail I come to the Jerufalem above, which is the mother of us all ? When mall we, the ranfomed of the Lord, return and come: to Zion, with fongs, and everlafting joy on our heads and forrow and fighing flee away ? 19. They are children of promise «. From eter- nity their birth, their life, their endleis felicity, was nro- mifed to our adored Redeemer. Not by natural influence but by the gofpei-promife, and fulnefs thereof, are rhey fpiritually begotten, born, fuckled, nourimed, directed fupported, carried, healed, revived, reltored, comforted and fan&ified. And highly they efteem and delioht hi the promifes. Let tfoefe thy words be found by mf ; let me eat them ; and let them be to me the joy and rejoicing; of my heart. Never let me forget thy iiatutes, for by them thou haft quickened me. 20 They are called Chrift's SEED, the travail- of his foul b. By his infinite labour and fuffering, and from his a Gal. iv. 28. 6 IsaJiii, u. N 2 i;a SACREP TROPOLOGY, fulnefs of virtue and grace, are they brought forth unto God. His honour they reprefent ; his name they conti- nue ; and to all generations, are the joy and rejoicing of his heart. On the very fubftance of his pelribn, hisflefti nnd blood, that he gives for the life of the world, he feeds and nourishes their foul. Lord Jefus, ami fo dear to thee ? am I the offspring of thy love; thy blood ; thy grace? Detefted be my heart, if it love father, or mother, more than the?. XI. Saints are called brethren ».• In the fame pur- pole of God are all of them chofen. All of them have God for their Father ; the church for their mother ; Ghriftfor their elder brother. Their grate, their pro- feffion, their practice, is iimilar. Their lore is mutual. They are Chrift's brethren : they have one Father with him. They are ineffably near to him, and precious in his fight. Wherein their finite nature admits, they (hare With him in his grace, his office, and work. How quick- ly, my Lord, mall I hear thee fay,Tn as much as je did it to the leaft of thefe my brethren, you did it unto tne. 22. They are Chriil's eride and spouse h. In in- finite kindnefs he choofes them for himfelf. Heartily and deliberately they accept of him, as their head and hufband. All their finful debt was charged upon him ; and he anfwered for it. Highly he loves ; faithfully he dwells in ; tenderly he fympatnixts with; fufficiehtljr he provides for: fully he protects, them. Deep it his intereftand concern in their perfons, graces, temptations, and troubles. Glorious is their interefl hi his peifon, his righteoufntfs, honour, and fulnefs. Highly they e- fteem ; tenderly they love ; ard&itfy they ddiie; hum- bly they frrve him ; and hardlydb they bear his frowns. Mutual is their joy and rejoicing over one another. How mindful both of their marriage-contn.cL, the covenant of peace ! By diitingiuihed fellowship with him, they be- come fruitful in the works of righteoufnefs. Openly, b< ore angels and men, (hall their nuptials at the end be celebrate. Theii (hall they enter irto the palace of the King, and fhall abide. BleiVed are they, who are called to his eternal marriage fuoper of the Lamb ; and whom a John xx. 17. h Rev. xix. 7. Song v. 1. Of metaphor* respecting Saints. 15 j the Lamb himfelf maketh ready. Bleflfed for ever be the Lord, that neither meannefs, nor guilt, nor vilenefs, nor infamy, nor devils, nor death, could flop, or can break my marriage to him ! He betrothed me to him- felf for ever; yea, betrothed me to him, in righteoufnefs and in judgment, in loving kindnefs and in mercies. Ye finful,ye unprofitable, ye infamous men, whofoeverwill, let bim come to the marriage. 23. They are compared to returning prodigals a. Receiving from God many noble endowments, time, talents, opportunities, how theyrufh into apoftacy from him I and wafte thefe gifts in foul-ruining fellowfhip with Satan and his agents ! When by trouble, by fharr* conviction, they are forced to confider their cafe; nothing fpiritually good they have, or can do. No more plea- fure in fin, in creatures, can they find. Now the moft urgent neceffity, accompanied with an attractive perfua- fion of God's all-fafficiency and readinefs to help-, de- I termines them to attempt an humble return to him as their Saviour and Mailer,, and a candid eonfef&on of their fin, and earned fupplication for mercy. How the all- gracious Father, his bowels of companion, yearn to- wards them! How, in their diftant, their lothfome, their dreadful condition, in mercy he runs to meet them I With what arms of mercy he embraces ! with what kifles of forgiving love he melts their heart, and deter- mines it to a truly gofpel- repentance and confeffion of fin I By the miniftry of the word and Spirit, how gra- cioufly he decks them with the bell robe of imputed righteoufnefs ; adorns them with the gold ring of his everlafting favour, Spirit and grace ; feafls and nou- rifhes their foul with the fweet, the tender, the ail-fat- tening flefh and blood of his facrificed Son ! What un- ending joy now commences among divine perfons and holy angels ; that fallen men, utterly loft as to fafety, happinefs, or ufefulnefs, are recovered ! thofe dead in trefpaflTes and fins are quickened, and efpoufeoV to Chrifti 24 Peevifh faints much refemble the prodigals elder. brother b. Divinely prefer ved from the more fcanda~ Luke xv. 10,-24. b Luke xv. 25,— >*,. N 3 *54 SACRED TROPOLOGY. lous crimes, and ferving God from their youth, in a ten- der and unblameable praclice; how fin fully they iome- times fret at Jehovah's fovereign conduct, in giving newly converted profligates furprifing meafures or grace, furpriiingly familiar intimacy with himfelf; while rarely he bellows on themfelves, fuch fenfibie ex- perience of bis love, as exhilarates their heart ; and determines them with pleafure to talk of his goodnefs ! Ah, ye froward, when will ye grow wife ? Should your eye he evil, btcaufe God is good r" Do } r ou well to be angry, that where fin abounded, grace did much more abound ? 25. The faints are compared to judges a. Endow- ed with wifdom, power, and authority, they fet them- felves for the defence of the heavenly ftatutes. By fel (-examination they judge themfelves, thst they be not condemned with the world. By their found principles, and holy lives, they condemn the world that lie th in wickednefs. At lafl they mail lit as affeflbrs with Chriit in the final judgment of evil angeis and wicked men. Shall this, Lord, be my honour, who have fo oft yielded to Satan, and defiled myfelf with his wicked agents on earth ! 26. They are called witnesses b. Having tailed that the Lord is gracious ; having heard his voice, feen his glory, and his mighty deeds ; they bear witnefs, that lie is God all-fuiricient, poiTeffed of every perfection, and fuited to every cafe. Having feen the Son, be- lieved on him, and handled the word of life, they teftify, that he is the divinely fen t, the able, the ever- ready and compamonate Saviour of the world. Ha- ving (een an end of all perfection, and felt the un- foiidity and evil of the world, they declare, that va- nity of vanities, all that cometh is vanity and vexa- tion of fpirit. Having felt their htart, and feen their life, they atteft the former to be deceitful above all things, and defperately wicked; and the latter, in its beft ellate, but filthy rags. Having felt the virtue of Jems' word, they teftify, that his law is the truth; his gof- pelthe power of Gcd unto faivation; his commandment « 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3. b ha. xliii. jo. Of metaphors respecting Saints, i r$ fpiritual, holy, juft, and good. Faithfully they hear witnefs, even againft themfelves. Boldly they oft finim their teftimony, refill unto blood, driving againft fin. Abide, my foul, by the truth, and the truth (hall make thee free. 27. They are compared to Rica MEN and cobles r ied diligence, proceed in thy courfe ; daily apply a Saviour's blood ; grow in grace; abound in the work of the L.-rd. 37, They -ire compared to pilgrims or travellers b. Finding no reft for their foul on earth ; at nrft they carefully confider the coft, the difficultj-, the danger, of their journey to heaven; wifely they put on the light, the hew,' the defenfive, and nnwafting garments of fal- vation ; and take to them the whole armour of God. for their fafety againft foes. Wifely they receive Jefus and his fulnefc, as their gold, their treafure, to bear their expence. They receive his Father for their companion; his Spirit to be their guide ; his word to be their direc- tor and compafs ; his love, his power, and promife, for their fupporting itafF. Carefully they sfk for the good old way of holinefs ; and continue walking therein: fweetly they drink out of its wells of falvation; and re- frefli ihemfelves, but not tarry, in the inns of ordinances built thereupon. How diversified their condition ! Now, th&ir duty is I' fant and eafy ; anon, it is rugged and Hcb. xii. 1. b 1 Pet. ii. 10. Of metaphors respecting Saints, 161 difficult. Now, they enjoy fine ,wtather of peace and profperity ; clear views of Jefus' countenance, wide pro= f peels of his lovelinefs and love; clear difcoveries of the vanity of this world, of the happinefs of their prefent, and of the glory of their future ftate: anon, they are diftre.ffed with cold winters of trouble, florms of temp- tation, dark nights of defertion and diforder, that they know not what to do, or whither to go. How oft fear- fully pinched for provifion ! How oft che wells of pro- miies feem dry, and inns of ordinances are found empty! How oft expofed to the gazing, ridicule, and malice of carnal men! How oft by Sata*. i their lulls haraflfed and robbed of their grace, or its evidence i How oft tempted to turn back! But, through every tribulation, they pufh forward to the city, the celeftial kingdom, o£ Gcd; and with fo much more cheerfuluefs, if they enjoy the company of eminem faints. May I go from ftrength to ftrength, till I appear before God in Zion. 38. They are called strangers and sojourners with God on earth a. How ft range to carnal men, is their Hate of union and communion with Chrift ! How ftrange their birth from above ! their having God their Father! Chrifl their hufband ! glorified faints their principal peo- ple ! In what ftrange ; what celeftial country, are their portion, their inheritance, their hopes, their afteclions, their thoughts, their defires ! With what ftrange robe of divine righteoumeis, implanted grace, and gofpel- holinefs are they decked ! What ftrange armour of God they have put on ! Flow ftrangely they fpeak the fpi- ritual language of prayer and ptaife ! pour out their hearts, behave as becometh the high calling of God ! walk with Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, whom the world fee and know not! feed on the ftrange provifion of Jefus* perfon, righteoufnefs, and benefits ! How employed in the unknown labour of numbering their days j of con- iidering their laft end; of ploughing up the fallow ground of their heart ; of fowing to themfelves in m;htecufnefs; of buying without money and without price ; of deny- ing and loathing themfelves ; of warring with princ : pa- iities, powers, and fpiritual wickednefs ; of renouncing «-Psa1. xxx ix. 12, O I 62 SAC RED TROPOLOGY. the profit, pieafure, and honour of this world ; of ex- tracting good from evil, and fweet out of bitter ; of lov- ing their mankind enemies, and rendering them bleiTing for ending ! How unfatisfactory iheir outward enjoy- ments ! What a gazing flock to the men of the world! And how defpifed, reproached, and harafTeri by them! Be content, my foul, it is enough that God hath (Worn, I will never leave th.ee, nor forfakc thee. In all my frrnits, he is z prefent aid. In all my affliction he is afflicted, fc he is my Saviour. 39. They are called builders a. According to the rule and line of God's infpired word, they, by faith, lay tbemfclves rmd their whole falvation upon Chrift, the foundation laid in Zion ; and in his ftrengtb. build up themfelves, in their molt holy faith and goipel-coiiver- fation ; adding one degree cf grace, one good word and work to another : and build up the church, by elucidat- ing divine truths •, winning fouls to Chriil ; l'prcading abroad the favour of his name ; and lifting up his praifc. So build, my fom, and thou mail be able to finifli. 4r. They are compared to threshers, or thrashing- INSTRUMENTS b. In Jefus' ftrength, and by repeated acts of faith and hope, of repentance and love, of humility and felf-denial, they by little and little, conquer their fpiritual enemies, and bring down the mountains of wicked men, evil angels, finful corruptions, manifold dangers, and difficulties, which ftand in their way of fervrag the Lord, or enjoying fellow fbip with him. A- itoniihing ! (ball worm I beat them fmall as duft ! Let me then rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the urny One oflfrael. 41. They are corap.rcdto stewards c. To their care hath God committed the vineyard of their own he rt and Ration in the world and church. A variety of gifis, graces, ordinances, and opportunities has he bellowed upon them to be improves according to the rule of his worn. Solemnly haLh he charged them to uc faithful, and (lady the welfare of others ; quickly will he call t lexn to account for their conducl ; and lighceoufly will he re- aJudeic 6 Isa. xli. 15, 16. *Lukexvi.$, — iz» CJ met ciphers respecting Saints. i6j ward them according to their work. How quickly, my foul, fhall he caufe me to give an account of my ftewardmip ; for I muft be no longer ftewafd ! 42. They are compared to servants a. How folemnly are they engaged ! How deeply obliged to ferve the Lord Ghnftj in whatfeever lie {hall command them! With what lowliaefs of mind, what fai.thfulnefs, gratitude, and e~ van^elical refpeel to the recompence of reward, are they to do the will of God in all things ! It is yours, ye re- deemed, to remember that all your gifts, your graces, are from God, and to be ufed to his glory; and to refojve upon giving him an account thereof. Bore mine ear, O Jehovah, to thy door-poit, that 1 may ierve thee for ever. In, and after, keeping thy commandments, there is an exceeding great reward* 43. They are called inhabitants OF THE gardens h. Affaciate into particular congregations and worihipping aiTemblies, they make an open, a continued, a itedfaft profeflion of Jefus' truth ; and with conftancy, delight, and diligence, they attsnd upon, and improve his ordi- nances ; and are chiefly Uified in keeping and cultivating their heart and converfation. 44. They are compared to farmers of vineyards c* To them hath God, in a fuhordinate refpect, commuted the vineyard of their own heart and of his church j and to their advantage the fruitfulnefs thereof greatly re- dounds. It is therefore theirs, carefully to keep their vineyard, to watch over themfelves and their work ; to labourearneuly in denying ungodlinefs and worldly lufts; and in living foberly, righteoufly, and godly in this pre- fent world. Theirs to ftudy regularity and diftin&nefs in their religious courfe. Theirs to improve every event, every faculty, and gift ; to prune off every luxuriance, mortify every luft, avoid every doubtful and dangerous practice ; and by a believing dependence on the tree of life, in the midft of the paradife of God, to prop every good word and work. It is theirs to promote the purity, peace, and profperity of the church, and to render unto Chrift, the principal, the fupreme glory of all they are, and do. a Rev. vii.3. b Song vii'u 13. c Song viii, iu o % I&4 SACRED TROPOLOGY. 45. Saints are compared to slavish keepers of other mens vineyards to the neglect of their own r How oft, by their mother's ci;ildren, their indwelling corruptions, and hypocritical profeffors, are they forced and decoyed into a bafe fubrnifSon, to human Impositions in the fer- vice of God; to finful and carnal couifes ; to too eager interfering with worldly affairs, or with fpiritual things in a felfifh and carnal manner ! How eft is their watch- fulnefs over their heart, their refilling and mortifying of their lolls, their due chenming and exercifing of their grace, hereby finfujUy and fliamefuily prevented ! How- oft doch their being in public office in church or ftate, eccafion much finful neglect of pcrfonal piety ! 46. They are reprefented as CARRIED ones b* Lame in themfelves, Jefus apprehends them, takes them up, and in the chariot of his covenant and church, on the white horfe of his gofpel-promife, in the hand of his pro- vidence, on the moulder of his power, in his bofom of intimate fellowship, in his heart of endeared affection and care, notwithstanding of manifold filthinefs, provo- cations, and infirmities, bears them up under every bur- den ; bears them outagainft every oppofition; bears them on in the courfe of their duty ; bears them in to the throne of grace ; and home to their eternal reft. 47. They are reprefented as hidden ones c. How un- known to the world, and even to themfelves, is their ex- cellency; their gracious ftate ; their fpiritual attain- ments ; and efpecially their future glory! How hidden ; how fecret favours, are their election, their regeneration, their pardon, acceptance, adoption, and inward comfort! How fecretly ; how myftcrioufly and fafely are their per- fons, their flate, their life, their portion, and treafure laid up, in the word, the heart, the hand, the life, the honour of Chrifl! 48. They are reprefented as sealed ones d. By elect- ing love, by effectual calling, by their juftification, and by the daily influence of his Spirit, they are highly ho- nuured of God, appropriate and confirmed to his ufe; and dittinguimed from the world. Safely hid and pre- ferved in Chiift Jefus, how gracioufly are they enabled a Song i. 5. b Isa. xlvi. 3, 4. c Psal. Ixx.xiii. 3. d Rev.vii. 3* Of metaphors respecting Saints. i6$ to make an open confeflion of his truth ! How oft pro- tected from common calamities! How marvelloufly fa\ ed amid eminent trouble ! 49. They are called upright ones a. How their heart, their affection, tower towards God, and heavenly things! With what candour they ftudy to be what they feem ! and to live with allowed guile! to be Univerfally fincere in their behaviour towards God and men! 50. They are called wise men h. Inftructed of Chrift, they make the bed choice, choofe for their portion the whole fulnefs of God ; purfue the beft courfe, follow af- ter the prize of the high calling of God in Chrift Jefus. They walk in Chrift, the beft way; and with God, the mofl excellent Companion. They efpoufe Chrift the beft: hulband ; and live on his fiefti and blood, the moil whole- fome and nourifhing provifion. Acquaint with the my- fteries of God's word and providence, taught of God to profit, made wife unto falvation, and learned in every ftate therewith to be content, they intend the molt noble end of his glory, and their own happinefs ; and profe- cate it in the belt manner, and by the moft proper means. Haft thou, my foul, fo learned Chrift ? 51. They are compared to strong men e. Strength- ened in and by the Lord Jefus, they can bear heavy bur- dens without repining ; can walk in God's way without wearying; run in the path of his commandments with- out fainting: can attack and conquer the ftrongeft cor- ruptions; reftft the devil; overcome the world ; and bear rule over their own fpiritr Rejoice, my foul, I can do all things through Chrift ftrengthening me. 52. They are reprefented as carnal men d. Ah, what power hath their remaining carnal corruptioftovi r them! How much they fulfil their finful luft ! How com- palled with fleftily infirmities! Howfadlysre their hearts attached to worldly things ! What envy, fh ife, and con- tention, too oft abound wlfh-.tlfcem ! Truly the law is fpiritual ; but I am carnal, fold under fin. 53. They are reprefented as foolish e* Alas !" how oft they miilake their way ; negledt their duty; acl cck- a Song i. 4. b PssL xciv. 8, 12. <• Eph. vi. ie, a Rem. vji, 14. e Luke jtxiv, 25, 03 I 66 SACRED TROPOLOGY. trary to God's honour, and their own interefl ; grieve their friends, and pleafe their enemies ! How oft they ad without thought ; complain of, or praife what they know not ! How oft have I been brayed in the mortar of adverfity j yet has not my foolifhnefs departed from me ! 54. They are reprefented as captives, fold under fin a. How oft do Satan, and their lulls, prevail over them ; drag them from God and their duty, and into the flavifh fervice of fin ! How they buffet them for the leaft refafal! How they abufe and maltreat their foul ! Blefled be the Lord, who bringeth back his cap- tives, even when, with flupidity and unconcern, they are like men that dream. Quickly, O rny foul, fhall the prey be taken from the mighty, and the lawful cap- tive be delivered. $$. They are reprefented as prisoners b. How oft are they fhut up and confined in the prifon of trouble: of prevailing corruption; of fearful temptation; of dark de- fertion! How are their fhameful crimes evidenced; and their fouls connected with the b»feft companions! How their light, their liberty, their honour, their happy fellowfhip, their fpiritual warmth, and comfort, ta- ken from them ! Is it not thine, O Jefus, to bid us go forth and fhew ourfelves ? Thine with the key of thy promife, with the power of thy grace, to open our prifon-doors, and bring us forth, that we may glorify thy name ? 56. They are compared to killed and crucified men c. O the killing providences ! the deflruclive rage of inward corruption ! the violent temptations of Satan! the perfecutions of the world they are tryfted with! They are crucified with Chrifl ; in his death he repre- fented them ; and by the application of his atonement to their confcience, is their old man, their inward cor- ruption, gradually, and painfully mortified. They are crucified to the world, and it to them. Gradually, and not without pain and fhame, are they weaned from the world, and as dead malefactors are they defpifed by the men of it. a Rem, vii, 23, 24, b Psal cxlii. 6. c Rom, viii. 17, 36. Of metaphors respecting Saints. 167 §>]. They are compared to dying and DEAD men a. Not only are they worthlefs in themfelves, mortal in their bodies, and plagued with an inward body of death; but by the application of Jefus' righteoufnefs and grace, their relations to the broken law, as an hufband and go- vernor; to Satan, as a prince and father ; to fin, as a pleafure and trade; and to the world, as a portion and treafure ; are deftroyed, and finally cut off. Hence they ceafe from finful works ; and from going about to eftablifh their own righteoufnefs : and are buried to- gether with Chrift ; {hare the fweet repofe that flows from his death; in confequence whereof they rife to newnefs of life, 58. They are reprefented as living men b. O the my- flerious inward motions of their heart ! O their agreeable breathing and defiring after Chrift, and living by faith on him ! O the fweet light, liberty, pleafure, and other en- joyments, they are made capable of! How manifold their frames ! How various their relations to Chrift, and to one another ! And how they work out their falvation with fear and trembling ; Lord, may I live and praife thee. 59. They are called a remnant c. How few in com- parifon of the reft of mankind! How oft they chiefly con- fift of the poor, and dregs thereof! How oft wonderfully preferved, when the wicked are cut off! 60. They refemble Isaac d. They are the fpiritual, the promifed feed of Abraham ; the fpecial, the diftin- guiihed feed of Heaven, the offspring of Jefus' intercef- fion. By means of the promife, and notwithltanding of infuperable-likediffieulties,are they {piritually conceived and born. How delightful a joy and rejoicing to God their Father, and to their mother the church ! Merciful- ly recovered from death, by the {laughter of God's pro- vided burnt offering, they love not their lives in oppofi- tion to his will. How fadly harraffed by their baftard brethren! But being heirs, at laft enter in to poffefs all the-fulnefs of God. 61 They are compared to Jacob e. Freely chofen to a Rom, vii. 4, *>• h Gal. ii . 20. * Isa, xi. 16* rf Gal. iv,28. c Zeoh. xii.8. l68 SACREB TROPOLOGY. falvation, they drive to enter in at the ftrait gate of union to Ghrift, and renovation of their nature; andftruggle for glory, honour, immortality, eternal life. BlefTed in the robes of Chrift their elder brother's imputed righ- teoufnefs; guarded of angels; highly efteeming their fpi- ritual birth-righ:andbleffing;they wreftle with God, and alfo prevail ; and through manifold tribulation and death, go to the e'vcrlafting land of promife. Call thyfelf, even now, my foul, by the name of Jacob: fubfcribe with thine hand unto the Lord ; and (irname thyfelf; by the name of Ifrael. 62. They are compared to David a- Exalted fron. the loweft decree, they fit with the Prince of the kings of the earth. Wifely they conduct themfelves : ftriplings and weak in themfelves, they areftrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; andnotwithftanding of fearful guilt, and aifficulties innumerable, are more than conquerors through him that loved them. 63 They are like unto Lazarus in the parable £. How generally poor and contemptible, in the view of the great men of the world ! How oft the brutal creation work together for their good ! At death, how readily angels convey their fouls to the heaven- ly maniions, where the damned inhabitants of hell have accefs to know their glory, and fruitlefsly wifh the lead fliare of it ! 6$. They compare themfelves to beasts c. For, O the fhipidity, earthlinefs, filthinefs, perverfenefs, mif- chievoufnefs, uniightlinefs, they difcern in themfelves! Lord, what a monifroua Leaft, a wretched fyflem of beans, am 1 before thee ! Neverthelefs I am continu- ally with thee; thou holdeil rr.e by the right hand: thou; wilt guide me with thy counfel while here, and after bring me to tiiy gloiy. O let thy robes of falvation remove my uniightlinefs ; t l iy blood walkout my filthi- nefs ; thy inftruttiori remove my ignorance and follv ; thy Spirit undo my eaithli icfs and carnality; thy love fhed abroad in my heart, root out my ftubbornutfs and malice ! e. I«a. xhv. 5. b Liike xvi. 19,-16, t I'sal. hffitti, zo. Of metaphors refpeBing Saints* i6ty 65. They are compared to fowls or birds a, How diveriiiled their cafes and frames! The converfation of fome, hew tender and comely! Of others, ah, how carnal and unfightlyi how, fupported by the air, the influence of tne Holy Ghofl,they mount and move among heavenly things ! How expoied to ftorms and WEats ! By what a- mazing initinc~t, they take up, and return to, their reft in the perfon, the offices, relations, righteoufnefs, and love of Chriit, the tree of life, the unconfumed bum, and the rock of ages ! Under the fhadow of his protection an:' oromife, how fweetly they fometimes ling ! O when mail he fweet fingiag of birds, the ran fomeds 'full con- cert, of Hallelujahs and Hofannas, come ! 66. They are compared to eagles b. How glorious ! how royal their fpi ritual dignity among men ! How fo- lid their knowledge of the moft dazzling, the moll deep, and diltant things ! Renewing their ftrength and beauty after fpiritual decays, and carried by Jefus their parent, how unweariedly, on wings of faith, of love, and holy dtfire, they mount up towards God ; comfort themfelves in him ; make him, the munition of rocks, their habita- tion, from whence they overlook clouds and ftorms of trouble ! How earneftly they efpy anddefiretheprefence, and feed on the llain Lamb, of God ! Grovel no more, my foul j arife, fly away to Jefus, to the crag of the Rock which is higher than I. 67. They are compared to doves c. How weak and timorous in themfelves ! but justified in Jefus' righteouf- nefs, and fan&ified by his grace, how comely \ Howpure in their new nature and fpiritual feeding ! How harm- lefs, loving, and affectionate ! How chafte their delire to- ward Chriil ! How fruitful in good works ! How great their delight in fellowlhip w T ith him, and his people ! How tenderly they weep over his death ! How inconfolably they mourn for his abfence ! How diligently they en- deavour to gain others to his caufe ! How fwift j how high j how heavenly, their motions of faith, love, and holy converfation ! How fweet j how fafe their abode in the fecret place of Jefus' purpofe, promife, righteouf- nefs, power, and lo\e ! How they fly to him in every oEzek.xvii. 2}. Song ii, 12. b Isa. xl. 31. Psa!. ciii. 5 clsa.l-xS* 170 SACKED TROPOLOGY. time of danger ! May my life, my lait end, be like theirs • M v I02 a tiove in the valley, mourning for mine ini- quities 4 68 They compare themfelves to owls a : becaufe of their uncomelinefs in themfelves ; their love to dark- nefs ; their mournful and unpleafant cries ; and becaufe they are fo forfaken, contemned, and hated by others in the world. On earth, Lord, am not I, as a peiican of the wildernefs, and owl ©f the dtfert ? O when thall I be with thee ! be like thee, by feeing thee as thou art ! 69. They compare themfelves to a sfar&Ow on the houfe-top alone b. For ah, how weak and infigniflcant in themfelves ! How f^litary and un fettled their condi- tion ! Be, Lord, what i will; let thy hcufe be my habi- tation. 70. They compare thenr.fclves to chattering CRANES and swallows c. H w mournful their lamentation ! How broken their notes of praife ! How ftrangely varied their fpeech J Sometimes like cr.nes they roar; anon like fwallows they peep, and fpeak as it were out of the dufl. Lord, who knoweft iny brutal language, my whif- per, my roaring, let my groans, my cries, cone up with acceptance ©n thine altar ; for how can I iing thy fong in a foreign land ! 71. Saints are compared to chickens d. How weak and inefficient in themfelves ! How expofed to danger, contempt, treading down, and deftruction ! But, how kindly called, warmed, comforted, protected, and provid- ed for by the Son of God I How fagacioufly they difcern his voice, and follow him ! How fweetly they eat and drink out of his fulnefs ! and lift up their heads and hearts in his praife ! 72. They are compared to lions e. How great their influence in the world ; their fpiritual royalty ; their ftrength ; their boldnefs and courage ; and thtir conqucft 01 fin, Satan, and the world ! How eminent their grati- tude, and their mutual affection ! How companionate to penitent and lubmiflive tinners ! And how oft dreadful to che fpirits of wicked men ! Inverted with thy righ- «P a aI.rii. 6. iPsalcii.j. c Isa. xxxviii. 14. d Matih. xxiii. 37* < Micah v. f. Frov.xxviii :. Of metaphors respecting Sahits. i 7l teonfnefs, O Jefus, let metoward* God, angels, and men, Be bold as a lion, that turneeh not away for any: of every luft let me tear the arm, and the crown of the head. 73. They are compared to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots a, Ghofen from among men, to ever- lading honour and happinefs,theyare bought with the infi- nite price of Jefus' blood; they feed on tht fruit of theearth, the nnelt of the wheat; on his perfon, *igb'te oninefs. and benefits ; on all the fulnefs of God. By Jehovah, by his angels, and minifters, are they cared for, and attended. How richly ornamented with his righteonfnds and grace! how comely ; how ftately; how mapfHc; ftrong; courageous ; and efteemed of their Lord i how tamed, and broken, in heart, by his Spirit ! In the ezfy yoke of his law ; in the chariot of his church ; and with the bands of his love; how beautifully and regularly yoked together! And with what order, harmony, cheerful a- lertnefs and fpeed* do they honour him; running 1 a race of holy obedience, fighting his battles with -Satan and their corruptions ; and being the means to fpread his fame, and enlarge his conqueft s on earth! Art t] vou, my foul, the Lord's- goodly ho.rfe in the battle? 74. They are compared to harts or hinds h, la their new man, how pure, lovely, pleafant loving, and grateful ', how expofed to danger and troable ! how in- veterate the enmity between them and the old ferpenr^ and his feed ! how fearfully thefe fatten upon th?ir f-;ul, amid carnality and fpi ritual doth, and deadnefs ! *\i\ quick grown, and tall in grace ! How open towards heavenly, and (hut towards earthly things, is their heart ! How fruitful in good works ! and in converting others ! What a fweet favour of Chrifl in the world ! The higher their fpiritual growth, the more they hang down their head in humility, felf- denial, and holy blufhing. When arrived at their glo- ry, how quickly they difappear, pluckt by death ! 102. They refemble mandrakes c. How meek, cool, and pacific, their fpirit ! how beautiful, favoury, and acceptable to Chrift and his Father ! By fervent prayer, by earneft defire, how they promote the difco- veries of his Jove ! By their lively and fruitful con- verfation, how they provoke one another to love, and to crood works ! Neverthelefs, if left to themfelves, how flothfully they fleep, and finfully fleepen one ano- ther ! 103. They are compared to growing corn, or wheat d. Amid tares of wicked men and vile corrup- tions, how, feeded with the good word of God, watered with his blood and Spirit, and warmed with his redeem- ing love, they gradually grow up, bearing precious fruits of righteoufsnefs, to the glory of God, and the profit and fupport of men ! By mortification of lulls, how carefully ought they to be wed and purged ! How a Isa. Ixvi. 14. b Song ii. 2, c Song V)i, 13. d Hos, x»v. 5. Matth.xiii. 27. 3°. Of metaphors respecting Saints. ij^ Capable, through Chrift, to endure winters and itorms of affliction ! When ripe, how folid in knowledge ! in experience ! How their roots lofe from the earth ! and their heart hangs downward in felf-abafement, and re- fignation to death I How cut down by his fharp fickle ! By what fin-mortifying influence of the Spirit ; by what threftiing and winnowing troubles are they purged from their chaff! their foul feparate from the body, that this may be fown in the grave, and in the refurredlion fpring up a glorious body for Chrift. Are they not the glory, the excellency, of earth ? and the immediate reafon of God's benevolent care and labour about it ? 104. They are compared to an orchard of spices a* The graces that grow in their heart, the good works that appear in their life, how various ! how precious I how fragrant, perfuming and medicinal ! 105. They are compared to nuts b. In the covering of Jefus' righteoufnefs ; in the love, the purpofe, the power of God, how hid and fecured their perfon and grace ! How impoffible to be loft, hurt, ©r deftroyed ! What coarfe fhell of a mortal body lodges their invifi- ble, their precious foul ! Amid defpicable outward ap- pearances, how precious, ufeful, and glorious within ! How tenacioufly they cleave to Chrift, and to one ano- ther in love ! How hardy under preffing afHidions ! How readily their grace is difcovered by breaking rods and affli&ions ! 106. They are compared to good figs c. How a- bundant their fulnefs of fpiritual fap ! What an ufeful medicine and refrefhment to a land ! How delightful and favoury to Chrift and his people ! When, Lord, fhall they be very good ! 107. They refemble arfHEAP oF wheat fet about with lilies d. Conceived and born of the church, how numerous, comely, folid, fubftantial, and precious ! And how furrounded with lily-like faints, promifes, graces, good works ! 108. Saints are compared to light*. How excellent,, ufeful, and defirable [ Hew powerful and clear their fpi- a Song iv. 13, 14. & Sons vi - »• c Jer, xxiv. 2. d Song vii. 2, t Eph v\ 8. ISO SACRED TROPOLOGY* ritual knowledge ! How mining and illuminating their profefnon and practice ! What a plague for a land, to be deprived of them ! How darknefs and wrath feize up- on it : and the wicked have none to put them to fhame ! Be thou my foul, as the fhining light, that fhineth more and more unto the perfect day. 109. They are compared to the morning a. Small at prefent, but hopeful, pleafant, and gradual, is the in- creafe of their light, knowledge, grace, and good works. How fweetly bedewed from above ! How refrefhful their ilate, and wholefome their air ! While their graces go forth to their work, and labour of love , how faft the wild beads of infernal fiends, and finful corruptions, hide themf elves in their dens ! How quickly ihall the fun of endlefs vifion rife upon them ! Haften, my foul, unto the perfect day of the Lord. iio. They are compared to the sun b. How hea- venly their date ! their affections ! their converfation ! In Jefus' imputed righteoufnefs, his imparted grace, and the good works proceeding therefrom, how brightly they fliine ! And next to hirafeif, enlighten, adorn, warm, and refrefh the world ! Nor here, is their glory fully underfiood; nor there reltful condition believed: but the time cometh, when they flaall for ever reft, snd fliine in the kingdom of their Father. Jefus ihall change their vile body, and fafhion it like unto his glorious body, brighter than the fun mining in his ftrength. Ah ! how am I turned into darknefs, become black as fack- cloth of hair! But I know, that when HE fliall appear, I mall alfo appear with him in glory. hi. They are compared to the moon r. How far inferior to Chrift the Sun of righteoufnefs, from whom they borrow all their glory and luftre ! How fully, di- rect views of his countenance, makes them to mine ! How inconftant their frames! How fpotted with cor- ruption, their heart and life ! How, during the night of time, they enlighten the world ! How great their m- fljtnce in the rife and fall of nations, in its troubled lea ! 11a. They are compared to stars d. How pure, numerous, and ufeful! How high their flation ! How « Song vi. 10, * JM atlhtfiji 43. e Song vi.io. d 1 Cor xv. 41, Of metaphors respecting Saints. 1S1 bright their eternal glory ! How diverfified their cafe and form ! How heavenly and regular their motions! None thrufts himfelf into the place of his fellow. Yet there is room. How they now adorn the militant'church f But cometh not a day, an eternity, when unfeen hea- vens iliall burn with all their fires ! their liars redeem- ed ! when all the corners of heaven mall reflect: our borrowed luftre ! When I have obtained'that meridian, how mall my views or* this earth, as infignificant, be loft ! But how wide ! how clear, my views of Godhead f I mail fee him as he is. 1 13. They are compared to clouds a. What a col- lection of particular faints unnumbered ! In Chrifl how high their ftate and dignity ! How heavenly-minded in heart ! How clofe and myfterious their connnexion among themfelves ! How ufeful are they to overfhadow, protect, refrefh, and water the world ! Moved by the influencing gales of the Holy Ghoft, how quickly ! how marvelloufly they fly to Jefus, in the exercife of grace, and practice of holy duties ! 114. They are compared to DEW and rain b. Their natural birth is of the earth and tea of this world: their new is from above, of the Father of lights, and owing wholly to his fovereign and attractive grace. How hea- venly the itate, and temper of their foul ! How readily attracted to things above ; How great their number ! How beautiful their form ! How pleafant, refrefhful, quickening, and fructifying the influence of their prayers and holy converfation, on thefe around ! chiefly on young profeffors ! When, my Lord, ihall we fly as a cloud, to meet thee in the air 1 115. They are a spring fhut up; a fountain seal- ed c. In them, the Spirit is a well of water fpringing up to everlafting life. How unfailing their grace ! How fealed their perfons and concerns ; marked out by the Holy Ghoft, and fet afide for Chrift, as folely his property ! My foul, admit none but Chrift ; he is mine, and I am his: nor can you fiends, you corruptions, re- take your ancient poilemon ; the Lprd hath Ihut me up for himfelf: and there is no opening. « Isa. lx. $4 h Mieah v. 7. c Song iv. iz. 1 82 SAC RED TRO? LOGY. i • 6. Saints falling before the wicked are like a trou- bled Fountain, and corrupt spring a. How uncome- ly ! how hurtful ? how diiagreeable and ihocking the fight ! Yet, rejoice not againft me, O mine enemy ; when I fall, I fhall arife ; when I fit in darknefs, the Lord will be a light unto me. 117. Saints are called the apple of God's eye h. How dear to him ! How carefully defended and preier ved by him ! How deeply he fympatmzes with them ! How highly is he provoked with fuch as injure them! Lord, am. I, a worthlefs finner, fo dear to the^ ! What then ftouldft THOU he, to my heart ! ir8. They are called God's jewels c. How rare ; precious; comely; excellent; and ufeful ! How care- fully fought out by God ! and polifhclfor himfelf ! How highly he values ; h©w fafely he preferves ; and how publicly he will at lad exhibit them in their brightnefsj How fignally he adorns, and glorifies himfelf, by them ! 119. They are compared to gold d. How precious, ufeful, comely, and durable ! How the furnace of afflic- tion purges away their corrupt draft ; but makes their golden grace to mine ! When melted by his love, how eaiily God moulds their heart, as he pleafeth ! How carefully he preferves; and how highly he efteems them, as his portion, and wealth ! How oft, Lord, when thou haft tried me m thy furnace, have I come forth as drofs, rather than gold ! 120. They are compared to a lost piece of silver recovered by fweeping the houfe e. Loft in Adam, loft amid their own corruption, God by fweeping judgments $ but chiefly by the preaching of the glorious gofpel, which f weeps away error, idolatry, and fuperflition ; and by conviction and illumination, which fweeps awsy i elf- con- fidence, legal righteoufnefs, ignorance, hatred of a Savi- our, finds them out, and by his grace renders them beau- tiful, ufeful, pure, and precious. 121. They are represented as God's TREASURE, POR- TION, inheritance, crown, diadem^ He chofe, and redeemed them to himfelf. By the infinite price of his Prov.xxv 26. b Zech ii 8. c Mai. iii. 17. JJobxxtiiio. ri^ukexvJJ. /Psal. exxxy 4. JDcut. xxxu. 9. isa. i\ix. i. Of metaphors respecting Saintsi 183 Son's blood ; by the almighty conqueft of his grace, he obtains them. How greatly he values ; delights in ; re- joices over; and boails of them! How glorioufly his choice, his pardon, acceptance, adoption, fan£lification, and glorification of them, demonftrate his riches of grace ,j his power and fovereignty ! Nor ihall ever any of them be hurt, loft, or alienated. 122. They are repre Tented as a temple and habita- tion for God a* Upon his Son as the Lord their righ- teoufnefs and ftrength, he founds them. With his Spirit and grace he furniihes- them. With pleafure and con- ftancy, be refides and operates in them, to will and to do. Inwardly is he worfhipped by them,,infpiritand in truth. It is thine, O Jefus, to fill their nnderftanding with thy inlbuctive light and knowledge ; to fill their conference with thy cleanfing blood, pardoning grace, and directive law ; to fill their will with thy melting love, thy un- matched excellency; to fill their afft&ions with thy ra- vishing goodnefs and beauty; to fill their memory with thy various truths, thy mighty works. So let thy glory fill my heart, that nor hell, nor earth, may dare to en- ter in ! 123. They are like unto an ornament I. With their grace, their good works, how they adorn their profef- fion! deck their country ; and beautify their church ! honour their race and family ; and glorify their God S Make mc, Lord, a faithful, a wife, a fuccefsful reprover ; fo ihall I be more ufeful, efleemeJ, and glorious, than an ornament of choice gold. 124. They are an everlasting foundation c. How fixed for ever, on the Rock of ages, are their perfons ! How immoveable their new covenant Hate I How un- failing their grace ! How perpetual their remembrance ! What a itru&ure of difplayed grace and glory. God builds on them 1 And is not their leal, The Lord knoweth them that are his ! and,. Let him that nameth the name of Ciirift, depart from iniquity ! The Lord is at my right hand, is in my heart ; on him dependeth all my hope ; therefore I (hall not be moved. 1^5, They are lively stones d. Digged out of the a Eph. ii. 2i, 21. b Prov xxv 1 2. e Prov x. 25. d 1 Pet. ii s> ** I $4 SACRED TROPOLOGY. quarry of their natural ftate, quickened by the Spirit of God, unite to Jefus as their foundation, they conftitute the ftru&ure of the invifjble church : they enter on a ftate of everlafting life ; become quick, lively, and active in holy duties : in refpect of profeffion and practice, they are in Chrift, made ftrong, fixed, and durable. But how oft ftumbling-blocks to carnal men ; who, for their outward meannefs and often infirmities, defpife them, and fo ruin themfelves ! 126. They are signs and wonders a. In their new- covenant ftate, and work, they deferve the admiration of all around them. But becaufe they are unknown in the world ; unlike to the t men of it ; enemies to the way of it, and reprovers of the deeds of it; they are oft, by carnal men, held, as monfters of folly, villainy, hurtfulnefs, pride, error, novelty, melancholy, dulnefs, ingratitude, fpite, hot-headednefs, babbling. 1 27. They are compared to brands pluckt out of the fire b. When burning in the fiery curfe of the broken law ; when burning in the fire of their lulls, their enmity againft God ; when ready to be caft into the everlafting burnings of hell, how powerfully ! how feafonably ! how kindly, Jefus apprehends them by his grace ! quenches them in his blood and Spirit ! forms them into his image; and conftitutes them heirs of his glory! Shall I here alfo look after him, who thus faw, and faved me! 128. They are compared to pillars of smoke c. How burning their defire towards Chrift ! How upright and fteady their heavenly affections and converfation .' How cheerfully they offer up themfelves, living, reasonable, and fweet fmelling Sacrifices to God, as perfumed with all the fpices of our glorious Merchant ! And in what obfeure and uneafy condition are they oft, upon earth ! 129. Weak faints are likened to smoking flax d. How fmall degrees of heart-inflaming grace have they attained ! Or how fadly they lofe what they once had ! How fearfully they forfake God ; leave their firft love ; and poffefs fmall Spiritual warmth ! How, with their noifome and untender converfation, they become trouble- « Isa, viii, )8. b £ech, iii, 3, c Song iii. 6, d Isa. xlii< 3* Cf metaphors respecting- Saints, 185 fome and hurtful to thefe around! Lord Tefus, I am fuch 5 lay a live-coal from the altar, on my heart. 130. Weak faints are compared to bruised REids a. How weak, insufficient, and worthlefs in ihemfelves , in their own view ; or in the estimation of carnal men! How unfit to tower heavenward, or bear heavy burdens of work, or warfare ! How oft are their hearts broken and bruifed with conviction, with defertion, temptation, pre- valency of corruption, and outward trouble ! EletTed Je- fus, ihou wilt not break me 5 wilt not deltroy, but help, ft lengthen, and comfort me. When 1 breathe my native iiir, with pleafure, I my bruifes firig ! By death, I long to break, and burfi r and fee my God. 131. Saints are called vessels .bottles, tots, bowls, l>. By election they are chofe'n and appointed ; by juilin~ cation, regeneration, adoption* and fanclifitation^ they are fitted to receive and retain God's fulnefs, of Spirit, of grace, and glory, be flowed upon them. They are vefiels of mercy, formed and preferved by God's mere}-, to r>e for ever filled with mercy and kindneis. How oft like OLD sottles, unfie fo, new wine, for eminent ma-r« feltations cf God, or hard fefvice in his waj ! How zr-ft like battles in the fftieke, withered, rent, and n irrov* ^ by perplexing trouble and affliclrioti ! LorcU make me a bowl before the altar ; ever near to a crucified Jeius 2 d to God in 'him. If I am a diftrefied, a broken poc^isy rents caufe let my glory in. 132. They are compared to salt c\ Ictereftecl in the eyerlafling covenant of fait, they have the perpetual m- corruptible, and purifying wordand grace of God, i th it heart. They are a vexation and tirieafj burden to wick- ed men ; but an ufeful means to pcefe nations a ud chuK'hes, from univerfal corruption and ruin. 133. They are the stJBSTA'NpE of a hand d- They a- lone, are therein Valuable. Lhty are the ileful m*a'ns of averting wrathful judgments ; of procuring mercies of preventing and expelling iniquities; and of prompting the other inhabitants to their prpper duty. 134. They are like unto purple hairs oh the h clsa.xlii.3. : Rod ix. ?. > 5 rMatth, v. 13. d isa. vi. 13. e S< ;g iv, \ i and \a. 5. lS6 SACRED TROPOLOGY, Weak and infignifjcant in themfelves, ready to be tofTed to and fro ; but deep rooted in Jefus, the head of the church, they derive their fecurity and nourishment from him ; are carefully preferved by him ; and rendered an ornament to him, and to his body the church. Divine- ly are they warned in his purple blood ; royal is their new covenant dignity j and manifold their i'uffering for his fake. 1 35' They are like unto a seal on Chrift's heart and arm a. How conflantly loved, valued, prote died, and re- membered by him ! His eye, his care, is ever on them. How well grounded, and firm, their affurance of his af- fection I How near him they live ! fee hib face, and feel his love working en their heart! «* ©-~ CHAP. VII. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING WICKED MEN. i,"\7\ RICKED men are called devils ^ Fallen from * V their firft efrate, they are become falfe accufers of God and his people, malicious, conftant, and cruel ene- mies to them. How they delight to do evil ! to lie, mur- der, and to the ntmoft of their power, tempt others to fin. How foiiuken, and abhorred of God ! How fad ripening for everlafting punifhment ! How juflly, Lord, mzyft thou addrefs me ; Gei thee behind me, Satan, for thou favoured not the things that be of God ; but the things that be of men! 2. They are compared to a human body. Their head denotes their power and authority. Their lifting up their head, fignifies their proud exerting of their power c. Sinking t'ne head, imports deiifion and contempt d* A whore's fcrehecd, a brow of brafs, denotes fhamelefs boldncfs in finning*. Their having ears thut hear not, and e) cl ;1 at fee not, imports their not knowing, belie- ving, and receiving with their heart, what they out- a Srr.g vni. 6. d Jobxvi, 4. b John vi. 70. c Pi al. lxxyjii, 2, c Jer. Hi, 3. Isa. xlviii, 4, Of metaphors respecting wicked men. 187 wardly hear and fee a. An evil eye, is one employed in efpying occaiions of wickednefs, and tempting others to it; particularly one employed by a churlifti, covetous, and malicious heart 3. Eyes full of adultery, are thefe exceedingly given to wanton and lafcivibus looks c. En- fnaring eyes or eye-lids, are fuch as harlots employed in amorous glances to entice men to lull after them d Lofty eyes, and eye r lids, or high looks, import pride, and contempt of others e» Winking with the eye, im- ports derihon of others, or fecret enticing them to fih ; which bringeth forrow to the injured ; and wrath to the injurer/*. Their teeth being fpears, and arrows, knives, fwords, imports their malicious uiingof their power, and language, to pain and hurt others £. Their being fm it- ten on ,the cheek-bone, and having their teeth broken, imports their feeling fome fearful judgment, whereby their power to hurt others is taken away h. Their tongue being a firs, a fharp fword, and their having a fword in their mouth or lips, imports the mifchievoiii and murderous tendency of their unchafte, profane, paf- fioaate, reviling, and fraudulent fpeech i. Their rol- ling fin as a fweet morfel under their tongue ; having mifchief and vanitv, or the poifon of afps under their tongue, imports their delight in wickednefs; their readi- nefs, on every occafion, to utter mifchievous and vaia language ; which however pleafant for a time, {lowly imperceptibly, and infallibly tend, to the ruin of every one infected by it i. To fmite with the tongue, is to reproach and revile ; to backbite with the tongue, is to fpeak to our neighbour's prejudice in his abfence IA A tongue walking through the earth, implies impudent boldnefs, in every where blafpheming God, ridiculina- and reproaching our neighbour m. Sharpening of the tongue like a ferpent, implies activity and contrivance in belching forth the mod deftru&ive and poifoaous dif- courfe ;/. The words of the wicked are fliarp arrows are to lie in wait for blood, are the piercings of a fword; a Isa. vi. 10. b Mark vii.22. Prov. xxiii.6. c 2 Pet ii 14 t Prov xxx. 13 /Prov, X 10. g Prov. xxx! .4! 6Psal.ni. 7. i Psal. Ivii. 4. Prov. xxv m d Prov. vi. 25. Psal.lv ii. 4. i Job xx. u. Psal.x. 7. / Jer. xviii. 18. m Poal. Ixxiii. 0. n Psal. cxI. 3. Q> I S3 SACRED TROPOLOGY. and t'lefe of tale-bearers deep wounds ; as they tend to murder mens r - u . , bocjits, and characters a i tie per- verfenefs of their tongue is a breach in the fpirit; mews a di ["ordered fpirit in them; and tends to vex and di- iiurb the fpirit of others b. A. lying tongue is but for a moment; truth will quickly discover herfc-lf, and put fallehood to fiiame c. A flattering tongue or fpeech,re- i; ..bleb frnooth butter, oil, honey, dropping frcm the comb, for its apparent kindnefs innocency, and love d. The mouth of a harlot or ftrange woman, is a ceep pit ; her- lafcivious and enticing ivorcs, enfnare men into eno- lefs, and unfathomable rnifery e. Burning fire in one's lips, denotes malicious, paiiionats, provoking, and lull-in- Haming fpeeches/. Baminglips like a ponherd. covered over with lilver di"ofs,iignify wicked diteourfe embellifh- ed with elegr-r.t language and fine elocution g. The wick- eds mouth b. ing fall of cuifing and bitternefs; of fraud and deceit ; and their throat being an open fepulchre^ imports their con ft ant readinefs to pour forih abundance of angry, reproachful, blafphemous, noifome, infectious, faife, and ruinous language h. Their mouth being near deftru.&ioa ; being filled with gravel ; covered with vio- lence; and their foul eating violence, imports, that for their, hatred, op preffion, malicious, and blafphemous lan- guage, God mall quickly punifhtheoi with ruin; eppref- fion ; flaame ; vexation ; and torment z. Their feeling no quietnefs in their beily, and vomiting what they had iwailowedup, imports their inward angnilh of mind; their having nofolid pltafure in, and being quickly deprived of what they had fraudulently obtained k. Fatnefs and hardnefs of heart, imply their fluidity and obitinacy /. Their hands being full of bribes or blood, imports their being much given to bribery and murder //;. Their feet fwift to Hied blood, imports their inclination to,and acti- vity in hurting and ruining ethers n. Their fpetking with their feet, and teaching with their lingers, imports iheir awful and undifcernabie methods of exciting ocheri a Psal Ixiv. 3. Prov.xii. 6. and x\vt. 22. h lVov.xv.4. c Prov. xii. 19. rfPsal. Ivi if. Pro v. v. 3, rProv xxii. 14, /Prov. 16.27 g Prov. xxvi. 23. b Ko»i. ,14. r Prov. xx. 17, and x. 11. /t Jr. b xx. 15, zc . Ufa. vj. 10. m Ua. xxxiii. 15. Eaek, xxiii. 4S- « Row. in, Of metaphors respecting wicked men, 189 to fintf. Thorns and fnares, z. 1.. manifold troubles and temptations, are in their way awaiting and attending them: deftru&ion and mifery r done by, or awaiting them* ape in all their paths of life and conduct; and the way of peace, Ghrl/i and his commandments, and a pacific con- duct towards others, they have not known Curfing is their garment/'that cleaves clofe to them on every fide ; and enters into their bowels like water, deluging their foul with divine wrath b. Pride and wickednefs, like a chain or ornament, compaffeth them about; as they boaii and glory of it c. Their crafty enticements to fin, where- by they catch others, and the fnares they lay to ruin o- thers, are their net d Their table, the gofpel-or- dinances, and their outward enjoyments become a fnare and trap to them; are occafions of their Hum- bling into deeper rain, and being hardened in their wickednefs?. Am not I filled with all unrighteoufnefs, pride, debate, deceit, malignity, hatred of God ? And yet did the Son of God love HE, and give himfelf foe ME ? O how his love occafionaliy enhances my guilt \ And yet my guilt gives place to the exceeding greatnefs of his love . r 3. Wicked men are called children of the devil, of difobedience, of wrath f. By Satan's agency, they became linners, and daily was more and more finful. In the wick- ednefs of txheir heart and practice, they bear his exprefs image: cheerfully they obey his will : readily they imi- tate his example: greatly they delight to enjoy feliowfhip with him, in his temptations. Ah ! how they are fil- led with, and given to difobedience, to wrath and enmi- ty againit God ! And how condemned to, and infeotied heirs of everlafting punifiiment ! Was 1 fuch ! and has grace made me a child, an heir of God, and -'otnt-heir with Chrift I 4. They are reprefented as the soldiers and angels of Satan g, Enlifted under his banner, by voluntary con- fent to his fervice;. wearing his livery of finful practi- ces ; equipt with his armour of ignorance, enmity, ani manifold lulls j they, at his direction, to the everlafting a Prow vi. 13, b Psal. cix. 18. c Psal. Jxxiii. 6, d Psal; x. 9 PsaUxix. 22, J John v iii. 44. £;:h. ii. 2, 3. £ Her, xiu%. Q~3 I9'3 ' SACf!«D "TROPOLOGY. hazard of their foal, fight againft the drivings of God's Spirit in their conscience ; and with deceit and violence eppoie, persecute, and leek to ruin his caofe and intereft in the earth; and have for their prefect wages, the pro- fits and pleafnre% of fin, which are but for afeafon : and hereafter everlafting puniihment, with the devil and his angels. BleiTed Jefus, at what cxpence of love, of blood, of life, hall thou bought me off from this fervice! 5. They are reprefented as hunters and Fowlers a. With the utmoit vanity, craft, and cruelty, they tempt and force one another, intofinful, into foul-ruining cours- es. How oft they wickedly undermine their neighbour's character, property, ftation or life ! How they hunt and perfecute the people of God ! 6. They are reprefented as murderers b. By fin they deftroy themfelves : they ruin their friends and neighbours: they attempt to alTafiinate their Maker;, many of them crucify the Son of Godafrefh : nor, with- out fhedding of his blood for, and application of it to them, can their fin be forgiven. How, Lord, haft thou appre- hended me, thy betrayer and murderer, and wafhed me from my fins in thy blood ! How kind my remiffion ! Grace, grace, unto it ? 7. They are reprefented as liars and deceivers r. Howdeceitful above all things, is their heart ! How early they go aitray fpeaking lies ! How they delight in, and promote falfe temptations, and errors ; fporting them- felves with their own deceivings ! With what vain hopes, and empty fhadows of virtue, they beguile themfelves and others ! In their religious profeiiion, purpofes, and acts, what do they, but compafs God about with lies : the temper and bent of their heart, being the very re- verfe ot their profefiion and pretences ! Lord, remove far from me, the way of lying. 8. They are compared lo drunkards d. With what care, defire, delight, they feek after the pleafures of fin; embrace every opportunity to obtain them ; and count nothing, no not the ralvatton of their foul, too dear a price, to purchafe them ! How oft, after fenfibly hurt thereb, or pained with inward terror and conviclicn on a Prov. i. io r --j6. b Ilosca xiii. 9. r Pial. Iviii. 3. d Job xv. it. Of metaphors respecting wicked men. 191- their account, do they, as greedily as ever, return to their finful courie ! How vainly merry ! How ftupid, outrageous, and carelefs, about their great bufmefs, they are thereby rendered ! 9. They are compared to sodomites, and like unclean perfons a. Contrary to the decency of things, contrary to the natural dictates of confcience, they burn in the lufts of the ftelh, and of the mind ; abufe tbemfelves with the vilell whoredom and departure from G-od ; and draw on themfelves his tremendous and fiery vengeance. Ah ! how long, has my life been among the UNCLEAN ! 10. They are compared to thieves and robbers b. How craftily, cruelly, and ftiamelefsly, though often fe- cretly. they waile their time and ftrength ; and rifk their eternal (alvation, in robbing God of his due honour, love, eileem, worlhip, reverence, and time; in depriving their neighbours of their due regard and property ; and them- felves of their foiid happinefs and comfort! And how dreadfully taken at laft, arraigned, condemned, impriXon- ed, and tormented in hell ! 11. They, chiefly hypocrites, are called BASTARDS and mothers children c. Though they are the child- ren of God by creation and common providence ; or by outward profeffion ; they are not born from above. They have no principle of love to God ; nothing of his moral image in them. Only, from a principle of fhviih fear or legal hope, doth their appearas^fcor obedience proceed* They hate the true children of IWd, and are without all title to the promifed inheritance of everlafting felicit}-* Hypocrites are children of the church, but not of Chriil the hufband thereof. 12. They are represented as prodigals d. How quickly; how (infully ; how unreafonably, they waile their time, their talents and opportunities, to the abomi- nable purpofes of dilhonouring God, of defiling their neighbour, and of ruining their foul ! And fo at, or be- fore death, reduce themfelves to terrible ftraits and in- ward torments ; and not feidorn to outward mifery and want ! Ah, amid thefe pinches, to what flavifh fervice a Job, xxxvi 14, b Mai. iii, 8, 9, c j-Jeb, x j t gongi, 6, d Luke xv. 10,.— 16, I.92 SACRED TROPOLOGY, of Satan, to feed his fwinifh lufts, have I hired myfelf * But bleiled be the Lord, who made me outrun my fer- vice j and fly to his offended, but gracious felf, as my iole relief. 13. They are repTefented as fools and simple a, They haxe no true knowledge to direct their courfe ; they hate it, anddefpiiethe means of it : they prefer the huiks, the dung, the duff, the fpiders web, the wind of felf- righteaufnefs, of finful pleafa're and worldly enjoyments, to God, to Cbrift, to his nghteoufnefs, grace, and glory. Heartily they mock at fin ; at every thing of eternal mo- ment ; and ridicule what they know nor. Readily they fret at every thing like to be truly ufeful to them : thoughtlefsly they goon in their courfe; they prefer their body to their foul, time to eternity ; and chufe to provokeand difhonour God rather than man : headlefsly they enfnare themfelves in Satan's temptations ; and, to avoid momentary fancied evils, rum into infinite wo. 14. They are repvcfented as mad, and possessed of the devil b. In their heart, Satan and his angels refide, and render them deaf, incapable to hear God's voice in his word and providence ; dumb, unfit to pray to, and praife God ; outrageous fccffers and defpifers of divine things ; rebels againft God, their beft friend ; rejecters of his righteoufnefs and falvation ; furious haters of fuch as woula initruc"t, and admonifh them ; employed, in Wounding and murde ring their own fouls, and thefe of others ; and in improvS^ Chrifl and the gofpel, as oc- cafions of their deeper damnation. Lord, my name is legion ; but with authority command the unclean fpirits to come out. 15. They are reprefented as poor and wretched r- By fin they have loft every thing good : no fpiritual provifion have they of their own, to live upon : no money of good qualities or works, to procure any : no robe of righteoufnefs to cover them : no habitation to yield them a refidence or fhelter from the ftormof God's wrath: no true friend in the creation, to allifl or com- fort them ; they owe infinite debt, and have nothing t pay it: they are polluted and mifchievotis : cannot ceaf "« Prov» i. 22. 4 Luke XV, J?» JNIaith. ::ii 43,. t Rev. iiL »7 Of metaphors respect' rig wicked men. 19* from fin : nor are they one moment" unexpofed to inex- preilibie and endlefs wo. Aitonifhiag grace of our Lord Jefus, that tho' he was rich, yet, for our fakes, he beams poof; that we through his poverty might be- come rich ! 1 6. They are reprefented ~s dee tors a Never do, nor can they, in the lead degree, render unto God. the debt, of perfect obedience they owe to his law; nor even the debt of gratitude they owe, for his mercies : hereby they fall under a debt of infinite fatisfaction to his of- fended jaftice. An ! how they deny, excufe, or exte- nuate, their debt ! How they hate their all-glorious Creditor ! How they abhor ; how they ftudy to fhi-ft, and forget, their account ; and the future, the folemn, feafons of reckoning ; their death ; their eternal judge- ment ! How ready every moment to be clapt up in the prifon of hell! And yet ah ! how merciiefs to thefe who injure them ! Lord, haft thou forgiven me ten thou- fand talents! mall not I love thee much ! 17. They are reprefented as WEAK and without strength b* They cannot think a good thought ; can- not fpeak a gracious word ; nor perform an acceptable deed : they cannot work out their ownjiappinefs : they cannot cry, nor breathe, nor look to Jefus, for his pur- chafed falvation : they cannot take hold of his ilrength, and make peace with him : they cannot receive it, when offered, nor even ceafe from rejecting it .* in fine, they cannot ceafe to do evil, or learn to do well. Lord, without thee, I can do nothing; let my fufiiciency be of God. 18. They are reprefented as blind c. They fee not the light of life; diicern not the bun of righteoumefs; have no true knowledge of fpiritual objects : nothing is nearer them than God and his unfpeakable gift, and their own heart; yet nothing is Jefs known. Ah, how fc oft they Humble and fall into (in, without any proper caufei How conftantly they wander out of their proper courfe, and midead thefe who follow theai ! How ufelefs is the cleareft difpenfation of the gofpel to them ! How utter- ly deftitute are they of all true comfort ! How oft given & Matth. xyiil. 24. b Rom. v. 6. c Rev-iii. 17. 194 SACRED TROPOLOGY. up to judicial and eternal darknefs ! Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may fee wondrous things out of thy law. 19. They are reprefented as naked a. They have no law- fulfilling righteoufnefs, to cover them before God ; no inward grace ; no holy conversation to adorn them ; no fpiritual armour to defend themfelves from their foes. Hence, how perpetually expofed to the cold, the tempeft, the flroke of divine wrath ! to the flings of their own confcience ! to the injuries of fin, of finners, of devils, and death ! How fhumefully the fil- thinefs of their heart daily difcovers itfelf in their prac- tice ! How unfit for every holy duty ; for every ho- nourable company ! When I was thus naked, how, Lord, didft thou array me in fine linen, clean, and white, which is the righteoufnefs of the faints ! 20. They are reprefented as slothful sluggards b. How averfe to their proper work ! How prone to delay it, and excufe themfelves from it, with very trifles ! How averfe to have their confcience awakened and ex- cited by the word, the Spirit, or the providence of God .' How they walle precious time, in doing nothing, or worfe ! Wife indeed, they are in their own conceit, and faintly defirous of happinefs, as they fancy it ; but their languid attempts never ifiue in the change of their na- ture and flate : their hearts they neither keep nor cul- tivate : their talents and opportunities they never im- prove for the glory of God, or their own real good : and how oft by mere fhadows and fancies of difficulty; are they difcou raged, from following out the appearance of any thing fubflantial ! Lord, how oft have I, while flarving, hici my hand in my bofom; and would not brin?r it to my mouth, with the offered fuLnefs of thy Son'! 21. They are reprefented as carnal and FLESHLY c. Ah, how they prefer the momentary concerns of their body, to the eternal of their foul ! Mow they attempt to nourifh and farisfy their foul, on outward enjoyments ! How fixed under the reigning power of indwelling fin ; and given to makeprovifion for the flefh, to fulfil the lulls a Rev. Hi. 17, it. i Prov. vi. 6. c i Cor. ii. J4. Of metaphors refpe&ing wicked men, 195 thereof! How given to flefhly lufts, that they know nothing, enjoy nothing, love nothing, feek nothing, but the things of the nefh ! They are in the flefh, fixed in their corruption, as ft (late, and priion. They walk after the fkfh ; a£t from carnal, corrupt principles, motives, and ends ; and in a carnal and corrupt manner; taking delight in wickednefs, and proceeding from evil to worfe. They war after the flefh ; by carnal in- clinations is their zeal, theirr contention, influenced and directed ; and by carnal methods they profecute their purpofe. No wonder, they that are in the ftefh cannot pleale God. 22. They are called Strangers a. They are Gran- gers to God; to the true knowledge of him in Chrift ; to the fear and love of him; to his converting grace, and faving fellowship. Strangers to Chrift, in his perfon, na- tures, offices, righteoufnefs, and work : flrangers to the way of peace, life, and falvation, through him; to faith in, love to, and fellowfhip with him : Grangers to the Holy Ghofl in his perfon ; in hi? work of regeneration, fanciification, and comfort ; in his graces of hope, humi- lity, repentance, refignation, zeal, felt-denial : ltrangers to themfelves, to their^own hearts, and the finful plagues thereof; to their own lives, and the defects and abo- minations thereof: ltrangers to the nature, the ex- ceeding finfulnefs, the deceitfulnefs, and ruinous confe- quences of fin ; and to the only method of atonement and purification from it: and, in fine, ltrangers to the gofpel, the truths, the ways, and people of God. Let me blefs the Lord, who took the flranger in, and ac- quaint myfelfnow with him, that thereby good may come unto my foul. 23. They are reprefented as tjncircumcised in heart, in flefh, and ears b. Never were they pricked to the heart for fin; never was its filthinefs difcovered, or hard nefs removed ! never were they filled with fhame and felf-lothing on account of it; never did they renounce their own righteoufnefs, or put off the body of -fin ; ne- ver were they taught by the grace of God to deny un- godlinefs and worldly lulls ; to abftain from flelhly lulls, a Ezek. xliv. 9, b Ezek. xliv. 9. Acts nu 5*. 196 SACRED TROPOLOGY. that war againft the foul ; but continue carnal, fa- vouring and minding the things of the flefh, walking and warring after it; tnifting in carnal and outward pri- vileges ; never were their ears fpiritually opened to hearken and he?.r, that their foul might live. Circum- cife my heart, O Jefus, to love thee : to hate thee is my faddfft hell. 24. They are reprefented as otjtgasts and far orr from God a. Naturally they are rejected, by him; driven from his intimacy, favour, and protection. They are fufiainedas abominable; expofed to all evil and danger, no man cares for their foul. The multitude of their finful inclinations and ads, do more and more feparate them from communion with, and conformity to God. Let the Lord that gathereth the outcafts of lirael, gather me to himfelf. 25. They are compared to new-born infants, caft out, and lying in their blood b. In their earlieft moments, they are rejected of God, as altogether guilty and loath- fome in his fight. How univerfally untitled ; unhelped ! How unable to help themftlves, or to afk for relief! How covered with the guilt-! how (rained with the filth of fin How they wallow in their own blood, in the mire of filthy lufts! their heart, their mind, their conference, their whole ccurfe, being defiled. How devoid of tiie f of grace ! What ilrangers to the purifying influence of Jefus' blood and Spirit .' How oellitute of the warm- ing, the adorning, the itrengthening, the protecting robts of his nghteoufnefs ! Thrice flupendous time of love, when he round me lying in my blood, quickened me by his Spirit, decked mt with his garments of falvatiOB, and efpoufed me to himfelf! 26 The y are reprefented as lost and ready toperifhe. How deftitute oi every agretable privilege ! of every ufek 1 qualification, which can tend to the glory of God, or ti: i» own felicity! how incapable of everj £,ood ana ufeful work I How they wander in the wildernefs of \ inity ! of d'ai gei an wo ! Ah ! how th*y drown in the hone's of th« divine curfe) in the pit of corruption! ana zn . tit vei point < - . m to eternal fire ! a Isa. ]vi, 8. b Leek, Kvi, 4, 5. c Lulx six. io. Isa, xxvij. 13, Of metaphors respecting wicked men. 197 On thy head, O Jefus, for ever come the blefling of one ready to perifh ; for I obtained mercy. 27. They are reprefented as servants of fin a. For the wretched hire of carnal honour, favour pleafure^ or gain, how willingly they fell themfelves to commit w'ickednefs ! How they chafe; they delight in it! and make it their daily trade, and darling employ ! How conflantly under the reigning, the enflaving power of it ! With what unwearied vigour and care, they daily promote the lufis of it ! How they entangle their feed, and debafe themfelves to fulfil the lulls of it ! And in the end receive death and damnation, as their wa- ges. O Son of God, make me free ; and I fhall be free indeed. 28. They are reprefented as rebels b. Contrary to their duty, to their folemn engagements, they rife up againft God; at their own inexpreffible hazard oppofe his interefts, attempt to undo his glory and au- thority, and to opprefs and ruin fuch as are faithful to him. Ah ; how many of them rebel againft the light, fight againft their own confcience, defpife his pardon, and crucify his Son. Did he nevertheless re- ceive gifts from men ! yea for the rebellious! Is the gift of God to rebellious me, eternal life, through Jefus Chrifl my Lord ! 29. They are called captives and slaves c. How deftitute of all fpiritual liberty! How conquered and re«« duced to bondage, by fin, Satan, and the world ! How- fold into their hand, by their own inclinations, and by the awful juftice of God! How wrathfully ftript of every true privilege ! of all fpiritual armour! of every decent robe! How loaded with the yoke of a broken law! of opprefiivQ guilt! of tyrannizing corruption! and of wrathful af- flictions ! How conflantly employed in the vile drud- gery of fufilling abominable lulls ! Lord, may the prey be taken from- the mighty, and the lawful captive be delivered. 30. They are reprefented as prisoners d. Ah ! how ths offended jullice of God, the curfe of his broken law, a John viii. 34. b P^aJ. Ixviii. 18. s Isa, xlix, 24. d Zech. ix. 11, 12, R 13,8 SACBED TROPOLOGY. the ruinous power of fin and Satan, the.ckceiving influ- cnceof an evil world, fix them in their iiuful, their mifer- able efiate! Hew fhamefully th.-ir condition marks their infamous guilt! How bound with the cords cf iniquity ! deprived of the light, the warmth, of the Sun of righte- oufuefa! and of every true comfort ! How fhamefully lodged with malefaclois! with devils! with infamous men! How devoid of all true honour, reft, or freffe air of divine influence! How charged with guilt! Iniquities teflify a- gaitjft them, and procure their condemnation to hell. In what terrible torment, darknefs> and perplexity are they, if mercy prevent not, to. be for ever (hut up! Are their prefent enjoyments litre any more, but the accurfed bread of the condemned ? As for me, hath God, by the blood of the covenant, brought me out of the pit, where- in there is no water ! 31. They are rtprefented as sick and DISEASED a, , Under what mocking plagues of hardneis of heart; of ignorance, of unbelief, legality, pride ; of worldly mindednefs, coveteoufnefs, discontentment ; of envy, malice; of flupidity, vain conveifation, and wretched eflote ; they lie infennble of their maladies, and un- concerned about Chrift the phyfician of louls ! Let him who hath power over all plagues heal me ; for 1 am fore vexed. 32. They are reprefentfd as dead b. Bythc power of fin, how defiitute of fpiritnal life ! of all holy, ail u - ward warmth of divine love! How devoid of every hea- venly, every gracicus fenfation ! How incapable to fee the glory oi Chrill, hear his voice, handle his per (on, tafte his gooduefs, breathe in prayer, fpeak to his praife, or move in his way ! How ui, comedy, lothfome, ard unfavoury ! Mew fokmniy condemned to, and ripe for hell ! Ncr can any thing, O Jehovah, but thy almigh- ty power, recover and quicken them who are dean in Utfp'lLs and fins. Ah, hew my wandering, out of the way, has made me remain in the congregation of the dead ! ^7 t . They are coir pared to Ethiopians c. How fecrch- ed with the wrath of God! How altogether black, vile, • Isa, i. 3, — 6. *Eph. ii. 1. 1 Jer. Xiii. 2?. Of metaphors respecting wicked men, 199 and unfightly, before him! How deep ftained with fin ! How incapable to warn themfelves into parity! to change their nature ! How oft, by felf- righteous attempts, have I warned my felf into vilenefs \ O Jefus, wafh me in thy blood, and make me white as fnow. 34. They are compared to Canaanites.'?. For the fin of their progenitor, they lie under a grievous curfe. For their wickednefs againfl God, they are devoted to rain, for carnal gain, how difpofed to deceive others, my, to put on an appearance of piety ! Ah ! how they fedtice, hate, and harrafs the people of God, and fsek t> extirpate them from the world! 35. They are compared to pregnant women b. Ah, how they conceive, carry about, nonrifh, and with inex- preflible.l-ibonr and hazard, bring forth fia, that child of the devil ! How wretchedly they conceive chaff, and bring forth ftubble, what is altogether unfubltarv'nal, and may conduce to their eternal torment! Conceive vanity and raifchief, and bring forth falfehood ! Conceive re- bellion againfl God, and bring forth to themfelves end- lefs deftruclion ! Ah, ah, how laboured is their s?~y to ruin! How their curfed offspring are for ever like to wafte and torment the mother that brought them forth ! 36. They are compared to beasts ensnared in a pit or net c* How oft are they caught by the net of temp- tation, that they cannot recover themfelves ! How oft enfnared and ruined by the projefts they contrived, and execute to undo others ! How oft caught by Gcd in the net of afHiftion, where, though they roar and rage, they do but the more entangle themfelves ! 37. They are compare l to ravenous beasts >l. The wildernefs of a natural flate is their nfidence. The wil- dernefs of this world is their beloved country. How un- tamed by Jefus' love ! How delighted ! how employed iu hurting and deflroying one another, but c'~;Lrly the peo- ple of God ! Their horns, their teeth, their paws, and mouth, fignify their power, and the inftruments of their noil chief. 38. They are compared to EAGLES*?. How high- « Zech.xiv.2r. b Psal. vii. 14. <• Psal. vii. 15. Isa. viii 15. d Isa. xxxv, 8. e Lam. iv. 19. Micaii, i. 16. K 1 2C0 SACRED TROPOLOGY. minded! How ambitious ; finny ; fubtile ! How cruel ; contentious ; uncomely ! How unacceptable the voice of their prayer, their praife ! their vain and wicked con- verfe ! How terrible their abufe cf their power! How great their halte tc Tried blood ! to feed on their neigh- bours torn character and property ! and to do mifchief I But though they exalt themfelves as eagles, God (hall bring them down; and by dripping them of what they have, (hall enlarge their baldncfs as the moulted eagle. 39. They are compared to owls, and other hateful birds «. Ah! hew the darknefs of ignorance, the night of their natural itare, is the delight of their foul ! How abominable to God are their perfon, appearance, and fpeech! Flowdetelied of holy angels and men! 40. They refemble silly doves withouc heart 3. Under trouble and conviction the 7 have no folid hope of deliverance. They cannet ferioufly think of, or care for their true interefi. How oft they build their neft, their hope, where difappointment formerly deprived them of their fruit! How eaiily decoyed into finful fnares ! By Tomking tsoa their proper reiidcnce, liovv they cXpofe themfelves to danger ! And how mall they mourn fore like doves a mid ft endiels wo: 41. They are compared to patridges, that hatch not their eggs c. What unfubftantial imaginations, that ne- ver fucceed, they devife ! What hopes of hsppinefs ne- ver enjoyed, they conceive ! What hard gained poflcT- fions, profit them nothing, in the day of trouble and death! How hunted by the vengeance of God, and taken in an evil net ! Ah, what bubbles of felicity has my fan- cy formed, which perifhed with the touch! Sure an im- mortal fpirit was never made for work like this. 42. They, chiefly tyrants, are compared to lions d. How potent! proud ! crafty! cruel! How fierce and in- fatiable in oppoling the intereit, and harrafling and de- ftroying the people of Chriit ! How they affeel their earthly, their fiuful dens ! How outragioufly they roar in proud boafting ! in murmuring againft God and in reproaching and threatening his people ! Lord, tame me, a IsatXliii. 20. * FIoscji vii. 11, aivl xi. n. H Jcr. K'.ii. «C>Ol)glV. %. Of metaphors respecting wicked men. 20 1 atnd make me lie down with thy lambs, and eat ftraw, feed on thy word, as thy ex-like, patient, and laborious faints. 43. They are likened to leopards a. How fpotted with various corruptions, is their heart and life i How fubtile, pitylefs, and expeditious, in doing mifchief ! efpecially in perfecuting and ruining the innocent faints! How they wait for them ! fwallow them up ' chop their bones in pieces, and tear oft their nefli ! Break, thou their teeth, their means of injury, O God, 44. They are likened to reems, which our vcriion renders unicorns h. How great their pow T er, courage^ craft, and activity in deftroying others ! O Jefus, did fuch furround,pufh, and devour thee, that my foul might be for ever refcued ! that in every pinching 11 rait, God might hear me ! 45. They are called bears ; boar? ; and wild beads c. How unfightly is their appearance before God ! What a terror to good men! How ileepy and flothful; but hard to be tamed ! How they delight in the cold defert of diftance from God and his people ! Whatever feeming regard, they fometimes have for one another ; how out- ragioufly they hate God, maliciouQy tear his name, his ordinances, and people, and wafte the vineyard of his church ! How enraged, when bereaved of their darling enjoyments ; or defeated in their beloved projects ! Bet- ter meet a bear bereaved of her whelps, which can only tear the body, than meet a fool in his folly. 46. They are compared to dragons d. How they fnufF up the wind -of vain imaginations | How they love the wildernefs of an evil world, and unregenerate flate! How cruelly they hate, bite, and devour the people of God! How malicioufly, chiefly in the night of riefertion, affliction, perfecution. apoftacy, they by their breath of falfe doctrine, fling of poifonous example, ruin and de- ftroy the fouls of men ! A.nd how terrible ihall be their wailing in hell ! 47. They are compared to horses and TED horses e. How great their pride and vanity ! With whatoutragi- b Psal. xxih 22. c Prov. xvii. 12. Psal. lxxx. 14* d Isa. xliii. 20. «Jer. v. 8. 3C2 SACRED TROPOLOGY. ous boldnefs, and unconcern, they haftily rufli upon in- finite danger !"How governed ; how enraged by their va- rious and openfiefhly luffs ! In profperity, how wanton- ly they kick at, and rebel againft God ! How fhamelefs- ly they neigh, and invite others to abomination ! 48. They are compared to wild ASSES and dromeda- ries a. How pleafed with the mountains o v f vanity, the deferts of alienation from God! How given to fnufFup, and delight in vain fancies, unfubflantial felf-righteouf- nefs, and airy delufion ! How hard to be tamed in fpirit! How fwift ! how crooked and unfearchable their mo- tions ! But, Lord, in thy feafon, thou canft find us ; till which, miniiters and parents do but weary themfelves, in queft of our foul, 49. They are compared to bulls; fat bullocks; "Wild bulls ; bulls or KINE of Bafhan b. How oft they enjoy great power and profperity, which they a- bufe to render themfelves proud, ftupid, wanton ! How eft they drive to be ringleaders in fin ! Governed by furious lulls, how they pum with tongue and hand, with fide and fhoulder, with all means in their power, at thefe around ; chiefly the faints and poor, that they may harrafs and deftroy them! How unaccuftomed to fubmit to, and walk under the yoke of God's law! How fear- lefs in doing evil ! How necelTarily, but unwillingly re- trained by his providence ! How they rage or remain unconcerned, when he fmites them ! How hard to be tamed by conviction or diflrefs ! And how ready and fit for the slaughter of his wrath ! Ye wicked, lift not your horn of power and authority on high : God is judge, he pulls down one, and fets another up. 50. They are compared to sheep c. How ftupid I how thoughtlefs! how improvident! howexpofed to dan- ger ! how deitined for the {laughter of divine wrath ! They are loft fheep, which having wandered from God, cannot return to him; and for whofc foul no man cares; ready to be torn to pieces, to be overwhelmed with the h ul-ftorm of God's wrath. They are like EURIED SHEEP^ in multitudes, without anfwering the end of their ra- < J. r. ii. 33, 24. b Psa! xxii. 1 2. Ezefc. xxxiv, io t —^l* Ainos iv. I, — 3- c fsal. xlix. 14, Of metaphors respecting wicked men. . 203 tional nature, they die amid hopelelTaefs and carnal un- concern, that death and damnation may devour and feed upon therm Nor does their unhappy exit more awaken, or imprefs their hardened relations, and neighbours, than that of fli^ep. 51. They are calied goats a. How unclean, naufe- ous, and abominable ! How covetous, mifenievous, and infatiable ! Upon what poifonous luits and pleafure, they feed! Ah, how they injure Chri-ft's hheep, and fpoil the paftnres of his ordinances ! Now, indeed, they herd with the faints ; but quickly fhall they be fepajate, arid doom- ed to eternal fire. 52. They are compared to SWINE b. How unclean their nature and practice ! How dull, (lupid, and infati- able ! How incapable of chewing their cud; of fpiritual meditation on divine things ! How milchievous to the garden and church of God, and to his plants and chil- dren therein ! How averfe to be ftirred up from their fpiritual deep and (loth ! How powerfully inclined to wallow in linful practices and carnal pleafures ! and to return to them after they have been convinced of, and purpofed to leave them ! How conftantly they look to, and feek after earthly things ! How wickedly they trample on Jefus, and his precious bleffiags ! How hideouily they murmur, and fometimes roar, when God amicus them ! $3. They are compared to dogs c. How bafe ; filthy; fooliih ! How idle ; unruly fierce ! How cruel ; greedy ; gluttonous, of linful and carnal pleafure ! How oft they bark out angry words and reproachful language ! How unfeafonably they bite and injure their neighbours foul, their bod)*" and intereil ! How they deceive them by fawning flattery ! How flavifhly they trudge in attend- ance on Satan their mafter! How oft they return to thefe very abominations, which, with icmorfe, they once vomit up \ How oft God reftrains them from their in- clined mifchief! How wifely he employs them to correct awaken, and gather his people to himfelf ! How wish- fully he excludes them from his chambers of fpuituai fellowship ; and at lad from bis heavenly maolions of * Matth. xxv, 32. b 2 Pet, ii, 22. c Rev. xxii. 15- 2©4 SACRED TROPOLOGY. bill's f In what riches of grace haft thou, Lord, looked upon fach a vile, a dead dog, as I am ! 54. They are compared to foxes a. How cruel, craf- ty, and bold in tranfjreflion ! How proud, ftupid, an<$ hardened under afn ction ! They cry not, when he pierceth and bindeth them. How they truft, delight, and repofe ia earthly things ! How unfavoury, and un- acceptable, their perfon and work ! How crooked and irregular their paths ! How wickedly they hate, and feek to devour, the fheep of Jefus' piflure ! How fadly they fpoil the vineyard of his church, by diverting and flopping the fap of goipel-truth, by digging up the roots of infpired dcclrines, and otherwife injuring his tender faints ! 55. They are compared to vipers ; asps; scorpions ; serpents ; and what our verfion renders cockatrices b. Of Satan the old ferpent they are the genuine feed ; they rJelight in, and are filled with the poifon of fin under- neath their tongue is mifchief and vanity. How they love, efteem, and cleave to earthly happinefs, as their portion their all ! However beautiful, fome of their outward appearance be ; how wicked and mifchievious are they within ! With what violence they bite and de- rour others ! Or with what flattery they fling and fe- duce them to their eternal ruin ! In trouble, chiefly in hell, how fhul their voice go forth as a ferpent in angry hiffing, and defperate wailing over their mifery. O may grace rectify my dreadful nature ! 36. They are compared to spiders c. How afpiring and ambitious ! How weak, and eafily crushed ! How full of envenomed corruption .' What crafty enfnarers of others to their ruin ! How unprofitably employed, to fpin out of their own bowels, their vain imaginations j their fclf-righteoufnefs ; or their unfolid, unblefled, earthly enjoyments ! What, Lord, am I, that with my hands of faith, I fhould take hold, and live in thy royal palaces ! 57 They are likened to bad fishes d. How nume- rous ! How ftupid ! ufelefs ! unfavoury ! How mif- a Luke xii. 32. b M:rtth. iii. 7. Psal. Iviii. 4 ha. xi, 8 c Isa. lix. s- i Maith, J.UU 47>— 49. Of metaphors respecting wicked men t 2o5 ehievous, and hurtful ! Even in outward life, how un- fightly fome of them ! How irregular their moral courfe! How anxious to bring up their feed like themfelves • Now, they range through the wide fea of this unfettled world ■ but quickly (hall they be drawn out by the net of God's wra'h, and call into endl?fs fire. 58. They are likened to trees, and trees OF THK Wood «. Whatever height of profeflion, power, or pros- perity, they attain to ; they ftill remain in the cold, the unculcivatc, barren foil of their unregenerate ftate. How much lefs cared for by God, than the faints ! What a fearful haunt of wild lulls, and mifchievous fiends ! How barren of good works ! Their deeds, how four, finful, unprofitable, and poifonous ! How ealily are they blown and toffed by temptation, delufion, perfecution ! Ah, twice dead ! Naturally dead in trefpafles and fins ; dead with habitual and prefumptious rebellion, and the hard- ening and condemning curfe annexed to it ! At laft with the axe of death, how wratbfully cut down, and call into hell fire ! 59. They are likened to green bay trees h. How mightily they flourifh and fpread their influence on earth! But, becaufe devoid of ufefui fruit, how quickly cut down by mortality, and call into the furnace of God's wrath! 60 . They are likened to barren fig trees c. How- ever extenfive their leaves of profeflion, their pretences to hoiinefs be where is their fruit of true piety ? What- ever pains and patience, God exercife towards them, they are but plagues to the earth, and cumberers of the church. Lord Jefus, how many years didit thou come feeking fruit on me, and find none ! Yet how ftill let me alone, and dig and dung about me ! 61 . They are compared to an oak, whofe leaf fadeth d. However tall, llrong; and deep rooted on earth, they may feem; however they attempt to monopolize the fap of the ground, thefmiles of providence, quickly mail their glory wither and fade ; quickly mail they periih and de- cay. Be thou, my foul, planted iri the Ghrift, in the courts o tfRev.vii. 3. Songii. 3. k I'sal. xxxvii, 35, *Luke xiii.6— 9. rflsa.MQ. 206 SACRED TROPOLOGY. of God ; fo in old age, -when others fade, malt thou flour- ifh; the flame (hall never kindle upon thee. 62. Tney are like unto wild olives a' Upon what curfsd root, and in what wild defertof diftance and alie- nation from God, they grow ! Amid their bloflbms of profperity, or profeflion of holinefs, where is their good fruit How long, ye Gentile nations, were you as a wild olive, amid (hews of morality and devotion, living in ignorance, fupervl ition, idolatary, profanenefs ; without true knowledge, revelation, righteoufnefsj without Chri it, without God, and without hope in the world ! 63. They are compared to empty and BARREN VINES b. Notwithfr^nding of innumerable mercies received, living deft'tute of any good fruit of grace, or work intended to the glory of God, they are altogether unprofitable ; fit only for everlalling fire. Ah ! what an empty vine am I, bringing forth fruit to myfelf ; feeking my own hon- our, eafe, wealth, or pleifure, in almoft all I do ! After all the pains God has been at with me, in foftening my ftony heart, in hedging me about, with his law, pro- vidence, and love , in building a wine-prefs of a graci- ous nature in me ! and in watering me with the dew of heaven ; ftill, what four grapes of abomination I yield. 64 They are likened to bkamblks; Brie.hSj and thorns c. The barren foil of tiiia world, and of an un- converted Mate, is their beloved refidence. How naugh- ty ! how cur fed of God, are they, and their work ! How they fpoil, corrupt, and trouble the world \ How low and grovelling their difpofition ! However God, for a while, make hedges of them to his church, yet in the end he will caft them into the tremendous fire of his wrath. 65. They are repreftnted as TARES d. Sown by Sa- tan, in the night of time, chiefly of carnal l'ecui ity, a- mong the people of God, in the field of his church, and world, how oft fomewhat like them ! How ladly the mixture of hypocrites mar the growth ot the faints ! How impofli_>ir, now, to fep-crate them exc&ly ; but at tiie end it lh ill be done, and the tares cait, by multi- tudes, into eternal wo. a R^ti. xi. 17. b Hosea x. i. Ezok. xv. $ Isa. Iv 13. Sod^ ii. 1. <*Matth, xui. .15. • Cf metaphors respecting wicked men, 207 66. They are compared to FLOURISHING grass, or grass on houfe-tops a. How quickly they grow up! How oft they flaurim in prosperity ! in luce is in fin ! nay, fometimes in religious proftfrtori ! But how quickly- cut down and ruined ! Atnidft their lofty and fair pre- tences, how unfubftantial ! How infignificant in the hand of the all-cutting; mower, death! How quickly the blad- ing wind of nffliclion, or the flames of Tophet, fhall wi- ther and confume them ! Planted ia|Chrift, rooted and grounded in him, grow, my foul, as grafs by the water- courfes. So (hall I never fade ; death mall fill his hand with me; they that go bj, fhall blefs me. 67. They are compared to a root of bitterness b. How firmly j how fecretly fixed in their fin ml ftate I What bitter foil of a broken covenant, an eftate of fin and wrath, they ftand in ! What bitter juice of corrup- tion is within them ! How difagreeable their qualities and difpofitions ! What bitter; what gal i and worm- wooJ-iike fruit ! What deftru&ive and damning works ate produced by them ! How many are poifoned, vexed, or tormented, by their means ! O Ghrift, with what furpaffing fweetnefs,haft thou fvveetened me, the bitterelt of my race ! 68 They refemble bad FIGS f. Flow corrupt : difa- greeable; ufelefs ! Yielding neither pleafure nor honour to God ; nor profit to men ! 69. They are compared to a sweeping rain d» What a plague to the world ! How they difturb the in- habitants, and deftroy the mercies thereof ! How fud- denly fhall themfelves be buried, and hifrrry one another into the ocean of infinite wrath ! 7c They are compared to waters; floods; a fountain ; .he sea ; the troubled sea e. How great their multitude! their power! their diforder! their pride and arrogsney ! their reftlefs difquiet ! their noily rage and threatening to devour others ! their perpetual caiVmg forth abominable practices, monftrous opinions, unnallowed focieties. and horrid forms of government ! a Psal. xci ; . 7, and exxix. 6. b Heb. xii. 15. c Jer. xxiv. 2. d Piov. xxvjii. 3, r Psal. xviii, 4. , Iiev. vii. 3. lsa, Ivii. iU 2o8 SACRED TROPOLOGY. They are called the earth, and men of the a. How carnally minded ! In this world, they their portion, and upon it their heart is fixed. *♦ .ever they do is from carnal and earthly principles, and to carnal and earthly ends. 72. They are compared to mountains and hills b. How fixed in wickednefs ! How oft apparently firm their Hate on earth ! How they abound in power and pride, that Omnipotence alone can lay them low ! How bar- ren and unfruitful ! How vain refuges, to fueh as trufl in them ! How they (land in the way of God's coming to blefs the earth ! How difagreeable to a fpiritual eye, they render it ! At laft, how overturned with the earth- quake, enflamed with the fire, and overwhelmed with the flood of Almighty wrath ! 73. They are reprefented as dry ground, and a GAR- DEN without water c Ah, how dry ! how hardened! how withered their foul .' How barren their heart and practice! How the feed of infpi red oracles, and the warming rays of profperity, are loft upon them, and become to them a favour of death unto death ! Lord Jefus, am not I fuch, except thou water me every mo- ment ? 74. They are compared to marishes or miry places d. What mixtures of fouring corruption and filthinefs are in them ! How dangerous trufting to, or clofe intimacy with them ! How unfit for receiving the word and Spi- rit of God ! How four, difagreeable, and hurtful, what the produce ! How oft are they finally given up to the fait of a reprohate fenfe ; and of endlefs damnation ! 75. They, chiefly harlots, are compared to SNARES, NETS, pits, and ditches e. How dangerous is fellowihip with them ! How they entice to ruinous crimes ! How hardly can thefe, enfnared into familiar intimacy with them, recover therofelves ; but wallow in wickednefsj and (ink towards everhifting mifery ! 76. They, chiefly hypocrites, are compared to WHITED fepulchres, or walls'. What fplendor, and pretence « Rev. ' ii 3. b. Isa. xli. 15. c Isa. i. 30. d Ezek. xh'ii. n, t Prov. xxiii, 27. /Matth. xxiii. 27. Acts xxiii. 3. Of metaphors respecting' wicked men, 209 to purity, may appear in their outward ftation and con- dud ! But what bafe ; what uncomely ; what abomina- ble, and peftilential iniquity, reigns in their fecret prac- tice and heart ! 77. They are reprefented as God's HAND; rod j sword; AXE; hammer; bow a. By them, how oft ; how fearfully he corrects his people; and punilhes his enemies ! How abfurd, for thefe inftrumerits of his ven- geance, to lift upthemfelves to his dishonour ! And how oft, after his work i& performed by them, doth he call them into temporal and eternal rmfery I 78. They are compared to brass, iron, tin, lead b. In different degrees, how thej' abound with corruption I How hardened in wickednefs ! How worthless and naugh- ty ! How proper to be call into the furnace of infinite wrath! Lord, melt me in thy love ; and remove all my naughtinefs ! 79. They are compared to dross and Scum e. Are they not altogether unworthy ? The filth ; the pollution _; the difgrace ofmankind; of nations, cities, churches, and families ? As what an abominable and naughty thing, ihrdl God call them out of his light, into the pit of end* lei's wo, after feparating them from the godly ! 80. They, chiefly hypocrites, are compared to LUKE- WARM water, and a caiie not turned d. How oft they mingle the true religion with a bad ! Have a profeffion, without true grace or good works! Warmed and roafted with his favours and judgments, they turn not to God f nor conlider their ways. Hence how nauieons to him! and to every truly exercifed faint ! 81. They are compared to fire-brands ; things SET on FIRE; a fiery oven e. How given to ftrife and contention ! How the fire of malice and luff rages in them ! What means of kindling the wrath of God, in nations, churches, and families ! How oft his judgments torment and burn them down to the lowefthell ! How, there, {hall his wrath kindle, and burn them for ever ! What flames of hatred, ftrife, and pafiion, do contentious perfons in- a Isa. x» and xiv. Psal, xvii. 13, 14. b Ezek. xxii. 18. Tsa. i- 2*. jc Ezek. xxii. 18. and xxiv. 13. d Rev, ni. j<5, 4 Pjryy. vi. z"}% Psal. vii. 4, — 7, s SfO SACRED TROPOLOGY. dulge in themfelves, and kindle in others ! How harlots* with their luftful dalliances, enflame their companions, and burn them quick to eternal fire ! 82. They are aflimilate to burning fat of lambs a. What fudden, teriible, and near deftruction, awaits them ! And mall not all the earthly abundance and felicity, pro- mote and enhance their ruin ? 83. Unconverted men are compared to DRY BONES b. No fpiritual fap, no remote fource of grace, no hope of eternal life ; no might to revive and recover themfelves have they : nor can any creature affift them herein. But, Come from the four wind^, O breath, O divine Spirit, in thy diverfified influence; quicken them ; bring them out of their graves of lull, condemnation, and wc. 84. They are compared to tow c. Kow weak and infignificant ! How eafily crufhed ! How readily enflamed and cenfumed with the fire of God's wrath ! Stupendous ! am I, notwithftanding, pluckt out of the burning ! 85.. They are likened to a moth-eaten garment^. How quickly; and by what contemptible means, are they rendered ufelefs, unlightly, abominable ! How crufhed before the face of the moth ! How eafily the judgments of God wafte their perfon and property ! How eafily death gnaws them out of life ! cuts them cfF; and they are no more ! Fear them not, my foul ; be not a- fraid of their reviling ; for the moth mall eat them. 86. They are compared to chaff e. While on earth, thzj grow up with, and clofcly adhere to the faints. How worthlefs ; how light, unsettled, and unconilant ! How fearfully do temporal troubles tofs them ! How quickly fhall death and judgment beat them off, and blow them iuto hell ! 87. Unfaithful friends are like a brokzn tooth; and a foot out of joint/. They deceive, pain, vex, and torment him, who depends on, or is connected with 1 : em. 83. Deceitful friends are like a BROOK, whofe waters dry up^. What affiOance and comfort, we expecl: from them, difappoint us in the time of need. Thrice bleifed a peil. xxxvii. 20. b EzeK xxxvii. c Isa. i. 31. d Isa. li. fP8i).i<4' / Prov, xxv. 19. ^ Job vi, 15. Of metaphors respecting wicked men 2 1 1 new-covenant Friend, never (halt thou pain or difappoint me; but be legs to the lame ; and rivers of water in a weary and dry land. 89 . A falfe witnefs is compared toa maul, and swords. Ah, how he (labs, wounds, and murders his neighbour, in his perfon, chara&er, or property ! Lord Jefus, how oft am 1 fuch to thee ! 90. He that^ruleth not his own fpirit is like a city Broken Dot^Kr, without walls b. How expofed to temp- tation, and danger ! How full of confuiion, corruption, and fear ! It is better my foul, to rule thyfelf, to keep quiet thy confcience, with the application of Jefus'hlood ; to govern thy heart, by his Spirit ; to order thy conver- fation by his word; to defend thyfelf by his ftrength ; than to take a city, or divide the fpoil. Hereby malt thou conquer Satan, the world, and thy corruptions ; and obtain folid fatisfaction and peace ; procure unfpeak- able and endlefs advantage. »^--*-.^( Rev. iv. 6,— 9, and vi. »,— 7> and xv. 7. Ezsk. i. and x. Of metaphors refpe Sling faithful ministers. 2T 3 active in their work. Their itreight feet, and foles like thefeof a calf, denotes their upright gofpel-converfation, and fitnefs to tread out the corn of God's word, for their hearers. Their having hands under their wings, im- ports the correfpondence of their practice, with their fo- lemn profeffions and engagements-. Their wings being ftretched upward, implies their dependance on Chrift: for furniture and direction. Their covering their bodies and feet with their wings, imports their blufhing at themfelves and their work before God. Their appear- ance like lamps and coals of fire, marks their zeal for the glory of God, and their communicating light and knowledge to men. Their running ftraighi forward as a flam of lightning, imports their integrity, quick pro- grefs and majefly in their work. Their going along with the wheels, implies their conftant connection with and attendance on the rolling churches ; the fame fpirit is in both ; and as they are dull, or aclive, fo ordinarly are the churches. Their voice like many waters ex- tending to the outer court, imports the powerful and exteniive fpread of the gofpel, chiefly among the Gentiles. Their warning people to come and fee, when the feals are opened, implies that the gofpel preached tends to eaufe men confider the word and providence of God,, The man in the firmament above them, incircled with fire and a rainbow, is Chrift, as the glorious and ma- jeftic head of the church, and of the new covenant, in- fpe&ing, helping, upholding, and governing them. The voice from the firmament when they Hand or letdown their wings, is ChrifVs quickening and encouraging, them to their work, the taking out fire from between them, to caft upon finners, implies that contempt of Chrift and his gofpel- min ill ry, efpeciaily haftens, and enhances naming vengeance upon a land. One of thefe beaits giving the feven vials to be poured on Antichrift r implies, that according to their word, and by their means, mail that man of fin be haftened to his ruin. 4. They referable the priests in Ezekiel's virion of the gofpel-temple a. Their being the fons of Zadok„ not of the Levites that went altray, implies their being s-Eiak. xlii. 1,-18, and x!iii. r9>— 27. andxliv. 9, — 3i,.andxlvi..29- S3 0,14 SACRED TROPOLOGY. true and blamelefs children of Jefus Chrift, the righte- ous ; and faithful preachers of his atonement, as the great fubftance of the gofpel ; and that fuch as have fallen into fcandal, are not rafhly to be admitted to the mini- iiry. Their eight days confecration, implies their en- trance on their work with much deliberation, abundant application of Jefus' blood, and vigorous ftudy of gofpel- holinels ; their having diftincl: chambers for themfelves, imports, that their office is ftriftly eircumfcribed by the divine law; and that none are to interfere \vith their work or benefice, but fuch as are truly lent. Their higheii chambers being moft ftraitned, imports, that the moll eminent minifters are ordinarly mod hated and ex- pofed to trouble on earth. Their being clothed with linen, not with wool, or any thing that caufeth fweat, imports their being clothed with Jefus' righteoufnefs, and not with their own fatiguing and defiling works ; and th at their doctrine mull be pure, not erroneous and unfavoury, that their converfation mufl be holy, not ©fTenfive, flupid, or flothful ; nor their miniftry their burden. Their Linen bonnets and breeches, denote their gravity, their modefly, their cbaftity, and freedom from Antichriftian whoredom. Their laying afide their fine robes ; and wearing others before the people, im- plies, that though they mufl only appear before God, in the righteoufnefs of his Son ; yet by their holy con- verfation, they mufl recommend holinefs to their hear- ers and neighbours. Their not fancfcifying the people with their garments, may imply, that they mult not allow the people to ufurp their office ; nor pretend, by their holinefs, or their bodily apparel, to convey any fanctity, merit, or fafcty to them, as Antichriftians do. Their not lhaving their heads, or fuffering their locks to grow, imports their ab flaming from Popifh fuperili- tion, and from worldly pride and wantonnefs. They muft beware of being intoxicate with drunkennefs and carnal care. They muft marry fuch women only, as are of good report. They mud teach the people of God, and compoie differences betwixt them. They mufl a- void immoderate forrow for dcceafed friends. Plenti- fully rauft they r.ourifh their fouls or. Chrift and him Of metaphors respecting fait J.ful minhUtt 215 crucified. And plentifully are they and their families to be maintained by their people. Their boiling the lln. ofFering and trefpafs-offering, denotes their digeliing gcf. pel-truth in their heart and judgment ; and their pre,*. paring of their difcourfes before they preach them. 5. They are called rulers a. How eminent their ex- cellency, ufefulnefs, and authority in the church ! Cho- fen by their people, it is theirs wifely, meekly, kindly, and carefully, to govern her members and matters, ac- cording to the laws of Chrift, her king ; and duly are they to be loved, obeyed, honoured, prayed, and provid- ed for, as his vicegerents. 6. They are reprefer.ted as ambassadors h. Sent by King Jefus to propofe and negociate with finful men, a treaty of peace with God, of marriage with himfelf, and of traffic with his fulnefs ; with ail authority, earneft* nefs, wifdom, finglenefs, and faithfulnefs, they muft ad- here to their initru&ions ; and ftudy,. by their candid and honourable deportment, to promote it. Deeply muft they be affected and grieved, if it do not fucceed. Always ought they to be in readinefs, to render an ac- count of their conduct to God. With the utmoft hearti- nefs and humility, ought the children of men to receive them and their meflage. If their perfon is defpifed, their character injured, or their embafty rejected, to what divine vengeance it expofes the guilty ! And what a horrent prefage of approaching wrath, is God's calling them faft off from their work ! 7. They are reprefented as witnesses c. With fide- lity, diltinctuefs, boldnefs, and impartiality, they teilify to men, what they havefeen and heard concerning Jefus and his truths ; and according to the word of their tes- timony, fhall you nations be accquited, or condemned at the judgment feat of Chrifi. Under Antichrift they are two witne&s ; few, but fufficient, powerful with God ; but clothed in fackclotb, mourning and diftreffed. 8. They are compared to parents d. Hew great their dignity and authority in the viiible church! With what ardent love, earneft defire, fervent prayer, and a Heb. xiii. 7, 17. b 2 Cor, v. i$ t .- - 20. r John xv. 22, Rev. xi. d 1 Cor, iv. i5« ? lg SACKED TROPOLOGY. laborious miniftration of the gofpel, they promote the fpiritual birth, inftruftion, reproof, fafety nourifhment and rule of the faints ! How tenderly they care for, fympithize with, exemplify godlinefs, to church members! How mightily grieved with their mifcarriages ! And how tenderly to be loved, efteemed, and revered, by them. 9. They are reprefented as wooers; and friends of the bridegroom a. By Chrift's appointment with a An- gle regard to his intereft, and to the fouls of men, they propofe them an offer of fpiritual marriage with him. With every gaining consideration, of their neceflity, and of his excellency, honour, riches, beauty, and love, they prudently, faithfully, and earneftly inforce the propofal. To him they return an account of their diligence. With what forrow their hearts are filled, if the treaty fucceeds sot ! With what joy, if it do! How delighted to hear the Bridegroom's voice! And ho w averfeto be loved inhis ftead! ic. They are called warriors b. Solemnly enlifted under Jefus' banner of truth and love, diflinguiiTied with the livery of his call to, and furniture for their work, clothed with his righteoulnefs and grace, armed with the whole armour of God, nourifhed with his influence and provifion, in face of difficulty and danger, they employ themfeives in the vigorous defence of his church-ordi- nances, and truth. Skilfully mu ft they wield and pufh the fword of the Spirit, and of church-difcipline and go- vernment, launch the fpear and dart, the arrows of di- vine truth againll every fpiritual foe. Never muft they entangle themfeives with worldly bufinefs, carnal offi- ces or temptations ; hut vigoroufly make war on the kingdom of Satan ; pull down his ltrong-holds of finful luffs, abominable errors, hateful practices; and endea- vour to conquer finful men to Jefus, the Saviour. So fhail they obtain a crown of righteoufnefs, and reward of eternal life ! 1 1. They are called watchmen c. Placed by Jefus in an high and important ft ation ; it is their's faithfully,, and impartially, to watch over the foul* of church-mem- fcers i to obferve their ftate, their cafe, and walk ; td. 4 John iii. 29. 2 Cor. si. 2. b 2 Tim. ii. 3. and v. S, i Ijtb. x;ii. 17. Ezfck. xxxm. 7. Of metaphors respecting failbful ministers. 217 watch over the truths and inftitutions of Heaven, that none be corrupted or loft. It is theirs to notice the va- riation of the times and providence of God ; to obfcrve the motions and approaches of every fpiritual foe, that, during the night of diftrefs, and of time, they may give us diitincl, early, and full warning of our duty and danger. Of what infinite importance is their work to the fouls of men I What labour and danger at- tend it I But if they defert it, give up themfelves to negligence and fleep in it, how guilty of the blood of fouls ! How expofed to the molt tremendous ven- geance of God ! 12. They are reprefented as trumpeters a. Divinely « authorifed, and qualified, how fweetly; how loudly; how courageously; how plainly and fkilfully they proclaim ths offices, the approaches, the fpiritual feaits, the promifes, the pardons, the laws, the threatenings of King Jefus to men! And call them to attend the ordinances of his wor- fhip 1 With what undaunted boldnefs and diftinclnefs, they warn them of their faults, and their danger; direct and encourage them in their fpiritual conflicts with their indwelling im, with Satan, and with a prefent evil world! And mew themfelves patterns of braverv and diligence therein ! 13. They are reprefented as leaders and GUIDES h, How extenfively ; how eminently acquaint with the truths of God ! with the duties of religion! with the temptations of Satan ! and with the fnares of the world! With what diftinguilhed care and patience, they lead men into the knowledge of divine myfteries ! Into the practice of holy duties! Into the exerclle of fighting with, and purfuing after fpiritual enemies! And conduct them fafely, through this world, in the way that leadeth to eternal life ! 14. They are called pastors; shepherds; bishops; or overseers c. Divinely are- they appointed, ibiemnly are they engaged, carefully to lead the flock, the mem- bers of Jefus' church ; tenderly to feed them with his truths and ordinances; overfee, watch over, defend, and keep them together. And to feparate from among them, Isa. lviii. i. b 1 Cor, xi. 1. c Ezek. xxxiv. 4. Acts xx. zip 2l8 SACRED TROPOLOGY. the fcandalous and openly wicked. And from their flock ought they to receive a proper fubilftence. From Jefus, {hall they receive an everlafting reward- 15. They are called builders a. Divinely inftructed and appointed by Jefus, the fovereign Architect of the church, they muft clear offthe rubbifh of falfe doctrine, and fmful cuftoms. Every doctrine, inftructton, and ex- ample they give, they are to eftablifh on Chrift the foun- dation, and his fare and immoveable word. The corner- Hones and pillars of fundamental truths, they muft efpe- cially confirm; and clofely connect their whole doelrine, and conduct therewith. Carefully muft they attend the rule of infpiration, in all they do. Inceffantly, ikilfully, and earneftly, they promote the conviction, the illumina- tion, the union to Chrift, the juftincation, fancti fication comfort, and endlefs felicity of their hearers. Were not you, prophets and apoftles,wife mafter-builders, concern- ed in laying the foundation, and principal matters of the church of God? 16. They are reprefented as fishers of MEN b. With what labour, care, fkill, and expofure to danger, they caft. the net of the gofpel, into the fea of this world .' Spread it upon finners, that they may draw them to Chrift ! It being adapted to their various conditions, fome are hereby caught in reality ; others only in ap- pearance When, O Jefus, wilt thou direct them to caft the net on the right fide of the fhip, that a mul- titude may be enclofed ! When fhatl our whole dead fea of this world be covered with thefe fifhers. When fhall the fouls they catch, be like the fifti of the great fea ; countlefs in number ; and exceedingly di- verlified in cafe ! 17. They are compared to planters; to keepers or a vineyard ; to vinedressers c. Theirs it is, to found and plant churches ; to water them with gofpel- oracles and ordinances ; to watch over and defend the d06lrir.es, and members, from fpiritual hurt. Theirs, to take the foxos; to call falfe teachers to account; to re- fute their error, cenfure and eject fuch as are obftinatc, « iCor. ill. 11. b Ezek. xlvii. io, Matth. iv. 19. cS0ng1Viii.il. i Cor. 6.— -8. Of tmtaphdrs respecting faithful ministers. 219 in evil ways. Theirs, to promote the gracious implanta- tion of iinners into Chrirt; to reprove, refrem, comfort, encourage, and direct the faints, who are the, beloved the darling vineyard* and garden of God. 18. They are compared to stewards a. Entrufted by Jefus with the charge of his oracles, his ordinances, his houfe and family of the militant church, and the fouls of men pertaining therto; it is theirs, carefully, to over- fee whatever is done; to affign each his proper bulinefs; and in due feafon give him his proper provision, his por- tion of promifes, threatenings, reproof, cenfure, encou« ragement, or comfort. To Jefus they mud give an ac- count of their conduct. And how terrible their doom*, if they corrupt or. conceal divine truth! If they diforder, pollute, or break the peace of the church 1 If they wafte their time, their talents, their opportunities, to finful or infignificant purpofes ! Or if they beat, defpife, reproach, or unjuitiy cenfure their brethren, and fel- low-fervants. 19 They are reprefented as servants and labour- ers b. Solemnly engaged to, and hired of Jefus to oc- cupy in his church; it is theirs by every proper method, however bafe or difficult to the carnal eye, to promote his glory, and the fpiritual edification of men. Always, and in all places, they are to be very diligent, humble, obedient, fingle, and faithful, in their work. Always are they to exert their whole power and Ikill; and feize eve- ry opportunity, that, by the public or private difpenfa- tion of the gofpel,they may be inftrumental, in plowing up the fallow ground of men's hearts; in plucking them as brands out of the burning; in hewing them off from their old covenant-root ; in gathering them to Jefus ; and promoting their heavenly courfe. Patiently they are to bear whatever burden of work ; of trouble or perfecution, God may lay upon them. So doing, how- ever unfuccefsful, their labours, ©n earth, glorious and lading (hall be their heavenly reward ! 20. They, as the ancient prophets, are men of God t\ By God they are chofen, called, and fitted for a 1 Cor. iv. r. Luke xvi. 1,-— 7. h Matth. ix. 37. ( i,JohniVi6, 1 Tim. vi. 11. t29 SACRED TROPOLOGY. their work. Near him they Hand in their office. Near him they live in their holy converfation ; and are his deputies, his diitinguilhed reprefentatives, and peculiar property on earth. He is the fubj eel- matter, and the obvious end of their work. The injuries done them, he will fharply refent. For he that defpifeth them, de- fpifeth him that fent them. ai. They are like a flcck of newly warned, even morn, and twin-bearing fheep a. How numerous ! How kindly connected ! How warned in perfon, by Je- fus' blood ! Sanctified in nature, by his cleaning Spirit ! How harmlefs, pure, holy, patient, and ufeful ! How rich their paftures of infpiration ! How noted their har- monious affection ! How equal their power and autho- rity afligned them by Chrift ! How earneft their endea- vours, and happy their fuccefs, in winning fouls to him ! Is it not theirs, like he-goats, to go before the flock ; and be an example of the believers, in word, in conver- fation, in charity, in fpirit, in faith, in puritv ? 11. They are like two young Roes, that are twins, and feed among the lilies b. How lovely, active, and pure ! How tender their affection to mens fouls ! How ftatcd and ftrong their enmity to the old ferpent, and his feed! How grievous and hurtful their attacks from them, efpccially if they indulge themfelves in floth ! How oft f no all, though fufficient to bear witnefs, their number ! How harmonious their affection! How equal their pow- er and authorityl in the church ! By what delight- ful ftudy and meditation, they feed on the feriptures, on gofpel-ordinances, in happy fellowfhip with Jefus, the lily of the valley, and his people ! 23. They refemble doves eyes c. With what meek- nefs, purity, fincerity ; with what finglenefs of heait, chaite affection to Chrift and his people, do they pry in- to the gofpel of peace, and make it known to men j plea- fantly watch over the church ; warn her members of danger ; and direct them to Chrift and his way ! 24. They are compared to olive-trles d. How comely and flourifhing their office and conduct ! Iri them Song lV » 2 > and vi - 6, b Song 4, 5, and vii. 3. € Song i ( 15, and iv. 1. i Rev. xi. Of metaphors respecting faithful ministers. 221 the oil of gofpel-trnth is lodged; and by them is it com- municate to others. By them is the gofpel of peace preached, and its all-healing fpirit and influence, offered and brought near to men. 25. They are called the glory of Christ a. On them is his image and authority ftamped. In what they do, is his glory and honour iittended. And by them, are his glorious excellencies publimed and de- clared. 26. They are a fweet savour cf Christ unto God hi Having received from Chrift their grace, their gifts, their office, how pleafant to God, they and their evan- gelic miniftraiions ! By them .how fweetly is declared the riches of his grace, and manifold other excellencies, in them that believe ! And the abundance of his wifdom, poweFjholinefs, and equity in them that perifh ! Dread- ful thought ! Ye liuners ; mall God ; mall a Saviour be exalted in your endlefs damnation, if you refute him ! 27. They are reprefented as a spectacle to angels and men c. How expoied to open view, on the theatre of the world ! Ah, what signs, againft which the con- tempt, the obloquy, the malice, the perfecution of men, and rage of devils, are efpecially difcharged ! How oft held as weak; as foolifh ; as wicked ; for Chuff's fake I How oft a gazing-ilock, every where fpoken againft I 28. Tney are compared to light d. What a diftin-* guimed meafure of truth, of fpiritual knowledge, they pofll-fs, and communicate to others, for their inward re- frefhment, inftrudlion, and comfort ! What bleffed means of difcovering men to themfelves ; mewing them the plagues of their heart, or the grace that has been given them ! What means of difcovering to men the ex« ceilencies of Cijrift, and the glory of God ia him ! How unhappy ! how devoid of fpiritual light and confolation the places where they are net ! How dreadful when this; light is turned into darknefs ; and miniilers are igno- rant, or replenfhed and clouded with error ! 29. They are compared to stars e. In the firma- ment of the church hath Jefus planted them, andfurnifll* a i Cor. ix. 23. b 2 Cor. ii. 14. c 1 Cor. iv. 9, d Maith* v. 1 6. r Rev. i. jo, T 22 2 SACFD TROPOLOGY. ed them with diverfities of gifts and graces, for the a- dorning thereof; and for refreshing, quickening, in. ttruSing men ; for leading them to himfelf ; for guiding them,, while, amid this bewildering world, they wander in the night of trouble and time ; or amid the i welling feas of manifold temptations and trials, they fail to the home and haven of endlefs felicity ! How held, fupport- ed, directed, by Jefus in his right hand ! How high in their ftation and office ! How near to God and heavenly things their motions and courfe ! Kow eafily beclouded their glory ! How readily ; how wide discovered their fhameful blots ! O when (hall the eternal day break ; that liars may difappear, (hadews flee away, and Chrilt be ALL IN ALL ! 30. They are compared to candles and LAMP3 a. In themfelves how infigmncant ! Butfotmed, and from the fire of Jefus' light and love, lighted by the Holy Ghoft, with gifts, offices, and grace ; how ufeful during the night of time, to enlighten a dark world! Hownc- cefTary, they mould appear, and fhine publicly ! Kow generouily they fpend themfelves in illuminating others ! How oft moved from one nation and place, to another ! When, Lord, mall candies be extinct, and never-wafting glory lhme ! 31. They are compared to clouds b t Receiving their gifts, their grace, their office, from the ecean, the fulnefs of Chriit : what appointed means of conveying the rain, the dew, of divine truths and influences to men ! Nor can they be ufeful, but as God pleajeth. Aie they not a kind of vail inter pofed betweeo, weak-fig hted mortals, and his dazzling brightnefs ! How expofed to obfervation, and to tempeils of trouble ! How fuperna- tural and fpeedy their motions ! How heavy the judge- ment, when they are removed from a land : or thtir ufe- ful nefs divinely retrained ! 32. They are like to the FlsH-PoOLS by the gate of Bub-rabbim c. How clear their infrght into divine thiogs ! How plentiful their fulnefs of the gofpel ! How great their quietnefs and oonftancy ! What a bleffing to • Matth. v. is. t> Isa, v. 6. s Song vir. 4. Of metaphors respecting faithful ministers. 22$ the multitudes, which attend their miniftry ! By their means, what numbers are made to know their own fpi- ritual features ; and are nourimed up to eternal life • 33. They referable pillars; posts; and beams a. How ftrong in gifts and grace ! How well fixed, and founded on Chrlft ! How ufefullj they fupport, and con- nect: the members and ftrueture of his church J How plainly they exhibit his laws to men ! 3 }. They refemble the tower of David builded for an armoury, or the tower of Lebanon, that looked to- ward Damafcus b. For the fecurity and glory of his church ; for the obfervation of his principal fees, are they erected, and if rengthened by Chiift, and on h-im as their fure foundation. How high their ftation ! How upright, heavenly, fir u, and conftant in it ! How abundantly furniilied with fpiritual armour ! And ready, by dif- peniing the gofpel, to confer it to others ! The more dan- gerous fpirkual enemies, they are efpecially to watch a£ainft, and onpofe. And like a tower of ivprv. how pure ; how comely; now len-coniiitent, and nrm, their doctrine and converfation ! 35. They referable chariots c. How glorious, curi- ous, and chilly, their erection and office ! By them, is gofpel miniftrations, is Jefus' name carried before the Gentiles ; and he, in a royal, majeftic, a quick, eafy, and triumphant manner, rides through the world; fubdues, and (hews his glory and love to, his chofen ; conquers his fpiritual oppofers. In their bloody lufFering and flaming zeal, they refemble a chariot with red horfes. In their abject outward appearance, their felf-denial ? their inlight into fpiritual mylteries, they refemble a chariot with black horfes. In their holy lives, their pure doctrines, and fpiritual conquefb, they refemble a chariot with white horfes. In diverfity of gifts and graces, they are like to a chariot with grizzled and bay horfes. In the apoftolic age, they refembled the firit chariot. In the Antichriftian period they refemble the fecond. In the millennial period, they fhall refemble the third. In the lafl days, they may be compared to the * Song i. 17, and iii. 10. Gal. ii.9. b Sang iv. 4, and vii, 4. c 2ech. vi. i,---8. T a 22^. SACRED TROPOLOGY. fourth. Tn every form, 2nd period, they iiTue from be- tween mountains of brafs; appear according to the fettled purpofes of God, and notwith (lauding of manifold oppo- sition. 36. Tiiej are called earthen vessels a. In thetn- felves, bow frail ; bafe ; contemned ; and troubled ! But God fills them with the treafure of gofpcl-truths, to con- vey it to others; that thus the excellency of its power- ful influence, may appear to be of him. 37. They referable a round goelet fuH of mixed li- quor b. How diilinguimed their capacity ana perfection! How abundant their fulnefs of evangelic gifts and grace, for purifying theinfelves ! And for administering con- viction, cirecrion, and comfort, to others! 38. They are compared to salt c. Ey their hcly converfaticn ; by their faithful difpenfing cf gofpel doc- trine, worlhip, difcipline, and government; they check corruption and error ; they prelerve perfonsand churches ^fnairi rnt'rfnyf< unfavo.urinefs.. aDOitacv. and ruin ; thev prelerve nations from general proraneneTs, and delo- lating ftrokes: How incorruptible and lafting their office ! How calculate to prepare the redeemed for the eaft of their God! How carefully they fearch mens wounds, for the healing thereof! Hence what an eye- fore and trouble to the wicked and fcandalous ! But if by carnality, unholinefs, or (loth, rninifters lofe their own favour, none more hopelefs ; none mere ufeleis ; none more ripe, for eternal fire. 39. They referable scarlet threads d. In them- felves, how weak; frail; and inconfiderable ! yet how- comely ! How expofed to trouble and perfecution! And is not the fouree, the fubftance, and end of their mini- stry, Chrift, and him as bearing our guilt, and crucified for our crimes ? Wherein they refemble a human nofe. eyes, lips, neck, breads, navel, feet. See chap. XL No 2. « 2 Cor. iv. 7. b Song vii. z. \c Matth. v. 13. d Song iv 3 Of metaphors respecting fake teachers, &c, 225 CHAP X. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING FALSE TEACHERS AND UN- FAITHFUL MINISTERS. I. "CVAXSE teachers are reprefented as messengers J? and spirits of devils a. By Satan they are fent, excited, directed, aid actuate. His honour and in- terest they promote and maintain. In fiithinefs, in pride, in malice, in flander of the faints, in active wafting of the church, and in ruining mens fouls, they imitate his example. 2. They, chiefly fome principal ones, are called Anti- christs b* In his perfon, his office, his righteoufnefs, his interceffion, his instruction, his laws, his conquers, his government, and the end of his work ; they oppofe the Redeemer. 3. They are reprefented as false prophets and apostles, and fome of them as falfe Chrifts c. Pretend- ing a commiflion from God, oft a diftinguifhed one, fome- times to be the Meffiah, they, in his name, publiih their falfe doctrines; attempt to erect falfe churches; claim uncommon power; pretend diftinguilhed gifts and grace; prophefy of future events; promife to themfelves and their followers liberty and peace, when fvvift deftruction corneth upon them. 4. They are reprefented as murderers d. By ne- glecting to warn the wicked of their evil ways, and to promote their repentance; byfail'e doctrines ; by wicked example; arid by unfaithful difpenfing of divine ordi- nances, they deftroy the caufe and intereft of truth ; crucify Jefus afreih ; and ruin the fouls of men. 5. They are reprefented as pimps, and whorish wo- men e. With the utmoft impudence, craft, and carnal enticement, they decoy multitudes to go a whoring from God and his ways, and to defile themfelves, fulfilling the lulls of the fleih and of the mind. a 2 Cor. xi. 15. Rev, xvi. 14. b 1 John ii. 18. r2Fet.ii. j, Matth. xxiv. 24. & Zech. xi. 5. c Rev. ii. 20. t 3 226 SACFED TR0KXC6Y. 6. They are reprefented as angry mother's children, and outrageous watchmen a. Originally members of the church, but never born of God, they hate his true children. With their enflaving errors and wiil-wor- fhip, they go about to opprefs and hinder them from their proper work. Sadiy they h?.rrafo and -wound them, reproach their cor.ducl, expofe them to injury, and attempt to rob them of their ali-covering vail,. Chrifl and his righteoulnefs. 7. They are reprefented as Ch rill's companions or rivals Z>. Whatever love to, and connection with hio?, they pretend ; heartily they hate him 3 Set themfelves on a level with him ; leek to undermine his intereft, and defpoil him of his fubjecfs, his bride. Never, O jefns, permit me whorifhly, and wickedly, to turn alide by their numerous flocks. 8. They are reprefented as thieves and robbers f. Without any regular million from Chrifl, or call from his people, how oft they rufn into the minifterial func- tion ! How oft they rob the Redeemer of his due ho- nour, as ruler, as prieit, or prophet of his church ! How wickedly they rob the faints of their fpiritual pri- vileges, and confer them upon others ! Rob men of -their gofpel provifion ! and attempt to fell them into the 11a- >ery of Satan ! 9. They are called deceivers and seducers ^. De- ceitfully they mingle the gofpel of Chrifl with their own inventions ; and, thus corrupted, impofe it upon their hearers for pure and genuine truth. . Under high pretences to friencifhip, to piety, to peace, to knowledge, or zeal, they decoy men into corruption and error; and bring on themfelves and their followers fuciden de- flrucLion. 10. They are represented as blind watchmen ; blind guides c. Deilitute of the faving knowledge of Jcfus, a ". .lis truth, they prefumptuoufly pretend to direcl the principles, and practice of others ; and with them fall into fuddeo ruin. 1 1. They are reprefented as idol shepherds/. They i,g i. 6, a.id v. 7. t> Song i. 8. c John x. I. i 2 T;m. lit. 1 j. c Isa. hi. 10. /Zcth.xi. 17. Of metaphors respecting fake teachers, &c. 227 are but the iliadows and images of true and faithful mi. nifters. Their followers, they feduce into the pafrureg of vain imaginations, and paths of fpiritual or grofs ido- latry, and alienation from God. 12. They are called hirelings a. Not from genuine affection to jefus or his people, do they labour in the mimftry ; but to procure carnal favour, honour, plea- fure, or gain. And in times of perfecution and trouble, how readily they defert their flock, and the doctrines of truth ! 13. They are represented as foolish builders of hay end flubble h. How light, empty, and worthlefs are the falfe doctrines, the corrupt practices; which, with great care, and apparent {kill, they eftablilh, preach, and promote, as if founded on the pcrfon and authority of Ch rift ! And how incapable to abide the trial of his word ! 14. They are reprefented as daubers with untcmper- ed mortar c. By their falfe and inccnfUient tenets and conduct, they exert themfeives to confirm the wicked in their (in : in their dependence on felf-righteoufnefs; and to make, to raze, the hopes of the faints founded on Je- fus' promife, perfon, and blood. But fpeedily ihall their management be expofed to their fhame: andifTue in their* and their followers, everlafting ruin. 15. They are reprefented as C.AANANITES and mer- chants d. Sprung from a curfed root, with what fraud and covetoufnefs, they, for carnal advantage, reject, cor- rupt, and mifapply the oracles of God ! To unfit perfons, or in an improper form, how oft they difpenfe his facred inftitutions! How oft they pretend to confer fpi ritual fa- vours! And by other like methods unnumbered, deceive and ruin the fouls of men ! 16. They are compared to roaring lions e* "With what boldnefs, uercenefs, and cruelty, they roar out their errors and curfes; vent their perfecuting threaten- ings, and malice agalnfl the faithful ! And fpread terror and deftruclion among men J 17. They are called wolves f. Ah, how they love a John x. 12. b \ Cor. iii.iz. c Ez^k. xii. 10. d Zach»,xiv. 21. 2 Fet. ii. 3, * Ezek., xxlL 2$-, /Manh..x. i&. 22 8 SACRED TROPOLOGY. the darknef3 of ignorance ! Shun the light of GodV word! What a terror to watchful or walking faints! How greedily, cruelly, craftily they deftroy the church of God, and the fp: ritual lives and interefts of men ! 1 8. They are called foxes a. How unclean ; noi- fome; abominable! How fubtlely they Ihun the light of infpi ration or conviction ! With what amazing greed, covetoufnefs, cruelty, and craft ; with what fhifts, eva- fions, and felf-inconfiftencies, unnumbered, they, efpeci- ally in the night of perfecution, trouble, or carnal fecu- rity, fpoil God's vineyard ! unfettle weak and young profeflbrs ! ruin men's fouls ! and promote Satan's in- teretts ; till reftrained by providence, checked by faith- ful cenfure, cut off by death ! And ah, how oft proudly itupid under thefe checks ! 19. They are reprefented as lazy, greedy, dumb Dogs b. How filthy ; ready to return to the abomina- tions they once fremed to recant and abhor ! How ma- licious their enmity againft Jefus Chrift, his minifters, and people ! How ready to bite and devour the fouls of men ; to raife a noife of perfecution and reproach a- gainft the caufe of God, and its adherents ! How floth- ful in every thing truly good and expedient ! How co- vetous of fome carnal enjoyment ! How ready to hurt him, that putteth not into their mouth ! How negligent to reprove and warn the unruly ! Nay, how ready to Conceive at, and flatter them ; chiefly if powerful and rich ! 20. They, chiefly the Antichriftian, are likened to scorpions c. What diftinguilhed feed of the old fer- pent ! How eafily provoked to the moll outrageous fury againft God and his church ! With what pretences of piety and peace they vail and cover their error and wickeduefs ! How fubtlely ; how inceflantly, they fmite their oppofers with the vileft reproach ; the cruelleft perfecution ; and the heavieft cenfures ! With what quickuefs and craft they inftil the poifon of error and abomination into their followers ! And how divinely reftrained from poifoning and ruining the faints ! • S ng U. 15. b Isa. hi. jo, n. cRfv. ix. 3,5,6. Of metaphors respecting false teachers, £s?c. 2z9 21. The j, chiefly the Antichriflian, are marked cut by the locusts in the apocalyptic virion of. the fifth trumpet a. From the infernal fmoke of ignorance and error, they derive their origin. How quickly they multiply and fwarrn ! Unite under one head, the angel of the bottonalefs pit, the devil, and pope ! How har- monious, courageous, and aclive, in fpreading terror and corruption ! How marked with outward grandeur ; with ufurped authority ; and fuperfHticus reverence of the mob ! How noted their plaunble pretences to piety ; their affgcYed courtefy ; their luftful effeminacy; their fawn- ing flattery and fmoothnefs ; and their enticing of mul- titudes to fpiritual whoredom ! How diftinguifhed their cruelty and fraud in deflroying the fouls, the bodies, and the eftates of men ! How breaft-plated with hard- nefs of heart, fearednefs cf ccnfcience, and with civil and ecclenaftical laws and immunities in their favour ! And with what noify novelty, terror, curfes, perfections, jm55th(=r«~- e An the**- nroceed in their infernal courfe^tiU the period affigned them of God, come to an end ! 11. They are called frogs h. How filthy their heart and life! How fooliih their talking ! How they delight to wallow in mires of abominations ! And, efpecially amid fummer- mowers of fat benefices, to creep abroad; toinlinuate themfelves into the families and hearts of men ; into the chambers and fecret councils of the great! 23. They are called barren trees, whofe*fruit wi- thereth ; trees twice dead, plucked up by the roots c. However firm their outward fecurities ; however high their profeffion and office ; yet no good fruit of connec- ted gofpel- truth, or genuine goipel-holinefs, do they e- ver produce. How quickly their apparently good doctrines, labours, and followers, discover their naugh- tinefs ! To what a terrible and hcpekfs condition their natural death in trefpsfTes and fins, with their voluntary and.obftinate apoftacy from God, reduce them. 24. They are. called WANDERING stars, to whom is refsrved the blacknefs of darknefs for ever d. With what a mining blazs of profeffion, and of pretence to a Rev. ix, 2, 7,-10. b Rsv. xvi. 13. 2 Tim. Hi 6. « Juu'e it. d Jude 1$. 2^0 SACRED TROPOLOGY. knowledge, piety, and zeal, they refllefsly move in the firmament of the vifible church ! And unceafing, be- wilder themfelves and others, into the perplexed mazes of error>and dreary, hopelefs irate of en die fs wo ! 25. They are reprefented_as fallen stars ; as worm- wood, embittering the rivers and fountains of waters.; How many of them are originally found in the faith ; bat, by Satan's fedudtive temptations, are drawn away into grovelling apoftacy and error, which is bitter to men at hit ; and embitters and poifons to them the pro- mifes and ordinances of the gofpel ! 26. They are called clouds without water b How great their towering pride, and felf-conceit ! How oft their power in the church is eminent ! What darknefi, ignorance, error, and corruption, they produce on the earth ! How unfettled their vain mind ! How reitlefs their contentions ! How ready to comply with evzry novelty ; ev^ry temptation ! Appearing fall of refrefh- injr. frucTifving influence, how infalh'Mjr *^*» ^ a ~o;,r« fuch as expect good from them ! liow mceilantly they forbode the itorms of God's wrath on churches and nations : 27 They are called raging waves of the fea c. What pri- c; wnat noify diforder ; frothy vanity 3 unlettled- ncfs ; and fiercenefs, abound with them ! How oft they threaten to carry all before them ! How they foam out their ihame ; caft forth their monilrous doctrines, vain and Qiameful practices, and vile reproaches, againft their oppofers ! 28. They are called wells without water d. What- ever high pretences to piety, learning, or zeal they make ; whatever fwee'C and ufeful advantage they pro- mife to their followers, there is nothing in them, but flimy, earthly-mindednc-f^, miry filthy lufts, hurtful fiends, errors, and vanhy. Rev. xii. 4, and viii. n. f> Jude 12. c Jude J 3. dz Pet. ii. 17.. Cf metaphors respecting the true cbunh. 23; CHAP. XI. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING THE TRUE CHURCH. I. r HHE church, in connexion with her head, is called A Christ a. Jefus is her head, hufband, and all in all. From hi* love, his blood, his interceiTion and Spirit, me wholly proceeds, to him, as proprietor, me w 7 h oily pertains. To his perfon is every true member unite. And to his honour do all her faints, her laws, her ordinances, and offices tend. 2. She is compared to a HUMAN body, or woman b. She is unite to Jefus as her Lord and head, whence her honour, her laws, her ordinances her nouriihment and life are derived. She confifts of innumerable members, all clofely connected with him, and with one another ; who feel one another's affliction, fympathize, with one another's infirmities, care for one another's welfare, and are in conftant readinefs to ferve one another. Gradual- ly me increafes in ftrength and extent , till me attain the perfeel ftature of the glorified (late. Like a woman, to manifold weaknefs and trouble is fhe fubject on earth. Chrilt himfelf being her head, her eyes, may fignify her illuminating doctrines founded in him, or her minifters, who rooted and grounded in him, fignally adorn her appearance, obferve and direct her members, watch a*< gainft her enemies, exprefs her forrows, and pry into the myfteries of the gofpel. Her hair, may fignify her converts, efpecially young ones, who, however weak and eafily toficd, are by faith fixed in Chrift ; like locks, knit to one another in love, and are an ornameDt and honour to Chrift, and his church. Her nofe may re- prefent minifters in their fpiritual difcerning and relilh of divine things ; in their expofure to danger, and their watching againlt enemies ; and who, while the church is found, are a pleafant, refreshing, and apple-like fa- vour of Chrili to others ; and by them her breath iflues a 1 Ccr. xii. 72. b Song i. 5, 8, 9, 10, li, 13, and iv. I,— 5, and vi. S.—-7, and vii. 1—5, and v. z. Rev. xii. 1, 1^1 SACRED TROPOLOGY. forth, towards God, in prayer and praife. Or may not her nofe, fignify her ftately and majefiic ordinances* awful to her enemies, ornamental and favoury to faints ? Her temples, may fignify her rulers, who, by humble and prudent management of her difcipline and govern- ment, add to her comelinefs. Her cheeks, may denote her whole outward and vifible appearance. Herfcarlet lips, may reprefent preachers and their gofpel-miniflra- tions, chiefly verfant about Jefus Chrift, as bearing, and crucified for, our iniquities. Her teeth, may denote minifters as chewing, as meditating on, the bread of life, and rendering it fit for ufe to the very weakefl mem- bers. Her neck may reprefent them as immediately fub- je£t to Chrifl, her head, as adorned with golden gifts and graces ; and as the ufeful means of exalting him, and conveying nourifhment from him to us: or it may denote the infpired oracles, which, adorned with con- nected, durable, and precious doctrines*, laws, and pro- noifes unite us to Jefus ; and from his fulnefs convey breath and nourifhment, into our foul. May not her breads fignify her pallors and teachers j her two in- fpired teflamentsof heaven ; her two forts of ordinances, ordinary and foiemn ; her two facramental feals of the new covenant ; which adorn her form and appearance, and convey the fincere milk of divine truth and gofpel- influence, to nourifh the infantile children of God ? May not her navel denote minifters, as placed in the midit, in the principal flation of the church ; as mightily con- ducive to her health and ftrtngth ; and the diftinguifli- ed means of nourifhingher children in their fpirutal for- mation ? Her belly may fignify the word and ordinances of Jefus Chrift, where in his chofen are divinely con- ceived and formed into new creatures ; or it may fig- nify her faints, which arc the fubltance in the midft of her. May not the joints of her thighs fignify her cu- rioufly formed young converts, running in the ways of holinefs ? Or may they denote found ftandards ; or the all-covering robes of righteoufnefs ? thefc mightily tend to promote her regular and comely management. May her feet, beautiful with {hoes, denote her paftors, as fixed in the faith of the gofpel, and boldly, readily, and Of metaphors respecting the true churcb. 233 beautifully running to and fro, to puolihVit ? or her private members as well inftructedj and powerfully influenced by the glorious gofpel, and readily running in the paths thereof? Her being black, but comely, fair- eft among women, implies that, however deformed by hypocrites and perfections, yet, as ordered by, and con- formed to > Jefus Chrift m^ is truly beautiful and glo- rious* Her fleeping while her heart waketh implies all her members, except a few choice ones, fallen into car- nal fecurity, and fad ignorance. Her crown of twelve liars, implies her open and honourable profeflion of the doctrines of the prophets and twelve apofiles of the Lamb. Her chains of gold, rows of jewels, borders of gold, and ituds of filver, may reprefent her various, and well connected laws, doctrines, promifes, ordinances, gifts, and graces, bellowed upon her, by her hufband Chrift. Her clothing of the fun, fignifies him as her righteoufneis, protector, and glory. Her vail taken from her by outrageous watchmen, may fignify her jn- triniic power and government ; her civil protection from the Mate; or her ufeful doctrine of Jefus' imputed righ- teouintfs. Her having the moon under her feet, implies her renouncing Jewiih ceremonies, and contemning earthly cuftoms and portions. 3. The church is compared to a virgin a. How pure in her doctrine ! her ordinances ! How abhorent cf who- rifh idolatry and will-worfliip! How chaile her adher- ence to Chrift and his law j How dearly beloved of him! and how comely in her order, offices, and inftitutions ! O virgin daughter, why hail thou become to "him as an whoriih woman ! 4. She is likened to a wife 5. Solemnly is me eipou-f- ed to Chrift, by outward profeflion, and by participation of the facraments ; and -thus brought into ftllowlhip with him, and a general intereft iu his perfon and bent fits. Hereby, how highly exalted and fecured againft totri ruin ! In her, his will is manifested ;and all her true mem- bers have fpecial union and communion with him. And is it not the indifpenfibie duty of every one, to obey and pieafe him in all things ; to dcfire his prefefces with \\zx $ a Isa» Ixii. 4> 5, b Jer. Hi, /./, 234 SACRED TROPOLOGY. and to be exceedingly grieved, when he is difhonoured and provoked ? 5. She is compared to a mother a. Chrift himfelf was born in her; became a member of her ; and is by her crowned with numbers of converts, with unfading honour, and endlefs praife. Married to him, andobtain- ing his prefence in ordinances, me travailing in birth by the painful labours of minifteis and others, brings forth a generation of faints ; nourifhes them with the fincere milk, of the word; inftrucrs them in the found principles of truth : dearly fhe loves, tenderly fhe pities them, and the more as they reiemble Chrift ; their proper work fhe aiiigns them ; from danger {he defends them : highly fhe reckons herfelf honoured by their good behaviour : by fpiritual cenfure fhe corrects them, when unruly. The Gentile world was long a barren woman, which brought forth no children to God; but now produces more than the Jewifh, long the Lord's efpoufed bride. The gofpel- cnurch is a free mother, freed from the law as a cove- nant, and from the yoke of ancient ceremonies : fhe tra- vels in pain by fpiritual pains, and endurance of mani~ fold trouble and perfecution : the man children brought forth by her, are Jefus, with his honoured agent Con- ftantine, the firft Chriftian emperor, and his other bold and refolute faints; thefe are caught up to God and to his throne; Chrift exalted to his right hand; Conftan- tine to the imperial throne; the primitive faints to the celeilial manfions ; or efpecially honoured and protected' on earth. Satan and his agents, particularly the heathen empire of Roms.are the dragon, which waits to devour her children and to perfecute herfelf. Her place divinely provided for her in the wildernefs, is her afflicted ft ate under An tic h rift, wherein God protects her for 1260 years. 6. She is compared to an army with banners £. Hav- ing private faints for her common foldiers, fpiritual rulers for her officers, Chrift for her Captain-general, his perfon, his truth, and love, for her banner, to gather, diHinguifh, direct, and encourage her bands, they, armed with her graces and ordinances, refill, conquer, and fpread terror among her fpiritual foes. 7. She is reprefented as a nation c. She is a dura- • Micah. v. 3» Oal, iy, 16, Rev ,xii. 1, b S?j)g vi. 4. e isa. Ix, 21. Of metaphors respecting the true church* 23^ ble, numerous, well regulate, protected and enrichtd fo^ ciety - : Jefus is her king; angels and minifterSj her guards; Jefus ? word is her hiftory and laws; his new covenant and its blefiings are her inheritance ! receiving out of his fulnefs, and improving it in holy exercifes, is her trade; divine ordinances her houfes and tents. The two armies to be feen in her, are hofts of divine perfections, and angelic fpirits, (landing in her defence ; hofts of in- ward graces and lufts conflicting in her true members ; and hofts of zealous faints and untender hypocrites op- pofingone another. O when mall a nation be born at once! a little one become a ftrong nation! the righteous nation, that keepeth the truth, enter into the heavenly Canaan! 8. She is compared to a city a. Upon himfelf, as her foundation, hath Jefus built her: curioufly he formed her plan, and exactly he executes it : with the wall of his power, his protection, and laws, he furrounds her : all her regulations and cuftoms he hath appointed : himfelf is her chief magiftrate; her officers are his deputies: what an innumerable company, that no man can number, are her inhabitants ! how active ; laborious; high fed; and richly clothed, are her true members ! how diver- iifted, and rich thefe privileges, in which they have all an equal, an everlafting intereft! In freely receiving the fulnefs of God, from the land that is afar oft*, confifts her gainful trade : in the midft of her in the channels of ordinances and promifes, runs the all-adorning, all- protecting, refrefhful, cleanfing, healing, and commer- cial river of life : in her, Chriil, his Father, and Spirit, reticle; he, his angels, and minfters, watch over and , defend her; that the gates, the powers of he]], fhall not prevail, againft her,— O how much were it for her advantage that her inhabitants tenderly loved and clave one to another, as her adverfaries daily beiiege her, by temptation and perfecution ! But ah, while on earth, ■what a mixed multitude of treacherous hypocrites, re- main in her ! 9. She is compared to a family or household b. Se- parate from the reft of the world, God is her father; Chrift is her elder brother, glory, and manager, angels Isa. xxvi. 1. b Gal. vi. 10. Matth. xxiv. 45, and xxv. 14, — 30 U 2 2$6 SACRED TROPOLOGY, and church-officers are her fervants and ftewards. In her are faints, young and old ; weak and flrong ; to each is divinely appointed his proper work, ftation, and privi- lege ; and how comely, when with order, harmony, ikill and delight, they apply themfelves thereto ! Divinely are all her members instructed, apparalled. defended : and, on every proper occafion called to worfbip their God. She is like to a family of fervants : how order- ly hired, admitted, and connected, are, or ought her members to be ! All of them are fubject to Jems' au- thority, and bound to advance his honour : to them, in very different degrees, he intrufts the talents and pounds of office, opportunity^ gifts, and graces, that they may occupy therewith, till he come again : fuch as improve them mall be proportionally honoured and rewarded : fuch as do not : but as it were, hide them in a napkin, ihall be felf- condemned, and call into eternal ruin. How deeply are ail indebted to Jefus ! but finding they have nothing to pay, how ready is he frankly to forgive them ! How abfurd then for them to revenge petty in- juries upon one another ! If he forgive me my ten thoufand talents, what torment, what damnation I de- ierve, if I refent on my neighbour the petty wrong, his rongue,or hand have done me! If while my Lorddelayeth his coming, I beat, reproach, unjuftly cenfure, or per- fecute my fellow-fervants, mall not I have my portion with hypocrites ? Pray, my foul, for this family of God; for they mail profper that love her. 10. She is compared to a dove a. How great her pu- rity ! her fimplicicy! her innocency! her comelinefs ] her chafte affection towards Chrift her head ! how fingle her adherence to his truth and ordinances ! How ihe fties to him in diflrefs, and mourns for his abfenc! How pleafant the confociation of her members ! How noted her fruitfulnefs in young converts ! How emi- nent her weaknefs in herfelf: and her expsfure to enemies ! 1 1 . She is compared to a threshing ox b. By her (hall God fubdue and break in pieces all her enemies : and render the whole earth fervants to him, and to his Chrift, a Son.;, 1. 15. b Micah iv. jj. Of metaphors respecting the true Church, 237 Her iron horns, and hoofs of brafs, are the power, au- thority, courage, and vigour wherewith he fhali endue her and make her terrible to all her oppofers. 12. She is compared to a flock of iheep or goats a, How great the ufefulnefs. purity, fruitfulnefs, unity, and affection of her true rr >rs! Of themfelves, how weak to oppofe! how uhwatchful againft, their fpiritual ene- mies How tenderly lev: cared for, protected, healed, and nourished by Jeius ! xih ! how oft infection fpreads amon them! moil being readier to follow example than precept. How beneficial are good patterns i and how hurtful are bad. Her ewes with young, are perfons di- ftrefled in rni;;d, and minifters travailing in birth, till Chrift be formed in mens' hearts. Her lambs and kids, are young converts, or prcfeffors, who are to be fed be- fides the fhepherd's tent oi ordinances. She is Chrift's flock; all her true members, he chufe, pui chafed, gathers conquers, feeds, protects, and cares for •, and how many rich favoursdo even her nominal profeflbrs receive from his hand? She is one flock, wholly unite in her one head, Chrift; a beautiful flock adorned with his word, his or- dinances, righteoufhefs and grace; a little flock, final] in comparifon- of the reft of the world: a flock of daughter, expofed to fearful perfecution and trouble. Her watering troughs, high mountains, to feed on, and green p^ftures, are the lofty, the ever refreshing, and delighiul word, and ordinances of Chrift. Her dill waters, are the deeps of his everlafting love, and divine influence, which run in the channels, and among the hills of divine ordinances. Her fold, is church-fellowihip, divine ordinances; and gracious communion with himfelf. The footfteps of the flock, are the pattern of former faints; or the ordinan- ces they walk in. 13. She is compared to an olive TREE b. How per- petual her verdure and fapl Hoiv good and abundant her fruit ! How delightful her fpiritual comelinefs, grace^ and the p^ace with God, with confeience, will* creature^ which is exhibited and enjoyed in her! a EzJ , xxxiv, xxxv. xxxvii. Song, 7, 8, ilosea, xiv. 7. Bom. xi, ij* us 23$ SACRED TROPOLOGY. 14. She is compared to a vine a Planted, pruned, watered, and preferved by Jefus' power, fhe, in herfelf con tern ptible, weak, and ufelefs, in him abounds with fpiritual fap of divine truths and influences, fpreads in the world, and brings forth the well joined, the ufeful, and refreshing fruits of holy men, of fpiritual graces and good works, to the praife and glory of God ! And ah ! hew thefe particular affemblies and members which re- main unfruitful, diflionour God, provoke his wrath, and haften their own difgrace and ruin ! 15. She refembies a bush burning, and not confum- ed b. To carnal men, fhe appears inngnificant and con- temptible: in this world, me is ordinarily low and ex- pofed to ^mictions : to fuch birds of mankind, ?.s flee to the Lord Jefus, and ling to his praife, lhe is the com- mon receptacle : notwithftanding of, nay often in, the fiercefl: trials, and perfecutions, {he flouriiheth with holy perfons, graces, and exercifes ; painfully, though inno- cently, {he prick?, and plagues thefe, who injure her. 16. She is compared to a lily c. How comely and ufeful in her author, her laws, ordinances, and real mem- bers ! Though weak in herfelf, how rooted in Chrift I How 7 glorious and great in him, as her head ! How fruit- ful in the production of faints ! How high and heavenly her nature and tendency J To what heights of perfec- tion {hall {he attain! How delightful and diffunve her favour, when the fulnefs of the Gentiles {hall come in, snd the whole earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord ! And though now among thorns, expofed to trou- bles and evil men; yet how quickly to be tranfplanted to the celeflial paradife of God ! 17. She is called the fulness of Christ*/. Her true members are his myilical body, through which he 1 ecomes a complete mediatorial head and huiband, and in whom he fully manifefts his mercy, kindnefs, and love. Surprifing ! am I for ever to have Jefus for my fulnefs! and to be the fulnefs of him, who filleth all in all ! 18. She is culled heaven e. She is the gate of en- « Hosca xiv. 7. 6 Exod in. t,— 6. c Song ii. 2. d Eph. 1. ~$. t Rev. vui. i, and xi. 12, 15, and xiv. 6. Of metaphors respecting the true church* , 239 trance to heaven. In her, God and his holy people re- fide; and the latter are fitted for the paradife above. Her laws, ordinances, and privileges, are of a heavenly origin, nature, and tendency. Chrifl and his oracles are her fun ; his inflituted ordinances her moon; he, her morning-liar.; miniilers and faints, her connected conftellations. 19. She is compared to the sun a. How conflant and abiding ! the gates of hell cannot prevail againft her. In her, how delightfully the wonders and myfte- ries of God are difplayed .' How glorious her fpiritual appearance! Nor is any faving light communicate to the world, but by her means! Her complex frame is clothed with the laws and ordinances of Jefus, the Sun of righteoufnefs ; and her true members with his righte- oufnefs and grace. 20. She is compared to the moon h. From Jefus ihe receives all her light of infpiration, ordinances, and grace. Amid various changes of outward circumftances, amid unnumbered fpots and imperfections, ihe, during the night of time, communicates the light of life to our darkened earth. How marvellous her influence upon the rife and fail of nations, in the sea of this world I As Jefus' face mines upon her, fo is the meafure of her light : but when carnal fchemes and politics interpofe between her and him ; how is her glory eclipfed! how many witnefs her ihame ! 21- She refembles the morning c- How pleafant and refrefhful, though imperfect, her light ! How gra- dually, from the beginning to the end of time, (hah it increafe, till it iffue in the noon-tide blaze of cndlefs brightnefs ! But, my foul, did not the church look forth as the morning, in the patriarchal age ? Did fhe not ap- pear fair as the moon, when clothed with the numerous moon-ruled and fading ceremonies of the Jewifh difpen- fation ? Did Ihe not in the apoftolic ; and mail ihe not in the millennial, and the eternal period, appear clear as the sun ? 22. She refembles a ship d. How curioufly built and furnifhed by Chiift, for conveying hi3 people * b cSong vi. 10. d Isa. liv. 11. 240 SACRED TROPOLGY. through the fea of this world, and of manifold troubles, to the haven of glory ! How fkilfuliy to be directed and managed, according to the compafs of infpi ration ! How neceflarily influenced, by the gales of divine influence I Ah, how oft bewildered with the milts of delufiori ; and toiled with waves and ftorms of perfecution, divifion, temptation, and trouble! What numbers, once entered by a formal profeffion, are fhaken out of her, by ftorms and death ! Nor do any, but God's chofen and fanctified ones, by her means, arrive fafe at the heavenly harbour. 23. She is compared to a net a. How mean her materials ! but how curioufly connected her members, ordinances, and forms ! With what labour and fkill, Je- fus and his agents call her into the fea of this world, to catch and draw men to Hmfelf ! And how oft they re- move her from one place to another ! What multitudes are fometimes, by his direction, therein apprehended I fome of whom are real faints, good fifties ; others hypo- critical and bad ! Quickly, in the Tail judgment, fhall ftie be drawn to the ihoreof theet. rial £1 te; where the good (hail be gathered to plus' manfioas j and the bad thrown away into the furnace of his wrath. 24. She rcferobles Solomon's chariot of the wood of Lebanon b. Of men rendered precious, fragrant, ftrong, comely, and durable, by hia grace, hath our glorious King Jefus, our Prince of peace f rmed her. Miniftcrs fhining in ufetul gifts and grace are her filver pillars. The excellent, glorious, and everla'fting perfon of Chrift, is her bottom oi gold Her cove ing of purple, implies her being waftied in his blood; clothed with his righte- oufiefs, loyally dignified by his kindncfs, and expofed to b! ody fuffering lor his fake. Her being paved with ]( . . implies, that his love is in her exhibited and ap- plied i and that his people walk in love towards him, and towards one another. 25. She rc'fembles the wheels in Ezekiel's vjfion c. How great her excellency and ufefulnefs i how noted her movcablencfs ~iom phce to place ! Through men's oppofition, what a noife do her motions make in the a Maith. xiii.47,— 50, i> Song iii. 9, 10, c Hzsk. ft* Of metaphors respecting the true church. 241 world! May not the roundnefs import her perfection in her kind ? the four faces imply knowledge, heavenlinefs, courage, and patience, in labour ? the dreadful height of their rings, denote majeily, extent, and awfulnefs to op- pofers ? May not their colour of the fea or beryl, mark outlier fluctuating condition upon earth; and the ex- cellency and beauty of her true members? their not turning as they went, reprefent her progrefs towards perfection, and the gracious perfeverance and growth of her faints ? their appearance as a wheel within a wheel, imply her curious ftructure, with refpect to the particu- lar worfhipping aflemblies comprehended in her? May not the crying to the wheels import the neceffary awa- kening and exciting of the church, by the word and Spi- rit of God? And the moving of the wheels by the Spirit of the living creatures, imply, that the churches mult be animate to their progreflive work* by the zealous di- ligence of minillers, and the influence of the divine Spi- rit, who is in them ? 26. She is called a spring shut up ; a fountain sealed a. How remarkably is fke oft protected of God ! Gracioufly feparate and preferved for him, as his hidden ones, and peculiar property, are all her true mem- bers. Safely repofited and fecured in her, are her in- fpired oracles, divine ordinances, and valuable bieiungs. Nor are they bellowed on, or made known to the refl of die world. 27. She is compared to a mountain or hill b. How immoveably rooted in Chrift J How impoffible to deflroy her ] How diilinguifned her excellency ! How amazing her height, and exteniive her profpect, into divine, deep, and diflant things ! With what contempt do her faints overlook every thing without, as low and trifling ! In her, fpring the inftituted wells of faivation, and runs the river of life. In her, grow God's chofen plants, trees of righteoufnefs and life, and fruitful vines. In her, he is worfhipped in fpirit and in truth. In her, how richly feed his ranfomed flock, on the paflures of gofpel-ordi- nances ! How fafely preferved and flickered by the Rock of ages ! She is a mountain of myrrh, and hill of frank- a Song iv. iz. b Isa. xxv. 6. Song iv. 6, and viii, 14. 242 SACRED TROPOLOGY. incetife ; mountains of fpices, How fragrant, preciou?, purifying-, and perfuming, the virtue of her ordinancis, bleiTings, graces, and good works ! How Jefus delights in her ! and beftows on her true members, fweet com- munion with himfelf 1 28. She is compared to Carmel; Lebanon*; and SHA&aN a. Tn her* is Jefus, the tree of life ; and his Spirit, the water of life. In her, the Rock of falvation, the Rofe of Sharon, sndJLily of the valley, is enjoyed. What fragrant and lading verdure; what pleafant pafture amiable profpedl, and delightful reft, he, in her, creates for the fouls of men ! In her, what plants of God ; what flowers of grace, fmell fweetly, bloffom, and bring forth fruit ! / 29. She is a little stone cut out of the mountain without hands, which breaks to pieces thekingdoms of the world, and becomes a great mountain, filling the whole earth b. Chrift her Head, in his manhood w T as formed by the tranfeendent power of the Holy Ghoft. Wonder- fully, not by human force, is fhe raifed up in the world. By the fovereign power, and free grace of God ; are her true members digged from their natural ftate, andbrought from among the reiidue of mankind. Implored by her fervent prayer, mall the righteous Lord bring terrible deftruction upon her oppofers. When wealthiest empires are overturned, fhe, however fmall and defpifed, mail continue ; and gain ground by their ruin. In the laft days, when the Chaldean, Periian, Grecian, Roman, and Tartarian empires, are no more ; mall Ike extend to all the kingdoms of the earth ; and, in her lofty ordinances, mall all flc (h Tee the falvation of God. 30. She is compared to a garden ; orchard ; vine- yard c. At infinite expence of love, of power and blood, Jefus pttrehafed her from the juftice of God. The heart ot her chofen members he plows up ; removes their ftcuy hardnefs ; and every other bar in his way. Regularly he plants her with his faints, his ordinances and grace. By the hedge of government and difcipline, « Isa. xxxv. 2, and Jxv. 10. b Dan. ii. 34, 35. c-Isa. v. 1,-5. Son.' iv. ij, 14, and vni. n,-— 1$, Isa. xxvii, 2, 3. Matth. xx. i,~--i6, and xxi. 33,- — 44. Of metaphors respecting the true church, 24* he defends and feperates her from the reft of the world. By the fhining of his countenance, and application of his love, he warms and nourifhes her. With the river, the rain, the dew of his word and Spirit, he waters her every moment. With his truths and blefflngs, he fat- tens her. By his angels, his minifters, his providence, he watches over, and keeps her night and day, left any hurt her. How dear is me to him ! and how he de- lights to walk therein ! What officers and members he hires to labour in her ! No feed, but that of this word, he allows to be caft into her. None, but the choice feed of his faints, he allows accefs to her fealing ordi- nances. By a faithful adminiftraticn of his inftitutions, and by manifold perfecutions and afflictions, he weeds and prunes off her corruptions. E,very~plant or mem- ber is required to bring forth much fruit. And to what diftrefs, fpiritual drought, and everlafting danger, does their want of it expofe them ! How oft, for cumbering his ground, for living unpiofitably and wickedly in his church, doth he cut down profefTors, and caft them into endlefs fire ! How oft, for fpiritual barrennefs, and noxi- ous corruptions, he unhinges particular churches ! takes away their hedge of protection and government ! gives them up to Heathenifh, and other abominations ! and fuf- fers the wild.beafts of wicked men to wafte and deform them at pleafure ! No where are fuch noxious weeds, fuch corruptions produced, as in an uncultivate church. How quickly the nettles and briers of herefies, hateful practices, and wicked men, cover her face, and render her a lodging of Satan, and his ferpentine feed ! The church is indeed fmaller, but more ufeful than all the reft of the world. For like a vineyard of red wine, amid bloody per- fections, fhe produces perfons and works, which cheer the heart of God and man ; like an orchard of pomegra- nates, fpikenard, and all the chief fpices, ftie produces faints unnumbered, precious, favoury, ufeful, and in at- tainments and conditions, very verfified. Thefe bring forth the fpices and fruits of holy graces and good works, rich, fragrant, and medicinal. The keepers andhufband- men to whom Ghrift lets out his vineyard, are her offi- cers, who are tocultivate her, arid return him proper re- 244 SACRED TROPOLOGY. venues of honour for the talents, opportunities, and charge afligned them. How miferably did God dcftroy the Jew- ifli keepers, who abui'ed his prophets and fervants, and murdered his Son ; and gave the vineyard to the Gentiles! ChrifVs having her at Baol-Hamon imports, that now the accefs to her is large; and multitudes enter. His having a thoufand, and the keepers two hundred, implies, that he is to have the chief glory ; and his minifters their re- fpe&ive fubfiftence and honour. His hiring labourers to work in her at the third, the fixth, the ninth, and eleventh hour, implies, that in different ages of the world, as the patriarchal, ceremonial, apoftolic, and millennial; and in very d\fferent fetfons of life, are his cbofen con- verted, and made to labour in his work ; and at the end, fhall all of them receive the penny, the enriching, the gracious reward of eternal life. From her various wor- shipping afTemblies ihe is fometimes reprefented as gar- dens or vineyards. 31. She is compared to a sown field a. Jefus, her proprietor, i'ews her with the good feed ©f his word. Some of it fails on hearers, ftupid, carelefs, and expofing themfelves to every temptation, as a way-fide, and by- Satan and his agents is quickly devoured and matched from their memory and am ction. Some of it falls up- on hearers hard in heart as (tony ground ; who, chough at firft they receive it with joy and affection, and feem to commence a nouriihing piofcfiion and practice, yet fcorched by perfecution or trouble, they quickly wither. Some of it falls upon carnal worldlings, whofe thorns, whofe earthly cares and lulls, choak and render it un- fruitful. Some of it falls upon renewed hearts, who, in very different degrees, bring forth fruit unto God. In her grow up the good wheat, the faints (own by Jefus Chnlt , and the tares, hypocrites, and feducers, fown by Satan in the night of ignorance, indifferency, trouble, or time. Nor men, nor angels, can, or are now .divinr \y warranted, fulhy to feparate the tares from the wheat. Lut at the lad judgment, a full, a final ftparation mail be effected ; the faints gathered into God's heavenljr ltorehoufe, and the wicked caft into unquenchable fire. a Matih. xiii. 1,— 8, 24,-30. Of metaphors respecting ibe iruz church. 245 32. She is compared to a threshing floor #. Here the corn of precious faints, and the chafFof hjpocritic dilfemblers are mingled together in her ; nay, the corn of grace and ch'fFof corruption cleave clofe to one ano- ther ; and by threftiing influences, troubles, and perftcu- tiorts, her ordinary attendants, muft the chaff be gradual- ly feparate from the wheat. In her, how quickly one generation pafTeth away, and another cometh in their itead ! BleiTed Boaz, ir. is thine to lodge en this thy floor, which thou haft chofen, purchafed, and prepared. It is thine to purge it with the fan of thy word, of thine in- fluence, and of fi6rmy providence. What chaffy mul- titudes of rebellious Jews, and apoftate Chriftians, have thy fanning judgments hurried into fearful wo I What millions mall thy trying procedure at the laft d&y blow into endlefs ruin ! Be thou, my foul, folid grain, that no trouble, nor death, nor the eternal judgment, may blow me away from Ghrifl and his faints. 33. The gofpel- church refembles the INHERITANCE of Israel, in Ezekiel's vifion b. All her borders are exiclly circumfcribed in the purpofe, the covenant, and word of God. In her the true Ifraelites, his chofen people refide. How noted the regularity, and harmony of their refpe&ive flations and conditions ' How oft do Danites, diftinguifhed and early fihners, become the firfl:, and the mofl highly privileged faints ! What equal ac- cefs for Jews and Gentiles to her fellowfhip! What fhares of common gifts and grace, fojournir.g hypocrites often obtain I How regularly is their proper work, pro- vision, and honour, affiled to her officers, her priefts, and pevites ! With what equity do, or mall thofe rulers execute her government and laws j How active and fuc- cefsful (hall they be as fifhers of men in the dead fea of this world! How glorious her watering and fructifying truths, inflitutions, and influences, which, iiTuing from the temple, and through the death of Jefus our Lord, do, in different periods, gradually incrcafe, and on every hand produce multitudes of trees, of lively, flou riming, and fruitful faints ! How deplorable their end, who reap no benefit thereby ! They mail be curfed into fournefs, >« Matth. iii, 12. b Ezek. xlv. xlvj. xlvih and xlviii, X 246 SACRED TROPOLOGY. into barrennefs, and encilefs wo ! In her hew high the honour; how abundant this portion of her prince and Mediator; at whofe expence, her feafts, her ordinances, are obferved ! In the midft cf her, dwells Jehovah, and ihares the centrical portion, the fupreme honour and glory of all. 34. She, efpccially in the latter days, r^fembles the NEW Jerusalem in John and Ezekiers virions a. Her defcending from Gcd out of heaven, marks her heavenly, her divine erection, nature, and tendency. Her fituation on the fouth fide of an hill, may denote her freedom frcm the chilling blafts of perfecution and trouble ; and her eminent enjoyment of the influences of her ail-warming Sun of rightecufnefs. Ker appearance as a jafper-ftone, imports her purity and comelinefs. Her high wall round about, is her divinely prefcribed laws and government ; and her divinely beftowed falvation and protection from wo. Her twelve gates of pearl, three towards each airth, mark out Jefus a« equally acceffible to Tinners from every end of the earth.. Her twelve foundations of dif- ferent precious ftones, repiefcnt him, and his glorious truths, declared by his apodles, as fuited to fupport fin- ders in every cafe. Her fourfquare form, fignifjes her (lability, ccmelinefs, and order. Her being eighteen thoufond meafures round about, 2nd having twelve thoufind furlongs on every fide, import her numerous members, and v a ft extent. Her having no temple in her, denotes the abolifhment of the Jevviin ceremonies. Ker having no need of the fun, the moon, or the light cf a candle, fignines her having no need of temporal power, worldly pomp, and dim ceremonies. Her river of life in the midft, is the gol'pel anu Spirit of ChrifL Her tree of life is himfelf. Htr Greets and broad waj s are his ordinances. Her'light is the Lord God and the Lamb. Into her mall multitudes come, and obtain divine liglit, knowledge, joy, and happinefs ; and from her fpecial U liovvfbip, ihall wicked and fcandaluus perfons, be carefully fecluded : and this fliall be her name, her renown, the Lord is there; there divine perfons de- lightfully refi\ie ; there divine perfections are fignally « Rev. xxi, and xxii. i, 2. Ezek. xl. 2, and xlviii. jo, to 35. Of metaphors respecting' the true church, 247 displayed, and divine gifts and graces bountifully con- ferred. 35. She, efpecially in the latter days, correfponds with the temple in Ezekiel's vifion a. How furrounded with the Itrong wall of divine "perfections, of love, and power! of falvation and government ! How exactly e- very thing in her is meafured according to the line and reed of God's pnrpofe and word ! Its (lairs of afc^nt at the thresholds; (ignify our gradual irrcreafe in gifts and grace ; and oar gradual entrance into the vifible and in- vifibie church, and to fellowship with God ; and the va- rious means of obtaining it. The courts may reprefent the church as vifible ; the fanctuary, in her invifible ftate, or the outward. court, may fignify her vifible, and the inner court her invifible ftate. The fanctuary her emi- nent feilowfhip with God in Chrift, And the feparate building at the weft end, the eternal ftate of glory, which eye hath not feen, nor ear heard ; nor hath it entered in- to the heart of men to conceive of. The fide-chambers of the temple and court* may fignify particular churches* worlhipping alTemblies, and inftituted ordinances, where Jefus refides, and reveals his mylteries ; protects ami al- lows intimate fellowship to his people. The enlarging of the upper ftories of fome of thefe chambers, by their jutting into the principal wall^, implies, that the more holy, heavenly, and dependent upon God, churches and perfons are, in attending ordinances, the more extenfive is their gofpel-liberty. The priefts chambers in the outward court towards the north, may mark their diftinct functions in the church ; or the Proteftanc churches in Europe and No-rth America. Their nar- rowing as they afcend, implies their being the more ex- pofed to perfecution, according to their emineney; or that in the Protectant churches there, fhall be great de- cays*, as to number and quality ; and that in the fecond, and efpecially the tiiird age after the Reformation, few eminent members or minifters mall be therein found. The void places between and before the chambers, may reprefent the abundant accefs there is to Chriftian, churches and ordinances , the light, liberty, and whole- JEzek. xl. to xliv, X2 ?4^ SACRED TROPOLOGY, fome air cf influence there enjoyed j and th.it our whole life is lo be an improving of ordinances pair, and a pre- paration for thefe in view. The equal fize of the cham- bers, exhibits the equal privileges, power, and authority of churches and minifters ; and the fubftantisl ind entity of ordinances. Tne polls and pillars in this temple, may reprefent fundamental truths, evangelic promiies, faith- ful ministers, and zealous faints; which eftabiim and ftrengthen the church. Cherubims and palm-trees al- ternately mixed, may reprefent minifters and faints at- tended by angels ; and all prying into the myfteries of redemption, flying in the active fervice of God, or pa- tiently bearing loads of labour and trouble, and obtaining viclory over fpi ritual enemies. The foundations and pavement may reprefent Chrift, and his infpiredpracles, as the foundation of the church, and of eve'ry true mem- ber, grac?, and good work therein. The large gates, doors, and porches, iignify Chriit as the means of our abundant accefs to God, But the porch of the fan&uary may exhibit him as a fupporter, hiding-place, andhoufe of prayer, for his people: and the appropriation of the eaft gate to the prince alone, may iignify, that he alone approaches itraight forward to God, by his own merit ; and is the Head of the church, who may go in and out from his people and ordinance?, as he pleafeth. The windows may reprefent miniiters and ordinances, by whofe means we mare the light and air of life. The identity of things and meafures on various (ides, exhibits the identity of Chriit, and his word and ordinances ; arid the nmilarity of his people in every part cf the world. The altar of burnt-cuering, reprefents Jefus in his all- purchafing blood and righteoufnefs. That of incenfe reprefents him in his all-procuring interceffion. The chamber for warning the facrificts, may denote the or- dinance of baptifm, wherein the faints, thefe fpiritual oblations, are warned in the blood anil Spirit of the Lamb. The eight tabhs of hewn ftone, with the knives on them, may fignify the divinely appointed, the (land- ing and oft difpenf d facrament of the fupptr, wherein C .lift crucified, and our fins the caufe of his death, are affe&mgly prcfented to our fpi ritual view. And may Of metaphors respecting the true church, 249 not the flefii-hooks denote the promifes and ordinances of the gefpel, as exhibiting and bringing near to us, our crucified Redeemer? May not the fingers and Levites fignify true Chriftians, who rejoice in, blefs the Lord and labour in his fervice? Miy not the pri efts fignify miniilers, who prefent Chrifl to us : and faints, who by faith prefent him to God, and furrender themfelves io his fervice ? May not the five hundred reeds of meafure on every fide of the court, fignify the extent of the church in the latter day; and the confiderable diflincfion to be kept up between her and the world ? Does not the whole limit thereof round about, being moll holy, im- port, that all her ordinances are holy and fpiritual, not. ceremonial and carnal ; and that holiaefs ought to be the fhining quality of every member in her ? 36. She is compared to an ho t jse or palace a, Gu~ rioufly Jefus contrived her whole form. Upon his own perfon, word, and righteoufnefs, he lays her foundation. With his chofen, his lively, and precious Hones, hewn out of the dark quarry of nature, by his Spirit ; quick- ened, formed, and polilned by his grace; and cemented together by himfelf, his love:, his blood, and ordinances; he rears her up. With f acred ftatutes, with provision of gofpel-truth, with unfearchable bleflings, he richly fur- nifhes her. What a place is fbe of fecreey, fafety, reft, . devotion, and fpiritual feaRing ! To prevent her decay and ruin, how frequently is fhe repaired with new ge- nerations of faints, and fupplies of gr^ce ! Her being founded on the tops of the mountains, and exalted above the hiiis, implies, that, remaining for ever founded on Jefus drift,' ths Rock of faivation, fhe mall be moil firmly and confpicuoufly fettled in the world, that mul- titudes may flow unto her. Her foundation of fapphires, is Chi ill. infinitely pure, precious, glorious, and durable; and his truths. H^r p weraent of fair-coloured ftones, is him as the all-glorious foundation of our holy walk ; or, it is faints of the lowed order beautified in him. Her windows of agates, mav fignify painful and fuccefs- fui miniilers, who convey light and knowledge to her, fsomher ^ioHousSun of righteoufnefs, and of infpi ration* Pr<37.ix. I, — 5, jsa, liv. 1 r, iz Rev. rr. 6, and XV. z t &3- 2$0 SACRED TROPOLOGY. Her doors and gates of carbuncles, are Jefus in his awful authority, fiery fuflferings, and glorious exaltation, as the means of our accefs to God ; or they are a love- working and zeal inflaming faith, whereby we join our- felves to him and his church : and may they not alfo re- prefent the zealous endeavours of miniflers to try per- sons, and admit to fealing ordinances only fuch as are vifibly faints, and faithful ? Her borders of pkafant Hones, are her precious, her comely, well fixed, and durable faints, ordinances, difcipline, and government. Her cedar beams and pillars, are the fragrant, firm, and sailing miniflers, fain ts,'promifes, and ordinances, where- by fhe is adorned and fupported. Her rafters and gal- leries of fir, are her fhadowy, refrcfhful, ard comely ordinances of divine grace, wherein we apprehend, re- tain, and walk with Chrift. Her chambers reprefent her ordinances as the means of fecret, fwcet, and fatis- fying communion with Chrifl: ; and of his blefiing us with ]iis peculiar protection and prefence. Her wine-cellar, banqueting- houfe, and bed, are the fcriptures, the co- venant of grace, and efpecial fellowmip with Chriil ; by which we are fweetly refreihed, flrengthened, fathfied, delighted, inftrticled, and rendered fruitful in good works. Her table is the ordinances of God, whereon his fulnefs is exhibiced to us. Her throne of grace, is Jefus, as the fulfiller of all righteoufnefs, in whom God is for ever well-pleafed and reds* The fea of glafs before the throne, mingled with fire, on which the faints for ever Hand, and are bold before God, is Jefiio' all-cleanfin^, all-fupporting blood, as flowing from his flaming love, and applied by his Spirit of burning ; or it io the gofpei applied by the Spirit to our confeience, for encouraging us to bold appearances, and fupplications btfere God. 37. She is compared to an inn a. For accomodating and refrefhing the people of God in theii heavenly jour- ney, is flie erected. Jn her, are miniftrrs appointed to wait on the travelling faints, and rffcrd them medicine, milk, or llrong meat, as their-cafe requires. Are not the two infpircd Teiramenti ; aie not minifterial gifts and places, the two-pence bellowed bv cur kind Sama- u Luke x 3.}. Of metaphors respecting the true church. 2rj r'itan upon thefe hcits on earth, for the affiitance of his people? And is not everlafting glorv their additional -reward ? Beware, my foul, of refting in ordinances or attainments ; but haiten forward to thy long home, the better country above. 38. She refemhles a chamber and banojjeti*tg- house a. Flow richly furniihed with every thing come- ly.and ufeful ! with all the nourifhing fulnefs of God ! In her, how fweetly Jefus manifefts himfclf to his people ! feafts them with his goodneis ! allows them his intimate fellowship ! reveals to them his lecrets ! and pro- tects them from their foes ! 39. She refembles a GREEN and well-guarded BED b. What fweet communion have the Saints here with Chrift, and with one another ! How fweetly here he dwells, and refts in his love ! With what amazing pleafure he here declares it to us, and makes us to en- joy its endearing fruits ! Is it not here, that faints and graces are begotten j are born ; are nourifhed ; and ap- pear with conitant verdure, glory, and freihnefs ! What armed guard of infinite perfections, of holy angels, and faithful minifters, fur round her on every fide ; alide- teraiined, during her night of trouble and time, to pro- tect her in fafety, and to execute vengeance on her foes! 40. She is compared to a wall c. Eftablimed in the faith of his word, cemented by his perfon and blood, and by their mutual love, and fpiritual fellowfhip, her true members are built on Chritt the foundation. In them, and in her whole form, (lie is erected ftraight heaven- ward. How llrorig in him ! and what an ufeful means of protecting men f om the ftorms of temptation and wrath ! What a Separator between profeiied faints and profane finners ! Her towers are the oracles, ordinances, and ministers of God ; whereby (he oppofes her fpiritual enemies, when they come in like a Hood. The nlver palace built upon tier, implies her being the honoured habitation of Father, Son and Holy Ghoil; and that bj •her means, we afcend to the celeftial irate. 41. She is compared to a door d. In her, Jefus the a Song i 4, *;;d ii. 4. b Song i. j6, and iii, 7, S, t Song viii. 9, io 3 d Song vih, 9. 2 $2 SACKED TROPOLOGY. door, the way, the truth, and the, life, is exhibited ; and the door of faith, the door of gofpel offers* and of mens he. rts, is opened. She is the door of paflage to the in- nr chambers of endJefs felicity. Nor ought any, but v:fib!e faints, to be admitted to the chambers of her fealing infiitutions. And is fhe not diviniy incloied with the cedar- boards of ordinances, providences, and graces? 42. She is compared to a golden candlestick a. How great her beauty and value ! From Chrifl the light ot : life are her gifts and graces lighted ; and by her doftrine, difcipline, and holy conveifation, fhe communi- cates the light of initru&ion to others. Her fituation in the world, is often varied ; and in the morning of endlefa glory, her prefent form mail be laid afide. Her oil is the gofpel and grace of God. The pipes of conveyance are faithful mir titrations of truth. The two olive-trees, that empty the oil out of themfelves, may fignify minifters, who commuiiicate gofpel-truth to others 5 or Chrift's natures and offices, whereby the Holy Ghofl is communicate to men. 43. The church is like unto a FIRE b. In her dwells the Spirit of judgment and burning. In her is the word of God like unto fire, inflaming and melting the hearts of men. In her, what multitudes aie r< fined from their drofly corruptions ,' How terrible and Jcilruclive is me to her enemies ! CHAP. XIL OF METAPHORS RESPECTING ANTICHRIST, AND OTHER FALSE CHURCHES. I. /CORRUPT churches are called flocks of Chrift's V> companions c. In mighty numbers they are ga- thered, nounfhed, directed, and governed by his oppo- fers ; and the doctrines and laws they attend to, and their cufton s and conduct, ar^ the rcverfe of thefc appointed by i- 2. They are called synagogues o? Satan d In them cltev. i. 2o t *Obau.i8. rSgtiSUh 4 Kcv. ii. 9. Oj metaphors respecting Antichrist, &c. 253 he dwells ; and by them he is worihipped. In them his doctrines are believed ; his laws obferved ; and his or- dinances attended. And his followers afTemble for fel- low/Lip in error, delufion, and wicked practices. 3. They referable lukewarm water, and a cake not turned a. Pretending fome regard to divine truths and ordinances, but wanting the love thereof, they mix idolatry, and other corruptions, with fome re- mains of Goo's true worfhip ; fear him, and ferve their own gods ; and fo render theitifelves abominable to him. and his people ; and are in the utmcft hazard of being fpued out of his mouth into everlafting ruin. Why they are compared to old men with grey hairs without knowing it; and to roaring lions ; rapacious birds ; corrupt carcafes ; barren vineyards ; and empty vines. See in Jews, chap. xiii. § 2. No j. 4. The Antichriftian ftate or Papacy, is called a man cf slN b. How wonderfully connected in its parts ! How marvelloufly all of them fympatnize with, and fup- port one another ! What pretence it makes to reafon, and to the advantage of mankind ! The Pope, who over- fees, directs, and governs, is the head; his fnbmiffive and wickedly active clergy are the hands 3 and their common jfutjecis the feet. And how monftroufly fin- fui and wicked the whole fyftem of his doctrines, laws, worihip, miracles, offices, officers, and couries ! 5. Antichrift. is called the son of pfrdition c. By the deftructive vengeance of God on men, for net receiv- ing his truth in the love of it, was the rife thereof per- mitted. The Pope and his thorough paced agents, go about, feeking whom they may devour. Their do&rine, their laws, and example, effectually tend to the ever- lafting ruin of multitudes. Their beloved, their habi- tual labour, is to deilioy the fouls and bodies of men'. Theperiod of their power is a perilous time ; for they have conferences feared as with a hot iron, ignorant, and ftupiiied; they fpeakliesin hypccrily ; promote doc^. trines of devils, forbidding to marry, and to enjoy meats which God hath prepared for u(e ; they are lovers of themfelves, covetous, proud, bUfphemers, difobedient a Rev.iii, 15, 16. Ilosea viii., 8. b e 2 Xhess, ii. 3 2 Tim. iii. j,— 7» 254 SACRED TROFOLOGY. to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affe&ion, truce-breakers, falfe accufers, incontinent, intemperate, fierce, heady, high-minded, defpifers, and haters ofthofe that are good. 6. Antichrift is compared to a whore a. With ama- zing craft, filthinefs, and flattery, do the Pope and his factors, feduce multitudes into error, idolatry, will-wor- fhip, and other parts of fpiritual whoredom with them. For this end, how they deck up their offices and caufe, with the mod plauiible pretences to piety and reafon ! How they delude with the mod engaging outward ap- pearances of carnal pomp and fplendour ! Under pre- tence of chaftity, how they decry marriage, and yet wallow in all manner of uncleannefs ! The fcarlet-colour- ed bead with feven heads and ten horns, whereon (he rides, is the blafphemous and bloody empire of Rome, which had feven different forms of government; and is now divided into ten principal fovereignties, over which the Pope did, or doth exercife his power. The many waters whereon (he fitteth, are the noify multitude of people fubjeci to her authority. Her purple andfcarlct clothing, marks out the purple livery of her cardinals ; her amazing pride j her high pretences to more than royal fovereignty ; and her bloody persecution of ihe flints. The golden cup full of fi thinefs in her hand, is the unhallowed means (he takes to enfnare and defile the fouls of men. Her name on her forehead, Myftery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abomina- tions of the earth, imports her high pretences to lying wonders, and her aftonifhtng impudence in the filthieft crimes. Her being drunk with the blood of faints, im- plies her cruel and bloody perfecution of them, her de- lighting to murder and malTacre them. The burning of her fle(h with fire by the ten kings once fubjeft to her, implies their angry, utter, and fearful deftrnctiori of the Papal conftitution, power, and revenue, in the time appointed of God. 7. Antichrift is called Sodom b. What pride, ful- nefs of .bread, and abundance of idlenefs, are with her numerous devotees ! What (hockino beitiality, Sodomy, a lie v. xv ii. 6 Rev. xi. 8. Of metaphors respecting Antichrist, &c> 255 fornication, adultery, and every other fiefhly and mental impurity, prevail in Popifh. countries ! Do not you, Antichriflian clergy, for a pitiful price, allow men to pra&ice the vilefl abominations? What numbers of licenfed flews at Rome ! Are you not lovers of plea- lures more than lovers of God ? How oft ycu creep into mens houfes, to defile tbeir fpoufes and daughters with your whoredom and error I Pal! feeling, how you abandon yourfelves to all uncleannefs, to work it with greedinefs ! And mail not you, and your followers, like Sodom, be fet up as monuments of wrath, fuffering the vengeance of eternal fire ? S. Antichrifl is called Egypt a. How terrible the Popifh oppreflion of, and murdering the faints ! How fearful their deilruc~lion of the fools of men I How mock- ing and cruel, the fiavery of their fubjecls ! Kow ab- furd their fuperilition ! How bafe their idolatry in worshiping waxes, wafers, images of a crcfs, relics of dead men, pretended or real, &c. 9. Antichrifl is called Babylon the great b How aflonifhing and wide-fpread the Popifh power and dc« minion ! How did their agents captivate and enflave the nations and people of God ! What magic, idolatry, fuperilition, perfecution, and murder, abound among thern ! And (hall not this flate and fyflem be over- thrown by the efpecial providence of God ! And Rome, its principal feat, reduced to alafling ruin ! The tenth part of this city ruined by an earthquake, is a part of the Romifh flate, perhaps Italy, overturned by the fear- ful judgments of God. io. Antichrifl is compared to a beast c. What ftu- pidity, abfurdity, and ignorance, prevail in his doctrines, laws, and members ! Its Tiling out of the fea, imports his obtaining of power amidfl times of trouble, confu- fion, perplexity ; and over multitudes of unfettled fub- je&s of the Roman empire. Its feven heads, fignify feven forms of government ufed at Rome, and iffuing and concentering in the Papacy. Its ten horns, are the ten kingdoms fubjecr. to Popery. Names of blafphemy in the forehead, imply open reviling of God and his a Rev. xi. 8. b Rev, xvii. 5. c Rev. xiii. 256 SACRFD TROPOLOGY. truths; andofChrift, in his ofrce and work. Its feet of a bear, imply excefUve cruelty ; firm retention of vo- taries; and outrageous mur'er of men in their foul, bock* and name, its appearance of a leopard. imports craft cru- elty and being fpotted with abominations unnumbered. Its mouth of alion, importsthe roaring forth of frightful threatenings ; and the powerful exercife of devouring in- fluence. The healing of one of its wounded heads, implies the reftoration of power ro the city of Rome in the perfon of the Pope, after the Herculi and others extirpate the imperial ; or the reftoring to him the power he loit at the Proteftant Reformation. This firfl beaft reprefents An- tichritl in his civil influence. His rifing from the earth in form of another beaft, may denote the rife of his pow- er ecclefiaftic, from obfeuritv, by carnal means, and to promote earthly and carnal ends ; his being like a lamb, imports his pretence to innocency, purity, and ufeful- nefs ; and his ufurpation of Chrift's office as a Surety and Prieft, lis two horns, denote his connected civil and eccleiiaftical power ^nd authority; or his power of order and doctrine, binding and loofing, in the church. Its ipeaking like a dragon, imports his terrible curfes, eenfures, excommunications, againft his oppofers. His caufing men to make and worfhip an image of the firfl: beaft, may fignify his obliging them to reverence the poor fhadow of authority reftored to Rome by the Po- pifh clergy. His mark in men's hands, implies their fwearing to, or practicing his abominations. His mark on their foreneads, implies their bold and daring pro- feflion of his errors, idolatry, and iuperftition. Six hundred threefcore and fix, the number of his name, maiks out the Latin church, whofe Latin fervice was appointed in A. D. 666. The letters of this number form Lateinos and RoMiiTH, that is, Latin arid Romifl». Thr apparently regular conftructicn of this number, may denote the feeming regularity of the Antichriitian fyftem of doctrines, officers. Or (twenty-five) the fquare-root of this number, may point out the twenty- five articles of the Popifh creed, and their multitude of other matters regulate by twenty-five. 11. The Antichrxftian ftaie is reprefented as a iiajbi- Of metaphors respecting AnWcbrht, &c. 257 TATICN 0¥ DEVILS A CAGE OF EVERY UNCLEAN BIRD tf. la her Satan and his angels reign. Her principal mem- bers are a kind of devils incarnate. Her whole fyftera is conititute of unclean dcclrines, worihip, offices, offi- cers, cuftoms. Shall it not at length appear fo to men ? Shall not Rome, the reverend feat of her dignity, be- come an unfightly defolation ? 12. The Antici": riftian ftate is reprefented as a visi- ble world b. Her earth may fignify her fundamental articles of the Pope's fupremacy, infallibility, i£c. Her fea, the honour and gain made by that reltgion. Ker rivers and fountains, her learned men, and their writings in her defence. Her fun, the civil authority that ani- mates and fupports her. The feat of the beait, her ge- neral conftitution ; or the dwelling of the Pope. Her mountains and iflmas. her deep-rooted remains of doc- trine, worfhip, difcipline, and government, together with her monaft? ries and confecrated dignities. Or may the eaith fignify Germany, end Poland, thejfe inland coun- tries ; the fea, Portugal, France, and Spain, which are alffloft furrounded with it ? the rivers and fountains of water, the north parts of Italy ? the fun, the Emperor or King of France? the feat of the beaft, the middle part of Italy, perhaps the fame with Armageddon ? the illands and mountains, Sicily, Malta, %§c, ? The vials poured out thereon, and the hail and earthquakes, are the terrible, harrailing, and overturning judgments of God, fent to deftroy her, 13 The Pope is compared to a god c. By adding to, or taking from the word and worihip of God; by pretending to pardon fin, or indulge men in it; by u- furping Ch rift's headftiip ov.-r his church, and opponng his p^rfon, office, and grace ; by ufurping authority o- ver the civil magitrra e, enthroning and difpefing him at pleafure ; and by working pretended miracles to con- firm their abominations, he aiid his agents fetthemfelvc-s in the room of, and exdt theml.ives above God. 14. The Pope is called the angel of the bofomlefs pit, whofe name in Hebrew and Greek is a deftro /er d m « Hev. xviiu 2. j> Rev. xvl c 2 Thess. ii, 4. d Kev. ix, j 1 i 2 58 SACRED TROPOLOGY. Sent, excited, and dire fled by Satan, be promotes tbe in- terests of hell ; ripens multitudes for its everlaft ing de- ilrucHon ; and with amazing craft and vigour, perfecutes the faints, who oppoie his defigns; is a fearful flum- bling-block to the jews, and ruinous plague to the Gentiles. ic. He refembles the King in Daniel's vifion, who doth accciding to his will, magnifies himfslf above every God, %S>c. a. Making his own pleafure his fole fupreme rule of conduct; he exalts hirnfelf above magiftrates, angels, and the true God ; blafphemes his Maker ;— at once contemns the idols of the ancient Heathen, and the God of the primitive Chriftians. Lawful marriage he vilipends, and prohibits to b 7. Ofmetaphors refpeBing nations ■, &e. 261 teous works; no wells of falvation ; nor green paftures of evangelic inftitutions ; no bread of life, were, or are there to be found. — But ah! what evil beafts ! what wicked angels and men ! what perplexity and unfettled- nefs of mind, how to fatisfy an immortal foul! what furrounding hazards of eternal confequence ! what blafts of conquering temptation, and wrathful calamity ! what mifts of ignorance, idolatry, profanenefs, delufion, and will-worfhip abound ! 7. Particular nations are compared to the universe a. The more glorious part of their members and laws are the heavens, and luminaries thereof; and the reft the air, the earth, and the rivers. The magiftrates are repre- fented as God> as children, as minifters of God ; becaufe in his name, they rule over, and are revered and obeyed by their fubje&s. The fword they bear not in vain, is their power and authority to protect the innocent, and punim the offenders. 8. Particular nations are reprefetited as families hi The country as the mother; the magiftrates as fathers, who cherifh, govern, protect, and provide for the people ; who are the children, the fons, or daughters — Some- times the principal city is reprefented as the motiier ; and the lefTer cities, fuburbs, or villages, are termed the daughters. — Sometimes for likenefs of manners, natu- ral relation, %3c. one nation is defigned the fifter of a- nother. 9. They are compared to harlots e, m What deceit- ful and bafe methods they oft take to promote their trade, their power and authority ! How oft they boaft of, and feduce thefe around, to idolatrous and whorifh departing from God ! How juftly God executes upon them the judgment of whorifh women, ftirring up their friends to hate and harrafs them ; and openly deftroying them in the fire of his wrath ! 10. They are compared to travailing women d. How oft J how* fuddenly ! how terribly pained, and tor- mented, with divine judgments ! How oft pained, at- a Isa. xxiv. Mark xrii. 24,; 25. Psal. Ixxxii. 6. Rom. xiif. 4. b Psa!. exxxvii. 8,9. c Isa. xxiii. 15, 16. Neh. 111,4. Ezek. xvi, and xxiii, Jer. ni, d Isa xxiii. 4. Jer. xvi. 24. Hosea xiii. iu 1 3 26^ SACRED f ROPOLOGY. tempting to perform their purpofes ! How dft they tra- vail, without bringing forth any deliverance ! How oft they bring forth wickednefs ! Ye nations, how gracious are you when pangs of adveriity eome upon you ! Then perhaps you return, and enquire right early after God ; but how oft then rejected of him ! 11. They are compared to animal bodies a, Magif- traSes and honourable perfons are the head, which a- dorns, directs, and manages them. Falfe teachers, and the low mob, are the tail and feet ; mofl ufelefs and contemptible. No foundnefs from the fole of the foot to the crown of the head, implies the finful corruption, or the diflrefs of all ranks, high and low. The head lick, and the heart faint, implies, that the rulers, and mofl active and animating perfons, are corrupted, per- plexed,, and difcouraged. To (have off the hair of the beard, the head and feet, is frumefully to cut off, and carry captive both great and fmall. Fatnefs, implies a- bundance- of men, wealth, or profperity. Leannefs, im- ports fewnefs of perfons, and poverty of condition. Palenefs, implies fhame and confuiion. To wax old, is to lofe courage, vigour, (Irength, or authority — Ma- gistrates are the breath of their noftrils, whereby their life, vigour, and influence are maintained. 12. They are reprefented as fyftems of BEASTS of the field, air, or fea b. And magiftrates are reprefented as the principal animals of thefe kinds, as lions, bears, ea- gles, dragons, leviathan. Sometimes for their refrefh- ful, protecting, and fupporting influence, magiftrates are reprefented as trees, on which their fubje£ts do neille ; or under which they fhelter themfelves. Sometimes horns denote their kings, who defend their own, and har- rafs others. 13. They are compared to herds and flocks c. The country is their fold and pailure. P/I ^giftrates are their fhepherds, who watch over, protect, govern, and pro- vide for their fubje&s. Great men are their rams, he- goats, bulls, kinc ; and if in prolperiiy rendering them a Isa vii. 14, 15, and i, 5, *, and vii. 20, ami xvii.4, aid xxix. 21. Lam. iv. 20. b Van. iv. iz. Ezc*. xxix. andxxxi. c Jer. xxiiu £zefc, xxXiv. Of metaphors respecting nalio?ts, &c. 263 confpicuous and ftrong, they are reprefented as fat or fed. 14. They are likened to HEIFERS a, Fair and fat heifers reprefent them in their glory and profperity. Keifers taught^ reprefent them as accuflomed to fubjec- tion Back-fliding heifers, reprefent them as perverfe- ly apoftatifing from God. To cry or lift up the voice like an heifer of three years old, is to cry and '.vail very bitterly and outrageouily. 15. They are compared to the firmament, for their confpicuous appearance and glory h; for their difrin— guifhed brightnefs and influence ; rulers and great men are reprefented as the fun, moon, and liars, i6. They are compared to a country c. And their magiitrates and great men are likened to mountains and hills 5 which overtop, overfhadow, and protect the reft. The conftitution of government is the foundations. And divine judgments are reprefented as florins, droughts, earthquakes. 17. Theyare compared to a sea, or waters rufhing^y becaufe of their numbers ; their noife f their unfettled ftatej their haughty threatening, and actual overwhelm- ing of the nations around ; and fometimcs becaufe dwell- ing on the fea-coaft.- — — A breach like the fea x denotes a very wide one. 18. They are likened to a forest e : becaufe of the multitude of perfone, cities, and villages. And rcagi- ftrates and great men are reprefented as tall trees, top branches ; and thofe of low[condition, as low trees* 19. They are reprefented as vineyards/". Hedged about with government, kept, and cultivate by rulers*, how great the order, and advantage of their connected flate ! Cities are the boughs and branches, Multitudes of people are the fruit. Two or three berries left, %* nify a final! remnant faved in the vintage of defolating judgments. — A forfakeri bough, is a defolate city. To glean, and turn the hand into the bdket, is gradually a Isa. xv. 5. Jer. xlvi. 20, and xlviii. 34. b Fev. vi. 12, ---14, andviii. 10, xi. e Psal, ixxii. 3. d Tea. xvii. 12. Jer. x'ix. 23... Rev. vii. 1. Isa.lx. 5. Lam. ii, 13. e Hosea ii. iz, Ez^k, xx. 46. / Isa. xvii, 6,— -1 4, and xxiv. »j, Jer, vi.^. 264 SACRED TROPOLGY. to cLftroy, or lead captive ibe remnant left at the firft. To plant the vineyard wick fcrange flips, is to bring in foreip 1 p >ple, dS&fines, or cuftoms into a nation. Lord, how eanly caml thou plant or pluck up, deflroy branch and ruin, in one day ! 20. They are likened to heath a t to reprefent their barrennefs; witherednefs; and contemptiblenefs ; and their not profiting by the means of prcfperity or grace. 2r. They are likened to a crop of corn b ; for their multitude of perfons; their comelinefs; glory; and promifing ufefulnefs. Gleaning of ears, implies the care of a conquering enemy to kill, to carry captive the whole nation. 22. They are likened to stubble r, to denote, that they are brought to the utmolt contempt; are trodden down by their enemies ; or have only an infignificant remnant left. They are reprefented as dry ftubble, to imply their ripenefs for the judgments of God, and no- thing elfe. They are reprefented as ftubble before the wind, to mark how eafily and quickly they fball be dri* ven out of their place. 23. They are compared to chaff, or chaff of the mountains^, to reprefenthow infignificant they are: how readily expofed to ftorms, and changes ©f lot; and that the higher they life in pomp and g^eatnefs, the more obnoxious they are to ruin. How eafily, O moil Hi^h, canlt thou, with the wind ot deftruction, chafe ; and tofs the mightieft nations, from place to place! How readi- ly canft thou rebuke them! and with the breath of thy providence, make tnem flee afar off, and hurl them out ot the world ! 24 They are comua red to horns e, becaufe oftheir co.ifpicuoufnefs, their power and authority to defend themfeives, or harrafs and ruin others. The four horns that icartered Juiai , are the Samat.tans, Ammonites, Arabians, and oti.er nations who harraffed them, after the captivity. Ten horns upon one bealt, fignify ten Jer. xvii. 6, and xlviu. 6. b Ud xvii. 5. c Psal. Ixxxiii. 13, Jss. xl.ii 14 Jer. x . 74. Nah. 1. 10, d Isa. xvii. i> tZcttiiiS. Rev. xin. and xvii. Of metaphors respecting the Jews. 165 kingdoms or fovereignties formed oat of the Roman em- pire. 25. They are likened to a potter's vessel a. It is thine, O Jehovah, to form them as thou pkafefl ; thine- to appoint them to honour or dMhonaur. Kow hafe in thcffifelves ! but how curious thy formation of . them ! How impoflible to refit them, if once marred in the hand of thy providence ! SECT. II. Of metaphors refpe&ing the jews, Egyptians, JJp\>riatts t Chaldeans, Perfians, Greeks t Romans, Ty riant 9 lurks t with their adjuncls. I. Of the Jews. I. r I ^HE Jews are likened to an elder son b. They JL were God's firft-born , firft of the nations, he di- ftinguifhed them in his favour: readily they profefied the hio-heft regard to the divine law, ana came under the foleraneil engagements to obedience; y t after continuing many ages in peculiar relation to God toey wilfully defpifed his counfel, and reje&ed the Mtffiah ; iinfully th-y fretted, and many of them blafphemed, becaufe un- der the gofpel, the Gentiles were more highly favoured of God than themfelves. 2. They referable the rick man in the parable c Glo- rying in their wealth, their numerous rites and tradi- tions j their relation to God, and their pious anceftors ; they contempt uoufly rejected the debased Saviour j while unclean publicans, harlots, and Heathens, received hi;n. Notwithstanding of ail their poaip, the flaming vengear.ee of God came upon them. Terrible and hopelefs were the torments and ixiiferiesthey were plunged into ; nor could the covenant made with Abraham their anceflor yield them any relief; nor could their defperate wiihes obtain further evidence of Jeius' Meiliahihip, for themfelves, a Jer. xviii. 1,— 10. b Luke xv. n, 26,-32* Matth. xxi. 2$. \c Luke xvi. 19,-31. 266 SACRED TROPOLOGY. and their various fects ; or for their brethren of the ten tribes. 3. They are likened to an infant lying in blood; vile, unpitied, unaffifled of men, but quickened, furnifh- ed, .adorned, and efpoufed of God a Not for their righteouf^!efs , fake, but for his name's fake, he raifed them up from an idolatrous, polluted, and dtfpicsble origin. Marvel lou fly he preferved and multiplied them into a nation in Egypt. Though contemned and hated of all around, he honoured them with his peculiar fa- vours and laws ; entered into folemn covenant with them; fupported their arms of power and influence, and taught them to walk in his law; gave them a pleafant land flow- ing with milk and honey ; formed them into the then only church; and into one of the moll honourable king- doms that ever exifted. 4. They are likened to a delicate woman b. How proud of their diflinguifhed privileges \ How unprepared for, and unable to endure adverlity, when expofed to it by the Chaldeans ! 5. They are reprefented as a mother and family in eondage c ; to mark out their fubjection to the ce- remonial law ; their lying under the power of fin, Satan, and the broken law; and their expofure to fad diftrefs and (lavery for rejecting Chrift. 6. They are likened to an harlot d. Contrary to e- quity, to decency, and to folemn covenant with God, they forfook his law, worshipped idols, and polluted themfelves with every abominable courfe. Treacherous ly they diilrufted and rejected the Lord, imitate the idolatry, and relied on the affiftance of the Egyptians, Aflyrians, and Chaldeans. For a while thefe of Judah and Benjamin condemned the enormities of Sodom and the ten tribes ; but, though warned by their deiiruclion, they at lait furpafled them in wickednefs, and fo juftified their conduct. They had a whore's forehead, ruining impudently on fin; and of their own motion, and at their own expciice, feeking after finful connection with the Heathen, and communion with them in their falfe wor- « Ezek. xvi. 1,-— 15. b Jer. vi. 2. c Gal. iv. 25. d Lick. xvi. and xxiii. Jeiyii, Of metaphors respecting the Jews. 267 fliip. Long God hired them with a goodly land, and favours innumerable, to be for him and not for another ; but, provoked with their treacherous crimes, he punifh- ea them by the hand of thefe nations they had fo fond- ly relied on, and imitate ; he-cafl them out of their church- relation to him, and refufed to fhtw them mercy. But rejoice, you feed of Jacob, you mall be as though you had not been call off. In the wild. rnefs of adverfity, God (hallfpeak unto your heart ; and>make you return. to your former hufband, with whom it was better with yoi* than now. Though the virion tarry, wait for it, for at the end it will fpeak, and will not tarry. 7. They are reprefented as a woman cart into the mid ft of an ephah, with a talent of lead above her, and carried by winged women to the land of Shinar a ; to denote, that after filling up the meafure of their iniquity, God mould caufe them to feel the fearful weight there- of, and by his blaft of wrath and inftrutnents thereof, mould carry them out of Canaan, and for many age* fix them in a ftate of difperfion, unfettlednefs, and wo! 8. They are likened to a perfon with grey hairs, without knowing it b. What tokens of weaknefs and guilt I what figns of approaching ruin were among the ten tribes before their captivity! What multitudes of prevailing abominations ! What furious contentions ! What murdering of kings and nobles ! What multitudes of lefTer judgments unfuccefsful, none of which were laid to heart ! 9. They are likened to a perfon HALF STRIPPED of her clothing and their delufion abolifhed ; that the kings, and kingdoms of the eaft, may be turned t© the Lord. SECT. III. OJ metaphQrs rcfpctling armies and their officers, 1, A RMIES are compared to eagles, or like rave- <**» nous fowls h\ becaufe of their far, their fwift, and deflruftive marches ; their delighting in ravage and blood ; and their fagacious, difcerning, and careful im- proving of opportunities, to do mifchief. 2. They are likened to lions, and fimilar wild hearts r. How dreadful their noife ! their power ! their terrors ! How furioufiy they feize and deftroy what comes in their way! and how terrible the yelling of their wounded ! 3. They refemble swarms of bees d. How eafily excited to their enterprife ! How regularly they obey and follow their commanders ! How defperately they iling, torment, and trouble their oppofers ! How madly « R«v. x\i. 12. h Deuf. xxvjiJ. 49. Luke xvii. 34. fJer. Ii. 38, d fial. cwi.11. Of metaphors respecting families, &c. 28 7 ellfpofed to hazard their life, to revenge a trifling injury! And fometimes how ealily routed ! 4 They are likened to fwanns of flies ; locusts ; GRASHoppers ; caterpillars a How numerous and annoying! How fadly they wafte and harrafs the coun- tries they invade ! How wide and quick they fpread torment, havock, and ruin ! 5. They are compared to FLoCKS or herds b ; becaufe of their number, their order of marching, and wafteful influence. Their officers are the fhepherds, who le?d govern, and provide for them. .Lazy and enriched fol- diers, are the fat bullocks. 6- They are likened to a forest Prov. xvii 6, 2Q9 SACRED TROPOLOGY. How honourable to be the regular means of producing iiiftruments to glorify God, and veffels to receive his re- deeming mercy ? Lord, may mine be furh. 19, Daughters are reprefented as polilhed corner- stones a. Whatcomelinefs and beauty they often pof- fefs ! What ufeful means of order and connection between families ! Ami a daughter of heaven's King, all- glo- rious within, and my Nothing of wrought gold ! 2©» Brethren are b^rn for adverfity b. Chiefly in trouble, they ought tofympathize with,tounftl, comfort, aflift, and fupport one another. 21. Brethren offended are like to a walled CITY c, becaufe of the difficulty there is to reconcile and appeafe them. And there contentions are like the bars of a ftrong caftle, not eaiily broken up, and removed, BOOK III. OF METAPHORTC F MENTATIONS OF TH.. CHAP. I. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING God's PURPOSE, AND PROVI- DENTIAL EXECUTION OF IT. SECT. I. Of God's purpofe. I. /^ OD's purpofe is reprefented as a counfel d. O VJ the depth of divine wiiciom that fhines in it ! Without deliberation, fuch as ours, how exactly are all matters, means, and ends, therein conne&ed ! Surpriling ! did Jehovah confult for the endlefs welfare of thought- lefs, wicked, worthlefs me ! 2. It is called his pleasure and good pleafure e. His a *»»al exliv 12. b Prov xvii. 17. c Prov. xviii. 19. d Isa xlvi 10. * Eph. i. 11. Of metaphors respecting God's purpose, 291 fovereign. will is the caufe and rule of it. And Ohis ever-fixed delight in the thoughts of his heart ! Were thy delights, O Jehovah, with me ! and mall mine not be with thee ! 3. It is reprefented as a determination and decree a. By his abfoiute authority are form, circumftances, and limits, immutably fixed, for every perfon, property, and event. 4. It is reprefented as knowledge, foreknow- ledge h. Therein, creatures have any exiftence, God had the mod exacl: view of their nature and circum- ftances. 5. It is reprefented as mountains of brass, from be- tween which four chariots ififue forth to move in the earth c. How firm, unchangeable, infallible, glorious, and pure! And from it do all the chariots of rninifters, angels, monarchies, and providences, go forth to execute its contents. 6. It is reprefented as a FOUNDATION d. How wife- ly laid ! How fure, fixed, and immoveable ! How it fup- ports, regulates, and adorns ail God's works ! What endlefs ftructures of creation and providence are built upon it ! Hail, my happy foul, amidft all thy fleeting changes, thy foundation laid by the wifdom and love of God Hands fure, having this leal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. Let me therefore, who name the name of Chriil, depart from iniquity. 7. It is reprefented as a book e. There every crea- ture's form and cafe, every event, is orderly and parti- cularly fixed. Every peribn's eternal ftate is particu- larly afcertained. The purpofe of election is a book of life; there theperfons, means, matter, and end, of mens everlafting life, are fixed. It is called the Lvmb's book ; becaufe we are ehofen in, and faved by Chriil. O to fee my name written in heaven ! 8. The divine purpofe refpecting angels and men, is called a PREDESTINATION or FORE-ArPOINTMENT /. Therein each is p^rfonally and immutably appointed to everlafting happinefs or mifery, before the foundation a Acts iv 27, 28. b Acts xv 18. cZcch. vi 2,— 7. d 1 Tim. ii 19. e Psa\ cxxxix 16. /i Thess v 9, 29 2 SACRED TROPOLOGY. of the world; and every means conducive to thefe ends, fo wifely and infallibly fixed, as no way interferes with their own free will. 9. The divine purpofe, as relating to men appointed to everlafting life, is termed a foreknowledge, elec- tion, or choice a. In themfelves, they were equally mean and unworthy as others ; but God, in his mere fo- vereignty, took notice of them, favoured, acknowledged for his, and feparate them from others, to be a peculiar people to himfelf. SECT. II. Of providence. I. T3ROVIDENCE is reprefented as God's face b JL Therein he difcovers his glory. By profperity, he lifts up his countenance, and fmiles. By heavy judgments, he frowns, and caufes men to perifh at the rebuke of his countenance. By his watchful care, his eyes run to and fro, to mew hitafelf ftrong in the be- half of fuch as fear him. By the breathing of his pow- erful influence, he quickens and reftores; and by the angry blaft of his noitrils, are men confumed. 2. It is reprefented as God's WAY ; PATH; goings ; and footsteps c. Herein with pleafure he difplays his power,!tnd gradually fulfils his purpofe. He comes to men, to relieve, comfort, and punim them. He turns away from men, by defertion, or by forbearing to pu- nifh. His way is in the fea, and his footfteps not known ; when it is hard to underftand the nature and tendency of his providence ; or fee his perfections dif- played therein. His paths drop down fatnefs, when providences concur to our comfort ; or when the clouds pour down their refrefhful and nourifhing dew and rain. To look after God ; or fee his goings, is, with reve- rence, attention, and delight, to obferve, conlider, and remember the works of God. « Rom. viii. r^andxi. 5. b Jer. xxi, 10. « Psal, Ixxvii. 19 Of metaphors respecting provide nee. 293 3. God's providence is compared to clouds a. How lofty ; marvellous ; and incompi eheisfible \ How preg- nant with events ! How fwift and divinely directed the motions ! To the wicked", how terrible the influence, and fometimes the appearance ! To the faints how re- frefhful and fructifying! When I fee; the molt- black, difrnal, and louring providences of God, gilded with the rainbow of his covenant, or his Sun of righteouf- riefs, how reviving and refloring to my heart ! Then" am I alfo among the prophets ; know that all tilings fliall work together for my good. Providence is compa- red to a white cloud, to denote its purity, rigrueouf- nefs, glory, and coir.eliritfs 5 to a thick or dark cloud, to reprefent its myiterioufnefs, terribleriefs, and per* plexing influence. 4. \i may be compared to chariots b Thereby, God, with pleafure and pomp, as it were, traverfes the world ; orders affairs; defends, bears, and fupports his people; treads down, and triumphs over his enemies. It refembles four chariots, as it reaches to every cir- cumftance, in every end of the earth. That with ied horles, may denote its awful, bloody, and deftru&ive fcenes ; that wich black, its terrible, confounding, and perplexing difpenfations ; that with white, its imiling difpenfations, as fucceeding the molt awful ; that with. grizzled and bay h'orfes walking to and fro in the earth, its mixed difpenfations of mercy and judgment, ob£er«* vable in every place and civcumitance. What if the firll relate to the period of perfecution after Chrift; the fecond to the Antichriftun ; the third to the Millen- nium ; and the fourth to the lukewarm period before the iait judgment? 5. it may be compared to wheels c ; to reprefent the quick and eafy motion; the myitenous nature and fre* quent changes thereof How quickly it humbles the lofty, arrd exalts fuch as are low ! Like the wheels of a machine, how exactly it regulates ail things in na- ture ! Thefe wheels having four faces, may mark out providence, as respecting all the ends of the earth ; and as exerciied with great tenriernefs, patience, knowledge, • Isa. xix. 1. Psal. xcvii. 2. i Zech. vi, 2,-7, c Ezek, *» U b 2 94 SACRED TROPOLOGY. and power. Their uniform likenefs, Imports the uni- form terdcrcy of providence. Their appearance as of a wheel within a wheel, imports its myfterious and in- tricate conduct The height of their rings, and their being full of eyes, may (ignify the tremendous nature of, and the infinite knowledge discovered in, providence. 6, It refembles DEEP floods a. How myfterious and nnfearchable ! How powerful and irrefiftible ! What an lnexliaivftible comfort to the gedly ! What a bottomlefs gulf cf njifery to the wicked ! '7. In re f peer, of the rightebiifhefs therein difplaycd, it refembles great mountains b. Hew firmlv ! how con- fpicuouily God difpjays ar.d profecutes equity and ho- linefs, in every part of it ! How juftly he therein ferps bars in the way of his enemies ! and affords agreeable pafturage^ propter, and-ftielter to his cbcftn iheep ! His faithfulness therein reaches the clouds; every clilper- fation fulfilling his word, what clear, extenfive, and lof- ty difcoveries are made thereof ! 8; It refembles a ladder reaching from heaven to earth., with the Lord at its top, and angels afcending and defcending its jour.ds c. ?»Tai:aged ?r.d infpecVd of God, it extends to sir things above and below; and n?.- r>y, if not mcfr ? of its difpenfations, are. angels employ- ed to execute. -,®,^ CHAP. II. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING GcD's CC\EKANTS WITH MAN. SECT. I. Of tie covenant of iicrks. 1. r TPHE covenant of works made with Adam, and & ail his feed in him. is called a law d It com- prthendtd the whole duty of man; v.as inforced with FsaL xxxvi. 6, b 'P«al.x*xri. 5, 6. r Gtn. xxviii.u. a Rcni. iii. ;y, 20. Of mstiphors respecting the covenant of works, 195 divine authority ; was not an agreement betwixt equals, but enjoined by God to man as his fubjed. it is called a fiery law. Amid fiery flames, it was publish- ed from Sinai ; it occafions fiery rag^ in our heart a- gamtl .God ; and worketh for us, a fiery and ever-; luting ruin. It is a law weak through the .fleih, as by reafon of our corruption, it cannot juftifyj or fave us. It is a law of fin and death, as by it the offence a- bounds j and fin reigns unto death, temporal, fpiriturd, and eternal. a. It is reprefented as a rigid master a. How excenfive and hard its requirements of us ! Without affording or allowing us any fpiritual ftrength or nou- rifiiment, it demands, we (hould perfectly fulfil its pre- cepts, holy, jail, and good, fpiritual, and exceeding broad ; and fatiafy its unbounded penalty for oar pair. offence. It we continue not in all things commanded ; if we cosuantly keep it not in every point and degree ; it curfes us to endlefs niifery; and employs our con- fcience to condemn, lafh, ana torment us. Ah, Jefus, how long I fbolifhiy preferrea this hard bondage, totby eafy yoke, and light burden ! 3. It is reprefented as a husband h, Solemnly were we married to it in Adam. Heartily we approve the match, going about to eitabiifk our own righteoufneis j notwithilanding of its rigour, notwithstanding of the dan- ger attending our connection, with it, how delperately we cleave thereto, live under it, and pretend attempts to fulfil it, till Jefus, applying to our confcience his law- magnifying righteoufnefs, renders it dead to us, defti- tute of all power to condemn or hurt us; and us dead to it, freed from relation to it, love of it, or delightful attempts to ferve it ! Better, my foul, dwell with a brawling woman in a flrait houfe, than with this h'u-C- band in a wide palace of outward profperity. Fi|£ therefore to Jefus ; tarry, not, left thou be confumed. •Avoid this broken law; pafs not by him ; glean never in his field ; come not near the door of his houfe. 4. It is reprefented as a pregnant woman gendering children to bondage c . -As many as are 01 the works of a Rom. vii, $, b Rorr. vii. i,— -4, e Gal. iv t _2+. B> s 2\)6 SACRED TROFOLOGY. the law, are under the curfe of flivery to Satan, and their corruptions. Ah their coarfe provifion ; the hufks of fi 'if a I and fenfual pleafures ? their wretched apparel ; the filthy rags of felf-righteoufnefs, and curfe of Al- mighty God ! their hard fervi ude ; weary and heavy laden, ferving divers lulls, and labouring in the fire for very vanity ! their forry wages ; to them is referved the bl.icknefi of darknefs for ever ! Yet the flavery being natural, how is \t loved and followed ! Notwith- ■(landing of all that God has done for my foul ; nut- with (land ins: of his changing and emptying me from reflet to veiTJ, what remains of this n-other's blocdrun ftiii in my veins .' How my comfort ebbs and flows with mv frame ! the challenges ofmv conference mar my be- lieving afTurance ! the 1 prevalence of fin, or pride of grace, checks my exercife of faith on Chrii-t ! my detects in duty mar my peace ! Ah, hew 1 undervalue Jefus' ■perfon and blood ! How itraitened in religious exercifesl Iiow difcouraged and fretted in alnoft every condition ! How ready to go ftraight from duties to the fervice of lufts! 5. It is called the strength of sin- a. From the flncinefs of its precept, and feverity of its penalty, dis- covered to the cor.fcience, fin takes occafion to rage more violently againft God. Its curfe condemns us to lie un- der the power of fpi ritual death in trefpaflVs and fins. And thus, as it were, enables indwelling im to command, work in, war againft, wound, condemn, and itay us. O tremendous myftery I The holy law condemning us to a death in fin ! to a lying under the power of finful corruption, as the chief branch of our punifhment ! O horrid monfter fin ! which takes occ -ifinn from the holy, jud, and good commandment, to work in me all manner of finful concupifcence ! O mad legalifr, to leek liberty and falvation by the mother of bondage ! to feek puri- fication by the itrenglh of tin ! Wonder no more, my foul, that the preaching cf our good works, as the ground of acceptance with God, renders people licenti- eus in their life. The curfe of the Almighty is upon it; kow can it then beaf good fruit ! How can the ftrength a 1 Cor. xv. 56. Of metaphors respecting the Covenant of Grace 297 of fin reform the world ? How can the fource of hell open heaven for us? SECT. II. Of the Covenant of grace* I. r 1 "HE covenant of grace is compared to a rain"- A Bow a. As a token, that he is well pleafed in Chrift ; and that floods of vengeance fhsll no more re- turn to deftroy his people, has God eitablifhed and ex- hioitedit. How fweetly it comprehends all, and more than all, the beauties of creation ! reflects the glory, the heavenlinefs, the refrefhing virtue, the royal raajefty, and bloody fuffering, of my Sun 5 my Shield, my incar- nate God ! and gilds all the clouds of providence with his redeeming love I Here I behold him all in all,, even of my gloomy crofs ! Here I fee Jehovah's bow- inverted ; his wrath turned away from me, and pointed againit the prince of the power of the air, and my other enemies.. BkfTcd covenant, how high! but how con- defcendant to men of low degree ! How near ! how wide-itretched thine arras to receive us men, earthly, fenfual, and deviliih ! Him that cometh unto thee, mail in no wile be call out. Short-iiv-ed indeed, are our feniible views of thy .brightnefs ! yet how pleafant pre- fages thefe, of an abundance of rain ! of times of re- frefhing from the prefence of the Lord ! Arife, my fa- milked, my fcorched, my withered foul, eat, drink ; there is a found of abundance of rain ; to-morrow (halt thou be for ever deluged with the loving kindnefs of God. Bleffed agreement, by Jefus' facrifice wall thou efta- bliihed, 'and for ever doit thou encircle his, and his Fa- ther's head ; they are ever mindful of thee ; and regu- late all their work by thee. O darling of my foul, mall not then my heart and eyes be for ever fixed on thee I 2. It refembles Solomon's chariot of the wood of Le- banon b. Herein Jefus manifests his infinite royalty, power, and wealth ; hereby he conveys his chofea ta * Rev. iv. 3, and x, u b Song iii. 9, io. Bb 3 *9$ SACRED TROrOLCGY. his heavenly country ; and conquers, and captivates every oppofer. How precious, durable, firm, and fra- grant its whole frame ! Its pillars cf filver, are its folid, lubftantial, mining, precious, and unchangeable pro- rnifes. Its bottom of gold, is the infinitely pure, preci- ous, and everlafling perfections of God, and perfon of Chriil. Its covering of purple, is hib bleeding righte- oufnefs, the condition of it. Its mid pavement of love, its fource, heart, and fubftance, is the unbounded love, grace, and mercy of a God in Chrift. In thee, bltfled chariot, how fweetiy ; how fafely ; how quickly I ride \o glory ! How I overleap every mountain of dif- ficulty in my way ! How all along the pafTage, my heart melts with love to him, that fo loved me, and gave himfelf for me ! 3. It refembles a BED, guarded in the night by three- fcore valiant men of Ifrael a. Inflated in this, O Jefus, ■we fweetiy reft with thee, and mutually embrace one another, and by thee are rendered fruitful in good works. Here all we the chofen children of God are fcegotten, nourifh.d, and warmed. To guard us during « he night of trouble and time, we are attended by thy powerful perfections, mighty angels, and faithful mi- nifters. 4. It is reprefented as a building and banqueting- IIOUSE b. O thrice glorious ftru&ure of grace and mer- cy, whofe foundation is Jefus' perfon, and Jehovah's love ! whofe covering is the righteoufnefs of an incar- nate God ! whofe ftore is all the fulnefs of God ! Here, embannered with everlafling, with all- attracting, all- conquering love, you ranfomed drink of the fpiced wine of the juice of his pomegranates ; receive out of his ful- nefs grace for grace, till there be no more room to re- ceive it; joyfully feed on flefh, which is meat indeed, and his blood, which is drink indeed. 5. It is reprefented as a Testament c. Here God clifpone3 all things into Chrifl's hand ; and he bequeathes them to us men, linful and unworthy. With his blood and death, it is confirmed ; and all its promifes are in o Song iii. 6, 7, 8. b Psal. lxxxix. 1, 2.- Song ii. 4. € licb. vit. 11. Of metaphors respecting the Covenant of Grace. 299 him, yea and amen, to the glory of God. Nor can any difannul or add thereto. O thrice honourable title to eternal life ! Be it all my falvation, and all my defire, though he make it not to grow 6 It is reprefented as God's oath a. Therein hath he pledged to Ghriit, and to us in him, his exiftence, life, glory, and perfection, for the fall accomplifhment of every promife thereof. O. rich charter ; fure title to eternal blifs ! God hath ipoken ; hath written ; hath fworn in his holinefs, 1 will rejoice. In believing ex- pectation, 1 will divide, I will commence the enjoy- ment of, my unbounded felicity. God hath fworn, that my Ghrifl is a pried for ever ; that he hath no pleafure in my death ; that he will not be wroth with me, nor rebuke me ; that, Surely blemng he will blefs me, and multiplying he will multiply my everlafting fatisfa&ion and blifs. Is there any conveyance, any charter like mine, mine enemies themfelves being judges ! O rich ! comprehending all the fulnefs of God ! O fure ! a cove- nant of peace, that cannot be broken ! O fafe ! that nei- ther thieves can fteal^ fire burn, floods drown, or time wafte ! O free ! difpenfed in gracious promifes? fweeter than honey to my tafte ! CHAP. III. Of metaphors respecting the word of god in GENERAL. 1. C^ OD's word is compared to an instructor, com- ^ r panion, and counsellor b. It contains the whole revelation of his mind to us. It teacheth us every ufeful truth ; abides with us in every cafe ; comforts us in every grief; directs us in every perplexity. Blejflfcd counfeller, let me commit myfelf wholly to thee ■ de- pend on thee ; and readily receive thy dictates. When I lie down, fpeak thou to me. When I rile up, and walk by the way, talk thou with me. a F*al, ex 4> and Ixxxjx J, 35, Ezek, xyi 10, b Ps a ] cxix. 24, 98* 3©0 SACTlD TROPOLOGY. 2. It refembles the nfck of a human body a. There- by ihe church is joined to Chrifl ; her life maintained; her food conveyed from him; and her fpiritual breath of prayer, praife, and preaching, tranfmitted. Adds not this greatly to her comelinefs ! and is it not chained about with golden promifes, ordinances, and bleflings ? 3. The fcriptitres refembles a mother's BREASTS b. It coniiits of two facred teltaments, between which, as the meeting centre, Jefus, during the night of time, lodges. How thefe adorn his myftical body ; and convey the fpi- ritual milk of faving knowledge, and gracious influence to her members ! 4 It is reprefented as a mother's BELLT c. Thereby are faint's and graces begotten, quickened, and nouriOied, in this their weak ftate ; and thereby, are they hid and protected from clanger. Till my glorious birth, may I lie and feed here I '-...-: 5. It refembles two twin roes feeding among lilies d. How freih, comely, and glorious, its two infpired tefta- ments ! How harmonioufly connected ! How they feed, or dwell, upon Chrifl and his people ! How thick planted with lilies of precious promifes ! My foul, let them be to thee, as the loving hind and pleafant roe ; let thy breads fatisfy thee at all times, and be thou ever ravimed with the love of Chrift in them* 6. It is called statutes e. By God's infinite wifdom, it is framed ; by his fovereign autiiority, it is ratified and published ; and is indifpenfabiy obligatory on our confeience. 7. Itis called a law/. Every article thereof is (lamp- ed with the authority of the one Lawgiver, able to fave alive, or deflroy. It fufficiently teacheth, directs, and binds us to an holy practice. To our unfpeakable ad- vantage, we conform to it ; and tc our inexprefiible hurt, we walk co.urary thereto. 8. It is called judgments £. O the wifdom and know- ledge of God dii'playtd th rein ! By it he now judges our actions ; requires us to judge oui {"elves ; and by it he will judge us at the laft day, a Song i. io, and iv 4. b Song i. 14, and iv 5. c Song vii 2. 4SonfvjJ7, /I^J.xIxS. /Foa].xix7. g I'm. xm g. Of metaphors respecting the Covenants of Grace 301 9. It is called testimonies a- Solemnly and faith- fully it declares to us every momentous truth concerning God, concerning Chrift, concerning ourfelves, and our neighbour : and is attefted by the facred oath of Father^ Son, and Holy Ghorr. 10. It is reprefented as a testament b. It is the laii will of our crucified Redeemer. It is immutably confirmed and ratified by his death ; and therein hath he gracioufly and diftin&ly bequeathed to us all his inefti- mable bleflings, his fulriefs of rightecufnefs, grace, and glory j and left us all the important rules of our con- du&. 11. It is compared to light c. How heavenly its origin ! How marvellous its nature and influence ! How aftoni fning and numerous its myfteries ! How pure ! how glorious, pleafant, and comfortable its truths ! How pe- netrating, purifying, quickening, difcovering, and di- recting its virtue ! While I have this light, let me walk in it, left darknefs come upon me. Do thou, Jefus, o- pen mine eyes, that I may fee wondrous things out of thy law. 1 2. It is compared to a lamp d. Lighted by the in- fpiratron, and (Lining by the oil-like influence of the Holy Ghoft, it irradiates dark places of the earth, and dark corners of our heart. How different the degrees of its brightness as it is more or lefs carefully fnuffed and preferved from alteration or mifinterpretation ! How eafily and oft removed from one place to another ! How oft do minifters therewith light up Jefus' friends to their celeftial chambers, and return themfelves to the black- nefs of darknefs ! It is a light only fuited to the night of time, and fmall in comparifon of the bright vifion and glory to be revealed. — It is a lamp ordained, divinely fet up, to publihH the excellency, and draw men to Jefus, God's Anointed -—May it be a light to my feet, and a lamp to my paths ! 13. It is compared to iire e. How abfolutely necef- fary in our cold earth ! How powerfully it penetrates into, illuminates, warms, melts, foftens, quickens, com- a Psal xix 7. b Heb ix if. c Psal cxix 50, 105. d J?sa! cxix 105. e Jei. xxiii 29. 3©2 SACRED TROPOLOGY. forts, and purifies our heart! burns up our inward cor- ruption, and conforms us to its own likenefs ! Ye mi- nifters of God, keep it not back, from jour people, left it be in your bowels, as a tormenting, a burning fire. Ye fons of men, meditate and mufe thereon, th?,t its fire mny feize you; caufe your heart to burn, while Jefus opens to you the fcriptiires. (Viench not its influence by b:oody crimes, by prefampticus rebellion againft God ; nor by wallowing in fin, and drinking up iniquity; nor by earthly- mindedrefs and fe ifualky ; nor by neglect to ad- minifter due fuel in the exerclfe of reading, hearing, me- ditation, and prayer. 14. It is compared to rain and DEW a % How heaven- ly and divine its origin ! How gradually and irrefiftibly it is revealed to the church, and applied to the heart ! How numerous its articles of hi'tory, prophecy, promife, threatening, doctrine, and law ! How feafonably it de« fcends, in the night of time and diftrefs, or morning of gracious opportunity !• How pieafant, comely, refrefhfuJ, restoring, foftening, and often infenfible its application to our foul: Let thy doctrine, O jefus, drop as the dew, and diftil as the rain ; fo mail we revive as the corn, grow as the lily, and calf forth our roots as Lebanon. 1 5. It is compared to waters b. It, chiefly its pro- mifes, furniihed with the Father's love, the fulnefs, me- rit, and grace of the Son, and the unbounded influence of the Holy Ghoft, powerfully found, and run into our heart ; bear down all flnful oppofition ; fpread into all our inward powers, and outward practice; and among all the various nations of men. How fuitable to the cafe of every one, finiier or faint ! How effectually it cools our burning luft ! quenches our carnal defires ! purges off our filth ! beautifies our heart and life .' refreshes, nourifht-s, ftrengthens, heals, mollifies, quickens, and fructifies our foul ! Ghrift's fpr inkling us with this wa- ter, imports his gradual, dole, careful, and plenteous application thereof to our heart, Tind confeience ; to purge us from dead works, to ferve the living God. lG It is represented as seed, or good seed c. How a Dtut. xxxii. 2. b Isa !v. 1. Zcch. xiv. 8.. c 1 Vet. i. 23. Mark iv. .',-—20. Of metaphors respecting the word of God, 303 precious, ufeful, and necelTary ! With what care and ikill, doth Jefus, its producer and fower, in every age and cafe, delightful, or ftormy, caft it into his church, and the hearts of his people ! That it may bud and grow up, it mull be hid in our heart; dwell in us richly ; and be co- vered with meditation and prayer; nor, immediately after it is Town, muft we expert, fenfibly to perceive and enjoy its good fruits. The froft of affliction and temptation is ufeful, to deepen its root, and kill the weeds of corruption, that to choke it fpontaneoufly fpring up in our fouL But chiefly, the warmth of the Sun of iighteoufnefs, the rain and dew of the blefled Spirit, and the influences of the moon of inftituted or- dinances, concur to promote its growth. If early and abundantly fown, and if the earliefl buds of corruption are carefully nipt, it profpers the more: if fuperficially received, either Satan and his agents, quickly catch it away ; or promifing appearances quickly wither ; or the thorny cares of a prefent life, choke the word, and ren- der it unfruitful. What abundant fruit did an hand- ful hereof, fown by the apoftles, on the barren moun- tain of our Gentile world, produce ! 17. It is compared to wheat a. How noted its value! its purity and folidity ! its duration and power to endure ftorms ! How wholeforne, healing, and nourffhing its ■influence ! ' Is it not an heap of wheat fet about with lilies? How large its fulnefs, and various its truths! How furrounded with fragrant, flouriming, and medi- cinal promifes ; and with ranfomed men, feeding there- on! Do not all its truths centre, in Jefus, the lilly of the valley ? What then, is the unfubftantial chaff of vain imaginations to this wheat, faith the Lord ! 18. It is compared to food h. How abfolutely necef- fary to fupport our inward life ! How* plentifully pro- vided of God ! How all-fuiting ! how nourifning and ftrengthening to our heart ! Hew naturally the children of God turn to, and feek after it ! and with what fre- quency and pleafnre they receive it ! Was it, my foul, ever found, and eaten by thee ? Was it the joy and re- joicing of my heart ? Do I live, not by bread alone, but * Jer. xxiii, 28. Song vii. 2, b Matth. iv. 4. 3©4 SACRED TROPOLOGY. by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God r* IDo I more carefully, more frequently, attend the repaft of my foul, than of this mortal worm, my body ? Hap- py I, that tho' the meat be cut off from the field there is enough in my Father's inspired granary, and tofpare^ | Eat, my foul, that which is good, and delight tbvielf in fatnefs. Bread {hall be given me, and my water mail be fure. No drought nor heat can fmire ; no eaft wind can blafl the field of his promifes. No poverty, idlcnefs, or guiit, can break, my tide to his provifion. Work not therefore thy own works, but believe, eat, drink, and be merry; for thine eternal to- morrow fhali be as this day, and much more abundant. L9. It is compared to honey a. How glorious its ori- gin ! Her?, by the amazing (kill, care, and labour of an incarnate God, the quintefTence of creation, of more than ten thoufand creations, of Godhead., is prepared for us! How ravifhing its fweetnefs ! delightfully iickening my heart, una rendering even troubles fweeter than honey to my tafte! HowefTe&uaiiyitfoftens our inward powers! fearch 3 ? and heals our fpirituai fores! recovers from in- ward confumptions! purges andnouriuhes our foul! Yet ah ! how lothed by many, who have accefs to it ! — John's little book was fwet in his mouth, Lut bitter in his belly. With pleafure he received the knowledge of fu- ture -vents ; but was grieved to think of the forefeen adverfities ot the church of God. — Be thou, my foul, a btify bee, gathering honey from every infpired flower ; fo m:H that fet on my table be full of fatnefs; full of ravifhing fweetnefs. For ever, I mail feed on pure, on redeeming Golhead, as myall in all. 20. It is compared to milk, fincere and uncorrupted^. O its puritv and fweetnefs ! its nourilhing, reftoring, healing, and purifying influence! How much d-.iired and valued by I ie faints ! how proper food in theii earthly and infantile ft ate ! what noble remedy under their fpi- rituai confutation ! O the abundance ! Here, for abun- dance of milk every one may eat. may wuili his fteps in butter. Butter and honey mail every one eat, that dwells in or. r new-coveuant land, that they may know a i^al xix. 10. b 1 i»et. 11. I, Heb v. 1* Of metaphors respecting the word oj God. 305 to refufe the evil, and chufe the good — The more plain truths of God's word are likened to milk, while the reft are compared to ftrong meat. The weaken 1 faints can fpiritually underfland, receive, and digeft, the former; while only thefe, who are grown in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jefus Chrift, can underfland, feed on, and improve the latter. Lord, f mud feed with the weakeft, on thy plain promifes. And O how plain! plain! pleafant, to my heart! 21. It is compared to gold, fine gold a. How pure, precious, folid, and durable ! How glorious, ufeful, en- riching, adorning! How fubftantial and weighty, con- taining much in few words! How thoroughly tried amid darning perfecutions, fiery trials of enraged oppofers ; and ia the fiery. like experience of the faints ! What a fovereign medicine to heal our running fores of corrup- tion ! What a fovereign cordial to revive, and reftore a drooping fpirit ! Covet earnefily, my foul, this befl thing this gold, that fhaii keep me; and mail, in all cafes and countries, pafs current, between me and my God. 22. It is compared to SILVER tried in a furnace, and feven times purified b. Kow pure, precious, fhining, and ufeful ! O the feven- fold flames of trouble and perfec- tion it hath endured! And was it not, O bleffed Jefus, refined to the highefl in thy fiery death ! Didit thou, my foul, ever find drofs in him, or his word ? 23. It is likened to a rich spoil and treasure, a he- ritage c. It is the fruit of ChrifVs victory over fin;, Satan and the world. It contains an expreffible fulnefs of grace and glory; all the.fulnefs of God, fufncient to enrich millions of deftitutc finners. How highly valued, and fafeiy fecured by Chrift, and his people ! He hides it in his hand: and they ia their heart. Evermore, Lordj let me follow thee, to divide this fpoil ; tc fhare this in*, heritance, as an heir of Chrift. 24. It refembles a plough J. Divinely applied to our heart, it breaks up the fallow ground, breaks the roots of corruption, snd prepares us for receiving the good feed of grace. Tije more obdurate our heart, the more powerful, deep, and clofc muff the application of the word a P*al. cxix, 72, h Psa!. xii. 6. c Psal. cxix, i6z. d Hosea x. 12. C c 3?6 SACKED TROPOLOGY. be. How proper for its- operation, the winter of adver- fey, and fpring-tide of youth! How necefTary that every application be attended with the rainy influence of the Holy Spirit ! 25. It is compared to a rod and staff a. By it ef u the great Shepherd of the ikeep, hints his will, draws, directs, fuppprts, and comforts his people. When I walk through the troublous valley of the fhadow of death let this rod and ftafi* comfort me; fo (hall I fear no evil.— — It is the rod of Chi id's ftrength, and his fcep^re of righteoufnefs* Hereby he difplays his power, equitv, and fittifhed righteoufnefs, in the conviction, con- version, and lanctificaticn of his people ; and hereby he difplays his fovereignty, authorizes his ordinances, and teftifies his kindnefs to his people ; and orders deft ruction for his enemies. 26. It is compared to an hammer b. Thereby Gcd beats and breaks our hard hearts ; fattens iii them the nails of convincing influence, of regulating precepts, awing threatemngs, fan&ifying and encouraging pro- miles. When thy wards. O Maftef of afiemblies, are by thee fixed in my foul, I am prickt to the heart ; all my powers cry out, What iiiaii I do t© be faved ? Giv r e me Ghrift, or elfe 1 die. 27. it is compared to a sword, and called the fword of the Spirit c. It w;s the Spirit, who framed ard en- dited it; and, by applying it to our foul, he wounds our confidence flays our luff, pierces and fubdues our heart. How excellent its metal and form, for the fpirirual war- fare ! By managing it aright, we through the Spit it, convince or filence the erroneous, defend c . 1 foul, over- come our fpiritual enemies,. fubdue the flavifh fear of dentil, mortif cur I ufts, glorify God, and promote our- ftlves to ever lofting honour. 28. It is likei cc 1 . to BOW and arrows d. By means thereof, God powerfu !y, fudefenly, and oft fome what imperceptibly c vidces, converts, and fubdues linners to bimfelf. Lord, cauls the arrows of thy truth and a Psal. xxiii, 1. and xlr. 6, and ex. 2, b J or :<\iii. 29. c l J 3 yl, x.v. 3. £])ii. vi. 17. d Psal. xiv. 45. Of metaphors respecting the wor d of God. 507 influence, (lick faft in the heart of thine enemies, to make the people fall in fubje&ion under thee ! 29, It refembles the tower of David buikled for an armoury, whereon hang a thoufand (hields of mighty men a. How ftrong, invincible, and glorious ! How richly "furni&ed with ail the armour of God ! Here is the fword of fufEcient arguments againft every tempta- tion and error ; the fliieldof God himfclf, and of faith in him, to avert every fiery dart, or deathful pufti ; the girdle of faithful proniifes and divine truths, to fortify and encourage our heart ; the breaii-plate of imputed righteoufnefs, and fanclifying grace, to fecure our foul ; the helmet of a well-grounded hope of falvation, the fhoes of gofpel-principles, and the artillery of manifold prayers. Chufe, my foul, thine armour from hence; there is none like it ; Lord, give it me. 30. The fcriptures refemble a banqueting house, where the guefts are embannered with jefus' love b. By bringing into the fpiritual knowledge thereof, what ftores cf repofited blelTednefs, he difcovers ! How fweet- \y hefeafts, refreshes, flrengthens, and animates, to die fpiritual warfare, with his love, which is better than wine ! 3 1 .They are compared to Solomon's green and guard- ed BED c. What fweet reft in, communion with, and fanctifying and fructifying influence, do we therein re- ceive from Jefus Chrift, while divine perfe&ions, holy angels, and vigilant minifters, unnumbered, do guard and defend us, till the cold, dark, and dangerous night of trouble and time come to an end ! 32. God's word is compared to a WAY or path d. Planned by the wifdom of God, owned by the King of kings ; it points out the way to obtain the heavenly coun- try and city. It fupports the faints, who with pleafure and progrefs follow one another, in attending to, depend- ing on, and walking therein. — Here walk, my foul, fo fhall I never be afhamed. Nor, let me have greater joy. than to fee Zion's children walking in the truth, more a Song iv. 4, and vii. 4. h Song ii. 4. t Song i, i6 } and iii. 7, 8. d $ Jahn?4. Cc 2 qo8 SACRED TROPOLOGY. and more receiving it into their heart, and pra&ifing it in their life. 33, It is compared to a rule, reed, or measuring- line a. Contemned indeed by a carnal world, but the exa£r., the ufeful, the divinely appointed flandard of all the forms and ordinances of the church, and of every pari" of our conduct ; and by which we mall be judged at laft. — Alway therefore, my foul, enquire what faith the Lord. 34. It is compared tv } a GLASS h. Through it, we behold our own infufliciency and filthinefs, the glory of God in Chrift, the momentous reality of eternal things, and the true path of holinefs that leadeth to blifs* Be- ticld in this glafs, my foul, thyfelf, and be humbled ; behold the glory of Chrifi, that thou mayeil be changed into the fame image, from glory to glory, as by the Spi- rit of the Lord. Nor be thou a forgetful hearer, that quickly forgets what manner of appearance he faw. CHAP. IV. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING LAW AND GOSPEL. THESE are the two principal parts of God's word. Tneiaw teacheth us what duty God requires of us, and the gofpel, what blefiings he frtely gives us. SECT. I. Of the /aw. , lt r T"*HE law is reprefented as a school-master to JL b ring us to Chrift c. The moral law ihews us our need of him, for by it is the knowledge of fin ; it demands of us, that righteoufnefs- we can only find in him ; chargeth us to embrace him, as foon as revealed and offered ; and prevents our quiet refting in any thing, « Ezek. |1. &c. b 2 Cor. iii. 18. c Gal. ii*. 24. Of metaphors respecting the law, 309 till we find him. Darkly the ceremonial pointed out the myftery of Chrift, and with hard fervices and carnal ordinances led to his perfon, righteoufnefs, and grace, as the fulfilling end of its types and fhadows. 2. The law is called a KILLING LETTER a, No law of itfelf, can give us any life ; but kills our vain hopes and imaginations. Sin takes cecalion from it, to abound, and promote our fpiritual death. The moral law as a covenant, condemns us to all manner of death in fin and wo. Simply confidered, the ceremonial law confided of lifelefs rites and fervices, which ufed without refpect to Chrift, entailed curfes and death upon its fubjeels, as they led them away from the fountain of life, to their own righteoufnefs ; by which they could not live. How- beit, God's punifhing lfrael, by giving them flatutes that were not good, is not to be underflood of j 2 cere- monial law, but of God's giving them up to obey the finful edidls of Jeroboam and his idolatrous fucceflkrs. 3. It is called a lamp and light b. Plainly it points our our duty, and blemifhes in heart and life. And how pleafant to be directed by it in Chrfft's way! 4. It is called a path and way c> Planned by Goa r and plain in itfelf"; we are to exercife ourfeives in it, hy making progrefs towards the city of God. How peaceful.! Great peace with God, -and with their own. confcience, have all they who love and walk in it ; and when a man's ways pleafe the Lord, he makech evens his enemies to be at peace with him. How plain ! no- thing fhall offend them, who walk therein. How plea*. fant to walk together in unity, with divine perfons, and fellow-faints ! How holy,juf>, and good ! None but ho- ly perfons, the redeemed of the Lord, walk there ; no- thing but holy exercifes is a walking therein. How fpiritual ! unfeen but to the fpiritual man, and w?Jkecl ill by ferving God in the Spirit, rejoicing in Chrift Je- fus, and having no confidence in the iLfh ! How ft rait I excluding every unregenerate perfon, and every finful thought, word, or deed* How exceeding broad ! re- quiring dudes unnumbered,, in every circurnftance of heart and life. How fafe i the way-faring man, tuou'o-hi. a t Cur, iii. 16, b Prov. vi, 23, c. Psal, cxix, 1^ kc.3 $10 SACRED TROPOLOGY* a fool, {hall not err therein. It is a way of life ; walked in by the living in Jerufalem ; a way wherein life is ever communicate* and which leadeth to life as an eternal, but gracious reward. Is above, is heaven- ly, in its origin, nature, and tendency ; and by it we depart from hell, which is beneath. Here, let me ever run, when God enlargeth my heart. 5. It is compared to a HEDGh. a. Thereby God li- mits our motions, and points out, whether we may, or may not go. What hurt in his work, and what punim- ment in the iffue, doth its breaker expofe himfelf to ! The old ferpent, the devil, the ferpent of a Hinging con- icience, and the ferpent of God's judgments, mall bite him. 6. It is reprefented as a yoke ; bands ; cords h. With J. vine authority, it reftrains our finful liberty and madnefs ; and keeps us to our ftation and work. How galling to ©ur corrupt nature and lufts ! and at what endlefs peril, we attempt to lhake it ofF, by refu- ting obedience ! The law as a rule in the hand of Chrift, is an eafy yoke and light burden ; it is lined with his redeeming love, fweetened with his pattern, attended with communication of his itrength, and enforced with a glorious and free reward, to the weakell, if fincere, attempt to draw therein. Why then, my foul, art thou as an unruly bullock, unaccuftomed to this yoke ? Why fo many criminal attempts to make ofF the yoke, and buril the bands? why this refitting of the Lord, and ftruggling to evade his authority ? Is it not HE, who lays my meat, my life, my all to me ? The law of cere- monies, and as a [covenant of works, is a yoke of bon- dage : the former chained down to burden-fome'fervices innumerable ; and the latter rigoroufly demands what we can never perform. • 7. It is called the law of liberty e. To obey it as a rule, is the privilege of thofe only, whom God's Soa hath made tree indeed. The obedience of love to it, fprings from our freedom from the law as a covenant, and is the very quintefTence of our honourable and de- lightful liberty. Lord, my true freedom from finful a Eccl. x, 18. b Psal, ii, 3. c James i. 25. Of metaphors respecting the gospel. 3 r r flavery lies in being thy filial fubjecr.. Truly I am the fervant, I am thy fervant ; thou haft loofed my hands. 8. It is called the royal law a. Eitabliihed by God, the univerfal Sovereign, it extends to all his rational fubjecb ; nor, without high-treafon* can it be broken. It is not made for a righteous man, is not made tocurfe and condemn hitn. Nor have the truly righteous na- tion any immediate connection with it, as a covenant, it being dead to them, and they to it, by Jefus' fulfiling it in their fiesd. 9. The law of the wife is called a fountain of life b\ the divine law, which every wife man attends to, as his rule. The inftruclions wife men give to oihers, are means of exciting, to apply to Chrift, the refurre&ion and the life ; means of quickening, reviving, and reltor- ing fpiritual life ; means of efcaping the fecond death, and preparing for life eternal. 10. The ceremonial laws is called carnal ordinances, and a carnal commandment c. It prescribed carnal and nefhly rites ; and carnal or natural dtfcent intitled to the privileges thereof. ii. The ceremonial law is called a partition- wall d\ becaufe of the great diftindlion it made between the Jews and Gentiles ; nor till Jefus removed and abolithed it by his death, was any confiderable number of Gentiles brought into the church of God. 12. The ceremonial law is called enmity e. The a- crinces therein required, manifeded God's indignation at fin, and the enmity between him and finful men. Its burdenfome fervice occafioned the Jews hatred of God to increafe more and more. The diftincticn it put be- tween Jews and Gentiles, occafioned enmity between the two. **• «^^- @ *- .^-.^ SECT. II. Of the go/pel I r jf HE gofpel is called the Spirit that giveth \i£ef„ JL It contains fpiritual bleffings and promifes. 1% a James ii. 8. b Frov xul 14. c Heb. ix. io, and vii. 1^ de Eph, ii, 14, 15. / 2 Cur, iii. 6. 5T2 SACRED TROPOLOGY. com^s from, is attended by, and is the great means of conveying to us the Spirit of God. It effectually pene- trates our foul and Spirit. By it the Holy Ghoft quick- ens dead finners, (hews them their way of life by Chrift ; heals their deadly, their finful wounds ; works a lively faith in their foul, to look to, and live upon him. It is the food, that fupports the fpiritual life ; the cordial, that revives and reftores the heart under every droop- ing circumftance. 2. It is represented as the WHITE horse, whereon Chrift and his people ride a. O its purity, glory, and comeli- nefs ! By it Jefus proclaims pe?ce to men, and fubdues them to hi cafe If. On this in the apoftolic age, he went forth conquering; and in the Millennium he mall go forth, more eminently to conquer the hearts cf his people. Then, in accomplishment of, and as animate, fupported, and dignified, by gofpel-promifes, mall multitudes fol- low him, and promote the deftruction of Antichrift. j. It refembles Solomon's chariot of the wood of Lebanon b. Framed by Jefus, for the fafe, the eafy, and honoured cenqueft, and conveyance of his people to hea- ven ; how pure, precious, glorious, fragrant, and Jail- ing ! Its pillars of iilver, are its comely, ufeful, and enriching truths and promifes. Its bottom of gold; is its fubilantial and precious foundation truths ; or the in- finitely precious, perfon of Chrift, and God in him. Its covering of purple, is the doctrine of jufti neat ion through Jefus' blood ; and of the crofs endured for his fake. Its inw r ard pavement of love, is the unmatched kindnefs and mercy of God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, running thro'ugh every truth and promife therein contained. 4. Its promifes are like lillies c. Q their pleafant- nefs, glory, fragrancy, and height ! How fruitful of everlafting bleftings ! How full of medicinal virtue, for the healing of our foui ! How condefcendent and fuit- ed to our low, our wretched condition ! Bleffed field of infpiration, how thefe every where abound ! How they bend their bleffed head towards mean, debafed, earthly^ fenfual, develifh me 1 How they rcfrefh mine eves, and Rev. vi. 2, and xix 14. b Song iii. 9, iq, c Song. ii. 7>and yii. z. Of metaphors rcfpc&ing the go/pel. 313 rejoice my heart ! How rank they frnell of Jcfus ? the lilly of the valley ! And truly as lillies among thorns, £0 are they to my foul, amidfl her troubles, and her cre- ated comforts. 5. It is called the grace of God that bringeth falva- tion, and great falvation a. It flows from, difcovers, and includes the rich, free, and undeferved favour of God, and the Mailed fruits thereof. It publilhes, brings near, offers, and is the means of applying, a coitly, extenfirve, r»nd everlaflmg falvation to men. Truil thyfelf, my foul, to this word of his grace, fail not of this grace, nor receive it in vain; let it enter and captivate my lieart ; fo fliall I never be a root of bitternefs, bearing gall and wormwood, whereby many are defiled. 6. It h celled the power of God unto falvation h. By it, God ciifplays his amazing power, in the contrivance, in the pu^chafe and application of our redemption* Thereby he exerts the exceeding greatnefs of his power, in convincing, in converting, in forgiving, fanctifying, and comforting his people. By means of it is our re- bellion quafh^ i ; oar enmity flain ; Satan diflodged ; corruption fubdued; bars of iron, and gates of brafs, Strong impediments, broken and removed ; nations re- formed ; men, furious as outrageous beaits, tamed , and deep-roored and earneilly held abominations, -abolifhed. Gome, bkflcd day of power; come forth, bltffed rod of Jefus' ftrength, then (hall the people be willing ; God fliall raife children out of worfe than ftones to Abraham. Nothing is too hard, when his power is prefent to heal them. 7. It is called the wisdom of God in a mjflery ; the manifold wisdom of God c. How manifold its doc* trines and promifes ! How manifold the inftances and rajs of divine wrfdom in each ! and the various times and feafons in which, and perfons to which, it is difplay- ■ed ! It difcovers how wifely Jehovah acted, in choonng ' the perfons, in whofe redemption grace would, peculi- arly fhine ; in founding his choice upon his own mere love, that the promifes might be fure to all the feed ; in laying our help upon One that is mighty, that it might s Tit.ii.u. Heb. ii. 3. b Rom, i. 16. < i Cor, i. 7, Eph. Hi. ia. §14 SACRED TROP0L06Y. never fail ; in bringing about our v falvation in a way, that produces glory to himfeif in the higheft, peace on earth, and good-will towards men ; in a way, whereby Satan is fhamed, fin condemned, Tinners faved ; the un- godly juftilied, ungodlinefs deftroyed ; iniquity forgie n, and full vengeance taken on our inventions ; in a way, whereby our redemption is all of mercy, and all of jus- tice ; all of merit, and all of grace. O fwe«t myitery ! beyond archangels comprehenfiveken ! 8. It may be called the kisses of Ch rift's mouth a. From him, its doctrines and promifes proceed ; the ilamp of his authority, they bear. How fweetly they atteft his peace and reconciliation ! declare and vent his love ! How effectually they delight our foul ! ravifhour heart! and excite our affection and love to him I Let Jefus kifs me, with one, with all the kitties of his mouth ; apply one, apply al! his promifes to my heart, to kindle it wholly into a flame of love to himfelf ! 9. It is called a. law b. It is the will of a fovereign God, proclaiming his edicts of peace and pardon. It en- gages him to bellow his bleflings on us : and binds and determines us to receive Lis grace, and obey his com- mands. Nor mall it ever be repealed, becaufe Jefus hath an unchangeable priefthood. It is the law of the Spirit of life in him, as by it, the Holy Ghoft, as dwelling in, fent by, and taking of the things of Chrift, tofhew them to us, begets, preferves, reftores, increafes, and perfects our life fpiritual ; fecures us of, and prepares us for e- ternal. It is the law of faith, the feed, the means, the ground and ftandard of our faith. It comes forth out of Zion and Jerufalem : flows from Chrift as the temple a«d habitation of God; and from Jerufalem did its New- Teftament difpenfation proceed, and fpre?ri among the Gentiles. O may I meditate on this law, day and night ; may it be better to me, than thoufands of gold and filvcr I 10. It is called good tidings of great joy c. O the necdl'ary, the ufeful, the fuitable, the important, the de- lightful, and ravifiiing news it brings from heaven to a Song i. 2. b Isa. ii. 1, 2. Rom. v:ii. 2, and Hi. 27. e isa. lii. 8. Luke ii. iq. Of metaphors respecting the gospel. 315 finful men ! Tidings of righteoufnefs, pardon, and ac- ceptance, to the guilty ! Tidings of purification to the polluted ! of health to thedifeafed ! of liberty to th«i en- flaved snd imprifoned ! of clothing to the naked ! of food to the hungry and fcarving ! of light to them that lit m darknefs of diilrefs and ignorance ! of riches to the poor, comfort to the mourner, peace to the traitor, life to the dead, and falvarion to the loll ! How oft have thefe good news from the far country been as cold water to my thirfiy and weary foul ! It is cslled the gofpel, or good tidings of God ; it proceeds from him, declares his love and loveiinefs ; promotes his honour, and brings men to him : the gofpel of Chrift, as he is the principal preacher, the fubfc-nce and end of it, m -whom all its articles are yea and amea to the glory of God ; the gof- pel of minilUrs, as they preach and publifh it. It is the gofpd of .peace, as it proclaims the peace of God to us, and the means thereof; and reconciles our heart to him, aad to one another in love. It is the gofpel of falvation, as it proclaims, brings near, offers, exhibits, and is the means of applying, tke great, the everlafting falvation, to our foul,. It is an everlafting gofpel, as it mall be difpenfed till the end of time ; and its fruits fliall remain for ever. It is the gofpel of the kingdom of grace, and which brings men, who believe it, to the kingdom of 11. It is called a MYSTERY a. O the incompreheniible truths it reveals ! That there are three perfons in one Godhead, or divine effence : that the Son of God was manifeft in the flefti ; fuffered the jufl, for the unjuit, that he might bring finners to God ; died for our offen- ces, and rofe again for our juftincation ; was exalted as a Prince and Saviour, to give us repentance and remif- iion of iins ; fent to bk-fs us, make us the righteoufnefs of God in him, and dwell in our hearts by faith ; that being crucified with Chrift, we might live by faith on him, and have the world cruciled to us and we to the world. Is not every do£trine thereof an unfearchable deep, ihown only by the Spirit of God, and which even a Eph. iii. 9. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Matth, xiii. 11. 3I6 SACRED TROPOLOGY. a wife man cannot find out to perfe&icn ! O the heighf, the depth, the length, and breadth of the love, the wif- dom, and knowledge of God, included therein ! It is the myftery of godlinefs, which founds and promotes conformity to, and reverence of God ; holinels in heart and life. The myflery of the kingdom, known only in the kingdom of grace and glory. Pant thou, my foul, for the fellowfhip of this myfiery of Chrift ; with angels defire to look into it. 12. It is likened to a trumpet a. With great fkill it is to be preached. How majeftic and pleafant its joyful found ! its agreeable declarations ! How iweetly ! how loud it prpclaims the approaches of king Jefus to men ! and their deliverance from fin and wrath by him ! Of what unbounded importance its declarations ! and how diftind ! It warns us to flee from the wrath to come ; invites us to Jefus, the Saviour and great One. Quickly may it be blown over all the earth ; that fuch as are ready to perifh, may come and wcrlhip before the Lord of hofts. 13. It is compared to rivers of living, and all-quick- ening water b ; becaufe of its freeneis, fulnefs, purity, perpetuity, and patency to all ; ar*d for its cleanfing, beautifying, protecting, refrefhing, and enriching virtue. By it Jefus begets, preserves, reftores, promotes, and per- fects, the fprritual life of his people, and brings them to eternal. This river proceeds from the temple, and runs by the altar of Goo j flows from his love, and through the blood and facrifice of his fon. Gradually it increafes from a bubbling drop to an unpaflable flood. Before the deluge, it was very fmall in appearance ; but gradually it incre^fed by new revelations, till, in theapoftolic age, it became like a river. Before Jefus' refurrection, it was inconfiderable, in refpeel of its appearance in the apoilo- lic and millennial age. It runs into the dead fea, and Vrlii-y of Shi. rim j fpreads among dead and barren Gen- tilt nations, and into curfed, barren, and lifelefs hearts. It makes every thing to live whitherfoever it cometh ; had, and fhall have, an amazing fuccefs in quickening dead imners, and reviving dying faints; but heals not a I»a. xxvii. 12. &Ezek,xlvii. i t — 4, Joel in. 18. Zech. xiv. 8. Of metaphors respe&ing the gospel, S 1 ^ marifliy places of reprobate men. The flouriming and fruitful trees growing on the fide of this river, are Jefus, the tree of life, and his comely and ufeful faints. The multitude of fifhers from Engedi even unto Eneglaim, and the multitude of fiflies caught by them in the dead fea, when this river has run into it, are minifters preach- ing, and multitudes hearing and receiving the gofpel, through the world, from one end to the other. Its run- ning both in fummer and winter, implies its being con- ftantly preached and applied, whether in times of pro- fperity or trouble, with the church, or any particular member thereof. 14. It is a well or wells of falvation a. Othe depth of its doctrines and promifes ! Without faith, I can draw nothing from them. O their perpetual fulnefs of influ- ence! of bleffednefs and falvation ! How fweetly calcu- late to delight, refrefh, nourifh, reftore, heal, quicken, and fructify my heart ! And is not falvation their lum, their all in all! 15. The gofpel is compared to a net b. Plow curi- ous its frame and contexture ! How bafe and defpicable in the view of carnal men ! What an occafion of trouble and difturbauce in the fea of this world! With what Ikill, care, and vigour, it muft be csfl and managed, in the preaching of it ! To what fatigue and ftorms are its con- flant, its faithful preachers expofed! How feldom, they, 'at firft, perceive their fuccefs in preaching it ! It is the Hated means of drawing finners out of their natural and worldly ftate, to Jefus Chrift. Fifties fmall and great, finners lefs or greater, perfons poor or rich, are caught therein. Teach, O Jefus, to call: this net on the right fide of the fhip, that a multitude may be inclofed; it is impoffible the net can break. Quickly, my foul, mail Jehovah draw it to land ; the mvftery of God fhall be iiniihed ; the gofpel no more difpenfed. Then {hall the good fifh, fuch men as were caught by the heart, be con- veyed to the paradife of God. Thefe, who were only caught by a heady illumination, and outward profeffion, Ihall be cail into endlefs fire. 16. It is compared to a grain of muflard-feed, which a Isa.xii. 3. b Matth. xiii. 47»— - 49. D d 3 iS SACRED TROPOLOGY. grows up into a very large ftalk a. Atfirft its difcovery and diipenfation were fmall and defpifed ; but it hath, or will overfpread the whole eatth. To what multitudes is it the means of refrefhing and comforting! What num- bers fhall profefs fubjeclion to it ! How increafing its in- fluence in our heart ! atfirfl:, perhaps fcarce difcernibie, it quickly fills the whole. What multitudes of graces are refrefhed ! What good works are brought forth, un- der the overfhadowing influence thereof ! 17. It is compared to leaven b. However unpleafant and defpicable to carnal men ; yet inlaid in the world, it continues to fpread its influence, till the whole earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. Inlaid in mens heart, it fpreads its virtue, enlightening the mind, puri- fying the confeience, renewing the will, foftening the heart, inflaming the affections, and fixing the memory, till the whole be thereby fandtified. 18. It is compared to light, and a glass c. What ravifhing, though imperfect views of Jehovah, in his greatnefs and love ; of Jefus in his comelinefs, office, re- lations, righteoufnefs, power, and grace, do we here ob- tain ! What prcfpe£t of life and immortality ! We look not at the things which are feen, which are temporal j but at the things which are not feen, which are eternal ; we fee, that henceforth is laid up for us a crown of righ- teoufnefs; that we fhall awake with Jefus' likenefs; and fhall be for ever with, and like him ; for we fhall fee him as he is. 19. It refembles the treasure hid in the field d. How ineftimably precious, containing all exceeding great and precious promifes, comprehending all ineftimable "benefits, all the unfearchable riches of Chrift ! Wher. pofTeffed, how it enriches, felicitates, ennobles, and em- boldens towards God ! encourages and enables to refifl wicked lulls, angels and men! In the field of infpiration it lies liid, and mult be digged for by careful fearch, me- ditation £nd prajer. And for its fake, are the oracles of Heaven worth ten thoufand worlds to my heart. 2Z It refembles chains of gold, rows of jewelj, #Matth.xiii 31,32. h Matth. xiii. 33. l«a. Ix. 1. 1 Cor. lii. 18. id Mattb. xiii. 44. Of metaphors respecting the gospel-dispensation. 319 BORDERS OF GOLD, and STUDS OF SILVER a. How Well- connected ! how comely, precious, firm, durable, enrich- ing, and adorning, are its doctrines and promifes, to the fcripture and church -, and to every true member thereof! How they ftrengthen and adorn the neck of my faith ! render my cheeks, my countenance, my blufhing graces, beautiful and comely ! and make my converfation gar- ments, mew fplendid, and glorious ! 21 . It is compared to shoes b. It fupports our foul, our grace, our walk ; influences our affections ; marks our liberty, and royal greatnefs. The more fixed in the faith thereof, the more pleafantly, fafely, and fwiftly, we proceed in our fpiritual journey ; and tread Satan, the old ferpent, and his agents, under our feet. 22. Its leading truths refemble a Foundation c. Fix- ed on the teftimony of God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, it is impoffible they can fink or fall. How glorioufly they fupport and embellifti the whole remaining oracles of God! And on them build, my foul; build, you faints, your whole hope of eternal felicity. ^ — ®^^> CHAP. V. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING THE GOSPEL-DISPENSATION, AND ORDINANCES THEREOF. ^^^@^-^^ SEGL I. Of the gofpel-difpenfation, I. *~PHE difpenfation of God's grace, efpecially under ■*» the New Teftament, is called the kingdom of God ; the kingdom of heaven d. O the majeltic fove- reignty, ftate, and royalty of God therein manifefted! O irs beautiful order, ftrength, and duration ! and the ho- nourable privileges therein conferred! What multitudes are thereby connected, and unite under Jefus their head! a Song i. jo, ir. b Song vji. Sm c 2 Tim ii. 19. d Mark i. 14, and Matth. xx. 1. 320 SACRED TROPOLOGY. God is the devifer, the eftablifher, the manager, and his glory the end of it. It is heavenly in its origin; it re- fembles heaven in holinefs. comelinefs, and order; and prepares men for entrance into the heavenly inheritance of the faints in light. The New-Teflament difpenfation is more God-like and heavenly than the Old ; holinefs is the univerfal law of the houfe ; and its privileges ere more fpiritual and fanftifying. 1. The. gofpeLdifpenfation in the apoftol>c age is re- prefented as a marriage-dinner; and that, chiefly in the glorious Millennium, is called the MARRIAGE-SUPPER of the Lamb a. The former is indeed towards the end of time, but nearer its middle than the other, -which mail but take place before the lafl judgment, God hath killed his oxen and fattlings ; hath il.un his own Son, to be our provifion ; hath prepared all poflible bleffings ; and in- vites every fort of finn p rs to efpoufe his Son, and accept of his fulnefs. From trifling and carnal motives, the Jews, when fitft invited, refufed to receive the mercy and favour; for this they were excluded from the church, and ordinances thereof; themfelves maffacred by the mur- dering Romans, and by one another ; and their city burnt with fire. But happy ! God extended his invitations to the deftitute, the wicked, and infamous Gentiles found in whatsoever city or nation! O now our rich provifion! our amazing joy and happinefs ! our honourable fellow* ihip with God, Father, Son and Holy Ghoft ; with angels, ancient patriarchs, and eminent faints, while the Jewifh children of the kingdom are caft out ! How fitly our en- tertainment prepares us for our work and the end of the world ! qualifies us to lie down in our dully beds of the grave! and to enter into cur eternal reft ! How grey the application of his all-pardon- ing I lov>d , breaks the fetters of our lull, ignorance, and a R< m yi 5. 6HebiU.it c l'sal, \W. 3,— 5. d Zech ix. 11, 12. Of metaphors respecting the change of our state. 331 enmity, by the power of his grace; and beftows on lis the m oft glorious freedom, honour and reft. Out of prifon, I come to reign. 7. It is reprefented as a DEATH a. Herein we partake of the influence of Jefus' death Our old man receives his mortal wound, of which he afterward dies daily. In it our hopes of happinefs by our own works, our relation and love to the law as a covenant, our univerfal ftudy ro ferve it, our fuperlative regard to linful and earthly things, painfully expire. So may I die, that 1 may live unto God. 8 It is reprefented as a burial b. In it, we partake of the virtue of Jefus' death and burial ; and are con- formed to him. We commence God's hidden ones,whofe glory doth not appear; and are rendered contemptible and difagreeable to carnal and worldly men. Sweetly we reft from (in, and felf-righteoufnefs ; from the over- whelming terrors of the law ; of death and hell ; and from every fting of trouble and adverlity. So let me be buried with Chrift ; fo come, my foul, and fee the place where the Lord lay. 9. It is called a resurrection c. Being by nature in the molt earthly, withered, dry, lifelefs, and lothfome condition, Jefus, by his Spirit of life, quickens us ; cau- feth us to pafs from death to life; brings us from our graves of condemnation and luft ; clothes us with the white robes of his righteoufnefs and grace; and qualifies us to work and walk with God, angels, and good men, So let a poor flee per in the duft, awake and fing. 10. It is called a CREATION d. Unailiited by any crea- ture, Jefus, by his almighty power and word, forms the ftructure of grace, the new creature out of nothing. His work he commences in the forming of fpiritujl light and knowledge. Dailv he adds new ornaments thereto, till, againft the Sabbath of eternal reft, it be fully per- fected So, Lord, create in me a clean heart, and renew a right fpirit within me. 11. It is called a RENEWING of the Holy Ghcft iii. 31, 32. b Song vii. 2, e Song i. 12, d Song vii. 13. e Song tv, 12, 13, Of metaphors respecting grace as a principle. 345 and medicinal to our foul ! And do not fome particular graces, of faith, hope, love, like calamus, camphire, end myrrh, afcend on high, mount toward Jefus and heaven- ly things ; while repentance, ielf-denial, patience, refig- nation, like fpikenard and faffron, coach beneath ? 14. It refemhles all manner of pleasant FRUITS, new and old, laid up at our gates for Ghrilt a\ O the abundance and variety of particular graces ! How con- itantly they receive new fupply from Jefus' fulnefs ! and add to their former growth ! And for his pleafure and honour, their whole exercife in divine ordinances, and manifeftation to the world, is defigned and calculate. 15. It is compared to all the powders of the mer- chant or apothecary h. How diverfined and various the particular graces ! How rich and coftly ! purchafed by Jefus' blood ; compounded by his fk.il! ; and received cut of his fulnefs 5 how effectually they perfume our na- ture and work ! and render it amiable to God and his people ! 16. It is compared to salt c. It is of a durable and purifying nature. It pricks, pains, and puts away our corruption. It preferves us, from becoming rotten, un- fa vory, and noifome in our difpolition and practice. It heals our foul; and teftifies our friendfuipand reconcili- ation with God. Be you, my heart, my fpeech, my work, always feafoned with it. 17. It is compared to leaven d. However weak, and inconfiderable at firft, it gradually, powerfully, and of- ten infeniibly, conquers and transforms our whole heart and life, into its likenefs and image ! 18. It is compared to a chain of gold about the neck e\ confining of the precious, folid, lafting, and di- veriineu links of knowledge, hope, humility, meeknefs, love, repentance, zeal, thankfulnefs, contentment, fince- rity, \3c. beautifully connected. It flows from, and de- pends on our fpiiitual neck of the proniife and word of God ; and furrounds, adorns, and ftrengthens the neck of our faith. 19. It refembles rows of jewels on the cheek ; a Song vii. 13. b Song iii 6, c Mark ix 50. 4 Matth. xiii 33, eSons i. 10, 11, Ff 3 3-0 SACSFD TROPOLOGY. BORDERS OF GOLD With STUDS OF SILVER a. How diitinguifhed the value, the purity, the adorning and en- riching virtue of thefe various graces ! In what comely order, and beautifying influence, they appear in an holy, humble life ! How agreeable, when tbele golden borders are attended with iilver gifts, and holy fruits of the Spirit ! 2@. It, with its attending benefits, are like gold tried in the fire h. How pre cicus, pure, iiibitantiaL, fatisfy- ing, and durable ! No fiery oracles of heaven, no fur- naces of fiery troubles, can ueltroy them ; but difcover their diflinguiihed value. May I ever lay up this gold as the dull ; and as the flones of the brook. 21. It is compared to a robe c. Skilfully it is framed by the power and wifdom of God. Effectually it warms, adorns," and protects ourheart. My foul, be thou cloth- ed herewith. Let it adorn my inward powers, and fiiine forth in my ccnverfation. SECT. II. Of particular graces, knowledge, faith, hope, love, repen- tance, zeal, humility* I. Of knowledge. i. QPIRITUAL knowledge is a fountain of life d, ^ It mews us the nature of life, fpiritual and eter- nal, and the means of attaining it. It refines and fanc- tifies our natural life ; i.s the means of fpiritual ; and the means, beginning, and earnefl cf eternal. It teacheth anden^ageth ourheart to receive Jefus, therefurrecficn and the life, into our heart; and it is eternal life to know the only true God, and Jefus Chriit whom he hath fent. 2. Saving knowledge and true faith refemble eye s and E^\Rs e* 1 hereby our fouls are adorned and beau- tified. Thereby we difcern the truth ; behold the per- il Song i. 10, n. b Row iii io. c Eph. iv 24. d Prov. xvi 22. t Song vii 4. ha. Iv 3. Of metaphors respecting faith. 947 fon, and apprehend the work of Chrift, and his Father. We efpy our path of duty, avoid dangers, and obtain exaclnefs in our work. We attend to, and hear the voice of the Son, the word, the providence of God; hear, that our foul may live; hearken and hear, for the time to come ; are led out, to realize, and prepare for, an eter- nal it ate. 3. They referable Doves eyes a t becaufe of their purity, their clearnefs, their lovelinefs, meeknefs, fingle- nefs ; their chafle affection to Chrift, and quick difcern- ing of wholefome provifion to our foul. 4. They maybe compared to the FisH pools of Hefh- bon, by the gate of Bathrabbim h, becaufe of the beau- ty their perfpicuity, their unmoveablenefs, their abun- dant fupply from Jefus; the Fountain of living waters : and for their tendency to difcover ourfeives to us ; that we may thereby be induced to hearty repentance, holy modefty, cordial humility, and eminent felf-denial. 5. Spiritual knowledge, prudence,and faith, refemble the nose c. By them we relifn the fragrancy of fpiri- tual things ; difcern the noi-fome nature of fin, and the unfavourinefs of created enjoyments./ By thefe is our religious appearance exceedingly beautified. By the exercife thereof, do our apple-like fmelling breath of holy defires and endeavours, mark the inward foundnefs of our heart. II. Of faith. 1, Faith is our fpiritual mouth d. Thereby we tafte and fee that God is good : we receive Jefus as the food of our foul : we exprefs our mind to God in prayer and praife; and to others in holy and edifying converfe; for whatfoever is not of faith, is fin. 2. It is our fpiritual teeth e ; whereby we chew the bread of life in holy meditations, heavenly defires, and aflured perforations of his being the all-fuited, the all-com- prehending, and unfpeakable gift of God to us. 3 It is our fpiritual NEdcy"; which joins us to Jefus our glorious head , is the means of our correipondence- a Seng i. 15, and iv, 1, b Song vii, 4. cSbngvii, 4, 8, d Psal. ixxxi 10. t Song vi 6, /Song i. io t and vii 4. 34& SACRED TROPOLOGY. with, and receiving nourishment from him ; fupports our towering grace of hope; and renders us ftateiy and glorious. 4. It is our fpiritual hands and arms a ; whereby we receive, and embrace the all-glorious Redeemer ; hold him fall by his promife; work out our falvation with fear and trembling : war againft., and conquer our fpiri- tual foes; and how pleafantly it drops with the fweet- fmelling myrrh of Jefus' influence, when he gracioufly opens and draws out our heart! 5 . It refembles a newly warned, even fliorn, and fruit- ful FLOCK b How felf.co'.nftent its various acts! all walhed in a Saviour's blood and Spirit ! ail fed in the palture of his word ; and bringing forth abundant fruits of holinefs to the honour of God ! 6 It is like the tower of David builded for an ar- moury c. How inexpreffibly high, firm, and impreg- nable ! and ufeful to defend our fouls ; or annoy their foes ! How richly Aored with all the armour of God .' Like a tower of ivory, how felf- confident, precious, co:iiely, and Arong ! And like the tower of Lebanon louking towards Damafcus ; it, with our fpiritual know- ledge and prudence, chiefly watches againft, and oppofes our unbelief, our pride our legality, and other Syrian- like principal enemies of our foul. 7. It is compared to a shilld d Depending on, and improving God in ChriA as our fhield, and our exceed- ing great reward, it turns every way, and eminently contributes to protect our inner man, from all tiie fiery darts of the devil. 8. It is compared to gold tried in the fire e I Tow pure, precious, durable, and ufeful ! How tried in the fire of God's probatory word ! and in the fire of tempta- tion and trouble ! It is much more precious than gold. It is the purchafe of Jt fus' blood ; tiie diltinguifhed gift of Jehovah's hand. It adorns our foul, conforms us to the image ot God. Furnimeth us with fpiritual life, liberty, health, nourishment, and glory, from the fulnefs of Chrill. Nor can thieves, or any creature, deprive us thereof. a Song v. 5. b Song iv a c Song iv. 4. d Eph. vi. 16. e 1 Fet. i. 7. Of metaphors respecting bcpe. 349 9. Faith and love refemble two towering breasts a. How near and comely their connection ! What mutual and affectionate embracers of Jefus, the beloved ! All night of trouble and time, he lies in their midft. What an abundant lburce of edification to others around! Their eminent growth, how fare a token of our ripenefs for the celeftial marriage with Chrift ! 10. They refemble twin roes feeding among lillies h. What harmony, lovelinefs, and vivacity are in them ! What oppolition to Satan and his Terpentine feed ! What fad harrafToient and trouble, they, especially in a day of carnal fecurity, receive from thofe ! But how glorious and furprifing, though difficult, are their conquefts ! How delightfully they dwell in the heart of lily-like faints, and are nourished among the lillies of gofpel- truth I 1 r. They referable wix^GS c. In the exercife thereof, by the breathing of the Holy Ghoft, we fly above this world, and its earthly concerns ; above the clouds of ig- norance, guilt, and affliction ; and afcend to Jefus, our exalted Saviour, and the things above. 12. They are compared to a BREAST-PLATE d. Con- ftantly and eiftclualy they protect our heart from Sa- tan's temptation, or the hurt thereof j and from the hurt or horror of trouble. III. Of hope, 1 . Hope refembles a head e . Supported by faith as a neck, it mightily tends to preferve us from finking a- mid waves of adveriity. It is an efpecial feat of our fpiritual vivacity, courage and beauty. And when live- ly produces an unnumbered multitude of good works. 2. It refembles Carmel/. How heavenly its height, foundation, and object ! How wide its profpect of thQ promifed land ! and of the fea, the ocean of endlefs du- ration ! How noted its fragrancy and fruitfulnefs. ! 3. It refembles crimson g. Chrift crucified is our. hope, the author, foundation, and object of it. Through his bloody death, we obtain a good hope, are begotten c Song viii. 10. 6 Song i. 3. e Isa \\< 30. d 1 Thess. v. %<, <-.'Song vii. 5. J Ibid, g Ibid, 35° SACRED TROPOLOGY. through his refurre&ion to a lively hope j and to be with him for ever is the fum, the all, we hope for. 4. It is an anchor fure and ftedfaft, entering into that within the vail a. Through well-grounded hopes of heaven, our feu's are fecured,that no weight cm fink our fpirit ; no ftorm of temptation can drive us away; no floods of tribulation can hurt or difmay us. Fix my foul, thy anc .or, thy hope, to a ftrong faith within thee; cafl it forth of thyielf. Fix it in Jeius, the immoveable rock, and the unfeen icenes of a diftant, a ceh trial world. 5. It is compared to an HELMET £. What tignal pro- tection and faiety it affords our foul ! How terrible it renders us to our fpiritual enemies ! How bold and undaunted in fighting with refilling, and attacking them! IV. Of love. 1. Love is compared to death and the grave c. It conquers our heart, and every oppofer ; renders us dead to our lufts, our righteoufnefs, our wifdom, our will, our carnal profit or honour. It diipofetn us to die for the honour and tdlimony of Jefus, and for the fpiritual interefls of his people. Like the grave, itfeperates us from the world, and infatiably hungers and thrifts after thefulnefs ofChrift. 2. It is compared to coals of fire, that have a moil vehement flame ; and zeal for Chrilt is likened to aeon- fuming fire which eats us up d> Our love fixed on a known, though unfeen Redeemer, how it melts our heart ! inflames our defire after him ! purifies our foul from thedrofs of corruption! infatiably preffes after fur- ther fellowship and conformity with him ! Nor can floods of ungodly men, of perfecution, affliclion, temp- tation, defection, corruption, or law- terrors, quench or deftroy it. True zeal burns up, not thefe around us, with carnal contention, and angry reviling; but our own heart, with grief and concern that Jeius is diihonoured ; and with earnefl defire and endeavour to have him ex- alted. 3. Love and harmony among brethren in nature, of- fice, cr profefiion, is like ointment and dew e> How it a Heb. vi. 19,20. b\ Thcvs. v.8. c Song viii.6. d Song viii. 6. Psai. Ixix, c, and cxix. J39. c Psal, exxxiii. 1,— 3 Of metaphors respecting the exercise of grace, 351 refreflies, exhilarates, beautifies, and fpiritually frudifies themfelvcs and others around ! V. Of repentance. I. "Repentance is reprefented as a brokenness and rending of heart a. How therein, the hammer of God's word and providence breaks it to pieces ! How the whole foul is preffed and painted with views of her own finfulnefs ! How ready to be melted with Jefus* love, and formed as he ple?tfeth ? 2. It is reprefented as an acceptable sacrifice h. While looking on a crucifisd Gftriil, we mourn, and in his name requeft forgivenefs, how highly God regards our exercife I how readily he grants our petitions ! VI. Of humility. Humility is reprefented as an ornament and ROBE c. Eminently ought it to appear in our whole converfation, which is thereby rendered valuable, comely, and glori- ous, in the view of God, angels, and men. SECT. 111. Of the exercife of grace, I. /~\UR exercife of implanted grace is called a DY- V-/ ing^. Thereby our love to, our activity in the fervice of fin, Satan, and the world, do by virtue of Je- fus' death applied to our heart, and through the painful 1 exercife of repentance, gradually Weaken abate, and 1 ceafe. May I die to fin daily. May I through the 1 Spirit mortify the deeds of the body. 2. It is reprefented as a living d Proceeding from I God the fountain of lite, how pleafant, honourable, ac- tive, and ufeful is it, for advancing his glory, and onr and others eternal advantage ! Chrift, in his per Con and fulnefs, is the food we receive by faith. God is our dwelling. He, his angels and faints, our companions. a Psal. li, 17. Joel ii. 13. b Psal. Ji, 17, e 1 Pet, iii, 4, and v, S, d Rom, vi, 6, 7, and viii, 13, e Gal, ii, io t £ £ 2 SACRD TROPOLOGY. Holy defire, prayer, and praife, our fpiritual breath. Obedience to Jefus' lav/, our motion and work. 3. It is reprefented as a calling ; an occupation ; Tocation ; or business a To proceed therein, we muft know the myfteries of the gofpel, concerning Jefus in his perfon, his offices, relations, benefits, and ordinances ; and concerning ourfelves, in our ftate, our qualities, and duties. We mull have a flock of imputed righteouf- nefs, implanted grace, and exceeding great and precious promifes. We muft imderftand the nature and worth of fpiritual and heavenly things. Daily muft we attend to the exercife of holinefs, as our great, our important work. Carefully muft we abide r.t heme, keeping our heart, watching over, and ordering our convevfation. Frequently, by felf-examination, muft we diftinctly ftate our bufinefs, our accounts ; and clear them by ap- plication of Jefus' blood. Our ftock being his, his glo- ry is to be intended in every thing we do. Always ought we to thrive in grace, and know that we do fo- No labour or pains are to be fpared, that we may per- fect, holinefs in the fear of God, Kow fignally do quick returns of prayer, ami eminent communications of grace, increafe our ftock, and animate our diligence ! And how rich fhall this biefled occupation render us, in our laft end ! Godlinefs with contentment is great gain j having the promifes of this life, and of that which is to come. Apply to it, my foul, in every branch thereof ; fo number thy days, that thou may ft apply thy heart unto wifdom, and learn God's truth , plough up the fal- low-ground of thy heart* accepting his rod and word for thy conviction and contrition, Deny thyfelf ; awake, fhake off* thy droufinefs and {loth ; beware of prodigal wafting of Jehovah's bounty; whatfoever things are needful, are lovely, and of good report buv, freely and deliberately receive, out of the fulnefs of Chrift ; and to- gether with God, work out thy falvation with fear and trembling. 4. It is reprefented as a walk or journey h. With hope and earned defire to obtain the better country, we therein chufe Jefus and his law for our way, and with a John vj, 16, Phil. ii } i$ t b Col, ii, 6, Rom. vjii, 14, Of metaphors respecting the exercise of grace. 353 pleafure proceed from one degree of grace, or set. of ho- linefs, to another, till at length we appear before God in the heavenly Zion. It is a walking in Chrift, a practical abiding and increafing improvement of his perfon, right- teoufnefs, and fulnefs : it is a walking after the Spieit; directed and influenced by the Holy Ghoft: it is a walk- ing with God ; beholding, loving, trufting in, receiving all from, and relling fatisfied in him. It is a walking, humbly and mournfully with him, in the faith of his prefence with us, as our God, our Father, our Friend, and our Guide; daily lothing, arid mourning over our corruptions and offences done to him. It is a walking before him ; with reverence of, and as in bis immediate prefence, and in hope of direction and reward from him. It is a walking in his name, as his fervanta, influenced by his power and promife, directed by his law, and in- tended to his honour. It is an upright walk, our pur- pcfe and practice uniformly concurring to advance the glory of God. It is a walking- circumfp;cYiy, redeeming the time ; attending to every circumftance of cur prac- tice, that we may regulate it, by the divine law; that we may value time as a precious jewel and under a deep feufe of former linfuineis and floth, exert our whole care and might to improve our prefent opportunities, to the glory of God. It is a walking with the wife ; making thefewho are taught of God our patterns and companions, in every good word and work. 5. It is called a race fet before us a. In the word of God, is the way, the troubles attending, the method of courfs, the pattern, and pr.z?, fet before us. The race plot, is this prefent world ; the prize, the heavenly glo- ry ; the path, Jefus and his law. Supported by and look- ing to him, as our forerunner and pattern, we muft la- bour and fu.ffer for him ; and with agiiity, readinefs, cheerfulnefs. vigour, and patience, preis forward, from one degree of grace to another, till we become perfect, as our Father which is in heaven is perfect. 6. It is called a going up through the wilderrefs, leaning on the beloved b. Finding no reft, eafe, or fa- tisfaction, in this defert world, or in the bare bewilder. a Ileb. xii. i, 2. b Song viii. 5. Gr g 354 SACRED TROPOLOGY. ing ftate of fin, or condition of estrangement from God, we turn away our defire, our delight, and expectation therefrom ; and in a Hate of union to, exercife of inti- macy with, and dependence on Jefus' perfon, righteouf- nefs, and ftrength, walk in him, and his word, as our way ; and with afliduous labour, vigour, and prudence, funnount every towering impediment of ignorance, un- belief, of temptation, perfecution, defertion, of terror and guilt, following: en to know the Lord, till we are fet down on his right hand. 7. It is reprefented as a lusting and warfare againft the flcih a. In it our new man of inward grace, like a itrong and active fpirit, wills, chufes, and follows after, the things tending to the deft ruction of (in. Therein is our whole man, foul, body, and fpirit, with (kill, cou- rage, patience, and perfeverance, to oppofe, fight againfr, and by all poffible means, feek the deftru&ion of lufl ; to fight againil Satan, refining and labouring to overcome his temptations ; to fight Fgainft the world, trampling on its' alluring enticements, defpifing its frowns, oppofing its wicked errors, and abominable practices; and againil multitudes of afflictions, patiently enduring them. It is a good fight. It is for the good caufe of Gcd and truth ; under a good captain, Jefus Chrift; is to be performed in a good method, according to the law of Gcd, with the good armour of God, and in the gocd and well grounded hope of a good victory and fpoil, an inefiimable crown of glory, life, snd righteoufnefs. It is a fight of faith, fought to maintain the doctrine of faith once delivered to the faints ; and by the grace of faith, is Handing and Victory therein fignally obtained. 8. It is reprefented as a keeper and exalter of a nation b. What a bit (Fed means of preferving from fin and danger, are wifdom and knowledge; real rtligion and righteoufnefs ! How glorioufly they exalt the characters of perfons ! increafe and eftablifh their profperity and happineis ! 9. It is compared to the growth of perfons, herbs, and trees c. Notwithstanding of frequent ficknefs, and rGuI.V'7. Ej:li. vi 10, 19. 2 Tim. iv S. b Piov. iii 6, and xiv 34. *E')h, iv 15. Jlos. xiv 5, 7, Oj metaphors rcfpetting the exsrclfe cf grace. 355 of fad blafts of temptation, and froft-like prevalency of indwelling luff, the daily application of Jefus, as our bread of life, and of the watering and warming influence of his Spirit and love, make holiuefs in heart and life pleafantly and infeniibly to revive and incrcafe, till we be ripe for everlaiting glory, having attained the mea- fure of the ftature of the fulnefs of Chrift. 10. True godlinefs is called the fear of the Lord a. With a reverential fear of, and love to him, are all its exercifes and bleffings attended. And truly this is the beginning of wifdom ; a beginning to choofe the better part, never to be taken away. 11. It is called wisdom b. Hereby we chufe the belt friend, companion, hufband, and portion; difcern the things that differ ; follow after righteoufnefs, peace, cha- rity •, and run in the way of God's commandments. And by improving Jefus Chrift, as our righteoufnefs and ftrength, take a proper method to perform eofpel-holi- nefs, and obtain the divine acceptance thereof. 12. The path of thejuft is reprefented as a shining light, mining more and more unto the perfect day c. From fmall beginnings, their knowledge, their holmefs and comfort gradually, myiterioufly, and pleafantly in- creafe, till fwallowed up in the nood-tide brightnefs of eternal glory. Nor can any cloud overtake them, which fhallnotce quickly removed. Surely then their path is pleafanc, plain, clearly laid down in God's word, and without thefe fuares and (tumbling-blocks which lie in the way of the wicked. Surely this is a way above, wherein heavenly things are chiefly attended to. A way of life, marking life fpiritual, preparing for the Sternal. 13. Holy exercifes refemble lilies d. Numbers of them fpring from one root or principle of faith, How pure! comely! high! and heaven-bending ! the better they are, the more humility and f elf-denial are mixed therewith. 14. Holy exercifes, real religion, and true wifdom, are a TREE OF life e. They fhew a heart quickened by a Psal. cxi 10. b Pro", ii 2. cProviviS. d Song vii 2. e Prov iii 18, and iv 13. G g 2 3$6 SACRED TROPOLOGY. the fpirit of God ; and do bring forth the good fruits of fpirituallivelinefs here, and of life eterjial, hereafter. 15. Holy exercifes are called the green fruits of the valley ; and the buds or fruits of the faints, thefe trees of righteoufnefs a. In confequence of our implantation into Chrilt, and union with him, they gradually, one af- ter another, appear in our life, and are but imperfect while we continue on earth. 16. Holinefs of life is called a sowing in righteouf- nefs ; a sowing in tears; and to the Spirit 5. In prac- tifi-ng thereof, we, in the folid hope of eternal glory, care- fully work righteoufnefs; amidft grief und forrow, we follow the dictates and operation of the Holy Ghoft ; acl: influenced by, and to the advantage of our new nature. And O what mercy, joy, and immortal happinefs, we ihall reap in the final, the eternal harveft! 17. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life c. How refreihing its influence ! What endlefs glory! what im- mortal life will it break forth in at laft ! From thee, O fountain of living waters, is my life, my fruit, found. 18. Wifdom, or real religion, is reprefented as an or- nament ; and righteoufnefs as brightness d. How pre- cious in itfelf ! how dearly purchafed with Jefus' blood! How notably it adorns our nature and life ! makes our face and converfation to ihiue ! and will ifTue in the brightnefs of everlafting glory ! 19. Experimental knowledge of real religion is like Honey and the HONEY- comb e. How fweet and ravifh- ing ! Nor can any know the excellency thereof, with- out tafting it ; ftrangers do not intermeddle with the faints joy. 20. True religion is compared to silver, and an kid TREASURE f. How comely, precious, and enriching ! How unknown to moil of mankind! With what diligence it is to be fought for! With what joy the finding theieof fills our foul, and iffues in! 21. Prayer is reprefented as meditation ; SUPPLICA- TION; intercession; crying ^; to denote the folid «Songvin. 6 Prov. >:i I 18. c Prov xiv 26. . 24. Of metaphors respecting sin in general. 361 temporal and eternal death ! Wretched man, that I am, who fhali deliver me from it ! 11. Indwelling lulls are foxes that fpoil the vines of Jefus* church and people a- How feeretly they lodge! how connected with earthly things ! how noted their craft and deceit ! the crookednefs of their paths ! their defperate ftubbornnefs under trouble and conviction ! their friendihip with the old ferpent, and his feed ! Ah, how filthy, noifome, and abominable ! how readily they pretend to be graces, virtues, or innocent things ! how infatiably voracious ! how unwearied ly fet upon mif- chit-f! how hurtful to faints, chiefly weak ones, and their tender graces ; by attempting to unfettle, or root them out; or by depriving them of their fap ! Ah] how they peel God's choice vine ! flrip his trees of righteoufnefs ! tread them down I gnaw off their blof- foms of holinefs ! and mar them with earthly cares ! Lord Jefus, take for me, thefe foxes, even the little foxes ; hunt them out, with thy good Spirit : ftarve them in their dwellings; let me make no provision for the fleih, to fulfil the lulls thereof. Catch them in the trap of thy promife ; hide thy word in my heart, that I may not iin againit thee. Deluge my foul, their hor- rid den, with a plentiful application of thy blood and grace, inflame ray heart with thy love: on thefe foxes caft burning coals, and indignation ftrong: perfecute and deftroy them from under thefe heavens ; thy curfe unto them, 12' Sin is called witchcraft b. In what fearful league With Satan, it enters and fixes our foul, and en- tices us to worfhip him ! With what infernal influence and envy, it deceives, wades., and ruins our whole man ! When convinced of our wickedntfs, and danger how unable and unwilling it renders us to efcape ! How effectually it excites and teacheth heretics, to fubvert our fouls, and feduce us from the truth ! 13. It is called rebellion c. How oppofite to the law, and authority of God, our rightful Sovereign, and •our folemn vows to be his ! What fearfui diforder it makes in the world ! What a daring attempt to dethrone a Song ii. 1 j. b Gal. Hi. 1. e 1 S«m. xv. 23. 362 SACRED TROPOLOGY. the Almighty J to put down his laws and dominion ! to deprive him and his chofen friends of their life ! and to fet up its own, and the throne, laws, and government, of Satan ! Ah ! vile rebellion, as the fin of witchcraft I But,0 Jefus, who receiveclft gifts for men, even for the rebellious, that God the Lord might dwell among them, why mould my fou] continue to rebel againft thee, my Saviour ! to commit high treafonagainft my-God ! Why expofe herfelf to endlefs wo? Shall neither mercies melt, nor terrors awe? Why mould I revolt from under thy yoke ! O forgive me, for I know not what I do. 14. It is called a wandering and STRAYING from God a. Thereby We lofe our firft eftate ; go out of our proper way; do, we know not what, or why; go, we know not wither; turn our back on the Moil High j lofe his favour, prefence, and bleffing. Ah ! to what inexprefiible danger, we are expofed ! How ready to hearken to falfe guides ! How hard, nay impofiible for us, to return to God, of our own accord ! Lord, bring me back from Baman hill, and from the deeps of the fea! 15. It is called whoredom h. Thereby we break our covenant-marriage with God; admit Satan, the world, and our lufts, into his room ; by whom we conceive and bring forth the infernal progeny of finful defires, and wicked courfes. How bale and lhameful in its nature ! Ah, how it takes away, hardens, and {lupines our heart, making us refufe to be aihamed, when we commit abo- mination ! What wretched pleafure we tske therein, while our ilrength is thereby infenfibly walled! and we expefed to poverty, infamy, and endlefs death! 16. Indwelling tin is called LUSTS c. What a variety of finful inclinations anddifpofitions, are therein compre- hended ! How refllefsly and unweariedly it choofes ! how violently, unreafonably and fecretly, itpufhethus into the moil finful and lhameful a£ts ! In the faints, how it lufteth and warreth againil the grra.ee of GoJ ! In otheis, how eft it renders them like fed horfes, dogs, or fvvine, with the impetuous violence of flelhly lull I a Psal iviu 3. It Jer. Hi, I. c James iv. I. Of metaphors respecting sin in genera!. 363 When it fpeaketh fair, believe it not; there are feven abominations therein 17. It is called a law of sin in our members a. O its power and authority over us ! How it obliges and force th us to ftudy conformity to its dictates, and to ful- fil its lufts, employing the powers of our foul, to com- mit iinful acts ! O were I fully dead to this law that I might live unto God ! When I would do gcod, how fadly is evil prefent with me ! 18. Sin is called iniqjjity or unrighteousness h. It is the very rcverfe of the righteous nature, and holy and juft law of God. It is an univerfu robbery and fraud ; thereby we rob God of his due honour, love, obedience, and regard ; ourfelves of our holinefs, and felicity, and of every proper means to regain it j our neighbour, of all true love, eftesm, and regard ; and the very creation of its proper eafe, ufe, and honour. 19. Sin is called wickedness and enmity c. Ah ! the inveterate, unreafonable, and fixed malice againft God, and the welfare of creation, therein contained ! Nor can it be transformed into any other fhape. Lord, though enmity cannot be changed, yet flay it, and change my heart ! Ah ! is hatred my return for thy redeeming love ! Why, my foul, art thou proud ! art thou at eafe ! Enmity againft God js all thou can ft frrictly call thine own ! Lord, long, my fin, thou haft dwelt too near my heart ; hence to eternal dijftance flee 1 20. It is called uncleannESs ; an abominable THING ; an abomination ; an horrible thing cL It is the very reverfe of the beauty, comelinefs, and purity of God; it is the murderer of Jefus Chrift ; it defiles every thing- it touches ; renders the plowing and prayer of the wick- ed an abomination ; it fpreads through our whole man ; renders our perfon, heart, and practice, ugly and noi- fome to God, that, in our natural Hate, he cannot look towards us without the utmoit abhorrence ? nor can his angels or faints delight in, or behold us with pleafure. Direful moniler, may I never look upon thee, without debellation and horror ! Far may I flee from thy pre- « Rom. vii. 23. b Rom. vi r). c Zech. v S. Roar, viii 7. J Zech. xiii 1. J-i. xKv. i. 364 SACRED TROPOLOGY fence, and lo the myfelf for thy Cke ! O the omnipotent virtue of that blood which cleanfeth from all fin ! that can waili the Ethiopian into comelinefs ! the lothiome, the worfe than wallowing fow, into purity ! 21. It is reprefented as folly and madness a How ftupid and unteachable ! How unreafonable, cruel, and mifchievous to ourfelves and others, it renders us ! By- it we reject God the chief good ; rage againft the Al- mighty ; preiumptuoufly rtifli on his neck and upon the chief Defies of his buckler How effectually it iranf- forms us into proud and prating fools ! Ah, how defti- tute of delight in wifdom ! it is too high for, and hated by us, How we defpife a God, a Father's inftruction! How Chrift cruc fled, the power ofGod, and the wifdom of God, and every fpirirual thing, are foolifhnefs to us! neither can we by nature know them ; for they are fpi- ritually difcerned ; fo fail is folly bound up in our heart, that even rods of manifold correction drive it not far a- way. Our heart is at our left hand, fet upon earthly and finful objects ; its proper resolutions are faint, and ill put in practice. Its eyes, its thoughts, and defires, are in the ends of the earth, fet upon vanity, or things We have no concerns with. Though deceitful above all things, how fondly we truft it ! Alas, how we hate re- proof ! how we rage and are confident, in proceeding from evil to worie ! How right in our eyes is our evil way! what a foort to many, to do mifchief ! What anger a- gainft God, againft a gracious Saviour, and bleflcti Spirit, againft our neighbour, refteth in our bofom ! is with pleafure and delight, lodged and entertained in our heart! What outrageous wrath and paffion, heavier than the fand, is oft roufed in our breaft ! In the multitude of our words, how manifeft our folly ! In our mouth, how unfeemly are parables and excellent fpeech ! How unconcernedly uttered ! and how inconfiftent with our practice ! in our mouth what a rod of proud boafting, •xnd arrogant calumny ! flow readily our lips enter into contention, meddling with ltrife, with vain jangling, and idle difputes not pertaining to us ! Alas ! how oft our mouth feeds upon, takes pleafure in, and in the a PiaJ, xlix, 13, and b.xiii, it),--~3'f EccI, ix 3. Of metaphors respecting sin in general, $6$ molt plentiful manner pours forth, and proclaims foolilh- nefs, vain, empty trifles ! How wickedly it uttereth {lander ; caiteth abroad arrows and death in bitter words ; and faith, Ami not in fport ? Ah ! how oft the inilruclion given by our lips and our life is but ab- furd folly .' How oft is our mouth the means of de« flruclion to ourfelves and others ! How oft we anfwer a matter to God, or to men, before we hear, confider, or underftand it ! By our prating, how oft we fall into fnares ! What a perverting of our way is our whole practice! What a mad running to the correction of ilocks ! How then, can honour be feemly for, or God take pleafure in us ! How oft we die for want of wif- dom ! and have manae given us for our promotion! How oft our profperity hardens and tends to deitroy us! How rarely do hundreds of ftripes make any proper impref- fion upon us ! Nor, though brayed in a mortar of ad- verfity, does our foolimnefs depart from us ; Alas, what an heavinefs ! what a grief ! what a calamity ! what waiters ! what banifhers, it oft makes us to our natural parents ! our'churches, our families ! and chiefly to our God, and his faithful pallors fet over us ! 22. It is reprefented as sloth or sluggishness a. It makes us delight in Handing all the day idle. It ren- ders us averfe to act for our fouls , for the glory of God, or good of our neighbour. Lord, how fluggifh ! how inactive, to poffefs the promifed land, is my foul ! What thorny hedges of difficulty, and bears and lions of una- voidable danger, do I oft imagine in the molt clear, plain, and fafe paths of duty ! How oft hide I my hand in my bofom, and refule to put it to my mouth, with the all- nounlhing bread of life ! How oft my empty delires kill and ilarve me ! I defire, and have not, becaufe my hands refufe to labour. Nest to nothing have I to roft, which I took in hunting ; fliallnot then my llethful foul fuffer hunger ? Shall not my flothfulnefs call me into a deep ileep ? Shall not the building of my grace, pro- feffion, or pra&ice, decay and drop through ? Shall not the vineyard of my heart and converfation be overgrown with thorns of iniquities, and nettles cover the face <*Prov. vi. 6, — ii, Hh $66 SACRED TROPOLOGY. thereof; and the '{tone-wall of vigilance be broken down ? Shall not my floth lay me under the bafeft flavery and tribute ; and drowfinefs cover me with rags ? Go to the ant, thou fluggilh foul, confider her ways, and be wife ; gather thy meat in the fummer, and prepare thj food in the harveft, that thou flarve not in the eternal flate. Plough up thy fallow-ground, that thou be not for ever wretched. Be thou no more as a fmoke to the eyes of the God who made, who fent the into life. Say no more, A little fleep, a little (lumber ; a little folding of the hands to fleep ; for fo fhall thy eternal poverty come upon thee as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man, fuddenly and irrefiftably. 23. Indwelling fin is reprefented as a hard and stony heart a. It renders our foul barren, infenfible, rough, and impenetrable, as a rock or adamant ftone. While under the reigning power of it, the rain of divine ordi- nances, and feed of infpiiation, are loft upon, and harden us. Minifters who are fent to hew us with the hammer of God's word, and troubles, make no proper impreflion upon us, till Jefus break our heart with his power, and melt it in the fire of his Spirit and love. Lord, am 1 fuch hell hardened Heel, that mercy will not melt me ! No ; overcome by bleeding love, I difiblve, I melt be- neath the crofs. 24. It is called flesh b. It is of a bafe, vile, worth- lefs, and putrifying nature. ' It is conveyed to us with our body ; and is much influenced, modified, and exert- ed thereby* It renders us carnal and fle-fhly ; makes us to mind, love, think of, and chiefly care for, the things of the fiem ; to dwell in the flefh, under its abfolute pow- er and authority ; to walk after it, according to its dic- tates and inclinations ; and to war after it, from finful ends and motives, and in a carnal, malicious, and paf- fionate manner. 25. Sin is called a strong hold c. How advantage- ous its fituation, and deep its foundation in our heart ! How dreadful its impenetrabltnefs ! uncleannefs ! ex- tent ! fleepnefs ! and height ! How numerous the deep pits of its entangling fnares ! How abundant its provi- a Ezek. xxxvi, 26. b Rom, viii, 1. c 2 Cor. x, 4. 5« Of metaphors respecting sin in general, 36 7 iion for a finful life ; and its fulnefs of infernal armour ! How many and fecret its means of communication with Satan and the world! He is the governor ; our predomi- nant luft is the citadel ; our actual tranfgreffion the outworks. Lord Jefus, demolifh, it ; raze, raze it, to the foundation ; heap up mounts of redeeming grace, and take it. 26. It, with the law-curfe attending it, is Satan's ar- mour a. Thereby he fights againft the divine Saviour, coming to refcue and deliver us. Ignorance and ftupi- dity are his helmet; unbelief and legality his fhield; pride, unconcern, obftinacy, and defpair, his breafUplate; enmity and error his fword. Laid fpoil him of this armour wherein he trufteth. 27. It is called leaven, and old leaven b. How four and difagreeable in its nature to God, good angels, and men ! How its influences fpread into, and infects all our powers, and work ! The former it renders full of, and ready inftruments of iniquity unto iniquity, The latter, our ploughing and prayer not excepted, it ren- ders abomination to the Lord. Nor, like old leaven, is fin good for any thing bat to defile. 28. It is compared to poison c. It inflames our heart with enmity, malice, and rage, againfl God and men. Quickly it infects and corrupts our whole man. It be- gets an infatiable thirft after iinful and carnal pleafure and profit. Like the poifon of afps, how effectually it lulls us aileep ! And however pleafant and taking at firft, it becomes painful and mortal atlafl. Being of itfelf con- trary to their new nature, it is painful to the faints. Be- ing agreeable to the nature of the wicked, thefe veno- mous beafts, it breeds them no pain, but in its confe- rences ; nor can it be expelled, but by the convincing, illuminating, and fanctifying oil, or influence of the Holy Gfaoft. 29 It is compared to a lothfome vomit d* How un- comely, dil'agreeable, and deteftable ! How conviction makes us throw it up by vexation, confefiion, or true re- pentance ! How fhameful and wicked, by returning to « Luke xi. 3 j, 22. b 1 Cor, v, 7, 8. c Psal, cxl, 3. d Jer. xlviii, 16. Hh a 36S SACRED TROPOLOGY. fins formerly paining, refolved againfl, or repented of, to fwallow up what was once thrown up ! 30. It is compared to a sting a. From the old fer- pent, the devi|, it proceeds; and renders afflictions, death, and every thing in the fyftem of nature, hurtful and deadly to us. How infectious its poifon, fpreading into, and corrupting all our powers, and poifoning every act of enjoyment in our natural ftate ! At firft its wounds feel pleafant; but, in the end, how painful and torment- ing ! Nor without faith in the flain Redeemer, exalted on the pole of the gofpel, can they be healed, or the cor- ruption routed out. Thrice bleffed he, who fucked the venom of my wounds into himfelf, bearing mine ini- quities, that I might obtain health and cure; might have death, trouble, and every thing elfe unftinged to my foul ; and might fafely tread on dragons and ferpents of the pit ! 3r. It is compared to a wound b. It is the effect of the bite, the fling of the old ferpent. And ah, how inve- terate ! how envenomed ! how deep, fpreading, and ex- teniive! How filthy, noifome, and infectious ! How pain- ful, fhameful, and deadly a wound! Alas, how it weakens our foul! mars and withers our beauty ! how it hinders our proper exercife, and pollutes all we do ! Lord, heal my lothfome difeafe, my painful wounds, that ftink, and are corrupt: my folly makes it fo. 32. It is a plague and lothsome DrsEAsE c. It is the corrupt humour of our foul; and a heavy judgment on mankind. How myfterious in its nature and fource ! How quickly it overipreads our whole nature and life! How fhameful, naufeous, and of itfelf defperate, the dif- eafe ! How abominable it renders us to God and good men! and mars our feilowihip with them! Alas! by its influence, how is our foul pined away, and weakened! Our heart fwells with pride and felf- conceit. Our voice, our converfe, our prayer, our praife, is difagreeable. Our breath ftinks with idle and corrupt communication. Our bowels burn with defire after iinful pleafures, and carnal € J Cor. xv, 56. b Psal, xxxviii, 5, 8, 9. e i Kings viii, 38. Psal, xxxviii, 7. Of metaphors respecting sin in general. $6g enjoyments. Oar inner man is dead while we live ; and daily cafte forth the putrid fluff of abominable a&ions ! 33 . It is compared to sickness a. Sprung from eating of forbidden fruit, how it affe&s our heart j and thence fpreads into our whole man, and every concern! How it extends to our whole race, and fickens the lower part of the creation for our fake I How gradually it weakens our foul ! haftens our eternal death ! reftrains and unfits us for our work ! How dangerous, if long continued in ! When felt, how grievous to be borne! But ah i what multitudes lying under it, are in a perpetual rove, or rnoonflruck madnefs, till everlafting burnings bring them to their fenfes ! My foul, when I fee my ficknei's and my wound, call Jefus the Phyfician of value ; let him, by convi&ion, by effectual calling, by j unification and fan edification, make me whole ! Quickly may he bring me to that happy place, where the inhabitants fhall not fay, I am lick. 34. It is reprefented«as a death b. Hereby our hap- py relations to God and his creatures are broken and dif- folved. Hereby we are rendered incapable to defire, think, or a£t, to any good purpofe. Hereby we lofe our beauty and frefhnefs. Our whole man is turned into a repofe and repafl of infernal vermin, of fiends and cor- ruptions. We forget God and our everlafting concerns 5 are altogether lothfome and abominable; and bring forth fruit to eternal death. Alas ! how this death worketh in me ! Not often, but alway am I in it ; not a ftep be- twixt my foul and it ! Who mall deliver me from fo great a death ! Who but thee, O Jefus, who quickeneft the dead, and calleit things that are not, as though they were ! 35. It is compared to a FIRE c- How fearfully it in- flames our heart with luft, with enmity, and rage againfl God ! How furioufly and efFe&a&ily it consumes our foul ! How impomble for any creature to withftand or quench it ! How terrible to fuch as are gracioufly awa- kened ! But what millions are devoured by it in their £eep ! How oft on earth it burns up thorns and briers of kicked men ! and confumes forells. whole nations, armies, with filming deflruction ! How it burnsthe re- 4 Mattb, viii, ii. b Eph ii, 1. clsa. ix, i$. h h 3 37^ fSACRED TROPOLOGY. probate world into endlefs fire ! Lord Jefus, quench it in me, in thoufands, with thy blood. 36. It is compared to a cloud and thick cloud a. Ah, how innumerable, as the particles of a cloud, are its lulls and acts ! How it interpofes between us and our God, and our heavenly glory ! What terrible madowsof eleftruction it cafts over us ! How fearfully it threatens us with thunder-bolts, and fweeping deluges of divine wrath ! With you, faints, how it damps your fpirits ! forebodes (forms of chaft ifement ! While under the cloud, how oft your hearts quake wirh the voice of thunder ! What d&rknefs and fhadow of death are over ycur foul \ By thy forgiving- grace, by thy milling ravs, by the gra- cious wind of thine influence, do thou, Jefus, difpel the cloud, and give day to my inward powers. 37. It is compared to a mountain or hill b. How fixed in our heart ! How dreadful its height ! How fear- ful and inconceivable its weight ! If it fall on us, by con- viction or punimment, how it d uihes and finks our foul toward the lowed hell ! How fearfully it interpofes be- tween God and us : What noxious fpirits and curfes do, as it were, refide therein i Almighty Saviour, once wil- lingly cruihed under Its weight, in mercy come leaping over it to my foul ; melt it down with thy love ; touch and wade it away by thy grace ; remove, overturn it : call it into the deeps of forgetfulnefs, the deeps of thy precious blood. O to fee thy bleeding love prevail, till the higheft mountains of my guilt and corruption be co- vered ! O for a firm faith, efTecr.u-.ally to bid this moun- tain remove, and be caff into the deeps of the fea ! 3 8. It is compared to a vine c. Alas how it flourifhes and fpreads its brandies ! what clutters of abomination and mifery it produceth ! hew four> hurtful to all, difa- greeable to every fenfible foul, its grapes ! its actual tranfgreiTions ! In the iiTue, how fearfully they fet the teeth on edge ! fill us with anxiety and pain ! How oft wickednefs grows up as a tree, is had in reputation ! and pride buds ! But the bloffom fhall go up as dufl ; the fruit is unto fhameaud deiath ; the tree with its fruits, « la. xliv, 22. b Isa. Ixiv, rs" S- ng ii, S. c Esek* vjj, iGj a;)J a\ jii. 2. Jer. \xx\, xp. Of metaphors respecting sin in general. 37 f haftens us to eternal wo. Ah ! how its roots are fatten- ed in me, as with a band of iron and brafs ! Lord Jefus, lay the axe of thy word and rod thereto ! BlefTcd earth- quake, blefled ftorm of death, make hafie, diffolve my frame, tear up my fin by the root, let my wickednefs be broken, and cut off as a tree. 39. It is compared to an evil treasure a. Its great refidence is the hidden cabinet of our heart. How care- fully we keep and conceal it as a fweet morfel under our tongue ! Ah ! how we daily live upon it ! How many are proud of, and reckon themfelves enriched by it ! How inexhauftible its fulnefs ! with what mad hatte do many laborioufly increafe it, adding fin to fin, till the mea- fure of their iniquity be full ! and treafuring up for themfelves, wrath againft the day of wrath, and reve- lation of the righteous judgment of God ! 40. It is reprefented as a debt b. It includes our ne- glect of the obedience we owe to God's law ; it involves us in the obligation of infinite fatisfaction to his jufiice. The longer we continue therein, the d*bt the more in- creafes. And ah ! how fearfully it occafions our hatred of God, our creditor ! our averfion to felf-examination I our abhorrence, and fometimes terror, of death and judg- ment, our times of account ! How it expofeth us to the arrefl of confcience, the prifon of hell, and the endlefs fury of an angry God ! O awful, unbounded debt, which God alone can pay ! nor he, but at tne expence of his wealth, his blood, his life ! O his grace in forgiving me, his enemy, my ten thouwnd talents ! Let not me conti- nue in (in, becaufe grace doth abound. 4/. Sin is called a reproach c. How clearly it ma- nifefts our bafe birth, that we are of our father the de- vil ! and our bafe heart, that it is little worth, and fet upon mifchief ! It exhibits us as treacherous, liars, ha- ters of God, murderers of ourfeives, filled with ail un- righteoufnefs, abominable and unc ean. It expoieth us to the contempt of God, angels, and men. May 1 never account it mine honour ! 42. It is reprefented as a corrector and SCOURGE d> What ftrokes! whatlafhes of confcience and providence « Matth, xii;3S, b Matth, vi, 12. * Prov. siv, 24. dJer, ii, 19. 372 SACRED TROPOLOGY. our iniquities bring upon us ! How oft their luftful mo- tions harafs and difquiet us ? How oft our finfulmethods of relief and happinefs involve us in further trouble! How oft are our fins plainly marked on our judgments ! or we are given up to our lufts, to punim us for our former wickednefs ! 43. It is represented as a weight and BURDEN; and perhaps as a talent of lead in an ephah a Howdread- ful its imprefiion ! How heavily it hangs upon finners ! unfits them for running their fpiritual race, or working out their falvaticn ! What multitudes it finks to thedeeps of di vine judgments, and of theloweft hell I How it crufh- es the hearts of perfons convinced! bruifes and breaks their bones, andmakes them weary of their life ! What an opprefiive load to the faints ! None but thee, O Jefus, could fuftain its weight; nor thou, without fweating, groaning, and dying, under its guilt ; nor can any other remove it from my foul ! 44. It is compared to a bond ; BAND ; CHAIN ; Yoke b. Ah ! what crimes it fuppofes or includes ! what flavery it imports ! what punimment it forbodes ! How effec- tually it confines our foul, and reft rains hex from acting or moving in the way of holinefs ! How it binds men to Satan's door pofts ! fixes them in his prifon; caufeth them to draw in his plough ; and dig up mifchief ! Ah ! how many reckon thefe chains of darknefs, ignorance, and wo, their honour ; a chain and ornament of grace to their neck ! 45. It is compared to garmfnts c. How fully the habits and acts of fin encompafs our whole nature and life ! How oft they plainly mark what, and whofe we are ! How they contribute to warm our inward luft ! How fearfully lined with the divine curfe ! How fadly they protect our heart from God's arrows ©f conviction; and prevent our penitential (name I Though our belt deeds be but filthy rags, how oft we take pleafure in, and glorj of them ! Lord Jefus, remove thefe filthy gar- ments, and give me change of raiment. 46. It is computed to a spot in garments, or the like tL a Psal. xxxviii. 4. Zech, v. 7. b Isa. ]viii, 6. c Col.iii, 9. d Dcut, xxxii, s r Cf metaphors respecting a sinful slate, 373 It is altogether vile and unfightly. It mars all the beauty of our heart, and fpoils the robes of our conver- fation. It defiles our bed: duties : nor can it be wafhed out, but by Jefus' blood and Spirit. By his mercy and truth applied to my foul, and his caufing me to imitate him therein, may my fpots be warned out : and by fearing him, may I depart from evil. 47. It-is compared to the crimson and scarlet co- lour of wool or garments a. What horrid murder of our God, our Saviour, ourfelves, our neighbour, it in- cludes i How fait it cleaves to our nature and practice! How vifible and terrible to behold ! and what a block- ing mark of God's warfare with us j and prefage of his fhedding the blood of our foul ! Lord, what profit is in my blood, that I mould go down to the pit ! By the application of thine, make my deep-dyed crimes white as fnow ; fully forgive and purge them away. 48. It is reprefented as filthy nakedness h. How mameful and odious is it to Gcd, angels, and faints ! What mocking impudence, to be unaihamed of it ! or to be carelefs of having jefus' righteoufnefs fpread over us, to cover it ! SECT. II. Of a Jtiful Jiate or condition* STATE of fin is called the gall of BITTER- "A s » rESS c. While one continues therein, no property is in him befides fin, that infinitely bitter thing. Nothing he enjoys that is not poifoned and em- bittered to him. To the bitternefs of divine vengeance, of eternal death, it expofes him. Lord, to how many is even bitternefs fweet ! 2. A finful itate, ©r a condition of eftrangement from God, and of prevalent corruption, refembles a WILDER- NESS d. In it, how fad the wandering from God I how many the bypaths ! how eminent the dangers ! how nu- merous the wild beafls of evil angels and finful inclina- o « Isa. i» 18. b Isa. iii. *8. e Acts viii. 23. d Song viii. 5. 374 SACRED TROPOLOGY. tions ? what want of proper provinon and companions • how violent the ftorms of trouble ! May I go up from it, leaning on my Beloved ! by him alone as my guide, my way, can I efcape out of it. 3. It refembles a deep and pit a. What finking fears and difcouragements ! what increaiing entanglement and perplexity ! what nearnefs to hell ! what defilement and defpair, abound therein ! How little water of confo- lation to refrefh our fainting heart ! Out of the deeps have I cried unto thee, O Lord. 4. It refembles a prison b. How fhameful to be in it! how evidential of guilt ! how unhappy ! unhealth- ful; and reftriclive of liberty ! How deftitute of fpi- ritual warmth, reft, water, or wine of confolation ! In what momentary hazard are we of being brought forth to further fhame and trouble ! O bring my foul out of prifon, that I may glorify thy name. 5. It refembles darkness c. How horrid and difa- greeable ! What idlenefs, perplexity, confulion, difor*- der, fear, and danger, attend it \ O turn my darknefs into light. 6. It refembles a winter d. What clouds of gm\t interpofe between God and our foul! How great our diftance from Chrift, the Sun of righteoufnefs ! What mifts of darknefs and ignorance confound our mind ! To what florins of temptation, trouble, or wrath are we cxpofed ! How hard and frozen our hearts, that neither word nor providence of God can imprefs them ! How barren of every good word and work ! How deftitute of inward warmth of love to Jefus 1 perfon, covenant, caufe, ordinances or people ! How unclean, ft ippery, dif- ficult, and dangerous our paths ! How are both heart and way deluged with floods of corruption, to the mar- ring of our fpiritual fellowlhip with God, and withfone another ! How unnouriihing and ur.fighrly our whole appearance ! O my foul, is this winter pift, and the rain over and gone ! 7. It refembles death and the grave e. Alas, how it fepr.rates us from our true frieiids ! How unfightly it 4 Psal. xl. z, and exxx. I, Zrch. ix II. b I*a. Ixi. 1. < • Eph v. S. d Song 11, 11. How quickly, how unexpectedly it ruins the powers of the foul ! and the inward conftitution of the body of thefe, who are given to it! 4. Unclean luft is compared to the rage of a stal- lion/. How brutim, fhamelefs, furious, and command- ing its force ! VII. Of opprejjion of the poor \ 1. Oppreflion of the poor is called a panting after the duft on their head g. Tnereby the oppreflbrs incline to rob them ot every thing, and erufh them to the dull of death. ^- SECT. V. Of temptations tdjin* 1. ^TEMPTATIONS to fin are reprefented as traps ; JL snares ; pits c . Unawares they feize us ; firm- ly they retain us ; and tend to promote our prefent and future ruin. O Jefus, open mine eyes to difcern them ; guide my feet in the way of peace. Break the fnares, that I may efcape. 2. They are reprefented as stumbling- blocks d. Ah how Satan and his agents lay them in our way ! Xo our own and others hurt, how heedlefsly we rufh upon them \ and finfully Humble and fall in our converfation S 3. They are reprefented as devices and wiles e With what craft do Satan and his agents devife and lay them before us ! How well they are fuited to our nature, temper, and circumftance ! How cunningly are fins there- in reprefented to us as virtues ; as fmall fins, that can be eafily repented of, and may be readily forgiven ! How craftily we are diffuaded from duty, as if unfeafonable unimportant, unplain, or dangerous ! Attend, my ?r foul be not ignorant of thefe devices. 4. They are reprefented as a buffeting rod 5 and thorn in the flefti /. Ah how they harafs, opprefs, and grieve fome ; chiefly faints ! and render them weary of a Isa, lix, 4, and Ixiv, 6. b Hosea x, 4, c Joshua xxiii',13. Prov. -Axii, J4, d Ezek, iii, 20, e 2 Cor.ii, 11. /z Cor, xii, 7 1 i 3 3^2 SACRED TROPOLOGY. their life ! My foul, what time thou art pricked or buf- feted, have recourfe to Jefus, that his grace may be iufficient for me. 5. They are reprefented as a sifting a. Ah how Sa- tan, by them, troubles, toffes, and tries the faints ! But, blefTed Redeemer, thou haft prayed for them, that their faith fail not. None fhall make them out of thy hand ; nor fhall the fmalleft (tone o£ their number fall to the earth. 6. They are reprefented as a wrestling and war- fare b. How elofdy, how furioufly, how craftily, do Satan -and his agents therein ply the faints ! endeavour to trip up their heels ! overturn and ruin their foul ! but God fhall make them Hand. 7. They are reprefented as fiery darts c. From what diftance they may be call ! to heavenly fouls how terrible their appearance ! howfuddenly, and from what unexpected airth they ftrike ! how fearfully they kindle the corruption of our heart ! May I continually bathe myfelf in the fountain of a Saviour's blood, in the river of his Spirit, that I may readily quench all the fiery darts of the devil. CHAP. IX. OF METAPHORS RESPECTING PROSPERITY, SPIRITUAL OR TEMPORAL. r. "pPvGSPERITY is compared to life d. What ST ufefulnefs and aptnefs for work attend it ! If my gold or filver abound, be thou, my foul, lift up in the ways of the Lord ; do good to others ; and run in the way, of his commandments, when he enlarges my heart. 2, It refembles the having the head anointed with oil e. In the enjoyment thereof men do, or ought, to appear comely, lovely, and cheerful. 3. It is reprefented as a fitting under our own vines 4 Luke xxii, j2. b £ph*. vi, n. c Ghay. vi 16. 4 Psal xxx, 5. « Psal. xxiii. 5. Of metaphors respecting prosperity , &c 3 s 3 and fig-trees and a beating weapons of war into inftru- ments of hufbandry a ; to mark the pleafure, the proper- ty, the refrefhroent, the peace, fat isf action, and fafe- ty therein comprehended. Sit, my foul, under Jefus* ihadow, with great delight ; let his fruit be iweet to my tafte. Thus, though the fig-tree mould not bloffom, and no meat be in the vine, and the labour of the olive fail ; yet will I rejoice in the Lord, and be joyful in the God of my falvation. With deteitation mail I caft away the weapons of my rebellion againfl him ; and improve the remembrance of my wickednefs, to render me a&ive in gofpel-holinefs. 4. It is reprefented as a lifting up h. It prevents contempt and opprcflion ; renders us more viiible to man- kind ; exalts us to honour, authority, pleafure, and more abundant ufefulnefs. May I be raifed up together with Chrift ; fo, when tnen are caft down, I fhall fay, there is lifting up, and he {hall fave the humble perfpn. 5. It is reprefented as health and fatness c. There- by pain, trouble, and poverty, are removed -, and plea- fure, ftrength, and extenfive influence, abundant fulnefs, honour, and power, fucceed in their room. Be thou, O Saviour, the health of my countenance, and my God. 6. It is reprefented as a tree of life d. What plee» fure, courage, comfort, and vivacity it affords ! BlefTed Jefus, how oft have my deferred hopes of fellowfhip with thee, made my heart fick ! but when thou comeft, thou art a tree of life ; becaufe thou liveft, I mall live alfo. 7. It is compared to a flourifhing field, or garden e. -How pleafant and refreilitui to behold ! and how promi- iing of what is better ! Lord render my foul as a water- ed garden, whofe fprings fail not i 8. It is compared to light ; to the sun ; the moon ; to a lam? ; a candle/. By means thereof are men noticed, and regardfully diftinguifhed ; and have an op- portunity of a&ive ufefulnefs. How pleafant and de- lightful it is ! Yet how fad all outward profperity haf- tens to its final period I and the brighter it mine, its du- « Mich, iv, 3, 4, b Jobxxii, 20, c Jer. xxxiii, 6. Prov, xii, 4. d Prov, xiij, iz t ten thoufand times fweetei than honey to my tafte ! 1 3. It is called a crown e. What glory, refpe&, and authority attend it ! But ah, how tottering ! how eafily it falls from our head, becaufe we have finned ! 14. The rich man's wealth is his strong city/. He trufts and depends on it for fafety ; and is by it protec- ted from various infults and dangers. 15 Ricties are likened to eagles £. How quickly they oft fly away from men, never to be regained ? and mount towards heaven, to accufe their owners to God. for abufi.ig them ! 16. Tiiey are called the mammon of unrighteoufnefs b. What a numerous collection and multitude ! How oft a Isa. xxxv, r,2, and xxi, 13. b Psal. xxxii, 4, Job xxix, 19. « Isa. .xvi, 1 2 d PsaJ. xxiii, 5. Isa, \xvi 11. e Lam. v, 16, ,/Prov, X;5- g Prov. xxui, 5, k Luke xvi, 9. Of metaphors respe&ing adversity, 385 the object of much unrighteoufnefs in procuring and keeping them ! What others finfully gain or ufe, let me lawfully get, and lay out in works of piety, and cha- rity, that I may be rewarded in the heavenly, the ever- lading habitations. 17. Saintscount all but LOSS and dung to win Chrilt a. In comparifon of him, they reckon every other thing contemptible, ufelefs, unfavoury, and vile, CHAEI, OF MET AFHQRS RESPECTING ABVEftiXT ¥> I. Q ORE troubles are likened fo a troop of horse- *3 MEN ; and reprefented as the terrors of God fet in array againft one b, O their irrefiftible force \ the impoflibilityof fleeing from them ! the fear, perplexity, aftonifhment, and oft hopelefs ftupiduy of men under them! 2. Affliction is called the blast and breath of God, smoke out of his noflriis c, How eafily he infli&s it upon us ! and thereby, how are we toffed, fanned, un- fettled, and perplexed ! Amid my trouble, Lord, breathe on me, and caufe me to receive the Holy Ghoft. 3. It is compared to lions ; bears j and serpents d. What terror and ravage it fpreads in the world ! In de- flating judgements, how unmercifully are men torn and Hung in their perfons and enjoyments \ 4. It is likened to an almond-tree e -, to mark its fpeedy approach, and its lafting duration. How quick- ly violence rifes up into a rod of wickednefs ! How quickly pride buds, and brings forth punifhment ! 5. It is compared to a thorn hedge; a furrounding wall of hewn (tone ; a wall of gall and travail/. It flops our courfe and enterprize ; flints us up from liberty and efcape. How oft our attempts to remedy it, do but prick us, and embitter our condition more and more I a Phil, iii, 8, 9, bJer.xiu$. Prov, xxiv 34, ejobiv, 9. d Amos v, 19, EccK x, 8. # Jer, i, 11. /Lam. iii 5, 7. 3&6 SACRED TROPOLOGY. 6. It is reprefented as a feeding on gravel, and four grapes; and having the teeth fet on edge a. How de- bafing and unpleafant ! How bitter it renders life, and the enjoyments thereof; Lord fweeten my trouble with thy love. 7. Sore trouble is reprefented as a treating down ; a cutting down ; a drying up ; a covering with afhes b; to denote the violent debafement and oppreffion, the pain- ful agony, the deprivation of comfort, and of the hope of it, therein contained. 8. It is called a licking of the duft like ferpents ; a moving in the holes of the earth ; a fitting in the duft c. to mark the dreadful debafement, the fhame, and the dif- ficulty of obtaining neceffary provifion, contained in it. And how oft do finners then wail as dragons, and hifs and murmur as ferpents !j 9. It is called a breaking in the place of dragons, and with breach upon breach d. How oft is it inflicted by inftruments cruel and unmerciful, who fcarce allow the leaft hope of outgate' How oft is one painful and deba- fing judgment added to another ! How effectually they break our fpirits, deprive us of joy, vigour, and courage; break our bodily conftitution I break of our purpofes ! break to pieces our worldly enjoyments ! break afun- der families, churches, and nations. O Jefus, heal our prefent breaches, which are wide like the fea. 10. Adverfity is compared to a voice, or founding of trumpets e. Often God warns men thereof; and by it he folemnly calls us to confider our ways, and with "whom we have to do ; to repent of our iin, and flee to Jefus, from the wrath which is to come. O may I diftinctly know, what is fpoken and founded ! 11. Fearful affliction is reprefented as a fcattering ofbrimftone upon one's habitation f\ alluding to the overthrow of Sodom ; and to mark, how wrathful, diC agreeable, and hopelefs, it renders our condition. 12. God's judgments upon Antichrifl are reprefented as the pouring out of feven vials g\ to mark how a Lam. iii. 16. Ezek. xviii. 2. b Isa. xxii. 5. c Micah vii. 17. i Psal. xliv. 19, Job. xvi. 14. e Micah V1V9. IUv. vjii. 5, 13. f Job xviii. $. g Kcv, xvi. Of metaphors refpeBing ad