The Christians Apparelling, Part 1
The firſt part.
Section 1.
THe Apoſtle hauing prooued, that a man is iuſtified, not by the workes of the Law, but by faith in Ieſus Chriſt, ſhewes, that yet the vſe of the Law was to whip vsus vntounto Chriſt,Verſ. 23, 24. that ſo wee might bee iuſtified by faith in him; by which faith wee become the ſonnes of God,Part. 1. §. 1 which he ſhewes in my text: thus in effect; Who ſo put on Chriſt, are iuſtified and made the ſonnes of God, not from workes, (which men doe) but by faith, and from without, by the putting on and application of Chriſt; But (ſpeaking according to the iudgement of charitie, or ſpeaking to ſuch as are truely and inwardly baptized) all yee (ſaith Paul) that are baptiZed into Chriſt, hauehave put on Chriſt: therefore all ye that are truely baptized, are iuſtified by faith, and made the ſonnes of God thereby.
How we be…ome righteous.Whence we may take notice of the manner of our iuſtification, that it is by the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, which hee wrought for vsus by his obedience actiue and paſsiue, imputed vntounto vsus on Gods part, and receiued on our part, by our faith, by which our ſinnes are couered. See Pſal. 22.1, 2. and Rom. 4.6, 7,Reuel. 12.1 8. The Church in this regard is ſaid to be a woman cloathed with the Sunne, that is, with Chriſt the Sonne of righteouſneſſe. Mal. 4.2.This is that garment of our elder Brother by which wee obtaine the bleſsing, as did Jacob in Eſaus garment; and was reſembled in Paradiſe,Gen. 3.21. when God cloathed Adam and couered his nakedneſſe with the skinnes of dead Beaſts; which ſignified our cloathing and the couering of our ſinnes, by the righteouſneſſe of the Lambe Chriſt.
This ſhewes vsus,The 1. vſe. Originall ſinne remaines after Baptiſme. both that Originall ſinne remaines in vsus after baptiſme; and that we are iuſtified not by any righteouſneſſe in vsus, but by hauing that ſin, which is in vsus couered, by putting on the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt: euen as the ſhame of our bodily nakedneſſe ſtill remaines (which argues ſinne to be ſtill in the beſt) but it is couered by our garments.
This is a point alſo of great comfort, The 2. vſe.that though in regard of ſinne which remaines in vsus;Part. 1. §. 5. the beſt actions of the godlieſt vponupon Earth are imperfect, yet by Chriſts Righteouſneſſe they are couered, and we ſtand as perfectly righteous in Gods ſight, by the only righteouſneſſe of Chriſt; ſo that though ſinne be in vsus, yet we are not in ſinne; though ſinne in vsus make vsus cry out with Paul, O miſerable man that I am, Rom. 7.23.24.&c. Yet the perfect righteoſneſſe of Chriſt, by which our ſinne and vnrighteouſneſſe is couered, and by which we are iuſtified, will comfort vsus againe and make vsus reioyce; ſaying with the ſame Paul, Rom. 8.33.34.35.Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? It is God that iuſtifieth; Who is he that condemneth? Who ſhall ſeperate vsus from the louelove of Chriſt, &c?
Section 2
In the Text wee may conſider, 1. What Baptiſme is in it ſelfe, and in it owne nature. 2. What it is to vsus in the right vſe of it.
1. Baptiſme is a Sacramentall waſhing or ſprickling with water, Part. 1. §. 2.inſtituted and ordained of God to be a ſigne and ſeale of the couenant of grace betweene God and the partie baptized, What Baptiſme is in it ſelfe.and of the parties admiſſion into the boſome of the viſible Church.
The Couenant is firſt on Gods part, a promiſe of life euerlaſting,What the Couenāt is. of grace, reconciliation, & of the pardon of our ſinnes, which God makes vntounto vsus vponupon the condition of our Faith, to beleeue and apply the promiſe; and of our Repentance for our ſinnes and amendment of life;The Articles on Gods part. which if wee performe, God ſeales to vsus his couenant, and aſſures vsus of his promiſe, by the Sacraments of Baptiſme and the Lords Supper;Gen. 17.7. yet are Children baptized becauſe the promiſe belongs to them alſo, though for the preſent they doe not actually beleeue and repent; if they doe ſo afterward, they may reape the comfort of their Baptiſme.
2. On our part, it is alſo a promiſe,The Articles on our part. whereby wee deſiring the grace and mercy offered, doe promiſe and profeſſe our ſelues to keepe the conditions of Faith and Obedience; and herevpon by receiuing the Sacraments; firſt of Baptiſme, afterwards of the Lords Supper; we ſcale vntounto God, and bind our ſelues for euer into his ſeruice. Euen as the Captaine by giuing, and the Souldier by taking and receiuing Preſſe-money, bind themſelues each to other: and as the Maſter promiſing to his Seruant, meate, drinke, and wages; if hee performe the ſeruice required, doth bind himſelfe thereunto, by giuing earneſt; and as the Seruant by receuing an earneſt-penny, binds himſelfe to performe the ſeruice required, elſe he can expect no wages. So, God in giuing vsus the Sacrament, binds himſelfe to keepe his promiſe with vsus, and by the Sacrament aſſures vsus hereof;Part. 1. §. 3. and wee by receiuing the Sacrament; and as often as we receiue it doe renew our promiſe, and doe bind our ſelues to performe better ſeruice to God for time to come, or elſe we cannot expect to receiue what God doth promiſe;The vſe. which thing would be well thought on ſo often as we come to the Lords Table. &c.
Section. 3.
Now Secondly and chiefely,What Baptiſme is to vsus in the right vſe of it. the right vſe of Baptiſme in regard of vsus, is that thereby wee (who are truly baptized) doe put on Chriſt.
To put on, ſignifies, firſt to bee adorned with ſome ornaments and apparrell,What it is to put on. whereby our nakedneſſe is couered; as alſo to be armed and fenced.
Secondly, it implies a kind of effectuall operation in vsus; as it is ſaid,Iudg. 6.38. The ſpirit of the Lord came vponupon Gedeon, which in the Hebrew is, it clad him; and the meaning is, it ſtirred him vp to bee a Sauiour, or deliuerer to Iſrael. So it clad or came vponupon Zacharias, and cauſed him boldly to propheſie and doe his meſſage.2 Chron. 24.20.
Thirdly, it ſignifies in Scripture, a declaring or ſhewing forth of a thing, as of ſtrength; as Iſa. 51.9. Awake, awake, put on ſtrength, O arme of the Lord. That is, ſhew thy ſelfe ſtrong for the deliuerance of thy people from their enemies. So Iſa. 59.17.
Fourthly, It ſignifies a neere and a ſtraight ioyning and applying of ſome what to vsus, on all parts fully; as of our Apparell and Armour, which now ſeeme to make but one with our ſelues: the force of which Metaphor is expreſſed Pſal. 109.18.19.
What is it to put on Chriſt.To put on Chriſt, is a phraſe taken from the cuſtome of the Primitiue Church, when ſuch men as were to be baptized, put off their owne old garments, went into the water, and after baptiſme put on new, white linnen cloathes,; which cuſtome of baptizing being then vſed only betweene Eaſter and Whitſontide; the firſt Sunday after Eaſter retaines the name among the Latins of Dominica in albis, or Feſtum in albis, which we giuegive to the laſt, calling it White-Sunday.
This Cuſtome is yet obſerued in Poperie; and with vsus there is a fayre white face-cloath laid ouer the Child after it is baptized; which puts them in mind of innocencie & newneſſe of life. Wherfore To put on Chriſt, ſignified by that cuſtome, implies theſe things.
Firſt, to be adorned, and to hauehave our ſinnes and nakedneſſe of ſoule couered,Epheſ. 5.26.27. and our ſelues iuſtified by him and by his righteouſneſſe.
Secondly, to be led and guided inwardly by the ſpirit of Chriſt; hence he bad his Diſciples at his Aſcention,Luk. 24.49 tarry in Hieruſalem vntill they be indued (or cloathed) with power from an high, which was, when the Holy Ghoſt came downe vponupon them. Act. 2.1.2.3.4
Thirdly, to expreſſe him in our actions and liues. Rom. 13.14.
Fourthly, to hauehave vnion and communion with him by his ſpirit, to be incorporated into him; ſo that we may bee able to ſay with Paul, Gal. 2.20.now J liue, yet not I, but Chriſt liueth in me, &c. he and wee now being as one, and all making one (Myſticall) Chriſt. 1 Cor. 12.12. Gal. 3.16. The Church being therefore called his body, and his fulneſſe or complement. Epheſ. 1.22.23. Now we that are truely baptized hauehave communion and vnion, Firſt, with Chriſt himſelfe in his perſon, euen with whole Chriſt, euen with his Godhead, not in regard of ſubſtance, but of operation and efficacie, whereby he by vertue of it workes effectually in vsus, and applies his merits to vsus; but chiefely and more neerely with his Manhood. Joh. 6.54.56. by which wee receiue whatſoeuer wee receiue from the Godhead. 2. With his gifts; ſuch 1. as wherein conſiſts our iuſtification; as remiſsion of ſinne, and imputed righteouſneſſe. Rom. 4.6.7.8. Reu. 3.5. & 7.9-14. 2. Such as concerne our ſanctification, which he workes in vsus by his ſpirit; making vsus put off the Old man, and put on the New man. Epheſ. 4.24. The former of theſe doe couer vsus in the ſight of God, without which, we appeare in Gods ſight, vgly, ſinfull, and deformed, euen the beſt of vsus. See theſe places, Iſa. 64.6. Job 9.30.31. Pſal. 143.2. The latter, or Sanctification and good workes, doe not couer vsus and beautifie vsus in Gods ſight, but only in mans ſight, they being more outward, and ſeruing as an vpper garment to diſtinguiſh a true Chriſtian from a counterfeit. Wherefore to put on Chriſt, is to become a Chriſtian indeed, and in truth. It is firſt to bee made a member of Chriſt in regard both of body and ſoule. 1 Cor. 6.15.17. Rom. 12.5. to bee cloothed with his fleſh as Eue was with Adams. Part. 1. § 4.Epheſ. 5.30. Secondly, it is to be pertaker of his annointing, namely of the ſpirit, 1 Iohn. 2.27. and of the gifts of the ſpirit: Acts. 2.17.18. that is, ſuch gifts as whereby we reſemble Chriſt and put him on in all his three Offices; being made by him 1. Spirituall Prophets, in regard of the knowledge of him and of his will. Secondly, Prieſts, ready to offer vp our ſelues, ſoules and bodies, in obedience to him, by killing the Old man in vsus. Rom. 12.1. So to offer vp by faith the ſacrifice of Prayer and praiſe, &c. Thirdly, Kings to ſubdue and keepe vnderunder our rebellious luſts and ſinfull affections.
Section. 4.
Chriſt and his Graces like to Apparrell in 4. regards.Thus wee ſee, Chriſt and his graces are likened to Apparell; and that in theſe regards. In regard firſt of ornament; for as our apparell doth adorne the body, and couer the nakedneſſe of it, ſo doth Chriſt and his righteouſneſſe (when wee put him on by faith) adorne our ſoules, and couer the nakedneſſe thereof from Gods ſight, ſo that hee will not looke vponupon our ſinnes to puniſh vsus.
Secondly, of neceſsitie: for as garments which we put on, keepe vsus from the heat of Summer, and cold of Winter, without which we ſhould ſtarue; and as armour keepes vsus ſafe from the darts and ſhot of our enemies, which elſe would pierce our bodies and kill vsus: ſo without this righteouſneſſe of Chriſt we lie open to the wrath of God, to the malice of the Deuill, to the power of ſinne, Satan, death, hell and damnation, and to all euill whatſoeuer of this life.
Thirdly, of diſtinction: for as apparell ſerueth to put difference betweene ſexe and ſexe, and to diſtinguiſh men according to their ſeuerall callings and conditions of life: ſo doth this ſpirituall apparell which we hauehave by Chriſt, difference Chriſtians from Infidels, and true Chriſtians from falſe and counterfeit, both in the ſight of God and alſo of men.
Laſtly, as our clothes grow not off or from our bodies; ſo doth not our iuſtification and ſpiritual clothing flow from our ſelues, or from the power of our freewill, which is none, but it is the gift of God onelyonly.
Though in theſe regards the grace of Chriſt be like vntounto apparell, yet we may take notice how it is vnlike in other regards:2. Vnlike in 3 regards. firſt, our garments are, as to be put on, ſo to bee put off daily; otherwiſe they will prooue noiſome to vsus; not ſo Chriſt, nor the righteouſneſſe and grace wee receiue from him. Secondly, our clothes are worſe for wearing; and therefore we weare our beſt apparell but ſeldome:Pſal. 102.26, 27, 28. but Gods graces in vsus, as wee muſt vſe them daily and continually, ſo doe they increaſe and grow by vſing; like the Iſraelites clothes in the wilderneſſe,Part. 1. §. 5 which being worne whole fortie yeares together,Deut. 29.5. yet waxed not old vponupon them; being indeed the true Perpétuano, neuer the worſe, but the better for wearing: the more theſe talents are imployed, the more they increaſe.
Thirdly, Math. 25.14, &c. Reuel. 3.18. Iſa. 55.1, 2.wee may come by apparell by our own induſtry or money; whereas the other are onelyonly from the free gift of God.
Section 5.
The maine Leſſon, Doctr and vſefull point iſſuing out of what hath bin ſaid, is,We muſt all ſtriue to put on Chriſt. That we hence be ſtirred vp to ſeeke and labour thus to be clothed, and to put on Chriſt. Where wee muſt conſider Motiues, Meanes, and Markes, or notes of triall.
For the firſt; 1. Motiues hereunto. The happines of ſuch as put on Chriſt.Conſider from what hath bin ſaid, the happy & glorious eſtate of ſuch as are Chriſtians in deed, & hauehave truely put on Chriſt, together with the vnhappy eſtate of all counterfet Chriſtians. Their happineſſe is noted by King Dauid, when he ſaith, as he found in his owne experience, Bleſſed is hee whoſe tranſgreſsion is forgiuen, Pſal. 32.1, 2.whoſe ſinne is couered, bleſſed is the man vntounto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquitie. Euen thus doth Dauid deſcribe the bleſſedneſſe of the man vntounto whom God imputeth righteouſnes without workes, Rom. 4.6.as the Apoſtle teacheth. He was a King, and wanted neither honor nor wealth, nor any thing on earth which might giuegive him content; yet he placeth not his happineſſe in any of theſe things, but layes a ſurer foundation (which will neuer faile) in the fauour of God through Chriſt, and makes true happineſſe to conſiſt in true righteouſneſſe, that is, in the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt imputed vntounto vsus, and accounted ours, whereby our vnrighteouſneſſe is couered, and our ſinnes are not imputed vntounto vsus.
Section 6.
Chriſt firſt puts vsus on in 5. reſpectsThe ground of this our happineſſe by putting on Chriſt and his righteouſnes, is his putting on of vsus and of our righteouſnes. There is firſt to bee conceiued a not imputing of ſinne to vsus,Part. 1. § 6 or the putting off and tranſlation of our ſins from off our ſelues; and then withall, an imputing of righteouſneſſe to vsus.By takeing on him. Wee could neuer put on Chriſt, if hee had not put vsus on firſt. Now hee puts vsus on firſt,1 Our nature by taking our nature and fleſh vponupon him,Coloſſ. 2.9. in which the Godhead dwelt and dwels bodily and perſonally; which he did not, till firſt or withall he put off and laid downe the glorious garments of his Godhead, not by ceaſing to be what he was, God bleſſed for euer, but in that, hee being in the forme of God, Phil. 2.6.7and thinking it no robbery to bee equall with God, yet made himſelfe of no reputation, and tooke vponupon him the forme of a ſeruant, and was made in the likeneſſe of men, &c. Secondly,2 Our ſinne. by taking vponupon him our ſinnes, by making himſelfe our ſuretie, and liable to diſcharge our debt; for God in his eternall decree predeſtinating vsus vntounto life, did this in Chriſt, whom from eternitie hee ſealed, and deputed to this Office of Mediation, in due time to effect our ſaluation; and whom he actually exhibited in the fleſh, in the fulneſſe of time to ſtand out, and to offer himſelfe as our Champion, and alſo ſuretie, on whom therfore the ſinnes of the elect from the beginning of the world were laid,2 Cor. 5.21. he being made to bee ſinne for vsus, who knew no ſinne, that we might be made the righteouſneſse of God in him. Hee was made ſinne for vsus, that is, both a ſinner by reputation, in the worlds account, and by the imputation of our ſinnes vntounto him in true account; and alſo a ſacrifice for ſinne, by laying down his life for the ſinnes of the elect. And this is a third reſpect in which he puts vsus on,3. Our puniſhment. namely, by ſtanding in our ſtead & place vponupon the croſſe, thus interpoſing himſelfe betweene the wrath of God and vsus, humbling himſelfe and becoming obediēt vntounto death, Phil. 2.8.euen the death of the Croſſe: Chriſt thus redeeming vsus from the curſe of the Lawe, being made a Curſe for vsus; for it is written,Gal. 3.13. Curſed is eueryevery one that hangeth on Tree. And of this manner of his putting vsus on, it is written, Surely he hath borne our griefes, and carried our ſorrowes. He was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, Iſa. 53, 4.5.He was bruiſed for our iniquities: the chaſtiſement of our peace was vponupon him, and with his ſtripes are we healed So that before God in merciemercy looke vponupon vsus in him, and in him reſpect vsus; he doth in Iuſtice looke vponupon him in vsus, as cloathed with our ſhame and ſinne.
4.4. Our Infirmities. He puts vsus on alſo by his Interceſsion (that other part of his Prieſtly Office) being our High Prieſt; which was ſhadowed in Aaron, Exod 39 6.7.8-14.carying vponupon his Breaſt twelue Iemmes, in which were the names of the twelue Tribes of Iſrael, and ſo likewiſe vponupon his ſhoulder; and thus hee preſents vsus to God the Father,Part. 1. §. 7. not to ſpeake how.
5. Our protection.5. He puts vsus on in regard of his care, prouidence, and protection. Thus it is ſaid,Iſa. 9.6. The Gouernment is vponupon his ſhoulder; that is, the Church which is his Kingdome, and which he gouernes. Of which it is further ſaid, that being the Sauiour of his people,Iſa. 63.9. In all their affliction, he was afflicted, and the Angel of his preſence ſaued them; in his louelove, and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bare them and carryed them all the daies of old.
Section. 7.
He hauing thus put vsus on, eſpecially by taking vponupon him our ſin and ſuffering,Heb. 9.26. and hauing appeared to put away ſinne by the ſacrifice of himſelfe; this his ſacrifice being All-ſufficient: He, I ſay thus preſents vsus before the Lord, before the Father, who accordingly accepts of this his ſacrifice for vsus, as a ſweete ſmelling ſauour, Epheſ. 5.2. Mat. 3.17.ſaying, This is my beloued Sonne, in whom I am well pleaſed, being alſo well pleaſed with vsus in him.
Hereupon,Hence his Righteouſneſſe becomes ours. this righteouſneſſe thus wrought by the obedience of Chriſt, both Actiue in his holy life, and Paſsiue by his ſatisfactorie death, for vsus, is by God imputed to vsus, as if we our ſelues had wrought it, it is accounted ours, and we are cloathed therewith: ſo that by the righteouſneſſe of this One, Rom. 5.18.19.the free-gift comes vponupon all men (the Elect) vntounto Iuſtification of life: for as by one mans diſobedience many were made ſinners, ſo by the obedience of one, ſhall many bee made righteous.
Thus then, Chriſt firſt takes vponupon him from vsus, our vnrighteouſneſſe, ſtands cloathed with it, and ſuffers death for it, (who yet in himſelfe was moſt righteous) and hereupon his righteouſneſſe, being firſt offered in the Word preached, is by the worke of the Spirit, put vponupon vsus, ſo that we, cloathed therewith, ſtand and appeare in Gods ſight as righteous in Chriſt, who yet in our ſelues remaine vnrighteous; our ſinne for the Nature and Being of it, being not taken away, but only couered and not imputed. And thus becomes the ſacrifice of Chriſt, and all the benefits of his death, ours, as if we our ſelues had ſatisfied the Iuſtice of God: and thus we receuing by faith, this righteous offered to vsus in the Word, doe put on Chriſt by being incorporated into him, and by him becomming Righteous; What our Righteouſneſſe implies.which our Righteouſneſſe implies and includes.
Firſt, a not imputing and a pardoning of ſinne, and freedome from the guilt and puniſhment thereof. Thus for ſinne it is ſaid, God was in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5.19reconciling the world vntounto himſelfe, not imputing their treſpaſſes vntounto them. (for indeede the ſinnes of the Elect are imputed vntounto Chriſt and laid vponupon him). And for the puniſhment, guilt, and condemnation of ſin, it is ſaid,Rom. 8.1. Iſa. 43.25. There is no condemnation to them which are in Chriſt Ieſus.
Secondly, our Righteouſneſſe implies an Jmputation of Chriſts righteouſneſſe vntounto vsus; of which together with the former (they being in effect all one, or at leaſt inſeperably going together) we read in Daniel, Dan. 9.24.where the time of Chriſts death is noted, and the end thereof; which is, to finiſh the tranſgreſſion, and to make an end of ſinnes, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in euerlaſting righteouſneſſe: both which Chriſt did, by his obedience to the Law, and by his death.
Oh therefore the bleſſed eſtate of all ſuch as hauehave truly put on Chriſt; for thus they are freed from all ſinne and miſery, they are poſſeſſed of all the riches of Chriſt, they enioy Peace with God, and his fauour in which is life, and in the end ſhall obtaine euerlaſting life. This they hauehave, in as much as being cloathed with Chriſt, they are made one with him, and are become members of his Myſticall Body. This is a bleſſed exchange indeed, when Chriſt puts on vsus, and wee put on him; it is a ſure pledge of our Peace with him, and with God by him.
Daniels Hiſt. Lib. 1.We read in our owne Hiſtory, that Edmund ſurnamed Ironſide (in whom England was loſt) and Knute (the firſt Danic King) after many incounters and equall fight, at length imbraced a preſent agreement, which was made by parting England betweene them two, and confirmed by Oath and Sacrament, putting on each others Apparell and Armes, as a Ceremonie to expreſſe the atonement of their minds, as if they had made tranſaction of their perſons each to other; Knute became Edmund, and Edmund Knute. Euen ſuch an exchange, as I may ſay, of Apparell is betwixt Chriſt and the true Chriſtian;Part. 1. §. 8. Chriſt becomes his, and hee becomes Chriſts,1 Cor. 12.12, 13. and both together make but one myſticall Chriſt, as is ſaid.
Section 8.
VnderUnder this happineſſe of the Saints, is contained and included both their Honour, their Glory and Beauty, with their ſpirituall Riches, as alſo their great cauſe of Ioy and Reioycings.
1.The honour and beautie of ſuch as hauehave put on Chriſt. Reuel. 12.1 What a honourable eſtate is that of a true Chriſtian? yea, how glorious is it? The whole Church of Chriſt, and each true member thereof is clothed with the Sunne, euen with Chriſt Ieſus the Sunne of righteouſneſſe: Malac. 4.2.and what greater honour can bee imagined? Aske the ambitious man, how hee deſires to bee honoured on earth; aske Haman, Eſter 6.6, 7, 8, 9.(for I know none more ambitious) in the words of King Ahaſuerus, What ſhall bee done vntounto the man whom the King delighteth to honour? Hee will anſwere you, Let the royall apparell bee brought, which the King vſeth to weare, and the Crowne royall, that they may aray the man withall, whom the King delighteth to honour, and proclaime before him, Thus ſhall it bee done to the man whom the King will honour.
Loe then, euen thus is it done with eueryevery true Chriſtian whom the King of heauen, the King of all Kings, the mightie and glorious Lord God will honour; no ſooner ſhall any man, in the ſight and loathing of himſelfe, of his ſinnes and vnrighteouſneſſe, returne to God with the prodigall ſonne, by true repentance in faith, acknowledging & bewailing his ſinnes vnfainedly, but his heauenly Father ſhall preſently ſay, Bring forth the beſt robe, Luke 15.21, 22.and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and ſhoes on his feete: which Robe is the Wedding garment of the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt the King of his Church, and therefore indeed truly royall Apparell. This is the glory and beautie of eueryevery ſound Chriſtian, which therefore being more inward then outward (For the Kings daughter is all glorious within) may ſtand with outward Pouertie in the world;Pſal. 45.13. and which ſhould therefore both Comfort and Inſtruct ſuch as otherwiſe are poore in the world,The 1. vſe of comfort for ſuch as are poore. 1. In the world. and cloathed in meane apparell, and in that regard, the more deſpiſed and contemned of the great ones of the world. Such muſt content themſelues with their inward clothing, as being, not naked, but indeed more gloriouſly and gallantly clad, then are their deſpiſers; their life, their riches and glory is now hid with Chriſt from the blinde eyes of the world:Col. 3.3, 4. but the time commeth, when wee ſhall appeare with him in glory. In the meane time, let it content vsus more to hauehave it, then to ſeeme to hauehave it; as in earthly things men deſire rather to be rich, then onelyonly ſo to ſeeme.
Know that God iudgeth otherwiſe of our clothing, and godly men, being aſſured that this our ſpirituall apparell is of greater price and coſt, then are the robes and diadems of Kings, ſeeing it could not be purchaſed but by the precious blood of Chriſt, of price ſufficient in it ſelfe to redeeme ten thouſand worlds. God that condemnes this partialitie in men, (ſee Iames 2.1, 2, 3, &c.) will not bee guiltie of it himſelfe, but will accept of vsus, if we come clothed with Chriſt, how naked and deſpiſed ſoeuer we be in the world.
2. In ſpirit.This may alſo much comfort all ſuch as are poore in Spirit (whether they be rich or poore in the world) being clothed with the righteouſneſſe and holineſſe of Chriſt; they are not more ſcorned for not following in their bodily apparell eueryevery new faſhion, then they are deſpiſed in regard of their ſpirituall apparell and carriage, which is out of faſhion with the world, eſpecially with our Engliſh Nation, which delights in novelties, not ſo much of ſtrange apparell, as of Eaſterne manners, and ill faſhion of liuing, partaking with the Spaniard in Pride, with the Germane in Drunkenneſſe, with the Jtalian in Lechery and Fornication, both bodily and ſpirituall, too much in many addicted to the faſhions and attire of the whore of Rome,1 Pet. 4.4. by Romiſh ſuperſtitions; who therefore thinke it ſtrange, that wee runne not with them to the ſame exceſſe of ryot ſpeaking euill of vsus. But as wee are bid, Put on Chriſt Ieſus the Lord, and follow that faſhion onelyonly: ſo are we bid, Put off, Rom. 13.12 13, 14. Rom. 12.2.and lay aſide all other faſhions of this wicked world whatſoeuer.
This may moreouer teach vsus,The 2. vſe, of Inſtruction. not to bee curious in our outward apparell, beyond the decency of our callings and eſtates; for ſuch as offend heerein, are for the moſt part inwardly naked; and to labour more for this inward apparell of Chriſt and his righteouſneſſe,Part. 1. § 9. then for any thing elſe of this life, not diſtruſtfully ſaying, What ſhall wee eate or drinke, Mat. 6.25-28-30.31-33.or what ſhall wee put on, thus taking thought for rayment, but Seeke yee firſt, ſaith our Sauiour, the kingdome of God, and his righteouſneſſe, and all theſe things ſhall bee added vntounto you. For what can we want if we hauehave Chriſt? Roman. 8.32. But eſpecially, let Women take out this Leſſon, and adorne themſelues in modeſt apparell, with ſhamefaſtneſſe and ſobrietie, not with broydered hayre, or gold, or pearles, or coſtly aray, 1 Tim 2.9. 1 Pet. 3.3, 4.but (which becommeth women profeſsing godlineſſe) with good workes.
Section 9
2. As the Chriſtian eſtate is honourable, The ioyfull & comfortable eſtate of ſuch as hauehave put on Chriſt. Eſter 8.16.yea glorious and truely rich, ſo wants it no cauſe of ſound Ioy and reioycing; euen hence becauſe of this, its rich clothing, Honour and Ioy goe vſually together. There is great cauſe of reioycing at the conuerſion of others,Luke 15.6, 7-9, 10-23 much more at our owne honour by conuerſion. Therefore ſaith the Church in the perſon of Iſaiah, Iſa. 61.10.11.I will greatly reioyce in the Lord, my ſoule ſhall bee ioyfull in my God; for hee hath clothed mee with the garments of ſaluation, hee hath couered mee with the robe of righteouſneſse, as a Bridegroome decketh himſelfe with ornaments, and as a Bride adorneth her ſelfe with her Iewels: and this is, when being married to Chriſt by faith, we are alſo by him reconciled to God, and inioy his fauour, in which we reioyce more then the wicked can doe,Pſal. 4.6, 7. by inioying the beſt things of this life: for as God would hauehave married couples to reioyce in the louelove one of another, bidding vsus reioyce in the wife of our youth: ſo would he hauehave vsus much more reioyce in him, and in his louelove; in compariſon of which, hee would hauehave them that hauehave wiues, 1. Cor. 7.29.to bee as though they had none.
The cauſe of this lightſome and ioyfull eſtate,The cauſe hereof is their vnion with Chriſt is their vnion with Chriſt their Head, whome they hauehave put on; which ſtrait vnion with him we may hence take notice of. It is in Scripture ſet out by diuers ſimilitudes,Which is ſet out by compariſons. by which we may conceiue of the comfortable effects of it. Firſt, as was now ſaid, it is illuſtrated from Marryage, where two are ſo ioyned together that nothing muſt ſeperate them, excepting only Adulterie and Death; yet this is a ſtraighter vnion, ſo that ſprituall Adultery repented on, ſhall not breake it. Ier. 3.1. For thus are we knit vntounto Chriſt in LoueLove and by Faith; nothing, no not Death being able, through the conſtancie of his louelove,Ioh. 13.1. Rom. 8 35. to ſeperate vsus from the louelove of Chriſt, wherewith he loues vsus; and by vertue of this mariage knot, we pertake and hauehave right to, not only all the goods and riches of Chriſt, but euen to Chriſt himſelfe, who is ours, and all things elſe in him, becauſe we are his.1 Cor. 3.21 22.23.
2. This our ſtraite vnion is ſuch, as is betweene the head and the members of the body,Epheſ. 1.22.23. which are ſo knit together by the ſame ſpirit and ſoule, that the members receiue life and influence therefrom; euen ſo doe wee receiue from Chriſt our Head, our life, health, and eueryevery good thing.
3. He is the Vine, Ioh. 15.5.wee are the branches; we being wild Oliues, are graffed contrary to nature into (him) a good Oliue Tree, Rom. 11.24.and are rooted and built vp in him, Coloſſ. 2.7.and ſo become one with him, being ſtabliſhed in the faith, and abounding therein with thankeſgiuing, Iohn. 15.5.bringing forth much fruite, only with this difference; hee our Stocke changeth vsus into his diuine Nature, in regard of diuine qualities and fruites, and not contrarily (as it is in naturall graffings) we, him.
4. This vnion is ſignified, and alſo ſealed by our eating and drinking, Iohn. 6.51.whereby as the meate and drinke we take, turne not only to our nouriſhment, but into our ſubſtance, and ſo become moſt ſtraitly one with vsus; euen ſo Chriſt and we are made one body; only with this difference, he changeth vsus to become like vntounto him, not wee him on whom by faith wee feede, as in naturall foode.
Their comfort.Laſtly, to paſſe by other ſimilitudes, the ſelfe-ſame neereneſſe and vnion is here ſignified by the putting on of apparel, the nature of which phraſe is already noted.
Section. 10.
In the aſſurance of their immortall cloathing.Now this is a Conſideration full of varietie of Comfort. For Firſt, we may take this firſt cloathing by the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt for a pledge, and as the earneſt of our immortall cloathing, when at the Reſurrection, 1 Cor. 15.53.this corruptible ſhall put on incorruption and this mortall ſhall put on immortalitie: for Chriſt, Par. 1. §. 10whom we hauehave put on, and into whom we are ingrafted, being riſen, wee ſhall riſe alſo to glory; For, he is become the firſt fruites of them that ſlept, ſo that in him ſhall all (that belong to his body) be made aliue; as now Chriſt the firſt fruites, ſo afterwards they that are Chriſt at his comming, as the Apoſtle proues at large. Though therefore our bodies die and be laid in the duſt, and turne to corruption, yet they reſt in hope; and being members of Chriſt, ſhall, in due time riſe to glory, euen becauſe hee is riſen who is our head: the head being ſafe and aboue water, the body cannot periſh. Jf then our earthly houſe of this Tabernacle were diſſolued, we hauehave a building of God, an houſe not made with hand, 2 Cor. 5.1.2. &c.eternall in the heauens, with which wee both deſire and hope to be cloathed: Comfort hence in the death of our friends. &c.the aſſured hope whereof affords wonderfull comfort to vsus, in the death of thoſe our friends that die in the Lord, and armes vsus againſt the feare of death in our ſelues. Yea, in the mideſt of all troubles and dangers, yea in the dangers of Proſperity, which would withdraw vsus from God; it makes vsus (it ſhould at leaſt make vsus) ſtedfaſt, vnmoueable, alwaies abounding in the workes of the Lord; verſ. 58.for aſmuch as we know that our labour is not in vaine in the Lord. As wee then deſire to be cloathed with eternall glory, and to be taken to houſe and harbour with Chriſt for euer, ſo ought wee now labour truely to put him on.
Section 11.
But wee want not comfort hence for the preſent,2. In caſe of Trouble. in caſe of trouble, whether our trouble be from without, or from within.
1. OutwardIf our trouble be outward from perſecution, whether of the Sword or of the tongue; or from croſſes, loſſes, ſickneſſes, or the like; our comfort is, that Chriſt is ours, and that, (not only wee in him hauehave a gracious ſupply from his riches of what wee want,Par. 1. §. 11 being all in all vntounto vsus, but alſo that) he is both a couering and a couert vntounto vsus,Iſa. 4.6. a Tabernacle for a ſhadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a couert from ſtorme and from raine. To this Rocke the godly in their afflictions flye, vnderunder the ſhadow whereof, they finde both ſafetie and refreſhment, being able with all thankes to ſay, Thou haſt beene a ſtrength to the poore, Iſa. 25.4.a ſtrength to the needy in his diſtreſſe, a refuge from the ſtorme, a ſhadow from the heate, when the blaſt of the terrible ones is as a ſtorme againſt the wall.
The ſafety and ſecuritie of beleeuers is,The ſafety and ſecuritie of true Chriſtians. that Chriſt is to their ſoules, what Apparell and Armour are to the body; arming vsus againſt the very wrath of God, much more againſt the thornes and prickings of afflictions. And how much makes this for our comfort? ſeeing there is no dart can be throwne againſt vsus, which duplicate page duplicate page doth not alſo pierce him; he is ſo neere vsus in regard of his Nature, of his affection and LoueLove, that hee is compaſsionate with vsus in all our ſufferings;Iſa. 63.9. in all our affliction he is afflicted; and takes all as done to himſelfe that is done to vsus, ſaying to Saul, when hee perſecuted the Church & ſeruants of Chriſt, Saul, Acts. 9.4.Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? ſo that hee that toucheth vsus, toucheth the apple of his eie. Nay, the ſting of death, the malice of Satan, the rage of aduerſaries and perſecuters; nay, I may ſay, the diſpleaſure of God for our ſinne, hauing firſt hit vponupon him in his ſuffering, hauehave their edge and point ſore bated and abated, that they cannot hurt vsus; Chriſt being to vsus Armour of proofe, theſe cannot pierce to hurt vsus his Myſticall body; how much leſſe then, can any bare outward affliction doe vsus harme? Are we then Chriſts? let vsus perſwade our ſelues, that as the things we ſuffer, are firſt borne by him for vsus, or at leſt, for eaſe & comfort he ſuffers them with vsus; ſo the very name of Chriſt (which is vponupon vsus, who by putting on of Chriſt are true Chriſtians) is able and ſufficient to ſupply (and comfort vsus againſt) all want of good things whatſoeuer;The name Chriſtian, anſwers all wants. in the enioying of which, the men of this world ſo much glory and bleſſe themſelues. Thou perhaps art poore in the world, and thou heareſt the rich reproach thee for it, and withall bleſſe himſelfe, ſaying, I am rich and increaſed with goods, with Lands and great Reuenues; but thou mayeſt in one word anſwer him, But I am a Chriſtian. Thou art deſpiſed and contemned, eſpecially of great ones, and thou heareſt one brag and inſult ouer thee, ſaying, I hauehave the louelove of all men, I hauehave the fauour of ſuch great Perſonages, yea of my Prince; but thou mayeſt without enuying of him, & with comfort to thy ſelfe, tell him, ſaying, But I am a Chriſtian. Or, thou art debarred of thy Libertie, and other comforts of this life; yea, thou withdraweſt thy ſelfe from ſinfull ſports and recreations, and thou ſeeſt one account thy life and thine eſtate, to be without comfort and full of melancholy & ſadneſſe, and withall to cheere himſelfe; I hauehave all things that my heart can wiſh, I deny my ſoule no pleaſure, I thanke God I can bee merry, &c. but thou maiſt anſwer him in a word, but I am a Chriſtian. So if there bee any thing elſe which worldlings boaſt off, which thou wanteſt; thy comfort is, thou haſt it all in Chriſt in a far more heauenly, ſpirituall, full and plentifull manner. This one name, Chriſtian, is ſufficient to anſwer all: It includes all riches, honor, pleaſure, happineſſe; ſo that nothing of this life is wanting to a true Chriſtian, which is not abundantly ſupplyed in Chriſt; vntounto him with all wants, with comfort and boldneſſe they may hauehave recourſe, call vponupon him and bind him with this argument, ſaying in their trouble,Iere. 14.7.9 Thou O Lord art in the midſt of vsus, and we are called by thy name, leaue vsus not though our iniquities teſtifie againſt vsus, doe thou it for thy names ſake. Thus may wee gather comfort and aſſurance in our miſery: for God loues his Name, and will doe much for it, though we deſerue little, as we ſee in EZekiel; Ezek. 36.21 22.23.as he alſo teacheth vsus by his promiſe, If my people which are called by my Name, ſhall humble themſelues and pray, &c. then will I heare from heauen, 2 Chron. 7.14.16.&c. Euen as a woman or childe wanting any thing, will come with comfort to her husband or father by this argument, I am thine, thy wife, thy child, called by thy name, therfore helpe; It belongs to thy care ſo to doe, and it will not be for thy credit, that we ſhould ſeeke to others.
Par. 1. §. 12.
2. Now ſecondly, if thy trouble bee Jnward; 2 In caſe of Inward trouble and Temptatiō.then is it from Tentation, and that either to ſinne, or for ſin; whereby thou art tempted either by ſinning to preſume on merciemercy, or hauing ſinned, to despaire of mercy.
1 To ſinne by preſuming.1. If the firſt, and that thou findeſt thy ſelfe troubled with the aſſaults of Satan, and of the fleſh, annoyed with couetous, luſtfull, ambitious, enuious, blaſphemous, or any wayes wicked thoughts & deſires, ſeeing, whileſt in the inward man thou delighteſt in the Law of God,Rom. 7.22.23.24. and 25. another Law in thy members warring againſt the Law of thy mind, and bringing thee into captiuitie to the Law of ſinne, which is in thy members, making thee cry out ſaying, O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliuer mee from the body of this death? If thus thou findeſt it, yet comfort thy ſelfe, looke into thy ſelfe, and thou ſhalt find armour of Proofe, to cauſe thee to withſtand, or at leaſt not wholly to yeeld to Satans aſſaults, thou ſhalt finde thy ſelfe clothed with Chriſt and in the end to obtaine victory, and to hauehave cauſe with Paul to bleſſe God, ſaying, J thank God through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. For, art thou Chriſts? then howſoeuer ſinne and Satan will be buſie with thee, yet by Chriſt whom thou haſt put on, they hauehave loſt their power: whence it is ſaid, They that are Chriſts, Gal. 5.24. Epheſ. 6.11. &c. 8.13. &c.hauehave crucified the fleſh with the affections and luſts. But this is ſaid of ſuch as hauehave put on Chriſt & the whole armour of God; not of ſuch as through negligence let their armour lye by, vſe it not, and put it not to the proofe.
Heere then, as thou wouldeſt hauehave comfort, and find victory againſt ſuch aſſaults of Satan, and ouer thy ſpecial corruptions, thou muſt ſtirre vp the graces of God in thee, 2 Tim. 1.6.and not ſuffer the gifts therof to bee ſmoothered vnderunder the aſhes, but make them flame forth; without which diligence in the imployment of grace, and of thy ſpirituall armour,The Chriſtians armour againſt temptations to ſinne. Pſal. 51.6. 1 His girdle Sincerity. Chriſt and his benefits proue fruitles and vnprofitable, & Satan preuaileth ouer vsus. Art thou ſtrongly tempted to any ſin? Be thou firſt then girt about with truth, with that truth which God deſireth in the inward parts, that is, with ſincerity; ſet thy ſelfe in Gods preſence, reſpect not ſecrecy with man, but in conſcience of thy dutie to God, anſwer it, and ſay with good Ioſeph in like caſe, How can I doe this great wickednes, Gen. 39.9.and ſinne againſt God? Thus if we can walke ſincerely, we may with much comfort for all our failings, in our greateſt troubles & feares, ſay with good King Hezekiah, Remember now, Iſa. 38.3.O Lord J beſeech thee, how I hauehave walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, &c.
2 his Breſtplate, a good conſcience.Againe, looke to thy Breſtplate of righteouſnes, namely, the righteouſnes of a good conſcience, and doe nothing againſt conſcience, alwayes auoyding euill, and keeping thy ſelfe in the wayes of God, at leaſt indeauour ſo to doe; and this thine indeauour ſhall at leaſt keepe thee from being mortally wounded: this Breaſtplate will preſerue the vitall parts.
Thirdly, 3 His Shoes Patience.if by afflictions for the Goſpel, thou beeſt tempted to forſake the Goſpell, or to curſe God, as the deuill intended in his tempting of Iob, then let thy feet be ſhod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace, that is, with true Patience, which the knowledge of the Goſpell of peace, and the aſſurance of our reconciliation with God, will worke in vsus, arming vsus, as with ſhooes and greeues, againſt the ſtones, thornes, and prickings of afflictions, aſſuring our ſelues, that neither the afflictions which wee indure, nor the temptation to ſin by affliction ſhall hurt vsus, being in Chriſt, but ſhall indeed, both of them turne to our good.
Fourthly, and aboue all, take the Shield of faith; looke to Gods power and his aſsiſtance,Rom. 8.28. 4 His Shield Faith. look to his gracious promiſes, and ſo make reſiſtance to the tēptation by faith, and herewith you ſhall bee able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Though the aſſault be ſtrong, and that the deuill ſeeme by his temptation neere preuailing, to caſt thee into the fire of luſt, and into the waters of flowing pleaſures to deſtroy thee, as hee did him that had the dumbe ſpirit, yet if thou canſt beleeue, as our Sauiour ſaid to that parties father, All things are poſsible to him that beleeueth. Mark 9.22, 23.Thus by faith thou ſhalt be able to ſubdue all enemies, and to do all things; if therby thou beeſt in Chriſt, and fleeſt to Chriſt, thou ſhalt find thy ſelfe able to ſay with Paul, Phil. 4 13.I can doe all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me.
But moreouer, thou muſt alſo take the Helmet of ſaluation, 5 His Helmet, Hope.which is Hope; and being tempted with the vain things of this life, which would allure thee, and withdraw thee from God, look to thy hoped ſaluation, and be content to beare or forbeare any thing for the glory that is ſet before thee; euen as Moſes being tempted,Heb. 11.24 25.26. yet was hee not ouercome with the honour of being ſonne in law to Pharaohs daughter, with the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon, or with the riches and treaſures of Egypt, (the worlds god and trinitie which they adore, and for which they forſake the only true God, the LoueLove of the Father, the grace of the Son, the comforts of the holy Ghoſt, and the hope of glory) but why did Moſes this? or how was he armed againſt theſe Syrens? the text addes; for he had respect to the recompence of reward. He did all this by faith, beleeuing the promiſes of God; and by hope, expecting the accompliſhment of thoſe promiſes.
But there is moreouer afforded another principal piece of armor,6 His Sword Gods word. which is as well offenſiue as defenſiue, and it is the Sword of the ſpirit, which is the Word of God, With this ſpirituall ſword we being armed with it, and vſing it aright, may not onelyonly defend our ſelues from the enemies of truth, who would ſeduce and perſwade to errour in iudgement; and of holineſſe, who would allure & withdraw vsus to ſinne, but alſo offend the aduerſary, driue him away, and confound him, without which deſtroying of them, wee ſhall neuer be free from their aſſaults. Wee muſt then being tempted to any errour and ſinne, ſtoutly reſiſt, and repell it by the authority of Gods Word: ſo ſhall we not onelyonly ſtand againſt temptation and enemies, but driue them away, ſo that they ſhall no more be able to ſtand before or againſt the Word,1 Sam. 5.3.4 then Dagon before the Arke of God. Thus our Sauiour, aſſaulted three times by the Deuill, by the authoritie of this Word, defended himſelfe againſt him in the firſt and ſecond incounter, and in the third quite droue him away. Thus wee,Mat. 4.4.-7.-10. hauing put Chriſt on as our Prophet, and being well acquainted with his word, by hearing, reading, meditating, and often conferring on it, are by it ſafely fenced againſt our enemies; The weapons of our warfare being mightie through God to pull downe holds, 2 Cor. 10.4.5.and to caſt downe imaginations, and eueryevery high thing that exalteth it ſelfe againſt the knowledge of God. Our carnall reaſon and affections ſhall not preuaile againſt vsus, neither ſhall we wholly or finally fall into hereſie and ſinne, or be carried away with the errour of the wicked.
Laſtly, the true Chriſtian,7. His defence and ſafty, by the benefit of Prayer. by vertue of his vnion with Chriſt, hath the benefite of Prayer, and priuiledge of comming immediately into the preſence of God, through Chriſt, in whoſe Name (which is vponupon him) & for whoſe ſake hee may aske any thing, and bee aſſured to receiue it. Chriſt hauing ſuffered, Heb. 2.18.being tempted, is able to ſuccour them that are tempted. So that we hauehave not an high Prieſt which cannot bee touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without ſinne: Heb. 4.15.16.hence riſeth our boldneſſe, and the Apoſtles exhortation, Let vsus therefore come boldly vntounto the throne of grace, that wee may attaine mercy, and find grace to helpe in time of need. This benefit and priuiledge of Prayer and acceſſe to God, which true Chriſtians hauehave,Epheſ. 6.18.19. is made by Paul, either part of his Spirituall Armour & cloathing, or at leaſt one principall meanes, by which wee come to vſe our Armour aright; ſetting it downe in the laſt place as hauing a reference to all; and ſuch as implieth a ioynt vſe of it with all the reſt,Maſter Gouge on on this place. as one well noteth; for he vſeth the Participle, Praying, as if hee had ſaid. Put on the whole Armour of God praying; take and vſe the Girdle. Breſt-plate, Shooes, Shield, Helmet, and Sword, praying.
So then, the Chriſtian being any waies aſſaulted or tempted, hath ſufficient Armour to defend himſelfe, and to keepe himſelfe in ſafety: which if for want of skill and dexterity to vſe it well, hee cannot skilfully guide, or if his enemies ſeeme too ſtrong and wily for him (through his weaknes and ſimplicitie) yet, for his comfort he hath the benefit of Prayer; by which, darting vp a thought and deſire vntounto God and Chriſt, his Captaine or Generall, hee may hauehave preſent ſupply and ſuccour as his neede ſhall require, according to the mercifull promiſe of his heauenly Father; and that euen becauſe he hath knowne his Name. Pſal. 91.14.15. Mat. 6.13.
What a comfortable eſtate then is that of the true Chriſtian, who thus hath a care to put on Chriſt,Par. 1. §. 13. and his ſpirituall Armour by Chriſt? How ſafely ſtands he fenced, with veritie and ſinceritie, with Righteouſneſſe and a good Conſcience; with Patience and the preparation of the Goſpell of Peace; with Faith, with Hope, with the Word of God, and laſtly with Prayer?
As therefore wee deſire theſe excellent graces, priuiledges, and furniture, as we deſire the ſecurity and comfort afforded vsus thence; ſo it will behoue vsus aboue all things, to labour to become Chriſtians indeed, and truely to puton Chriſt.
Section 13.
2. As a further Motiue whereunto,2. The Chriſtians comfort in caſe of trouble and temptation for ſinne, by deſparing and doubting. conſider the Comfort of this our vnion with Chriſt, by putting him on; in caſe that we be tempted for ſinne to deſpaire of mercy, after wee hauehave beene foyled by ſinne. In caſe therefore of Doubting, hauehave recourſe to thy Baptiſme, whereby thou waſt incorporated into Chriſt, by putting him on; for there God ſealed to thee the pardon of thy ſinnes, and life euerlaſting. Is then thy title to life called into queſtion by the enemie of Mankind?What to doe in caſe of doubting. here doe as men ordinarily do in the like caſe, when their Houſes and Lands are queſtioned, and they looke into the laſt Will and Teſtament of their Parents and Grandfathers, & thence they ſecure themſelues; ſo hauehave thou recourſe to thy Baptiſme, where the Will of thy Father, and laſt Teſtament of thy Sauiour is ſealed vntounto thee, & thence aſſure thy ſelfe thy eſtate is good, and ſure enough with God, howſoeuer thou mayſt ſeeme to hauehave broken couenant with him on thy part. Seeke alſo, but duly prepared by Repentance and Faith, vntounto the Lords Table, where the ſame couenant is renued with thee, which was made in Baptiſme, and there thou ſhalt find thy ſaluation alſo ſealed; yea, which is not done in other couenants with men, thou ſhalt find God ready often in his mercy, to ſeale to thee; ſo that though thou by not performing the condition, haſt broken thy Bond, and forfeited thy Leaſe, (wherein eternall life was ſealed to thee) yet God is willing to giuegive vsus a new Leaſe of life, or rather to renue and make the former good againe; and hereof to aſſure vsus, by ſealing the ſame often to vsus in the Sacrament, euen ſo often as we doe renue our repentance, and ſo repaire in faith to that holy Sacrament.
Our vnion with Chriſt Indiſſoluble.Here further know, that hauing once truly put on Chriſt, (in and by the right vſe of Baptiſme) nothing ſhall ſeperate vsus from the louelove of Chriſt not death (which ſeuers betweene ſoule and body) nor life, nor Angels, Rom. 8.35-38.39.nor Principalities, nor Powers &c. ſhall be able to ſeperate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Chriſt Ieſus our Lord. That is, from the louelove of God wherewith hee hath loued vsus in his Son. For God ſo loued the world, Ioh. 3.16.that hee gauen his only begotten Sonne, that whoſoeuer beleeueth in him ſhould not periſh, but hauehave life euerlaſting He then that ſpared not his ſonne, but deliuered him vp for vsus all; Rom. 8.32.33.34.how ſhall he not with him alſo freely giuegive vsus all things? Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? It is God that iuſtifieth, who is hee that condemneth? It is Chriſt that died, yea rather that is riſen againe, who is euen at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh interceſsion for vsus.
The Apoſtle thus reaſoning from the louelove of God,On what our aſſurance is grounded. which is euer conſtant and immutable, from the death of Chriſt, which for the value of it, is euer ſufficient; and from his Reſurrection, Aſcenſion, ſitting at Gods right hand, and Interceſsion, which euer are auaileable for the application of his alſufficient merits to our iuſtification,Rom. 4.25. and to our continuall preſeruation in the ſtate of grace, (by couering our daily faylings & infirmities, & the imperfectiō of our workes by the daily applicatiō of his merits; of which his appearing in the ſight of God for vsus as our High Prieſt, it is ſaid. If any man ſin, Heb. 9.24.we hauehave and Aduocate with the Father, Ieſus Chriſt the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our ſins &c.) Seeing I ſay,1 Ioh. 2.1.2 the Apoſtle reaſons from theſe, and not from any thing in vsus to proue the perpetuity of our vnion with Chriſt, therefore wee may receiue comfort, & conclude, that being once truely ingrafted into Chriſt, our ſinnes ſhall neuer after make a finall or totall ſeperation. For, thus further may wee reaſon with the ſame Apoſtle, God commendeth his louelove towards vsus, Rom. 5.8.9.10.in that, while we were yet ſinners Chriſt died for vsus; much more then being now iuſtified by his blood, wee ſhall bee ſaued from wrath through him; for if when we were enemies, wee were reconciled to God, by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we wee ſhall bee ſaued by his life.
So then, if our ſinnes, when wee were altogether ſinners and enemies, did not hinder God from ſetting his louelove vponupon vsus in Chriſt, how much leſſe will hee eſtrange his louelove from vsus, after hee once hath admitted vsus thereunto, and indued vsus with his ſpirit? As our ſins then hindred not this vnion: ſo neither doe they now diſſolue & breake it. Satan may as well goe about to ſeparate Chriſt frō thee, which is impoſsible, as thee from Chriſt. Thou canſt not periſh, becauſe Chriſt, with whom thou art clothed, cannot periſh. Chriſt liuing who is the Head, will not ſuffer any of his members to periſh. Becauſe I liue, ye ſhall liue alſo. Ioh. 14.19.We are already in heauen in Chriſt our Head; he is riſen and is in heauen, taking our Nature thither with him, and leauing his Spirit here with vsus, as a double pawne of our glorification, by vertue of our vnion with him, & of his with vsus. He, as is ſaid, hath put vsus on, by taking vponupon him our nature, and ſo is vnited to vsus; and we hauehave put him on by vertue of his ſpirit, which dwelling in and with him, he yet hath giuen vsus. He therfore hauing taken our nature and fleſh into heauen with him, (which at firſt hee tooke intentionally, not for all men, but only for the elect) he therby hath taken poſſeſſion of it for vsus, and in our names, and in his time will aſſuredly bring vsus thither, that where he is, we may be alſo: euen as Joſhua (a type of him heerein) brought the Iewes ouer Iordan (after they had eſcaped the dangers of the Red ſea, & the wilderneſſe, all typifying the dangers of ſin) and gaue them full poſſeſſion of the land of Promiſe. In the meane time,1 pet. 1.3.4.5 we being begotten vntounto a liuely hope, by the reſurrection of Ieſus Chriſt from the dead, to an Inheritance incorruptible & vndefiled, and that fadeth not away; Jt is reſerued in heauen for vsus, who are kept (and reſerued) by the power of God through faith vntounto ſaluation, &c. Loe, it is kept for vsus, and wee are kept for it; and what then can hinder vsus of it? Wee are weake and fraile, and ſinne daily; yea, but we are kept by the power of God for it. Chriſt being ours, God is ours, his wiſdome, & his power are ours: ſo that the godly once in Chriſt, doubt no more of Gods will then of his power; and thence in the greateſt trials and tentations ſtay and aſſure themſelues,Rom. 4.21. as Abraham, and Paul, who with great confidence could ſay,2 Tim. 1.12. I am not aſhamed; for I know whom J hauehave beleeued, and I am perſwaded, that hee is able to keepe that which I hauehave committed vntounto him againſt that day: that is, the eternall ſaluation of my ſoule.
Here then is our comfort, that, howſoeuer we are not to be careleſſe,Philip. 2.12 13. but with feare and trembling to worke out our ſaluation; yet the chiefe care of it is made to belong to Ieſus our Sauiour, who is both the Author and finiſher of our faith, and to God, Heb. 12.2.who in the forenamed place is ſaid to be he, which worketh in vsus both to will and to doe of his good pleaſure: In which regard, the Saints of God are confident of this very thing, Philp. 1.6.that hee which hath begun a good worke in them, will, (he being able) performe it vntill the day of Ieſus Chriſt. As we then by our faith lay hold on Chriſt, and put him on: ſo hee by his Spirit layes hold on vsus, knits vsus to him, and puts vsus on; as in other regards, ſo in regard of his care and prouidence (according to his promiſe) ſo that though wee ſhould let goe our hold of him, yet he lets not goe his hold of vsus. While then wee looke into our ſelues and to our ſinnes, wee hauehave ſome cauſe of doubting; but while wee looke to God and Chriſt, we hauehave none. As one tyed faſt by a chaine to ſome high and towring Steeple, or rock which ouerlooketh the ſea, looking downe, he quakes for feare; but conſidering how faſt he is tyed, hee ceaſeth to feare; ſo is it with vsus: for, ſaith the Lord,Iere. 13.11. As the girdle cleaueth to the loynes of a man, ſo hauehave I cauſed to cleaue vntounto me the whole houſe of Iſrael, and the whole houſe of Iudah. And this is more ſpecially true of the faithfull and beleeuer. Now, wee looking downe to our ſinnes, and into our ſelues, ſee nothing but hell beneath gaping for vsus, which makes vsus tremble and it may bee, doubt and feare: but conſidering againe how wee ſtand knit vntounto God by our faith, or (in caſe we hauehave not for the preſent the feeling of it) how he holds vsus faſt to him by his Spirit, through his power, and according to his promiſe and louelove, our feare is diſpelled, & our aſſurance is ſealed to vsus: our owne weakeneſſe and readineſſe to fall; nay, our very falls, through Gods mercifull decree, ſhall not hurt vsus. He hath the ſame regard of vsus, as a louing father or mother hath of her child; he knowes our weaknes, and thence aſſures vsus of mercy. See Pſalm. 103.11, 12, 13, 14. If we be weake, yet he is faithfull, and will not ſuffer vsus to be tempted aboue that wee are able: 1 Cor. 10.13but will with the temptation alſo make a way to eſcape, that wee may bee able to beare it. If then wee cannot ſee (our ſight being for the while blinded with our ſinne) how we may eſcape, yet let vsus beleeue that God according to his promiſe heere, and power, will make a way to eſcape. Rather then wee faint or fall away, he will either ſtrengthen vsus, or remoue that temptation wherof we are in danger. As in outward temptations and trialls, ſo alſo in inward, from ſinne and Satan, (and if in the one, much more in the other, Gods end being alike in both) the Lord promiſeth to the great comfort of his ſeruants, when by reaſon thereof, & of their weakneſſe, they are ready to forſake him (whether by vnbeleefe and deſpaire,Par. 1. §. 14. or by vngodlineſſe & iniquitie) that rather then they ſo doe, the occaſion and the temptation ſhall be remoued: for thus he ſaith,Pſal. 125.3, The rod of the wicked ſhall not reſt vponupon the lot of the righteous, leſt the righteous put foorth their hands vntounto iniquitie. And is this Gods end in ſo remouing the rod? Seeing then Apoſtaſie and Deſpaire is a moſt hainous ſin, greater then the ſinne for which men deſpaire; therfore we conclude, that though this rod of Satan touch and ſmite the righteous, yet it ſhall not reſt vponupon them, leſt they fall away.
Section 14.
OnelyOnly it belongs to our care, that wee ſeperate not our ſelues; which yet wee ſeeke to doe, Anſwer to Obiections. when either through the burthen of our ſinnes, and remembrance thereof, or through the ſenſe of our vnworthineſſe, wee deſpaire, and iudge our ſelues vnworthy of mercy, and think our ſins hauehave quite broken what vnion ſoeuer there might ſeeme to hauehave been. But I anſwer hereunto in the generall, God wil not hauehave vsus reaſon againſt our ſelues.That God is not well pleaſed that we ſhould ſo reaſon, and make arguments againſt our ſelues, (as yet is vſuall for diſtreſſed ſoules to doe:) for thus ſaith the Lord in a like caſe, Let not the ſonne of the ſtranger that hath ioyned himſelfe to the Lord, Iſa. 56.3.4.5.6.7.ſpeake, ſaying, The Lord hath vtterly ſeparated mee from his people; neither let the Eunuch ſay, Behold I am a drie Tree: for thus ſayeth the Lord vntounto the Eunuches that keepe my Sabbaths, and chooſe the things that pleaſe mee, and take hold of my Couenant, euen vntounto them will I giuegive in mine houſe, and within my walls, a place and a name better then of ſonnes and daughters; I will giuegive giuegive them an euerlaſting name, that ſhall not be cut off: Alſo the ſonnes of the ſtrangers that ioyne themſelues to the Lord, to ſerue him, and to louelove the name of the Lord, euen them will I bring to my holy Mountaine, and make them ioyfull in my houſe of Prayer: their burnt Offerings and their ſacrifices ſhall bee accepted vponupon mine Altar. &c.
By theſe gracious promiſes, the Lord would ſtop their mouths from reaſoning againſt his mercy; and yet theſe of all others were ſuch as might ſeeme reiected of the Lord, being either the Heathen (who wee now are) who, not ioyning themſelues to the Lord and to the holy Couenant, were,Epheſ. 2.12 without Chriſt & without hope: Or ſuch Iewes as for the preſent by reaſon of their ſinnes, were giuen into the hand of their aduerſaries, and diſperſed in the Captiuitie, amongſt the Heathen; euen theſe, being accounted as Dogges and farre off,Epheſ. 2.13. yet in Chriſt Ieſus, and by his blood, were made nigh. If then we, not only do not reaſon againſt our ſelues, but with that woman of Canaan, Mat. 15.23. to 29.withſtand all contrary arguments and reaſonings, and cleaue cloſe to Chriſt in the acknowledgement of our vnworthineſſe, and of as much euill as can bee laid to our charge; wee ſhall find a moſt gracious anſwer from him; and that, though in regard of our ſinnes and vnworthyneſſe wee be no better then dogs; yet in regard of his mercifull acacceptation, we ſhall be accounted as children, and accordingly fed with the childrens bread.
More particularly, conſider what our Sauiour ſaith,Mat. 11.28. Come vntounto me all yee that labour and are heauie laden, and I will giuegive you reſt. Now tell me,God calls burthened ſinners vntounto him. what canſt thou obiect againſt this? thou art a ſinner; loe he calls ſuch to him; thou art a grieuous ſinner, and laden and clothed, yea clogged with ſinne; why then doubteſt thou? thou art euen the very partie vntounto whom he ſpeakes. Only then, if thou be gone and departed from him by ſinne, returne to him by repentance, and come to him by Faith, receiue what he promiſeth, namely, the pardon of thy ſinne, and the further aſſurance thereof; and be of good comfort, for the Maſter calleth thee.
Yea,None accepted for his owne worthineſſe without Chriſt. but thou art vnworthy of ſuch mercy as thou haſt found formerly, and as is offered thee; they belōg to others more worthy, not to thee. Saiſt thou, and thinkeſt thou ſo indeed? yet ſay I, deſpaire not; but know firſt, that God neuer yet receiued any for their owne worthineſſe, how worthy ſoeuer they might ſeeme; and therefore, though thou wert not ſo great a ſinner as thou accounteſt thy ſelf, but as free frō ſin as any, yet thou are nere a whit more worthy in thy ſelfe; the beſt of all can looke for nothing for their owne worthyneſſe,Pſal. 143, 2 None reiected for his owne vnworthineſſe, who ſeekes acceptance in Chriſt. but muſt acknowledge that in Gods ſight ſhall no man liuing be iuſtified; and accordingly pray, Enter not into iudgement with thy ſeruant. Know againe, that God neuer reiecteth any ſimply for their owne vnworthyneſſe, duplicate page duplicate page that ſought vntounto him in the worthineſſe of Chriſt. In Chriſt then thou art worthy, and ſo doth God looke vponupon thee. Come therfore in his preſence cloathed with his righteouſneſſe, & in his name, and doubt nothing of being heard in any requeſt whatſoeuer. So did Daniel, Dan. 9.7.8.who in his owne name and the peoples, renouncing their owne worthineſſe, and confeſsing that to them belonged confuſion of faces, yet deſpaired not, but deſired to be heard,verſ. 17. for the Lords ſake, and ſo they were heard.
Yea, but thou wilt ſay, thou haſt no feeling of this louelove of God or of any gracious anſwer from him, but that God himſelfe fights againſt thee. I anſwer, ſo hee did with that woman of Canaan formerly mentioned,How the Chriſtian may ſtay himſelfe in the want of feeling. and yet ſhe let not goe her hold; for which, her faith was highly commended. Here then thou muſt walke and liue by faith, and looke backe to Gods Couenant and former mercies; by which argument God himſelf would comfort eueryevery penitent ſoule, as well as he doth his whole people Jſrael. Iſa. 63.10, 11. &c.
Here we muſt know, Firſt that God can no more caſt off his Children, then we can cut off a ſound member from our owne bodies.
Secondly know, God doth often ſeeme, (and but ſeeme) to forſake his Children for their good; not but that he cleaues faſt enough to them, but thus he would hauehave them cleaue faſter vntounto him; euen as the louing Mother ſometimes lets her Child goe alone in danger of a fall, and yet hath ſure hold of it; ſometimes ſhee ſeemes to hide and withdraw her ſelfe, and to goe from it, and yet this is to make it cleaue faſter to her, & to deſire her company the more.
Thirdly, know, that as the wicked and vnſound, who indeede are miſerable, poore, Reu. 3.17.blind and naked, yet doe often account and perſwade themſelues that they are rich and increaſed with goods, and hauehave need of nothing: ſo on the contrary, Gods Children may indeed and truly bee rich in grace, and cloathed with white raiment, though for the preſent they hauehave no feeling thereof, and cannot be ſo perſwaded, or rather will not be ſo perſwaded: a conceited humilitie may bee as ſtrong in the one, as ſelfe-louelove and pride may be in the other.
But in caſe of want of feeling, it is good to obſerue this rule, not to exclude our ſelues from Gods fauour, but at leaſt for the preſent; ſeeing wee will doe no more to ſuſpend, and to reſt our ſelues here, that we may be in Gods fauour and yet not feele it; as in other things wee beleeue many things, as that there is one God in the Trinity of Perſons, that wee hauehave ſoules, though naturall knowledge will not reach to the one, and our ſenſe of ſeeing doe not perceiue the other.
Laſtly, know, that the thing which laies hold on Chriſt, applies and puts him on, is Faith, and not feeling, and that therefore thou mayeſt hold him faſt enough though thou feeleſt him not; as a mans hand, which is benummed, and as we ſay aſleepe, may receiue any thing that is giuen, and hold it faſt enough to make it his owne, without any great feeling: and as a man in the extreamity of cold, or being in the water, hath no feeling for the time, of his apparel, yet by reaſon hee knowes hee hath them on, and that without them hee might in ſuch extreamities ſtarue to death; ſo it is ſometimes with Gods beſt ſeruants in the depths of temptation, and ſpirituall deſertions, they as at all times generally while here they liue, ſo at ſuch times eſpecially, walke by faith, and not by ſight, 2. Cor. 5.7.and they muſt ſee, it ſo be with them.
Par. 1. §. 15And thus much of the Comfortable, as alſo glorious and happie eſtate of Gods children, and of true Chriſtians indeed who hauehave truely put on Chriſt. The conſideration of which happineſſe, honour and comfort, may be a ſtrong inducement to vsus all, by all meanes, to labour thus to put on Chriſt, and to bee thus richly cloathed; or at the leaſt, by due triall and examination of our ſelues, to ſee whether wee indeed ſtand thus cloathed or no, of which afterwards.
Section 15.
And ſo on the other hand may be the conſideration of the wretched, A Motiue to put on Chriſt, from the wretched and comfortles eſtate of all ſuch as are not Chriſtians in deed.vnhappy, and comfortleſſe eſtate of all ſuch, as either hauehave their habitation without the bounds of the Chriſtian Church; or otherwiſe, liuing in the Church, and bearing the name of Chriſtians, yet, hauehave not that grace, and that inward oyntment which the name imports. Of which poynt and motiue, briefly.
Firſt, ſuch as hauehave not ſo much as put on the name of Chriſt by outward Baptiſme; who either through Ignorance do not know Chriſt,1 Of ſuch as liue out of the Church. as the Heathen and Infidels a farre off▪ or through Infidelitie reiect Chriſt, though they heare of him, as do the Turks, but eſpecially the Jewes, what ſhal we ſay or thinke of them; but as was ſaid of vsus in compariſon of the Iewes of old,Epheſ. 2.12. that being without Chriſt they are alſo Aliens from the Commonwealth of Iſrael, (and none of the true Iſrael of God) that they are ſtrangers from the Couenants of promiſe, hauing no hope, and without God in the world? How ſhould it bee otherwiſe, ſeeing there is not ſaluation in any other, Acts 4.12.then onelyonly in Chriſt: for there is no other Name vnderunder Heauen giuen among men, whereby wee muſt bee ſaued. Either then muſt God miraculouſly, and without his Word, and the Miniſtery of it and of the Sacraments, ſaue ſuch amongſt them as are ſaued (if any be) by applying Chriſt vntounto them, & clothing them with his merits, (which yet to thinke wee hauehave no faith, (becauſe no word) but onelyonly bare charitie) or elſe they all periſh for euer, as hauing nothing to ſhelter them from the wrath of the euerliuing God, which is moſt diſmall.
2 Of ſuch as liue in the Church.Secondly, no better is the eſtate (if not much worſe) of all ſuch as liuing in the boſome of the viſible Church vnderunder the name of Chriſtians, yet doe either ſeeke ſaluation in any other, in whole or in part, then in Chriſt onelyonly, (which yet is the eſtate of wilfull Papiſts,Gal. 5.4. vntounto whom, ſeeing they will be iuſtified alſo by their own works, Chriſt is become of none effect:) Or, who profeſsing ſaluation only by Chriſt, yet liue without the power and grace of Chriſt; (who theſe are, we ſhal marke out anon)
They may now bee ſuch as in their owne conceits and others ſeeme moſt happy, yea the happieſt on earth, inioyning all ouward bleſsings whatſoeuer, of wealth, health, ſtrength, honour, dignities and preferments, friends, children, and the like; ſhining & glittering alſo, it may bee, with golden and glorious apparel; nay, which more is, with theſe they may make great profeſsion of Chriſtianity, and of godlineſſe; yet not hauing truely put on Chriſt to their Iuſtification with God, and Sanctification with men, they are and remaine in true account, the wretchedeſt on earth,Reuel. 3.17. as ſtil remaining according to their naturall eſtate, wretched, miſerable, poore, blind, and naked.They are naked and contemptible.
Naked they are; and therefore both lothſome and contemptible in Gods ſight, and alſo laid open and expoſed to his iuſt wrath and diſpleaſure in this life and hereafter, without any ſhelter, or fence on their parts.
Our naturall birth in reſpect of our bodies, is not ſo polluted, ſo vncleane and lothſome, when we are left without helpe, to wallow in our blood, without being waſhed &c. as is the naturall eſtate of vsus all, in reſpect both of bodye and ſoule through ſin, & thought the pollutions and defilements therof, as the Lord himſelfe ſheweth the one of theſe by the other EZek. 16.3.4.5. &c.
Now, this their nakednes being not couered by the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, and the Image of God, whereof they are depriued, being not repaired in them, they of all others are without honour, and accounted moſt meanely of by God, howſoeuer the blind eyes of the world, which are bewitched and bleared with their outward pompe of riches, high places, gay apparell, and outward proſperity; can ſee no ſuch thing.
Beſides, whiles their …innes are not couered, they lie naked and vnarmed,Vnarmed. and are ſubiect to all ſtormes and enemies whatſoeuer; they hauehave no promiſe from God, they) hauehave none to plead their cauſe, none to interpoſe himſelfe betweene the wrath of God and them; which benefits yet the true Chriſtian hath by Chriſt.
And laſtly,They now are ſeperated from God, they by reaſon of their ſins, vncouered and vnpardoned, are ſeparate from God, and from his louelove in Chriſt, in this life (for what fellowſhip can there be betweene light and darkneſſe, betweene Gods moſt immaculate & pure eſſence, and their commaculated, leprous & polluted ſoules?) the complement whereof ſhal vndoubtedly follow in their eternal abjection, ſeperation,and ſhalbe euerlaſtingly. 2 Theſſ. 1.9. and euerlaſting deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, vnleſſe the vnion bee heere made by faith: for as now their ſinnes ſeperate between them and God; ſo much more ſhall they be ſeperated hereafter, when God, at the generall Aſsiſes, or Gaole-deliuery of the world, or at the marriage of the Lambe, when he ſhall take the Bride his Church (our onelyonly eſpouſed to him) into houſe and harbour with himſelfe foreuer,Mat. 25.34. ſaying, Come yee bleſſed &c. when then I ſay, he ſhall take a ſuruey of all, he ſhall caſt ſuch into vtter darkneſſe, bound hand and foot,Mat. 22.12.13. &. 25.41. as hauehave not on this Wedding garment, ſaying, Depart from mee yee curſed into euerlaſting fire, &c.
In vaine then ſhall it be pleaded, that wee hauehave borne the name of Chriſt, and were baptized into him;Acts. 8.13. Notwithſtanding all outward priuiledges. for then might Simon the Sorcerer looke to be ſaued: that we hauehave heard Chriſt preach, & hauehave frequently heard Sermons, for ſo ſhould the Scribes and Phariſies, hypocrites be ſaued: or that wee hauehave preached and propheſied in his name,Mat. 7.22.23. and in his name caſt out deuils, and done many wonderfull workes; for then ſhall Popiſh miracle-mongers, amongſt other hypocrites, (who vnderunder the pretence of Chriſts name, but by the power of Satan, either doe the like, or ſeeme ſo to do, by which they lead men from Chriſt) then I ſay, ſhall they alſo be ſaued:Reuel. 20.10 or that wee hauehave been familiar with him, and hauehave ingeminated and doubled our prayers and deuotions, crying, Lord, Lord; Mat. 7.21.for then ſhould Iudas be ſaued, and tautologizing Papiſts be ſaued: or that we hauehave ſitten and eaten with him at his Table; for ſo did Judas alſo, and that man (I may ſay, thoſe many) that wanted his Wedding garment, of whom formerly; & they may hope to bee ſaued; but euen from ſuch holy places as the Temple, and the Lords Table, and from ſuch holy functions as are preaching and praying, ſhall men bee ſeparated and caſt into hell. Theſe will no more priuiledge a man from hell, then the hornes of the Altar, on which Joah tooke hold,1 King. 2.28.34. priuiledged him from being ſlain, according to his deſerts, by the ſword.
Section. 16.
Par. 1. § 16.Nothing then will auaile vsus but the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, and the pardon and couering of our ſinnes thereby, and therefore nothing ſhould be more laboured after now, whiles by Gods grace we hauehave time and meanes, then to get our ſinnes couered, and pardoned.Motiues to ſeeke to hauehave our ſinne couered and pardoned. Mat. 18.24. Stand wee more in need of any thing then of the pardon of our ſinnes? Alas! what are we, euen the beſt, without this? Firſt, we by reaſon of our ſinne, are as men deepe in debt with God, owing him tenne thouſand talents, that is, more then wee are euer able to pay his Iuſtice, vnleſſe wee die euerlaſtingly. Wee are bound to ſee this debt diſcharged, our owne hand-writing is againſt vsus. Who in ſuch a caſe of debt among men, would not earneſtly deſire, at leaſt accept of a ſufficient Surety, who ſhould offer himſelfe to pay his debt, cancell his bonds, that hee might not bee caſt into priſon? Yet thus much and more hath Chriſt done for vsus, offering himſelfe as our ſurety to God the Father, charging himſelfe with our debt, and cloathing himſelfe with our ſinne and ſhame, and accordingly diſcharging the ſame by dying for vsus,Coloſ. 2.14 blotting out the hand writing that was againſt vsus, which was contrary to vsus, and taking it out of the way, nayling it to his Croſſe: and ſhall not wee deſire earneſtly, or at leaſt, accept that mercy which ſo freely is offered in the Goſpell? and that this payment of Chriſts may be of God, accepted in our names? and we diſcharged from the bands thereof, in which for the preſent wee are bound,Pro. 5.22. 2 Pet. 2.9. Iude. 6. and ſo kept vntounto the iudgment of the great day?
Our ſinnes make vsus at enmitie with God, yea they arme all his Creatures againſt vsus, and make vsus liable to hauehave the full Vialls of his wrath to bee powred out vponupon vsus.
Now, who, though it were but amomgſt men, hauing a great man, the Prince, or ſuppoſe his Land lord, his aduerſarie, would not aboue all things deſire peace with him, and willingly make vſe of any that ſhall offer himſelfe as a middle party to mediate for peace and reconciliation? Yet this is done by Ieſus Chriſt for vsus, who takes vponupon him our perſon, and makes requeſt and interceſsion to the Father for vsus, peaceably tranſacting all matters betweene vsus; and hauing obtained the fauour of God for vsus, hee offers it in the Goſpell; and will not wee, yeelding to the eaſie tearmes of repentance, and of acknowledging our faults, ſeeke and accept of this fauour?
Laſtly, our very caſe is, when it is pondered, euen for the preſent, as it is with Malefactors already ſentenced to death, brought forth to the place of execution, ſeated on the Scaffold, ready to bee executed: for wee are, while we are in our ſinnes, ſelfe-condemned; our owne conſciences, and the Law of God, hauehave paſſed ſentence on vsus already; and we are as on the Scaffold, ready to bee mowne downe by Death; ſo that there is but a very haire-bredth, a very moment betweene vsus and death, yea betweene vsus and Hell it ſelfe. And how ſoone and ſuddenly is the thread of our life cut off? Now with men, what would any man deſire, or more willingly accept in ſuch a caſe, then a pardon? alas, gold and ſiluer, Lands, Reuenues, Honours and high Titles could doe him no good; only a Pardon would bee to him in ſtead of all the world beſides.
This being eueryevery ſinners caſe with God, behold the grace of the Goſpell, which in Chriſt brings to vsus, and offers a gracious pardon of all our ſinnes, from the Iudge and King of Heauen and Earth: this only will free vsus from condemnation, and from Hell, and