Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 2 · Lecture 31
LECTƲRE XXXI.
PHILIP. 2. Verſe 10.11.
That at the name of Ieſus ſhould eueryevery knee be…, both of things in heauen, and things in earth, and th…g… vnderunder, &c.
NOw before we proceed vntounto the next point it the words following, one or two doubts ariſing from theſe words are firſt to be reſolued and anſwered. The Apoſtle ſaith that God hath giuen vntounto Chriſt being raiſed from the dead, a name aboue eueryevery name, that a the name of Ieſus ſhould eueryevery knee bow, &c. that is, that all creatures ſhould be ſubiect vntounto him, and worſhip him. Herethe… it may be doubted and demanded, how it is that all creatures are not ſubiect vntounto Chriſt, that all creatures doe not worſhip him? For not only the Deuils in hell, but likewiſe many wicked men, inſtruments of Sathan here on earth, are ſo farre from being ſubiect vntounto him, that they are ſworne enemie vntounto him, and to his kingdome, and ſwell and rage again… him, ſome againſt him in his owne perſon, and all againſt hi… in his members here on earth. True it is indeed, that Chriſt hath many enemies which are not ſubiect vntounto him, nor worſhip him:1 Cor. 15 25 For he muſt raigne (as ſaith the Apoſtle) till her … put all his enemies vnderunder his feet. Where the Apoſtle plainl… implieth, that Chriſt hath and ſhall hauehave enemies which … not be ſubiect vntounto him and worſhip him, euen till ſuch time as he ſhall deliuer vp his kingdome to his Father, that is, e… till hee ſhall come in the laſt and great day to iudge both the quicke and the dead in his ſecond comming. Yea and it is for the glory of his kingdome, that ſtill there be enemies vntounto hi… kingdome, that ſo hee may be glorified both by the victor… which he giueth vntounto his Saints here on earth ouer theſe enemies, and likewiſe by the victorie which himſelfe ſhall ha… ouer them in that day, when their faces ſhall gather blacknes and darkneſſe before him, and when hee ſhall adiudge them …nto that Tophet prepared of old, Eſa. 30.33.the burning whereof is fire and …uch wood, and the breath of the Lord like a riuer of brimſtone …oth kindle it, as the Prophet ſpeaketh. But to anſwer vntounto …he queſtion, how it is that all creatures are not ſubiect vntounto Chriſt, and worſhip him, ſeeing God hath giuen him ſuch a …ame, euen ſuch honour and glory aboue all creatures, that all …reatures ſhould bow at his name, and be ſubiect vntounto him; anſwer, firſt, that all creatures ought to bow at his name, and … be ſubiect vntounto him, euen all the powers of darkneſſe, and …l ſuch their ſlaues as hauehave ſold themſelues to worke wicked…eſſe in this life, ought to bow vntounto him, and to worſhip him. …or that Law which afterwards was giuen by Moſes vntounto man … keepe, Thou ſhalt feare the Lord thy God, and ſerue him, Deut. 6.13.was …o doubt in the beginning a Law both to men and Angels, …d ſtill continues to be a Law, whereby not men alone, but …en, and Angels, and infernall ſpirits, are bound to feare and …rue him, to worſhip and obey him, euen with holy worſhip. …nd therefore is the iudgement and condemnation of all …em moſt iuſt, who doe not obey him that they might bee …ued. Secondly, vntounto the queſtion I anſwer, that all crea…res now are ſubiect vntounto him, ſo that vntounto whom hee ſaith, …oe, he goeth, and vntounto whom he ſaith, Come, he commeth, …d otherwiſe they ſtirre not, nor cannot. The Deuill him…fe toucheth not, nor can touch either Iob his ſubſtance,Iob 1.12.2.6. or …s children, or himſelfe, till hee giuegive leaue, and then no fur…er than he giueth leaue. Nay he cannot enter into the heard …ſwine till he giuegive leaue.Mar. 5.13. Eſa. 7.18.19. Hee hiſſeth for the flie that is at the …ermoſt parts of the flouds of Aegypt, and for the Bee which …n the land of Aſhur, as the Prophet ſpeaketh, and then they …me and light in all the deſolate valleyes, and in the holes the rockes, and vponupon all thornie places, and vponupon all buſhie …ces: that is, He bringeth the Egyptians and the Aſſyrians …on the land of Iudah, and they come, and they lay the land …ſte without an inhabitant. And eueryevery enemy that inuadeth …y land, he is but the rodde of the Lord his wrath, and the …ffe of his indignation, neither can this rodde ſtrike, but …ere and as he will. The famine which drieth the bones, and fainteth the ſoule, the peſtilence that walketh in the darkneſſe, and deſtroieth at the noone day, the ſword that deuoureth one as well as another, and all alike, theſe meſſengers of his wrath are ſent by him for our ſinnes, and they come; when he ſaith vntounto them goe, they goe, and when hee calleth them backe, they returne. The like may be ſaid euen of ſince, and of death. Sinne raigneth not, nor cannot, but in the children of diſobedience. Death woundeth not deadly, nor cannot, but only the veſſels of wrath and eternall deſtruction. And of all things in generall this is true, that all things are ſo ſubiect vntounto Chriſt,Apoc. 7.3. that if he ſay, Hurt not the ſea, nor the eart…, nor the trees, none can hurt the earth, or the ſea, or the trees; and if hee ſay to the ſeuen Angels,16.1.2. Goe your wayes, and poure out the ſeuen vials of the wrath of God vponupon the earth, then they powre them out vponupon the earth: That is, if he ſay, touch not my children, then nothing can harme them; and if hee ſay, let the vngodly of the earth come to an end, then they are as duſt which the winde ſcattereth from the face of the earth. As he ſaith, ſo is it done, and all things are thus ſubiect vntounto hi… ſubiect (I ſay) vntounto him, not by any voluntary ſubiection, whereby they worſhip and honour him, and ſubmit themſelues vntounto him; but ſubiect vntounto him, ſo, that though they would, yet they cannot but doe his will, howſoeuer they do… it not to doe his will, but only to worke their owne malice.
Laſtly, vntounto the queſtion I anſwer, that in the laſt and grea… day when Chriſt ſhall deſcend from heauen with a ſhou…e, and with the voice of the Archangell, and with the trump… of God, when the heauens ſhall paſſe away with a noiſe, and the el… ments ſhall melt with heat, and the earth, with the workes that … therein ſhall be burnt vp, then ſhall eueryevery knee bow vntounto him, then ſhall all creatures be ſubiect vntounto him. The Sea ſh… giuegive vp her dead which were in her; and death and graue ſh… deliuer vp the dead which were in them, all nations ſhall be gathered together, and all ſhall appeare before the iudgement ſe…ter Chriſt to receiue according to that they hauehave done, whether it be good or euill. Then the Kings of the earth which made fle… their arme, then the rich and couetous men of the work which made the wedge of gold their God, then the whoremongers, murtherers, idolaters, ſorcerers, blaſphemers, and liers, then thoſe churliſh Nabals, and vnmercifull men which hauehave not fed, nor clothed, nor viſited, nor lodged Chriſt in his poore members; then thoſe that rebelliouſly hauehave murmured againſt God for pouertie, ſicknes, or what croſſe elſe ſoeuer, ſhall ſay to the hills couer vsus, and to the rocks fall vponupon vsus, and to the rocks fall vponupon vsus, and hide vsus from the preſence of him that ſitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lambe. But it ſhall be to no purpoſe: for all ſhall ſtand before him, and fall downe before him. The redeemed of the Lord ſhall fall downe before him, and worſhip him, and willingly ſubiect themſelues vntounto him, as vntounto their Lord, and their God. The wicked, and Sathan himſelfe ſhall fall downe before him, and be forced to be ſubiect vnderunder his feete, and to yeeld to that laſt ſentence as moſt iuſt, Depart frō me ye curſed into euerlaſting fire, which is prepared for the Deuill and his Angels. And then when all things are put downe vnderunder his feete, he ſhall deliuer vp the kingdome to God, euen the Father, that God may be all in all. VntoUnto the queſtion then, how it is that all creatures are not ſubiect vntounto Chriſt, ſeeing God hath giuen him ſuch a name, and crowned him with ſuch honor and glory that all creatures ſhould bowe vntounto him, and be ſubiect vntounto him? The anſwer is, 1. that all creatures, euen all abſolutely ought to bowe at his name, and to be ſubiect vntounto him. 2. That euen the wicked and vngodly of the earth, and all the powers of darknes are now ſo ſubiect vntounto him, that though they would, yet they can doe nothing but what his will is. 3. That in the laſt and great day, all creatures, euen all abſolutely ſhall be ſubiect vntounto him, holy men and Angels willingly ſubiecting themſelues vntounto him, and worſhipping him; and all the reſt, though vnwillingly, ſubiecting themſelues vntounto him, and to their finall iudgement, as iuſt in it ſelfe vntounto them, and from a moſt iuſt God.
By the firſt anſwer we are inſtructed in a neceſſarie dutie, which is, that we ought to be ſubiect vntounto Chriſt in obedience vntounto his heauenly will; and to worſhip him with all holy worſhip, walking in his waies, and keeping his commandements. By the ſecond anſwer we may receiue exceeding comfort in Chriſt Ieſus, that though the world hate vsus, and Sathan ſeeke continually like a roaring lion to deuoure vsus, yet they can doe nothing againſt vsus but what he will, they are but his rods to chaſtiſe vsus, and they ſhall at length be caſt into the fire, and burnt, but wee ſhall ſhine as ſtarres in heauen for euer and euer. By the third anſwer we learne quietly to repoſe our ſelues in the power of his might who ſhall ſubdue all his enemies vnderunder him, and giuegive vntounto vsus a crowne of eternally glory, but in flaming fire render vengeance vntounto them that hauehave no… obeyed his Goſpell. And let this be ſpoken for the clear… of the firſt doubt.
Another doubt is here to bee anſwered touching that ſuperſtitious and fond fancie of Purgatorie, which ſome would gladly ground on theſe words of the Apoſtle. For thus hence they reaſon: Saint Paul ſaith, that vntounto Chriſ… was giuen ſuch a name, that at the name of Ieſus ſhould eueryevery knee bowe, both of things in heauen, and things in earth, … things vnderunder the earth: but the Deuils, and the damned in he… are ſo farre from bowing vntounto Chriſt, that they blaſphe… his holy name, and gnaſh their teeth againſt him: they the which being vnderunder the earth doe bowe vntounto Chriſt, mu… needs be thoſe which worſhip Chriſt in Purgatorie, therefore there is Purgatorie. But ſee, I beſeech you, the vanitie and fooliſhnes of their reaſon, which they make for the vpholding of this dreame. The Deuils, ſay they, and the damned i… hell are ſo farre from bowing vntounto Chriſt that they blaſphere him, and gnaſh their teeth at him; therefore by the things vnderunder the earth which bowe vntounto Chriſt, muſt needs be mea… the ſoules in Purgatorie. I anſwer, 1. that the Deuils, and damned in hell, howſoeuer they doe blaſpheme Chriſt, ye they ought to bowe vntounto him, and to be ſubiect vntounto him, as I ſhewed before by that law which firſt was giuen vntounto them and ſtill doth binde them, thou ſhalt feare the Lord thy God, … ſerue him. And ſo the Apoſtle may very well be expounded that God hath giuen vntounto Chriſt a name aboue eueryevery name, that a the name of Ieſus ſhould eueryevery knee bowe, of dutie, both of thing: in heauen &c. And then what a poore ſhrowde hath Purgatorie in this place? 2. I anſwer, that the Deuils doe now bo… vntounto Chriſt, and are ſubiect vntounto him. Adde vntounto the for…her proofes of this aſſertion, that one teſtimonie out of Luke, Luc. 8.where the Euangeliſt ſtorying the deliuerance of one poſſeſ…ed with a Deuill, ſheweth moſt plainely how the Deuill, nay …n any Deuils, for a Legion poſſeſſed him, fell thriſe proſtrate …efore Chriſt, and acknowledged his power ouer them. Firſt …ith S. Luke the Euangeliſt the Deuill cried out, & ſaid,28. What …aue I to doe with thee Ieſus the Sonne of God, the moſt high? I …eſeech thee torment me not. Againe, when Ieſus had asked the Deuill his name, the Euangeliſt ſaith,30.31. they beſought him that he …ould not command them to goe out into the deepe: and agine, the Euangeliſt ſaith, they beſought him that he would ſuffer them to …nter into the heard of ſwine feeding thereby on an hill. 32.Where …ee ſee how not one, but a Legion of Deuils, not once, but …hriſe in one miracle proſtrated themſelues vntounto Chriſt, and …cknowledged his power ouer them. And ſhall we not thinke …hat now much more they doe ſo, when Chriſt ſitteth at the …ight hand of God in the heauenly places?Iam. 2.19. Yes S. Iames tells …s that they feare and tremble. A ſeruile feare they are in, and …nwillingly they are ſubiect vntounto him, howſoeuer they doe …laſpheme him. Falſe therefore is it when they ſay, that the Deuils bowe not vntounto him. 3. I anſwer, that the Deuils …hall be ſubiect vntounto him in that great and laſt day: and ſo …he Apoſtle may be vnderſtood, and then what helpe here …or Purgatorie? For thus I vnderſtand the Apoſtle; God hath …iuen vntounto Chriſt a name aboue eueryevery name, that at the name of …eſus eueryevery knee ſhould bowe, now of dutie; and ſhall bowe then …n that day, ſome willingly, and ſome vnwillingly: both which being truly affirmed euen of the Deuils, inaſmuch as now …hey ought, and in that day they ſhall bowe and be ſubiect vn…o him, though vnwillingly; what neede is there to vnderſtand …his place of the ſoules in Purgatorie? Laſtly, the Rhemists note no ſuch thing vponupon this place, which yet they would hauehave done, if it had made ought for that purpoſe: and Bellarmine quite diſclaimeth it, vnderſtanding by things vnderunder the …arth, the deuils in hell, which as I hauehave ſaid, now ought, and …n that great day ſhall bowe and be ſubiect vntounto him. And …ndeed the whole tale of popiſh Purgatorie is a meere dreame, hauing no ground at all either in this, or in any other place of ſcripture, but is ſo contrary therevnto as nothing more. It… the bloud of Chriſt Ieſus that purgeth and cleanſeth vsus from all f… it is not any purging fire which doth it,1 Ioh. 1.7. or can doe it after the life. Nay after this life there is but heauen, or hell: Heauen for them that die in the Lord; for bleſſed are the dead that … in the Lord, Ap. 14.13.euen ſo ſaith the Spirit; they reſt from their labo… and their workes follow them: and Hell for the wicked, are ſuch as forget God; for that is their portion prepared for them of olde with the Deuill and his Angels. Thus hauing cleared theſe words of the Apoſtle from theſe doubts, it remaineth that now we proceede in that which followeth in the Apoſtle. It followeth therefore.
And that eueryevery tongue ſhould confeſſe &c.] We hauehave hea… of the ſubiection of all creatures vntounto Chriſt Ieſus, ſet downe by the Apoſtle as a branch of his glory, and an end of his glorification. Now in theſe words the Apoſtle ſetteth do…e another branch of Chriſt his glory, which is the confeſſio… and acknowledgment of all creatures, that Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord, and ſole right commander in heauen and in earth: for as eueryevery knee ſhall bowe vntounto him, ſo eueryevery tongue ſhall co… feſſe him, God hauing giuen him a name aboue eueryevery name, that eueryevery knee ſhould bowe vntounto him, and that eueryevery tongue ſhould confeſſe him to bee Lord and Soueraigne king. By eueryevery tongue, the Apoſtle meaneth not onelyonly all nations and languages in the world whatſoeuer, but eueryevery tongue both of things in heauen, and things in earth, and things vnderunder the earth; not that things in heauen, or things vnderunder the earth hauehave tongues, as neither they hauehave knees, but as there in the former words, by eueryevery knee both of things i… heauen, and things in earth, and things vnderunder the earth is meant all creatures; ſo here in theſe words, by eueryevery tongue of things in heauen, and things in earth, and things vnderunder the ear… is meant all creatures. When it is added, that eueryevery tongue ſhould confeſſe, the Apoſtle thereby ſheweth both what all creatures ſtill ought to doe; and alſo what all creatures ſhall doe in that laſt and great day. For his meaning is, that all creatures ought ſtill to confes, & at the laſt ſhall confes that Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord, euen that that Ieſus which was crucified, which made his graue with the wicked in his death, is Lord God, & that all honor, power, & glory belongeth vntounto him.
Here then we are put in minde of a dutie neceſſarily to be …erformed of all Chriſtians, which is, not onelyonly to be ſubiect …d obedient to Chriſt his will, but to confeſſe likewiſe and …knowledge, that Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord. The Angels, and …e Saints in heauen which ſtand before the throne, and be…re the Lambe, clothed with long white robes, and palmes in …eir hands, they cry aloud, and they ſay,Apoc. 7.9. Saluation commeth … our God that ſitteth vponupon the throne, and of the Lambe: yea …ey ceaſe not day or night crying, and ſaying, Praiſe, 12.and glo…, and wiſdome, and thanks, and honor, and power, and might be …to our God for euermore, Amen. Yea the powers of darkneſſe …emſelues ought thus to confeſſe Ieſus Chriſt, that all power, …nd honor, and might belongeth vntounto him, inaſmuch as they …ere created, formed, and made for his glory, not onelyonly to be …ewed in their confuſion, but that they might ſound forth his …raiſe and his glory. The Angels and Saints in heauen they …oe; Deuils, and damned in hell they ought to confeſſe …at Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord; and ſhall we doubt whether it …e mans dutie to confeſſe that Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord? With …e heart man beleeueth vntounto righteouſneſſe, Ro. 10.10.and with the mouth …an confeſſeth to ſaluation, ſaith the Apoſtle. Where the Apo…le plainely ſheweth, that as faith in the heart, ſo confeſſion … the mouth is needfull to ſaluation. The Euangeliſt S. Iohn …ith, that among the chiefe rulers of the Iewes, many beleeued … Chriſt Ieſus, Joh. 12.42.but becauſe of the Phariſies they did not confeſſe …im, left they ſhould be cast out of the ſynagogue. Did they be…eeue in Chriſt Ieſus, but not confeſſe him? In that they did …ot confeſſe him, it is a plaine argument that their faith was …ut a weake faith. Happily they begun to embrace the truth …f Chriſt, and to be aſtoniſhed at his miracles, but in that they …urſt not confeſſe him, it is plaine that they did not truly be…eeue in him. Which is yet more plaine by that S. Iohn far…her addeth, they loued the praiſe of men, 43.more then the praiſe of God. which prepoſterous louelove whereſoeuer it is, there is nei…her the louelove of God in deed, nor faith in Ieſus Chriſt. The Apoſtle to Titus telleth vsus of ſome that profeſſe that they … God, Tit. 1.16.but by their workes they denie him, and are abominable are diſobedient, and vntounto eueryevery good worke reprobate. As before we had faith in Chriſt, but no confeſſion of Chriſt; ſo here we hauehave confeſſion and profeſſion of Chriſt, but no practiſe of the life of Chriſt; and therefore as their faith was iuſtly a… gued to be no ſincere and ſound faith, becauſe they did not confeſſe Chriſt; ſo the profeſſion of theſe, of whom the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, may iuſtly be argued to be no ſincere and ſou…e profeſſion, becauſe in their liues they practiſe not that whereof they make profeſſion with their mouthes. They ſeemed to hauehave faith in Chriſt, but they did not confeſſe Chriſt; and therefore they may be truely ſaid, neither to hauehave ſound…y beleeued in Chriſt, neither to hauehave confeſſed Chriſt. Theſe ſeeme to profeſſe to know God, but by their workes they denie him, and therefore they may be truely ſaid neither to hauehave ſincerely confeſſed Chriſt, neither to hauehave practiſes, his will.
Seeing therefore it is ſo, that both where Chriſt is not confeſſed, there Chriſt is not beleeued; and againe, where Chriſt is confeſſed, there many times his will is not practiſed; very behouefull it will be for vsus, whoſe dutie it is to confeſſe and acknowledge before all men that Chriſt Ieſus is the Lord, to ſee what a kinde of confeſſion it is which our dutie doth require of vsus. We muſt then here take heede that we doe not deceiue our ſelues with a bare and naked confeſſion of Chriſt Ieſus, with a ſimple and outward profeſſion of his name and religion, as if all were well when by an outward ſhew we had bleared the eyes of men; or as if we had then performed this dutie, whereof I ſpeake, as well as the beſt, when wee hauehave made confeſſion of our faith, and ſaid the Lords praier; or when we hauehave beene at the Church, and heard the ſeruice, and happily a Sermon; when we hauehave made ſome faire weathe… without, howſoeuer all within be full of rapine, bribery, and exceſſe. Nay, nay, brethren, Chriſt himſelfe hath told vsus, that not eueryevery one that ſaith vntounto him Lord, Lord, ſhall enter into his kingdome. Nay he hath pronounced a woe vntounto ſuch hypocrites,Mat. 23.25 as make cleane the vtter ſide of the cup, and of the platter, when within they are full of briberie and exceſſe: and he hath …kened them vntounto whited tombes, Mat. 23.27.which appeare beautifull out…ard, but are within full of dead mens bones, and of all filthineſſe. …t is not then the lip-labour of a bare and naked confeſſion of Chriſt, it is not a ſimple and outward profeſſion of religion …hat will ſerue the turne, or is acceptable vntounto God; it is not …he diſcourſing knowledge of Chriſt, nor the diſcourſing …lke of his kingdome, which pleaſeth the Lord: but the con…eſſion of a Chriſtian, and that which is here required, is, that …ut of a faith vnfaigned, with our mouthes wee confeſſe that …eſus Chriſt is the Lord, and becauſe he is the Lord, therefore …ee will not giuegive his honour to another, but will ſerue him …ithout feare in holineſſe and in righteouſneſſe before him all …he dayes of our life. The root then whence our confeſſion …f Chriſt muſt ſpring, if by it wee will pleaſe the Lord, is an …nfained faith, for faith is it which maketh vsus not aſhamed, …ut maketh vsus bold to confeſſe our Chriſt in all places. I be…eeued (ſaith the Prophet) and therefore I ſpake. And moſt ſure … is that then and neuer but then we doe boldly and ſincerely …onfeſſe Chriſt, and profeſſe his religion, when faith hath …lly ſeazed vponupon our ſoules, that wee beleeue perfectly in Chriſt Ieſus: for becauſe wee beleeue fully in him, therefore …ee boldly and freely confeſſe him. Whoſoeuer therefore …hou art, that wilt not, or dareſt not confeſſe thy Chriſt, and …rofeſſe his religion, for feare of trouble, or diſpleaſure, or al…eration of the State, or any like reſpect, know this, that thy …eart is not ſound with thy God, and that this is for want of …rue faith in thee. Let them looke vntounto this, who for feare of … change, or for feare of diſpleaſure, feare to be too forward …n confeſſing Chriſt, and profeſſing his name, and therefore …raw backe the ſhoulder, and ſhrinke at eueryevery blaſt of winde.
Now the confeſſion which muſt ſpring from this root, is, …hat Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord; the Lord, and therefore his ho…our not to be giuen to another; the Lord, and therefore to …e ſerued in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe all the dayes of our …fe. Thus ſaith God the Lord,Eſa. 42 5.8. euen he that created the hea…ens, and ſpread them abroad, &c. to wit, Chriſt Ieſus, I am …he Lord, this is my name, and my glory will I not giuegive to another, neither my praiſe to grauen images. Where wee ſee how our Sauiour Chriſt both challenged that vntounto himſelfe, to bee the Lord, and plainly auoucheth that he will not giuegive his honour to another. Hee then that confeſſeth Ieſus Chriſt to bee the Lord, and yet giueth his honour vntounto another, doth onelyonly i… words confeſſe that, which indeed and in truth he doth de…. Let them looke vntounto this, that make their praiers and ſupplications vntounto the Saints in heauen, that worſhip images, croſſes,1 Joh. 2.2. or what reliques ſoeuer. Wee hauehave an aduocate with the Father, Ieſus Chriſt the iuſt, and he is the reconciliation for our ſinne…. He ſitteth at the right hand of God, and liueth euer to make interceſſion for vsus. Whoſoeuer then praieth vntounto, or vſeth the interceſſion of any other, be it Saint, or Angell, he giueth Chriſt his glory to another. As alſo he doth, who doth worſhip any other but God, and him whom hee hath ſent, Ieſus Chriſt, ſeeing it is ſaid, Thou ſhalt worſhip the Lord thy God, … him only ſhalt thou ſerue.
He likewiſe that confeſſeth Ieſus Chriſt to be the Lord, and yet ſerueth him not in holineſſe and in righteouſneſſe all the dayes of his life, his confeſſion is in vaine, becauſe in deed and in truth he denieth that which in words hee doth confeſſe A ſonne honoureth his father, Malac. 1.6.and a ſeruant his maſter: If I th… (ſaith the Lord by his Prophet) be a father, where is mine … nour? and if I be a maſter, or a Lord, where is my feare? When… it is moſt plaine, that feare and obedience to his will belo… geth to the Lord. They certainly vntounto whom the Lord by his Prophet thus ſpake, confeſſed the Lord, which they plainly afterwards ſhew, taking their reproofe hardly, and ſaying. Wherein hauehave wee deſpiſed thy name? But becauſe they fear… not the Lord whom they confeſſed, becauſe they walked not in his wayes, nor kept his commandements, therefore the… confeſſion was as no confeſſion, the Lord regarded them not, but his wr…th was kindled againſt them. This, men and brethren, is a thing needfull for vsus to looke vntounto. We would be loth ſo deeply to be charged, as not to confeſſe Ieſus Chriſt to be the Lord. But if he be the Lord, where is his feare? Whe… wee confeſſe Ieſus Chriſt to be the Lord, wee confeſſe him … be the ſole rightfull commander of vsus, and our ſelues to be his ſeruants; him to hauehave all power ouer vsus, and our ſelues wholly … be his. What meaneth then ſuch neglect of conforming …ur ſelues according to his moſt holy will, and of yeelding …bedience vntounto that which daily wee are taught, and which …ee know to be his will? If we giuegive our members as weapons …f vnrighteouſneſſe vntounto ſinne, which ſhould be as weapons …f righteouſneſſe vntounto God, whatſoeuer confeſſion we make, …ee are the ſeruants of ſinne, we are not the ſeruants of Chriſt …e Lord; and wee are like to thoſe or whom I ſpake before, …at profeſſe they know God, but by their workes doe denie …im.
O my brethren, if yee did indeed confeſſe Ieſus Chriſt to …e the Lord, your ſoules would be filled with gladneſſe when our mouthes were filled with this confeſſion, yea your very …earts would be warme within you when your tongues were …us talking that Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord; your wils would be …amed to his will, your feet would reioyce to come into the …ourts of his houſe, and to runne the way of his commande…ents. Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord, denie him not before men,Luk. 12 9. …or he that ſhall denie him before men, ſhall be denied before …he Angels of God. And certainly hee beleeueth not, that …ares not confeſſe him. Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord; confeſſe …im ſo to be, and giuegive not his honour to any other, to men or Angels, much leſſe to ſtockes or ſtones. Confeſſe him to be …he Lord, and ſerue him in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe all …he dayes of your life. This confeſſion becommeth the Saints …f God, and this is a good confeſſion before God. And euer …emember that, that they which will not now thus confeſſe …eſus Chriſt to be the Lord, ſhall then in that laſt and great …ay be forced to confeſſe that Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord, when he ſhall iudge his enemies on eueryevery ſide, and render to the wicked according to the wickedneſſe of their wayes.
VntoUnto the glory of God the Father.] Here is the iſſue of all, …uen of our ſubiection vntounto Chriſt, and of our confeſſion that …eſus Chriſt is the Lord. All this redoundeth to the glory of God the Father: for he that honoureth the Sonne,Joh. 5.23. honoureth …he …ather; and he that honoureth not the Sonne, honoureth not the Father: for the Father is in the Sonne, and whatſoeuer is done vntounto the Sonne, is done alſo to the Father. Let vsus the… ſo ſubiect our ſelues vntounto Ieſus Chriſt, let vsus ſo confeſſe his to be the Lord, as already wee hauehave beene taught. God hath created vsus,Eſa. 43.7. formed vsus, and made vsus for his glory. Seeing the… our ſubiection vntounto Chriſt Ieſus, and our confeſſion or be glorious name in ſuch ſort as hath beene taught, is vntounto the glory of God the Father, let vsus be ſubiect vntounto him in all obedience to his will, and let vsus out of an vnfained faith confeſſe that he is the Lord, euen our Lord.