The Dignity and Duty of a Christian, Part 1

The Dignity and Duty of a Christian · Part 1

p. 1A CHRISTIAN, HIS DIGNITY and Duty.

Galat. 5.24.

For they that are Christs, hauehave crucified the fleſh, with the affections and the luſts.

1. The dignity of a Chriſtian.

THe Apoſtle in theſe words perſwadeth the Galatians, that there is no law p. 2againſt them that bring forth the fruits of the Spirit: becauſe that ſuch are Chriſts, who doe crucifie the fleſh, with the affections and luſts. So that the fruitfull in Chriſt the root, Reuel. 22.16. are ſaued; not for the fruits cauſe, but for the roots cauſe: For There is no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Ieſus, which walke not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit, Rom. 8.1.

Theſe words containe our greateſt dignity; which is, to bee Chriſts. And our moſt neceſſary duty, to crucifie p. 3the fleſh, &c. This is the Chriſtian dignity of thoſe Excellent ones, The Chriſtian dignity.Pſa. 16.3. who in Chriſt hauehave their Priuiledge to become the ſonnes of God, Ioh. 1.12. and a right to the tree of life, Reuel. 22.14. and that becauſe they are Chriſts. Wherein theſe things following are to bee conſidered.

2. What is it to be Chriſts?

THey y^t are Chriſts, A deſcription of thoſe that are Chriſts.are not onelyonly his in generall, or by profeſſion: p. 4but in ſpeciall, by his ſauing grace, as elected in him, before the foundation of the world: and in his owne time vnited to him by faith, into a moſt neere fellowſhip, by the power of the holy Spirit: that they may bee ſo wholly his, and partakers of all his bleſſings, that they may appertaine to him more than to all others, and that he may be alſo theirs, whereof they hauehave a comfortable ſence and feeling in this life, and a full fruition in the life to come.

p. 5This deſcriptiō doth ſpread it ſelfe into many branches, to bee explaned as followeth.

Some are Chriſts in generall, ſome in ſpeciall. For hee hath giuen to him of his Father, power ouer all fleſh, that hee ſhould giuegive eternall life to as many as the Father hath giuen him, Ioh. 17.2. To be Chriſts in generall by ſubiection.They that are Chriſts in generall, are his, as he is the Head of all principalitie and power, Col. 1.18. Reuel. 1.5. and 17.14. and 19.16. All power is giuer to him both in heauen and in earth, Mat. 28.18. In all things p. 6he hath the preeminence, Coloſ. 1.18. He is exalted aboue all things. Eph. 1.20. Exalted highly aboue eueryevery name, Phil. 2.9. All things were created by him, and for him: hee is before all things, and in him all things doe conſiſt, Col. 1.16, 17. Ioh. 1.3. Bearing vp all things by his mighty word, Heb. 1.3. Hee is Lord ouer the quicke and the dead: Iudge ouer all, Rom. 13.9, 10.

So all men are Chriſts in generall: and (with all other things) are put in ſubiection vnderunder his feet, Epheſ. 1.20. Heb. 2.8. That at the name of p. 7Ieſus, eueryevery knee ſhould bow, Phil. 2.9, 10. To be Chriſts this way, All things are Chriſts in generall.is very common. All men are Chriſts, as hee is their Lord. All reprobates and diuels are Chriſts, as hee is their Iudge. All the Regenerate are Chriſts, as hee is their King. To be Chriſts after this manner, is not the Saints prerogatiue. We muſt therforegiue all diligence to goe beyond the whole creatures, Admonition.in appertaining to Chriſt, and become Chriſts in a neerer and more ſpeciall manner.

p. 8They that are Chriſts in Speciall (here ſpecially meant) are his: To bee Christs in ſpeciall by grace.as he is the Prince of their ſaluation, Heb. 1.10. The head of his body which is his Church, Epheſ. 1.22. Col. 1.18. Epheſ. 5.23. As a Sonne, he is ouer his owne houſe: whoſe houſe we are, Heb. 3.6. Their Redeemer, Epheſ. 1.7. The Sauiour of his body, Epheſ. 5.23. Hee hath bought them for a price, 1. Cor. 6.20. Hee hath purchaſed them with his owne blood, Act. 20.28. He knits them to himſelfe: he furniſheth them with his grace, and maketh p. 9thē encreaſe with the encreaſing of God, Col. 2.19.

Let vsus therfore hauehave a ſpeciall care to become Chriſts in ſpeciall. Admonition.Many ſay, Who will ſhew vsus any good? Pſalm. 4.6. But heere is of all good things the beſt, to be Chriſts. And as Peter ſaid to Chriſt at his Transfiguration: It is good for vsus to bee heere, Luk. 9.33. So wee may all ſay in our Regeneration, It is good to bee Chriſts. It is the moſt happy eſtate of man: there is no ſolid nor conſtant comfort, but p. 10in it, and as Dauid ſaid, I had rather bee a doorekeeper in the houſe of my God, than to dwell in the Tabernacles of wickedneſſe, Pſal. 84.10.

So eueryevery one ſhould ſay, I had rather be the leaſt of thoſe that are Chriſts; than to be the heire of y^e greateſt Monarch, without Chriſt, Gal. 3.29.

3. Who are not Chriſts?

AS Chriſt ſaid, Many are not Chriſts.Hee that is not with me, is againſt me, Math. 12.30. ſhewing that there p. 11was many both againſt him, and not with him. So doth the Apoſtle heere inſinuate that all are not Chriſts. For all men hauehave not faith, 2. Theſ. 3.2. neither doe all crucifie the fleſh. It is therefore requiſite that we know who are not Chriſts. The diuels are not his: as that Legion cried, What hauehave I to doe with thee, Ieſus, the Sonne of the moſt high God? Mark. 5.7. A Reprobate ſhall neuer become Chriſts. An Atheiſt, an Epicure, an Impenitent, a ſwiniſh and worldly Gadarene, p. 12Mark. 5.17. is not Chriſts.

The Hypocrite is not his. Hypocrites are not Chriſts.Profeſſion maketh not one to be his; neither doth externall Vocation, nor vulgar graces of the Spirit make any to be his. One may hauehave the ſhew & forme of godlineſſe, The forme of their hypocriſie.2. Tim. 3.5. and yet not be his, becauſe hee wants the ſauing power of it. Many hauehave a name that they are aliue, but in truth they are dead, Reu. 3.1. Fruitleſſe trees, ſhadowing onelyonly with leaues: who hauehave the light of God, but not the life of God. p. 13A dead faith, without workes: ſorrowing for ſinne, but not ſorrowing to repētance: mourning without amending. Their louelove of God is but general and mercenary: a zeale without knowledge: a ſeruile feare: reſtraining ſin, but not crucifying it: a taſte of the heauenly gift, Heb. 6.4. friuolous and ſuperficiall motions: fantaſticall and fleeting comforts and ioyes. Theſe things make not one to bee Chriſts. Admonition.Let vsus therefore ſearch our owne hearts; let vsus examine p. 14our ſelues, and prooue our ſelues whether wee hauehave faith or not: let vsus know our ſelues, if Chriſt be in vsus, and wee his, except we be reprobates, 2. Cor. 13.5. that if as yet we be not truly Chriſts, wee may ſtudy by all meanes (in this acceptable time) to become his.

4. Who are Christs?

THe Apoſtle poſitiuely ſets downe, Some are Chriſts by Election onelyonly.that they who are Chriſts, hauehave crucified the fleſh. Wee muſt therefore p. 15know who are Chriſts. Some are Chriſts onelyonly in Gods preſcience and ſecret Decree, and counſell: whereof ſome (as yet) are not borne, ſome are Infants, and ſome (as yet) not called, & without Chriſt, and without God in the world, Epheſ. 2.12.

Some are Chriſts improperly, Some are Chriſts improperly.onelyonly in appearance. The groſſe Hypocrite is Chriſts, onelyonly in the worlds appearance. The formall and temporizing Hypocrite is Chriſts, both in the worlds, and in p. 16his owne appearance, and no further.

But ſome are Chriſts moſt properly, Some are Chriſts properly.and truly to be counted his: as thoſe that are vnited to him by a liuely faith, who apprehend him, and are apprehended of him, Phil. 3.12.

The Elect, who are regenerate, effectually called, iuſtified, adopted, ſanctified, and are to be glorified, Rom. 8.30. They are Chriſts in their owne perſwaſion, and they are his alſo by profeſſion before the world. They are his, both in appearance, p. 17and in effect, both by Election and Vocation effectuall.

But as there are many called, Admonition.and few choſen, Mat. 22.14. ſo, many are not Chriſts, and very few are his: yet the Lord knoweth who are his: and let eueryevery one that calleth on the name of the Lord, depart from iniquity, 2. Tim. 2.19.

The queſtion may be moued concerning Infants, How Infants are Chriſts.if they be Chriſts when they die in their infancy.

The anſwere is, If an Infant bee a reprobate, in that caſe (becauſe of p. 18his naturall pollution, whereof he is guilty) he is left to himſelfe, and reiected eternally. But if the Infant bee a choſen child, hee may bee Chriſts both externally in the iudgement of the Church, as one within the couenant of grace: and internally alſo hee is Chriſts in a moſt ſecret and vnſpeakable manner; being inſert in Chriſt by the Spirit of God, 1. Cor. 12.13. The Apoſtle in this place ſpeaketh not of Infants; neither of their prerogatiue in Chriſt; but onelyonly of thoſe that p. 19are Chriſts, and that crucifie the fleſh; who are come to perfection of yeeres, and endeuour to bee perfect men in Chriſt. Admonition.Bee not therefore ſo curious to know who are Chriſts; as carefull, that thou thy ſelfe may be truly his; that thou maiſt find the vigour and quickening life of him in thy heart, wherby thou maiſt crucifie the fleſh, with the affections & luſts thereof: and that thou maiſt confidently ſay with the Spouſe in the Can. 7.10 I am my Well-beloueds, & his deſire is towards me.

p. 205. How are we Chriſts?

SIth that all are not Chriſts, and thoſe that are his, are few. And ſith none are his by nature, but by grace only; it is needfull therefore to vnderſtand how wee are Chriſts.

We are his in a true, Wee are Chriſts in a ſpirituall vnion.pure, and ſpirituall vnion, by being one with him, Galat. 3.28. and build on him, Eph. 2.20. By the vnity of faith, Epheſ. 4.13. Wee abide in him, 1. Ioh. 2.27. He dwelleth in vsus, and wee p. 21in him, 1. Ioh. 4.13, 16.

This vnion is not locall, The manner of this vnion.neither doth diſtance of place impaire it: it is not viſible nor bodily: it is not ſuperficiall nor fantaſticall: yet it is reall and ſpirituall, Ioh. 17.20.

They that are vnited to Chriſt, muſt bee firſt ſeparated from the world, Ioh. 17.6. that is, from the condemnation and corruption that is in the world through luſt, 2. Pet. 1.4.

This vnion is wrought by the Application and Apprehenſion of Chriſt. In Chriſts application, p. 22the holy Spirit really exhibits & offers Chriſt vntounto vsus, Ioh. 17.6, 9. and 10.29.John 17:6John 17:9John 10:29and vsus againe to Chriſt, and giueth either of vsus to other, This is called the communion of the Spirit, Philip. 2.1. whereby we are all baptized into one Spirit, 1. Cor. 12.13.1 Cor 12:13& are al made to drinke into one Spirit.

In Christs apprehenſion, the holy Spirit likewiſe is effectuall. He moueth the heart of the beleeuer, by a moſt ſecret and vnſpeakable power, to imbrace and receiue Chriſt: like as Chriſt receiueth and apprehendeth by the p. 23ſame holy Spirit the beleeuer, Phil. 3.12. and ſo is vnited to him, Ioh. 1.12. Rom. 13.14. Gal. 3.27. Epheſ. 3.20. and 1.19. Col. 2.6.

To be Chriſts therefore is a worke ſupernaturall, diuine, and from aboue; and who are once his, are euer his thereafter. His ſheepe ſhall neuer bee pulled out of his hands, Ioh. 10.28. and that becauſe of that omnipotēt Spirit, who linketh them together.

Comfort.Heereupon ariſeth that vnſpeakable comfort to all thoſe that are p. 24Chriſts: ſo farre, as it is an inſeparable vnion that cauſeth them be ſo ſure, and ſo eternally his, Rom. 8.38.

6. Wherein are wee Chriſts?

IF wee be Chriſts, The reſemblance of our vnion and communiō with Chriſt.hee muſt hauehave ſome kindly and neere reſpect & relation to vsus, and wee to him. It is needfull therefore to bee conſidered wherein we are Chriſts, and what is our communion with him.

There is no vnion in this world ſo neere, and p. 25ſo ſtrong, as is our coniunction with Chriſt. Similitudes are borrowed, to reſemble and repreſent vntounto vsus the ſame: and yet the vnion is ſtricter, and more neere & ſure, than they can declare, and is accompanied with a depending communion.

Hee is our head, and wee are the members of his body, 1. Cor. 6.15. Epheſ. 5.30. we get life and motion from him, as the members doe from the head.

We are Chriſts as a Spouſe to the husband, Cant. 4.9. Reuel. 19.7. p. 26we are his LoueLove, Cant. 1.14. We are ſet on his heart as a Seale, and as a Signet vponupon his arme, Cant. 8.6.

We are his brethren, and fellow-heires with him, Heb. 1.12. Rom. 8.17. And he is the first begotten amongſt many brethren, Rom. 8.29.

Wee are Chriſts, as the branches of that holy and true Vine, Ioh. 15.1. We are engrafted in the Vine by grace. We are his, and are vpholden by him, as the tree doth beare the branch, not the branch the tree. Wee get life p. 27and ſap from this Vine, and wee muſt beare fruit, not of our ſelues, but becauſe we abide in the Vine: For without him wee can doe nothing, Ioh. 15.4, 5.

Wee are his Sheepe, and he our chiefe Shepheard, 1. Pet. 5.4.

Wee are his liuely Stones, and he the chiefe Corner-ſtone, on whom we muſt be builded, and bee made his ſpirituall houſe, 1. Pet. 2.5, 6. Heb. 3.6.

We are his, and are as deare to him as himſelfe: hee loued vsus, and gaue himſelfe for vsus, p. 28Gal. 2.20. He loued his Church, and gaue himſelfe for it, Epheſ. 5.25. Hee that toucheth vsus, toucheth the apple of his eye. Zach. 2.8. Our troubles are his, Act. 9.4. his glory is ours, 2. Theſ. 1.19. and hee thinks himſelfe vncomplete, if hee want vsus. Who would not ſtriue now to becom Chriſts? Admonition.It is our greateſt dignity, it is our finall and full felicity to bee his. Chriſt intreats vsus to be his, he calleth vponupon vsus: he careth not although we be blacke and bruſed, Cant. 1.5. and with ſins p. 29weary and loden, Math. 12.20. and 11.28. If ſo be we come to be eaſed and waſhed by him.

Hee ſaith to eueryevery one of vsus, Admonition.as hee ſaid to his Spouſe in Cant. 2.10. Ariſe my louelove, my faire one, and come away: the winter is paſt, the raine is gone, the flowers appeare, the birds doe ſing. His delight is to bee with the ſonnes of men, Pro. 8.31. Say thou againe to Chriſt, as Dauid ſaid to the Lord, What am I, O Lord, that thou haſt brought mee to this? 2. Sam. 7.18. And with Mephiboſheth, ſay thou p. 30to Chriſt, as hee ſaid to Dauid: What am I, that thou ſhouldeſt looke on me a dead dog as I am? 2. Sa. 9. Behold, Lord, thou ſhalt hauehave mee, aboue, beyond, and before all. For whom hauehave I in the heauen beſide thee? Pſal. 73.25. I ſhall count all things but dung for the vantage of Chriſt, Phil. 3.8. And he ſhall be to me both in life & death my onelyonly vantage, Phil. 1.21.

p. 317. Who maketh vsus Chriſts?

IF nature did make vsus to be Chriſts, then all ſhould be Chriſts, and all ſhould crucifie the fleſh: and to be Chriſts ſhould bee both eaſie and common. The cauſes of our vnion with Christ.But ſith it is a matter diuine, ſo high, and ſo holy, and proper onelyonly for ſome; we muſt vnderſtād who doe make vsus Chriſts.

We are Gods workmanſhip, The Fathercreated in Christ Ieſus vntounto good workes, Epheſ. 2.10. We p. 32are the children which God hath giuen to Chriſt, Heb. 2.13. And no man can come to Chriſt, except the Father draw him, Ioh. 6.44. Of God wee are in Chriſt Ieſus, 1. Cor. 1.30. And he which ſtabliſheth vsus in Chriſt, & hath anoynted vsus, is God, 2. Cor. 1.21.

Chriſt gaue himſelfe for vsus, The Sonne.that he might redeeme vsus from all iniquity, and purge vsus, to be a peculiar people to himſelfe, Tit. 2.14.

The Holy Spirit, The Spirit.that Anoynting, as it taught you, ye ſhall abide in him, p. 331. Ioh. 2.27. And they ſhall be all taught of God, Ioh. 6.45. This is the communion of the Spirit, Phil. 2.1.

As the Trinity doth worke internally: The Word.So the VVord and Miniſtery worke externally. The weapons of the miniſteriall warfare do bring into captiuity eueryevery thought to the obedience of Chriſt, 2. Cor. 10.5. The Sacraments.By Baptiſme we are all baptized into Chriſt, and hauehave put on Chriſt, Gal. 3.27.

The Miniſtery trauelleth in birth as a p. 34The Miniſterywoman, till Chriſt bee formed in vsus. Gal. 4.19. The Miniſters and Preachers of the Word are giuen by Chriſt, for the repairing of the Saints, and edification of the body of Chriſt, Epheſ. 4.12, 13.

Wee ſee therefore how that both God and man doe concurre to make vsus Chriſts. Admonition.Man with the letter of the Word without; God and Chriſt, by the Spirit within. VVee want no calling vponupon; wee lacke no labouring vponupon. God calleth, and would hauehave all men to p. 35bee ſaued, 1. Tim. 2.4. Chriſt ſtands at the doore of our hearts and knockes, to come in, Reuel. 3.20. Shall wee ſtill reſiſt the holy Spirit? Shall wee ſtill pull backe the ſhoulder and harden our harts? Shall wee ſtill ſtop our eares, as the Serpent doth at the Enchanter? Shall wee both depriue our ſelues of Chriſt, and bring vponupon our ſelues ſwift iudgement, and euerlaſting wrath? Far be that from vsus all: yea rather, let vsus lift vp the ports of our ſoule, and let the King of glory p. 36enter in. Let vsus renounce our ſelues, that we may be his: let vsus be led (by the VVord, and by the Spirit) captiue to his obedience: let vsus be heartily content that he betroth vsus; and moſt heartily ſuffer our ſelues to bee cut off from the wild Oliue, that we may bee ingraffed into the true Vine.

8. How farre are we Chriſts?

THe body is for the Lord, What part of vsus is Chriſts, viz. our Body.1. Cor. 6.13. It is a member of his p. 37body, Ibid. It is his in the graue; and is neuer deſtitute of his Spirit, Rom. 8.11. It waiteth for the Adoption, euen the redemption of the body, Rom. 8.23. Hee ſhall change it (though neuer ſo vile) that it may bee faſhioned like vntounto his glorious body, Phil. 3.21.

The ſoule is Chriſts: Our Soule.it hath ſaluatiō of him, 1. Pet. 1.9. Hee is the Shepheard and Biſhop of our ſoules, 1. Pet. 2.25.

Both body and ſoule are his; hee ſuffered for both; hee ranſomed both; hee ſanctifieth p. 38both, 1. Theſ. 5.23. and ſhall glorifie both.

Our ſinnes and debts are his, Our ſinnes.by imputation; as hee is a ſufferer and ſatisfier for them. Hee did beare our ſinnes in his body on the tree, 1. Pet. 2.24. He ſuffred for our ſins, the iuſt, for the vniust, 1. Pet. 3.18. Hee is the Lambe of God that taketh away the ſinnes of the world, Ioh. 1.29. The Lord laid vponupon him the iniquities of vsus all, Iſa. 59.6. He made him ſinne for vsus, 2. Cor. 5.21.

Our good workes are Chriſts, Our good workes.as he is the firſt author and worker p. 39of them in our hearts. For Without him we can doe nothing, Ioh. 15.5. VVe are Gods workmanſhip, created in Ieſus Chriſt, vntounto good workes, Epheſ. 2.10.

Hee is alſo an accepter of our good workes, as if they were all done to him. A cup of cold water, giuen to one of his little ones, hee accounts the ſame as giuen to him, Math. 10.42. Hee claimes the ſeruice of all our actions, as done to himſelfe, Epheſ. 6.5, 6. And whatſoeuer wee doe, wee muſt doe it heartily, as p. 40vntounto the Lord, Col. 3.23.

Our ſufferings are Chriſts, Our ſufferings.in that hee is a Sympathizer with vsus, Act. 9.4. He that toucheth vsus, toucheth the Apple of his eye, Zach. 2.8.

Hee is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, Our infirmities.Hebr. 4.15. So all that wee are, is his; and all that wee hauehave, is his. Of all our euils hee doth eaſe, and empty vsus: with all his good he doth fill vsus. He is ours, as our all, in all things: ſo eueryevery one of vsus is his all, in all reſpects. p. 41But in what degree wee are Chriſts, In what degree we are Chriſts.in the degree of Election: or in what degree wee are Chriſts, in Gods preſent acceptation and eſtimation: or in what degree we are to be Chriſts, in the life to come, it is very hard to diſcuſſe; and more curious then profitable to enquire. It may very well content, euen the beſt of vsus, to bee a dore-keeper in the houſe of God, Pſal. 84.10.

Yet we ſhould know in what degree wee are Chriſts, Admonition.in our apprehenſion of him by faith: p. 42For according as is the meaſure of our faith, more or leſſe; a weake faith, or a ſtrong faith: ſo, in that ſame meaſure wee finde and feele our ſelues to bee Chriſts: and according to that ſame degree of our faith and feeling, wee doe crucifie the fleſh more or leſſe. It is our part, more to know the meaſure and degrees of our faith, than to know in what meaſure and degree we are his. It may ſuffice vsus very well, that now we are the ſonnes and daughters of God; although as yet it bee p. 43not manifeſt what wee ſhall be, 1. Ioh. 3.2.

Let vsus ſtriue to grow in grace and faith: let vsus ſtirre vp our gifts: and forget that which is behind; and endeuor our felues vntounto that which is before vsus, and follow hard toward the mache, for the prize of the high calling of God in Chriſt Ieſus, Phil. 3.13, 14. vntill wee all meere together vntounto a perfect man; and vntounto the meaſure of the age of the fulneſſe of Chriſt, Epheſ. 4.13. And that we may daily encreaſe with the encreaſing of p. 44God, Coloſ. 2.19.

9. Whereto are wee Chriſts?

THis ſo great a Dignity to bee Chriſts, The endes wherefore we muſt be Chriſts.with ſo great a taske following thereupon, to crucifie the fleſh; muſt hauehave ſome ſpeciall ends and purpoſes, vntounto the which, and for the which, we are made Chriſts. And what bee thoſe?

That wee may bee Gods, 1. Cor. 3.22, 23. and be made partakers of the diuine nature, 2. Pet. 1

p. 45That through Chriſt, wee may hauehave an entrance to the Father, by one Spirit, Epheſ. 2.18.

That wee may be no more ſtrangers and forreiners, but Citizens with the Saints and houſhold of God, Eph. 2.18, 19.

That wee may obtaine this prerogatiue, to be the ſonnes of God, Ioh 1.12. Gal. 3.27. and 4.6, 7. The heires of God, and annexed heires with Chriſt, Rō. 8.17. and be made vntounto God Kings and Prieſts, Reuel. 1.6.

p. 46That wee may get in him redēption through his blood, Coloſ. 1.14. euen reconciliation by the blood of that his Croſſe, Col. 1.20.

That we may eſchew condemnation, Rom. 8.1. and bee deliuered frō the power of darkneſſe, Coloſ. 1.13. and that principalities may bee ſpoyled, Col. 2.15.

That we may obtaine mercy and peace, Gal. 5.16. and the remiſſion of our ſinnes, Col. 1.14. and that the obligation of our debts may bee rent, Col. 2.14. 1. Cor. 1.31.

p. 47That we may become new creatures, Gal. 6.15 2. Cor. 5.17.

That in him we may be complete, circumciſed with his circumciſion; buried with him, quickened and raiſed, Col. 2.10, 11, 12, 13.

That wee may walke after the Spirit, and not after the fleſh, Rom. 8.

That all other things in this world may bee ours, that is, for our benefit, 1. Cor. 3.22. Rom. 8.28.

That wee may liue and die to the Lord, Rom. 13.8.

That whether wee p. 48wake or ſleepe, we may liue together with him, 1. Theſ. 5.10.

That we may get participation of the Saints inheritance, and may bee tranſlated vntounto his owne glorious Kingdome, Col. 1.12, 13.

To conclude this poynt, the whole world doe ſpend their life, and whole actions, vponupon purpoſes & ends whereat they continually aime. Some intend their fame, ſome their gaine, and ſome their delights. But what are all theſe? But ſhadowes of farre much more, p. 49euen of ſpirituall and eternall bleſſings in heauenly things, & places, that thoſe get, that are Chriſts.

What can thy heart deſire or need, Comfort.but if thou bee Chriſts, thou ſhalt hauehave it, euen that ſame very thing thou craueſt, or elſe a farre better thing? For if God ſpared not his owne Sonne, but gaue him for vsus to death; how ſhall hee not with him giuegive vsus all things alſo? Rom. 8.32.

p. 5010. Wee are Chriſts, and no others.

BVt fith wee muſt be Chriſts, Wee are Chriſts, and the whole Trinities.wee ſhould be his alone, and no others, Math. 10.37, 38, 39.

To be Chriſts, doth not hinder vsus to bee his Fathers, but furthers vsus: neither doth it ſtay vsus from being the holy Spirits. For whoſoeuer are Chriſts, they doe appertaine to the whole Trinity. By Chriſt wee are the temple of God, and of the Spirit, p. 511. Cor. 3.16. and 6.19.

If we be Chriſts, We are not our owne.wee are no more our owne, for we are bought with a price, 1. Cor. 6.19, 20. Wee muſt forſake our ſelues, & follow Chriſt, Math. 16.25. We muſt no longer imploy our body and ſoule to the vſe of ſenſuality and vanity, or of fond faſhions of the world; neither to walke in our owne wayes.

Wee may belong to no others any more, We belong to no other, vnleſſe they be ſubordinate to Chriſt.vnleſſe they bee ſubordinate to Chriſt. Yea rather, ere wee bee not Chriſts, wee ought to p. 52leaue father, mother, ſonnes and daughters, and the whole world, Math. 10.37. Wee may belong to father, mother, brethren, or children, ſo far as they hinder vsus not from Chriſt: but if they would preſume to draw vsus from Chriſt, in that caſe wee ſhould forſake them, although they were neuer ſo deare to vsus.

We may belong to none that are meerly contrary, And not contrary to Chriſt.or oppoſite to Chriſt.

We may be the ſubiects of vngodly and vnchriſtian tyrants, and p. 53the ſonnes and daughters of vngodly parents, and the feruants of wicked maſters; wee are bound to ſerue them, and obey them in all things lawfull, and in God, 1. Pet. 2.18. Eph. 6.5, 6, 7. Theſe are not meerly oppoſite to Chriſt; and the things wherein wee ſhould obey them, doe ſtand with the will of Chriſt.

Wee ſhould not belong to ſinne, Wee muſt not be ſins, nor Satans, nor the worlds.neither to Satan; becauſe theſe are meerely oppoſite to Chriſt. If we be Chriſts, wee muſt not let ſinne raigne in our mortall p. 54bodies, that wee ſhould obey it in the luſts therof Neither ſhould wee giuegive our members as weapons of vnrighteouſnes vntounto ſinne, Rom. 6.12. We may not walk according to the courſe of the world, and after the prince that ruleth in the aire, Epheſ. 2.2. We muſt not make the diuell our father, in doing his luſts, Ioh. 8.44. For all theſe ſin within vsus, Becauſe they are directly oppoſite to Christ.which is our corruption; and ſinne without vsus, which is the wicked courſe of the world; and Satan, with all his circumuentions & methodicke p. 55ſtratagems, Epheſ. 6.11. wherewith he goeth about to ſnare vsus, are meerly & directly oppoſite to Chriſt: ſo that none can both ſerue Chriſt, and Belial, 2. Cor. 6.15.

Wherefore it is our ſpeciall dignity and ſelicity to be Chriſts truly; Admonition.and his aboue all others: preferre none to him; adequate none with him; ioyne none to him, that is contrary to him: whatſoeuer eſtate thou art in, ſtudy to bee Chriſts. If thy eſtate bee high in the world, to bee Chriſts, p. 56will ſanctifie and bleſſe that eſtate to thee. If thy eſtate bee low and abiect, to bee Chriſts, honours thy poore eſtate, and makes thee ioyfully and heartily content therewith.

Preaſe not to bee Chriſts, & Satans too: ſerue not two oppoſite maſters, Math. 6.24. be not double-harted, Iam. 4.8. Carry not two faces; but be Chriſts ſincerely, throughly, and conſtantly.

p. 5711. When, and where are we Chriſts?

WEE were once not Chriſts, when wee were vnwiſe, diſobedient, deceiued, ſeruing luſts, &c. Tit. 3.3. when wee were dead in treſpaſſes and ſinnes, Epheſ. 2.1. Coloſ. 2.13. Gentiles in the fleſh; once farre off, without Chriſt, Epheſ. 2.11.

We are then Chriſts euidently, Wee are Chriſts whē we are called.when we are effectually called. Some hee taketh to himſelfe ſooner, ſome later: hee p. 58hath his owne time in his owne hand, in making vsus to become his own, when, and where, and how it pleaſeth him.

When we are made Chriſts, Wee are Chriſts in life, and after death.then we are his in life, in death, and after death, Rom. 13.8.

Our bodies ceaſe not to be his when wee are dead: he eſteemeth thē his own, although they bee reſolued into duſt and aſhes, Rom. 8.11. Our ſoules are his when wee are dead; which maketh his Saints deſire to be diſſolued and to be with Chriſt, Phil. p. 591.23. and in their death to cōmend their ſpirit into his hāds, Act. 7.59.

Wee are Chriſts now, but as yet it doth not appeare what wee ſhall be, 1. Ioh. 3.2. Here in this life we are his by grace; hereafter we ſhal bee his in glory. Heere we are Chriſts, and wee muſt crucifie the fleſh: hereafter wee ſhall bee his, and he ſhall glorifie our fleſh.

Let vsus not therefore bee any longer Satans vaſſals, ſinnes ſlaues, Admonition.nor the worlds drudges. But into whatſoeuer eſtate God hath caſt thy lot, p. 60bee thou Chriſts aboue all; giuegive him thy heart aboue all; that thou maiſt hauehave this prerogatiue, to be his aboue all. Delay no longer to become his: come out of Sodome: looke not backe with Lots wife: ſtriue to be his quickly: put not off till death; death giueth no warning. Become his before thou die, and thou ſhalt be his eternally.

12. How is Christ ours?

BVt ſith that wee are Chriſts by a certaine p. 61relation, and by a mutuall vnion, as is ſpecified before: wee cannot be his, vnleſſe hee bee as truly ours. It would bee therefore knowne how he is ours.

Chriſt is ours, How Chriſt is ours.as the Spouſe doth make her claime, ſaying, I am my Well-beloueds, and my Well-beloued is mine, Cant. 6.2.

Hee is ours, and our onelyonly and chiefe vantage, both in life and in death, Phil. 1.21.

He is our Head, that quickeneth all the body, Epheſ. 5.30.

Hee is our Husband, p. 62moſt louing to his Spouſe, Reu. 19.7.

Hee is our Cornerſtone, on whom wee are all builded, 1. Pet. 2.6.

He is that true Vine, into the which wee are ingraft to bring foorth fruit, Ioh. 15.1.

Hee is our Food, to nouriſh our hungry ſoules. His fleſh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed, Ioh. 6.55.

He is our garment, to bee put on to couer vsus, that our filthy nakedneſſe doe not appeare, Gal. 3.2. Rom. 1.3, 14. Reuel. 3.

He is our eldeſt Brother, p. 63yea, the firſt begotten amongſt many brethren, Rom. 8.29.

He is our chiefe Shepheard, to rule and feede his wandring flocke, Ioh. 11.14. Heb. 13.20. 1. Pet. 2.25. and 5.4.

His God-head is ours, All that Chriſt is, is ours.that wee may be partakers of the Diuine nature, 2. Pet. 1.4.

His Humanity is ours, that he might be like vsus, in all things except ſin, Heb. 2.17. and 4.15.

His death is ours, to ranſome vsus, 1. Tim. 2.6.

His merits are ours, to iuſtifie vsus, 1. Cor. 1.30. Rom. 3.24. and 5.9.

p. 64His life is ours, to quicken vsus, Coloſ. 3.3, 4.

His Spirit is ours, to comfort vsus, Ioh. 14.16. and 15.26.

His Kingdome is ours, to glorifie vsus, Ioh. 17.22.

Hee is our Sauiour, 1. Tim. 4.10. our Mediatour, 1. Tim. 2.5. our Aduocate, 1. Ioh. 2.1. our Redeemer, Col. 1.14. That we all may be one, as the Father is in him, and hee in the Father, that wee may bee all one in them; Chriſt in vsus, and the Father in Christ, that we may bee made p. 65perfect in one, that wee may bee there euen where hee is; that wee may behold that his glory, Ioh. 17.21, 23, 24.

Hee is our All in all things, Epheſ. 1.23. and 4.10. Col. 3.11.

He is all theſe things to vsus, becauſe his Father hath giuen him to vsus, Rom. 8.32. And hee is ours alſo out of his owne ſuper-aboundant kindneſſe, and vnſpeakable louelove, Tit. 2.14.

He had no need that wee ſhould be his; wee had great need that hee ſhould be ours. Wee p. 66are his by debt; hee is ours by gift, Ioh. 4.10. He makes vsus his; we are not able to make him ours.

If Chriſt bee thine, Admonition.ſay with thy ſelfe, I hauehave the greateſt gift, the gift of all gifts; and a greater gift God cannot giuegive: for the which cauſe I ſhall bee his againe, and none but Chriſt ſhall hauehave me.

13. To know that we are Chriſts, and that he is ours.

TO bee Chriſts, and Chriſt to be thine, p. 67thou maiſt thinke the comfort of all comforts: and that it would not onelyonly giuegive thee ſound peace and contentmēt of heart; but alſo moue thee very much to crucifie the fleſh: if ſo be thou wert perſwaded of the ſame, and hauehave the certainty of it in thy heart. How ſhall it therefore bee knowne certainly that one is Chriſts?

There is no doubt but the Lord knoweth who are his, 2. Timoth. 2.19. Rom. 8.

There is alſo no doubt but one may know his neighbor to be Chriſts, p. 68by a charitable conſtruction, beholding his good workes.

And moſt neceſſary it is, that we all prooue our ſelues, if Chriſt bee in vsus, except wee be reprobates, 2. Cor. 13.5.

But how ſhall one know within himſelfe if hee bee Chriſts? It is knowne by the perſwaſion of faith, and by the effects and fruits therof. They that are Chriſts, Teſtimonies to know that we are Chriſts.hauehave their owne warrant within them.

As Chriſt ſet a marke on the fore-heads of the mourners for ſinne, Ezech. 9.4. So God hath p. 69ſealed thoſe that are Chriſts, and giuen thē the earneſt of the Spirit in their hearts, 2. Cor. 1.22.

That as the ſeruants of God are ſaid to bee marked in the forehead, with the ſigne of the liuing God, Reuel. 7.2. So in Chriſt they are ſealed with the holy Spirit of promiſe; which is the earneſt of their inheritance vntounto the day of Redemption, Epheſ. 1.13, 14. and 4.30.

They hauehave receiued a new name that no man knoweth, but they who hauehave receiued it, Reu. 3.12

p. 70The Spirit of God giueth them this certificate, The Spirit.that they are both Chriſts, and the ſonnes of God, Rom. 8.16. And if any man hauehave not the Spirit of Chriſt, the ſame is not his, Rom. 8.9. Hereby wee know that we dwell in him, and he in vsus, becauſe hee hath giuen vsus of his Spirit, 1. Ioh 4.13.

The fruits of the Spirit are alſo certificates to vsus y^t wee are Chriſts, Fruits of the Spirit.if wee hauehave the ſpirit of prayer & deprecation, 2. Tim. 2.19. If the ſame mind be in vsus, that was in Chriſt Ieſus: to wit, p. 71that ſame mind of modeſty, humility, patience, and of other Chriſtian vertues, Phil. 2.5. whereby we doe walke in the Spirit, Rom. 8.1.

If wee depart from iniquity, 2. Tim. 2.19. and doe crucifie the fleſh. If thou hauehave theſe fruits in any true meaſure, and doe therein continue and grow; thou maiſt bee perſwaded that thou art his. Of this perſwaſion that thou art Chriſts, thou maiſt make great vſe. Hereby thou maiſt bee daily ſtirred and prouoked to thankfulneſſe of p. 72Admonition.hart, to crucifie the fleſh and mortifie ſin at the root. Thou maiſt alſo reap matter of vnſpeakable comfort and ioy, and reioyce in the Lord alway, Phil. 4.4. Thou maiſt ſay, Who ſhall condemne me? Chriſt, whoſe I am, is dead for me; or rather, riſen againe for me; who is at the right hand of God, and maketh requeſt for me. Who ſhall ſeparate mee from the louelove of Chriſt? No creature ſhall bee able to ſeparate mee from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Ieſus our Lord, p. 73Rom. 8.34, 35, 39.

14. The eſtate of thoſe that are not Chriſts.

AS the godly know, They that are not Chriſts, are miſerable.that they thēſelues are of God; ſo they vnderſtand likewiſe, that the reſt of the whole world lieth in wickedneſſe, 1. Ioh. 5.19. becauſe they are not Chriſts, they are dead in ſinnes; the children of diſobedience: the diuell poſſeſſeth and ruleth them: the worlds faſhions & courſe doth guide them: and as they p. 74neuer once thinke of the crucifying of the fleſh: ſo they euer fulfill the wil of the fleſh, Eph. 2.1.

They are ſtrangers from the couenant of grace; they hauehave no hope, and are without God in the world, Eph. 2.12. They are by nature the children of wrath.

And when the Lord Ieſus ſhall ſhew himſelfe from the heauens with his mighty Angels, A Threatning.in flaming fire, he ſhall render vengeance vntounto them, 2. Theſ. 1.7, 8. Pſal. 110.

p. 7515. The happy eſtate of them that are Chriſts.

IF thou bee Chriſts, Excellency.thou art for excellency and dignity aboue all others in the world: like a Lilly among the thornes, Cant. 2.1. Pſal. 16.3. He hath made thee vntounto God one of his Kings and Prieſts, Reuel. 1.6.

Thou art very comely in his ſight, Comelines.as one of the faireſt among women, Cant. 1.8. made beautifull by his merits and ſpirit, without ſpot or wrinkle, Eph. 5.27. And p. 76with the ioy of the Bridegroome toward the Bride, ſhall thy God reioyce ouer thee, Iſa. 62.5. All other beauty ſhall fade, but thine ſhal encreaſe with the encreaſing of God, Col. 2.19. And daily ſhalt thou looke foorth as the morning, faire as the Moone, pure as the Sun, Cant. 6.9.

The ſauour of the garments of thy conuerſation is moſt delicate, Acceptable conuerſation.as the Sauour of Lebanon, Cant. 4.11. And all thy walkings are acceptable before God: Thou art in his eyes, as one that findes peace, Cā. 8.10

p. 77Thou art as a Garden incloſed, Protection.as a ſpring ſhut vp, and a fountaine ſealed vp, Cant. 4.12.

He ſhall protect thee from outward iniuries, and preſerue thee from ſecret corruptions. His louelove is ſpread into thy heart, which is like a banner ouer thee, Cant. 2.4. to draw thee, to direct thee, and protect thee.

And becauſe thou art dearly beloued; Comforts.and art as a ſeale on his heart, and as a Signet on his arme, Cant. 8.6. in all thy feares, troubles and terrours, thou ſhalt delight p. 78vnderunder the ſhadow of his preſence. Cant. 2.3. In the ſence of thy wants, his preſence ſhall ſupport thee: hee will ſtay thee with the Flaggons of his promiſes; and comfort thee with the Apples of his graces, Cant. 2.5.

At the laſt Day thou ſhalt ariſe like a pillar of ſmoke, Glorification.perfumed with the Myrrha and Incenſe, and with all the chiefe ſpices of the graces of perfect ſanctification, Cant. 3.6. and ſhalt bee quickened and raiſed together with Chriſt. Epheſ. 2.5. as one of the Congregation p. 79of the firſt borne, Heb. 12.29. vntounto that eternall glory, where thou ſhalt reſt in a bed better than Salomons, Cant. 3.7. and ſhalt perfectly enioy all thoſe things that God hath prepared for them that louelove him. Which things eye hath not ſeene, no eare heard, neither hauehave entred into the mind of man, 1. Cor. 2.9.