The Spouse of Christ Coming Out of Affliction, Sermon 1 – Title page 2
Cant. 8.5. part of the Verſe.
Who is this that cometh up from the Wilderneſs, leaning upon her Beloved?
SOme underſtand this of the Shulamite ſpoken of before. Others of ſome other Spouſe or Church of Chriſt, to ariſe after her, according to that promiſe of the waters that run from under the Threſhold of the Temple, towards the Eaſt, leading towards Arabia, Syria and Egypt, Ezek. 47. but when we conſider what went before, and the other like places, that charge, ver. 4. ſeems to be the occaſion of this Queſtion, namely, I charge you Oh Daughters of …eruſalem that you ſtir not up, nor awake my Love until he pleaſe, which words gives occaſion of this Queſtion, paralel to this you may ſee, chap. 3.5, 6. & chap. 5.8, 9. & chap. 6.1. Whether is thy Beloved g…e, O thou fairest among women, &c. as in thoſe places the Daughters of Jeruſalem are brought in, enquiring after Chriſt the Beloved of the Spouſe, ſo in the Text they are brought in admiring and inquiring concerning the Spouſe of Chriſt, ſaying, Who is this that comes thus up out of the vvilderneſs, &c. the Queſtion is put in the Feminine Gender, as if they ſhould ſay, vvhat Woman is this? and indeed they that ſhould behold the coming of the Shulamite, viz the Return of the Jews, it will be a Queſtion worth the inquiring with Admiration, and ſaying, who is this? and hence I conceive the Queſtion is concerning that Spouſe, that gave ſuch a charge in ver. 4. unto which Chriſt gives Anſwer in the words following, I raiſed thee up under the Apple Tree, &c. although ſome take that Anſwer, to be the Churches, to ſtir up Chriſt by Prayer: which ſeems not ſo ſuitable, but my purpoſe is at preſent to ſpeak only to the former part of the verſe, who is this that cometh up, &c.
For the meaning of the Words, Who is this? it argues ſomething extraordinary, which is matter of ſpecial obſervation and worthy of exequity, chap. 3.6. Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderneſs like Pilars of Sm…ak per…med with Mirrh, chap. 5.9. what is thy Beloved more …, &c. chap. 6.1. whether is thy Beloved gone, O thou … Women, &c. it is one thing that ſhall be inquired into a… the return of this Church of the Jews, whence they come:
That cometh up out of the Wilderneſs, a Wilderneſs is a deſolate place, a Land not Ploughed nor Sowed, ſo it was to Iſrael when they came out of Egypt, then God proved them to ſee what was in their hearts, the Wilderneſs is a Land of Drought, and the ſhadow of Death, a Land of fiery Serpents and Scorpions, a terrible Wilderneſs God led his People through, as Deut. 8. what can we expect to finde in a Wilderneſs, Mat. 11.7. What went you into the VVildern…ſs to ſee, a Wilderneſs is a ſtate of affliction and temptation, Mat. 4.1. then was …eſus led aſide into the Wilderneſs to be temptod of the Devil, now the return of this Shulamite to their own Land is …ophecied of, as a People brought out of the Wilderneſs of the People & Nations, Ezek. 20.34, 35, 36. and I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the Countries wherein ye are ſcattered with a mighty hand, & with a stretched out Arm, and with fury poured out, and I will bring you into the Wilderneſs of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face, like as I pleaded with your Fathers in the VVilderneſs of the Land of Egypt, ſo will I plead with you ſaith the Lord God, He will bring them through great afflictions and temptations to diſcover the rebels and to cut them off, ver. 37.38. and the reſt ſhall be accepted, ver. 40.41. with this agreeth the Prophecy of Dan. 12.1. And at that time ſhall Michael ſtand up, the great Prince which standeth for the Children of thy people, and there ſhall be a time of trouble ſuch as never was ſince there was a Nation even to that ſame time, and at that time thy people ſhall be delivered, every one that ſhall be found written in the Book, Iſai. 65.9. And I will bring forth a ſeed out of Jacob, and out of Iudah an inheritor of my mountain, and mine Elect ſhall inherit it, ver. 11. But ye are they that forſake the Lord, therefore I will number you to the Sword: In all theſe afflictions, tryals and miſeries, wherein that people had formerly been, as in a vaſt howling Wilderneſs, and in all thoſe ſad things that ſhall befal them, ſuch as never was ſince it was a Nation, this Spouſe ſhall come up from this Wilderneſs to the admiration of ſuch as ſhall behold her, Iſai. 63.13, 14. That led them through the deep as an Horſe in the Wilderneſs, that they ſhould not ſtumble, as a Beaſt goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord cauſed him to reſt, ſo didſt thou lead thy People, to make thy ſelf a glorious name.
Leaning upon her Beloved, VVhat is the excellency of this Spouſe? She is leaning upon her Beloved: The word (leaning) is derived from the Arabian tongue, from which word ſome conjecture that it ſhould ſpeak of a Church from thence: it may be Tranſlated leaning, or cleaving to, adjoyning, aſſociating her ſelf; the Greek Tranſlate it, confirming or ſtrengthening her ſelf in her Beloved, any of theſe words do well expreſs her Faith in Chriſt her Beloved, being ſenſible of her diſtreſſes and wilderneſs temptations; ſhe dare not truſt to any thing but her Beloved, as ſaith the Apoſtle, We deſpaired in our ſelves, that we might truſt in the living God, being ſenſible of her own weakneſs, ſhe leans upon him, ſhe adjoyns and aſſociates her ſelf to him that can and will guid her through all difficulties. 1 Pet. 5.10. that he will make you perfect, ſtrengthen, ſtabliſh, ſettle you, herein the Spouſe comforts her ſelf, leaning upon her Beloved. For the underſtanding the Diſcription of this her Beloved upon whom ſhe thus leans, Conſider,
1. VVho is it but Jeſus Chriſt, the Head and Husband of his Church, who is able to ſave to the uttermoſt all that come unto God by him, Heb. 7.25. who is that firm Rock of Ages, that precious Corner Stone, that whoſoever believeth on him ſhall never be confounded, 1 Pet. 3.6.
2. Her Beloved, that is he that hath infinitely and moſt freely loved his Church, Epheſ. 5.25. and given himſelf for it to purifie and cleanſe it, Rev. 1.5. Ʋnto him that have loved us, and waſhed us from our ſins in his own blood, Gal. 2 20. VVho hath loved me, and given himſelf for me, theſe two, the alſufficiency of Chriſt, and his great and infinite love to her is ground ſufficient to lean upon him in all conditions, as the Apoſtle ſaith, I know in whom I have believed, in him that is able to preſerve vvhatſoever I have committed to him; In Chriſt are all things that make up a fulneſs of Faith, his Omniſcience that knows all our needs and dangers, and how and when to ſupply, and his Omnipotency whereby he is able to do it.
3. Faithfulneſs in his promiſes, he is the Amen, the true and faithful witneſs, as Sarah who believed for ſhe judged him faithful that had promiſed.
4. Compaſſion, or bowels of infinite compaſſions, his Spouſe is as the apple of his eye, therefore the Lord Jeſus muſt needs be in every reſpect the moſt ſuitable object of Faith, being ſo all-ſufficient, faithful, compaſſionate and loving, now then this is the beloved of the Spouſe, ſhe came leaning upon this her Beloved, whoſe firſt love did draw her heart to love him again with a moſt ardent love, as ver. 7. Many vvaters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drovvn it, Pſal. 119.132. Look thou vponupon me and be merciful unto me, as thou uſeſt to do to them that love thy name, and ver. 159. Conſider how I love thy …recepts, quicken me Oh Lord according to thy loving kindneſs; So that there is a further encouragement for the Spouſe to cleave to Chriſt Jeſus, becauſe ſhe finds this love in her to be a fruit of his everlaſting love to her, now Faith finding ſuch an Object, not only is perſwaded that he is all ſufficient and willing to ſave, but the will chuſeth him for it's portion, cleaves to him and reſts upon him for all ſafety and good, as it's all in all, and gives up it ſelf to be guided, ordered and diſpoſed of in all conditions, as moſt ſafe and happy in his hands and diſpoſe, Faith counts it ſelf moſt ſafe in the Arms of Chriſt, this is one effect of Faith, for the Soul to give up it ſelf to Chriſt, to do as he will with it, he may give what he will, and take what he will; the Soul is willing to part with any thing at the command o… Chriſt, willing to part with it's deareſt ſins and luſts for Chriſt Jeſus, ſo that a Spouſe of Chriſt, ſeeing the Wiſdome, Faithfulneſs, Power and Love of the Lord Jeſus doth chuſe him for her portion, and give up her ſelf to Chriſt, willing to be at his diſpoſing, and willing to part with any thing for Chriſt; here is her leaning upon her Beloved, and ſo ſhe fears not for any evil tidings.
Doct. It is a matter of much Obſervation and Admiration, to ſee a Spouſe of Chriſt coming out of a VVilderneſs condition, and leaning by Faith firmly upon Chriſt as her beloved;
Proof, That the excellency of the Spouſe of Chriſt is in leaning upon her Beloved, Heh. 11. gives a Cloud of VVitneſſes, Abraham left his Country by Faith, offered up Iſaac by Faith; Noah prepares an Arke by Faith, others endured cruel mocking by Faith; Oh the vertue and admirable effects of Faith! you ſee in the VVilderneſs, how highly God approved of Caleb, who followed God fully, when others ſpake evil of the good Land, ſaith Calch, they ſhall he meat for us, we are w…ll able to overcome them; My ſervant Cal… ſaith the Lord, he ſhall go in, his Seed ſhall poſſeſs it, how highly the Lord approves of Faith, you may ſee in the Church of Philadelphia, Rev. 3.8, 9, 10. he finds no fault with them, but highly commends them for keeping the word of his patience, and promiſes moſt ſafe protection when the hour of temptation overſpreads the World; the Centurion who had ſuch Faith as to ſay, Speak but the word and my Servant ſhall be healed, Chriſt highly commends that Faith, as not having found ſuch, no not in Iſrael; So the Woman of Ca…aan, her Faith Chriſt commends, and ſaith, be it to thee even as thou wilt.
Reaſ. 1. It is ſo, not only from the excellency of Faith it ſelf, but from the excellency of a tryed Faith, 1 Pet. 1.7. That the trial of your Faith, being much more precious then of Gold that periſheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praiſe and honour and glory at the appearing of Chriſt Jeſus, Pſal. 12.6. The Words of the Lord are pure words, as ſilver tried in a Furnace of Earth, purified ſeven times, as the word is pure and precious, ſo is Faith under Wilderneſs trials.
Reaſ. 2. Becauſe this leaning upon Chriſt in ſuch a ſtate is an evidence of great love to Chriſt; this the Lord takes great notice of, Ier. 2.2. I remember the kindneſs of thy youth, the love of thy …ſpouſals when thou wenteſt after me in the wilderneſs, &c.
Reaſ. 3. Becauſe it's a glorious thing to behold the love of God, and Jeſus Chriſt, to lead up ſuch a Spouſe out of a Wilderneſs, it cauſes that glory as is aſcribed to God, of old, as that one act at the red Sea did, Exod. 15, 16. VVho is like unto thee O Lord, glorious in Holineſs, fearful in praiſes, doing wonders, Deut. 32.10, 11. He found them in a deſart Land, and in the wast bowling VVilderneſs, he led him about, he inſtucted him, he kept him as the apple of his eye, &c.
Ʋſe 1. Inſtruction: Here we may obſerve, and ſee the manner of Gods dealing even with his moſt precious Churches and People, even with this Shulamite, he brings her out of the Wilderneſs, ſo the Lord did of old, when he brought his people out of Egypt; He brought them into the Wilderneſs, and the Lord ſaw the mixed multitude amongſt them, and that Generation muſt be all worn out before he brought them into the promiſed Land: In the Wilderneſs the Lord ſhewed his wonderful works, ſeeding them with Manna, and giving them water out of the Rock; there God proved them, to know what was in their hearts, and he found abundance of ſin, and pride, and rebellion in them, and yet all was to do them good in the latter end: So when he brought them out of Babilon to …, we read in Ezra and Nehemiah what afflictions and oppoſitions they m…t withal, of Blaſtings and Mildews, and diſappointments in their Labours they were exerciſed withal, as may be ſeen in the Prophecy of Haggai, and ſo it will be with this Shulamite, the Church of the Jews at their return; the Lord will bring them out of the Wilderneſs of the People through many temptations and afflictions, and that Wilderneſs condition may ſeem to continue for a long time; if we compare Dan. 12.11, 12. it appears to be fourty five years, and ſo it hath been with the reformed Churches that are come out of ſpiritual Babilon, in Scotland, Holland and Geneva, and the reſt, what bloody wars? what perſecutions and tryals of various kinds? nay, what Soul is it that the Lord hath brought home to himſelf, but that they are brought out of a wilderneſs of tryals, afflictions and temptations, ſpiritual or outward, to purge them, and make them white, Dan. 12. to bring them out of all confidence in themſelves; therefore wonder not at the perſecutions and troubles that befal the Churches and Saints this day in the world: God no doubt is doing ſome great work for his People, the Lord Jeſus hath his Fan in his hand, and will throughly purge his Floor, burn up the Chaffe, and gather his VVheat into his Garner: Let us not promiſe our ſelves a peaceable condition, we may fear that the Lord hath further wilderneſs tryals to bring us through, that he may purge out the Rebels, and thoſe that tranſgreſs, we may fear that we are a people ripe for judgement, when there is ſuch great ſins breaking out amongſt us, when there is ſo much Deviſion, Worldlineſs, &c. Let us not be ſecure, the Lord may juſtly carry us through a wilderneſs of ſore tryals, to purge his Churches of the Chaffe, and to take us off from the World, and confidence in his Ordinances, which we are too apt to lean upon.
Ʋſe 2. Inſtruction: We may here obſerve what it is that makes a Spouſe of Chriſt, or any Soul, an object of enquiry and admiration: Her leaning on her Beloved by Faith and love, this is the Glory, Beauty, and Excellency of any Church, or Spouſe of Chriſt, or Soul, to be much in the exerciſe of Faith and Love; Faith is that which gives Glory to God; Abraham gave glory to God by Believing, Rom 4.20. He ſtaggered not at the pr…m ſ… of God through unbelief, but was ſtrong in Faith giving Glory to God, That is therefore the eminency of any Church or Soul, to give Glory to God by Believing; thus Iob under all his afflictions and temptations, could believe that his Redeemer did live, and that he ſhould ſee him at the laſt day upon the Earth, which was an eminency in him; it's therefore I ſay, the eminency of any Church or Soul, to be ſtrong in Faith, it is a great diſhonour to God, and to Jeſus Chriſt, when Diſciples that have been long in the School of Chriſt, yet have but little Faith, how oft did the Lord Jeſus upbraid his Diſciples with this, Oh ye of little Faith, and ſometimes, how is it that you have no Faith? this is an eminency in a Chriſtian, when he can give much Glory to God by Believing, Chriſt delighteth in this, and admires the Faith of the Centurion, Mat. 8.10. VVhen Jeſus heard it he marvelled, and ſaid to them that followed; verily I ſay unto you, I have not found ſo great Faith no not in Iſrael, ver. 13. And Ieſus ſaid unto the Centurion, go thy way, and as thou haſt believed ſo be it done unto thee, and his Servant was healed in the ſelf ſame hour; In this life of Faith, the Apoſtle Paul was very eminent, when he ſaid, the life that I now live, I live by Faith in the Son of God, Pſal. 27.1, 2, 3. the ſtrength of his Faith was ſuch, that he ſaid, though an Hoſt ſhould encamp against me my heart ſhould not fai…, though war ſhould riſe againſt me, in this will I be confident; Faith gives God the Glory of his Power, faithfulneſs, mercy and grace, to lean and venture the whole Intereſt of the Soul for Eternity upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, notwithſtanding ſo many Sins, Corruptions and Temptations, this is a great and glorious work, this is our victory over the world, even our Faith, and this Faith is that which draws vertue from Jeſus Chriſt, which cauſeth the Soul to be in love with the Lord Jeſus, as we may ſee in the Spouſe, ſhe leaned upon her Beloved, upon his love to her, and the more becauſe ſhe felt his love to her; Oh the eminency of Faith and love, as the Apoſtle highly commends the Church of the Theſſalonians, 1 Theſſ. 1.2, 3. VVe give thanks to God alwayes for your work of Faith, and abou… of love, ſo Chap. 58. He calls Faith and Love the Breſt-plate, 1 Tim. 1.14. the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and Love, which is in Chriſt Ieſus, where ye ſee much Faith and Love, you may ſay, there is abundance of Grace in that Soul, 1 Pet. 1.8. VVhom having not ſeen yee love, in whom though now ye ſee him not, yet believing, ye rejoyce with joy unſpeakable and full of glory; This Love cauſeth the Soul to love the Holy God, his Holy Law, and alſo to love all the Saints of God, and this is far above nature, it argues a purified heart to love the Saints, as 1 Pet. 1.22 Seing ye have purified your Souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit, unto unfeigned love of the Brethren; ſee that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: Love is the fulfilling of the Law, and Faith worketh by love, theſe two Graces will be the glory of the Shulamite, the new Ieruſalem that is to come down from Heaven, and it is the beauty and glory of any Chriſtian; the want or defects in theſe graces is a great blemiſh in any Spouſe of Chriſt, or Chriſtian; let us therefore I ſay acknowledge the eminency of that Church or Soul that is much in the exerciſe of Faith and Love.
Ʋſe 3. Inſtruction: Here we may obſerve and ſee the ſafety of any Soul o… Church of Chriſt, to lean and ſtay it ſelf upon Jeſus Chriſt in Wilderneſs Tryals and Afflictions: So Caleb and Ioſhua, ſo long as they truſted in God and cleaved to him, the Lord was with them, and brought them into the promiſed Land, what can any Soul have to lean upon in an evil day of tryal, truſt not in Princes, or any Son of man, his breath is in his noſtrils, by ſtrength ſhall no man prevail: Confidence in Church Priviledges, if men truſt to them or Ordinances, yea if they cry the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, ſee what the Lord ſpeaketh to this very largely; Ier. 10. & Iſai. 48.1, 2. they call themſelves the Holy City, and ſtay themſelves upon the God of Iſrael, but not in Truth, all ſuch props as theſe will deceive them that lean upon them; but now for a Soul to lean upon Chriſt as her Beloved, in the enjoyment of all his Ordinances, ſuch a Soul may finde comfort herein, as Holy David, Pſal. 27.4, 5. One thing have I deſired of the Lord, that will I ſ…k after, that I may dwell in the Houſe of the Lord all the dayes of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his Holy Temple…. For in the time of trouble he ſhall hide me in his Pavillion, in: the ſecret of his Tabernacle ſhall he hide me, he ſhall ſet me upon a Rock.
Ʋſe. 4. Tryal: But would you be ſafe in times of Tryal and Affliction… 1. Conſider what intereſt you have in Jeſus Chriſt; can you lean and ſtay upon him alone, and ſay, he is my Rock, my only Refuge; have you choſen him as your Portion? your all in all? are all things dung and droſſe in compariſon of him? can you ſuffer the loſs of all for him? this is a true leaning upon Chriſt as your Beloved; but when the Soul wants an intereſt in Chriſt Jeſus, and hath not him to lean upon, whether will ſuch a Soul flee for help in times of tryal, trouble and diſtreſſes? there is then none but Chriſt, none but Chriſt that will ſuit the Soul, in this reſpect you may venture to lean upon him, he is able and willing to bear all the weight that is laid upon him; it doth therefore nearly concern every Soul to conſider what intereſt he hath in Jeſus Chriſt, what perſwaſion have you had of the alſufficiency, and grace, and mercy of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, have you tryed his alſufficiency? can you be perſwaded of the alſufficiency of one that you never tryed? but eſpecially conſider whether God hath drawn your heart to chuſe Jeſus Chriſt for your portion, for your ſtay and ſupport, for your all and in all, and that you have laid the whole weight of your Souls upon him, have you given up your ſelves to Chriſt to be at his diſpoſe? have you choſen and taken him for your Lord and Chriſt, and are you at his command? can you part with your deareſt Luſt and ſin as his command engages your Souls to do, and ſuffer any thing that he requires?
2. Conſider, is he your Beloved? do you lean upon Jeſus Chriſt as your Beloved, as he whom your Soul loveth, as he that is altogether beautiful and deſirable? is your greateſt delight in communion with God, ſo that if Chriſt ſhould ask you the Queſtion he asked Peter, Ioh. 2.1.17. Simon loveſt thou me more then theſe? can you then Anſwer, in truth Lord thou knoweſt all things, thou knoweſt that I love thee, do you love to be in the company of Jeſus Chriſt? do you love the Image of Chriſt wherever you ſee it? are you glad to do him any ſervice? do you love all that is Chriſts, his Ordinances, Word, Law, his Miniſters, Saints, if you take delight in theſe things, it is a ſign Chriſt hath loved you, and that you will lean upon Chriſt in the evil dayes; and bleſſed and happy is that Soul that can thus lean upon Chriſt her Beloved, when wilderneſs-tryals, troubles and afflictions comes upon them, all ſuch have Chriſt for their Head, and Husband, and Saviour, and are ſafe in his arms; where this is wanting conſider what we have, Iſai. 10.3. And what will ye do in the day of viſitation, and in the deſolation which ſhall come from far, to whom will ye flee for help, and where will you leave your glory?
Ʋſe 5. Exhortation: 1. To them that yet have no part in Chriſt; Labour for that Faith in, and Love to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that Chriſt may not ſhake you off in an evil day; what intereſt have you in the World that can reach your Souls to ſave them? what is there in Heaven or Earth that can ſave the Soul but only the Lord Jeſus Chriſt? He is able to ſave to the utmoſt all that come to God by him, Joh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting life, and he that believeth not the Sonſhall not ſee life, but the wrath of God abideth on him, Oh think oft of this Scripture, and conſider of the means of grace God hath ſo long afforded you, and how oft he hath been calling upon you, and knocking at the doors of your hearts: Oh take the ſeaſon while it laſts! Oh to day, to day, while it is called to day, harden not your hearts, leaſt God Sware in his wrath that you ſhall never enter into his reſt, Chriſt bad them walk in the light while they had the light, and immediately he withdrew himſelf from them; Oh do but forſake your ſin, all your ſins, and accept of the Lord Jeſus upon his own terms, and then you may venture to lean upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, he is able to bear the weight of all your Souls.
2. Branch, To the Spouſe of Chriſt: Be much in the exerciſe of Faith and Love: Firſt, Be much in the exerciſe of Faith, lean upon Chriſt as your Beloved, ſtay on him, reſt upon him, caſt all your burthen and care upon him, ſtrengthen your ſelves in him, you will need a ſtrong Faith in wilderneſs tryals that may befal us; conſider how weak we are without Faith in Chriſt, which will ſhield us againſt our potent enemies: Sathan and all the World, all other props are but as a broken Reed, whereon will you lean elſe; you have no righteouſneſs, no goodneſs, no wiſedome in your ſelves, where will you lean then if not upon Chriſt? what is there in the Creature that you may lean upon, all the things of the World are Vanity of vanities; therefore caſt your care and your burthen upon the Lord Jeſus who is able to ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen and ſettle you, he is able to bear all the weight that is laid upon him; do your ſins and corruptions trouble you, you may lay the weight of them upon the Lord Jeſus, he is able to bear them, you may caſt the care of your Souls upon him, ye may caſt the care of your Families, the care of your Children, you may caſt all upon him, he is able to bear the weight of all, he is the Rock of ages: Conſider who your Beloved is, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the God of Glory, the Redeemer and Saviour of his People, that Redeemeth Iſrael from all their Iniquities, If any man ſin we have an Advocate, 1 …ohn 2.1. He hath all Power in Heaven andEarth, he is the Soveraign Lord of all, you can be in no danger, but he is able to ſave, and he knows how to do it, for he is only wiſe, and he is faithful in all his promiſes, and he is very loving, he hath loved his with an everlaſting love, and from thence he hath given himſelf for us, and will not lofe any that come to him; whom he loveth he loveth to the end, believe much and you ſhall receive much, Chriſt ſaith to thee, be it as thou wilt, a Faith that will not be beaten off that hangs upon Chriſt for a bleſſing; and as Jacob will not let go without a bleſſing, ſhall ſurely have it, what can any believing Soul finde in Chriſt, that may not encourage him to lean upon him, he is the Saviour, the Head and Husband of his Church that takes care of them and that continually; he is the Redeemer of his People, that redeems them, not only from all their adverſities but from all their iniquities; Oh then venture upon Jeſus Chriſt, and let Faith overcome all your doubts, this Chriſt will accept of; conſider what encouragements a Believer hath to venture all upon Chriſt, we have encouragement from the Covenant of Grace, Ezek. 36.25, 26. Then will Iſprinkle clean water upon you, and ye ſhall be clean from all your ſilthineſs and from all your Idols will I cleanſe you, a new heart alſo will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the ſtony heart out of your fleſh, and I will give you an heart of fleſh, and I will put my Spirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my way, and I will write my Law in your inward parts, and I will put my fear into your hearts, and you ſhall not depart from me, and I will forgive your ſins, and remember them no more; & conſider how God hath confirmed this covenant even by his Oath, he hath Sworn by himſelf, that we might have ſtrong conſolation; and he hath confirmed it alſo by the Seals of the Covenant, the Lord hath given us two Seals, he hath ſet the Seal of Baptiſm to it, whereby God hath owned us for his, We are Baptized into the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, beſides he hath given us the bleſſed Supper of the Lord; Oh what a bleſſed Seal is that wherein the Lord offers a crucified Chriſt to us, with all his merits, he offers Chriſt with all the benefits and priviledges thereunto belonging; when Chriſt is offered, all his offered; this Ordinance it ſignifieth that ſpiritual nouriſhment your Souls may have by a crucified Chriſt, when the Lord ſaid, This is my Body which was broken for you, and this is my Blood which was ſhed for you, ſhall we be unbelieving notwithſtanding all this, and weak in the Faith, like Thomas, God forbid.
Laſtly, Be much in love to Jeſus Chriſt, that you may ſay, you lean upon your Beloved, is there not great cauſe that we ſhould love Chriſt dearly, that hath given himſelf to death for us; what love is due to him that dyed for us, where is there ſuch love to be found in the World? Oh what ardent love ſhould then be to the Lord Jeſus, therefore let us ſhew our love to him, and let our love be enflamed to him, let us be willing to dye for him that hath dyed for us, let us love him with all our hearts and ſouls, and all our might, that hath ſo greatly loved us.
THE Lord Jeſus his LEGACIE of PEACE, To Arm his Diſciples againſt Trouble and Fear: OR, A SERMON PREACHED BY Mr. JOHN ALLIN The late Reverend Paſtor of the Church of Chriſt in Dedham, Auguſt 13. 1671.
Being the laſt that he Preached before his Death, which was Auguſt 26. 1671.
Glory to God in the highest, on Earth peace, towards men good will, Luk. 2.14.
Cambridge: Printed in the Year 1672.