Looking Unto Jesus, Book 2 · Chapter 2 – Chapter 1

Looking Unto Jesus · Book 2 · Chapter 2 – Chapter 1

p. 38CHAP. II.

SECT. I. Of knowing Jeſus carrying on the Great work of our Salvation in that Eternity.

LOoking comprehends knowing, conſidering, deſiring, hoping, believing, loving, joying, calling upon Jeſus, and conforming to Jeſus. If then we will have an inward experimental Look upon Jeſus, we muſt act, and exerciſe all theſe particulars.

1. We muſt know Jeſus, carrying on the great work of our ſalvation in that eternity before all time. Come, learn what this Jeſus is, 1. In his relation to God, and ſo he is Gods Son, eternally begotten before all worlds. See above, and learn it throughly, who it is that was begotten, for the perſon, when it was for the time, how it was for the manner, and what was the mutual kindneſs and love of him that begot, and of him that was begotten: O the height and depth of this knowledge! 2. Come, learn what this Jeſus is in his relation to us before all worlds, and to that purpoſe ſtudy cloſe that great tranſaction betwixt God and Chriſt for our ſalvation. 1. Study that project of God, that he would glorifie his grace; and to this end, that he would predeſtinate Chriſt, and in Chriſt he would chooſe ſome of the ſouls of men, and amongſt the reſt, that he would chooſe thee, whom notwithſtanding ſin, he would make holy, and without blame before him in love. 2. Study the counſels of God concerning man before all worlds: O 'twas an hard queſtion, how ſin ſhould be pardoned, the ſinner reconciled, and yet God glorifie his juſtice? none but the wiſdome of God could ever find out a way to have had mercy on the man, and yet to take vengeance on the ſin; but herein appeared the depth of the riches both of the wiſdome and knowledge of God, he deviſed the way to tranſlate this mans ſin (ſuppoſe thine own ſins) on anothers perſon, who was able to bear them; & to intereſt this mans perſon (ſuppoſe thine own ſelf) in anothers righteouſneſs, who was able to cover him. 3. Study the foreknowledge of God, how the Lord knew his from everlaſting with a knowledge of love and approbation; after the project was laid, and the counſels of God were agreed upon it, then God fore-knew, or fore-ſaw whom to imbrace in his eternal love: And, O my ſoul, if thou art one of his, if God in Chriſt hath of his own free love ſet thee apart to life and ſalvation, then know it for thy ſelf, J…b 5 27.it is inward experimental knowledge we ſpeak of. 4. Study the purpoſe of God concerning thy ſalvation; this purpoſe of God ſpeaks the ſtability, and certainty of they ſalvation in Chriſt; his purpoſe is in, and from himſelf, who is God, and not man and therefore cannot repent;Numb. 23.19Num 23:19 hath he ſaid, and ſhall he not do it? hath he ſpoken, and ſhall he not make it good? 5. Study the decrees of God, they are all one with Predeſtination, the book of life, the ſeal of God: what hath the Lord decreed, predeſtinated, booked, ſealed thee for ſalvation?Pſal. 89 15.Ps 89:15 O how bleſſed is the people that know this joyful ſound! they ſhall walk in the light of they countenance, O Lord. 6. Study the Covenant of grace, remember how the buſineſs of eternity lay thus: here is every man loſt (ſaid God to his Son) but thou ſhalt in fulneſs of time go, and be born of fleſh and blood, and die for ſome of them, and ſatisfie my Juſtice, and they ſhall be thine for a portion,, and they ſhall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. To whom the Son anſwered, be it ſo Lord, I will go and fulfil thy pleaſure, and they ſhall be mine for ever. Obſerve, and be acquainted with this Covenant in that very Dialogue: firſt God demands of his Son that he lay down his life, and for his labour he promiſeth that he ſhall be his ſeed, and God ſhall give him many children.Iſa 53.10. Heb. 10.5, 9.Isa 53:10Heb 10:5Heb 10:9 And ſecondly, the Son conſents to lay down his life, and ſaith, here I am to do thy will O God, thou haſt given me a body. What, O my ſoul, that the Father and Chriſt ſhould tranſact a bargain from eternity concerning thee? that there ſhould be any communing betwixt the Father and the Son concerning thy happineſs and ſalvation? Surely this is worthy thy paines,Job 3.7.Job 3:7 and ſtudy; O hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

SECT. II. Of conſidering Jeſus in that reſpect.

2. VVE muſt conſider Jeſus, carrying on this work of ſalvation in that eternity. It is not enough to ſtudy, and know him, but according to the meaſure of p. 39Knowledg we have attained, we muſt ponder, and muſe, and meditate and conſider of him: now conſideration is an expatiating, and enlarging of the mind and heart on this or that ſubject: conſideration is a fixing of our thoughts, a ſtedfaſt bending of our minds to ſome ſpiritual matter, till it work on the affections, and converſation. We may know, and yet be inconſiderate of that we do know; but when the intention of our mind and heart is taken up about ſome one known object, and other things are not for the preſent taken notice of, this is conſideration. O that, if it were poſſible, we could ſo conſider Jeſus in this firſt period of eternity, as that for a while at leaſt we could forget all other things! Chriſtians! I beſeech you be dead to the world, be inſenſible of all other things, and look onelyonly on Jeſus; it is ſaid that men in a phrenzy are inſenſible of what you do to them, becauſe their minds are taken up about that which they apprehend ſo ſtrongly; and if ever there was any object made known to take up the mind of a ſpiritual man, it is this, even this: not but that other objects may be deeply and ſeriouſly minded of men; it is reported of Archimedes, who was a great Mathematician, that when the City was taken wherein he was, and the warlike inſtruments of death clattering about his ears, and all was in a tumult, yet he was ſo buſie about drawing his lines, that he heard no noiſe, nor did he know there was any danger: but if ſuch objects as thoſe could take up the intention of his mind, ſo as not to regard other things, how much more ſhould this conſideration of Chriſt? If a carnal heart, a man that minds earthly things, be ſo taken up about them, becauſe they are an object ſuitable to him, how much more ſhould a gracious heart, that can ſee into the reality of theſe things of God & Chriſt from everlaſting, be ſo taken up with them as to mind nothing elſe? come then, O my ſoul, and ſet thy conſideration on work, as thus.—

1. Conſider Jeſus: in his relation to God, how he was the eternal Son of the Father: I know in ſome reſpects we have little reaſon thus to look on Jeſus: as we are ſinners, and fallen from God, there is no looking on an abſolute Deity: alas, that Majeſty (becauſe perfectly and eſſentially good) is no other then an enemy to ſinners as ſinners; ſo as we are ſinners, and fallen from God, there is no looking on the Son of God; I mean on the Son of God, conſidered in the notion of his own eternal being, as coequal, and coeſſential to God the Father: Alas! our ſin hath offended his juſtice, which is himſelf: and what have we to do with that dreadful power, which we have provoked? But conſidering Jeſus as Jeſus, which ſounds a Saviour to all ſinners believing on him: and that this Jeſus containes the two natures of Chriſt, both the God-head, & man-hood; now we that have our intereſt in him, may draw neer,Heb, 1.3. and (as we are capable) behold the brightneſs of his glory. To this purpoſe the Scriptures have diſcovered to us God the Son, how he is the ſecond perſon in the Trinity, having the foundation of perſonal ſubſiſtence from the Father alone, of whom by communication of his eſſence he is begotten from all eternity; when there were no depths I was brought forth,—before the mountains were ſetled, and before the hills I was brought forth. Ante colles genita eram,Prov. 8.24 25Prov 8:24 before the mountains I was begotten, as ſome; or, ante colles filiata eram, before the mountains I was ſonned his ſon, as others tranſlate it.—why thus O my ſoul, conſider Jeſus, the Son of God, but in this conſideration be not too curious; thou heareſt of the generation of the Son, and of the proceſſion of the Holy Ghoſt, but for the manner how the Father begets the Son, or how the Father and Son do ſpire, and ſend forth the Holy ſpirit, be not too buſie to enquire; thou mayeſt know a little, and conſider a little, but for the depth and main of this great myſtery of grace, let the generation of the Son of God be honoured with ſilence. I remember one being too curious, and too inquiſitive,Aug. lib 1 confeſſ c. 12. what God was doing on that long Evum of eternity before he made the world? it was anſwered, he decreed to make hell for ſuch curious inquiſitors. Be not therefore too nice in this conſideration: keep within bounds of ſobriety and humility; and then as thou art able to comprehend, the Scriptures will diſcover that before God made the world in that long-long Evum of eternity, he was doing theſe things,—

1. Some things in relation to himſelf.

2. Some things in relation to his creatures.

1. Some things in relation to himſelf; and thoſe things were either proper, or common to the three perſons. 1. The things proper to each of the perſons were thoſe internal, incommunicable actions of God, as 1. To beget; and that belongs onelyonly to the Father, who is neither made, nor created, nor begotten of any. 2. To be begotten; and that belongs onelyonly to the Son, who is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. 3. To proceed from both; and that belongs onelyonly to the Holy p. 40Ghoſt, who is of the Father, and the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. And theſe were Gods actions in that eternity before all worlds: the Father was begetting God the Son: the Son was begotten of God the Father, the Holy Ghoſt was proceeding from God the Father, and God the Son. But what, were theſe actions of God, never in action during all that eternity? yes; as they are called internal actions, ſo they are permanent; look as the Sun doth alwayes beget his beams, and both Sun and beams do ſend forth the heats: So the Father from all eternity ever did, and now doth, and ever will beget his Son, and both the Father and the Son ever did and now do, and ever will aſpire and breath forth the Holy Ghoſt: And therefore Orig…n ſaith well,O…g h…. …in Je…m. Heb. .3 Prov. 8.25Prov 8:25 Our Jeſus is the brightneſs of Gods glory; now the brightneſs of glory is not once begotten, and then afterwards leaves to be begotten; but as often as the glory riſeth from whence the brightneſs ſpringeth, ſo often doth the brightneſs of glory ariſe. Before the hills, was I brought forth. Some tranſlate thus, ante colles generat, and not as others, generavit me, before the mountains were ſetled he begetteth me. Surely the Son of God is ever begetting, and the Holy Spirit is ever proceeding.

2. The things common to the three perſons in that eternity were thoſe internal actions of God, wherein the three perſons did communicate: as 1. That one was in another, and poſſeſſed one another; the Father remaining with the Son, the Son with the Father, and the Holy Ghoſt in,P ov. 8.22 John 1.1 John 14.10John 1 and with them both. Thus we read of Chriſt, the Lord poſſeſſed me, in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. And in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God. And I am in the Father, and the Father in me. 2. That one glorified another,John 17 5.John 17:5 the Father glorified the Son, and the Son glorified the Father, and the holy Ghoſt glorified both the Father and the Son: And now, O Father, glorifie thou me with thine own ſelf, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

3. That one delighted in another, the Father delighted in the Son, the Son delighted in the Father,Prov. 8.30Prov 8:30 and the Holy Ghoſt delighted in them both; then I was by him, as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight, rejoycing alwayes before him. I was daily his delight, in the Original, delights intimating that the Son was variety of delights unto his Father: rejoycing alwayes before him, Chriſt ſpeaks in terms very quaint and familiar, alwayes rejoycing, q. d. greatly ſporting: it is a Metaphor or ſimile taken from little ones which ſport and play before their parents. O ſee how the Father and the Son rejoyce in one anothers fellowſhip: nay, ſee how they ſpend that long eternity before the creation in nothing but reioycing and delights: The Father delights in his Son, and the Son rejoyceth in his Father. Conſider O my Soul, thou haſt ſometimes had a tickling to know, what God was a doing before the Creation? why now be ſober, and ſatisfied with this knowledge: God ſpent all that time (if I may call it time) in delighting himſelf in Jeſus; why, this was Gods work to delight in his Son, and he ſo delighted in him, that he deſired no other pleaſure than the company and beholding of him; which accordingly he twice told from heaven, while Chriſt was on earth, ſaying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleaſed: —in whom I am well pleaſed. The firſt ſound was at his Baptiſme, Matth. 3.17. and the ſecond at his tranſfiguration, Mat. 17.5.

2. Some other things God was a doing in relation to his creatures; they will fall in at our next conſideration: only this by the way. As God and Chriſt rejoyced in the fruition of one another without communicating the notice thereof to any creature; ſo in the next verſe we find them rejoycing in the ſalvation of men:Prov. 8.3….Prov 8:3 and my delights were with the ſons of men. Amidſt the other conſiderations, O my ſoul think of this: what, that God from all eternity ſhould delight in thy ſalvation; why this conſideration ſets out to purpoſe the heart and deſire of God to ſave thy ſoul: for, 1. Delights ariſe out of the ſtrongeſt and choyceſt deſires; men are pleaſed with many things in which they delight not. 2 God and Chriſt are mentioned here to delight in this work, and in no other work of theirs, not in the Angels, not in the world, nor in any thing in it. 3. This their delight is mentioned next to their delighting in each other. 4. This delight is aforehand, whileſt Gods heart was only in the expectation, and his mind but laying the plot of thy ſalvation, all theſe argue how great a matter this was in Gods eſteem, and how much his heart was in it, even from everlaſting. O let theſe fall into thy conſideration?

2. Conſider Jeſus meerly in his relation to us: conſider him in that great tranſaction betwixt God and him for our ſalvation. And that we may ſettle our thoughts, and dwell here,—

p. 411. Conſider the Project. The great God having entertained thoughts within himſelf, to communicate himſelf out of his aloneneſs everlaſting, he layes this plot, that all he would do in that reſpect, it ſhould be to the praiſe of the glory of his grace. Epheſ. 2.6Eph 2:6O my ſoul conſider, meditate and muſe on this plot of the Almighty; it is contained by the Apoſtle in a very few words, do thou weigh them all: here is, 1. The Praiſe. 2. The glory. 3. Of his Grace. 1. Praiſe is a ſetting forth of this or that, by word, or deed, or geſture; it containes in it reverend reſpect, an high eſteem, a ſtrong admiration. 2. Glory is the glorious being, or eſſence of God, the glory of God in himſelf. Sometimes we read of the glory of his power, that is, his glorious eſſence which is moſt powerful, and ſometimes of the glory of his Majeſty, that is, his glorious eſſence which is moſt Majeſtical;2 Theſ. 1.9 Iſa. 2.16 Epheſ. 1.6.2 Thess 1:9Isa 2:16Eph 1:6 and ſometimes of the glory of his grace, that is, his glorious eſſence, which is moſt gracious and merciful; but, 3. Why the glory of his grace? mercy and grace meet both in love, only they differ thus, mercy is love as it helps the miſerable, and grace is love as it gives good things, freely without deſert; here then is the great deſigne which God from everlaſting carried on, that the glorious eſſence of his free love, free-grace, ſhould be eſpecially manifeſted to his Saints, that ſo thy might admire it, eſteem it, honour it, and ſound forth the praiſes of it. All the other deſignes of God were but ſubſervient unto this. Some reckon up three great deſignes of the Almighty communicating himſelf; as 1. The glory of his Saints. 2. The glory of Chriſt. 3. The glory of himſelf, and eſpecially the glory of his grace. 1. That his Saints ſhould be glorious, and to that purpoſe he made heaven and earth, and he makes them Lord of all,1 Cor. 3.21 verſ 23. 2 Theſ. 1.101 Cor 3:212 Thess 1:10 all things are yours. 2. That Chriſt ſhould be glorious, and to that purpoſe he makes the Saints, and gives them to Chriſt, all things are yours, and you are Chriſts. And certainly ſaith the Apoſtle, at the laſt day, Chriſt ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe. 3. That God himſelf ſhould be glorified; he made all things for himſelf. —Bring my ſons from farre, and my daughters from the ends of the earth, even every one that is called by my name, for I have created him for my glory. Prov. 16.4 Iſa. 43.6.7.Prov 16:4Isa 43:6Isa 43:7Now this is the high deſigne of God, to which all the reſt are ſubſervient; mark the ſteps, all things are yours, and you are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods (i.) For God, and for his glory: the two former deſignes are to which, but not for which God worketh: he that buildeth an houſe, that he may lay a ſure foundation, and that he may raiſe the frame, he gives it the due filling which belongs to it: but theſe are not his proper ends, his main deſigne: but that he may have an houſe for his habitation: So God works, many things to our glory, and that in us Chriſt may be glorious; but the proper end, that high deſigne which he hath in all, it is his own glory. And yet O my ſoul, conſider a little further, the plot of our ſalvation, of the Saints glory, and of Chriſts glory, as it aimes at the glory of God, ſo eſpecially at the glory of his grace: As if we ſee that one doth this or that in wiſdom, it is the glory of his wiſdome: if he do it in ſtrength or power, it is the glory of his power: if he do it out of grace, it is the glory of his grace: ſo God deſigned the ſalvation of our ſoules out of his meer grace, favour, love, he muſt needs intend to have his grace notified in us, and to have it (being known) accordingly admired, and praiſed, and honored by us; not but that God muſt be glorified in his wiſdome, power, juſtice, holineſs, and his other attributes; ay, but eſpecially in this, it is the grace of God in which he moſt delighteth, even as vertuous Kings affect, above all their other vertues, to be had in honour for their clemency, and bounty. So it is with our God the King of Kings, Lord of Lords; all he doth is to this end, that his grace may be manifeſted to his greater glory. And to this end is the glory of Chriſt, and the glory of Chriſtians referred. Why Lord, that this ſhould be thy plot, to ſave my ſoul, that my ſoul ſhould praiſe the glory of thy grace? that thy grace ſhould before all worlds think on me for good? O how ſhould I but think on thee, and thy free-grace? How ſhould I but admire it, adore it, praiſe it, exalted it above Sun and Moon, and Starres? how ſhould I but cry out with the Apoſtle, Oh the depth of the riches of thy grace! for of him, Rom. 11.36Rom 11:36and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever, and ever, Amen.

2. Conſider the counſels of God about thy ſalvation:Epheſ. 1.11Eph 1:11 he worketh all things after the counſell of his own will: and with him is counſel, and with him is underſtanding. This counſel (as we have diſcovered) was primarily about that reconciliation of the riches of his grace, and the glory of juſtice. Conſider this, O my ſoul, thy ſin put all the attributes of God to a kind of conflict; hereupon was that great and mighty counſel▪ how God ſhould make way for his love and goodneſs, and yet ſatisfie his truth, and juſtice? at laſt the wiſdome of God found out that glorious and wonderful expedient, p. 42the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Rom 3.25Rom 3:25is not this the meaning of the Apoſtle? whom God hath ſet forth to be a propitiation through faith in his Blood, to declare his righteouſneſs for the remiſſion of ſins. Pouder, and weigh theſe words! God ſets not forth Chriſt to be a propitiation to declare only his mercy in the forgiveneſs of ſinnes: how? is there any thing but mercy in the forgiveneſs of ſins: yes, there is ſomething elſe, there is righteouſneſs alſo, and therefore he hath ſet forth Chriſt to be a propitiation, that he might declare his righteouſneſs; v rſ. 26.nay, ſee it repeated, to declare I ſay his righteouſneſs, that he might be juſt, and the juſtifier of him which believeth in Jeſus: not that he might be merciful, but that he might be juſt in juſtifying him that believeth in Jeſus. This Text Luther had a great deal ado to underſtand, and he prayed much, before he could get the right meaning of it.

This is the great myſtery of the Goſpel; no wonder if a poor man could not reach it: This is that which ſet the infinite wiſdome of God on work from all eternity, how to find a way to ſave ſinners, and to be infinitely righteous notwithſtanding. — Nay, yet O my ſoul conſider, a little further; not only is the mercy of God in this way glorified, but the glory of his juſtice is as much, yea more then if the ſinner were eternally damned: — It is made good thus.—

1. When God appointed a ſurety, his Son, and charged our debts upon him to ſatisfie his juſtice: in that God would not ſpare his Son the leaſt farthing token, I mean, not the leaſt degree of puniſhment; hereby the Lord ſhewes a ſtronger love to juſtice then if he had damned ten thouſand, thouſand creatures. Suppoſe a Malefactor comes before a Judge, the Judg will not ſpare the Malefactor, but commands ſatisfaction to the Law; this ſhewes that the Judge loves juſtice: but if the Judges own Son be a delinquent, and it appears before all the Country, that the Judge will not ſpare him, the Judge now doth more honour juſtice in this, than in condemning a thouſand others: So when the Lord ſhall caſt many thouſands to Hell there to be tormented for ever, and ever, and ever, this ſhewes that God loves juſtice; but when his own Son ſhall take our ſins upon him, and God will not ſpare him, (that is the very word in the Scripture,Rom. 8.32Rom 8:32 he ſpared not his own Son) this, ſurely this declares Gods love to righteouſneſs more than if all the World ſhould be Damned.

2. Suppoſe the ſinner that is reconciled had been Damned, then the juſtice of God had been but in ſatisfying, and never had been fully ſatisfyed: but in that way that God hath found out to ſave a ſinner, his juſtice is not onelyonly ſatisfying, but it comes fully to be ſatisfied, to have enough. As for inſtance; ſuppoſe a man to be a creditor to one, who owes him 100000 l. this man is poor, and the utmoſt he can pay is but a penny a day; ſuppoſe the creditor ſhould lay him in the Goale until he had paid the utmoſt farthing, it is true he would be receiving day after day, but he would never be paid ſo long as the debtor lives; now if another rich man ſhould come, and lay down an 100000 l. at once, the creditor is preſently ſatisfied. Why here is the difference betwixt Gods ſatisfying his Juſtice upon ſinners, and upon Jeſus Chriſt; God comes upon the ſinner, and requires the debt of puniſhment, becauſe he did not pay the debt of obedience: God caſts him into Priſon, and the utmoſt he can pay, is but (as it were) a penny a day; and hence the poor ſinner muſt ſtill be paying, and paying, and paying to Eternity: this is the ground of their Eternal puniſhment in Hell, becauſe in any finite time they can never pay enough: But now comes Jeſus Chriſt, and he fully payes the debt at once, ſo that juſtice ſaith, I have enough, I am ſatisfied: Surely this is the greater Glory to the very juſtice of God.

Theſe were the counſels of God from all Eternity, how he ſhould make way for his love and goodneſs, and yet ſatisfie his Truth and Juſtice. O my ſoul, conſider and wonder! Jeſus Chriſt was the Expedient, and in Chriſt not only Gods mercy, but his juſtice is Exalted, yea more Exalted, and more Glorified in thy ſalvation, then ever it could have been in thy Damnation.

3 Conſider the fore-knowledge of God; he knew from everlaſting whom he would ſet apart for life and ſalvation. All the Saints of God from firſt to laſt, they were then preſent to him, and before him, and he did look on them in his Beloved Chriſt. Before there was a World, or a man, or any creature in it, he fore-knew Adam, and Abraham, and Iſaac and Jacob, and all the Patriarchs, and all the Prophets, and all the Apoſtles, & all the Diſciples of Chriſt, and Believers in Chriſt; And O my ſoul, if thou art one of Gods Elect, he foreknew thee with a knowledge of love and approbation, he had thee in his Eye,Rom. 9.11Rom 9:11 and Heart: he had thoughts on Jacob, when he was yet unborn, and had done p. 43neither good nor evil. Aſſure thy ſelf, the Lord works not without previſion or fore-knowledge of the things effected; that cannot be in God, which is not to be found in a wiſe and prudent man; he that builds an houſe hath the frame of it firſt in himſelf: and the Pſalmiſt tells thee, that the eyes of God did ſee thy ſubſtance yet being unperfect: Pſal. 139.16 Rom. 9.13Ps 139:16Rom 9:13in this Book of knowledge were all thy members written, when as yet there was none of them! yea, he knew thee with a knowledge of ſingular love; he embraced thee in his Eternal love, as it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Eſau have I hated▪ … will not ſay, that this love was actually beſtowed on thee till due time, yet it was prepared for thee from all Eternity: and hence it is called, an everlaſting love; The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, Jer. 31.3Jer 31:3ſaying, I have loved thee with an everlaſting love, therefore with loving kindneſs have I drawn thee.

O muſe, and meditate, and ponder on this love! it contains in it theſe particulars: as, 1. The eternal good will of God: what elſe is the love of God towards the Elect, but his everlaſting good will to ſhew them mercy, to do them good, and to ſave their ſouls? hence the Angels ſung that Antheam at Chriſts birth, Glory to God in the higheſt, Luk. 2.14Luke 2:14and on earth peace, good will towards men. 2. The Eternal pleaſure and delight of God in the ſons of men; the greateſt delight that God hath, or ever had, it is in communicating himſelf to his Son firſtly, and next unto his Saints: nay, ſuch delight he takes in letting out his mercy to his Saints: as that he was well-pleaſed with the death of his own Son, as a means conducing thereunto. O wonderfull! one would think that the death of Chriſt ſhould be the moſt abhorring to the heart of God of any thing in the world, and yet ſaith the Scripture, It pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him; Iſa. 53.10Isa 53:10he took a pleaſure and delight in the very bruiſing of Jeſus Chriſt: the Lord ſaw this was the way for him to communicate himſelf in the fulneſs of his grace unto his Saints, and therefore though it coſt him ſo dear as the death of his own Son, yet he was well-pleaſed with it. 3. This love of God contains in it a fore-knowledg and approbation of all thoſe effects of his love, whether they be temporal concerning this life, or Eternal concerning the life to come. Concerning theſe effects of his love, ſaith John, 1 John 3.11 John 3:1Behold what manner of love the Father hath beſtowed upon us, that we ſhould be called the ſons of God. q. d. Behold it, ſtand amazed at it, that children of wrath ſhould become the ſons of the moſt high God: for a beggar on the dunghil, a vagabond, a runnagate from God, a prodigal, a ſtranger to God, whom the Lord had no cauſe to think on, to be made a Son of God Almighty, O divine love! Pauſe a while, and muſe on this! O my ſoul, that God ſhould fore-know thee from all Eternity with a knowledg of love and approbation, it is admirable to conſider, I ſay it is admirable to conſider.

4. Conſider the purpoſe of God concerning thy ſalvation:1 Theſ. 5 91 Thess 5:9 God hath not appointed (or purpoſed) us wrath, but to obtain ſalvation by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. As when we have a will to do any thing, there follows upon this in the mind a ſetled purpoſe to effect it; ſo when God hath loved ſome to life, there is in God a ſetled purpoſe of bringing them to it: that the purpoſe of God according to Election might ſtand, or be ſure;Rom. 9.11Rom 9:11 it imports Gods ſtability, and ſteadineſs, and conſtancy, and firmneſs in ſaving ſouls. There is much inconſtancy and fickleneſs in the love of man, or in the love of a woman, but the love of God to his people is a ſteady love; as the Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride, Iſa. 62.5Isa 62:5ſo ſhall thy God rejoyce over thee; not only ſo doth thy God, but ſo ſhall thy God rejoyce over thee. Gods purpoſes are without any alteration, the love of Chriſt after thouſands of years is ſtill as the love of a Bridegroom upon the wedding day; indeed then ordinarily love is hot, and appears much; ſo is Chriſts love, and ſo is Gods love ever hot; there is no moment of time from Eternity to Eternity wherein God rejoyceth not over his Saints, as the Bridgroom over his Bride; not only as an husband over his wife, but as a Bridegroom over his Bride, we may ſay of this purpoſe of God, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever ſhall be World without end.

O my ſoul, muſe and meditate on this purpoſe of God, Iſa. 55.3Isa 55:3and by conſequence on the ſure mercies of David; it may be it is not always alike ſure to thee; the love of God as the ſhining of the Sun doth not always in the fruits of it ſhining out ſo gloriouſly, but the Sun keeps his courſe in a ſteady way: what though it be ſometimes clouded? what though at times it ſhine not ſo gloriouſly as at high-noon? yet the purpoſe of God according to Election muſt ſtand. All the Devils in Hell cannot fruſtrate Gods purpoſe concerning only one ſoul:John 6.39John 6:39 this is the Fathers will which ſent me (ſaith Chriſt) that of all which he hath given me I ſhould loſe none.

5. Conſider Gods decree concerning thy ſouls ſalvation, and the means to it. As the p. 44purpoſe of God, ſo the decree of God ſpeaks the ſtability and certainty of the thing decreed. The foundation of God ſtandeth ſure; 2 Tim. 2.162 Tim 2:16(i) The decree of God touching mans Salvation is unchangable. If the Laws of the Medes and Perſians were ſo abſolute, that they could not be reverſed, then much leſs can the decrees of God be reverſed: no man that is not Elected can be Elected; and no man that is Elected can poſſibly be damned. My ſheep hear my voice (ſaith Chriſt) and I give unto them eternal life, and they ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any man pluck t… out of my hand. And it muſt needs be ſo, for Gods decree is grounded on the Eternal and unchangable will of God; and hence we ſay that there is a certain number of the Elect known only to God, which cannot poſſibly be encreaſed or diminiſhed.John 13 18John 13:18 I know whom I have choſen, ſaith Chriſt. And yet thou canſt not, O my ſoul, hence infer, that thou mayeſt be ſecure; for in this decree the end and the means are joyned together of God, and they cannot be ſeparated by any man: if thou beeſt not godly, never expect to be happy: Gods decree of Predeſtination is as well for the giving of grace, as for the giving of glory.

6. Conſider the Covenant ſtruck betwixt God and Chriſt for thy ſalvation. If thou wouldſt fain be acquainted with the very Articles of it, go on then, take Scripture along, and firſt on Gods part thou mayeſt obſerve, and meditate, and conſider of theſe particulars. —

1. That there was a deſignation and appointment of Chriſt from all Eternity to the office of Mediatorſhip:John 6.27 Iſa. 42 1John 6:27Isa 42:1 whence Chriſt is ſaid to be ſealed by the Father, for him hath God the Father ſealed: and choſen of the Father, behold my ſervant whom I uphold, mine Elect, or choſen one.

2. There was a commandment from the Father to the Son, which he muſt obey, and ſubmit unto. As firſt, he had a command what to teach his people, as the Prophet of the Church,John 12.49.John 12:49 for I have not ſpoken of my ſelf (ſaith Chriſt) but the Father which ſent me, he gave me a commandment, what I ſhould ſay, and what I ſhould ſpeak. Secondly, he had a commandment to lay down his life fore thoſe that were given him,John 10.18John 10:18 no man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my ſelf; I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this Commandment have I received of my Father.

3. There was a Promiſe from the Father to the Son: the Father covenants with him in theſe things;Iſa. 42.1.Isa 42:1 firſt, that he will give him the Spirit in abundance. Behold my ſervant whom I uphold;—I have put my Spirit upon him, he ſhall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Iſa 11.1, 2Isa 11:1Isa 11:2—And the Spirit of the Lord ſhall reſt upon him, the Spirit of wiſdom and underſtanding, the Spirit of counſel and might, the Spirit of knowledg, and of the fear of the Lord. Secondly, that he will give him aſſiſtance and help in this great work of Redemption. I the Lord have called thee in righteouſneſs, Iſa. 42.6Isa 42:6and will hold thy hand; what's that? why, I will ſtrengthen thee with my power, I will ſo hold thy hand that thou ſhalt not be diſcouraged in the work;Iſa 42.4Isa 42:4 He ſhall not fail, nor be diſcouraged tell he have ſet judgment upon the Earth. Thirdly, that he will give him a bleſſed ſucceſs, that he ſhall not labour in vain,Iſa. 53 10, 11Isa 53:10Isa 53:11 he ſhall ſee his ſeed, he ſhall prolong his days, and the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hands: he ſhall ſee of the travail of his ſoul, and ſhall be ſatisfied. Chriſts ſuffering were as a womans travail, though ſhe ſuffer many pains and pangs, yet ſhe ſees her Child at laſt; ſo ſhall Chriſt ſee many believing on his Name: they are the promiſe made by the Father to the Son,Iſa. 55.5Isa 55:5 that Nations that know him not ſhall run unto him. Fourthly, that he will give him and his Redeemed ones everlaſting glory; to Chriſt himſelf there is a promiſe of glory, he hath gloryfied thee. And to the Members of Chriſt there is a promiſe of glory; and this promiſe of glory to them was made known to Chriſt from everlaſting: it was one of the ſecrets of God, and Chriſt brings out that ſecret from the boſome of his Father,Luk. 12.32Luke 12:32 and reveals it to his Diſciples. It is my Fathers pleaſure (ſaid he) to give you the Kingdom; Chriſt knew his Fathers will by the Covenant paſſing betwixt his Father and him, and this will of the Father concerning glory promiſed to the Saints Chriſt doth bring forth to light. Theſe were the Articles of the Covenant on Gods part; now O my ſoul, ſee them on Chriſts part in theſe particulars.—

1. There was an acceptation of the office to which he was deſigned by the Father; he did not take the office of Mediatorſhip upon himſelf, but firſt the Father calls him to it,Heb. 5.5 Heb. 1.10.7Heb 5:5Heb 1:10Heb 1:7 and then the Son accepts it: Chriſt glorified not himſelf to be made an high Prieſt, but he that ſaid unto him, thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee; he called him, and then the Son anſwered, Lo I come.

2. There was a promiſe on Chriſts part to depend and truſt upon God for help: And again I will put my truſt in him, they are the words of Chriſt to his Father. And Iſaiah p. 45brings in Chriſt as looking for help from God, for the Lord God will help me, Heb. 2.13. Iſa. 50.7, 8, 9 Iſa. 59.5Heb 2:13Isa 50:7Isa 50:8Isa 50:9Isa 59:5therefore ſhall I not be confounded — And behold the Lord will help me, who is he that ſhall condemn me? whereto agrees that other paſſage, and my God ſhall be my ſtrength.

3. There was a promiſe of ſubmiſſion to his Fathers will in bearing the reproaches and injuries that ſhould be done to him, and to lay down his life for thoſe, that were given to him by the Father: the Lord God opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, Iſa. 50.5, 6Isa 50:5Isa 50:6neither turned away back, I gave my back to the ſmiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair, I hid not my Face from ſhame and ſpitting, John 10.17John 10:17and therefore my Father loves me becauſe I lay down my life. Chriſt firſt thus Covenanted with his Father, and then he was careful to diſcharge the ſame, and at laſt he tells God,John 17.4John 17:4 I have finiſhed the work which thou gaveſt me to do.

4. There was an earneſt expectation of that glory which the Father promiſed Chriſt and his members: And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own ſelf, John 17.5 John 17.24.John 17:5John 17:24with the glory which I had with thee before the World was. And Father, I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou haſt given me, for thou lovedſt me before the Foundation of the World.—Theſe were the Articles of the Covenant on Chriſts part, and hence it is that God is called the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, viz. by reaſon of the Covenant.Epheſ. 1.3Eph 1:3

O my ſoul, with what delight mayeſt thou conſider, muſe, and ponder on theſe Articles? what, that God ſhould make a Covenant, and enter into theſe, and theſe Articles with his own Son for thy good, and for thy Eternal good? what, that God ſhould bring in the ſecond perſon in the Trinity to be the head of the Covenant as on thy part? what a mercy is this? O run over and over this meditation, a thouſand, and a thouſand times! O conſider thy hope of Eternal life, which God, that cannot lye, Tit. 1.2Titus 1:2promiſed before the world began! If thy ſoul queſtion what promiſe was there made before the World began? to whom was the promiſe made? who was there before the World began for God to make any promiſe to? why now thou haſt learned it was only to the Son of God, the ſecond perſon in the Trinity. There was a moſt bleſſed tranſaction between God the Father and God the Son, before the world began, for thy everlaſting good; and upon that tranſaction depends all thy hope, and all thy ſalvation. O this is worthy of thy deep, and ſad, and ſerious, and inmoſt meditation. I have been particular and large in this paſſage of Looking unto, or conſidering Jeſus, but I ſhall be brief in the reſt.

SECT. III. Of deſiring after Jeſus in that reſpect.

3. VVE muſt deſire after Jeſus carrying on the great work of our ſalvation in that Eternity. It is not enough to know & conſider, but we muſt deſire. Now, deſire is a paſſion looking after the attainment of ſome good which we enjoy not, and which we imagine to be fitting for us. In this reſpect we cannot deſire after Jeſus, as now to carry on that work of our ſalvation before the World began, for that work is already perfectly done; But theſe things we may deſire after, as, 1. After the manifeſtation of that work in us. 2. After God and Chriſt the complotters and actors of that great work for us. 3. After the full and utmoſt execution, whereby God effectually works in time according to all his workings, or decrees before time.

1. We muſt deſire after the manifeſtation of this work in us. We have heard of marvellous, excellent, glorious things done by Jeſus Chriſt for his Saints from all Eternity; & oh what deſires now ſhould be in us to know that we are of that number? when I hear and conſider that there was ſuch a project, and ſuch counſels, and ſuch love, and ſuch a purpoſe, and ſuch decrees, and ſuch a Covenant betwixt God and Chriſt for ſalvation of ſouls; and withal, that they are but few in compariſon concerning whom God and Chriſt hath all this care, will not this whet on my deſires? and make me cry, and cry again, Oh that theſe loves were mine! how happy were I, if I had a ſhare in theſe eternal thoughts of God? Methinks we ſhould not hear of ſuch tranſactions, but it ſhould ſtir up our hearts in infinite deſires; methinks we ſhould pant after aſſurance, and ſtill be wiſhing, Oh what is truth? and what is Chriſt? and what did Chriſt for me before I was, or before the World was? I would I knew him, I would I could enjoy him, I would I were aſſured that he had one good thought of me in that Eternity! Chriſtians! if you have any ſhare in thoſe tranſactions, ſooner or later you will feel theſe deſires? nay, if my ſinful p. 46heart deceive me not, upon the very conſideration of theſe things I feel my ſelf another creature in my deſires then I was before. Tell me, you that have took a full view of God & Chriſt, and of all theſe wonders of Eternity: do you not ſenſibly differ from your ſelves in your affections? Is not the world, worldly pleaſures, worldly profits, and worldly honours fallen too; yea, ten in an hundred with you? have they not loſt their price? would you not rather be aſſured that your names are written in the Book of Life, then to have all the world yours; yea, and all the Devils in Hell ſubject to your commands? Certainly, if theſe revelations work nothing in your hearts, if your affections be ſo ſtrong and hearty to the world, and the vanities of it; if your deſires be ſo impure, and ſtrongly working downwards, that Gods ancient loves, and everlaſting workings, have no power on your hearts, it is a very ſad condition. If David may have his wiſh, it runs thus, Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us; he would have the manifeſtation of Gods Eternal love;Pſa. 4.6Ps 4:6 one ſmile of his countenance (as an image of that countenance which God had towards him before the world began) was more gladneſs to his heart, then all that which the men of the world had, in the time that their corn, and their wine increaſed.

2. We may and muſt deſire after God and Chriſt, the complotters and actors of that great work for us; what, hath the Goſpel revealed this truth, that before the Creation God and Chriſt were buſied about our good? yea, and hath Chriſt eſpecially, that came out of the boſom of his Father, & brought the treaſures of his Fathers counſel to the world, diſcovered ſuch love to men? how then ſhould our deſires be after God in Chriſt? Whom have I in heaven but thee? Pſa. 73.35Ps 73:35& there is none upon earth that I deſire beſides thee. A right beholding of Chriſt in his eternal workings, will cauſe a deſire of Chriſt above all deſires; the heart now thirſts for nothing but him that is all, all power, all love, all holineſs, all happineſs: tell ſuch a ſoul of the world, and gold, and glory; O what are theſe? the ſoul will quickly tell you,Phil. 3.8Phil 3:8 the world is dung, and gold is dung, & glory is dung, all is but loſs & dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord. Give me God, & Chriſt, ſaith the ſoul, or I die; Oh my deſires are to him who hath done all this for me. Is not this the period ſtill of thy expreſſion at the end of every diſcourſe, would Chriſt were mine? thou heareſt it may be, ſome worldings talk, ſuch a one, and ſuch a one hath got ſo much in theſe times; he that was yeſterday as poor as Lazarus, he is this day like that nameleſs rich man, cloathed in purple, Luk. 16.19.Luke 16:19and fine linnen, and faring ſumptuouſly every day; ay, but doſt not thou reply either in word or heart, would Chriſt were mine, and then I had got more then he? Poor ſoul, doſt thou not gaſp only after Chriſt, when thou fetcheſt (as I may ſay) the very deepeſt breath? canſt thou read over the generation of Jeſus the Son of God, the time when he was begotten, the manner of his begetting, the mutual kindneſs and love of him that begets, and of him that is begotten? and doſt not thou pant, and breath, and gaſp after Jeſus at every period? canſt thou read over Jeſus his acts and decrees in reference to thy ſelf? canſt thou turn over thoſe many leaves, in every of which is diſcovered thoſe everlaſting loves of God in his projects, counſels, foreknowledg, purpoſe, decree, covenant for thy ſouls happineſs? and art thou not ready at every diſcovery to ſing Davids Pſalm,Pſa. 42.1, 2Ps 42:1Ps 42:2 as the hart panteth after the water-brooks, ſo panteth my ſoul after thee O God; my ſoul thirſteth for God, for the living God, O when ſhall I come and appear before God? O my ſoul, hadſt thou but theſe pantings, thirſtings, breathings after God and Chriſt, thou mighteſt comfortably conclude, theſe are the fruits of Gods Spirit, it is the Spirit of the Lord Jeſus which makes thoſe ſighs and groanes in thee, Rom. 8.26Rom 8:26which cannot be expreſſed. He and thee ſigh together, one in another, and one after another; O therefore look, Look unto Jeſus, and ſigh, and deſire after him.

3. We may and muſt deſire after the full and utmoſt execution whereby God effectually Workes in time according to all his workings or decrees before time. God that purpoſed and decreed from all Eternity, he will not have done the full execution of that purpoſe or decree till that after-Eternity, in that world without end. Indeed ſome part is a fulfilling now, but the main, the great part is yet to come: why then as we ſee the Plot,Phil. 1.23Phil 1:23 let us deſire after the full accompliſhment, let us deſire after the glory without end, to which we were predeſtinated before the beginning. It was Pauls deſire to be diſſolved, & to be with Chriſt. As men burthened, ſo ſhould we deſire and groan after the enjoyments of God in the world to come. O my ſoul, that thou were but caſt in the Apoſtles mould, that they affections were but on the wing, that they might take flight and ſteer their courſe towards heaven, and thereupon that thou mighteſt ſay, yond is the glorious houſe, the goodly building, made without hands, which God from all Eternity, decreed to be my home, my reſt, my dwelling place to all Eternity; and in yond ſtately Fabrick, is many an p. 47heavenly Inhabitant before I come: there are Angels, and there are all the ſouls of Sain…s, that from Adam to this day have had their paſs out of this ſinful world: yea, there is Jeſus the Son of God; and there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghoſt; and if I am predeſtinated to this fellowſhip, Lord, when ſhall I have run through the means that I may come to this end? O my end! where is my end? where is my Lord, my God, my Comforter? where is my reſt? where is my end? I cannot be at reſt without my end, and therefore come Lord Jeſus, come quickly, be like a Roe, Cant. 8.14Song 8:14or a young Hart upon the Mountains of Spices. Chriſtians! why are not your Spirits alwayes breathing thus after the glory, to which you are predeſtinated? why do not you long after full enjoyment? the utmoſt execution of Gods decree? why are not your hearts, your ſouls, your ſpirits already in heaven? Surely there be your relations; your Father is there, your elder brother is there, and there are many, I dare ſay moſt of your other younger brethren: again, there is your intereſt, your eſtate is there, if you believe: and therefore, Where ſhould your hearts be, but where your treaſure is? come then, come, ſet in tune thoſe deſires of your ſouls, ſet your affections on things above, eſpecially on that one thing Jeſus Chriſt: Looking unto Jeſus.

SECT. IV. Of hoping in Jeſus in that reſpect.

4. WE muſt hope in Jeſus, as carrying on the great work of our ſalvation for us in that Eternity. It is not enough to know and conſider, and deſire; but we muſt hope, and maintain our hope as to our own intereſt. Now hope is a paſſion, whereby we expect, probably or certainly ſome future good. All the queſtion is, whether that ſalvation, concerning which the great tranſaction was betwixt God and Chriſt, belongs now to me? and what are the grounds and foundations on which my hope is built? I know ſome exceedingly abuſe this Doctrine; If God had before all worlds appointed me to ſalvation, why then I may live as I liſt; I need not hear, or pray, or confer, or perform any holy Duty, for I am ſure I ſhall be ſaved. And thus at once they take away all grounds of hope. It is true, Gods decrees are unchangeable, but they do not afford any ſuch inferences or deductions as theſe: you might as well ſay, the Lord hath appointed me to live to ſuch a time, and before that time I ſhall not, cannot die, and therefore I need no meat nor drink, nor cloathes, nor any other thing: Ah ſilly, fooliſh, deviliſh, arguing! Gods decree is for the means, as well as for the end; whom God hath decreed to ſave, them alſo hath he decreed to call, to juſtifie, to ſanctifie, before he ſave: O my Soul, look to the grounds whereon they hope is built: if thoſe be weak, thy hope is weak: but if thoſe be ſtrong, thy hope will prove moſt ſtrong; and certain, and prudent.

In the diſquiſition of theſe grounds, ſay not in thine heart who ſhall aſcend into Heaven? Rom. 10.16Rom 10:16or who ſhall deſcend into the deep? ſeek not above or below: it is not poſſible for thee to go bodily into Heaven, to ſee the Records of Eternity, and to read thy name in the Book of Life, but ſearch into theſe fruits and effects of thy election As—

1. If thou beeſt within Gods decrees for ſalvation, then, ſooner or later, God will cauſe the power of his Word to come with authority and conviction upon thy conſcience: knowing brethren, beloved your election of God, for our Goſpel came not unto you in Word only, but alſo in power. The Apoſtle ſpeaks thus of others;1 Theſ. 1.4, 51 Thess 1:41 Thess 1:5 he might know they were the Elected of God, either by his judgment of charity, or by a ſpirit of diſcerning, which was vouchſafed to ſome in the Apoſtles times; but how comes he immediately to know this truth? by this glorious effe…t, our Goſpel came not in Word only, but alſo in power. Oh 'tis good to conſider with what power the Word preached falls into thy heart; doth it convince thee, humble thee, mollie thee, ſoften thee? this argues thou belongeſt to God. The Word preached will be more than the word of a man, more than a meer human Oration, or verbal declamation, where it comes in power: Oh! it will be like fire in thy bowels, like a two edged Sword in the ſecret places of thy heart; thou wilt cry out, verily God is here: Oh the power! the conviction, the meltings of my ſoul that I feel within me!

2. If God hath ordained thee to Salvation, then, ſooner or later God will effectually call thee. Moreover, whom he did predeſtinate, them he alſo called; Rom. 8.30.Rom 8:30this calling is a calling of the Soul from ſin, from amongſt the reſt of the World unto Jeſus Chriſt; it is ſuch a call as enables the ſoul to follow Chriſt; as Matthew being called by Chriſt, he p. 48aroſe and followed Chriſt. Theſe two are linked together in Pauls golden chain, predeſtination and effectual vocation.Mat. 9.9.Matt 9:9 We are bound to give thanks alway unto God for you, brethren, … Theſ. … …3, 14.beloved of the Lord; and why ſo? becauſe God hath from the beginning choſen you to ſalvation.—Wherunto he called you by the Goſpel to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. All thoſe that belong to Gods election, are ſometime or other effectually called by the Word and Spirit of Chriſt; and it muſt needs be ſo, becauſe as the Lord hath put a difference betwixt his Elect and others before the world was, and he will make a final difference betwixt them and others, after the end of the World; ſo he will have them differenced and diſtinguiſhed whileſt thy are in this World by this inward, effectual, operative calling; they are men of other minds, wills, affections, diſpoſitions,Acts 26 18 Epheſ. 5.7, 8Acts 26:18Eph 5:7Eph 5:8 converſations; they are called from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. As the Apoſtle, ye were ſomtimes darkneſs, but now are ye light in the Lord. — Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

3. If thou art choſen for ſalvation, then ſooner or later thou ſhalt have true ſoul-ſaving juſtifying faith;Acts 13.48.Acts 13:48 As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. When God hath a people to call home to himſelf, he either brings them to the means, or the means to them, and thoſe that belong to the Election of Grace believe; O my ſoul, haſt thou this ſaving faith? not a fancied faith, a dead faith, an eaſie faith, but ſaving faith; ſuch a faith as was wrought in thee by the Word and Spirit with power; ſuch a faith as was not in any power to give, nor in any power to receive, untill God enable thee by his Spirit;Rom 8 …0 Rom. 5 1Rom 8Rom 5:1 then here is thy ground that thou art ordained to eternal life: for whom he calls he juſtifies; and we are juſtified by faith. Not that the eſſence of faith juſtifies, but faith juſtifies inſtrumentally, in that it lays hold upon that which juſtifies, even the righteouſneſs of Chriſt Jeſus.

4. If thou art decreed for ſalvation, then ſooner or later the Lord will beget and increaſe in thee, grace, holineſs, ſanctification: Elect according to the foreknowledg of God the Father, 1 Pet. 1.2.1 Pet 1:2through ſanctification of the Spirit. God predeſtinates his people unto holineſs;Epheſ. 1.4Eph 1:4 he choſe us in Chriſt before the foundation of the World, that we ſhould be holy, and without blame before him. If God appoint thee to eternal life, he doth here in this World appoint thee to an holy gracious life. No ſanctification, no election; no grace, no glory; thou art to be a precious Jewel here, ere God will make thee up at that great day. Obſerve the chain, Rom. 8.29. If I be ſanctified, with the Divine Nature, in which glory is begun, then I am juſtified; if juſtified, then I have been called according to purpoſe; if called, then I was predeſtinated; and if predeſtinated to means, then I was foreknown, as one whom God would chooſe to the end, even immarceſſible and eternal glory.

5. If thou art appointed and prepared for glory, then God will give thee a thankful heart for ſo great a mercy: thou canſt no more keep in the heart from over-flowing, when thou art ſenſible of this everlaſting love, then thou canſt put bounds to the Sea: See Paul praiſing God for the Election of himſelf and others, after I heard of your faith and love, Epheſ. 1.15 1…. Epheſ. 1.3, 4Eph 1:15Eph 1:3Eph 1:4I ceaſe not to give thnaks; and Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath bleſſed us with all ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly places in Chriſt, according as he hath choſen us in him before the foundation of the world. And what glorious triumphs doth Paul in the perſon of all the Elect make over all kind of enemies that can be thought of? he challengeth every adverſary to put forth his ſting, and why? even becauſe God hath Elected, Rom. 8.33.39Rom 8:33Rom 8:39and nothing can ſeparate them from this unchangeable love; & this was it that begot his thankſgiving,Rom. 7.25Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. O my ſoul, how is thy heart affected with praiſe and thankfulneſs in this matter? he that beſtoweth great things, looks for great return of thanks, eſpecially this being all thou canſt do.

6. If the project, counſel, love, purpoſe, decree, and Covenant of God with Chriſt concerned thee, and thy ſouls happineſs, then God will crown thee with perſeverance, and a ſtedfaſt continuance in the way of grace thou waſt firſt ſet in: final apoſtaſie, and total back-ſliding from the ways of God, can never befal thoſe that are thus choſen, they went from us, 1 John 2.19. Mat. 24 …4. Jer. 32.401 John 2:19Matt 24:4Jer 32:40becauſe they were not of us, ſaid the Apoſtle; and if it were poſſible they ſhould deceive the very Elect, ſaid Chriſt; but it is certainly impoſſible, and why? I will put my fear in their hearts, that they ſhall never depart from me. Oh what a bleſſed mercy is this, when there are ſo many hours of temptation in the world, ſo many bluſtering ſtorms and tempeſts that are able to raiſe up the very roots, did not that immortal ſeed preſerve them. Of this ſign we are ſure, if any of the former belongs to us; but to this we cannot actually ſeal till the end of our life.

Come now, are theſe, O my ſoul, the grounds of thy hopes? hath Gods word come p. 49with power on thy heart? hath the Lord ſo effectually called thee, that thou haſt left all to follow Chriſt? doſt thou believe on the Lord Jeſus for life and for ſalvation? art thou holy? is thy life holy? doſt thou walk exactly, as the grace of God which bringeth to ſalvation teacheth? Canſt thou with inlarged thankfulneſs amplifie the love and grace of God in thy election; ſurely theſe effects are the very fuel of hope, they are the bleſſed and clear evidences ſo thy ſouls election; and therefore hope well, take ſtrong conſolation; it is clear as the Sun, that God hath predeſtinated thee to life, and that thy name is written in the Book of Life, and that none in Heaven, or on Earth, or in Hell, ſhall be able to blot it out again. Away with all ſad, dumpiſh, dejected thoughts: Look unto Jeſus: hope in Chriſt, that, that very ſalvation concerning which that great tranſaction was betwixt God and Chriſt, belongs even to thee, and that one day thou ſhalt ſee it, and enjoy the happineſs of it to all Eternity

SECT. V. Of believing in Jeſus in that reſpect.

5. WE muſt believe in Jeſus, as carrying on that great work of ſalvation for us in that Eternity. It is not enough to know, and conſider, and deſire, and hope, but we muſt believe. Now this is the nature and property of faith, to apply all theſe ancient and future doings and dealings of God to our ſelves, as if they were now preſent. Some difference there is betwixt hope and faith; as hope hath reſpect to that which the Word pomiſeth, rem verbi; but faith reſpects the word it ſelf, verbum rei; hope eyes chiefly the mercy and goodneſs of the promiſe, but faith eyes mainly the authority and truth of the promiſer; hope looks upon its object as future, but faith only looks upon the object as preſent; both make a particular application to themſelves, but hope in a waiting for it; and faith in a way of now enjoying it. Hence faith is called, the ſubſtance of things hoped for; it is the ſubſtance, or confidence of things hoped for,Heb. 11.1Heb 11:1 as if we had them already in hand: faith gives the ſoul a preſent intereſt in God, in Chriſt, in all thoſe glorious things in the Goſpel of Chriſt; even in the things of eternal life. Faith is an appropriating, an applying, an uniting grace; it is a bleſſed thing to have the ſight of God, there is much power in it; but to ſee God in his Glory as my God, to ſee all the Majeſty, greatneſs, and goodneſs of God, as thoſe things that my ſoul hath an intereſt in; to ſee how the eternal counſels of God wrought for me to make me happy, why this is of the nature of Faith; And herein lies the ſweetneſs of faith, in that we believe not Chriſt only to be a Saviour, and righteouſneſs, but my Saviour, and my righteouſneſs; And therefore Luther affirmed that the ſweetneſs of Chriſtianity lay in pronounes; when a man can ſay, my Lord, and my God, and my Jeſus. I live by the faith of the Son of God, Gal. 2.20.Gal 2:20who loved me, and gave himſelf for me.

O my ſoul! believe for thy ſelf; believe, and be confident of it that thoſe Eternal projects, counſels, love, purpoſe, decree, and covenant betwixt God and Chriſt were all for thee: haſt not thou a promiſe? Nay, was there not a promiſe before the world began? and that very promiſe the promiſe of eternal life? Mark the words,Titus 1.2Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promiſed before the World began. Here's a promiſe, and a promiſe of Eternal life, and a promiſe of Eternal life made by God, by God that cannot lie, and that before there was a World, or any man in the World; If thou enquireſt, to whom then was this promiſe made? Sweet ſoul, it was made to Chriſt for thee; many promiſes thou haſt in Scripture made more immediatly to thy ſelf, but this was the grand promiſe, and all the other promiſes they are but a draught of that grand promiſe that God the Father made to his Son before the World began.

O cries the Soul, I cannot believe: what? is it poſſible that God in his Eternity ſhould have any thought of me? What, of me, being not yet born, Rom. 9.11Rom 9:11neither having done any good or evil? What, of me, born in theſe laſt times of the world, the leaſt of Saints, the greateſt of Sinners, leſs then the leaſt of all Gods mercies? that of ſuch a one the great God, the Majeſty of Heaven and Earth ſhould have a thought, a project, a counſel, a knowledge of approbation, a purpoſe, a decree: Nay, enter into a Covenant with his Son for my ſalvation? I cannot believe it. Alas! What am I to God? or what need hath God of me? If all the Nations of the Earth are to him, but as a drop of a bucket; Iſa 40.15Isa 40:15and as the ſmall duſt of the Ballance; O what a minime am I of that drop? or what a little, little atome am I of that ſmall duſt; and is it probable that the greatneſs of God p. 50the goodneſs of God, the power of God, the wiſdom of God, the Eternal Counſels of God, ſhould work for me, to make me glorious, bleſſed, happy, to make me one with himſelf, and one with his Son, and one with his Spirit? what care take I of every duſt of the Earth, or of every ſand one the Sea-ſhore? and yet theſe are my fellow-creatures; there's a thouſand times more diſproportion betwixt God and me, and would God take care of me before I was, or before the World was? what, would he buſie himſelf and his Son, about ſuch a worthleſs wretched worm? would he decree Chriſt to come from the Father for me, to be my Redeemer, my Jeſus, my Saviour? I cannot, I dare not, I will not believe.

O ſtay my ſoul; and be not faithleſs, but believing, I'le take thy argument in pieces: As,Jer. 29 11Jer 29:11 1. Thou ſayſt, hath God any thoughts of me? Yes: ſaith God, I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil; and before the World was, my thoughts,Prov. 8.3.Prov 8:3 and my delights were with the Sons of men. 2. Thou ſayſt, I have no thoughts, no care of my fellow-creatures, Iſa. 55.8Isa 55:8as of the duſt, or ſand, or atoms? and what then? my thoughts are not as your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, ſaith the Lord; for as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, ſo are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. What if thou haſt no thoughts or care of the ſmaller creatures? yet God extends his thoughts, and care, and providence not only to thee, but even to them: neither can a Sparrow fall to the ground, nor an hair from thy head, nor a leaf from the tree, without the providence of our heavenly Father? 3. Thou ſayeſt, I dare not believe, I am aſtoniſhed at,Mat. 10.29, 30.Matt 10:29Matt 10:30 confounded in theſe thoughts of Gods eternal love; it is too high for me, I cannot believe it. I anſwer, herein thou ſayſt ſomething: I know it is an hard thing to believe theſe great things in reference to thy ſelf: But ſee now how God and Chriſt ſtoop and condeſcend to make thee believe: God ſtands much upon this, that the hearts of Saints ſhould confide in him: he accounts not himſelf honoured, except they believe, and therefore mark O my Soul, how Chriſt ſuits himſelf to thy weakneſs; what is it that may beget this Faith, this confidence in thy Son? what is it (ſaith God) that you poor creatures do one to another, when you would make things ſure between your ſelves? why, thus; —

1. We engage our ſelves by promiſe one to another. And ſo will I, ſaith God: poor ſoul, thou haſt my promiſe, my faithful promiſe; I have made a promiſe both to Jews and Gentiles, and thou art the one of theſe two ſorts; the promiſe is to you, and to your children, Acts 2 39.Acts 2:39and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God ſhall call. Be only ſatisfied in that ground of thy hope, that thou art called of God; and then every promiſe of Eternal life is thine, even thine. Thou mayeſt find a thouſand promiſes ſcattered here and there in the book of God; and all theſe promiſes are a draught of that promiſe which was made from all Eternity, and therefore it is ſo much the more ſure; it is as if Chriſt ſhould ſay, wilt thou have engagement by promiſe? this is paſt long agoe; my Father hath engaged himſelf to me before the World began; yea, and I have made many, and many a promiſe, ſince the World began? Read in the Volume, and thou wilt find here and there a Promiſe, here and there a draught of the firſt Copy of that great Promiſe, which my Father made unto me from all Eternity.

2. When we would make things ſure to one another, we write it down; And ſo will I, ſaith God: thou haſt the Scripture, the Holy Writ, thoſe Sacred Volumes of Truth and Life, and therein thou haſt the golden Lines of many gracious Promiſes; are they not as the Stars in the Firmament of the Scripture? thou haſt my Bible, and in the Bible thou haſt many bleſſed glorious Truths: but of all the Bible, methinks thou ſhouldſt not part with one of thoſe promiſes, no, not for a World. Luther obſerving the many promiſes writ down in Scripture, expreſſeth thus, the whole Scripture doth eſpecially aim at this, that we ſhould not doubt, but hope, confide, believe, that God is Merciful, Kind, Patient, and hath a purpoſe and a delight to ſave our ſouls.

3. When we would make things ſure to one another, we ſet to our Seals. And ſo will I, ſaith God: thou haſt my Seal, the Broad-Seal of Heaven, my Sacraments, the Seals of my Covenant; and thou haſt my privy Seal alſo, the Seal of my Spirit. Grieve not the Holy Spirit, Epheſ. 4.30.Eph 4:30whereby ye are Sealed unto the day of Redemption.

4. When we would make things ſure to one another, we take Witneſſes. And ſo will I,John 5.7, 8.John 5:7John 5:8 ſaith God: thou ſhalt have witneſſes as many as thou wilt, witneſſes of all ſorts, witneſſes in heaven, and witneſſes on earth, for there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghoſt, and theſe three are one. And there are three that bear witneſs in earth, the ſpirit, and the water, and the blood; and theſe three agree in one.

p. 515. When we would make things ſure to one another, we take an oath. And ſo will I, ſaith God:He. 6.17. God willing more abundantly to ſhew unto the heirs of promiſe the immutability of his counſel, confirmed it by an oath, q. d. there is no ſuch need of an oath, but I will be abundant to thee, becauſe I would have thee truſt me, and confide in me throughly: and as I ſwear (ſaith God) ſo will I ſwear the greateſt Oath that ever was, I ſwear by my ſelf: God ſwears by God: he could ſwear by no greater, and therefore he ſwear by himſelf: and why thus, but for their ſakes who are the heirs of promiſe?Heb. 6.13.Heb 6:13 he knows our frame, and members, that we are but duſt; and therefore to ſuccour our weakneſs, the Lord is pleaſed to ſwear, and to confirm all by his Oath.

6. When we would make things ſure to one another, we take a pawn. And I will give thee a pawn ſaith God: and ſuch a pawn, as if thou never hadſt any thing more, thou ſhouldeſt be happy: it is the pawn of my Spirit. Who alſo hath ſealed us, 2 Cor. 1.22.2 Cor 1:22and given the earneſt of the Spirit in our hearts, q. d. I will ſend my Spirit into your hearts, and this Spirit ſhall be a pawn, an earneſt in your hearts, of all the good that I intend to do for you for ever.

7. When we would make things ſure to one another, ſomething it may be is preſently done, as an ingagement of all that which is to come. And thus will I deal with thee, ſaith God, who liveſt in theſe laſt of times: why thou ſeeſt the greateſt part of thy Salvation already done, I made a promiſe from all Eternity of ſending my Son into the World to be made a curſe for ſin; yea, and if thou believeſt, for thy ſin; and this is the greateſt work of all that is to be done to all Eternity. Surely, if I would have failed thee in any thing, it ſhould have been in this; it is not ſo much for me now, to bring thee to Heaven, to ſave thy Soul, as it was to ſend my Son into the World to be made a curſe for ſin: but when I have done ſo great a work, & have been already faithful in that Promiſe, how ſhouldſt thou but believe my faithfulneſs in making good all other promiſes? If a man ſhould owe thee a thouſand pound, and pay thee nine hundred, ninety, and nine, thou wouldſt think ſurely, he would never break for the reſt; why God hath paid his nine hundred, ninety, and nine; and all the Glory of Heaven is but as one in compariſon of what he hath done; we may therefore well believe, that he who hath done ſo much for us, will not leave the little undone.

Come then, rouſe up O my Soul, and believe thy intereſt in thoſe eternal tranſactions betwixt God and Chriſt: is not here ground enough for thy Faith? if thou art but called, the promiſe of God is thine: or if thou dareſt not rely on this promiſe (which God forbid) thou haſt his Indenture, his Seal and Witneſſes of all ſorts, both in Heaven and Earth; or yet, if thou believeſt not, thou haſt an Oath, a Pawn, and the greateſt part of thy Salvation already done to thy hand; nay, I'le tell thee more poor ſoul then thus; even Chriſt himſelf from all Eternity hath engaged for thee that thou ſhalt believe; O then put not Chriſt to be challenged of his engagement by refuſing the Goſpel! ſurely when thou believeſt, thou makeſt Chriſts word good; he that believeth not makes God a liar; though in another ſenſe, and for ought he knoweth, even in this, that he fruſtrates Chriſts undertakings in the Covenant. And therefore believe; yea, and cry, Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief; increaſe my Faith, till I come to full aſſurance of Faith. Faith in this ſenſe is the very Eye of the Soul, reading is Name Written in the Book of Life; it is an apprehenſion of our particular Election. O believe, till thou comeſt up to this fullneſs of perſwaſion of Gods Love in Chriſt.

SECT. VI. Of loving Jeſus in that reſpect.

6. WE muſt love Jeſus, as carrying on that great work of our Salvation in that Eternity. And this is the fruit, or effect of Faith; if once we believe that all thoſe deſigns, and tranſactions were for us, even for us; O then how ſhould we but love that God, and love that Chriſt who thus firſtly and freely loved us? God loved us before we loved him; for he loved us in that Eternity before all Worlds, ſurely then we are bound to love him: Firſt, and above all things. As the Diamond formeth and faſhioneth the Diamond, ſo love formeth and faſhioneth Love; or as fire converteth Fewel into Fire, ſo this antient love of God and Chriſt may well cauſe our love again. O Chriſt! didſt not thou love us? who doubts it, that but reads over the project, councel, foreknowledge, purpoſe, decree, and covenant of God and Chriſt? who doubts it that but p. 52reads the eternal deſigne of God, that Chriſt ſhould go out of himſelf, and ſuffer an extaſie through the vehemency of his love? that Chriſt ſhould ſo far abaſe his Majeſty as to dye for us, that we might not dye, but live with him? O then how ſhould this but kindle in our hearts a moſt ardent love towards God and Chriſt? what more effectuall motive to work mans love, then to be prevented by the love & bounty of another? That this fruit doth ſpring from the ſenſe of our Election, Bernard obſerves, who is righteous but he that requiteth the love of God with love again? Bern. Epi. 107.which is never done, except the holy Ghoſt reveale unto a man by faith, Gods eternal purpoſe concerning his future ſalvation. And hence it is that the heart is moſt in frame, when it is a conſidering the eternal love of God in Chriſt:2 …am 1.26. As David ſaid of Jonathan, thou haſt been very pleaſant to me, thy love to me was wonderful; ſo a poor ſoul gathering up all the goodneſs of God in that Eternity, and feeding upon it, and the variety of it, it breaths out in that expreſſion, thou haſt been very pleaſant to me O God, thy love to me hath been wonderfull. O my ſoul, that thou couldeſt ſo live by faith on theſe eternal paſſages, as that thou mighteſt attain to the higheſt fruits of faith, not onelyonly to love God and Chriſt, but to love them with a burning love, with a mighty love, ſuch a love as lyes in the moſt vigorous proſecution after Jeſus Chriſt, and in the moſt faithful reſignation of thy ſelf to God; ſuch a love as works the moſt delightful aſpect of God and Chriſt, as makes a man to behold God and Chriſt with all cheerfulneſs; ſuch a love as works a man to extoll the praiſes of God. O in theſe things lyes the ſtrength of love.

But alas! this is, or at leaſt this ſhould be thy grief, that thou canſt not love ſo well, and ſo warmly as thou art beloved: Chriſt comes towards thee Skipping like the Hart, or Roe on the Mountaines of ſpices, Cant 8 14.Song 8:14but thy love towards Chriſt is creeping like the worme in the unwholſome valley. Indeed the beſt affections have their fits of ſwooning: it may be for the preſent thy love is cold: O but come up to this fire, conſider how God and Chriſt loved thee in every of theſe. —

1. His project to ſave they ſoul ſprung out of his love: love was the firſt wheele that ſet all the eternall works of God a going; what was that great deſigne of God, but onelyonly an expreſſion of his love? it was his pleaſure to communicate himſelf, and the riſe of that communication was his love.

2. The Counſels of God were all in love; had not love been as Preſident of the Counſel, where hadſt thou been? when all the attributes of God were at a ſtand, it was the love of God in Chriſt that reſolved the queſtion for thy ſalvation.

3. The foreknowledge of God was a foreknowledge of love and approbation: in his eternal love he embraced thee as his own; he foreknew thee, (i.) of his free love he ſet thee apart to life and to ſalvation; God hath choſen us in Chriſt before the foundation of the World: Epheſ. 1.4.Eph 1:4he choſe us in Chriſt, but not for Chriſt; nothing at all moved him to Elect thee but his own good pleaſure and free love.

4. The purpoſe of God was a reſolution of love, it ſpeaks his love to be a conſtant, ſetled abiding love;John 13.1.John 13:1 no unkindneſs ſhall alter it, for having loved his own, he loves them unto the end, nay, he loves them without end, from everlaſting to everlaſting.

5. The decree of God was an order (as I may call it) or an act of love, to give in time that grace unto his elect, which before all time he decreed ſhould be an effectual means to bring them unto glory.

6. The covenant betwixt God and Chriſt was an agreement of love: God and Chriſt ſtruck hands to ſave our ſouls;2 Tim. 1, 9.2 Tim 1:9 grace was given us in Chriſt Jeſus before the World began. Grace was given us, that is, the gracious love and favour of God in Chriſt was given us before all ſecular times. This was Gods meaning from everlaſting, this was the deſigne, yea the greateſt deſigne that ever God had, to ſet out the infinite glory, and the riches of his love in Jeſus Chriſt. No queſtion but he had other great deſignes in doing ſuch great things as he hath done; but above all the deſignes that ever God had in all his works, this is the chiefe, to honour his mercy, to glorify the riches of his love and grace: had it not been for this he would never have made the World; and therefore in that World to come it will be the delight of God to ſhew his Saints and Angels what he is able to do for a creature; yea, he will to all Eternity declare to them, to what an height of excellency and glory his love and mercy is able to raiſe poor ſouls, ſo that the very Saints and Angels ſhall admire, & adore, and magnifie the name of God everlaſtingly for it.

O my ſoul, canſt thou ponder on this, and not love him dearly who has thus loved thee? Come, ſtir up the gift that is in thee; if thou art a Chriſtian thou haſt ſome ſparks, though now (it may be) under the aſhes: come, rub, chaſe, and warm thy affections at this p. 53fire; love, like a watch, muſt be wound up, or elſe it will fall downwards: what doſt thou? why ſtand'ſt thou idle in the heat of the Day? Chriſt hath fire in his hand, 'tis but looking up, and reaching out thy hand to take it from him: O take it with both thy hands, and be thankful for it. Prayer, ejaculation, contemplation, judicious obſervation of the Spirits ſeaſon, are thy beſt inſtruments to kindle this fire of love in thee.

And methinks thy heart ſhould begin now to melt, methinks it ſhould receive more eaſie impreſſions from the object before it, methinks theſe eternal works and acts of God and Chriſt towards thy poor ſoul, ſhould begin to overcome thee, Cant. 6.5. Cant 8.6.Song 6:5Song 8:6and to burne thy heart as with coales of Juniper. Why Lord, is it thus? was I Elected from all Eternity in Chriſt? was I ordained to a glorious inheritance before there was a World? was this buſineſs to make me happy, one of the cheef deep counſels of God? was this one of the works of his wiſdome that he was exerciſed about before the World began? was this the great deſigne of God in making the World, and in making Heaven, the place of glory, to glorifie himſelfe, and to glorifie ſuch a poor wretch as I am? O then how ſhould this but mightily inflame my heart with the love God, and love of Chriſt? how ſhould I chooſe but ſay as the Martyr did, Oh that I had as many lives, as I have haires on my head, to lay them down for Chriſt? Ah what flames of Divine affection, what raptures of zeal, what raviſhments of delight, what extaſies of obedience can be enough for my bleſſed God, and deareſt Redeemer.

SECT. VII. Of joying in Jeſus in that reſpect.

7. WE muſt joy in Jeſus, as carrying on that great work of our ſalvation in that Eternity. This joy is a paſſion ariſing from the ſweetneſs of the Object that we enjoy. O my ſoul, doſt thou believe? and art thou now caſt into a pang of love? how then ſhould thy joy but come on? As Chriſt ſaid to the 70. In this rejoyce not, Luk. 10.20.Luke 10:20that the ſpirits are ſubject unto you, but rather rejoyce becauſe your names are written in Heaven; ſo rejoyce not thou in this, that the world is thine, that riches are thine, that thou haſt ſubdued men and devils; but herein rejoyce, that thy name is written in the Book of life. O what a comfortable point is this! that the Father and Chriſt ſhould tranſact a bargaine from Eternity, concerning thee by name, that the Father and the Son ſhould commune together concerning thy heaven, as if their language had been thus; Father, what ſhall be given to thy juſtice to ranſome ſuch a one, Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Mary, Martha, Hannah, &c. why no more but this, thou ſhalt dye my Son, and whoſoever believeth in thee ſhall live for ever. Why then ſaith Chriſt, I will engage for ſuch, and ſuch a one; I will enter into Bond for ſuch and ſuch a perſon; Abraham ſhall believe in time: See, I have writ down his name in the Book of life. And who art thou that readeſt? art thou a believer? doſt thou believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt? Chriſt ſaid the ſame of thee, and entered into a bond for thee, and entered they name in the Book of life; See the certainty of this in Phil. 4.3.Phil. 4 3.Phil 4:3 Thou Thomas, Andrew, Peter, Chriſt knows thee by name, and thy name is written in the Book of life. O go thy way, and rejoyce, and take ſtrong conſolation! is there not cauſe? why, I tell thee thy name is in the Book of Heaven, and if this may adde to thy joy, know there is none in Heaven or Earth ſhall ever be able to blot it out again. No, no poor ſoul,Rom. 8.1.Rom 8:1 there is no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus: God hath decreed thy ſalvation, and Gods decree ſhall ſtand, let Men and Devils ſay what they will to the contrary,Pſal. 33.11.Ps 33:11 The counſel of the Lord ſtandeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations: it is as poſſible for God to deny himſelf, as it is poſſible for thee a believer to periſh.1 Pet. 1.5.1 Pet 1:5 We are kept (ſaith the Apoſtle) by the power of God through faith to ſalvation; and therefore rejoyce, and againe rejoyce; yea, raiſe up thy joy to that pitch of triumph, which is joy elevated; and elevated ſo high, that it comes to victoriouſneſs, and magnanimous conqueſt of heart over all things; ſay with the Apoſtle, what, my name written in the Book of life? Rom. 8.3…, 35, 38, 39.Rom 8:3Rom 8:35Rom 8:38Rom 8:39who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? —who then ſhall ſeparate me from the love of Chriſt? ſhall tribulation, or diſtreſs, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword? nay, I am perſwaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature ſhall be able to ſeparate me from the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus my Lord.

p. 54SECT. VIII. Of calling on Jeſus in that reſpect.

8. VVE muſt call on Jeſus, or on God the Father in and through Jeſus. This alſo is included in looking, as David while Praying, unto thee do I lift up mine Eyes, Pſa. 123.1.Ps 123:1O thou that dwelleſt in the Heavens. Now this calling on God, or looking to God, contains Prayer, and Praiſe. 1. We muſt pray that all theſe tranſactions betwixt God and Chriſt, may be aſſuredly ours, and that God would clear up our Titles more and more; yea, and ſeeing all good things tending to Salvation, were from all Eternity prepared for us, we are therefore to pray; that by prayer we may draw them down from Heaven; for what though our Evidences be clear? Yet this muſt not caſt out means; God doth not uſe to beſtow his ſaving Graces on lazy ſluggards; thoſe therefore who from the certainty of Predeſtination do pretend that the duty of Prayer is ſuperfluous, do plainly ſhew that they have no certainty at all. Aquinas Aquinas part c q. art. 8.was Orthodox in this, the Predeſtinate muſt Pray, becauſe by theſe effects of Predeſtination, the Salvation of Souls is beſt aſcertained. The ſame Spirit which Witneſſeth to our Spirit that we are his Choſen, is alſo the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication; and therefore he that believes that he is one of Gods Elect, he cannot but pray for thoſe things which he believeth, that God hath prepared for him before the foundation of the World. — 2. We muſt praiſe God: what, that God ſhould look on us, and Predeſtinate us to Life? That he ſhould paſs by ſo many on the right hand and on the left, and that I ſhould be one whom the Lord did Elect? what, ſuch a vile, and ſinful Wretch as I am? was there ever like Love? was there ever like Mercy? may not Heaven and Earth ſtand amazed at this? O what ſhall I do to be thankful enough to this dear God? Thus thou that knoweſt thy intereſt in Chriſt, ſtudy praiſe and thankfulneſs. Say in thy ſelf, who made me to differ from thoſe Caſt-away Souls? Alas! we were all framed of the ſame Mould, hewed out of the ſame Rock, It is ſtoried of one of the late French Kings, that in a ſerious meditation, conſidering his own condition of being King and Ruler of that Nation, Oh (ſaid he) when I was born, a Thouſand other Souls were born in this Kingdome with me, and what have I done to God more than they? O my Soul, what difference betwixt thee and thoſe many Thouſands of Reprobates that live with thee in the world at this day? nothing, ſurely nothing but the free mercy, goodneſs, and love of God in Jeſus Chriſt. O then praiſe this God, yea, ſound forth the Praiſe of the Glory of his Grace. Remember that was Gods deſign, and that is thy Duty.

SECT. IX. On conforming to Jeſus in that Reſpect.

2. WE muſt Conform to Jeſus: we muſt fix our Eyes on Jeſus for our Imitation, that alſo is the meaning of this looking in the Text. And in reſpect of our Predeſtination the Apoſtle ſpeaks expreſly,Rom. 8 29.Rom 8:29 he did Predeſtinate us to be conformed to the Image of his Son: This is one end of Predeſtination, and this is one end of looking unto Jeſus, nay it is included in it. A very look on Jeſus hath a Power in it to conform us to the Image of Jeſus.2 Cor. 3.18.2 Cor 3:18 We are changed by beholding, ſaith the Apoſtle: Oh when I ſee Gods love in Chriſt to me even from all Eternity, how ſhould this but ſtir up my Soul to be like Jeſus Chriſt? where there is a dependance, there is a deſire to be like even among men; how much more conſidering my dependance on God in Chriſt, ſhould I deſire to be like Chriſt in diſpoſition? all the queſtion is, what is this Image of Chriſt, to which we muſt be conformed? I Anſwer, Holineſs and Happineſs: but becauſe the latter is our reward, and the former is our duty, therefore look to that.

But wherein conſiſts that? I Anſwer, in that reſemblance, likeneſs, and conformity to Chriſt in all the paſſages forementioned: And in every of thoſe muſt we conform to Chriſt. As —

1. Chriſt is the Son of God; ſo muſt we be Gods Sons. As many as received him, to them he gave Power to become the Sons of God. Joh. 1.12. Mal. 1.6. 1 Pet. 1.17.John 1:12Mal 1:61 Pet 1:17O what duty lies upon us in this reſpect; If I be your Father, where is mine Honour? and if ye call on the Father, paſs the time of your ſojourning here in fear. God looks for more honour, fear, reverence, duty, and obedience from a Son than from the Rabble of the World: if thou art Gods Son, thy ſins more p. 55offend God then the ſins of all the reprobates in the world; why alas, thy ſins are not meer tranſgreſſions of the Law, but committed againſt the mercy, bounty, and goodneſs of God vouchſafed unto thee; thy ſins have a world of unthankfulneſs joyned with them, and therefore how ſhould God but viſit?Amos 3.2Amos 3:2 you onelyonly have I known of all the Families of the Earth, therefore will I viſit you for all your Iniquities. O think of this, you that are Gods Sons; and conform to Chriſt, for he was an Obedient Son.

2. Chriſt the Son of God delights in the Father, and his delight is alſo with the Sons of men; ſo muſt we delight in the Father, and delight in his Children.Pſa. 37.4. Pſa. 16.3.Ps 37:4Ps 16:3 Delight thy ſelf in the Lord, and he ſhall give thee the deſire of thy Heart. And the Saints that are on the Earth are they, in whom is all my Delight, ſaith David. It is ſtoried of Dr. Taylor, that being in priſon he could delight in God; and he rejoyced that ever he came into Priſon, becauſe of his acquaintance with that Angel of God, as he called Mr. Bradford. O this is Heaven upon Earth! not only God, but the very Saints of God are ſweet Objects of delight. Mark them, and if they be Saints indeed, they are ſavory in their Diſcourſe, in their Duties, in their Carriages; their Example is powerful, their ſociety profitable, how ſhould we but delight in them?

3. God and Chriſt laid this Plot from all Eternity, that all he would do, ſhould be to the praiſe of the glory of his Grace: So muſt we purpoſe this as the end of all our actions, whether we eat, or drink, or whatſoever we do, we muſt do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10.311 Cor 10:31But eſpecially if from God we receive any ſpiritual good, then give all again to the glory of his grace.Dan. 2 20, 23Dan 2:20Dan 2:23 Bleſſed be the Name of God for ever and ever (ſaid Daniel) for Wiſdom and might are his; — and I thank thee, and praiſe thee O God of my Fathers, who haſt given me Wiſdome and Might: an excellent ſpirit of Wiſdome and Might wrought in Daniel, and he acknowledges all to the Giver: wiſdome and might are his. Chriſtians! if you feel grace in your hearts, I beſeech you acknowledge it to Chriſt: He does all, he ſubdues Luſts, heals VVounds, ſtaies inward Iſſues, ſets broken Bones, and makes them to rejoyce; and therefore let him him the glory of all; do you acknowledge grace in it's latitude to the God of all grace.

4. God and Chriſt counſelled about our Salvation; there was a great conflict in the Attributes of God; juſtice and mercy could not be reconciled, till the Wiſdom of God found out that glorious and wonderful expedient, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: ſo let us Counſel about our Salvation: the fleſh and the ſpirit whereof we are compounded, draw ſeveral wayes, the Fleſh draws Hell-ward, and the Spirit Heaven-ward; come then, call we in heavenly and ſpiritual Wiſdome to decide this Controverſie; you may hear its Language in Job 28.28.Job 28.28Job 28:28 Behold the fear of the Lord, that is Wiſdome; and to depart from evil is Ʋnderſtanding. If we would draw heaven-ward, and ſave our ſouls; come then, let us hear the concluſion of the whole matter, fear God, and keep his Commandments, Eccleſ. 12.13Eccl 12:13for this is the whole duty of Man. Keep his Commandments in an Evangelical ſenſe (i) look at the expedient, Jeſus Chriſt, who hath kept them for us, and in whom, and through whom, our imperfect Obedience is accepted with God.

5. God and Chriſt loved us with an everlaſting Love. So muſt we love him who hath firſt loved us: this is the nature of ſpiritual Love: that it runs into its own Ocean, O love the Lord all ye his Saints! who hath more cauſe to love him then you have? who hath been loved ſo much? or who hath ſo much come under the power of love as you have?Pſ. 31.23Ps 31:23 hath not Chriſt loved you, not only with a love of well-wiſhing, which is from everlaſting (ſome call it the love of Election, the fountain-love, the well-head of ſalvation) but alſo with a love of complacency? hath not Chriſt ſhed abroad his love into your hearts, and ſhall he loſe by it; will not theſe cords of love draw up your hearts to love him again? ſure it's but reaſon to love him, who hath firſt loved you, yea, and loved you when you were unlovely, and had nothing in you worthy of love. Chriſtians! then it was that Chriſt loved you in rags, it is meet therefore that you ſhould love him in Robes.

6. God and Chriſt appointed, or purpoſed us unto ſalvation, his love was a ſure, and ſetled, and firme, and conſtant love: the purpoſe of God according to Election muſt ſtand. Rom. 9.11 Pſ. 119 112.Rom 9:11Ps 119:112So muſt we love him, and cleave unto him for ever: I have enclined my heart to perform thy Statutes alwayes even to the end. Davids heart was much taken with the Statutes of God, and therefore he gives this expreſſion of the fulneſs of his heart, alway and even to the end. it is a kind of pleonaſme, his reſolutions were ſuch that he would never depart from his God.

7. God and Chriſt decreed, booked, and ſealed our ſalvation: and ſo muſt we put to our ſeal that God is true (i.) we muſt believe in Chriſt? for when we believe, we make p. 56Chriſts word good. He that believes not, makes God a lyar, (as you have heard) in that he fruſtrates, or endeavors to fruſtrate Chriſts undertaking in his predeſtination.

8. God and Chriſt entered into Covenant concerning our ſalvation: So muſt we enter into Covenant with him; we muſt take him to be our God, and give up our ſelves to be his people: — Why thus we muſt in all particulars conform to Chriſt. The ſum of all is this, we muſt be like Chriſt in grace, and gracious actings.

O my ſoul, ſee to this grace, ſee to this conformity to Jeſus Chriſt in gracious actings, and this will enable thee to read thy name written in the Book of Life. O abhor, & repel that Devils dart, I am predeſtinated, and therefore I may live as I liſt; how contrary is this to the Apoſtle,Eph. 1.4Eph 1:4 he hath choſen us in him before the foundation of the World, that we ſhould be holy, and without blame before him in love? and as the Elect of God put on bowels of mercy, kindneſs, humbleneſs of mind, meekneſs, long-ſuffering, forgiving one another, —Even as Chriſt forgave you? this conformity to Chriſt in grace is the very effect of our predeſtination:Coloſ. 3 12, 13. Pſ. 45 21Col 3:12Col 3:13Ps 45:21 O look unto Jeſus, and be in grace like unto Jeſus: why, Chriſt is full of grace, a veſſel filled up to the lip, or very brim, thou art fairer than the children of men, and grace is poured into thy lips. Chriſt was as it were grace ſpeaking, Luk 4.22. Grace ſighing, weeping, dying, Heb. 2.9. Grace living again, and now dropping, or rather raining down floods of grace on his living members, Epheſ. 4.11. Chriſt is the great Apple-tree, dropping down Apples of Life, Cant. 2.3. and all that falls from this tree, as apples, leaves, ſhadows, ſmell, bloſſomes, are but pieces of grace fallen down from him, who is the fulneſs of all,Cant. 2.1Song 2:1 and hath filled all things. Chriſt is the roſe of Sharon, and every leaf of this roſe is an Heaven; every white and red in it is grace and glory, every act of breathing out it's ſmell from everlaſting to everlaſting is Spotleſs and unmixed grace; why then my ſoul, if thou wilt conform to Chriſt, conform in this: Be holy as he is holy; John 1.16.John 1:16of that fulneſs of grace that is in him, do thou receive even grace for grace.

Chriſtians! where are we? O that ever men ſhould hear of ſo much grace, and of ſuch acts of grace in that eternity before all worlds, and yet no impreſſion of grace upon their hearts! O that God and Chriſt ſhould both be in that buſineſs of Eternity: that heaven, hell, juſtice, mercy, ſouls, and deep wiſdome, ſhould be all in that rare piece, and yet that men ſhould think more of a Farme, an Ox, an houſe, a pin, a ſtraw, or of the bones of a crazy livelihood; O look up, look up, if thou art Chriſts, Conſider what he hath done for thy ſoul; why, thou art predeſtinate to be conformed to the Image of Chriſt.

Thus far we have Looked on Jeſus as our Jeſus, in that Eternity before all time untill the creation: Our next work is to Look on Jeſus, carrying on the great work of mans ſalvation in the Creation, the beginning of time, untill his firſt coming.

p. 57LOOKING UNTO JESUS, From the Creation until his first coming. The Third Book.

Revel. 1.8, 11.

The Lord will give thee for a Covenant of the People.—

Hear ye deaf, and look ye blind, that ye may ſee.

CHAP. I.