Looking Unto Jesus, Book 5 · Chapter 5 · Section 4
SECT. IV. Of Hopeing in Jeſus in that reſpect.
4. LEt us hope in Jeſus carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Life. By this hope I mean not a fluctuating, wavering, doubtful hope, but an aſſured hope; an hope well grounded. The main ſoul queſtion is, whether Chriſt's life be mine? whether all thoſe paſſages of his life l…id open, belong unto me? whether the habitual righteouſneſs, and actual holineſs of Chriſt be imputed to my juſtification? and what are the grounds and foundations on which my hope is built? The Apoſtle tells us, that God gives good hopes through Grace; if hope be right and good,2 Theſ. 2.16. it will manifeſt it ſelf by operations of ſaving Grace: O look into thy ſoul! what gracious effects of the life of Chriſt are there? certainly his life is not with out ſome influence on our ſpirits, if we be his Members, and he be our Head. The Head we ſay, communicates life and ſenſe, and motion to his members; and ſo doth Chriſt communicate a ſpiritual life and ſenſe, and motion to his members; O the glorious effects flowing out of Chriſt's life into a Believers ſoul! I ſhall lay down theſe. As,—
1. If Chriſt's life be mine, then am I freed from the Law of ſin: This was the Apoſtles evidence; For the Law of the Spirit of life in Chriſt Jeſus, Rom. 8.2.hath made me free from the Law of ſin and death. Chriſt's Life is called the Spirit of Life, becauſe of its perfection; and this Spirit of Life hath ſuch a power in it, here termed a Law, that it works out in Believers a freedom from the Law or Power in Sin. I cannot think, notwithſtanding the influence of Chriſt's life on me, but that ſin ſtill-ſticketh in me, I am ſtill a ſinner in reſpect of the inherency of ſin, but I am freed from the power of ſin (i.e.) from the guilt of ſin, as to its condemning power; and from the filth of ſin as to its ruling reigning power:Rom. 6.12. Let not ſin reign in your mortal bodies, that ye ſhould obey it in the luſts thereof.—
I grant there is ſome difference among Divines in their expreſſions, concerning the ſins of Gods own people, though they mean one and the ſelf-ſame thing. Some call them only ſins of infirmity; and others grant the name of reigning ſins; but with this limitation, that this is not a total reigning. Sin reigneth as a Tyrant over them, not as a King; at ſometimes (as in Davids caſe) the will and conſent may run along with ſin, no actual reſiſtance may be made againſt ſin at all;1 John 3.9. and yet at the very ſame time the ſeed of God remaineth in them, though it ſeem dead; and in Gods good time, that very ſeed will revive again, and throw out the Tyrant; there is not, cannot be that antecedent and conſequent conſent to ſin in the godly, as in the wicked: O my ſoul, conſider this! if the vertue of Chriſt's life come in, it will take down that ſoveraign high reign of ſin which the wicked ſuffer, and will not ſtrive againſt; the fleſh indeed may ſometimes luſt againſt the Spirit, but it ſhall not totally prevail or get the upper hand; Sin ſhall not have dominion over you. Sin may tyrannize in me for a time, but it ſhall not King it in me. Look to this!Rom. 6.14. Doth the power and dominion of Chriſts Life throw out of thy heart and life that Kingly power and dominion of my ſin? here is one ground of hope.
2. If Chriſt's life be mine, then ſhall I walk even as he walked; ſuch is the efficacy of Chriſt's life, that it will work ſutableneſs, and make our life in ſome ſort like his life. The Apoſtle obſerves that our communion with Chriſt works on our very converſations; he that abideth in him, walkes even as he walked: and to this purpoſe are all thoſe holy admonitions; walk in love, as Chriſt alſo loved us.—and,1 John 2.6. Eph. 5.2. John 13.15. 1 Pet. 1.15. I have given you an example, that you ſhould do as I have done unto you.—And, as he which hath called you is holy, ſo be ye holy in all manner of converſation. Then is Chriſt's life mine, when my actions refer to him as my Copy, when I tranſcribe the Original of Chriſt's life (as it were, to the life. Alas, what am I better to obſerve in the life of Chriſt his Charity to his Enemies, his Reprehenſions of the Scribes and Phariſees, his ſubordination to his heavenly Father, his ingenuity towards all men, his effuſions of love towards all the Saints, if there be no likeneſs of all this in my own actions? The Life of Jeſus is not deſcribed to be like a Picture in a chamber of Pleaſure, only for beauty and entertainment of the eye, but like the Egyptain Hieroglyphicks, whoſe very feature is a precept, whoſe Images converſe with men by ſenſe, and ſignification of excellent diſcourſes; to this purpoſe,2 Cor. 3.18. ſaith Paul, we all with open face, beholding as in a glaſs, the glory of the Lord, are changed in the ſame Image from Glory to Glory: Chriſt is the Image of his Father, and we are the Images of Chriſt; Chriſt is Gods Maſterpeice, and the moſt excellent device and work, and frame of heaven that ever was, or ever ſhall be; now Chriſt being the top-excellency of all, he is moſt fit to be the the pattern of all excellencies whatſoever; and therefore he is the Image, the Idea, the Pattern, the Platform of all our ſanctification. Come then, O my ſoul, look unto Jeſus, and look into thy ſelf; yea, and look and look, till thou art more transformed into his likeneſs: Is it ſo that thou art changed into the ſame image with Chriſt? took into his diſpoſition as it is ſet forth in the Goſpel? look into his carriage, look into his converſation at home and abroad; and then reflecting on thy ſelf; look there, and tell me, canſt thou find in thy ſelf a diſpoſition ſuitable to his diſpoſition, a carriage ſutable to his carriage, a converſation ſutable to his converſation? art thou every way like him in thy meaſure, in Goſpel allowance; in ſome ſweet reſemblance? why then, here's another ground of hope: O rejoyce in it, and bleſs God for it.
3. If Chriſts life be mine, then ſhall I admire, adore, believe, and obey this Chriſt. All theſe were the effects of thoſe ſeveral paſſages in Chriſt's life reſpectively. 1. They admire at his Doctrine and Miracles:Luke 4.22. Matth. 15.31. For his Doctrine; all bear him witneſs, and wondered at thoſe gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth: and for his Miracles; they wondred, and they glorified the God, the God of Iſrael: yea ſometimes their admiration was ſo great, that they were ſore amazed in themſelves beyond meaſure, and wondred. Mark 6.51. Luke. 9.43.—They were amazed at the mighty Power of God, and they wondred every one at all things which Jeſus did. 2. And as they admired, ſo they adored: there came a Leaper and worſhipped him, Matth. 8.2. Matth. 9.18. Matth. 14.33.ſaying, if thou wilt thou canſt make me clean: and there came a Ruler and worſhipped him, ſaying, My Daughter is even now dead, come lay thy hand on her, and ſhe ſhall live; and they that were in the Ship came and worſhipped, ſaying, of a truth thou art the Son of God. The very worſhipping of Chriſt confeſſeth thus much, that he is the Son of God. 3. And as they adored, ſo they believed: If thou canſt believe (ſaid Chriſt to the Father of the poſſeſſed Child) all things are poſſible to him that believeth; Mark 9.23, 24.and ſtraight way he cried out, and ſaid with tears, Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief. And when many of his Diſciples fell away, then ſaid Jeſus to the twelve, will ye alſo go away? Peter anſwers for the reſt, to whom ſhall we go?—Why Lord, we believe, John 6.66, 69.and are ſure that thou art the Chriſt, the Son of the living God: not only worſhipping of Chriſt, but believing in Chriſt is a right acknowledgment that Chriſt is God.Rom. 6.17. Mat. 4.19, 20, 22. 4. And as they believed, ſo they obeyed: ye have obeyed from the heart (ſaid Paul to the Romans) that form of Doctrine which was delivered to you; no ſooner Peter and Andrew heard the voice of Chriſt, follow me, but they left all and followed him: and no ſooner James and John heard the ſame voice of Chriſt, follow me, but they left all and followed him; Matth. 9.9. John 8.31.and no ſooner Matthew, ſitting at the receipt of cuſtom, heard that voice of Chriſt, follow me, but he roſe and followed him. Why then are ye my Diſciples indeed (ſaid Chriſt to the believing Jews) if ye continue in my word. Come then, put thy ſelf, O my ſoul, to the teſt; thou haſt ſeen and heard, the wonderfull paſſages of Chriſt's Life; the Baptiſm of Chriſt, the Faſting of Chriſt, the Temptations of Chriſt, the Manifeſtations of Chriſt; the Doctrine of Chriſt, the Miracles of Chriſt, the Holineſs of Chriſt; and is this the iſſue of all? Doſt thou now begin to admire, and adore, and believe, and to obey this Chriſt? is thy heart warmed? thy affections kindled? Forbs tells us that the word of God hath three degrees of opperation in the hearts of his choſen, firſt it falleth to mens ears as the ſound of many waters, a mighty, great, and confuſed ſound, and which commonly brings neither terrour nor joy, but yet a wandering and acknowledgment of a ſtrange force, and more than humane power, this is that effect which many felt hearing Chriſt, when they were aſtoniſhed at his Doctrine, as teaching with authority; Mat. 1.22, 27. Luke 4.32. John 7.46.what manner of Doctrine is this? never man ſpake like this man: the next effect is the voice of thunder, which bringeth not only wonder, but fear alſo: not only filleth the ears with ſound and the heart with aſtoniſhment, but moreover ſhaketh and terrifieth the conſcience: the third effect is the ſound of harping, while the Word not only raviſheth with admiration, and ſtriketh the Conſcience with terror, but alſo laſtly filleth it with ſweet peace and joy. In the preſent caſe, give me leave to ask, O my ſoul, art thou ſtruck into a maze at the mighty Miracles, and divine Doctrine of Jeſus Chriſt? doſt thou fall down and worſhip him as the Lord and thy God? doſt thou believe in him, and relie on him for Life and Salvation? doſt thou obey him, and follow the Lamb which way ſoever he goes? doſt thou act from Principles of Grace in newneſs of life, and holineſs of converſation? doſt thou walk anſwerably to the commands of Jeſus Chriſt; or at leaſt is there in thee an earneſt endeavour ſo to walk, and is it the ſorrow of thy ſoul, when thou obſerveſt thy failings? and doſt thou rejoyce in ſpirit when thou art led by the Spirit? why then here's another ground hope, that virtue is gone of Chriſt's life into thy ſoul.
4. If Chriſt's life be mine, then I live, yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me. Gal. 2.20.Paul ſpeaks out this evidence, I am crucified with Chriſt, nevertheleſs I live, &c. he conjoins the death of Chriſt, and the life of Chriſt in one and the ſame ſoul; q. d. no man knows the benefit of Chriſts death, but he that feels the virtue of Chriſt's life; there's no aſſurance of Chriſts dying for us, but as we feel Chriſt living in us; if the power of Chriſts death mortifie my luſts, then the virtue of Chriſt's life will quicken my ſoul: but what means he by this, I live, yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me? It ſeems ſome Paradox; I live, yet not I: but a right interpretation reconciles all; as this, I live to God, and not unto my ſelf; I live to Chriſt, and not unto the World; I live according to the Will of God, and not after my own luſt and fancy; or (as ſome would have it) I live under grace, and not under the Law. q. d. Sometimes I lived wholly under the Law, which made me a perſecutor of the Church of God, which wrought in me all manner of Concupiſcence, and ſlew me; and then I found my ſelf to be dead in ſin: but now I have embraced Chriſt, and am no more the man I was; now I feel Chriſt quickning, ruling, guiding, and ſtrengthning me by his Spirit, now I live ſpiritually and holily, not of my ſelf, but from another: The very whole of Chriſtians is from Chriſt; Chriſt is both Fountain-filling, and Life-quickning; I live, yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me. Chriſts life hath an influence, infuſion, tranſmiſſion into our ſelves in reference to ſpiritual life: Look as the Heavens by an influence into the Earth, do quicken and enliven the Earth, and make all the ſeeds and roots hidden in the Earth, to revive and put forth themſelves;Matth. 4.2. ſo there is an influence that goes forth from the Sun of Righteouſneſs into the Souls of men, reviving and quickning them, and making them of dead, to become living; and of barren, to become fruitful; To you ſhall the Sun of Righteouſneſs ariſe with healing in his wings, and ye ſhall go forth, and grow up as the Calves of the Stall. O my Soul! queſtion thy ſelf in theſe few particulars; doſt thou live to God, and not to thy ſelf? doſt thou live to Chriſt, and not to the World? doſt thou derive thy life from Chriſt? and hath that life of Chriſt a ſpecial influence into thy ſoul? doſt thou feel Chriſt living in thy underſtanding and will, in thy imagination and affections, in thy duties and ſervices? 1. In thy underſtanding, by prizing the knowledge of Chriſt, by determining to know nothing in compariſon of Chriſt? 2. In thy will, by making thy will free to chuſe and embrace Chriſt; and by making his will to rule is thy will? 3. In thy imagination, by thinking upon him with more frequency and delight; by having more high, and honorable, and ſweeter apprehenſions of Chriſt than of all the Creatures? 4. In thy affections, by fearing Chriſt above all earthly powers, and by loving Chriſt above all earthly perſons? 5. In thy duties and ſervices, by doing all thou doſt in his Name, by his aſſiſtance, and for his glory? why then here's another ground of thy hope, ſurely thou haſt thy part in Chriſts Life.
Away, away with all dejecting doubts, and perplexing fears! while Chriſt was in Auguſtines eye, he ſaid, I dare not deſpond, I know who hath ſaid it, and I dare build upon it; this Anchor of hope thus caſt out, and faſtning upon Chriſt, it would be admirably uſeful when Billows of Temptation beat upon Souls; this Helmet of Hope thus uſed, would keep off many blows, whereby the comforts of diſtruſtful ſpirits are many times ſadly battered. O my Soul, look to the grounds of thy hope! if thou findeſt the power of ſin dying in thee, if thou walkeſt as Chriſt walked, if thou admireſt, adoreſt, believeſt, and obeyeſt thy Chriſt; if thou liveſt, and liveſt not, but in deed, and in truth, it is Chriſt that lives in thee; why then thou maiſt comfortably hope and aſſure thy ſelf that Chriſts habitual righteouſneſs, and actual holineſs is imputed to thy juſtification; thou maiſt confidently reſolve that every paſſage of Chriſts Life (ſo far as Legal or Moral) belongs unto thee. What? would ever Chriſt have come with his power againſt thy power of ſin, if he had not meant to reſcue thee? Would Chriſt ever have ſet thee a Copy, and have held thy hand and thy heart, to have writ legibly after him, if he had not meant thee for a Scribe inſtructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven? Mat. 13.55.would Chriſt in his ſeveral actings have ſet himſelf before thee as the Object of Admiration, Adoration, Belief and Obedience, if he had not meant to own thee, and to be owned by thee? would Chriſt ever have come ſo near to thee, as to have lived in thee, to have been the ſoul of thy ſoul, and the life of thy life, the All of thy underſtanding and will, imaginations and affections, duties and ſervices, if he had not purpoſed to have ſaved thee by his life? Rom. 5.10. Lam. 3.26.Surely it is good that I both hope, and quietly wait for the Salvation of God. I cannot hope in vain if theſe be the grounds of my hope.