The Best Treasure, Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
Wherein the Faithfulneſs of Chriſt is opened, in accompliſhing all his Propheſies, fulfilling his Promiſes to all the Truſt committed to him, and in all the Relations he ſtands to his People.
THE Sweetneſs and Excellency of Chriſt's Diſpoſition conſiſts alſo.
Laſtly, In his Juſtice and Fidelity; he is righteous, true, and faithful in all he doth and undertakes, and this argues an excellent Spirit; this was part of that Glory, the Spirit of God puts on Moſes, Numb. 12. 7. But my Servant Moſes is not ſo, who is faithful in all my Houſe, with him will I ſpeak Mouth to Mouth: even apparently, God puts a ſingular Value on Moſes, hath a peculiar kindneſs for him, and affords him more intimacy with himſelf than others have, becauſe of his Faithfulneſs: So Daniel, It was his great Honour that his very Enemies could not ſpot him, or find any Error in him, on the account of his Unfaithfulneſs, Dan. 6. 4. 'Twas this brought Judah into ſo high an Eſtimation with God, as 'tis ſaid, Hoſ. 11. 12. Judah ruled with God, and was faithful with the Saints. Nay a faithful perſon is a Jewel ſo rare, that he can ſcarcely be found, Prov. 20. 6. Every man will proclaim his own Goodneſs, but a faithful man, who can find? That is, as ſome render it, 'Tis a common thing for men to talk of their Goodneſs, Bounty and Mercy, but 'tis a rare thing for them to be ſo indeed, to be ſo good as they ſeem to be. Others comment on it thus, 'Tis an eaſie thing for men to promiſe fair, and to ſpeak of great things they will do, but few are found that perform their word, and are what they promiſe to be. Take it in either Senſe, a faithful man is a rare thing, who can find it, as ſeldom ſeen almoſt, as a black Swan, or a rich Jewel. Now the Lord Jeſus is thus excellent, he is true, though every man be a Lyer, called the faithful Witneſs, Rev. 1. 5. His Name as well as Nature is faithful, Rev. 19. 11. The Lord Jeſus gives a faithful Teſtimony of the love that God bears to Sinners, he lay in the Fathers boſom, and hath given a true Revelation of him, Rev. 1. 5. Iſa. 11. 5. Faithfulneſs is the Girdle of his Reins. The Prophet alludes to thoſe Ornaments, Kings did uſe to wear; they wore a Girdle as an Enſign of Honour and Power, Job 12. 18. He looſeth the bonds of Kings, that is, their Girdle, by which he means their Power and Authority, which he removes: now inſtead of this Enſign of Honour which Kings did wear, Chriſt ſhall be cloathed with Faithfulneſs and Righteouſneſs, this ſhall be his Ornament and Glory, Heb. 2. 17. He is the faithful high-prieſt.
Firſt, He is faithful and juſt to all men, even to his very Enemies, he will not wrong them in the leaſt; he renders to every one his due, Rom. 2. 6. The very Hypocrites ſhall have their Reward, Matth. 6. 2. The Lord Jeſus will not give cauſe to any to ſay at the laſt day, that he is their Debtor, or doth them Wrong▪ Matth. 20. 13. The wicked ſhall have their Portion in this Life, all that is coming to them, as much as they can in Juſtice demand. If Ahab repent he ſhall have Reprieve from his Puniſhment; eternal Repentance ſhall obtain eternal Deliverance. If Eſau pray for the Bleſſings of this life with Tears, God will give them to him, he cannot be a Debtor to any; his very Enemies ſhall have their due, as much as their outward Duties or ſervile Labours amount to; for the holy one of Iſrael cannot lye, what Promiſe ſoever God makes to any outward Action or Vertue, it ſhall certainly be fulfilled, he cannot defraud any; the Phariſees ſhall have their Honour, Judas his bag; Demas the World, and Dives his Pleaſures: he that commands his People to render every one their due, cannot poſſibly wrong any.
Secondly, He is faithful to his People, 1 Pet. 4. 19. Let them that ſuffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator: That is, Chriſt is able to keep you in Sufferings becauſe he made you of nothing, and he that gave you a being when you were nothing, he can keep you now, though all the World be ſet againſt you: He can do it becauſe he created you of nothing, and he will do it, becauſe he is faithful, and hath promiſed; now this Faithfulneſs of Chriſt to his people lies.
Firſt, In his exact Accompliſhment of all his Propheſies, All things written concerning him, are fulfilled in him, Luke 18. 31. A tittle of God's word ſhall not fall to the ground, all the Types and legal Figures as they ſhadowed out Chriſt to come, namely, the High-prieſt, the Altar, the ſcape Goat, &c. were perfectly accompliſht in him, they were the Shadows, he the Subſtance; all Scripture Propheſies concerning divine Providence, the Reſurrection of Sion, and the Deſtruction of Babylon, ſhall be fulfilled to one Iota, Luke 21. 22.
Secondly in performing his Promiſes, never an Engagement made by the Father to the Son, or by him to his people, but he will ſee it aſſuredly made good, Rom. 15. 8. 1 Kings 8. 28. 2 Pet. 3. 9. The Lord is not ſlack concerning his Promiſes, Tit. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 1. 20. All the Promiſes are in him, yea, and Amen.
Object. Chriſt's Faithfulneſs in fulfilling his Promiſes pertains only to the Heirs of the Promiſes: but I cannot call the Promiſes mine, becauſe of my unfaithfulneſs to God.
Anſw. The Promiſes of God are not made to the Doers of the Law or Go…pel, but to Believers: nor are they made for doing, but upon believing: 'Tis true, by Faithfulneſs and Obedience comes the thing promiſed, but a Title to the Promiſes is procured by believing; pray put a diſtinction between the Promiſes, and the thing promiſed, Gal. 3. 22. That the promiſe by Faith of Jeſus Chriſt, might be given to them that believe, Heb. 6. 17, 18. The promiſe of Grace, Healing, and Salvation, depends not upon the fidelity of the ſaved Soul, but upon the faithfulneſs of God, in Chriſt.
Obj. But I do not find the Promiſes made good to me; God hath ſaid, He will never leave nor forſake his People, but, I doubt, he hath forſaken me; for I cannot ſee his outgoings in the Sanctuary: He hath promiſed to hear the Prayers made in his Name; to diſpence Grace, to give out his Spirit, and to create a new heart; but I find not the performance of theſe things in me.
Anſw. Firſt, If the Lord Jeſus doth not fulfill his Promiſes, 'tis becauſe thou art not fit for them: God would have brought Iſrael into Canaan, near forty years before he did, but they were not fit for that mercy: They were carnal, luſting, murmuring, rebelling, ſo that God ſent them back again into the Wilderneſs. Chriſt would have taught his People many glorious Truths, but they were not able to bear them, Joh. 16. 12. Food, yea, the choiceſt Dainties, upon a diſtempered Stomach, are caſt away, they feed nothing but the Diſeaſe: If God accompliſh not his Word to thee, 'tis becauſe thou art uncapable for it: Thy Iniquities, it may be, withhold good things from thee, Iſa. 59. 1.
Secondly, Chriſt may be performing his Promiſes though thou doſt not ſee it: For,
Firſt, Chriſt doth fulfill his Promiſe, though he doth not give the ſame thing he ſeems to promiſe: If he give thee that which is equivalent in the room of it: So, if the Lord doth not give his People the Comforts of this Life, yet if he gives them Contentment without them, he fulfills his Promiſe; So he dealt with Paul, Phil. 4. 11. I have learned in every ſtate to be contented; and with David, Pſal. 16. 6. The Diſciples had nothing, yet in the want of all, they had all things, 2 Cor. 6. 10. If in the want of Bread, God gives Strength and Satisfaction, he fulfills his Word. The wicked in their Fulneſs are in Straits, Joh, 20. 22. But the Godly in their Straits have a Fulneſs.
Secondly, Chriſt doth fulfill his Promiſe, though he gives not the ſame thing, if he gives a better thing: If Chriſt withholds Earthly things, and gives Spiritual; As Saul found not his Aſſes, but in the room of them met with a Kingdom: The Diſciples loſt their Nets and Boats, and found a Treaſure in Chriſt: They loſt their taking of Fiſh, and became Fiſhers of men: Paul ſuffer'd a Shipwrack of all his own Excellencies, and found the Excellencies of Chriſt.
Thirdly, Chriſt fulfills his Promiſes, though he do not give the ſame things his People would have, yet, if he gives them ſutable things, ſuch as he ſees beſt ſutes and fits their preſent ſtate: So the Diſciples expected a Temporal Kingdom, but Chriſt gave them a Spiritual Kingdom. It may be a little Mercy is more ſutable for thee than a great deal; Children muſt have their meat ſuted to their Health, not their Stomach: Paul could not bear much Viſion of God, and therefore muſt have a Thorn in the Fleſh, 2 Cor. 12. 7.
Fourthly, Chriſt doth fulfill his Promiſe, though he doth not give thee what thou thinkeſt thou doſt want, if he give thee what he knows thou wanteſt, Rom. 8. 26. Thou ſuppoſeſt thou wanteſt Comforts, he withholds them, and gives thee humblings.
Fifthly, Chriſt fulfills his Promiſe, though he doth not deliver thee out of thy preſent Evils, if he thereby preſerves thee from a greater Evil: As Paul had a thorn in the Fleſh, the Meſſenger of Satan to buffet him; leſt, through the abundance of Revelations, he ſhould be puffed up, and his Soul in danger of Ruine.
Laſtly, Chriſt doth fulfill his Promiſe, if he doth it in his own time, though he doth it not in our time. So in Abraham; God promiſed him a Son, he expected it many years ſooner, but God kept it till the moſt convenient ſeaſon. Every thing is beautiful in its ſeaſon, Eccleſ. 3. 11. 1 Pet. 5. 6. Mercies are Afflictions, when out of due time: Now, 'tis he that gives the Mercy, can beſt tell when to give it, Jer. 49. 19. Who will appoint me the time, Lev. 26. 4. The Faithfulneſs of Chriſt is firm and unalterable, whatever Objections Unbelief makes againſt it. He will perform all his Promiſes, Gen. 28. 15. And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goeſt, and will bring thee again into this Land, for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have ſpoken to thee of. O what a bleſſed word is this! 'Tis a promiſe made to Jacob, when he was to undertake a difficult Journey; and what things are written, are written for our Inſtruction; Promiſes made to particular Saints, are applicable to all the Saints in the ſame condition; as we find that of Joſhua, 1. 5. I will not leave thee nor forſake thee. The Apoſtle makes Uſe of it, Heb. 13. 5. Now I ſhall give a few Reaſons to prove that Chriſt cannot fail of fulfilling his Promiſe. For,
Firſt, He is Truth it ſelf, and cannot lye, Rev. 3. 14. He is called, The Amen, the faithful and true Witneſs: The Holy one of Iſrael, who cannot lye: For, God is not as man that he ſhould lye, or as the Son of man, that he ſhould repent; hath he ſaid, and ſhall he not do it, hath be ſpoken, and ſhall he not make it good? Numb. 23. 19.
Secondly, He came to fulfill all Righteouſneſs, Matth. 3. 15. It becometh us to fulfil all Righteouſneſs: foreign, It behoveth us, I ought to do it, by the Appointment and Will of my Father, as Chemnitius renders it: Chriſt came into the World to fulfill all Righteouſneſs; Now, to perform and make good the Promiſes of God, is part of this Righteouſneſs: 'tis a debt God is engag'd in, and Chriſt came not only to pay Sinners debts to the Father, but to make good the Father's Engagements unto them.
Thirdly, Did not Chriſt fulfill all the Promiſes of God to Believers, then the New Covenant would be an imperfect and faulty Covenant; were the Promiſes of the new Covenant unfulfilled, then it would be a Covenant of Works▪ and ſo imperfect: But the New Covenant is eſtabliſht on better Promiſes, Heh. 8. 6, 7, &c. Now new Covenant-promiſes are better than the old, not only as to the Matter of them, but as to the certainty of their performance. The firſt Covenant-promiſes were liable to be broken, Jer. 31. 31, 32. But theſe New Covenant-promiſes are ſure to all the Seed. This was the principal thing undertaken in the New Covenant, for Believers, that the Promiſes ſhould be certainly fulfilled, and therefore 'tis called a better Covenant than the Old.
Fourthly, Chriſt muſt needs fulfill the Promiſes, or he would die in vain, and ſhed his Blood to no purpoſe: for the Blood of Chriſt is the Blood of the Covenant, Matth. 26. 28. and it was ſhed on purpoſe to confirm the truth of the Promiſe to all that believe, Heb. 9. 15. For this end he came into the World, and became a Mediator, Rom. 15. 8, 9.
Fifthly, That he might finiſh the Work the Father gave him to do, and ſo give up his Account with joy. This is the Work God ſent Chriſt into the World for, that he might be the Mediator of the New Covenant, and make good the Will of God to all the Federates thereof, Joh. 6. 38. to 41. and this Chriſt cannot fail to perform, Joh. 17. 4. His Spirit ſhall not fail, till he hath ſet Judgment on the Earth, Iſa. 42. 4.
Sixthly, That he may ſtop the mouth of Devils, and prove Satan a Lyar. The great work of Satan is to belye God, and repreſent him to Sinners Unfaithful and untrue. Now Chriſt is to fight againſt the Devil, and deſtroy his Works, 1 Joh. 3. 8. and prove the Truth of God againſt all oppoſers, Rom. 3. 4.
Seventhly, He is fully able to do it; He hath all Power in his hand, both in Heaven and in Earth, Matth. 28. 18. He is a merciful God, and ſo nothing is too hard for him: He will work, and none ſhall let it; beſides, he hath all that Grace and Goodneſs that poor Souls need, in his own hand; He hath received the Spirit without meaſure, Joh. 3. 34. All Fulneſs dwells in him; Name any thing which thou ſtandeſt in need of, which is not in Chriſt to give thee. Doſt thou want Pardon, Peace of Conſcience, Grace, Holineſs, Power over thy Corruptions, Victory over thy Temptations, Comfort under thy Troubles, ſatisfaction of thy Doubts, quieting of thy Fears, and remove of thy Burdens. Doſt thou want quicknings, ſoftnings for the hardneſs of thy Heart: ſtrengthnings under thy weakneſs, fitneſs for thy Mercies and Duties, Patience under thy Sufferings, and Humility under thy Priviledges? Doſt thou want thankfulneſs for thy Mercies, clearing up of thy Evidences, Taſts of God's Love, and readineſs for Death, Judgment, and Eternity? Why, all this Chriſt hath in his own hand already; He is not to ſeek for theſe things when thou crieſt after them.
Again, As he hath Power to help thee, and fulfill all the Promiſes of God to thee, ſo he hath Right and Authority too: He is the Angel of the Covenant, Mal. 3. 1. He is ſent, deputed, and ſealed of God, to this very Work, Joh. 6. 27. All the Promiſes upon that Redemption-agreement betwixt the Father and the Son, are made over to him, and put into his hand, 2 Cor. 1. 30. Now all that Chriſt can do for the making good of his Father's Word, and benefitting his People, he will certainly perform, for he ever liveth to make Interceſſion, Heb. 7. 25. and is entred into Heaven, to appear as their Advocate and Agent, Heb. 9. 24.
Laſtly, Chriſt muſt needs fulfill his Promiſes, or elſe he would weaken the Encouragement of Souls to believe in him, and ſo overthrow all his own Deſign in, and by the Goſpel, which is, to bring Souls to believe in him, Joh. 20. 31. Theſe are▪ written that you may believe, Joh, 17. 21. That the World may believe that thou haſt ſent me, Joh. 10. 38. Now, if Chriſt fails of his Promiſe, how would this diſcourage Souls from believing in him? who would truſt Chriſt, ſhould he not be faithful? and the Devil would be ſure to make the moſt of this Advantage, to prevent believing. Chriſt will make good his Word in his own time, way, and meaſure, Matth. 5. 18. Heaven and Earth ſhall paſs away, but not one jot or tittle of the Law, till all be fulfilled. All ſhall be fulfilled for Believers, and in them: and if Chriſt cannot permit one Jot of the Law to fall to the ground, ſurely, he will not ſuffer ſo choice a part of the Goſpel as the Promiſes are, to be unaccompliſhed. Again, as Chriſt will perform all the Promiſes, ſo eſpecially thoſe great ones, that concern the Grace and Glory of all that believe, Pſal. 84. 11. He will give grac… and glory, &c. If the Lord Jeſus upbraided the Phariſees for tything Mint and Cummin, and omitting th… weightier matters of the Law, ſurely he cannot neglect the greateſt of his Goſpel▪promiſes to his people.
Thirdly, the Lord Jeſus is faithful to the Truſt committed to him; thus was Moſes, He was faithful in all God's Houſe, Numb. 12. 7. that is, as a Steward, he was juſt and honeſt in the diſcharge of that Truſt committed to him, concerning the Work and Intereſt of God; ſo 'tis taken, Math. 25. 21. Well done, thou good and faithful Servant; Thou haſt been faithful in thy Stewardſhip in the uſe of thoſe things committed to thee; in this Senſe is Chriſt faithful alſo; in a perfect Diſcharge of that Truſt repoſed in him, and that both with reſpect to God his Father, and with reſpect to his People.
Firſt, In reſpect of that Truſt committed to him by the Father, God the Father hath entruſted him with the great Concerns of Redemption, Grace, and Glory, with that glorious Contrivance of ſaving fallen man, and bringing about the Recovery of loſt Sinners: and therefore he calls him his Servant, Iſa. 49. 5. And now ſaith the Lord that formed me from the Womb to be his Servant, to bring Jacob again to him. It ſets forth Chriſt's Deſignation by the Father, to his mediatorly Office, wherein God the Father calls him to great work, commits vaſt Concerns to him, about the gathering in of loſt Souls, and undertaking their Attonement, Sanctification, and Salvation; for the accompliſhment of which, the Father commits all to the Fidelity of Chriſt, both as to Suffering and interceding work, and in all this the Lord Jeſus is faithful: ſo the Spirit of God calls him a faithful High-prieſt in things pertaining unto God, in making Reconciliation for the Sins of the People. This the Lord Jeſus undertook to the Father, that he would ſatisfie his Wrath, and remove his Diſpleaſure from his People, by bearing their Sins for and from them, that God might again take them into his Favour, as if they had never ſinned; and in this he was and is faithful, nay in all things that God hath charged him with, about the ſaving of Souls, Heb. 3. 2. Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as alſo Moſes was faithful in all his houſe. So that whatever the Father laid on Chriſt in the behalf of his people to make Reconciliation for them, and preſent them ſpotleſs in his Preſence, this he hath fully and faithfully diſcharged, as I have already ſhewn on this Subject.
Secondly, The Lord Jeſus hath a Truſt committed to him from his People: They commit the keeping of their Souls to him as to a faithful Redeemer, 1 Pet. 4. 19. Every believing Soul when he comes over to Chriſt firſt, doth depute, accept of, chuſe and entruſt the Lord Jeſus to be his Redeemer, and he undertakes the preſerving of him unto Glory; he that comes to Chriſt aright, takes him for his Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification and Redemption, 1 Cor. 1. 30. For ſo is Chriſt given and tendred by the Father, and ſo do Believers receive him, and entruſt him with their Souls, that they may be made righteous before God, have their Sins remov'd, and be preſented before the Father, without Spot or Wrinkle, Eph. 5. 25, 26. They truſt Chriſt for Sanctification, to be made truly, and in his time perfectly holy, as holy as God is holy, and as holy as God requires. They truſt Chriſt for Wiſdom, to be made Partakers of divine Light, to be made wiſe unto Salvation, to know all that God would have them, and that their Natures are capable to underſtand, and to have the Image of God perfected in them, which conſiſts in Knowledge as well as Righteouſneſs. They commit themſelves to Chriſt to be redeemed from every Evil, Sin, or Danger, or whatever hinders their compleat Salvation: thus do Believers, take Chriſt, and ſurrender themſelves up to him on theſe great and glorious ends, and thus did he undertake, when he gave himſelf by his Spirit to them, and therefore is called the Surety of the Covenant, as hath been already ſhewn, Heb. 7. 22. therefore 'tis ſaid, Eph. 5. 25. to 28. That Chriſt gave himſelf for the Church, that he might waſh it and cleanſe it, ſanctifie it and preſent it to the Father without Spot or Wrinkle or any ſuch thing. This he undertook when he became a Mediator between God and them, 1 Tim. 2. 5. Now he is faithful in this alſo to all his Seed, Heb. 10. 23. He is faithful who hath promiſed, 1 Joh. 1. 9. He is faithful and juſt to forgive them, 2 Tim. 1. 12. I know whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that good thing I have committed to him againſt that day, 1 Theſ. 5. 24. 1 Cor. 10. 13. O Souls, you that have committed your ſelves to Chriſt in Truth, know that he is faithful, and will not fail you, but will certainly accompliſh and make good all your regular Hopes and Expectations, he can looſe nothing of all that the Father hath given him, Joh. 17. 12. Be ſure, what Bargain ſoever he hath made with you, what Mercies ſoever he hath promiſed you, he will aſſuredly fulfil and keep touch to a tittle; he is the faithful Steward, and Advocate for his People.
Fourthly, The Lord Jeſus is faithful to all the Relations he ſtands in to his people; Herein Fidelity appears in holding forth, and living up to thoſe Duties of Relation in which a perſon ſtands to others; ſo Sylvanus is called a faithful Brother, 1 Pet. 5. 12. and Tychicus a faithful Miniſter, Eph. 6. 21. In this that they were true and juſt, in holding forth all the Duties of their Relation, Defectiveneſs, in which diſcovers Falſeneſs and Treachery: but the Lord Jeſus is faithful in all Relations to Believers; he fills them up, and anſwers the end of them, now the Scripture ſets forth the Union of Chriſt to Believers, by ſeveral Relations.
Firſt, He is their Friend, Iſa. 41. 8. The ſeed of Abraham my Friend, Joh. 15. 14. 15. Ye are my Friends, I have called you Friends, Joh. 11. 11. Our Friend Lazarus ſleepeth. Now Chriſt is a faithful Friend to his people in holding forth all the Offices of true Friendſhip to them. As,
Firſt, Love, Prov. 17. 17. A friend loveth at all times, ſuch a Friend is Chriſt to all his, many Waters cannot quench it, he loves his People when he hides his Face from them, when he ſpeaks ſharply to them, and ſeverely rebukes them.
Secondly, To own his Friend in all places, times, and conditions, ſo Jonathan owned David in his greateſt Dangers, when his Father ſought his Life, when it was dangerous to appear for him, 1 Sam. 20. 28. 32. ſo Chriſt is not aſham'd to own his People before God; men, Matth. 10. 32. Whoſoever ſhall confeſs me before men him will I confeſs before my Father's Face, 1 Cor. 16. 21. He reproved Kings for their ſake, ſaying, touch not mine anointed, &c.
Thirdly, Pity; Job. 6. 14. Pity ſhould be ſhewn from a Friend. And in this is Chriſt faithful, he hath compaſſion on the ignorant, and thoſe that are out of the way, Heb. 5. 2. He cannot hide his Eyes from his own Fleſh; he is that good Samaritane, Luke 10. 33.
Fourthly, Counſel; Prov. 27. 9. Oyntment and Perfume rejoyce the Heart, ſo doth the Sweetneſs of a man's Friend by hearty Counſel: Chriſt is called the Counſellor, Iſaiah 9. 6. He will guide his People with his Eye, and inſtruct them in the way they ſhould go, Pſal. 32. 8. Thou gaveſt thy good Spirit to inſtruct them, Neh. 9. 20.
Fifthly, Adherence; Prov. 18. 24. There is a Friend, that ſticketh cloſer than a Brother, 2 Sam. 16. 17. So the Lord Jeſus he ſtands by his People in time of need, Pſ. 50. 15. Pſ. 91. 15. Pſ. 44. 3.
Sixthly, Comfort; So Joh's Friends, Job. 2. 11. Came to mourn with him, and to comfort him, the Lord Jeſus is faithful in this alſo, Joh. 14, 18. I will not leave you comfortleſs, Iſa. 61. 2. To comfort all that mou….
Seventhly, Communication of Secrets; Judg. 16. 15. How canſt thou ſay thou loveſt me, when thy Heart is not with me? Now the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is ſuch a Friend, he will open the very Secrets of his heart to his People, Joh. 15. 15. I have called you Friends for all that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you, Pſal. 25. 14. O the ſecret Myſteries of the Goſpel, he diſcloſeth to his faithful People, that walk much with him, Joh. 14. 2, 3.
Laſtly, Supply of wants, Prov. 17. 17. A Friend is born for Adverſity, So Paul tells the Theſſalonians of his friendly reſpects to them, 1 Theſ. 2. 8. A true friend is ready to impart any thing for his Friend; ſo Jonathan ſtript himſelf to his Girdle, and Bow, and Sword, for David, 1 Sam. 18. 4. Chriſt is ſuch a Friend as will ſupply, all the Neceſſities of his people, Phil. 4. 19. My God ſhall ſupply all your need: Such a Friend he was to Jacob, Gen. 48. 15. The God which fed me all my Life long.
Secondly, He is faithful as a Brother, for in this Relation alſo doth he ſtand to his people, Joh. 20. 17. Go to my Brethren, and ſay to them, that I aſcend to my Father, and your Father, to my God and your God. Chriſt and Believers have all one Father, though in a different way, Chriſt the natural, Believers the adopted Children of God. Now as he ſtands to them in the Capacity and State of a Brother, an elder Brother, ſo his Fidelity conſiſts in a faithful Diſcharge of the Duties of ſuch a relation. As,
Firſt, One Duty is Love; All the Saints ſtand in the relation of Brethren one to another, and ſo are obliged to mutual Love, 1 Joh. 3. 10. Chriſt fulfills this duty to his people, he loves them as himſelf, Eph. 5. 25. perfectly with the ſame love with which the Father loves him, Joh. 15. 9.
Secondly; Another brotherly duty is Pity; 1 P…t. 3. 8. Having Compaſſion one of another, love as Brethren, be pityful: So Chriſt can truly ſay as Eſther did of her Kindred, Eſther 8. 6. Now can I endure to ſee the Evil that ſhall come unto my People, or how can I endure to ſee the Deſtruction of my Kindred?
Thirdly, Unity is the duty of Brethren, Pſal. 133. 1. Behold how good and pleaſant is it for Brethren to dwell together in Ʋnity, ſo is the Lord Jeſus one with his people; This he dyed for, Joh. 11. 52. This he prays for, Joh. 17. 21.
Fourthly, Another brotherly duty is Peace, Gen. 13. 18. Let there be no ſtrife betwixt me and thee, and betwixt my Herdſmen and thy Herdſmen, for we be Brethren. So Chriſt labours after peace for his people, and with them, Jo. 16. 33.
Fifthly, Acknowledgment is another duty of Brethren, So Chriſt, Heb. 2. 11. He is not aſham'd to call them brethren.
Laſtly, viſiting one another, and taking hold of Opportunities to enquire the welfare of each other, and communicate Refreſhments. Thus did Moſes, Acts 7. 23. He viſited his Brethren, and ſo doth Chriſt his People, he gives them ſpecial Acceſſes by his Spirit, he leaves them not comfortleſs, but will come unto them, Joh. 14. 18.
Thirdly, As a husband to his Spouſe, is Chriſt faithful to his People, Iſa. 54. 5. Thy Maker is thy Husband, 2 Cor. 11. 2. I have eſpouſed you to one Husband, Hoſ. 2. 19. 20. I will betroth thee unto me in Righteouſneſs, loving Kindneſs, and Faithfulneſs. Now Chriſt performs all the Offices of a tender Husband to them.
Firſt, In loving them as himſelf, Eph. 5. 25. Husbands love your Wives, as Chriſt alſo loved the Church, and gave himſelf for it. Now I ſhall give you eight Proofs of Chriſt's great love, as a husband to his People.
Firſt, His high Valuation of them, he eſteems them beyond all the World beſides, nay above Heaven it ſelf; he could leave the Heaven of Heavens to ſeek after, and to ſave them, and Manſions of Glory to come down, and betroath them: he deſpiſed all the offer'd Pleaſures and Grandure of the world, when propoſed to divert his Love from them, Matth. 4. He ſets forth their excellencies by terms of greateſt worth, he calls them his Treaſure, Exod. 19. 15. A Kingdom of Prieſts, verſ. 6. His Jewels, Mal. 3. 17. Cant. 1. 10. Thy Cheeks are comely with Rows of Jewels, thy Neck with Chains of Gold. Cant. 2. 2. As the Lilly among Thorns, ſo is my Love among the Daughters: He terms them, a Fountain of Gardens, an Orchyard of Pomegranates, Cant. 4. The only one of her Mother, the choice one of her that bare her. Theſe high Characters the Lord Jeſus gives his Spouſe, ſhews the wonderful account he makes of her.
Secondly, His coſtly purchaſe of them, he ſold himſelf to redeem them, Eph. 5. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19. He parted with all his Glory, Treaſures, Peace, Pleaſures, Strength and Life to procure a people to himſelf; had not his love been infinitely great to all his Seed, he would never have bought them at ſo dear a rate, 1 Cor. 6. 20.
Thirdly, His great Endurings for them; Jacob tells us of ſome Hardſhips he underwent to gain Rachel, Gen. 31. 40. 41. But theſe are nothing to Chriſt's Endurings for his Spouſe: he bore infinite Torments for her, all the Wrath and Vengeance of a conſuming Fire, which all the Sins of Believers did merit; he bore temporal Troubles, Wants, Wearineſs, Pains, Shame, Death it ſelf, with whatever the damned in Hell bear to all Eternity, that did he endure, to get a Spouſe among the condemned Sons and Daughters of men.
Fourthly, His amorous Treatments of them, and endearing Converſes with them; ſee the Exuberancy of his Affection, breathing out at his Lips to them, Cant. 4. 1. to verſ. 6. Behold thou art fair my Love, behold thou art fair, thou haſt Doves Eyes, &c. ver. 7. Thou art all fair my Love, there is no ſpot in thee. Cant. 2. 10. Riſe up my Love my fair one, and come away. chap. 4. 8. Come with me from Lebanon, My Spouſe, from Lebanon. verſ. 10. How fair is thy Love, my Siſter, my Spouſe, how much better is thy love than Wine, chap. 6. 4. 5. Thou art beautiful my Love as Tirzah; turn away t…ine Eyes from me, for they have overcome me.
Fifthly, His large Gifts and dowry to them; he gives himſelf, his Spirit, his Purchaſe, his Laws, his Promiſes, his Love, Life, Light, and his Kingdom, as I have already ſhewed, and this doth diſcover his large Affection to them.
Sixthly, His impatient longing after them, ſhews the Greatneſs of his conjugal love to them; Cant. 2. 14. O my Dove that art in the Clifts of the Rock, in ſecret places of the Stairs, let me ſee thy Countenance and hear thy Voice, Jer. 3. 14, Turn O back-ſliding Children, for I am marryed to you: He ſtands at the door, knocking with the dew of the night on his locks, ſaying, Open to me my Siſter, my Spouſe, my Love, my Dove, my Ʋndefiled, Cant. 5. 2. He is troubled when he cannot ſee them, and they will not come unto him, that he might give them life.
Seventhly, His wonderful Complacency in, and rejoycing over them, he is well pleaſed with; he reſts in his love over them, Zeph. 3. 17. He takes them for his only Portion, Seed, and Travel of his Soul, wherein he is ſatisfied: And as a Bridegroom rejoyceth over his Bride, ſo ſhall thy God rejoyce over thee, Iſa. 62. 5. For the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy Land ſhall be marryed, ver. 4.
Laſtly, His utter Inability to part with them, proves his great love to them, Hoſ. 11. 8. How ſhall I give th…e up O Ephraim? Iſa. 49. 16. Behold I have graven thee upon the Palms of my hands, and verſ. 15. A Woman may forget her ſucking Child, but I cannot forget thee. Nay he ſets them as a Seal upon his Heart, Cant. 8. 6. You muſt pluck out his Heart before you can make him conſent to let his Spouſe go, Joh. 10. 28. None ſhall pluck them out of my Hands. That's the firſt Teſtimony of his conjugal Faithfulneſs, his Love to all his people; 'tis a conſtant Love, Joh. 13. 1. Having loved his own that were in the World, he loved them to the end.
Secondly, His Cohabitation with them; this is another part of the Husbands duty to his Spouſe, 1 Pet. 3. 7. Ye Husbands dwell with them according to Knowledge, ſuch is the Fidelity of Chriſt to his, that he takes up his abode with them▪ Joh. 14. 23. and walks with, and dwells among them, 2 Cor, 6. 16. He doth not give them a tranſient Viſit, and look upon them now and then; however he may ſometimes appear a ſtranger, and draw a Curtain over the light of his Countenance; yet he doth not change his Habitation, but takes up his reſt in Sion, and dwells there, Pſal. 132. 13, 14. Heb. 13. 5. He will never leave them nor forſake them.
Thirdly, his affectionate and intimate Converſes with them, proves his conjugal Fidelity; he keeps up Intercourſe with them; Chriſt in Heaven maintains correſpondence with his people on Earth, Exod. 25. 22. The…e will I meet with thee, and commune with thee, above the Mercy Seat: that is, In my Ordinances and Appointments, I will open my heart to thee, tell thee my Love, and impart to thee my Secrets, 1 Joh. 1. 3. Our Fellowſhip is with the Father, and his Son Chriſt Jeſus, and this Communion is maintained by the Spirit, Joh. 16. 13. 14. When the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth, &c. For he will receive of mine, and ſhew it unto you. 'Tis a notable Scripture, and as much as if Chriſt had ſaid, I go to Heaven, my perſonal Preſence ſhall be in Manſions of Glory, but I will ſend my Spirit and he ſhall reveal the deep things of God, co…municate my mind unto you, and concerning you.
Fourthly, His tender Sympathy with them; In all their Afflictions he is afflicted, Iſaiah 63. 9. He ſoon feels their Troubles, he that toucheth them, toucheth the Apple of his …ye; Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me, Act. 9. 4. and therefore the Sufferings of the Saints are called the (foreign) the after Sufferings of Chriſt, Col. 1. 24. What is done to them he reckons as done to himſelf. And he doth not only feel their Afflictions, but bear their Burdens for them, Pſal. 55. 22. Caſt thy burden on the Lord, he will ſuſtain thee; yea he helps and relieves them under all their Afflictions, Pſal. 50. 15.
Fifthly, His patience towards them, ſhews his Fidelity as a husband; 'tis riches of patience and long-ſuffering that the Lord doth exerciſe towards his every day, Rom. 2. 4.
Sixthly, His gracious Indulgence towards them, covering their Imperfections, and pardoning their Offences is another thing his conjugal Relation to his People, obliges him to, and this he is faithful in; he puts Honour upon the uncomely parts and carriages of his People, by cloathing them with the covering of his Righteouſneſs, Rev. 3. 18. He calls upon his people to put on their white Rayment, that the ſhame of their Nakedneſs do not appear: He puts up many a wrong for them, and paſſeth by many a weakneſs in them, concealing their Imperfections from the view of others, and all becauſe he loves them, and they are his Hephzibah's.
Seaventhly, His Care of them demonſtrates his conjugal Fidelity to them, 1 Pet. 5. 7. His Eyes are always upon them, from one end of the year to the other, Deut. 11. 12. Commit thy way to the Lord, truſt alſo in him, and he ſhall bring it to paſs, Pſal. 37. 5. Upon him is the care of all the Churches, and of every Saint, yea of all their Concerns, even their very hairs. He cares for their Bodies, their Souls, their Families, their names, their Comfort, and their Profit: he will not leave them comfortleſs, nor ſuffer them to be tempted above what they are able, he will provide all things they ſtand in need of, Iſa. 46. 3. 4. Pſal. 65. 9. and if he withholds theſe lower things from them here, he prepares ſome better thing for them, both here and hereafter.
Eighthly, Protection of them from their Evils and Dangers; this is a Husbands duty to be a covering for his Spouſe, and a Screen to her from Injury, Gen. 20. 16. So Chriſt he carries his as on Eagles Wings out of the reach of their deſtroying Adverſaries, Deut. 32. 11. Exod. 19. 4. Deu… ▪ 33. 27. The eternal God is thy Refuge, and underneath are everlaſting Arms. He will keep the Feet of his Saints, 1 Sam. 2. 9. And be a little Sanctuary to them in all places.
Laſtly, His cleaving to them for ever, and being one Felſh with them, 1 Sam. 12. 22. For the Lord will not forſake his people; he is a preſent help to them; in time of Trouble always with them, never unmindful of them and their guide unto death, Pſal. 48. 14. Yea in Death and to all Eternity, he will be their Life and Salvation; here death determines the Capacity of the moſt faithful huſband, but Chriſt will accompany his Spouſe, and be a Salvation in and beyond the Grave.
Fourthly, As a head is the Lord Jeſus Chriſt faithful to his people; That is, another Relation in which Chriſt ſtands to believers, Col. 1. 18. He is the head of the Body, the Church, &c. He is compleatly furniſhed with all Excellencies and Fullneſs for that end, to be the head of his Body the Church, both as to natural and purchaſed grace; As God he is eternal, and ſo hath all ſufficiency in him; Before all things, and is their Maker and Preſerver, and as man, he is the firſt-born from the dead, and by his death hath purchaſed a Mediatorly Sufficiency to be the head of, and to preſide his Body, and perform all the Offices of Headſhip to it, as to Honour, Government, and Influence: And he hath not only a Fitneſs to be a head to his Church, but a Right too; for the Father hath given him to be the Head over all things to his Church, Eph. 1. 22. Gave, (foreign) conſtituit, ſaith Zanchy, he appointed him and parted actually with him, and made him over to the Church, to the whole body of Believers, and to every ſingle perſon, to their uſe, intent, and purpoſe, that he ſhould be a Head to them, a true head, a perfect head, an only head, and an eternal head: Now in this Relation is Chriſt faithful alſo, anſwering the ends, filling up the pl…ce, and diſcharging the Offices of it. Now in this headſhip of Chriſt are ſix things wrapt up.
Firſt, Counſel and Wiſdom; In him are all the Treaſures of Wiſdom, Col. 2. 3. All that Light and Knowledge which is needful to make his people wiſe to Salvation; all that Wiſdom which is requiſite to repair the loſt Image of man, and all that Wiſdom which may render him exceeding excellent, and glorious; for in him is the excellency of Knowledge, Phil. 3. 8. And all this Counſel he ſtands engag'd to impart to his people, as they are able to bear it, Eph. 1. 8, 9. Wherein he hath abounded towards us in all Wiſdom and Prudence. Wherein, that is, Qua gratia; By which Grace, ſaith Zanchy, He hath abounded towards us; that is, hath made us to abound in. So the Scholiaſt and Eraſmus, He hath plentifully imparted to us; hence 'tis enſured to all that truly ſeek it of God, Jam. 1. 5. He will tell them what to do in all caſes, as Chriſt did to Cornelius by Peter, Acts 10. 6. He hath all Wiſdom in him, the ſtone on which is ſeaven Eyes, Zach. 3. 9. and will be in every Difficulty and Danger with them. As Moſes ſaid to Hobab, we are to encamp in the Wilderneſs, but thou mayeſt be unto us inſtead of Eyes, Numb. 10. 23. So he hath engaged to guide them continually, Iſa. 58. 11. Deut. 1. 33. He is as Eyes to them, where they are in a Land of Pits and Deſarts, to guide them in the Wilderneſs Journeys, while they are ſearching out the Land of Glory.
Secondly, Care; His Eyes and his Heart are on them continually, 2 Chro. 7. 16. He is meaſuring Jeruſalem, to ſee what is the Length thereof, and what is the breadth thereof, that ſhe may be built, Zach. 2. 2.
Thirdly, Conduct is the Office of a Head; It ought to lead and diſpoſe of the body and all it's Members to their ſeveral Offices. So the Lord Jeſus is given to his Church, for their Leader as well as Commander, Iſa. 55. 4. chap. 48. 17. I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way thou ſhould'ſt go. 'Tis in the Original, making or cauſing thee to walk; he doth not only ſhew them the way, but leads them by the hand, and helps them to go, as, Hoſ. 11. 3. Deut. 32. 12. So the Lord alone did lead them. Chriſt undertakes to conduct his people thorough the World unto Glory.
Fourthly, Government is another act of Headſhip, Mic. 2. 13. Their King ſhall paſs before them, and the Lord on the head of them: that is, The Lord ſhall be their Governour and General, Iſa. 9. 6, 7. The Government is upon his Shoulders, Heb. 3. 16. He is the Son over his houſe, to rule and govern it, and this he doth, by making righteous and perfect Laws, and Rules, thereby to govern his Church, Matth. 28. 20. Acts 1. 2. Heb. 3. 1, 2, 3. And by governing and ſubduing the Hearts and Wills of his people unto them, Pſal. 110. 3. 2 Cor. 10. 5.
Fifthly, Influence; This comes from the Head; all animal Influence for Subſiſtence, Motion, guiding and action come from thence; in the Head are all the Senſes and Intellectuals exerted for the uſe and Service of the Body, ſo is the Lord Jeſus the head of all vital Influences, to the whole Church and every part of it, Pſal. 87. 7. All my Springs are in thee, Joh. 15. 4. As the Branch cannot beare Fruit, except it abide in the Vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me, Col. 3. 3, 4. chap. 2. 19. Believers can no longer live, than Chriſt becomes a quickning Spirit to them; he alone animates their Souls to every good work, anoints their Eyes, and cauſeth them to ſee, regulates their Palate, and maketh them to taſt the Sweetneſs of ſpiritual things, open their Ears to diſcipline, cauſeth them to feel the Weightineſs of Sin, and to ſmell a ſweet ſavour in his precious Oyntments.
Laſtly, Ornament; The head is the beauty of the Body, if that be removed, the Body is but a deformed lump; Chriſt is the Believers Excellency and Glory, he hath the preheminence in all things, Col. 1. 18. And his glory is the Glory of the body, 1 Cor. 12. 24. All the Saints Excellencies are in and from him, Pſal. 68. 34. Pſal. 89. 17. For thou art the Glory of their Strength, 'tis through his Comelineſs they are perfect, Ezek. 16. ver. 10. to 14.
Fifthly, Chriſt is faithful in the acts of diſtributive Juſtice, and renders to every one their Due, Pſalm 62. 1…. Thou rendereſt to ev…ry man according to his Work. There is a legal and evangelical Debt; legally, There is nothing due to the Children of men, but Wrath and Tribulation, Rom. 2. 9. But Evangelically all the Believers Rights are due on the account of Chriſt. So that all what Chriſt hath purchaſed, or the Father promiſed to Chriſt, is due to his Seed; ſo that Mercy, Grace, and Glory is as much the Believers due, as Death and Vengeance is the Sinners, on the ſcore of his Sin, 2 Theſ. 1. 6. 7. Therefore the Juſtice of Chriſt is laid to pawn for the pardon of Believers Sins, upon their penitential Confeſſion, 1 John 1. 9. This is the great Error of troubled Souls, that they make their Worthyneſs or Unworthyneſs the Standard and Meaſure of all their Expectations; this is the Impotency the violated Law of God hath left on fallen man, that they cannot get over Mount Sinai, nor ſee the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and the Equity of Salvation upon his account; for their Sins and Unrighteouſneſſes do ſo hang in their Eye, that they cannot ſee themſelves righteous in the Righteouſneſs of another; This Tang of a legal Spirit is a malady-Grace, is long a curing in Saints themſelves; the want of which robs Chriſt of the Glory of his Grace and Righteouſneſs: But know O Believers, the Lord Jeſus would be unfaithful if he render not to thoſe that live on him for Sanctification and Salvation all that he hath promiſed in the Goſpel, and hath dyed to purchaſe for them; but this cannot be as you have heard abundantly, that the Lord Jeſus is faithful in acts of Remuneration; he cannot keep back anothers due, who would have all men to render to others their due: But all that God hath made over in the new Covenant to Believers, is their due, and therefore will Chriſt render it in it's ſeaſon. And thus have I opened and proved this glorious Excellency of the Lord Jeſus, even his Faithfulneſs; it remains now, that we make ſome Improvement of it.
Ʋſe 1. How great then is the Sin of all thoſe that will not credit the Faithfulneſs of Chriſt; there are none that periſh under the Miniſtery of the Goſpel, but ſtumble at this ſtumbling block; they do not judge God faithful, nor believe the report given of Chriſt, Iſaiah 53. 1. Though Chriſt be manifeſtly held forth to be a perfect Saviour, yet few will believe in him; not one of a hundred (ſays Calvin) that hear Chriſt dayly will yet believe in him: you know it Sinners, you may ſafely adventure your Souls on Chriſt, he cannot lye or fail you: you have the whole word of God for your Aſſurance, all the Scriptures teſtifie of him, John 5. 39. Acts 18. 28. You have the Evidences of Chriſt's Faithfulneſs in his ſtate of Humiliation, he did and ſuffer'd all things written of him, Luke 18. 31. He fulfill'd all Righteouſneſs, Matth. 3. 15. His Death, Reſurrection, and Aſcenſion, prove him faithful in all things tending to purchaſe Salvation. You have the Teſtimony of others, who have found Chriſt faithful, 1 John 1. 1, 2. All the Saints on record are witneſſes of Chriſt's Fidelity. Nay, you your ſelves have found him faithful hitherto; how often hath he made good his Promiſes to you, when you have called upon him, and truſted in him for outward Mercies. You truſt other things that are unfaithful, and yet will not believe in Chriſt: You truſt your own Hearts, and they are deceitful, Jer. 17. 9. You truſt in men, and yet they are a lye, Rom. 3. 4. You truſt in Creatures, and yet they are vanity, Eccleſ. 1. 2. You know, without Faith you muſt periſh to all Eternity, and yet will not believe in him.
Ʋſe 2. Then this reproves the People of Chriſt for their injurious Thoughts of him, Joh. 1. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. This is an aggravation indeed, that Chriſt's own People, ſuch as have profeſſed him, choſen him, commended him, and born witneſs of him, and yet will not adventure their All upon him. O, this ſecret Jealouſie of Chriſt is a fearful Sin. This was that our Lord reproved in Thomas, Joh. 20. 5. So Ioh. 14. 11. Believe me, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, or elſe believe me for the Works ſake. O the Queſtions and Doubts that Souls have about the fulfilling of Promiſes! how loth they are to truſt Chriſt further than they ſee him.
Ʋſe 3. This ſhould humble Chriſtians, for their great unfaithfulneſs. Alas! how few are found faithful amongſt the Saints this day! How may we complain with the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 12. 1. The godly man ceaſeth, and the faithful fail from among the children of men: and Chriſt ſeems to Quere, where he may find a faithful Steward, Luk. 12. 42. And Paul ſays, I know no man like minded to Timothy, who ſo faithfully and naturally careth for your ſtate. O the falſneſs of Profeſſors, to the Lord Jeſus, and one another! How rare is it to find one that makes Conſcience of Promiſes and Profeſſion? one that is faithful to his Truſt, to his Word, to his Relation-duties, and in diſtributive Juſtice. O, Chriſtians, Mourn over your great unfaithfulneſs to God, and men; to thoſe Souls you are concern'd in: Your unfaithfulneſs to your Children, Servants, and Neighbours; how little have you done for theſe to this day? Some of you are Parents; and Maſters, but where hath been your Induſtry in your Families, in teaching, reproving, and labouring to ſave the Souls of thoſe committed to you? The Lord lay not the neglect of this to your Charge, nor being in the Blood of your ignorant, prophane, periſhing Families, Children or Servants, on your head. I muſt tell you, Friends, it will be dreadfully heavy to bear the blood of Souls, at the Judgment-ſe…t of Chriſt: and yet, I fear, without Repentance, is like to be the caſe of ſome that now hear me, who have been unfaithful to the Souls of their Relations, Husband, Wife, Children, and Servants; who have been too furious in reproving their Faults towards them, but ſcarce ever reproved their Sin againſt God. Who can hear their Children and Servants ſwear, take God's Reverend Name in vain, and ſee them prophane Sabbaths, and ſpend Sacred time in Debauchery and Idleneſs, and ſcarce ever check them; that can ſuffer them to lye in Ignorance, and ready to periſh for want of Knowledge, and never labour to catechize and inſtruct them in the knowledge of Salvation: This is a lamentable caſe, and will appear ſo, when theſe Parents and Maſters ſhall appear before God, with their garments all gor'd and ſtain'd with the blood of their Families. O cruel Maſters, and Parents, that will be tender of a Horſe or a Dog, to feed them, and ſecure them from want, but can endure to ſee your children and Servants periſh for want of knowledge.
Ʋſe 4. Here's Comfort to Believers: Is the Lord Jeſus Faithful, then be of good cheer. For,
Firſt, All the Promiſes of God ſhall be made good to you in due ſeaſon: He will not ſuffer a word to fall to the ground of all that good he hath ſpoken concerning you, 1 Sam. 3. 19. Iſa. 55. 11. 2 Cor. 1. 20. Numb. 23. 19. Then you cannot do too much for God, you can't be undone for him; your Souls are ſafe, your beſt Intereſts are ſecur'd, and all that God ſees fit for you, is beyond the reach of Men and Devils.
Secondly, All the truſt committed to Chriſt for you, ſhall be made good: He will perform it to a tittle: The Father hath intruſted your Souls, your Graces, your Comforts, your Names, your Supplies, your Strength, your Intereſt, your Peace, your Welfare, and your Glory, with him, who is faithful, and cannot wrong you. O Believers, if he will not ſuffer men or Devils to do you harm, ſurely he himſelf will not wrong you, Pſal. 105. 14.
Thirdly, All your Relation-Rights ſhall be made good to you: Look what is due to you from the Lord Jeſus, as your Friend, as your Brother, as your Husband, and as your Head, ſhall be made good to you.
Fourthly, All that is due to you upon the ſtricteſt terms of the Goſpel, ſhall be communicated to you; All that Chriſt hath purchaſed, or God hath promis'd, you ſhall have in due time; Chriſt can defraud no man, Luk. 12. 42.
Fifthly, Here's Comfort to you under all the wrongs you meet with on Earth, that you have a faithful Friend in Heaven: Here the beſt of men are a Lye, they are not what you conceive them to be, they don't anſwer the expectation you have from them: But Chriſt will never fail you of that Truſt you have repoſed in him; he will be infinitely better but cannot be worſe than your expectations.
Ʋſe 5. Let this exhort, firſt, Sinners: If Chriſt be ſo faithful, O then chuſe him for your Friend: The fidelity of your preſent Friends cannot be compared with Chriſt.
Secondly, Believers, Truſt in Chriſt; Commit your Souls, and all your Concerns to him; Learn faithfulneſs from him; and labour to be like him in your fidelity to God and Men. So much of the firſt Branch, concerning Chriſt's Perſonal Riches.