Christ in Believers the Hope of Glory, Part 4
To whom God would make known, &c.
These words may have respect both to the outward manifesting of the Mystery of this Gospel Truth; As as also to the making known and discovering of this Truth of the Gospel effectualy on the Heart, which is more especially here to be understood, because that this Revealed Mystery is calldd, Christ in them, the Hope of Glory. In respect of both these, the Words hold forth two thing…: First, That this Revelation is of GOD. Secondly, That it is an Act of His free Grace and free Love.
As to the First, to wit, The outward making known of the Gospel (which we shall pass in a word) We see, that as this Gospel is alone of GOD, Who is the Author thereof, so the outward publishing of the same dependeth on His free Grace and Will, so that he sends it to whom He will, and to whom He will, He sends it not; see Act. 16.7. The Spirit suffered not Paul, and his Companions to go unto Bithynta: However Satan and his Instruments may have a hand therein, nevertheless we are to look mostly to GOD, Who has the chief hand in i… ▪ Who followeth His own Resolution, sending the Gospel, where He has any to bring in thereby, be it one Soul or moe, or to … one lost Groat, or one wandering Sh…p, which finding incapacitate either to le…d or drive, He taketh it on His Shoulders; rej…ycing. Luk 15.5. Christ went ove… to the G…da…ens …or one poor Soul: Paul … charged to abide at … the … Gospel of Salv…ion, and th…t … … the publishi…g of … time and place, w…er… … Providence of GOD have ou… … That we abase our selves in … be ashamed of our unsuteable … Him, Who hath sought us ou…, … many Thousands, whereas we … as any, only th…t He … give …vidence of the freeness of His … 3. That we walk more … benefit, that He … the …, when … The conside…ion … as to …ear, … the remov… the … us, as He … Revel 2.4. Tha… … GOD's Soveraign t…, who singularly in this disposeth as He will: Our carnal Hearts are sometimes ready to rise against Him, and to wonder wherefore He suffers so many rich Nations to be so long without one Word of the Gospel of Salvation, and suffers it to remain there, where the People i… wearied thereof, and would willingly be quite of it; But His Will should answer all such Objections in us, and settle all such Distempers in our Hearts: We must be satisfied herein, for He doth what He will in Heaven and Earth, and gives no account of what He doth.
As to what relates to the other part, which is here principally to be understood, we learn. First, That it is GOD alone, Who can make known unto the Soul the Glory and Riches of this Mystery, and do…h effectually publish and reveal it; This requires the revealing of the Arm of the Lord. Isa. 53.1. For Flesh and Blood cannot do it, but the Father which is in Heaven Math. 16.17. And the Spirit. Ephes. 3.5. The God of our Lord Iesus Christ, the Father of Glory, must give unto us the Spirit of Wisdom, in the knowledge of Him. Ephes. 1.17. see Vers. 9. Therefore the Spirit is promised for that effect. Ioh. 14.26.1 Cor. 2.10, 11, 12. Gal. 1.16. This appears further from the natural state of Mankind, who cannot know these Mysteries without a divine powerful Revelation & Manifestation of the same in them. For 1. Natural Men are by Nature blind, without knowledge, lying and living in darkness; And wha… can they then discern …n these M…steries? Revel 3.17. Luk 4.18.1 Pet. 2.9. Act. 26.18. Isa 42.7. They are in darkness, and darkness hath blinded their Eyes, 1 Ioh. 2 11. They walk in Darkness, and ly in Da…kness. 1 Ioh. ….6. 1 Ioh. 2.9 They are of Darkness. 1 Thess. 5.5. They are called Darkness it self. Ephes 5.8. Yea under the power of Darkness. Col. 1.13 2. Therefore they are under a natural Impotency and Unfi…ness to understand the things of GOD. 1 Cor. 2 14. The natural Man receiveth not the things of the …pirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 3. Besides this natural Impotency in the Understanding, to take up and know these Mysteries, there is also an acquired moral Inability seated in him, through misunderstanding and prejudice against the Mysteries of GOD: For it is said of the natural Man, 1 Cor. 2 14 That he receiveth not the thing of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; Therefore, was the Preaching of Christ cruc…fied, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. 1 Cor. 1.23.4. Yea the carnal Understanding is enmity against GOD; It submits not it self to the Law of GOD, neither can it. Rom. 8.7, 8. so that there is also a pravity and impotency in their will; Therefore saith Christ, that a corrupt Tree cannot bring sorth good Fruit. Math. 7. The Ethiopia… canno… change his Skin. Ier. 13 5. There is an acquired habitual ave…ssness, through the pravi…y of our Inclinations: By Nature People are so w…dded and glewed to their Lusts and Idols which they will not …ors…ks (which augments their natural Antipathy against the Gospel) so that they are Enemies in their Minds by wicked works Col. 1.21.6. Besides all this, the Devil, who is the god of this World, i… working in th…m. Ephes 2.2. who more especially so blinds the Minds of those who do not believe, that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of GOD, may not shine unto them. 2 Cor. 4.4. This needs no …u…ther evidence, being more than manifest by daily experience; no preaching will once pick on some; yea Christ Himself preached unto many who go… no profit thereby; The great things of GOD's Law, are accounted bu… a strange thing by some. Hos. 8. Many have Eyes and see not, Ears and hear not.
1 Vse. We are hereby called to be established in …he Faith of this Truth, That it is only a Divine Power, which can mak… known unto us and in us the Gospel Truths; We by Industry and Education, with some ordinary light of the Spirit, may win to understand the letter of the Gospel; But in respect of the saving Manifestation of this Mystery, there is a necessity of a real, discriminating, special, immediate, inward and powerful Operation of the Spirit of GOD in the Soul, driving away the natural Darkness, and received prejudices, creating Divine Light in the Mind and Understanding, and so forming in the Soul, a Spiri…ual Patern of the glorious Mysteries of the Gospel: For until this enlightning Operation and Revelation of the Spirit come, all will be to no purpose.
2. Vse. So should we have a loathing and aversion of that dreadful Doctrine, which says, That this Divine Spiritual Enlightning is not needful, but alledge that moral perswasion, with the outward Revelation is sufficient; whereas none who hath any knowledge of his own Heart can be so stupid, that he should not see so much of the Darkness of his own Understanding, that no less than a Divine Power must be exercised and put forth in order to this his Enlightning: And what doth this Opinion else, but signally vilifie, and palpably deny the Divine Mystery of this Revelation, and lamentably blow up the empty Creature with Pride, Ambition, and a foolish conceit of himself to retain somewhat, whereby he may (as he …ancies) be the less obliged to GOD, and may have ground to thank himself, to sacrifice unto his own Net, and burn incense unto his own Drag. What a ruining and dreadful Enemy is this opinion, against the exalting of the Power of GOD's Grace, and against Folks carrying therein with subordination and dependency on GOD, and against all Prayer unto GOD.
3 Vse. However this be only GOD's work, and His powerful work; nevertheless none ought because of his Impotency and natural Ignorance to account himself therefore discharged, exeemed or delivered from guilt: For (1) Our natural Impotency is our Sin. (2) Besides there is ever real opposing and rejecting of this Light, in all such as are come to the years of discretion, who hear this Gospel, and a wilful contemning of this Light, which will abundantly stop the Mouths of every one; And this often appears either by their neglecting of the Means, or by their negligent and sloathful improving of the same, and their not using, but misusing of the Light which they have, &c.
4 Vse. Notwithstanding this be GOD's work, yet we should not cast off the Means, for hereby it pleases the Lord to convey Life, and to come with that Light and enlighten when and where He will; For it ple…sed God by the foolishness of preaching to save — 1 Cor. 1.21. And Faith come…h by hearing. Rom. 10.17. And however the Means in themselves can do nothing, yet being ordained by Him, as it is our duty, so we may have peace in waiting on the …ree and glorious King, where He Commands us to wait, and our waiting will sharpen our desires and longings after that blessed Light; yea when we are disappointed and cut off in our expectations, even this must serve for the further humbling and abasing of our selves, and to make us the more earnestly cry out unto Him, who is the Fountain of Light, that He who has caused the Light to shine out of Darkness, would shine in our Hearts, in giving us the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4 6. Our attendance on the Means should be constant, because we know not, when He may come; It is good to sow by all Waters, and to sow Morning and Evening, and in our Du…es alone to eye Him, knowing that all must come from Him. And albeit there may many Discou…agements arise to cause us give it over; partly from without, Sa…an crying, It is in vain to wait any longer, and partly from within, our Hearts, looking on it as a desperat work; yet this consideration that this Enlightning is GOD's working, may encourage and set us foreward again; For GOD is a Soveraign King, free to come when He will, so is He gracious and merciful, and can and will pass over many Enormities, and much opposition; yea …urther for quieting of our Hearts under all Objections whatsomever, this may suffic…, He is GOD Almigh…y, and unresistible in His workings; He shall work, and who shall hinder it.
2dly. Moreover, we should learn from hence, that GOD maketh known this Glorious Mystery to whom He wi…l most freely, without Hyre or Price, it is an Act of His wonderful free G…ace, He would make known &c. not by reason of any deserving or worth, in us, or by vertue of any pliabliness, or readiness in those, to whom …his is made known, or of any necessary connexion betwixt the preparation in them and His Work; But meerly from His free Grace and good Pleasure; for He is found of them that sought Him not Isa. 65.1. Therefore it is through Faith that we are saved, and Faith is not from our selves, It is the Gift of God. Ephes 2.8. And not by the works which we have done, but accord…ng to His Mercy we are saved. Tit 3.5.
1. Vse. For Instruction, and this should learn us, 1. To admire this wonder…ul and undeserved Love towards us in this Mystery, in respect of the very outward making known of the same to us, when Kingdoms and Nations more preferrable than we, ly still in Darkness, or have corrupted and undone these Truths by their Errors. 2 That we with all …hankfulness heartily acknowledge this Mystery, and walk humbly under the sense of this undeserved favour. We are to fear the Lord and His Goodness, as also to meditate what an account we have to give for these rich Mercies, lest we misimprove the same, and turn His Grace unto Wantonness, seriously laying to Heart, that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorah in the day of Judgement, than for such, who have had these Manifestations, and this Light among them, and notwithstanding have desired Darkness rathe… than Light.
2. Vse. For warning unto such, to whom the Lord in a saving way, hath made known the Riches of Glory, by bringing it into their Soul with power and efficacy: Namely, 1. They should walk worthy of such Grace and Love, by carrying themselves humbly before Him, remembring their Nativity and the Rock from whence they are hewed, that free free Grace may get the Honour of all 2. They should live in the admiration of this rich and free Grace of GOD: What were you, or your Fathers House, that GOD should have cast His Eye upon you? What could He see more in you, than in others, who yet … in Darkness, without these saving Discoveries? 3. They ought to endeavour to commend the Riches of this Grace and Goodness to others, to speak good of Him, who hath been so good to them. 4. They ought to make use of these Discoveries, which GOD hath given them for the advantage of others, doing their outmost to win others, and to hold out somewhat of that Light to others, that they may be brought in thereby.
But I hasten now to the Last Point in this Verse. to wit, That Christ i… the Soul is the riches of the Glory of this Mystery made known in the G…spel; Which is Christ in you, saith he. This Truth contains these three Particulars.
First, That a Soul-union wi…h Christ is the first Intention, chief Scope and D…sign of the Gospel: This principally is intended therein, that Christ may be near hand and within the Soul. A Second is, That in this Union, consists the Riches of the Glory of the Gospel, thereby is this Riches made known, and here is their Center: For the Soul that is in possession of this Union, is likeways partaker of the Riches of this Glory. Thirdly, That this Union of the Soul with Christ, or the bringing of Christ unto the Soul, is only the Work of GOD, for He maketh known th… Riches of the Glory of the Gospel.
As to the First of these Truths, we are to observe these two Things, 1▪ That until …he Gospel come unto a Soul with power and efficacy, the Soul is without Christ. 2. That the Gospel is the Instrument of GOD, whereby this Union between Christ and the Soul is carried on; and this is the end and design thereof.
The First which is here premised, is clear from Ephes 2.12. before the Gospel came to the Ephesians, among the Miseries wherein they were, this was the chief, that as they were withou… G…D, so also wi…hout Christ, when the Gospel fi…st comes among a Pe…ple, it finds them fitting in Da…kn…ss, and in the reg…on and shadow of Death. Mat. 4 16 …sa. 9 2. And under the power of Satan. Act 26.18. Therefore it was the principal work of the Apostles, where they came to preach Christ, Act. 9 20. and 8 5
Vse. This being sufficiently clear, we are to lea…n thus to make use of it. As 1. Earnestly to seek …fter more solid and real Convictions of these T…uths; Many yet lying in Nature, and before whom the Light of the Gospel hath never shined in its power, dream notwithstanding that they have Christ in them as well as others, and so deceive their own Souls, and disappoint the great end of the Gospel. A full conviction hereof, should dispose Folk more earnestly to give ear unto the preaching of the G…spel. 2. These Fools must not imagine i… sufficient, that they have the outward Ordinances of the Gospel, and under the administration of the same: For unless the Gospel do come in p…wer, and in the evidence of the Spirit unto …h…m, the… may nevertheless abide without Christ: Yea and until they fi…d this in them, they will certainly continue Christless and Graceless. 3. They are called then to cry unto the Lord, that He would reveal his Arm in the preaching of the Gospel, that they may not longer continue in in their s…d and lamentable Condition
The Second is, That this Gospel, and the administration of the same, is the appointed Means, whereby this spiritual and saving Union, is carried on, and that this is its princ…pal end and d…sign, appears from these G…ounds.
1st. Here is the Off…r of this Reconciliation and Union held …orth, Christ comes in the preaching of the Gospel; And 1. He tells what is His Father's Mi…d and Will, namely that they should accept of Him, believe in Him, and let Him into …he Soul, for this is the great Commandment and so much called for duty. Ioh. 6.29 — This is …he work of GOD, that ye believe on …im, whom He hath sent. 1 Ioh. 3.23. And this His Commandment, that we should believe on the Name of His Son Jesus Christ. 2. He entreateth them in His Father's N…me to come, to open unto Him, that He might come and take up His Habitation with them. Isa …5.1. Revel 3.20.3 He pr…sses and drives on His Request, Su…e and Desire, with many Arguments and Motives, as we have evidenced formerly. 4. He removes all the Difficulties out of the way, by answering all Objections, preventing all Discouragements. O how full is the Gospel of this! 5. He upb…aids them that they come not unto Him. Joh. 5.4. Ye will not come to me, that ye might have Life. 6. He waits patiently, with much Longanimity upon them, … newing His Sute…, Cries and Intreaties. A… which is palpable in the administration of th… Gospel; whereby appears sufficiently th… this Union betwixt Christ and the Soul, is th… great design and end of the Gospel.
2dly. Herein the Gospel, the Conditions ar… cleared and laid open, whereupon this Union must be accomplished; Namely, 1. That w… forsake all other Lovers, and be fully satisfied that thereis a separation between us and them; for we must foresake our Fathers House, providing we will …ave the King greatly to take pleasure in us. Psal 45.10, 11.2. That we receive Him freely without Money and without P…ice. Isa. 55.1, 2.3. That we receive Him wholly, even as He offereth Himsel… to be married unto us, that is as a Priest, Prophet and King for we must receive all of Him, and not … part of Him. Joh. 1.12.4. That we receive Him fully without reserve, absolutely without exception, seeing He is altogether Lovely, and every way useful and absolutely ne…essary. 5. That we receive Him for every Work and Imployment, for Sanctification as well as Justification. 6. That we jointly deny our selves, take up His Cross and follow Him. Mat. 16.24.
3dly. In this Gospel, we have the Nature of this Union. viz. The indwelling of Christ manifested unto us: For here is declared, 1. That is indwelling of Christ, and union with him, mysterious. profound, unsearchable, and comprehensible, Ephes: 5.32.2. That is wholly Spiritual, so that they become …he Spirit, 1 Cor: 6.17. They are made parkers of His Spirit, Rom: 8.9.3. That it a near and inward Union, so that no Com…rison can sufficiently demonstrate it, as we …ve heard before. 4. That it is permanent …d inviolable, nothing can make a separati… here, Rom: 8.38, 39.5. That it is Glo…ous & Exceeding Excellent. 6. That it is very useful and profitable Union, having …effably great and wonderful Advantages, …oth here and hereafter.
4 In this Gospel we have what Christ did for …e carrying on of this Union, how he is be…me a Mediator & Cautioner, taking upon …m to make peace and reconciliation▪ and so … satisfie Justice for their sins, How in the …lness of time, he has come, and has given a …ll and perfect satisfaction according to his …ndertaking; how he hath purchased of the …ather all that was accounted necessary for the …rrying on of this Union in respect of the E…ct; How he lives forever as an Intercessor, …r that end and effect; How he as King and …ead of the Church hath appointed ordinan…es and Laws; How that he hath blessed them …cording to his good pleasure for that Effect; …nd how he hath sent his Spirit to work up his Chosen to a cheerful receiving of his offer; A… this, and much more is made known in the Gospel.
5. Here is held forth and cleared, what is required on our part, in respect of obtainin… possession, and to be possessed of this Noble Spirit, and to win at this Union: Namely, 1. Tha… we forsake all our Righteousness, with al… other Idols and lovers, which poss…s… our So…l… 2. That we acknowledge and be convinced o… our own inability, and natural unwillingnes… to open unto him. 3. That we attend on th… means appointed, and on him in the mean… 4. That we lay a side all prejudices. 5. Tha… we lay our selves open to his approaches. 6. That we cry and long after him, and his company so as we can.
6. Here in this Gospel is made known, tha… this opening of the heart for Christ, is a wo… above nature, and that Christ is the Au…ho… and finisher of Faith, Heb. 12.1, 2. And that no man can come until the Father draw him. Ioh. 6.44.
7. Here is also discovered that notwithstanding …he LORD wonderful in Council, mighty indeed, hath thought good through the foolishness of Preaching to save those that believe, … Cor. 1.21. And to make use of Plan…ers an… waterers, albeit neither of them can do good, providing he give not the increase. 1 Cor. 3▪ 5, 6, 7. And therefore hath he sent Labour…rs to his Vine-yeard to labour and work there, …o that they are Labourers together with GOD Cor. 3.8, 9. He sends his servants, as so …any Amb…ssadors to Court a Bride for Christ. … Cor. 5.20, and 11, 2. Therefore they …ome in their Masters Name, and lay forth …he Articles of agreement and reconciliation, …nd he himself must and will through his Spirit …etermine and perswad unto an opening.
Vse, From all that is said appears that the Gospel and the preaching of the same is the …eans appointed of GOD, for this end, and …hat it is the chief and grand design of the preached Gospel to work up the Soul into this Un…on with Christ, and make the heart to open, …hat the King of Glory may enter in: Which …hould incite to these things. 1. To a high es…eemation of the Gospel, as being such a noble mean ordained for such an excellent end; To account highly of it, (I say) and of such who are appointed to carry these glad tidings of the great Salvation, and to ha…ken unto it & them, as such noble means of Gods appointment. 2 That we may have this end before us in the Administration of the Gospel; The Ministers should so preach it, and the People should so hear it, as a mean ordained for that end, and never to rest s…ti…fied, or much less to think all is well, until this end be first attained, to wit, that Christ be formed in the Soul: O! it were desireable to see that the Ministers in preaching of the Gospel were (as it were) traveiling … Birth to obtain this end, Gal. 4.19.3. That … lament the estate of such who miss this glorio… gospel, & of those who have but the sound of t… Gospel without the power thereof. 4. That … be thankfull for this inesteemable priviledg… and so be sensible of the same, and be care… that we provoke not God to remove this adva… tagious & most useful Candlestick. 5. That … have compassion on those who are desperat… wicked, that they are so wearied of this prec… ous Gospel, that they hate, oppose, ruine, y… persecute the same: O what a misery is th… for Poor Souls to forsake their own unspea… able riches.
The third thing is, that this Vnion, to wit… Christ in the Soul, is the riches of the Glory … this Gospel Mysterie; And this appears. 1. In th… it is the principal and chief business, which th… Infinitly wise GOD had be…ore him in the Eternal Counsel of his will, to work out by th… dispensation. 2. The LORD who is the Autho… of this Gospel, is thereby Gloryfied in his Glorious Attributes, Christ exalted and made … see the travel of his Soul, and the pleasure o… the LORD prosper in his hand, and the grea… designe therein principally intended next th… Glory of GOD, to wit, the Eternal compact between GOD and the Mediator, is then begun … be accomplished. 3. All the Draughts of th… Glorious Gospel, terminate here as in a Cente… 4. Then beginneth …he Soul to kn…w what are the excellen… Riches of the … of Love, Grace and w…sd…m, that are brough… to light throug…t the G…spel, then, and not untill then, begin …hey to be part…k…rs thereof.
Vse, This serves to set us all a wo…k to a serìous enquiry and tryal, if the Gospel hath had these noble Fruits in us, which may be known from what hath been formerly mentioned of Christ his being in the Soul: And we are never to think we see or know any thing of the R…ches of the Gospel, (how great soever a measure of kn…wledge otherwayes we may have attain…d, or be partake…s of) un…il this Union be wrought; and prov…ding this be wrought, then we may well sit down contented, what ever other things we want, as having now in thi… Union the whole Riches of the G…spel, as in a Treasure laid up in our Souls. O what a condition must this b… ▪
The last thing i…, that thi… Fruit of the Gospel, and …his sh…rt compend of the Riches of its Glory; is of GOD, and wrough… by Him, He makes i… known, and the reason is clear; …or, 1. Man by nature hates Christ, will no… welcome Him, much less let Him in to dwell in the Soul; they hate bo…h Him and His Father, Ioh. 15 24 2ly. The l…gh… which must discover this enmitie, together wi…h the miserie that accompanieth their estate, who are w…thout Christ, is Divine; these Saving discoveries are only attainable through a divine supernatural illuminati… ▪ Now it is GOD alone that openeth the eyes of the blind. 3ly. As it is GOD alone that taketh away the natural blindnes… of the understanding, and sends Divine Light into the Soul; so must He guard off, and remove the natural pravity of the will, and do away the stony heart, and make his people willing; after this manner must He open th… heart, as He opened the heart of Lydia, Acts 16.14.4ly. Even so must GOD by His immediate powerful Grace effectually work the consen… unto the offer made in the Gospel; And how ever this work of the LORD be powerfull and irresistable, overcoming all opposition from without and within, nevertheless it is without force and violence; For though He draw, yet He draweth with the cords of Men and Bonds of love, strongly convincing, making the Soul effectually to submit and give it self over, seing the heart is in his hand, He can turn it whether He will; as He pouers in Grace, so He makes the Soul willing.
1. Vse. This should serve to teach those who are made partakers of this Union, to know whom they have to thank for it, and who should have the praise and the honour of this noble and glorious Work, and make them far from thinking or saying, that they themselves have made the difference, or from offering sacrifice unto their own net▪ in respect o… his Grace.
2, Vse. This should also learn others, where the right door is▪ whereunto they must betake themselves O! poor Souls look to him, and to him alone, and wait at the Posts of his door, forsaking your own strength, and despairing in and of your selves.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Brown, Christ in Believers the Hope of Glory (1694)