Twenty-Four Sermons, Sermon 2
SERMON II.
May 7. 1695.
MATTHEW XVI. xvii.
And Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto him, Bleſſed art thou Simon Bar-jona: For Fleſh and Blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven.
IV. WHerein lies the Bleſſedneſs which is annexed to this kind of Knowledge? Some bleſs themſelves, without Reaſon, too many againſt Scripture bleſs themſelves, when they hear the Words of God's Curſe, though yet without Chriſt, who can only redeem them from that Curſe; thouſands of preſuming Sinners call themſelves happy, when they are almoſt in the very depths of Miſery, having but a ſhort ſtep, the thin Partition of an earthly Houſe, betwixt them and Hell; they think their Condition to be ſafe and good, and applaud and pleaſe themſelves in it as ſuch, when it is as dangerous and as bad, as it can be, on this ſide of Everlaſting Deſtruction. But however miſtaken and deceived ſuch Men are, we know that Chriſt is true, and what ſays he here? Bleſſed art thou Simon, &c. for my Father hath revealed this unto thee, which Fleſh and Blood hath not, q. d. Thou art infallibly bleſſed upon this account, this is an undoubted Evidence and means of thy being ſo. Where then is the bleſſedneſs which the Text ſpeaks of? What does it conſiſt in, and how does it appear?
1. 'Tis a bleſſed diſcovery which God makes, and a bleſſed Knowledge, which it produces, becauſe it is always accompanied with pardoning Grace. If there be a bleſſed Man in the World, without Controverſie it is the pardoned Sinner. Afflictions may remain, without injuring our bleſſedneſs, ſo long as Sin does not remain, which is the only Thing, that can ſeparate from the Love of Chriſt, and how can this ſeparate, when God hath put it away, and removed it from us? Who will not ſay, Amen therefore to what David ſays, Pſalm 32.1. Bleſſed is the Man whoſe Tranſgreſſion is forgiven, &c. Sin laies the Foundation of the Creatures Miſery, conſequently in the forgiveneſs of Sin, the Foundation of our Miſery is deſtroyed. Now this is always done, where Jeſus Chriſt is ſavingly made known. This is plain, Heb. 10.16, 17. This is the Covenant which I will make with them, &c. I will put my Laws into their Hearts, and in their Minds will I write them; and (immediately it follows) Their Sins and Iniquities will I remember no more. When there is this promiſed writing within us, we may be ſure, there is a blotting out of the hand-writing againſt us. Where Sin is uncover'd, the Heart is hid from Underſtanding; but where the ſealed Book of Goſpel-Myſtery is open d, 'tis paſt all queſtion that the Debt-book is croſs'd.
2. 'Tis always attended with a perfect juſtifying Righteouſneſs. This is abſolutely neceſſary, in order to bleſſedneſs; for there muſt be a Reſtitution of our loſt Title, before there can be a reſtoring to our forfeited Inheritance. 'Tis not poſſible that any one ſhould reign in Life, that does not receive of this Gift by Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 5.17, 18, 21. On the other hand bleſſedneſs is certainly entailed hereupon; Chap. 4.6. Even as David deſcribes the bleſſedneſs of the Man to whom God imputeth Righteouſneſs without Works. Nothing can be more manifeſt, than that the Juſtification of a Sinner is by the Imputation of the Obedience of Chriſt, without any reſpect to Works performed by the Sinner himſelf, and that the Sinner ſo juſtified, is truly bleſſed. Now 'tis as manifeſt, that every one who is Divinely and Spiritually illuminated, is thus bleſſed. God never gave the Armour of Light to one Soul, but what he alſo cloathed with this Robe of Righteouſneſs. As the ſame Soul is always both blind and naked, ſo the Eye-ſalve and the white Raiment, which Chriſt Counſels to buy of him, go together, Rev. 3.17, 18. Indeed we are juſtified by the Knowledge of Chriſt inſtrumentally, Iſa. 53.11. For Faith which applies his Righteouſneſs includes ſuch a Knowledge.
3. It hath always the Priviledge of Adoption going along with it. All bleſſedneſs is enclos'd within the Family of God; ſtrangers have nothing of it, but Children only. Every Man and Woman in the World, is a moſt wretched undone Creature, as He and She is a Son and Daughter of Adam; there can be no relief for us, but by the Contracting of a new Relation; they which be of Faith, are bleſſed with faithful Abrabam; Gal. 3.9. How bleſſed? Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Chriſt Jeſus, ver. 26. Here comes in the recovery of our Bleſſedneſs, by being made the Children of God, adopted into the Houſhold of Faith. Now, to whom does Chriſt give Power to become the Sons of God, but to as many as receive him? John 1.12. and who are they that receive Chriſt, but they that are brought by God to know him? For the World that receiv'd him not, knew him not, ver. 10, 11. The Devil blinds the minds of them that believe not, 2 Cor. 4.4. Natural blindneſs is the Cauſe of your Unbelief, as Judicial blindeſs is the Conſequent. Whereever there is the ſound Knowledge of Chriſt, there will be holy Truſt in him, and where this is, there is honourable Sonſhip. Every Child of Light is a Child of God; if he hath viſited you with the Dayſpring, you may boldly call him Father.
4. Divine Purity is chain'd to this bleſſed diſcovery. The filth of Sin makes the Soul miſerable, as well as the guilt of it. The Remnants of Corruption made Paul cry out of his being a wretched Man, Rom. 7.24. They make us wretched in Part, as long as we are here, though called to be Saints; but the Sinner who continues all over polluted, is only wretched. Darkneſs and defilement are inſeparable; while Men are groping in their natural State, they wallow in the Mire. But Purity of Heart gives a claim to bleſſedneſs, Mat. 5.8. And whereever God ſhines into the Mind, he puriſies the Heart. The Sun of Righteouſneſs hath cleanſing, as well as healing in his Wings. 'Tis an amazing Conſideration, what dirt is carried out of the Soul, when Light ſprings into it. Our Lord's Prayer ſpeaks home to this Purpoſe, John 17.17. Sanctifie them through thy Truth, &c. Error, as well as Ignorance is a Miniſter of Sin; but every Truth in Jeſus tends to ſanctifie, and is actually ſerviceable in the Sanctification of thoſe to whom it is revealed. Beholding the Glory of the Lord, changes us into his ſpotleſs Image, 2 Cor. 3.18. The Information which is given concerning Chriſt, hath a transforming influence upon thoſe that are Chriſts.
5. Spiritual Liberty follows this bleſſed diſcovery. How much of the Happineſs of humane Life is generally eſteem'd to conſiſt in outward Liberty! How irkſome is Confinement and Reſtraint to all! How is a poor Vaſſal and Slave lookt upon, with a diſdainful Eye by the moſt, with a compaſſionate Eye by the beſt! How do Men hug themſelves in the little Immunities and Freedoms of this World? But what a bleſſed Thing is it (how much more bleſſed) to be reſcued from the ſervitude of the Devil, and deliver'd from the bondage of Corruption! The darkneſs of a ſinful State hath its Chains, as well as the darkneſs of Hell, 2 Pet. 2.4. When Sampſon's Eyes were put out, he was bound with Fetters of Braſs, Judg. 16.21. So it is with every unenlightened Sinner; he is under the Arbitrary command of Luſt, and taken Captive by Satan at his Will; the Powers of darkneſs are his Keepers, and he hath no way of eſcape out of their Hands. But Light and Liberty come together by Chriſt, deliverance to the Captives, and recovering of ſight to the Blind, Luke 4.18. When he opens our Eyes, he opens our Priſons; John 8.32. You ſhall know the Truth, and the Truth ſhall make you free.
6. This kind of Knowledge, flowing from the ſpecial diſcoveries which God makes to the Soul, is no leſs than Eternal Life; which is the ſum, the complement, the top-ſtone of a Creatures bleſſedneſs. We cannot be more bleſſed than this makes us. To lay hold upon Eternal Life, is our utmoſt aim, and our higheſt Attainment. Now, this is Life Eternal to know God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom he hath ſent, John 17.3. It was ſaid of old, by thoſe that had viſible Divine Appearances, We ſhall ſurely dye, becauſe we have ſeen God, Judg. 13.22. On the contrary, where theſe inward Manifeſtations are, we may cry out, we ſhall ſurely Live, becauſe we have ſeen God in the Face of Chriſt. He that eats of this Tree of Knowledge, lives for ever, the preſent Fruit of this Tree, is the firſt Fruits of Heaven; 'tis Eternal Life in the Seed, and in the Bloſſom; 'tis the City of the living God, the heavenly Jeruſalem coming down from God into the Soul. When the Underſtanding is open'd to take in the Things of Chriſt, 'tis a true opening of the Heavens to us. Eph. 1.17, 18. That the God of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the Spirit of Wiſdom and Revelation, in the Knowledge of him, &c. That you may know what is the hope of his Calling, and what the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints.
V. Why is bleſſedneſs annext to ſuch Knowledge as this? Why is it limited to the Father's revealing of thoſe Things, which Fleſh and Blood cannot, and more particularly this Truth of the Godhead; which is not diſcoverable by Reaſon, but by him alone.
1. Bleſſedneſs is not attainable by the meer Principles of natural Religion, however, clearly known, and firmly believed. They that go no further than Nature will carry them, muſt needs come ſhort of the Glory of God. The Knowledge of natural Truths, is as inſufficient as the performance of Moral Duties; and ſupernatural Inſtruction is as indiſpenſibly needful, as Evangelical Obedience. The World is as unable to know God to any Purpoſe by their own Wiſdom, as to ſerve him with Acceptance by their own Strength, 1 Cor. 1.21. The Light of Nature may leave Men without excuſe, but yet it leaves them alſo, without the effectual Remedy; it diſcovers ſo much as will aggravate Men's Ruine, but not ſo much as will procure their Relief. There muſt be the Faith of Things above Reaſon, for no other Faith will ſave. Reaſon, as now maim'd and corrupted, is a fallen Star, which inſtead of leading unto Chriſt, will plunge the Souls, that are under his Conduct, into outer Darkneſs. If a Man had all the Knowledge which 'tis poſſible for Fleſh and Blood to arrive to, he would be as far from the Kingdom of God, as the moſt illiterate Perſon in the World. 'Tis Light from Heaven which prevents our falling into the Fire of Hell. If our Goſpel be hid, 'tis hid to them that are loſt, 2 Cor. 4.3. The Underſtanding of all other Myſteries will avail us nothing, if we be ignorant of this.
2. The Godhead of Jeſus Chriſt is an Article of peculiar importance to the Everlaſting welfare of Souls. 'Tis a fundamental Truth, and they that would ſubvert our Faith in this particular, ſeem to ſay as thoſe Edomites did, in Jeruſalem's deſolating Day, Raſe it, raſe it to the Foundvtion thereof, Pſalm 137.7. 'Tis the Corner-ſtone in our Religion, upon which the Building ſtands. It was the very firſt Doctrine that we hear of from the Mouth of Paul after his Converſion, Acts 9.20. Straightway he Preached Chriſt in the Synagogues, that he is the Son of God. The whole New Teſtament Church is oblig'd to have a ſpecial regard to this Confeſſion of Peter, in the Words before the Text; for in the Words immediately following the Text, our Lord ſays, Ʋpon this Rock will I Build my Church, ver. 18. It is therefore a moſt important Article; but this will further appear, if we conſider theſe Four Things.
1. We can have no hope of Salvation, but by Chriſt, as the Son of the Living God. If he were but a Man, we might juſtly put the Queſtion, How ſhall this Man ſave us? How can Iſrael be ſaved with an Everlaſting Salvation, but in the Lord? in Jehovah, Iſa. 45.17. How is it true, that he would ſave them by the Lord their God, Hoſ. 1.7. If there be not Salvation in any other, but Chriſt, he therefore muſt be the Lord our God.
2. We can have no acceſs to God, or Communion with him, but by a Mediator, who is God. How ſhould one Creature introduce another into the Preſence of ſuch a terrible Majeſty, who is at an infinite diſtance from all Creatures? The Fellowſhip which we have with the Father, is through the Son; and therefore the Holy Ghoſt is pleas'd to link the greateſt intimacy with God, to a ſincere Confeſſion of the Deity of Chriſt, 1 John 4.15.
3. We can look for no Victory over the Devil, if we do not look to Chriſt as God. How is the Accuſer of the Brethren caſt down, but by the coming of the Kingdom of our God, and the Power of his Chriſt? Rev. 12.10. He muſt be the Chriſt of God, who hath Power enough to ſubdue and conquer ſuch an Adverſary. 'Tis the Lord that muſt rebuke him, a created Angel cannot, Jude 9.
4. The World it ſelf will be too hard for us, if we are not helpt to encounter it by Chriſt as God, 1 John 5.5. Who is he that overcometh the World, but he that believeth that Jeſus is the Son of God? 'Tis in the Strength of this Faith that we muſt make ſucceſsful Oppoſition; we are Conquerors by Vertue of his Conqueſt, John 16.33. And this Conqueſt ſuppoſes his Godhead; for a meer Man is as uncapable of overcoming the World, as of invading Heaven.
There is an Objection lying againſt all this, in the very Chapter, where the Text is; ver. 20. If the Knowledge and Belief of what Peter had now confeſs'd be ſo eſſential to Bleſſedneſs, why ſhould Chriſt charge his Diſciples, at the very cloſe of this Diſcourſe, That they ſhould tell no Man that Jeſus was the Chriſt? Was he unwilling that the neceſſary means of Salvation ſhould be afforded to that Age? Was he reſolv'd to Conceal that from them, the Concealment whereof muſt needs be Mortal?
Anſ. 1. That unbelieving Generation were willingly, yea, willfully Ignorant, and therefore juſtly given up to be ſo, Mat. 13.13. Therefore ſpake Jeſus to them in Parables, becauſe they ſeeing, ſee not, and hearing, they hear not, &c. They ſhut their Eyes, ſtopt their Ears, put away the Word from them, and therefore why ſhould it be offer'd or propos'd to them?
2. The perſonal Doctrine and Miracles of Chriſt were ſufficient to have convinc'd them of this Truth, if they had given heed to them; therefore why ſhould the Apoſtles Preach the ſame thing? He ſpake as never Man ſpake; John 7.46. He did the Works, which no Man ever did, Chap. 15.14. So that in Effect he told them himſelf, but they would not believe.
3. There might be a prudential Reaſon in it; Chriſt would not by ſuch a Publication haſten his own Death. Some think on the contrary, he forbad their telling of this, that it might not hinder his Death; Becauſe if they had known, they would not have Crucified, &c. 1 Cor. 2.8. But this ſeems much the more probable Reaſon; he would not draw upon him the Odium and Malice of the Jews before the Time; ſo Luke 9.21, 22. He ſtraitly commanded them to t ll no Man that thing; ſaying, the Son of Man muſt ſuffer many Things, &c. q. d. This will provoke their Rage againſt me, which I muſt and will undergo, when my hour comes, but till then I deſign to avoid it. The Jews had a bloody Intention in urging him to tell them plainly, If he was the Chriſt, John 10.24. That they might accuſe him of Treaſon and Blaſphemy; and therefore he would anſwer them as they deſir'd; but when his Time was come, he owned this in expreſs Terms to the High-Prieſt, Mat. 26.63, 64. I adjure thee by the Living God, that thou tells us, &c. Jeſus ſaith unto him, Thou haſt ſaid.
4. The great Proof of his Godhead was yet to come; viz. his Reſurrection; ſo the Apoſtles were to defer their Declaration of this Truth, till they could back it with this Argument, Rom. 1.4. He was declared to be the Son of God with Power, according to the Spirit of Holineſs, by the Reſurrection from the Dead. By the Spirit of Holineſs here, is to be underſtood, his Divine Nature, which is put in Oppoſition to the Fleſh, his humane Nature, ver. 3. And the like Oppoſition we meet with, 1 Tim. 3.16. 1 Pet. 3.18. Now this Deity of Chriſt was moſt powerfully demonſtrated by his riſing from the Dead; for he rais'd and reviv'd himſelf, which a Creature could not do; he had Power to take his Life again, after he had laid it down, which no Creature ever had, John 10.18. And it was not poſſible that he ſhould be held by the Bands of Death, of which there is poſſibility enough as to any Creature, Acts 2.24.
VI. Ʋſe. This Doctrine will hint many things which are proper both for our Learning, and Practiſe.
1. There are ſeveral Things which we have to Learn from hence. As 1. The Contemners of Divine Revelation, are miſerable forſakers of their own Mercies. He that refuſeth Inſtruction, deſpiſeth his own Soul, Prov. 15.32. This is moſt true, of ſuch as turn their backs with ſcorn upon the Goſpel of Chriſt; and ſuch a ſort of Men, there are at this Day in the World, that bid inſolent defiance to all reveal'd Religion. The Diſciples at Antioch choſe to be called Chriſtians, in Honour of their Lord, on whom they believed, but England and London hath bred a race of Monſters, that affect the differencing Name of Deiſts. What will the end of ſuch be? What can it be but Deſtruction, when Faith founded on the Scripture, is the only ſaving Wiſdom? 2 Tim. 3.15. From a Child thou haſt known the Holy Scripture, which are able to, &c.
2. It ought to cauſe no Prejudice againſt real Chriſtianity, that the celebrated Men of Learning and Reaſon embrace it not. The Caſe is clear; our heavenly Father reveals theſe Things to all that know them, and he thinks ſit to hide them from ſuch, Mat. 11.25, 26. I thank thee, Oh Father, &c. Becauſe thou haſt hid theſe Things from the Wiſe and Prudent, and haſt revealed them unto Babes; Even ſo, Father, for ſo it ſeemed good, &c. 'Tis no wonder therefore that not many wiſe Men after the Fleſh are called, 1 Cor 1.26. No wonder that there are ſo few, who will in any wiſe believe, what the Goſpel declares; the Doctrine of Regeneration was myſterious nouſenſe (as one ſays) to Nicodemus, an eminent Phariſee, a Ruler of the Jews, a Maſter in Iſrael, ſo are other Things of the like kind to other Men.
3. It is no recommending Character of any Doctrine, that it is pleaſing and ſuitable to Fleſh and Blood. We have Reaſon to be Jealous that it is no ſpiritual Truth, which the natural Man very readily receives. The Doctrines which are promoted and countenanc'd by Fleſh and Blood, have the ſuſpicious Mark upon them of accurſed Doctrines. 'Tis no Argument why I ſhould give Credit to this or that Opinion, becauſe 'tis grateful to Nature, but rather an Argument againſt it. The ſwift progreſs of Error is owing very much to its ſmooth Concurrence with the Stream of Nature. Nature leads all Men to build upon ſelf; but Chriſt will profit that Man nothing, who expects to profit by any thing beſides him. 'Tis ill judging after the Fleſh; John 8.15. They judge beſt and moſt wiſely, that judge contrary to it.
4. Viſible and nominal Chriſtians may ſit in darkneſs and the ſhadow of Death, as well as perfect Pagans. 'Tis a Light within us (in a ſober, not Enthuſiaſtick Senſe) which is the true Light of Life. Men may live as much upon the Borders of Hell, where the Light outwardly ſhines, as where it ſhines not. The generality of the People in Judea receiv'd no more good by the Miniſtry of Chriſt, than they in the remoteſt Parts of the World, that never had it, John 1.5. The Light ſhineth in darkneſs, and the darkneſs comprehended it not. The real Myſtery of the Goſpel may be as little underſtood by Multitudes of Perſons here, as it is in the wildeſt Places of America.
5. Chriſtians are oblig'd to know, as well as do, more than others As we muſt do all the good that other Men do, and more, ſo we muſt know all the conſiderable Truths, that they know, and more. 'Tis ſaid of Heathens, Rom. 1.19. That which may be known of God, is manifeſt in them, for God hath ſhewed it unto them. But there is a great deal more than this to be known by thoſe that Name the Name of Chriſt; or elſe, wo unto them. Thou believeſt that there is one God, thou doſt well; but this is not enough. Doſt thou believe on the Son of God? This is requir'd, and this was firſt ask of that Excommunicate Perſon by Chriſt, John 9.35. Unleſs thou knoweſt and believeſt more than all the Men in the World can teach thee, or learn of themſelves, thou art condemned already.
6. It is both a fruitleſs and a needleſs Thing to intrude into what we have not ſeen; as Perſons that are vainly pufft up by their fleſhly Minds, Col. 2.18. It becomes us to be fully ſatisfied in what God is pleas'd to reveal or hide, and to pry no further, than Scripture-light Points out our way. This ſhould ſtop the curioſity of our enquiring Minds, that we may not demand any account of Things, but what God ſees good to give us. There is bleſſedneſs tied to his diſcoveries, but we make our ſelves oftentimes more unhappy by our own. He that increaſeth Prophetical Knowledge particularly, increaſeth Sorrow, 2 Kings 8.11, 12. The Man of God wept; and Hazael ſaid, why, &c.
2. There are ſome Things which this does very fitly put us upon the Practice. As
1. It ſpeaks to Sinners, and ſhews what they ſhould do.
1. See your Wretchedneſs. You cannot be bleſſed, till the Father gives you a Revelation of his Son by his Spirit. Without this Knowledge, the Soul cannot be good; all that periſh are deſtroyed for lack of it. The external Form of Knowledge which you have, will be inſignificant to you. The Devils knew that he was Chriſt, and proclaim'd him to be the Son of God; but Chriſt rebuk'd them and would not receive any Teſtimony from them; it was unacceptable to him, and unſerviceable to themſelves, Luke 4.41. And an heartleſs Confeſſion out of the Mouth of an Hypocrite, is as bad as from the Mouth of a Devil.
2. Be earneſt with God for the Cure of your Blindneſs. None can do it, but he; he can and will, if you unfeignedly beg it of him. The Promiſe lies ready for you to Plead, and he is ready to perform it, Prov. 2.3, 4, 5. If thou cryeſt after Knowledge, and lifteſt up thy Voice for Ʋnderſtanding, &c. Then ſhalt thou underſtand the Fear of the Lord, and find the Knowledge of thy God. You may ask ſaving Wiſdom, ſo as not to be denied; if you ask it as Perſons ſenſible, that your Life is bound up in this Requeſt, and if you ask it for Chriſt's ſake; for it was his Errand and End in coming into the World, That they which ſee not, might ſee, John 9.39.
2. This ſpeaks to Believers, and ſhews what they have to do.
2. Lift up your Heads and Hearts this Day with thankfulneſs to Heaven. This good News to thoſe that have heard Chriſt, and been taught by him, loudly calls them to give Glory to God in the higheſt, Pſalm 118.27. God is the Lord, who hath ſhewed us Light (even leſus Chriſt who isſpoken of, ver. 22. The great Light of the World) bind the Sacrifice with Cords, &c. in Judah is God known, Pſalm 76.1. Judah ſignifies Praiſe; what Hearts ſhould they have to Praiſe God, that have Underſtandings given them to know him; If God hath conferred this Bleſſedneſs upon you, what a rebounding of Bleſſing ſhould there be to him.
2. Value no Knowledge in Compariſon of this. Remember the Words of Paul, 1 Cor. 2.2. This exceeds all other Knowledge in many reſpects, eſpecially becauſe it diſcriminates the Friends of God from Enemies. 'Tis a diſtinguiſhing Priviledge allow'd to none, but the beloved of the Lord. Though you have no Reaſon to boaſt your ſelves againſt others, whom God makes you to differ from, yet you have abundant Reaſon to prefer and magnifie your own Lot. Mat. 13.15, 16. This People's Heart is waxed groſs, and their Ears are dull, and their Eyes cloſed, &c. But bleſſed are your Eyes for they ſee, &c.
3. Walk as Children of Light. Neceſſity is laid upon them, That are Light in the Lord, to do ſo, Eph. 5.8. Give no occaſion by diſorderly ſteps, for others to ſtumble and fall. As is ſaid in another Caſe, Rom. 14.16. Let not your good be evil ſpoken of. Expoſe not the Doctrine of Chriſt to reproach by any unholy Acts, as if it were not a Doctrine according to Godlineſs. Let all your Obſervers be witneſſes, that a renewed Mind will produce a reformed Converſation. Elſe you will Cloud your own Light, and thicken the Darkneſs of other Men.
4. Make Conſcience of Praying for thoſe whom you uſually hear. Petition the King on the behalf of his Embaſſadors; and the more they have of his Preſence, the more are you like to get by their Labours. The more they have of the guidance of the Spirit of Truth, the more uſeful will their Teachings be to you. The ableſt Miniſter of the New Teſtament is inſufficient to think any thing of himſelf, 2 Cor. 3.5, 6. Unwearied Studies will bring forth nothing but wind without a Divine Influence. Pray therefore, that they may have Moſes's Advantage, of God's being with their Mouth, and Teaching them what they ſhould ſay, Exod. 4.12.
5. Depend ſtill upon God for continued diſcoveries. Follow on the know the Lord, and breath after further views of him. God hath not yet ſhewed you all that he intends. The Work of Illumination is yet going on; The ſame anointing, which hath taught you, teacheth you of all Things, 1 John 2.27. There are ſtill the deep Things of God, which the Spirit muſt ſearch out for you. Holy David, long after his firſt enlightening, beſeeches God to Open his Eyes, that he might behold wondrous things out of his Law, Pſalm 119.18. There are always freſh Wonders to be ſeen, which a freſh Unction from God muſt help us to diſcern.
6. Look for the perfecting of theſe diſcoveries in a State of Glory. Say to God, as the ſame David did, Pſalm 36.9. In thy Light ſhall we ſee Light. 'Tis but a kind of dim Twilight comparatively, which we enjoy here in this World; while we are hid in this Priſon-houſe, we can ſee but little; but our Fathers Houſe above, is full of Light; Then ſhall the Righteous ſhine forth as the Sun, & Mat. 13.43. If the Day-ſtar be irs'n in your Hearts, live in the pleaſant and chearful Expectation of perfect Day. For we can aſcend but a little way into the Myſteries of the Kingdom, as long as we are upon the Foot-ſtool; and we ſhall know vaſtly and unconceivably more in the firſt Moment after we come to Heaven, then we are capable of attaining here throughout all our Days.