The Kingdom of God Opened, Text (1 of 4)
S. Matth. vj.xxxiij.
But ſeek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs, and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you.
SO fearful and fatal was the firſt ſin of our firſt Parents to themſelves and their Poſterity, who ſinned in them, that we are all come ſhort thereby of the glory of God; and our eſtate is now both ſinful and miſerable: the knowledge and conſideration whereof ſhould incite every one to the moſt ſerious and vigorous deſires, care, and endeavors, how he may ſpeedily extricate himſelf out of ſo deplorable a condition. By our wilful ſin, we are fallen from God grace and glory, unto the Creature, under ſin and Satan's power, and being the children of diſobedience, we are alſo the children of the devil, and the children of wrath. But God ſo loved the world, that he gave his onelyonly begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. He hath alſo raiſed up his Son Jeſus, and ſent him to bleſs us, in turning away ever, one of us from our iniquities, by giving himſelf for our ſins, that he might deliver us from this preſent evil world. He alſo himſelf took fleſh and bloud, that through death he might deſtroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. For this purpoſe the Son of God was manifeſted, that he might deſtroy the works of the devil; Even Jeſus, who delivered us from the wrath to come. Becauſe he would have all men ſaved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. And therefore in purſuance of his gracious deſign of ſaving Mankind, he hath here in my Text iſſued out his Royal Counſel, Command, and Proclamation, But ſeek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs, and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you.
In which words, there are two general Parts,
1 A Precept, in theſe words, But ſeek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and his righteouſneſs.
2 A Promiſe, in thoſe, and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you.
In the Precept conſider the word of Oppoſition, But; the Act, ſeek; the Perſons, ye; the Objects, with their emphatic…l Adjuncts and Particles, the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs.
In the Promiſe, we have the Copulative, and; the matter of the Promiſe, all things; the manner of Conveyance, with its certainty, ſhall be added; the Perſons to whom the Promiſe is made, to you.
For Explication, ſeek, i. e. with deſire accordin…ly, do with your might. This word implies neceſſi…y, miſery, mercy, duty, dignity, diligence, delight, difficulty, poſſiblity, probability, care, fear, fidelity, fervency, conſtancy, which were eaſie to demonſtrate, had I time.
Ye, not onelyonly of little faith, ver. 30. eſpecially, but this great multitude, &c. and who ever elſe will, &c.
Firſt, above, before all other things, chiefly, early, earneſty.
The Kingdom, a word of large extent and ſignification, which here at large I may not open.
By Kingdom, is meant both Grace, Rom. 14.17. the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteouſneſs, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghoſt. And glory, 1 Theſſ. 2, 12. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you to his Kingdom and glory.
Of God, as the Author, Giver, Conſerver, and Confirmer of it.
And his Righteouſneſs. By Righteouſneſs is meant Chriſt himſelf; This is his name whereby he ſhall be called, The Lord our Righteouſneſs.
Righteouſneſs eſpecially for our Juſtification. Of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, who of God is made unto us Righteouſneſs. So he is by virtue of the perſonal, perfect, and perpetual holineſs of his Nature, together with his active and paſſive Obedience, the matter and merit of our Juſtification, through faith reckoned and imputed.
And Sanctification paſſive and active.
Whereby by the Divine power, we are made partakers of the Divine Nature, and thereby enabled to die unto ſin, and live unto God, in holineſs to him, in juſtice commutative and diſtributive to and with others. Whatſoever we would that men ſhould do to us, do we even ſo to them. In ſobriety towards our …elves, in body, ſoul, and ſpirit. Gird up the loins of your …inds be ſober. Preſent your bodies a living ſacrifice, …y, acceptable unto God, which is your reaſonable ſervice. …mperate in all things.
And all theſe things, namely, that concern the welfare of the …ody, which are temporal, as Health, Peace, Honours, Pleaſures, Riches, Protection, Proviſion, Food, Raiment, &c.
Shall be added, caſt in upon the by without carking care, in God's ordinary providence, as in wiſdom he thinks meet. Caſting our care upon him, committing our ſelves and ways to him; walking with him in our general and particular Callings, painfully and faithfully.
Ʋnto you, who in faith ſeek firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs.
This Verſe is part of that famous Sermon, that our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt preached to the Multitude in the Mount; and therefore ſhould command the greateſt reverence.
The occaſion of the words is, firſt, Chriſts obſervation of the worldlineſs of the World, eſpecially the Gentile world; for after all theſe things, namely, the lust of the fleſh, and the luſt of the eyes, and the pride of life, do the Gentiles ſeek.
2. The fears, and thereupon the cares which poſſeſſed the hearts of the weak in faith, that if they became the hearers and followers of Chriſt, indeed and in truth, then what ſhould they do for food and raiment? Why, Seek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs, and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you.
There is not one word in this Verſe, but is pregnant with matter, of infinite unſp…akable worth and weight, and contains variety of Doctrines and Duties, which for brevities ſake I muſt paſs over, with bare naming them.
Oh that all the Kings and Kingdoms of the world did but know, and well weigh the mind, heart, affections, and bowels of Jeſus Chriſt in this very Scripture; the Kingdoms then of the world, would certainly and ſuddenly become the Kingdom of the Lord, and of his Chriſt, which is the King of Kings deſire: Should not Kings and Kingdoms then deſire it for each other? Oh that the deſires and endeavours of us all were as great, as good, as fervent, and as faithful, as here they ſhould be in ſo momentous a matter, as ſeeking firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs.
But, as it looks backward and forward, contains theſe Doctrines.
1. All men naturally are carnally minded.
2. Weak Believers are even carnal, too thoughtful and careful about temporal things.
3. It is the will of Chriſt Jeſus, that they of little f…ith would not trouble their heads and hearts with fears and cares about things pertaining to the body.
4. The beſt way to cure a carnal mind, is firſt to ſeek the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs.
Seek. 1. Every one by ſin hath loſt his right to ſpiritual and heavenly things.
2. It is the duty of every one, eſpecially Believers, to ſeek after grace and glory.
Ye. The weakeſt true Believers may, and muſt, above all other perſons, and before other things, ſeek God's Kingdom, and his Righteouſneſs.
Firſt, principally or chiefly.
1. God's Kingdom and his Righteouſneſs are the moſt ſubſtantial and principal things.
2. Theſe things are practically to be preferred before all other.
Firſt, early. The beſt time of ſeeking God's Kingdom, and his Righteouſneſs, is betimes in our age, and betimes in the morning.
Firſt, earneſtly. We are to ſtir up our ſelves and others to ſeek ſpiritual things with greateſt fervency and faithfulneſs.
The Kingdom of God.
1. God hath a Kingdom of his own.
2. He is the onelyonly Author and Founder of it.
3. He gives it to whom he will.
4. This Kingdom is both grace and glory.
5. This Kingdom hath an everlaſting foundation.
And his Righteouſneſs.
And. 1 Grace and glory are inſeparable.
His. 2. The righteouſneſs of Chriſt is God's Righteouſneſs.
3 The Lord Jeſus Chriſt and his righteouſneſs, is the onelyonly way to glory.
4. Chriſts righteouſneſs is our Juſtification and Sanctification.
And all theſe things ſhall be added unto you.
And. 1. Temporal and Spiritual things are alſo inſeparable.
2. Believers have a right to all things.
3. Heavenly and earthly things differ exceedingly.
All theſe things ſhall be added. 1. True Believers may for a time want temporal mercies. Having nothing, yet poſſeſſing all things.
2. God will in his good time relieve all their wants.
3 God will give Believers convenient mercies, without carking thoughts, fears, or cares.
Ʋnto you.
Of little faith. The leaſt degree of true faith entitles Chriſtians to things Temporal, Spiritual, and Eternal.
Doct. The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of Grace and Glory, which is to be ſought by all, above and before all other things, till it be obtained with all poſſible care and di…igence.
The God of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of glory, give unto me the ſpirit of wiſdom and revelation in the knowledge of the myſteries of his Kingdom; the eyes of my underſtanding being enlightned, I may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints, that I may make it manifeſt as I ought.
That there is a Kingdom of grace and glory, the whole Word of God, the Twelve Articles in our Chriſtian Apoſtolical Creed; the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments; our Lords Prayer, the Summaries of our Faith, Deſires, and Practiſe; the unanimous conſtant conſent of the Univerſal Church; the different ſtate, diſpoſition, and converſation of the Godly and Ungodly, and God's various diſpenſations towards them, do admirably, abundantly, and undeniably prove.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godlineſs; and to godlineſs, brotherly kindneſs; and to brotherly kindneſs, charity. For if ye do theſe things, an entrance ſhall be miniſtred unto you abundantly into the everlaſting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. So run, that ye may obtain.
There is a Kingdom of grace within us. Luke 17.21. Behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
There is a Kingdom of glory without us. 1 Theſſ. 2.12. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory Not differing in nature, but degree; for grace is glory begun, and glory is grace perfected. Beholding as in a glaſs the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the ſame image from glory to glory, that is, from one degree of grace unto another, until grace commence glory.
Every Kingdom preſuppoſeth a King, Laws, and Subjects that are to be governed, guided, and protected: Accordingly the Kingdom of God hath a King, Laws, and Subjects. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is King himſelf; the eternal C…uncels of God, in his Word, are his Laws; Angels, all Kings and Kingdoms are his Subjects.
All power is given unto this King in heaven and in earth; he hath a Kingdom in every true Believer, where he dwells and reigns as King. The Sacred Scriptures are his Laws, written not with Ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of ſtone, but in fleſhly tables of their hearts: their b…dies, ſouls, ſpirits; every member, faculty, power, quality, and all that is within them, mind, memory, will, conſcience, affections, thoughts, intents, deſires, &c. words, actions; and all their enemies, ſin, Satan, and the world; the honours, pleaſures, treaſures thereof, are his Subjects. This King of Saints is perſonally in heaven, but dwells and reigns myſtically in true Believers, by his Spirit, by his Word, by his Grace. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, becauſe he hath given us of his Spirit. Now the Office of the holy Spirit is by Regeneration to waſh and cleanſe our bodies, ſouls, and ſpirits from all filthineſs, that by his divine power we may be partakers of the Divine Nature, having eſcaped the corruption that is in the world through luſt.
Ye are clean through the word which I have ſpoken unto you. Sanctifie them through thy truth, thy word is truth. And by applying alſo the blood of Chriſt. If the blood of bulls and goats, ſprinkling the unclean, ſanctifieth to the purifying of the fleſh; how much more ſhall the blood of Chriſt purge your conſciences from dead works.
Ye know ye were not redeemed from your vain converſation with corruptible things, as ſilver and gold, but with the precious blood of Chriſt
The holy Ghoſt is given to purifie our hearts by the grace of faith. This King, by his Spirit, Word, Bloud, and Grace, creates in us clean hearts, and renews right ſpirits within us; and thereby alſo prepares our bodies, ſouls, and ſpirits to be temples and habitations meet for his Majeſty to inhabit and dwell in. As our bodies are filled with our ſouls and ſpirits, ſo would our gracious King have us filled in our bodies, ſouls, and ſpirits with all the fulneſs of God. Be not drunk with Wine wherein is exceſs, but be filled with the Spirit. Such is the kindneſs and love of God our Saviour towards man, that according to his mercy he ſaves us, by the waſhing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghoſt, which he ſheds upon us abundantly through Jeſus Chriſt our Saviour.
He would have his word dwell in us richly in all wiſdom, for reaching and admoniſhing one another. By his blood he dwelleth in us.
How free was he of it during the time of his p…ſſive obedience, in his eſtate of humiliation. He poured out his ſoul unto death. Being in an agony, his ſweat was as it were great drops of bloud falling down to the ground. He offered his ſide to be broached, that he might ſhed his hearts blood for our redemption; the remiſſion of our ſins, reconciliation, our ſanctification, and ſalvation. In whom we have redemption through his blood. Without ſhedding of bloud there is no remiſſion. He hath made peace through the blood of his croſs. Reconciling all things unto himſelf, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
The blood of Chriſt, through the eternal Spirit, purgeth our conſciences from dead works to ſerve the living God. Being now juſtified by his blood, we ſhall be ſaved from wrath through him. In his eſtate of Exaltation, how free is he alſo of his blood? by the virtue of it, he makes continual interceſſion for us. In the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper, we have his blood given to drink, which he tells us is drink indeed; and calls upon us to drink, yea to drink abundantly.
He dwelleth in us by his grace. It ple…ſed the Father, that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell; a fulneſs of grace and truth. The fulneſs of him that fi leth all in all. That of his fulneſs we all might receive grace for grace. Through him great grace was upon all the Apoſtles, and many of the Primitive Chriſtians. He that deſcended, is the ſame alſo that aſcended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things, Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Paſtors and Teachers, with gifts and graces; for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Miniſtery, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt. That we henceforth be no more children, t…ſſed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the ſleight of men, and cunning craftineſs, whereby they lie in wait to deceive: But ſpeaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Chriſt: from whom the whole body fitly joyned together, and compacted by that which every joynt ſupplieth, according to the effectual working in the meaſure of every part, maketh increaſe of the body, unto the edifying of it ſelf in love.
The Univerſal Church is the body of Chriſt, his Spirit, the virtue of his Bloud, his Word, Graces, and Comforts, are the life, welfare and ſoul of it. Chriſt our King dwells in this his body, and every member of it, which is his Kingdom, by righteouſneſs, peace, and joy in the holy Ghoſt. He covers his body with the robe of his righteouſneſs for their Juſtification, which is their upper garment: And to the Church, the Lamb's Wife, is granted, that ſhe ſhould be arrayed in fine linen, her under garment, which is righteouſneſs for Sanctification, and purity both in body, ſoul, ſpirit, and converſation. The very God of peace ſanctifie you wholly: And I pray God your whole ſpirit, and ſoul, and body, be preſerved blameleſs unto the coming of our Lord Jeſus.
This Church or Body of Chriſt, looking for new Heavens and a new Earth, wherein dwelleth righteouſneſs, is diligently to be found of him in peace, without ſpot and blameleſs. And knowing the grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that though he was rich, yet for the ſake of his Body, which is the Church, he became poor, that through his poverty it might be made rich; through him have an acceſs by one Spirit unto the Father of lights, from whom cometh every good gift, and every perfect gift, whether of Nature, of Grace, or of Glory. For the Lord God is a ſun and ſhield: the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly. The ſpirit of power, of love, and of a ſound mind, are his gift, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created the new man, to be renewed in the ſpirit of his mind. For that the ſoul be without knowledge is not good, eſpecially the knowledge of God and Jeſus Chriſt, and him crucified; all other knowledge ſhall vaniſh away, but this is life eternal, to know thee the onelyonly true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. And though the ungodly like not to retain God in their knowledge, and are ſo far beſides themſelves, as to ſay unto God, Depart from us, for we deſire not the knowledge of thy ways: Notwithſtanding that he hath ſaid to a people of no underſtanding, that he that made them, will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them, will ſhew them no favour, while they walk in the vanity of their minds, having the underſtanding darkned, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the blindneſs of their hearts: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, leſt the light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt, which is the image of God, ſhould ſhine unto them. And therefore this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkneſs rather than light, becauſe their deeds were evil. For every one that doth evil, hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, leſt his deeds ſhould be diſcerned or reproved. Yet to them who were ſometimes darkneſs, but now are light in the Lord, and walk as children of the light, they determine to know nothing, ſave Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified. Yea doubtleſs, they count all things but loſs for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus, for whom they ſuffer the loſs of all things, and do count them but dung, that they may win Chriſt; and be found in him, not having their own righteouſneſs, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Chriſt, the righteouſneſs which is of God by faith; that they may know him, and the power of his reſurrection, and the fellowſhip of his ſufferings, being made conformable unto his death, if by any means they may attain unto the reſurrection of the dead; not as though they had already attained, either were already perfect, but humbly taking God at his word, that then ſhall they know: If they follow on to know the Lord, follow after; if that they may apprehend that for which alſo they are apprehended of Chriſt Jeſus: For the God of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of glory, hath given unto them the ſpirit of wiſdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of their underſtanding being enlightned, they know what is the hope of his calling, and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints, and what is the exceeding greatneſs of his power to them who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Chriſt, when he raiſed him from the dead, and ſet him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. And though there be ſome that have onelyonly the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the Law and Goſpel, and ſo have but a form of godlineſs; ſuch are they, who profeſs that they know God, yet glorifie him not as God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and diſobedient, and unto every good work reprobate, or void of judgment, who reſiſt the truth: Men of corrupt minds, reprobate, of no judgment concerning the doctrine or grace of faith: Of this ſort are they which creep into houſes, and lead captive ſilly women, laden with ſins, led away with divers luſts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, becauſe they will not endure ſound doctrine; but after their own luſts, they heap to themſelves Teachers, having itching ears, and turn away their ears from hearing the truth, and are turned unto fables: not conſenting to wholeſome words, even the words of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and to the doctrine which is according to godlineſs; being proud, knowing nothing, doting fools, or ſick about queſtions and ſtrifes of words, whereof cometh envy, ſtrife, railings and ſurmiſing, perverſe diſputings of men of corrupt minds, and deſtitute of the truth; ſuppoſing that gain of honour by their doubtful diſputations is godlineſs. From ſuch, let the humble and weak in faith turn away.
I ſay, though there be ſome, who for the time ought to be Teachers, yet have need that one teach them again, which be the firſt principles of the Oracles of God; and are become ſuch, as have need of milk, and not of ſtrong meat. For every one that uſeth milk, is unskilful, and hath no experience in the word of righteouſneſs, for he is a babe. Yet for thoſe who are truly enlightned, and have both taſted of, and reliſhed the heavenly gift, and the good word of God, and have been made partakers of the Spirit of the Lord, the ſpirit of wiſdom and underſtanding, the ſpirit of councel, and the ſpirit of knowledge, making them of quick underſtanding in the fear of the Lord; even thoſe that by reaſon of uſe, or habit, or perfection, have their ſenſes exerciſed to diſcern both good and evil. They abhor the evil, and cleave to that which is good, being transformed by the renewing of their minds, they prove and try what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God; for a good underſtanding have all they that do thereafter. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. Hereby know we alſo that we are in him, and he in us. For if a man keep my words, ſaith Chriſt, we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. But he that ſaith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Chriſt will profeſs to ſuch a one, Depart from me, thou worker of iniquity, I never knew thee. But he who loves God, not in word, or in tongue, but in deed and in truth, is known of him, and knoweth God, and approves things that are excellent; even whatſoever things are true, whatſoever things are honeſt, whatſoever things are juſt, whatſoever things are pure, whatſoever things are lovely, whatſoever things are of good report. Growing alſo in grace, abounding in love more and more, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and in all judgment or ſenſe, minding, ſavouring, favouring the things of the Spirit, as they that are after the Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, being ſpiritually minded, ſerve him in newneſs of ſpirit, mind not high things, but content themſelves with mean things. Take not thought for their life, what they ſhall eat, or what they ſhall drink, nor yet for the body what they ſhall put on; knowing the life to be more worth than meat, and the body than raiment; and that meats are but for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God ſhall deſtroy both it and them. And the body is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And though there are many whoſe God is their belly, whoſe glory is in their ſhame; men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whoſe belly God filleth with his hid treaſures: who ſay, Who will ſhew us any good? truſting in uncertain riches, that will be rich, and therefore minding altogether earthly things, fall into temptation, and a ſnare, and into many fooliſh and hurtful luſts. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while ſome coveted after, they have erred, or been ſeduced from the faith, and pierced themſelves through with many ſorrows, and turn thereby enemies to the croſs of Chriſt, which ſhould be their glory; whereby the world ſhould be crucifi'd to them, and they unto the world, whoſe end is to be drowned in deſtruction and perdition. Yet are there ſome of the mind of the Spirit, that godlineſs with contentment is great gain; and therefore having food and raiment, their converſation being in heaven, are, without covetouſneſs, content with ſuch things as they have: knowing they brought nothing into this world, and it is certain they can carry nothing out: who in reſpect of want have learned, whatſoever ſtate they are in, therewith to be content: Knowing how to be abaſed, and how to abound; every where, and in all things inſtructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to ſuffer need; careful for nothing, in every thing by prayer, and ſupplication, with thankſgiving, making their requeſts known unto God their heavenly Father, who knoweth that they have need of all theſe things, namely, food and raiment: and therefore take no thought what to eat or drink, or wherewithall to be clothed; for he that feeds the fowls, will much more feed them; and arrays the Lilies of the field, and clothes the graſs, will much more array (if need be) however cloath the little in faith. And this ſhould ſilence all our doubts, cares, and fears, as to our protection and proviſion for this life, that if God hath not ſpared his own Son, but delivered him up for us all; how ſhall he not with him alſo freely give us all things. While worldlings are cumbred with many things, and troubled about much ſerving, the minds of heavenly believers are taken up with the one thing neceſſary.
One thing they deſire of the Lord, which they ſeek after, that they may dwell in the houſe of the Lord all the days of their life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple; where every one ſpeaks of his glory, even his kingdom of grace and glory. They long for, and think long till the time, that all ſpe…k the ſame thing, and that there be no diviſion among us, through diverſity of judgment, one of Paul, another of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Chriſt, as if Chriſt were divided, the Language of ſuch as are Carnal; but, that we be perfectly joyned together in the ſame mind, and in the ſame judgment, that being like minded one towards another, after the example of Chriſt Jeſus, we may, with one Mouth, glorifie God, even the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to the fulfilling of our mutual Joy, and the Joy of our Lord, when we are like-minded, having the ſame love, being of one accord, of one mind, that being knit together in love, the way to all riches, of the full aſſurance of underſtanding, to the acknowledgment of the myſtery of God, and of the Father, and of Chriſt; for, as many as be perfect, be thus minded, whereto they have already attained, to walk by the ſame rule, to mind the ſame things; and, if in any thing, any of them be otherwiſe minded, to wait in brotherly loving Union and Communion with each other, till God reveal even the truth to them, as it is in Chriſt Jeſus.
Let this mind be in us which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus, that nothing be done through ſtrife, or vain glory, but in lowlineſs of mind, let each eſteem other better than themſelves; not judging one another any more; but, judge this rather, that no man put a ſtumbling-block, or an occaſion to f…ll in his brothers way: Let us rather follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edifie another, with all lowlineſs and meekneſs, with long-ſuffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the ſpirit in the bond of peace; for he that in theſe things ſerveth Chriſt is acceptable to God, and approved of Men; for, there is but one Body, and one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our Calling; one Lord, one Faith, one Doctrine of Faith, one Grace of Faith, one Baptiſm, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. Chriſts Prayer was for our pr…ctiſe herein, four times in his laſt Prayer, he prays his Father that Believers may be one upon this account, that the World may believe and know that the Father hath ſent him, and the glory that his Father gave him he hath given them, that they may be one, that they may be perf…ct, that the World may know, that I have loved them as thou haſt loved me. Behold then, how good, and how pleaſant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Unity: the bleſſing of life, temporal, ſpiritual, and eternal is the fruit of it. What Man is he that deſireth life, and loveth many dayes that he may ſee good? let him ſeek the peace of unity, and purſue it; and the fruit of righteouſneſs is ſown in peace of them that make peace; where ever it is the Lord will command the bleſſing, even life for evermore. The Kingdom of Grace and Glory, is a Kingdom of Peace alſo; Peace, as it is a Grace, is part of this Kingdom; as it is a Bleſſing, the Lord will bleſs his People with Peace; ſo it is the Priviledge of this Kingdom, the beauty and ſtrength of it: It muſt needs be a peaceable Kingdom, when the founder of it is the God of Peace; the King of it a Prince of Peace; the Goſpel of the Kingdom a Goſpel of Peace; the Preachers of it Miniſters of Peace; the Subjects of it the Children of Peace; the Laws of it Counſels of Peace; the Senators of it Counſellors of Peace: Indeed, in this Kingdom, there is ſome noiſe of weapons, for the Fleſh luſteth againſt the Spirit, and the Spirit ag…inſt the Fleſh, and theſe are contrary the one to the other, ſo that we cannot do …he things that we would; no Peace without this war between Saints and Satan and Sinners, the Fleſh, and the World. Your Adverſary the Devil, a roaring Lion, walketh about ſeeking whom he may devour. Saints have a Law in their members warring againſt the law of their mind, and bringing them into captivity to the law of ſin which is in their members; and he that is born after the fleſh perſecuteth him that is born after the ſpirit; all that is in the World, the luſt of the fleſh, and the luſt of the eyes, and the pride of life muſt be overcome. The good fight of Faith muſt be fought againſt the Devil, whom reſiſt ſtedfaſt in the faith; againſt the World, for this is the Victory that …vercometh the World even our Faith, againſt the fleſh, mortifie the deeds of the Body through the ſpirit, mortifie therefore your members, purifying our hearts by Faith, a Faith that worketh by love, and worketh love in their ſouls, who obey the truth through the ſpirit unto unfeigned love, not only of Brethren, but Enemies, ſo that they can love them with pure hearts fervently: That we may be able to ſtand againſt the wiles of the Devil, we wreſtle, not only againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt Principalities, againſt Powers, againſt the rulers of the darkneſs of this World, againſt ſpiritual wickedneſs in high pl…ces, we muſt take unto our ſelves the whole armour of God, having our loynes girt about with truth, and having on the breſt-plate of righteouſneſs, and our feet ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpel of Peace; above all, taking the ſhield of Faith, wherewith we ſhall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and Hope, the Helmet of Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, and watching …hereunto with all perſeverance, whereby we ſhall be more than Conquerors, through him that loved us; nothing ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt, not Tribulation (though we muſt, through much Tribulations, enter into the Kingdom of God) or Diſtreſs, or Perſecution, or Famine, or Nakedneſs, or Peril, or Sword; neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, …or things preſent, nor things to come, nor heighth, nor depth, nor any other creature, ſhall be able to ſeparate us from the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord: So, that in this warfare, though the way be not Peace, yet the end of it is Peace; it yieldeth the Peaceable Fruit of Righteouſneſs unto them which are exerciſed thereby, even that Peace which paſſeth all underſtanding, and Joy which is unſpeakable and full of glory. The Kingdom of God, whether the Kingdom of Satan will or no, will be the kingdom of Righteouſneſs, of Peace, and of Joy in the Holy Ghoſt to the ſeekers of it, the fighters for it: the kingdom of Heaven ſuffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. By Repentance towards God, and Faith in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, we enter into the kingdom of God, and this Kingdom of God enters into us: by Repentance towards God we are delivered from the power of darkneſs; by Faith we are tra…ſl…ted into the kingdom of his dear Son; Repentance turns Sin, Satan, and the World out …f the heart, that Faith may let Chriſt into it: the voice of Faith is, Lift up your heads O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlaſting doors, that the King of Glory may come in; Who is this King of Glory? Chriſt, who dwelleth in the heart by Faith; and where Chriſt is, he hath his kingdom of Grace: As many as receive him, or that believe on his Name, of his fulneſs receive Grace for Grace; Chriſt and his Grace are inſeparable; he that hath the Son hath life; he that hath not the Son hath not life: our life is hid with Chriſt in God.
Chriſt is Gods firſt and greateſt Gift; himſelf tells us, he is the Gift of God, given to the World of Mankind before the foundation of the World, in Gods everlaſting Decree; and, with, in, and through him, hath given all things pertaining to Life and Godlineſs, even from the firſt Grace of Election▪ to the laſt Gift of Eternal Life.
Election, According as he hath choſen us in him, before the foundation of the World.
Acceptation of our perſons, according to the good pleaſure of his will, he hath made us accepted in the Beloved.
Creation. To us there is but one God the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him, and one Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Redemption. In him we have Redemption, through his Blood, according to the riches of his Grace. A General Redemption we thus judge; That if one died for all, then were all dead; dead in ſins and treſpaſſes, dead in Law, and that he died for all, that they which live ſhould not henceforth live unto themſelves▪ but unto him which died for them, by the Grace of God he taſted death for every man.
Regeneration The God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt; therefore, if any man be in Chriſt, he is a new Creature; all things are paſt away, behold all things are become new.
Juſtification. By the offence of one, Judgment came upon all men to Condemnation: even ſo by the Righteouſneſs of one, the free Gift came upon all men, unto Juſtification of Life; in whom we have the forgiveneſs of our ſins, according to the riches of his Grace; that they may receive forgiveneſs of ſins by Faith, that is in me, ſaith Chriſt.
Reconciliation. Being Juſtified by Faith, we have Peace with God, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; the Peace of Reconciliation, God hath reconciled us to himſelf by Jeſus Chriſt: God was in Chriſt reconciling the World unto himſelf; and, Chriſt in his Miniſters, beſeeching us to be reconciled unto God.
We, who ſometimes were far off, are, in Chriſt Jeſus, made nigh by his Blood, for he is our Peace, that he might Reconcile us unto God, in one Body by the Croſs, having ſl…in the enmity thereby, and made both one, having broken down the Middle-Wall of Partition between us, aboliſhing in his fl…ſh the enmity, even the Law of Commandments, contained in Ordinanc…s, for to make in himſelf, of twain, one New Man, ſo making Peace. Having thus made Peace by the Blood of his Croſs, God, by him, Reconciles all things unto himſelf, whether they be things in Earth, or things in Heaven; and we that were ſometime alienated, and enemies in our minds by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his fleſh through death.
The Favour of God, In whom alſo we have acceſs by Faith, into this Grace of Favour, wherein we ſtand▪ an unconceivable, unſpeakable mercy. Jeſus was in favour with God, to bring us into favour with God; whoſo findeth Chriſt, findeth Life, and ſhall obtain favour of the Lord.
In this Favour is our Life; this Loving kindneſs is better th…n our Life, next to the Glory of God, I know nothing in compariſon, or competition, to be minded, reg…rded, ſought, made ſure of, and prized, but having, keeping, and increaſing in the favour of God. It was the happineſs of Chriſt, as Man, here on Earth, to increaſe in favour with God: David entreated this favour with his whole heart. I know no chief good beſides God and his favour: the whole Benefits and Comforts of our Election, Creation, Redemption, Regeneration, Juſtification, Reconciliation, Adoption, Sanctification, and Glorification are ſummed up in Gods Face, Countenance, and Favour, towards us in Chriſt.
Adoption. The Son of God was made the Son of Man, that we who are the Sons of Men might be made the Sons of God by Adoption: when the fullneſs of the time was come, God ſent forth his Son, made of a Woman, made under the Law, that we might receive the Adoption of Sons: we are all the Childr…n of God by Faith in Chriſt Jeſus.
Sanctification. According as he hath choſen us in him before the foundation of the World, that we ſhould be holy and without blame before him in love: God hath from the beginning choſen us to Salvation, through Sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.
Conſolation. Our Lord Jeſus himſelf and God even our Father, which hath loved us, hath given us everlaſting Conſolation through Grace.
Glorification. There is no Condemnation to them which are in Chriſt Jeſus; them he alſo Glorifieth, they are called by the Goſpel to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, eſpecially at the day of Judgment, when he ſhall come to be Glorified in his Saints, to give Glory to them, to receive Glory by them; when Chriſt who is our life ſhall appear, then ſhall we alſo appear with him in Glory. The Glory which God the Father g…ve his Son, the Glory which thou g…veſt me I have given them. Father, I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my Glory which thou haſt given me. To receive Glory from them paſſively, actively, the Name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt is glorified in us, and we in him, according to the Grace of our God, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: The faithful Miniſters of Chriſt, and Chriſt himſelf ſaith, What is our Hope, or Joy, or Crown of rejoycing, are not even ye in the preſence of God? ye are our glory and j…y: for this Joy that was ſet before him, he endured the Croſs, deſpiſing the ſhame, and is ſet down at the right hand of the Throne of God, where he ſees the travel of his Soul, and is ſatisfied. The general Aſſembly and Church of the firſt-born, which are written in He…ven, ſhall Sing this new Song to the honour of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in Communion with all the holy Angels, Worthy is the Lamb that was ſlain, to receive power and riches, and wiſdom▪ and ſtrength, and honour, and bleſſing: And every Creature which is in Heaven, and on the Earth, and under the Earth, and ſuch as are in the Sea, and all that are in them, ſhall ſay; Bleſſing and honour, and glory and power be unto him that ſitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Thus out of the Fullneſs which is in Chriſt do we all receive, and Grace for Grace; as Grace without us and upon us, ſo all Grace within us; namely, ſaving-wiſdom and knowledge, all riches of the full aſſurance of underſtanding, to the acknowledgment of the myſtery of God, and of the Father, and of Chriſt; all the treaſures of wiſdom and knowledge are hid in him, who is the wiſdom in a My…ery, even the hidden wiſdom, which God ordained before the World, unto our glory, which none of the Princes of this World knew, but God hath Revealed him unto us: Even the Myſtery which hath been hid from Ages, and from Generations, but now is made manifeſt to his Saints. The Myſtery of Godlineſs, which without controverſie is great, God manifeſted in the fleſh, juſtified in the ſpirit, ſeen of Angels, Preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the World, received up into Glory. And, unto us, by his ſpirit, it pleaſed God, ſaith St. Paul, who called me by his Grace to reveal Chriſt in me. No Man knoweth the things of a Man, ſave the ſpirit of man which is in him: Even ſo the things of God knoweth no man but the ſpirit of God; of him are we in Chriſt Jeſus, who of God is made unto us wiſdom. For this end, Chriſt, as our only Mediator, hath taken upon himſelf the Office of a Prophet; a Prophet ſhall the Lord your God raiſe up unto you, him ſhall ye hear in all things whatſoever he ſhall ſay unto you. God, who at ſundry times, and in divers manners, ſpake in times paſt unto the Fathers by the Prophets, hath in theſe laſt dayes ſpoken unto us by his Son, who was not only a Prophet, but a Preacher of this kingdom of God, of whom it was truly ſaid, Never Man ſpake like this Man. For, he whom God hath ſent, ſpeaketh the words of God; for, God giveth not the ſpirit by meaſure unto him: the Spirit of the Lord anointed him to Preach the Goſpel to the Poor; he ſent him to heal the broken in heart; to Preach deliverance to the Captives; and recovering of ſight to the blind; to ſet at liberty them that are bruiſed; to Preach the acceptable year of the Lord: All bare him witneſs, and wondred at the gracious words, which proceeded out of his mouth.
Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and undeſtanding; It is he that Tea…heth in the w…y of Wiſdom, and leads in Right Paths; that hath comp ſſion on the ignor…nt, and on them that are out of the way; to give the know…edge of Salvation unto them; to give light to them th t ſit in darkneſs, and in the ſhadow of death, to guide their feet into the way of Peace; and, to ſee that …here be no wicked way in them; and, to lead them into the way everlaſting: which he doth by his Spirit, by his Word, by his Miniſters. Whom the Father will ſend in the name of his Son, at his requeſt; I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, for he dwelleth with you, and ſhall be in you; and, at Believers requeſt: for, whatſoever ye ſhall ask in my Name, that will I do, ſaith Chriſt. If any man thirſt, let him come unto me, and drink; he that believeth on me, out of his belly ſhall flow Rivers of living Waters: this ſpake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him ſhould receive, which is the Holy Ghoſt, which the Father will ſend in my Name: he ſhall teach you all things, that you need not that any man teach you; but, as the ſame Anointing teacheth you of all things neceſſary to be known, believed and practiſed, in order to eternal life: and therefore, where the Spirit of God dwells, there he is a Spirit of Wiſdom, of Counſel, of Underſtanding, in the fear of the Lord. Naturally we know nothing of God, of Chriſt, the Spirit, of our Selves, his Word, Will, Wayes, Works, as we ought to know; the Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are fooliſhneſs unto him; neither can he know them, becauſe they are ſpiritually diſcerned; no not the firſt Principles of the Oracles of God: Having the Underſtanding darken…d, through the ign…rance that is in them, becauſe of the blindneſs of their heart. The God of this World having blinded the minds of them that believe not, leaſt the Light of the Glorious Goſpel of Chriſt ſhould ſhine unto them. They know not that of themſelves, they cannot know themſelves: The firſt beginning of true knowledge, is to know, we know nothing. For, if any Man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. Oh! How many wretched, and miſerable, and poor, and blind, and naked Sinners are there in theſe Kingdoms, that think that they have need of nothing; eſpecially the Rich that increaſe in Goods: and others, zealous of, and with Spiritual Gifts, but not according to knowledge: …now ye not your own ſelves, how that Jeſus Chriſt is in you, except ye be Unapproved, or Reprobates; who think of themſelves more highly than they ought to think: and that they are ſufficient of themſelves, to think any thing as of themſelves, being ignorant of this, that our ſufficiency for good thoughts, words and …ctions, is only from Gods allſufficiency, who is the Author of every good gift, and every perfect g…ft: Theſe are Sinners ſpiritually dead in St. Pauls Judgment. Awake to Righteouſneſs, and ſin not, for ſome have not the knowledge of God, I ſpeak this to your ſhame, and yet pretend and boaſt of the Spirit, but not the true Spirit, the Spirit of truth, whom the World cannot receive. Indeed, they have the Spirit of the World viſible, by their love to the World, and the things that are in the World; but this Spirit of truth the World cannot receive. All the Workers of Iniquity have no knowledge of God: the World by wiſdom knew not God, nor Chriſt, or Chriſtians, though they are the Sons of God: therefore the World knoweth them not, becauſe it knew him not; for, if they had known him, and them, they would not have Crucified the Lord of Glory, and perſecuted, and put to death, ſo many Sons, Saints, and Chriſtians, 15 John. 20.16, 33. Nor the Spirit, becauſe it ſeeth him not, neither knoweth him, nor his word; but err, not knowing the Scriptures: Err in their Judgments; call evil good, and good evil; put darkneſs for light, and light for darkneſs; bitter for ſweet, and ſweet for bitter; yet are wiſe in their own eyes, and prudent in their own ſight.
Nor his Wayes; They are all gone out of the way; they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doth good, no not one: and the reaſon is there is none that underſtandeth. The Holy Ghoſt ſaith, they do alway err in their heart, and they have not known my wayes, nor works, either of Creation, or Providence: They regard not the Work of the Lord, neither conſider the operation of his hands, becauſe they have no knowledge. But they, who have received the Spirit, which is of God, know him; and the things that are freely given to them of God; they know, that the Son of God is come, and hath given them an underſtanding, that they may know him that is true: This is Life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. By the Spirit of truth, they know the Spirit of Truth and Error, and therefore do not believe every Spirit; but try the Spirits, whether they are of God: they know the Truth, and the Truth hath made them free. They alſo know Chriſt the Truth; if the Son ſhall make you free, then ſhall you be free indeed; which he doth by his Spirit: When the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth, by the Word of Truth. Sanctify them through thy truth, thy Word is truth: the Law of the Spirit of Life, which is in Chriſt Jeſus, hath made them free from the Law of ſin, free from committing of it; for, he that committeth ſin is of the Devil; and, whoſoever committeth ſin is the ſervant of ſin.
Know ye not to whom ye yield your ſelves ſervants to obey, his ſervants ye are to whom ye obey; whether …f ſin unto death, or of obedience unto Righteouſneſs: whoſoever is born of God doth not commit ſin, for his ſeed remaineth in him, and he cannot ſin, becauſe he is born of God.
…ollow not that then which is evil, but that which is good; he that doth good is of God, but he that doth evil, hath not ſeen …od, nor his Son Jeſus; for, we know he was manifeſted to take away our ſins: whoſoever abideth in him ſinneth not, whoſoever ſinneth hath not ſeen him, neither known him; by his Word we come to the knowledge of God. The entrance of thy Word giveth light, it giveth underſtanding unto the ſimple, by the Miniſters of Chriſt; for, the Prieſts lips ſhould keep Knowledge, and they ſhould ſeek the Law at his mouth: Thy Teachers ſhall not be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes ſhall ſee thy Teachers, and thine ears ſhall hear a word behind thee, ſaying, This is the way, walk ye in it: When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left, they are ſent to open Mens eyes, and to turn them from darkneſs unto light. The Work of the Miniſtry, is for the edifying of the body of Chriſt, till we all come in the Unity of Faith, and of the Knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect Man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt; that we henceforth be no more children in underſtanding, toſſed to and fro, and carryed about with every wind of Doctrine by the ſlight of Men, and cunning craftineſs, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but, in underſtanding, being Men, ſpeaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Chriſt. This knowledge of God, which is the firſt, and chief part of the Image of God, is a principal part of the Kingdom of God, by which we are delivered from the power of darkneſs, and tranſlated into the Kingdom of his dear Son.
Repentance towards God is alſo from Chriſt: him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince, for to give Repenta…ce to Iſrael; which is not only our entrance into, but part of this Kingdom of Grace; even ſuch a part, as that without it the Ki…g…om of …od cannot enter into us, nor be carryed on to purpoſe with power to the Kingdom of Glory. This Repentance is a turning from ſin to God; till we come to God, it is a Confeſſing and forſaking of it, till we ſin no more, that we may find mercy with God.
It is a Godly Sorrow for ſin, as ſin, for the evil that is in it againſt God, as well as the evil that is by it againſt us; it is a hating ſin for it ſelf, eſpeci…lly for that it is enmity to God, and neither is nor can be ſubject to the Law of God; for, it is a tranſgreſſ…on of the Law of God: It is an abhorring of our ſelves for our ſins, through the knowledge of God, and his mercy in Chriſt, and a true ſight of ſin, with full purpoſe of heart to ſin no more; but, to live in obedience to all his Holy, Juſt, and Good Laws, all our dayes. I have heard of thee (ſaith Job) by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye ſeeth thee; wherefore, I abhor my ſelf, and repent in duſt and aſhes. It is a bemoaning of our ſelves, that we have been unaccuſtomed to the yoke of obedience, both active and p…ſſive; a following hard after an Incenſed God by our Tranſgreſſions) with ſtrong cries, ſighs, groans, a ſmiting upon the thigh, being aſhamed, yea, even confounded that we have ſinned; an accepting of the puniſhment of our Iniquities, and weeping between the Porch and the Altar; an attentive, and intentive hearkning to the Call of God; O Iſrael, return unto the Lord thy God, for thou haſt faln by thine iniquity! with an eccho; Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we ſhall be turned, for thou art the Lord our God; ſpare thy people, take away our Iniquity, receive us graciouſly, ſo will we render the Calves of our lips. This is after a godly manner to ſorrow unto Repentance, for godly ſorrow worketh Repentance to …alvation, not to be repented of: This ſorrowing after a godly ſort worketh Carefulneſs in us, yea, clearing of our ſelves, indignation, fear, vehement deſire, zeal, revenge in all things, to approve our ſelves to be clear in the matter of ſin, that we ſin no more leſt a worſe thing come unto us. The times of former Ignora…ce God wi…ked at, but now Commandeth all Men every where to repent. The Kingdom of Grace is at hand, repent to get into it, repent to keep in it, repent to get out of it into a Kingdom of Glory; repent or periſh, repent and be ſaved, repent and believe the Goſpel, for the Kingdom of God is at hand: He that believeth ſhall be ſaved, he that believeth not ſhall be damned. There is no entering into, or abiding in this Kingdom of God, but by a Living Faith in God, and in his Son Jeſus Chriſt. Ye believe in God, believe alſo in me. As Chriſt is the Author of our …alvation, ſo he is alſo the Author and Finiſher of our Faith. No entring into the Kingdom of glory without it: for, we are kept by the power of God, through Faith unto Salvation. As many as are ordained to eternal life, are ordained to believe. God hath from the beginning choſen us to Salvation, through belief of the truth, that ſo Chriſt might dwell in our hearts by Faith, which is the Bond of our Union with him. Chriſt Prayes for them which ſhall believe on him, that all may be one in us; by vertue of this Union, through Faith, are we born from above; Whoſoever Believeth that Jeſus is the Chriſt, is born of God: as many as received him, even to them that believe on his name, were born, not of Blood, nor of the will of the Fleſh, nor of the Will of Man, but of God: We are Juſtified and Reconciled to God by Faith; being Juſtified by Faith, we have Peace with God, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and truſting, or believing in Chriſt, we are made accepted in the Beloved, in whom we have Redemption, through Faith, in his Blood; the Forgiveneſs of Sins; Adoption into the number and priviledge of God's children: As many as received him, to them gave he power, right, or priviledge, to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name: We are alſo ſanctified by Faith that is in Chriſt. God now puts no difference between Jew and Gentile, purifying their hearts by Faith; God ſo loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. Now this ſaving Grace of Faith, is the Almighty Work of the Spirit of God, whereby, with the heart, we believe all that God hath ſpoken, becauſe he hath ſpoken it: It is a believing this faithful ſaying, and accounting of it worthy of all acceptation, that Chriſt Jeſus came into the World to ſave ſinners; It is a believing the record that God gave of his Son, and this is the record, That God hath given to us, Eternal Life, and this life is in his Son. This is he that came by Water and Blood, even Jeſus Chriſt; not by Water only, but Water and Blood: and the rather are we to believe, for there are three that bear Record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghoſt; and theſe three are one; And there are three that bear witneſs in Earth, the Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood, and theſe three agree in one: if we receive the witneſs of Men, the witneſs of God is greater; for, this is the witneſs of God which he hath teſtified of his Son. He that believeth not God hath made him a Liar, becauſe he believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son; I ſay, it is a believing, that all things are, or muſt be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moſes, and in the Prophets, and in the Pſalms, and in the Goſpel, concerning Chriſt and his Kingdom; not becauſe of Mens ſaying, or Teſtimony only, but purely upon the bare Word of God, and his Son, and his Spirit; for, in the mouth of theſe three Witneſſes, every Word of God in the Holy Scriptures is eſtabliſht: It is a confeſſing with the mouth the Lord Jeſus, and believing with the heart that God hath raiſed him from the Dead. It is an humble, and thankful hearty receiving, or accepting of Chriſt for Lord and Saviour, and truſting in his Allſufficiency, as our one and only Mediatour, through the vertue, value and power of his Prophetical, Sacerdotal, and Regal Offices, to bring us through all hazards and difficulties, in a way of Grace to Glory, in ſeaſon, and ſafely. He that thus believeth, and continueth to live by Faith, hath everlaſting life, and ſhall not come into condemnation, but is paſſed from death unto life. This Faith, by the Holy Ghoſt, which is given to believers, worketh Love, and worketh by Love: The Love of God is ſhed abroad in the hearts of true Believers, by the Holy Spirit, by knowing and believing the Love that God hath to us, we come to love God: Who can know, and believe heartily, that God is Love, and not love him? God is Love; in this was manifeſted the Love of God towards us, becauſe that God ſent his only begotten Son into the World, that we might live through him. Herein is Love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and ſent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins: we love him, becauſe he firſt thus loved us. All God's graces together conſtitute this Kingdom of grace, but Love is the life and ſoul of it; even Gods love to us, and our love to him, and our love to each other, he that dwelleth in Love, dwelleth in God, and God in him: There is a threefold love between God and the godly, a love of Union, a love of Communion and Complacency, and a love of Benevolence or Communication.
1. Like as was between David and Jonathan; the Soul of Jonathan was knit with the Soul of David, Jonathan loved him as his own Soul. Jonathan delighted much in David, then Jonathan and David made a Covenant, becauſe he loved him as his own Soul; and Jonathan ſtript himſelf of the Robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his Garments, even to his Sword, and to his Bow, and to his Girdle; and ſaid moreover to David, whatſoever thy Soul deſireth I will even do it for thee. There is between God and the goldly a love of Union, My Beloved is mine and I am his. The Bond on Gods part is his Spirit, hereby know we that we dwell in him▪ and he in us, becauſe he hath given us of his Spirit; he that is joyned unto the Lord is one ſpirit. The Bond on our part is Faith working by Love; Chriſt dwelleth in the heart by Faith; he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God. This is the moſt intimate Union, as near as Head and Members, Root and Branch, Man and Wife, Corner-ſtone and the Building; which may be ſevered, cut off, ſeparated, and diſunited: But, this Ʋnion between God in Chriſt, and Spiritual Believers, is inſeparable; becauſe wrought, preſerved and maintained by the Holy Ghoſt, who is God.
2. From whence followeth a near Communion. Truly our Fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Ieſus Chriſt. Can two walk together except they be agreed? There is an Agreement between God and all True Believers by Covenant; the Covenant and Agreement that was once betwixt Them, and Sin, Satan, and Hell and Death, is diſannulled; and, a Covenant made with God by Sacrifice by all the Saints: and, by means and vertue of this Holy Agreement it is, that God and his People walk together in every Holy Duty and Ordnance; there is a Holy Communion between them; a Fellowſhip in Deſires and Loves; I am my Beloveds, and his deſire is towards me: With my Soul have I deſired thee in the night; yea, with my Spirit within me will I ſeek thee early: He brought me into his Banquetting Houſe, and his Banner over me was Love. Behold thou art fair, my Love, behold thou art fair, ſaith Chriſt to his Beloved Spouſe! Tell me, oh thou whom my Soul loveth, where thou feedeſt, ſaith the Spouſe to Chriſt? Here is a Love-Communion, nothing but expreſſions of Love between them, and mutual Joy alſo. Draw me, We will run after thee. The King hath brought me into his Chambers: We will be glad and rejoyce over thee with Joy, he will reſt in his Love, he will Joy over thee with Singing; in our Prayers and Praiſes we hold up our Communion with him. Oh my Dove, that art in the cleft of the Rock, in the ſecret place of the Stairs, let me ſee thy Countenance, let me hear thy Voice, for ſweet is thy Voice, and thy Countenance is comely: and, doubtleſs, he that calls upon us to Pray, will vouchſafe his ear to hear, and a heart to anſwer. Lord, thou haſt heard the deſire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cauſe thine ear to hear: This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us Pray, and granteth our Requeſt; ſo he heareth our Praiſes, and Thankſgivings: for the Mercies obtained by Prayer, we are to offer the Sacrifice of Praiſe to God continually, that is, the Calves of our Lips, giving Thanks, or Confeſſing his Name: This is to Glorifie God, he that offereth Praiſe Glorifieth me. There is an Active and Paſſive Praiſing of God; an Act…ve, when in heart, tongue and life we ſhew forth his Glory. Thus David, Bleſs the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me bleſs his holy Name; bleſs the Lord O my Soul. And St. Paul, Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, who hath bleſſed us with all ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly places, or things in Chriſt: Our Tongue is called in Scripture our glory, in nothing more, than in Glorifying or Praiſing God; therewith bleſs we God. I will Sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will Sing Praiſe unto my God while I have my being, is the purpoſe and practiſe of every faithful Chriſtian: Our Lives ſhould praiſe the Lord, then we praiſe God indeed, when our Converſations are only as becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt. There is alſo a P…ſſive Praiſing of God: All the Works of God Praiſe him, his Saints only bleſs him: our Bodies, Souls and Spirits declare, with all the reſt of Gods Works, his glory; but when they are by Gods Spirit changed into the Im ge of God, from glory to glory, and the faculties of the one, and the members of the others are Inſtruments in tune, exerciſing Righteouſneſs and true Holineſs, then they much more ſpeak the Praiſe of God.
3. There is alſo a Love of Communication and Benevolence which is Mutual, between God and the Godly. God is a Communicative Good he is never weary of giving: We are too often weary of asking and receiving. God is good, and doth good. He that ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how ſhall he not with him alſo freely give us all things: he that will give grace and glory, will withhold nothing that is good. If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more ſhall your Father which is in Heaven, give good things to them that ask him.
We have nothing to give to God but what we have from him; the beſt thing we have to give him is our heart; My Son give me thy heart: Our whole Man, and our whole duty is intirely to be preſented to God as a living reaſonable ſervice, and yet when we have done all we are but unprofitable ſervants Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wiſe may be profitable unto himſelf? Good Lives is profitable to all things and perſons, but not unto God; we cannot add any thing to God's Eſſential Perfections. God is ſo good, that a Cup of cold Water given to a Diſciple, in the name of a Diſciple, ſhall not loſe its reward. Our Love of Benevolence to God, is, by his gracious power, a willing what God wills, and a nilling what he nills; a doing what he commands us, as he commandeth us; and a not doing what he forbids us, becauſe he forbids us; when we are good our ſelves, and good to our ſelves, and do good to others; when we forget not to do good, and to Communicate, as we have opportunity; but, do good unto all men, eſpecially unto them who are of the houſhold of Faith, and remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which ſuffer adverſity, as being our ſelves alſo in the Body: then are we, if I may ſay, good to God, though our goodneſs extendeth not to him, but to the Saints that are in the Earth, and to the excellent in whom we are to delight.
There is alſo a Real Union, Communion, and Communication between Chriſtians in Love; Every Saint loves all Saints: By this ſhall all men know that ye are my Diſciples, if ye have love one to another; and, by this we know, that we are paſſed from death to life, becauſe we love the Brethren; he that loveth not his Brother, abideth in death. Spiritual Love amongſt Brethren is an evidence of Spiritual Life; as ſoon as we begin to Love, we then begin to Live. Such a love as was between David and Jonathan, which was a Love of Union, Complacency, and Benevolence, muſt be between all true Chriſtians: So it was in the Primitive times, notwithſtanding their diverſities of Judgments, in ſmaller matters, the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one ſoul; neither ſaid any of them, that any of the things which he poſſeſſed was his own, but they had all things common in Charity; neither was there any among them that lacked; for, as many as were Poſſeſſors of Lands, or Houſes, ſold them, and brought the Priſes of the things that were ſold, and laid them down at the Apoſtles feet; and diſtribution was made unto every Man according as he had need. Were all our Doubtful Diſputations laid aſide, and nothing but Faith, and Faithfulneſs, the Truth without Controverſie, Love without Diſſimulation, and Righteouſneſs profeſſed and practiſed amongſt us; nay, were but this one grace and duty of Charity, without which we are nothing, truly Known, Believed, and fervently Exerciſed in the midſt of us; How ſoon might we all meet together in the Primitive Pattern and Practiſe? if moſt of our Praying, Preaching, and Practiſing were of …ods Charity towards the World, and our Charity each to other; the Love of God would be ſhed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghoſt: that as touching Brotherly Love, we our ſelves ſhould be taught of God to love one another. God who is love, and the Love of God towards us well known, would certainly beget Chriſtian Love and Cha…ity. Theſe words of God deſerve to be written in Characters of gold upon the poſts of our Houſes, and on our Gates: Oh that they were written upon the Tables of our hearts! Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God: He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. In this was manifeſted the love of God towards us, becauſe that God ſent his only begotten Son into the World, that we might live through him: Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and ſent his Son to be the Propitiation for our ſins; hereby perceive we the love of God, becauſe he laid down his life for us. Beloved, if God ſo loved us, we ought alſo to love one another: No man hath ſeen God at any time; if we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Behold here the great Argument breeding and augmenting love in and among Chriſtians by profeſſion! God is love, known to be ſo, in giving and ſending his only begotten Son into the World: This Charity of God to us is the Soul of our Souls. Charity is the Soul of our Religion, not Bodily only; for, though we beſtow all our goods to feed the Poor, and give our Bodies to be burned, and have not Charity, it profiteth nothing. The true Charity, the Chari…y that ſuffereth long, and is kind, that envieth not, that vaunteth not it ſelf, or is not raſh, that is not puffed up, that behaveth not it ſelf unſeemly, that ſeeketh not her own, is not eaſily provoked, thinketh not evil, rejoyceth not in iniquity, but rejoyceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, that never faileth; this Charity, not in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth; for the Kingdom of God is not in Word, but in Power, would make theſe Kingdoms holy and happy. Every grace of God is good, great, lovely and precious, of infinite neceſſity; As Faith, Hope, Meekneſs, Temperance, Patience, &c. but the greateſt of theſe is Charity in ſincerity. Above all things we ſhould have fervent Charity among our ſelves; for, Charity covereth a multitude of Sins, and Love covereth all Sins, ſaith Solomon.
All dil…gence muſt be given, to add to our Faith Vertue, and to Vertue Knowledge, and to Knowledge Temperance, and to Temperance Patience, and to Patience Godlineſs, and to Godlineſs Brotherly Kindneſs, and to Brotherly Kindneſs Charity; Charity is the Bond of Perfectneſs: We are bid, above all things, by St. Paul and St. Peter, to put on Charity, to follow Charity, to be found in Charity, to have fervent Charity, to be examples in Charity; Charity is the fulfilling of the Law, both Moral and Evangelical; it is the end of the Commandment: yea, of the whole Word of God; Threatning, Promiſing and Commanding; all is but to bring back our Hearts and Lives to the Love of God, and one another. Oh, if the Charity of every one of us all towards each other abounded but exceedingly, What cauſe of Thankſgivings to God would this occaſion to the Godly or Charitable. There could not poſſibly be any want in theſe Kingdoms, if there were no want of Charity; Charity is all for doing good, both to all Souls and Bodies; of what quality, rank, and degree ſoever, to high and low, rich and poor together: Charity is full of Supplications, Prayers, Interceſſions, and giving of Thanks for all men; for Kings, and for all that are in Authority, or eminent place, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godlineſs and honeſty; for, this is good and acceptable in the ſight of God our Saviour, who will have all men to be ſaved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
By Charity God will every body ſhould have food and raiment; and every Soul its portion in due ſeaſon. Charity would have every Biſhop and Miniſter, as it were another Chriſt, for going about, doing good, and Preaching this Kingdom of God and his Righteouſneſs; or another Paul, who counted not his life dear unto himſelf, ſo that he might finiſh his courſe with Joy, and the Miniſtry, which he received of the Lord Jeſus; to teſtifie the Goſpel of the grace of God, Preaching the Kingdom of God, not ſhunning to declare unto them all the counſel of God, that he might be pure from the blood of all men: charging alſo other Goſpel Miniſters to take heed unto themſelves, and to all the Flock, over the which the Holy Ghoſt had made them Overſeers, to feed the Church of God, which he purchaſed with his own Blood; ſetting them in himſelf an Example of unwearied diligence, in Watching, Faſting, Praying, Preaching; not ceaſing to warn every one night and day with Tears: Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, not keeping back any thing that was profitable unto them, but ſhewed, and taught them publickly, and from houſe to houſe; beſides miniſtring unto his own neceſſities with his own hands, and to them that were with him. If a Brother or Siſter be naked, and deſtitute of daily Food, Charity ſaith not, Depart in peace, be you warmed, and filled; but giveth them thoſe things which are needful to the Body. What is Charity but a Work and Labour of Love, which God will not be unrighteous to forget, ſhewed unto his name, in Miniſtring unto the Saints? which every one is to do, and ſhew with the ſame diligence, to the full aſſurance of hope unto the end: But, whoſo hath this Worlds Good, and ſeeth his Brother have need, and ſhutteth up his bowels of compaſſion from him, How dwelleth the love of God in him? The love of God dwelleth not in him at all: for, this is the Commandment, that he who loveth God, love his Brother alſo; and he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath ſeen, How can he love God whom he hath not ſeen? What is the reaſon and cauſe of Wars, and rumors of Wars, Nation riſing againſt Nation, and Kingdom ag…inſt Kingdom? Of Mens delivering up one another to be afflicted, of hating, betraying, biting, devouring, and killing one another, and of the abounding of Iniquity, but becauſe the love of many ſhall wax cold? Iniquity, with the effects, would ſoon be at an end, were all our heads and hearts at work in promoting this duty and grace of Charity.
I verily hope ſtill to ſee His Majeſties Kingdoms flouriſh and abound in this grace of graces, namely Charity; I have Charity for all, that they will be in Charity each with other, ſave the proud and covetous. The proud which are curſed will err from Gods Commandments, eſpecia…ly from things of Ch…rity, while proud; I have no hope of ſuch: pride is for contention and diviſion; only by pride cometh contention: Charity is for peace and unity againſt both. The covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth, count their gain to be Godlineſs; an heart they have exerciſed with covetous practiſes; curſed children, which have forſaken the right way, and go aſtray, becauſe they love the wayes of unrighteouſneſs; theſe are for Uſe upon Uſe, to ſwallow up the poor alive; From theſe Perſons, and Practiſes, the Good Lord deliver the King and his Kingdoms: O my Soul come not thou into their ſecret, unto the Aſſembly of Men proud and covetous, mine honour be not thou united. But Charity is humble, and the humble are Charitable; Charity is not puffed up with pride, or knowledge, not cruel, but liberal, and deviſeth liberal things, and by liberal things it ſhall ſtand. It is manifeſt, that theſe two cruel evils had a great hand in our late mutual devourings; and, except God by his wonderful Power and Providence interpoſe, we are ſtill in Eminent and Imminent danger of them.
The fear of God is another principal part of this Kingdom of God: Indeed if we take it in the comprehenſive ſenſe, it is the ſum of Religion; but, take it as a Grace and the fear of God is to hate evil, and depart from it: the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life; to depart from the ſnares of death, it is the way of life; and this way of life is above to the Wiſe, that he may depart from Hell beneath; which can never be, but by firſt departing from ſin upon Earth. Unto Man, God ſaith, Behold! the fear of the Lord that is Wiſdom, and to depart from evil is Underſtanding. This fear of God is bred in the heart by the love of God: Ye that love the Lord hate evil; perfect love caſteth out the fear of bondage, and lets in the fear of reverence: for this we have Gods Promiſe; The Children of Iſrael ſhall return, and ſeek the Lord their God, and David their King, and ſhall fear the Lord and his goodneſs, in the latter dayes: they honour the King beſt who fear God moſt. Nothing like goodneſs to beget the fear of God, and due and true honor to the King; Love the Brotherhod, fear God, honor the King are linked together. The fear of God is a fear to ſin, out of love and reverence to the Majeſty of God: he who truly fears God, fears nothing but ſin, and none but G d and for God. How can I do this great wickedneſs and ſin againſt God, ſaith he, who is tempted to ſin? while he doth good, he is not afraid of the Power, becauſe he is the Miniſter of God for good to him; but, when he doth evil he is afraid; for, he beareth not the Sword in vain, for he is the Miniſter of God, a Revenger, to execute wrath upon him that doth evil; otherwiſe he is not afraid, of him that can kill the Body, and after that hath no more that he can do, becauſe he fears him which after he hath killed, hath power to caſt into Hell. This God he fears to ſin againſt, and therefore fears not to be caſt by him into Hell: While it is his care to cleanſe himſelf from all filthineſs of Fleſh and Spirit, and to perfect holineſs in his fear, and to work out his ſalvation with fear and trembling. This fear is Filial, and Reverential, a Child-like fear, afraid to diſhonor God; If I be a Father, ſaith God, Where is my honor? An earthly Father expects and deſerves honor from his child, ſo doth our heavenly Father from his children. The honor of reverence in carefulneſs to pleaſe him, and fearfulneſs to offend him; This is the fear of the Lord which tendeth to life, and he that hath it ſhall abide ſatisfied; he ſhall not be viſited with evil, in this fear of the Lord is ſtrong confidence.
The love and fear of God together breeds the beſt obedience, which is the beſt Sacrifice: the fear of God reſtrains from ſi…, which is a tranſgreſſion of the Law of God; and the love of God conſtrains, yea helps to the fulfilling of it: Who ſo deſpiſeth the Word, ſhall be deſtroyed, but he that feareth the Commandment, to break it, ſhall be rewarded, ſhall be in peace; in keeping of them there is great reward; Great peace have they that love thy Law and nothing ſhall offend them: but unto them that are Contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteouſneſs, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguiſh upon every Soul of Man that doth evil: bu…, g…ory, honour, and Peace to every Man that worketh good; even to them, who, by patient continuance in well doing, ſeek for Glory, and Honor, and Immortality, Eternal Life: This is the Love of God, th…t we keep his Commandments, and his Commandments are not grievous: This is love, that we walk after his Commandments. The obedience which is of, and pertains unto the Kingdom of God, is univerſal and conſtant: Then ſhall I not be aſhamed, when I ſhall have reſpect unto all thy Commandments. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy Statutes alway even unto the end. The Principles of new and true obedience, are Faith and Love, or Faith working by Love, called in Scripture, the obedience of Faith; neither Circumciſion availeth any thing, nor uncircumciſion, but Faith which worketh by love. The love of Chriſt conſtraineth us to live, not unto our ſelves, but unto him, who for us died and roſe again. The obedience we owe to God in this Kingdom of Grace, is Active and Paſſive; Active, not doing what he forbids, not walking in the Counſel of the ungodly, nor ſtanding in the way of ſinners, nor ſitting in the ſeat of the ſcornful; not walking after the Fleſh, according to the courſe of this World; but walking after the Spirit, doing the will of God from the heart; doers of the word, and not hearers onl…; for, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the Word, in obeying from the heart that form of Doctrine which is delivered to them, ſhall be juſtified, and bleſſed in his deed. Bleſſed is that ſervant whom his Lord when he cometh ſhall find ſo doing. Let none of you ſuffer as a Murderer, or as a Thief, or as a Buſie-body in other mens matters: let them that ſuffer, ſuffer as a Chriſtian, according to the will of God, patiently, for well-doing, this is acceptable with God, to whom we may commit the keeping of our Souls, and Bodies; alſo in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator: Whether our ſufferings be from God immediately; I will bear the Indignation of the Lord, becauſe I have ſinned againſt him: It is the Lord, let him do what ſeemeth him good; or mediately from Men, Bleſſed are they which are perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven; Bleſſed are ye when men ſhall revile you, and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evil againſt you falſely for my ſake; ſuch are to rejoyce, and be exceeding glad, for great is their reward in Heaven. All that will live godly in Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall ſuffer perſecution; hereunto they are appointed, predeſtinated to be conformed to the Image of his Son; as in Active, ſo in Paſſive obedience; even thereunto are we called, becauſe Chriſt alſo ſuffered for us, leaving us an example, that we ſhould follow his ſteps; for it became him in bringing many Sons unto Glory, to make the Captain of our Salvation perfect through ſufferings, and his Soldiers alſo: When was it that Chriſtians Faith did grow ſo exceedingly, and the Charity of every one of them all towards each others abounded? their patience, and their joy, Was it not in their Perſecutions and Tribulations which they endured? The ground of Perſecution is the beſt for Grace and Comfort to thrive and grow upon. The Primitive Chriſtian hearers were uſed to hear the Word in much affliction, and joy of the Holy Ghoſt: Chriſtians therefore ſhould reckon that the ſufferings of this preſent time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which ſhall be revealed in them, even the glory of grace, yea of one grace: ye greatly rejoyce, though now for a ſeaſon (if need be) ye are in he…vineſs, through manifold temptations; that the trial of your Faith, being much more precious then of Gold that periſheth, though it be tried with fire; might be found unto Praiſe, and Honour, and Glory, at the appearing of Jeſus Chriſt. In time of great Perſecutions and Tribulations, St. Paul remembred, without ceaſing, Chriſtians work of Faith, and labour of Love, and Patience, of Hope in the Lord Jeſus. There is a glory upon them, which cannot enter into them, they muſt enter into it; If ye be reproached for the name of Chriſt, happy are ye, for the Spirit of Glory and of God reſteth upon you.
Peace of Conſcience follows, upon ſound and ſincere obedience to God and his Laws; upon our Juſtification through Faith, we have the Peace of Reconciliation with God. The Kingdom of God within is a Kingdom of Peace; as much grace and obedience as there is in the heart, ſo much peace; Grace and Peace be multiplied: The work of righteouſneſs ſhall be peace, and the effect of righteouſneſs, quietneſs and aſſurance for ever. It is not Gods peace, that is not the peace of Obedience: He that ordains peace for us, works all our works in us; Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, (peace, peace) or abundance of peace, whoſe mind, thought, or imagination is ſt…id on thee, becauſe he truſteth in thee. Let us be true to the God of Peace, the Prince of Peace, the Spirit of Peace, the Goſpel of Peace, and live our ſelves in Peace as much as in us lies with all men; and that we ſtudy to be quiet, and to do our own buſineſs, not being buſie-bodies in other Mens matters; walking in the way of peace, following peace with all Men, and holineſs; caſting all our cares on God, being careful for nothing, but committing our ſelves and wayes unto him; and the very God of Peace will give us the Peace which paſſeth all underſtanding; and, will give us ſome underſtanding of it, which will breed that Joy in the Holy Ghoſt, and holy rejoycing, which is unſpeakable and full of glory, which a ſtranger doth not intermeddle with; and, if God ſee it good for us, we ſhall have with all men the Peace of Love and Unity: when a Mans wayes pleaſe the Lord, he will make his Enemies to be at peace with him; however, he will make him to love, and be at peace with his Enemies, which is much better: this is to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect, and merciful as he is merciful; yea more, when a many wayes pleaſe the Lord, he will make all Creatures in League with him. Thou ſhalt be in League with the ſtones of the Field, and the Beaſts of the Field ſhall be at peace with thee; And thou ſhalt know that thy Tabernacle ſhall be in peace, or that peace is thy Tabernacle. But, there is no peace, ſaith my God, to the Wicked, no true peace; for they will not be at peace with God, though he beſeech them never ſo much to be reconciled to him, that they might have all this peace; they know not the way of peace, they deſire not the knowledge of his wayes, or acquaintance with him, that thereby they might be at peace with him: And therefore when they ſhall ſay peace and ſafety, which will be while the ſtrong man armed keepeth his Palace, and his goods are in peace; but, a ſtronger then he ſhall come upon him, and overcome him, and take from him all his Armor wherein he truſted, then ſudden deſtruction cometh upon them, as travel upon a Woman with child, and they ſhall not eſcape: but the Godly ſhall inherit the Earth, and ſhall delight themſelves in the abundance of peace; if they cannot have it in the World, and from the World, they can have it in Chriſt: In the World ye ſhall have Tribulation, but in me ye ſhall have peace; peace within, peace of Conſcience, if not outward peace from Man, one way or other peace they will have. It is peace they would have▪ therefore it is they ſo earneſtly ſeek it from God, and purſue it with Men; they Pray for the Peace of Jeruſalem, peace be within thy Walls, that proſperity may be within thy Palaces: for their Brethren and Companions ſake, they ſay, peace be within thee. Since Jeſus Chriſt hath left this Legacy to …he Church, peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, they are at ſuit with God and Man for it; and, having a righteous Judge, who is King of Salem, that is, King of peace; and a wonderful Counſellor, both to hear and plead their cauſe; the Spirit, the Word of Promiſe, and the Wiſe, Pure and Peaceable, to be their Witneſſes, doubt not but to carry it in Gods good time, againſt Sathan, and the World, who are Enemies and Adverſaries to the Peace and Proſperity of Sion: That the fruits of Righteouſneſs may be ſown in peace of them that make peace, is the end of their deſires of peace, that being filled with the fruits of righteouſneſs, which are by Jeſus Chriſt, all may live to the glory and praiſe of God; for, herein is our heavenly Father glorified, when we bear much fruit: The fruit of holineſs to God, the fruit of righteouſneſs to Men; for, the fruit of the Spirit is in all Goodneſs, and Righteouſnes, and Truth, Love, Joy, Peace, Longſuffering, Gentleneſs, Faith, Faithfulneſs, Meekneſs, Temperance, Patience, Godlineſs, Brotherly-kindneſs, Charity: The beſt ſowing-time for theſe Seeds of Holineſs is in the fair weather of Peace; though Perſecution, through Sanctification of the Spirit, may be good to root them, and make them grow where they are ſown: And therefore we ſhould follow after the perſons, the things, the means that make for peace; follow peace with all men, till we overtake and catch it, as hunters, without wearineſs, till they have got their game. Eſpecially Magiſtrates and Miniſters, the great Peace-makers and keepers, in Church and State, are to follow it amain, with, and for each other, who are Commanders of it, and Counſellors to it: they who Preach the Goſpel of Peace, ſhould be for the Peace of the Goſpel. The beſt way to gain all to follow after Peace, is for the Leaders to begin, hold on, and hold out. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edifie another; and the Lord of Peace himſelf give us Peace always by all means. The way to be perfect, to be of good comfort, to be of one mind; to have and to hold the God of Love and Peace in the midſt of us, is to live in peace: he is not a Son of God, nor a true Son of the Univerſal Church, that is not a Son of Peace. The Kingdom of God, which is a Kingdom of Grace, Righteouſneſs and Peace, is alſo a Kingdom of Joy in the Holy Ghoſt; Every Grace hath Joy in it, and being well exerciſed hath Joy accompanying it: Joy is the flower of Grace, rejoycing with joy unſpeakable and full of Glory, is the effect of believing in, and loving of the Lord Jeſus.