The Kingdom of God Opened, Text (3 of 4)

The Kingdom of God Opened · Text (3 of 4)

p. 125This Kingdom is to be ſought fervently, both in Speech and Spirit; open thy mouth wide, ſaith God, and I will fill it: we muſt cry mightily to God in Prayer for it; the effectual fervent Prayer of a Righteous man availeth much; not ſlothful in buſineſs of the greateſt concernment; fervent in ſpirit, ſeeking the Lord; labouring or ſtriving fervently in Prayers; that we may ſtand perfect, and compleat in all the will of God. It is good to be zealouſly affected alwayes in ſo good a thing, as ſeeking the kingdom of God, which muſt be ſought alſo violently: the kingdom of Heaven p. 126ſuffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Violence in other caſes is irregular and dangerous, and eſpecially in a way of ſin, when Men do evil with both hands, earneſtly, the times are then evil with a witneſs; but, their miſchief will return upon their own heads, and their violent dealing will come down upon their own pates; eſpecially upon them that lie in wait for Blood; that hunt every Man his brother with a Net; and upon her that lieth in the Boſom to deceive and deſtroy: the Violent Man, or Man of Violence, is called the Proud, or Evil Man; It is the Violent Man that purpoſeth to overthrow the goings of the Upright, by hiding Snares and Cords, ſpreading Nets, ſetting Gins for him, while evil ſhall hunt the Violent Man to overthrow him. God hath purpoſed to preſerve the upright Man from this Man of violence, though a Brother; for, a Brother offended, eſpecially without cauſe, is harder to be won then a ſtrong City, and their Contentions are like the Bars of a Caſtle. There is no going to Heaven or Hell without violence; evil Men are more violent in ſerving Sin and Satan, than good Men in ſerving God, which is an aggravation of their Sin; and a very great ſhame it is for ſuch as are bound for ſuch a place as Heaven is, and going to God, ſhould be ſo ſlow and ſlothful in their pace thither, while the ungodly are making ſuch haſt to Hell. Is a corruptible triple Crown of Earthly Honors, Pleaſures and Riches, in the way to Hell, worth ſo much ſtriving and running for? and, Is the Incorruptible, Incomparable Crown of Life, in the way to Heaven, not worth much more? Every one hath a Race to run, a Prize to get, the way to run in is Gods Commandments, the Prize Eternal Life; if thou wilt enter into Life keep the Commandments. The great duty is, ſo to run as to obtain. In the Olympick Games, the fighters and p. 127the Runners, which were violent, painful Exerciſes, were to put forth all their ſtrength; they had therefore their honorable Encouragements to animate them. The Apoſtle alludes to theſe, to put Chriſtians upon the like activity, becauſe they have many Duties to exerciſe, which cannot be performed without painfulneſs and violence; but, one moments being in Heaven, will more then recompence all their labor. Let us get our hearts enlarged, that, with holy violence, we may run the wayes of Gods Commandments unto the end, that our reward may be great in the Kingdom of Glory, which we muſt alſo ſeek valiantly. We have violent, valiant, and potent enemies that ſtand in our way to this Kingdom, to withſtand and conquer, before we can enter into it; the Devil and all his Angels, a flattering and a frowning World; and worſe than all theſe, namely, in-dwelling ſin, a home-born enemy, that is more deceitful, and dreadful, than all our other adverſaries, which muſt be mortified before we can be ſaved: We have all Gods holy, juſt, and good Laws to obey, in every thought, word, and work, in the greateſt ſtrictneſs and ſpirituality, which requires much reſolution, and courage in us, to perform alwayes even unto the end: It is therefore very remarkable, that when God enjoyns every one to obſerve, to do according to all the Law, turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, he ſubjoyns this, and repeats it three times, be ſtrong, and very courageous; be ſtrong, and of a good courage; be ſtrong, and of a good courage; to obſerve to do according to all the Law, without erring on either hand: It is the narrow way of life, that leads to the ſtrait Gate, which, whoſoever walks therein, ſhall enter in thereat. This can never be done without conſtant courage, and fixed reſolution againſt ſins of Omiſſion and Commiſſion, and the lively p. 128performance of all holy Duties, the means of getting Grace, and growing therein; which is our power to reſiſt, mortifie, and overcome, what God hath forbiden us, and to do whatſoever he hath commanded us: neceſſary hereunto is the putting on, the keeping on, the daily fighting in the whole Armor of God; which, that it may be done valiantly, and ſucceſsfully, muſt be done in the name and ſtrength of the Captain of our Salvation, the Lord Jeſus; this way David vanquiſht all his Enemies that compaſſed him about like Bees; the Name of the Lord was the ſtrong Tower he ran into for ſafety; he made the Lord his ſtrength, and he became his Salvation: our ſtrength, valour, and proweſs is from Chriſt, which teacheth our hands to War, and our fingers to fight; that we wax valiant in fight, turning to flight the Armies of the Aliens: What is it that a Chriſtian cannot do, through Chriſt ſtrengthening him with all might, by his Spirit in the inner Man. True Believers are the only valiant Men in the World; none have ſo many and great enemies to conteſt with as they: What wonderful exploits did thoſe Worthies in the Hebrews do, through the power of their Faith? they turned not their back upon the World, the Fleſh, or the Devil; in all theſe things they were more than Conquerors. Tribulation, diſtreſs, perſecution, famine, nakedneſs, peril, ſword, death, life, Angels, principalities, powers, things preſent, things to come, height, depth, nor any other creature, can ſeparate true Believers from the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus: through God they do valiantly, for he it is that ſhall tread down our enemies, that we may paſs in ſeaſon and ſafety, through a Kingdom of Grace to a Kingdom of Glory, which we muſt ſeek vigilantly; be vig lant, ſaith St. Peter, becauſe your Adverſary the Devil walketh about, ſeeking whom he p. 129may devour; if we be not vigilant as well as valiant, we may eaſily be devoured by Satan; he ſtands Sentinel night and day, watching that he may recover them, who, by Repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth, through the Mercy and Grace of God, have recovered themſelves out of his ſnares, to take them captive, or alive at his will. When we have ſuch a wakeful, wrathful, watchful, and powerful Tempter ſo nigh us, we had need to watch that we enter not into Temptation. Saints have ſinners their Tempters, and their Enemies every way. O how infinitely neceſſary is it, that every Saint ſtand day and night upon his watch; that he watch and keep his heart with all diligence; that he Pray with David, Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, keep the door of my lips, that I ſin not with my Tongue; that I may keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me; for, the Tongue is ſuch an untameable evil, that if any Man offend not in word, the ſame is a perfect Man; ſuch ought all Saints to be, even perfect, having ſo many that watch for Iniquity; that make a Man an offender for a Word; and lay a Snare for him that reproveth in the Gate; and turn aſide the juſt for a thing of nought; and becauſe in wrath they hate them: Caſt Iniquity upon their Names, their Calling &c. Defaming their Perſons, by giving out, or taking up evil Reports againſt them. I heard the Defaming of many, fear on every ſide: Report, ſay they, and we will report it. All my familiars, (everyone of my peace) watched for my halting, ſaying, peradventure he will be enticed, and we ſhall prevail againſt him, and we ſhall take our revenge on him: with ſuch Men have many a poor perſecuted Chriſtian to deal with. Should we not then watch unto Prayer? yea, watching thereunto with all perſeverance; for, he only is bleſſed that p. 130watcheth, and keepeth himſelf, and his garments unſpotted from the fleſh, and the World. This Kingdom of God muſt be ſought early, that is, betimes in our age, early, or betime in the morning, which is the meaning of this Word firſt: ſeek firſt the kingdom of God, that is, early; Indeed, all our life-time, how-long-ſoever, is to be employed in ſeeking the glory of God, and glory with God; but, the flower of our age and time is to be ſpent in a more ſpecial manner, in looking after Spiritual and Heavenly things, and making ſure of them; we have Precepts, Promiſes, and Preſidents, to quicken our endeavors: Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth; they that ſeek me early ſhall find me: Chriſt Jeſus was our pattern herein; when the Child Jeſus was Twelve years old, he was found in the Temple ſitting in the midſt of the Doctors, both hearing them, and asking them queſtions, that all that heard him were aſtoniſhed at his Underſtanding and Anſwers, and when they ſaw him they were amazed: His cuſtom was to riſe up a great while before day to Prayer, and after to Preach this kingdom of God; by Prayer he ſought it for us, in his Preaching he offered it to us; to this very day, in the Miniſtery, he is ſeeking firſt the kingdom of God, in a way of Prayer and Preaching for us. David, a Man after Chriſts own heart, was at his Devotion early in the morning; O God, thou art my God, early will I ſeek thee; My voice ſhalt thou hear in the Morning, O Lord; in the Morning will I direct my Prayer unto thee, and will look up. There is a kingdom of Grace and Glory, and few there be that find it: What is the Reaſon? They do not firſt ſeek it; They do not begin when God would have them begin, early, young. Children, under the Old and New Teſtament, were early dedicated to God, and were under p. 131his command, of ſeeking and ſerving him betimes, and commended for ſo doing. Oh that young ones that have no Worldly fears, and cares in their heads and hearts, to trouble and hinder them, would know the time of their Viſitation! their beſt time to acquaint themſelves with God, and to ſeek the things of their everlaſting Peace. How many more might go to Heaven, if they would firſt ſeek the kingdom of God, if they would be every way early at this work, hold on, and hold out to the end ſeeking: Behold! now is the accepted time, even the time of youth; Behold! now is the day of Salvation: Oh the infinite advantages that children have for good and godly education. If children now, while children, eſpecially thoſe who are under godly education, be not the children of God; it may be, when they are not children, they ſhall never be the children of God, but the children of his wrath for ever. I am ſure it is the will of God, that children, while they are children, ſhould be his children: Christ would have very young ones to enter into the kingdom of God; inſomuch, that when the Diſciples rebuked thoſe that brought young children to him, that he ſhould touch them, he was much diſpleaſed, and ſaid, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of ſuch is the kingdom of God; but then the kingdom of God muſt be ſought primarily, and chiefly; firſt, before other things; firſt, above other things; we are alwayes to begin and end with God, in our ſeeking and ſeeing him, and in ſeeking for our ſelves, Spiritual and Heavenly things are firſt to be deſired, and laboured after; for, we have no command in Scripture to ſeek other things, but a Promiſe, that they ſhall be added, or given in on the by, if we firſt ſeek the kingdom of God, before other things, and above other things, as the principal and p. 132chief matters of our lives. There is but one thing neceſſary, which is, to get well to Heaven: There is but one thing to be deſired and ſought after, the beholding the beauty of the Lo…d in his kingdom of grace and glory: This is the principal thing, and principally to be regarded. What greater things, wholly to ſwallow up our minds, thoughts, cares, deſires, and labors, than God, Chriſt, Grace, and Glory, which are alſo to be ſought with delight and complacency; as the higheſt object of our delight; delight thy ſelf in the Lord, is his Command, and our ſweeteſt Duty. It is not enough to do holy duties, except we delight in them; not for themſelves, but for God, and the things of God, Spiritual and Eternal. Here our delight is to be placed, as ſutable to, and worthy of it; and, all our other delights, in other things, are but to raiſe our delight in God: What poor things are tranſitory honors, pleaſures, and riches, to delight in, that are but for a ſeaſon, in compariſon of thoſe true and indurable riches, honors, and pleaſures, which are at Gods right hand for evermore? We may either want thoſe to delight in, or want delight for them, however ſo much as to ſatisfie, they are not Commenſurate and Adequate objects of delight, as being uncertain and inſufficient; but theſe, which are Spiritual and Eternal, through Gods All-ſufficiency, are both ſure and ſufficient, which breed ſatisfaction and delight; they that acquaint themſelves with God, are at peace with him, have good from him, receive the Law from his mouth, and delight in it in the inward Man, and lay up his words in their heart; that return to the Almighty, and put away iniquity from their Tabernacles; that have the Almighty for their defence, ſhall alſo have their delight in the Almighty; and the Almighty who delights in Mercy, to delight in them. What is it to ſeek the p. 133kingdom of God, but to ſeek the greateſt delight? and, Should we not delight in ſeeking delights? eſpecially when our ſeeking or praying is Gods delight. The Prayer of the upright is his delight. The kingdom of God and his Righteouſneſs are things full of delight. With what delight ſhould we think of them, ſpeak of them, and ſeek them, till we find them, enjoy them, experience, and taſt them? Oh taſt and ſee that the Lord is good! There is more delight and ſweetneſs in taſting and eating of Honey, than in hearing a diſcourſe of its ſweetneſs, and ſeeing it. If there be ſo much ſweetneſs and delight in the word of God, What ſweetneſs then in the Word, that is God? in the multitude of my troublous, ragged thoughts within me, ſaith David, thy comforts, or promiſes, delight my Soul: unleſs thy Law had been my delight, I ſhould then have periſhed in mine affliction. The delights that are to be found in God, and in his Law, are enough to ſweeten the bittereſt condition: There is much trouble and ſorrow in ſeeking the Kingdom of God, and tribulation to be indured, before it be enjoyed; but, the delights in the right ſeeking it, and the infinite delights there are to be had in the everlaſting poſſeſſing it, will more than recompence for all the pains and ſufferings: the ſufferings of this preſent time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that ſhall be revealed in us; and therefore this Kingdom of Grace and Glory is to be ſought conſtantly, that is, without ceaſing, day and night, or very frequently, conſtantly, that is, perſeveringly; for God will render to every Man according to his deeds; to them, who by patient continuance in well-doing, ſeek for Glory, and Honor, and Immortality, Eternal Life. Be thou faithful herein, O Chriſtian! unto Death, and Chriſt will give unto thee, in the Kingdom of God, a Crown p. 134of Life; for, only he that ſhall thus endure ſeeking unto the end, the ſame ſhall be ſaved. Even he that doth ſeek this kingdom of God, which is a kingdom of Grace and Glory, with his whole heart, underſtandingly, believingly, faithfully, diligently, fervently, violently, valiantly, vigilantly, early, delightfully, and conſtantly, which is no more than God requires, and the unconceivable excellencies of this kingdom deſerves: Is not the kingdom of Grace it ſelf, nay, one Grace of this kingdom, more worth than all the Glory of all the kingdoms of this World? The very trial of our faith, and ſo of every other Grace, is more precious than Gold that periſheth. How precious is Faith it ſelf? Who that hath the Faith of Gods elect in the leaſt degree in his heart, would part with it at any rate? nothing in this World better than life; skin for skin, and all that a Man hath, will he give for his life: But, How many have loſt their lives to ſave their faith, that they might believe to the ſaving of their Souls; they have died for the Faith, that they might die in Faith: And, as for Hope, which is a patient waiting, and looking for that bleſſed Hope, and the Glorious appearing of our Lord Jeſus, when we ſhall appear with him in Glory, at death; but, more Gloriouſly at the day of Judgment, when he ſhall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels, to be Glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe; who hath this good hope, through Grace, that would part with it for more than all this World, were it Ten thouſand times ten thouſand better than it is? Alaſs, if in this life only we have hope, we are of all Men moſt miſer…ble; but, ſince we can, and do rejoyc… in hope of the G or… of God, we are happy enough in our hope, which … laid up for us in Heaven: Now abideth Faith, Hop…, Charity, theſe three, but p. 135the greateſt of theſe is Charity; Faith and Hope we ſhall leave behind us, having no need of them in Heaven: When we are at the end of our Faith, the Salvation of our Souls, there is an end of our Faith: but Charity, which is the bond of our perfection in Heaven, never ceaſeth. What is our Eternal Life in Heaven, but an Eternal Life of Love? our dwelling in and with God will be a dwelling in Love; and God who is Love dwelling in us. There will be fervent Charity indeed between God, Angels, and Men: here, becauſe Iniquity doth abound, the love of many doth wax cold: there will be neither Sin, Satan, or Sinners, to quench the flames of Mutual Love and Charity: if Charity have ſo many Gracious and wonderful effects, and fruits here, What glorious effects will it produce in Glory? Thou haſt raviſhed my heart, thou haſt raviſhed my heart, ſ…ith Chriſt, with one of thine eyes, with one Chain of thy Neck, a Chain of Mercy and Truth. Doth Mercy and Truth, and other Graces in his Spouſe, raviſh the heart of Chriſt? What raviſhing Joy will there be, when Mercy and Truth meet together in Heaven, and Righteouſneſs and Peace kiſs each other? when Grace ſhall be turned into Glory; when Charity, a Grace, a Duty now, ſhall be Charity a Duty alſo, but our Glory and Reward: Will not Chriſt ſay of his Spouſe then, How fair, and how pleaſant art thou, O Love for delights? If the Created Glory of a Chriſtian be ſo Glorious in the eyes of Chriſt, How Glorious will the Increated Glory of God in Chriſt be, to the beholders of it, to all Eternity? Let us therefore ſtick at no care and pains, to make ſure of a kingdom, which God hath made ſo ſure to us in his Everlaſting purpoſe, and preparation, and is purchaſed for us at ſo dear a rate, as the precious Blood of Chriſt, and promiſed and preſerved to us in his Everlaſting p. 136Covenant: Here have we no continuing City, let us ſeek one to come with the heirs of Promiſe, who look for a City which hath foundations, whoſe builder and maker is God: It is the City of the living God, the Heavenly Jeruſalem, where God himſelf, an Innumerable company of Angels, the General Aſſembly and Church of the Firſt-born, and Jeſus the Mediator of the New Teſtament, and God the Holy Ghoſt the Comforter, dwell all together; Glorifying one another in an unſpeakable manner for ever: and, Should not the Glory of this Kingdom of Glory, and the Heavenly Society therein, invite, and conſtrain us all in theſe Kingdoms, to look after ſuch a ſtate and place. Is not every one infinitely obliged to ſeek this Kingdom, not only for himſelf, but for the Community, if it were poſſible every moment? Is there a Kingdom of Grace which may be had here in this World, and a Kingdom of Glory hereafter in another World? Is this a faithful ſaying? and, Is it not worth every ones acceptation? Is not the Grace of God in truth, and power, the one thing needful here? and, Is not Glory in the Kingdom of God the one thing needful there? Why are we then careful and troubled about many things, when one thing is needful? Why do we not all, as one Man, chooſe that good part, which ſhall not be taken away from us? There is nothing elſe in this World, but, either it will be taken from us, or we from it: Should we not labor to know in our ſelves, that we have in Heaven a better, and an enduring ſubſtance, an Inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reſerved in Heaven for us, where we ſhould lay up for our ſelves Treaſures, Honors, and Pleaſures, that Moth and Ruſt do not corrupt, and where Pride and Covetouſneſs, two notorious Theeves, do not, dare not, cannot break through p. 137and ſteal; that where our Treaſure is, there our hearts and hopes may be alſo? But, let us lay up for our ſelves Treaſures upon Earth never ſo ſafely, the Moth and Ruſt do, and will corrupt them; and theſe two Theeves will break through and ſteal: the care of getting and keeping theſe Earthly Treaſures; and the fear of loſing them, put too many beſides themſelves, and their duty, in ſeeking thoſe things which are above. The only way is to be careful for nothing, but in every thing, by Prayer and Supplication, with Thankſgiving, to make our requeſt known unto God; and the Kingdom of God, which is not meat and drink, but Righteouſneſs, and Peace, and Joy, in the Holy Ghoſt, which paſſeth all underſtanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Chriſt Jeſus, that our converſation wi…l be without Pride, in minding high things, ſeeking great things for our ſelves, or covetouſneſs, being content with ſuch things as we have, becauſe God hath ſaid, He will never leave us nor forſake us: and we are therefore to take heed, and beware of covetouſneſs, for a Mans Life conſiſteth not in the abundance of the things which he poſſeſſeth; having food and raiment we are therewith to be content: for, we brought nothing into this World, and it is certain we can carry nothing out: God, his Kingdom of Grace and Glory, with content, is great gain: What will it profit a Man to gain the whole World, and loſe God, his Kingdom, and his Soul? Men of corrupt Minds, and deſtitute of the truth, ſuppoſe that Gain is Godlineſs; but, the God of this World hath blinded the minds of theſe Men which believe not, leſt the Light of the Glorious Goſpel of Chriſt ſhould ſhine unto them; yet, if God, who commanded the Light to ſhine out of darkneſs, would ſhine into their hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of p. 138God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt; and the Excellencies of the Knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus, and the Righteouſneſs which is of God by Faith; thoſe things which were gain to them, they would count loſs for Chriſt; yea doubtleſs, they would count all things but loſs for the excellencies they ſee in God, Chriſt, Grace, and Glory; …nd would willingly ſuffer the loſs of all things, and count them bu… d…ng, if by any means they might attain unto the Reſurrection of the dead, for the price of the High calling of God in Chriſt Jeſus; who hath called them out of Darkneſs into his Marvellous Light of Grace, which hath made them meet to be Partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in the light of Glory, againſt they be tranſlated into the Kingdom of his dear Son, where they ſhall be ever with him, to behold his Glory, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father; the brightneſs of his Glory, and the expreſs Image of his Perſon, for we ſhall ſee him as he is, not through a Glaſs darkly, but then face to face; with open face, beholding the Glory of the Lord, we ſhall be changed into the ſame Image of Glory; the Lord Jeſus Chriſt ſhall change our vile Bodie, that it may be faſhioned like unto his Glorious Body; now we are the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we ſhall be, but we know, that when Chriſt who is our life ſhall appear, then ſhall we alſo appear with him in Glory, and we ſhall be like him in our Souls; for, if we h…ve been planted together in the likeneſs of his death, we ſh…ll be alſo in the likeneſs of his Reſurrection, which God the Father, according to the working of his mighty Power wrought in Chriſt, when he raiſed him from the dead, and ſet him at his own righ h…nd in the Heavenly places, and hath raiſed us up together, and m…de us ſit together in Heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus; and according to his abundant p. 139Mercy, begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt, to an Inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reſerved in Heaven for them, who are kept by the Power of God, to rejoyce indeed with Chriſt in joy unſpeakable and full of Glory, which all they who firſt ſeek the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs, may aſſure themſelves of. But, ſuch as invert the Order of Chriſt, that firſt ſeek the things of the World; and the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs on the by; that take Earthly things for their Home, Heaven, Portion; and the Heavenly Glory for a Reſerve; they forfeit, and will come ſhort of this Glory, which will be their greateſt miſery; remaining the Children of the Devil, they ſhall be like him in Deformity and Damnation: Chriſt ſhall ſay to them on the left hand, at the Great Day, Depart from me ye Curſed, into Everlaſting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels: they who refuſed to be as happy as God would have had them, ſhall be as miſerable as he can make them: the pain of loſs, and the pain of ſenſe, both which the Godly eſcape: the Ungodly ſhall feell in Hell Eternally. Who can imagine what a loſs God and the Kingdom of Glory will be? and, Who can endure almoſt to hear of dwelling in Everlaſting burnings? they that are Enemies to the Croſs of Chriſt, whereby the World ſhould he Crucified to them, and they to the World; whoſe God is their belly, whoſe Glory is their ſhame, who mind Earthly things, their end is to be puniſhed with everlaſting Deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his Power, for the ſuffering the Vengeance of Eternal Fire: How much better is it for every one of us, in the fear of God, to be obedient to this Heavenly Call, Counſel, Command, and Proclamation, p. 140of our dear Redeemer the Lord Jeſus; ſeek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs, that we may be accounted worthy to eſcape all theſe things, and to ſtand before the Son of Man in his Glory? otherwiſe, How ſhall we eſcape the Damnation of Hell, if we neglect ſo great Salvation? See that we refuſe not him that ſpeaketh; for, if they eſcaped not, who refuſed him that ſpake on Earth, much more ſhall not we eſcape, if we turn away from him that ſpeaketh from Heaven. Chriſt ſpeaketh yet in his Word, and by his Miniſters, who are his ſpokeſmen; he that heareth them heareth him; and, he that deſpiſeth them, deſpiſeth him that ſent them: and, they that deſpiſe the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall be lightly eſteemed. Be it far from us to put Chriſt upon complaining of us, as againſt his Iſrael of old; All day long have I ſtretched forth my hands unto a diſobedient and gain-ſaying People: leaſt we hear him ſay, becauſe I have called and ye refuſed, I have ſtretched out my hand, and no M…n regarded; but ye have ſet at nought all my Counſel, and would none of my Commands; I alſo will laugh at your Calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh as deſolation, and your deſtruction cometh as a Whirlwind; when diſtreſs and anguiſh cometh upon you, then ſhall ye call upon me, but I will not anſwer: they ſhall ſeek me, my Kingdom of Grace, and Glory, but they ſhall not find me, nor it; they ſhall ask, but they ſhall not have: they ſhall knock, but it ſhall not be opened unto them: for that they would none of my Counſel, they ſhall have none of me or my Kingdom: but whoſo hearkneth diligently unto this Word of Chriſt, Seek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Grace ſhall dwell in them, and they ſhall dwell in the Kingdom of p. 141Glory, where they ſhall be for ever quiet from fear of evil; but then we are to ſeek it firſt, that is, early and principally, or chiefly in the morning of our Age, and in the morning, in reſpect of time; we muſt not dare to put off a Work of this weight, worth and moment, to the laſt moment, as too many do, with a Lord have Mercy upon us: our firſt and beſt time, the opportunity of time, all our dayes, is little enough to be ſpent in asking, that we may have in ſeeking, that we may find in knocking, till an abundant entrance be miniſtred and opened unto us into the everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. Seek we firſt the Kingdom of God above and before other things, as that which is moſt neceſſary for us ſo to do. That which is of the moſt, and greateſt conſequence, and neceſſity, ſhould be firſt done above and before other things, which are leſs neceſſary; things indifferent, when they come in competition, muſt give place to things Neceſſary and Indiſpenſable. It is not ſo neceſſary to our everlaſting happineſs, whether we be rich, or poor, high or low; as that we be holy, which muſt be, before we can be happy; and there is an abſolute, and indiſpenſible neceſſity of our being both holy and happy. Grace and Glory are ſo far from things indifferent, that they are the one thing needful, and therefore firſt to be ſought, as not only neceſſary, but moſt excellent wiſdom, which is Grace and Glory; and much more, even Chriſt himſelf, is the principal thing; happy is the Man that findeth Wiſdom, for the Merchandiſe of it, is better than the Merchandiſe of Silver, and the Gain thereof than fine Gold; more precious than Rubies, and all the things that can be deſired, are not to be compared to it; length of dayes, riches and honor, peace, plenty, and pleaſantneſs accompany wiſdom, which is a Tree of p. 142Life, to them that lay hold thereof, and happy is every one that retaineth Wiſdom. God and Godlineſs only is profitable to all perſons and things, having promiſe of the Life that now is, and of that which is to come; and are not things which are Spiritual and Eternal, and ſo abſolutely neceſſary, yea infinitely neceſſary and profitable, not only for this, but the better life, to be preferred, and ſought, before things Temporal; and the rather, becauſe we have a promiſe of Chriſt to aſſure us, that if we ſeek firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſnes, all theſe things ſhall be added unto us. If my Soul followeth hard after God, his Kingdom, Holineſs, Righteouſneſs, Faith, Charity, Peace, with them that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart; ſurely then Goodneſs and Mercy ſhall follow me all the dayes of my Life; yea, ſo ſure, as when I walk in the Sun my ſhadow followeth me. The Lord God is my Sun, the Lord hath given me Grace and Glory; no good thing will he withhold from me, while I walk uprightly with him. Thus much by way of Exhortation and Excitation to Sinners: A Word to Saints, eſpecially ſuch as are Miniſters, by one that am the leaſt, that am not meet to be called a Miniſter, or Saint; be we exhorted and comforted, and charged, every one of us that we walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleaſing, who hath called us unto his Kingdom and Glory, and called us alſo with an holy Calling, according to his own purpoſe and Grace, into ſo high and honorable and holy Calling as the Miniſtery, which is both our General and Particular Calling, as having no other Work to do, ſave to make firſt our own calling and election ſure; leaſt that by any means when we have Preached unto others, we our ſelves ſhould be Caſt-awayes: and then, to help others herein, Who is ſufficient for theſe things?

p. 143We are, or ſhould be, the Lights of the World, ſent by Chriſt, the true Light, to turn Men from darkneſs to light: we are a Royal Prieſthood, called out of darkneſs into his marvellous Light; God, who commanded the Light to ſhine out of darkneſs, hath ſhined in our hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt, if we be Miniſters indeed: for, no Man taketh this honor to himſelf, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron: for we are not to Preach our ſelves, but Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, and our ſelves the Servants of all for Jeſus ſake; handling the Word of God by Manifeſtation of the truth; Commending our ſelves to every Mans Conſcience in the ſight of God, which can never be ſo effectually done, until it pleaſe God, who ſeparates us to the Work, alſo to call us by his Grace, to reveal his Son in us. How needful is it, that Chriſt be formed in them, who are to travel in birth until Chriſt be formed in others? It is the Gift of the Grace of God given unto us, by the effectual working of his Power, which makes us able Miniſters of the New Teſtament, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit; for the Preaching among the Gentiles the unſearchable Riches of Chriſt, and to make all Men ſee what is the fellowſhip of the Myſtery, which from the beginning of the World hath been hid in God, that the Gentiles ſhould be fellow-heirs, and of the ſame Body, and partakers of his Promiſe in Chriſt by the Goſ…el. Moreover, it is required in Stewards of the Myſteries of God, who are to be accounted the Miniſters of Christ, that a Man be found faithful. The faithful word is to be committed to faithful Men, who ſhall be able and apt to Teach others alſo, as they have been Taught of God; that they may be able by ſound Doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainſayers. p. 144The Glorious Goſpel of the bleſſed God is committed to every Miniſters truſt, who ſhould be able to ſay with St. Paul, I thank Chriſt Jeſus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the Miniſtery; that the Miniſtery be not blamed: no offence is to be given in any thing, but in all things are we to approve our ſelves as the Miniſters of God, skilful in the Word of Righteouſneſs; having, by reaſon of uſe, our Senſes exerciſed, to diſcern both Good and Evil, that we may be ſound in the Faith, in the Doctrine of it, ſhewing uncorruptneſs, not as many, which corrupt or deal deceitfully with the Word of God, carried about with divers and with ſtrange Doctrines, with every wind of Doctrine; but as of ſincerity, conſenting only to the Doctrine which is according to Godlineſs, and ſound alſo in the Grace of Faith. Miniſters, by whom others believe, ought themſelves to be ſound Believers, fervent and faithful Lovers one of another, perfectly joyned together in the ſame mind, and in the ſame judgment: Let us not therefore Judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no Man put a ſtumbling block, or an occaſion to fall, in his Brothers way; Let as many as be perfect, be thus minded, whereto they have already attained; let them walk by the ſame Rule, mind the ſame thing, and, if in any thing, any one be otherwiſe minded, God ſhall reveal in this way only, even this unto him, that we may, with one mind, and one mouth, Glorifie God, even the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edifie another, who are to ſpeak unto Men to Edification, and Exhortation, and Comfort; no corrupt Communication ſhould proceed out of our mouth, who are Gods mouth to the People, p. 145and the peoples mouth to God, but ſound ſpeech, that cannot be condemned; which is good to the uſe of edifying, that it may miniſter Grace unto our Hearers. Our Speech and Preaching is not to be with the inticing words of mans wiſdom, but in demonſtration of the Spirit and of Power; that the Faith of our Hearers may not ſtand in the wiſdom of men, but in the power of God: For this end are Miniſters to beſeech the Brethren, for the Lord Jeſus Chriſts ſake, and for the love of the Spirit, that they ſtrive together with them in their prayers to God for them, that he would open unto them a day of utterance, to ſpeak the myſtery of Chriſt, that they may make it manifeſt as they ought to ſpeak, not as pleaſing men, but God, which trieth their hearts, that ſo the Word of the Lord may have free courſe (may run) and be glorified, and they may come unto their people in the fulneſs of the bleſſing of the Goſpel of Chriſt, keeping back nothing that is profitable, not ſhunning to declare unto them all the counſel of God, that they may be pure from the blood of all men, ſuch an one was Tychicus, a beloved Brother and faithful Miniſter in the Lord to make known all things. And Paul, I have ſhewed you all things. Taking heed to themſelves, to their Doctrine, and to all the Flock, over the which the Holy Ghoſt hath made them Overſeers, teaching them publickly, and from houſe to houſe, not ceaſing to warn every one night and day with tears, in meekneſs inſtructing thoſe that oppoſe themſelves, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth, that they may recover themſelves out of the ſnare of the Devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. Miniſters by whom alſo they believe, good Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt, nouriſhing p. 146up their Flock in the words of Faith, and good Doctrine, whereunto they have attained, gentle among them, cheriſhing them even as a Nurſe cheriſheth her children, ſo labouring as to ſupport the weak, and comfort the feeble-minded, ſtudying to ſhew themſelves approved unto God, Workmen that need not to be aſhamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, to give them their portion of meat in due ſeaſon, among whom they have gone preaching the Kingdom of God, inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all long-ſuffering and doctrine, making manifeſt the ſavor of the knowledge of Chriſt in every place unto God a ſweet ſavor of Chriſt in them that are ſaved, and in them that periſh, to the one the ſavor of death, and to the other the ſavor of life, ruling them well over whom the Holy Ghoſt hath made them Overſeers, that they might remember and obey them who have the Rule over them, ſubmitting themſelves, for they watch for their Souls, as they that muſt give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for them. Theſe Elders that rule well, eſpecially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine, are well worthy of double honour, both countenance and maintenance; who feed the Flock of God, which is among them as much as in them is, taking the overſight thereof, not by conſtraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being Lords over, or over-ruling Gods Heritage, but Enſamples to the Flock, in Word, in Converſation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity, blameleſs as the Steward of God, a Lover of Hoſpitality, apt to teach, a Lover of good men, and good things, ſober, vigilant, juſt, holy, temperate, of good or modeſt behaviour, patient toward all men, one that ruleth well his own houſe, having his wife and children in ſubjection, with all gravity p. 147behaving themſelves among them that believe holily, and juſtly, and unblameably, whereof they are Witneſſes, and God alſo, even then when they have cauſe to think that God hath ſet them forth as it were appointed to death, and made them a ſpectacle or Theatre unto the World, and to Angels, and to Men, becauſe they are Fools for Chriſt's ſake, that others may be wiſe in Chriſt, weak and deſpiſed, that their people may be ſtrong and honourable, being alſo content both to hunger and thirſt, to be naked and buffeted, reviled, perſecuted, defamed, and made the filth of the world, and the offſcouring of all things, and to have no certain dwelling place on Earth, that they may have a certain dwelling place in Heaven for ever. If Bonds and Afflictions abide or wait for the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, none of theſe things move them, neither do they count their life dear unto themſelves, ſo that they may finiſh their courſe and their Miniſtry which they have received of the Lord Jeſus, to teſtifie the Goſpel of the Grace of God; for what is their hope, or joy, or crown of rejoycing or glorifying; is not the ſound converſion, and ſalvation of their Flock, even in the preſence of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt at his coming? Certainly they are their Crown and Joy, what manner of perſons then above all others, ought Miniſters to be, who are workers together with Chriſt, beſeeching one another, who preach the Grace of God to others, that we receive not the Grace of God our ſelves in vain, giving no offence in any thing, that our Miniſtry be not blamed: but in all things, without vain-glory, commending or approving our ſelves as the Miniſters of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in neceſſities, in diſtreſs, in ſtripes, in impriſonments, in tumults, and toſſing to and fro, in labours, in watching, in faſting, by pureneſs, by knowledge, by long-ſuffering, by kindneſs, by the Holy p. 148Ghoſt, by Love unfeigned, by the word of Truth, by the Power of God, by the Armor of Righteouſneſs on the right hand and on the left, by Honour and Diſhonour, by evil Report, and good Report; as Deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chaſtened, and not killed; as ſorrowful, yet alwayes rejoycing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet poſſeſſing all things; and whether we be, through many Tribulations, beſides our ſelves, it ſhould be for God; or whether we be ſober, it ought to be for our peoples ſake, we ſhould give attendance to Reading, Praying, Studying, Meditation, Examination, Exhortation, giving our ſelves wholly to them, that our profiting may appear to all, taking heed unto our ſelves, and unto our doctrine, continuing in them; for in doing this, we ſhall both ſave our ſelves, and them that hear us. If the Glory of God indeed, the Salvation of our own Souls, and all theirs committed to our charge be our very end, in our patient continuance in well-doing, and ſuffering for Conſcience and Righteouſneſs ſake, we are made manifeſt unto God, and may truſt alſo to be made manifeſt in due time in the Conſciences of all; having our ſelves a good Conſcience, that whereas we are ſpoken evil of, as of evil doers, they may be aſhamed that falſly accuſe our good Converſation in Chriſt; for our rejoycing ſhould be the teſtimony of our Conſcience, that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, not with fleſhly wiſdom, but by the Grace of God, we have had our Converſation in the world, and more abundantly to them-ward, who are our care and charge in the Lord. Therefore my beloved Brethren of the Miniſtry, let us be ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and though Iſrael be not gathered, and we may ſeem to have laboured in vain, and ſpent our ſtrength for nought, and p. 149in vain, yet ſurely our judgment is with the Lord, and our work with our God, he ſhall be our ſtrength, and we ſhall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, foraſmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord.