Two Discourses, Section 14
§.
1. Each ſingly: If there were no ſuch ordination of the one for the other, yet ſo conſidered, they deſerve to have, each, an [He that hath wrought this, is God] to be written under it.
1. For his Artifice, in working us in this life. Learned Cameron hath but one In his Myrothecium.Note upon this whole fifth Chapter, and and it falls to be upon this very Word [who hath wrought] and it is this: This word (ſays he) as uſed by the Septuagint, ſignifies Rem expolire rudem & informem, foreign.To poliſh a thing that is rude, and without faſhion: for which he gives inſtance out of Exod. 35. 33. in Bezaleel's work (whom, as the 31, 32 verſes ſpeak of him, God had filled with his Spirit in all Wiſdom, in all Workmanſhip, to deviſe cunning Work.) And again, the ſame word is uſed of the Temple-work (that other was for Moſe's Tabernacle) 1 King. 6. 36. by Solomon, which how tranſcendent a ſtructure it was, you have all read or heard. An infinitely ſurpaſſing Art then hath the Spirit himſelf (who is the immediate worker in this) ſhewn in the framing, and hewing, and curiouſly carving and engraving thoſe living Stones, that grow up into a Temple unto God, 1 Pet. 2. 5. eſpecially conſidering the utter remoteneſs, indiſpoſedneſs, yea crookedneſs and perverſeneſs in the matter wrought upon (our ſouls, fill'd with the contrary form and workmanſhip of Satan) Ye are his workmanſhip, ſays the Apoſtle, Eph. 2. 10. And truly, if we could enlarge upon all the varieties of dealings God uſeth to each Soul to work it, the ſeveral ſorts of gracious diſpoſitions he impreſſeth and carveth upon it, the manifold actings of every Soul drawn forth by him, you may take a view of ſome in the very next chapter to that of my Text, 2 Cor. 6. from the 4. ver. In much Patience, in Afflictions, in Neceſſities, in Diſtreſſes, v. 5. In Stripes, in Impriſonments, in Tumults, in Labours, in Watching, in Faſtings; ver. 6. By Pureneſs, by Knowledge, by Long-ſuffering, by Kindneſs, by the Holy Ghoſt, by Love unfeigned; ver. 7. By the Word of Truth, by the Power of God, by the Armour of Righteouſneſs, on the right-hand, and on the left; ver. 8. By Honour and diſhonour, by evil Report and good Report: as deceivers, and yet true: ver. 9. As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live: as chaſtened, and not killed: ver. 10. As ſorrowful, yet alway rejoycing: as poor, yet making many rich: as having nothing, and yet poſſeſſing all things. ver. 11. O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. What a glorious Embroydery upon the Soul of a poor Believer will in all theſe things appear, when finiſhed! Pſal. 45. 13, 14. The King's daughter is all glorious within, her Cloathing is of wrought Gold: ſhe ſhall be brought unto the King, in Rayment of needle-work. 2. For his Art and Workmanſhip beſtowed in the glory of the Soul in the other World; if any work (but Chriſt: God-man) be his Maſter-piece, it is the framing of that Houſe, and building, ſpoken of ver. 1. of this chap. We have a building of God, a houſe not made with hands: And the 11. of the Hebrews v. 10. expreſly uſeth two artificial words, foreign the Artificer in it, and foreign the Artificer in it, and the Builder of it, that is, who hath ſhewn his Art and Skill in building of it. So then in each, his Workmanſhip appears. I do but add this towards the confirmation of the main point in hand.
Hath the Great God perfected both Works upon the Soul as much as he means to work in Heaven? Alſo prepared a Building for it? And will he then (think we) let both lie empty? of the one, ſayes Heb. 11. 16. [He hath prepared for them a City] of the Soul, in like manner [He hath wrought us for this ſelf-ſame thing] will God (think we) leave this his Houſe to ſtand deſolate, when he hath been at ſuch coſt in both? Doth any Man or, Landlord build or repair an Houſe, and then let it lie empty, when he hath a Tenant fit for it? God is ſaid not to be a fooliſh Builder in reſpect to perfecting; and he is much leſs a careleſs Builder, to neglect to take his Tenants into it, when both are ready and fitted each for other. This for the firſt, viz: the conſideration of each ſingly.