The Ancient Christian Religion, Book 2 · Part 1 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V. Treateth of a Christian Man's Conformity to Christ, in the Spirit of his Mind.
SECT. I.
WHen once the Regenerate Man hath put off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh, by the Circumcision of Christ, made without hands, Col. 2. 11. Then followeth that great and glorious Work, of putting on the New Man, which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness, after the Image of him that created him. Which standeth chiefly in being renewed in the Spirit of our Mind, Ephes. 4. 22, 23, 24. which we shall endeavour to demonstrate, by considering;
1. The light esteem our Saviour had of earthly Things; and how his People are therein to follow him.
2. What great esteem he had of Heavenly Things; and how we are to follow him therein.
3. His patience in all manner of Sufferings; and how therein we ought to follow his steps.
And first of the First.
It is most certain, that scarce any thing is so great an Enemy to Religion, as the love of Earthly Things; against which our Saviour bent himself, both by Example and Doctrine, that he might draw his Followers from that which is the bane of Religion.
1. By his Example: Though he was Lord of all, yet was he pleased to come into the World in as mean an equipage as the poorest (saving that he was born of a Kingly Stock) being brought forth in a Stable, and laid in a Manger. So greatly did he contemn the Glory and Riches of this World, that when he appeared in the World to propagate his Heavenly Doctrine, he consorted himself with the poorest of the People, taking his chief Servants out of them. Nor had he whereon to lay his Head, but was often relieved by the Alms of others; and this he did not of necessity, but willingly. And here must the Regenerate Man learn to follow Christ; that is, he must get above all Earthly Enjoyments; he must let this mind be in him, which was also in Christ Jesus, Ephes. 2. 5. who thus humbled himself for our Example.
2. The same we learn from his Blessed Doctrine, providing in his first Sermon against Earthly-mindedness, that being the thing which the Gentiles seek after; provoking his Followers to learn, by the common Acts of God's Providence, to be without carefulness, in respect of Food and Rayment; at least so as that our Cares that way, should not impede our seeking, above all things, the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness; pronouncing the state of them that not only trust in Riches, but such as have Riches, to be very dangerous, Mark 10. 20, &c. Christians are compared to Pilgrims and Strangers upon the Earth, on purpose to take them off from the love of present things, without which they can never be conformed to Christ; for if any Man love this World, the Love of God is not in him, 1 John 2. 15.
It is therefore a vain and foolish thing for Earthly-minded Men, in what Form of Religion soever, to flatter themselves that they are Christians, shall go to Heaven, &c. when our Saviour makes it next to an impossibility. It is a remarkable passage, Luke 7. 22. And to the Poor the Gospel is preached: As if our Lord should say, My Business is very little with Rich Men, my Doctrine is little acceptable unto them, 'tis in a manner but lost labour to preach the Gospel to them; they have their Portion in this World, they will none of me. How dreadful is that Voice, Jam. 5. 1, 2, 3. Go to now ye Rich Men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your Riches are corrupted, and your Garments Moth-eaten. Your Gold and Silver is cankred; and the rust of them shall be a Witness against you, and shall eat your Flesh as it were Fire; ye have heaped Treasure together for the last Days. Surely the thoughts of this might cause Men to tremble, who trust in uncertain Riches, and are not rich towards God. Let your conversation be without Covetousness, is a great Exhortation, Heb. 13. 5. and be content with such things as you have; and to inforce this, a Promise follows, for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. The true Christian rests upon this, knowing, That they that will be Rich, fall into temptations and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful Lusts, which drown Men in Perdition and Destruction, 1 Tim. 6. 9. Let the serious Christian consider, that in the Doctrine of Jesus, there is scarce any thing more pressed than this, That Men beware of the things of this World, so as to set the Affection upon them, for a Man's Life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Jerom. Plat. Necess. Relig. State.The true Christian that is conformed to Christ in the Spirit of his Mind, prayeth on this wise, Give us this day our daily Bread; Or he is like Agur, Give me neither Poverty nor Riches, — feed me with Food convenient for me, Prov. 30. 8. In a word, He that will rightly put on the New Man, that will put on the Lord Jesus, must do it without making provision for the Flesh, to fulfil the Lusts thereof, Rom. 13. 14. I have read of one of the Ancients, who being asked, What Vertue makes a Man most acceptable to our Saviour? He answered with much affection, That it is Poverty; and that Poverty is the way to Salvation, the Nurse of Humility, the Root of Perfection, and hath many hidden Fruits and Commodities known to very few. Now though this Passage may be something hyperbolical, yet much truth lieth in it: For what was, or what is the cause, why so few rich and noble Personages receive the Gospel, whilst many of the poorer sort did, and do still receive it? Is it not only this, The one is Rich, the other Poor? There can no other thing be assigned but meerly this; for set aside this, and the advantage generally lyeth on their part in many respects. Let therefore that Exhortation, Col. 3. 2. be acceptable to all Men, Set your Affections on things above, and not on things on the Earth. For it were better for thee to cast all thy Riches into the Sea, then that thou for thy love thereto shouldst be cast into Hell. Remember, it is our Saviour that saith, no Man can serve two Masters, ye cannot serve God and Mammon, Mat. 6. 24. Let us therefore love the Lord our God, and him let us serve.
The Apostle informs us, That he that is joyned to Christ, is one Spirit, 1 Cor. 6. 17. And where this Union is effectually made, it cannot be but the things of the World are contemned: Witness the same Apostle, Phil. 3. 7, 8. But what things were gain to me, them I counted but loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things loss, for the excellency of the Knowledg of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but dung, that I may win Christ. Sure, this is the Man, the Christian Man, whose Pattern we ought to follow, yea, must follow, if we intend to be accepted of Christ; who saith, He that loveth his own life more than Christ, is not worthy of him. St. Paul did not only contemn Riches, but the Honours of the World also, which is usually a companion with Riches: And here the true Christian must learn the Mind of Christ, to condescend to Men of low Estate, and not to mind high things. Here the Brother of high Degree is taught to rejoyce that he is Abased, and the Brother of low Degree in that he is Exalted, James 1. 9, 10. The Law of Christianity making them equal as Christians, and yet preserves their different Qualities, or Degrees, as Men: 1 Cor. 7. 20. Let every Man abide in the same Calling, wherein he was called, walking with God.
SECT. II. What great esteem Christ had of Heavenly things, and how his People are to follow him therein.
Heavenly things admit of a twofold Consideration, either these that are Practical in this World; or those that respect the Inheritance of the Saints to all Eternity. The latter we shall have occasion to speak of in the next Chapter, the former now falls under our Consideration; concerning which, we find our Blessed Saviour wholly devoted thereunto, according to the Prophesie which went before of him, Psal. 69. 9. The zeal of thine House hath eaten me up. And again, I delight to do thy Will, O God; yea, thy Law is within my Heart. I have preached Righteousness in the great Congregation: Lo, I have not refrained my Lips, O Lord, thou knowest. I have not hid thy Righteousness within my Heart, I have declared thy Faithfulness, and thy Salvation: I have not concealed thy loving Kindness, and thy Truth from the great Congregation, Psal. 4. 8, 9, 10. Thus we find the Lord Christ greatly affected with the Work of God, even consumed as it were to perform it, insomuch that he esteemed it more than his material Food, John 4. 34. My Meat and Drink (saith he) is to do the Will of Him that sent me, and to finish his Work. Another Instance we have of his great forwardness to fulfil the Will of God in the case of Baptism, travelling in order thereunto from Galilee to Jordan, which was a considerable Journey; and presseth to have it done speedily, with a suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all Righteousness, Mat. 3. 15. A most excellent Example he was in taking hold of Time to do his Fathers Will, John 9. 4. I must work the Work of Him that sent me, while it is Day, the Night cometh when no man can work. Now let us try, and we shall find that the truly Regenerate Man laboureth to follow Christ in these things, even step by step, as fast as may be; for now nothing is so delightful, as to be concern'd in the Work of God. David saith, A Day in the Lord's Courts, is better than a thousand; to be a Doorkeeper there; is better than to dwell in the Tents of Wickedness. The blessed Mans delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in that Law doth he exercise himself Day and Night, Psal. 1. 1, 2. And David rejoyced at the Word of God, as one that findeth great spoils, Psal. 119. 16. Yea, he saith, My zeal hath consumed me, because mine Enemies have forgotten thy words, ver. 139. Expressing the greatness of his affection to the Law of God, Ver. 97. O how love I thy Law! it is my Meditation all the day. Yea, he had taken these Testimonies as an Heritage for ever; and they were the rejoycing of his Heart. And what was David's temper herein, ought to be, yea, and is doubtless in good measure the Temper and Spirit of all the Faithful Children of God: Who having seen the Beauty of the Lord in his Temple, desire to be often so in his Presence, Psal. 27. 4.
So greatly was the Apostles affected with the Work of God in the Gospel, that they desired to give themselves continually to the Ministry of the Word and Prayer, Acts 6. 4. And so delighted were the Christians generally in those Days, that they were wholly devoted to the Advancing of the Gospel of God, selling their Possessions to that very end, Acts 2. 45. and were continually praising God, and the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved. Whilst the Galatians continued in their pristine Christianity, such was their fervour, that they are declared to have a Blessedness among them towards Truths Advancement, Gal. 4. 15. The Church at Thessalonica is praised for their fervent Endeavours, to spread abroad the Gospel in every Place, as well as for the exceeding encrease of Faith and Charity among themselves, 1 Thes. 1. 8. 2 Thes. 1. 3. The zeal of the Roman Church is commended, for that their Faith lay not dorment, but was Active; and so spoken of throughout the whole World, Rom. 1. 8. The Ephesian Church is praised for their Faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the Saints, and the Ministry also; for that they laboured and had not fainted, Ephes. 1. 15. Rev. 2. 3.
And thus we find, that those Vertues which were so radiant in our Saviour, upon the account of Zeal and Activity in the Work of God, did also shine in the Regenerate very excellently, by which we have occasion to try our selves in respect of Conformity to Christ, whether our Conversation be in Heaven, or Heavenly things; or if otherwise, that we are minding Earthly things, we are far from Christianity, in respect of the Internal part, what profession thereof soever we pretend to. And such Formalists there were, even in the Apostle's time, whom he thus bewails: Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies to the Cross of Christ; whose God is their Belly, whose end is Destruction, whose glory is their Shame, who mind Earthly things, Phil. 4. 18, 19. Wherefore let us not be conformed to this World; but let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds, Rom. 12. 2.
SECT. III. Of the Patience of Christ in all manner of Sufferings, and how therein we ought to conform our Minds to him.
As it is given to Christians, not only to believe on the Lord Jesus, but also to suffer for his sake, Phil. 1. 29. so they are most effectually encouraged thereunto by his famous Example, whereof we are now to treat, and wherewith we find him attended from his Birth to his Death. No sooner is he born, but Herod seeks his Life, Mat. 2. 13. No sooner doth he consecrate himself to God in sacred Baptism, Mat. 15. 16. and in Prayer receives the Holy Spirit, being now sealed therewith, and declared to be the Son of God by Voice from Heaven; but Satan sets upon him by subtilty, trying all sorts of Temptations: And first, such as might arise from necessity, or want of Food, (for Christ was touched with a feeling of our Infirmities, being now an hungred) Satan upon this tempts him to distrust his Sonship, or Relation to God, because exposed to these straits, Mat. 4. 3. If thou be the Son of God, &c. And under this Head, are contained all those Temptations which befal his People in the want of Earthly things, which want is supplied by the Word of God, which here Christ feeds upon; who also hath promised not to leave, or forsake his People. After this manner David supported himself, Psal. 119. Unless thy Word had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine Affliction. Satan knows that Disobedience is incident to humane Frailty; and can he but cause Men to dispair of Gods Providence, he works their Ruine: but in this attempt he is vanquished by our Saviour.
The next Assault is, to try if he can draw our Saviour to the sin of Presumption, as he did the first Adam: If thou be the Son of God, cast thy self down, &c. Christ conquers here also by the Word of God, which though it abound with Promises of great preservation to the Children of God, yet doth it also forbid them to presume upon unnecessary Dangers, and unwarrantable Undertakings; Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Now under this Head, are contained all those Transgressions, which come of presuming to go beyond the Word of the Lord; and here we see the way to avoid them.
Satan's last and most plausible Stratagem, is Flattery: He presents our Saviour with the glory of the World, upon condition he would prevaricate in the matters of Religion. This our Saviour repulses with greatest Indignation, Get thee behind me Satan; it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. Under this Head are contained all those Flatteries, or alluring Temptations, which may attend God's People, to sway them in Religious Matters, upon hope of Worldly Advantages. In which case, we are instructed by our Saviour's Example, to give no place to the Devil, Who did not forbid Christ to worship God, but to extend something of that nature to him, that so he might have a part with God at least. To this, our Saviour gives a double Answer, 1. It is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God; 2. And Him only shalt thou serve. God will have no Competitor, he will have all in point of Worship, or nothing. Let no Man then think to unite false Worship with true, till he can united God with Satan; which will never be. The Temptations of Christ are reckoned among his Sufferings, and so may fitly be reckoned among the sufferings of his Servants; and they are happy that endure and overcome those Temptations, to which for the sake of Christ they are often exposed, who therefore will succour them: For in that he hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted, Heb. 2. 18. Yea, those that continue with Christ in his Temptations, have a Kingdom appointed unto them, as Christ had a Kingdom appointed unto him, Luke 22. 28, 29.
Satan being thus vanquished, leaves Christ, and after this carries on his design by wicked Men, persecuting our Lord from place to place, exposing him to the contempt of the Proud, the reproach and scorn of the People; and finally, to be Imprisoned, Scourged, Buffetted, Arraigned, Condemned, and Executed, among Evil-doers: All which our Blessed Saviour underwent with great Patience, Constancy, and Resolution; and thus being made perfect through Suffering, became Captain of our Salvation. In all which, we are to learn Conformity with Christ, to arm our selves with the same, 1 Pet. 4. 1. Yea, to get this fortitude and noble frame of a Christian, because Christ our Captain hath gone before us, suffering for us in the Flesh, leaving us an Example, that we should follow his steps: And particularly in these, 1. Art thou contemned, or dispised for Christ's sake, because thou art of mean Estate in this World? Even so was thy Lord, Mark 6. Is not this the Carpenter, the Son of Joseph? 2. Art thou reproached as one acted by a Phanatick, or Diabolical Spirit? So was thy Master, John 10. 20. He hath a Devil and is mad, why hear ye him? 3. Art thou accused falsly as one Factious, and Seditious? Even so was Christ, Luke 23. 5. And they were more fierce, saying, he stirreth up the People. If thou let this Man go, thou art not Cesars friend, John 19. 12. 4. Art thou Naked and Derided? So was our Redeemer: And the Men that held Jesus, mocked him and smote him, and when they had blindfolded him, they stroke him on the Face, and asked him, saying, Prophesie who is it that smote thee? And many other things blaspemously spake they against him, Luke 22. 63, 64. 5. Art thou Imprisoned and Arraigned as a Malefactor? So was this Prince of Peace, Isa. 55. 8. He was taken from Prison, and from Judgment. 6. Art thou spoiled of all thou hast? So was thy Saviour, Mark 15. 24. They parted his Garments, casting Lots upon them what every Man should take. 7. Art thou condemned to Death, as, and amongst Evil-doers? Thy Lord was so, and put to a painful and shameful Death, Mark 15. 25, 27. And it was the third Hour, and they Crucified him — and two Thieves with him, the one on the Right hand, and the other on his Left.
Now as we are taught to suffer according to the Will of God, by this admirable Example; so we are to take special regard, that we suffer for the same cause, and with the same temper or frame of Spirit. Otherwise a Man may suffer in vain, yea, and be a Persecutor even then when he is a Sufferer; and he is so, when in his Heart he wisheth he had the opportunity to persecute his Adversary. Thus did not our Saviour, he could have rescued himself, or had the Angels to have done it; but he more consults the Will of God, than any such thing. Even so should we patiently commit our selves to God's pleasure in well-doing. But let none of you suffer as a Murtherer, or as a Thief, or as an Evil doer, or as a Busiebody in other Mens Matters. But if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorifie God on this behalf, 1 Pet. 4. 15, 16.
For further encouragement to follow Christ in this Path, with the Spirit of our Mind; let us behold some Worthies that have gone this way before us, and left the Trophies of Victory behind them. The Apostle Paul is herein inferior to none: He desired to know the fellowship of Christ's Sufferings, being made conformable unto his Death, Phil. 3. 10. And assures us, That if he should be offered upon the Service and Sacrifice of the Faith of his Brethren, he did therein joy and rejoyce, Phil. 2. 17. The Apostles rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Christ. And Moses long ago had the same Spirit, and counted the Sufferings of Christ greater Riches than all the Treasures of Egypt, Heb. 11. 26. And how should they be otherwise esteemed, by such as know that these light Afflictions which are but for a moment, work for us an exceeding and an eternal weight of Glory. This Glory is so affixed to Christ's Sufferings, as that we are not secured of it without them. Rom. 8. 17. — if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together. When the Word of God saith thus, If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us, 2 Tim. 2. 12. Me-thinks it should make the sufferings of Christ desirable, with submission to the Will of God; however it must needs take away the terror thereof.
The best way that I know how to make Christ's Sufferings acceptable to his People, is to consider,
1. That Sufferings cannot be avoided, whether we do well or ill; if well, then we suffer from evil Men; if ill, God himself will punish us. If we faithfully confess Christ, we suffer here; If we deny him, we suffer hereafter.
2. That Christ is more excellent than all things, and therefore to be preferr'd before all things.
3. That in all our sufferings for Righteousness-sake, he bears the greatest burthen, or makes them easie to his People. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able; but will with the temptation make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it, 1 Cor. 10. 13.
And lastly, There is a Kingdom assured to faithful Sufferers, Luke 22. 28. That ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom, for which ye also suffer, 2 Thess. 1. 5.