The Sound-Hearted Christian, Sermon 3
Chriſtians ought to be of Chriſts mind.
Phil. 2.5. Let this mind be in you, which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus.
THe Apoſtle Paul writes to the Church of Philippie, and notwithſtanding they were precious Chriſtians, and a choice Church, yet they had need of exhortation and quickning up to their duty, and by ſtrong arguments he preſſes them here to many duties.
If therefore there be any conſolation in Chriſt, if any comfort of love, if any fellowſhip of the ſpirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the ſame love, being of one accord, of one mind. And ſo in the third and fourth verſes, he exhorts them to duties; and in this verſe, Let this mind be in you, which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus; here's nothing difficult in the words.
We read in Scripture of the mind of God, Jer. 19.5. neither came it into my mind, ſaith God, we read of the mind of the ſpirit, Rom. 8.27. he that ſearcheth the heart, knoweth what is the mind of the ſpirit; and here we read of the mind of Chriſt, let this mind be in you, which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus.
Now the word mind in Holy writ, doth ſignifie ſometimes the heart, Acts 20.19. ſerving the Lord with all humility of mind, that is, with all humility of heart, and Deut. 18.6. If a Levite come, &c. with all the deſire of his mind. Deſire is in the heart, and ſo mind here notes the heart.
Sometimes it ſignifies the underſtanding, as in 2 Cor. 3.14. Their mind was blinded, (ſpeaking of the Jews) that is, their underſtandings were blinded.
Sometimes it ſignifies the thoughts of the heart, Prov. 29.11. A fool uttereth all his mind, that is, all he thinks, all the thoughts of his heart.
Sometimes it ſignifies the will, 1 Pet. 5.2. feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the overſight thereof, not by conſtraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, that is, with your wills, willingly, and cheerfully.
Sometimes its put for the affections, and the affecting of thoſe affections, 2 Cor. 7.7. he was comforted in you, when he told us your earneſt deſire, your mourning, your fervent mind towards me; that is, your fervent affection towards me. Mind ſignifies the affections.
And the affecting of a thing, Rom. 8.5. Thoſe that are after the fleſh, do mind the things of the fleſh; that is, their affections do affect the things of the fleſh.
Laſtly, Mind in Scripture doth ſignifie the aims and intentions of a man, Pro. 21.27. The Sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to the Lord; how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? that is, with a wicked intention. When the intentions and aims of a man are wicked, then his Sacrifice is much more abomination. So that in all the ſenſes the word mind is uſed in Scripture, and all theſe may be taken in here; for the heart, and the underſtanding, and the thoughts, and the will, and affections, and the intentions: now the point that I will commend unto you, is onelyonly this,
Doct. That Churches and Chriſtians ſhould be of the ſame mind that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is of.
1 Cor. 2.16. ſaith the Apoſtle there, ſpeaking of himſelf, and the Church of Corinth, We have the mind of Chriſt. We have Chriſts underſtanding, Chriſts heart (and the like) ſo in 1 Pet. 4.1. arm your ſelves likewiſe with the ſame mind; let the ſame mind be in you.
Now it may be ſaid, is it poſſible for any Church, or any perſon to have the mind of Chriſt?
Firſt, I anſwer, we muſt aim at it to have the mind of Chriſt, Chriſt is the Copy written for us to aim at. The Scripture doth hold out perfect rules, and perfect patterns unto us, which dont note our perfection, but helps our imperfection, that we which are imperfect ſhould reach to perfection, aim at the mind of Jeſus Chriſt.
Secondly, I anſwer, we are to have the ſame mind in kind, though not in degree; a new born Babe is of the ſame kind that a man is, though he be not come to that degree, and ſtate of a man.
Q. Well now, what is the mind of Chriſt?
A. In general I ſay, the whole Goſpel is the mind of Chriſt; the whole word of God; there you have Chriſts mind, and Gods mind. But that's large, we will therefore come a little more cloſe, and what I find by ſearching the Goſpel, I ſhall give you in particulars.
Firſt, Chriſt's mind was a Publick mind, not a private Domeſtick ſelfiſh mind; he did not ſeek nimſelf, but he ſought the good of others; ſaith the Apoſtle in the verſe before my Text, Look not every man on his own things, but every man alſo on the things of others; Chriſt had a publick mind, and would have a publick mind in us, Chriſt neglected himſelf to do good to others, he ſought not his own cred it, nor his own pleaſure or preſerment and advantage when they would have made him a King, he denyed himſelf; Joh. 6.14. The Lord Chriſt did nothing for himſelf, but all for us, he came from heaven for us, he took our nature upon him for us, he Preach'd for us, I, and he ſuffered for us, Dan. 9.26. Meſſiah ſhall be cut off, but not for himſelf. He was cut off by death, but not for himſelf, but for us; So that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt he had a publick mind, a publick ſpirit, a publick heart; he became poor for us, 2 Cor. 8. He pleaved not himſelf, Rom. 15.3. So then, let this mind of Chriſt be in you, to have a publick mind for the publick good to act for others; and not a ſelfiſh mind, altogether for ſelf?
Secondly, The Lord Chriſt had a pure mind; the Scripture ſpeaks of a defiled mind, Tit. 1.15. Thoſe that believe not their very minds are defiled: it ſpeaks of a carnal mind, Rom. 8.6. It ſpeaks of a fleſhly mind, Col. 2.18. But Chriſt had no defiled mind, no carnal mind, no fleſhly mind; but the Lord Jeſus Chriſt had a pure mind, pure heart, pure affections, pure will, pure intentions, and the like, his mind was a pure mind; and therefore he ſaith, Joh. 14. The Devil comes and finds nothing of his in me; when the Devil comes, he finds no impurity in Chriſt, and which of you convinceth me of ſin, ſaith Chriſt; he had a pure mind, and therefore it's ſaid, Heb. 7.26. he was holy, and harmleſs, ſeparate from ſinners, he was holy in his nature, and underſtanding, and will, and affections, and heart and ſpirit. He was pure from all errors, and all opinions that do defile the underſtanding, or the judgment, 2 Cor. 11.3. I fear leaſt by any means, as the Serpent beguiled Eve, through his ſubtlety, ſo your minds ſhould be corrupted from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt: Chriſts ſpirit was pure, and there was no mixture, where there is a mixture, there is not ſimplicity; Chriſt had a pure mind from all errors, and all defilements: Now let this mind be in you alſo which was in Chriſt Jeſus; this pure mind be in you.
Thirdly, The Lord Chriſts mind was a willing, and a ready mind to do good, Math. 8.3. If thou wilt, thou canſt make me clean; I will, ſaith he preſently, be thou clean; how willing and ready was the Lord Chriſt, he was not backward, he did not ſhift off doing good, as we uſe to do many times, but he would rather prevent men, as you may ſee in the impotent man, Joh. 5.6. Wilt thou be made whole, ſuch a ready mind was in Chriſt to do good; that where it was not look'd for, he would do it and prevent men, rather then not do good; Pſa. 40.8. I delight to do thy will O God; it was a great delight to Chriſt, he was very ready and forward to do good. Well, let this mind which alſo was in Chriſt be in you, a readineſs, a willingneſs to do good.
Fourthly, The Lord Chriſts mind was a yeilding, a humble, and a condeſcending mind, v. 7. he made himſelf of no Reputation, and took upon him the form of a Servant; O here was an humble condeſcending mind in Chriſt, that the Lord of glory, the Heir of the world, would take upon him the form of a Servant, Joh. 13. you read there how humble Chriſt was, that he riſeth from the Table, girds himſelf with a Towel, takes a Baſon of water, and goes and waſhes his Diſciples feet. Here was condeſcending indeed, when the Lord and Maſter would go and waſh his Diſciples feet, when they were ſinful, and he himſelf without ſin; Chriſt ſaith, he came not to be Miniſtred unto, but to Miniſter, and he did Miniſter indeed. In Mat. 11. Learn of me ſaith he, for I am humble; never was there a greater perſon in the world, and never a greater perſon more humble than Chriſt was? O how did he condeſcend to the poor, and weak, and mean, and all ſorts and conditions of people, he would not break a bruiſed Reed, nor quench the ſmoaking flax; ſo yeilding and humble was he, he would converſe with ſinners and Publicans, when Phariſees and great ones ſtumbled at him, he became all things to all men, that he might do them good; well, let this mind be in you which was in Chriſt.
Fifthly, the mind of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, was a ſingle mind, we read in Scripture of a double mind, James 1.8. a double minded man. But there was no doubleneſs of mind in Chriſt, he had a ſingle mind, Job 23.13. he is in one mind, the Lord Chriſt he is alwayes in one mind, others have many minds; ſo many minds that they hardly know their own mind; but Chriſt had one ſingle ſincere mind; there was no doubleneſs, no diſſembling, no equivocating, no guile in his heart, nor in his lips, 1 Pet. 2.22. who did no ſin, neither was guile found in his mouth. As Chriſt ſaid of Nathaniel, behold an Iſraelite, in whom is no guile; ſo may we ſay of Chriſt much more, behold an Iſraelite in whom is no guile; there was nothing but ſingleneſs in Jeſus Chriſt, he had a ſingle mind, a ſingle ſpirit, a ſingle heart; and let this mind be in you, which alſo was in Chriſt Jeſus.
Sixthly, The Lord Chriſts mind was a fixed and a ſetled mind, he was not lead away with the Traditions of the Elders, with the opinions of the Herodians, of the Sadduces, of the Scribes and Phariſees, with any wind of Doctrine; but it was a ſetled, ſollid, fixed, firm mind, Heb. 13.8. it's ſaid, Jeſus Chriſt the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever; he was in the ſame ſetled mind alwayes, he did not chop and change his thoughts, and mind, and judgment; but was ſetled, and fixed, and not carried away with any opinions (or the like) and ſee what follows upon it, v. 9. be not carried away with divers and ſtrange Doctrines, Chriſt was not; be not you therefore carried about with divers and ſtrange Doctrines. How many in theſe dayes are carried up and down with every wind of Doctrine, with every opinion, but let this ſetled, fixed, firm mind be in you, which alſo was in Chriſt.
Seventhly, Chriſts mind it was a heavenly mind, Joh. 7.46. Never man ſpake like this man; rever man ſpake ſo heavenly, ſo graciouſly as this man did, Chriſt was full of Heaven; heavenly in his Doctrine, heavenly in his Prayers, heavenly in his Diſcourſe, altogether heavenly. In 3. Joh. 12. there's ſomething ſeems to croſs it; If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not; how ſhall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things? What, did Chriſt tell them of earthly things, and not heavenly things? The meaning of the place is this; 'tis true, I have drawn Parables taken from earthly things, but in them are couched heavenly matters; and if you dont underſtand them when I bring them down thus to your capacities, how would you underſtand then if I ſhould tell you of heavenly things in their own nature and kind, and not ſuit them to your apprehenſions, or comprehenſions. Chriſt here ſpake of earthly things in this Chapter to Nicodemus; he ſpake of Generation, and of the wind, and water; theſe were earthly things, I but he had heavenly things in them, Regeneration, and the wind and water of the Spirit; ſo that Jeſus Chriſt he minded heavenly things; and ſo the next verſe, No man hath aſcended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven; why the Son of man is in heaven though he be here upon earth, his affections are there, his heart is there, his aims and intentions are there; O how heavenly was Chriſt in all his wayes? he breathed out heavenlineſs, and made ſpiritual uſes of all things he ſaw and met with; of the Vine, of the Dore, of the Sheep, of the Sun, of the water; now let this mind be in you which alſo was in Jeſus Chriſt, a heavenly mind.
Eighthly, The Lord Chriſts mind was a zealous mind, a ſervent mind, in 2 Joh. 17. Chriſt was zealous there in driving them out of the Temple, that made his fathers houſe a den of Thieves: He was zealous againſt the Traditions, Doctrines, and Practiſes of the Scribes and Phariſees, the zeal of thy houſe hath eaten me up, ſaith he; a zealous mind he had, Mat. 15. he was zealous againſt the tradition of the Elders; and in Mat. 23. he was zealous againſt the Scribes and Phariſees, woe to you Scribes, Phariſees, Hypocrites, often he pronounces woe to them; he had a zealous mind againſt all was corrupt and wicked: So, how zealous was Chriſt againſt the Churches for failings, Rev. 2.2, 3, 4, 5. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canſt not bear them which are evil, and thou haſt tryed them which ſay they are Ap…ſtles and are not, and haſt found them lyars, and haſt born, and haſt patience, and for my name ſake haſt laboured, and haſt not fainted. He commends them for what was good firſt; Nevertheleſs I have ſomewhat againſt thee, becauſe thou haſt left thy firſt love; I have ſomewhat againſt thee Epheſus, thou haſt left thy firſt love; Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy firſt works, or elſe I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy Candleſtick out of his place, except thou repent; Here's the zeal of Chriſt, I'le come, and I'le come quickly, and I'le come and put out the Candle, and break the Candleſtick; I will come and lay you waſte though you be a Church; if you dont return to your firſt works, and firſt love; The Lord had a zealous mind and ſpirit againſt declenſions, againſt declenſions in love, and grace; (and the like, ſo in Heb. 5.7. who in the dayes of his fleſh, when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications, with ſtrong crying and tears, unto him that was able to ſave; O how zealouſly did Chriſt Pray, when he prayed till the blood trickled down, Chriſt had a zealous mind: Now let this mind be in you alſo, to have a zealous mind againſt traditions, ſuperſtitions, againſt declinings in Grace, againſt Apoſtacy, and things of that nature.
Ninthly, the Lord Chriſt had a peaceable and a quiet mind, in Mat. 11. ſaith Chriſt, learn of me, for I am meek; he had a quiet and a meek mind; and Mat. 12.19. he ſhall not ſtrive nor cry, neither ſhall any man here his voice in the ſtreets; he ſhall be meek, and quiet, and peaceable; it's ſaid of Seraiah in Jeremiah, that he was a quiet Prince; much more of Jeſus Chriſt, there was no ſtriving, no bitterneſs, no contention (and the like) but peaceable and quiet he was: Now, let this mind be in you which alſo was in Chriſt Jeſus, a meek, a quiet, a peaceable mind, the Ornament of a meek and a quiet ſpirit is of great price, ſaith the Apoſtle Peter, ſpeaking of Godly women; ſuch a ſpirit had Chriſt, a quiet and a meek ſpirit, and let this be in Chriſtians, and in Churches.
Tenthly, the mind of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, it was a ſubmiſſive mind, a ſubmiſſive mind to his Fathers will, whatever hard thing he ſhould meet withall; though he met with the hardeſt thing that was immaginable, yet Chriſt was ſubmiſſive unto it; in Luke 22.42. Father, if thou be willing remove the Cup from me; nevertheleſs, not my will, but thine be done: There was a cup prepared for Chriſt, that never was the like cup for any to drink; a a cup that had ſo much gall, ſo much of the wrath of God, a cup wherein all the guilt of our ſins were, and all the merit and deſert of them, this cup Chriſt muſt drink; well, ſaith he, Father, ſeeing I muſt drink it, not my will, but thy will be done. So that the Lord Chriſt had a ſubmiſſive mind to any hard and ſevere providence. We are apt to ſtumble and quarrel, and keep a do if things go croſs to our wills, and cannot bear them and ſay, Lord, not my will, but thy will be done. But let this mind be in you, which was in Chriſt Jeſus, a ſubmiſſive mind to the providences of God, to drink the bittereſt cup that he ſhall order out for you.
Eleventhly, the Lord Chriſt had a Compaſſionate mind, he was full of bowels of compaſſion, and very tender hearted; Mat. 15.32. Then Jeſus called his Diſciples unto him, and ſaid, I have Compaſſion on the multitude, becauſe they continue now with me three dayes, and have nothing to eat, and I will not ſend them away faſting, leaſt they ſaint in the way; O I pitty them, I have compaſſion on them, I would not have them faint in the way; and ſo afterwards in Mat. when ſome came and cryed to him that he would ſhew them mercy, ſaith the Text, Chriſt had compaſſion on them, Mat. 20.3, 4. he was wonderful compaſſionate, Heb. 4.15. We have not an High-Prieſt which cannot …e t…uched with the feeling of our Infirmities, the Lord Chriſt doth feel the infirmities of every member of his body, and in Heb. 2.17. It behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren, that he might be a merciful High Prieſt, He is ſenſible of our ignorances, and infirmities, & weakneſs, & ful of bowels & compaſſions. Why then let this mind be in you, which alſo was in Chriſt Jeſus, a compaſſionate, a merciful mind; he was the good Samaritan which had compaſſion, when neither the Prieſt nor the Levite would.
Twelfthly, Laſtly, the Lord Chriſt had a loving mind, a mind full of love, a forgiving mind, he …ad ſuch love as he could cover ſins, and forgive ſins, Eph. 5.2. walk in love, as Chriſt alſo hath loved us. O Chriſt hath loved us, loved us and waſhed us in his own blood, loved us and lay'd down his life for us, loved us dearly, and ſtrongly, loved us even above himſelf; well, ſaith he, let this mind be in you, which alſo was in Chriſt Jeſus, walk in love, as Chriſt hath loved us. And he loved us ſo, as to forgive thoſe that wronged him, though they wronged him exceedingly, took away his garments, took away his credit, took away his liberty, took away his life; Father forgive them, they know not what they do, Luke 23.34. and therefore he appoints or commands, Mat. 5.44. I ſay unto you, love your Enemies, bleſs them that curſe you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which deſpitefully uſe you, and perſecute you. Chriſt did ſo, let this mind be in you, which alſo was in Chriſt Jeſus. Thus you ſee what mind was in Chriſt.
Yet to reduce things to theſe four particulars.
Firſt, to have the mind of Chriſt, is to have the ſame thoughts in you that Chriſt had; Chriſt had no ill thoughts in him, but rebuk'd ill thoughts, why think you evil in your hearts, as it is in Pſal. 139.17. How precious are thy thoughts unto me (ſaith David) ſo, precious are the thoughts of Chriſt, and of God towards poor ſinners. The Lord Chriſts thoughts were publick thoughts, pure thoughts, heavenly thoughts, thoughts of mercy and loving kindneſs; I know the thoughts that I think towards you, ſaith God, Jer. 29.11. They were good thoughts, peaceable thoughts, loving thoughts; ſo there is in Chriſt, choice thoughts towards poor ſinners, Prov. 12.5. The thoughts of the righteous; are right; Chriſt was the righteous one, and all his thoughts were right thoughts, righteous thoughts, ſo now to have the ſame mind that Chriſt had, is to have the ſame thoughts that Chriſt had; have the ſame thoughts of God the Father, that he had; have the ſame thoughts of Truth that Chriſt had; have the ſame thoughts of Sin that Chriſt had, as an evil, as the greateſt evil; have the ſame thoughts of Grace, as Chriſt had; have the ſame thoughts of the Church, as Chriſt had; have the ſame thoughts of the worth of Souls, as Chriſt had; what will you give in exchange for your Souls? Chriſt valued a ſoul above all the world; now to have the mind of Chriſt, is to have the ſame thoughts of God, of perſons and things that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt had.
Secondly, to have the ſame mind that Chriſt had, is to be carried forth with the ſame will and affections towards God and Man as Chriſt was: Now how was Chriſt carried forth towards God and man? Heb. 10.7.9. there you ſhall ſee; then ſaid I, Lo I come (in the Volume of the Book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. I come, I come freely, I am coming to do thy will whatever it be, be it hard matters, diſgraceful matters, be it in the matter of my life; Loe, I come to do thy will O God; and ſo in the 9 v. Lo, I come to do thy will; I am not backward, but I come to do thy will, he was ready to make haſt, as David ſaith, I made haſt and delayed not to keep thy Commandments; ſo that to be carried out towards God, to do good, and to do the will of God as Chriſt was, is to have the very mind of Chriſt; Joh. 5.30. ſaith Chriſt, I ſeek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath ſent me. I came, and I came freely and willingly, and nor to do mine own will, but the will of him that ſent me; ſo now to be carried out to do the will of God as Chriſt was towards God, and towards man, is to have the ſame mind that Chriſt had.
Thirdly, to have the ſame mind that Chriſt had, is to live the ſame life that Chriſt did, where there is the ſame mind, there will be the ſame motions, and the ſame operations; now to have the mind of Chriſt, is to live the very life of Chriſt, Gal. 2.20. I live not, ſaith Paul, but Chriſt lives in me; O 'tis Chriſts life that I live; ſo in the 1 Phil. 21. To me to live is Chriſt, I dont account my life any life, if I dont live the life of Chriſt; and Tit. 1.11, 12. The Grace of God that bringeth ſalvation hath appeared unto all men; what's the Grace of God? Chriſt, and the Goſpel; the mind of Chriſt; Teaching us, that denying ungodlineſs, and worldly luſts, we ſhould live ſoberly, righteouſly, and Godly in this preſent world; Now to have the mind of Chriſt, is to live ſoberly, Righteouſly, and Godly in this world. Soberly in regard of our ſelves, Righteouſly in regard of men, Godly in regard of God. To have the mind of Chriſt, is to live the very life of Chriſt; 1 Pet. 4.1, 2. For as much then as Chriſt hath ſuffered for us in the fleſh, arm your ſelves likewiſe with the ſame mind; for he that hath ſuffered in the fleſh, hath ceaſed from ſin. If you have ſuffered as Chriſt hath done, you will ceaſe from ſin, he hath ceaſed from dying for ſin, and you muſt ceaſe from committing of ſin. That he no longer ſhould live the reſt of his time in the fleſh, to the luſts of men, but to the will of God. So that if we have the mind of Chriſt, we will live the reſt of our time to the will of God; we muſt walk as he walked, 1 Joh. 2.3.
Fourthly, Laſtly, to have the ſame mind that Chriſt had, is to be carried out to the ſame end that he was, and his end was to do good to others, and to glorifie God; theſe were the intentions, and end, and mind of Chriſt, Acts 10.38. God anointed Jeſus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghoſt, and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppreſſed of the Devil, for God was with him; here was his deſign, to do good to others; and his great deſign was to glorifie the Father alſo, Joh. 8.50.54. and I ſeek not mine own glory, ſaith he, there is one that ſeeketh and judgeth, I ſeek not mine own glory, 'tis the glory of the Father that I ſeek; and v. 5, 4. Jeſus anſwered, i… I honour my ſelf, my honour is nothing, it is my Father that honoureth me, of whom ye ſay, that he is your God. My Father doth honour me indeed, and I do honour my Father, Joh. 17.4. I have glorified thee on the earth, &c. That was the great deſign of the L. Jeſus Chriſt, to go up and down and do good, and to glorifie the Father, and honour him, now to be carried out to the ſame ends, and to have the ſame aim that Chriſt had, is to have the ſame mind that Chriſt had. Thus you ſee what was the mind of Chriſt, and what it is to have the ſame mind that Chriſt had.
Now I ſhall ſhew you the Reaſons, why we ſhould have the ſame mind that Chriſt had.
Reaſ. Firſt, we ſhould have the ſame mind, becauſe we are Chriſtians, we have Chriſts name, as you know thoſe that are Lutherans, they have the mind of Luther; thoſe that are Calviniſts, have the mind of Calvin; thoſe are Platoniſts, have the mind of Plato; thoſe are Galleniſts, have the mind of Gallen: So we are Chriſtians, and we ſhould have the mind of Chriſt, what a Chriſtian, and not the mind of Chriſt? why we are his Diſciples, and Diſciples uſe to have the mind of their Maſters, and of their Teachers, we ſhould learn his mind, and be of his mind; Eph. 4.21, 22. ye have not ſo learned Chriſt, if ſo be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jeſus. If you have heard Chriſt, and learned of him, you will be of his mind, you are his Diſciples, and the Diſciple is of the mind of the Teacher, Col. 2.6. As ye have therefore received Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, ſo walk ye in him. As ye have received his Doctrine, his mind, ſo walk in his Doctrine, and in his mind; we are Chriſtians, and therefore we ſhould be of the ſame mind with Jeſus Chriſt.
Secondly, thoſe that are true Churches and true Chriſtians, they are members of Chriſt, they are members of Chriſts body, and they ſhould be of the mind of the head; the members are ruled and governed by the head; now all true Churches, and Chriſtians, are the members of Chriſt, Eph. 4.15. But ſpeaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Chriſt. O ſpeak the truth in love, ſaith he, or truth it in love, and grow up in him (in Chriſt) in all things which is the head; you muſt grow up into his mind, becauſe ye are members, and he is the head; ſo in 2 Col. 7. Rooted and built up in him, and ſtabliſhed in the faith; ſtabliſhed in the Doctrine of Chriſt, abounding therein with Thanksgiving; Why? becauſe we are members of Chriſt, we ſhould therefore grow up in the faith of Chriſt, and in the doctrine and mind of Chriſt.
Thirdly, We ſhould be of the ſame mind with Chriſt, becauſe the Lord Chriſt became like unto us, therefore we ſhould be like unto him, v. 7. and was made in the likeneſs of men, and ſo in Rom. 8.3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the fleſh, God ſending his own Son, in the likeneſs of ſinful fleſh, and for ſin condemned ſin in the fleſh. Chriſt was like us, in the likeneſs of ſinful fleſh, and condemned ſin in the fleſh; now what a vaſt diſtance was there between Chriſt and us? when Chriſt was in Heaven, the Son of God, had not he came down from Heaven, and taken our nature upon him, and been made like unto us, we could never have been made like unto him; for he muſt take away that black Image, and corruption of our nature, and deformity, that we might be made like unto him; now the Lord Chriſt having done thus, we ſhould be like unto him upon that account, and if we be not of his mind, we ſhall never come to be like him, 1 Joh. 3.2, 3. beloved, now are we the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we ſhall be; but we know that when he ſhall appear, we ſhall be like him; for we ſhall ſee him as he is. Then ſhall we be perfectly like him, and every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himſelf, even as he is pure. If you have hope to be perfectly like him hereafter, you muſt be of his mind here, and purifie your ſelves even as he is pure; ſo that upon that account, that Chriſt became like unto us in our nature, we ſhould be of his mind, that we may be like unto him in his nature.
Fourthly, we ſhould be of the ſame mind with Jeſus Chriſt, becauſe if we be not of his mind, we ſhall be of an evil mind, we ſhall be either of the worlds mind, and the worlds mind is bad enough, it lyes in wickedneſs, or of the Devils mind, and that's worſe; or of the fleſh's mind, and that's worſt of all; for the Devil, and the world work by our fleſh; now ſaith the Apoſtle, to be carnally minded, is death, and the carnal mind is enmity unto God, it is not ſubject unto God, neither can it be. Now if you be not of Chriſts mind, you are either of the worlds mind, or the Devils mind, or the fleſh's mind, and that's death, and will end in death eternal, and you cannot pleaſe God.
Fifthly, we ſhould be of the ſame mind that Chriſt is, becauſe this is a way to keep us from falling into errors, and corrupting opinions, and from damnable Hereſies (and the like;) thoſe have Chriſts mind, will admit of nothing but truth; they will not admit of the ſpirit of Antichriſt, and the ſpirit of errors, of which you read 1 Joh. 4.3, 6.
There's the ſpirit of Antichriſt, and the ſpirit of errors; now if men be of Chriſts mind, they will never admit of thoſe errors and Antichriſtian Doctrines. The Doctrine of Antichriſt, is the worſhipping of Images; now if you have Chriſts mind, you will never worſhip Images; Babes keep your ſelves from Idols. Antichriſts mind is, that Prieſts muſt not marry; if you be of Chriſts mind Marriage is honourable in all, and it will never admit of that Doctrine. So tranſubſtantiation, that's Antichriſts mind; but if you be of Chriſts mind, you will never admit of that, Acts 3.20. He ſhall ſend Jeſus Chriſt, which before was Preached unto you, whom the heavens muſt receive, until the times of reſtitution of all things; he ſhall ſend him, he dont ſend him wherever the Sacrament is, and there turn the bread into Chriſts fleſh, and the wine into Chriſts blood, but he ſhall ſend Jeſus Chriſt, which before was Preached unto you, whom the heavens muſt receive, until the times of reſtitution of all things; here's the mind of Chriſt now, and thoſe that have the mind of Chriſt, will not receive the mind of Antichriſt. So, invocation of Saints, that's the mind of Antichriſt, an erroneous, and a damnable Doctrine; but here's the mind of Chriſt, Joh. 16.23. Whatſoever ye ſhall ask the Father in my name, not in Maries name, or Peter's name, or this or that Saints name; but in Chriſts name. So for the Popes Supremacy, and the Lordlineſs of his Prelates; if you have Chriſts mind, you will never entertain any thing of that, Luke 25. and he ſaid unto them, the Kings of the Gentiles exerciſe Lordſhip over them, and they that exerciſe authority upon them are called Benefactors: But ye ſhall not be ſo, but he that is greateſt among you, let him be as the younger, and he that is chief, as he that doth ſerve. What, you my Diſciples, and you to have Supremacy, you to have the Titles of Lords, and Holy, and Gracious (and the like?) it ſhall not be ſo among you, here's the mind of Chriſt; ſo in 1 Pet. 5.3. Neither as being Lords over Gods Heritage, but being enſamples to the Flock; no Lordlineſs, no dom… nion, power, greatneſs, nor glorious titles (and the like) here's the mind of Chriſt; ſo that if we have the mind of Chriſt, we ſhall be kept from e… rors. So all traditions and ordinances of men, and impoſitions & inventions of men; Mat. 15.9. In vain they do worſhip me, teaching for Doctrines, the Commandments of men. That's a vain worſhip, which is worſhipping in vain, and v. 6. ye have made the Commandments of God of none effect, by your traditions. So in 2 Col. 20. wherefore if ye be dead with Chriſt from the Rudiments of the world, why as though living in the world are ye ſubject to ordinances, &c. after the Commandments and Doctrines of men. Here's the mind of Chriſt, you muſt not be ſubject to ordinances, and impoſitions of men, and their additions to the worſhip of God; but have the mind of Chriſt, and you will admit of nothing, but what is from Chriſt.
Sixthly, we ſhould be of Chriſts mind, becauſe it is the way to union, to meeken and ſweeten ſpirits, and to make harmony between all ſorts, and to much unity, Iſa. 11.6, 7, 8, 9. The Woolf alſo ſhall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard ſhall lye down with the Kid, and the Calf, and the young Lyon, and the Fatling together, and a little Child ſhall lead them, and the Cow and the Bear ſhall feed, their young ones ſhall lye down together, and the Lyon ſhall eat ſtraw like the Ox. They ſhall be fed with the ſame meat, the mind of Chriſt, the Goſpel, and Goſpel truths, they ſhall eat and feed together, and the meaneſt in the Church ſhall have no harm by them; and he goes on, the ſucking child ſhall play on the hole of the Aſp, and the weaned child ſhall put his hand on the Cockatrice den; that is, the meaneſt in the Church ſhall not be hurt by the greateſt, nor infected by thoſe that were Dragons and Aſps before, full of gall and bitterneſs, and venom (and the like) they ſhall be ſo cleanſed by the Doctrine of Chriſt, and the mind of Chriſt, that the meaneſt Saint ſhall have communion and converſe with them; and what follows? They ſhall not hurt, nor deſtroy in all my holy Mountain; for the earth ſhall be full of the knowledge of the Lord; there's the mind of Chriſt now; full of the mind of Chriſt that will purge out their malice, and bitterneſs, and enmity, and there will be ſuch a change and alteration, ſuch a harmony in affection, as they will eat together, Hear together, Pray together, Converſe together (and the like) and ſo there will be much unity among all thoſe that have the mind of Chriſt, which will be a bleſſed thing; for what ſaith the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 133.1. Behold, how good, and how pleaſant it is, for Brethren to dwell together in unity: Behold it, how beautiful and bleſſed a thing it is; and Acts 4.32. the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart, and of one ſoul; Why they were of Chriſts mind, and ſo of one mind; ſo then we ſhould be of Chriſts mind, that we may unite together, and live ſweetly, and meekly, and harmoniouſly together; and in 1 Cor. 1.10. 'tis that the Apoſtle urges the Ceriuthians unto, I beſeech you Brethren, by the name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that ye all ſpeak the ſame thing, and that there be no diviſions among you; but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the ſame mind, and in the ſame judgment; and if we have Chriſts mind, we ſhall have the ſame mind and the ſame judgment, we ſhall be all of one mind.
Seventhly, we ſhould be all of Chriſts mind, that ſo we may do our Chriſtian work wiſely, and underſtandingly: The Lord Chriſt did all things wiſely, and underſtandingly; all his work as he was a High Prieſt, all his work as he was a Prince, all his work as he was a Prophet, all his work as he was a private man. And if we have the mind of Chriſt, we ſhall do all things wiſely, and underſtandingly, as becomes Chriſtians. Many Chriſtians are very fooliſh, and raſh, and inconſiderate, and do things untowardly. Why? they go upon their own minds; but if we have the mind of Jeſus Chriſt, we ſhall do all things wiſely, and advantagiouſly, for the glory of God, and good of others, and peace and comfort of our own ſouls.
Eighthly, Laſtly, we ſhould be of the ſame mind that Chriſt is, becauſe if we be true Chriſtians, we have the ſame ſpirit that Chriſt had; where is the ſame ſpirit, there will be the ſame mind, Rom. 8.9. If any man have not the ſpirit of Chriſt, he is none of his: If you han't Chriſts ſpirit, no marvel you are not of his mind; but if you be true Chriſtians, you have the ſpirit of Chriſt, and if you have the ſpirit of Chriſt, you muſt needs be of the mind of Chriſt; for in 1 Cor. 6.17. He that is joyned to the Lord, is one ſpirit; it is a ſpirit of wiſdom and revelation; and a ſpirit that doth diſcover the mind of the Lord Jeſus unto the ſoul; the ſpirit (ſaith Chriſt) ſhall take of mine & ſhew unto you, the ſpirit doth ſhew nothing unto thoſe where it is, but the mind of Chriſt; now if there be the ſame ſpirit, we ſhall be of the ſame mind. Thus then you ſee why we ſhould be of the ſame mind of Chriſt.
I ſhall come to ſome application of the point.
Application.
1. This ſerves for reproof; and,
Firſt, it reproves thoſe that are ſo far from being of Chriſts mind, as that they ſeldom or never mind Chriſt, they mind earthly things, as the Apoſtle ſaith. O how many are there that mind Plays, and mind Pictures, and mind Hiſtories, and mind ſea affairs, winds, and weather! how many mind riches, and buying, and ſelling, and building, and eating, and drinking, and dreſſing, and things of this nature; that mind exchanges, and friends, &c. and no marvel they have not the mind of Chriſt; the Gadarens minded their Swine, and minded not Chriſt, but bad him go out of their Country; ſo thoſe that were bidden to the Feaſt, they minded their Wives, and Oxen, and Farms, but they minded not Chriſt; this now is reproof to ſuch.
Secondly, it is reproof to thoſe, that it may be do ſomewhat mind Chriſt, but not ſo as to live Chriſt, and to ſeek the good of others, and the glory of God, 1 Cor. 10.24.31. you have both theſe, Let no man ſeek his own, but every man anothers wealth; that is, his ſpiritual wealth, to do his ſoul good; the welfare of Soul and Body, and Relations, and welfare of his mind; and in the 31 verſe, whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatſoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Here's the great end we ſhould aim at, we ſhould live Chriſt, and ſeek the good of others, and ſeek the glory of God; but where are the men that do this? nay men live now ſo as they are a reproach to Chriſt, and to the name of Chriſt, a diſhonour to God, and make a prey of their Brethren, they live ſo as if the Devil were their Copy to write after, and to imitate. If the Devil ſhould come up from Hell in the likeneſs of man, how could he live worſe then many men do that are called Chriſtians; O the debauchedneſs, the blaſphemouſneſs, the oppreſſions, and the horrible evils that are committed in theſe our dayes, by thoſe that ſay they are Chriſtians; Chriſt told the Phariſees, ye are of your Father the Devil, and his works will ye do: So we may tell many in City and Country, you are of your Father the Devil, and his works you will do; what can they do worſe almoſt then they do, they are come to ſuch a height of wickedneſs? But let ſuch rather unchriſtian themſelves, than to live as they do, and be called Chriſtians. What will men not be of Chriſts mind, and yet be Chriſtians? called Chriſtians, and live like Devils, and worldlings, and prophane wretches, that neither fear God nor man, better they had been Heathens then Chriſtians; it will be more eaſie for Sodom and Gomorrah, Tyre and Sidon, then for ſuch at the day of Judgment! So much for reproof.
Secondly, this may be matter of humiliation to us all, that we are no more like to Chriſt, that we have not the ſame thoughts of God, of Truth, of Sin, of the World, that he had; the Lord Chriſt ſaith, be not conformed to the world, the faſhions of the world, the manners of the world, the worſhip of the world; that we ſhould not love the world, nor things of the world; that was Chriſts mind, that we ſhould forgive our Enemies, but we are not of Chriſts mind, though we have been long in the School of Chriſt, & Diſciples of Chriſt; yet we are not of the mind of Chriſt; O how ſlow, and dull, and untoward are we to learn the mind of Chriſt! It's the mind of Chriſt, that people ſhould not caſt off Ordinances, and forſake the aſſembling of themſelves (and the like;) but how many do it in theſe dayes? O this ſhould be matter of humiliation to us all, that we come ſo ſhort of the mind of Chriſt.
Thirdly, it may be an uſe of examination to us, to examine whether we be of the ſame mind that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt was of; you may know it by what I have delivered to you already; have we a publick mind, a pure mind, a humble mind, a heavenly mind, a compaſſionate mind (and the like;) but I'le add ſomething elſe: would you know whether you are of the mind of Chriſt, yea or no? then,
Firſt, if you are of Chriſts mind, you will love what Chriſt loved, and hate what he hated; now look into Heb. 1.9. he loved Righteouſneſs, and hated Iniquity; do you love Righteouſneſs? you have many go for Chriſtians, and Profeſſors; but come to dealing, and there's no righteouſneſs in their actions, they are all for what they can get, and wring, and ſcrape to themſelves, and don't love righteouſneſs; thou art no true Chriſtian, whoſoever thou art, thou art but a baſtardly Chriſtian at the beſt; for where there is the ſame mind of Chriſt, and a true Chriſtian, there's loving of Righteouſneſs, and hating of Iniquity; See in 1 Joh. 2. laſt, If ye know that he is Righteous, ye know that every one that doth Righteouſneſs, is born of him. If ye be true Chriſtians ye are born of God, and you do Righteouſneſs, and Ch. 3.10. In this the Children of God are manifeſt, and the Children of the Devil, whoſoever doth not Righteouſneſs, is not of God. Many borrow and never pay again, is here any Righteouſneſs? many have pledges and never reſtore them, is here any righteouſneſs? many they will put off ill wares with lying and ſwearing, is here righteouſneſs? if ſo be there be not Righteouſneſs in mens actions; they have not the mind of Chriſt; they are not born of God, but they have the mind of the Devil, and of the World, and the fleſh, and it's a ſad condition: but here's the way to know whether we have the mind of Chriſt; we will love righteouſneſs, and hate Iniquity, hate evil thoughts, and luſts, and all fraud, and cheating, and over-reaching one another.
Secondly, if we would know whether we have the mind of Chriſt, we ſhall know it by this, then we will judge of things as Chriſt judged of them. Joh. 7.24. ſaith Chriſt, Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous Judgement; ſo in 2 Cor. 10.7. Do ye look on things according to outward appearance. Men that have Chriſts mind will not judge according to outward appearance and ſemblances, and ſeemings; but they will judge righteous judgment; judge as Chriſt himſelf judged; Chriſt ſaith, bleſſed are the poor in ſpirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven; bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted; bleſſed are the meek, for they ſhall inherit the earth; bleſſed are the pure in heart, for they ſhall ſee God. Do you judge right now where bleſſedneſs lyes? not in honours, nor pleaſures, nor things of this nature; no, it lyes in mourning for ſin, in poverty of ſpirit, in pureneſs of heart; if you be of Chriſts mind, you will be of Chriſts judgment, Luke 16.15. The things that are highly eſteemed among men, are abomination with God. Now do you judge of the world as Chriſt judged? Chriſt look'd upon the world as a periſhing thing, as a defiled thing, and as that which will not ſatisfie the ſoul, but endanger every man and woman; do you judge of the world ſo? Why do you lay out your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which ſatisfieth not? Do you judge of all theſe things thus now? they are not bread for my ſoul, nor they will not ſatisfie my ſoul; I muſt uſe the world while I am here, and if I have enough to carry me to my Journeys end, 'tis well; in Acts 19.28. Great is Diana of the Epheſians, ſay thoſe of Epheſus. So ſay Catholicks of their Cathedrals, and pompous worſhip, great is Diana of the Epheſians; yea, but Diana and all her worſhip was abominable to God; many cry up their worſhip, and ſuch and ſuch things as are the inventions of men; but they are no more pleaſing to God than Diana's Idols, Temple, and Worſhip. Paul would know no man after the fleſh; no, not Chriſt himſelf, he had the mind of Chriſt, and yet he would not know Chriſt after the fleſh, upon fleſhly grounds and conſiderations; ſo do you know no man after the fleſh, but upon ſpiritual grounds, as they relate to God.
Thirdly, if you have the mind of Chriſt, then you will ſee that in the truths of Chriſt, as will make you love the truth, and ſtand to it, and to venture all for truth, rather than part from it, Chriſt he did witneſs to truth, in Joh. 18. and did teſtifie a good confeſſion before Pontius Pilate, and lay'd down his life for truth; now hence he ſaith in Heb. 10. If any draw back, my ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure in him; what, of my mind, and draw back from my truth, and my wayes? my ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure in him: what, draw back from Chriſt's Doctrine, and from the principles that have been wrought in you by that Doctrine? draw back from his worſhip, and from profeſſion of Chriſt, and practice of the Goſpel? my ſoul ſhall have no pleaſure in you; that is, my ſoul ſhall be exceedingly exaſperated againſt you, if you draw back from me and my Doctrine. Antipas held faſt the faith, the Church of Pergamus held faſt the faith of Chriſt; and Paul who had the mind of Chriſt, ſaw ſo much in the truth of Chriſt, as he ſaith, I am ready not onelyonly to be bound, but to dye for the name of the Lord Jeſus. He ſaw reality and eternal life in the truths of Chriſt; ſo that if you have Chriſts mind, you will ſee that in Chriſts truth and Doctrines, and wayes, and worſhip, which will make you go on, and venture all rather than part with the ſame.
Fourthly, Laſtly, if you have Chriſts mind, you will act as Chriſt acted; Chriſt went up and down doing good, as in Acts 10. a man will not live idely, and out of a Calling, that hath the mind of Chriſt, a man will not be negligent in his Calling, and he will aim at Gods glory, and his neighbours good in his Calling, more then in getting of the world, honouring God, and doing good to his Neighbour, and thoſe he lives among, if he have the mind of Chriſt. Chriſt had nothing of the world, but he would do good; Chriſt was much in Prayer, ſo will he; Chriſt was watchful, ſo will he; Chriſt denyed himſelf, and he will deny himſelf, he will walk even as Chriſt walked, 1 Joh. 2.6. he that ſaith he abides in Chriſt, ought himſelf ſo to wolk, even as he walked; if you have the mind of Chriſt, you will abide in Chriſt, and Chriſt will abide in you; now if it be ſo, you muſt walk as Chriſt walked, and be in the world even as he was, 1 Joh. 4.17. becauſe as he is, ſo are we in this world. By theſe things you may know whether you have the mind of Chriſt, yea or no.
In the next place, it is an uſe of exhortation to us, that we would be of Chriſts mind.
Firſt, to thoſe that are of another mind; and Secondly, to thoſe that are of his mind, that they would be more and more of his mind.
Firſt, to thoſe that are not of Chriſts mind; there are many in the world that are of other minds, of the Devils mind, of the worlds mind, and the fleſhes mind, froward minds, bitter minds, contentions minds, Eph. 2.3. he ſhews you there what minds people are of, Among whom alſo we all had our Converſation in times paſt, in the luſts of our ſleſh, fulfilling the deſires of the fleſh, and of the mind, and were by nature the Children of wrath, even as others. We were in an ill condition, when we were of that mind, and did ſuch things; in James 3.14, 15. But if ye have bitter envying and ſtrife in your hearts, glory not, and lye not againſt the truth; this wiſdom deſcendeth not from above, but is earthly, ſenſual, Deviliſh. For where envying and ſtrife is, there is confuſion, and every evil work. If it be ſo, men have not Chriſts mind, and there is much envying, and ſtrife and bitterneſs in the world in theſe dayes; O what double minds have men, what covetous minds, what proud minds, what hypocritical minds? if we have not the mind of Chriſt we are not true Chriſtians, and if we dye we ſhall periſh and be undone for ever.
Well, how ſhall we get the mind of Chriſt?
Firſt, lay down your own minds, & wills, if you would have the will of Chriſt; if the Pitcher be full of muddy water, you cannot put in Wine, Milk, or Oyl, but you muſt empty the Pitcher before it can receive any of theſe Liquors; ſo if you would have the mind of Chriſt, you muſt empty your ſelves of your own minds; look into 1 Cor. 3.18. Let no man deceive himſelf, if any man among you ſeemeth to be wiſe in this world? you think you are wiſe, and have parts, and learning, and education (and the like;) they are good in their places, but they are nothing to the mind of Chriſt; but if any man ſeemeth to be wiſe in this world, let him become a fool that he may be wiſe. Our wiſdom is enmity unto God, and till you have lay'd down your own wiſdom, you will never have the mind of Chriſt, nor the wiſdom of Chriſt.
Secondly, if you would have the mind of Chriſt, give up your ſelves to be Diſciples of Chriſt; that is, ſearch the Scriptures, and ſtudy the Goſpel eſpecially, Joh. 5. Search the Scriptures, they are they that teſtifie of me.
Secondly, I come to thoſe that have ſomething of Chriſts mind, that they would la bour to have more of it, day by day. There is a natural deſire and itch in all men to know more and more: O that there might be ſuch a ſpiritual itch and deſire in you to know more of the mind of Jeſus Chriſt; Paul had it; 1 Cor. 2. We have the mind of Chriſt; yet ſaith he, I determined to know nothing among you, ſave Jeſus Chriſt, and him Crucified; his great deſire was to know Chriſt, and the mind of Chriſt, & to have the knowledg of Jeſus Chriſt, for which he accounted all things but loſs and dung; O this is the onelyonly knowledge, and the excellent knowledge, and the ſoul-ſaving knowledge, and the ſoul comforting knowledge; to have the mind of Chriſt, and to know the things of Jeſus Chriſt, and he would have it more and more, though he knew it the moſt of, or more than all the men in the world did in that day.
And why ſhould we labour to have more of this knowledge?
Firſt, becauſe it is the end of the Miniſtry, and of the Goſpel; the Lord Chriſt hath given out ordinances; a Church is an ordinance, and the Officers are ordinances, and it is the end of them; look into 4 Eph. and ſee to what end they are appointed, v. 11.14. And he gave ſome Apoſtles, and ſome Prophets, and ſome Evangeliſts, and ſome Paſtors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Miniſtry, 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. Mark, here's the knowledge of the Son of God, that's the mind of Chriſt, unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt; that we henceforth be no more Children, toſſed too and fro, and carried about …ith every wind of Doctrine. Why? all the Ordinances, and all the Officers in the Church, are for this end, to help you to come to the mind of Chriſt, to his mind, the fulneſs of it, the perfection of it; therefore as you would have the end accompliſhed, ſo labour to be more and more of the mind of Jeſus Chriſt.
Secondly, you ſhould be ſo, becauſe it is the excellency of a Chriſtian to have the mind of Chriſt more and more; the more conſormable to Chriſt who is compleat and perfect, the more excellent you are; 'tis the very ſubſtance of a Chriſtian, to have his will, his thoughts, his affections, his ends and aims to be the ſame with Chriſt; when I have Chriſts thoughts, and Chriſts will, and Chriſts underſtanding, and Chriſts affections, and Chriſts ends, what a Chriſtian am I then? he is the moſt excellent Chriſtian, that hath moſt of the mind of Chriſt; therefore let us labour to know more of the mind of Chriſt, and to have Chriſts mind in us.
Thirdly, Laſtly, it is that which adds to your happineſs, it is a part of your happineſs here in this world to be of Chriſts mind. Wherein lay the happineſs of man and wom an at firſt, in the Image of God, and it lay in knowledge, and righteouſneſs, and holineſs; there was the Image of God. Adam was created an underſtanding, knowing man, a holy man, and a righteous man; now by Adam's eating the forbidden fruit; this Image was loſt; but Chriſt he came to reſtore this again, it being loſt, Eph. 4.24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteouſneſs, and true holineſs. And in the Colloſſians, knowledge is mentioned, now by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt we have this reſtor'd again, and the more we know of Chriſts mind, the more that Image is renewed in us, 'tis a pure mind, an humble mind, a righteous mind, and it is an underſtanding mind; ſo that the more you know of Chriſt, the more purity, the more righteouſneſs, the more knowledge you have, and ſo the Image of God is renewed in you, and there's your happineſs; and when this comes to perfection, then you are perfectly happy, and that will be in heaven.
But you will ſay, what ſhould we do to get more of the mind of Chriſt into us?
Firſt, if you would have more of the mind of Chriſt, then be you leſs conformable to the world be more and more off from the world, and o… more and more transformed by the renewing of your minds, Rom. 12.2. Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transtormed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. You will come to know this good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God more and more; that is, the mind of Chriſt; 'tis the world keeps us from knowledge, the world doth blind us, and indiſpoſe us from receiving the divine truths and myſteries of the Goſpel; that man that is moſt alienated from the world, and moſt contemplative of the Goſpel, will have moſt of the mind of God and Chriſt in him.
Secondly, if you would have more and more of the mind of Chriſt, ſee you love the Lord Jeſus Chriſt more and more daily. The more you love, the more Chriſt will let out his mind unto you, Job. 15.14, 15. Ye are my friends if ye do whatſoever I c…mmand you; henceforth I call you not Servants, for the Servant knoweth not what his Lord doth; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you. Well, you are my friends, you love me, one friend loves another, and Chriſt made known all things unto them that he had received of his Father; ſo Chriſt will make all things known to your ſouls that he hath received of the Father, which is needful and good for you, if you love him; ſo in the 14. Ch. 21. he that hath my Commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me, ſhall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifeſt my ſelf to him. Would you have manifeſtations of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſecrets revealed unto you, and hidden things that the world knows not of, love the Lord Jeſus Chriſt more and more; a Wife the more ſhe loves her Husband, the more her Husband will communicate his ſecrets unto her; ſo the more you love Chriſt, the more of his mind ſhall you have communicated unto you.
Thirdly, Laſtly, if you would have more of the mind of Chriſt, then pray more and more for the ſpirit of Chriſt, for the ſpirit of Chriſt reveals the things of God, and ſearches them, and gives them out unto thoſe, where it is; pray unto Chriſt to fill you with his ſpirit, and that ſpirit will fill you with the knowledge of Chriſts mind; the ſpirit of God is a ſpirit of wiſdom and Revelation, Joh. 16.14. the Spirit ſhall take of mine and ſhew unto you; there's a treaſury in Chriſt, in him are hid all the Treaſures of wiſdome and knowledge, and the ſpirit will take of Chriſts and ſhew unto you; 2 Cor. 3. laſt, we all with open face beholding as in a glaſs, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame Image; from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. What's this Glaſs? the Goſpel is the glaſs, and in the glaſs there's Chriſt, and the mind of Chriſt, and when we come to look in there, we are changed into the ſame Image from glory to glory; we have more and more of the mind of Chriſt, and of the holineſs of Chriſt, and righteouſneſs of Chriſt, as by the Spirit of the Lord; ſo that pray for the ſpirit, and the ſpirit will interpret and open the mind of Chriſt in all the myſteries of the Goſpel, which are hidden from moſt men in the world.