A Comment Upon Christs Last Prayer, Verse continued 21

A Comment Upon Christs Last Prayer · Verse continued 21

p. 56Verſe 21.

— That the world may beleeve, that thou haſt ſent me.

THeſe laſt words lay out the main ſcope of the Prayer of our Savior, at which he aimed, and which he looked at principally, by the grant of that ſpiritual unity which he craved in the behalf of his diſciples. And the end is, To lift up the praiſ and honor of that ſupream and abſolute ſoveraignty of God the Father in ſending; his own faithfulneſs and infinite ſufficiency in executing and accompliſhing the great work of Redemption, about which he was ſent: ſo that there was nothing failed of all that the Father purpoſed, and he undertook to perform: and that the world and worſt of men, however formerly they rebelled againſt his authority, counſel, and command in ſending; rejected alſo the perſon and proceeding of our Savior Chriſt in coming: who was a ſtumbling to the Jew, and fooliſhneſs to the Grecians; The Head-corner-ſtone whom the Jews refuſed, whom the Gentiles trampled under their feet: againſt whom both Jews and Gentiles banded themſelves. So the Apoſtle Peter obſerves the Prophecy, and concludes by proof and experience and accompliſhment of it. Act. 4.24, 25, 26, 27. Lord thou art God, which haſt made Heaven and Earth, and the Sea, and al that in them is, who by the mouth of thy ſervant David haſt ſaid, why did the Heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The Kings of the Earth ſtood up, and the rulers p. 57were gathered together againſt the Lord, and againſt his Chriſt: for of a truth, againſt thy holy Child Jeſus, whom thou haſt anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Iſrael were gathered together, &c. Let us break their bonds, and caſt their cords away. I know not the Lord, ſaies Pharaoh. We know that God ſpake unto Moſes: as for this fellow, (ſo contemptuouſly they ſpake of Jeſus) we know not whence he is. Joh. 9.29. The Jews had certain queſtions againſt Paul, ſaies Feſtus, and of one Jeſus. Act. 25.19. And the whol rabble cry out, Away with him, from the earth: not him, but Barabbas.

And yet when the prayer of our Savior ſhal attain his end, in the hearts of the Faithful, ſo that they ſhal be wholly carried to God in Chriſt, by the immutable aſſiſtance of his Spirit, their hearts kept with him, their graces acted upon him, themſelves quickned by him, for ever: then al theſe, wil they, nil they, ſhal by a conſtraint be forced to acknowledg, their own conſciences wil yield it, and their mouths confeſs it, at the day of Judgment; That Chriſt was the true Meſſias, ſent by the Father, and that he hath fully accompliſhed the great work of ſalvation, for the good of his. And God only ſhal be exalted in that day.

There be two particulars in the words. We ſhall open all, and handle that which is the main.

1. Chriſt is ſent by God the Father.

2. God will have this beleeved by the ungodly;

Which will be, when the Saints attain this unity here prayd for, then Chriſt will attain this glory.

To the Firſt.

That Chriſt is ſent by God the Father for the Redemption of his. It needs no further witneſs to ſettle it, the words are ſo expreſs. We will a little open it that as it is true, ſo it may be plain and evident, and ſo much the rather, becauſe our Savior laies ſo great a weight p. 58upon it and beſtows the very ſtrength of his prayer in the firſt place, for the attainement of the acknowledgment thereof. And to ſpeak once for all,

1. What the word & the weight of the phraſe carries.

2. In what regard our Savior is ſaid to be ſent.

3. Wherein this ſending lies.

1. The word ſending, or as the Latin phraſe hath it, Miſſion, carries ever two things in it.

1. The Authority of him that ſends, in reſpect of the party that is ſent: but it is not the authority of dominion and rule ſo much, as that Authority of order or communication of a work from one unto another. And in this ſence, he only can be ſaid to be ſent, who works from another, and works not originally from himſelf.

2. It implies a new act or impreſſion upon the creature, whereby it hath it's ſelf in ſome other frame or diſpoſition than formerly.

Take it in this breadth and extent, you ſhal find, that in ſcripture, the Son and holy Spirit are only ſaid to be ſent, and it is never attributed to the Father. Gal. 4.4. God ſent his ſon. Joh. 15.26. But when the Comforter ſhall come, whom I will ſend unto you from the Father. And this cannot be any created Grace or work, for the words following determine that full. The Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father. Joh. 14.20. But the Comforter, which is the holy Spirit, whom the Father will ſend in my name.

When-ever then the action with the manner alſo from ſuch a perſon, are comprehended in this ſending; It is … given to, or affirmed of the Father: becauſe it ſig…ie not an act only expreſſed by a perſon, but an … from a perſon in ſuch a manner, as that he hath Au…y in way of order originally to act before another at the leaſt: And the other to act from him.

But becauſe the Father cannot act from the Son and p. 59Holy Ghoſt: but both Son and Holy Ghoſt, they do not act only, but act in their order and manner from another; the Son from the Father, and the Holy Ghoſt from both: therefore they are truly ſaid to be ſent.

But if they look at the act only, which is expreſſed upon the creature, then this ſending is, and ought to be given to all the preſons. As the Incarnation of our Savior is one thing in his ſending. Therefore thoſe two are joined. God ſent his Son made of a Woman, as made, ſo ſent: and herein the Holy Ghoſt had a hand, whether we look at the ſanctification of the ſeed in the Womb, or the uniting of it to the ſecond perſon. There al the perſons work. So likewiſe in the diſpenſation of the office of our Savior, in his whol proceeding, the works of the Holy Ghoſt went along. Iſa. 61. The Spirit of God was upon me, he ſent me to preach, and he preached and performed all thoſe great works by the ſtrength and operation of his ſpirit.

2. In what regard our Savior is ſaid to be ſent.

Not as the ſecond perſon in the glorious Trinity, whereby, he is God bleſſed for ever, equal with the Father: for ſo the Apoſtle profeſſeth Phil. 2.6. Being in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God, i.e. Had the glory of the Deity truly appertaining to him, and the God-Head dwelling in him, and knew his own worth and right; therefore willingly ſubmitted himſelf to that Under-condition, not by conſtraint, for he wel underſtood what his due was.

But as he was God and man, and aſſumed our Nature, and became mediator in our Room and ſtead. So he profeſſeth of himſelf: That his Father is greater than he. As he took upon him the forme of a ſervant, became our ſurety, and came in the ſimilitude of ſinful fleſh, yet without ſin. Joh. 14.28. In his voluntary and free diſpenſation, as he was willing to take our fleſh, and dwel thereby amongſt us, ſo is he inferiour to himſelf, as p. 60God, and ſo to his Father. And yet take the work it ſelf, and the manner of the work, as it was explicated before, and the phraſe of ſending implies; he is only ſent of the Father. But look at the work Earely, he may be ſaid to be ſent by all: but that is unuſual, nay in open phraſe never to be found in Scripture, becauſe the word comes not in that ſenſe to our view.

As he becomes to take our Nature, ſo he was ſent. But as Son, by eternal generation, he is made fit to take our Nature. And therefore it is; the aſſuming of Human Nature is made a propriety, a thing peculiar to the ſecond perſon; Inſomuch, that it is hereſie to ſay, the Father was incarnate, or the Holy Ghoſt incarnate.

What ever appertaines to our Savior, as the ſecond perſon, and as the Son of the Father; that he had by eternal generation, and in a peculiar manner from the Father. But as ſecond perſon, he aſſumes, and ſo is ſent, and diſpenſeth the work of our Redemption. Therefore ſo far he is in a peculiar manner ſent from the Father: and in this ſenſe, he is never ſaid to be ſent, but from the Father in the Verdict of Scripture.

2. As he aſſumes and becomes incarnate, ſo is our Nature taken into perſonal union with the ſecond perſon, ſo far is it advanced, and hath a priviledg and liberty to uſe any Attribute, ſo far he ſends the ſpirit, even the Holy Ghoſt from the Father, and diſpenſeth al power from the Father, by the ſpirit for the Good of his. And therefore ſo far he doth al in al, as he is ſent from the Father in a peculiar manner.

In a word, hence it appears, that the work of incarnation, as he took our Nature, the work of diſpenſation in ſending the ſpirit, & appointing al Officers, & Offices & ordinances, and accompanying and bleſſing all for good: Iſſues in a peculiar manner from this his ſending from the Father. Which the wicked world doth not ſee, will not acknowledg, cannot ſubmit unto, but they ſhal one day be forced unto it.

p. 61Hence it is, our Savior alwaies profeſſeth, he doth al, as ſent. Joh. 5.36. Arms himſelf by his ſending againſt al. Joh. 10.36. Looks wholly and only at that work, for which he was ſent. Joh. 5.30. And generally all runs upon this ſtring, comforts all from his ſending. As my Father ſent me. So I ſend you; ſhews the greatneſs of their ſin, that oppoſe him, He that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him that ſent me.

3. Wherein this ſending conſiſts: look at the work of it.

Anſwer in four things.

1. He is appointed and ſet apart to this great imployment and Ambaſſage. Joh. 6.27. For him hath God the Father ſealed. Jſa. 49.5. I have formed thee from the Womb, to be my ſervant, to bring Jacob again. And verſe, 6.—That thou maiſt be my Salvation to the end of the Earth.

He is now in Gods counſel and everlaſting decree deſigned to this ſo great a work, and in his ſeaſon called out to the execution, ſent from his Boſom abroad into this world, to act the great affaires of Gods everlaſting purpoſes, touching the recovery of man.

2. The Father committed this ſo great a work unto his care and truſt, and laid it upon him as his charge, which by mutual conſent and convenant he willingly undertook. Joh. 6.39. This is my Fathers will that hath ſent me, that of all which he hath given me, I ſhould loſe none, but ſhould raiſe it up at the laſt day. And therefore adds verſe, 40. He that beleeves in me. Shall have everlaſting life and I will raiſe him up at the laſt day. Yea he gives up his account of his work. John. 17.12. Thoſe that thou haſt given me, I have kept, and loſt none. And therefore compares himſelf to the good Shepherd, that layes down his ſelf for his Sheep. Joh. 10.

3. Gives him ful commiſſion for the accompliſhment of this work unto the ful, even as he is the Son of man; p. 62hath given right and liberty to the humane Nature of ours now received into perſonal union, to uſe and improve any of the Attributes of the Deity, for the further benefit of the Saints, the good of his Church, and the furtherance of thoſe ſpiritual ends, which may beſt …et forwards the glory of God, and the everlaſting wellfare of his people.

This ſo wonderful a union doth advantage the Humane Nature to ſo high a priviledg, to uſe al the excellencies of the Deity, at al times, anſwerable to al neceſſities, to fetch ſupply ſuitable, to the wants, deſires, comforts of the Saints. This is the meaning of thoſe places. Math. 28.18. All power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth. To have al power, it to be Omnipotent, for more than all cannot be conceived no… poſſeſſed: more than that, God hath not: and that becauſe it is an in-communicable Attribute, he cannot communicate: but the meaning is; though it be not omnipotent, yet it hath liberty to ſet that on work, for the benefit and beſt good of Gods ſervants.

Hence, what the Father doth, the ſon is ſaid to do alſo. Joh. 5.26. As the Father hath life in himſelf, ſo hath he given to the ſon to have life in himſelf. Verſe, 19. What ever things he doth, thoſe the ſon doth likewiſe: for as the Father raiſeth up the dead, even ſo he. Joh. 17.2. Thou haſt given him power over all Fleſh, to give unto them eternal life. He that muſt reſcue them from Hel, and ſin, and death, and from divine Juſtice, he muſt have power over al: That the power in Heaven, may not prejudice and fruſtrate the work: in Hel hinder it: on earth oppoſe it.

4. The Father leaves the immediate diſpenſation of al the work unto him, to act it, according to his own pleaſure. For ſo our Savior, As the Father raiſeth, and quickeneth, ſo the ſon quickeneth whom he will. Joh. 5.21: And adds verſe, 22. For the Father judgeth no p. 63man: but hath committed al judgment to the ſon. Not that the Father hath not power for the execution of the work. For he that gives it, hath it in a principal and ſoveraign manner. But he hath committed the immediate execution thereof unto the Lord Jeſus, and ſo of the whol work of our Redemption. Joh. 5.27. That (as Pharaoh ſaid concerning Joſeph, when he appointed him next unto himſelf in the kingdom of Egipt Gen. 41.40,44. I am Pharaoh, and without thee, ſhall no man lift up his hand or foot) no man ſhal do any thing, which way ſo ever he turn himſelf &c. Only I am Pharaoh; So the Father to Chriſt, he delegates the execution of al in Heaven and Earth unto him, only he is greater. This is the meaning of that place. 1 Cor. 11.3. I would have you know, that the Head of every man is Chriſt, the head of the Woman is the man, and the head of Chriſt is God. Whence know,

1. That the Apoſtle ſpeaks not only of faithful men and Women, but of al men and Women according to their ſex. For the ſcope is to ſhew that Women ſhould be ſubject, not only gracious, but al. And this he ſhews from the feebleneſs and underneſs of their Nature and ſex.

2. That theſe different degrees of excellency are only to be attended in regard of ſubordination, in order one to another, and immediate diſpenſation from one to another; for that Head implies, not only excellency and dignity, in the general, but power to move al, in ſubord nation to it; authority to rule all in ſubjection … So that, it is not excellency, but power and …: and that not at large, for ſo Angels are the … of men; but as they be in ſubordination, and not … …ch, as be far removed, but ſuch as have the next … diſpenſation, in way of providence, …e…ch …ver other. For otherwiſe, Chriſt is head, not of…, but of Woman and Angels alſo: ſo God himſelf is.

p. 64But the Apoſtles meaning and intent was, to ſhew, the orderly and next diſpenſation in the ſeveral degrees: the immediate influence and diſpenſation of power and authority for the ruling of the femal ſex, is in a way of providence and appointment from man: the immediate diſpenſation of power to man is from Chriſt: to Chriſt from God the Father, who hath ſent him. And thus Chriſt is, and doth to al: only diſtinguiſhing the manner and end of his diſpenſation, To the wicked in way of Juſtice, for their ruine and deſtruction: To the godly in way of mercy for their ſpiritual good. That's the meaning of that, All is yours &c. And hence the Apoſtle 1 Cor. 15.24, 28. Chriſt is ſaid (when he hath conquered al enemies, the laſt is death; damned all the wicked and delivered up is Children into the hands of his Father) he then is ſaid: To deliver up his Kingdom to the Father, i.e. Only in regard of this outward diſpenſation. For then God the Father ſhal, in and through Chriſt, communicate himſelf to all his Saints.

Uſe. 1.

We have here matter of wonderment at the Rich and unconceiveable compaſſion of the Father to miſerable undone man: who ſhould be careful to provide for his good, who is ſo negligent to provide for his own? Spares nothing …o purchaſe his Salvation, who hath done what he can to deſtroy himſelf. Had he ſent the meaneſt of his creatures to ſuccour us, his ſervants to viſit us, his Angels to adminiſter to us, it had been more, than we could have expected: But to ſend his Son out of his own Boſom, yea out of his own Bowels, to work out our Redemption, to make known the way of life, and and to make it good unto our Souls; Nature would not do this, reason cannot reach this mercy, the heart would not dare to beg this. Sit we down in the everlaſting admiration of his mercy. As Elizabeth and Mary, p. 65when he came to viſit her, Luk. 1.43. Whence comes it that the mother of my Lord ſhould come to me? So thou. As David, when he attended the dealing of the Lord towards loſt man, who had made himſelf the moſt vile and forlorn of al his creatures; looks upon his own baſeneſs and Gods kindneſs. Lord what is man, that thou ſhouldeſt be mindfull of him, and the Son of man thou ſhouldeſt regard him? So: What is man? ſo baſe, ſo ſinful, ſo vile, ſo miſerable. As Saul, who ever found his enemy and ſlue him not? but who ever found his enemy, and ſent his Son to him?

Uſe 2.

Comfort to bear up the fainting hearts of the Saints amidſt al the corruptions that annoy, temptations that oppoſe, feebleneſs and difficulties that diſcourage: why, yet Chriſt is ſent for the work, who is furniſhed with al ſufficiency to do it. He hath laid ſalvation upon one that is mighty. Mighty pride, mighty diſtempers to foil thee, mighty temptations to aſſault thee, mighty allurements in the world to intangle thee. Why here is Salvation upon one that is mighty to ſave free, and deliver thee. Hither Paul retires, and ſtrengthens himſelf. 2 Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have beleeved; when I am not able to reſiſt or vanquiſh, Chriſt is able, and nothing ever miſcarried, that was committed to his care. All power in Heaven and Earth is committed into his had.

Uſe 3. Of Direction,

How to expect all from God.

How to go to God for all.

1. Expect all from God in Chriſt. Eph. 1.3 &c. bleſſeth us with all ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly places p. 66in him, Adopts us in him, makes us accepted in him God was in Chriſt reconciling the world.

2. Go to God for al in Chriſt. In the performances of al Duties, in the uſe of al Ordinances go to Chriſt firſt, and then to the Father. As its true, the Father judgeth no man, ſo he comforts, quickens, ſanctifies no man: but hath committed al unto his Son. Chriſt is the Fathers Almner, and to him we muſt repaire, if we deſire to ſhare in the bounty of the Father. He is that Joſeph. Gen. 41.44, 45. If the Son make you free, ye ſhal be free indeed. Joh. 8.30. If he comfort, ye ſhal be comforted indeed.

Therefore do three things.

1. Be Dex…rous in our apprehenſions to ſee the footſteps of our Savior and be ſo wel acquainted with his paſſages, that we may perceive his whiſpers and know him at a turn, though we …ee but his back parts.

2. Uſe no meanes nor entertain any, but ſuch as come by his own appointment. Becauſe thoſe that come not from him, lead not to him. Col. 2.10. We ſtand complete in him. Math. 17.5. Hear him, and none but him. As the Prophet to the King of Judah, Go not with the King of Iſrael, for God is not with him. So, go not out in the uſe of ſuch means, for God is not in them.

3. Look at him, as ſent on purpoſe for this work Joh. 6.26. This is the work of God, that ye beleeve on him, whom the Father hath ſent. This anſwers all. If the Father appoint him, who ſhal gainſay? It the Son hath undertaken it, how can it fail? If al power be in his hand, who ſhal hinder? If all the execution be in his hand, there wil be no miſcarriage.

We have diſpach't the firſt. The ſecond now follows. Viz. That God will have this beleeved by the ungodly world. And its poſſible they may, when the Saint attain this unity, Chriſt ſhall attain this glory even from the wicked, that they ſhall acknowledg his call and commiſſion, p. 67and ſo execution of this work of our Redemption.

For the explication hereof we may inquire;

1. What it meant by world.

2. How they are ſaid to beleeve.

3. What do they beleeve in the ſending of Chriſt, for which our Savior ſo praise, and at which he ſo aimes.

1. WORLD here] not to trouble with any thing Impertinent or ſuperfluous, i… is put for the WICKED of the world, who have their hearts, inheritance, and happineſs here, therefore go no higher, look of further.

So ye ſhall find the word uſed in this Chap. verſe 9. I pray for them, I pray not for the world: where the oppoſition gives the true ſenſe & explication of the word: they are here diſtinguiſhed and differenced from thoſe that were given to Chriſt, and to whom he hath given his word, and hearts to beleeve, and to whom he gave eternal life. The like ye have, 1 Joh. 5.4. We know that we are of God, and the whol world lieth in wickedneſs. Where thoſe two are put in oppoſition, to be of God, begotten of God, called to be Saints, out of the world. But thoſe that are not begotten of God they are made up, as it were, of worldly principles, and they keep and take up their abode in wickedneſs, they are brought to bed in it.

And thus wicked men are ſtiled from three grounds.

1. Becauſe the God of this world rules in them. 2 Cor. 4.4. i.e. Satan, whoſe abode and habitation is in this viſible world: for where the Devils are caſt, there is Hell, but hither they are caſt, into the Air, the prince of the Air. Eph. 2.2. He compaſſeth the Earth to and fro, Job. 1. And ſomtimes he hurries into the great deep. God hath given him a commiſſion in his Juſtice, to exerciſe a Soverainty over the wicked, and to uſe all theſe earthly and worldly things, as baits, to take p. 68them at his will; and he never fails. With honor, he catcheth the ambitious; with wealth the c…ve…cus; And they acknowledg no God but Sa…an in theſe, carried and taken aſide by his temptations and overpowred by his allurements when he wil.

2. They are acted by the Spirit of the world. And therefore the Apoſtle puts theſe two in oppoſition. 1 Cor. 2.12. We have not received the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God. As the …ons of God are led by the Spirit of God, who works mightily in them that beleeve: So wicked men are acted by the Spirit of the world. Now that which gives life and being to the world, as it is in oppoſition to God, is vanity and emptineſs, vanity and emptineſs perverted. inordinate or Exorbitant; vanity running wry from the command of God, and croſs to the fear of God. Emptineſs and weakneſs of the creature captivating the Soul under its command, and carrying of it according to its will; Its the Spirit of the world. 1 Joh. 2.16. The luſt of the Eves carry all away. Thus the Prophet; Wine and Women take away the heart. Hoſ. 4.11.

3. They take contentment in the things of the world, and there they take up their ſtand, ſet up their reſt. They are called, the men of the Earth, and lay up their treaſures here on Earth. Pſ. 17.14. Mind earthly things. Philip. 3.19. Here they are in their Element, like fiſh in the Water; and ſome conceive and not improbably, that the Pſalmiſt aimed at ſome ſuch thing. The Heavens are the Lords, but the Earth he hath given to the ſons of men. Pſal. 115.16. By Earth is meant all theſe viſible things, which they who live by ſenſe, ſet up as their Gods, ſerve and worſhip them. The heaven is Gods throne, where no unclean thing comes, but the Earth, theſe viſible things, where wicked men have ſinned, and by their ſins have polluted, they are now contented with them, and they ſhal be plagued by them; therefore its ſaid: God fil…s their Bellies with his p. 69hid Treaſures, the things of this world, which are in Gods ſtore-houſe, and he hath a hidden diſpenſation of them. Theſe are the diet of wicked men: they have not the hid manna, ſpiritual food to refreſh them.

If the God of the world rule them: The Spirit of the world act them: The things of the world content them: Then are they truly ſaid to be World.

USE.

Before we paſs, let us make ſome uſe of this; That wicked men are worldly men; and hence we may diſcover our condition and take a trial of our eſtate, whether carnal or ſpiritual, whether gracious or wicked; look what it is that carries thee, what it is that contents thee. Are theſe worldly things great in thine Eye, and in thy apprehenſion and approbation: doſt thou center thy ſelf upon theſe, ſatisfieſt thou thy ſelf with theſe? beleeve it thou art of the world, and ſhalt periſh with the world. So our Savior. Joh. 3.31. He that is of the Earth is earthly, and ſpeaketh of the Earth. It is his Nature and he doth his Nature: his actions manifeſt his diſpoſition, we judg ever the Nature and quality of the thing by its motion & place whither it tends. Light things wil aſcend, and never ſtay, ti… they come to the place, their Nature deſires: heavy things deſcend downward, and they wil not ſtay before they come thither. See thou the po…ſe of thy ſpirit, the motion and inclination of the heart, whither it goes naturally, and where it would be, if it be there where it deſires, and where it reſts, if left unto it ſelf. If the weight of thy thoughts and deſires carry thee freely and ſtrongly after the luſt of thine Eyes, the luſt of thy fleſh, and ſtop it doth not, ſtay it would not, before it be there. Thy heart is on the Earth, and thou art a Citizen on Earth, and thou haſt thy portion on this Earth: thou haſt no Heaven in thee to this day, and thou ſhalt never come to Heaven.

It skills not, that thou mee…eſt ſomtimes with the things of Grace and life, thy ſpeeches, thy conference, p. 70thy carriages, and thy actions, meddle now and then, and converſe with the things of Heaven and happineſs: becauſe they be ſuch as come in thy way, and will keep thee company, if not beyond thy expectation, yet beyond thy deſire.

The Traveiler paſſeth by many countries, baits at many places but he takes not up his abode and reſt, before he come to his own Country and own home, and there he ſtayes: That ſhews he is that Country man.

Thou mayeſt in thy travel meddle with the heavenly ordinances of God, take up holy duties in thy courſe, and bait thy ſelf in ſuch performances, as may maintain either quiet within, or credit without, amongſt men. Oh! but which is thy home, wither thy heart and deſires are going, and wil not reſt, before they repair thither? thou ſeekeſt God to ſerve thine own turn, toucheſt at holy courſes, to take in freſh comfort, incouragements &c. But thy heart is not at home, before it can ſatisfie it ſelf in the purſuit and poſſeſſion of worldly things. The God of the world rules thee, the ſpirit of the world leads thee, the things of the world content thee, when thou art there, thou art in thy Element: when drawn from thence, thou art dragd like Fiſh out of the Water, much a-do to live: That is thy condition.

Its poſſible for a heavy thing by a ſtrong hand, to be held from deſcending downward: but leave it to it ſelf, thou ſhalt eaſily ſee, whether it be its place, or ſuitable to its inclination, it moves immediately downwards. Your Sea-horſes and Crocodils go ſomtimes aſhore for their prey: but becauſe they retire and take up their abode in the Waters, we therefore know, they are Sea, not Land-creatures. So its poſſible, to ſeek a prey, i.e. For thine own eaſe or praiſe, thou mayſt put to the performances of holy duties: or happily, either company, place, perſons, the lawes, or ordinances p. 71hold thee by ſtrong hand, and-force thee to a ſhew of zealous profeſſion. But when theſe poiſes are plucked away: mark what thy Soul before deſired inwardly, what it now wil into of it ſelf: If to the world, and the vanities thereof, thou art a worldly man to this day. Hence it is, that many in theſe places drop away, and fall hand-pat to the world, after a long profeſſion of a heavenly life. Theſe earthly, heavy Souls would have been at their center long before, but there were ſome impediments in their way, that ſtopped their proceeding: Wheras, if the heart be heavenly, it reſts not before it come thither. Pſal. 42. Oh when ſhall I appeare before the living God? many ſay, who will ſhew us any good? but Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance. And the Apoſtle concludes it. Coloſſ. 3.1. If ye be riſen with Chriſt, ſeek the things that are above, ye ought to do ſo, and ye will do ſo. The Apoſtle Iſſues both the parts, with the grounds of them. 1 Cor. 15. 48. The firſt Adam is from the Earth, earthly: the ſecond Adam is the Lord from Heaven: As we have born the image of the earthly, ſo ſhal we bear the image of the Heavenly. Yea our Savior concludes it, They are not of this world, as I am not of the world. As he by the power of his God-Head, took our Nature to himſelf, by the power of the fame God-Head, he takes our Souls to himſelf, carries them to himſelf, acts them upon himſelf, keeps them with himſelf.

2. How the world are ſaid to beleeve Chriſts ſending.

Anſw. It cannot be meant of ſaving Faith the faith of Gods Elect, or that Faith, by which we beleeve unto Salvation: for that Faith which is here meant, wicked men ſhould, and its certain ſooner or later they ſhal attain, for its that which the Father intends and aims at, and our Savior Chriſt looked at, as his ſcope in his prayer: and we know that the Father never fails to accompliſh what he intends, nor our Savior to attain what he prayes for. But this our Savior aimes at in his praier, as one principal ſcope and end of it.

p. 72There is therefore in the ſecond place, a Faith which doth belong even to the wicked, which is truly termed or called Faith in the language of the Scripture, and the common ſpeech of men, I ſay truly called Faith though i… be not truly ſaving. Joh. 12.42, 43. Many beleeved on him, but durſt not confeſs him, for they loved the pra…e …f men, mo…e than of God. The…e is ſaith then: and men do alſo beleeve, who love the praiſe of men more, than of God: but this no man can do and beleeve ſavingly. Joh. 5.44. How can ye beleeve, which rece…ve honor one of another and ſeek not the honor that cometh from God only? Joh. 2.23, 24. Many beleeve in him, But our Savior did not commit himſelf unto them for he well knew, what was in man. And its notorious in the parable of the ſtony ground, which beleeved for a time but in the time of temptation went away.

The Queſtion grows, What is this Faith, which is ſo ſtiled in the phraſe of Scripture.

Anſw. I ſuppoſe it includes two things mainly.

1. When the underſtanding meets with and gives entertainment to the evidence of that truth, that is now preſented to its view: but that is not al, that it comprehends the compaſs of the truth that comes to conſidereation, but that it is ſo far ſetled by force of argument that doth confirm it, that it fully aſſents and ſubſc…bes thereunto. For the force of argument begets this human Faith and a ful and unqueſtionable aſſurance of the concluſion. This is that the Apoſtle means Rom. 14. And the laſt, when the underſtanding neither doubts the certainty, nor miſtakes the truth, but is carried ſul ſail in aſſent.

2. The evidence or this truth, thus underſtood, is of that power and prevailing efficacy, that it carries a kind of command and control with it, it ſoakes into the conſcience, ſets down that, and convinceth it, that conſcience gives in its verdict that way. It proceeds yet further, ſets upon the wil with that forcible and u…deniable p. 73evidence, that it awes it, and brings it to yield thus far, that its true in the general, but that its either not her pleaſure and ſo not her good to ſubmit to it, but only for ſome turn, for her own ends, but not in uprightneſs, and for it ſelf. Joh. 3.8. When Jonah had denounced the judgment of God againſt Nineveh, Its ſaid, The beleeved the word of the Lord. Not that they did do that ſavingly, for its ſpoken of the whol Body of the people, who were yet heatheniſh: but that they did without queſtion aſſent to the truth of the meſſage, their conſciences were ſo far convinced, and their hearts ſo far awed, that they did yield it was certain it would come. And both theſe are here underſtood, and intended by our Savior; that they whoſe judgments, conſciences, hearts were not ſetled, convinced, nor yet perſwaded, that our Savior was ſent, They might be brought to beleeve.

3. What the world ſhall thus beleeve touching Chriſts ſending?

Anſw. Our Savior looks at three things.

1. That he had the right of Commiſſion delivered by the Father into his hand, to attend this work, as being in eſpecial manner appointed and deſigned thereunto. Joh. 6.27.

2, That he had fulneſs of Power, of diſpenſation of this, not only called, but authori…ed, enabled, and furniſhed with al power and Grace, and that beyond meaſure, for the diſcharge and performance of this weighty change; as to be the Salvation of God, unto the ends of the Earth.

3. That he hath not only undertaken it, but fully, in all particulars, accompliſhed that, for which he was thus deſigned and alſo furniſhed from God the Father Joh. 17.4. I have finiſhed the work thou gaveſt me to do. For theſe are the three main difficulties, where the corrupt hearts of men come off moſt hardly, and about which they make heavieſt oppoſition againſt the p. 74greateſt work of our Redemption.

Thus the Scribes and Phariſees were ready to quarrel his calling:Joh. 7.42.John 7:42 The Meſſias when he comes &c. But this man, whence he is, we know not. Joh. 9.29. God ſpake by Moſes, but whence this man comes; We know not. And when the Blind man ſeemed but to ſpeak favorably in this point; certainly, no man could do ſuch and ſuch thing…, unleſs God had ſent him, They could not bear it. Joh. 9.33, 34.

Again that he had no ſufficiency in any ſeeming appearance for ſuch and ſo weighty imployment: and therefore they vilified his perſon, and looked at his ſpeeches as ſo many vain glorious expreſſions, which had neither truth not ſufficiency to maintain. And therefore when our Savior told them, he would give his fleſh for the ſins of his Elect, They murmur immediately, as though this were a deceipt. How can this man give us his Fleſh &c. Joh. 6.41, 52. Is not this Jeſus the Son of Joſeph, whoſe Father and Mother we know? verſe, 42. How is it that he ſaith, I came down from Heaven?

Laſtly, for the ful recovery, there the Sons of men are ſo fickle and ſlippery, that they are ready to ſtep aſide, and at leaſt ful of queſtion and therefore his own, after he was condemned, Crucified and Buried, Luk. 24.21. They began to ſtagger in their own thoughts. We had thought in had be…n he, that ſhould have delivered &c. And no… behold this is the third day. Now this our Savior wiſheth; that they might be brought to the acknowledgment of the light of his commiſſion, the po…e… of his diſpenſation, the certain and through fulfilling of all that was committed to him, and that he undertook.

The Reaſons are,

1. Hereby the honor of the Father and ſo of the Son, p. 75is at once and together moſt gloriouſly advanced. For the Sovereignty of the power of the Father and incomprehenſible and unconceivable love, the infinit depth of his Grace and mercy, are manifeſted in ſending.

That ſurpaſſing glory, unto which the human Nature of our Savior was advanced, to be inveſted with his power and authority, to be berr…ſted with this work, and to be taken, as it were, into Par…neſhip with the Father, for the accompliſhment, of that, which was far greater than the creating of millions of worlds.

That it ſhould be in the liberty of the human Nature, to uſe al the Attributes of God, for the good of his Church, and to diſpenſe all by his own hand, So that nothing ſhould be done but by Chriſt: nothing received but through Chriſt from the Father; here the crown of al glory is ſet upon the Father & the Son at once. This is the ſcope of that diſpute and the ground of this diſpenſation. Joh. 5.18, 19. What the Father doth; that he doth; and that, becauſe he hath ſhewed him all things, and he wil ſhew him greater than thoſe, that ye may wonder &c. For as he ſhal raiſe up the dead, So the Son ſhal quicken whom he wil. The end is, That al men may honor the Son, as they honor the Father: and he that honoreth not the Son, honoreth not the Father. There is no receiving any thing from God, but by him. No returning any thing to God, but through him. Thus ye ſhal find the honor of both ſtand and fal together. Math. 10.40. He that receiveth me, receiveth him that ſent me Luk. 10.16. He that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him, that ſent me.

2. Hereby the great work of our Redemption comes to be diſcovered, comes alſo to be acknowledged; when once this ſending our Savior is rightly underſtood. Its the very Hinge upon which the Goſpel turns: The very foundation, upon which the work of our Salvation hangs. before this we are ſaid to be in bondage under rudiments. In the fullneſs of time God ſent forth his. p. 76Son, made of a Woman, made under the Law, to redeem thoſe that were under the Law. Gal. 4.4. Joh. 1.18. No man hath ſeen God at any time, but the only begotten Son, which came out of the Boſom of the Father he hath revealed him. Eph. 3.7, 8, 9. to the 20. Here is the great myſtery of Godlineſs, Chriſt manifeſted in the fleſh. 1. Tim. 3.6.

3. That hereby al mouths might be ſtopped, and the wicked might be made beyond excuſe. Joh. 15.22. If I had not come, and ſpoken unto them, they had not had ſin: but now they have no cloak for their ſin.

Uſe.

1. Of Exhortation, That our practiſe ſhould concur with the prayer of our Savior his deſire and our indeavor. That we ſhould put forth the utmoſt of our skil and care; that our savior may be acknowledged by all hearts, confeſſed by al Tongues, as ſent of God. We ſhould pomo…e and help forwards this.

This is Gods main work in the waies of his providence and all his diſpenſations in the world and in the Church. Pſal. 2.6. Yet I have ſet my King upon my holy Hill of Sion; in deſpite of al the wrath and rage of Heathens, Pilate, Jews &c.

So let us ſet him up as King in al the minds of men, that they may know, in all conſciences, that they may confeſs him. This Paul indeavoured, Rom. 15.19. He made the Goſpel of Chriſt to ſound out from Jeruſalem to Illiricum, and ſtrove to preach the Goſpel, that to whom he was not ſpoken of, they ſhould ſee. So Act. 2.36.

This Paul rejoyced in. Philip. 1.18. If Chriſt be preached any way, he doth and will rejoyce in it.