The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 9

The Parable of the Ten Virgins · Part 1 · Chapter 9

p. 67CHAP. IX.

Concerning the Souls immediate closing with the Person of Christ, as the proper Object of Saving-Faith.

3. Went forth to meet the Bride-Groom.

SECT. I.

Here needs the Explication of Three Things.

1. VVHo is the Bride-groom?

Answ. The conclusion of this Parable is the Explication of this, viz. the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, who according to the several conditions, or dispositions the Church is in, appears to his Church under several relations and titles. The Church is oppressed by her enemies, he appears now to her as her Prince and King: the Church wants wisdom, light, and life, he appears now unto her as an head. The Church hath been seeking of his love, and yielding her self to the obedience of him as her Lord: at last he appears more fully to her as an Husband, or as a Bride-groom with whom she is to have her nearest and everlasting fellowship and communion, and so here. And when Christ comes to shew most special love, and to have most special fellowship with his people, he thus stiles himself, Isal. 54. 5, 6. So Iohn 3. 29. And when the Church hath tasted that love, she calls him so.

II. What it is to meet the Bride-groom?

Answ. To enjoy fellowship and familiarity with him.

III. What is it [to go forth to meet] the Bride-groom?

Answ. There are but three wayes of going forth to meet with Christ in Scripture.

1. When Soul and Body at the last Day meet the Lord in the clouds of the air, 1 Thes. 4. 17. Thus the whole Church, the Bride shall appear in glory to meet the Bride-groom.

p. 682. When the Soul only goeth out of the Body by the ministry of Angels to meet the Lord in Heaven, as Paul that knew not whether in or out of the body, 2 Cor. 12. 3. We know it here shall go out of the body: as Christ is said when he went to Heaven, I go to my Father, and your Father; so it goes forth then to Christ, Eccles. 12. 7. and neither of these can be meant here, for

First, …his shews the … of the Jewish Church long before Christs coming, at least among many of them.

Secondly, Because the shutting out, vers. 10. is by and at Death: hence letting in is so too. Now this was before.

3. When the Soul goes out or it self by Faith: hence Iohn 6. 35. 'tis called coming to Christ; and this not any Physical natural departing of the Soul out of the body, but Ethical, supernatural, by the operations of the Soul out of … self. And look as the whole Soul by unbelief departs from God in Christ, so the whole Soul by Faith comes again unto God by Christ. The mind sees, affections make after him, will fastens on him, and there depends. This is the first work of Faith, or the first Faith, the coming (as in all motions there are two extreams) of the Soul from a nothingness, emptiness in it self, to an allness and fulness in Christ: And as 'tis in other motions, if there was a vacuum, there would be motus in instanti; so if there was an emptiness seen in the world, and all the works of it, and in all fears that all mountains were cast down, Faith then would suddenly come by the Spirit to the Lord Jesus, and this coming to Christ is not meant here: For

First, These Virgins were espoused to Christ by Faith already.

Secondly, At the first coming to Christ it goes to the Lord for life in him, and from him; but here having life already, they go forth to live with him: there the Soul goes out to meet him in the Gospel, in the Promise; here the Virgins go forth to meet him in Glory. There the Soul goes to be justified by him, here the Virgins go to be glorified with him: and therefore 'tis meant of a second going out of the Soul by some special acts of Faith, after that it doth believe, and after 'tis ready for him. And for Explication.

From whence doth the Soul go?Quest. 1.

It's chiefly going out of this world by trampling this Moon under her feet,Answ. by forgetting this her Fathers house, by a holy contempt of it, and a holy dying to it, and all the glory of it. For 'tis a thousand to one if Satan doth not intangle here, if Lot be not taken with Sodom though burnt out there; and if this going out is to enjoy the Lord in another world chiefly, then going out is from the opposite terme, from this world. Hence Paul singles out this mercy, Gal. 1. 4. Christ gave himself to deliver us from this present evil world. Oh say men, 'tis a good world, and good being here. 'Tis an evil world: 'tis so when Death comes, but for present 'tis best. No, 'tis a present evil world.

By what acts of Faith doth it go forth?Quest. 2.

There be two affections of the Soul that chiefly look to a good absent,Answ. yet loving that good, go forth to meet it, and those are Hope and Desire; like the blind man and the lame, both together can make a shift to go. Hope like the eye goes out and looks, Desire like the feet runs out and longs. The going forth therefore to meet Christ, is: 1. By a real expectation of him. 2. By a longing desire to be with him. Hope gets on the top of the world, and cries, Oh I see him, Desire stands by and longs for him, Oh come Lord. A careless blind world look not for him, nor after him, the Saints do. Heb. 9. 28. An earthly-minded world longs not for him, the Bride doth, Rev. 22. 17, 20. Oh come Lord Iesus, come quickly; by love and joy we imbrace and entertain the Bride-groom, by hope and desire we go forth to meet the Bridegroom. Hence many things are to be observed, and yet not all I might.

p. 69SECT. II.

THat the object to which Faith chiefly looks,Doct. 1. and closeth with, is the Person of the Lord Iesus.

'Tis the Bride-groom himself that the Virgins chiefly have to do withall; they are espoused to him, as in Marriage; there is a giving of themselves one unto another; they make themselves ready for him, they go out to meet him: 'Tis him they love, 'tis him they want, 'tis him they look for, 'tis him they close withal…. Whorish lovers look not after him, but his: his peace to comfort them when in horror and fear, his mercy to save them from eternal flames; but Virgins look to him, they look to [His] indeed, but 'tis himself chiefly they care for, Iohn 1. 12. to so many as received him, he gave power to be Sons, Iohn 6. 27. when the people followed him, but it was for loaves: Labour not for bread that perisheth, bu…, &c. for him hath the Father sealed, Mat. 13. 44. The man did not buy the Treasure, but bought the field: 'tis him Faith seeks for, Ier. 50. 4. They shall seek the Lord weeping; 'tis him Faith chuseth, and is contented with, Whom have I in Heaven but thee? Psal. 73. 25. 'Tis him Faith glories in, Isai. 45. 25. In him shall all the Seed of Israel glory.

SECT. III.

'TIs chiefly and firstly the Person of Christ that the Father gives unto the Soul, Isai. 9. 6. hence Faith laies hold on him:Reas. 1. 'Tis not seemly to keep… Portion from any, much less Orphans Portion. Faith empties a man so as it makes him the poorest Or…han in the world; now the Father cannot, will not keep back his Portion, but gives it him: Wicked men have their Portion in this world, Psalm 17. 14. and they think the Lord loves them because he blesseth them: they have many moral excellencies given them, which makes them honoured and lovely in the eyes of men, and they have honour, and that is their reward; they have bread, but not the staff of bread, they have Ordinances, but not the Lord in them: the Lord gives them answer to many Prayers, but never gives them himself, nor his Son; this is highest love. But 'tis his Son himself he gives to Orphan, fatherless, helpless creatures, for the Lord is their Portion, Lam. 3. 24. The portion of Iacob, Ier. 10. 16. hence 'tis him that Faith receives, and pitcheth upon; so that the Lord may deny them many outward, many inward Blessings, yet they have himself that's better than all, better as he said than Ten Sons. Children may be Prodigals for a time, but when in want, they will then sue for their Portion. Saints for a time may mispend all Times, Talents, Ordinances the Lord gives, but the Lord will bring them to want, and then they will sue for their Portion, and the Lord will give, and they will receive that.

Because there is no satisfying of the Father without him;Reas. 2. bring Benjamin with you, or never look to see my face. The conscience of a man can never be pacified until God is satisfied for all wrongs. Now the Lord Jesus hath satisfied, nay perfected for ever them that are sanctified, by once offering up of himself to God, Heb. 10. 14. Now the soul never comes to have setled peace in his own conscience (though peace was purchased before) but by offering up of the Lord Jesus by Faith, even Christ himself: the Soul wants him, the Father shews a Ram in the bush, gives Christ; and that the Soul gives him for satisfaction, and offers him to God again. As the Priests in the Old law, when the Sacrifice was slain, then it was offered. God offers the Soul a crucified Son, Faith takes him and offers him, Lord behold thy Son, Rom. 3. 25. And hence comes Propitiation and p. 70peace, peace to see that God is satisfied. Now if by Faith we come to have the peace of the Fathers satisfaction with us, then it must needs pitch upon the person of the Son first. Hence many never have peace, because 'tis not a Son himself they look for, but somewhat from him: they are blind, and dead, and hard, and these things they would have helped, but close not with Christ himself.

Because the Soul can neither actually receive,Reason 3. nor expect to receive any thing from Christ, unless it hath first pitcht upon the person of Christ. A man may hope he shall, and presume and think he shall, and it may be receive somewhat out of the common courtesie Christ shews to them that look towards him, but never shall receive any saving-good thing till now, Iohn 6. 53. Unlesse ye eat the flesh of the Son of God, and drink his Blood, ye have no life. Look as 'tis in our eating, as if a man should seek to get nourishment out of meat or drink, not by feeding on it it self; so 'tis here: Some said this was a hard saying, and so 'tis to a carnal heart, Rom. 8. 32. And hence observe when the Lord promiseth any great thing to his people, Isai. 7. 14. he ever brings in the Lord Jesus, that if he shall be given, then all things also.

Because true Faith ever closeth with Christ by love to Christ,Reason 4. as false Faith closeth with him out of self-love, Cant. 1. 2, 3. The Virgins love thee: that's love indeed which is set upon the person. The Lord never puts his Pearl, nor sets it in a swinish faith that contemns the Son: no, 'tis a precious Faith that loves the Lord. Hence it carries the soul to the Beloved.

SECT. IV.

HEnce see the reason why the Lord keeps his people hungry,Use 1. and empty, and cuts them short of many spiritual Blessings: 'tis that they might …lose with, and be contented with the Person of the Son. There are three things some of Gods people seek for, and find not, if the Lord intends good to them.

1. They desire the comforts, and conveniencies, and peace of this World, Oh rest is sweet! and the Lord will give them none of these, or keep them at short commons with these: and why? that they might lay up their peace, and find all in himself, Gen. 15. 1, 2. Abraham after the slaughter of the Kings was in fear that he might make the Lord his shield, Hos. 2. 6, 7. She shall seek her Lovers, but shall not overtake them.

2. They seek for some good to themselves, in themselves, from themselves; I would fain believe and cannot; I would fain do (sayes a man) but alass he grows worse and worse; the commandment comes, you will do, there is your task, do it, yet they languish and dye, and why so? Ier. 3. 23. that they might look for help and righteousness in another, In the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel; not from the Mountains the strongest helps and means; in the Lord 'tis alone.

3. They seek for Grace, and strength, and peace from the Lord Jesus very importunately, and many times very impatiently, and so sinfully too, and the Lord denies them; it hath been better with them than now, therefore they wonder the Lord should be so full, and they so empty, and think sometimes to seek no more, and the Lord denies a dole at this door to, that they might content themselves, and lay up their joyes in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 12. 9. My Grace is sufficient; It's strange that Christ so able, so ready to help, yet denies: I confess 'tis sometimes some lust and stumbling-block the Lord Jesus sees, Oh but against that they seek, and truly here is the cause, that having no good from him, they might place all their happiness and felicity in him. Look as it was with Iacob, a great Famine co…es, and all the sacks are s…ent, and they are used roughly, though not hardly nor wrongfully, and all was to bring them to the sight and embraceings p. 71of Ioseph: all the time of Famine was for this. So the famine of Spirit is to last long, and the Lord denies supply, to bring the Soul to see, embrace, and rejoyce in the Lord Jesus: the most flourishing Trees in Gods House shall have their winter season, and cast their coat, that they might preserve themselves in their root. This is the great wound of many a believing soul for a time, to rest more contented with what he receives from the Lord, than to quiet himse…f and his heart with what is in the Lord: Man would have his lost happiness in his own hand, and this the Lord will not suffer his people to lye in long, Gen. 26. 4. and the best and surest course that can be taken, is to cut them short of all; for Faith is an unconquerable Grace, that whatever it loseth out of its own hand, it will find it and enjoy it in another. And therefore see Gods end, and meet the Lord in this end of his. See all in the Lord, and seeing your blessedness there in all your wants, lay it up there, that if you will boast, here you may do it all the day long: for this is Gods greatest plot to pull all men down that his Son may be set up, to wither all the grass and be…uty of all the flowers of the field, that the glory of the Lord might be revealed. I must here give you a taste, for it doth me good to think, and it will do you more good to enjoy the sweetnesse of this Truth. There are four Things you desire all, which are chiefly laid up in Christ, to that end that you might in all wants quiet your hearts with unspeakable peace there.

1. The free Grace and love of the Father, this is that I hope which you prize most, pray for most, fear the loss of most, would rejoyce in the having of most, without which thy life is death, and blessings curses, and death the beginning of Hell. Would you see this love better than life to thee? Oh I cannot see it, or but very little of it. 'Tis true, look upon your selves you can see but little, many fears, many tears, many heart-sorrows, many temptations, many desertions, many vexing sins, many denyals to your Prayers; but Oh look up to that Ointment which is poured upon this blessed head, that love that is shed abundantly upon the Son from before all worlds, and look what love, what Grace the Father shews to him, that love is thine; that love in him is shewn to thee, 2 Tim. 1. 9, 10. Here stand amazed all ye people of the Lord, you have heard the Lord loves you, and sometime believe it, but being under water, cannot conceive of it, nor see how he loves you, how dearly, how abundantly; Oh look now upon the love of God the Father in the Son, as he loves him, so he loves thee a worm, a Devill, notwithstanding all thy want, all thy sins, all thy miseries, Iohn 17. 23, 26.

2. Life: Oh Death is terrible, and a dead heart is woful, 'tis the great plague that lies upon men without Christ, that are strangers to the life of God, Eph. 4. 18. Is thy heart ever so joyed as when it's most enlarged for God, and hath most delight and liberty in the wayes of God: alas thy life is but a lingering sickness, a poor life to that which thou hast in Christ. Oh look up there, Col. 3. 3. You think when your hearts are affected, and warmed, and quickened in Prayer by word, or by Divine thoughts, &c. Oh if it might be ever so, how happy! Oh but it dyes presently, and thou kowest not how. Look up to the Lord Jesus, he is alive when thou art dead, and his life is thine, and 'tis ever thine in him, even e…ernal life, 1 Iohn 5. 10, 11, 12. This is the record, that he hath given us eternal life; alas I find none: Oh 'tis in his Son, in whom thou livest a better life than Men, than Kings, than Angels. And I doubt not but the Lord suffers Temptations to rob you of your life, that you might find it when 'tis lost here, and rejoyce that when you have none, yet here it is: blessed be God, he will keep our lives as the life of Iacob was knit up, and bound up in the life of the child; nay that life is ours.

3. Conquest and Victory over all Enemies; it may be you say often, the Lord hath commanded me to seek for help, and he will help, he hath promised so to do, but I find my Distempers still raging, Satan still buffeting, and winnowing, p. 72and vexing, and fo…ling: and as I feel many, so I fear more sorrows before I dye, and then Death and delusion, that at last I may be deceived: Nay the agonies of Hell many times assault me, and then I am put to a loss, that is it possible I should escape? why Beloved, the Lord Jesus conquered Death, and Sin, and Hell, and the Grave, and Satan, with all the strength of darkness and delusion, and hath spoiled them, Col. 2. 14, 15. And now he is in Heaven in his Kingdom triumphing over them, that they cannot hurt him. I but what is that to me? Why this very Victory is thine: hence we are said to be dead with him, Rom.6. 8. and risen with him, Col. 3. 1. Nay to sit in Heavenly places as it were triumphing in him, in glory with him, Eph. 2. 6. Nay Heb. 10. 14. He hath by one offering perfected his people for ever that are sanctified: 'Tis true, you may rejoyce in that you shall conquer, but Oh remember this, 'tis done already in thy Head, and in thy Husband.

4. Immutability and certainty of standing in a happy estate, for this is that which sads the heart, I shall fall at last. How is it possible but I should be so? no Beloved, look …pon the Lord Jesus, in him thou art, if he can fall, if he can dye, if he can be cast from the Fathers face, then thou maist; believe that I live, you shall live also, Iohn 14. 19. Adam indeed was chosen to be head of Mankind, and as when he stood perfect we stood, so (though mutably) he falling we fall: so we are chosen in Christ, and as he stands unchangeably, so we stand, and as he was tempted every way, yet did not, could not fall, no more canst thou: so that Oh that the Lord would give you hearts to learn this lesson, when there is noth…ng but want in thee; Do not shift so much for a little from the Lord, but see Gods end and rach it. Oh rejoyce, glory in, and bless the Lord. This was Paul's life, and the life of the Churches first planted. Oh bless the Lord for all spiritual blessings in Christ; this will be joy in sorrow, life in death, this is golden Faith, this will answer all fears; when Satan saith thou hast not this or that, nor canst not do this nor that, and to Hell therefore thou must go: Reply again, 'tis true, I have little, I am dead, but Christ lives for ever; I am under miseries, Christ is triumphing in Heaven for ever: I may fall in my self, I never can fall in him; that which he hath is mine.

'Tis true they may do this that know the Lord Iesus is theirs, but alass I know not that.Object.

If you do not you must wait then untill the Lord make himself known unto you: but tell me,Answ. will you do this, if you did thus know it? It may be some of you have not done so, unless by force sometimes, and you will find it one of the toughest works of Faith that is: What is a poor man better for anothers wealth? and a sick man for anothers health, and a naked man when others are cloathed? Yet Beloved, by vertue of the power of Faith, and our union to the Lord Jesus, a man is the better. A Woman that is matcht to a Prince may have never a penny in her purse, and yet she rejoyceth in that her Husband hath it. It's the secret nature of Faith to make a man all one with Christ, in Christ, in that manner that I cannot find such an union in the world; and hence his health, his cloaths, his Grace, his life may be matter of as much joy as if a man had all this in himself. And because many a soul hath Christ, but feeling such emptiness in himself, as that he cannot think so, and it may be would do so if he saw whether he might do so or no: I shall therefore express my thoughts to them thus in these particulars.

1. That all that fulness that is in the Lord Jesus, 'tis not for himself, but for them that want it, Iohn 17. 19. he might have been blessed in his Fathers bosom without thee; why should he therefore live, and do, and suffer, and rise, and glorifie his blessed Nature, but for them that wanted this. He is filled with wisdom, life, strength, because men are blind, dead, weak.

p. 732. But you will say, all the world want it, and yet few in the world shall ever have any share there, therefore all them in the world that hunger after all that good that is in him, they may now in the absence of it content themselves with it, that there 'tis in him for them, for the Lord fills the hungry, and so hungry as 'tis not something or other that they pick out, but all Christ, and all of that is in Christ: now is the season to eat, if bread and hunger meet, now satisfie your self. 2 Cor. 12. 9. Paul prayed, and the Lord denyed, yet now the Lord bid him feed on his Grace: so that when thy heart asks what hast thou to do with him when so vile? answer, Yet the Lord hath all, and I want him, and hunger after him. Take heed of despising his Grace; if thou hast no hunger, the Lord be merciful to thee!

3. If you have so contented your selves with him, as now you place all your felicity in him, to this end, to receive life from him, as a man satisfies himself with bread that he may have life: for as I would not damp the Fa…th of the Elect, no more would I patronize the sloth of the wicked. Many a man it may be may say, I have nothing in my self, and all is in Christ, and comfort himself there, and so fall asleep; hands off and touch not this Ark, lest the Lord slay thee: a christ of clouts would serve your turn as well. Run not to this Temple to make it a Denn of your thievish heart; no, do you so content, or will you so content your selves with him, as to account your selves happy here, that all the world is Dung in respect of this; and this you do to suck and receive more from Christ, and so to be like him: now hold here, and live here, and rejoyce here for ever, Phil. 3. 9, 10, 11. Isai. 12. 2, 3. First, The Lord is my Song and Salvation; therefore we, will draw hence: if the Lord gives nothing, yet I have it in him; if he gives any thing, the honour shall be given to him. Oh take this course: 1. Lest you lose Christ and all too. 2. Lest the Lord ever keep you short in a complaining condition. 3. That you may be every day and moment in Heaven, and win the Crown from every Hypocrite who knows not what this life in Christ means.

4. That the Lord may be your glory, for he is not only the glory of God, but of his people Israel too. 5. That you may love your selves the lesse, and the Lord the more.

SECT. V.

HEnce see a necessity of seeing & knowing Christ,Use 2. before a man can believe, or if ever the soul believe; for if Faith closeth with the person of the Lord Jesus, the same Faith must first see that person: If it takes the Bride-groom himself, it must see and know him first. Did you ever see any espoused together that did not first see and know each other? the eye must first see, my meaning is, there must precede this act of the understanding to see Christ, before a man can close with Christ by his will: for I aim not at this, whether it goes before in time, but in order of nature it does precede, and absolutely necessary it is: hence Iohn 6. 40. He that seeth and believeth in the Son hath eternal life: this is so necessary to Faith, that Faith it self puts on this name, Isai. 53. 11. By his knowledg, Luke 19. 41. Oh that thou hadst known. Isai. 46. 22. Look unto me and be saved. And hence unbelief in Scripture is exprest by being blinded, Rom. 11. 7, 8. for though Christ be absent from us on earth, yet that's the excellency of faith, it makes things absent present, and sees unseen things, Heb. 11. 1. Iohn 8. 56. Abraham saw my day; and that's the wonderment of Saints; there is light in Gosben when all Egypt is dark, when others are blind they see, Isai. 60. 1, 2.

What is this knowledg or seeing of the Lord?Quest.

I make this question,Ans…. partly because this is the first chief Evangelical work, as it appears to us, nay indeed 'tis in a manner all; hence Mat. 11. 27. I thank thee p. 74thou hast hid these things, &c. If this be right, Faith is right, &c. And if this be not, a mans Faith is but a Fancy; and a mans Sanctification and Reformation, hopes, desires, are but the works of death and darknesse, if this Sun be not risen. And partly also because all the policy and power of Satan is to blind the eye here, for then he knowes men will stumble at every step, 2 Cor. 4. 4. He will help to beleeve, and joy in beleeving, and reformation after tha… joy, that a man might content himself with this joy and Faith, and look not after the sight of Christ. And if I was to leave the world, I should leave this to be thought of, as Christ told the woman of Samaria, Ye worship whom ye know not, so men beleeve in whom they know not, and pray to one whom they know not, and depend on whom they see not, and hence do not wonder at an adulterous generation rising up that deny all evidencing of a mans justification from his sanctification, and that 'tis but a f…ding thing, because they never felt what it meant, because they never knew what the Lord Jesus meant, and therefore listen to it. I say therefore first what this knowledge is not, for every man hath some knowledge.

1. There is a knowledge of the Lord Jesus by report, the fame of a man may come where himself is not seen, so of Christ, there may be a fame spread of him and of some excellencies in him, where he is not savingly known, and this is not seeing of Christ, for a man may live and die a damned creature with this knowledge. The Samaritans had some knowledge by report of the Messiah, Iohn 4. 25. When he is come he will tell us all things; so many among us hear that Christ is come and risen, and glorisied, and the Saviour of the world and of sinners, &c. But how come they to know this? By way of tradition and report only. I confesse this knowledge may be a means in the Elect to bring them to saving knowledge, as in the Q…een of Sheba that heard Solomons fame, and the Disciples Iohn 1. Come and see. But Reprobates are not drawn by it, as Herod, Luke 23. 8. heard many things of Christ, but never saw him till he came to judge him. So here, because they can live well without Christ, hence rest content with the bare report. Whereas they that had diseases, heard of his fame, and came to see Jesus.

2. There is a knowledg of Christ from his works, as we know what Trade and what Artificers many men be because these are external things, yet know not the man: so there is a knowledg of Christ by his works, that by him the worlds were made, Heb. 1. and all creatures governed, and a man m…y see him in his trading with others, and himself, all comes from him, that a man may say, the Lord hath done all this and that for me, and yet strangers to Chri…. And if men be ignorant of him here, he may do such wonderful things before their eyes, that they cannot but wonder and say, this is the Lords work, and yet know him not, Met. 11. 20. He upbraided the Cities where most of his mighty works were done, but they saw him not, Iohn 15. 24. If I had not done, &c. the Lord may work strange temporal deliverances, that you may know all power is in Christs hand to save and pardon, Mat. 8. 27. so as to marvail and not envy; What manner of man is this that winds and seas obey him? 'Tis true the Saints do know the Lord here, but they are not idle spectators and receivers of them, but Oh that I might see and have that Christ himself, they do him no good, give him no content without him; as he said, What givest thou me if I go childlesse? Iohn 9. Christ had opened the blind mans eyes, and yet he cries, Lord, who is he? vers. 36, 37, 38. whereas others see the works of Christ, and vanish, or if affected, an evill spirit comes on them, as on S…l when he saw Davids love.

3. There is a litteral knowledg of the Lord Jesus by the bare letter only of the Word, and 'tis wrought in this manner. A man doth not only take up the knowledg of Christ by report, nor from his works, but he hears, reads, is well Catechiz'd concerning Christ, and all his Offices, and Benefits, that there is much light let in; hence his mind having those litteral relations, guesseth at them, and conceives p. 75of them, and because the mind is carnal, it apprehends them in a carnal manner (though in thinks it sees Christ truly.) Hence a man having a form of this knowledg in his head, he may be able to express much, and make a large confession of his Faith, disco…rse of points of controversie, in matters that concern Christ, and justification by Christ, &c. and instruct others, and yet having no more, know not all thi… while what the Lord Jesus is.

First, Because as he was a carnal Jew that had but the form of Knowledg in the Law, Rom. 2. 20. so he is but a carnal Christian that hath but a form of Knowledg in the Gos…el. The Jews were exceedingly versed in Scripture, and boasted they heard God, and saw God, Christ tells them, they never heard his voice, nor saw his face, Iohn 5. 37. i. e. they only saw it litterally, not savingly.

Secondly, This is but a carnal knowledg which letter and fancy beget, 1 Cor. 2. 14. He cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned.

Thirdly, 'Tis a dead Knowledg, or will be dead and unsavory; and hence many that know much of Christ, feed on their lusts and Dunghill delights, because their Knowledg feeds them not, fills them not, as fancies do not feed.

Fourthly, 'Tis a f…lse Knowledg, for give a blind man a description of the Sun, or a ta…eless man of honey, he may set up a false Image and deceive himself, and so doth this. Many set up a false Image of Christ, and trust to that. Or as in the description of another Country, when he sees it, then he sees he was deceived: so Saints see they were deceived, and saw not Christ, nor Sin, nor God; and so shall men in He… see; hence Isai. 6. 9. In seeing they see not: how came that to ass? they did see, but saw not really.

Fif…hly, 'Tis such a Know…edg as hinders from saving-knowledg of Christ, Iohn 9. 39. I came that they that see might be made blind. The wise learned Corinthians must become foolishness, and the light that is in thee is darkness. This light stands in your light: and yet this is the Knowledg that thousand thousands content themselve… withall, and hence catch hold on Christ, and think they have him, when in truth 'tis but the Image and fancy of him.

What then is this knowledg or seeing of Christ?Quest.

There is a seeing of Christ after a man believes,Answ. which is Christ in his love, &c. but I speak of that first sight of him that precedes the second act of Faith, and 'tis an intuitive or real sight of him as he is in his Glory. C…rist reveals his wonderful glory to the soul really, as ex gr. A man hears sin to be the greatest evil, and sometime conceives by argument how, but sees not the thing sin, though he sees the word sin: so a man that never travailed into forraign parts, may hear, and read, and speak of Countries: or as Herbalists read of the nature of Plants and Tree…, yet never saw the things, nay trample upon them when they see them: so it is one thing to read of the Sun in a Book, or to know it by relation, another thing to know it by sight. This is therefore the saving-knowledg of Christ, to see the Lord in his Glory as he is: not perfectly, for that is in Heaven; hence we shall there see him, and be like unto him, but imperfectly, and in part, 2 Cor. 3. 18. Changed here into the same Image. And this appears from these four Grounds.

1. That Knowledg the Saints have of Christ, 'tis not by bare word only, but also b… the Spirit. The word relates Christ, but the Spirit is the interpreter of the Word: the Interpreter of Heaven must interpret the language of Heaven. Now the Spirit ever shews us things as they are, even though they be deep things, and mysteries, it makes them plain, 1 Cor. 2. 9, 10. As the Sun when it ariseth it scatters all darknesse, so when this day…ster ariseth: Not that these things are revealed without the Word: for 2 Cor. 2. 14. and 2 Cor. 4. 4. lest the light of the Gospel should shine: 'tis by the Word that the Spirit doth enlighten.

2. Because the sight of the Knowledg of Christ, 'tis as the knowledg of a thing in a glass, 1 Cor. 13. 12. Now though you see not the man face to face, yet if p. 76you see him in a glasse, there you see him as he is: Quod videtur in speculo, non est imago, as some think. A man may know another by relation, or by some picture, but in a glass that is more full. The Jews they saw Christ, but it was under Vails and Types, and Pictures of him, this was obscure: under the Gospel the v…il is pulled off, aud with open face we see as in a glasse the glory of the Lord. In Heaven the glasse is taken away, and then we see as we are seen.

3. Because that estate the Saints are translated into is a state of Glory. Hence when justified, then glorified. Hence as that sanctification that is in the will is the beginning of the life of Glory, so that light God puts into their mind, is the beginning of the light of Glory. Hence as in Heaven the soul sees Christ by the full light of Glory perfectly, face to face, so in this life the soul sees Christ really as he is, yet as in a glasse imperfectly. Hence we are said to see in part.

4. In regard of that abundant goodnesse and love of Christ to his people. Love cannot lock up secrets, Ioseph hid himself from his Brethren for a time, but his bowels melt, he must tell them that he is Ioseph. Christ may do so, but his love even constrains him afterward, to let them see whom he is, Iohn 14. 21. I confesse its admirable love to reveal Christ in the Word and letter of the Gospel, to hear of him is happinesse, and if the Lord saves you, you will think so too: But this is common to wicked men; there is a manifestation of himself as he is unto his people. And now he is in Glory, hence reveals himself in his inconceiveable, Glory, that now a mans eye sees the Lord, and such things he never thought of before, which eye never saw, 1 Cor. 2. 9.

How doth the soul see him as he is?

I in this case,Quest. rather desire to learn than teach, even from the meanest;Answ. yet what is obvious I shall suggest, in this weighty businesse.

This seeing of him appears in three particulars.

1. True saving knowledge and sight of Christ consists in the sight of the glory of his person, especially now caught up to Heaven, and sitting at the right hand of God, in all the Glory of the Father. Look as at the Judgment-day the Lord shall break out of Heaven in such Glory as shall amaze all the world, and all eyes shall see him, that he shall not only be admired in himself, but in all his Saints, by all that are round about him: just so doth the soul see him now (though nor by the eye of sense, yet by the eye of Faith) though not come to judge the world, yet now ruling of the world; though not in the clouds, yet in Heaven; though his Humanity only in Heaven, yet his God-heads beams filling Heaven and Earth; though not yet coming in the Fathers Glory, yet sitting clothed with the Fathers Glory: for if a man looks on Creatures, he sees Gods foot-steps of power; if on Angels and Saints, Gods Image of Holinesse; if in Christ, there God himself, 2 Cor. 4. 4, 5, 6, 7. 'Tis true then Christs Glory shall be seen by the Wicked, but that's by sense, not by Faith, that is only in their minds, but there is no shining into the heart, to the kindling of an infinite esteem of him: and this the god of this World hides from people; Christ the Lord of another world in spight of Satan reveals to his people. Before a man sees Christ, there is nothing more base than Christ, even to the Elect, and then the wayes and work of Christ, I…r. 2. 11. Have any Heathen changed their gods? these change their glory for that which doth not profit: now the Lord will be, must be esteemed of his people; hence will and doth reveal this Glory of his to his Saints, whereas here others are blind.

2. In the beholding of the Lord as he come… and appears in the Glory of his Covenant, for when the Lord reveals himself so as to cause the soul to believe, and thereby to make it one of his people, he never makes any a people, but by entring into Covenant with them. Hence he ever appears in his Covenant first, Isai. 49. nlt. Look as when the Lord made him a people at Mount Sinai, Moses p. 77came down from … with Tables in his hands, &c. So when Christ comes to make any his people, he comes as Mediator of a be…ter Te…ament, Heb. 7. 22. On Mount Sion, Heb. 12. 22, 24. No… look as it was with the Israelites, 2 Cor. 3. they had the Covenant of Christ, and Christ revealed; but as Moses face was covered, …o theirs w…s, and Christ the…e was vailed over with the Law, even the Moral Law written in stone. Hence there was a vail on their hearts too, they could not see Christ, the end of the L…w, but only the Vail, viz. the Law, and hence looked for life by that, and hence we…e hadened against Christ, Rom. 9. 31, 32. So 'tis the misery and blindnesse of many people at this day, they see the Lord Jesus, but with his vail on: for people being not able to see and pri…e the glory of Christ immediatly, the Lord appears with the law first, requiring this and that, and they endeavour to do it; and hence if they cannot, they comfort themselves with this, the Lord accepts my endeavours, not seeing the hypocrisie of them, or else they are never at …eace, or very seldom; and why? because they see not to the end of that which is abolished, never saw the end, the Lord Jesus Chr…st. Now therefore when the Lord reveals himself, the Lord makes himself known without the vail, so that when conscience cries you must do what ever is commanded, or dye, the Lord Jesus now comes and appears, and saith, therefore see what need thou hast of me, who have fulfilled all Righteousness, and done all. Receive m… that have done it, and thou shalt live. Oh but may I now live as I …ist? Am I now free from the Law? No, 'tis to be thy Rule and life in Heaven, but I will write my Laws in thy heart, and cause thee to walk in my wayes. Hence the soul sees all done for him; 1. In Christ. 2. All that he is to do for Christ; he sees it not in me…ns, nor in himself, but in the Lords promise, and here Faith hangs, and hath peace. For two things trouble,

First, I have broke the first Covenant of the Law, Christ appears not as one that exacts the Debt, but as one that comes to enrich him when poor.

Secondly, I cannot walk after it as a Rule, Christ appears in this Covenant, and promiseth to cause him to do it; and hence after all departings from the Lord, he will not depart further by unbel…ef, but sees the end of the Law, which is Christ, that in him he may perform the Covenant, and by him be strengthned to walk with him as after a Rule: For the Covenant of Grace is not, Christ will be rigthteousnesse to thee if thou wilt walk after the Law as a Rule, but Christ will do both: and this the soul sees in it's Glory, else it's no sight. Hence 2 Cor. 3. Gospel is called The ministration of Glory, which no carnal heart can see, for the vail is taken away when it turns to the Lord, and sees him. The Saints only with open face behold this: 'Tis true for a ti…e they may make of Christ a Moses, as Peter, Luke 5. 8. Lord depart from me, I am a sinful man. And the Lord may deal roughly with them to hu…b…e them, as Ioseph did to his Breth…en, but it will not ever hold; and the Lord …ppearing thus to them that have been stung by the Law, and that killing letter, now …he Lord appears in ineff…ble Beauty and Glory; To others there is nothing in it, they may see this, yet not believe.

3. In seeing the Lord in the Glory of his Grace, or fitnesse for him, and this is the main: for look as 'tis in Marriage, there is a respect to Beauty and feature, and that draws. Now a Woman sometimes appears to one so, that though Portion be great, &c. yet he cannot like, another can because God hath a hand in it, and what fits the fancy, that's beauty: there is a sutablenesse every way. So Christ is presented with a rich portion to many, and yet they cannot like, cannot see a Beauty, because they cannot see a fitnesse and sutablenesse to them, and for them: another man can, because he sees a fitnesse and sutablenesse in the Lord Jesus for him, in res…ect of his misery and sin, and his gracious disposi…ion, Iohn 1. 14. But we saw his glory full of Grace and truth. Psalm 45. 2. Thou art fairer than the p. 78children of men, full of Grace are thy lips: which is so beautiful in the Lords eyes, that the Father hence exalts the Son, for all the Grace he shews to his Elect. Now what makes Christ appear fit? Answ. The knowledg of a mans self, and sense of vilenesse; hence Luke 7. 29, 30. The Pharisees despised the counsel of God against themselves, when Publicans justified God, &c. And 'tis a Rule, that the saving-knowledg of Christ is dependant upon the sensible knowledg of a mans self. Let a Christian in Christ lye in his sins, and comfort himself in Remission of them without repentance, he may talk of Christ, but no beauty will appear in Christ: So 'tis at first, first the Soul feels sin, and that God is holy, and will hate him: then the Lord shews Christ; come to call such. Yea but I have no good, and cannot help my self; Christ appears fit to seek out such. Oh but I cannot see, nor believe, nor be affected; Christ appears one fit to do all, full of wisdom to perform the Second Covenant. Oh but I want all things; Christ appears all-sufficient. Oh but I shall fall; Christ appears constant in his love. Oh but he is far to seek; Christ appears present. Oh but I shall sin; Christ appears merciful to bear with, and heal infirmities. Oh but I shall believe too soon; he is fit to prepare and dispose. Oh but all the world will be against me; Christ therefore appears fit to rule all for me. Oh but Death and Grave may hurt me; Christ appears fit who hath conquered all: and this is ever in the Saints. Now least you should think you have this when you have not; and know it not, see the evidences hereof.

1. If ever the Lord hath thus revealed himself to thee, he hath brought this light out of darkness, and made thee sensible of it, 2 Cor. 4. 5, 6. Oh you that have been a little troubled, and then hear of Christ, and then depend on him, and wait for comfort from him, and now you are well: you never yet saw him. Nay if truly enlightened, you will go mourning to your Graves for your ignorance of him, Prov. 30. 2. and seldom is your darkness seen and felt, but there is some beam let in.

2. It damps the glory of all the world, that a man laies down all at Christ feet, as the Wise-men Mat. 2. As glow-worm-stars go out when the light of the Sun ariseth, so all the comforts, and all the miseries of the world are nothing now, Acts 7. I see Jesus.

3. It makes a man very vile in his own eyes, Isai. 6. 5. Nay his excellency vile as Isaiah his tongue, and wonders that the Lord should look upon him a Worm who is so glorious. What am I that the Mother of my Lord should come to me, &c. He see; Christ fit, and then sees his Glory, and then saith, What me Lord? me to stand before thee? Lord depart, I am a sinful man!

4. It necessitates the heart to believe, not with assurance, but with a clinging to him: Hypocrites have knowledg of Christ, but it never heats the heart; this as fire necessarily heats, and that which is put to it is heated; so here, for the sight of the last end doth necessitate when 'tis seen, Isai. 55. 4, 5. They shall run to thee, because God hath glorified thee, Rom. 1. 16, 17. 'tis the power of God, for there is righteousness revealed: that though the Lord bids depart, yet he cannot be gone, nay when he concludes, yet as Ionah 2. 4. so he can see to a Temple through the belly of a Whale. Many say, may I believe? or I cannot prize him! I tell you when the Lord appears as he is, you cannot resist that light, but you must cling to him.

5. Where this is, a man rests not here, but sees more and more of him, Iohn 1. 49, 50. A man sees now his Glory, but after he shall see his love, and after that he shall know his mind, 1 Cor. 2. 9. Eph. 1. 9. The mystery of his will. And then his constant presence, and all his walkings with him and towards him, so as to be familiar with him, that in time of old Age he shall be an Acquaintance of Christs, 2 Cor. 3. 18. From glory to glory; whereas an hypocrites light goes out or grows not. He…ce many ancient standers take all their comfort from the first p. 79work, and droop when in old age. I know the Saints light is obscured, and the Lord …ides his face, but then they are troubled, and it shall break out with healing in his wings. Nay all their life time they may think they know him not, because they have not those measures. Oh therefore see a necessity of it.

1. You that are vile, and ignorant of Christ, no Faith yet, no Christ yet: And what then? Thy sins are upon thee now, and wo to thee, for the wrath to come. Oh poor creature! thou dost not see, nor canst not see, if thou didst, thou wouldst not crucifie the Lord of Glory.

2. You that be Professouts of the Church. Oh deceive not your selves, if the Lord hath enlightened you, Oh blesse him. If Christ were here, he would blesse you, Mat. 13. 16. Nay when he was here, he did it, he doth it in Heaven. I thank thee Father, &c. Mat. 11. 25. Luke 10. 21. But if not, all is unsound, that ever you had. Oh therefore look you be not deceived here, and therefore wait upon the Lord to manifest himself, Who knows but the Lord may help? Nay when you are feeling of the infinite need of it, and of your own woful blindnesse, 'tis begun.

SECT. VI.

SEE the happinesse of Saints (all you standers by) and of all Believers.Use 3. You think what are they? What have they, that I have not? What get they by seeking, by mourning? They have the Lord himself, not Kingdoms, nor Heaven, not guard of Angels, no… pardon, nor comfort or Grace only, but which is greater, and than which there can be no greater, the Lord of Glory himself. Is there any thing that is good there? 'tis theirs. I doubt not but Angels stand amazed at this. What hast thou? Thou hast peace, and ease, and duties, and friends, but no Christ, then poor and cursed thou art.

SECT. VII.

HEnce le…rn to judge of your Faith,Use 4. whether it be of the right make or no? whether it be such a Faith as will never fail you, but shall in deepest miseries, in sore…t agonies, and most furious temptations; nay in greatest sins and desertions, be indeed a friend unto you? Is it such a Faith as pitcheth on, and closeth with the person of Christ himself, and him alone? So that all the delights in creatures quiet thee not, unlesse thou canst find him through them; Nay no Ordinances cheer thee, unlesse thou canst see him in them: Nay, Heaven it self will not content thee, but him in Heaven, Psal. 73. 25. And hence 'tis him thou seekest, 'tis him thou feet, 'tis him thou approvest thy self unto, and servest: So that 'tis this Rock of ages thou trustest to, Isa. 26. 3, 4. 'Tis his strength thou art strong by, 'tis his life thou livest by, 'tis the Lord himself that thy Faith fadoms. This is right, 1 Pet. 2. 7. For now what good can the Father deny thee, when he hath given a Son to thee? What hurt can Satan do thee by all his shakings, when thou hast the Son himself, this corner-stone, this horn of salvation to support thee? What hurt can the Law do thee, when thou hast righteousnesse in a Son? What hurt can delusion do thee, when thou hast wisdom ever plotting for thy good, in such a glorious Head as the Son? What hurt can death do thee, or sin do thee, when thy life is in the Son? Oh lead me to the Rock, saith David, that is higher than I. Oh here is a rock higher than death, than grave, than sin, than Satan, Who can hurt thee now? But oh Beloved, how many fall short of entring into this rest? and closing with this person? And p. 80there are four sorts of them, that spin the finest thread of deceit to themselves▪ that think they believe when yet they have not the Son.

1. Those that do not close with himself, but only come to him for some righteousness out of himself (for I shall not speak of them that forsake all, and follow Christ for the bagg and for the loaves) for 'tis with all men living naturally, as 'tis with men that have been rich shop-keepers, but now they are broke, and cast into great want; steal they will not, digg they cannot, begg they know not how; turn Prentice to another they must not, they have not been used to that life; hence they resolve to set up their Trade again, though they sell but Pins, and Points, and small Wares; and because they cannot set up for themselves, they go unto Merchants to help them, and run into their Books on trust, and desire day and patience, and they will pay them all again: now 'tis not the man that they respect, but to make up their markets out of him; but alass they cannot pay their Debts, and hence to Prison they go: so 'tis here, God set up Adam with a stock in his own hand, now he is broken and cast into great want, and fears the arrest of Gods displeasure, now sin men dare not, digg and help themselves they cannot, and to begg and live upon the Lord and his Alms they know not how, indeed they will not, they are not used to this life; hence seek to set up their Trade again, though in never so small duties; and because they cannot help themselves, hence they go to Christ, not as to an Husband for himself, but as to a Merchant to set them up again: and truly Christ for many ends, and to shew his freenesse to his own, gives many Talents to such, which they receiving hope to please the Lord by; when I can get the Lord to give me some more knowledg, brokennesse, affections, enlargements, abilities to do, then I hope I shall please him: but either they spend all and fall away to nothing before they dye, or else Death come; and carries them captive to the judgement-seat of God, and there they see they are run but the deeper in Debt, and not able to pay. Thus it is with Papists who profess that none of their own Works save, but his works in us, and his Blood meriting, that thes… shall save. Hence they trust not to what they do, but to what the Lord does, against which very Faith the Apostle disputes, Rom. 4. 5. Thus it was with the Jews, divers despised Christ, and sought a righteousness of their own; others cryed Lord, Lord: Lord there be these sins that wring my Conscience, ease me of them, here be these duties I must do, else never saved, and my heart is dead, Oh affect me, and help me to do them: there be such works I am to perform, and have no strength to Pray, to Prophesie, Lord assist me, Mat. 7. 21, 22. Depart, I know you not, never accepted of you, you thought these things would please me, you closed not with me, Oh now depart from me, from my fellowship, my bosom, my presence: for this is ever their frame, they think to pacifie God by what they do, and though they think his justice cannot, yet they hope there is such indulgence in his mercy that he will accept. Thus it was, Isai. 58. 2. for this is their temper, they are not wounded with the want of Christ himself, but with some jarrings against the Law, for which they fear they must dye. Hence not seeing into the spiritual nature of the Law, they are wounded, not slain by the Law: they hope they shall live if they can leave such sins, perform such duties, feel such abilities. Now having made tryal at home, they go to Christ, and seek him with delight for to work this or that, and then they are well: now if they do not receive at present, then they hope by seeking to find in time, if he doth not help them, then they shall be well. Hence they ever live in some sin, and know it not, as these did, and as the young man, Mat. 19. And thus 'tis, as 'tis with two Princes, one is in trouble by inroders, he sends for aid to another, but doth not cast down his Crown, and put himself in subjection to the other. So men will be Kings, and hence send for aid against the inrodes of some sin that stings Conscience, but put not themselves under the Lord Jesus. Bring those mine enemies hither, Luke 19. 27. In one word; as the Wound is, so is my closing with p. 81Christ, if one be in outward trouble, now to Christ he goes to deliver; if pressed with inward trouble for some sins, now to Christ to remove them, and so to pacifie conscience; if with want of Christ himself, now he goes for himself.

2. Those that close with Promises without Christ himself, and divide between them two, that strip Christ of these his Swadling-clouts, make their gain of these, and let himself go. I confesse all a Christians wealth is laid up in Promises, not in words and syllables, for they are dead things, but Christ in them, and Gods faithfulnesse in them, 2 Sam. 23. 4, 5. This is all my salvation, for all fulness is in Christ, he is rich, but what am I the better? nay the more miserable, for all emptinesse is in me; therefore in the promise lies my peace. And this is a Christians support in all troubles, and hence he casts anchor here; but here is his frame, he layes not hold on them without Christ, but by them goes to Christ, and there rests, Iohn 6. 45. He that hath heard of the Father cometh unto me. Give children milk in the dish, they cry still, they must have it from the Mother, and there suck: so 2 Pet. 1. 2, 3. Now there are others that finding some work in themselves without Christ, and thinking that it's saving, and so a good signe; hence are mistaken, and close with it without Christ, and now they think it's well. I doubt not but the Jews that be devout comforted themselves with that promise, He that confesseth, &c. Prov. 28. 13. not understanding of it, Mat. 3. Say not within your selves we have Abraham to our Father, that promise kept them off from Christ, Mat. 22. Some came not to the Feast, some came but without a Wedding Garment. 'Tis with these men as 'tis with men that come to buy Wines, they taste them, and content themselves with a taste, another buyes the thing: a Saint doth so; another tastes the sweet, and after falls to the impardonable sin, Heb. 6. Or as 'tis with a man that sees corn on the ground, he buye… the field, another he gleans somewhat, and contents himself with that. There is in one word a double error,

First, When a man shall close with Christ without Promises; and hence seek to be se…ted without a Promise. Hence say some, you must not gather any evidence from any qualification you feel in your self.

Secondly, When men shall snatch and nibble at Promises, and misapply them, not closing with Christ in them and by them; I have confessed my sin, and repented, and run away with this without Christ. Oh time will come the Lord will say, how came…t thou in hither? what hast thou to do to take my Promises into thy mouth? to arm thy self against Christ by Promises to make a spoyl of Christs grants, and let him be crucified. When Saul rent off Samuels garment, he said, The Lord shall rend, &c. 1 Sam. 15. 27, 28. The letter kills, all Promises without Christ slay, because they keep the famishing Soul from Bread it self.

3. Those that close not with Promises only, but with Christ himself, but it's only with the Image and fancy of him, which they think is himself. In true Faith the Father reveals the Son as he is, or the Son reveals himself as he is, and Faith hence closeth with him as he is, Iohn 6. 40. But some there be that hear of him, hence think what he is. Hence a carnal mind imagines of him as it imagines of a King in a far Country, and falls down to his Image, and trusts to it, and depends on it, and joyes in it, untill a man comes to be converted, or to dye: and then he sees the deceit. Or if he did see him, yet he can see no beauty in him to desire him. There is many a man in this case that trusts to, and joyes in Christ, whom if he did know he would loath. Iohn came preaching the Gospel to shew them Christ, they all came to him, and rejoyced in his light, but it was but for a season: for when he came to shew them there he is, Iohn 1. 29. not one man stirs when he shews them Christ, and vers. 35. only two: and chap. 3. 32. No man received his testimony. This is (Beloved) the great sin and cause of all the rest, if they had known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. Christ is not seen, hence not thought of, hence not esteemed; hence men boast not in him: p. 82Nay 'tis the great plague under meanes, that in seeing they see no…. Lord how long: You say Christ never so clearly seen, true, but thou in seeing maist not see; and if it be thus, then look for ruine, Isai. 6. 9, 10, 11, 12. We say Christians want not light, but life and affections. Oh begg for light that will bring affections, else all affections will dry up if not fed with this Spring, Iohn 5. 37. What people had such means as they, yet they not eyes to see?

4. Those that do not close with the bare fancy of Christ, but with himself; but 'tis not for himself, and for his holinesse, but only for his peace, and consolations, and joyes. Like a sick woman that comes to the Physitian, not to marry her, but to heal her, cure her, and so comfort her. Or if she doth come to marry him, 'tis only to satisfie her lust, or to save her from trouble, &c. In a word, they receive Christ, that he may give contentment to them, and not that hereby they may also give contentment unto him. They close with Christ to make them happy, not to make them holy; But they thus closing with him, think they have him, and hence rejoyce exceedingly, and hence have a love to him, and hence some kind of communion with him, and hence think they are espoused to him, and more familiar with him than others, and hence veri…y look with these five foolish Virgins to embrace the Bride-groom: That look as a Saint from a false apprehension of Christ, to be none of his, may be very …ad, lose his joy, nay his very love, in the act of it, nay his communion and boldnesse to go to him, nay his expectation of him; so from a false conceit that Christ is mine, è contra. Thus a man is grievously troubled with the sight of Gods anger, and with horror, and useth all means, at last he sees only Christ can do it, and hence seeks for and prizeth his love (for his one ease) for as horror may be his greatest evil, so love to ease him, may be his greatest good: At last he is fully perswaded. How? By any work or word? No, but God hath perswaded, and its now sealed, hence joy. But now there is matter of more trouble, holinesse, and close walking with Christ, this is troublesome, he cares not for Christ, to help him here; but deviseth how to keep Christ and joy without holinesse. Hence let a world of sin lie upon them, they be not troubled with that, they look up to Christ; or if they see and be troubled at it, they take it as a burden, not as the greatest burden. Hence (say men) you must not judge of your estate by any thing or qualification you feel in your self, for these may fail your eye-sight in misty times (But we must follow it then, and not rest till we see and find it, for without holinesse no man shall see God) Hence also let there be never so many falls, yet say they, never call your state into question, hence they professe, we cannot move till we be moved, and if I do not, it is not my fault. Hence if Ministers do preach any things which are not about the person of Christ, or the excellency of a Christian in Christ, or the emptinesse of the creature to prepare for Christ, (which are indeed of great use) and presse to any work or service of Christ, they are Legal Preachers, and bring people under a Covenant of works. Whereas if we preach duties, and leave them as signs, before being in Christ, they are so, but …ere to preach any duty of the Law, is part of the sweet will of Christ. Tell us (say they) what we should do. What can a man do? He can do all things through Christ: True, but Christ must come to act it. Ye…, But he hath a Faith to fetch it, 1 Iohn 1. 6. many said they had communion with him, 1 Iohn 2. 3, 4. It seems, they said they had no sin, as now some say, God sees no sin in justified people, God looks to the new creature only, 'tis not I but sin: if the Spirit help not, 'tis not my fault. Not many dayes since it did lye upon the spirit of one, who seeing Christ hath undertaken all, closed with him, rejoyced in him, not for this end, not from the beauty they saw in holiness, nor bitterness of …infulness, but because they should be eased of the work. I have known them that have lived in some sin, and promised the Lord shall be blessed if he save them in their sin, and conceiting he would, have loved him; thus p. 83these. In a word, the soul of man desires rest and peace, seeks for it in Creatures, seeks to satisfie it self there, there it cannot; hence seeks for it (as many dying men do) in Christ, not in the Grace, but in the joy of Christ; not in Christs holy presence, but in his comforting presence; seeking the utmost perfection of a Christian in the seale of the Spirit, not in the mighty actings of the Spirit for God. Hence he is delude…, and fancies he hath Christ, and hence joy. Sin is the great evill, hence the end of Christs coming is to take it away. Hence if a man close with Christ, to remove horror, not sin, and so hath not closed with him for his holiness, you never closed with Christ for the end of his coming, nor for his, but only for your own ends, and so 'tis not him, but his, 2 Cor. 2. 15. The Gospel is a savour to them that perish, if of Death to death. Oh consider of these things if it be not thus. 1 Iohn 5. 11, 12. Hast the Son for thy portion? Dost see his Glory full of Grace to accept and sanctifie thee, thou hast life: if not the Son, but only so…ething from him, Oh death and not life! the bonds of Death (not life) are upon thee, which no creature can unloose unlesse the Lord come to they Grave-side and unloose thee.

SECT. VIII.

TO close with the Person of the Lord Jesus:Use 5. Of Exhort. you will think this is not a right course thus to do. We cannot do it. Answ. Yet the Gospel hath commands and entreaties wherewith Christs Spirit goes to the Elect; and if you could see Christ in the mini…ry of man, you should feel it; And hence we look it should be so: and besides, Saints that have Faith and power, are quickened by the voice of the Son of God. Consider therefore,

1. All men are fallen into a bottomless gulf of misery and sin, though once righteous. Hence Gods truth having said, he that sins shall dye: hence justice comes out to do execution, and when the neck of all men thus lies on the block, yet mercy pities, and saith, Oh spare, save! Satisfie me saith justice, then I will: hence mercy sends forth a Son, when no men nor Angels could help, and he takes flesh, takes all their sin, fulfills all righteousness, bears their sorrows, and by one offering perfects for ever them that are sanctified; and having done this, is now at the right hand of God in the Glory of his Father, all creatures subject to him, all excellencies being met together in him: so that now he is the delight of …od, the joy of Heaven; so that whatsoever thou canst want, or losest, if thou hadst him, thou shalt find it in him: and also whatever he can do for thee, in his time thou shalt receive it from him, Deut. 33. 26, 29. Who is like the God of Iesurun.

2. Now there is a universal offer to all people where the Gospel comes; enemies are entreated to be reconciled; for though he hath not dyed for all, yet now being King, such is his excellency, that he is worthy of all: Hence commands all to receive him: and if this be a condemning sin to reject him, 'tis then a command lies upon you to receive him, and the foundation of this offer is your wants and miseries. You are dead, Oh come to him therefore for life; weak, guilty, blind, Oh therefore come to him for pardon, peace, and life. Not fulness, nothing but emptiness is the ground of this offer, Ier. 3. 22.

3. Hence there is nothing on Gods part, nor yet on your part that can keep you from him. No sins, no wants, unless it be your will, Mat. 23. 37. Therefore now who-ever will shall have him, let him take him, Rev. 22. 17. There be two acts of the Will, Election and Resolution, I must have him, which if you will, nothing that ever thou didst or canst do can please the Father so much: so that he will 1. Adopt thee to be his Son, Iohn 1. 12. As è contra. 2. Thou shalt enrich thy self with a greater blessing than if Heaven, and Earth, and all glory p. 84was put into thy hand, as the Lord himself is better than all; and hence once thine, ever thine, none shall pull thee out of his hand, 2 Pet. 1. 5. And it shall rejoyce the heart of Christ himself in Heaven, when as his Bride thou givest to him thy good will, Isai. 62. 5. And if you do not kiss the Son he will be angry, Psalm 2. And God knows whether now the last word, the last offer is to be made to thee.

But I find such sins in me,Object. 1. that till they are gone I dare not.

Then you will first remove sin,Answ. and after receive Christ: first be your own saviours, and then make him another: you shall never do it. Oh close with him to take sin away, because sick, therefore receive him.

But I have no will, my heart is endeared to my sin.

Therefore resign up thy self to him to give thee a will,Object. 2. (put it into his hand as bad as it is,Answ. this is Spouse-like) and to take away that will to sin, so thou shalt have him, I am my Beloveds, he is mine: For the Father looks to the Law, and saith, Sinner if thou believe thou shalt be saved; now lie under the Spirit, and you are where you should be; resist here, you resist the Holy Ghost. Oh but sin is dear. Consider, 1. What good did it ever do thee. 2. Hath Christ shed his Blood or no, if not, Oh the wrath of God is to come; if he hath, Oh wilt thou offer this wrong to his Blood, that a Lust shall be dearer than it, thy bloody Knives dearer than the life, and death, and mercy of a Son: Oh therefore if any Soul hath any lust dear, I beseech you by all the bitter sorrows of Christ, not to reject so great salvation.

But must I receiv… Christ with my own strength?

No,Object. 3. you cannot, nor ought not, but if the Lord puts strength in thee, put it… forth.Answ. Many followed Christ for loaves, but none that ever came to him for himself that ever he put away, Psalm 81. 11, 12, 13. I shewed much love, but they would none of me; Oh that they had hearkened. At this instant God may give thee a heart.

But I fear I shall never get my sins removed that I feel,Object. 4. which I think cannot stand with Grace.

Gods Promise and Reason is cross to thy fears; if a Son,Answ. all things also though many years hence, Rom. 8. 32. If not by receiving, is i… by rejecting that thou shalt attain thy end? 'Tis true, thou hast fallen off by thy sin from Christ, because thy falls have made thee fall off by unbelief from him, and made thee say, either I do not believe, or the Lord intends no good to me: you have had no strength, because not satisfied with meat.

But I may presume.Object. 5.

Is it presumption to honour Christ,Answ. and to have him honoured in thee? No, Dost think if the Lord shall after all thy sins, and in the midst of all thy miseries give thee Christ, shall he not be honoured by this? yes, who can ever have such cause to love him as I? Shall not thy receiving of him by Faith honour him? yes, Rom. 4. 20. Canst dishonour him so much as by rejecting him? when he hath laid down his life, shewed his love, offers himself; now to reject him, 'tis to offer greatest contempt to him and his love that can be: hence can you honour him so much as by this? Do never so much without him, he is unsatisfied: do this, he is well-pleased. Nay after all thy sins, yet he saith, Return to me: Nay, nothing else is such a means to honour him, by doing for him. If so, grant thou art vile, unworthy, poor, yet for the honour of the Lord Jesus do it, who is but little honoured in the world, and stand out no longer: thus receive him, and then know it you are Sons, and rejoyce in it, and do it now while the Spirit is upon thee, and remember now not to change, Ier. 2. 11. As Women, Oh I would not change; see how happy is thy choice: But Lord who hath believed our Report!

How may the Soul come to close with the person of the Lord Iesus?Quest.

1. Before any man can close,Answ. i. e. see and say he doth close with the Lord as p. 85his own, he must feel a want of the Lord and his presence, not only of his comforting, but of his holy presence, for some people there be that never felt a want of Christ at all, they are great and grievous sinners, but they trust to Christ, and though he kill them, yet they will trust to him: others are in misery, and they feel a want of redemption, and hence close with Christ for that, Psalm 78. 35. O…hers are in horror, and know not what to do, and they feel a want of the comforts of Christ, and hence close with Christ for that, and if they find it they depart from Christ by looseness of life, if not by despair of heart, as Saul, 1 Sam. 28. God answers me not by Urim, &c. Others feel a want of some righteousness from Christ, the having of which supports and sustains them without Christ, till with the Prodigal, when all is spent, then they think of Bread at home, and the want of which makes them to have lesse esteem of, and desire after Christ, but they are full of Objections against the thoughts of closing with him, but hence they close with Christ for that. Others there are that feel a want of the Lord himself, and hence close with him for himself; so that let a man have all blessings in the world, the purity of Ordinances, never so many illapses, and droppings of divine light, and life, and comfort in these Ordinances, that he wonders the Lord should be so good to him, yet he shall find (if right) his soul secretly unquiet and unsatisfied till he hath the Lord himself. As the savour of meat makes a man that wants it, cry the more after it, long the more for it; so the savour and sweet of all creatures, all Ordinances, all Duties, do not stay, but stir up the soul to seek Christ, when he is himself, Ier. 50. 4. They shall seek the Lord weeping. Hence first they felt a want of him. The full soul loaths the honey-comb. Let the Lord be never so sweet, let him do them never so much good, the more good he doth them, the lesse they regard him, Ier. 2. 6. They said not where is the Lord? Therefore that soul that truly closeth with the Lord, must first feel a want of the Lord, and say these Ordinances are not bread, these creatures are not bread, all these parts, gifts, duties are not bread, bran, not bread. All this savour, this sweetnesse 'tis not bread. Hence I perish for want of bread, I have creatures, Ordinances, Affections, comforts, Duties, but Oh no Christ. Like the Prodigall, Luke 15. 17. Oh therefore do not only see, but feel the want of the Lord Jesus, you that never had him yet; nay you that have him, you cannot have more of him, but by feeling more the want of him. Oh it was a marvellous expression of Moses, when the Lord began to grow weary of their company, Exod. 33. 15. If thou goest not with us, carry us not up hence, i. e. Let us rather die than live without thee. Mary when Christ was crucified, the carcase of the Lord was gone, she sate there weeping: Oh much more for the Lord himself. Its observed by some for the saddest spectacle, to see a desert Town: Oh what is it to see a desert heart, where no Christ inhabits? Or a city, and no Inhabitants. And hence its Romes curse, to be made an habitation of devils; so here. What is Hell, but this, to see not Abraham, but to see Christ afar off? and thy self shut out. It may be 'tis no sorrow now, but it will be. Its a sad thing to see a man rise up early, go to bed late, eat the bread of carefulnesse, and yet gain nothing, Phil. 1. 21. This is very sad. Christ is our gain, all the creatures you have, means you use, duties you do, comforts you receive, they are not gain, nay, the more God doth for thee, the more thou losest, if no Christ, because now thou art full by this means. Oh therefore get a heart sensible of the want of the Lord. Think there is a Christ, whose Glory is the amazement of Heaven, but Oh I see him not. Happy for ever are they that have him, but Oh I have him not. Your hungry bellies cannot want bread, if they do, they are never quiet till they have it. Is the Lord no better? Lord grant this contempt be not revenged with spirituall plagues! Some of you know not your want, others feel it not, you can live without him; worse than Saul, he went to Urim, and lamented in great distresse, He answers me not! Oh you feel no distresse, because of this, I have him p. 86not! Nay worse than Dives, that begg'd, Oh a drop of water to cool my tongue! Why cry not you, Oh the Lord Christ to comfort my heart! Why is not all this fulnesse longed for? Oh therefore let nothing else comfort, and let nothing discourage, but make this use of all, Oh I want him!

2. To the right closing with his person, this is also required, to tast the bitternesse of sin, as the greatest evil: Else a man will never close with Christ, for his holinesse in him, and from him as the greatest good. For we told you that that's the right closing with Christ for himself, when it is for his holinesse. For ask a whorish heart what beauty he sees in the person of Christ, he will after he hath looked over his Kingdom, his Righteousnesse, all his works, see a be…uty in them, because they do serve his turn to comfort him only. Ask a Virgin, he will see his happinesse in all; but that which makes the Lord ami…ble, is his Holinesse, which is in him, to make him holy too; as in marriage, it is personal beauty draws the heart. And hence I have thought it re…son that he that love; Brethren for a little Grace, will love Christ much more. Hence if a man feels not the want of Christ, the bitternesse of sin, as his greatest evil, he will never see nor admire Christs beauty, much lesse close with it. Hence Iohn 16. 9. Convinceth the world of sin, because they believe not in me, i. e. of that chiefly. Oh these wrongs done against the Lord! Why not of wrath and Hell? Oh sin is the evil, and then it appears exceeding evil, when not against God simply, but against a Son. Paul why persecutest thou me? Acts 9. Why? Did he not live in lusts and self-confidence? Yes, but in all these he saw he persecuted Christ. And after saddest search, I have feared the want of this, is the great cause of all a mans closing amisse with Christ. I would but ask where was Iudas wound? Was it resting in a Pharisaical righteousness without Christ? Without Christ, no, for he forsook all and followed Christ. Was it want of profession of him, preaching for him? No. Was it for want of communion with him? No: one sin he lived in, he had his bagg. And hence when many went from him, he stuck to him, Iohn 6. Iudas still cleaves to him: yet even then Christ calls him a Devil, which if ever he had tasted the bitternesse of, he would not have lived in, not dyed desparately, some think impardonably without Christ, and so sin more against him. Let any man living shew me how he can close with Christ, and yet love one sin: I'le be his bond-man, that can say, I close with Christ as my Husband, and yet I love my Whore too. Let any man living close with Christ, and keep his sin, or hide his sin, or let it be hid, his closing with Christ shall harden him in his sin, and so he shall dye without Christ in his sins, as it is writ, Exod. 21. 14. As it was with Ioab, who fled to the Horns of the Altar, so 'tis with many men, they sin, and confess and sin under all Laws: why? they fly to Christ, and this imboldens them, hardens them, why? because they never tasted the bitterness of sin. I know a mans sin may be crucified before 'tis mortified, as it may be buried after 'tis dead. Oh therefore I beseech you look to this, you fail not here. Many of you are troubled, Oh take heed of being comforted until you get the Lord to do this for you, or unlesse you depend upon the Lord for this in his time. Some apply comfort when they see no good: I dare not to my self or others: Oh therefore imagine thou didst hear the Lord speaking, Why dost thou persecute me? why is a man so grieved at any thing that crosseth himself? because a man loves himself, because he thinks his good lies there most: Oh see thy good more in Christ than in thy self, Acts 9. 4. Oh me, me in whom all good is, oh to persecute him! Two men hear, and one is in horror, and the other not; oh 'tis because God sets it on: so here.

3. Make the Lord Jesus present with you, and set him really before you, and see him willing to give himself unto you, even to thee in particular. Those that give themselves in Marriage, separate themselves from all company, and get alone together, and give themselves one unto another: so sever thy self from all the p. 87world, and … the Lord really be…ore thee, as David, Psalm 16. 8. and so close one with another. For two things keep from Christ. Either

First, they care not for him, and the cause is, they make him no… present, only have a notion and report of him.

Secondly, They dare not close with him, because they fear he is not willing to close with them, with others, not with me; so that all the Scriptures they read, all the Promises they hear are very sweet, but they look on them as spoken to others. Hence Acts 2. 39. For the Promise is made to you, and to them afar off; be thou never so far off, if thou receivest him, he will receive thee, Luke 2. 14. Good will to men: Oh see this good-will in the Lord to have thee receive him, though thou hast no money, nay because dead and vile, nay because not sensible, Rev. 3. 17, 18. Oh wonderful because senseless of misery, therefore close with him. 1. Is it not his command it should be so? 2. Is it not a sin to reject him? will he not be angry with thee to reject him? 3. Are not his conditions easie, so as he hath undertaken to do all that which thou saist thou canst not? Why wilt not? 1. Oh if I were a child, a son in Covenant I would, but because otherwise, hence I dare not. Ans. Ioh. 1. 12. Receive him, he will make thee a Son. 2. Oh but my wants are many. Ans. Receive him he will make thee rich, Isai. 55. 1, 2. 3. Oh but I find my hearten deared to creatures. Ans. 1 Iohn 5. 4. This is the Victory that overcometh the world, even your Faith. 4. Oh but I shall fall back. No, Ier. 3. 22. Return, and he will heal thy back-sliding. 5. Oh but I shall never be able to do any thing. Ans. Yes, close with hi… and thou shalt. 6. Oh but I am very vile before the Lord after all I do. Ans. Yet Eph. 5. 25, 26, 27. He shall make thee amiable, only receive him, set thy heart on him alone. Now do you think he bears a good will toward you? can you deny it? Shall not this overcome thee, that the Lord of Glory should fall in love with thee, and bear good will to thee a Leper, and that canst do nothing for him, and yet for all this, Oh this will draw thee, Psal. 36. 6, 7. Oh how great is thy loving-kindness; this makes a heart of steel to yield, Ier. 31. 1, 2, 3. Oh this will cut you in Hell, Oh hard hearts that despised such Grace!

4. If the serious thoughts of this do not draw thee, at least not so fully; look up to the Lord to reveal himself unto thee to be thine. For as no man can take Christ until God gives him, so no man can say he is his, untill the Lord shews him that he is his. And as the creature cannot re…st, but take when the Lord gives: so it cannot but see the Lord when he reveals himself as indeed he is. And look to see him to be yours by some Promise; for there is a seeing Christ mine in great fulgor without the light of a Promise, and Spirit in it. Is Christ yours? Yes, I see it. How? by any word or promise? No, this is a d…lusion. The other is by promise, & that opened in the Gospel, Eph. 1. 13. 14. He saith not in whom after ye were sealed you believed, but è contra. And how believed? by hearing the Gospel. Hence Saints return to this, Psalm 51. 8. Let me hear the voice, 1 Pet. 2. 1, 2, 3. And this is that which hath knit the hearts of Saints to Christ for ever▪ Oh thou hast the words of life: For there is a voice of love to the Saints engraven in all mercies, in all afflictions, in all Gods leadings of them, though it be in a Wilderness; but Beloved, only the Word can tell me the meaning of these words of love. So there is love of Christ revealed according to a Promise, not by it, and love spoken in mercies, but the Word interprets them and clears them to be no delusions; I mean the Spirit there: This is judged to be a good answer to Papists, who shall be judge of controversies? We answer that which shall be judge at the last Day, must be judge now: but so, Rom. 2. 16. Iohn 12. 48. So whether doth Gods Spirit seal, or the Devil delude? It's a great controversie if you have no… a word to see Gods love by, but think you have a way to see it without, this Word shall judge you. Oh look therefore for the Lord by a word to do it, and say Speak Lord; and if by word, look not for it without a work on your own heart. Some Christians have rested with a work without Christ, which is abominable; but after a man is in p. 88Christ not to judge by the work, is first not to judge from a word. For though there is a word which may give a man de…endance on Christ, without feeling any work, nay when he feels none, as absolute promises, yet no word giving assurance, but that which is made to some work, He that believeth, or is poor in spirit, &c. till that work is seen, hath no assurance from that Promise. Tell him God hath promised to pour clean water, Ezek. 36. Yes for some, not for me. Secondly, 'tis not to judge by the Spirit, for the Apostle makes the earnest of the Sp…rit to be the Seal; now earnest is part of the money bargained for, the beginning of Heaven, of the light and life of it: He that sees not the Lord is his by that, see; no God his at all: Oh therefore do not look for a Spirit without a word to reveal, nor a word to reveal without seeing and feeling of some work first, I thank the Lord I do but pitty those that think otherwise: if a sheep of Christ, Oh wander not. Ob. But I have waited long for this. Ans. True, therefore more need to wait still, it may be now 'tis not far off. Ob. Oh but it may be he will not, if I knew that I could be quiet. Answ. Down proud heart, Oh take heed of that pride: art' no… worthy never to hear a voice from God? Be silent then, and humble, and now hear what the Lord will say, he speaks in a still voice, Psalm 85. 8. do as they in that Psalm did; Thou hast done thus and thus, Oh hear us, turn us, and then …ie still and listen: Oh do thus, else you make God a lyar if the word comes, 1 Iohn 5. 10, 11. and now when thou hast him, Oh change him not.

First, What dost want, and where wilt go to find it but there? any creature…, and all the excellencies of them are there, and in time of trouble he will be instead of all, and also blesse all.

Secondly, Dost want Grace to honour a God? it is in him the fulnesse of it. Dost want God and his love? thou hast him, and now all his love, his care, his wisdom is thine. Oh wonder at thy lot and portion, and say, Lord I have enough. Thus much of the first Doctrine.