Of Growth in Grace, Sermon 14
SERM. XIV.
I Shall pass by what was the last Day hinted to you, only now suggest some few Particulars more; which, if we were but acquainted with the Knowledge of, we should quit our selves better than we do, in this Gospel-worship and service of Prayer.
As now, Did we but know, and seriously ponder upon this, That Christ himself was very much in this Service, that he was a constant practiser, to his very Death, of this Duty of Prayer: If this were but well considered, that Christ was very much given to prayer; and if he could not have opportunities in the day time, he would fetch it out in the night, and be in the night season pouring out his soul before his Father. Thus it was with Christ, he was given to Prayer, and his last breathings were breathings in a way of prayer, into his Father's bosom.
And then consider this; this is that that is to be known concerning our Lord Jesus, That he hath had a deep experience of prayer, and of the difficulties of it, and temptations which the soul is subject to meet withal in the management of prayer; all this is known to Christ: So far as a holy nature could have personal experience of such difficulties and such temptations, so far hath our Lord Jesus, in his own person, experimented this matter concerning prayer. Now, the knowledge of this, the well digested knowledge of this, That Christ was a man of prayer, and that he hath had experience of prayer, and knows what there is of difficulty in prayer, and what sore temptations hang upon prayer, and what a desperate enemy the Devil is to prayer; he knows all this, and he hath a sense upon his heart, and a knowledge of all the strugling and wrestling in the hearts and spirits of his praying People here upon earth. This is that that is to be known concerning our Lord Jesus Christ; he hath a deep sense of all the strugglings and wrestlings of the spirits of his People here on earth, and is perfectly knowing of all the opposition which they meet withal in the way of prayer and supplication, and how the Devil doth set himself against his Saints, and what incounters they meet withal from unbelief, and the corruptions that are within, how apt to fall under deep discouragement and despondency of spirit: He knows all this, and to this purpose, that he might pity and compassionate his People. O, this is that which is to be known concerning Jesus Christ in Heaven, and even now he is in glory, that he hath a sense of all this upon his spirit, and is privy to every prayer that his poor humble broken-hearted conflicting people do make up to God, and is at Gods right hand ingaged to stand their prayers in stead, and to promote the success of them, and to take them from their hands, as the blessed high-priest of their profession, and to perfume them in his golden Sencer, with his odours, the odours of his intercession. This is that that is to be known concerning our Lord Jesus Christ; and, O how doth this knowledge well digested, a soul being well advanced in it, how will it find this Knowledge largely contributing to the promoting of this Duty? Do but weigh these things in your Consciences, whether this … not be a very great conducement, to the more lively managing of our prayers; and that we would not trifle with God, when we are exercised in such a Service.
And then again, for that noble Gospel-Service and Duty of Praise and Blessing of God; The more the soul doth improve and grow in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the more vvill there be of loveliness, and activity, and inlargedness for the management of that. Truly, Brethren, it is that vvhichwhich vve have all cause to be deeply humbled for, That God blessed for ever hath not more large returns for his People, of praise, and thanks; and blessing, for all that Grace that he hath made to appear unto them; O hovv little is it that is done to purpose in such a service! And vvhat's the reason that vve are not more lively to such a purpose? that our hearts are not more inlarged to God, in a vvay of blessing, and praising, and thanksgiving to him? We may vvell reckon it to this, That vve are not more in the Knovvledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; for this Knowledge of Christ our Lord, and of the Mysteries concerning him, this is the Knowledge that will make the soul to be upon the wing, mounting up with all inlargements of thankfulness and praise unto God: The more the soul is taken up with the apprehensions of the Mysteries of the Gospel concerning the Lord Jesus, the more will it be in admirings of Grace, the more will it be in magnifyings of the God of all Grace.
Consider, This Knowledge, it is such Wine, as will make the lips of them that are asleep to speak; (… … that expression which we have in Cant. 7. he sp…ks there concerning our Saviour) that is so… ▪ and … that it would make the lips of them that are asleep to speak. Oh! The Doctrine concerning our Lord Jesus, if it were better known, it would spirit the soul, and make it to be most active to such a purpose. You here have an account concerning the Angels: There was upon the birth of Christ, an heavenly Hoste, and they were singing praises unto God, Glory be to God on high.—Upon what account?—upon the account of Jesus Christ, and the knowledge they had of Jesus Christ, and of that glorious Mysterie concerning Jesus Christ; the Angels were not able to contain themselves. The Virgin Mary, in Luk. 2. when she comes to have an account of the Mysterie concerning her Lord Jesus Christ, and the Grace of God through him: How doth she break out with all inlargement, My soul doth magnifie the Lord; my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour; and so all along. O what blessing and praising of God was there, on the part of a People that were well instructed in the first establishing Apostolical constitutions! O what inlargements were there in praising God, and magnifying him!—And why?—Upon the account of the Knowledge that they had of the glorious Mysterie concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, and the account that was given in the primitive Persecutions, concerning the Christians, That they would be in their early singings and praisings of God. This was the account of the Christians, under dreadful persecution, in the dayes of Trajan the Emperor, That they would be early in the morning, singing, and praising, and blessing God.—And upon what account?—Upon the account of this great and glorious Mysterie, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. O! this is that that would fill the mouth with Arguments, and it would wisely contrib…te to the promoting of ability sutable to such Arguments, wherein to inlarge in blessing and praising God, our hearts would not lye so dead upon us; we would be more lively than we are in exalting God, magnifying his Name, did we but know more of our Lord Jesus, of the Mysterie which hath been kept secret from Ages and Generations: but because we do but sip of the Cup, have a little smattering Knowledge, and no well digested Knowledge, and not duly improved, we come off so poorly as we do. O consider the spirit of the Apostle Paul, how excellently it discovers it self; as in the beginning of his Epistle to the Ephesians, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ; blessed be God that hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: In Christ; So the Apostle Peter; O blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, that hath begotten us unto a lively hope, of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away; and all by the resurrection of our Lord Iesus Christ. Thus the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, O it will spirit the soul, and make it lively to the uttermost, in publishing the praises of the most high God.—I instance only in Eph. 3. what the Apostle is praying on their behalf, That they might be able to comprehend with all Saints, the height, and depth, and breadth, and length, and know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge; so that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.—And then mark what follows: Now, saith he, unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us; unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Iesus, th…ughout all ages, world without end, Amen. Paul … not hold, his spirit was so full; he was like a vessel, that must either have a vent, or burst it self: O, he being upon the meditation of this glorious Mysterie concerning Christ, and the Doctrine of Christ; why, saith he, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly: O how his heart was filled with praises and admirings of God upon the account of Christ.
And there is one thing more now comes to mind, wherein you may see the spirit of a Saint in the proper frame of it; when there comes to be a due improvement of the Knowledge of Christ: when the Apostle Paul, in 1 Tim. 1. had been making mention of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and comes to express his knowledge, and sense of that Grace, according to what you have exprest, and held forth in that Chapter: saith he, The Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with Faith and Love, which is in Christ Iesus; and so he goes on, This is a Faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation; that Iesus Christ came into the World to save sinners, of whom I am chief: howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Iesus Christ might shew forth all long suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to everlasting life. Paul had been thus upon the serious meditation of this knowledge concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. Mark you now what his spirit rises up unto, in the close of the Chapter: Now, saith he, unto the King eternal, having but made mention of Christ, and spoken something concerning Christ, and given some account of his knowledge of the mystery concerning Christ: Mark how he breaks out into this acknowledgment; Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, be Honour and Glory, for ever and ever, Amen; and this comes in only occasionally, in the way of a digression: For he intermits the prosecution of the Argument he had in hand, and falls upon this by way of a digression; as if he should say; O, I cannot fall upon the mention of our Lord Jesus, and of the mystery concerning him; I cannot be upon the meditation of that knowledge which is to be had of Christ Jesus our Lord; but (saith he) my heart must be breathing out in a way of praise and blessing of God, admiring the riches of his Grace.—And thus would it be Brethren, if we were but set to it, to advance in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: O, it would inlarge our hearts, as unto prayer, so unto thanksgiving, and blessing of God.
I add yet further; O, this knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, it is a knowledge that Christians should endeavour to grow and advance in; for it is by great growth in this, they will come to be the more happily accomplished for the performing of the service of Preaching, and Hearing: I joyn these two together; Preaching, and Hearing of the Word of God. And you may consider, how a well-improved knowledge of our Lord Jesus, would conduce most strongly to the provoking both of ministerial Preaching, and likewise of Christian Hearing, and attending upon the Doctrine which is to be made known unto us, according to the Commandment of the Everlasting God.
For Preaching work; O consider now, that the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that knowledge that is to be had of him, well advanc'd, and improved, will contribute exceedingly to the most lively management of this service. Alas, it's accounted in the World but a low service, and many times, with too much lowness of spirit, performed by those that profess to be called to the performance of it. O, but whence is it, but from the want of a well-grown knowledge of our Lord and Saviour: For consider Brethren, this is that that we are to know concerning our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; that the Word and Gospel, which is the subject matter of our Preaching, and your Hearing, (I joyn these two together, Preaching-work, and Hearing-work:) Now the word, which is the subject matter of a Ministers Preaching, and of a Beeleevers Hearing: This word, it comes out of the very heart of God, out of the blessed bosome of the Eternal God. And as a precious token of that love and respect that he bears to his Son, he hath given out this word out of his own breast and bosome; he hath given it, and committed it as a trust unto his Son. (Will you consider this,) That this everlasting Gospel, this word of Salvation, which is the subject matter of our Preaching, and your Hearing; it is given as a testimony of the Fathers Love; it is given to Christ: observe that expression in Joh. 17. in the Prayer that our Saviour makes unto his Father; saith he, ver. 8. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest unto me: thou gavest the words to me first, and then, saith Christ, I have given these words unto them: our Lord professeth, before all the World he makes this open profession; saith he, my Doctrine is not mine: 'Tis not mine, considered as Mediator; but it is the Doctrine of my Father, which my Father hath given me, and which he hath intrusted me with, to make known unto the World, and to communicate to my Disciples, that by them the World may have the Knowledge of him: Consider this, that God the Father, the Great Jehovah, He gives this Word, this Doctrine, unto his Son Jesus Christ. Well, this is that that is to be known concerning our Lord Jesus Christ; that the Words and Doctrine, is that which is given as a gift by the Father unto him: and so likewise you have it, in Rev. 1. the Revelation of Jesus Christ;—how came it to be his? Consider that; it's resolved thus, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his Servants which must shortly come to pass: and then he sent, and signifyed by his Angel unto his servant John:—I, but Christ hath a Revelation; who gave it him? God gives it him: God hath given Christ all the whole plat-form, and frame of Doctrine that concerns the Church of God, his elect ones, and called ones, from the beginning unto the end of the World; God the Father hath given this to the Son.
2. This is that that is to be known concerning Christ; that this Word and Mystery which is given of the Father to Christ, his ear hath been opened to listen to it, most attent upon it; according to that expression, in Psal. 40. Sacrifice and Offerings thou would'st not: Christ's ear was not much attent upon that, Sacrifice and offerings thou would'st not; But mine ear hast thou opened: Thou hast opened mine ear to another Doctrine, to another Word, which concerns the salvation of souls, by a sacrifice that must be offered up by me: this mine ear is open to. And so you have it, in Isa. 50. The Prophet there speaks in the person of Christ; he wakeneth morning by morning, and (saith he) he makeneth mine ear to hear, as the Learned; The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious: The Father gives the word, delivers it him; and the ear of the Son, our Mediator, is open to him.
3. You are to know concerning Christ, that this Word and Doctrine, which is the subject matter of our Preaching, and your Hearing, as it is given to Christ by the Father, and as his, ear is open to it, so it comes with all delight and complacency into his heart; as you shall find in Psal. 40. First he saith, Thou hast opened mine ear, and not only so, Thou hast bored mine ear; and not only so, but, O Father, thy Law is in mine heart, and I delight to do thy will: O, this word that thou hast given me, it's the joy of my heart, it's the rejoycing of my soul, that there should be the contrivance of such a word given to me, and intrusted with me; mine ear hears it as a most melodious sound; my heart entertains it; O my God, thy Law is in my heart: O, its the joy and rejoycing of my heart, to think that ever thou should'st trust me with such a Doctrine as this.
4. Consider that this word, the Word and Doctrine of the Father, thus given to Christ, unto which his ear was opened, and to which his heart gave such joyful entertainment to; This Word and Doctrine; Christ, he comes to be commissioned from the Father to Preach, and to make it known: He hath not only an ear to hear it, and a heart to imbrace it, but he must have likewise a mouth opened to publish and proclaim it; and this he is commissioned to. This is to be known concerning our Lord Jesus, that he is commissioned of God, to make a solomn publication and promulgation of this Word, that it may be made known to the World. And therefore you have it, in Isa. 50. The Lord hath given me, not only to hear as the Learned, but to speak as the Learned. First, he hath the ear of the Learned to hearken to it; and then it's exprest, that he hath the tongue of the Learned, that he may be able to speak a word in season to a weary soul. This is the commission that God hath given him, that he should Preach, and make this everlasting Gospel, this word that comes out of the Father, that he should make it known to the World: and the truth is Brethren, this that I say, is of a truth to be known, and acknowledged of us: That Preaching work, the Preaching of the everlasting Gospel, and word of Reconciliation, it is more Christs work than the work of any man in the World. True it is, the base, beggerly World, and the imbased spirits of the people in the World; they look upon Preaching-work, as a poor, low, mean service; and look upon those that are imployed about it, as persons that are little to be regarded. And this is the good entertainment that the Ministers of Christ, and of the Gospel, have ever had in the World. Generally they look upon a Preacher, and upon a Preachers work, as a poor, low piece of service; the person mean, and his imployment little to be regarded: I, but if matters were well known, this would be apprehended; that the preaching of the Word, is most properly the work of Christ himself; He that is the great Mediator, He that was in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God; took upon him the form of a servant; and he was pleased to accept of a commission from his Father, to be a Preacher; and to preach the everlasting Gospel. As soon as he had suffered, and was risen again, he came and preached to the World, as he did to his Disciples before his Resurrection, and so likewise before his sufferings. He came with commission from the Father, to preach the Word which was given him out of the bosome of the Father: That Word, which is the subject matter of our Preaching, and your Hearing; it is the word which Jesus Christ is ingaged to preach, and publish, and make known to the World: and I say again, it is more Christ's work, than it is the work of any man in the World: and those that are called out to this service, they are called out to the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. And then add this further; that this Lord Jesus Christ, he hath that interest in the Father, which none in all the World hath besides, to the purpose of fetching out whatsoever there is of further Mystery, and of discovery to be made concerning the Counsel of God; the Word, the Doctrine, the Eternal Counsel, which lay hid in the breast and bosome of God from all Eternity: that Counsel, that Word, and Doctrine, which hath so much of lustre in it; Christ hath this priviledge above all creatures in Heaven and Earth, above Angels, Saints glorified in Heaven, militant on Earth; Christ hath this priviledge above them all, to fetch out, out of the Fathers treasury, that which no Angel, nor Saint in Heaven or Earth, hath the priviledge to meddle withal; Christ hath obtained this of the Father, he hath this interest in the heart of the Father, that he may with boldness come, and take out whatsoever there is of secret Counsel in the Fathers bosome, that concerns the Church of God to the end of the World; He may be bold to come and challenge this as his priviledge; Father, if there be any secret yet undiscovered to the World, I claim the priviledge to be acquainted with it, and to have the discovery of it, and to make it known unto the World. This is the priviledge belongs to Christ.
As now to give an Instance, in Rev. 5. where you find there mention made of a Book in the right hand of him that sate on the Throne, a Book written within and without, and on the back-side sealed with seven seals; a book full of Mysterie, but a closed book; nay, a sealed book, nay, sealed with seven seals: Hereupon the Proclamation is made with a loud voice by an Angel, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? Here's a book full of Mysterie, and matters of high concernment to the Church of God, to the end of the World: Who is worthy in heaven or earth to take this book out of the right hand of him that sits upon the Throne? The Proclamation is made, and the account is given. Thus, no man in heaven or earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, nor look thereon, not so much as to look upon it. This goes to the heart of Iohn, a great Favourite of Christ, a dear Servant of God; he for his part is astonisht at it, and falls a weeping bitterly, That there should be none found worthy to open the book.—Mark what follows,—One of the Elders said unto me, weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof; and he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the Throne. He came and took the book: Here was the priviledge of Christ above Angels and glorified Saints, or any in heaven and earth; there was such a part of the counsel of God which was hid in his breast & bosom, that none durst venture upon for to make a search into. The Lion of the tribe of Iudah, the Lord Jesus, the Lamb that was slain, he was worthy; and so they come with their acclamations afterwards; they fall down before the Lamb, having Harps and golden Vials, and they sing a new song, worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain; thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: And then they break out into magnifying and praising of God; Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing; and the four beasts said, Amen: and the four and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. Why now this is to be known concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, he hath this priviledge to take the book out of the hand, to go into the bosom of the Father, to open the cabinet of the Fathers most secret counsel; he hath this priviledge above all creatures in heaven or in earth. This is to be known concerning Christ.
6. Yet further, This Word and Doctrine, which is the subject matter of our preaching, and your hearing; it is such a Doctrine as Christ is marvellously pleased with the wise judicious publication and preaching of it, and with the humble attention upon it; and therefore Christ is perfect, and he hath promised to be present to the end of the World in his Churches, and in his Congregations, and with his Ministry, and with his under Preachers: For as I said before, preaching work is principally his; Christ is the great Preacher, and all that are imployed in the work, they are but under him, and they do his work principally; he is present with them, observant of them; he hath promised to give his assistance to them, and to take knowledge of all discouragements that they meet with; as we see in the case of Paul: When Paul was upon his preaching vvork, he meets vvith very hard usage; the Lord appears to him, and doth as it were clap him upon the shoulder, and saith, Be of good cheer Paul, Thou hast testified of me here at Ierusalem, and in such and such a place, I will stand by thee, and none shall hurt thee. O Christ is present with his servants, and he delights to see his work graciously and judiciously managed, and to see his People that attend upon him, to give heed to his Doctrine. The Lord Jesus he takes Knowledge how his work is entertained, how its preached and heard, and how people behave themselves under the dispensations of it. Why now, good now beloved, consider this; These things are the things that we are to know concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, if this were well considered, wold it not contribute exceedinly to the promoting of preaching and of hearing work? Those that are called out to this ministration, O if they had but the well digested Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, would not this spirit them, and make them to look to the cause they manage? how they manage this trust that is committed to them from Christ, and how they deal with this blessed Doctrine that came out of the bosom of the Father; and if you did but consider, that you come to hear the Word that is given of the Father to Christ, which is in the heart of Christ, and which he ingages himself to give new life unto; and how he takes notice what entertainment his Word hath, &c. If you did but know this, certainly there would be other manner of hearing than ordinarily there is. Thus now I have spoken concerning that.
I shall now go on, and let you know, That by growing in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Believers they come to be exceedingly advanced: As for the other Services that I have been speaking of, as Gospel-Duties, in Prayer and Praising God, in Preaching and Hearing the everlasting Word, that came out of the bosom of the Father: So by the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we come to be exceedingly advantaged for that great work of mortification, and of self-denial. To joyn these two together, Selfmortifying work,—Self-denying work. Alas, Brethren, how hardly are we brought to these Services? And when we set upon them, alas, how aukward, and how untowardly do we apply to the management of it.—And why? Alas, because we are so deficient in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; were there a well improved Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Did you but know what a self-denying person he was, and how justly be may require self-denying at the hands of his People: If we did but consider that this Jesus Christ, he was from Eternity, God with God; he might have lain warm in the bosom of his Father, in the dear and blessed bosom of his Father; he might have lain there and delitiated himself, and kept out of all the storms and tempests of the World, and might have enjoyed himself with sweetest delight in his Fathers bosom. O what a self-denying Christ was here! That he should come and leave his Father's bosom, and be content to expose himself to the difficulties and hardships of the World, to undergo storms and tempests. Mark what the Apostle speaks, in Rom. 15. Let every one of us please his neighbour, &c. For (saith he) even Christ pleased not himself. He did not set his heart upon pleasing himself, but that he might please his God, and profit his People here below; even Christ (saith he) pleased not himself. O, a self-denying Christ; and if this were well known, it would promote self-denying work in us:—And then sinmortifying work. O, we are hardly brought to it, to wound and slay our corruptions, and to be ever and non digging down our Walls, and ever and anon to be boring in the sides of this or that corruption. This is his hard work to us; but had we but a well improved Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, to know that sin and corruption, it is one of the great enemies that he came into the World to encounter with…l, and to set it under his fear;—and he was manifested upon this account, according to that of the Apostle, in 1 Joh. 5. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil: He was nail'd upon the Cross, that he might have our old man crucified with him. Why if we had but a well digested Knowledge of these things, concerning our Lord Jesus, it would facilitate the business, and make us set upon it with activity and inlargement of soul.
And so for that great Gospel-Service of resisting the Devil: That's another great work that's required of Believers. Now, if we had but a well improved Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, O how would it conduce to the lively management of that great service, and make us not to be afraid to look all the powers of darkness in the face. Did we but know that our Lord Jesus hath conquered the Devil, the Prince of the World; he hath led him after as a slave, he hath the Devil in a chain, and all the powers of darkness at command: therefore, upon the knowledge of this, how resolute may a Christian be, to make opposition to the Prince and powers of darkness, knowing that the Lord Jesus hath spoyled Principalities and Powers.
And then for that great Gospel-Service, of yielding up in the subjection to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which is the thing that the world doth so much stick at, and make opposition to, and say, We will not have this man to rule over us: No, let us rather break his bonds asunder, and cast away his cords from us. Oh, but Brethren, this well improved Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, it would facilitate this great Service, and make the heart free to come up to it, willing to give its neck to Christ, and to subject to his yoke and Government. When we shall come to know this concerning Christ, That God the Father hath anointed him, and set him as King upon his holy hill of Sion, and that there's a Kingdom appointed to him: and the day will come, when in despight of Princes, and Powers, and Rulers, and all the mighty ones in the World, though they combine themselves together, yet God will give the Kingdom to his Son: The time will come, when the Kingdoms of the World shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. This is that that is to be known concerning our Lord Jesus Christ; the Lord shall rule and reign, and all his enemies shall be made his footstool. Now, if this were well digested, it would make the heart to be free to yield up it self to him: O, this is the King that I would yield subjection to; but not in a way of rejecting of Kings and Governours: O, but Christ is my King, and God hath set him at his right hand, and all his enemies shall be made his footstool. Now I say, the well digested knowledge of these things, would contribute exceedingly to every Gospel-Duty; O, how would this Knowledge of Christ, be as oyle to the wheels, to make them run most swiftly and speedily in the wayes of God.
There are other things that I would have spoken to, to which I would fain have given a dispatch. Though indeed we are bucketting-up out of a full Fountain, the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, O, it's the pretious Knowledge that our souls should be delighted to be acquainted with. O, how will it conduce to help in suffering and resisting of temptations, and afford comfort in all our priviledges.
As Justification, That's one of the great priviledges of the Gospel. Now, alas, we lose much of the comfort of it, by reason of our not being throughly acquainted with the Mysterie concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, because we have not a well improved Knowledge of Christ. O, did a soul but know this, That its Justification did depend upon the Justification of Christ; if he be justified, you shall be such to be justified; and if he be not justified, you will never be justified, your Justification will come to nothing. Now, the Knowledge of this, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, that he is perfectly justified, and according to a legal Justification. Here's the comfort of it, That Christ is justified with a legal justification; God according to the strictness of his Justice, hath given up a Justification of his Son, according to that expression, Isa. 50. It is God that justifieth me: And God justifies Christ with a legal Justification, and gives him a full acquittance; and gives this account of him, That he hath fulfilled all righteousness. Now, Believers Justification, which is of Grace, depends upon Christ's Justification, which is according to the Law, or of his having a Justification according to the Law, upon the account of his fulfilling of all righteousness. Now, if the soul comes to know this, That Christ is fully justified with a legal Justification, O how will this make a Believer to say with triumphing of soul, I know whom I have believed, I have believed on him who is justified with a legal Justification.