The Best Interest, Chapter 3 · Section 1
Sect. 1. How and in what manner we are to ſeek after an intereſt in Chriſt.
I. Seek early and ſpeedily after an intereſt in Chriſt; Put not off this work one day. Heb. 3.7. Wherefore as the Holy Ghoſt ſaith, to day if ye will hear his voice. It is the counſel of the Holy Ghoſt, that we ſhould not defer ſeeking, embracing, obeying Chriſt one day. Hear his voice— That is, come to him, believe in him, obey him, cloſe with him. When we are in diſtreſs we would have Chriſt make haſt to help us. Pſal. 70.5. I am poor and needy, make haſt unto me, O God— O Lord make no tarrying. And ſhall not we make haſt to get unto him, and make no tarrying. We ſhould ſtir up our ſelves to ſeek early after Chriſt. Pſal. 58.8. Awake up my glory, awake Pſaltery and Harp, I my ſelf will awake early. David here ſtirs up himſelf to an early and lively bleſſing God, ſo ſhould we to an early ſeeking Chriſt. Awake O my Soul, and all that is within me, I my ſelf will awake early, and ſeek early after Chriſt, and we ſhould ſtir up one another. Zech. 8.21. To ſtir us up to an early and ſpeedy ſeeking Chriſt. Conſider.
1. The ſaving and loſing of our immortal Souls dependeth on our having or not having Chriſt. He that hath the Son hath Life, and he that hath not the Son hath not Life. And where natural Life is concerned, we make haſt to preſerve it. When Lot was in danger of being conſumed in the flames of Sodom, he ran, he fled, he made no tarrying any where, till he was got to Zoar. Gen. 19.17. Eſcape for thy life, look not behind thee, neither ſtay thou in all the plain, eſcape to the mountain, leſt thou be conſumed. Eternal Life is of greater concernment than natural Life, and therefore more care ſhould be taken to preſerve Eternal than Temporal Life, we ſhall be caſt into Hell flames, if we get not Chriſt before we dye, and therefore we had need run; ye flee, and not tarry any where till we are got to Chriſt. When the Shunamite went to the Prophet on the behalf of her dead Child, ſhe made great haſt to get to him, and ſaid to her ſerve on. 2 King. 4.24. Drive, and go forward, ſlack not thy pace, riding for me, except I bid thee. Thou haſt a buſineſs of greater concernment to go to Chriſt about, than this woman had to go to the Prophet, ſhe had a dead Son, and thou haſt a Soul dead in ſins and treſpaſſes, and therefore make haſt, go forward, ſlack not thy pace till thou haſt gotten to Chriſt, and Chriſt hath given thee Life.
2. The time of Life is the only time for ſeeking and getting Chriſt, and Salvation by Chriſt. There is no getting Chriſt, no working out thy Salvation after thou art dead. Eccl. 9.10. Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wiſdom in the Grave whither thou goeſt. And therefore as the Nobleman ſaid to Chriſt, Joh 4.49. Sir come down e're my child dye. So ſhould we ſay to God, Lord give us Chriſt, e're we dye. The time of Life being the only time for getting an intereſt in Chriſt, we had not need defer this work, no not ſo much as one day. Jam. 4.14. Ye know not what ſhall be on the morrow, for what is your Life, it is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vaniſheth away. The ſtouteſt and ſtrongeſt men are but graſs. Iſa. 40.5. All fleſh is graſs. And what is the condition of the graſs? it is freſh in the morning, cut down and withered before night. Pſal. 90.6. In the morning it flouriſheth and groweth up, in the evening it is cut down and withered. The graſs is growing in the field one day, and burning in the oven the next day. Mat. 6.30. The graſs to day is, and to morrow is caſt into the oven. Such is the condition of all fleſh, like graſs. A man may be in good health, in a flouriſhing condition in the morning, and be dead and withered in the evening. He may be full of mirth and jollity one day, and be burning in Hell the next. Therefore defer not the ſeeking after Chriſt, and your Souls Salvation, one day.
3. Such as ſeek Chriſt early have a promiſe that they ſhall find him. Prov. 8.17. I love them that love me, and shoſe that ſeek me early ſhall find me. A promiſe that we ſhall find Chriſt is great encouragement, yea good aſſurance that our labour ſhall not be in vain; who would not ſeek a bag of Gold, if he were ſure he ſhould find it? We have a ſure word of promiſe, that if we ſeek Chriſt early we ſhall find him; And to find Chriſt is better than to find an houſe full of Gold, better than to find all the Silver and Gold in the world.
4. Seeking after Chriſt and Salvation by Chriſt, is work that the great God, who is King of Kings, hath given us to do. And as David ſaid in another caſe. 1 Sam. 21.8. The Kings buſineſs required haſt. So may I ſay here; This buſineſs being the Kings buſineſs, it requireth haſt. When the Angels told the Shepherds, that Chriſt was born in Bethlehem, and that they ſhould find him wrapped in ſwadling-cloths, and lying in a Manger, they made haſt to get a ſight of him. Luk. 2.16. They came with haſt — and found the babe lying in a Manger. To be made pertakers of Chriſt and all his ſaving benefits, is of greater concernment, than to have a ſight of Chriſt lying in the Manger, and if the Shepherds upon the invitation of an Angel, made haſt to ſee Chriſt when he was a little Babe, lying in a Manger, then how much more doth it concern us to make haſt to be pertakers of Chriſt, and all his ſaving benefits, at the call and command of the great God.
II. We muſt ſeek an intereſt in Chriſt diligently and earneſtly, not remiſly, as if we did not much care whether we got Chriſt or no. We muſt ſay to God, as Rachel did to Jacob. Gen. 30.1. Give me children or elſe I dye. VVe muſt beg for Chriſt as for Life. Lord give me Chriſt or I dye: give me Chriſt or I am undone for ever. The Apoſtle exhorts us to covet earneſtly the beſt gifts. 1 Cor. 12.31. Covet earneſtly the beſt gifts. Chriſt is the beſt of all the gifts that ever God gave to any of the Children of men, and therefore we ſhould covet earneſtly the giving of Jeſus Chriſt to our Souls. They that labour in a hot and ſcorching day, do earneſtly deſire to get into the ſhadow. Job. 7.2. The Servant earneſtly deſireth the ſhadow. There is a hot and ſcorching day approaching. Mal. 4.1. Behold the day cometh that ſhall burn as an oven. Earneſtly deſire to get under Chriſts ſhadow before this ſcorching day, and hot day comes. To be under Chriſts ſhadow is more delightfull and refreſhing in the hotteſt day of Gods vengeance, under the moſt ſcorching perſecutions, than it is to a labouring man to ſet under the ſhadow in the hotteſt day, and in the hotteſt climate of the world. Cant. 2.3. I ſate down under his ſhadow with great delight. VVicked men are very earneſt and diligent in following after their ſins. Mich. 7.3. They do evil with both hands earneſtly. And ſhall not we be more earneſt to get Chriſt, and the Salvation of our Souls, than wicked men are to commit ſin, and bring damnation upon themſelves? This is a ſure way to find Chriſt, to ſeek him diligently. Jer. 29.13. And ye ſhall ſeek me and find me, when ye ſhall ſearch for me with all your hearts. Heb. 11.6. He is a rewarder of them that diligently ſeek him. And what is the reward that God giveth to them that ſeek him diligently? He gives them himſelf for their reward. Gen. 15.1. I am thy exceeding great reward.
III. VVe muſt ſeek after Chriſt and Salvation by Chriſt above all things in this world. Mat. 6.33. Seek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs — Firſt, that is, mainly, chiefly, make it your main care, your chiefeſt buſineſs to get to Heaven. The Apoſtle Pauls deſire and endeavour above all things was, that he might win Chriſt, he was willing to do or ſuffer any thing, ſo that he might win Chriſt, and be found in him at the great day of judgment. Phil. 3.8, 9. For whom I have ſuffered the loſs of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Chriſt, and be found in him, not having mine own Righteouſneſs, which is of the Law. Jeſus Chriſt is far better than all things that are in this VVorld; what Solomon ſaith of wiſdom. Prov. 8.11. Wiſdom is better than Rubies, and all the things that may be deſired are not to be compared with her The ſame is true of Chriſt, the wiſdom of God. Chriſt is better than Rubies, and all things, that we can deſire, are not to be compared with him, and therefore to ſeek to get Chriſt above all things in the world. VVith what eagerneſs do ſome men ſeek after the world, they riſe early, they ſet up late, there is no end of all their labour, and they never think that they have enough of the world. Eccl. 4.8. He hath neither child nor brother, yet there is no end of all his labour, neither is eye ſatisfied with riches. And ſome men that are not willing to take much pains, are exceedingly deſirous of the world. Prov. 21.25, 26, His hands refuſe to labour, he coveteth greedily all the day long. Oh that men would but take the like pains to get Chriſt, that they do to get the world, that they would covet Chriſt greedily all the day long, that there were no end of their labour, that they would never ſay they have enough of Chriſt, but labour to get more and more of him.
IV. We muſt ſeek Chriſt conſtantly, we muſt ſeek him till we have found him, and got poſſeſſion of him. If we looſe a piece of Silver, we look diligently for it, and we look till we find it. Luk. 15.8. What woman having ten pieces of Silver, if ſhe looſe one piece, doth not light a candle, and ſweep the houſe, and ſeek diligently till he find it. If there be ſuch endeavours to ſeek a little piece of Silver, that we will not give over looking and ſeeking till we have found it, how much more ſhould we ſeek after Chriſt, till we have found him, ſeeing he is better than all the Silver and Gold in the world. Pſal. 105.4. Seek the Lord and his ſtrength, ſeek his face evermore. We muſt not only ſeek the Lord for a time, or for a long time, but for evermore. Hoſ. 10.12. It is time to ſeek the Lord, till he come and rain Righteouſneſs upon you. Though it ſhould be very long before the Lord comes, yet we muſt ſeek him till he come. Now if we would continue ſeeking after an intereſt in Chriſt, till we have obtained it, we muſt take heed of theſe two things.
1. Of reſting ſatisfied in any condition, in any gifts, in any enjoyments, till God hath given us Jeſus Chriſt. What Abraham ſaid concerning his being childleſs. Gen. 15.2. Lord God what wilt thou give me, ſeeing I go childleſs. So ſhould we ſay concerning a Chriſtleſs condition. Lord God, what wilt thou give me, ſeeing I go Chriſtleſs. None of all Gods gifts ſhould ſatisfie us, unleſs he hath given us Chriſt. Though he hath given us excellent gifts and parts, though he hath given us comfortable yoak-fellows, convenient habitations, plentifull eſtates, beneficial callings, yet none of theſe nor any other gifts, can make up the want of Chriſt, and therefore we ſhould ſay, what wilt thou give me, ſeeing go Chriſtleſs. VVhat is ſaid of Booz in reference to Ruth. Ruth. 3.18. The man will not be in reſt, untill he have finiſhed the thing this day. The like ſhould we do in reference to ſeeking an intereſt in Chriſt, we ſhould not be at reſt in our minds, till we have finiſhed this thing, namely the getting a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt.
2. VVe muſt take heed of giving over ſeeking after Chriſt through diſcouragement. To ſuch as are ready to give over ſeeking after Chriſt; I ſhall give theſe two encouragements, to continue ſeeking after Chriſt.
(1.) If you continue ſeeking after Chriſt and do ſeek him with our whole hearts, we ſhall aſſuredly enjoy him. 1 Chron. 28.9. If thou ſeek him he will be found of thee. Believe this promiſe of God, that if thou doſt ſeek him, he will be found of thee— and go on in the ſtrength of this promiſe, to ſeek in hope that thou ſhalt find the Lord. Hoſ. 6.3. Then ſhall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord— By knowing here is meant ſuch a knowledge as is, accompanied with the enjoyment of God, as the following words imply. He will come unto us— Jer. 29.13. And ye ſhall ſeek me and find me, when ye ſhall ſearch for me with all your hearts.
(2.) It will not be long before you find Chriſt, if you go on to ſeek him. Though you do not find him for the preſent, yet you ſhall find him in a little while, in his own due time. Cant. 3, 1, 4. By night on my bed, I ſought him whom my Soul loveth, and I found him not— It was but a little — and I found him whom my Soul loveth. Iſa. 54.7. For a ſmall moment have I forſaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.
§ Motives to get a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt.
Moſt perſons that live under the Goſpel, make light of Chriſt, and neglect that great Salvation which he hath purchaſed with his blood, and prefer their worldly concernments before ſeeking after Chriſt. Mat. 22.5. They made light of it, and went their way, one to his farm, another to his Merchandize. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt offers Salvation to loſt ſinners, he doth as it were ſtretch out his hands to them, and offer them his help to ſave their Souls, but ſcarce any man regards the offers of grace and mercy, that he makes to them. Prov. 1.24. I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded. This ſtretching forth the hand implyeth the offers of Salvation, that Chriſt maketh in the Goſpel, to periſhing Sinners. When Peter was in a boyſterous Sea, and was afraid of being drowned, and began to ſink, he cryed out to Chriſt, Lord ſave me! And immediately Jeſus ſtretched forth his hand and caught him. Mat. 14.30, 31. Chriſtleſs ſinners are in a more dangerous condition than Peter was, they are ready to ſink down into Hell, ſentence is paſſed upon them by the great God. The wicked ſhall be turned into Hell Pſal. 9.17. And Chriſt ſtretcheth forth his hand, and offers to ſave them, but moſt men are ſo ſtupified in their ſins, and ſo buſied in this preſent world, that they regard not the offers of Salvation made to them by Jeſus Chriſt; And therefore there is need of motives to ſtir men up to ſeek after an intereſt in Chriſt, and to embrace that Salvation which is offered to them by Jeſus Chriſt.
1. Motive, The excellency of Chriſt ſhould ſtir us up to get an intereſt in him; For we covet things that are excellent, and there is nothing ſo excellent as Jeſus Chriſt. All the excellent things in the world, are but loſs and droſs and dung, compared with Chriſt. Phil. 3.8. Yea doubtleſs, and I count all things but loſs for the excellency of the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt my Lord, for whom I have ſuffered the loſs of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Chriſt. Silver and Gold, Jewels and Precious Stones, and whatever a man can deſire, are not worthy to be compared with Chriſt. Prov. 8.11. For Wiſdom is better than Rubies, and all things that may be deſired, are not to be compared to it. And as Chriſt is more excellent than all things, ſo than all perſons in the world. The wiſeſt, the holyeſt, the beſt, the greateſt men that ever lived are not worthy to be compared with Chriſt. Cant. 5.10. My Beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefeſt among Ten Thouſand. White and Red well mixed make a beautiful countenance, white may ſignifie the holineſs of his Life, ruddy his bloody paſſion; His holy life and his bloody death, render him amiable to his people. If Ten Thouſand of the moſt excellent perſons that ever lived, were ſet by Chriſt, he would be the chiefeſt of them all. Among all the Angels of Heaven, and all the Kings of the Earth, there are none to be compared to our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Pſal. 89.6. Who in Heaven can be compared unto the Lord, who among the Sons of the Mighty, can be likened unto the Lord. There are all the excellencies of the Godhead in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Col. 2.9. For in him dwelleth all the fulneſs of the Godhead bodily. And the excellencies that are in the Godhead are unſpeakable and unconceivable. Seeing then there is a greater excellency in Chriſt than in all the whole world, we ſhould labour more to get Chriſt, than we did to get any thing in this world.
2. Get Chriſt for yours, and you ſhall get unſearchable Riches; For there are unſearchable Riches in Chriſt. Eph. 3.8. — That I ſhould preach among you, the unſearchable Riches of Chriſt. The Apoſtle had ſtudied, preached, and enjoyed Chriſt many years, and yet could not expreſs or underſtand all the Riches that were treaſured up in Chriſt, but calls his Riches unſearchable Riches. By theſe Riches of Chriſt, which he calls unſearchable, underſtand thoſe benefits we have by Chriſt. As Vatablus and others, immenſa Chriſti benefitia, the incomprehenſible benefits of Chriſt. And though we can't ſearch out all the Riches that are in Chriſt, and that we have by Chriſt, though we cannot fully comprehend in this life, all the benefits we have by Chriſt, I will briefly inſtance in ſome of theſe unſpeakable benefits, which we ſhall get, if we get an intereſt in Chriſt.
1. Get Chriſt, and you ſhall get into the love and favour of God. Prov. 8.35. Whoſo findeth me, findeth Life, and ſhall obtain favour of the Lord. And the favour of God is an unſpeakable bleſſing, better than all things in this world; For a man prefers his Life above all that he hath in the world. Job 2.4. All that a man hath, he will give for his Life. But the favour of God is better than a mans Life. Pſal. 63.3. Thy loving kindneſs is better than Life.
2. Get Chriſt, and you ſhall get the pardon of all your ſins; Eph. 1.7. In whom we have Redemption through his Blood, the forgiveneſs of ſins, according to the Riches of his grace. Though we be guilty of Hundreds, of Thouſands, of Millions of ſins, if we get Chriſt for ours, his Blood will cleanſe us from them all. 1 Joh. 1.7. The Blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son cleanſeth us from all ſin.
3. Get Chriſt, and you ſhall get an intereſt in all the promiſes. 2 Cor. 1.20. For all the promiſes of God in him are Yea, and in him, Amen. And it is by and through Chriſt that we are pertakers of the promiſes. Eph. 3.6. That the Gentiles ſhould be fellow heirs, and of the ſame body, and pertakers of his promiſe in Chriſt. When Chriſt is ours and we are his, all the promiſes are ours. Gal. 3.29. If Ye be Chriſts, then are ye Abrahams Seed, and Heirs according to the promiſe. And this is a great, a wonderfull, an unſpeakable benefit to be heir of all the promiſes: For there are exceeding many, exceeding great, and exceeding precious promiſes in the holy Scriptures. 2 Pet. 1.4. And to be an heir of all theſe promiſes, is ſuch a mercy as exceeds all expreſſion.
4. Get Chriſt for yours, and you ſhall get all Spiritual Bleſſings, for they that are Chriſts are bleſſed with all Spiritual Bleſſings in Chriſt. Eph. 1.3. Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Christ, who hath bleſſed us with all Spiritual Bleſſings in Heavenly places in Chriſt. And Spiritual Bleſſings are far better than all manner of Worldly Bleſſings.
5. Get Chriſt for yours, and you ſhall have the glory of Heaven, and the joys of Heaven, and all the felicity of Heaven for yours for ever. 1 Joh. 5.12. He that hath the Son hath Life. And if you get Heaven for yours, you ſhall get greater felicity, better things than ever any man ſaw with his eyes, or heard off with his ears, or can be conceived off by the heart of man. 1 Cor. 2.9. Eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
6. Get Chriſt for yours, and then all good things ſhall be yours. 1 Cor. 3.21, 22, 23. All things are yours — All are yours, and ye are Chriſts. The Apoſtle doubles the expreſſion, all things are yours, all are yours, that we may take the greater notice of the unſearchable Riches that we have in and by Chriſt, and that we may be the better ſatisfied of the truth and reality of this rich inheritance, that we have by our being Chriſts, namely our having all good things.
3. The ſuitableneſs of Chriſt to the condition, wants and deſires of our Souls ſhould ſtir us up to ſeek after him, Jeſus Chriſt is every way ſuitable to thy Souls condition, all that thy Soul wanteth, all that thy Soul doth or can deſire is to be had in Chriſt. Art thou blind and ignorant, doſt thou want ſaving knowledge? Jeſus Chriſt is the light of the World. Joh. 8.12. I am the light of the World; He that followeth me, ſhall not walk in darkneſs, but ſhall have the light of Life. He can open blind eyes. Iſa. 42.6, 7. I will give thee for a Covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes. Chriſt can help not only dim eyes that ſee but little, but blind eyes that can ſee nothing at all. Art thou under the ſenſe of guilt, do thy ſins lye heavy upon thy Conſcience? becauſe of the multitude of them, or their heinous nature, as being committed againſt much light, great mercies, and other aggravating circumſtances? Chriſts blood is available for taking away all thy ſins, though thou beeſt one of the greateſt ſinners in the whole world. Joh. 1.29. Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the ſin of the world. The blood of Chriſt waſhed away Noahs Drunkenneſs, Lots Inceſt, Davids Murder and Adultery, Peters denyal of Chriſt, and his Perjury, Pauls Blaſphemies and Perſecutions. Doſt thou feel the plague of thy heart, and groan under the corruption of thy nature, and find a great want of the Sanctifying grace of God? Chriſt is made of God unto us Sanctification. 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, who of God is made unto us — Sanctification. He ſuffered a bloody death to purchaſe Sanctifying grace for us. Heb. 13.12. Jeſus that he might ſanctifie the people with his own blood, ſuffered without the gate. Art thou held in the cords of thy ſins? canſt thou not repent off, and forſake thy ſins? Jeſus Chriſt was ſent to preach deliverance to the captives Luk. 4.18. And exalted to give Repentance. Act. 5.31. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give Repentance and Remiſſion of ſins unto Iſrael. And was ſent to bleſs us, in turning us from our iniquities. Act. 3.26. Ʋnto you firſt, God having raiſed up his Son Jeſus, ſent him to bleſs you, in turning you away, every one from his iniquities. Is thy heart dead, doſt thou want Spiritual Life? There is Life to be had in Chriſt, for ſuch as have dead hearts, yea for ſuch as are dead in ſins and treſpaſſes. Joh. 11.25. Jeſus ſaid unto her, I am the Reſurrection and the Life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet he ſhall live. Art thou in a loſt undone condition? Jeſus Chriſt is the Saviour of loſt ſinners. Luk. 19.10. The Son of Man is come to ſeek and ſave that which was loſt. Art thou in a mourning condition, full of grief and ſorrow, either becauſe of thy afflictions, or becauſe of thy ſins? Jeſus Chriſt was ſent to comfort all that mourn in Zion, Iſa. 61.3. Not to inſtance in more particulars, whatever it is that thou wanteſt, there is a rich ſupply of all thy needs, be thy needs never ſo many or great, to be had in and by Jeſus Chriſt. Phil. 4.19. My God ſhall ſupply all your need, according to his Riches, in glory by Chriſt Jeſus. Whatſoever it is which thy Soul doth or can deſire to have, there is a full ſupply of all thy deſires to be had in Chriſt and from Chriſt. Pſal. 145.19. He will fulfill the deſire of them that fear him. There is ſo much vanity and vexation in worldly things, that it is an hard matter to find any good. Pſal. 4.6. Many ſay, who will ſhew us any good? But in Chriſt we ſhall find all good, all that good which we want, all that good which we deſire to have. And ſhall not this ſtir us up to ſeek after an intereſt in Chriſt?
4. It is not only a matter of expediency or conveniency that we get an intereſt in Chriſt, but it is of abſolute neceſſity, ſo that we are undone for ever, if we do not get an intereſt in Chriſt. We can't live comfortably without Chriſt, we can't dye in peace without Chriſt, we can't appear at the great day of judgment without Chriſt, we can't be admitted into Heaven without Chriſt. 1 Joh. 5.12. He that hath not the Son of God hath not Life. We can't have the pardon of one ſin, without the blood of Chriſt. Heb. 9.22. Without ſhedding of blood is no remiſſion. And no other blood will procure remiſſion of ſins, but the blood of Chriſt. The abſolute neceſſity of getting an intereſt in Chriſt, will appear from the wofull and miſerable condition of all thofe that are without Chriſt, which ſhall be ſet forth in the next head.
5. To ſtir us up to ſeek after a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt; Let us conſider the wofull and miſerable condition of all ſuch as are without Chriſt. To this purpoſe, weigh theſe following Scriptures. Eph. 2.12. That at the time ye were without Chriſt, being Aliens from the Common-wealth of Iſrael, and strangers from the covenants of promiſe, having no hope, and without God in the world. Here is a fourfold deſcription of the miſery of ſuch as are without Chriſt.
1. They are Aliens from the Common-wealth of Iſrael; That is, they are none of the people of God, they have no right too, no part or portion in any of the priviledges belonging to the people of God.
2. They are ſtrangers to the covenants of promiſe, or to the promiſes of the covenant. There are many promiſes in the covenant, as I will be your God, I will be mercifull to their Unrighteouſneſs, and remember their ſins and iniquities no more, &c. But they that are without Chriſt are ſtrangers to the covenant, and all the promiſes of the covenant, they have no right too, no part in the precious promiſes.
3. They are without hope. They have much preſumption, but they are without hope, they have no hope of the pardon of their ſins, they have no hope of the Salvation of their Souls, they have no hope of the mercy of God in this life or the life to come.
4. They are without God. That is, without the favour of God, without the bleſſing of God, without communion with God, and a man without God is a man without all good. Here is much comprehended in few words, concerning the miſery of a man that is without Chriſt. He is without God, without Hope, without a Promiſe, without any part in the priviledges belonging to the people of God. They that are without Chriſt, ſhall be ſhut out of the Kingdom of Heaven for ever. 1 Joh. 5.12. He that hath not the Son of God hath not Life. They that are without Chriſt, ſhall be caſt into the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimſtone. Rev. 21.8. The unbelieving ſhall have their part in the Lake, which burneth with Fire and Brimſtone.
6. To get an intereſt in Chriſt is the greateſt and chiefeſt buſineſs we have to do in this World; This was hinted before, Prov. 4.7. Wiſdom is the principal thing, therefore get Wiſdom, and with all thy gettings get Ʋnderſtanding. This is moſt true of Jeſus Chriſt, who is the wiſdom of God. Chriſt is the principal thing, and therefore with all our gettings, we ſhould endeavour to get Jeſus Chriſt. It is of greater concernment to get Chriſt than to get Riches; It is of greater concernment to get Chriſt than to get peace and comfort; It is of greater concernment to get Chriſt than to get power againſt ſome particular corruption, greater than to get ſome particular grace, or than to get freedom from ſome vexatious temptation. I ſhall ſpeak diſtinctly to theſe heads.
1. It is off far greater concernment to get Chriſt, than to get Riches, and that on ſeveral accounts.
(1.) A man may have great Riches, and yet be a miſerable man. Jam. 5.1. Go to now ye rich men, weep and howl for the miſeries that ſhall come upon you. But whoſoever getteth Chriſt, getteth true bleſſedneſs, and is a bleſſed and happy man. Pſal. 84.12. O Lord of Hoſts, bleſſed is that man that truſteth in thee.
(2.) Riches will be no advantage to a man in an evil day; They will not ſave a man from the Sword or Peſtilence, or other judgments. Prov. 11.4. Riches profit not in a day of wrath. But Jeſus Chriſt is every way profitable in a day of wrath: For he will reconcile us to God. 2 Cor. 5.19. God was in Chriſt, reconciling the world to himſelf— And he will be an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the ſtorm. Iſa. 32.2.
(3) A man may be a rich man, and yet go to Hell when he dyeth. Luk. 16.22, 23. The rich man dyed and was buried in hell, he lift up his eyes being in torments— But there is no condemnation to them which are in Chriſt Jeſus. Rom. 8.1.
(4.) Though a man get much Riches, he muſt leave them all behind him when he dyeth. 1 Tim. 6.7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. But ſuch as get Chriſt ſhall enjoy Chriſt to Eternity.
2. It is of far greater concernment to get Chriſt, than to get peace and comfort. Some perſons that are under trouble of mind, and diſtreſs of Conſcience, make it their only care and great buſineſs to get comfort, they would do any thing to be at reſt and peace. But though perſons under a troubled Spirit, may Lawfully ſeek for comfort, yet it muſt not be their only or their chiefeſt care to ſeek for comfort, but their main endeavour ſhould be to get Chriſt. We ſhould ſeek for Chriſt more than comfort. For
(1.) There is no way to get true peace and comfort, but in and by Chriſt. Joh. 16.33. That in me ye might have peace. Mat. 11.28. Come to me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. We may ſeek and labour to find reſt for our Souls, but we ſhall find none, unleſs we go to Chriſt for it.
2. Chriſt is more neceſſary than comfort, for if we could get comfort without Chriſt, thoſe comforts would end in ſorrow, and we ſhould be miſerable for ever. Iſa. 50.11. Behold all ye that kindle a fire, that compaſs your ſelves about with ſparks, walk in the light of your fire, and in the ſparks that ye have kindled, this ſhall ye have at mine hand, ye ſhall lye down in ſorrow. But if we get Chriſt, though we ſhould walk in darkneſs and in trouble all our days, we ſhall be happy for ever and ever. Pſal. 144.15. Yea happy is that people whoſe God is the Lord.
3. It is of greater concernment than to get victory over ſome particular corruption. Some perſons that are under the prevalency of a particular ſin, all their thoughts are how they may get that ſin ſubdued. And it is the duty of ſuch as find the prevailing power of any ſin, to labour to have thoſe ſins ſubdued, but yet it concerns us more to get Chriſt, than to get the victory over ſome particular corrruptio… For
(1.) Suppoſe thou couldſt get rid of that ſin that troubles thee, yet if thou doſt not get Chriſt, thou wilt periſh for ever. For who ſhall ſatisfie for thy ſins paſt? who ſhall ſatisfie for thy corrupt nature? None but Chriſt can make expiation for the ſins of our hearts and lives.
(2.) There is no getting any ſin ſubdued but by Jeſus Chriſt. Joh. 8.34.36. Whoſoever committeth ſin is the ſervant of ſin, —If the Son therefore ſhall make you free, ye ſhall be free indeed. We may think our ſelves free from the ſervice of ſin, but we ſhall not be free indeed, unleſs Chriſt the Son of God make us free.
(3.) If we get Chriſt, we ſhall be ſaved from the guilt and power of all our ſins. Mat. 1.21. Thou ſhalt call his name Jeſus, for he ſhall ſave his people from their ſins.
4. We ſhould labour more to get Chriſt, than to get ſome particular graces, as a broken heart, or the like. It is a bleſſed thing to hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs, yet we ſhould hunger more after Chriſt. For
(1.) If we get Chriſt we ſhall have all the graces of his Spirit. Joh. 1.16. Out of his fullneſs have all we received, and grace for grace.
(2.) We can't attain to any Grace but in Chriſt and from Chriſt. Iſa 54.17. Their Righteouſneſs is of me ſaith the Lord.
5. We ſhould labour more to get Chriſt then to be freed from Satans Temptations. Some perſons that are under vexatious temptations, all their care is to be freed from their temptations, but though we may be earneſt with God to remove our temptations, yet we ſhould be more earneſt to get Chriſt, than to get freedom from temptations. For
(1.) To be tempted and to be in Chriſt, is better than to be free from temptation, and to be under the power of the ſtrong man, keeping all in peace.
(2.) A temptation may be removed, and yet a man may be under the power of Satan. The irkſome temptation may be changed into a more pleaſing temptation, which is more dangerous, though leſs troubleſome. Satan may keep a man Priſoner by ſilken cords, as well as iron chains.
(3.) Get Chriſt, and then Satan ſhall never prevail over you, to deſtroy you by his temptations. The ſeed of the woman ſhall break the ſerpents head.
6. We ſhould be more ſollicitous to get Chriſt, then to get ſome particular promiſe. For we can have no right to any of the promiſes if we live without Chriſt. Eph. 2.12. And we ſhall gain an intereſt in all the promiſes, if we get an intereſt in Chriſt, in whom all the promiſes are yea and Amen.
7. We ſhould be more carefull to get Chriſt, then to get parts and gifts, as memory, utterance, &c. For
(1.) A man may have excellent gifts, and yet be a caſt away, as the gift of propheſying and working miracles. Mat. 7.23, 24. He may have excellent gifts, and yet if he have no grace, he is no better in Gods account, than ſounding braſs or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Cor. 13.12. Though a man could ſpeak and pray, and preach like an Angel, yet all is nothing if he be void of the grace of God.
(2.) Though a man have never ſuch weak gifts and parts, yet if he be found in Chriſt he is highly accepted of God through Chriſt, even as well as thoſe that have greater abilities. Gal. 3.28. Col. 3 11. Barbarians and Scythians were far ſhort of the Greeks and Jews for their accompliſhments, yet all are alike acceptable to God in Jeſus Chriſt.
Now ſeeing it is a work of the higheſt concernment to get an intereſt in Chriſt, of more and greater concernment than to get Riches, or to get peace or comfort, &c. we ſhould mind this above all other things. Having propoſ'd theſe motives, I ſhall in the next place lay down ſome helps for the getting a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt.