The Holy Eucharist, Addenda

The Holy Eucharist · Addenda

TO THE READER.

Christian Reader,

I Have (according to my promise) superadded a few lines, suiting a Sacramental Discourse. The Subject is so excellent and sublime, that I cannot speak enough of it, nor well enough. What can be more sacred, than the observing Christ's last Will and Testament, Do this in Remembrance of me. We are to be so solemnly affected at the Holy Supper, as if we were receiving it among the Apostles from Christ's own hands**Eo affectu debetis esse imbuti, …um sumitis Eucharistiam, perinde ac in illa ipsa Christi …ssetis vespera, adeo que coena, eidem que accumbereti… thoro, … abipso Christo acciperetis sacrum istud foreign.. This mysterious Ordinance is to be perpetuated till Christ's coming to judgment, 1 Cor. 11. 26.**Patet, ritum hunc Eucharistiae duraturum us que ad finem mundi. Ca…vinus, Groti…s, Theophyl: The Supper of the Lord is a foreign, or foret ast of that Marriage-Supper of the Lamb, Rev. 19. 9. which made Damascen pray, Lord, let me receive this Supper, as an Earnest of my future Heaven. But into what a degenerate age are we fallen, when the most weighty tremendous Points of Religion are called in question. To such a Climax of impudency are some risen, as to vilifie Ordinances, oppugn Christ's Divinity, deride the in-habitation of God's Spirit**Rom. 8. 9.Rom 8:9; and deny praying by the Spirit. These are they who would cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before them, Isa. 30. 11. They would turn all Religion into a Romance, and leaven the World with Atheism. I wish they have not sinned the sin unto death**1 Joh 5. 17.1 John 5:17. If once the Truths of God iose their authority in Peoples hearts, then is a fatal stop put to all solid Practical Piety. God grant that the more others decry the Sanctity of the Gospel, the more we may reverence it. They have made void thy Law, therefore I love thy Commandments, Psal. 119. 126. Such as have experienced the sweetness of Truth in their own Souls, know how to estimate it. I should be glad if this short ensuing Discourse, might render the Lord Jesus more precious and eligible in our eyes, and add one cubit to our faith. O happy Ordinance of the Supper that causeth such endearments of love between Christ and the Soul; and begins those sacred Nuptials, which shall be for ever solemnized in the Kingdom of God. But I avo…d Prolixness: hoping for a blessing from on high upon these endeavours. I rest

Yours affectionately in the service of the Gospel. Thomas Watson. Feb. 19. 1668.

p. 117The Fiery Serpents.

Numb. 21, 6, 7, 8, 9.

And the Lord sent Fiery Serpents among the People, and they bit the people, and much people of Israel dyed; Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the Serpents from us: And Moses prayed for the People; And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a Fiery Serpent, and set it upon a Pole; and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten when he looketh upon it shall live. And Moses made a Serpent of Brass, and put it upon a Pole; and it came to pass, that if a Serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the Serpent of Brass, h… lived.

IN this Portion of Holy Scripture, there are two things considerable. The people of Israels being stung, and the manner of their Cure.

p. 1181. Their being stung with the Fiery Serpents; where observe,

1. The occasion of God's sending these Fiery Serpents.

There were two Sins provoked the Lord to inflict this Punishment.

1. Their Murmuring, ver 5. The People spake against God and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the Wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water, Speaking against God and his Prophets go together. They spake against God and against Moses. The Chaldee reads it, They murmured before the Lord. Murmuring is a speaking against God; and it proceeds from distrust, Psal. 106. 24. They believed not his Word, but murmured. So in the Text, There is no bread, or water; they thought they should die in the Wilderness, and then they spake against God. Murmuring is the daughter of Unbelief. And observe the Time when they murmured; it was immediately p. 119after an eminent and glorious deliverance, ver. 3. The Lord harkned to Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites, and they utterly destroid them and their Cities. And behold the requital they make God for this signal mercy! They murmur against him. What? to find fault with God! and just after a Deliverance? the Lord being highly provoked, sent Fiery Serpents among them, and much people of Israel dyed, ver. 6.**Fiebat magna strages. August.

Oh, how suitable to their Sin was this Punishment. Israel did burn in heat of Passion, and God made their Flesh burn with extream heat: Their Speeches were venemous, and they were punished with venemous Serpents**foreign. Chrys. ad Pop. Ant… Hom. 19.. Hence observe,

Doctrine 1. Of all Sins God can Doct. 1.least bear the sin of Ingratitude To be delivered, yet murmur! God p. 120presently sent Fiery Serpents to avenge his quarrel. Israel did not only forget God's Mercies, Psal. 106. 13. but abuse them. To be ungrateful for mercy, is, like Absalom, who assoon as David kissed him, and took him into favour, plotted Treason against him**Vas pertusum foreign. 2 Sam. 15. 10. Like the Athenians, who, in lieu of the good Service Aristides had done them, banished him out of their City **Plutarch.. Like the Mule who kicks the Damm after she hath given it milk. Ingratitude (saith Cicero) hath nothing of evil wanting in it **Nihil mali non inest. Cic. ad Attic.. It is a sin that leaves a People without excuse; if God let loose his Judgments, and send Fiery Serpents, they have nothing to say, Ezra. 9. 10. And now O our God what shall we say after this? after what? ver. 9. Mercy hath been extended to us in the sight of the Kings of Persia, yet we have forsaken thy Commandments. What shall we say after this?

p. 121Use. Let our Ingratitude be deeply laid to heart. This puts an accent upon sin, and makes it foreign, out of measure sinful. How many are the worse for mercy. They make a dart of God's Mercies, and shoot at him; he gives them Wit, and they serve the Devil with it; he gives them an Estate, and they feast their Lusts with it. Are these worthy to be Guests at the Lords-Table who lift up the heel against him? Will God welcome such into his presence, as know not how to use kindness? Oh that this sin may fill our faces with blushing. Take we heed for the future of following this bad example in the Text. Let us turn all our Murmurings into Hosan…ahs. Let us praise God for his Mercies, and serve God with his Mercies.

2. The second cause of God's sending 2.the Fiery Serpents, was, Their slighting of Manna. ver. 5. Our soul loatheth this light bread. The Septuagint Panis inan. P. Fagius.renders it, foreign, this p. 122empty bread. It is spoken in contempt. Israel counted Manna vile in respect of other meat. Manna is called Angels Food; but they call it in disdain light bread. This Manna was miraculous, it came from Heaven in an extraordinary way; and mystical: It was a type and figure of the Lord Jesus, who is called the bread of Life, Joh. 6. 98. and the Hidden Manna **Dat Pa…em De is quem significabat Manna, ipsn… scil: Dominum Jesum Aug., Rev. 2. 17. The contempt therefore of Manna was a contempt of Christ; for this, God sent Fiery Serpents.

Doct: 2. The slighting and despising Doct. 2.the Lord Jesus is a God-provoking sin. This was Israels Crime, the despising of Manna; which was not only corporal food, but a Type of Christ their spiritual food; this greatly incensed the Lord, and made him send Fiery Serpents among them. Thus, when we despise Christ and prefer our lusts before him, as Israel did Leeks and Onyons before Manna, then come the Fiery Serpents.

p. 123Use. Let us take heed of growing weary of Christ, this blessed Manna. At first Israel did highly esteem Manna, they ran out to gather it, Happy was he that could get Manna. But this Food from Heaven, which at first was so sweet to their Palat, within a while was loathed and contemned. Our nature is such, that we are apt to disesteem the richest blessings when they are common. If Pearls and Diamonds were plentiful, none would value them. If the Sun did shine but once a year how would it be prized; but because it shines every day, few admire this Lamp of Heaven. Take heed of despising Jesus Christ, Mat. 22. 5. If God was so angry with Israel for slighting of Christ when he was hid under a Type; how angry will he be with those who slight Christ, after he hath been visibly revealed, Hebr. 10. 29. Of how much sorer punishment shall they be thought worthy, who have trod under foot the Son of p. 124God. Jesus Christ is a super-eminent blessing; a magazine and storehouse of all good Things**Communi… the saurus. Luth.. And the love of God was never so much seen as in giving of Christ; therefore to slight Christ, is to slight the love of God.

Quest. But who dares slight Christ?

Resp. It is a slighting of Christ to slight his Gospel, and offer of Grace; and hath not this been England's Sin? have not we formerly nauseated Manna? did not we grow curious and wanton, and esteem'd the Manna of the Gospel light-bread, and was not the Lord provoked with us? Did not he send, though not Fiery Serpents, yet a Fiery Rod among us in this City, that hath burnt down our Dwellings? Christians, I beseech you take heed of this for the future. If God indulge you with Manna again, beware of surfeiting on the bread of life. The loathing of Manna is the next way to the losing of Manna. God will take away his Mercies if they are undervalued. p. 125If you play with the light, God will put out the light.

2. The Punishment it self, which was Fiery Serpents. These may be understood,

1. Literally they were called Fiery Serpents.

1. Because they were of a fiery colour.

2. From the effect, They were Seraphims, Burners**foreign ussit, cremavit.. For when they did bite the people, they did burn with extream heat and thirst**Morsum ardentes infigebant, at que simul toxicum. Munsterus, Clarius.. The Septuagint translates them▪ Killing Serpents **foreign.. Many of the people died, ver. 6.

2. These Fiery Serpents may be understood mystically. So these Serpents were first a Type of Satan, called the old Serpent, Rev. 12. 9. He is indeed a Serpent for his subtilty. The Hebrew word for Serpent comes of a Verb that signifies to use subtilty **foreign. p. 126Gen. 3. 1. So Satan is a Serpent**In Serpente maxima est astutia, & dolus nocendi: non pedes habet ut ejus vestigia audiantur, in ejus itinere ve lut lenis est gressus non rectus. Aug. very subtil in his temptations; he hath his foreign his depths, Rev. 2. 24. and his foreign, his devices, 2 Cor. 2. 11. The Devil doth with his artificial varnish put a fine gloss upon his Temptations, that he may the better draw men to his lure; he either hides his malicious designs. or colours them**Magis rever a metuendus est daeinon fallens, quam saeviens. August..

2 These Fiery Serpents were a Type of Sin.

Doct. 3. Sin is a Fiery Serpent. This Serpent is bred in our nature; it is within us**Serpentes vitia tua s…nt. Aug. in Psal. Tom. 8.. We would think it sad, to have Spiders and Serpents in our bodies; as it is said of Maximinus the Emperor, his body bred vermin: But it is worse to have the Serpent of Sin in our Souls. Sin is a Serpent.

1. For its Poyson. Sin hath invenomed us, and that is the reason we p. 127swell. Why doth one man swell with Pride, another with Passion, another with Lust? he is poysoned. If one had achild whom he dearly loved, mortally poyson'd; how would he grieve for it? Our Souls are poysoned, yet we grieve not. How oft do sinners poyson the Sacramental Cup!

2. Sin is a Serpent for the sting of it. 'Tis the foreign. Sin at first shows its colour in the glass, afterwards it bites as a Serpent, Prov. 23. 32. Sin is a Serpent with four stings. 1. It stings with guilt, Rom. 3 19. 2. With horror of Conscience, which is Limen inferni; Judas and Spira felt this; all the racks, strappadoes, and tortures in the world are but Ludibria & risus, a sport in comparison of this deadly sting; no outward comforts can ease a Conscience stung with sin, no more than a Crown of Gold can cure the Head-ach.

3. Sin stings with death, Rom. 5. 12. and death by Sin. Sin is the wild Gourd p. 128that Adam gathered and eat; and the next news was, There is death in the 2 King. 4. 40.2 Kgs 4:40pot.

4. Sin without Repentance stings the Soul with damnation. This Fiery Serpent, brings to the Fiery Furnace, I have rcad of the City Amycle in Italy destroy'd by Serpents**Pliny.. Such a destroying Serpent is sin.

Use 1. See the sad condition of wicked men! They make light of sin, but sin is a Fiery Serpent crept into their bosom. When the Serpent hath bitten one (saith Pliny) the venome and contagion of it spreads all over his body. Sin hath invenomed men all over; their hearts are full of poyson, Rom. 1. 29. Being fill'd with all unrighteousness. Their Tongues spit forth the poyson of the Serpent in Oaths and Curses, Psal. 58. 2. The poison of Asps is under their Tongue.

This may serve to humble God's own people; though they have the meekness of the Dove, yet they have p. 129aliquid serpentis, something of the evil evil of Serpent in them. Though the curse due to sin is taken away, yet the venome of this Serpent doth in part remain: They have much love of the World, much Unbelief much unmortified Passion. Among Christ's Disciples there was Pride and Emulation. Tho Christians have something of God's Spirit in them, yet they have something which is Serpentine. This Viper of sin will not be shaked off till death. Oh how may this humble the best of God's Saints. The Bishop of Alexandria when Egypt was converted to the Faith, destroyed all their Idols but one, that so looking upon that, they might see their folly, and abhor themselves for their Idolatry. So God suffers not sin to be perfectly abolished in this life, he leaves some corruption in the heart, Something of the Serpent, that his people may loath themselves in the dust. What need have Believers to drink Christ's p. 130Blood in the Sacrament, which is the best antidote against the poyson of the Soul.

3. See that which may raise in us abhorring thoughts of sin. It is a venemous Fiery Serpent; will any man hug a Serpent? Oh look not on the sine coat of the Serpent, but the sting. It stings with the wrath of God. Pursue sin with an holy malice, Mortifie the deeds of the flesh, Rom. 8. 13. It is an happy thing when a Christian can say, Though the Serpent be not dead, yet i… is dying. Kill this Serpent or it will kill you.

4. If sin be a Fiery Serpent, then be sensible of the malignity and virulency of this Serpent, feel your selves stung. Feel your Hypocrisie and Infidelity. We are ready to think what a fearful thing it was to be bitten with the Fiery Serpents. We have a worse Serpent bites us, and the misery of all is, we are stung and are asleep, Eph. 4. 19. O that God would by his Spirit p. 131awaken us that we may not sleep the sleep of death.

5. If sin be a Fiery Serpent with so many stings, then let us labour that these deadly stings fastned in our Consciences may be healed. And that brings me to the second Thing.

II. The manner of Israels Cure. 11.vers. 8. Make thee a Fiery Serpent, (or Serpent of Brass) and set it upon a Pole: and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live: And Moses made a Serpent of Brass, and put it upon a Pole, &c. In which words there is the Signum, and the Signatum; the Sign, the Brazen Serpent, and the thing signified, Christ the healer of Souls. So it is interpreted by the Evangelist. Joh. 3. 14. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness: even so must the son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, &c.

p. 132Doct. 4. The Lord Jesus is the Doct. 4.true Brazen Serpent that heals sinners stung with sin**Morsus Serpent is l…thalis, mors domini vitalis. Austin.. For the further illustrating of this I shall show you,

1. The fit Analogies and resemblances between Christ and the Brazen Serpent.

1. The Serpent in the Wilderness resembled Christ in its materiality, the Serpent was of Brass, not Marble, or beaten Gold: This being made of Brass did Typifie Christ three ways.

1. Brass is an inferiour Metal, and unlikely to produce such a noble effect. What was a Serpent of Brass to heal one that was stung? If some Soveraign Medicine or Antidote had been applyed, if the balm of Gilead had been brought, this had been likely to have wrought a Cure, but what is there in a Serpent made of Brass to heal? This was a Type of Christ, it resembled the meanness of his Person, he affected not outward pomp and state; he came into the p. 133World in a mean Condition, There was no beauty in him that he should be desired, Isa. 53. 2. Who that had looked upon Christ with a carnal eye, would ever have thought he should be the Messiah, the glorious healer of the World?

2. Brass is a solid firm Metal; which resembled Christ's Power. Job 9. 19. If I speak of strength, lo he is strong. Therefore called, The Mighty God**foreign, Isa. 9. 6. Of what invincible fortitude was he, who could bear the wrath of God and the sins of the World! He must needs be puissant who could break the Gates of Hell, and triumph over Satan upon the Cross.

3. Brass doth shine, but not dazzle the eyes. So Christ though he doth shine in his God-head, yet his Human Nature doth so allay the splendor of his Glory, that we may look upon him now, and not be over-whelmed with the immenseness and brightness of his Majesty.

p. 1342. The Brazen Serpent resembled Christ in its figure and shape. The Serpent though it was made like a Serpent, yet it was no Serpens ille …neus non erat Pestifer, sed solum speciem forebat. P. Fagius.real Serpent. Thus Christ (as the Scripture saith) was in the likeness of sinful flesh, Rom. 8. 3. yet he was no sinner. He was made sin, but knew no sin, 2 Cor. 5. 21. He knew sin in the weight, but not in the act. He was ab omni macula alienus, he was purer then the Sun; he had no more sin than the Brazen Serpent had sting or venome in it **Suscipi…ndo sine culpa paenam, & paenam sanavit & culpam. Aug. Tom. 10..

3. The Serpent in the Wilderness resembled Christ in its Erection and Elevation. It was lifted up that all Israel might see it. It must not only be framed but lifted up **In extremitate hastis vexillaris ut eminus ab omnibus conspici posset. Ar. Montan. Vatabl. …rusius.. So Christ must not only be made a Saviour, but he must be lifted up. Now Christ is said to be lifted up four ways.

p. 1351. Christ was lifted up in the Acclamation of the Angels, Luk. 2. 7. Unto you is born this day, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord; and suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying glory to God in the highest, &c. The Angels adored Christ, and were the Heraulds to proclaim the joyful news of a Saviour to the World. Thus was Christ lifted up in the Triumphs of Angels.

2. Christ is lifted up in the Preaching of the Gospel **Ainswort.. So he is an Ensign erected for all to look to, Isa. 11. 10. It is the Ministers office to lift up Christ in the eyes of the World; to hold him forth in his glory, and proclaim him as the only Messiah, and that there is no Salvation in any other, Act. 4. 12 **foreign..

3. Christ was lifted up upon the Cross: The Pole was undoubtedly a Type of the Cross, and the lifting up of the Serpent on the Pole was a p. 136Type of Christ's being lift up upon the Cross. This was a blessed lifting up. Christ's lifting up is our lifting up. Joh, 12. 32. And I if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me: That is, all that belong to the Election. For mercy runs only in the channel of Election. O how happy was it for us, that this spiritual brazen serpent was erected. Christ's being lifted up upon the Cross, is the cause of our being lifted up to Heaven. And in the Sacrament is a solemn Commemoration of Christ's Crucifixion.

4. Christ is lifted up in our hearts, by our contemplating, admiring, loving him. It is not the lifting up of Christ on the Cross will save us, unless he be lifted up in our hearts. When we prize Christ, and set him highest in our thoughts and esteem, this is to lift him up in our souls. There are two chief things a Christian hath to do, to depress self, and exalt Christ.

p. 1374. The brazen serpent resembled Christ in the design of its being lifted up, and that was intuition; when Israel were stung, they must look upon the Brazen serpent; which looking implyed a secret hope they had of cure. So Christ was therefore lifted up on the Cross, that he may be looked upon by an eye of Faith. The people of Israel needed not to have taken down the Serpent from the Pole, and touched their sores with it; they were only to look on it, and they were healed. So we need not go to fetch Christ down from Heaven (as the Papists do who make him to be corporally in the Bread); no, if we do but look upon him fiducially, we shall be cured of our sting.

Observe four Things about the Brazen Serpent. There were four cases in which the Brazen Serpent would have done the people of Israel no good, though it were lifted up.

p. 1381. In case the Brazen Serpent had been set up, yet if they had not fixed their eye upon it, it would not have cured them. So though Jesus Christ be lifted up as a Saviour to the world; yet if this Brazen Serpent be not looked upon believingly he will not save, Joh. 3. 18. He that believeth not, is condemned already. The Arminians dream of Universal Redemption, Christ dying intentionally for all. The Brazen Serpent was made a Type of Christ; now the Brazen Serpent cured not all persons, only them that looked upon it. So those who either through ignorance, or stubbornness, look not on Christ by Faith have no benefit by him.

2. In case the people of Israel had not looked upon this Serpent Alone, if they had set up another Brazen Serpent by this, and looked upon both, they had not received a cure. So after God hath set up Christ to be a Saviour, if any shall presume to set up p. 139another Saviour by him (as the Papists who look partly to Christ, and partly to their Merits) they can receive no sanative vertue from him. For us of the Protestant perswasion, to look upon our duties equally with Christ, our prayers and tears, as expecting they should merit salvation, this is to make two Brazen Serpents, to set up two Christs, and then we cannot be cured. We are to use duties, but to look beyond them to Christ. They are good duties, but bad Christ's. If we trust to our duties for salvation, they will be Fiery Serpents to sting us, not Brazen Serpents to heal us.

3. In case the Brazen Serpent was set up upon a Pole, if Israel had looked only upon their sting, and not upon the Serpent, they had not been cured. So if we look only upon our Sins, and through despair look not up to Christ, vve have no healing from p. 140him. To keep avvay from Christ because of our sins, is a disparagement to Christ, as if there were more malignity and poyson in sin then vertue in this Brazen Serpent. Indeed vve must look with one eye upon sin, but vvith another eye upon Christ. Look on sin vvith a penitent eye, and on Christ vvith a believing eye**foreign. Chrysostom.. Weep for sin that slevv Christ, but hope in the Lamb slain.

4. In case Israel had looked upon the Brazen Serpent, yet if it had been vvith an eye of scorn or contempt, as despising that remedy God had provided, they had not been cured; Jesus Christ is lifted up, but if he be looked upon as the Jews looked upon him vvhen he hung on the Cross, vvith an eye not of reverence but disdain, he vvill not cure. The blasphemous Socinians look upon Christ only as a meer man, and his blood not p. 141satis…ory or meritorious, these cannot be …ved by him**Qui non erubescit crucifixum saluus fiet. August.. Isa. 53. 3. He is despised of Men. To these he is not a Brazen Serpent, but a consuming fire.

5. The Brazen Serpent resembled Christ in the issue and result of it. He who looked on the Serpent had an infallible cure. So he that can but look wishly on Christ by Faith is certainly sav…d. Joh. 3. 14. Whosoever believeth on him shall not penish. Our misery at first came in by the eye, looking upon the apple undid us; but looking on Christ aright saves us.

2. I shall show the Transcendencies of Christ the Spiritual Brazen Serpent above that in the Wilderness.

1. The Brazen Serpent was inanimate, it could repair life, not infuse life. But Jesus Christ gives life to the World**foreign., Joh. 6. 33. Yea, a never-dying life, Joh. 3. 15. Eternal life. Life is sweet, but this word Eternal, makes it sweeter.

p. 1422. The Brazen Serpent could cure only a sting in the body. The Lord Jesus heals a more deadly sting in our souls. **foreign.Psal. 103. 3. So deep were these wounds that they could not be healed but by deeper wounds made in Christ's side. He was fain to die to cure us.

3. The Brazen Serpent could cure only those who were within sight of it, such as were afar off and in remote parts of the Wilderness, had not their sting removed; But Jesus Christ cures none but them who are afar off, Jer. 2. 5. They are gone far from me. The East is not so far from the West, as the sinner is from God; but herein appears the vertue of our Spiritual Brazen Serpent, he heals none but them who are afar off. Such as are not only aliens but rebells, that live in the Devil's Territories, Christ works a cure upon them, and turns them from the power of satan, Act. 26. 18.

p. 1434. The Brazen Serpent cured them that looked on it; but if they had wanted the organ of fight, there had been no cure for them. What would a poor blind Israelite have done? but Christ our Brazen Serpent not only cures us when we look upon him, but if we want our sight, he enables us to look upon him. Christ not only saves us when we believe, but he gives us power to believe, Ephes. 2. 8. Christ anoints us with the eye-salve of his Spirit that we may look up, and looking up we are cured.

Use. 1. Information,

1 Branch. In this Mystery of the Brazen Serpent, see by what improbable means God doth sometimes effect great things. What was a Brazen Serpent? What likelihood that this should heal one that was stung? it was a meer Image, a shape, and this not applyed to the wound, but only beheld and looked upon, yet this wrought a cure. Reason would with p. 144Sarah have laughed at this. A bitter Tree cast into the vvaters did dulcifie and make themsweet to drink of **Sal Elisaei sanavit terram sterslem, licét sal natura sua sterilitatem inducat. Drusius.. Clay and spittle cured the blind man; vve vvould rather think it should put out ones eyes that did see. What is there in the Rainbovv to prevent a deluge? What is Bread and Wine in the Sacrament, that these Elements should be consecrated to such an high mystery as to be a symbol of Christ's Body and Quid magis rationi obstat quàm mortu. um homsnem vivificare mundum, in illius cruce & igno minia, humans ge n…is gloriam absconditam esse. P. Fagius.Blood? What more strange then that a dead man should quicken the vvorld? but God loves to amuse and non-plus human vvisdom, and bring great things to pass by vveak contemptible means, 1 Cor. 1. 27, 28. This the Lord doth.

1. That his Glory may shine forth the more. The less appears in outvvard means the more of God is seen. The less beauty and splendor is in the p. 14Load-stone, the more the virtues of it are admired. And the less outward Pomp is in the instrument, the more Gods wisdom & energy is manifested.

2. God would have the World see what power is in his Institution. God appointed the Brazen Serpent **Fac tibi Presterem., therefore a word of Blessing went along with it to heal, **Non in Serpente sed in domini imp… rio vis posita.Psal. 107. 20. He sent forth his word and bealed them. In the blessed Sacrament we are to look above the Elements; a word of Blessing goes along with God's Institution to make this Ordinance effectual for the sealing up of Christ and all his benefits to us.

2. Bran. In this Mystery of the Brazen Serpent, see what infinite need we stand in of Christ. What would a stung Israelite have done without a Brazen Serpent? if Balm be needful for one that is wounded, if an antidote be needful for one that is poysoned, then Christ the Brazen serpent is needful for a soul stung with sin.

p. 146Yea, and what need have we to look often upon Christ in the frequent Celebration of the Lords Supper, where Christ in a special manner is lifted up; though we have looked upon this Brazen serpent formerly, yet still we have need to look upon him, we are not perfectly healed. Indeed Israel if they had looked but once on the Brazen Serpent, they were perfectly cured; but though we have looked several times on Christ in the Sacrament, and can say by experience, We have fetched vertue from him, yet we are not perfectly cured. Though the guilt of sin be taken away, yet not the presence and inbeing. Our bloody issue is not quite dried up; our wounds bleed afresh, our sins break out again. I appeal to the best hearts alive, how often have they been stung with sin and tentation since they looked last on Christ lifted up in the Sacrament. O what need then to come often to this Ordinance. p. 147Herein the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper differeth from the Sacrament of Baptism which is to be administred but once, this often, … Cor. 11. 26 **foreign. If we consider how strong our corruptions are, how weak our Graces, how numerous our wan…s, it may make us come often to the Lords-Table, where we may have an healing sight of Christ. He that wants Gold goes often to the Indies. Our Spiritual indigence may renew our addresses to the Lords-Supper for strength and comfort.

3. Bran. See in this Mystery the Cabinet of Free-grace opened, and God's love sparkling forth! Three ways.

1. That God hath provided Christ this Brazen Serpent as a remedy for stung lapsed sinners. Oh infinite goodness of God, that when vve had degenerated from him by Apostacy, the Lord should take pity of us, and instead of brandishing his flaming p. 148svvord, should erect a Brazen serpent, and make Christ knovvn to us in his healing vertues **Mal. 4. 2.Mal 4:2. When the Angels sinned there vvas no Brazen serpent for them, God did not send them to the Hospital to be healed, but to the Jail to be punished. They are reserved in everlasting Chains, Jude 6. O rich Free-grace that hath indulged us vvith a remedy, and found out a vvay of cure for all our desperate maladies!

2. See Gods Free-grace, that some should be healed of their sting and not others. There are but a fevv healed. There is a time vvhen sinners vvill not be healed, Jer. 51. 9. We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed; and there is a time vvhen sinners cannot be healed, Nah. 3. 19. There is no healing of thy bruise. Novv Christian, vvhen most die of their vvound, that the Brazen serpent should be sent to thee to cure thee! p. 149Oh stupendious Grace **foreign, &c. Favorem indicat ac benevolentiam numinis, non tributam nostris meritis, sed ab ipsius gratuita bonitate profectam. Erasm.! that God should lay his left hand upon many of the rich and noble, and lay his right hand upon thee; that Heaven should fall to thy lot; that thou shouldst be one of those few that are saved*; cry out in admiration, Lord how is it that thou shouldst show thy self to me and not unto the world**Joh. 14. 22.John 14:22.

3. See God's Free-grace that he cures us upon such cheap terms. When we were wounded so deadly, God did not put us to charges, we were not to bring money to purchase our Cure; not rivers of Oyl, or drops of blood, no, only look upon the Brazen Serpent, and the Cure is effected. Isa. 55 1. Come without money, and without price. We are not to pay for our Cure. Spiritual Blessings are too dear for our purse to reach; Christ made a purchase for us in his Blood; all he requires is to receive it and be thankful.

p. 1504. See how justly all wicked men 4 Bran.perish. God hath provided a brazen Serpent, a glorious Saviour, that whoever believes in his blood may obtain mercy. God beseecheth, yea chargeth men to believe, if therefore through 1 Joh. 3. …3.1 John 3:3folly they neglect Christ, or obstinacy refuse him, how righteous will God be in pronouncing that last and fatal sentence upon them. They who perish under the Gospel must needs be double damned; Hell's furnace will be heated seven times hoter for them, because they put away Salvation from them, Act. 13. 46. Pagans perish in the want of a Brazen serpent, and Christians in the Contempt **foreign. Mat. 11 22. Quia ultra natura legem, etiam …cripta lex vobis data est. Brugens.Matt 11:22. Jesus Christ saith, Come unto me all ye sinners who are stung with guilt, I will heal you. I conflicted with my Fathers wrath, I was wounded, and out of these bleeding wounds comes forth a soveraign medicine to cure you. But desperate sinners love their disease better then their remedy. They p. 151had rather die then look up to Christ for life, Psal. 81. 11. Israel would none of me. Oh strange delirium, the old Serpent after he hath stung men hath bewitched them, that they mind not a Cure. Who will pity such as willfully cast away themselves? how will mercy slight their tears at last, and God's justice triumph in their deserved ruin.

Use 2. Let us look in a right manner Use 2. Exhortation Bran. 1.upon this Mystical Brazen Serpent, Heb. 12. 2. Looking unto Jesus. The Greek word, foreign, signifies the stedfast fixing of the eye upon some lovely beautiful object. Faith will be of more use to us than any other grace. As an eye (though a dim one) was of more use to a stung Israelite than any other member. Faith discerns the Lords body. To encourage Faith; Consider,

1. Christ was lifted up upon the Cross purposely to cure us. Christ had no other end in dying but to heal, his p. 152blood is a soveraign balm for a sinsick soul. Such as feel the burden of their sins, need not question Christ's willingness to save them, when the very design of his death was to cure, Psal. 147. 3. He healeth the broken in heart. Serpents (as Naturalists affirm) have a foreign or great love to their young, and will hazard their lives for them **…sin. lib. 9.. So full of love was Christ our Mystical Brazen serpent, as to die for us, by whose stripes we are healed, Isa. 53. 5.

2. Such as do not look up to Christ's merits do necessitate themselves to damnation, Mar. 16. 16. He that believeth not shall be damned. **foreign, Non solum ut caeteri, bominum peribit, qui Des foreign, non cognoverint, verum etiam ut peccata sua hac in vita auxerit, vel eo ingratitudinis crimin… quod oblatum sibi Evangelium repulerit, it… in altera gravioribus tam corporis quam animi ad…icetur suppliciis, Bru.. Had not Israel lift up their eyes to the Brazen serpent they had died for it. If thou dost not look up as David did; Psal. 25. 15. Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord, then thou must look up as Dives did, Luk. p. 15316. 23. In hell he lift up his eyes. Oh therefore let us fix our eye upon the Brazen serpent, looking unto Jesus. Let us look up to the sacrifice of Christ's blood, and to the cloud of incense which he sends up by his glorious Intercession.

Object. 1. But I fear I have no Faith alive in my Soul, whereby I should look up. Though Israel were stung yet they were alive; but how dead do I find my heart?

Answ. We must distinguish between a Christian that is liveless, and that is without life. A sick man is liveless, and hath no mind to stir, yet he is not without life: So Christian thou maist be liveless, and thy grace dormunt; yet the seed of Faith may be alive in thy heart. Did not David find his heart dull and listless? though he was not dead in sin, yet he was dead in duty; why else did he pray, Quicken thou me, Psal. 119. 25. But that deadness which is in a Believer, he is p. 154sensible of, which argues life; he mourns for it, and never leaves till he hath in the use of means recovered that agility and liveliness of soul as once he had.

Object. 2. But if my Faith be alive, it is so weak, that I fear I shall receive no benefit from the Brazen serpent?

Answ. If it be a true Faith though weak, it will fetch vertue from Christ. Suppose an Israelite had had but one eye, and that eye had been sore, yet looking on the Brazen serpent, he had been presently cured. Blear eyed Leah might have been cured; though thy Faith be weak it will justifie. Say as Cruciger, on his death bed, Lord, I believe but with a weak Faith, yet I believe **Credo domine languida fide, sed …amen fide..

Object. 3. But my sins are of that magnitude that I am discouraged from looking up to Christ?

p. 155Answ. Captivate fear, and advance Faith **Mark 5. 36.Mark 5:36. Suppose an Israelite had been more stung and bitten than others, yet by looking on the Brazen serpent he might have been healed as well as they that had but the least sting. Christ's blood believed in, cures the greatest stings. What cannot the blood of God do? it cured Manasses three deadly stings, bloodshed, Idolatry, Sorcery, 2 Chron. 32. 2, 3. The Brazen serpent can cure the Crimson sinner, Isa. 1. 18. I speak not this that any should presume, but that no broken-hearted sinner should despair.

2. Bran. Let us acknowledg God's wonderful mercy in bestowing the Brazen serpent upon us. O bless God cordially for Christ**foreign, Chrys., who was lift up upon the Cross, and is held forth in the Sacrament, for our consolation and salvation. How joyful was an Israelite that lay burning with his sting, when he saw the Brazen p. 156serpent erected. We have infinitely more cause to be joyful for Christ, whose blood delivers us from …rath to come, 1 Thes. 1 10. What had become of us if Christ not pityed us and come into the world. Had not Christ been lifted up, we had been thrown down to hell for ever.

Let us then bow the knee in all reverence, and with the leper that was healed, return to give glory to God, Luk. 17. 15.

Use 3. Comf. Let this chear up the hearts of all true Believers. You that now look upon Christ lift up upon the Pole, shall shortly see him lift up vponupon the Throne. You that have seen Christ in his Crucifixion shall shortly see him in his Coronation. In short, you that now behold Christ lifted up for you, shall shortly be lifted up to him. And there you shall behold the wonders of his love, the riches of his glory, and shall be for ever solacing your selves in the light of his blessed countenance.

p. 157The Spiritual Vine.

John 15. 1.

I am the True Vine.

THe Name of Christ is most fragrant, and because of the savour of his good Oyntments, therefore the Virgins love him**Cant. 1. 3.Song 1:3. Jesus Christ is the beauty of Heaven, and the joy of the heart**Rev. 21. 23.Rev 21:23. In him all fulness dwells, Colos. 1. 19. In this flower is all sweetness. If the Gospel be the field, Christ is the treasure hid in it. The knowledg of Christ is so precious and delectable, that though St. Paul knew him before, yet he desires to know more of him**O The sau…is omnibus opnlentior notitia Christi Aug., he would have more light from this Sun, Phil. 3. 10. That I may know him, as he who hath p. 158found a gold Mine, desires to dig out still more Gold. Jesus Christ in Scripture is set out by several Metaphors.

1. He is compared to the Rose of Sharon, Cant. 2. 1. the Rose is the Queen of Flowers. So sweet is this Rose of the Heavenly Paradise, that it makes us a sweet savour to God.Eph. 1. 6.Eph 1:6

2. Christ is compared to a Pearl of Price, Mat. 13. 46. other Pearls add no realworth to them that wear them; but Christ this illustrious Pearl doth; he makes us worthy through his worthiness; Ez…k. 16. 14.

But among all the Metaphors and Allegories in Scripture, none doth more lively decipher, and set out Christ, than the Vine. He calls himself here, the True Vine. The Vine (saith Pliny) is to be ranked the highest among all the Plants that grow.

Doct. 1. That Jesus Christ is a Spiritual Vine. The Analogies are these.

p. 1591 The Vine is of it self weak, and must be supported and born up: So the humane Nature of Christ, was of it self weak, and was fain to be supported and underpropped with the Divine Nature.

2. The Vine grows in the Garden, not in the Forest: So Christ this blessed Vine, grows in the Garden of the Church. He is not known among the Heathen, they being Forest ground are not the better for this Vine. To Israel pertains the Glory, for unto them were committed foreign, the Oracles of God, Rom. 3. 2.

3. The Vine communicates to the Branches. Believers are called Branches of the Vine, ver. 5. Christ shoots up his sap of Grace into these **Vitis lignum … asternm & dehile … radice sua per stipitem aut truncum nobilem illum instillat palmitibus succum, quo imbuti possint uvas proferre: it a jesus vili licet forma merito incarnationis mortis que suae instillat animi… electorum succum divinae gratiae quae possint edere insigma virtutum opera, &c. Brugens.. Joh. 1. 16. Of his fulness have we all received. p. 160Then, let not the branches grow proud; all comes from the root of the Vine. The Saints gifts and graces are derived from Christ. Therefore he calls the Spouses Graces his Graces, Cant. 5. 1. I have gathered my myrrh; not thy myrrh. The Branch hath nothing but what it receives from the Root **Ita sunt palmites in vite ut viti nihil conferant sed inde accipiunt unde florent. Aug..

4. The Vine hath rare delicious fruit growing on it, it bears sweet clusters; the promises are the clusters of Grapes growing on Christ the True Vine **Habent… …bera vere vino meliora. Bern.. The Promises are said to be foreign, in him, 1 Cor. 1. 20. the Promises are made in Christ, and grow upon him as fruit on the Tree.

5. There are many things about the Vine useful besides the fruit. The Leaves that grow on it (saith Pliny) have a Physical vertue to allay heats and inflamations; the Gumm that distills from it is good against Leprosie. p. 161So it is with this Spiritual Vine, the Lord Jesus; he is exceeding useful, and full of vertue. There is vertue in his Passion, Resurrection, Intercession; he pleads for us as the Advocate for the Client; He perfumes our holy things with his Incense. Christ's Prayer is the cause why our Prayers are accepted. Such various excellency is in this Vine.

1. See the different Vertues in Use 1. Inform. 1 Bran.Christ to the Godly and the Wicked. To the Godly, He is a Vine full of Comfort; to the Wicked, He is not a Vine, but a Rock of offence. The Godly feed on Him, the Wicked stumble at him; the Wicked are offended at the meanness of Christ's Person, the Spirituality of his Doctrine, the Strictness of his Laws; but to the Godly he is a Vine yielding most fragrant delicious fruit **Una causa varios habet effectus..

2. Bran. See the misery of men living and dying in sin, they are not implanted into Christ; therefore do p. 162not at all partake of his precious fulness. The Vine communicates influence only to its own Branches. The wild Olive hath no fruit from the Vine. Such as abide in the old stock of nature, Branches of the wild Olive have no benefit from Christ. It is cold comfort to the Reprobate part of the world that there is a Vine growing which bears the fruit of Salvation, as long as they remain strangers to Christ, and hate to be united to him. Fire will come out of this Vine to devour them.

3. Bran. See the Goodness of God! When we had forfeited the fruit of Paradise, …e hath given us a better tree then any grew there; he hath enriched us with a pleasant Vine. When Christ suffered, now was this blessed Vine nailed to the Cross, now it was cut and did bleed **Jam fuit vitis amputata. Bern., and Salvation comes to us in the blood of this Vine. The gleaning Grapes here, are better then the World's Vintage. p. 163This Spiritual Vine,

1. Chears the heart **Psal. 104. 15.Ps 104:15,

Curam metum que juvat dulci lyaeo solvere. Horat.

Are we sad in the sense of sin, and think our selves unworthy to come to the Lords-Table, this wine of Christ's blood is a Cordial **foreign.; It is both the Price, and Seal of our Pardon.

2. It strengthens: the Vine hath a strengthning vertue. So when our Graces are spiritually consumptive, by tasting the fruit of this Vine, we renew our strength; in the Holy Celebration of the Lord's Supper fresh influence is communicated to us. This Spiritual Vine did invigorate the Saints and Martyrs of old, and infuse a spirit of Magnanimity into them. That I may raise the Saints esteem of p. 164Christ, and that they may come to the Sacred Supper with more eagerness to drink his Blood; I shall show wherein this True Vine surpasseth in glory all other Vine-Trees.

1. In the Vine there is something unuseful. Though the fruit of the Vine be sweet, yet the wood of the Vine is unuseful; it is good for nothing. Ezek. 15. 3. Shall the wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a Pin of it to hang any Vessel upon? But it is not so with Christ; there is nothing in this Vine but what is useful. We have need of Christ's Humane Nature to suffer, of his Divine to satisfie; we have need of his Offices, Influences, Priviledges, there is nothing in Christ we can be without.

2. There are variety of Vine-Trees. But there is but one True Vine that brings Redemption to Mankind. The Papists would fetch comfort from more besides Christ; From p. 165the Angels and the Virgin Mary. The Angels themselves are beholding to this Vine the Lord Jesus, they are by Christ confirmed in their obedience that they cannot fall**Austin.; And as for the Virgin Mary, it is not her milk that saves but Christ's blood. The Virgin Mary though she was Christ's Mother, yet she calls Christ her Saviour, Luk. 1. 47. The Virgin Mary is saved, not by bearing the Vine, but by being ingrafted into the Vine.

3. The Vine bears but one sort of fruit; 'tis all but Grape: But the Lord Jesus bears several sorts of fruit.

1. This Vine bears the the fruit of Justification, Rom. 5. 9. Being justified through his blood: In Justification there is remission of sin, and imputation of righteousness. A Believer triumphs more in the Righteousness of Christ imputed, than if he had Adams righteousness in innocency; nay then if he had the Angels righteousness: for now he hath the Righteousness of God, p. 1662 Cor. 5. 21. Without this, a sinner is put into a continual Ague of Conscience; but by virtue of Justification, he arrives at an holy Serenity, Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.

2. This Vine bears the fruit of Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1. 30. He is made to us Sanctification. A man may have pleasant fruit growing in his Orchard, and others be never the better for it: but holiness in Christ is diff…sive; this fruit is for all the Elect, they are made holy with Christ's Holiness.

3. This Spiritual Vine bears the fruit of Consolation; Cant. 2. 3. His fruit was sweet to my tast. This is a bunch of Grapes by the way; when a Believer hath tasted some of this fruit from Christ, he hath had such Transfigurations of soul, and been filled with such ravishing delight, that he could be ready to say as Paul, Whether in the body I cannot tell. He hath been put in Heaven before his time.

p. 1674. A Branch may be cut off and…separated from the Vine. But no Branch shall be ever separated from Christ this Heavenly Vine. The Arminians tell us, A justified person may fall away finally. Is not Christ a perfect Vine? He is not perfect, if a living Branch may be pluck'd off from him. Hath not Christ said of his Elect, They shall never perish, neither Imbelles sunt oves (electórum emblem…ta) sed non tanta erit ab extrà foreign, quanta eas rapere queat e mamanibus Christi. Brugens.shall any man pluck them out of his hand, Joh. 10 28. If any Branch be pluck'd away from Christ, it is either because Christ is not able to keep it, or because he is willing to lose it. He is able surely to keep it, for he is strengthen'd with the God-head: and he is not willing to loose it, for why then would he have shed his blood for it? So that no Branch shall be ever separated from the Coelestial Vine. You may sooner pluck a Star out of the Sky, than a true Believer from Christ. Indeed Hypocrites who p. 168look like Branches, fall off, but they were never really in the Vine. They were in Christ by Profession, not by Union. They were tyed on to the Vine, but not ingra…d. An Elect Branch can no more perish than the Root.

5. The Wine that comes from the true Vine is better than any other. 1. Wine from the Grape delight… the Palat, and revives the Animal spirits; but Christ's blood chears the Conscience. 2. One may take too great a quantity of Wine, and then it bites as an Addar **foreign. Chrysost.. But it is otherwise with the Wine which Christ gives, we cannot have too much of it; as a man cannot have too much health. Christ's blood is Pardoning and Pacifying; and the more we drink of it, the better; the deeper the sweeter **Cant. 5. 1.Song 5:1; the death of the Soul is not by drinking too much of Christ's blood, but by refusing to drink. 3. Wine will p. 169chear a man when he is living, not when he is dead. Wine in a dead mans mouth loseth its vertue; but Christ's blood hath such a flavour in it; it doth so sparkle, and is so full of spirits, that it will fetch life in them that are dead. If they are dead in sin, the blood of Christ makes them revive. Joh. 6. 54. He that drinks my blood, hath eternal life. 4. The Wine that comes from the Grape doth but chear mans heart, but that Wine which is distilled from Christ the Heavenly Vine chears God's heart. The Lord did smell a sweet savour in the Wine of Christ's Blood; and was so infinitely pleased and delighted with it, that for this he spared all Mankind.

Use 2. Labour to be real Branches Use 2. Exhor. 1 Bran.of this Spiritual Vine. What was the old World the better to hear of an Ark, unless they got into the Ark: So what are we the better to hear of a Vine unless we are in this Vine.

p. 170Quest. How shall we know that we are in this Vine?

Answ. 1. By being ingrafted into the Vine. Faith is Vinculum unionis, the ingrafting grace. And herein Faith hath a peculiar excellency above other Graces. Other Graces make us like Christ, but Faith makes us one with Christ**foreign. Chrys.. Other Graces make us lively Pictures of Christ, but Faith makes us living Branches of Christ. By Love and Humility we imitate Christ; but by Faith we are implanted into him, as the graft or siens is in-oculated into the Tree. Let us therefore examine whether we have this ingrafting Grace. Faith admires Christ's beauty, confides in his Merits **Sibi isti fidere, non … fidei sed Perfidi…e.; submits to his Laws; Faith gives up its will, its love, its life to Christ. Faith hath two hands, with one it takes Christ for its Sinoffering, with the other it gives up it self to Christ as a Burnt-offering.

2. We may know we are in the Vine by receiving influence from the p. 171Vine. 1. A vital influence, Joh. 5. 21. The Son quickneth whom he will. And this life from Christ is evidenced by sensation; we are sensible of the first ebullitions and risings of corruption, Rom. 7. 23. and of the least ebbings of grace, Hebrew. 5. 14. Who have their senses exercis'd, to discern both good and evil. 2. A Sanctifying influence: The root of this Vine being holy, makes all the Branches holy. Hath Christ diffused some of his Divine Unction into us? are our hearts consecrated? do we set our selves against every evil? as there is a conflict in the stomack between the spirits of Wine and Poison. Do we forsake fin not only out of Policy but Antipathy? Are we by the power of Grace transformed and made Partakers of the Divine Nature? Are we meek, humble, zealous? Is the fiame of our heart Spiritual, doth our pulse still beat aster God? Is our aime sincere? Do we not only advance p. 172but design God's Glory? behold here a sanctifying vertue derived from Christ into us, and we need not doubt but we are Branches of the true Vine, and shall grow and flourish in him to eternity.

2. Bran. You that are Believers stand and wonder that when you were by nature the Vine of Sodom; Deut. 32. 32; a Vine in your blood, Ezek. 19. 10; a wild Vine, which not only cumbred the Ground, but poyson'd it, That God should take such degenerate Branches and plant you into Christ, and make you partake of the spiritual juice and fat of this Vine, foreign, O the unfathomable depth of Gods love! you who are the Branches of this Vine, let me beseech you love the Vine that bears you; kiss and embrace Christ. Let your Souls sound forth Hallelujahs to the whole Trinity. Admire God the Father in sending a Vine from Heaven: Admire God the Son who was a bleeding Vine for p. 173you. Admire God the Holy Ghost who hath by his mighty Power implanted you into this Vine. Turn all your sullen discontents into triumphant songs. You are now made living Branches who we…e once dead; holy Branches, who were once unclean; you now bear Grapes, who did once bring forth Thistles. Oh make melody in your hearts to the Lord. Admire and celebrate Freegrace; It is well that there is anEternitya coming, and that will be little enough to praise God.

Use. 3. Here is a breast of Consolation to all who are implanted into Christ this Spiritual Vine: Let the Times be what they will, you have never so much cause to be sad as you have to rejoyce, 2 Cor. 6. 10. As sorrowful, yet always rejoycing **foreign.. Harken to me thou Branch of Christ; what though thou hast little in the world? seeing thou partakest of the blessing of the Vine, even of all the fulness of God, Eph. 3. 19. What though thou p. 174art reproached? **Opprobria assulae Crucis.It is honour enough that thou art in Christ; This Vine being a Plant of Renown, casts a glory upon all the Branches**Isa. 28. 5.Isa 28:5. What though thou art told by the Tempter that Christ doth not love thee? Thou maist reply, Am I ingrafted into Christ? is the holy sap of his Grace infused into me? and doth he not love me? What though thou art persecuted; be of good chear thou hast a life hid in the Vine, Col. 3. 3. Your life is hid with Christ. Fear not; if thou canst not live without mole…ation in a Wilderness, thou shalt grow in Paradise. When Basil was threatned with banishment, he comforted himself with this, Either I shall be under Heaven, or in Heaven**Aut sub Coelo aut in Coelo.. Oh how may all the Branches of the true Vine flourish with joy! Let death come, they may triumph: death shall destroy Sin, and perfect Grace.

In particular, there is comfort to all the real Branches of Christ, in these four Cases.

p. 1751. It is comfort under fear of Spiritual barrenness; I am afraid, saith the Saint, I shall grow dead at last, and be like that barren Figtree in the Gospel which was cursed. But for thy comfort know, that the Branches of this Spiritual Vine never cease yielding fruit. Indeed ordinary Vine-Trees though they are for a time fruitful, yet when they grow old, they grow barren; but the Branches of the true Vine are never so old as to be past bearing, Psal. 92. 14. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age. Believers the longer they live, the more full they are of Faith**2 Thes. 1. 3.2 Thess 1:3; the more perfumed with Love. The Church of Thyatira, the older she grew the better she grew. Her last works were more than her first, Rev. 2. 19. What a deal of fruit did Paul bring forth not long before his death! This light shined brighter before his setting, 1 Cor. 15. 10. I laboured more abundantly than they all. So long as there p. 176is a fulness in Christ, Believers shall not want. This Holy Vine being replenished with sap, the Branches cannot choose but be fertil, Joh. 14. 19. Because I live, ye shall live also. Because the Root lives, therefore the Branches shall flourish with fruit.

2. It is comfort in case of wrongs and injuries, especially when endured for Christ's sake. The Lord Jesus is sensible, and will one day vindicate his people. The Vine is sensible of all the injury done to the Branches, Exod. 3. 7. I have seen, I have seen the afflictions of my people. Not only have I seen them with an eye of inspection, but affection. Christ bleeds in the Saints wounds. He who knows their Sufferings feelingly, will avenge them speedily.

3. It is comfort under fear of falling away, I am afraid, saith a Christian, I shall tyre before I get to Heaven. Either I shall be blown down by Satan's Temptation, or faint under p. 177sufferings, Oh remember thou art a Branch in Christ, and thou canst not be broken off; thou hast Omnipotency to support thee. Adam when he grew upon his own root of innocency withered, but thou growest upon Christ's root, therefore thy Grace shall flourish into Perseverance. Though thou wert but as a bough that hangs half on the Tree, thou shouldst never drop off, because Christ holds thee: It is not thy holding Christ, but Christ's holding thee preserves thee; He repells the force of Temptation, over-pours the rellicks of corruption, encreaseth the spark of Grace; 1 Pet. 1. 5. Kept by the power of God. The Greek word is, foreign. Kept as in a Garrison.

4. It is comfort in case of the World's hatred. Hieroni blessed God that he was counted worthy to be one whom the World hated. What though thou art maligned and hated? p. 178God loves all the Branches of the True Vine; nay, he loveth them as he loves the Root, Joh. 17. 23. That the World may know, that thou hast loved Them as thou hast loved Me. It is the same love for kind, though not degree. 1. God the Father loved Christ ab aeterno, from eternity, Joh. 17. 34. Thou lovedst me before the Foundation of the World. And so he loves Believers, Eyhes 1. 4. He hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world. Our love to God began but late **Serò nimis te amavi domine. Aug▪. We may remember the time when we had no love in our hearts sparkling towards the Deity; but God's love to us bears date from Eternity. 2. God's love to Christ is a love of immutability; and so it is to Believers. The Sun of electing love having risen upon them never sets. Death may take away their life, but not God's love; Isa. 54. 10. The Hills shall be removed, but my p. 179kindness shall not depart from thee. The Lord may change his love into a frown, but he will never change his love into hatred. God can no more hate a Believer then he can Christ; for a Believer is part of Christ, he is Christ-mystical. What a comfort is this, God loves the Branches as he loves the root, and the fruit of God's love to the Elect-branches appears in two things.

1. In pruning of them. He prunes them by affliction. We are apt to think, when God afflicts us he doth not love us, an Husbandman loves his Vine never a whit the less, because he prunes it. Affliction is God's Pruning-Hook, he prunes us to make us bring forth the peaceable fruits af Righteousness, Hebr. 12. 11. God had rather have the Branches bleed, then be barren. Joh. 15. 2. Every branch in me that p. 180beareth fruit, he purgetb it that it may bring forth more fruit. All this is Love. It is God's love that he will rather lopp and prune the Branches, then let them grow wild.

2. In Transplanting them into Heaven. The Branches of Christ will thrive best when they are transplanted; and good reason, because then they will grow in a better soil. Christ desires to have all his Branches which are scattered up and down in the World to be with him. Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that those which thou hast given me be with me **Ejusdem mecum gloriae consortes. Brugens.. The Elect will never be happy till they are transplanted, Then they will grow quietly. In Heaven there will be no Bramble to tear the Vine-Branches, none of the Red Dragon's Race. Then all the Branches will be sweetly united in love. Then they shall grow in the Sunshine. p. 181God's Countenance will be ever shining upon them. In this life they partake of Christ's Grace, and hereafter they shall partake of his Glory.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

Pag. 2. marg. for re read rei. p. 9. m…rg. for myeris r. mysteriis. p. 21. marg. r. foreign. p. 111. marg. r. mortis.