Gospel Marrow, Treatise 1 · Part 3
A Peculiar people.
SUch is the Church for which Chriſt gave himſelf, a Peculiar people. Obſ. The Church a peculiar people.So we find the people of the Iewes often called, Deut. 14.2. The Lord hath choſen thee to be a peculiar people to himſelf above all the Nations that are upon the earth. So again Cap. 26. v. 18. The Lord hath avouched thee this day to be a peculiar people. All Nations they were a people; yea in a general ſenſe they were Gods people, his by Creation, and by a generel Government; but the Iſraelites were his by a ſpecial Appropriation, a ſpecial people to him. So we find the ſame word rendred, Cap. 7. v. 6. The Lord thy God hath choſen thee to be a ſpecial people to himſelf. foreign Populus peculii, ſeu, peculiaris.A people whom God having Redeemed from their Egyptian Captivity, he had taken into a ſpecial Covenat with himſelf, ſo as they were more nearly related unto him than any other people in the world. What Nation hath God ſo nigh unto them? &c. Deut. 4.7. Now what the Apoſtle ſaith of other things which befel that people, 1 Cor. 10.11. we may alſo ſay of this, It happened unto them for a figure; they being herein a Type of the true Church, which being by Chriſt Redeemed from ſpiritual captivity, is to him a Peculiar people. So our Apoſtle, alluding to thoſe Texts of the Old Teſtament, where the Iewes are ſo called, here applyeth it unto Chriſtians, true Believers, calling them Chriſts peculiar people. As alſo St. Peter, 1 Pet. 2.9. where ſetting forth the Saints privileges, among other ſtiles which he giveth them,The word Peculiat explained. Saepè mecum conſiderans quid ſibi vellet verbum foreign, & â ſapientibus hujus ſoeculiinterrogans, ſi fortè alicubi legiſſent; nunquam invenire potui qui mihi quid ſignificaret exponeret. Hieron. Com. in Text. Hoc vocabulum finxerunt Graeci Interpretes. Beza Gr. Annot. in loc. Scultet ibid. he calls them A Peculiar people.
A Peculiar people] foreign (ſaith the Text.) A word concerning which Ierom in his Commentary on this place tells us, that having with himſelf often conſidered what ſhould be the ſenſe and meaning of it, he conſulted with the moſt learned of his time about it, whether they had met with it in any of their Authors, but could not receive ſatisfaction from any of them about it. Whereupon he concluded (as others after him have done) the Apoſtle to have borrowed this word from the Old Teſtament; where the 70. Interpreters, not finding a word fitly anſwering to the Hebrew, Segallah, they coyned this foreign, which (as the Hebrew word alſo doth) properly ſignifieth a Choiſe Treaſure; ſomewhat which a man (for ſome apprehended excellency in it, ſetteth a ſpecial affection upon, and ſo ſevering it from the reſt of his ſubſtance, layeth it up, reſerving it for ſome other uſe and purpoſe. This is properly foreign, which being compounded of foreign and foreign, ſignifieth the choiſeſt and moſt precious part of a mans ſubſtance, a peculiar Treaſure. So we find it uſed in the proper ſignification of it, Eccleſ. 2.8. where Solomon ſetteth forth how he gathered unto himſelf Silver and Gold, and the peculiar Treaſure of Kings and of Provinces. Segullah, ſaith the Hebrew, rendred by the 70. foreign, the moſt choiſe and precious Rarities wherewith Princes and Provinces did uſe to preſent him. And ſuch a peculiar Treaſure is the Church unto Ieſus Chriſt. As the Iſraelites were unto God, his Segullah, his Peculiar Treaſure (So our Tranſlation renders the word) Exod. 19.5. Ye ſhall be a Peculiar Treaſure unto me above all people. All people were his (as it there followeth) All the Earth is mine, that is, all the people of the earth, but they his Segullah, his Peculiar Treaſure: The Lord hath choſen Iacob to himſelf, and Iſrael for his Peculiar Treaſure (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) Pſal. 135.4. foreign, (ſay the 70.) Even ſuch is the Church for which Chriſt gave himſelf, even all true Believers, unto him.Believers called a peculiar people upon a divers account. They are his Peculiar Treaſure. foreign, A Peculiar people.
And ſo they may be called upon a divers account, Being
1.1. Being choſen out of the world. A Choſen Generation. The Lord hath choſen thee to be a ſpecial (a Peculiar) people to himſelf (ſaith Moſes to Iſrael in thoſe Texts forenamed) Deut. 7.6, 14.2. Ye are a Choſen Generation, a Peculiar people (ſaith Peter there of Believers) 1 Pet. 2.9. Choſen out of the world, and ſo diſtinguiſhed from others by the grace of Election, whereby they are given unto Chriſt to be his Peculiar people.
2. Being redeemed out of the world..2 As they are choſen, ſo they are Redeemed out of the world. Thou haſt Redeemed us to God by thy Blood, out of every Kindred, and Tongue, and People, and Nation (ſo ſing the 24. Elders) Rev. 5.9. They are a people whom Chriſt hath paid a peculiar price for, a people which have coſt him dear, more than all the world beſides. That coſt him but a word of his mouth, He ſpake, and it was done, Pſal. 33.9. But theſe, the Blood of his heart. A dearly purchaſed Poſſeſſion. So the Apoſtle calleth them, Eph. 1.14. To the Redemption of the purchaſed Poſſeſſion. foreign. Such are true Believers, and upon that account called by St. Peter, a Peculiar people, in that Text, 1 Pet. 2.9. foreign, Populus ad acquiſitionem, or acquiſitionis, A Purchaſed people, whom God (that is, Chriſt God and Man) purchaſed with his own blood (as we have it) Act. 20.28.
3. Of high eſteem with Jeſus Chriſt.3. A Peculiar people unto Ieſus Chriſt, in regard of that esteem which he hath of them; they are his Segullah, his Iewels; ſo called, Mal. 3.17. They ſhall be mine, ſaith the Lord, in that day when I make up my jewels. Such account doth Chriſt make of his Saints; however others may eſteem meanly and baſely of them, looking upon them as the droſſe and dung of the world, trampling them under foot by a baſe undervaluing of them, yet Chriſt eſteemeth highly of them, looking upon them as his Iewels, as his Crown. Thou ſhalt be a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal Diadem in the hand of our God (ſaith the Prophet, of the Church) Iſa. 62.3.
4. Again, a Peculiar people in themſelves, 4. A precious people.being, through the Grace of God beſtowed upon them, the preciouſeſt people in the world. If thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou ſhalt be as my mouth (ſaith the Lord to his Prophet Ieremie) Jer. 15.19. That is, in thy teaching put a difference betwixt the godly and the wicked. The one of which are vile; In whoſe eyes a vile perſon is contemned, Pſal. 15.4. That is, a wicked man, who, how great ſoever he may be in the worlds eſtimation and account, yet in the eyes of God, and in truth, he is vile, nothing worth. The other Precious: However the world (which judgeth of things onelyonly by the outſide) accounts meanly of them, yet they are the precious ones. The precious Sons of Zion, comparable to fine Gold, how are they eſteemed as earthen pitchers? (So the Church complaineth) Lam. 4.2. Such are the true ſons of Zion, the true ſons and daughters of God, all true believers, though the world look upon them as earthen pitchers, as things of no repute or worth, yet being refined and purified from their ſinful corruptions, and endued with the graces of the Spirit, every of which is a precious ſtone, they are precious, comparable to fine Gold.
5. Differing from all orher People.5. A peculiar people differing from all other people in the World. So ſaid Balaam concerning Iſrael, Numb. 23.9. Lo the people ſhall dwell alone, and ſhall not be reckoned among the nations; they ſhould be ſevered from them as Gods peculiar people. I am the Lord your God which have ſeparated you from other people, Lev. 20.24. And ſo may it be ſaid of the Church and people of God, all true beleevers, they differ from all other people. Which they do in many particulars.
1. in their Laws, & Ordinances. So Haman told King Ahaſuerus concerning the Jews. There is (ſaith he) a certain people ſcattered abroad, 1. In their Laws and Ordinances.and diſperſed among the people in all the Provinces of the Kingdom, and their Laws are diverſe from all people. Heſt. 3.8. And ſuch they were, more righteous Laws than any other Nation had (as we have it Deut. 4.8.) And ſo may it be ſaid of all true beleevers. They have ſuch Laws, as no other people have, even the Laws of God written in their hearts. So runs the tenor of the New Covenant, Jer. 31.33. I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts. Other people they have their Laws, Civil Laws, written in Tables or Books, which ſerve for the regulating of the outward man, the binding of the hand and Tongue to the good behavour, but Gods people they have their ſpiritual Laws, which being written by the finger of Gods Spirit upon the Tables of their hearts, they ſerve for regulating of the inward man, the Conſcience.
2. As they have peculiar Laws, ſo alſo peculiar promiſes, which belong only unto them,2. Having prculiar Promiſes. even great and precious promiſes, as Saint Peter calleth them, 2 Pet. 1.4. There are given to us exceeding great and precious promiſes; foreign, promiſes of very great matters, of things of higheſt concernment. Promiſes not only of the life that now is, foreign, the preſent life, but alſo of that which is to come, Temporal, Eternal promiſes, both which are made unto Godlineſſe, as the Apoſtle telleth us, 1 Tim. 4.8. the former conditionally, if expedient for the perſons, the other Abſolutely. In which reſpect it is that they are called the Children of the promiſe, Gal. 4.28. Now we Breehreen (we beleevers) as Iſaac was, are Children of the Promiſe; having peculiar promiſes belonging unto them, which others have nothing to do with.
3. As they have peculiar Laws and Promiſes, ſo they have a peculiar language. 3. A peeuliar language.Being a purified people they have a pure language. This is that which the Lord promiſeth to his Church under the Goſpel, Zeph. 3.9. Then will I turn to the people a pure language. So is it with all that are Chriſts people. Qui in Chriſtum credunt linguis loquuntur novis. True beleevers having new hearts, they have alſo new Tongues, ſpeaking a new language, the language of Canaan. So it was foretold concerning thoſe five Cities, Iſai 19.18. In that day ſhall five Cities in the land of Egypt ſpeak the language of Canaan. A promiſe made good under the Goſpel, where Heathens being converted unto the faith, they come to ſpeak a Goſpel language; their Communication is no longer profane, but pure and holy. And ſo is it with all that are truly brought home unto Chriſt, however before they were vain and looſe in their language, it may be ſwearers, filthy ſpeakers, or the like, yet now it is otherwiſe with them. Now they are obſervant of the Apoſtles rules, not ſuffering any Corrupt communication to proceed out of their mouth, (which he chargeth Eph. 4.29.) But their ſpeech is with grace ſeaſoned with ſalt, (as that other text Text hath it, Col. 4.6.) gracious and ſavory.
4. A peculiar cariage.4. As they have a peculiar language, ſo a peculiar cariage and behaviour. They are ſuch as walk after an other manner, by another Rule, than others do. They are ſuch as walk not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit, (ſo the Apoſtle deſcribeth them) Rom. 8.1, 4. No longer walking according to the courſe of this World, ſo as to have their converſation in the luſts of the fleſh, fulfilling the deſires of the fleſh, Eph. 2.2, But their Converſation is Ʋpright, Pſal. 37.14. Honeſt, 1 Pet. 2.12. Chaſt, cap. 3.2. Good, v. 16. Such as becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt. Phil. 1.27. Thus have they in meaſure done what the Apoſtle requires from all Chriſtians, Eph. 4.22, 24. Put off concerning the former converſation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitfull luſts, and being renewed in the spirit of their minds they have put on that new man, which is created after God in righteouſneſs & true holineſſe. Thus is their Cariage Peculiar.
5. And ſuch is their Attire, 5. Peculiar Garments.they have peculiar Garments. As the ſtory tells us of Joſeph, that his father bearing a pecular affection unto him, loving him more than all his Children, he beſtowed upon him a peculiar Garment, a Coat of many colours, Gen. 27.3. Even thus the Lord Ieſus loving his Church with a peculiar love, he puts upon it a peculiar Garment, even that ſpoken of Rev. 19.8. To her was graunted that ſhe ſhould be arrayed in fine linnen, clean and white; for the fine linnen is the righteouſneſſe of Saints. A twofold Righteouſneſſe, the one of Juſtification, the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt imputed, the other of Sanctification, the graces of the Spirit imparted, which render true beleevers beautifull in the eyes of God, Angels and Saints. Peculiar Garments.
6. And ſo again a peculiar diet. I have meat to eat that you know not of (ſaith our Saviour to his Diſciples, Joh. 4.32.6. A peculiar Diet. viz. to do the will of him that ſent him (as the 34. verſ. explains it.) Even ſo may it be ſaid of all the true Diſciples of Chriſt, they have meat which the world knoweth not of; meat that periſheth not, but endureth unto life everlaſting, (which our Saviour exhorts his hearers to labour for) Joh. 6.27. meat which the Son of Man giveth them (as it there followeth) viz. the true heavenly manna, Chriſt himſelf, his fleſh. The Bread that I will give is my fleſh, v. 51. This is the meat which true beleevers feed upon by faith, applying the merits of Chriſt unto themſelves, whereby their ſouls are nouriſhed up unto eternal life. And as their meat, ſo their Drink, which is true Aqua vitae, Water of life, Living water, which our Saviour tells the woman of Samaria, if ſhe had asked it of him, he would have given it to her, Ioh. 4.10. meaning thereby the Grace and Spirit of Regeneration. Water not like other Waters, which who ſo drinketh of ſhall thirſt again; But who ſo drinketh of this Water which Chriſt giveth, he ſhall never thirſt; But this water ſhall be in him a Well of water ſpringing up unto Eternal Life, (as it there followeth, v. 14.) ſuch full ſatisfaction doth the Soul of the Beleever find in, and from Ieſus Chriſt. Thus, as the Iſraelites, being Gods peculiar people, they had in the wilderneſs peculiar meat and drink, ſuch as never any other peole were fed with, their Bread coming from heaven, (as we have it Ioh. 6.31. He gave them bread from Heaven to eat) and their Water fetched out of the Rock in a miraculous way, ſo is it with all true Iſraelites, true Beleevers, being unto Chriſt a peculiar people, they have peculiar meat and drink, even the Bodie and Blood of Chriſt, whereof, (as the Apoſtle tells us 1 Cor. 10.3, 4.) that Manna and that Rock were types.
7. A peculiar Countrie.7. And Laſtly (to name no more,) they are peculiar as to their Country, of which they are and for which they ſeek. How ever they are, Upon the Earth, yet are they not of the earth, but of a heavenly extraction, being born from above, (as that word foreign may be rendred, Ioh. 3.3.) heaven born. Thus are they Citizens of the heavenly Ieruſalem (as the Apoſtle hath it, Heb. 12.22.) That is properly their Countrie. Here they are but ſtrangers and Pilgrims, (ſo the Patriarchs confeſſed of themſelves) Heb. 11.13. And therefore they deſired and ſought for another Countrie, a better Countrie, that is, an heavenly (as it followeth v. 16.) And ſo is it with thoſe that are Chriſts; they look at heaven as their home; where their hearts are, as alſo their Converſation. Our Converſation is in heaven, Phil. 3.20. As they mind heavenly things, ſo their foreign, their chief trading and commerce is there; even in the new and heavenly Jeruſalem, where they converſe and have communion with God and Jeſus Chriſt, with whom they hope to live and dwell to all eternitie. To proceed no farther.
Thus may Beleevers upon a manifold account be fitly called, (what here they are) a peculiar people, to which end Chriſt, having Redeemed, purifieth them. Which being thus explicated as to the Doctrinal part of it, let it now be brought home by way of Application.Applic 1. Comfort to beleevers.
And that (1.) by way of Comfort and Incouragement to all thoſe who can approve themſelves to be of this number, ſuch as Chriſt hath purified, ſanctifyed. Being ſuch, now are you Chriſts peculiars. Which let it bear up your hearts and ſpirits,1. Againſt the contempt of the world.
1. Againſt the ſleight eſtimation and contempt, which you may meet with in and from the World. What matters it what account that hath of you, ſo long as you are in eſteem with Jeſus Chriſt? So long as he accounts you his peculiar Treaſure, his Iewels, what matters it though the world look upon you as droſſe and dung? So were the Apoſtles eſteemed of, as Paul tells us in that known Text, 1 Cor. 4.13. We are made as the filth of the World, and are the of-ſcouring of all things unto this day, foreign, the verie offall and ſhreds of the World. Such are the deareſt and preciouſeſt of Gods Saints oft times made. Thou haſt made us as the of-ſcouring and refuſe in the midſt of the people, (ſo we may hear the Church complaining Lam. 3.45.) But let not this be any diſcouragement. So long as Ieſus Chriſt looks otherwiſe upon you (which he doth if Saints) let this be enough for you. Paul writing to his Corinthians, among whom (as it ſeemeth) there were ſome who thought and ſpake very meanly of him (a lot which the Miniſters of Chriſt often meet with) he telleth them; with me it is a very ſmall thing that I ſhould be judged of you or of mans judgment, 1 Cor. 4.3. foreign, the leaſt thing, a matter of no moment, what they or any other judged of him. And how ſo? For he that judgeth me is the Lord, ſo he giveth the Reaſon in the next verſe v. 4. And ſo look you upon the Worlds Judgement. Let others cenſure you as they pleaſe, ſo long as your Lord and Maſter Chriſt, to whom you muſt stand and fall (as the Apoſtle ſaith, Rom. 14.4.) hath another eſteem of you, let this be enough to you. So long as a favorite is near and dear to his Prince, highly eſteemed of him, what careth he what opinion the ignobile vulgus, the vulgar rout hath of him?
2. And as againſt the opinion of the World, ſo againſt what ever wrongs and injuries you are expoſed to in it.2. Againſt wrongs and injuries from the world Being Chriſts peculiar he will have a peculiar eye upon you, a peculiar care over you. So will a man have of his peculiar Treaſure, his choice pieces of Gold or Silver, his Iewels, he will have a Cabinet for them, where he will keep them under lock and key, having a more ſpecial regard unto them than to the reſt of his ſubſtance. And ſo hath the Lord Chriſt over his Saints. They being near and dear unto him, his peculiar Treaſure, his Iewels, he wil have a ſpecial care of them, for the ſecuring of them. He hath a Cabinet for them, a hiding place in the midſt of whatever troubles. In the time of trouble he ſhall hide me in his Pavilion, in the ſecret of his Tabernacle ſhall he hide me, ſo ſaith David of himſelf, Pſal. 27.5. And the like he ſaith of all others who truely fear the Lord, Pſal. 31.19, 20. O how great is thy goodneſſe which thou haſt laid up for them that fear thee? Thou ſhalt hide them in the ſecret of thy preſence, from the pride of man, thou ſhalt keep them ſecretly in a pavilion from the ſtrife of tongues. Such Repoſitories hath Chriſt for his Saints, Such as the Cloſets of Kings and Princes, which are looked upon as ſacred and inviolable, or as the Sanctum Sanctorum, the Holy of holies, the inward moſt part of the Sanctuarie, which was inacceſſible, a place which none might enter, or look into; and thereupon called Gods Secret or Hidden place, Ezek. 7.22. Such Coverts, ſuch Sanctuaries, ſuch hiding places hath the Lord for his Saints; who are thereupon called his hidden ones, Pſal. 83.3. They have taken crafty counſel againſt thy people, and conſulted againſt thy hidden ones. Gods people they are his Abſcondity, his hidden ones, whom he hideth in the ſecret of his Tabernacle, having a ſpecial care of them for their protection. And therefore, though thoſe who wiſh ill unto them take crafty counſel, conſulting againſt them, yet let them reſt ſecure, committing themſelves to the care and cuſtody of this their Redeemer, who having been at ſo much coſt and pains with them, as to buy them at ſo dear a rate, and to purifie them unto himſelf a peculiar people, will not be regardleſs of them. This by way of Incouragement.
Which that we may all of us have a right unto,Ʋſe 2. Chriſtians to make ſure that they are of this number. and take hold upon, ſee that we be of this number, in the number of Chriſts peculiar people. Where content we not our ſelves that we are outwardly and viſibly ſuch. So were all the people of the Iews, they were all Gods people, and his peculiar people, (as we find them often called) being all under an outward viſible Covenant, yet there were many among them who deſerved nothing leſs than to be ſo owned by God, being ſome, and many of them, Hypocrites, and others openly profane. In ſo much as the Lord though he call them his people, which he doth Iſ. 1.3. My people, Yet in the verſe following he calleth them a ſinfull Nation, a ſeed of evil doers, Children that were corrupters. And ſo may it be ſaid of all Chriſtians, who are members of the viſible Church, being under a viſible Covenant, outwardly purified by the Sacrament of Baptiſm, having their Bodies waſhen with that clean water (as ſome underſtand that of the Apoſtle Heb. 10.22.) they are hereby ſevered from Heathens and Infidels, and ſo may be called Chriſts people, being dedicated to him, and ſuch as to an outward profeſſion. But ſee that we be ſuch inwardly, really, ſuch as are truly waſhen by the Blood and Spirit of Chriſt, ſuch whoſe hearts are purified by faith, Act. 15.9. ſuch whoſe Conſciences are purged from dead works to ſerve the living God, Heb. 9.14. Being ſuch, now take we hold of this Privilege, of being Chriſts peculiar people indeed.
And being ſo,Ʋſe 3. Chriſtians to walk after a peculiar manner. now ſee that we walk anſwerably hereunto, approving and ſhewing our ſelves to be of this number by our peculiar walking. This is that which Paul preſſeth upon his Epheſians, Cap. 4. v. 17. This I ſay therefore, and teſtifie in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, &c. And the like let me preſs upon you who lay claim to this Privilege. See that you walk not as other Gentiles walk, that you no longer walk after the courſe of this World. Remember that you are a peculiar people, and therefore ſee that you walk after a peculiar manner, No longer living the reſt of your time in the fleſh, but to the will of God (as Saint Peter there preſſeth it) 1 Pet. 4.2. Which while you do, regatd not what the men of the world think of you. Though they think it ſtrange (which they will be ready to do) that you run not with them into the ſame exceſs of riot, and ſo ſpeak evill of you (as it there followeth, v. 4.) branding you with opprobrious names of Preciſians, Puritanes, or what they pleaſe; yet hold you on your courſe, Living Soberly, Righteouſly, and Godly, walking preciſely, ſtrictly, which Paul calls for from his Epheſians, Eph. 5.15. See that you walk circumspectly, foreign, Exactly, Preciſely, ſo much that word properly imports, which being compounded of foreign and foreign,foreign Graecis foreign, id eſt, quod ab imo ad ſupremum aſcendatur, quod eſt exquiſitae & prefectae diligentiae. Beza in Luk. 1.3. Gr. Annot. ſignifieth a proceeding and going to the height, the extremity of a thing. And ſuch let your walking be, therein indeavouring to go to the utmoſt of every Commandement. Thus did that Religious pair, Zacharie, & Elizabeth, walk. They were both righteous before God; walking in all the Commandements and Ordinances of the Lord blameleſſe. Luk. 1.16. They were perſons of upright hearts, and ſo accepted of God, and they were deſirous of approving themſelves both to God and Man blameleſs, by the conſcionable indeavour of an univerſal obedience, having a regard to all his Commandements and Ordinances. And the like ſee that you do. To this end it was that God took the people of the Iews to be a peculiar people, that they ſhould keep all his Commandements, as we find it in that Text forecited, Deut. 26.11. And you, looking upon your ſelves as ſuch, ſee that you have a regard hereunto, now living in ſuch a peculiar way, living to him who hath taken you into ſo near a relation, made you a peculiar people to himſelf. Acknowledging the Lord Jeſus for your Peculiar Lord, Chriſtians to own Chriſt as their peculiar Lord.having a peculiar intereſt in you, which he hath purchaſed with his Blood. Now yield your ſelves up unto him whoſe wholly you are, ſerving him, glorifying of him.
Serving him, not Men. Serving him.So the Apoſtle preſſeth it upon his Corinthians, 1 Cor. 7.23. Ye are bought with a price, be ye not the ſervants of men; viz. ſo as to enſlave your ſelves, your conſciences, unto them, to obey their wills in any thing that is contrary to the will of your Lord and Maſter Chriſt, whoſe ſervants you are (as the verſe there fore-going hath it.) And being ſo, ſerve you him. This is a true Character of a true Believer, he is one that ſerveth the Lord Chriſt, Col. 3.24. And this do you, ſerving him not onelyonly with the outward man, by performing of external duties and ſervices unto him, but with the Inward, ſerving him in your Spirits (as Paul ſaith he did his God, Rom. 1.9.) doing his will from the heart (as he exhorteth ſervants to do, Eph. 6.6.)
And doing his work,Seeking his honour. ſeek his honour and glory. Which do you alſo upon the ſame account, as being his Peculiar people, bought by him for ſuch an end, that you might be to the praiſe of his glory (as the Apoſtle hath it, Eph. 1.12.) and that in a peculiar way. To this end it was that he made all things, and will make them all ſerve to this end in a general way. See that you whom he hath made his Peculiar people, do this in a peculiar way. Live you to the glory of him who hath Redeemed, bought you. Ye are bought with a price (ſaith the Apoſtle) Wherefore glorifie God in your Body and in your Spirit, for they are Gods, 1 Cor. 6.1. Thus do you ſeek the glory of this your Redeemer, making this your chief deſign. Being willing upon this account to do or ſuffer any thing for Ieſus Chriſt. Of this mind was the bleſſed Apoſtle, who tells his Philippians, cap. 1.20. that this was his Confidence, that whatever happened unto him, yet Chriſt (ſaith he) ſhall be magnified in my Body, whether it be by life or death. And this let every of us ſeek after, that the name of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt may be glorified in us, and by us (as the ſame Apoſtle prayeth for his Theſſalonians, 2 Theſſ. 1.12.) which whileſt we endeavour, doubt not but (as it there followeth) we ſhall be glorified in him, and with him. Having thus as his peculiar people, endeavoured to glorifie him upon earth, he will hereafter own us as his peculiar people, glorifying us with himſelf in heaven. When the reſt of the world, as Goats, ſhall be ſet upon his left hand, as ſlighted, not regarded by htm, then will he own us for his ſheep, ſetting us on his right hand, honouring us before God, Angels, and men, ſaying unto us, (as there we have it) Come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world, Mat. 25.34. When wicked and ungodly men, all profane perſons and hypocrites, who have onelyonly a ſhew of Religion, ſhall be caſt forth as Chaff, and burned with fire unquenchable; then ſhall we, as Wheat, be gathered into the Garner (as Iohn the Baptiſt deſcribeth the different conditions of Believers and others, Luke 3.17. Then will the Lord Chriſt make it known to all the world what eſteem he hath of his Saints, that he accounteth them his Segullah, his peculiar Treaſure, his Iewels; which he will do by ſending his Angels to gather them together from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (as we have it, Mat. 24.31.) whereever their bodies lie ſcattered; and ſo laying them up as his Iewels in the Cabinet of Eternity, his Kingdom of Glory.
Many other uſes might be yet made of this.Ʋſe 4. Chriſtians to make Chriſt their peculiar Treaſure. Hath Chriſt taken us for his Peculiar people, eſteeming highly of us above others who have deſerved as well, or better than we have done? Why then in anſwer hereunto let us ſet the like Peculiar Affection upon him, taking him for our peculiar Treaſure, prizing and eſteeming him above all, accounting all but loſſe and dung that we may win Chriſt, and be found in him (as the Apoſtle ſaith of himſelf that he did, Phil. 3.8, 9.)
And making ſuch account of him,Ʋſe. 5. Highly eſteeming of the Saints. next to him make the like account of his Saints. Taking heed of offending them, which who ſo doth, even the leaſt of them, he may hear Chriſt telling him, that it were better for him that a mill-ſtone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the ſea, Mat. 18.6. Take heed of wronging, injuring them by word or deed, knowing how dear and precious they are unto Ieſus Chriſt; even as the Apple of his eye. So we find them called, Zach. 2.8. He that toucheth you, toucheth the Apple of his eye. What is done unto them, either for or againſt them, Chriſt taketh it as done unto himſelf. In as much as ye have done it to one of the leaſt of theſe my brethren, ye have done it unto me, Mat. 25.40. & 45. They are Chriſts Peculiar people, his choiſe favourites; therefore offend them not, wrong them not, nor yet ſlight them. Take heed that ye deſpiſe not one of theſe little ones, Mat. 18.10. But let them be precious in our eyes; look upon them as the Iewels of the world, highly eſteeming of all thoſe in whom we ſee aliquid Chriſti, any thing of Chriſt. The more of Chriſt, the more precious they are. And therefore highly account of ſuch, looking upon them as the truly excellent ones, delighting in them, being ready to do all offices of love unto them. Thus was holy David affected, as he ſets it forth, Pſal. 16.3. My goodneſſe (O Lord) exeendeth not unto thee, but to the Saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. And let the like affection be in every of us, which expreſs we in the like way, looking upon the Saints as the Excellent ones, delight we in their ſociety, and let our goodneſs extend unto them, communicating of our goods unto them ſuitable to their Neceſſity and our Ability. Which who ſo doth, he ſhall have Chriſt himſelf for his Inſurer. Whoſoever ſhall give to drink unto one of theſe little ones a cup of cold water onelyonly in the name of a diſciple (do the leaſt office of love to him for Chriſts ſake) verily I ſay unto you he ſhall not loſe his reward, Mat. 10. laſt. Thus let the ſame mind be in us, which was and is in Ieſus Chriſt (as the Apoſtle preſſeth it upon his Philippians) c. 2. v. 5. Thoſe whom he hath given himſelf for, and purified to be a peculiar people unto himſelf, let them alſo be a peculiar people unto us. But I paſſe on to that which remaines, the laſt clauſe in the Text.
Wherein we have the Qualification and Temper of this people whom Chriſt thus appropriateth, being his Peculiar people, they are alſo a People zealous of good works.