The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Sermon 4 · Section 5
Some Notes of a perſon that is Spiritually Rich.
Cleerly, As there are few worldly rich men to thoſe that are poore, ſo there are few in this profeſſing Age, that will be found to be ſpiritually rich, compared with the multitude of Laodiceans that ſwarme in theſe times. We have many that ſay they are rich, and that think they are rich, when the truth is, they have either no grace, or but a very little grace: And theſe five following things doe clearly evidence it, &c.Notes of a perſon that is ſpiritually rich.
FIrſt, Rich men have more variety of objects to delight themſelves with, then poore men have.
They have Houſes, and Gardens, and Lands, and Cattell, and Silver, and Gold, and Jewels, and Pearls, and what not? to delight themſelves with. Oh but poore men have not ſuch variety of objects to delight themſelves with, as rich men have. It's juſt thus in ſpirituall riches. A man that's rich in grace, hath more variety of ſpirituall objects, about which his ſoule is moſt converſant, then a man that is poor in grace. Joſeph in Phar…ah's Court had more variety of objects to delight him, then his brethren had to delight themſelves in their fathers houſe, &c.He ha's more objects of love, of joy, of delight of content, to buſie and exerciſe his ſoule about, then others that are weak in grace. 2 Cor. 6. 10. Injoying nothing, and yet poſſeſſing all things. A ſoule rich in grace, poſſeſſes and injoyes all things in Chriſt, and Chriſt in all things. They injoy all good in him who is the chiefeſt good, who is the ſpring and fountaine of good.
I have ſpoken largely to this already, and therefore ſhall content my ſelfe in giving you this hint. It ſtands you upon to inquire what variety of Objects you have to delight your ſoules in. But
Secondly, Rich men can reach to thoſe things that poore men cannot reach to.
I would have ſuch and ſuch things, ſaith the poore man, as the rich man hath; I would fare as he fares, and weare as he wares, and doe as he does, but my ſtock will not reach it. So a ſoul that is ſpiritually rich can reach to thoſe things that one that is poore in grace cannot reach unto. He can reach to thoſe joyes, to thoſe comforts, and to thoſe contents, to thoſe heights of communion with God, and to thoſe Viſions and apprehenſions of God, that a ſoule that is not rich in grace, cannot reach to. Oh! I would faine have that comfort, and that joy, and that peace, and that communion with God, and thoſe Viſions of God, that ſuch and ſuch ſoules have, ſaith a poore Chriſtian, but I cannot, my ſtock will not reach to it. It's an Argument a man is growne higher, when he can reach higher then he could before, whether it be a beam, or a pin, &c. So it's an Argument that a ſoule is grown rich in grace, when he can reach beyond what formerly he could reach unto; when he can reach beyond his inlargements, beyond his incomes, beyond his comforts, to a Chriſt: When in duty, he can reach above duty; when in an Ordinance, he can reach to Chriſt, above the Ordinance; when under inlargements, he can reach above inlargements, to Jeſus Chriſt. Oh but now a man that hath but a little grace, he can rarely reach above his duties, above Ordinances, above Inlargements, to Chriſt, he is very apt to ſit downe, and warm himſelfe with the ſparkes of his owne fire, and to feed upon Iſa. 50. 11. Iſa. 44. 20.aſhes, as the Prophet ſpeaks, &c. But now a ſoule that is rich in grace, ſayes, Well, theſe Ordinances are not Chriſt, theſe refreſhings are not Chriſt, theſe meltings are not Chriſt, theſe inlargements are not Chriſt, theſe are ſweet, but he is more ſweet; theſe are very precious, but he is moſt precious. And thou thoſe that are ſpiritually rich, doe out-reach all others, &c.
Thirdly, Rich men can with more eaſe and pleaſure beare burdens, then poore men can.A Tree that is well growne, ſtands it o… in the worſt ſtormes, it bends not, it breaks not, &c.
When Taxes and burdens are laid upon poore men, they ſigh, and ſhrug, and complaine that they are not able to bear them, when rich men make nothing of them. So ſoules that are rich in grace, can bear burdens, without a burden; they can bear croſſes, afflictions, and perſecutions, with abundance of eaſe, cheerfullneſſe, and contentedneſſe of ſpirit; they doe not ſhrug, nor grumble, but beare the greateſt Trialls, with the greateſt ſweetneſſe, as you may ſee in Acts 5. They went out rejoycing that they were counted worthy to ſuffer for the name of Chriſt. So Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 10. I take pleaſure in infirmities, in reproaches, in neceſſities, in perſecutions, in diſtreſſes, for Chriſts ſake.
I take pleaſure. The Greek word is an emphaticall word, foreign.it is the ſame word that God the father uſes to expreſſe his infinite delight in his Son, Mat. 3. ult. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed: Or, In whom I am infinitely delighted. The ſame word the Apoſtle uſes to expreſſe the wonderfull delight that he took under all his ſufferings; he rejoyces & leaps under all his burdens. Oh but now a ſoul that is poor in grace, he cannot bear a burden, without a burden; every light affliction turns him, & ſinks him; every Mole-hill is a mountaine; every ſcratch on the hand, is a ſtab at the heart; every wave is a ſea, and the poore Chriſtian ſighes and groanes, and cryes out, O no ſorrow to my ſorrow, no loſſe to my loſſe, no croſſe to my croſſe; but ſoules rich in grace act quite contrary, as hath been hinted, and proved, &c.
Fourthly, Rich men are moſt envied.
Hiſtory and Scripture ſpeaks out this, as well as our owne experience. The rich man above all others, is the greateſt object of envy, and 'tis as true that ſuch that are moſt rich in Numb. 16.ſpiritualls, are of all men, the moſt envied. Moſes and Aaron were rich in ſpiritualls, and Oh! how were they envied by Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, and other wicked wretches? Twas ſaid of Caeſar, and Pompoy, That the one could not indure a ſuperiour, nor the other an equall.Ezra, Nehemiah, and Mordecai, were rich in ſpiritualls, and who more envied? Among all the Prophets and Apoſtles, thoſe have been moſt envied, that have moſt abounded in ſpirituall worth; and to this very day, none are ſuch objects of ſcorne and envy, as thoſe that have moſt of Chriſt within. Men that have more leaves, then fruit, that have a golden outſide, but a thred-bare inſide, are leſſe envied then thoſe that are all glorious within. Men of greateſt excellencies, Pſal. 45. 13.are the maine objects upon which the eye of envy is placed. Sauls envious eye was placed upon David, and Cain's upon Abel, and Eſau's upon Jacob, and Herod's upon John, and the Phariſees upon Chriſt. Envious ſoules are like the Ravens, that flye over the ſweet Garden, and light upon the ſtinking Carrion. Envy doth ever aſcend, it never diſcends: An envious man can with more eaſe dye miſerably, Socrates calls Envy (Se…ram animae) Th… ſoules ſaw, &c.then ſee another live happily: An envious heart weeps to ſee others mercies, and joyes to ſee others miſeries: An envious heart is like the Mear-maid, which never ſings but in a ſtorm, and never mournes but in a calme. An envious man cannot indure thoſe excellencies in others, that he wants in himſelfe; he loves not any light that out-ſhines his owne, any Crowne that out-weighs his owne, &c.
Cimon the famous Generall of the Athenian Commonwealth, hearing a friend of his highly commending his Martiall Atchievements, anſwered, That they were not worthy of commendations, becauſe they were not envied, &c.
Fifthly, Rich men are moſt tempted, and aſſaulted.
Pirates doe not uſe to ſet upon empty Veſſels, but thoſe that are moſt richly laden: And Beggars need not feare the Thief, though the rich man doe. Thoſe that have been moſt rich in ſpiritualls, have been moſt aſſaulted and tempted by God and Satan will t…y to the utmoſt thoſe particular graces wherein any Chriſtian do'… excell, &c.Satan, witneſſe Abraham, Job, Joſhua, Peter, Paul, yea, Chriſt himſelfe. The beſt men have alwayes been moſt and worſt tempted; none ſo much in the Schoole of temptation, as thoſe that are moſt rich in grace. There are none that are ſuch blocks, ſuch mountaines in Satans way, as theſe; none doe him that miſchief, as theſe; none are ſo active, and ſo reſolute in their oppoſitions againſt him, as they, &c. and therefore none ſo aſſaulted and tempted, as they. And thus by theſe five things you may know whether you are rich in grace, or no.
The next Uſe is this,
If the Lord Jeſus Chriſt be ſo rich, then doe not joyne any thing with him, in the great worke of your redemption, and ſalvation.
There is riches enough in Chriſt to pay all your debts, and to ſatisfie Divine Juſtice to the utmoſt farthing, without being beholding to your prayers, teares, or humiliations: Chriſt will be Alexander, or Nemo, on earth. Kings love no conſorts, power is impatient of participation.
When Augustus Caeſar deſired the Senate to joyne two Conſuls with him, for the carrying on the Government of Suetonius.the State, the Senators anſwered, That they held it a diminution to his dignity, to joyne any with ſo incomparable a man, as Augustus Caeſar was.
Was it a diminution to his dignity, to joyne others with We muſt ſay of Chriſt, as it was once ſaid of Caeſar, S…cium habet neminem He may have a companion, but he muſt not have a competi…or, &c.him in the Government of the State? And is it not a diminution of the dignity and glory of Chriſt, to joyne your actions and your indeavours with his blood, in the buſineſſe of your redemption? In Iſa. 63. 3. I have trodden the Winepreſſe alone, and of the people there was none with me. And in Iſa. 44. Thus ſaith the Lord thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things, that ſtretcheth forth the heavens alone, that ſpreadeth abroad the earth by my ſelfe. 'Tis a ſad reproach to Chriſt, to joyne any thing with him in the great buſineſſe of your ſalvation, therefore abhor it more then hell it ſelfe; let Chriſt be all in all.
Againe Thirdly,
If Chriſt be ſo rich, then take heed of three things.
Firſt, Take heed of ſitting downe dejected and diſcouraged under any loſſes or troubles that doe befall you, or that have or ſhall befall you for the name of Chriſt.
Chriſt is generally rich, he is able to make up all your loſſes and wants. Phil. 4. 19. But my God ſhall ſupply all your need, according to his riches in glory by Chriſt Jeſus, as he did the widowes veſſel. The fountaine hath not the leſſe water for the veſſel it fills; nor the Sun the leſſe light, for that it gives forth to the Starres; ſo the Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath never a whit the leſſe for what he gives forth unto his Saints.
When Zeliſlaus, the King of Poland's Generall, had loſt his hand in his ſervice, the King ſent him a golden hand. Ah Chriſtians! when you looſe this or that for him, he will ſend you a golden hand; if you looſe a penny for him, he will give you a Pearle. Chriſt will not live long in any mans debt, if he ſhould, he would looſe his glory, &c.
Secondly, If the Lord Jeſus be very rich, Oh then take heed of deſpairing, by reaſon of your ſins.
I confeſſe, the leaſt ſin ſhould humble the ſoule, but certainly the greateſt ſin ſhould never diſcourage the ſoule, much leſſe ſhould it work the ſoule to deſpaire. Read 1 Tim. 1. 13, 14, 15. and deſpaire (I had almoſt ſaid) if thou can'ſt. Deſpairing Judas periſhed, when as the murderers of Chriſt, Acts 2.believing on Chriſt, were ſaved. Deſpaire is a ſin exceeding vild and contemptible, 'tis a word of eternall reproach, diſhonour, and confuſion; it declares the Devil a Conquerour, and what greater diſhonour can be done to Chriſt, then for My ſin is greater then can be forgiven, ſaith Gain. Thou lyeſt Cain, ſaith Auguſtine for Gods mercy is greater then the ſins of all men and its a great injury to God to diſtruſt of his mercy.a ſoule to proclaime before all the world, the Devil a crowned Conquerour? A deſpairing ſoule is Magor miſſabib, A terrour to himſelfe, his heart a hell of horrour, his conſcience an Acheldama, a field of black blood. He hath no reſt at home, nor abroad, at bed nor board, but is as if infernall Devils followed him in fearfull ſhapes, terrifying and tormenting his perplexed ſoule. Eternity of miſery feared or felt, begets that Monſter, which, like Meduſas head, aſtoniſheth with its very aſpect, and ſtrangles hope, which is the breath of the ſoule. As it is ſaid, Dum ſpiro ſpero, ſo it may be inverted Dum ſpero ſpiro, other miſeries may wound the ſpirit, but deſpaire kills it dead, &c.
Thirdly, If Chriſt be ſo rich, Then take heed of preſuming.Chriſt is a Lyon, as well as a Lamb; he hath a ſword, as well as a Scepter.
Take heed of taking incouragement to ſin upon this account, that Chriſt is rich in grace and mercy. To argue from the riches of mercy, to ſinfull liberty, is the Devils Logick. A ſoule that thus reaſons, is a ſoule left of God, a ſoule that is upon the laſt ſtep of the ladder, a ſoule that Satan hath by the hand, and the eternall God knowes whether he will lead him. What the women ſung of Saul and David, that Saul 1 Sam. 18. 6, 7. Rom. 6. 1, 2.had ſlaine his thouſands, and David his ten thouſands, that I may ſay of deſpaire, and preſumption, Deſpaire hath ſlaine her thouſand, but preſumption hath ſlaine her ten thouſand. Shall we ſin that grace may abound? God forbid: How ſhall we that are dead to ſin, live any longer therein? As the beams of the Sun, ſhining on the fire, puts out the fire, ſo the ſhinings of Gods mercy on us, ſhould extinguiſh ſin in us, as the Apoſtle argues, 2 Pet. 3. 15. from Paul, Rom. 2. 4. Chriſt ſeemes to ſay to ſoules, as Theſius ſaid once, Goe (ſayes he) and tell Creon, Theſius offers thee a gracious offer, yet I am pleaſed to be friends, if thou wilt ſubmit, this is my firſt Meſſage, but if this offer prevaile not, looke for me to be up in armes. Ah ſoules! if you ſhall abuſe the riches of grace, to a preſumptuous ſinning againſt Chriſt, Chriſt will take up Armes, and you ſhall dye for it.
The next Uſe is this.
If Chriſt be ſo rich, Oh then open to Chriſt when he knocks.
Chriſt knocks by his word, and he knocks by his rod; he knocks by his ſpirit, and he knocks by his meſſengers, and he knocks by conſcience, Oh open to him, for he is very rich. Though you ſhut the doore againſt a poore man, yet you will open it to one that is rich, and why not then to Chriſt, who would faine have entrance. Rev. 3. 20. Behold I ſtand at the doore, and knocke, if any man heare my voyce, and open the doore, I will come in to him, and will ſup with him, and he with me.
Behold, I ſtand. I that am the King of glory, I that am Pſal. 24. 7, 8, 9. Rev. 17. 14.King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. I that am rich in mercy, rich in goodneſſe, rich in grace, rich in glory, I ſtand at the doore and knocke. I that have gold to inrich you, I that have eye-ſalve to inlighten you, I that have glorious Apparrell to cloath you, I that have mercy to pardon you, I that have power to ſave you, I that have wiſedome to counſell you, I that have happineſſe to Crowne you, I ſtand at the doore, and knocke.
If any man will open. If the Maſter will not, yet if the ſervant will; if the Miſtriſſe will not, yet if the Maid will; if the Parent will not, yet if the Child will; if the rich man will not, yet if the poore man will; if the Phariſee won't, yet if the Publican will;
I will come in, and will ſup with him, and he with me. Jeſus Chriſt hath the greateſt worth and wealth in him, as the worth and value of many peeces of ſilver, is in one piece of gold; ſo all the heavenly excellencies that are ſcattered abroad in Angels and men, are united to Chriſt; yea, all the whole volume of perfection, which is ſpread through heaven and earth, is epitomized in Chriſt.
They …ay 'tis true of the Oyle at Rhemes, That though it be continually ſpent in the inauguration of their Kings of France, yet it never waſts. Chriſt is a pot of Manna, a cruiſe of Oyle, a bottomleſſe Ocean of all comforts, and contents that never faile. A Saint may ſay, In having nothing, I have all things, becauſe I have Chriſt: Having therefore all things in him, I ſeeke no other reward, for he is the univerſall reward.
And then againe,
If Chriſt be ſo rich, then ſit downe and wonder at his condiſcending love.
That one ſo rich, ſhould fall in love with ſuch that are Rev. 3. 17. to 21, &c.poore, wretched, miſerable, blind, and naked; that one ſo high, ſhould look ſo low as poore we; that one ſo great, that one who is the Lord and Heire of all, ſhould match with us Heb 1, 2, 3, 4. Phil. 3. 17, 18, 19, &c. Ezek. 16.that have nothing at all. O the breadth, the length, the depth, the highth of Chriſts love to unlovely ſoules! to ſuch that had neither portion, nor proportion, that had neither externall, nor internall worth, that might in the leaſt draw his love towards them. You were indebted to God for the cloaths you weare, for the bread you eat, for the houſes you live in, the aire you breath in, the beds you lye on, the ground you tread on, &c. Now for Chriſt to love ſuch, and to be willing to beſtow himſelfe upon ſuch nothings, Oh! how ſhould this work them to ſpend their dayes in admiring and contemplating upon his kindneſſe, and goodneſſe?
I have read a ſtory of an Elephant, who being fallen downe, and unable to helpe himſelfe, or get up againe, by Love is like fire, very operative. Si non …, non eſt.reaſon of the inflexibleneſſe of his leggs; a Forreſter coming by, helped him up, wherewith the Elephant, by the very inſtinct of nature, was ſo affected, that he followed this man, would doe any thing for him, and never left him till his dying day. The Application is eaſie.
The next Uſe that we ſhall make of this Point, is this.
If Chriſt be ſo rich as hath been diſcovered to you, Then prize Chriſt above all.
As the people priſed David above themſelves, ſaying, Auſtin ſaith, He would willingly goe through Hell to Chriſt.Thou art worth ten thouſand of us, 2 Sam. 18. 3. ſo ſhould Saints lift up Jeſus Chriſt above themſelves, and above every thing below himſelfe. He that lifts not Chriſt up above all, hath no intereſt in Chriſt at all. He that ſets not Chriſt above all, is not a Diſciple of Chriſt, Luke 14. 26. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and ſiſters, yea, and his owne life Certe non amāt illi Chriſtum qui aliquid pluſ…uam Chriſtum amant.alſo, he cannot be my Diſciple. Surely they doe not truly love Chriſt, who love any thing more then Chriſt.
It was a notable ſaying of Jerome, If my father ſhould hang upon me, my brethren ſhould preſſe round about me, and my mother ſhould ſtand before me: I would throw downe my father, I would break through my brethren, and I would trample upon my mother, to come to Chriſt.
Other Saints have lifted up Chriſt above all their Lands, relations, and lives, as you may ſee in Heb. 11. and ſo did a multitude of the Martyrs under the ten perſecutions, &c. As Pharoah ſet up Joſeph above all, and made him Governour of the Land. And as Darius ſet up Daniel over all, ſo you. muſt priſe Chriſt, and ſet up Chriſt above all.
Remember a few things, that this may the better ſtick up on your hearts.
Firſt, A Chriſt highly prized, will be a Chriſt greatly delighted in.
Every ſoule delights in Chriſt, as he prizes Chriſt, and no otherwiſe. The reaſon of reaſons, why Chriſt is no more delighted in, is becauſe he is no more prized among the ſons of men. Cant. 2. 3. As the Apple-tree among the Trees of the wood, ſo is my well-beloved among the Sons: I ſate downe under his ſhadow with great delight, and his fruit was pleaſant to my taſt. The ſeeing of this object delights the eye of a believer; the hearing of this object delights the eare of a believer; the injoying, the poſſeſſing of this object, delights the heart of a believer. I ſate downe under his ſhadow with great delight.
The Apple-tree is delightfull for ſhadow, ſo is Chriſt. He is a ſhadow to poore ſoules when they are ſcorcht with troubles without, and terrours within. Iſa. 32. 2. And a man (that is, Chriſt) ſhall be as an hiding place from the wind, and as a covert from the tempeſt, as rivers of waters in a dry place, as the ſhadow of a great rock in a weary land.
The Apple-tree is delightfull for pleaſantneſſe of fruit: So is the Lord Jeſus, for thoſe pleaſant fruites of righteouſneſſe and holineſſe that grow upon him.
And the Apple-tree is delightfull for variets: So is Chriſt, for there are all varieties of excellencies in himſelfe. Col. 1. 19. It pleaſed the father that in him ſhould all fullneſſe dwell. We delight in perſons and things, as we prize them, and no otherwiſe. Jonathan highly prized David, and delighted in him accordingly. Jacob highly prized Rachell, and delighted in her anſwerably. You will delight in Chriſt as you prize him, if you prize him but a little, you will delight in him but a little, &c. Secondly, Remember this,
A Chriſt hghly prized, will be a Chriſt gloriouſly obeyed.
Every man obeyes Chriſt, as he priſeth Chriſt, and no otherwiſe. The higher price any ſoule ſets upon Chriſt, the more noble will that ſoule be in his obedience to Chriſt. If Chriſt were more prized in the world, he would be more obeyed in the world. A ſoule that highly prizeth Chriſt, is Non parentum aut majorum authoritas, ſed Dei docentis imperium. Jerome. The Command of God muſt outweigh all authority and example of men.better at obeying, then at diſputing any command of Chriſt: If Chriſt will command ſuch a ſoule to ſtep over the worlds Crowne to take up his croſſe, the ſoule will doe it, as you may ſee in Moſes, Heb. 11. 24, 25, 26. he ſets a higher price upon Chriſts croſſe, then upon Pharoahs Crowne. When Chriſts croſſe, and the worlds Crowne ſtood in competition, upon a bare command of God Moſes ſteps over the worlds Crowne, to take up Chriſts croſſe. He choſe rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, then to injoy the pleaſures of ſin, for a ſeaſon. And ſo Abraham upon a bare command of God, leaves his Countrey, and his near and dear relations; he wholly reſignes up himſelfe to God, he puts Mallum ru…re cum Chriſto quam regnare …am Caeſare.his hand into Gods, and is willing that God ſhould lead him whither he pleaſes, and doe with him what he pleaſes.
I remember an excellent ſaying of Luther, I had rather (ſaith he) fall with Chriſt, then ſtand with Caeſar. And indeed every gracious ſoule that highly prizes Chriſt, will rather chooſe to fall with Chriſt, then to neglect his obedience to Chriſt. By obeying Chriſt we gaine more honour then we can give; by kiſſing the Son we doe even command him, and make him ours, &c.
Thirdly, Chriſtians, remember this, All the cauſes of prizing perſons and things, are eminently and only in Chriſt, which beſpeaks you all to ſet a very, very high price upon the Lord Jeſus
You prize ſome for their beauty, why, the Lord Jeſus Chriſts beauty needs no letters of commendation.Chriſt is the faireſt among the Children of men, Pſal. 45. 1, 2. Cant. 5. 10. My Beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefeſt, or, the Standard-bearer among ten thouſand.. You prize others for their ſtrength, why, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath in him everlaſting ſtrength, Iſa. 26. 4. Truſt in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlaſting ſtrength, he is the rock of Ages. You prive others for bearing their fathers foreign Charakter tes hup…ſtaſe…s autou. The Character of his ſubſiſtence. A compariſon from the ſeale of a Ring, the fo…m of which is imprinted in the wax.Image, why the Lord Jeſus beares the Image of his father. Heb. 1. 3. He is the brightneſſe of his fathers glory, and the expreſſe Image of his perſon. You prize others for their wiſedome and knowledge; ſuch a one is a very wiſe man, you ſay, and therefore you prize him; and ſuch a one is a very knowing man, and therefore you prize him; why, all the treaſures of wiſedome and knowledge are in Chriſt, Col. 2. 3. In whom (ſaith he, ſpeaking of Chriſt) are hid all the treaſures of wiſedome and knowledge. The truth is, all thoſe perfections and excellencies that are in all Angels and men, they all centre in Chriſt, they are all epitomized in Chriſt. All the Angels in heaven have but ſome of thoſe perfections that be in Chriſt. All wiſedome, and all power, and all goodneſſe, and all mercy, and all love, &c. is in no glorified Creature, no not in all glorified creatures put together. But now in Chriſt all theſe perfections and excellencies meet, as all water meets in the ſea, and as all light meets in the Sun. Others you prize for their uſefulneſſe, the more uſefull perſons and things are, the more you prize and value them. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is of univerſall uſe to his people, why, he is the right eye of his people, without which they cannot Chr…ſt is qu… qu…d appetib …e, a… O…igen ſpeaks, whatever we can deſire. If we hunger and …h…ſt, he is p…bxlum anim… the food of the ſoule.ſee; and the right hand of his people, without which they cannot doe, &c. He is of ſingular uſe to all his people, he is of uſe to weak Saints, to ſtrengthen them; and he is of uſe to doubting Saints, to reſolve them; and he is of uſe to dull Saints, to quicken them; and he is of uſe to falling Saints, to ſupport them; and he is of uſe to wandring Saints, to recover them. In proſperity, he is of uſe to keep his Saints humble, and watchfull, ſpotleſſe, and fruitfull; and in adverſity he is of uſe to keep them contented and cheerfull. All which ſhould very much ingage our hearts to prize this Chriſt.
Againe, We prize things as they ſuite us; why, Chriſt is not onelyonly a good, but a ſutable good. Chriſt is light to inlighten John 1. 8, 9 Phil. 5. 14.us, and he is life to inliven us; he is riches to ſupply us, and he is rayment to cloath us; he is a ſtaffe to ſupport us, and he is a ſword to defend us; he is bread to nouriſh us, and he is water to refreſh us, and wine to cheere us, and what would we have more?Chriſt may well be compared to the Trees of the Sanctuary, Ezek. 47. 12. which were both forme at, and for Medicine.
Fourthly, Yet once more, that this may ſtick upon us, let us conſider, That where we are highly prized, there we highly prize.
Why, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt doth exceedingly prize every believing ſoule, yea, even ſuch poore weak Saints, that many ſwell'd ſoules ſlight, and deſpiſe, as perſons of no worth, becauſe they want that light and knowledge, and thoſe parts and gifts that others have. Well Chriſtians, remember this, Chriſt prizes you as the Apple of his eye, Zech. 2. 8. he prizes you as his Jewels, Mal. 3. 17. He prizes you as his portion, Deut. 32. 9. The Lords portion is his people. He prizes you as his Gl…ry, Iſa. 46. 13. He prizes you as his Ornaments, Ezek. 7. 20. He prizes you as his Throne, Jer. 40. 21. He prizes you as his Diadem, Iſa. 62. 3. He prizes you as his Friends, John 14. He prizes you as his Brethren; Heb. 2. 11, 12. He prizes you as his Bride, Iſa. 62. 5. He prizes you above his Fathers boſome, for he leaves that, to doe you ſervice, John 16. 28. Yea, he prizes you above his very Life, he layes downe his life to ſave your ſoules, John 10. Now oh who would not highly prize ſuch a Chriſt, that ſets ſuch an invaluable price upon ſuch worthleſſe ſoules.
Fifthly, and laſtly, conſider, That your high prizing of Chriſt will worke you to value the leaſt things of Chriſt above the greateſt worldly good.
'Twill make you value the leaſt nodd of Chriſt, the leaſt love-token from Chriſt, the leaſt good look from Chriſt, the leaſt good word from Chriſt, the leaſt truth of Chriſt, &c. above all the honours, treaſures, pleaſures, and glories of this world. Pſal. 119. 72. The Law of thy mouth is better then thouſands of gold and ſilver. Luther would not take all the world for one leaf of the Bible. And oh that a ſerious conſideration of theſe things might work all your hearts to a high prizing of the Lord Jeſus!
The next Uſe that we ſhall make of this Point, is this,
If Chriſt be ſo rich, then truſt to Chriſt.
Who will not truſt a rich man? Every one ſtrives to truſt a rich man, The rich hath many friends. Why, the Lord Prov. 14. 20.Jeſus Chriſt is very rich: Will you be perſwaded to truſt him? O truſt him with your beſt treaſures, with your choyceſt Interpreters differ a…ont the pawne or pledge which the Apoſtle committed to Gods cuſtody. One ſaith, I… was his ſoule. A ſecond ſaith It was himſelf (which is all one.) A third ſaith, It was his works. A fourth ſaith, I was his ſufferings. A fifth ſaith, I was his ſalvation. Without doubt 'twas all that was neare and deare to him.Jewels, with your names, ſoules, eſtates, relations. The Apoſtle was excellent at this, 2 Tim. 1. 12. I know him (ſaith he) in whom I have believed, that he is able to keepe that which I have committed unto him, untill that day. I have committed my ſoule to him, and my life to him, and my name to him, and all my mercies and injoyments to him. The child cannot better ſecure any precious thing it hath, then by putting it into the fathers hands to keep. Our mercies are alwayes ſafeſt and ſureſt, when they are out of our hands, when they are in the hands of God. We truſt as we love, and we truſt where we love; where we love much, we will truſt much; much truſt ſpeaks out much love, if you love Chriſt much, ſurely you will truſt him much.
That was a notable bold expreſſion of Luther, Let-him that dyed for my ſoule, ſee to the ſalvation of it. I have committed my ſoule to him, I have given it up into his hands who is my life, who is my love, and let him look after it, let him take care of it, in ſecuring of that, he ſecures his owne glory. Oh that Chriſtians would truſt in this rich Chriſt for a ſupply of neceſſaries. Is Chriſt ſo rich, and will you not take his word that he will not ſee you want? Will you truſt a rich man upon his word, and will you not truſt a rich 1 Chriſts promiſes are ever performed, 2 Cor. 1. 20. … His promiſes are over-performed, 1 Cor. 2. 9. &c.Chriſt upon his word? Doe you believe he will give you a Crowne, and will you not truſt him for a cruſt? Doe you believe he will give you a Kingdome? and doe you doubt whether he will give you a Cottage to reſt in? Ha's he given you his blood? and doe you think that he will deny you any thing that is really for your good? Surely he will not, he cannot.
Againe, Truſt him for power againſt all the remainders of ſin in you.
Hath Chriſt freed you from the damnatory power of ſin, Rom. 8. 1. Rom. 6. 14. Heb. 13. 5.and from the dominion of ſin? and will not you truſt him for deliverance from the remainers of ſin, Pſal. 65. 3. Iniquities prevaile againſt me: As for our tranſgreſſions, thou ſhalt purge them away. O excellent faith!
Againe, Truſt him to bring you into the Land of reſt.
Doe you think that this Joſhua is not able to carry you through all difficulties, dangers, and deaths? Doe you think that he will leave you to dye in the wilderneſſe, who have already had ſome glimpſes of Heavens glory? O truſt to this Chriſt for the bringing of your ſoules into the Promiſed Land. Chriſt would looſe his glory, ſhould you fall ſhort of glory, &c.
Againe,
If Chriſt be ſo rich, Then don't forſake him, don't leave him, don't turne your backs upon him.
Is there Riches of Juſtification, and Riches of Sanctification, and Riches of Conſolation, and Riches of Glorification in Chriſt? Yes, why then doe not depart from him, doe not You read of no Armes for the back, though you doe for the breaſt. Phil. 6.ſhake hands with him. That's a ſad complaint of God in Jer. 2. 12, 13. Be aſtoniſhed O ye heavens at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very deſolate, ſaith the Lord: For my people have committed two evills, They have forſaken me the fountaine of living waters, and hewed them out Ciſternes, broken Ciſternes, that can hold no water. Is it madneſſe and folly to flye from the fountaine to the ſtreame, from the light of the Sun, to the light of a candle? And is it not greater madneſſe and folly to forſake the Creator, to run after the creature. O ſay as Peter, Whither ſhould we goe, thou haſt John 6. 68.the words of eternall life. To run from Chriſt, is to run from all life, peace, and joy; 'tis to run from our ſtrength, our ſhelter, our ſecurity, our ſafety, our Crown, our glory. Lev. 11. 10. Crabbs, that goe backward, are reckoned among unclean creatures: The application is eaſie.
Origen coming to Jeruſalem, after that he had ſhamefully turned his back upon Chriſt, and his truth, and being exceedingly preſſed to preach, at laſt he yields, and as he opened the Book, he happened to caſt his eye upon that place of the Pſalmiſt, What haſt thou to doe to declare my Statutes, or that thou ſhouldeſt take my Covenant in thy mouth, ſeeing thou hateſt Pſa. 50. 16, 17.inſtruction, and caſteſt my words behind thee. Now the remembrance of his owne folly ſo reflected upon his conſcience, that it made him cloſe the Book, and ſit downe and weep. Such as forſake a rich, a full Chriſt, ſhall have weeping work enough.
That is a very dreadfull Scripture, Jer. 17. 13. All you that forſake the Lord, ſhall come to be aſhamed, and they that depart from him, ſhall be written in the duſt. Can you read this Text, backſliding ſoules, and not tremble? &c.
Againe,
If the Lord Jeſus Chriſt be ſo rich, Oh then, all you that have an intereſt in him, labour mightily to clear up your intereſt, and to be more and more confident of your intereſt in ſo rich a Jeſus.
My Brethren, 'tis one thing for a man to have an intereſt in Chriſt, and another thing to have his intereſt cleer'd up to him. I doe ſpeak it with grief of heart, That even among ſuch Chriſtians that I hope to meet in Heaven, there's ſcarce one of forty, nay, one of a hundred, that is groundedly able to make out his intereſt in the Lord Jeſus. Moſt Chriſtians live between feare and hope, between doubting, and believing: One day they hope that all is well, and that all ſhall be well for ever; the next day they are ready to ſay, That they ſhall one day periſh by the hand of ſuch a corruption, or elſe by the hand of ſuch or ſuch a temptation: And thus they are up and downe, ſav'd and loſt, many times in a day.
But you will ſay unto me,
What Meanes ſhould we uſe to clear up our intereſt in Chriſt.
I'le tell you, there are ſix ſingular Means that you ſhould labour after for the evidencing more and more your intereſt in Chriſt. And take it from experience, you will find that they will contribute very very much for the evidencing your intereſt in Chriſt. And theMeans for the evidencing our intereſt in Chriſt.
Firſt is this, Faithfully and conſtantly fall in with the intereſt of Chriſt.
Holineſſe is the intereſt of Chriſt, the Goſpel is the intereſt of Chriſt, the precious Ordinances are the intereſt of Chriſt, &c. Now the more ſincerely and roundly you fall in with the intereſt of Chriſt, the more abundantly you will be confirmed and perſwaded of your intereſt in Chriſt. Such ſoules The Primitive Chriſtians did generally fall in with the intereſt of Chriſt and they generally had an aſſurance of their intereſt in Chriſt. Lam. 1. 16. Phil. 4. 30. Iſa. 63. 10. Spiritus ſanct… eſt res delica…a. Pſal. 77. 2. 1 Theſſ. 5. 19.as fall in with ſtrange intereſts, or with baſe and carnall intereſts, may juſtly queſtion whether ever they had any reall intereſt in Chriſt. Chriſtians, did you more ſincerely and fully fall in with Chriſts intereſt, you would leſſe queſtion your intereſt in Chriſt, this would ſcatter many a cloud.
Secondly, Be kind to the ſpirit of Chriſt.
Doe not grieve him, doe not ſlight him. If you ſhould ſet this ſpirit a mourning, that alone can evidence your intereſt, that alone can ſeale up your intereſt in Chriſt, by whom ſhall your intereſt in Chriſt be ſealed up? O doe not grieve the ſpirit, by acting againſt light, againſt conſcience, againſt ingagements; doe not grieve him by caſting his cordialls and comforts behind your backs; doe not grieve him by ſlighting and deſpiſing his gracious actings in others; doe not caſt water upon the ſpirit, but wiſely attend the hints, the Items and motions of the Spirit, and he will clear up thy intereſt in Chriſt, he will make thee ſay, My Beloved is mine, and I am his.C…nt. 2. 16
Thirdly, Labour more and more after a full and univerſall conformity to Jeſus Chriſt.
The more the ſoule is conformable to Chriſt, the more confident it will be of its intereſt in Chriſt. 1 John 4. 17. As all good Orators indeavour to be like Demoſthenes, ſo all good Chriſtians ſhould indeavour to be like to Jeſus Chriſt, for therein lyes their glory and perfection.Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldneſſe in the day of judgement, becauſe as he is, ſo are we in this world. As he, ſo are we. The Child is not more like the father, then then we are like our Saviour. The Child is the father multiplied, the father of a ſecond edition. Our Summum bonum conſiſts in our full communion with Chriſt, and in our full conformity to Chriſt. Oh if men were more univerſally conformable to Chriſt in their affections, ends, deſignes, and actings, &c. they would have abundantly more clear, full, and glorious evidences of their intereſt in Chriſt. A more full conformity to Chriſt in heart and life, will make your lives a very Heaven, &c.
Fourthly, Intereſt Chriſt in the glory of all you injoy, and in the glory of all you doe.
This is a precious way to have your intereſt in Chriſt more 1 Cor. 10. 31.and more evidenced to your owne ſoules. Such as are good at this, as are much in this, will find Chriſt every day a clearing up more and more their intereſt in himſelfe. 'Tis not (uſually) long night with ſuch ſoules. O Chriſtians! intereſt Chriſt more and more in the glory of all your graces, intereſt him in the glory of all your duties, intereſt him in the glory of all your abilities, as Chriſt doth intereſt you in himſelfe, in John 1. 16. Rev. 1. 5, 6. 1 Pet. 2. 9.his ſpirit, in his graces, in his riches, in his Titles, in his dignities, in his offices. Ah Chriſtians! did you intereſt Chriſt more in all you have, in all you are, and in all you doe, you would never be ſo full of feares, and doubts, and queſtions, about your intereſt in Chriſt, as you are. Your intereſſing of Chriſt in all you have and doe, will ſpeak out, not onelyonly the The mother that ſtrongly loves her child, d…es not queſtion the truth of he love to her child.truth of your love, but alſo the ſtrength and greatneſſe of your love; and where men love much, where they love ſtrongly, there they doe not queſtion the truth of their love.
The Heathen Gods were contented to divide their honours amongſt themſelves, and hence the Senate of Rome rejected Chriſt, from taking him to be a God, after that they had conſulted about it, For (ſaid they) if Chriſt come to be acknowledged a God, he will not ſhare with the reſt, he will have all himſelfe: And ſo upon this reaſon they refuſed him. Chriſtians, Chriſt will not have any competitor, he will rather part with any thing, then with his glory. Iſa. 42. 8. I am the Lord, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praiſe to graven Images. Chriſt will rather part with his life, then with his honour; therefore let every Chriſtian ſay as David does 1 Chron. 29. 11, 12, 13. Thine O Lord, is the greatneſſe, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the Majeſty, for all that is in the Heaven, and in the earth, is thine: Thine is the Kingdome, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all: Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reigneſt over all: And in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give ſtrength unto all. Now therefore our God we thanke thee, and praiſe thy glorious name. And cleerly friends, the more your hearts are led forth to intereſt Chriſt in all you injoy, and in all you doe, the more clear and glorious evidence you will have of your intereſt in Chriſt; let his honour and glory lye nearer and nearer to your hearts, and you ſhall ſee that he ha's ſet you as a ſeale upon his arme, as a ſeale upon his heart.
The fifth meanes to gaine the knowledge of your intereſt in Chriſt, is, By cleaving to Chriſt, and whatſoever is deare to Chriſt, in the face of all miſeries, difficulties, and dangers.
It's nothing to cleave to Chriſt in faire weather, when every Pſal. 44. Acts 5. Heb. 11. Dan. 3. Acts 21. 13.one cleaves to Chriſt, when every one profeſſes Chriſt; but to cleave to him in a ſtorme, when every one runs from him, this ſpeaks out a child-like diſpoſition, it ſpeaks out a Jacob's ſpirit. Surely he muſt needs have much of Chriſt, that nothing can take off from cleaving to Chriſt. When the ſoule ſayes to Chriſt, as Ruth ſaid to Naomi, Whither thou Ruth 1. 15, 16, 17, 18.goeſt, I will goe, and where thou lodgeſt, I will lodge, thy people ſhall be my people, and thy God ſhall be my God. The Lord doe ſo to me, and more alſo, if ought but death part thee and me. When neither the frownes of men, nor the reproach of men, nor the contempt of men, nor oppoſitions from men, can take the ſoule off from cleaving to Chriſt, it will not be long before Chriſt ſpeaks peace to ſuch a ſoule. Pſal. 63. 8. My ſoule followeth hard after thee, thy right hand upholds me. In the Hebrew 'tis, My ſoule cleaveth to thee, or Dabka naphſhi.is glewed to thee, as Jonathan's ſoule cleav'd to David, and as Jacob's ſoule cleav'd to Rachel, in the face of all difficulties and troubles. Doubtleſſe, when the ſoule cleaves to Chriſt in the face of all afflictions and difficulties, this carries with it Sha…nma, one of Davids Worthies, ſtood and defended the field, when all the reſt fled.very much evidence of its intereſt in Chriſt. In temporalls men cleave to perſons and things, as their intereſt is in them, and ſo 'tis in ſpirituals alſo. Chriſt cannot, Chriſt will not throw ſuch to hell, that hang about him, that cleave to him.
Sixthly, and laſtly, If you would know whether you have an intereſt in Chriſt, Then be very much in obſerving what intereſt Chriſt ha's in you.
Obſerve whether he ha's the intereſt of a head, a husband, a father, or no; Chriſt ha's a generall intereſt in all creatures, as he is the Creator and Preſerver of them: And he ha's a heads intereſt, a husbands intereſt, a fathers intereſt, onelyonly in them that have a ſaving intereſt in him. The intereſt of the head, the husband, the father, is the greateſt intereſt, 'tis the ſweeteſt intereſt, 'tis a commanding intereſt, 'tis a growing intereſt, 'tis a peculiar intereſt, 'tis a laſting intereſt; and really, if the Lord Jeſus hath ſuch an intereſt in you, you may be as confident that you have a reall and glorious intereſt in him' as you are confident that you live. And thus much for the means whereby you may come to know your intereſt in rich Jeſus.
Before I cloſe up this diſcourſe, give me leave to ſpeak a few words to poore ſinners, who to this very day are afar off from this Jeſus, who is ſo rich in all excellencies and glories. A ƲSE of Exhortation to Chriſt-leſs ſoules.Ah poore hearts! you have heard much of the riches of the Lord Jeſus, and Oh that I could perſwade with you to get an intereſt in this Chriſt; get this Chriſt, and you get all; miſſe him, and you miſſe all. 'Tis a matter of eternall concernment to your ſoules; nothing can make that man miſerable that hath this rich Chriſt; nothing can make that man happy, that wants this rich Chriſt. In Prov. 4. 5, 7. Get wiſedome (that's Chriſt) get underſtanding, forget it not. Verſ. 7. Wiſedome is the principall thing, therefore get wiſedome, and with all thy getting get underſtanding. And ſo in Prov. 16. 16. How much better is to get wiſedome, then gold, and to get underſtanding, rather to be choſen, then ſilver. Hadſt thou all the power of the world, without an intereſt 1 Cor. 1. 25. to 29.in Chriſt, thou wouldeſt be but weak. Hadſt thou all the wit and learning in the world, without an Intereſt in Chriſt, thou wouldeſt be but a foole. Hadſt thou all the honours in the world, yet without an Intereſt in Chriſt, thou wouldeſt be but baſe. Hadſt thou all the wealth in the world, Dan. 4. 17. Luke 16. 2…, 23, 24, 25, 26. Mat. 13. 45, 46, 47.yet without an Intereſt in Chriſt, thou wouldeſt be but a beggar, &c. Oh therefore labour for an Intereſt in Chriſt: Oh turne the wiſe Merchant at laſt. The wiſe Merchant in the Goſpel, parts with all to buy the Pearle, to get an intereſt in Chriſt. Oh! 'tis your greateſt wiſedome, 'tis of an eternall concernment to your ſoules, to ſell all, to part with all, for an intereſt in the Lord Jeſus. Oh doe not deale with your ſoules, when Chriſt is tendered and offered to you, as ſometimes ſimple people doe when they goe to Market, they might have a good penny-worth, but that they are loath to part with ſome old peece of gold, that ha's been given them by a father, or a friend; ſomewhat willing they are to have the good penny-worth, but unwilling they are to part with their gold. 'Tis ſo with many poore ſinners, when the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is preſented to their ſoules, as a very glorious penny-worth, ſomewhat willing they are to have him, but unwilling they are to part with their old gold, with ſome old ſweet darling luſt. But ſinners, don't you deceive your own ſoules, ſin and your ſoules muſt part, or Chriſt and your ſoules can never meet: Sin and your ſoules muſt be two, or Chriſt and your ſoules can never be one. Chriſt is a moſt precious commodity, Prov 8. 11.he is better then Rubies, or the moſt coſtly Pearles; and you muſt part with your old gold, with your ſhining gold, your old ſins, your moſt ſhining ſins, or you muſt periſh for ever. Chriſt is to be ſought and bought with any paines, at any price; we cannot buy this gold too deare. He is a Jewel more worth then a thouſand worlds, as all know that have him: Get him, and get all; miſſe him, and miſſe all.
Now if ever you would get an intereſt in Chriſt, and ſo by gaining an Intereſt in him, be poſſeſt of all the riches and glory that come by him, then be ſure to get your hearts poſſeſt with theſe nine Principles that follow.
And the firſt is this,
That the great end and deſigne of Chriſts coming into the world, was the Salvation of ſinners.
Get this Principle rooted in your ſpirits. I came not to call the righteous (ſaith he) but ſinners to repentance. And Ma…. 9. 13. Mark 2. 17.in 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is a faithfull ſaying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Chriſt Jeſus came into the world to ſave ſinners. Chriſt layes aſide his Royal Crowne, he puts off his glorious Robe, he leaves his fathers boſome, he takes a journey from Heaven to Earth, and all to ſave poore loſt ſinners. That which Chriſt had moſt in his eye, and upon his heart in his coming into the world, was the ſalvation of ſinners. Lay up this truth, feed upon this Honey-comb.
Secondly, Get this Principle rooted in your hearts. Viz.
That none ever yet obtained an intereſt in Chriſt, but unworthy creatures.
When you are preſſed to get an Intereſt in Chriſt, you are ready to ſay, O I am unworthy, Will Chriſt ever looke after ſuch a one as I am?
I anſwer. Yes. For this is a moſt certaine Principle, That none ever attain'd an intereſt in Chriſt, but unworthy creatures. Was Paul worthy before he had an intereſt in Chriſt? Wbat worthineſſe was in Mathew, when Chriſt call'd him from the Receipt of Cuſtome? And what worthineſſe was in Zacheus, when Chriſt call'd him downe from the Cycomore Tree, and told him, that This day ſalvation was come to his houſe? Was Manaſſes, or Mary Magdalen worthy before they had an Intereſt in Chriſt? Surely no. Though you are unworthy, yet Chriſt is worthy: Though you have no merit, yet God ha's mercy: Though there is no ſalvation for you by the Law, yet there is ſalvation for you by the Goſpel.
Againe, Chriſt requires no worthineſſe in any man before Such as ſhall goe to prove he does, muſt make a new Goſpel, a new Bible.he believes, and he that won't believe before he is worthy, will never believe. If you look upon God with an Evangelical eye, you ſhall ſee that he that is moſt unworthy, is moſt capable of mercy. A real ſenſe of our owne unworthineſſe, renders us moſt fit for Divine mercy. This Objection, I am unworthy, is an unworthy Objection, and ſpeaks out much pride and ignorance of the Goſpel, and of the freeneſſe and riches of Gods grace, &c.
Thirdly, Let this Principle dwell in you. Viz.
That Chriſt hath loſt none of his affections to poor ſinners, by going to heaven.
Oh! how did his bowels work towards ſinners, when he was on earth? And certainly they work as ſtrougly towards them now he is in heaven. His love, his heart, his good will is as much towards them as ever. Chriſt is Alpha, and Omega, Rev 1. 8.the phraſe is taken from the Greek letters, whereof Alpha Heb. 13. 8. Vide Grotius.is the firſt, and Omega the laſt. I am before all, and I am after all. Jeſus Chriſt, the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever. Chriſt is the ſame before time, in time, and after time. Chriſt is unchangeable in his Eſſence, in his Promiſes, and in his Love to poore ſinners.
Fourthly, Get this Principle riveted in your hearts,
That he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, all them that come unto God by him.foreign. The Originall word ſignifies all manner of perfection.
Heb. 7. 25. He is able to ſave to the uttermoſt: That is, to all ends and purpoſes, perfectly, and perpetually; he needs none to helpe him in the great buſineſſe of redemption, he is a thorow Saviour, he ha's Trod the Wine-preſſe alone, Iſa. 63. 3.
Fifthly, Get this Principle riveted in your hearts,
That the want of ſuch preparations or qualifications Some men there be, that would have men better Chriſtians before they come to Chriſt, before they believe in Chriſt, then u…u…lly they prove after they are come to Chriſt.that many men lay a great ſtreſſe upon, ſhall be no impediment to hinder your ſoules intereſt in Chriſt, if you will but open to Chriſt, and cloſe with Jeſus Christ.
Rev. 3. 18. Behold I ſtand at the doore and knocke, if any man heare my voyce, and open to me, I will come in to him, and will ſupp with him, and he with me. Pray tell me, At whoſe doore was this that Chriſt ſtood and knockt, Was it not at the Laodiceans doore? Was it not at their doore that thought their penny as good ſilver as any? That ſaid they were rich, and had need of nothing, when Chriſt tels them to their very faces, That they were poore, and miſerable, and Surely did legal Preachers ſeriouſly we…gh the following Scriptures, they would not ſo vehemently (I ſay not angerly) preſſe the abſolute neceſſity of ſuch and ſuch qualifications before faith in Chriſt, as they doe. Mark 16. 16. John 3. 34. Heb. 11. 6. Rom. 14. 23. John …. 12. Mat. 7. 17, 18. Mat. 12. 33. Rom. 8. 2. Gal. 5. 6.blind, and naked. None more unprepared, unqualified, and unfitted for union and communion with Chriſt, then theſe luke-warm Laodiceans, and yet the Lord Jeſus is very ready and willing that ſuch ſhould have intimate communion and fellowſhip with him.
If any man will open, I will come in to him, and will ſupp with him, and he with me. The truth of this you have further evidenc't, Prov. 1. 20. to 24. & Chap. 8. 1. to 6. & Ch. 9. 1. to 6. All theſe Scriptures with open mouth ſpeak out the truth aſſerted, viz. That the want of preparations or qualifications, ſhall not hinder the ſoules intereſt in Chriſt, if the ſoule will adventure it ſelfe by faith upon Chriſt. I pray what qualifications and preparations had they in Ezek. 16. when God ſaw them in their blood, and yet that was a time of love, and God (even then) ſpread his skirt over them, and made a Covenant with them, and they became his. What qualifications or preparations had Paul, Mary Magdalen, Zacheus, and Lydia? &c. And yet theſe believed in Chriſt, theſe had a bleſſed and a glorious intereſt in Chriſt, &c.
I, but ſome may Object, and ſay,
What is the meaning of that Text, Mat. 11. 28. Come unto me all you that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you reſt?
There is a three-fold Anſwer to be given to this Objection.
Firſt, Though the Invitation be to thoſe that are weary and heavy laden, yet the Promiſe is made to Coming, to Beleeving.The Dove found no reſt till ſhe returned to the Ark. No more will the troubled ſoul, till it returnes to Chriſt.
Secondly, This Text ſhewes onelyonly this, That thoſe that are burdened and bowed downe under ſin, and under the ſence of Divine wrath, are to come to Chriſt; and that there is no way for them to obtaine eaſe and reſt, but by coming to Chriſt: But this Text doth not ſhew that onelyonly theſe muſt come to Chriſt, or that onelyonly theſe may come to Chriſt.
Thirdly, and laſtly, No one Scripture ſpeaks out the whole mind of God, and therefore you muſt compare and conſult this Scripture with the Scriptures and inſtances lately cited, Adoro pleni…udinem Scrip…uraraum. Te… cullian.and then you will clearly ſee, That ſoules may believe in Chriſt, and come to obtaine an Intereſt in Chriſt, though they are not ſo and ſo prepared, nor ſo and ſo qualified, as ſome would have them.
Sixthly, Get this Principle rooted in your hearts.
That Chriſt is appointed, and anointed by the father, Moſes was fa…thfull in his Office as a ſervant, but Chriſt as a Son, Heb. 3. 2. to 6. Chriſt had never entred into glory, had he not been faithfull in his Offices, &c.to this very Office, of receiving and ſaving poore ſinners.
Turne to Iſa. 61. 1, 2, 3, 4. John 6. 28. And Pſal. 68. 18. Thou haſt aſcended on high, thou haſt led captivity captive, thou haſt received gifts for men, yea, for the rebellious alſo (what for?) That the Lord God might dwell among them. Chriſt ha's received gifts for rebellious ſinners, for rebellious Sabboth-breakers, for rebellious ſwearers, for rebel…ious drunkards, &c.
That the Lord God might dwell among them. That is, that he might have neare communion and fellowſhip with them.
Seventhly, Get this Principle rooted in you,
That it is the delight of Chriſt to give poore ſinners an intereſt in himſelfe.
He is not onelyonly able to doe it, but 'tis his delight to doe it. Chriſts ſoule is in nothing more; witneſſe his leaving his Chriſt did ſo much delight, and his heart was ſo much ſet upon the converſion & ſalvation of the Samaritans, That he neglected his owne body, to ſave their ſouls, as you may cleerly ſee in John 4. foreignfathers boſome, witneſſe his laying downe his Crowne, witneſſe thoſe many ſufferings and deaths that he went through in this world: Witneſſe thoſe Goſpel acclamations, Mark 16. 16. Revel. 22. 17. Witneſſe thoſe perſwaſive exhortations, and gracious impetrations and intreaties, Ezek. 33. 11. Mat. 11. 28. 2 Cor. 5. 20. Witneſſe Divine Injunctions, and Comminations, 1 John 5. 23. Mat. 11. 21. Witneſſe thoſe patheticall lamentations, Mat. 23. 37. Luke 19. 42. Pſal. 81. 13. And witneſſe the inward motions and ſecret excitations of his bleſſed ſpirit, Gen. 6. 3. All which ſpeak out his great willingneſſe and delight to ſave poore ſinners. So in Pſal. 40. 7, 8. I delight to doe thy will, O my God, thy Law is in my heart. Or as the Hebrew hath it, 'Tis in the midſt of my bowels. Now (mark) the will of the father was the ſalvation of ſinners: This was the will of the father, That Jeſus Chriſt ſhould ſeeke and ſave them that are loſt, Mat. 18. 11. Now ſaith Chriſt, I delight to doe thy will O my God. 'Tis the joy and rejoycing of my heart, to be a ſeeking, and a ſaving of loſt ſinners. When Chriſt was hungry, he went not into a Victualling-houſe, but into the Temple, and taught the people moſt part of the day, to ſhew how much he delighted in the ſalvation of ſinners, &c.
Eighthly, Get this Principle riveted in your hearts,
That as there is nothing in Chriſt to diſcourage you Cant. 1. 3. The name of a Saviour is honey in the mouth, and muſick in the ear, and a Jubile in the heart, ſaith one.from looking after an intereſt in him, ſo there is every thing in Chriſt that may incourage you to get an intereſt in him.
Look upon his Name, Thy name is as an Ointment poured out, and therefore doe the Virgins love thee. The name of Jeſus hath a thouſand treaſures of joy and comfort in it, ſaith Chryſoſtome, and ſo hath all his other names. If you look upon Chriſt in his natures, in his offices, in his graces, in his beauties, in his gifts, and in his works, you will find nothing but what may incourage you to believe in him, and to reſigne up your ſelves to him. Ah poore ſinners! what would you have? Is there not power in Chriſt to ſupport you, and mercy in Chriſt to pardon you, and grace in Chriſt to heal you, and goodneſſe in Chriſt to relieve you, and happineſſe in Chriſt to crowne you, and what would you have more? Oh that you would believe!
Ninthly, Let this Principle be rooted in you,
That the ſureſt way, and the ſhorteſt cut to mercy, and to get an intereſt in Chriſt, is by a peremptory caſting of the ſoule (by faith) on Chriſt.John 3. 16, 17, 18, 36. & 8. 24. & 16. 9. & 4. 50, 53. & 5. 24. & 6. 35, 40. & 7. 38. & 11. 25, 26. & 12. 46. Acts 10. 43. Rom. 3. 26. 1 John 5. 10, 11, 12.
There's no way under heaven, to be intereſted in Chriſt, but by believing: There's no way to get an intereſt in the riches of Chriſt, but this, He that believes ſhall be ſaved, let his ſins be never ſo great; and he that believes not, ſhall be damned, let his ſins be never ſo little. And ſo much ſhall ſuffice to have ſpoken concerning this great and weighty Point. I ſhall follow what hath been ſaid, with my prayers, that what ha's been ſaid may work for your internall and eternall welfare, &c.