The Buddings and Blossomings of Old Truths, Commentary · Verse 34

The Buddings and Blossomings of Old Truths · Commentary · Verse 34

p. 313Verſe. 34.

He whom God hath ſent ſpeaketh the words of God, for God giveth not the ſpirit to him by meaſure.

The Baptiſt here rendereth the reaſon why they doe put to their ſeale that God is true, when they doe receive, the teſtimony of Chriſt, even becauſe the teſtimony of Chriſt is the teſtimony of God, for Chriſt is come from his Heavenly Father, and God alone doth ſpeake by him, for ſo, Jo. 7.16. Jo. 14.24. Heb. 5.5, 6. wherein we may conſider.

p. 3141. Chriſts authority, he whom God hath ſent ſpeaketh the Words of God:

2. His ſufficiency, for he hath not received the ſpirit by meaſure; firſt his authority, hee was ſent of God, equall with God, in regard of his Divine Eſſence, but inferiour to the Father according of his humane nature, office of a Mediatour; the Sun is ſaid to be ſent, in that he was appointed, put forth, and furniſhed with gifts and authority to fulfill the office of a Mediatour. Gal. 4.4. and to ſpeake the words of God in that, as a Meſſenger declareth not his owne mind, but his who ſent him; So Chriſt doth deliver the mind and Councell of God the Father, from whence we may learne, that the doctrine which is delivered by Chriſt Jeſus, is moſt holy and infallable, the very word of God, who is truth it ſelfe, a doctrine of power, to convince, Mat. 7.28. full of light to give knowledge, Mat. 4 16. a key opening Gods Councell, which is hidden from the wiſe men of the World. Lu. 10.21.22. a Doctrine not to be reproved, but worthy to be beleeved, Jo. 8.46. therefore to this wee ſhould come, upon this wee ſhould wait, as upon the light which alone is able to ſhew us the way of life, as upon the Schoole wherein we may learne true wiſedome, 2. Tim. 3.17. as on the Jordan, which will cleanſe us from our iniquities, Jo. 15.3. This wee ſhould imbrace as the ſeed which will beget us againe unto a new life, Jo. 1.18. As the voice which will raiſe us, Jo. 11.44. Jo. 5.25. On this wee p. 315ſhould feed, as on the Milke, which will make us grow in the grace of Gods Spirit, 1 Pet. 2.2. this wee muſt follow as the fiery pillar which will lead us to the Heavenly Canaan, this wee muſt uſe as the Spiritual weapon which will beate down the holds of ſinne & Satan,Exo. 13.31. 2 Cor. 10. Lu. 10.17.Exod 13:312 Cor 10 which will caſt him downe as the thunder doth the lightning; thus wee muſt affect, as the meanes of peace, and reconcilement between us, and our God. Much more might be ſaid of this, but wee have lately heard of this more largely.

One thing more may be learned out of theſe words from the preparation of Chriſt to his office; as he comming to preach the Goſpel had his commiſſion from God, ſpake no other but the words of God, ſo it ſetteth before us the duty of Gods Meſſengers, and teacheth us:

Gods Miniſters muſt be ſure, that God doe give them their commiſſion, and that they preach nothing but what is Gods will and councell. Firſt they muſt have a commiſſion as an Embaſſadour muſt have a commiſſion from his Soveraigne. So, Heb. 5.4.5. This is ſo needfull that without it they cannot diſcharge their calling., Ro. 10.15. Therefore wiſedomes Maidens? Chriſts Miniſters, went not of their owne accord, but were ſent, Pro. 9.3. And the Prophets of old, went not upon their owne head, but the Lord ſent them, Jer. 44.4. The diſciples of our Saviour had alſo authority given before they undertooke this function Mat. 10.16. as they muſt have their commiſſion, ſo they muſt deliver none but p. 316Gods mind and meſſage to the people; an Embaſſadour may not deliver his owne but his Soveraignes meſſage to the people, it was the Lords charge, Ezeck. 2.7. It was Pauls care 1 Cor. 11.23. and 1 Pet. 4.11. And it was Peters comfort, 2 Pet. 1.16. 2. Cor 1.11.12. 2 Cor. 4.1.2.

Their commiſſion they muſt have from God.

1. Becauſe otherwiſe they cannot faithfully open the mind and councell of God; how can they preach accept they be ſent, unleſſe they be furniſhed and prepared by the Lord? how can the Sun ſhine if light were not put into him? the Souldier fight, if he be not trained up in military diſcipline, and furniſhed with weapon.

2. Becauſe otherwiſe they cannot preach Chriſt, but themſelves; not ſeek the Glory of God,2 Cor: 4.5. Mica. 3.3. but their own ends, as the falſ Prophets did who ran when God did not ſend them.

3. Becauſe otherwiſe they will not convert the people from ſinne but confirme them in ſinne, not make them loath, but rather bleſſe themſelves in their iniquities, Ier. 14.14. Ier. 23.16. Not turne them to God, but drive them from God.Ier. 27.15.Jer 27:15 Neither muſt they preach any thing beſides Gods councell.

1. Becauſe this alone hath power to diſcover mens ſinnes, Heb. 4.12. This is a light diſcovering of all their ſpots, this will finde it out, though never ſo deeply vailed, never ſo artificially hidden; as, Pſa. 19.5. ſo it is true of this Doctrine.

p. 3172. Becauſe this alone can awaken the conſcience like Peters Cock, Eccleſ. 11.13: Acts. 2.37. This makes them cry, Rom. 7.24.

3. Becauſe this doth purifie and cleanſe the ſoule from ſinne, all other doctrines are but like the rivers of Damaſcus unable to cleanſe the leproſie of Naaman. This is the fan Matth. 3.12. The fire, Ier. 23.29. This doth drive away the evill ſpirit.

4. Becauſe this doth pacify the conſcience, Chriſts voice ſtilled the raging tempeſt, the Dove brought the Olive branch, Gods word is the word of peace;

5. Becauſe this maketh men fruitfull in grace,Jer. 23.28Jer 23:28 the chaffe is ſown, in vaine, the good ground bringeth the increaſe, the pleaſant rivers makes the earth fruitful; other doctrins like the water,1 Kings 2.19.1 Kgs 2:19 about a Jerico make the ſoules of men barren.

Ʋſe. Miſerable is the eſtate of ſuch people as live under, and content themſelves with ſuch miniſters, as have not their commiſſion from God, as open not faithfully the councells of God, theſe are as a houſe without light, full of darkneſſe; as a field without husbandmen, full of briars; as a Garden without Gardener, full of weeds as a child without breaſts, a ſick man without Phyſick; and more dangerous is the eſtate of ſuch, as have libertine falſe teachers ſet over them, for theſe are as a traveller that hath a falſe guide to lead him, a ſhip that hath a falſe Pilot to conduct him, a patient that hath poyſon miniſtred unto him, a child that hath a ſtone given inſtead of bread as p. 318a Serpent inſtead of fiſh.

2. Therefore this muſt cauſe the people, fervently to deſire, earneſtly to pray, and carefully to labour for ſuch miniſters as are ſent of God, and duely qualified for that calling; as ſick men deſire a skilfull & faithful Phyſitian, as paſſengers deſire a careful underſtanding Pilot, to convey them over rough and dangerous waters, travellers deſire a good and circumſpect guide, in a doubtfull way, which muſt be run with much ſpeed, and that upon paine of death; as the ſouldiers entring combate with potent and politick enemies, deſire wiſe, couragious, and experienced commanders, and leaders. Sinne is a diſeaſe of all diſeaſes the moſt dangerous, a malady not curable by the hand of the moſt skilfull Phyſitian, a leproſie like Naamans, the Rivers of Damaſcus cannot cleanſe it, no paſſage ſo dangerous, as the paſſage of a Chriſtian between Egypt & Canaan; no gulfs, no rocks, no ſands, no ſtormy tempeſts, no miſchievous and bloudy pyrates ſo hardly avoidable, as ſin and Satan; no ſnares ſo uneaſily diſcerned, no by-paths ſo difficultly avoided, as the crooked waies of iniquity: no enemy ſo ſtrong, ſo cunning, ſo violent, as Satan, no conqueſt ſo uneaſy, no overthrow ſo full of danger, & therefore Gods miniſters who muſt heale this diſeaſe, conduct the people over this paſſage, make them conquerers over their enemies, muſt bee abundantly repleniſhed with all their utmoſt graces; & Gods people muſt do their utmoſt to obtain the moſt fit meanes for p. 319this calling: men commonly deſire the beſt food for their bodies, the beſt ſeed for their ground, the beſt Phyſick for their diſeaſes, the beſt councel for their weighty undertakings, the beſt armour for the day of battel, the beſt coyn to put in their treaſury; it is a great ſhame that men ſhould have no regard to their ſouls, whether they be fed with manchet or gravell, with wheat or chaffe, whither they have wholeſome Phyſick or poiſon given to them, whither they have good coynor reprobate ſilver, braſſe & tin, or led, given them & that you may a little more clearely ſee the folly of men, contenting themſelves with blind and inſufficient guides, the great neceſſity of able teachers looke,

1. Upon the ſecrecy and depth of ſinne, how deep it lieth, how uneaſily found out, how roughly it is guilded over, like baſe with good mettall, how much it is loved, how men are uneaſily brought to reject it, it is deepe like a tree of deepe roots, there muſt be much digging to finde it,Io. 1.6.John 1:6 like a deepe wound there muſt be a skilful Chirurgion to ſearch out the depth of it; it lieth like Jonah in the bottom of the ſhip, ſo Jſa. 29.15. Joſua. 7.21. Prov. 30, 18, 19.20. Therefore the miniſters of God muſt be able to apply the word aright to make it pierce like a two-edged ſword, Heb. 4.12. Pſa. 49.2. that 1 Cor. 14.25.Heb. 4.12 Iſa. 49.2.Heb 4:12Isa 49:2 It is alſo artificially vailed, curiouſly and cunningly covered, as the rotten bones under a whited. Sepulcher, as poiſon under a golden cup, or ſweet Sugar; brutiſh and beaſtly luſt is p. 320covered under the white & comely apparel of love. Pro. 7.18. Covetouſneſſe under the vail of frugality and application of things to better uſes, Io. 12.5, 6. drunkenneſſe goeth under the name of love, and preſerving amity between men; prophanation of Gods day, under the vizard of recreation, thus Iehorams, wife comming to the prophet, fained her ſelfe to be another then ſhee was; ſo ſinfull men that their iniquity may not be found out fain themſelves to be others then they are. Jehu, 2 Kings. 10.20. Mat. 15.8. Mat. 8.2. Lu. 11.44. Therefore Gods miniſters muſt be repleniſhed with much knowledge, that they may diſcover their deceitfulneſſe and diſcloſe their Hypocriſies, take away this deceitful vail from their faces, and make them ſee their own vileneſſe as Samuel dealt with Saul, 1 Sam. 15:13.14. That they may ſay as 1 Kings. 14.6. That they may convince them, and make them aſhamed of that wherein they glory, and bring them to ſee, Num. 7.9.24. And as ſinne is deeply rooted, cunningly covered ſo is it alſo ſtrongly loved, men are loath to depart from it, it is as pleaſant wine Pro. 9.17: As ſweet Sugar, Job, 20.12. They are loath to leave it as Rabel her fathers Idols, the hearts of men are wedded to it; ſtrongly ſet upon it, and with much violence & eagarneſſe purſue it, Pro, 23.35. And there fore Gods Miniſters muſt be both skilfull and earneſt, to make men hate what they love ſo ſtrongly, to make thē trample under foot as dung what they eſteem more precious then p. 321gold; to reject as gravell, what they delight in as the pureſt manchet, to diſtaſt as gall, what now is pleaſant as honey to their palate.

2. Conſider the ſtrength of ſinne, and Satans hold, it is a ſtronge Caſtle uneaſily beaten downe, the Devill is no weakling, but a Prince,Ephe. 2.3. 2 Cor. 4.4. 2 Cor. 2.4. Mat. 7.24.Eph 2:32 Cor 4:42 Cor 2:4Matt 7:24 a Potent adverſary, it is not every one can conquer him, a bow without arrows, a miniſter without abilities can doe nothing to this adverſary; powder of humane eloquence, though it make a great noiſe, cannot ſhake the powers of his Kingdome, an Axe without edge, a Sermon without Zeale, and courage cannot cut the roots of this tree; the Divell doth no more regard ſuch mens preaching, as preach not with power, and in the evidence and demonſtration of the ſpirit, then hee did for the ſonnes of Sceva conjuring, Acts. 19.15. Inſtead of caſting him out of others, he will enter further into them themſelves; therefore like good ſouldiers they muſt be well furniſhed with ſpirituall armour and 2 Cor. 10.5. Pſa. 45.5. their arrowes muſt be ſharp.

3. Conſider the depth of Gods councels, how uneaſily unfolded, opened, applied, how theſe are a riddle, which like Sampſons riddle cannot be enterpreted, unleſſe wee plough with Gods Heifer; deep things of God which cannot be found out but by Gods Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.11. A way that cannot be knowne without a guide, Acts. 8.31. A ſealed booke, which we cannot read unleſſe wee have ſome one to open p. 322it, Iſa. 29.11. Neither are the Lamps which reſerve the greateſt portion of this oyle ſo full of light; nor the fountaines which hold the largeſt meaſure of knowledge ſo ful of waters, but that with Paul they may ſay, who is ſufficient for theſe things, 2 Cor. 2.16.

4. Conſider the number, the ſubtlety, and the power of them that ſeduce to ſin, that lead to errour, and that provoke to evill, that ſpread ſnares, and caſt ſtumbling blocks in the waies of Gods people. The envious man hath many ſervants that ſow tares among this Wheate, Mat. 13.25. Many Factors that ſell deceiptfull wares, that make merchandiſe of the ſoules of the people, 2 Pet. 2.3. Many mountebanks that apply healing ſalves before ever they ſearch and open the wound, Jer. 6.14. Many unskilful builders that daub with untemperate Morter upon a rotten wall, before ever they pull downe the ruinous places, Ezek. 13.10. Many clouds without raine, many breaſts without milke, 2 Pet. 2.17. Many lazy Husbandmen that ſow before ever they breake up the fallow ground of the hearts of Gods people, Contrary to that, Jer. 1.10. Many deceivers tranſformed into Angels of light, 2. Cor. 11.11. Many Lions in ſheepes Skins, Mat. 7.15. Many that with Ahabs Prophets, bad us goe on and proper, 1 Kings. 22.12. Therefore behoofull wee ſhould make choice of able miniſters, that may teach ſound Doctrine, convince oppoſers, lead us forward p. 323and build us up in the ſaving knowledge of Chriſt Ieſus in deſpite of all oppoſitions.

5. Conſider our dulneſſe, deadneſſe, ſecurity; backwardneſſe, Iſrael cannot travell longer then the fiery Pillar doth ſhine before them, Peter will continue in the denial of his Maſter if the Cock do not crow to awaken him;Mat. 26.75. Exod, 32.1.2. Rev. 2.4.Matt 26:75Rev 2:4 Iſrael will erect a golden calfe if Moſes do but a little abſent himſelfe from them; if Jehojada once dye, the Princes of Juda will leave the houſe of the God of their Fathers, and ſerve groves, and Idols, 2 Chro. 24.18. The beſt men with the men of Epheſus, will forget their firſt love, if they live not under faithful Miniſters; as the beſt garden will grow barren if it be not weeded, the beſt tree will grow wild, if it be not pruned, the ſoile will become unfruitfull if the dewes fall not upon it, the ſtrongeſt body will grow weake, if good food bee with holden from it; the beſt ſhip will miſcarry, if it want a good Pilote; therefore 2 Pet. 1.12. This is the Pillar which ſupporteth us, the word of life which keepeth life in us, Phil. 2.14. The breaſt which giveth food to us 1 Pet. 2.2. The cloud whoſe dewes water us, and makes us fruitfull in the grace of the Spirit, Deut. 32.2.

6. Conſider how hardly a true & lively faith is wrought without labour, men are perſwaded and aſſured of their ſalvation; what induſtry conſtancy, fervency, and shill, is required, and muſt be uſed before the judgement can p. 324bee informed, rightly to deſcerne the things which differ, before the will can bee inclined to choſe the things which are moſt excellent, before the affections can be cleanſed, the heart purified, the holds of ſinne caſt downe, the ſoule made free from the ſervice of evill, and free to the love of God, and of what is truely good, as in 2 Kings. 4.32, 34.35. So the Miniſter muſt againe and againe exhort inſtruct and pray before the life of grace be reſtored,2 Tim. 5.14. the conſcience pacified, the fruits of a new life infallably apparant, and the heart throughly perſwaded of Gods goodneſſe towards it in the free remiſſion of all ſin; all temptations quelled, all objections anſwered & the pardon of fine ſealed: Naaman went ſeven times into Jordan before he was waſhed,2 Kings. 5.14.2 Kgs 5:14 the Cock crowed thrice before Peter awakened, our Saviour ſtood long at the doore, before the Spouſe ſtirred up her ſelfe to open, to come forth to him,Mat. 26.75.Matt 26:75 ſhe ſought long ere ſhe could and him & Cant. 2.5. ſhe ſpeaketh to the Miniſters to comfort or ſuſtaine her by the Miniſtry of the word; & Rom. 1 11. & Acts. 14.2.22.

7. Conſider the ſweet and ſingular comforts which the powerfull Miniſtry of the word breedeth in the ſoules of the people of God, how it is unto the eies of their underſtanding as the light of the Sun to the eye of the bodie, whereof Eccleſ. 11.7. So it is to them a pleaſant thing to behold the things of God, as Mat. 2.10. So doth the light of the word rejoyce p. 325joyce the people of God. Iſa. 9.2, 3. Lu. 10.23. How it is unto their eares as the harp in Davids hand chaſing away the evil ſpirit; How a very joyfull ſound, Pſa. 89.15. How it is unto their palate as the ſweeteſt honey, Pſa. 19.10. As the daintieſt feaſt, Iſa. 25.6. How it is to their feet a burning light, guiding them into the waies of peace. Lu. 1.79. How it is to their thirſty ſoules, as a wel-ſpring of living waters to the thirſty; and their troubled conſciences, as the Olive-branch to Noah, as the ſtill voice to Eliah; to their weary ſpirits, as Horſemen, and Chariots, to drive, and carry them forward in their journey, to the high and Heavenly habitation, which God hath prepared for his people; and out of all this, wee may abundantly behold the neceſſity of an able, conſtant and powerfull Miniſtry, and the folly of them that content themſelves with Lamps that have no Oile, with Meſſengers that have no tidings, with ſuch at leaſt as like the evil ſervants, hide and imploy not their talent.

3. This muſt occaſion the people, to try whether the Miniſters, who are ſet over them, be ſent of God, or whether they be come of their owne accord. This you may deſcerne. 1. By the ſoundneſſe, & the fulneſſe, & holineſs of their knowledge, in the matter of life and ſalvation, for as the Sun ruling, the world is full of light, the Sea watring the earth, is full of Waters, ſo muſt the Miniſters of God be full p. 326of knowledge, therefore called ſtarres, Rev. 1.16. And light, Mat. 5.14. Guides, Acts. 8.31. Shepheards, Epheſ. 4.11. Captaines, 2 Tim. 2.3. Stewards, Lu. 13.52. And it is Gods ordinance, Mal. 2.7. Gods promiſe, Jer. 3.15. The contrary to this, is an argument men are not ſent, Hoſ. 4.6. Jer. 2.8.

2. By the holineſſe and integrity of their converſations, Kings ſend not rebels to reclaim others, they who are tainted with the Plague themſelves, are very dangerous Phyſitians; no man will willingly take Phyſick from them, but Lu. 4.23. therefore God doth purify and cleanſe his Meſſengers from iniquity, Mal. 2.5, 6. And 1 Tim. 4.12. And therefore our Saviour, Matth. 5.16. and Iſaiah was cleanſed,Pſa. 511 12.13. Iſa. 6.5. And Paul propoſeth himſelfe and the reſt, for an example, Phil. 3.17. The contrary to this, argueth want of commiſſion, Jer. 23.14. 1 Sam 2.17. Mat. 5.3.

3. By the fervency of their Zeal & affections, they muſt be full of courage; comming forth, as it is ſaid of the Sun,Pſa. 19.5.Ps 19:5 like Bridegrooms out of their Chamber, & rejoycing like mighty men, to run the race which God hath ſet them, being like burning iron, warming them that are about them; thus the word, as fire ſhut up in Jeremy his bones, Jer. 20.9. Examples hereof, wee have in Eliah, 1 Kings 18.21. Zacharias, 2 Chron. 24 20. In the Baptiſt, Mat. 3.7. In Stephen, Acts. 7.51. In Paul, Acts. 34, 20. p. 327The want of this is taxed, Matth. 7.29. and Rev. 3.16.

4. By their ſincere and Heavenly Doctrine, ſuch as God ſendeth delivereth Gods meſſage, good nurſes give wholeſome milke to the children, good Stewards give not gravell, but good bread to the family, thus 2 Tim. 2.15. They give every man his portion out of Gods word, knowledge to the ignorant, reproofe to the obſtinate, comfort to the afflicted, encouragement to the oppoſed, and 1 Pet. 4.11. Tit. 1.9. And then Jer. 23.22. But the contrary hereunto, Mica. 2.11. Lam. 2.24.

5. By their induſtry in their calling, expreſſed by the ſimilitudes of Husband-men, builders, 1 Cor. 3.6, 9. Souldiers, 2 Tim. 2.3. It was propheſied, Iſa. 62.5. Charged 2 Tim. 4.2. 1 Tim. 4.15. Practiſed, 1 Cor. 15.10. But the want of this, diſcovereth want of commiſſion, Iſa. 56.10.

6. By their griefe to ſee men ſinfull, as a good Phyſitian to ſee his patient diſeaſed, a loving Nurſe to ſee her childe ſick, thus 2 Pet. 2.8. Jer. 9.1. Jer. 13.17. Pſa. 119.136. But Acts. 4.2.

7. By their ſeeking of the Glory of God, and the good of his Church more then themſelves, or their owne good, 2 Cor. 4.5. 2 Cor. 12.14. 1 Cor. 10.33. 1 Theſ. 2.19. But 2. Pet. 2.3. Theſe meeting together in a Miniſter, are aſſured evidence that God hath ſent ſuch one in mercy to his ſervants.

8. By their conſtancy in their calling, and p. 328religious and holy converſation; ſuch as God ſendeth, are not like a broken Bow that ſtarteth back in the day of battle, like the ſluggard that would not walke becauſe there was a Lion in the Street, like the ſloathfull man that would not ſow becauſe it was cold; they grow not weary of the work of the Lord, their calling is a delight, no trouble; their work is pleaſant no iron yoke to them, and therefore as Eccleſ. 11.6. So they ſow in the morning, in the Evening are conſtant in imbracing every occaſion, looking unto God for a bleſſing; though they fiſh long with Peter, & catched nothing, yet at Chriſts command, they caſt forth the net in hope of a good draught at laſt, they know that God hath ſeverall houres for mens converſion, ſome at the third ſome at the ſixth hour, ſome at the ninth hour, ſome at the laſt hour of the day, ſo muſt they continue conſtant to the laſt hour in their calling, and if none convert by their labours, yet they know that their endeavours ſhall not be altogether fruitleſſe, Jſa. 49 4 And therefore they are not like Meteors, and blazing ſtarrs, ſhining for a ſeaſon, and then fall to ground, but like the ſun they are conſtant, in their care; this was Gods charge to Jeremy, Jer. 15.19, 20, 21. And it was his practiſe, Jer. 20.9.10. This was Pauls reſolution, Acts. 20.24. And this he verified, 2 Tim. 4.7. This the Apoſtles alſo manifeſted, it was within them, as a fire not to be quenched, as a ſtreame not to be p. 329ſtopped, Acts. 4.19.20. But Apoſtacy from God, either in doctrine or converſation, may juſtly call into queſtion their commiſſion; Demas once accounted a fellow-labourer, Philimon, verſe 24. afterward proved an Apoſtaticall lover of the world, 2 Tim. 4.10. And Rev. 12.4. Faithfulneſſe to the end in the Miniſteriall calling, is a gracious teſtimony that God hath given them a commiſſion, and that hee hath ſent them for the good of his people.

Thus of his authority; Next let us looke upon his Alſufficiency. Authority without ability, is like a ſword without a hand; ability without authority, is like a hand without a ſword, both inſufficient, both of little uſe, but where both concurre, they make a man compleat to fulfill the calling hee hath undertaken; therefore that the Baptiſt might the better move, the more effectually perſwade the hearts of his diſciples, to imbrace, beleeve, and build upon Chriſt, he commendeth him not onelyonly by his authority, whom God hath ſent, he ſpeaketh the word of God, but alſo by his Alſufficiency, for God hath not given the ſpirit by meaſure. Some extend theſe words to Gods abundant & common diſpenſation of all good things, why being the fountaine of all goodneſſe doth largely poure out his bleſſings, and yet is not emptied any more then the Sun of his light by Shining, or the ſea of water by ſending forth many ſtreams to water the earth; p. 330he that draweth out of a veſſel, what he giveth commeth at length to the bottome, but he that dippeth out of the Sea never commeth to the bottome, the abilities of the creatures are ſoone like a little veſſell drawne dry, but God never giveth ſo much but there is a great fulnes in him at the laſt, as there was at the firſt, his hand is never ſhort that it cannot help, his arme is never weary that it cannot give aſſiſtance, it is never low water but alwaies full Sea with this goodneſſe; a ſingular expreſſion of the tranſcendency of God beyond and above all creatures, a powerfull load-ſtone, to draw men to God from the world, a ſingular encouragement to men to relye upon God, as on a ſure foundation, which will never ſinke; to draw nigh to God, as to the fountaine of living waters, which will moſt certainely refreſh us, as to a tree loaden with all forts of fruit, bearing new fruit every month, an admirable comfort to Gods children that their God is their ſtay, and their ſtrength hath ſuch fulneſſe in him; but they who interpret theſe words to be ſpoken of Chriſt, give the beſt and moſt proper enterpretation, for the purpoſe of the Baptiſt was not ſo much to commend and ſet forth the fulneſſe and excellency of God whereof, there was not then any queſtion, but of Chriſt, of whoſe Alſufficiency the diſciples of the Baptiſt were both ignorant & doubtful, therfore he ſetteth before them the full treaſury of all goodneſſe, which p. 331was in Chriſt, intimateth to them that in Chriſt alone was that ſufficiency to be found, which would make them wiſe, holy, juſt, free, happy; from him they ſhould derive and draw that which the world could not afford them, for God had given him the ſpirit not by meaſure, Chriſt and God the Father are one in regard of Divine Eſſence 1 Jo. 5.7. that is incommunicable and cannot be given, but God the Father gave the Sonne, his perſonal ſubſiſtance, as a Sonne, as a ſecond Perſon, whereof David ſpeakes, Pſa. 2.7. And alſo Solomon, Pro 8.24 25 29.30. And God hath alſo given the Spirit that is the Grace of the Spirit unto Chriſt as man, as Mediatour above meaſure, in a moſt abundant and large meaſure; as he is the Sonne of God by eternall generation ſo he hath infinite power, Wiſedome, juſtice, Holineſſe, Goodneſſe; as he is the Sonne of God, by Grace of Hypoſtaticall Vnion, ſo hee hath alſo all the former vertues, but not in that meaſure as they are in him, as he is God, but yet in ſuch meaſure, as they doe wonderfully excell all the excellencies in men and Angels, as the Sun doth the Starres in brightneſſe, Col. 1.19. Others received and do receive the Spirit in meaſure 1 Cor. 12.7. That is ſlenderly, and this from Chriſt, Epheſ. 4.7, as wee receive water from the Siſterne but to Chriſt as man, it is given above meaſure, that is largely, abundantly, farre more then to any creature.

p. 332In the words, we have

1. a Giver, God.

2: The gift with the equality of it, the Spirit.

3. The meaſure, or how much is givers not ſparingly, not nigardly, but plentiouſly, above meaſure.

4. The receiver, the party to whom it is given, to Chriſt.

From the firſt wee may learne.

Doct. That God is the Authour & giver of every bleſſing enjoyed by any perſon or people; the royall robes where-with Chriſt as man was apparelled, came out of Gods Wardrobe; the ſingular Jewels where-with he was adorned, came out of Gods Store-houſe, therefore much more the bleſſings and endowments conferred upon people of inferiour condition, as all the light in the Aire commeth from the Sun, ſo James, 1.17. As the Raine commeth from the cloud, upon the earth; ſo doth every good thing come unto us from the Lord, nothing is due, nothing is merited, all is given, Jo. 3.17. Therefore God is by the Apoſtle ſtiled the God of all grace, 1 Pet. 5.10. The God in whom all goodneſſe reſideth, as water in the fountaine, from whom all goodneſſe is derived, all bleſſings Iſſue as waters from the fountaine, as branches from the roote, a God giving both ſpirituall and corporall, temporall and eternall favours; all that wee poſſeſſe, is fruit from his Tree, graine out of his Garner, liquor out of his veſſel, the Lords hand p. 333maketh all, Eccleſ. 11.5. Wee cannot gather if God doe not ſcatter; wee cannot receive, if God doth not open his hand; wee cannot be ſatisfied, if God doth not fill us, Pſa. 104.28.

Reaſon. Becauſe God hath in himſelfe all goodneſſe originally independantly, compleately, and others have it by the communication, as God will work it in them, give it to them; as all nouriſhment is in the roote, and from thence ſent up into the branch; all waters are in the Sea, and from thence ſent in the chanels of the earth beneath, and in the clouds above, as in ſo many bottles for the watering of the earth;Exod. 34.Exod 34 ſo all goodneſſe in God he deriveth to us as he pleaſeth, therefore the Pſalmiſt, aſcribeth all to the Goodneſſe of the Lord. Pſa. 68.9.10. And Pſa. 65.8.9.10.11.12.13. And,

2. Becauſe God hath Soveraignty, and dominion over all, right and intereſt into all, he is the Lord, the creature the ſervant; he is the Work-man the world with all the fulneſſe thereof, his workmanſhip; hee is the King, all the creatures his ſubjects; the ſervant can have nothing but what his Lord will allow him, all tallents are in Gods hand, hee hath both the dominion and the diſpoſition of them,Pſal. 24, 1. Mat. 5.45,Ps 24:1Matt 5:45 he may doe with his owne what pleaſeth him, and hence, 1 Chro. 29.11, 12. Deut. 8.18.

3. Becauſe all ſecond cauſes, are no further helpfull, comfortable, and beneficiall to us p. 334then as God is pleaſed to put an ability, and fulneſſe into them, as God is pleaſed to cauſe his bleſſing to accompany and go together with them, as Jo. 15.5. So without God all that wee have can doe nothing, and as Jſa. 30.7. So all abilities without God will help in vaine, their ſtrength will be to ſet ſtill, as Jer. 10 5. So it will be in theſe, to doe neither good nor harme, men may glory of their abilities, as Iſrael of the Arke, but if God be not there, the Arke will doe no good·

4. Becauſe wee are altogether empty, in and of ourſelves, dry trees, barren fields, bearing no fruit; and empty Veſſels, without any licquor of grace; wee are, Rev. 3.17. deſolate houſes, in whom dwelleth no good thing, Ro. 7.18. & Hoſ. 10.1. Nineveh, Nah. 3.10. And therefore well might the Apoſtle ſay, what haſt thou that thou haſt not received.

5. Becauſe wee are able to diſcerne nothing, wee are all gone aſtray Pſa. 14.3. Wee are like a wilderneſſe, like the ſluggards field, as full of ſinne as that of thornes and briars, Pro. 24.30. After our converſion, when wee have done our beſt, we doe but that like Jacob, in the way of Gods commandements, our beſt apparell is very menſtruous, beſt grain hath much chaffe, and our beſt coyne hath much droſſe mingled with it, Jſa. 64.6. So that when wee have done all wee can doe, we are unprofitable ſervants, wee have deſerved nothing,Lu. 17.10. and therefore whatſoever wee enjoy, p. 335it muſt needs be Gods gift.

6. Becauſe all doe exſpect, and looke for every behoofull gift at the hands of God, as the eye waiteth on the Sun for light, the ſucking child on the breaſts for milke, the providence of God extendeth it ſelfe to all creatures, to all perſons, to all ſeaſons, occaſions, and conditions, he doth not like the Carpenter build a houſe, and then forſake it, like a careleſſe Pilote leaving his ſhip in the ſtormy tempeſt, but God guideth, preſerveth, feedeth, and ſuſtaineth all that hee hath made in him, Acts. 17.28. From him, Pſa. 104.27.

Ʋſe. Is all we enjoy, all that doth relieve us, Gods gift? is it he is the Authour, and the giver of all, then let us ſeeke to God for every good gift, whereof we ſtand in need, as. Ja. 1.5. So if any man want grace to ſubdue his corruption let him aske of God, for hee giveth grace to the humble, 1 Pet. 5.5. If any man want wiſedome to diſcerne the things which differ, to know the deepe things of God, let him ſeeke it at the hands of God, for this is alſo Gods gift, Matth. 16.17. If any man want faith let him aske of God for this is alſo the gift of God, Phil. 1.29. If any man want peace, let him ſeeke it from the Lord, for it commeth from him. Ro. 16.20. If any man want love let him addreſſe himſelfe to God for it, for hee is love, 1 Jo. 4.8. And the God of love, 2 Cor. 13.11. If any man p. 336want patience, let him ſue to God, for he is the Authour of it, Ro. 15.5. As the lame men came to Betheſda to be healed,Io. 5. 2 Kings. 5. Act. 3.3.John 52 Kgs 5Acts 3:3 as Naaman came to Iordan to bee waſhed, as the lame man lay at the gates of the Temple for an almes, ſo come you to God to bee healed, to be cleanſed, to be enriched with every good gift, hee alone can ſupply your wants, Hoſ. 13.9. All other helpers are Phyſitians of no value, you ſhall be conſtrained to come to him at laſt, goe whither yee will for the preſent, Mar. 5.29. You ſhall be conſtrained, Hoſ. 14.3. All the world ſhall ſay as, 2 Kings. 6.26, 27. Hee alone hath promiſed to lend the hand of aſſiſtance, to open the fountaine of his Loving-kindneſſe, to warm us with the Sun-ſhine of his countenance; to delight our ſoules with his comforts, Mat. 7.7. Mat. 11.28. Pſa. 81.10. Hee alone knoweth our wants, is acquainted with our weakneſſes, he knoweth what wee need before wee aſke, Nah. 1.5. Hee alone careth for us in our diſtreſſe, as a father for his childe, a Shepheard for his flock, his eyes are upon us, Pſa. 14.15. He is ſenſible of our afflictions, Iſa. 63.9. As a mother of the affliction of her childe, Iſa. 49.15. Therefore let us not goe to Egypt, to Baalzebub, to Endor, let us not goe to the Phyſitians which have no ſkill, to the trees which have no fruit, to hives which have no honey, to the ſtore-houſes which have no treaſure, to the lamps which have no light, to withered hands which have no p. 337ſtrength, but let us goe to God, in whom is all fulneſſe, all goodneſſe, all abundance, and hee will ſurely give, if wee aske in faith, Iam. 1.5.6. In humility, Iam. 4.6. In ſincerity, Pſa. 145 19. In fervency. Iam. 5.16. In conſtancy, Lu. 18 3.

2. Over all bleſſings: Gods gifts are the free favours of his hand, then be not proud of thy great abundance; art thou advanced above others, is the roots of thy tree, more abundantly watred then others, hath the Sun ſhined more warmly on thee and thy dwelling, then others, haſt thou more feathers in thy neſt, in thy wings then others have; be not proud, it is all the gift of God; what haſt thou which thou haſt not received, haſt thou riches, haſt thou honoures, are not theſe branches growing upno Gods Tree, 1 Chr. 29.12. 1 Sam. 2.8. Pſa. 75.6.7. Haſt thou knowledge, is thy ſoule full of light; is not this a Lampe of Gods kindling, Col. 1 26.27. Haſt thou faith is not this a work of Gods finger, Jo. 6.29. Haſt thou holineſſe, is not this a garment of Gods weaving, of Gods putting on, Ezeck. 16.8.9.10, Was not thine iniquity purged with a Coale from Gods Altar, Iſa. 6.5. Think upon any gift, any endowment, of the body, or of the minde, where-with thou art adorned, and ſee if it be not a ſtreame of Gods fountaine, a letter of his writing, an undeſerved favour, of Gods beſtowing; looke upon p. 338the freedome of Gods goodneſſe, thinke upon thine own unworthineſs, meditate upon Gods end and purpoſe in the donation of his favours, bee affected with thy walking unworthy of Gods mercies, let thy thoughts be upon the ſtrict account whereunto God will call thee, for the imployment of all the favours hee hath beſtowed on thee, and then bee not high minded but feare.

3. Is every bleſſing, every good thing we enjoy Gods gift? then let us give God the praiſe of all, let us ſo imploy all that wee may glorifie God in the uſe thereof; as they have their originall from him, ſo in their uſe they muſt ſerve him, Rom. 11.36. Who, ſaith the Apoſtle planteth a Vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk? 1 Cor. 9.7. So ſhall God feed us, ſhall God plant us, ſhall God water us, ſhall God beſtow upon us all manner of bleſſings, and ſhall not he have the praiſe thereof? ſhall not he be honoured with it? Prov. 3.9. Shall not all be ſo ordered, ſo diſpoſed, that God may be magnified? according to that 1 Pet. 4.11. Is not God who hath made all, who hath preſerved all, who hath done all for us, worthy of praiſe, Rev. 4.11. Is not this the voice of all creatures, doe they not all ſay, Rev. 5.13. And ſhall not man who hath drunke deepeſt of the cup of Gods mercies, taſted moſt abundantly of the River p. 339of Gods Loving-kindneſſe, bee thankfull to him for his bleſsings; and ſtudy to glorifie him in the uſe of ſuch talents as you hath received from him? and to the end wee may glorifie God in the uſe of his gifts, and be thankfull for his mercies,

1. Wee muſt looke upon, and take notice of every gift, of every bleſsing wee enjoy, as of a gift comming from Gods hand, as on a dew falling from Gods cloud, as on fire taken from Gods Altar; looke not ſo much upon ſecond, as upon the firſt cauſe; upon inferiour meanes, as upon God who doth all in all; raiſe your hearts to this pitch, that you may be able to ſay with Jacob, Gen 30.8. Gen. 33.5. With Joſeph, Gen. 48.9. As Moſes taught Iſrael to ſay, Deut. 26.9. So thou muſt be able feelingly to ſay, God hath given mee his Word, his Sacrament, his ſpirit; God hath given mee health, ſtrength, liberty, food raiment, Wife, children; take it all as a gift of God, and then thou ſhalt ſtrive to give God the glory of it, Deut. 26.10.

2 Labour to get your heart throughly affected with the goodneſſe of God therin; ſtrive to ſee it, to take it as a ſingular merciemercy from the hands of God, to read therein the lively characters of Gods Love, to taſt the ſweetneſſe, and goodneſſe of God in the ſame, to be ſtirred up to rejoyce in God thereby; and then wee ſhall ſeeke to glorifie God therein, p. 340as 1 Sam. 1.27, 28. She was affected with Gods goodneſſe, in the gift, and therefore gave the ſame again unto God; and to this we are exhorted Pſal. 34, 7, 8. And of this we have example, Pſa. 38.17, 19.

3 Be thereby ſtirred up to love God, let it be as a Bellows blowing up thy cold affections; as beams from the Sun, warming thy heart, as a Load-ſtone to draw thee neerer unto God, Pſal. 116.1, 2. And then he diſputed with himſelf, caſts about what courſe to take that he might glorifie God, verſe. 12. this will conſtrain them to doe all for Gods glory, 2 Cor. 5.14. This will make them eſteem nothing to dear for God, Rev. 12.11.

4. Be hereby drawn to reſt and depend upon God, as upon an Alſufficient Arme; an iron pillar, a ſure foundation; as a ſick man upon a Phyſitian, full of art and skill to cure him, as a poor man upon a rich friend, aboundantly able to ſupply him, as a child upon a loving father, able to releeve him; to this the people exhort one another, upon the ſight of the great things which God ſhould doe for them, in giving Chriſt to them, in working their ſpiritual feedom, Iſa. 26.12.3, 4. Pſal. 61.3, 4, 5. Confidence in God wil, ſurely animate us to do good; a man cannot beleeve in God, but he muſt alſo live to God Pſal. 37 3.

p. 3415. Bee hereby put in minde of God, let every gift you receive, every bleſsing you enjoy, be a monitor, to bring God to your remembrance; to make you think upon the Alſufficiency which is in him; from whom all theſe things flow, as water from the fountaine; to make you conſider how reſpectfull God is unto you, how mindfull hee is of you, how abundant his mercy and loving kindneſſe is towards you, every favour muſt be as an Embaſſadour teſtifying Gods goodneſs, as the voice of Watch-men to bring the Lord to your remembrance, Deut. 8.13.18. Pſa. 63.5.6.

6. Bee hereby occaſioned to rejoyce and delight thy ſelfe in God; as rich gifts and liberall teſtimonies of love from a friend cauſe the receiver to rejoyce in his love, ſo muſt the many gifts which he beſtoweth on us cauſe us abundantly to rejoice, and delight our ſelves in God, who is ſo mindfull of us, ſo open-handed and plenteous in his mercies towards us, this muſt be as ſweet ſounding Muſick in our eares cheering up our dull and drooping ſpirits; as Wine filling our heavy hearts with gladneſſe. Pſa. 28.6.7.8. 1 Sam. 2.1. Deut. 12, 7. Deut. 16.11.

7. Endeavour to imploy all thy abilities to the beſt uſes, in the way wherein they may bring moſt honour to God, like a good Steward ſeeke not your owne, but your great Maſters p. 342advantage, beſtow upon the maintenance of Gods worſhip, every man in his calling, place, and according to the meaſure of the gift God hath given to him, Exod. 35. from the 20. to the 30. and 1 Chro. 29.3.6.9.10. If thou haſt knowledge inſtruct Gods people, if thou haſt courage, oppoſe Gods enemies; if thou haſt joy magnifie God with praiſes; if thou haſt ſanctity, faith, patience, meekneſſe, ſhew it by thy contempt of the world; patient bearing of afflictions; holy, grave, and religious carriage; glorifie God by giving a good example to others; if thou haſt earthly abundance, ſay with the Pſalmiſt. Pſa. 16.3. As 1 Tim. 4.14. 1 Chro. 12.7.

Thus of the giver next of the gift, not the world, not externall, and tranſitory riches, not earthly and vaniſhing honours, but the Spirit, none dearer to God then Chriſt, none more regardfull of Gods Glory, none ordained to a more honorable ſervice, and therefore without controverſie God beſtowed on him the chiefeſt gifts, the rareſt pledges of his Love; and what are theſe but the gifts of the Spirit; from whence learn,

Doct. That the holy and ſaving graces of the Spirit, are of all other gifts the moſt excellent: as the Sun excelleth the Gloe-worm, the Vine is to be preferred before the bramble, the pureſt and moſt perfect wine befor-the ſmalleſt water; ſo are the gifts of the ſpirit p. 343to be preferred before all the endowments of the world; theſe like Beniamins portion are five-times as good as any of his brethrens; like Iſaacs Inheritance, far better then Iſhmaels moveables; this is evident, by the titles and attributes given to theſe graces, as precious 2 Pet. 1.1. Exceeding great and precious, Verſe. 4. unſpeakeable and glorious, 1 Pet. 1.8. Unſearchable riches, Epheſ. 3.8. deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2.10. Excellency of knowledge, Phil. 3.8. Things more Excellent, Ro. 2.18.

2. By the ſimilitudes uſed to expreſſe the nature, excellency, worth, uſe and comfort, of them; the Sun and Moone, the moſt glorious among the ſtarres, Cant. 6.10. Doves the moſt harmleſſe among the birds of the Aire, Cant. 2.14. Trees of Frankinſenſe; the choiſeſt of all ſpices, a Garden incloſed, wherein are trees of the choiſeſt nature, a fountaine ſealed, a fountaine of living and ſtreaming Waters, of all waters the moſt pure and pleaſant. Cant. 4.14.15. wine and ointments, the chiefeſt liquor of the grape, Cant. 1.3. Gold and Silver the pureſt mettals in the earth, Cant. 1.11. An Inheritance choiſeſt among poſſeſſions Col. 1.10.11.

3. By the compariſons which the Holy Ghoſt, doth make between theſe and the choiſeſt gifts of the earth, Pro. 3.14.15. Pro. p. 3448.11. Cant. 4.10. Eccleſ. 9.16.18.

4. By the price which Gods people have put upon them, Phil. 3.8.

5: By the charge given to ſeek & imbrace them before and above all other things, Mat. 6.33. Pro. 8.10. And theſe are of bleſſings the moſt Excell…nt.

1. Becauſe theſe have the moſt excellent authour; all things are the common worke of Gods hand, but grace, holineſſe, and true righteouſneſſe, are the Crowne of his Labours; the Glory of his workeman-ſhip, as the Sun to the Candle, as the Flower to the common Graſſe a fruit of …he Sanctifying finger of Gods Spirit, Gal. 5.22

2. Becauſe they are of the moſt pure excellent nature; theſe are Gold without droſſe, trees not having one fading leafe, nor one rotten branch, theſe are of a Holy, and Heavenly originall; as it was fore-told of men; in regard of the paucity of them, Iſa. 13.12. So it is true in regard of the ſaving grace of Gods Spirit, it is more precious then fine Gold even then the Golden Wedge of Ophix, Job. 16.28.17.18.

3. Becauſe theſe are the beſt, the choiſeſt and moſt lively expreſſions of Gods Image; it is not gold and ſilver, gorgeous apparell that maketh a man like God; but true holineſſe, Col. 3.10. Epheſ. 4 22 Therefore God doth not ſay bee yee rich, for I am rich, p. 345bee yee ſtrong, for I am ſtrong, aſcend you the ſteps of earthly dignity, for I am glorious, though this be true; but bee yee holy for I am Holy. Lev. 11.44. other things are rich, as the earth hath ſtore of treaſure in her bowels, other things are ſtrong, for ſo the Rocks are, other things are glorious, as the Sun, Moone, Starres, Flowers, but holineſſe is that which doth peculiarly expreſſe Gods Image.

4. Becauſe this is the gift which God beſtoweth on them that are deare to him, the Sun ſhineth on the bad as well as on the good, the worſt men have often the largeſt portion of earthly good things, their tree is moſt fully loaden, their cup moſt plenteouſly filled, the wicked mans Barnes muſt be enlarged to hold the fruits which God hath given him, Lu. 12.18.19. Pſa. 17.14. But the ſaving graces of the Spirit; theſe are the jewels which God beſtoweth on his owne children, theſe are the riches with which hee doth endowe them, all things are Gods gift, but in compariſon of this they are as no gift, at all, Prov. 19.14. So &c. therefore, 1 Pet. 5.5.

5. Becauſe theſe are the choiſeſt, and ſureſt teſtimonies of the Love of God to our ſoules; he giveth common and worldly endowments to his enemies as well as to his friends, the Maſter of the Family giveth food, p. 346rayment, ſome-time money to the ſervant as well as to the childe, the Raine falleth on the Rock as well as on the ground, Eccleſ. 9.1. But as the Maſter of the Family ſheweth his love to his children, in putting them to Schoole, giving good education to them, ſo doth God ſhew his Love to his Children in training them up in the Schoole of Chriſt, in educating them with the ſaving knowledge of his will, in framing their hearts to love him, and to walke ſincerely and uprightly towards him, when he leaveth others in darkneſſe and in the ſhadow of death; as Chriſt ſheweth his Love to Lazarus, in raiſing him out of his grave, Jo. 11.44. So doth he ſhew his Love to us, in raiſing us to a new life; as he ſhewed his love to Iſrael, in cauſing the Sunne to ſhine upon them; when all Egypt ſate covered with darkneſſe, ſo doth hee open the Fountain of his Loving-kindneſſe in cauſing the light of his truth to ſhine among us, Jerem. 3.14.15. Iſaiah 62.5.6. Pſalm 87 2.7.

6. Becauſe theſe do moſt endeare men unto God; theſe like a Load-ſtone draw the Love, care, and goodneſſe of God towards us, cauſe him highly to eſteem us, tenderly to affect us, carefully to watch over us, mightily to defend us, as 1 Sam. 16.7, 8. So it is neither for riches, honours, nor beauty p. 347that God reſpecteth us; neither Dives wealth, Abſolons beauty, Sampſons ſtrength, Achitophels Policy, Senacharibs victories, nor Solomons royalty, can move or draw affection from the Lord, but the holineſſe and ſincerity of his ſervants, Iſa. 57.15. Iſaiah. 66.2. Pro. 11.21. Pſalm 16.3.

Ʋſe. Our ſpirituall gifts of all others the moſt excellent; are theſe the graine, and world the chaffe? are theſe the ſweet, & the earth the ſower grapes? then behold and be aſtoniſhed at the ſtrange and wonderfull folly of the greateſt number of the world, who like the Jewes of old preferre Barrabas before Chriſt, who like Eſau value a meſſe of earthly pottage above a Heavenly birth-right; like revolting Iſrael, are more affected with Egyptian Onions and Garlicke then with the beſt fruit growing upon the Heavenly Canaan; what more frequent amongſt men then to cry after the things of the earth; like the horſleeches two daughters, Pro. 30.15. what more common then to runne after riches, honours, pleaſures, as Mica after his Idol, Jud. 18.23.24. How many ſee wee riſing early, ſetting up late, and eating the bread of ſorowfulneſſe, to dig ſilver out of this Mine? how many behold wee wounding p. 348and piercing themſelves with ſharpe thorney care, intangling, and wearing themſelves with worldly ſnares; for triviall and tranſitory riches; how many ſee wee making ſhip-wrack of Faith and a good conſcience, to load themſelves with this treaſure; what more uſual with men then to deprive themſelves of reſt, peace, all true comforts, to neglect God, their ſouls, heaven, the Crown of Eternall Glory, for the vaniſhing cloud of worldly abilities, as if all our felicity, ſafty, comfort; ſtood in the having of the abundance of the earth, the ſaving grace of Gods Spirit were nothing worth: but theſe mens folly will be eaſily deſcerned, if they would but looke

1. VponUpon the vanity of the world; what is the riches, and honoures, when thou haſt it, without the grace of Gods Spirit; but as the Apoſtle ſaid of falſe teachers, 2 Pet. 2.17. It hath no filling, ſatisfying, nor contenting vertue in it, Iſa. 50.11. Hag. 1.6. If at any time they have abundance, and ſeem like the firſt Kine in Pharaohs dreame to be fat, yet preſently one thing or another ariſeth like the ſecond Kine in Pharaohs dream to deceive and devour all the fat; ſo that ſtill the ſoule is an empty veſſell; a barren womb, not ſatisfyed.

p. 3492. The impotency of theſe outward things, they are weak, unable to defend themſelves or their owners; like the Idol gods unable to keep themſelves, and therefore muſt bee kept by their worſhippers; the ruſt will conſume it, the theefe ſteale it, the fire burn it; if the Lord ſmite thee with ſickneſſe, though with Aſa, thou hadſt a kingdome, it cannot procure health for thee; if God ſend an enemie, and thou haſt horſes ſwift of foot yet it will not deliver thee, Iſa. 15. Pſa. 33.16. If thou haſt all kind of delights, art ſeated in a Paradiſe of worldly pleaſures, yet if God doth ſend a dreadfull noiſe into thy eares; then wilt thou runne like Adam to the covert; If God awaken thy conſcience it will be with thee as with Balſhazar, Dan. 5.4, 5. Zeph. 1.18.

3. The impiety, it is full of truble; as Achans golden Wedge troubled the whole army, ſo the things of the world if they bee not ſanctified, if men want grace, to eſteem, affect, and imploy them as they ought, they are a great trouble as Adams forbidden fruit in evill men, as a heavy burthen to the back; as a net full of ſnares to the feet, as a bed of thornes in the night, Pro. 11.17. Pro. 15.6. As the Sea, where are moſt waters; are moſt tempeſts

p. 3504. Their commoneneſs a flower grown in the worſt, as well as in the beſt mans garden; a livery worn by Gods enemies, as well as by Gods followers; a gift in the hand of a reprobate, as well as in the hand of Gods choſen;Eccleſ. 10.7.Eccl 10:7 Solomon ſaw ſervants on horſe-back, and Princes on foot, and wee may eaſily ſee the ſervants of ſinne, the bondmen of Satan on horſe-back, on the Throne, in place of eminency, enriched with the abundance of the earth, men as Princes, men richly adorned with the grace of the Spirit; men who are conquerors over Satan, and their luſts, who are Kings and Prieſts to God, goe on foote, are in a low ſtate, of no reputation in the world; the moſt wicked uſually are moſt favoured, and ſuck moſt milke out of the breaſts of the world. Jo. 15.19. Job. 12.4.5.6. Is it not great folly to neglect the graces of the Spirit, which are ſo ſweet, ſo pure, ſo full, ſo pleaſant, ſo peculiar to Gods people, ſo precious, as nothing in the world is ſufficiently able to expreſſe it, and to ſeeke after the things of the earth, which are ſo vaine, ſo weake, ſo beggarly, ſo troubleſome, ſo common, that he that hath the greateſt abundance of them may be and often is the divells bondman, p. 351an abomination in Gods ſight, a veſſel of Gods wrath, a firebrand of everlaſting deſtruction.

2. Therefore ſince the graces of Gods Spirit are of all gifts the moſt excellent; this muſt cauſe us 1. To deſire them moſt, earneſtly to long after them, as Rachel after children, Gen. 30. 1. As the thirſty ground after water, the hungry ſoule after food, th, man that ſetteth in darkneſſe after light Pſa. 143.6. Pſa. 42.12. Cant. 3.1. Iſa. 26.8.9. 2. To uſe all diligence to get them, all buſineſſe, ſet apart, all other gaine neglected, let us ſeek to be partakers of Grace, of the Spirit, as the Wiſe men left their owne countrey to come to Chriſt, the diſciples left all to follow him, ſo let us take off our hearts from the world, from carnall friends, and from whatſoever is deare unto us, and ſeeke to bee endowed with heavenly riches; let us. Pro. 2.2. 3. Let us with David. Pſal, 27.4. deſire to dwell in the houſe of the Lord all our life, that we may behold the beauty of the Lord, & to enquire in his temple. Jer. 50.4. & Dan. 9.3. Let us by hearing, premeditation, faſting, and by all holy meanes ſeeke this grace,

3. Let us value it more highly then all the treaſures of the earth, for Job. p. 35228.19. Pſa. 84.10. Pſa. 119.72.

4. Let us love it more entirely then any other endowment; give them the preheminence in our affections, the chiefeſt roome in our hearts, let us enlarge deſires of our hearts towards them, let us beſtowe the ſtrength and quinteſſence of our love upon them, let us ſo affect them that with the Spouſe, we be ſick of love, Cant. 5.2. So love them that it make us long for them, Pſal. 119.20. ſo love them that with Jacob we ſerve an apprentiſhip for them.

5. Let us rejoyce and delight in it more then in all earthly treaſure, as Matth. 2.10. So wee to ſee any ſtarre of Grace appeare in the heart, as Anna, 1. Sam. 2.1. So wee for our new birth, thus Pſa. 4.6.

6. Let us receive it more thankfully, as Eccleſ. 16.1. Gal. 6.14.

7. Let us treaſure it up more carefully; when Achan had gotten a golden Wedge hee hid it.

8. Let us receive the ſaving graces of the Spirit more thankfully then any common endowments, and render more praiſe to God for this then for any other favour, let us be more thankeful for our new birth then for noble birth, ſo for victory ouer ſin then for conqueſt our all bodily enemies, for the riches of grace then for p. 353all worldly treaſures, for knowledg, faith, love, meekneſs, patience, the joy of the ſpirit, then for all the choiſeſt jewels, and moſt precious praiſes in the world. As wee receiv a cup of pure and pleaſant wine more thankfully then a cup of ſmall water; a piece of gold more thankfully then a handful of ordinary and common earth; as Theodoſius gave more thanks that hee was a member of the Church than head of the Empire; ſo ſhould wee give more thanks that wee are the members of Chriſt Jeſus, than for the greateſt earthly preſent whereunto the hand of the world can advance us:2 King. 5.2 Kgs 5 as Naman was thankful for the purging of his leproſie, ſo let us for the waſhing away of the filth of ſin:Exod. 15.Exod 15 as Moſes ſang praiſes to God for their deliverance from the hand of Pharaoh; ſo let us for our deliverance out of the hands of Satan; for the donation of the ſpirit and the grace wherewith wee are enriched, Epheſ. 1.3. This was the Saint's practice, Col. 1.12, 13. Wee ſhould ſay for this, as David did, 2 Sam. 7.18, 19, 20, 22. ſo ſhould wee com and ſtand before our God, and ſay, Who are wee, O Lord God, that thou ſhouldeſt bring us hitherto, that of ſlaves thou ſhouldeſt make us thy free men, that of men dead in ſin, putrified in the grave of corruption, thou ſhouldeſt raiſe us to a new life of thorns & briars thou ſhouldeſt make us fruitfull and bearing vines, of ſtrangers thou ſhouldeſt make us thine own adopted Children, of poor and blinde & naked, thou ſhouldeſt make us rich with the ſaving grace of thy ſpirit: and this was yet a ſmall thing, but thou haſt alſo prepared p. 354everlaſting manſions for us to dwell in, immortal crowns for us to wear upon our heads, a glorious & ever ſhining ſun to give us light,Pſal. 16.11.Ps 16:11 even fulneſs of joy at thy right hand for ever: And what can wee ſay unto thee, our God, for all theſe things? how can we ſufficiently laud thee for thy goodneſs, for in this are all the motives and inducements of thankfulneſs. If you will ſing for refreſhment received in the day of drought, as Iſraël did for the ſpring of water, Num. 21.17. here is our welſpring of everliving water, Joh. 4.14. If yee will bleſs God for victorie as Debora and Baruc did, Jud. 5.1. Here is that which inableth you to tread Satan under foot, Rom. 16 20. and maketh you more then conquerers in all aſſaults, Rom. 8.36. If you will offer ſacrifice and make vows as the heathen marriners for the appeaſing of the tempeſtuous and raging Sea, Jona. 1.16. here is that which appeaſeth a greater ſtorm, which breedeth a ſweeter peace, Phil. 4.7. If yee will give thanks for the opening of your eies which were blinde, as the blinde man did, Joh. 9.38. here is that which openeth the eie of the underſtanding, inableth you to ſee the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2 9.10. This is the ſword which conquereth, the Phyſick which healeth, the muſick which delighteth, the milk which nouriſheth, the wine which cheereth, the friend which comforteth, the hand which enricheth, therefore wee ſhould bee thankfull for this above all other bleſſings.

7. Let us treaſure up theſe gifts moſt carefully, as the husbandmen hide the good ſeed p. 355in the ground, that it may bee preſerved from the fowls of the aër, take root, and bring forth increaſ: as rich men lock up their jewels in ſtrong cheſts, place them in cloſe and ſure rooms, that the hand of the thief may not reach them; ſo muſt wee with all diligence hide, and with all carefulneſs keep the ſaving grace of the ſpirit; it is our choiceſt endowment, it will yield us moſt comfort, do us moſt good, ſtand us in moſt ſtead, as the people ſaid of David, 2 Sam. 18.3. Thou art worth ten thouſand of us: ſo the grace of the ſpirit is worth ten thouſand of your ſheep, oxen, gold and ſilver; therefore bee as careful to keep it, as the people were to keep David, as a man would be to keep the apple of his eie, or his right hand. It was Solomon's charge to his Son, a charge often repeated to make him heedful of it. Proverb. 3.21. & 4.23. urged by our Saviour, Rev. 2.21. & 3.12. The like may bee ſeen in Paul, Tit. 1.9. 1 Tim. 6.12.13.14. Satan, the the World, the Fleſh will all ſtrive to wreſt from us the grace of the ſpirit, by force, by flattery, by promiſes and provocations:Jud. 16.16.Judg 16:16 as Dalila labored to cut away Samſon's locks, ſo will theſe ſtrive to rob us of God's ſaving grace; therefore wee muſt give all diligence to keep it.

8. Let all God's people bee contented, how ſlender ſoëver their outward eſtate bee, though you waſh not your feet in butter, neither doth the rock yield any oil; though your root ſpread not out by the waters, nor the dew lay not all night upon your branch, though your outward glorie be not freſh, nor the bow of your wordly ſtrength p. 356renewed in your hand as Job's was, yet if your ſouls bee waſhed in Chriſt's blood, if the, oile of grace bee powred upon them, if the dew of God's grace reſt upon them, if they grow in holineſs as trees planted by the waters ſide, if the inward glorie of the ſoul bee freſh, if the ſtrength of grace bee renewed, if God's external ordinance & your internal grace bee like the bow of Jonathan that turned not back, & the ſword of Saul which returned not empty from the blood of the ſlain and from the fat of the mightie: if this conquer your corruptions, prevaile againſt Satan and the world, though your earthly eſtate be like a ſmall river, a lamp with little oil, a tree with few branches, yet having the ſaving grace of the Spirit, you have the beſt, having this they have enough. As God anſwered Paul, 2 Cor. 12.9. Complaining verſ. 8. ſo may all men endued with the ſaving grace of the Spirit, if they complain of anie want of abſence of anie outward good, or preſence of anie outward evil, bee anſwered, The grace of God is ſufficient: this is a feaſt to the hungry, Prov. 15.16. an inheritance to the poor, Pſal. 119.111. armor to the aſſaulted, Epheſ. 6.13. this is inſtead of all other bleſſings, as the ſun is inſtead of all other lights, therefore all God's people ſhould ſay as David did. Pſal. 16.5.6. for 1. Tim. 6.8. and wee ſhould all reſolv with Jacob. Gen. 28.20.21. grace is the beſt portion, the moſt abiding ſubſtance, the tree whoſe leaf doth never fade, the fountain whoſe waters are never dried up, the ſtore-houſ which yieldeth the beſt riches, a garment like them p. 357once worn by Iſrael, it weareth not out with uſing, like the widow's barrel of meal and cruiſ of oil, it will feed & not conſume, nor grow dry with drawing forth; a catalogue of bleſſings do ever attend it, the light of God's face (which miniſtreth more joy than the brighteſt Sun of worldly proſperitie) doth alwaies accompany it, a ſingular and ſatisfactorie fulneſs is ever to bee found in it, and therefore reſt your ſelvs contented with it. Prov. 19.23.

Motives, quickning, ſtirring, moving, induceing, and leading us to the practice of all theſe duties may bee drawn,

1. From the dignitie, Honor, Eminence, and Excellency of their eſtate above all other eſtates and conditions of men, and eſtate exceeding other eſtates, as far as life exceedeth death, as far as liberty excelleth bondage, light darkneſs, for others are dead in ſin, Col. 1.22. bondmen to Satan, 2 Tim. 2.26. ſitting in darkneſs and the ſhadow of death, Mat. 4.16. but theſe are alive to God, free from ſin, Rom. 6.11.18. & have ſeen a glorious light, Iſa 93. Theſe have the moſt worthy and honorable original, they are the regenerate ofspring of the everliving and moſt glorious God, Iſa. 1.18. Ioh. 1.13. Theſe have moſt honorable kindred, Heb. 2.11. Luk. 8.21. calling, 1 Tim. 1.9. 1 Pet. 2.9. Theſe are not ſtrangers but Sons, Ioh. 1.12. not rubbiſh but living ſtones in God's building, 1 Pet: 2.5. not thorns and briars in the forreſt, but fruitful and bearing trees in Gods Orchard. Cant. 4.14. even trees of God's planting, Iſa. 16.3. Holineſs is the ſureſt p. 358way to the beſt preferment, the onelyonly ſtep to bee unchangeably and gloriouſly advanced, this ſhall bring men (like Ioſeph) out of the priſon to bee advanced into the ſecond place not of an earthly but a heavenly kingdom, this ſhall make them ſhine as the Sun, Mat. 13.43. ſet a glorious crown upon their head, Rev. 2·10. for, Mat. 19.28. As Saul was the head of the people, ſo ſhall theſe bee the head of all their brethren, Iſa. 58.13.14. men do much for honor; bee good, you ſhall bee great.

2. From the joy which doth accompany the true and ſaving grace of the ſpirit, the opening of the womb to the barren, of the priſon to the captived, of the hand to the needy, the filling of poor with riches, of the diſeaſed with health, of the heavie-hearted, glad tidings, of the hungry with the choiceſt delicates, cannot ſo warm the ſoul, ſo rejoice the heart, ſo ſolace the inward man as a gracious meaſure of true holineſs. The joy of Anna for the birth of a childe, 1. Sam. 2.1. the joy of Saul and the men of Iſrael, and the day of their enemies overthrow and Saul's Coronation, 1 Sam· 11.15. the joy of the Citizens of Suſan in the time of Haman. Eſt. 8.15. the joy of the rich man in filling his barns, Luk. 12.19. the joy of the Souldier in dividing the ſpoil Iſa. 9.3. is not ſo great as the joy of the new birth & ſpiritual coronation of God's people, the overthrow of the holds of Satan, the filling of the ſoul with the ſaving graces of the ſpirit; this joy to other joyes is as a full ſtream to a few drops, as a flaming fire to a few ſparks, as a p. 359bright and ſhining Sun to the light of a candle, readie to extinguiſh, this is a full joy, Ioh. 16.24. great joy, Acts. 8.8. glorious and unſpeakale joy, 1. Pet. 1.8. conſtant and abiding joy, Ioh. 15.11. a Sun which ſhineth when all other vaniſhing meteors of comfort are extinct, Prov. 13.9. all the cauſes of true joy do accompany a godly life, God's favor, God's preſence, God's bleſſing, ſenſe of God's goodneſs, aſſurance of a gracious iſſue out of all dangers.

3. From the ſtabilitie and ſtedfaſtneſs which doth attend it: men that are endued with true grace, are like a houſ upon a ſure foundation, like a tree of deep roots uneaſily moved, therefore likened to a tree by the waters ſide, Pſal. 1.3. Pſal. 52.8. and Pro. 14.11. they are held in a ſtrong hand Ioh. 10.28. they are built upon a ſure rock, Mat. 16.18. they are compaſt about with a ſtrong defence, Zech. 2.5. hence Pſa. 31.20.21. 1. Sam. 2.9. Prov. otherwiſe Pſal. 73.18, Hoſ. 13.3.

4. From the preſence of God vouchſafed to it: God's gracious preſence is yielded onelyonly to ſuch as are indued with true holineſs, amongſt them will hee be as a General among his army, a ſhepherd among his flock, a teacher among his ſcholars, a father among his family, defending againſt adverſaries power, inſtructing them in holy duties, encouraging them in all their undertakings, feeding them with his ordinances, watering them with the dews of his ſpirit, hee will fruſtrate all aſſaults of the enemie, Zeph. 3.15. he will fill the ſouls of his people p. 360with gladneſs, v. 17. make them a praiſ & glory among the people as flowers among the graſs, as the lilly among the thorns, Zech. 2.5. they ſhall enjoy all abundance, Ioël. 2.26.27. if they fall into affliction it ſhall not conſume them, Exod. 3.4.

5. From the happy, gracious, and comfortable iſſue whereunto it leadeth: how full of ſtorms ſoëver the ſea bee, yet it alway bringeth to a peaceable haven; though the ſeed twice bee full of tares, yet the harveſt is ever repleniſhed with joy; though the godly man meet at firſt (like Samſon) with a lion, yet at length hee ſhall ſeed upon the hony-comb of conſolation; though hee paſs like Iſraël thorough the red ſea, the wilderneſs Iordan, yet hee ſhall have a land that floweth with milk and hony; though hee now wear a crown of thorns, yet hee ſhall hereafter wear a crown of glorie; though his drink bee now mingled with gall and bitterneſs, yet hee ſhall drink out of the river of God's pleaſures; though David was long oppreſſed, yet at length hee attained the Kingdom; though the three children were caſt into the fierie furnace, yet they attained honor in the province of Babylon. So Iſa. 65.13.14.15 Iſa. 35.4.5.10. Ecl. 8.11.12.

From the gift deſcend wee to take notice of the meaſure of the gift: not ſcantly, ſlenderly, ſparingly, but above meaſure, abundantly, plentifully, fully. Whence learn,

Doctr. That Chriſt Jeſus was ſuperabundantly filled withall heavenly gifts and graces. As the Sun in the firmament is full of light and brightneſs, ſo p. 361is the Son of righteouſneſs full of true holineſs, and even according to his humane nature exceedingly filled with all goodneſs, even full of the holy ghoſt, as the fountain is full of waters. This fulneſs of his was many waies evident: 1. by the fulneſs of his wiſdom, his lamp was full of oil, it gave a very great light, a light enlightning all the world, a wiſdom breeding admiration in them that ſaw it, Mat. 13.54 a wiſdom whereby, as the Pſalmiſt ſaith of himſelf, Pſal. 119.98.99. ſo and much more may it bee verified of Chriſt; for in him, Col. 23. and Ioh. 1.18. hath a moſt full and intimate knowledg of God.

2. By the fulneſs of his power, it was not a withered arm, but an arm endued with fulneſs of ſtrength, able like David to conquer the Bear, the Lion, the great Goliah, able to daſh his enemies in pieces like a potter's veſſel, Pſa. 29. a ſtone hewn out of the mountains, breaking in pieces the image repreſenting the glorie, riches, and ſtrength of all kingdoms. Dan. 2.44. Able to heal the ſick, raiſe the dead, ranſom the captived, nothing was too hard for him.

3. By the fulneſs of his holineſs, his face had neither ſpot not wrinckle, there was no defilement ſtuck in his garment, his ſoul was a field, no tares mingled with his wheat, a garden all flowers, no weed, a tree all bearing, no barren withered, no unfruitful branch upon it, as it is ſaid of Abſalom, 2. Sam. 14.25. ſo it is 1. Pet. 2.22. Ioh. 14.30. 1. Pet. 1.19.4. by the fulneſs of his love, a love like a full Sea, a flameing fire, a ſtrong Chariot, that drew him from p. 362heaven to earth, from the higheſt honor to the deepeſt ignominy, from a paradiſe of pleaſures, to a wilderneſs of ſorrows: his love to us, of a Lord cauſed him to become a ſervant, Philip. 2.7. of a Sovereign a ſubject, Gal. 4.4. of rich poor, 2 Cor. 8.9. of a joyfull man, a man of ſorrows, Mat. 26.38. It brought him from the throne to the croſs; from the higheſt heavens, to the loweſt parts of the earth, Joh. 15.13. Joh. 15.9. As the Father ſo loved him, that hee communicated all good things to him, ſuſtained him under affliction, and delivered him from the power of hell and the grave; ſo doth the Son ſo love us, that hee imparteth all good things to us, beareth us up in all our diſtreſſes, and delivereth us from all miſeries. 5. By the fulneſs of his patience, hee was the mirror of meekneſs, the perfect pattern of true humility, Iſa. 53.7. 1 Pet. 2.23. Hee was one in whom patience had her perfect work, Jam. 1.5. patient in poverty, patient in ignominy, patient in ſorrowfulneſs, patient in doing, patient in ſuffering, patient in life, patient in death; the patience of Job and the Prophets was marvelous, yet as 2 Cor. 3.10 ſo their patience compared with his, was no patience; therefore well might hee propoſe himſelf for an example, Mat. 11.29. and thus full of all grace it was requiſite our Saviour ſhould bee.

1. In regard of the holy, preciſe, exact and perfect rule of the Law, which hee was to fulfill; every letter of his life muſt without any the leaſt variation anſwer the copy; every faculty of the ſoul, the diſpoſition of the whole man p. 363muſt bee ſuitable to this frame, every thought of his heart, every motion of his affection, every word of his mouth, every deed of his life, muſt be as arrows falling neither under nor above, but fully pitching upon this mark, therefore Gal. 4.5. Matth. 5.17.

2. In regard of the love God beareth unto him, and wonderfull delight which hee had in him; as Elkanah, 1 Sam. 1.4, 5. as Joſeph, Gen. 43.24. ſo our God giveth portions of grace to all his children; but to Chriſt hee gave a worthy portion, more then five times as ample as to any of his brethren, becauſe hee had a more abundant love to him, Iſa. 42.1 Mat. 3.17.

3. In regard of the Office hee had undertaken▪ to be a Mediator between God and man, a peacemaker, by appeaſing of Gods wrath in ſuffering for man, by making him juſt, Phil 3.9. by being found cloathed not in their own, but in the righteouſneſs of Chriſt: the party dying and ſatisfying the law for another, muſt bee innocent, and not, dy for his own offence; the righteouſneſs which maketh another juſt, muſt bee free from all blemiſh, therefore 1 Pet. 3.18. 2 Cor. 5.21.

4. In regard of our emptineſs; wee were all poor, and therefore it behooved him to have a full hand to make us rich: wee were all blinde, and therefore it was requiſite hee ſhould bee full of knowledg to make us wiſe: wee were all ſick, and therefore it was needfull hee ſhould bee a skilful Phyſitian to make us whole: all unclean, and therefore behooffull hee ſhould bee full of holineſs to make us pure: all captivated and p. 364dead in ſin, and therefore needfull hee ſhould bee full of power to ranſom us. Hence that propheſie, Iſa. 61.1. that invitation, Rev. 3.17, 18. Iſa. 55.1. for Joh. 1.16. Eph. 1.21, 22.

5. In regard of the enemies hee was to conquer; Sin, Satan, Hell, Death; trees not able to bee rooted up by any mortal hand, walls not able to bee beaten down by any cannon ſhot, fetters not to bee broken by any creäted ſtrength, enemies not conquerable by the moſt valiant among men: as all Iſrael trembled till David came, 1 Sam, 17. ſo Heb. 2.14. this is the Moſes dividing the waters, Exod. 14.21. this is the Sampſon bearing away the gates of Gaza, this is the David delivering his ſheep, this is the Cyrus opening the two leaved gates, Iſa. 45.1. this is the Angel bringing Peter out of priſon, Act. 12.7.

6. In regard of the depth of Gods counſels which are to bee opened; a well whereof none can drink, before Chriſt rowl away the ſtone, as Jacob did, from the wells mouth; a riddle which cannot bee unfolded, unleſs wee plow with Gods ſpirit; a ſealed book, which none but the lion of the tribe of Juda can open; a viſion, which none of the Aſtrologers, onelyonly Joſeph and Daniel, can interpret it: for Mat. 11.27.

7. In regard of the miniſtration of his kingdom, and government of his Church and people: none ſo great a charge, ſo many people to rule, ſo many great and ſtrong enemies to oppoſe, ſubdue and conquer; therefore hee is ſaid to bee girded with the ſword Juſtice; by his Word, the ſword of the ſpirit, ſtriking the hearts of rebellious p. 365people, to bring them into ſubjection, to ride upon the word of Truth, by the miniſtry of the Goſpel defending his choſen, beating down ſin and ſuperſtition, working many wonders, ſtriking terror into the hearts of his enemies, and for the accompliſhment hereof, hee is ſaid to anointed with the oil of gladneſs above his fellows, to have received more grace then all men or angels, Pſal. 45.3, 4, 5, 6, 7. for thus alſo it is ſaid, that the ſpirit of God doth reſt upon him, filling him with all heavenly gifts and graces, the ſpirit of wiſedom, fulneſs of knowledg in the things of God, the ſpirit of underſtanding, promptneſs and readineſs to know all things of what nature or condition ſoever; the ſpirit of counſel, faculty and quickſightedneſs to free himſelf out of all perplexities; the ſpirit of might, courage to teach the truth, and to oppoſe, ſhake and overthrow all falſ doctrine, and to reprove their wicked converſation; the ſpirit of knowledg, a ſure and firm underſtanding of things; the ſpirit of fear, filial, cheerfull and perfect obedience, Iſa. 11.2, 3, 4.

Obſerv. Iſa. 512. 1. In external appearance, hee was outwardly of low eſtate, Phil. 2.6, 7. but the more contemptible hee was in his outward condition, the more evident was the work of the God head manifeſting it ſelf therein. 2. Hee wanted beauty in the eies of carnal men; the ſun ſeemeth not beautifull to the blinde, but to ſuch as have the eie of underſtanding ſavingly enlightned, hee is the faireſt of ten thouſand, Cant. 5. verſ. 10.

p. 366Ʋſe. This by way of inſtruction ſheweth where to go to have all our ſpiritual wants ſupplied and furniſhed: Chriſt is the fountain in whom the Father hath put all fulneſs, hee is the Phyſitian that can cure us when wee are diſeaſed, the Conquerer able to deliver us when wee are captived, the Counſeller able to adviſe us when wee are doubtfull, hee is the Teacher which can inſtruct us when wee are ignorant, Iſa. 9.6. therefore when all the ciſterns of the world are broken, holding no water, when no phyſitian can cure us, when all ſtore-houſes are empty, and no hand can enrich us, when all lips are ſhut, and no tongue can comfort us, when all waters, like Abana and Pharphar have no healing virtue, no cleanſive power; then, like the woman, Mark 5.11. let us come to Chriſt; like Naaman, 2 King. 5.14. let us come to the Jordan of his blood: for in his hand there is power to heal the wounded ſoul, in his blood is efficacy to purge away the filth of ſin, which no nitre can purge; in his word is virtue to comfort the troubled ſoul, which no voice of man or angel can quiet, Iſa. 50.4 in him (as the Apoſtle ſaith) dwelleth the fulneſs of the Godhead bodily, Col. 2.9. in him it hath pleaſed the Father that all fulneſs ſhould dwell, Col. 1.19. all fulneſs, both for number and meaſure of graces: there is in Chriſt an abſolute compleatneſs, 1. In reſpect of members, Epheſ. 1.23. 2. In reſpect of inhabitation of the divine nature, Col. 2.9. 3. In reſpect of power and authority over all both in heaven and earth, Mat. 28.4. In reſpect of merit. 5. In reſpect of p. 367grace; in him is fulneſs of wiſedom to make us wiſe, fulneſs of redemption to make us free, fulneſs of righteouſneſs to make us juſt, fulneſs of ſanctification to make us holy; and hee is made to us of God, 1 Cor. 1.30. therefore to him let us come, Mat. 11.28.

2. This by way of confutation, reproveth and confuteth all Saint-worſhippers and Meritmongers: in Chriſt is all fulneſs; there needeth no ſupply from Saint, Angels, or Works; a fulneſs is no where to bee had but onelyonly in Chriſt, hee is able to ſave us to the utmoſt, his royal robes are long enough to cover us, his arm is ſtrong enough to deliver us, hee needeth not another to bee joyned with him; hee trod the wine-preſs of his Father's wrath alone, Iſa. 63. hee is the lamb ſlain from the beginning of the world, which taketh away the ſin of all beleevers in the world, John 1.29. neither Saint nor Angel, but Chriſt hath purged away our ſin, and is ſet down at the right hand of God, Heb. 1.3. hee maketh reconciliation, Heb 2.17. hee offered himſelf, Heb. 7.27. all other are broken ciſterns, weak ſhields, ſuch as will not cover us in the day of Gods anger: therefore it is not kiſs the Saints, but the Son, Pſal. 2.12.

3. By way of exhortation, this ſeemeth to ſtir up men to labor for fulneſs of grace, to bee repleniſhed in meaſure, as Chriſt is above meaſure: as the members of the body are anſwerable to the head, the branches in the tree anſwerable to the fulneſs of the juice in the root of the tree; ſo wee, who are members of the body p. 368whereof Chriſt is head: branches in the true vine ſhould labor a bleſſed fulneſs of all graces; wee ſhould ſtrive to bee full of knowledg, as the ſea full of waters, Iſa. 11.9. abundant in love, 1 Theſſ. 3.12. perfect in patience, Iſa. 1.5. ful of joy and peace in the holy Ghoſt, Rom. 15.13. full of faith in beleeving God's promiſes, full of courage in maintaining God's truth againſt all oppoſition, Act. 6.8. rich in all good works, 1 Tim. 6.18. like trees bearing much fruit, lamps holding much oil, veſſels filled with good liquor; like travellers going forward, like rich men building their barns greater, enlarging our hearts more and more towards God and his waies; this is the Apoſtle's charge, 2 Pet. 3.18. this is Saint Paul's earneſt entreaty, 1 Theſ. 4.1. and for increaſ of grace of grace wee ſhould ſtrive.

1. Becauſ the more grace, the more ſweetneſs ſhall wee finde; the more conſolation ſhall draw from the ordinances of God, the more health; the more comfort doth the body finde in the food prepared for it; the more perfect the eie, the more pleaſure it taketh in the light of the ſun which it beholdeth: the ordinances of God do good to them that are good, Mic. 2.7. to thoſe they are ſweet, Pſal. 119.103. joyous, Jer. 15.16. comfortable tidings, Rom. 10.15. holineſs maketh God's ordinances to the ſoul, like the chariots which Joſeph ſent to Jacob, an occaſion of reviving, Gen. 48.25. like a wel-ſpring to the thirſty, like dew to the ground, like a feaſt to the hungry, Pſal. 65.4. Cant. 2.4.

2. The more grace, the more comfort wee p. 369ſhall have in God's preſence, the more clearneſs wee ſhall behold in God's countenance; the more obedient the childe is, the more favorably his parent looketh on him; the more profitably the ſervant doth imploy his talent, the more acceptable hee is to his Maſter: ſo the more full of grace, the more God will love us, the more comfortably will hee ſpeak to our ſouls and couſcifences, the more graciouſly will hee manifeſt himſelf unto us, make us glad, Pſal. 21.6. Job 33.26. hee will ſpeak to our conſciences, as the maſter to the good ſervant in the parable, Mat. 25.23. for God will make his face to ſhine upon them that ſerv him, Pſal. 31.16. ſo that when they come before him, have prayed meditated, heard his word, &c. they ſhall ſay, as Jacob of Eſau, Gen. 33.10.

3. The more grace, the more peace in our own conſcience, the more boldneſs towards God: it is neither riches, nor learning, nor friends, nor any thing elſ but grace that can ſtabliſh the heart, Heb. 13.9. other ſtaies are but like Sampſon's withes, eaſily broken as thread; this is the anchor which ſtaieth the ſhip of the ſoul, the foundation which beareth it up, the ſun which giveth it comfort, the fountain which yieldeth it refreſhment; this filleth the ſoul with peace in hearing, in praying; in doing; in ſuffering; Righteouſneſs and Peace, like two twins, are born at one birth; like Ruth and Naomi, they go together, they walk in one way, dwell under roof, Pſalm 85.10. Pſal. 116.165. Mal. 2.6. Iſa. 32.14.

4. The more grace, the more patiently they p. 370ſhall bear all affliction; this, like Moſes's rod, will divide and make a way through the deepeſt waters of trouble; like Noah's ark, it will keep the ſoul from ſinking; this will make them, with Paul and Silas, to ſing in priſon, to rejoice that they are accounted worthy to ſuffer for Chriſt; to eſteem it all joy to fall into manifold temptations, this will enable to receive affliction, as a purgation, to remove their corruption, as a teſtimony of God's love, as a ſeal of their living righteous in Jeſus Chriſt; this will aſſure them of a happy paſſage out of all troubles.

5. The moſt grace, the more delight they ſhall have in doing the will of God, in performance of all ſacred and religious duties; the more ſtrength there is in the body, the more eaſily the traveller paſſeth on his way; the fuller the wing is of feathers, the eaſier the flight is to the bird: ſo the fuller the ſoul is of grace, the more pleaſantly hee doth run the race of God's commandements; this maketh him ſay with Samuel, 1 Sam. 3.10. with the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 40.8. this will make the commandement eaſie, Mat. 11.29. 1 Joh. 5.3.

4. This ſerveth by way of conſolation, to cheer up the ſouls of God's people in all eſtates; the fulneſs and ſufficiency of Chriſt may bee as a tree loaden with much fruit for the feeding of the hungry; a fountain filled with pleaſant water for the refreſhment of the thirſty; a lamp full of oil to give light to them that are in darkneſs; a ſingular ſtay, a ſtrong ſupportment to God's ſervants.

p. 3711. Againſt all wants: if they want wiſedom, Chriſt is a glorious day-ſtar full of heavenly light, able to diſcover the deepeſt myſteries, and make them like words written in great characters, ſo that hee that runneth may read them, able ſo to elevate the loweſt capacity, that it ſhall clearly diſcern things heavenly; counſel is his, and ſound wiſedom, hee is underſtanding it ſelf, Prov. 8.14. in him are all treaſures of knowledg, Col 23. he hath opened the eies of the blinde, and made them that ſate in darkneſs to ſee a great light, it was propheſied that in his time, Iſa. 92.4. Iſa. 35.5. Iſa. 11.9. and as Pharaoh ſaid of Joſeph, Gen. 41.38, 39. there is not another to bee found in whom the ſpirit of God is, as it is in Chriſt; none in heaven or earth, neither Saint nor Angel ſo diſcreet, ſo wiſe as hee; the greateſt wiſedom in the world is to his wiſedom, but like the wiſedom of a childe to the wiſedom of the choiceſt ſtateſman; like the light of a candle to the light of the ſun; therefore if wee want wiſedom how to prevent, avoid, and ſave our ſelvs from treacherous adverſaries, how to order our converſations, how to mannage our callings wherein wee are placed, how to imploy the talent wee have received, how to diſcern the things which differ, how to underſtand the deep things of God; let us com to Chriſt, let us ſet our ſelvs to ſchool to him, and in him is fulneſs of knowledg, hee is our head, hee will not leave his members in ignorance.

2. If thy faith bee weak, if it bee withered like Jeroboam's hand, 1 King. 13.4. if it ſhake like p. 372the hand of a palſey man, if thy ſoul be full of doubtings, as the ſea of toſſings, if thy heart bee full of agitations and rowlings hither and thither like a ſhip without anchor; yet as the man of God prayed, and Jeroboam's hand was made whole as the other: as our Saviour cured the palſey man; ſo in him is fulneſs of ability to make thy faith ſtrong like a tree of deep root, like a houſ of ſure foundation, Mat. 7. like the arm of a ſtrong man, hee can make thee more than conquerer; hee can ſo faſten the ſhip of thy ſoul, that thou ſhalt not bee moved; hee can ſo fill thee, ſo affect thee with the ſence of God's love, that thou ſhalt ſay, Rom. 8.38, 39 hee can ſtrengthen thee to do all things. Phil. 4 13. hee can ſtabliſh and ſettle thy ſoul. 1 Pet. 5.10. Rom. 16.24, 25. 2 Theſ. 4.3.

3. If they want peace, ſenſ and aſſurance of God's love, and joy in God's ſpirit; if their ſouls bee as a ſtormy ſea, like a ſick man upon his bed, full of toſſings; like Iſraël ſtung with fierie ſerpents, in a condition altogether reſtleſs; like a hunted hare or chaſed hart, like David hunted by Saul as a partridg, like a beſieged city full of fears, like Iſraël's bearing heavy burthens, working in an iron furnace, like the dove ſeeking a place to reſt her foot and finding none, complaining, Pſal. 38.3. in trouble, Job 30 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. yet remember in Chriſt is all fulneſs, hee is the Prince of peace, Iſa. 9.6. Epheſ. 2.14. hee can, Mat 8.27. hee is the braſen ſerpent, Numb. 21.8, 9. hee is the phyſitian, Iſa. 61.1. the true Samaritane, Luke 10.30. therefore p. 373comfort thy ſelf, come to him as thoſe of Gibeon to Joſhua, Joſ. 10 6. and Chriſt ſhall remove the ſiege.

4. If they want holineſs, if corruption like a ſtrong diſeaſe do waſte and ſpoil the vigor of the ſoul, like an evil weed do over-ſpread the garden of their hearts, like a foul ſpot do blemiſh their face, like a ſtrong tyrant do lead them captive, like a heavy burthen, fetters and tumbling blocks, do hinder them in holy duties, and make them go ſlowly about the performance of ſacred exerciſes, if they hang like birdlime about the wings of the ſoul, as Canaanites in Iſraël's ſides; yet let this ſuſtain them, let this revive them, in Chriſt is all fulneſs of holineſs, hee hath healing in his wings, Mal. 4.2. hee is like, Mal. 3.2, 3, 4. Iſa. 35.6, 7, 8. he can, Mat. 1.21. Tit. 2.14. 1 Joh. 3, 8. as Joh. 11.44. hee can bring you out of the grave of your corruption, though no nitre can purge you, yet Jerem. 2.22. yet hee, Epheſ. 5.25, 26.

5. If they want temporal endowments, our outward eſtate bee ſlender, our wealth ſmall, our love, friends, honor, reſpect and place in the world nothing at all; if our outward abilities bee like waters in a dry ſummer at a low ebb, like the heat of fire ariſing from a little wood, like the light of a lamp wherein is but little oil, though our backs bee cloathed with camel's hair, a leathern girdle, ſheep-skins, goat-skin, or vile raiment, though we feed with pulſ, barly bread, or a few fiſh, have nothing but a little oil in the cenſe, a little m…a… in our barrel, though with David p. 374wee bee ſet behinde the ews, with Amos bee gatherers of Sycamore fruit; with Gideon, our family bee poor among the families of the earth, and wee the leaſt in our Father's houſ; though with Jacob, wee have but a ſtone whereon to lay our heads; with our Saviour, have no room in the inn of this world, (where none but they that have ſtore of money in their purſ are welcom) though wee have nothing but a manger to reſt in; yet remember that in Chriſt the head of the body whereof yee are members, the Maſter of the family whereof yee are ſons & daughters, the husband of the ſouls, in him is all fulneſs, hee is the heir of all things, Heb. 1.3. hee is the maker, the preſerver of all, the great Lord treaſurer of the world, in him (ſaith the Apoſtle) all things conſiſt, Col. 1.16. in reſpect of conſervation, hee continueth them in their beeing; in reſpect of precept, hee preſcribeth the laws by which nature, policy and religion are governed; in reſpect of operation, in that all things move by the influence of his hand; in reſpect of ordination, hee appointeth all things to their end; in reſpect of diſpoſition, hee diſpoſeth the means to the end intended; and therefore ſince all things are in him, thus diſpenſed by him, let us ſay in our needs, as the prodigal in his wants, Luke 15.17, 10. there is enough in Chriſt, and therefore let this ſuſtain us.

2. As this comforteth againſt all wants, ſo it is full of conſolation againſt all evils; if wee bee full of ſin, the blood of Chriſt is full of virtue to purge it out, 1 Joh. 1.7. Heb. 9.14. Zach. p. 37513.1, 2. If the law bee full of exactneſs and rigor, all the letters thereof written in blood, every ſentence, a ſentence of death, though it ſtand like the Cherubin and flaming ſword to keep us from entring into eternal life, as that kept the way to the tree of life, Gen. 3.24. yet in Chriſt is righteouſneſs exactly to anſwer every title of it, hee hath fulneſs to ſatisfie it, ſo that it becometh as a ſerpent without ſting, as a ſword without edg, it cannot condemn the people of God; though God bee a conſuming fire, yet in the merits of Chriſt is fulneſs enough to appeaſ his anger, to procure his favor, to turn his angrie into a pleaſant voice, his frowning into a ſhining face, of an enemy to make him a friend, of one dreadfull as a lion, to make him gentle as a lamb, of a ſtranger, to make him the loving husband of our ſouls; though Satan aſſault with violence, though his holds bee ſtrong, his weapons venemous, his attempts inceſſant, his devices deep, his inſtruments ſubtile, his ſtratagems treacherous yet in Chriſt there is all fulneſs to prevail againſt him, to put him to flight, to drive him to his den, to roul a ſtone upon his cave, and tread upon his neck, as Joſhua did upon the five Kings of Canaan. Joſ. 10.18, 24. caſt him down in his own purſuit, as hee did the Egyptians Pharaoh, Exod. 14.24. diſarm him as David did Goliah, 1 Sam. 17.51. Col. 2.15. Eph. 4.8. if our enemies be ſtrong, many, violent, mercileſs, and wee have no power, no helper, no way to fly but begin to deſpair, to hang down the head and loſe all our comfort, then look upon Chriſt's fulneſs, p. 376and as Eliſha ſaid to his fearing, diſquieted and perplexed ſervant, 2 King. 6.16, 17. ſo may you ſay to your own ſouls; for Chriſt will bee with you, ſtand by you, work for you, and overthrow all ſuch as riſe againſt you, Iſa. 54.17. Pſal. 2.9. the ſtouteſt oppoſers, the greateſt diſputers, the moſt bloody perſecutors, iron-handed oppreſſors, and iron-hearted and braſen-faced diſpiſers ſhall by the Lord Jeſus be ſcattered as the chaff, trodden down as the dung, rooted up as thorns and briars, thrown out as the ſalt which hath loſt his ſavour, and is good for nothing but the dunghill, therefore Mat. 18.6. Iſa. 35.3. theſe and the like are the ſtreams of conſolation which flow from that full fountain of all goodneſs which is in Chriſt Jeſus, this is the pleaſant and ſoul refreſhing fruits which grow upon this tree of life, the delightfull and heart-rejoicing beams which diſcend to the ſouls of God's people from this ſun; therefore let us all ſtrive for intereſt in him, communion with him; let us in all eſtates depend upon him, in every condition reſt our ſelvs contented with him: hee hath fulneſs of riches for all his faithfull that are now poor, fulneſs of honor for all that are now in ignominy, fulneſs of peace for all his that are now in trouble, fulneſs of joy for all that are now in heavineſs, fulneſs of liberty for all that are now in bonds, fulneſs of power to deliver all his which are in any diſtreſs: for