Christ Exalted, Sermon 1
COLLOS. 3.11.
Chriſt is all, and in all.
THe Apoſtle Paul, who was a choſen veſſell unto the Lord, to beare his name before the Gentiles, Acts 9 15. wrote this Epiſtle to the Saints, and Faithfull brethren in Chriſt, which were at Coloſſe, chap. 1. verſe 2. And as the Enſigne-bearer of His glorious Name diſplayed the Magnificency, and tranſcendent Excellencie of Chriſt, in the words of the Text, Chriſt is all, and in all. And that he might lift up Chriſts All-ſufficiencie, he nullifies all other excellencies whatſoever, chap. 3. ver. 11 Where he gives the Coloſſians to underſtand, that the advantage of a Jew above a Gentile, the dignity of a Scythian, above a Barbarian, or the Immunities of a Freeman above a Bondſlave, however eſteemed amongſt men, are nothing without Chriſt, who is all, and in all; Theſe words have their dependance upon the exhortation unto Mortification, chap. 3. verſ. 5. Which exhortation the Apoſtle preſſed upon the Coloſſians, by telling them, verſ. 9.10. they had put off the Old-Man with his deeds, & had put on the New-Man, &c. Where (that is) in which State of Regeneration, there is neither Greek, nor Jew, &c. But Chriſt is all, and in all. The leſſon to be learned hence is this, to wit, Chriſt is all, and in all, in the New-Man.
Doct. Two thighs needs ſome explanation in this Doctrine, viz. 1. Who is here meant by the New-Man? and ſecondly, How Chriſt is all, and in all, in the New-Man? By the New-Man, here, we are to underſtand (as was intended by the Apoſtle) a true beleever, or a faithfull Brother in Chriſt, one ſanctified in Chriſt Jeſus, called a Saint, who is redeemed in the Spirit of his minde, and hath put on the New-Man, Epheſ. 4 23, 24. which is done, when by the mighty operation of the holy Spirit, in the Promiſes given unto us, we are made partakers of the Divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.3, 4. Non per participationem Eſſentiae, ſed per communicationem Spiritus, & gratiae ejus. Gal. 4 6. Epheſ. 4.6. thus being by the Spirit and Faith united with Chriſt, we are made a new creature, or creation. 2 Cor. 5.17. have a new Heart, Ezek. 36.26, 27. and walke in newneſſe of life, Rom. 6.4. And ſuch may be ſaid to have put on the New-Man, the ſum then is this, Chriſt is all, and in all, in every true Beleever in every Juſtified-Sanctified perſon, wo hath a New-heart, and walke in newneſſe of life. Touching the Second particular, to wit, How Chriſt is all, and in all, in the new man? The Lord Jeſus Chriſt, (who is all in himſelfe, for in him dwelleth all the Fulneſſe of the Godhead bodily, Col. 2.9. which was the pleaſure of God, that in all things he might have the preheminence, Col. 1.18, 19.) is all, and in all, in the New-Man. Firſt, Fundamentally, I mean Chriſt is the Foundation of all, 1 Cor. 3.11. For other Foundation can no man lay then that is laid, which is Ieſus Chiriſt; I ſay Chriſt is the Foundation of all that Faith, Repentance, Love, & other graces, gifts, and fruits of the Spirit, which are in every true beleever: He is a living fountain full of grace, and from his fulneſſe have we all received grace for grace, Joh. 1.14, 16. Secondly, Communicatively, I meane, Chirſt doth communicate all unto the New-Man, to wit, Life, Light, Grace, and Glory, &c. We have nothing, but what we have received, and we have received all from his fulneſſe, Epheſ. 4.7. Joh. 1.16. The Titles given to Chriſt in the Scripture of truth, will make this appear yet more fully, viz. That Chriſt is all in the New-Man, or in every true Beleever: I ſhall inſtance ſome.
1. Chriſt is our life, Col. 3.4. Chriſt is the life of a Beleever, even eternall Life, 1 Joh. 5.11, 12. That is to ſay, The everlaſting Spirituall well-being of a beleever, is by union and communion with Jeſus Chriſt, in whom he lives a life of grace here, and with whom he ſhall live a life of glory hereafter. Yea all thoſe ſpirituall breathings of the hunger-thirſting ſoule after the enjoyment of God in any of his holy Ordinances, are from Chriſt, and from him are all thoſe quicknings, and all that life we have in Prayer, Preaching, Conference, and other ſpirituall duties. In a word, the ſpirit of life himſelfe, who ſo ſweetly refreſheth the weary ſoule, comforts the ſorrowfull heart, and quickens the ſanctified affections, is from Chriſt, and he is called the Spirit of the Son, Gal. 4.6. whom God ſends forth into the hearts of his Children.
2. Chriſt is the true light of every beleever, or in the New-Man; That was the true Light, Joh. 1.9. even Jeſus Chriſt, who inlightneth the eyes of our vnderſtanding, that we may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints, and what is the exceeding greatnes of his power to us-ward, who beleeve, Ephe. 1.17, 18, 19. And though the hearts of men and women be very darke, yet God who commanded the light to ſhine out of darkneſſe, hath ſhined in our hearts, (who are beleevers) to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Ieſus Chriſt. 2 Cor. 4.6. And the Apoſtle tells the ſanctified Epheſians, that they were ſometimes darkneſſe, but now ye are light in the Lord, Epheſ. 5.8. And indeed, all that heavenly knowledge, and ſpirituall underſtanding, which beleevers have in the myſterie of the Goſpel, they had it from Chriſt; In whom are are hid all the treaſures of wiſdome and knowledge, Col. 2.2, 3.
3. Chriſt is the Bread of life to beleevers, Joh. 6.35, 48, 51. He is the Spirituall meat and drink of their ſouls, who beleeve in him, they that eat him ſhall live by him, Joh. 6.55, 57. All that Spirituall nouriſhment, and ſoul refreſhment, which beleevers have in promiſes, duties, Ordinances, &c. is from Chriſt, whoſe fleſh is meate indeed, and his blood is drinke indeed, communicated by his holy ſpirit unto his people in thoſe promiſes, duties, Ordinances, &c. Chriſt is Milke and wine, to be had without money, Iſa. 55.1. that will quench the thirſt of the new-borne babes in Chriſt, which ſo much deſire the ſincere milke of the worde, that they may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2.2, 3. and that will make the mournfull ſpirit of a a doubting or back-ſliding Beleever, to have a cheerefull countenance, when his broken heart is cheered and warmed, yea melted, and comforted with the blood of Chriſt his Redeemer. Chriſt is Water of life, a pure River of living Water cleere as Cryſtall, flowes from this Fountain in the hearts of Beleevers, Rev 22.1, 17. Joh. 7.37, 38. & Ioh. 4.10.13, 14. This will ſatisfie the thirſty ſoul, as Chiriſt Promiſed Mat. 5.6, 11, therfore hee cried, If any man thirſt, let him come to me and drinke. Chriſt is the the tree of life, which beareth twelve manner of fruits, and yeeldeth her fruit every monethmonth, whoſe leaves are for the healing of the Nations. Revel. 22.2. Chriſt is ſaid to make a feaſt of wine and fat things full of Marrow, Iſa. 25.6. and he thus ſpeakes to beleevers, eate, O Friends, drinke, yea drinke, abundantly, O beloved, Cant. 5.1. I might be exceeding large in particularizing many other his Titles, as namely; Chriſt is a beleevers Juſtification, Sanctification, Redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30. He is alſo our Peace, Epheſ. 2.14. our Righteouſneſſe, Ier. 23.6. Our Advocate with the Father. 1 Iohn 2.1, 2. Our King, High-Prieſt, and Prophet, Our Father, Husband, Brother, our All. Thus it may appear, that Chriſt is all in the New-Man. How is Chriſt all, in all in the New-Man? I conceive, It is ſpoken by way of Preheminence, as it is expreſſed, Col. 1.18, 19. That is, In all, which is in the New-Man, or in a Beleever Chriſt ought to have the preheminence; Firſt, as hee is the Author thereof, for inſtance, That precious faith of Gods Elect, which is in the New-Man is an excellent grace, but yet Chriſt muſt have the preheminence above that faith, becauſe he is the Author of it, Heb. 12.2. And ſo above all other graces, gifts, and fruits of the Spirit.
Secondly, as he is the preſerver of all in the New-Man, every beleever, is called and Sanctified by God the Father, and preſerved in Jeſus Chriſt, Iude 1. And the Beleever is not onelyonly preſerved in the ſtate of Grace by Chriſt, but the Grace of God wrought in him, to wit, faith, &c. Is by Chriſt preſerved alſo; namely, by the Interceſſion of Chriſt. I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.
Thirdly, as he is the finiſher, who ſtrengtheneth, ſtabliſheth, and perfecteth all in the New-Man. Chriſt is not onelyonly the Author, but the Finiſher of our Faith. Heb. 12.2. He is the Alpha, and Omega; the beginning and the ending of all thoſe Graces, gifts, and fruits of the Spirit, which are in the New-Man. Revel. 1 8. Thus Chriſt is all, and in all, in the New-Man. He is the Author, Preſerver, and finiſher of all. He purchaſed all, He is the Donour of all, He is the Beauty of all, the Summe of all, the Perfection of all, in the New-Man.
Reaſon. This was the good pleaſure of the Fathers will, that all fulneſſe, all-ſufficiencie, all ſpiritualneſſe ſhould dwell in Chriſt, and ſhould by Chriſt be communicated to his people, that in all things Chriſt might have the preheminence, Col. 1.18, 19. And thus God will have it done to the Man Chriſt Jeſus, whom he delighted to honour, for the ſervice Chriſt did unto his Father in the Redemption of his people, therefore he gave him a Name, above every Name, Chriſt is all, and in all. Which honour & dignity, Chriſt will at the laſt day proſtrate at the feet of his Father, that God may be all in all. 1 Cor. 15.28. Moreover, this being the deſigne of God, that Chriſt ſhould communicate all grace, gifts, &c. unto his people. It was requiſite, that all fulneſſe ſhould be in Chriſt, and ſo we read, John. 1.14, 16. Yea the great neceſſitie of the Lords redeemed ones, to have a conſtant ſupplie of grace, and ſpirituall gifts, alſo a continuall growth of the fruits of the ſpirit, requires this all-fulneſſe to be in Chriſt.
Vſe. 1 Seeing, Chriſt is all, and in all, in the New-Man; Let us hence be Inſtructed. Firſt, to prize Chriſt highly, to ſet an high eſteeme upon Chriſt, to let Him have the preheminence, who is all in all. It is that which the Prophet complained of, Iſa. 53.3. He, to wit Chriſt, was deſpiſed, and rejected of men, and we eſteemed him not. We are apt to ſlight Chriſt, and to diſeſteem Him, becauſe we diſcerne not that beauty, excellencie, riches, and glory, which is in Himſelfe, we are ignorant of the worth of Chriſt, and know not our need of him, and therefore we do not ſo prize him, as we ought. Theſe two Conſiderations, I deſire, to propound, as motives, to prize Chriſt. Firſt, Chriſt his worth, which I may hint unto you in three particulars, to wit, 1. The unvaluable preciouſneſſe of his blood, which hath in it a cleanſing vertue, 1 John 1.7, 9. And the blood of Ieſus Chriſt his Son, cleanſed us from all ſin, therefore, we are ſaid, to be juſtified by his blood, Rom. 5.9. Let me aske you, who now beleeve, How did you eſteem of this precious blood of Chriſt? When you were ſighing-out your mournfull requeſt to God in ſecret corners, for one drop of Chriſts blood, one dram of the grace of God, and faith of God his Elect, one word of promiſe, one ſmile of a reconciled Father, or one beam of the light of Gods countenance, did you not prize the blood of Chriſt above all corruptible things, as ſilver, gold, honour, riches, pleaſure, &c. Did you not eſteem the leaſt drop of it more precious, then all creature-comforts whatſoever, as friends, liberties, and life? Again, the precious blood of Chriſt hath a purging quality, Heb 9.14 The blood of Chriſt ſhall purge your conſciences from dead workes, to ſerve the living God. Sin doth both contract guiltineſſe, and pollution, and therefore the blood of Chriſt doth both cleanſe, and purge, pardon, and purifie, therefore we are alſo ſaid, to be ſanctified by the blood of Chriſt; Heb. 13.12. Wherefore Jeſus alſo, that he might ſanctifie the people with his own blood; Suffered without the gate. Oh beloved, what can be eſteemed ſo precious to a gracious heart, as this blood of Chriſt, which waſheth away all thoſe defilements, and uncleanneſſes, which through our corruptions cleave unto us, even in our beſt actions, and holy duties: Such of you, (as have many a time groaned in prayer to God under the feeling ſence and ſight of any corruption) know by experience, what high eſteem you have had of the blood of Chriſt to ſave you, from your uncleanneſſe.
Secondly, the unſearchable riches of his grace. Epheſ. 3.8. To me who am leſſe then the leaſt of all Saints, is this grace given, that I ſhould preach among the Gentiles, the unſearchable riches of Chriſt. Chriſts riches are of ſuch an hight, depth, length, and bredth, that paſſeth knowledge, yea thus much is ſpoken of the love of Chriſt. Epheſ. 3.18, 19. Alſo Faith in Chriſt is called precious faith, 2 Pet. 1.1. To them, that have obtained like precious faith with us, through the Righteouſneſſe of God and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, yea all the Graces of Chriſt are the riches of the poore Saints, Jam. 2.5. God hath choſen the poor of the world, rich in grace, &c. Tell me, beloved, how did you eſteem of the riches of Chriſt, when you being poor in ſpirit, mourned for Chriſt and his grace, when you diſcerned Faith, Love, Humility, &c. in others of the children of God, did you not prize it highly in them? Did you not account them happy, rich, and bleſſed, whom Chriſt had inriched with thoſe jewels, and adorned with ſuch graces? Ah how much more ſhould you now prize Chriſt, in whom is all fulneſſe of theſe unſearchable riches, and eſpecially conſidering, that from his fulneſſe you have received grace for grace, Ioh. 1.14, 16.
Thirdly, the glorious liberties of his Spirit; for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is libertie. 2 Cor. 3.17. Not any carnall liberty to ſin, and ſo fulfill the luſts of the Fleſh, Gal. 5.13. but Spirituall liberty, and freedome from ſin. I mean not a perfect and totall freedome from all ſin, as if the people of God could never ſin after Converſion. For if we ſay, that we have no ſin, we deceive our ſelves, and the truth is not in us, 1 Joh. 1 8, 10. But I mean a freedome: Firſt, from the guilt of ſin. Rom. 8 33. And the Apoſtle ſaith, Coloſ. 2.13. That he hath forgiven us all treſpaſſes. Secondly, from the polution or filth of ſin, Zach. 13.1. A fountain ſet open to Beleevers for ſin and for uncleaneſſe. And Ezek. 36.25, 29. God promiſed they ſhall be cleane, and he will ſave them from all their uncleanneſſes. Thirdly, from the raigning power of ſin: Rom. 6.14. Sin ſhall not have dominion over you, under grace. Fourthly, from the puniſhment due for ſin, which is the cure of the Law, Gal. 3.13. or condemnation, Rom. 8.1. or any other ſatiſfactory puniſhment.
2 The great need you have of Chriſt, may move you to praiſe him, and ſet an high eſteeme of him. Chriſt is the one thing neceſſarie, and therefore the Titles given him in the Scripture, are ſuch as declare his uſefullneſſe to Beleevers, for he is our Life, our Light, our Bread, Water, Milke, Wine, His fleſh our meat indeed, His blood our drink indeed; He is our Father, our Husband, our Brother, our Friend, our King, Prieſt, and Prophet; He is our Juſtification, Sanctification, and Redemption; He is our Peace, our All. We can have no acceſſe to God but by his Mediation, no acceptance with God without his Jnterceſſion. Revel. 8.3.4. We cannot reſiſt the next Temptation, neither can we overcome the next Corruption, nor ſhall we be able to ſuffer with patience the next Perſecution, or indure any tribulation, unleſſe we have renewed ſtrength from Chriſt. Beleevers have received, that Grace, they have, from Chriſt, Iohn 1 16. And they cannot have increaſe of grace bu by Chriſt, Iohn 15.1, 2. Lord increaſe our Faith ſaid the Diſciples, neither can they perſevere in grace, unleſſe they be preſerved in Chriſt, Iude 1. To conclude, we are nothing, have nothing, can do nothing without Chriſt, Iohn 15.5. Without me you can do nothing; that is to ſay, you cannot in your own ſtrength, nor in the ſtrength of any grace received, do any thing to pleaſe God, or to glorifie God, without me; unleſſe you abide in me, and have renewed ability and ſtrength from me, you can do nothing that God my father will own or crown with acceptance or reward: But yet we who are Believers, have all and abound, Phil. 4.18. can do all things through Chriſt that ſtrengtheneth them, Phil. 4.13. can ſuffer the loſſe of all, Phil. 3.7, 8, 9. yea and conquer all, nay be more then conquerours through Chriſt, Rom. 8.35, 36, 37, 38, 39. Oh conſider your need of Chriſt and learn to prize him, let him be exalted higheſt in your hearts, as the pearl of greateſt worth, as the one thing neceſſary which you moſt of all need, let him be all in all in your communication and converſation.
2. Vſe. Seeing Chriſt is all and in all in the new-Man, let every one examine whether Chriſt be in him. 2. Cor. 13.5. Examine your ſelves, know you not that Chriſt is in you, &c. This nearly concernes you beloved, for if you have Chriſt, you have all. Chriſt is all you heart but if you loſe him you loſe all; you will loſe your hopes, Comforts, and all your duties, yea you will loſe God, Heaven, and ſoul, and all. It matters not what you have if you want Chriſt, no guifts, duties, reformations, qualifications, or other things whatſoever, will make you happy without Chriſt; And if you enjoy Chriſt, it is not materiall what ever you want, for my God (ſaith the Apoſtle) ſhall ſupply all your need, according to his riches, in glory by Chriſt Jeſus Phil. 4.19. Therfore make ſure that Chriſt is yours. Some would ask this queſtion, How ſhall I ſo examine, that I may know aſſuredly that I have Chriſt? I anſwer, you muſt bring your hearts to the touchſtone of the Word of God, and caſt them into the ballance of the Sanctuarie and weigh them there. And to this purpoſe, I ſhall propound one Scripture of truth for your examination and triall, to wit, 2 Cor. 5.17. If any man be in Chriſt he is a new-creature, or creation; That is to ſay, he is new-born, born again, or born of God, Joh. 1.12, 13. But as many as received him, &c. which were born of God. And our Saviour urged the neceſſitie of this new-birth, Joh. 3.3.5.7, 8. Except a man be born again he cannot ſee the Kingdome of God, he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God, verſ. 5. Now every one who is a new creature in Chriſt, all things are become new in him, or all things are made new [as in the Greek foreign, ecce nova facta ſunt omnia.] To wit; firſt he is made a new man, Epheſ. 4.21.22.23.24. Col. 3.10.11, and have put on the new-man where Chriſt is all and in all. Secondly, he hath a new heart, Ezek. 36.26. A new heart alſo will I give you, &c. That is, a new will and new affections, yea and a new ſpirit will I put within you, verſe 26. That is (Epheſ. 4.23.) to be renewed in the ſpirit of our minde, to wit, a new judgement or ſpirituall underſtanding in the knowledge of Gods will, Col. 1.9. Thirdly, he walkes in newneſſe of life: Rom. 6.4. Even ſo we alſo ſhould walk in newneſſe of life. That is, the converſation of a new-creature ſhould be ſuch as becomes the Goſpell: Phil. 1.27. To wit, humble, harmleſſe, and holy: 1 Pet. 1.15 16. And thus God hath promiſed in the everlaſting covenant of grace, that all and every one of his people ſhall walk: Ezek. 36.27. And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes, &c. Examine your ſelves, Are you a new creature? Such of you as have not put off the old man, but ſtill have your old hearts, and your old ſinnes, and walk in your old wayes, and fulfill the old luſts of your ſinfull natures, are not in a new creature, you are not in Chriſt, nor Chriſt in you.
But ſome may thus ſay within themſelves, I hope my ſoul is in a better condition, I am not ſo wicked and carnall as ſome others are, neither am I ſo vilde a ſinner as I have been formerly; but I am ſomewhat reformed, and have forſaken my ſinfull courſes, and begin to delight to hear Sermons, and I pray with my family. To this I would anſwer, although your condition be not ſo deſperate as others, who have lived long under ordinatie meanes of grace, and yet are not at all wrought upon, I muſt tell you, Profeſſors may (through ſtrong Convictions, horrour of conſcience, and feares of Hell) leave the Acts of ſome ſins, and may cuſtomarily perform ſome religious duties, and yet not regenerated. Profeſſors may have leaves like the unfruitfull Figtree, and Lampes like the five fooliſh Virgins, they may ſeem to be Religious, and have a forme of Godlineſſe; and not be a New creature, or creation. I might inſtance many ſuch in the Scriptures. Herod, Mark. 6.20. He heard Iohn gladly, and did many things. Saul, 1 Sam. 10.6, 9. was turned into another Man, had another heart, yet unconverted: So thou mayeſt be another Man, and not a New-Man, maieſt have another heart, but not a new heart.
But I ſpeak not this to adde ſorrow to the afflicted, nor to break the the bruiſed, for though ſome may deceive themſelves herein; Yet ſuch of you as are borne again or borne of God, though but New-borne babes, who have put on the New-Man, have a New heart, and walke in Newneſſe of life, are in Chriſt, and Chriſt in you.
3. Vſe. Seeing, Chriſt is all, and in all in the New-Man; Let it ſerve for the conſolation of every true beleeve, Chriſt is yours, and all things are yours: 1 Cor. 3.21, 22, 23. All are yours, and ye are Chriſts, and Chriſt is God. Chriſt is your life, your light, your foode, your All, and by union with Chriſt, you are one in God, John. 17.21. God is your God and Father, John 20.17. All that is Chriſts is yours, his Wiſdome, Righteouſneſſe, Sanctification, Faith, Love, Humility, &c. All in all fulneſſe, was in Him, and dwels in him, for his people, to communicate to them, Epeſ. 4.7. Are you full of ſpirituall wants, you may have ſupply from the fulneſſe of Spiritualls in Chriſt. Doe you want Wiſdome, Faith, love, &c. What ever you want, go to Chriſt for that grace; There is enough in Chriſt to ſatisfie the moſt hunger-thirſting ſoules in ſpirituall things, Epeſ. 1.3. God hath bleſſed us with all ſpirituall bleſſings, in heavenly things in Chriſt; In whom are hid all the treaſures of Wiſdome, and knowledge: Col. 2.3. Doe you want power againſt corruptions? go to Chriſt for ſtrength, His grace is ſufficient for thee, 2 Cor. 12.8.9. There is an all-ſufficiencie in Chriſt, Chriſt is all, ſaith the Text, therefore the Apoſtle having Chriſt, ſaid, I have all, I can do all through Chriſt, Phil. 4.13, 18. And know for your further conſolation, that Chiriſt is in all in the New-Man, or in every true Beleever.
He is in you, Col. 1.2. Chriſt in you, the hope of glory; Chriſt liveth in me ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Gal. 20. Chriſt is, and lives in a true beleever by participation of his Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1.3, 4. By incohation of his holy Spirit, Gal. 4.6. and by communication of his ſaving grace, Epheſ. 3.17. and 4 7. Chriſt is in your hearts, in your gifts, in your graces, in your duties, in all, by whom you finde acceptance of your perſons, and ſervices with God your heavenly Father, Epheſ. 1.6. Chriſt is with you, and in you, in all conditions, in all relations, in all Afflictions, Iſa. 63.8 9. And to conclude this uſe, know for your increaſe of joy; that Chriſt, who is all, and in all in you will abide in you for ever; Nothing ſhall be able to ſeparate Chriſt and your ſoules, Rom. 8.35, 38, 39. Chriſt is the ſtrength of your heart, and your portion for ever, Pſalm. 73.26.
4. Vſe. Seeing Chriſt is all, and in all in the New-Man, ſuffer a word of exhortation, which will conſcerne every one preſent to hearken to, viz. Both ſuch as are in Chriſt, and out of Chriſt. And I am ſure evere one of you are in one of theſe two eſtates: either you are in Chriſt, or without Chriſt. The firſt branch of the exhortation ſhall be you, who are beleevers, and ſanctified in Chriſt Ieſus, called Saints, ſeeing, Chriſt is all in all, Let him be all in all in your juſtification, take ye heed you bring not any righteouſneſſe of your owne, nor any grace or worke of his in you, to joyne with Chriſt, and his righteouſneſſe in point of juſtification: Phil. 3.9. This glory Chriſt will not give to another. He is our jujuſtification, or righteouſneſſe, 1 Cor. 1.30, 31. Chriſt will not permit any coadjutor, concauſe, or cooperator whatſoever in juſtification of ſinners.
Conſider this you who will not beleeve, unleſſe you could ſee your ſelves ſo holy, ſo humble; except you can firſt have ſuch a ſinne ſubdued, you will not beleeve any of your ſinnes are pardoned, untill you finde and feele in your ſelves a ſoft heart, a broken heart, a praying ſpirit, a mourning ſpirit, you cry out you are not juſtifyed. Oh, ſay you, if I could pray, mourne for ſinne, profit by the meanes, as ſuch and ſuch doe, then I would beleeve: but alas, I have a hard heart, a blinde minde, a perverſe will, carnall affections, &c. I cannot, dare not, I will not beleeve that my ſins are forgiven. Thus moſt profeſſors would bring in (if not their owne righteouſneſſe) ſome grace or work of God in them, to joyne with Chriſt in their juſtification, not conſidering that God juſtifies the ungodly, Rom. 4.5. and that Chriſt is all and in all in the juſtification of ſinners.
Secondly, let Chriſt be all, in all the gifts of the Spirit, and graces of ſanctification: for, as you heard, he is the Author, the Preſerver, and the finiſher of them all, therefore let him have the preheminence, above all, ſet an high eſteeme of every gift and grace of God, account a little grace better then all the riches, honours, pleaſures, and creature-comforts of this world. But you ought to prize Chriſt farre above all his owne gifts and graces in us, for he is the life of them all, the marrow and ſubſtance of them a I. What is all knowledge, unleſſe ye know God in Chriſt? 1 Cor. 13.2 nothing. What is all Faith, except Chriſt be the object of it? 1 Cor. 13.2 Nothing. Patience, Temperance, and all other Vertues, what are they? but either naturall qualities, or morall habits, unleſſe Chriſt be the root of them; Nature, Education, and acquired gifts of Art may produce the like, yea the ſame, in Heathens. But Chriſt is the luſtre and beauty of each ſpirituall gift and grace: that influence beleevers receive from Chriſt, and thoſe rayes that come from this Sunne of Righteouſneſſe upon their graces, makes them ſhining Saints, beautifull and all glorious within. Heare this you poore in ſpirit, you new-borne babes in Chriſt, who have the perſons of beleevers (eſpecially Preachers) in admiration, and ſet them up on high in your hearts, and extoll them with your tongues, becauſe you diſcerne ſo much humility, love, patience, faith, and other gifts of the Spirit, and graces of ſanctification in them: ſhould you not rather admire Chriſt, exalt Chriſt, and extoll him, who is the purchaſer, the owner, the donor, and the author of all theſe ſpirituall gifts and graces, for we have nothing but what we have received, by his grace we are what we are, and all the grace we have, from his fulneſſe we received it, Joh. 1.16. therfore let him receive the glorie of all, and let him have the preheminence in all, for he is all in all.
Thirdly, let Chriſt be all, in all your affections, words, and actions. Set your affections on Chriſt. Oh let the diſcoveries of that ſuperlative excellencie, and glorious beautie of Chriſt, which are made out to your ſoules by the Spirit and Word of God, draw you to ſet your affections on him, Col. 1.1 2. Love every one, and every thing that God hath put the name of Chriſt upon, for his ſake, but chiefly ſet your affectionate love upon himſelfe, love Chriſt in his Saints, love Chriſt in his meſſengers, in his ordinances, &c. this will quicken your deſires to enjoy more of Chriſt, more of Chriſt in his Saints, Miniſters, Ordinances, and in your owne hearts. On let Chriſt be chiefeſt in your affections, he is altogether lovely, Cant. 5.16. Let him have your deareſt love, he is the wel-beloved of his Father and yours, 2 Pet. 1.17. let him be your wel-beloved. Chriſt beares you in his armes, everlaſting armes of mercy, yea in his boſome, Iſa. 40.11. & 63.9. Doe you beare him in your heart, and let Chriſt be exalted higheſt there. Againe, let the abſence of Chriſt be the chiefe occaſion of your ſorrow and mourning, Matth. 9 15. cry after him, enquire for him, give him no reſt untill he returne: this was the practice of the Spouſe, Cant. 3.1, 2, 3, 4. & Cant. 5.4, 6, 8. Oh how was her affections ſet upon her Beloved! tell him I am ſicke of love, Cant. 5.8. Though there be many other juſt occaſions for mourning to the Saints, yet this is the chiefe. If a loving wife cannot thinke of the departure of her deare huſband without ſorrow, how much more ſorrowful will a gracious heart be in the abſence of Chriſt? Mary likewiſe who wept, and being asked the reaſon by the Angels, anſwered, Becauſe they have taken away my Lord, &c. Joh. 20.11, 13, 15, 16. And as Chriſt ſhould be all in your affections, ſo let him be in your words and actions: ſpeake for him, doe for him, ſuffer for him, let him be the matter of your communications and conferences, that you may miniſter grace to the hearers: what ever you do in word or deed, let all be done to the honour of Chriſt, for he that honours the Sonne, honours the Father alſo.
The other branch of the exhortation, is to ſuch as are in their naturall condition, without Chriſt, ſeeing Chriſt is all & in all, be exhorted to ſeek Chriſt. Paul preaching on Mars-hill to the Athenians, tells them, God made of one blood all Nations of men, that they ſhould ſeeke the Lord, Act 17.22, 26, 27. and there be many exhortations in holy Scripture to this purpoſe: as Iſa. 55.6, 7. Seeke ye the Lord while he may be found, &c. Let the wicked forſake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him returne unto the Lord, &c. The Apoſtle Peter in his ſpeech to Simon Magus, Act. 8.20, 21, 22, 23. told him his heart was not right in the ſight of God, that he was in the gall of bitterneſſe, and in the bond of iniquity. And yet he exhorted him to repent and pray to God, verſ. 22 Not that any man in his naturall condition can of himſelfe come to Chriſt, deſire him, or ſeeke to enjoy him for none can come to Chriſt except the Father draw him. Joh. 6.44. It is God that workes in us to will and to doe according to his good pleaſure, Phil. 2.13. So then, ſaith the Apoſtle, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that ſheweth mercy; onelyonly know this, God requiring poore ſinners to uſe the meanes, he hath appointed, is pleaſed to make that meanes effectuall for their converſion and ſalvation. For if God have purpoſed to ſhew mercy, and conferre his grace upon your ſoules, he will cauſe you to ſeeke unto him, Ezek. 36.26, 27 37. A new heart will I give you, and I will put my Spirit within you, and cauſe you to walke in my Statutes: Thus ſaith the Lord God, I will yet for this be enquired of by the houſe of Iſrael to doe it for them, verſ. 37. Gods gracious and free promiſes doe not exclude the meanes he hath appointed to attaine the mercies therein promiſed. It pleaſeth him to tye his creatures to the uſe of meanes, when he affords it them, though he will ſometime worke without it. Now the ordinary meanes which God hath in his infinite wiſedome appointed to convert ſinners, and alſo to build them up in Chriſt, is the Word preached, Rom. 10.8, 17. This word of the Goſpel God will have preached to every creature in all parts of the world, Mark 16.15. None are exempted or prohibited from hearing the Goſpel preached, but every one that hath an eare is required to heare, Revel. 2.7. And let ſuch as neglect the hearing of the word of God (preached by ſuch as are called and ſent of Chriſt) conſider what the Lord ſaith, Prov. 1. from the 20. verſ. to the 32. verſ. But albeit ſome of you ſee it is that you ought to doe, and that you had need to doe, to wit, to ſeeke the Lord; aſſenting to what you heard in the firſt verſe of the doctrine, that there is much worth, beauty, and excellency in Chriſt, and that poore-loſt-undone ſinners ſtand in need of him: Notwithſtanding how to obtaine Chriſt you know not as yet. Let me tell you, God offers you Chriſt upon Goſpel-termes, which are theſe three.
Firſt, God in the diſpenſation of the Goſpell propounds Chriſt to loſt ſinners, as the onelyonly neceſſary, and all-ſufficient meanes of Salvation: Chriſt is the onelyonly neceſſary means of Salvation, Act. 4.12. Neither is there Salvation in any other. And Chriſt is the All-ſufficient meanes of Salvation, ſo that we need none but him: Heb. 7.25. He is able to ſave them to the umoſt, &c.
Secondly, God doth offer Chriſt to loſt ſinners without reſpect to price or perſon, He invites them, that have no money, to come, and buy Wine, and milk, (that is to ſay, Chriſt) without price, Iſa 55 1. And any one, that will, are invited to take Chriſt freely: Revel. 22.17 And whoſoever will, let him take the water of life (that is, Chriſt) freely.
Thirdly, God requires, that thoſe, who do receive him, ſhall depart from iniquity, 2. Tim. 2.19. Live ſoberly, righteouſly, and Godly in this preſent world, Ti…us. 2 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. And that they ſhall ſell all, loſe all, and hate all for the ſake of Chriſt, and take up the Croſſe and follow him.
You will ſay to me, Alas, here is my miſerie, to wit, although God propound Chriſt upon good termes to poor ſinners, to me among others, I have no power of my ſelfe to receive Chriſt, to beleeve in him, and accept of him. True, It is not (as I ſaid) in him, that willeth, nor him that runneth, but in God, who ſheweth mercy; Rom. 9.16. It is the exceeding greatneſſe of his power to us-wards, who beleeve, which muſt be put forth in your hearts, to make you beleeve alſo, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Chriſt, when he raiſed him from the dead, Epheſ. 1.19, 20. And you ought to wait on God in the diligent uſe of meanes untill the day of his power come upon you, and then you ſhall be a willing, a beleeving people: Pſal. 110.3. I may exhort you to repent of your wickedneſſe, prophaneneſſe, &c. as Peter did: Act. 8.22. But God muſt give you repentance unto life, Act. 11.18 It is my duty to preach the Goſpel to you, and to exhort you to ſeek Chriſt. Act. 17.22, 27. but it is the meer mercy and free grace of God to drive you to Chriſt, which nothing but his everlaſting love can move him to doe, Ier. 31.3. You ought to ſeek, and wait, aske, and have, and uſe all the meanes which God hath appointed, and afforded you, both ſecret, private, and publike, Revel. 2.29. But God muſt make the meanes effectuall: Acts 16.14. And therefore I muſt ſay, It is not in me, I cannot draw you to Chriſt, that is the Fathers worke: John 6.44. But having exhorted you to ſeeke him in the uſe of meanes, there I muſt leave you to waite on God for the moving of his holy Spirit, where you muſt lye and continue like the poore impotent man at the poole of Betheſda for healing: And though as he did, ſo you may ſee many a Lame, Blinde, Deaf, Dumb, Naked-leprous ſoule, get healing and goe away rejoycing and praiſing God, and you remaine ſtill ſo impotent, that you cannot get in to the Fountaine, ſet open for ſin and for uncleanneſſe, nor have any that can helpe you in, that you may be cured: yet be not diſheartned, as Chriſt came ſuddenly and unexpectedly, and healed the impotent man after long waiting; ſo Chriſt will come according to his promiſe to your ſoules that ſeek him, Malac. 3.1. The Lord whom you ſeek ſhall come, ſhall ſuddenly come, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts.