Commentary on Jude, Biblical commentary · Verse 21

Commentary on Jude · Biblical commentary · Verse 21

p. 513Verſe 21.

Keep your ſelves in the Love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt unto eternal life.

THe Apoſtle goeth on directing to the means of perſeverance, as before he mentioned two duties, Conference and Prayer, ſo here two graces, …ove and Hope.

[Keep your ſelves] that is, uſe the means we are kept by the power of God unto Salvation, but becauſe of the concurrence of ou… endeavours 'tis aſcribed to us [your ſelves] Some interpret it as before, alii alios keep one another, [In the Love of God] it may be taken for that love which God beareth to us, or elſe for the Love wherewith we love God, which is fitly called the Love of God; partly becauſe God is the object of it, partly becauſe the Author of it be commandeth, or begetteth it, increaſeth it, perfecteth it in p. 514the Soul, in this ſecond ſenſe I take the Love of God here, namely for that grace wrought in us, and the great work committed to our care is to keep it, encreaſe it, and diſcover it in all the operations of it [looking] the formal act of hope, [for the m…rcy] the cauſe is put for the effect, for all that good which we ſhall receive at Chriſts coming, 'tis called mercy becauſe his proceeding with the Elect at the laſt day will be upon terms of grace [of our Lord Jeſus Christ] 'Tis ſo called becauſe 'tis purchaſed by Chriſt and diſp…nſed by him John 17 2 he h…th power to give eternal lif…, and at his coming he introduceth his people into their happy eſtate, John 14 3 [unto everlaſting lif… ] our happineſs in Heaven is ſometimes called everlaſting life, at other times, everlaſting glory.

Obſerve hence, 1. In perſeverance there is a concurrence Obſervat. 1.of our care and diligence, Ph…l. 2. 12, 13 Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling for, &c. The main work is Gods, he that hath begun a good work muſt perfect it, Phil. 1. 6. and the ſame Jeſus that i… author is alſo finiſher, Heb. 12. 2. the deeper radication of the habit the defence of it, the growth and perfection of it, the ability to act is all from God, 1 Pet. 5. 10. The God of all grace make you perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen and ſettle you; but yet a concurrence there is of our care and endeavours, a child in the womb is nouriſhed by the mother, liveth by the life of the mother, feedeth by the food of the mother, but a child born liveth a more diſtinct and ſeparate life of its own though it ſtill be under the mothers care and proviſion; ſo 'tis with us after grace received, we have a power to act and do what is neceſſary for the preſervation of the ſpiritual life: Well then, let us not neglect the means, you muſt not lye upon the bed of eaſe and think that God muſt do all, he doth all indeed, but in us and by us. Idle wiſhes will do us no good as long as our hands refuſe to labour.

Again, Men that have grace had need look to the keeping Obſervat. 2.of it. Why? firſt we our ſelves are prone to revolt **Jer. 14. 10.Jer 14:10this people loveth to wander, and **Pſal. 95. 10.Ps 95:10they erre in their hearts though under the immediate conduct of God: 'Tis noteable in p. 515Scripture that we read of a decay both of faith, love, and obedience; which are the three main graces; ſome that left their firſt faith, 1 Tim. 5. 12. Others that left their firſt love, Rev. 2. 4. and as to obedience we read of the firſt wayes of David, a… diſtinguiſhed from his latter, 2 C…ron. 17. 3. he walked in the firſt wayes of his father David, David in his latter time fell into ſcandalous crimes.

2. We are aſſaulted with continual temptations; an importunate ſuiter by perſeverance in his ſuit may at length prevail, Sathan will loſe nothing for want of asking, thoſe that refuſed at firſt may yield afterward: Long converſing with the world may taine the Spirit, a deformed object when we are uſed to it ſeemeth leſs deformed, in dwelling luſt though long reſtrained breaketh out afterward with the more violence: Roſe trees ſ…ipt in June, bear in the winter, many that in youth have held an hard hand over ſin, in their very old age have found their luſts more violent.

3. A man of long ſtanding is apt to grow ſecure and negligent, as if he were now paſt danger, when his condition was doubtful he ſeemed to be more diligent and ſerious; but when the labours and difficulties of our firſt entering into favour with God are well over, and a man hath gotten ſome freedom from the terrors of the Law and ſome peace and confidence, he is in danger of ſecurity, by which all runneth to waſte in the Soul, ſee Rev. 3. 17, 18, 19. Well then, this life is never exempted from care, either to get grace or to keep it, we need to be watchful and diligent to the very laſt; man is a changeable creature and Sathan is reſtleſs, either he continueth the old ſuite or altereth the courſe of temptations, 'tis his ſubtilety in that he doth not always play the ſame game, a man may ſtand one brunt and fail in another: Joab turned after Adonijah though not after Abſolon, 1 Kings 2. 28. every new condition bringeth new ſnares, Ephraim is a cake not turned, Hoſea 7. 8. A man may be well baked of one ſide and yet quite dough of another, the children of God proſperous, differ from the children of God afflicted, Phil. 4. 12. we had need to learn p. 516how to walk up hill and down hill, that we may keep with God upon all grounds: again, corruptions may be diſguiſed, a man may withſtand open enemies and yet fail by the inſinuations of thoſe that have a ſhew of goodneſs; the young Prophet withſtood the King ſtoutly, but yet was perverted by the inſinuations of the old Prophet, 1 Kings 13. 4. with nineteenth verſe.

Meletius a Sufferer under Pagans but went over to the Arrians.

Again where there ſeemeth to be leaſt danger there is moſt cauſe of fear. Lot that was chaſt in Sodom miſcarried in the mountains, where there were none but his own family: Conſcience that is now tender may be ſtrangely deaded and layed by for a time. Who would have thought that he whoſe heart ſmote him, for cutting off the lap of Sauls garment, ſhould afterward fall into uncleanneſs and blood, and lye aſleep in it for a long time: Confidence is ſure to be diſmounted, Peter is a ſad inſtance, he told his Maſter if all men deny thee yet not I, and he meant as he ſpoke▪ he ventureth on a band of men with a ruſty blade, followeth Chriſt into the high Prieſts Hall, who more ſecure than Peter? but all this confidence failed though it met but with a weak tryal, the ſoft words of a Damſels queſtion; ſuch feathers are we when the b…aſt of a temptation is let looſe upon us. Upon all theſe conſiderations now let us make it our care to keep what graces we have gotten, which will never be done without watchfulneſs and diligence: to quicken you further to it.

1. Unleſs you keep it all is in vain if ſo be it be in vain: Gal. 3. 4. 'tis in vain as to the final reward, 'tis not in vain as to the increaſe of puniſhment; you will loſe all your coſt you have been at for Chriſt, Ezek▪ 18. 24. John 2. …p 8. your watchings, ſtrivings▪ prayings, ſufferings come to nothing, the Nazarite was to begin all anew if the dayes of his ſeparation were defiled, Numb. 6. 12. nay 'tis not in vain as to puniſhment, 2 Pet. 2. 20. 21, 22.

2. To loſe any degrees of grace is a great loſs, 'tis the moſt precious gift, 2 Pet. 1. 1. conduceth to the higheſt p. 517ends, eternal happineſs, fitteth us for communion with God, all the world cannot repair this loſs, or purchaſe a ſupply for us; we are to be accountable for degrees as well as for the grace it ſelf, they that had five talents reckoned for five, a Factor that giveth an account only for a part of the eſtate received, is not accounted faithful: we may not be intruſted with ſo much again: a man that hath faln may recover his peace and joy but in a lower degree; a Prodigal that hath once broken is not truſted with a like ſtock again, & a man after a great diſeaſe may never come to the ſame degree and pitch of health; ſo Chriſtians may not recover that largeneſs of Spirit after their foul falls and fulneſs of inward ſtrength and comfort.

3. Thoſe that have made profeſſion of Love to God, and yet afterwards break with him, bring an ill report upon the Lord, as if he were an ill Maſter: I am perſwaded that the Divel in policy lets many men alone for a while to make a ſtrict profeſſion, and ſeem to be full of zeal and holineſs, that they may afterwards do Religion a miſchief, whileſt they act for God though they do ſome things excellently, Sathan never troubleth them, he is at truce with them, till they have gotten a name for the profeſſion of Godlineſs and ſtrictneſs of converſation, and when once they have gotten a name, their fall will be more ſcandalous, more ignominious to themſelves, and diſgraceful to Religion, verily this is a common experience, we ſee many forward; hot and carried out with great impulſions of zeal, and all this while Sathan lets them alone, he knoweth how mutable men are, and how ſoon they begin to tire in the ways of God, therefore lets them alone till they have run themſelves out of breath, that afterward by a more notable defection they may ſhame themſelves and harden others: If Judas will be a Diſciple he lets him alone, if Simon Magus will be baptized and Nicholas bear Office in the Church he lets them alone, he knoweth the beſt are mutable, that many take up their Religion out of intereſt, that men are ſoon weary of their own ſcrupulouſneſs and rigid obſervances, that they firſt make Conſcience of all things and p. 518then of nothing, and therefore he lets them go on without any notable defect or failing, to fly ſome youthful luſts, to renounce ſome intereſts, till they have gotten credit enough to diſcredit Religion▪ ſee 2 Tim. 2. 18. Oh Chriſtians, if you are not moved with reſpect to God, yet for your own cauſe, after a blaze will you go one in a ſtench? an houſe begun and not finiſhed is an habitation for ſcreech Owls; but on the contrary, what an honour is it to hold out to the laſt to be like MNaſon an old Diſciple?

4. The worſt is paſt, we have but a few years ſervice more, and we ſhall be happy for ever; Your ſalvation is neerer then it was when you firſt beleeved, Rom. 13. 11. a little more and you will land ſafe at the expected Haven; if we have a rough paſſage, 'tis a ſhort one; What will you not watch with me one hour, ſaith Chriſt to his Apoſtles, the longeſt life is no more in compariſon of eternity. Enoch lived longer then moſt men do, he lived 365. years▪ Gen. 5. 22. but all that while he walked with God, and is it ſo tedious to us co tell ouer a few ſummers and winters before we come to Heaven.

The next Point is more particular and expreſs: That of Obſervat. 3.all graces, Love needeth keeping: Why? 1. Becauſe of all graces 'tis moſt decaying. Mat. 24. 12. Rev. 2. 4. Flame is ſoon ſpent, graces that act moſt ſtrongly, require moſt influence, as being moſt ſubject to abatemen…; we ſooner looſe our affections then any thing elſe. 2. Becauſe love is a grace that we can ill ſpare▪ 'tis the ſpring and riſe of all duties to God & Man. 1. To God, love is the firſt affection corrupted and renewed; the Schoolmen diſpute whether there be any thing a man doth, that had not its firſt riſe from love; 'tis love maketh us angry, and 'tis love maketh us **Pſal. 97. 10.Ps 97:10hate, and **Joh. 11. 35, 36.John 11:35John 11:36love maketh us grieve, much more is it love that maketh us hope and deſire, and delight, ſo 'tis gracious **Luk. 7. 47.Luke 7:47love that ſets us a mourning for ſin, puts us upon hatred of evil, delighting in God and in his Laws, ſee 2 Cor. 4▪ 14. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. Gal. 5. 6. faith worketh by love, faith receiveth grace and love, exerciſeth it; if we would do any thing in the reſiſtance of ſin, in keeping the Commandments, we cannot ſpare p. 519our love. 2. As to man, love is a grace that will make us induſtrious for the good of others, and therefore we read of the labour of love, 1 Theſ. 1 3. 'tis gluten animarum, the glue of the ſouls, the cement, and ſoder of the Church; the jointing that runneth throughout all the living and ſquared ſtones, Col 3. 14. by this ſouls are mingled▪ and all mutual offices done cheerfully: want of love to the Saints is the cauſe of Apoſtacy, for the leſs we love them, the more we aſſociate to the wicked, and then zea… is damnifi…d and abated.

Well then, watch the more earneſtly againſt the decays and abatements of love; leaving our firſt love is a diſeaſe not only incident to Hypocri…es, but ſometimes to Gods own children▪ Chriſtians go backward in the heat and light of their graces ten degrees, either through the badneſs of the times, Mat. 24. 12. or through a curſed …a…i…ty that is apt to creep upon us, aff…ctions are deadned to things to which we are ac…uſtomed; the Iſraelites cryed out nothing but this Manna, our deſires are not ſo freſh and lively▪ after long acquaintance: Sometimes it cometh from neglig…nce, or a ſluggiſh careleſneſs, we do not take pains to keep graces alive, nor foreign, ſtir up the gift that is in us, 2 Tim. 1. 6. as the Prie…s in the Temple were to keep in the holy fire, ſo are we by prayers, and meditation, and conſtant wo…k, to keep our love al…ve; but when theſe exerciſes are neglected, it decreaſeth: Sometimes it falleth out through freeneſs in ſinning; neglect is like not blowing up the coals, ſinning is like pouring on waters, a very quenching of the ſ…irit, 1 Theſ▪ 5. 13. Again, through ſecure dalliance with the pleaſures of ſin, or cumbring the ſoul with the cares of the world▪ when the heart runneth out too much upon the creature God is neglected; Thus it may fall out.

But now the decay of love is ſeen in two things. 1. The remiſſion of the degrees of love. 2. The intermiſſion of the acts of love.

1. A remiſſion of the degrees when the heart groweth cold, liſtleſs, and looſe; when there is not ſuch a ſtrong tendency and bent of ſoul towards God as formerly, not ſuch p. 520a ſenſe of unkindneſs, ſuch an awful reſpect to God, a care to pleaſe him, and deſire to enjoy him; nor ſuch complacency and delight in the thoughts of God; but now every loſs or abatement of degree doth not mount to a leaving of our firſt love, there are certain raviſhments and tranſports of ſoul, which we feel upon the firſt evidence of our being reconciled to God, or are ſtirred up upon ther ſpecial occaſions; theſe are accidental overflowings, which may come and go, we cannot always bear up under them, new things ſtrangely affect us, love is afterward more ſettled and d…ffuſed in the channels of obedience, and therefore no wonder if it do not run with ſo full a…yd… and current; this remiſſion of degrees then muſt be underſtood with reſpect to theſe conſtant dispoſitions of love, as care to pleaſe, fear to offend, deſire of, and delight in God, when theſe fail as to any degree, love is a chilling or growing cold.

2. An intermiſſion of the acts and exerciſe of love, when God is forg…tten, duty neglected, ſin unmo…tified, no ca…e of; or frequency in private communi…n with God, no ſweet thoughts of him, Pſal. 63. 6. Pſal: 104. 34. where we love there will be muſing on the object beloved, there will be familiarity and intimateneſs of converſe, there is not a day can paſs but love will find ſome errand and occaſion to confer with God, either to implore his help or ask his counſel; but now when men can paſs over whole days and weeks, and never give God a viſit, ſuch ſtrangeneſs argueth little love: Again, when there is no care of glorifying God, no plo…tings and contrivings how we may be moſt uſeful for him; when we do not mourn over ſin as we were wont to do, are not ſo ſenſible of offences, have not theſe meltings of heart, are not ſo careful to avoid all occaſions of offending God, are not ſo watchful, ſo zealous, as we were wont to be, do not riſe up in arms againſt temptations and carnal thoughts, love is decayed certainly, when the ſenſe of our obligations to Chriſt is warm upon the heart, ſin doth not ſcape ſo freely, love will not endure it to live and act in the …ear, Tit. 2 11. 12. Gen. 39, 9. but now as this is worn off, the heart is not watched; the p. 521tongue is not bridled, ſpeeches are idle, yea rotten and prophane, wrath and envy tyrannize over the Soul, all runneth to riot in the poor neglected heart; yea further, Gods publick worſhip is performed perfunctorily, and in a careleſs stupid manner, ſin confeſſed without remorſe and ſenſe of the wrong done to God, prayer made for ſpiritual bleſſings without deſire of obtaining, wrath deprecated without any fear of the danger, interceſſion for others without any ſympathy or brotherly Love, thanks given without any esteem of the benefits or affection to God in the remembrance of them, conference of holy things is either none at all, or very ſlight and careleſs, hearing without attention, reading without a deſire of profit, ſinging without any delight or melody of heart. All this is but the juſt account of an heart declining in the love of God.

Now as you love your own Souls beware of this great evil, to this end. 1. Be rooted and grounded in love, Eph. 3. 17. Do not content your ſelves with flaſhes and good moods and meltings at a Sermon, but get ſolid grace and thorow experiences, glances and ſuddain affections will come to nothing, Matth. 13. 4. 5. with 20. 21. A tree that hath taken root is in leſs danger of withering.

2. Increaſe and grow in love, 1 Theſſa. 4. 10. Nothing conduceth to a decay more than contentment with what we have received, every day you ſhould love ſin leſs, ſelf leſs, world leſs, but Chriſt more and more.

3. Obſerve the firſt declinings, for theſe are cauſe of all the reſt, evil is beſt ſtopped in the beginning; if when we firſt began to grow careleſs, we had taken heed, then it would never have come to this, an heavy body moving downward, vires a…quirit …undo, it gathers ſtrength by running, and ſtill moveth faſter and faſter, look then to your firſt breaking off from God, and remitting your watch and ſpiritual fervour; 'tis eaſier to cruſh the egg than to kill the ſerpent: He that keepeth an houſe in conſtant repair, prevents the ruine and fall of it, ſtop every hole and chinck before the miſchief ſpread further.

4. Plead with thy heart, the higheſt degree of love doth p. 522not anſwer the dignity of Chriſt nor the duty that we owe to him; he is to be loved with all the Soul, and all the heart, and all the might; 'tis a diſgrace to him to give him leſs, ſurely he looketh to be much loved again who hath loved us ſo intirely, and tranſlated us out of darkneſs into marvelous light.

5. In caſe of decay take the advice which the holy Ghoſt hath given you, Rev. 2. 5. where three things are required, 1. Conſideration. 2. Humiliation. 3. Reformation.

1. Conſideration, Remember whence thou art fallen, ponder the caſe; in examination we compare our ſelves and the Law together, but in this recollection, our ſelves and our ſelves together; ſadly conſider then what a difference there is between thee and thy ſelf, recall former experiences and ſay as Job 29. 2. 3. Oh that I were as in moneths paſt, in the dayes when God preſerved me, when his candle ſhined on my head, or as the Churce, Hoſea▪ 2. 7. It was better with me than now, in our ſerious ſequeſtration and retirements we ſhould have ſuch thoughts as theſe are, I was wont to ſpend ſome time every day with God, I remember when 'twas a delight to me to think of him, now I have no heart to pray or meditate, no reliſh of communion with his bleſſed majeſty; 'twas the joy of my Soul to be at an Ordinance, the returns of the Sabbath were welcome to me, but now what a wearineſs is it! time was when I had ſweet experiences, and the graces of Gods Spirit were more lively in me, but now all is dead and inefficacious; time was when a vain thought was burdenſome unto me, but now I can away with ſinful actions; time was when the miſpence of ordinary time was a grief unto my Soul, now I can ſpend the Sabbath unprofitably and never be troubled, &c. Thus ſhould you conſider your eſtate.

2. Humiliation intimated in the word repent; 'tis not enough to know your ſelves faln, many are convinced of their collapſed and decayed eſtate, but do not judg themſelves for it in Gods preſence, go bewail it to God, ſmite upon the thigh, praying for pardon; thats the notion of the word [repent] here, 'tis not enough to repent of groſs whoredom, theft, drunkenneſs, we muſt repent alſo of the p. 523decayes of love, the blind world thinketh we are to repent of nothing but what is publikely odious: In friendſhip coldneſs is taken for a great injury, go arraign thy ſelf before God for growing cold in his Love and Service.

3. Reformation, do thy first works, we muſt not ſpend the time in idle complaints; many are ſenſible that do not repent, ſome may repent that do not reform, you muſt not be quiet till you recover your former ſtation; Chriſt puts Peter upon a trebble profeſſion becauſe of his trebble denyal, John 21. 17.

The next note is from the coupling of theſe two, the love Obſervat. 4.of God, and looking for the mercy of Chriſt unto eternal life. Thence obſerve, That love to God will put us upon looking for Chriſts ſecond coming when this mercy is to be diſpenſed to us. See the like connection elſewhere; 2 Theſ. 3, 5. the Lord direct your hearts to the Love of God, and the patient waiting for Christ. Two reaſons may be given of it.

1. Love allayeth fear, 1 John 4. 17. 18. of whom ſhould a Chriſtian be afraid at that day? of the Divel? he is held in chains of darkneſs, and judged by the Saints together with Chriſt; of Chriſt? Shall the members be afraid of their head? the ranſomed of their Redeemer? the beloved of of their Saviour? Oh but then he cometh as a Judg, but 'tis to plead their cauſe, to right their wrongs, to revenge their enemies, to reward their ſervices; if he be then your Judg he hath ever been your Advocate hitherto, and ſurely he that hath interceded for you, will not cond…mn you.

2. Love quickeneth deſire, 2. Pet. 3. 12, Looking for and haſtening the coming of the Lord. ſee Cant. 8, 14. Rev. 22. 20 An Harlot would have her husband deferre his coming, but a chaſt ſpouſe thinketh he can never come ſoon enough, they that go an whoring after the world, neither d…ſire Chriſts coming nor love his appearing; but the Spirit of the Bride ſaith come, they that love God look for it, Phil. 3. 20. long for it, 2 Tim 4. 8. they love his appearing, corrupt nature ſaith depart, Job 22. 14. but grace ſaith come; the children of God would fain ſee him of whom they have heard ſo often, and ſo much, and of whoſe ſweetneſs they p. 524have taſted; they know him by hear-ſay and by ſpiritual experience, but they would fain ſee his perſon.1. Ʋſe

This now informeth us what a difference there is between a child of God and wicked men, they wiſh this day would never come, and would be glad in their hearts to hear ſuch news, the thought of Chriſts coming is their burden and torment, they have the spirit of the Divel in them, art thou come to torment us before our time, Matth. 8. 31. They cannot endure to hear or think of it; if it might go by voices whether Chriſt ſhould come or no, would they give their voice this way, and ſay Come Lord Jeſus, yea, come quickly? If Thiefs and Malefactors ſhould have the liberty to chuſe whither the Aſſizes ſhould be kept or no, would they ever fix it? and look for and long for the time of its approach? No no, but a child of God is waiting and looking for this happy time.

But now here is an Objection, are Chriſtians alwayes inObject. this frame? What ſhall we ſay then to thoſe weak ones that tremble at the thought of it, for want of the aſſurance of Gods Love, and the beſt Saints that do not alwayes feel ſuch an actual inclination and ſtrength of deſire?

I anſwer, the meaneſt Saint hath ſome inclination thisSol. way, can a man deſire that Chriſt ſhould come into his heart and not come to Judgment? Since comfort and reward is more naturally embraced than duty, the firſt work of grace is to raiſe us up to this hope, 1 Pet. 1. 3. but yet ſometimes there may be a drowſineſs and indiſpoſition, and then, their lamps may not be kept burning, Luc. 12. 35, 36. The wiſe Virgins ſtept as well as the fooliſh, Matth. 25. oftentimes they find themſelves indiſpoſed for his coming by careleſs carriage, remiſſion of their watch, and ſcattering their Love to the Creature; yea, much of their old b…ndage may remain through the imperfection of their Love; for his perfect love casteth out fear: A wife deſireth her husbands coming home, but it may be all things are not ready, and in ſo good order as they ſhould be, all Chriſtians deſire the coming of Chriſt, but ſometimes they are not ſo exact and watchful, and therefore their affections are not ſo lively.

p. 525Here is a note of tryal whether we love God or Chriſt,Ʋſe. 2. how do we ſtand affected towards his appearing; the world cannot ſatisfie Chriſtians, they look beyond it; in things to come we are apt to feign, and becauſe we have not a ſufficient ſenſe of them, we think we have an affection to them, when we have them not, if there be looking, there will be preparing; when you expect a great eſtate for your children, you breed them accordingly; or rather thus, a man that expecteth the comming of a King to his houſe will make all things ready, ſurely you look for no body when you are not fitting and preparing your ſelves; what have you done againſt this great day? do you judge your ſelves? 1 Cor. 11. 31. do you get into Chriſt? Rom 8. 1. that you may be intereſted in Chriſts Righteouſneſs againſt you come to undergo Christs judgement? what purging of heart and life? 2 Pet. 3. 11. art thou in ſuch a caſe wherein thou wouldſt be found of Chriſt?

To exhort thoſe that love God to look earneſtly for the comming of Chriſt; to this end 1. Conſider our relations to him, he is our Maſter, we are his ſervants, and good ſervants will wait for their Maſters comming, Mat. 24. 45. here we have our meals, but then our wages; 'tis but preſent maintenance which we have now, but behold I come and my reward is with me, Chriſt will not come empty handed: Again, he is our Husband, we his Spouſe, the Bride ſaith come, Rev. 22. 17. we are now but contracted to Chriſt, then is the day of ſolemn Eſpouſals: The Judge is the wicked mens enemy, but your Redeemer. 2. Conſider the priviledges we ſhall then enjoy; the day of Chriſts coming is

1. A day of manifeſtation, Rom▪ 8 19. all is now hidden, Chriſt is hidden, the Saints are hidden, their life is hidden, Col. 3. 3. their glory is hidden, 1 John 3. 2. but then Chriſt ſhall appear, and we ſhall appear with him in glory, as Moſes told the Rebels, Numb. 16. To morrow the Lord will ſhew who are his; Chriſt as the natural ſon ſhall then appear in all his Royalty and Glory, as the great God and Saviour of the world; ſo ſhall the Saints put on their beſt robes; in winter the tree appeareth not what it is, the ſap p. 526and life is hidden in the root, but when ſummer cometh, all is diſcovered.

2. 'Tis a day of perfection, every thing tendeth to its perfect eſtate; the little ſeed that is ſown in the ground, breaketh through the clods that it may be in flower and perfection, ſo a Chriſtian is working through, that he may come to an eſtate of perfect holineſs, and perfect freedom; here we are very weak, yea even to glorified ſpirits he is but a Saviour in part, there is ſome fruit of ſin continued upon the body, but then body and ſoul are united and perfectly glorified to praiſe God in Heaven, Chriſt cometh to make an end of what he hath begun he came firſt to redeem our ſouls from ſin, but then our bodies from corruption; then all priviledges are perfect regeneration, Mat. 19. 27. when Heaven's new, earth new, bodies new, ſouls new, that's a regeneration indeed; ſo adoption, we are ſons▪ but handled as ſervants, looking for the adoption, Rom. 8. 23. ſo juſtification, our pardon ſhall be proclaimed at the market croſs, publiſhed before all the world, Acts▪ 3. 19. ſo for Redemption, Luk. 21. 28. the body is a captive, when the ſoul is ſet at liberty, the body is held under death till that day.

3. 'Tis a day of Congregation, or gathering together; the Saints are now ſcattered, they live in divers Countreys, and in divers ages, but then all meet in one Aſſembly and Congregation Pſal. 1. 6. but of theſe things more largely, verſe 16. on theſe words [the great day.]

From that [looking for the mercy, &c.] Obſerve, That Obſervat. 5.looking earneſtly for eteanal life, is a good means of perſeverance; for to that end is it urged by the Apoſtle here; I ſhall enquire 1. What this looking is. 2. What influence it hath upon our perſeverance.

1. What this looking is, it implyeth patience, but chiefly hope.

1. Patience, in waiting Gods leiſure in the midſt of preſent difficulties, Heb. 10. 36. Luke. 8. 15. 1 Theſ. 1. 3. Rom. 8. 25.

2. Hope▪ now becauſe there is a blind hope, and a good hope, a baſtard hope, and a genuine hope, good hope through p. 527grace, ſaith the Apoſtle, 2 Theſ. 2. 16. Let me tell you that this looking or expectation is not that blind hope that is found in men ignorant and preſumptuous, that regard not what they do, preſumption is a child of darkneſs, the fruit of ignorance and inconſideration, when men are once ſerious they find it an hard matter to fix an adviſed hope on things to come; for guilty nature is more inclinable to fear than to hope; this blind hope will certainly fail us, 'tis compared, to a Spiders web, Job 8. 12, 13. The Spider ſpinneth a web out of his own bowels, which is ſwept away as ſoon as the beſom cometh, ſo do carnal men conceive a few raſh and ungrounded hopes, but when death cometh or a little trouble of Conſcience, theſe vain conceits are ſwept away; this hope which I preſs you to is a ſerious act ariſing from grace aiming at its own perfection: again this looking is not ſome glances upon Heaven, ſuch as are ſound in worldly and ſenſual perſons, who now and then have their lucida intervalla, their good moods and ſober thoughts, as Balaam, Numb. 23. 10. a taſte they may have, Heb. 6. 4. a ſmatch of the ſweetneſs of Heaven and ſpiritual comforts; the moſt wretched worldlings have their wiſhes and ſuddain rap…s of Soul, but alas theſe ſuddain motions are no… operative, they come but ſeldom and leave no warmth upon the Soul, as fruit is not ripened that …ath but a g…a…ce of the Sun, and a ſuddain light rather blindeth a man than ſheweth him the way. So theſe ſuddain indeliberate thoughts vaniſh and leave men never the better: again 'tis not a looſe hope or a probable conjecture; this hath no efficacy upon the Soul; men that are under an anxious doubtful poſture of Spirit will be very uneven in their walkings, James 1. 8. when men are diſcouraged in a race they begin to ſlacken their pace; to which the Apoſtle alludeth when he ſaith, I run not as once, that is uncertain▪ 1 Cor. 9, 26. but when they begin ſenſibly to get ground, they hold on their courſe the more chearfully.

Thus negatively I have ſhewed you what 'tis not, but now poſitively, tis an earnest well grounded expectation of bleſſedneſs to come, it bewrayeth it ſelf, 1. by frequent and p. 528ſerious thoughts, thoughts are the ſpyes and meſſengers of hope, it ſendeth them into the promiſed land to bring the ſoul tydings from thence; 'tis impoſſible a man can hope for a thing, but he will be thinking of it, by this means we prae-occupy and foreſtall the contentment of what we expect, and feaſt the ſoul with images and ſuppoſitions of what is to come, as if it were already preſent; if a beggar were adopted into the ſucceſſion of a Crown, he would pleaſe himſelf in imagining the happineſs and honour, and pleaſure of the Kingly State, ſo certainly if we did look upon our ſelves as Hoirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, and coheirs with Christ, we would think of that happy ſtate more then we do, and by a ſerious contemplation, our hearts would carry us above the clouds, and ſet us in the midſt of the glory of the world to come, as if we did ſee Chriſt upon his Throne, and Paul with his Crown of righteouſneſs upon his head, and all the bleſſed leaning in Abrahams boſome: a carnal expectation filleth men with carnal, muſings and projects, as Luk 12. 18. foreign, he was dialoguing and diſcourſing with himſelf of pulling down Barns, and building greater, of beſtowing his fruits and goods, ſee the like. James 4. 13. 'tis uſual with men to foreſtall the pleaſure of their hopes, as young riotous heirs ſpend upon their eſtates before they come in hand; now ſo 'tis alſo in Heavenly things, men that expect them will be entertaining their ſpirits with the thoughts of them.

2. By hearty groans, and ſighs, and longings, Rom. 8. 23. We groan in our ſelves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our bodies, they have had a taſt of the cluſters of Canaan, and therefore long for more, they can never be ſoon enough with Chriſt, when ſhall it once be, the nearer enjoyment the more impatient of the want of his company; as the decays of nature do put them in mind of another world, they begin to lift up the head and look out, Rom. 8. 19. foreign, the earneſt expectation of the creature▪ the word ſignifieth the puffing out of the head to ſee if it can ſpye a thing a great way of, and noteth the extenſion of the ſoul towards the fruition of things hoped for, p. 529they would have a fuller draught of the conſolations of the ſpirit, more freedom from ſin, more perfection of grace, &c.

3. By lively taſts and feelings, **John ….a beleever hath eternal life, he beginneth it here; hope is called a lively hope, not only living, but lively, 1 Pet. 1. 3. becauſe it quickeneth the heart, and maketh us chearful and ſprightly, Rom. 5. 2. We rejoyce under the hope of the glory of God; joy is for enjoyment and poſſeſſion; but yet that pre-poſſeſſion which hope getteth, cauſeth all joy, ſee 1 Pet. 1. 8. I confeſs all feel it not in a like degree, becauſe it dependeth upon a ſenſe of grace, which beleevers always have not, yet all find a ſweetneſs and ſome comfort, when they think of what they look for: worldly hope is but the dream of a ſhadow, there is pain and trouble in the expectation, and no ſatisfaction in the fruition.

2. Let me ſhew you the influence it hath upon perſeverance. 1. It ſets us a work to purge out ſin, 1 John 3. 3. Every one that hath this hope purifi…th himſelf as Chriſt is pure; the things that we look for are holy, 'tis a great part of our portion in Heaven, to be free from ſin, and to be Conſorts of the immaculate Lamb; can we hope for theſe things and cheriſh wotldly luſts? if we did we look for a ſenſual Paradiſe, then we might indulge our luſts without any defyance of our hopes: but we look for a pure and holy as well as a glorious and bleſſed eſtate, and therefore we ſhould begin to purifie our ſelves.

2. It withdraweth our hearts from preſent things, Phil. 2. 20. Our converſation is in Heaven, from wh…nce we look for a Saviour; a man that hath been looking upon the ſun, findeth his eyes dazled that he cannot behold an object leſs glorious, the oftner we look within this vail, the more is the glory of the world obſcured; Abraham lived as a ſtranger in the promiſed land, why? becauſe he looked for a City &c. H…b. 11. 9, 10 deny deadly luſts (ſaith the Apoſtle) looking for the bleſſed hope, Tit. 2. 12, 13. a man who is much in Heaven, his affections are pre-ingaged and therefore the world doth him little hurt; birds are ſeldom taken p. 530in their flight, the more we are upon the wing of heavenly thoughts, the more we eſcape ſnares, hope ſets the wheels a going, Phil. 3. 13. I preſs onward becauſe of the high price of our calling; the thought of the end quickeneth to the uſe of means, we faint becauſe we do not conſider it more, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Heaven will pay for all.

4. It maketh us upright and ſincere, looking a ſquint on ſecular rewards is the cauſe of all our declinings, Mat. 6. 2. **See the larger annotations.foreign, they have their reward, hired Servants do not look for the inheritance, and therefore muſt have pay in hand, if they may have the world and live in honour and pleaſure, they will diſcharge God from all other promiſes; a ſincere man maketh God his Pay maſter, and that chiefly in the other world, Col. 3. 24. we have a Maſter good enough in him, we need not look for pay elſewhere.

5. It ſupporteth us under thoſe difficulties and afflictions which are wont to befall us in a courſe of godlineſs, we can counterballance what we feel with what we expect, we feel nothing but trouble and that which we expect is life and glory, Rom. 8. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 17, 18. in this reſpect hope is called an Anchor, Heb 6. 19. in the ſtormy guſts of temptation it ſtayeth the Soul, which hope we have as anchor of the Soul both ſure and stedf…ſt, and entereth into that which is within the vail, 'tis a weighty anchor that will not bow or break, and the ground is good, it entereth into that within the vail, and therefore though tempeſts ariſe it will keep us from floating and daſhing againſt the rocks: again 'tis called a Helmet, Eph. 6. 17. the Helmet of Salvation, ſo 1 Theſſ. 5. 8. the Helmet is for the Head, in conflict…, as long as we can lift up our heads and look to Heaven we are ſafe.

6. It helpeth us to reſiſt temptations, ſin maketh many promiſes, and prevaileth by carnal hope, Balaam was enlivened by promiſes to curſe Gods people, Babylons fornications are preſented in a golden cup, men are corrupted with promiſes of preferment, and greatneſs, and preſent accomodations; now hope ſets promiſe againſt promiſe, Heaven againſt earth, pleaſures at Gods right hand againſt p. 531carnal delights and taking our f…ll of loves, as one hall driveth out another, ſo doth hope defeat the promiſes of the world by propounding the promiſes of God.

Let us now apply this.

1. It informeth us, that we may look for the reward without ſin. Thoſe men would be wiſer than God that denyƲſe 1. us a liberty to make uſe of the Spirits motives, they begrudg Gods bounty, to what end ſhould the Lord propound rewards but that we ſhould cloſe with them by faith, graces may be exerciſed about their proper objects without ſin, it requireth ſome faith to aim at things not ſeen, the world is drowned in ſenſe and preſent ſatisfactions; they are Mercenaries that muſt have pay in hand, their Souls droop and languiſh if they do not meet with credit, applauſe, and profit, they make man their pay maſter, they have the ſpirit of a ſervant that prefer preſent wages before the inheritance; but to do all upon the incouragements of the mercy of Jeſus Chriſt unto eternal life argueth grace: 'Twas a relief to the Soul of Chriſt to think of the reward, Heb. 12. 2. Chriſt, as man, was to have rational comforts and humane incouragements; that is, ſinful indeed when we would have the reward but neglect the work, when we would be Mercenarii but not Operarii, we ſever the reward from the duty, & like Ephraim are willing to …ead the corn but not break the clods, Hoſ. 10. 11. Again, we look amiſs upon the reward when we have a carnal notion of heaven, as ſome Jews looked for a carnal Meſſiah, ſo do ſome Chriſtians for a carnal Heaven, for baſe pleaſure and fleſhly delights, for a Turkiſh Paradiſ…, ſuch kind of hopes debaſe the heart, or elſe when we look for it as merited by us, as if we could challenge it by our works, then we are Mercinaries indeed, 'tis here looking for the mercy of Jeſus Chriſt, &c.

Again, our own happineſs muſt not be our laſt end, there is a perſonal happineſs that reſults to us from the enjoyment of God, now the glory of God muſt be preferred before it.

2. If you would perſevere in the love of God and a good frame of heart, revive your hopes, and ſet the Soul a lookingƲſe 2. and a longing for eternal life, if we keep the rejoycing of p. 532our hope firm to the end then we are ſafe, Heb. 3. 6. Courtiers are more polite in their manners than ordinary ſubjects, becauſe they are more in their Princes eye and company; the oftner we are in Gods Court the more holy: Well, then be as much as you can in actual expectation of this bleſſedneſs.

To this end, 1. Believe it, there is a miſt upon eternity to a carnal heart, they are led by ſenſe and reaſon, and believe no more than is evident to a natural principle, but now faith is the evidence of things not ſeen, Heb. 11. 1. fancy and nature cannot ou…-ſee time and look beyond death, faith holdeth the candle to hope, and then we have a proſpect into the other world, and can ſee an happy eſtate to come.

2. Apply it, 'tis a poor, comfortleſs meditation to think of a bleſſed hope and the certainty of it, unleſs we have an intereſt in theſe things, an hungry man taketh little pleaſure in gazing upon a feaſt when he taſtes not of it; the reprobate hereafter are lookers on, and David ſpeaketh of a table ſpread for him in the ſight of his enemies; hope hath never a more lively influence than when we can make out our own propriety and intereſt, 1. Job 19. 26. I know that my Redeemer liveth. 2 Cor 5. 1. We know that if this earthly Tabernacle were diſſolved, we have a building not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Hence forth there is laid up for me: &c, they do not only believe there is an Heaven, but apply it for me. You will ſay is hope only the fruit aſſurance. I anſwer 'tis the fruit of faith as well as of aſſurance or experience, but the ſenſe of our intereſt is very comfortable, and in ſome ſort neceſſary, before we can hope any thing for our ſelves, our qualification is to be ſuppoſed; in a matter of ſuch moment a man ſhould not be at an uncertainty, canſt thou be quiet and not ſure of Heaven? not to look after it is a bad ſign, a godly man may want it but a godly man cannot ſlight it: 'Tis poſſible a man may make an hard …hift to creep to Heaven through doubts and fears, and may be **2 Pet. 4. 17.ſcarcely ſaved, whileſt others have an abundant entrance, but then you loſe your Heaven upon earth, p. 533which conſiſteth in peace and joy in the Holy Ghoſt, and loſe much of the efficacy of hope; for uncertain wavering thoughts work little, therefore aſſurance cannot be ſleighted: further I adde by ſhewing what application there muſt be if we cannot attain to aſſurance, there are three deg…ees of application beneath aſſurance, there is acceptation, adherence, and affiance.

1. Acceptation of Gods offer upon Gods terms, Job 5. 27. Know thou it for thy good, put in for theſe hopes and take God to his word upon this confidence, make good thy part of the ſtipation in the Covenant, and he will not fail thee, this application there muſt be in all, an anſwer to the demands of the Covenant, 1 Pet. 3. 21. Exod. 24. 6, 7, 8.

2. Adherence, Stick cloſe to this hope in a courſe of obedience, if we do Gods work we ſhall not fail of wages, 1 Car. 9. 26. I run not as one that is uncertain.

3. Affiance, reſting, waiting upon God for the accompliſhment of this bleſſedneſs, though not without ſome doubts and fears as to our own intereſt, though you cannot ſay 'tis yours, yet you will caſt your ſelf upon the mercy of God in Chriſt as 'tis in the Text. Looking for the mercy of Chriſt, you dare venture your Soul in that bottom, this is that committing your ſelves to him as unto a merciful and faithful Creator, which the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of, 1 Pet. 4. 18. You will go on with your work and put your ſelves in Gods hand for your eternal happineſs, becauſe he is merciful, faithful: See alſo Rom. 2. 7.

3. Meditate on it often, med ta…ion is a temperate extaſie, a ſurvey of the Land of promiſe, God biddeth Abraham take a view of Canaan, Gen. 13. 14, 15. Surely the more we lift up our thoughts in the contemplation of this bleſſed eſtate, the more lively will our hopes be, if every morning we ſpent a thought this way, it would ſeaſon the heart againſt the love of preſent things, the morning is an emblem of the Reſurrection, when we awake out of the ſleep of death, and the day cometh which will never have night more, Pſal. 17. 15. So in time of troubles we ſhould p. 534be reckoning upon a better eſtate, Rom. 8. 18, ſo when you are by bodily ſickneſs ſummoned to the grave, and you are going down to converſe with worms and skulls, then think of a bleſſed eternity, Job 19. 26.

The next Point is from that elauſe [the mercy] The Obſervat. 6.ground of our waiting and looking for eternal life is Gods mercy, not for any works and merits of ours, we cannot challenge it as a debt: ſin and death are as work and wages, but eternal life is a donative, Rom. 6. 23. eternal life is not the wages of obedience, as damnation is the wageso… ſin; why: wherein lyeth the difference? I anſwer, wicked men ſtand upon their own bottom, but Chriſt hath obtained this priviledge for us: Wicked works are ours, and they are meerly evil, the good that we do is imp…rfect, and Gods grace hath the main ſtroak, ſo that we are rewarded, rather according to what we have received, then what we have done; a ſervant is under a covenant of obed ence, and …radeth with his maſters eſtate, he doth but his duty, he deſerveth ſomething: we are bound to do good, and forbidden to ſin; when we do what is forbidden, we deſerve puniſhment; but when we do what is commanded, we do not deſerve the reward, becauſe we are bound, and becauſe we have all from Gods grace: as you muſt pray for eternal life, ſo muſt you look for eternal life; if you ſhould ſay give me Heaven for I deſerve it; natural conſcience would bluſh at the immodeſty of ſuch a requeſt; 'tis as great an abſurdity when you make your own works the ground of your hope, for in prayer our deſires and hopes are put into language, and made more explicite; ſo that which is our plea in prayer, muſt be the ground of our claim in point of confidence, unleſs we mean to complement with God.

Well then, 1. Let this encourage us to wait with hope, notwithſtanding infirmities as well as affictions; what a good maſter do we ſerve? he hath provided comforts not only againſt our miſery, but againſt our unworthineſs, not only glory as a reward, but mercy as the cauſe of it, that we may take glory out of the …ands of mercy; he looked upon us not only as liable to ſuffering but ſinning, and therefore p. 535as he hath provided life and ſafety for us, ſo upon tearms of grace.

2. It ſheweth us how we ſhould aſcribe all to mercy, from the beginning to the end of our ſalvation: we were taken into a ſtate of grace at firſt out of meer mercy, 1 Tim. 1. 13. foreign, I was all to be mercy'd, Tit. 3. 5. Not by works of righteouſneſs that we have done, but according to his mercy he ſaved us: he doth not barely ſay, not for our works, but not for our works, foreign, not for our beſt works, thoſe works of righteouſneſs which might be ſuppoſed to be foreſeen as done by us: ſo alſo when we are taken into a ſtate of glory, 'tis ſtill mercy, we can merit no more after grace then before, 2 Tim. 1. 18, The Lord grant him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day.

Once more this mercy is called [the mercy of our Lord Jeſus Obſervat. 7.Chriſt.] Thence obſerve, That this mercy which we look for is diſpenſed by Jeſus Chriſt; he purchaſed it, and he hath the managing of it in the whole oeconomy of grace: he ſhall take of mine, ſaith he, concerning the holy Ghoſt, and in the laſt day he diſtributeth to ſome judgment without mercy, to others mercy, they are judged upon Goſpel terms.

Well then, 1. Get an intereſt in Chriſt, otherwiſe we cannot look for mercy in that great day, 1 Iohn 2. 28. If we abide in him then ſhall we have boldneſs; they that ſleight Chriſt in the offers of the Goſpel have no reaſon to look for benefit by him, you will howl and tremble then, and call upon the mountains to hide you from the wrath of him that ſitteth upon the throne; they that prize the mercy of Chriſt now, they find it to be the very laſt, mercy that planted g…ace in their hearts, will then put the crown upon their heads; here 'twas their care to glorifie Chriſt, and to honour him though with the loſs of all, there will Chriſt glorifie them in the preſence of all the world.

2. It maketh for the cemfort of Chriſts people and members; our bleſſed hopes are founded upon the mercy of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and in his hands to diſpence them: from thence you may collect,

p. 5361. The fulneſs of this bl…ſſedneſs, and infinite merit, purchaſed it, an infinite mercy beſtoweth it: ſurely the building will be anſwerable to the foundation; 'tis no ſmall thing that we may expect from infinite mercy and infinite merit; would an Emperour give braſs farthings? do men that underſtand themſelves give vast ſums for trifles?

2. The certainty of this bleſſedneſs, Chriſt hath the managing of it; he never diſcovered any backwardneſs to thy good, nor inclination to thy ruine; he dyed for thee before thou wert born, he called thee when thou wert unworthy, warned thee of dangers which thou never fearedſt, inſtead of deſerved wrath ſhewed thee undeſerved mercy, interceedeth for thee when thou little thinkeſt of it, hath been tender of thee in the whole conduct of his providence, viſited thee in Ordinances, is mindful of thee at every turn, and will he be harſh to thee at laſt?

The laſt Note is from that clauſe [unto eternal life] The great binefit which we have by Chriſt is eternal life.

1. There is life, all that you labour for is for life, that which you prize above other things is life; Skin for skin, all that a man hath will he give for his life; That is, he will part with all things, even to his very skin to ſave his life.

2. **Called therefore a Crown of life, Rom. …. 10.'Tis an excellent life, the life of ſenſe, which is the beaſts, is better then that vegetative life which is in the plants, and the rational life which is in men, is better then thee ſenſitive, and the ſpiritual exceedeth the rational, and the glorious life the ſpiritual. Vegetative life is the vigor of the ſap, ſenſitive life is the vigor of the blood, rational life is the union of the ſoul with the body, ſpiritual life is the union of the ſoul with Chriſt, and the life of glory exceedeth that in degree, for it ſtandeth in the immediate fruition of God.

3. 'Tis an happy life, not ſubjected to the neceſſities of meat and drink, we have then ſpiritual bodies, 1 Cor. 15. 45. 'Tis not encumbered with miſeries, as the preſent life is Gen. 47. 9 'tis a life which we are never weary of; in deep diſtreſſes life it ſelf may become a burden, Elijah ſaid, Take away my li…e, 1 Kings 19. 4. but this life cannot be a burden.

p. 5374. 'Tis eternal life, this life is but a flower that is ſoon withered, a vapour that is ſoon blown over; but this is for ever and ever, as eternity increaſeth the torment of the wicked, ſo the bleſſedneſs of the godly: Well then, let this preſs you to keep your ſelves in the love of God, till this happy eſtate come about.