Thirty-One Select Sermons 2, Sermon collection · Sermon 10
Chriſts care in Glory, FOR his Churches good on Earth.
REV. 2. ver. 1.
Theſe things ſaith he who holdeth the ſeven Stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midſt of the ſeven Golden Candleſticks.
THe Works that God the Father gave his Son the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to do, are of two ſorts. They are either Acts of Miniſtery, or Acts of Majeſty: the firſt he finiſhed when he was here upon earth: For he ſaid, he had finiſhed the work given him to do: And he is aſcended up to Glory, that ſo he might perform the ſecond: (that ſo he might be both faithful to God, and merciful to you:) For though he be aſcended up into heaven as our Lord, yet he ſits in heaven ſtill as the Fathers Servant: For this Cauſe though he hath changed his place, yet he hath not changed his office: you ſhall have him therefore in this Book of the Revelations (which was indited from heaven) deſcribed ſutable to all his offices, according to the various Condition of the Church, as Brightman hath well obſerved, pro varia Conditione Eccleſiae. Brightman.He is deſcribed as the Churches Prieſt, in Chap. 1. ver. 13. He was ſeen wearing a Garment down to his Feet: In alluſion to the prieſtly Ephod, and the curious Girdle under the Law: for that I underſtand by that Veſtis talaris there, and not a deſcription of his Imputed righteouſneſs as ſome conceive it: then Chriſt though he be in glory, remains the Churches Prieſt: for he wears his Prieſtly Garments there.
And he remains ſtill the Churches King, in Chap. 4. ver. 3. I ſaw a throne, and one that ſat upon it was to look upon like to a Iaſper and a Sardix ſtone, ſpoken of Gods ruling the Church in the Perſon of his Son.
And he is deſcribed to be the Churches Leader and Commander. In Rev. 19. ver. 11, 12. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. Clothed with a veſture dipped in blood: And the Armies that were in heaven followed him upon white Horſes.
And he is deſcribed as the Churches Prophet too. In Chap. 6. ver. 7. There he is ſet forth as a Lamb that hath ſeven horns and ſeven eyes: And he came and took the Book out of the hand of him that ſat upon the throne, and opens the ſeals thereof: And therefore he it is that receives all the diſcoveries of God towards his Church; and he it is that doth diſpenſe it unto the Church. Chap 6. ver. 2. And there was given a bow and a crown, and he went forth conquering and to conquer: Spoken of Chriſts prevailing by the Preaching of the Goſpel: as he is deſcribed in Pſalm 45.4,5. So that though Chriſt hath changed his place, yet he hath not changed his office, nor his Company: while he was here on Earth, he converſed with his people, and he walks ſtill in the midſt of the Golden Candleſticks.
And to manifeſt that he was ſtill in office for his Churches good, that whatever he is, even after his aſcenſion, he is all for the Churches ſake: therefore ſhortly after he departs; he did as Princes uſe to do upon the days of their Coronation, ſpargere miſsilia, he ſcattered abroad, poured out certain extraordinary Gifts, to manifeſt that ſtill he had reſpect unto the Church: But theſe laſted but for a time; for this Cauſe after he had in his bodily preſence been abſent, yea and ſeemingly ſilent for about ſixty years (for its Generally conceived, that this book of the Revelation was penned about the latter end of the raign of Domitian the Emperour, which was ſixty years after Chriſts aſcention) now it was that he gave this Revelation unto his ſervant John, that it might be a ſtanding monument unto the Church, what his affections were, though he were now in Glory: therefore he leaves this unto them for their direction, that they might know what to expect in after Times, and what to pray for, and alſo for their Conſolation: though ſad occurrences were to come, yet the Lord lets them ſee the Event and Iſſue of all ſhould be for good.
This is the ſcope of the Lord in this propheſie; he writes in this Book of two things: The things that are, and the things that ſhall be hereafter. Among which there are ſeveral propheſies that concern the ſeven Churches of Aſia, of which, this is the firſt to the Church of Epheſus.
It may here be enquired, ſeeing there were ſo many other famous Churches in the World; the Churches of Rome, of Galatia, of Corinth, &c. to whom thoſe Epiſtles were written; how comes it to paſs, that the Lord Jeſus ſingles out only the ſeven Churches of Aſia, to write Letters from heaven to them, paſſing by all the reſt of the Churches?
There are four Reaſons I meet with among Interpreters that are given hereof.
Firſt, Becauſe Patmos (which was the Place of Iohns Baniſhment) was nearer to theſe Aſian Churches, and the Conveyance to it eaſie by the Aegean Sea; By this means being in Exile, he did indeavour to do them good, being ſhut out from the like opportunity from Churches more remote.
Secondly, Becauſe theſe Churches were in an eſpecial manner part of St Iohns Charge; for though it be true, that the Apoſtolical Authority was univerſal over all the Churches, as their care reacht to all the Churches, and was not limited to a particular Congregation, as the Miniſters of the Goſpel now is: in Acts 20.28. Attend to the flock, over which the holy Ghoſt hath made you a Biſhop; though the Apoſtles were ſent forth to all the World, yet it plainly appears from Gal. 2.9. that they did by mutual conſent divide the World among themſelves, and did every of them take a ſeveral part of the world as their more eſpecial Charge, as they that write the lives and travels of the Apoſtles do clearly ſet forth; among the reſt theſe of Aſia the leſs, are conceived to be the eſpecial part of Iohns Charge, and upon this Ground he takes eſpecial care to write to them.
Thirdly, Some conceive it was, becauſe the Lord did foreſee that of all the Gentile-Churches theſe were neereſt to Judgement and ruine, to have the Candleſtick removed from them, unleſs their repentance did prevent, and therefore he eſpecially takes Care to apply the Remedy where there was the greateſt danger in the Diſeaſe.
Fourthly, Some give a further Reaſon, making theſe ſeven Churches of Aſia, types of all the Gentile-Churches afterwards unto the end of the World: What reaſon there is out of the Text for that, I ſhall not ſpeak to: only this I am ſure of; the Lord when he bids Iohn write, he writes the things that are, which are diſtinguiſhed from thoſe that are to be hereafter; and therefore I am not to confound them: But this is moſt true, if theſe Aſian Churches were not types of all the Gentile-Churches, yet certainly they were as it were the patterns, and all the Gentile-Churches were to take warning by them, that the ſame Corruptions were as truly incident to all the reſt of the Churches, which had now overgrown them: and Iohn having opportunity to write to theſe, doth by them admoniſh all the reſt.
The words that I have now read unto you, are a Glorious deſcription of the heart of Chriſt in heaven, and of the care that Chriſt hath of his Church in Glory. It is true, that of him the whole family in heaven and earth is named, and he it is to whom Angels, Principalities and powers are made ſubject after his aſcention into Glory, 1 Pet. 3.22. He it is to whom the Providential Kingdom of God is committed; for, he hath committed all Judgement unto the Son, Joh. 5.23. But yet notwithſtanding though he takes Care of the whole providential Kingdom, yet he hath an eſpecial eye on his ſpiritual Kingdom, he doth not forget his Lambs: the Kingdom of Chriſt in this world is made up of two Parts or Branches, Officers, or Members; both which are deſcribed in the Text.
Chriſts care that he takes of officers; this he holds the Stars in his right hand: his Care of the Members, this he walks in the midſt of the Golden Candleſticks.
A ſhort expoſition I intend to give you upon this: Firſt, The Care that Chriſt takes of the Officers of the Church; and that you ſee is deſcribed thus, he holds the Stars in his right hand. Two things I muſt here explain.
Firſt, here is a deſcription of the Perſons, they are Stars.
Secondly, The act of Chriſts Care towards them, he holds them in his right hand.
Firſt, By Stars are meant the Officers of the Church. And that clearly appears from the Expoſition given by the Spirit of God in Chap. 1. ver. ult. The ſeven Stars of the Angels of the Churches: where I pray obſerve, I cannot interpret Angels ſingularly, as referring to any one kind of Officers, as ſome do: But Collectively, as referring to all the Officers of the Church. The Reaſons I ſhall hint you to, pray note them: becauſe it hath been ſome kind of Controverſie in theſe latter days.
The firſt is from the Title Angel, upon what Ground called Angel; It is a name firſt given to Chriſt, and from Chriſt derived and applyed to thoſe ſpecial Miniſters and Officers imployed under him; this I make appear from Gen. 48.15. The Angel that redeemed me from all adverſity; the Angel the Redeemer, that is his name; Called therefore the Angel of the Covenant, in Mal. 3.1. Now from hence, becauſe God intitled his Son thus, this very name doth Chriſt himſelf convey to all thoſe that are Officers under him: and that it is a name borrowed from the old Teſtament, I ſhall clearly make manifeſt: and therefore it muſt be uſed in the ſame ſenſe: In the Old Teſtament I find it applyed to all Church-Officers: to Prophets, in Haggai 1.13. Then ſpake Haggai the Angel of the Lord, in the Lords Meſſage; there he is called the Angel of the Lord: yea, all Goſpel Miniſters are ſo ſtiled. In Iob 33.23. When a mans ſoul draws nigh to the grave, and his life to the deſtroyer: that is under the guilt of his own conſcience: if there be an Angel, an interpreter: ſo you are to read it: not only Prophets neither, but Prieſts are called Angels too: So you ſhall find, Iudges 2.1. There came an Angel of the Lord from Gilgal to Bochim: a man would have thought it had been an Angel come from heaven: But it is an Angel that came frome Gilgal to Bochim: It was a Miniſter among men, as Interpreters expound it: But its ordinarily interpreted of Phineas the Prieſt: And his Meſſage drew ſuch tears from the people, that its called Bochim, the place of weeping: ſo ſome expound that place, in Eccleſ. 5.6. ſpoken againſt raſh vows: leſt they ſay before the Angel of the Lord, it is an over-ſight: the Angel of the Lord, who is that? Look to the 5. of Leviticus ver. 5. it will help you to expound that text: It was commanded of God, that all raſh Vows, the errors of them, ſhould be confeſt unto the Prieſt: therefore if the title Angel were given to all Church-Officers under the New: And cannot in reaſon be applyed to any one ſort of Officers, as ſome have done it lately to Biſhops.
The ſecond expreſſion is that of Stars, and that will evidence the thing unto you: By ſtars, in the Scripture, are meant all men of great place or power, either in State or Church: Perſons of great place and authority in the ſtate; Matth. 24.9. where the Lord deſcribing the ſad Deſolations that ſhould befall Jeruſalem, he ſaith, Stars ſhall fall from heaven: when ſome people read that place, they conceive its ſpoken of the day of Judgement, and not of the downfal of that State: theſe ſhall be brought down from their ſtate and honour; and that is the meaning of that place, Rev. 8.27. the Sun ſhall be ſmitten, and the third part of the ſtars. And its meant all perſons of great place in the Church; obſerve Dan. 8.10. from whence in all probability theſe expreſſions are taken: Antiochus waxed great over the hoſt of heaven (for ſo the Church is called) and caſt down ſome of the Stars to the ground, and trampled upon them: perſons of great place are commonly called ſtars: and the edge of the perſecution commonly turns upon them. When the Lord ſpeaks this to the comfort of his ſervants, that he holds the ſtars in his hand; it were but ſmall comfort to inferiour officers to tell them, the Lord holds the ſtars in his hand: that is great men, the higheſt officers, but not you, when as its ſpoken of them all: the Church is the hoſt of heaven, and all the officers thereof are the ſtars in Chriſts right hand: that is the firſt thing.
Secondly, What is the act of Chriſts care towards theſe? the text ſaith, he holds them in his right hand: it ſignifies two things, according to a double expreſſion in the Scripture: the right hand of Majeſty, in Heb. 1.3. and ſo Chriſt is ſaid to ſit at his right hand. The right hand of power, Luke 1.76. I conceive the latter is here intended, and to be underſtood of that power that he doth uſe in mercy to put forth, for the protection, deliverance, and preſervation of his people: hence it is that in Pſal. 20.6. all deliverance and preſervation is called the ſalvation of his right hand: Rivet.and therefore, De clementiſsima Protectione. Pſalm 22.7. he will protect them with his right hand in this life, and he will exalt them with his right hand in the life to come.
Here give me leave to hint to you four things, before I paſs from this; mark them well, for they concern you.
Firſt take notice from hence, that Church-Officers are but ſtars, and they ſhine but with a borrowed light, with a derived light; they have their light from the Sun of righteouſneſs, the fountain and the Father of lights, Mal. 4.2. they muſt be Seers before they can be Prophets; What haſt thou that thou haſt not received? take heed therefore, though its true, that one ſtar differs from another ſtar in Glory: yet let no man exalt himſelf in regard of his own light: thou art but the veſſel, and haſt no more light then the Lord is pleaſed to put into thee: and remember while the ſtars ſhine tis night; though whileſt the night laſts the ſtars are needful: whileſt we live here, even the beſt men, they walk in the dark: and therefore the moſt glorious times of the Church ſtand in need of theſe ſtars. But the day haſtens when theſe ſtars ſhall diſappear for ever, for Chriſt will put down all rule, and all authority, and power, 1 Cor. 15.28. there ſhall be no more uſe of Magiſtracy or Miniſtery for ever: But yet though the day approacheth, it is night ſtill: the greateſt light, and the moſt glorious diſcoveries of all the Miniſters in the world, cannot make day in the ſoul, or in the Church, unleſs the Sun of righteouſneſs diſcover himſelf: therefore let the people ſeek out for further direction, and get a light from Chriſt the Sun of righteouſneſs; which is a light that all the Miniſters & Officers in the world cannot impart: for all the light that they can bring in, is but ſtar-light; and they are a woful people, and diſconſolate ſouls, that only live and walk by ſtar-light all their daies.
Secondly, The ſtars are in the right hand of Chriſt, that is, at his diſpoſe; therefore ſure he appoints them their Orbs where they ſhall ſhine; he removes the ſtars as well as the Candleſtick; that expreſſion is very obſervable, in Iſa. 62. How Beautiful are the feet of thoſe upon the mountains, that bring glad tidings! What beauty is there to be ſeen in their feet! the meaning of it is, there is a beauty in the Meſſage that they bring: the Lord having made the Goſpel ambulatorie and itinerarie, that it is carried about from houſe to houſe, and from place to place, by the feet of the Miniſtery. Remember, you that enjoy the Goſpel, that ſad expreſſion in Jerem. 7.12. Go to my place in Shilo, where I ſet my name at firſt, and ſee what I did there. Why, what did God there? he forſook the Tabernacle of Shilo. Remember the ſtars are in the right hand of God, and he appoints them where they ſhall ſhine: and one of the ſaddeſt Judgements that can befall a people in this life, is for God to ſeal up the ſtars: thats Jobs expreſsion in Job 9. that they ſhall not bring out a beam of light, but the people ſhall be left in the dark continually.
Thirdly, the ſtars are in the right hand of Chriſt; then ſurely there is protection for them, and a merciful care over them; they do but loſe their labour that think either to pluck the Saints out of the right hand of God; or the ſtars out of the right hand of Chriſt. Surely he will preſerve a Miniſtery in his Church unto the end of the world; or elſe blot that text out of your Bibles, Eph. 4.12. He hath given gifts for the work of the Miniſtery, for the gathering and perfecting of the Saints until we all come, &c. Why did the Lord inſtitute the Miniſtery? For a double end: the one for the Gathering, the other for the Perfecting of the Saints: then ſo long as there are any of the Saints to be gathered: or any to be perfected, the end of the Miniſterie is not accompliſhed: God will uphold it until it hath attained the end of its inſtitution. Conſider therefore what enemies thoſe are unto the Church of God, that endeavour to remove the ſtars out of their Orb: for, its that leaves a people under pure darkneſs, and a perfect night, and therefore its the worſt and the moſt pernicious deſign that ever was ſet on foot in the world: one ſtrikes at their calling, another at their maintenance: though the truth is, the intent of the work is the ſame, the Miniſtery, whatever the deſign of the workmen may be: Well, ſuppoſe God ſhould grant your deſire, for there is a generation of men that have been long hacking at the Miniſtery: Suppoſe it ſhould be as you would have it: give me leave to tell you two things; one is, when the ſtars are darkned, in Scripture it denotes great judgements, great plagues to come upon a people; Ioel 2.10. The Sun and the Moon ſhall be darkened, and the ſtars ſhall withdraw their ſhining. But further to clear what kind of Judgement you muſt look for: and pray mark, for I ſpeak nothing but Scripture unto you: in Dan. 8.10,11,12. When the ſtars were caſt unto the ground; the text adds, The daily ſacrifices were taken away, becauſe of tranſgreſsion; caſt down truth to the ground: the daily ſacrifice, the worſhip of God; and truth, the word of God; Both will ſoon go down, if once the ſtars be caſt to the ground, and trampled on by the feet of pride.
Laſtly, take this hint from it too: Its a great judgement, not only to have the ſtars ſealed up from you: but to have the ſtars to fight againſt you: an expreſſion that you have in the 5. Judges, the ſtars in their courſes fought againſt Siſera; there is not a worſe Army can be engaged againſt a people: obſerve, Pſal. 68.12. The Lord gave his Word, and great were the number of them that publiſhed it. What follows? Kings with their Armies did Flie; It relates to the Aſcention of Chriſt; that is plain by ver. 18. thou haſt aſcended on high, &c. the Lord did give his word at his aſcention, and there were a multitude of them that publiſhed it, and by this means Kings, Armies were put to flight: they conquered by the word: there is not ſuch another way to rout Kings and their Armies: Look into the 47. of Ezek. ver 10. and you ſhall ſee, this ſhall be the glory of the laſt times: the moſt glorious and moſt flouriſhing times of the Church: And there ſhall be Fiſhers, the text ſaith: and the fiſh that ſhall be taken by them, ſhall be like the fiſh of the great Sea, exceeding many: a number of converts: take heed of the ſtars fighting againſt you, for you have need of theſe ſtars in the beſt and pureſt times. But the ſecond thing I mainly intend, the care that Chriſt takes of the body, which is deſcribed in the latter expreſſion: he walks in the midſt of the ſeven Golden Candleſticks: he takes care as well of the meaneſt Member, as of the greateſt Officer. Pſalm 45. The unction doth run down upon the s…irts of his Garment: ſo doth his protection and his proviſion alſo: to explain this, here are three things to be opened.
Why the Church is called a Candleſtick?
Why a Golden Candleſtick?
And what is it for Chriſt to walk in the middeſt of it?
Firſt, Why is the Church called a Candleſtick?
In Revel. 1. ult. The ſeven Candleſticks are the ſeven Churches: there are four notions in it, and you muſt take in all, or you will not underſtand the meaning of the Word.
Firſt, A Candleſtick hath no light in it of it ſelf, but light muſt be put into it: and therefore the Candleſtick under the Law, to which this here is an alluſion, the Prieſts were to light the Candles: a Candleſtick hath no more light then is put into it, and it muſt be continually maintained by a new ſupply of oyl, as you ſee it deſcribed in Zach. 4.11. There are Olive-trees that grow on each ſide the Candleſtick, and they drop the oyl, &c: here is no oyl prepared by the art and induſtry of men, but it is Natural Olive-oyl that doth of it ſelf drop: and therefore the ſupports and ſupplies of the Church are compared unto the rain, and unto the dew, that waits not for man, and tarries not for the Sons of men.
Secondly, The uſe of a Candleſtick is for no other end then to hold up, and hold out the light, and to this very End the Lord hath inſtituted Churches: the great Ordinance under the Goſpel is the Church, though alas, we little conſider it: now pray obſerve, the great End why God inſtituted Churches was this: that he might have a company of Saints, that might hold forth his Word, and hold up his Worſhip: and for this Cauſe, the Church is called the pillar and ground of truth: 1 Tim. 3.16. The pillar of truth, why ſo? as one well obſerves, as a pillar holds forth a Proclamation; truth that upholds the Church: but the Church holds out the Worſhip of God.
Thirdly, A Candleſtick is a thing moveable, and with the removing of the Candleſtick, you carry away the light alſo: and therefore the thing that the Lord threatens, is, that he will remove the Candleſtick out of its place; the Lord removes the Candleſtick from place to place; though the Land remain, the Church is gone, that is a dangerous Judgement: not only an immediate removing of the Ordinances, but of the Church, for which all Ordinances were appointed: the Kingdom of God ſhall be taken from them; he will call them Loammi, they ſhall be no more a people to him: the Lord will remove the Candleſtick, and the glory of the Lord ſhall depart.
Laſty, Its an alluſion unto the Candleſtick under the Law in the Tabernacle, in Exod. 25.31. which was a type of the Church of God; for all things were done unto them in types, and yet with this difference: Under the Law there was but one Candleſtick in the Tabernacle; but here are ſeven Candleſticks: what is the reaſon? there is a double Ground, and both of them Conſiderable.
Firſt, Becauſe the Church of God, under the Goſpel ſhould be of a larger extent then under the Law: and for that Cauſe happily it is, that the dimenſions of Johns City go ſo far beyond that of Ezekiels; though it be ſpoken of the ſame thing, and of the ſame time: yet Ezekiels City, that is but 4500. Cubits, and Saint Johns is twelve thouſand furlongs. A great difference; But Ezekiel ſaw it with Legal apprehenſions, he had a ſight of Goſpel-Ordinances by a darker light only: But John ſaw it with a Goſpel light, and he deſcribes the latitude and the dimenſions thereof according thereunto.
Secondly, And that is the main reaſon: there was but one Candleſtick in the Tabernacle, becauſe the Church of the Jews was but one; and though they had many Synagogues, yet they met all in one ſtem, they were united all in one ſhaft; but the Churches of the Gentiles are many, and for that Cauſe, though there was but one Candleſtick under the Law, yet there are ſeven under the Goſpel; and that is the meaning why a Candleſtick.
Secondly, Why is the Church is called a golden Candleſtick?
Upon a double Ground.
Firſt, Becauſe Gold is the pureſt mettal, and the Lord will have his Church ſuch; they ſhall differ as much from other men, as Gold doth from the common clay in the ſtreets; the Lord is very exact in every thing in the Church; he is very curious of what mettle ſuch Candleſticks be made of, and therefore it is not every ſociety or conſtitution of men that will be lookt upon as a Church to Chriſt; but when the Lord lays the Foundation of a Church, he doth it with Saphirs: Iſa. 54. Non eſt de doctrina, ſed hominibus; there is a double Foundation of Churches, as Divines do obſerve, doctrinae & perſonae; the Church is founded on doctrines, but here of perſons; the Firſt founders of which the Church is built, they muſt not be common ſtones; for if the Church become corrupt, if the Gold become Droſs, if the houſe of the Lord become an outward Court, then the Lord will take no care either to build or to meaſure it: and there is Golden Doctrines, 1 Cor. 3.12. The light that doth ſhine forth in this his Candleſtick; and then the Lord is curious with what oyl the Candleſtick is maintained; for the Lord will not have it maintained with common oyl, that Perſons may put in themſelves, but God will not delight in them; It is a ſtrange expreſſion, that in Zach. 4.12. Theſe, empty golden oyl out of themſelves: their parts, their pains, and all, it muſt be golden oyl.
Secondly, Becauſe Gold of all other mettals is the moſt precious, and of the higheſt eſteem; there is as much difference between the Church of God and other men, as there is between Gold and Dirt in the ſtreet; as between Diamonds and Pebbles in the Lords eſteem: make Iſrael a Church, and then, all the earth is mine, ſaith the Lord, but thou art my peculiar treaſure, in Exod. 19.5. they are to God above all people; the truth is, they are the firſt fruits of all the creatures; the Church is called ſo, Iames 1.18. The firſt fruits were beſt, and were dedicated to God, and they did alſo conſecrate the whole crop; you all claim a title to Church-memberſhip; look they be golden Candleſticks; the Lord hath his ſcales to weigh you, and his touchſtone to try you, and let me tell you, the leſs Gold there is in any Church, the leſs value God ſets upon it.
Thirdly, How is Chriſt ſaid to walk in the midſt of the Golden Candleſtick? It denotes a promiſe of eſpecial preſence and fellowſhip: this is the promiſe that the Lord made unto the Jews, Lev. 26.12. I will walk among you, and I will be your God, and my ſoul ſhall not abhorr you: 2 Cor. 6.16. I will dwell and walk amongſt them: it notes his preſence with them in all ways of love and Communion: for Amos 3.3. Two cannot walk together unleſs they be agreed: When God hath Communion with us, he is ſaid to walk with us; therefore we read of his goings in the Sanctuary; this then is the meaning, he affords his eſpecial preſence and Communion. Now here is an obſervation that I ſhall hint unto you.
There is a gratious preſence of Chriſt with his Church in all Church-adminiſtrations.
Two Scriptures hold forth this gloriouſly unto you; one is Pſalm 27.4. I would ſee thy beauty and glory as I have ſeen in thy ſanctuary: thy beauty, what is beauty? It is a ſymmetry and a proportion of parts: now when you look abroad on the works of God, you ſee one Attribute manifeſted in one work, and another in another: you ſee not theſe parts put together: and ſo the beauty of them doth not appear: God doth great things when he manifeſts an attribute when he would ſhew his love, he gives his Son: when he would manifeſt his mercy, he pardons ſin; ſo that in the Works of God, the Atributes of God are thus ſcattered, you cannot ſee them together. But come to the Sanctuary, and there you ſee beauty: all the Attributes of God are diſplayed there: for as Chriſt as Mediatour, is the ſtage on which all the Attributes of God are acted; for he is the Image of the Inviſible God: ſo is the Church the ſtage or ſcene on which Chriſt acts all theſe Attributes. Rev. 11. There is the ſpecial preſence and beauty of God to be ſeen there, beyond what there is in all the world beſide.
Secondly, There is the great Glory of God to be ſeen in heaven; and you ſhall find that there is a great reſemblance between his preſence in his Church and in Glory: In Heb. 12.22,23. When you read it, you will ſee but little difference between that and heaven, that you can ſcarce know it from heaven; we are come to the heavenly Jeruſalem, to the General aſſembly of the Church of the firſt-born, whoſe names are written in heaven; to God, the Iudge of all, to Ieſus the mediatour of the New Teſtament, &c. Let us compare a little the preſence of Chriſt with his Church, with that of his preſence in Glory: take the parrallel in theſe five particulars.
Firſt, Chriſt in heaven is preſent in Majeſty and Glory: It is called the throne of his Glory: and ſuch is his preſence in his Church too: And therefore obſerve it, he is ſaid to ſit upon a high Throne in the midſt of his Churches. Rev. 4.3. The name of the Church is called Iehovah Shammah, on that account, the Lord is there; Ezek. 11. Chriſt doth nowhere but in heaven diſcover ſo much of his Kingly Majeſty, as he doth in the middle of his Churches and Church-adminiſtrations: and if the Lord once take away the vail that is upon our eyes, then we ſhall be able to ſee the glorious preſence of Chriſt in Goſpel-adminiſtrations. As I remember, Iunius when he read the Scripture, and the Lord had taken the ſcales off his eyes, to fee the Majeſty of it, repente divinitatem argumenti, Scripti majeſtatem authoritatemque ſenſerim, longo intervallo omnibus eloquentiae humanae praeeuntem, horrebat Corpus, ſtupebat animus; Iunius.he ſaw a majeſty ſo far beyond all humane eloquence, that he confeſſes his ſoul ſtood amazed at it; ſo it would be to you; only there is a vail before your eyes.
Secondly, In heaven the Lord is preſent as revealing his mind and will unto his people; the Saints in heaven know the whole mind of God, concerning what ever belongs to Gods Glory or their own duty: there we ſhall know as we are known, 1 Cor. 13.12. and ſo he is preſent in the midſt of his people; In Deut. 23.3. As his Saints ſit dowe at his feet, they all receive of his words; he gives forth what his will is concerning his Glory, and their Duty: nay, look to Revel. 4.22. They ſhall ſee his face, and his name ſhall be written in their foreheads. It is not ſpoken of the Glory to come; it is new Ieruſalem that comes down from God out of heaven; and yet ſuch Glorious Diſcoveries there ſhall be of the will of God, and the mind of Chriſt unto his people, as if ſo be they ſaw Gods face in heaven; ſuch a Glorious preſence of Chriſt there is with his Churches.
Thirdly, In heaven there ſhall be a glorious and full Communication of all Grace; not only in reference to the ſecrets of his Counſel, they know his Will; but he will withold none of his graces from you; as your Communion ſhall then be perfect with him, ſo ſhall the Communication of all his grace be to you. Now you know, It is death that puts an end to ſin: mark it, it is death that puts an end to mortification; for he that is dead is free from ſin, 1 John 3.3. But it is the Beatifical viſion that perfects Sanctification, and reddit nos impeccabiles makes the ſoul impeccable, as the Schoolmen obſerve; there is a great reſemblance of this too in the Ordinances of the Goſpel, and Chriſts preſence in them. Beholding as in a Glaſs the Glory of the Lord, we are transformed into the ſame Image. 2 Cor. 3. ult. For there are before the Throne ſeven lamps of fire, and the ſeven ſpirits of God. Revel. 4,5. The Throne is Compaſſed about with a Rain bow ſignum gratiae, and it is not of many colours, but of one; to ſhew, how ſteady, and conſtant, and unchangeable, Chriſt is in his ways and diſpenſations towards his people.
Fourthly, In heaven there is convolutio animae in deum, as the Schoolmen expreſs it; the ſoul is wholly as it were reſolv'd into God: Roled & transform'd into God, that is, God wholly takes up the whole ſoul; that is all I mean: I would not be underſtood after that new fancy, that men are deified with God: But as it is ſaid of the angels, they behold the Face of your heavenly Father continually. Mat. 18.10. never look off from him to eternity: there is a glorious reſemblance of this in the Lords preſence with his Churches; their eyes are faſtned upon the Lord their eyes watch for the Lord, mere then they that watch for the morning; their ſoul is ſatisfied as with marrow and fatneſs, which is in the houſe of God; there is that ſweetneſs in the preſence of God in his Ordinances, which is next heaven it ſelf, when a man is made to drink out of the rivers of his pleaſure: ſome of Gods people can ſay ſo, one day in thy Courts is better then a thouſand elſwhere: there is a ſweeter taſt of God in Ordinances then there is anywhere in the world beſides.
Fifthly, in heaven there is the preſence of Chriſt among his Saints and Angels: if we ſhould ſee the Lord ſit upon his Throne, and all his Angels and Saints gathered together round about him, oh what a glorious preſence this were! but its ſo in all Goſpel adminiſtrations: there is not only Chrſt ſitting on his Throne in the midſt, Rev. 4.24. Elders compaſs his Throne; but then in Rev. 5.11. the text ſaith, there is a guard of Angels round about the Elders: Every time you come to worſhip God, Remember there is Chriſt upon his Throne, and Church-Officers compaſſing the Throne; and Church-members the people: and then the Angels as a guard about them. Conſider but that place in Zach. 3.7. If you will keep my waies, I will give you Galleries to walk in amongſt thoſe that ſtand by. A man ſhall be taken into fellowſhip and Communion with the Angels; then there is a glorious preſence that Chriſt affords unto his people; he walks in the midſt of the golden Candleſticks.
For the Application.
Firſt, how ſhould this command reverence in every ſoul of you when you come to have to do with any Church adminiſtrations! you do not conſider the King will come in to ſee the gueſts; you think it is but to hear a Sermon, to joyn in prayer, to go unto the Sacrament: but conſider not that you have to do there with the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is preſent in Majeſty and Glory: take heed therefore of all raſh approaches to Chriſt, and dealing raſhly in any Goſpel-inſtitution. Oh that the Lord would but ſet on this very apprehenſion on the hearts of thoſe that profeſs to fear God in the Nation, that they would take heed of raſhneſs in dealing with Church-inſtitutions! in Lev. 26.24. If you walk at adventure with me: Raſhly with me, ſo the word is many times uſed, foreign temere, ſine perſonae diſcrimine; then God will walk at an adventure with you: do not draw neer to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt at an adventure; for he is preſent at all Church-adminiſtrations; there is a ſtrange prophaneſs of heart that men ſhew in it: and uſually an haſty heart makes a raſh mouth, as Solomon ſpeaks: take heed therefore in all Church-adminiſtrations, of raſhneſs; for Chriſt is here, and he hath ſaid, you ſhall reverence my Sanctuary, for I am Jehovah: Let all be done with reverence and godly fear.
Secondly, Is there ſuch a gracious preſence of Chriſt in Goſpel adminiſtrations, labour to ſee it there, labour to have your ſouls affected with the ſpiritual preſence or abſence of Chriſt there; The Prophet Ezekiel could ſee the glory of the Lord go up from the Cherubims; but the people could ſee no ſuch thing; the Ordinances remained, and they were well pleaſed: yet though the Ordinances were not removed, the glory of the Lord was gon; and therefore have your hearts affected with this: look upon it as your great affliction, that it ſhould be with you as it was with the Diſciples after Chriſts reſurrection; the Lord appeared to them, but their eyes were with-held, they did not know him. God diſcovers himſelf gloriouſly in Church-adminiſtrations, and all the time thine eyes are with-held, and thou doſt not ſee it: I remember it was Bernards drift, and it argueth I confeſs a very holy Spirit in the man; Dico mihi (ſaith he) in languore deſiderii mei, quis amat quod non videt? moriar ut te videam: Bernard.he ſighs in the languiſhing of his deſires, and intreats God to diſcover himſelf to him: Lord, I am willing to dye, to have a further diſcovery of thy ſelf: A man ſhould come into the preſence of God, with high expectations of the beatifical viſion; and every new diſcovery will increaſ the deſire to enjoy more Communion with God; and therefore preſs the Lord with fervent prayer, as he doth in that place, De amore Dei, ca. 1. quod obiter vidi accenſo deſiderio vix patienter expecto: auferas a me manum tegentem: and the Lord can make a ſhort cut of it when he will; habet & gratiae ſapientia ſua compendia; Deſire the Lord to take that hand of his from him, that hid him from his eye; is there ſuch a preſence? be not ſatisfied until thou ſeeſt it.
Thirdly, Remember Chriſt is preſent, but he is preſent in holineſs; there is no attribute of God ſo terrible to a ſinful creature, as that of his holineſs; Juſtice and wrath are no way ſo terrible as his holineſs: and this attribute Chriſt ſhews forth in his preſence in Ordinances: this attr…bute the Angels of God in glory do admire, in the 6. of Iſaiah; and when the Saints come to worſhip, what do they caſt down their Crowns unto? unto his holineſs, Rev. 4.8. Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hoſts; It is not a vain preſence, but its a very holy preſence.
Laſtly, take notice he is preſent in jealouſie: You cannot ſerve the Lord: Why? in Joſhua 24.19. for he is a jealous God: now there is a double fruit of Gods jealouſie, and do you tremble at the hearing of it.
Firſt, if you come at an adventure with God in Church-adminiſtrations, the greateſt temporal Judgements ſhall be inflicted upon you: look to Ezekiel 10.2. The Angel of the Lord takes fire of the Altar, and ſcatters over the City; the Jews thought that the fire of the Altar did tend to nothing but to expiate their ſin: no, ſaith God, it ſhall burn the City to; no fire burns as coals of Juniper, like that fire.
Secondly, if the Lord ſpare you in temporal judgements, he will pour out ſpiritual judgements. I only put you in mind of one place of Scripture, in Ezekiel 47.11. But the myrie and the mariſh places thereof, they ſhall not be healed, they ſhall be given to ſalt: What is the meaning of it? here is waters of Doctrine and Grace iſſue out of the Sanctuary: wherever theſe come, there is glorious healing: but there ſhall be under theſe Ordinances, myrie and mariſh places, where the water ſtandeth; new plagues ſhall light upon theſe places, they ſhall be given to ſalt: they ſhall be delivered over to perperual barrenneſs: let never fruit grow upon that ſoul, nor that people more; theſe are the ſpiritual Judgements that God will pour out upon thoſe that walk at an adventure with Chriſt in Goſpel adminiſtrations: for there is a glorious preſence of Chriſt in them; he walks in the midſt of the ſeven golden Candleſticks. So much for a brief Explication of this portion of Scripture.