Section 21
Exhortation. Be all of you persuaded to become the Lord's, by a sincere dedication of yourselves to him.
Acknowledge that right he has to each of you ; at the judgment-seat of Christ, every tongue sliall confess to God,** i. e. to Christ, who is God, unless Isa. xlv. 23. be spoke of some others besides the true God. If you are among those who are devoted to Christ, you will confess as they, v. 24, 25. In the Lord we have righteousness and strength, in him we glory ; but if unbelievers, you shall be ir«/iiziiifrfthat you were so tnren#e«f against him, as to deny to come and yield up yourselves to him; this you shall confess to be injustice towards him, and destnictive to yourselves. He now puts in his claim, that by your consent you may become his for your own benefit. What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God,* was what better became the devils to say, than you ; for he invites you; your salvation depends on him entirely; and it is possible to be obtained for his sake; nay, it is certain to all, who will yield up themselves to their blessed Lord.
Motive 1. For this end he died and rose again, and revived, that he might be Lord of the dead and living.'
He has not only a claim to you as your Creator,* but as your Redeemer too. You are bought with a price, and that no less than his precious blood; to offer up yourselves to him, is your reasonable service ;^ he might well expect, when bleeding on the cross, that he should draw all men to him ;* for what ene-
■ Jobn xiv. 3, & at Then. iv. 14. b Rom. viii. 11.
Phil. iii. 81. d Rom. xiv. 10, II. • Matt viit. 99.
f Rom. xiv. a r 2 Pet. ii. I.
b Rom. xii. I. 1 Johu xii. 33.
A FUNERAL SERMON,
mies coald be so anconqaered by his love, as rather die by their woands than come to him to be healed? He merited a propriety in yoa by his death; he is risen, and entereth his claim; he is alive, to observe how it is received, and has all power in heaven and earth, to avenge himself on sach as reject him, as well as to confer all his blessings on those who accept his offer, by dedicating themselves to him. O bethink you, whose are you, if yon be not the Lord's ? it is an usurper, even the devil, who possessetb yon.
Motive 2. You comply not with the chief design of the gospel, unless you become the Lord's.
The gospel is an invitation of sinners to Christ; and all that is recorded therein, tends to incline men to be the Lord's. What is hl Mtorically declared of Christ, the account given of the Spirit's operations, the promises, and threatenings, all concur to prevail with men to yield up themselves to him. What is mentioned of the evil of sin, the misery of sinners, the dangers, weakness, and emptiness of self, the vanity of the world, the wiles and cruelty of devils; all this is to bring us to renounce these, as competitors with Christ for our affections and choice.
No minister can think his labours are effectual, till he can say, / have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you a chaste virgin to Christ,^ All the authority of the gospel, all its directions, all its allurements, encouragements, and helps, are not only in vain to such as refuse to be the Lord's, but they will aggravate iheir condemnation, and expose them to the sorer punishments. This Jesus will come in flaming fire, to tahe vengeance on them who obey not the gospeU Flatter not yourselves by any impressions the word has made upon you, or by the hopes you have gathered from it; for unless it has prevailed with you to give your hearty consent to be the Lord's, it has had no saving effects upon you. That is its chief intention, for that it is adapted, and its design is not fully answered, till every thought and imagiiwtidn be brought to obedience to Christ,"*
Motive 3. To be the Lord's, includes the highest honour and felicity.
The godly are pleased with the title of being his servants, and oft mention it as their honour. But if 3'on will be the Lord's, yon shall not only be his servants, but his peculiar people, his friends and favourites, his brethren, joint heirs with him, his temple, his spouse, the members of his body, and his heritage,^ Our Lord Jesus declares all these concerning every true believer. He fills up every relation to the extent of it; and must you not admire his condescending goodness, in inviting such as you into such relations. What honour, what safety*, what power, what riches, what happiness, must any one of these contain! what then must all of them together include ? To be his, that is, to be his in all k 9 Cor. xi. a. 19 Then. i. 8. m 9 Ccnr. x, 5.
Rom. Tiii. 17. » Matt. xvi. 84.
these respects, connotes a happiness not to be expressed by fewer terms. Look back to what 1 }&n said of the Lord's concern for his in life; bov pre. clous their death is to him, and how he deals will them dying and dead; and will yoa not find evit fit to draw you to him, or enongh to co Dviiiee m what enemies you must be to yourselves, as veil as to him, as long as it is your resolve, WewillmBttm unto thee, I reserve another exhortation, as proper to the next head, as well as to this.
Observe, II. All true believers evidence their bdet the Lord's by living and dying to him.
This is the duty of every man, but it is the pete-liar character of saints, they live and die to lb* Lord; it is the best and most undonbted eridesK of their being the Lord's that tbey can give; bs will it be proved by any thing without this, i!! saving acts suppose our being the liord's, and ut comprehended in living and dying to At«.
Self is excluded in both, v. 7. None ef wt lirta to himself, no man dieth to himseif. Self is tk great rival with Christ, and therefore to denii w-selves ° is made one of the first conditions of wst s becoming the disciples of Christ. Man bj ^ apostasy set up carnal self as*his chief end, lU supreme ruler; his own humour, his own will.bij own honour, yea, his belly, are to him his G^' Therefore till self be renounced we cannot becon)^ the Lord's, nor live or die to him.
Quest. 1. Wherein do believers live unto tbe Lord?
Ans. 1. In general they live to the Lord, vbe: throughout their lives they act for Christ and towanb him, as they who are his in life. The coarse vd tenor of their lives must express a true acknov-ledgment of his propriety in their persons and aB their endowments; and this not by starts, but as tfce scope of their lives; not for a short time at first, bst as long as life shall continue. St. Paul sonis i up in these words. To me to live is Christ.^ Me particularly,
(1.) They live and act in subjection to his aotbo-rity as their Lord. You heard that the Lord has tk supreme right to govern them; this believers confess, by their obediential regards to him; tbey ▼>& as he commandeth them; and put tacety none (f b statutes from themJ What he prohibits tbey for* bear, what he enjoineth they acoonnt themsdn; obliged to perform, and to exercise sincere repot-ance, when they fail in either of these. Tbcir solicitous inquiry is. Lord, what wilt tkouhastmitf do?* This they impartially study, with a sincere pa pose to observe it against all the motions of ihea lusts, and without respect to their secular mtere His word they esteem a sufficient warnat, tboaf:^ pPhlLiii. 19. r Pa. znli. 99.
PhiL i. 21. ■ Acts ix. &
BY DR. WILLIAMS.
1297 many censore tbem; nor can the greatest powers make them forbear to do what the Lord enjoins, or comply with nsages he has not warranted them to impose; for they are at a point/ whether they shall obey the almighty God, or feeble mortals. If men assume to prescribe rules in matters the Lord hath reserved to himself, they dare not follow them ; bat from a loyal regard to him, they reject all haman inventions in the worship of God, and sacred ministrations of his house.
(2.) They live to his glory, as their great end.
The glory of Christ is their governing end; this they propose in their undertakings; they contrive and pursue the best means to exalt his name," and carefully avoid what would be a dishonour to him. So he be glorified by what they do, they are contented to want the praise of it, yea, to be despised; and therefore are most solicitous after considerable performances, to observe whether Christ is exalted thereby, and not how they are applauded. As the Lord is greatest in their eye, so they contribute what they can to render him excellent in the esteem of others, and are grieved when any treat his name, his word, or his image, with contempt
To him they ascribe the praise of all their gifts and graces, and of all their benefits and blessings; whenever they find any good effect of their labours, they humbly confess, that herein Chritt has wrought with me; and glory through Christ Jesus, in those things which pertain to God.^ Believers strive to be what they account the highest character a man is capable of, viz. the glory of Christ.^ Not that they think they can make him more glorious in himself, but they desire his own glory may shine forth in more illustrious instances, and that they may discern it as far as he is pleased to manifest it, and may discover it to others in all the ways he has appointed for that purpose; and among the rest, that his perfections may, as in a mirror, shine forth in their Christian temper, labours, and behaviour. What pleasure was it to the apostle to be assured, Christ shall be magnified in mg body, whether it he by life or by death.*
(3.) They serve his interest with faithfulness and diligence, as the chief basiness of life. They impartially desire to know it, they heartily espouse it as a trust committed to them; it is just and honourable in their judgment, even when despised and condemned by the great and learned. This lies near their heart, as their great concern, whoever are unconcerned. They dare not deny or betray it, whatever hardships they are exposed to by their faithful adherence; nor will they neglect it even when the defence and propagation of it require the greatest application of mind, the hardest labours, the largest t Acts V. 80. n 8 Cor. vlii. 19. ▼ Rom. xv. 17,16.
w 2 Cor. viii. 33. % Phil. i. aa j Acta xxviL 33.
Col ill: 84. • 1 Thes if. 10.
expense, the severest self-denial, and very manifest peril of both losing the best friends, and undergoing the wrath of the most powerful enemies.
Such as are his owe him all service. The angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, stood by me J Not to serve him at all times, and in all things, directly or indirectly, is defrauding him of his right. But though in all acts of obedience in every station, and doing what prepares us for his service, we are serving the Lord,* and especially in all acts of religious worship, nevertheless an eminent part of this service consists in being witnesses and agents for him in the world.* If we neglect this, we live not to him but to ourselves.
The interest of our Lord is too glorious to make us ashamed, afraid, or backward to promote it to our utmost; for the design he is carrying on, and the purposes to be served by us, are what become his wisdom, holiness, and goodness, and they are conducive to the good of men, as well as glorious to himself. If you ask. What of this kind is it wherein yon must be active ? I answer. You must resist sin and destroy the works pf the devil, as far as your station admits; with all your might promote reformation of manners, the welfare of mankind, the purity of worship, a godly discipline, the conversion of sinners, the edification and comfort of saints and peace among all such as call on the name of the Lord. Again, propagate the gospel for the knowledge of Christ, and the salvation of sinners, and defend the faith of the gospel against popery and all damnable errors. In a word, enlarge and advance the kingdom of our dear Lord to the extent of your ability.
(4.) They approve themselves to him, and study to please him from day to day. They are under the influence of that rule. Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.^ They appeal to him for their sincerity, when censured; they are satisfied with his approbation of what they perform, and are not free from doubts of the truth of their graces, till they can appeal to him as St Peter Lord, thou hnowest all things, thou hnowest tltat 1 love thee.^
The same care they tahe to walh worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing /* they avoid what may grieve his Holy Spirit, who is their only Comforter. They are ready to communicate to his necessitous ministers, and relieve his poor, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased,* Every duty and good work they endeavour to perform acceptably to God,' and to stand on good terms with him, whoever are displeased ; as knowing, if they pleased men they should not be the servants of Christ,^ for he justly claimeth, that our doctrine and actions should not be directed b Col. iii. 33. d Col. i. 10. f Heb. xii. la e John xxi. 17.
• Phil.iv. ra Heb. xiii. IS.
t Gal. i. 10. 4 o
A FUNERAL SERMON,
to be acceptable to men, farther than as they please bim, by a conformity to bis declared will. And this is wisdom for oarsclves; for he hath the disposal of all that concerns oar welfare in both worlds.
fd.) They are well contented with his disposal of all the circumstances of life.
They refer themselves to him to choose their lot, and acquiesce fully in his determination, as persuaded he knows what is best for them, and most conducive to his own blessed purposes; to subserve which they are devoted, and every way obliged. They have learnt in every state to be content.^ What condition, work, and station he appoints, they submit to without repining; and labour to accommodate themselves to it, so as to answer the ends of God in that disposition of their affairs. It is their care to improve the advantages, watch against the temptations, perform the duties, and exercise the graces, proper and peculiar to that condition wherein they are placed. They dare not attempt a change of their station, but under his conduct; and are more solicitous to acquit themselves well in a present mean condition, than to get it altered. If sickness, poverty, afflictive relations, or reproach, be their trial, by the hand of an unoffended God, every word of his supports them. If they are culpably accessories, they submissively accept their punishment, and rest not till a pardon frees them from guilt, which is the bitterest part of their exercise.
But the worst things that they endure for the Lord's sahe^^ they can glory and rejoice in, as what will work for their good in this life, and add an exceeding weight of glory in the life to come.^
(6.) They labour to clear their interest in him, and to grow up into him, as the greatest end of life next to the glory of God.
All believers have a covenant interest in Christ, but many of them doubt about it: they who have some good hope, want a full assurance; they who have this, enjoy it not alway. The most blessed comfort, next to a saving interest in Christ, is an uninterrupted full assurance of it. This they, who live to the Lord, strive to obtain, by an exact walk, eminent service, willingly suffering for the cause of Christ, constant, intimate communion with God, growth in grace; and by the lively actings of love to Christ, and of faith in him, and in the gospel constitution and promises. This is what Patd was so intent upon, to be found in Christy and to win Christ,^ He had an interest in him, he had accounted all as loss for him; yea, he had attained assurance, for he rejoiced in him. What then he was still intent upon, and pursued, is either a constant assurance well established, and more strengthened, or a further growth into Christ, with a fuller conformity to him, or both.
f — h Phil. iv. la. i Rom. viil. 96. k a Cor. iv. 17. i Phil. iU. 7, 8. B Col. i. ,97. B Phil. 111. 15. o Eph. iv. 13. 1ft.
All believers are in Christ; Christ in them, if kt Spirit and image, ti the hope of glory,^ They are all new creaturee but some are weak, others stroofcr: all have some degree of conformity to Cbdst, bit some have less of his image. Spirit, life, and power; others have more. But they who have m> of tbe«. are still pressing after farther degrees. Theyforfft the things that are behind, and reark forth to llmt things that are before.* They woald grow up isir him in all things which is the bead, even Christ; they propose no less than to come to a perfect nn.' onto the measure of the statare of the fulness of Christ. For this they pray, and go from one ordinance to another. They endeavonr to derive inoit virtue from Christ; they desire the most transfom ing sight of him, that they may he ekemged fnm glory to glory.P They thirst for snch commontca-tions, as that they may find ail of Christ's image, h the whole of them.
Thus I have shown what it is to live to the LorH. All believers do live thus in some measure: to rooe up to the full of it is our duty, and happiest are they who come nearest to this description.
Quest. 2. In what respect do believers die to tlir Lord?
Ans. 1. They are resigned to him as to the tiiae and way of dying. They will ir*iV iiU their rhen eome*^ how bitter soever their lives may be; and with Simeon J receive God's ditmistion and reiettr. before they die. But when he sends the messaof death, they receive it, whatever age they are of, acd dare not fret at the manner or means by which God will have them die. How composedly does St. Prtr speak of his approaching death. Knowing that shorih I must put off my tabernacle, even as the Lord Jem has showed me.* Was this to be by an easy « natural death? No. Christ had showed him, (hat lie should be bound,* and forced to die on a crest. which was a shameful, painful death.
Ans. 2. They willingly die for the Lord's name and cause, when he calls them to it.
Every believer is a martyr in purpose and resolution. The Lord is pleased to call some out to resist unto blood, and sacrifice their lives in the honour of his name. Such loved not their Ores unta tke death."* Innumerable are the witnesses, vrhose blood was shed by heathen and popish idolaters. Aad still there remain many, who say, in the strength of Christ, Neither bonds nor afflictions snore we, meitker count I my life dear to myself so that I vnayfinxtk my course with joy.^ A life is justly and profitablr laid out by dying for Christ
Ans. 3. They apply themselves to him as thdr Judge, upon the approach of deatk.
When we see death before our eyes, we know vp are near the judgment-seat of Christ, (or what 15 p 2 Cor ill. 18. 4 Job xiv. 14. r Luke ii. 19. • I PcL i li t John xzi. 18. «Rev. xii. II. ▼ Acta xx. Si.
BY DR. WILLIAMS.
1299 equivalent) the sentence we must expect from liis tnouth, which shall determine our state for ever, for be is to be our Jndie. The favourable opinion, or rash censures, of men, sifinify nothing; nay, our own apprehensions and sentence will not be decisive in this important case; but he that judgethme is the Lord^^ therefore believers apply to him, that he ivould prepare them, that he would undertake their cause as their advocate, as well as judge; and that lie would so work in them, and so assist them to finish their course, that they may, by the testimony of bis Spirit, have ground to say. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteons Judge, shall give me at that day,*
Ans. 4. They long for death, that they may go to him, and he for ever with him.
It is not love to the world, nor a mere natural aversion to death, nor a fondness of a present life, that must hinder any true Christian from saying, with Paxdy I desire to depart, and to he with Christ, which is far better J No, it is a suspicion of their state, the awfulness of judgment and eternity, and the weakness of their faith, which do represent death as undesirable. If the Spirit of God set them right in all these things, death must appear amiable, for it opens the prison doors, and sets them in the way to behold the glory of their Lord, to whom they are so obliged; and enjoy him without interruption, to whom their hearts cleave with ardent love. As terrible as death is to nature, they cannot but embrace it, as it lets them into the full possession of all their Lord has purchased for them; the very hopes whereof yielded them more joy than all this world could give. Such things make them judge, that to die is gain,* and therefore to be coveted by them.
Ans. 5. They leave a good testimony for him, when their death is near.
They are far from repenting of any service done lo him ; they wish it had been greater. They regret lot the heaviest sufiering they had endured, but are tljankful that they were enabled to bear it; esteem-iig it a benefit that was given them * to suffer for him. Ihey have such experiments of his conduct and asistance in distresses; they have found such constant instances of his faithfulness and power, that they can without anxiety pass into the endless state. / inow whom I have believed, and I am persuaded thai he is able to heep that which I have committed to him against that dag.^ Paul knew the importance of what he deposited in the hands of Christ, a soul capible of the greatest happiness or misery, and this 10 be determined in the day of death, and published at the judgment day. Nevertheless, he was cheerful, and his mind at quiet, on the very borders of eternity ; but that none might accuse him of inf 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. > Phil. 1. 21.
s 3 Tim. iv. & J Phil. i. 23.
• Phil. i. 20.
discretion, he tells you, the ground of his confidence was the acquaintance he had with Christ, by experiments, wherein any one besides this Lord had failed him; and so leaves it upon record, that the Lord had manifested his kindness, faithfulness, and truth to him, in the whole course of his warfare: he had so discharged the trust he had committed to him from his first conversion, that he is not ashamed of his labours or sufferings, and has no doubt concerning him, as to what concerned his perseverance in death, and his welfare in the proceedings at judgment I might instance in Poly carp, and many others, who left a glorious testimony for Christ as a good master, and fit to recommend his service to all survivors
Ans. 6. They believingly commit their departing souls to him for their final happiness. They itoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,^ He knew his intelligent rational part must subsist after death; this was the man, and though of dignity far superior to the body, yet it was incapable to conduct, defend, or adapt itself to that world of spirits, upon which he was entering. He therefore puts himself into the hands oftlesus Christ, not doubting his willingness to receive him, or his fitness to discharge his undertaking. He was persuaded that if he received it, he would wash it from all its filth,^ supply all its wants, make up all its defects, answer for all its faults, secure it against all its enemies, enlarge all its capacities, and replenish them to their utmost extent. Happy souls! thus lodged with him, who fully knows that state, of which we are so ignorant; and has the entire disposal of all that good which can make us happy there: He saves to the uttermost
Exhortation, Resolve to live to the Lord; and see that you maintain and exercise that resolution.
This is your duty and your interest too: a life thus spent will yield comfortable reflections upon a death-bed. This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in this worldJ But see that your purpose extend to all the six particulars, wherein I have described wherein believers live to the Lord.
But 1 must consider this duty with some special respect to the context. There you will find, that the Holy Ghost calleth you to live to the Lord; more particularly,
1. In a strict adherence to his rules in the matters of religion.
2. In a Christian behaviour towards his servants who differ from you in lesser matters. Therefore,
1. Live to the Lord by a strict adherence to his rules in the matters of religion. It is his prerogative b 2 Tim. i. 12. e Acts vii. 50. d Eph. v. 27.
• Heb. vii. 25. r 2 Cor. i. 12.
A FUNERAL S£RMON,
to appoint rales Id this; for none bat he knows what he win accept as worship, or what he will use as means which shall be blessed by him to spiritaal benefit, and he is most jealoas in things of this kind.
We find in this chapter the following directions about this matter:
(I.) Place not religion in things indifierent, v. 17. The kingdom of God is not meal and drink; but riffhteoutnett, and peace, and joy, in the Holy Ghost, Men by not obeying this rule, abridge themselves as to their spiritual liberty; they are tormented with scruples, spend their time and zeal about trifles, which profit not, and neglect to mind what is accepted with God, and conducive to salvation. They who are hot for ceremonies, seldom mind the substance of religion.
(2.) Sincerely endeavour to get thy conscience rightly instructed in the mind of God; pray, and study his word, to find out what he enjoins and forbids, and what he allows as indifierent, v. 14. / am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself,
(d.) Admit no man to prescribe to thee in matters of religion, further than they show God's warrant. In this, the Lord is thy only master, and thou art his servant only; and not the servant of any one on earth. Therefore, If thou keep a day, keep it to the Lord, and if thou keep it not, let thy forbearance be because he has not appointed thee to keep it, v. 4,6.
(4.) Be well persuaded in thy own mind as to every thing thou accountest to be sin or duty, that thou apprehendest it to be so, by divine direction, V. 1. One believeth that he may eat all things, another eateth herbs. And, v. 5. Let every man be fully per-suaded in his own mind, i, e, of the lawfulness of it by God's word.
(6.) Be true to thy conscience, and do nothing doubtingly, for the sake of any man, v. 22, 23. He that doubteth, is damned if he eat, because lie eateth not of faith; for what is not of faith, is sin.
These comprehend much of that rule by which the apostle declares, that he and others lived to the Lord; it is incumbent on you to follow their steps; for he is your Lord as well as theirs, and he will be your Judge, In this, therefore, be faithful; and what matter is it who condemns yon ? for he is sure to justify you, and approve of your practice. Men may reproach, imprison, take away your estates and lives too, for not obeying them, against this his declared will: but obedience to him will give you inward peace; and your Lord is sure to reward your fidelity with a hundred-fold mote in this life, than you can lose by it, and in the world to come eternal life,' Loyalty to Christ will be found more gainful, than ail the preferments you can get by will-worship, and compliances with human inventions.
t Mark z 29, 30.
h 1 Cor. it. 6.
A day is near, when this Lord wbom yoo serrc will publicly applaadyoa. He will saj, Wdlim, good and faithful servants, who woald not violate mj laws, nor act against conscience to please the great, est, or to gain the pomp, the riches, or power, vbkh your base compliance might have procured. Itvas to me you my ministers did live, when yon refosed such conditions of your ministry, as I appointed dol To me you lived, in executing your office when mien forbade you. I will ratify your administialioiis, which the profane accused as nullities. To all tb« faithful members of bis churches, he will say. To us you lived, when you adhered to mj ministers, «b& were rejected because they durst not submit to sinful terms; well done yon, who concurred with tbe in attempts for reformation, and kept yont garmeui clean, in a time of common degeneracy and revolt It was for me you became subject to calumnies, afid branded as incapable of civil offices. For it w«s my cause you espoused, when you adhered to a pore worship, and refused to acknowledge that men had right to impose any terms of the communicHi of saints, which I had not appointed. His commen dations may well encourage you to perse Tcre, for they will be attended with a crown of glory, and ravisb* ing pleasures for evermore.
2. Live to the Lord, by a Christian behaviour towards the servants of Christ, who differ from joa in lesser matters. The apostle distinguisheth Christians here as strong and weak. The strong (eb«-where called T<X»m;) were such as understood their liberty by the gospel from the Mosaic ceremonies and rites. These were free to eat any wholesome food, and to omit the Jewish festivals, r. 2,6. The weak were such as scrupled to eat flesh npos the principles of Pythagoras, or did forbear meats offered to idols. Many also of the Jews apprehended that Moses*s laws,^ which prohibited soae meats, and enjoined the observation of certain </<yi and months were not abrogated. The strong despised the weak as ignorant; the weak judged tbe strong as profane and ungodly; both quarrelled, aoc* would force him, who dififered, to comply with hi own usages, and do as himself practised.
You find here many directions as to our bchavioir in this case.
(1.) Own such to be his servants, as appear so q the judgment of charity. He is thy brother, v, (i God has received him whom yoo judge, yea, he sfsH be holden up, v. 4.
(2.) Neither despise nor judge those that diffe ia such matters, v. 3.
(3.) Do not offend or grieve them, much le impose on them a compliance with you against Jicir consciences, v, 13. But judge this rather, that namef put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, it ^^f
«I Cor. vili. 7.
k Col. ii. IS, 33.
BY BR. WILLIAMS.
1301 tker's way, v. 16. If thy brother be grieved with tneai, now walkest thou not eharitahly, destroy not i with thy meat, for whom Christ died. If we St forbear the use of our liberty in lawful things,^ t the good opiuion they have of our goodness, or ter judgment, induce them to act against their (sciences, and so destroy themselves; surely the ument is much stronger against compelling them do so by any penalties; as loss of place or alleges, times. &c.
?he arguments are strong, by which these direc-is are enforced, yiz. Christ is our only Lord, and allows no man to possess his throne, either to 30se on conscience, or to judge men's state. To I they and you are accountable, v. 4, 11. Again, s from a dutiful regard to the Lord^^^ they are upulous, and act by their light, v. yea, the rd may serve very good purposes by their differ-light and practice in those lower matters. 4.) Follow the things that mahefor peace, and things trewith we may edify one another, v. 19. This aid both restrain from hurting each other, and d to common benefit He is wiser than the )stle, that under our present imperfections expects unifortnity, by another rule than that, viz. Whereto have attained let us walk by the same rule; and if my thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal n this to you.*^
'. shall, from the connexion of the words, and to ply what I have said of dying in the Lord,
Observe, III. They who live to the Lord shall die the Lord, and be found to be his for their endless icity.
rhough in the former observations I began with last clause, viz, living and dying we are the rd's, yet the conjunction may import, that because live and die to the Lord, we shall be the Lord's ing and dying; and as we shall be his both living i dying, so, as we live to him (which is what itb depends on) we shall also die to him, as far that expresseth our comfort and benefit by death, which I have spoken at large. Exhortation 1. Be the Lord's in life, if you would bis at death. The state of men at death, is what Fas at the end of life. Accept, therefore, of his ^rs at present, for now is the accepted time ;" now invites and pleads, this is the time of espousals, you reject him whilst this life continues, it is in n to think you can ever be joined to the Lord, ere will be no further overtures made, death will >i you up under an eternal separation from the rd, other than as he will be thy Judge, and an ;nger of thy contemptuous refusals of him. Exhortation 2. Live to the Lord, if you desire to «to the Lord, for your eternal advantage.
11 Cor. f iii.
Phil. ill. la, l&
B 3 Cor. vl. 2.
All of you must die, it is appointed.^ You shall die when, and where, and how the Lord pleaseth, whether you consent or not. But would you find death unstung, and friendly? Would yon have Christ receive your departing souls, to fit them for, amd admit them into, the heavenly mansions? Would you find it a release from all that is grievous, and to be a joyful entrance into the everlasting kingdom of your Saviour ?f Then live unto the Lord. These are inseparably joined by the gospel constitution. O ask then, to whom do yon live, is it to God or the devil ? After what do you walk, is it after the flesh or the Spirit? This is your seed-time; If you sow to the Spirit, you shall reap life everlasting: if you sow to the flesh, you shall of the flesh reap corruption. It is high time the youngest of you should begin to live to the Lord, for you may die in youth. It is truest wisdom in any of you who have begun, to hold on to the end: for a life spent to the Lord, will at death end in happiness to yourselves, and great comfort to your godly friends.
This may afford some allay to our grief, when we reflect on the very afflictive occasion of our present meeting, viz. the death of the reverend, laborious, and useful Mr. Matthew Henry. I could not have chosen a fitter text, for it was eminently exemplified in him. Few ministers so acknowledged Christ's propriety in them, much fewer arrived to an equal degree of activity in the Lord's service.
He was the son of two eminent saints, who were the glory of Christ in their day; and their character has eminently survived in his life and temper, as in the account of their lives which he published. As they took more than ordinary pains in his education when young, so they received the highest pleasure in his probity and usefulness in their aged years. Nor did God give a testimony to their pious care in making it successful to him alone; but gave them the comfort of seeing all their grown children walking in their integrity.
God, to whom ail his works are known from the be-ginningr oft lays a foundation for the service he designs, by fitting persons from the womb, as to constitution and genius, in great variety; as we see in St. Paul, Luther, Melanethon, &c. in like manner, having determined to do great things by our deceased brother, gave him a very strong body, without which his labours had wasted him in his youth : he also framed the organs of speech to the advan tage of his public performances; his fancy was lively, his memory retentive, and his judgment solid.
Such a natural capacity rendered him capable of uncommon improvements, and being cultivated at home, and at the Reverend Mr. Doolittle's, he soon signalized himself in all the useful parts of learning proper to his designed employment, which was the e Heb. IX. ST.
A FUNERAL SERMON,
mi Distry. HaviDg finished tliose preparatory stadies, and apprehending that the knowledge of the laws might contribute to more distinct conceptions of some subjects and terms in theology, he applied himself for some time to that study, and made good use of that knowledge in several of his composures.
After he had attained what he proposed to himself in the Inns of Covrt, he set himself toward entering upon the ministerial work, though in a time of persecution ! He preferred this to all other employs, because (as himself oft suggested) the work was more pleasant, the subject which still employed the mind, more helpful to promote a heavenly life, and the power of religion in his own heart; it gave the best opportunity of serving Christ in his greatest designs on earth, and of benefiting mankind in what most concerned them, viz. the salvation of their souls.
In order to his undertaking this work, he impartially studied the controversy between the established church and the dissenters, and upon the maturest thoughts, he chose to be a presbyterian minister, being fully persuaded, the cause of Christ, in the matters debated, was in their hands, and for this, resolved to embark with them, notwithstanding the reproach and hardships to which he might be exposed; for it was not earth, but heaven, to which he directed his course. Yet, with his non-conformity, he highly esteemed all pious conformists, and kept up a Christian charity towards such as difiered from him.
Upon the evidence of his eminent gifts and graces, with a strong propension to discharge the duties, and promote the blessed ends, of that sacred office, he was regularly invested in it by fasting and prayer, and the imposition of the hands of presbyters.
He always accounted the work of the ministry the most honourable employment; and was to his death a singular honour to it, by his unwearied diligence and exemplary conversation. From his undertaking the service of Christ in this function, the bminess of his life was, both to improve in meetness for it, and to fulfil the ministry he had received of the Lord. His profiting appeared to all, by being able on the sudden to perform so well upon any subject, and thereby he commended the close study of the Scriptures ; for the whole Bible being fixed in his head, (as well as heart) facilitated his work on all occasions. Can the most invidious point to the man alive, of whom it can be more justly said, He laboured much in the Lord. .If you consider how oft he preached, you must wonder how he could write so much. But if you reckon how many books he printed, could you imagine he preached so frequently ? What time must be laid out in the five volumes on the Bible, besides many other valuable books and printed sermons!
Whilst he continued pastor in Chester, which was two-and-twenty years, be filled up that station with service on Lord's days and week days: besides this, he laid out himself in the adjacent (bounties, as one who had upon him the care of all the cfaurcbes. How frequently did he preach seven or eight tlme a week!
Since his transplanting to this place, be spent himself here and in the city, as if his strength were miraculously supplied to do much, upon a foresi«^bt that his time was short. And of this he seemed to have some presages, when he assigned it as aa apology to a godly person who cautioned him against overdoing; and truly siroe such impulse was the best reason be had to give.
Great was his acceptance, though his lot was to be in an a^^herein the office is so despised, that the same ^mlifications which commend all others can scarce preserve a minister from contempt. Bat Providence peculiarly smiled on our brother in this respect, though he neither courted applause, nor sought his worldly interest by flattery, or other unbecoming methods. What gave him esteem were his integrity, afiableness, the triumph of grace over his passions, forwardness to speak well of all and ill of none, savoury discourses readily fitted to all occasions, useful and unwearied labours, and a readiness to serve all, with a pleasant acknowledgment of what endowments or success any others were blessed with. By these means the places were full where he was employed, persons of all denominations greatly afl*ccted him, and his surprising death is the subject of universal mourning.
All must acknowledge the aptitude of his performances to common benefit Thus he studied, and accommodated his labours to persons of all ages. Young ones he catechised in a way that cxceedingij conduced to give light, and beget an affection for gospel truths. Early religion he warmly pressed, and meltingly invited youth to close with Christ Jesus. Such as were converted, he laboured to improve to higher degrees of grace, and an exacter walking. For this end he published tracts, wherein most of the heads of practical religion are treated of with that judgment, as shows his acquaintance with the power of godliness and the hearts of men. His words were decent, though familiar, and his proverbial sentences were contrived to aflfect, and retain in the memory some important truth. If it be objected that he oft made use of Scnptare phrases allusively, rather than in their proper sense, yet it must be granted, some pious things were ever gravely expressed by those words; and I think, that from his being so very conversant in Scripture words, they first presented themselves to bis mind, when the matter he treated of would be aptly expressed thereby.
Whether he prayed or preached, it was with such a fervour, as declared his heart was in it, and that
BY DR. WILLIAMS.
1303 sras employed thereio from the vigorous actings his faith and love.
Ls he earnestly implored the presence of God for cess, so through bis blessing he found it granted a signal manner. Many, very many, were con-ted and edified by his ministerial labours. These now his crown.
is the person whom God Aa# taken away with troke, and so iuddenly as not to allow us time to ly for his life. You can bear him no more, nor see 1 any more, till the general assembly. He is cut (at the age of fifty-two) when ripest for service, ^eed I call you to lament this loss; a loss so ;at, that I cannot aggravate it; so extensive, that carce know where to begin or end. A tender wife i lost a faithful aifectionate husband, filling op it relation to all good purposes. Hopeful children prived of the kindest of fathers; one concerned see Christ formed in them, and fitted to promote ;ir welfare in every respect. Yon, hie people, are reaved of a faithful, profitable pastor, whose ice is not easily filled up. We ministers have t a bright example, an aifectionate brother, a aeral assistant as occasion offered; a man, whose cessive pains roust pot the slothful to many isbes. The loss is public, we have one fewer to >mote the kingdom of our Lord, and stand in the p to avert impending judgments; yea, I fear we ty lament the fall of such a pillar in the church, taken away from the evil to come, Wc arc stupid, if wc weep not/or ourselves. But for his part, his sudden death has no terror ending it, for his Lord found him employed as the se and faithful servants, whom he declarcth ttsed,'^ He had preached twice on the Lord's day, preached also on Monday, and had appointed to the same on Tuesday, but died that morning; >d, by death, released him from his labours. Sub-flsion to the divine will only, could have recon-ed his active soul long to survive his work ; this at God prevented, by not sufi'ering him to li?e one y beyond his labours. But the rest in heaven after ath, was what he longed for, and it seems that by ne presage he apprehended he was not far from s; for the last head in the last book he published, this. Lit us long for the perfection of those spiritual asures in the kingdom of glory. And adds. Our e to God in this world, is a love in motion, in hea-1 it will be a love at rest ; O when shall that sabba-m come, &c.
His present happiness yields some allay to our TOW; but yet it is a greater relief under all losses, It onr Lord is the King eternal,^ his word endureth ever ;* with him is the residue of the Spirit; he has sc ends in this sore dispensation, and can make work for good.
1 Luke xii- 43.
r 1 Tim. L 17.
■ I Pet i. S5.
That this end may be attained, be all of you attentive to the voice of God by this rebuke, and comply therewith.
Let each impartially inquire, whether you have not a band in removing this mercy, by your forfeiture. The death of very useful ministers (especially when much needed) is generally a punishment for some sins of those who were most concerned in them. Wherein conscience points to any guilt, neglect not repentance; and apply to the blood of Christ by faith, lest even a worse thing come unto you. Again, see you act as becomes Christians under this providence.
Let the afflicted widow trust in God, as able to fill up the place of the deceased, and the children walk worthy of his name, and not depart from such a father's ways, as too many have done in this degenerate age. How solemnly would he have laid this charge, if he had seen them about him in his dying agonies! O may they find the return of his many recorded prayers!
You who here attended on his ministry, see you live the truths he dispensed, for you are accountable for great advantages: Christ will not account them good servants, who gained but two talents when they received ^vr. Nor is it proper for you to overlook it; that since the death of the eminent Do€tor Bates, you have lost two such worthy men, as Mr. Billio, and Mr. Henry, in the midst of their days, and the greatest capacity for service.
Many observe you, and your influence on our public interest, as dissenters, is very considerable. Therefore it is your concern, unanimously, to get a well qualified pastor; but regard sincerely the real benefit of your souls, in the choice you make; for if lower matters govern your inclinations, it discovers carnality of mind, and will grow more so, if indulged in this instance.
Wc ministers are hereby called to double our care in serving the designs of our Lord ; we have fewer hands, and may soon meet with harder work. The aspect of things warns us to apply ourselves to get more wisdom, faith, and fortitude; that we may neither mistake our duty, or treacherously desert it, in the greatest trials.
Finally, It is incumbent on all to lay to heart the suddenness of you r pastor's death. When he left you, he was likelier to live than many of us, and no symptom of any danger, till within a very few hours before his dissolution. We must be stupid unless it excite us to pray. Lord, teach us to know how frail we arel And to endeavour so to know the frailty of your state, as to be always ready.' O get oil in your lamps, and those lamps trimmed: he that may die without warning, has reason to see that he delay not repentance, nor trifle in what eternity depends t Pa. xxxix. 4.
u Matt. zztT. 44.
A FUNERAL SERMON, &c.
on. He who applies his heart to wisdom^" m«st so number his days, as to finish the proper business of every day in its day; for the morrow is not ours, and if it come, its own work is assigned with it.
It will be vain to wish we could recall past time, when conscience represents the many abuses and neglects of a past life now ending. The summons may be so hasty, that you have not many moments to set heart or house in order.
Therefore take care that your pursuits of this world be not excessive, lest you be irrested by that voice, Thoufooly this night thy soul shall he required of thee,^ When you are tempted, remember, you may be cut off in the very act of sin, as Zimri* was. Entertain every call to duty, and opportunity for service and spiritual benefit, with this thought, there is no worhingf in the grave, where I must soon be; the night cometh, wherein no man can worh,*
You must all confess, that you cannot die safely, unless you have served your generation,* are real converts, and in temper of spirit meet for heaven:
T Ps. XC. 12. s Numb. XXV. 14
w Luke xii. flO. 7 EccL ix. 10.
nor can yon die eomfortably, nnieas your pite flourish, your fruit abound, and have at kisii grounded hope of your interest in Christ, with avd sense of his favour.
These are too great, too necessary, and too ci cult, to be postponed, or neg Hgently applied to, ^ men, who are crushed before the motk.'^ The pn.ii haste, and the utmost diligence, are scarce ec to quiet us, when we realize bow much depesd upon a life subject to be cut off in a momeDt, h% I thousand accidents. Happiest he, ytrhosoo»ea cb into wisdom's paths, passeth the wbole time of kj sojourning here, with the tnost solicitous care in ^ charging all present duty, and improving all pitsd helps. This is the way to finish well.
ThisSfiwAin well, was a sentence oft made ct of by my deceased brother, and therefore I godcIb with an importunate desire, that we may lwe{ solemn regard thereto in all our sacred and cnj transactions.
I John ix. 4. b Job. iv. 19l
ActixiiLlflL • iPetiv. n.
AN APPENDIX:
CONTAimifO
AN ENTIRE SERIES OF SERMONS,
(FORTY.ONB IN NUMBER,)
ON WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS, IN FORTY REAL BENEFITS;
NOW FIRST PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINAL MSS.
OF THE REV. PHILIP HENRY.
APPENDIX.
SERMONS BY THE REVEREND PHILIP HENRY
SERMON I.
:Hain n th> roDNDATioN and biubvum ars thb boildiro.
I
1 Corinthians iii. 11.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laidy which it Jesui Christ.
It is not here alone, but in many other scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament that our Lord lesus Christ is held forth unto us under the notion 'yi ^foundation; and belieyers, the church of the firstborn, under the notion of a great building, reared upon that foundation. The explaining and applying of this will be the work of this day.
That our Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation, and believers are the building reared upon that foundation.
There is a like union and relation between him and them, as there is between a foundation and a building.
Now that relation and union is,
Very near and close. The closer the better. Such is that between Christ and his church. They that are joined to the Lord are one with him, 1 Cor. vi. 17. " For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one," Heb. ii. 11. of one piece.
It is also very necessary and useful. The building cannot stand without it. A foundation may stand long enough without a building upon it, but no building can stand without a foundation under it: and they must be joined—united. So Christ might have been without us, but we cannot be without him.
But are not the apostles and prophets the foundation? Eph. ii. 20. compare Matt. xvi. 18.
I answer; It is not said, the foundation, the apostles, but the foundation of the apostles; that is, the foundation which they themselves rested on. Had the apostles and prophets been asked, one by one, Who is your foundation, on whom do you build for life and happiness? they would have said,
Jesus Christ. He was their all in all; and, therefore, should be ours.
Christ was the foundation which they reported, and preached of to others. Paul says here, v. 10. / laid the foundation. Whom? Himself! No, o. 11. no foundation but Christ. The prophets prophesied of him as to come; the apostles pointed at him as already come. " Behold the Lamb of God," said John the Baptist.
As for that place in Matthew, by this roch, is not meant the person of Peter. A poor rock for the church to be built on. A rock shaking immediately, V. 22. and worse afterward. Matt xxvi. But it is the confession of Peter that is intended, " Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,'* v. 16. *' Upon this roeh I will build my church ; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
But is it not said that Jesus Christ is the corner stone? The corner stone is not the foundation!
I answer; His being the comer stone doth not hinder his being the foundation also. He is both in different respects, '' Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious comer stone,a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste, Isa. xxviii. 16. The use of a corner stone is to unite the sides of the building, yea, and of the foundation too. That Christ doth by making Jew and Gentile one. " But now, in Jesus Christ, ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us," Eph. ii. 13,14. He that could join those two distant sides, and make them one, can certainly (and we hope will in his own due time) reconcile lesser differences. The comer post is reckoned very material in a timber fabric, and so the comer stone. *' The stone which the builders refused, is become the head stone of the comer," Ps. cxviii. 22.
I. Show the properties of Christ as a foundation, what kind of foundation he is.
APPENDIX.
1. A laid foundation, Isa. xxviii. 16. / lay; that is, God the Father, one that knew well enough how to do it, a God of infinite wisdom, and power. The Lord Jesus did not take to himself this honour of being a Mediator; he was called to it, appointed of God for such a purpose. And this is our comfort and joy: he that could best tell what would best serve to satisfy his ofiended justice, here fixed upon his Son for that purpose: " Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom," Job xxxiii. 24. *' I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people," Ps.Ixxxix. 19.
2. A low foundation. Foundations are wont to be laid low; the lower the surer. So here, the Lord Jesus Christ was laid very low, that he might bea meet foundation for us; Phil. ii. 8. he humbled himself.
These were several steps of his humiliation:
Into the human nature ; to be made a man. That was a long step downward. That the word should become flesh was more than if a star should turn into a clod.
Into subjection under the law. *' When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,'' Gal. iv. 4. The moral law; nay, the ceremonial law—^to be circumcised—presented in the temple—^redeemed and ransomed with two turtles—bound to go up to all the feasts.
Into poverty and persecution, contempt and contradiction ; to be spumed and trampled on.
To death itself, even the death of the cross; painful, shameful: it is called lifting up, but it was humiliation.
To the grave. When he was buried he was, as other foundations, laid under the ground.
And there was a necessity for all this: without it, no atonement, no reconciliation.
3. A foundation of stone, Isa. xxviii. 16. A stone is the fittest of all other things to make foundations of, because hard and firm, and yet easily hewn. Now Jesus Christ is a stone foundation, a rock. The Israelites <* did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ," 1 Cor. x. 4.
4. A foundation out of sight. All foundations are so; we see the building, but we do not see the foundation. Now such a foundation is the Lord Jesus Christ; he is out of sight. Not below us, as he once was, under the earth, but above in glory.
His person is out of sight. Tet we love him, 1 Pet. i. 8.
His presence is invisible. He is with us every where, especially in his ordinances; but it is in an invisible way. We feel it; we do not see it *' For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them," Matt, xviii. 20. Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the worid," Matt xxviii. 20.
His proceeding are invisible; the proceedi&p of his grace within, the proceeding;8 of his pfi>n-dence vrithout. '* Thou leddest thy people like afioei by the hand of Moses and Aaron," Ps Ixxvii. 20.
5. A precious foundation, Isa. xxviii. 16. Tbos all stones in their places are osefol, jet they iir not all precious stones. Few buildings are bmh upon precious stones, but the church is. Christ b precious in himself, be is of great worth, the faired of ten thousands. He is precious in their accoict and esteem, I Pet ii. 7. To others he is a stone d stumbling, but to them that believe he is precioas.
6. A permanent foundation; Isa. xvi. 4. the rsd of ages from everlasting to everlasting. The sairj have been building on him from the beginning. ztA will be to the end of time. ** Jesus Christ, thcsarsf yesterday, and to-day, and for ever,'' Heb. xHL ^ His righteousness is everlasting righteoasoess; b*i promises unchangeable promises.
7. An elect, chosen foundation ; Isa. xxviii. l. ehoseu of God, and precious.
8. An experienced, tried foundation. He va* tried by God, who laid a load upon him; by am and devils, who did their best against him, yet all t» no purpose; by the saints, who have had occasioe to make use of him, and he never failed them.
tl. Show what is our duty in reference to tte foundation.
1. To believe all this concerning him—^that Gcd hath laid him purposely for a foundation—anoint and appointed, him to be a Prince, and Savtoor— given him to the world, that wkotoever helietetk r* him should not perish, hut have everlasting life.
2. To behold and see our need of him. There» no rearing a building without a foundation, ^t have each of us a building to rear; and what foaad-ation have we ? None in ourselves ; no righteoa»-ness of our own to commend us to God ; no strengiL or ability to any thing that is good.
3. To renounce all other foundations. The? are all but sand. He that builds upon the sand, his building will fall. ** Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him untoi wise man which built his house upon a rock : and tbf rain descended, and the floods came, and the windf blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not: fw it was founded upon a rock. Every one that brar-eth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his hoose upon the sand: and the rain descended, and th floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon tbat house; and it fell: and great was the fall of iC Matt. vii. 24, &c.
4. To repair to him in the way of faithful and fervent prayer. Tell him thou art sensible of tkv need of him, thou art undone without him.
5. To build upon him. In the ^reat business of justification, to roll and rest thy soul by faith upon
WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS.
s meritorioas righteousness—None but Christ,
»ne but Christ.
In all our perils and dangers, personal or public, fly to him, to trust in him, to rely upon him: ithfol is he that hath promised. Ps. Ixii. 1.2; vi. 1. '* Truly my soul waiteth upon God; from Di cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and Y salvation; he is my defence: I shall not be eatly moved," Ps. Ixii. 1,2. *' God is our refuge id strength, a very present help in trouble," Ps. vi. 1. 6. To beware what we build upon this foundation, opinion, in practice. *' Now if any man build >on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, ood, hay, stubble; every man*s work shall be ade manifest: for the day shall declare it, because shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try rery man's work of what sort it is. If any man's ork abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall ;ceive a reward." 1 Cor. iii. 12—14. If you build ose, vain, careless walking, your hopes built will 3 accordingly wood, hay, stubble.
Of the church the building. " Ye are built pon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, ssus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in horn all the building, fitly framed together, groweth Qto an holy temple in the Lord : in whom ye also re builded together for an habitation of God through le Spirit," Eph. ii. 20—22. y« crre ftut/t, saith the postle,—^ye believing Ephesians, Christians, saints.
Show, I. What kind of building the church is; hat are the properties of it.
There is a great deal of difference in buildings, he church is a none-such building.
1. It is a spiritual building. Other buildings are lade of wood and stone, and such like materials. \ut this building is made of men and women:
Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual ouse, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacri-ces, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ," 1 Pet. ii.5. (''bat our Lord Jesus says of his kingdom, is true of is building, that it is not of this world— in it, but not Tit, John XV. 19. It is a building of souls. Souls, nited to him by faith, are those that make up this uilding.
2. It is a spacious building; a building of large nd vast extent; a great house, nay a great city, nay great kingdom,from the rising of the sun to the sct-ng of the same—east, west, north, and south. Matt, iii. 11. It is true, in comparison with the devil's uilding it is but small, a remnant, a little, little ock; but in itself considered, it is exceedingly wide nd comprehensive. " I beheld, and lo, a great mul-itude, which no man could number, of all nations, nd kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before be throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white obes, and palms in their hands," Rev. vii. 9.
3. It is a high building. Though part of it be here below, yet the top of it is as high as heaven. There it is that the glorious angels are, and the spirits of just men made perfect; all of this building.
And then for those that belong to it that are below; their aims and desires are high, their hopes and expectations are high, their affections and conversations are above: *' For our conversation is in heaven ; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ," Phil. iii. 20. They tram-pie upon the great things of the world as dirt, as Moses: '' By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter," Heb. xi. 24.
4. It is a holy building, Eph. ii. 21. ** Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ?" 1 Cor. iii. 16. Every building is not a temple. The church is God's temple. The temple was a place set apart for God—from all other uses for holy uses; so '* The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." And it is our duty to set ourselves apart to be for him --wholly—solely. This temple is called a house of prayer, Isa. Ivi. 7. Holiness to the Lord is written upon the front of this building. It is the house that he dwells in. '* His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. For the Lord hath chosen Zion ; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it," Ps. Ixxxvii. 1, 2; cxxxii. 13, 14.
5. It is a living building. No other is so. * The same who are quickened, are '* built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets," Eph. ii. 1, 20. The foundation is a living foundation, and the superstructure is a living superstructure, 1 Pet. ii. 4. 5. All the materials in this building are men and women made spiritually alive—quickened with divine quickenings. Such as once were dead in trespasses and sins, but are now otherwise—alive to God. O make this sure to yourselves.
6. It is a light building. This is one thing that makes a building pleasant, and comfortable—many and large windows. All the world besides is in darkness; it is the church only that hath the true light. As Egypt and Goshen. " Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord, walk as children of light."
There are many things about which men are in the dark till they are in this building. As, about God; his glorious excellences, and perfections. About the Lord Jesus; who he is, and what be is, in himself, and to us. About the corruption of nature. About the evil of sin—the vanity of the creature. And the reality of invisible things—heaven—hell.
In all these grace enlightens. The devil's building is a dark building—called the kingdom of darkness, Col. i. 13.
APPENDIX.
7. It is a secure, a safe, building. Other buildings are exposed to wind, and weather, and water—to £re—to assaults, and batteries; but this is safe from all peril and danger. Matt. xvi. 18. Men in all ages and generations have been heaving at the church of God, and seeking to overthrow it, but it hath hitherto been in vain, and to no purpose; and will be so still, Ps. ii. The church of God is such a building as the ark was, 1 Pet. ill. 20, 21.
8. It is a spreading, growing building. *' All the building fitly framed together, groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord." It grows larger—by the addition of those to it who shall be saved. It grows better—as to light and knowledge—as to gifts and graces. Amen! The Lord increase it more and more. It increases slowly—church-work is slow work—but sure; though amidst much opposition, as in Ezra's time.
In some places, where a while ago there were but two or three houses, there is now a great town. And is it not so, (and would to the Lord it were so more and more!) as to the growth and progress of religion ? In many towns and families where ignorance and profanencss ruled a few years since, now God is worshipped, and Christ; and his truths and ways are owned, and professed.
Show, II. What is our duty in reference to this building.
1. To see that we have a secure place, and standing in it. As it is a great privilege to be of that body and tree whereof Christ is the head and root, so it is a great privilege to be of that building whereof Christ is the foundation.
It is certain all that adhere to it in an outward, visible profession are not of it. The moss and the ivy cleave close to the walls of a house, but they are not on the foundation: so the hypocrite. There is a great deal of difference between such a one and the true stones, 1 John ii. 19.
All the true stones in this building are living stones, 1 Pet. ii. 5. What life hast thou ? They are a habitation of God through the Spirit, Eph. ii. 22. Art thou so? Rather, doth not the unclean spirit dwell in thee, and rule in thee? Luke ii. 21—26.
But, how may it be done ?
I answer; We must be sure we are fetched out of the quarry of a natural condition, by regenerating grace. There is much to do in this work—the dust ilies in the face of him that hews; but it must be done—there is no other way.
We must by faith receive Christ Jesus the Lord; make him our foundation • rest and rely upon him for righteousness, acceptance, and salvation; cleaving to him with full purpose of heart.
Having done so, we must build up ourselves in our most holy faith; growing in grace; adding to faith, virtue. If we grow into Christ more and more, we are certainly in him, Jude 20, 21.
2. To seek as much as in ns lies the good of tk building. If we can do nothing else we can pnr for it, Ps. cxxii. 3, 6. ** for the peace of Jemsakm." Peace within itself; that differences may be beakd: the cement, or mortar, is love. It is said, that all tk stones in Solomon's temple were so ordered that tbev looked like one stone. Peace from enemies; opou secret, covered, uncovered.
Our prayers must be seconded with our eod^-vours. Can we do nothing towards its enlaigr-ment, its establishment, its repair ?
SERMON IL
CHRIST 18 OUR FOOD, AKD a£l TRVB BBUKTXRS HIM AND ARB FRD WITH HIM.
CPC
John vi. 51.
lam the living bread whick came down from kemven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for erer : oA the bread that I will give is mg fiesh vMck I wiU give for the life of the world.
There are several things to be learned oat of tbeit words.
I. That Jesus Christ is bread.
II. That this bread hath sundry special propertici which belong to it, and to no other.
III. That it is our duty to eat of this bread.
IV. That they that truly eat of this bread sbaU live for ever.
I. Jesus Christ is bread. There are several ihwp by which he is set forth in the Scriptures, and amoii the rest, bread. Those who heard him say that k was bread, and that they must eat him, were offended; it was a hard saying, and they could not hear it, r. 60. The reason was, they understood it camallT. and they should have understood it spiritnallT: just as the papists do by another of his sayings, This is my body. He says also, I am the vine; I aa the door: and must these be understood litcfallj. It cannot be. He is the head of a gfeat body, a«i the foundation of a great house. Literally? i», spiritually. So he is bread; he himself says so.
You know bread is some kind of con, rye, or wheat, or barley, or the like, thrashed and groaod. kneaded and baked, and then it is food for us. We eat it, and are nourished by it. So Christ: be b spiritual bread.
He was thrashed and ground in his soffering tod dying, and that was necessary in order to his ht\^ made bread for us: I give my flesh. Lake xxiv. 46L '* It behoved Christ to suffer." It was necessaiy it should be so, in order to the satisfying of 6od*s justice, without which we could have no noarishmeRt. no comfort to our souls. Without blood no remise sion. There was death in the threatening, aod
WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS.
srefore his heel must be braised, or the serpeot's ead would not have been brolcen. Therefore it oQcems OS all to be acqaainted with Christ, and im cmeified, 1 Cor. ii. 2. This was Paul's chief tady, and it should be ours.
The sufferings and death of Christ are the food of 'ux* souls. Every thing that hath life must have ood to support that life; it cannot live without food. >o it is with our souls; they can no more live without food than our bodies can. Take the food away, md yon take the life away. * Adam in innocency had lII the trees in the garden given him, save one, that be fmit thereof might be food to him; that is, to his >ody ; and as for his soul, God himself immediately was the life, and strength, and maintenance of it Bat when we find he fell-from God, all supplies of Lbat kind were for ever cut off, and he must have perished everlastingly, if some new nourishment had not been provided for him. Now that new nourish-□nent was the seed of the woman bruised; and therefore God revealed it to him immediately, even before he pronounced sentence. Gen. iii. II. Notice the properties of this broad.
1. It is the bread of God. *« The bread of God is be which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world,^' v. 33. Not the bread which God feeds upon himself; and yet in a sense he is so. Matt. iii. 17; xvii. 6. He is satisfied in him and with him. But he is the bread which he hath provided for ui to feed upon, as the Lamb of God, John i. 29. He knew we could never have thought of such a way of nourishment for ourselves. No, not if we had had ail the angels in heaven to help us, and therefore he did it. Job xxxiii. 24. Ps. Ixxxix. 19. Gen. xxii. 13, 14. As he is a foundation of God's laying, so he is bread of God's providing.
Was the bread made of corn for our bodies our own contrivance? No: who could have devised such a thing ? It is the appointment of our heavenly Father, and a wise and gracious appointment it is. Gen. i. 29. So Christ, the bread of life, is of God's providing.
2. It is given bread. Given by God the Father; " My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven/' r. 32. The same that contrived gave, freely and of his own accord, without our asking or seeking. It was a choice gift, John iii. 16. It was the unspeakable gift, 2 Cor. ix. 15. O be sensible of this love, and give thanks ; forget not this above all his benefits ! " Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest him ?"
This bread is given by the Son himself. It was his own act and deed, to give himself to be bread for us: " My flesh which I will give for the life of the world." It was a wonder he should ever yield to such a motion when it was made to him; but he did it readily, at the first word; ** Lo, I come, in the volume of tlie book it is written of mc, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is vrithin my heart." Such love he had for us, and for our redemption and salvation, Eph. v. 2. And should not we then readily and cheerfully give ourselves to him; all we are, have, or can do ? Can we bestow ourselves better ?
3. It is living bread. ** I am the /tvtit bread that came down from heaven." All other bread is a dead thing, but this bread lives. It was dead, but it is alive, and lives for evermore, Rev. i. 18. And it is well for us that it is so, for he ever lives to make intercession for us. That is the work and business of his life, Heb. vii. 26.
4. It is the bread of life, v. 48. Not only living itself, but giving life to us: no other bread doth so. Other bread maintains life, but where is the bread that gives life? This bread gives life; it makes those to 11 ve that were dead. It is no sooner received by a hand of faith but the man is alive; alive to God, which is the best life we can live in this world.
5. It is manna. Manna was the bread which God gave the Israelites from heaven, fresh every morning; and dainty bread it was. It came down in a dew; it was small, round, and white, and the time of gathering it was the morning.
This manna was a type of Christ, the true manna. As that came down from heaven, so did he; that in a dew, he in the dew of the gospel. As that was little, round, and white, so is he; little, in his humiliation ; round, in his eternity, without beginning of days or end of life; white, in his spotless innocency. As the time for gathering that was in the morning, so of this: '* Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." As that fed the Israelites while in the wilderness, so this feeds our souls while we are in the wilderness of this world. It ceases in Canaan.
6. It is meat indeed,«. 66. It is solid and suh-stantial meat. Not the shadow of meat, but true bread, v. 32. AU the things in this world are, to a soul, like the picture of the world with which the devil tempted our Lord Jesus, delusive, and unsatisfactory. " Wherefore," then, ** do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisficth not ? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." Mix faith with this, and labour accordingly, John vi. 27.
It is suitable meat. It is no meat if it be not suitable. Every creature is maintained with food suited to it. Gen. iii. 14. Now nothing is suitable food to our souls but Jesus Christ; nothing else is suitable to their nature. Spiritual beings must have spiritual food. All things under the sun are carnal. He was a/oo/ that bid his soul feast upon what was in his barn, Luke xii. 10. Nor is any thing else suited to the necessities of our souls. Two things
APPENDIX.
our souls have need of—righteouaness, and strength; and where are these to be had, but with him? Isa. xlv. 24. We have need of food that will be physic too: and such food is Christ, Ezek. xlvii. 12. Swe€t meat, Cant. ii. 3. the fruit of his death, resurrection, ascension, 1 Pet ii. 3. gracious, or sweet. Every thing in Christ is sweet to a believing soul: his promises, pardons, offices, ordinances, comforts, communion. His word is sweeter than honey, Ps. cxix. 103. His love is sweeter than wine, Cant i. 2. His presence is sweeter than marrow, Ps. Ixiii. 5. In a word, his mouth is sweetness, and all he is delights, Cant v. 16.
Satisfying meat. A man may surfeit with the world, but he can never be satisfied with the world. A man may be satisfied with Christ, but he can never be surfeited with Christ. Compare Isa. Iv. 2. with Ps. xxxvi. 8.—abundantly satisfied, satisfied, and over-satisfied, satisfied, and satisfied again. This is the excellency of spiritual dainties, that the more a man feeds on them, the more he would have, and yet he hath a kind of satisfaction in what he hath; such as causes him to say. Return unto thy rest, O my soul, Ps. cxvi. 7. He hath union with Christ, yet he would have more and nearer union; he longs to be with him.
Now all this is said to draw out your desires, and to provoke your appetite to this meat. And doth it not prevail ? Do ye not feel your need of Christ ? Are ye not hungering and thirsting after righteousness? If you are, blessed are ye, for ye shall be filled; if not, you will be sent away empty, Matt V. 6. Luke i. 53.
III. It is our duty to eat of this rare bread.
If any man eat; implying, if we do not eat of it we are like to be never the better for it It will do us no good to hear of it only. We have heard a great deal of Christ; but what will that avail as, except we believe what we hear. It will do us no good to look upon it only. Will looking upon meat nourish us? No; we must eat if we will be nourished. Will looking upon Christ, and seeing others feed upon him, feed and nourish thee? No, though it is the best fare in the world.
What is meant by eating? I answer, believing, V. 35. Of all the comparisons by which believing is set forth in Scripture, none is like this of eating Christ, and feeding upon Christ
Before we eat we feel a need of meat, and have a desire toward it, an earnest desire, we must have it. Give a man what else you will; No, says he, I must have meat As the Egyptians parted with all for bread. So it is with the soul. It sees its lost and undone condition in itself by reason of guilt, and not sees it only, but feels it, and thereupon must have Christ; as the prodigal, Luke xv.
As in eating there is the taking of the meat, putting it into the mouth, and chewing and digesting it.
whereby it is made my own, and tamed into blood and spirits in my body; so in believing there is i particular application made of Christ, and bis mrm and righteousness, Gal. ii. 21. We may see, ud hear, and smell at a distance, but that that ve at must be near as; that that nourishes must be made one with as. " That Christ may dwell n jtm hearts," Eph. iii. 17.
As after eating there is strength and vigour, (Pi. civ. 15. the staff" of life,) the desire satisfied, the bcdv recruited, made able for work and burthen; so opa believing there follows spiritual strength, peace, oosh fort, joy, ability for duty, walking with God, woAm for God, which they that do not believe have mL
How is it proved to be duty thus to do?
I answer; 1. From the many calls and invitatioei to it both in the Old Testament, and in the Net. Isa. It. 1. Matt xi. 28. John Til. 37. If his mifrj IVere not we should come and eat, he would not b this manner invite and call. See Mark x. 49. fir calls; therefore we may come.
2. From the many commands and injunctioss U it, absolutely requiring it of as. He commaodi. therefore we must come. We are under gniit, the greatest guilt of all other, if we do not, I Job iii. 23. O bethink thyself, and do as he coa-mands. Thou hast broken other commaflds; » this be obedient It is to eat of the best meat thai ever was prepared. When the serpent (namelj, (k devil) assailed Eve, that which gave him advaoti was, that the thing he moved her to was only toeti and the fniit was such as was pleasant Yet all tk persuasions of heaven and earth will not prenil with some people to eat of this fruit; not foiiiiddef. but commanded, fruit; not meat that will poisoB,te' meat that will save thee. O then take sod etc receive Christ Jesus the Lord, and believe in bim: think thou hearest him saying to thee, *'EatO friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O belo Tcd," Cant V. 1. Shall I inquire what bread do je lire upon ? Bread of idleness, deceit, Tiolence, canal pleasure, your own duties and performances! Itvill be gravel, Prov. xx. 17.
IV. They that truly eat of this bread shall life for ever.
What more likely motive could possibly be used to prevail with us: Eat and live; eat and lire for ever. Everlasting life will certainly be the poilioo of all those, that by a true and a lively faith reeei Christ Jesus the Lord, who eat his flesh and diiii his blood, feed upon him. But who says so? Be that will certainly make it good; the Ameo, the faith fbl and true witness. It is repeated oftes, V. 35,48. and v. 47. with a solemn asseveration:—bf hath it; it is as surely his as if now in gloiy. Nf^^* do you know what this living for ever is, what it means ? It is to be saved; delivered from the secood death in hell, and made eternally happy in bea Teo.
WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS.
And shall not this allare us? God said to Adam, In the day thoa eatest, thoa shalt die the death, surely di e. Christ says to us, In the day thou eatest, living thoa shalt live, thou shalt sorely live. Eating mined Qs, eating saves us.
Inference,
1. Then the bread spoken of in this chapter is not sacramental bread; nor the eating here spoken of sacramental eating, as the papists would have it, to prove transubstantiation.
For, the sacrament of the Lord's supper was not yet instituted, when Christ spake this: and, therefore, it had been impossible for his hearers to understand what he meant.
Many do eat the sacramental bread that do not live forever, as 1 Cor. x. 4.
Many do live for ever, that never eat sacramental bread, as, besides all elect infants dying in infancy or childhood, the converted thief upon the cross, and many another. Yet to eat the sacramental bread is certainly duty— Do this; and for any that are adult to live in the neglect of it when they have a call to it, and opportunity for it, is a great sin, and must be reckoned for. Nay, it is comfortable, sweet, profitable, gainful duty; it is a feast, and that is the reason oar Lord Jesus hath appointed the outward elements to be bread and wine, that by eating and drinking them by faith, might be sealed to us pardon of sin, peace with God, right and title to heaven.
2. Then see the reason why multitudes perish eternally. They will not eat of this bread, their mouths are out of taste to it, they are filled with worldly trash ; if he that eats lives eternally, he that doth not eat dies eternally. This is gospel, Mark xvi. 16.
3. Then you that have eaten, in God's name, take the comfort of it; I mean, that are true believers. Eternal life is yours.
4. Then be exhorted all of you to eat of this bread; we must eat often, daily.
SERMON IIL
CHRIST IS THK BOOT AND BEUEVSB8 ARB THB BRANGHB8.
John xv. 5.
/ am the vine ye are the branches.
These are the words of our Lord Jesus, which he spake to his disciples ; wherein he says, concerning himself, I am the vine, and concerning them. Ye are the branches. I am the vine,'namely, the root of the vine. Christ and true believers are a great tree; and, amongst all other trees, he hath pitched upon two to set forth himself and them; a vine here, and
Mr. Henry's residence was called Broad Oak, there being a large tree of that description very near the house. It was cut an olive-tree in Rom. xi. Both of them are choice trees, and of great use, bearing excellent fruit. Now, the root is Christ, and believers are the branches of that tree. These two, the root and the branches, make the tree, as the head and members do the body. Compare 1 Cor. xii. 12.
DocT. Jesus Christ and true believers make one great tree, whereof he is the root and they are the branches.
I wave at present that it is a vine; having had occasion lately to speak of the church under that notion from Isa. xxvii. 2, 3. and therefore I only say, it is a tree, a great tree, whereof he is the root, believers are the branches.
Show, I. They that are in this relation are true believers.
Are not hypocrites branches? Doth not baptism ingraft all that come under that ordinance into Christ ? In a sense it doth, into his visible body: many grafts are grafted that come to nothing, never knit, never fasten, and so wither and die: yet the stock remains alive and good, and breaks forth again. So it is here: only true believers, such as are called, and chosen, and faithful, are the true branches.
1. They, and none but they, have communion with Christ. Elect persons not yet called may be said to have a remote potential union, being in the decree. External visible professors have a kind of seeming union, such as a sprig or branch which is tied to a tree with a string or with only, may be said to have; which is another sort of union than that of the true branches. The true branches are so in it as to be of it, but so is not such a branch, 1 John ii. 19. Judas was constantly with Christ as the rest of the apostles were, tied both to him and them by an external tie, yet all the while he was a limb of the devil, a branch of the cursed root; not of Christ the true root
O then see to this, that besides the outward, there be an inward, ingrafting by a true act of faith.
2. They, and none but they, have spiritual life in them. We are all by nature dead in trespasses and sins, dead in law, dead in state; there is no spiritual life in us, none of the life of God, Eph. iv. 18. we are alienated from it. We have natural life, and live as men, but not otherwise. Just as in a tree; you may see it plainly in yonder great oak; * how many dead branches are there ; branches, but dead. Such are all hypocrites in the tree Christ; they have none of Christ's Spirit dwelling in them, and therefore they have no life. It is the Spirit that quickens, I Cor. XV. 45. They have not the Son, therefore no life. " He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life,*' 1 John v. 12.
It concerns us all to inquire. What life have I ? Am I alive to God ? The prodigal son was alive, during his ramble, but not to his father, he was down in Blay, 1711. Matt Henry's Diary, MS.
APPENDIX
dead to him. Inquire what signs of life yon have. Do yon possess sense, motion, appetite ?
3. They, and none bat they, do bring forth fruit in him, see v. 2.— *^ every branch tM me that brings not forth fruit." To bring forth fruit is to do that which is for the matter of it good ; either towards men, in works of justice, mercy, charity ; or towards Ood, in praying, hearing, sanctifying the sabbath. Now ail this an hypocrite may do; nay, he may do more than many a true Christian; but nothing of it in Christ. Here they part *' Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in tke name of the Lord Jesus,'' Col. iii. 17. They do it by virtue of strength received from him, John xv. 5. 2 Cor. iii. 6.
They bring forth fruit, aiming with a single eye at pleasing him, to show forth his virtues and praises, 1 Pet ii. 9. And also, it is done trusting to his merit &nd mediation alone for acceptance, Phil. iii. 3. 1 Pet ii. 5. Now doth any hypocrite do this ? Can he say, as Paul, Phil. i. 21. *' For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain ?"
4. They, and none but they, have heartily and un-feigediy consented to him. This is it that makes Christ ours, and us his; when we receive him to ourselves, John i. 12. and give ourselves to him, 2 Cor. viii. 5. upon gospel terms. This puts us into him. Now no hypocrite doth this. He may profess to do it in word and tongue, but that ifl all.
6. They, and none but they, are owned by him as true branches. To others he says. Depart from fiie, I know you not. What, not know us ? We have prophesied, eaten, and drunk in thy name, Matthew vii. 22, 23. Luke xiii. 26—30. Though ye have, yet, if workers of iniquity, depart.
Aye, but he calls the honest, upright, obedient, fruitful people, his friends, his children, his brethren, John XV. 7.
Show, II. What kind of root Christ is to these branches.
I. A universal root; to all of them; Jew or €ren-tile; of what kindred, or country, or nation, or language soever they be.
To Old-Testament saints. He was Abraham's root, and David's root: a branch from them as man, and yet a root to them as God-man. They were all in him ; all saved by him.
To New-Testament saints. He was Peter's root, and Paul's root, and thy root, and my root, if we be true believers.
There are two universal roots ; and these are the two Adams. The first man Adam was a common root to us*all, as men and women. God planted him a noble vine, but he degenerated, and became, to all his posterity, a root of bitterness, bearing gall and wormwood, sin and wrath. When he fell we all fell. But God was pleased to appoint us a second Adam, another root—Jesus Christ—^that whosoever believes in him might not perish, 1 Cor. xv. 22.
2. An unseen root The root of a tree lio isvi ble, out of sight; we see it not The tree we see, ^ not the root So it is with Christ that saves <^ 1 Peter i. 8. He was visible many years when, made flesh, he dwelt among us, but now we see no more with bodily eyes; though by an eye of we do see him, as it is said of Moscs« Heb. xL The root of other trees is out of sight below; root is out of sight above. The charch is a tree inverted, its root is in heaven, its bra Dcfacs on earth, multitudes of them. It is true there branches in heaven with their root
3. An unsightly root In the root of a tree is no kind of beauty, or comeliness; no ^etneati as there is in the branches, or fruit; nothiDg to c* mend it to the eye; it is a despicable IhtDg. k was Christ our root, in his humiliation, Isa. liill View him in his birth, in the stable; in his life, s having where to lay his head; but especially ie ii death, hanging upon the tree. Would any v« think him to be the Son of God and Saviour of m world? Allude to 1 Samuel x. 27.
4. A strong root. This is one excellency ei i root, that it be firm and stable; snfficient to ks the weight and burthen of the tree and bnnc that grow upon it, Rom. xi. 18. Oar Jjmd Jests i a strong Saviour, Ps. Ixxxix. 19. Jer. 1. 34. Bdi vii. 26. We have need of such a one,
(1.) To satisfy the justice of God for the stas «^ are guilty of, by undergoing the weight of his iii&^ wrath. This he did, and no one else coold, Fstk xl. 6—8.
(2.) To rapport and succoor ns undor oar tefB{« tions. This also he is able to do. Heb. ii. l& Tb world tempts, but, be of good cheer, ** I have ofcc come the world," John xvi. 33. The devil als but *' the God of peace shall bruise Satan under j« feet shortly," Rom. xvi. 20.
(3.) To save and deliver us from all our enemies vricked men, death, and the grave, 1 Cor. v 56, 66.
6. A sappy root This is another excellency. If root be withered, and dry, the tree cannot lloori how should it? See Ps. civ. 16. '' The trees oftfa Lord are full of sap.'
The sap of this great tree, that keeps it green » flourishing, is the Spirit; the Spirit of grace. Nir Christ the root had the Spirit without measure. Jo: iii. 34. Col. i. 19: according to the promise, Isa. £ 2. He had a fulness of all the gifts, graces, and cob forts of the Spirit: knowledge, wisdom, faith, love meekness, patience, humility, self-denial. He U them all in per/eclion as God-man. There were ii him no mixture of the contrary corraptioas.
6. A supplying root The sap which the root baii it hath it not for itself, but for the branches. Th branches suck and draw from it, and so aie isai tained in their greenness and froitfalness. Thocp
WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS.
root have it, yet if it do not commanicate it the is none the better. The Lord Jesas Christ is a immiicatiTe root. What he hath of the Spirit lath for usy John i. 16. Psalm Ixvii. 18. compare I- iv. 8.
the san hath light, the springs and fonntains er, the mother milk in her breasts, not for themes ; so it is here. He is oar Joseph, oar great i-master. Joseph did not lay op for his own ase, to supply others. See his gpiicioas invitation to r sinners, to come to him for what they want,
W. \^^. Matt xi. 28. John vii.dT. Rev. iii. 18. 1 let as oome to him accordingly. Exhortation I. Suppose we are branches, tnie nches, in Christ the vine, what is to be done? . Yoa have cause to be very thanJLful to the great sbandman that hath grafted yoa into him. [Consider, (1.) If he had not done it, it had never n done. We could not have ingpiifted ourselves, dly relations, ministers, could not have done it.
hand but his could have performed it. 2.) What misery it frees us from. Hereby we are . off from the wild olive, from the devil's stock I family, from the bondage of his vassals, Rom.
3.) What privileges it entitles us to. It is a great ,T)ity and honour to be a branch of such a noble te. Now thou mayst with comfort call God Father, d come to him with boldness, assured of due sup-es, of all things needful both for life and godli-ss. Hereby thou hast right and title to the hea-fily inheritance: thy root will certainly bring thee lere he is.
[4.) How anworthy thoa wert, and how unlikely ' such advancement. Perhaps of mean extrac-n, less than the least; perhaps a crooked piece, lere are but a few, and thou art one, John xiv. 22. t not high minded, Rom. xl. 14. [5.) The time when he did it. Perhaps early in Y days. If so, the time was a time of love, Ezek. i. 18.
(6.) By what means. • The word, perhaps occa->Dally heard; the rod, perhaps working with the )rd. O say, as David, Ps. ciii. ** Bless the Lord, my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy ;me. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all s benefits." Say, as Paul, '* Now unto the King ernal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be mour and glory for ever and ever," 1 Tim. i. 17. 2. Your duty is to take the comfort of it to your uls daily. It is the will of God, that his people loald be a comforted people; and what will com-rt if this will not. Christ is the vine, and I am le of the branches ? If so,
(1.) Then the Father will certainly take care of e; to purge me and prune me. Seasonably ; for y good, 0. 1,2. (2.> Then I shall be sure not to be cut off, nor cast out, John xvii. 11, 12. Dead branches are easily broken off, nay, blown off, but not living ones. That is, provided I am a fruitful branch. And he will make as fruitful. As it is our duty, so it is his promise.
(3.) Then when I die, I shall be transplanted into God's paradise.
(4.) Then he will reckon with those that lop at these branches, Ps. Ixxx. 12.
3. Tou must abide in him. ** Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bring-eth forth much fruit:«for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done nnto you,'' John XV. 4—8. There are in these verses three arguments to move us to it: While we abide in him he vrill abide in us; It will be a means of our frait-fulness; and. We shall have what we will for asking.
What is it to abide in Christ?
(1.) To abide in the truths of Christ; to hold them fast, and not to let them go, 2 Tim. i. 13. God only knows how we may be tried as to this matter. The way of popery is an erroneoas way in doctrin-als; it is called the lie, and how many poor souls are poisoned by it; bat beware, *' lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness," 2 Pet. iii. 17.
(2.) To abide in the righteoasness of Christ. Our own righteousness and Christ's righteoasness are in competition. Now which art thoa for? The Pharisee was for his own, Luke xviii. Paul was for Christ's, Phil. iii. We have need to look to this daily, in every thing.
(3.) To abide in the love of Christ, Jade 21. John XV. 9. The way to continue in the love of Christ, is to continue in his obedience, ck. xiv. 23.
(4.) To abide in the fellowship of Christ. Fellowship with Christ is to be had in the use of his holy ordinances. Cant. i. 7, 8.
4. We must abound in fruit-bearing. This he expects from all the branches that are in him. Leaves will not serve the turn; it is fruit that God looks for. Yet there must be leaves also: a visible profession, Rom. X. 10.
(U) There must be good fruit. Matt. iii. 10. The fruits of the Spirit, Gal. v. 22. *' Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."
(2.) Much good fruit, John xv. 8. A little will not serve, though good; it must bear a proportion to our standing. There is more looked for from those that have stood long than from others, Heb. v. 12.
APPENDIX.
It must also bear a proportion to oar supplies. Where most cost hath been bestowed, most means nsed, there should be most fruit.
(3.) It must be fruit in season, Ps. i. 3. According to the present circumstances of our condition, Eccl. Tii. 14.
O that I linew what to say to move to this. The great controversy that God hath with us at this day is about our fruit; so little is found, that we have reason to fear cutting down, Luke xiii. 7—9. Isa. V. 7.
5. There is duty lying upon us also towards oar fellow-branches. Which is,
(1.) As much as in us lies to live in love and peace with them, not envying, judging, despising, boasting—the higher, the lower—^the bigger, the lesser—the stronger, the weaker. All branches are not top branches; there should be no provoking, rubbing against, fretting one another. Gal. v. 6.
(2.) To promote their growth and fruitfulness. Every one in his place and way; one means of doing this is by Christian communion, Heb. x. 25.
Exhortation II. Suppose we are not yet true branches, is there no hope ?
None at all if we continue in that condition, Eph. ii. 12. If without Christ, we are without hope. But if we look about us in time, the matter may be amended. O then be persuaded—^To-day, while it is called to-day.
1. Acquaint yourself with the terms of the change; upon what terms you may be Christ's and Christ yours ; and accept of them. Many are ignorant and so perish, John iv. 10. The terms are,
(1.) You must be willing to come off from the old stock, the service of sin; all sin must be renounced ; no more fruit must be brought forth to it.
(2.) You must assent and consent to a new Master; you must take his yoke upon you. And what harm is there in all this ? O do it.
2. Apply yourself to the gat Husbandman, which is the Father; beg of him to graft you into this vine; to bestow his Spirit and grace upon you, to be a living principle in you.
3. Assent and consent to the gospel.
SERMON IV.
CHRIST 18 RAIMKNT TO US, AND IT 18 OUR DUTY TO PUT UUC ON.
Romans xiii. 14.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,
The same that was said when our Lord told his hearera he must be their food, and they must eat his flesh— This is a hard saying, John vi. GO.—may be said concerning this of PiEiul here— But put ye on the Lord Jestu Christ, Is Christ a garment a tf It seems he is.
Food and raiment are the two great rDqidsit» k our bodies, which if we have we are oomma Bdetf -, be therewith content, I Tim. vi. 8. The saae tr things must be had also for the son!, food aad rumen!; spiritual food, and spiritnal raiment KM what is that ? I answer, Jesus Christ; he is oer £o&: and he is our raiment, and if we have him wr as-well be content; nay, joyful, and cheerfnl, 3S£ thankful; but, alas! how many are there that mei not these things, that are carking and caring rW they shall eat, and whsU they shall drink amd td withal they shall be clothed, aa to their bodies, :k perishing part, but mind not what becomes of Hxli souls, their precious, their heaven-bom souls, wit ther they be fed or no, clad or no.
The apostle here would have it to be oUiem«i '* Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ'' Bat in Gal s. 37. he speaks as if all that were baptized had pst Christ already; " For as many of you as have b baptized unto Christ, have put on Christ.*'
There are two ways of putting him on—in pr^'* sian, in word and tongue—in power, in deed &r: truth. Of the former it is intended in 6alatians-f we have all put him on when we were baptized. Oi the latter in Romans—oh that we woold all be p? suaded so to put him on.
Show, I. What of Christ is the garment that ic must pnt on.
II. What are the properties of Christ as a ge ment; what kind of garment he is.
III. Why and how we are to pot him on.
I. What of Christ is the garment that we rags put on.
Two things in Christ are the garment: His mert and righteousness; we must put on this for c justification. His spirit and grace; we mast ^ on this for our sanctification.
Justification and sanctification are onr two gn-d concernments. It is necessary that we be JDsti6ef!,j and that we be sanctified. Now neither of thesecu possibly be had otherwise than by patting on Christ There is no justification but by his merit, no saer-tification but by his Spirit See 1 Cor. vi. 11 And therefore should we not, by all means, pot his on?
1. His merit and righteousness for justifiratks Justification hath two things in it:
(1.) Acquitting us from guilt We have all sinned; have we not ? Yes. And is not God thereby ofead-ed ? Yes. And must he not be atoned, and pacified: his justice satisfied ? Yes. But how ? By any this that we ourselves can do or suffer ? No. By asy thing that any of our fellow-creatures can! N& How then ? Only by the dying and rising aain ^ the blessed Jesus; " who was delivered for 06f offences, and was raised again for our jnstificatioflr
WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS.
Id
1. iv. 26. His blood alone satisfies and pacifies; efore, his blood alone justifies. And that blood le garment that we mast jnti on, else no atone-it. Puiiton! What is that? hear, talk, of it? No. id by, and look upon it ? No. Hearing of clothes ot putting on clothes; looking at clothes is not. liere, o put him on, is to receive and apply him to cures by a true and lively faith. Believing him both i and willing to redeem and save me, and there-n coming to him, and closing with him; and upon so doing, persuading myself that God for his e doth forgive me, and thereupon comforting ^elf; being of good cheer. It is called receiving atonement, Rom. v. I, 9—11. Till this be done soul is naked in the sight of God, the shame of ruikedness appears; that is, thy sins are all upon score : thou art guilty, and God is angry, and if a shouldst die in that condition thou wilt be eerily lost, and that for ever. Doth it not concern then to pill on Christ, to believe in him for justi-tion from the guilt of sin. 2.) Accepting of us as righteous. Some will have i to be no part of our justification, but the former y. 1 think justification includes this also, accord-to the definition in the catechism,* '* Wherein pardons all our sins and acce/>/« of u, as righteous bis sight" This Paul says he laboured in, 2 Cor. ). Now how may this be? lS,^h,\.Q, In the beloved; t is, in Christ, through his merit and righteousness ne. He hath not only prevailed by what he did and fared, and is doing, for us that we may be forgiven, i not come into condemnation; but, moreover, t we may come into favour, be loved and owned, kissed and embraced, our persons accepted, our -formances accepted. And how ? for any worth or rthiness that is in us or them ? No; only in his me. and for his sake, and through his merit; in ler to which we must put him on, as Jacob put the clothes of his brother Esau, Gen. xxvii. 15. en he came for the blessing. Jacob was in no lit; he did not come for a pardon: no, became for ilessing; but unless he had put on Esau's clothes bad not had that blessing ; but having them on had it: '^ And he came near, and kissed him: d he smelled the smell of his raiment, and bless-him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the ell of a field which the Lord hath blessed," v. 27. here, we must put on the Lord Jesus Christ, that his merit and righteousness ; we must come in his me; we must plead what he hath done and suffered ' us, as our elder brother: and then—See, thesme Uof lion; and then— a,blessing, else none; ** Therefore >d give thee of the dew of heaven and of the earth," 28. See, also, in the story concerning Joseph and s brethren. Gen. xlii. 20; xlili. 5. No Benjamin,
Commonly called the Aasembly's Catecbion, beibg agreed no com. Now our Benjamin is Christ, or ratheri God's Benjamin, his Son our Brother. In him he is well pleased, and in him only, Matt iii. 17; xvii. 5. If we come without him we come without our errand.
2. His Spirit and grace for our sanctification. Besides the clothes we are to appear in before God, which are Christ's righteousness alone, there are clothes also that we must appear in before men; yes, and before God too; and those are Christ's Spirit and grace; the new nature, the divine nature. We must be new creatures 2 Cor. v. 17. New within, and new without; new in heart, and new in life; putting off the old man, and putting on the new, Eph. iv. 24. Now that new man is Christ If we have not his Spirit, we are none of his, Rom. vili. 9. Him, therefore, and his Spirit we must put on; his image and likeness: being as be was, (Heb. vii. 26.) holy; doing as he did; walking as he walked, 1 John ii. 6. Note how it comes in here, Rom. xiii. 12, 13. Cast off the works of darkness, rioting, drunkenness ; and put on—what ? sobriety, temperance ? no; but, all in one—the Lord Jesus Christ,— Jesus, the Saviour; Christ, anointed to be so; Lord, to rule yon.
II. What kind of garment is the Lord Jesus Christ ?
It is a great matter, especially with some, what kind of clothes we wear; that they be tight and fashionable, and according to our rank and quality; rather above it than under it, or below it, or short of it: and most commonly those that are most curious and concerned about the clothing of their bodies, are least curious and concerned what clothes their souls have; it is to them no matter what rags, what filthy rags, they appear in, both before God and man.
Behold, I bringyou tidings this day of brave clothes, which vdhy be yours, if you will—«ach of you—for the putting on. And those are, the Lord Jesus Christ; his merit and righteousness to justify you; his Spirit and grace to sanctify you. What say you? Will yon accept of them, will yon have them, put them on, wear them ?
Tell us, first, what are their properties, that should commend them to us ?
In general—In Luke xv. 22. it is called the best robe. Best indeed ;'no other is to be compared with it. Brown bread and the gospel are good fare; rags and Christ's righteousness are good clothing. It is first in worth and excellency, and first in order of time—though not as to our persons, yet as to our nature, in Adam.
1. The Lord Jesus Christ is a costly garment; the dearest and most costly garment that ever was. We may judge of its excellency by its price. Some people are extraordinarily profuse about their clothes; and are cautioned against it, 1 Tim. ii.9. iPet iii. 3.
open by the anembly of Diyines at Westmlnater, A. D. 1M3.
14
APPENDIX.
Lo, here is a costly robe indeed; not to ua that mast wear it, (it costs as nothing bat the acceptinj and patting it on,) bat to him that made and prepared it; it cost him dear. Ere the Lord Jesns Christ coald be a sait of clothes for thy soul—to jastify, sanctify, save thee, he mast be made a man. And so he was. He mast die the death of the cross. And so he did. We read, Oen. xxz Tii. of Joseph's brethren dipping their brother's coat in a goat's blood, and sending it to their father; bat oar Joseph dipt the coat that was to be for as in hU own blood, 1 Pet i. 18,19. And doth not this commend it to you ? He clothed himself with the rags of oar natare, that he might clothe as with the robe of his grace: nay, more than that—^he was made sin for as, a carse for as, ** that we might be made the righteoasness of God in him,'' 2 Cor. v. 21. Gal. iii. 13.
2. He is a comely garment There are some persons whose clothes, in the eyes of sober men, are Tery uncomely; disfigaring, rather than adorning, the body; discovering, rather than hiding, their shame. Bat here is a garment comely indeed, beaatifal, and lovely, and glorioas; a garment that makes the soiil that bath it on amiable towards God: he is pleased with it, and accepts of it
The imputed righteoasness of Christ doth so. The implanted righteoasness is called grace, that is, beauty. See what is said of one particular grace, 1 Pet iii. 4, 6. Could we but see a soul out of Christ, that hath not put him on yet, what guilt and filth it lies under, what dirty rags it hath on; we should wonder how it could endure itself, much more how the pore and Holy God doth endure it; especially, coming so near him as sometimes they do in holy ordinances, Amos v. 21. '* / will not smell in your solemn assemblies." See Ezek. xvi. where is set forth, both our miserable, loathsome condition by nature, v. 4—8. and our lovely, amiable condition by grace, o. 10—14. though what is said is meant chiefly of their church privileges.
3. He is a large garment. The righteousness of Christ for justification is so. He is able to save to the uttermost There is in him merit enough to satisfy for all thy sins, to pay all thy debts. He has incense enongh to perfume all thy services. What is said of the bed, Isa. xxviii. 20. is true of all the garments—of all our own righteousness—they are too short and too narrow; thy nakedness appears through them.
The Spirit and grace of Christ for sanctification is so. As he forgives all thy iniquities, and hath wherewithal, so he will heal all thy diseases, mortify all thy corruptions. There is a perfection of parts in sanctification: the whole man is renewed, though -not yet wholly, 1 Thess. v. 23. but as light in a morning—all the sky over.
4. He is a lasting garment, nay, everlasting. The Israelites had clothes that lasted forty years, and did not wax old; that was a great while, Deat viii. 4. But here is a garment which lasts for ever.
The righteousness of Christ for jostification ii, everlasting righteoasness, Dan. ix. 24. There is a fountain of it that' cannot be drawn dry—not t cistern, a laver, Zech. xiii. As long as we shall last sinning, the righteousness of Christ will last satisfying. Abuse not this, at your peril. Rom. li. I. " Shall we continue in sin, that prace maj abound? God forbid.
The grace of Christ is lasting too. Where it is in truth it is in perseverance. ** Tbose that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bring forth fniit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing," Ps. xcii. 13, 14. We read of two sorts of clothes, G. iii.—One, of Adam and Eve's making—aprons of fie leaves, v, 7. Another, of God's makings—coats of skins, «. 21. There is a great deal of difference in warmth and in duration. The former may represeo: our own righteousness, the latter Christ's. The beasts whose skins were used died.
6. He is a white garment; he is expressly said to be so, Rev. iii. 18. When the angels appeared at any time in human shape, that was the <:oloar their clothes were of, Mark xvi. 6. Acts i. 10. So, wbea our Lord was transfigured. Matt xvii. 2. The whiteness signifies two things:
(1.) Innocency and purity. Every justified person clothed with Christ's righteousness is, as it were. innocent before God, Ps. xxvi. 6. So the sanctified are in comparison with others, and it is their dutj to labour to be so more and more.
(2.) Joy and gladness, Eccl. ix. 8. He that hath put on Christ, and is accepted of God, hath reason to rejoice all the days of his Kfe; and he ought to do so, Phil. iv. 4. Isa. Ixi. 10.
The woman which John saw, Rev. xii. 1. wa< clothed with the sun: a shining garment indeed. The priests under the law were clothed in white linen garments; and see Rev. xix. 8. " The fine linen is the righteousness of saints."
6. He is the wedding garment; of such we read. Matt. xxii. 12. It is to be understood of Chrises righteousness imputed. There is no welcome with God without it It is to be understood, also, of bU Spirit and grace implanted: a suitable frame of heart to gospel privileges. Put on Christ, and tfaoa hast that And shall not all this prevail to make yoa in love with it?
III. How must we put on Christ ?
Three things must be done.
1. There must be a work of conviction wrought upon thy soul. Thou must see thy need of ihxi clothing. Most people, as Laodicea, say, they hafc need of nothing, and alas! they have need of erery thing; particularly of good clothes, for they are naked. A sinful condition is a naked condition.
WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS.
Tby body is perhaps well enoagb clothed, decently and warm; but thy soul is naked, and destitate, and exposed; dirty, 'and has nothing to hide it
2. AM that will have these fine clothes must come to Christ, and buy them. Rot. iii. 18. Isa. W. 1. In baying, there is parting with one thing and receiving another. Canst thou find in thy heart to part with thy rags in exchange for these good clothes? the rags of thy sins, Rom. xiii. 12—14. Eph. iv. 22—24. the rags of thy own righteousness, Isa. Ixv. 6. See Zech. iii. 3, 4. Were such an offer made thee concerning other clothes, how gladly would it be accepted !
3. Having bought them, that is, made the bargain, and consented to the terms of having them, we must put them on, and wear them. Not as a hat, to pat off to every one we meet; not as a cloak, to be worn only when we go abroad; but as thy inner ferment, to be worn next thee; an upper garment; and, above all these, as thy entire garment. Christ must be thy all in all; thy day-clothes, thy night-clothes : put him on daily and duly, constantly and continually. It is a good meditation, when we are putting on our clothes, we must put on bowels of mercies, Col. iii. 12. charity, v. 16. humility, 1 Peter V. 5. meekness, 1 Pet. iii. 4. or, which includes all, the Lord Jesus Christ. If so, when we die we shall put on better clothes of glory. Christ will never put them off that put him on.
SERMON V.
CHRIST 18 THB HBAD, THS CHURCH IB HIS BODY.
COLOSSUNS i. 16.
And he is the head of the hody the church.
The union between Christ and his church is twofold : 1. Relative; like that between persons that are in relation mutually one towards another. Of which kind we have had an account * of fourteen— as he is their Husband, Father, Brother, Friend, Master, Teacher, King, Captain, Physician, Advocate, Shepherd, Bishop, Inhabitant, Keeper. 2. Real. Of which kind there are several: this is the first.
That the Lord Jesus Christ is the head, and his church the body.
There is such a kind of union between them and such a kind of relation, as is between the head and the body. Bodies are of several sorts, whereof each have their several head.
1. There is the body politic. And so a kingdom is a body; and the head of that body is the king,
• AlludiDg to a course or sermons preached by him on the
Psalm ex. 6. The church is a spiritual kingdom; the head and king of it, in that sense, is Christ
2. There is the body natural, and that hath a head joined to it; and one and the same living soul animating that head, and that body, they make together one living man. So here; the head is Christ; the body is the Church. The living soul, which is one, and still the same, animating this head and this body, is the Spirit So that Christ and his church, being endued with one and the same Spirit, make together one mystical body, 1 Cor. xii. 12,13.
What church is this meant of ? Whether is it—the church visible, consisting of all those good and bad that profess faith in Christ and obedience to him; or—^the church invisible, called the church of the first-bom whose names are vnritten in heaven, including those only that are called, and chosen, and faithful, and excluding others? I answer: Both, in a different sense, are to be reckoned Christ's body, and Christ the head of both.
1. In respect of external rule and government. So Christ is the head of the church visible, and the church visible is his body: nay, he is head of every man, 1 Cor. xi. 3.
All that call themselves Christians do profess, at least in word and tongue, to own the Scriptures as the rule of faith and manners; and what they declare we are to believe concerning God, that, they say, they do believe; and what the Scriptures declare to be duty required of man, that they say they will do.
And this profession makes them members at large of the great body the church. Gal. iii. 27. ** As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ," that is, put on the profession of Christ And we may plead it with them accordingly. Are not you a Christian baptised into Christ ? How dare you then to carry it at this rate ?
2. In respect of vital influence. So he is the head of the church invisible only; nay, only of those in it that are effectually called. Though the elect not yet called are to be reckoned his, and he theirs, in purpose and decree, yet none but such to whom it is actually given to receive him to themselves, and to give themselves to him, (Hos. i. 11.) appointing to themselves one head —^making it their own act and deed, are to be considered his body.
As in the natural body, besides the integral parts, such as hands, arms, legs, back, breast, &c. which make the body, there arc oftentimes wens, warts, moles, and other excrescences, which are covered over with the same skin, and are fed and nourished, after a sort, with the same nourishment, and yet are not true parts or members of the body; so it is here, there are many that stick, as it were, to the body of Christ, covered over with the same skin of profession, subject.
APPENDIX.
partake in the same ordinances, and yet after all are but wens, and warts, and moles. They are no living members; they have no true union, nor any true communion, with the Lord Jesus; they are amongst us, but not of us; and the day is coming, when they shall be made manifest. On which account the gospel is compared to a net. See Matt. xiii. 47—50.
There are but two heads of all mankind—Christ and the devil. If thou art not a member of Christ, thou art a limb of the devil, that spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience. O tremble at the thought of it; for yourself; for your near and dear relations, year children; and make sure your true union with Chfist as your head; make sure that yon haye his Spirit.
Show, I. What kind of head Christ is.
II. What kind of body the church is.
III. What kind of members of that body we should every one of us be.
I. What kind of head is Christ ?
This I shall lay before you in several particulars.
1. Christ is to his church the only sovereign and supreme head. The head hath the pre-eminence in the body; it is placed by nature uppermost, and all the rest of the members below it. The Lord Jesus is uppermost, above all, and wer all, Rom. ix. 5. It follows here, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence: the pre-eminence is his above all persons in all things, Psalm xlv. 2. Cant. v. 10. It is oar duty then in all things to give him that which is his due. Let nothing rob him of it; Psalm cxxxviL 6. '' If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy''—Hebrew— the headofmyjoy. Make the Lord Jesus the head of your love, hope, desire, delight. Many stand in competition with him, as the world, sin, self, the devil. Also, the Antichrist. He styles himself the bead of the church universal, but it is a usurpation. The church hath no head but Christ; no ministerial head : none is deputed by him for that office, himself alone being sufficient for it
We do acknowledge, in a sense, the supreme magistrate may be styled the head, that is, the governor in external matters of that part of the church which is in his dominions; as the head of the woman is said to be the man, 1 Cor. xi. 3. that is, her superior to rule over her in the Lord. But eueh a Governor of the unioenal church we know none.
2. Christ is a suitable head; a head suitable to the body of which he is head. The body hath the human nature, therefore', so hath he, Heb. ii. 14. It was necessary it should be so, that the same nature that sinned might suffer. We may here take occasion to adore the infinite wisdom of the Father, that contrived this way, and the infinite love of the Son, that would stoop so low, Ps. viii. 4. 6.
3. Christ is a supplying head. He nourishes and cherishes, Eph. v. 29. 30. The head in the U supplies the body with two things especially;
With spiriit. It is the seat of spirits, from wbeaa they are derived to all the parts as there is mm, and occasion. The Lord Jesus is said to hauij seven spirits. Rev. iii. 1. that is, abundance of tli Spirit;—compare John iii. 34. Col. i. 19. Eph. i.23.-^ and that to commnnicate, cA. L 16. Ps. cxxxiiL ^ To him, therefore, we must have recoarse.
With ytddanee and directum. The office of :hi head is to show the body whither to go, and vy to do: there the eyes are seated, as in a wateh tn See Rev. v. 6. Seven eyes. Whereinsoever w« bsie need at any time of guidance, we most look to kk as Paul, Heb. xii. 6. and we have a promise, h xxxii. 8. *' I will instruct thee and teach tfaee b the way which thou shalt go: I will gaidethee «ir mine eye."
4. A sympathizing head. He is such a hetd at hath a fellow-feeling with all his true membta even the meanest of them, in all the evils that hdd them. In the evils of temptation, Heb. ii. 17, I | iv. 15, 16. In the evils of affliction, Isa. Iiiii. ^ In the evils of persecution. Acts ix. 4. Wbeo 1' toe was but trod upon, the head cried out, W persecutest thou me ? This affords great cocfcr. and encouragement, good ground of hope that b' will arise for their rescue, Isa. Ixiii. 9. Also io tkr joys and comforts, Matt xxv. 40.
6. A safe head. If a man be fallen into a ph -■ water, as long as his head is kept above, he is «f .. Whatsoever befalls the body, the head is above, oc of the reach of gun-shot. It is well for him, it :* well for us, that it is so. Men maj strike it h* headship, but *' why do the heathen rage, and tf people imagine a vain thing ? Tet have I set ■< King upon my holy hill of Zion," Ps. iL 1. i Christ is far above " all principality, and power, as: might, and dominion, and every name that is naised. not only in this world, but also in that whidi is k come," Eph. i. 21.
6. A saving head. Being safe himself be will la due time make us safe too, Eph. ▼. 23. He b Jesus, Matt. i. 21.— a Saviour. It is his prjf*^ *' Father, I will that they also, whom thou Us: gven me, be with me where I am; that they wm} behold my glory, which thou hast given me/' Jobs xvii. 24. Though the head and members are pane*! a while, yet they shall be together for ever. Salvatici: is either personal, or public; temporal, spiritQsI. or eternal; according as the evils are that do euros*-pass us; sins, sorrows, temptations. 2 Tim. iv. l '' And the Lord shall deliver me from eveiy rril work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kinc-dom.'* In the head are the eyes, to spy dang«i tlie month, to speak for help; the wisdom and ander-standing, to contrive which way to effect it
II. What kind of body is the chureh ?
WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS.
1. It is a great body. This appears if we consider those only that are called, and chosen, and faithfal; though who those be is not, and cannot be, infallibly known to us. Een they, at this day, now living in the world, are not a few bat many. Indeed, comparatiyely, compared with them that perish, the Scriptnre says of them, they are but a little little flock; yet in themselves they are many. And the Lord make them a hundred-fold more than they are.
It appears also, if we consider the whole professing body of Christians, that are baptized into the faith of Christ Then they are a great many more.
And it appears further, if we consider all that have been, and are, and shall be, as met together with their head in glory. See what account the Scripture gves of them, Rev. vii. 9. '* I beheld, and Id, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.'' Therefore there is no reason why any should stumble at the paucity or fewness of the people of God.
2. It is a growing body. '' Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,*' Isa. iz. 7. There are many promises in the word to this purpose which have had, and have, and shall have, their accomplishment Growth is two-fold:
(1.) Extensive. When more are added. More to the number of the elect, we believe, are not to be added. They who teach," If thou art not predestinated, pray that thou mayst be predestinated," do certainly miss it; but to the number of the called, there may be more added, (Acts ii. 47.) with a common call, with an effectual call; and our duty is to pray heartily every day that we may be so.
(2.) Intensive. When those that are already good, and are in the body, are made better; better in heart, and better in life. This is often promised as a mercy, and as often commended as a duty, Mai. iv. 2. Prov. iv. 18. 2 Pet iii. 18. 2 Pet i. 6—8.
3. It is a divided body. The more is the pity, but so it is. A great part of it is divided from the head. I mean, not in respect of unity of spirit and affection ; ao all the true members are near to him, and he is near to them ; but in respect of place and condition. He is in heaven above, they are on the earth beneath ; and it is their grief and burthen that it is so; and, therefore, they pray, and long, and wait till it be otherwise, Phil. i. 23. Rev. xxii.
It is also divided, sadly divided, within itself; not divided from the wicked of the world only, that is a division that must be, but the body within itself; Christian against Christian, church against church; nay, I would I might not say, saint against saint But then, observe, it is not in fundamental matters; all are agreed to love God, and hate sin, and believe in Jesus Christ, and keep the commandments. The difference lies in some leaser matters ; as that between Paul and Barnabas about John Mark going along with them; Paul and Peter about eating or not eating with the Gentiles; about meats and days, wherein the kingdom of God consists not.
And the truth is, the evil lies more in the mismanagement of their differences than in the differences themselves. The fault is, either despising or judging. There is hope the Lord in due time will mend this matter, as Christ hath prayed, John xvii.
4. It is a distempered body. This is one reason of the former; therefore so divided because so distempered. If it were not for the distempers that are in the body, there would be no such divisions in the body, James iv. 12. 1 Cor. iii. 1—3. The distempers that prevail are, ignorance, darkness, want and weakness of judgment in the understanding, which cause error and mistake; also pride, passion, self-love, ambition, covetousness. These are the diseases of this great body. The man of sin with his geat lie, the whore with her fornication cup, hath deceived, deluded, intoxicated the nations; and when they will come to themselves, and be thoroughly sober, God only knows.
5. It is a persecuted body. Look how it was with the natural body of our Lord Jesus, when he was here upon earth ; even just so it is, and hath been, with his mystical body : he was scourged, buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, torn with nails, speared with spears, nailed to the cross; even so hath it been with his followers. We may wonder, the enemies of it being so many, mighty, and malicious, that they have not made an utter end of it before this time. That complaint of the Psalmist, Ps. iii. I. may well be the whole church's complaint, '* Lord, how are they increased that trouble me I many are they that rise up against me." But why doth the head suffer it to be so, when it is certainly in the power of his hand to help it ? I answer, there is good reason for it, else it should not be. He knows how to make it work for good to them, and for glory to himself.
6. It shall be a prevailing body: allusion to Gen. xlix. 23,24. See Zech. xii. 1, 3, a
Not a member shall perish: a good argument for the perseverance of saints. Lord, if in thy book all my members are written, much more are all thine.
The body natural was so, in its glorious transfiguration, resurrection, ascension, coronation in glory; and so in its kind, and measure, and time, shall the body mystical be also, Isa. xxvi. 19. See Ezek. XXXvii.
III. What kind of members of this body should we be?
As to our$ehet; we must look to it,
1. That we be true members that we have true union with this blessed head; and that must be by a true and lively faith, accepting of him and
APPENDIX.
giving ourselves to him, Epb. iii. 17. Is this done ? Is it done in deed and in truth ? I beseech you, see to it; many are tied to Christ by an outward profession, that are not grafted into him. There may be glass eyes, and wooden legs fastened by art to the body, and those wooden legs may have silk stockings, and yet they are not of the body. So as to ourselves. *' Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven,'^ Matt. vii. 21.
2. That we be thriving members. If a member in the body do not grow, it is a sign something is amiss in it, Col. ii. 6. I Thess. iv. 1. This is one end wherefore the means of grace are afforded to us, Eph. iv. 11—15. They do grow indeed that do grow up into Christ the head more and more; into his merit, into his Spirit, for justification, for sanctifica-tion. Yet note. Every part hath a proportionable measure of growth, though what that is we know not, and therefore, we are still to be pressing forward.
As to our head; our duty stands in,
1. Subjection. If he be our head we must be subject to him in all things: our will subject to his will in doing, in suffering. What he appoints concerning his day, his worship, his discipline, we are readily and cheerfully to submit to ; taking his yoke upon us. Though commands be hard and uneasy to the carnal part, are they his commands ? If so, we must obey. So also for providences,^-'* And Jesus said unto them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me," Luke ix. 23.
2. Similitude. The members ought to be like the head. In Dan. ii. we read of an image, whose head was gold, and the members silver, brass, iron, nay clay. It must not be so in Christ's body,— " If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." " Whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son," Rom. viii. 9, 29. See how the apostle argues as to this: '< Know ye not, that your members are the members of Christ ? shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of an harlot ? God forbid!" I Cor. vi. 15. O think, when a temptation to sin comes, is this to be like Christ? Was Christ passionate, or re-yengeful, or covetous ?
3. Sympathy. As the head sympathizes with th6 members, so the members sympathize with the head. If a blow be offered at the head, the hand will venture a cut to save it Are we affected with the dishonour done to the Lord Jesus by the wickedness that abounds in the midst of os? do we lay it to kean' do we feel the contempt cast upon his name, ^ gospel, his ministers, his people? The Psalisc could say, '* The zeal of thine house hath eatea ac up; and the reproaches of them that reproackif thee are fallen upon me," Ps. Ixix. 9.
As to ourfo Uow-members; our duty standi in tfeat seven things :
1. Charity, brotherly kindness, and love tovtrd them all. All the members in the nataral body krr one another; so should all the members in the m?^ tical body : and that love must be anfeigncd, sad without dissimulation, Rom. xii. 9, 10.
2. Care not to hurt any of them in word or deed. Eph. iv. 25. Lie not. Why? because member$omi another. The hand will not take a knife and cot tk leg or the foot; nor will the teeth bite the arm; bc, not though accidentally hurt; there is no reveiir& So should it be among Christians, *^ Dearly belo Tcd, avenge not yourselves," Rom. xii. 19. ** For all tk law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thoc shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; bnt if ye bis and devour one another, take heed that jre be as consumed one of another," Gal. v. 14, 15.
3. Contentment in that place in the body in vbiel God hath set us, though a mean and low plaec Not envying those that are above as, or are pf ferred before ns, in parts, gifts, estate, employ Deei Gal. V. 26. The foot envies not the hand, mtr tk leg the arm, because the hand and the arm are neartr the head.
4. Condescension. If we be in a hi|[^ place ii the body, we should be condescending to those tki are below: not slighting, despising, or nndervalairz. 1 Cor. xii. 21,22, Rom. xii. 16. 1 Pet. v. 5l
5. Compassion towards all. We are to weep vitb them that weep, and rejoice with them that rejoice. The members in the natural body do so, 1 Cor. xH. 26. Heb. xiii. 3. In the body mystical it sboold k so.
6. Communion, free and frequent. In the natani body the members are always together. We casir; be so in the body mystical: our condition is a sai-tered condition, till gathered together in heaven. 2 Thess. ii. 1. 1 Thess. iv. 17, 18. But it sboold be the case as much as may be, Heb. x. 25.
7. Communication. Whatever each member bath, it hath it not for itself, but for the body. The m. the ear, the hand, are not for themselves merely: k it should be with the body mystical, not every isaa for himself, but for others also, Phil. ii. 4, 21. £p iv. 16. Hereby also we may try ourselves, wlietktj we are true members.
WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS.
19
SERMON VI.
CHRIST IS OUR HOPE.
1 Timothy i. 1. latter part. ^nd the Lord Jesus Christ , which is our hope,
any one inqaire, What is Christ to as? I -epiy, He is oar foandation—oar food—our root —our raiment—oar head—and oar hope. Hope ia.tfa in Scriptare two significations:
1. It signifies the ffraee of hopsy which is the ex-;>ectation of some good thing to come; Prov. x. 28. ■* The hope of the righteoas shall be gladness;" that is, their hoping hath a good issue. And it signifies,
2. The object of hope. So in the text
DocT. That the Lord Jesus Christ is a Christian's hope—the object of his hope.
All the good that we look for» we do and look for only from, by, and through, oar Lord Jesus Christ. Others may possibly make other things the object of their hope, but we must make the Lord Jesus Christ alone the object of our hope. I shall
Show, I. What the things are that we do hope for by, from, and through Jesus Christ.
II. What in Christ we do make the grounds of that hope.
III. What the success of that hope is, and how we are like to speed in it.
IV. Whence it is that we speed so well.
V. Make application.
I. What are the things that we hope for by, from, and through our Lord Jesus Christ ?
They are in general of two sorts:
1. Things that concern the life that now is, that pertain to the body, and to the outward man. We have occasion for these, and shall have, while we are in the body. Now which way must we look for them ? who must bo our hope ? Not any creature, one or other; not second causes; if they be, they will deceive and disappoint us; but our Lord Jesus Christ himself alone. Every good man says, He is my hope, Prov. xviii. 10, 11. Psalm Hi. 7; xx. 7, 8. It sweetens all such mercies, that they come from, and through, such a good hand. We must exercise this hope,
(1.) In all our wants and necessities, for supply of them. If we want food, raiment, rain, fair weather, success in business, health from sickness, ease from pain, he alone must be our hope ; and if he be so, be will see to us. Psalm xxiii.l; xxxiv. 10; xxxvii. 3. Lake xxii. 35.
(2.) In all our perils and dangers; for preservation from them, for preservation through them, Ps. iii. 6» 6; xxiii. 4. When the ship was sinking wherein Paal was:-—See the narrative, Acts xxvii. 22, &c.
(3.) In all our straits and troables; for support under them, for deliverance out of them, Ps. xxxiv. 19; Iv. 22.
(4.) Concerning our children after us, when we are gone, Ps. xxvii. 10. Jer. xlix. 11.
(5.) In reference to public affairs, that he will fight our battles for as, and give us victory over all our enemies. See Josh. v. 13.
2. Things that concern the life that is to come— spiritual things, eternal things. For these, also, our hope must be in Christ, and in him only; 2 Pet. i. 3. '' His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life,*' namely, life present, *' and godliness." For,
The grace itself that makes us godly is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ It is he that sanctifies, his Spirit that regenerates; Heb. xii.2. '* The Author and Finisher of our faith ;" the gold is his, and the eye-salve his.
The forgiveness of oar sins and the justification of our persons, is through Christ, Rom. v. 1; viii. 1. Eph. i. 7.
The acceptation of our services—audience for our prayers, is for his sake, 1 Pet. ii. 6. John xvi. 23.
So ability and strength both for doing and suffering. We can do nothing further than he enables, John XV. 6. nothing; nor undergo any thing if his arm be not under us.
A blessing upon ordinances is through his presence with us in them. Matt, xviii. 20; xxviii. 20.
Victory over spiritual enemies, corruptions, temptations, the devil, the world, the flesh, is through him, Rom. viii. 37.
The pouring out the Spirit as a Comforter, is on his account, John xiv. 16.
So persevering grace is from him: it is by his power we are kept, 1 Pet. i. 3.
A safe and comfortable passage out of this into the other world, is the effect of his presence, Ps. xxiii. 4. He will send his angels, Luke xvi. 22. And, when we come thither, good entertainment there,— that we shall be acknowledged and acqaitted, that he will say. Well done—give us a place in his kingdom. Matt. X. 32. Jude 24. John xiv. 2, 3.
The raising up of our bodies at the last day is because of him, John xi. 26. '* I am the resurrection." And this is promised, John vi. 30,40. fiat how ? See 1 Cor. XV. 42—44.
Soal and body shall be together in eternal happiness, with all the saints and with the Lord; and here is the top-stone of the {p-eat building. And is this by Christ? Yes: by Christ '< If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable," 1 Cor. xv. 19. In this life, but not in this life only, else, of all creatures*most miserable. Now all these together are great things. Then,
(1.) The saints of God are people of great hopes, that look for all this. They are great dealers; they
APPENDIX.
trade not, as the men of the world do, for pebbles, bot for rich pearls ; for a kingdom an eternal kingdom. O that all such would learn to carry it accordingly, that it might appear by their behaviour in every thing, that they are of a great spirit, and of great designs, as Moses, Heb. xi. 24— 2d,
(2.) The Lord Jesus Christ is a great Saviour, that hath wherewithal to answer the hopes of such abundance of people, trusting to him and expecting from him, to be made thus happy by him, and to have all this from him. We may wonder whence the king hath to maintain such armies, and whence to reward his friends that are faithful to him, and do him service, but how much more cause to wonder whence the Lord Jesus Christ hath to reward his faithful servants.
(3.) The men of the world are great fools, that when such a great happiness may be had, in the heavenly Canaan, they prefer the onions and garlic of Egypt before it; as the old Israelites did, despising the pleasant land, Ps. cvi. 24. a sin that God did never forgive them, but charged it upon them, so that their carcasses fell in the wilderness. And the case is the very same as to those that despise the grace of the gospel, and the rich offers of life and salvation by Jesus Christ, Heb. ii. 3; iii. 17; iv. 1.
II. What in Jesus Christ do we make the grounds of our hope touching all these things.
There is ground enough and enough, again and agin. We know whom we have trusted, and in whom we have hoped; and why, in Heb. vi. 19,20. Hope is there compared to an anchor, the use whereof is to keeptheship steady in storms. What kind of anchor? Sure and stedfast, not weak and wavering. How so ? It enters withiny fastens upon Christ in heaven; not upon mud or sand, or other loose ground, but upon a rock, Isa. xxviii. 16.
Three things we have in him to bottom our hopes upon :
1. The price he has paid to procure and purchase them: that was, his own blood; a price sufficient, a price accepted by the Father. They are all bought and paid for, yea, and paid for to the full worth and Talue of them. If a friend of ours have purchased an estate for us, we feel confidence. Behold a friend, " who though he was rich became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich," 2 Cor. viii. 9. Have we not then good grounds for hope? nay, for joy in hope? Rom. v. 2.
2. The promise he hath made to bestow it. There is nothing of all these blessings and benefits, but what he hath expressly told us in his holy word, shall be certainly conferred upon us, if we will believe in him, and be ruled by him, Matt xii. 28, 29. John X. 28. But may we trust him? Is he faithful? Will he not deceive us? I answer. There is no danger. Hadst thou as mny souls as thou hast hairs upon thy head, thou mightest venture them all upon his bare word; but for our more abondant ees-solation we have his oath, Heb. ti. 18. his bond miA twoseals, Rom.iv. 11. And shall we yet distrust hope* 3. His being present always at the right hand oC the Father, making intercession, that he may see it all done accordingly, Heb. vii. 2& If a legacy be left me by a dear friend, and he trust execatorsvitfc it that are false, I may lose it that way, notwii standing his good intention—as with many u orphan; but there is no danger of that here. Owr Lord himself hath so ordered the matter that be is his own executor. Then certainly he will see ki« will performed: then we have good groand of hope if able to make out our title.
HI. How are we likely to speed in oar hopes ?
Many hope for great things, and fall short. Hen there is no danger, " Hope maketh not ashamed'*— their hope, Rom. v. 6.—^the grace of hope, or the o ject of hope—Jesus Christ; neither of them 9mkn them ashamed; that is, they are sore not to bf disappointed, they shall certainly hare the thinp they look for. The reason follows, namely, cither God's love to them, in the sense of it, skeduhrmd a our hearts, or their love to God. Becaase he loa them and they love him,Hherefore no disappointnieiiL I dare challenge all the ages of the world, and aO the records of time, and all the people that evo lived upon the face of the earth, to prodace one ib-stance of one person that made the Lord Jesos Christ rightly and truly his hope, that was disappointed; disappointed of pardon, peace, acceptance witi God, and eternal life at last; or, disappointed as td the things of this life, unless they hoped amiss. Our rule in hoping, is to hope according to the promut: else we may hope amiss. The promise being with proviso, as far as for God's glory and oar good, such must the hope be, Ps. xci. 10.—no evil shtJI befall, Ps. xxxiv. 10—no good wanting.
IV. Whence is it we may be so certain we shall not be disappointed, if the Lord Jesus Christ be our hope?
Because he u what he is according to these thne titles given here to him:
1. He is Jesus a Saviour, one raised np on par-pose to bring people to heaven. The Tciy name es-courages hope.
2. He is Lord; Jehovah, blessed for erer; fiAn, of king and Lord of lords; almighty in power: able to saTO: other hopes are weak and unable.
3. He is Christ; anointed of God to be both Lord and Jesus ; him hath God the Father sealed, that is, commissioned under hand and seal, and also fitted every way for the undertaking. Acts x. 38.
V. What use should we make of this ?
1. Then if Christless, we are hopeless, Eph. ii. 11 Not absolutely, but while remaining in that state. For let me ask. What is thy hope ? I mean esped-ally touching the main matter, Uiy eternal salvatiofr
WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS.
last thou ever any tbonghts about it ?—It is for the lost part grounded upon a purposed repentance and efonnatlon hereafter, on our part, and on God's •art, a little mercy, which a good God will not deny, or a good man would not. This is all that the most rust to ; but this will certainly deceive* Job xxvii. . Prov. xi. 7. Matt. vii. 34—^27. It hath deceived boasands, and will thee.
2. Then saints are blessed; for the Lord Jesus yhrist is their hope, Ps. cxlvi. 5. Why then not omfortedy having such things in hope, in reversion; resides in hand, in possession ?
3. Then try your hopes, and be sure they be right, ilse expect disappointment. How were they irought? If bom with thee, and yon never did otherwise than hope, suspect that hope. The foun-lation of good hope is laid in a kind of despair;—no lope in the way I am in, therefore I must have a letter foundation. How do they work ? Is it in a constant care to please God—fear to offend him? hen they are right. Acts xxvi. 7. Do they lead to ielf-purifying ? I John iii. 3. Do they produce love x> the Lord Jesus ? It cannot be otherwise if you ^ave a good hope.
4. Exhortation to all to make Christ alone their dope, renouncing all other, Ps. Ixxiii. 25. especially Lby own righteousness, Phil. iii. 7, 8.
5. Caution. Do not say there is no hope; for, blessed be God, there is while Christ lives.
SERMON VIL
HE IS OUR REFUGE. Heb. vi. 18.
Who have Jiedfor refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.
These words are a description of true believers, such to whom belong the strong consolation; that is, who ought to be greatly comforted. They are such AS have fled for refuge to lay bold on the hope set before them. The same that is the hope is the refuge namely, Jesus Christ, and his undertaking for us. True believers are such as fly to him—for two reasons:
1. In reference to what is to come, to lay hold on the hope set before them ; that is, the hope laid for them in heaven. Col. i. 5. and set before them in the gospel, together with all the benefits purchased for them in their way thither.
2. In reference to what is present They fly to him for refuge every day, and they have need so to do.
DocT. That the Lord Jesus Christ is a Christian's refuge, to whom he must fly every day.
Show, T. What is meant by refuge.
II. What need we have of a refuge every day.
III. What kind of refuge Jesus Christ is.
lY. What it is to fly to him for refuge, and what should move us so to do. /
I. What is meant by a refuge ? A refuge is that which men are wont in times of trouble or danger to betake themselves to, for safety or supply, promising themselves that there they shall have it Refuges are of two sorts.
The one personal. Sometimes tliere are such and such persons in whom we confide, and from whom we expect shelter, a near and dear relation, a trusty faithful friend. We call him our refuge, and make him so, if we want any thing, if any thing ail us. Jonathan was David's refuge in his flight from Saul. Jephtha was the Gileadites' refuge, Judg. xi. Magistrates are the poor man's refuge, the shields of the earth.
The other real. There are things that are our refuge ; as, in time of war, a strong castle or walled town; there we conclude we shall be safe. Against want: The rich man's wealth is his strong city, Prov. xviii. 11. In case of guilt and justice pursuing: Joab fled to the horns of the altar; that was his refuge. The Jews, by God's appointment, ]^ad six cities of refuge, to which the manslayer was to fly. Now to these the apostle is supposed here especially to allude. As they had their refuges, so have we; theirs were so many cities, but ours is one Christ.
II. What need have we of a refuge every day ? We need a refuge on a four-fold account:
1. Guilt contracted. We are sinning daily, besides old scores. The avenger of blood, that is, God*s offended justice, is in pursuit of us, at our very heels, though we see him not. If he overtake us before we get into Christ we are undone. If we trust to other refuges, if we take hold of the horns of any other altar, he will pluck us thence, as they did Joab, and away we must go to execution. It is for every sin that this is our case; for the law says, Cursed is everg one that eontinueth not in all things which are written in the booh of the law to do them Gal. iii. 10. O what need have we then to bethink ourselves!
2. Temptations assaulting. The world, the flesh, and the devil, are all busy, by fair means, by foul, by allurements, by affrightments; setting upon us, to draw us from God and duty, to sin and folly. Temptations are sometimes of one kind, sometimes of another. Now the query is, Where is our refuge ? whither go we for strength, for safety ? To something in ourselves; or, as David against Goliah, in the name of the Lord of hosts, in the strength of the grace of Jesus Christ ?
3. Troubles befalling. Sufficient for each day is the evil of it; one event or other happens that crosses and grieves us. Now have we no refuge, nothing to betake ourselves to, that may help to bear us up?
APPENDIX.
One says, I have a father and mother to look after me. Another—I have a friend that will not see me want. Bat, says the believer, I have a refuge beyond them aU, and that is Christ.
4. Dangers threatening. Besides what present evils we meet with, there are others that we have prospect of, afar off. And many times, the \ery fear of them is more grievoas than they themselves are when they come. Now against these, also, Christ Jesus is, and ought to be, a Christian's refuge, Ps. IvL 3; cxii. 7. O be convinced of this, that upon all these accounts you have need of a refuge. Till this is done all I shall say will be to no purpose. *' What will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far ? to whom will ye flee for help ? and where will ye leave your glory V Isa. x. 3. These are good questions.