SERMON XVI.
SERM. XVI.
The Fountain of Life.
" Work out yourown ſalvationwith fear and trembling; for it " isGod that worketh in youboth towill and todo ofhis own
" good pleaſure," Phil. ii. 12. Remember it is falvation you work for, andthat'sno trifle. Remember it isyour ownfalvation, andnot another's.
It is for thy own poor foul that thou art ſtriving; andwhat haſt thou more?
Remember, nowGod offers you his helping hand; now the Spirit waits upon you in the means, but of the continuance thereof, you have no aſſurance; for it is of his own good pleafure, and not at yours.
To your work, fouls, to your work.
Ah, ſtrive as men that know what an inheritance in heaven is worth.
And, as for you that have folid evidence that it is yours ; O, that withhands and eyes lifted up toheaven, you would adore that free,grace, that hath entitled a child ofwrath toa heavenly inheritance ! Walk as becomes heirsofGod, andjointheirs with Chriſt.
Be often looking heaven-ward when wants pinchhere.
O look to that fair eſlateyou have referved inheaven for you, and ſay, I am haſtening home; andwhen Icome thither, all mywants ſhall be ſupplied. Confider what it coſt
Chriſt to purchase it for thee; andwith adeep ſenſe ofwhat he hathlaidout forthee, let thy foul ſay, Bleffed be Godfor Jesus Christ.
SERMON XVI.
Opens the Kingly Office of Chrift, as executed ſpiritually upon the Souls of theRedeemed.
2COR. X. 5. Caſting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itselfagainst the knowledge ofGod, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
WE now come to the Regal office, by which our glorious Mediator executes and diſchargeth the undertaken deſignofour redemption. Hadhe not, as our prophet, opened theway oflife and falvation to the childrenof men, they could never have known it ; and if they had clearlyknown it, except, as their Prieſt, hehad offered up himself, to impetrateandobtain redemption forthem,theycouldnothavebeenredeemedvirtually byhisblood; and if theyhadbeen ſo redeemed, yet had he not lived in the capacity of aking, to apply this purchase ofhis
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SERM. XVI.
bloodtothem, theycouldhavehadno actual perſonal benefitby hisdeath: forwhathe revealed asa Prophet,he purchased as a Priest ; and what he ſo revealed and purchaſed as Prophet and Prieft, he applies as aKing: firſt ſubduingthe souls of his elect tohis ſpiritual government; then rulingthem as his fubjects, and ordering all things in the kingdom ofProvidence for their good.
So thatChriſt hath a twofold kingdom,theoneſpiritual and internal, by which he fubdues and rules the hearts ofhis people; theother providentialand external, wherebyheguides, rules, and orders all things inthe world, in ableſſed ſubordinationtotheirexternal ſalvation.
Iam to ſpeakfrom this textof his ſpiritual and internal kingdom.
Thele words are confidered two ways, either relatively or absolutely.
Conſidered relatively, they are a vindication of the apoſtlefrom the unjuſt cenſuresofthe Corinthians, who, very unworthily, interpreted his gentleneſs, condeſcenſion, and win. ning affability, to be no better than a fawning upon them for ſelf-ends; and the authorityhe exerciſed, no better than pride and imperiouſneſs.
But hereby he lets them know, that as Chriſt needs not, ſo he never uſed ſuch carnal artifices : The weapons of our warfare (faith he) are not carnal, but mighty, through God, &c.
Abſolutely confidered,theyholdforth the efficacyof thegof. pel, inthe plainneſs and ſimplicityofit, for the fubduing ofrebellious finners to Chrift: and inthemwe have theſe three things toconfider.
1. The oppositionsmadeby ſinners against the affaults of the goſpel, viz. imaginations, or reaſonings, as the word λογισμος, maybe fitly rendered. Hemeans the fubtilities, flights, excuſes, fubterfuges, and arguings of fleshly-mindedmen ; in which they fortify and entrench themselves against the convictions of theword * : yea, and there are not only fuch carnal reaſonings, but many proud, high conceits withwhich poor creatures ſwell, andſcorn to ſubmit to the abaſing, humble, ſelfdenyingway of the goſpel.
These are the fortifications erected againft Chriſt by the carnalmind.
2. We have here the conquest which the goſpel obtains over finners, thus fortifiedagainst it:it caſts down and overthrows, andtakesin theſe ſtrong holds.
Thus Chriſt ſpoils Satan ofhis *Hemakes use of the wordstronghold, byanelegant metaphor, to expreſs everything in which the enemies ofthe goſpel truſt, fortifyand exalt themselves against the truth of the heavenly word; fuchascarnal wisdom, learning, and eloquence.
Glaff.
SERM . XVI.
The Fountain of Life. armour inwhich he trusted,by ſhewing the ſinner that all this canbe no defence to his foul against the wrath of God. But that's notall: in the nextplace, 3. You have here the improvement of the victory.
Chrift doth not only leadawaytheſe enemiesſpoiled, but brings them intoobedience to himself, i. e. makes them, after converfion, ſubjects ofhis ownkingdom, obedient, useful, and ſerviceable tohimſelf; and ſois morethanaconqueror. Theydonotonly laydowntheirarms, and fightno more against Chriſtwith them; butrepair tohis camp, andfight for Chrift, with thoſe reaſons oftheirs that were before employed against him: asitis faid of Jerom, Origen, and Tertullian, that they came into Canaan, laden with Egyptian gold; that is, theycame into the church fullofexcellentlearningandabilities, withwhich theyeminently ſerved Jeſus Chriſt.
" + O bleſſed victory, where the conquer66 or, and conquered, both triumph together !" Andthus enemies and rebels are fubdued, and made ſubjects ofthe ſpiritual kingdom of Chriſt. Hence the doctrinal note is,
Doct. That Jesus Chriſt exercises aKinglypoweroverthefouls ofallwhom the gospelfubdues to his obedience.
Nofooner werethe Coloſſians delivered out ofthe power of darkness, butthey were immediately tranſlatedintothekingdom of Chrift, thedear Son, Col. i. 13.
This kingdom ofChriſt, which isourpreſent ſubject, is the internal ſpiritual kingdom, which isſaid tobe withinthe faints,
Luke xvii. 20, 21. " The kingdom ofGod is within you."
Chrift fits as an enthronedking in thehearts, confciences, and affections of his willing people, Pfal.cx. 3. And his kingdom confifts in" righteouſneſs, peace, andjoy inthe HolyGhoſt,"
Rom. xiv. 17. and itis properly monarchical,as appears in the margin‡.
Inthe proſecution of this point, I will ſpeak doctrinally to theſe threeheads.
First, How Chriſt obtains the throne inthe hearts ofmen.
† O beata victoria, ubi vifti cum victoribus fimul triumphant!
Meyerin loc.
‡ This internal government is monarchical, and itmust be fo; for the right ofgoverning mens confciencesbelongs to none buthim, who is both wife and most powerful; neither hath Chriſt inthis governmentany vice gerent, towhom his power and authority is com mitted.
SERM . XVI.
The Fountain of Life.
Secondly, How he rules in it, and by what acts he exerciſes his kingly authority.
Thirdly, What are the privileges of thoſe ſouls overwhom Chriſt reigns.
And then apply it.
First, We will openthewayandmanner inwhich Chriſt obtains a throne in thehearts of men, and that is by conquest§ : for tho' the fouls of the elect are hisby donation, and right of redemption; the Father gave them to him, and he died for them; yet Satan hath the firſt poffeffion: and ſo it fares with Chriſt, as it did with Abraham, to whomGod gave the land of, Canaanby promise and covenant; but the Canaanites Perizites, and fons ofAnak, had the actual poſſeſſion of it, andAbraham's poſterity muſt fight for it, and win itby inches, before theyenjoy it.
The houſe is conveyed to Chriſt by him: that built it, but the ſtrong man armed keeps the poffeffion of it, till a ſtronger than he comes and ejects him, Lukexi. 20,
21, 22.
Chriſt muſt fight his way into the foul, though he have a right to enter, as into his dearly purchased poffeffion.
Andfo he doth ; for when the time of recovering them is come, he ſends forth his armies to fubdue them ; as it is Pfal. cx. 3.
66 Thy people ſhall be willing intheday of thy power." The + Hebrew may as fitly be rendered, and ſo is by fome, " in the " day of thine armies ;" whenthe Lord Jeſus ſent forth his armies of prophets, apoſtles, evangelifts, pastors, teachers, under the conduct ofhis Spirit, armed with that two-edged ſword, the word ofGod, which is ſharp and powerful, Heb. iv. 12.
But that's not all : he cauſes armies of convictions, and ſpiritual troubles, tobegirt and ſtraiten them on every fide, ſo that they know not what to do.
Theſe convictions, like a ſhower of arrows, ſtrike, point-blank, into their confciences ; Acts ii. 37.
" When theyheard this, theywere pricked to the heart, and " faid, Men and brethren, what ſhall we do?" Chriſt's arrows are ſharp in the hearts of his enemies, whereby the people fall under him, Pfal. xlv. 5, 6.
By theſe convictions he batters down alltheir looſe vainhopes, and levels them with the earth.
§ For unlimited power, even in the way ofvicegerency, can be competent to no man : there is alſo a certain kind of union which excludes all vicegerency ; ſuch as that of Father and Son, huſband andwife : for certainly here ſubſtitution cannot take place.
Maccov. loc. Com. p. 641.
In die exercitus tui. To wit, When having ſent forth thy apoſtles and other teachers of the church, thou wilt, by the found ofthy gofpel, gather together and conftitute to thyfelf akingdom.
Mollier on thisplace.
SERM . XVI .
The Fountain of Life.
Now all their weak pleas and defences, from the general mercy ofGod, the example ofothers, &c, prove but as paperwalls to them.
Theſe ſhake theirhearts, even to the very foundation, and overturn every high thought there, that exalts itſelf against the Lord.
This day, in which Chriſt ſits down before thefoul, and fummons itby ſuch meſſengers as theſe, is a day ofdiſtreſs within; yea, ſuch aday oftrouble, that none is like it.
But though it be ſo, yet Satan hath ſo deeply entrenched himſelfinthemind and will, thatthe foul yields not at the firſt ſummons, till its proviſions within are ſpent, and all its towers of pride, and walls ofvain confidence, be undermined by the goſpel, and fhaken down about its ears : and then the foul defires a parley with Chriſt. O, now it would be glad of terms, any terms, if itmay but fave its life: let allgo as a prey to the conqueror. Now it ſends many fuch meſſengers as theſe to Chrift, who is come now to the very gates of the foul ; mercy,
Lord, mercy ; O were I but affured thou wouldeſt receive, ſpare, and pardon me, I would opentothee the nextmoment !
Thus the foul is " ſhut up to the faith of Chriſt," as it is, Gal. iii.
23., and reduced now to thegreateſt ſtrait and loſs imaginable ; andnow the merciful King, whoſe only deſign is to conquer the hearts, hangs forth the white flag ofmercy before the foul, giving it hopes it ſhall be ſpared, pitied, and pardoned, though ſo long in rebellion against him, if yet it will yield itſelf to Chrift.
Many ſtaggerings, hefitations, irreſolutions, doubts, fears, fcruples, half-refolves, reaſonings for and against, there are atthe counſel-table ofman'sown heart, at this time.
Sometimes there is no hope; Chriſt will flay me, if I go forth to him, andthenit trembles.
But then, who ever found him fo that tried him ? Other fouls have yielded, and found mercybeyond all their expectations . O, but I have been a defperate enemy against him.
Admit it, yetthou hast the word ofa King for it; " Let the wicked forſake his way, and the unrighteous
" man his thoughts; and let him turn to the Lord, and he " will have mercy on him; and to ourGod, for he will abun- " dantly pardon him," Ifa. Iv. 7.
But the time of mercy, is paſt, I have ſtood out too long: yet, if it were ſo, how is it that Chriſt had not made ſhort work, and cut me off? fet fire, hell fire to my foul, and withdrawn the fiege? Still he waiteth that he may be gracious, and is exalted thathemay have compaſſion. Athousand ſuch debates
there are, till, at last, the foulconſidering, ifitabide in rebellion , itmustneedsperiſh; ifitgoforth toChrut, itcanbutperiſh :
VOL. I.
The Fountain of Life.
SERM .XVI.
andbeing fomewhat encouragedby the meſſages of grace ſent intothe foul, at this time, ſuch as in Heb. vii. 25. " Wherefore
" he is able toſave to the utmoſt, all that come unto Godby "him;" and, John vi. 37., "He that cometh to me, I willin nowife caſt out:" and in Matth. xi. 28. , " Come unto me
" ye that are weary, and heavy laden, and I willgiveyou reft."
It is, at last, reſolved to open to Chriſt ; and faith, " Stand "openye everlasting gates, and be ye opened ye everlasting
" doors, and theKing ofglory ſhall come in." Now, the will fpontaneously opens to Chrift; that royal fort ſubmits and yields; all the affections open to him :
Thewill brings Chrift thekeys ofall the roomsinthe foul.
Concerning the triumphant entranceofChriſt into the foul, we may say, as the Pfalmiſt rhetorically ſpeaks concerning the triumphant entrance of Ifrael into Canaan, Pfal. cxiv. 5, 6. " The mountains ſkipped like
" rams, and the little hillslike lambs ; what ailed thee, O thou " ſea, that thou fleddeſt ? thou Jordan, that thou waſt driven
" back ?" So here, in a like rhetoricaltriumph, we may ſay, the mountains and hills ſkipped like rams, andthe fixed and obſtinate will ſtarts from its own bafis and centre: the rocky heart rends in twain. Apoor foul comes to the word, full of ignorance, pride, ſelf-love,deſperate hardneſs, and fixed reſolutions togo on in its way : and, by an hour's diſcourſe, the tide turns,
Jordan is driven back : What aileth thee, thou ſtout will, that thou furrendereſt to Chriſt ! thouhard heart, thatthourelenteſt, and the waters guſh out ? And thus the foul is won to Chriſt : he writes downhis terms,and thefoul willingly ſubſcribes them.
Thus it comes in to Chriſt by free and hearty fubmiffion, de. firingnothingmorethanto comeunder thegovernment ofChrift, for the time to come.
Secondly, Let us ſeehow Chriſt rules inthe fouls of fuch as fubmit tohim.
And there are fixthings inwhich he exerts his kingly authority over them .
1. He imposes a new law upon them, and enjoins them to befevereandpunctal in their obedience to it
The soul was aBelialitebefore, and could endure no reſtraint; its luſtsgave itlaw :
" We ourſelves were ſometimes foolish, diſobedient, ſerving " divers lufts and pleaſures," Tit. iii. 3.
Whatever the fleſh $ It is proper to Chriſt, who rules abſolutely and monarchically over the fouls andconfciences ofmen, tobindthemby his own authority.
None but Chriſt can do it, 1. Becauſe this authority of Chriſt is infinite.
2. Because it isthe authority ofa husbandwhich cannot be communicated to any other, 1 Cor. ix. 21 , 22.
SERM. XVI.
The Fountain of Life.
craved, andthe ſenſual appetite whinedafter, it musthave, coft what it would : ifdamnation were the price ofit, it would have it, provided it ſhould not be preſent pay. Now, it must not beanylonger ανομος Θεω, αλλεννομος τωΧρισω, withoutlaw toGod; butunder law to Chriſt.
Thoſe are the articles ofpeacewhich the foul willinglyſubſcribesinthe day ofits admiffion to mercy,
Mat. xi. 29. " Take my yokeuponyou,andlearn ofme."
This " law of the ſpirit oflife which is in Chriſt Jeſus makes them " free from the law of fin and death," Rom. viii. 2. Hereis much ſtrictness, butno bondage; for the law is not onlywritten in Chriſt's ſtatute-book,thebible, butcopiedoutby his fpirit upon the hearts of his ſubjects, in correfpondent principles : whichmakesobedience a pleaſure,and ſelf-denial eaſy. Chrift's yoke is lined with love, ſo that it never galls the necks of his people: 1John v. 3. " His commandments are not grievous."
The foul that comes under Chriſt's government, muſt receive law from Chriſt ; and under laweverythoughtof the heart muſt come.
2.Herebukes and chaſtiſes fouls for the violations andtranfgreffions ofhis law.
That is another act of Chriſt's regal authority; " whom he loves he rebukes and chaſtens," Heb. xii.
6, 7. Theſe chaſtiſements of Chriſt areeither by the rod ofprovidence upon their bodies, and outward comforts, or upon their
Spirits and inward comforts.
Sometimes hisrebukes are ſmart uponthe outward man, 1 Cor. xi. 30. " For this cauſe, ma- " ny among you are weakly and ſick, andmany lеер."
They hadnotthatdue regard to his body thatbecame them, and he willmake their bodies to ſmart for it.
Andhe had rather their fleſh ſhould smart, than their fouls ſhould periſh.
Sometimes he ſpares their outward, and afflicts theirinner man, which is amuch ſmarter rod. He withdraws peace, and takes awayjoy from thefpirits of his people.
The hidings ofhis face are fore rebukes.
However, allis for emendation, not for deſtruction.
And itis notthe least privilegeof Chriſt's ſubjects to have a feafonable and ſanctifiedrod toreduce themfrom the ways offin :
Pfal. xxiii. 3. " Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." O thersare fuffered togo on ſtubbornly in the way of their own hearts ; Chrift will not ſpendarod upon them for their good, will not call them to account for anyoftheir tranfgreffions,but will reckonwith them for alltogether inhell.
3. Another regal act of Christ, is the restraining and keeping back his fervants from iniquity, and withholding them from those courses which theirown hearts would incline, and lead them
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to : for, even in them, there is a ſpirit bent to backſliding, but the Lord in tenderneſs over them, keeps back their fouls from iniquity, and that when they are upon the very brink of fin : "My feet were almoſt gone, my ſteps were well nigh lipt,"
Pfal. lxxiii. 2.
Then doth the Lord prevent fin, by removing theoccafion providentially, orbyhelpingthem to refift thetemp. tation, graciouſly affifting their fpirits in the trial, ſo that no temptation ſhall befal them, but a way of eſcape ſhall be opened, that they may be able to bear it, 1 Cor. x. 13. And thus his people have frequent occafions tobleſs his name for his preventing goodness, when they are almoſt in the midst ofall evil.
And this I take to be the meaning ofGal. v. 16. " This, I ſay then, walk in the Spirit, andye ſhallnotfulfil the lufts ofthe
" fleſh;" temptedbythem,you may be,but fulfil themyeſhall not : my ſpirit ſhallcauſe the temptation todie, and wither away inthe womb, in the embrio ofit, so that it ſhallnotcome to a fullbirth.
4. He protects them in his ways *, and fuffers them not to relapse from him into a state offin, and bondage to Satan any more. Indeed, Satan is reſtleſs inhis endeavours to reduce them again to his obedience ; he never leaves tempting and foliciting for their return: andwherehe finds afalſe profeffor he prevails ; but Chrift keeps his, that they depart not again.
John xvii.
12. " All that thou hast given me I have kept, and none of " them is loft, but theſon of perdition."
They are " kept " by the mighty power of God, through faith to ſalvation,"
I Pet. i. 5.
Kept, as in a garrifon, according to theimportance of that word.
None more folicited, none more ſafe than the people ofGod.
They are " preſerved in Chriſt Jeſus," Jude i.
It is not their owngrace that fecures them, but Chrift's care, and continual watchfulneſs.
" † Our own graces left to them- " ſelves would quickly prove but weights ſinking us to our
" own ruin," as one ſpeaks.
This is his covenant with them, Jer. xxxii . 4. " I will put my fear in their hearts, that they
" ſhall not depart from me."
Thus, as a king he preferves them.
5. Asa king he rewards their obedience, and encourages their fincerefervice.
Thoughall they do for Chriſt beduty, yet he * Chriſt and all his little ones, underhis two wings, and inthe compaſs or circle of his arms, are ſo ſure, that caſt him and them in the ground ofthe ſea, he ſhall come up again, and not loſe one.
Anoddonecannot, nor ſhall notbeloft inthe telling.
† Perfectionesfibi relictae, funt pondera ad ruinam.
Gerf
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The Fountain of Life. hathunited their comfort with their duty ;"this I had, becauſe
" I kept thy precepts," Pfal. cxix. 56.
They are engaged to take this encouragement withthemto everyduty, that hewhom they ſeek, " is a bountiful rewarder ofſuch as diligently ſeek
" him," Heb. xi. 6. Owhat a good maſter do the faints ſerve !
Hearhow a king expoftulates with his ſubjects, Jer. ii. 31.
" Have I been a barren wilderneſs, or a land of darkneſs to " you ?" q. d. Have I been fuch ahard maſter to you ? have you any reaſon to complain of my ſervice ? To whoinfoever I have been ſtrait-handed, ſurely I have notbeen ſo to you.
You have not found the ways or wages of fin like mine.
6. †He pacifies allinward troubles, and commandspeacewhen theirspirits are tumultuous. This " peace ofGod rules in their
" hearts," Col. iii. 15, it doth βραβεύειαν act the part ofan umpire, in appeaſing ſtrife within.
When the tumultuous affections areup, and in a hurry ; when anger, hatred, and revenge begin to rife inthe foul, this hushes and ſtills all.
" Iwill " hearken (faith the church) what God the Lord will speak, " for he will ſpeak peace to his people, and to his faints,"
Pfal. lxxv. 8.
He that faith to the raging fea, be ſtill, and it obeys him ; hecan only pacify the diſquieted ſpirit.
They fay of frogs, that if theybe croaking never so much in the night, bring but a light among them, and they are all quiet : ſuch a light is the peace of God among our difordered affections.
Theſe are Chriſt's regal acts. Andhe puts them forth upon the fouls of his people, powerfully, ſweetly, fuitably.
(1.) Powerfully: whether he restrains from fin, or impels to duty, hedoth it with afoul-determining efficacy : for"his king- " domis not in word,but in power," I Cor. iv. 20. And thoſe whom his Spirit leads, go bound in the ſpirit, tothe fulfilling and discharge oftheirduties,Acts xx. 22. And yet,
(2.) He rules not by compulfion, but mostsweetly.
His law is a law oflove, writtenupon their hearts.
The church is the Lamb's wife, Rev. xix. 7. " A bruiſed reed he ſhall not break,
" and ſmoaking flax he shall not quench," Ifa. xlii. 2, 3. " I " beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Chrift," faith the apoftle, 2 Cor. x . 1.
For he delighteth infree, not inforced obedience.
He rules Children, notflaves ; andfohis kingly † It acts the part ofan umpire orjudge among the other affections, for this is the meaning of the word βραβευειαν ; when therefore, theſe tumultuous paffions, anger, hatred and revenge riſe in our hearts, this peace of God ought todo its office, i. e. put an end to theſe tumults likethejudge inancient games.
Daven. in Col.
SERM. XVI.
The Fountain of Life. powerismixedwithfatherly love. His yoke is not made ofiron, butgold.
(3.) He rules them ſuitably to their natures, in a rational way; Hof. xi . 4. " Idrew them with the cords ofa man, with " bands oflove ;" i. e. in a way propertoconvincetheir reaſon, andwork upon theiringenuity. Andthus his internal kingdom is adminiſtred by his Spirit, who is hisprorex, or vicegerent in our hearts.
Thirdly, And lastly, we will openthe privileges pertaining toall the ſubjects ofthis ſpiritualkingdom. And they are ſuch as follow.
1. Thosefouls, overwhom Christ reigns, are certainly andfullyfet free from the curse of the law.
" If the Son makes you " freethen are you free indeed," John viii. 36.
I ſaynot, they arefreefrom the law as a rule oflife; ſuch a freedom were no privilege tothem at all: butfreefrom the rigorous exactions, and terrible maledictions of it; to hear our liberty proclaimed from this bondage, is the joyful found indeed, the bleſſedeſt voicethat ever our ears heard. And this all that are in Chriſt ſhall hear; " Ifwe be ledby the Spirit, we are not under the " law,"Gal. v. 18. " Bleſſed are the people thathear thisjoy- " ful found," Pfal. Ixxxix. 15.
2. Another privilege of Chriſt's ſubjects, is, freedom from thedominion offin. Rom. vi. 14. "Sin ſhall not reign over " them; for they are not under the law, but undergrace."
Oneheavencannot bear two funs ; nor one foultwokings : when Chrift takes the throne, ſinquits it.
It is true, the being of fin is there ſtill; its defiling and troubling power remains ſtill ; but itsdominion is aboliſhed. O joyful tidings ! O welcome day!
3. Another privilege of Chriſt's fubjects, is, protection in all the troubles and dangers towhichtheirfouls or bodies are exposed.
" This man ſhallbe the peace, when the Affyrian ſhall come " intoour land, andwhen he ſhall tread in our palaces," Mic. v. 5.
Kings owe protection to their ſubjects: none foable, fo faithful in that work as Chriſt; all " thou gaveſt me, I have
"kept, andnone is loſt," John xvii. 12 .
4. Another privilege of Chriſt's ſubjects, is, a merciful and tenderbearing of their burdens and infirmities.
They have a meek and patient king; " Tell the daughter ofSion, thy king " cometh meek and lowly;" Mat. xxi. 5. Mat. xi. 29. " Take
" my yoke, and learn ofme, for I am meek and lowly."
The meek Mofes could not bear the provocations of the people, Numb . xi. 12. but Chriſt bears them all : " He carries the
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" lambs inhis arms, and gentlyleadsthem thatbewithyoung,"
Ha. xlii. 11. He is one that can have compaffionuponthe ignorant, and them that are out ofthe way.
5. Again, Sweetpeace, and tranquility offoul, isthe privilege ofthesubjects of this kingdom : for this kingdom" confifteth in
" peace, and joy in the HolyGhoſt," Rom. xiv. 17. And till foulscomeunder his ſcepter, they ſhall never find peace : "come
" unto me, ye that are weary, I will give you reft."
Yet do notmistake, I ſay not, they have all actual peace, at alltimes : no, they oftenbreak that peace by fin; butthey have the root of peace, the ground-work and cauſe ofpeace.
If they have not peace, yet they have that which is convertible into peace atanytime.
They alſo are in a ſtate of peace, Rom. v. 11.
" Being juſtified by faith, we have peace withGod."
This is afeaft every day, a mercywhich theyonlycanduly value, that are in the depths of trouble for fin.
6. And lastly, everlastingfalvation is the privilege ofallover whom Christ reigns.
Prince and Saviour are joined together, Acts v. 31. He that can ſay, "thou shalt guide me with thy
" counſels," may add what follows, " and afterwards bring me *" to glory," Pfal. Ixxiii. 24.
Indeed, the kingdom of grace dothbut breedup children forthe kingdom ofglory. Andto ſpeak as the thing is, it is the kingdom ofheaven here begun.
The differencebetwixt them is notspecifical,but onlygradual: and therefore this, as well as that,bears the name ofthe kingdomofheaven.
Thekingisthe ſame,and the fubjects theſame.
The ſubjects of this are ſhortly tobetranflatedto that kingdom.
Thus I have named, and indeed but named, ſome fewof thoſe ineſtimable privileges of Chriſt's ſubjects.
We next apply it.
Inference 1. Howgreat is theirfin andmisery who continue inbondage tofin and Satan, andrefuse thegovernment ofChrist!
Who had rather fit under the ſhadow of that bramble, than under the ſweetand powerful government of Chrift.
Satan writes his laws inthe blood of his fubjects, grinds themwith crueloppreffion, wears them out with bondage to divers lufts, and rewards their ſervice with everlasting misery.
And yet how few are weary of it, and willingto come overtoChriſt !
" Behold," faith one of Chriſt's heralds||, " Chriſt is in the " field, fent ofGod to recover his right and your liberty.
His " royalſtandardis pitched inthe goſpel, and proclamationmade, " that ifany poor ſinners, weary of the Devil's government,
Gurnall's Chriflian armour, p. 218,
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" and laden with the miserable chains ofhis ſpiritual bondage, (foas theſe irons of his fins enter into his very foul, to af- " flict it with the ſenſe ofthem) ſhall thus come and repair to " Chrift, he shall have protection fromGod'sjuſtice, theDevil's
" wrath, and fin's dominion; in a word, he ſhallhave reſt, " and thatglorious, Ifa. xi. 10."
Andyethow few ſtir a foot towards Chriſt, but are willing tohave their ears bored, and be perpetual flaves tothat cruel tyrant ? O when will finners be weary of their bondage, and figh after deliverance ! Ifany fuch poor foul ſhall read theſe lines, let them know, and I do proclaim it inthe the name of myroyal maſter, and givehim the wordof aking for it, he ſhall not be rejected by Chriſt, John vi. 37. Come, poor finners, come, the Lord Jeſus is a merciful king, and never did, nor willhang up that poor penitent, that puts the rope about his own neck, and submits to mercy.
Inference 2. How much doth it concern us to enquire and know whoſe government we are under, and who is king over our
Jouls; whether Christ or Satan be in the throne, andfways the Sceptreover ourfouls ?
Reader, the work I would now engage thy foul in, is the ſame that Jesus Chriſt will throughly and effectually do in the great day.
Then willhe gather out ofhis kingdom every thing that offends, feparate the tares and wheat, divide the whole world into two ranks or grand diviſions, how many divifions and fubdiviſions foever there be in it now.
It nearly concerns thee therefore to knowwho is Lord andKing in thy foul. To help thee in this greatwork, make use of the following hints ; for I cannot fully proſecute theſe things as I would.
1. * " To whom doyou yield your obedience ? His ſubjects " and ſervants ye are to whom ye obey," Rom.vi. 16.
It is but amockery to give Chriſt the empty titles ofLord andKing, whilft ye give your real fervice to fin and Satan.
What is this but like the Jews, to bow the knee to him, and ſay, Hail maſter, and crucify him ? " Then are ye his diſciples, if ye do
" whatsoever he commands you," John xv. 14. He that is Chrift's fervant injest, ſhall be damned in earnest.
Chriſt doth not compliment with you ; his pardons, promiſes, and falva- * O how many ofus wouldhave Chriſt divided into halves, that wemight take the half ofhim only ; his office, Jeſus, and ſalvation ? But Lord is a cumbersome word, and to obey, and work out our own falvation, and perfect holiness, is the cumberſome and ſtormy north fide ofChrift, andthat we eſchew and ſhift off,
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tions are real ; O let your obedience be ſo too ! Let itbe ſincere anduniverſal obedience; this will evidence your unfeigned ſubjection to Chriſt, Do not dare to enterprize any thing, till youknow Chriſt's pleaſure and will, Rom. xii. 2. Enquire of Chriſt, as Daviddid ofthe Lord, I Sam. xxiii. 9, 10, 11. Lord, may I do this or that ? or ſhall I forbear ? Ibeſeech thee tellthy fervant.
2. Have you the power of godliness, or a form of it only?
There be many that dobut trifle in religion, and play about the ſkirts and borders of it; ſpending theirtime aboutjejune andbarrencontroverfies: but as to the power of religion, and life of godliness, which conſiſt in communion withGod in duties andordinances, which promote holiness, and mortify their lufts, theyconcern notthemſelvesabouttheſe things. But furely
" the kingdom ofGod is not in word, but in power," 1 Cor. iv. 20.
It is not meat anddrink (that is, dry diſputes about meats anddrinks) " but righteouſneſs, andpeace, andjoy in the " HolyGhost ; forhe that in theſe things ſerveth Chriſt, is ac66 ceptable toGod, and approved of men," Rom. xiv. 17, 18.
O I am afraid whenthe great hoſt ofprofeſſorsſhall be triedby theſe rules, they will ſhrink up into alittle handful, as Gideon's hoſt did.
3. Haveyethespecialfaving knowledge ofChrist ? All hisfubjects are tranſlated out ofthe kingdom ofdarkness, Col. i. 13 .
The devil, that ruleth over you in the days ofyour ignorance, iscalled the ruler of the darkness ofthis world : His fubjects are all blind, elſe he could never rule them: As soon as theireyes be opened, theyrun out of his kingdom, and there is no retaining themin ſubjection to him anylonger. O enquire then, whether you are brought out ofdarkness into this marvellous light ! do youfee yourcondition,howfad, miſerable, wretched itisbynature? do you ſee your remedy, as it lies only in Chriſt, and his precious blood ? Doyou see the trueway of obtaining intereſt inthat blood by faith ? doth this knowledge run into practice, and putyou upon lamenting heartily your misery by fin ? thirſting vehemently after Chriſt and his righteousness ? ſtriving continually fora heart to believe and cloſewith Chrift ? This will evidenceyou indeedto be tranſlated out ofthe kingdom of darkneſsinto the kingdom of Chriſt.
4. With whom do you delightfully affociate yourselves ?
Who are your chofen companions ? you may fee to whom you belong by the company you join yourſelves to.
What do the ſubjects ofChriſt among the laves of Satan? Ifthe ſubjects VOL. I, Ff
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of one kingdom be in another king's dominion, they love to betogether with theirown countrymen, rather than the natives ofthe place; fo do the ſervants ofChriſt.
They are a companyofthemſelves, as it is faid, Acts iv. 23. "They went to " theirown company." Iknow the fubjects ofboth kingdoms arehere mingled, and we cannot avoid the company of finners exceptwego outofthe world, I Cor. v. 10. but yet allyourdelights ſhouldbe inthe faints and in the excellent ofthe earth,
Pfal. xvi. 3.
5. Doye liveholy and righteous lives ? If not, you may claim intereſt inChrift asyour king,buthewill never allowyour claim.
" Theſcepter ofhiskingdom isaſcepter ofrighteouſneſs,"Pfal. xlv. 6. Ifye oppreſs, go beyond, and cheat your brethren, and yet call yourſelves Chriſt's fubjects, what greater reproach can ye ſtudy to caſt upon him ? What ! is Chrift theking of cheats?
Doth he patronize ſuch things as theſe ? No, no, pull offyour vizards, and fall intoyour own places ; you belong to another prince, andnot to Chrift .
Inf. 3. Doth Chriſt exerciſe ſuch akingly power over the fouls ofallthem that are ſubdued by the golpel tohim ? O then let allthat are under Chrift's government walk as thesubjects of fuch a King †.
Imitateyour king; the examples of kings are very influential upon their ſubjects. Your king hath commandedyounotonly totake his yoke upon you, but alſo to learnof him, Mat. xi . 29. Yea, and ifany man ſay that he is Chriſt's, " let him walk even as Chriſt walked,"
John. ii. 6. Your King is meek and patient, Ifa. liii. 7. as alamb for meekness : ſhall his fubjects be lions for fierceneſs ? Your King was hum ble andlowly; Mat. xxi. 5. " Behold thy King cometh meek
" and lowly :" Will you be proudand lofty ? Doth this become the kingdom of Chriſt ? Your King was a felf-denying King ; hecoulddenyhis outward comforts, eaſe, honour, life, to ſerve his Father's deſign, and accomplish your falvation, 2Cor. viii.
9. Phil. ii. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Shall his ſervants be self-ended, and ſelffeeking perſons, that willexpoſe his honour, and hazard their own fouls for the trifles of time ? God forbid. Your
King was painful, laborious, and diligent in fulfilling his work, John ix. 3.
Let not his fervants belazy and flothful. O imitateyourKing, follow the pattern ofyour king: this will give you comfort now, and boldness in the dayofjudgment, ifas he was, fo ye are inthisworld, I John iv. 17 .
+Thewholeworld follow the example oftheirking.