^RV OF Pfil/vcf^
•^tOGICAL SEW^^
D}( 9170. T720 M 177D v. 2 - g r^
Traill, Robert, 1642-1716
The Works of the late
Reverend Robert Traill, A.M.
V. "2-
THE
WORKS
O F
The late R. e v e r e n d
ROBERT TRAILL, A. M.
MiDifler of the Gofpel in London.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. IL
CONTAINING
Sixteen Sermons oq the Lord's Prayer in John
xvii. 24. Firft printed in 1705.
Cut Veritas comperta^ Jtne Deo ? Cut Deus cognitus, Jine Chrtjlo ^
Cui Cbrijlus c'Aploratus^ fins Spiritu San^o r*
Tertullian;
GLASGOW:
Priated and Sold by JOHN BR YCE, at his Shop,
oppohte Gibfon's-wyod, Salt-makket,
M D C C L X X V.
THE
PREFACE.
THREE things areftmpfy neceffary unU any man^s hav-
ing of true religion and godlinefs ; found principle i of
divine truth known ^ the favoury of that knowledge in the
heart , and the power of that favoury in a matins worJJnp and
walk. There are no found principles offaving truths but in
and from God^s written word. There is no right favour of
thofe principles^ but in and by faith and love, which is in
Chrift Jefus, 2 Tim. i. i"^. and iii. 15. It is by this favour
of the knowledge of Chrift, as it is called^ 2 Cor. ii. 14,
that the power of godlinefs is imprejfed on the hearty and ex-
preffed in the life of a believer. If the principles of truth be
not from Cod's word^ there can be no true religion ; if tha
truth profejfed be confonant to God's word, and faith and love
be wantingy ii may be a man^s notion and opinion, but it is
not the mar?s religion ; and if the power of known truth be not in
his walk and CGnverfation, neither Jhould he himfef, nor QUght
any other think, that fiich a man hath any religim at all.
They have done good fervice to the common-wealth of learn -
ing, who, leaving the unprofitable, fpecltlative, and notional
philofophy, have fet upon the experimental. And any man
may fee y that theology hath been, efpecially by the fchr^cl-men,
as much corrupted ; and that it is to be cured by reducing it
unto praSIice afid experience. For certainly religion confifts
not fo much in the notions of truih in the mind, fin which the
devils, the VAofi irreligious of all creatures, exceed all men),
as in the faith and love cf truth in the heart, and in the fruits
iif that faith in the life.
There are tivo frts of myfierles fpoke cf in the New Tefla-
ment ; the myftery of godlinefs, which centers in Jefus Chrifl,
the Son ofGocl^ i Tim. iii. 16. \ and ihe myAery of iniquity,
which renters in AntichriH, the mao of fui, and the fon of
A % per-
iv T H E P R E F A C E.
perdition, 2 Theff ii. 3. 7. rhefe two myftenes are conftanf
and dire^ contraries. Whoever is ignorant, or an iinheliever
of xh.t myftery of godlineis, may,eafily be drawn, cr driven ^
to be a believer of the myftery of iniquity. Si it was fore-
told, 2 Their ii. 10, 11, iz.-^ end accordingly we daily fee
this awful judgment of God executed upon many. Neither is
any thing more needful to make_ a man a real hater cf Popery y
than to be a ftncere believer on Jefui Chrifl, It is true, that
the exceffivc pride cf the Pope, and his prelates, the cruelty of
his dcminat'on, the jrontlef prof anen^fs of his fynagogue, and
tbevifible w:rldly craft of his religion, is n../e than enough
to make him and it hateful to Pagans, Jews, lurks, and fn-
fJcls. Tei to hate Popery fpiritua'ly, as it is a grofs corrupti-
on of true Chrifiianity (of which hefalfly arrogates the name),
is only found with the elecl of God : Rev. xiii. 8 And all
that dwell upon the earth (hall worship him, (that is, th^
beafl), who-fe names are not written in the book of life of
the Lamb flain from the foundation of the world. Andto
the fame pur p of e is that in Rev. xvii. 8.
It was not the clearnefs of light and knowledge, (in which
this age doth much cxceedthe former J, but the power of known
truth on the hearts ofChrifi's witr.ejjes r.gainfl Antichriji, that
carried themfo honourably through the fiery trial.
It is unaccountable hypocrify and folly infuch ns pretend
to be followers offuch martyrs for Chrifl, in their caufe and
tefiimony, and yet do mock that faith, and love, and commu-
nion -with God, which were their fupport in their fufferings
for it. If it be poffible, it is very rare, and highly improba-
ble^ that a firanger to, much more a mocker at the power cf
godlinefs, fiouldfvffer extremity, andthat ch ear fully, for the
form of it.
We have afo in thefe lafl and perilous time(,fome antichriji Sy
that do deride both the myftery of godlinefs, and xht my-
ftery of iniquity. They have no faith to take up the glory of
the myftery of godliijcfs : but they have f erf e and rcafon e-
ncugh to take up the folly and knavery of\ht myftery of iniqui-
ty : Afrt cf mm, to whom may be applied what the evil fpirit
iaid to the v:igabond Jews, exorcifts, A^s xix. 15. Jefus I
know, and Paul I know ; but who are yc ? Which a nit-
V minifler took for bis text, and raifed this, more ingenious
')an gravcy do^rinc from it, *' That there arc fomc men fo
*' had
. ' Th E P R E F A C E. T
'*' hady that the devil blmfelf does not know what to make of
^' them." Thefe men I meauy do not halt betwixt God and
Baal^ betwixt Chrift and Antichriji ; hut oppofe both. If they
efcape AntichriJVs rage in this ivorld^ theyjhall not efcapc the
wrath of the Son of God in the next. They are fuch as have
both heaven and hell againft them^ and fight agalnft both. But
vjhatever difturbance the church of Chriji may meet withy and
luhatevcr danger and hfs particular mens fouls may fuftain by
other damnable herefies ; yet the grand tridl of the New 'Tcji^-
ment churchy and the chief plague of the latter days, is from
Antichrifl. And no wife Chrijiian can expeB the fulfilment of
the. prophecies of the glory of the church of Chrift y but in and
by the ruin of Antichriji y and of his throne of iniquity .
And tho7igh Antichrift^s interefi in this nation feems /? Ik
pretty well excluded by Proteftant lavjs and rulers y and yet
more by the plain inter eft of the nation y a: to all its valuab.e
concerns ; yet where the myftery of godlinefs is not duly cf
teemed^ no man nor nation is fecurcd from the malignant in"
fluence of \\\t myftery of iniquity. And though Antichri/i's
throne feems to be fixed by long pojTeffiony and the blindnffs of
mofi of the kings in Europe ; yet there is that rottcnncfs in its
foundationSy and that weight of wrath threataied in the word
&f Gody as will fink it as amilftone in thefea, in due time.
It was with an eye to both thefe myfterieSy that what you
ready was preached fome years fincCy and is now publifhed.
It is neither from unacquaintednefs with the genius of the
prefent agc^ nor with my fmall talent y that I put forth thefe
plain ordinary fermons ; I well know, that they are not fuitcd
to the fpirit of the day.
Nor fJjould any importunity have prevailed (though I was
not without fome of the nearefi and mofi prejfmg kind J, if I
had not fome confidence towards Gody that his truth is herein
declaredy (how weakly fever ), and fome hope that this work
may he accepted with Cod through Jefus Chrift y and may be cf
fome life to his people ; which I leave with the Lord, who alone
giveth the increafe.
It was praije- worthy charity in a great divine, now at reft
with the Lordy to fay y ** He hoped that fome were much chli^ .
** ed to the grace of God to whom thegrac of God was Ittk ob-
*' li'edp
VI
The preface.
•< Hged*^ To which I would add my dejires, that fome oppofer^s
and pcrverters of the grace of God, may yet fall under that
foiuer of his grace ^ as foal! make them know the grace of
God in truth, Col. i. 6. rt«(/ preach that faith they now
feel: to deftroy, Gal. i. 23.
The edifi'ation dnd comfort of any believer ^ or the convi^ii'
on of any unbeliever y ivUl overpay the labour of this fervice.
This is all I defign and defire. 1 have neither fought patrons
nor vouchers y beji(\es the Spirit of God f peaking tn the f crip -
tures of truth. At this bar all men and all doBrines mujifiand
and be judged.
LONDON,
May 9. 1705.
ROBERT TRAILL.
SERMONS
SIXTEEN
SERMONS
O N T H E
LOR D's PRAYER
In John xvii. 24. FIrft printed in lyo^.
Cut Veritas compsrfa, fine Deo ? Cut Deus cognitus, fine Chriflo ?
Cut Chrifltts exploratuSf fine Spiritu San^o ?
Tertullian,
By the late Reverend
Mr- R O B E R T T R A I L L, A M,
Minifter of the Gofpel in London.
GLASGOW:
Printed by JOHN B R Y C E, and Sold at his
Shop, oppoCte GibfonVwynd, Salt-market.
MDCCLXXVr,
SERMONS
CONCERNING THE
L O R D ' s P R A Y E R.
In John xvii. 24.
SERMON L
John xvii. 24.
Father^ I will that they aljo whom thou hajl given me^
be with me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou hajl given vie : for thou lovedjl me
before the foundation of the world*
YO U have heard many a good text taken out
of the word of God ; but though all be good,
there is none better than this. Love the text,
and love above all, the bleffed firft fpeaker of it ; and
you will be the fitter to profit by what you hear fpo-
ken in his name from it.
The beft of all fermons, in chap, xiv, xv, xvi, h
concluded with the bed of all prayers in this chap,
xvii. In this prayer, properly the Lord's prayer, (for
that in Matth. vi. 9. is rather the pattern given for
our praying, than the Lord's prayer), there are but
few petitions, but they are all great ones. He prays,
I. For
2 Sermons concerning Serm. L
I. For himfelf and his own glory, ver. i, to 6. 2.
Then for his people, to the end of this chapter. This
ver. 24. contains his laH: petition for them. And paf-
fing the corapcllation Father^ five times ufed in this
prayer, thrice fuigly, as in ver. i, 5, and 24. twice
with an addition, Holy Father^ ver. 1 1. Righteous Fa^
ther^ ver. 25. 1 take up two things in this petition.
1. The nranner of oar Lord's alking, / will ; a fin-
gular way of praying.
2. The matter of ChriR's prayer. And in it arc
four things.
1. The party he prays for; they whom thou hajl gi^
ven me. Only Jefus Chrift could pray thus for the
cle6l, as ele£t.
2. The bleffing he prays for to them : that they
may he with me where I am. Where was Chrift whea
be faid this ? He was going to the garden, to his a-
gony, to be taken that night, and to be crucified next
morning, and laid in his grave the next evening. But
here our Lord is praying as one in heaven. See ver.
J I, 12. And now 1 am no more in the world, but theft
ate in the worlds and I come to thee. While 1 was'
with them in the worlds 1 kept them in thy name. And
he prays to have his people with him in heaven. He
loved them fo well, that he came to the world where
they were ; he loved them fo well, that he endured
what they deferved : and here he exprcifeth his love
in defiring that they may be with him where he is,
Chrifl and his people muit be together.
3. In the matter of this prayer of Chrifl, we have:,
the end why Chrift prays for ihis bleiling to them v
that they may behold my glory which thou haft given me^
Why would Chrift have his people with him where
he is ? That they may behold his glory. Are they to
receive no glory of their own '^. Yes, a great deal,
furely ; yea, they have got fome already, verle 22.
The glory which thou gave fl me (to give), / have given
them ; and a great deal more they are to receive in
heaven : but it flands in, and fs advanced by their
be"
Serm. I. the Lor(Vs Prayer. •
behoIdiDg of Cbria's glory. Had they not beheld
Chrift's glory before ? John i. 14. We beheld his glo*
ry^ the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, 2 Cor.
iii. 18. We all with open face behold as in a glafs the
glory of the Lord. Ifaiah, chap. \\, faw his glory, and
fpake of him, John xii. 41. Why then doth our Lord
Ipeak of the necefuty of his people's being with him
where he is, that they might behold his glory, fince
he can manifeft his glory, and they by grace can be-
hold it, even when they are where they are, and doc
yet where he is ? The reafon is this, Becaufe belie-
vers now, though by faith they can fee fomething of
Chrift's glory, yet it is but a very little they do, ot\^At
fee. The light is fmall, and their eye but weak ; but
in that day that our Lord prays for, the difcoveries of
his glory will be greater, and the feeing eye of the
glorified will be Itronger, than now we can conceive.
4. In the matter of this prayer, we have the argu-
ment on which our Lord prays for this blefTing to his
people ; For thou lovedfl me before the foundation of
the world. You know, that this phrafe, before the
foundation of the world, is an ufual fcripture-word for
eternity : for the foundation of the world and time be-
gan together ; creatures and time began together.
Time is properly the raeafurc of the duration of a
creature; but God inhabiteth eternity, Ifa. Ivii. 15.
Creatures dwell or fojourn in time. So that this ar-
gument of our Lord's is, For thou lovedfl me from e-
ternity. And it hath a mighty force in it. If our
Lord had faid, " I pray that they may be with me
« where I am, for thou lovedfl them before the foundd'^
^' tton of the world :'' he had fpoke what he had ofc .
told them, for they were given to Chrifl in love. But
the argument is ftronger, as Chrift exprelTeth ir. For
thou lovedfl me. " 1 love them, and would have them
♦* where I s-na ; they love me, and would be with me
♦' where I am ; thou loved them, and wilt have them
*' where I am.'' But here is one argument more. For
thou lovedfl me. Jefus Chrift the SoQ of God, as in-
^^L' -II* B iniftcd
A Sermons csncerning Serm. I.
irufled with the cffice of a Saviour, and charged with
the chofen, was, and is the objei^ of the Father's
eternal delight and love ; and on this love the falva"
tiou of all the ele(ft ftands more firm than the pillars
of heaven or earth.
: So much for the words of this verfe* And from
this little glance 1 have given you of thsm, you may
plainly perceive, that here is a rich and deep mine,
bciicr than of gold that perilhcth. The Lord help
us to dig and find treafure, and to be enriched by it.
•
Head I. To begin with the firft thing in the
te.xT, the manner cf ChrijTs praying here, I will : a
liiiguUr manner : About it 1 would prcmife three
things.
1, This is a way and manner of praying, that we
never read the like of it ufed by any faint in the word.
Some of them have been very familiar with God, and
the Lord hath encouraged thern much by his condc-
fcendence to them ; yet nothing of this / ivii! is to be
hfard or read of in their prayers. / zvili is too high
for a iupplicant at God's footdool. Abraham was a
great intimate with God^'^the fird believer honoured
with the noble name of the friend of God : yet this
great friend, when pleading for Sodom, Gen. xviii.
with wiiat deep humility is his confidence mixed ? A-
gam,wi)eri pleadingfor Iflimael, Gen.xvii. i8. hefaith,
that Ifimael might live in thy fight ! Nothing like
i\m I will. Abraham's grandfon Jacob came a little
nearer to this, Gen. xxxii. 26. Let me gc^ (faith the
angel), for the day hreaketh ; Jacob anfwers, / will
not let thee go^ except thou hlefs me ; ** Give me thy
*'.bleiTiijg, and go when thou wilt." When he had
got the blefhnp:, he got an halting thigh, and a hum-
bled heart whilll he lived, as he hints in Geo. xxxii. 30.
1 haie feen God face to jace^ and my Itfe is preferved.
Not a word or thought of this, '* I have feen God face-
*v to face, 1 have wreflled with him hand to hand, and'
"^ i have prevailed." No; he rather wonders that
he
•Se^rXt. 1 the- L^rd^s prayer, ^
he got alive out of Gobi's liands, Right Jacobs, true
Ifraelp, io and on their greateil prevailings with God>
and blefliogs from hire, are loivly, humble believer^j,
yea, humbled by God's advancing of them. Mofe?j
that great wreftler with God for Ifrael^ though he ex-^
preffed a holy refolvednefs, yet nothiog appears like
this / will, Exod. xxxii. lo. Let ?tie aione^ (faith the
Lord), that my tvrath may wa^ hot agahijl the^n^ mid
that I may confume them. It is (Irange, that one man
-fliouid as it were hold ihe Lord's hands, that one man's
faith fhculd ftop the execution of a jell fencence a-
gainft a finful people, ^^t^rely you may <:onci tide, that
the Lord is eafy to be inrreared. Again in Exodus
xxxiii. 15. Mofes faid, If thy frefence go not with me
(or wj), carry m not up hence. It is as goad for us to
die here, as to go any whither without thy pretence.
The wildernefs, though wade sod how^hng ; and Ca-
naan, though the glory of all lands, are alike to Mo-
fes without God's prefence. Again, in Numb. xiv. 12,
Mofes hath a great oiFer from the Lord ; 1 wiU de-
jlroy this people^ and make of thee a greater nation^ and
mightier than 'they» Mofes, in his zeal to God's glo-
ry, refufeth this profter, and pleads ftill, and pre-
vails ; yet never 1 will is in all his importunity. No
believer ever did, or ought to fpeak fo to God ; they
fliould all afk accordinr^ to his will, aud forget and de-
ny their own will. Yet Chrill did fay, / i^/7/j and
might well fay fo.
2. This / Tviil is not in a promife to us, biitin tn
prayer to his Father. When the Lord pronnifeth 10
do, or give good to his^ people, it is very ' becoming
to ufe this ftyie, / will do^ or ^i've^ or be {o and forp
my people. And it n this / wiii in a promife that faith
fixeth on ; as Jacob did, Gen. xxxii. 12. Thou faidfl^
I ivillfurely do thee good. But our Lord is here praj^-
ing ; though I own that there is a great promife iiii-
plied in ir, as we liiali hear.
3. There Is nothing like this in all the account i^e
liave of Chriil'5 prayers at oiher tinieSj and other
B a occa«
.^ Ssrmcns concerning Serm. I.
occafiotis. We £n^, that cur bleiTed Saviour was
much given to prayer alooe, Blefs him for it, acd
love Tecret prayer the better, that he ufed it himfelf,
and thereby hallowed it to our ufe. How our Lord
fpent ihofe nights in the mountain in prayer, and
what he prayed for, and how, we cannot tell, except
by that in Heb. v. 7. There are prayers and juppli-
cattons offered up^ with ftrong crying and tears, Bctlie-
vers, you, fomecimes when your hearts are full, want
to be far from all company, that you may pour out
your complaint to the Lord. BlefTed Jefus did fo in
the days oF his flefh, and filled the filent night with his
crymg; and watered the cold earth with his tears,
more precious than the dew 0/ Hermon, or any moi-
flure (next to his blood) that ever fell on God's earth
fince the creation. Never were fuch fmlefs and pre-
cious tears in God's bottle, Pfalm Ivi. 8. Let yours
drop, believers, and mix in the fime bottle with his ;
and OQ this account fow them in hope, and you (hall
reap in joy, Pfalm cxxvi. 5. But for Chrifl's prayers
recorded in the gofpel, we find our Lord prayed very
humbly, though confidently. Wtien he prays in his
agony, not a word of J wi// ; bur, Jbba, let this cup
fafs from ms, tf thou iv'iii ; never thelcfs^ not my will^
but thine he dons, Chriltiaos, behold the amazing
dilTerence betwixt Chriit's way af praying againll: his
own helJ, (fo I may call it), and bis praying for our
heaven. When praying for himfelf, it is, Father,,
if it be thy 'will^ let ih;s cup pafs from me. And no
Wonder; for every drop in that cup, was wrath, and
curfe, and death. One drop oi it is everlalling poi-
fon to all that laile it, but to Jefus the Prince of life.
This cup he drank chearfuily : Johu xviii, 11. "[he
tup which my Father hath given me^ fhall I not drink
it f But when Chrifl is praying for his people's hea-
ven, it is, Father^ I ivill that they may be with me
where I am. Again, when our Lord is dying on the
crofs, he prays, Father^ forgive them^ for th^y know
not
Serm. T. the Lorifs Prayer, 7
not what they do. And again, jufl at dying, Father^
into thy hands I commend my fpnit^ Luke xxii. 34.
and 46. All humble fupplicadons; none of them io
high and lofty (but yet it well became him) as this
1 wilL 1 own, that Chrift, in one inftance on the
crofs, put forth his divine power, and aded like a
King and God, Luke xxiii. 42, 43. One of the ma-
lefactors that was crucified witD him, (the happieil
death ever man had, next to dying for Chrift, was to
die with the Saviour, and to die receiving Chrift's grace,
and Chrill's pafs to heaven), whatever Thomas meant
in his words, John xi. 16. Let us go^ that we may die
with him ; this happy malefactor had the bed of it
fulfilled on him : he died with Chrift, and got eternal
life on the fame day. Surely that word was eminent-
ly fulfilled in this man, Eccl. vii. i. Better is the day
cf deaths than the day of one* s birth. This man prays
maivelloully, Lord^ remember me when thou comejl in-
to tty kingdom. Our Lord anfwers more marvellouf-
ly. Verity I fay unto thee^ To day fh alt thou be with me
in paradife. As if Chrift had laid, " Can thy faith
" take me up as a king, and the difpofer of heaven,
«« notwithftanding this thick and dark vail chat is now
« upon me ? 1 will a£t as a God and Saviour to thee:*'
To-day fhalt thou be with me in paradife. Thefe words
have no fmall afpe^f to this text, I will that they be
with me where I am»
Now let us fee what may be in this fingular word
in Chrift's prayer, I will. No faint ever prayed (o;
Chrifl himfelf in this prayer only here ufeth this word.
There muft be forae fingular things that made our
Lord ufe this word in prayer, / will ; and them I
would look into.
I. We may lawfully conceive, that herein there is
a breaking out of his divine glory as the Son of God
equal with the Father, as in Phil. it. 6,— 10. ; where
the apoftle markeih three things about Chrift, none
of which muft be forgotten by Chriftiiias. i. The
diiiii<;
3 Sermons concerning Serm. T.
divine cligolty of his perfon, ver. 6, 2. The depth
of his low and humbled (late, ver. 7, 8. g. The height
q( his exalted ftaie, ver. 9, 10, 11. So dorh the apo-
ii\t to the Hebrews, chap. i. 3. Now, tho' ChrilVs
bumbled aod exalted ftate had, and have their feveral
and diftiiiifi: appearances ; yet as his divine dignity
.-was dill the fame 10 both dates, in his lowed and at
his higheft, io there were iiow and then fome beam-
iwg% of his glory, even in his lowed date, John ii. 11.
and io his triumphant entry to Jerufalem, even whe6
he was going to be crucified. So we may think, that
this fmguJar word, / vAliy is ufed by Chrid to difplay
his divine glory ; for it is a word that no itiere maa
may ufe.
2, Our L-ord had pronoifed it to hi<; difcipies in John
xiv. 2,3.; and iherefofc prays thus for it. And we
muft think, that the doclrine delivered by Chrid in
Lis lad ferraon of confolarion, and this hd prayer of
his, though in the firll place defigned for hisapodles,
y-et are thv^ common portion of all believers on Jefus
Chrilt. Now Ohrid had proraifed, John xiv. 2, 3.
that 'where be ivas^ there his people jhould he alfo. If
xi poor believer have at any time a firm hold on a pro-
tiaife of God, how will he cleave toir^ plead upon it,
and urge it? as 2 Sam. vii. 27, 28, 29. But who can
conceive what confidence of faith Jefus Chrid the Son
« of God had, and did ufe, in pleading with his Father
for the fulfil ling of all his own proinifes to his peo-
ple ? Befides, all Chrid's promifes to his people, were
KVi^^t by him in his Father's name. No wonder then
that our Lord fays, / will.
3. Chrid here gives us a copy and pattern of hl^
intercedion in heaven, that fo much is fpoke of. Chrid
here fpcaks as within the vail, ver. 4, 11, 12. as if he
jbad done all his work, and were no more in the world
I-Je had done fo much, had i)ut a Hide more to do,*
which alfo was fpeedily to be difpaiched. Chrid's
interceHion in heaven, is a kind and pov/erful rcrr.em-
braiice of his people, and of a!i their concerns, ma^
caged,
SErm. I; the hordes Frayer^ ^
naged with Rate and majeily; not as a (upplicaot at
the footftool, but as a crowned prince on the throne,
at the right hand of the Father. So it is expreiT^d,
Rom. viii. 34. Heb. i, 3. viii, 2. x. 12, 13. and xii.
2, This may be one reafon of this great / wllL
4, Here our Lord is making his will ; and there-
fore / ivill is fitly put in. Chrifl is making his lalt
will and teflament, and praying it over to his Father,
which he fealed next day with his blood ; and here
he tells what he wills to his people, even that they
may he with him where he is, 'And nothing greater
or better can be willed for them. BlelTed for ever-
more are they that have this willed, and beqneached"
to them. And you have a word like this in Luke
xxii. 29. I appoint unto you a ktngdsm : '* i beq-iieaih,
*' difpofe ir, make it over 10 you j" as the word may
be rendered.
5, Our Lord had the price of this glory in his hand,
ready now to lay down ; and therefore he demands
the purchafe ; for Chrift was taken this night, and
died next day. The price of the redeemed and of
their falvation, a price agreed upon in the everlalting
covenant, a price of infinite value in itfelf, a price the
Father's wifdom and juftice demanded, a price the
Son promifed to lay down in the fulnefs of time, a
price on the payment whereof fo great things were
promifed to Cbrifi and his feed ; this price is now ia
Chrid's hand ready, prefently to be told down. No
wonder then, if Chrifl demand the purchafe in this
high word, / zvi/i. Believers, it pafTeth all your
thoughts, it paiTeth the higheft flights of your faith,
to conceive that high aiTurance and confidence that our"^
Lord Jefus had of the acceptance and fuccefs of .hac
facrifice of himfelf that he was now upon ofFeriog to
his Father. Hence cometh this great / wiii,
6. This I will is but an echo to the known will of
his Father. It doth not become us to fay in our
prayers, / willy becaufe v.'e do not perfedly know
God's will ; and whea our defires clalli with Lis will,
wc
10 Sermons concerning Skrm. L
we do but daOi againfl a rock. But Chrift knew per-
fectly, that the thing he prays for, was the will of
his Father, John vi. 38, 39, 40. When a believer
hath a fure knowledge ot God's will, his Fairh may
plead boldly on it. We read of one bold word of
bleffed Luiher. He hearing of the dangerous ficknefs
of an eoiineni minifler of the gofpel, prayed for him,
prevailed with the Lord for his life ; and wrote to
him, that he was allured, that the Lord would reftore
him, and prefcrvc him to outlive Luther ; which came
to pafs. In the clofc of this letter, he writes Fiat
voluntas mea ; mea^ Domine^ quia tua, ** Let my will
*' be done ; mine. Lord, becaufe thine."
7. Lajilyy This / will in Chrift's prayer for hig
people, (hews how much his heart was fet upon the
eternal happinefs of his people. He prays for it wiih
all his heart. On this fweet theme 1 would offer a
few things.
ly?. Let us confidcr how Chrifl's love and will v/as
on the necelTary price of their falvation. How dear
foever it was to him, whatever it coft bim, his love
was on laying it down ; Luke xii. 50. / have a bap-
tifm to be baptized with, and how am I ftraitened (or
pained^ till it he accotnpli/hed f and it was a baptifm
in his own blood ; and Luke xxii. 15. Wtth dejire I
have defer ed to eat this pa£over with you before I fuffer :
and it was his lad meal. Love to his Father, and
love to his (beep, made our Lord long greatly to pay
the price of redemption.
There are feveri) thoughts in mens hearts about
Chrifl's dying, i. Some think of Chrifl's death as
brought about by the wMcked hands of fianers. This
is a poor thought, if there be no more. This thought
is natural to any that read the hiOory of his death.
Carnal men may hate Judas that betrayed him, Pilate
that condemned him, the pricfts that cried Crucify
him^ and the people that did it. If this be ail, 1 may
fay, the devils have a higher thought of Chrifl's death,
and
Serm. I. the hordes Prayer, n
and that that comes nearer to the truth, than this
forry one. 2. Some go further, and think of Ciiritl's
death as it was a fajfiiling of the puipofe and word of
God concerning him. This ChriPr teacheth ls in
Luke xxiv. 26. 44. ^6. ; and the apodles frequently
in their preaching of Chrifl. 3. There is a h\^hcT
thought of Chrifi's death ; and that is, That Chrid
died, by the (Iroke of God's law and jufiice, for bis
people. Jufiice roufed itfelf againfl our Lord : Zech.
xiii. 7. Awake^ fword^ aga'mjl my Jhepherd^ and a-
gainft the man that is my fellow, faith the Lcrdofhcjls :
Jmite the fJjepherd. This fword was drawn and fur-
biflied, and did enter into his foul : Ifa. iiii. 5. He
'was wounded for our tranfgrejfiojis^ he ivas bnnfed for
cur iniquities. Better were it that a man had never
heard of Chrifl and of his death, than to hear, and
not to know that his death w^as for his fins. This is
Paul's firft doiflrine he taught ; and he is an ignorant
and proud preacher that follows not tliis pattern : i
Cor. XV. 3. For I delivered unto you fir ft of all, that
■which I alfo received, that Chrifl died for our fins, ac-
cording to the fcrif tares. 4. The beft thought of
Chrift's death is, That he died out of love to his peo-
ple. Love made him come in the way of juRice.
Juftice and the law faith as it were, " Thou, or they
" mud die. They have finned, the lav/ mufl be ful-
" filled, juftice mufl be fatisfied." BleiTed Jefus au-
fwers, « I love ihem too well to let them die; I will
" rather die for them, that they may live/' Chrifl's
death is flill laid on his love, John x. Gal.ii. 20. Eph.
y. 25, 26. He loved us, and wafhed us from our fins
in his own blood. Rev. i. 5. ; that is. He loved us io
that he fhed his own blood for our fins ; and then in
the fame love he wafhed us from our fins, in and by
that blood which he llied in love. O fuch love ! fuch
blood! fuchwafhing! Here is falvation, and here
only. It is a damning dream to expert it any where
elfe. ^
Vol. IL C idh
12 Sermons concerning Serm.T.
2dly^ CoDfider, as Chrlfl's love was much fet oa
the paying the price of redemption, fo was his love
and will as much fet oa the peifous of the redeemed.
He laid down the price, in love to the purchafe. How
can it enter into a man's thoughts, that the Son of
God fhould lay down {o great a price, and not know
what he was to take up for it ? that he flioukl die,
and not know for whom, nor who (liould be the bet-
ter for it ? His dying was in love ; and did be not
know whom he loved? His love is ftill fpoke of as
difbnguifhin,^ and particular; for his body^ hh people ^
\{\sjhcep^ whom he knew, John x.
^dlyy the ways and means of bringiag his redeem-
ed to glory, were alfo much in Chrift*;* love and will :
John. xvii. 6. 16. I have declared UKfo them thy v.ame,
<:ud will declare it ; that the love 'therewith thou kafi
loved JUCy may be in them^ and I in them ; aad John
X. 1 5. And other Jheep I have, which are not of this
fold, (are not of the Jews, but of the elc<Si: Gentiles-) :
them alfo I mufl bring, and they fhall f^ear my voice ;
and there fhall be onefold, and one fhepherd. Every
mean of grace, every bleffing of the means, every
drop of grace you receive, as Chrift is the giver, fo
his love and will is in the beftowing it on you.
All things that accompany falvatioD, arc given with
the love and will of Chrift.
/[thly, Lallly, Chrid's Will is upon iaz end itfelf,
eternal glory. It is firft in his defi^n, though it be
lalt in our enjoyment, as in this te-xt. He uiil bi.vc
his people with him where lye is.
Application. There is one thing I would
exhort you to from this doflrine, That Chrid's love
and will is fixed on the eternal glory of his people ;
and it is ihi?. Let believers learn to own their eter-
nal falvation as fpringing from liie will of Chrlll, as
well as from the blood of Chrift. There was a favinq;
will in Chrifl in (liedding his faving blood : Heh. x. lO.
By the zvhich will ive are fandified, ,^/. ^. julUfied
and
Serm. T. the Lord's Prayer. Ij
and faved, in the ftyie of that epiftle, fpecially) thro*
the offering of the body of Jefus Chnjl once for alL
What this will is, is declared in the foregoing verfes ;
to be the Father's will commanding the true lacrifice,
and the Son's will in offering this commanded facrifice.
By this zuill v/c are faved ; this willy thus fised, thus
accompliflied in Chrift's death.
There are three great advantages, v/hich v/e (bai>
reap by this looking on heaven, the prize of ourcal«
iug> as willed by Jefus Chrift.
I. It will (lir you up to praife ard glorify bim.
He that took on him the burdeo of our fouls, and
the care of our falvation, (hould fareiy bear the bur-
den of all our fongs for falvatioo, and for the hope of
it. So the apoftle fings, llev. i. 5. Hearty praife
to Jefus Chrift for falvatioo can never be gi«'en, un-
lefs men know that all their falvarion is owing 10 him
alone; to his will, and to bis blood. If a man af-
criba any bit of hi:^ falvatlon to any thing or perfoa
befides Chrift, that tbicg or perfon will bear away,
or rob fomewhat of the glory of falvation. But fmce
all falvarion is from Chrilft, all the glory of it fhoilld
be given to him.
- 2. This will make your faiih in Chrift ftrong.
What is ftrcng faiih ? Chrifiians ufually think, that
ftiong faith h-iih in it peace, ]oy, and comfort. Buc
ihefe are but the efFe<5^t5 of it ; and feparable alfo, as
in Pfal. xxii. i. Never was faith near fo ftrong in
any faint, as it was in the man Chi i ft on the crofi :
and yet rio joy or comfort was tailed by him then. But
as to faith in believer?, ft^'-ong faith is when a believ-
er gets far in, into the love and will of Jefus Chrift.
Now, this do6lrine opens up Chrift's love and will
about our falvation ; let us then enter into it. Faith
makes feveral approaches to Chrid for and about fal-
vation.
ly?. It feeketh, and fiadeth, and feeth atoning, re^
conciiing blood, flowing from Chrift's love : Rom.
iti. 25. God hath fet him forth to bs a propitiation
C 2 thrcugb
14 Sermons ccrxermng Serm. I.
through faith in his bkod. Eph. i. 7. In whom we
have redemption ibrcugh his blood.
2d!y^ Faith fee th life fprioging and growing out
of Chrid's grave. Alas! many are bufy about Mof-
es's grave, ?,nd have no bufjnefs with Chrifl's grave.
A believer. if eth eternal life fprir-giog from Chrift's
death and grave.
idiyy Faith goes further ; and through tliis blood
of aionemtnt, and this life-giving death, it enters in-
to Chriil's iove and will that was in his redeeming.
As there was life to us in his death, fo there was love
10 us in his dying for uf. Gal. ii. 20. Rev. i. 5, Bat
can faith go any further ^, Yes. Only one (lep more ;
and that is to the highefl fountain of all this; even
God's eternal piirpcje which he furpofed in Jefus Chrijl
our Lord, Eph. iii. 11. So that faith begins at Chrifl's
death, rifeth with hino in his refurre^lion, feeth the
Tinue and power of all in Chrifi's love, and then
rifeth to the love of the Father that fent him, to that
purpofe of grace from which the Saviour and all fal-
vaiioQ doth proceed. Can faith go any further ^ No.
Here faith is at a Hand. The believer is faved, and
yet finks and is overwhelmed in this depth; and, like
one fwa'lowed up, cries our, O the depth of the riches
hcth of the ivifdom and knowledge of God / how un-
fear cbable are his judgments^ and his ways pafl find-
ing out ! Rom. xi. 33. When faith gets a view of
the unlearchable riches of God's grace in, by, and
through Jefus Chrifi, then the believer long*? to be
in heaven, to behold the fountain head o( all grace
and glory. Faith longs to ceafe to be faith. This is
a ill angc and flrong a£t of faith, a firange dcfire in a
believer, " O when (hall I ceafe to be a believer, and
*' become a feer ! when fhall the glafs be done away,
*< and the full-eyed villon of glory fucceed ! i Cor.
" xiii. 10, II, 12. When fh-ill both faith and hope
•' ceafe, and love fill their room V*
3, This feeing of Cluifl's heart and will about
your falvatioD, will enable you to pray and labour
rightly
Serm.1. the Lord's Prayer. 1$
rightly for glory. What is it to do it rightly ? It is
to labour with courage, and to hbour wiih humihty.
And Chriftiaos work profperetb, when tbofe are u-
nited, as they always (hould be. How boldly may
a believer fay, 1 would be in heaven fiQce Chrift Wills
it ? And how humbly (hould he fay, I would be there ;
Hnce his own will about it ugniiies nothing, and ChnlVti
will is all i*
Obj. How ihull I know that I am in Chrift's will for
falvation I If 1 did know it, then I would give thanks,
1 would believe firmly, and would labour hard to ob-
tain the pofTcffion of this glory.
Anfw. To this i offer three things, i. Confider
how they behaved themfelves, that with their own
ears heard thofe very words from ChriiTs own mouth.
It is a vain thought that readily rifeth in all our hearts,
that if we had been prefent, and had heard Chrill
praying thus for us in a fpecial, particular way, that
we might be with him where he is, that then we would
believe our falvation if we were in the faddeft diftrefs.
But now coniider what great encouragement to faith
Chrift gave ihem. He told them, chap. xiv. 2, g.
I go to prepare a place for you, 1 zvilicome again, and
receive you unto mxfctf that where I am, there ye may
he alfo. What more could they defire, than to have
Chrift leUing them to their faces, " You and I mail
«' indeed part for a little while j but you and I (hall
«• quickly meet again, never to part more ?'' They
did alfo wl:h their ears hear Chnd praying over his
promife to them, to his Father, / wzV/ that they be
ivith me where i am. Could inch believers under all
ihofe advantages, io great, fo fingular, ever ilagger
again ? Yes. Almoft as foon as this encouraging fer-
men and prayer is ended, their faith was almoil: at aQ
end too : * John xvi. 3 i, 32. Jefui anfwered them. Do
ye now believe f Baholdj the hour iometh, yea^ is now
£ome, that ye Jhall be jcatterecU ^"^^ry man to his cwn^
andjhall leave me alone, 1 fpeak this, to check the
vanity of that thought in ChridiaiiSj that if they had
1 6 Sermons concerning S e R M . L
bui fufficient ground of the afTurance of Chrid's love>
vSid of erernal glory» they would believe iu every dif-
ficulty and trial. Yet you fee how they behaved that
had fuch grounds of faith from Chrid's own lipf?,
vvhild bodily prefect with thera, which you cannot
txpe^ or defire. And 1 hope none of you will ima-
gine, that if he had been in thofe good mens places,
and had had tbeir helf>s, you would have behaved
better than they did. Grounds of faith, if never fo
great, yet if not attended with the influence of the
spirit of faith, will never keep iaiih in life and vi-
gour.
Anfw. 2. What reafon have you to doubt your in-
lerell in this prayer of Chrill i* You may lay, I am
fo file and unworthy, that I cannot believe that Chrift
willed me to be with him. If this be all, li is nothing,
yea worfc than nothing-, i. Hath not Chrift willed
eternal glory to many as bad as ever you were ? Did
he ever will heaven for worthinefs in the perfons that
are to receive it ? Is it not always willed to the praife
of his own grace and love as the giver, and never as
a recoinpence to the worth and lovelinefs of the re-
ceiver? 2. Chrift will mend you ere he bring you
to heaven. And a great work it is to make you meet
for it, Cal. i. i2. ; a work that rruit be done, and
that he only can 6o^ and he can eafily do it. 3. Right
preparation for glory, flows from the faith of Chrilt's
good-will to give it. It is a weak and ignorant, but
common thought of Chrifiians, that they ought not
to look for heaven, nor trull Chrift for eternal glory,
till they be well advanced in holinefs and meetnefs for
ir. But as the firil fanclification of our natures flows
from our faith and truft in Chrift for acceptance, fo
our farther fan^ification and meetnefs for glory flows
from the renevrcd and repeated exercife of faith on
him. The hope cf glory is purifying, i John iii. 3.
Anfw, 3:. Every believer hath the witnefs in him-
felf, that he hath an intereft in Chrift's heart and
^ill in this prayer: i John v. 10. H^ that bclieveth
on
Serm.L the Lord's Frayer. 17
tn the Son of God, hath the witnefs in himfelf. The
apoRle is fpeaking of the many witnelTes ihat are gi-
ven to Jefas Chrift as the Saviour. Three \n heaven,
ver. 7. three on. earth, ver. 8. All are divine wit-
uefle?, and fufficient grounds of faiih in Jefas Chriff^,
ver. 9. Now, faith the apoftle, ver. 10. He that he-
Ueveth on the Son ofGody (that truds his foul, and i*^s
falvation, to this fo well attefted Saviour), he hath
the iv'ttnefs (or tejiimony) in himfelf. i. There are
witneffes in heaven. 2. Witneifcs on earth, g. A
leflimony in the heart of a believer in Chrift. Who-
ever believeth on Chrift, that faith is an evidence
fufficient (if he will require it to fpeak), and will re-
gard its teftimony: and both of them require acTing?
of faith, to perfuade him that he hath an intereft iu
Chrift's prayer here. On this 1 would glance at four
things, and conclude.
1. Believers in Chrift, what do you do when you
believe ? O that all believers did but know what they
do when they believe ! Do ye not, in every ditlincl
a£^ of faith, bctruft your guilty perifhing foul to the;
faving arm of Jefus Chrill, upon the warrant of all
that grace, mercy, and power, that belongs to Chrift
in his office of a Saviour ? And is not this his willing
of eternal glory, a great and glorious beam of that
grace of our Lord Jefus Chrill;, by which ye believe
to be faved ? A^s xv. i u
2. How came you by this your faith ? Is it no?
his gift? He is the author of it, Heb. xii. 2. It is
given on ChrifTs behalf^ Phil. i. 29. Wh^-never you
have an evidence in your heart, (and it is your own
fault if you have it not daily), that you have true faith
in Jefus Chrift ; if it be but weak, and cannot mount
fo high as it ought, raife it by this confideration,
Whence came this fpark of faith to be kindled in my
heart? Did it naturally grow in my heart P No. Time
was when 1 was without it, Eph. ii.*i2. and loved to
be wiihcut it. Did Satan plant it ? No. I find him,
to be the great enemy of it ; and 1 oever fek his en-
mitj.
1 8 Sermons ccrjcerning Serm. I,
mity, till I began to trufl: Jefus Chrifl ; and it is that
in me he mainly afTauhs. Did miniHers, and the means
of grace, plant faiih in me ? No. 1 enjoyed them
when no faith was wrought in me \ and when it is
wrought, all their powder, without Chrift's grace and
Spirit in concurring, cannot raife this faith to a(Sl and
exercife. Therefore, furely, this faith came from
Jefus Chrill himfelF. Was ir not from che work, and
will, and love of Chrift ? How eafy and native is the
inference i* If faith in Chrift be the work of his love.
Low warrantably may 1 look, by that faith, for all
the good that this love purpofeth, promifeth, and
prayeth for to me i*
3. Can you call him to witnefs with a good con-
fcience, that your great defire and will is to be with
Chrifl in heaven ? If the Lord fliould try you with
this queftion, " Name that one thing that you would
"have above all;" every believer ha:h his anfwer
ready ; it is, '* Lord, that I may be ever with thee,
*' where thou art ;" as David faid, Pfalra xxvii. 4.
of God's houfe on earth. This I infer. If thy love
be fet on being widi Chrifl where he is, be afTured
that Chrifl's love is fet on the fame blefTing for thee ;
yea, ihy defire after it, flows from his defire of it for
thee.
4. Are you willing, yea pleafed and delighted, to
hold your title to eternal glory, by the will and tef-
tament of Jefus Chrifl ? Are you willing to have and
hold the crown by this tenure only, that it was bought
byhis blood, and willed to you by histeftament i* Every
believer would be in heaven, becaufe Chrift is there ;
and is pleafed to get and keep bis place there, as
willed to him by Jefus Chrifl. Heaven is a lovely
name, and a more lovely thing ; but not at all known
by many, and but little by the bed ; but yet belie-
vers look for it, and expe<St it, as the gift of God tbro^
Jefus Chr'ijl our Lqrdy Rom. vi. 23. Ihey plead for
it as fuch ; at lafl they receive it as grace, and eter-
nally wear the croWD as a crown of grace, as well as
a crown
Sekm. II. the Lord*s Prayer. 1 9
a crown of glory. The glorified faint, as focn as he
receives this c;rown, cads it at Chrift's feer, Rev. iv.
10. or fers it on Chrift's head, as if a(hamed to wear
a crown, where Chrifi: the only Worthy is. Upoa
Chrifl's head are many crowns ^ Rev. xix. 12. His Fa-
ther purs a crown on him, Heb. ii. 9. crowned him
with glory and honour ; his mother, the church, crowns
him, Caor. iii. ir. with a crown of falvation ; and
every faved perfon puts on Chrift's head rtie crown
oF the glory of their particular falvarion. To con-
clude: They that £renot willing 10 give the glory of
aii falvarion to Jefus Chrift, fliall never receive any
falvation from him. But for you that are willing to
receive all from him, and are delighttd to render the
glory of all to him, his heart is towards you ; his bed
wi(hes are for your good ; and he will give you wnat
he hath prepared for you, which is exceedingly a«
bove all that can be told you.
SERMON II.
John xvii. 24.
Father^ I will that they aljo whom thou hajl given me^
be with me- where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou hafl given me : for thou lovedjl me
before the foundation of the world,
npHOSE great and faving words of our Lord Je-
-*- fus Chrift, have been taken up into two heads.
I. The manner of Chrift's praying: I will. Of
this laft day.
Vol. II. D Head
2 Sermons concerntti^ Serm.1I,
H K A D II. The matter of ChnJTs prayer, Aud
therein 1 reck up four things, i. The perfon he
pravs for ; they whom thc>u hafl given rrn. 2. The
blefling he prays for to them ; that they nuy be with
me Inhere I a /i, 3. The end our Lord prays- lor this
blefling to them for ; that they 7nay behQld my glory
which thcu ha/} given me. ^. The argument onr Lord
prefT'^th this fuic by ; for thou ^hvedjl me before the
foundation cf the Ivor Id,
Tbeyf'-y? of rhefe I would now fpeak to*. The ds-
fi/natton and na?ne cf the perfons Chrifl hers prays for :
They whom thou hafl given me. No nan hnt JeOis
Chrift, who is more than a man, dare fay in prayer,
/ will ; nor pray tor perfons under this name h3
Chrift did. AH our prayers are to be out of one book;
and we pray without book in a bad fenfe, when we
go beyond it. The only book 1 mean, is God's writ-
ten will in the holy fcriptures. By this we are taught
what to pray for, and how we flioul 1 pr;^y : and be-
yond this we cannot lawfully afk any thing; neither
i»eed we more for dire(ftion, but only the fame Spirit
that writ them, to ailnl us in the uling of them^ Rorri,
viii. 26.; that wc may pray in the Holy Ghofl^^ Jude,
ver. 20. and in the Spirit^ Eph. vi. 18. Bat our Lord
Jefijs Chrid: could not only pray out of God's revealed
will in the fcriptures, (for he teltified of the fcriptures,
as they do of him, John v. 39.); hut he could, and
did pray out of the book of God's fecret will. He
prayed out of the book of life, and was acquainted
witii the original of the covenant. And thus he pray^
here tor them that were given hi/n.
From this 1 would raife three doflrines, and Ipcak
to one of them at ibis time.
Obs. i. There is a feled company ef the children of
men given by the Father to the 6on.
Obs. 2. This co?np any given by the Father to the Son
was, and is fully and epta^ly known by Jefui Qhtijh
Sekm.1L 'the Lercfs Prayer. 2t
Obs.;. 3. T'hat Jefus Chrifl is nearly concerned about
their eternal falv at ion ; as his praying for ii here wit-
nefleth,
Obs. I. There was a feleSl company of mankind gi-
ven by the Father to bis Son Jefus Chri,Q^ to be favsd
by him.
This truth is feveral ways declared to us in the
word ; and yet more by Jefus Chrift himfclf, than by
any other ; and yet more in this prayer, thau any
where elile by him. And, if we may fo conceive, this
great depth of God was fpecially fit to be rrientioned,
when the receiver of them is fpeaking his heart about
them to the giver of them. This is named dx times
in this fhort chapter. In ver. 2. As thou hajl given
him power over allfiejh^ that he Jhould give eternal life
to as many as thcu haft given him. In ver. 6. wd have
it twice : / have mantfejhd thy name unto the men which
thou gaveft me out of the wond : thine they zvere^ and
thou gavtfl them me y and they have kept thy word.
In ver. 9. I pray not for thetvorld^ but for them which
thou hap given me^ for they are thine. ^ Ver. 1 1. Holy
Father^ keep through thine own name^ thofe whom thoys,
^ haft given me. And here agaia in ver. 24. They whom
thou haft given me. Tiiere is a twofold giving of men
to the Son by the Father. One is eternal, In the
purpofe of his grace ; and this is mainly meant here.
The other is in rime; when the Father by his Spirit
draws men to Chrid, John vi. 44, 45. All the ele£t
are given from eternity to the Son, to be redeemed by
his blood ; all the redeemed are in due time dravi^u by
the Father to the Son, to be kept to eternal life.
On this giving of men to Chrifl, 1 would fpeak a
little. I. To the nature of it. And, 2, To the ends
of ir.
L As to the nature of it. This giving of men to
che Son to be redeemed and faved, u the fame thio^
D 2 with
J 2 Sermons concerning Serm. IT*
with cle(f^Ion and predeflination, Eph. i. 4. He bath
chofen us in ChriJ} before the foundation of the world,
Ver. 5. Having predelltnated us unto the adoption of
children by Jejvs Chrifi to himjelf. And ?er. 1 1, In
whom aljo we ha've obtained an inheritance^ being pre^
^e/iinated according to the purpofe of him who worketh
all things ajter the counfel of his own will. The dif-
ference betwixt thefe two words is very fmall. Elec^
iion points at the dillind^ion of the perfons on whom
this grace fell from eternity. Fredefiination fixeth
the end they were appointed to, i TheiT. v. 9. Giv-
ing them to Chrift, points forth the grand truftee
with this great charge. The meaning of this word,
giving of men to Chrifi^ fo oft ufed by our Lord, and
hallowed by his ufmg of it, hath thefe five things
in ir.
1. That there were divine tranfa£lions between the
Father and Son abont the favingof men. There was
a counfel of peace between them both^ Zech. vi. 13.;
oft and plainly revealed in the word, yet a myftery
unfearchable to all men, but firmly to be believed,
reverently to be adored, and cautioufly to be improv-
ed by u'i.
2. That there was but a fele£l company of man-
kind that this counfel was about. Our Lord, who
knew rhem beO-, ftill fpeaks thus of them, efpecially
in this prayer : as hath been declared. He flill fpeaks
of them by way of diflinftioo from the world. Wiiat-
cver men may fay of uoiverfal redemption, furely u-
niverfal ele£lion is a contradiction in words. EleftioQ
muft be of a fixed determinate number. There is no
election, if there be no pafiing by. If all be taken,
, there are none chofen. If there be an ele^lion^ there
is a refl^ a remnant y (and this reft is a multitude), Hom.
xi. 7. How great this number of the elcft is, Chrift
and his Father knew ; and the laft day will declare,
when they (liall be brought altogether, and obtain
ihi kingdom prepared for them front the foundation of the
worlds
Serm. IL the Lor<fs Prayer. 2^
worlds and be adjudged to it by Chrif}, as they are
the blejfed of his Fathery Matth. xxv. 34.
3. That this counfel about their falvation was from
eternity. Time-eIe£lion is as great a blunder as uni-
verfal ele^ion. How oft is the eternity of it affened
in the word? Eph. i» 4. 2 TheiT. ii. 13. 2 Tim. i. 9.
EIe<^ion is an immanent a^ of God about creatures ;
not on them, nor with them. It is in a tranfadion be-
twixt the Father and the Son, about men that were
not, but were only to be ; and to reap the benefit of
it in time and to eternity.
4. It follows, that this grace of eledlion muffc be
unchangeable, immutable, and unalterable. It never
changeth, it never fails of its deiigned eiFedl. ' All
God's counfels are fo : Ifa. xxv. i. Thy counfels of
old are faithfulnejs and truth. His counfel ft ands for
ever^ the thouq^hts of his heart to all generations^ Pfal.
xxxiii. II, He is in one ?mndy and who can turn him f
and what his foul defireth^ even that he doth. For he
ferformeth the thing which is appointed for me^ Job
xxiii. 13, 14. Now, of this number of the ele£l giv-
en by the Father to the Son, there is no paring from
it, no adding to it. The book of life admits of no
corre^ions, blotting out j no additions, no new edi-
tions.
5. It is alfo implied, that in this giving of men to
the Son, the Son of God, cur Lord Jefus Chrift,
hath a fpecial intereft. Thereby they are made his
charge ; and he the Captain of their falvation, to bring
thefefons 0^ eh£tion-gv3LCQ to eternal glory ^ Heb. ii. io«
1 1. Of the ends cf this giving of men thus to Chrifl
by the Father, It is a glorious a6t of God, and it is
on glorious defigns and ends. Of fome of thefe, from
the word, I would fpeak in thefe four particulars.
I. Herein is a mod clear difplaying cf abfolute fo-
vereignty in Jehovah. The glorious God is moft zeal-
ous for the glory of this name of his fovereignty, as
what moft nearly coacerjQS the glory of his Godhead ;
and
^4 Sermorts concerning Serm. II^
and proud vain men are mcft averfe to thp owning of
it. The apodie Paul is on tliis Tame docftriae in Rom,
ix. and builds it oa (his fame foundatian, ver. 1 1. — 19.
He darts two (Irong objccftions againft it ; as carnal
n^inds are fertile in viln arguings agalnlt divine coun-
iels. And O that all advocates for them had been
fatisfied with Paul's anf\Versi, which are the only and
ftronged: bulwarks of the Holy Ghoft about this doc-
trine! Object. {, isinver. r.f. Is ^here wiri^hteoufnefs
vjifh God? Did God love Jacob, and hate Efaa, be-
fore they had either done good or evil I ver. 11, 12,
1 :5. Where is the righteoufoefs of this ? Jacob had
done no good todeferve love ; Efaubad done no evil
todeferve hatred. How does the apoftle anlwer it ?
I. By an abhorrence of the charge : God forbid. If
we cannot fee into the depth of God's counfels, let us
Hill juftify God, -as Jer. xii. i. ; and admire and adore
the depth we cannot fathom, Horn. xi. 33. 2. He
anfwers with a reafon taken from God's old faying to
Mofe?, ver, 15. Now, if Paul hid been of fomc
mens minds, he would have anfwered, That God
foi'cfaw, that though Jacob had done no good when
te was in the womb, yet that in time he would be a
boly fin?.n, a wreftler with God, and a great believ-
er j and therefore God loved him, and therefore there
was no uni'ighteoufnefs with God. And fo as to E-
fua, he would have faid, God fore fa w that he v/ould
prove a |)roUne man, would fJl his birth righi for a
jiiefs of pottage, grieve the heartsof his godly fatlier
and mother by his marHage, and hate to the death
bis godly brother Jacob j and therefore God hated
Efau, and therefore there was no unrighreoufnefs
with God. But Paul inftead of hinting any thing
like this, gives an anfwcr incoufifl-nt with, and fab-
verfjve of tliis notion. In ver. 15. Por he Jaith to
M:/i-Sy I will have mercy o?i zvhom I zvill have mercy ^
aud I will have compajjion on whom I will have comtaf'
Jion. See the apoltle's inference from, and applicail-
Q\\ of iliij word of God, ver. 16. So i/.'en; it is not
SfeRM. II. ths Lord*s Prayer, 25
of him that wllleth^ fior of him that runneth^ hut cf
God that fhezveih mercy. And on the cafe of reprobaie
Pharaoh, ver. 27. he again infers, ver. 1%. Thcre-^
fore hath he mercy on "jjhom he will have mdrcy: anit
whom he zvill^ he hardeneth. He plainly layeth the
fove'reign will and pieafure of God, as ihe ii^cd
foundation of the counfels of God about mens eter-*
nal ftate. Objeii, 2. In ver. 19. Thou ztiltfay then
unto moy Why doth he yet fold fault ? for who hath re-
fifled his will f A plaufible flrcng like objc(5lion, in e-
very natural man's heart. How doth he anfwer ic ?
ver;' 20. Nay, but, O man, who art thou that repli^
efi agaivfl God * He calls it, ver. i^.afayingte Fauf ;:
here in ver. 10. he calls it a replying agal'aft GoJl
But is challenging the objeiflor, an anfwer to the ob*
jeflion ? Yes, in part it is; as if Paul had fafcf;
" Doft thou know neither God nor ihyfeif, that thoU
" cavilleli; againd: his will and couafcls ?'' Thus Elihu
snlwered Job, chap, xxxiii. 12," 13, Behold^ in this
thou art fiotjufl : I will anfvjer thee^ that God is g^^^^^t*
er than man. Why doft thou Jirive againft hrm f for
he giveth not account (or he ap/u/ereth not^ of any of
his matters. And after Paul had checked the arro-
gance of the obje6ior, he againlays the fame ground
of God's abfolute fovereignty^ ver.' 20.-— 33. wsih
many fcriptures brought to the fame purpofe.
2. The fecond end of God's giving men to J*.^u3
Chrifl, is, to glorify his free, infinite, and everiafl*
ing love to them that he gives. So in Eph. i. 4, 5, 6.
ihe love of the Father (I:ilncs in giving us to Chrul
to be redeemed ; the love of the Son fliines ia his re-
ceiving of us ; and thefe two loves (if 1 may call ihem
fo) do not eclipfe, but enlighten one another, ar^d
make a glorious light to the eyes of a believer. Elec-
tion is always in love, and from it, or v^ith it. And
this love hath no caufe, but in the heart of the lov-
er : He loves hecanfe he loves ^ Deut. vii, 7, S. It had
no begiDning, it hath no intermifFion, and it (hall have
iiO ending, ■ li is iro:n everlajTing to svsrlafting^ Pfal.
cil'i*
26 Sermons concerning Serm IL
dii. 17. It is an everlajlhig love^ Jer xxxi. 3.; there-
fore he draws with loving kindnefs^ (or extended loving
kindnefs unto thee). And he never leaves ofF to draw
tbus, till he hath drawn them to heaven, and till he
hath ct owned them with loving kindnefs and tender mer-
cies, Pfal. ciii. 4. Here doth this blelTed love (hine,
in giving men to Chrift ; and here believers (liould be-
hold it.
3. Another end of God the Father's giving of
men to his Son, is, that there may be a glorious and
furefalvatiou brought about for them that are thus giv-
en in fovereign pleafure and love. If Adam had ftood
in that (late wherein he was created, (I know not if it
be allowable to wi(h that it had been fo), it would
have been but a poor low happinefs that he would
have conveyed to his poflerity, in regard of what
comes by the fecond Adam to his offspring. That
it was uncertain, is evident by the ilFue. The firft
Adam was intruded wMth his own and all his natural
poflerity's happinefs, as with this charge, '* So (hali
*• it fare with thee, and all thine, as thy behaviour
" is." In this behaviour commanded, he failed, fell
himfelf, and dragged u. all with him into the fame
pit of fm and mifery. But now it hath pleafed the
Father to lodge the happinefs of his ele<5l in his Son's
hand, where it is both more fure and more glorious
than the former.
4. This giving of men to the Son, is in order to the
railing up a great name of glory and honour to Jefus
Chrift. Great is his jf^lory in being the repairer of
this greateft breach which fin made betwixt God and
man. This the apoftie remarks in Horn. viii. 29. For
tvhom he didforeknoWy he alfo didfredeflinate to be con*
formed to the image of his Son^ that he might he the
Jirjl'born among many brethren. Of this further when
we come to fpeak of Chrift's glory, in this text; and
flball now only mention a little of Chrift's concern in
them that are given to him.
All the redeemed, and ail their concerns for their
falva-
Serm. II. the Lord's Prayer. 27
faivacion, are lodged in Chrift's hand, and in bis on-
ly. Their perfons, and every thing that pertains to
them, are given to him.
2. All the impedia^ents of their faWation are laid
on Chrifl, that by him they may be removed. Thele
are many and great, as you know. There is fin, and
the law with its curie for fin, and the holy juftice and
wrath of God, and the power of heli and death.
When a fmner's eyes are opened to fee thofe impedi-
ments of falvation, it is no wonder he fay with the
difciples, Who then can befavcdf All thtfe impedi-
ments Chrifl did remove. But how ? By taking them
on himfelf, and remcving them out of our way. For
all the impediments of our falvation were impediments
laid in ChriiFs way to his glory. He nuul not eiuer
into his own glory, till he hsd removed the impedi-
ments of the eka's falvation. There could be no im-
pediments in Chrid's way to his glory, without^his re-
lation to bis people. As he was the Son pF God, c-
ternal glory was his natural right and pofiellion ; but
when he comes to be Surety and Mediator, he mujl
firjlfufer^ ere he enter into his glory, Luke >:xiv. 26.
46. He mud furge our fins* by hwifelf, Heb. i. 3. He
mud pat a%uay fm by the facrifue of him/elf ^ Heb. ix.
26. He mud through death deftroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil, Heb, ii, 14. He
muft be made under the law, that he may redeem^ them
that were under the law. Gal. iv. 4, 5. He redeemed
us from the curfe of the law, being made a cur fe for us.
Gal. iii. 13. He mud make an entrance to the holieft
of all for us, by his blood ; he mud confecrate the way
for us by his fief:, Heb. x. 19, 20. He ^.\\^ enter in-
to the holy place by his own blood, having obtained eter-
nal redemption for us, Heb. ix. 12. Thus, by our
Lord Jefus Chrid, all the gates of hell are ftiut oa
the ele<ft, and none can open them ; and all the gates
of heaven are opened, and none can (hut them on
them that are given him.
Vol. 1L E 3. All
zS Senncns concerning Serm. If.
3. All the parts and pieces of falvaticn are ia
ChriR's hand, and do come to us by him. The ac-
ceptance 0/ cmr perJcnSf is in and through this beloved,
Eph. i. 6. The forgivenefs of our fins is through his
blood, Ep'\ i, 7. Our quickening^ when dead in fins^
cur nfing^ and fitting in heavenly places^ is with Chrift
and in hira, Eph. ii. 4, 5, 6. Our title and right to
heaven is fingly owing to him. What right hath a
finner to he-iven ? No rcore, and no other, than he
huth to Jefus Chrift. U he be united to Chriil by
f.iirh in him, he is an heir of God, and an heir of
giory, a joint heir with Chrili, lloin. viii. 1,7. Nay,
our lan(flincation, which is begun glory, 2 Cor. iii.
18. is but a beam of this Sun of Ri^fnteoufoefs dariei
in upon our foul?. Unlefs Chriil had been made
fan(^ificarion to us, there had never been a fant^ified
man or woman in the world.
4. The ^'Hnal poffciiion of the kingdom i? owing
to jefus Chriil. We have a right co it in him j our
charter of it is fealed by his blood ; we have the ear-
ned of it by his Spirit ; we are kept to it, and ir kept
for us, by his power ; and at lall we receive it out of
his own hand, John x. 2C. I give unto them eternal
life. It is too great, and too good a gift, to be giv-
en by any but bielTed Jefus.
I would conclude with a few words of applicatioa.
I. Learn to fee with wonder and adoration the
high fpring of the well of life and falvation for poor
men. It is in the Father*s giving of men to the Son.
Nothing is before it, and all the blelTmgs of grace and
glory flow from it. From hence is the creating of the
world, that ihefe men might be born in it ; from hence
came the peimitiirg and ordering of Adam's fall, that
the lledeemer might be needful j from this Chrift
comes into the world, to redeem them j from this
comes the gofpel, as a light to fcek ihofe loft ones j
from this cometh the Spirit, 10 make the gofpel cf-
fcilual,
Serm. II.' th€ Lord's Frayer. 29
feftua], that they who are ordained to eternal life, may
believe^ A<5^s xiii. 48.
2. Labour to fee your own concern in this giring
to the Son. It is but a <ieep and dangerous rpecula-
lion wiihont this care. Many poor quefrions are in
people's heads, and many poor ways of aofviericgihem
are in mens heart?. Some would fain know if they
have any grace and true holinefs ; others go farther,
and they would f:Ja know if they have faith, the
fpring of holinefs ; foTie would fain know their title
and right to heaven. There is an allowed room and
place for thefe inquiries, and the like. But how
few, even of true Chriflians, afk this queftion, Was
1 given by the Father to the 8on f It is a qaellion that
niay be made, and may be anfwered to fatisfa6lion.
Chriil tells his difcipies it, Luke x. 20. Paul knew
it, I ThefT v. 9. Peter bids vls ghs diligence to make
our calling and eleElion fare ^ 2 Pet. i. 10. But becaufe
there is fome difficulty and danger in managing this
inquiry, I would olFer a few things about it.
Advice I. Lay it down as a {'iY^z^ perfuaHon in your
heart, that faiisfaction in this matter would be of
great advantage to your fouls, i. This would bring
you to the top of the mount. As Mofes on the top of
Plfgah faw the earthly Canaan ; fo you, from the
fight of your eledlioG-grace, may find it both an eafy
and a comfortable thing, to view all the dreams of
grace and mercy towards you. You would then fee
whence they fpring, and whither they run. 2. This
fight would keep yon low and humble. The molt
humbling thought is this, *' 1 was of mere fovereign
** grace given by the Father to the Son." A falfe
pretender to this blcjfTuig'may be proud \ but the. true
believer of it is always humbled by it. Whence is ic
that there is fo much pride amongft Chriftiaos ? why
are they puffed up fo foon and fo much ? Is it not al-
ways on the account of what they do, are, or receive ?
Here is a blefling, where none of thofe pufling-up
things are ; a bleilmg that hath no fort of refpecf to
E 2 what
3© Sermons concerning Serm. II.
what we are, have, or do. 3. The knowledge of
this blelTing of electing love, is of great ufe in ex-
treme irials. We are cnlled to lay oar account with
them ; the Lord biings thc^n on us ; and we need all
the armour of God againfl them, Eph. vi. 10. ; and
the hope cf fahaticn is a hcimtt in the evil day, i
Thefl. V. 8, 9. And this knowledge that we are ap-
feinted to falvatic^T^ is the ground of this hope. Chrifl
comforts the hearts of his people with this, Luke xii.
22. Fear nct^ little flock ; for it ?: your Fat her'' s good
fleafure to give you the kingdom, Chrift tells Ananias,
that Paul was a chofen vefjel^ who was to do and fuf-
fer much for his name, A£li ix. 15, 16. ; Ananias tells
it Paul; and Paul repeats it, in the midfl: of his fuf-
fering?, in a great afT^mbly, A£ls xxii. 14, 15.
Adv:ce 2. For as preat advantaj^es as this know-
\tdgt harh in ir, think not, attempt not the attaining
of it by a fudden leap ; but you mud afcend to it by
degrees. It was a good faying, I think, of the blef-
fed martyr Mr. Bradford, " No man (hould go to the
*' univerfity of predeftination, till he be well trained
**^ up in the grammar-fchcol of faith and repentance."
If tills, or the like method, be neg!c6led, co good can,
but much hurt will eofue. God's decrees are forae
way like the r/iount that m.ufl: not be touched ; but
you muft firfl worship at a diliance, and then make a
reverend and awful approach. This is cot only holy
ground, but it is unfcr<rchable by us. Now know,
that though eleflmg love hath no caufc nor ground
for it without God himfelF, yet it hath great and no-
ble' fruits, and in the decree of the end, falvation,
there is a wife defii^n of fit means and ways to compafs
this end : 2 Theil'. ii. 13. Bid we are bound to give
thanks always to God for you^ brethreuy beloved of the
Lordy becauje God hath from the beginning chofen you
to falvatiouy throu<ih fan^'tfi cation of the Spirit^ and
belief of the truth ; and 1 Per. i. %. Fleft according to
the foreknowledge of God the Father ^ through fanclijica-
tion of the 6pirtt Unto obsdienccy andffrinkling of the blood
Serm. II. the LorcTs Prayer. ^i
cf Jefus ChriJ}, There is a work offaiih^ and labour
of love^ arid patience of hope, whereby the eledion of
God may be known, \ TheiT. i. 3,4. You muft not
leap immediately up to the purpofe of God, but climb
up thereto by the (teps he hath prefcribed ia his re-
vealed will.
Advice 3. You mud be at great pains about this.
This knowledge of your own concern in this giving
to the Son, is not eaiily acquired ; wherefore the apo-
flie faith, 2 Peter i. 10. Give diligence (and verfe 5.
Give all diligence) to make your calling ajid eledion
fure. God's parr in your calling and eled^ion is furc
enough ; and needs none of your labour to make it
furer. But to make it fure to yourfelves, and to make
the knowledge thereof fure and clear to you, diligence
is needful, and diligence will do it. Alas ! who be-
ftow any diligence about this greateft concern? Search
out the fruits and marks of ele<51ion : and when you
find any of them, then, and not before, climb up this
high tree of the Father's giving you to Jefus Chrid.
Advice 4, Be not difcouraged if it doth not yet ap-
pear to you, that you were given by the Father to
the Son. It may be, though you do not fee it. Many
of the given do not for a long time know it ; yea, I
fee no great danger in faying, that not a few of the
given to the Son may be in darknefs, and doubts, and
fears about it, till the laft and brighteft day declare
it, and till the lad fentence proclaims it, Come, ye
hkfjed of my Father, (bleffed by this giving), inherit
the kingdom prepared for you f rem the foundation of the
world. Math. xxv. 34. It is wifely ordered by the
Lord, that all that are given to the Son, do not (tho*
they (hould endeavour it) know that they were given j
and that they that are not given, cannot know it j
that the book of life is not always legible to all belie-
vers, and that the book of death cannot be read by
any unbeliever. It would be a miferable world, if
ihe reprobate could be as fure of their being pad by, i
as the ele^ may be of their being chofen to fulvation. /
If
3 2 Sermons concerning Serm. 11.
If therefore any of you be in the dark about your owq
eicnicn, be not difcouraged ; it m:iy be, though you
do not know it. And to fuch difcouraged fouls 1 would
ip'eak a few words.
Objed. It may be fome of you may fay, that this
is n range doctrine.
Anfir, I am forry that ibis doflrine is fo rarely
taught ; and 1 am fure, that it is not only the do(fl:riDe
of Chrift, and of his apoftles ; but that the work of
the gofpel in converfion of fioners, and in the edifi-
catioD, growth, and holinefs of faint?, did profper
more, when fuch do<ftrine was more commonly taught
than now. Difcouraged fouls about this doctrine,
anfwer thefe.
1. Can you hear of this giving of fome by the Fa-
ther to the Son, and blefs the giver, the Father; and
the receiver, the Son ; and count all the given a hap-
py remnact f A heart grumbling and replying agaiafl
this (overeign grace of God, 1 dare not fay is a fure
token of one not given, but it is furely a very bad
thing. But, on the contrary, it is a hopeful fign of
an intereil: in this great bleiTing, when a poor crea-
ture, iii his deeped dillrefs and fears about his own
ialvarion, hath a high value for eie^ling love, and
reckons them bleffcd indeed that are (harers thereof.
He admires and adores this defign, even when doubt-
iul of his own iniercft therein.
2. Can you be fure tha: you were not given to the
Son ? No, furely. God harh not, will not reveal it.
Thy heart is blind and deceitful ; do not truft it.
Satan knows It not, and is a lyar, efpecially when he
pretends to teach thee God's fecrct purpofes. The
devil was never on God's counfel ; why fhould you
regard his v/hifpers ? He is a reprobate, condemned
fpirir, raging againft God, and drives to infufe his
own fpirir and temper into fiuners. Say then, " If 1
*' know not that I was given to the Son, 1 cannot
^' know, I Ciould not conclude, cone can prove, that
^^ J was not ;Tiven to him.
D
3. L
Serm. II, the Lord^j Prayer. 33
3. Is Chrid as God's gift precious to you ? i Fet.
ii. 6, 7, 8. Then it is lure you were given to Chrid: ?
it is a deep fecret, who are given by the Father to
the Son ; but it is an open plain truth, that the Fa-
ther hath fent the Son to be the Saviour of the ivor/u\
I John iv, 14. How do you like him; how do you
efteem and love him ? Say then, " Although 1 am
" not fure that I was given to Ghrill, I am fure that
*' Chrid is come as a Saviour, juil fuch a one as I
«^ need."
4. Can you give yourfelves to Jtfus Chrid to be
faved by him ? Then were you given to him, to be
redeemed by him. Your faith on him, fpeaks your
election in him. True faith is the faith oj God's elc^i^
Titus i. I. Why fo called, but becaufe all, and only
God's ele£i:, get it, and have it ; and becaufe elec-
tion may be known by it ; becaufe faith flows from
eled'ting love, and ftiould lead the believer up to ihli
love as its original and fpring ? Anfwer then, thou
that knows not that thou waft given to Chrid by the
Father, doft thou give thyfelf to Chrid ? Seed thou
no hand in heaven nor earth, to incrud thy foul in,
but Chrift's ? Had thou fo feen him in his ilviil and
good-will to fave lod finners, that thou hai't, daily
dod, and refolved dill to bring, and lay, and leave
thy perifhing foul on Jefus Chrid, as on him that
fpeaketh in righteoufnefs^ mighty to fave f Ifa. Ixiii. i.
Then thou wad given to Jefus Chrid. Go on in trad-
ing him, and in living by faith on him; and he will
make you know, that he loved you ^ and gave hinifelf
for you^ Gal. ii. 20. And if thou knowed that he
gave himfelf for thee in time, conclude, that thou wad
given to him by the Father from eternity, and that
ihou iliah to eternity be with hioj where he is.
SERMON
34 Sermons concerning Serm. Ill,
SERMON III.
John xvii. 24.
Father y I will that they alfo -whom thou haft given me,
be with me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thcu haft given me : for thou lovcdjl me
before the foundation of the world*
PETER, gives a good teflimony to Jefus Chrid,
in John vi. d^, Thou haft the words of eternal life.
And here thefe words are eminently. Chrift himfelf
is eternal life^ i John i. 2. And in this text we have
hira that was and is eflential, eternal life, praying for
and willing of communicated eternal life to all his
people.
The firfl thing I took up in the matter of Chrift^s
prayer in this verfe, was the name and defcription
of them he prays for ; they whom thou haft given
me. From this part of the verfe 1 named three doc-
trines.
I. That there was a fele6l company of mankind given
by the Father to the Son, to be redeemed and faved.
On this 1 fpoke lafl day.
Observ. 2. This company given to Chrift are well
known to him. Chrifl knows ihem ail, particularly,
fully, exactly. Chrift doth not here pray, as wc
ought, for the ele£t, on the general truth revealed in
the word, that there is a body of the ele^^, though
we know not who they be ; but Chrill hath ihem all
DOW as in his eye and heart particularly. Paul was
in his eye, and all that were to believe on him through
grace. Why are we commanded to pray for all men,
though Chrift did not, John xvii. 9,10. 1 Becaufe we
know
Serm. IlL the Lord's Frayer, 35
know not particularly who are the eleft^ but Chritt
did.
On ibis truth I would cfFtT a few things in prcof
of it, and then apply it. For this doftrine looks like
a deep and barren point ; yet it is profitable,
I. For proof of this, that the eled are known to
Jefus Chrift. Let us fee what he himfeif fpeaks of it,
John X. Once in that parable, ver. 3. He calleth his
own Jhecp by name^ and kadeth them out. You will
r.ever believe, till Chrili call you by name. Again,
in the do^lrine taught by him on the parable, ver. 14*
J am the good Shepherd y (O how well doth it become
Chrift to commend himfeif I You will never love him,
till Chrift: himfeif commend himfeif to you), and know
my fheep. And ver. 27. My fheep hear my volce^ and
1 know them ^ and they folkzv me, Ver. 28. And 1 give
unto them eternal life. Well doth Chrift know to
whom he gives eternal life. Woe to them to whom
he will fay, I never knew you^ Matth. vii. 24. Little
better is that word in John x. 26. But ye believe not ;
becaufe ye are not of my fheep ^ as I fald unto you. Chrili:
knew who v/ere his fheep, and who not ; who were
gathered into his fold, and who were yet flraying
as loft (heep on the mountains: verfe 16. And other
fheep I have ^ which are not of this fold ; them alfo I
mufl briyig^ and theyfball hear my voice. The grounds
of this truth are.
ry?, Chrift, as God, knoweth all things, and there-
fore knows who are given to him. It is a pity, that
when the godhead of the Son fliines fo very brightly
in the new teftament, any ftiould doubt and deny it.
And it is pity alfo, that the deniers of this rock of
the church of Chrift ihould not renounce the name of
Chriftians; or that any true Chriftian (hould afford
this honourable name to fuch apoftates. Peter, when
afked by his Mafter about his love to him, John xxi.
17. anfwers by a humble appeal to his all -knowing.
Vol. II, F He
^6 Sermon f ccncernifw Serm. III.
He that knows all things, mufl know who were given
him by the Father.
2^/y, The Son of Ood was a party concerned in
this tranfaiflion. As the Father was the giver of the
ele<f), ihe Son was the receiver of them. Will any
fay, that the Father knew not whom he gave, when
his foreknowledee is fo exprclly told in Horn. viii. 29. ?
It is equally abfurd to fay, that the Son knew not
whom he received. And as the Father's giving was
of particular, diflin^l, and didicguiihed pciTons ; fo
was tlie Son's receiving of fuch perfons. Hence our
Lord fays of them in his prayer, ver 9, 10. / pray
for them ; I pray not for the worldy but for them which
thou haft given me, for they are thine. And all mine
are thine^ and thine are miney and I am glorified in
them. This tranfa6>ion betw^ixt the Father and Son,
Was a bufinefs, as of high fovercignty about mankind,
and of infinite love to the given, fo was it paiTed in
infinite wifdom. The manifold wifdom of GQd\% in this
eternal purpofe which he purpofed in Chrifl Je/us our
Lord, Eph. iii. 9, 10, 11. It is a high reile<^ion on
all the glory of God in this tranfa<Stion, to fay, that
the Father knew not particularly whom he gave to
the Son, or that the Son knew not who were given
to him.
%dlyy Chrifl's knowing who were given to him, is
the ground of his undertaking and difpatching the
work of redemption. This work he undertook in love;
this love is dill afled on perfons. Gal. ii. 20. Rev.i. 5,
Thcfe perfons mud be known to Chrid, if fo beloved
by him.
4//.>/y, It is this knowledge in Chrlll that is the
ground of Chrifl's patience and pains on the elcft. If
any will fay, that Chrift, in dying, defigned no more
for Peter than for Judas, (God forgive thera, and o-
p:m their eyer) ; I hope they will not fay, but Chrifl
did more for Peter than for Judas. The vifible dif-
ference that is betwixt Chriirs way of dealing with
men, fiows from his knowing of them that are given
to
Sexm. III. the LorcTs Prayer. g7
to him. There are foms that Chrifl deals with in
and by the gofpel ; and, upon their firfl: refufil, he
leaves them, and Chrill and they never noeet till the
laft day ; others he waits long upon, and yet he
leaves them at lad. But there are fome that Chrid
deals with ; and though they refufe him again and a-
gain, yet he will never leave them, till he hath gain-
ed their hearts, and faved them. Paul thought hs
was the raiefl: inftance of this ; i Tim. i, i6. Hotv-
Betty for this caufe I obtained mercy ^ that In me firfl {in
me the chief {vautv) Jefus Chrifl might flpow forth all
long'fiifferingy for a pattern to them which fhculd here^
after believe on him to life everlafling. Yet we may
fay, that there are fome in heaven, and fome on
earth, that have been as great patterns as Paul j tho*
they were not (o filled with the Holy Ghofi: as he ;
nor Chrifi^s grace in calling them fet {o on a candle-
fiick for all ages, as it was in his cafe. It may be
Paul never heard Chrifl preach, nor faw his face,
though he was brought up at jerufalem in Chriil's
time, hdi% xxii. 3. and xxvi. 4. It is like he heard
no more of him, but by the common report, and by
the ilanders of the Pharifees, Ghrifl's conftanc ene*
mies. It was but blind zeal of the law that locked
him up in unbelief, and made him hate Chrifl's name
and people. But how many have been fince Paul,
that have lived long under the light of the gofpe;,
whom the Lord have driven long with, and they have
as long flriven againil him, whom yet he hath fubdued
at lad? BlelTed be his name ; and may fuch inftances:
be multiplied to his praife. This way is taken by
Chrifl with fome, according to his charr^e from his
Father, John vi. 39. And this is the Father^ s will
■ ivhich hath fent mCf that of all which he hath given
?ne, Ifhculdlcfe mihingy hut fhould raife it up again at
the lafl day,
Sthhy This knowing of ihem who are given to him,
is the ground of the confuience of Chrifl as Mediator,'
as to the fucceft of his workj both of his work of
F 2 redemp-
3 8 Sermons concerning Serm. III.
redemptioD of them by his blood, and of the work
of his Spirit, in applying ic to the fouls and confci-
CDces of the redeeiPied. So he proclaims it, John vi.
$7. All that the Father giveth vie^ /ball cojne to me,
"■ I am fure, would he fay, of every one of them,
*' fooner or later." As long as there is one given,
not yet come to ChriH:, there is one yet to believe oa
him. Chrift might well promife this to himfelf ; for
ibe Father had promifed it, Ifa. liii. 10. u. He /hall
fee his fecd^ he /hall fr along his days^ and the plea/ure
of the Lordjlyall profper in his hand. He /J:all /ee of
the trazel of his fouU and /imll be fatiified : by his
knowledge /hall my righteous /ervant ju/lify many ; for
he fiall bear their iniquities. The latter part of John
vi. 37. is Chrill's promife to us, Him that comet h to
me, I zcill in nowife caj} out. Why do none but the
given come 10 Chriil ? Becaufe none can come unlefs
ihey be drawn by the Father, John vi. 44, 45. Be-
hold this bleiTed order. The Father gives the elc£l
lo his Sod, to be redeemed ; the Son, in love, lays
down his life for them, and redeems them. The Fa-
ther draws them to Chrift, and makes them believers :
Chrift receives them as given, redeemed and drawn ;
and thus are they faved. Chriil knows them well,
and therefore welcomes them.
Application, i. This truth, That Chrid
knows ail that are given to him, fhould feed and
ilrcngthen our faith, as to all the e!e(fl. Chrift knows
them ; therefore they fhail be faved. The apollle
2 Tim. ii. 18, 19. brings in this as a ground of faith,
even when damnable errors creep in, and overthrow
the failh offoms : Neverthelef, the /cundatidn of God
flandeth fuiey havirig this feal. The Lord knoweth them
that are his. The Lord-giver knows who are his, and
whom he gives; and the Lord-receiver knows who are
his; and whom he receives. The Lord knows becter
whoarchls, than the devil knows who are his, for many
mat the devil had as his, (as all natural men are, Eph. ii.
Serm. HI. the Lord* s Prayer, 39
2, 3), and thought he was fure of as his, have been ref-
cued by the Lord. But never did the devil prevail fully
againft any that are Chrift's. It is a happy parentheiis
in Matth. xxiv, 24. when our Lord is warning of dan-
gerous times, by falfe chrifis, and of their great fuccefs
in deceiving, he faith, that they Jh all deceive (if it were
fojjtble) the very elect. But it is impoffible, becaufe they
are ele^l:. There are two cafes of the ele£l that this
truth fliould ftrengthen our faith in» i. As to the
uncalled ele£l:. Many of thetn are yet uncalled, and
lying in the common pit of nature ^ but they (hall be
called. The gofpel will be taken away from that
place where none fuch are. All God's pains in the
gofpel are taken for the elefls fakes, as Paul's pains
were, 2 Tim. ii. 10. The Lord encouraged Paul to
flay and labour in Corinth, by this argument. For k
have much people in this city. Acts xviii. 9, 10. Some
are converted already, and many more are to be con-
verted. 2. In cafe of bac^fliding and apodafy : a
fad, but no very rare cafe. Some that have givea
great witnefs of the truth of the grace of God in thero,
have, through the power of corruption, the preva-
lency of temptation, and the Lord's leaving of them,
faiieo foully, and lain long. Yet, if they be Chrifl^s,
his mark is 00 them, and they fhall be recovered."
2. Believers, from this truth, have ground of
ftrong confolation, both in praifmg and in praying :
Heb. vi. 17, i 8, The immutability of his counfel \s de-
clared, that we might have a Jlrong confolation, who
have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope fit before us,,
Have you fied for refuge to Jefus Chriil ? Do you
know it ? Hath the Lord revealed it to you, that you
have fought your only refuge in the fhadow of Chriil's
wings? Then how Ihould you rejoice and give thanks
for your ele^^ion ? Thus the apoftle did ufuaily, Eph«
i. g, 4. 2 Their, ii. 13. I dare not fay, that do be-
liever can be heartily thankful for Chrift's grace, be-
fore he fully and furely know its higheit fpring : but
I am fure that that believer praifeih bcil^ that knows
40' Sermons coticern'wg Serm. III.
be(l that he was given to the Son. The receivings of
the glorified will be the greate.l; their praifes wi!i be
the highefl ; and their knowledge of eternal love as
the fpring of all their grace and glory, will be the
clears n. And as this doth raife praife, fo doth it
raife mighty prayer. Our Lord prays for his peo-
ple under this name. Thine and ininCy John xvii. 9,
io* David prays for himfelf, under this name, Pfal.
cxix. 94. / am thine, fave me. The cler.rer your
knowledge be of your intereft in God, and in his
Jove, the more mighty will your pleadings with Lira
be.
And fo much for the fecond point.
Ob-serv. 3. ChriJTs heart is fet en the bii/s of all
that the Father hath given to him» And this he ex-
preffcth iu this dcfire.
Oil this point, I would, i. Give fome proofs of
this truth. 2. Show whence this heart-concern for
their blifs dorh flow.
L Proofs of this truth. That Ch'ifTs heart is fet en
the blifs and eternal falvation of his people, are thelefive.
I. Chrift's covenanting for them proves this. In
that day (if a day may be talked of in eternity ; but
we arc time-creauires, and have no fit words for e-
terniiy) when thi^ MefTed company were given by the
Father to the Son, the ^oa did undertake to do ail
things ncediul to be done, to bring them to eternal
glory. He undertook and promi fed to take on him
their natures ; and in tliat nature to bear their fins ;
and, by the facrifice of chat nature for their fins, to
make an expiation of their fins. In a word, he pro-
niifed to do all he was required to do, and he did all
he promifed to the Father,, for the falvation of his
people. Whenever We look to this treaty, we muft
gather, Surely rhe Son of God had a great mind to
the happinefs of his people.
2. Chrifl's
Se RM. in. the Lord's Prayer. 44
2. Chrifl's chearful laying down his life for their
redemption, proves how his heart was (cz on their
faivation. It was his errand in coming into the world t
John X. ro. / am come that they might have life^ and
that they might have it more abundantly. Believers
get a greater, higher, and more noble life by the
fecond Adam, than they loft by the firll Adaai. Ibis
is the meaning of that much more twice mentioned by
the apoftle when comparing thefe two heads, Rom. v,
15. 17. But how doth Chrift give, and his people
receive this life ? Even by his death. He laid down
his life for his fheep^ John x. 11. 15, Therefore his
Father loved himy ver. 17. And thereby he proved
his love to the faivation of his people, John xv. 13.
3. He proves his love to their faivation, by his feal-
ing and confirming the covenant, the charter of their
faivation, with his own blood. Compare Gal iii. 15,
16, 17. with Keb. ix. 15, 16, 17. It is called the
blood of the ever I a fling covenant^ Heb. xiii. 20. Chrift^s
blood was not only redeeming and purcbaP.ng blood,
a juft and full price both for the heirs and for the in-
heritance ; but it was fealing blood, and confirming of
that covenant, in and by which the inheritance was fe-
cnred to the heirs, and the heirs fecured for the inhe-
ritance. Alas! many have the Bible, and ufeit but lit-
tle ; and many ufe it amifs, becaufe they know not its
right name. It is well and warrantably, from its con-
tents, called, in its liile-page, in all languages and tranf-
lations, The Old and Nezv Te/Iament of our Lord and
Saviour Jefus Chrijh Biu how few, in reading this
title, mind the ufe a:id virtue of the blood of Jefu;?,
which turned the covenant of God's grace into the
leilarnent of Chrift, and thereby fealed and confirmed
all the good words and good things in that covenant I
It was a happy word we find in the Book of martyrs^
that fome in the dawning of the light of the gofpel
in this land, near two hnndied years ago, ufed, in
calling the New Teftament (a great rarity in thofe
daye) The.blcod of Chrifl, You never rightly read
tlie
^2 Sermons concerning Serm. IIL
the gofpel, nor do you underftand the defign of it,
nor rightly believe one promife in it, till in heart you
can fay, " This gofpel is the only charter of my fal-
*' vation, fealed with the blood of ray only Saviour."
If any be for another Saviour than Chrift, and for
another fecurity and charter for falvation than his
thus fealed teftament, on their eternal peril be it.
Let them try, and perifh. For, as God is true, pe-
ri{h they ftiall, even all that take that courfe, Acts
iv. 12.
4. Chrift proves his love to his people's falvation
by his intercefTion for them. Of which this chapter
is a great inftance. And whereof we have fo much
fpoke in Rom. viii. 54. Heb. vii. 25. and ix. 24. and
I John ii. I. This is his bufmefsin heaven. By this
he prepares their place for them^ John xiv. 2, 3.; and
on it aflfures them of their poffefiing of it.
5. Chrift gives his Spirit to his people, to prove
kis concern about their falvation. And we may al-
lude to Ifa. V. 4. What could have been done ?nore?
He covenanted with the Father from eternity about
their falvation. He bought it for them, and them
for it, in the fulnefs of time. The day of Chrift's
redeeming his people, was the flower of time, the
greatefh and nobleft thing done flnce God fet the
clock of time a going ; for his glorious return is to
be at the end of time. He turned the covenant of
their falvation into a teflament by his blood ; and did
in that teftament leave all the grace and glory bought
by his blood as a legacy to his people. He, when
he had done this, went to heaven with his blood,
Heb. ix. 12. that it inight fpeak before God, Heb.
xii. 24. for all bleflings to his people. And till they
get full poflTclfion of glory, he gives to them his Spi-
rit. All that arc his have his Spirit, as furely as it
is, that if any man have not the Spirit of Chrijl^ he is
rone of his * Rom. viii. 9. 15. Gal. iv. 6. This gift
of the Spirit is a marvellous gift. None can know i%
but they that receive it : John xiv. i;* Jbe Spirit
of
Serm. IIL the Lord's Prayer, 4^
of truths whom the ivcrld cannot receive, hecaufe it feet h
him not, neither knozveth him : but ye know him ; foT
he dwelleth with you ^ and fh all he on you, i John iv.
13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him^ and he in
usy hecaufe he hath given us of his Spirit. This gift
is always given in mere love and grace, and is a fure
proof of Gpd's fpecial love. This gift of the Spirit
is an earned: of heaven, 2 Cor. i. 22. God hathfeaU
ed uSf and given the earnefi of the Spirit in our hearts ;
and 2 Cor. v. 5. And Eph. i. 13, 14. he is called
that Holy Spirit of promife^ which is the earneft of our
inheritance, until the redemption of the piirchafed pofjef^
fion, unto the praife of his glory. He is called //;^^ry/-
fruits of the Spirit^ Rom. viii. 23. This gift is an en-
riching gift. How great things doth he in and oa
the man ! How much good doth he bring along with
himfelf! He reveals Chrift to the fonl, John xvi. 14,
15. ; draws the foul toChrifl, unites hitii with Chrift;
dwells in the believer, and/^j/j him to the day of re-
demption, Eph. iv. 30. ; comforts him till that daf
comes. Hence called the Comforter by our Lord,
John xiv. 16, 26. KV, 26. and xvi. 7. Yet for all the
richnefs of this gift of the Spirit, this you raud know,
that as foon as a man receives this gift, he fees and
finds himfelf to be a poor, empty, and needy creature.
When this eye-falve of Chrift anoints a man's eye?,
then he feeth what he did not before ; that he is
"wr etched f and miferahle^ and poor ^ and blind ^ and na-
ked^ Rev. iii. 17, 18. Therefore is the Spirit of
Chrift ia believers a Spirit of grace and of fupplication,
Zech. xiii. 10.; a Spirit of adoption^ c^y'^^gj Abba^
Father, Rom. viii. 15. and Gal. iv. 6. 11 no man can
fay, that Jefus is the Lord, hut by the Holy Ghofl, i
Cor. xii. 3. ; furely no man can call the God and Fa-
ther of our Lord Jefus Chrift, Abba Father, but by
the Holy Ghoft. The firft word of the new creature
is Abba. But many believers live long ere they cao
fay Abba confidently. They do not confider du-
ly, that as this relation is granted by the Lord ; fo it
Vol. IL G (hould
44 Sermons concerning Serm. Ill
fhould be pleaded by believers, without any regard
to Worth in us, tut only to his own free grace and
love in Jefus Chrift. The Spirit of Chrill: in be!iev-
ers is a Spirit of prayer, a Spirit of begging in a child
at its be.ivenly Father's door. The believer finds
manifold daily wanes; he know? cone can relieve and
fupply his wants, but his God by Jefus Cbrift^ Phil.
iv. 19. He haih an inflin(fl, and fomc ability by the
Spirit to beg and wait. The operation of the Spirit
in believers, the communion of the Holy Ghofl, is a
great myflery. He works more on them, than they
feel and know ; and they feel mere than they can
exprefs in words ; and ihey exprefs more, than any
that have not received the fame Spirit of faith (2 Cor.
iv. 13.) can underftand. But this we know, that
vvhcnfoever the Spirit of Chriil applies his «race and
power to the heart of a finner, there is fomething
wrought that day, that (hall laff to eternity. There
is, by that finger of God, that imprtlTion made upon
the foul, and that mark left upon it, that (liall never
wear out, and that fin and Satan (hall never be able
to blot out again ; but it (liall remain, and grow, and
be feen at the coming of Chrill: at the lalt day,
Phil. i. 6.
II. Why is ChrifTs heart fofet upm his people^ s glory
m heaven f*
I. Becaufe of his near intered in them. His in-
terefl in his church and people, is greater and clofer
than we can conceive. The Holy Ghofi ufeth many
fimilitudes ro help our thoughts. Of them I would
Bame only two of the plainell and mofl common. One
is, of Chrift'ii being the head, and the church his
body and members ; Eph. i. 22, 23. iv. 15, 16. and
Col. ii. 19. Another is, the marridge-union of man
and wife; and efpccially of the firlt married couple,
Adam and Eve, our tirfl: parents, Eph. v. 25. — 32,
And you may well think, that it was a fit match.
\Vhen the firil roan was made, God took a part of
this
Serm. 111. the - Lord's Prayer. 45.
this man's body, and made of it a woman to be a
wife to him. So is the church, Chrifl's bride, taken
out of Chrift's fide ; not la a fieep, (as it was with the
firft Adam, Gen. ii. 2 i, 22.) but tri and by his death.
As Eve was made a mod excellent woman, both for
endowments of body and mind ; fo ^dam in innocency
did doubtlefs love her peife(ftly. She was of him,
from him, for hi.m, and made to be wi:h him. All
this is but a iliadow -of the church, ChriIVs bride.
The firft Adam's love to his rare wife, was nothing
to Chrilt's love to his bride. Yea, Chrifl is not only
the head of the body, and the husband thereof, but
Chrift is to the church, as our fouls are to our bodies,
1 Cor. vi. 17. All the life, power, and ability of
our bodies, naturally flows from the foul dwelling in
it. If the foul be never fo happy, (as thefpirits of
juji men made per fed, are, Heb. xii. 23.), yet it hath
a happy longing in its glorified (late for its re-union
with the body. So Chnfl, the quickening 8puity (as
Paul calls him, i Cor. xv. 45 ), hath a great happy
defire of having his gioriiied body with him where
he is.
2. ChriPt is much concerned about glory to his peo*
pie, becaufe of his engagements for and to his people, •
There is a treble engagement of Chrift that he lietb
under for bringing his people to heaven, i. The
command of his Father, >joha vi. 38, 39, 40. And
this commandment is eternal life ; and this Chrift knew,
and revealed it, John xii. 49, 50. 2, His promife to
his Father in the everlafting covenant. '^. Mis pro-
mife to us in the gofpel, i Job ii. 25. He hath en-
gaged 10 his Father, that none that are given to hi in
fhall ever perifti ; and he hath promifed often and
plainly to us in the gofpel, that none that believe oa
him ftiall ever be alliamed. And wofully would a
believer in Chrift: be aftiaraed, if he came ftiort of
heaven.
3. The greatnefs of Chrift's love to his people,
makes him fo much concerned about their compleat
G 2 falvation.
A 6 Sermons cotjcerning S E r m . III.
falvation. ChriR's love is lb great, that it pafleth
knowledge ; aad feme ChrKUans love to Chnft is fo
Weak, that it is hardly feen and felt by them. It is
rot every one that can give Peter's anfwer unro
Chrift's queftioLi, John xxi. 15, 16, 17. Lord thou
hiQweJI ail things^ thou knotvefl that I love thee. Now,
\vc know concerning love, that it natively lieth in
wilhing well to the beloved. Doth Chrilt love his
people ? How can he but wifli them well ? And how
can he wi(h them better, than to be with him where
be is P
Application, i. Is Jefus Chrid {0 much
concerned for the glory and bleflednefs of his people P
Then fee how fweetly we come to heaven. It is by
Chrifl's bkffed will; lys blood paying the price, and
giving us the right and tiile to glory ; and his heart
and good- will giving poireffion of it. Thus are we
faved, both furely and fweetly.
2. How firmly {hould we believe en Jefus Chrifl,
and trail him for falvaticn ? It is no fmall reproach
to him, that is fo often done by that unbelief and
doubting that is fo ufual to fome Chriilians. Chrid
minds our fj^lvation heartily, and we believe feebly;
he faying', / will have them w'thme where I a?n ; and
we often fayiiig, hord^ thou wilt not bring me where
thou art. Is it not fmful in us, and diilioncurable to
Cbrift, for us to be faying, ^hou wi!t noty when he is
faying, I will f We (hould trud our falvaiion on Je-
fus Chriil, not only as on him that only can fave, and
that is able to fave perfc(^ly ; but as on him that hath
more good-will to fave, than we can have wiilingnefs
TO be faved by him. None had ever been faved by
him, none had ever been brouf^ht to heaven, unlefs
Chrid had had more wiilingnefs to bring them thither,
than they had to be led thither by him. He mujl in
all things have the 'pre-eminence^ Col. i. 18. and in
this efpecia!!y. Unbelief is in all doubrings of Chrift's
good- will to fave. Whatever may be (aid of the le-
per's
Serm. III. the Lord's Frayer, ^f
.per's faitb, in Matth, viii. 2. Lord^ if tbou wilf^ tbcu
canjl make me clean ; no perifliing finner can be quite
excufed, that (hall p!?t an ?/on Chrift's willingnefs to
fave one that employs him in hisofHce of faving, where-
in his glory is fo concerned, and his heart fo deeply en-
gaged. We (hould give him the glory that is duQ to
him; to believe that the willingnefs co fave is greater in
the Saviour, than wiliint^nefs to be faved is in the Tinner.
For ChriiVs good-will to fave, is the caufe of any de-
lire of falvation in any: Pfalm ex. 3. Thy people Jhall
be willing in the day of thy power. When he hath
a mind to fave, he doth work this wiliingnefs in men
to be faved by him ; and they will own it to proceed
from his wiliingnefs, when they become ftrong belie-
vers ; and will fee it and know it perfefliy^ when
they get full falvaiion.
3. How ftrongly Oiould believers love the Lord
Jefas Chrifl ? is his heart fo fet on thy heaven ? How
filled with love to him ought thy heart to be P Woe
to them that love him not, i Cor. xvi. 22. And ia
CO better cafe are they that think they love him e-
nough , and fuch as love any thing as well, and that
hate not all things in comparifon with him, Luke xiv*
26. To love Chrift as thou dod thy life, will not be
enough. It is higher and greater love that Chrill doth
deferve and require, and will only accept.
4. How patiently and quietly ihould we fubmit to
Chrifl's conduft and guiding us in the way to heaven?
Is his heart fet on bringing you thither ? Let him
guide you in the way as he pleafeth. Doth be fay
peremptorily, / will have them with me where I am f
Let him guide you as he will, while you are in the
world. When a believer is faristled by faith, that
Chrifl wills glory to him in the end, he will find it
eafy to fubpiit to Chrift's conducft; by the way. He
may indeed, in fome trials of his faith, be put to fay,
^' This is a dark path 1 am led to walk in :" but faith
will fay, " Bat 1 am in Chrifl's hand ; this is his way
" of leading me \ every (tep that Chrifl: leads the be-
** licYIOiJ
^3 SerJUDiis concerning Ssrm. IV.
"*' lieving traveller in, rnuft lead to heaven." He
bed knows the way ; and the wifdom of the Chrilti-
an licih in following Chrift whitherfoever he goeth,
and leadcth hiin. Though thou feed not heaven, the
end ; though ihou knowefl: not the path he leads thee
in ; though the path, to thy (tiiio.^ looks lilcer the
way to hell, than to heaven : yet if Chrifl leadeth
thee, and if thcu be in his hand, it is impollible, but
that Chrill thy guide will bring thee to heaven, as
ihy home.
SERMON IV.
John xvil. 24.
Father, I will that they aljo whom thou hafl given mc,
be with me where / am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou hafl given ?ne : for thou lovedfl me
before the foundation of the world*
Tli I S chapter contains the bed part of the gof-
pel. IF the g^ ''pel be good news from heaven,
(as furely it is), the heft part of thofe good news is
what the Saviour fends up to heaven in this prayer.
And what he fends up in this prayer, he brought
down from heaven, from his Father, John vi. j8. I
have made fome entrauce on this vcrfe 24. the fleet-
ed oF this prayer, if comparifon may be made, where
every word is mod fweet and cxcellenr. I have
fpoke unto the manner of Chrid's praying, / 'z^///.
'1 he manner is finpular, and the matter mod excel-
lent. The manner of Chrid's praying here, is more
like a commander, than a fupplicant. What fpe-
cialties there were in the perfon that noade ir, and in
tV.e
Serm. IV. the hordes Frayer. 49
the feafon that drew forth this high word, you have
heard.
The matter of Chrift's prayer in this verfe, I took
up in four ; and have fpoke to the firfl: of them, to
wit, the defcription of the party he prayeth for. Iq
this chapter, our Lord not only defcribeth them he
prayed for, but exprelly denieth that he prayed for
any befides them, ver. 9, 10. I pray for them : I fray
not for the worlds but for them %vhich thcu hafl given
me^ for they are thine. And all mine are thine^ and
thine are mine^ and I am glorified in them. From this
defcription of them Chrift prayed for in this yerfe,
and in other parts of this chapter, I have fpoke unto
thefe three points, i. That there is a feleu^ determi-
nate company of men, that were given by the Father
to the Son, to be redeemed and faved by hira. 2.
That this company was particularly and exaflly known
by Jefus Chriff. 3. That Chriil's heart was fixed and
refolved on the eternal falvaiion of all them that were
given to him. And here he expreifeth it highly, ia
this / will.
The fecond thing in the matter of Chrift's prayer,
followeth to be fpoke unto ; and that is, the hlejfmg
he prayeth for unto them. It is, that they may he with
me where 1 am. There are three things here, that
1 would firft take notice of and explain ; and thea
fpeak to the words themfelves ; and give you from
them, the do^lrines which I intend to infui more large-
ly upon,
1. The firft thing I take notice of, is this alfo^ and
what is its fignification. 2, What is this to he with
Chrif}^ as diftin<Sl from other fcripmre-words about
Chrift and his people. 3. What it is to be with Chrifl
where he is,
I. Concerning this word alp. It doth not in the
leafl: hint, that there are j^ny that he defires may be
with him where he is, befides ihofe that were givea
hira : but \i is only his prayiag for another, and great-
'^o Sermons concerning Serm. IV.
er bleffing, to them that were given to him. Our
Lord had prayed for many and great things for them
before in this chapter and prayer. He had prayed
Lis Father to keep thcm^ lofandify thtfii, and to ?Jiah
than all one in the Father and in the Son. '' Bui
*' (would our Lord fay) there is fomething more than
" all this I would have for ihem ;" I would have them
to be ivith me where I am. Hence
Obferv. Nothing flort of, nothing lefs than heaven^
and eternal glory in it^ doth Jlint and limit ChrijTs heart
and prayers for his people. For all he hath done for
them, for all he hath given to them, (and there is a
great deal of both), there is fiill this alfo in his heart
ibr them. / ^uill that they alfo may be with me where
I anu " I will not only go where they are, but 1 will
*' alfo have them where 1 am." Nothing lefs than
** everlafting bleffednefs to hh people, doth limit
*' Chrlfl's will and prayers for them. He prays for
every thing to them, and for this alfo. When the
apoftle is fpeaking to believers in Heb vi. 4,— -9. he
gives a very gracious infmuation, after a mod fearful
alarm. When he had fpoke fome of the mod terri-
"ble words in the fcripture, upon a fuppofition of aa
Titter apoflafy from Chriftianity, after great attain-
ments : \{ fuch as have been enlightened.. Sec. do fall
nway^ their cafe is defperate ; they are foil that bring
forth nothing but briers and thorns ^ are fie/ir unto curf-
ing^ and their end is to be burned. But^ beloved, (faith
he, ver. 9.), we are per/uaded better things of you, and
ihin(rs that accompany fa hat ion ^ thziigh we thus f peak.
All the grace that Chrift giveth, all the grace that
believers receive and a<fl iu this life, are but things
that accompany falvation, that do pertain unto the ilatc
of falvation, and prepare for the full enjoyment of
falvation in heaven.
There are feveral forts of gifts -that Chrid gives,
and believers receive, in this life, that pertain to fal-
vation. As,
X. Their
Serm. IV. the Lord's Prayer, 5C
1. Their right and title to heaven. And that is
Chrift himfelf pciTefTed by iaith ; dwelling in their
hearts by faith, Eph. iii. 17. ; Cbrij^ in them the hope
of glory. Col. i. 27. That day that Chrilt entered.
into their hearts, the hope of glory began to dawn.
And the deeper he enter into the heart of any, the
greater is the hope, fo as to make the believer rejoice
in hope of the glory of God ^ Rom. v. 2.
2. The Lord giveth alfo m^^etnefs for heaven; and
thai is wrought by his Spirit and grace on his peo-
ple : Goi. i. 12. Giving thanks unto the Father ^ which
hath made us meet to be tnade partakers of the inherit
tance of the faints in light. This meetnels for partak-
ing is infeparabie from a right and title to glory ; at
lead fo far, that no believer can have a comfortable
view of his right, without fome experience of his
meetnefs for enjoying the inheritance. This fame
apoftie faith to this fame purpofe in 2 Cor. v. 5. AW
he that hath wrought us for the f elf fame thing, is God ;
who hath alfo given unto us the earneft of the Spirit,
He hath been at great pains on us, and hath ufed
many means and methods with us. And what hath
all this been for? It hath only been the Lord's gra-
cious and wife v/ay of polilhiog and framing us for
heaven.
3. There is the earneft of the inheritance that ChriO:
gives, and Chriftians receive fometimes, Eph. i. 13,'
14. This pertains to glory nearly. It is like the
frft-fruits of that good land^ frequently fpoke of in
the word; and might be more often tailed by belie-
vers, were it n*ot for their lazinefs and unbelief whea
they want it ; and their bad guiding ot it, when ac
any time they enpy a little of it.
Application. Imitate onr Lord Jefus Chriil
in your praying for yourfelves. Imitate him,
I. In all your afkings. There are fome fpi ritual
bleffiugs that believers are very defirous of. Confci-
cnce terrifies you, and then you cry, O for the fprink-
VoL. li. H ling
^z s - Sermms concerning Serm. IV,
liog of ihe blood of Jefus, and for peace with God
thereby, and peace withiu ! O for viflory over fin,
and for firen2;th to walk worthy of the Lord unco all
pleafing ! All goovi prayers. But if all this were
granted you, rer.3ember to pray on this alfo for glory.
Beg pardon and heaven alja^ holinef. and heaven alfo,
Aik any good thing which you want, and which he
ha-h prcraifed. A(k every thing, and heaven alfo.
Let your prayers for yourfeives be as large as Chriit's
are for you.
2. Remember \h\^alfo in all your receiving?, as well
as in your afking3. His fulnefs is inlioiie, his bounty
is great ; but his people are but narrow vcfTels, and
c-innot receive much : and are leaky veileis, and
cannot keep long v;hat they receive. Is he kind,
large- he artetl, and open-handed to you P (is no be-
liever dare deny). Blef> him, and beg heaven alfo.
Jacob was a meek, lowly, humble man, and faith.
Gen. xxxii. lo, / afn not worthy cf the leaf, (or, / am
If 5 than the leaf) of all the fnercies^ and cf all the
truth which thou haft f reived unto thy frvant. This
man looks on the lead mercy as a great mountain, and
on himfelf as a little mole-hill. You would think,
furely this humble man will not (land with God for
any thing ; yet he- will weep and make f up flic ation^ as
in Hof. xii. 3, 4. and wreflle all night, and fay, (doubt-
lefs with his eyes full of tears, and his heart full of
faith and love), / will not let thee go ^ except thou hlefs
me. Receive all his grace and bounty with all the
fcnfe you can reach, of your own unworthinefs ; yet
flill remember this alfo. Be not fatisiied fo as not to
delire eternal glory. Make ufe of all experiences cf
his grace to you, to quicken both vour defire and your
faJiii of eternal life. Let that wejl of water in you^
which Chriii's grace hath made in you, fprir.g up into
iverlafing iijcy John iv. 14,
II. The lecond word that is next to be explained,
is, with me : J will that they be %vith me. It may be
fome of them were with Chrid when he prayed
thui ;
Serm. IV. the LorSs Prayer, ^l
thus ; it may be all ibe eleven apodles were there*
But their being with Ghrift in the garden, was but a
fmall matter. Chriil wiis then at his loweft; then
was the cloud thickefi, ard the eciipfa darkeft on the
Son oF God. It is another, and better phce and
cafe, that Chrift prays to have ihem 'whb him in, than
this.
There are three words concerning Chrift and his
people, in the fcripiure, that are very good and gra-
gIous ; but this in the text is beyond them all.
1. We find, that his people are (aid to be in him^
I John V. 20. and 2 Cor. v. 17.
2. Another word is, that Chrid is faid to be in his
people, 2 Cor. xiii. 5. We are in Chrift by faith ; and
Chrift dwells in our hearts by faiih, Eph. iii. 17. So
John xvii, 2^
3. And Chrifl is faid to be with his people. This
was amongd the laft words of Chiift, when going to
beaver?, Mattb. xxvlii. 20. And lo, I am with you aU
wayy even unto the end oj the^world, '' Though ye
*« Ihall never fe^e n>y iace any more, till I bring you
*« to heaven, yet I am with you always." But this
« word of being with Chrift, is above all tbofe three,
for as great as they are. This is far better^ Phil. i. 23.
IIL The third word to be explained in the text is,
where I am : Ihat they may be with me where I am.
Where was Chrifl when he faid thefe words ? He
was either in the garden, or going to it.^ For what ii*
in thefe four chapters, xlv, xv, xvi, xvii. was, in all
appearance, fpokeu by our Lord, partly at his lafi;
fupper, partly immediately after it ; as may be ga-
thered from John xiv. 31. Ari/e, let us go hence, Chrid
was on the earth when he faid this ; but furely he
meant heaven in this word, where I am. He was jufl
upon leaving the world, and on going to heaven ;^ as
he fpeaks, John xvi. 2B. I came forth from the Father^
and am come into the zvorld : again^ I leave the worlds
and go to the Father. And John xvii. 11, 12. he
fpeaks as if ivo more in the world : And now I am n9
Xi 2 ^-^^^
54 Sermons concerfimg Serm. IV.
more in the '■juGrld, hut thefe are in the world. While
J TO as with them in the wcrld^ I kept them in thy name.
So like is this blelTed prayer to the iritcrceflion cf our
great High Pried in heaven. Now let us confider
how far this blefling of being with Chrijl where he
is, is above and beyond all he had done for, and faid
before to his people ; and yet they were very confi-
derable.
1. Our Lord Jefus Chrifl was reade what his peo-
ple are. He was made all that we are, except fiii.
There was no difference betwixt Chrifl and another
nian, as he came into the world, but only in this, (and
ir' was his glory, and our falvarion), that he was fin-
lefs. But all his people d^i^fiapen in iniquity ^ and in
fin did their mother conceive them^ Pfalm li. 5. Are
I he children partakers of flejh and blood? He alfo htm-
feif likew'fe took part of the fame. He took on him the
feed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved
him to be made like unto his brethren^ Hebrews ii. 14,
i5, 17.
2. Jefus Chrid was not only made what his people
were, but he canrie where ihcy are. He came into
the world, their dwelling-place, and came down from
heaven into the earth, John vi. 58. Never did aiiy
perfon c6ine down from heaven but Jefus Chriil.
Neither could he come down from heaven, if he had
not been God ; for that body he took to himfelf, was
formed in the lowejl parts oj the ea^th^ Pfal. cxxxix. 1 5.
(as well as the body of other men), though in a fingu-
lar manner. What marvellous grace and love was
here, that the eternal Son of God would not only
rake on him his peoples nature, but would come and
dwell where they dwelr, and that with delight? See
Prov. viii. 30, 31. Then I was by him, as one brought
vp with him ; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing
always before him, as the Son with the Faiher. It is
very like to thar in John i. 1,2. In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was Cod. Jhe fame was in the beginning with God.
Vcr.
Serm. IV. the Lord's Frayer, 55
Ver. 14. And the Word was inadejlcPv^ and dwelt a-
viong us. But fee farther what is iaid, Prov. viii. 31.
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earthy and ?ny de*
lights were with the fins of men. When was this ?
From everlaCting^ or ever the earth was^ ver. 23. While
as yet he had not made the earthy ver. 26. How mar-
vellous is this expreffioo, that God's Son, the eternal
Wifdom of the Father, did eternally rejoice in the
habitable fart of the earthy when there was no earth \
and that his delights were with thefom of men^ when
there was no man, nor fon of man, in the earth ? But
the habitable fart of the earthy though not yet made,
was the place he was to come into, for redeeming his
people. And as he delighted in it from eternity, he
came triumphantly into it, ia the fulnefs of time: Heb.
X. 7. Lo^ I come (in the volume of the book it is writ-
ten of me) to do thy will, God. He alfo loved the
ground his bride was to tread on, the earth where they
were to live in, and where ia time he was to court
the heart and win the love of his people.
3. Our Lord went where his people deferved to
go. There is a good fenfe of that harih-like word.
He defended into hell. It is a popiih fable, to imagine,
that Chrift, after he died, went down into the place of
the damned, either to fufFer, or to do any thing there.
His humiliation was accompliihed in his dying, and
lying in the grave for a time. But if we take it ia
this fenfe, that that (Iroke of divine juftice that his
people by fm had deferved, Chi lit did feel and bear;
this is the ufual voice of the golpel. The fword of
juftice was roufed, furbiihed, and drav;n againfl Jefus
Chrifl, and his foul pierced thereby, Z^ch. xiii. 7,
He was apprehended, accufed, arraigned, condem-
ned, and executed, moil unjuflly and wickedly by men,
but mod rightcoufly by God. Mens putting of Chrill
to death, was the mod unjuft and wicked d.^ that ever
was done in the world. But the Lord Jehovah's part
in it, was mod jafl and righteous. If you have earj
to hear it, this is a fare irurh5 Never did a damned
56 Sermons concerning Serm. IV.
iinner dcferrc hell more jaftly, nor wa?, or dull be
isciC into it mors righteoufly, than the fporlefs Lamb
of God deferved the ftroke of divine jadice for the
fins of his people laid upon him. Ic was indeed infi-
nite grace and love in the Father, to riibflitute his
only begotten Sou to be the S^vionr oFfinners, i John
iv. 9, lo. k was infinite grace in our Lord Jefus
ChriU, to conuefcend to be the facritlce for fin-
fiers^ 2 Cor. viii. 9* But when both are done, jnflicc
was. ijlorilied in the execution of this facriSce, Rom.
iii. 25, 26.
4. Our Lord alfo went Vvhither he had a mind to
bring us ; and that is, to heaven. And yet all this is
ihori ot being with him where he is. On this, confi-
der, 1. How he went, and left his people: Luke
xxiv. 50, 51. And he led thein out as far as to Bethany ;
and he lift up his hands y and Llejjed them. And it
came to pafs, while he blejjed them^ he was parted from
ihen\ and earned up into heaven, A bleffed way of
going hence. Our bleffed Lord came into the world,
. as the greateft bleiling that ever it got. He bleffed
Lis piople whde he was with them, and bleifed them
at parting, and wiil return again to blefs them more.
The la;! ufe cur Lord made of his lips on earth
{viio which grace was poured, Pfalm xlv. 2.), the lafl
life he made ol his holy hands, was ro blefs his peo-
])le ; and the force and virtue of tliat blefiing remains
10 this day, and will unril his return. He went awiy
blcffiiT:^, and will come again blcfTing. He afcended
with afhcut^ Pfahn xlvii, 5.; and htffjall h:mfe!f de-
fcend from heaven with a fijouty i The IT. iv. \(:, 2.
Conlider what h^ w^n: ro heaven for. It was to pof-
Icf; lieiveo' for us, as the forerunner^ Heb. vi. 20.; to
prepare a place for us^ John xiv. 2, 5.; to make inter-
ceffion for its^ Heb. ix. 24.; to mind our concerns
While we are here, and to welcome us to heaven when
he calls us hence. You may think, that it is far more
comlbrLubie for believers now to die, having Chrifl
in
Serm. IV. the Lor as Prayer, 57
in heaven before their, than it v;as for believers to die
before he came into the world, as iBany did ; or to
die, and leave Chrift in the world, as it may be foins
did : though his faving grace is the fame ii^ ail the
flates he was in. But now we die to he w'lih khn^
Phil. i. 2g. to he where he is^ John xiv. 2, :>.
5. Chrift is with his people even while rhey a?e
here in the world. This is alfo a great bkffing, bat
(hort of this being with him where he is, lb ere ara
two feafons when this prefence of Chrift with his peo-
ple is knowr. i. When they are at their beiL
When is a Chriflian at his beif ? Every one can ao^
fwer. It is when moll of Chriirs prefence is entGved.
2. When is he at his woril ? When in great aiiii^Hoiv^
Ifa. KJiii. 3. Paal found this prefence : 2 Tim. iv. 16,
1 7. At my firfl anfwer no man ft 00 d with me, but all
menjorfook me. He had never a friend then and there,
^Lt Jefus Chrift. NotwithjIandi?ig the Lord flood
with 7iit, and jlrengthened vie^ When a believer is
greatly tempted, then is he ia a bad condition. Fetev
was wained both of bis danger and relief, Luke ?;xn»
31, 32. Paul had this exercife, 2 Cor. xfii. 7, 8, 9.
and relief under it ; and iKakes this ufe of it, Moft
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities ^
that the power of Chrift may rejt upon me. As if he
had faid, '* I have got a troublcforne vifit horn the
*' devil ; but it hath been the occafioa of a gracious
*' vifit from Chrift, And if the one come firft, and
** the other follow, the iirft is to be patiently borne,
" and the other 10 be thankfully received." There
is alfo a prefence of Chrift with his people, even m
their ftuinblings. Though he be difj^leafed wi:h
them for their falling, yet he harh a doiib'e care a-
bout them. One is, that they may not fall utterly :
Pfal. XXX vii. 24. Though he fall^ he fjull not be utterly
laj^ down ; for the Lord upboldelh him zuitb his hand,"
Another care of Chrift about his ftumbling children,
is, to take them up again. Laftiy, ChriiVs peooJe
have his prefence with ihtra in dying. And it is a
,preciot^>
53 Sermons comcrmr!^ Serm. IV.
precious and needful blefling. Will Chrift withdraw
his gracious help and prefence from his people, when
it is fo very needful ? Paul calls dyin^ a fweet name,
1 ThefT, iv. 14. Jleeping in Jcfus. It is a dark place,
and a cold pillow, that this fleep is taken en. But it
is the fweetcfl: lleep that ever the believer cook. The
body is freed from all pain and trouble, and will be
fweetly awakened at the lad day. And till then the
Spirit is not only with him that gave it, Ecci. xii. 7,
but with him that redeemed it, Pfal. xxxi. 5.
But now what C'hrill prays for here, is far beyond
all ihofe. He was made what we are ; came where
we were ; fuffered what we deferved ; went to hea-
ven for us ; gives his prefence with us here, in life
and death. But more than all is this, / will have
them zvhsre I am.
There are two points of doftriae that I would fpsah
to from this word.
DocT. I. "To be with Chrift where he is, is ChrijTs^
and the be/iever^s heaven ; that heaven that Chrift
gives, and that believers receive.
DocT- 2. That Qur Lord^s will is fet upon his peo-
ple's enjoying of this bkfjednefs,
I would at this time conclude with three words of
application of what hath been faid.
1. Behold how greatly Chrifl: loves his people.
This prayer of his for them, flowed from Lis bound-
lefs love. He cannot be pieafed without them, and
ihey cannot be happy without him. All the glory
and blifsthat Chrift is poiTenfed of, doth not fully fa-
tisfy him, till he have all his people with him. His
church is /j/j- body, the fulnefs of him that fillcth all in
all, Eph. i. 23.
2. Behold how happy are his people. ?yIofes fung
this of old, Deut. xxxiii. 29. Happy art thou^ O If-
rael I Who is like unto thee, O people faved by the Lord?
Much more may we fay fo, when Cbrifi hath appear-
edy
S E R M. IV. the Lord's Prayer > 5p
ed^ who hath ahoUJked deaths and hath brought life
and immortality to light through the gofpel^ 2 Tim. i. 10.
3. Learn to pray moderately lor the lives of Chrift'5
people. There are fome of the godly that are very
ufeful by their gifts and grace; and, if fpared, might
be of great profit to the church of Chrift. Such we
fliould be loth to lofe, and their lives we may pray
for ; yet it muft be done moderately. Who can tell
but Chrift and we are praying counter to one ano-
ther? He may be faying in heaven, " Father I will
" have fuch a one to be wiih me where 1 ara ;" and
we faying on earth, " Lord we wou d have him to
*' be with us where we are :" we faying, *' We can-
" not fpare bim as yet ;" and Chriit faying, '* I will
" be no longer without him.'' It is the force of this
prayer of Chriff, " I will have them to be with me
" where I am," that is the caufe of the death of the
godly. It is the force of this prayer that carries avvay
fo many of the faints in our day. Chrift is faying ia
heaven, " I will have them where I am. They are
" defpifed in the world, and badly ufed on the earth i
" Father, let us have them where we are." Sheuld
not we pray modeftly for their lives, while we know
not his fecret will ? and ihould not we believingiy
fubmit to his will, when he reveals it ? Say, " Let
^« them go from us, fmce Chrift calls them to be wi;h
*• him." Ic is his will, and their great advantage,
Phil, i, 23.
Vol. II. I SERMON
6o S:rmon5 cor.cerning Serm. V.
SERMON V.
John xvii. 24.
Father^ I will that they aljo whom thou haft given mr^
be with me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou haft given me : for thou lovcdft ms
before the foundation of the world*
I Entered lafl day upon the fecond thing I took up
in the matter of ChiifPs prayer in this veiTe ;
which v/a5 the blelTing Chrift prays for to his people,
in tliefe words ^[hat they alfo may he vSitb vie where
I am. Id opeuinc; oF them, I did fpe^^k a little, i.
To iVe force of this word alfo. 2. What it is to be
with Chrift. 3. V^\\?i\. to be ivitb him -where he is.
And then raifed two points of dc£lrine. i. That the
perfect hlefjtdnefs of the church and people of God^ is in
being with Chrift where he is. 2. "ihat it is ChrifVs
will that all his people fhould partake of^ and pofjejs
this blefjcdnefs^
To the firfl: of thefe I would (peak, viz.
DocT. I. That the perfeB and compleat blefjednefs
of the church and people 0/ God, ftandi in being with
Chrift where he is.
Thus Chrift expreffeth it, John xiv. 3. That where
J am, there ye may be alfo ; and John xii. 26. If any
inanfrvemc^ let him follow me ; and where I am, there
fball alfo my fervant be. The apodle fums up the
blf-^lTednefs of the church at the laft day in this, I
Their, iv. 17. Andfo ftjull we ever be with the Lord.
So alfo in 2 Cor. v. 6. 8, it is called b^^^ing prefent
with the Lord. And in Phil. i. 23. ii is called being
with Chrift^
There
Serm. V. the Lonfs Traysr. 6i
. There are four things I woulci premlfe concerning
this matter, that may be of ufe to regulate your
thoughts in hearing acJ fladying the word of God
about heaven.
I. This blefTednefs is greatly in the dark to us.
It is an enjoymeat within the vail, as Hcb. vi, 19,
And it is neceiliirily io. The thing we'^defire to be
informed in, is, What it is to be with Chrift where he
is f And here every thing is dark and deep. What
Chrift is, where he is, what it is to be with him, who
can tell or know ? When the beloved difciple, who
lay in Chrifl's bofom oa earth, is fpeaking of this
b]if<^, in I John iii. 2. he faith, Beloved^ now are we
the/cm cfGod^ and it doth net yet appear what ive Jhali
he : hut we know, that when he /Ifall appear^ we /ball
be like him ; for we Jh all fee him as he is. Why ! Did
never John j^i? bim as he is f No. They that fa w him
in his humbled ilate, faw him under a vail, which his
Work rendered neceffary for a time. And believers,
that now fee him by faith, fee him not as he is ; but
only fee him as painted forth to us in and by the gof-
pel, as Gal. iii. 1. No man can know what it is to
fee Chrift as he is, till he do fee him as he is ; and that
is cot till he appears. To this belongs that word,
1 Cor. ii. 9. Eye hath not/een, nor ear heard, neither
have entered into the heart of man, the things which
God hath prepared for them that love him. Heaven
will be a blefied farprife to all that poiTefs it. It will
be found to be far beyond all the mod large defires,
and the highed: ex'pe^taiions, that ever were rai fed in
their beans. So will h::'l be to ail the heirs of wrath,
vaflly above all their fearful expe<flations, Heb. x.
27. ; and the foretafies of ir, that are great in fomc
wicked men : Pfal. xc. i f . Who knoweth the power of
thine anger f even according to thy fear, fo is thy wrath.
No man can ov^r-fear God's wrath ; and no man caa
over-rate the glory to come. In that matter, the
Lord doth exceedingly abundant above all that we ask
cr ihink^ Eph. iii. 20.
Is 8, Ther?
62 Sermons concerning Serm. V,
2. There is fome light about this in the word,
that helps us to know iomewhat of this bill's of being
ivith Cbrift where he is. There are three fpecial ends
the Spirit of God defign?, in making any mention of •
the heavenly flate and glory, i. To difparage this
"World, and all things either enjoyed or expefled in
it; and that both as to the worldling, as Pful. xvii.
14, 1 5-. where the portion of the ungodly in this life,
^nd the blrftednefs of the righteous m that to come,
are exprefed. So dcih our Lord compare the two
flatcb', to dilparage the prefeiit, and to prefer the
future, Luke xx. 34, 35, 36. and Matth. vi. 19, 20.
And heaven is alfo fpoke of, in comparifon with,
<.nd preference above the bed (tare of Chriilians in
this world, 2 Cor. v. 1,2. and Phil. i. 2g. 2. Hea-
ven is fpoke of in the word, to invite and allure men
to feek it. Ic is the prize of the high calling of God in
Chrift Jefus, And all.fhould prefs towards this mark^
Phil. iii. 14. They ihould runfo as they may obtain it^
1 Cor. ix, 24. as being ihtcne thing needjuly and that
good part ^ or portion, Luke x. 42. 3. The word fpeaks
of heaven, and the glory to come, to encourage the
people of God, and heirs of glory, under all their
trials and troubles in this life. If it had not been for
this, the Lord might have kept the glory to come, a-
mongil many oiher fecret things that belong to him.
Debt, xxix 29. But he knew, thic through much tn-
bulaticn his people 7riuft enter into the kingdom of God,
Acts xiv. 22.; and that the hope of glory was a pro-
per and needful cordial to fupport their hearts in all
liieir forrows. And be ye aiTured of it, that if ever
ye be in the depths of diflrefs, (and who is fecured
againil them?), ye will find, that noihiog fhort of the
believing views and lively hope of glory, will be able
to keep you from fmking. / had fainted^ unlefs I
had believed to fee the good ncfs of the Lord m the land of
the living, laid David, Pfal. xxvii. 13. And they have
Jitrleo f L'avid'': fpiiir, that think that David hi:d no
better land of the nving in his eye there, than the land
of
Serm. V. the LorcTs Prayer. 63
of Canaan, in which he lived as a (Iranger, though
he were the King of it. So alfo faich Paul of him-
felf, and of all believers in Chrili, i Cor. xv. 29. //*
in this life only we have hope in Cbrijl^ we are of ail
men moft miferahle. For thefe ends the Lord fpeaks
of heaven in the word ; and not to gratify the curiod-
ty of men, but rather to check it.
3. This I would premife, that this light that (hines
in the word about heaven, is only a light to be ieeo
by the eye of faith. None but a believer can know
rightly what the word fpeaks of heaven. Unbelie-
vers are blind, and cannot fee far oiT, 2 Peter i, 9. ;
but the believer doth fee afar oiF, Heb. xi. 13. The
word is light in itfelF, and ihines ia that light, as the
fun is light in itfelf : fo that, if all the world were
blind, the light of the fun would be no lefs in icfelf
than it is ; but it would be a light to none ; for it is
light to none, but to them that have eyes. Even io
it is with the light of the word. It (bines brightly ia
itfelf, but the blind unbeliever feeth nothing of it.
He is both blind and vailed, 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4.
4. Laflljy This 1 would premife, that the experi-
ence of believers in this life, is a great help to them
in knowing what heaven is. Now, let us join all thefe
four together: Tiaere is no full and perfedl: know-
ing what heaven is, till we be in it ; There is no right
knowing of heaven, but in the light of the word; That
light in the word can only be taken up and perceived
by the eye of faith ; hs\<^ this faith is much ilrength-
ened by experience. If believers themfelves had not
foraewhat of this experience and fpiritual feeling, they
would be much more in the dark about the glory to
be enjoyed in heaven than they are.
On this head of fpiritual experience, I ihall^not
mention any great and extraordinary enjoyments which
the Lord, in his grace and wifdom, is pleafed in force
fpecial feafons to indulge fome of his people with*
But I would only fpeak cf fome ordinary ones, which
lie level with the experience of all true believers, and
64 Sermcns concerning Serm. V.
ere of great advantage to ihem, as in many other
things, fo fpcci:illy to raife and keep up right and
high thoughts of heaven, A?,
T. The revelation of Jefus Chri(>. This works
faith ;. faiih, union with Chrift; union works com-
rnunion with him ; communion is the believer's blifs.
This ipring of all, the revelation of Jefus Chrid, is
of two forts. I. The revealing of Jefus Chrift in and
by the gofpel. This all that have the gofpel have,
and many have no more ; and they all perifh that
have no more. 2. The revealing of Chrift 10 the
heart, by the Spirit of Cliriff, grayed for, Eph. i. 17.
This Paul go% Gal. i. 16. He revealed his Son in me.
It is certain, tiiat a man may read oft all the new tef-
tamenc, and hear the mod able mioifters preach Chrid
all his days, ar.d yet remain ignorant of Jefus Chrid,
and periQi. The apoflie in Eph. i. 17, 18. joineth
the knowledge of C;uiil, and the knowledge of hea-
V' n, tojjether. Fie prayeth, That the God of our Lord
"Jefus Chrif}^ the Father of glory ^ 7nay give unto them
the Spirit of tvijdom and revelation^ in the knowleage of
him : the eyes of their under (landing being enlightened :
that they n:igbt kmzv what is the hope of his callings
and vjhat the riches of the glory of his inheritance in
the faints. Doih heaven (tand in being wit!' Chrijl
luhere he is f IIow is it poilible that that r-au fbo'jld
know wiiat heaven h^ who knows ^^ ' vr'ho Chrifl h ?
And none can know Cnvift, wichor' .wVelatioj, Mat.
xi. 27. and that by the grpr .,; rhe Spirit of Chriil,
working on the heart ih and by the light of the v;ord
of Chrid.
7, The experience of believing in Jffiis Chrifl, and
of living by faith on him, Gal. ii. 20. is a great help
to the knowing of he.ivcn. We know, that there i>
no faith of this fort in licavea. Faith is the travel-
ler's, the runner's looking to Jefus, while the race is
not yet fmiihcd, llsb. xli. 2. But the g'orified nbove
lock on, and behold iiim fo as we cannot didinclly ap-
preiicn:!, 2 Cor. Y. 7. I'or we ivalk by faith, net by
Serm. V. the hordes "Prayer^ 65
fight* And they above walk hy fight y not by faiths
You may fay, that fince there is fuch a difference be-
twixt the two dates, o^ faith and fght ; how thea
can the experience of believing afford any light and
help to know what heaven is ? In anfwer to this, I
would have you confider, i. That/j/V/j, though op-
pofed to fight y yet is it, in it» cKcrcife, a fort of fpi-
ritual feeing. So is it oft expreiTed, both with refpe<fl:
to the author of it, and the adings of it. See how it
is wrought by irs author, 2 Cor. iv. 6. Far God^ who
commanded the light to fi/ine out of darknefs^ hath (hiri:'
ed in our hearts^ to give the light of the knowledge of
the glory of Gcd^ in the face of Jefus Chifl, A ad as
it is wrought by light, faith acij in feeing. Thus the
great old-teftament believers are faid by their faith to
have feen the fromifis (/', e. the blellings promifed)
ofar cff'y lieb. xi. i|. And it is a looking at things
not fee n^ 2 Cor. iv. 18.; that is, things not prefently
pcffciTed, nor fully known. Faiib is indeed defcribed
in Heb. xi. i. to be the evidsnce of things not feen.
And that defcriprion, (rather than definition), as it
doth determine what the nature of the obje^s of faith
are, things not feen ; (0 dech it plainly expref?, that
the aci of faith i:i drawn forth by an evidence of thefe
unfeen things. And this evidence and demon frration
h in the word of God, which the believer feeth, is
perfuaded by, and refts upoji. " I know not, faith
" he, all the great and good things that God hath
" promifed ; bur I know God harh proniifed them ;
" and though they be hidden in the promife, yet be-
" caufe they are fecured thereby, 1 will embrace them
** in the pronoife, until performance come.." As it is
expreffed in ver. 13. Thefe all died in faith (But how
lived they ? By faith alfo.), not having received the
promifes^ (i, e. in their accompliftiment ; but the pro-
mifes ihemfelves they had, for on tbem their faith
flood) ; but having feen them afar cif^ and were per-
fuaded cf tbem, and embraced tbe?n^ and confefjcd that
they were firangers and fUgrims on the earth. Here is
66 Sermons concerning Serm. V.
an account of old teflament believers faith, that is
enough to {hame and humble mod new teflament be-
lievers. IF we be helped at any time to fet our Amen
of faith to the promife of eternal life, we think it is a
good length. But alas ! when do we find this feeing
afar off^ this perfuafton, this embracing, this covfejfing
and declaring plainly that zve feek and look for this hea-
'venly country ? as in ver. lo, 14. 2. Coufider, more
particularly, faith in Jefus Chrift. It always, (i.)
llifeth from a difcovery of him. (2,) Acls in an ap-
proach 10 him. Hence fo oft by himfelf faith is called
coming to him, John vi. 37, 44,45. (3.) And in that
aft inrends and feeks eternal life in and by him. 3.
Confider the native and immediate elTeft of faiih. It
is union with Chrifl. He draws to bring them near,
ihey believe to be near to him. His drawing and
their comin<Ty nakes it up. Is then the (late of glory,
in being zvith Chrifl where he is ? Surely, then, fuch
as are united to him by faith, and have him dwelling
in their hearts by faith^ Eph. iii. 17. and are living
daily by faith on hi?n. Gal. ii. 20. mufl have a great
help to know better what it is to be -with Chrifl where
he is, than any unbeliever can.
3. There is the experience of communion with
Chrifl, that is a farther and nearer help to believers
to know what it is to be with Chrifl where he is. When
Chrifl is revealed, he is believed on ; when he is be-
lieved, on, Chrifl and the believer are united ; when
the union is made, communion follows. This commu-
nion {lands in thefe four.
ly?, In a mutual interefl of the perfons united.
Communion is that whereby Chrifl is ours, and we
are his; as Cant. ii. 16. hly beloved is mine, and I am
his. All that Chrifl is, is ours for our falvation ; and
all that is ours, is his for his glory and fervice : that
as Chrifl hath all right to difpofe of us, and of all that
is ours, becaufe we are his ; fo we have a right to
partake of Chrifl, and of all that is his, for our fal-
vatioD,
Serm. V. the Lord^s Prayer. 67
vation, becaufe he is ours. Communion is in the im-
provement of this mutual light and intercli. 1 would
name lome of the blclTed fruits of this intereil.
(i.) By virtue of this interen:, Chriit^s righteorf-
Hefs is a believer's for his perfect j unification. The
righteoufcefs is perfect, and fo is the juilificuion. Ko
gloriiied faint was more perfectly juilified, than Paul
was in the day he was made a believer on Chriil:. if
perfect rightecufnefs be the ground on which a be-
lieving fmner is judiiied, (as the gofpei plainly de-
clares), the juftification mult be perfed alfo. If j'lf-
tification be fought by the law, and by works, the feek-
er of juflification mud dill be domg, and can never
have done,; but is indeed undoing himfelF, diilionour-
ing Chrift, Gal. ii. 21. and fruJJrating^ the grace of
God ; and not only rendering his juftification imper-
fect, (for the law made nothing psrfed^ II eb. vii. 19 1,
but impolTible, Rom., viii. 3. It isimpofilble for God's
holy law to juftify a finner ; and never was appointed
for that end, but rather to condemn, Rom. iii. 19. ;
to ftop fmners mouths, and to bind them over to the
judgnvent of God ; till the righteoufnefs of God, with-
out the law, come on them, to abfolve them, Rom.
iii. 20, 21,22.
' (2.) By virtue of this inrerefl in Chrift, the belie-
ver receives the Spirit of Chriil for his fanttificaiion :
not indeed for his perfect fanctification, bur for tbe
perfecting of fan£tilication. Chrifi's righteoufnefs i^,
L'ever applied imperfectly ; for to whomfoever it i-^
imputed, it is made over wholly, and to all the in-
tents and purpofes it was wrought our, and brougi:;:
in, by Chrid for. But the Spirit of Chriil is imparted
to believers, in meafure, and in various degrees, as
he feeth good : Eph. iv. 7. Unto every one of us is grace
given i according to the meafure of the gift cfChrifl. By
this potent principle, the Spirit of Chriil, faujftifica-
tion is even, at firft, univerfal in the whole man, and
compleat in parts : 2 Cor. v. 17. If any man be in
Chrijly he is a neiv creature : old things are fajl a-
Vol. II. K Tvay ;
^8. Sertnois concerning Serm. V.
way ; beheld^ all things are become new. He is a new
man ; is born again ; hath a Dew nature, a new rainJ,
a new underftinding, a new confcience, a neW heart
and alFcf^tions, and a new life. Ba: though all be new
in the believer, there is nothing in him thai is per-
fe<51!y new. He needs daily to pray, as Plalm ii. lo.
Create in me a clean hearty God ; and renew a right
fpirit zvithin me, Yer, Dotwithllanding of all the
weaknefs oF this new creature, the mixrure antl neigh-
bourhood of the ile(h, its contrary, and of all oppo-
fiticn it meets with from ir, and of the low Ibte it is
eft brought iofo by the captivating power of fin; yet
doth the power of Chrifl's Spirit not only preferve
the holy feed in the heart, but doth raife it up again,
and will certainly perfect it. There was never a fav-
ing work of Chrift wrought in the heart of a poor
finner, that Chriil ever left to be matter of triumph
to the devil. Chriil is a wife builder: when he lays
the foundation, he knows what the perfe<5ling of it
will cod hinri, is provided with it, and refolved to lay
it cut, and to finilh his woik: Phil. i. 6. Bei72g con-
Jident of this very things that h'- which bath begun a
good zvotk in you^ will perform (ov finifh) it until the
day of Jcfiis Chrijh
(3.) By virtue of this intereft in Chriil, believers
■ have all Chrill's fnlnefs tor their fupply. He is all
in all to them, Col. iii. 1 1. // pleafed the Father^ that
in him fkould all fulncjs dwells Col. i. 19. And fure-
ly this lodging of ail fulnefs Ihould plcafe, and doth
liighiy pleafe all believers : John i. 16. And of (ot
out of) his fuhiefs have ail we received^ and grace for
^race. Eph. iv. 7. Unto every one of us is given grace
izccording to the meafure of the '^ift 0/ Chrijl, Whence
iral Paul and John all their grace ? Out of ChrifPs ful-
nefs. Whence was it that they received fo much grace
beyond others ^. 1: was according to the meafure of the
gift of Chrift, But the (lock and ireafure is coraraon
to all believers. They are partakers ofChrifl^ Heb,
iii. 14. and called to the felkwfbip of his San Jefus
Chrrd
Serm. V. the Lord^s Prayer, -69
ChriJI our Lordy I Cor. i. 9. The j^poftle in Col, if.
8, p, 10. givcth a needln.! warmQg^ Beware lefl any
7»an fpoil you through phUoj op hy and vain deceit. But
hew fliall we know and ciilcern ihe fnare ? Ic is after
the tradition of men ^ after the rudiments (or elements ^
cr principles) of the ivorld, and not after Cbrift. His
argument to inforce ibis warning, is deep and (Irong,
verfe 9. For in him dive I let h all the fulnefs of the god-
head bodily* it dweileih really, fubHantially, in this
one man, Jefus Chrifh vSo that they do deceive you,
that diretl you to any for fupply but to him. If ye
would be filed with all the fulnefs of God ^ as Eph. iii.
19, you mu(t feek ii, and find it in him, in ivhom all
the fulnefs cf the godhead dwelleth bodily. And this
fiiall not be in vain : And ye are complete in him^ verfe
JO. Never did, never could a believer ufe this ful-
nefs fuitably to all its worth in itfelf, and to the gra-
cious right he hath to ufe it.
Bat what is there in believers that Chrift bath
communion with ? AH good is in him, and this is the
believers all ; and therefore it is eafy to underdand
what their communion with Chrift is, and what his
communications to them are. He clothes and covers
them with his righteoufnefs, fan£liiies them by his
Spirit, and fupplies them cur of his fulnefs. But is
there any thing io his people that Chrift hath comma-
nion with ? 1 anfwer. Yes, there is ; and that it is
all in them, that either is confiftent with their union
with him, or that flows from that union.
(i.) Of the iirit fort is all the bad that is remaining
in them. For as the grace of union with, and rela-
tion to Chrift, w^as not fufpended and delayed tilj they
Were faultlefs ; fo this grace when difpenfed, doth not
prefenily remove fauhinefs, as it will when this unioa
and communion is perfeft, which Chrift here prays
for. Chrift's body is made up of fmful members ; and
they are, even while fm and infirmity cleaves to them,
united to a finlefs, glorious head. And it is the great
glory of his grace, that he takes fuch members into
70 Sermons comer rnrg Serm. V,
union wiih himfelf, and maintains that union by cotti-
miiiiion with them as their need requires, till the blef-
Jed day comes that is here prayed for, when this u-
ijion (hall iiTae in that communion that (hall qcire re-
inove fault and infirmity in his people. To deny that
Chrifl harh any inrered:, and concern, and work a-
bout what is bad in his people, is to deny our fellow-
ihip with him, in thofe things wherein wc are moft
needy of ir, and moft fenfibly benefited by it : for our
own fmfulnefs and intirmity is better known to Ub", and
fenfed by u?, than his righteoufnefs and perfedt ful-
vicfs ; neither is the latter fo well known to u^, as by
its gracious application to our relief under the former.
So our fmfulnefs (I mean, that that remains in belie-
vers, even in the bed of ihem) ferves for magnify-
ing his forgiving grace. He that bids us forgive cur
hrothsr that ftnnetb again fl us, net only f even times, hut
feverJy times feven, Matth. xviii- 2 r, 22. doth forgive
his people many more limes, and many fins, even all
cf them, Pfaliu ciii. 5.; all our trefpajjes, Col. ii. 13.
And how blciTed is that communion, when the blood
cf fprinkling fpeaks peace and pardon to a troubled con-
fcience ! Our corruptions and fpiritua! difeafes are
the fubjefts of Chriil's care. And his care about
them, is 10 cure them, and to keep h's people from
dying under them. The greaiefl hand is ufed by ten-
der parents, about their fick and wounded children.
That man never knew the guilt of lin righily, that
thinks that any thing Icfs or elfe than the blood cf the
Son of God can cleanfe from it, i John i. 7. And that
man never law the corruption and plague of his heart
rightly, that is not perfuaded, that only the great
phyfician, Chrifl, can cure it. And no man can em-
ploy him rightly for the one, and not for both. And
ihey do but deceive themfeWes in their religion,
vhcfe maiu heart-exercife is not with C!)n(i for both.
Alas 1 there are many difcjuieted confcieoces, and ma-
ny defiled hearts and lives, in many that are called
Chrifiians ; and fome of them are oft complaining,
and
Serm. V. the Lord's Frayer, 71
and fomeiimes fiDking in iheir complainings ; and that
becaufe they do not believe, and lay this truth to
heart, that the cleacfing and purging the confcience
from the guilt of fiQ, and the purifying of the heart
and life from the dominion of fin, are Chrift's proper
works. The firft he doih by the fprinkling of his
' blood, the other by the power of his Spirit, i Cor.
vi. 11. Tit. iii. 4. — 7. And all that ufe any other
means for thefe ends, not only labour in vain, but
fin greatly agaihft God, who hath made Chrift unto
us wifdom, and rightecufne/s^ and /and iji cation^ and
redemption ; that no flejh jhould g^ory in his prefence ;
and that he that glorieth^ might glory in the Lord^
I Cor. i. 29, 3O5 31.
Not only are our infirmities, finfulnefs, and difeaf-
es, under the gracious care and cure of our Lord Je-
fus Chriil ; but our perfons, our foul?, our bodies,
and all our lots and concerns, are at his difpofal, to
his glory and fervice. And every believer, in every
diilinfi: acling of faith, doth yield up hirafeif, and all
he is and hath, uato Chrift's dominion. *' Grant me
*' thy falvaiion according to thy promife, and guide
*' me in the way according to thy will :" Pfal. cxix.
94. I am thine^fa-ve thou me,
(2.) Chrift hath communion with his own good ia
them. All that is in us that is our own, is bad : and
all that is good in us, is of his giving and working.
All our graces, are his fruiti^, Caat. iv. 16. and v. i.
They are all of Chrift's planting, watering, and rip-
ening ; and he feeds on them as his pie a f ant fruits.
All the fpiriiual fervices and duties that berievei"s per-
form, are all of them fruit growing from their abiding
in the vine, Chrilf, Johri xv. 4, 5. and are pleafing
to him. And furely when it is fo, the believer finds
fweet profu by it: Rev. iii. 20* / will/up with him^
and he with me. It is eafy to conceive how we may
feaft with him ; for he hath all. But how can he
feaft with us, who are nothing, and have nothing f
He dcth it t;vo ways, i. He feails with his people
/
72 Sermcfjs concern'tng Serm. V.
on his ow^n (lore of grace he brin^ys uith him. As
David fiid, i Chron. xxix. 14. Of thine own have
ive given thee ; To doth Chrifl fay, " It is of mine owa
" 1 feaft with thee, O behever. All thy faith, love,
•'■ repentance, fervice, are my gifts, my grace, that
*' 1 bring wiih me, and am delighted in " 2. Chrill
may be faid to feaft with his people, in and by that
fjieafure he hath, not only to give, but to fee them
feed OD what he brings with him. Would you feafl
Jefus Chrill, believers ? Feed on hiifi with holy hun-
gsr. Is a kind mother delighted with her hungry
babe's fucking at her breads ? Is it not as a feaft to a
charitable man, to fee a perfon ear heartily of the food
he gives him ? Much more is it a feaft to our Lord, to
fee ftarvino: fmners feedin? on the bread of life, and
drinking of the water of life? Hear his voice. Cant.
V. !. 1 am come into my garden, my ftfter, ?ny fponfe ;
I have gathered my myrjh with my fptcey I have eaten
my honey comb with my honey ^ I have drunk my wine
•with 77iy milk : eat^ friends, drink, yea ^ drink abun-
dantly, O beloved, " It is all mine, all of my prepar-
" Ing ; ufe it freely, feed plentifully; you are high-
** ly welcome." Bur, alas! molt Ghrifiians may give
the anfwer that follows, ver. 2. I flee p, but my heart
ipaketh, Chrift's gracious clTers and invitations are
heard by us, as betwixt fteeping and waking : and fo
is it feen in the forry entenainment we give them,
and hence follows the poor life that many of us lead.
So much for the firft thing in communion, mumal
interefl.
2<i/j, This communion haih converfe in it. It
(lands, not only in the mutual intereft that each hath
in another, but alio in converfe one with another.
This is what the apolile haih in i John i. 3. where
we have tv;o cummun'icns ok: feliowjhips fpoke of; the
fellowfliip ol Chriftians with one another, and the
tellov/diip rhat Chriftians have with the Father and
Son : and that this fecond fcliov/fliip is mutual as hint-
ed in ver. 7. If we walk in the light, as he is in the
Serm. V. the hordes Frayer, fg
ligbty ive have fellowjbip one with another ^ and the
bloed of Jefus Cbrijl his Son clean feth iis from all fin.
They then that know bed by experience, v/hat it is
to be with Chriit on earth, in Walking with him aad
ip hinn, will know bed what it is lo be with him
where be is. The greateil enjoyments of Chrift here,
are the beft helps to conceive of what is to be receiv-
ed in heaven.
3^/y, This converfe breeds likentfs to Chrift. The
cearer a man is to Chrid, the more converfe he hath
with him; the more Hl^e he grows to ChrilL Com-
pare 2 Cor. iii. i8. with i John iii. 2. Paul fpeaks
of Chriilians in this life, John of the fame perfons m
the next life ; and both fpeak of likenefs to Chriil, and
as wrought the fame way, by feeing and beholding of
his glory, Perfe^l likenefs to Chrift, flows from a
perled beholding of his glory ; and a begun likenefs
to him, from a bep;un behcldmg of his glory by faith.
The apoltie in 2 Cor. iii. 7. fpeaks of the glory of th^
countenance of Mofes^ xvhich was fuch^ that the chil-
dren of Jfrael could not fiedfaftly heboid hi^ face^ zvhfcb
glory was to be done away, lii thi'?, the apollle re-
fpe<&s that pafTage in Exod. xxxiv. 29. — 35*. It is
this, that Mofes, returning from the mounts after
his fecond forty days abode there, had, by his bng
converfe with God, a beam of heavenly glory ioj-
prefTed on his face. Whether it continued all his
life after, or not, the word is filent about it ; and
therefore we fhould not be pofitive.' But this may
fafely be drawn from it, that the more near and cou-
linued that our converfe with Cbrifl on earth be, the
more heavenly likenefs to ChriR is iiBprexTed oa the
foul. Hath not this been known to many, that when
they had been long (IruggliDg and driving vyich, asd
bewailing of a body of death, and of ftrong eorrap-
lions and diftempers, that rendered them unlike to
Chrifl, and lothfome in their own eyes ; if he be
pleafed (35 oft he doth) to draw near to them, and
to caufe them to approach is him^ as Ffal. Ixv. 4. how
fiiddealy
74 Sermons concernwg Serm. V.
fiiddenly and how fweet'y is likenefsto Chrirt wrought
io the foul! True ncarnefs to Chrifl, and converfe
with him, hath always this effe6^. Communiou with
Chriil, if real, is always the life of grace, and the
bane of corruption. And let all examine and judge^
their enjoyments, by this fure and pldia left. Have
you any thing that you call communion with Chrift P
Doth it not, in fome meafure, mortify your lufts,
and enliven the grace of God in you? If it do not
work both in you, it is not of the right fort.
^thly^ This converfe with Chrift, and this likenefs
to him, breeds love and delight. It is not pofTible
it fliould be orherwife. So great mercies in them-
felves, fo great bieffings to us, and fo much of God's
Jove to us, (hining in the giving of them, muft raife
love and delight. This is one of the fruits of commu-
Dion with Chrift ; Cant. ii. g. I fat dozun under h'ts
Jhadow with great delight^ and his fruit was fiveet to
my tajle, ^
The tree of life, Jefos Chrift, hath a rcPrelliing
fliade to the weary fcorched traveller ; and he hath-
fruit for the hungry foul. Sit down under his flia-
dow, eat of his fruit, and you muft find it fwect to
your tafte. O tajle and fee that the Lord is good,'
Pfal. xxxiv. 8. J//o be ye have tafled that the Lord
is gracious^ i Pet. ii. 3. See how the fame apoftle
fpeaks of the communion that believers have with
C'hrift, 1 Pet. i. 8, 9. Whom having- not feen^ ye love';
in whom though 7iow ye fee him Kot, yet believing^ ye"
rejoice with joy unfpeakable^ and full of glory.
So that ye may perceive, that what the Lord Is'
pleafed to aftord to his people here, in communion
with Chrift, gives a great h^lp to believers to know
better, what it is to be with Cbrt/? zvhe-e he is^ than
any unbeliever can; and that they who have the
greareft experience of thefe things, have an advan-
tage in this matter beyond ordinary believers.
So much of thefe four things that 1 thought fit to
premife. That the glory of the heavenly ftate is
greatly
Serm. V. the Lcrd^s Prayer. 75
greatly in the dark to Chriflians while on eai;»|b j
That the only light wherein any thing of i: can be
known, is the light of the word ; That this l!*ght of
the word is light only to the eye of faith; and, laftly.
That faith is helped in this difcovery, by experience.
It now follows, to fpeak unto this that heaven
flands in, in being with Chrijl where he is. And this
1 would give in thefe four things.
1. It ftands in perfe6l immediate prefence with
Chrift. • AU the prefence that Chrift affords, and his
people now enjoy here, is, in regard of this, hue
abfence from the Lord : 2 Cor. v. 6. 8. Knowi?2g that
whil/i we are at home in the body^ we are abfent from
the Lord. We are confident^ I f'^yi ^^^ willing rather
to be abfent from the body^ and to he frefent with the
Lord* i am fure, that there arc few Chrillians, but
think, that if they did but enjoy that of ChriO: that
Paul did often, they would think it a great prefence.
But Paul counts, that as long as he dwelt in the bo-
dy, he was but abfent from the Lord. Perfect pre-
fence is, when all on both fides is prefent ; all of
Chrift, and all of the Chriftian. But cow all of
Chrift is not with us ; and all of us is not with him.
On his part, we have Chrift's Spirit, word, and
grace. On our part, there is prefent with him, our
hearts, and the workings of our faith, and love, and
defire, towards him. But this prefence is imperfefl,
and mixed with much diftance and abfence. And
this fort of prefence with Chrift, is but mediate.
There are forae midfes, glaff^s, and helps, which,
though ufeful now, will be ufelefs one day, i Cor.
xiii. 10, II, 12. Yet this imperfe^^ prefence, and
mediate, is more excellent in iifelf, and more valued
by every one that hath tafted it, than the utmoft that
this world, and the things of it, can give to a world-
ling, Pfal. iv. 6, 9.
2. This being with Chrifl where he is, hath in it
perfeiH: and full fruition and enjoyment of Chrift.
Vol. 1L h And
7^ Sermons concerning Serm. V.
A\^^ here, words and thoughts (hnnk far below the
greamcfs of this matier. \Vhat it is to enjoy ChriO,
who can tel! P Behevers arc partakers of Chrift, are
in him, and he in them. Faith, when ftrong, grafps
at him, and cleaves lo him. Love, when ilamiog,
embraces him ftraicly; holds him f aft ^ and tvUi not let
htm go ^ Cant. iii. 4. When Chrilt's love to ui burns
and ihines, and our love to him is kindled thereby,
how f-.vcet is this enjoyment ? But all this is far ihort
of what Ihall be enjoyed, when wtjball be with him
ivhere he is. The dilference is far greater betwixt
ihefc two, than there is betwixt.the loving hufband
and the beloved wife, entertaining correfpondence
l-.y letters 10 one iinoiber, in difiereni and far diilant
countries. Thereby they communicate their heart,
and lov^, and miud, to one another. And this is ve-
ly comfortable ; cfpecinily when this intercourfe may
be fpeedy, and in an inllant, as it is betwixt Chrift
and believers: Ifa. his. 24. And it fball come to pafs^
(and bif Ifed be he that this often comes to pafs), that
before they cally I 'will anjwer ; and while they are yet
fpcaki»gy 1 ivill hear. There is no length of time re-
quired to carry the believer's mind to Chrifl in hea*
ven ; and as fpeedily can he fend his mind to them
again. I>ut this is far (liort of the comfort of feeing
iace to face.
5. This prefence, this enjoyment, is in the befb
flaie and place, it is where he ij. And fureiy our
i>ord is well lodged abov<% All the prefence we have
with, and enjoyment we have of Chrilt, h not where
/k^ //, but where we ate. And here we are on thd
diinghill of ihi^ ea.ih ; haviuor fm cleavirig to us to
provoke him, aud mifcry ou us to grieve us. llcuce
it is both amazing grace in him to grant any thing of
his pretence and fellowlhip to us ; and hence all thac
w^e enjoy of it, is attended with manifold imperfecti-
ons, infcparable frotu our iUte while we are where
we are, and not to be ri;moV;;d hum us till we are
luhcre he is,
4. This
Serm. V. the Lord's Prayer. 77.
4. This is to be for ever. The greatefl: blefiing
hath the longed duration 5 if duration were a proper
word to be ufed of eremiiy, which is juftly called a
-perpetual now, Chrifl's prefence now where we are,
is a choice bleffing. Beli,evers would fain have ir,
when they are without it ; and would fain have more
of it, when they have a little of it ; and when they
have much of it, they would fain keep it. Bat they
cannot always have his prefence when they would ;
nor can they always keep it, when they have got it.
It may pleafe him to awake^ and leave them, Canr.
iii. 5. and viii. 4. even when they are bert pleafed
with his company. And even then he is our beloved,
and his love to us the fame, when /landing behind our
wally when looking forth at the vjindow^ Jhewing hi?ii'
felj {0^ ^ourijhing) through the lattice ; as when his
left band is under our head, and his right hand doth
embrace us. Cant. ii. 6. 9. Cbrid's fweetefl vifits to.
his people where they are, are oft imbitterfd (to fay
fo) with the thoughts and fears oF his withdrawing.
" Now, faith the believer, I have a ciear Iky ; but
" how foon may the weather change, and clouds re-
** turn again 1" But in the (tare of glory above, when
VJtfhall be with him where he is._ no fears, no ground,
or fufpicion of any fuch thing, ihall ever enter into
the heart of any of the glorified. The ilate of grace
is a fure ftate, of God's making. No vcilel of gracv:
and mercy ftiall ever be cmpcicd of it. Bat ir is not
a fure flate to every believer's thinking ; for fears of
mifcarrying may be, where no real danger is. But
the ftate of glory is not only fuce and unchangeable,
as it is of God's gracious making, but it is (0 as to
every glorified perfoa's thinking. No pillars in the
upper houfe can lliake. Rev. iii. 12. Pillars in the
lower houfe may (hake, but never are removed. Bux
in heaven, there is no danger, no fear, nor any canfe
of either, to eternity. Wefhall be ever with the Lord^
I Theff, iv, 17.
L 2 Afpli-
"fi Sermons concermng Serm. V.
Application, i. See how great Chrift's io-
tereft is in our falvation ; how juftly he is called our
iSaviour, He harh bought and redeemed the king-
dom fcr the heirs, and the heirs for the kingdom.
He as fl.iin is made the way to it, Hcb. x. 19, 20. He
is the guide to heaven, and captain of cur falvatioriy
Heb. ii. 10. He wi'ls it to them in his teftament,
Luke xxii. 29.; welcomes them to heaven, when he
calls them by death, A6ls vii. 59. ; and he, as fully
erjcyed, is heaven itfeif.
2. Wonder not at this, that few are faved. From
his dc<^rine you may fee the caufes thereof. We
iind Chrift teaching this doctrine of the fewnefs of
the faved, in Matth. xix. 23. 26., Mark x. 23. — 27.
and Luke xviii. 24. — 27. It is thrice recorded, and
on the fame occafion, and wi^h the fame fen fe of it,
in hisdifciples. The occafion of Chrift's teaching it,
was the great zeal of a young rich man, in afking of
cur Lord ihe way to heaven, and his fudden recoiling
when Chrirt touched his idol. On this occafion Chrift
teachcth. How hardly Jhall they that have riches^ en-
ter into the kingdom of God / His difciples were aflonifh-
ed at his words. But Jefus anjwereth a^iii??^ and
faith unto them^ Children^ how hard is it for them that
trujl in riches^ to enter into the kingdom of God I Mark
X. 23, 24. Upon Chrlfl's repeating and explairnng
his words, itlsfaid, vcr. 26. And they were ofiomjh^
ed out of meafurCy faying among them/elves^ Who then
can be faved ^ Why were they fo allonifhed, and ex-
ceedingly amazed^ as it is faid in Matth. xix. 25. Were
there not many poor people, that had no riches, nor
any te.v.ptaiion to irufl in them, (and fuch the dif-
ciples themfelves were), who might be faved ? Their
amazement feems to have iis rife from this, that if
one fnare, as that of riches, did fo endanger a man's
falvation, what greater danger were all men expofed
to, by manifold lemptarions, and diforders of their
iicarrs ? But as to the do<5lrine before us, that being
I nib Chrifl where he is^ is heaven^ I may juftly con-
firm
SeRm. V. the Lord* 5 Frayer. yp
firm from it what Chrift taught, that few fhall be
faved. For few know what it is, nor the way to it ;
and indeed no natural man can know what they<?
are. When our Lord is again preaching this doc-
trine, in that noted place, Maith. vii. 13, 14, he
faith. Enter ye in at the fir alt gate ; for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to dejlrudion^
and many there be which go in thereat : becaufe Jlrait
is the gatey and narrow is^ the way which leadeth
unto life^ and few there be that find it* According
to the frame of mens fpirits, they frame thoughts
of heaven, and of the way to it. The Turks pa-
radife is brutilh ; the Popiih paradife is little bet-
ter. The natural philofophers conceptions of heaven
are more manly, though carnal. Only a true Chrif-
tian can have a right thought of heaven ; becaufe he
knows Jefus Chrift, and communion with him. Chrill
himfelf is the way to heaven, as he is a flain Re-
deemer ; and Chrift himfelf is heaven itfelf, as he is a
glorified, enjoyed Redeemer. All this is unintelligi-
ble and incredible to every natural man. Can ever
that man count it blelTednefs to be with Chrift above,
who counts it a piece of mifery to be in his company
on earth P And is it poflible that fuch can be faved,
that neither know what heaven is, nor the way to it ,
and do diilike and hate both the way and the end, as
revealed in the word, and as impreiled on the hearts
of all the godly in all ages .''
3. Laftly, Would you fecure heaven to yourfelves?
See to get into Chrift by faith ; feek acquaintance
with him, prefs after communion with him. Let ail
your thoughts of heaven, all your care to fecure your
^poiTeiring of it, and all your exercife in preiTmg to-^
wards it, let all center in this one perfon, Jefus Chriih
Alas! how many poor Chriltians are there, who go
aukwardly to work about falvation P how poorly they
fare ? how forrowfujly they live P and how many of
them die in darknefs ? and all becaufe they mind not
Chriil
So Sermons concerning Serm. V.
Chrid rightly, as tJje way^ the truthy and the life!
They do attend on all the ordinances of the gofpel ;
they would fain be in heaven ; they often mufe and
think on it ; and wonder at the greatnefs of the prize ;
and fometimes have fome good hope, through grace,
that they fliall^poflefs it. But with many thefe are
but like the jnomhig-cloud and the early dew ; and their
doubts and darknefs return upon them ; becaufc they
/to not remember Jefus Chriit, and live by faith on
him, as the only way to heaven, and as he enjoyed,
is the ChrifUans heaven, and as he brings ail the fons
to glory. You need no more to fecure your right to
eternal life, than to be poflTeiTcd of Chrift by faith ;
and you need no better eternal life, than to be with
Chrifl where he is. He himfelf defcribes it by this,
that they may be with me where I am. And furely
Clirift beft knows what heaven is ; fince he bought
it, prepared it, and pofTeffed it, for his people. And
he knows the way to it ; for he is both the way and
the guide to it. Hear his 'voice, therefore, and fol-
low him^ and he will give you eternal life ; and ye fhall
never periff), neither fhall any man (or devil, or thing)
fluck you out of his hand^ John x. 27, 28, 29. Horn.
Tiii. 35',..-'39.
S E 11 M d N
Serm. VI. the Lord's Frayer* Sr
SERMON VI.
John xvii. 24.
Father y I wtll that they alfo whom thou hajl given me^
he with me where I am ; that they may behold m^ ,
glory which thou haft given me : for thou lovedjl me
before the foundation of the world.
THERE are four marvellous things about lal?a-
tion, that fliould be often thought on by us?.
I. That there is fo high a Saviour as Chrift is, and
fo great a falvation as heaven is, provided for fallen
man. There was no fuch provifioD made for (landing
Adam, to keep him from falling \ no fuch proviiioa
for the fallen angels, to refiorc them to their firft e-
ftate. But for fallen man this provifion is made; not
for all, but for a numerous remnant, according to the
eie£tion of grace ; and that to bring them to a far
better eflate than that Adam fell from by fm,
2. That the knowledge of this Saviour, and of this?
falvation, is kept from multitudes as needy thereof as
any that have it. The Pagans, Indians in the eafl and
well, are as needy of the gofpel as you, and no more
unworthy and undcferving than you ; yet you have
gofpcMighr, and they live and periih in grofs dark-
nefs. This is only from bis fovereign pleafure, as cur
Lord owns it, Luke x. 21. And that fovereiocniv
Iriine?, and is by us to be owned equally, both in dif-
penfmg and wich-holding the outward means of falva-
tion, and alfo in difpenfmg and with-holding the in-
ward eifeclual grace, and bleiilng of the means.
3. It is marvellous, (though both very finful and
ufual), that this Saviour and hia falvation are fo great*
ly defpifed, by the moft part of them who need him
and
^2 Sermons concerning Serm. VI»
and It extremely, and have the gofpel-ofFer made
daily to them. Alas! few mind him, and few care
for the great falvation he brings with him, and olTers
fo freely to men. No man under the gofpel raifcar-
ries eternally, no man or woman perifheth, without
Jefus ChriO, but fuch as do not in heart care for him
and his falvation. And juflly do they deferve to pe-
rifli, and dreadfully (hall their perdition be.
4. It is marvellous, that this blcffed Saviour and
his great falvation are yet given to a multiiude of re-
fufers. AH by nature are unworthy, many reje<^ the
oiFer often; yet grace prevails at lafl: on fome of them,
and makes them willing. There are many in the
world (but they were thought on by him before the
world was made) from whom Chrift will take no re-
fufal, though they give him many; as Jer. xxii. 21.
J /pake unto thee in thy profperityy but thou faidjl^ I
will not hear : this hath been thy manner from thy
youth ^ that thou cbeyedjl not my voice. Yet to many
fuch there is a time of love fixed ; and when it comes,
they are fpoken for, fpoken to, dealt with, and pre-
vailed upon. I cannot fay, but they that are early
brought to Chrift, have fome fpecial advantages,
both in their being prevented from grofs fins, and fad
wanderings, and in the opportunities of ferving Chrift
by his grace given them. But 1 am fure, that the
longer any ftand out in rebellion againft Chrift, when
they are fubdued, they (hould moftofall men admire
the grace of their conqueror. Paul, though called
when a young man, yet counts that Jefus Chrift did
/hew forth in him all lon^-fuffering, for a pattern to
them which fhould hereafter believe on him to life ever*
laftingy I Tim. i, 16. Yer, doubilefs, Chrift hath
drawn forth more long-fuflering to many fiuners,
ihan he did on Paul in hisunregeneracy.
Of this Saviour and of his falvation I have been
fpeaking from this part of this excellent prayer. I
have been often commending this chapter 10 you :
and though 1 hope none are fo fooliih as to think
that
SeRM. VI. the Lord's Prayer, 8}
that when they have got this chapter by heart, (and
I know not any chapter in God's word more worthy
of a room in the heart and memory, than this), they
may make a prayer of it, as.of one of David's pfalms ;
yet I am fure we may pray upon it ; for though many
of the words in it be only fit to be uttered in prayer
by the blelTed mouth that firft fpoke them ; yet aii of
them may be food for the faith of every believer.
I have fpoke of the manner of this prayer j Father,
I will,
I have alfo entered upon the matter of it ; and have
taken up. four things therein, i . The defcription of
thofe he prays for : Jhofe whom thou haft given me.
None but Chrift can defcribe thofe they pray for, this
way. He only had the book of life before him ia
prayer. It is a great mercy, if we get fplritual light
to read our own name in that book ; but it is not al-
lowed us, either to defire or expedl to read any other
name therein, but our own. 2. The bleiTing that
Chnft prays for to futh perfons. And it is exprefied
thus. That they may be with me where I am. Whence
I did draw two points of do£lrine.
Obs. I, That the perfed hlejjednefs of the people of
God^ftands in being with Chrifl where he is, Oa this
I fpoke lad day.
Obs. 2. It is Chrifl* s will to have his people poffef
Jed of this blifs of being with him where he is.
Thus faith our Lord, Father^ I will that they whom
thou haf given me^ be with me where I am. Thus he
faith of all them, without diftin£lion or exception.
This prayer is univerfal, for his whole body of the
ele£l ; and particular, for every individual member of
that body. As they cannot be perfectly happy, till
they be with him where he is, (and that they all know) ;
fo our Lord gets not all his will and mind about them,
till they are thus with him. And this we (hould be-
lieve. The meaning of this will of Chrift about his
people's blifs, is in thefe. i. It is our Lord's heart's
Vol. IL M defire.
8^ Sermons concerning Serm. Vl.
tiefire. 2. Ir is his delight to have them with him.
3. It is his fixed purpofe and refoliuion. ?Iis heart
is fixed in this, that he will have them all with him.
^. It is his will declared to his Father, In iuch a man-
ner and ieafon, and with fuch circumitances, us add
great weight \o it. 5. It is his will revealed unro us
in his wricicii word; and therefore is of great ufe to
believe and rejoice in it. Bat who can tcil (even
when Chrifl hath told us it) what this his ivill is ?
The toil! of the Son of God, the ivill of a dying Ile-
dttvci^Vy the vjill oi a man perfonally united to the
Son of God ; hew far doth it exceed ail our thoughts ?
In handling of this point, 1 would,
1. Prove that it is ChrilVs will,
ir. Shew why it is fc. And then>
3. App;^ ii.
I. That it is ChriJVs will to have his people zvith
him whfte he is, appears from thefe two. i. The
price he paid for them; and, 2. The pains he takes
on them.
I. The great and dear price he paid for them.
The price was of infinite value, and the pnrchafe wa5
great. He bought the heirs for the inheriiance, and
the inheritance for the heirs. Chrifl in redeeming
had refpe^L^t unto both ; and himfelf, as flaio, was the
price for boih. He bought us and our forfeited in-
heriiance, as he oft declares. And this doth prove,
that it is his will and mind that they fhould poiY^fi ir.
What wife or houeit man is at colt to pnrchafe that
for another that he will not let him polTv^fs? When
our Lord laid down his life, yea ilaked down h\i
crown and glory, aod bore fo much dillreis, and all
for tlii ', that he might at lafi have all his people ivifb
- him "shcre he is ; fure we mud concluds?, that Chrifl's
heart and mind was greatly fet upon it. The grand
view of the good-will of Chrifl to the faving his peo-
ple, and having them in heaven, is to bs had on his
crofs.
Serm. VL the Lord's Prayer. 85
crofs. The death of the Saviour proclaims his good-
will to fave. He knew he irmft fave us by dying, and
v/e know that we are faved by bis death. 1 hcrefore
he had a defire and delight to die for his people. It
pleafcd the Lord to bnnfe himy Ifa. liii. \o ; and Chrift
was pleafed to be brulfed, Hcb. x. 5,— '^
2. The fecond proof h : The great pains ihat Chrlil:
takes on his people to bring them to heaven, proves
that his heart is fet on their poffeiling of it. On this
proof I would infift in a few particulars.
I/?, Chritl draws them to himfeif whom he minds
to fave. By nature they are far off from thrift, and
from falvation. By his grace they are brought near,
Eph. ii. 13. Chrifl and falvation are infeparable.
When Chrift entered into Zaccheus's heart by faith,
then falvation came into his houfe^ Luke xix, 9, 10.
Chriil's drawing of a finner, is his working of faith ;
and the Tinner's believing on Chrift, is his coming to
Chrift. Thus the nearnefs is obtained, Cbrift is fZ^
author andjinif^er of faith, Heb. xii. 2. Bur this ^.' ay
of working of faith is a great myftery, John iii. 8.
Believers themfelves find their own faith a great my-
ftery to themfelves. They often know better the
fruits and cfFeas of their faith, than they know the
aaings of- it. And again, they may know better what
they do, and what way their hearts a£^ toward. Chnft,
when they believe, than they know what Cbrift was
' doing with them, when'he was working faith in them,
and making them believers. For ufualiy ChriiVs
work in drawing men to himfelF, is fo terrible, that
they cannot think that any good is meant to them.
Little di'd Paul know what Chriil meant by his firit
vidt and words to him, Aas Ix. 3,-9. ; but well knew
^le aherwards, Gal. i. 15, 16. and oft did he tell it,
Aas xxii. and xxvi. The fum of all he faid was this:
" I was a bitter enemy to Jefus Chrid ; yet he was
«• pleafed to make me a believer on him, and called.
<« me to preach him, and faith in him, to the periih*
«« lag world." When Chrift is drawing his chofea
M 2 ^y
86 Scrjnons concerning Serm, VI.
by the ccrds of iove^ (as Hofea xi. 4.), ufually they
sre jealous that thefe cords of love are but the gins
of aa enemy. Bow is it poJlible that the charge of
fin on the confcience, the difcovery of the abomina-
tions in the man*s heart, and the binding of him over
to the righteous judgment of God, (Pvom. iii. 19,), can
be looked on as gracious methods of Chrift for draw-
ing men to him ? Yet afterwards they know, that all
this was done in love, and for their good. Of all the
fms the Lord's people are guilty of, this is the greaceft,
and (liould be deeply repented of, even the rebellion
againft, and refillancethey made to the faving grace and
drawing arm of Jefus Chriff. That we walk after the
imagination of our own hearts, that we love to wander,
that we live in fin, and love and commit it; all thefe
things are proper and natural to fmners; fo that tho'
all ihould, abhor it, yet none fliould wonder at it. But
when Chrifl is drawing perifhing Tinners to himfelf,
that he may fave them ; when he is plucking them
out of the fire that will burn them, and out of the wa-
ter that will drown them ; then for men tooppofe and
refift him, (as all do till his grace make them willing),
hath fomewhat in it beyond the common fmfulnefs of
men : yea it is a fin beyond the poffibility of the de-
vil, the father of fin and of fmners ; for the grace of
God was never in the offer of the fallen angels, nor
did it ever make any alfault upon them. Yea the re-
probates, though many of them finfully rcfift the ge-
neral drawing of Chrift by the gofpel, and his Spirit's
dealing with them, as in A£ls vii. 51. Te fltf-jiecked^
and uncircumcifed in heart and ears ^ ye de always refijl
the Holy Ghofl : as your fathers didy fo do ye ; by
which they draw on dreadful guilt, and deRru6lion,
and are made inexcufable ; as our Lord tells them,
John XV. 22, 24. Jf I bad not come and fpoken unto
them^ they had not had fin : but now they have no cloke
for their fny viz. their fm of unbelief: yet they ne-
ver refift the faving arm and defign of Chrift to fave
them J as many of the ele<5l do for a while, till the
Lord's
Sehm. YI. the LorcTs Frayer. 87
Lord's day of power come, which always prevails
over all refiilance. For, fure, another fort of grace
was applied unto blafpheming Saul, than on the traitor
Judas ; and on Peter flumbling, than on Judas failing.
Herein Cbrifl abundantly proves his iTiind and good-
will to fave his people, in his drawing them to him-
feif, that he may fave them. So faith he in John xii.
32. And 7, If I be lifted up from the earthy will draw
all 7nen unto me. And this he faid in one of his fad-
deft hours, as ver. 27, 28. The devil, and wicked
world, (that lieth in his arms, as in i John v. 19.
The whole world lieth in wickednefs^ or or in that %vicked
one)y they thought, that if chey could once get rid of
Chrid, and flay him, that they (hould never more be
troubled with Chrift, nor with believers on him. Bat
they were utterly difappoinred : and this Chrill fore-
tels ; and it was bleffedly fulfilled, and will be till his
fecond coming. It is as if he had faid, " They def-
*' pife the virtue and grace of a living Saviour ; and
*' think if they had flain him, there would be an end
^^ of him and of his interefl on earth. But when
" they have done what they would, they (hall find
" themfelves farther from their purpofe; for I will
** put forth the virtue of my death, in drawing raul-
" titudes unto rac." And it is not unlike, but that
within a few weeks after his death, and within a few
days after his afcenfion, there was a greater multi-
tude of fmners drawn to Chrift by faith, than were
in all the few years he lived and preached on the^
earth.
So much for this iirft proof of Chrifl's will and
mind to fave his people, from his drawing them un-
to himfelf, or his working faith on him in them,
2dly, Another proof of this is from his making
them meet to poflefs heaven. Col. i. 12. Take heed
in this matter. No man is meet for Chrifl till he be
in him. But he that is in Chrift, is meet for heaven ;
and none (hall poiTefs it, but he that is made meen
for it \ and that is a divine work. Chrift is meet for
fin-?
SB Sermons concenihv Serm. VI.
i»
finnerSj to fave them. See how meet he is made of
God, I Cor. i. 30. He is made all we want for fal-
vation. Chriil had no work in the world but for Tin-
ners. And none will einploy ChriH: in his faving
calling and office, but convinced and feofible fmners,
"C-jone but fnch can fee their needof Chrifl; and fuch
a^ fee no need of Chriil, can never employ him by
iaith : for believing is nothing but a needy lofl fia-
ner's trading this able Saviour with his falvation.
Chriji came to feck ajid to fave that -which was lo_ll,
Luke xix. 10. And the lod man comes to, and feeks
falvation from Chrift, and gets it. If a man difowa
his own name, aJJnner, he therein difowns Chrifl's
name, a SavirAir of finners. If men pretend to ufe
Chrifl as a Phyfician, and fubfcribe not their true
na.ne to their petitions, a loflj ftck firmer^ bleeding to
death by the fling of fin and of the law^ he will have
nothing^ to do with tbe:ii. He will fay to them,
*' I came to fave fmners ; but you are whole and righ-
*' tcous folks, and think you can fave yourfelves.
<• it is but a little that ails you, and you think you
<• can foon cure it. But if you try your own art, you
" peiidi ; and your w'ound is deadly, and no balm
" can heal it but mine." Now, no man is meet for
Ghrill, till he gets Chrifl. But a man rouQ be made
meet for heaven, before he gets ir. No man can get
this mectnefs but by Chriil ; and Chrifl's working
of this meetiicfs, is the proof 1 give of Chrift's n/md
to give glory to them in whom he works ir.
A little on this. What this meetnefs for heaven is ;
wherein it (lands j and how Chrift works it in his
people.
This meetnefs to polTefs heaven, is twofold; a
meetnefs as to the ilate of the perfon ; and a meetnefs
as to his nature and frame, that is 10 be the poiTeircr
of heaven. And the apolUe in that fcripttire named,
Col. i. 12, 13, 14, hints at both plainly enough.
((.) Meetnefs in the ftate of the perfon for pofTcf-
iiDg of heaven, (lands in two things. Heraufl be re-
conciled
Serm. VT, th3 Lord: s Prayer, ap
conciled to the Lord of this good land oflieaTea, and
he mud be related to this inheritance. Both coine
by Jefus Chriih Enemies and frraiigers are unmeec
to poffefs it'; and none fuch fnall, to eternity. Yet
all men by nature are both enemies to God, and un-
related to heaven. Bat Chriil cbangeth the ftate oi
them whom he minds to fave, and thus makeih them
meet to poffels the inheritance. They are made
friends, and reconciled to God, by the grace of jufti-
fication ; they are made children and heirs, and to re-
lated to the inheritance, by the grace of adoption.
And both are by Jefus Chrid ; as in Rom. v. 8, 9,
10. and viii. 14. I7- Gal. iii. 26. and iv. 5, 6. Can
an enemy expe£l an inheritance from his enemy ? And
this is the natural (late that God and man (land in to
one another. Can a (trangcr cxpea an inheritancs
in a ftrange country, where he hath no friend noc
relation to leave him any thing, and when the man is
fo poor that he can purchafe nothing ? The apoftle ia
Eph. ii. 12. tells them what they were by nature,
and what they fhould remember flill : That at that
time ye were without Chrijl ; and what followed on it ?
Jhey were aliens from the commonwealth of Ifrael^ and
ftranqers froju the covenant ofpromife, (Ifrael's peculiar
righrt Rom. ix. 4. TVho are Ifraelites ; to whom per*
iaineth the adoption^ and the glory ^ and the covenants^
and t/j^ giving of the law^ and the fer vice of God, and
the promifes\ having no hope^ and without Gcd in the
world. How cam.e the blelTed change from this wc-
ful (late ? But now in Cbrifl Jefus, ye who wereforne-
times far off^ are made nigh by th^ blood of Chrif}^ ver.
13. Now therefore ye are no more fl rangers and for ^
eifTners ; but fellow citizens with thefairits, and of tU
houfkold of God, ver. 19. So that all that pretend to
the hope of heaven, (liould fearch well, and make out
that they have a right to it, and friends there. And
ihe great friend in beaveo is Jefus Chrid ; who bought
the kingdom dearly, and conveys the right unro it
freely, to all that believe on him,
' (2.) There
90 Sermons concerning Serm. VL
(2.) There is a raeetnefs for heaven in the nature
and frame of the heart of the heir of it. This meet-
nefs is necefl'ary ; Heb. xii. iz}. Without holinefs no
man Jk all fee the Lord. And it is wrought by Jefus
Chrift in the grace of fancftification. Thus the apof-
tle difcourfeth plainly in i Cor. vi. 9, 10, ii.; where
be expreily fhews the equal neceility of jallificatioa
and of fan6:lfication, unto the inheriting of the king-
dom of Chrifly and of Gody and of the interefl: that
Chrirt hath in giving them both. It is very remark-
able in Rom. vlii. 30. one of the deepcft, and yet one
of the cleared fcripiures (deeped for maiter, and
cleared for faith") about God's method of falvation :
Moreover y whom he did prcdeflinate^ them he alfo called :
and zvhom he called^ them he alfo juflified ; and ivhom
he fdflijiedy them he alfo glorified. It feems to fome
to be drange, that there is no mention in it of fanc-
tification. Only there is prededination, calling, juf-
tification, and glory. The obvious reafon of this is,
that fandification is included in glory. It is not To
much the -way to glory, as it is a piece, and part, and
beginning of it. Nov/, this great work of Chrid in
fan(fi:ifying his neople, is feen in all his work on them,
and way with them, from their regeneration, until
their welcome to heaven. About this raeetnefs for
glory by fan£tification, thefe three things are well
known, i. That they that dudy fan<fl!fication the
right way mod diligently, do attain mod of it. The
culy way is by faith in Chrid Jefus, A£ts xxvi. 18.
2. That they that attain mod of it, think lead of
their attainments. They fee fo much evil remaining
in them, as Rom. vii. and fomuch good before them,
Phil. iii. 12, 13, 14. that they dill prefs forward for
more fan(^ification. If any man do think himfelf to
be very holy, any Chridian may not only judly quef-
lion the truth of that pretence, but alfo his having a-
ny holinefs at all. For true gofpel-holinefs is a frame
of heart and foul wrought by the Spirit of Chrid,
that works in believers a holy hatred of all fin ; a
lothing
Serm.VI. the Lorcfs Fraysr, 91
lothing of himfelf in whom fo much of it ftill remains ;
and a preiTing after that perfeiftioD in holinefs, which -
only can be attained when he is where Chriil is. 3.
That ail fenfible and wife behevers, in their building
their faith and hope of polTelling glory, and in their
believing and pleadings with God for that poireiTion,
do lay far greater (yea another fort of) weight on
what Chrifl hath done for them, and hath promifed
to them, than on that fmall begun holinefs he hath
wrought in them ; though that alfo be to be thankful-
ly owned, tenderly cheriihed, and ufed as food to
their faith.
So much for this fecond proof. That Chrid proves
his mind to have his people with him where he
isy when he not only draws them to hhnfelf when
they are on the earth, but makes them meet to be
with him in heaven. All he hath done for his peo-
ple when he was in this world, is applied to them for
the change of their (late ; and all he doth in them by
his Spirit, is for the change of their frame. And
thus by both he makes them meet for heaven.
^dly^ Another proof of Chrifl 's will to have his^
people with hiffi where he is^ is. That he by his Spi-
rit, works in the hearts of his people, defires, faith,
and hopes of this blifs. This is both a proof that
ihey (hall poffefs it, and that ChriO: hath a mind that
they iliould have it. Chrifl raifeth no defires, raifeth
no faith and hope of that which he hath no mind to
give. So the apoftle argues, 2 Cor. x. i. — 5. J¥e
knviu what heaven is, ver. i. We groan ear ne ft ly,
ver. 2. We groan ^ as being burtbencd, ver. 4. IVe
are confident always in thefe groanings, ver. 6. 8.
The reafon of all is in ver. 5. Noiv he that hath
wrought us for the f elf fame thing, is God ; who hath
afo given unto us the eariiefl of the Spirit, So dotli
the apoille reafon in Heb= xi. 16. fpeaking of the an-
cient believers before the law : But now they defire a
better country^ that is^ an heavenly ; (and this defire
they declared plainly^ ver. 14, by word and deed);
Vol. IL N ivhers-
92 Sermons concerning Serm, VL
wherefore God is not afhamed to he called their God : for
he hath prepared for them a city^ i. e. heaven. Their
defiring of it is not the caufe or reafon of God's pre-
paring of it ; but God's preparing of it was ihe caufe
of hi^ revealing of it ; and his revealing of it by his
promife to them, was the ground of iheir believing
of it ; their faith was the caufe of their defire of it;
and this defire, thus raifed and thu5 grounded, was
a demonftration to them, that they (hould furely pof-
fefs it. And fo (hould it be to every believer in all
ages. Hath Chrift raifed defires in your hearts to bs
with him where he is f Do ye feel them in your foul ; ?
And are you daily expiefTing them to him ia prayer
alone, and in all your attendanc?. on him in gofpeU
ordinances ^ If he hath yet farther opened to you
the door of hope, as the day-dawn to thy heavy dark-
ened heart ; lift up your heads and hearts, your re-
demption draweth near^ Luke xxi. 28. Now is your
falvalion nearer than when you believedy Rom. xiii. i i. ;
nearer than when you fir fl trufled in Chrift^ Eph. i.
12.; nearer than when you firfl begged it of him.
Gracious Jefus will never baulk the defires of heaven
•which he himfelf hath put and kept up in thy heart ;
Pfal. X. 17. Lord thou haft heard the defire of the
humble : thou zuilt prepare their hearty thou wilt caufe
thine ear to hear,
^thly^ Chrift's good-will to give eternal life to his
people appears in the earneft he gives to them.
This is oftener fpoke of in the word, than known
and felt by the readers and hearers of the word. It
rs called the earneft oj the Spiiit^ from iis immediate
author, 2 Cor. v. 5. ; the earned of the Spirit in our
hearts^ for therein it is put, 2 Cor i. 22.; the ear-
nefi of our inheritance^ Eph. i. ig. for unto that it rc-
feireth. It is fomething of heaven given to believers
on earth ; fome fpecial prefence of Chrill manifefted
to them ; fome Ipecial fellowftiip with him, filling
thenn with joy, and peace, and likenefs to him. How
vsrell is this known to them that have it ^ And how
furc
Serm. VI. the LorcTs Prayer, 9j
Aire Is it, that no words can make any other to know
it ? It is the hidden manna, that ChnJI gives his peo-
ple to eat of^ (and no man knows its tafte, but the
eater of it, and while he eats ot" it) ; and the white
Jione Cbrift: gives, and in the ft one a new name writ-
ten^ (If it be writren, may it not be read by any I
No), which no man knoweth, faving he that receiveih
?V, Rev. ii. 17. Why is this earneft given ? It is to fe-
cure the bargain of the new covenant to the believer^
and to fecure him of the poffeffion of glory. There-
fore is it called the fir ft fruits of the Spirit^ Rom. viii.
23, ; f eating of believers^ 2 Cor. i. 22. and /^ the day
cf redemption^ Eph. iv. 30. This earncfl: rauil be 2
rich jewel, when the devil that great thief and rob-
ber, fets himfeif fo againft them that have got it. It
was more than an earneft that Paul got in 2 Cor. xii,
I, 1,3. The devil hated Paul from the day that
Chrift took him out of his arms; he hated his gifts,
grace, and fervice ; and that Paul knew well, and
felt often : but he never fell on him fiercely, as whea
Paul came down enriched with extraordinary enjoy-
ments. No believer Ihali get this earned, if the de-
vil can hinder it ; and none can keep it, wldiout a bat-
tle with hell. But though Satan by his malice and
craft, and our unbelieving hearts, join together (as
too oft they do) to rob us of this earned, and the
fenfe of it; yet Chrift will never take it away, nor
break the bargain of our falvation, Pfjl. Ixxx'x. 33,
34, 35. Neverthetefs^ my hving-kindnefs will I not ut-
terly take from him^ nor'faffer my faith fulr.efs to fail ^
is the voice of God in the nev/ covenant. It may be
a queftion with fome, If this earneH: be an univerfai
bleffing to all, or only a fpecial kindnefs to fome be-
lievers ? On the one hand, the difcouraged complain-
ing mood of fome Chriftians feems to fay, that they
have it not; on the other hand, many have thii? ear-
ned, and that frequently repeated to them. What
ftiall we fay to this que (lion ? Thefe things we may
be fore of ; that it is a choice mercy, and a great
N 2 advan-
94 Sermons concerniri^ Serm. VL
advantage to a believer to have it ; (as the contraries
are as fare, to foch as have it not) ; that it is a great
duty to prefs afrer it : that there are ways and means
of Gcd's appointment for reaching it ; that there are
gracious promifes of a bleffing on thofe means ; and
that faith and diligence in feeking this bleffingin God's
way, is ufually fuccefsful. It feems far fafer for us,
to lay cur \\d.m of it on our own unbelief, than to re-
ilcifi- upon his word and w-iy.
So much for the firit thiug in this do61rine, Where-
in appears Chrifl's will and raind to have his people
where he is ?
II. Why it is, and muft he his will and mind?
Take ihefe two accounts of it. r. Becaufe of his
faiihfulnefs in the covenant, x^nd, 2. Of his love to
his people.
I* Becaufe of his faithfulnefs in the covenant of
grace. 1'he cleared and fureft view of our falvation,
is to be had in this covenant. Therein we fee, i.
The elc<fl: are given by the Father to the Son, ro be
redeemed by him, and that he may give them eter-
nal life ; as John xvii, 2. thou haft given him power
over all flejl:, that he fhould give eternal life to as ma-
ry as thou haft given hinu This charge the Son ac-
cepted from eternity, and, in the fulnefs of time,
came into the' world to fulfill, John vi. 38, 39. They
were given to him, on condition of his coming, and
redeeming of them by his blood ; which condition he
fulfilled. 2, They are promifed to him as his purchafe
by the Father, when theSonharh bought them as he
promifed : Ifa. liii. 10, 11. When thou Jhalt ?naie his
foul an offering for fm, he f hall fee his feed, he /hall pro-
long his days, and the plea fur e of the Lord fj all prof per in
his hand, hie fj) all, fee of the travail of his foul, and fl^' all
befnisfcd, &c. 3. The bringing them hh to glory, is
charged on the Son, and promifed by him again to the
Father : John vi. 38, x<)» For I came down from heaven,
not to do mine ovjn willy but the will of him thatfent me.
And
Serm. VI. the LorcTs Prayer. ^$
And this is the Father"^ s will which hathfentme^ that of
all which hehath givenme^ I jhould lofe nothings hut jhould
raife it up again at the la ft day. John xii. 50. And
I know that his commandment is life everlafting. Chrift
Hands engaged by this covenant, to give a good ac-
count of all his charge ; and he will do it fully one
day, when he prefents his people to his Father ; and
will fay of all, as Heb. ii. 13* Behold^ /, and the cbd-
dren which God hath given me ; and as he faid of a
few of them in this chapter, ver. 12. While I was
with them in the worlds I kept them in thy name ; thofs
that thou gaveft me^ 1 have kept^ and none of them is
loft. And furely Chrifl is as good at keeping of his
people when he is in heaven, as when he was on earth:
for he is with them ahvays^ even unto the end of the
world, Amen, Matth. xxviii. 20. 4. Chrift yet fur-
ther promifeth eternal life to his people : i John ii.
25. And this is the promife that he hath promifed tts^
even eternal life ; as it is the grand coiiipreheDfive
promife. Yea, Chrift himfelf is called eternal life,
I John i. 2. and verfe 20. When Chrift came into
the world, eternal life came into it; when Chrift is
(hown and revealed, eternal life is made known ] when
Chrift is embraced by faith, eternal life is got : i John
V, II, 12, And this is the record^ that God hath given
to us eternal life : and this life is in his Son, He that
hath the Sony hath life, O that all men did but know,
how clofely, how infeparably, and how eternally,
Chrift and eternal life are linked together ! No eter-
nal life without Chrift ; no Chrift without eternal
life. He alfo promifeth it, as well as contains it : John
X. 27, 28. My fheep hear my voice ^ and 1 k?iow them
and they follow me. And 1 give unto them eternal life^
and they /hall never perijhy neither ftmll any man pluck
themout of my hand. It is this, and fuch like promifes
of eternal life, made by Jefus Chrift, that every true
believer builds his hope of heaven upon. And thus
Chrift's faithfulnefs and truth is concerned in brings
ing all his people to glory,
2. Con-
96 Strmons concerning Serm. VL
2. Confider Chrifl's wonderful love to his people.
True love canaot bear long parting, much lefs ever-
lafting parting. Chrift loves his people fo well, that
he muft have them with him ; otherwife he fhould
iofe his love, and his beloved ; and that cannot be.
The love of Chrifl: to his people may well be their
delight, and their wonder. There is both pleafare
and profit in ftudying of it. But all our thoughts can
never reach to its infinite dimenfions ; for it hath
height, and depthy and breadth^ and lengthy and in ail
pajjeth kn(nvledge, Eph. iii. ^8, 19. And becaufe of the
iweetnefs of this theme of Chritl's love, and becaufe
all I fhall fsy in the application of this do«5brine at this
time, is to reqpire love to him again ; I would fpeak
a little of this blefled love of Chrift to his people, as
it is the caufi of his willing to have them with him
where he is.
1/?, Chrift's love to his people hath do caufe nor
reafon for it, but itfelf. Love is the only caufe of
bis love. Oar love to hiio hath good caufe, and ilrong
reafon for it. His own w^orth in himfelf, his love to
u; and the great things he hath done for us, and
hati) promiled to us, j"-i(tiy defer ve more love than we
can gue him. Bat none of thefe things are with us
to engage his love to us.
2^/y, This love of Chrifl not only hath no. caufe in
us to raife it ; but it is a love that a£ts and move? a-
gainft all things that may juflly quench love and raife
lothing. There is not only no worth nor beauty m us
that he Jhould d'jfire us, (as the unbelieving world
thought, and thinks falfcly of Chrifl himfeif. If. liii.2.)
but there is a great deal in us to make us juftiy hateful
and lothfome in his eyes. There is enmity to him in
oar heart and nature ; there are provocations in our
converfition and walk; there are vilenefs, lothfoni-
nefs, poverty, and all mifery, in our (late ; yet Chrifl's
love overcomes all : Ezek. xvi. 6, 7, 3. Thy timcwas
the time c/ love, faith the Lord, A flrange lime of
love
Serm. VL the Lord's Prayer. 97
love, and a flrange love ! A wretched, naked poliut-
ed infant, cafl out in the openjield^ to the iothing of its
ferfon^ as ver. 5. Was that a time of love P Was that
a time for the Prince of heaven to fall in love with the
filthy perishing brat ? Unto any but to the heart of a
God, this would have been a time of Iothing, and not
of love. The fame thing the apodle teacheth with-
out a parable, Eph, ii. i, 2, ^, 4.
3f//y, It is a love that fets Chrid on work ia all his
faving work. And hard, and dear, and coilly work
to him it was : yet love made him to do it ail ; and
delightfully he did it. He died for us in love ; he
called us in love; he planted his grace in us ia love ;
be vifits us in love ; and when he corre61s and rebukes,
he doth that in love too. Rev. iii. 19. Aud though
we do not like it, he likes it, and it is for our good.
All that Chrift doth for, and in, and with, and on,
and about his people, (and who can tell all f), he
doth all in and from his love to them. And this
(hews us both the nature of his love to us, and the
debt we are under to love him again.
4//^/)/, This love of Chrift to his people, both de-
figns and effefts the greateft good to them he loves.
Among creatures there is a deal of love to little pur-
pofe. Either they intend but little by their love; or
if they do defign it, their loye cannot reach it. But
the greateft good, eternal life, is not only intended
by Chrift in his love to his people, but it is fureiy at-
tained. AU that Chrift loves, are faved ; why I be-
caufe his love is faving. Salvation is defigned by this
lover, and is perfected by his love.
Application. Let me therefore exhort you
to love Jefus Chrift. Is his heart fet upon the hav-
ing all his people with him where he is ? Surely we
ought to return love to him back again. Moft of them
that pretend to the name of Chriftian, think they make
fome confcieoce of it, as being a moftjuft debr and
. duty
5>8 Sermons concerning Serm. VI,
duty to bim : and will be ready to fay with Paul,
1 Cor. xvi. 2 2. If any man love not the Lord Jefus
Chrijly let him be Anathema-^ Maranatha, But as the
loYe that Chrift bears to his people, is not fo well
known and believed as it ought to be ; fo the love
his people owe to him, is not fo well paid as it ought
to be. I would therefore advife you in five things a-
bout your love to Chrift.
Advice T. Take a ferious view of the lover, and
of the beloved, and of the love he bears them ; of
Chrift that doth love, and of his people whom he
doth love, and of the love he bears to them. When
thefe three are feen by the eye of faith ia liie light
of God's word, his glory and greatnefs who loveth,
the vilenefs of them he loveth, the greatnefs of the
love he bears them, two thoughts will life in the heart.
1. How marvellous is it, that fuch a perfon as he
Ihould love, in fuch a manner, fuch perfons as we be !
2. How great fliould our returns of love be to him a-
gain 1 What is the caufe of this ufual and fad remark,
That carnal, fecure fmners count it an eafy thing to
believe ihat Chrift loves them, though they never
tafted of his fpecial love ; when many fincere Chrif-
tians find the faith of Chrift's love to them fo difficult,
though they dare not deny their tafttng fomeiimes
that he is gracious f as, i Peter ii. 3. Yea they find
it hardeft to believe it in fuch times, when ehher the
divine dignity of Chrift, or their own wretchednef^5,
are feen by them ; (and ufually they go together).
This is the caufe of ir, becaufe this love of Chrift is fo
myfterious and wonderful, (as the lover is, Ifa. ix. 6.).
We cannot eafily think, that Chrift doth love any, but
fuch as are fome way like him ; .nor do we rightly
know, that Chrift can, and doth love them that are
not like him, fo as to make them like to him by his
love ; for his love hath always this blelTed cffefl in all
them that it falls upon.
Advice 2. Learn to believe Chrift's love. Ufual-
ly, we would fain have his love proved and nianifef-
led
Serm. VL the Lord^s Prayer, og
ted to us. But I advlfe you to lake this vazy^o^ getnn^
your faith to fix od Chrifl's love. Think not that I
would perfuade you rafnly to coDclude in yourfelve^,
that Chrift loves you. But what 1 defign, is only this 5
Take Chrift's love-letters and Chrift's amiable picture
in the gofpel> (and the new tellament is full of ihem) ;
and believe, and love them, and him by them. Be-
hold CbriJI crucijied, Gal. iii. i. ; behold him dying,
and redeeming by his blood, and that in mere love lo
the redeemed. Read his love-letters filled with graci-
ous calls, offers, and promifes : and all thefe letters
fealed with his blood, (lied in love. A bkiled exer-
cife, that you would foon find the advantage of.
Advice 3. Then pray much for his manifefted love
to you in particular. You are to give him glory in
believing his love-letters and his beautiful pi(f>ure ia
the gofpel, and in railing faith and love by thofe helps s
But you may alfo beg his manifefting his love to you.
See his proraife, John xiv.2 1,23. w^ords more precious
than fine gold. He that hath my commandments^ and
keepeth them^ he it is that loveth me : and he that lov-
eth me, /hall he loved of my Father ; and I will lovg
him, and will man'tfejl viyfelf to him. " I will love
*< him, and make him know it.'' And when one of
his difciples aiks, either in ignorance or wonder, Hozv
this could be J verfe 22. our Lord anfwers, If a man
love me, he will keep my words : and my Father ivdl
love him^ and we will come (/. e. my Father and 1)
unto him. and make our abode with him, ver. 23. Verf
like his words in Rev. iii. 20. Behold, I /land at the
doer and knock : If any man hear my voice, and open
the door, I will come in to him, and/up with him^ and
he with me. Thus he manifefts his love ; i John iv.
12, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in iis»
Ver. 15. Wbcfoeverjhall confefs that Jcfus is the Son
sf God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God, Ver. 16.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath
to us ; (and fo muft we know and believe the love
that his Son hath 10 us), God is love ^ and 'he that
Vol. IL O ^ d'lvel-
100 Sermons concerning Serm. VI.
dwelltth in love^ divclkth in God, and God in him,
Ver. 17. Herein is our love made perfect. But how did
it begin, and how is it advanced f Ver. 19. We love
him, becaufe he fir (I loved us, Alas ! what are Chrif-
tians doiijg P and how poorly they do I Where is the
man who is fick of love for Chrilt I This blefTed dif-
eale (or foul's heal:b rather) is twofold ; either in
pining hunger for ihe manifelfation of his love, as
C.inr. V. o. ; or in the overwhelniing fweetoefs of his
manifefled love, Cant. ii. 5. If you know nothing of
neither of thefe, your carcafes may be well, but your
fouls do not profper. I do not think that there ever
was a poor beli. ver, that did long breathe after Ciirift's
Icve, but he felt it. Moft people do not care for it :
and therefore they feek it not, and therefore they
find it not; and (ome of them may fay, (as they in
Afls xix. i. We have not jo much jr heard whether
there be any Holy GhoflJ, " We have not felt any
*' of the love of Chrift ; we know nothing of it, but
^' as it is fpoke of in the fcriptures, and as it is to
*' be enjoyed in heaven." But how it doth burn as
a hot fire in the heart. Cant. viii. 6, 7. even on earth,
alas ! few {tt\.
Advice 4, When Cbrift hath manifefled his love,
thvD light your torch of love at the warm beams of
the Sun of iligbteoufnefr;. 1 mean, kindle your love
to him at the iire of his love to you. No other fire
will kindle true love to Chrift, but the fai'h and feel-
ing of Chrifl's love to you. What mxade Paul fuch a
fervent lover of Chrifl, but that he knew fo well how
Chrirt loved him ? He loved, me, and give himfeif for
me. Gal. ii. 20. No wonder he faid, \t\\ xxi. 1:5.
/ am ready not to he bound only, but alfo tj die at Je^
ru/alem fc*r the name of the Lord Jefus, '' Crriii died
♦' at Jcrufalem for my redemption ; and lh.ili 1 not
** die there for his glory, if he call me?"
Advice 5. When you have kindled your love to
Chrifl at bis love to you, then let it burn and fpend
(but it cannot fpend, but grows by burning) in his
fervice.
Serm. VI. the Lorfs Prayer. lol
fervice, and to his praife. Ufe and aft iliat love in
all holy worfliip, and in all gofpel-obedience. That
is the befl: worfliip, and the moit acceptable obedi-
ence, that is performed from love to Chrift. f^.is
love conftrained Ysiu]^ 2 Cor, v. 14. unto his excellent
living to Chrift. That working and running that only
the fpur of the law in mens conlcicnces ccnihauis
fome unto, is of no account in the fight of Goi,
Faith in Chrift raifeth love to Chrift ; and faith a^d
love enlivens to all holy obedience, and fpiritual wor-
fliip. Then the Chriftian reads and hears the word of
Chrift, becaufe he loves to hear his vo^ce. He prays ;
for he loves to fpeak, and to pour out his heart to his
beft friend. He fits down at the Lord's table, be-
caufe he loves to fee, and draw virtue from his llain
Saviour, He hates evil, becaufe he loves the Lord,
Pfalra xcvii. 10. He keeps Chrift's commandments,
becaufe he loves the commander, John xiv. 15. Sirs, be
aflured of this, that you are not yet got into the right
road of Chriftianity ; you are not yet in that path,
wherein you can be hearty and fincere, and wherein
you will be conftant, and never faint ; until you gee
once into the power of the love of Chrift. Then you
will be fweetly carried on in all your viray, and in his
ways. Then may the believer in, and lover oi Chrift,
fay, " Let the Lord lead me whither he pleaieth ; I
^' am ft ill going to heaven, and am in the river of life,
*« the love- of Chrift, that begun (if I may f^y (o)
«* from eternity, and carries me through time, uu-
" to the eternal enjoyment of the fame love in hea-
«<^ven."
Oz SERMON
I ©2 Sermons concerning Serm. VII.
SERMON VII.
John xvii. 24,
Falhsr^ I ivUl that they alfo whom thou haft given mcy
be 'with me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou haft given me : for thou lovsdft me
before the foundation of the world*
MENS hearts are befl known by their prayer?.
And by the fame way we may know Chrift's
heart, Whofoever would know how deeply his heart
is concerned in the faving of his people, let thera read
and believe this prayer. And indeed, unlefs peo-
ple do know how Chrift's heart ftatids aflefied to their
fiiivation, their hearts will never (land well aff^dted
tov;ards him, in their employing him for falvatioo.
A clear and (Irong perfuafioo of Chrift's hearty con-
cern in and about faving of finners, will make a poor
fmner hearty in trufting him with his own falva-
lion.
Of this I have been fpeaking from tliefe precious
words. The manner of this prayer I have fpoke to.
In the mauer of it i took up four things, i. The de-
fcripiion of the party he prays for : They whom thou
haft given me. 2. The blelTing he prays for to them :
That they alfo may he with me where I am. On this
part 1 obferved, i. That the peifed bitfs of believers
fiands in their being with Chrift zuhere he is, 2. ChrijTs
wi'l IS to have them poffefjed of this blifs. This latter
dc(!lrine 1 did lad day open and confirm ; and began
10 apply it in one inftance, of the debt of love to
Chfili that lies on all Chriftians.
I would now proceed to a more large application
of both the dot^rinesj and that ia four exhortations.
Exhort.
S £ n M . VIL the Loncpj Prayer. i ©5
Exhort, I. Is it not Chrlft's will to have all his
people 'with him where he is ? Then we are called to
admire this wonderful will of Chrift. This will hath
its caufes and fprings, as you have heard. But theie
are fo far from making it Jefs. that they indeed make
it more wonderful. For helping you to admire this
will of Chrill, 1 would give you a few things to confider.
1. Jefus Chrift knows himfelf beft. We hear thefe
words of Z'^/w^ with Chrift: but little do we know
what they contain and mean ; becaufe we know fo
little, who, and what Chrifi h. Bat Chrift knows
himfelf fully and pcrfefliy ; and therefore he knew
what a great blefTing he willed for his people, when
he uttered this fuit to his Father. It is the wife con-
ftituiion of God, that the knowledge of Chrid, and
the enjoyment of Chrifi, and the knowledge of that
enjoyment, are iafeparable. We alas ! know little
of Chrift, we enjoy little of him ; and therefore know
very little, what perfect enjoyment of him is. Bot
Chrift knew himfeif perfe£>ly, and what blifs his
company would be to his people. This is one thing
that may make ns admire this will of Chrift. As if
our Lord had faid, " My poor people know not fuU
•' ly wherein their greateft blifs confifts ; bat 1 know
** it well, and will to them."
2. Our Lord J.^fus knew beft where he was to be.
I told you where Chrift was when he made this his
will, even near the loweft ftep of his humbled ftate.
He was juft going to the garden of agony, and from
that to the death of the crofs. But he prays as if ia
heaven already. And W'ell did be know whither he
v/as going, and what a high and happy ftate himfeif
v/as going to, unto which alfo he meant to bring his
people ; as he commends it, and encourageth his dif-
ciples from it, in John xiv. 2, 3. But we, when we
pray for heaven, we pray in the dark. We pray for
a bleffing, that we do iiot know, but in a very fmall
part. See i Cor. ii. 9, 1 John iii. 2. If it were
poffible that any believer, out of heaven, did fully
kac¥/
104 Sermons concerning Serm. VIT;
know what heaven is, that man would either be as in
heaven, or would pray wonderfully for it. But well
did Chrift know what heaven was ; and therefore
prays for it unto his people.
3. Chrift knew well where his people were ; in an
evil world, ver. 11.; and what bad entertainment they
had, and were to have in it. In love and pity to
ihcm, .therefore he wills this blefled lodging for them
in heaven.
4. Chrift knew well what their frame of heart and
dcGres were. He knew what a heart he had put in
them ; that nothing lefs than being with him where
he was, could content, fatisfy, and make them hap-
py. Would you know, when Chrift begins to do
good to a poor firmer ? what is the firft thing Chrift
doth to one he miuds to fave ? It is plainly this : He
makes forh a ho'e in rhe man's heart, that nothing
but C/^rift and heaven can fill. None but Chrift, no-
thing bui be'ng with him where he is, can fatisfy
this man. Chrift's grace given, fpringeth up into e-
verlajling life^ Jobn iv. 14". And he that created
this fpiing, will neither divert nor ftop it. But as
their hearts, by his grace, fpring up to heaven ;
Chrift's heart, in this prayer, fprings up to that fame
everlafting life for them.
Exhort, 2. Love this blefled wilier. Love Jefus
Chrift, who wills to have all his people in heaven
with himfelf ; and love him for willing it. But fome
will fay, '* 1 know not that Chriit wills this for me.
*' If I did but know it, I would then love him.'' Anf,
I. Though you do not know it, you doubt not, but
he deferves thy higheft love. No darknefs as to
your interefl: in Chrid:, can difTolve the obligation of
duty to love Chiift, nor excufe thee from the fm of
not loving him. 2. All the devils in hell, or out of
hell, or in thy heart, cannot prove, that thou arc
one that Chrift hath no mind to hav« with him, If
any of them luggeft it, you have reafon to fay, they
lye, and cannot poffibly prove it, I will fuppofe thy
ftaie
Serm. VII. the Lord's "Prayer^ 105
flate to be as bad as thou imagines ; that thou hall
no light, nor knowledge, nor ground to believe and
hope that thou art in Chrift's will and prayer ; yea,
that thou haft many fears of the contrary, and appear-
ance of grounds for them. Yet it is certain, that it
is impoflible to prove, that Chrift hath no mind to
fave thee. 3. Is it not fome confiderable encourage-
ment to you, that it is certain that many jufl: fuch as
you, are in this will of Cbrifl: ? This prayer was put
up, and hath been oftentimes anfwered, for many
juft fuch as you be. There is not fo great a differ-
ence betwixt men in their natural ftate, as many ima-
gine. There is indeed fome difference in their out-
ward converfation. Some wander ftrangely ; and
fome are, by education, and rellraining common
grace, kept within tolerable bounds. But ftill as to
the fubftance of an unrenewed ftate, all in it arc alike.
They are fwine Jlill^ whether wafhedy or wallowing
in ths mire^ 2 Pet. ii. 22. till Chritt's grace change
them. 4. You that doubt that you are not in ChriiVs
will for glory, can you blefs him, and love him, for
willing falvaiion to (o many others ? It is a fad fuppo-
fition, I own. And 1 think it finful for any to lay if
down as to himfelf, that Chrifl hath no miod to fave
him. Yet fad fuppofitions laid clofe to the heart and
confcience, do fometimes produce and draw forth
fome good thing that lay hid in the heart. Let me
therefore argue with fuch. You fear, ^ or conclude,
that Chrilt haih no mind to fave you, that he hath
DO thoughts of love to you. Well. Though this
thought be finful in all fuch that daily hear the voice
of his love in the gofpel, 1 would lay to fuch, i. Is
it not righteous with him ? Do you not own that you
deferve not his love, and that you juflly deferve his
hatred? Proud quarrelling with his juftice, is very
unfuitable to a pleader for his mercy. 2. is not this
fad cafe very afflifling to your fouls ? Alas ! many have
bitter complaints in their mouths, when there is liule
(qq^q ia their hearts of that ihey complain of. Sure-
xo5 Sermons concermvg Serii. VII.
ly, there are ccmplaiuing hypocrites, as well as boafl-
iog hypocrites. 3. Is there any inclination ia your
fpirits to admire, love, and praife Jefus Chrid for fav-
iiig fo many ? I am perfuaded, (and that wiih good
warrant from Chrifl's gofpel), that perfon that ad-
mires Chrilt's grace in faving others, (hall never be
lofl: hirafelf. Yea, there is fome heavenly fire ia
x^^Y^fmoklngflaXy or wkk^ that tender-hearted Jefus
wll not quench^ Ifa. xlii. 3.; nor will he let the many
waters quench it, nor Jhall the floods drown, it^ Cant.
Tiii. 7. although they be the floods of hell.
Exhort. 3, Search and try whether you are in this
will ol Chrift. BlelTed be the Lord, that no man can
know that he is not ia Chrift's will ; yet any Ciiriftiaii
may know that he is in it. It is a matter of the vaft-
e(l concern, and calls for fuitable diligence, 2 Pet. i.
10. Chrift*s prayer, and Chrifl's blood, are of the
fame extent ; and both have an everlafting voice and
virtue. This prayer of our Lord*s was put up in the
fame night he was taken; and its force and virtue is
fiill as great as when it was tirft uttered. So it is with
the voice and virtue of his blood. It fpeaks to this
day as precious things as when he (bed it. Alas !
our prayers have but little virtue and force when they
are firfl put up, and that little is quickly fpent ; and
were it not for our Advocate with the Fat her ^ i John
ii. i» they would all come to nothing, and never be
more heard of. But It is fir (O how far I) ctuerwife
with Chrifl's prayers. They have infinite virtue
when firft put up, and that virtue is of eternal dura-
tion. Here we have our Lord praying to have all his
people with him where he is. His prayers were al-
ways heard : John xi. 41, 42. And Jefus lift up his
eyes^ andfa'id^ Father ^ I thank thee, that thou hafl
heard me ; and I knew that thou hcardfl me always^
And furely he waS heard in his lad and main prayer \
for his own glory, :ind his people's hUffednefs, in
this text. Chriit did all the Father's w .1, in working
cut the redemption of the elc6t 5 and tue Father will
do
Serm. VIT. the LorcPs Prayer, 107
do all the Sou's will, in giving the bleilings bought to
ihe redeemed. It is then of the higheft iraponaoce to
us, to know' we are in this will of Chrift, that always
is effe£led ; and in this prayer of his, that is, hath
been, and will furely be anfvyered. And^ for your
help in this inquiry about your intereft in CbriR's will
and prayer, I would look into this blefr:fd chapter,
and Chrift's prayer in it ; and from it (how you fome
marks of them Chrili: prays for; and let your confci-
ences judge of your intereftin them.
Mark I. Of them Chrlfl: prays for, is in ver. 6. /
have ?nanlfejQed thy name unto the men ivhich thou gav^
eft me out oj the zvorld. Would ye know if you be ia
Chrifl's prayer and will ? Then fee if Chrift harh ma-
nifefted to you the Father's name. It is his work, and
his only ; Matih. xi. 27. Ail things are delivered unto
me of my Father : and no man knoiveth ihe Son but the
Father : neither knozveth any man the Father^ fave the
Son^ and he to tuhomfoever the Son will reveal him.
Now, what is the Father's name ? Many think they
know it, to whom Chrift never revealed it. Ifyoii
alk them, if they know Chrift's Father's name ? they
have a ready anfwer, Is he not the firfl: perfon in the
Trinity ? Is he not God the Father, the Almighty,
the Maker and Ruler of heaven anu -earth? Ye?,
But this is the name of God only, and that in gener-
al. The name of Chrift's Father, is that name and
difcovery of God wherein he ftands related to the
Son, and the Son to the Father, with the power
and virtue of this name; as in ver. 26. of this chapter.
And I have declared unto them thy name^ and will de-
clare it : that the love wherewith thou hafl loved me^
may he in them^ and I in them. In comparing ver. 6.
and ver. 26. I would remark two things, i. One
is in Chrift's way of his expr efiing his work in reveal-
ing his Father's name to his people. In ver. 6. it is,
/ have manifefled ; in ver. 26. it is, 1 have declared
thy natne. But though there be fmall difference ia
the Englifh, there is a confiderable one in the Greek ;
Vol. II. P as
Io8 Sermons concerning Serm. YII.
as any acquainted with the original do koow. I ne-
ver looked on the infcriprion ou ChriiVs crofs, writ-
ten by his enemies, in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin,
as a warrant to preachers of Cbrifl's gofpel to (luff
iheir fermons with Ihreds of thofe, or any frrange
tongues; nor that criticifms on the words in the ori-
ginal languages are proper for the pulpit : and if rb.e
preachers had as little pleafure in them, as the peo-
ple have profit by them, they would be quickly laid
alide. Bur fometimes the penury of the vulgar
tongue doih not anfwer the fulnefs of the original ;
and in that cafe it muft be fuppjied by farther expli-
cation ; as in thefe two verfes before, in ver, 6. and
Ter. 26. In v^r. 6. our Lord tells the Father, that
he had manifefhd his name to tliein ; in ver. 26. that
he had declared his name to them. A{> the words rua
in the EngTiiii, they feem to us to be much the lame ;
but as in the Greek, there is a remarkable difl'erencc.
In ver. 6. Chrift's manifefling the Fathers name to theniy
refpccTts the clear and glorious difcoveries Chrift had
made to them of the Father's name in and by Chrifl^s
incarnation, woids, and works, la ver. 26. his de'-
claring to them the Father"* s name^ refpe6ls the light
and knowled'v«: of the Father's name, which Chrifl
had wrought, and was farther to woik in them. The
manifefling^ fpeaks the difcoveries of his Father's
name that Chrift made to them ; the declaring ir,
fpeaks lonh the iruit of the former in bis difciples.
It is as if he had faid, ** 1 have made thy name known
** to them, I have made ihem know thy name ; and
*' ihcy do know it;" as he faith, ver. 25. 2. Ano-
ther remark 1 make in comparing ver. 6. and ver. 26.
is this. That the fruits and elTc(fls are the fame in both.
Wiiatevcr dilTerence there is in the words expreiTing
ihis work of Chrift, the fruit produced thereby is the
fame. In ver. 6. the fruit is faid to be in two. i.
^hey have kept thy word ; exprefiiog their faiih and
ob( dience. 2. Noiv they ha-ve known that all thinjrs
'whatfocccr thou hajl green mt^ are oj thee ^ ver. 7. " My
*' perfoa
SsRM. VII th^ Lord's Prayer. 109
« perfon, my callmg, my furniture, my words and
« works, are all of ihee/' This they knew. And
it feeras to relate to what they fay, chap. xyi. 29, 30.
In ver. 26. the fruit of Chris's dechrtrig the Father s
name to them, is faid to be, That the love wherewtth
thou ban loved me, may be in them, and I in them.
The Father's name is a fpecial difcovery ot the love
of the Father unto his Son firft, and then through
the Son unto periftiing finners. See if you have had
any i\xxng of this. Chrift teacheih the Father s name,
and the Father teacherh Chrift's name by his Splint
when he draws men : John vi. 45. Every man that hath
heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Mark 2. Is in ver. 8. (And it is a fad thing it peo-
ple cannot find their own name in no part of this pray-
er) • And I have given unto them the words which thou
Zaveflme. Search if Chrift hath given you any of
his words. He hath the tongue of the learned f^ora the
Father, Ifi. 1. 4. and ufeth it on all he favetb. We
are faved by words ; not by the words which men
fpeak, but which Chrid fpeaks : John vi. 68. Lord,
to whom fhall we go f Thou haft- the words of eternal
Me, So here Chrift f^mh, " I have i)^^^^'^'^^^'^''^l
« words of love, . and life, and power." Hath Chrilt
at no time fpoke to your heart, fo as you have been
made to fay, This is the voice cf my beloved ; as Cant.
ii 8.? Men mud hear Chiift's voice, before they o-
pen the door to him, Rev. iii. 20. His voice makes
the dead to hear, and live, John v. 25, 26.
Mark 3. Of one in Chrilt's prayer, is in ver. 14.
16. Such are not of the world, as Chrift is not ot
the world. They are in the zvorld, but not of it ; as
the apoftle diftinguiftieth, i John ii. 19- fpeakmg ot
apoftates. They were for a while in the church, and
with it ; but never of it, as appeared by their apoftaly
from it. Oar Lord was in the world, as never any
man was. He was in the world, and the world^ was
?nade by him, and the world knew him not, John 1. lo.
The woild knew neither its Maker, nor Saviour. His
P 2 people
110 Sermons concerning Serm. VIT,
people are in the world, but not of it. They have
\ic\i\\tv the /pint of the world, i Cor. ii. 12. nor their
heart on it, nor their treafure and portion in it,
Matib. vi. 2t. There is fomething fown and planted
in their hearts, that came from another world than
this, and draws them to heaven as their home; and
this world is but their paiTage and thoroup^h-fare un-
to it. Are your hearts on heaven, and oil this world ?
Conclude you are in Chrid's prayer and v;iil.
Mark 4. Chrift prays for believers on him, ver. 20.
Every one that can make out his faith in Chrift, may
Jay claim to this prayer, (though he be but a weak
believer), and to an inrerelt in it.
5. LaJJlyy I {hail give one mark in general from
the whole prayer. Can you fay Amen to all of it ?
Can you fet your feal and A nen of falih and love to
all that Chrifl prays for here? a hearty Amen to all
Chrifl: prays for his own glory, and the happinefs of
his body the church P Do you daily defire with the
heart the fame things that Chrifl: here prayed for,
efpecjally as to this ver. 24. ? When you hear Chriii's
defire of having his people with him where he is,
doth your heart echo to it, " I would, O that 1 were
*' with thee where thou art !" if it be fo, you have
part and ponion in this good matter. If Chrift's will
and thy will jump together for the fame blefling, then
srt thou in Chrifi's prayer and will ; and there will
be 2 performance of the Lord, when he fliall get all
bis will on thee, and thou all thy defires from him.
Exhort^ 4. Believe on this blelTed wilier of filvati-
on, and on ihis will. You are not calKd at firlf to
believe your inif.rcfl iu Chrifl, and in his will ro fave
you in particular : but you are, on the peril of your
fouls, to triift this Saviour with your falvation ; and
the rather, becaufe of his declared ability and good-
will to fave. Saving faith in Chrifl, is not a bare
affent unto any propofition of truth concerning Chrift
the Saviour ; for that is but an a^^ of the miind, and
it is in devils and in many ungodly men : but it is an zCt
of
Serm.VII. the Lord*s Prayer. ill
of the heart on the perfon of the Saviour, Men helkv^
with the heart unto rtghteoufnefs^ Horn. x. 9, \o. it is
a truft on this divine perfon, as revealed to us by his
names in the gofpel. So faith is called fo oft helie-
ving on his namey John i. 12. i John iii. 23. There
is one name of Chrift in Ifa. Ixiii i, I that f peak in
right eoufnejs, mighty tofave ; where we have a taking
defcription of the obje(51: of faiih. All he fpeaks is
true ; and you may truft him, and take his word.
And he can do all, any thing, every thing, in and
about falvation, that a fmner can need to be done.
He is mighty tofave. Never did a fianer perifli thro*
Chrift's want of might to fave. Remember thefe two
names of Chrift in all your employing of him about
your falvation. The truth of his faviag word, and the
might of his faving arm, ought never to be out of
the eye of faith. How ftrong would faith grow in us
if our faith did duly fix on both P
There is one fcriprure I would open a little to you
to this purpofe. It is a place well known, (O that it
were as well ufed!), in i Tim. i. 15, This is a faith'
ful faying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jefus
Chrift came into the world to fave finners, of zvhom I am
chief . A text that ought to be in the memory and
heart of every Chriftian. There are three things ia
it that I would glance at, to fnow you what I drive
at in prelTing you 10 believe on this greac wilier of e-
ternal life co his people. Here you have three things.
I. The fum of the gofpel : Chrijl came itito the world
to fave finners. 2. Here is the commend^non of the
gofpel : It is a faithful fay ivg^ and worthy cf all ac*
ceptation, 3. Here is the believer's application of the
gofpel : Of whom I am chief
I . We have a fum of the gofpel : ChrlJ} Jefus
came into the world to fave firmer s. In this fhort fum
we have three things, i. His name who is the Savi-
our, Jefus Chrifi^ the Son of God, It looks rather
like the devil's gofpel, than God's gofpel^ that hath
not Chrift's name in it. 2. What this Saviour did t
ir2 Sermcns concerning Serm. Vlf.
He raTije into the world. Never did man come into the
^koT\C\ bii: Jcfus Chrifb. The fiin: man and woman
Vvcre made i:i the world by their great Miker; and
a'J their pofterity are born in the worlds as Chrifl calls
ii^ John xvi. 21. Only Chriit came into the world*
^-:.nd this word comprehends, not only his incarnation,
but ail the work he did in the world, and all ihe en-
tertaiomcnt he met with from God and man, angels
and dcvilj, when he was in the world. 3. His er-
rand and bufmefs he came into the world for and u-
poll : To fave finners, A flrange errand, and a hard
Work I if there had been no fmners in the world,
Chrifl had had nothing to do in the world. They
therefore that deny themfelves to be Tinners, they do
what ihcy can to turn Chrill: out of his ciHce of a Sa-
viour. He came D(^t to condemn the world, for that
was pad already, John iii. 17, 18.; neither did he
co7ne to judge the worlds John xii, 47. ; but to fave
the world. For at his fecond coming he will judge the
ivorldy A(51s xvih 31. There was never a finlefs man
in the w^orld, but the firft and fecond Adam. The
firft-vvas fuch for a litde time, and by his fall made all
the world finners. The fecond man^ the Lord from hea-
'vcn^ (as I Cor. xv. 47.), was always Iblefs ; and by
the facrifce of himfelf^ put away fin ^ Heb. ix. 26. and
faved fmncrf. How frequently did he alTerr, and
prove it by word and deed, that this was his errand
into, and his bufmefs in the world ? How frequently
did his enemies, the fcribes and Pharifees, (lumble at
hisperfon, doflrine, and kindnefs to finners; and that
becaufe they neither knew him, nor his errand into
the world ? If he was gracious to fiiiners, they call
him iH friend of puUicans and finners, Matth. xi. 19. ;
if" he torgave a fmner, as Maiih. ix. 2. they fay, he
blaffhemeth. When the great fmner approacheth him
vith faith and love, Luke vii. 39. even his hoft, that
was no open enemy, (fince he invited Chrifl to his
houfe and table), yet he J pake within hinfelf fuyingy
^bis many if he were a prophety woiild know ivhoy and
what
Serm VII. the Lord's Prayer. 115
what manner of woman this is that ioucheth him : for
fie ts a firmer. And belike he ihoughr/if Chiiil had
known it, he would cot hsve fullered her to do fo.
Poor maQ ! he doubted ChrilVs being a Prophet ; but
he had no thought of Chrid's being God's great High
Prieft. Brethren, Chrift is not changed from what
he was when he was in this world, now he is in hea-
ven. He hath the fame kind heart to fmners, and the
fauie bufme s with them, to fuve them. And the
v;orld is not changed from what it v/as when he was
in it. Chiift's aas of grace to fmners, from the Fa-
ther's right hand, are as much mahgned by fuch as
are ignorant of him, and enemies to him, this day,
as what of this fort he did on earth, (when he wa^ m
their ftreets, fields, and houfes), was mai'gned and re-
proached by the fcribes and Pharifees. Men change
in every age ; but the feed of the ferpenr, the chil-
dren of the devil, and the fpirit of unbelief, never
changes. And all that hath been, is, or (liali be, la
the world, of this enmity to Chrift's grace to fmners,
flows from mens grofs ignorance of Chriil's main bu-
finefs in the world.
Now, this was Chriil's errand into the world, to
fave finners. Bat how doth he fave them ? Some
fay, by ihewing them the way of falvation, and by his
dodrine, and by his example. The devil faid this of
Paul and Silas, iVfts xvi. 1 7. '^hefe men are thsfervants
of the moji high God, which fljew unto us the way of
falvation. But who can think, that God fent his own
Son, and that the Son came into the world, to do no
more, than a prophet, an apofile, or an ordinary
gofpei-minifler, do:h, or can do ? Some will tell you,
that Chrift faves anners,by teaching and helping thera
to fave themfelves. What a grofs perverting of the
gofpel is this I How plain is it, that Chrift came not
to help us to fave ourfeives, but to fave us by him-
felf P He alone did all the work^ and he alone was
able to do it. And the glory of laving is fo rich a
jewel in Chrift's crown, that no man, without pride
'^ and
114 Sermons concerning Serm. VIL
and blafphemy, can cder to wear it. To be the Sa-
"vionr of finners, is Chrifl's property ; and no creature
in heaven or earth, can (hare m it. The holy angels
are humble adorers of this name, and all the redeenfied
of the Lord arc the happy partakers of the virtue of
this name of ChriiT, llev. v. 9,--- 14. The Papifts
will tell you, that Chrift faveth finners indeed by his
death ; but that all the application of the virtue of
his death he hath left with the church ; that he left
Peter to be the head of the church ; and that Peter
left his power with his fuccelTors, the bifhops of Rome.
And, by ihofe delullons, Antichrifl: hath ufurped
Chrift's throne of falvation, and hath deceived the
world, and damned it ; and, inftead of faving finners,
hath been dejlroying the faints of the mofl high Gcd.
Nothitjg but the wrath of God on defpifers of Chrid
and bis gofpel, would have brought in, and kept up
fo loEg this abomination of defolation, 2 Theff. ii. 10,
12, 12. Rev. xiii. 8. and xvii. 8. But what faith
Chrill, and the apoflles, about Chrift's faving finners ?
How plain is it, that he, and he alone, and by him-
felf, doth all ?
2, We have the commendation of this gofpel : This
is a faithful faying^ and worthy of all acceptation.
I, The gofpel is d, faying, a report^ Ifa. liii. i. Rom.
X. 16. But it is a tejlijuony oj God, 1 Cor. ii. i.; a
record of God, i John v. ! o, i f . Faith comes by hear^
ingoi it, Rom. x. 17. t and is built on this divine fay-
ing. 2. It is -^faithful faying ; becaufe it is the rC'
cord that God giveth of his Sen, i John v. 10. ; and it
is given by him that cannot lye, Heb. vi. 18. Tit. i. 2.
3. This faithful faying is worthy of all acceptation. And
this extends to all perfons j all aad every finner ihould
accept it : and alfo to the acceptation itfelf ; it is wor-
thy of all manner of acceptation ; of all fort?, de-
grees, and meafures of acceptation. No man is ex-
cepted, and no fort of acceptation is excluded. No
man can exceed in his accepting of this faying. So
that the apoftle commends the gofpel by two things,
that
Serm. VIT. the LorcTs Frayer. 11$
that commend any faying of God or man. i. It I5
true ; and any roan may trud ir. 2. It is good ; and
every man fhould accept it,
3. We have the application of the gofpel : Ofwhrn
lam chief. You and I make no doubt but that Paul
was, when he wrote this, one of the greateft belie-
rers in Chrifl that ever was ; and that from that faiih
he was one of the holieft men on earth ; and that
from both he was one of the humbleH: faints; (as
flrong faith, and true holinefs, never fails of produc-
ing this efFe£^) : and therefore he faith, Of whom I
am chief. He had faid juft before in verfe 14. Ths
grace of our Lord Jefus Chrifl was exceeding abundant^
with faith and love, which is in'Chrip J^fiis, Yet
for all this grace he counts himfelf the chief of fin-
,ners. Why doth he fay fo ? Surely, becaufe he
thought fo. But why did he think fo? I may fay,
Paul would never forget his own name, chief Jlnner,
though he was not a condemned, but a pardoned Tin-
ner. But wherein lieth the force of this way of his
applying the gofpel to himfelf thus I The faying is
general, Chrift came into the world to fave jinfiers.
How could be fay, Of whom I am chief f Did Chriit
come into the world to fave. al! finners ? No : Joha
ix. 39. And Jefus faid^ For judgment (or difcriininci"
tiori) I am come into this world : that they which fee
noty might fee ; and that they which fee, (that think
they fee)j might be made blind. Like what Simeom
faid of Chrifl^ in Luke ii. 3^. Behold, this child is ft
for the fail and rifing again of many in Ifrael ; and
I Peter ii. 7, 8. Are all finners alike P No. Weil
• did Paul know it, who judged himfelf to be the great-
eft of finners. But Paul applies it to himfelf warranr-
ably thus, as any other (inner may. " Becaufe Chriii's
*^ bufmefs in the world is to fave finners, ttiough I be
*' the chief of finners, I am but a finner ; and greater
*< or fmaller finners are all one to Chrift ; his errand
" is for both forts, and his faving fkill is for both
« forts. Ail diieafcs are alike to Cbrifl's art. All.
VcL,IL % «cf
Ii6 Sermons concerning Serm. VII,
** of them are defperate, and incurable to any, but
" Chrilt ; and all alike curable by him." Would
you know, then, by the example of this great fmner,
by the praflice of this great believer, and by the teach-
ing of this great apoiile Paul, (whofe heart and pea
was guided by the Holy (Thoft), what faith in Jefus
Chrilt is, and in what manner you fliould act it ? Then
do four things.
I. 'lake God's holy and righteous law, and read ir,
and think on it with tairh and fear, and fign it. Study
it in a clear light ; and bring it "r^ your confcience,
and your confcience unto ir. When God's law, with
is fpiritual light and power, and your confcience meet
together, it will fare with you as it .did with Paul,
Km. vii. 8, 9. Without the law Jin was dead. For I
was alive without the law once^ (and then he was dead
in fin) : but when the commandment came^ fin revived,
and 1 died. How could Paul be without the law, who
was fo zealous a Pharifee ? 1 may fay, he was indeed
bufy with the law, but the law was not bufy with
him. Ht fought righteoufnefs and life by the law;
and little dreamed, that fin and death would come u-
pou him, when the law came to him. Now, when
you and the law meet thus, feal to the law and fub-
fcribe your name, •*''l am the chief tranfgreflor ol" this
*• law;'' as Paul doth i^ Horn. vii. 12, 14 Wherefore
the law is holy^ and the commandment holy, and jufi^
and good. For we know that the law is jpnitual : but
I am carnal^ fold under fin. The tniiy convinced [in-
ner thinks we!l oF God^s law, whil« he thinks word
of hi'nfelf. Vic fpeiketh not evil of the law, norjudg-
eth the law^ James i» 1 1. when he judgeth and con-
demns hiiv.felf. One of thefe is in the hean of every
finner ; He either condemns God's law for i(g llricl-
nefs, (as the wicked fervant did his lord and maier,
Matth. XXV. 24.); or he condemns himfelf for his (ia-
ful breaking of it. And if a finner's convi^lion be not
found and thorough, then the poor finner's heart is
divided ; and his fraa^e is made up of relleding, partly
oa
Serm. VII, the LorcTs Prayer, 1 17
on the ftriftnefs and righteoufnefs of God's law, and
partly on ibme of his own breaches of it. But fuch a
man is far from fealing the law with Paul's oanic,
the chief ofjinners, Way, he can name and call iTKUiy
others, greater (inners than himfelf, as the Pharifee
did, Luke xviii. 11. : not like the publican, *t^r r^»
who, in his plea for mercy, calls himfelf, me the Jin-
Tier, (fo it (hould be read) ; ** me the great, the fui«'
•' gular (inner j" the fame word, another Pharifee
called the forgiven believer by, Luke vii. 39. If there .
be therefore any allowed grudge againfl God's law,
and a readineis to judge other finners greater finners
than yourfelves, you are not like to write after Paul's
copy-
t. Next, turn to the other (i^t of the Bible, the
gofpcl ; and fign the. fame name, chief of finners^ to
it alfo : Chrift came into the world to fave finners. The
greater the ficaer be, the greater is his need of a Sa-
viour; and the faving of the chief of fmners, brings
the chief honour and glory to the Saviour. Therefore
doth Paul both feal to the truth of the gofpel-faying,
and to its being worthy of all acceptation : he believes
it, and welcomes it, as chief of finners. And fo mud
you, if you believe to the faving of the foul. Tho'
there be greater and fmaller fius and finners ; yet no
man ever did, or can believe, as a little fmner. Leafl^
and lefs than the leafl of all faints^ we find in a great
faint's mouth, Eph. iii. 8. But never did any true
faint either think or call himfelf a little finner. For
as no man that feeth fin truly, can call any fin fmall or
little; fo DO man that feeth himfelf to be a iinner
really, can count himfelf a fmall or little fmner. Nor
can it ever be, till there be a little law to break, a
little God to offend, a little guilt to contra(5l, and a
little wrath to incur. All which are impoiTible to be,
blafphemy to wifti, and madnefs to exped:.
3, Would ye put forth and a£^ faith on Jefus Chrift?
Come to Jefus Chrlft on the fame errand he came Into
the world fore He came into the wcrld to fave fm-
2 Qers ;
ii8 Sermons concerning Serm. VII.
re.rs; come to Chrifl to be faved by h-ira. This is
believing. Chrifl: came into the world, to get glory
to his grace in faving Tinners ; and the believer conties
to Chrift, to give Chrill" employment in his calling of
I'aviag, and to get the benefit of his calling. A fin-
rer's giving of Chrill employment in his office of fac-
ing is proper believing. The phyfician came for the
iiclc, to heal them ; and the fick feek to the phyfician,
that he may heal them, Match, ix. 12, 13. The great
and good Shepherd of the Jheep (as he is called, John
X. II. and Heb. xiii. 20.) came to feek andtofave that
•which zvas lof}^ Luke xix, 10. When he hath found
ihem, and caught them in the arms of his love, and
iayeih them oa the Ihculders of his care and (Irength,
as in Luke xv. 4, 5. ; then they by faith, bleat, as it
"^'ere, aft'^r his care and prote(rtion, till he bring thern
fafe into the bleffed fold m heaven, John x. 16. You
may hear the bleffed bleating of one of Chrift's flock,
Pfalm cxix. 176. / have gone a fir ay like a lofl fheep^
(iS all his flock have done, Ifa. liii. 6.), fetk thy fer-
vant. And furely, when the fliepherd feeks the flray
fheep, end the ftray flieep feeks ihe fhepherd, they
will quickly meet. If. Chrill come into the world to
fcivs iinners, and if flnners come to him, to be faved
by him, he will fave them, and they fhall be faved by
him.
4. haflly^ When you have given employment to
Chrift in his ofiice of faving, leave it to him, and truft
it wiih him. Are we commanded to cafl our bur-
den upon the Lord^ Pfalm Iv. 22. ? to cafl all our care
vpon him^ i Fcter v. 7. ? May we not, mufl we not
capL our main care upon him ? And is not the keepin-r
of cur fouh our main care, 1 Peter iv. 19.? If we ca(t
this care on Chrifl, mull not we truft him quietly with
it? It is a great, but common fault with many Chrifli-
ans ; ihey fay ihey cafl their care upon him, when yet,
through unbelief, the)', keep the burden flill on them-
fclves. Kcmerubcr, that on thy caftiog thy burden
on
Serm. VII. the Lorffs Prayer. iif
on the Lord by faith, if he take it not quite oiFthce,
he will either take oiFthe weight of thy burden, or he
will make it as wings to thee in thy journey to heaven.
How many can fcal to this in their experience ? Had
tliou with thy heart committed thy greated care of
thy falvation to Jefus Chrilt ? Then fay in* thy heart,
" My main care is over; I have pat it in a good,
" ftrong, and fure hand." See how Naomi faith to
Ruth, chap. iji. i8. Sit down my d^iughtery until thou
knew how the matter will fall : for the man will not
be inrefl^ until he hath finijhed the thing this day.
So fay I, Sit down quietly, and with confidence :
leave the care of thy falvation on Chrift, for that is
his province ; and fet about the work of thy falvati-
on, for that is thine, wherein alfo he will help thee,
Phil. ii. 12, 13. When you are once come to Chrid,
all your remaining duty is to abide in him, and bring
forth fruit, John xv. 4, 5. But it is indeed a large
one.
But, alas ! for as plain as the call of faith is in the
gofpel, there are two thoughts in mens hearts that
defeat all, and fend thoufands of gofpel-hearers unto
hell. I. Some do not, will not believe, that they
are fmners. Who think fo ? may ye fay. I anfwer.
All the fecure world do think fo. They may fay,
that they are fmners, as all are ; and it may be fome
profane lips may fwear it, as in that idle affeveration,
Js I am afmner. Bur do they know what it is to be
a fmner ; what dreadful vilenefs is in a fianer ; what
a lothfome creature every fmner is in God's fiHu ; and
what wrath hani^s over their heads, which will furely
fall on them, unlefs mercy prevent it ? Do men be-
lieve this as to themfelves in particular ? No, furely ;
as is undeniable by their backwardnefs to fearch their
hearts and ways, their enmity againft the fearching
light of God's word, and by their rebelling againft a-
ny glances of light that force in themfelves upon their
conscience. They believe cot that they are loft, un-
done
1 2 o Sermons concerning S e R M. VIT;
done Tinners : and they cannot endure to be perfuaded
of io plain and damnable a condition. They will not
own rhemfelves to be fick, though a fovereigQ phyli-
cian is at hand.
2 Even thefe, when awakened, or others to whom
their being Tinners is difcovered with divine light and
power, cannot be perfuaded, that Chrifl hath any
buTinefs with them, or that they fhould make applica-
tion to him. Mod of awakened (inners fay and think,
much as the devils did, Mark v. 7. What have I to
do with thee^ Jefus^ thou Son of the mojl high God?
I adjure thee by God^ that thsu torment me not, I may
fay, that the devil hath better caufe and leTs Tin in
faying fo, than an awakened Tinner : for Jefus Chrifl
came into the world to Tdve Tinners ; but he came al-
fo to deflroy the works of the devily 1 John iii. 8. To
awaken a feciire Tinner's confcience, and to Tpeak
peace to an awakened conTcience, are proper and
mighty works o' God.
1 would copciude at this time, with a few exhorta-
tions 10 forae dunes of believers, from this doflrine
of Chrift's willing of eternal life to all his people.
I. Mourn moderately for the death and departure
of believers out of this world. They are well where
they are, and far better than they were when here,
Phil. i. 23. ; and we (hall quickly meet again, in a
far belter world than this. This lad is the apoftle's
argument to the fame duty, i ThefT. iv. 13, 14. Yea,
this Chrifl: himfclf ufeth in comforting his difciples, in
their forrow for his own death, John xiv. 2.3. And
furely Chrift's death v/as a more trying providence to
his difciples, than ever any, or many, or all Chriili-
ans death, can be to us. If the glorified fpirits of
faints above did hear and know the mournings of their
friends whom they have left behind ; would they not
fay, as Chrift going to die faid, Weep not for uSy but
for yourfehes, and for your children f Luke xxiii. 28.
(Chrift had ilill a kind heart to children, and expref-
fed
Serm. VII. the LorcTs Frayer. 121
fed it when going to the crofs). They would fay,
*' Fools, do ye mourn for us, who are got beyond
*« mourning P You will never be well, till you be with
" us. You are but mourning over the rotten rags of
** mortality, that we have call off. You are but mourn-
*^ ing over our tent, while we are in the King's palace.
*' We could not be in both at once. Judge which is
" bcft. You are mourning over our grave when it
** is empty, as they did over the empty grave and
** grave- cloaths of our Lord, when he was rifen, and
*' alive for evermore," John xx. 5, 6, 7. and Match,
xxviii.
2. Pray moderately and modeftly for the lives of
believers. We (hould pray for their lives; we ihould
thankfully own the Lord's mercy to them and us,
when he anfvvers our prayers, as Phil. ii. 27.: but
yet we muft pray with deep fubmiffion. It may be
that Chrift in heaven is defiring at that time to have
them v/ith him where he is, when we on earth are
praying, that they may be kept with us where we are*
3. Learn to look Cbriftian-like on your own death.
Learn both to kifs death as a friend, and to defy it
as an enemy, i Cor. xv, ^^, 56, 57. ; and to triumph
over it, as conquered and deftroyed by Chrift, Heb.
ii. 14. and aboiiftied by Chrift, 2 Tim. i, 10. You
all know you muft die. It is a more common than
godly word with many. As fixre as deaths I would
not have men talk much, when they think little, of
death. - Nor ought any think of dying, and going
hence, without thinking whither they are going. But
for believers, you know that death is that dark trance
that you muft pafs ^rough, in order to the fulfilling
this prayer of Chrift. You muft ceafe to be where
you are, before you can be with him where he is.
This w^orld, and your condition in it, muft be mean
and k)W in your eyes ; and Chrift's world, and that
condition in which you ftiall be, when in it, muft be
high to your faith, ere you can look on goiig hence,
without amazement. Therefore climb by iaith, as
to
121 Sermons concerning Serm. VII,
to the top of Pifgah, and take a large view of this
good land of glory ; as the type of it, Canaan, was,
at God's command, beheld by Abraham, Gen. xiii.
14, 17. though he was but a pilgrim in it, and
did not poiTefs it, bat in his feed ; and as it was be-
held by Mofes, Dent. iii. 27. xxxii. 52. and xxxiv,
I, — 4.; though the fight of it was all, and pofTeflica
was denied him. But it is not fo wiih us, as to the
true Canaan. All that behold it. by faith, ihall pof-
fefs it ; and this makes the beholding of it to be the
more fweet to us.
I have commended this fcripture to. you, in i Tim.
i. 15. fpecially to help and dire£l you in the work of
faith. That which we (hould daily a«5t, and that
which we live by ; that we (hould daily hear of, aud
that without wearying. As Chrilt ha«h no other bu-
fmefs in the world, but to fave finners ; fo finnerj
{hould have no other bufioefs with Chrift, but to be-
lieve on him. Remember and believe this truth,
There is no thing a man can do with Chrifl, there is no-
thing a man can do for Chrift, that can either pleafc
Chrift, or profit the man, except he firft truft Chrift
for falvatioQ. The faith and truft of the heart on
him for falvacion, is the main fervice, and the fiift,
he craveth. If a man (hall pretend to worfhip, to o-
bey and ferve, yea to love Chrift, and fuffer for him;
yet if he do not truft Chrift by faith, all is a provo-
cation to Chrift, and all is unprofitable to the man*
Believe this, you can do nothing that will pleafe him,
or fave you, but truft in him. And if this faith were
more diligently a<fted, all the blelTed fruit of peace
within, and fan£tlfication, and holy walkiog, and pa-
tience in tribulation, wouj^ exceedingly abound ia
you, 2 Their, i. $, 4.
SERMON ^
S^iRM. VIII. the Lord^s Prayer^ 125
SERMON VIII.
John xvii. 24.
Father^ I will that they alfo whom thou hafl given mcy
be With me where I am ; that they may beheld 711 y
glory which thou hafl given me : for thou lovedjl nn
before the foundation cf the world •
I Have fpoke ro the firfl: two things in the matter
of Chrift's prayer in this verfe* i. His naming
of the perfons he prayed for : Thofe which thou haft
given 7ne. 2. His name of the biefTing he prays for
to ihem : That they may alfo be with me where 1 anu
Chrift would not be in heaven alone ; he cannot be
v/ithout his ranfomed ones. He had fent many to
heaven by his grace, before he came into the world,
A£is xy. II. He hath been fliii drawing muhitudes
cf them, fmce he went back to heaven, John xii. 32,
-And he will fbortly return again from heaven, to ga-
ther them all and every one, in foul and body, a-nd
carry them all home to his Father's houfe, John .hiv,
2.3,
It follows to fpeak of the third thing in the matter
of this prayer. And that is, The end for which Cbrifl
de fires this b I effing for thofe perfons. It is, That they
may behold ray glory zvhich thou hafl given me. Deep
words! and deeper matter ! Wrat is rendered., viy
ghry^ is in the original, the glory that is 7nine, wiih
a Ipecial emphafis. This being the main and d^epef^
thing in ihefe words, I muft icfift the more upon it.
There are three eiiprelTions in this prayer of
Chrid/s glory, i. In ven 5. The glory I had wiih
thtfe before the xvotld was. This ijc prayeth for. This
glory chat the Soa had from eieniity wiih ibe Fa-
Vox. /IL , ii thers
124 Sermons concerning Serm. VIII.
ther, was that glory which he Jiad as the eternal, na-
tural, and elTeniial Son of God, which far paiTeth
created underftanding But now this Son of God
had taken on man's nature, and in that nature had
done his work of redemption, and fulfilled his Fa-
ther's will and commifTion to him : (for our Lord
fpeaks as if he had done all, when it was fo near
fini(hing) : now, I fjy, when he is going again out
of the world to his Father, as John xvi. 28. he prays,
that he, as man, and fuccefsful Mediator, may be ad-
mitted to, and poiTtiTed of that glory, which he, as
the Son of God, from eternivV poffeiTed with the Fa-
ther ; and which was not interrupted, but vailed on-
ly, in and by his humbled (late on earth. But this
is too deep for us; but well underftood by him that
prayed for ir, and who hath been long polTelTed of it.
2. In ver, 22. We have another exprellion of
Chrift's glory : And the glory which thou gavefl me,
1 have given them. This is another glory than the
former. This was given to him by the Father, and
given to his people by the Son. It was given to him,
that it might be given to others by him ; as his re-
ceiving gifts for 7neny Pfal. Ixviii. 18. is called \\\s giv-
ing gifts to men, Eph. iv. 8. He received, that he
might give. And great is Chrift's glory, both in the
fulnefs he received, and in his giving, and our re-
ceiving out of his fulnefs. AWfulne/s dwelleth in hiniy
CoJ. i. 19.; and all the receivings of his people are
out of that fulnefs y John i. 16.
3. In our text we have the third cxprefTion of
Chrifl'ii glory. And it is fpoke of in three' words.
1. It is my glory ; '* mine fpecially and properly.**
2 \t h ?ny glory which thou hail given me, 3. It is
A glory to be beheld by his "people. And this is what
1 would fpeak unto.
This prayer of ChriH, that his people may behold
his glo^y, doth refpc6t ijiree things j which I would
firil dilpatch.
z. It
Serm. VIIL the Lord's Prayer. 125
1. It refpefrs Chrid's glory ia itfelf. It wants (if
I might fay fo) 10 be difplayed and feen. This Suk
cf Righteoufnejs (as he is called Mai. iv. 2.) wants a
dark world to (hine upon, and would have eyes to
look to his glorious light. He calls men to behold
him: Ifa. lx?i. I, 2. I J aid ^ Behold nie^ behold me^
unto a nation that was not called by my name. He at
lad will be glorified in his faints^ and admired in all
them that believe ; and be cometh in his glory for
that end, 2 Theff. i. 10. And all he doth in and for
his people, is, ver. 12. That the name of our Lord
Jefus Chrijl may be glorified in you^ and ye in him^ ac*
cording to the grace of our Gcd^ and the Lord Jefus
Chrifl, Wnai a vali difference is there betwixt the
glory that Chrift gives us, and the glory he gets from
us! We have nothing to give ; or if we had, and
gave, we can add nothing 10 his, glory; but he not
only gives to us, and adds to us, but he \% all in all
to us, Col. iii. II. Yet fo gracious is he, that if
you put a perifhing foul inro his hand to fave, if you
bring your vile fores to him to be healed, therein he
will be glorified. Chrilt is honoured in his calling
fpecially,
2. This word refpeils his people and their happi-
nefs, ISlot only is Chriil glorified in his people's be-
holding of his glory, but m this beholding of it they
are made happy. There was never a believer that
ever had fo large a faith, or a heart fo enlarged and
inflamed with love, as to be able fully to take up whac
warm love, and what a high and great deiign was in
our Lord's heart in putuog up this petition for them.
Believers on Jefus Chrift, make no doubt but that he
means v/ell tor you. Great things are deiigned by
him for you, and more than you can imagine, in this
prayer for you, that you may behold his glory when you
are with him where he is,
3. This word refoei^s the eternal work and em-
ployment of bis people, w^hen they are with hiai
where he is. If any aJk, "What fiiall they do .'* hov9'
K 2 fliall
i'i6 Sermons concerning S e r m . V III .
fhail they be employed through the ages of eternity ?
Chriil anfv/ers it here, Ihey Jhall behold my glory ;
v.'ork that ihey (hall never come to an end of ; work
they fh'ill never weary in ; and work that rhey (iiall
have as little mind to weary of, as they (hall have
caufe cr reafon to be weary in : for every view of
hi^s glory will dart ia fredi blifs unto the beholders
cf it.
There are two things to be difcourfed on from this
part of the text, i. What is the glory of Chrift giv-
en to him to be beheld in heaven ? 2. What is the
beholding of this glory by his people in heaven I
I fnall not enter on any of them this day ; but
^7ou!d prepare your hearts to think of them. Thefe
two queftions, What ChnjVs glory is? and, What the
vebolding of it in heaven is f are neither of them to
be fully anfwered in this life. Ciirid's glory would
be but a fmcill glory, if either the heart of man could
conceive it fully, or the tongue of man could exprefs
it till. If the glory that Chrift hath prepared for his
people be fuch as i Cor. ii. 9. how much more mud
Chrifl's own glory be ? There was a man as able to
tell as cvet any was ; and that was Paul. lie had
been long exerciled in the ftudy of Chrid", and in
preaching of him : yet he, when an old man, and in
bonds for Chriil, Epb. vi. 20. fpeaks thus, Eph. iii.
8. Unto me, zvho a?n le/f than the leajl of all faints^
is this grace given^ that I fhould preach among the
Gentiles the unfearchable riches cf Chnft, And lurely
the riches of Chrift are both thofe riches of grace and
glory that he is poffeiTed of, and the riches that he
cnricheth his people with here and in heaven. Is not
this a ftrange text ? and is it not a ftrange preaching
that is made on an unfearcbable theme .'' Yet for all
he knew, and for ail he taught, Chrilt's riches were
flill unfearcbable even to Paul ; though it is ju/t to
think, that he did dive deeper in them than any man
ftncc. Chrid's riches, in Paul's eyes, were like a
valt heap of gold, that no mau could count ; or like
the
Serm. VIII. the Lord*! Vrayer. 127
the vafl ocean, whofe drops none can meafure o"
tell: and Paul did preach them me better thai he
faw them to be onfearchable. But if this man (hould
be caoght up to heaven, and come again 10 the
earth, would be not be able to tell ftrange things
then P So it was with Paul, 2 Corinth, xii. 1,-7.
But what faith he of it? verfe 4, He heard unf peak-
able words y which it is ?2ct /awful for a man to utter.
Any Chriiiian may fafely think, that though there
be a vail call on thefe 'uiftons and reveiations of ths
Lord to Paul, as he calls them, verfe i. yet the raain
thing revealed, was the glory of Chrift. But it was
revealed in fuch a light, as was not fit to Ihinc en
earth ; and therefore the apoQle faith no more of ic,
but only teils us what he felt after it; both his great
danger, and his (harp cure, ver. 7, 8, 9.
Bat though Chriii's glory in heaven, and the be-
holding of it, be things within the vail, and cannot
be fully known by us till we be there j yet we muft
not lay afide ail thoughts and inqairies about them
while we are here. There are means and ways that
God hath appointed, that W'e (hculd ufe for knowing
them. By his bleffing fome knowledge of them is
got : and this knowledge is neceiTary to all, and of
great advantage to them that attain it.
I would therefore give you a few things more re-
motely about this great fubject.
I. There is a difcovery made to us in the word of
the glory of Chrift. And there only are we 10 Itudy
it. It is the glory of the vvritten word of God, that
the glory of Chrift is revealed in it, and to us only in
and by it. We mufl: not fludy to know Chrift, we
mud not fearch into his giory, but in that light. There
are three ways that fome ufe, that are vain and un-
profitable. I, One is, by the v/orks of God's crea-
tion and providence, Pfalm xix. 1,-7. Thefe do diA
cover plainly the being of God, and his eternal power
and godhead^ Rom. i. 20. and declare his wifdom and
goodnels. But nothing of Chilli's glory is, or can ba
learned
128 Sermons concerning Serm. VIII^
learned in and by the old creation. Such as talk of
a gofpel preached to the heathen by fun, moon, and
flars, give them an office their Creator never made
them for, or pat them in. And iF they that teach
fuch do<ftrme, pretend to be Chriftians, furely ihey
muft have both a lovir and a falle fcherae of the glo-
rious go/pel of the bujjed God, as it is called, i Tim.
i. II. 2. Another vi^ay is, by mens wifdom. That
noble power in man is quite dark, and dull, and blind,
about Chrill: and bis glory. It can do fomewhat in
its own fpLere and orb ; it can fearch into the earth
and mount up to heaven, and can contempJate God's
glorious works. But it can never find out Jelus Chrifl:
nor iee h's glory: i Cor. i. 20, 21. Hath not God
made fooltfh the zvifdoni of this world? for after that,
in the n'fJom of God, the world by w'lfdom knew not
Godj (that is, favmgly), it pleafed God by the foolifhnefs
of preaching to fqve them that believe. The gofpel is
the hidden wifdom of God in a my fiery, i Cor. ii. 7 ;
and cl]e fubftance of it, Chrift, is the main and great-
eft part of this my fiery, t Tim. iii. 16. Boih thefe
are weak, vain means to know Chrift by. 3. There
is another way, that is not only unprcfiiable, but wic-
ked ; and that is the way of Idolatry. And the whole
of Popery i^of this fort. They ufe many crafty de-
vices to difcover Chrift's glory to the blind people.
Ttiey have pi^lures of Chrift, as on the breafts, as
on the crofs, as in glory in heaven. But inftead of
making Chrift^'s glory known to men, they, by thefe
curfed devices, darken his glory, difgrace the Lord
Chrift, cruet fy him afrefJj^ and put him to an open
fhame.
The word of God then is the only light in which
Chiift's glory ihineih ; and in this only light muft we
inquire in!o it. In other matters, there are many
truths and things that are demonftrable by nature's
light, as well as they are affened iu the word of God,
But about Chrift and his glory, nature's I'ght, God's
works oi creation, and man's natural wifdom, can give
no
Serm. VIII. the Lord^s Prayer. 129
no help ; and therefore we fhould not call in their
aiTiilance. Ic is only God'-; word that can help in this
great inquiry, and it we fliould ufe.
2. The only eye wherewith Chrift and his glory
can be feen, is the eye of faith. The only meotal
eye by which the fpiritual glory of Chrifl: can only be
feen, is faith. Fait/j is fometinies oppofed xo ftght^
zs fight is taken for full f'njoymenr, 2 Cor. v. 7.; and
faith is fometimes exprefT^d hy fight ^ 2i% faith is a real
apprehending of its objcd; as Heb. xi. i, i^, 27,
2 Cor. iii. 18. and iv. 18. and in innumerable places,
both in the old and new teftament. And this eye is
limply needful, even where the light of God's word
iiiineth mod. The Jews had the old teftament ; and
yet knew not Chrifl, and faw no glory in him, as was
foretold of them, Ifa. liii. 2, 3. They faw him, and
yet believed not, but hated him. So it is with all
men to whom the gofpel cometh, until faith be given.
No eye but that of faith, can fee and take up Chrift
and his glory ; for two caufes. i. Chrift and his
glory is out of our fight now. And, 2. It is always
beyond the reach of any power in us, but faith given
by God. Chrift's glory did once pafs before mens
eyes ; but none faw it but believers, John i. 14. and
I John i. I, 2. Could any thing but faith take up
Ch rift's glory ^ as of the only begotten of the Father^
full of grace and truth f. Could any but a believer fee
him, and cali him eternal Itfe^ when he was made of
no reputation ? At the laft day Chrift and his glory
will make a great appearance,- when he comes in his
glory, and fit T on the throne of his glory ^ Matt. xxv. 3 f .
But at that day (though all the nations be gathered
together) there will be no faith, neither on his right
nor left hand. What a ftrange word is this? and
what a ftrange day will that be ? All the favcd will
have no faith, nor have wny n^ed of it, nor ufc of it.
Sight and love puts an end to tneir faith. And all the
damned fliall be no more unbelievers ; for fighc and
fear of Chrift's glory will eternally remove their un-
belief :
1 2 <5 Sermons concerning S e R m . VIII-
belief: Rev. i. 7. Behold, be cometh with clouds ; and
every eye jh all fee him^ and they alfo that pierced him :
and all kindreds of the earth jh all wail becaufe of him ;
even foy Amen. Bat from Chrifl's going to heaven,
till his return to juc^ge the world, fairh is the on-ly eye
that can favingly take np Chrifl and his glory.
3. This eye of faith is only of Chrift's giving. No
man is born with it ; it grow? up in no man by na-
ture; no means, nor roinifterj nor any creature, can
give it. It is only Chrifl's gift j it is by his Spirit,
Eph. i. 17, 18.; it is the fruit of his eyefalve^ Rev.
iii. 18. All men are darknef-, till made tight in the
Lord^ Eph. V. 8, There are two things aiwnys dov.Q
by Chrift together, when he works faiih. i. He
matjifefls and reveals himfelf, and, 2. Gives an eye to
fee him and his glory. No man can fee Chrift by his
own power, nor can he fee Chriit againfl Chrifl's
will : If he hide hhrfelf who then can behold him ! Job
xxxiv. 29. If the fun (bine, and the man have eyes,
and them opened, he doth and mufl fee, and never
until then.
^j. This eye of faith that Chrifl giveth, is of great
advantage and ufe to them that receive it ; as i John
V. 20. And we know that the Son of God is come, (how
do you know it P), and hath given us an underjianding
that we may know him that he is true ; (that under-
ilanding, and the knowing of Chrift, is faith) : and
we are in him that is true, even in his don Jefus Chrift,
This is the true God, and eternal Ifs. I would name
fome advantages that attend the gift of faith, to the
praife of the giver, and the profit of the receivers of
this gift.
jy?, The firft life comes in this way. VvThen Chrift
Works faith in the heart, the new life is begun in t])c
foul. The man that gets fairh, and is made a belie-
ver, hath everlafiing life^ and fh all not come into ccn^
dejunation ; but is faffed from death unto life. J jhn v.
24. : and this life is Iron) the hearing of the vsice of ti?e
6on
Serm. VIIT. the Lord's Fr a) er! I^I
Son of God ; and they that hear^ /hall live, verfe 25,
Chrid hath a voice to fend forth, that C3i5 make the
born deaf hear, and the dead live. But how is it ia
the a/tingof this faith wrought by Chi'ift ? We have
a notable place for this in John iii. 14, 15. And as
Mofes IJted w/> the ferpent in the wtldernefs, exsn fo
mufl the Son of /nan be lifted up : that whofoever beht^
veth in him^ JJjould not perijh^ hut have eternal life»
Our Lord is here teaching Nicodcmus, a weak but ho-
nefl beginner ; and he teacheth him wifely, and teach-
eih him great things. He teacheth the corruption of
nature, the abfolute neceffiiy of regeneration ; that
this regeneration is from the Holy Spirit of God, who
therein works fovereiguly, fccretly, and effeiflually.
He then preacheth himfelf to him, as he that came
down from heaven, and was in heaven, ver. 13. He
did not underdand Chrift's do£i:rine of regeneration :
Chrift puts him to greater myfteries about his perfon,
and his million from heaven. We may think, that
he that faid about the former, How can thefe things
be f might be more puzzled to know how Chrilt waar
to fave fmners, and how they were to life him foe
falvation. Both thefe Chrift teacheth him in ver. 14,
15. and more fully afterwards in that chapter to ver,
22. And this he doth by a type, that no Ifraelite
was ignorant of, tho' few maders in Ifrael did rightly
underiland it. The plain and full fenfe of it is this r
As Mofes (at God's command and appointment lifted
up the brazen ferpent in the wildernefs, that every
Ifraelite flung by the fiery ferpents, might look to it
and live, as in Numb. xxi. 6,— 9. ; fo Chrift, the Soa
of man is lifted up upon the crof?, that every fmner
llung by fm, and the curfe of God^s law, might look
to him by faith, and live for ever. The Ifraelites
were to ufe the lifted-up ferpent, by looking on it,
as the only ordinance of God for their healing ; and
were to ufe neither falve nor plaiiler for the fiery fer-
peni's deadly flings. So the flung finner mufl ufe a
crucified Chrid, as the only ordinance of God for life.
Vol. II. S and
152 SerTncns concermrtg Serm. VIII.
anrl eternal life ; and that life comes to him only by
tl^s look of faith.
idtyy a\\\ the believers growth and increafe in grace
and life, is by believing beholding of the grace and
glory of Chrift. When the apodle is exhorting to
growth in grace, as the fure prefervaiive againd apo-
flaf)/, 2 Peter iii. 18. he adds, Crow in the knouledge
of our Lord and Sa%^:our J ejus ChrijL As if he had
faid. ** ir ycu would grow in grace, you rauil alio
" grow in the knowledge of Chriil/' Yea, when he
3S fpeaking of the greatell attain ii.enis in grace, i Per.
i. 8. he iel!s this is rhe fruit of ihem ; T/pey make you
that yejhall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the know
ledge oj Qur Lord J ejus Chrip, Bui more directly Paul
teacheth us, how laiih advanceih the Chriftian in Xih
new life ; 2 Cor. iii. 18. But we all with cpen face^
beholding as in a glafs the glory of the Lord^ are change
ed into the fame image, from glory to glory ^ even as by the
Spirit of the Lord, We all : it is not only I Paid,
whom you may think frngnlaily priviledged ; but all
we, who, under the difper ft* tion of the gofpel, have
had the vail taken off our hearts and eyes, we all be-
hold the fame glory of Chrill, and with the fame fort
, of fruit. Though we do not all behold it in the fame
clearnefs and brightnefs, nor with the farr^e raeafure
of fiuit; yet all that do truly behold his glory, are
truly made comformable to him, if no likenefs to
Chrifl's image be wrought ia you, you make it to be
juflly fufpe^led, that it is either not the right Lord
you beh Id, or not the right eye you behold him with,
or ih'U Ic is not a right glafs you behold him in. For
where all three are right, the fruit of likenefs to Chrift
never faileth.
3 J/y, All the peace, and comfort, and joy of heart,
which believers have in this life, come in by believ-
ing beholding of Chrift^ and of his grace and glory,
Joy and peace fills the heart by belie vinvT, Rom. xv. 13.
'What can diflrefs a believer when Chrifl's glory is
feen J* and what cao quiet his heart, when a dark
cloud
Skrm. Vlil the Lord' s Prayer. 1 33
cloud and vail is on his glory ? No florra can be on a
Chriflian, and no fear can difc^uiet him fo, but that
word fpoke with Gh rift's power will comfort, Match.
xiv. 27. Be of gocd clyeer^ it is /, he not afraid. Thus
were they made to rejoice with joy unfpeakable and
full of glory^ who loved hijn, and believed on him they
had not feen^ 1 Peier i. 8.
So much for this fourth thing, That the eye of
faith and its exercife is of great advantage to a Chrif-
tian,
5. The beholding of the glory of Chrift by the eye
of faith, is the greatefl and furefl ted of mens ftate
that can be. They that have it, are true Chrifti*
ans ; for thus are they made fuch ; as i John v. 20,
They that never faw Chrift's glory, remain (fill in
the pit of condemoed nature, where darknefs and
death do rule..
6. and iafily^ The beholding of Ghrift's glory by
faith, as it is revealed in the gofpel, is a good help to
iinderfland what the beholding of his glory in heaven
is : for it is the fame Chrift, the fame glory of Chrid,
that is beheld in earth and in heaven. Only this glo-
ry ihines in another manner in heaven, and is beheld
' with another and higher eye than faith 5 though faich
is the bed eye, and the gofpel the bed glafs, on earth.
On this 1 would (hew how impoilibie it is, that an un-
believer that never faw Chrid's glory in the gofpel,
can have any right apprehenfion of the beholding his
glory in heaven.
17?, Confider what heaven is. The Lord of it tells
us, it is in being with him where he /r. Now, that
man that never knew what Chrid's company on earth
is, can never know what his company in heaven is.
Speak to him of heaven, as a date of red and hap-
pinefs, where no croffes, nor death, nor trouble, can
be ; this the natural man can know and relifti. But
Chrid's true heaven, and Chrid's pi^ure of it in the
word, are as dark and difgudful to an unbeliever, as
Chrid's yoke and burthen is. But to a believer,
S z u'hom
1^4 Sermons concerning Serm. VIII.
ivhom the herd hath chofen^ and caufed to approach t^
h'tm^ Pral. Ixv. 4.; who hath been oft made to fay,
Pralm. !xxiii. 28. It is good for me to draw near to God ;
and can fav, as 1 John i. 3. Truly our fellow jhip is with
the Father, and with his Son Jefus Chrifl : to fuch,
I fay, being with Chrifl where he is, hath another light
ia his mind, and another gu(l in his heart.
2^/y, The work of heaven, to behold Chrid's glo-
ry cannot be underftood by an unbeliever, no more
ihan a born blind man can know what pleafure and
profit is in beholding the glory and light of the imi.
And if fuch would and could fearch their Beans, they
Would find ; and if ihey were ingenuous, they would
own the truth, (as fome of them in blafphemy do fay),
that the gofpel-difcovery of heaven is dark and dif-
guftful to them ; they neirher know it nor love it. It
is hid from their blinded eyes, and crofs to their car-
Eal hearts,
3^/)', They know not the title to heaven ; how a
roan comes by a right to it, and enters into the pof-
feffion of it. And that is, by free grace in Jefus
Chriil. And this is no fmall part of Chrill's glo-
ry, and of believers happinefs, that it is fo. This title
is only to be perceived by faith. The fame grace
that we owe the forgivenefs of fm to, we owe the
poir^iTing of glory to, x\cls xxvi. 18. By that fame
grace that we are welcomed to Chrift's houfe of grace
on earth, Rom. v. 2. by the fame grace we are welcom-
ed into Chrift's houfe of glory above. It is grace
brought to us, i Peter i. 12.; it is the mercy of cur
Lord Jefus Chrifl unto eternal life^ Jude, ver. 2 1. But
an unt)eliever, who hath no knowledge nor relifli of
this bleiTed tenure to glory by free grace, what fit and
right thoughts can he have of heaven ? All men arc
by nature ignorant of the true heaven, of the true way
to it, of the true work and blifs in it, and of the only
title to it, and tenure of ir ; and therefore need what
the apodle prays for ia Eph. i. 17, 18, 1^.
App LI-
Serm. VIII. the LorcPs Frayer, Ig^
Application. Although yoa may think it
prepoflerous, to fpeak any rtiing in application, be-
fore we enter upon the doiTlrine itfelf ; yet, as what
hath been faid, is but introducftory to what I intend
(if the Lord will) further to fpeak on this great fub-
je<n:, fo what I fay now in application, fhali be ac-
cordingly managed.
The text we have before us, is about the behold-
ing of Chrift^s glory in heaven. 1 have been ihew-
ing you, that it is firaply necelTary to any right un-
derftandiog of this great blifs, that a man do know
in his experience fomewhat of the beholding of
Chrift's glory by faith in this life. Without this, no
Words that men can fpeak about this, can be under-
ftood by natural men : i Cor. ii. 14. BW the natu-
ral man re-.siveth not the things of the Spirit of God ;
for they are foolifhnefs unto him : 7ieither can he know
them^ for they are fpiritually dfcerned. I may truly
fay, that no natural man doth, or can underfland this
verfe. It is grievous and ihameful, to fee and read
what blundering confufed work many wife and learn-
ed men, but delHtute of that mind and Spirit of Chrift
that led Paul in writing of it, make of this verfe;
when it is plain and bright, though deep, to every
ordinary Chriftian. Now, the glory of Chrift, and
the beholding of it, are of the deepeft of the deep
things oj God^ ver. 10. How then can a natural man
receive them, know them, or difcern them ? He is
without that fpiritual faculty by which only they can
be rightly eniertaioed. It is a dangerous and hurt-
ful praclice to the church of God, and to the fouls
of men, and to the truths of God, (and not a few
are guilty of it, and many fraart by it), for men to
endeavour to bring down the deep rayiferies of the
gofpel unto the {tait and guft of a natural unrenew-
ed man. It is fure, that they that teach, (hould teach
plainly ; and they that write, (hould make the vijian
plain ^ that he may run that readeth it, Hab. ii. 2,,
But they muft fliii fpeakj or write^ as the oracles of
God^
1^6 Sermons concerning Serm/VIII.
God^ I Per. iv. ii. and 2iijlewards cfthe myjieries of
God, I Cor. iv. i. If, ^s it is undoubted, we can-
liot bring up tlie natural man's underlhinding unto
the deep things of God ; we mufl not effay to bring
down the depths of God unto their natural blindnefs.
This were to degrade the things of the Spirit of God,
and to delude the finner. But let us (tudy lo declare
GodV mind in his word, as plainly a^ we can, to na-
tural men that hear us ; and withal tell them, that
the things themfelves, of which we fpe. k as plainly
a? we can, are beyond their reach ; that they may
know that the things of God are deep, and they
ihemfclvei are blind, till the Spirit ofChrift open the
vndi^r/Iandingy and open the fcriptures unto them; as
he did to his difciples, Luke xxiv. 32. and 45.
My work at this time Ihall be, to offer you fome
helps to try yourfelves, and to find this our. Whe-
ther ever you have beheld the glory of Chrift in the
gofpel ? You have the gofpel-glafs, and mod of you
think you have the eye of faith alfo. My queftion
that I put your confciences, is, Have you feen his
glory in the gofpel by faith P It you have, then you
will find three things.
I. Where-ever Chrift^s glory is feen by faith, it
is always feen as fmgular, ir^infcendcnr, and match -
lefr". So it is in itfelf, and fc it is feen bv all that do
behold it. Paul calls his knowled<;e of Cbrill, tb?
txceliency oj the knowledge of Jejiis Chrift my Lord^
Piiil. iii. 8. And that you may not think that he
ihoughi he had a great deal of it, and that you might
know that Paul is rather commending Chrift's excel-
lency, than the meafure of his attaintiients in the
knowledge of Chrill ; he tells us in ver. to,— -14,
how [mail an opinion he had of what he had attain-
c(!, inrefpec^l of what he wanted, a.nd followed, and
preilcd after. If ever you had a true view of Chrill's
glory, ycu will judge, that there is no glory like it.
What you formerly thought glorious, you. will then
fay of it, as 2 Cor, iiii 10. For even that wbkb was
made
Serm. VIII, the LoriTs Frayer, ig7
tnade glorious^ had no glory in this refped^ hecaufs of
the glory J hat ei^celkth, Av\(\ the apoflle is thera
fpeaking of the mod outwardly glorious appearance
that ever God made in the world, in giving the law.
And as he faith again, of that that is moil glorions
in the eyes of one that knows not Chrid, his own
righteonfnefs, in Phil. iii. 8, 9. he calls ir, ar^d ail
things elfe, hjs and dungy compared with Chri-h
And fo will every man that Teeth Chrirt: with any
thing of Paul's eye. For iiluftraiion : Suppofe a maa
blind from the womb, had his eye-fight given hiiri
by God, as it were in John ix. ; fuppofe that hisiighc
were given him in the night, and in the houfe, he
would doubilefs wonder at the light of candies;
but if he went abroad, and faw the (lars in the fir-
mamenr, or if the moon did Ihiae, this would he
more glorious ftill : yet when the morning dawn*
eth, and when the fun rifeth and ihineth, would not
the man think, " Surely 1 never faw fuch a glorious
** light before ?" Fire and candles on earth, and
moon and (lars in heaven, have no fuch light as the?
fun. So will it be unto them to whom the Sun of
Right ecu fnefs arifeth with healing in his winusy Mai.
iv. 2. with falvation in his beams. He will fay, " No
** glory like Chrifl's glory, no man like him ; no an*
** gel, no creature, like him." If Chrid^s glory hath
not difgraced all other glory fave his own, you have
cither feen little of it, or none at all.
2. When the glory of Chrid is (ttn by faith, de-
fires of feeing more of it rife in the heart. V/hat
the preacher faith in general about feeicof in Ecc!,-
i. 8. ^he eye is net fati^fied with feeing^ is juftly appli-
cable to this fpiritual eye in beholding Chrift^s glory.
It is not fatisfied, nor ever will, till the believer is
with Chrifl where he is, and beholds his glory there,
Paul had many and fingular views of Chrifl's g^or5S
and yet is fludying Chrid dill. If yon knew Chri'it
as well as Paul did, you would be of his mind ; yea,
if
igS Sermons cGncerning Serm. VIIL
if you have any right beholding of his glory, you
Vj'iW ftill defire more.
3. He that beholds Chrifl's glory truly, he per-
ceives his own daiknefs and blindnefs, and is humb-
led thereby. You may think this a flrange mark ;
but it is a fure one. It is Urangc, but mofl true,
that an unbeliever, who hath never heard ChrijVs
'voice, nor feen his JJjape, (as Chrift faith to the Jews
concerning his Father, John v. 27.), may, and many
of them do think, that they know Chrift, and many
fay, as Hof. viii. 2. My God, we know thee ; " My
•* Saviour, I know thee ;" when a true beholder of
ChriR's glory thinks, that he doth not know him at
all, or next to nothing. And thofe thoughts are
proofs, that the one is quite ignorant of Chrift, and
that the other is begun to know him. What the a-
poftie faith, i Cor. viii. 2. If any man think that he
knoweth any thing, . he knoweth nothing yet* as he ought
to know, holds good fpecially in the knowledge of
Chrift. A proud conceit of a man's knowing Chrift,
is a demonftration that the man never faw his glory.
Even as if a man lliouid fay, " 1 have feen the fua
" in his noon-day glory, and I can ftare upon it ftea-
" dily." Would not any man think, that either this
man hath not right eyes, or that he hath not feen
the right fun, but only a pi(n:ure of it, that hath or
can have nothing of the true fun's light, and hear,
and influence ; or that the man lyeth grofsly .'* for all
know, that the plory of the fun is too great and
bright for the ftiarpeft and ftrongeft eye. When a
man from the top of a high mountain looks round
about him, he can fee many miles, and many things.
If this man have high thoughts of his eyes and fight,
you cure him, or he cures himfelf, of that fancy,
by trying his fight with the fun ; then he feeih what
a difproportionate faculty his eye is to this glorious
obje^. So is it with men when they approach Chiift's
glory ; then their darknefs and blindnefs is difcover-
ed. As in his light we fee light, Pfal. xxxvi. ^. fo by
and
Serm. Vill. the Lord^s Prayer, 139
and io this light we fee our own darknefs. A very
wife and good man laid, in Pro v. xxx. :;:, g, 4. Sure-
ly 1 am more hrntijh than any man^ ajid have not the
under/landing of a man, I neither learned vjifdom^ nor
have (or know) the knoivledge of the holy^'-'What is
his name^ and what is hu fon^s name, if thou canjl
tell? Ic is impoliible, that any ray and beam of
Chrift's glory can be rightly taken up by the eye o£
faith, but the beholder of it is humbled by the fight
of it. And the brighter the difcovery be, the more
humble will it make the man to be, Perfecl: humili-
ty is only in heaven, where the perfect difcovery of
ChriiVs glory is made by him, and got by the inha-
bitants. What faid Ifaiah, when he faw h'ts glory ^
andfpake of him ^ John xii. 41. ? ¥/o is me^ for I am
undone, Ifa. vi. 5. Why undone ? Becaufe I am un-
clean, and have feen the King, the Lordof hoJIs, What
did the beloved difciple when he had a vifion of Chrifl's
glory ? When I faw him^ ^f^H ^t his feet as dead ;
and he might have died quite at the fight, unlefsi
Chrifl had laid his righi^hand upon him, and fpoke
comfortably to him, Kev. i. 17, 18. What was the
fruit of ]obh feeing of the Lord with the feeing of the
eye, far beyond all he had heard by the hearing of
the ear f Was not this the fruit and effeft of it.
Wherefore 1 abhor myfelf, and repent in dufl and afhes f
Job xlii. 5, 6. Thus will it be with you, if you ob-
tain any true difcoveries of Chrift's glory.
Vol. II. T SERMON
14° Sermons coiicermng Serm. IX;
SERMON IX.
John xvH. 24»
Father^ I will that they aljo whom thou hajl given me^
be with me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou hafl given ?ne ,* for thou lovedjl me
before the foundation of tlj^ world,
THERE is no greater theme in earth, nor la
heaven, than the glory of Chrift. There is
no higher enjoyment here, nor above, than the be-
holding of this glory. Yet all the Lord's chofen fiiall
furely partake of it, for here Chriit prays for it. in
explaining Chrift's words in his prayer for that blef-
fii)g, I propofed to fpeak to two things : What is
Curid's gjory ; and. What is the beholding of it.
Before I enter upon either of them, there are yet
three things I would obferve from the connection and
fcope of thefe words, / will that they be with me
where I am^ that they may behold my glory zuhich thou
hafl given me,
Obf I. Chriil's prefence, and his people's be-
holding of his glory, go (till together. So it is oa
earth, fo it is in heaven. When is it that a man be-
gins to fee any of Chrift's glory, but when he is
drav/n to Chrift I when Chrift draws near to him, and
manifcLS hiuifelf to him I Time was when Pau! faw no-
thing of Chrilt's glory ; he heard of him, and hated him,
anj periecuted him : but ail this was from his ignorance
and unbeliefs I Tim. ii. 13. VV^hen he was firit charg-
ed by Chrift for his evil way, A6ls ix. 4, 5. no wonder
tl'it his hrd word was. Who art thou Lord? " 1 do
'^ Dot know thee, I cever knew that I did thee any
•' wrong."
Serm. IX. the LorcTs Prayer, 141
** wrong." Bnt wheo once Chrift reveals himfelf un-
to him, immediately he faw ChriR's glory, and made
it his all. So it is with ?J1 natural men, till Chrift
draw near to them, and hrir=g them near to him fav-
ingly : Chvlii hath no form or comelimfs ; and ivhen
they fee (or hear of) hi?n, there is no beauty that they
Jhould defire him^ Ifa. liii. 2. This is as true of them
that hear of, and fee ChriR crucified in the gofpel-
light. Gal. iii. i. as of the Jews that faw his humb-
Ijd ftate on earth. They wonder what men fee m
Jefas Chriil j what glory in him they behold by faith ;
v'hat believers mean, when they fay, as Cant. iv. 16.
Hu mouth is mojl fweet ; yea^ he is altogether lovely •
This is my beh'ved^ and this is my friend ^ O daughters
cf Jerufalem, If you had ever heard his voice, or
feen his faccj you would know him from all the men
on earch, or gods in heaven, (if I m.ay fay fo). Bat,
alas ! there are many that bear the name of Chrifti-
ans, (and God knows well, and men may know pret-
ty well alfo, how little they deferve that name), that
never faw fo much glory and defirablenefs in Jefus
Chrift, as they fee in a heap of the white and yellow
dufl: of the earth. They cafinot afford a good word
or thought to the jews, (and juftly), who did pre-
fer Barabbas to Chrift, when themfelves daily do the
like, in preferring the fatibfying of their vile iufts unto
the enjoyment of Chrid's company. And v/hat the
Jews did, they do, frcni the fame canfe, (and a fad
and fmful one it is). They neither of them did, or
do fee any thing of Chrift's glory. He is far from
them, they knew him not^ i C'or. ii. 8. ; he hath noc
manifefted himfelf unto them. This irnth appears
alfo, as in the beginning, fo in the progrefs of Chrif-
tianity. If the Cbriftian grows in grace ^ it is alfo in
■ the knovAedge of Chrify 2 Pet. iii. 18. If the new
creature grows, it is by and under the beams and (hin-
ings of the Sun of Right eotfnefs^ MaL iv. 2. All f[,o('
pel inflitutions are for this end, (and when blefTcd,
reach n)^ Eph, iv. 13. Til'i we all come in {qv into)
T 2 the
142 Sermons concerning Serm. IX,
the unity of the faith ^ and of the knowledge of the Sen
cf Gody unto a perfect man^ unto the meafure cf the
flature of the fulnefs of Chrifl, Every Chriftian's ex-
perience bears witaefs to this. Do you not iovdz-
times fee more of Chrifli's glory than at other times ?
Is not the light brighter, and your faith more quick
and a£live ? iVnd when is it fo, but when Chrifl draws
nearer to you, and you are brought nearer to him,
than ufually ? But for fuch poor creatures, that know
Eothing of Chrift's prefente with, or abfepce from
them, fave in and byhis ordinances and providences,
(in which alfo a true believer may find Chrid's fpe-
cial prefence, though others do not. nor can) ; 1 fay
not, that fuch do fee more of Chrid's glory, but ra-
ther that they never faw any of it. T!;ey are blind^
and cannot Jee afar off, 2 Pet. i. 9. Chrift is far from
them, and they from him : he hath not yet looked
on them in love, nor have they looked on him by
f iith. But for true Chridians, if you fhouid afk the
quedlon. When did you fee moil: of Cnrid's glory ?
all would anlwer, That though it be little that ever
they did behold of it, yet the bed fight ever they had,
was when he drewneared to them ; then he difplay-
ed his glory, and then they beheld it. And it may
be that he did fo, and they found it, when they were
in the deep dungeon, in darknefs and didrefs. No
cafe is a believer brought Into, but Chrid's love will
vifit him in it ; and the darker the place be, his fun-
ihine is both the more needful, and the more glori-
ous : Micah. vii. 8. When I fit in darknefs^ the Lord
j)oall he a light unto me. Not only will he bring me
forth to the lights and I fh all heboid his righteoufnefs^
as ver. 9. ; but when^ and while //// in darknejs^' the
Lord will he a light to me ; and enlighten my dcjrknejs^
as David dngs by faith, Pfal. xviii. 28. and ihoufands
have felt it. So that it is undoubted, that mod of
Chrid's glory is feen when he is ncared his people.
Thus alfo it is in the date of faints in heaven. They
are brought near to Chrid ; they are with him where
he
Serm. IX. the LorcTs Frayer^ 143
he isy and therefore hehcld his glory^ and all above
what we can conceive. Chriilians labour here under
many humbling things within and without. They
would fain fee more of Chrid's glory ; they pray as
Mofes did, Exod. xxxiii, 18. / befeech thee /hew me
thy glory. But yet they cannot behold it as fain they
would. Why? Becaufe they cannot be fo near to
Chrifl: as they would ; and he will not draw fo near
to them as they would, while they are where they are,
and not yet where he is. The greateil nearnefs to
Chrifl, and the greateft vifions of his glory, are both
referved for his people, when they (hall polTefs the
inheritance of the faints in lights CoL i. 12.
Obf. 2. Our Lord Jefus Chriil is truly willing that
his glory (hould be beheld by his people. He prays
here for it in an extraordinary manner, I will it. Chrifl
is a great deal better pleafed, and more defirous, that
his glory (hould be beheld by his people, than they
are either willing or able to behold it. He hath a
good mind to be looked upon, when he fpeaks fo in
Ifa. xlv. 22. Look unto me^ and be ye faved, all the ends
of the earth ; for I am God^ and there is none elfe ; a
jujl God and a Saviour^ ver. 21. (None can fave a
fmner, but a God. A mere man-fa viour can fave no^
fmner : and there is no God-faviour, but our Lord
Jefus Chrifl, who is over all^ God blefjedfor ever^ Rom.
ix. 5.). Chrifl is here calling men to look on him for
falvation. Look to Chrifl, and you will fee falvatioa
in his heart and eye, and falvation will dart in upoa
your heart and foul. The brazen ferpent was fet up
to be looked on by Ifrael. Though it could not fpeak,
it could heal by God's ordinance. Bat the antitype,
Jefus Chrifl, can both heal and fpeak ; and the power
oF his voice can, and always doth give eyes to the
man, and falvation by looking. It makes the dead
both to hear^ and live ^ John v. 25. Again, in ifaiah
Ixv. I. he faith. Behold me^ behold me^ unto a nation '
that was not called by my name. Some quarrel lers
may fay, If Chrifl be fo willing to have his glory ^o
be
144 Sermons concerntng SeUm, IX,
be beheld by men, why doth he not difplay his glory,
and give a]I men eyes to fee it by? I anfwer. That
though this cavii favours of an ungodly, unhumbled
heart ; yet there are a few things that may ftop fuch
mouths. I. It is a wonder of grace that he doth fo
lo aoy : and they all admire it that do partake of it,
Thomas feems to admire it, John xiv. 22. It were
more hopeful work, and fitter for fnch, to admire that
free grace f?!!" on any, than to murmur and grumble
ihat it pall^^L. by fo many. 2. Would you have this
great blefijug ? have you fought it humbly and ear-
rieftly ? have you turned his gracious call and pro-
iiiife into an earned: prayer I He faith to you. Look
to nte^ and be thou faved ; anfwer it, Lcrd^ look on ms^
anu/jfoe me, A better man than any of us prayed fo,
Pf:ihn cxix. 152. Look thou upon vie^ and be merciful
unio me, as thou ujejl to do unto thofe that love thy
n.ime ; and ro the iame purpofe more largely in Pfalin
cvi. 4, 5. Mafl not that man be both wicked and
ujreafonable, that quarrels with God for not giving
that grace that himieif i^ unwilling to receive^ is care-
\d< to -ik, and fi; ives againft with all his might P But
nothing will full}' flop the mouths of cavillers againft
free grace, but either fome tafle oFthis grace, or the
jn'^^rmeot of the lad day, Out of their own mouth they
Jlmll be judged by the Lord, Luke xix. 22.
But even Chriflians themfelves are apt to fay, That
if Chrift be fo willing to have his glory to be beheld
by his peop'cj why then doth he (land fo far clI?
why doth he hide him felf fo long? why do I pray,
and am not heard ? If he would as earneilly have it
beheld, as 1 would fain behold it, why is this dlQance
and darknefs fo long continued ? We have many fuch
complaints fro.n eminent faints in the word, and they
are too conjmon in all times. We experience more
tlie tremblings of unbelief in fcripture-faints, than the
vi-^our of their faith. The infirmities of faints are
recorded in the word for our humbling and Warning ;
and their graces for our imitation and encouragement.
Unto
Sexm. IX. the Lord's Prayer. 145
Unto fach hone ft complainers I would fa 5% i. That
this mood cometh on you from the remnants of that
ratnral enmity to the glory of his, grace ; which en-
mity, though it was fubdued ia its power in you, \xx
the day of his power on you, yet hath its roots under
ground, and doth fornetimes fpring up and trouble
you. There is no evil perfe£^ly rooted out of a fane-
lified man in this life, nor no grace planted in him
that is perfe£t. 2. That the fovereignty of his grace
appears as much in the times and meafures of its dii*
per/nation, as in its being given at firll: ro the linner
that never got any before. Let all believers remem-
ber that they are llill under the dominion of the fame
free grace that at firit fubdued them to Chrift. The
greateft receivers of Chrift's grace are not m.a(lers of
it, but fubjr^ls and receivers. They mud not fay,
as Jer. ii. 3 i. We are lords ^ we zvill ccme no more unto
thee. The richefl faint rauft be, and is a humble
beggar ar grace's door all his days ; and Chrift is the
Lord >of the houfe, and the difpenfer of the alms ; and
as the alms is too good not to be patiently waited for,
fo the Lord Is too good and too great to be quarrelled
with : and never did a believer get any good by com-
plaining of him. Complain to him, and pray, and aik
largely, but ftill with faith and patience. Knock at
his door ; but (lay, and blefs him, that ever he gave
you any crumb ot his grace. Mix your prayers for
Dew wanted grace, with pralfes for his old difpenfed
grace. Chrift loves you, and hath proved it ; believe
it, blefs him for it, and wait for his renewing his love
to you ; and in due time you will find, that he will
Dot only anfwer, but outdo all your defires to him,
and all your expeflations from him.
Obf. 3. The beholding of Chrift's glory in heaven,
is the main part of the happinefs of his people in it«
So Chrift exprefleth ir, (as I gknced at it before), as
if he would explain what his people Ihould get and
do, when they are where he is ; they Jhail behold his
glory ^ This is that uue beatific vifion, that happy-
snaking
146 Sermons concerning Serm. IX.
makio.cj fi^ht, that fo many of the fchoolmen (gene-
rally better philofophers than divines) do talk and
write of. But poorly mufl: all fuch talk and think of
it, that are unacquainted with Chrift and his grace in
their own hearts. But this is fure, and plainly re-
vealed, that the happinefs of the glorified (lands and
llourilheth to eternity in the behclding of ChriJTs glo'
ry. Ilie objefl is mod excellent. The eye which
they behold him with, and the light they behold him
in are rare and fingular. (No fuch eyes, and no fuch
light on earth, or in the lower created heavens). And
the fruits of this beholding this his glory in this blef-
fed way, are inexpreffible. There are two eyes that
believers behold Chrift's glory with ; faith and fighr.
It is the fame glory of the fame Jefus that is feen ; it
is the fame man that feeth his glory : but how vaftly
different are thefe two eyes, and the two beholdings !
The one is for this life, the other for the other life.
The glory of Chrifl, as it (hineth in heaven, is not
for the eye of faith. Faith may take it up in the pro-
rnife, and believe and wait for it ; but the glory of
Chrift in heaven is far above the eye of faith, Rom.
"viii. 24, 25. And, on the other hand, the glory of
Chrift, as it (hineth in the gofpel, and as feen by
faith, is not for fight, and is unfpeakably below it.
For as needful and ufeful as faith is now to believers,
yet when they come to the end of their faith ^ the faU
vation of their foul ^ i Peter i. 9. they have no more
to do with it. There is no need of the Ihield of faith,
when the war is ended, and the foldier of faith is
made more than a conqueror ^ through Chrifl that loved
him, Rom. viii. 37. Pi(^ures of Chrift, and love-let-
ters from him, and love-tokens, (the glory of the gof-
pel, and the neceffary food of faith), are no more
needed when the bleffed beloved is prefent and en-
joyed.
I. I would now come to fpeak of the firft thing,
the glory of Chrifl^ Aud it is with reverence and god-
ly
Serm. IX: the Lord^s Prayer* 147
Jy fear that I (hould fpeak, and you (hould he^r, of
this great and awful theme. And what 1 mean to fay
of it, (hall be under thefe two heaJs ; [. The glory
of Chrift as he reprefents God unto us : 2. His giory
as he reprefents us "unto God : As he is God's only
true reprefentative to his church ; an'd as he is the
only reprefentative of his church unto God. Chrift
is both, and great is his glory in both. And this. glory
I would foberiy fpeak of.
To begin with the Jir/l head, That Chrid is the
only reprefentative of God unto his church: And
great is his glory therein. And this glory of Cbrifl 13
beheld by faith now, and to eternity by light. There
are many words about this, efpecially in the new tef-
tament, (where the old tedament vail on ChriiVs glo-
ry is taken away ; and yet the new teftament light will
itfelf evanifh nlfo, when the Lord returns in his gloty,
and hath his church wi:h him where he is), l diail
Dame a few of them. Col. i. 15. he is called tbe i-
mage of the inoifible God, Heb. i. 3. he is the bright"
nefs of his glory ^ and the exprefs image of his terfon^
Who is the image ? He that upboldeth all things by
the word of his power ; who^ ivhen he had by himfelf
purged our fins ^ fat down on the right hand of the Ma^
jefly on high, Whofe glory's brightnefs is he ? whofe
perion's chara^ler bears he ? God the Father's, who
fpake in the old teftament times by the prophets, and
in the new teftament times by his Sou, ver. i, 2. So
in 2 Cor. iv. 6. ^he light of the knowledge of the glory
(f God flfineth in the face {pv perfon) of Jefus Chrijl*
All deep words, and deep matter in them.
To prepare our way to enter on this theme, ;here
are three things I would lay before you.
T. That a right and found knowledge of God is
fimply and abfolutely neceffary unto true happinefs, in
this and in the other world. Our Lord in this chap-
ter, ver. 3. faith, And this is life eternal^ that they
might know thee the only true Gody and Jefus Chriji
whom thou hajl fent* And 1 John v. 20. fpeak ing
Vol.11. U * of
J 4 ^ Sennons con cer?nng S e R m . 1 X .
oF Chrlft as known, the npollle faitb, This is the true
GoJ, and eternallife. None know the true God, none
can come by eternal Hie, but they that know ChiiO,
No faith, love, worfliip, or obedience, can be per-
formed and 2L^t\\ by him that knows not (iod. The
-Athenian inTcriptioD, Jo the unknown Gcdy was ridi-
culous, but fuitable enougi' for blind idolaters. Thii
iruih, of [he D£ceili:yof tl^iC knowledge of God, in
order to the pleafing and enjoying of hi.n, and of hij
fiiVGur h ingraven on mens heans by nature.
2. God in himfelf, and abfolutely confidered, is
unknowable by men in this life, (to carry it no further
row}, Dulefs he fome way manifelt himfelf to us. To
ibis that fecms to refer in i Tim. vi i6. He dwclkth
in light which no man can approach unio ; vjhom mo
man hath feen^ nor can fee ^ Whatfoever dcth make ma-*
^^'f^h i^ iight^ Eph. V. 13. Yet divine light is a cj-
veiing of God, Pfalm civ. i, 2. that no creature can
fee through; John i. 18. No man hath feen God at
^any time ; the only begotten Son^ which is in the bo/cm
of the bather^ he hath declared him. This truth ftands
on three foundations, i. The greatnefs of God, and
of his glory. 2. The fliortnefs of mens reach as crea-
tures. 4nd, g. The corruption of their minds as
finners : Eph, iv. 18. Having the underflanding dark-
tned^ being alienated from the life of Gcd, through the
ignorance that is in them, becaufe of the blinanejs of
their heart. A dreadful, but true pidure of that
dungeon that ail men by nature are born in, and muft
live and die in, and go through it, and from it, into
ourer darkncfs. In what way God did, and doth ma-
nifed hiriifelf and his glory unto the holy angels, and
how they behold him, is quite hid from us. Though
our Lord tells us, that in heaven they do always behold
the face of my Father which is in heaven^ Mattb.
xviii. 20,; yet what this is, we know no more than
we do that in Rev. xxii. 4. of the triumphant church
ihd.K Jhallfee his face. To come a liiiic lower, and to
\, fpeak
Serm, IX, the Lcrd^s Prayer, 149
fpeak of the firfl mao who was made a little lower
than the angels : This alfo is beyond our iinderfland-
ing how God did mamfefl himfelf unto him, 2nd how
he beheld God's g'ory : though we are fare that both
were. But when fin came ia, then plainly the minds
of all men are fo defiled and darkened, that there is
a neceflity that they miiR be all taught of God that
do know the Lord ; and blefied be his name, that he
hath proraifed this in the new covenan*, and fulfils it
to the heirs of promife^ as they are called in lieb. vi.
17. John vi. 45. Jer. xxxi. 32, 33, 34. Yet, when
the faving knowledge of God and faith are given, fuc^
is the weaknefs of this eye, that, on any fpecial ap-
pearance of the glory of God, fear and amazement
feizeth on their hearts. Whence that faying, fo ufual
in old times, Judges xiii. 22. We Jhall furely die^ be-
caufe we have fe en God: thoug-h God appeared in
mercy to Manoah and his wife, and with a promife of
a fon to them, and a judge and faviour to Ifrael. Ja-
cob had wreftled and prevailed with the angel, and
was bleffed by him : yet he faith with thankfulnefs
and wonder, / have feen God face to face^ and my life
is prefervedj Gen. xxxii. 30. What made Ifaiah to
fay, on his feeing of God's glory, Wo is me, I am
undone^ chap. vi. 5.? Did God threaten him, did
God fmite him? No; but, Mine eyes have- fan the
King^ the Lord of hofls. " 1 have feeo his glory, and
•' his fpotlefs holinefs hath been proclaimed in my
*' ears. Thereby 1 fee, that my own uncieannefs,
*' and the uncieannefs of others I dwell aiTioagil:, doth
" greatly endanger rae>"
3. Notwithftanding all this depth of God's glory^
and darknefs in all mens minds by nature, (ince the
fall of Adam ; 3^61 all men, in all ages, have been
feeking out, and (ludying, and making to themfelves,
fome reprefentations of God. They know that there
is a God ; they quickly come to know that this God
is oat of their fight ; and, on a little deeper thinking,
chey know that this invifihle God is alfo beyond the
U 2 reach
150 Sermons concerning Serm. 1X»
reach of their minds and thoughts. Is there a curi-
ous ftudeut of God's works of creaiioo, that fiiideth
not fometbing in the fmallefl: of his creatures, that our
underftanding cannot find out ? Whit mufi: we think
cf the Former of all things ? Can any find out God to
ferjetlion ? Job xi. 7. A conviclion of this depth in
God, and darknefs in man, feemeth to have been de-
ch^red in the inlcription on the ahar at Athens, A(Sls
xvii. 23. Tiiis Paul takes for his text, (if I may fo
fay), and makes an excellent fermon upon it. The
convi^Tlion ihat is in mens hearts, of the depth of God,
and of the darknefs in themfelves, hath bred a defire
in all men to know fomewhat moi:e of God than they
do, that they may pleafe, and ferve, and worfhip him,
and obtain his favour. And this darknefs and defire
have brought forth two great plagues on the world,
that are like to laft as long as the world lads, and as
Jong as imners hve in it ; two reprefentations of God
devifed by men.
ijjy The firfl way of mens fludying to reprefent
God unfo themfelves, is the more fine way of the bet-
ter fort of the Heathens, and their philofophers. And
that was, by framing thoug'nts, ideas, and contem-
plations of God, from the light of nature, and exer-
cife of their reafon. This way the apoftle takes no-
tice of, ns a poor way, and unprofitable, llom. i. 20.
That philoTopher fpoke like a divine, who, when he
was aiked by his prince. What God wasP defired a
day's time to think on it. When that was granted,
and done, he ailced two days time to think on the
que(tion. After :he two days, he afl<:ed four days.
And when the king wondered at his delays, he gave
this true and ingenuous aufwer : " The more I think
*' of God, the iefs can 1 teil what he is." And this
will be the fure eiFe^l of all that, without the light of
God's word and Spirit, do bufy themfelves to frame
reprefentations of God himfelf in their minds. The
heathens have indeed fpcke and wrote many good
thoughts of fome of the diviae attributes, which may
be
Serm. 1X1 the LorcTs Flayer, 151
be read with profit ; and fome do read them with
Wonder, how they came by fuch thoughts ; and ma-
ny have ihoDght, that fome of thefe philofophers
might have ieen fome part of the Old Teliament
fcriptures. Paul quotes one of them at Athens, A6rs
xyii. 28. whom he calls one of their own poets ; and
another in Tit. i. 12. whom he calls a prophet of their
own : yet what he quotes of this lad, is a complete
Greek verfe of poefy; and the other but a haif-verfe.
But their philofophers taught and wrote, both in
profe or verfe. Yet though we who have the light
of God^s word, may make good ufe of their fparks
of nature's light ; we mud not thence think, that they
by their wifdom did know God favingiy ; contrary to
I Cor. i. 2 I. The world by wifdom knew not God. Aq
ungrounded chariiy to the falvation of the Keatheo,
that never knew God in Chrift, is a reflection on the
gofpel of Chrift, And if men will coin a new gofpel^
and a way of faving finnners, by Jefus Chrift, as on-
ly preached to the Heathen, by fun, moon, and (lars,
contrary to the word of God, John. xiv. 6. and xvii,
3. Eph. ii. 12. A6I3 iv, II, 12. do you know and re-
member, that it is falfe coin. And mens coiain?- of
another way to God but by his Son Jefus Chrifi:, re-
vealed in and by the gofpel, is treafon againll the
Majefty of heaven ; and though it may deceive raea
on earth, it will never pafs as current in heaven.
2^/y, The other way of mens reprefenting God
nnto ihemfeives, is by images and outward reprefen-
tions of God. An old abomination. It is like it was
not before the deluge : for it is not named ; but on-
ly violence, and lulls, and general corruption in
manners, are given as the procuring caufes of God's
deftroying the world by water. B^fides, the world
was but lately created, and the glory of the Creator
flared every man in the face ; and that Mathufaiem,
who died a little before the flood, had lived fome
hundreds of years, while the flrft man, Adam, lived.
Befides
1^2 Sermons concerning Serm. IX.
Befidcs, Enoch's prophecy, cited by Jude, ver. 14,
15. makes no mention of idolatry. But however it
was before the flood, idolatry came quickly into the
World afterwards, and is like to continue, till it be
purged by file. Now, what is i lolatry ? ?.ud whence
i:^ it that the world is fo mad upon idols, Jer. 1. 58. f"
idolatry is the worfnipping of the true God by and
tinder any image or reprefeotation of God, devifed by
mens heads, or framed by mens hands. The firlt
command of the moral law forbids the having and
worlliipping of any, but the true God. The fecond
command forbids the making of any refemblance or
Kiiage of God, and worfnipping of God by it. Di-
vine worOiip is ihzt glory that God will not give to an^
other ^ neither his praife to graven images ^ Ha xlii 8.;
and that becaufe he u a jealous God. Worfhip is
God's throne in the world of angels and men ; and he
will- admit of no rival or partner in it. The idola-
ters pretend that they only honour God, and give no
f^iviae glory to the image : but the Lord calls wor-
Ciipping him by an image, a worjhipping of the crea^
iure more than the Creator^ Ptom. i. 25. Now, how
comes in idolatry into the world ? And what keeps it
up in it, fince ail men by their reafon think, as Paul
faith, all ought to think, that the Godhead is tiot like
unto gold ^ orjtlver^ or Jl one graven by art orman^s de-
vice^ A6i:s xvii* 29. The true caufe of thir> fin's rife
and reign in the world, is this. / " men by nati^re
know there is a God that made the world, and chat
they oilght to worihip him ; but who he i^, and what
is pleafing worfhip to this God, they know not. They
know, that if there be a God, he mud not be like
jicy creature in heaven or earth. The di (lance be-
twixt God and creatures, is, in, its greatnefs, known
oniy to him that can comprehend his own glorious
piiijcfly, and the emptinefs of nothing creatures, x^nd
therefore we fee how he fpeaks in Ifa. xl. 17. All
nations before him are as nothings (that is, pretty lo ;
buc he yet lays them lower), and they are counted to
him
Sekm. IX. the Lord's Prayer, 155
him lefs than nothings and -vanity. To "whom then
ivili you liken God f ver. 18. But though God only
can corcprehend the greatnefs of this didsnce be-
twixt Gcd and creatures ; yet all men do spprehenJ,
that it js, and nniift be great. Then, when rcafoa
tells them, that ibis God that made all things in tim?^,
is eternal ; that he is immenfe and unfearchable la
all perfedlions ; that he is a Spirit ; every one of thefs
names of God do ftnn and puzzle the man's under-
ftanding ; fo that all mu(l fay, as one did, Job xxxvii.
2 3 . Touching the Almighty y we cannot find him cut.
So that, in this confufion and darknefs, thty mull
(as they did, John iv. 22.) worjhip they know not what;
and becaufe they know not Cod, Jo as to glorify him
as God ^ &c. they change the glory of the ur.corruptihh
Gody into an image made like unto a corruptible man^
&c. Rom. i. 2.', 22, 23. Man in his ignorance unci
fififulnefs, firfl thinkr- that God is foe h an one as bim^
felf, Pfal. L 22.; and then thinks any reprefentatioii
of God may ferve. And indeed the meanetl creep-
ing thing is an image too good for fuch a god. A
god altogether like a finner, is no other than the ^pd
tf this ivorldy the devil, 2 Cor. iv. 4. See the fir/i:
grofs idolatry anrong Ifrael in the Vk'Udernefs, Excd.
xxxii. They had heard the fiery la\¥ proclaiitied
dreadfully, but about forty days before; and idola-
try fpecially prohibited and threatened in that lavr;
yet they had hardly the dread of that voice our of
their ears, before their hearts are turned afide, their
hands bufied in making an idol, and they on their
knees worfliipping it. hi ver. i. they fay, Upy and
make us gcds to go before us. What a poor God is he
that is of man's making I *AI1 Ifrael could not maka
one fly or gnat ; yet they are for God-making. When
they had their golden calf, they faid, ver 4. Thefe
be thy gods, Ifrael y which brcught you out of the
landtf Egypt, Did they not know, that, a few
xveeks before, they had broupht that gold out of the
laud of Egypt, of which they had now made their
idol i
154 Sermons concerting Serm. IX.
idol ? Did they not kDow, that this idol could uo more
go one flep before, nor with iheai, nor after them,
than a (lone ? And doubilefs they meant to carry it,
if Mofes had not made them to dellroy it, and drink
it, ver. 2 0. But. they had brought up their idola^
trous hearts out of the land of Egypt, Ezek. xxiii. 3,
8, 19. ; and they thought this a fit reprefentarion of
the true God ; and therefore frccUimation is made of
a feci J} to-morrow^ to the Lord^ to Jehoz'ah, ExoJ.
xxxii. 5. As long as God is not known by his word
and Spirit, no man is fecured from falling inro ido-
latry. Let us look into the Antichriftian (late ; and
there any Chriftian may fee, that the whole of their
worfliip, from the beginning to the end, is a mere
mals of idolatry, and wicked reprefentations of God.
Their heart?, their houfes, their flreets, and high-
'ways, their temples, are all filled with idols : many
falie gods, as angels and faints ; many wicked repre-
fentations even of the divine perfons. Father, Son,
and Holy Ghofl. Jadly may it be called, as old Ba-
bylon was, a land of graven images^ Jer.,1. 38. The
old Pagan, and the new Antichriflian Rome, equal-
ly full of idols ; only with difference in names. ^ Hea-
then names laid afide, and Chrifiian names taken up
in their rooms : but the idols the fame, and the ido-
latry the fame ; with the addition of a god made of
breud, to be firft made, then worlhipped, and then
eat. An abomination enough to make the natural
confciecce of a cannibal to keck at.
To conclude this head, about worfhippiog of God
by image?, 1 would fay only, that^it is a fin as plainly
forbid in God's word as any fin whatfoever ; as fear-
fully punifiied as any fin : that it is a fin that both
rifeth from unworthy thoughts of God, and increaf-
eih thefe unworthy thoughts. It (lupifies men, and
takes away their reafon : Ifa. xliv. 20, He {the ido-
later) feedeth of afhes : a deceived heart hath turned
him a fide ^ that he cannot deliver his own foul y nor fay y
Is there not a lye in my right hand? But they that \
make
Serm. IX. the LorcTs Prayer* 15.5
make thern^ are like unto them; fo is every one that truft'
eth in them^ Pfal. cxv. 8. The idol, and the idolater,
are much alike. The idol is void of all natural life
and fenfe, and the idolater is as void of all fpiritual
life and itiSt, Hath that man the foul and fpirit of a
man in him ; hath he any fenfe of the majelty of the
true and living God, who can call a log of wood, or
a bit of bread, a god, and woriliip it ? I have fald
the more of idolatry, becaufe it is the fin moil difno-
nourable to God, mod deftru(rcive to the fouls of men,
and a dreadful flumbling block to the Jews and Turks,
who do jufily abhor idols, for as blind and fottifti as
oiherwife they be. Nor can any man wonder that
they flumble at the name of Chriftianity, when they
fee the greateft part of fuch as profefs that name, as
much given to idolatry, as ever the Heathen were,
either before or fince Chriil came into the world.
This fm is alfo a difgrace to mankind, and a (hame-
ful defacing of that image of God in which he was
fir 11: made ; w^hen a m.an fo dehafeth him/elf even unto
hell^ (Ifa. Ivii. 9.), as to worftiip what either his own
or other mens hands have made. Yet this fm of ido-
latry is a demonftration, that the light of nature, and
the notion of God, (notwiihftanding all the weak-
nefs, darknefs, and corrupdon mixed with it in fal-
len man), is deeply and flrongly rooted in mens
hearts, that they will rather take up with any thing
for a God, yea, make a God to themfelves, rather
|han have none, it is no rare thing, to fee an ido-
^jatrous prince, who is as proud as Lucifer, and who
faith in his heart as he did, Ifa. xiv. 12, 13, 14.; and
who hath pride and ambition enough to defire to bs
lord of the whole earth : yet fuch a wretch as this,
who is not worthy to live among his fellow-mortals,
will humble himfeif, and kneel before a proud prieft,
confcfs his fms to him, and afk, and receive pardon
from him, as from a God, and worQiip the work of
the meaneft of his fubje<5ls hands. This was the proud
boaft in the laft age, of a confeffor to a great king.
Vol, II. X «' What
1^6 Sermons concerning Serm. IX.
«* When 1 hnve my king on his knees before me, and
•' my god (meaning the confecrated wafer) in my
" hand:?, what can 1 not dof" From fuch gods, fiich
kings, and fach priefls, may ihe only true God de-
liver us, and all the nations on earth. But as long
as the fpirit of Demetrius prevaileih, Diana will not
want a rich temple, and many worfhippers : A^is
xix. 25. Te know that by this craft we have cur
wealth. For if falfe gods were not rich gods, and
rich-makiug gods, they quickly would have neither
pried?, nor temples, nor vi/orfhippers. And quickly
may it be, is the hearty prayer of every true Chrif-
:iaQ.
And this leads me to the point in hand, That the
Lord Jefus Chrift, God-man, and our Mediator, is
the only true reprefentative of God unto the church. \
God only makes hitnfelf favingly known to men in
his Son Jefus Chrift. Men that would know God
favingly, worfbip God acceptably, and enjoy God for-
ever, they mull: feek and get all in and by Jefus Chrifh
In handling of this, I would fpealc to two things.
I. The fitnels of Chrilt to be God's reprefentative to
his church, 2, The glory of Chrift in beuig fo.
jP/V/?, As to Chrift^s iitnefs to reprefent God unto
men : It appears in three things. j
I. lu the divine dignity of his perfon. He Is 1
God's eternal Son, and God equal with the Father. \
I know that this rock, the church of Chrift is built a-
pon, is boldly ftruck at in thefe hll and worft day?.
But we (hould know as well, that the gates of hell /kail
not prevail againjl it, Matth. xvi. 18. I would only
fay now, that that man or womau that owns the
authority of the New Teftament, (though Chriil's
Godhead fhines very brightly in the Old Teftament),
and ftiall read but three firft chapters, John i. Col. i.
and Heb. i. and can fay, that Chrift is a mere man
and creature, is under a judicial blindnef?. All that
worfhip Chrift, and call on his name in prayer, and
deny
Serm. IX the Lord's Prater, 157
deny him to be true God, are guilty of idolatry, A
mere creature imag€ and reprefencation of God ufed
in worfhip, is an idol. But the eternal Son of God,
who is in his perfon tbe image of Godj and the cha-
rader of the Father'^s perfon^ is fit unfpeakably to de-
clare Go^ unto men, John i. 8. He alone doth ir^
and none elfe can.
2. The Sen's afTuming man's nature unto his own
divine perfon, makes him fit to reprefent God to men,
John i. I.-— 18. His being God-man, made him fit
to reprefent God to men, and to reprefent men to
God. God is only to be favingly known by men, as
he is a God in Chriil ; and finners are only accepted
of God, as they are in Chrift. His human nature is
a creature; but the Son of God that alTumed and
dwelleth perfonally in this nature, is a divine perfon.
It is not his nature as man, but his divine perfon dwel-
ling in that nature, that doth make him the only right
reprefentative and image of the invifible God unto
his church.
3. Chrift's being indalied in the ofitice of Mediator^
- makes him fit to reprefent God unto men. He is the
one Mediator between God and rjrnt, the mnn Chrifl Je-
fus^ I Tim. ii. 5. Such as, on this account, talk of
Chrifi's being a God by office, know neither God,
nor Chriif . nor his office. Our Lord jefin Chri(t is
God in office ; and to be worihipped by his people,
as clothed with it. In this office, as Prophet, he re-
prefents and revealeth the mind and will of God, to
be known an! believed by the church; which is com-
manded by the Father to hear hhriy Matth. xvii. 5.
As King, ali judgment is committed to the 6on : that
all menjhould honour the Son^ even as they honour the
Father, And he that honour eth not the Son, bonoureth
not the Father which hath fent him^ John v. 22, 23.
And as Pried, as all In that office are taken from a-
mong men^ and ordained for men in things pertaining to
God^ that they might both offer gifts and fa orifices for
fins^ Heb. v. 1. j fo the Son was confecrated for this
X 1 office
15^ Sermons cGncernlng Serm. IX.
office by an oath^ Heb. vii. 28.: and as Pried, he
7nufl have fanew hat elfe to offer, Heb. viii. 3. ; which
offering was himfelf, and this he hath offered, Heb.
ix. 26. and x. 5.— -10. And after this offering, he
entered iu^ as Pried, into the holy place ; even into
heaven itfelfj now to appear in the prefcnce of God for
tiSy Heb. ix. 12. 24. And there he remains, and
Itveth for \ ever to make inter ceffton for us^ Heb. vii. 25.
until hefhail appear the fecond time, without fin^ unto
falvation, Heb. ix. 28. Now, in this office Chrilt
reprefents bis church unto God ; and in his propheti-
cal and kingly office, he reprefents God unto his
church. Both equally needful for our faivation, and
both only performed by Jefus Chrift as Mediator ;
who only can reprefent God unto us, that we may
favingly know God ; and reprefent us fo to God,
that we may be gracioufly received by him. Where-
fore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,
conflder the Apojlle and High Priejl of our profefjiont
Chr if} Jefus, Heb. iii. i. Confider how fit he is to
do all God's bufmefs with us, and all our bufinefs
with God, for our faivation, and his Father's and his
own glory. He is clothed with a moft honourable
office of Mediator, (the honour and work of which
office no mere creature could besr and difpatch), fur-
rilhed with all fulnefs for its difcharge and manage-
ment. This office he difcharged when on earth, in
cur nature as man ; and in the fame nature, is doing
what remains to be done in that office, in heaven.
And this high officer, this man Jefus Chrid, is God
ever all, ble[jed for ever, Rom. ix. 5. So that his fit-
nefs for making a trae and faving reprefentation of
God to his people, is evident ; but fo great and glo-
ricu?, that we cannot fully apprehend it by faith.
We have in our Lord Jefus Chrid, a Mediator be-
tween God and men, to take away the breach that
fm had made between them, and to make an everlad-
ing friendffiip \ a Mediator fo furniQied for his office,
that any may iruft him ia it. We have this Mediator
in
Serm. IX. the Lord's Prayer. 15^
in our own nature, a partaker offlejh and bloody as
we be, Heb* ir 14, 17. ; in all things made like unto
his brethren^ that he might be the fitter for us, and
that we might be the more familiar with him. And
this Mediator by his office, this real and true man by
the taking of our nature, is God, the only begotten of
the Father, Can any make a doubt of this truth we
are upon, That the Lord Jefus Chriff, God-man,
Mediator, is the true, real, and only reprefentative
of God to his church P
So much for this iirft head.
Secondly^ What is Chrifl's glory, in being God's
reprefentative to his church ? Herein he is exceed-
ingly exalted* How greatly is it expreiTed, Eph. i.
205-— 2g. and in Phil. ii. 6,-— 11.? and how hard to
think fuitably of them i' 1 fhall only touch at three
particulars in it.
I. It is glory to Jefus Cbrifl, that all the faving dif-
coveries of God are made to men in and by him :
2 Cor. iv. 6. The light of the knowledge of the glory of
Godfhineth to men^ in the face of Jefus Chrij}, Till
a man know Jefus Chrid, he knows not God ; nay, he
hath not a Gcd : Eph. ii. 12. They that are with-
out Chrifl, are without God in the world : '* Ye were
" Atheifts," (fo is the Greek word) ; though the E-
pliefians, to whom he wrices, had been great idola-
ters, and had gods and goddeffes more than were
worth having, Acl? xix.
2. Great is Chrifi's glory in this, that all the worfliip
that is given to God, if right, and as it is commanded,
is given to God in and by Jefus Chriil:. hlo coming to
the Father^ but by him, John xiv. 6. if we believe in
Gody v/e muft afo believe on him, John xiv. i. Thro*
him we believe on God, i Peter i. 2 1. l^ we believe on
him, we believe not on him (only, or alone), but on him
that fent him. And he that feet h hiniy feeth him that
fent himy John xii. 44, 45. If we pray, we muft do
it in Chr'ifTs namey John xiv. 13, 14. and chap. xvi.
23, 24. Yea, wbatfocver zve do, whether in word or
deedi
l6o Sermons concerning Serm. IX.
decdy mtijl all be done in the name of our Lord Jefus
Chr'ij}^ giving thanks unto God and the Father by him^
Col. iii. 17. Ail our gofpel-facrifices are to be offer-
ed to God by him, Heb. xiii. 15. Now, confider how
great a perfon this mud be, as the apoftle argues a-
bout his type, Melchifedec, ia Heb. vii. i,--4» Aod
he is there exalting that unknown man's priefthood a-
bove the Levitical, in this, that Aoraham, Levi's great-
graudfavher, gave the tenth of the fpoils to him. How
much greater is Jefus Chrllt, of whom Melchifedec
was but a type and (hadow, to whom we muft not on-
ly give a tenth, but all, of that worfliip and fervice
we pay and owe to God ?
3, All the mercy, favour, and bounty of God to
men, comes to us in and by Jefus Chrift. No^/V/-
tual blejftngs in heavenly things doth God blefs us zuith^
but in Jefus Chrift ^ Eph. i. 3.
Application. All the ufe of this doi^rine
I (hall at this time make, is in one warning ; which I
wilh may be as well taken, as it is needful, both
to me to give it, and to you to take it. And it is this.
That the fecret moth and poifon in many people's re-
ligion is, that it is not Chriftianity. G^^/ out of Chrift
is a confumingfire ; God not worfhipped in Chrift, is
an idol ; all hopes of acceptance out of Chrift, are
vain dreams ; a heaven out of Chrift, is little better
than the Turks paradife. How fad is it ; how vifible
is it, and common ihat many men and women do pray
every day, and hear every day, and would fain know
God rightly, and worftiip him acceptably ; and, if we
might believe their words and proleffion, they know
a great deal of God, and ferve him not a little ; when,
in ihe mean time, Jsfus Cbrift, as ihe only glafs in
and by which the true God aud his glory is to be
known and adored, is not minded by them ? They
have no fenfe, no experience o( it, no convi(ftion of
the neceffity of Chrili's reprefeciing an invifible, in-
ccmpreheniible God, ucto chemj they make no effays
to
Serm. IX. the Lor(Ps Prayer. \6l
to know God in and by ihi^ only i ght way. Hence
is it, that there Is fo much of that that bears the
canie of reiigicn, that not only men may carry to heii
with them, but that puftieth them into hell. Henc5
is it, that fo many have a form of godlinefs, who are
fatal Grangers to its power. Is it not fad, to fee ani
hear men, who bear the name of Chriftians, playing
the philofophers about God's nature and auribuie?,
w^hile in the mean time they are utter, yea contented
Grangers, unto this only true reprefentation of God
unto men, in his Son Jefus Chrift i All I ihall fay
now, is to glance at one fcriptiire, in 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4^
6. If our gofpel he hid^ it is bid to them that are /<?/?,
1 cannot deny, would the apoftie f^ty, but that for
all the plainnef$ and clofenefs of our preaching, of
which in ver. 2, yet our gofpel is hid ; but it is fo to
a loft company. But how comes it, that under fnch
preaching as Paul's, the gofpel is hid from any that
hear it P This he anfwers, ver. 4. wherein he names
two caufes concurring, one fad effed): flowing from
thefe caufes, and deftruf^ion confequent on the ef-
fe6l. The caufes are, unbelief in their hearts, and
Satan's working with it, and fecuring of it. The fin-
Der is blind by nature, his blindnefs grows by the
abufed light of the gofpel, and the devil fpreads a
thick Tail over their blind eyes, that let gofpel-light
ihine by an apoftle, no ray, no beam (hall dart in u-
pon them. Now what is the effect of this double-
blinding ? What doth Satan defign in his pains on un-
believers ^ What is he afraid of, and (Indies to pre-
vent ? It is, hjl the light of the glorious gofpel ofChriJ}^
who is the image of God, Jhould fkins unto them. As
if the apoftle had faid, the devil in his diligence to
keep fmners in the dark, thinks and knows, that if
ever one beam of the glory of Chrift in the gcfpel,
comes in to fmners hearts, they are loft to hini, and
faved to Jefus Chrift. O that fmners knew this, as
weU as. the devil doth I But why hath not this bufy
devil the fame power on all i How come any to have
their
1 62 Sermons concert:: ng Serm. IX.
their eyes opened to fee P To this he anfwers in ver.
6. For God who commanded the light to JJnne out of
darknefs, hath jhined in our hearts ^ to give the light of
the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jefus
ChriJ}, Obferve, that the aportle in fpeaking of the
caufes of the perdition of unbelievers, names their
own blindnefs and unbeh'ef, and Satan's a^livity; but
as to the falvation of beHevers, he afcribes it folely
unto the grace of God, and its power and freedom ;
without which Satan would prevail on all, as he doth
on many. But, for as blind as unbelievers are, and
for as diligent and powerful as the devil is, God that
commanded light in the fird: creation, did fo to us,
and this light fo commanded, gave us the knowledge
of the glory of God^ in the face of Jtfus Chrift, by
which we are faved. There are many glorious truths,
that fliine with fome beams of light into the minds of
natural men, fo as that they are convinced of them,
fall in love with them, and make proftllion of them ;
but never is afmner throughly changed and converted
to God, nor refcued from Satan and the power of
darknefs, till this light, this knowledge, this glory of
God in the face of Chrift, be given by this great
Commander and Creator. Paulhimfelf, while an un-
behever, had the light of the knowledge of the glo-
ry of God, in the works of creation and prcvi:^'euce,
as a man of fenfe and reafon : he had the knowledge
of the glory of God in the law, as a zealous Jew;
but the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Jefus Chrilf , he never h'<id, till it pleafed God to
call him by his grace and to reveal bis Son in him, Gal.
i. 15, 16. And let me tell you, that unlefs you have
feen more of the glory of God in the face of Jefus
Chrift, and in God's way of faving fmners by him,
than ever you faw of his glory in his works of creatioQ
and providence (in both which, not a little of his glo-
ry (hineth) the Lord hath not yet dealt with you, as
he doth wiih them he favech. llie right faving kno'A -
ledge of God centers in this one perfon, Jefus Chriil.
See
Serm/X. the Lord's Frayer. i6^
See how the apoftle pnyeth, Col. ii. 2, 3. That their
hearts /night be comfoyied^ being knit together in love^
and unto all riches of the jull ajjurance of under ftand-
inor, to the acknowled'^jnent of the myjlery of Gody and
oj the Father^ andof Chrifl ; in zvhom are hid all the
treofures of wifdom and knowledge. So that ail who
would be enriched with true wifdoii?, and the faving
knowledge of God, muH: hy falihdig in Chrid, and
find theaj.
SERMON X.
John xvii. 24.
Father y I will that they alfo whom thou haj} given me^
be with me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou haft given me : for thou lovedft m&
before the foundation of the world*
THIS great rubje£>, the glory of our Lord Je-
fus Chriit, which he hath received of his Fa-
ther, is that which his people fee fomewhat of here
by faith, Heb. ii. 9. and are called to the hope of
full beholding of it hereafter, when this prayer ot
our Lord fhall be fully anfwered. It is fo deep a
theme, that it isnoteafy to enter upon it, bin impof-
fible to declare the thing plentifully as it is. All I
mean to fpeak on it, I ihall confine to two beads ; the
glory of Chrift, as reprefenting God unto us ; and
his glory, as reprefenting us to God. In the iirff,
he reprefents God unto us, to our faving knowing of
God : in the other, he reprefents us to God, unto
our faving acceptance with God, I began to fpeak
of the former laft day, and did proceed- to it by thefe
Vol. 1L Y three
1^4 Sermons concerning Serm. X.
three fleps. T. That the true knowledge of God is
fimply Dcedful format's happicefs, both in this and
the next life. 2. That Gcd in himfelf is incompre-
heDfibie, unbeholdib'e, urknowable, unlefs he is
pleaftd to make himfelf fomt mv known to men. 3.
That yet men in ail ages h?.vc neen flill framing re-
prelentaiions of God in their own minds. A little of
nature^s light remains, ^nd of the ruins of thar edate
(Jod made man at firif in ; bnt fo defiled and mixed
with the darknefs brought on men by the fall, that na-
tural light and finful dark^.^fs, mixed together, are
but like the chaos in the btginoiDg of the creation.
Gen. i. 2. So that we may apply that to this cafe of
mensinquiring after God, in Eccl. vii. 29. Lo, this
only have I found y that God hath made man upright :
hut they have fought out many inventions, A man can
think of nothing, but in and by that thought there is
feme idea or reprcfentation of it made in his rrind.
"When we think of our own fouls, (by which we do
think), how dnrk is our idea of them I Bat when we
begin to think of creatures higher and nobler than
ouifelves, as rxii^els are, what a dark idea do we
frame of them I When we fay ihey are fpirits, what
know we what ? Tpirit is I When we fay a fpirit is an
intelligc^: toeing, freeof matter ; how far is this from
plan*'«(;: a juft repi efentation in our minds of ihofe
Bob'=' rreaturcs? If we raife our thoughts above ull
cr'.'.' es, unto the perfect Former of all things, the
g Jehovah; every thought of him, every name
and perfe(Slion of his, fwallows us up ; as Job xxxvsi.
19. leach us -what we jh all fay unto him; for wc
cannot order our Jpecch (or our thoughts) to him by rca-
Jon of darknefs. Our own light in us, is but dark-
neis ; and the infmltencfs of his light and glory, is a?
darknefs to us. K^hall it he told hrm that I (peak f If
a man fpeak^ futely he fhall be fjuailowtd up^ ver. 20.
l.( a iiiHn know, either who he i5 that fpeaketh, what
he either fpeaks or thinks, or who he is ihat is fpoke
or thought c[. The World hath, been ihiving, either
by
Serm. X. the Lord^s Prayer* 165
by their wifdonfi to know Goc^, i Cor. 1. 21. oria
their folly to reprefeat an invifible God to their bodi-
ly fenfes. And this lafl hath filled fo great a part of
the earth with idols : an old abomination, \7hich, h
may be, will continue till thi.^ earth be purged by the
I aft fire. And ihefe things led me to the only relief
in this difmai ftate of mankind, as to the riglit and
living knowledge of God ; that the Lord Jefus Chrift^
the Son of God, clothed with man's nature, and with
the office of Mediator .between God and men, is the
only true reprefentative of God to men. That he is
fuch, and of his glory in being fo, I have fpoke
fomewhat ; and (hail enter upon the ufe we (hould
make of him, as the reprefentative of God un'o his
church, after I have given you a little account of the
gradual rifmg of this light iu and unto the church*
When our firfl parents had finned, and were a-
fhamed of themfelves, and afraid of God, and igno-
rantly thought to hide themfelves fron him, he calls
them to his bar, arraigns them for their fni ; and
when they had no reabn ro cxpe61 any thing but ^rc,-
fent jadgment and execution, inftead of that, the
Lord, in a threatening agaiod the ferpent, brings
forth the firft promite of falvation by Jefus Chritf,
called there the feed of the woman ; who, though be
fhould fuffer by the ferpent, fliould yet bruife his
headi Gen. iii. 15, In the faith of this, and It may
be of other exolanations of it not recorded, the be-
lieving fathers before the fiood lived and died. And
Abel and Enoch are noted, Heb, xi. /\^ 5. the one a
martyr, the other tranllated to heaven. And Noah,
before, in, and after the flood, ver. 7. is called an
heir of the right eoufief which is by faith : which none
but a believer is» No righteoufnefs is by faith, but
that that hath both the Lord our righteoufnefs in ir,
the light of God's word to difcover him and it, and a
promife of the covenant to warrant faith's apprehend-
ing of it. If we go on to the Patriarch Abraham, we
find the light growing more bright, efpeciailj if wc
Y a read
J 66 Sermons concerning Serm. X.
read Geo. xii. 14, 15, 17. &c. with Paul's comments
on them, in Rom. iv. in Gal. iii. and iv. and in Heb.
xi. 8. — 20. and what our Lord faid of Abraham in
John viii. 59, 40. 36, 58, Who can read thefe, and
not be peifuaded, that Abraham knew the Son of
God, and God in him, and juftification and falvation
by him ? Let us next take a view of the church-fiate
which the God of Ifrael brought his people into; firft,
in a more iranfient manner in the wildernefs, and
thereafter fixed them in it in Canaan. In this (late,
we find that the tabernacle and temple, their ordi-
nances, priefts, and iacrifices, and all their ceremo-
nies, were all bat types and fliadows of Jefus Chrid,
Heb. ix'. ar?d x. There were many things in that dif-
perfation that had fome appearance and femblance of
idolairy ; but there was none in it, for two reafons.
'1. Becaufc they were all of God's own appoinimenr.
2. Becaufe they were inflituted on purpofe to prefi-
gure the MefiTiah to come. If therefore any of Ifrael
had devifed of his own head a worQaip of this forr,
then tbat man had been as guilty of tranfgrefTing the
fecond command, Thoujhalt not make unto thyfclf any
likenefs^ &c. as if he had fervcd Baalim. And be-
caufe they were all types and (lindows of Chrid, and
of the good things to come by hi.T. : therefore if any
church or perfon, cow after the fubftance is come,
and the fliadows are gone, {bould attempt to bring
Chriflians under the Levitical difpenfation o^ the 0!d
Teftaraent church, they juflly might be called Anti-
chriftians^ and deniers that Chnfl is come in the flejh^
1 John iv. 3. Com.e we to the prophets, David in
the Pfalms, Ifaiah, and all the prophets, we find a
fair dawning of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jefus Chnfl, wrought in their hearts
by the Spirit of God, and fhining in their minifiry
to fbe church. Thi^ is fo plain, that it need not be
infidrd ';n ; and fo full, that it would be too great a
digrtfiion to infi'i on it as it deferves. We find Ste-
phen, Acls vii. and Paul, A6ls xiii. preaching Chrift
by
Serm. X. the LcrcTs Fray cry 167
by fuch a narration ; warrant enough for this fmall
account. Let us now go forward ro Chriit's coming
into the world. The angels proclaiai him, a born Sa-
vioury Chrifi ths Lord, Luke ii. if. Old dying Sime-
on calls him, when a babe in arms, God^s fahatio?2^
and the light of the Gentiles , and the glory of Ifrael^
ver. 30, 31, 32. Yea, Elifabeth calls him, when in
the womb, My Lord^ Luke i. 43. What a great a-
nointing of the Holy Ghoft was on this good woman,
and how ilrong was her faith in Chriit ? When he is
to be made manifeli to Ifrael, John Baptid proclaims
him to be the Lamb of GoJ^ that taketb away the fin
of the luorld ; to be the baptizer with the Holy GbQi'J ;
to be the Son of God ; and that all grace is received
cut of his fulnefsy John i. 15. — 34. When he is bap-
tized, what a glorious tefiimony is given from heaven
to him, Macth. iii. 17 P When he lived on the earth,
and went about doing good, all that knew him, paid
him divine worfhip in faith, and love, and prayer,
and obedience; and were never checked for it; as
Peter did Cornelius, Adls x. 26.; and the angel,
John the divine, t^vice, lie v. xix. 10. and xsii. 9.
Yea, when he was dying, one fuv him to be God,
and dealt with him by faith for eternal life : the
rareft faith in all the fcripture. When d.iiA^ and
fuppofed by Mary Magdalene to be (lill fo, ill e cal-
led him, illy Lord, John xx. 13. Thomas calls him
when rifen, My Lord and my God^ John xx. 28. Yea,
when he had led them out as far as to Bethany^ and
had lift up his hands and blejfed them ; and while he
hlefjedthem^ he was parted from them^ and was carried
up into heaven ; (a bleiled parting ; and there will be
Ihordy as bleiled a meeting again) ; they worfbipped
himy and returned to Jerufaleniy with great joy, Luke
xxiv. 50, 51, 52, 53. Strange joy 1 when, at the rid-
ings of Chrift's leaving ihtm, for row had filled their
hearts^ John xvi. 6. But, now their Lord had done
all his work on earth, and was received up into glory,
they w^orlLipped Lira joyfully flillj kDov^iog, that
though
l68 Ser:nons concerning Serm. X.
thoiiph now CO more could they worfhiphim as they
did, when he was with thci], with the help of th-^t
bodily prefence of Ciirifl: with them, and with that
fight they had of hin by the e); s of their bodies rer-
niinated on his vifible appearance; yet by faith, aiid
wiih joy from that fa'ih, they worfhipped him ftill.
But when Chrifl was not only afcended into heaven,
but had fcnt down the promife of the Father, his Ho-
ly Spirit, upon the infant Chriflian church, A6I9 ii.
the light of the knoivkdge of the glory of God in the face
^f J^fi^ ChriJ}^ fnone out as the fun in its flrength.
Ail believers, all preachers, all ordinances, were
filled with ChriTt's glory. In this pjorpel-temple, did
every one^ every thing, fpeak of his glory ; as the word
is, Pfal. xxix. 9, All divine worfbip was given to
him, and to God by hini ; all grace difpenfed by him.
And thus it will be until his coming a^ain. While
God hath a church on earth, it \s gathered together in
Chrijl's name ; built on Chrill as the rock and foun-
dation, I Cor, iii. 10, t i. ; grows vp in him, and on
hijiij Eph. ii. 2o» 21, 22. i Pet. ii. 4, 5,; worOiips
him, and the Father in him and by him; is (cd and
nburitlied by his Spirit, and the influence thereof,
until that blefled (late it is to be brought to at ihe
]a(l appearance of the great God, and our Saviour Je-
fu) ChriJIi Tit. ii. 13,
1 would finifh this np-rrative with two fmgular fexrs,
amot.'gtl many, to the fame ])iirpofe ; one in the Old
Ttilament, and another in the New Tcftament, That
in the Old Ttdament is in Numb. xii. 8. ; that in the
New 1 eilament is in Col. ii, 9.
The firfl in Numb. xii. 8, I would labour to ex-
plain. What the matter was that occafioned the ftrife
betwixt Mofes and Aaron and Miriam, we know but
little ; whether Mofes did rig'ht or wrong about the
Et^hicpian woman whom he iDarried, ver. i. Yet one
Vvould think, that Aaron the high pried, and his el-
der brother, and Miriam his fifter, and a prophetef?,
Kiight have reprovsd him for what diey thought was
amifs,
Serm. X, the hordes Prayer, i5a
amiis, without fo fevere a rebuke from the Lord,
But their fin lay in relieving on the high (tation God
had put him in. And their fm was fomething akia
to that of Korah and his company againft both Mof-
es and Aaron : Numb. xvi. 3. Tou take too much it-
pon you. To this ftrife between Mofcs and his bro-
ther and filler, the Lord puts an end by very extra-
ordinary words. 1 will read them, becaufe one pare
of them belongs evidently to our prcfent purpofe :
Numb. xii. 6. Hear now my words : If there be a
prophet among yoit^ (as there were feveoty fet apart
in tne preceediug chapter), / the Lord will make my-
Je If known to htm in a v\fion^ and will [peak unto him
in a dream (And iheie were the ulual ways and
means of God's darting in prophetical light into the
minds of his prophets; either when awake, by vid-
ens ; or when afleep, by dreams ; and both were at-
tended, doubtiels, wirh fuch fignarures of God's in-
tereft therein, as did fatisfy and fecure their faith),
ver. 7. But my fervant Mofes is not fo, who is fait h-
ful m all my houje. '"• (i nave let him above ccofe
" ways and ordinances"), ver. 8. With him will I
fpeak mouth to mouth, (the fame sv'nhface to face,
Exod. xxxiii. 1 f. as a manfpeaketh unto his friend ; ■
and in Deut. xxxiv. la. So Mofes faith of God's way
of giving the law : Deut. v. 4. The Lord talked with
you face to face in the mount, out of the midfl of thefre)^
even apparently, and not in dark fpeeches, (as Pulm.
Jxxyiii 2. / will utter dark fay ings of old) ; and the
fmilitude of the Lordfhall he behold, (as much beyond
ihe.other, 2.% feeing is beyond hearing darkly of a per-
fon t)r thing) : Wherefore then were ye not afraid to
/peak again}} my fervant Mofes? Now what was this,/J;«/-
litude of the Lord that Mofes did behold, and was fo
dignified by reafon of this fingular priviledge ? You
k-aow he tells them, Deut. iv. 15, 16. Take ye there- ,
foic good heed unto yourfehes, (for ye faw no manner of
fmilitude on the day that the Lor df pake unto you in R>
reb, out of the midfl of the fire), lefi you corrupt your-
fshcs^
1 70 Sermons concerning Serm. X,
feiVeSy Sec, It is like, if there had been any feen that
day, that they niiight rather incline to make the re-
femblance oi that in their idol, than of the Egyptian
ox or calf. There are divers opinions about this Jimi-
littfde of ihe Lord that hlofes did behold. But that 1 like
beft, and think it neareft the truth in fo dark and deep
a matter, is what you have in the annotations of Mr
Pool, a learned and godly divine, on this place :
" That the Son of God appeared to Mofes in an hu-
** man fnape : which he took up for a time, that he
<* might give Mofes a foretaite of his future incarna-
*' tion.'* And many grave divines think, that moft
of the appearances of God to Abraham, and to the
patriachs and prophets, were made by the Son of
God in a human fhape, foretelling his being made
fle(h in the fulnefs of time. Man was made in the i*
mage of Gody after his Ukenefs^ Gen. i. 26. If this
fenfe be not approved, that it was fo done, becaufe
God had purpofed, that one of the blefied three, e-
ven his eternal Son, the natural and effential image of
the Father, fhould in time be fent in the likenefs of
man ; yet this is certain, that the firft man was made
in the image of God ; and, by his fall, got on him and
his pofterity the image of the devil : and to recover
U3 from this woful likenefs, and to bring ns to a bet-
ter likenefs to God than Adam was made in and loll,
God's Son takes jo him the likenefs offinfulficfh^ Rom.
viii 3. yet without fm, that in and by that likenefs
men might come to know God favingly, and be made
like unto God.
The oiher fcripture is in Col. ii. 9. For in him
(Jefus Chrift) dwelleth all the fulnefs of the Godhead
bodily, A remarkable text, and fo is the context.
What dwells in Jefus Chrift ? The Godhead, the fulnefs
of the Godhead, and all the fulnefs of the Godhead.
How dwelleih it in him ? Bodily, really, fubflantially,
not typically, as in the temple and fan£luary. The fulnefs
of the Godhead did not only thus dwell in Chrift when
he was on earth, but it dwelleih in him flill, and for
ever*
Serm. X. the Lord's Prayer. 171
ever. Where then can a man find God, but in this
man Jefus Chriil, in whom dwelleth all the fulnefs cf
the Godhead, really, fubftantially, and eternally :'
The context hath two things in it. i. A warning a-
gainft redu(n:ion, ver. 8. 18, 19. Their and our dan-
ger lay in two things, that then were, and to this day
are, the chief fpriogs of apoflafy from Chrid, and
the ftinpUcity that is in hi?n^ as 2 Cor. xi. 3. The
one is adhering to the Old Teflament ordinances and
ceremonies, antiquated by Chrift, the end and fub-
ftance of them all. The other is, man's reafon, wif-
dom, and pUilofophy ; which never could, nor can,
find out God, fo as to direft men to know God fav-
ingly, and to worfnip God acceptably, i Cor. i. 21.
And therefore, by its poor principles, and beggarly
elements^ (as Gal. iv. 9.), this wifdom of man rebels
againfl the faving wildom of God in his Son Jetus
Chriu ; and doth but fuffiip men by their fie JIAy mmd^
Col. ii. i8. And from thofe two curfed fprings, all
ihe herefies, apoitafies, and the grand Antichriitiaa
defe^lion, have evidently flowed.
^. In the context we have the privileges of Chrif-
tians by Chrift, that (iiould endear him to them, and
engage them to that ftedfaftnefs in the faith which he
had exhorted them to in ver, 5, 6, 7. Thole privi-
leges are many and great. The Chriftian is complete
inhim^ ver. 10. and needs not hunt after any good
out of him. All is to be found in Chrifl, and in him
only. He Is circumcifed in him^ that is, faD61:*!fied,
ver. II. He is buried zvith Chrifl ^ and rifen agaln^
ver. 12.; made to die to fin, and to hve to God. He
h quickned zvith Chrifl^ ver. 13. 2Lud forgiven. All
the Chriftian's enemies conquered, the law cancelled,
and the devil over-come, and triumphed over by
Chrift, at and by his lowed, ver 14, 15.
Now, to come to the application of this dofirine
fo oft named, That the Lord Jefus Chriil, God-mau,
Mediator, is the only true reprcfentacive of God ua-.
Vol, H. Z to
172 K^erjnons concerntng Serm. X,'
to the church : There are three exhortations I would
give from it. i. Study God in ChriH. 2. Content
yourfelves with this knowledge oF God in Chrift. ^.
Ufe and improve the knowledge of God yoa have in
and by Jefus ChriO.
Exhort. I. Study God in Chrld. You muft know
God, if ye be faved. You cai^uot know hinfi, but as he
reveals himfelf ; he reveals hiinfeif no other way bat
in Chrill, fo as to be favingly known. There are four
books (if 1 may fo call thern) that lUcny ufe in their
ftudying to know God ; but they are, and will be but
poor (choiars, if they have not better, and fitter, and
plainer books, i. Some will ftudy an abfolute God;
God as in himfelf. An abfolute (iod is a pit, and an
abyfs, that all that: go near it, fall into it, and will
be dedroyed. It was a bold word of bleffed Luther,
** Let hypocrites and unbelievers do as they pleafe,
*' I will have nothing to do with an abfolute God."
God as in his Son, God as in covenant with U3 in his
Son, God as clothed with grace and mercy, (hining
in his promifes in Chrid, is the God we mufl iludy
to know; and when by his grace we attain it, we may
glory humbly in it : Jer. ix. 24 Let him that glorieth^
g^ory in this, that he under flandeth and knoweth me^
that I am the Ijjrd, lohich exercife loving-kindnefs ^
judqinent^ and right eoujnefs in the earth : for in thefe
t}M)2gs I delight^ faith the Lord. 2. Some ftudy God
in bis works. And much of his glory ihioeth there-
in, and we ought to obferve if. But what is all the
fruit of this alone ! .Only to render men inexcufabie^
Rum. i 20. This light of the knowledge of the glo-
ry of God, is both dim and cold light, Ic hath no
heat nor power in it. Never did a man come by the
faviug kn^owledge of God by the fludy of the book of
creation and providence, though a true Chrift lan may
both (tody and profit much by it, when he hath knoivn
God, or rather is known of God, Gal. iv. 9. 3. Some
Itudy to know God in his holy law. And iu it is a
glorious difcovery of God, Bui it is of a holy, jud,
fm-
Serm. X. Ibe Lord^s Prayer, 17^
fin-hating', fio-forbidJing, fin-threarening God. Here
he is feen as a terrible judge. No man ever did, or
can know God favingly, m bare iaw-light. Only God
can be favingly known in that reprefentaiion of him
wherein he is maniFefted as a faving God ; and that
is, only in his Son Jefus Chrift. 4. Some ftudy to
know God in and by his ordinances. Precious ap-
pointments of God, mnch to be valued and ufed by
us; and their profit great, when bleifed by their ap-
poioter, and when ufed by us in the right manner.
But we muft know, that as the virtue of all the Old
Teftament ordinances lay in their relation to, and
flladowing forth the Meffiah then to come ; (0 all the
virtue of New Teftament ordinances lieth in their re-
lation to, and (hewing forth of Chrift come. If there-
fore a man now (hall (fudy to know God favingly ia
and by the greater light of the gofpel-appointments,
without regard to Chrifl's interefl in rhem, that maa
will as fureiy perifh in ignorance of God, as a carnal
Jew, uncircumci fed ia heart ; as J^r. \k. 26, Rom. ii.
20, 29. PhiL iiio g.
But, above all thefe, if yoUvWouH know God fav-
ingly, fludy to know him in and by th::€ only faving
rcprefentation he hath made of himfelf in his Son.
I. For here it is you have the only true, and new
place to find God in, job in his diilrefs faid, O that
I knew where I might fnd him I that 1 7111 gbt come d?-
ven to his feat ^ or throne! Job. xxiii. g. He is only
to be found in Chrif}. God dwelleth in Chrifr, CoL
ii. 9. There, and ,there only, you mud feek him,
and find him, and koow him favingly; and acquaint
your/elves with him^ and he at peace ^ Job xxii. 21.
There is no creature, no part of the work of God's
hands, that is fo nearly related to God, as the nature
of the man Chrift, aiTumed by the divine perfon of
the Wordy the only begotten of the Father, This is the
true tabernacle which the Lord pitched ^ and not man^
Heb. viii. 2. This is the new and living way^ which
h^ hath confecrated for us through the vail, that is to
Z a fay^
174 Sermons concerning Serm. X.
fay^ his fle/hy Heb. x. 20. And this is the only way
to the hol'iejl^ ver. 19. The devil, Chrili's great e-
iKHiy^ hath done much to darken and difgrace this
uay to the world : on the one hand, by the grofs
idolatry of An?ichrii1:, wherein a vain Ihow is made,
by images of Chrift, and of his flefh, and fufferings
in it ; all obfcuring and perverting of Chrifl as the
ordinance of God for our falvation. On the other
hand, when men by their reafon fee the vanity of
this Popilh pageant and puppet-fhew, into which An-
tichrift hath turned the true gofpel-reprefentation
of Chrifl", Satan haih brought in a myllical and me-
tfiphyfical gofpel, on the pretence of greater fpiritu-
ality; wherein the fle(h of Chriff, and his faving per-
formances in that flelh, are either hid, or turned in-
to aliegories, and myfteries, and notions, that have
v.o room but in vain minds that hatch them, and are
quite unprcfiiable to them, that haibonr and hug
them. But let Chriftians beware of both, as of ways
of perdition ; aud by faith fix on the fiefli of our Lord
and Saviour Jefus Chrilt, which was given by him
Jor the life of the worlds John vi, 51. In this taber-
nacle of his hfidy we by faith fee God the Son perlbn-
ally dwelling, and by the fame faith fee the Father
dwelling in the Son. And thus only do we favingly
know God.
2. In Chrift only we have the new names and re-
lations of God, in and by which God only can be fa-
vingly known. When God fent Mofes to HVael, and
to Pharaoh, to bring llrael out of.Egypr, Mofes faith
TO the Lord, Exod. iii. 13. // they ft: all fay to vie^
What is his name? what (hall I fay unto them f* (And
what a deep aofwer is given to this bold queltion,
ver I 4 P) So may we, What is that n-ime and rela-
tion of God that he only can be favingly known by ?
It is eafiiy anfwered, God can only be favingly known
ia aud by that faving name by which he makes him-
i^V. known ; and that is his name in Chrifl. The
Lord faid to Ifrael in Exod. xxiii. 2 1. Beware of him^
and
Serm. X. the Lord^s Prayer, 175
and obey his voice ^provoke him not : for he will not pardon
your tranfgrejftons : Jor my ?mrns is in him. And this
awful Word about Chrift, the angel of the coveoanr,
that he will not pardon refufers of him, is bur the
fame we have in Heb. xii. 25. But all the faving
names and relations of God unto us, are all in and
from his names in Chrift, and relations to Chrill. He
is Chrifl's God and Father, and lb ours, John xx. 17.
But more of thofe anoo.
So much for the firil exhortation, Study God ia
Chrift.
Exhort, 2, Learn to be content with the knowledge
of God in Chrift. Seek no more knowledge of God,
feek no other knowledge of God, fave in Chrift, Aii:
not Philip's queftion ; or if you do, take Chrift's an-
fwer to it, and feek no other, John xiv. 7, 8, 9.
Chrift had told them, that they knew his Father^ and
hadfeen him^ Philip, not underftanding this, faith un-i-
to hi?n^ Shew us the Father, and ttfufficeth us, " Thoa
" haft told us much of thy Father, of his love to us„
" and of his mercy in fending thee to fave us ; Lord,
" give us but one fight of the Father, and we wiji
" aik no more." lb this Chrift anfwers. Have l\-
been Jo long time with yoUy (and three or four years
was not long time, but that one day of being with
Chrift was a vaft mercy), and yet hafl thou not known
vie Philip f He faith not, *' Have I been fo long time.
** with you, and haft ihou not yet known the Father?"
(as he told the unbelieving Jews, John vlii. 19. Te
neither know ??ie, nor my Father; and John xvi. g,
They have neither known the Father nor me,) ; biu,
Hafl. thou not known me f " You do know the Father,
" becaufe you know me ; though you do not know fo
*' diftinftly that you do know him." Therefore Chrift
adds. He that/eeth me^ hath feen the Father ; as John
xii. 45. He that feeth me^ feeth him that fent me,
*' But thou Philip haft feen me, both with thy bodily
« eye, and with the eye of faith," (as this fame Phi-
lip faith to Nathanael, John i. 45, We have found
him
I7<5 Sermons concerning Serm. X,
h tin of whom Mofes in the law, and the prophets did
ivrite. " He hath been long promifed by God, long
*' looked for by Ifrael; now he is come, and we have
** found him ; Come and fee. ^^ J : HjW fayefl thou then^
Skew us the Father f BelieveJ} thou noty that I am in
the Father^ and the Father tn me f *' If thou truly be-
•' lievefl m me, this thou mud believe, and dofl be-
*' lieve." And to this way of believing he exhorts
him, ver. 1 1. It is no eafy thing to hold a (trait rein
on an inquifitive mind, and to confine all our know-
ledge of God's glory unto that that (liiaeth in the
face and pcrfon of Jcfus Chrifl. There is enough
there to bufy us happily in lime, and to eternity;
and no good can be got in tranfgrefling this land-
mark. Jf men go but one ilep in lludying God out
of Chriff, they wander immediately, and they do
wander dangeroufly ; as every man may feel in him-
felF, and fee it vifibly in many others.
Exhort, 3. Ufe and ira prove this reprefentation of
God in Chrifl:. It is our greateR privilege to have it ;
and our greateft care and diligence Qiould be ufed in
the improvement of it ; and our greateft profit comes
to us by that improvement. This I would iafift upon
ill ihefe particulars.
I. Improve this reprefentation of God in Chrifl
for fixing and determining your fpirits, in ail your
thoughts of God. There mud be thoup-hts of God.
His people are called thinkers on his name, Mai iii.
16. On the contrary, of the wicked it is faid, Pfal.
X. 4. God is not in all his thoughts. There are two
thoughts about God in Chrifl, that I am afraid fom.e
deceive themfelvcs by. i. Some think that they do
know God in Chrifl, when they know that Chrifl: is
God. This is indeed abfolutely needful to falvation.
But it is not all. A notional ailent uato this truth,
that ihineth fo brightly in every page of the New
Teflaraent, may be in an ungodly man. The devil
knows, and believes it, Mark v. 7. ; and he only puts
3. wicked //upon ir, in his tempting of Chrift, Matth.
iv.
Serm. X. the Lorcfs Prayer. jjj
IV. 3. 2. Some think they know God in Chrift, vvhea
they know that Chrift only can reveal God unto men,
Matth. xi. 27. and John i. 18. This is indeed a pro-
per work for Chriit only ; but that pertains to his
prophetic office. But we muft go further ; not only
to believe that Jefus Chrifl is true God, and the only
true and eiFeflual teacher of the knowledge of God ;
but that all the right knowledge we have, or can
have of God, is of God as he is in Jefus Chrill. What
Paul refolved on in his office, (and it may be that he
meant rarore than his way in his office of apoillefhip),
you mufl take up in all your religion : 1 Cor. ii» 2»
/ determined not to know any thing a?ncngyou^ fave Je^
Jus Chrijly and him crucified. And if we had more
miniflers of Paul's fpirit io their preaching, we fhould
fee more of Chriftianity in the people's religion. But
when fome mlnifters preach, as if they had taken up
the reverfe of Paul's determination, even to know,
and to make known any thing, every thing, fave
Chrift, and him crucified ; is it any wonder, if many
of their hearers may fay, as they did about the Holy
Ghcft, and his difpenfation, AO.sxix. 2, We have
not fo much as heard whether there be any Jefus Chrij}^
end that crucified? And fuch may juftly iay aifo of
the Spirit, We have not fo much as beard whether there
he any Holy Ghojl : for the Spirit is received only by
believers on Chrift, John vii. 39. ; and by the hear^
ing oj faith y and not by the works of the lazv^ Gal. iii. 2,
2. Improve this reprefentaiion of God in Chrift, ia
your dealmg with him for eternal life. Whoever
would be faved, muft have fome heart-dealings with
God about it, and for it. You know it is the gift of
God^ through Jefus Chrijl our Lor dy Rom, vi, 23. A-
ny way, every way of dealing with God for falvation,
will not fucceed. There is one fpecial, and the only
right way ; and that is with God in Chrift. Can you
deal with God as the Creator of the woild, and as a
Lawgiver? Unlefs God kad revealed himfelf ia
Chrifts
178 Ser?ncns concerning Serm. X.
Chrifc, no finner durfl lift up his face before God's
throne, to beg eteroeil life, or to expe^l it.
3. Improve this reprefeiuation of God in Chrift,
in ai! your worihipping of God. The word is the
word of Chri/Iy Co!, iii. 16. We pray; but how?
We muft pray in ChrijVs name, and ask, whatever we
ask of the Father ^ in Chri/Ps name, John xiv. 15, 14.
and xvi. 23, 24, The God that the apoftle prayed to,
is the Gcd and Father of cur Lord Jefus ChriJJ, of
ivhom the vjhole family in heaven and earth is named^
Eph. iii. 14, 15.; and to him he gives glory by Chrift
Jefus, ver 20, 21. O that men did know, that to
wcrlhip God out of Ohrift, is to vuorfhip they know
not what ! as ChriH: faith in John iv. 22. , But we
know what we worfhip : for fahatlon is of the Jews,
Out ot them the Meffias cometh, and falvation by him;
and in him God is favingly known, and knowingly
worlhipped.
4. Let all Chriftians improve this do<flrine in their
fpiritual exercife, and in the aftings of the graces of
the Spirit. All thofe graces are from God in Chriff,
and difpenfed and enlivened by the Spirit of grace.
And they are (if you take the expreilion rightly) as
fo many diftin^l members and powers of the new man,
whereby it adls on its original. I would name feve-
ral of them, and fhew of what ufe this reprefentatioa
of God in Chrilf is in their a(5ting.
i/?. Faith. We by Chrifl believe in Gody who raif-
ed him up from the deady and gave him glory ^ i
Pet. i. 2 I. Faith is juftly called the fundamental, ra-
dical grace in the new creature ; becaufe it is that
grace whereby he is built on Chrifl the foundation,
and taketh root in Chrifl, in whom is all the Chrilli-
an's life, fap, and fatnefs. There are two a^fls of
faith 1 would fpeak of; an a£l of faith for peace, and
an a£t of faith for fupply.
(i.) Faith a(Sts for peace. There is a fad quarrel
betwixt God and us by fm, which muft be taken a-
way, or no peace can be. God hath provided the
wayj
Serm. X. the Lord^s Frayer, 1 79
way ; Chrifl liatb made the way, yea, is become the
way ; the gofpel reveals it, and faith inriproves
and ufeth ir. i (hall give you four names oF God
in Chrifl, which you will know and ufe, if you
ever know what believing is. i. The name of God
is love to [inner s^ John iii. 16. i John iv. 8, 9, 10.
16'. It is impofTible that a fmner can a£l any de-
pcndance on God for falvation, ualefs there be
fome manifeftation of his name, as love. Whenever
any beam of this love darts in upon a poor fmner, the
man begins to live and hope immediately. I meaa
not, that every one fiiould believe this propofiiion,
That God loves me ; but only, that Gnd harh a won-
derful great love to fave (inners, which he hath
proved in giving his own Son to be a Saviour ; that
this love runs out to men in and by Jefus Chrift ; and
all that would have it for themfelves, fliouid ftrive to
get near to this fun, that when its light and heat is
feen and felt, they may be faved. 2. Anoiher name
of God that faith a£ls on, is God with his redeeming
blood. Stumble not at the phrafe ; it is that of the
Holy Ghoft, A61:s xx. s8. When the apoflle is count-
ing the privileges of Chriftians under the New Tef-
tament, fee how he rifeth, Heb. xii. 22, 23, 24. Te
are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the liv-
ing Gody the heavenly Jerufalem, and to an innumer-
able company of angels ; (all beyond what the Old
Teftament church was brought to) ; to the general af-
fernbiy and church of the firfl-horn^ which are written
in heaven^ and to God the Judge of all, and to the
fpirits ofjuj} men made perfect. But is it not terrible
to be brought to God the Judge of all? No; for ye
are come to Jefus the Mediator of the new covenant^
and to the blood offprinkling, thatfpcaketh better things
than that of Abel. x\s if the apofile had faid, " Fear
** not to come to God the Judge of all, when ye fee
'^ J^f^^ ^^^ Mediator of the new covenant, and his
*' blood that fealed and confirmed that covenant, fo
" near to God, God the Judge is your friend, and
Vol. II. A a *« will
1 8 Sermons concermng S e R m . X#
*' will abfolve you ; and the blood of the covenant (as
" it is cailcd, Heb. xiii. 20.) wiil fpeak better things
" for yon, and fpeak louder for your falvation, than
** the guilt of fiu, and the thunders of the law, can
". fpeak againft you." And never had a finaer been
faved, if the voice of Chrid's blood had been outcried
by any voice from heaven, or earth, or bell. 3 An-
other name of God in Chrifl, is, he is a God that juf-
tifies the ungodly:, Rom. iv. 5. Papiflp, and others, in
their pretended zeal for holinefs and good works, do
eirher dcfire that this name of God were not in the
Bible, or the true fenfe of it v/ere taken out ol the
church. It is r/s plainly: That as no man needs the
blefTing of juftiticaiiou, but a fmoer and an ungodly
man ; fo whenever God gives this blelllng, he gives it
freely to a man that is ungodly lifl he get it. And
\vhen a finner pleads for it, he doth plead as guihy
and ungodly. He begs it of God* as an alms of free
grace ; the Lord gives it as fuch ; and he that gets ir,
holds it, and praifeth for ir, as fuch an alms of mere
grace, God be merciful to me the jlnner^ faid the jalb-
fied publican ; Let the utijuftified Pharifee boall: of
his fallings, prayers, and good works, Luke xviii. 9.
14. 4. The tvay by which peare with God is brouaht
about in and by Jefus Chrift, is a name of God in Chrift
that faith hath much to do with. Where God pro-
claiuied his name to Mofes, Exod. xxxiv. 5, 6, 7. (Mo-
fes had carnefily dedred to fee the Lord's glory,
God promifeih it gracioufly, chap. xx>:i!i. 18, 9):
Let us read this glorious proclamation : And the lord
faffed by before hirn^ and proclaimed^ The Lordy the
Lord Gsdj ?nerc'iful and gracious^ longfuJferin(j^ and
obujidant in goodntfs and truth, keeping mercy Jor thou^
fands (of geyierat'ions, a^E\od, xx, 6. and Pfal. cv. 8),
forgiving iniquity^ and tranfgrejfion. and fin, and that
will by no means clear the ^wlty ; -ci filing the iniquity
cf the fathers upon the children, and upon the chiidrens
children, unto the third and to the fourth generation :
Here v/as much of the giory of God's grace difcovered ;
and
Serm, X. the Lord's Prayer. l8f
and Mofes made good ufe of it, ver. 8, 9. Buc yet
bow dark and dreadful was this nanne ! how hard to
underiland it 1 Here is both grace in pardoaing fin,
and judice in vifiting for fin. By this name we casnot
tell when, and whom God will pardon ; and when,
and whom he will not clear; for all are guilty. By
this name v/e cannot tell how God can do both ; how
he can pardon, and yet not clear the guilty; bow he
can pardon without refie6i:ing on his judice; or how
he can puniiii iniqaity, and not refied on his grace
and mercy. In chap, xxxiii. 9. the Lord faith, I will
make all my gocdnefs (or beauty and glory) pafs before
thee. Yet was it (hort of New Testament light : for
the bright gofpel-name of God in Chrid'refolves
fweetly this riddle, Rora. iii. 2^, 25, 26. In Chrid
only mercy and truth are met together^ righteoufnefs and
peace have kiffed each other ^ as Pfal. Ixxxv. 10. And
by this meeting and kifs, we are faved ; and when
we fee it by faith, we are comforted. By thefe,
God's glorious names of juftice and mercy kifs one
another, and do kifs and fave the believer; and the
believer by faith kiiTsth the Son of God, as Pfal. ii.
12. J and then the Father, as a reconciled God, in
him. I would fpeak fomewhat of this from two
fcriprures, both deep in themfelves, and yet full of
light and comfort to believers. One in 2 Cor. v. 19,
20, 21. In this place, the apodle tells us what his
gofpcl was, as committed to hira, and preachfd by
him. It was this good news. That Goi was in Chrijl
reconciling the world unto himfelf (But the world iieth
in wickednejs, \ John v. 19. and God is hol/^ and a
hater of wickednefs ; how then can fuch a God as he
is, be reconciled to fach a world as thjs is ?), not im-
puting their trefpajfes unto them. God out of Chrid
judgeih and condemoeth the fmful world for their tref-
palTes ; and this is the glory of his jadice. But God
in Chrid does not impute their trefpades unto them ;
and this is the glory of his grace. But how can this
be ^, The world is guihy ; trefpaffes they have com-
A a 2 ffiitted i
1 82 , Sermons concerning Serm. X.
n-iitred ; fm is not a traniient acV, no more to be heard
after it is conimitied ; but as it is in it^, it flows from
a depraved finFul nature, and ccniracfts a permanent
gnllc, binding us over unto eternal vengeance, and is
only removeable and diflblved by pardoning grace.
The nature of God, and his law, requircth that this
high crime of fin be either avenged on us, or fatisfied
for by u?, or by another for us. The jufl revenge
of fin, is the eternal ruin of the Tinner ; and fatisfac-
tion to juftice for fin, is eternaily beyond the power
cf the finner, or of any creature whatfoever. How
then can God be jufl, and not impute fin to the fin-
ner ? It is anfwered in ver. 2i, For he hath made
him to he fm for us, who knew no fin ; that ive mioht
be made the righteoufnefs of God in him. The finiefs
Son of God in man's nature, is by God made fin for
us, that the finful Tons and daughters of men may be
made the righteoufnefs of God in him. How can this
be; that one that is finiefs is made fin, and that fuch
as are true and real finners are made righteous, ye^,
made the righteoufnefs of God in him that was made
fm ; and they are made thus righteous, by his being
thu> made fin ? Is not this to deprefs Chrift too low,
and ro exalt believers too high ? No ; it depreffeth
Chrifl no lower than his Father did lay him for our
faivation, and exalteth believers no higher than fav-
ing grace defigned them. How is he made fin P By
the bearing of, and being a propitiation for fin. Sin
was imputed to him : not his own : for he had none,
and could net have been our Saviour if he had had a-
Fiy ^ Heb. vii. 26. For fuch an High Piie/} became usj
who is holy, harmlefsy undefledy fc par ate fromfinners^
find made higher than the heavens. But the iniquity
of all his flock was laid on him, Ifa. liii. 5. ; for this
was he bruifed by law and juflice, and by thefe flripe;?
are we healed, Ifa. liii. 5. Chrid was finkfs in himfelf,
and only made fin for us. We are finners in ourfelves,
and far from, and void of all righteoufnefs in ourfelves ;
yet by grace are made the righteoufnefs of God in him;
not,
Serm. X. the Lord's Frayer, i8g
nor, nor never in ourfelves. The fan^tified believer is
made truly holy in himfelfjby Chrifl'sholinefs imparted
to him by the Spirit oF Chriii. The glorified are made
perfe6lly holy. Bin neither of them are made fari£tiiica-
tion or righteoufnefs for theaifelves, or for others. The
glory of this isChrift's crown and^property, i Cor.i. 30.
and the bleffiog of it is the glory and faivation of his
people. Another fcripture, among many to this pur-
pofe, is in Gal. iii. 13, 14. CbriJ} bath redeemed us from
the curfe of the law, (a great mercy ; but how ?), being
made a curfe for us ; (How proves he it ^)'for it is writ-
ten, Curfed is every one that hangeth on a tree /-—(taken
from Deut. xxi. 23.) For he that is hanged, [i, e. on a
tree, as ver. 22), is accurfed of God, or the curfe of
God ; Hanging to death on a tree, was named in the
law an accurfed death, (though it probably be one of
the eafieft ways of putting malefa6lors to death, as it
is generally ufed in Chriftian kingdoms), on the ac-
count of one Jefus Chrift, the MefTiah, who was to
die this way) i—that the bkjfng of Abraham might come
on the Gentiles through Jefus ChriJ}, V/hat is the blef-
fing of Abraham P It is that that comes to men by
faith in Chrift : Gal. iii. 9, So then they which be of
faith, are blefjed ivith faithful (or believing) Abraham,
Both are bleffed wiih the fame bleliing, and by the
fame .BleiTer, and in the fame way of believing in
Chrift. Thefe two fcriptures (as Chrid himfelf was)
have been a fione of (lurabling, and a rock of offence,
and as figns to be fpoke againft. But can any fay or
think, that the infpired writer of them did not highly
honour his Lord and Mailer, Jefus Chriii, or that he
did not v/ifely coni'uit the edification of the church, in
his ufmg thefe words ? No ; no mere man excelled
him in both. Zeal for ChriiTs glory, and love to fm-
ners faivation, did eat him up. If we rank thefe words
araongft /o;?;^ of the things that are hard to be under-
flood, which they that are unlearned and unftable wrefl^
as they do alfo the other fcriptures, unto their deflruciion^
2 Peter iii, 16.} yet furely they are moit needful to
be
184 Sermons concerning Serm. X*
be iinderftood, are capable of a very good meaning,
and are made very plain unto many. Sin againft God,
and the curfe of God for Tin, are the worTi: things in
this and the oiher world. Sin, and the curfe for it,
sre ifjfeparable. If fin be commiited, it b imputed,
and the curfe follows in courfe of law. If the curfe
fall on a man, fin did precede it,. and deferve it. Yea,
U'hen cur Saviour bore our fin by imputation, the
curfe mud follow that charge. But obferve the dia-
lect of the Holy GhcTt in thefe two fcriptures, and fee
what provifioQ is made for the honour of Chrill: in
this way of fpeaking, as well as for cur peace and fal-
vation in what is fpoken. 1. Chrifl: is faid to be made
fin. Thus no finaer was, or can be. When angels
fell, they were made fmners, but not made fm. So
of Adam, when he fmned, he became a finner, and a
iin and death-conveying head to himfelf, and to all
his natural poflerity ; but he did not become fio, tljo'
he came nearer it than ever any other fmner did or
can. When we fin, (and, alas 1 whe^n Ao we not fin ?),
we were finners by nature, before we commit a<flu?d
fin ; but by finning v/e only become greater finner*>,
and are not made fin. Jeroboam did fin ^ and made
Jfrael lofuu I Kings xiv. 16. The idols he fet up,
became a fin^ i Kings xii. 30. But neither he, nor
they were made fin. So Chrifl is faid to be made a
cuffe. And this is not to be faid properly of any, but
Chrifl. A finner unpardoned hath the curfe lying on
him, and he is under it, as Gal. iii. 10 j but he is
not made a curfe. 2. Chriil is faid to bq made fm by
God. All finners are made 4'uch by liatan and them-
lelves. God makes no finners ; but to fave them, h'^
makes his Son to be fin. So Chrifl was made a cur ft,
ynd that by God too. He that laid fm on him, laid
die curfe alfo. 3. Chrifl is made fin and a curfe for
C^thi^rs. So it is in both places, /:•■«)■. A proper fin-
der hath both his own fin charged on him, and God's
curfe laid on him, for himfelf. lie hath none to blame
but himfelf, liofcu .-viii. <), The fm is commiued by
hi Til-
Serm. X. the Lord^s Prayer. 185
himfelf, charged on himfelf, and puniiliment iij^hrs on
himfelf. All quire contrary to God's way in dealing
wirh his Son. AH the charge on him was for other?.
4. Chrift's rinleiTnefs andbleffednels in himfeif h ex-
preiTed in 2 Cor. v. 21. and hinted in Gal. iii, ij^ 14.
He knew no fin, yet is made fm. He was the great
blelTing of his church, yet is made a curie for ir.
LalUy, Obferve the fruit, defigo, and eff:-<3: of this
marvellous way of God's making of Chriil. He is made
fm, that we might be made righteoufncfs. That im-
puted righteoulnefs in which believers (land before
God, is the fruit of Chrift's being made fri for them.
Our bleiling we have-, fprings out of Chrift's being
made a curfe for us.
So much for the grace of faith, and its afting f,x^
peace with God. Whenever you are iq good earneil:
in dealing with God for his favour, and reconciliation
with hira, one or more of thefe names of God ia Chrifl,
God as love^ God with Ins redeeming bloody God that
juftifies the ungodly^ God making his Son to be fin and
curfe for his people ; I fay, fome of thefe names of
God mufl either be your anchor-ground, or you wll!
periih in the fea and ftorm of your fin, and of God's
wrath and curfe. 1 know, that while men are fecure,
(as the moft are), and know not what God, nor fm,
Dor confcience are, they may either deride them, or
wantonly i^Xk pro and con o^l thefe facred things of
God : but I can alTare you of this, that if ever (and
woe to you, if you never f-h) the terrors of God, and
the power of his law, break in upon your awakened
confciences ; if you ever think in earaed of deuh and
judgment, you muft have your recoiirfe unto God in
Chri[i, or peri(h eternally. No refuge but in hi:n,
Heb. vi. 18, 19. J no hope but from him, and on
'him
2. There is an a^ and eKercIfe of faith for fup-
ply. When a fmner is made by grace a believer, and
hath peace with God, he is yet in a wanting conditi-
on. He may be poor and needy, not only ia his own
eye?,
1 86 Sermons concerning Serm. X.
eyes, but reallj^, on whom the Lord thinkcih favour-
ably, Pfal. xl. 17. Every believer can tell fomething,
none can tell all he wants. How are they fupplied P
Phil. iv. 19. My God fhallfupply all your neecl^ accord-
ing to his riches in glory^ by Jefus Chrifl. It hath
pleajed the Father^ that in him Jbould all fulnefs dwells
Col. i. 19. And how pleafing (hould it be to his peo-
ple, that it is lodged in fo fure a hand ? Acd how
pleafant ought it to be to them, to come, and ailc, and
receive, till their joy be full? John xiv, 13, 14. and
xvi. 23, 24. We all know, by natural light, that God
is the fountain of all our fupplies, fro?n whom cometh
every good gift ^ and every perfe6l gifty James i. 1 7. But
gofpel-light tells us by whom he giveth, and on what
ground ; even out of Chrifl's fulnefs, and according
to his promifes in Chrid.
So much for the grace of faith,
2^/y, Another grace that this reprefentaiion of God
Jn^and by Chrid directs us in the acting and exercife
of, is, repentance unto li/Cj as it is called in A6i:s xi. 18.
There is a faving repentance, as well as there is a
faving faith. Both are given to them whom God fav-
eth. No impenitent perfon is faved, nor unbelie-
Ter. Two things only 1 would note about repentance.
1. Never man did truly repent, but a believer in Chrift.
2. Never did a man truly repent, but for his fins a-
gainll God in Chrifl. If you know nothing more of
repentance but what you feel in the twinges of your
confcience, by the light and heat of God's holy law,
you are not yet come to gofpel-repentance. Poor and
confufed are the notions that mod fmners have. They
think, that all their fins are againd God, and all their
relief is in Jefus Chrid ; but they do not know, and
lay to heart, that all their fins are againd God in
Chrid, and that all their relief againd fin is likewife
in God in Chrid. Mgu Jin again/? ChriJ}^ 1 Cor. viii.
12. ; they ^^xt forgiven by Chrifl ^ Col. iiii. i;^. He is
exalted with the right hand of Gody to be a Frince and
a Saviour^ for to give repentance to Ifrael^ and for give-
nefs ^
Serm. X. the LorcPs Prayer, 187
nefs offins^ A<^s v. 3[. IF, in the exercife of your
repentance, you forget that you have pierced Chrift
by your fins, you are not aifted by the promifed Spirit
oi" grace, Zcch. xii. 10. And all expedations of par-
don that are not only grounded on Chrift and his me-
diation, are not only vain, but finfuL,
3^/y, I might fpeak of the grace of love, that pre-
cious and everlafting grace# Love mud a£l on God
in Chrift. It is fad to fee and hear people bufying
their heads with fpeculations about the excellencies
and perfedions of the divine nature, and imagining by
the force of their reafoning on ihefe things, to blow
up a fire of love to God. But let men know, that till
God be known to us as love, no lost that is true, will
ever kindle in our hearts. Nov/, God as love is only
difcovered as he is in Chrift : i John iv. 8,-19. ^^^
love hm, becaufe he fir ft loved us.
^thly^ All holy obedience is to be performed unto
God in Chrift: Col. iii. 17,-24. And ivhatfoever ye
doy in word or deed^ do all in the name of the Lord Je^
fusy giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Yea,
relative duties are urged by moft fpiritual moiives and
patterns ; husbands love to their wives, by Chrift'slove
to his church ; wives fubjedlion to their own 'luf-
bands, by the church's fubjeftion to Chrift, who is its
Head and Saviour, Eph. v. 20,-33. Even Chriftiaa
fervants obedience to, and ferving of their mafters, is
required and fweetened by this, that therein theyferve
the Lord Chrift, It is not unlike, that, in thofe times,
Chriftian fervants might be flaves and fervants of infi-
dels, and of fuch as ferved the devil ; yet, faith he,
** in your lawful fervice of fuch mafters, ye ferve Chrift,
«' though they do not know him" Surely, the fpiri-
tual tinfture of true worfliip is loft, when Chrift is for-
gotten in it; and the favour of Chriftian obedience is
pcriftied, when it is not done as to the Lord.
^thly^ Patience under afHi(5l:ion is a grace that every
faint hath need of, as Heb. x. 36-; and muft ufe in
all his race heaven-ward, Heb. xii. u Let us run with
Vol. II. B b f^ti-
iS8 Sermons comernmg Serm. X-
patience the race that is Jet before us. There is not a
(lep in our journey wherein paiience Is needlefs. Run-
ning and patience feem inconfiftent ; but he that runs
without patience, makes but fools hafle. Now, this
peedfui and ufeful grace can only be exercifed by faith
in God through Chrift. If God afilia. us as our Crea-
tor, as our judge, as our Lawgiver, reafon and mo-
raiity may afford not a few arguments to patience and
fubmiiHon to his will : but true Chiiftian patience will
never be found, unlefs the love of the atlLfter be in
fome meafure feen by the aflliaed. Our blefled Lord
gave us an example to follow, John xviii. ii. The cup
which viy Father hath given ?ne^ Jhall I not drtnk it f
If men or devils only had given it, (and they h J no
little hand in it), the matter had been otherwife. He
was opprejjed^ and. he vjas afflided^ yet he opened not
his mouthy Ifa. liii. 7. Chrift's cup was more bitter,
his fufferings greater, than ever any of his people
tafled and felt. His patience was invincible, and that
becaufe his faith was perfe^l, Ifa. 1. 6^-^, David
faith, Pfal. xxxix. 9. I was dumb^ I opened not ?ny mouthy
becaufe thou didft it. When God is feen as an ene-
niy, affliction will rather work fretting than patience.
Therefore when the apoftle is dire£ting Chriftians how
to bear God's affli<fling hand righdy, without fainting,
or defpifing it ; his main argument is, that in all of
them the Lord dealeth with .hem as a father with his
children, Heb. xii. 5,-11. And furely no man can
have the comfort of this relation ro God, of a child
to his h.avenly Father, that by faith takes not up the
high foundation of this relation, that God is the God
sind Father of our Lord Jeius ChrilL
6////>', laflly^ The hope of glory arifeth from, and
ads on God, as God in Chr?(l. This grace is a great
mercy ; and tliat all that have it know. It fliould be
tenderly cheriflied. But this is a great fault in many
ChriRiaui, ihat they do not feek it fo diligcady as
they ought, when ihey want it j nor aa it fo careful-
ly, when they Lave any of it : and forely do they
finart
Serm. X, the Lord's Frayer, 1B9
fmart for this, in walking 77iourning, without the fun ^ fo
many days, as Job xxx. 28. See the exhorration in
Rom. xii. 12. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,
continuing injlant in prayer ; and all tills is to be done
mferving the Lord^ ver. 1 1. Yoa all readily think,
that murmuring under affliiftioas, and x'eftraining prayer
before God, are ungodly pra6lices ; and yet you do
think it no fault (but a great miferj you will own it
to be) to negle<fi: the leading duty, to rejoice in hope,
and in the hope cf the glory of God, Rom. v. 2. This
hope is in Chrifl; yea, he is our hope, i Tim. i. r.
Chrijl in you is the hope of glory ^ C-ol. i. 27. The hope
of glory grows on no root but Jefus Chriii. He is e-
ternal ife^ \ John i. i, 2. He that knows him, knows
eternal life. He that hath Chrijl^ hath eternal life,
I John V. ir, 12, 13. ; and he that hath Chriil dwel-
ling in his heart by faith ^ Eph. iii. 17. hath eternal life
abiding in him^ which the apoftle denieth of a mur-
derer, I John iii. 15,
And thus i would conclude this truth, of the glory
of Chrifl as he is the reprefentative of God to his
church, and of the good ufe we ihould make thereof.
1 have iniified longer upon it than I defigned. Bat
the importance of the fubje£l may excufe it/ Bat whea
all is faid, we need to begin again, that we may incul-
cate this truch deeply into the heart and confciencesof
Chrifiians. Affure yourfelves, that <^o^ out of Chrift'
is an idol whom all the world worfbippeth, (as Deme-.
trius faid of Diana, A£ts xix 27 ), except the few that*
can fay, as i John v. 20, 2 i. And id e know that the
Son of God is come^ and hath given us an underjlandtng
that we may know him that is true : and we are in htm ■
that is true, even in his Son Jefns Chrifl : this is the
true Gody and eternal life. Little children, keep your'
/elves from idoh. Amen. All reprefen rations of God,
fave what is made to you in his Son, are idols. And'
a-;; you love his glory, and your own eternal Well,
watch, and ward, and keep yourfelves from all, or
any of them,
Bb2 SEKMOH
ipo Sermons concerning Serm, ^I.
SERMON XL
John xvii, 24.
Father^ I will that they alfo whom thou hcifl given me^
he with me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thon ha/l given me : for thou lovedjl fue
before the foundation of the world »
YO U have heard at fome length of the glory of
Chrift, as he is the reprefenier of God unto his
church ; and the rather 1 inlifted on it, becaufe it is
a point of divine truth of the inaio importance to be
believed, and of the main influence and dire<flion in
the whole of Chiiltianity. There are many poor fouls
that are ruined with irreligion ; and not a fevv are
ruined in and by their religion, fuch as it is. Some
know not that there is a God, or live as if they thought
there was none, or wiflied that there was none. And
fome fay, they know and believe that there is a God,
and they m.^-ke fome faftiion of worfnipping and ferv-
ing him ; but they know not who he is, and what his
right name is. It is only God in Chrift who can be
only known, and favingly knov;n, by men. It is only
a faving nam.e of God that can be favingly known
by men. And this name of God is only proclaimed
in his tverlafling gofpel j and the knowing of this
name can only be attained by Chrift's declaring it,
John xyii. 6, 26. i Cor. xii. 3. by the Holy Ghoft.
vA.ll contemplations of God out of Chrilt are but vain
imaginations, and can never bring a man to the faving
knowledge of God : and all worfiiipping of God out
Ot Chriit, is but will-worihip, and provocation.
Secondly, It now follows to fpeak of another beam
and branch of Chnit's glory ; and that is, in Chrift's
jreprefeutiDg his church and people unto God. it
is
Serm. XI. the Lord^s Prayer, 19 1
is one part of his glory, that he doth fo reprefent
God unto his church, that all the iaviog knowledge
of God is only in hiui and by him. Another part of
his glory (if the word part were proper in fpeaking of
his infinite glory ; but ye know what 1 mean, and
none can miftake but the Wilful) is, in his reprefent-
ing his church fo unto God, that all the acceptance
we have with God, ail the faving mercy we receive
from God, and all the favourable views God hath of
u?, are from our being feen as in Chriff, and as we
are reprefented by Chri(t unto him. God out of Chrill
is a maze, a labyrinth to men, yea, a dreadful enemy :
and men out of Chrifl are an abominatioa in his eyes/
My work on this lecond head of Chrift's glory,
Ihall be in three things, 1. 1 would fliew you where-
in Chrifl reprefents his people unto God. 2. What
is Chrift's fimefs for making this reprefentation. 3,
What is his glory in making of it,
Firj}^ Wherein doth Chrill: reprefent his church
unto God ? By his church I mean a fek£i company
of Adam's feed (not excluding our firft parents them-
felves) appointed to eternal life by Jefus Chrift. This
is his body, whereof he is Head and Saviour, Epb.
V. 23. All the favourable appearances they make in
God's fight, are all as they are reprefented unto God
by Jefus Chrifl. This 1 would iniirudl in a few gf
the main and principal.
I. May I begin with the firfl, the deepefl of ail, ^
elecTtion, that facred eternal purpofe of God's grace
concerning his church ? This grace is in Jefus Chrill :
Eph, i. 3, 4, 5. Bkjfed hi the God and Father of our
Lord Jefus Chrift^ who hath blejjed us with all fpi^
ritual hlejjings in heavenly places (or things ) in Chrijl;
according as he hath chcfen us in hifn before the found a^
tion of the worlds that we fhould be holy, and without
bla?ne before him in love : having predejlinated us unto
the adoption of children by Jefus Chrijl to himfelf It
is but little that we do, or can know of God : little
of his works, little of his word j but leaft of all of his
ihoufrhts
592 Sermons concerning Serm. XI.
thoughts and purpofes. Bat when men think of
thele thoughts of God's heart, and judge of them ac-
cording to their own, no wonder that they widely
miliake : For his thoughts are not our thoughts^ neither
ere our ways his ways, faith the Lord^ Ifa. Iv. 8, 9. j
but as far above them are his ways and his thoughts,
as the heavens arc above the earth. How far is a
purpofing, decreeing God, above the reach of the
jmoli difcerning of creatures! Yet vain man that would
be wife, and quickly dreams that he is fo, (and there-
by bewrays his folly), will venture to pry into, judge,
and reafon of the unfearchable counfels of God ;
when they that have mofi: of the opirit of God fay,
as in Rom. xi. 33, 34. the depth of the riches^ both
of the wifdom and knowledge of God ! how unfearchable
are his judgments y and his ways paft finding out ! For
ii'ho hath known the mind of the Lordy or zvho hath been
his CGUnJeller f We cannot be his counfellers ; but we
may, and mufl be his fcholars, and learn, and adore,
;<ud believe what he revealeth. And in the fcripture
named, we have mucli to learn about his purpofes.
A?, I. That all fpiriiual bleilings in Chrift Jefus fiOW
from eleftion-grace. 2. That this ele£tion grace is
eternal. 3. That this ele(^ion-grace paffed upon
diflinc^ perfons, us and we. 4. That the means,
a-.id way, and the t.iii\^ are all included in this
decree and purpofe : That we fhould be holy^ and
%viihout blame btfore him in love ; and the end is, the
adoption cf children ^ ver. 5. the heavenly inheriraoce,
ver. II. And, 5. That wliich pertains to my prefent
purpofe, is, that this ele^lion-grace, thus exprcillid,
thus qualified and di'iingui(hed, is in Jefus Chrift, ver.
4. by Jefus Chrifl^ \q.':, 5, This purpofe and grace ivas
given us tn Chrijr Jefus before the world began, 2 Tim.
I. 9. Now, what is Chriit's interelt in eleftion-grace ?
It is not to be thonglir, that Chrifl purchafed the love
of ele^ion, as he did all the fruits of it ; but only
fhat elc(^ion-love palTjd firft on Clirilt the head, anil
then on bis body the church : (though 1 own, that
the
Serm. XI. the Lord's Prayer, rpi
the wordsyfr/? 2iV^di fecond are very improperly applied
to the Gounfels of God, which are but one -aSl in the
divine mind ; but we miifl ihiiik as a child, and rea-
fon and uuderfland as a child, while we are as a child,
I Cor. xiii. 1 1.). Chrilt was chofen head to the
church, and the church chofen to be his body. He
is chcfen of God^ i Pet, ii. 14. : and his church is a
chofen generation i ver. 9. j and chofen in him, not
wichout regard to him. Ele«flion determines all the
perfons j eie(ftion determines all the bleillngs thefe
perfons arc to be bleiTed with ; and ele^lion deter-
mines the way in and by which all thefe blefiings are
to be given to all thefe perfons : and that way is ia
and by Jefus Chrift.
2. Chriil reprefents his church unto God in re-
demption. This redemption is in Chrift Jefus^ Rom.
iii. 24. ; it is 'in him we have it, Eph. i. 7. There is
a Redeemer j the Lord Jefus Chrilt, the Son of God,
There is a price of the redemption ; himfelf, his lite,
his blood. There are redeemed ones; a great m\i\^
inudiQ out of every kindredy and tongue ^ and people and
nation^ Rev. v. 9. in fpeaking of the redemption ia
and by Jefus Chrift, I would confider it four ways.
ly?, This redemption is to be confidered as requir-
ed and demanded by the Father from the Son. The
work of redeeming was laid on the Son, and the price
of redemption fixed upon : Even that the Son of God
(hould, in the fulnefs of time, take on him man's d5-
ture ; (but a^ the chi/drens nature, Heb. ii. 14. as /,^'/f
feed of Abraham^ ver. 16.): that in that nature he
(liould ftand in their room and ftead, and fufier whas
his people deferved by their fms ; and purchafe bief-
fings for them, which they could never procure to
themfelves, and without which they muii: perilh. This
price of redemption was required of Chrift, John x,
18. ; and required in honour to God's holy juftice, ia
love and mercy to his chof-^n, and ia a defign of glo-
ry to his Son. A price of redemption for a finaer
was never required by Qod^ of a linner. He kaoweth
wePi,
ip^ Sermons concerning Serm. XI.
well, that they have nothing to pay. Yea, the dam-
ned in hell are not fent thither to pay, hut to be pu-
niQied. Your proverb, Thatapril'on pays no debts,
is true of God's dreadful prifon, hell, and of the mi-
ferable prifoners there. The Lord fave you from ir,
and inilruft you in the only way to efcape it. You
are great debtors to God ; you can never pay the firll,
much lefs the lad farthing of it. He doth not re-
quire payment of you ; but all he craveth of you, i?,
that you would humbly own your debt, and your in-
ablity to pay, and betake yourfelves unto the furety's
payment. It was no improper faying concerning the
gofpel, ufed by a minifter in preaching to an ignorant
people : " The gofpel (he faid) is nothing but good
" news, that a rich man is come into the country to
" pay poor folks debts." On this errand the Father
fent him : and for this end we fhould believe on him.
2^/)', Confider Chrifl's redemption as paid by Je-
fus Chrift, and fo wrought out by him. All the price
demanded, he paid fully. The debt was perfedlly
paid, in full mcafure, heaped up, and running over.
For when the righteoufnefs of God is paid for the re-
demption of finners, and of their tranfgrelTions, (as
in Heb. ix. 15.), we quickly fee where the advantage
lieth : for the demerit of fm is mainly heightened by
the dignity of the party offended ; and the merit of
righteoufnefs, by the dignity of the party that per-
forms it. On this, as on other accounts, grace doth
much more abound than fin^ Rom. v. 20, 2 i.; and thii
grace doth reign^ ivhere fin had reigned. Since fm
came into the world, and grace appeared in the iu^
gofpel-promife. Gen. iii. 15. there never wasafio-
Der redeemed and faved, never was any propitiation
made for fm, but what our Lord jefus Chrift the Re-
deemer did, and made, by his dying at Jerufalem.
The virtue of it, according to the covenant, was ef-
fectual to believers, before and after his death, A61s
XV, II.; and will ftill be till his fecond coming, Heb.
Ik. 28,
'idly.
Serm. XL the Lord's Prayer. 19 S
^d/y, Coafider redemption as accepted by God.
Though a price be demanded, and paid as demand-
ed : yet the redemption is not a concluded bargain,
unlels it be accepted. But the price oF the church's
redeir.ption was accepted with the higbell p^ood-will :
Eph. V. 2. Chrift loved us^ and gave hmj'df for us^
an offering and a facrifce to God for a fweet-fmelling
favour. The facrifice was offered to God, but offer-
ed for us. The favour of this facrifice afcends up-
wards, and piveth faiisfa£lion to divine iuftice ; and
it defcends downwards to the hearts and confciences
of believers, for their peace and falvation, Heb. ix.
1 4. It f leafed the Lord to bruife Jjiniy he hath put him
to grief Ifa. liii. 10. And both this way and means,
and the fruits and effedls thereof, are the pleafure of
Jehovah, which profpers in the hand of our dying
Lord Jefus; as in that verfe, The Father loved his
Son ^ for laying down his life for his fheep, John x. 17,
18. And this commandment he received of his Father,
Our Lord had this commandm.ent in his heart, and
came to do it, and delighted in doing it, Pfal. xl. 6,
7,8. with Heb. X. 5.-— 10. The divine acceptance
of the price of his church's redemption, is demonfirat-
ed two ways efpecialiy. 1. In the glory that the Lord
Redeemer was admitted unto, Phil. ii. 6. — 11. Eph.-
i. 20. — 23. Heb. i. 3. ii. 9. and xii. 2. and in many
places. Only confider his own words to his difciples,
and to his Father. To the difciple;^, in John xvi. jo.
* He (the Holy Spirit whom I will fend from my Father)
fhall convince the world of right eoufnefs^ becaife I go to
my Father^ and ye fee me no more. The convi^ion is
deep, and fo is the reafon and ground of it. Chrift
going to leave them, and their feeing him no more,
as before and now, was their main grief. They could
not think that any good (hould accrue to them by
this fad parting, much lefs fo great bleffings as Chrift
told them of, and which quickly after they knew and
owned : A6ls ii, 33. Being by the right hand of God
exalted^ and having received of the Father the promife
Vol. 1L C c of
J ^6 Sermons concerning Serm. XI.
of the Holy Ghojl^ he hath Jlocd forth this^ zvhkh ys
now fee and hear. And as he fpoke this, and words
to the fame purpofe, in the fulfilling oF this promife,
three thoufand iinners, and bloody ones too, are con-
vinced of fin, righteonfnefs, and of judgment, and
made believers. Chrifl's words to his Father are in
John xvii. 4. / hare glorified thee on earth ; I have
fmjhed the work which thou gavefl vie to do (in ir).
if drift came back again into the world, (ftive to
jiuige it ; and that will be in the clouds), men uiight
think, that he had not done all he firfl came for. But
he did all, as it was foretold in Dan. ix. 24. Ibfini-
fhedthe tranfgreffion^ and made an end cf fins, (as Heb.
ix. 26. He put away ft n by the facrifce of himfelf),
and made reconciliation J or iniquity, and brought in e-
verlafling righteoufne/s, and fealed up the vifion and
prophecy, and anointed the mofl holy, 2. As Chrifl's
glory in heaven, on his paying the price of redempti-
on, is a demordraiion of irs acceptance with God ;
fo all the gi.jceand glory on earth, and in heaven, in
rime, and to cierniry, which is poured forth abua-
d intly on men, (all which flows from the virtue of
this p ice), is another demonflration of God's ac-
c^paiice oi this required and paid moft precious price.
Of which anon.
A^thly, Confider redemption in Chrift as it is ap-
plied to the redeemed. As the price was demanded
by the Father, as it was paid by the Son, as this pay-
ment was accepted of the Father ; all thofe coDcern
the redeemed nearly : but all is only about them, and
for them. But application is to them, on them, and
in tjiem. And all the application of Chrill's redemp-
tion, depends on, and flows from the defign of the
Father and Son ia this great work of redemption. I
Would confider redemption as applied to perfons, and
to bleilings, and rheir order, i. As 10 perlbns. Chrifl's
redemption is applied to all, and none but them, for
whom it was paid. He f hall jujlify many : (whom!
how many ! aud how ! and why \) : for he f hall bear
their
Serm. XI. the LorcPs Frayer» 197
their iniquities^ Ifa. lii. 11, Univerfal eleftion is ra-
ther nonfenfe, and a contradi£lion in its terms, than
an error : for if there be an ele£lion of grace, (as
there is, as lure as there is a {ostvtxgn God of alt
grace^ as he is called, 1 Per. v. 10), fome are cbofen,
and not all ; and therefore fome are paiTed by. Uni-
verfal i^lva^ion is a grofs and damnable error, that few
or none dare own. But univerfal redemption hath
many advocates and patrons. . Whoever defend it (o
as to exclude the fpecial, particular redemption of the
dect of God, they do fight againll the tenor of the
gofpel. Chrift died for diftinfi known perfons for his
Iheep whom he knew, John x. 14. 27. He died for
them, in love to them : and doubtlefs he knew well
whom he loved. His blood, the price of redemption,
is the blood of the everla fling covenant^ Heb. xiii. 20.
which did confirm this covenant, Heb. Ik. 15, \6,
And was not this price paid according to the terms of
this covenant ? And did not this covenant fix both the
price, and who (hould pay it ; and the purchafe, and
who (hould enjoy it ? This you all may be fure of,
that however men, by their wit and learning, m^y
difpute and talk about Chrift's death, and its extent,
in his and his Faiher's defigns in it; yet this precious
gofpei-trath, of redemption by Jefus Chrid, is never
rightly known, Vightly believed, nor righdy nfed,
till a particular, loil and fold finner pat in by faith for
a (h^re and intereft in it. Thus Pad, Gal. ii. 20.
The Son of God loved me^ and gave hirafelf for me.
How couid Paul know this .^ When Chrifl died, and
redeemed his church, Paul was an ungodly wretch,
a very hypocrite ; and after Chrift had died, and rofc
again, and afcended up into glory, Paul hated the
very nameofChrilt, and perfecuted to death all that
called on his name. But after God^ that hadfeparat-
ed him from his mothers ivomh^ had called him by his
grace^ and revealed his Son in him^ Gal i. 13:, i6. then<,
and not till then, he knew that Chrift died for him,
and that in love to him ; and ever after he lived by
C c 2 the
ipS Sermons concerning Serm. XI.
the faiih of It. 2. This redemption by Chrill is ap-
plied as to bleffings al fo, and that in a wife order.
Faith is lirfl, and a fruit of Chrift's redemption : John
xii. 32. And /, 7/ / be (or when I am) lifted up from
the earthy will draw all men unto me ; i. e, *' AH
*• whom I am lilted up for, them will I draw unto me."
It is no wonder, that fome men do not look on faith
as the purchafe of Chrifl's redemption, that dream of
a kind of faving faith that Chrift the Redeemer is not
the object of. But we know, that unto us it is given
on the behalf of Chrtfl,^ t' believe on him, Phil. i. 29. ;
and rhat fuch as have tiue faith, have obtained this
frecious grace, through the right eoufiefs of our God and
iSaviour J ejus Chriff, (for fo it lliould be read, ac-
co'.'lmfj t^ the orio;ina)), 2 Pet. i. i. And he is the
author and finifher of our faiths Heb. xii. 2. And this
leads me to fpeak of the blelTings of Chrift's redemp-
tion, that the redeemed get by the virtue of it, and
by Christ's reprefenting them unto God.
(i.) They are reprefented by Chrift unto God for
their juflification ; and obrain it, when, and as, and
becaufe, reprefented to God in him, and by him.
This juftificaiion of a fiiiner by faith in Chrift Jefus,
is, ever was, and ever will be, the darkeft riddle,
and the greaieft ftumbh'ng-block, to all the unbeliev-
ing v/orld. And it is always fo as" to gofpel-truth ;
that (he nearer relaticn a gofpel-truth hath unto the
perfon and undertaking of the wonderful Saviour, (as
he is called, Ifa. ix. 6.), the lefs a natural man feeth,
and the more ready is he to ftumble at ir, and to
miftake ir. It is but a vain attempt of them, (how
good foever their defign be, and how learned and
wife foever they be that manage it), who ftudy to ac-
commodate the gofpel-do61rine of jullification by faith
in Jefus Chrift» uoio the guft, liking, and underftand-
jDgs of unbelievers. Such will never, nor can know,
and like it, i Cor. ii. 14. It is (as all the things of
die Spirit of God are) dark, and foolilhnefs to them.
And
SeRM. XI. the Lord^s Prayer, Ipp
And they that know lead of Chrift, and of faith in
him, and of jiiftification by faith, are mofl bold and
daring to reproach all, and to fpeak evil of things
they know not. None need to wonder at what a poor
wretch faid and wrote, (though he bore no fmall name
* in the world), *' That of all the writers of the new
^' teflament, Paul was the darkelt and moft obfcure
" author." It was however plainly (chough wickedly)
faid ; and it is the true meaning of all unbelievers,
and the fruit of their unbelief; and remains in all men
till faith come^ as Gal. iii. 23, 25. This attempt of
making juftifieation by faith in Chrift palatable to a
Datural man, is not only vain and inefFeflual ; but it
harh no fmall influence on manifold corruptions of this
truth, and of mens bringing in of another gofpel,
(Gal. i. 6.), that a natural man may fooner know, and
belter like. When natural men hear of the do;^rine
of jufiiiication, (by which they underftand, that a {in-
ner is counted and accepted as righteous before God,
and is pardoned all his fms, and adjudged to eternal
life), they all immediately and naturally think, that
this bleffing cac only come to men, by one, or other,
or both thofe ways, which are both falfe ways : i.
Either that God will abate fomewhat of the ftriflnefs
of his law: or, 2. That he will fome way enable a
fmner to do fomething, and to bring fomethin^ to
God, in order to his acceptance with God: Either
that God will bring down his law to a finner, or bring
up the finner to obey it. As to the firll. That God
will abate of the flri^tnefsof his law, and demand lefs;
it is a vain and falfe notion. But it is natural and con-
flant in unrenewed men. Chrilt's great enemies, the
fcribes and Pharifees, that were wholly for righteouf-
nefs by works, to fupport this Babel, did necelTarily
explain God's holy law in fuch a manner as was no
hard thing to fulfd it ; and all their fucceffors are dri-
ven to the fame (liift. Our Lord, (who came not to
deflroyy hut to fulfil the law^ Matth. v. 17.), to over-
throw their rotten foundaiiou, tells ail, io ver, 20. Ex-
cept
2i>o Sermons concerning Serm. XI»
cept your tighteoufnefs fiall exceed the tighteoufnefs of
the fcribes and Fharifees^ ye Jhall in no cafe enter into
the kingdom of heaven* This our Lord proveth, by a
irue interpretation of the law in its perfe^ion, and
fpiriiaality, and vaft extent ; fo as that no finner can
fulfil ir, and get righteoufoefs and life by it. And
thus always God's law oui^ht to be preached to men ;
a$ fo holy and pcrfeel a law, that no Tinner can fulfil
it ; and as fo (Irong and dreadful, that no finner can
efcape its reach, nor endure its fentence ; that they
may look out for relief in Chrift alone. 2. The other
ihought of a natural mm is, That a finner mud do
fome good, and be made holy, that he may be judi-
fied and pardoned. And though the poor finner is all
naught, hath nothing, and can do nothing that is good;
yet the legal fpiric in himfelf, and the legal teachers
vvhoiu he loveth to hear, do ufe him more feverely
than the Egyptian tafkmafters did the children of If-
lacl. For Ifrael had earth to make Pharoah's bricks
o^, and, with much pains, might gather (lubble in the
land of Egypt inftead of flraw. But a finner under
the law is in a worfe condition : for there is neither
earth nor ftraw in all God's world for a finner to make
one brick, one good work, of ; and yet they are cal-
led upon daily to do a great many ; and are feverely
beaten when they do i;ot fulfil their tafics. Many are
ready to fav, Doth not God command finners in his
word to repent, believe, and to do well ? Yes, fureiy
he doth. The old and new ledament is full of fuch
command'?; and miniffers may fureiy, and muft leach
men what God commands. But they Qiould teach m.en
thofe things a-; God means and intends ; and that is
iiedared in his word. They >hculd teach them as God
will have them to teach, and all men to learn ; that
is, that thofe things are God's wiil, and our duty ;
but thofe things are God's will, and our duty ; but
that power and "w ill to obey is not in men, btit muft
be wrought by grace in them : Phil. ii. 13. For it is
God "which ivorkcth in youy both lo ivill and to do of
his
Sehm. XL the Lord*^ Frayer, 201.
his good pkafure, John xv. 4, 5. For without me ye
can do nothing. If fo it be faid of believers, and of
true branches in the true vine, what mud be faid of
fmners, in and of themfelves P Thofe commands are
not given to make fmnei-s proud, and to think what
they can do ; but to teil thera God's raind, and wh>it
is their duty to do ; that by the hearing of God's holy
will, and feeling of their own utter inability to do any
good, they may be humbled, and betake themfelves
to Chnit by faith, on whom all our help is laid. But
a replier againft God may yet fay, Where is juftice
in commanding what he knows we cannot do, and
then in panifiiing fc-^ not doing P Many things have
been faid to anfwet fuch a cavil. I fhali na'me but
three, r. All were o;.ce in Adam able to do God's
will. This ability is lo(t by the firfl fin. If man by
his fin have loft his power to do God's work, God hatli
not loft his authority and power to commaod man's
duty, nor his right to puni(h man's fin, 2. All men
naturally think that they can do fomething that isgood,
and a great deal too. The Lord therefore juftly^tries
them, and lets them try what they can do. 3. This
natural inability in fmners to do any good is what
they love j and fo is doubly fmful, as well as mifera-
ble. His camiot^ is infeparable from his will not. He
is a captive to the devil at his will, 2 Tim. ii. 26, And
the captive loves his jailor, and his chains, and his
drudgery ; and neither longs for liberty, nor welcomes
the news of a Redeemer ; yea, ftriveth againft him,
till Chrift fubduc him by his grace, 2 Cor. x. 4, 5.
So that either of thofe notions are faife, that God will
abate of the ftrianefs of his law, or will enable a fm-
cer to do any thing pleafing to God before he be juf-
tified. Befide?, if either of thofe were, they wonld
quite alter and invert that myftery of jaftification by
Chrift that is revealed to us fo plainly ia the fcriptures.
It is not the juftification of a good and holy man, but
of a fmner ; yea of a finner under the law, guilty of
manifold breaches of this law^ for which he is accufed,
arraign-
lot Sermons concernwg Serm. XL
arraigned, curfed, and condemned by it, and his moiuh
(lopped ; having no defence and no excufe to make^
and no (hift or way oF efcape left hiin, but what the
gofpel reveals, Rom. iii. 9. — 3 1. It is about the juf-
tiiication of a man iu this fad condition that the gof-
pel fpeaks, and tells us thefe good tidings.
I. That a perfect righteoufnefs, anfvvering fully
all the comniands and the demands of the lav/, hath
been wrought out by the Lord Jefus Chrift. He was
made under the fame law his people are under whom
thus he redeems, Gal. iv. 4, 5. If we had been un-
der one law, and Chrill made under another, it would
not, nor could it have been fit and profitable for us.
You hear by fome of the mediatorial law, proper to
Chrift only. It is true, never had any but Chrift a
command from God to redeem loft finners ; and it is
as true, that this was in the fame command, that he
Jhculd be made of a luoman^ and made under the law^
that he might redeem them that were under the law.
So that the work of Chrift to redeem, and his being
thus made for that work, are equally peculiar to Chrift,
For as the work and glory of redeeming the church
is his only ; fo his being made of a ivcmany and made
under the law^ can be faid of none, but of Chrift as
roan ; no more than it can be faid of any but Chriil,
that he is God's owa Son, fent, Rom. viii. 3. Adam
the firft man was created by God ; the firft woman
built and made of the man, Gen. ii. Of this blood
all nations do fpring in an ordinary way ; and fo all
mankind are begotten by a man, and born of a wo-
man. But the Son of God took man*^ nature of a
Woman only ; and fo, whereas all befides are born of
a woman, he alone was made of a woman. So we all
are born under the law, and under its curfe, by A-
dam's firft fin. Chrift only was made under the law.
This law demands perfeil obedience to all its com-
mands and demands, and layeth on the finner God
the lawgiver's wrath and curfe for the leaft difobedi-
eacc. Chrift anfwered the law ia both. As the
eternal
Serm. XI. the Lord*s Prayer, 203
eternal Son of God, he was above the law ; and as
fmlefs man, the law had nothing to fay againft him.
But when he took on him man's nature, and thereia
took on him the law-place of his people, and they fo
finful ; obedience was juflly craved of him, and the
debt of his people's fins juftly exa^ed on him. And
both he chearfuliy 2nd fully did perform and endure.
And thus are we faved.
2. That this righteoufnefs wrought out by ChriH,
was wrought out or others, and noc for himfV. f, He
Wove and made this coat, for the covering and cioih-
ing of his naked people. The gofpel is full of tiiis,
in telling us both the errand his Father fe.i him on,
and the work and bufinefs he did when l,^ caTe He
needed no fuch garment for himf<;if ; but wove it out
of his own blood and bowels, for his people, whom
he loved, and who he we!l knew needed it greatly.
3. That this righteoufnefs, thus wrought out by
Jefus Chrifl:, is freely and fully tendered and offered
to all that hear the gofpel : all of it (for it is not di-
vided nor divifible) unto every man and woman ; (for
gofpel-ofFers have no exceptions). Thus Peter made
the offer to every one of them that heard him, A^s
ii. 3g. He excepts not the very murderers of Chrift,
nor the mockers at him on the crofs, when Chrift vs^as
working out this righteoufnefs. So his beloved brother
Paul (2LS he calls him, 2 Pet. iii. 15.) preached, A<5ls
xiii. 38, 39. Be it known unto ycu thereforey men and
brethren^ that through this man (alas ! this man is lit-
tle kiown by molt men) is f reached unto you the for'-
givenefs of fins ; and by him all that believe^ are jujli-
fied from all things ^ from which ye could not be juflijied
by the law of Mofes. Do you then believe on him,
and be juftified by him ; left that word be fulfilled on
you. Behold^ ye defpifers, and wonder^ and psrifb^
ver. 41. And no longer than the next Sabbath-day
was it in fulfilling, ver. 46, 47, 48. And if the com-
pany were never fo great nor fo bad, a gofpel-mini-
iler may make this large offer, as Chiiit hiiufelf did.
Vol. II D d John
2 04 Sermons concerrang See^m. XI.
John vii. 37. In the lafl day^ thjt great day of the
fcafl^ (when the great coDvocatioQ of the people
was), Jcfta flood and cried^ (rhiit he might be Teen
and heard by ail), fiy^ngy If any man tl.irj}^ let him
come unto me ^ and drink. And this coming to hira,
and drinking, is believing on Chrift, ver. 38, 39.
When he is in heaven, and fcndu / a letter by John
his meiTenger, to a forry church, nd in a Tid cafe,
he faith fo to them, Rev. iii. 20. Behold^ I ft and at
the door and knock : Jj any man hear my voice, and Gp;n
the door^ I zvill come in to him^ and will f up with hirn^
and he with me. To name do more of the larcje of-
fers of Chrift in the gofpel, 5 will conclude with jhe
hid in the Bible, Rev. xxii. 17. And let him thit is
othlrjl^ com^ : and whofoever will, '.n him take the
water of life freely,
/]. That this large offer made of Chrill; in the gof-
pel, i^ the ordinary and appointed means of worl ing
faith in Chrift. Thus, Rom. x. i 7. Faith comet h by
hearings and hearing by the word of God ; and Rom.
i. 16^ 17. I am not aflmived of the gofpel of Chrift ;
(and never did an honeft preacher make a pooicr ii e
in worldly thing?, of the gofpel, than Paul did) : for
it is the power of God unto fahation to every one that
believeih ; to the Jew fir ft, and a fo to the Greek, For
therein is the nghteoufnefs of God revealed fr 07:1 faith to
faith : as it is written. The jiift fhall live by faith.
1 need not iufilf on fo plain a truth.
5. That this r v -iteoufnefs of Chrift is upon all that
believe. It is of.c.ed to all to be embraced by faith ;
and it is given and conferred upon all that believe, u-
pon their believing. Whenever the hand of the
Lord is upon the hearts of hearers of the gofpel, and
draws them forth to berakc thcmfelves to this righ-
teoufncfs of Chrift, to c-mhrace it, and to truft all
their acctpiance with God upon it alone, they are juf-
nfied by it- Rom. iii. 2 i, 23. The righteoufne/s of
i^od, which is by faith of fefui Chrtft, \% unto' all, and
upon all that believe y jor there is no differ ence : for all
have
Serm. XL the Lord's Prayer, 205
havsftnned and come fJ;ort cf the glory of God, A blef-
fed faying, and an odd-like reaibn to confirm it. Are
all fmaers alike ? and are all believers alike ? No,
furely, Are nor ^ovaz fiDners greater fmncrs than o-
thers i* and foiiic believers better believers, and great-
er faints, than others? Yes, furely. But in ihis mat-
ter of Chriil's righteoufoefs there is no. difference.
All fmners are alike in this, that they are in a con-
demned ftate alike, and alike pad all relief, fave in
and by Chrifl and his righteoufnefs : and all believers
ia Chrill: are alike in thatfaved ftate they are in, by
Chrift's righieoufnefs being on them. All fmners are
alike needy; and all believers are alike partakers of
this righieoufncfs of God.
6. Laftly, That upon this righteoufnefs of Chrift's
being on a believer in him, thefe three things follow ;
That the believer is juftified ; God juftified in jaTtify-
ing of him ; and the judiiied man's mouth is flopped
as to all glorying, fave in the Lord. The believer is
juflified, counted and reputed a righteous nian, thro*
the righteoufnefs imputed to him. On the account
of this fame imputed righteoufnefs of Chrift, ali his
fins are forgiven and blotted out, and he is pajfedfrom
death to life^ and jh a II not come into condemnation^ John
V. 24. Rom. viii. i, 33,34. He is reconciled to Qoi^
and dealt with as a friend of God. G06. is aUb judi-
fied in his paiTmg this fentence of juftificadon on the
believer. In all thing«;, and above ail, we llioald be
tender of God's glory. There are fpecially three sdts
of Gcc*s righteous judgment that are ceafured much
by the ungodly, and that Chrillians fliould be care-
ful to juiliiy God in. One is, hisjuft judgment on
the firit Adam and his pofterity. How full are mod
mens hearts, and fome mens mouths, and too many
pens, with cenfures of this awful, but juft fentence?
^'he other is, the Lord's way of dealing with the fe-
cord Adam, Jefus Chrifl. He was not fpared, but
put to fore fufierings. Any may fee amazing mercy ;
but who behold, and glorify God's righteoufnefs and
t) d 2 juftjce,
2o6 Sermons concernv-ig Serm. XI.
jiiflice, in the de th ,of Chrift ? And the third i? 'his
1 am upon, rbe juilice of God in juRily '^ga believer4
And th^' caiiie of mens ccnfures and mllakes about
all the f^^i "'e, is much the fame, and i^e ceofures are
uiually '.' the fame fort of pe.ions. Ine true caufe
o^ rhefe challenges oi Ool\\ judgments^ which are a
great depth, Pfal. xxxvi. 6. is, men-; ignorance of the
juftice, majefty, anJ grearnefs of God. Unto fuch
arguers againft God^ the words of E!ihu to Job may
pioperly be applied. Job xxxiii. 12, 13. Behold^ in
this thou art not jit (I : I will anfwer thee^ that God is
greater than man. Why doj} thou jl rive ogainjl him?
for he give! h not account of any of his matters. In thefe
three inftances we may cafiiy fee how this ignorance
of thefe woikeih. In the firft a£lof judice in God,
we find one man's one z^ of difobedience conveying
guilt, condemnation and death, to all his natural off-
spring. In rhe fecond inflance, we find all the fins of
many finners charged and laid on a finlefs perfon, and
juftice de^li'ig with him as with a criminal. In the
third, we find the righteoufnels of Chrilh which he
wrought out in making a propitiation for fin, imput-
ed ro he jii'iifying 01 a believer : and in Mils God is
jufi fieci : Ronri. iii. 26. To declare at this time his
righteou/nefs ; that he mi<f)t be jufl^ and the juflifier
of him that btlieveth in Jejus, Laiily, In this juitifi-
cation, the judifitd man's rnouth is flopped as to all
glorying, bui only in the Lord. For as vafl a blef-
fing as it is, there is no pli!ce left for glorying. There-
fore, in rhe next verfe, tne '2 7ih, he faith, IV/rre is
boa fling i ben f It is excluded. By what law ? of
works f Nay; but by the law of faith. The law,
when it condemns, fiops the finner's n^iOuth from re-
plying, to juftify himfelf, Rom. iii. 19. ; and the gof-
pel, when it abfolves, (tops the believer's mouth from
glorying in hiiiifelF, when jufiified. But doth not the
Jaw of works exclude boafting fufiiciently ? That law
that comiiiands mors xhnv. the iiiin can do, doth it not
(hut oat boafiing ? Can any man fay, that he hath
fulfilled
Serm. XI. the Lorcts "Prayer. 20 j
fulfilled that law ? No, furely. No man that in any
Rieafure knows the hoiinefs of that law, a:id knows
himfelf, his heart and doings, will fay fo. Bat be-
fides that many are fo blind and ignorant, both of
God's law and of themfelves, that they are ready to
boaft without any caiife ; all men that f'^ek juftjfica-
tion by the law, and by doing, they do defigii boaft-
ing, though ihey never reach it. Though they can-
not reach glorying before God, yet would they fain be
at it. But the juftified believer, as he never reacheth
it when he is jullified, fo he never defigns it when he
feeks juftification. The righteoufnefs in which he is
jullified, is wholly wrought out by another; and one
fo great, that none thax know hira will adventure to
put in for a fhare in his crown ; the Lord our righteouf"
nefs^ Jer. xxiii. 6. ,Yet the bleffing of it is f^'ven to
his church, and fhe is called by her husband's name,
Jer. xxxiii. 16. The revealing of this righteoufnefs
IS from the Lord, by his word and Spirit; without
which no man could ever find it out. The faith by
which he layeth hold on it, is the work of God ; and
neither grew up in his heart, nor was acquired by
his own induftry, nor conveyed by the power of any
creature. The imputing of this righteoufnefs unto
his julVification, is God's aft of free grace, Rom, iii.
24.; nothing in the man moving God to impute it;
and nothing in God but his grace in Chrift Jefus. The
finner, when he feeks it by faith, looks on nothing
but this grace ; and when he harh got it, and knows
it, owns heartily, that this fpiritual blefling (as all
others are, Eph. i. g. — 7.) is to the fraife of the glory
of his gracey wherein be hath made us accepted in the
beloved. It cannot be denied, but a man may be
proud of his juflification, and of his faith. But in
that cafe I am bold to fay, that one of thefe things
are: Either that it is a falfe juftification, and a falie
faith, that this man boafts of, (and thefe are too com-
mon amongft profelTors) ; or that true juftification is
out of his fight, and his faith out of exercife, when
any
to8 Sermons concerning Serm. XL
any bo3(linq rifeth in the heart of a real believer.
^ For let but a believer fet hirafelf before God the Judge
of all ; let him read God^s law, and his own heart and
confcience; and fee what he hath to boafl of : nay,
he will fee, that he hath all reafon for fear and (liame,
wh-^u he ftands before this tribunal. Let him next by
fa' li fee Jefas Chrift at this fame judgment fear,
ch-.irged wirh this man's fins, and difcharging that
debt, and buying all grace and glory for him by the
price ot his precious blood ; and, laflly, let hini, by
the fame faith, behold God jaflifyiiig him freely, and
fi:'lv, and only, on the account of this fatisracliou
g!Vcn by Chriil : and then, and thus, let this man fie
ar.d own, thai as there is no room left for boalling,
fo he will find no inclination in his heart unto it. It
is the chara^er of a true ChrKtian in Phil. iii. 3. For
lue are the r-rcumrifion (^rue Jews, as Rom. ii, 28, 29.)
u-hich ivorjhip God in tbt 'Spirit^ and rejoice (or glory J
in Chrijl Jefu^^ and have no confidence in th'fiejh. So
that, whereas rignteoufnefs by the law is boch fought
by men in p ide ; and when they drea.ri that they (iiall
either reach it, or thit they have got it, (and fuch
dreams are not rare, th(:ugh groaudlefs), pride and
boaiiing incrcifeth fo much, that not only are their
hearts puffed up within, not only do they glory be-
fore men, as Chrilt tells us of fuch hypocrites in Mat.
vi but they dare boafl: before God, as the Pharifee
did, Luke xviii. 1 1. : fo, on the other hand, tbe juf-
tifving rir;hteoufncfs oF God, wrought out by Chrili,
aiiJ applicil to the believer on Chriit, was appointed
o! God, brought in by Chrht, revealed in the gof-
pcl, and given to the believer, for the highcR glory
of the free giver, and the deepcft humbling of the
happy, but unworthy receivers. And thus is that
prophecy and promife fu, filled in Ifa. xlv. 24, 25.
Surely y jhall one fay ^ In the Lord hare I rijhteoufnefs
and jlrenpjh. In the Lord Jhall all the feed of Ijrael be
juflifie dy and fha II glory.
What then is God's juflifyintr a believer in Jcfus
ChriH
Serm XI. the LorcTs Vrayer. 2cq
Chrift ? It is nothing dfc, but God's gracious lookiag
on a man, judgiug o'c irui, and dealing with him, al
in Chrift, and ^s reprefented by ChriH to God, for
juftificarion of life. There is a fuuilitude comvnouh
ufed, taken from Jacob's getting his father ifaac's
blefling, in his brother Eiau's raiment, Gen. sxvii.
All finiilitudes, even in fcripture, taken from mens
ways, to exprefs God's ways, want fooie grains to
make them pafs current ; and this efpecfaily I'^fgr old
Ifaac was deceived in bellowing his bleiling, Heb. xi.
2 o. By faith Ifaac bleJTed Jacob and Efau, concerning
things to come. Though liaac did fo by faith ; yet
the bieifings he gave his fons, were not only greail/
different, but he was alfo at firfl deceived in the per-
fons whom he did blefs. Yet though Jacob fupplam-
ed his brother of the birthright. Gen. xxv. 30..— 24.
^nd Gen. xxvii. of the bleffing, by his moiher's cun-
ning, and his own lying ; yet neither of thefe did hin-
der Ifaac's faith, cor the lighting of the bkfTmg on
Jacob, according to the eleaion of grace, and the o-
racle tiiat declared ir, when they both were in the
wonib. Gen. xxv. 23. But though Jacob deceived
his father in :he way whefein he fought the blefuog ;
yet, in giving of his bleffing by faith to Jofeph's fons,'
Ephraim 2nd Manaffeh, Heb. ix. 21. he guided both
his hands wittingly, and his words wifely, and gave
the bleffing, by the fpirit of prophecy, Gen. xlviii,
14 —-'20. But the Lord alu^ays kncivctb who are his^
a.Tim. ii, i^. Me always knows whom he blefferh,
aLd what bleffir ;i he gives. Al! our acceptance with,
and juftification i/c ere God, comes by the reprefen-
tation Chrift makes of us to God. He was ctiarged
at the bar of juftice for cur fins ; he acfwered this
charge by a perfea fatisfaaion, and thus wzsjuftifad
in the Spirit^ i Tim. iii. 16. ; and when this fatisfac-
lion is pur to our account, we ^icjufiijied by his bloody
RoiB. V. 9.
So much for the firll bl^fang of jufliiication.
(2.} CbAfift repreiems ais church unto God for
their *
210 Sermons concerning Serm. XI.
their fancflification. Eleftion in Chrift is an eternal
purpofe in God's heiirc and counfcl about his people.
Redemption by Chrifl, is a divine bargain for them
and their fdlvation betwixt the Father and the Son.
JuRificanon is a gracious fenteoce of God in Chrift,
on them that are reprefented by him for acceptance.
By this a6t and fentence the ftate of their perfoos is
favourably changed. But fanflification is a divine
work on them, that changeth their heart and nature.
The Spirit of fanflification is a precious gift of divine
love ; and is only given to them that are in Chrift,
and becaufe they are in him: Gal. iv. 6. And becaufs
ye are Jons ^ God hath fent forth the Spirit of his Son in-
to your hearts^ cryingy Abba^ Father, Ail the anoint-
ings of the Holy Ghoft that believers receive, are but
fome drops that fall down from the head of our High
Prieft, unio the fkirts of his garments, Pfai. cxxxiii.
2, 2. He received the Spirit without ?7ieafure^ John
iii. 34. that to his people, even to every one of them,
grace may be given^ according to the meafure of the gift
of Chrift, Eph. iv. 7.; not according to the meafure
that Chrift got, but the meafure that Chrift giveth.
And all of them receive it. Rom. viii. ix. // any
man have not the Spirit of Chrift, he is none of his, Lee
him not name the name ofChrifl (as his Lord and Maf-
ler), that departeth not from iniquity , 2 Tim. ii. 19.
All whofe iniquities Chrift did bear for their expiati-
on, in due time Chrift blefjeth them, in turning every
one of them away from their iniquities. Acts iii. 26.
This blefiing of fan6i:ification is of pure grace : for as
there is nothing of worth in a man, or regarded by
God in juflifying ; fo there is nothing of goodnefi^,
or of fit matter, for God to work upon in his fanfti-
fying. God's word is as clear about this, as about
the other. The account that we have fo largely of
ihe natural ftate of all men without Chrift, is fuflicienc
to ftiow the abfolute neceftity all ftand in of God's
grace to fave them, and 10 declaie both the freedom
and power of that grace in ail its applications to men.
Grace
Serm. XI, the Lord* s Prayer, ail
Grace is the fpring of falvatioD, and of all its parts;
Chrift is the root of all ; ana eternal life and glory is
the ripe fruit of all that grace of God, thai reigns
through rightecufnefs unto eternal I'tfcy by Jefus Chrtft
cur Lord^ Rom. v. 21. See but thefe texts, and read
thern, i.nd conclude this truth, 1 Cor. vi ir. Eph.ii,
I.— -7. and Tit. iii. 3.— -7. In all which places jtif-
tification and farK^ification are joined, (as they are
certainly and conftantly in all that pariake of rhem) ;
unworihinefs in the receivers overcome, and palled
over, by ihe grace of the giver; and the inrereft of
Jefus Chrifl, in God's- giving, and in his people's re-
ceiving of both thefe blefTiDgs, is plainly told u?.
(3.) All the communion, and feilowfiiip, and fa-
miliarity vi'ith God, that a believer receivech, and is
admitted unto, is all by Jefus Chrifi:, and by his re-
prefenting him to God, Rom. v. i, 2. i j'hn i. g.
John xiv. 23. Bleffed be God there i? a great deal
of it ; and more might be attained, if we were pain-
ful and diligent. This is fo great a mercy, that come
and fee ^ come and tafle^ is the bed couniel can be
given, Pfal. xxxiv. 8, And fuch as tafle it, krk)w
its worth better than the apoflle can tell them; and
that it all comes by the grace of God in Jefus Chrifl:.
He is not only the only Mediator of reconci!iatioa and
of intercelTion, but of feilowfiiip with God ; Epb. ii,
18. For through him we both (Jews or Gentiles, if be-
lievers) have an accefs by one hp:rit untc the Father,
(^.) Laftly, The crown of glory, and adraiffion to
heaven, is granted to believers upon the account of
the righieonfnefs of Chrift on the believer: Rom.
vi. 22, 25. But now being made Jree from fin j (from
ihe condemning and commanding power of fin, in
jaftification and fanclification, of which the apodle
had been fpeaking in the 5ih and 6ih chap6ers)j and
become fervants to Gody ye have your fruit unto holinefs,
and the end everlafting Ife. For the wages cf ftn is
death : but the gift cf God is eternal life, through Jefus
Chrifl cur Lord. San^tification by faith in Cf^nft, A<f^s
Vol. 11. E e xr-^vi*
2 1 2 Sermons concerning S E r m . XI.
•xxvi. 18. IS a precious gift of God. The perPe^fling
of it by faith on the promifes, is a blelTed defigo and
exercife through the whole life of a Chrlftian, 2 Cor.
vii. I. It is mod purfued after, bat never attained
bv the bed, till they attain the fnze of the high cal-
'hng cf Cod in Jefiis ChriJJ^ Phil. iii. i;, 14. But
when this prize is attained by them, and beflowed
OD them, it is not given them becaufe they are holy,
(though none but the fan£iified inherit it, A(Si:s xxvi.
.18.), but becaufe they are in Chrill, members of his
body ; and becaufe he is made all things for them
for their falvation, i Cor. i. 30.; and becaufe ihey
are reprefented by him, and prefented unto God, for
thislalt, greateft, and everlafting acceptance. Bcholdy
/, and the children which God hath given nic^ Heb.
it. 13. The righteoufnefs of Chrift is the eternal robe
of the glorified, and their inoft glorious one ; and the
caufe of their perfecfiion in holinefs, and of its eter-
nal duration. The glory and whircnefs of their robes,
is in their being wajhedy and made white in the blood
cf the Lamb, Rev. vii. 14. If Chrifiians be but care-
ful to give God's grace in Chriif its true ufe and
praife, while they are on earth ; no doubt but all
that get to heaven, will (ing the fong of the Lamb
with everlading joy. To him that loved us^ and vja/h-
ed us from our fins in his own blood , and hath made us
kings and priejts unto God and his Father^ to him be gk-
ry and dominion for ever. Amen. Rev. i. 5, 6, and v.
9, 10. And though fome true Chriftians may poilibly
(eifher by the fnare of dark or unfound dodtrine, or
bv a midaken zeal for inherent perfonal holinefs)
have lefs exercife by faith on Chrid's righteonfnels
than fome others, and though fome may advance by
grace farther in fanf^ification than others, (and it i^ a
vciy valuable atrainmenr) ; yet allcf chem, when they
come to die, and to knock at heaven's gate for ectraacc
JD'o their Mafter'sjoy, do mind far otherwife the
blood that bought the inheritance, than any ihin^
wrought in ihcm to make thcra meet for it, Col, i. 12,
or
Serm. XL the Lord's Prayer. $!}
or than any pains they have been at in walking and
running their race towards it.
So much for the firft thing, Whereia doth Chrift
reprefent his church unto God ?
Secondly^ What is Chrid's fitaefs for making this
reprefentation of the church unto God P
1. In the conftiiution of his perfoii. He is a rare,
linguiar perfon ; God-man, God's Son made maa.
And becaufe he is God-man in one perfon, he is a
perfon only fir, and highly fir, to reprefent God unto
man, and man unto God. He is fit to reprefent God
unto man ; for in Chrift we fee God in a man, in our
nature. And he is fit to reprefent man uuto God ^
for God fecth cur nature in his Son. We fee God
in him, and God feeih us in him. We can never fee
and take up God rightly and by faith, but as he is ia
his Son jefus Chriit ; nor can God ever graciously
jook on a ficner but in bis Son.
2. Chrift is fit for making this reprefentation of his
church to God, by his office of Mediator. None is
fit for this office but Chrift ; none is put in it but he,
I Tim. ii. 5, ; and none but God-man can difcharge
it. The greatnefs of the work that is to be done in
this office, and the greatnefs of the glory that follows
on its difcharge, are far too high for a mere creature.
Such as deny that Chrift is true God, or deny that
he is true man, or deny that he is God-man in one
perfon, (and from the apoftles days to ours, the ene-
my hath been fowing fnch tares in God's field), do
deny a fit Mediator betwixt God and men, and there-
by iirike at the rock the church is buik upoUo Now^
the office of a mediator is to deal with two parties ;
Gal. iii. 20. ISlow a mediator is not a mediator of one ;
but he is betwixt two. The high prieft under the
law, was in his office a type of Chrift in his prietl-
hood. Aaron and his fucceffors did, as high priefts
and typical mediators, reprefent all Ifrael (then God's
only church) unto God, efpecially in the folemn day
of atoaement, Lev* xvi. ; when the high prielt offered
£ e 2 ih^
2T4 Sermons concerning Serm. XI.
the facriflce, after confefTmg of, and a typical imput-
ing of Ifraei's fin to the innocent creature to be facri-
ficzd, and went with its blood into the holiefl: of a!I,
(a piece of earth likefl heaven of any thing or place
made v. ith hands), there to make atonement. This
high pried was alfo to bear their names (who'ii he rc-
prefented) before the Lord upon his livojlrjiildersfor a
memorial^ Exod. xxviii. 12. and ver. 29. And Aaron
JJmll bear the names of the children of Ifraei in the
breaft plate of judgment ^ upon his hearty when he g^oeth
in vnto the holy place ^ for a memoiial before the Lord
continually. Aajoii bare but the general names of
the tribes of Ifrael : but Chrlft our H'gh Prieft hath
a larger heart and breaft plate ; and bears upon it all
the particul;ir names of his people, and reprefents
them all unto God, both in his offering of himfelf as
a facritice lor them, in his entering in with his own
blood into the true holiefl of all, and in his appearing
in heaven in theprefence of God for them, Heb. i\'.
li. — 24. And, by the way, I may fay, that the e-
piRie to the Hebrews is a key to all the Old TeQa-
ment, and efpccially to the book of Leviticus, and the
Old Teftament worlhip.
Thirdly^ What is the glory of Chrift in making
this reprefentation of his church un^o God ? We eafily
conceive, that there is much glory in his reprefenting
God unto his church ; but his glory in reprefenting
them unto God, is not fo eafily fecn by u?. But it is
furely a great glory. So the apoflle faith, Heb. v.
5, 6. Chrij} glorified not himfelf to be made an High
Frief} ; but he that [aid unto him as in Pfal. ii. 7. and
Pfal. ex. 4. He glorified him, and made him an High
Prieft. But what glory was there in ihii, when he
was to be the facrifice himfelf who was made the
pried ; and to make :bis facrifice in all the lowed and
mod humbling circumiiances, fmitien of God, defpif-
ed of men, and abafed even unto death and the cnrfe ;
wherein was the glory of iLi^ f At 'iird view, nothing
appears
SsRM. XI. the hordes Prayer* 215
appears but (liarae and didionour. A few things
(hall conclude thii matter at this time.
I. Confider whom he did, and doth reprefeat un-
to God for acceptance* They are all finners. Ths
viled thiug is fin ; the bafed creature is a fianer :
yea, finners are not properly creatures of God*s mak-
ing, but are vile things of the devil's and of their
own making ; the only (luraeful things in God's world.
And fia had never been permitted to enter into ih^
world, if God had not refolved in himfelf to gather
in a rent of glory to his jultice, in punilhing it in ma-
ny ; and to his mercy, in pardoning it in others. And
this glory to pardoning grace comes by the redemp-
tion in Chrift Jefos, Eph. i. 7. Many of thefe pardon-
ed finners are of the vvorfe fort of fmners, i Cor. \L
9, 10. II.; and all of them think themfelves fueb,
I Tim. i. 15, 16. ; and they therein do not think amifs.
And they are a great many, as will appear in the
day of their lad gathering together to Chriji, as it is
called, 2 Their, ii. i . ; though not fo many as the
lod. Thence we read of a loii world, and of a fav-
ed world, in the word. When a finner hath his eyes
opened to fee himfeif, he lothes himielf j and thinks
that he is enough to pollute, and deiiie, and burden
the whole creation of God : he abhors himfelf, and
thinks every one, efpecially the godly, (liould abhor
him too: but mainly he judgedi himfelf mod juftly
lothfome to God. Muit it not be a great and glori-
ous thing in that perfon, that can, and doth repre-
fent fuch vile creatures unto a gracious acceptance
with God ?
,2. Confider to whom they are reprefented for
acceptance; even to an holy and jud God; a God
that hates all iniquity where-ever he feeth it, Hab. i.
13.; and feeth it where-ever it is; and punidieth it
where-ever it is not covered and pardoned. All dif-
coveries of God's glorious holinefs, and of our own
finful vilenefs, render this reprefentation for accep-
tance the more Dsedful to be got, and the more hard
to
2 1 6 Sermons concerning S E ^ : r XT.
to be believer!, (as ail exercifed ChrlftiaD ; uTiOw),
and the more glorious to Chrift when it is obt.^rned.
5. Laltly, Confider what a glorionj acceptance
this reprefentation by Chrift doth nrocuf*.. They
for whom it is made, are accepted, Eph. i. 6. ; are
beloved ; are received into all fanilia' ity with God ;
and, in that love, adjudged unto all bleffings in hea-
venly things; in Chnit Jefus.
Application* I (hall at this time only add
one word or application ; and it is this. I have been
fpcraking to you of Chrifl's glory in reprefenting his
church unto God ; I would only afk your confciences
ibis one queftion, How do you think to appear before
God ? You all know, or profefs you know, that there
is a God, (as certainly there is ; and, 1 may fay, more
furely than that there is any thing t\{Q ; for God only is
the neccffary, all creatures are but contingent being?,
Rev. iv. If,); you know, that this God doth ajways
fee you ; that as he thinks of you, fo is your ftate
in his fjght ; that God will at la(l judge you,rand pro-
claim to you, and all the world, his thoughts and
judgment of you ; you daily worfiiip and ferve him :
But how do you now appear before him ? is a quef-
tion few afK. Many never think of this till it be too
jare, By what means ard ways ihall I make fuch an
appearance before G -o, as to be gracioufly accepted
with him ? This feems to be on their hearts in Micah
Ti. 6. though they did not know the right way. And
fo is it at ihjs day with many fmners. I wouid warn
you of fome oF ihofe falfe ways in which men think
to ?ippear before God.
1. Some think to appear before God in the fame
poor ftate that their father Adam left them in. They
own, that they are not fo good as he wa?, nor fo
good as they ou'^.ht to be ; but they think, that fmce
xncn arc fo impoveriflied by Adam's fall, God will
pow accept a man with a little, if it be his all. But
i"uch deluded people do not know, that as Adam left
them
S E RM. XI the Lord's Prayer, 2 1 7
tliem nothing at all that is pleafing to God ; To he
hath left them in a (late of fin, ^raih, and condem-
Daticn, in Vhich all his pofterity are born, and live
in, and perifli at laft ii3, unlefs they are delivered
from it by Jefus Chrifl,
2. Some think to appear before God in the befl
drefs they can make for ihenifelves, by their good
nieanings and purpofes, their good duties and weak?.
They labour hard and long to amend their ways, to
adorn their duties, and themfelves by them ; and thus
think CO prefent theralelves to God*i acceptance.
This garment of our own righteoufoeis is beauriful in
their own fight ; for felf-love naiurrdly makes men to
prize iheir felf-doings. It is a garment beautiful ai-
fo in the fight of men ; and of them they have their
reward, as Chrift told fuch men. Match* vi. 2. 5. i6\
And this drefs is the more praifed when it is in falliion.
Hypocrites praife hypocrites : and the church is fuli
of them. So, from their own valuing, and others
praifing of them, they, in their ignorance, think that
God will be as well pieafed with them. But, alas !
tkis is no better than that fad [>ate Paul fpeaks of,
Rom. X. 3. For they being ignorant o/God^s rightcmif-
nefs^ and going about to eflabltjh their own rtghteouf
nefs^ have not fubmttted themfelves unto the right eoufnefs
of God,
3. Some think to appear before God for accep-
tance with their fuffi^rings. If they can do but lit-
tie, ihey think they fuffer much. This is a llran.^e
vanity. ' Of thefe fi fferings, fome are volantary, un-
fully impofed on men by themfelves. That people
fpeak ftrangely, Micah vi. 6, ;. Wherewith Jbail I^
come before the Lordy and how myfelf before the high
God f Jhail I tome before him with burnt of i rings ^ with
calves of a year old? (and '.hefe were ccmmanded ia
the law) ; will the Lord he pleafsd with ihoufands of
ramsy or v:ith ten thovfands cf rivers of oilf (thoie
were more than ever God commanded, or than thef
could bring) J J^ali I give my fir (l-b cm for my trarf-
grefion.
2 1 8 Sermons concern} ng S e r m . X L
grejfion, the fruit of my body for the fin of my foul? A
ftn^tly forbidden abomination. When you read of
this prii(flice that foine were left unto, to off^r their
children in facrifice, think not that they hated their
children : nay, they loved them as well as you do
yours ;. but they loved their fouls better, and feared
God's anger more ; and they thought, that what was
deareft to them, and what they were lothefl to part
with, God would mod accept of. (What a convi(Sti-
on may this give to many Chrillians, who find it {o
hard to fubmit to the Lord':^ taking away their chil-
dren, either by ts. natural or violent death ; when a
blind idolater is fo mad upon his idols, that he will
voluntarily make a facrifice of his children unto their
falfe gods, ox devils^ as they, are called, Pfal. cvi.
37. ?). So natural is it unto men, in their igcorance
of God, to think, that what they do impofe upon
ihemfelves, efpecially if it be troublefome to their
flefh, is pleafing unto, yea meritorious before God,
From thib fpring do all the voluntary felf-fcourging<^,
^c, amongfl PapiRs proceed; which have no bet te
example in Gcd's word than that of Baal's prophets
in I Kings xviii. 28. ; and have no better acceptance
with (lod than they had. But what will not a finner
do ; what (liift will he not betake himfelf unto, who
feeth his fms, feels or fears God's wrath for them,
and is ignorant of the only city of refuge, Jefus Chrifl?
Many rnotk at the folly both of Pagans and PapiflF,
in their ways of feeking pardon and peace, whc, if
ihey were as much awakened in their ccnfcience, and
ss ignorant of Chrifi: as they, w^ould cither betiikc
themfelvcs to the fame poor ihifts, or to others as
vain. Again, Some fullerings are commanded ; as
James iv. 9 Be afflidcd^ and mourn^ and weep : let
your laughter be turtied to 7nourningy and your joy to
heavincfs. There is a time to mourn, and there are
calls to it ; and we diould difcern both, and fet about
this duty. There are many merry and jovial profef-
for&, that never mind mourning for thcmfelves or o-
ihers.
Serm. XI. the Lord^s Prayer. 219
oibers, but when God makes them by his rods ; and
it is well if they do fo then. Bat now, when a maa,
with much pains, hath laboured with hia heart, and
hath afflifted it with grief and forrow ; and when this
ftorm within breaks out in tears, and he pours them
out before the Lord, as they did, Judg, ii. 4, 5. and
may call his bed, (as David did his, Pfal. vi. 6,), or
chamber, or clofet, a Bochim ; how ealily doth a maa
grow* proud and vain, and think within himfelf,
*' Now 1 have offered an acceptable facriiice to God ?"
It is true, that the facrifices of God are a broken fpirit :
A broken and a contrite hearty God^ thou wtlt ?iot
defp'tfe^ Pfal. 11. 17. But we muft always remember
thefe three things about all our fpiritual facrifices.
I. That as they rauft be all of his requiring, fb they
mud be of his providing. We have nothing to offer
to God that he will accept, till he give it to us, and
till he firfl work it in us, David's broken heart was
firft given to him. Dreadful tins firft: lay quiet in his
hard heart, till God broke ir. 2. That a broken
heart is always a humble heart. It begins to grow
whole again (and quickly it will, unlefs the breaker
of it keep it broken) when it begins to be proud.
Such as have a good opinion of their own hearts,
know not what a broken heart means. He that hatli
a broken heart, is broken with his vile heart; as the
Lord fpeaks of his grief at mens whole hearts, Ezek.
vi. 9. 3. That all our fpiritual facifices, and a bro-
ken heart, muft be offered to God for acceptance on
the right altar, and by the right High Prieft, Jefus
Chrift. As he, in dealing with God for our redemp-
tion, was both altar, and prieft, and facriiice ; fo,
in all our dealings with God by him, we rauft be fur-
niftied with our facrifice out of his (lore; we mud
offer up all to God by him as our Prieft, Heb. xiii.
15,; for they are only acceptable to God by Jefus
Cbri/ly I Pet. ii. 5. And we rauft have and ufe Chrift
as our altar to faridi/y our ^i/ts^ Matih. xxiii. 19. It
VoL.n. 'F f is
220 Sermons concerning Serm. XL
is grievoiK to hear what fad ground there is to fear,
that feme profeflors think more ofr, and think more
highly, of their own tears, than of the redeeming
blood of the Son of God. Laftly, There are afll c-
tions of God's infli£ling and laying on ; always laid
on juftly and righteouily. No man fliould comp]a"n
of (hem, or of God, when under them. All believ-
ers Ihould neither defpife nor faint under thera, Heb.
xii. 6, 7. But no raan muft: think of appearing be-
fore God with acceptance, merely becaufe he is af-
flicted, God afBiifls his children in love ; and he
loves them cot the lefs that they are affli6fed. But
affli£lion itfeil, and our own crofs, mull not rob
Chrift's crofs of iis glory, of making peace with God
for fmners, Col. i. 20. l fliould not mention this, but
that you know, that there are fomc fo ignorant as to
fay when greatly afRi(rted, " I am now enduring the
" punifliment of my fins ," yea, when dying, they
think that the very agony of death is a puni(hmeut
of, yea an expiation for all the fms of their life So
grofsly ignorant are many that live in a land of lii;ut.
It is true, that all the raiferies of this life, yea death
itfcl'", to an unbeliever, are the punKhment of fm ;
thry are but a fmall and (hort part of that punifh-
roent. But, alas 1 where is the payment of fm, and
tbt faiisfa£^ioa that God demands, and will only ac-
cept P Nothing a finner can do or fufter, can ever a-
mount to that.
1 would conclude this exercife with thefe two
words.
r. All that adventure to appear before God as
they are in and of themfelves, are ignorant borh of
God and of themfelves. They neidier know how
holy and juft he is, nor how vile they are, If ihey
did, they would never venture (tubble fully dry be-
iure this confuming fire.
2. Ail that dare not adventure on Jefus Chrid,
and OD his reprefenring thera to God for acceptance,
know neither the Fathisr nor the Son, This is the
glorious
Serm, XL the Lord^s Prayer. 221
glorious contrivance in his eternal counfels, and is de-
livered to us in his word, z^the record of Cod, i John
V. 10, 1 1. extrsiSted outof thefe counfeis, that a great
number of fmcers, vile and unworthy in themfelves,
(hall be accepted in that beloved, and Ihall be belov-
ed for his fake, and in him. How hard a thing do
believers themfelves find it to believe this firmly and
conflantly, v?hat a glorious reprefentadon Jefus Chrift
can make of fuch vile creatures as we be in ourfelves,
when he clothes us with his righteoufnefs ? It is 00
eafy thing for a true Chriftian, when he is digging
into the dunghill of his own heart, and lothing hira-
felf for all his abominations ; at the fame time to be-
lieve, that he Hands accepted before the throne of
God, as found and feen in Chrift, clothed with
Chrift's garment of a fpodefs righteoufnefs, that no
fault can be found with, even at the higheft tribunal,
nor any condemnation can come from thence to the
happy man that wears it. There is no condemnation
to them that are in Chrijl Jefus ; becaufe it is God
that jujlifieth all that believe on him, Rom« viii« i*
33> H-
Ffg SERMON
2 22 Sermons concerning Serm. XII.
SERMON XII.
John xvli. 24.
Father^ I will that they alfo vjjjom thou hafl given me^
be with me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou hajl given me : for thou lovedjl me
bejore the foundXittcn of the world*
I Am yet on the third thing in the matter of our
Lord's prayer in this verfe. The firfl was, the
dercnp ion of them he prays for : Thofe whom thou
hafl given me. The fecond is, the blefTing; he prays
for to them : Thai they may be with me zvhere 1 am.
The third i?, the end for which Chrifi: prays for this
bleffing to them. What fhali they get by being with
Chrifi where he is ? What fhall they do, and how
ftiall they be employed ? That they may behold my glo*
' ry which thou hafl given me. That will find them
voik enough, and blifs enough, to eternity. On
this 1 propofed two things to be handled, i. The
glory of Chrift, And, 2. The beholding of his
On the firfl of thefe, the glory of Chrifi, I have
fpoke a litiie on two heads, i. Chrifl's glory as he
reprefents God to men. 2. As Chrift reprefents men
to God. There are two moft important queftions
that life in the mind of every ferious man ; and he is
a Tinful and miferable perfon that never found them
in bis own hearr, and knows not how to anfwer them
yighily. i. How may a fmfql man fo take up God,
as to l^now him truly and favingly ? And, 2. What
Way may God look upon a fmful man gracioully P
Boin 'iufwered one way. It is only in his Son Jefus
Chrif . If we look on God out of Chrifi, we are
confoanded j if God look on us out of Chrifi, we are
deftroyed.
S SUM. XII. the Lord's Prayer. 22'>
deflroyed. We are not able to behold the glory of
God, but in the face of Chrifl ; and we are not able
to avoid his wrath, unlefs we be found in Chrifl, and
accepted of God in him.
Wherein Chrift reprefents his church to God, how
fit he is to make this reprefentation, and what Chrift's
glory is in making of it, I fpoke of lad day. This
reprefentation that Chrift makes of his church unto
God, is for iheir acceptance with God ; and that ac-
ceptance never fails, where this reprefentation is
niade. It is acceptance with that God that knoweth
all things, andjudgeth rightly of all things and per-
fons. How then can a juit God accept a man that ia
himfeif is a fmner, and therein do juftly ? A hard
qoeftion, that only is anfwered in the gofpel. It is,
becaufe Chrifl reprefents a fmner to God for accep-
tance ; and this acceptance mufl be, where this repre-
fentation is made by Chrifl. I. Becaufe Chrift' co-
vers all that is fmful and lothfome in the man, by his
righteoufnefs. And, 2. By the fame righteoufnefs,
not only covereth his nakednefs and deformity, but
puts a beauty upon the man ; though it is not iu him,
but in Chrifl, yet is on him by grace ; as Ez^ek. xvi.
14. Tby beauty was per fed through my comelinefs
which I had put upon thee, faith the Lord. By this
imputed righteoufnefs of Chrifl put upon a believer
in Chrifl, his own fin is covered, and the believer
flands clothed, and fo is beautiful in God's fight,
in this gifted righteoufnefs, and is juflly juilified by
God the Judge of all. See Pfal.' xxxii. i, 2. with
Paul's coirnrrent on it, in Rom, iv. 6, 7, 8. Even as
David alfo defcribeth the blejjednefs of the man unto
whom God imputeth righteoufnefs^ without works, fay-
tngi Blefjed are they whofe iniquities are forgiveny
ivhofeftns are covered. Blefjed is the man to whom the
Lord will not impute fin.^ A few remarks on thefe two
fcriptures, Ihall be all I (hall fay on the do^rinal part,
and then proceed in application. The firfl thing I re«
EQark, is this : That the apoftle names only thofe
words
2 24 Sermons concerning Serkt. XII*
words of the Pfalmift that belong to his prefeot pur-
poie. He is handling the do£lrine of the juftification
of a Cnner. This blefTed do£lrine he had taught in
the preceeding chapter, with {o clear a light, that all
the darknefs of hell will never bt^ able \o pur out, or
quench, in the church of Chrift. This blefiing, he
teachcth, comes by the free grace of God, in and by
the redemption made by Chnft ; and is given by God,
and polTefTed by men, by faith in Chrift's redeeming
biood, without any interefl: of the works of the law
therein. Chrift indeed dealt with the law, and ful-
filled all the righteoufnefs thereof, for our juftificati-
on ; but we have nothing to do with the law, in our
uealing with God for our juftification ; but to come
with hs condemnmg fentence in our guilty confcience,
that wc may lay hold of Chrift's righteoufnefs ; which,
as It tululjcd the law, when wrought out by Chrift ;
fo it fprinklesour confcicnces, when applied to us by
his Spirit and grace, aud when it is applied unto by us
by faith. And thofe two applications are infepar-able,
and both the fruits of the favin^ f^uace of God. This
dodrine Paul confirms by two inftances, in two emi-
tieut faints, in this fourth ch: pter; Abraham before
the law, ver i.'— 5. and afterwards in this chapter ;.
ar.d David under the law, ver. 6, 7, 8. Whatever
diflcrence there was in the difpenfations they were
under, (and there wac; a great one) ; yet there was
none in the way of their juftification before God.
Both were by God's grace, without the works of the
law, without work, without hire, without any glory-
ing before God. Now, David had faid ia Pial. xxxii.
1, Blejfed is the man alfo, in ivhofe fpirit there is no
guile. But this pertaining to the blefiing of fandifica-
lion, though infeparable from that of juftification,
(which is the apoftle's diftinft theme injthis context),
is therefore wifely omitted by the apoftle. A fecond
thing 1 remark, in comparing thefe two fcriptures, is
this : That whereas David lays the blelTednefson the
-pardoned many the man vjhofe fins are covered^ the man
to
Serm. XII. the Lord^s Prayer. 225
to whom the Lord imputeth not imquity ; Paul tells us,
lb: herein David defcribeth the bkffednefs cf the man
unto whom God imputeth righteoufnefs ivithout zvorks^
when he faid fo. David faith nothing of ihe m-
futing of righteoufnefs^ but only of the nut impute
ing of fiD. Paul teacheth, that the not imputhrg
of fin y is the fame with the i?nputing cf righteouf^ ^
nefsy and that without works alfo. A few things
will ferve to clear this= i. Every man's (tate before
Godj is as God jndgeth and reckons of him. His ac-
count and reckoning of a man . is always right aod
true ; and it is always deciilve and determining ; for
it is the highefl Judge's fentence. Thus is u now,
thus will it always be. This judgment of this fuprcriie
Judge concerning them, is always about fin, or righ-
teoufnefs. His condemning fentence is for fin ; his
approving fentence is for righteoufnefs, ^lo dear
the guilty^ and to condemn the righteous^ are both an
abomination to the Lord^ in an earthly judge, Prov.
xvii. 15. And who, without blafphemy, can charge
the Judge of all the earth with it ! Gen. xviii. 25.
Every man therefore, even now, is in God's fight un-
der a fentence, either of condemnation, becaufe of
fm ; or of approbation, becaufe of righteoufnefs ; that
is, in the dialecl of the Holy Ghod, hath either Jtn
imputed to him for condemnation ^ or righteoufnefs imput-
ed to him f:r the Ju/Iif cation of life, as Paul calls ir,
Kom. V. 18. 3. Sin and righteoufnefs are contraries,
and expel one another, and cannot cocfid together.
Guilty, or ivjx guilty, every one is, and mult he ia
the eye of God, and at the bar of God's law and judg-
uicnt. If guilty, then not rip:hreous3 and therefore
condemned ; if not guilty, then righteous, and tl^e^e-
fore abfolved and acquitted. This alternative, ftnfuly
or la-wful, reacheth to all our thoughts- and accions;
and thus are they judged by God, as contniry or
confonant to the law, the rule. And alio guilty^ or
not guilt y, ov righteous^ reacheth to the ilate of all
pcrfuns before God ^ and thus are \^*e alljidged and
accounted
126 Sermons concerning Serm. XII.
accounted of by the Lord, as we arc under fin, or un-
der righteoufnefs. 4. Now when man is fallen, and
there is nothing but iin in man, and no righteoufnefs
can be found in him, God hath provided a righteouf-
nefs without him, in and by which lie may only, and
may fureiy, and may jallly, be juftified before God.
OF which we have been fpeaking. This is that righ-
teoufnefs of Chrill, in which all believers on him
ftand accepted before God. It is imputed to them,
and therefore their fin is not imputed to them ; aiid
thus are they judged and abfolved at God's throne of
grace in Chrift Jefus, So that, to conclude this, un-
lefs all that we are, all that we have done, be cover-
ed by this righteoufnefs ; unlefs there be a reckoning
of this righteoufnefs of Chrift to us by God ; fin, our
own fin, will be imputed to us for condemnation, k
is only this righteoufnefs that is juflly precious in the
judgment of God, and makes fmful man accepted
with him.
Inference i. Behold here the wonderful grace of
cur Lord Jefus Chrift, in thus reprefenting his church
and people to God. The apoftle faith, 2 Cor. viii.
9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jefus Chr'if}^
that though he was rich^ yet for your fakes he became
fcor^ that ye through his poverty might be rich. He
fuppofeth, that all true Chriftians doth know Chrift's
grace : and juftly ; for God knows, and all men may
judge them unworthy of that name, that do not know
it. Chrift's grace is a lovely theme to hear of, and to
think on, by all that have tafted of it, and live by it.
This grace ftiineth brighdy in his reprefenting his
people to God for acceptance. It was a great con-
defcendence of his grace, to take the oiTice of a repre-
fenter of his church. He knew his own divine digni-
ty ; he knew the vilenefs and unworthinefs of them
whom he was to reprefent : yet neidier of them hin-
dred his chearful undertaking of this office. And as
it was condekending grace in him 10 undertake it ;
Serm. XIL ' the Lord's Prayer. 227
fo was it coftly grace to him to go through with it,
and dirchargc ir. Bleffed Tefus laid out a)! his eflate
(to fpeak fo) to redeem the lawful captives of julliee.
Before ihey can be repiefented to God for accep-
tance, he mufi die, and (lied his blood ; and in his
garments dyed with his own blood muft he prefeot
himfelf as a perfe<fted Mediator unto God, and in the
fame garments prefent his church to God for accep-
tance. This matter of our acceptance with God is
not brought about by the prayers of Chrift on earth,
nor by his interceflion in heaven : though we are ape
to think, that fuch prayers of fuch a fupplicant might
do any thing. Yea, any thing but this: Without
Jhedd'ing of bloody there is no remij/ion, Heb. ix, 22.
And no blood but Chrifl's goes for an aronem.ent,
Rom. V. 9, 10. He had no fm of his own. But when
he was charged with the fins of his people, he mud
ihed bis blood as a facrifice for propitiation. When
Chrifl {lands thus charged at the bar of juftice, he
Was not fpared, but was dealt with as (tridly as ano-
ther fmner. When law and juftice takes a fmner by
the throat, it faith to him. Pay ?ne that thou owe/I ;
as Matth. xviii. 28. in the parable there. And this
charge is ilill on all that are out of Chrift ; though
they are now deaf, and do not hear it. This charge
is on all the prifoners in hell, " Pay your debts 19
*' God, or no getting out of prifon." But this charge
was only on Chrift, " Pay what thou oweft as furety
" for a multitude of beggars and debtors. They have
** nothing to pay ; thou art rich, and able to pay.
« Thou haft undertaken to pay ; and therefore full
** payment muft be made ere thou enter into glory,
" and thy people be prefented to God with accep-
" tance." And this charge Chrift obeyed and an-
fwered, by which his church is faved. So great was
his obedience to his Father's commandment, fo great
was his zeal for his own and his Father's glory, and
fo great was his love to his church, that he gave him-
felf for it, Eph. V. 25, 26, 27, Now'> as it is all
' Vol. II. G g Chriftians
2 28 Sermons Comer mng S£R^r. Xil.
Chriftians duty to behold this grace cf our Lord Je-
fiis Chrift, aii'd it is their great advantage fo to do ;
fo the bed find it no eafy thing to believe it with ap-
plication to therafelves, fo as to fay, as in Gal. ii. 20.
Chrif} loved mcy and gave bimjelf for jne. For when
they fee a little of themfelves, (and but a little is [czv^,
and all bad), and a little of his glory, (and it is but
a little of that that believers can fee, with farh bai
eyes as the bed have, and in fo dark and diftant a
place as this is where we are) ; then they find it hard
10 believe, that Chrift will clothe their filthy n^^.ked-
nefs with that garment of falvation wove cut of his
own blood and bowels ; and in it prefent them to
God's favour and love, and xo all the precious fruits
of it. But for as hard as it is, all the true worfhip-
pers in the New Teflament temple are bound to be-
lieve, that their great High Prieft fet over the houfe
cf God, doihreprefent theni unto God for acceptance,
far more really, (for that was but typically), and
iDuch more fuccefsfully, than Aaron did ilfael in the
folemn day of atonement. But it is as truly, as com-
monly, faid. That fuch as think believing cafy,
know not what believing is.
Inference 2. Here wc may fee the excellent way
of our acceptance with God. We are accepted in
his Son Jelus Chrift. The falvation we get upon
our acceptance with God, and the bleifed way in
which this acceptance cometh, are equally to be be-
held with wonder, and praife, and faith. This excel-
lent way is the only way ot a finner's accepcauce with
God. There was another way ; but that was of the
acceptance, not of a firmer, but of a finlef^ man, v/ko
God. But that is ^one. In commending this only
Way now, I would have youconlider, that there have
been two ways of man's acceptance with God, of
God's making. One way was, that in the firil Adam ;
ihdt is paft. The other is in the fecond Adam; this
Hands, and will remain for ever. There is alfo an-
other way, of man's making, that is neither in the
fid a.
Serm. XII. the LorcTs Frayer. ' 229
firft, nor fecond Adam. This is a dreanrj that the
greateft part of mankind dream to hell in. They
dream of it as long as they live ; and when they die,
and go to hell, they awake, and behold \i was a
dream: for neither the mourning of the law, nor the
piping of the gofpel, awakens them out of it» Matth.
xi. 17. And this way is by afmful man's own doiog,
and pleafing God. Of each of thofe a little.
I. The firft way of man's acceptance was fixed in
the firft Adam, and in God's covenant wiih him. Obe-
dience was required, aod death threatened for dii-
obedience. But God graciouily fumifhed him with
endowments fufiicient for his work. The Lord by
this way, did therein fignify, that mankind (hould
ftand accepted with him as reprefented by his cove-
nant-head. So in Rom. v. 14. the firft Adam is cal-
led the figure (or type) of him that was to come ; that
is, Chrift. The apoiile is, from ver. 12. to the end
of the chapter, (hewing vaft unlikenefs, yea, contra-
riety betwixt thefe two heads of mankind : in what
each did; obedience and difobedience : in what they
brought in ; the firft man brings in by his difobe-
dience fin, condemnation, and death ; the fecond
man brings in by his obedience, righteoufnefs, jufti-
fication, and eternallife : all as contrary a,s light and
darknefs, heaven and hell. How, and wherein is
Adam then faid to be the figure, the type of Jefus
Chrift ^ Is it not in this, that as the two Were true
men, and fo they w^ere fingle perfons ; yet they
both were federal, covenant-heads, and reprefenta-
tivesof a great many ; Adam of all his natural oiT-
fpring; Chrift of all his fpiritual off'spring, given
to him of the Father ? And as the firft Adam
(food accepted with God in the righteoufnefs of his
obedience ; fo did his pofterity ftand on the fame ac-
count. And if he had continued in his obedience,
all his pofterity had been accepted in him : but be-
caufe he became by his fall a finner, the firft Adam
became thereby a deftroyer, and brought in fin and
G g 2 death
2 3^ Sermons concerning S e R m . XII.
death on all bis poderity, by the juftice of the curfe
of the broken covenant ; and hath the guilt of fin im-
puted, and the depraved nature which by his fm he
contra^ed, propagated unto all hh pofleriry. So that
the belt of faints is conceived and hern in fin ^ Pfal. li.
5.; and all are by nature children of dijohedience^ and
of wrath ^ Eph. ii. 3. So this way is quite unpaiTable.
A covenant betwixt a holy God, and a dead defiled
finner, was never intended by God : audit is disho-
nourable to God's holinefs, and wifdoin, and juftice,
to iiitagine any fuch covenant.
2 The other way of God's maliing, is, for the
acc^iptance offinfnl men by his Son Jefus Chri^l, and
God's covenant with hira for his redeemed offspring.
If our Fathc:r Adam had ftood as God had placed
him, there had bten nothing required of us, or need-
ed by us, in ordt r to the infiaricg us in the favour
and friendfhip of God ; whatever had been needful
for our continuing in it. His obedience, if continued,
would have entailed and conveyed that to us in our
feveral generations. So now in Chrift, the fecond
Adam, the favour of God was bought for us by him,
(for it was loft by the fird Adam) ; it (lands in him,
and is conveyed to us through him, when the Jaw of
the Spirit cf life in Chrifl Jefus ^ doth make us free
from the law of fin and death^ Rom. viii. 2. Thofe
are all the ways of God's making. Bur,
3. There is a way of man's making and devifing,
(as fallen man is full of foolifh inventions) ; and it is
this, to obtain God's favour by their own doings and
obedience. The Lord never put any to this, though
many think th^it he hath put all men to it. There
cever were but two finlefs men in the world ; Adam
and Chrift. The obedience God required of Adam
was not to inflate bim, and brine him into God's fa-
vour and friend(hip ; (for that he was created in) :
but it only was to continue him in it, and to convey
the fame friendOiip with God unto all his pofterity.
But how to regain God's favour when lofl by fin,
what
Serm XII. the Lord^s Prayer. 231
what way to make up the breach when made, Ac^am
did not, could not know it, till God revealed it af-
ter hjs fall. So Chrift's work and bufinefs in the
world, was not to obtain God's friendlhip for bim-
feif ; for he from eternity was the Son of his Father's
love, and his Father's everlafting delight. As man,
when conceived in the womb of the virgin, he was
that holy thing that was to be born of her, Luke i.
35. ; and while he lived in the work), he always
did thofe t hinges that f leafed his Father, John viii. 29.
As to his office of Mediator, he was inftalled in it
mod honourably, and glorified by it, Heb. v. 5: His
difcharge of it was thepleafure of Jehovah^ Ifa. liii. 10,
He made it his meat to do the will of him that fent him^
and to finifh his worky John iv. 34. ; was flraitened^
pained, till his baptifn, in his own blood, was ac^
complifhed, Luke xii. 50.; defued with defire to eat
his lafl p(iJfover, Luke xxii. 15. After that, he ap-
pointed his fupper for a memorial of his death, and
for an ordinance-feal of that new teftaraent which tie
was the next day to confirm and ratify by his blood/
And when ail this is done, he opens his heart in love
to his difciples about his death, and the good they
ftiould get by it in his abfence ; with a firm promife
of their happy meeting again, in a better place and
iLite than he cither foand or left them in, in John
xiv. 15, i<5. And laft of all, he opens his heart to
bis Father, John xvii. 4. / have glorified thee on the
earth : I have finijjjed the work -which thou gaveft me
to do. When all thine^s ftood thus betwixt Chrift and
his Father ; what need then was there of all the hea-
vy fufferings which he was put to, and which h:".
mufl cf.Jure, as he often tofd them before ? That
necellity he was under of fuffering, was from th's.
That he came to give his life a ranfom for many Matt«
XX. 28.; and was verily fore-ordained before the foun-
dation of the world, to redeem his people with the price
of his precious andfpotlefs blood, 1 Peter i. 19, 20.
Bat this inveniioni of man's hearfj in feeking God's*
favocr
iiz Sermons concerning Serm. Xll.
favour and acceptance by their own works and doings,
h not only not appointed by God, and never fuccefs-
fu! to any man, (for that no man is jufl'ified by the law
in th^fi'ht of God, it is evidenty Gal. iii. 1 1. ; but no
evidenct is convincing to a blind and proud jegalili) ;
bat aifo this way is a perverting of both the ways of
God's appointment. If they will be for God's old
way with Adam in innocence, then they mud be fin-
lefs, and in God's friendOiip, as he was; they muft
have all the abilities Adam had for obedience, to main-
tain that fricndftiip. But though fmfal man be proud
and vain, yet none have the forehead to pretend to
innocent ftanding Adams's covenant-flate and ability.
As for the only way of regaining God's favour by
Jefus Chrifl, this new and wicked way overthrows
it : For if right eoufnefs come by the law^ then Chrift is
dead in vain ; and Paul ihoiMfruJhate the grace of
Gody if he fought to live by the lawy Gal. ii. 19,— -2 i.
But the unbelieving world runs after this invention :
for they are too poor to anfwer the exa<ft perfeft ho-
linefs of God's true law, and too proud to fubmit
themfelves to the righteoufnef:i of God. They do as
the cnniiirg knave did, Luke xvi. 3, ^ they cannot
dig w::h cM Adam, and to beg of the fecond Adam,
they are aTiamed ; and therefore fhive to live by
nicks and cheating. Bni God is not mocked And
thus multitudes perifti, not only in the Heathen and
Aniichrinian world, but in that that is called Chrif-
lian : For this damnable error is natural, and is in the
heart of every one that is an unbeliever, profefs what
he will in words and principles.
But the only gofpel vvay of finners acceptance with
God, by the reprefentation that Chrift makes of them
unto God, hath ihefe things to commend it above
God's firft way with Adam and his feed in the firft
covenant.
I. In that it is a mofl glorious way of acceptance,
far higher and better than what Adam had while he
ftocd, or than his polleriry would have had if he had
flood.
Serm. XII. the Lord's Prayer. 133
flood. For, on this fuppofition of Adam's danditig,.
fm had indeed been kept out ; but the acceptance
continued to Adam and his pofterity, had had no bt;t^^
ter and nobler foundation than that of the obedience
and righteoufnefs of a creature, a mere man. But
now believers in Chrift (land accepted of God, in the
obedience and righteoufnefs of Chrid, who is Goi
over a/It blejfed for ever : fo that every one of them
may fay, as ifa. xlv. 24. In the Lord have I righie-
cufnefs and ftrength, i own that this way (lops al!
glorying in ourfeives; but it is fitted for raifing, aui
keeping up eternal glorying in the Lord, i Cor. i.
29,-r-g I. It is not the lead, but the greateft, rather,
of the honour of the crown of glory in heaven, tha€
the crown itfelf, and the kingdom, and the heirs of
it, were all bought with the blood of the Lamb ; and
that their title to it now, and their pofTeffing of it ii
eternity, hath no other, nor lower foundation, thaa
the righreoufneis of God, the righteoufnefs of a man,
who ?s the Lord our righteoufnefs, Jen xxiii. 6. And
thus God's Ifratu [hall be Javed in the Lord with an
everlafting falvation. Ifa, xiv. 1 7.
2. This way is a more fafe way and fure than A-
dam's way, or God's old way with Adam. The un-
certainty of that way was {Qtn in the event quickly.
The (lock of mankind was all in his hand : he v^z%
furnifhed with fuf&cient grace to keep him (landing,
(his cafe is enouga \o m.)kt us hate the popidi didinc-
tion, and fenfe, of fuificient and eiEcacious grace,
with reference to fallen man) -, but he was but a mere
man, and was left to the freedom of his own perfect
wil!, (enough to difgrace the faife name of free will
in a fmner, a dave to his will aad luds, and a captive
to the devil at his ivilL, 2 Tim. ii ?6 ). But it pie a fed
God (and againd that no man diould reply) not to
give him edablidiing, preferving grace. It feemed
lit uuto God, that eilablidiing grace Ihould only be dif-
penfed in and by Jefug Cbrid, who was to redcre
lallen man, and to bs the head of a new and better
CQVS-
234 oermons concerning Serm. XI f.
covenant, of which Cbr'ijl is Mediator^ which was e^
JlabiijJjed on better promtfes^ Heb. viii. 6. Eftablifliing
grace was given ro the flanding angels. Cbrifl: is
their heaci, Col. ii. lo. ; and they are called ele6l an-
gels, I Tim. v. 21. Now, if it had been a/lied Adann,
or an angel, concerning him. How long (hall Adam
ftand in God's favour P the only anfwer could have
been, As long as he is obedient to his maker and
covenant-pariy. Ailc again, How long fliall Chrifl
the Mediator ftand in God's favour ? It is anfwered.
For ever : and it is impoffible it fliould be otherwife.
But if it again be asked, How long (liall a believer in
Chrifi, whom Chrift hath reprefented to God for ac-
ceptance, how long (hall he ftand accepted ? this hath
feveral anfwers, but only one good one- And that
is, A believer ftands always accepted with God, as
long as Chriif is accepted with God as the reprefen-
ter. As long as the believer is reprefented by Chriil,
fo long continueth his (late of acceptance with God.
Adam, in his tirfl ftate, had all grace but eftabiilhing
grace, in his good (late. The t\zdi angels had ir,
and thereby ftood, and do ahvays behold the face of
Chrifis Father which is in heaven^ Matth. xviii. 10.
They need no other grace, but edabliftiing grace to
keep them well, when they were well. But Adam
fallen, and all his offspring, need refforing grace to
make them well, and more grace to make them bet-
ter, and preferving grace to keep them unto the
heavenly kingdom. All this grace is out of Chrift's
fuh^icfs, and fecures the happy (late of all that are
in him.
3. By this way of our acceptance with God Iq
Chrift, a greater bleffednefs cometh unto men than
could have come by Adam if he had flood. The firrt
mention of eternal life, is made after his fall. Gen.
iii. 22. It is indeed a deep and dark text ; but that I
named it for, is, That in ir, liinng for ever^ is firfl
named, which afterwards isfo frequently proroifed in
Chrifl:
Serm. XII. the Lo^cTs Frajer* ^ 235
Chrift to bis church. To this that plaitily relates.
Rev. ii. 7. To him that overcoineth will I give to eat of
the tree of life ^ i^hich is in the midfl of the paradife of
God. We need not trouble our heads about the ex-
tent of the blciTings in the firtl covenant of God wuh
Adam, and mankind io him. The Spirit of God\. fpeaks
very little thereof: and that wifely ; for why ihould
he reveal blciTings which no man was to partake of ?
But what is plainly revealed, is, that this covenant was
utterly broke by Adam's (m ; and by thot breach,
guih, and wrath, and death, came in upon the world ;
for v/bich the only relief is by Jefus Chriil. The
firft dawning of which our fird parents faw in that firft
gcfpel, Gen. iii. 15. and exprelied their faith o- it in
that worfhip which was appointed tb.era, Gen iv. ;
and they did recover the favour of God by this new
way and covenant, which they had loii by their fia
under the fird. There was doubtlefs fomev/har iln-
gular in thac communion with God, which our parents,
and Abel, and who elfe of mankind were then born,
had, that is called the face of the Lord, Gen. iv. 14.
and the prefence of the Lord, ver. 16. that the repro-
bate Cain counted it his raifcry and punifliment to be
baniflied from : for he thought, that when he wag
call out of God's prefence, he was alfo cail out of
God's protection ; and then was afraid, left every man
or beaft might prove his executioner : and therefore
God gave him a pafs and a proteCiion ; which it is
Vkc was all he fought, or got. Bur now in Chrift Je-
fus, and on the account of his righteoufnefs, not only
all the curfe of the firft broken covenant is removed,
but greater blelTings are conveyed to us, and beRowed
on us, and a better paradife provided for us, than thar
which Adam fmned in, and was driven from. He fan-
ned in it almoft as foon as he was put in it ; and was
driven out of it as foon as he had finned : and both of
them concern and affciH: all us his podersty, as ranch
as they did him. Sinners we are in and by his fin,
and caft out of God's favour in and by his being cafl
Vol, 11. H h out;
2^6 Sermons concerning S e r m » XI !•
out ; and there is no relief for us but io Jefus Chrlft.
But this relief is with vaft advantage, llom. v. I2,---
2 1.
Examine then your hearts, how they (land affec-
ted towards this new and living way to the holieft of
all by Jefus CTnrift. It is a good rule for one to judge
his own flate by ; even by his true, fixed, and ap«
proved thoughts of J?fus Chrifl:, as the only way ta
God's favour and friendlhip, i Cor. v. 23, 24. i Per.
ii. 7. Ho^' blind mull that man be, who hath hopes
of heaven, aod hath no hearty favour and reiifh of
God's only way to heaven ? If men mind heaven, and
feek it, and hope for it in ways of cbeir o^n devii'-
ing, ihey are never a whit the nearer to ir, nor the
fuier of it. That you may not be deceived now, and
difappoinred wofully at lad, 1 would ihew you fome
itioughts of mens hearts, that are common, fioful, and
daijgerous ; that ye may beware of them.
1. Some fay within themfelve?, and ir may be to
God too, " O that God would accept of n'^e of his
*' great mercy, and look graciouily en me !'' And is
not this a good wifh P Is it not a frequent prayer of
faints in the word ? and is it not to be lidl ufed by all ?
Yes : all this is true. Bnt it is only good when it is
well meant : in many it is ill meant ^ and therefore
is a faulty with. All the mercy of God flows to men
only in and by Jefus Chrhh If Chrift be forgot in
your prayers, you can never put up one good one,
aor get a good anfwer. The mercy of God without
Chriil, is a dream that the greacell: part of the world
iiream ro hell in; and all the while tliink they are in
the riglit road to heaven. How cfc have you heard,
that iht. re is no God to be favingly known, and right-
ly worlliipped, but in Chrill i and that there is no
faving mercy to be found from God, but in Jefus
Chriii ?
2. Some fay, and think they fay better, " O that
" God would make me perfedly holy, that I may be
*' accepted of him 1" Ls not this a brave deiire and
prayer ?
1
Serm. Xlt, the Lord* s Prayer, 237
prayer ? True holioefs is indeed an e>jcellerit blefilng }
a main part of the image cf God in (landing Adam,
utterly loft and defaced ia falleo man, renewed again
by Jefus Chrid in regeneration, and perfected ia hea-
ven. The (Indy of holinefs is an excellent Rady, and
a rtudy for all cur day?« We flioald be flili perfec-
ting of it, 2 Cor. vii, i. bat cannot in this life be per-
fect in it, PhiL iii. 12, Perfe^l holinefs is an excel-
lent aim and dedgn, and is in the heart and eye of e-
very one ihat is truly holy.. Diligence, and continu-
ance in it, and to grow in holinei;^^, is a fain:*s bed
cxercife ; and fuccefs thereia his choiceft raercy. The
holiefl man on earth is furely the happieft man oa
earth : and the perfection of holinefs in heaven, is a
neceffary conftituent of the happinefs of heaven. A
patron of fin, a defpifer of holinefs, and he that de-
iires but a little of ir, haih not the Spirit of God. But
for all this, there may lurk fome evil thing in this
wifti for perfefl holinefs. To fearch it o«t, I would
aame a few things to you, i. There is co true ho*
linefs but what is from Chriftj who is -made of God un-
to us fan6l\fication^ i Cor. i. 30, None are fanf^ified
but by faith in him^ Acts xxvi. 18. It is ChrifPs i*
mage in thena. Ail the moral virtues of the Heathen^
for all their fplendid luRre, had not any bit of true
holinefs in them. And fo is it as to the morality that
is fo prized and praifed by many, 2. As all that are
truly holy, would fain be perfectly holy, (for no man
is void of this defire, but fuch as would fm more, and
iove fin) ; fo no man is truly holy, but he hath a mean
and tow efteein of his own holinefs; and the mod hap-
py proficieot in holinefs, is furely the humbleil faint.
3. Whenever holinefs is fought to recommend us to
God's acceptance, without faith in Chrift, there is no
holinefs in that defire, nor will it ever be granted. For
in this cafe the language of the heart is, " O that I
" were fo holy, that 1 might not need Jefus Chrifl: 1'^
What an ungodly wifli is this ? I hope you all abhor
the thought of it.
H h 2 ' 3. it
23S Sermons concerning Sehm. XII.
g. It IS alfo common with many to fay, " O that
" God would accept of me, and my good works and
*^* duties, ior Chrift's fake !" Many poor creatures
nke p;.ins to do all they c:^n in obeying God's will ;
and Wi en they find It is bur iittie (iiey do, and that
alfo (u'' -^Ffr:ful mixture and imperic«Jlion, then ihey
bring iu Chrid to help them cur. But this is to abafe,
and ro aftront Chrift : for Chrid was never appoint-
ed to help men under the firfl: covenant of works ; but
only to bring them out of it ; and then fave them by
the new and better covenant, wherein the Mediator
doth all the redeeming work for them by himfelf a-
lone ; and by his Spirit given them, works in them
what is pleafing in his fight. But this carnal wifh of
having our works accepted for Chrifl's fake, faith,
I. That the man thinks he can do fomething (and
that is no fraall thing in this vain man's eyes) with-
out Chrifl 5 contrary to the well-known word of his,
John XV. 5. Without me ye can do nothings fpokcn to,
and of them that were in him : and much more may
it be faid of them that are not in him. Yet there is
hardly to be found a natural man, who thinks not but
that he can do fomewhar that pleaferh Gnd, :ivA may
further his acceptance with God : but becauie it is
not fo m.uch and fo good as it fhould be, he would
have help from Chni^ to make it better, and more
effef^ual with God. But the bottom of all this is
felF. 2. Chrifl's righteoufnefs was not wrought out
by him, and tendered to men in the gofpel, as a
clout, or patch, or ornament, to be put upon any
one part of the (hameful nakednefs and deformity of
3 finner, but as a perfcfl and eniire garment for
covering all. So that they that have it all on them,
have none of it ; and he that received it not at a'l,
and doth not trurt alone to Chrifl's riglueoufneis, as
to ^he only fcreen from the holy juflice of God,
and the only ornament of beauty iu God's fight, is
ftill {loui-heartcd, and far from righteoufnefs. 5.
The
Serm. XII, the LorcTs Frayer, 239
The acceptance of our fervice and obedience to
God, is indeed a precious thing, and much defired
by all fincere Chriflians; but the way ic is got, is lit-
tle known by many that feem earneft for it. The
Lord's way is this : Firft, by Chrid, and union with
him, the believer's perfon is accepted of God ; and
then through Chrlft the fruits of his faith (as all true
good works are) become accepted alfo. 60 in the
beginning of the world, Gen. iv. 4, 5. when the two
brothers oifered their facrifices^ and both to the Lord,
to the fame true God, and the offerings in themfelves
lawful, and afterwards by the written law were re-
quired ; yet it is faid, that the Lord had r effect to A-
bel^ and to his offering ; but unto Cain and to his offer-
ing he had not reffttt. Wnerein lay the difference
between their offerings .•' Heb. xi. 4. By faith Abel
offered unto God a more acceptable facrifice than Cain ;
by which he obtained witnefs that he was righteous ;
God teflifying of his gifts : and by it^ he being dead^
yet fpeaketh^ or is fpoken of. And from diftinguilhing
grace, as Abel was received and accepted : fo Cain
was enraged, and turned a murderer of his brother,
I John iii. 12.; which made Luther fay, that Cain
hath been murdering Abel in all ages, to this day ;
that is, the zealots for the righteoufnefs of works, do
dill hate and perfecute the heirs of the righteoufnefs
which is by faith ^ as Noah is called in Heb. xi. 7.
But the only right breathing of the heart of one
that truly knoweth and believeth thii; truth. That
Chrift is the only reprefenrer of his people unto God
for acceptance, is that of Paul, in Phil. iii. 8, 9, 10.
and it is in three things, i. ll\i^\\it might win o^
gain Chrift, ver. 8. Then he counts he is rich enough,
and defpifeth all loffes, for this gain. 2. That he
might be found in Chrifl^ ver. 9. As if he had faid,
" 1 know the day is coming, when God the judge of
" ail will find out every man, and me alfo. My de-
*' fign and defire is, that I may be found in Chrifl ;
" and then 1 am fure I fhall be found in peace."
But
,^4* Sermons concerning Serm. X\l
But how v;ou]d he be found io Chriil ? Not having
mi?]e own rightecufnefs^ whic/j is of the law^ (I am a-
traid and alharaed of appearing before God in it) ; hut
that zvhich is through the faith of Chrijl^ the righteouf-
nefs which is ef God by faith ; that right-oufneis which
is of God's providing and accepting, that which i^ of
Chrifi^ working out, and which is applied and put
en by faith. It is this righteoufnefs the apoftle de-
fires to be fouad in, in order to his acceptance with
God ; and fo will every perfon do that hath that fpi-
nt thai Paul taught this do^lrine by. 3. That I may
knozv Chrifty ver, 10. " If I win Chrid, I am rich
*' towards God ; if I be found in him, I am fafe ; if
*' 1 know him, I am wife to falvation," Bleffed is
that man or woman that feeleth in his or her heart,
foiiiewhat of that deep humility, (trong faith, and
warm love, which wrought in Paul's heart, when he,
by the Holy Ghoft, wrote thefe word?. Then they
would be plainly and eafily unJerftood. But when
n^en know and feel nothing of themfeives, and of their
TAVn unrighteoufnefs, nor oF Chrift, and of his righ-
leoufnf'fs, and no Chriftian (liould wonder at fuch
mens blundering about, and miftaking of fuch evan-
gelical expreflions of faith in Jefas Chrift, which
ihine an day to an exercifed believer ; while the unbe-
liever, though a raafter in Ifrael, can fee no light in
them, but gfopcs^ as if he had no eyes^ and flumbles
at noondayy as in the night ; as it is faid in Ifa. lix. to.
So nuuh for r!ie two iiii'^renccs from this doiftrine.
I would now further apply this truth in two exhor-
tations ; one to unbelievers, and another to believers.
Exhort, I. Unto unbelievers. Who are they r
By unbelievers, we mean fuch as never had any bufi-
nek with Chrii^, to obtain by him acceptance with
(:Jod for themieWes. He is an unbeliever, call him
by what name you will, that never employed Chrift
for repreleming him unto God for acceptance. Of
fuch there are many forts ; pafling what hath been faid
,cf fome, that feek the acceptance of their works, nor of
their
15^ERM. XIL the Lcrd^s Prayer* 241
their perfoDS. Some beg communications of grace
and mercy from God, and ufe not God's way of giv-
ing all, in and by Jefus Chriil. Some beg the par-
don of their fins, and the wafhing away of their de-
filements ; but do not aik this. How (hall a (iiifa] man
ftand fo beautiful in God's eyes, as that God may
look on him, and not be angry ; may look on him»
and love him ? That fort of pardon that many icck^
is never given ; and if given, would not anfwer th«
end. A mere pardon of liii, (if it were polliblc),
without a garment of righteoufnefs upon a mac, might
deliver him from wrath and hell; but would not make
him lovely in God's eyes, nor intitle him to ererpai
life : for it is grace that reigns to eternal life through
righteoufnefs ; and thaigracey that reign of grace ^ that
right eoufnefsy and that eternal I'lfe^ are all by JV/l'j
Chriflour Lord^ Piom, v, 2 1. Bat true gofptl-iorgive-
nefs, and the imputing of Chrilt's righteou fcefg, are
infeparable and indivifible.
OF thofe unbelievers are fpecially three forts.
T. The fecure, fleepy unbelievers ; fuch as have no
heart concerQ about this matter; and never think la.
earoeft how they (hall ftand accepted of QqA ; nor
of Chrid's concern in procuring it, nor of their own
concern in obtaining it by him. Such men are much
, like to that great man, though a blind Pagan, in A£^3
XXV. 19. They had certain queftions again]} him of
their o%vn fuperjlitiony and of one Jefus^ zvhich was
deady whom Paul affirmed to be alive* Little 6\d that
poor Roman know, that he mud perifh for ever, if
he knew not this Jeiu>;, and the virtue of his death,
and the power of ai? reforrectian. As indifferent and
carclefs are many 1 i-iners this day, that when they
hear of Chriii, and v^f the n-rxeliiry of his righteouf-
nefs to finners for iheir acceptance with (ioJ, they
are ready to fay. That they are certain hard quefii-
ons about things and perfons that they have no con-
cern With. \Vhether Jefus was dead or ^live, whe-
thit the Jews or Paul was ia ihe right ; all was ahke
CO
2^t Sermons concerning Serm. XII.
toFeflns. So to many now, Whether a finner can
weave and work for himfelF a garment to fland accep-
ted with God in? or. Whether he m'jQ have one
rcade for hicn, and given to him by Jefus Chrift, or
periQi for ever ? are counted bnt qiie^lions for raini-
Iters and fcholar?, and fuch as they have rlifferent and
contrary opinions about. And the careiefs unbeliever
troubleih not his head about them ; and that only be-
caufe his heart never felt the weight of (in, andthevaft
concern of eternal falvation. All fuch are grofs un-
believers. They may fometimes alk what niiniflers,
what Chriflians think of them ; but never this,
" What doth God think of me ? How (liall I Hand
" accepted before him ?" AlTure yourfelves, that all
other cares, concerns and inquiries about yourfch'cs,
are mere trifles in regard of this ; and that all fuch
perfons are but triflersin religion, pretend and pro-
fefs what they will, who mind not falvation in the Hrll
place, as the one thing needful, Matth. vi. 33. and
Luke X. 42.
2. There are awakened and roufed unbelievers,
like many of John Baptiil's hearers, whom he won-
dered at : Matth. iii. 7. O generation of vipers^ who
hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? Such
men come to know, and feel, from the light and
power of God's word, i. That their eternal (late and
lot (lands in God's judging ; that fo it will and mull
fare with them to eternity, as- rhey are accej)ted or
not accepted with God. 2. That man comes to
know, that as yet there is nothing in him to procure
this io neceffary acceptance v/ith God ; yea, he feeth,
that this God, in v/hofe hands is his eternal lot, is
inany v/ays provoked to wrath agair.d him for all his
fms. In this condition, the native fliift that all men
take, is a new courfe of obeying, and doing the bell
they can, not knowing Jefus Chrift. They take the
jfirft: water, and next at hand, to wafti away the filth
that is upon them ; but, alasl their filth increafcth
by this wafliing j dieir foul-difeafe grows upon lUem
by
Serm. XII. the LoriTs Ftayer, 243
by this wafliing ; their foul-difeafe grows upon them
by falfe means of cure. There is no phyfician for
fick fouls, but Jefus Chriil j no balm for a wounded
confcience, but his blood ; no walhing from fm, but
in it ; none recotef of the mortal difeafe of fin, but
his patients.
3. There are defponding, defpairing unbelievers*
And there are of them at ail times, and in greater
numbers thaa many are aware of. This fad frame
rifeth thus. i. By clearer difcoveries of the holinefs
and puriry of God, and of the righteoufnefs of his
holy law. 2. By further difcoveries of their owa
lilenefs and fmfulnefs; when they fee fm within them,
fin without, fm round about them ; and that they are
under fin, Rom. iii. p.-'-ip*; as a man may be faid
to be full of the fea, when he is call into the raidll,
and lieth at the bottom of it. 3. A dITcovcry of ut-
ter impotence to do any thing to help himfelf uuc of
this woful plight. He hath tried mauy ways, aod all
ineffe^lual. Thus when a fmner feeth a holy God
threatening ruin, feel? confcience condemning him as
deferving ruin, and all refuge failing him ; in this
cafe defpair is natural, and would be the refult of
all found awakenings, if the Lord's mercy in Chrift
do not interpofe, and difcover itfelf in this extremity.
It is no fin for the damned in hell, but their great
mifery, to defpair of ever getting out ; but it is their
fin to blafpheme God. But for a finner out of hell
|o defpair, is a grievous fin, but too frequent : Ezek.
xxxiii. 10. If our fins and our tranfgrejfions he upon
usy and we pine away in them ; how fhovtld we then
live f " If we be fo guilty, and God be fo exa<!l upoa
U3 by his judgments, mull we not perifh P" Nay,
faith the Lord, Turn to a gracious God, and live.
Unto fuch defpairing unbelievers I have nothing t\{^
10 fay, but what Paul and Silas faid to one in this cafe,
A(5ls xvi, 3 I. Believe on the Lord Jefus ChriJ}^ and
thou /halt be faved. And to back this exhortation to
Vol. II. I i fuch
244 Sermons concermrg Serm. XI!.
facb, 1 would recommend four things to be coiifider-
eJ by them.
I fly Confider how greatly Jefus ChriH: is accepted
with God and his Father. You may ihink, that this
h remote from your concern ; but it lieth nearer than
you are aware of at firft view. He is highly accep-
ted and beloved of God, not only as his own Sod,
but as our Saviour; Ifa. xlii. i. Behold my fervant
who?n I uphold^ mine ehd hi whcm my foul deli-ihteth*
It would be a great encouragement to faith on Chriil,
to think what a great favourite ia heaven Chrilt is ;
how graciouily, yea infinitely, he is beloved of his
Father. His perfon, his office of Mediator, his per-
formances, his ac^iojis, his fufferings in that olli.*e,
are all of fweet-fmelling favour before God. Unbe-
jief hath in its root, low, mean, and forry thoughts
of all thefe. Say then, " How vile and aboniinable
" foever 1 be in God's fight, yet Jefus Chritt is pre-
" cious in his fight with whom I have to do."
7dly^ Confider how great the acceptance with God
is, that Chrift dorh procure to finneis whom he un-
dertakes for. Many have found it, and fuch know
it bed: : but it is but little that the beft of them can
lel] of it : and what the gofpel declares of it, believers
themfelvcs rather admire at, than fully know, or
firmly believe. If you have not found it youifelves,
believe others have got this acceptance.
3 <?'/)/, Confider how many Chrift hath made highly
accepted with (rod, who were jail fuch as you be ;
as unworthy and vile as you are, or can think your-
i elves lo be. What were the Corinthians of whom
the apoftle fpeaks, i Cor. vi. 9, 10, 1 1. : I{ the Ho-
ly Ghoft had not v/ritten it, we would be afliamed to
read over fuch a bvd roll of abominations : Be not ds-
tcived: neither fornicator s^ nor idolater Sy nor adulter^
ers^ nor ejffvminatey nor abufers of J^emf elves with man^
kindy nor thieves^ nor covetous^ nor drunkards^ nor re-
viler Sy nor extortioners, Jhall inherit the kin<rdGf7i of God.
(If it be fo, what then (ball become of them ?). And
fuch
Serm. XIL the Lord's Prayer. 245
fuch ivere fome of jQu i but ye are wajbed^ hut ye are
Jandifiedy but ye are jujllfied in the name of the fjord
Jefus^ and by the Spirit of our God. Every iaftance
of Chrid's grace oa great floners, (and every age is
filled with many oF them), (hould be an eacourage-
ment to every fmner to put in for a (hare of the fame
grace v/bereof Chrift hath fo great an abundance,
and as great a good-will to Ihow it,
^thlyy Coofider that Jefus Chriii never refufed any
fmner that employed him to do this great bufioefs
with God for him. It is his proper office, he hath
given his word and promife for it, John vi. 37. and
vii. 37. And he hath been as good as his word to
all that ever trufted in him ; cone of them were ever
put to (iiame, Rom. ix. 33.
Let therefore hope come in, and fpring tp. Say,
** Though I fee myfelf vile and loft as ever finner
" was, or can be, out of hell ; though I cm do no-
" thing to relieve myfelf; yet there is help in Chrid*
** many have found it. I am commanded by God to
" come to him, and to the Father by him : and there-
** fore I will try and trufl Chrid in my forlorn (late,**
Do fo, and you fhali profper. Chrid will undertake
your caufe and concern, and you (hail quickly fmd
the bleiTed fruits thereof. I Oiall conclude with an
allufion to that paffage in the gofpel, Matth xiv. 22.
30. and Mark vi. ^6 — 51. wherein we read, that
Chrift did ftnd, yea conftrained his difcipies ro go to
fea without him. They meet with a contrary wind in
this comuianded voyage, and toil all night to little
purpofe. O'jr Lord knew their difficulty ; and noc
only remembered them on the mountain at land, but
made them a viiic at fea, and that w^/iir?^ on the fea ;
and, doubtlefs, he that made both fea and land,
could ufe either of them as he pleafed. His difctpks
fa'-j) h'uTiy and ivere troubled^ f^y^^^t ^^ '-^ ^ Jp^^'^'
They allfaw htm^ as in Mark vi. 50. and were trouhU
ed ; for none of them knew him, but all miilook him,
and cried out for fear ; till he faid, Be of good cheer ^ it
II 2 is
54^ ^^rmons concerning Serm. XII.
is /, be net afraid. On this Peter, always a forward
diTcipic, (aid, Lord^ if it be ihou^ bid me come unto
ihes on the water, Chriil giveth the command, Come,
Peter obeys ; but when he feet h the zvind boijjorousy he
is afraid ; and begining to ftnk, he cried, faying^ hordy
fave me. And immediately Jefus flretched forth his
handy and caught him, and f aid unio hiniy O thou of
little faiths wherefore didjl thou doubt f Chrift faved
him, and then rebuked hira for his unbelief. Is not
your condition fomewhat like this i* Chrift cometh to
you as op the waters, in the night, and in a ftorm ;
you are afraid of him : he calls you by the gofpel to
cpme to him ; you eflay it, but the winds and waves
fright you. Cry to him. Lord fave me, Affure your-
felves, that he that calleth you, will hear your drown-
ing, dying cry ; will ftretch forth his hand, catch
you, and fave you ; and then chide you kindly for
your unbelief : yea, you will then chide yourfelves
for it, when you find (and find you will) that Chrift
is more merciful rhan you did or could imagine. How
vaftly doth the firft experience of Chrift's grace fur-
pafs all the defires and expe£lations of the firft adven-
tures and adventurers, upon Chrift's tender heart,
and oa bis mighty faving arm !
SERMON
SsRM. XIIL the Lord's Frayer, 247
SERMON XIII.
John xvii. 24.
Father y J will that they alfo whom thou hafl given me^
be with me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou haft given me : for thou' lovedjl me
before the foundation of the worlds
YO U have heard, that this is the third thing in
the matter of Chrift's prayer that I have been
fpeaking to. Wherein 1 propofed to fpeak to two
things : The glory of Chrid ; and his people's be-
holding of his glory. In fpeaking to the firft of thefs
particulars, I did confine my difcourfe unto Chrift's
glory, as he reprefents God unto his people, to be
favingly known by them ; and as Chrifl reprefents
his people unto God, to be gracioully accepted by
him.
It is to the latter of thefe 1 have been fpeakrag ;
and have made forae entrance upon the application
thereof, which I would now profecute. Lad ^x^ i
fpoke to unbelievers ; the true name of many, who
will never own it, till they ^^/ their portion with them^
Luke xii. 46. ; unlefs the Lord open their eyes to fee
their difeafe, and ftretch forth his hand, and heal it.
Faith is wrought, and a6leth, where unbelief is feen,
and bewailed, and prayed againll. Mark ix. 24.
Lsordy I believe^ help thou mine unbelief faid a new-
begun man in faith. I ranked unbelievers into three
forts, I, The fecure and ifupid unbeliever, that ne-
ver faw and felt any quarrel betwixt God and him,
nor any neceflity of Chrift as a peace-maker. 2. The
awakened and roufed unbeliever, who begins to open
bis eyes, and to fee the importance of falvation, the
danger
2^8 Sermons concerning Serm. Xlll.
danger of God's wrath, and the bad (late he is at
prefcnt in. Such people, unlefs God's Spirit work
t'ue faith in them, do naturally betake tbennfelves to
rhemfelves for relief. That great word fpoke by the
y.iWov, Acls xvi. 50. W/jat Jhall I do to be favedi
however it was meant by that diftrefTed finner, it hath
been by many as much noiftaken as the apoftle's an-
fwer to it in ver. 31. The true meaning is, " I am
" a loft undone creature, and have no help at home ;
*• if there be none abroad, I am quite undone." And
they take thefe words in vain, that ufe them, while
they vain!y and proudly think, they can do fomething,
if they did bin know li, 3. There are difcouraged,
defpairing unbelievers, that know that they are in a
bad cafe, and cannot believe that it can ever be al-
tered to the better. A very great fin, and too com-
mon. Many live, and die, and perifo in defpair, that
go not down to the pit roaring. We think their cafe
{d^d^ that die in expreirions of defpair ; and their cafe
yet worfe, that deftroy their own lives in defpair.
And indeed this lad cafe is exceeding dreadful, if
ihcy are themfelves, and are not diftrafled. As to
the forr.ier, there may be more charity due to fuch as
have'givcn good proof of their faith in their liferi.ne,
though they die in a cloud, and utter heavy unbe-
jieving complaints. Of which fort, 1 have heard of
a Chridian near death making a heavy complaint of
the Lord's withdrawing from him in that feafon of
his greateft need ; and Aiid, he " did nor think tliat
<•' ever the Lord did fo wiih any of his children.'* The
wife and happy minider to whom he made this com-
plaint, gave him this anfwer : " Know ye not that
'* thus it was with the Son of God, when, on ihs
** crofs, a little before his death, he cried our, My
^' Gcd, my Gody why haft thou for faken me V* Which
v/ords were fo bleffed, that the derm ceafed, and the
good man died in peace. Bur there is a filent defpair
in many unbelievers, that goes along with them many
days and years, and they perifh in itwiihout noife or
coin-
Serm. XUL the LorcTs Prayer, 249
complaint. They inwardly think, that their ilate is
bad, and they have no hope that it will ever be bet-
ter. It is like an inward wounds that a n:aa may
bleed to death of, as well as of an outward oo?« Bo?:
can Satan and unbelief prevail to that degree in a niaa
not in hell, as to make a perilliing fmner look ou
Chrift's faviog gracious face, and fay, " Either thou
'* canfl: not, or will not help me ?" No ; Chiift is
furely out of that Haner^s eye in whofe heart defpair
hath the dominion. A glance of Chriil's glory as a
Saviour will expel defpair, and beget and nouriih faith
in him. Never did a fmner fee Chrift's face, but he
looks for fome good from him, and that not a little
alfo ; and that never in vain.
Exhort. 2. That which remains, is to give two ex-
hortations to believers ; though one of them will take
np our time now. As I told you in the former exhor-
tation who were unbelievers, fo now 1 would tell yoii
who are believers., that the exhortation may be rightly
taken, and not fnatched at by them to whom it doth
not belong. By a believer in Chriil, I meaa a maa
that doth in heart and in experiesce know thefe two
things, r. He hath feen fo much of the holiatfs of
God, and ftri(Sl purity of his law, and hith feen fo
much of his own vilenefs and impotence, thai: he doth
defpair of ever making himfelf accepted with Go! by
any thing he hath or can do. And this fort of de-
fpair (if we may give fo ill-foundiag a name to (o good
a ihipg) is fo far from being inconfiftent vvich true
faith, that no true faith in Chrift can be, or be ichid^
without it. That fianer that hath any hopes of get«-
ting matters betwixt God and him mended vvithoac
Chrifl, will never, and can never believe on J<:fus
Chrift. 2. A believer is one that hath fo heard and
fo believed God's record concerning Chriil in the gof-
pel, and his ability and good-will to fave fuiners, aS
voluntarily and dtiliberateiy to lodge all his acceptaiics
with God for falvation on Jefas Chrift alone. li-^
fceih it to be his only Ihifr^ and a good one too.
Uato
250 Sermons concerning Se5.m. XIII
Unto fuch believers I would give thefe two exhor-
tations from the doctrine. 1. Study in the light of
the word, and by the eye of faith, this glory of
Chrifl in reprefeuting his people to God for accep-
tance. 2. Improve this truth by the a(51iviry oi^ the
fame faitR.
Exhort, I. Study and behold the glory of Chrifl
in reprefeniing his people to God. None fee it once,
but they will defire to fee it again and again, and
more and more of it. None fee it rightly, but they
wonder and admire at it ; that not only our falvati-
on is brought about by this reprefentation, but that
Chrift's glory is great in making of it. Whenever a
man feeth any thing of the glory of God, before
whom the reprefentation is made, any thing of the
vilenefs of the perfons reprefented, the divine dignity
of Chrifl the reprefenter, and the great acceptance
the reprefented by him obtain of God ; then will the
man ftand amazed, and cry out, " O the depths of
** grace in faving lofl man I'* See Heb. i. 3. ; where
the apoflle teacheth us three things concerning Chrift ;
what he is, what he did, and what he got. He is
the br'ightnefs of his glory ^ and the exprefs image of his
ferfony (of God the Father's glory and perfon), and
vpholdmg all things by the word of his pozuer. The
whole creation oweth its original ;o him, and is pre-
ferved by him, and his powerful word. Who can
doubt his Godhead, that believes that thefe, and mav
ny fuch exprefiions, are indited by the Spirit of truth ?
V/ho would think what follows P This divine perfon,
this equal with the Father, this creator and upholder
of all things, when he comes into the world, what is
his bufincfs P what doth he ? He by hi ?7f elf purged our
fins. His work was about fin and fmners, to purge
fm, and to fave finners. Obferve the pbrafe. It is
nor faid, by himfelf he made the world ; but only, that
God made all things by hiniy ver. 2. It is not faid,
that he by himfelf upholds all things ; but only, he
doth
Serm. XriT. the Lord's Tray er. 251
doth it by the vjord ofhispozver. There is no need of
the inteipofmg of hirafelf, or of his perfon, (\^ I may
ufe the word) ; his word of command was enough 10
do both. But when our fins are to be purged, a word
of power was not enough : himfelf muil: come in, and
be a facrifice; as Heb. ix. 26. He appeared to put a-
ivayftn by the facrifice cf himfelf , Nothing leis was
needful, nothing lefs craved by God oixeoded by fm,
nothing lefs offered by the Saviour of finners. In and
by this purging our fias, how low is this ^}X\\^?,<t per-
fon the Son of God brought ! Bat what becarr»e cf
him when he had done this work ? He fat down op the
right hand of the Maje/iy en high: H-: is high in his
divine perfon was brought loV ^a his work, and is
exceedingly exalted when he had done it ; as in Phil.
ii. 6—11.
In order to the raifing of your thoughts about thii?
glory of Chrift in reprefeniing his people unto God,
I would offer you, 1. Some generals about it; 2.
Some panicuiars in this chapter to the fame purpof.%
FirJ}^ The generals about it (hall only be thefe
two. 1. Divine counfels about it. 2. Divine adls a-
bcur it.
I. Divine counfels about "this. It was the eternal
purpofe of God to have a remnant of Adam's offspring
reprefenred to his favour, and its fruits, by his own
Son made man, and dying in their (lead. This etcr-
7ml purpofe %v as purpofe d in Chrift Jefm our Lord, E]^h.
iii. 1 1 . His good fleafure which he hath purpofed tri
himfelf^ Eph. i. 9, 10. // was in Chrifi Jefus'^btfore
the world began^ but is now made manifefl by the ap-
pearing of our Saviour Jefus Chrif}, 2 Tim. i. 9, 10.
It js unto this higheft fpring your faith muft rife by
all the lower fteps it takes ; even to the deep defign
of God in purpofmg falvation by Jefus Chrift to his
chofen. And it is revealed to us in the word ao pur-
pofed by him, to the eternal praife of his grace, to
the exalting of his Son Jefus, the unaenaker of the
Vol. II. K k work
2^2 Sermons concerning S'tIRM. XLII.
the work of favioQ:, and to brint^ in a cjrcat falvatioa
fcf his people.
2. What palTcd in time about this. In the fulnels
of lime Goi fenc hii Son ioio the world. When he
came, that was hilfiilcd, lU. ix. 6. Unto us a child is
horny unlo us a fon is given. lie was born and given
to us ; for he came to die, and to be given foi' us.
On this I would ofTer lour things.
ijjy When cur Lord came, and fst about his woric
heca'iie for, he looked on himicIF, preached and de-
clared himfcir, to be a reprefcnter, by hi-? oince, of
Ijis people to God ; that he was the faorifice For fin
and fmncr?, Heb. x. 5,— lo. ; that hi^ ?idh and blood
was (he lEeat that came down From heaven, which he
nfiuft give for eicTual life to his people, a j 1 that all
iriuii Feed on by Faith that had sny mind to live, John
^'i- ?5>"-'3^' Yea, when he v/as firfl made manifcil
10 Ifrael, John Bap'iii, the firil preacher oF Carift as
come,preacueih acd poinds him Forth to be the Lamb of
God vjhich- taketh aiuay the fin cf the zvorLi, Jjhn i. 29.
a L luib For purlry, a Lamb For Facriiice, and the Lamb
of Goci, Fent and provided by God, (as his type was.
Gen. xxii 8), and accepcdble unto God. Buc what
was fpoken in the ear i[\ clolcts in Chrift's time on
earth, was proclaimed on Loufe-tops (as he b.d them,
Luke xii. 3.) when Chnfc iiad done his. work, and
vas gone to heaven. His apodlcs, and all his Fervants
in ail ages, have made it their bnlioeis to fet Foril^
Clirilt as the only Facnfice For fin, and the only High
l:'rie(F to introduce finners into God's Favour, in and
by the vume of his Facrificc. They have not begua
lo preach Chrilt rightly, that have noijlrd of all de^
ilared how that Chrifl died for our fins according to the
firipluieSy I Cor. xv. 3. ; and then of his reFurre^cion,
verFe ^. Mlnilters muFl neither leave ChriFt in his
gave, nor preach a J^lorified JcFus, without remem-
be.-i^.; his death.
2.ity^ We find that the law and judice of God dealt
with our Lord, when he was come, as with a repre-
Jeniative
Serm, XIII. the Lord's Prayer. 253
fentative of finncrs. There v/as nothing in him, that
judice and law ihould exafl: on him for ; he owed no
debt of his own contrarring ; yet law and judice dea't
feverely with him. The Lamb of God was ^vithoiu
fpot ; yet his life mud go, and his blood be (bed for
fm.' There had been lio judice in the Lord's bruidng
of his bsioved and fpctleis Son, if he h?.d not been
•anfwerable at the higlied bar for the fins of others,
for which he was ftricken, Ifa. hii. 8. In that chap-
ter, (in which it is fomething (Irange that a Jew^ can-
not fee Jefus ; but far more, that any that bear the
name of Chridians, (liould make the eunuch's quef-
tion, /i<5^s viil. 34. I proy thee^ of ivhcm fpeaketh the
prophet this f of himfclf^ cr of fome other manf and
will not take Philip's anfwer, ver. 35. who from f /^a^
fcripture preached unto him Jefus)^ in that of Ifa. liii.
we have the prophet preaching Chrid hkc a^ apoftle,
concerning his work, his death, the caufe and fruirs
of ir, with New^ Tedament brighmefs and slory ; and
this feveral hundreds of years before Chrid came into
the v;orId. 1 Ibiall touch at a lew things in it ihatbe--
]ong to my prefer t purpofe. In ver. 4. Su: cly he hath
home cur grufs^ and carried our for rows. Every man
is not charged with tlie forrows of others, e^ccept in
com.mon fyrapathy, which all owe towards others in
didrefs. Chrid not only had this, but a near and clofe
feeling of, and prelTure by them, that was proper to
him only ; yea, he bore the forrows of many, whofe
forrows were over before he came« and of far more,
whofe forrows were not begun, 'cng after be came to
bear them. Yet he did bear them to fave them ; foT
that grief and forrow that men have, which Cbriit
did not bear,, wiii be everlading forrow. But what
had Chrid to do with their foriow? In verfe 5. lie
*ivas ivcunded for cur tranf^rejfons^ he was hruijed for
cur iniquities. His wounds and bruifes were very hea-
vy, but not without a caufe ; only the caufe is dran^e:
they were for tr anfgr ejfions ^ for iniquities ; but the'e
Were none of his, bu: ours. The wounds, were his ;
K k 2 but
254 Sermons concerning Serm. XII I.
bur the fill was our?, that deferved the blows. And
thus our peace, our healing cometb. Bat whst had
Ci lift to ^.0 with our iniquities ^ verfe 6. The Lord
hath laid o? h'im the iniquity of us alL A;id he took
the burden on hiin.. and was only able to bear ir, and
did bear it jway The Lord haih refolved, that fin
aud forrow (hall go together. So was it with the Sa-
vioc^r; if fm be laid on him, forrow ihall follow it.
So is it wich finners; their fin will bring dreadful for-
row, except Chrift take away both. Sirs, you have
formerly known, or do at prefent, or (Iiall hereafter
kno»v, what a heavy burden fin is ; how infupporta-
ble it is ; and how fureiy that foul mud fink into hell,
that hath this burden lying on himfelf. And indeed,
until the burden of fm be felt to be too heavy for
thein, and a barden that all the world cannot bear
for ihein, men will think lightly of Chriil's undertak-
ing, and will never employ him, but in a compliment.
Koow this, and accordingly chufe your courfe : It is
refolved in heaven, and declared in the gofpel on earth,
that every finner's iniquity fhall either be borne by the
fjoner him ft If, to his eternal damnation, or by the
furety, Jefus ChrKl, to the believer's eternal falvation.
But wel! did the prophet preface to this doctrine, ver.
I. Who halh believed cur report f and to whom is the
arm of the Led revealed f This gofpel-do<51rine will ne-
ver be welcome to an unbeliever; and none are made
believcis, hut by the revealing of the arm, and put-
ting forth of the power of the Lord upon their hearts.
Till then, finners will mock God, both in their con-
tracting the debt of fm, and in their devices of pay-
ir,^ of that debt ; and both are very finful work. God
h.-iih fixed his way of fatisfying hisjultice, and will
nrc alter. Men mufi: either betake themfelves to
Jefas Chrid by faith, or lay their account with hell.
That fmner is blind, and ignorant of God's judice,
and of the drictnefs of his law, that thinks that fin a-
gaind God can be expiated by aby thing, but the
blood
Serm. XIIT. the Lord's Prayer. 255
blood of him that is God. And lie that dare noc
truft to the fuflFerings and virtue of Chrift's atonement
made for fin, know;; not God's niercy, nor the truth
as it is in Jefus, Eph. h. 21. Let all fmners there-
fore take heed, what courfe they take in the matter
of the burden of fin. Take heed, that you mock not
God in fludying to pay it in falfe coin. All your own,
all creature coin, is but reprobate metal in heaven's
court and kingdom. It may pafs on earth, and in a
deluded confcience : but how Hide doth that fignify ?
and how fhort while will that little lad: ? It is but hay
and ftubble, which Chrill: hath many fires to burn it
up with. But for Chriftians, I advife you, in read-
ingthe prophets andapoflles concerning Chrift and his
fufFerings to make ufe of this as a key to open up all,
as a light that enlightens all. That all the fufFerings
of Chrift were laid on him, and endured by him, and
prefented unto God, as he did reprefent his guilty
people ; otherwife juflice could not exa6t on him,
nor his people be faved by them. See how Chrid
exprelTeth this in the celebration and inftitution of his
lafl fupper. He taketh^ blejfeth^ hreaketh, and giv^
eth breads and calls it, my body given for yen. Like^
wife aljo the cup after fupper^ faying^ This cup is the
new tejl anient in my bloody which is fhed for ycu^ Luke
xxii. 19, 20. I do not mind the Antichriiiian fyna-
gcgue, (for a church it is not, but in an ufurped
name, or in a vain notion), who have abufed and
perverted thefe plain and eafy words, more than de-
vils or men did ever pervert any words of God or
man before ; and have, upon that abufs of them, fei
up the groffeft idol that ever a Heathen worQiipped ;
for fuch as worihip fun, and moon, and the hofl of
heaven, have God's glorious workm^nfliip before
their eyes ; yea, the Egyptians garden and herb gods
are preferable greatly to a bit of pafte, knead and
baked by a baker in his oven, conjured into a pitifuJ
godhead by the mumbling of a prieil, and firfl wor~
pipped, and then fwailowed down as other food, by
the
sjt? Sfrmons concerning Serm. XIIT.
ihe befottcd people. Nothlog ^efs than the dread-
foi wraih of God can be in mens believing this lye,
tli^t the man's reaTon and all his fenfes militate againfl,
2 Tr«fir. ii, lO, ir, 12. But many that are not in-
fected with this ftrcng delufion, underfland no more
by Cnriil's wordt; in this facred ordinance, than that
the bread and wine, fo nfed as Chrift appointed, do
fi^rnify the fulTeriogs unto death of our Lord Jefhs
Chrift, cruelly handled by v/i.cked men, and fevercly
dealt with by the jallice of God ; bat the caufe and
end of his death, they mind not. This Chrift purn
us in mind of, in thefe words : ^' For yoa, and for
** your fins, and for the remiffioo of them ; you, and
** your finp, are the oaufe of my death ; and my death
'* is the caufe of your forgiven v':fs." Chriftians, if
you keep out that word, for you ; if your faith do not
echo to Chrift's/^r jcw, with your for me^ I alTure
you, that the bread and wine on the Lord's table, and
the fame creatures on your own table, will be of e-
x]ja] fignification, as to foul-nourifliment ; and that is,
none at all.
■^d'y^ \Ye find, that when Chrift had thus been
dealt with, as reprefenting his people, there was a
high acceptance of his facrifice. The Father that put
bim to all thi<, was mightily pleafed with him, and
with his death. Here behold the depth and myftery
of God's faving men by Jefiis Chrift. God's juflice
againft fin fqueczed out Chrift's life, and by that fqiiee-
2cd out eternal falvat'on for them he died for. Here
is wifdom, and here is love, i John iv. 8, 9, 10.
^tblyy Hence it is, that all believers on Chrift are
graciouily accepted wich the Father. ^Vhenever this
blood filed for them, is lorinkled on ihcm ; when-
ever the virtue of this blood is applied to them by his
Spirit, and applied unto by their faith, they are re-
])refcnted to God in it and with it, and are therefore
acce[)ted.
Secondly, Let us, in the next place, look into this
chapter, John xvii. and learn fcmediing of Chrift's
rep re-
Seirm.XIIL the LorcVs Prayer. 257
reprefemiDg Lis church and people unto God. It
is as fit a portica of the word, as any for that end ;
and in it I v;ou!d look to two things : i. What is ia
it about Chriii, the reprefenier. 2. What of his
people, v/hom he reprefents ia this foletna addrefs
£0 his Father.
1. About Chrift, the repre tenter, v/e iuid thefe
things.
ijl^ Onr Lord notes the time in v/hich he was 10
do his great work he came into the v/orld for : Fa-
ihsr^ the hour is tome. ; it is at hand : -' the hour oF
*• my dying for my iheep.'* John xii. 27. ISow is
my foul troubled ; and what /halt I fay f Father^ fa-vs
7:10 from this hour : but for this caiife caniJ 1 unto this
hour. As if our Lord had faid, '^ i ihould lofe my
" main end 1 came into the world lor, if it was not
*^ for this hour.'' This was that fpecial hoar, ia
which Chrift was to make the grand reprefentatioa
liuro God, of all h.is people for their redemption, and
of all their fins for their expiation. This was ChriiVs
dying-hour, and the church's redemption-hour.
idly^ Our Lord prays for the united and mutually-
inilueLcing glory of the Father and of the Son : ver.
I . Glorify thy Son, that thy Sonafo may glorify thee ; as
he prayed, John xii. 28. Father, glorify thy rMrne ;=
and was aafwered, I have both glorified it ^ and wilt
glorify it again ; and as he foretold it, John xiii. 3 i,
32. F^ow is the Son of man glorified^ ar.d Gsd is glo-
rified in him. If God be glorified in him, Godjhali a-l*
fo glorify him in himfelf^ andfhall flraightway glorify
him. What is this glorifying he prays for ? it is o'i
large extent. " Glorify thy Son, ia malting blai a
'-'- facrifice ; glorify him, in accepting the facritice ;
*' glorify him, in Haying him; glorify him, in raiilag
" him from the dead \ glorify him, ia exalting him^
" and making him head over all things to the church,.
" hi> body, hi:^ fulnefs,'* Eph. i, 'lo.—ij. : and all
this, t hut thy Son alfo may glorify thee ; *'^ may glorify
«^ thy JLiilice and thy Iav?> in fatisfying both by my
*« blood ;
2 5^ Sermons concerning Serm. Xlll.
*' blood ; may glorify thy grace and mercy to thy
** cbofen, by redeeming ihem aato God by my blood ;
" and may glorify thy wifdom, in contriving this v;ay
** of redemption, which is to be accomplKhed by my
" death, the hour of which is come."
3<y/)/, This that our Lord defires of his Faiher, was
according to the everlafling covenant: ver. 2. As
thou hajl given him fozuer over allflejh^ that he Jhould
give eternal life to as many as thou haft given him.
*' Thou hail given him univerfai power and domini-
** on, but a particular charge of the eiefl ; to them
" he is to give eternal life, in and by this redempti-
" on-hour now come."
^*hl)\ See how our Lord nameth this eternal life
which he was to give, and they that were given un-
to him were to receive : ver. 3. And this is life eter-
nal^ that they might know thee the only true God, and
Jefus ChriJ} whm thou haft fent, A moil: fpiritual
defcription of eternal life given by the author of it.
Ic is begun in the faving knowledge of the Father
and of the Son, and in the begun fruits of that know-
ledge. Eierual life is perfeft in the perfect knowledge
cf the Father and Son, and in its perfefl fruiis : as
in Eph. iv. 13. i John v. 20. and John xiv. 20.
Sthly^ Our Lord, in ver. 4. giveth a faithful ac-
count of his difcharge of the work his Father had giv-
en him to do : 1 have glorified thee on the earth ; I
have finifhed the luork thou gave ft me to do : all but
dying : which he was now as ready and willing to do,
as any thing he had done before.
6thly^ and ladly, Chrift prays again (what he had
prayed for in ver. i.) in ver. 5. And now, Father,
glorify thou 7ne with thine o-wnjelf and 7i>ith the glory
which I had with thee before the world was.
2. Let us fee what Chrid faith here of his people,
whom in this prayer he reprefents to his Father. Ic
is to be undoubted by all Chriftians, that this prayer
of Chrift doth as really concern all believers io all
ages, as u did tli.e apoltles themfelves. And this
Chrift
Serm. XIII, the Lord^s Prayer* 259
Chrifl: tells us in ver. 20. Neither fray I for thefe
alone y but for thent alfo which Jhall believe on me thro*
their word. It is the prayer of our great High Piiell ;
and all his Ifrael were on his heart in making of it, and
reap the blelliRg of it.
In it, as concerning them, we find,
ly?, Our Lord names them rightly, ver. 6. They
are the men which thou gavejl me out of the world :
thine they werCy and thou gavefl them vi\; for they
are th'ine^ And all are thine^ and thine are mine ; and
1 am glorified i'n thern^ ver. 9, 10, Well doth the
good iliepherd know, and count, and tell his flock ;
and he feeth his Father's mark of eleflion upon them,
and his own mark of redeeming blood on them ; and
therefore he cares for them, and prayeth for theifl,
and giveth them eternal life, John x? 28, 29.
idly^ Chrift tells all the good he can of tbem,
and covers their failings : ^ey have kept thy wordy
ver. 6. Now have they known^ that all things what-
foever thou haft <^iven me^ ate of thee, ver. 7. Fcr I
have given unto them the words which thou gaveft me ;
and they have received thcm^ and have known jurely
that I came out from theCy and they have believed that
thou did ft fend me^ ver. 8. How poorly had they re-
ceived Chrifl's word? how weak and ftsggering was
their faith ? and hoW) oft had Chrift reproved them
iharply, for their unbelief, and other faults I Yet
not a word of thofe in Chriil's reprefenting them to
his Father. They had fpoke one good word in Joha
xvi. 30. ]Slo%v are %vefure that thou knoweft all things ^
cndneedeft not that any mayi ftocul'd ask thee : by this
we believe that thou ca?ne ft forth from God, This Chriit
remembered and tells it to his Father, in ver. 8. ; but
not a word of what he faid to ihem, John xvi. 31, 32.
Do ye now believe ? Be hold y the hour comet hy yeay is
now comcy that ye Jhall be fcattered every man to his
owny and fhall leave me alone. This is th,e conftant gra-
cious way of our High Prieft ; He m.akes no mentica
of his Ifrael's faults in heaven, but for their expiati-
VoJL. II. LI en.
2^0 Sermons concerning Serm. XlIT;
on, I John ii. i, 2. ; whatever reproof and corre(^ion
he fends to humbie his people, and to amend them,
Rev. iii. 1 9.
g^/jK, Chrift doth here reprefenr his people to
God, his Father, with their necefliies and danger?,
and prays for help and fupply : They are in the worlds
ver. ri. The world hat eth them, ver. 14. There is
evil in the world, that they are endangered by, ver.
15.; aud therefore prays for their prefervacion, ver.
II. 15. a. ' fan^lification, ver. 17. To be kept from
evil, and to increafe in true holinefs, are the main
bleflings believers need till they come to heaven. So
Paiil''& fairh a^led, 2 Tim, iv. 18. For the Ijord /hall
deliver me from every evil wcrky and will prefer ve me
unto his heavenly kingdom. So he prays for others,
I Their, iii. i^-^To the end he may flahlifh your hearts
uMameahle in holinefs before God even our Father^ at
the coming of our Lord Jefus Chrifl^ with all his faints,
^thly, Chrifl doth here declare to his Father, that
his undertaking and fafferings were for his people's
fake : ver. [9. And for their fakes do I fandify my ft If,
Chrift needed no fuch fandification as his people do,
and as he giveth unto them, by the virtue of th death,
by his Spirit. His fan(ftifying of himfelf, is his f.-pa-
. rating and devoimg himfelf to death, as a facriHce for
his people. And in this fenfe a very learned foreign
divine underftands that dark word in Heb. :<. 29. And
hath counted the blood of the covenant -wherewith he was
fan^tifiedy an unholy things or common thing : whereas
commonly it is taken, as if the apoflate had been ever
in fome fenfe fanfhfied by the blood of the covenant.
This learned expofuor doth natively enough from the
Greek text take this he that was fan£lified by the
blood of the covenant, to be but another name of
the Son of (iod, who is trodden under foot by fuch
defperate apoftaies. So that the fenfe is plain and
cafy, and a great aggravation of their apoftafy, that
they not only defpife the Son of God, but alfo his fa-
crcd blood by which himfelf was fanclified, and the
cove-
Serm. Xni. the Lord's Prayer. e6t
covenant cbofirofied uoro his people, and made to be
his teflaiiient and lafl will. To this fame purpofe is
that other word of the fcime apoftie, lieb. xiii. 20^-
The God of peace brought again from the dead our Lord
JefuSj that great Shepherd of the fheepy through the
bicod of the ever lajiing covenant. So that the apoft.'e
in Heb. x. 29. deicribes this dreadful apoftafy in three
things ; open contempt of tiX^^ perfoii of the Son- of
God; contempt of his facred fedeemiog blood, the
only price of redemptioo ; and defpite to the Spirit
of grace, that works by the gofpcl on mens hearts.
Such mufc fall into the hands of the living God, who
lives to revenge fuch bold aiFronts done to the mod
gracious ^nd only faving appearances of God unto
men ; that is, in his Son, and his blood, and in his
Spirit, by the gofpel. Ail is openly and deliberately
contemned and dcfpited by fuch wretches ; and they
muft perilh. And ibough it be hard to make an ap-
plication of thefe fad brands of ruin to any miin in
panicular, or fort and body of men ; yti this I may
venture to fay, that open blafphemers of the Son of
God, (as all are that count hiin a mere man) ; all that
count the blood of the covenant a common thing, (a3
they muft do that count it but the 'blood of a mere
man) ; and all that do defpite unto che Spirit of grace ;
fuch, 1 fay, if they have been once enlightened, as
Heb. vi. 4. and have had the Spirit o.f grace flrWing
with them, and if this contempt of fuch facred things
of God be in malice, have far more reafon (though
I know that fuch have no inclination) to fear their
intereft in this dreadful fcripture, and in fuch like,
than any of the poor fouls, who, upon their failing
from their fird love, and firft works, or on their fal-
ing into fome grofs confcience-wafting fin, have ap-
plied this awful fentence unjuftly to themfelves. Bat
all fuch are far from it, to whom the Son of God, 2. A
Lis redeeming blood, and his Spirit of grace, are fa-
cred and adorable, though they have no comfortable
view of their intercR therein at prefent : for though
L 1 2 ibe
2^2 Sermons concernmg Serm. XllT.
the cafe of fuch be fad, yet there is a door of hope
for them, in renewing repentance and faith.
Bur, to return again unto the exhortation given to
believer?, to confider this glory of Chriift in reprefent-
ing his church unto God, 1 would oiTer a few things
to engage them '--r the ftudying of it.
1. Confider the neccfTuy of this reprefentation made
by Chrifl, in order to the acceptance of fmners with
Go3. Chrilt faw this necelTity when he undertook
the office. No facrifice but that of himfelf was re-
quired ; no high priefl but himfelf was called, or able
10 offer what was effe^lual to fatisfy the jnllice of
God and to fave fmners, Heb. x. 55---IO. A fmner
niufl fee the neceiTity of this reprefentation, which
Chriil only Ciin make unto God ; or he will never re-
Eource ail vain (Iiifts of his own, and betake himfelf
only unto this. And a believer mud: fee the necelTi^y
cf this reprefentation made by Chrifl, that he may
admire it m.ore, and trufl to it only.
2. Confider the glorious excellency of this repre-
fentation that Chrill makes of his church ur.to God.
Gloriocs in itfelf, glorious in its fruits and ends. It
is the miniflration cF righteoufnefs, that exceeds in
glory : 2 Cor. iii. lo, it. Tor even that which was
made glorious^ had no glory in this refpe^, by reajon vf
the glory that excelleth. And all this glory is in the face
of Jefus Cbrid, who of God is made unto us wifdom^
and right eoujnefs^ and fantiif.cat'ou^ aid redemption ;
and that for tw^o ends : That no fl[fh fioidd glory in his
f/ejence ; and that he that glorieth, might glory in the
Lord^ I Cor i. 29, 30, 31. !f a man could have any
fining wifdom but in and from Chrift to know God
and the way to heaven, he would glory in that ; if he
had any juftifying rig'r teoufnefs to ftaod accepted be-
fore God in hilt Chrifl'?, he would glory in that ; if
he bad any fanvflifirarion but what is derived from
Ch'-ifl a.^ its rout and fountain, he would glory in
thai , '^ rhere was; any redemption but what Chrifi: the
only Ueuccmer brings in, he would glory ia that : yea
fo
SiERM. XIIL the Lord^s Frayer, 26 ^
fo proud, and fo inclined is fie(h to glory in God's
prefence, that fmners do vainly hunt after, and as
vainly imagine they have attained fome matter oF glo-
rying before God. But, fliith the apoflle, " Chriil:
" is fo made of God unto us, as to cut ofi ail preten-
" fions to any glorying, but in the Lord." So that a
Chriftian, when he finds he is made wife to falvation,
muft fay, " This is from Chrift ;'* when he feeth any
juftifying righteoufoef^ upon him, wherein he (lands
fafe and accepted before God, he muft fay, " This is
" none of mine, but Chrift's righteoufnefs :" when
he finds any famflification in him, in his heart, and
way, and worfliip, he muO: fay, " This is but a few
" droppings from the fountain Chrid ; a little of the
" ointment that was poured in all fuinefs on my High
" Prielt Jefus :" when he gets any piece of redemp-
tion, or a£ls his faith and hope on corapleat redemp-
tion, all his acknowledgments, and all his expecta-
tions are, and muO: fingiy center in Chrid the Re-
deemer. Yea, the Spirit of God exprelTeth this thing
mod flrongly. He faith not, that Chrlil is made unto
us the prophet and teacher, and giver of wifdom ;
nor thejuftifier, and bringer in of righteoufnefs ; nor
the fan£lifier, nor the redeemer ; all which are true
of Chrift, and of God's making him to be, and ofc
fpoken of him in the word : but he is made unto us
the things themfelves, wifdom^ righteoufnefs^ fandtfi-
cat'ion^ redemptmi. All of ihefe are in Chrift, and no-
thing of aJiiy of thefe is out of him. Wifdom out of
Chrift, is damning folly ; righteoufnefs out of Chrift,
is guilt and condemnation ; fanflification out of Chrift,
is filth and fin ; redemption out of Chriil, is bondage
and flavery.
3. 1 would recommend the confidering of Chrlft^s
glory in reprefenting his church unto God, from the
profit and advantage believers do receive by this exer^
cife. I believe mod of you would anfwer this quef-
tion. What is the bed exerclfe, and thought of the.
heart i* Surely it is that chut bath mod grace in it.
New
2^4 Sermons Cdncerning Srrm. XIIl.
Now, what are ihc befl: graces of the Spirit? Are
ihey not repentance, faith, and love ? And all thofe,
io ihcir lively s£ts and exercifes, do natively fluw from
the right ftudyiog of Chrift*s reprefeoting of us to
God for acceptance.
\/ly Repentance. What do you take it to be ?
There is too little of it with tnany profelTors, and that
becanfe it is not v;ell known in its true nature. Many
tike repentance to be that thstt is little better than
what the devils have. We read of their faith and
iremhiing, James ii. 19.; and this is a greater length
than many are got, who are angry if they be not cal-
led good Chridians. Repentance is not a bare fit of
forrow and (liame for fm committed, nor fear of God's
wrath for fin. This may be in ungodly men. Few
malefa^ors go to the gallows without fomewhat of this.
Cain, Pharaoh, Saul, Judas, had this. Bat true re-
pentance unto life, though it may begin with a difco-
very of forae particular fin or fins that God fets in or-
der before a man's eyes, Pial. 1. 21 ; yet it is not
godly forrow that worketh repentance tofalvation^ not
to be n-iyntcd (jfy 2 Cor. 7. 10. till the finner look u-
pon himfelf as k.throrae and abominable in the fight
of God, that it becometh one of the greateft riddles
and myfteries unto him, how fuch a God and fiich a
fianer ihould ever be made friencis ; how God can
'look upon him without abhorrence ; and how fuch a
fmnercan (land before thi. holy God with favour and
acceptance P And when the glory of Chrift as the
peace-maker is difccvered to, and feen by him in this
cafe, and when he is drawn to trufl to it, this faiih is
acted in the fight and fenfe of his own vilenefs in him-
felf. They are unhappy peopi", and unlkiifu! teach-
er,?, who take up repentance towards God^ and faith
toivards our Lord Jejus Chrifl, Afts xx. 2 i. and think
of them, and (tudy to acft them, as if they did interfere
with one another ; as if repentance were the fruit of
the law, and the faiih and fruit of the gofpel \ as if
they
Serm. XIII. the LorcTs Prayer, 26s
they could be a^led feparately and apart. All grofs
juiflakes. There is no faving grace in our heartj hot
is Chrift's work by his Spirit blefiing the gofpeL
Hepentance without faith, is the devil's repentance :
and faith without repencaace, is the hypocrite's
faith. If they be true, they go together ; if rlghfiy
afted, they a^i together. And as this fenfe of Qa and
felf-vilenefs is infeparable from firft believing, fo it
contlnucth in all the life of faith in all true growing
believers. David dieth with the a^tiag of repeaasce
and faith, 2 Sana, xxiii. 5.
2ci/y, Faith in Jefus ChriH:. Bring true faith unto
a narrow point, to that acl in which its nature doth
properly (land. For faith is a large comprehenfive
grace, much fpoke of in the word, more talked or diaa
a£led by many ; and leaft known, and moil miftakea
by them that have it not. This faith I fpeak of, is
not a bare believing, or giving an affent unto divine
truth, upon the evidence of a divine ceftimony ; nor
is it believing and expecting of good from God, upoa
the ground of his faithful promife ; though thefe are
ads of true faith. But faith in Jefus Chrift, in its
clofeft, nearefl: nature, a£ls thus. The felf-conde ra-
iled fmner, iothforae in his own fight, and perfuaded
that as he is in himfelf, he is far more lothfonie in
God's fight, doth, on the gofpel call and promife,
try and truil: Jefus Chrift for making him accepted
with God. This >s proper believing, GaL ii. 16.
And according as the meafure and degree is of our
knowledge of fin in us, and of the law's condemQlng
of us for fm ; and as the meafure is of the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jefus
Chrift ; fo is the meafure of that faith that feerh our
Deed of, and taketh up the glory and fafety in ChrtiVs
reprefenting us to God for acceptance, and that trufts
to it.
g^/y, The heavenly and evcriafting grace of lo^'c^
thai is planted in the heart of a believer, and is nou-
riihedby the grace of the new CQveaant ; that grov^'eth
m
iC)6 Sermons concerning Serm. XIII^
ID true Chriftlans as the new creature doth, aud is
the only grace that the glorified a61 in heaven. O-
ther graces of the Spirit are the Chriftian's armour,
that is laid afide when they get the perfect vidlory.
Now, what raifeth love to Jefus Chrift to the hotteft
flame ? Is it not when Chrifl's lovelinefs in himfelF,
and when his love to us, is bed feen by us ? And are
not both moit confpicuous in this matter of his graci-
ous reprefenting us to God, covering us with his own
righteoufnefs wrought out for us by his precious blood
(hed, counted to us freely by his grace, aud intitling.
us to the love of God, and to ail the great fruits of
that love ?
It follows to fpeak of the fecond exhortation to
believers ; but that i fliall leave to the next occafion.
Only, to prefs the firll, the duty of ftudying in your
hearts Chrifl's glory in reprefenting his church unto
God, I would add four things.
1. By this reprefentation that Chrift makes of yoa
that are believers unto God^^ you that were efiemies are
reconciled unto Gcdy Col. i. 20, 21. You are beloved
of God. Not only there is no condemnation to yoii
that arc in Chrifi, Rom. viii. i. ; not only are your
£ns blotted out, and your natural deformity covered
from the eye and hand of law and juftice, by the co-
vering of Chrifl's righteoufnefs ; but you are fo a-
dorned with that garment, that the Father loves you ;
as Chrifi: tells believers, John xvi. 27. For the Fa-
ther himfelf kveth youy becaufe ye have loved ir^e^ and
have believed that 1 came out from God. You are not
only faved from wrath, and the curfe of the law; but
polTefled of God's love, and have a fure right and
title to glory, by this grace of Jefus Chrift that is
come unto you.
2. By this reprefentation of you unto God, you are
made as acceoted of God as ever anv believer was.
This many do not rightly underftand ; and therefore
are ready to reproach it. There are degrees of grace
on
Serm. XIII. the Lord's Frayer. ^67
on earth, and there may be degrees of glory in bei-
v'en ; but neither here nor there are there any de-
grees oF acceptance. Accepted, or not accepted, dl-»
vides and diftinguiflieth ail mankind in both worlds.
Acceptance with God relates to a man's (late before
God, and not to his frame. We fay nor, that every
or any believer is fo good a believer, or fo great a
faint, as Paul ; but yet every true believer, as to the
ftate of his perfon, is as accepted as Paul was as to
his perfonal (late. The reafon .is this : The accep-
tance of all believers with God, is only on account of
this reprefeiiiation made by Chrill for them unto God.
And this is made by Chrift for all equally : all the
tribes of Ifrael are equally on the heart and breail-
plate of our great High Prieft Jefus Chri(l, And thus
we find in that triumph of faith, Rom. viii. 3^— 39-
all God's ele^l: are included ; and the grounds of that
triumph lie equally fair for any believer : Chrijl is
given, and bath diedy ajid rifen again, fit teth at the
right hand of God, and maketh intercejjton for them.
Every believer may fay fo as well as Paul, though
we cannot fay fo with as (Irong a faith as Paul had-
The ground is the (ame, and common to all believers ;
but they do not equally build upon this foundation.
If our (late of acceptance did (land on any thing be-
lievers themfelves have, or do, and not fingly on
what Chrift hath done, and daily doth for them ;
then indeed all believers, who differ fo much from
others in their inherent grace, and in the improve-
ment, exercife, and fruits thereof, could not be alike
accepted.
3. You that are believers, you are, even now, as
much accepted of God as ever you (liall be. 1 fay
Dot, that you enjoy God as much ; that yon are as
near, and as like to him, as ever you (hall be ; but
that you are as much accepted as ever you (liall be.
Believers are not called to glory^ nor brought unto it,
for acceptance, That is paiTed, and fixed for eternity.
Vol. II. M m as
2 68 Sernfons concerninj^ S e & M. Xlll.
as ro all in Chrift by faith, before they come there.
Only their acceptance Id that day is more glorioufly
declared and proclaimed than it was on earth, Match.
XXV. ^4. Acd the fruits of that acceptance will be
bellowed by the Lord, and c joyed by the gloriFicd
in heaven, vaflly beyond what believers can kno^v,
receive, or enjoy on earth. A (late of acceptance in
Chrift Jefus, is the common privilege of ail believers.
He is all in all to all of them without difference, Col.
iii. II, And as it admits of no difference in them
that are in him, and reprefented by him for it ; io
it admits of no gradations nor increafe in any one be-
liever, fave as to the evidence, comfort, and fruits
of an accepted (late. And after building by faith
on Chrid the foundation, all the remaining work of
a Ciiniti:in ft:^mds in feeking after thofe blefTmgs that
flo^* from our ftate of acceptance with God by Jefus
Ciiiilh
4. I will adventure to add, in the laft place, that
which to forae feems a ha d faying ; but it is not fo
hard in itfclf, whea rightly underftood, as fome would
make, or miCtakc it. And it is this. That a believer
on Chrift, and reprefented by Chrift unto God's ac-
ceptance, v^ as accepted of God as Chrift the repre-
fentfr is. The fame acceptance that Chrift the Me-
diator haih with God, the fame acceptance is given to
ah believers. See John xvii. 23. That the world may
know that thou hafl kved them^ as thou bafl loved vie,
Verfe 26. / have declared unto them thy name^ and
will declare it : that the love ivherevjith thou haft loved
me, may be in theniy and I in them. If we confider
Curift and his people afander and apart, then there
is as great a difFereoce betwixt Chrift in himfelf, and
his pcopl**. in themfelves, as is betwixt light and dark-
ru fs, righteoufnefs and unrigbteoufnefs, Chrift and
Belial. But if we confider Chrift the head, and his
church his body, as one, and infeparably united ia
tlii* rayftical reprefentaiion before God j then the di-
viae
Serm. XIU. the Lord's Prayer^ 26^
Tine acceptaace on this reprefentation is one and the
fame toii^ards the reprefenter and the reprefented ;
as Aaron the high-prieft^s was within the vail in
the holy of holies, and ail Ifraei's without the vail,
on the day of atonement. The high-prieft v/as ac-
cepted as reprefenting all Ifrael, and all Ifrael ac-
cepted as reprefented by him. Indeed the difference
was very great betwixt the Old Teftament type and
fliadow, and the New Tellament {ubflaoce. But all
that difference is only to the greater glory of our
great High Priefl^ the Son of God, who is puffed into
the heavens^ Heb iv. 14. ixo 24. and to the greater
advantage of his (piritual Ifrael without the vaii, Heb.
ix. 13, 14. The fame acceptance the Father giveth
to his Son, Mediator, the reprefenter of his people,
falls on ail ihofe for their happinefs that are repre-
fented by him. And it is to be feared, that fuch as
cannot receive this truth, have a fecret refpeft to fome
other way and fort of acceptance with God than that
that comes by Chrifl's reprefenting them to God. And
the danger of fuch delufions, is as great as their fouls
2re worth.
Mm 2 SERMON
2 7© 4 Sermons concerning Serm. XIV.
SERMON XIV.
John xvii. 24.
Father^ I will that they alfo whom thou hafl given me,
be zvith me where I am ; that they may beheld my
glory which thcu haft given me : for thou lovedjl me
before the foundation of the world*
^T^ W O greater, deeper, and larger themes, are
A net in God's word, than ihefe ; the glory of
Chrifl, and the beholding of this glory by his people.
They are fuch as cannot be fully known by any on
earth ; yet it is very ufeful to Chriflians to be exer-
cifed in the iludy of thena while ihcy are here.
On the firft of thefe, the glory o\ Chrift:, 1 have
fpoken at fome length, under thefe two heads, i.
Chrid's glory, as he reprefents God 10 his church, to
be favingly known by them; and, 2. His glory, as
he reprefents his church to God, ro be gracioufly ac-
cepted by him. The former 1 have finiflied, and would
fliipatch the latter at this time. After I had handled
the dc<ftrinal part, I made fome application ; and in
that fpoke to one exhorraticn to believers, to (ludy,
in the light of the gofpel, with the eye of faith, the
glory of Chrift in his reprefenting his people unto
God for his gracious and eternal acceptance.
Exhort. 2. 1 come now to the fecond exhortation
to r)eh'evers ; which is, That they fhould improve, by
the a<f^iviry of their faith, this glory of Chrift. There
i^ norh'ng fweeter to the eye of iaiih than this glory
of Chrift, and nothing more ufeful 10 a believer than
TO have his faith well extrcifed about it. This glory
of Cbrift iCi reprefenting, as our High Prieft, his
church UDio Goa, is a mutter of pure revelatioD. It
had
Serm. XIV. the Lord*s Frayer. 271
had cever been known, unlefs it had been reveal-
ed. All truths ihat are of pure revelation, can
only be managed by faith. When a truth is difco-
verable by reafcn, it is aifo improvable by reafon.
But if the truth tranfcend reafon, and the difcovery
of it is made only by divine revelation, the right im-
provement of that truth can only be made by faith
grounded on that revelation, and that faith wrought
by the Spirit of the revealer, Maith. xvi. 17. This
truth about the glory of Chrift, is not only of pure
revelation, but it is the great viyftery of godllnefs^ i
Tim. iii. 16. And in ChriJ} are hid ail the treafures of
wifdom and knowledge^ Col. ii. 3. In the improving
of this truth, faith only can do any thing to purpofe ;
and there is much v/ork for faith in the ufmg of ir,
I fhail therefore on this exhortation handle thefe two
things. I. In what cafes fpecially believers ought to
ufe and improve Chrift's reprefenting them to God's
acceptance. 2, In what way and manner they ihould
improve it in all or any cafe.
Firfly In what cafes fpecially believers ought by
their faith to improve this glorious reprefentation of
them unto God. I fhall name fome particular cafes.
1. Be careful to improve this glory of Chrift, in
all your daily approaches to, and appearances before
God. Whenever you come to the court of heaven,
and into the prefence of the great King, forget not
him that only mull introduce you, and make your ad-
drefs acceptable: Heb. x. 19, 20, 21, 22. Haviiij
thereforey brethren^ holdnefs to enter into the holiefl by
the blood ofjefus. The apoftle is writing unto Chrif-
tian Hebrews, who were well acquainted with the
Old Teftament fan<fluary and wcrfhip ; and he f peaks
to them in that diale£f. They knew what the holiell
was in that difpenfation ; and that the high prieft a-
lone^ and but once a-year^ and not without bloody might
enter into ir, Heb. ix. 7. And this holiell: to us ia
the New Teftament, is heaven itfelfy Heb. ix. 24. ;
into v/hich our High Friejt is entered by his own bloody
Ikb,
%']2 Sermons concerning Serm. XIV,
Heb. IX. 12. and made an entrance for his people :
For the way to the holtej} of all was not yet made ma»
nifefi^ while as the fir fl tabernacle was yet /landings
Heb. ix. 8. Chrilt by his blood made an open door
10 heaven, and by that door we muft always enter,
and climb up by no other way^ left we be as a thief and
a robber^ John x. i, 8. What is the blood of Jefus ?
It is the blood of the Son of God : the blood of hira,
a? a facrificc offered up by him as our High Pricft,
for the fiQs of his people ; the blood whereby he
brought in that everlafting righteoufnefs in which all
his people (land accepted before God. Now, faith
the apoftie, that privilege that only the high-prieft
under the law had, of entering into the typical holieft
of all by the blood of the typical facrifices, every be-
liever in Jefus Chrift hath ncv under the gofpel, and
hath a daily entrance into the true holieft of all by the
blood of the true facrifice, Jefus Chrift. And he adds
in ver. 20. By a new and living way (or a new ilaia
and living way) which he hath confecratedfor us thro^
the vail, that is to fay ^ his flefh. We need not a door
of entrance into heaven only, but a way to walk in.
And that way is provided by Chrlft, and he is it ; as
John xiv. 6. And Chrift as flain, hath by his death
conlecrated it for us ; like that in John xvii. 19. For
their fakes fanBify I myfelf. The apoftie calls Chrift*s
flefli, the vaiU alludin;^ to the vail ot the fani^uary,
Heb. ix. 3. through which the high-prieft pafTcd into
the holy of holies. There was a double ufe of the
fjn£l:uary-vail. It kept the holieft of all from being
ieen by all the people, and yet made an entrance for
the high prieft through it unto the holieft of all. So
is ihe vail of Chrift's flefti ; it vails and hides his di-
vine glory, as Phil. ii. 6, 7. and yet it gives a palTage
into the glorious prclcnce of God unto believers.
What more is needful for a believer's acccfs and ac-
ceptance .'* ver. 2 I. And having an high priefl over the
houfs of God. We not only wanted a door, and a way,
but an authorifcd introducer into heaven. And Chrift
is
S E R M . XIV. the LorcTs Vtay&r^ 273
is all. He is the High Prieft, who by his office is
the introducer, the reprefentcr, and prefeater» of his
people UDto God. Upon this comes the exhortation,
ver. 22, Let us draw near : " Let us all go to God,
*' and to heaven together ; you Chrillians, and I aa
*' apoflle. We have the encouragements common to
" us ; let us jointly improve them." But, alas I moil:
unbelievers think it an eafy thing to draw near to God^
though they never think of Chrift, nor o^ ufmg him
in their approaches to God, (if they may not rather
be called departi figs from God), They neither care
for making them aright, nor care whether they be
accepted or not ; nor fear the taking God's name in
vain, as ail do that come not to God by Jefus ChrJftj
John xiv. 6. Chriftlefs Chridians, and ChriiUefs
woiihippers of God, (if it were proper to call Chrift-
lels men either Chriftians, or worChippers of God),
are an abomination unto God. But that that is fo
eafy to fuch carelefs triflers, is far otherwife unto a
ferioua foul. When fuch a perfon feeth any thing of
bis own fmfulnefs and meannefs, and any thing of the
hotinefs and majefty of God, it is no fmall difficulty
to refolve this queftion ; ** How is it poffible, that
«' fuch a defiled creature as I am, can make any ac-
*' ceptable appearance before fo glorious a God ?'*
The only refolution is in this : " Chrift our High Pried
*' reprefents me ro ne Father." He did all our bu-
fmefs with God as cur Mediator, and that in our na»
ture, and in our name and (lead ; and all that we do
in worftiip to God, is to be done by us in his name ;
and thus acceptance comes to us. Chriftians, whea
you pray, when you read and hear God's word, whea
you fit down at Chriil's table, when you perform any
part or piece ot worfhip to God ; if you would have
it acceptable to God, and profitable to you, (and
thefe two are infeparable ; for no accepted fervks
is unprofitable to us ; and if profitable to us, it was
firil accepted of God), let your faith be exercifed
on this ; " Jefus Chrilt mak^s another fort of figure
«i
2 74 Sermons concerning SeRm. XIV,
** for me in heaven, than I can make for myfelf on
« earth "
2. Improve by faith Chrifl's reprefenting of you to
God, in all your judgiugs and examining^ of your-
felves. Self-examination is a great duty, and a necef-
fary one, i Cor. xi. 28. and 2 Cor. xiii, 5, Happy
are they that mind it much, that manage it rightly,
and iiTue it well. I believe, that of all duties required
in the word of all men, it is that duty that feweft un-
believers and hypocrites are employed in. It is \try
doubtful, whether it be poiTible, that a hypocrite can
be at the pains to fpend fome portion of time in the
work of felf-examination. Of all companies, an un-
godly man likes lead the company and converfation of
his own confcience. Pfal. iv. 4. Communing with our
own hearts ; dealing fairly and freely with our own
confciences ; and not only allowing, but charging
them to reply, and do deal freely with us again, and
taking well with this freedom, fcems to be above the
reach of a hypocrite, at lead of an ordinary one.
But when a Chriftian is fetting about this work of
felf-examination, by and in the light of God's word,
he fhould fearch his heart, his fins, his wants, his
graces. But the main thing is his ftate in God's fight.
And the defigned end and iffue of this trial, is, to
have and pafs the fame judgment on himfelf that God
doth ; that he may not, as many do, commend him-
felf, when God condemns him, or condemn himfelf,
when God approves him. Now, we ail know, that
God's judgment of mens ftate is, ns they are in Chrid,
or not in him. So 2 Cor. xiii.. 5. Surely you mult
ihink they were bold and fancy profefTors, that fought
a proof of Chrift's fpeaking in and by Paul, as ver. 3.
To them he faith in elTe6i, " Inftead of your trying,
whether Chrift fpeaks by your miniftcrs, inquire if
• Chrift be in yourfelves cr not. If Chrift be not in
you, they have fpokea to little good purpofc to
*' you : and if Chrift be in you, you will quickly
" know
Serm. XIV. the Lcrct's Prayer. 275
" know who they be that fpeak in Cbrifl's name
" nnto you, and whether Chrill Ipeaks by them to
" you."
3. Improve this truth of Ch rift's reprefentiog his
church unto God, in all the mirreprelen rations that
r.re, or can be made of you to God, or men, or your-
felves. They are falfe, if they differ from what Chrifl
makes of his people to God. 1 (liail name fome of
theiD.
ly?, The devil mifreprefents believers to God, and
men, and themfelves. Doth Job Jear God for ncught f
Job i, 9. faid the devil 10 God. " He hath been a
'* good fervant to thee, but thou baft been a good
*' mafter to him ; take from him what thou haft giveti
** him, and he will ferve thee no more, but carfe h-e
•' to thy face." Impudent ilanderer, and a lying pro-
phet 1 God, to try Job, and to make the devil a lyar,
gives the devil a permiiTion. He readily ufeth it : and
Job is made a poor man in one day ; but blelTeth God
in taking, as well as in p:iving, ver. 21, Yet Sataa
gives not over; but, in chap. ii. 5. begs one trial
more of Job, on his body. It is alfo given, and yet
not fuccefsful, ver. 9, 10. though ftrengthened by his
wife's bad words it is a fad, but true name of the
devil, in Rev. xil. lo. The accufer of the brethren^
which accufeth them before our God day and night.
They are brethren, God is their God ; but yet Sataa
will be the accufer of them before their God. There
is little or no doubt to be made, but that the devil
knows who are truly godly. Such a watchful and
cunning jailor as he is, cannot be ignorant when any
of his prifoners are refcued by Chrift, and make their
efcape, 2 Tim. ii. 26. : and though be know not the
hearts of men immediately and perfectly : yet having
fo much craft, and long experience, and intelligence,
in ways unknown to us, of what is in mens heart?,
how can we think that his works ftiould be deftroyed,
I John iii. 8. and Chrift's new work be begun in the
heart of a man, and the devil know nothing of it ? But
Vol. 1L N n as
^y6 Sermons concerning Serm. XIV.
as to Chriflians adyancing in godiincfs, Satan knows
and hares them, and they know him and refill him.
Sirs, there is not a ChriRiaa amongd you fo (Irong
in grace and experience, but the devil can draw fucli
a pi»5lure of you by his hellidi art, from vvhuu he know-
eth of God and his law, and from what ne kaows oi
your heart and ways, and can fet it before your eyes,
fo as to confound you, if the Lord do not fcafonably
intcrpofc for your relief. And it is this the devil
drives at : that if he cannot hinder the believer's fal-
vation, (as it is certain he cannot ; and it is mofl pro-
bable he knows tli at he cannot), he may yet dillnrb
his peace : for this pif^ure and reprefentatioQ of a
poor believer is fo artfully drawn, and fo cunning'y
expofed, that when the man feeth ir, ht is ready to
think and fay with horror, " This is the pi(n:nre of a
" devil, rather than of a man, or of a ("hriitian."
Take all the evil that is in the bed, and expofe that ;
and hide all the good that is in him, as if it were not,
(and this is Satan's way), and you do then expofe a
hateful objei^. Now, this truth of Chriit'2 reprefent-
ing his people unto God, is of great comfort to a be-
liever ; for by faith he may fay, " My bielTed Advo-
*' cate in heaven gi^erh another account of me, than
" my malicious accufer from hell doth: and 1 will
** truft fo the one,, and defpife the orher.
7dlyy The world mifreprefents believers. The
world hates them, becaufe Chrift is kind to them,
John XV. 19. We are forbid to marvel at h, 1 John
ill. 13. And becaufe the world haies them, therefore
they fay all manner of evil falfely aga'inft the godly^
Matt. V. 10, II, 12. And thereupon we are bid re-
joice ^ and he exceeding 2^lad ; for jo they -perfecuted the
prophets before us^ and the apoftles, yea Chrift him-
fclf. How little did Paul care for the world's opinion
of him ? I Cor. iv. 3, *^. With me it is a very fmali
thing that I /hould Le judged of youy or of man^s judg-
ment ; he that judgeth me, is the Lord, ** I (land at
'* his
Serm. XIV. the Lord's Prayer. 277
*' his bar, and depend upou his fentence, and trufl
*' to his approbaiion."
3<i/>', The law makes a reprefeatatioo of believers,
that ihey muft not receive, but fet ChriiVs reprefen-
tation ap^aiali it. Whoever feeth his own face in the
O
glafs of God's holy law, feeih a hateful fpoited face :
For by the law is the knowledge of fin ^ Kom. iii. 20.
N0V/5 if a believer think, that juft as he feeth him-
felf in this clear glafs, {0 doth he appear in the pre-
fence of God, that were dreadful indeed. But there
is another reprefentation that Chrifl: makes of them
unto God, that the law knows not of. The more a
man knows of the law, the more he knows of his own
Cn and danger. Kx^^ this fad condition remains, till
he look beyond and above the law, unto the righte-
oufnefs of Chrifl, who hath fatisfied and fulfilled the
lav/ by himfelf, and makes this over to a believer, and
reprcfents him to God, as clothed with it,
^ihly^ Believers ihemfelves are often miueprefent-
ed by believers alfo. BlelTed be God, that his thoughts
of us are not a^ mens are. Such men that feek aker,
and value thennfelves upon good mens thoughts and
approbation, feek a thing of fmall worth, and what
is quickly loft. Many are caft at the bar of good meog
who ftand accepted of God: 2 Cor. x. 18. For not
he that commendeth hhnfelf^ is approved^ hut whom the
Lord comniendeth. What belter was Juda?, that the
eleven apollles had a better opinion of him, than of
ihemfelves, \vhen, hearing Chrifl^s^ warning of a trai-
tor araongll them, each laid, Lord^ is it If Belie-
vers are never the worfe, if other men, worfe or bet-
ter than themfelves, pafs another judgment on them
than God doth.
5f/-?/)/, The lad mifreprefentation that the faith of
Chrift's right reprefenting us to God fliouid fupport
us under, is that that our confciences make of us.
This is nearer to us thafi all the other. The devil and
the world are WMthout, and round about us ; the law
is above us; belieyers are nearer to us ; but ccnfci-
N n 2 cues
278 Sermcns concerning Serm. XIV.
ence is neareil of ali. Confcience never condemns a
believer, but at the bar oF the law, (for which, a?
condemnine, Chrift hath redeemed him), and always
in and by the working of unbelief. And in a belie-
ver, his renriining unbelief a(fls this way : It looks on
the dife-ir, and forgets the phyfician ; it Jooks on the
debt., and for/^ets the furety, and his payment of it.
CoUi:ie!:ce faith, *« Thou owed many thoufand ta-
•' len.5 10 the law and juftice of God : is it not true,
"and can it be denied.'"' "No, muft the believer
** f^y ; the debt is not to be denied by me ; nor
" Chriil's payment of it to be forgotten by me." The
law, as a court of judgment, condemns for fio ; but
Cbrid's new court of grace acquits the believer in
Chrilt. To this court every believer appeals, and at
it he ilands.
So much for the third ufe of this privilege of Chrifl's
reprefcntii'g us to God, under ail the raifreprefenta-
lioDs that may be made of believers.
4. Improve this privilege under all difpenfarions of
providence that you may n tet wiih. Are you aflL^ed
by the Lord's hand ? and wou'd ye have found confola-
tion under it ? All are fenfible of afBi6lions, and all
would fain have comfort under them. Sometimes the
Lord fends an extraordinary meafure of this comfort
unto his people, which is above the ufual acH-'viry of
their faith ; but though this be very pleafing and ufe-
ful, it IS nor oft of long continuance, nor is it fit it
fliould. But there is a reioictn^ in trihuhition^ that is
a duty that Chiidians ihould mak. rouiwicjce of; as
well a? there is 2i joy of the Lwrd that is their jlrengtb^
NehcFin viii. \o.. which ihey fiiould feek and value.
This rejoicing is only by faitii ; and this faith that
produceth the joy, is a£tcd on Chriff, and on our in-
icreft in him. '' I am heavily aflii<fled by the Lord's
*^ hand, f.iith the believer : but I am a member of
•* ClirifL's body ; my head is concerned in ir, and
" will fupport me under it. }Ie keeps up the peace
*' betwixt a corre(fting father aod a corre^ed child;
« And
Serm, XIV. the Lord's Prayer, ^279
" And as long as the peace (lands, do real hurt ca^
" come to me. Are you tempted or the devii V\ as
indeed the moil pare of molt Chriilians lives is taken
up with afBiftion and temptation ; and the whole arr
rnour of God is provided for, and to be ufed in and
under them, Eph. vi. 10,— 18. It was an odd remark
of a minifter of great learning and grace, " I never
H knew an eminent faint, but he had either fingular
" allli^lions or lingular corruptions to wreftle with.''
The apoitle tells us, 2 Cor. xli. 2. 1 knew a ?nan in
Chrijl, caught up into the third heavens^ doubtlefs
meaning himfelf. You think it is no ft range thing
that a man in Chiift, on^ like Pdul, {hould be fo dealt
with ; efpcciaily when he faith, Eph. ii. 6. that God
hath made us fit together m heavenly places in Chrtfl Je^
Jus, But this is more llrange, that this man in Chriil,
this man new come down from heaven, (hould immedi-
ately a^ter be buffeted by Satan. If you be fo dealt
with, how is it to be borne ? The' devii hath many
things to fay againft us ; fome too true, that we can-
not deny ; and fome things taife, which we mayjufl-
ly deny, and yet do not through our weaknefs. ^mx.
when Satan chargerh us with fin truly, which we can-
not deny, I would not have believers reafon and parly
with him, (he is too cunning a fophiiler for us) ; but
only teli him fomething of Chriil, that we too often
forget, and that the devil can neither bear nor anfwer.
*' if the devil fpeak againft me as a finner in myfelf,
'' I fay Amen to ail that is true ; but if he fay any
** thing againft Chriil the Saviour, 1 dare lay he is a
" lyar." if the tempted believer can but fay, ** I a at
" in Ghrift, and therefore i ihall prevail ; Chriil hatli
" overcome the devil, and therefore I will refift him-"
the victory is near at hand.
5. Improve this privilege of Chrift's reprefentinj.^
you to God, in all the fervice and obedience you per-
form to God. All men owe ail fervice unto i^o^ ; a; I
true Chriftians are in heait devoted to his fervice ;
and the beit Chriftians mind it moft, and perform it
bcft ;
2 3o Siermons concerning Serm. XIV.
belt: but when they review their performances, they
fee them fo faulty, and fhort of what they ought i6
be, that theyfee more reafon to mourn over the ini-
quiry of their holy things, than to glory in their holy
ibings. Ye»^ notwiihftanding ail the failings in the fm-
cere obedience of a true believer, (and he alone is
^he man in whom fincerity is, and by whom any a£t
ef fmcere obedience can be performed), yet are they
acceptable to God h J ejus Chrift^ i Peter ii. 5. Their
fruits of righteoufnefs (though far from being fully
ripe and perie£lj ate by Jefui Chrij} unto the glory and
praife of God ^ Phil. i. 1 1. Far be it from me, to en-
courage ftOy believer (much lefs an unbeliever) to put
any confidence in their own works or obedience ; but
1 am fure that it would greaily promote a believer's
peace arid joy, to look rightly on the fruits of his faith.
And that is the right way of judging them by a be-
liever, when he faith concerning his obedience, ihefe
four things. *' i. I, the worker, am one in Chrid,
"2. Ihe work I do, is the fruii of my faith in Chrifi-^
** and of my being in him. 3. The wcik is done id
♦« Chrifl"'?. name. 4. And as Uich is put in his hand,
♦' to be perfumed and prefented to God by him.''
Muft not the conclufion of faith be, that Chrift will
procure a gracious accepiance thereof ?
6, Improve this privilege of Chrill's reprefecting
you unto UoJ, as to your peace with God, and the
acceptance of your perfons. Build all your defirer,
cxpccTlations, and hopes of acceptance with God, on
this alone, even on this reprefentation that Chrift
makes of you to God. God's favourable acrepiance
of a fmner never had, nor can liv. any other founda-
tion : Eph. i. 6. We are accept e.n m the beloved. Horn.
V. I. Being juf if ed by faiths 'we have peace with God
through our Lord J ejus Chrijl. But tiow comes this
peace, this jullification P It is by Chrift, 'u^ho was deli-
vered for our offences^ and was raifed amir.jor nur jufli-
fixation^ Kom. iv. 25. How would the pe;ice of belie-
vers flow as a river, if their faith were active this way :
•' Ad.
S E H M . XI V. thi Lord*s Prayer, 2 3 1
*• As Chrifl reprefents me to God j fo do I (land ac-
" cepted, farely and eternally ?"
7. Laftly, Improve this privilege by faith, in all
the views and profpe^fts you have of yonr WX appear-
ing before God, Oar appearances before God now
are many and confiderable. We areaiwaysin hisfight;
we oft draw near to him in his ordinances ; he fome-
times is pleafed to admit us into his fpecial gracious
prefence, and to mariifed hirafelf to us : but all thefe
are foiall things, compared with the laft, which is far
greater than all that went before it. The native quef-
tion that flarts up in the mind of a man that thiaks
ferioufly on this appearance, is this, " How (hall I bs
" found of him in peace V* And the only gofpel-aa-
fwer is, " Thou mud be found in Chrift," Phil, iii.9.
Abide in him ; that when he fJoall appear we may have
confidence^ and not be ajhamed before him at his comings
1 John ii. 28. None will ht found of him in peace in
that day, without f pot and blamelefs^ as all fliould la-
bour for, 2 Peter iii. 14. but only they that ^vc found
in himy Phil. iii. 9. and prefented fpotlefs by him^ J^de,
verfc 24. I know that the deep and ferious thoughts
of this awful appearance before God, are fufScient to
in:ike a fmner fee the vanity of all refuges, fave that
of Chrift's righteoufaefs. How much more will the
glory of the lafl day do it ? Proud men, and truders
CO their own righteoufnefs, will then find too late, that
that covering of their nakednefs is too narrow ; and
tfiat the beauty of their works, which they vdXi^td
tbemfelves upon here, will be but deformity before
that tribunal. If there be but one blot, one hole ia
that robe that a man appears before God at laft in,
(and all that is a man's own, is but rags^ ^nA filthy
ones too, Ifa. Ixiv. 6.), the fword of juftice will enter
in, and deftroy that man. Bur to believers found ia
Chrilt, and covered with Chrii^'s righteoufnefs, there
is no danger. The righieoufoefs is perfect, and their
acceptance in it perfci'il and eternal ; and the crown
of righteoufnefs givca to ttier!], will be given by him»
and
282 Serrnons ccncerning S e R m . XI V,
and received by them wtth exceeding joy ^ Jude, ver. 24.
"We read that there \% joy in heaven^ and in the pre-
fence of the oigcls of Godj over one fin?icr that repenlethy
Luke XV. 7, 10. How much more joy will there be,
when ail Chrifl's children ftiall be brought home, to
his Father's houfe ? when he lliall give that account
of them, Behold^ /, and the children which God hath
given ?ne^ Heb. ii. 13. P Did Chrifl lay down the dear
price with joy; and that /or the joy fet before him^
Heb. xii. 2.? and will he not receive his full pur-
chafe with exceeding joy ? It will be his, and his
church's marriage-day, Rev. xix. 7, 8, 9. And ne-
ver were there fuch lovers, as Chrift and his bride.
No fuch lover in heaven, as he ; and no fuch love
on earth, as that the church hath to him. And ranft
not the joy be great, on their everlafling union and
communion, at that day! So that we may fay, that
when a believer kneels to receive the! crown of glory
from his hand, who bought it for him by his blood
fhed in love* he cannot fay with more joy, " O how
" glad am 1 of this day of my receiving this crown 1"
than Chrift will fay, " 1 am more glad of the day in
" which I give it :" for in all things^ he mufl ha've the
*^ pre eminence^ Col. i. 18. Chriftians, think juftly,
and think joyfully, of this great and notable day of
the Lord, when he will make the greateft and molt
public reprefentation of his church unto God, as the
glorious head of his glorified body. See what fvood
your faith can gather from that ftripture, which,
whatever fulfilments it hath had, or may yet have in
time, is to be perfeclly fulfilled (as many odier fcrip-
tures) at the lad day, Zeph. iii. 17. The Lord thy God
in the midjl of thee is mighty ; he will faz^e, he zvill re-
joice over thee luith joy : he will refl in his love^ he will
joy over thee with finging* AVho of you hath faith to
believe this ? Where is the believer who dare apply
thefe words with the confidence of faith to himfelf f*
Who is fo bold as to fay, (and yet all in Chrift ought
to
Serm. XIV. the Lord^s Prayer, 28 j
to fay fo), " The bleiTed day is coming, and will
*' furely come, when Jefus Chritl will be as glad to
*' fee me in heaven, as lean be to fee him, or myfelf
** there.'' He ivitl rejoice ever me with joy ; vvax i?,
** he will exceedingly rejoice : he will re jl in his love ;
" that is, he will love for ever, without Wuaryi - or
** change : he will joy over me with^finging : that is,
" his love snd joy will break forth into a fon r'" And
indeed the joy of Chrifl: in heaven is the beft p-art of
heaven's mufic. One cloud or frown in Chrilt's face
in heaven, would put an immediate damp on all the
holy and happy mirth there. But there is no danger
of any interruption : for when the imputed righre-
oufnefs of Chrifl is on the glorified in all its glory,
(and that is when it appears wiih all the bleiTed ends
it was wrought out for, and applied for, by Chrift) ;
when inherent holinefs is perfe<ii in them, and imme-
diate communion with him is enjoyed in this true pa-
radife of God ; neither the tempter, nor temptation,
Dor fin, nor wrath, can enter. The pillars in hea*
ven, as Chrift promifeth to make hi?n that overcometh^
Rev. iii, 12. are more fixed, than thofe of the old
heavens and earth, which he will (hake and remove,
Heb. xii. 26, 27, 28. Many doubting Chriftians gee
fafe to heaven, that oft feared that they fhould never
get in 5 but all that get entrance, are immediately af-
fured, that they (hall never be turned out again. As,
on the other hand, many flatter themfelves with vaia
hopes of heaven, who, when they find at lad, to their
dreadful furprife, that heaven's door (huts them our,
and hell's door (liuts them in, they know, that the
latter door will never be opened to let them out, nor
heaven's door be opened to let them in. Remember,
that you will be lodged in your everlafting habitations,
by the fentence of the great Judge in that day ; that
your fentence will be, as your intereft in Chril>, acd
his intereft in you is, and appears. Do you believe
a day of judgment ? Then quickly run in to Chriil: ;
abide in him, as your only refuge j and let the lad
y^oL. II, O day
sS^ Sermons concerning Serm. XIV.
day find you in him ; and you are fafe now, and (hall
kcow and find your fa^ety more in thac day.
So ffiiich for the firfl thing. In what cafes believers
(hould improve this great privilege of Chrlft's repre-
fentinp^ them unto God. A privilege, in which, as
Chriil's glory appears, fo the falvation and peace of
believers""is fecurtd.
Secondly^ A little on the fecond thing propofcd, In
what manner is thij imprcvenacnt of this privilege to
be made ^
I. It is to be improved with the deepeft hnmility
and felf-abafement. We are lo prone to pride, that
Dot only are natural men proud of their rotten and
filthy rags ; but believers are not out of danger of
being proud of borrowed raiment. The loarhfome,
naked infant, that had no eye to pity, no band to help
it, but the Lord's ; when its beauty was made perfecffc
through the Lord's comelinefs put upon her, did yet
truft in her own beauty, Ezek. xvi. 3,-15. 1 know,
that there the Prophet, in a figuie, points at Ifrael's
low (late the Lord found them iu, and the high ftate
be had advanced them to, of his mere grace and mer-
cy ; and, from both, is aggravating their fin in for-
geting both, and the dreadful wickednefs that people
fell into from that forgetting ; but, by a jufi paral-
lel, it may b? applied unto particular perfons. If you
make a queftion. Is ic poffible that a man can be prond
and N-iin of Chrift's ri^hteoufnefs imputed to him for
hi^ . cccptance with God i* I'anfwer, 1. A man may
imagine, that he is in Chrift, and accepted with God
en Chrifl's account, and may be prond and puffed up.
Of this there is no doubt: for falfe notions in men
may make them proud. If the legal Pharifee? frujled
in tbcmfehes that they ivere nghteous^ and defpifcd o-
thers^ Luke xviii. 9. when they had no ground nor
reafon for it; why may not a hypocrite make a ground-
lefs boaft of his laiih and intereil in Chrifl, and in his
righteoufr»efs, and be proud and fecure upon that ima-
gination ? Much of this was ia Laodicea's cafe, Kev.
iii*
Sesm. XIV. the Lorcfi Frayer. 285
iii. 17, 18- 2. If a true believer find any vacky rif-
JDg in his heart, on the account of Chrill's righteoiif-
nefs reckoned to hinn ; ac that time that perfon hath
the notion of this privilege in his mind and memory,
rather than a right fight and fenfe of it on his bean
by faith. For, 3. This great privilege, as it is given
by God, that no flefh may glory ia his prefence ; f^
where it is feen and pondered by faith, it always bum-
bleih the happy partaker of it : for he dill remem-
bers what he was without it before he got it, and
what vile cakedcefs in him is covered by this gifted
rightcoufnefe. See the latter part of Ezek. Kvi. 6o„
63. J where the Lord, after all the enumeration and
aggravation of liraePs fmfulnrfs, comes in with fh at
God-like, l\e'veTthelefs^ I 'wili remember my covenant
with thee in the days of thy youlh^ and I ivill cjlahhjh
unto thee an everidfting coveriant, ** it w^ould be but
*' a fliort iafting covenant, if it flood upon thy keeping,
" or were diilolved by thy breaking of it.'* What is
the end of this marvellous grace I 'That thou mayefl
rememhery and be confounded^ and never open thy mouth
any more^ becaufe of thy Jhanie, A fa>hke exercife.
But w^hen is it to be done to purpofe ? When the
Lord doth plague and rend IlVael ? whpn he fets their
fms in order before them, and writes bitter things a-
gainft them P No; but when I am -pacified toward thee
for all that thou haft done^ faith the Lord God. Like
the promife in Ezek xxxvi. 31. "-' When my quarrel
*' againft thee for thy fjn is laid afide by me, it (hall be
" taken up by thee in judging and condemning thy-
'' feif ; when thy fios are forgotten by my grace, they
" (hall be remembered \>y thee for thy felf-abafe-
*' ment/' The pardoned man is only the true peni-
tent ; and that is the beft repentance that is exercifed
in the reading of our fealed forgivenefs. Therein a
man feeth that dreadful roll blotted out, but only by
free grace in the blood of jefus. Nofm is forgiven,
but in the virtue of that blood. When therefore a
believer fccih the vileft of ail things, hia fins, and the
O o 2 nioft
2 85 Sermons concerning Serm. XIV,
raoH: facred oF all things, the atoning blood of the Son
of Gody joined together in his charter of pardon ;
what thoughts the pardoned man mud have of fin, oi
grace in forgiving, and of the way in which this for-
givencfs cometh, it were happier for you and me ro
feel, ih^n it is eaj for me to exprefi, or for any to
think, but fuch a happy foul tha-: feels it. We have
an inilance of a great fmner greatly forgiven, in Luke
vii. 5g^.-.-^o. The Lord fend us her bieffing, and her
frame. A proud pardoned finner is a monfter. Art
thou a finner, and proud of thy fin ? Then art thou
-an open rebel agaioft an offended God. Art thou a
fjuner, and proud of any thing ? Thou art a fuol ;
proud, when the rooft debafing thing lieth upon thee !
But r.rt thou a pardoned finner, and not hun)ble ?
Yv'^hac name (liould fuch a creature be called by? ('anil
thou be proud of thy p:^rdon, when thy ccnlcience
tells thee truly, that thou defcrveft to be damned, as
juftly as any God ever condemned ? and that only
tree grace made the diffekence betwixt you and t'.iem,
in your fentcnce, when there was no difFcreace be-
twixt their and yourdeferts? Cinft thou be proud of
parc^on in Chrift's blood, when both the guilt and vile-
nefs of fin is fo difcovered in the only way of iisexpi-
aton; and when the glory of grace in contriving,
ufin.:^, and applying this expiation, fhineih fo brightly P
Believers, whenever you read your charter of pardon
in the new covenant, do but remember who and what
is forgiven, and who he is that forgiveth, and on whar
account he doth *orgive ; and fee if theie will not lay
ihee, and keep thee low iu his fight.
2. This great privile^^e Qiou'd be improved by be-
Iicver% with confidence and aiTu ranee of faith. Trem-
bling believers may be true believers : but trembling
and doubting believing is never due believing ; it nei-
ther givetb the glory due to God, nor brings in that
peace and fruit that is needful to the believer. Doth
Chrift leprefcnt you to God for acceptance, and do
you
Serm. XIV. the Lord's Frayer, 287
you doubt whether you (hall be accepted ? Is noc
this very finfuUy to queftion his intereft at the higheft
court ? Say not you doubt your acceptance, becaufe
of your great unv^orihinefs ; for there is no wcrch
buE Chrift's thai is regarded in your acceptance. The
queftion is not, ••* Am I any way worthy of God's
*^ gracious acceptance ?" But it is, " Is Chrifl worthy,
" and able to make fuch an unworthy fmner as 1 am,
" to be accepted ? and is his worthinefs for this, to
*' be fearfully or confidently trulleJ in by me ?" See
two palTages about this. The one is in an exhorta-
tion to all believers ; the other is in the triumph cf
faith of one great believer, in the name of al), and
for a pattern to all. The firfl: n in Heb. x. 19, 20, 21,
22,23.; where we find the apoitle, upon the folid
and common grounds of every believer's faith, Jefus
Chrid^acd his office, urging druzuinj^ near (and to
God, as in chap. vii. 19.) with a true heart, in full af-
furance of faith. Having fuch a door, fuch a way,
fuch a high pried:, as Chrift is, let us draw near, ne-
ver doubting our welcome. The other place is ia
Rom. viii. 3 i, — 39. // God be for us, who can be a-
gainfl us? An unanfwerable queftion. But how do
we know that God is for us i Thus, He [pared not
his own iSon, but delivered htm up for lis all, ver. 32.;
the all he fpoke of in ver. 29, 30. But are there not
many things juilly chargeable on the okt^ believers?
No, faith he, ver. 33, :^4. Nothing, by any, can be
laid to their charge. Why fo .'' Are they not by na-
ture children of wrath, even as ethers, Eph. ii. 3. 1
Yes : But it is Gcd that juftifijth ; who is he that con-
demneth? He is a bold devil, or man, or confcience,
that condemneth whom God juftifieth. But how doth
Godjuftify? is he not the Lawgiver, againll whom
they have finned ? Yes ; but yet he jullifieth and juft-
)y : // is Chrift that died, &c. It is Chrift's interell
in them, his undertaking and performance for them,
his reprefenting them unto God, that is the ground
of their judificatioa before Godj, of their acceptance
With
2 83 Sermons concerning Serm. XIV.
with God, and of their joy of faith ; as Rom. v. 1 1.
We jay in God, through our Lord J ef us ChriJ}^ by whom
we have now received the atonement. Believers, look
on yourfclves as oft, and as narrowiy as you can ;
judge and condemn yourfelves as much as you will ;
but when you look for acceptance with God, mind
Chrifi alone, and give him glory in truftingcoLfideDt-
ly for acceptance in him.
3. Improve this privilege with diligence and pain-
fulnefs. It is well worthy of our diligence, and diii-
gence is needful for u^-. 1 (hall Da.ne on this but two
things.
i/?, Uie diligence to keep this privilege of Chrift's
reprefeming you to God for acceptance, ftedfafljy
and confiandy in the eye of your faith. The peace
of Chriilians would not ebb and flow with every tide,
'^.% oft it doth, if this duty were more minded. This
is v;hat is called, holding f a/} the confidence, and re-
ioicing of the hope ^ firm unto the end ; and, holding the
beginning of our confidence ft edf a ft unto the end^ lieb.
iii. 6, 14. This is what is required of all, in Heb.
vi. II. ^ And we defire, that every one of you do fKW the
fame dilzgen-^Cs to the full affunince of hope unto the end.
The ihieid of laith, as it quencheth all the fiery darts of
the devily Eph. vi. 16.; fo his moll fiery darts are
flung again {[ ir. Such as know not trials of faith, ne-
ver had the truth of faith. An evil heart of unbelief
(and ibme roots of it are in the bcft believers) will
oft affaulc true faith. Great watch and ward (liould
be kept by faith, abn;:r our precious fahh ; for faith
doth watch itfclf. I'aiih prayed in that man. Lord,
help my unbelief, Mark i>:. 24. Harh the Lord once
or oftener caufedyou to hope ? as Pfal. cxix. 49, ; hath
Jie taken you, and made you fit down, and rcii on the
precious (oundation, Jefus Chrift .'' Hold you there.
lie not moved aiv ay from the hope of the gofpel. Col. i. 2 ^.
put as ye have received Chrifl Jefus the Lord, fo walk
ye in him ; rooted and built up in him^ and Hahlijhed
tn the fc^Jthy Col. ii. 6» 7. If you try ihis work, you
will
Serm. XIV. the Lord's Prayer^ z%^
will quickly find ibat diligence is needful. If you gi?e
diligence in it, you will quickly find the rich prcfic
of it.
2^/v, Ufe diligence in your improving of this pri^
vilege, in {liidyiog likenefs and conformity to Jeios
Chrlft. Hath he blelTed you with this great grace of
reprefenting you in his righieoufnefs for your accep-^
tance with God ? Should not you ftudy to get ChriCfs
image in true holinef?, mere and more increafcd ia
you ? True goCpel-hoiinefs is only planted by gofpel-
grace, and nourifhed by gofpel-arguments ; and thefe
arguments have neither light nor power on any, bat
fuch as have received the Spirit of faith ; i John. iii. 3.
Every man that hath this hope in hijn, (it (hould be
read on him, that is, on Chrift), purifeth hinifdf^ even
as he is pure. He is (till a-doing, a-purifyin'g ; but
not perfed as yet. Thus a carnal heart is apt to fay,
'*' Since I cannot be perfecTtly holy in this life, and
" fmce I hope 1 fliall be fo when Chrift appeareth, I
" will let the ftudy of holinefs alone till that day.^*
No, faith the apoflle ; Every man that hath this hope
in Chrift^ o^ being like him, when he Jh all fee him ^r
he is, ver. 2. will now ftudy that likenefs, although he
cannot attain it, as he would. That man's itate is
naught, and his faith un found, chat finds not his hopes
of his glory purifying to his heart and life. Now, fet
about the ftudjf^tbve, and praftice of holinefs, aliyoa
that are favoured with Chi ill's grace in reprefeating
you to God's gracious acceptance ; and I make no
doubt, but that all that have obtained this grace, and
fee it by faith, will be io exercifed : Rom. vi, t, 2,
^h all we continue in Jin, that grace may abound f A
plaufible objeclioo,and eafily drawn by a carnal heart,
from what is faid, Rom. v. -20. Where fin abounded^
grace did much more abound. Bat if the objeclion be
obvious, the anfwer is myflerious : God forbid : Hoitf
fhall we that are dead to fin^ live any longer therein f
it is as if he had faid« "^^ I do not wonder that they
that
spo Sermons concerning Serm. XIV.
•' that are alive to fin, make this obje(!}ion ; but ail
** that are dead to fin, fee no weight in it." But how
are believers dead to fin, and alive unto God ? By the
tirtuc of Chrift's death and refurre^lion, ver. 3,4, 5,
6. into which every believer is planted. And thence,
ver. II. he bids them, Reckon ye alfo your/elves to be
dead indeed unto fin^ but alive unto God through Jefus
Chrijl our Lord, If Chriftians were raore fkilful in
ihele reckonings of faith, they would abound more
in the fruits of holinefs. All true holinefs is the fruit
of faith ; all true faith produceth this fruit ; and the
fli*oDgeft believer brings forth moll abundant fruit,
John XV. 4, 5.
%
SERMON XV.
John xvii. 24.
Father y I will that they alfo whom thou hafl given me,
he ivith me where I am ; that they may behold my
glory which thou hafl given me : for thou lovedfl me
before the foundation of the world.
YO U may remember, that, fome weeks ago,
when I firft began to fpeak from this fweet,
long, and great verfe of Chrift's prayer, I did take
it up in two parts ; the manner, and matter of it. The
manner of it is in this v;ord, I will ; a way of pray-
ing that we do not find Chrift ufed, but here ; a way
of praying that no Chriftian (liould ufe ; for our will
is fo foolifli and fmful a thing, that the lefs room it
hath in our prayers, the better our prayers are : for
our prayers are to be according to his will, and not
ours.
la
Serm. XV, the LorcTs Prayer. , spl.
In the matter of ChriiVs prayer in this verfe, I took
up four things, i. The. denomin^itian and defcrip-
tion he gives and makes of them he prays for : 'J hofe
ivbom thou hafl given me. We cannot dire£l our
prayers as Chrift dicj ; he prayed for tbe eleifl as e-
le6i, and as perfons particularly arid exa£lly known to
him. 2. The bleffmg he prays (or to thole perfons ;
Hhat they may alfo he ivith me "where I am. 3. The
end oFhis praying for thi^ bleiTing to them ; That thej
7nay behold my glory which thou haft gizen me: Till
they are where Cbiifl is, they cannot behold ir fuU
]y. 4. Tbe argument by which Chrift backs ih's
prayer : Hor thou lovedfl me before the foundation of
the world*
I have fpoke all I mean to fay on the firft two
things in the naatter-of this pr.-^yer ; and arn yet upon
the third purr ; which 1 would conclude at this time.
In handiing of which, I did propound two heads of
difcourfe. 3. What is the glory of Chrift ihat is to
be beheld. 2. What is the beholding of ir. Of the
firftl have fpoken at length ; and becaufe the theme
is very large,. I comprehended all in two particulars.
I. The glory of Chrift z% he reprefents God unto his
churchj to be favingly known by ihem ; and, 2. His
glory as he reprefents h?s church unto God, to be
gracioufly accepted of God. There are no faving
views of God, but in Chrift \ and there are no ?ra-
cious views God hath of men^ but in Chrift'. If we
look on God out of Chrift, we are dazzled with an o-
verwhelming, confounding majefty; if God look on
us cut of Chrift, he feeih hateful and h<iced fiuners.
To both thefe I have largely fpoken, both dQ<5lrinaHy,
and with application.
II. I come now to the fecond thkis^, What is the
beholding of Chrift^ s glory f His glory is a divine glo-
ry ; but the beholding of it is a creature's a£l. And
becaufe his glory is divine, and ihercfcre iniinitely
great, it is a deeper theme in itfelf chaa tbe beholding
Vol. II. Pp of
292 Sermons concerning Serm. XV.
oF it ; yet iorv,t way the beholding of his glory, 15
darker to ny than his glory. We are ablg to k.iow
a iirtle incre of his glory, than we can know whst
that beholding of it is that Chrifl here prayr> For. Bur,
indeed, borh the glory of Chrifl as manifeded in hra-
vcn, and the (glorified (iiints beholding of it therr,
are themes too deep, and too dark, for any man to
conceive or exprefs. My way therefore oF fpeakiiig-
to this fabject, of the beholding of ChniFs glory
in heaven, inufl be by way of com pari Tod, compar-
ing it with fuch bcholdings of his glory a3 faints ^on
earth have had, or may have. And of fuv:h we find
fpecially tbefe three.
I. So:re beheld Cbrift's glory before he came Into
the world ; before be took to him maivs nature ; as
Abraham did, John viij. 56. Tour father Abrahjni
rcjciced to fee my ciaVy and he faw it, and was glad,
£0 in J'jhn xil. 41. ihefe things Jaid Efaiiis (in chap,
vi.), when be faw his glory and fpake of him. This
was by faich ; and the li/at that iha: faith was be-
gotten by, and a(fled in, was that of the divers ways
and manners in which God communicated his mind
to his people before the law ; which douhtbfs carried
fuch credentials with them, thai did fati^fy the faith
of believers at that time, a'? really as Giod's written
word now coih a new te'ilament believer's faith. If
we think that the Spirit of God, by More-:'s pen in
Genefii, gives but a fTinll and (hort account of the
patriarch's faith, and of the grounds and a^fings of ic
in rhem, both before jnd after the flood ; yet he, by
Paul in the new teflamect, giveth a fuller account of
it ; as in licb. xi. of many of iheni ; and of Abra-
ham rr/ore largely, in Rom. iv. and in Gal. iii. B. ;
wliere he tells us, that //v gofpd was preached hcfcre
unto Abraham, \j thefe words, In thee fall all natf
ens be hlefjed, Ver. i 6. Now to Abraham and his feed
were the pronifs made. He faith not. And to feeds ^
as of many ; hut as of one. And to thy feed which is
ChrijL Whi'.t'an ex;a<5i and fpiritual commentator was
Paul
SerivI. XV. the Lord's Prayer. 293
Paul on Abraham's gofpel. In thee and ihy feed jhail
all nations bs kltjfed^ repeated again 10 luacliis Cod,
Gen. Kxvi. 4. ; by Ifaac given as his bleilln;^ to bjs fo:i
Jicob, Gen. xxvrii. 4. ; which he calls the hlypr:^ cf
Abraham^ as Paul doth, ii> Gal. ill. 14. ^ This bleU
fmg the Lord giveih to Jacob, G^n. xxyi'l 14. How
Kany do read tbefe few words in Geuefis, that never
would have found out that deep golpel in them that
Paul doth? That, i. This promifed feed, oFwhoai
Ifaac was only a progenitor and a iyp*"» ^"^as Chriil.
2, That This bleiling to be got in him and by hiin, was
juilificaiicPe 3. That tbig juftificatioa iiuplied a prior
condemnation and curfe that men were under, and
which this blefiing only could remove. 4. That all
the families of the earth, to whom this blelTing was
defigned to extend, were the Reath^n^ verfe 8. Gen<
ulcs, verfe 14. 5. That this bleiling is only received
by faith, ver. 7, 9. 6. That the law, whica was 430
years after, could not difannul this promife and cove-
nant of grace, ver. 17. 7. That every believcc on
Jefas Chrift, whether Jew or Gentile, partakes of
Abraham's bleiling, are Abraham's feed, and! ens ac-
cording to the promife ; yea, are all the children of God
'byfanh in Ctjr'ifl Jefus, ver. 26, 28, 29. How much
defpifed by many would fuch a comment be, on fo
few, and io dark words, and Y/ords that have fo fair
an appearance of a lefs evarigelic feofe than the apo-
ftle purs upon them f Bat {irangers to that Spirit that
dictated the fcripVares, will ever prove poor cammen*
tators upon the mofi fpiritual part of the icriptures.
By this (liort hint it doth appear, that the patricirchs
before the law did behold the glory of Chriil, though
not yet come -. not to fpeak of the^ prophets, zuho^ all
cf them from Samuel, and thofe that 'follow after, as
Ti]any as have fpoken, have likewife foretoid of tbefe day^t
as Peter (aith, Ajfts.iii. 24.
2. The next beholding of the glory of Chrid was,
when he came and lived on the earth, and his people
iived with him : when God was niarufefted in theflejh^
P p 2 2 Tim,
294 Sermons ccncermng Serm. XV.
I Tim. iii, i6. John i. 14. And the Word ivas made
flejl,\ and duelt among us fund u-e beheld his glory^
the glory as of the -ordy begotten of the Fat her J full of
grace and truth. This btholdiDg of his glory v.'as on-
jv by laih : for many who faw with their bodily eyes
this appearance oF the Son ot (^od, in nian^:> flefh,
that faw his works, which none other 'n;an did^ John
XV. 24. and heard Ijis wo ids, inch as 7uver man f pake,
J;hn vii. 46. ; yet faw no glory in him^ nor in any
iL'ing he did, or faid, or fufftred ; but delpiled and
bared him ; and all, becaufe ihey believed not, John
v:. 56. And on ihcm was iu'fiUed what the Prophet
foretold, lla. liii. i, 2, 3. Gur Lord's humbled liute
was a great, thick, and dark vail on bis glory : yet
his glory {hone it ir, and through it ; and taith be-
held ir, 1 John i. 1, 2. Envy not the heppinefs of
fach believers as converTcd witQ Chritl when he was
on earth . though there was a great bkifednefs in- it,
Luke X. 23, 24. and M;itth. xiii. i 6, 17 ; yet Chrift
gi^eih the prelerence 10 them that have not feen^ and
yet have believed^ J'^'^^n kk. 29. 1 Peter, i. 8. We
may juQiy think, that never was the eye of fdith more
tried, than by the mean and low appearance, that To
f^re?.t a perfon, ?.s God's only begotten ^on, and com-
ing^with the high character of the Meilias, and on fo
great an errand and wor^lc, as, redeeming his church,
made, when he came, and \:\'as made mantfefl to JfiacL
And therefore faith in hira then had a fpecial difiicul-
ty in its way, which cars hath nor, when we fee Jefus
crowned with glory and honour-^ Heb. ii. 9. And tuis
difRcnliy cf believing increafed, as Chrill's lo'.v (late
did. He was at bis loweli on his crofs,and in his grave.
Unbelief, and contempt of him, grev/ to a dreadful
height in his enemies. Faith in him, in thcn[i that had
ir, and had profrffed ir, was brought into its loweft :
Luke xxiv. 21. But we trufted*that it had been he
lifhich fbould have redeemed Ifraei. They had once
(0 believed. But what did they now ? They were
ajlo-
Serm. XV. the Lord^s Frayer, 295
ajlomfied^'^tv* 22. ; they could not tell whether they
Ihouid repent of their faith, or of fheir unbelief. And
thus they fpoke to Chriil himfelf, but vailed from
them. But blefTed Jefus, though entered into bis glo-
ry^ (as verfe 26.), had the farij^ pity and tendernefs
he had fo oft before exprelTed, and gently rebukes,
teacheih them, and recovers them, When he was
on his crofs, his enemies faw no glory in 'him, and ills;
friends little elfe fave matter of forrow. Yet one, a
thief, and a dying man too, feeth his glory, and faith,
Lordy remember me zvhen thou comefl into thy kingdom.
It is not, as ChrilVs enemies, and this man's compa-
nion, both in his crime and punhlimeat, faid, If thou
be the Chrifl. But it is as if he had faid, " 1 know
^' thee to be the ,bon of God ; and though dylog,'yet
*' going to thy kingdom : give me a '{hare in tliat
" kingdom thou art now buying by thy blood" And
he was anfwered ; the xareft believer that ever was,
the greateft faith that, ever was a£fed, and the moft
gracious anfwer that ever was given, ver. 33. Well
did Jefus, dying for fmners, know how to receive a
fmner into heaven*
3. ChriR's glory is beheld, when he- is in heaven,
and his people are on earth. And this is by faith
aifo. In this cafe, though there be not a vail of in-
firmity on the glory of our Lord, as there was when
he was on earth ; yet there is a vaft diiiance betwix:
him and us ; as great as betwixt heaven and earth, a^
betwixt the right hand of the Father, where he is
in his glory, and our weak eye of faith, who are on
earth. Yet this eye, in the light and, glafs of the
gofpel, can, and doth behold with open face the glory
of the Lord^ 2 Cor. iii. 18, Of this behoidiog of
Chrifi's glory, I would fpeak in two inifances.
i^/?, At the fi'ril; converfion of a ilniier, when he is
made a believer in Chriff, None are truly converted
to God, but fuch as are mada believers in Chrifl: ;
and none are made believers in Ghrid, but they to
wiiom the glory of Chrift is difcovsred. It is by the
power
29^ Sermcns concernttig Serm. XV,
power cf this difccvery that faith is wrought ; and fn
the light of it faith is afted. Some think, that a rxian is
convtiitd, whcD the fecurefiQuer is awakened by the
light and heat of God's law, when a profane perfon
IS iiiade fober in his convcriaLion. Bin if there be no
more, he may be (tili as far^ yea, fanher from true
converfion than before: Matth. xxi. 31. Verily I fay
unto yrAt, that the publicans and the harlots go into the
L".r:gdom of God hi^ fore you. And yet the fcribes and
Pharifees thought themfeives in fo much better cafe
i^of heaven than they, that they would not entertain
coTxiTion converfe with ordinary finners ; beaded that
ibey were better than fuch ; yea, turned CJirift's
grace to his reproach ; Luke xv. 2. They mwmvred^
fayifigy 7 his 77] an receive th finners y and eatcth zvith
than. What were ihey that faid foP Were they not
fiDoers ? Yes; but they did not fee or own themfelves:
to be fuch. What (hould a finner (\o^ but go to Chriil I
What can coriieon a finner, if Curift receive him not ?
Yea, what is a Saviour of finners for, but tor receivin:v
iinncr^, and faving them frora their fm?, Matfn. i. 21 I
And ytt fmners coiring to Chriir, and Chrid's wel-
come of thein, lYjakes unbelievers murmur, bcfnagainfl:
Chriil and behevers. So fure it is, that no man c;vn
fee any glory in that grace of ChriO, tiiat he haih no
lit;ht nor feafe of his own need of. But when was
Paul converted, an eminent PharifeCjihe belt fcholar
3n Gamaliel's Ichool, G;iL i. 14, 15, 16. ? It was when
Gcd revealed his Son in him. It is very likel}', that
Paid had heard of Jelus Chriil, while a Pharifee ;
hut it is certain, that he hated him, his very name,
ufid ail that belonged to him. But when t jc I/ird'j
time wa:5 come to call this chofen vefi'el by his gr?.ce,
when he intends to fubdue and conquer PauPs rebel-
lious fiiirir, a revelation af Chrid is made to hin ;
and (lie rebel yields, anci is m;:de a loyal fuhject ail
his da} c. Would you knovv when you were convert-
ed ? If ever it was, it was when you h;id the firll view
cf the glory cF Chfifl ^3 a Swivionr. When this fi>fnt
is
Se&m. XV, the LorcTs Prayer, 297
is ^or, then the finner employs Chc'id m bis laving^
oiEce, trufts him in it, and is faTcd by him.
2diyy Chrill's glury is beheld by believers, v/risa
Chrift is in heaven, and they on earth, in the Follow-
iog manifeflations of Chrift, and of his glory to them.
Whenever Chrift is feen, it is by hh manifeftiDg of
himfelf. No torch, nor candle, nor fire, could make
one fee the fun, if its own (hining did not. His peo-
ple, to whom he hath manifefted himfelf once, need
to have it repeated again 2nd again. And this blef-
fmg he promifeth, John xiv. 2 i, 23. It is very fuf-
picious, that that man's ftate is bad, that never h<id
but one difcovery of Chrift's glory, Thofe maQlFef-
tations of his glory are various, both in meafijre, du-
ration, and their feafons. Sometimes, upon fpecidl
diligence in feeking of the Lord by faith in prayer.
V/har Chriftian is there that is not able to ivknefs to
this, that the times of his fpecial feeking have been
the times of his fpecial iindiog ? If there was more of
Mofes's fpirlt, (though it may be there was fomewhat
in it that was above, both what is either allowable to
ailc, or attainable by ordinary believers), Exod xx5:!ii.
18. / befeech thee P^ew me thy glory ^ it VJ'ould be bet-
ter with us. If we were more importunate in begging
new and clearer vifions of the glory of Chrifl, aud re-
newed vifits from him for that end, he would not deny
us. If we 'did go to himfeh*^, \vit<i that defire that
forae came with to one of his difciples, jobPi xii. 2 f.
Sify we would fie J ejus : can any think be vyould be
difpleafed ? But, alas! we receive not, becaufe we
hik not. Sometimes Chrift ntanif^fts himfelf in a fpe-
cial manner to bis people, in the furnace of aul»\^lon,
ffpeciaily if it be for his fake ; yea, in the eafieft of
thofe fafFerings : i Peter iv. 14. 1/ ye be reproached
for the name of Cbrifly happy are ye ; for the fpirit cf
glory and of God refteth upon you.
Sometimes rhe Lord manifelb his giory to his peo-
ple at their dying. And it is then vei*y dcfirable.
Old Siraecn had a ffracicus- Droxife* that he fhould
not
298 Sennons concerning Serm. XV.
not fee deaths before he had feen the Lcrd^s Chr'ifl. He.
chufed a fweet feafon of dying, when the prcmife
was fiilfiiled, and when he had ^Chrirt in his arms,
and faith and love in his heart burfling out into a fong,
Luke ii. 27,-29. The firfl: martyr, Stephen, died
happily ; he died wimelTiag for Chrid : and Chrifl
wiincffed for him, when the martyr faid, Behold^ I
Jee the heavens opened^ and the Son of man flavdniJ on
the right hand of God, Afts vii. sSy 5^* This was
better than Mofcs's dying, Deut. xxxii. 49, 50. and
xxxiv. I, ---5. It was a llrange journey and call, Go
%ip and die, and only take a view of the land that he
mull not enter into. He faw the land of Canaan, and
that was all ; but he faw by faith the true 'Canaan,
and entered into it ; and there abideth ftili ; fave
one errand Mofes was fent upon with Elias, to wait
on their Mailer on the mount of transfiguration,
Maith, xvii. 3. .
Thefe are a few indances of the feafons in which
the Lord manlfeiis his glory to his people, and in
which they do behold it. But this text and theme I
am upon, relates to fomewhat far higher and greater,
than all the behcldings of his glory that ever any faint
on earth received. What it is, 1 cannot tell you, and
I am fure that none can ; though many may eafily tell
more of it than 1 can. ' There is both a danger and
fnare in pryincr within God's vail. I fhalj therefore
content myfeif with comparing the beholding of
ChriR's glory by believers on earth, with this behold-
ing of it that our Lord here prays for to all his peo-
ple in heaven. »
This only I would premife unto this difcourfe that
fuch as are wholly unacquainted in their ov»n experi-
ence, with the beholding of the glory ot Chriil, by
the eye of faith in;he gofpel-glafs, they will, they
can, they mufl: underftand nothing that can be faid
of the beholding of Chrift's glory in heaven.
Thefe two beholdings of Chrift's glory, the one
on earth, and the other in heaven, may be compar-
ed.
Serm.XV. the Lord's Frayer. 299.
ed, and yet differ in feveral things ; of which take
thefe five.
I. They differ greatly in the meafare of glory ma-
nifeOed by him, and feen by the beholders. Chrift's
glory is infinite ; and no creature, in its mod exalted
capacity, can take a full view of it all. Iherefore,
though the glorified beholders of it are eternal be-
holders thereof, yet they never fee it all fully, nor can
comprehend it. The beholdings of his glory by us
on earthy are according to the fmall meafures of its
difcovery, and fuited unto our fmall capacity. Our
old bottles are not fit for this new wine. Believers
know this well by their experience. Sometimes they
have more, fometimes lefs of Chrifl's glory manifefted
to them ; but always lefs than what they think they
need, and would be at. This is fo univerf:-tl in the
fpiritual fenfe and experience of Chriftians, that thefe
two feem to be edablidied, as from the word of God,
fo from the common experience of believers, i. Than
they whofe views of Chrift's glory are condantly the
fame, without any changes and viciffKodes of light
and darknefs, day and night : and, 2. That they who
fee as much of Chrift's glory as they defire to fee,
fuch never truly faw any thing of it at all. Was ever
true faith in the fame a^ivity ? Do not all experien-
ced believers witnefs by their fpiritual fenfe, that fome-
times in the word read or heard, there is a beam of
light, and life, and power, that darts upon a word,
that they often before had read and heard without
any fuch enjoyment, and which they may remember
and think again upon afterwards, without any power
to recal the fame mercy to their tafie again ? So it is
in prayer, and in all ordinances wherein we feek com-
munion with him. Some have lefs, forae have m.ore ;
and fome believers, at fome times of their life, have
fuch manifeftations of Chrift's glory in bis love, ten-
dernefs, and familiaricy with them, as they can hardly
contain. But the beft enjoyment for kind, and largeft
for meafure, is far (hort of what the fmaileft veffel ia.
Vol. 11 Q^q ChrilVs
3 CO . Servicns concerning S^^vlm. XV.
Cbrifl's upper-honfe is fit to receive, and rloth receive.
The feeing of the Lord'^s power and gl&ry in bis fane-
tuavy on earth, is greatly and julLIy defired by his
people, PfaL L.iii. 2. and is well made their one things
Pfal. xxvii. ^. and whon they obiain communion with
him, they all fay as one did, Pfal. Ixxxiv. 10. A day
in thy courts is better than a tboufand : I had rather
he^a door-keeper in the houje of my Cod^ than to divell
in the tents of xvickcdnefs. He was a great man, and
a great faint, that faid it. But one hour in the court
of heaven, h better than a thonfand vears in God's
lower conri5» 1 here are day^ of heaven jupon the earthy
Deut xi. 21. Such are clear and bright days; but
the days of heaven iu heaven, are unfpeakably more
fo. What we now receive, is, as S(>rig ii. 9. Behold^
he fiandeth behind our wall^ he Icoketh forth at the
*ivindow5, fheiving himft if through the hittice. But then
all walls and windows, all means of communion with
him, (liall be removed, as ufeful no more : Rev. xxi.
22. And I faw no temple therein : for the Lord God aU
mighty^ and the Lamb^ are the temple of it, Chrifl
bimfelf fpeaks of this l:i(l day, Matth. xxv. 3 [. When
the Son 0/ man j/jail tome in his glory ^'-- then /hall he
fit on the throne of his glory, I'hcn will his glory apr
pear, and his people Ihall appear with him in glory.
Col. iii. 4.
2. in the next place. The way whereby we behold
ChriR'sglcry en earth, and ihall behold it in heaven,
diiTer greatly. As thty ditf.r in meafures, (0 in the
manner and ways of beholding : 1 Cor. xiii. 12. For
now -we fee through a g^la/s darkly ^ (or in a riddle)^ hut
then face to J ace. Now I know m part ; but then fh all
I knowy even as I alfo am known. There are three
ways of knowing ol things that God provide^ for us.
Our fenfes, for feniible things; our underflandlng.
for fuch things as fall not under our fenfes ; and faith,
for fuch thuigs that are beyond the reach of both
feufc and reafon. When Chrilt was fiift on earth, he
was the obje<fl of meng fenfes, but few knew him ; few
could
Serm. XV. the Lord's Prayer. 30 r
could fay a? r Jobti i. 2. And when he returns again,
every eye Jh all fee him. He v. i. 7. ; but all (hall not
have a comfortable view of him. Every one fhall
hear his voice, and rife when called, but to a diffe-
rent fentercf', John v. 28, 29. By that ivifdom that
God hath put in the imoard partly and by that under^
ftanding he hath given to the hearty Job xxxviii, 36.
For he teacheth us more than the bsafls of the earthy and
maketh us wljcr than the fowls of heaven^ Job xxxv.
I i. ^^ this noble power nrien know clearly and fure-
ly irany things which are beyond the reach of our
outward fenfes. Bat beyond both is faith, which is
as the eye of the new creature, planted by the Lord :
whereby the things of God, that can neither be taken
up by our external fenfes, nor be traced by the eye
of our minds, are yer, in the light of God's word re-
vealing them, by fai:h feen and einbracvfd, i Cor. ii.
9, 10. Heb. xi. I. And this exercife of faith, with
its fruits, is the utmofl that believers reach or can at-
tain while they are on earth. But this beholding of
Chrift's glory by thenn thai (hall be with him where
he is, is unfpeakably beyond all.
To begin wirh the firfl, our bodily fenfes, they vvili
be perfecl in the refurreOion-date, in all the child'-en
of the refurretl'ion, as our Lord calls them, Luke xx. 36.
The apoftle, in difpuiing abour, and proving, and ex-
plaining of this article of the CliriRian faith, iti i Cor.
XV. 44. c^lls the body that is raifed a f pi ritual body :
There is a natural body, and there is a fpiritual body.
The raifed body is a real body, and not a ipirir ; it is
the real true body of every faint that he lived in, that
he ferved Chrift in and by ; that very body that he
departed from at death, and left to the corrupiiou of
the grave, that is raifed again in glory, in power^ m
incorruptiouy as ver. 42, 43. ; that fame once vile body
that is then changed, that it may hefafhioned like loito
ChrifTs glorious body, Phil. iii. 21. As the body is, fo
are its fenfes and powers. A natural body hath na-
(^q 2 tural
302 Sermons concerning S e r m . XV.
tural po'vvcrs ; and as it decays, thofe powers decay
alfo ; elegantly defcribed in Eccl. x-ii. 1,-7. But
what a fpiri'ual body i?, and what its powers are, we
do nor, we cannot know. But ihis we know, that
there will be a glorious appearance of Chrirt in that
day, that will fail under, and will be taken up by
thofe fpiritual fenfesoFthe raifed bodies of faints, and
will be CO fmall part of their happinefs. The bodily
eye of John, iho' ic was ufed to the beholding of Chrifl
and his glory on earth, could not bear a litde beam of
Chrifl's heavenly glory, Rev. i. 1 7. Strange ; that
John {liould need that Chrill flioulJ tell him who he
was, verfe 18. But what John, while in his natural
body, could not bear, every faint in his fpiritual body
will not only be able to bear, but will with delight be-
hold more than what was like 10 have killtd that be-
loved difciple.
Again, for the powers of the mind, they in that
day will be perfe^l, fo as that all the glory of Chrift
that (hall be difcovered, will be beheld by them per-
fe<niy, for the perfcding of their blelTednefs, i Cor.
xiii. II, 12
But for faith, for as needful and ufeful as it is now,
it will then be laid sfide as ufelefs. A believer now
lakes up a little of Chrifl's glory ; but how ? la the
word, as in a glafs, 2 Cor. iii. 18. No other glafs
but the gcfpcl-glafs difcovers Chriil's glory to us now ;
and it is not faiih, but dreaming and doting, to fiudy
Chrifl but in that glafs. But when both the glafs of
the gcfpel, and the eye of faith, (hall be laid afide,
(the two mcfl ufeful and needful blelTiDgs to a believer
while out of heaven, and ufeful and needful to brinj^
hirn to heaven), what (hall make up the want of them ?
Even Chrift himfelf feen in his glory. Even as Chriil
come in the flefh, rendered all the types and (hadows
of him in the old teftament no more needful : fo
Chrirt appearing in his glory, will do as to the new
teflament difpenfation,
3. Let
Serm. XV. the LorcTs Prayer, go^
3. Let us confider and compare thefe two beliold-
ings of Chriil's glory by believers on earth, aod faints
in heaven, with refpe<5l to the cafe of the beholders
thereof. How vaftly do they differ P There are three
thiogs in a believer that all the glorided beholders of
Chrih's glory in heaven are perfcdlly freed from, fin,
infirmity, and affli^lion.
ijly Sin dwelletb in us, in the bed, and always
while here. There are no finlefs beholders of Chrid's
gloiy on earth, and there are no finful beholders of
bis glory in heaven ; and this makes a great differ-
ence between them. The believer, when his day is
faireit, when his eye is cleared, when his faith is
{Irongeft, there is yet fui in him, a body of deatii
hanging about him. Sin in its being in him, is liks
a lilm on the eye of faith, and mars clear feeing.
Brethren, there was never a fiolefs believer on earth
but one, and that was Jefus Chriif ; and it is as far a-
bove us to know how he believed, (fave that he did
fo perfedly), as to tell what it is to fee him as he is
in heaven. The firft Adam while he flood, was noc
a fmlefs believer, but a fmlefs worker ; and when he
fell, he and ail his pofterity became fmners. When
God's grace fails on any of them, they are made be-
lievers through that grace, and believers on it ; yet
fin remains in them (1)11. Though its guilt is forgi-
ven, and its filth waited away, and its power fubdued ;
yet its being and indwelling remalneth : and this is a
great impediment in the a6tlDg of faith. If any be-
liever had that privilege, (which I think none ever
bad, nor none fhoald defire), to be but a little while
in the exercife of faith, without any indwelling fin
in him ; furely that rnaa would bdlieve wonderfully,
and would think that he never believed before, it h
true, that all true believers are fan£lified, and that
all true a£fs of faith are fanftlfying ; yet no believer
is perfe^ly fan£lified on earth. But it is certain alfo,
that the firfl: ading of faith on Chrift, is in the fight
and fenfe of our riiia by the power of an in our ca-
lurs }
504 Sermons concerning Serm. XV.
tore ; and the after a(nings of faith are from the fatr.e
fenfe of remaining corruption in us. Proper faith is*,
a fmnei's dealing with the Saviour of finners for fal-
vaiion from fin. Till we obtain perfect falvarion from
fm, we muH: zS: faith for it, and while we 'a£t that
iaiih, (in is nni::ed with our very believing, fo as that
we mufl pray as he did, Mark ix. 24. Lord, I believe^
help thou mine unbelief.
tdly'y There are infirmities in believers, in all their
beholdings of the" glory of Chrifl, while they are on
Ciirib. There are infirmities in our bodies that all
sre fenfible of ; and fuch have no fmall influence on
the actings of the foul. There are alfo infirmities in
cur fouls ; darknefs and dulnefs tn our intelle^lual
powers. But above all thefe are the infirmities of
the new creature. Although it be created in Chrifl
Jefo?, although it be fupported by his power, and is
maintained and fed by influences from him, as its head
and root ; yet is it Rill a weak and infirm thing, and
is like a new-born bahey i Peter ii. 2. But none of
thefe infirmities are in them that behold Chrifl's glory
above ; they have outgrown them all, and are become
perfedl in Chrifl Jefus. Whatever other times that
word hath been, or fliail be fulfilled in, its fulfilment
uill be at Chrifl's appearing : Ifa. xxk. 26. The light
of the 7)100)1 Jh all be as the light of the fun^ and the light
of the fun jh ail be feveyfold^ as the light offeven days,
J f fuch a difpenlation in the courfe of nature were,
that the moon ihone by night as bright as the fun by
day ; and if the fun by day did fhine fevenfold brighr-
c^r than now it doth ; where would there be eyes to
endure it ? Surely, none fuch as ours be. So is it as
TO the light of.that glorious day. Our befl eyes that
pow we have got and ufe, would fail us; but the
Lord provides eyes fuitable 10 the light he will make
to fliine.
3^/y, Bcfides our infirmities we labour under, we
have manifold nfHiflions alfo, which the glorified be-
holders of Chriir^ glory arc free from. No aiIli<5lioa
can
S£RM. XV. the Lord*s Ptayer* ^o^
can have room in heaven, Rev. xxi, 4, : yet through
much tribulation mufi we enter into the kingdom of God^
Acls xiv. 22. AfHiflions are trials of faith ; faith, is
to be a£led in and under them j often is faith fhakea
by them. Sometimes believing is (trongeft, when the
believer is in greateft diftrefs. But though this be a
duty laid on all, it is not the attainment of all belie-
vers. But (till affliction is an evil in itfelf, though
the Lord turns it into good. Now, take all together ;
fm is in us, infirmities compafs us about, afflidlioa is
laid on us ; rauft not all together make a great differ-
ence betwixt us, in our beholding of Chriil's glory
DOW, from their beholding of his glory who are fully
rid of all thefe things ?
4. Confider and compare the dilTerence betwixt
our beholding of Chrid's glory on earth, and theirs
in heaven, as to the fruits and efFe(^s thereof. Thefe
fruits are of the fame. nature and kind, and fo are ex-
preiTed in the word. 1 (hall name but three of them.
I. Conformity. 2. Saiisfadion. 3. ExprefTioa of that
fatisfa£iioa.
ly?, Conformity to Chrifl: is the native fruit of be-
holding of his glory. As it is beheld, this conformiif
is wrought iu the beholder. The natural eye in fee-
ing takes in the vifibie objeds, fpecies, and iliape,
by its faculty ; the mind in knowing takes into itfelF
the intelligible fpecies of the things known : but a-
bove thefe, faith takes in Chrift's glory in the gofpel ;
and, beyond faith, the feeing eye of the glorified
takes in ChritVs glory as it {bines in heaven, and is
conformed thereunto. Compare 2 Cor. iii, 18. which
relates to believers on earth, with i John iii. 2. which
relates to the glorified in heaven. The objea is the
fame, Chrifl: and his glory ; the effe6l of conformity
is the fame in kind, but not in degree ; becaufe the
object is cot feen by both in the fame light, nor with
the fame eye. The one feeth him as he is ; the other
feeth him as he appears in the gofpeUglafs. On this
X would lead you to confider.
^o6 Sermons ccncerjung Serm. XV,
(i.) How any likenefs and conformity to Clirifl be-
gins. We all by nature bear the image of the earthly
Jdaw, 1 Cor. xv. 49. And this is a vile image, of
fin, and fle(h, and death ; nothing like, but quite
unlike and ccntrar} to Chrift's image : yet, through
rich and free grace, many that have borne thi; fad
and finful image, are bleffed wiih the image of the hea-
venly mariy the Lord from heaven. When and how is
this great change made P Then only when Chrift is
formed in them, Gal. iv. 19. when he is revealed to
them, and when they by faith fee the glory of ChriO:
as a Saviour. They begin to live, when they firft
look on him as lifted up as God's only ordinance for
faving, John iii. 14, 15. There are two difcoveries
cf Chrift made to beginners ; one is 10 all, the other
only to forae. The general to all believers is that
that is both the caufe and the ground of faith in him ;
and that it is fuch a difcovery of Chrift's ability and
good-will to fave, as doth engage their heart to trufl
liim, and him alone, with this great concern pf their
falvation. The other is fuch a difcovery of Chrid's
glory as doih produce peace in the believer : for ia
this he not only feeth Chrift's all-fufEciency for faving,
fo as to trull him with it ; but he leeth alfo, that this
truftee is fo good and faithful, that this concern mufl
be fafe, becaufe it is lodged with him. This is like
that faith in 2 Tim. i. i2» 1 know whom I have belie-
ved, and I am perfuaded that he is able to keep that
tvhich I have com?nitted unto him, againfl that day,
(2.) How this conformity to Chrift is carried on
and advanced. Even as it was begun, Collof. ii. 6, 7.
Growth in grace is by grcvAng in the knowledge cf
Chrijly 2 Pe\. iii. 18. Abiding in Chrift is the way to
have our fruits to abound, John xv. ^^ 5. Many true
Chriftians cannot tell when they were firft converted,
when they firft believed ; but all Chriftians can tell
when ihey were moft holy ; and that is always when
Chrift manifefts Limfclf moft clearly to them. As to
their
Serm. XV, the Lord^s Prayer.' 307
their firfl: believing, they cannot determine that fo
well, becaufe they cannot eafily remember when
Chrift firft revealed himfelf to them ; he hath dene
it fo oft, and every new manifeilatica o\ his glory to
them, draws forth a new acting of their iaith on him ;
and it may be fuch a dlftiiid and drong a6t, a? they
think they never before did put forth the like. ' cine-
thing of this made a great believer, and an aged di-
vine, uhen fpeaking of the time of his converfion,
fay, " 1 cannot teli it, for I have been more than an
*' hundred times converted:" not that he was igr.o*
rant or doubtful, that a true converfion is but once,
in Gcd's working it ; but that it may have many ap-
pearances io our fenfe and experience. David, after
his fad fall, prays, Pfalm Ih 10. Create in me a clean
hearty O God ; and renew a right fpirit within me ;
when before this be had God's tedimcny, that he was
a man according io God's own hearty A£t> xiii 22. from
I Sam. xiii. 14. A witnefs not only to the truth, but:
to the eminency of his fainiihip. Chrifl calls that re-
covery unto Peter, a new fort of converfior!, Luke
xxii. 32. which he, in am,azing grace, promifeth to
him, juft before his (hameful fall : and yet he was
a true believer before, and bleffed by Chrifl, on his
profeflion and acting of faith, Matth. xvi. 16, 17-
Another thing may have fome influence on Chrillians
ignorance of the time of their converficn ; and that is,
they can better remember the alarms they had in their
confcience by a law-work, than they can the (lili and
calm voice of the gofpel. The one not only makes
more noife, but it is more readily felt and remember-
ed by us, than the fecret opening of the heart by
Chrift's love. But whatever mifi:akes Chrillians may
labour under, and different thoughts and experience
they may have as to the time of his love, and the day
of hrs powder ; yet all true believers are of one mind
as to the feafons of their greateft holinefs. There
are different meafures of it difpenfed by the Lord,
and attained by his people, Kcne of them have at-
VoL. II. K r taioed
-c8 Serm-ons career nins^ Serm. XV
taiced as much as they would have ; and they that
have aaained molt, think Icaft of their attainmeots,
and prefs FPofl for p?rfc£tion. Bu[ all can readily and
iinaniiHoully declare, when it is that their graces are
mod lively, their corruptions mod low and lend raT.-
pant, v>'hen their work is mod fweer, and Chrid's
yoke and burden mod eily ai>d light; even when
Chrid is neared to them, and they to hin^^, and when
molt of his glory appears unto them : and this not
from the might of their faith as it is their zOi^ (though
in fnch feafons i: is in bed cafe), but from the virtue
and power of Chrid's grace that falls oa \hcm, when
he ib pleafed to manifed himfelf to them. This blef-
fed experience of fpecial likenen> to Chrid, by h>s
fpecial rnanifeding of himfeif to them, is not without
fome danger, that many faints have fallen into : for
when things are fo well with them, that the favour of
Chrid's knowledge perfmnes their hearts, and that
their fecret corr option flirinks into a corner, (as
ChrilVs glory and our corruptions are contraries), the
believer is ready to fay, as David did, Pfalm xxx. 6,
I fa'id hi my profperityy I /hall never be moved • yet
quickly was he moved : and fo will ail be that fay
as he did j for the dronger that carnal and felf-con-
hdence is, the nearer is the man to a (hamefui fa'l, as
Peter.
(3.) !n the lad place, Confider how this conformi-
ty and likeneis is perfe^t^d ; and that is, as ic was be-
gun and advanced, even by the ddcovery of Chrid's
glory in heaven : i John )ii. i, 2. We are the fons of
God ; but the world knowe^h us not^ becaufe it knew him
72ct. The woild knows God's chiUren well enough,
to defpife, hate, and peifecuie them ; and fo did the
world know Chrid : but this fort of knowledge is no-
thing but ignorance, both qf Chrid and of Chridians.
And it doth not yet appear what we Jball be. But it
will at length appear ; when and how I But ive know^
that when he Jhnii appear ^ we fhall be like him: jor
we Jball fee him as he ts. Yet all thefe things are food
on!/
Serm. XV. the Lord's Prayer, §09
only for humble faith ; every thing in it is deep and
unfeaichiible. What is his appejriog .^ V>rha\ it is
to be like hini r What it is to fee him, and that as he
is ? and, How this fight of hira will make us hke him 1
are unaofwerable quedions even to an apoflle, and to
z\\ out of heaven, if it be a dark uninielligible riddle
to every narurai man, (whatever knowledge he may
have of the letter of the world), how a fight of Chrift
by faith doth begin, and carry on a real begun hke-
Defs to Chrift in believers on earth ; it muft much
more be dark to ihem, yea to believers then^.felves,
how the fight of ChriiVs glory in heaven doih per-
fect and complete this likenefs 1 We mud long for
it, and believe n^ and leave it to the day that will de-
clare it.
2dJy^ On this conforinity to ChriiT, followeth fatif-
fa^ion and bleifednefs. Of which David fpeaks, Pfal
xvii. 15. But as for me, 1 zt'lll behold thy face in rtgh-
teoufnefs : If}: alt be fat is fed, when I avjake with thy
likenefs. According to the meafare of the aianifefta-
lion of Chrift's glory to his people, fo is the degree
of their likenefs to him ; and as this likenefs to hiia
is, fo is the faiisfa^tion and blifs of them that have ir.
All is begun on earth with the heirs, all is perfect m
heaven in the partakers and poffeiTors of glory. A
little of both, in comparing them together. Believers
on earth, that fee his glory^ are transformed into the
fame image, 2 Cor. iii. 18. This conformity always
works fatisfatlion. David fpeaks of it in Pfal. iv. 6,^7.
Lord^ lift thou up the light of thy countenance vpon tts.
Thou haft put gladnefs in my heart, 7nore than in the
time that their corn and their wins mere afed. And ii\-
deed they know not the light of God's countenaricc,
that feel not a joy in their heart that ail the world can
neither give nor take away. Chnlt promifeth us thi-?
joy, John xvi. 22. / vjill fee you again, and your heart
Jhall rejoice y and your joy no man taketh from you. Paul
prays highly for this blelTing, Rom, xv. 13. Now the
God of hope fill you ijoith all joy and peace in believing^
R r 2 tb^t
310 Sermons concerning Se rm. XV.
that ye may abound in bope, throvgh the pozuer. of the
H^'iy Ghcjl, Prter fpcaks of joy, as an aitainmeDC of
bel evers on earth : i Peter i. 8. Whom having not
jecn^ ye love ; in nthom^ though now ye fee him not ^ yet
believing^ K rejoice with joy unfpeakable^ and full of
glory. The joy is unfpeakable that is felt by believ-
ers, when 111-:)' do (as fomerimes, by his lighr, they
Cid) fee ibme begun iikenefs to that lovely image of
Chrif}, that won their heart the firft time they faw
is and when it darted its beams of life and love upon
thsir dying foals, and did leave (hat fcent of heaven
in their" heart, that they cannot rell, till they appre-
hend that for vjhich they were apprehended of Chrift
' JV-'^5 Fhii.iii. j2. In (he day that Chrid apprehend-
ed them, and faid ro them in love, " Stop, Tinners,
*• in your race to hell : follow me, and i will give you
" eternal life ;'' then do they in faith anfwer, " Be-
** hold, we come unto thee, and cannot leave thee ;
*• for thou haft the words of eternal life." And thus
is fulfilled that bleiled faying of our Lord, John iv. [4.
Whofoever drinketh of the water that I Jhall give hinty
fball never thirfl : but the water that I /hall give hiwy
Jhall be m him a well of water, Jpringing up into ever-
lajtng life. The original fpring is heaven and eter-
nal \\it ; and this given well will fpring up as high as
its cririnal. Can there be any fatisfa6lion compara-
ble to this, to behold by faith, eternal life, defcending
tiom heaven unto us, in Chrill's love and grace ; and
to find at the fane time this fame faifh climbing up to
tl;e pcfTtflion of this life? This happinef^ i^ great e-
nr.ugh to difgrace and difparage ihe poor portion of
the worldling, that not only p?r;(heth with the ufing ;
but be that hath it, muft perifh, becaufe he hith no
better things, nor things that accompany falvation.
But yet, though the believer, in and by his fellow-
fliip wiih the Father and the Son, by the Spirit, hath
;i joy that the (li anger cannot intermeddle with j yet
his joy, when mofl full, is greatly fhort of theirs ia
heaven. Only where perfe<f^ feeing is, perfc61 Iikenefs
is ;
S.ERM. XV, the Lor (Ts Frayer. 311
is ; and where perfed likenefs is, there perfe<^ fatlf-
fa(^ion is.
3^/jV, This fatisfa6^ion and bleiTednefs is expreiTed
by the ecjoyer, in love and praife. Groning under
inifery, is not more natural to the affll6led, than>ex-
ultation is to the happy. As believers feel their pre-
fent, or fee their future greater happinefs, fo is their
praife and their love. But how feeble are all their
expreiTions of it P Our bell praifes on earth are little
better than fweet and delightful gronings under the
heavy, yet dear load of loving-kindnefs. David, the
beft artiil ac praife of any faint, how doth he praife ?
2 Sara. vii. 18, 19, 20. Who am If and what is my
houfe^ that thou haft brought me hitherto ? And is this
the manner of man^ .0 Lord f And what can David fay
more unto thee f lie afks queflions he cannot anfwer ;
he is filenced as foon as he begins to praife, and thus
he praifeth rightly. Whoever thinks he hath balan-
ces to weigh mercy in, never felt the load of mercy ;
and that man is fartheft from right praifmg, that thinks
he can praife, and is bed pleafed with his praifmg.
But perfect praifmg is referved for heaven ; and none
can learn that fong, but they that are with the Lamb
in that mount of Sioo, Rev. xiv, ji,-— 4. Perfe^^ fee-
ing of Chrift's glory, pecfedl likenefs to him by that
fight, perfe61: happinefs by that likenefs, and perre6t
exprellion of that happinefs, are ail within the vail ;
and all we have and know on earth, are but faint and
dark fliadows thereof.
5. and lafly^ Con fid er and compare the beholding
of the glory of Chrift in eanh and in heaven, in the
duration of them. In this they differ as much as in
any of the former. The one is a tirae-enjoymenr, and
for a little timejoo ; the other is eternal. If a belie-
ver get a view of the glory of Chrifl by faith now, it
is but a tranfient glance, very fweet, but very fhorti
In our fweeteft enjoyments of Chrid's company oa
eanh, he may pieafe to awake, and leave us without
itj Cam, ii. 7. J and not only referveth he.-a fcv.ereiga
iaii-
^12 Sermons concerning Serm. XV,
iatitude in giving or with-holding his fenfibleprefence,
bur, in love and wifdom for our good, he draws near,
or withdraws ; and his people are made to feel their
profit in thefe changes. But no fuch changes in hea-
ven. Changes are only for time, not in eternity. I
beheve, that as foon as any man palTeth out of time
into ererniiy, he knows immediately and cerraiuly,
that he is now come into an eternal and unalterable
itate. The light of eternity demonftrates it. So that
the faint entering into heaven knows, that the ever-
lafling doors that were opened to let him in, are (hut
on him to keep him in that ftate to eternity ; and this
is a great part of his bleffednefs. And the damned
that go down into the pit, do know, that the bars of
hell are locked upon them, that they can never get
out ; and this adds to their begun, but never-ending
reifcry. It is indeed an amazing both fruit and proof
of the power of unbelief in men, that though they
pretend they know this, yet mod men do not in ear-
ned think where, and in what place and condition,
they Ihall be for eiernity ; and yet bedow many care*
ful thoughts about the condition wherein they xfay
fpend their (hort time on earth.
So much for the docftiinal part about the beholding
of Chrid's glory in heaven.
Application, i. Learn from this to behold
and underdand Chrid's lad delign on his people. It
is to have them to behold his glory. Chrid will never
leave any whom the Father hath given him, till he
hath brought them to this. Let believers learn to
give Chrid his v^ill and his way j give him trud, and
give him time, and wait patiently. Art thou given to
him ^ art thou a believer on him ? Behold with fai:h
what his defign upon thee is. It is to bring thee inio
that place where he is, that thou mayed behold his
glory. Many'drange and deep ways and methods
doth he ufe to carry it on. Submit to thefe, and be-
jieve the end of the Lord,
.2. Is
Serm. XV. the Lor if J Prayer* 31 j
2. Is this Chrift's defign, to have his people with
him where he is, that they may behold his glory ?
Then fee that it be your defign too. Many defire to
be in heaven, that have nothing of this end in their
defires. If your end in defiring to be in heaven, be
not the Tame with Chrift's end in defiring it for yoi»,
how can you think that your defire is right, or will
be accomphfhed ^ Some men defire to be in heaven
for ever, becaufc they cannot ilay always on earth:
but if they might Use in health and eafe, if it were a
tboufand years on earth, they would never make a
hearty prayer for heaven. But thefe are earth-worms,
and God will deftroy them. Others defire to be ia
heaven, only becaufe they think hell is bad quarters,
and that they would be kept from. In efFe<^, all car-
nal mens defires for heaven amount to no more but
this, " Lord, fave me from hell." They think, that
heaven is better thaci hell, but not fo good as the
earth, if they might flay comfortably in it. The^r
know, that they mufi: be eternally in heaven or hell ;
and that the dates are fo diiferent, that it is eafy to
chufe which is beft for them. But how can a natural,
unrenewed man defire heaven i* A heaven of his owa
imagination he may defire ; but true heaven, heavea
defcribed in the gofpel, a ftate of blifs in the behold-
ing of the glory of Chrift, this no unbeliever can have
any relifli of, or defire after. He can never fay a
hearty Amen to Chrift's prayer in my text ; they know
not Chrift's prefence ; they never faw any thing of
his glory, as it furpaffeth all glory. Never will a man
defire to make a voyage through death, to fee that ia
heaven that he never had any relKh of, nor favour of,
on earth ; yea, ii is impolTible he fhould.
3. La/ilyy Let us from hence icvarn to praife th^
dead that die in the Lord ^ Rev. xiv. 13. 1 allude to
the word in Ecci. iv. 2. Wherefore I praifed the dead
'which are already dead, vme than the living which
are yet alive, Chrift will have them where he is, that
they may behold his glory ; and when he calls and
take^
J 14 '- Sermons concerning Serm. XV.
takes them, they do behold it. This is their happinefs ;
and we fliould blefs them, and rejoice in their blifs.
We have an affecting paiTage in Aci:? xx. 37, 58. after
a farewel-fermon and prayer of Paul's : (Here we
have an apoftolic pattern for farewel fermons and
prayers ; but no where have we any for funeral ones):
They all wept jorc^ and fell on Faults neck and kiffed
h'tm^ for rowing 7noft of all for the words which he f pake ^
that they (hould fee his face no 7nore^ verfe 25. You
may jullly think, that as the ciders, and others of the
church of Ephefus, were excellent perfons, and were
full of love and value for fuch an emiaent apolfle as
Paul was ; fo their grief was great at this fad parting.
You in this city have frequently the caufe of the like
forrow, if ye had the fame fpirit as they had. Not
that 1 mean to compare any miniders you have, or
have loit, with this apoflle : for as I am. perfuaded
we have none like him ; fo am I, that if there was
any liker him than any of us are, confidering the fpirit
of the day we live in, that minifter would be the mod
defpifed and reproached of any ; though, 1 hope, fome
would be found to difcern his true worth. If, upon
fuch occafions of the lofs of faithful miniders, or ufe-
ful Chridians, you are forrowing, and faying, " I diall
*' fee his face no more, and hear his voice no more,
" and fee his tender walking no more ;" call this alfo
to mind, " If I dial] fee his face no more, he feeth
*' Chrid's face for ever ; which is better for him,
*' than the other would be to me." There is not a
believer in heaven, but he knows this text better than
all divines on earth can. Whenever' a believer is en-
tered within the gates of the heavenly Jerufalem, this
bleiTed beholding of Chrid's glory is better known to
him, than angels or men can teach him now. This
is indeed the white [lone ^ and in it the new name writ-
ten^ which no ?nan knowcth^ faving he that receiveth it^
Hev. ii. 17. 1 would only add, that it would be fweec
fpeaking, and fwcet hearing of heaven, if we at the
fame
Serm. XVL the LorcTs Prayer, 315
fame time felt fomething of it : and though we caa-
Eot yet get up into it ; yet if, through his gract-,
fomething of heaven did come down to us ; if the joy
of our Lord did enter into our hearts, as an earneft
of our entering into it^ Matth. xxv. 21, 23.; for ia
that day it will be too big to enter into them. All
our work now is to be well acquaint with Chrifl as
the way. Chrifl is both the way and the home. Wc
inuft walk in him, and be travelling towards him ;
and he is our guide and leader in the way. The
Work and life of grace is in living on him by faith,
and the happin:^fs of heaven is in living wiih him for
ever. O come and fee, go and fee. He will call
you up iu due time. BkfTed is that believer who is
as willing to be in heaven, as Chrifl is to have him
there.
SERMON XVI.
John xvii. 24.
Father^ I will that they alfo whom thou hajl given me,
be with me where I am ; that they ?nay behold my
glory which thou haft given me : for thou lovedfl ms
before the foundation of the world*
THE laft claufe of this verfe only now reraaias
to be fpoken to. And it is, as you have heard,
xht fourth and lajl thing 1 took up in the matter of
Chrift's prayer here. The argument which Chrift
ufeth to back his defire of having his people with him :
it is in thefe words. For thou lovedfl me before the
foundation of the world. This 1 would briefly fpeak
to, and at this time conclude this text. An 1 this ar-
VoL. II. S f gumcQt
J l6 Sermons concerning Serm. XVI.
crument of Chv\i\ I wonld fpeak unto two ways, i.
Unto the words in ihemielves; and, 7. As they ar<2
ufed by our Lord, relaiiag to his prayer.
I, As thefc "jjords are in thernfehes. They contain
ChriR's afferiinp; of the erernal love of the Father un-
to the Son. For this word, before the foundation cf
the world, and another, be/ore the zuorld was, aod be-
fore the 'world began, are ail to the fame purpofe, and
are the IJoly G hod's CApreiTing of eternity prior to
time : for before the world began^ thf le was nothing
bur eternity ; and God inhabiting ir, as the prophet
fpeaks, !(.». Ivii. 15, Of this eternal love of the Fa-
ther to the Son, I would fpeak briefly.
I. Confider this eternal love in the Father to the
perfon of his Son. This I own is too deep for us to
fathom ; but it is a blefled deep to fwim in. The
raanner of the everlafling begetting of the perfon of
the Son by the Father, is unfearchable by all crea-
tures, and, it may be, will be fo eternally. The Hare
of j^lory was not deiigned for fatisfying curichty, and
inftru£iing men in points of mere speculation, or ia
things beyond all created reach. So it pafleth our
underflanding to know how the Father loverh his only
begotten Son. How one divine perfon lovetii another
divine perfon, who but a divine perlon can under(\aud ?
There are forae forts of love that 1 would name, a'.l
which this love greatly tranfcendeth.
ifl. The love of cue creature to another. This is
fometimes very (Irong, and is in fome caies allowed
to be very great, ^diy^ The love wherewith a belie-
ver loveth Chrifl, is yet greater. For though the
Jovcr be l)ut a creature, yet the beloved is njore than
a creature, and deferves more love than we can pay.
Chrift cannot be over-loved ; but any creature may.
3^/y, There is the love of God towards his chofen.
'I'his is greater than the former, it is this love that
God is called, hve, from i John iv. 8.-- 16. Athly^
There is the love Chrifl bear? to his church, that is
cxcccdio:'
Serm. XVL the LorcPs Prayer, 317
exceeding grest, and much fpoke of in the word,
Eph. iii. 18, 19. and v. 25, 26. In the nrft love, one
creature loveth another, and with a love that harh
bounds and limits fet to it by God^s will, left it exceed.
In the fecoud, a creature loves God. In the third,
God loves a creature, In the lafi, Chrilt loveth his
own body, and every member of it. So thai in all of
them, either the lover or the beloved is a creature.
But where God the Father is the lover, and God he
Son is the beloved, who can tell what that love is i
Bat I pafs it, as too deep for us. Here fairh mud
believe and adore, and cry out, O the depths I
2. Chrift is eternally beloved of his Father in his
office of Pvlediaior betwixt God and man. Unco this
cfEce be was from eieriiity defigned ; and as fooa as
fin entered, and the breach beiween God and man
was made, he entered upon this oitice. In it he is
God's [errant *whom he upholds <i his eleCl in whom his
foul dtUgbteth^ Ifa. xlii* i. Under she name of IVif
dom^ he fpeaks in Prov. viii. 22,-31. '^The Lcrd pof-
Jejfed me in the hegvnning of his way. before his works of
old, I was fet up from everlafling^ from the beginnings
or ever the earth was* And after an elegaDi accouiu
of the work of creation, he adds, that before any
thing was made, and when all things were a-making,
then I was by him, as one brought i/p zoiih him ; and
I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him ;
rejoicing in the habitable part of his earthy and my dc
lights were with the fons of men. Here are adoiabie
delights and rejoicings ; the Father delighting in his
Son, the Son delighiing in the Father ; yea^ the Son
rejoicing in his people, and in that earth they wore
to live on, though neither they nor it were as yet crea-
ted. And why may not our faith take in the comfort
of this thought, that thefe uitermod parts of the earth
where we live, and where the greateft harvefl hath
been in thefe latter days, were in Chrifi's heart and
eye with delight from eterniity i Chrid the Redeemei*
'was verily fore'Crdained before the foundation of the
~ f 2 world,
318 ^ Sermons concerning Serm. XVI,
worldt hut was iv.amfcjl in thefe lajl times for yoUy
I Peter i. 20. Yta, he is called in Rev, xiii. 8, the
Lamb /lain from the foundation of the zucrld. This h^gh
cffi:e ot Mediator, the Father, in love to, and for
glorifying of his Son, put him in, Heb. v. 4, 5. In
this office he did always pleale his Father, and his Fa^
iher witntiTcd to it oiien and mmy ways. It ihould
be a great encoursgemeiit unto a!l that have bufinefs
with Chriil as Mediator, to confider how the Father
delights in him in his office. Salvation is given to a
believer in Chriif, with as good will, by the Father,
as the price of falvatioa was laid down by the Son,
ISIo man can pleafe the Father better, nor io much, as
by believing on the Son, and by giving him employ-
ir.ent in his office and calling of faving.
3. Jefus Chriif, the Son of God, is eternally be-
loved of the Father, as he is the head of his body
the church ; as he is the Tecond Adam, the reprefen-
tative of all his people. Of which already at fome
length.
4. Chrift was beloved of the Father in his lowed
eflate, and when dying. This is what is in the text.
Chrifl was now neiit his lowed when he aiTerts this
Icve. He was going to the garden, and to his agony
in it J he was ihere betrayed, and apprehended, car-
ried to judgment, condemned, and put to death next
day, and buiied next evening. This was the depth of
the eclipfe of the Sun of Rightecufnefs, Yet in ail
this the eternal love o^ the Father to him did not ceafe.
When Chrid came into the world fird, we find what
great jcy there was on that account. An angel fird
publiihed the good news to the fhcpherds, and ihea
a muliitude of the heavenly hod fung a fong of praife
for ir, Luke ii. 9,-- 14. The Father proclaims hiiii
on his coming as the object of heavenly worfhip :
Heb. i, 6. When he bri?igetb in the fir fl begotten into
the %VGrldy he faith ^ And let alt the angels of Godwor^
Jhip him. There is no angel fo high, nor io great in
power
Serm. XVI. the Lonfj Prayer, 319
foiver and mighty 2 Peter ii. 11. but mud ferve and
woiiliip the Son of God in his lowed and meaneft ap-
pearance on earth. He w^sjlen of angels^ i Tim. ill.
16.; and it was their duty, their glory, and their
biifs, to wordiip and ferve hiin. When Chrid comes
into the world, Heb. x. 5, 6, 7. he faith, as rejoic-
ing, A body thou hajl prepared me ; Lo, I come to do
thy wii/y God. And that will was to make a facri-
fice of that body ; and he did offer it with delight.
\¥hen he is baptized, Matth. iii* 17. the Father, by
a voice from the excellent glory^ 2 Peter i. 17. witnef-
fed his love to his Son : This is my beloved Scn^ in
%vhom I am well f leafed ^ hear ye him, Matth. xvii. 5.
in Luke ix. 30, 3 i. we have a fpecial hint of the fub-
je^ of the difcGurfe that Mofes and Elias had with our
Lord on the mount of transfiguration, ivho appeared
in glory ^ and [pake of his deceafe which he fhould ac^
complijh at Jeriifalenu We would be ready to think,
if it was not for this hint, that glorified faints come
from heaven, and waiting on iheir Lord in big begun
glory, fliould rather have fpoke of his approaching
perfe<fl: glory, than of his deceafe. But as that de-
ceafe was the appointed way to his glory, as Luks
xxiv. 26.; fo this tells us, that Chrid's death is a
theme fit for the mod heavenly perf^ns in their raoft
exalted heavenly date. The fong of the redeemed is
principally on his death, and its fruits. Rev. v. 9, 10,
12. As it is the root of all our falvation, fo it ihould
be the ground of all our fongs of falvation.
But here an obvious objection rifeih. It is faid.
That Chrid was beloved of his Father in his lowed
itate. But what brought him into this low date, but
his Father's anger ? Did it uoi pleafe Jehovah to brutfe
him^ and to put him to griefs Ifa. liii. i o. ? How could
this eternal love, and his fore fufterings, confid ? I
would premife fome things more generally for remov*
ir}g this difficulty, and then come clofer to the matter.
I. There is fomething amoogft men required ot
Godj and pradifcd by them j and that i^j in parents
3 20 Sermons concerning Serm. XIV.
corre^ing their children in love. It fliould always be
io^ but is not, Heb. xii. lo. He tells us what is too
common, that earthly parents chaflen their children af-
ter their own fleafure^ or to vent their difpleafure.
Parents cannot diftinguidi betwixt the child and the
fault, as they ought.
2. V/c have a grearer inftance in Abraham's deal-
ing with Ifaac at God's command, Gen. xxii. ifaac
was innocent, Abraham loved him ; yet the Lord
commands hira to offer him for a burnt- offering. Now
the Lord did not command, nor allow Abraham to
abate ought of that love to his Ton, tliat both nature
and grace had planted in his heart towards Ifaac ; and
no doubt but love continued in Abraham's heart in
all his journey to the appointed place, and in all the
preparation he made for the offering the commanded
lacrifice : only Abraham was a ftrong believer, and
therefore was all obedience. His love to Ifaac did not
turn to hatred, when Yitfiretched forth his hand^ and
took the knife to flay hisfouy ver. lo. But only his love
to Ifaac (hrunk up as it were to nothing, through the
ftrength of liis faith, and his readinefs to obey the
will of his God. Ifaac's queflion to his father was an
addition to Abraham's trial, ver. 7, Aud Abraham's
anlwer to it was a great a<?> of his faith in his trial,
ver. 8. Ifaac faid, Behold the fire and the wood ; but
where is the lamb for a burnt-offering? The inflru-
nienis for the burnt-offering were ready and {tt?i :
the wood was on ifaac's back, and the fire and the
knife were in Abraham's hand, ver, 6. but no facrifice
was vifible. Abraham anfwers, Myfcn^ God will pro-
vide hi mfe if a lamb for a burnt -offerings ver. 8. Little
did Ifaac think that himfelf was the commanded fa-
crifice, and to be facrificed by his own father's own
hands ; though, without doubt, Abraham did after-
wards tell Ifaac the command of God, when he built
an altar on the -place God had tald him ofy and laid the
-wood in order ^ and bound ifaac his fon^ and laid him
on the altar upon the wcod^ ver, 9. And as little did
Abra-
SER.M. XVI. the LorcTs Frayer* 321
Abraham think of aoy other facrifice but that of his
fon Ifaac. But by Heb. xi. 17, 18, 19. Abraham's
faith did a^ on divine power, that could raife Ifaac ro
life again, when Abraham had ihed his blood, and
the wood and fire had burnt his body ; being per-
fuaded, that as no command of God was to he difput*
ed, (0 no promife of God would fail of its accom«
plKhment. And the iflue of this trial was in the lord's
gracious acceptance of his obedience, in flopping the
execution of Ifaac, and fubftituting a ram in his (lead,
and in adding of a divine oath unto that promife of
God, that Abraham's faith was fo (Irongly fixed u-
pon. Compare Gen. xxii, 11,— —19. with Heb, vi,
1 3, — 20. where we find the grounds of Abraham's
faith are common to all believers under the new tef-
tamenr, whatever trembling andfinful (hortcoaiings are
with us in the a£^s and exercife of our faith,
3. So our Lord requires of his people in the cafe
of fuffering for him : Luke xiv. 26, If any man came-
to mcy and bate not his fat her ^ and mother^ and wife ^
and children^ and brethren^ and Jifiers, yea^ and kh
ozvn life alfo^ he cannot he my difciple, A poQlive hat-
ing of our relations is forbid to all, by the law of na-
ture, and by the word of God. To be without na^
tiiral affe^ion^ is a great fin, Rom. i. 3 i^ But wheo
the glory of Chrifl and his truth is fo concerned, (as
oft it is, that a man mud either deny Chrifl, or fore-
go all for his fake ; then is he called to teltify by his
choice, like Mofe&% Heb. xi» 24, 25, 26. that Chriil
is dearer to him than all. Thus the martyr faid, whea
fome fpoke to him of the defolate if ate he was to leave
his wife and children in, '* God is my witnefs, that
^* if I had ail the riches of the world, I would chear-
*• fully give it all to live with my wife aijd childrea ;
** but now when my teftiraoqy to Chriil and his gof-
•* pel, by my death, is called for, 1 as chearfuUy leave
"all."
4. The Lord's dealing in love, and yet in apparent
anger with his people : Rev. iii. \^. Ai many as I loixe^
^ Ire*
32 2 Sermons concerning Serm. XVL
/ rebuke and chaflen, Heb. xil. 6. For whom the
Lord loveth^ he chajlenethy and fc our get h every fan whom
he receiveth. It is a common, but a linful way of argu-
ing with nnany Chriftian?:, that they are not GoJ's c'.iil-
dren, becaufe they are fo much corre61ed by him.
To qucftion our (late becaufe of afili(ftioD, or to con-
clude our (late to be good becaufe of profpeiity and
eafe, are equally hMc and fooliflb, though not equiliy
dangerous ; for it is far. more fo, falfely to conclude
a good (late when it is not, than unbelievingly to dif-
turb a good (late where it is. It is certain, that the
Lord loveth his people with an everlafling love, Jer.
xxxi, 3. ; that his mercy is from everlafling to everiaft-
tngtothem^ Pfalm ciii. 17.: and that this love and
mercy runs through, and is mixed with all his deal-
ings with them. Yet how hardly is this owned by
them ? Let us begin with the Lord's beginning to deal
with them, to draw them to himfelf, to bring them
into Chrifl's chariot of falvation, the midjl whereof is
paved with love^ Cant. iii. 10. Doth not the Lord
appear at fir(l: to them as an enemy, not only declar-
ing war againft them, but ufing his irrefiftible arms
againfr them, and his arrows pierce their hearts, as
Pfal. xlv. 5. ? Little did Paul think of Chrift's love to
him, when he fell on the earthy trembling and ajlonijh-
ed^ A€t% ix. 3, 4, 5. Yet afterwards he well knew ir,
and did count it as long as he lived, the bed day he
ever faw. Then when the Lord hath fubdued their
hearts, and given them rcfi in their fouls y his yoke and
his burden is laid on them, Matt, xi, 28, 29. Whac-
foever is common to man^ i Cor. x. 13. or to a belie-
\er, that they (hould lay their account with. The
crofs of fuifering any thing for Chrifl's fake, is oft
laid en them, and always in love ; yet it is judgment,
1 Peter iv. 17. and a fiery trial, ver. 12. Manifold
outward afRi^lions are laid on them. And let all
Chriflians in this furnace fay, if they find it eafy to
believe his love to them, when his hand preffeth them
fore.
SerM. XVI. the Lord's Prayer. 323
fore. Beyond thefe is Satan^s fieve of temptatioD>
Luke xxii. 21. Can there be love in the Lord's let-
ting the devil loofe upon one of his own children ?
Yes, fo did the Lord with Job \ Paul, 2 Cor^ xii. 7. j
yea, with Chrift himfelf, Mattb. iv. 3. But above
all, is the Lord's hiding his face, and dealiug a<? an
enemy, and that for fin ; when his wrath is kindled
but a little^ as Pfalm ii 12, and in the light and heae
of that fire, the fiery law (as \\ is called in Deut. xxxii.
2..) is read in the confcience, who can believe love ia
this, that looks fo like hell? Yet David did fo, Pfal.
cxvi. 3 ; and Jonah did fo, chap. ii. 2, 3,4.: and
afcer a life oi fightings without^ ^^6. fears within^ (as
2 Cor. vii. 5.), when the Lord is ro finifti his work
and defign of love on his people, then the lad enemy
is to be fought with, i Cor. xv. 26. Death, that to
nature looks like the wages of fm, is made the door
to glory. But how hard is it to believe it ? He muft
have a (Irong faith, that can call his own dying 2. fleep-
ing in JefuSy as i Theff. iv. 14.-, that can make ufe
of Jacob's words concerning his fleeping place. Gen.
xxviii. 1 6, 17. This is the gate of heaven. It is the great
work and d fficulty, and yet duty in Chridianity, to
believe unfeen and unfelt love, ia and under well-
feen and well-feii diflrefs. Soroetimes the Lord joins
them, as in 2 Theff. i. 6. and 1 Peter iv. 14 and
then it is eafy. But oft the w^rath is feir, and the love
is hid in the promife, and there only adlive faith can"
find it.
But all thefe inftances are fo far ftiort of this we
are fpeaking of, that they afford very litiie ii^hi abouc
this. Therefore I would come nearer, and offer a few
things that may help to dire^ your thoughts unto a
due reconciling of this eternal love the Father had to
the Son, with the hard fervice he put him to as Me-
diator.
I. It was the anger of an offended judge and law-
giver, and not the anger of an offended father, that
fmote Jefus Chrift. Chrift fuffered^ he was ff^iin, and
Vol. IL Tt died j
3 2 4 Sermons concerning S E R m , X VI.
died; and the bitternefs of that low condition was
irora the jnflice aod wrath of God, which he felt in
his foul : which was well expreffed by a godly mini-
(ler, ** Chrid's foul-fuilerings were the foul of his
*« fuiterings :" that is, the main and moft bitter part
of them. Yet in the depth of all thcfe Chrifi: was
pleafing to his Father, and highly f o : John x. 17.
Therefore doth my Father love me^ becaiife I lay down my
life, that I might take it again. Who took Chrift's
life away but his Father ? The wicked inftruments
iifed in this work, were of no confideration in the
matter. To the chief of thera, Pilate, the cowardly
felf-condemned judge, he faid, John xIk. ii. Thou
couldej} have m power at all again]} me, except it were
given thee from above. It was this inrercft his Faiher
had in his fuflerings, that made him fay as ia John
xviii. 1 1. The cup which my Father hath given me^Jhall
I mt drink it f Our Lord on his crofs, our Lord when
dying, when dead, was as lovely in hisr Father's eyes,
as ever before or fince. But the juftice and law of an
offended judge exacted thus upon him.
2. This ftroke of juRice fell only on the man Chrifi,
on his human nature. His divine perfon was untouch-
ed and untouchable by his iuffer;ngs. Chrift's body
was the facrifice ; it was his foul and body that the
fword of divine juftice did pierce. So that this ftroke
was fome way but like a blow on a man's garment.
The divine perfon of the Son of God dwelling in fled:,
was neither reached, nor reachable by the fword of
divine juftice; though the dignity of his divine per-
fon did infinitely inhance the merit of the fufferingof
the man Chrift.
3. This ftroke of divine jailice on 'he man Chrift,
Was not for any fault of his own, (for he had none),
but for the fins of his people, Ifa. liii. 5, 6. Chrift'??
fmlcjOfncfb in himfelf, and his dying for the fins of his
people, are the fundamentals in Chriftian religion. If
he had had any fin of hu own, he could not have been
a fit facrifice for the fins of ornsrs. If he had not died
for
Serm. XVI, the Lord's Prayer. 525
for our firs, all fioners mull have died in, and for
their own (ins. Now, proper infupport^ble divine
difpleafure is for a pcrion's own fia"?. This is the cup,
full of mixture^ Pfalm ixxv. 8. ; and this is of wrath
with wrath j and ivlthout jnlxture^ Rev. xiv, 10. w^ith-
cut any mikiure of mercy with it : nothing but mere
wrath in ir. This cup all that die in their fms, mud
drink of: but he that died for the fms of others, did
not drink of it. It is true, that aii the wrath thar their
fms deferved, he did drink of; bat the fm deferving
it, was none of his own. If bard ufage from men be
lightened from this, as David found ir, Pfalm lix. g.
Not for wy tranfgrejffion^ nor for my fm., Lord ; if a
good confcierice be a continual feali, farely Chrid had
this in perfedioD in all his fuiFerings. He had a trou-
bled foul, hot a moffc quiet confcience in all. The
foul may be troubled by the imputed fm of others ;
but coafcience is never difquieted, but for one's own
fin. That Italian martyr underdood this well, and
ufed it ncbly ; who being ail^^ed by one, " Why he
" was fo mtrry at his approaching death, when Chrill
" himfelf was in an agony before his death ?" an-
fwered, " That Chrid iuilai-ned in his ,body ail the
" forrows and confllcls with death and hell due to us ;
*' by whofe fudering we are delivered from forrow,
*' and fear of them ail.'*
4. The Father knew the perfe(51: fudiciency of bis
Son, to bear all. that was laid on him. if it be an adl
of his grace on his people, not to fiiffer tbera to bn
tempted above what they are ahle^ i Cor. x. i:;.: much
more was it fo in his dealing with Chrid, Pfal. Ixxx*
17. and Ixxxix. 19. He knew (what ws cannot con*
ceive) what a vad load of wrath this drong one could
bear. None but Chrid could dand before an angry'
God, could bear his wrath, and fatisfyjudice. If I
may ufe fuch a fimilitude, when the fword of judicq
was drawn againd Chrid, and pierced through his
foul and body, the Father knew well that his Son was
fo armedj that he could not be hurt thereby. His
T t 2 diviae
5 2^ Sermons concerning Serm. XVI.
divine nature, and his Father's prefence with hrm,
John xvi. 7,2, and the ineffable union berwixt the Fa-
ther and the Son, were as armour of proof about the
man Chrill ; that though juftice flew him, it did him
neither any wrong, nor real hurt, whatever fmart
was in the flroke.
5. The Fdtber knew the glorious \\£iorj that his
Son would obtain in, and by, and over all his fuffer-
\uQs ; x\i7Lifor the fuffering of death, he fhould he crown-
ed wiib ^lory and honour^ Heb. ii. 9. ; that he fhould
be highly exalted^ Phil. ii. 9. So that what Chrift was
put tc, was but like a father's fending his fon to 3
flormy fea, and a dangerous voyage, from which he
knew he (hould return fafe and rich ; or like a king's
fending his Ton to war, wherein he was fure he (hould
€onqucr, and return in triumph. Divine prefcience
15 another thing in God's eye, than angel or man can
poffibly think. And this was eminently in Chrifl's
fuff^ring?, Acls ii. 23. and iv. 28-.
6. There were great and glorious ends God had
before him, in all the fufferings that Chrifl was put
to endure ; great glory to his f^^race, great glory to
his Son, and a great falvacion to his people : of which
?he word is full. And all that read, or hear, or think
of Chrift's death and fufFerings, without regard to the
ends thereof, they mind only a bare hiftory and mat-
ter of fa(^, without any fruit thereby.
7. Lafily, The Father loved the Son in dying and
for dying, as in John x. 17, 18. For Chrifl in dying
offered up the higheft and mod: acceptab'e worQiip
and fervice to God that ever was offered ; Eph. v. 2.
Chrifl loved us^ ar,d hath given himfelf for us, an of-
fering end afacrifce to God for a fweetf?iielli?ig favour.
And it is the fweet fmell of this facrifice that drowns,
as it were, the (link of all the fins and fmners it was
offered for. His death could nor be a propitiation, if
it were not fo. The two greateft fins that ever were,
were the firft Adam's firft finning. All mens fins fince,
and
Serm. XVI. the Lord's Prayer. 327
and Adam's own finning after, (as doubtlefs he did
for nine hundred and thirty years), were all the fin-
ning of fmners : but his firft fin was a finlefs roan*$
finning; befides, it was the mod damning fin that
ever was, or can be. The other great fm, was the
crucifying the fecond Adam, the Prince of life, and
the Lord of glory. It is not only charitably believed
by the church of God in all ages, that Adara obtained
mercy ; but hath been proved by fome hints in the
word, that both Adam and Eve were believers. But
for the other great fin, the murdering of the Son of
God, it is paft doubt, that many guilty of his blood
were forgiven in the virtue of it. A fingular cafe
were they in. The cry of Chrift's blood defiled and
difturbcd their confciences, (and moll juftly) ; and th^
voice of this blood fprinkling their confciences, purg-
ed and pacified them. Now, if to thefe great fms yoa
add all the fms of all the finners that were ever for-
given, (and no man can count them, or weigh them),
conclude, that there was fomewhat offered to God,
more pleafmg to him than all fin was difpleafmg ; and
this was only the facriiice of Jefus Cbrift. Abraham's
offering up 0^ his Son at God's command, was highly
pleafing to God ; but it was but a type and ftiadcw
of Chrijl's offering up of himfelf without fpot unto God,
Heb. ix. 14. Abraham in that action on the mount
was to be a priefi, and his fon the facrifice; but he
only did offer to be fo, and the Lord did accept the
will for the deed. But when Chrift came to offer him-
felf, for all the perfeft will he had to do ic, the fa-
crifice mud be offered, and was ; and therein was per-
formed the greateft, highed, and mcd acceptable
worfliip to God. None was ever like it before ; and
none comparable to it, will, or can ever be. The
praifes of the glorified in heaven will be high and ac-
ceptable worfhip ; but no way to be compared with
that worfhip Chrift paid, and Gcd accepted in Chrift's
death.
And
328 Sermons ccncernin^ Serm. XVI.
And thus much to thefe words ia themfeives, as
tbey diTert the eternal love of the Father to the Soa,
II. I would Dow fpeak to them, with refpeEl to
ChrijTi fcope in ufmg than ; aud therein would ob-
iefve three things.
1. Our Lord Jefus Chrift was now near to his low-
eft ; and he comrons himfelf with the faith of his
Father's eternal iove. So muft Chriftians do. What-
ever the Lord brings you to, if it were to the brink
of death, you mufl (tudy to imitate Jefus Chrift, and
take in the comfort of his everlaftins: love. For tho'
the love the Father hath to the Son, and that love he
hath to believers, do differ vaftly ; yet they agree ia
this, that ihey are bofn eternal ; and in this alfo,
that the faith of this love is fupportiug to his people,
as it was to Chrift himfelf. It is no wonder that be-
lievers have fo little coiufort ; even becaufe they do
not by faith feek out and dig up the right fprings and
wells of confolation, and are fo little cxercifed in draw-
ing and drinking out of them. 1 fay not, that this
fpring of confolation, eternal love, is the firft, and
plaineit, and eafieil to come at ; but only that it is
the ilrongeft, when a believer can find it out, and
ufe it.
2. Confider this word of. Chrift, as it is an argu-
ment backing his prayer, and every petition in it. He
calls God Father ; and rightly, becaufe thou lovedft me
before the foundatton of the world, " Glorify thy Son,
*^ for thou loved fi me, 1 pray for thine and mine, for
^* thou hvedf} me'' How boldly may a believer pray,
when he hath this argument in the hand of his faith
to pray upon : " Lord, hear me ; for thou hall
" loved me in thy Son before the foundation of the
«' world."
3. Tho main thing in the fcope of thefe words of
Chrift is this, that the Father's love to Chrift is the
fountain of all good to his people. Chrift Is praying
in ibis vcrfe for the greateft good to his people, even
for
Serm.XVI. the Lord's Vr ay er, ^29
for heaven ; and this fuit he tirgeth on this: arguiiieat?
For thou lovedjl me before the foundation of the world*
You would think, that the argument would have rua
more plainly, (but it would not have run fo fweetly,
and fo (Ircngly), if it had been thus : " I will that
•* they may be with me where I ara ; that they inay
" behold my glory : for thou hail loved them, and
" 1 have loved them before the foundation of the
" world." But it is belt as Chrid ufeth it, For thou
hafl loved me.
On this truth, That the Father's love to Chnil is'
the fountain of all good to his people, I would give a
few inllances of ir, and conclude this text with a f¥w
words of application.
Inftances are, 1. Election, that fovereigtv fiirpofe
and grace o( God, is given us in Ohrifi Jefus^ before
the wmld began^ 2 Tim. i. 9. We are chofen in Chrifi
before the foundation of the worlds Eph. i. 4. Cbrifl
did not purchafe the grace of ele6lion for us ; yet there
is no ele^iion but in Chrill, and unto the fprinkling of
his blood, I Peter i. 2, The end, falvation ; the way
and means reaching to this end, faith and 'fan^lilica-
tion, are joined in this purpofe, 2 ThefT. ii. 13, and
Chrift's intereft in it, i The IT. v. 9. For God hath mt
appoiiited us to ivrafh, but to obtain falvation by our
Lord J ejus Chrijl : and this falvation in Jsfas Chrid,
with eternal glory, is obtained by the eie<5i, 2 Ti.ii, "
ii. 10.
-^'2. The grace of redemption come;? to us from the
Father's love to his Son. This love feat him 10 be
Redeemer, and accepted the price of his life for his
flock. Ab[lra6liDg from his eternal counfel and cove-
nant, God was at liberty to have left man in the pit
he had thrown himfeif in, and to appoint no Redeem-
er. But, not to trouble our heads with fuch unpro-
fitable fpeculaiions, it is plain, that the whole bud-
nefs of redemption by Chrid was trar* faded before
time, promifed ia cime, and difpatcbsd in the fulnefs
of
3 JO Sermons concerning Serm. XVL
time, in love to Chrifl: the Redeemer, as well as ia
love 10 the redeemed.
3. Chrifl's iDtercefiion in heaven. Whence is it
fo prevalent, but from that great favour Chrifl: (lands
in heaven in ? It is from the love the Father hath to
the Son, that Chrift's defires for his people are fo fuc-
cefsful. It is upon this love that Chrifl: prays for hea-
ven to his people in this text. And this whole prayer
in this chapter, was a mediatory prayer of Ciirift when
on earth, and the befl: copy we have of his intercef-
fion in heaven.
More particularly, i. The qulckenino^ of a finner
dead in fms and trefpaiTes, is from the Father's love
to his Son. All the difpenfations of converting grace
on fmners, are a£i:s and fruits of the Father's love to
Chrifl : John vi. 44, 45. No man can come to me^ ex*
cept the Father which hath fent me^ draw him, '* And
** when he is drawn, and cometh, I will welcome him,
*' and give a good account of him one day." And /
ivill raife him up at the lajl day. But how doth ihe
Father draw men to Chrifl: P By his way of leaching.
It is written in the prophet s^ And they JhciH be all taught
of God, Every man therefore that hath heard and lear-
ned of the Father^ cometh unto me. Till Chrift's Fa-
ther, by his Spirit, teach a fmner, and tell him good
news of Chrift the Saviour, he will not, he cannot
come to Chrift by faith ; for divine teaching doth at
the fame time reveal Chrifl: as the objedl of faith, and
work the grace of faith, and draw forth the a6l of
faith. We are oft complaining, (and not witbout
caufe, if we had a right frame of heart in ii), that
many Tinners continue dead under the report of Chrift
in the gofpel ; and that converfion and quickening of
the dead is rarely heard of, and fcen. What is tlie
caufe of this rarenefs ^ Is it not that fmners are with-
out man's teaching, but becaufe Cfarifl^'s Father doth
not teach them j and till he do, they will never mifs,
nor value, nor feek divine teaching. They feck but
the Ihell of the gofpeJ, they feek but the field v.'here
the
Serm. XVI. the Lord^J Prayer* 331
the treafure is hid, Matth. xiii. 44. ; aad that they
think any minifler can iliow ihem. But the finding
the hid treafure in it, no apoftle -was ever able to
tea«h a man to do. All they can fay is, that this en-
riching trealure is in the field of the gofpel, and no
where elfe ; but it is hid in it ; and till thire come
light froin heavA, you will never ^i^d it, but die as
poor as your father Adam left you, and in worfe cafe
than if you had never heard of this field. Bur ^^hac
■' ihould we do in this fad condition ? Wait on thp Lord,
v^ho hath the times and feafonsin his own hand; and
while you wait, pray and cry for his teaching, and
make ufe of this avgument of the Father's eternal love
to the Son. Say, *' As thou lovell: thy ben, teach
" me, and many periftiing fmners like me, to know
" thy Son."
2. The jaflification and acceptance of a finner with
God, comes only from the Father's love to his Son.
We are accepted in that beloved^ Eph, i. 6. and are
tranflated into the kingdom .of the Son of his htie^ Col.
i« 13. All the love believers partake of from God, is
but a drop, a fprinkling of that love he hath to Jefus
Chrifl. Therefore faith our Lord in this prayer, ver.
23. I in theniy and thou in me^ that they viay be made
perfect in one^ and that the world may know that thou
hafl fent mcy and hajl loved them^ as thou hajl loved
me.; and ver. 26. And I have declared unto them thy
name, and will declare it : that the love wherewith
thou haft loved me, may be in them, and I in them.
No love, no grace, no favour comes from the Father
immediately, but all in and by Jefus Chnft the Medi-
ator. Without a Mediator the Father dealeth not
with us when he doth us good ; and without a Me-
diator we muft not deal with God, if we would pleafe
him.
3. Believers are preferved in Jefus Chrift: in this
accepted ftate, Jude, ver. i. Every one th^t is raif-
ed up by Chriit is preferved as fafely ia a ftate of
grace, as Chrift is ia the ftate of gloiy. Bs^aufe I
Vol., II. U 11 " iivs
5^2 Sermons concerning Ssrm. XVI.
the^ ye fiall live alfo^ John xiv. 19. and x. 27, 28,
29. The weaken Iamb in Chrift's flock, that hath
heard the great aftd the good Shepherd's voice, and
follows him, though feebly, and with many fears,
ftiall have eternal life ; and he (hall be kept bv the
power of God through faith, till hepoilefs ir, i Per.
i. 5. Chrift's arm, ar.d his Father^ arm, are more
than we can conceive ; and yet no lefs than is needful,
to fecure the'weakeft, againfi: the greateft dangers.
4. Lajllyy The blifs of glory in heaven is the joy
of our Lord, Matth. xxv. 21, 23. All the eternal
cmbraceraents of divme love they get there, are on
the account of the Father^s love to the Sod. It will
iDainly be fulfilled then, what Chrift promi fed, John
xiv. 20. At that day^ ye Jhall know that I am in my
Father y and you in me^ and I in you ^
Application, i. How fliould this endear
Chrift to us, the Father's love to us in him, and aii
the fruits of this marvellous love ? How precious to
US fliould all be ? Should not all fay, as one did, Pfal.
xxvi. 7. How excellent is thy loving kindnejs^ O Gcd !
Did ever a man fee it by faith, did ever one tafle that
the Lord is gracious, did ever any hope ior it, that
did not count it marvellous loving kindnefs^ as it is cal-
led, Pfalra xvii. 7. and xxxi. a J, The love of fuch
a God as he is, unto fuch vile creatures as we be ;
and this love flowing to us in fuch a channel as this,
God's love to his own Son, and ftreamin?2: forth in a-!
the blellings of grace and gbry, is a love that all that
know it wonder at, and that all that tafte of it know
beft, and wonder mod at. Enjoyments of this love,
and admiring at it, are infeparable, both in earth, ia
believers ; and in heaven, ia beholders. You hav-
rot come under the warm beams of this love, that do
not ftand aftonifhed at its nature and grcatncf'^, and
who do not find fomething both of the depth and blcf-
fedncfs of that word, i John iv. 16. We have knozvti
and believed the love that God hath to vs. God is love ;
tli'd
Serm. XVI. the Lord's Prayer. 33^
a}7ci he that dwelktb in love^ dwelleth in God^ and God
in bim» Try to fay this particularly of yourfelves, aod
you will fiud its difFiculty. If you attain to it by the
Spirit of faith, you will find its bleffednefs. Yea,
what are all the bielled beholders and enjoyers of this
love in heaven, but a bleffed company of wonderers
at this love P They are in the midil of the ocean of
this love, (whereof a few drops lafted by them on
earth, made a begun heaven to them), blelTedly
fwiming, diving, drinking, and admiring. But k h
but very little of what they get thcre^ and of what
they do there, that we do or cau know while we are
here. Yet, believers, do yon receive any fpirituar
blelTiDg P Is it not a lovely fpring ic fiows from, the
Farher^i' love to his Son, Epb. i, 3. r Is it not a fweet
name that thou Ihouldrt by faith give to thy pardon,
to thy fric^liiicaiion, to the vSpirit of prayer, and to
any fellowlhip with God : " This, and that, and all
** and every good I obtain, is all from the love of
*' God in Jefus Chrift my Lord, Rom. viii. 39. P This
way of conveyance proclaims, that all is of free grace;
and this way makes ibe bieffings fure and fweer.
Thankfulnefs for his unTpeakable gift would rife high-
er, and be purer, and n>ore cocilant, if we could read
the name of the Father's love to hk Son written (as
furely it altvays is, though no: always read) on all
our'^iiercies. This would make a crumb from th-2
Maker's table be earneftly begged, when we are hun-
gry ; and would make us, when we get ir, piize it
more than the greatefl revenues of the wicked. I'his
love of God in Chrift is an ingredient in mercy, that
makes the mercy fwell up to heaven. It is an ingre-
dient in the bittercd cup of affli£iion, that not only
prevents any poifon apprehended to be in it (and what
h mere ufual to our unbelief than to call God's phytic
poiion P), and promotes our health thereby ; but ic
xjoth alfo cool the ilery furnace, and fweeten it, and
make ir the place of love and praife j as it was to the
tbrce chiklr^rDo m Dan. iii. 2^*
V u z 2, Learn
334 Sermons concerning Serm. XVI,
2. Learn, ChrKlians, toufe thisargurrent in Chrift's
prayer, in your prayers alfo. You fee our Lord prays
icr his people on this argument, For thou lovedft me
before the foundation af the worfd. Let your faith
chime to this prayer, and fay, *' Father, 1 would be
" with Chrifl where he is, that I may behold his glo-
** ry which thou had given him ; for thou lovedll him
*^ before the foundation of the world." You daily
hear, that you ihould pr.iy to the Father in Chrift's
name. Nov/, what is ir, but to raife our faith, and
to embolden cur confidence with God, merely on the
account of that high love the Father bears to the Son ?
BleiTed is the believer that can plead with God on the
argument of the Father's love to his Son, That tho'
we have nothi-ig in us that is lovely in God's fight ;
though, we can do nothing to make ourfelves accepta-
b'e, or our dc fires fuccefsful ; yea, though there be
a cloud upon God's love to us yet we build all our
hopes of acceptance and fuccef^^, and all ihefe hopes
flroni^ and high, on this lovely and beloved one Jefus
Chrift, and on the Father's love to him. Whatever
you wain of Qo^^, you may afk, and aik it on the fame
p:rounds Chrift piays for you upon. You will fay,
May every ore afli on this argument ? 1 anfwer, E-
very believer may, and ought ; and if he be wife, he
will ; and if he doth plead thu<-, he will prevail. But
how may I know thi^t I am a believer on Jefus Chritl: ?
The Spirit of Chrift fomctimes fiiddenly fatislies the
doubting foul ; and that is a great mercy. He (bines
on the promife, and makes it brii^ht ; Ibines on fairh,
and makes i: (trong and a<Stive ; and manifefls ClirifPs
glory lo as th . ihe heart cannot forbear ^o believe,
and Jove, and know that it doth fo. But the <:oinmou
way, and the way of our doty, is, to fatisfy our hearts
as to our being true beiicv^rj; en Chrill, by repeating
the a<!ling of faiih on him. 1 fay not, Believe that
ycii do believe ; but I fay. Believe on Jefus Chrifl,
and you liuill know that ycu are believers on him ;
as in / John v. 13. Tkefe things have l -written to yirn
' that
Serm. XVI. the LorcTs Frayer, gj5
that believe on the Son of God ; that ye may know that
ye have eternal life^ and that ye may believe on the name
of the Son of God, Faith is the evidence of things not
Jeen, Heb. xi. i. ; and the Spirit of faith in believers
giveth evidence to faith itfelf. By this Spirit ^tknow
the things that are freely given lis of God ^ i Ccr. ii. i 2.
and faith is a fpecial gift of God. The word in i John
V. fo, is of great extent. He that believeth on the Son
of Gody hath the witnefs in hhnfelf 1 dare be bold to
fay, that there are few true believers^ who are in the
lively exercife of faith in Chrift, and while in that
exercife, but they are fome way perfuaded, that they
are believers : in fo far, that if Satan (liould fay to
the contrary, yea, or if the Lord himfelf (liouId feeni
to fay CO the contrary ; yet they cannot deny that they
are believers on Chrift. How can this be ? fay you.
I anfwer, It is from the feofe and inward feeling of
the workings of their hearts, in dependence and truH:
on Jefns Chrifl: for falvation. Is it not thus with you,
Chriftians, whenever ycu are thoughtful about fal-
vation ; whenever you are terrified by the laW;'
v»rhenever Satan affauhs you by the remembrance of
your fins and ill-defervings : yea, whenever God writes
bitter things againjl you^ and makeih you to fojfcfs th^
iniquities of your youth y or riper age. Job xiii. 26.?
What do ye do f Whiiher do ye go f Is it not ahvays
to Jefus Chriit by faith ? Every true believer can rea-
dily anfwer thefe three quellions, v;hich no unbelie-
ver can, Ifa. x. 3. What will ye do in the day of vifi-
tatlon^ and in the defolation which jh ail come from far ?
to whom will we flee for help f and -where will ye leavei
your glory f Every believer can anf.ver, " Come what
*' defolation will, I know what to do, I know whi-
*' ther to go for help, and where to leave iny glory ;
** even on Jefus Chrift by faith." Ycu have no other
anfwer to give to the law of God condemning yoUj>
to the devil accufmg you, nor to your own confcience
challergiog you, but only this : «* Jefus Chrift came
*' into the world to fave linoers ; his Farhcrj in love
** to
^^6 Sermons concerning Serm. XIV,
" !0 him and fmners, feat him ; he came and died in
'•^ bve to Tinners: and I, on the good report of him
*' in the goipel, do daily come to him to be faved by
*" hirDy and do look for falvauou in him, and by
** liim, and. from him ; and all my fins, and unwor-
tbinefs, and fears, and the fad grounds of thefe
fears, are all but fo many cords to draw me more
and more to Chrirt by faith, and to bind me fader
" to biai. And if I am a behever on him, I am one
*^ of thofe he prayed for in this chapter, and in thjs
* verfe. Father^ I will that they alfo whom thou haj'l
*^ ^,ven ?ne, be with me where I am ; that they may be-
*' hold the glory ivhich thou haft given me ; for thou
*' lovedjl me before the foundation of the world. If
Chfifi: prayed fo for me, I may furely pray fo for
myfelf ; for a better copy I cannot follow. If Chrlll
prayed fo for me, he was furely anfwered, and the
blcfiing will be given ; and I may firmly believe,
and patiently wait for the falvation of God. And
I may alfo ufe the fame argument ibr rtrengthening
of my faith, that Chrill: ufed to enforce his fuit j
" even the eternal love of the Fauier to his Son.*'
This is indeed a great and marvellous falvation
which Go^i hath provided for his people. Marvel-
lous in the way, Jefus Chrift ; and that the gofpel
doth now declare. Marvellous in ihe beginning and
progrcfs of this falvation. A fianer mud feci grace
before he knoiu the grace of God in truth. Col. i. 6.
He mud: have faith wrought in him, and aifted by him,
before he know what believing to the faving of the Joul
is, Heb. X. 39. He mud be in heaven, befo c he
know well what heaven is ; yea, which is 1 z
ftrange, the believer mud be in heaven, bcf e
know perfe<!^ly the way to heaven- Wt k?^. ' taat
Chrid is the way ; th^t we mud enter iuio !iim by
faith, as he is the way ; that v;e mud walk in hi:n,
and abide in him, and live on him, till we come home;,
to his Father's hpufe. But how Chrid became the
way to heaven ; how be is the nev^ and living way :
how
«(
S E R M. XVI. the LorcTs Prayer. 357
how he confecrated himfelf as the Way ; h^w he wa§
beloved of the Father, and bruifed with divine wrath
at the fame time; how Chrift the living head draws
dead lumps of hell, and makes them lively members
of his own body ; how he knits and nouriiheth them
by fpiritual joints and bands. Col. ii, 19. till he per-
{tEi them in himfelf, Eph. iv. 19. and Col i. 28.;
how he gives the laft pull and drawing at deaths and
receiveth them unto himfelf, John 5jiv. 2, 3.; what
Ghrift is now doing in preparing a place for them;
and what he will at laft do, in receiving them, and
prefenting them to his Father ; ihefe, and niaGj' fuch
things, are matter for our daily exercife, in faiths
and hope, and wonder. Our main Work while we
are here, and without the vail, is, to be flnving to
get more and more into Chrift by faith ; and nor oiiiy
to get within the gates and walls of this city of re-
fuge, (and the walls are falvalton^ and the gates praife^
ifa. Ix. i8.), but alfo to get into his palaces, where
he giveth his loves, tits love is better thanwine^ Song
i, 2, The tafte of this love would q^jickly make all
the wells of this world's confolation to be as taflelefs
and empty to us as they are in themfelves. Unfpeak-
ably both ftrong and fweet is that mortification and
deadnefs to the world, that is wrought in the belie-
ver, by the /bedding abroad of the love of God in his
heart by the Holy Ghcfiy Rom. v. 5. You Wvt in aa
evil world. It v/ill mock you, and hate yoa : but
do you pity it. A believer is a pitiful creature in the
eyes of the ungodly ; looking at things that are not,
feen^ and not looking at thiv.gs that arefeen, 2 Cor. iv.
18. ; defpifing this world and ail things in it as a por-
tion, and feekiug an uofefn and future glory in an un-
known world to come. To Uilld all our hopes of par-
taking and pofil-friDg of it on an unfeen Chrlfi; to
bottom our faith on him, upon a word from him : to
live and die upon his promife, and to do both chear-
fully, are the glory of a Chrilliaa. But this glory is
turned into (haiue bv the thcupjits and reoroacbes o^
all
g^S Sermons concerning^ &c. Serm. XVI.
all unbelievers. But let the righteous hold on his way ;
and he that hath clean hands ^ Jhall wax Jlronger and
Jlronger^ John xvii. 9. Tour path is as the Jhining
light y that Jlnneth more and more unto the perfect day^
Prov. iv. 18. Pafs through rhis world, believers ia
Jefus, liking nothing in it, caring for nothing in it,
content and fatisfied with nothing it can give, moved
with nothing in it ; neither much taken up with the
much evil, or the little good of it ; neither caft down
with the frowns, nor lifted up with the fmiles of
this vain deceitful world, Pafs on, 2Sidi prefs forward
for the prize of the high calling of God in Chrifl Jefus ^
Philip, iii. 14. You have greater things to look to,
greater things to fix your hearts and hopes upon, than
all this world : even to that blefTed ftate, when we
ihall be with Chrift where he is, and (hail behold his
glory which his Father hath given him : for the Fa-
ther loved his Son and our Saviour before the founda-
tion of the world.
The End of the Second Volume.
^limii^N?m,.I.W^'^3l Seminary Librari
es
1 1012 01187 3439
