Christ exalted and Wisdom ju­stified. The Text.

THe Title of this Discourse may be Christ exalted, a very specious Title, and such as the Antinomi­an Doctors do much glory in; but theirs is only Titular, as the Fowler said of the Nightingale, Vox & sola vox, voice, and nothing else, like the Jewes that made him a King in derision, and lift him up on high, but [Page 2] it was to Crucify him, and they crucifyed him and his Title together, for when they had fastned him to the Crosse, they placed over his head this title in 3. Languages, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jewes. They put up­on their Mock-King a Purple robe, but they spoiled it with the trimming, for insteed of gold and silver, and such gorgeous clothing, as becomes those that dwell in Kings houses, they checkquered it with bloud and spittle; They put him on a Crown, but it was of Thornes, and a Scepter was put into his hand, but it was of reed. So these pretenders will ex lt Christ, but it is ore tenus, only fro [...] [...]he teeth outward; If an indeavour to throw down the foundations of truth, and the power of Godliness be to advance Christ, then they that cry down others as legall Teachers, may well passe for such lawlesse exalters of Christ. If to throw away the Law as having nothing of a Gospell tendency, neither precedent not subsequent; If to throw away all preparative dispositions, and subsequent qualifications be to set up Christ; If to set up an Idol in the room of Christ, and to substitute fancy insteed of faith. If to throw away Mortification, and sanctification as th ngs abominable, and unbe­coming a Gospell spirit; If to break Reli­gions [Page 3] bands asunder, and to cast away its Cords from them; If to break down the Wall of the Vinyard, and to lay all Common to beasts and boars; If to give more liberty to Libertines, and a rabble of such wild, and law­lesse doctrines, which are as destructive to the Gospel as the Law, may passe for doctrines that exalt Christ, then they cannot be denyed to be such Exalters of him.

But our Apostles mode is of another make. They greedily, and arrogantly catch at the name, but the Apostle modestly and faithful­ly layes before us both Name and Thing. He doth not prostitute Christ to the lust of every unhumbled Sinner, but proposes him to the faith of every humble believer. To you there­fore which believe he is precious.

In this Chapter the Apostle in allusion un­ [...]o the Materiall Temple compa [...] Christ and Beleivers to a Magnificent structure and my­sticall Temple, making Christ the cheif Cor­ner stone, and beleivers living stones built upon that foundation. See the verse immedi­atly going before my Text, v. 6. which is ci­ted out of Isay. 28.16. Behold I lay in Zyon a chief corner stone, elect, precious, and he that beleiveth on him shall not be confounded, and that sure foundation being layd, as the most [Page 4] excellent part of the building, he layes upon it this superstructure in my Text. To you therefore which believe he is precious.

The Doctrine, or plain result of the words may be thus layd before us.

That Christ is the highest, most precious, and only excellent Good unto Believers.

Mistake me not, I mean it not of Christ in a disjunctive sense, but as conjoyned with the other persons of the holy blessed and glorious Trinity, who in respect of time are Coaeternall, in respect of being are Coessentiall, and in res­pect of power are Coaequall, we must remem­ber to keep close unto the good old Rule of old Athanasius in his Creed. In this Trinity none is afore or after other, none is greater or lesse than another.

There hath been much Contention in the World about the summum bonum orchief fe­licity of man, The Athenian Philosophers (though Athens were [...] the very Greece of Greece, and abounded with the most Mercuriall witts, and sublimated under stan­dings) did erect altars to an unknown God Acts. 17.23. and thence we may conclude that the summum bonum was to them an un­known good. The Apostle tells the gifted tea­chers of the Church of Cornith (such a [...] [Page 5] Luther was wont to call Theologi gloriae, Do­ctors of glory, or rather vain-glorious Doctors, that did hunt after the praise of men more than the praise of God) that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdome knew not God, and therefore it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1. Cor. 1.21. That is to say, by the preaching of Christ; of Christ cru­cifyed, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks folishness, but unto them which are called both Jewes and Greekes, Christ the pow­er of God, & the wisdome of God. v. 23.24. Those that seek for true happiness any where else but in the Gospell, and in Jesus Christ the subject and Epitome of it, they have entred upon a labour in vain, and are in as comfortles a Condition as the Sectarian seekers of our age, that seek without a promise, and there­fore seek for that which they can have no hope to find. But to such as Covet the best things, and are carryed out with an high, and holy ambition after the highest good, be­hold my Text sheweth a most excellent way. My Text holds it out, My Doctrine tells you what it is.

Christ is the highest, most precious, and only excellent good unto Believers.

Though Gods ipse dixit be far before [Page 6] Aristotles, and all humane testimonies, that it may challenge our belief, and consent without further evidence, and we may war­rantably acquiesce in any truth that the spirit of God dictates, yet since God would no [...] have us take his truths upon trust without tryall, and the noble Bereans were commended for comparing the Apostles doctrines with the Scriptures, we shall make some fur­ther enquiry into the consent of other Scrip­tures, and observe how they concurre univo­cally to make good the truth of this asserti­on.

I might heer begin with the promises of Christ, and the prophesies that were the fore-runners of his manifestation in the flesh; in respect whereof he is said to be a lambe slai [...] from the beginning of the world. Revel. 13.8. and the same yesterday, to day and for ever. Hebr. 13.8 (i. e.) a Saviour to the uttermost, to former, and future, as well as present times. I might heer make a large Comment upon the Types, Sacrifices, and Sacraments, of the Ceremoniall Law, which was the Jewes Gospell, they all relating unto Christ that was to come, and kept up the worlds ex [...]ectation of the promised Messias. I might enlarge up­on the more Evangelicall prophesies of the [Page 7] prophet Esay, who speakes boldly, and calls things that are not as though they were, unto us a child is born unto us a Son is given. He is called the Evangelicall prophet, or propheti­call Evangelist, because he speaks rather as if he were relating an history of things fullfil­led, than delivering a prophesy of things to come.

But the fullness of evidence will be drawn from the fullness of time, wherein the fullness of Gods love was revealed in fullfilling all those promises, types, and prophesies, and bringing into the world this promised happiness, the desire of Nations. I shall therefore give you 2. or 3. Scriptures out of the writings of the Apostles for confirmation of this sweet and amiable truth, and then proceed.

The first Scripture-evidence is. 1. Cor. 2 2. I determined to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ and him crucifyed. Ma [...]k, that must needs be counted most excellent prae quo caetera sordent, in Comparison of which all other excellencies vanish like the Starrs when the Sun appeares, and such an Excellency is Jesus Christ.

The second place is Philip. 3.7. What things were gain unto me them I counted losse for Christ, yea, doubtles and I doe count all [Page 8] things but losse for the excellency of the know­ledg of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the losse of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteous­ness which is of the Law, but that which is of the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. v. 8.9. Mark, Christ was the gold, and all things else but drosse, even gold it self. Christ was the treasure, and all things else but dung.

The third place is 1. Tim. 3.16. Without controversy great is the mystery of godlines; God manifested in the flesh, justifyed in the spirit, seen of Angells, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up to glory; all this is nothing else but the mystery of Christ incarnate, that [...] that mystery of mysteries as one of the Ancients calls it, that miraculorum officina, that shop of wonders, as another phrases it, wherein ma­ny wonders, and mysteries do meet in one; Mysteries have been alwaies reverend, and sacred, and of high esteem, and this being the Mystery of Mysteries must needes be the ex­cellence of excellencies, the most excelling ex­cellence.

Next to Scripture-testimonies I may by [Page 9] way of illustration set off the excellency of Christ in a multitude of particulars, and give [...]n a cluster of his Excellencies as.

1. The excellency of his Person, of which [...]ee Hebr. 1.1, 2, 3. God who at sundry times, [...]nd in diverse manners spake in time past un­ [...]o the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last [...]aies spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath [...]ppointed heyre of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of [...]is glory, and the expresse image of his person, [...]nd upholding all things by the word of his pow­ [...]r, when he had by himself purged our sinns, [...]ate down on the right hand of the majesty on [...]igh. And Cant. 5.9, 10. When the spouse was asked what her beloved was more than [...]ther beloved, she answers My beloved is [...]hite and ruddy, the chiefest often thousand, [...]nd goes on in a most amorous description of [...]is personall excellencies to the end of the Chapter, and then concludes thus, v. 16. He [...]s totum mabile, yea, he is altogether lovely; This is my beloved, and this is my freind, O Daughters of Jerusalem.

2. The excellency of his name. See Cant. [...]. 3. Because of the savour of thy sweet oint­ments, thy name is as an ointment poured forth, [...]herefore do the Virgins love thee. Thou shalt [Page 10] call his name Jesus was the appointment [...] God himself by his Angell Mat. 1.21. O [...] sweetest saving name, Bernard saith of the silables of it, and much more of the sense of i [...] that it is mel in ore, melos in aure, jubilum i [...] corde, hony to the mouth, musick to the ear [...] rejoycing to the heart; observe what the Ap [...] stle saith Hebr. 1.4. Being made so much be [...] ter than the angells, as he hath by inheritan [...] obtained a more excellent name than they. F [...] unto which of the angells sayd he at any ti [...] thou art my son, this day have I begotten the [...] And again I will be unto him a father, and [...] shall be unto me a Son.

We through his sonship, are made, a [...] called Sonnes and daughters of the Lord God a [...] mighty, that's the new name that's given wi [...] the white stone to them to whom it is given [...] eate of the hidden Manna, but ther's a va [...] difference betwixt his sonsh [...]p and ours, his by nature and inheritance, ours by grace, a [...] by adoption, and therefore the Apostle sai [...] expresly, he had a name given him above names, not only a name of glory in relation God, his only begotten, and only beloved so [...] but a name of grace relating to us, that na [...] of Jesus at which every knee must bow, thin [...] in heaven and things in earth, and thin [...] [Page 11] under the Earth &c. Philip. 2.9, 10, 11. Which Scripture intends not that we should [...]lance the old superstitious sink-apace to the sil­ [...]ables of his name, as the Church of Rome hath [...]iped unto such as sate in darkness and the [...]haddow of Death in the rise and reign of An­ [...]ichrist, this were to dishonour his name in making an Idol of it, but our hearts, and the knees of our soules must bow in an awfull re­verence and subjection unto the sense, and spirit of that glorious and fearfull name, the Lord our God, and that gracious and sweet name, the Lord our Righteousness.

3. The excellency of his Portion see Hebr. 1.2. God hath appointed him to be heyre of all things. David brings in his Father speaking thus unto him Ps. 2.8. Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheri­tance, and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession. No King was ever so rich in subjects and dominions as this royall King Je­sus, the King of Saints, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. All things are given unto me of my father said Christ. Luk. 10.22. And all power is given unto me in Heaven, and in Earth. Mat. 28.18. Well did the Apostle pray for his Ephesians, Eph. 1.18. That their eyes might be enlightened to see [Page 12] what the riches of Gods glorious inheritance [...] in the Saints (i. e.) Christs riches in having th [...] Saints for his Portion, or rather the Sain [...] riches in having Christ to be their po [...] tion and inheritance.

4. The excellency of his offices, who w [...] the King, Priest, and Prophet of his Churc [...] The Apostle saith that the Lord Christ is ma [...] to us by his father Wisdome, and Righteou [...] ness, and Sanctification and Redemption [...] Cor. 1.30. Wisdome in his propheticall offic [...] Righteousness and Sanctification is his Pries [...] office, and Redemption in his Kingly. In th [...] respect the Christ or anointed one of Go [...] is said to be anointed with the oyle of gladne [...] above his fellows.

There have been such as have been Kin [...] and Priests, and such as have been Kings a [...] Prophets, but the Son of God was a King a [...] Priest and Prophet, in respect of which offic [...] he's a Saviour to the uttermost. Hebr. 7.2

5. The excellency of his Purchase, havin [...] purchased heaven for his elect, and them s [...] heaven, and both by his bloud, ye were n [...] redeemed saith the Apostle with corruptib [...] things, as gold and silver, but with the precio [...] bloud of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemis [...] and without spot. 1. Pet. 1.18, 19. Heave [...] [Page 13] is a donative to us, but a purchase to Christ, [...]ea, it cost him so dear of purpose that it might [...]e cheap to us; he dyed for our sinns, and rose [...]gain for our Justification. He dyed to pur­ [...]hase repentance and remission of sinns, and [...]ose again to Communicate it, to bring life; [...]nd immortality to light through the Gos­ [...]ell.

6. The excellency of his Power. He hath [...]ot only bought off his redeemed ones at a [...]ear rate, but he doth also fetch them off with [...]n high hand. Some slaves among men are [...]edeemed by price, and ransome, some by [...]ower and rescue, The slaves of sin and Satan do need both, Christ having payd his life for [...]hem, and shed every drop of his dearest [...]loud; he must also put out the power of his omnipotency to rescue them from the strong man armed, Luke. 11.21. and therefore such as are pull'd from the Lyons paw, and snatcht like brands out of the fire, they are sayd to be made believers by the exceeding greatness of Gods power, and according to the working of his mighty power. Eph. 1.10. and when they are fetcht off from their hard heart with an high hand, they are kept by the same hand of omnipotency from returning again unto their folly; according to that saying. 1. Pet. 1.5. [Page 14] Yee are kept by the power of God through fait [...] unto Salvation.

We come next to reason out the Excellency of Jesus Christ, and he will appear to b [...] the most Excellent and highest good for the [...] few pregnant Reasons.

• 1. Because he is so in the Fathers account
• 2. Because he is really so in himself.
• 3. Because he is so to us.
• 4. Because he is so in the Saints account
• 5. Because he makes all other thing good.

And therefore for all these reasons ough [...] to be so in ours; hearken attentively, & giv [...] up not only your eares but your understandings and hearts, while I indeavour to spea [...] with the spirit and with the understanding t [...] your reasonable Soules of these reasons i [...] their order.

1. Reason. Because he is so in God the Fathers account. What ever men think, God i [...] only wise, and only able to put a right estimate upon Chr [...]st. Little heed is to be give [...] to the judgments and sayings of men afte [...] the flesh in this matter, the most Worldly wis [...] [Page 15] are more than purblind, and the lower sort [...]verwhelmed with utter blindness, and such darkness as cannot be felt in this matter; We may ask the Apostles Question, where is [...]he wise? where is the disputer? hath not God [...]nfatuated the wisdome of this wourld?

And we may return answers to such Que­ [...]tions in his own words. Eye hath not seen, [...]or eare heard, nor hath it entred into the heart [...]f man &c. 1. Cor. 2.9. & v. 14. of that Chap. [...]he naturall man, [...] &c. recei­ [...]eth not the things of the spirit of God for they [...]re foolishness unto him [...] either can he know them (his eyes & heart are [...]ealed up under a naturall impossibility) because [...]hey are spiritually discerned. We may say [...]f our selves in respect of the uttermost pos­ [...]bility of the naturall man in David's words, [...]ch knowledge is too wonderfull and excellent [...]or me, I cannot attain unto it. The know­ [...]edg of Christ and the learning of Christ is [...]rs artium, an art by it self, the only art that [...]akes wise unto salvation. This is Eternall [...]fe, that they know thee the only true God, and [...]esus Christ whom thou hast sent. Joh. 17.3. [...]nd though it be so much undervalued by the [...]en of the world, that they will give them­ [...]elves no time but by the by, and what the [Page 16] world and flesh can spare to think of Chri [...] and their soules, and the things of heaven, a [...] eternity, yet if with the prodigall they eve [...] come to themselves, they will take sin an [...] shame unto themselves, and with David b [...] foole and be beast themselves, for their carleness. So foolish was I and ignorant, even as very bruit before thee, or if they awake n [...] from their dead sleep of security till the drop into hell, then they will cry out, n [...] insensati? O fooles that we were to cou [...] preaching foolishness, Oh beasts and bedla [...] that we were to count holiness and Exa [...] walking madness. Therefore as we wou [...] not goe to a blind man to ask his judgme [...] concerning colours, so let us not goe to worldly, or Carnall man to ask his judgme [...] of the Excellency of Christ; or if we shoul [...] I believe ther's not one of a thousand to [...] found but will tell you, and give it under h [...] hand that Christ is more Excellent than [...] the profits of the world, and all the pleasures [...] the flesh, though his practicall judgment [...] crosse leggs with his speculative, an [...] we may write upon his largest concess [...] ons,

The good which I allow, I choose not, the Evill which I condemn, that I practise. But if we would take a true estimate of the Excel­lency of Christ, lets go to School to St. Paul, and he hath told you, he desired to know no­thing else but Jesus Christ and him crucifyed, as you heard in the first Scripture testimony that we gave of this truth, 1. Cor. 2.2. and to have nothing else to his portion, as you heard in the second place, Phil. 3.7. But why should we thus spend time in circumlocuti­on, We have a sure word and testimony from heaven in that articulate voice that came from thence, when Christ by Baptism was se­parated, and as it were ordained to office, Mat. 3.17. This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Speak out Sirs, and declare your thoughts, Is God wisest, or are men wi­ser than he? If men be so, then the world­ [...]ings Diana may be cryed up, or the voluptuous mans Idol of Carnall-self may be set up and worshipped, and according to mens severall fancies and interests some may give their voice for one vanity and some for [...]nother. But if God be wisest (and let God [...]e true and every man a lyar) then let all Da­gons fall down before the ark, and let all other Excellencies give place to Christ, O [Page 18] know, sinners, that next to Gods own infinit and Eternall being, he loves his Coaeternall, Coessentiall, and Coaequall Son, yea, with the highest love of sweetest complacency, and ever­lasting delight: observe the indeering names by which he is called in the word, primogeni­tus, and unigenitus, first begotten and first beloved, onely begotten, and best beloved, as Lemuel's mother did run division, and ring the changes concerning her son, her Jididiab or only beloved Salomon Pro. 31.2. What! my Son, and the Son of my womb! & what! the Son of my vowes! We may imagine God the father speaking more Excellent things of his Son?

What my Son! My only Son! My belo­ved Son! My onely beloved! My Benjamin! The Son of my right hand! The Son of my great, and eternall designes! In whom I have elected my secret ones, by whom I will call my elected ones, for whom I will justify my called ones, in whom I will reconcile, adopt, and sanctify my justifyed ones, and with whom I will glorify all them that are Sanctifyed! The main hinge and key of all my predestinating purposes! The Secretary of all my Counsells? The almoner of my grace, and the heyre, and lawfull inheritour of my glory! My Son, who art the express image of my person! and [Page 19] in whom all fullness dwells! Yea, the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily. When a father hath many Sons, the Sea of his love divides [...]t self into many drilling streames, and he di­vides himself amongst them all. But when he hath but one, all the streames of his affe­ction do unite into one mighty undivided [...]orrent. Though Christ (that thought it no robbery to be equall with God) were terrae filius by condescention, in his humanity, which was the foot of Jacob's mysticall Ladder, which stood upon the earth; Yet he was Dei filius, & haeres coeli, God's Son, and heyre of heaven in respect of his divinity, which was the top of [...]hat vision all ladder that reacht heaven. And [...]hough he appeared in fashion as a man, and took on him the form of a Servant, and humb­led himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the crosse, yet observe what golden [...]ore the prophet Isay mixes with this seeming refuse rubbish, Isay 53.7, 8. He was oppressed, he was afflicted, yet opened he not his mouth, he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her sheerers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment (i. e.) He was taken out of the world by imprisonment and judgment, as a Malefactour, but observe what follows, Who [Page 20] shall declare his generation? (i. e.) his gene­ration is matter of wonder and astonishmen [...] to men, and angells, they may run to their wits end in considering of it, and when they conceive him to be God of God, and light of light, this light will so dazle them, that they will be blinded with it, and will be ready to confesse with Symonides the philosopher o [...] his conceivings of God, when he had firs [...] taken day after day to consider of it, he tol [...] Hiero the Syracusian King that put the Que­stion to him, that the more he studyed it the lesse he knew, and was blinder in the Myste­ry at the last daies end than he was at the first; And let not us think (poor low-spirite [...] sinners as we are) that this Son of God, o [...] whom you have heard such excellent things (yet one halfe is not told you) that he was thus wonderfully begotten by his father before al [...] worlds, and so wonderfully received by the holy ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary in the full­ness of time, only, or chiefly to bring such in­considerable nothings as we are to glory. No no flatter not your selves, Sinners, though this is a comfortable appurtenance unto Christs comming in the flesh, and such as considerate, and meditationall believers would not exchange for the wealth and [Page 21] glory of a thousand worlds, yet the founda­tion of Gods design is laid higher, not in our glory but in his own; To the glory of his grace, Eph. 1.6. Not in our glory, but his Sonns, we may borrow Peter's words to the men of Israel that admired the miracle of re­storing sight to the blind man, Acts. 3.13. Ye men of Israel why marvell ye at this? The God of Abraham, and of Isaak, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorifyed his Son Jesus &c. And observe how the Apostle gives his sense of it, Phil. 2. Where after he made mention of his sufferings v. 7, 8. He falls presently upon the mention of his Exaltation. v. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name &c. Yea, and that great and terrible day of judgment is chiefly appointed for the Exaltation of Christ; then shall it be said of his Enemies that would not that he should reign over them, bring them out & slay them before me. The Apostle hath a flaming place to that purpose, 2. Thes. 1, 7, 8. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angells in flaming fire rendring vengeance to them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall be punished with everlasting de­struction [Page 22] from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. When he shall come to be glorifyed in his Saints. & to be admi­red in all them that believe. Where you may run and read that the high design of the generall judgment day is to glorify God in his mercy, and justice, to glorify his grace in his saved ones, and his justice upon them that perish; and with his own glory which is so dear unto him, he hath twinn'd the Exaltation of his dear Son, that he may be glorifyed in his Saints, and admired in them that believe. And so much shall suffice for the first Reason of Christ's excellence, because he's a dear Son and precious in God the father's account.

2. Reason. Because he is really so in himself, excellent, most excellent, more than superlatively Excellent, more than tongues can speak, or hearts can think. Christ is the Center in which all the lines of Excellency do meet. He's the Ocean into which all the rivers of Excellencies do unload themselves: He deserves never to be mentioned but in the midst of his fullness, The fullness of Christ: Nor to be named without his riches. The riches of Christ. The riches of his fullness, and fullnesse [Page 23] of his riches. I could here rather spend my self in thinking and admiring, than in speaking and speaking short, for so I must, since I am cast upon a subject that is unutterable. Oh for some of the Apostles sublimated concepti­ons when he was caught up into the third hea­ven, so I might bring down some of his [...] 2. Cor. 12.4. Wordless words, but what would that avail, if when I had brought them down, I could not bring them, forth, I could not utter them. I can think much more than I can speak, but Christ's excellen­cies do infinitely excell all that I can think, yea, all that can be spoken or thought of them; He were but a poor Christ if the tongues of all the learned in the world, or Angells in heaven were able to give you a full description of his Excellencies. Yet I shall indeavour to do an office like unto the faithfull spies that were sent into Canaan, bring you a cluster that may give you a tast of the Lands flowings, or overflowings rather, for if in any thing hea­vens measure be heaped up, shaken together, pressed down and running over, it is in giving out Christ unto believers, out of whose fullnesse we are all receivers, and grace for grace, Joh. 1.16. Whilest we are gathering up particu­lars, we shall be like the Bee that flies from [Page 24] flower to flower to make a Collection of sweetness; But when we come to Christ we are like Bees landed at their full hives, and dwelling in the midst of their riches; attend whilst I fly from one Similitude, or shaddow to another, as from flower to flower, to gather you together a Confluence of Excellencies, and then we will lay up all our hony together in the hive, and terminate all our excellencies in Christ.

Now let us but cast about, and scanne the excellence of those things to which Christ i [...] compared (of which we must say notwith­standing

Its but a comparing great things with small) and there we may have some dimme resemblances of the super-abounding Excel­lencies that are in Christ.

1. Do you count life excellent? Though the spirituall man hath found things that are more Excellent, and can say with the prophet, cease ye from the man whose breat his in his no­strills, for wherein is he to be accounted of, Isay. 2. ult. and can whith David tell God that his loving kindness is better than life, yet the naturall man, that counts death the King of feares, and as the Prince of Philosophers [Page 25] calls it [...] the most terrible [...]f terribles, he hath life in highest account, he esteems it (if his practise be a right measure of his judgment) higher than God, than Christ, than the Salvation of his soul; Let the Divell be his interpreter for once, Who is too well acquainted with the waies of the na­turall man, & he speakes thus of him, Job. 2. [...]4. Skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his life. Why, if life be to be accoun­ted Excellent, then Christ is a believers life. In the old Adam we are all dead, being brought into the new Adam we are made alive. He that hath the Son hath life, & he that hath not the Son hath not life. 1. Joh. 5.12. & the Apostle sayth our life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3.3.

2. Do you count your soules Excellent? Though the naturall man prize life above his Soul, yet the spirituall man values his soul above his life, yea, and above all things in the world, having learnt of the Saviour of soules to make that part estimate, who askes that double question in one breath, Mat. 16.26. What shall it profit a man to gain the world, if he lose his soul? Or what shall a man give in Exchange for his Soul? Why if the soul be to be accounted excellent, then Christ is, for the Apostle speaks of him as of his very [Page 26] soul, Not I but Christ liveth in me. Galat. 2 [...] 20. What the soul is to the body, the same i [...] Christ unto the soul, anima est vita corpori [...] Christus animae. The soul gives life to the body, and Christ to the soul, the separatio [...] from the soule is the bodies death, and a separation from Christ is the soules death. D [...] but observe what an high esteem the godl [...] have had of their Soules, Jacob called h [...] soul his glory. Gen. 49.6. And David calle [...] his Darling, and so should believers accou [...] Christ, as their own Soules, and love him [...] Jonathan was said to love David, as his o [...] Soul, yea, they should call him their glory, an [...] count him their Darling.

3. Do you count a Feast excellent? [...] feast is made up of all manner of varietie and dainties; Its a contribution of creature from ayre, Earth, and water, the fowles of th [...] ayre, the beasts of the earth, and fishes of the Se [...] are summoned to pay their tribute to our festivalls. And Christ is not only a believe [...] food, but a believers feast. Its not only sai [...] by Christ. My flesh is meat indeed, and m [...] bloud is drink indeed, Iohn. 6.55. And b [...] the spirit, to him that overcommeth will I giv [...] to eat of the hidden Manna, Rev. 2.17. an [...] the spirit and bride say come, and let him th [...] [Page 27] heareth say come, and let him that is athirst come, and let whosoever will come and drink of the water of life freely, Revel. 22.17. But its sayd moreover that God makes a feast in his holy mount, a feast of fat things full of mar­row, and wines upon the lees well refined, Isay. 25.6. And gospell-provisions are compared to a King making a Marriage feast for his Son, Mat. 22.2. and Christ is the Marrow, and the Wine of this feast, yea, the banquet, musick and complements of all its excellen­cy.

4. Do you count royall robes, or gorgeous apparrell excellent? Oh how taking are such gold and silver trappings with the Sons, and Daughters of pride? Why Christ is sayd to be a believers cloathing, Rom. 13.13. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, they are cloathed with the seamless coat of his righteousness; and the woman cloathed with the Sun. Revel. 12.1. is none other than the Church in her mem­bers cloathed with Christ; the Kings daugh­ter that is all glorious with in, even that cloath of silver, and cloath of gold which are lookt upon as sumptuous and glittering ornaments are but raggs to this.

5. Do you count the water of life to be ex­cellent? What would not a fainting, sink­ing, [Page 28] dying man give for a rich, and soveraign cordiall? Why Christ is such, yea, the very quintessence of all that's cordiall, who will no [...] only give health in sickness, but life in death

6. Do you count joy to be excellent? It's a most reviving passion, even like life from the dead. Ask a man that hath been under the sentence of death by some dangerous and desperate sickness: Ask a Mother when she is delivered from the pangs of travell, which she thought would cost her her life: Ask a malefactor or Traytor that hath recieved his pardon at the block or Gallows, or a slave when he is newly redeemed and released from that hell upon earth, The Spanish inquisition, or the Turkish Gallies: they will give you a shaddow of it, but a believers joy in Christ is greater, even greater than joy in har­vest, and greater than his that findeth the grea­test spoiles.

7. Is gold accounted excellent? Yea, its too much set by, by such as will sell soules, and Salvation and all for it. Why Christ is compared to gold tryed in the fire, Revel. 3.18. I counsell thee to buy of me gold tryed in the fire that thou maist be rich. (i. e.) that summe which Christ hath payd for a believers ransome, his passive obedience in undergoing [Page 29] the curse of the law for them, and his active in fullfilling the righteousness of the Law for them.

8. Do men esteem of a Crown, the Em­bleme of Majesty; though I read of one that sayd, If men did but know what a Crown of thornes and cares did line a Crown of gold, no man would stoop to the ground to take it up, yet it lookes lovely in the Eyes of such as affect supremacy; and Christ in the word is sayd to be a believers Crown. If that place will not carry it, Revel. 3.11. directed to Philadelphia, hold fast that none take away thy Crown. That Phil. 3.14. will carry further, even beyond all the Kingdoms of the world and glory of them, I presse forward towards the mark for the prise of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus. And that 2. Tim. 4.8. Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righ­teousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appea­ring.

9. You do count Jewells excellent and the best part of your treasure, they do out-weigh gold and silver, and are lookt upon as prizes fittest for princes; And Christ is that pearle of great price which so prevailed with the rich [Page 30] Merchant to sell all to purchase it. Mat. 13.46. And that hid treasure, which when it was found, the finder sold all his estate to buy it, Mat. 13.44.

10. Do we not count highly of the first-born, the first times did that gave him the priority in the family, the priests office, and the double portion. And Christ is called the first-born among many brethren, the first born that ever came into the world by such a mira­culous conception. The first-born from the dead, that ever rose by his own power. And the first-born in the Kingdom of heaven that entred there in his own right; Yea, the first in dignity among all that congregation of the first-born that is now in that Panegyricall assembly, which is in heaven. Hebr. 12.24.

11. Have we not high thoughts of the Sun among the Creatures? What would the world do without it? And surely the world can better be without the Sun, than the Church without Christ, and David tells us the Lord is a Sun, Ps. 84. And nothing is more known by its proper name, then the Son of God by that glorious name, The sun of Righ­teousness, The Church in reference to Christ is called the Moon, Cant. 6.10. Because as the Moon shines by the Sunns light, so doth [Page 31] the Church by Christs, and in this respect also Christ is sayd to be the husband, and the Church the wife, because uxor splendet radiis mariti. The wife is indowed with her hus­bands riches and honour.

12. Is not a shield much set by? It was [...]urely by the ancients, which did defend [...]hemselves with shields, and David saith, the Lord is a shield as well as a sun. Ps. 84.11. And God sayth unto Abraham, fear not Abra­ham, I am thy shield, or thy buckler, and thy ex­ [...]eeding great reward. Gen. 15.1. Its storied of Epaminondas a valiant Warriour, that ha­ving sustained great losses in war, when the [...]eport was brought to him, he presently de­manded, but whats become of my shield, is [...]hat lost too? no sayd the messenger that is [...]afe, then he concluded that he had lost no­ [...]hing. So should believers concerning Christ, whatsoever they lose, though their riches, pleasures, friends, liberties, lives, yet [...]f they can but keep Christ, he alone will re­compence all losses.

13. Because you shall have more than a full Jury of Testimonies, and measure with ad­vantage. Do we not count much upon a sure foundation, and lay the whole stresse of the building upon it? Surely Christ teacheth us [Page 32] to do so when he mentions building upon th [...] rock and sand, Mat. 7.24, 26. And so do [...] the Apostle when he saith, Other foundatio [...] can no man lay than that which is layd, and th [...] foundation is Christ. 1. Cor. 3.11. Why the very scope of my Text lookes this way and I need not insist longer upon it. Behol [...] I lay in Zyon a chief corner stone, elect and pr [...] cious, and whosoever believeth in him shall n [...] be ashamed, and then infers. To you therefor [...] who believe he is precious.

Having now ascended by degrees to a [...] high mount of excellencyes, though we shoul [...] see Christ transfigured with Peter, James an [...] John, We will not cry bonum est esse hic; i [...] is good for Christ to be with us, but it's bette [...] to be with Christ, yea, best of all, I desire to b [...] dissolved and to be with Christ which is bes [...] of all, Phil. 1.23.

Let us look back from this mount, and take a prospect of the steps that we have trod­den.

1. Life is the most excellent of all Tempo­ralls.

2. The soul is the most noble part of man.

3. A Feast is the most excellent of enter­tainments.

4. Robes of ornament are the most excel­lent clothing.

5. Cordialls are the most excellent of Phi­sick.

6. Joy is the most excellent of the passions.

7. Gold is the most excellent of metalls.

8. A Crown is the most excellent of orna­ments.

9. Jewells are the most excellent part of a Crown.

10. The first-born is the most excellent of the family.

11. The Sun is the most excellent of inani­mate Creatures.

12. A shield is the most excellent armour.

13. A sure foundation is the most excellent part of the building.

Do not all these excellencies prove that Christ, who is compared to all these, is the most excellent good?

It were easy to be endles in the excellen­cies of Christ; he's [...] beginner and finisher of our faith. Hebr. 12.2. Yea, he's beginning, middle, and end. Rom. 11.36. Of him, and through him, and to him are all things.

• [Page 34]1. Of him tanquam ex principio.
• 2. Through him tanquam medium.
• 3. To him tanquam ad finem.

• 1. Of him as of their beginning.
• 2. Through him as through their meanes.
• 3. To him as to their end.

Christ is the Inprimis of a believers bill, for thus it runs. Inprimis Christ. Item promi­ses, then grace, mercy, peace, and at last joy unspeakeable and glorious. And he's the Omega as well as Alpha, the last as well as the first of a believers care, to have Christ with us in grace. and holiness is the first, and to be with Christ in glory and happiness is the last. Yea, he's the very upshot, and summe to­tall of a believers account, as once a Martyr sayd, Christum & omnia: Christum & omnia. Give me Christ and I have all.

He is the field that containes the hid trea­sure, for in him are hid all the treasures of wis [...]ome and knowledg: Yea he's the hid trea­sure its self that is hid in the field of the word; The Jewell in that Cabinet, the hid­den [Page 35] Manna that descends in that dew: Ob­ [...]erve and see whether he be not placed as the [...]eriod of all that Panegyricall pompe, as a [...]weet-meat in the end of a feast to make up the [...]elievers mouthes, Hebr. 12.22.23.24. [...]ee are come to mount Syon, and unto the City [...]f the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, [...]nd to an innumerable company of angells. To [...]he generall assembly, and Church of the first- [...]orn which are written in heaven, and to God [...]he judge of all, and to the soules of the just made perfect, now it follows, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant &c. That's [...]he altitude, the very apex that culminates a [...]elievers happiness: Some make vision the height of blessedness, and therefore call it the vision beatificall; but fruition is a step beyond [...]hat, for what will it profit a traveller to see [...]ich Countries wherein he hath no portion, or a measurer of land to know the borders of [...]nother estate; And here is a step beyond [...]oth vision and fruition, that all is seen and enjoyed through Christ, nay that they have pardon and life, and God and Christ with [...]hem, that they have gifts and giver and all. Oh how should believers look for, & long for, & pray for, & live for, & strive, & wrastle & [...]ight for that blessed time, when Christ shall [Page 36] be revealed, and they shall not only be with him but like him, and see and enjoy him as he is. 1. Joh. 3.2. and so much be spoken of the second Reason, which was both so full and sweet, that blame me not if I have played loath to part.

3. Reason. Because he is so to us: Lord thou art good and dost good saith David. Ps. 119.68. and so may we say to Christ. If he were never so excellent in himself, yet if he were not so to us, selfish man would overlook all the other as nothing; but it will appear that Christ hath been exceeding good to us, if we take into close consideration three things which shall be the amplifications of this rea­son.

• 1. What he hath been for us.
• 2. What he hath suffered for us.
• 3. What he hath done for us.

1. What he hath been for us: Well may we put on David's resolution to be more vile for the Lord, when we consider how vile he hath been for us. He that thought it no rob­bery to be equall with God, humbled himselfe, and became obedient to death, even the death of the crosse, take notice of that double death, [Page 37] those 2 deaths in one, death and the most shamefull and painfull death: death, even the death of the crosse, Exinanivit seipsum, he in whom all fullness dwelt emptyed himself, he layd aside the excellency of his glory that he might advance the excellency of his grace: he made his glory obscure like the Sun in a cloud, or ecclips'd, to make his grace glorious. The Evangelist speaks all when he sayth Joh. 1.14. The word was made flesh; he doth not say God was made man, but the spirit calls him the word to shew how great he was, and further sayth he was made flesh, a word of diminution to shew how mean he was: Quan­tus erat ut deus, quantillus ut homo, to shew how great he was as God, and how little he be­came in being made man. He took on him the form of a servant, and was sold at the rate of a slave, being valued at 30. pieces of silver. and for this cause God hath exalted him. Phil. 2.9. and for this cause we should exalt him, and should say. Quantò pro nobis vilior, tantò nobis charior, Oh holy and blessed Saviour, the more vile thou didst become for us, the more dear shalt thou be unto us.

2. What he hath suffered for us. The fore­going consideration spake to this likewise, shewing what he was, and what he suffered: [Page 38] God's coaequall humbled himself, that shewes what he was; and suffered death even t [...] death of the Crosse, that sheweth what he suffe­red. The Apostle [...]aith, Gal. 4.4. When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the Law, to re­deem them that are under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sonns. In which words are contained.

1. The fullness of time. When the fullness &c.

2. The fullness of Love. God sent &c.

3. The fullness of obedience, both active and passive. Made under the Law. (i. e.) undergoing the curse of the law passively, and fullfilling the righteousness of the Law actively.

4. The fullness of blessedness, that we might receive the adoption of Sonns.

The prophet saith he was broken for our sinns, bruised for our iniquities, the chastise­ment of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. Isay. 53.5. and the Apostle sayth he dyed for our sinns, and rose again for our justification. Rom. 4.25.

3. What he hath done for us, and the things that he doth for us are of 2. sorts.

• 1. The things that he doth for us.
• 2. The things that he doth in us.

The first is that that is done for us, Justifica­tion.

The Second are the things that are done in mortification and sanctification.

1. The things that he hath done for us with­out us, besides that which hath been sayd of his sufferings which are ingredient into our justification, he hath fullfilled the righteous­ness of the Law, that he might be The Lord our Righteousness.

2. The things that he hath done for us with­in us: He puts out his omnipotency to make us new Creatures, and takes away the stony hearts out of our bodies, and gives us hearts of flesh; he powres clean water upon us to make us clean, clenses us from our idolls and fillthi­ness, He kill's our sinns and corruptions, and quickens our graces; he breakes us with the hammer of his law, melt's us with the fire of ordinances, casts us into the mould of his word, tries & purifies us in the fornace of afflictions: shaking us by the spirit of bondage, setling [Page 40] us by the spirit of adoption, that we may be vessells of mercy fitted for glory; It's the mighty power of God, and the vertue that goes out from Jesus Christ that doth effect this.

4. Reason. Because he is so in the Saints account. They are ready to proclaim him to be optimus, maximus, bigg'st and best: What Balaam the false prophet spake in a bragging bravado. Num. 24.3, 4. Balaam hath sayd, and the ma [...] whose eyes are open hath sayd: He hath sayd which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the allmighty, falling into a transe, but having his eyes open. How goodly are thy Tents, O Jacob, and thy Tabernacles, O Israel! I may say, and much more to our present purpose: Many a prophet hath spo­ken, yea, God hath spoken it by the univocall consent of his holy prophets which have been since the World began. The Evangelists, Apostles, and believers of all ages, who have had their eyes open, & have seen the visions of the Allmighty; Even those that have been taken up into the third Heaven in Divine rap­tures they have sayd, How goodly is thy Savi­our, Oh Jacob and thy Redeemer, O Israell! He is the light to lighten the Gentiles, and the [Page 41] glory of Israel: Oh how goodly is that Light, that true Light, that Light of Light, That Son of the father of Lights, that lightens every one that comes into the World, or rather every one that comes out of the world to Christ, for he came to his own and his own received him not, and this is sayd to be the World's condemna­tion that Light is come into the World, and men love darkness more then Light. That a Saviour is come unto the world, and yet Soules will not flock unto this Saviour.

But we must chiefly intend our matter in hand, which is to acquaint you what account Christ hath allwayes been had in with his Saints, who is called King of Saints, and is sayd to have a rich and glorious Inheritance in the Saints. Eph. 1.18. (i. e.) he glorying in his Saints and accounting them his portion, and his Saints glorying in him, and taking him to be their Inheritance, and their mutu­all Covenant complacency in one another when they can say with the spouse, My beloved is mine and I am his.

Now to fetch it ab origine.

• 1. Christ was present when Man was made.
• 2. Christ was promised when Man was marr'd.
• 3. Christ is president when Man is new made.

1. Christ was present when Man wa [...] made The faciamus hominem comprehends him. Gen. 1.26. Which the Rabbines say is God and his Counsell, or as others of the God and his judgment Hall alluding to the lesser shanedrin, as it is conceived, which con­sisted of 3. neither more nor lesse; or if he were not taken in there, The Evangelist i [...] plain, Joh. 1.3. All things were made by him, and without him was nothing made that was made.

2. And as Christ was present when Ma [...] was made, so he was promised when Man wa [...] marr'd; When the curse was denounce [...] against the serpent, and before it was de­nounc'd against the woman and the man, it was promised that the seed of the woma [...] should break the Serpents head. Gen. 3.15.

3. And Christ is president when Man is new made; as the Apostle doth fully testify when he saith if any be in Christ he is a new Creature. 2. Cor. 5.17. He was the promi­sed seed mentioned by Moses, not only i [...] Adam's, but in Abraham's case, in reference to his son Isaak, the seed in whom all Nations should be blessed, Gen. 12.3. In the Law gi­ven by Moses, every ceremony points, to [Page 43] Christ, and therefore it is called the Jew's gospel, and St. Iohn sayth, though the Law was given by Moses, yet grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, he was the substance of those shaddows, and the truth of those types. And if we do but read the ceremoniall Law with that Evangelicall Comment the Epistle to the Hebrews, you will find that that delates most methodically upon the person, and natures, and offices of Jesus Christ. And it's there fur­ther testifyed of Moses that he esteemed the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures of Aegypt Heb. 11.26. (i. e.) the worst of Christ better than the best of the World, for Aegypt, was called sumen totius orbis, the Na­vill, or granary of the World.

It's further sayd John 8.^th. 56. that Abra­ham desired to see Christ's day and rejoyced to see it.

Hee's called the Star of Jacob. Num. 24.17.

The root of Jesse Isay. 11.1.

David's Lord. Psalm. 110.1.

The Branch. Isay, 11.1. Isay. 4.2.

The glorious rest.

The desire of Nations.

The King in glory. Psal. 24 7, 9.

The Lord our Righteousness. Jer. 23.6.

The most Holy. Dan. 9.24.

David ownes him as his Lord, and in his Psalmes writes at large of his Propheticall, Priestly and Kingly office, take a tast of it from Ps. 110.

Salomon writes a book of him. That amo­rous song of his, the beginning whereof beggs the kisses of his mouth, and proclaimes his love to be better then wine. Cant. 1.2. And complaines (speaking in the person of the Church) that he was love-sick, for the bride­grooms flaggons, and wineseller, and apples, comparing him to all things that were amia­ble, and when he was run out of breath, pro­claiming him to be totum amabile, altogether lovely. Cant. 5.16.

Isay the prophet speaks loftily of him Isay. 9.6, 7. Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the goverment shall be up­on his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderfull, Counsellor, The mighty God, The Everlasting father, The prince of peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdome to order it, and to stablish it with judgment and with justice henceforth, and for ever.

John the Baptist sprang, and as it were danc'd for joy in his Mothers womb at the Virgins visit, Luke. 1.41. and afterward glo­ried that he must decrease in Christs increa­sings. Joh. 3.30.

The Evangelists make him the subject of all their writings, and fill their Gospel with the history of his Conception, Nativi­ty, Life, Sermons, Miracles, Sufferings, Death, Resurrection, Ascention, and sessi­on, and second Coming. They declare at large that he was such a Preacher that he spake as never man spake, Iohn. 7.46. And the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth, caused wonder and astonishment. And that he was such a mighty worker, that he wrought as never man wrought, it was con­cluded that no man could do such miracles except God were with him. Iohn. 3.2. And the Evangelist John concludes, Ch. 21.25. There are many other things that Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that the world it self could not con­taine the books that should be written.

The lifting up of the Serpent by Moses in the wildernesse was but an Embleme of Christs lifting up upon the Cross, and in that according to his prediction he drew all [Page 46] Eyes and hearts after him as their Phisitian to heal them, and their Jesus to save them.

What Paul thought of him hath been ob­served from 1. Cor. 2.2. Where he desired to know nothing else but Jesus Christ, and him crucifyed, and from Philip. 3.7, 8. Where he accounts of all as dung and drosse in Comparison of the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Jesus &c.

And what Peter thought of him is mani­fest from my Text, that he is the chief corner stone, and pearle of price. The Church is sayd to be built upon the foundation of Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ being the head corner stone Eph. 2.20.

Yea, the mouthes of all the Prophets and Kings, and Righteous men, of all the Evange­lists, Apostles, Martyrs, Teachers; believers have spoken reverently, and magnifyingly of Jesus Christ. Should I run through the whole book of God, I should be confounded in the search.

Take this for a brief account. He's the Alpha and Omega. Yea, beginning, middle, and end and all. He's the Alpha of Genesis for the Scripture. Hystory begins with him. In the begining God created. That is Chris [...] [Page 47] for one. Iohn. 1 3. All things were made by [...]im, and without him was nothing made that [...]as made. He's the summe and Epitome of Law [...]nd Gospel. The Law is but our Schoolmaster [...]o bring us unto Christ, and the Gospell is but [...]ur Tutor, when we are brought to the [...]niversity to lead us through principles, and [...]ractise to perfection.

And as he is beginning and middle, so he is [...]nd to. The Omega of the Revelation as well [...]s the Alpha of Genesis, for the Bible [...]oncludes with this invocation, Revel. 22. [...]0. Even so come Lord Jesus, come quick­ [...]y.

5. Reason. Because he makes all other [...]hings good unto Believers. Unto the pure all [...]hings are pure (i. e.) unto those that are in Christ Jesus, justifyed, and sanctifyed. But [...]nto them that are defiled and unbeleeving [...]othing is pure, but even their minds and con­ [...]cience is defiled. Tit. 1.15. Christ is the [...]hilosophers stone that turnes all metalls that [...]re toucht with it into gold: He is such a gift [...]hat turnes all gifts into mercies. Our Eng­ [...]ish Law tells us of a tenure in capite, by which if a man have but an acre of Land in [...]hat tenure, it turnes all the rest that he hath [Page 48] into the same tenure. To hold by Christ to hold by such a tenure, and though that held the worst in temporalls, yet this is th [...] best in spiritualls, according to that of th [...] Apostle 1. Cor. 3.23. All things are yours and you Christs: Jacobs enough was more i [...] this respect than Esaas enough, because Esa [...] had but the bare gifts, but Jacob had gift [...] and giver, This should teach us to covet tha [...] what we have we may have upon a Covenan [...] account, and then we shall not only have a bas­ket, but a blessing upon the basket. Deu [...] 28.5. And a little that a righteous man hat [...] will be better than all the revenues of the wick­ed. And so much may suffice to be spoke [...] concerning the Reasons that stand as a back to this Doctrine, the Application and Uses fol­low.

THE TEXT;

THese are words of Wisdom, and oh that they may be words spoken in due season.

They are a part of the wisdom of God, being a portion of his written word and re­vealed will: They proceed from him that spake as never man spake, Jesus Christ the [Page 2] word essentiall, and wisdom of his Father: And they are spoken in the defence of wis­dom against all the gainsaying sons and daughters of folly in the World; and directed to the children of Wisdom. Therefore it will be our wisdom to incline not only our ears, but our whole hearts to the hearing and receiving of them: I might deliver my mind in wise Solomons words, who was sir­named for his admirable Wisdom Solomon the wise, because he preferred a wise and un­derstanding heart above riches and honour, and therefore his wish being granted him, he ask'd wisdom, yea, he ask'd and had it, yea and had it so supereminently, that the World did ring of it in his lifetime, which brought the Queen of the South from far to visit him, and the Church hath rung of it since his death, yea, and all succeeding Generations will call him blessed, his memoriall being aeternized by those 3. admirable pieces of highest wisdom, his book of Proverbs, the book of the Prea­cher, and the Song of Songs. But that piece of his wisdom which I shall commend unto you is left upon Record, Prov. 8.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? she standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the [Page 3] paths; she cryeth at the gates, at the entry of the City, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men I call, and my voice is to the sons of men: O yee simple, understand wisdom, and yee fools be of an understanding heart. Hear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things. In which words you have Wisdom speaking for it self, and speaking with a loud voice, speak­ing from the Pulpits, and house-tops, and high places; speaking from the press, and pressing herself upon you in the most earnest and publick manner, way-laying you in your paths, to catch you with guile in the indea­vours of your Teachers, who become all things to all men, that by all means they may win some, lying at your City gates, and at your very doors, knocking in season and out of season for entertainment; to make short, she proclaims and commends such for wise and prudent that receive her, and brands, and condemns all such for fools, and bruits which refuse her, sed verbum sat sapientibus, I speak as unto wise men, judge yee what I say. From Wisdoms justifying of herself, we must [...]ass as the Text leads us to her justification [...]y her Children. For wisdom is justified of [...] her Children.

The words of my Text are also found, Mat. 11.19. and spoken in both places upon one and the same occasion: And they were occasioned by the morosity and frowardness of the unreachable Jews, whom no means could win upon, neither fair nor foul, rough nor smooth, John the Baptist came to them, clothed all in mourning, with a most sad, strict and austere gravity, as it did best become a Preacher of repentance, and they cry out that he had Divel.

And after the forerunner and harbinger, comes King Christ himself, but under the disguise of the Carpenters son, Christ he comes with all courtesie & affability, as it be­came a most gracious and propitious remitter of sins, and they charge him to be a glutton, and a wine-bibber, a friend of Publicans and Sinners: Neither Johns austerity, nor Christs courtesie could take with them, neither wind nor sun, means fair nor fowl could prevail with them to lay aside their sins, and submit to the Gospel. This is intimated by the com­parison of childrens sports, of mourning and piping. saying unto their fellows, we have piped unto you, but yee have not danced, we have mourned unto you, but you have not wept: They would neither weep after John, nor dance [Page 5] after Christ; They had Copies both of mortification, and rejoycing set them by Christ and his fore-runner, but would write after neither, and therefore the Son and Spi­rit of God doth here implicitly call them fools in this disjunctive antithesis, speaking to this effect: Choose you whether you will hear, or whether you will forbear, whether you will receive or refuse that wisdom from above, that is communicated to the World by John and my self: But know this of a truth, that the Children of Wisdom will receive it, and they are the Children of Folly that re­fuse it: Wisdom is justified of all her Chil­dren.

I shall first sense the words, and then ob­serve a Doctrine, and in sensing of the words I shall open three things.

• 1. What we are to understand by Wisdom.
• 2. What by Wisdoms being justified.
• 3. Whom by the Children of Wisdom.

1. This word Wisdom is vox aequivoca, an ambiguous word, clothed with diversity of senses in sacred writ, to give you a taste.

1. Sometimes it is put for God the Father, [Page 6] who is the Father of Wisdom, as well as the Father of Christ, and the Father of the Elect: He is the God only wise, Rom. 16.27. and the giver of Wisdom, James 1.5. and to shew the transcendency of his Wisdom, the Apostle saith, the foolishnesse of God is wiser than men, 1. Cor. 1.25. Wisdom is not a quality in God as it is in men, but part of his Essence, and therefore as he is love it self, 1. Joh. 4.16. and light it self, 1. John, 1, 5. so he is ipsissima justitia, & ipsissima sapientia; righ­teousness it selfe, and wisdom it selfe: Ne­quit fallere quia justitia, nequit falli quia sapi­entia: He can neither deceive, nor be de­ceived, he cannot deceive because he is truth, or righteousness it self, neither can he be de­ceived, because he is Wisdom it self.

2. Sometimes God the Son is called by that name, for he is his Fathers Wisdom, as well as his Son, in which respect he is also called the Word, Joh. 1.1. because as the Word that comes out of mans mouth declares what is in his heart, (out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaking;) So Christ came out of his Fathers bosome to declare his will unto the World. Expositors do give their sense accordingly of that mystical Scripture, Prov. 9.1. Wisdom hath built her an house, [Page 7] that is, Christ hath built him a Church, and the Apostle calls him expressly Christ the power of God, and the wisdome of God. 1. Cor. 1.24.

3. Sometimes the spirit of God is called by that name, or something Equivalent, as Eph. 1.17. The spirit of wisdome.

4. But most usually by wisdome is meant the written word, or revealed will of God, because it containes, and holds out the manifold wis­dome of God: Because it came from Wis­dome it selfe, and was given by inspiration from God. 2. Tim. 3.16. And its tenden­cy is to make wise: Its the true fruit of the tree of knowledge, fayre to look upon, and much to be desired to make one wise. The Scrip­tures are able to make wise unto Salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus, 2. Tim. 3.15. The word is therefore Pro. 1.20. according to the Originall called Wis­domes in the plurall number, because it abounds with with all fullness. Ps: 19.8. and 2. Tim. 3.16. And is so perfect and com­pleat a directory, that nothing may be added to it, nor taken from it. Deut. 4.2. Revel. 22.18, 19.

By wisdome here we are to understand chiefly the last of these, yet not excluding [Page 8] the rest: Gods Message to Mankind, The glo­rious Gospell of the blessed God: The great Em­bassy from Heaven sent by John and Jesus, that great Salvation that at first was preached by Christ himself, and afterward was confir­med by them that heard him. Hebr. 2.3. That sealed word that hath been witnessed by clowds of witnesses, and sealed by multitudes of Miracles; left upon record in the Magna Charta of Heaven, the Canonicall Scriptures, and faithfully handed down unto the Church as the keeper of it, the pillar and ground of the truth, by pastors and teachers as the true Successors of the Prophets, Evange­lists and Apostles.

2. Secondly to give you the meaning of the next term, Wisdoms being justifyed.

Justification is in propriety of speech a Law term, signifying the cleering or acquit­ting of a person as innocent after a legall pro­cedure, and Evidence received, so that he stands rectus in Curiâ, upright in judgment, as having a right cause.

And as borrowed from the Law it is trans­ferred to the Gospell, and signifies an hum­ble sinners full and free pardon of all his sinns and his gracious acceptation to mercy for th [...] imputation of the sufferings and righteousne [...] of Jesus Christ.

But here some Expositors do render the meaning of it, laudata est sapientia, Wisdom is praysed; others, honorata est sapientia, Wis­dom is honoured: Both together do give you a full and most excellent sense of the ex­pression.

• 1. Wisdom is praysed with the Mouth.
• 2. Wisdom is honoured with the Heart.

With the heart man believeth, and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation: When the heart sets open its everlasting doors to entertain Wisdom in the beauty, and pow­er, and fullness of it: And when out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will be speak­ing a good word for Wisdom, and make profession and confession on Wisdom's side; that is, to justifie Wisdom.

As God and Christ are justified, or magni­fied, or glorified, so is Wisdom; and that will be plain when we understand the differ­ent readings of that excellent Text, 1. Pet. 2.9. Yee are a chosen Generation, a royall Priesthood, an holy Nation, a peculiar people, that yee should speak forth the praises (saith one sense) that yee should shew forth the [...]ertues (saith another,) of him who hath [Page 10] called you out of darknesse into his marvel­lous light.

• 1. Then to justifie Wisdom, is to speak forth its praises.
• 2. To justifie Wisdom, is to shew forth its vertues.

• 1. To speak unto its praise, and
• 2. To live unto its praise, is to justifie Wisdom.

1. Our tongues must be tuned to give Wisdom its due acclamation; we may truely ascribe that unto Wisdom, which the people once did falsly and flatteringly to Herod, non vox hominem sonat! The Wisdom that we are speaking of, is the voice of God, and not of man. Or as when the Competition was betwixt Wine, Women, and Truth for supre­macy; We may strike in with the last and say, Magna, maxima est veritas & praevale­bit: Great is the Truth, and prevaileth! So we may cry ô Sapientia! Great and excellent is Wisdom, and excelleth over all.

Te facimus Regina Deam, caelo{que} locamus, This Queen of the Earth, we may cry up to the Heavens, and make a petty deity of her [Page 11] and yet be no Idola [...]ers; for so did Solomon, (one of Wisdom's eldest Sons) of old Prov. 4.7, 8. Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get Wisdom, and with all thy getting, get un­derstanding: exalt her, and she shall promote thee, yea she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost imbrace her; she shall give to thine head an Ornament of Grace, a Crown of Glory shall she deliver to thee: Who would not be prevailed with, to exalt Wisdom upon this very ac­count, that it will exalt them and bring them to honour?

2. But this is not all: the heart is deceitfull, and fairest words do often come from fowlest hearts; therefore know further, that our yea, must be yea, when we commend Wisdom, when our tongues are let out in its praises, our hearts must say amen to it: we must not play the hypocrits in commending wisdom, by do­ing it ore tenus, and from the teeth outward; but we must honour it in our hearts, and shew forth its vertues in our lives: In justifying Wisdom we have to do with the God of Wisdom, the seeer and searcher of all hearts, and he will not justifie us in our hypocrisie: our own hearts may justifie us, and yet God may condemne us, for sordet in conspectu judi­cis quod fulget in conspectu operantis, that may [Page 12] look fowl enough in God's pure eyes, which looks fair in ours; But if our own hearts con­demne us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things, as our Saviour said in another case, Not every one that saith Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven: I may say the like here; Not every one that can speak fair, and say, Wisdom is best, must passe for a child of Wisdom, and a justifier of Wisdom,— Video meliora probo{que} Deteriora sequor, — is a common practise, to see and praise the things that are exc [...]llent, and to pursue the contrary, was that that the Apostle charged home upon the Jews, Rom. 2.18. &c. And even a Poet could complain, Virtus laudatur & alget, Vertue is commended in words, but little regarded if we look to mens deeds: Therefore he that doth Wisdom's wills, which are the same that the Spirit of God calls [...] all the wills of God, Acts 13.22. I have found David the son of Jesse a man after mine own heart, who shall fulfill all my Wills, such a one as shall order his whole Conversation according to all Gods revealed will; and as it becometh the Gospel of Jesus Christ; this is one that justifi­th [...] Wisdom.

3. The third thing comes next under con­sideration; and that is, Whom we are to un­derstand by the Children of wisdome. And here, I might give them many Characters whereby they may be known; but a few of the most Principall shall suffice.

1. You may know them by their Father; They are such as have received the Spirit of Adoption to cry Abba Father, and that spirit bears witness with their spirits that they are the Sonns of God, and if sonns then heyrs, fel­low heyrs with Jesus Christ.

They are such as are effectually called out of the world and flesh, by the word and spi­rit; so that they are not conformable to this present world though they sojourn in it; nei­ther doe they walk nor warre after the flesh whiles they are in the flesh. In a word, they are such as have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour into the powers of their souls, and by His sonship are made Sonns, and obtain that gracious and glorious priviledg to be the Sonns and Daughters of the Lord God All­mighty.

2. You may know them by their Mother; Jerusalem the holy, the Church Militant, is their Common Mother; They cleave fast unto that pillar and ground of the trueth: [Page 14] Whiles others turn retrograde, and runne their backs upon their fi [...]st love, they are rea­dy to reply unto their Mother, as Peter did unto our Saviour, when he asked his Disci­ples Will yee also goe away? Joh. 6.68. Master whither should we goe? So they, Mother, whither should we goe, thou hast the words of Eternall life: Upon that Church of the living God, which is that pillar on which trueth hangs, they will hang too, and as inseparably clea [...]e to it as Ruth to Naomi: Who sayd bid me not leave thee nor forsake thee, for where thou goest I will goe, and where thou dwellest I will dwell: thy people shall be my peo­ple, and thy God shall be my God.

As Solomon gloryed in his Mother, saying, I am my Mother's Child, So will they, in the Church; Not in the Name, as the Jewes that cryed out the Temple of the Lord, and our Carnall professors that hang upon outside priviledges as the people in Noah's floud did upon the ou side of the Ark: But it is the Thing it selfe that they glory in, that they un­derstand, and know the Lord. It is not the Temple of the Lord, b [...]t the Lord of the Tem­ple that they make their boast of; not only that they have received the seal of their Ma­triculation in their Baptism, which is a Com­mon [Page 15] livery that the Church gives unto all her visible followers: But that they have that trueth in the inward parts, which distin­guisheth them from all hypocrites, and un­sound professors and have their Testimony within, and their record on high, that God is unto them a God, & they are unto him a people.

3. You may know them by their Brethren. Simile gaudet simili: They love the brother­hood, and keep close unto the Saints Com­munion: They are birds all of a feather, and sheep all of the same pasture: Hear David speaking his own sense, and theirs. Away from me yee wicked, I will keep the Commande­ments of my God. The wicked should be none of his Councell, his soul should not come into their secret. But his delight was in the Saints, and in such as did excell in vertue; and he profest himself to be a Companion of all such as did fear God and keep his Comman­dements.

4. You may know them by their Enemies. The ignorant and disobedient, the spirit of God hath joyned them together. 2. Thes. 1.8. and therefore I shall not put them a­sunder. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angells. In flaming fire rendring vengeance to them that know not [Page 16] God, and that obey not the gospell of our Lord Jesus Christ. David joynes them yet neerer and m [...]kes them both one in that Question of his; Are not they without understanding that work wickedness? Making the workers of iniquity, and such as are without under­standing, to be one and the same; and its very obvious that David in his Psalms and Solomon in his Proverbs, do make the fool and the sinner to be Synonoma's, tearmes of one signification. Its the fool that sayth in his heart, There is no God; or else, Tush God cares not he hides away his face and will not see: Is there knowledg in the most high? Observe, the foolish Sinner hides God from himself, sayth in heart, Ther's no God, and then thinks he hath hid himself from God, Tush sayth he next, God sees not. But David saith enough, demon­stratively to convince him. He that planted the Eare shall he not hear, and he that made the Eye shall not he see; or he that nurtureth the heathen and teacheth man knowledg, shall not he punish? I might adde further. He that takes his name from seeing [...] of [...] Quiu uno intuitu videt omnia praeterita, praesentia, & futura, at one entire act seeth all things, past, present, and to come, he that is [...] all Eye, before whose all [Page 17] seeing Eye all things are naked and manifest, it were strange indeed that he should not see: and yet ignorant Sinners dare take up such monstrous thoughts of the God only wise.

And as they think meanly of the father of lights; So they have like thoughts of the Children of light. They are ready to count such as preach, and search the Scriptures, to be but fools, and preaching it self they esteem but foolishness: but as the judgment of blindmen is of no value concerning colours, so neither of fools and madmen concerning wisdome. Hear the Apostle; Since in the wis­dome of God the world by wisdome knew not God, It pleased God by the foolishness of preach­ing to save them that beleeve; As the wisdome of the flesh is enmity with God, so the wisdome of the spirit is folly with men. But let God be true, and every man a Lyar, let God be only wise and every man a fool; let that be Wisdom which God counts so, and let that be folly which he calls so; and then the fear of God must goe for the beginning of wisdome, and they that have no fear of God before their eyes, must wear the fools Coat, though they be never so noble, high, mighty, wise after [...]he flesh. However such as sit in darkness [...]d in the shaddow of death may flatter them­selves, [Page 18] and speak evil of things that they kno [...] not, by speaking diminutively of the children and waies of wisdom; yet, if you will sit down by the testimony of such as have had thei [...] Eyes opened with Eye-salve from above, they are the readiest of all to befool and be- beast themselves in reference to thei [...] times of ignorance and vanity. Let David speak for all: So foolish was I, and ignorant; even as a brute before Thee. And they that speak thus of themselves, we need not make further inquiry, what they think of others. As one said once, Scientia (so we may now say Sapientia) nullum habet inimicum praeter ignorantem. As Science, so Sapience, hath no Enemy like to the Ignorant. Therefore as some of the Martyrs in Nero's time said, If they wanted a Mark to choose their Religi­gion by, they might doe wisely to make choice of that which Nero persecuted; so I may say, If men want a mark to know the children of VVisdom by, those are they whom the blind and leaprous rabble of carnal and worldly sinners have in scorn and deri­sion.

5. You shall know them by their Fruits: A good fruits shew a good tree, so good works shew a gracious Soul. That's but a dead Fa [...] [Page 19] that works not, as the Apostle James hints, James 2.17. And the precious faith of Gods Elect is that that works by love. Gal. 5.6. Herein is my Father glorified, saith Christ to all the branches that abide in him, that ye [...]ring forth much fruit: (marke) fruite, and much fruit. A Christian's graces like grapes should grow in Clusters, 2. Pet. 1.10. Adde unto faith vertue, knowledge, temperance, pa­ [...]ience, godlinesse, brotherly kindnesse, love; [...]here's the bunch, and though it be large, yet must it not, like that the spies brought out of Canaan, be born betwixt two; every gracious [...]oul must be fraught with all this rich lading, [...]nd that is not all neither. These graces must [...]ot onely be in them, but must abound in them. They must abound in grace, for they must [...]ave every grace; and grace must abound in [...]hem, for they must reach after all of every grace, forgetting that which is behind, and [...]eaching out unto the things that are before for [...]he prize of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus. And let as many as be perfect, be thus [...]inded. Where the grace of God that brings [...]dvation appears, and where that wisdom [...]at is from above comes, which makes Wife unto Salvation; these are the lessons [...]t it teacheth: First, to eschew evil, to deny [Page 20] ungodliness and worldly lusts. And secondly, to doe good; To live holily, justly, and soberly in this present world. Tit. 2.12. Thus have you the three tearms of the Text opened.

• 1. Wisdom.
• 2. Being justified.
• 3. Of her Children.

And nothing of difficulty now remains, but that we may draw up to some Conclusion which may be the natural result of the words.

Expositors, that tie themselves strictly to the Text, give us this as the sense of the ho­ly Spirit in the words. Wisdom is justified of her Children. That is to say, Ab iis qui vere sunt prudentes, & intelligentes, of such as are truely wise, and intelligent, vel ab iis qui à patre sunt Electi ut sapientiae Dei sint partici­pes. Such as are Elected of God the Father to be made partakers of his heavenly wis­dom: And they are called the Children of wisdom in the same sense, as the receivers o [...] the Apostles and their doctrine are called Sons of peace, quia pacem amant, vel qui [...] electi sunt à Deo ut pacis sint participes [...] [Page 21] because they love peace, or because they [...]re Elected by the God of peace to be [...]ade partakers of the peace of God.

Those that have relation to the Context, [...]ive us these interpretations.

1. Of her Children, (i. e.) a Johanne & Christo, of John and Christ, dum nihil praeter­ [...]iserunt quod esset utile saluti hominum; who [...]eclared unto the Church God's whole will, [...]nd withheld nothing back from the sons of [...]en of Gods great Counsell. Et hic est sen­ [...]s magis genuinus, saith the Author of it; This is the most natural and proper sense.

2. Others think that sense too narrow, be­ [...]ause St. Luke, addes ab Omnibus filiis, Of all [...]er Children, and therefore take in wise [...]earers, as well as teachers. Those that [...]lose with Gods wise purpose in revealing the Gospel, and are not beaten off by prejudice [...]f persons from receiving and imbracing it. That will receive the message that comes [...]rom God by any Messenger that comes, [...]ther in a Legal severity, or Evangelical lenity. [...] shall not defraud you of the variety by ta­ [...]ing one sense and leaving the other since [...]ey will agree together so lovingly to make [...] the full meaning of the Text, but shall [Page 22] give you the marrow of all, in this following point of Doctrine.

Those Ministers that do faithfully teach, an [...] those hearers that do chearfully receive the word of Wisdom, are thereby known to be th [...] Children of Wisdom; and in so doing, VVisdom is justifyed.

We shall take the Doctrine in sunder, be­cause it falls so naturally into parts, and shew you.

• 1. First, that Wisdom's children are wise Teachers.
• 2. Secondly, that VVisdom's children are wise Hearers.

But my scope in both, shall be rather to de­scribe unto you by certain characters and marks, who these are, both wise Teachers, and wise Hearers distinctly and apart, than light a candle to shew you the Su [...] by proving these to be the children of Wis [...] dom, which appears so plainly in the ve­ry meaning of the Text, as if it were written [Page 23] with a Sun-beam, that such as run may read [...].

1. It being clear from the Text, that wise [...]eachers are Wisdom's Children; and not only [...]o, but filii natu majores, the elder and more [...]oble of the family, to whom the priority of [...]ignity of right belongs: I shall lay down [...]ertain marks to know them by,

• 1. Their first care is to lay a sure foundation.
• 2. They build sutable materialls upon it.
• 3. Their work is progressive, and carrying on towards perfection.

1. In their Church work, and Bethel build­ [...]ng, their great care is to lay a sure foundati­ [...]n, or rather they account it their Master­piece to keep close to that foundation that is [...]lready laid; for other foundation can no man [...]ay than that that is laid, and that foundation is Christ. 1 Cor. 3.11: This the Apostles have [...]aid to our hand, as Paul saith there in the [...]erse precedent, According to the grace which is given unto me as a wise Master-buil­der, I have laid the foundation, and another [...]uildeth thereon. Or rather indeed, this chief [Page 24] Corner-stone which was refused by the builders, when he came to his own, and his own received him not, God the Father who was the Master builder indeed, hath layd as a sound Foundation, a rock to build his Church upon, and so sure a one, that the gates of Hell can never prevail against it. See 1 Pet. 2.6. which is taken out of Isay, 28.16. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tryed stone, a precious Corner-stone, a sure foundation, and he that be­lieveth on him shall not be confounded.

Or what if I said, this stone hath laid him­self as the foundation of the building, it were no monstrous, nor heterodox principle, for the Apostle is plain, Hebr. 2.3. and saith, That great Salvation which the Gospel brings to light, began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him: God also bearing them witnesse, both with signes and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own will. And Christ is called a living stone, 1 Pet. 2 4. and 'tis no incredible thing that a living stone should lay it self, yea, and bege [...] other living stones too. 1 Pet. 2.5. To who [...] coming as to a Living stone, disallowed indee [...] of men, but chosen of God, and pretious, yee also [Page 25] as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. This is that living stone, that of dead stones raises up children unto Abraham; that turns all the Elect into Free-stones, to build himself a Temple, according to that of the Psalmist, Psal. 110.

3. Thy people shall be willing (or free) in the day of thy power, and if the Son have made them free, then are they free indeed, Joh. 8.36. And therefore Gods called ones, who are quickened and made alive, and have ac­cess by one spirit unto the Father, are said to be fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the Houshold of God, and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, in whom all the building fitly framed [...]ogether, groweth unto an holy Temple in [...]he Lord, in whom you also are builded to­gether for an habitation of God through [...]he spirit. Its reported of Amphion, that he was so exquisite a Musitian, that playing up­ [...]n a Lute that Mercury gave him, the stones [...]hat built Thebes followed him to the place [...]here they should be laid: The Morall of [...]he fiction is given us thus. He was so [Page 26] mighty in oratory, that with his wonderfull faculty, he brought together a rude and sa­vage and stony hearted people to live peacea­bly and lovingly together in Thebes where he was King.

But such is the mighty power of the Roy­al King Jesus, the King of Saints, and King of Kings, and Prince of Peace, that he makes the Woolf to dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard to lie down with the Kid, and the Calf, and the young Lyon, and the Fatling to­gether, and a little Child to lead them, and the Cow and the Bear to feed their young ones to­gether, and the Lyon to eate straw like the Oxe, and the sucking child to play on the hole of the Aspe, and the weaned child to put his hand in the Cockatrice den, Isay, 11.6, 7, 8. The meaning of all which is no more, but that this omnipotent King shall take away hearts of stone, and give hearts of flesh, and make such a wonderfull change upon men and manners, as if there were a new Heaven, and a new Earth, wherein dwelt righteousness. But I forget my self, its easie to be lost in the La­byrinth of Christs Excellencies, and so long as I am not besides my foundation, I am well enough. In the 12th. of the Revelation you may read of a woman clothed with the Sun, [Page 27] treading upon the Moon, and crowned with a Crown of twelve stars, and surely Solomon in all his royalty was not arrayed like this won­derfull woman. I know you will readily turn aside to behold this strange sight. Know then, that this woman was the Church, com­pared to a woman for three things.

• 1. Her weakness, the woman being the weaker sex.
• 2. Her fruitfullness, the Church is a breed­ing woman, bringing forth sons and daugh­ters to Christ.
• 3. Her love towards her Husband, her heart is alwaies towards Christ.

Her Sun-clothing was the imputed righte­ousness of Jesus Christ, or Christ mystical, which believers are said to put on, Rom. 13.14.

Her treading upon the Moon, is her de­spising, or setting light by all sublunary and terrestrial things.

Her Crown of twelve stars is the Churches enriching and beautifying with the doctrine of the twelve Apostles; now observe,

Though the Apostles writings are the Churches crown, yet the cloth of Gold that [Page 28] she is arrayed in, is Jesus Christ: Though the Apostles lie next to the foundation, or may be taken in as part of the foun­dation, yet Jesus Christ hath still reserved this priviledg to himself to be the chief cor­ner stone.

And this stone is also a touchstone to try who are wise Master-Builders. Whosoever brings any other Gospel (i. e.) Whosoever layes any other foundation, let him be accur­sed. Gal. 1.8, 9. Its doubled in the two verses, as if he had sayd what is sayd. 1 Cor: 16.22. Let him be Anathema Maranatha, cursed with a curse, double accursed. Babel-builders will content themselves with a Sandy founda­tion: But Bethel-builders will have a rock (the rock,) Or nothing. Super hunc Petrum will serve the builders of Rome: Upon thee Peter will I build my Church: But Super hanc petram, is the sense of the reformed Churches, they will build upon the rock Christ, for they will own no other foundati­on.

Stand but upon this rock, or upon the Churches Mount, and take a prospect of the Enemies of the Church and truth, and you may easily conjecture that they are building a Babel by the Confusion of their languages: [Page 29] and on the other hand view the Orthodox, and you will find so much onenesse in their heart, and mouth, that its most conclusive that it is Christs spirituall Temple that they are raising: Why do the faithfull Mini­sters of England fight with beasts here (as Paul did at Ephesus) in the shapes of men and Women; but out of a resolution to con­tend unto bloud for the faith that was once de­livered to the Saints? Why do the Gospells and Churches freinds shew themselves in the high places of the field against those men, and Women-Monsters that have militated under the names of Ranters, Quakers, and others, but that they are revolted into such a damnable Apostacy, that with their Heresies, and Blasphemies they indeavour to overturn the foundation. Oh that the Lords remem­brancers would give him no rest, but cry mightily day and night against these crying sinns, which threaten to overturn both Church and State. Let us keep close to the foundation, least we be robbed of our Crown. Thats the Counsell that the spirit gave unto the Church of Philadelphia. Revel. 3.11. and the Apostle gave the same in ef­fect unto the Church of Colosse. Col. 2.18, 19. Let no man beguile you of your reward, in [Page 30] a voluntary humility and worshipping of An­gells, intruding into those things that he hath not seen, vainly puff't up in his fleshly mind, and not holding the head, from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

2. Though it be a rule that Dimidium facti qui benè cepit habet. A good beginning is like to have a good ending: Yet we must proceed to the following Markes, whereof the next that was named is: That wise buil­ders after they have layd a sound foundation, do build suitable materialls upon that founda­tion. To make use of the Apostles allusion. 1. Cor. 3.12. They build gold, silver, and precious stones upon that foundation: Their second care is that the Superstruction be suita­ble to the Foundation: Their Doctrines, Re­proofes, Corrections, Instructions in righte­ousness, Their Convictions, Admonitions, Exh [...]rtations, Consolations shall be all Scrip­ture-proofe. They will gather, guide, and teach the Churches not according to fa [...]cy, but according to rule: They will be carefull to do what the Apostle so expressly com­manded his Son Timothy. 1 Tim. 4.16. Take heed unto themselves, and the doctrine, [Page 31] and continue in them, knowing that in so do­ing they shall save both themselves, and those that hear them. They will tast and try truths for their people, and be sure that it be sin­cere milk, and wholesome meat that they commend unto them: They will weigh and touch all that passes for Gold, and be sure it be right, if not weight before they offer it unto those of their charge. They will keep close unto the pattern of wholsome words, knowing that Heterodox speaking will soon overthrow Orthodox believing and living: Scripture tells them what difference was be­tween a Sibboleh and a Shiboleh, Judges 12.6. and antiquity informs what a breach an [...] and [...] made in the Church, and therefore they will not swerve so much as an hairs bredth, a letter or a sylable from the standard of the word, knowing the un­avoidable danger of adding to the word, or taking from it. Their indeavour is to speak out the words of wisdom and sobriety, that such as savour the things of the spirit may readily close with them, as with the true say­ings of God. They will not, like the sons of Novelty, and Factors for Heresie sore so high, and walk aloft in the clowds, that none shall understand them: Those high swelling [Page 32] words of vanity, the spirit of God makes a mark of Heresie, Jude 16. They will not deliver themselves of such aeriall concepti­ons as shall amuse their Auditors, nor like the divels oracles speak with forked tongues, that you may well suspect them to be the ser­pents seed, and walking with cloven feet, that you may say of them as Christ did of the Jews, Yee are of your Father the Divel; But the words of the wise are pure words, as Solomon saith, and such as become the sim­plicity of the Gospel: I need say no more concerning this mark, but only give you the Assembly note upon that place, 1. Cor. 3.12. That the Apostle by Gold and Silver, and precious stones understands pure and solid truths, such materials as Isay the Evangeli­cal Prophet, and John the prophetical Evan­gelist did lay down for the materials of the Holy City, the Heavenly Jerusalem; and these are opposed to curious fancies, and phi­losophical conceits, and all such teaching as tends rather to ostentation and seduction, than edification, which are by him compared to timber, hay and stubble.

3. The third mark whereby these sons of Wisdom are to be known is, that they are still driving on towards perfection, hear one [Page 33] of them speaking the sense of the rest, Hebr. 6.1. Therefore leaving the principles of the Doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection▪ Though there are some like a Mill-wheel, all the year in motion, and at the latter end at the same place, as in the beginning, alwaies lear­ning, and never come to the knowledge of the truth, yet this dwarfish stature, as it is no cre­dit, so no comfort unto their spirituall Fa­thers: They count those hearers to be their joy and their crown, that thrive and increase in knowledge, and glorifie God by bringing forth much fruit, and stand fast in the faith, in the midst of shaking times, finis coronat opus, its the end that crowns the action, and therefore they are carryed on with a longing desire to be laying the top stone, that the ac­clamation of grace, grace, may be given unto it. They are still leading on their followers from grace to grace, and revealing righteous­ness from faith to faith.

You shall never hear them flattering men into that fools Paradise of being already per­fect, its legal to be reproved for sin, and to be instructed in duty. Its beneath the spirit of the Gospel to be under ordinances, and mans teaching; these are beggerly rudiments, and they can make their brags of more sublima­ted [Page 34] and seraphical Doctors; yea, they talk as if their Churches were like Alciabiades his Armie all Commanders, and all Teachers; like that monstrous body which the Apostle in derision of such a fancy, supposes, 1. Cor. 12.17. where the whole body is eye, and there is no hearing. This and such like is the language of false Prophets, and sons of de­lusion and folly, and not the sons of Wisdom; and whensoever you hear any of these enchantments, wherewith deceivers go about to bewitch the people, then look to your selves that we lose not the things for which we have laboured, 2 Joh. 8.6. We labour for your souls, desiring not yours, but you, if they are lost to you, they will be lost to us too, a great losse to us, for they that turn ma­ny to righteousness shall be graded in glory accordingly; but an invaluable loss to you, For what will it profit a man though he should gain the whole World, if he lose his soul? Surely the Apostle saith enough to awake any rational man out of that dream of sin­less perfection, when he saith, Whosoever saith he is without sin, is a Lyer, and if a Lyer be no sinner, he may flatter himself that he is none, but that place that is instar omnium, as good as a whole clowd of Witnesses, is [Page 35] Phil. 3.12. Not as if I had already attained, or [...]ere already perfect, but this one thing I do, forgetting that which is behind, and reaching [...]ut unto the things that are before, pressing forward towards the mark for the price of the high calling, which is in Christ Jesus, and let as many as be perfect be thus minded. (Observe the words well, and you will find in the begin­ning of them a perfection which the Apostle had not,) and that was a sinless perfection that is not attainable in this life, where we know but in part, and are sanctified but in part; 1. Corinth. 13.9. And in the close of those words mention is made of a perfection, which the Apostle had, and which the children of God must have, and that is a perfection of sincerity, such as God injoyned unto Abra­ham, Gen. 17.1. I am God allufficient, walk before me, and be thou perfect; and though a sinless perfection be not attainable on this side Heaven, yet it is the mark that the Saints aim at, and they are still pressing towards it: Its their petition, Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven, and their wish! Oh that my waies were made so direct that I might not sin against thee, that I might keep thy statutes: They comply with God in that desire of his for Israel! Oh that there were in them but such an heart that they might love me, and keep [Page 36] my Commandments alway, &c. Deut. 5.29. & this affectio Christiani est perfectio Christiani, God is graciously pleased to take the will for the deed; and as it is the Saints aime, so it is the longing desire of their Teachers, and therefore when they have planted, they be­take themselves to watering, and fain they would reap where they have sowen: They resolve to go on with unwearied diligence through thick and thin, through all opposi­tion, (through evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true, as dead, and yet alive, as poor despised things, yea, rather no things, things that are not, and yet making many rich, as having nothing, yet possessing all things:) If Christ may but increase, so it be by their decreasings, they can with the Baptist make it their glory and rejoycing, and if Christ be exalted, though it be upon their ruines, they have their consolation. A good builder sits down and counts the cost, that he may be as good at finishing as begin­ning, whereas its the reproch of a foolish builder that he leaves in the midst of's work, and having begun, is not able to finish.

Right buildings indeed will indure the fi­ery tryall, 1 Cor. 3.13. Every mans work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare [Page 37] it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and [...]he fire shall trye every mans work of what [...]ort it is, &c. Whether we understand it of [...]he tryal of the Spirit, which by the light of [...]he Word doth manifest the verity or vanity of the doctrines of men, in which sense we [...]re to understand the Apostle, 1 Joh. 4.1. [...]here he bids us Try the Spirits whether they [...]re of God, or whether we understand it of [...]ribulations, temptations, or persecutions, [...]hereby sound doctrine is tryed, and differ­ [...]nced from false, by bearing up the spirit [...]hen all other fails.

I might here take up some time in laying [...]efore you marks of false Teachers, and [...]ons of folly, but Rectum est mensura sui & [...]bliqui; a streight Rule will as well shew you [...]hat is crooked, as what is streight: If those [...]hen be the Children of Wisdom, that,

• 1. Lay a sure foundation.
• 2. Build Gold and silver upon it.
• 3. Go thorough with their work.

Then by the Rule of contraries, they must [...]asse for the Sons of Folly that,

• [Page 38]1. Erre in the foundation.
• 2. Build with rotten materials.
• 3. Apostatize, and fall away from their work having put their hand to Gods Plough, do loo [...] back.

The second part of the Doctrine is; Tha [...] Wisdom's children are wise Hearers: I shall not spend time to prove that it is so, since it results so naturally from the Text, according to the interpretation that I have given of it. But as in the former part I shewed you by cer­tain infallible marks how you may know wise Teachers from foolish, so I shall here in like manner indeavour to paint out wise Hearers in their colours, that you may be able to di­stinguish them from the Children of Folly. Know then that they are wise Hearers, not that are Hearers only, or will take some pains to read and study, and know the word, and do no more, though these are good and com­mendable things, provided that they are in­troductory to better things, otherwise their tendency will be but to aggravate mens condemnation, for He that knows his Ma­sters will, and doth it not, shall be beaten with the more stripes.

But they have the true Marks of wise Hear­ers upon them, that

• 1. Believe or receive the Word.
• 2. Retain the Word,
• 3. Practice according to the Word.
• 4. Propagate the Word.

1. Wise Hearers are such as Believe, or Receive the Word; for both these may be well comprehended under one head; as Re­ceivers of Christ, and Believers in Christ are Synonoma's, and tearms that belong both to one thing, Joh. 1.12. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name: So the Receivers of the Word, and Belie­vers of the Word are all one, Acts, 2.41. They that gladly received the Word were bap­tized, and the same day there were added unto them about 3000. souls; Hearing attentively may bring the History and Notions of Christ into mens heads, but its the receiving and be­lieving of what is heard that brings the my­stery and possession of Christ home unto their hearts: The Apostle tells us that faith cometh by hearing, Rom. 10.17. and that without faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. [Page 40] 11.6. And therefore except we hear the Word believingly we cannot please God. The Scriptures are able to make wise unto sal­vation, but it is through the faith that is in Christ Jesus, 2 Tim. 3.15. And the Apostle on the other side notes, that the Word that was preached to the Jews of old did not profit them, because it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it, Heb. 4.2. That was the best ground of the four that received the seed into depth of Earth, Luke, 8.8. and that shad­dowed out those honest hearted Hearers that do receive the word into the deep of their hearts: If the bodies receptive faculty be not good, there ensues an [...] a listles­ness, and loss of appetite, and that body must needs languish of an Atrophe, and dye of a Consumption for want of nourishment, and it fares no better with the queasie soul that re­ceives not the Word, and Christ into the powers of it. Take notice therefore of this mark, and make it a touch-stone to try your selves by: Observe how earnest the Apostle is in pressing to it, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your selves, whether you are in the Faith, prove your own selves, know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you, except yee be Reprobates: Its as much as if he had said; [Page 41] Oh try, try, try your selves, whether you are in the faith: And David was as earnest with God upon the same errand, as the Apostle was with men, whereby it appeared that he desired to be a man after Gods own heart in­deed. Psal. 139.23, 24. Search me O God, and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting; Where he saith in effect, as much as Lord, try, and try, and try me, as if he would have all the three angles of his deceitfull heart put upon tryal. Be sure to take your errand with you, which is, that every wise Hearer, is a believing Hearer; And he that hears believingly, is one that ju­stifies Wisdom, he sets to his seal that God is true, yea, Good and Wise, and Just, and Mer­cifull, and many waies he glorifies God, and justifies Wisdom, our faith being our reaso­nable, and our universal service: But he that hears the Word, and remains an unbeliever, ignorant still, and disobedient still; no change wrought upon heart or life; note that man for a foolish Hearer, he's as evident to be known, as a fool by his fools cap, or his fools coat.

Oh that all hearers might be prevailed with to try themselves by this mark, and not to do it superficially, but thoroughly. I am [Page 42] confident that many figures of men and wo­men that go for Professors, and are taken by themselves & others to signifie much, would be found to be meere Cyphers, crowd as ma­ny of them together as will fill a volume, and they will stand for nothing, but we may give up the count of them like beginners in Arithmetick; adde nought to nought, and it makes nought, take nought from nought, and there remains nought. Surely when Christ shall come with his fanne to purge out of his Kingdom things that offend, and all the workers of iniquity; so much of the heap will fly away in the chaff of light Professors, that the remaining wheat will be so small a rem­nant, that we may say, not with the Prophet, what is the chaff to the wheat in respect of excellence, but on the contrary, what is the wheat to the chaff, in respect of bulk and quantity; surely, if trees be to be judged by their fruits, we see seducers and deceivers run away, as it were with the ball upon their foot; when many a faithfull Mi­nister may say with Peter; Master, we have fished all night, and caught nothing; Or cry out with the Prophet of the paucity of Be­lievers, Lord, who hath believed our report, or to whom hath the arme of the Lord been revea­led, Isay, 53.1.

2. A second mark of wise Hearers is, that they retain the VVord, you may know who are retainers to God, by retaining his VVord; love the King, and love his Laws, love God, and love his VVord: No Lord Keeper so honourable, as the keepers of the VVord, for Christ the blessed of the Father calls them blessed; blessed, "yea blessed, yea rather bles­sed are they that hear the word of God and keep it:" The virgin was rather blessed in con­ceiving Christ in her heart, than in her womb, and if all Generations do call her blessed for the one; I am sure Christ himself gives her blessedness a rise, and preeminence for the other. A certain woman, as Christ was speak­ing, lift up her voice, and said, blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked; But he said, yea rather blessed are they that hear the word, and keep it, yea blessed are the people which have the Lord to be their God saith David, Psal. 144 15. Yea blessed are the people that have the VVord of God to be their treasure. The truths of Gods VVord are like arrows in the hands of Gy­ants; blessed is he that hath his Quiver full of them. As Christ did repel Sathan with Scripture, so must we, that shield of Faith will quench all the fiery darts of the Devil; [Page 44] I have hid thy Word within my heart said Holy David, and by so doing he was made wiser than his Elders, Enemies, Teachers: Solo­mon teaches us to dig for it, as for hid trea­sures, Prov. 2.4. And David teaches us to lay it up as hid treasure; when corn is sowen in the best ground it must be covered with depth of Earth, if we look for a crop, other­wise we may expect that the fowls will devour it there, as well as by the way side; and when this immortall seed of the Word is sowen in our hearts, it must be received into deep fur­rows, and covered; if ever we will purchase the repute of fruitfull and wise Hearers That the body may receive sound nourish­ment, and be strong and lusty indeed; its re­qu [...]site that the retentive faculty be strong▪ as well as the receptive, otherwise the body falls into an Apepsie, and languishes for wan [...] of nourishment, and even so, and no otherwise it falls out with the soul. Its as true in spirituall good hu bandry, as well as other, no [...] minor est virtus quam quaerere parta tuer [...] good keeping, or carefull saving is good getting; I'l close with that, Luke, 8.15. That o [...] the good ground are they which in an hone [...] and good heart, having heard the word keep [...] and bring forth fruit with patience; whic [...] [Page 45] last words of bringing forth fruit leads us to the,

3. Mark of a wise Hearer, or such Hear­ers as are children of Wisdom, which is; that they are such as practise according to the Word: Our principles and practises must be twins, and go hand in hand; Laus omnis virtutis in actione consistit, is a rule in Divinity, as well as Humanity: The practical Christian doth as far excell the meer nominal or notional thing, as the thing doth the Name, or the Power of Godliness, doth the forme: Our Saviour told his Disciples that except their righteousness did exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharises, they could not en­ter into the Kingdom of Heaven: The Scribes had a form of knowledge, and the Pharises a form of Godliness, but Christs Disciples must have the power of both: You shall never hear the word promise much unto the meere hearers of the Word, except they be more than so; Blessed are they that hear and keep, as you heard before; and if yee know these things, blessed shall yee be if yee do them, Joh. 13.17. Revealed things belong to us, that we may know and do them, Deut. 29.29. Its pit­ty saying and doing should be thought to be two mens offices by us Teachers, and its pit­ty [Page 46] knowing and practising should not meet in the same men amongst our Hearers; as the ignorant and disobedient make the Epitome of profaness, 2 Thes. 1.8. So knowing our Masters will, and doing it, is the very summe and substance of our Religion; for they are not the hearers of Gods Word, and the know­ers of his will, but the doers that shall be ju­stified, Rom. 2.13. As one saith of the 119. Psalm, which gives us an account of Davids pious practise; so may we say of the whole Word of God; they are verba vivenda non legenda, rules to be lived over, and not only to be read over, like lessons in Musick, that are never well learnt till we have practised them; when we can say with David, Lord thy Word is a lanthorn to my feet, and a light unto my paths; and we have cleansed our waies by ruling our selves after Gods Word, then are we good proficients indeed. Many think it a great matter to have the Bible in their hou­ses, though they count a pair of Tables to be the more necessary and usefull ornament of the two; some think it enough to have the Bible or some good book sometimes in their hands, and if they have some confused notions of Religion in their heads, this is some great matter; But Moses taught [Page 47] the Israelites to go a degree further, if they would be true Israelites indeed. Deut. 6.6. These words which I command thee shall be in thy heart, and yet this Mark in hand carryes further, our heads must not only affect our hearts, but our hearts must also set all the wheeles of our Conversation in motion, only let your Conversation be as it becommeth the gospel of Jesus Christ, This is the unum magnum, what ever is forgotten let this be remembred, for thereunto we are ordained to shew forth his vertues, who hath called us out of darkness into his mervelous light.

4. The 4th. and last Mark of wise hearers is. That they propagate the word: True Wisdome is Communicative, and the Chil­dren of Wisdome do improve their talents by imparting them: They are as free of their Counsells as the Sun of light, that lends it to all under the same horizon: They are as free of their graces as the Sea of its Waters, that lends them to the earth and rivers, and like rivers in their Course, they fill all empty pitts in their passage. They have drunk free­ly of the living waters at the fountain hea [...]▪ and as they have freely received, so they are as free to give. Nascitur indignè per quem non nascitur alter. As Creatures desire to [Page 48] Communicate their being, so the new Crea­ture desires nothing more than to Commu­nicate well being to relations. They consider that as no man is born for himself, so neither new born; and therefore when Christian pa­rents have begotten infants in their sinfull likeness, they travel in birth again untill Christ be formed in them, and they are born anew of the word and spirit. Recoile to the forecited place, Deut. 6.6, 7. These words shall be in thine heart, but they must not rust there, for it follows, thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou lyest down, and when thou risest up, Christ [...]ans and wise hearers must like provident hus­bands lay in prov [...]sions in their full treasures, even truth new and old, but with faithfull Joseph they must draw them out in times of scarcity to their families, freinds, Enemies, and must prove themselves good Neigh­bours to all that need th [...]m: That they may shew themselves not only to be true Sonns of Wisdome, but Sonns of their heavenly fa­ther, who causes his sun to shine upon the good and bad, and his rain to fall upon the just and unjust. It was Davids rejoycing that he had [Page 49] hid the word in his heart, and again that he had not hid it: That he had hid it for him­self, to be a bridle to hold him back from sin, and to be a spurre to put him on to duty. That he had not hid it from others, but was willing to publish it upon the house topps, and to propagate it to the great Congregati­on, yea to old and young. Come yee Chil­dren and hearken unto me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Ps. 34.11. Christ Commands Peter when he is converted to strengthen his brethren. Luke, 22, 22. Those that with Andrew and Philip have found Jesus themselves, should bring others to him as they did Peter and Nathaniell. Joh. 1.41, 43. Oh what golden times should we have, If insteed of Homo homini Lupus, & Homo homini demon: It might be sayd homo homini deus, & homo homini Jesus. If insteed of one mans being a Wolfe to ano­ther, by rendering Evill for Evill, and one mans being a Divell to another in rendering Evill for good; If insteed of these I say, one man would be a God un [...]o another, and a Sa­viour unto another, and deal so Christian like as to overcome Evill wtih good. That they would shew true brotherly love unto one ano­thers soules, by not suffering sin upon their [Page 50] brethren, but telling them plainly of their faults, and by provoking one another unto love, and to good workes. I shall close up this Mark with that expression of our Saviour in that memorable prayer of his for all the members of his body mysticall. Joh. 17. where v. 9. he saith I pray not for the world, but for them also which thou hast given me. and v. 20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them al­so which shall believe on me through their word. Noting that true converts will shew them­selves to be such by propagating the word, and to be the Children of wisdome by Com­municating wisdoms precepts, principles, and practises to others, their light shining before men that they may be stirred up to glorify the father of lights; which is in Heaven.

Now if these things be so, that the Chil­dren of wisdome are wise hearers, and they are known to be so by these Markes, then it w [...]ll be most manifest by the rule of Contra­ries. That.

• 1. Such as receive not, and believe not the word.
• 2. Such as retain not, and keep not the word.
• 3. Such as practise not the word.
• 4. Such as propagate not the word.

All these are unprofitable hearers: such as in hearing hear not, and Wisdome it self dis­ownes them as none of her family, but the Children of folly.

We shall Modell our Application into 4. Uses.

• 1. Of Exhortation:
• 2. Of Direction.
• 3. Of Caution.
• 4. Of Consideration.