GOOD news from a far Country, Prov 25. 13, 25. v. Comp. by the hand of a faithful Messenger, is at all times very acceptable. What better news then Salvation for Sinners? What farther Country then Heaven? What more faithful Messenger then the Lord Jesus Christ?

THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Isai. 6 [...]. [...]. because the Lord hath anointed me to preach Good Tydings. Which here, in the im­mediate Context, the Increated Angel of the Covenant Applies to himself; And there was delivered unto him the Book of the Prophet Esaias; & when he had opened [Page 2] the Book, Luk. 4.15, 22. he found the place where it is written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel, &c. And he began to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words that proceed­ed out of his mouth.

BUT in the preceeding Context, we have a more Ancient Prophesy fulfilled, Gen. 3.15. viz. That Original Gospel Promise, That the Seed of the Woman should bruise the Serpents head: For the Son of God, being now the Son of Man; and having been owned both by a Voice from Heaven, and the descent of the Holy Ghost upon him at his Baptism, as in the foregoing Chapter, in the last verse of which Christ is called the Son of Adam; We have him, in the beginning of this Chapter, obtaining a compleat Victory over the Devil that mighty Conquerour, who finds the Second Adam his over­match, v. 1. to 13, which brings us to our Text: And when the Devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a sea­son. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the Region round [Page 3] about. And he taught in their Synagogues, being Glorified of all.

IN which two Verses three or four things are Observable.

1. WHAT it was that fitted Christ for his Mediatorial Offices, particularly that of a Prophet: it was the Spirit which he received, not in a limited degr [...], as Water is contained in a Vessel; but im­measurably, as living Waters in a flowing Fountain. He returned in the Power of the Spirit, and Tau't. Observe.

2. THE Place where Christ now began his Publick Ministry; Isai. 9. 1. it was in a remote and obscure part of the Country, Mat. 4. 16. even in Galilee. Thus the People which sat in Dark­ness, saw great Light: and to them which sat in the region and shadow of Death, Light is sprung up.

MAY the Gospel be still and further sent to the Dark Parts of these Provinces, Prov. 29. 18. where Thousands of Precious, Immortal Souls, have been perishing for lack of Vision.

3 TO summ up divers things together; we may Observe the Occasions Christ took, the wise Method he Used, and the Success he had in his Ministry. When they were met togther in the Publick [Page 4] places of their Solemn Assemblies, the great Master of Assemblies was pre­sent to Instruct them. He taught in their Synagogues. Prov. 1. [...]0, 21. Wisdom crieth without, she ut­tereth her Voice in the Streets. She crieth in the chief place of Concourse; &c. He cast the net where were a multitude of Fishes: But he did not take them by force, or carry them away blind told: it was in his Commission to open their Eyes, Context. v. 18. He therefore Taught them; in­forming their Understandings, that he might perswade their Wills; which brings to the last thing that falls under our Observation. In Dividing the Text, viz. The welcome reception Christ found in some of his first Sermons, in the Country: Multitudes were mightily af­fected. They had never heard such a clear & powerful Preacher, in any of their Synagogues. He taught them as one having Authority and not as the Scribes. There was in his Discourses, such an unparal­led Conjuction of Majestick Authority, and gracious sweetness, that many of his Hearers were fill'd at once with Love and Awe; the effect whereof was Ad­miration and Praise. There went out a Fame of him through all the Region round about.

[Page 5] He was Gorified of all. Besure, all that heard his Internal, Efficacious Voice, counted it the joy of their Hearts, and made it the business of their Lives to shew forth his Praises. All were Oblig­ed to Glorifie him; But some were con­strained to do it. The Great Truth before us is this.

DOCTRINE. THAT all who hear the Gospel are Obliged, and as many as do experi­ence the Power of it, will be con­strained to Glorifie the Lord Jesus Christ.

This Important and all concerning Truth may be considered under several Propositions.

PROP. I. CHRIST is Doctrinally re­vealed in the Gospel, and by the P [...]aching thereof as [...] of all Honour and [...]word [...].

FOR it is the Gospel that [...] the Mystery of Mysteries, Mat 28. 19▪ in the Doctrine of the Trinity; [...] Co [...] 13. 14▪ and reveals our Lord Jesus Christ, [...] Joh [...] 7. to be the Eternal Son of God by ineffable Generation: P [...]o 8 2 [...]. & 30 4. and as such, he is held forth as a Party in the Eternal [Page 6] Covenant of Redemption; J [...] 3.16. which is the Foundation of all Hope and Comfort to a [...]st World. Psal. 89. 19 37.

THE Chosen People of God, Isai 49. 1. & 5. 50. 5. & on with the whole 53. Chap. being given to his Son, to be Redeemed from Sin and Wrath; He undertook to An­swer all their Debts and Obligations, Bonds and Forfeitures, unto the great Creditor: And to that end himself be­came Bound, as their Surety, to take on him their whole Nature, that he might bear their Sins in his own Body, 1 Pet. 2. 24. on the Tree; and make his Soul an Offering for sin: Isai. 53. 10. On the Credit of which Obligation it was, Heb. 11. 39, 40. that the Old-Testament Believers were Saved by the Lamb, Virtullay Slain from the foundation of the World. Rev. 13 8. And in this Faederal Transaction from Eter­nity, was the Foundation laid for ever­lasting Revenues of Glory to the Crown of Heaven. And according to Ingage­ment, in the fulness of Time, the Son of God became the Son of Man, & Immanuel dwelt amongst his People, and they be­held his Glory.

THIS is the greatest Work of Wis­dom, Gal. 4. 4. Power and Grace that ever was known. Heb. 2 16. One brings in the Blessed God, Joh. 1.14. as Speaking after this manner; ‘I will make a World, Heaven and Earth by [Page 7] my Word: but this is not such a Glori­ous Work as I am able to do. I could make ten Thousand Worlds; and when I have made them, I could make as many more, and more Glorious: But I would perform a Work wherein I might manifest my Glory to the utter­most. What Work must that be? Why, to take the Nature of Man into Personal Union with my Divine Nature, in the Person of my Son: And 'tis impossible for Men or Angels to imagine through Eternity, any Work wherein it were possible for God to express more of his Wisdom, Power and Glory.’ Great is the Mystery of Godliness; God was manifest in the Flesh. 1 Tim. 3 [...] 16.

AND now, as a Second Adam, 1 Cor. 15. 45. Christ is set forth in the Gospel, Mat. 5.17. as fulfilling the Covenant of Works for us, Heb. 12.2. and working the Condition of the New and better Covenant of Grace in us. Act. 5.31. The First Adam represents all his Natural Seed; Rom. 5. 12, 19. the Second Adam becomes a Head to all his Spiritual Seed. Gen. 2.17. Adam breaking the Law and First Covenant, himself and Posterity (then in his Loins) incurr the Penalty which is Death, Temporal, Spiri­tual [Page 8] and Eternal. Christ kept the Law, fulfilled all Righteousness, Mat. 3.15. Stood the Trial, eat no forbidden Fruit, conquered the Devil in all his Temptations, 1 Cor 15 [...]. and secured the Happiness all that were in him. Yea, he not only bare their Hell for them, and purchased Heaven for them; but Faith also to lay hold of his Justi [...]vng Righteousness, and so of Eter­nal Life; Joh. 14.19. that because he lives they may live also.

AND thus Christ executes a Threefold Office, both in his State of Humiliation and [...]xa [...]ta [...]ion; Mat. 11 27 that he might not only reveal the mind & will of God to us, Joh. 1 18. in the Scriptures, Eph. 1. 2 for our Salvation; & the Governing the World for the good of his Church, [...] Cor 15. [...]5. restraining & conquering all his and our Enemies; Joh. 16 8 as well as to obey and su [...]fer for us: Psal. 110 3. but, by his Spirit con­vincing us of our Sin and misery, en­lightning our minds in the knowledge of himself, and renewing our Wills; he doth perswade and enable us to embrace a whole Christ, with all our Souls for com­pleat Salvation; Rev. 22. 17 as he is freely offered to us in the Gospel. Heb. 7. [...]5. And we shall doubt­less find him able to save to the utmost, as we come unto God by him.

THERE are moreover belonging to [Page 9] Christ, as he is Prophet, Priest and King, Isai. 9. 6. a sweet and wonderful variety of Relations; for he is a Father, a Bro­ther, Heb. 2. 11. 12. a Bridegroom, a Shepherd, a Friend, Mat. 9 12, 15. a Physician, &c. He is altoge­ther lovely in these and all the Relati­ons he stands in to his Church. John 10, 11. There is nothing lovely but what is in Christ; Cant. 5. 16. there is nothing in Christ, but what is amiable, and every thing in him is altogether so: As would in part appear, if we should but touch a little on any one of these mentioned.

IS Christ a Physician? Behold! He comes unsent for to a Diseased World, that he might cure wounded Souls, ta­king in hand such as are mortally sick, and bleeding to Eternal Death, at ten thousand deep and ghastly Wounds. He applies his Hearts Blood as the only Remedy. 1 Pet. 2. 24. The Physician is wounded and dies, to restore the sick and dying Patient. And instead of demanding largely for his infinitely costly Medi­cines, time and expence, skill and practice, he entreats and even hires pe­rishing Souls to put themselves under his tender and infallible Hand, 2 Cor. 5. 20. that he may not only make them sound and whole, John 5. 40. but immortal and invulnerable, [Page 10] yea, Eternally youthful & joyful, beyond conception! And though this wonder­derful Physician has ten thousand Pati­ents in distant Countries, at the same time under his Cure, yet is he always at hand, and within Call to every one of them; he has Servants that he makes use of as under Physitians, but is ever present himself, even with the poorest and meanest, to make their bed for them in their sickness; and attends them [...] night and day, never slum­bring nor sleeping; and which is fur­ther marvellously, astonishingly singu­lar and obliging; He Adopts and Mar­ries all that he Cures, Gal. 4.4, 7. and will be sure to answer this double Relation also, 2 Cor. [...]. [...]. of a Parent & a Husband, as well as all the rest before mentioned or not na­med; concerning each of which, a great deal might be easily said; but we must pass to the next Proposition, Acts 10. 42. 17. 31. when we have only further hinted, that Christ is moreover in the Gospel Reve­lation, Rev. 1. 8. discovered to be the Judge of Quick and Dead, who is speedily to come with his mighty Angels, having the Keys of Death and of Hell at his Girdle, Mat. 25. 1. & on compar'd with 32. to the amazing surprize of great and small, whether in the Infidel world, [Page 11] or sleeping Church▪ to render his Anger with fury, Isai. 66. 15. and his rebukes with flames of fire—taking vengeance on them that know not God, 2 Thes. [...]. 7. 10. and that obey [...] Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the pre­sence of the Lord, and from the glory of his Power; When he shall come to be Glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe: because saith the Apostle, our Testimony was believed, &c. The Word of Faith came with Power: Which brings us to the

PROP. II. Some of those that hear the Gospel of Christ, do experience the Power of it upon their Souls.

THE Gospel was preached to our Father Abraham, Gal. 3. [...] ▪ and it came to him, not in Word only, but in Power, for he re­joyced to see Christ's Day; John 8. [...]6. he saw it, and was glad. Yea, long before Abraham was, he whose Name is I AM, was re­vealed by the Gospel, to the Fathers that lived before the Flood; and that in such power, that dead Souls were Raised to the Life of Faith. We read in the Eleventh to the Hebrews, of Be­lievers from Abel to David and the Prophets; and sure we are, that their [Page 12] Faith which wrought by Love in such Memorable Instances of Doing and Suffering, was wrought in them by the exceeding greatness of the Divine Pow­er, Heb. 1 [...]. 2. working in and by the Gospel of Christ, who is the Author and finisher of Faith. 'Tis so both as to more or­dinary and extraordinary Believers. The Great Apostle joyns himself with the believing Ephesians, and breaks out into Admiration at the Efficacy of the Gospel upon them by the same power that raiseth the Dead, Eph. 1. 19, 20. Three thousand felt the power of the Gospel at once. 2 Cor. 4. 6. 7. Acts 2. 41. And many hundreds of thousands have done, Gen. 9. 27. do or shall experience its all-conquering power. Joh 6.37. First on their Minds, by Illumi­nation, Tit. 3. 15. and so on the Will & Affections, by infallible persuasion. Christ, now in this Day of our gracious visitation, be­comes Amiable in the Eye, and Dear to the Soul of the Renewed and Transla­ted Man, John 16. [...]. as the Apostles word is, Col. 1. 13. We here presuppose Conviction of Sin; as to the Fact, the Fault, the Filth, the Folly, the Fruit and the Fountain of it; as Mr. Henry distin­guisheth; for the whole need not the Physitian, Mat. 9. 12. but the Sick. And Christ is [Page 13] now more precious to the Conscience-wounded & Law-condemned Soul then Rocks of Diamonds or Mountains of Gold. 1 Pet. [...]. 7. And thus are we brought to Believe in Christ, Prov. 3. 13, 14, 15 with such a Faith, Rom. 5. 1 as not only Justifies our Persons, Acts 15. 9 but also Purifies the heart, Gal. 5. 6. works by Love, 1 Joh 5 4. [...] overcomes the World, Eph. 6. 16. quenches the Fi­r [...] Darts of the Wicked, 2 Tim. 4. 5. endureth af­fliction, 2 Cor. 7. 4. and even rejoy [...]eth in tribulati­on, as seeing him who is invisible, Heb. 11 [...] 27. and fetching strength from the Almighty, Eph. 6 10. to Answer the Obligations laid on us by the Gospel; so that we find our selves constrained to give unto the Lord the Glory due unto his Name; which is the last Proposition.

PROP. III. AS the Gospel obligeth all that hear it, so will it constrain every one that fa [...]ls under the power of it, to Glorifie the Lord Jesus Christ.

THERE are two or three Questions that must be answered; and then we may Apply the whole.

Quest. 1. WHEN may the Lord Jesus Christ be said to be Glorified? What is it to Glorifie him, and who are they that do it?

[Page 14] Answ. A full Answer to this Question would comprehend the whole Body of Divinity, both Doctrinal and Practical; all that we are to believe, and all that we are to do being reducible under this Head of Glorifying God in Christ: I may therefore only touch on some things cursorily, under certain General Heads.

As, 1. WHEN secure Sinners, being a­wakened and convinced, Eph. 5. 14. do Repent and Be­lieve the Gospel; Ma [...]. 1. 15 then they begin to Glori­fie the Lord Jesus Christ. Zech. 7. 5 6.

THE Unconverted can't go an hairs breadth beyond self. Rom. 8. [...]. Such as are in the Flesh cannot please God; Heb. 11. 6. For with­out Faith it is impossible to please him. When our Lord calls on all to Honour the Son as they Honour the Father, John 5. 23. he immediately subjoins, by way or vehement Asseveration, the necessity of Faith in order thereunto, v. 24. Good Works do Glorifie the Lord, Mat. 5. 16. as they are the Fruit of Faith which works by Love. Gal. 6. 5. When the Jews enquired of Christ, what they should do that they might work the Works of God? Joh. 6. 28. Jesus an­swered and said unto them, v. 29. This is the Work of God, that ye Believe in him whom he hath sent. And when the [Page 15] Lord Jesus shall have his full Glory from his own Nation; Z [...]n. 12. 10 they shall with the Eye of Faith, look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn;—gi­ving Glory to the Son of God, by con­fessing their Sins.

2. WHEN believing Penitents do confess Christ before men, they give Glory to the Son of God. With the heart man believ­eth unto Righteousness; Rom. 10. 10. and with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation. Peter Glorifies the Lord by the Pub­lick Confession he makes, Mat. 16. 16. And Thousands of his Hearers after­ward, no sooner had their Eyes open­ed to see Christ, but they first Repent­ed of their Sins, and then further Glo­rified the Lord, by a publick profession of him, & of his Gospel, Acts 2 36. to the end. Whereas such as are ashamed of Christ before men, Mat. 10. 33. do greatly dishonour him, Luke 9. [...]6 and he will be ashamed of them, Ma [...]k 8. 33. when he shall come in his own Glory, and in his Fathers, and of the Holy Angels.

3. WHEN Professors do live answerably to their Heavenly Calling; Eph. 4. [...] Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, C [...] 10. and have their Conversation as becomes the Gospel of Christ, Phil. 1. 27. then do they indeed glorifie god their Sa­viour. [Page 16] More particularly,

1. WHEN Christians square their Lives by gospel Rules, and after the Example of their Lord and Master, this will be much to his Declarative Glory.

WE have here a spacious Field, o­pening it self to our view; in which we can take only some few steps.

A good Foundation being laid in deep Humiliation, Faith unfeigned, and Re­pentance unto Salvation, not to be re­pented of; we must in order to our further Glorifying God our Saviour, make Religion our Business Luke 2. 49. being zea­lous and prudent, Gal. 4. 18. as well as sincere and upright therein: Ma [...]. 10. 16. working out our own Salvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2. 12. and giving diligence to make our Calling and Election sure. 2 Pet. 1. 10.

WE must love God in Christ, Luk. 10. 27. with all our Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength; and our Neighbour for Christ's [...]ake, Mat. 7. 12. with the same sincerity and constancy that we do our selves: Gal 6. 10 Doing by others, as we would have others to deal by us; Tit. [...]. 2. Watching over our Covenant Brethren, Mat. 5. 44. & being watched over by them, accor­ding to Gospel Rules; doing good to all men; speaking evil of no man; loving: such as hate us, and praying for [Page 17] them that despitefully use us; Eph. 4. 32. forgi­ving all Injuries, as God for Christ's sake, Rom. 12. 14. hath forgiven us; and if it be possible, Heb. 12. 14. as much as in us lies, to live peaceably with all men; following af­ter the things which make for peace, Rom. 14. 19. & things wherewith one may edifie another. Rom. 14. 18. For he that in these things Serves & Glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ, is ac­ceptable to God, Gal. 2. 10. and approved of men. 1 Pet. 5. 7.

WE must live the life of Faith, cast­ing all our care upon him, Heb 13. 5. who careth for us; Phil. 3. 20. having our Conversation with­out Coveteousness, and in Heaven; Col. 3. 5. our affections mortified to the things of time and sence, Luke 21. 19. being content with such things as we have; and in our patience possessing our Souls, Col. 3. 4. whatever may be our Trials; 2 Pet. 3. 12. Living continually on Christ as our Light and Life, Luke 12. 40. Righte­ousness and Strength, solace & com­pleat Salvation; waiting, wishing and preparing for his Coming, by Death or Judgment.

IN the diligent & faithful improve­ment of our Time and Talents, 2 Pet. 4.—9. Ordi­nances and Providences; 2 Pet. 3. 18. We must, having escaped the corruption that is in the World through lust, be adding one Vertue and Grace to another, living [Page 18] in the constant & lively exercise thereof, & growing in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Being stedfast immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 1 Cor. 15. 58.

WE must discharge and fulfil the several and respective Duties of all the Relations we sustain, whether Civil, Ecclesiastical or Domestick; as also of every State and Condition of Life, Ecles. 7. 14. both prosperous and adverse, with undissembled sincerity, Phil. 2. 9, 10. and unfainting constancy. This is also to adorn and honour our Profession of the Gospel; this is to Glorifie God our Saviour.

AND le [...]t we be driven back by vio­lence, or circumvented by subtilty, we must put on the whole Armour of God, 2 Cor. 11. 3. watching as well as praying, Eph. 6. 10—18. that we en­ter not into Temptation; avoiding the oc­casions of sin, abstaining from the very appearance of evil: Mat. 26. 41. And herein exer­cising our selves, Job 31. 1. to have always a Conscience void of offence, 1 Thes. 5. 22. towards God and man. Acts 24. 16. This will be to our own rejoycing, 2 Cor. 1. 12. and for the Honour and Glory of Christ.

FINALLY, whatsoever things are true,—Honest,—Just,—Pure,—Lovely, Phil. 4. 8. and of good Report; if there be any [Page 19] vertue, and if there be any praise, we must think of these things; but not to honour our selves, so much as for the praise and glory of the Son of God; who is thus Honoured, Mat. 5. 16. as the Father. So shall our Light shine before men, and others seeing our good works, will Glori­fie the Father and the Son.

NOW in all these things and many more, we are to be followers of those, Heb. 6. 12. who through Faith and Patience in­herit the Promises; for herein did they follow the Precepts and Pattern given them by Christ. John 13. 12.—17. And if in any thing our Lord Jesus may be Glorified by us, 1 Joh. 2. 6. surely it must be in the Imitati­on of his Example, 1 Pet. 2. 21, 22 23 and by walking as he walked; who did no sin, Heb. 7. 26 neither was Guile found in his Mouth—Was holy, Joh 8 29. harmless and undefiled, Mat. 26. 39. seperate from sinners:—universally Obedient and Submissive to the Fathers Com­manding & Disposing Will; John 2. 13. 17. & Zeal­ous for his Glory: Mat. 23. 33. Zealous for what concerned his Worship: Zealous against sin; Mat. 16. 23, 23. impartially reproving the Greatest, and not sparing such as were nearest, Luke 10. [...]. and dearest, Mark 3. 5. and most officious to him: Compassionately laying to Heart the sins and Soul Maladies, Mat. [...]. 12. the sorrows and [Page 20] bodily miseries of the Children of men. Mat. 8. 47. Fogiving the gratest Injuries and Indig­nities that were offered him; Luke 23. 34. for with his dying Lips, he Prayed for his bloody Persecuters & Murderers. Luke 2. 42, 49. But while he lived; John 9 4. How early did he enter upon, and with what unfainting resolution and diligence did he prosecute, John 19. 30. 'till he had finished the Business, about which his Father sent him into the World? How did he redeem Time for Communion with God; sometime, Luke 16. 12. spending the whole Night in Secret Prayer? How fruitful and profitable was his Converse with men; im­proving, as well, every occurring Object, as every Season, for the Instruction and Admonition of all about him? No cor­rupt Communication ever preceeded out of his Mouth; (not so much as one Idle Word, in his whole Life on Earth) but that which was Good to the Use of Edifying. What humility and low­liness of mind did he also express; for a further Pattern to his Disciples! How content with course and slender Fare, mean and hard Lodging, poor and ignoble Attendants; Mat. [...]. 20. and yet washing the dirty feet of the meanest of them all! John 13. begin. How unparallel'd and astonishing [Page 21] his exmplary Self-denial: His lea­ving the King, his Fathers Court and Bosom, Prov. [...]. 30. where he was embraced with infinite Delight, and worshipped by Millions of Glorious Angels; to take on him the Form of a Servant, and appear in the likeness of sinful flesh; to labour in sorrow, to be tempted of the Devil; to bleed & die that shame­ful, painful, Deut [...] 23 accursed Death of being Hanged on a Tree; Gal 3. [...]3 and to drink the wine of the Wrath of Almighty God; Acts 5 30 even the full Cup of his Indignation; it infinitely exceeds all Example. Had Michael or Gabriel condescended to have dwelt in a dung-hill Worm, for Thous­ands of Years, it had been no low stoop, compared with the Humiliation of Christ: Nor can all the sorrows and Pains in the World, from Abel to the last Child that shall be born, with the Pangs of their Mothers that bare them be worthy to be compared with what Christ suffered, in his Soul and Body, for us; that we might not think much of our light afflictions, [...]word which are but for a moment, 2 Cor 4. 16, 17. and do work for us, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory.

I have omitted many things, John [...]. 2 [...]. of equal [Page 22] weight and concernment with what I have mentioned. I have said nothing of the care Christ took, as well as the Pre­cepts he has given, to carry Inoffensively, & very Respectfully to such as God has Dignified with Authority; Mat. 17. 27. or of the Miracle he wrought to Exemplifie his Command; for there would be no end, no seasonable end; besure in speaking of, though we should only barely men­tion one Quarter Part of those Things wherein our Lord has gone before us, as a Pattern of Good Works; in every thing that is Holy Just and Good: and we Glorifie Jesus Christ, even by our imperfect Writing after his Copy.

2. PROFESSORS do then Glorifie the Lord Jesus Christ when their Frames and Lives do Answer the Discoveries that are made in his Gospel. As to give an In­stance or two.

(1.) WHEN the amazing Depths of the manifold Wisdom of God, and the astonishing Dearness and arderous, vehement flame of the Divine Philan­thropy, John 3. 16. or Love of God in Christ to a lost World; both which are equally immense and unfathomable, by Men or Angels, [...]ph. 3. 19. thro' Eternity: When the Discovery (I say) of these, Psalm 85 10. together [Page 23] with the rest of Gods Attributes, in a Glorious surprizing Harmony, which is abundantly made in the Gospel, Rom. 11. 33 to the end. does mightily excite our humble and joyful Admiration and Praise; 1 John 3. 16, 17. drawing forth at the same time, our suparlative Affecti­ons to God & Christ; 1 John 4. 7—1 [...]. & our endeared Love to Persons and Things, as they stand Related to him: Then do we Glorifie God in Christ Peculiarly. Again,

(2.) WHEN the Heat-piercing Representation which the Gospel makes of the horrible evil of sin, Heb. 6. 6, 7, 8. and the irraconcilable Hatred of the infi­nitely Holy God against it, in the Red Glass of Christs Sufferings, above what ever could be made, by the Purity of the Divine Law, Heb. 10. 28, 29. by the direful Plagues and Judgments that the World has been filled with; or even by Eternal Torments, in the flames of Tophet it self: When this discovery of sin, in its evil Nature and Consequents, makes us to loath it, Mat. [...]6. 74, 75. with utmost detestation and Self-abhorrence; Luke 22. 61, 62. in bitterness of Spirit, to Confess it, and to shun it as an only and infinite Evil; then is our Frame and our Way as becomes the Gospel of Christ, and the Holy Jesus is Glorified.

(3.) THEN also do we adorn the [Page 24] Doctrine of God our Saviour by an a­greeable Deportment, and therein Glorifie the Lord; When we have, maintain and express a high Value for our own Souls, Heb. 13. 17. and the Souls of others; especially such as are committed to our charge, Eph. 6. 4. whether in Church, School or Family; and all the Souls over which we are under Covenant Bonds to watch, as those that must give an Account; so as that we dare not omit any thing that may be done, Rom. 14. 13. to prevent their Loss and eternal Ruin; Mat. 16. 26. avoiding every thing also, that might be a stumbling block, or occasion to fall in our Brothers way: Acts 20. 28. For it is the Gospel only that fully dis­covers the inestimable worth of Im­mortal Souls; 1 Pet. 1. [...]8, 19. and at what a Rate they are set by the Lord that bought them.

WE should now had there been time for it, have proceeded to a Third more General Answer to the First Question; and have shewn how Professors do Hon­our Christ by living up to the high and Glorious Priviledges of the Gospel, and the exceeding great and precious Pro­mises of the New and everlasting Co­venant; when they resemble the Child­ren of the King of Glory, not in Worldly Grandeur, but by trampling under foot [Page 25] perishing Riches; and soaring above the lower Region of Aie [...]y Applause & Vain Glory: as knowing that they are Born from Above, and Heirs to a King­dom that cannot be moved; to an In­heritance, & c.—See the following Texts, 2 Cor. 6. 16, 17, 18. chap. 7. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 3, 4. Rom. 5. 1. and on—chap 6. 2, 12, 14. John, 16. 33. Rom. 8. 12, to the 18, & v. 28 to the end. 1. Cor 10. 13. 1. Thes. 2. 13. 2 Thes. 1. 1 [...], 11, 12. Heb. 12. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 4. 1. John 3. 1—3. For there may not be allowed half so much Room for the Answers to be given unto both the remaining Questions, as hath been already been taken up in Answering the First.

WE proceed therefore to Inquire,

Quest. 2. HOW are all, to whom the Gospel of Christ is sent, Obliged to Glorifie the Lord Jesus?

Answ. MUCH every way; in Point of Duty and Interest, Honour and Gratitude: For the Gospel is a Part of Gods Revealed Will: It is, indeed, the most excellent Discovery that ever the Lord has made, Eph. 1. 9, - 12. of the Council of his Will, Mat. 16. 17. for the Mnaifestaton of his Glory; shewing far beyond what the Light of Nature and Work of Creation could [Page 26] possibly do, how the Holy blessed God is to be Glorified, that he may be In­joyed. Now this is the Will, of God, Revealed in the Gospel, that all Men should Honour the Son as they Honour the Father, John 5. 23. Nor can any Part of Gods Will be done aright, if this be left undone, which is the end of all, and Comprehends all: This part then of the Divine Will, being Obligatory, as well as any other, yea mightily and distinguishingly Obliging; we are now Bound and must Obey. Nay, the Love of Christ should constrain us: 2 Cor. 5. 14. His Dy­ing Love to save us from Hell; John 14. 2, 3. his Ascension Love, to prepare Mansions of eternal Glory for us in Heaven; to­gether with the Alsufficient Provision he makes for us by the Way, and the Assurance he has given us, that he will fetch Home, in the End, all that come to him, as the Way; All this Obligeth us in point of Gratitude, to do him Honour; and such as Refuse it are guilty of Rebellion, which is as the sin of Witchcraft; and of the most horrid Ingratitude in the World. Prov. 8. 36. Yea they hate their own Souls and love eternal Death.

THERE remains only one Enquiry [Page 27] more to be Made and Answered, be­fore we Apply the Doctrine.

Quest. 3. WHENCE is it that such as fall under the power of the Gospel, do find themselves constrained to Glorifie the Lord Jesus Christ?

Answ. IT is because the Eyes of their Souls are opened to [...]ee what a wonderful Person Christ is; and how infinitely worthy to be had in Eternal Honour, by Angels and Men. And why did the Angels Glorifie our Savi­our, Heb. 1. 6. not only when he was Begotten from the Dead, and after he Entred into his Glory; but when he lay in the Manger? Read Luke 2. 11, 14. & you will find it was the Knowledge they had of his Divinity, his Dominion, and his All-sufficiency to Save the Be­lieving World; to resque which from the lowest Hell, the God of Angels stooped thus low, to become a Worm, Ps. 22. 6. It was this that Constrained multitudes of the Heavenly Host to Glo­rifie God, and Honour the Son as the Father. Why did the Disciples Glori­fie Christ, by forsaking all to follow him? One of them tells us, John 1. 14. They beheld his Glory, as of the only [Page 28] Begotten of the Father. And if you cast your Eye into the next Chapter, v. 11. you will find, that upon Christ's manifesting his Glory—his Disciples saw the Son of God in the Son of Ma­ry, and gave him Glory by believing on him. And the reason why so many that hear of Christ, with-hold from him the Glory due to his Name, is because they believe not the Report of the Gos­pel concerning him; they see no form nor comeliness in him, Isa. 53. 1, 2. The God of this World hath blinded the minds of those that believe not, 2 Cor. 4. 4. lest the light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ, (who is the Image of God) should shine unto them.

BUT it is impossible to see him with the Eye of Faith, and not Glorifie him.

2. AS there are Beams of supernatu­ral Light darted into the Minds, or irradiating the Understandings of those who come under the power of the Gos­pel; John 21. 15, 16, 17 so is there a holy fire of Love blown up in their Hearts; and Love we know has a mighty constraining effi­cacy, through its mysterious influences, C [...]. 8. 6. Love is strong as Death.—It's fire has a most vehement flame,—that many waters cannot quench, nor [Page 29] the Floods drown. Now Christ is the Believers Head; Eph. 5. 22.—32. not only of Domini­on, as to the Angels, but by way of Conjugal and Vital Union; and as it is natural and necessary for the loving Spouse to seek and rejoyce in the Ho­nour of her Bridegroom, to whom she is as it were a second self; and so for the Members in the Natural Body, to ex­ert and expose themselves, in love and honour to the Head; in like manner, Eph. 5. 30. when the Gospel has Espoused the Soul to Christ, and we are made Members of his Body, of his Flesh, and of his Bone; we must then, not only violate the nearest of all Relations, but do vi­olence to our new Nature it self, if we should not Honour the Lord Jesus Christ, and give Glory to the Son of God: For, besides that all the Glory which is given to the Lamb, Rev. 19. 7,—9. will re­flect beams of Light and Honour on the Bride his Wife; she loves his Per­son, and is therefore willing to be dis­honoured, that her Lord and Life may be Glorified.

THUS, as all that hear the Gospel are obliged, so every one that falls under the Power of it, will be constrained to Glorifie the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Page 30] NOR can the Almighty Spirit of Christ [...] wh [...]m the Lord says Joh. [...] sh [...] [...] and [...] you [...] Spirit of [...] all [...] fa [...]l of his [...] that falls under his [...] ­cious Ministration, with Light & [...] and [...] is expresly [...] may be Glorified. John 1 [...]. 14. Which [...] have been [...], as a [...] to the [...] Question; and [...] s [...]e [...] [...] have been given, [...] evidence [...] Bu [...] [...] [...].

USE I.

[...] the Lord Jesus Christ, and [...] him, Revealed and Offered [...] the Gospel, and by the great Ordinance of Preaching? What a Mercy [...] then, [...] how thankful should [...], that we have [...] our Birth and Education in a [...] of Sa [...]bath [...] [...] and Ministers; [...] Christ [...] been, and is [...] Preac [...] [...] much, [...] [Page 31] any Kingdom, [...] World? [...] considering.

1. That [...] [...]peakable Gift [...] this People, [...] a Design [...] Love, Jer 31. 3. unto Thou­sands of [...], that they might escape the place of Eternal Torments, and he made [...] happy, for ever and [...] Grace in [...], and Heaven [...] him, could make them. Yea, Thousands we trust, a [...] already safe [...]y arrived to that Region [...] [...]ight and Joy; [...] 16. where they are giving Glory to God in the High­est [...] their Lot in a place so [...] goodly an Heritage▪ A [...] it may be charitably supp [...]ed. [...] of this, [...] who are now [...] this [...] the Glory of Christ, [...] how he is to be Glorified, whom their Souls love, Jo [...] 17. [...]. will [...] a little time, both perfectly Glorifie [...] him, and be Glorified with him.

BUT then, you are concerned for your [...] Children, most of which, some of them at least being yet Un­converted. Be it so, [...] rejoyce in hope that they are involved [...] same [...]strable design of Love. [...] The [...] the power of God for their Sal­vation. [Page 32] They are the Children of the Covenant, Acts 39. 3. 25. and the Promise. They also shall be taught of God. 2 John 6. 45. Though they are blind, yet shall they be brought by a Way that they have not known. Isai. 42. 16. Though they have rocky hearts; Ezek 36. 26. God will take away the heart of stone, and give an heart of Flesh. Isa. 54. 13. All thy Chil­dren shall [...]e taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy Children; Isa. 44. 3. the Lord will pour waters on the thirsty, Isa 59. 13. and floods on the dry ground; his spirit on thy seed, and his Blessing on thy Offspring: His Spirit shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the Mouth of thy seeds seed, saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever. This is his Promise, Deut. 6. 7. this is his Covenant; and these the grounds of Incouragement, Prov. 22. 6. 43. for your Children! Bless God then for the Gos­pel! Eph. 6. 4. But let not duty be neglected.

2. AS we and ours are sanctified & sa­ved by the Glorious Gospel, which makes it so precious to the Saints, a­bove Gold, or their necessary food; so every thing, Psal. 19. 10. (our Civil Liberties, our Secular Employments, our good things, our evil things;) Job 23. 12. [...]. every thing is sancti­fyed to us by the Gospel; according to that of the Apostle, 1 Tim. 4. 4, 5. Every [Page 33] Creature of God is Good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanskgiving: For it is sanctified by the Word and Prayer: Tit. 1. 15. To the pure all things are pure, Rom. 8. 28. & we know that they shall work together for Good to such as (by the Gospel) are called, Psal. 25. 10. &c. into the Love of God, Psal. 103. 17, 18, all whose ways are Mercy and Truth, to such as keep his Covenant: yea, his Mercy is from Everlasting to Everlasting upon them that fear him, and his Righteousness unto Childrens Children; to such as keep his Covenant, and to those that remember his Commandments to do them. 2 Sam. 25. 3. So that this Well Ordered Gospel Covenant being as sure as the Word and Oath of God, Heb. 6. 18. those two immutable things can make it, 2 Cor. 9. 15. it becomes all our Salvation, and all our Desire. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

USE II. IS it the peculiar Privi­ledge of some, that they do experience the efficacious, all-conquering Power of the Gospel on their Souls? How dangerous, Rom. 2. 17, 20. how ruinous a thing, then must it prove, for any (and there be many that do so) to rest in the bare doctrinal knowledge of Christ, & the way of Salvation; or what may be learn'd by Reading, Hearing, Studying, &c. without [Page 34] any renovation of the Understanding, 1 John 5. 19, 20. Will or Affections, Eph. 1. 17-20. by a sanctifying work of the Almighty Spirit? 1 Cor. 13. 1. 3. And there is a double consideration to be hinted, which should make us extreamly jealous and cautious here, John 9. 40, 41. viz. That there is nothing ex­ternal, that does infallibly distinguish a Convert from a Formalist, Legalist, or refined, close and self deceiving Hypo­crite; and many that fall short of a saving Work. Yea, 1 Cor. 13. 2. there be some such who, though they be never Converted, Heb. 6. 4, 5, 6. yet do they really experience certain Supernatural Operations of the Spirit, on their Minds and Consciences, Hearts and Affections; And to be deceived in what so nearly concerns an Immortal Soul, the Last Judgment, and a State of Happiness or Mysery that will be great not only above expression, but far be­yond conception, and endless in its du­ration; How amazingly dreadful the Deceit! Rev. 2. 23. To avoid which the solicitous and self-jealous Soul may, as under the Eye of Christ, 2 Cor. 13. 5. Examine its Knowledge and Experience, John 6. 69. which is then right & good, sanctifying and saving, when it gives us assurance of the Truth of the Gospel; 1 John 5. 7—11. even that there is indeed Righteousness and Life in Christ, for [Page 35] the Soul that is Dead in Law, Rom. 7. [...] 9. self-con­demned; helpless and hopeless, as to all that Men and Means can do; Rev. 21. 6. 22. 17. and that upon its coming to Christ, and accept­ing of him, Acts 13. 39. as freely offered in the Gos­pel, 1 Cor. 12. 31. it shall be pardoned and saved. And then such as have this Evangelical Knowledge, do see a superlative excel­lency in Spiritual Things; 1 Cor. 2. 9—15. not only as the getting and having of them, is ne­cessary to deliver us from Wrath; but by Intuition, the Spiritual Eye discerns an Innate Excellency in Grace & Com­munion with God for it self, which it could never discover before it experien­ced a marvellous Change, which thus represents all things, (the World, Sin, Grace, Christ and Heaven with an aspect, altogether new.)

AGAIN, Sanctifying Knowledge is ve­ry humbling; 2 Cor. 9. 17. the more the Soul has of it, Job 40. 4. the less, and the viler it is—And upon any fresh Anointings, Eph. 3. 8. gra­cious discoveries, how does it wonder at the Riches of free and super-abun­dant Grace, Job 42. 5, 6. so distinguishing of the very Chief of Sinners: John 14. 21. 22. It wants words to express its Admiration, 1. Tim. 1. 16. and Self-a­basement. Moreover, 1 Pet. [...]. 11. 'tis this Know­ledge that begins and maintains the [Page 36] Holy War, Gal. 5. 16, 17. in the Renewed Soul; and those never ceasing Conflicts, between the Flesh and Spirit, the Object of which is not only Groser Corruptions, and the out breaking thereof; but Self-love, By-ends, the lusting of the Unre­newed Part to Pride and Envy, James 4. 5. Cove­tousness or sensual gratifications; our proneness to Vanity, and deadness cold­ness and wanderings in Duty; James 3. 2. and that too when best satisfied of our good Estate; even then these remainders of Corruption will sorely grieve us; tho' we know they shall not Condemn us. And we shall be constrained, Rom. 7. 14. 24. very often, to groan out our Complaints before the Lord, and sometimes into the Bosom of a Christian Friend, that can sympa­thize,—as being weary of our Lives, though fill'd with outward comforts, because of In-dwelling Sin. Nor will the New Man rest in fruitless com­plaints; Gal. 5. 24. but will effectually, though gradually, Crucifie the Flesh, with its affections and lusts. And to mention no more; It is a Property that belongs to all, and only to such as are Begotten by the Gospel, and Born of its incor­ruptible Seed; 1 Cor. 4. [...]5. That they love Christ with such a Superlative, 1 Pet. 1. 23. Conjugal Love; [Page 37] that neither the whole Earth, with all its Treasures, Dignities and Delights; Psal. 73. 25. nor Heaven it sel [...], could satisfie, with­out the Enjoyment of him, who as one said, Can make as many Heavens as he pleases, and is worth as many Heavens as he can make. Yea, where-ever they see the Image of Christ, Gal. 1. 4. be it on a Person weak in Gifts, Psal. 119. 63 com­pared poor in Estate, and low in Esteem with the World: Or sup­pose, Psal. 16. 3. of different Sentiments from us, and possibly disaffected towards us, yet the Image of Christ, visible on them, will, like a Loadstone, draw and ingage our peculiar, endeared and uniting af­fections unto them: And how solici­tous, now, about the Things which concern the Kingdom of Christ; Psal. 122 6,—9. with 137. 5, 6. our Dear and Dread Sovereigns Honour, and Jerusalems Peace? which things do lie with little weight on our Minds or Hearts, before the Gospel has Convert­ed our Souls; for self, either more gross, or double refined, is all in all to the Unconverted; Zech. [...]. 5, 6. but to the Regene­rate, Col. 3. 11. Christ is All.

USE III. Do all those, and those only, who are sanctified by the Word of Truth, and Spirit of Grace, working effectu­ally [Page 38] thereby; find themselves constrained to Glorifie God in Christ, from their Hearts, and in their Lives? How excellent a thing then, is Sanctifying Grace?

If it be (which none will deny) the most excellent Thing that any Crea­ture can possibly perform, or [...]e con­cerned in, to Glorifie the LORD; (& 'tis the Excellency of God that he can do no other than Glorifie himself) and if it be Sanctifying Grace, and nothing short, that does or can dispose and ena­ble us to aim at, & live to the Glory of God in Christ; which has been shewn in the Preceeding Discourse; then this Grace is surely the most excellent thing in the World Consider it absolutely or comparatively, in its Divine Original or Mysterious Production, 1 Pet. 1. 4. in its spotless Purity or durable Permanency; in its exact suitableness to the Nature of man, James 1. 17. and as the only Remedy for Sin; John 3. 8 (As in the Disease of the Immortal Soul, Grace is the only Cure; 1. Pet. 1. [...]. by the Appli­cation of the Spirit, in the Virtue of Christ's Blood) Consider it further, in its wonderful Efficacy and Universal Usefulness, to all Persons and Socie­ties; at all Times, in all Places and [Page 39] very Thing; while we live, when we ome to die, and to all Eternity—I say, if we so Consider the Grace of Christ; What may compare with it? What is External Beauty, Pro. 3. 13. 18. or Bodily Strength, Earthly Riches or Worldly Honour; 1. Cor. 13. 4. Natural Wisdom or Humane Learning; Moral Vertue, Heb 6. 4, 5, 6. or even Su­pernatural Gifts when Unsanctified? All these together, though they may be of much Usefulness to those that have them, much more to others who may have the sanctified use of them (In­deed Gifts are too often abused, unto God's dishonour, the great mischief of others, and to the Owners everlasting & aggravated ruin) yet make the most and the best that can be made of them, they will never dispose and enable us to Deny our selves, & Honour Christ, 1. Cor. 1 [...]. 31. as the least measure of Sanctifying Grace has a natural and necessary tendency to do: Much more, when rich Gifts & many Talents are Match'd with & Consecra­ted by superiour Degrees of Grace. The Truth of Grace makes the Righte­ous more excellent than his Neighbour; Prov. 12. 26. the strength of Grace makes one Saint to excel another; Rom. 4. [...]0. but excellent Gifts do set off more excellent Grace, and [Page 40] make it manifold more useful as well as shining, Luke 1. 3. then otherwise it could be; that so God in Christ may be the more Glorified; Which brings to the

The main U S E. And that which the Subject in Hand, the Work of the Day, together with the Temptations that may attend it, the Providence of God, in the present, sore Visitations on the Province; and the Eternal Interest of this whole Assembly do, with one Voice, Call for. Take the Call in the words of the Prophet, Jer. 13. 15, 16. Hear ye and give ear, be not Proud; for the Lord hath spoken. Give Glory to the Lord your God before he cause Darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark Mountains; and while ye look for Light, he turn it into the shadow of Death, and make it Gross Darkness. And,

1. Let the Congregation, in General, hear this Call of the Gospel, which, indeed, Comprehends in it all that the Gospel Calls for; Psal. 111. 9. and let us Glorifie the Holy and Re­verend, Cant. 1 3 Precious and Mysterious Name of the Son of God Incarnate; Prov 30. [...] admiring his Perfections and Operations, Isa. 9. 6. and being De­voted to his Fear and Service.

But to make the Call more distinct, [Page 41] Intelligible & Significant; while we are waiting on the Almighty Spirit of Sove­reign Grace, to make it Effectual: Let us Glorifie Christ, as God, & as Mediator.

(1.) As God; who is therefore the First Cause, the Chief Good, the Supream LORD, and the Last End.

[1.] As Christ is the Alpha, Rev. 1. [...]. the Beginning, the First Cause, in whom we live, Acts 17. 28. move and have our Being; and by whom all things were made and do Consist; Col. 1. 16, 17. we Glorifie him by acknow­ledging him as the Creator and Uphol­der of all things; John 1. beg. depending entirely upon him, Heb. 1. 3. and trusting for ever in him, Isa. 16. 4. and in his Infinite Wisdom, Pow­er, Goodness and Truth, to Defend us from Evil, to Supply our Wants, Psal. 57. 2. and to do every thing for us: John 19. 11. Since there is no Second Being that can do any thing for us, Mat. 4. 4. or against us, without him. Every Creature is that to us, which he is pleased to make it, and no more or less.

[2.] Christ, as God, is also the Chief Good; Psal. 73. [...]5. & we Glorifie him as such, when we Chuse him as the only Soul▪satisfying Portion of the Rational Crea­ture, Psal. 37. 4. in whom alone, therefore, we take up our full Contentment, he is Highest [Page 42] in our Esteem; [...] 43. all our Delight is in him and he is our exceeding Joy. For [...] Mr. Caryl observes, Whatsoever God has put, of sweetness, suitableness, and variety of Excellency, [...]. into the Crea­ture; he has reserved this to himself, [...]. to be the exceeding great Reward of his People; their Portion, their Inhe­ritance, their All; even the Centre of their Everlasting Rest.

[3.] Christ, as God, is the Supream LORD of All; absolute, [...] 9. [...] unlimited and uncontrolable in his Sovereign Domini­on. And we give unto the LORD the Glory due unto his Name by a sincere, Den. [...] 34▪ [...], 36. ready, N [...]. 24 [...] 19. reverend and constant submissi­on to his Preceptive and Providential Will; Psal, 46. [...]6. which is both the Rule and Rea­son of our Obser [...]ance and Subjection.

[4.] We must give unto God in Christ the Glory that belongs unto him, as he is the Last End of all things; by Magnifying his Works. & his Name on the Account of them: Job 36. [...]4. by designing, ultimately, his Glory in all our Tho'ts, Words and Actions; whether Natural, Civil or Religious. For of him, [...]. and through him, and to him are all things; to whom he Glory, for ever, Amen, Rom. 11. 36.

[Page 43] (2.) Our Lord Jesus Christ is most worthy to be praised and Glorified, 1 Tim. [...] 5. as Mediator; Heb. [...]. 6. and our Text and Doctrine call aloud on us all to give unto the Great Immanuel the Glory due to his Name, Isai. 7. 14. as he is the infinitely Wise, Righteous, Deut. 1 [...]. 15. Gracious and Powerful Pro­phet, Luke 7. 16. Priest and King of the Church; by acknowledging him as the Author and Fountain of all that Light and Truth, Heb. 4. 14. 10. 21. which is Doctrinally contained in the Old Testament, Psal. 2. 6. as well as the New; and that all Gifts and Grace are from him; Joh. [...]. 9, 16. [...]. on whom therefore we de­pend entirely, that he will by his Spi­rit. Expound the Scriptures to us, 1. T [...]m. 2. 1. and open our Understandings and Hearts to receive the Truth in the Love of it; Luke [...] 27. & [...] 3 [...]. 45. Guiding our feet into the way of Peace. Acts. 26. 4.—By depending everlastingly on that one Sacrifice of his Body and Soul, Heb. 10. 14. which our Great High Priest Offered unto God; Heb. 7 [...]. 25. both for our Good, and in our stead: Not doubting of the Preva­lency of his Intercession; 1. John 2. 1. since, in the Quality of an Advocate, he is Ascend­ed to his Father, John 2 [...]. 7. and our Father; of whom he asks but what himself has purchased, and the Father has promised; [...] is himself also infinitely willing to [Page 44] bestow. I will pray the Father, says Christ, John 14. 16. and yet he says again, cha. 16. 26.— I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because you have loved me, and believed that I came out from God, Heb. 7. 24, 25. v. 27. Believe we then, that Christ is able to save to the uttermost, chap. 9. 12. all that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives, in the virtue of his Blood, to make Intercession far them; And this will be to the Glory of his Priesthood.

As King of Sion, and Head over all things to the Church; Psal. 3. 6, 11, 12. our Lord Jesus Christ is further to be Glorified. Eph. [...]. 20 to the end For the Son of God has not only a Natural Right of Dominion over all his Works, and their Works; Deut. 32. 39. but, by Donation and Purchase, he has a Mediatorial, Delega­ted. Phil. 2. 6,—11. Kingdom, derived from the Father; which extends to all Times and Places, Dan. 7. 13. 14. Persons and Things; whereby he Guides and Governs the whole Frame and Course of Nature; Rev. 1. 6. 19. 16. manages all the affairs of States and Kingdoms; Mark 4. 39, 41. Governing and Over-ruling, Prov. [...]8. 14, 15, 16. to the Glory of God and the Churches best Good, the Hearts, Counsels and Administrations of the Wise and Great, whether they be Friends or Enemies to him, and his [Page 45] Cause. He especially Builds and Rules his Church; Mat. 16 18 having both Legislative and Executive Power of Authority, Mat. 28. 18 and Power of Strength, to do according to his will; Rev. 1. [...]. and he is Lord of the Con­science. He Calls, Qualifies, and Im­proves Men, as Officers under him, whether in Church or State; lengthning out or shortning their Lives according to his soveraign Pleasure: And it is this King of Sion and Governour of the World, who wisely orders out all the Trials of Persons and Societies: By a Hearty Loyal and Practical Acknow­ledgement of all which, together with the Efficaciousness as well as Righteous­ness of our Davids Administrations, whereby he carries all his Designs, for the Glory of his Father, and [...]he Salva­tion of the Church, Mat. 16. 18. Compleatly thro; not­withstanding all the Power & Policy of Earth & Hell, edged with extream & in­veterate Malice, are continually Fighting against him: When this, as was said is ac­knowledged, then is the Anointed King Jesus Glorified: And thus we are all, in our several Places, Stations and Capacities, bound to Exalt our Lawful and Right­ful Soveraign; Mat. [...]1. 9. making it the greatest Solace of our Minds to Contemplate his [Page 46] Majesty and Meekness, Ezek. 1. 8. with all his Wonderful Perfections and Mysterious Managements; and alike making it the Business of our Lives, to do every thing that may be Pleasing to him; while we are satisfied with every thing that he does; as whatsoever the King (his Type) did pleased all the People, 2 Sam. 3. 16. And thus we are to Glorifie the Lord Jesus Christ, in all his Offices; that the Father, who Anointed him thereunto, for the Churches Safety, So­lace and Salvation, may be Glorified in in him.

I might suggest something by way of Motive, Psal. 33. 1. to be Revolved in our Minds, if peradventure we might, thereby find our Cold and Dead Hearts something excited to this most excellent Work, of Glorifying our Lord Redeemer. Psal. 148. 13. And why should not the Excellency of the Work ingage all our Time, Talents and Powers, in it? I say, the whole of what we are, have and can possibly do, for the Honour of Christ; since it is most cer­tain, 1 Cor. 10. 31. That is the very Thing we were sent into the World about. And we have nothing else in the World todo; but to be Loving, Praising, Serving & Glorify­ing God in Christ. And what is there [Page 47] that we could Desire to be, now and for ever imployed about; Rev 5. 11—14. that is Compara­ble to this, chap. 4. [...] end for Honour & Pleasure? No Saint or Angel in the Upper World has a sweeter or higher imploy­ment, 2 Coro [...]. 9 7 then [...]o Please and Honour the King of Heaven. If Solomons Servants were happy in waiting on their Royal Master; Luke. 11. 31. Behold! a greater then Solomon is here. And then, to Consider how the Heart of God the Father, has from all Eternity, been set on Glorifying his Son Jesus. All the Eternal Coun­sels of his Will, and puposes of his Grace, were for this; all the Works of Creation, too, and Providence, as well as Redemption are for this, and no o­ther End Ultimately; but that God & his Messiah might be Equally Glorifyed. And he will be Glorifyed, whether Gos­pel Sinners will or no: The fullest Vials of Gods Wrath; 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8, 9. the very hottest Flames of Hell are prepared to torment, forever such as despise, reject and refuse to Honour the Lord Jesus Christ. Isa. 5. 4. In a Word, What could the God of Heaven do more, as to means, than he has done, to engage us in this Blessed Work, Mat. 25. 41. that is its own Reward? John 3. 36. Could he Threaten a greater Evil then Banishment from his [Page 48] Glorious Presence, [...] 33. and the full, Dead Weight of his Almighty, Vindictive [...] Eternal Wrath, [...] 90. [...] to work on our Fear? Or, [...] Co. 1 4. [...] to manage us by the other main handle of the Soul; [...] John [...]. our Hope; Could he Promise a greater Good, then the Beatifical Vision! [...] 16. That far more Ex­ceeding and Eternal Weight of Glory▪ those Rivers of Pleasure that a [...]e, with fulness of Joy, at his Right Hand for­evermore? [...] 3. [...] And to sit with Christ on his Throne of Glory,—but I must forbear—and Pass over what Christ is in himself, having all possible perfec­tions, both of the Divine and Humane Nature. united and concentring in his Mysterious Person, [...] 7. 14. [...] 6. who is the Wonder of both Worlds—What he has done and suffered for us; Rev. 1. 5 how he has Distin­guished, John 14. [...] Especially some of us, who have been among the least of Mortals and greatest of Sinners; C [...]ne. 4. 9 [...]. 5. yet Favoured! The dearness of his Love! [...] Cor. [...] 9 [...] 7. The Riches of his Bountiful Liberality! His un­wearied Patience, and constant, tender and effectual Care! Surely all these Things, and a Thousand more, not to be enumerated, bespeak a deep and abi­ding sense of our Obligation to a Glo­rious Saviour; even such [...] will [...] [...] [Page 49] but [...] of all possible Honour and Ho­ [...]age, John 17. 4. unto him. I will only further add, that the Immense and Eternal Re­venues of Glory, that God in our Nature has bro't in, to the Crown of Heaven, beyond what all Men, Angels & Worlds could possibly do; might serve instead of a Thousand Motives, to excite the highest and fullest ascriptions of Glory to Christ, Acts [...]2. 24. from such as have learned Obedience to the First & Great Com­mand, Rev. [...]2. 11. and do make the Glory of God their Ultimate End. As I said; Mat. 22. 36,—38. I will add no more, by way of Motive; not to much as to Index the Heads.—which would Challenge much Room, for inlargement; were I ingaged in a full Discourse or Treatise, on the No­ble and Super-Caelestial Theme, of Ho­nouring the Son as the Father. There would also be Demanded, Room, for [...]y Heads of Direction, to be sub­ [...]ed; but here also, I am under Re­ [...]aint: Only, inasmuch as the Exhor­tation we are upon, followed close upon the last of the Three Preceeding Uses, or Inferences, respecting the Excellency of Sanctifying Grace, for the Use of Glorifying the Lord Jesus; 'twill be Natural to take the Hint, and wait on [Page 50] the God of all Grace, who is able to make all Grace abound towards us; that—we may be furnished to (This which comprehends) every Good Work. And because they are Pleading, James 5. 17. Argu­mentative Prayers, that, after the Ex­ample of our Saviours most excellent Prayer, John 17. do Prevail with God; I might touch on two or three Pleas to be made, and enlarged upon, when we are on our Knees; begging for Grace, that we may Glorifie the Lord. And

1. We may plead the Strength of our Corruptions, with the Advantage Satan has thereby, to hinder us from, or in our Work. Ignorance and Unbe­lief are the Root Causes why Christ has so little Glory, from us—Lord! That our Eyes may be opened—Lord, Increase our Faith. Self-love Diverts us, and an Earthly Mind is a Dead Weight on our Hearts, clogging our progress in the Service of the Lord, & obstructing the Elevation of our Souls, that we cannot Soar high in his Praises.—Plead we, then, that God would make Good his Word unto us, in which he has caused us to Hope, Deut. 30. 6. by Circum­cising our Hearts to Love him; and then it will be Natural and easie to [Page 51] speak and act for his Glory— Turn away mine Eyes from beholding Vanity, Psal. 119. 37. and Quicken thou me in thy Way. Holy Da­vid, found the Dead [...]ing Influences of the World, on his Heart; that he could not live to God, as he would; and he thus Confesses, and thus Pleads, and obtains Help—And God will surely hear our self bemoanings, Jer. 31. [...]8, 20 our unuttera­ble Sighs and Groans. Rom 7. 14. to the end.—He will hear his own Spirit and Grace in us; Rom. 8. 26, 27. the New-man, Psal. 50. 15. that is Begotten and Born of God—and we shall Glorifie him: Which brings on another Plea.

2. Plead the Gracious Breathings of Desire, and humble Wishes, we some­times find, acting and moving in our Heart's—O that we could seek the Lord more, and our selves less, in what we do—That we could more abundantly lay out our selves, in his Service, Phil. 2 [...] 13. and for his Glory.—Lord, thou hast wro't the Will; strengthen and enlarge it: but work the Deed also.

3. Pleading for Grace to Glorifie the Lord, we may, with safety, promise him; that according to the Measure of enlightening, renewing, strengthen­ning, enlarging and confirming Grace, that he shall please to give, we will pro­portionably [Page 52] Honour him, in our seve­ral Places: For though without him we can do nothing; yet, thro Christs strengthning us, we can do all things, John 15. 5. Mat. 24. to the end. Phil. 4. 13. But after all, there is nothing, in the order of means that will so help us to Glorifie the Lord, 2 Pet. 3. 4, 10—14 our Lawgiver, Judge and Saviour, Rev. 23. 12. as the realizing expectation of his speedy Com­ing, by Death or Judgment: 1 John 2. 16 This would work mightily both on our Hope & on our Fear: 2 Tim. 4. 8. It would deaden our Af­fections to all that is in the World; even the Lust of the Flesh, Col. 3. 4▪ the Lust of the Eyes, Heb. 10, 23,—25. and the Pride of Life. Such as love Christs Appearing will be Con­strained; the Love of Christ, their Life, with whom, they have his Promise that they shall then appear in Glory, must [...]eeds Constrain them to do much for him, as they see the Day Approaching For it will be worth something unto Magi­strates, Ministers, and People, in that Day, when the Rich and Honourable of the Earth; Yea high & low, one and all, that have sought themselves, and Robbed Christ of his Glory; shall seek to hide themselves in Holes, and cry to the Rocks and Mountains to fall on them, Rev. 6. [...]5, 16. [Page 53] & to hide them from the more dreaded Presence of their Judge; then, I say, it will be no little thing to be openly Acquitted, before Angels and Men, from all the hard Censures they have Patiently and Profitably born: and to be Acknowledged by the Governour of the World, and Judge of our Eternal State, as his Faithful Servants & Pecu­liar Favourites; where and when, Every kind of thing, great or little, that they have tho't or said, done or suffered; whether more Openly or in Secret; shall be Proclaimed, to their Unspeaka­ble Honour and Joy, before Kings, Pro­phets and Apostles; all Nations and Generations of Men: Before Angels and Arch-Angels! Without all doubt, then, the uncertain Riches, deceitful Pleasures, and empty, vanishing Glory of this Worm-eaton, Sin-worn, drossy World is not worth a Thought, in Comparison with the Recompence of Rewards. Nay, Heb. 11. 26. even the Reproach of Christ is to be esteemed above the Treasures of a King­dom: Psal. 4. 6, 7. Nor may the highest and richest Favours of the greatest Monarch on Earth, Compare with the least Chearing Smile of our Master in Heaven; while we are Sweating at his Work; or, were [Page 54] i [...] bleeding under the Cross here on Earth. Verily we shall be all of one Mind as to this, When the Gates of Death shall be opened to us, and when we shall see the Doors of the shadow of Death; Job 38. 17. thro' which we must Pass to an ama­zing Eternity! Or when we shall see the Son of Man Coming with his mighty Angels, in Power and great Glory: then, shall we all be of one Mind in this, That Christ is All; 1 Cor. 8▪ 4. and this Idol World, with all its unsanctified Plea­sures, Profits and Honours, nothing at all; but a Perfect Cheat.

BUT I am on the Directory Part of my Discourse: Take therefore one Cau­tionary Direction, before we Pass to [...]e other Branch of the Exhortation. And I the rather add this Direction, because it seems to be no aliene Tran­s [...]ion to that Exhortation which will more immediately concern the General Court, and the Difficult Work before them. The Direction or Caution is this.

DON't think it an easie thing to Glo­rifie the Lord Jesus Christ None are bro't [...]o it but by such a Power as Raiseth [Page 55] the Dead. Eph. 1, 19. And it is, in some respects, a greater wonder to see an Earthly Heart mounting Heaven-ward, then it would be to see the Rocks and Moun­tains, leaving their established Basis, in the Earth, and flying as the Clouds in the Aiery Region. Phil. 2. 20, 21. All seek their own, not the Things which are Jesus Christ's. The Apostle had one with him, Mat. 6. 24. that was all for Christ, but he could not find his Second. No man can serve two Masters; God and the World, Self and Christ: But how inexpressibly hard is it to Crucifie the Flesh, and overcome the World? Nothing but the Almigh­ty Power of God is so strong as the Chains of Sin and Self-love; whereby we are held back from Honouring the Eternal Father, and the Dear Son of his Love.

AND now having spoken these things to the whole Congregation, in General, I should make Application.

2. TO the Great and General As­sembly in Special: But being neither Vers'd nor Skill'd in the Art of Ad­dress; I must desire to be Excus'd, if what I presume to suggest, be without [Page 56] Distinguishing the Three Estates of the General Court, which carries in it the Resemblance of a Parliament. All therefore that, in a more Indefinite Way, I shall be Bold to lay before so Wise, August and Venerable an Assembly, will be in a Threefold Hint.

(1.) IT is a Thing greatly to be Wished by and for the Two Honoura­ble Houses; Psal. 34. [...]. that they may be United in the Highest, Isai. 42. 8. most Noble, Princely, Angelical Design, that ever was or could be on Foot, Acts 3. 13. in this or the Hea­venly World: John 13. 31, 32. Namely, That of Glori­fying the Son of Man, and God in him.

AND what Advantage, worth the Naming, have the Wise and the Great above Meaner Men, John 19. 38—42. but in this; that they may do much more then others for the Honour of Christ, 1 Cor. 15. 10. and the Peace of Jerusalem. Esth. 10. 3. On this Account, indeed, it is Desirable to be Esteemed, Exalted, Psal. 122. 9 Betrusted; that these Advan­tages may be Improved to the Glory of him, Is [...] 6. 8. who is the Fountain of Honour: 1 Tim. 3. [...]. And we have the Word of this King of Glory; which is more than the [Page 57] Oaths of twice Ten Thousand Angels; Psal. 140. 13. compar'd with John 12. 26. That if any man Serve him, he shall Dwell in his Presence; and the Father will Love and Honour him; and Great­er Glory the Blessed God himself has not to bestow on any, John 16. 27. then to Love them as, and Honour them with his Son; John 17. 22, 23, 24. And the Glory which thou hast given me, I have given them [...] that they may be One as we are One. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made Perfect in One, and that the World may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me. Father I will, that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my Glory, which thou hast given me:—Behold, what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God.—Beloved now are we the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: But we know that when he shall Appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is, 1 John 3. 1, 2. Higher then this, neither Saints nor Angels can possibly Aspire. Yet this Honour have all the Saints: and such as Glorifie Christ, as we have heard, shall doubtless be Honoured in divers respects above Angels.

[Page 58] (2.) BEING Fixed as to their Design and End; even to Honour Christ, and serve their Generation, according to the will of God; the next thing to be wished by and for the Great and General As­sembly is, that as Wise and Faithful Stewards of the manifold and mighty Advantages, which their God, their King and Countrey have put into their Hands; Judg. 19. 30. they may with all possible De­liberation & Impartiality, Consult with themselves & one another; but above all with the Wonderful Counsellour, & Prince of Peace, in a Thousand devout Ejaculations, besides their Set Devotions, Neh. 2. 4, 5. the surest and safest methods, for the Attainment of the Blessed and Glorious Ends Proposed. 1 Cor. 10. 10, 11. And how vehemently is it to be Desired, That both Houses may Unite in the means as well as the End? Watching and Praying, that they Enter not into Temptation; for the Greatest, Wisest and Best of them all, are but men at the Best.

(3.) HAVING Agreed on the Right and Good Measures to be taken, according to their Unbyassed Judg­ments and a Good Conscience; there will be, in the Faithful Servants of the [Page 59] Lord, and Patriots of their Country, a Steady Resolution, in the strength of Christ, Zealously, and with unwearied Application; but not without Prudence and Moderation, (That they may ap­prove themselves PEACEABLE as well as Faithful in Israel; according to that excellent Character of an Israelite indeed, Exemplified in 2 Sam. 20. 19.) to prosecute the means, for the Attainment of the End; and that over the steepest, Rocky Mountains of Opposition; and through the deepest and dirtiest Sloughs of Reproach and Discouragement, Mat. 5. 9, 12. that may lie in their Way: & great shall be their Reward in Heaven: Nor shall it be small on Earth; for, thus [...]aith the Lord God of Israel, I Sam. 2. 30. Them that Honour me, I will Ho­nour, and they that despise me shall be light­ly Esteeemd. 1 Cor. 1. 12 Were it but the Testimo­ny of a Good Conscience,—It is strong Consolation! For Believing the Promises, that are, one and all Confirmed by two Immutable things, in which it is impos­sible for God to lie; Heb. 6. 15. 18. we Rejoyce with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory. 1 Pet. 1. 8.

THERE might have been Added, a Third Branch of the Exhortation: But [Page 60] I am Happily Excused by the Expecta­tion of a Sermon, To morrow, to the Sacred Order; from One who without Apology, may Instruct, Charge, Warn and Comfort, 1 Thes. 2. 11. even the Eldest Ministers, as a Father his Children. One Happy Token for Good to the Province; that the Lord Jesus Christ has spared the Life of his Servant, thus long, and to this Work.

THERE should also have been a Use of Warning to the openly Prophane & Secretly Wicked; to the Self-Righte­ous, Vain-Glorious Pharisee, and the Self Seeking, Flesh-Pleasing Worldling and Sensualist; as being all of them Traytors to the Lord Jesus Christ, his Crown and Dignity: and if speedy Re­pentance prevent not, Luke 19. 17. they may expect (For the Lord will Recover his Glory by Destraint) Acts 17. 31. to be treated as Rebels on the Day which God hath Appointed wherein to Judge the World in Righte­ousness, Rom. 2. 16. by the man whom he hath ordained:—Even Judge the Secrets of Men, by Jesus Christ, according to the Gospel.

BUT I must Conclude: And it may be in a Word, or two of Comfort, to such [Page 61] as are Heartily Concerned for the Hon­our of Christ, and Jerusalems Peace: Grieved that the Lords Name is so much dishonoured, by the most; and that themselves can so little Glorifie him, at best—Such as, instead of adding to the floods of Excess, and mountains of Pride, that threaten to overwhelm us; instead of raising up Contention, & heightning the Crimes of Oppression and Extortion, Ezek 9. 4 that have Reached to Heaven; they Sigh and Cry for all the Abominations that are Committed in the Land. 2 Tim. 3 1—5. Now therefore Know for your Relief and Comfort, in these Evil Days; these last and Perilous Times.

1. THAT the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is unalterably fixed to Glorifie his Dear and only Son, to the very uttermost: and every thing that is Transacted in Heaven above, or here below; in which Angels or Saints, Satan or the most subtil and malicious of his Instruments are concerned; shall be infallibly over ruled and turned, even that which has a most contrary tenden­cy, to the greater Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Best Good of his Church and People.

[Page 62] 2. THAT being Espoused, or Be­trothed unto the Lord forever, Hos. 2 19. 80. in Righteousness, Judgment, Loving-kind­ness, Mercies and Faithfulness; you must needs have the sweetest Pleasure; the fullest satisfaction, and an Honour above Angels, in the Glory that is and shall be given to your Royal Husband; who is Dearer to you than your Life; and will be ten thousand times dearer than he is.

3. YOU may Pray, in Faith, for the Peace of our Jerusalem; not doubting but God will give a Gracious Answer: At least, for the Present, your Prayers shall return into your own Bosom; Psalm [...]5. 13. 122. 6. for all shall Prosper that love S [...]uns Wel­fare. But the Time will come for a full Answer to all the Millions of Faithful, Fervent Prayers, and Sup­plications, that have been poured out in former Ages, as well as in our Days. They are none of them lost, they shall all be Answered.

I now shut up all with Two or Three Texts, of Holy Scripture; Re­fe [...]ring to the Glory of God, in Christ; given Him by the Church Militant and Triumphant.

[Page 63] EPH. 3. 20, 21. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us; Unto him be Glory in the Church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all A­ [...]. World without End. Amen. Jud [...] 24, 25. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the Presence of his Glory with exceeding Joy. To the only Wise God our Saviour, be Glory and Majesty, Dominion and Power, both now and ever. Amen. Rev. 5. 8.—14. And when he had taken the Book, the four Beasts [...] twenty four Elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps & golden vials, full of odours, which are the Prayers of the Saints: And they sang a new Song, saying, Thou art, [...]thy to take the Book, and to open the Seals thereof; for thou wast-s [...]ai [...], and hast redeemed, us to God by thy Blood, out of every Kindred, and Tongue, and People, and Nation. And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests, and we shall reign on the Earth. And I beheld, & I heard the voice of ma­ny Angels, round about the Throne, and the Beasts, and the Elders: and the num­ber of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; say­ing [Page 64] with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, & glory, and blessing: And every creature which is in Heaven, and on the Earth, & under the earth, and such as are in the Sea, and all that are in them, he [...] I, [...]aying, blessing and honour, and glory and power, be unto him that sitteth on the Throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. And the four Beasts said Amen, and the four and twenty Elders fell down, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.