Looking Unto Jesus: The Fourth Book

LOOKING UNTO JESUS,

IN HIS LIFE.

THE FOURTH BOOK. I JOHN 1. 2. For the life was manifested, and we have seen it. CHAP. 1: SECT. 1: Of the Beginning of the Gospel.

IN this piece, as in the former, we must first lay down the object, and then direct Thou how to look to it. The object is JESUS carrying on the work of man's salvation during the time of his life. Now in all the transactions of this time, we shall observe them as they were carried on successively in those three years and an half of his ministerial office. For the first year, the evangelist Mark begins thus u The beginning of the gospel of JESUS CHRIST, the. Son of God;" q. d. the beginning of that age of the world which the prophets pointed out for the time of good things to come; or the beginning of the completion of that gospel, which, in respect of the promise, was from the beginning of the world. That the beginning of the gospel was now, appears, in that baptism (which was only used among the Jews for the admission of heathens to their church,) is now proposed to the Jews themselves; skewing, that now they were to be transplanted into a new profession; that the Gentiles and they were now to be knit into one church and body. Indeed the doctrine of John was of a different strain, from the literal doctrine of the law, in the sense of the Jews, for that called all for works; " Do this and live." But John called for repentance, and for the renewing of the mind, and for belief in him, that was coming after, disclaiming all righteousness by the works of the law. Hence one observes that the evangelist Luke points out this year in a special manner; it was the "fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar; at which time, (said he,) Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, Philip was tetrarch of Iturea, Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, and Annas and Caiaphas were high priests. And then, even then, the word of GOD came unto John, the Son of Zacharias, in the wilderness." See how exact the evangelist is, that so remarkable a year of the beginning of the gospel might be made known to all the world. I shall begin the first year of CHRIST's life with the beginning of John's preaching, which was six months current before the ministry of CHRIST.

SECT. 2:

Of the preaching of John the Baptist.

Now was it that the gospel began to dawn, and John, like the morning-star, springing from the windows of the east, foretels the approach of the Sun of Righteousness, Now was it that he laid the first rough stone of the building in mortification, self-denial, and doing violence to our natural affections. I read not that ever John wrought a miracle, but good works convince more than miracles themselves. To this purpose, I suppose, John, the Baptist spent his time in prayer,. meditation, and colloquies with GOD, eating locusts and wild honey in the wilderness, that he might be made a fit instrument of preparation of the gospel of CHRIST.

John's sermons were to those of JESUS as a preface to a discourse. His usual note was repentance, the axe to the root, the fan to the floor, the chaff to the fire. As his raiment was rough, so was his tongue; and thus must the way be made for CHRIST into obstinate hearts. Pleasing of the flesh is no fit preface to regeneration. If the heart of man had continued upright, CHRIST might have been entertained without contradiction; but now violence must be offered to our corruptions, ere we can make room for grace. If the great way-maker do not cast down bills, and raise up vallies in the bosoms of men, there is no passage for CHRIST; never will CHRIST come into that soul, where the herald of repentance, either in one motive or other, has not been before him. Shall we hear that sermon that John preached in his own words " Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." These are the words when he first began to preach the gospel of CHRIST; and indeed we find CHRIST himself does preach the same doctrine in the same words, "JESUS began to preach and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Oh! how seasonable is this sermon to Christians! has not the kingdom of heaven approached unto us Take the kingdom of heaven for the kingdom of glory, are we not near to the door of glory, to the confines of eternity "What is our life but a vapor that appears for a little time, and after it vanisheth away" We know not but ere the sun has run one round, our souls may be in that world of souls, and so either in heaven or hell. Or take the kingdom of heaven for the church of CHRIST, and what expectation have we now of the flourishing state of CHRIST's church here upon earth " Then shall the children of Israel and Judah be gathered together, for great shall be the day of Jezreel," Hos. 1: 11. A time is at hand, that Israel and Judah shall be called together, that the fullness of the Gentiles shall come in; and what is this but the great day of Jezreel Then what manner of persons ought we to be How spiritual how heavenly minded " Arise, arise, shake off thy dust, for thy light is coming, and the glory of the Lord is rising upon thee. But I will not dwell on this: my design is to consider JESUS, and of the transactions of JESUS in reference to our souls' health. Now John's sermons were only aa preparative to the manifestation of JESUS.

SECT. 3:

Of the Baptism of JESUS.

He that formerly was circumcised, would now be baptized. He was circumcised to sanctify his church that was, and he was baptized to sanctify his church that should be: we, find him in both testaments opening a way into heaven. This was the first appearing of CHRIST in reference to his ministerial office. He that lay hid in the counsel of GOD from all eternity, and that lay hid in the womb of his mother for the space of forty weeks, and that lay hid in Nazareth for the space of thirty years, now at last begins to show himself to the world: " He comes from Galilee to Jordan, to John, to be baptized of him." Now was the full time come that JESUS should take his leave of his mother, and his trade, to begin his Father's work, in order to the redemption of the world. For the clearer understanding of CHRIST's baptism, we shall examine, 1. What reason CHRIST had to be baptized 2. How it was that John knew him to be CHRIST. And, 3. Why it was that the Holy Ghost descended on him. 1. What reason bad CHRIST to be baptized We find John himself wondered at this: " I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest Thou to me" Many reasons are given for CHRIST's baptism: 1. That he might bear witness to the preaching and baptism of John, and might reciprocally receive a testimony from John. 2. That by his own baptism he might sanctify the water of baptism to his own church. 3. That he might " fulfill all righteousness;" not only moral, but figurative, ceremonial, and typical. Some think, that the ceremony, which our Savior looked at in these words, was their washing of the priests in water, when they entered into their function: "Aaron and his sons Thou shall bring to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall wash them with water." And surely-this was the main reason of CHRIST's being baptized, that by this baptism he might be installed in the ministerial office.

2. How did John know him to be CHRIST The Baptist speaks expressly, " I knew him not, but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, On whomsoever Thou shall see the Spirit descending, and abiding on him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." Now this descent of the Holy Ghost was not till after baptism; how then did he know him to be CHRIST To this it may be answered, it is not unlikely that John knew CHRIST at his first arrival by revelation. Thus Samuell knew Saul; and thus John might know CHRIST. That knowledge he had after CHRIST's baptism, was a further confirmation of the knowledge he had before his baptism, and that not, so much for his own sake, as for the people's; " I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."

3. Why was it that the Holy Ghost descended on JESUS I answer, for these reasons, 1. That John the Baptist might be satisfied; for this token was given John, when he first began to preach, "That upon whom he should see the Spirit of GOD descending and remaining on him, the same was he who should. baptize with the Holy Ghost." 2. That CHRIST himself might be anointed to his function: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. As Aaron and his sons were anointed with material oil, when they entered into their offices, so CHRIST was, by the Spirit (as it were,) anointed, that so he might receive this consecration and institution for the office that he was to enter on, viz. the preaching and ministry of the gospel.

4. Why in the form of a dove, rather than some other form' Perhaps, 1. To show CHRIST's innocency, purity, and love. 2. To answer the figure in Noah's flood; for as a dove at that time brought tidings of the abating of the waters, so now it brings tidings of the abating of GOD’s wrath upon the preaching of the gospel.

Observe, the baptism we use, and the baptism of John, are in nature and substance one and the same. 1. John " preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." They have therefore the same doctrine, and the same promise. 2 The baptism ministered by John pertained to the "fulfilling of all righteousness." And Luke testifies, that the publicans and people being baptized of John, they "justified God. But the Pharisees rejected the counsel of GOD against themselves, and were not baptized." Only herein lies the difference, that John baptized in CHRIST that should die and rise again; but we baptize in the name of CHRIST that has died, and risen again. It is a difference in respect of circumstance, but not of the substance. Oh! take heed of throwing away the baptism of water, upon the pretence of baptism only with fire! CHRIST (we see) has joined them together, and let no man separate them asunder: CHRIST himself was baptized with fire; and yet CHRIST himself was baptized with water:

SECT. 4:

Of the. Fasting and Temptation of CHRIST.

No sooner is CHRIST come out of the water of baptism,, but he enters into the fire of temptation. No sooner is the Holy Spirit descended upon his head, but he is led by the same Holy Spirit to be tempted in the wilderness. No sooner does GOD say, "This my Son;" but SATAN puts it to the question, " If Thou be the Son of God All these are but CHRIST's preparatives to his prophetical office. In the former, CHRIST was prepared by a solemn consecration; now he is further prepared by SATAN's temptation. In the same method as the evangelist lays it down, Matt. 4: 1-12, 1 shall proceed. " Then was JESUS led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to by tempted of the devil." In the whole, we may observe these several branches: First, the place where the temptation was, the' wilderness; Secondly, the cause of CHRIST's going into the wilderness, the Spirit's leading; Thirdly, the end of the Spirit's leading CHRIST into the wilderness, "to be tempted of the devil;" Fourthly, the time and occasion of the devil's onset, at the end of forty days fast, and "when he was an hungered;" Fifthly, the temptations themselves, which are in number three; to which are added as many victories, which CHRIST bad over the tempter; who therefore "left him, and so the angels came, and ministered unto him." I shall begin first with the place where the temptation was; to wit, in the wilderness.

This wilderness was not that same wilderness wherein John the Baptist lived, Matt. 3: 1; for that wherein John lived was a place inhabited. There were in that place cities and towns, and a number of people, to whom John preached; but this wilderness was devoid of men, fall of wild beasts. So says Mark, " He was tempted of SATAN, and was with the wild beasts." As Adam, in his innocency lived with wild beasts, and they hurt him not: so CHRIST, the second Adam lives here in' a wilderness with wild beasts, and has no hurt at all. He is Adam-like in his safety and security; above Adam in the resisting of temptations. Probably, during his forty days abode here, CHRIST was continually exercised in prayer and fasting; for he knew he had the great work of redemption to promote; and therefore his conversation for this interval must have been preparatory to it: in this respect, I know not but the wilderness might he an advantage to CHRIST's design. In this solitary place he could not but breathe out more pure inspiration. Heaven. usually is more open, and GOD usually is more familiar in his visits in such places.

2. The cause of CHRIST's going into the wilderness was the Spirit's leading: "Then was JESUS led of the Spirit into the wilderness." CHRIST was led by the good Spirit, to be tempted by the evil spirit. O wonder! that same Spirit which was one with the Father and the Son;. that same Spirit whereby CHRIST was conceived, now drives him or leads him into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. CHRIST himself would not go into the combat uncalled; unwarranted; how then should we poor weaklings presume upon any abilities of our own Who dares grapple with the devil in his own Strength Oh! take heed! If we are to pray not to be led into temptation; much more are we to pray not to run into temptation before we are led; and yet for the comfort of GOD’s people, if it be so that we are led; if by Divine permission, or by an inspiration' of the Holy Spirit, we are engaged in an action, or in a course of life that is full of temptations; let us look upon it as an issue of Divine providence in which we must glorify God.

3. The end of the Spirit's leading CHRIST into the wilderness was either immediate or remote. The immediate end was, " to be tempted of the devil." To this purpose was CHRIST brought thither, that SATAN might tempt him. One would think it a very strange design that the Son of GOD should be brought into a wilderness to be set on by all the devils in hell; but in this also, GOD had another remote end, 1: e. his own glory and our good. 1. His own glory appeared in this; had not SATAN tempted CHRIST, how Should CHRIST have overcome SATAN Herein was the power of CHRIST exceedingly manifested; the devil having the chain let loose, assaults CHRIST with all his might; and CHRIST both overcomes him, and triumphs over him. And herein were the graces of CHRIST exceedingly manifested. How was the faith, patience; humility; zeal, and valour of CHRIST set forth, which they could not have been, if. he had always lain quietly in garrison; and never had come into the skirmish 2. As it was for his glory, so also for our good. Now we see what manner of adversary we have, how he fights, and how he is resisted, and how overcome; now, we see the dearer we are to GOD, the more obnoxious we are to temptation, Now we see that the best of saints may be tempted or allured to the worst of evils, since CHRIST himself is solicited to infidelity, covetousness, and idolatry: now we see that " we have not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but such a one as was in all things tempted in like sort,. yet without sin; and therefore we may go boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace in time of need."

4. The time and occasion' of the devil's onset.; it was at the end of forty days' fast, and when he was all hungered. Moses fasted forty days at the delivery of the law; and Elias fasted forty days at the restitution of the law; and to fulfill the time of both these types, CHRIST thinks it fit to fast forty days at the accomplishment of the law, and the promulgation of the gospel. In fasting so long, CHRIST manifests his almighty power; and in fasting no longer, CHRIST manifests to truth of his man, hood, and of his weakness; to show that he was man as well as GOD, and so a fit Mediator between GOD and Iran, he would both feed and fast; make use of the creature; and withal suffer hunger.-And now our Savior is an hungered. This gives occasion to SATAN to set upon, him with his fierce temptations. He knows well what baits to fish withal,, and when, and bow to lay them. He considers. the temper and constitution of the person he is to tempt. And he observes all exterior accidents, occasions, and opportunities.

5. The temptations themselves are in number three whereof the first was this:, " If Thou be the Son of GOD, command that these stones be made bread." What an horrible entrance is this. “If Thou be the Son of God No question, SATAN had heard the glad tidings of the angel, he saw the star, and the Journey, and the offerings of the sages, he could not but take notice of the gratulations of Zachary, Simeon, Anna. And of late, he saw the heavens open. and heard the voice that came down from heaven, " This is my beloved Son in whom I am Well pleased." And yet, now that he saw CHRIST fainting With hunger, as not comprehending how infirmities could consist with a Godhead, he puts it to the question, " If Thou be the• Son of God." Here is a point ill which lies all our happiness. How miserable were we, if CHRIST were not indeed the Son of God SATAN strikes at the root of this supposition. Surely, all the work of our redemption, and all the work of our salvation depend upon this; that JESUS CHRIST is the Son of God. If CHRIST had not been the Son of GOD, how should he have ransomed'the world How should be have done, or how should he have suffered that which was satisfactory to his Father's wrath If CHRIST be not the Son of GOD, we are all undone, we are lost, we are damned for ever. Farewell glory, farewell happiness, farewell heaven. If CHRIST be not the Son of GOD, we must never come there, Fell, SATAN, Thou beginnest thy assault like a devil indeed. " If Thou be the Son of God;" but what then " Command that these, stones may be made bread." He knew JESUS was hungry; and therefore he invites him to eat bread only of his own providing, that so he might refresh his humanity, and prove his Divinity. There is nothing more ordinary with our spiritual enemy, than by occasion of want, to move us to unwarrantable courses; " If Thou art poor, then steal: if Thou can not rise by honest means, then use indirect means." I know CHRIST might as lawfully have turned stones into bread, as he turned water into wine; but to do this in a distrust of his Father's providence, to work a miracle of SATAN's choice, and at SATAN's bidding, it could not agree with his being the Son of God. And hence JESUS refuses to be relieved. He would rather deny to manifest the Divinity of his person, than he would do any act which had in it the intimation of a different Spirit. O Christians! it is a sinful care, to take evil courses to provide for our necessities. Come, it may be Thou have found a way to thrive, which Thou couldst not do before. O take heed; was it not of the devil's prompting, to change stones into bread Sadness into sensual comforts If so, then SATAN has prevailed. Alas, he cannot endure Thou should live a life of austerity, or self-denial, or mortification; if he can but get thee to satisfy thy senses, and to please thy natural desires, he then has a fair field for the battle. It were a Thousand Mimes better for us to make stones our meat, and tears our drink, than to swim in ill-gotten goods, and in the fullness of voluptuousness.

6. But what was CHRIST's answer " It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the -mouth of God.'•' 1. " It is, written." He easily could have confounded SATAN by the power of\ his Godhead; but he rather chooses to vanquish, him by the sword of the Spirit. Surely this was for our instruction. By this means he teaches us how to resist, and to overcome. Nothing in heaven or earth can beat the forces of hell, if the Word of GOD cannot do it: O then, how should we pray with David,: " Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and take not from me the words of truth, let them be mysongs in the house of my pilgrimage ---so shall I make answer to my blasphemers." 2. " Man shall not live by bread alone. Whilst we are in GOD’s work, GOD has made a promise of the supply' of all provisions necessary for us. JESUS was now in his Father's work, therefore he was sure to be provided for according to GOD’s word. Christians! are we in GOD’s service GOD will certainly give us bread; and till he does, we can live by the breath of his mouth, by the light of his countenance, by the refreshment of his promises,’ by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Every word of GOD’s mouth can create a grace,, and every grace can supply two necessities, both of the body and of the spirit. I remember one kept straightly in prison, and sorely threatened with famine he replied, "That if he must have no bread, GOD would so provide that he should have no stomach." If our stock be spent, GOD can lessen our necessities; if a tyrant will take away our meat, GOD our Father knows how to alter our faint, and feeble, and hungry appetites.

The second temptation is not so sensual. The devil sees that he was too low for CHRIST, and& therefore he comes again with a temptation something more spiritual; " He sets him on a pinnacle of the temple, and says unto him, if Thou be the Son of GOD, cast. thyself down: for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning thee. He that was content to be led from Jordan into• the wilderness, yields to be led from the wilderness to Jerusalem. The wilderness was fit for a temptation. arising from want, and Jerusalem for a temptation arising from vain-glory. Methinks itt is a sweet contemplation of an holy divine; he supposeth as if he had seen CHRIST on the highest battlements of the temple, and SATAN standing by him with this speech in his mouth: " Well, then, since in the matter of nourishment Thou wilt needs depend upon thy Father's providence; take now a further trial of that providence, in thy miraculous preservation Cast down thyself from this height; and if Thou be the Son of GOD, now the eyes of all men are fixed upon thee, there cannot be devised a more ready way to spread thy glory: and for danger, if thon be the Son of GOD, there can be none: what can hurt him that is the Son of God" Come, cast thyself down, says SATAN, But why did not SATAN cast him down He carried him up thither; and was it not more easy to throw him down thence O no, the devil may persuade us to a fall, but he cannot precipitate us without our own act; his malice is infinite, but his power is limited'; he cannot do us any harm, but by persuading us to do it ourselves; and therefore says he to CHRIST, C Cast thyself down." To this CHRIST answers, Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God." Though it it is true, that GOD must be trusted in, yet he must not be tempted; if means be allowed, we must not throw ~hem away upon a pretence of GOD’s protection, CHRIST knew well enough that there were ordinary descents by stairs from the top of the temple, and therefore he would not so tempt GOD to throw himself headlong. All the devils in hell could not so tempt CHRIST as to make him tempt his God.

The third temptation is yet more horrid; the temple was not high enough, so that SATAN takes him up to the top of an " exceeding high mountain, and shows him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, saying, All these will I give thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me." In this temptation the devil, by an angelical power, drew into one centre all the kingdoms and glories of the world, and made an admirable map of beauties, and represented them to the eyes of JESUS. He Thought ambition more likely to ruin him, because he knew it was that which prevailed upon himself, and therefore, "Come," says SATAN, " all these will I give thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me." How GOD worship the devil Was ever the like blasphemy since the creation The Lamb, of GOD, that heard all the former with patience, could by no means endure this: he commands him away, and tells him, " It is written, Thou shall worship the Lord thy GOD, and him only shall Thou serve." Now was the devil put to flight, and in his stead the angels came and ministered unto JESUS, 1: e. after his fast they minister such things as his necessities required.

O Christians! what shall we say to this If CHRIST was thus tempted by SATAN, what may we look for Sometimes it cheers my heart to think that CHRIST was tempted, because thereby he knows how to succor those that are tempted; and sometimes it affrights my soul to think that SATAN durst be so bold with JESUS CHRIST. Oh what may he do with me! how easily may he prevail against my soul! When he came to tempt CHRIST, he found nothing in him to join with him in the temptation, but in my heart is a world of corruptions, and, unless tho Lord prevent; I am quickly gone.

SECT. 5:

Of the first Manifestation of CHRIST.

To manifest CHRIST were many witnesses. As, 1. From heaven the Father is witness: for see, says CHRIST, " the Father that sent me, bears witness of me:" and the Son is witness; for so says CHRIST, " I am one that bear witness of myself;" and "Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go:" and the Holy Ghost is a witness so says Paul, " The Holy Ghost also is a witness to us;" and to that purpose he descended like a dove, and lighted upon him. 2. On earth John the Baptist is witness;-.(Pr so says CHRIST, " Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth; he came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through CHRIST might believe." No sooner was John confirmed by a sign from heaven that. JESUS was the CHRIST, but he immediately manifested it to the Jews, and first to the priests and Levites sent from the Sanhedrim; and secondly, to all the people he professed, wheresoever he saw JESUS CHRIST, " This is he:" yea, he points him out with his finger, " Behold the Lamb of GOD, that takes away the sins of the world." Then he skews him to Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, and then to another disciple with him, " who both followed JESUS, and abode with him all night." Andrew brings his brother Simon with him. Then JESUS himself finds out Philip of Bethsaida, and bade him follow him; and Philip finds out Nathanael, and bids him come and see, for the Messiah was found. Thus we see no less than five disciples found out at first, which must be so many witnesses of JESUS CHRIST.

And yet we find more witnesses: " The works," says CHRIST, " that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of inc." These works or miracles of CHRIST were many; but because we are speaking of his first manifestation, I shall instance only in his first work, which was at a marriage in Carla of Galilee. The power of miracles had now ceased since their return out of captivity; the last miracle that was done by man till this very time, was Daniel's tying up the mouths of the lions; and now CHRIST begins. He that made the first marriage in paradise, bestows his first miracle upon a marriage-feast. O happy feast, where CHRIST is a guest t I believe this was no rich or sumptuous bridal. Who ever found CHRIST at the magnificent feasts or triumphs of the great The poor bridegroom wants drink for his guests; and as soon as the holy virgin has notice of it, she complains to her Son: whether we want bread, or wine, necessaries, or comforts, whither should we go but to CHRIST " But JESUS. answered her, Woman, what have I to do with thee Mine hour is no.t yet come." This shows, that the work he was to do must not be done to satisfy her importunity, but to prosecute the great work. In works spiritual and religious, all outward relation ceases: matters of miracle concerned the Godhead only; and in this case, "O woman, what have I to do with thee" We must not deny love and duty to relations; but in the things of GOD, natural endearments must pass into spiritual; and like stars in the presence of the sun, must not appear. Paul could say, " Henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, Though we have known CHRIST after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more."

At the command of JESUS, the water-pots were filled with water, and the water by his Divine power is turned into wine; where the different dispensation of GOD and the world is highly observable: " Every man sets forth good wine at first, and then the worse." But CHRIST not only turns water into wine, but into such wine as at the last draught is most pleasant. These were the first manifestations of JESUS. Thou see he had several witnesses to set him forth; some from heaven, and some on earth. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost witness from heaven. The Baptist, disciples, and his works witness on earth; and there is no disagreement in their witness, but all bring in this testimony of JESUS, That he is the Messiah; u that is, being interpreted, the CHRIST."

But what are those manifestations to us or to that great design of CHRIST in carrying on our souls' salvation Much every way. For either must CHRIST be manifested' to us even by these witnesses, in the preaching of the gospel, and manifested in us by that one witness, his Holy Spirit, or we are undone for ever. 1. CHRIST must be manifested to us in the preaching of the gospel. This mercy we have this day; nay, Thou see every Sabbath-day all the witnesses speak in us. What do we, but in GOD’s stead, in the Baptist's stead, in the disciples' stead,, manifest CHRIST to Thou in every sermon P It is the commission which CHRIST has given us. of the ministry; "Go, preach the gospel to every creature," 2. CHRIST must be manifested in us by his Holy Spirit. Christians! look to Your hearts; what manifestations of CHRIST are there When Paul speaks of the gospel in general, he adds in particular; that " it pleased GOD to reveal CHRIST in me." And when Peter speaks of the word of GOD, he adds, that "we take heed thereunto, until the day dawn, and the Day-star (that is, CHRIST, Rev. 22: 16,) •" arise in our hearts;" till then, Though we be circled with gospel discoveries; our hearts will be full of darkness; but when CHRIST, whom the prophet calls "the Sun of Righteousness," and Peter the "Day-Star," shall arise within us, we shall be full of light.

Sect 6:

Of CHRIST's whipping the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple.

Concerning CHRIST's whipping the buyers and sellers out of the temple, we read in the gospel, that "the Jews' passover being at hand, JESUS went up to Jerusalem." Thither, if we follow him, the first place that we find him in is the temple; where, by the occasion of the national assembly, was an opportune scene for CHRIST's transactions. In that temple CHRIST first espies a mart; there were divers merchants and exchangers of money, that drought beasts thither to be sold for sacrifice against that preached to all; but for the power and fruit of his preaching, it was only received by the poor in spirit. In the following particulars, his office is set out still in an higher tenor, " To heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind;" or, as it is lp Isaiah lxi. 1, "The opening of the prison to them that are bound." A sad thing to be in captivity, but sadder to he bound in chains, or locked up in a prison there; but it is most sad of all to be imprisoned, having one's eyes put out, as was the case of Sampson and Zedekiah. Now the evangelist, willing to render the prophet to the highest sense that might be, uses an expression that meets with the highest mystery; that is, when a man is not only shut up in a prison, but himself also has his eyes put out; to such CHRIST should preach not only deliverance to the captives, but also `1 recovering of sight to blinded persons." 5. Now it was that he delivered the admirable sermon, called the sermon upon the mount. It is a breviary of all those precepts which are truly called Christian; it contains in it all the moral.precepts given by Moses, and a more severe exposition than the scribes and pharisees had given; it holds forth the doctrines of meekness, poverty of spirit, Christian mourning, desire of holy things,. mercy and purity, peace and patience, and suffering of injuries; he teaches us bow to pray, how to fast, how to give alms, how to contemn the world, and how to seek the kingdom of GOD and its appendant righteousness.

And thus CHRIST, being entered upon his prophetical office, in these and the rest of his sermons, gives a clear testimony that he was not only an interpreter of the law, but a Law-giver; and that this law of CHRIST might retain some proportion, at least, to the law of Moses, CHRIST, in his last sermon, went up unto a mountain, and from thence gave the oracle. I cannot stand to paraphrase on this, or any other of his sermons; but seeing now we find CHRIST in the exercise of his prophetical office, let us observe f. his titles in this respect. 2. The reasons of his being a prophet. 3. The excellency of CHRIST above all other prophets.

Sect. 3:

Of CHRIST's prophetical Office

First. The titles of CHRIST, in respect of his prophetical office, were these, 1. Sometimes he is called Doctor, or Master; "Be ye not called masters, for one is Your Master, even CHRIST." The word *, which signifies a doctor, moderator, teaching-master, a guide of the way. 2. Sometimes he is called a Law-giver; "There is one Law-giver, who is able to save and to destroy," The apostle speaks of the internal government of the conscience; in which case the Lord is our Judge: 3. Sometimes he is called a Counselor; and " his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor:" "Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom," says CHRIST. " I am understanding, and I have strength." 4. Sometimes he is called the apostle of our profession; "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High= Priest of our profession, CHRIST JESUS." GOD sent him as an Ambassador, to make- known his will; he came not unsent: the very word imports a mission, a sending; "How shall they preach except they be sent" 5. Sometimes he is called the Angel of the Covenant; "Even the Angel of the Covenant, whom ye delight in." CHRIST was the publisher of the gospel covenant; and in this respect he is called a Prophet, Acts 3: 22, whose office it was to impart GOD’s will unto the sons of men, according unto the name, Angel. 6. Sometimes he is called the Mediator of the new covenant; " for this cause he is the Mediator

of the New Testament," says the apostle. Now, a me diator is such a one as goes between two parties at variance; imparting the mind of the one to the other, so as to produce a right understanding, and thereby to work a compliance between both. And thus CHRIST is a Mediator between GOD and us, an Interpreter, an Inter-messenger between GOD and his people.

Secondly. The reasons of CHRIST's being a Prophet, were these. 1: That he might reveal to his people the will of his Father. 2. That he might open and expound the same, being once delivered. 3. That he might make saints understand and believe the same. (L.) As a Prophet, he delivers to the people his Father's will, both in his own person, and by his ministers. In his own person, when he was upon earth, as a "minister of the circumcision;" and by. his ministers, from the beginning of their mission till the end of the world. (2.) As a Prophet, he opens and expounds the gospel. Thus being in the synagogue on the Sabbath-day, he "opened the, book, and found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor," &c. and then "he closed the book, and said, This day is this scripture fulfilled in Your ears." The gracious purpose of GOD towards lost mankind, was a secret locked up in the breast of the Father; and so it had been even to this day, had not CHRIST, who was in the bosom of the Father, revealed it unto us. Hence CHRIST is called the Interpreter of God: "No man kzioweth-the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him," by his interpretation. (3.) As a Prophet, he gives us to understand and to believe the gospel. " Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures;" and thus was the case of Lydia, "whose heart the Lord opened." He that at first opens scriptures, at last opens hearts: "He is that true Light which enlighteneth every man that comes into the world." He enlightens every believer, not only with a common natural light, but with a special supernatural light of saving, spiritual, and effectual knowledge. Now there is no prophet can do this save only JESUS CHRIST; he. only is able to cause our hearts to believe, and to understand the matter which he does teach and reveal. Other prophets may plant and water; " Paul may plant, and Apollos may water," but he, and only he, can " give the increase."

Thirdly. The excellencies of CHRIST, above all other prophets, are in these respects: 1. Other prophets were but types and shadows of this great Prophet; even Moses himself was but a figure of him: "A prophet shall the Lord GOD raise up unto Thou of Your brethren, like unto me," says Moses. These words, "like unto me,'.' plainly show, that Moses was but an image and shadow of CHRIST. Now as substances far excel shadows, so does CHRIST far excel all the prophets. 2. Other prophets revealed but some part of GOD’s will, and. only at some times. "GOD," says the apostle, " at sundry times, and in divers manners, spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets;i. e. he let out his light by little and little, till the Day Star and Sun of Righteousness arose; "but in these last days he has spoken by his Son;" 1: e. he has spoken more fully and plainly. In this respect, with the apostle, the heirs of life and salvation were but children before CHRIST's incarnation. As now we see but through a glass darkly, towards what we shall do in the life to come; so did they of old in comparison of us; their light, in comparison of ours, was but an obscure and glimmering light. 3. Other prophets speak only to the ears of men, but CHRIST spoke, and still speaks, to the heart; " He has the keys of David, that opens, and no man shutteth, that shutteth, and no man opens;" it is a similitude taken from them that keep the keys of e city or castle, without whom none can open or shut; no more can any man open the heart, or break in upon the spirit, but CHRIST; he only is able to open the eyes of the mind by the secret, kindly, and powerful working of his own Spirit. 4. Other prophets had their commission and authority from hint; "The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of the assemblies, which are given from one shepherd;" 1:e. the words of the wise are divine and heavenly instructions; the masters of assemblies are gospel ministers, and CHRIST is that one Shepherd, from whom these words are given, and from whom these masters have their authority.

SECT. 4:

Of CHRIST's Miracles.

The miracles of CHRIST this year were many. No what were these miracles but a pursuance of the doctrines delivered in CHRIST's sermons' One calls them A verification of CHRIST's doctrine; a signal of CHRIST's sermons: If, we observe, we shall find him to work most of his miracles in actions of mercy. Indeed once he turned water into wine, and sometimes he walked upon the waters; but all the rest were actions of relief, according to the design of GOD, who would have him manifest his power in showing mercy to men.

1. Amongst all his miracles done this year] now was it that at Cana where he wrought the first miracle: he does a second; " A certain nobleman, or courtier, came to JESUS, and besought him to come down to his house, and to heal his son, who was at the point of death." We do not find CHRIST often attended with nobility, but here he is. This noble ruler inquires after CHRIST in his necessity.’Happy was it for him that his son was sick, for otherwise he would not have been so well acquainted with his Savior. The first answer CHRIST gives is a word of reproof, " Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe." Incredulity was the common disease of the Jews, which no receipt could cure but wonders. " A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after signs." The doctrine of CHRIST; and all the words that he spike, must be attested by miracles, or they will not believe. O, what a sin is this! CHRIST's next answer is a word of comfort: " Go thy way, thy son lives." O the meekness and mercy of JESUS CHRIST! When we would have looked that he should have punished this suitor for not believing he condescends to him that he may believe: "Go thy way, thy son lives." With one word does CHRIST heal two patients, the son and the father; the stn's fever, and the father's unbelief. We cannot but observe here the steps of faith; he that believed somewhat ere he came, and more when he went, grew to more faith in the way, and when he came home he enlarged his faith to all the skirts of his family. " And the man believed the Word that JESUS had spoken unto him, and he went his way;." and in the way one meets him, and tells him, " Thy son lives;" which recovery he understands to be at the same time that CHRIST had spoken those healing words, and " himself believed and his whole house."

2. Now was it that " a centurion came unto CHRIST, beseeching him, and saying, My servant lies at home sick of the palsy grievously tormented." Many suitors come to CHRIST, one for a son, another for a daughter, a third for himself, but I see none come for his servant but this one centurion; and if we observe CHRIST's answers to his suit, we see how well pleased CHRIST is with his request: " And JESUS says unto him, ` I will come and heal him.' He is no respecter of persons, but he that feareth him and works righteousness, is accepted of him." It may be this servant had more grace, or he had more need, and therefore CHRIST will go down to visit this poor sick servant. Nay, says the centurion, " I am not worthy, Lord, that Thou should come. under my roof:" q. d. Alas, Lord, I am a gentile; an alien, a man of blood, but Thou art holy, Thou art omnipotent; and therefore, " only say the word, and my servant shall be whole." The centurion knew this by the command he had over his own servants; " I say to this man go, and he goes; and to another come, and he comes; and' to a third do this, and he does it. O, that I were such a servant to my heavenly Master! Alas! every one of his commands says, " Db this, and I do it not:" every one of his inhibitions says, "Do it not, and I do it." He says, "Go from the world, and I run to it." He says, "Come tome, and I run from him." Wo is me, this is not service, but enmity: Oh, that I could come up to the faith and obedience of this exemplar, and could serve my CHRIST as, these- soldiers did their master!’ JESUS marvels at the centurion's faith. We never find' CHRIST wondering at miracles of the prophets and of the apostles of CHRIST'; for what they did was above nature; and all the difference between their miracles and the miracles of CHRIST, was only in this, viz. they wrought them not in their own name and power, as JESUS CHRIST did.

For the second, Why they are Many reasons are given, but this is the main; " Miracles were wrought for the confirming of some Divine truth or doctrine at its first revelation, or promulgation." To this purpose, miracles were as the trumpets or heralds by which the gospel was first commended unto us; as the law of Moses was first authorized by manifold miracles wrought at Sinai, and in the desert, which afterward ceased when they were settled in the promised lands; so the gospel of CHRIST was first authorized by manifold miracles, but the sound thereof having now gone through all the world, these miracles cease.

For the third, Whether they are continued in this great transaction of our salvation I answer, yea; in this respect miracles cease not; it is without controversy that JESUS CHRIST, in carrying on our salvation, is adding miracle to miracle. There is a chain of miracles in the matter of our salvation from first to last: as, 1, It was a miracle that GOD, before we had a being, should have once Thought of us; especially that the blessed Trinity should contrive that astonishing plan for the salvation of our souls: Oh, what a miracle was this! 2. It was a miracle that GOD for our sakes should create the world, and after our fall in Adam, should preserve the world, especially considering that our sin had unpinned- the whole frame of the creation; and that GOD, even then sitting on his throne of judgment, ready to pass the doom of death for our first transgression, should give a promise of a Savior, when justly he might have given us to the devil, and to hell, according to his own law, " in the day Thou eatest thereof, Thou shall surely die." 3. It was a miracle that GOD’s Son should take upon him our nature, and that in our nature he should transact our peace; that he should preach salvation to us all if we would believe; and to the end that we might believe, that he should work so many signs and miracles in the presence of his disciples, and of a world of men. 4. It was a miracle that GOD should look upon us in our blood: O, miracle of mercies! If creation cannot be without a miracle, surely the new -creation is a miracle indeed. So contrary are our perverse natures to all possibilities of salvation, that if salvation had not marched to us all the way in a miracle, we should have perished in the ruins of a sad eternity. Indeed every man living in the state of grace, is a perpetual miracle; in such a one his reason is turned into faith, his soul into spirit, his body into a temple, his earth into heaven, his water into wine, his aversions from CHRIST into intimate union with CHRIST. O what a chain of miracles is this! Why, Lord, " if Thou wilt, Thou can make me clean." Say thus, Thou that are yet in Your blood;"-' Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief."

CHAP. 3: SECT. 1: Of the third Year of CHRIST's Ministry.

HITHERTO all was quiet, neither the Jews, nor the Samaritans, nor Galileans, did as yet malign the doctrine or person of JESUS CHRIST; but, he preached with much peace on all hands, till the beginning of this year. I shall not yet speak of his sufferings, neither shall I speak much of his doings, only such things as refer more principally to the main business of our salvation, I shall touch in these particulars. As, 1, The ordination of the apostles. 2. His reception of sinners. 3. The easiness of his yoke, and the lightness of his burden.

SECT. 2:

Of CHRIST's Ordination of his Apostles.

In the ordination of his apostles, are many considerable things. The evangelist Luke lays it down thus: "And miracles of the prophets and of the apostles of CHRIST'; for what they did was above nature; and all the difference between their miracles and the miracles of CHRIST, was only in this, viz. they wrought them not in their own name and power, as JESUS CHRIST did. For the second, Why they are Many reasons are given, but this is the main; " Miracles were wrought for the confirming of some Divine truth or doctrine at its first revelation, or promulgation." To this purpose, miracles were as the trumpets or heralds by which the gospel was first commended unto us; as the law of Moses was first authorized by manifold miracles wrought at Sinai, and in the desert, which afterward ceased when they were settled in the promised lands; so the gospel of CHRIST was first authorized by manifold miracles, but the sound thereof having now gone through all the world, these miracles cease.

For the third, Whether they are continued in this great transaction of our salvation I answer, yea; in this respect miracles cease not; it is without controversy that JESUS CHRIST, in carrying on our salvation, is adding miracle to miracle.. There is a chain of miracles in the matter of our salvation from first to last: as, 1, It was a miracle that GOD, before we had a being, should have once Thought of us; especially that the blessed Trinity should contrive that astonishing plan for the salvation of our souls: Oh, what a miracle was this! 2. It was a miracle that GOD for our sakes should create the world, and after our fall in Adam, should preserve the world, especially considering that. our sin had unpinned the whole frame of the creation; and that GOD, even then sitting on his throne of judgment, ready to pass the doom of death for our first transgression, should give a promise of a Savior, when justly he might have given us to the devil, and to hell,. according to his own law, " in the day Thou eatest thereof, Thou shall surely die." 3. It was a miracle that GOD’s Son should take upon him our nature, and that in our nature he should transact our peace; that he should preach salvation to us all if we would believe; and to the end that we might believe, that he should work so many signs and miracles in the presence of his disciples, and of a world of men. 4. It was a miracle that GOD should look upon us in our blood: O, miracle of mercies If creation cannot be without a miracle, surely the new creation is a miracle indeed. So contrary are our perverse natures to all possibilities of salvation, that if salvation had not marched to us all the way in a miracle, we should have perished in the ruins of a sad eternity. Indeed every man living in the state of grace, is a perpetual miracle in such a one his reason is turned into faith, his soul into spirit, his body into a temple, his earth into heaven, his water into wine, his aversions from CHRIST into intimate union with CHRIST. O what a chain of miracles is this! Why, Lord, " if Thou wilt, Thou can make me clean." Say thus, Thou that are yet in Your blood; "Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief."

CHAP. 3: SECT. 1: Of the third Year of CHRIST's Ministry.

SECT. 2:

Of CHRIST's Ordination of his apostles.

In the ordination of his apostles, are many considerable things. The evangelist Luke says it down thus: "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out unto a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, be called unto him his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles." Till this time CHRIST taught alone; but, because after his ascension, he must needs have a ministry, till the end of the world, preparatory to this, he chooseth out some, whom he would have on purpose to wait upon him all the time of his ministry, till he was taken up into heaven. In this election, or ordination, here is, 1. The Person by whom -they are chosen, JESUS CHRIST. 2. The place where they are chosen, viz. on a mountain. 3. The time when they were chosen, after his watching and praying all night. 4. The company out of whom they were chosen, they were his disciples. 5. The number of them that were chosen, they were twelve. 6. The end to which they were chosen, it was to an apostleship, " he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles."

1. The person by whom they are chosen is JESUS CHRIST. They chose not themselves, but were chosen of CHRIST; this call was immediate, and therefore most excellent. 2. The place where they were chosen was on a mountain. Mountains are open and in view, which showed his ministry must be public. Again, mountains are-subject to winds and tempests, which chewed their callings would meet with, many oppositions. 3. The time when they were chosen, after he had "continued all night in prayer to God;" he goes not to election, but first he watches, and prays all the night before. This shows the singular care that CHRIST had

in this great employment. What To set men apart to witness his name, and to publish to the world the gospel of CHRIST This he would not do without much prayer. 4. The company out of whom they are chosen, " He called unto him his disciples, and out of them he chose twelve." A disciple of CHRIST is one thing, and an apostle of CHRIST is another thing. Those were CHRIST's disciples that embraced CHRIST's doctrine of faith and repentance.

It was not- material to the constituting of a disciple of CHRIST, whether persons followed CHRIST as many did, or returned to their own homes, as others did. The man out of whom the legions of devils were cast, "besought CHRIST that he might be with him; but JESUS sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and show how great things GOD has done to thee." I make no question but CHRIST at the election of his apostles had many disciples both waiting on him, and absent from him; and out of them that waited on him, his apostles were chosen; CHRIST's ministers should be first disciples. O how unfit are any to take upon them the ministry of CHRIST, that were never yet the disciples of CHRIST. First, the grace of GOD must be within us, and then must that grace of GOD be discovered by us. 5. The number of them that were chosen, they were twelve. Very probable, the number was figured out to us, in the twelve tribes of

Israel. 6. The end to which they were chosen, it was to an apostleship; 1:e. that they might be CHRIST's legates to the sons of men, that they might be sent up and down the world to persuade men to salvation.

SECT. III

CHRIST's Reception of Sinners.

I cannot limit this only to one year of CHRIST's ministry, but I shall mention it only this year. Now this will appear, 1. In the doctrine of CHRIST. 2. In the practice of CHRIST. 1. In his doctrine, CHRIST lays it down expressly, " Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give Thou rest. " It is no morebut come, and welcome. The gospel shuts none out of heaven, but those that by unbelief lock the door against their own souls. CHRIST is so willing to receive sinners, as that he sets all his doors open, and he casts out none that will but come in. And why so “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (1.) " I came down from heaven." It was a great journey from heaven to earth; and this great journey I' undertook for no other

purpose but to save sinners. Great actions, (as one says well,) must needs have great ends. Now this was the greatest thing that ever was done, that the Son of God

should come down from heaven. And what was the end, but the reception, and salvation of sinners " For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Had not CHRIST come down, sinners could not have gone up into heaven, and therefore that they might ascend, he descends. (2.) " 1 came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of hire that sent me." His Father had sent him on purpose to receive, and to save sinners; and, to this purpose he is called " the Apostle of our profession, who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." His Father could not send him on an errand, but he was sure to do it. His Father's mission was a strong demonstration, that CHRIST was willing to receive those sinners that would but come to him.

Again, " JESUS stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." The very pith, heart, and marrow of the gospel is contained in these words. The occasion of them was thus; on that last day of the feast of tabernacles, the Jews were wont with great solemnity to draw water out of the fountain of Siloam, at the foot of mount Sion,, and to bring it to the altar, singing out of Isaiah, " With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Now CHRIST takes them at this custom, and recalls them from earthly to heavenly waters, alluding to that of Isaiah, " Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Incline Thour, ear, and come unto me, and Your souls shall live." The, Father says come, the Son says come, the Spirit says come; yea, " the Spirit and the Bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, and let him that is a-thirst come, and whosoever will, let him drink of the water of life freely." All the time of CHRIST's ministry, we see him tiring himself, in going about from place to place, upon no other errand than this, to cry at the markets, " Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters If any sinners love life, if any will go to heaven, let them come to me, and I will show them the way to my Father's bosom, and endear them to my Father's heart.

2. CHRIST's reception of sinners appears yet more in his practice. How welcome were all sorts of sinners unto him. He rejected none that acknowledged him for the Messiah; he turned none away that gave up their souls to be saved by him in his own way. This he manifests, 1, Parabolically, especially in those three parables, of the lost piece of silver, of the lost sheep, and of the lost son; I shall instance in this last, which may well serve for all the rest. " When the prodigal was yet far off, his father saw him, and had compassion on him, and ran, • and fell on his neck, and kissed him." In these words observe, (1,) "His father sees him," before he sees his father; no sooner a sinner thinks of heaven, but the Lord spies him, and takes notice of him. (2.) The father sees him while he was yet a great way off; he was but in the beginning of his way; his father might have let him alone till he had come quite home to his house, and it-bad been a singular mercy to have bid welcome then; but he takes notice of him while yet a great way off. Sinners may be far off from GOD in their own apprehensions, and yet the Lord even then draws near, whilst thus they apprehend. (3.) His father had pity or compassion on him,; the Lord's bowels yearn within him, at the sight of his returning prodigals. (4.) His father ran; there is much in this as, 1, It had been mercy Though his father had stood sti 1, till his son had come. 2. What a mercy is this, t his father will go, and give his son the meeting.

3. BUT above all, O what abundant mercy call we this, that the father will not go, but run! If he would needs meet his son, might he not have walked towards him in a soft slow pace; O no, if a sinner will but come, or creep towards CHRIST, mercy will not go a foot-pace, but run to meet him; bowels full of mercy, out-pace bowels pinched with hunger;- GOD’s mercy is over all his works, and so it is over all our needs, and over all our sins. (5.) He " ran, and fell' on his neck;" 1: e. he embraced him; O wonder! who would not have been loath to have touched him was he not in his loathsome, stinking rags we see mercy is not nice; " When I passed by," (said GOD,) " I saw thee polluted in thy own blood, and I said unto thee when Thou wast in thy blood, Live;" yea, I said unto thee when Thou wast in thy blood, Live; that very time of her blood, was the time of love. (6.) He " ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; there is a passage Somewhat like this, and " Esau ran to meet Jacob, and he embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him;" before, he had Thought to have killed him, but now he kissed him; it is not to tell how dear the father was to his prodigal son, when " he ran, and fell on his neck, and embraced, and kissed him." The scope of the parable is this, that CHRIST is willing and glad to receive sinners. "Turn ye, turn ye, from Your evil ways; for why will Thou die, O house of Israel"

CHRIST manifests this willingness in his practice really; amonst many instances I shall insist only on one, a notable instance of this year. One of the pharisees, named Simon, invited CHRIST to eat with him, into whose house when he had entered, a certain woman, that was a sinne`~, abiding there in the city, heard of it: she came to JESUS in the pharisees house, and was no sooner come, but she lays her burden at JESUS's feet, and presents him with a broken heart, and weeping eye, and an alabaster box of ointment. "She stood at his feet behind him, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears, and to, wipe them with the hairs of her head; and she kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment." 1. She stands at his feet, a sign of her humility. O what a change!. She that before took her liberty of pride and lust, comes in remorse and regret for her sins, and throwing away her former pride, stoops, and waits, and humbly stands at JESUS's feet. 2. " She stood at his feet behind him;" it comprehends a tacit confession of her sins, she knew herself unworthy of thrist's-presence; she durst not look him in the face; but she waits behind him; her shame speaks her repentance. 3. " She stood at his feet behind him, weeping," her grief burst out in tears; she heeds not, the feast, nor feaster; but, falling down, weeps bitterly for her sins. 4. " She began to wash his feet with tears;" she wept a shower of tears, great enough to wash the feet of her blessed JESUS. This was the manner of the Jews, to eat their meat lying down, and leaning on their elbows; and in this posture -JESUS sitting or lying at meat, this woman had the convenience to weep on his feet. 5. " She wipes his feet with the hairs of her head;" her hair being added to her beauty, she made it a snare for men; but now she consecrates it to her Lord; worthy fruit of serious repentance. 6. " She kissed his feet," in token of her new choice, and new affection; her kisses had formerly been to wantons, but now she bestows them on the feet of CHRIST. 7. " She anointed them with ointment;" which expression was so great an ecstacy of love and sorrow, that to anoint the feet of the greatest monarch was long unknown, and in all the pomps of Roman prodigality, it was never used till Otho taught it Nero. When Simon observed this sinner so -busy, he Thought within himself that CHRIST was no prophet, that he did not know her to be a sinner; for although the Jews' religion did permit harlots to live, yet the Pharisees would not admit them to the benefits of ordinary society and hence Simon made an objection within himself, which JESUS knowing, (for he understood his Thoughts as well as his words,)' first makes her apology, and then his own;,the scope gives us to understand that CHRIST was not of the same superciliousness with the Pharisees; but that repenting sinners should be welcome unto him; and this welcome he publishes first to Simon, "Her sins which are many, are forgiven;" and then to the woman; "Thy sins are forgiven thee, thy faith has saved thee, go in peace."

What! is CHRIST most willing to receive sinners O, then, who would not come to JESUS CHRIST Methinks now all sinners, of all sorts, should say, Though I have been a drunkard, a swearer, an unclean person, yet now I hear CHRIST is willing to receive sinners, and therefore I will go to JESUS CHRIST. This is my exhortation, O come unto CHRIST, come unto CHRIST; behold her in the name of the Lord I stand, and make invitation to oor sinners; O will Thou not come How will ye answer it at the great day, when it shall be said, the Lord esus made a tender of mercy to Thou, and Thou would not accept of it O come to CHRIST, and believe on CHRIST; as CHRIST is willing to receive Thou, so be Thou willing to give up Your souls to him.

SECT. 4:

Of CHRIST's easy Yoke, and light Burden.

With respect to the easiness of CHRIST's yoke, and the lightness of his burden, CHRIST declares it.in these words "Take my yoke upon Thou, and learn of me, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." "My yoke," 1: e. my commandments, so the apostle John gives the interpretation, " his commandments are not grievous." " My yoke is easy," 1: e. my commandments are without any inconvenience; the trouble of a yoke is not the weight, but the uneasiness of it, and CHRIST speaks suitably, "My yoke is, easy, and my burden," 1: e. my institutions. The word primarily signifies the freight or ballast of a ship, which cuts through the waves as if it had no burden; and without which burden there would be no safety in the ship.

The Christian religion and the practice of it, are full of sweetness, easiness, and pleasantness. The reasons of this I shall reduce to these heads: The Christian religion is most rational. If we should look into the best laws that the wisest men of the world ever agreed upon, we would find that CHRIST adopted the quintessence of them all into his own law. The highest pitch of reason is but as a spark, a taper, which is involved and swallowed up in the body of this great light that is made up by the Sun of Righteousness. Some observe, that CHRIST's discipline is the breviary of all the wisdom of the best men, and a fair copy and transcript of his Father's wisdom; there is nothing in the laws of the Christian religion but what is perfective of our spirits. Indeed the Greeks, whom the world admired for their wisdom, accounted the preaching of the gospel foolishness, and therefore GOD blasted their wisdom; as it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent," 1 Cor. 1: 19. The gospel may be as foolishness: unto some, but "unto them who are called, CHRIST is the power of GOD, and the wisdom of God."

The Christian religion is all composed of peace: "her ways are the ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace," Prov. 3: 17. CHRIST framed all his laws in pursuance of his design of peace; peace within, and peace at. home, and peace abroad. 1. It holds forth a certain heavenly peace and tranquility within; "Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them." But on the contrary, " the wicked are like the troubled sea, which cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt; there is no peace, says my GOD, to the wicked." Their passions were never yet mortified; and such passions usually rage in wicked men as are most contrary, and demand contrary things; the desire of honor cries, Spend here; but the passion of avarice cries, Hold thy bands; lust cries, Venture here; but pride says, No such thing, it may turn to thy dishonor: anger cries, Revenge, thyself here; but ambition says, It is better to dissemble. And here is fulfilled that of the Psalmist, 111 have seen violence and strife in the city." The Vulgate renders it, "I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the self-same city." First, iniquity, for. all the demands of these passions are unjust. And, secondly, contradiction, for one passion cries out against another. But now, "great peace have they that love thy law;" for by the aid of CHRIST and his grace, their passions are subdued, and they pass on their life sweetly and calmly, without any perturbations much troubling their spirits; they have that "peace which passes all understanding," which " the world can neither give nor taste of."

2. It holds forth peace at home. The laws of JESUS teach us how to bear with the infirmities of our relatives; and indeed, whosoever obeys the laws of JESUS CHRIST, be seeks with sweetness to remedy all differences, be throws water upon a spark; he lives sweetly with his wife, affectionately with his children, discreetly with his servants; and they all look upon him as their guardian, friend, and patron. But, look upon ann angry man, not subject to these Christian laws, and when he enters up his threshold, it gives an alarm to his house, every little incident is the matter of a quarrel, and every quarrel discomp s the peace of the house, and sets it on fire, and no man can tell how far it may burn. O the sweetness, easiness, and pleasantness of the Christian Religion! Where that is embraced and followed, the man is peaceable, and charitable, and just, and loving, and forbearing, and forgiving; and how should there be but content in this blessed family

3. It holds out peace abroad; it commands all offices of kindness, gentleness, love, meekness, humility. It prescribes an austere, and yet a sweet deportment; it commands all those labors of love, to relieve the stranger, to visit the sick, to wash the feet of the poor; it sends us upon charitable embassies to unclean prisons, filthy dungeons, and, in the cause of CHRIST, to lay down our lives one for another. It teaches- us how to return good for evil, kindness for injuries, a soft answer for the rough words of an enemy. O! when 1: think of this, I cannot but think of him who. said, "That either this was not the Christian religion, or we were not Christians." For my part, I am easily persuaded, that if we would but live according to the Christian religion, one of those great plagues that vex the world (I mean the plague of war,). would be no more.. Certainly this was one of the designs of Christianity, that there should be no wars, no jars, no

discontents amongst men'. And if all men that are called Christians, were indeed charitable, peaceable, just, loving, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, what sweet peace should we have How would this world be an image of heaven, and of the society of saints and angels in glory

Thus far I have held forth JESUS in his life, or during the time of his ministry: and now was it that "JESUS knew his hour was come, and that he should depart out of this world unto the Father:" but of that hereafter. Our next business is to direct Thou in the art or mystery how we are to look unto JESUS in respect of his life.

CHAP. 5:

SECT. 1: Of knowing JESUS as carrying on the great Work of our Salvation in his Life.

From the object considered, that we may pass to the act, let us know JESUS carrying on the great work of our salvation during his life. We have many books of the lives of men, of the lives of heathens, of the lives of Christians; and by this we come to know the generations of old. But, above all, read over the life of JESUS, for that is worth thy knowing. To this purpose we have four evangelists, who in blessed harmony set forth his life these should be read over and over; "then shall we know," says the prophet, "if we follow on to know the Lord." Ah! my soul, that which Thou knows of CHRIST already is but the least part of what Thou art ignorant of. "We know but in part," says Paul of himself and others. The highest knowledge which the most illuminated saints have of JESUS CHRIST is but imperfect. Come, then, and "follow on to know the Lord." Still inquire after him. Imitate the angels, who ever desire to stoop down and to pry into the acting of CHRIST for our salvation. And for thy better knowledge, 1. Study those passages in the first year of CHRIST's ministry; as the preaching of John, the baptism of CHRIST, his fasting and temptation in the wilderness, his first manifestation by his several witnesses, his whipping of the buyers and sellers out of the temple. 2. Study over those passages in the second year of CHRIST's ministry; as those several sermons that he preached; and because his miracles were as signals of his sermons, study the several miracles that he wrought. Thou have but a few instances in comparison of all his miracles, and yet how fruitful are they of spiritual instructions 3. Study over those passages in the third year of CHRIST s ministry; as his commissioning his, apostles to call sins, his readiness to receive them that would come in, an his sweetening the ways of Christianity to them tha are come; " for his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. O what rare matter is here for Christian study! Some have taken such pains in the study of these things, that they have written large volumes. Men have been writing and preaching a Thousand six hundred years of the life of CHRIST, and they are writing and preaching still. O, my soul, if Thou dost not write, yet study what is written. Come with fixed Thoughts to that blessed subject, that will make thee wise unto salvation. Paul accounted " all things but dung for the excellency of the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS our Lord." If Thou didst truly understand the excellency of this knowledge,. Thou couldst not but account all things loss in comparison of it.

SECT. 2:

Of considering JESUS in that Respect.

Let us consider JESUS carrying on the great work of our salvation during his life. It is not enough to study and know, but we must muse, and meditate, and consider it, till we bring it to. some profitable issue. By meditating on CHRIST, we may feel a kind of insensible change; as those that stand in the sun for other purposes, find themselves lightened. and heated;. therefore look further, O my soul, have strong apprehensions of these several passages of the life of CHRIST. 1. Consider` the preaching of John the Baptist. We talk of strictness, but show me, among all the ministers or saints of this age, such a pattern of sanctity and singular austerity. He had an excellent zeal, and a vehement spirit in preaching, and the commentary upon all his sermons was his life: he was clothed in camel's hair his meat was locusts and wild honey. He contemned the world, resisted temptations, despised honors, and in all respects was a rare example of self-denial and mortification; and by this means made an excellent preparation for the Lord's coming. O, my soul, sit a while under this preacher. See what effect it works on thy heart and life. Dost Thou feel in thee a spirit of mortification Dost Thou, with the Baptist, die to the world' Dost Thou deny thy will Dost Thou abstain from pleasures,' and sensual complacences, that the flesh being subdued to the Spirit, both may join in- the service of God O, my soul, so consider the preaching of this forerunner of CHRIST, till Thou feelest this consideration to produce some warmth in thy heart and influence on thy life, in order to holiness, self-denial, and mortification.

2. Consider the baptism of CHRIST. He was baptized, that in the symbol he might purify our nature; whose stains and guilt he had undertaken. Surely every soul that lives the life of grace, is born of water and the Spirit; and to this purpose CHRIST, who is our life, went down into the waters of baptism, that we, who descend after him, might find the effects of it, pardon of sin, and holiness of life. Had not CHRIST been baptized, what virtue had there been in our baptism As it became him to fulfill all righteousness, and therefore he must needs be baptized, so he fulfilled it not for himself, but for us. CHRIST's obedience in fulfilling the law is imputed -to all that believe unto righteousness, as if themselves had fulfilled; so that he was baptized for us, and the virtue of his baptism is derived unto us. Therefore, if Thou art in CHRIST, Thou art baptized into his death, and baptized into his baptism; Thou partakest of the fruit and efficacy both of his death, and life, and baptism, and all.

3.’Consider the fasting and temptation of CHRIST in the wilderness. Now we see what manner of adversary we have, how he fights, how he is resisted, how overcome. In one assault, SATAN moves CHRIST to doubt of his Father's providence; in another, to presume on his Father's protection; and when neither diffidence nor presumption can fasten upon CHRIST, he shall be tried with honor. And thus he deals with us; if he cannot give us to despair, he labors to lift us up to promption; and if neither of these prevail, then he brings out pleasures, profits, honors, which are indeed most dangerous. O, my soul, whilst Thou art in this warfare, here is thy condition; temptations, like waves, break one on the neck of another. If the devil was so busy with CHRIST, how should Thou hope to be free How may Thou account that the, repulse of one temptation will but invite to another But here is thy comfort, Thou has such a Savior as was in all things tempted in like sort., yet without sin. How boldly therefore may Thou go to the throne of grace to' receive mercy, and to find grace to help in time of need CHRIST was tempted, that he. might succor them that are tempted. Never art Thou tempted, O my soul, but CHRIST is with thee in the temptation. He has sent his Spirit into thy heart, to make intercession for thee there; and he himself is in heaven, making intercession, and praying for thee there; yea, his own experience of temptations has so wrought it in his heart, that his love and mercy is most of all at work when Thou art tempted most. As dear parents are ever tender of their children, but then especially when they are sick and weak; so, Though CHRIST be always tender of his people, yet then especially when their souls are sick, and under temptation, then his bowels yearn over them indeed.

4. Consider. CHRIST's first manifestations by his several witnesses. We have heard of his witnesses from heaven, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and of his witnesses on earth, the Baptist, his disciples, and the works that he did in his Father's name; and all these witnesses being in a lively manner held forth in' the preaching of the gospel, they are witnesses to us; even to this day is CHRIST manifested to us; yea, and if we are CHRIST's, even unto this day is CHRIST manifested within us. O my soul, consider this above all! It is this manifestation within that concerns thee most; " Because ye are sons., GOD has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into Your hearts." If CHRIST be not manifested in thy heart by his blessed Spirit, Thou art no son of God; and therefore the apostleputs thee seriously on this trial, " Examine Thourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove Thourselves; know ye not Your ownselves, how that JESUS CHRIST is in Thou, except ye be reprobates" Is CHRIST manifested in thee Surely this is more than CHRIST manifested to thee. The bare history is a manifestation of CHRIST unto thee, but there is a mystery in the inward manifestation. The apostle, speaking of the saints, adds, " To whom GOD would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is CHRIST in Thou the hope of glory." O the riches of the glory of this mystery! GOD might have shut thee up in blindness with the world, but has he revealed CHRIST in thee has he let thee see into the wonders of his glory has he given thee the light of his glory within This only the experimental Christian feels.

5. Consider the preaching of CHRIST. O the admirable sermons of this great Prophet!-Read and peruse those he has left on record. How spiritual was that sermon of CHRIST " Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." It may be Thou art a doctor, a master of Israel, Thou art a learned scholar, Thou art a man of parts and abilities in other things; it may be Thou have read long in the bible, and has heard many, very many sermons; but, ah! miserable soul, it may be all the work is to do still within. Come, preach this sermon of CHRIST to thine own soul: " Unless I be born again, I cannot enter into heaven. Born again! O Lord, what is that Was ever such a thing done upon me Was ever I cast into the pangs of a new birth and continued I in those pangs until CHRIST JESUS was formed in me Are old things done away, and all things now become new Is the old man, the old lusts, the old conversation, quite abandoned and left Are my principles new my aims and ends new my life and conversation new" Thus might I paraphrase on all the sermons; but I i d brevity. Only consider, O my soul, as if this sermo, and all the rest, had been preached to thee; realize CHRIST standing by thee, and opening his mouth, and teaching thee thus and thus. Surely there is a speaking of CHRIST from heaven: " See that ye refuse not him" (says the apostle) " that speaks from heaven." And besides, he has his ministers here on earth, and they are daily preaching over these sermons of CHRIST; they preach such thing's as were first spoken by the Lord himself; they beseech and pray thee in CHRIST's stead. O, then, meditate on these things, and give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all.

6. Consider the miracles of CHRIST in pursuance of the doctrine delivered in his blessed sermons. Here is a world of matter to run over; such miracles as man never did before. O my soul, consider these miracles, and believe that doctrine which was ratified with arguments from above. How should Thou but assent to all those mysterious truths which are so strongly confirmed by an almighty hand.

7. Consider CHRIST's ordination of his apostles. " He chose twelve, whom he named apostles." And what was the office of these apostles, but to "go and teach all nations." The gospel was first preached in Jewry, but afterwards the sound of it came unto us. O the goodness of GOD in CHRIST! What That " repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, beginning at Jerusalem,_ and afterwards among all nations." Of what near concernment, O my soil, is this to thee! What art Thou but a, sinner of the Gentiles Understand that term. When the apostle would express the greatest sinners that the world had, he calls them “sinners of the Gentiles." Why The Gentiles knew not GOD, the Gentiles were unacquainted with CHRIST, the Gentiles walked in nothing but sin. O then what a love is this, that GOD should ever have Thought of good-will towards thee! How should Thou be ravished in this one meditation What that the sun of his gospel, now in these latter times, when the sun is set in Zion, where it first arose, should make a noon with us, and shine more brightly here, for ought I know, or yet can learn, than in any other nation, country, kingdom, throughout all the world " O the depth of the riches, both of the.wisdom and counsel of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

8. Consider CHRIST's reception of sinners. He sent forth his apostles to call them in; and if they would but come, how ready was he to receive them. This was CHRIST's errand from heaven. Ah, poor soul! why should Thou despair because of sin Look on CHRIST as spreading out his arms to receive thee. Look on the gracious nature that is in CHRIST. Look on the office of CHRIST; it is an office of saving and showing mercy, that CHRIST has undertaken; it is an office to receive sinners; yea, " to seek and to save that which was lost;" to bring home straying souls to God; to be the great peace-maker between GOD and man. Certainly the devil strangely wrongeth many a poor troubled soul; in that he can bring them to have bard Thoughts of JESUS CHRIST: How can they more contradict the office of CHRIST How can they more contradict the gospel-description of CHRIST, than to think him a destroyer of his creatures, and one that has more mind to hurt than to help then Resolve, O my soul, to throw thyself on him for life and for salvation. Why, if Thou wilt but come, he has promised freely to make thee welcome. All the day long he stretcheth out his arms, and would fain gather thee and all others into his embraces.

9. Consider the easiness of his yoke, and the lightness of his burden. Many are willing to take JESUS as their Savior, but they are unwilling to take him on his own terms; they imagine it an hard task, and a heavy burden. It is otherwise with Christians; for " his commandments are not grievous." O my soul, if Thou can but. taste, Thou wilt find a world of sweetness in CHRIST ways; there is sweetness in the -word: " Ho sweet are thy words to my taste, yea, sweeter an honey to my mouth" There is sweetness in prayer. Have Thou not known the time that Thou have tasted the joys of heaven in prayer There is sweetness in meditation: now, O my soul, Thou art in the exercise of this duty, now Thou art in the meditation of the easiness of CHRIST's burden, tell me, is there nothing of heaven `in this meditation O if men did but know what ravishing sweetness there is in the ways of GOD, they could not but embrace them, and esteem one day's society with JESUS CHRIST, better than all the gold in the world.

1O. Consider the holiness of CHRIST's nature, and the holiness of his life. (1.) For the holiness of his nature; if Thou couldst but clearly see it, what work would it make in thy breast CHRIST's inward beauty would ravish love out of the devils, if they had but grace to see his beauty. This loveliness of CHRIST ravishes the souls of the glorified. How is it, O my soul, that Thou art not taken with this meditation. But, (2.) Go from the holiness of his nature to the holiness of his life, it maybe that will make a deeper impression on thy spirit. Consider his charity, his selfdenial, his contempt of the world, his mercy, his bounty, his meekness, his pity, his humility, his obedience to his Fiath. A fruitful meditation on these particulars cannot but make me like CHRIST. O the wonder that any should disclaim the obedience of CHRIST, as to his own justification 1 aw away with these cavils, and consider the obedience of CHRIST in relation to thyself. “GOD sent

forth his Son made of a woman, made under the--law, to redeem them that -were under the law; that we might receive the adoption of sons." That is, under the whole law;, the one half of the law, which is the directive part, he was made under that, and satisfied it by the innocency of his life, without breaking one jot or tittle of the law, and so he answers that part, as it might be. the principal •, the other half of the law, which is the penalty, he was under that also, and satisfied it by suffering a wrongful death, no way deserved or due by him, and so he answered that part as it might be the forfeiture. But if we come now to ask, for whom is all this It is only for us, that -ve might be redeemed and adopted; redeemed from all evil, and adopted or interested into all good. If this be so, O who would for a world of gold, lose the influence and the benefit of CHRIST's active obedience Consider this, O my soul, till Thou feelest some virtue to come out of CHRIST's life into thyself.

SECT. 3:

Of desiring JESUS in that Respect.

Let us desire JESUS, carrying on the work of salvation in his life: it is not enough to know and coI cider, but we must desire: our meditation on CHRIST should draw forth our affections to CHRIST: and amongst all affections I place this first of all, a desire after CHRIST. But what is it in CHRIST's life that is so desirable I answer, Every passage, every thing of CHRIST is desirable. All that concerns CHRIST in any kind whatsoever is very precious and excellent, and necessary and profitable, and comfortable, and therefore desirable. but to put them in order, 1. The meanest things of CHRIST are desirable things. The very filings of gold, the dust of precious stones are of real value. Hence we read, that one poor woman sought no more but to wash CHRIST's feet, and to kiss them: another breathes out these desires; " If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be whole." John the Baptist thinks it an honor to a unloose the latchets of his shoes:" David to " he a door-keeper of the house of God." Yea, he puts a happiness on the sparrow and the swallow, that may build their nests beside the Lord's altar.

2. The more considerable actions of CHRIST are especially desirable. O my soul, run through his life, and consider some of his more eminent actions. (1.) To his friends, he was sweet and indulgent; where ther as any beginning of grace, he did encourage, so was the prophecy, " A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench." And so the people that fainted, that were " scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd"-" He was moved with compassion on them,"

*; he was bowelled in heart, his very bowels were moved within him. (2.) To his enemies he was kind and merciful; many a time he discovered himself most of all unto sinners. He was never more. familiar with any at first acquaintance, than with the woman of Samaria, that was an adulteress. How ready was he to receive sinners How ready to pardon sinners How gracious to sinners after pardon See it in Peter, he never upbraided him; only he looks upon him; and afterwards asked, " Loves Thou me" Often he was wronged by men, but what then Did he call for fire down from heaven Indeed his disciples would fain have had it so; but he sweetly replies, " Thou know not what spirit Thou are of: the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Sometimes we find him shedding tears for those very persons that shed his blood, " O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, if Thou hadst known, even Thou, at least in this thy day, the things belonging to thy peace." Well might they " sing in that day in the land of Judah,-In the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee i the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee."

3. he ever-blessed and holy person of CHRIST is desirable abo e all. " My Beloved is the chiefest of ten Thousand;-ye he is altogether lovely u desirable;" so, *, CHRIST is all desires. If the actions of CHRIST be desirable, what must himself be ".He is the express image of the Person of his Father;" as the print of the seal on the wax is the express image of the seal itself; so is CHRIST the highest representation of God. And hence it is that CHRIST is called the " Standard-bearer of ten Thousands:" all excellencies are gathered in CHRIST, as beams in the sun. Come, poor soul! thy eyes run to and fro in

the world to find comfort and happiness; cast thy eyes back, and see heaven and. earth in one; look, if Thou wilt, at what thy vast Thoughts can fancy, not only in this world, but in the world to come; see that, and infinitely more; shining forth from the person of JESUS CHRIST; no wonder if the angels stand amazed at him, no wonder if the saints adore him, no wonder if all creatures veil all their glory to him.

O, what are all things in the world to JESUS CHRIST Paul compares them together, with this one thing; "And I account all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of CHRIST." "And I account all things:," surely, all things is the greatest account that can be cast up; for it includeth all prices, all sums; it takes in earth and heaven, and all therein; what are they in comparison of CHRIST, but as feathers, dung, shadows, nothing If there be any thing worthy a wish, it is eminently, transcendently in the Lord JESUS CHRIST; there is no honor, no felicity like that which CHRIST has; some are sons, CHRIST is an only Son; some are kings, but CHRIST is King of kings; some are honorable, none above angels; CHRIST is above angels and arch-angels. " To which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee" Some are wealthy, CHRIST has all the sheep and cattle on a Thousand hills; the very utmost parts of the earth are his; some are beautiful, CHRIST is the fairest of all the children of men he is spiritually fair, he is all glorious within; if the beauty of the angels

(which I believe are the most beautiful creatures the world has) should be compared with the beauty of CHRIST, they would be but as lumps of darkness: brightest cherub is forced to screen his face, fr the dazzling brightness of the glory of CHRIST. as! the cherubim and seraphim are but as stars- in the canopy of heaven, but CHRIST is the Sun of Righteousness, that at once illumines and drowns them all.

Come then, breathe, O my soul, after the enjoyments of this CHRIST; " O that this CHRIST were mine! O that the actions of CHRIST, and the person of CHRIST were mine! that all be said, and all he did, and all he were, were mine! O that I had the silver wings of a dove, that in all my wants, I might fly into the bosom of CHRIST! If I must not sit at table, O that I might but gather up the crumbs! Surely there is bread enough in my Father's house; CHRIST is the bread of life; CHRIST is enough for all the saints in heaven and earth to feed on; and what must I pine away, and perish with hunger Thousands of instructions dropped from him while he was on earth; that some of that food might be my nourishment!. " O that my ways were directed according to his statutes!" Many a stream, and wave,, and line, and precept, flowed from this fgyutain, CHRIST; O that I might drink freely of this water of life! He has proclaimed it in my ears " If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." O that I might come and find welcome! Sure I thirst, I feel in me such a burning drought, that either I must drink or die; either the righteousness of CHRIST, the holiness of CHRIST, the holiness of his-nature, and the holiness of his life must be communicated to me, or farewel happiness in another world. Come, Lord JESUS, come quickly; I long to seese beauty of thy face! Such is thy beauty, that it steals away my heart after thee, and I cannot be satisfied till with Absalom I see the King's face. Come, CHRIST, or if Thou wilt not come, " I charge Thou, daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my Beloved, that ye tell him I am sick of love."

SECT. 4:

Of hoping in JESUS in that Respect.

Let us hope in JESUS, carrying on the great work of our salvation in this life. By this hope, I mean an hope well grounded. The main question is, Whether CHRIST's life be mine Whether all those passages of his life laid open belong unto me Whether the habitual righteousness and- actual holiness of CHRIST be imputed to my justification Arid what are the grounds and foundations on which my hope is built The, apostle tells us, that GOD gives good hopes through grace; if hope be right and good, it will manifest itself by the operation of saving grace; O look into thy soul! what gracious effects of the life of CHRIST are there! Certainly his life is not without some influence on our spirits, if we be his members, and he be our head. O the glorious effects flowing out of CHRIST's life into a believer's soul!

1. If CHRIST's life be mine, then am I freed from the law of sin; this was the apostle's evidence; "For the law of the Spirit of life in CHRIST JESUS has made me free from the law of sin and death." CHRIST's life-is called the Spirit of life, because of its perfection; and this Spirit of life has such a power in it, here termed a law, that it works out in believers a freedom from the law or power in sin. Look to this! Does the power of CHRIST's life throw out of thy heart and life the power of sin Here is one ground of hope.

2. If CHRIST's life be mine, then " I live, yet not I, but CHRIST lives me." Paul speaks out this evidence, " I am crucified with CHRIST, nevertheless I live," &c. He conjoins the death of CHRIST, and the life of CHRIST in one and the same soul; as if he had said, No man knows the benefit of CHRIST's death, but he that feels the virtue of CHRIST's life; there is no assurance of CHRIST's dying for us, but as we feel CHRIST living in us; if the power of CHRIST's death mortify my lusts, then the virtue of CHRIST's life will quicken my soul; " I live, yet not I, but CHRIST lives in me;" I live to GOD, and not unto myself; I live' to CHRIST, and not unto the world, I live according to the will of GOD, not after my own trust and fancy. O my soul! question thyself in these few particulars; dost Thou live to GOD, and not to thyself

Dost Thou live to CHRIST, and not to the world Dost Thou derive thy life from CHRIST And has that life of CHRIST a special influence in thy soul Dost Thou, feel CHRIST living in thy understanding and will, in thy imagination and affections, in thy duties and services 1. In thy understanding, by thy prizing the knowledge of CHRIST, by determining to know nothing in comparison of CHRIST 2. In thy will, by making thy will free to choose and embrace CHRIST; and by making his will to rule in thy will. 3. In thy imagination, by thinking upon him with more frequency and delight; by having more high, and honorable, and sweet apprehensions of CHRIST than of all the creatures 4. In thy affections, by fearing CHRIST above all earthly powers, and by loving CHRIST above all

/earthly persons 5. In thy duty and services, by doing all Thou doest in his name, by his assistance, and for his glory Why then, here is another ground of thy hope; surely Thou has thy part in CHRIST's life.

Away, away with all doubts and perplexing fears If Thou findest the power of sin dying in thee; if Thou livest, and livest not, but, in truth, it is CHRIST that lives in thee; then Thou may assure thyself that CHRIST's habitual righteousness, and actual holiness is imputed to thy justification; Thou may confidently resolve that every passage of CHRIST's life belongs to thee. Would CHRIST have ever lived in thee, have been the soul of thy soul, the all of thy understanding and will, imaginations and affections, duties and services, if he had not purposed to have saved thee by his life Surely it is good that I both hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of God. I came in vain, if these be the grounds of my hope.

SECT. 5:

Of believing JESUS in that Respect.

Let us believe in JESUS carrying on the great work of our salvation in his life. Many souls stand aloof, not daring to make a particular application of CHRIST, and his life to themselves; but herein is the property of faith, it brings all home, and makes use of whatsoever CHRIST is, or does, for itself.

1. In order to this, faith must directly go to CHRIST-. Many poor souls humbled for sin, run immediately to the promise of pardon, and rest on it, not seeking for, or closing with CHRIST in the promise. This is a common error, but we should observe, that the first promise that was given, was not a bare word, simply promising pardon, peace, or any other benefit; but it was a promise of CHRIST's person, as overcoming SATAN, and purchasing those benefits; " The Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head." So when the promise was renewed to Abraham, it was not a bare promise of blessedness and forgiveness, but of that Seed, that is, CHRIST, Gal. 3: 6, in. whom that blessedness was conveyed; "In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." So that Abraham's faith first closed with CHRIST in the promise, and therefore he is said to see CHRIST's day, and rejoice. CHRIST, in the first place, is every where made the thing which faith embraces to salvation, and whom it looks unto and respects, as it makes us righteous in the sight of God. " GOD so loved- the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And hence it is called " the faith of CHRIST," Gal. 2: 16, Phil. 3: 9. Because CHRIST is that which faith apprehends immediately; and, as for the other promises, they depend all on this, " Whosoever believeth on him shall receive remission of sins;" and, "He that believeth on the Son of GOD shall have life everlasting."

O remember this in the first place, faith must go unto CHRIST; and yet I mean not to CHRIST as nakedly considered; but to CHRIST as compassed with all his promises, privileges, benefits.

2. Faith must go to CHRIST, as GOD in the flesh. For now, under the New Testament, our faith more usually and immediately addresseth itself unto CHRIST, as GOD dwelling in our nature, than to the Father, who is merely God. GOD in the flesh is more distinctly set forth in the New Testament, and so he is more distinctly to be apprehended by the faith of all believers. Remember this, that our faith, in the more direct and immediate exercise of it, must be pitched upon CHRIST, as GOD in the flesh.

3. Faith must go to CHRIST, as GOD in the flesh, made under the law. And hence it is that the apostle joins these together, " GOD sent his-Son made of a -woman, made under the law." If CHRIST had been out of the compass of the law, his being incarnate, and made of a woman, had done us no good. Suppose one in debt, and danger of the law, to have a brother of the same flesh and blood, of the same father and mother, what will this avail, if that same brother will not. come under the law, that is, become his surety, and undertake for him This is our case, we are debtors to GOD, and there is an handwriting against us. Here is a bond of the law, which we have forfeited; now, what would CHRIST have availed, if he had not come under the law, if he had not been our Surety, and undertaken for us Our faith therefore must go to CHRIST, as made under the law, not only taking our nature upon him, but our debt also; our nature as men; and our debt as sinful men. " He has made himself sin for us, who. knew no sin," that is, he made himself to be handled as a sinner for us under the law, Though he knew no sin on his part, but " continued in all things written in the book of the law, to do them." He both satisfied the curse, and fulfilled the commandments. O remember this! as CHRIST, and as CHRIST in the flesh CHRIST in the flesh made under the law, is partly to be in the eye of our faith. If we put all together,-our first view of faith is-to " look on CHRIST, GOD in the flesh, made under the law."

4. Faith going to CHRIST, as GOD in the flesh, and as made under the law, is principally to look to the end and design of CHRIST, as being GOD in the flesh, and as fulfilling the law. The apostle tells us of a remote, and of a more immediate end. (1.) Of a remote end. " GOD sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." This was the remote end of CHRIST. Alas! we were strangers from the adoption, and lay under the law, as men on whom sentence had passed. Now, from this latter we are redeemed; he was under the law, that we must be redeemed from under the law; nor is that all; but, as we are redeemed, so are we adopted the children of GOD and this end I rather attribute to the life of CHRIST, "that we might receive the adoption," that is, from the estate of prisoners condemned, that we might be translated into the estate of children adopted. O the mercy of GOD who ever heard of a condemned man being afterwards adopted Would not a condemned prisoner think himself happy to escape with life But the zeal of the Lord of Hosts has performed this; if true believers, we are in CHRIST both pardoned and adopted; and, by this means, GOD’s heavenly inheritance is estated upon us. O let our faith look mainly to this design of CHRIST! He was made under the law, yea, and under the directive part of the law by his life. He fulfilled every tittle of the law by his obedience, that we might be entitled to glory.

(2.) For the more immediate end of CHRIST; the apostle tells us, CHRIST was made under the law, or fulfilled all righteousness, " that the law might be fulfilled in us." O my soul, look to this! Herein lies the pith, and the marrow of thy justification. Of thyself Thou can do nothing good; but CHRIST fulfilled the law in thy stead; and if now. Thou wilt but exercise thy faith, Thou may feel the virtue and efficacy of CHRIST's righteousness owing into thy own soul. But here is the question, how should I manage my faith, to feel CHRIST's righteousness my righteousness I answer, 1. Thy way is to discern this righteousness of CHRIST, this holy and perfect life of the Lord JESUS in the whole, and in all the parts of it, as it is laid down in the written word. 2. Thy way is to believe and to receive this as sacred and unquestionable in reference to thy own soul. 3. Thy way is to apply and improve this discovery according to those ends to which Thou believest they were designed. Yea, but there lies the question, How may that be done I answer, 1. Setting before thee that discovery, (that perfect life of CHRIST,) first endeavor to be deeply humbled for thy great want of conformity thereto in whole and in part. 2. Still keeping thy spirit intent on the pattern; quicken, provoke, and increase thy sluggish soul, with renewed, redoubled vigilancy and industry, to come up higher towards it, and (if it were possible,) completely to it. Yet, 3. having the same copy before thee, exercise faith thereupon, as that which was performed and is accepted on thy behalf. And so go to GOD, and offer CHRIST's holy life and active obedience unto him. And that, first, to fill up the defects of thy utmost endeavor. Secondly, to put a value and worth upon what Thou doest, and attainest to. Thirdly, to make CHRIST's righteousness thy own, that Thou may say with the Psalmist, in way of assurance, 11O GOD, my righteousness.

SECT. VI

Of loving JESUS in that Respect.

Let us love JESUS, as carrying on the great work of our salvation during his life. O what a lovely object is the life of CHRIST Who can read over his life, who can think over worthiness, both in his person, relations, and several administrations, and not love him with a singular love O my soul; much has been said to persuade thee to faith; and if now Thou believest thy part in those several actings' of CHRIST, let thy faith take thee by the hand; and lead thee from one step to another; from his baptism to his temptations; from his temptations to his manifestations; and so on. Is not here fuel enough for love Can Thou read the history of love; (for such is the history of CHRIST's life,). and not be all on a flame Come, read again! There is nothing in CHRIST but what is lovely, winning, and drawing.

1. When he saw thee full of filth, he went down into the waters of baptism, that he might prepare a way for-the' cleansing of thy polluted soul. 2. When he saw the devil ready to swallow thee up, he himself entered into the list, and overcame him, that Thou might overcome, and triumph with CHRIST in his glory. 3. When. he saw thee in danger of death through thy- unbelief, he condescended so far to succor thy weakness as to manifest himself by several witnesses. Three in heaven,. and three on earth; yea, he multiplied his three on earth to Thousands of Thousands; so many were the signs witnessing CHRIST, that the disciples which testified of them could say, " If they should be written every one, the world could not contain the books that would be written." 4. When he saw thee like the horse and mule, " not having understanding," he came with his instructions, adding line unto line, and precept on precept, " teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom;" and sealing his truth with many miracles, that Thou might believe, and in believing might have life through his name. 5. When he saw thee a sinner of the Gentiles, "a stranger from the commonwealth of Israel, and without GOD in the world," he sent his apostles and messengers abroad, and bade them preach the gospel to thee; " Go to such a one in the dark corner of the world, an isle at such a distance, and set up my throne amongst that. people, open the most precious cabinet of my love there; and amongst that people, tell such a soul that JESUS CHRIST "came into the world to save sinners, of whom he is one."

6. When he saw thee cast down, and refusing thy own mercy, crying and saying, "What! is it possible that JESUS CHRIST should send a message to such a dead dog as I am" He then appeared, and even then spread his arms wide to receive thy soul; he cried, " Come unto me, Thou that art weary and- heavy laden with sin, and I will give thee rest." 7. When he saw thee in suspense, and heard thy complaint, " Oh! it is an hard passage, and an high ascent up to heaven! Oh! what shall become of my poor soul" He told thee, that "all his ways were ways of pleasantness, and all his paths peace;" that Thou should find by experience " his yoke was easy, and his burden light." 8. When he saw the wretchedness of thy nature, and original pollution, he took upon him thy nature, and by this means took away thy original sin. Here is the lovely object! What is it but the absolute holiness of the nature of CHRIST This is the fairest beauty that ever eye beheld; this is that compendium of all glories: now if love be a motion and union -of the appetite to what is lovely, bow should Thou -lame forth in love unto the Lord JESUS CHRIST See, O my soul, here is the sum of all the particulars Thou have heard, CHRIST loves thee, and CHRIST is lovely; his heart is set upon thee, who is a Thousand times fairer than all the children of men. Does not this double consideration, like a mighty loadstone, snatch thy heart unto it " It pleased thee, my Lord, to say to thy poor church, ` Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me.' But O let me say to thee, “Turn thine eyes to me, that they may overcome me: my-Lord, I would be thus ravished, I would be overcome: I would be thus out of myself, that I might be all in thee.' How chill and cold are we in our converses with JESUS CHRIST Surely, had CHRIST's love been like this faint and feeble love-of ours, we had been damned wretches, without all hope. O rist, I am ashamed that I love thee so little; I perceive thy loves are great by all those acting in thy come, blow upon my garden, persuade me by the Spirit, that I may love thee; many sins are forgiven me, O that I may love thee much!"

SECT. VII

OF Joying in JESUS in that Respect.

Let us joy in JESUS, as carrying on the great work of our salvation during his life. In order to this, 1. Let us contemplate this life of CHRIST, let us spend our frequent. Thoughts upon this blessed object; the reason we miss of our joys is, because we are so little employed in contemplations of our CHRIST. It is said, that " he pities us in our sorrows; but he delights in us when we delight in him." Certainly he would have us to delight in him, and to that purpose he way-lays our Thoughts, and wheresoever we look we may still think on him. O my soul, cast thine eyes which way Thou wilt, and Thou shall hardly look on any thing but CHRIST JESUS has taken the name of that very thing upon himself. Is it day and dost Thou behold the sun He is called the Sun of Righteousness. Or, is it night and dost Thou behold the stars He is called a star; "There shall come a Star out of Jacob." Or, is it morning and dost Thou behold the morning-star He is called " the bright Morning-star." Or, is it noon and dose Thou behold clear light all the world over He is " that Light, that lighteth every mail that comes into the world." Come a little nearer; if Thou lookest on the earth, and takest a view of the creatures about thee, seest Thou the sheep," as a sheep before her shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." Or, seest Thou a lamb; "Behold the Lamb of GOD, which takesaway the sins of the world. Seest Thou a shepherd watching over his flock; " I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." Or, seest Thou a fountain, rivers, waters; he is called a fountain. " In that day there shall be a Fountain opened to the house of David." Or, seest Thou, a tree good for food, oh pleasant to- the eye He is called "the Tree of Life;" and, "as the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved among the sons." Seest Thou a rose, a lily, any fair flower in a garden He is called a rose, a lily; “I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the vallies." To come a little nearer yet; art Thou adorning thyself, and takest Thou a view of thy garments He is a garment; "Put ye on the Lord JESUS CHRIST." Art Thou eating meat, and takest a view of. what is, on thy table; " He is the Bread of GOD, true Bread from heaven, the Bread of Life." Thus CHRIST way-lays our Thoughts, that wheresoever we look we should ever think of CHRIST. Now, I cannot think of CHRIST, or the life of CHRIST, of CHRIST preaching, or of CHRIST preached, but I must rejoice in CHRIST; as sometimes the apostles said, " CHRIST is preached, I therein rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."

2. Let us upon good grounds hope our share in the life of CHRIST. Hope and joy go together: if I have but assured hope that CHRIST's life is mine, I cannot but rejoice therein. Look to this, O my soul: peruse again and again thy grounds of hope. Do not slightly run them over; Thou can not be too sure of CHRIST. When Zaccheus, in the sycamore-tree, heard but CHRIST's voice, "Zaccheus make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide in thy house." O what haste made Zaesheus to receive CHRIST! He came down hastily, and received him joyfully. This offer to Zaccheus is thine as well as his, if thy hope be right. Come down, poor soul, says CHRIST, "this day must I abide in thy house." Then what joy should there be in thy heart when CHRIST comes in, or when Thou feelest CHRIST come in "The friend of the Bridegroom rejoiceth greatly because of the Bridegroom's voice." How much more may the bride herself rejoice

3. Let us come up to more and more fruition of CHRIST. All other things. work our delight but as they look towards this. Now in this fruition of CHRIST are contained these things: (l.) A propriety in CHRIST; for, as a sick man does not feel the joy of a sound man's health, so neither- does a stranger to CHRIST feel the joy of a believer in CHRIST. How should he joy in CHRIST that can make no claim to him (2.) A possession of CHRIST, This exceedingly enlargeth our joy. O how sweet was CHRIST to the spouse, when she could say, " I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine." Many are taken up with the joy and comfort of outward possessions, but CHRIST is better than all: in one CHRIST is comprised every scattered comfort here below_ CHRIST mine, (with the soul,) and all mine. O the usefulness of CHRIST to all believing souls! The Scriptures are full of this, as appears by all his titles in Scripture: he is our life, our light, our bread, our water, our milk, our wine; "His _flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed." He is our Father, our Brother, our Friend, our Husband, our King, our Priest, our Prophet: he is our justification, our sanctification, our wisdom, our redemption: he is our peace, our mediation, our atonement, our reconciliation, our all in all. Alas! I look on myself, and I see I am nothing; I have nothing without JESUS CHRIST. Here is a temptation; I cannot resist it; here is a corruption, I cannot overcome; here is a persecution, I cannot down with it. Well, but CHRIST is mine, I have an interest in CHRIST, and I have possession of CHRIST, and I find enough in CHRIST to supply all my wants. Those that lived with him, " all rejoiced for the glorious things that were done by him." And does not thy heart leap within thee O my soul, I cannot but check thee for thy deadness. It is said, that when "CHRIST was at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice, and praise GOD with a loud voice, for all the mighty works that they had seen." What a multitude of disciples rejoicing in CHRIST's acts And art Thou not one amongst the multitude If Thou art a disciple, rejoice Thou: surely it concerns thee as much as them; and therefore rejoice, lift up thy voice inn harmony with the rest, " rejoice, and again rejoice."

SECT. VIII.

Of calling on JESUS in that Respect.

Let us call on JESUS, or on GOD the Father in and through JESUS. Thus we read, that looking up to JESUS, or lifting up the eyes to JESUS, goes for prayer in GOD’s book; "My prayer will I direct to thee, (says David,) and will look up;" faith in prayer will often come out at the eye. Thus Stephen looked up to heaven; let us look up to JESUS by calling on him. Now this calling on him contains prayer and praise.

1. We must pray that all these transactions of JESUS during his life, or during his ministry upon earth, may be ours. We hope it is so, and we believe it to be so: but for all that, we must pray that it may be so. There is no contradiction between hope, and faith, and prayer; "Lord, I believe, yet help my unbelief; be it to me according to my faith, how weak soever."

2. We must praise GOD for all those passages in CHRIST's life. Thus did the multitude; "They praised GOD with a loud voice, saying, Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!" What (my soul,) has CHRIST done this for thee Was he made under the law to redeem thy soul, and adopt thee for his son, to the inheritance of heaven Came he down from heaven, and traveled so many miles on earth to woo and win thy heart Spent he so many sermons, and so many m)racles to work thee into faith O how should Thou bless, and praise, and magnify his name How should Thou break out into that blessed hymn, "To him that loved us, and has made us kings and priests unto GOD, and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen."

SECT. 9:

Of conforming to JESUS in that Respect.

Let us conform to JESUS, as he acted for us in his life. Looking to JESUS intends this especially. We must look as one.-looks to his pattern; as mariners at sea, that they may run s-right course, keep an eye on that ship that bears the light: so in the race that is set before us, we must have our eye on JESUS, our blessed Pattern. This must be our constant query, " Is this the course that JESUS steered" In this particular, I shall examine these three queries.

1. Wherein we must conform. 2. Why we must conform. 3. How we must conform to this life of JESUS. For the first, I answer;--We must not, cannot conform to CHRIST in those works proper to his Godhead; as in working miracles. Nor need we conform to CHRIST in some other particulars; as in his voluntary poverty and ceremonial performances. But we must conform to CHRIST's life. 1. In respect of his judgment, will, affections, we must look at his spirit, observe what mind was in him: for, said the apostle, " Let the same mind be in Thou which was in CHRIST," Phil. 2: 5, 1 Cor. 2: 16. 2. In respect of his virtues, graces, holiness. "Learn of me, (says CHRIST,) for I am meek and lowly in heart." I might instance in all other graces; for he had them all in fulness: " And of hisfulness have we all received, grace for grace." 3. In respect of his words. The very officers of the priest could say, "Never man spoke like this man:- and sometimes they all " wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; who when he was reviled, reviled not again." 4. In respect of his carriage, conversation, close walking with God. The apostle sets forth CHRIST as an High-Priest, who "was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners." And in like manner, says Peter, " Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the virtues of him who has called

Thou out of darkness into his marvelous light:" that ye should in Your lives and conversations express those graces and virtues which were so eminent in JESUS

CHRIST; that Thou should not only have them, but that Thou should hold them forth. The word signifies properly to preach; so clearly should we express the virtues of CHRIST; as if our lives were so many sermons on the life of CHRIST. As for all other saints, Though they are imitable, yet with limitation, only so far as they express his life in their conversation: "Be ye followers of me, even as I am of CHRIST." For the second, why we must conform Upon what motives I answer,

1. Because CHRIST has done mid suffered much to that- end. If it had not been for our imitation, I cannot think that CHRIST would have lived on earth so many years to have done so many glorious and meritorious works.

2. Because CHRIST is the best and highest exemplar of holiness that ever the world had; hence we must needs conform to CHRIST. CHRIST is " the head of the body, the beginning, the first-born from the dead; in all things he has the pre-eminence:" and the rule is general, that, That which is first and best in any kind, is the rule and measure of all the rest. Why, such is!CHRIST; O then let, him be the guide of our life, and of our manners.

3. Because CHRIST does not only give us an example, but he does succor and assist us by its easiness. Some sweetly observe, that CHRIST's piety, which we must imitate, was even, constant, unblamable, complying with civil society, without any prodigious instances of actions greater than the imitation of mnen. We are not commanded to imitate a life whose story tells us of ecstacies in prayer, of abstractions of senses; no-but a life of justice, piety, and devotion; and it is very remarkable, that, besides the easiness of this imitation, there is a virtue and efficacy in the life of CHRIST. It may be, we think our way to heaven is troublesomeyobscure, and full of objection. Well, says CHRIST, but mark my footsteps; come on, and tread where I have stood, and Thou shall find the virtue of my example will make all smooth and easy; Thou shall find the comfort of my company, Thou shall feel the virtue and influence of a perpetual guide.

4. Because CHRIST in his.word has commandejl us to follow his steps; "Learn of men for I am meek and lowly in heart;- -and, ye call me Master, and Lord, and ye say well, -for so I am; if I then, Your Lord and Master, have washed Your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet; for I have given Thou an example that ye should do as I have done to Thou:" And " as he which has called Thou is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy. We must be holy, as CHRIST is holy, yet still we must look at the holiness of CHRIST, as the sun, and root, and fountain; and that our holiness is but as a beam of that sun, but as a branch of that root, but as a stream of that fountain. For the third, how we must conform to this life I answer:

1. Let us be humbled for our want of conformity to this copy.. What an excellent pattern is here before us And how far, how infinitely do we come short! Alas! if CHRIST will not own me, unless he see his image written upon me, what will become of, my poor soul Why, CHRIST was meek, and humble, and lowly in spirit; CHRIST ever went about doing good; and now, when I come to examine my own heart according to this original, I am as opposite to CHRIST as hell to heaven. O wo is me! what a vast disproportion there is between CHRIST's life and mine Thus, O-my soul, should Thou humble thyself; from each morning, each prayer, each meditation, each self-examination, should Thou fetch new, fresh, clear, particular occasions of humiliation. As thus, Lo there the evenness, gravity, holiness, heavenliness of JESUS CHRIST Lo there the dear love, tender pity, constant industry, unwearied pains, self-denial, contempt of the world, in JESUS CHRIST! Lo there those continual devout breathings of soul after his Father's glory, after the immortal good of precious souls-! O! the sweet expressions, gracious conversation! O! the blessed lustre of his divine soul! O the sweet countenance, sacred discourse, ravishing demeanor, winning deportment of JESUS CHRIST! and now I reflect upon myself, O the wide disproportion of mine therefrom! I should punctually answer, perfectly resemble, accurately imitate, exactly conform to this life of CHRIST; but ah! my unevenness, lightness, vanity! Ah! my deformity, slightness, execrableness! All my sensuality, brutishness, devilishness! how clearly are these, and all my other enormities, discovered by the blessed life of JESUS

2. Let us quicken our sluggish souls to conform to CHRIST. If this was one of the ends of CHRIST's coming, to destroy the works of the devil, to deface, all SATAN's works, even his work in me, and to set his own stamp on my soul; how then should I but endeavor to conform I read but of two ends of CHRIST's coming into the world in relation to us, whereof the first was to redeem. his people, and the other was to purify his people; "He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and' purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous, of good works." The one is the work of his merit, which, goes upwards to the satisfaction of his Father; the other is the work of his grace, which goes downwards to the sanctification of his church; in the one, he bestows his righteousness on us by imputation; in the other, he fashioneth his image in us by renovation; and what, O my soul, wouldst Thou destroy the end of CHRIST's coming in the flesh Thus let us provoke our souls to this conformity; let us excite our faint, drooping, languishing affections, desires, endeavors! Let us, with enlarged industry, engage, and encourage our backward spirits to fall upon this duty; let us come up higher towards it, or if possibly we may, completely to it, that the same mind, and mouth, and life, may be in us that was in JESUS CHRIST; that we may be found to walk after CHRIST, that we may tread in the very prints of the feet of CHRIST, that we may climb up after him into the same heavenly kingdom, that we may aspire continually towards him, and grow up to him, even " to the measure of the stature of the fullness of CHRIST."

3. Let us regulate ourselves by the life of CHRIST; whatsoever action we go about, let us do it by this rule, Would CHRIST have done this It is true, some things are expedient and lawful with us, which were not suitable to the person of CHRIST. "Marriage is honorable with all men, and the bed undefiled; " but it did not become his Person. Writing of books is commendable with men, because, like Abel, being dead, they may still speak; but it would have been derogatory to the Person and office of CHRIST. For it is his prerogative to be in, the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, to be present to all his members, to teach by power, and not by ministry; to write his law in the hearts of his people, and to make them his epistle. In these things, we must only respect the allowance of CHRIST, but in other things we must reflect upon, the example of CHRIST; as, (I.) In sinful acts eschewed by CHRIST; as when I am tempted to sin, then am I to reason thus with myself; Would my blessed Savior, if he were upon earth, do thus and thus If he were to live again, would he live after this manner Would this be his language would such speech as this drop from his lips (2.) In case of moral obedience, concerning which we have both his pattern and precept. I look upon CHRIST as my rule; and I inquire thus, Did CHRIST frequently pray with his disciples, and alone And shall I never in my family, or in my closet, think upon God Did CHRIST skew mercy to his very enemies And shall I be cruel to CHRIST's members O my soul, look in all thy sins, and in all thy duties, to thy Original, and measure them by the holiness of CHRIST. Whether in avoiding sin, or in doing duty, think, What would my blessed Savior do in this case Or what did he in the like case, when he was upon earth If we had these Thoughts every day, if CHRIST were continually before our eyes, if in all we do or speak we should still muse on this: What would JESUS CHRIST say if he were here It would be a blessed means of our living in comfort, and spiritual conformity to the commands of God. Let us look fixedly on JESUS CHRIST; let us keep our, spiritual eyes still on the-pattern, until we feel ourselves conforming to it; let us set the copy of CHRIST's life in our view, and let us look upon it with the eye of reason, and with the eye of faith.

But how should we keep the eye of our faith on this blessed object, until we feel this conformity in us I answer, 1. Let us set apart some times on purpose; the day begins to close; if together with our closet prayer we would fall on this duty of looking unto JESUS by lively' faith, how blessed a season might this be!

2. Let us remove hindrances; SATAN labors to hinder the soul from beholding CHRIST with the dust of the world. The GOD of this world blinds the eyes of men:" O let us take heed of fixing our eyes on this world! Our own corruptions are also great hindrances to this view of CHRIST; away with all carnal passions, sinful desires; unless the soul be spiritual, it can never behold spiritual things.

3. Let us fix our eyes only on this blessed object; a moving eye sees nothing clearly. When the angels are said to look into these things, the word signifies, that they look into them narrowly; as they who bowing or stooping down look into a thing, so should we look narrowly into the life of CHRIST; our eye of faith should be set upon it in a steady manner, as if we forgot all the things behind, and had no other business in the world.

4. Let us look on CHRIST with a craving eye, with an humble expectation to receive a supply of grace. Lord, Thou art not only "anointed with the oil of gladness above thy fellows," but for thy fellows: I am earthly-minded, but Thou art heavenly; I am full of lusts, but the image of GOD is perfect in thee. Thou art the fountain of all grace, an head of all influence as well as of eminence. Thou art not only above me, but Thou have all grace for me; O give me some portion of thy meekness, lowliness, heavenly-mindedness, and of all other the graces of thy Spirit. Surely Thou art an heaven of grace, full of bright shining stars: O that of that fullness Thou wouldst give me to receive grace for grace.

5. Be ye assured that our prayer (if it be in faith,) is even now heard. Never any came to CHRIST with strong expectations to receive grace, or any benefit prayed for, that was turned empty away; besides, CHRIST has engaged himself by promise to make us like himself; " As he who has called us is holy, so should (yea, and so shall) we be holy in all manner of conversation." O let us build on his gracious promise. Heaven and earth shall pass away before one tittle of his word shall fail; only understand we that our conformity must be gradual; 11 We all with open face beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory;" 1: e. from grace to grace; or from glory begun in obedience to glory consummate in heaven.

6. If, not witstanding all this, we feel not for the present this conformity in us, at least in such a degree, let us act over the same particulars again; the gifts of grace are therefore communicated by degrees, that we might be taken off from living upon a received stock of grace, and that we might still be running to the spring: we have continual need of CHRIST's letting out grace into our hearts, and therefore we must wait at the well-head, CHRIST: we must look on CHRIST as appointed on purpose by his Father to be the beginner and finisher of our holiness; and we must believe that' he will never leave that work imperfect whereunto he is ordained of the Father. O then be’ not weary of this work, until he accomplish the desires of thy soul.

I have now done with this subject; only before I finish, one word more. I deny not other helps, but amongst them all, if I would make choice which to call upon, that I may become more and more holy, I would set before me this glass, 1: e. CHRIST's holy life, the great Exemplar of holiness; and this image we lost through our sin, and to this image we should endeavor to be restored by imitation. And how should this be done but by looking on CHRIST as our pattern In this respect, I charge thee, O my soul, (for to what purpose should I charge others, if I begin not at home) that Thou make conscience of this evangelical duty. O be much in the exercise of it; not only in the day, but when night comes, and Thou liest down on thy bed, let thy pillow be as CHRIST's bosom, in which John, the beloved disciple, was said to lean; there lean Thou with John. Thus may Thou he down in peace, and the Lord only will make thee to dwell in safety; and when day returns again, have this in mind, yea, in all thy Thoughts, words, and deeds, ever look unto JESUS as thy holy Exemplar: say to thyself, "If CHRIST my Savior were now upon earth, would these be his Thoughts, words, and deeds;' would he be thus disposed as I now feel myself Would he speak these words that I am now uttering- Would he do this that I am now putting my hand unto O let me not yield myself to any Thought, word, or action, which JESUS would be ashamed to own." Yea, if it be possible, going and standing; sitting and lying, eating and drinking, speaking, and holding thy peace, by thyself or in company, cast an eye upon JESUS, for by this means Thou can not choose but love him more, and joy in him more, and trust in him more, and be more and more familiar with him, and draw more and more grace, and virtue, and sweetness from him. O let this be thy wisdom, to think much of CHRIST, so as to provoke thee to imitation; then shall Thou learn to contemn the world, to do good to all, to injure no man, to suffer wrong patiently; yea, to pray for those that despitefully use thee and persecute thee; then shall Thou learn to bear about in thy body " the dying of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, that the life of JESUS may be made manifest in thy body." This is to follow CHRIST's steps; he descended from heaven to earth for thy sake; do Thou trample on earthly things, "seek after the kingdom of GOD and his righteousness," for thy own sake. Though the world be sweet, yet CHRIST is sweeter; Though the world prove bitter, yet CHRIST sustained the bitterness of it for thee. And now he speaks to thee, as he did to Peter, Andrew, James and John, " Come, follow me " O do not faint in the way, lest Thou lose -thy place in thy country, that kingdom of glory.

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Looking Unto Jesus: The Fourth Book