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ADescriptionofChristbyRichardSibbes
"Beholdmyservant,whomIhavechosenmybeloved,inwhommysouliswellpleased:Iwillputmy
Spirituponhim,andheshallshewjudgementtotheGentiles.Heshallnotstrive,norcryneithershall
anymanhearhisvoiceinthestreets,"Matthew.12:18.
Thewordsaretheaccomplishmentofaprophecy,takenoutofIsaiah52:1,2,
aswemayseebytheformerverse,'thatitmightbefulfilled.'Nowtheoccasion
ofbringingtheminhereinthisverse,itisachargethatChristgives,verse16,
thattheyshouldnotrevealandmakehimknownbecauseofthemiracleshe
did.Hewithdrawshimselfhewasdesiroustobeconcealed,hewouldnot
allowhimselftobeseenovermuch,forheknewtherebelliousdispositionof
theJews,whowereeagertochangetheirgovernment,andtomakehimking.
Therefore,helabouredtoconcealhimselfinvariousways.Now,uponthis
injunction,thattheyshouldtellnobody,hebringsintheprophetIsaiah
prophesyingofhim,'Beholdmyservant,&c.heshallnotstrivenorcry,neither
shallanymanhearhisvoiceinthestreets.'Otherkingslabourthattheirpomp
andmagnificencemaybeseenbuthedoesnotdesireostentation,heshall
notbecontentiousnorclamorous.Forthesethreethingsaremeantwhenhesays,'heshallnotstrive,nor
cry,neithershallhisvoicebeheardinthestreets'heshallnotyieldhimselftoanyostentation,forhecame
inanabasedstatetoworkoursalvationheshallnotbecontentious,noryetclamorousinmatterofwrong
thereshallbenoboastinganykindofway,asweshallseewhenwecometothewords.Yousee,then,the
inferencehere.
ThepurposeoftheprophetIsaiahistocomfortthepeople,andtodirectthemhowtocometoworshipthe
trueGod,afterhehadpreachedagainsttheiridolatry,asweseeintheformerchapter,'Beholdmy
servant,'&c.Greatprinceshavetheirambassadors,andthegreatGodofheavenhashisSon,hisservant
inwhomhedelights,throughwhom,andbywhom,alldealingsbetweenGodandmanare.
Asisusualintheprophecies,especiallyofIsaiah,thatevangelicalprophet,whenheforetellsanythingto
comfortthepeopleinthepromiseoftemporalthings,herisestoestablishtheirfaithinbetterthings.He
doesthisbyaddingtothemaprophecy,apromiseofChristtheMessiah,toassertthusmuch:Iwillsend
youtheMessiah,andthatisagreatergiftthanthisthatIhavepromisedyouthereforeyoumaybesureof
thelesserone.Astheapostlereasonsexcellently,'Ifhesparednothisownson,butdeliveredhimtodeath
forusall,howshallhenotwithhimgiveusallthings?'Rom.8:32.Sohere,Ihavepromisedyou
deliveranceoutofBabylon,andthisandthatdoyoudoubtoftheperformance?Alas!whatisthatin
comparisontoagreaterfavourIintendforyouinChrist,thatshalldeliveryououtofanothertypeof
Babylon?'BeholdmyservantwhomIhavechosen'andinIsaiah7:14,'Beholdavirginshallconceive,and
bearason,'&c.IwillsendyoutheMessiahGodshallbecomemantherefore,Iwillnotstandforany
outwardfavourordeliverancewhatsoever.Sohegoesontothegrandpromise,thattheymightreason
fromthegreatertotheless.
Thereisanotherpurpose,whyinotherpromisesthereismentionofthepromiseoftheMessiah:touphold
theirfaith.Alas!weareunworthyofthesepromises,wearesoladenwithsinandiniquity.Itisnomatter,I
willsendyoutheMessiah.'Beholdmyservantinwhommysouldelighteth,'andforhissakeIwilldelightin
you.Iamwellpleasedwithyou,becauseIamwellpleasedinhimtherefore,benotdiscouraged.Allthe
promisesareyeaandameninJesusChrist,'2Cor.1:20forallthepromisesthatbe,thoughtheybefor
thethingsofthislife,theyaremadeforChrist,theyareyeainhim,andtheyareperformedforhissake,
theyareameninhim.SomuchfortheoccasionofthequotationintheevangelistStMatthew,andlikewise
intheprophetIsaiah.
Tocomemoredirectlytothewords,'BeholdmyservantwhomIhavechosen,mybelovedinwhommy
souliswellpleased,'&c.
InthewordsyouhaveadescriptionofChrist,andhisnearnesstoGod:BeholdmyservantwhomIhave
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chosen,mybelovedinwhommysouliswellpleased.'Andthenhiscallingandattainments:'Iwillputmy
Spirituponhim.'Andtheexecutionofthatcalling:'HeshallshewjudgmenttotheGentiles.'Thenthequiet
andpeaceablemanneroftheexecutionofhiscalling:'Heshallnotstrivenorcry,neithershallanyman
hearhisvoiceinthestreets,'&c.
Behold!Thiswordisasitwerealightedbeacon.Inalltheevangelistsyouhavethiswordoftenrepeated,
andtheprophetslikewisewhentheyspeakofChristthereisnoalmostprophecybutthereisthisword,
'Behold.'
Why?Theuseofitintheprophet,especiallyoutofwhichthesewordsaretaken,wastopresentChristto
theheartsofthepeopleofGodatthattimethereforehesays,'Behold,'forChristwaspresenttothe
believersthen.Christdidprofitthembeforehewas,hedidgoodbeforehewasexhibited,becausehewas
'theLambofGodslainfromthebeginningoftheworld,'Rev.13:8hewasyesterdayaswellastoday,and
tomorrowaswellastoday,'yesterday,today,andthesameforover,'Heb.13:8.Hewaspresenttotheir
faith,presenttothemintypesandsacrifices,andpresentinGod'sacceptationofhimforthem.Therefore,
theprophetsmountupwiththewingofprophecy,andseeingthecertaintyofthethingstocome,they
speakasiftheywerepresent,asiftheyhadlookedonChristbeforethem,'Beholdmyservant,'and
'Beholdavirgin,'&c.
Butthatisnotall.Anotherpurposeofthisword'behold,'wastocallthepeople'smindsfromtheirmiseries,
andfromotherabasingobjectsthatdejectedthem,whichmightforcethemtodespair.Whydoyoudwell
uponyourunworthinessandsin?Raiseupyourmind,'BeholdmyservantwhomIhavechosen,'&c.Thisis
anobjectworthbeholdingandadmiring,especiallybyadistressedsoulthatmayseeinChristwhatsoever
maycomfortit.
Athirdpurposeofitistoraisethemindfromanyvulgar,common,basecontentments.Youlookonthese
things,andarecarriedawaywithcommontrivialobjects,asthepoordiscipleswhentheycametothe
templetheystoodwonderingatthestones.Whatwondrousstones!Whatagreatbuildingishere!(Mark
13:1)Soshallowmindedmen,whentheyseeanyearthlyexcellency,theystandgazing.Alas,saysChrist,
doyouwonderatthesethings?Inthesamewaytheprophethereraisesupthemindsofmentolookon
anobjectfittobelookedon,'Beholdmyservant,'&c.HeintendsthattheHolyGhostwouldhavethem
fromthissavingobject,Christ,toreceivesatisfactiontotheirsoulsineveryway.Areyoudejected?Hereis
comfort.Areyousinful?Hereisrighteousness.Areyouledawaywithpresentcontentments?Hereyou
havehonours,andpleasures,andallinChristJesus.Youhavearighttocommonpleasuresthatothers
have,andbesidesthemyouhaveclaimtoothersthatareeverlastingpleasuresthatshallneverfail,sothat
thereisnothingthatisdejectingandabasinginman,butthereiscomfortforitinChristJesusheisasalve
foreverysore,aremedyforeverymaladytherefore,'Beholdmyservant.'
Myservant.Christiscalledaservant,first,inrespectofhiscreation,becausebeingaman,asacreature
hewasaservant.Butthatisnotall.
Hewasaservantinrespectofhiscondition.Servantimpliesabaseandlowcondition,Philip.2:7.Christ
tookuponhimtheformofaservantheemptiedhimselfhewasthelowestofallservantsincondition:for
nonewaseversoabasedasourgloriousSaviour.
Andthen,itisanameofoffice,aswellasofbasecondition.Thereareordinaryservantsand
extraordinary,asgreatkingshavetheirservantsofstate.Despitehisabasement,Christwasaservantof
state,hewasanambassadorsentfromthegreatGodaprophet,apriest,andaking,asweshallsee
afterwardsanextraordinaryservant,todoaworkofservicethatalltheangelsinheaven,andallthemen
ontheearthjoinedtogether,couldnotperform.ThisgreatmasterpieceofservicewastobringGodand
mantogetheragain,thatwereatvariance,asitis,1Peter3:18,'tobringustoGod.'Wewereseveredand
scatteredfromGod.Hisofficewastogatherustogetheragain,tobringusalltooneheadagain,tobring
ustohimself,andsotoGod,toreconcileus,astheScripturephraseis,Col.1:20.Now,itbeingthe
greatestworkandservicethatoverwas,itrequiredthegreatestservantfornocreatureintheworldcould
performit.Alltheangelsofheavenwouldhavesunkunderthisservice.Theycouldneverhavegiven
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satisfactiontodivinejusticefortheangelsthemselves,whentheysinned,couldnotrecoverthemselves,
butsunkundertheirownsineternally.ThusweseehowChristisGod'sservant,whosethimapart,and
chosehimtothisservice.
AndthenhewasaservanttousfortheSonofmancametominister,nottobeministeredunto,Matt.
20:28.Hewashedhisdisciples'feet.Hewasaservanttous,becausehedidourworkandsufferedour
punishmentwemadehimservebyoursins,astheprophetsays,Isa.53:24.Heisaservantthatbears
anotherman'sburden.Therewasadoubleburdenofobedienceactive,andobediencepassive.Hebore
themboth.Hecameunderthelawforus,bothdoingwhatweshouldhavedone,andindeedfarmore
acceptably,andsufferingthatweshouldhavesuffered,andfarmoreacceptably.Hebeingoursurety,
beingamoreexcellentperson,hedidbearourburden,anddidourwork,thereforehewasGod'sservant,
andourservantandGod'sservant,becausehewasourservant,becausehecametodoaworkonour
behalf.
HereinappearstheadmirableloveandcareofGodtouswretchedcreatures,hereismatterof
wonderment.
WhencecomesitthatChristisaservant?ItisfromthewondrousloveofGod,andthewondrousloveof
Christ.Tobesoabased,itwaswondrousloveinGodtogivehimtoustobesoabased,andthewondrous
miserywewerein,thatwecouldnototherwisebefreedfromforsuchwastheprideofman,thathe,being
man,wouldexalthimselftobelikeGod.Godbecameman,hebecameaservanttoexpiateourpridein
Adam,sothatitiswondrousinthespringofit.TherewasnosuchloveasChrist'stobecomeaservant,
therewasnosuchmiseryaswewerein,outofwhichweweredeliveredbythisabasementofChrist
becomingaservantsoitiswondrousinthatregard,springingfromtheinfiniteloveandmercyofGod,
whichisgreaterintheworkofredemptionandreconciliationthaninthecreationoftheworld,forthe
distancebetweennothingandsomethingwaslessthanthedistancebetweensinandhappiness.For
nothingaddsnooppositionbuttobeinasinfulstatethereisopposition.Thereforeitwasgreaterloveand
mercyforGod,whenweweresinful,andsoobnoxioustoeternaldestruction,tomakeusofsinners,not
onlymen,buttomakeushappy,tomakeusheirsofheavenoutofasinfulandcursedestate,thanto
makeusofnothingsomething,tomakeusmeninAdam,forthereGodprevailedovernothing,buthere
hismercytriumphedoverthatwhichisoppositetoGod,oversinfulnessandcursedness.Toshowthatthe
creaturecannotbesolowbutthereissomewhatinGodabovethemiseryofthecreature,hismercyshall
triumphoverthebasestestatewherehewillshowmercy.Thereforethereismercyaboveallmercyand
loveabovealllove,inthatChristwasaservant.
IstheLordChristaservant?Thisshouldteachusnottostanduponanyterms.IfChristhadstoodupon
terms,ifhehadrefusedtotakeuponhimtheshapeofaservant,alas!Wherehadweandoursalvation
been?Andyetwretchedcreatures,wethinkourselvestoogoodtodoGodandourbrethrenanyservice.
Christstoodnotuponhisgreatness,but,beingequalwithGod,hebecameaservant.Oh!weshould
dismountfromthetowerofourconceitedexcellency.Theheartofmanisaproudcreature,aproudpiece
offlesh.Menstandupontheirdistance.What!ShallIstooptohim?Iamthusandthus.Weshould
descendfromtheheavenofourconceit,andtakeuponustheformofservants,andabaseourselvestodo
goodtoothers,eventoany,andaccountitanhonourtodoanygoodtoothersintheplaceswearein.
Christdidnotthinkhimselftoogoodtoleaveheaven,toconcealandveilhismajestyundertheveilofour
flesh,toworkourredemption,tobringusoutofthecursedestatewewerein.Shallwethinkourselvestoo
goodforanyservice?Whoforshamecanbeproudwhenhethinksofthis,thatGodwasabased?Shall
Godbeabased,andmanproud?ShallGodbecomeaservant,andshallwethatareservantsthinkmuch
toserveourfellowservants?Letuslearnthislesson,toabaseourselveswecannothaveabetterpattern
tolookuntothanourblessedSaviour.AChristianisthegreatestfreemanintheworldheisfreefromthe
wrathofGod,freefromhellanddamnation,fromthecurseofthelawbutthen,thoughhebefreeinthese
respects,yet,inregardoflove,heisthegreatestservant.Loveabaseshimtodoallthegoodhecanand
themoretheSpiritofChristisinus,themoreitwillabaseustoanythingwhereinwecanbeserviceable.
Then,again,hereiscomfortforus,thatChrist,inwhatsoeverhedidinourredemption,isGod'sservant.
HeisappointedbyGodtotheworkso,bothGodandChristmeettogetherinthework.Christisa
voluntaryinit,forheemptiedhimself,hetookuponhimtheformofaservant,Phil.2:6,hecamefrom
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heavenvoluntarily.AndthenwithaltheFatherjoinswithhim,theFatherappointedhimandsenthim,the
Fatherlaidhimasthecornerstone,theFathersealedhim,asitis,John6:27,theFathersethimout,asit
is,Rom.3:25.'Hehassethimoutasthepropitiatory.'Therefore,whenwethinkofreconciliationand
redemption,andsalvationwroughtbyChrist,letuscomfortourselvesinthesolidityofthework,thatitisa
serviceperfectlydone.ItwasdonebyChrist,Godman.ItisaserviceacceptedofGod,thereforeGod
cannotrefusetheserviceofoursalvationwroughtbyChrist.Christwashisservantintheworkingofit.We
maypresentittoGod,itistheobedienceofthyservant,itisthesatisfactionofthyservant.Hereisthatwill
givefullcontentandsatisfactiontoconscience,inthis,thatwhatsoeverChristdid,hewasGod'sservantin
it.ButweshallbetterunderstandtheintentoftheHolyGhostwhenwehavegoneovertherestofthe
words,'BeholdmyservantwhomIhavechosen.'
Christwaschosenbeforeallworldstobetheheadoftheelect.Hewaspredestinatedandordainedby
God.Asweareordainedtosalvation,soChristisordainedtobetheheadofallthatshallbesaved.He
waschoseneternally,andchosenintime.HewassingledouttotheworkbyGodandallothersthatare
chosenarechoseninhim.TherehadbeennochoosingofmenbutinhimforGodsawussodefiled,lying
inourfilth,thathecouldnotlookuponusbutinhisSon.Hechosehim,andusinhim.
Hereismeant,notonlychoosingbyeternalelectiontohappiness,butachoosingtooffice.Thereisa
choosingtograceandglory,andachoosingtooffice.Here,itisaswellmeant,achoosingtooffice,asto
graceandglory.God,ashechoseChristtograceandglory,sohechosehimtotheofficeofMediatorship.
Christdidnotchoosehimselfhewas,nousurper.Nomancallshimselftotheoffice,asitisinHeb.5:4
butChristwascalledandappointedofGod.Hewaswilling,indeed,tothework,hetookitvoluntaryupon
himbutasMediator,Godchosehim,GodtheFather.Ifwerespecteternalsalvation,orgrace,oroffice,
Christwaschoseninrespectofhismanhoodfor,asitiswellobservedbydivines,Christistheheadofall
thatarepredestinatedandthehumannatureofChristcouldnotmerititschoice,itcouldnotmeritits
incarnation,itcouldnotmeritunionwiththeGodhead,itwasmerelyfromgrace.HowcouldChrist's
manhooddeserveanythingofGodbeforeitwas?Thingsmusthaveasubsistencebeforetheycanwork:
ourblessedSaviouristhepatternofallelection,andhismanhoodcouldnotmerittobeknittothesecond
personashowcouldit,beingacreature?ThereforetheknittingofthehumannatureofChristtohis
divine,itiscalledthegraceofunion.ThechoosingofthehumannatureofChristtobesograciousand
glorious,itwasofgrace.
Thisaddstoourcomfort,thatwhatsoeverChristdidforus,hediditaschosenheisachosenstone,asSt
Petersays,IPeterii.6,'apreciouscornerstone'thoughrefusedofthebuilders,yetpreciousinGod's
sight.
WasChristachosenservantofGod,andshallnotwetakeGod'schoice?IsnotGod'schoicethebestand
thewisest?HasGodchosenChristtoworkoursalvation,andshallwechooseanyother?Shallwerunto
saints'mediation,tothevirginMary,andothers,forintercession,whichisapartofChrist'soffice?Who
choseMary,andPeter,andPaultothiswork?ThereisnomentioninScriptureofthemforthispurpose,
butbeholdmyservant,whomIhavechosen.
GodinparadisedidchooseawifeforAdam,soGodhaschosenahusbandforhischurchhehaschosen
Christforus:thereforeitisintolerablesacrilegiousrebellionandimpudencytorefuseaSaviourand
MediatorofGod'schoosing,andtosetupothersofourown,asifwewerewisertochooseforourselves
thanGodis.WemaycontentourselveswellenoughwithGod'schoice,becauseheisthepartyoffended.
Andthisdirectsusalso,inourdevotionstoGod,howtocarryourselvesinourprayersandservices,to
offerChristtoGod.Behold,Lord,thychosenservant,thatthouhastchosentobemyMediator,my
Saviour,myallinalltome,heisamediatorandaSaviourofthineownchoosing,thoucanstnotrefusethy
ownchoiceifthoulookuponme,thereisnothingbutmatterofunworthiness,butlookuponhimwhom
thouhastchosen,myheadandmySaviour!
Again,ifChristbeachosenservant,OletustakeheedhowweneglectChrist.WhenGodhaschosenhim
forus,shallnotwethinkhimworthytobeembracedandregardedshallwenotkisstheSonwiththekiss
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oflove,andfaith,andsubjection?HeisaSaviourofGod'sownchoosing,refusehimnot.Whatisthe
reasonthatmenrefusethischosenstone?Theywillnotbelaidlowenoughtobuilduponthiscornerstone,
thishiddenstone.TheexcellencyofChristishidden,itappearsnottomen,menwillnotbesquaredtobe
builtuponhim.Stonesforabuildingmustbeframed,andmadeeven,andflat.Menstickwiththisandthat
lust,theywillnotbeparedandcutandfittedforChrist.Iftheymayhavetheirlustsandwickedlives,they
willadmitofChrist.Butwemustmakechoiceofhimasastonetobuilduponhimandtobebuiltonhim,
wemustbemadelikehim.Welikenotthislayinglowandabasing,thereforewerefusethiscornerstone,
thoughGodhasmadehimthecornerofbuildingtoallthosethathavethelifeofgracehere,orshallhave
gloryhereafter.
Thepapistsadmithimtobeastone,butnottheonlystonetobuildon,buttheybuilduponhimandsaints,
uponhimandworks,uponhimandtraditions.Butheistheonlycornerstone.Godhaschosenhimonly,
andwemustchoosehimonly,thatwemaybeframedandlaiduponhimtomakeuponebuilding.So
muchforthat,'BeholdmyservantwhomIhavechosen.'
MyBeloved,inwhommysouliswellpleased.HowdoweknowthatthesewordsintheprophetIsaiah
arefitlyappliabletoChrist?Bythegreatestauthoritythateverwasfromthebeginningoftheworld,bythe
immediatevoiceofGodtheFatherfromheaven,whoappliesthesewordsinIsaiahtoChrist,Matt.3:17,in
hisinaugurationwhenhewasbaptized,'ThisismybelovedSon,inwhomIamwellpleased,'thisisthatmy
Son,thatbeloved,agaphtoV,thebelovedSon,sobelovedthatmysouldelightsinhim,heiscapableofmy
wholelove,Imaypouroutmywholeloveuponhim.'InwhomIamwellpleased,'itisthesamewiththat
here,'inwhommysouldelighteth,'theoneexpressestheother.
How,andinwhatrespectisChristthusbelovedofGod?
FirstasheisGod,theSonofGod,theengravenimageofhisFather,soheisprimumamabile,thefirst
lovelythingthateverwas.WhentheFatherloveshim,heloveshimselfinhim,soheloveshimasGod,as
thesecondperson,ashisownimageandcharacter.
Andasmanheloveshim,forasmanhewasthemostexcellentcreatureintheworld,hewasconceived,
fashioned,andframedinhismother'swombbytheHolyGhost.Itissaid,Heb.10:5,Godgavehimabody.
GodtheFatherbytheHolyGhostfashionedandframedandfittedhimwithabody,thereforeGodmust
needslovehisownworkmanship.
Again,therewasnothinginhimdispleasingtoGod,therewasnosinfoundinhislifeanyway,thereforeas
manhewaswellpleasingtoGod.Hetookthemanhoodandingrafteditintothesecondperson,and
enrichedittherethereforehemustneedslovethemanhoodofChrist,beingtakenintosonearaunion
withtheGodhead.
AsGodandmanmediatorespecially,helovesanddelightsinhim.Inregardofhisoffice,hemustneeds
delightinhisownordinanceanddecree.Nowliedecreedandsealedhimtothatoffice,thereforeheloves
anddelightsinhimasamediatorofhisownappointingandordaining,tobeourking,andpriest,and
prophet.
Again,helovedanddelightedinhim,inregardoftheexecutionofhisofficebothindoingandsuffering.In
doing,theevangelistsays,'Hedidallthingswell,'Mark7:37.Whenhehealedthesick,andraisedthe
dead,andcuredalldiseases,whatsoeverhedidwaswelldone.Andforhissuffering,Goddelightedinhim
forthat,asitisinJohn10:17,'MyFatherlovesme,becauseIlaydownmylife'andsoinIsa.53:12,'He
shalldividehimaportionwiththegreat,becausehepouredouthissouluntodeath'andinPhil.2:9,
'Becauseheabasedhimselftothedeathofthecross,Godgavehimanameaboveallnames:'therefore
Godlovesanddelightsinhimforhissufferingandabasement.
Now,thatChrist'ssacrificewassoacceptabletoGod,thereisadirectplaceforitinEph.5:2,'Walkinlove,
asChristhaslovedus,andhasgivenhimselfanofferingandasacrificetoGodofasweetsmell.'And
indeedhowmanysweetsavourswerethereinthesacrificeofChristofferedonthecross!Wastherenot
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thesweetsavourofobedience?Hewas'obedienttothedeathofthecross,'Phil.2:8.Therewasthesweet
savourofpatience,andoflovetomankind.ThereforeGoddelightedinhim,asGod,asman,asmediator
Godman,inhisdoings,inhissufferings,everyway.
DoesGoddelightthusinChrist,inhisperson,orconsideredmystically?Ianswerboth.Godlovesand
delightsinChristmystical,thatis,inChristandhismembers,inwholeChrist.'ThisismybelovedSon,in
whomIamwellpleased,'notonlywithwhomalonebyhimself,but'inwhom,'inhimasGod,inhiminbody
andsoul,inhimasheadofthechurch,inhimmystically,inallthatareunderhimanykindofway.God
delightsinhim,andallhis.
Isitpossiblethatheshoulddelightinthehead,andrefusethemembers?thatheshouldlovethehusband,
andmislikethespouse?OnowiththesamelovethatGodlovesChrist,helovesallhis.Hedelightsin
Christandallhis,withthesamedelight.Thereissomedifferenceinthedegree,'thatChristinallthings
mayhavethepreeminence,'Col.1:18,butitisthesamelovethereforeourSavioursetsitdown
excellentlyinhisownprayer,hedesires'thatthesamelovewherewithhisFatherlovedhimmaybein
themthatarehis,'John17:20,thattheymayfeelthelovewherewithhisFatherloveshim,forhelovedhim
andhismembers,himandhisspouse,withallonelove.
Thisisourcomfortandourconfidence,thatGodacceptsus,becauseheacceptshisbelovedandwhen
heshallceasetoloveChrist,heshallceasetolovethemembersofChrist.TheyandChristmakeone
mysticalChrist.Thisisourcomfortindejectionforsin.Wearesoandsoindeed,butChrististhechosen
servantofGod,'inwhomhedelighteth,'anddelightsinusinhim.Itisnomatterwhatweareinourselves,
butwhatweareinChristwhenweareonceinhimandcontinueinhim.Godlovesuswiththatinseparable
lovewherewithheloveshisownSon.ThereforeStPaultriumphs,Rom.8:35,'Whatshallseparateusfrom
theloveofGodinChristJesus?'Thislove,itisfoundedinChrist,'thereforeneitherthingspresent,nor
thingstocome(ashegoesontheregloriously),shallbeabletoseparateus.'Youseewhatawondrous
confidenceandcomfortwehavehence,ifwelabourtobeinChrist,thatthenGodlovesanddelightsinus,
becausehelovesanddelightsinChristJesus.
Andhereisawondrouscomfort,thatGodmustneedsloveoursalvationandredemptionwhenheloves
Christ,because'hepouredouthissoultodeathtosaveus.'DoesnotGoddelightthatweshouldbe
saved,andoursinsshouldbeforgiven,whenhelovesChristbecauseheabasedhimselfforthatpurpose?
Whatapropandfoundationofcomfortisthis,whenthedevilshallpresentGodtousinaterriblehideous
manner,asanavengingGod,'andconsumingfire,'&c.,Heb.12:29indeedoutofChristheisso.Letus
presenttoourselvesthoughtsofGodastheScripturesetsforthGodtousandasGodsetsforthhimself,
notonlyinthatsweetrelationPsaFathertoChrist,butourfather,'IgotomyFatherandyourFather,to
myGodandyourGod,'John20:17,havingbothoneGod,andloveandcare.Thereisnoneofusallbut
thedevilwillhaveasayingtous,eitherinthetimeofourlife,insometerribletemptation,especiallywhen
anyoutwardabasementcomes,oratthehourofdeathandallthecordialswehavegatheredoutofthe
wordwillthenbelittleenoughtosupportthedroopingsoul,especiallyinthehouroftemptation.Obeloved,
whatawondrousanchorandsatisfactiontoadistressedconsciencedoesthisyield,thatChristinallthat
hehaswroughtforusisGod'schosenservant,'whomhelovesanddelightsin,'anddelightsinhimforthis
verywork,thatheabasedhimselfandgavehimselfforus,thathewroughtGod'swork,becausehe
wroughtreconciliationforus!IfwecanbelieveinChrist,weseeherewhatgroundofcomfortwehave,that
Godlovesanddelightsinus,ashedoesinhisownSon.
Andwhatacomfortisitnow,inourdailyapproachtoGod,toministerboldnesstousinalloursuits,that
wegotoGodinthenameofonethatheloves,'inwhomhissouldelights,'thatwehaveafriendincourt,a
friendinheavenforus,thatisattherighthandofGod,andinterposeshimselfthereforusinalloursuits,
thatmakesusacceptable,thatperfumesourprayersandmakesthemacceptable.Hisintercessionisstill
byvirtueofhisservice,dyingforus.Heintercedesbyvirtueofhisredemption.IfGodlovehimforthework
ofredemption,heloveshimforhisintercession,thereforeGodmustneedsregardtheprayersmadeby
him,byvirtueofhisdyingforus,whenheloveshimfordyingforus.Besuretherefore,inalloursuitsto
God,totakealongourolderbrother,totakeourbelovedbrother,takeBenjaminwithus,offeralltoGodin
him,ourpersonstobeacceptedinhim,ourprayersourhearing,ourworks,andallthatwedo,andwe
shallbesuretospeedforheisoneinwhomthesoulofGoddelights.Theremustbethispassageand
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repassage,asGodlooksuponuslovelyinhim,anddelightsinusaswearemembersofhim.AllGod's
loveandthefruitsofitcometousasweareinChrist,andareonewithhim.TheninourpassagetoGod
againwemustreturnall,anddoall,toGodinChrist.BesurenottogotoanakedGodforsoheis'a
consumingfire,'butgotohiminthemediationofhimwhomheloves,'andinwhomhissouldelighteth.'
AndshallGodlovehimanddelightinhim,andshallnotoursouldelightinChrist?Thisthereforeshould
stirupouraffectionstoChrist,tobefaithfulinourconjugalaffectionasthespouseofChrist,tosay,'My
belovedismineandIammybeloved's,'Cant.2:16.Christcallshischurch,'Myloveandmydove,'Cant.
6:9.DoesChristdelightinus,andGoddelightinChrist,andshallnotwedelightinChristthatdelightsin
us,andinwhomGoddelights?InICor.16:22,theapostleisboldtopronounceabittercurse,'Anathema
Maranatha,'uponhimthatlovesnottheLordChristJesus,amostbittercurse.WhenChristshallbecome
aservanttodoourworkforus,tosufferforus,tobeartheburdenofoursinsuponthetree,tobecome
ourhusband,tobestowhisrichesuponus,toraiseustothesameconditionwithhimself,andwithaltobe
such,aoneasGodhaschosenouttoloveanddelightinasthebestobjectofhislove,andmostcapable
ofit,andforusnottosolaceanddelightourselvesinhimthatGoddelightsin,whenGoddelightsinhimfor
oursake.Godlovesanddelightsinhimfortheworkofsalvationandredemptionbyhisblood,andshall
notweloveandembracehimforhislovewhichisforourgood?WhatgoodhasGodbyitbutonlythe
gloryofhismercy,insavingoursoulsthroughChrist?ThereforeifGodlovehimforthegoodhedoesto
us,muchmoreshouldwelovehimforthefruitofitthatwereceiveourselves.
Itshouldshameusthereforewhenwefinddulnessandcoldnessuponus,thatwecanhearofanything
betterthanofChristandargumentsconcerningChristarecoldtous.Alas!Whereisourlove,andjoy,and
delightandwhenwecanmakenobetterbutacarnaluseoftheincarnationandotherbenefitsbyChrist?
WeshouldthereforedesireGodtoshedtheloveofChristintoourheartsmoreandmore,thatwemayfeel
inoursoulsthelovethathebearstous,andmayloveGodandChristagain,forthatthathehasdonefor
us.
HencewehavealsoagroundofestimationofChristianstobeexcellentpersons.DoesGodvaluepoor
sinfulsoulssomuchastogiveChristforthemtobecomeaSaviour?DoeshedelightinChristforgiving
himselfforthem?AndshallnotweloveoneanotherwhomGodandChristsoloves?
ButifGodloveanddelightinthosethatareinChrist,withthesameloveanddelightthathehasinhim,
howshallIknowthatIaminChrist,andthatGodthusdelightsinme?
Briefly,amanmayknowthatheisinChrist,ifhefindtheSpiritofChristinhimforthesameSpiritwhen
Christtookournature,thatsanctifiedthatblessedmasswhereofhewasmade,whentherewasaunion
betweenhimandthesecondperson,thesameSpiritsanctifiesoursoulsandbodies.ThereisoneSpiritin
theheadandinthemembers.ThereforeifwefindtheSpiritofChristinus,weareinChristandheinus.
NowthisSpiritisrenewing,'WhosoeverisinChristisanewcreature,'2Cor.5:17allisnew,'oldthingsare
doneaway,'theoldmanneroflanguage,theolddisposition,oldaffections,oldcompany,alloldthingsare
past,allisnewandifamanbeanewcreature,hehasrightandtitleto'thenewheavenandnewearth,'2
Pet.3:13.Letusexaminetheworkofgraceinus.Iftherebenochangeinuswehavenopresentinterest
inChrist.Wehavetodowithhimbecauseheisstillwooingustobeinhim,butasyetwehavenotitleto
him.
TheverybeholdingofChristisatransformingsight.TheSpiritthatmakesusnewcreatures,andstirsus
uptobeholdthisservant,itisatransformingbeholding.Ifwelookuponhimwiththeeyeoffaith,itwill
makeuslikeChristforthegospelisamirror,andsuchamirror,thatwhenwelookintoit,andsee
ourselvesinterestedinit,wearechangedfromglorytoglory,2Cor.3:18.Amancannotlookuponthe
loveofGodandofChristinthegospel,butitwillchangehimtobelikeGodandChrist.Forhowcanwe
seeChrist,andGodinChrist,butweshallseehowGodhatessin,andthiswilltransformustohateitas
Goddoes,whohateditsothatitcouldnotbeexpiatedbutwiththebloodofChrist,Godman.So,seeing
theholinessofGodinit,itwilltransformustobeholy.WhenweseetheloveofGodinthegospel,andthe
loveofChristgivinghimselfforus,thiswilltransformustoloveGod.Whenweseethehumilityand
obedienceofChrist,whenwelookonChristasGod'schosenservantinallthis,andasoursuretyand
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head,ittransformsustothelikehumilityandobedience.Thosethatfindnottheirdispositionsinsome
comfortablemeasurewroughttothisblessedtransformation,theyhavenotyetthoseeyesthattheHoly
Ghostrequireshere.'BeholdmyservantwhomIhavechosen.mybelovedinwhommysouldelighteth.'
IwillputmySpirituponhim.NowwecometothequalificationofChristforhiscalling,inthesewords,I
willputmySpirituponhimthatis,IwillclothehimwithmySpirit,Iwillputit,asitwere,uponhimasa
garment.
NowtherewerediversdegreesofChrist'sreceivingtheSpiritatseveraltimes.Forhewasconceivedby
theHolyGhost.TheHolyGhostdidsanctifythatblessedmasswhereofhisbodywasframedinthewomb
ofthevirgin,hewasquickenedinthewombinhisconceptionbytheHolyGhost,andhewasgracedbythe
HolyGhost,andledbytheSpiritinallthingsbeforehisbaptism.Butafterward,whenhecametosetupon
hisoffice,tobetheprophetandpriestandkingofhischurch,thatgreatofficeofsavingmankind,whichhe
didnotsolmnlysetupontillhewasthirtyyearsold,thenGodpoureduponhimaspecialportionofthe
Spirit,answerabletothatgreatcalling,thentheSpiritlighteduponhim,Matt.3:16.Christwasordainedto
hisofficebythegreatestauthoritythateveranywasordainedfromthebeginningoftheworld.Forathis
baptism,whenhewasordainedandsetaparttohisoffice,therewastheFatherfromheavenutteredan
audiblevoice,'ThisismybelovedSon,inwhomIamwellpleased,'Mat.3:17andtherewasChrist,the
partybaptizedandinstalledintothatgreatofficethentherewastheHolyGhost,intheformandshapeof
adove.Itbeingamatterofthegreatestconsequencethateverwasintheworld,greaterthanthecreation,
itwasfititshouldbedonewiththegreatestauthorityandsoitwas,theFather,Son,andHolyGhostbeing
presentattheadmissionofChristintohisoffice.Thisisespeciallyhereintended,thoughtheotherbe
included,IwillputmySpirituponhimthatis,Iwillanointhim,asitisinIsa.61:1,'TheSpiritoftheLordis
uponme,'saysChrist,'becausetheLordhasanointedmetopreachgoodtidingstothemeek,tobindup
thebrokenhearted,toproclaimlibertytothecaptives,toopentheprisonforthemthatarebound,to
proclaimtheacceptableyearoftheLord'thatis,theyearofjubilee,forthatwasatypeofChrist,to
preachthegospeldeliverancetoallthatareincaptivity,servitude,andthraldomunderSatanandsin.This
wasaccomplishedwhenChrist,athisbaptism,entereduponhisoffice.GodputhisSpirituponhim,toset
himapart,toordainhim,andtoequiphimwithabundanceofgracefortheworkfortherearethesethree
thingsespeciallymeantbyputtingtheSpirituponhim,separationorsettingapart,andordaining,and
enrichingwiththegiftsoftheSpirit.
Whenanyoneiscalledtoagreatplace,thereisasettingapartfromothers,andanordainingtothat
particular,andanequipping.IfitbeacallingofGod,heequipswhereheordainsalways.
Itmaybeobjected,ChristwasGodhimselfhehadtheSpirit,andgivestheSpirittherefore,howcouldthe
Spiritbeputuponhim?
Ianswer,ChristisbothGodandman.Christ,asGod,givestheSpirittohishumannaturesohe
communicateshisSpirit.TheSpiritishisSpiritaswellastheFather's.TheSpiritproceedsfromthemboth.
Christ,asman,receivestheSpirit.GodtheFatherandtheSonputtheSpirituponthemanhoodofChrist
soChristbothgivesandreceivestheSpiritindiverserespects.AsGod,hegivesandsendstheSpirit.The
spirationandbreathingoftheSpiritisfromhimaswellasfromtheFather,butasmanhereceivedthe
Spirit.
Andthisisthereasonofit:nextundertheFather,Son,andHolyGhost,ChristtheMediator,wastobethe
springandoriginalofallcomfortandgood.Therefore,Christ'snaturemustnotonlybesanctifiedand
ordainedbytheSpiritbuthemustreceivetheSpirittoenrichit,forwhatsoeveriswroughtinthecreature
isbytheSpirit.WhatsoeverChristdidasman,hedidbytheSpirit.Christ'shumannature,therefore,must
besanctified,andhavetheSpiritputuponit.GodtheFather,thefirstpersoninTrinity,andGodtheSon,
thesecond,theyworknotimmediately,butbytheHolyGhost,thethirdperson.Therefore,whatsoeveris
wroughtuponthecreature,itcomesfromtheHolyGhostimmediately.SoChristreceivedtheHolyGhost
assentfromtheFatherandtheSon.NowastheHolySpiritisfromtheFatherandtheSon,soheworks
fromtheFatherandtheSon.Hesanctifiesandpurifieth,anddoesallfromtheFatherandtheSon,and
knitsustotheFatherandtheSontotheSonfirst,andthentotheFather.Thereforeitissaid,'Thegrace
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ofourLordJesusChrist,theloveofGodtheFather,andthecommunionoftheHolyGhost,'2Cor.13:14
becauseallthecommunionwehavewithGodisbytheHolyGhost.AllthecommunionthatChristasman
hadwithGodwasbytheHolyGhostandallthecommunionthatGodhaswithus,andwewithGod,isby
theHolyGhost:fortheSpiritisthebondofunionbetweenChristandus,andbetweenGodandus.God
communicateshimselftousbyhisSpirit,andwecommunicatewithGodbyhisSpirit.Goddoesallinusby
hisSpirit,andwedoallbackagaintoGodbytheSpirit.BecauseChrist,asahead,asthesecondAdam,
wastobetherootofallthataresaved,asthefirstAdamwastherootofallthataredamned,hewas
thereforetoreceivetheSpirit,andtohaveitputuponhiminamoreexcellentandrichmanner:forwe
mustknowthatallthingsarefirstinChrist,andtheninus.
Godchosehimfirst,andthenhechoseus.GodsingledhimouttobetheSaviour,thesecondAdam,and
hecallsusinChrist.
GodjustifiedChristfromoursins,beingoursurety,takingoursinsuponhim.Wearejustified,becausehe
byhisresurrectionquithimselffromtheguiltofoursins,ashavingpaidthedebt.
Christisthefirstfruitsofthemthatriseagain,ICor.15:20.Weriseagainbecauseheisrisen.Christfirst
ascendedweascendinChrist.ChristisfirstlovedwearelovedintheBeloved.Christisfirstblessedwe
areblessedwithallspiritualblessingsinJesusChrist,Eph.1:8.So,whatsoeverisinus,wehaveitatthe
secondhand.WehavetheSpiritinus,butheisfirstinChristGodhasputtheSpiritinChrist,asthe
spring,asthesecondAdam,asapublicperson,thatshouldreceivetheSpiritforusall.Heisfirstinall
thingsChristmusthavethepreeminence.Hehasthepreeminenceinall,bothbeforetime,intime,and
aftertime,inelection,inwhatsoeverisdonehereinthisworld,andinglorification.AllisfirstinChrist,and
theninus.Heistheelderbrother.
Wemustunderstandthis,togiveChristhisduehonourandrespect,andtoknowwhencewehaveallwe
have.ThereforetheSpiritissaidhere,first,tobe'putuponChrist.'WehavenottheHolyGhost
immediatelyfromGod,butwehavehimassanctifyingChristfirst,andthenusandwhatsoevertheHoly
Ghostdoesinus,hedoesthesameinChristfirst,andhedoesitinusbecauseinChrist.Therefore,in
John16:14,15,Christsays,Heshalltakeofmine.WhatsoevertheHolyGhostworksinus,hetakesof
Christfirst.Howisthat?
Thus:theHolyGhostcomfortsuswithreasonsfromChrist.Hedied,andhasreconciledustoGod
therefore,nowGodisatpeacewiththee.HeretheHolyGhosttakesagroundofcomfortfromthedeathof
Christ.WhentheHolyGhostwouldraiseamanuptoholinessoflife,hetellshim,ChristthySaviourand
headisquickened,andisnowinheaven,thereforeweoughttorisetoholinessoflife.IftheHolyGhostbe
toworkeithercomfortorgrace,oranything,henotonlydoesthesamethingthathedidfirstinChrist,but
hedoesitinusbyreasonsfromChrist,bygroundsfetchedfromChrist.TheHolyGhosttellsoursoulsthat
GodlovesChristfirst,andhelovesusinChrist,andthatwearethosethatGodgaveChristfor,thatweare
thosethatChristmakesintercessionforinheaven.TheHolyGhostwitnessestoustheloveoftheFather
andtheSon,andsohefetchesfromChristwhatsoeverheworks.
AndhencetheworkoftheHolyGhostisdistinguishedfromillusionsanddelusions,thatarenothingbut
franticconceitsofcomfortthataregroundless.TheHolyGhostfetchesallfromChristinhisworkingand
comfort,andhemakesChristthepatternofallforwhatsoeverisinChrist,theHolyGhost,whichisthe
SpiritofChrist,worksinusasitisinChrist.Therefore,inJohn1:13,itissaid,'ofhisfulnesswereceive
graceforgrace'thatis,graceanswerabletohisgrace.Therearethreethingsthatwereceive
answerabletoChristbytheSpirit.
Wereceivegracethatis,thefavourofGodanswerabletothefavourGodshowshisSon.Heloveshis
Son,heisgraciouslydisposedtohim,andhelovesus.
Sogracehabitual.WehavegraceinusanswerabletothegraceinChrist.Wehaveloveanswerabletohis
love,patienceanswerabletohispatience,obedienceandhumilityanswerabletothatinChrist.TheSpirit
worksaconformitytoChristinallthings.
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Likewise,inthethirdplace,theSpiritassuresusofthesameprivilegesthatissuefromgrace.Christisa
SontheSpirittellsuswearesons.ChristisanheirtheSpirittellsusweareheirswithChrist.Christisthe
kingofheavenandearththeSpirittellsusthatwearekings,thathisrichesareours.Thuswehave'grace
forgrace,'bothfavourandgraceinus,andprivilegesissuingfromgrace,wehaveallastheyareinChrist.
EvenasinthefirstAdamwereceiveofhisemptiness,curseforcurse,illforillforhisblindnessand
rebellionweareanswerablewearebornashewasafterhisfall:sointhesecondAdam,byhisSpirit,we
receivegraceforgrace.
Henceissuesthis,thatourstatenowinChristisfarmoreexcellentthanourstateinAdamwas.
Howdoesitspringhence?
Thus,ChristisGodman.HisnaturewassanctifiedbytheSpirithewasamoreexcellentperson,hegives
andsendstheSpirit.Adamwasonlyamereman,andthereforehisgoodnesscouldnotbesoderivedto
hisposterityfor,howevertheHolyGhostwasinAdam,yettheHolyGhostdidnotsofillhim,hewasnotso
inhimasinChrist.TheHolyGhostisinChristinamoreexcellentmannerforChristbeingequalwithGod,
hegavetheHolyGhosttheHolyGhostcomesfromChristasGod.NowthesecondAdambeingamore
excellentperson,webeinginChristthesecondAdam,weareinamoreexcellent,andinamoresafe
estatewehaveabetterkeeperofourhappinessthanAdam.Hebeingamereman,hecouldnotkeephis
ownhappiness,butlosthimselfandallhisposterity.ThoughhewerecreatedaftertheimageofGod,yet
beingbutawereman,heshowedhimselftobeamanthatis,achangeablecreaturebutChristbeing
Godandman,havinghisnaturesanctifiedbytheSpirit,nowourhappinessisinabetterkeeping,forour
gracehasabetterspring.Thegraceandsanctificationwehave,itisnotinourownkeeping,itdistilsinto
usanswerabletoournecessitiesbutthespringisinexhaustable,itneverfails,thespringisinChrist.So
thefavourthatGodbearsus,itisnotfirstinus,butitisfirstinChristGodloveshim,andthenhelovesus
hegiveshimtheSpirit,andusinhim.Now,ChrististhekeeperbothoftheloveofGodtowardsusandthe
graceofGodandwhatsoeverisgoodhekeepsallforus,hereceivesallforhimselfandforushe
receivesnotonlytheSpiritforhimself,buthereceivesitasMediator,ashead:for'weallofhisfulness
receivegraceforgrace.'Hereceivesitasafountaintodiffuseit,Isay.Thisshowsusourhappyand
blessedconditioninJesusChrist,thatnowthegraceandloveofGodandourhappiness,andthegrace
wherebywearesanctifiedandfittedforit,itisnotinourownkeepingoriginally,butinourheadChrist
Jesus.
Thesebecomfortableconsiderations,and,indeed,thelifeandsoulofaChristian'slifeandcomfort.Ifwe
conceivethemaright,theywillquickenustoobedience,andweshallknowwhatthegospelis.Tocometo
makesomeuseofit.
Imightobservethis,thatnoneshouldtakethatofficeuponthemtowhichtheyarenotcalledofGod,nor
qualifiedbyhisSpirit,especiallyministers,becauseChristdidnotsetuponhisoffice,tilltheSpiritwasput
uponhim.TheSpiritmustenableusandfitusforeverything.ButIleavethat,andcometothatwhich
concernsusall.
First,then,hasGodputtheSpirituponChrist,astheevangelistsaysinJohn3:34,'HewhomGodhas
sent'
thatisChristhespeaksthewordofGod:forGodgiveshimnottheSpiritbymeasure.'Goddoes
notstandmeasuringgraceouttoChrist,buthepoursitoutuponhim,fullmeasure,runningover,because
hereceivesitnotforhimselfalone,butforus.WereceivetheSpiritbymeasure,Eph.4:7,'accordingtothe
measureofthegiftofChrist.'Christgivesusallameasureofsanctifyingknowledgeandofeverygrace,till
we'growtobeaperfectmaninChrist,'Eph.4:13.Thereforeitiscalledthe'firstfruitsoftheSpirit,'Rom.
8:23,asmuchasshallfitusforheaven,andgracesufficient,thoughitbenotthatmeasureweshallhave
hereafter,orthatwewouldhavehere.Christhadafullmeasure,thefulnessofafountain,diffusive,not
onlyabundanceforhimself,butredundance,andoverflowingforthegoodofothershebeingtheheadof
thechurch,notonlyaheadofeminence,butofinfluencetobestowandconveyallgraceinhimtoallhis
members,proportionabletotheserviceofeverymember.ThereforehereceivednottheSpiritaccordingto
measurethatis,sparinglybutitwasshowereduponhimhewasfilledandclothedwiththeHolyGhost.
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Isitso?Letuslabour,then,toseewheretohavesupplyinallourwants.Wehaveafulltreasurytogoto.
AlltreasureishidinChristforus.Whatacomfortisthisinanythingwelack!IfwelackthefavourofGod,
gotohisbelovedChrist,desireGodtoloveusinhisbeloved,andtoacceptusinhisgraciousSon,inhim
whomhehasmadehisservant,andanointedwithhisSpiritforthatpurpose.
Ifwelackparticulargraces,gotothewellheadChrist,considerofChristnowfilledforus,asitwasin
Aaron.TheoilthatwaspouredonAaron'sheadrandowntohisbeard,andtotheskirtsofhisclothing,
Psa.133:2,themeanestpartsofhisgarmentwerebedewedwiththatoil:sothegracesofGod'sSpirit
poureduponourheadChrist,ourAaron,ourHighPriest,rundownuponus,uponallranksofChristians,
evenupontheskirts,theweakestandlowestChristians.Everyonehasgraceforgraceweallpartakeof
theoilandanointingofourspiritualAaron,ourHighPriest.Ifwelackanything,therefore,letusgotohim.I
candoall,saysStPaul,inChristthatstrengthensme,Philip.4:13.Gotohimforpatience,forcomfort,for
everything,becauseGodhasputhisSpirituponhim,tosupplyallourdeficiencieshehastheoilof
gladnessabovehisfellows,Psa.45:7butforhisfellowshehastheoilofgracemorethanany,butitisnot
onlyforhim,butforusall.Therefore,letushavecomfortablemeditationsofthefulnessofChrist,and
makeuseofit,allthisisforme.InCol.2:9,StPaulsetsitout,'inhimthefulnessoftheGodheaddwells
personally'forthatismeantbysomatikwV,anditfollowsafter,'inhimwearecomplete.'Whereforeisall
thefulnessthatisinhim?toshowthatinhimwearecomplete.So,inIJohn5:20,21,toshowhowthe
spiritsoftheapostlesagree,'weknowthattheSonofGodiscomeintheflesh,andhasgivenusan
understandingtoknowhimthatistrue,andweareinhimthatistrue,eveninhisSonJesusChrist.Thisis
trueGodandeternallife.'ChrististrueGodandeternallifeforusallforourcomfort,'weknowthatthe
SonofGodiscome,andhasgivenusanunderstanding,&c.Littlechildren,keepyourselvesfromidols.'
Howdoesthisdependupontheother?Thus
Willyougotoidols,stocksandstones,devicesofmen'sbrain,forsupplyofgraceandcomfort?Christ,
whomGodhassent,heiscomeintotheworldheisGodandeternallife.'Godhasgiveneternallife,and
thislifeisinhisSon,'IJohn5:11thereforewhyshouldyougotoidols?
Whatisthegroundofpopishidolatriesandabominations?Theyconceivenotarightofthefulnessof
Christ,whereforehewasordained,andsentofGodforiftheydid,theywouldnotgotoidolsandsaints,
andleaveChrist.Thereforeletusmakethisuseofit,gooutofChristfornothing.Ifwewantfavour,gonot
tosaints,ifwewantinstruction,gonottotraditionsofmen.Heisaprophetwiseenough,andapriestfull
enoughtomakeusacceptedofGod.Ifwelackanygrace,heisakingableenough,richenough,and
strongenoughtosubdueallourrebellionsinus,andhewillintimebyhisSpiritovercomeall,'Strongeris
hethatisinusthanhethatisintheworld,'IJohn4:4.Thespiritintheworld,thedevilanddevilishminded
men,theyarenotsostrongastheSpiritofChristforbylittleandlittletheSpiritofChristwillsubdueall.
Christisaking,gonotoutofhimthereforeforanything.'Babes,keepyourselvesfromidols,'IJohn5:21.
Youmaywellenough,youknowwhomtogoto.
Thereforeletusshameourselves.IstheresuchastorehouseofcomfortandgraceeverywayinChrist?
Whyarewesoweakandcomfortless?Whyarewesodejectedasifwehadnotsucharichhusband?All
outhusband'srichesareoursforourgood,wereceiveofitinourmeasure,whydowenotgotothe
fountainandmakeuseofit?Why,inthemidstofabundance,arewepoorandbeggarly?Herewemay
seethemiseryoftheworld.Christisaprophettoteachusthewaytoheaven,buthowfewbetherethat
willbedirectedbyhim'Christisakingtosubdueallourspiritualandworstenemies,tosubduethose
enemiesthatkingstrembleat,tosubduedeath,tosubduethefearofjudgmentandthewrathofGod,and
yethowfewwillcomeunderhisgovernment!'Christisthelightoftheworld,'John9:5,yethowfewfollow
him!Christistheway,yethowfewtreadinhissteps!Christisourwisdomandourriches,yethowfewgo
tohimtofetchanyriches,butcontentthemselveswiththetransitorythingsofthislife!MenliveasifChrist
werenothing,ordidnothingconcernthem,asifhewereapersonabstractedfromthem,asifhewerenot
aheadorhusband,asifhehadreceivedtheSpiritonlyforhimselfandnotforthem,whereasallthatisin
Christisforus.IbeseechyouthereforeletuslearntoknowChristbetter,andtomakeuseofhim.
Again,ifChristhas'theSpiritputuponhimforusall,'theninourdailyslipsanderrorsmakethisuse,to
offerChristtoGodwiththisargument.TakeanargumentfromGodhimselftobindhim.Godwillbebound
withhisownarguments.Wecannotbindhimwithours,butletusgotohimandsay,Lord,thoughIbethus
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andthussinful,yetforChristJesus'sakethyservant,whomthoulovestandhastputthySpirituponhimto
beapriest,andtomakeintercessionforme,forhissakepardon,forhissakeaccept.MakeuseofGod's
consecrationofChristbytheSpirittoGodhimself,andbindhimwithhisownmediator,andwithhisown
priestofhisownordaining.Thoucanstnot,Lord,refuseaSaviourandmediatorofthineown,sanctifiedby
thineownSpirit,whomthouhastsetapart,andordainedandqualifiedeverywayforthispurpose.Letus
gotoGodinthenameofthismediatorJesusChristeveryday,andthisistomakeagooduseofthis,that
Godhas'puthisSpirituponhim.'
Buttomakeauseoftrial,howshallweknowthatthiscomfortbelongstous,thatChristhastheSpiritput
uponhimforusorno,whetherhebeordainedaking,priest,andprophetforus?ThatwhichIsaidbefore
willgivelighttothis.WemustpartakeofthesameSpiritthatChristhas,orelsewearenoneofhis
members.Aswepartakeofhisname,sowemustalsoofhisanointing.Thereuponwearecalled
Christians,becausewepartakeoftheanointingandSpiritofChrist,andifwehavetheSpiritofChrist,itwill
workthesameinusasitdidinChrist,itwillconvinceusofourownill,ofourrebellions,andcursedestate,
anditwillconvinceuslikewiseofthegoodwehaveinhim.Andthen,heisaSpiritofunion,toknitusto
Christ,andmakeusonewithhim,andthereupontoquickenus,toleadus,andguideus,andtodwellin
uscontinually,tostirupprayersandsupplicationsinus,tomakeuscryfamiliarlytoGodastoaFather,to
comfortandsupportusinallourwantsandmiseries,ashedidChrist,'tohelpourinfirmities,'asthe
apostleatlarge,inRom.8:20,setsdowntheexcellentofficeoftheHolyGhost,whathedoesinthosethat
areChrist's.Letusthereforeexamineourselves,whattheSpiritdoesinus,ifChristbesetaparttoredeem
usasapriest.Surelyallhisofficesgotogether.HedoesbythesameSpiritruleus,Rev.1:5,'Hehas
washedusinhisblood,andmadeuskingsandpriests.'Whosoeverhewashesinhisbloodhemakeshim
akingandapriest,hemakeshimbythepowerofhisSpiritabletoruleoverhisbasecorruptions.Wemay
knowthen,whetherwehavebenefitbyChristbyhisSpirit,notonlybytheSpiritwitnessingthatwearethe
sonsofGod,butbysomeargumentswherebytheSpiritmaywitnesswithoutdelusion.Forthoughthe
SpiritofChristtellsusthatweareChrist's,yettheproofmustbefromguidingandleading,andcomforting
andconformingustoJesusChrist,inmakinguskingsandprophets,enlighteningourunderstandingsto
knowhiswill,andconformingustobelikehim.TheSpiritofChristisaSpiritofpowerandstrength.Itwill
enableustoperformdutiesabovenature,toovercomeourselvesandinjuries,itwillmakeustolackandto
abound,itwillmakeusabletoliveandtodie,asitenabledChristtodothingsthatanothermancouldnot
do.SoaChristiancandothat,andsufferthatthatanothermancannotdoandsuffer,becausehehasthe
SpiritofChrist.
Attheleast,whosoeverhastheSpiritofChrist,heshallfindthatSpiritinhimstrivingagainstthatwhichis
contrary,andbylittleandlittlegettingground.Wherethereisnoconflict,thereisnoSpiritofChristatall.I
willnotbelargeinthepoint,onlyIspeakthisbywayoftrial,toknowwhetherwehavetheSpiritofChristin
usorno.Ifnot,wehavenothingtodowithChristforChristsavesusnotasheisoutofusonly.Christwas
todosomethingofhimselfthatwehavenosharein,onlythegoodofitisours.Hewastoredeemusby
hisblood,tobeasacrifice.ThetitletoheavenandsalvationwaswroughtbyChristoutofus.Butthereis
somewhatthathedoesnotonlyforus,butheworksinusbyhisSpirit,thatis,thefittingofusforthathe
hasgivenustitleto,andtheapplyingOfthatthathehasdoneforus.Whosoeverthereforehasanybenefit
byChrist,hehastheSpirittoapplythattohimselfandtofitandqualifyhimtobeamemberofsucha
head,andanheirofsuchakingdom.WhosoeverChristworksanythingfor,hedoesalsoworkinthem.
ThereisaSpiritofapplication,andthatSpiritofapplication,ifitbetrue,itisaSpiritofsanctificationand
renovationfittinguseverywayforour,condition.
Letusnotabuseourselves,astheworldcommonlydoes,concerningChrist.TheythinkGodismerciful,
andChristisaSaviour.Itistrue,butwhathashewroughtintheebyhisSpirit?HastthoutheSpiritof
Christ?Or'elsethouartnoneofhis,'Rom.8:9.WhereverChristis,hegoeswithhisSpirittoteachusto
applywhatChristhasdoneforus,andtofitustobelikehim.Therefore,letthosethatliveinanysins
againstconscience,thinkitadiabolicalillusiontothinkGodandChristismerciful.Aye,butwhereisthe
workoftheSpirit?Allthehopethouhastisonlythatthouartnotinhellasyet,[only]forthetimetocome
butforthepresentIdarenotsaythouhastanythingtodowithChrist,whenthereisnothingoftheSpiritin
thee.TheSpiritofChristconformsthespousetobelikethehusband,andthememberstobelikethe
head.Therefore,begofChristthathewouldanointhimselfkinginourhearts,andprophetandpriestin
ourhearts,todothatthathedid,toknowhiswillasaprophet,toruleinusasaking,andtostirupprayers
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inusasapriest,todoinsomeproportionthatthathedoes,thoughitbeinneversolittleameasure,for
wereceiveitinmeasure,butChristbeyondmeasure.Wemustlabourforsomuchasmaymanifesttous
thetruthofourestateinChrist,thatwearenotdeadbutlivingbranches.
ButhoworbywhatmeansdoesChristgivehisSpirittous?ThisSpiritthatissonecessaryforus,itis
givenbytheministryofthegospel,whichistheministryoftheSpirit.'ReceivedyetheHolyGhostbythe
worksofthelaw,orbythehearingoffaithpreached?'Gal.3:2.WhentheloveofGodinChrist,andthe
benefitsbyChrist,arelaidopeninthepreachingofthegospeltous,GodgiveshisholySpirit,theSpiritof
Christ.NowGodinChristwouldsaveusbyatriumphantandabundantloveandmercy,andtheSpiritof
GodnevergoesbutwherethereisamagnifyingoftheloveandmercyofGodinChristthereforethe
ministryofthegospel,whichonlydiscoverstheamityandloveofGodtomankind,beingnowreconciledin
Christ,itisaccompaniedwiththeSpirit,toassureusofourpartandportioninthosebenefits,fortheSpirit
isthefruitofGod'sloveaswellasChrist.Christisthefirstgift,andtheSpiritisthesecond,thereforethat
partofthewordthatrevealsGod'sexceedinglovetomankind,leavingangelswhentheywerefallen,in
theircursedestate,andyetgivinghisSontobecomeman,and'acurseforus:'therevealingofthislove
andmercyofGod,andofhisSonChristtous,isjoinedwiththeSpirit.ForbytheSpiritweseeourcursed
estatewithouttheloveandmercyofGodinChrist,andlikewiseweareconvincedoftheloveofGodin
Christ,andthereuponweloveGodinreturn,andtrusttohismercy,andoutoflovetohimperformall
cheerfulobedience.Whatsoeverwedoelse,ifitbenotstirredbytheSpirit,apprehendingtheloveofGod
inChrist,itisbutmorality.Amanshallnevergotoheavenexceptbysuchadispositionandframeand
temperofsoulasiswroughtbytheHolyGhost,persuadingthesoulfirstoftheloveandfavourofGodin
Christ.WhatareallourperformancesiftheybenotoutoflovetoGod?AndhowshallweloveGodexcept
webepersuadedthathelovesusfirst?ThereforethegospelbreedsloveinustoGod,andhastheSpirit
togetherwithit,workingablessedframeofsanctification,wherebywearedisposedtoeverygoodduty.
ThereforeifwewouldhavetheSpiritofGod,letusattenduponthesweetpromisesofsalvation,uponthe
doctrineofChristfortogetherwiththeknowledgeofthesethings,theHolyGhostslidesandinsinuates
andinfuseshimselfintooursouls.
ThereforetheministersofthegospelshouldbemuchinlayingopentherichesofGodinChrist.In
unfoldingChrist,allotherthingswillfollow,asStPaulinTitus2:11,12)'ThegraceofGodhasshined,has
appearedgloriously,teachingustodenyallungodlinessandworldlylusts,andtoliveholilyandsoberlyin
thispresentworld.'WherethegraceandloveofGodispersuadedandshedintothesoul,allwillfollow.
Whatisthereasonthatformertimeswerecalleddarktimes(andsotheywere),thetimesofpoperyadark
age?Christwasveiled,thegospelwasveiled,therewasnopreachingofsalvationbyChristalone,people
weresenttostocksandstones,andtosaints,andinsteadoftheword,theyweresenttolegendsandsuch
things.Christwasobscured,thereupontheyweredarkages.ThoseageswhereintheSpiritofGodis
most,iswhereChristismostpreached,andpeoplearebestalwayswherethereismostSpiritandthey
aremostjoyfulandcomfortableandholy,whereChrististrulylaidopentotheheartsofpeople.The
preachingofmeremorality,ifmenbenotcarefultoopenChrist,toknowhowsalvationiswroughtby
Christ,andhowallgoodcomesbyChrist,itwillnevermakeamanperfectlygoodandfithimforheaven.It
maymakeamanreformmanyabuses,likeaphilosopher,whichhasitsrewardandrespectamongstmen,
butnothingtogivecomfortatthehourofdeathandthedayofjudgment.OnlythatwherebytheSpiritis
conveyed,istheknowledgeandpreachingofChristinhisstateandoffices.
AndheshallshewjudgmenttotheGentiles.AfterChristwasfullyprepared,ashewaspreparedwiththe
SpiritofGod,andwithacommissionfromheaven,fromFather,Son,andHolyGhost,havingthishigh
commission,andgiftsforitbytheSpirit,hefallsuponhisofficepresently.Weareneverfitforanythingtill
wehavetheSpirit,andwhenwehavetheSpirititisactiveandvigorousandworking.'Heshallshew
judgmenttotheGentiles.'
Heshallnotstrivenorcry,neithershallanymanhearhisvoiceinthestreets.Thesewordssetdownthe
mildandsweetandamiablemannerofChrist'scarriageuponearth.Here,inhisfirstcomingtoworkthe
greatworkofourredemption,hedidnotcarrythematterinanoutwardgloriousmanner,inpompbuthe
wouldhavehismiraclesconcealedofttimesandhimselfhidden.HisGodheadwashidundertheveilofhis
manhood.Hecouldnothavewroughtoursalvationotherwise.IfthedevilandtheworldhadknownChrist
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tobeashewas,theywouldneverhavemadethoseattemptsagainsthim.Therefore,consideringhehad
suchadispensationtoworkoursalvationasaking,priest,andprophet,hewouldnotcryandcontendand
strive,hewouldnotcomewithanygreatnoise.
Now,hereisanoppositiontothegivingofthelaw,andlikewisetothecomingandcarriageofcivilprinces.
Youknowwhenthelawwasgivenallthemountwasonfire,andtheearththereaboutquakedand
trembled,andthepeoplefled.TheycouldnotenduretohearthevoiceofGodspeakinginthemount
therewassuchaterriblesmokeandfire,theywereallafraid.ThuscameMoses.Now,didChristcomeas
Moses?WasthegospeldeliveredbyChristasthelawwas,interrorsandfears?Oh,no.Christcamenot
insuchaterriblemanner,inthunderandlightningbutthegospel,itcamesweetly.Adove,amildcreature,
litupontheheadofChristwhenhewasbaptized,toshowhismildmannerofcarriageandhecamewith
blessinginhismouthinhisfirstsermonofall:Blessedarethepoorinspirit,blessedaretheythatmourn,
blessedaretheythathungerandthirstafterrighteousness,'Matt.5:8,4,6.Thelawcamewithcurses:
'Cursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswritteninthelawtodothem'Gal.3:10.Christcamein
anothermannerthegospelwasdeliveredinamild,sweetmanner.Christ,asanambassador,came
sweetlytoentreatandbeseech.Thereisacrying,indeed,butitisacryingoutofloveandentreaty,nota
shoutinginaterriblemanneraswasatthegivingofthelaw,no,norasatthecomingofothercivilprinces
intoacity,withshoutingandnoiseoftrumpets,withpomp,andstate,andgreatattendants.Christcame
notintotheworldtoexecutehiskingdomandofficeinsuchpompandnoiseasitissaidofAgrippa,Acts
25:23,'Hecamewithgreatpomp.'Soworldlyprincescarrythingsthus,anditisneedfulinsomesort.
Peoplemusthaveshowsandpomptheoutwardmanmusthaveoutwardthingstoastonishitwithal.Itisa
policyinstatesotodo.ButChristcameinanothermanner.Hecamenottomakemenquakeandtremble
thatcametospeakanddealwithhim.Hecamenotwithclamourandfiercenessforwhowouldhavecome
toChristthen?Buthecameinamild,andsweet,andamiablemanner.Weseealittlebeforethetext(ver.
16),uponoccasionoftheinferenceofthesewords,hecommandsandchargesthemthattheyshouldnot
revealhimandmakehimknown.Whenhehaddoneagoodworkhewouldnothaveitknown.
Now,therearethreethingsespeciallyinsinuatedinthisdescription,
Heshallnotstrivenorcry,neithershallanymanhearhisvoiceinthestreet.'ThatChristshouldnotbe
outwardlyglorioustopublishhisownexcellency,norcontentiousheshouldnotcrynorquarrel,norhe
shouldnotbeclamorous,ifhehadanywrong,tobeallonfirepresently,butheshouldbeasameeklamb,
heshouldmakenonoise,heshouldnotcomeinvaingloryorclamour,&c.
ButherewemustknowthatChristwasawisediscernerofthefitnessoftimesforsometimeshewould
havethingspublished,sometimeshewouldnotsometimeshewouldbeknown,sometimeshewouldnot.
Christ,inhissecondcoming,shallcomeallinmajestyandglorywithhisangels,andalltheearthshall
appearbeforehimbutnowhiswisdomtoldhim,nowhecametosavetheworldasaprophet,priest,and
king,toworkman'ssalvation,thathemusthideandconcealhimselfandsoheorderedallhiscoursesby
discretion.Everysacrificemustbesaltedwithsalt,everythingshouldbeseasonedwiththesaltof
discretion.Thisisthestewardofallouractions,toknowwhatisfit.Christknewitwasfittesttoconceal
himselfnowatthistime.
Now,byChrist'sexampleweshouldlearnthis,nottobevainglorious,nottomakeagreatnoise.Youhave
some,iftheydoanythingthatisgood,presentlyalltheworldmustknowit.ThiswasnotChrist's
disposition.Itisadispositionthatishardlywroughtoutofman'sheartwithoutanexceedinggreatmeasure
oftheSpiritofGodforweseegoodmenhavebeengiventhisway.Davidwouldnumberthepeople,thatit
mightbeknownwhatagreatmonarchhewas,whatagreatnumberofpeoplehehad,2Sam.24.Hewas
agoodman,yetvainglorious.Hesmartedforit.SogoodHezekiah.Ambassadorsweresenttohimfrom
thekingofBabylon,andthattheyshouldknowthatHezekiahwasnobeggarlyprince,outmustcomethe
vesselsofthetempleandallhistreasures,toshowwhatarichkingthekingofJudahwas,2Kings20:13,
etseq.Hisvainglorycosthimallhisriches,astheprophettoldhim.Sothedisciples.Beforetheyreceived
agreatmeasureoftheSpirit,howvaingloriouswerethey!Theycontendedforthehigherplacetherefore
theyadviseChristtogouptoJerusalem,thathemightbeknown.AsJehusaidtoJonadab,'Comeupand
seemyzealfortheLordofhosts,'2Kings10:16,heaccountsitnothingunlessitbeseen.Sofleshand
blood.Iftherebeanythingdonethatisgood,alltheworldmustknowitpresently.Christchargedthemthat
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nonoiseshouldbemade,butthattheyshouldconcealhim.
Whatshouldwelearnhence?
TobeofChrist'sdisposition,thatis,tohavenomorecareoftheknowledgeofthingsthanthelightofthe
thingsthemselveswilldiscover,todoworksoflight,andifthethingsthemselveswillbreakforthtomen's
eyesandtheymustseeourlightshine,thenletthem,andimitateourgoodworksbutforustoblazon
themabroadourselves,itisnotthespiritofChrist.
Letuslabourtohavehumilityofspirit,thatthatmaygrowupwithusinallourperformances,thatallthings
thatwespeakanddomaysavourofaspiritofhumility,thatwemayseekthegloryofGodinallthings
morethanourown.
AndletuscommitthefameandcreditofwhatweareordotoGod.Hewilltakecareofthat.Letustake
caretobeandtodoasweshould,andthenfornoiseandreport,letitbegoodorillasGodwillsendit.We
knowofttimesitfallsoutthatthatwhichispreciousinman'seyeisabominableinGod's.Ifweseektobein
themouthsofmen,todwellinthetalkandspeechofmen,Godwillabhorus,andatthehourofdeathit
willnotcomfortuswhatmenspeakorknowofus,butsoundcomfortmustbefromourownconscience
andthejudgmentofGod.Therefore,letuslabourtobegoodinsecret.Christiansshouldbeasminerals,
richinthedepthoftheearth.Thatwhichisleastseenishisriches.Weshouldhaveourtreasuredeep.For
thedisclosureofitweshouldbereadywhenwearecalledtoit,andforallotheraccidentalthings,letthem
falloutasGodinhiswisdomseesgood.Soletuslookthroughgoodreportandbadreporttoheavenlet
usdothedutiesthatarepleasingtoGodandourownconscience,andGodwillbecarefulenoughtoget
usapplause.WasitnotsufficientforAbel,thatthoughtherewasnogreatnoticetakenwhatfaithhehad,
andhowgoodamanhewas,yetthatGodknewitandrevealedit?Godseesoursincerityandthetruthof
ourhearts,andthegracesofourinwardman,heseesallthese,andhevaluesusbythese,ashedid
Abel.Asforoutwardthingstheremaybeagreatdealofdeceitinthem,andthemoreamangrowsin
grace,thelesshecaresforthem.Asmuchreputationasisfitforamanwillfollowhiminbeinganddoing
whatheshould.Godwilllooktothat.Thereforeweshouldnotsetupsailstoourownmeditations,that
unlesswebecarriedwiththewindofapplause,tobebecalmedandnotgoawhitforwardbutweshould
becarriedwiththeSpiritofGodandwithaholydesiretoserveGod,andourbrethren,andtodoallthe
goodwecan,andnevercareforthespeechesoftheworld,asStPaulsaysofhimself:'Icarenotwhatye
judgeofme,Icarenotwhattheworldjudgeth,Icarenotforman'sjudgment,'ICor.4:3.Thisisman'sday.
Weshould,fromtheexampleofChrist,labourtosubduethisinfirmitywhichwearesickofnaturally.Christ
concealedhimselftillhesawafittertime.Weshallhavegloryenough,andbeknownenoughtodevils,to
angels,andmenerelong.Therefore,asChristlivedahiddenlife,thatis,hewasnotknownwhathewas,
thatsohemightworkoursalvation,soletusbecontenttobehiddenmen.AtrueChristianishiddentothe
worldtillthetimeofmanifestationcomes.Whenthetimecame,Christthengloriouslyrevealedwhathe
wassoitshallberevealedwhatweare.Inthemeantime,letusbecarefultodoourdutythatmayplease
theSpiritofGod,andsatisfyourownconscience,andleavealltheresttoGod.Letusmeditate,inthefear
ofGod,uponthesedirectionsfortheguidanceofourlivesinthisparticular.

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