I . 
 
 
aa. \. •% 
 
 ;<fite; 
 
>■■% 
 
 ERM'ONS 
 
 B Y T H E 
 
 r erend and Learned Mr. William 
 r iIfon, late Minifte'r of the Gofpel 
 7erth, viz. 
 
 7 miy 
 
 ie Church's Extre- 
 \y Chrift's Oppor- 
 tunity. 
 
 II. T!he Lamb's Retinue 
 attending him "whi- 
 therfoever he goeth. 
 
 III. The Father's Pro- 
 mift to the Son,a clear 
 Bo\rtf in the Church's 
 darken: Cloud. 
 
 j IV. The Watchman's 
 Duty nd Defire. 
 V. The Bleflednefs loft 
 in the firft Adam t to be 
 found in Chrift the fe- 
 cond Adam. 
 
 €ntttXi to ^tattonerj54>alI. 
 
 m 
 
 E D I N B U R/G H, 
 
 Printed for David Duncan at the "Weigh -Houfe.'! 
 Edinburgh v and for John Henderfon in Ab erne thy 
 and fold by the goQkfeJlers in Town and Go* 
 

The CHURCH'S Extremity, 
 CHRIST'S Opportunity. 
 
 SERMON 
 
 Preached upon Monday, immediately 
 after the Celebration of the Sacra- 
 ment of the Lord's Supper at Aber- 
 
 nethj, July 17. 1738. 
 
 By the late Reverend and Learned Mr. William 
 Wilson Mitiifter of the Go/pel at Perth. 
 
 Carefully revifed by a reverend Member of the Af- 
 fociate Synod. 
 
 EDINBURGH, 
 
 Printed for David Duncan, and Sold at his Houfe, 
 oppofite to the Weigh -Houfe, North Side of the 
 Street. MDCCXLVII. 
 
r 
 
( 3 ) VS 
 
 Micah iv. 10* 
 
 Be in Tain, and labour to bring forth, O 
 Daughter of Zion, like a Woman in 
 Travail, for now Jhalt thou go forth out 
 of the City, thou Jhalt dwell in the 
 Field, and thou Jhalt go even to Baby- 
 lon, there Jhalt thou be delivered, there 
 the Lord Jhall redeem thee from the 
 Hand of 'thine Enemies, 
 
 T is in the middle Claufe of the Verfe I de*, 
 fign to infifl upon, And thou Jhalt go even t& 
 Babylon, there [halt thou be delivered. 
 
 My Friends, when we are met together 
 about the foleinn Worfhip of God, we are to re- 
 member it is a great Point in Worfhip, to have the 
 folid Faith of the great Object of divine Worfhip* 
 We are a worfhipping AfTembly, one of the 
 AfTemblies of Mount Zion; and, O that we had 
 the lively Impreflion of that God whom we 
 profefs to worfhip : Without Faith it is impoA 
 fible to pleafe God; our Worfhip is but dead 
 Worfhip without Faith ; our Worfhip is but for- 
 mal Worfhip without Faith ; yea, let me tell you, 
 our Worfhip is no Worfhip at all, in the Sight of 
 God, without Faith. We are one of the AlTem- 
 blies of Mount Zion, of the Gofpel Church, met 
 together upon a very folemn Occafion. Ycfterday 
 
 . we 
 
' ( 4 . ) 
 
 We were commemorating the Death of Chrift in the 
 Sacrament of the Supper, and we are now *affem- 
 bled this Day to offer up the fpiritual Sacrifice of 
 Praife and Thankfgiving unto him, to blefs our 
 God aloud. My Friends, have we not much Mat- 
 ter and Ground of Praife ? I dare fay, that thofe 
 among you, who are in the darkeft Cafe, in the 
 deadeft Cafe, under the heavieft Complaint with 
 Reference to themfelves, with Reference to their 
 own fpiritual Cafe and Condition, have yet Matter 
 and Ground of Praife. Are you faying, Behold I 
 go forward^ but he is not there ; and backward, but I 
 cannot perceive him ; on the left Hand where he doth 
 work, but 1 cannot behold him ; he hide th himfelf on the 
 Right-Hand that I cannot fee him. Why, be it fo, 
 Sirs ; you have yet Matter and Ground of Praife. 
 Have you not Reafon to fay, Thou art righteous 
 •when thon pleadeft with me, when thou hide/1 thy Face 
 from me, when thou coverejl ihyfelf with a Cloud, 
 Sirs, if there is a Frame of Spirit in you to juftify 
 God, and condemn yourfclves, it is a good Difpo- 
 iition of Spirit, it is a Bow in your Cloud, when he 
 Is hiding his Face from you. Again, is it not 
 Ground and Matter of Praife, that you are not in 
 the bottomlefs Pit, that you are not in Hell ? I am 
 fure, if you are rightly exercifed, you will reckon 
 it a Mercy that ye have Accefs to look towards 
 God's holy Temple, it is a Mercy that the Cup of 
 vindictive Wrath is not put into your Hand. This 
 indeed fays, that he hath not dealt with you ac- 
 cording to your Sins, nor rewarded you .according 
 to your Iniquities. Well, in your I o weft Cafe, may 
 it not be a Note of Praife to you, He dealt not with 
 vs according to your Sins, &c. In a Word, if you are 
 complaining that you cannot find him in the Sacra- 
 inent, nor in the Word, ye are juft the worfl in the 
 
 World, 
 
■< J ) 
 
 World, ye have the moll unbelieving Heart, the 
 moil obftinate Heart, the mod hard Heart, and 
 the moll atheiftical Heart in the World ; ye 
 are faying, There is none like you ;. ye arc 
 faying, It may be there is fomething peculiar in 
 your Cafe, that is not to be found in the Cafe 
 of another, none like you, no Cafe like yours 
 in this whole Aifembly : Yet we tell you, there 
 is ftill Matter and Ground of Praife, that there 
 is Balm in Gilead, and that there is a Physici- 
 an there. It is Matter and Ground of Praife to 
 you, that Chrift lives ; that tho' he was dead, now 
 he is alive again, and liveth for evermore, and hath 
 the Keys of Hell and of Death. It is Matter and 
 Ground of Praife, and that in the very worft Cafe 
 amongft you, the moll Angular Cafe out of the bot- 
 tomlels Pit, that Chrift is a Phyfician, that Chrift 
 is a Helper in the very greateft Extremity. Is. thy 
 Cafe a lingular Cafe ? Chrift is a Angular Phyfici- 
 an, Chrift is a lingular Saviour," Chrift is a lingular 
 Remedy, Chrift is a lingular Help, a matchlefs and 
 a none-fuch Help, whatever your Cafe is. Here 
 then is Matter and Ground of Praife, that the Lord 
 hath vifited Adam's Family. I remember to have 
 read in the Diary of an eminent Chriftian, who, 
 falling under a Cloud, called all in Qpeftion that 
 ever God had done for. him. He began to think 
 God had vifited Adam's Family. There is a 
 Remnant of Adam's Family that he hath redeemed 
 to himfelf : 1 wilt try to blefs him, (faid he) that he 
 hath redeemed a Company out of Adam'j Family r tho' 
 I cannrt fay I am among them. The horieft Man 
 went about to mint at Praifing, and when he is 
 doing fo, it pleafed the Lord to make him apply 
 and act Faith upon it as to himfelf, and made bim 
 fay, Thou -waft fain and haft Tedeemed me to Cod by - 
 thy Blood. Well, blefs God that the Day-Spr 
 
x 
 
 ( 6 ) 
 
 from cm high hath vifited our Tribe and Family, 
 and perhaps he will lead you on to fay he hath 
 viiited you, and redeemed you by his Blood. Blefs 
 God that he hath made the Light to fhine, and fent 
 his Son to blefs us, in turning every one of us from 
 our Iniquities. What fay you, I cannot- blefs him, 
 I have neither Heart for Prayer nor Praife ? Why, 
 then, you are in the beft Tune to go to the Phyfi- 
 cian. It is bell to go poor and empty-handed to 
 Chfift. Go, as you are poor and'miferable, unable 
 to do any Thing for Chriit, or for God. Spread 
 the Cafe out before' him who is the Redeemer, 
 come to turn away Ungodlinefs from Jacob. He is 
 a wonderful and only Help, upon whom all our 
 Help is laid. Well, let us have our Eyes to him, 
 and let us eilay to give Thanks to him on a Thankf- 
 giving-Day, on a parting Day from this' Place, 
 fometimes fiich a Day has been found a good Day, 
 a convincing Day, a converting Day, a confirming 
 Day, a comforting Day. The Refidue of the Spi- 
 rit is with our Lord • let us have our Eyes to him, 
 that he may fend him to blefs his own Word we 
 are to deliver to you this Day. 
 
 In the firft Part of this Chapter where our Text 
 lies, the glorious Advancement and Enlargement 
 of the Church, in New Teftament Times, is fore- 
 told by the Prophet Micah, as in the firft Verfe, 
 But in the lafi 'Days it /hall come to pafs, that the 
 Mountain of the Hou/e of the Lord /ball be eflablifed 
 in the Top of the Mountains, and it /hall be exalted a- 
 hove the Hills, and People fh all flow unto it ; and ma- 
 ny Nations jh all come and fay, Come, and let us go up to 
 the Mountain of the Lord, to the Hou/e of the God of 
 Jacob, <&'c, It is a Prophecy of the Gathering of 
 the Nations to Shiloh, of the Gathering of many 
 Nations to the Lord Chrift ; that Nations fhall ftir 
 
 up 
 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 up one another to join thernfelves unto glorious 
 Chrift. Alfo, in the latter Part of the Chapter, 
 particularly in the Verfe that I have read, ye have 
 the happy Iffue of the Church's Trial, the lime of 
 the Trial of the Daughter of Zion ; tho' flic may 
 be brought low., yet (he ffiall have a glorious Hue 
 to all her fore Conflicts and Trials. In the Words 
 I have read, the fore Conflicts of the Church are 
 compared to the Sorrow and Travail of a Woman 
 in Child-bearing. Mark it, they are not like the 
 Agonies of dying Men, but like the Pain ana I ra- 
 vail of a Woman, which iflues in a happy Birth, 
 A Woman, when fhe is in Travail, lhe has Sor- 
 row, becaufe her Hour is come ; but, as foon as lhe 
 is delivered of the Child, fhe remembreth no more 
 the Anguifh, for Joy that a Man-Child is bora into 
 the "World. But tho' the Church has her fore 
 Conflicts and Pangs, yet they are promifing Pangs 
 and Throws, even as. the Woman's. They are 
 Pangs that have a promifing and glorious Hue : 
 Therefore, I fay, the Church being in Pain, la- 
 bours to bring forth, like a Woman in Travail, 
 Again, in the following Verfe, ye may obferve, that 
 the Church's Troubles may rife high, the Floods 
 they may fwell, the Lord's People (the Daughter 
 of Zion) may have Trouble and Trial to the great- 
 eft Extremity meafured out unto them : Therefore, 
 faith the Prophet, thou Jh alt go forth out of the City^, 
 and thou /halt dwell in the Field. By thefe feveral 
 Expreffions the Church's extreme Troubles and 
 Trials are held forth by the Prophet. There is a, 
 gradual Rife of her Trial ^ firft, Thou {halt go forth 
 out of the City. By the City we are to underftandt 
 Jerufalem. Jerufalem was the Place of their facreti 
 Solemnities, there was the Place of their publick 
 Worlhip ; alfo Jerufalem was the Seat of their 
 
 publick. 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 pub lick Courts of Juftice ; for there are fet Thrones 
 of Judgment, the Thrones of the Houfe of David, 
 fays the Pfalmift, Pfalm cxxih 5. Thou /halt dwell 
 in the Field ; that is, thou fhalt be ftript naked of 
 all thy fpiritual Privileges in this thy Gity, and 
 fhalt be even thruft out of thy City. But this is 
 not all, Thou /halt even go to Babylon ; thou fhalt 
 'fall under the Feet of thine Enemies, the Enemy 
 fhall for a Time get his Will of the Daughter of 
 Zion ; Thou fhalt even go to Babylon. Ye know, Sirs, 
 what is intended by Babylon. That City, the 
 Miilrefs of the then known "World, famous for 
 her Tyranny and Oppreffion, in oppreffing the 
 People of God. In the 1 7 th Chapter of the Book 
 of the Revalaton, fhe is called, Myftery, Babylon 
 the great, the Mother of Harlots > and Abominations of 
 the Earth. 
 
 But again, in the next Place, as the Church is 
 brought into thefe Straits, fent out of the City, 
 made to dwell in the Field, broughtjunder the Feet 
 of her Enemies, fo ye may obferve the glorious 
 Deliverance (he meets with in this Extremity : 
 There fhalt thou be delivered. Ye would have thought 
 it would been faid, There fhalt thou be de/lroyed ; 
 There a full End /hall be made of thee. But, inftead 
 of that, Deliverance is infured unto the Church ; 
 it is infured in the Word of Grace and Promife, 
 by the Promife of him who cannot lie. There 
 (halt thou be delivered. Ye may notice that the De- 
 liverance is to be given even from Babylon ; There 
 fiyalt thou be delivered. The plain Meaning is, 
 \ nft when thou art brought to the greateft Pinch 
 oiExtremity, then in the Mount of the Lord it fhall 
 be feen ; then the facrcd Proverb fhall be verified, 
 JEHOVAH- JIREH, in the Mount of the Lord it 
 fhall be feen. Thou fh alt go even to Babylon, and there 
 
 /halt 
 
, , ; ;.; ( 9 ) , 
 fait thou be delivered. "When, upon the Matter, - 
 all feems to be loft and gone., then Deliverance fhall 
 come unto tbee • there /halt thou be delivered '?, there,. 
 in thy utmoft Pinch and Strait, Sovereignty fhalt 
 appear for thee for thy Delivery, Before I pafs 
 on to the Doctrine^ I obferve, by the Way, that 
 the Deliverance from r Babylon, it is held forth in 
 Scripture under two Things.. 
 , \ft. As a Type of the Redemption of the whole 
 Church and People, of God,, from, the Tyranny 
 and Bondage of Sin and Satan, by the great Re- 
 deemer , the Lord, Chrift, ,. The fpiritual Redemp- 
 tion of his People is held forth by the Redemption 
 given by Jofbua, and by their Deliverance from the 
 Captivity in Babylon, at the End of the threefcore 
 and ten Years in which he had Indignation. Again'^ 
 . zdfyt This. Deliverance from Babylon is held forth 
 as a Type of that glorious Deliverance that the ; 
 New Teftament Church, in the latter Days:, ihall 
 obtain from myflical Babylon, from Anliehriftian 
 Tyranny and Idolatry. Hence, m the iS-th'Chap- 
 ter of the Book" of the Revelation, and 2d Verfe of 
 that Chapter, Babyh$ t the great is fgjd to be fallen,, 
 and lhall rife no more, But I do- not infift farther 
 on any Explication of the Words. - . . - 
 , I proceed to draw a plain docirinal Proportion 
 from them,-, and in the Profecution of which Vrj& 
 folve to offer a very few Thoughts- 
 
 Docr.. That the great eft Extremity the Church 
 and People of God may be. brought into, makes Way 
 
 ' .. for a glorious Deliverance unto her. Or thus, . 
 
 'That the , Church and People of God are, fameUmes 
 brought int'O ihe great eft Extremity, that her De- 
 liverance may be the more confpicuous and glorious 
 
 if' 
 
( id ) 
 Thou fhalt go even to Babylon, and there fh ah thou \ 
 he delivered. The Lord brings his Church and 
 People to very great Extremities, and then juft fteps 
 in for their Relief and Deliverance, according to 
 that facred Proverb I cited already, In the Mount 
 of the Lord it /hall -he feen. The Scripture is full of 
 Inflances of this Kind : As for Example, when the 
 Church was in Egypt, what a great Extremity was 
 fhe in . ? She cries out under her Bondage, in that' 
 3d Chapter of Exodus ; and behold, when ihe is 
 brought into an Extremity, the Lord brings about 
 a wonderful Deliverance for her. In like Manner 
 alfo, in Hezekiah's Days, in the 37th Chapter of 
 the Prophecies of the Prophet Ifaiah, the Church, 
 in nis Time, is brought to fuch an Extremity, that 
 he cries out> This Day is a Day of Trouble, and of 
 Rebuke, and of Blafph'emy, for the Children are come to 
 the Birth, and there is not Strength to bring forth. 
 So the Lord makes a furprifirg Appearance, and- 
 works a great Deliverance for his Church and 
 People, even in the Days of this King, when me 
 was fo very low. Consider, my Friends what a 
 low Pafs the Church was in, .when the Prince of 
 Life was lying in the Grave.. Then the Church 
 was fcattered, and brought to the lowefi Extremi- 
 ty, yet this did iiTue in the raoft glorious Day that 
 ever the Church of Chrift did fee. Then out of 
 Zibn came forth the Law, and the Word of the 
 Lord from Jerufalem ; then came the Fountain out 
 f toe Houfe of the Lord, and watered the Val- 
 k of Sh'mim : That glorious Deliverance is the 
 Foundation of afi !, 1>fa£ after Deliverances to the 
 Church and F&bple'ofGod. But, not to infill, all 
 I intend upon the Doctrine, i$> 
 
 In the firjl Place, to oifer fome Remarks concer- 
 ning thofe extreme Straits that the^ Church and 
 
 People 
 
( II ) 
 
 People of God may be brought into before Deli= 
 verance come. idly. Give the Reafons why t-he 
 Church and People of God are brought into fuch 
 extreme Straits. idly. Obferve fome of the re- 
 markable Deliverances the Lord gives to the Daugh- 
 ter of Zion, when (lie is brought to Babylon, or to 
 tfrqfe extreme Straits or Difficulties. And then, in 
 the fifth and I aft Place, make fome practical Ufe and 
 Improvement of the Subject. 
 
 I return then to the fir ft of thefe, namely, to of- 
 fer fome Remarks concerning rhofe extreme Straits 
 that the Church and People of Qod may be brought 
 into. 
 
 In the fir ft Place, I remark* that as the Church 
 may be brought into extreme Straits before Delive- 
 rance come., fo all the Children that are brought 
 forth in Zion, they are fometimes brought into ex- 
 treme Straits ; as, in the fir ft Place, they are brought 
 into extreme Straits at their Birth \ idly. Some- 
 times they are brought into extreme Straits after 
 their Birth. 
 
 In the fir ft Place, I fay, they are brought to ex- 
 treme Straits in their fpiritual Birth. Thofe that 
 are brought forth .in Zion, the Lord makes a fear- 
 ful "Work in lefs or more in their Confci.en.ces •, the 
 Terror of the Lord takes hold on them ; they are 
 brought to the Foot of Mount Sinai ; the awful 
 Thunder of Mount Sinai thunders on their Hearts, 
 and here fome of them are kept under the Spirit 
 of Bondage for a conliderable Time. One of which 
 the Apoftle Paul-, feems to have been •, he feems to 
 have had fomething of this exemplified in himfelf, 
 when the Lord appeared to him in his Way to 
 Damafcus. He was ftruck down to the Ground, 
 Jtruck blind for fome Days, till Ananias came to 
 him with a MeiTage of Deliverance from God. It 
 is ordinary that the Children of God, in fuch a 
 "/'" ' Cafe 
 
 wjKmi* 
 
,( ':/? ) 
 
 jC&{c as this, arc under extreme Fears with refpecj 
 id the Iffue of their Diftrefs •, they are under ex- 
 treme Temptations -, Satan is permitted to attack 
 the Soul with hks fiery Darts, and fiery Temptati- 
 ons, in fo much that the\Sonl, in this* or fuch a 
 Cafe as this, is. brought Jo draw the .Gone] ufion, as 
 if their Cafe were deiperate. • .Sometimes, .before the 
 Dejive'ry, the Soul is brought to the very Borders of 
 Defperation. Thus, I. fay, 'thofe who are the Chil- 
 dren 'of:Zbn arc brought to an Extremity in their 
 fpiritual Birth, before the Lord give a Delivery to 
 them, before the Lord Chrift be revealed in them, 
 .before the Gofpel found in their Hearts : They 
 are brought to Mount Sinai before they are brought 
 to Mount Z'wn ; and when, 1 jn iuc.h a Cafe' as this, 
 the Lord is pleafed fometimes to appear remarkably 
 for them, in their Straits to fcatter their Cloud?, 
 arid to clear their Sky, by manifefting Jii^ Chrift 
 unto them, thus .they are brought unto Babylon, and 
 there- they are Delivered. 
 
 Again, idly. Thofe Children that are born irj- 
 Zio-n, they may have extreirie Straits after their 
 fpiritual Birth, after they are regenerated : T}ief 
 may fall yncler extreme Straits, fometimes of* 
 one Kind, -and fometimes of another ; they may, 
 and often do fall into the extreme Strait of the 
 Senfe of pittance from God, -tjie extreme Strait of 
 the Fear of eternal Wrath ; tho' this- is their Sin. 
 Legal Terrors may take hold on their Confciences 
 after Regeneration, as in the Inlfance of Neman 
 in the 88th Pfalm and iyth Vcrfe, f'am afflified^ 
 and 'ready to die from my Tenth up • While 1 fuffer thy 
 Terrors I am difirafled. The Lord's People, af- 
 ter thejr fpiritual Birth, may be brought under 
 extreme Temptations. The 4p on ^ c » in writing 
 fo the believing 'Epbefiam, exhorting them, -Chap- 
 ter <5th and Verk i ith, to put on the whole Armour 
 
( n ) 
 
 «/ God, that they may be able to ftand againft the 
 'Wiles of the Devil, gives us to underftand, that e~ 
 ven Believers themfelves, Perfons who are bom 
 again, may be attacked with the fiery Darts of the 
 Devil. Farther, the Lord's People, after their 
 fpiritual Birtji, may be brought to tjae extreme 
 Strait of Defection, and the hiding of God's 
 Countenance. Our Lord Jefus Ghriir him/elf 
 drank deep of this Cup, and that for the Sake of 
 all his litfjeOn.es, Pfalm xxii. i. compared with 
 Matthew xxv.ii. 46. My God, my God, why haft thou 
 forfakenme ! Again, the Lord's People, even after 
 Regeneration, may bring themfelves into extreme 
 Straits by their Backiliding from the Lord, in fo 
 niuch that they may need a Sight of their firit Con- 
 verfion. ' Herice we find the Pialmift praying, 
 Pfalm li. 10. Create in me a clean Heart, God, 
 and renew a right Spirit within me. They may be 
 brought into fuch an extreme Strait, that they 
 may be juft withering and dying, juft expiring ; yea 
 more, they may apprehend themfelves dead, cut ' 
 orFfor their Parts, as in that 3 7 th Chapter of Eze^ 
 kiel, and \ 1 th Verfe, Behold they fay, our Bones are 
 dried, our Hope is loft, we are cut off for our Paris. 
 To thefe, and fuch like extreme Straits, I fay, the 
 Lord's People may be brought, even after they are 
 born in Zion ; and I am much afraid, my Friends, 
 ;his is in a great Meafure your Cafe. There is 
 Ground, to apprehend it is the Cafe of the Lord's 
 Remnant at this Day, that they are brought to the 
 extreme Strait of Diftance from Goii, in their Ap= 
 prehenfion ; to the extreme Strait of a ilaviih and 
 unwarrantable Fear of eternal Wrath ; to the ex- 
 treme Strait of Temptations ana! Attacks from Sa- 
 tan ; to the extreme Strait of Defertion and the 
 hiding of God's Countenance ;' and that they are in 
 
 many 
 
( 1.4 ) 
 
 iftany fueh like Cafes. But is there not a Bow in 
 the Cloud ? Why, there is juft Help in the Lord 
 fcr fuch Extremities. When the Church in gene- 
 ral, or a Soul in particular, is brought into the 
 greateft Extremity, then, even then, he gives En- 
 largement to the Church or to the Soul : Thou /halt 
 go even to Babylon, and there /halt thou he delivered. 
 • To excite your Faith and Hope of this Deliverance, 
 when ye are brought to cry, Our Bones are dried t 
 our Hope is loft, and we are cut off for our Parts, con- 
 jfrder what you heard on Saturday, namely, that 
 Chrift is the Refurreclion and the Life, and fo, of 
 confequence, there is Redemption and Deliverance 
 in him, and in him for you. 
 
 But then, again, in the fecond Place, upon "this 
 Head, I remark, that fometimes Zion has an eafy 
 and a gentle Labour, and yet brings forth a nu- 
 merous and glorious Offspring ; a Proof of which 
 you have in the 66th. Chapter of the Prophecies 
 of the Prophet Jfaiah, and the 8th Verfe, Who hath 
 heard fuch a Thing? Who hath fe en fuch Things? 
 Shall the Earth be made to bring forth in one Day ? 
 Or fnall a Nation be born at once ? For, a/foon as Zion 
 travailed, /he brought forth her Children. Yea, not 
 only aiToon as Zion travails does me bring forth her 
 Children, in fuch a Cafe as this, but even before 
 Travail a numerous and glorious Offspring is pro- 
 duced from 'Z ion's pregnant Womb, as in the 7th 
 Verfe of that fame 66th of Jfaiah, Before /he tra- 
 vailed foe brought forth, before her Pain came /he was 
 delivered of a Man-Child'. This was immediately 
 verified after the Refurreclioif of our Lord Chrift, 
 on the Day of Pent eco/le ; and I may fay it has been 
 verified in a particular Manner even in Scotland, our 
 native Land, in her reforming Times, when the 
 
 Xor,4 
 
( i; ) 
 
 Lord led our Forefathers by the Hand out of the E- 
 gypt of black Popery and Paganifm, even to the 
 Length of a folemn Avouching of him to be their 
 God, and that with uplifted Hands to the moft high 
 ^God : Then, no fooner did Zion travail, but im- 
 mediately (he brought forth Children, a numerous 
 and glorious Offspring to the Lord Chriir. 
 
 But again, farther, in the third Place, upon this 
 Head, we may remark, that, before Zion be delive- 
 red, fhe may have long Trouble and Pain, me' may 
 jro forth out of the City, me may dwell in the Field ; 
 yea, more, me may go even to Babylon, before me 
 be delivered. You that are Believers in Chrift, true 
 Church-Members, the genuine Sons and Daughters 
 of Zion, you mult, be brought from one Strait to an- 
 other, from one Difficulty to another, one Extre- 
 mity to another, before you be delivered. Thou 
 fi alt- go forth out of the City, thou Jhalt dwell in the 
 Field ;- yea, thou (halt go even to Babylon, there 
 palt thou be delivered. 
 
 There are five Particulars with relation to the 
 extreme Straits the Church and People of God may ; 
 be brought into before Deliverance come, which I, 
 mall mention on this Remark. And, in the frff 
 Place, the Daughter of Zion may" be brought to this ; 
 Strait, of being ftript of all her Beauty. You have 
 a Word to this Purpofe in the firft Chapter of the' 
 Book of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, and there the 
 <5th Verfe, From the Daughter of Zion all her Beauty 
 is departed. All her Beauty is departed. What 
 think you is the Beauty of the Daughter of Zion, or 
 the Church of Chrift I Why, it con/ifts chiefly iri 
 thefe two Things, \ft. In Purity ; idly. -In the fpe- 
 cial Prefence of God. 
 
 Firft, I fay, the Beauty of the Daughter of Zion 
 confifteth in the Purity of Doctrine, Worfhip, 
 Difcipline and Government. The Beauty of the * 
 
 Daughter J^ 
 
C r6 ) 
 
 daughter of Z/o», I fay, eonfiiteth in the Purity oY 
 the Doctrines of the Gofpel delivered from the? 
 "Word ofTruthin the Church of Chrift, when no- 
 thing is taught therein, but what is exactly agree- 
 able to his Mind and Will, and when the .'Difci- 
 pline of his Houfe is managed and difpenfed accor- 
 ding to the Rule laid down in the Law and Te~ 
 ftimony, and the Government of his Houfe doth ex- 
 actly quadrate with the Pattern lliewn in the Mount 
 of divine, Revelation. But then, 
 
 idly. Not only docs the Beauty of the Daughter 
 q£ Zion c'onfifr. in the Beauty of Purity, but .alio 
 in the Beauty of Prefence, in the fpecial Prefence 
 of God in and with his Church and People! Re- 
 mark it, Sirs, when the Beauty of Purity departs 
 from ZioiJt fr° m the. Church-, the Beauty of Pre- 
 fence does not readily continue in her. O what -t 
 Beauty k it„ to Zw the Prefence of her God!- 
 ~Wh. en the Lord, Jefus Chrift, the King of Z/cw, is 
 in the Midft of her, he is her Beauty and Glory j 
 he himfelf is her Dignity and Excellency. To ap- 
 ply as we go along, we may fee what a deplorable 
 Cafe and Condition the 7 Daughter of !Lion\ the New 
 Teftamen?: Church, is in at this Day, when hef 
 fpiritual Beauty is, in fuch a great Meafure, de- 
 parted from her. When God took l>er by the 
 Hand, and led her out of Babylon, (he was .a noble' 
 Vine, wholly a right Seed ; but, alas, the noble 
 Vine is turned into the degenerate Plant of a 
 ftrange Vine! The Beauty of Purity is in a great 
 Meafure defaced among all the Churches of Chrifr, 
 and in the Church of Scotland- amongft the reft s 
 And as the Beauty is defaced, is not alio the divine 1 
 Prefence departed in a great Meafure, in fo much/ 
 that a Lamentation may be taken up over her, J/ow , 
 ts thy Gold become dim ! Hew is the mofl fins Cold. 
 
 changed!" 
 
( *7 ) 
 changed / Kow is Error mingled with the pure 
 Doctrines of his Word in this Day of Degeneracy 
 from the Lord ! How is the Light of his Counte- 
 nance, withdrawn in a great Meafure ! He hath, 
 fhut up himfelf in a Cloud, that we cannot per- 
 ceive him : It is not with us as in Months pair, 
 when the Lord made his Candle to fhine upon our 
 Head. 
 
 A id Particular I (hall mention on this Remark, 
 is, That the Church ofChrift, the Daughter of 
 Zion, may be fent out of the City, to dwell in the 
 Field, <bc. before me he delivered ; that is, The 
 Church may be brought to a very gfeat Strait* 
 laid under the Feet of her Adverfaries, under the 
 Feet of her Enemies.. Hence the Church cries 
 out, becaufe of Affliction, her Perfecutors overtook 
 her. Sometimes this is the Cafe, her Enemies they 
 overtake her, me is carried Captive by them, car- 
 ried even to Babylon by them, and troden under 
 Foot by them for fome Time. 
 
 But then, a %d Particular I mention, on this Re- 
 mark, is, That the Church ofChrift, before me 
 be delivered, may be brought to this Strait, eveii 
 to be deprived of her facred Solemnities. This 
 we fee was the Cafe of the Church here, as is 
 plainly pointed out in the Words read, Thou Jhalt 
 go forth out of the City ; that is, Thoir lhall be de- 
 prived of thy facred Solemnities, thou (halt be de- 
 prived of thy folemn Feaft>Days. Hence is that 
 Word, The Ways to Zion languifh, the- Gates qfi 
 Zion languijh, none come to her folemn Feafls. 
 
 A 4/7; Particular I mention on this Remark, is, 
 That the Church of Chrift, the Daughter of Zion, 
 before fhe be delivered, may be brought to this 
 Strait, that there may be no publick Teftimony lift- 
 ed up for ths Truth of God, for his declarative 
 Q Olorf 
 
 
( i8 ) 
 
 Glory amongft them ; as for Inftance, this was 
 the Cafe of the Church in the 7 4th Pfalm, and 
 there the 9 th Verfe, We fee not our Signs, there is 
 no more any Prophet, neither is there any among us 
 who knoweth how long. You have alfo a "Word in 
 the 1 ith Chapter of the Revelation, and 8th Verfe, 
 which concerneth old Babylon, but is- typical of the 
 New Teftament Church, Their dead Bodies Jhall ly 
 in the Street of the great City, which fpiritually is 
 called Sodom and Egypt, where alfo our Lord was 
 crucified. Whether this Prophecy is fulfilled or 
 not, as yet, I fhall not determine : But it fpeaks 
 a Falling of theTeftimony of Chrift in the Church, 
 and among the People of God, when the Beauty 
 of the Daughter o^ Zion departs from her, and her 
 Enemies have her under their Feet. O what an 
 extreme Strait is ihe in when fhe comes to be 
 ftript of her Beauty, held under the Feet of her 
 Adverfaries, deprived of her Solemnities, and when 
 all publick Teftimony for the Glory of Immanuel 
 falls to the Ground ! Thefe indeed are great Ex- 
 tremities ; yet, 
 
 Lafily, Upon this Remark, we tell you, fome- 
 times the Church and People of God, the Daugh- 
 ter of Zion, before Deliverance, Hay be brought 
 to this Extremity, that there is no vijible Outgate 
 for her, no Help, no Deliverance, to any human 
 Appearance. Thus you fee it was with the Church 
 and People of God in Ezekiel's Days. In the 37 th 
 Chapter of Ezekiel, and 11th Verfe, the Church 
 is fpoken of after this Manner, Then hefaid unto me, 
 Sen of Man, thefe Bones are the whole Houfe oflC- 
 rael : Behold, they fay, Our Bones are dried, and our 
 Hope is loft, we are cut off for our Parts. Thus far 
 may the Daughter of Zion be brought before De- 
 liverance : But it is worthy of our Notice an d 
 
 Obfervation 
 
( IP ) 
 
 Obfcrvation, that, when fhe is brought to this Pinch 
 and Strait, juft when, fhe is faying her Bones are 
 dried and her Hope loft, even then, in that In- 
 terim, behold Deliverance comes ; as we may fee 
 in the Verfes immediately following the Church's 
 grietous Complaint, Verfes 12th and 13th, There- 
 fore prophecy and fay unto them, Thus faith the Lord 
 God, t behold,' my People, I will open your Graves,, 
 and caufe you to come up out of your Graves, and 
 bring <you into the Land of Ifrael ; and ye /hall know 
 that I am the Lord, when I have opened your Graves, 
 my People, and brought you up out of your Graves ! A- 
 greeable to this Purpofe alfo, is what we have in 
 the 1 ith of 'the Revelation, from the 8th to the 12th 
 Verfe of that Chapter. There we fee the Witnef- 
 fes are flain, their dead Bodies are laid on the 
 Streets, all feems to be loft and gone ; but even 
 this Extremity juft preceeds a glorious Delivery 
 and Revival to his Church. And their dead Bodies 
 jh all ly in the Streets of the great City, which ffiritu- 
 ally is called Sodom and Egypt, where alfo our Lord 
 was crucified ; and they of the People, and Kindred, and 
 Tongues, and Nations, /hall Jee their dead Bodies, 
 three Days and an Half and pall not fuffer their 
 dead Bodies to be put in Graves ; (fo great fhall be 
 their Tyranny and Cruelty) and they that dwell up- 
 on the Earth /hall rejoice over them, and make merry t 
 and fall fend Gifts one to another,, becaufe thefe two 
 Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth. 
 Note what follows, And after three Days and an 
 Half, the Spirit of Life from God entred into them, 
 and they flood upon their Feet, and great Fear fell 
 upon them which faw them. Here we fee plainly, 
 when all Hope feemed to be loft and gone, and .he 
 Babylonians feemed to have got all their Will of 
 the Church of God, yet his Thoughts are not 
 
 their 
 
( SO ) 
 
 their Thoughts, for the Spirit of Life from 
 God enters into them, and then they are fet to 
 their Feet again. This much for the extreme 
 Straits that the Church and People of God may 
 be brought unto before Deliverance come, and fo 
 I pafs the Remarks, and go on to the 
 
 Second general Head which I propofed, namely, 
 To give the Reafons why the Church an«4 People^of 
 God are brought into luch extreme Straits before 
 Deliverance come. 
 
 There arc only thefe few Reafons following 
 which I {hall affign for it at prefent. In the fir)} 
 Place, the Church and People of God are brought 
 into extreme Straits before Deliverance, that the 
 glorious Majefty of God may be proclaimed, that 
 his infinite Holinefs may be publifhed and declared, 
 that his Hatred and Deteiration of Sin may be'e- 
 tddenccd ; for he is a God of purer Eyes than to 
 behold Iniquity, and cannot look upon Sin. All 
 the Churches muft know, that the Lord fearch- 
 eth the Heart and trieth the Reins ; if there be 
 any Sin latent there, behold he will find ir out ; 
 and fo, when his Church and People backflide 
 from him, go a -whoring from him, then he will 
 manifeft his infinite Holinefs and Hatred of Sin, 
 in puniihing them for their Iniquity, and, in fo 
 doing/he will bring them into extreme Straits, 
 put them out of the City, make them dwell in the 
 Field, yea, bring them even to Babylon : For the 
 Tranfgrejfion of Jacob is all this, and for the Iniquity 
 cftheHoafeoflfrac]. But again, in the 
 
 id Place, The Chinch and People of God are 
 brought into extreme Straits before Deliverance. 
 "Why ? For this End, that he 'may try the Faith and 
 patience of his People, that he may be glorified in 
 and by the Faith and Patience of hisPeopic. Obferve 
 
 the 
 
( afi ) 
 
 the Expreffion you have in the 13th Chapter of the 
 Revelation, and 10th Verfe, Here is the Faith and 
 Patience of the Saints ; that is, Here the Faith and 
 Patience of the i tints is tried ; here the Faith 
 and Patience di the Sairits is kythed ; here God 
 is glorified in trie \ aith and Patience of the Saints ; 
 here the Truth and Reality of the true Religion 
 of Jefus is vindicated and afferted by the Faith and 
 Patience of the Saints. Again, 
 
 %dly. The Church and People of God are 
 brought into extreme Straits before Deliverance, 
 for this End aifo, that God's Hand may he fetn 
 in giving the Deliverance to his Church and People. 
 Thou /halt even go to Babylon, and there Jhalt thou be 
 delivered ; there the Lord fall redeem thee from the 
 Hand of thine Enemies. I fay, the Church and 
 People of God are brought into extreme Straits 
 before Deliverance, juft that God himfelf may be 
 eminently and conipicuouily feen in giving the De- 
 liverance ; that the Love and Pity of God may be 
 feen, in taking Care of his Church and People till 
 the Deliverance be wrought ; that the Power and 
 Omnipotence of God may be eminently feen and 
 difplayed in giving the Deliverance ; it is jufl, 
 that Jehovah do appear like himfelf, in breaking 
 the mighty Gates of Brafs, and cutting the Bars 
 of Iron afunder. It is he that fpeaks of Cyrus as a 
 Type of Ghrift, in the 45th Chapter oijfaiah's 
 Prophecies, and ack Verfe. When he is about 
 to deliver Zion, he fays, 1 will go before thee, and 
 make their crooked Place? freight : I will break in 
 Pieces the Gates of Brafs, and cut in finder the Bars 
 of Iron : and I will give thee the Treafarcs of Dark - 
 vefs, and hidden Riches of fecret Places, that thou 
 mayed know that I the Lord, which call thee by thy 
 fap*i a:;: the.Godofl^^ Thus, 1%, he aL 
 
( 3* ) — 
 
 lows the Church and People of God to be brought 
 into extreme Straits before Deliverance, that his 
 Hand may be feen in giving the fame, that his 
 glorious Sovereignty may be known ; that he mav 
 manifeft to the World that he is IfraeVs own God, 
 in raifing them up when brought low ; for, when 
 the Lord builds up Zion, he jhail appear in his Glory. 
 The tfh and la ft Reafon I fhall aflign, why the 
 Church and People of God are brought into ex- 
 treme Straits before Deliverance, is, that he may 
 purify and refine the Daughter of Zion. She mud. 
 go even to Babylon. Why ? It is juft that file 
 may be purified and refined in Babylon; that fhe 
 may be purified in Babylon ; that her Profs may 
 be removed in Babylon. To this Purpofe you have 
 a remarkable Word in the 13 th Chapter of the 
 Prophecies of the Prophet Zechariah, and there 
 the laft Verfe, f And I will bring the third Part 
 through the Fire, and will refine them as Silver is re- 
 fined, and will try them as Gold is tried. They jhall 
 call on my Name, and 1 will hear them. 1 will fay, 
 It is my People ; and they Jhall fay, The Lord is my 
 God. For this End and Purpofe, I fay, he fees 
 meet to bring his People even to Babylon, that he 
 may purify and refine them. Why, hereby his 
 Church is reformed, and the Drofs feparated from 
 the true Metal. The Lord makes fuch a Time, 
 and fuch a Mean, a manifefting Time and Mean. 
 My Friends, there are many of you, who are 
 flocking to Communions now, who, if the Lord 
 bring his Church into Babylon, I am afraid there 
 will be faJ'Difcoveries of you ; Chrift, it may be, 
 will have a thin Backing then, in refpecl of what 
 is now, tho' Chrift will never want a Backing. 
 For thefe and many fuch Reafons it is, that the 
 Church and People of God, the Daughter of Zhn% 
 
 are 
 
< . 23 > I 
 
 arc ordinarily brought into extreme Straits befon| •; 
 Deliverance come. But y 
 
 I proceed to the 3 J general Head in the. Method?' 
 which was, to obferve fome of the remarkable 
 Deliverances which the Lord gives to the Daughter 
 efZion, when me is brought to Babylon, or to thefe 
 extreme Straits and Difficulties. 
 
 I only offer thefe few Thoughts concerning this 
 Deliverance. In the firft Place, this Deliverance 
 which he gives to the Daughter ofZion, his Church 
 ahd People, as to its Nature, it is a fpiritual De- 
 liverance, filch a Deliverance as all who have re- 
 ceived the Spirit of Adoption, do look out for, 
 and earneftly defire ; and as it is a fpiritual De- 
 liverance as to the Nature of it, fo it is a fpiritual/ 
 Deliverance in reipecl of the Means by which it is 
 brought about. What then are the primary Means 
 by which it is brought about, by which the Lord 
 gives it ? Why, it is by the Power and Spirit of 
 Chrift : Not by Might nor by Power, but by my Spi- 
 rit, faith the Lord ofHojis. When the Lord comes 
 to deliver his Church and People from myftical 
 Babylon, How fhall the Deliverance be brought a- 
 bout? Why, you have the Anfwer, iTheJf. ii. 8. 
 The Lord fhall confume him with the Spirit of his 
 Mouth, and fhall dejlroy him with ihe ' Bright nefs of 
 his Coming. With ihe Spirit of his Mouth ; that is, 
 juft the Word of the Gofpel accompanied with 
 .his holy Spirit, giving a glorious Manifestation 
 of the Son of God in a Gofpel-Difpenfation. With. 
 the Brightnefs cf his Coming ; that is, there mall be 
 fuch a bright Manifeiration of the wonderful Per- 
 fon ofChrift in the Gofpel-Difpenfation, that the 
 blinded Nations mall give over wondring after the 
 Beaft, and fhall look upon this great Sight with * 
 "Wonder and Praife, There is a Vail drawn over 
 
 the . 
 
(24 ) 
 
 the Glory of the Perfon of Chrift by Baby hi at this 
 Day, and fb Babylon fhall be deitroyed, and the 
 Church and People of God delivered, juft bv a 
 bright fupernatnral Difplay of the Glory of the 
 Perfon of Chrift in the Difpenfation of the Go- 
 fpel carried home to Sinners by the holy Spirit* 
 And thus, I fay, it is a fpiritual Deliverance, as to 
 the Nature of it, and : the Means by which it is 
 brought about. 
 
 A 2*3? Thought I offer concerning this Deliver- 
 ance, which he gives his Church and People when 
 brought to extreme Straits, is, That as it is, as to 
 its Nature, a fpiritual Deliverance, fo the Wry 
 and Manner in which he brings about this Deliver- 
 ance, is, by pouring out his Spirit upon his Church 
 and People. If it be asked, How long is it till the 
 Daughter of Zion be delivered ? You have the An- 
 fwer, which alfo points out the Manner of it, £ 
 fa. xxxii. 15". Until the Spirit be poured upon us from 
 on high, and the Wilder nefs b'e%a fruitful Field, and 
 the fruitful Field be counted for a Fore ft. The Lord 
 works Deliverance for his Church and People, 
 when the Spirit comes down like Dew upon Mount 
 Zion ; when that Promifehach its Accomplishment, 
 Hofea xiv. $. I will be as the Dew to Ifrael ; he [hall 
 arow as the Lilly, and ca ft forth his Roots as Lebanon^ 
 The Lord works Deliverance for -his Church and 
 People, when-that Word of Grace, If. xlivr. 3, 4. 
 5. is accompli (lied, I will pour Water upon him that 
 is thirfly, I will pour Floods upon the dry Ground, I will 
 pour my Spirit upon thy Seed, and my Blejftug.upon thine 
 Offspring. What mall be the Effect ? Why, it 
 fhall be Deliverance to the. Daughter of Zion : For 
 they (Jjall fpring up as among the Grafs, as Willows by 
 the Water-Courfes. One Jhall fay, I am the Lord's, and 
 another Jhall call himfelf by the Name of Jacob, and 
 
 another 
 
another pall fuhfcribe with his Hand unto the Lord, and 
 fimame himfelfby the Name o/Tfrael. O then, Sirs, 
 when the Spirit is thus poured out from on high,, 
 they fhall go to Zion, as it is fa id of the returning 
 Captives, Jet. 1. 4, 5". In thofe Days, and in that 
 'Time, faith the Lord, the Children of lhael fhall come, 
 they and the Children of Judah together, going 
 and weeping ; they /ball go and fee k the Lord their 
 God; they Jh all ask the Way to Zion, with their Faces 
 thitherward, &c. The Time of the Church's Deli- 
 verance it is a weeping Time ; a Time of weeping 
 for the great Difhonours done to the Head of the 
 Church, by the Sins of the Members of the Church ; 
 then they look upon him whom they have pierced, 
 and mourn for him; there is a Going, and a Weeping 
 as they go : But as it is a weeping Time, fo it is a 
 rejoicing Time. Thefe are not inconfiftent ; wc 
 fee it was a rejoicingTime to the returning Captives, 
 as well as a weeping Time to them, Pfalm cxxvh 
 I, 2, 3. When the Lord turned again the Captivity 
 of "Zion, we were like them that dream : Then was our 
 Mouth filled with Laughter, and our Tongue with 
 Singing : Thenfaid they among the Heathen, The Lord 
 hath done great Things for them ; the Lord hath done 
 great Things for us, whereof we are glad. But then, 
 a^ it is a weeping Time, and a rejoicing Time, fo a 
 Time of Deliverance to the Daughter of Zion ; it is 
 a covenanting Time. When the Daughter of Zion 
 is delivered from Babylon it is a covenanting Time, 
 as in thatforccited 50th of Jeremiah, and 5th Verfe, 
 Come, (fay Ifrael and Judah) and let us join ourfelves 
 to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant, that /hall never be 
 forgotten. It is a Time of taking hold of God's Co- 
 venant of Grace, of taking hold of the Head of the 
 Covenant of Grace, of taking hold of him who is the 
 All and in all of the Covenant of Grace, who is gi- 
 ven to be the Covenant of the People, who is gi- 
 D vea 
 
( 9« ) 
 
 vcn to be God's Salvation to the Ends of the Earth ; 
 •and, in confequence of this taking hold of God's 
 Covenant of Grace, of him who is the Head and 
 Surety of the Covenant of Grace, there is a Joining 
 themfelves to the Lord in a Covenant of Duty, to 
 keep his Judgments and Statutes, andto hearken to 
 his Voice. It is a Time when they -vow and fwcar 
 Subjection to the King of Zion. I might .tell you, 
 upon this Head, were I to infill , how that, when 
 the Lord, by Means of the Preaching of the Go- 
 spel, did deliver the Church of Scotland 'from An- 
 tichriitian Babylon, when, by the Blowing of the Sil- 
 ver Trumpet of the glorious Gofpel, he made the 
 "Walls of Babylon to fall in Scotland, juft like the 
 "Walls of Jericho by the Sounding of Rams Horns, 
 then he fo remarkably appeared againft Antichrift, 
 that he led our Fathers the Length of a folemn A- 
 vouching of the Lord to be their God ; fo that that 
 Time of Deliverance was a Time of folemn Cove- 
 nanting. I might alfo lliew that it has been the 
 Practice of the Churches of Germany, France, and 
 others, in fuch a Time, to devote themfelves to the 
 Lord in a Covenant of Duties. Such a Time has 
 been a Time of thefe Nations faying, Come, and let 
 lis join ourfelves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant ne- 
 ver to be forgotten ; wherein the Nations have faid, 
 Come, and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to 
 the Houfeofthe 6Wo/~ Jacob, and he will teach us of his 
 Ways, and we will walk in his Paths. But, not to infill, 
 In the %d Place, another Thought I offer, with 
 reference to the Deliverance of his Church 3nd 
 People, when brought into extreme Straits, is, That 
 he delivers her in a moll furprifing Way and Manner : 
 Thou (halt even go to Babylon. . Strange ! What to 
 do at Bah'ou! Why, 7 here /halt thou be delivered. 
 "Who would expect Deliverance in Babylon P Well, 
 but there thou ilialt be delivered. This was fur- 
 prifing 
 
( 27 > \ 
 prifing to the Church of old, as is intimated in that 
 forecited 126th Pfilm, and ifl Verfe, When the Lord 
 turned again the Captivity of Zion, we were like Men ■ 
 that dream. We could not believe it ; we were like to 
 take it for a Dream, it came fo furprifingly to Hand 
 in fuch a furprifing Place, even in Babylon. As the 
 Lord delivers his Church and People in a furprifing 
 "Way and Manner, even in Babylon, fo we may no- 
 tice here, that the Inftruments the Lord gives the 
 Deliverance by are alfo furprifing. • The Lord raif- 
 ed up Cyrus King oiPerjia, as an Inftrument for the 
 Deliverance of his Church from Babylon. Who 
 would have expected Deliverance from fuch an 
 Airth ? He cafts down the Bobylonijh Empire, and 
 lets up the Perfian. Why is all this ? Juft for Ja- 
 cob his Servant's Sake, and Ifrael his Elect ; juft that 
 Cyrus might be the Inftrument of Deliverance to his 
 People ; both in an unlikely Seafon and by an un- 
 likely Inftrument, that the Work might be feen to 
 be of God. I may tell you here, Sirs, that when. 
 God delivered his Church and People in thefe Lands 
 out of Antichriftian Babylon, he did it both in an un- 
 likely Seafon, and by an unlikely Inftrument. As 
 to the Time and Seafon of it, it was juft when 
 Darknefs and Tyranny were arrived at their greatelt 
 Height and Degree. As to the Inftrument, why, 
 it was juft by opening the Eyes of a poor blind Fri- 
 er, (Luther} in fpiriting him to preach againft Baby-,. 
 Ion ; and fo, by one Inftrument after another, he 
 carried on his Work in Spite of all Oppofition from 
 Hell or Earth. Some of vou know what a great 
 and extreme Strait this Church was brought into, 
 when God appeared in the Year 1638. and how 
 unexpected the Deliverance was, both as to the 
 Seafon and Inftruments, is very well known : By 
 the Inftrumcntality of fome poor Inftruments he tum- 
 bled 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 bled doy/n Antichriftian Prelacy, turned us tohim- 
 felf, made us join ourfelves to the Lord hy folemn 
 national Engagements, and made Perfons of all 
 Ranks fay, / am the Lord's. Again, How furprifing 
 was the Deliverance God Wrought for his Church 
 and People in thefe Lands, when they were brought, 
 to the greater!: Extremity in the Year id88. fifty 
 Years ago ? If we confider the Hiftory of that Time 
 we will find the Deliverance was moft furprifing, 
 both as to the Seafon when, and Inftrument by 
 whom it was brought about. Why, it was in a Timey 
 when thefe Lands were threatned with a Deluge of 
 Popery, when a Popifti Sword was drawn, and rea- 
 i 4y to be fheathed in the Bowels of the Inhabitants 
 of thefe Lands : And as to the Inftrument of that 
 Deliverance, Who would thought that God fhould 
 have fent to another Land for an Inftrument, by 
 whom he would bring back our Captivity, as he 
 then did, when he brought our late Sovereign King 
 William from Holland, to banifti a Popifh Tyrant 
 from theThrone of Britain P Was it not furprifing ? 
 Thus, we fay, God delivers his Church and People, 
 when brought info extreme Straits, in a moft fur- 
 prifing Way and Manner. 
 
 I (hall only add, on this Head, in the 4//; and 
 lafl Place, .that the Deliverance he gives to his 
 Church and People, when brought into extreme 
 Straits, it is in a Manner becoming the great Deli- 
 verer, becoming himfelf ; it is in fuch a Manner as 
 he himfelf will be feen in it. I mail not here enlarge, 
 having hinted at this formerly, only, in a Word, 
 when he delivers the Daughter of Zion from the 
 Daughter of Babylon, it is in fuch a Way and Man- 
 ner, as that it may be faid, That their Sword did 
 , not get them the Land, neither did their Arm fave them, 
 but his Right-Hand) and his holy Arm, and the Light of 
 
 his, 
 
\ 
 
 < . 29 ) 
 
 his Countenance alone, that works the Salvation. It Is 
 m a Manner becoming himfelf. 
 
 I mall not infill, farther on the doctrinal Part. 
 I come to conclude the whole in an Uie of Infor- 
 mation, Confolation and Exhortation. 
 
 I fhall be fhort, may the Lord affifl: us in the 
 Uie of this Doctrine : It was with Difficulty I 
 entred upon this Subject, but another I could not 
 think upon. Let us then have our E}es to him 
 in the Ufe and Improvement of this Doctrine. 
 
 Is it fo, then, that the Church and People of 
 God are brought into the greatefl Extremity, that 
 their Deliverance may be the more cor fpic nous 
 and glorious r • Then, ifl. for Information. In a 
 fhort Word, be informed of the prefent Situation 
 of the Church and People of God. I ihall read 
 you a Queilion upon this Ufe of the Doctrine, to- 
 gether with its Anfwer. You have it in the 2 1 ft of 
 Ifaiah, and 1 ith and 12th Verfes of that Chapter, 
 The Burden o/*Dumah. He calleth to me out o/Seir, 
 Watchman, What of the Night ? Watchmen, What 
 of the Night ? If you enquire at me, Watchman,, 
 What of the Night, I anfwer unto you juft in the 
 "Words of the Spirit of God, The Morning con:etb, 
 and a/fo the Night. The Morning of a Deliverance 
 to his Church Ihall come, but yet, in the mean 
 Time, know that the Night goes before the Mor- 
 ning. We have at this Day, in a great Mcafure, 
 a Night of it, but the Night will be darker yet, 
 before the Morning come ; the Night poes before 
 the Morning : Therefore the Prophet, in this 
 Word, gives them to know, that tho' it was Night 
 when the Call was given, What of the Night. f 
 Yet it mould be darker, for fome of it was to come 2 
 The Morning cometh, and alfo the Night. And, my 
 Friends, tho' the Night is dark upon the Churches 
 oi Chrift at prefent, tho' it be now a Night of 
 
 Withering 
 
( 3° ) 
 
 "Withering, a Night of Error, a Night of Back- 
 fliding, a Night of Falling away from the Lord, 
 yet, Sirs, tho' the Night is dark, I am afraid the 
 darker! of the Night is not yet come. Why, 
 fay you, Can the Night be darker ? Can the Cafe 
 of the Church be worfe than it is juft now, under 
 the weary Scatterings there are among the People 
 of God, under the Heart-overwhelming Breakings 
 there are among the People of God, under the fad 
 "Witherings and Decays that take Place among 
 the People of God ? Yea, Sfrs, the Night may be 
 darker yet ; the Daughter of Zion may not only 
 go out of the City, but dwell in the Field, and go 
 even to Babylon, before fhe be delivered. . I think 
 our Text is very expreffive of our prefent Situation 
 in this Land, Thou jh alt go forth out of the City, and 
 thou /halt dwell in the Field, and ihoujhalt go even to 
 Babylon, he. I fay, our Text is much expreffive 
 of our Cafe •, as for Inftance, Are we not made 
 to go out of the City ? Are we not caft out of 
 the Bofom of the prefent eftablimed Church by 
 their iniquous Acts and Procedures? But then, 
 tho' we are made to go forth out of the City, we 
 are not yet wholly, made to dwell in the Field, 
 not yet deprived of our facred Solemnities, for we 
 have had Occafion to fee, in this Place, the folemn 
 facred Symbols of our Lord's broken Body and 
 fhed Blood fet before us ; but as this Ordi- 
 nance has been difpenfed in a witneffing Congre- 
 gation, in a Congregation who are by Profeffion 
 gone forth out of the City, on their Way to 
 dwell in the Field, why, in fo far the Text is 
 expreffive of our prefent Situation *, and, before 
 the Deliverance come, we may be deprived of Oc- 
 cafions of this Nature, made to dwell in the Field, 
 yea, brought even to Bahyhn. We are net. yet 
 
 under 
 
< 3I . X . 
 
 under the Feet of an Antichriftian Party in Baby-' 
 Ion, -but, ere all be done, we may even go to Baby- 
 lon. We are as yet privileged with the Standard 
 of a publlck Teflimony for the Doctrine, Worihip, 
 Difcipline and Government of the Church of Scat* 
 land : However weak and worthlefs fbme of us 
 are to put our Hand to it, yet it is a ftanding 
 Teftimony for the Caufe and Intereft of Chrift, 
 whatever Way a corrupt Generation may look up- 
 on it : But, Sirs, before all be done, the Standard 
 of a publick Teflimony may altogether fall to the 
 Ground in this Land. I lhall not determine the 
 Queftion anent that di r mal Event we have in the 
 iitb Chapter of the Revelation, concerning the 
 Killing of the Witneffes, whether it be paft, or 
 -to come. Great Men have differed in their Opi- 
 nions. Some have thought that Event was brought 
 about at the Reformation by Luther ; they think 
 the Killing of the Witneffes refpected that Time. 
 Others think it will fall in with the laft fatal 
 •Stroke that lliall be given unto an Antichriftian 
 Party, which tball ufher in the Glory of the lat- 
 ter Times ; and that, immediately before that, 
 there mail be a Deluge of Popery, a general Kil- 
 ling of the Witneffes, a general Falling of a 
 Teftimony for Chrift; I fay, I fhalf not determine 
 this Queftion •, I mail only remark two or three 
 Things farther tipon this Ufe, for our Information 
 With reference unto all the Churches of Chrift at 
 this Day, and particularly with reference unto 
 the Church of Scotland, which gives Ground to 
 think that we mail be fent even to. Baby Ion before a 
 Deliverance (hall be given unto lis. 
 
 Fir ft, I remark, That when an univerfal and ge- 
 neral Apoftafy and Tyranny doth prevail in any 
 reformed Church, it threatens we ihaii go even to 
 -». , Bahyhn 
 
( 32 ) 
 Bahylon before we be delivered : And how far this 
 has been and is the Cafe with thefe Churches cal- 
 led Reformed, any who are acquainted with the 
 Hiftory of them may judge. Why, the Arlan 
 and Pelagian Here/ies have fo raged in the 
 Churches abroad, that they juft paved a Way for 
 the Man of Sin, and tended to make Antichrifl 
 mount the Throne ; and fo much do thefe pre- 
 vail in thofe Churches, which at leaft have the 
 Name of. Reformed and Proteftant Churches, to- 
 gether with the prevailing of AntichriftianTyranny 
 among them, that they bode fair for our going 
 even unto Babylon, before a Deliverance come. If 
 any ask the Reafon why the reformed Churches 
 are fo dreadfully fallen under the Feet ofAriti- 
 chriitian Tyranny, the Spirit of God gives the 
 Anfwer of this Queftion, 2 TheJ/l ii. to, ii, 12. 
 Becaufe they received not the Love of the Truth, that 
 they might be faved : For this Caufe God fhall fend 
 them flrong Delufwn, that they fhould believe a Lie ; 
 that they all might be damned who believed not the 
 Truth, but had Pleafure in Unrighteoufnefs.. This 
 ■ufliered in the Revelation of Antichrift, and this 
 paved a Way for that difmal Apoftafy from the 
 Chriftian Faith and Profellion, which takes Place 
 at this Day in the Churches ofGhriit, and in Scot- 
 land in particular. 
 
 In the 2d Place, I remark, That when an um- 
 verfal Degeneracy prevails among all the reformed 
 Churches, in Practice as well as in, Principle, it 
 threatens that the Daughter of'Zion, mail go even 
 to Bvbylon before lhe be delivered. How far this 
 is the Cafe with us, let any thinking Perfon judge; 
 the Truth is not^ received in the Love of it; the 
 Glory of Ghriftis daikned and vailed-, Men de- 
 fpifc the Grace of God. I think there is nothing 
 
 more 
 
( is > 
 
 irrore threatens us than .an Inundation of Pcrrjerf • 
 at this Day ; why, already the Land is overfpread' 
 with a fearful Overflow of Deifm : and' Ath'eifm',. 
 2nd of many corrupt Doctrines fubvernve of the 
 pure Truths of the Gofpel of Chrift : And. does 
 not this bode : an Inundation of Popifli -Darknefs, 
 that we fliall be fent even to Babylon before wc be; 
 delivered ? And withal it bodes very ill, that there 
 is fuch_a Fainting- with refpect unto zpublick Tefti- 
 mony for Chrift, and the Truths of Chrift. . Is it 
 hot lamentable and ftrange, we deftre to fpeak it 
 with Grief, that the prefenf Church' are fo far 
 from lifting up a particular Teftimony for the ; 
 particular Truths that are impugned and denied 
 in the Day and Time wherein we live, that they 
 are with Might and Main endeavouring to run 
 down and oppofe the Teftimony that we -have,. 
 Under the good Conduct, of our Clod, been directed 
 to .lift up for the Truth of Chrift, and again ft a 
 Deluge of Error, and Defection from the Truth 
 and Caufe of God ? Yea„they are come the Length 
 of flaying'and running down fuch as are rriinting-to, 
 own this Mite of a Teftimony for Chrift, , But 
 what is the Matter of running- down ..us \ "What 
 tho' we be .run dowa, providing the Truths of. 
 Chrift, the Rights and Prerogatives of Chrift, were/ 
 maintained ? Let our, Name and Reputation and all 
 go, but let Chrift's Name and Fame be exalted and 
 let on high. Sirs, I know not if ever I had Occanen 
 to fpeak in Chrift's Name to fo many of his fcatter- 
 ed Flock at once ; allow me, for I mnft tell yo:', 
 that the Daughter oi]Zion x the Church and Peopls 
 of God, ought not to neglect any pubhek frei ; 
 Teftimony for the Truths of Chrift, and againf: 
 the Indignities done to him and his Caufe. I think^ 
 
( 34 ) 
 for Mourning at this Day, that, when the Banner 
 of a Teftimony is lifted up, fo few gather to it, 
 and fo many are endeavouring to bear it down : 
 It is Matter of Lamentation, and calls aloud for 
 Mourning, Sirs, that the Sins of former Times 
 mud be extenuated, covered 'and* palliated : It 
 has a threatning AfpecT, that we will not lament 
 our own nor our Fathers Iniquities, and return to 
 the Lord. This would fay that we (ball go 
 even to Babylon before we be delivered. I have 
 obferved likeways with Regret how many Profef- 
 fors, through the different Comers of Scotland, m 
 the Year 1732. came with their Teftimonies be- 
 fore the Church Judicatures of this Land, remon- 
 strating and reclaiming againfl the violent Intrufions 
 made upon the Heritage of God : They would 
 have been then content to have feen bpublick Tefti- 
 mony lifted up for Chrift, and his Truth and Caufe, 
 but, alas, what is become of fome of them now ! 
 IjTear, inftead of that former Zeal whereby they 
 were' acted, a Latitudinarian Principle prevails with 
 them, they have got over their former Stri<5tnefs, 
 and can fall in with a boundlefs Toleration for all 
 Sorts of Religion, which will be introductive of 
 of r ali Sorts 1 of Loofenefs and Profanity : The 
 Hedge of Government is taken down at this Day, 
 and the Daughter of Zk lies open to the wild 
 Boars of the Foreft to devour her, and the wil^l 
 Beall of the Field to wafte her. I warn you, in the 
 Name of the Lord, whoever you be that give 
 Countenance and Afliftance to the taking down 
 this Hedge, tho' you were the Signet on his right 
 Hand, you fhall fmart for it; you fhall fmart for 
 your oppofing a Teftimony for the Government 
 of Chrift's Houfe in this covenanted Land : You 
 are blinded as to the Gaufe of Chrift at this Day ; 
 
 and 
 
C 3*' > 
 
 and therefore it is, that you are like the Heath 
 
 in the Defert, that does not fee when Good comes, 
 and you do not obferve the Operation of his Hand. 
 And is not this a threatning Sign we fnalJ go even 
 to Babylon before we be deliveied I I (hall not infiffc 
 farther upon this life ; 
 
 But I come, idly. To drop a few Words by 
 Way of Confolation. 
 
 JS it be fo, as you have heard, that the greatefl 
 Extremity of the Church makes Way for a glorious 
 Deliverance unto her, then hence fee for our Com- 
 fort a Bow in the Church's darkeft Cloud. Tho' 
 the Daughter of Z ion mould go forth out of the 
 City, tho' flie mould dwell in the Field, tho' me 
 mould go even to Babylon, yet there fhall me 
 be delivered, there the Lord fhall redeem her 
 from the Hands of her Enemies : Tho' me mould 
 be in Pain, and labour to bring forth, like a 
 Woman in Travail, yet all her Pangs .and fore 
 Throws, they are all big with a glorious Delive- 
 rance, a glorious Deliverance will be the happy if?." 
 fue of them all : Therefore fear vot, Worm Jacob, 
 and fear not, Ifrael my Servant, Let not the Lord's 
 People be too much call down, let them not mourn 
 as thofe that have no Hope, faying, Our Bones are 
 dried, our Hope is loft, and we are cut off for our parts. 
 Let Faith fee Comfort to Zion, fo long as Z ion's 
 King remains. Tho' flie mould be brought even to 
 Babylon, yet there (lie fhall be delivered ; her greateft 
 Extremity will make Way for a moft glorious Del;^ 
 very unto her. Thus we fay there is a Bow in the 
 Church's darkeft Cloud. Hence we find the Prophet 
 faying, in the 4th of Mi c ah, from the 1 ith Verfe to 
 the Clofe of the Chapter, Now alfo many Nations are 
 I 'gathered again]} thee, that fay, Let her be defiled, and let 
 our Eye look upon Zion ■, but they know not the Thoughts 
 eflbe l.Qr$, Thefe Enemies of Z'm t they know 
 
i 
 
 iiut .the Thoughts of the Lord, what Good tha 
 Lord intendeth to bring out of their Ill-will to Zion; 
 they -know not the Thoughts of the Lord, what 
 the 'Lord is about to do with Zibn. '" When Zion is 
 hrought even to' Babylon, then Zion .is looked upon 
 hy her Enemies as in a very defperate Cafe and Gorj- 
 ciitiori, then 'the Daughter of Babylon apprehends the 
 hath got her Will of Zion. Why, they know not 
 the Thoughts of the Lord, neither underftand they 
 his Connie!': Thejr Defign is the Deftruclion of 
 "Lion, hut the Deiign of the Lord, in all this, is .a 
 inoft glorious Deliverance to Zion; and fo it is ad- 
 ded in this Place,' Therefore be find I gather them as 
 the Sheaves into the Floor, namely, the Enemies of 
 'Zion. "What then, Arife'ana lt4rrejh, Q Daughter of 
 Zion, for 1 will make thine Horn Iron, and I will make 
 thy Hoofs Br afs, and 'thou Jhalt beat in 'Pieces many Pev- 
 fle> and Iwiil confer ate their Gain unto the Lord, and 
 ■'their Slibfiajice unto the 'Lord- of the whole Earth. Up 
 your Hearts then, O Friends of Zion I Sirs, I mult 
 tell you, they have a terrible Party to deal with 
 who meddle wi.th the Daughter of Zion , to her Hurt; 
 for tho* her Husband frown upon her, yet he wiU 
 return to her with loving Kindnefs •, tho' Zion's 
 .God mould give her the Brim of the Cup to drink, 
 yet her Enemies mall be made to drink the bitter 
 Dregs of that Cup before all be done ; yea, I (ay, 
 the Enemies o^Zion mail drink the very bitter Dregs 
 bf the Cup ere all be done. Why then, Comfort ye , 
 "comfort ye my People, faith your God. Speak ye com-> 
 fort ably to Zion. Rejoice in the Lord, ye Righteous; 
 and again, I fay, Rejoice. Surely you have good 
 Reafon fo to i^o. It is a nob jie Ground of Encou- 
 ragement, ijiat Z/Ws Extremity makes Way for her 
 Delivery ; the more her Trouble is increased, the 
 more remarkable will her Deliverance be ; the fhar- 
 thc ghow.er k, it will bj tlje fhqner* jjjjfog 
 
( 37 ) 
 dja this Land, when brought to Babylon, will have a 
 iharp.Hour, but a fhort Hour. Thou Jh alt go even 
 unto Babylon, and there jhalt thou be delivered. Faint 
 not, then, ye .Friends of our glorious Immanuel, tho' 
 you ibo.uld .go even to Babylon. Tho' Zic;;, the 
 ■Daughter of Zion, ihould go even to Babylon, there 
 fhe iball be delivered. Mourn not as thofc who 
 jiave no Hope, ior Zion's Godreigneth : Thy God \ 
 Zion, r eigne th to all Generations ; and thy God, O 
 'Zion, will give thee .Deliverance when in Babylon, 
 Thru jh alt go even to Babylon, and there jhalt thou be 
 delivered. 
 
 I come, ^dly. to conclude tiiis_ Subject in a 
 ^V~ord of Exhortation. 
 
 Is it To, . as_. you have- been hearing, that the 
 ^Daughter of Zion ilia.ll ; _even go to Babylon, that 
 the State of the Church is like to be darker yet' f 
 "Why, then, my firfr Exhortation to you is, when 
 the Daughter of Zion is under a Cloud, and the 
 Night like to be darker and darker, then let me ex- 
 hort you all to make fure an Intereft in Ch rill, 
 and in that jpirftiial Redemption from the Tyranny 
 "of Sin, Satan and the World, that is purchafed 
 by the Lord Chriit. This is the beft Preparative 
 for meeting with the dark and cloudy Day, an In- 
 tereft in Chrift, and the Redemption purchafed by 
 him fern the Bondage and Tyranny of Sin and 
 Satan ; every one of us by Nature are under the 
 Pondage and Tyranny of the God of this World, 
 the Prince of the Power of the Air-, the Spirit thaC 
 now worketh jn the Children of Difobedience. 
 Ye are every one of you ftill under the Power oT 
 Sin, who are Strangers to Chrift, and fo conse- 
 quently under the Curie 'of the Law, under the 
 Sentence of a broken Covenant of Works. Aacj 
 J £»i!it tell you, Sirs, tljjt, in this cyerl^lting Gg- 
 
 ipd, 
 
. . ( 38 ) 
 Ipel, Redemption is puMiflied, a purchafed Redenv 
 ption is pliblifhed unto you. I publifti and pro- 
 claim this Redemption, this fpiritual Liberty and 
 Freedom through the Blood of Chrift, to every 
 captive Sinner in all this vaft Affembly. I pub- 
 iilh and proclaim this Redemption and Freedom to 
 every bound Captive hearing me this Day. I tell 
 you, in his Name, it is a Redemption for you ; if 
 vou be a Captive in Bonds, hear the Proclamation 
 the Spirit of God makes of it in the 6ift ot'Jfaiah, 
 and i ft Verfe, The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me % 
 becaufe the Lord hath anointed me to preach good Tid- 
 ings to the Meek ; he .hath fent me to bind up the bro- 
 ken-hearted, to proclaim Liberty to the Captives, and 
 the Opening of the Prifon to them that are bound, to 
 proclaim, the acceptable Tear of the Lord, &c. O, if 
 the Lord Chrift would be pleafed to proclaim this 
 Redemption among you this Day, not in Word 
 only, but with Power, and in the holy Ghoft, 
 Liberty to the Captives ! O captive Sinner, who 
 ever thou art, in thy natural State thou art in Cap- 
 tivity and in Bonds, a Bond-Slave to Sin, a Bond- 
 Slave to Satan ! Why, we tell you good Tidings 
 of great Joy, to you is proclaimed Liberty and 
 freedom, Redemption is proclaimed unto thee. 
 Thus faith the Lord, To you, O Prifoner, to you, 
 O dark and dead Sinner, go forth and fhew 
 yourfelves ; lhcw yourfelves to be Sinners needing a 
 {Saviour •, (hew yourfelves to the Saviour, to the 
 Redeemer, to him who is the mighty God, mighty 
 %o fave you, the Lord of Hofts able to fave you, 
 the merciful God willing to five you : Thus faith 
 the Lord, I that /peak in Righteoufnefs am mighty to 
 fave, Ifa. lxiii. i . Mighty to fave from the Tyranny 
 and Power of Satan ; mighty to fave from the 
 Tyranny and J?owpr of Unbelief; mighty to 
 
 fave 
 
(.3? ) 
 fave from the prevailing Evils in thy Heart, let 
 them be never lb great, never Co ftrong ; he is a 
 mighty and ftrong Redeemer, a Redeemer not on- 
 ly by Price, but alfo by Power ; he paid a Price 
 of infinite Worth and Value for you, and will 
 not you come and take Salvation from him f He 
 is a powerful Redeemer, he hath an Arm that is 
 full of Power, an omnipotent Arm, that can with 
 one Stroke (lb to fpeak) break afunder the ftrong- 
 eft Gates of Brafs, and cut in Pieces the ftrongell 
 Bars of Iron. He is not only willing, but able to- 
 fave to the uttermojl, all that come to God by him, 
 feeing he ever liveth to make Intercejjion for them. 
 Behold, Sirs, on'this Iaft Day of the Feaft, our 
 Lord Jefus {lands and cries, O Prifoners, go forth 
 and ihew yourfelves ! O Captives, go forth out 
 of Babylon ! Hafte, hafte, hafte ; flee out of Ba- 
 bylon, efcape for thy Life ; flee out of the Babylon 
 of a natural State, it is the City of Deftruc"ti- 
 on ; hafte, flee for your Lives, flee to a Saviour, 
 flee to a Redemer ; he is ftanding (fo to fpeak) with 
 Arms wide open to receive you ; the Arms of his 
 Love are wide open to receive you, the Arms of 
 his Mercy and Grace are wide open to receive you ; 
 hafte, flee into the City of Refuge for thy Life i 
 The Arms of the Saviour are ftretched out to em- 
 brace you, with God's Welcome, with the Wei- 
 come of God, Father, Son and holy Ghoft, O 
 then, Child of the Devil, come and be the Child 
 of God ! O Swearer, come and fpeak the Lan- 
 guage of Canaan, the heavenly Dialecl, the pure 
 Language of the City above ! O Servant of Satan, 
 come and be the Servant of the living God ! Thou 
 art yet out of Hell, and whilft thou art out of Hell, 
 thou haft: Accefs to a Saviour, Accefs to a Re- 
 deemer. O filthy Sinner, come and be wafhed 
 
 from 
 
■ C 40 ) 
 
 If cm all- thiine Idols-, tho' thou haft lien, aihoflg£ 
 the Pots, and be as black as Hell with the Stain 
 of Sin, yet come, thou (halt appear as the Wings 
 of a Dove, whofe Wings are covered with Silver, and 
 her Feathers with yellow Gold. What mould hin- 
 der thy Coming to' him; who is a Redeemer by 
 Price and Power,, one' that hath infinite Power to 
 bring thee, to draw thee, to lead thee, to guide; 
 thee . ? O who can [peak forth the Glory of this 
 Redeemer, the infinite Excellency of this Redeem-, 
 er ! O that fome of this Company, that never yet; 
 knew this Redeemer,, that are in the Babylon of a 
 natural State, would this Day take hold of his 
 Grace proclaimed in this Gofpel, and would by 
 Faith apprehend proclaimed Liberty, Liberty to 
 Captives, and the Opening' of the Pri'fohs to them 
 that are bound. 
 
 \ This Exhortation being to all in general ; but to; 
 Strangers, to fuch as' have no laving Intereft in 
 Chrift in particular, I . muft therefore add a Word*. 
 by Way of Motive and Excitement, to fall in with 
 the Word of Exhortation. Confider then, O Sin? 
 her, toftir you up to make fure an Intereftjn Chrift, 
 that the Lord is preaching now in a Word of Grace; 
 and Promife to you, but the Lord .knows how foon, 
 he may fend the Daughter of 7Jon, his Church and 
 People, to Babylon, and give us a Famine, not of 
 Bread nor of Water, but of the Word hi God ; 
 afnd O what (hail become of yon, in the Day of Vi- 
 sitation, who have no Intereft in Chrift! O ^irs,, 
 we know not how foon the Lord may be provoked 
 to fay, / will whet my glittering Sword, my Hand /halt 
 take hold of Vengeance, for the Lord hath a Sacrifice. 
 Where ?- Not in Bozrah, not in the Land of Idymaa, 
 but in the Church of Scotland,' among all the Chur- 
 ches? for their wbful Apoftafy from God, and in 
 
 treacherous 
 
( <■ ) ... A . , 
 
 treacherous Scotland among the reft, GoipeI-de/pI~ 
 fing Scotland, finning Scot/and, Covenant-breaking 
 Scotland, Ghrift-defpifing Scotland. O Sits, hew 
 juftly may he whet his glittering Sword amongft 
 you, againft you, for your Iniquity? And if he 
 caufe his Church and People in this Land to go forth 
 out of the City, and to dwell in the Field, and fend 
 then! even to Babylon, O how fad will thy Cafe be, 
 thou who art a Stranger to Chrift, to have an angry 
 God, a God out of Chrift meeting thee ! O there- 
 fore accept of offered Liberty, of an offered Savi- 
 our, and offered Salvation through him, as ye were 
 hearing on Saturday ! Noiv is the accepted Thre, ndni) 
 is the Day of Salvation: To-day if ye will hear his Voice; 
 harden not your Hearts: For to you, even to you, 
 Sinner, is the Word of this Salvatiorf fent. Re- 
 ceive it, Sirs, with particular Application, and 
 Chrift in it ; and fo you Will have the beft Prepa- 
 rative fof, and the beft Prefervative in a ftormy 
 Day, in the dark and cloudy Day. 
 
 In the 2d Place, let me addrefs myfeff in' a A$"orc! 
 6f Exhortation, to you, m an efpeciar Manner, Who' 
 profefs the Name of Chrift, who profefs to be the.' 
 Friends and WitneiTes of Chrift. And' 
 
 _ My Exhortation to you is, O fee fo it, and iakt 
 care that you be well rooted in Chrift Jefus. Is it 
 a Time of Darknefs with the Church ? Is it Night 
 with the Church and" Peopl'e of God ? And havs 
 we Ground" to apprehend that the Night may grow 
 darker yet before the Morning come? Is th^. 
 Church and People of God; the Daughter of 
 Zion, made to go forth Out of the City ? Are we 
 threatnefd to be made to dwell in the Field, and t6 
 be fent even to Babylon before Deliverance come f 
 "Why, then, O Profeftbr, be concerned to be wall 
 rooted in Chrilt well rooted in the Truths an i 
 F Caufe 
 
( 4* ) 
 Caufe of. Chrift. We find the Apoftle exhorts to 
 this Duty in the 2d Chapter of his Epiftle to the 
 • Colofians, and there the 6th and 7th Verfes of that 
 Chapter, As joti have 1 therefore received Chrift Jefus 
 the Lord, Jo walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him, 
 and eftablijhed in the Faith, as ye have been taught^ 
 abounding therein with' Thank/giving. We exhort 
 you, take home with you that Word of Exhorta- 
 tion, Be rooted and built up in Chrift. It is a great 
 Matter, Sirs, to be rooted 7 in him ; be rooted in 
 Chrift as the Branch in the Vine, as the Branch W 
 in the Root, What is that Profeflion of yours, 
 Man, Woman, without this, but an empty Profef- 
 jfion, an empty Shell without a Kernel, an empty 
 Shadow without a real Subftance. What fignifies 
 all your pubUck and glaring Profeffion, if you be 
 riot rooted in Chrift . ? What fignifies your publick 
 Religion, Profeftbr, who are not rooted in Chrift ? 
 Why, I tell you, it is but a grofs Delufion if you 
 are not rooted in Chrift. I never like thefe Folks 
 Religion, Sirs, that begins firft with the Publick. 
 I3e concerned to be firft rooted in Chrift by Faith, 
 and then a folid Concern for the declarative Glory 
 of God, the Caufe and Intereft of Chrift, will imme- 
 diately follow hi its due Order. That Concern 
 for the Glory of God which flows not from Faith's 
 Views of the Glory of ImmamtePs Perfon, is not to 
 be regarded. ' Thofe who are concerned in a right 
 Way and Manner for the Publick, they are fuchV 
 Perfons who have firft come to the Lord Jefus, who 
 have united with him by Faith, and fo are rooted 
 in hiim Sirs, even tho' there be fome amongft you 
 who have come the Length of adhering to a" pub- 
 lick Teftimony for the born -down Caufe of Chrift 
 at this Day, yet arc you not rooted in Chrift. Why, 
 Sirs, What will this your Adherence fignify if yoir 
 
 b» 
 
( 43 ) 
 be not rooted in Chrift Jefus, by his Spirit taking 
 hold of you, and drawing you to him, and Faith's 
 Outgoing of the Soul from allThings in a World to 
 him alone ? My Friends, try the Maftter, then ; Faith, 
 in Chrift, and a faithful Witnefling for Chrift, go to- 
 gether : A n d if any pleafe themfelves with an Ad- 
 herence to % Teftimony for Chrift and his Caufe 3 
 without feeking to be rooted in him, and built up 
 in him, their Naughtinefs may be ihortly difcover- 
 ed, for all the Length they have gone : You have 
 But gone with the Footmen, how (hall you contend 
 with Horfes ? And what will you do in the Swellings 
 of 'Jordan ? Stay till you come there, which may 
 be ihortly, and then (hall you be difcovered who 
 are not rooted in Chrift. Let none think we fpeak 
 this to difcourage the exercifed Believer, or to dif- 
 courap-e the owning of a Teftimony. This is a plain 
 Puty, which the Lord is calling for at the Hands 
 of all his Servants and People at this Day, whe- 
 ther they will hear, or whether they will forbear. 
 But, Sirs, we want you to own a Teftimony for 
 Chrift, from Faith's Views of the Glory of 
 Ghrift. Seek then to be rooted in Chrift. O 
 it is a great Matter to be rooted in -Chrift, to 
 be built up and eftabliihed in Chrift. Tfiere is 
 =a Gathering together among you in praying Socie- 
 ties at this Day ; it is well it is fo ; it is good 
 for the Lord's People to be thus employed in fuch 
 a Time as this ; it is good to be meeting 
 for Prayer and Chriftian Conference ; tho' it 
 is a Practice that is run down by the polite 
 "Wits of the Age, yet it is a Duty warranted by 
 the Lord, Mai. iii. i£. They that feared the Lord 
 /pake often one, to another, and the Lord hearkned and 
 heard it, &c. Thus the Duty is good, but, Sirs ? 
 ?/e would hav? you to eonfider, that your being in 
 
 a Spci- 
 
 
C 44 ) 
 9. Society will not do the Buiinefs, unlefs you be 
 toojt,e.d in Ghrift: For in that Day many will fay, Lord, 
 Lor.d> we have eaten and drunk in thy Prefence, and thou 
 haft taught in our Streets ; to whom he pall fay, J tell 
 you, I know you not whence you are, depart from me all 
 ys Workers of Iniquity. No doubt thefe prayed and al- 
 io conferred with others about the Matters of God ; 
 therefore Profeilbrs, Members of Christian Societies, 
 iiudy fo be rooted in Chrift ; for Folks to meet to? 
 gether in Societies, and yet to be Strangers to 
 Chrift, is dangerous. Study above all to be rooted 
 in Ghrirl ; do pot fit down upon any profoft Ad- 
 herence unto a Teitimony for Chrift; do not lit 
 down upon your praying and convening one with 
 another, feek to be rob ; ted and built up in Chrift, 
 other tvays, I teftify unto you, ye have no Part in 
 phrift, all will-be ufelefs to you if ye are not rooted 
 in Chrift: You will be taken by the great Husband- 
 man and thrown info Hell-Fire, as Fuel to the 
 flarne of vindictive Juftice, unlefs you be rooted 
 and built up in Chrift. 
 
 I 'mall now conclude this Difcourfe with a 
 few Directions by Way of Motive to excite ypu tq 
 fail in with the Word of Exhortation- 
 
 In the/7>/?Place, ftudy a clofe, humble and needy 
 Dependence on the Lord Jefus Chrift. O be 
 humble ! A humble Chriftian is a rare Chriftian. 
 Away with a proud Chriftian ! Meeknefs is among 
 .the very firft Leflons of Chriftianity. If any Man 
 will !>c my Difcipb, let him deny him/elf, an,d take up 
 his Cro/s, and follow me, faith our Lord. O feelt 
 to be humble and felf-denied! Sirs, it is juft the Or- 
 r:amen'v of a Chriftian to he : denied to himfelf. Again,, 
 
 In the id Place, If you would he rooted in 
 thrift as ye fhould, ftudy a clofe, humble and 
 
 dy Dependence on hjm. in. whqm $1J yourSjpringfc 
 
 are; 
 
( 4? .) 
 
 are •, fo let the Word of Chrift dwell in you riehiy . 
 Hear what he himfelf advifeth for your Encourage- 
 ment, John v. 7. If ye abide in me, and my Words 
 abide inyoii, ye [hall ask •what ye will, and it /hall he 
 done unto yiou. If ye ask, Where is the Word to 
 be found which muft abide in you ? I anfwer, It 
 is to be found in the Bible which you have put 
 in your Hands. In what Part of it? fay you. I 
 anfwer, In every Part of it ; juft in all the Bible. 
 What think ye of the Scriptures of the Old Te- 
 nement ? Why, they are juft the Word of God, 
 as well as thole of the New. The whole Scrip- 
 tures are given to be the Srandard of Truth for the 
 refolving of Controverfies, to be the infallible 
 Rule of "Faith and Practice to his Church in all 
 Ages and Periods of the lame, until Time gives 
 Place to Eternity, when the Church lhall be arri- 
 ved at her triumphant State ; and then no more mail 
 the Bible be needful. We advife you, then, to 
 abide not only by the Word of the Prophets, but 
 alio by the Commandments of the Apoftles, as you 
 have it, 2 Pet. iii. 1, 1. This fecond Epiftle (Ee- 
 layed) I now write unto you, in both which I Jlir up 
 yo^r pure Minds by Way of Remembrance, that ye may 
 be mindful of the Words which were fpoken before by 
 the holy Prophets, and of the Commandment of us the 
 Apojlles of the Lord and Saviour. W hat are the 
 Words ye are to be mindful of? You have them 
 in that 2d Verfe the Words which were fpoken by 
 the holy Prophets under the Old Teftament, and 
 the Commandments of the Apoftles of Chrift under 
 the New. Thefe are the Words of Chrift which 
 we are called to lay up in our Hearts, that wc 
 may not fin againft him, 
 
 $dly. If ye would be rooted in Chrift, in % 
 ihaking Day- and Time, I advife you, next to 
 
 yor.i 
 
( 4* ) 
 
 ymr Bibles, to make Ufe of our ConfeJIion of 
 
 'faith. We have Reafon, Sits, to blefs God who . 
 fo remarkably directed the Compilers of our excel- 
 lent Confeifion of Faith. "What are Confeffions 
 of Faith, Sirs? Why, they are 'the publick Con- 
 feffions of the Churches concerning tile divine 
 Truths they receive and believe, in Oppofition to 
 the grofs Errors vented in t he fe Dregs of Time, 
 in Oppofition to the Indignities done to the Truth 
 pf God contained in his Word. Read our Con- 
 feffion of Faith, and there you will fee the Truths 
 of God drawn out of the Word of God in an or- • 
 derly .and diftincl: Manner, for our InftrucYion, E~ 
 dification and Eftablilhment in the Truth. Like- 
 ways I recommend it to you to read and confider 
 the Form of Presbyterial Church-Government, Di- 
 rectory for Family- Worihip, Sum of fa ving Know- 
 ledge, and Books of Difcipline ; all which you 
 Jiave along with the faid Gonfeffion of Faith. It- 
 hath been obferved of this Country, they can gene- 
 rally fpeak lefs for their Principles than" Papifts 
 can do for theirs. Why, the Reafon is, they are 
 pot concerned to know them, and fo it comes to 
 pafs that they are fo eafily beaten out of them. 
 Again, 
 
 In the 4M Place, If you would be rooted in 
 jChrift and his Truths, O then pray much for the 
 Spirit of Chrift, that- he may guide you into all 
 Truth, and that ye may be kept in the High- Way. 
 Ife knoyy in a dark Night Men commonly lofe their 
 Way. If it is fo dark a Night, O then pray for 
 f:he Leader to break up your Way ! Keep your 
 Eye upon your Leader, look to him, that he may 
 lead in a plain Path, becaufe ofyour Obfervers. 
 
 I am afraid I have infilled too long. I thai! 
 ©n)v add another Advice, and conclude with it. 
 
 If 
 
( 47 > 
 If it is fo, that the Church's greater* Extremity 
 makes Way for a glorious Deliverance unto her, 
 and that, tho' me fhould go even to Babylon, yet 
 there (hall fhe be delivered, then 1 will advife you 
 to live in the Faith and Hopes of a glorious De- 
 livery to the Church and People of God. "Wait 
 and pray for her Delivery ; you have good Ground 
 to hope for that happy Time, becaufe he that has 
 fa-id, Thou /halt go even to Babylon, has alfo faid, 
 There [halt thou be delivered. What you have fo 
 good Ground to hope for, ye mould be waiting 
 for, and praying for in a Way of Faith. O cry 
 for his Coming ! Lift up a Prayer for the Remnant 
 that is left ! O cry that he may return in Mercy 
 to Jerufalem, that he may hail en a Deliverance 
 to his Church and People, whatever Way he fees 
 meet ! O plead that the Wheel of Providence 
 ., may move fwiftly towards the favouring of Zion ! 
 Cry', cry, Let the Time to favour Zion come, 
 even the Time that thou haft fet ! O cry for ar 
 returning God, and a returning Glory ! O cry for 
 his Return to Scotland our native Land, for Krs Re- 
 turn to every one of us ? We are all under fad ? 
 Symptoms of his Anger at this Day, therefore, (J 
 lift up a Prayer for his Return ! For your En- 
 couragement, Sirs, who are concerned for his Re- 
 turn, we tell you, you may die in the Hopeful 
 Profpecl and Faith of it, tho' you mould not live 
 to fee it, and it may be, Sirs, you may live" 
 to fee it : But whether ye live to fee it or not, 
 die in the Faith that that PafTage ofScripture fhalf 
 be made out (in this Land) which you have in the 
 66th of Ifaiah, from the ioth to the 15th Verfe, 
 Rejoice with Jerufalem, and be glad 'with her, all 
 ye that love her ; rejoice for Joy with her, all ye that 
 mourn for her $ that ye my fuck anfi he fatisfiel 
 
 witS 
 
( 4« ) 
 
 nbith the Breafls of her Conflation's, that ye may milk 
 out and be delighted with the Abundance of her Glory : 
 For- thus faith the Lord, Behold J will extend Peace 
 to her like a River, and the Glory of the Gentiles 
 like a flowing Stream. Then [hall ye fuck, ye [hall be 
 born upon her Sides, arid be dandled upon her Knees : 
 As one whom his Mother comforteth v fo will I comfort 
 you, and ye /hall be comforted in Jerufalem. And 
 when ye fee this your Heart Jhall rejoice, and yoUr 
 Bones Jh-all flourijh like an Herb, and the Hand of the 
 Lord flail be knoidn towards his Servants , and his In- 
 dignation towards his Enemies. 
 
 Now, to conclude, O may the Time to favour 
 Zion, the fet Time come ! May he build up Zion, 
 and appear m his Glory ! May all his Followers 
 be confirmed and kept in the Way of Truth, led 
 in a plain Path in a dark Day, becaufe- of their 
 Enemies,, and kept, by the Power of God, 
 through Faith unto Salvation. 
 
 F I N I X 
 
The Lamb's Retinue atten- 
 ding him whitherfoever he 
 
 goeth. 
 
 Being the Subftance of 
 
 TWO SERMONS, 
 
 Preached on Sabbath and Monday, at the 
 Celebration of the Sacrament of the 
 Lord's Supper at Orwell, Auguft 6. 
 1738. 
 
 UPON 
 
 Rev. xiv. 4. Thefe are they which follow the Lamb 
 whitherfoever he goeth. 
 
 By the late Reverend and Learned Mr. William 
 Wilson Minifler of the Co/pel at Perth. 
 
 Carefully revifed by a reverend Member of the Af~ 
 fociate Synod. 
 
 EDINBURGH, 
 
 Printed for David Duncan, and Sold at his Houfe, 
 oppofite to the IVeigh-Houfe, North Side of the 
 Street. MDCCXLVIJ. 
 
«r- 
 
( t ) 
 
 The Lamb's Retinue attending 
 himwhitherfoever hegoeth* 
 
 Rev. xiv. 4* 
 
 Thefe are they which- follow the Lamb 
 whitherfoever he goethk 
 
 MY Friends, we are now affembled toge- 
 ther, according to an Inftitution of 
 divine Appointment, in a publick wor- 
 shipping Aftembly. Let every one of 
 us endeavour to have the Faith of God's omnifcient 
 Eye upon us. God is looking upon us at all Times, 
 and in a more efpecial Manner his Eye is upon us 
 when we come before him in the Duties of his Wor- 
 fhip, when We approach into the Prefence of GocT 
 in his Ordinances. I muft tell you, Sirs, before 
 We proceed, a great Work is going about in this 
 Place to-day, the greater!: Solemnity that can be 
 gone about in this Side of Time ; the Death of 
 Chrift, the worthy Lamb, is celebrating here to- 
 day •, the Ordinance that is difpenfing in this Place, 
 it is a Shewing forth the Death of Chrift, until he 
 come again. Here is an Event that concerns all 
 this Audience whoever they be, whether defigned 
 Communicants or not, the Death of our Lord Chrift. 
 If you have no Intereft in this Death, Sin will be 
 your Death for «ver ; it Will ruin and undo you 
 
 throughout 
 
(4 ) 
 
 throughout all Eternity ; it is through that Death 
 that is celebrating in the Sacrament to-day, that ye 
 muft have Life, or you can never have it, but mud 
 perifh eternally ; it is through that Death that you 
 muft have Redemption from the Curfe of a broken 
 Law, Redemption from Wrath to come : If you 
 have not Redemption through that Death, the Law- 
 Curfe will certainly take hold upon you, vindictive 
 Juftice will be execute upon you, the Wrath of God 
 will come down upon you, and cruih you down to 
 the lowed Hell ; it will link you down to the bot- 
 tomlefs Pit : That Death, it is a Door of Hope o- 
 pened to perifhing Sinners, opened for the Sins of 
 Men, for rebellious Men, for felf-deftroying Men ; 
 a Door of Hope is opened here for Hell-deferving 
 Men, for unrighteous Men : For God made him. to be 
 Sin for us, who knew no Sin, that we might be the 
 Righteoufnefs of God in him. O, then, is there a 
 Door of Hope opened for guilty Men, rebellious 
 Men, and will you not take the Benefit of this Door, 
 and enter by this Door ? This is the Gate of God, 
 Redemption through the Blood of Chrift, through 
 the Death of Chrift. This is that Gate by which all 
 that are juftifTed do enter into the Prefenceof God ; 
 by which entring they come to have a fafe Standing 
 before God. Sirs, this Death that is commemorating 
 this Day, in this Place, it is a Door of Hope opened 
 unto the greateft Tranfgreflbrs amongft you in all 
 this Alfembly. Ye in this Aflembly have been hear- 
 ing the Word preached, in the other Airembly 
 the Sacrament is difpenfed. Well, Sirs, this is 
 God's high Market-Day in this Place and Congre- 
 gation ; it is not an ordinary Sabbath, it is an high 
 Sabbath, it is a Communion-Sabbath. Ye are come 
 to God's Market. What are you doing in God's 
 Market ? What are you buying in God's Market ? 
 rt is a rare Market, a Market of Grace, a Market 
 
 of 
 
of rich and glorious Grace : It is a none-fuch Mar- 
 ket ; the Wares that are at this Market are exceed- 
 ing great and precious, the Excellency of them 
 cannot be told : If Angels were called to come and 
 tell you the Worth and Excellency of them, they 
 could not do it to the full. If fome of the general 
 Alfembly of the Firft-born were fent forth to this 
 Affembly to fpeak of the W r ares which are a-felling, 
 or rather a-giving here to-day, they would be To far 
 from fully letting forth the unfearchable Riches of 
 Chrift, that they would cry, Come and fee ; come, 
 tafte and fee ? O Sirs, this will be the belt Proof of 
 Chrift the worthy Lamb, and of the rich and glori- 
 ous Commodities in this Gofpel-Market, juft to 
 come.and fee: tajle and [eg that God is good. Come, 
 partake of that Grace that is in Chrift Jefus i Come, 
 partake of that unfearchable Riches of Chrift, that 
 are expofed in this Market of Grace ! O Sirs, the 
 Market of Grace is a rare Market ; the Wares that 
 are therein proclaimed are all given freely. Ho y 
 every one that thirfleth, come ye to the Waters ; and he 
 that hath no Money let him come, and buy Wine and Milk 
 without Money and without Price ! Whofeever will, let 
 htm take the Waters of Life freely. O come and 
 take freely ! O come and enjoy ! O come and lhare 
 of the unfearchable Riches of Chrift Jefus, the wor- 
 thy Lamb 1 O do not ftand all the Day idle in the 
 Market-Place ! Ye are here juft in the Market- 
 place, be not idle in the Market-Place. Do not 
 complain you have not wherewith to buy, for the 
 Wares, we tell you, are free, and the great Mer- 
 chant is faying in this Gofpel, Buy of me Gold tried 
 in the Fire, that ye may be rich, and white Raiment that 
 thou mayejl be clothed, that the Shame of thy Nakednefs 
 do not appear ; and anoint thine Eyes with Eye-Salve, 
 that thou mayejl fee. O what think you of it, Sirs, i 
 
 that 
 
 
( « y 
 
 that God hath thus vi£ted us, in fearing up his 
 Tabernacle among Men ! Will God in very deed 
 dwell with Men i If we had Eyes to fee, and Hearts 
 to underltand, we could not but be filled with A- 
 mazement at that Grace revealed unto us in this 
 Gofpel, at the Condefcenfion of God, the low 
 Stooping of God unto us. God hath reared up his 
 Tabernacle among Men ; God hath condefcended 
 to dwell in very deed among Men, and faid con- 
 cerning Men, I will be their God, and they Jh all be my 
 People. Upon what Foundation ? Why, juft upon 
 this Foundation, of God's being manifefted in the 
 Flefti ; the eternal Son of God his. taking ouf 
 Nature, his (looping to marry our Nature, is the 
 Ground- Work of God's dwelling with Men upon 
 Earth. 
 
 But, not to inlift farther upon an Introduction^ 
 this Book of the Revelation is ordinarily and juftly 
 reckoned to contain deep and myfterious Prophe- 
 cies *, the Things that are contained in this Book 
 will exercife the Skill, Judgment and Faith of the 
 moft difcerning in the militant Church in all Ages 
 an-d Generations, until the Prophecy be fully ac- 
 compli lhed. But yet it is a juft Obfervation of 
 One, that the holy Scriptures are like a River, 
 wherein there are fome mallow Places, that a Lamb 
 may wade, and other Places fo deep that an Ele- 
 phant may fwim. I may fay of this Book, that it 
 contains myfterious and dark Things, yet there are 
 Truths fcattered up and down in it, that may be 
 Food to the weakeft of the Flock of Chrift. Among 
 other Things, in this Text and Context you liave 
 the Floct of Chrift characterized and diferibed ; 
 they are the Lamb's Retinue and Train, thefe who 
 are on the Lamb's Side, with the Lamb on the 
 Mount Zion, having his Nanie an d his Father's 
 
 Name 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 Name written on their Foreheads. Thus they are 
 defcribed in our Context ; in the Words we have 
 read they are defigned, Such as follow the Lamb. 
 Thefe are they which follow the Lamb whitherfiever he 
 goeth. 
 
 I had Occallon yeilerday to open up and a little 
 explain thefe Words, and the Doctrine that I obfer- 
 ved from them was this, 
 
 That sll thai are with the Lamb, or arson theLamVs 
 Side, they follow the Lamb whitherfiever he 
 
 Thefe are they which follow the Lamb whitherfiever 
 he goeth> In difcourflng from this Doctrine, I pro- 
 posed, 
 
 In the firfl Place, to fpeak a little concerning the 
 Lamb, the worthy Lamb, the Leader of this Com- 
 pany. 
 
 idly. To fpeak a little to the Characters given to 
 the Followers of the. Lamb, his Retinue and Train, 
 in the Text and Context. 
 
 %dly. To mew what is imported in following the 
 Lamb. 
 
 qthly. To (hew how, or by what Means, the 
 X-amb's Retinue and Train do follow him. 
 
 $thly. To fhew where it is they do follow the 
 Lamb. 
 
 6thly. Give the Reafons of the Doctrine, or 
 fhew why all thofe who are with the Lamb, do 
 "follow the Lamb whitherfoever he gocth. 
 
 Laftly, To apply the Doctrine. 
 
 I fpoke to the firfl of thefe yeilerday, which was 
 to fpeak a little concerning the worthy Lamb, the 
 Leader of this happy Company, and mall not now 
 infill upon it ; only, in a few Words, the Lamb 
 whom they follow, the worthy Lamb, he is~men- 
 tioned under the Defignation of a Lamb frequently 
 
 by 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 by this Apoftle and Evangelift. In his Writings, 
 in the firft Verfe, he is defigned by him as a Lamb 
 ftanding upon the Mount Zion, that is, the Gofpel- 
 Church ; and indeed he is the Glory of theGhurch, 
 the Beauty and Excellency of the Church ; all the 
 Church's Beauty is derived from the worthy Lamb ; 
 the Lamb, in the Midft of the Retinue and Train 
 that follow him, he is their Light, their Life, their 
 Strength,' their Hope, their Glory, their All ; the 
 Leader of the Company isjuft their All, and in all. 
 He is the Captain of the Lord's Hoft, that glorious 
 One whom the glorious Hofts of Heaven do follow. 
 "Who can fpeak of him ? Who can exprefs his 
 mighty Works i Who can mew forth all his Praife ? 
 If we fpeak of the Perfon of the Lamb, it is a 
 wonderful Perfon. He is Immanuel, God with us ; 
 God manifefted in the Flefh, God in our very Na- 
 ture. Who can fpeak of this Myftery ? Ay the 
 more the Eye of Faith looks at this Myftery, it 
 fees ay the more to be wondred at, of aftonifhing 
 "Wifdom, and amazing Grace and Love. The 
 wonderful Glory and Gondefcendency, that is to be 
 feen in Rooking at the Perfon of Chrift, cannot be 
 told; his Glory and Excellency cannot be expreffedt 
 He is the Lamb of God, the Lamb of God, cho- 
 fen by God to be a propitiatory Sacrifice for the 
 Expiation of our Guilt % he is the Lamb provided 
 by God for a Burnt-Offering ; he is the Lamb con- 
 fecrated by God, fet apart in the eternal Purpofe 
 of God, fet apart in the Council of Peace, before 
 the Foundation of the Earth was laid ; fet apart to 
 be an Offering and Sacrifice to God of a Aveet- 
 fmelling Savour, in the Room and Stead of Sin- 
 ners : Accordingly, in the Fulnefs of Time, he was 
 actually facrificed : For, when the Fulnefs of Time was 
 cwt, God fent forth his Son, made ef a Woman, made 
 
 under 
 
meter the Law, to redeem them 'who were under the 
 Law : And being found in F-aflmn as a Man, he hum- 
 bled himfelf, and became obedient unto. Death, even the 
 
 ' Death of the Crofs. He js this Day exhibited ill 
 "Word and Sacrament, and you are called^ to Be- 
 
 j Hold the Lamb ofGodl O will you behold the 
 Lamb of God, behold him in the Word, behold 
 
 ' him in the Sacrament i Behold the Lamb of God, that 
 taketh away the Sin of the World! 
 
 I proceed to the fecond general Head which 1 
 propofed in the Method, and that is, to fpeak fome 1 - 
 What of the Characters given to the" Lamb's Re- 
 tinue and Train, in the Text and Context. 
 
 There is a particular Emphafis in the Mannef of 
 Expreffion, Thefe are they which follow the Lamb, 
 Sec. Now, who are they which follow the Lamb 
 whitherfoever he goeth ? There are thefe four Of 
 five Characters of them laid down in the Text and- 
 Context, which I fhalr endeavour to take Not ite 
 of. 
 
 V'trfly They are deiigned, fiich as were redeemed 
 from the Earth", redeemed from among Men. 'idly. 
 They^are_ defigned, fuch as ring a new Song, that 
 none can learn but the Hundred forty and four 
 thoufand, the Lamb's Retinue. %dly. They are 
 defigned, fuch as were not defiled with Women, £of 
 trrty are Virgins. qthly. They are defigned, fhe 
 firft Fruits to God and the Lamb ; and, in the lafl 
 Place, they are defigned, Perfons wnofe Mouths are 
 without Guile. 
 
 Now, all I intend, at the Time, is juir. to drop a 
 Word to thefe Characters given this bfeffed and 
 happy Company who' are on the Lamb's Side'. 
 
 And, Oh that what we are to fay may, through' 
 the Lord's Bleffing, prove rrfore inftru cling, .con- 
 vincing and confirming^ In the firft Place, %%&$$ 
 
 £ thi 
 
( io ) 
 
 the Lamb's Retinue and Train, they are defigned, 
 fueh as were redeemed from the Earth. In the Clofe 
 of the 3d Verfe they are fuch as are redeemed from 
 among Men. Now, there is a twofold Redempti- 
 on by which they are redeemed. In the fir ft Place, 
 there is a Redemption by Price ; idly, A Redem- 
 ption by Power. 
 
 In the firft Place, I fay, there is a Redemption by 
 Price, by which the Followers of the Lamb are re- 
 deemed. The Lord Chrift, the worthy Lamb, 
 he paid the Price of their Redemption ; he hath 
 given his Life a Ranfom for many, and fo all the 
 Lamb's Retinue and Train, they are a People re- 
 deemed to God by his Blood ; as we have it in the 
 5: th Chapter of this Book of the Revelation, and 9th 
 Verfe, 'Thou art worthy, for thou waft jlain, and haft re- 
 deemed us to God by thy Blood, out of every Tongue, Kin- 
 dred, People, Nation and Language, Thus you fee 
 the Price he paid for their Redemption, the Price 
 of his Blood : Redeemed us to God by thy Blood. A 
 valuable Price, a glorious Price, a coftly Price, a 
 Price like himfelf. Redeemed us to Gad by thy Blood. 
 
 idly. They who arc redeemed from the Earth, 
 they are redeemed by Power. This I take to be 
 chiefly intended here, when they are faid to be re- 
 deemed from the Earth, or from among Men who 
 are fprung of Earth. Now they are redeemed from 
 the Earth in the Day of their effectual Calling. 
 Even when they are made a willing People in the 
 Day of the Lamb's Power, then they are redeemed 
 from the Earth; from among Men ; that is, they are 
 juft feparated from the reft of the World ; redeem- 
 ed from the Earth, that is, they are redeemed from 
 that reigning Carnality, that earthly Mindednefs 
 that by Nature they themfelves, as well as others, 
 
 are 
 
( II ) 
 
 arc under. Redeemed from the Earth ; from the 
 Love of the Earth and earthly Things, from the 
 Plague of Darknefs and Blindnefs that overfpreads 
 the whole Earth ; Darkneis covers the Earth, and 
 grofs Darknefs the People. And, Sirs, thofe that 
 are with the Lam6, who follow the Lamb, they 
 are redeemed from this Darknefs that covers the 
 Earth ; the Day-Spring from on high hath rifen 
 upon them, the Light of the Knowledge of the 
 Glory of God in the Face of Jefus Chrift hath min- 
 ed into our Hearts. The Retinue of the worthy 
 Lamb, they are a People that are called from 
 Darknefs to the Lord's marvellous Light, as you 
 have it in the firft Epiftle of PeUr ii. p. Te are a 
 chofen Generation, a royal Priefthood, an holy Nation, 
 a peculiar People, that ye Jhould /hew forth the Praifes 
 of him who hath called you out ef Darknefs into his mar- 
 vellous Light. Sirs, thofe that are with the Lamb, 
 his Retinue and Train, they have other Views of 
 the Majefty of God than the reft of theWorld have, 
 they have other Views of an invifible God than o= 
 thers about them have. Why, they fee him, in 
 the Light of his Spirit, a God in Chrift, a God of 
 Glory and Excellency, mining in the Face and Per- 
 fon of his incarnate Son. God's Being and Perfec- 
 tion is a Myftery to all but them that are on the 
 Lamb's Side, and even to them in a great Meafure ; 
 but they fee the Glory of God in the Face of Jefus 
 Chrift, in another Manner'than the World about, 
 them do, they are cnlightned by the Spirit, 
 redeemed from the Earth by the Power of the 
 Redeemer, the worthy Lamb ; they are re- 
 deemed from that Enmity that prevails, yea, that 
 reigns in the Earth, in the Hearts of the Men of th§ 
 £arth ? 
 
 glrs s 
 
< **■ > 
 
 Sirs, when Sin entred into the "World, as Dark- 
 pefs anql Death entred by, Sin, fo Enmity again!]: 
 God entred by Sin, but Redemption by the Pow- 
 er of the Redeemer; it is the Recovery of the Soul 
 of he finful Man or Woman, from the reigning 
 J?ower of that Enmity. There is an Enmity in the 
 Heart naturally again|l God, wlpeh deters the 
 proud Heart from fubmitting to the Ijtighteoufnefs 
 of God, as it is exprefTed. in the i oth Chapter of the 
 JEpiftle to the Romans, and 3d Verfe of that Chap- 
 ter. Where this natural Enmity and Unbelief is 
 ftill dwelling, the proud Heart will not bow unto 
 the Authority of Go k d, nor .ftoop to the Law of God. 
 Why, the Reafon is, it is Enmity againft God, and 
 is not fubjeff to the Law of God, neither iftdeed can it 
 be : So pi} thi| Redemption by Power take the 
 Field, which only is a .conquering of this ; Enmity ; 
 &n overcoming of this Enmity ; and fo foo.n as rhe 
 worthy Lamb, the glorious Redeemer, fteps in with 
 his Almighty Power, why, then the proud Heart 
 opens to the Son of God, the obftinate Sinner ftoops 
 to Jehovah, the obftinate Sinner Is meekned by 
 Faith's Views of the meek Lamb, the worthy Lamb, 
 jind fo is made to ftoop to the Righteoufnefs of 
 God, the Righteoufnefs of the Lamb ; made to 
 £toop to the Way of Salvation through the Lord Je- 
 fu§ Chrift the worthy Lamb ; the Heart is made 
 £0 ftoop to God's Method of Grace, and Way 
 of recovering Sinners from Sin and Wrath, through 
 the Righteoufnefs of the Lamb, through the Obe- 
 dience, Death and Refurreelion of his own eternaj 
 <2,on, the worthy Lamb. Thus the LambA Com- 
 pany, his Retinue and Train, they arc redeemed 
 from the Earth, from the Obftinacy that naturally 
 reigns in the Heart again ft the Grace and Love pjf 
 GLr$, the Lamb of God, the worthy Lamb. 
 v " ' ■ ' "Again, 
 
( is ) 
 
 Again, the Lamb's Company are defigned, redeem- 
 ed from the Earth, beeaufe by' Nature they bear the 
 -Image of the firft Adam. The firlr Man, Adam, it is 
 a Word that ilgnifies Earth, rea Earth, and all 
 Mankind they bear the Image of this earthly Adam ; 
 and fo, when the worthy Lamb comes under the 
 .Character of a Redeemer, he redeems his Followers 
 from .the Earth, from the earthly Image of the firft 
 Adam ; and by Grace they are made to bear the I- 
 mage of the fecond Adam, the fecond Man, who is 
 the Lord from Heaven •, and fo all that have Expe- 
 rienc,exof this Redemption (fo to fpeak) they have 
 the Image of the Lamb jnft drawn upon them. 
 When Chrift, the worthy Lamb, comes, and firft 
 pays a Viilt unto a Soul, he juft (fo to fpeak) draws 
 his Image and Picture upon the Man or Woman's 
 Heart by that. Vifit. The very firft Sight the Soul 
 gets, by Faith-, of the worthy Lamb, it juft affi- 
 milates and changes the Sinner into the fame Image 
 with their glorious Head. Hence, faith the Apoftle, 
 We all, with open Face, beholdi?ig as in a Clafs the 
 Glory of God, are changed into the famg Image, from 
 Glory to Glory. Try it then, Sirs; if ever you got 
 a faving Sight of the glorious Image of the worthy 
 Lamb, there is a Stamp of Chrift left on you. 
 We do not fay it is alike difcernible in all, for in 
 fome it may be but like the bruifed Reed and the 
 fmoking Fj.ax ; but where this Image is ftnmped, 
 however interceptible it may be, the" bruifed Reed 
 he wi}l not break, the fmoking Flax he will not 
 quench; for |he firft faving Difcovery the Sinner 
 gets*of the Lord Chrift, it leaves fomething of him 
 behind it, that will remain ay till Grace be confum= 
 mate \n Glory. Hence larlth cur Lord, John iv. 14,. 
 Whofoever drinketh oft-he Water that I /hall give him, 
 'fhdl never thirfl ; hut the Water that 1 fnall give 
 
 mm. 
 
him, {hall he in him a Well of living Water fpringing 
 up unto everlajling Life: 
 
 It is very like fome may be thinking themfelves 
 quite fcored off by tjhis Manner of fpeaking. Why, 
 {ay you, I find nothing but Enmity, Atheifm and 
 Unbelief juft prevailing and carrying all before 
 them. But may I not appeal to fuch, Is there not 
 a Party in thy Heart to bear Teftimony for Chrift, 
 and againft Sin, even in thy loweft Cafe ! Is there 
 not a fecret Breathing in thy Heart, O for Deli- 
 verance from that woful Enmity! O for Deliverance 
 from the Power of this Atheifm and Unbelief! Let 
 me ask you, Would you not, when at the very 
 loweft, when Matters are at the very worft with 
 you, would you not rejoice to have your fpiritual 
 fetters broke off? Would you not rejoice to have 
 your FeetTet upon this Necks of your fpiritual E- 
 nemies, Enmity, Atheifm, Unbelief, and the like ? 
 Let me ask you, When ye are at the loweft, when 
 you begin to reflect upon what has been the Lord's 
 Way with you, is there not a Breathing in yo\\, 
 faying, that it were with me as in Months pajl, as 
 in the Day when God preferved me, when his Candle 
 Jhined upon my Head, &c. that I knew where 
 J might find him, that I might come even to his Seat ! 
 When thefe your Enemies are prevailing in or over 
 you, is there not a Kind of Reitlefnefs in you, you 
 cannot find Reft, any where until you come a- 
 new to Chrift ? O to be back to my Reft again I 
 
 think I will never be right till I fee him again ! 
 If Matters are fo with you, poor Soul, it is an Evi- 
 dence you are redeemed from the Earth ; an'd if 
 there be really an inward Principle of Grace in thy 
 Heart, there will be lefs or more of this Exercife in 
 you ; for where there is an inward Principle of 
 £race infufed in the Heart of a Sinner, by the Spi- 
 rit 
 
( jj? ) 
 
 rit of the Lord Jefus Chrift, it is juft fomething like 
 the Needle in the Compafs, that, through the In- 
 fluence of the Load-Stone, turn it where you will, 
 it never refts until it turn to the Pole. So Belie- 
 vers, however dark, difraal and diftrefting their Cafe 
 may be, yet the Soul can never have folid Reft, un- 
 til it be pointed towards the great Pole, Chrift Je- 
 fus the worthy Lamb. So much for the firft Cha- 
 racter I took notice of, which is given to the Fol- 
 lowers of the Lamb, his Retinue and Train, idly, 
 Another of their Characters who are on the Lamb's 
 Side, is, That they fing a nsw Song, that none can 
 ham but the Hundred fdrty and four thoufand, the 
 Lamb's Retinue and Train. This indeed is a Song 
 that none could or can learn, but fuch as are on the 
 Lamb's Side; they that are with the Lamb. And, 
 by the Way, this gives ite to know, that the whole 
 of Religion is a Myftery to natural Men, to unrege- 
 nerate Men ; it is all a Myftery to them, they can- 
 not know the Things of the Spirit of God. Chrift 
 the Lamb is a hid Chrift to them ; the Gofpel of 
 Chrift is a hid Gofpel to them ; the Love of Chrift 
 is hid Love as to them ; the Grace of Chrift is vailed 
 to them : In one Word, all that Good that the 
 Gofpel reveals is hid from them : And that Word 
 is true concerning them, If our Gofpel he hid, it is- 
 hid to them that are loft, in whom the God of this World 
 hath blinded the Minds of 'them which helkve not, left 
 the Light of the glorious Gofpel of Chrift, who is the 
 Image of God, fhould fiine into their Hearts. Thus 
 we fay the whole of Religion is a Myftery to natu- 
 ral Men; they know nothing of this Song, this 
 new Song which is fung by the Lamb's Retinue and 
 Train. 
 
 To be more particular on this Character of the 
 Lamb's Followers, there are three Things I mall 
 
 a little 
 
( I« ) 
 
 a little take notice of in this new Song, that ndne 
 can learn but the Followers of the Lamb. In the 
 firfl Place, there is the glorious Objecl of the Song ; 
 2'dly. The Matter'; and, %dly. the Manner of this 
 Song ; each of whichi are Mysteries to all' butfuch 
 as are with the Lamb,. 
 
 In xhtfirft Place, there is the glorious Objecl of 
 this new Song •, ifonz can learn, the glorious Object 
 of the Song, but fuch as are with the Lamb. "Who 
 then is the O Hj eel of the new Song ? Why, the 
 worthy Lamb hlmfelf is the Object of this Song ; 
 he is the Object of the Praife and the Wonder of 
 all his Retinae arid Train : They fay concerning 1 
 him, Thou/art. our Praife ; each of them fays "for 
 himfelf, My Praife flnillbe of thee. If it be asked/ 
 liow it came about that he is the Object of their 
 Song ? We anfwer, in a "Word, He is the ObjecT 
 of their Delight, of their Gornpiacepy, SatisfacTioit 
 and Delight ; the Objecl of their Wonder and Ad- 
 miration, and therefore the Objecl of their Song, 
 Worthy is the Lamb that was fain, to receive Power > 
 Riches, Wifdom, Strength, Honour, Glory and Blejfing. 
 Kow,when itis {aid, none could learn this new Song 
 But the Hundred forty and four Thoufand, the Fol- 
 lowers of the Limb, the Meaning is, none could 
 learn the Objecl of the Song but them ; nor was 
 it anyThing in them that contributed to their learn- 
 ing the Song -, no, they have been all taught of 
 God, they have all got a LefFon from above, from 
 the worthy Lamb, which has not come in Word 
 only, but in Power and in the Holy Ghoft. They 
 have been all taught by the Spirit, who convincetli 
 the World of Ski ; they have all known that 
 powerful Iuftruclion, that efficacious Inftruclion, 
 which bows the (touted: Heart, and makes the ftout- 
 <eft Heart, yield to the Lord Jefus Chriftv And 1 ' 
 
 wha* 
 
tthat is ikt great LelTon which has been taught 
 them ? Why, it is Chrift himfelf the worthy Lamb • 
 Chrift in his Perfon, in the infinite Glory of his di- 
 vine Perfon : Chrift in what he hath done, in what 
 he is dcingV in what he will do, is the great Leifon 
 they have been taught; and is the ObjecT of their 
 Song, the great and glorious Object ©f. the haw 
 Song, which none can learn or fing but the Lamb's 
 Retinue and Train. 
 
 But then, in the fecond Place, as the Object of" 
 this Song is a Myftery, and what none can learn 
 but the Followers of the Lamb, fo the Matter of 
 the Song is alfo a Myftery, that riclie can learn but 
 them who are with the Lamb ; and as ChrirT, the 
 Lamb himfelf, is the glorious Object of this Song, 
 fo he is alfo the great Matter of the Song ; if all' 
 centres in him as to the Matter of it ; it centres in 
 what he has done and fuffered ; it is a Song' of the 
 Death and RefurrecYion of the Lamb. What is iti& 
 Matter of the Song .? It is a Song of the manifold" 
 Wifdom of God fnining in the Face of the La;rab a 
 and jurT beaming forth in .what he hath' done*. 
 What is the Matter of their Song ? Why, it is juft 
 & Song of the wonderfui-Love of God difplayed iri 
 th.e Perfon and Undertaking of the worthy Larnbo 
 Hence is that Word, Rev. i. 5;, 6. Unto him 
 that loped us, end hath wa/he'd us from our Sins in his 
 own Blood, and hath made us Kings a~nd Priejls unto 
 God and his Father ; unto him be Glory qnd Dominion 
 for ever and ever. Again, What is the Matter o£ 
 their Song . ? ; It is juft a Song of the Grace of God 
 rnanifirTed and difplayed in the Face of jefus Gfirlfl, 
 the worthy Lamb ; it is a Song -of the Mercy of 
 Gcd venting through 'the worthy Lamb fit is a Sajig 
 of Mercy, a Song of the Seafonablensfs ofMenry. 
 ©f thr Bife and Progrefs of Merc v, Hsnc£' the 
 0" Church 
 
( '8 > 
 Cnurch fings, He remembr&d us in our low Eft ate i. 
 for his Mercy endureth for ever. "VVhaJt is the. Mat- 
 ter of their Song/? Why,, the infinite Holinefs or 
 God,, Alining forth in the Undertaking and Perfor- 
 mance of the worthy Lamb, is the fubjeft Matter 
 of their Song. So, in the Vifion .which' John faw, 
 ■Rc"v: iv. S. the living Creatures, joined with the 1 
 redeemed from among Men, reft not Day nor Night* 
 from faying, or finging, Holy, holy, holy y Lord God' 
 Almighty, which wets, a)idis,.andrs< to'come. Sirs, it 
 is a Mark- and GharacTer of all who are" among the' 
 Lamb's Retinue and Train, they love the Holinefs 
 of God mining in the worthy Lamb, as well as the 
 Mercy of God through, which they are faved ; 
 and this indeed' is a Myftery that none can learn 
 but they who are "with the Lamb. Have you tl^en 
 learned the new Songs the Matter of the Song .1 
 I-f fo be, you can in fome Meafure give Thanks at 
 ■ the Remembrance of his Holinefs ; you love the 
 .Holinefs of God, and you celebrate the Holinefs of 
 God, as it- mines in the worthy Lamb, as well as 
 th© Mercy of God. You love God becaufe:he is 
 htoly, and love to join the Retinue above, faying* 
 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. Thus you have 
 learned the Matter of the Song; At whole Mouth 
 Have you, learned- this Note, to firig of his infinite 
 Holineis .?' "Why, juft at the Mouth of the worthy 
 Lamb, who cries- out, Thou art holy, thou that in- 
 habited \ the Praifes o/Tfrael, Pfalm xxii. 3-. This 
 16 his Cry, and the Faith of this makes all the Lamb's 
 Followers, his Retinue and. Train, cry out, Holy, 
 holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty. 
 
 But then, in the third and lafl Place, upon this', 
 .fihara&er of the Lamb's Followers, as the Objecl and 
 'Matter of this new Song' which they ling, ar My- 
 ifeies- which none can learn but the Followers of 
 
 thr 
 
( w ) 
 
 the Lamb ; fo the Manner of the Song is a Myftery 
 to all but fuch as are with the Lamb ; none can fing 
 .the Song but they, becaufe the Manner how they 
 fing it, is what none can learn but his Retinue and 
 Train. In what Manner then is it his Followers fing 
 this new Song? Why, as the Song is not a carnal, but 
 a fpiritual Song, fo they who fing it, they fing it with 
 a newHeart and a new Spirit: Such as fing it, they 
 have got the new Heart and new Spirit ; they are 
 fanctified by the Spirit of Ghrift. How is this Song 
 fung ? Why, it is fung in Faith ; it proceeds from 
 Faith in the Object of the Song, whom Flefh and 
 Blood doth not reveal to the Soul, but his Father 
 which is in Heaven. It is juit in a Way of Faith 
 and Believing that this Song is fung ; for Faith is 
 jull a giving Glory and Praife to God, Glory to the 
 worthy Lamb. Hence it is faid of Abraham, He (dag- 
 gered not at the Promife of God, through Unbelief 
 hilt iv as jlrong in the Faith, giving Glory' to God. 
 Thus, we fay, the glorious Object, the Matter, and 
 the Manner of this new Song, are all Myfteries to 
 Jiich as are not with the Lamb, but are taught 
 unto his Retinue and Train. But 
 
 I proceed to a third Character I took notice of, 
 of the Lamb's Retinue and Train, the Followers of 
 the worthy Lamb ; and yon have it in the firft Part 
 6f the Verfe which I have read, where they are de- 
 figned, Such as were not defiled with Women: Tbefe 
 are they which are not defiled with Women, for 
 they are Virgins. The Expreffions are figurative; . the 
 Apoftle hatha Commentary upon them in his 2d 
 Epiftle to the Corinthians, 1 ith Chapter and 2d Verfe, 
 / have efpoifed you to one Husband, ( faith he ) that I 
 may prefent you as a chaft'e Virgin to Chrifi. The £vlean4 
 ing is, This Retinue and Train, the bieifed Company 
 here fpcker* of, they were 5 haft e unto their Husband 
 
 the 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 die Lord jefus Chrift, in a Day of general Defec 
 tioi) and Apoftafy from him ; they were chafte unto 
 Ihim in the? Time of the Apoftafy and Defection 
 that took Place ; particularly, under the Reign of 
 Antichrift, which 'is principally » intended in this 
 Place,' that Remnant' were kept chafte and pure 
 from the general Defection and Apoftafy that then 
 'prevailed: They did not defile themfelves with the 
 joins' and. Whoredoms of the Day, .the Snares of 
 the Time .wherein they lived. They' are chafte 
 'Virgins unto Chrift their Husband ; they obferve 
 the Ordinances and inftitutions of their Husband. 
 In Scripture it is called fpiritml Whoredom and I- 
 dolatry, to corrupt the Ordinances and Inftitutions 
 of Chrift ; arid fo, when the Members of a viiibl.e 
 (Uhiurch do depart from the Purity of the Ordinance's 
 and Inftitutions of Chriftv they are juftly chargeable 
 with fpiritual Whoredom, and Uneha'ftity to their 
 Husband Chrift. " It. is thefpecial Character of the 
 Ketipu.e of the Lairib, that they are not defiled with 
 Women, for they areVirgins, chafte Virgins, chafte 
 Hi their Endeavour to keep pure and iritire allfuch 
 religious Worftiip and Ordinances as ; he hath ap- 
 pointed in his Word ; chafte in their ' c 'Obedience • 
 unto tfie Laws .and Authority of Chrift, as their 
 great Lord and Lawgiver •, chafte in their Love to 
 .and JSfteem of Chrift"; chafte in their Affections to 
 andDefires after Chrift But, more particularly, 
 thofe who are with the Lamb, his Retinue arid 
 Train," their Ghaftity may be known, and doth e- 
 yidence itfclf, in all thefe particular Characters' fol- 
 lowing. ..< '\'*i\'. ; ; I 
 
 ' In the firfl PJace, their Chaftity may be known, '< 
 and doth evidence' it fe'If, in the)r Fear pf Sin, and 
 Peilre to be kept from /inning; they defirp fo be 
 kept pure m a finning Time, in a defiling Age and 
 
 ■ >■"'■'* ■ : '■ '■•■ ' ••'Ximev 
 
' .< I 1 ■•>. 
 
 Time, in an enfnaring Time -, particularly, they de» 
 lire to be kept from the Sins and Snares that pre- 
 vail in the Time and Place where they live. They 
 are more afraid of SirT than of any Thing elfe. 
 It was a good Saying of an eminent private Chrilti- 
 an, who was brought before the JuiViciary in the 
 late Times of Perfecution ; when they were defir- 
 ing him not to lie, h;e anfwered, 1 am more afraid to 
 //>, than to die. That which the Lord's People 
 count Tenderaefs, the World reckons Nicety, 
 Hypocrify and Precifenefs. But, O Sirs, regard 
 them net ; it is good to be tender, it is a' dangerous 
 Thing to give a fquint Lookto Chrift's Rivals, 
 Or to give an adulterous Lobk.to Idols. 
 
 In the id Place, the Chaftlty of the Lamb's Re- 
 tinue may be known, and doth evidence itfelf, in 
 their hearty Concern for, and Regard unto the de- 
 clarative Glory of the Lamb. The Lamb is very 
 jealous of his own Glory ; and lb all his Followers, 
 who are taught of him, they mingle Interefts with 
 him, and become alfo. jealous of his declarative Glo- 
 ry, and concerned 'for the Advancement of his de- 
 clarative Glory; and there are weighty Reafons 
 it ifiould be fo, if we conMder, that it inchfdes\ll 
 the poHtive Ordinance's and Inftitutions of God, and 
 of the Lamb their Husband ; and the fecond Com- 
 mandment in the Moral Law itfelf, doth fix upon 
 every one of us an Obligation to be tender of all the 
 Ordinances and Inftitutions of Chnft ; to be tender 
 of his declarative Glory : But, alas, Sirs, tho' alj 
 Wre bound to this Tendernefs, by the Law of God', 
 how few knoy any Thing of it f Many think 
 light of the declarative Glory' of the Lamb, think 
 light of his Ordinances : and' Inftitutions, at this Day. . 
 For Inftance, How many think the Government of 
 his Houfe a light Matter, at this Day I Be it known 
 
 unto 
 
( «. ) 
 
 .tinto them, who think the Government ofGhrift's 
 Houfe a light Matter, and not to be contended for, 
 fo far they are from the Character of the Followers 
 of the Lamb, that they are guilty of fpiritual For- 
 , mcation and Adultery, whoever they be. Why, 
 fay fome, we ought not to be concerned about the. 
 ihe Government of ChrinVs Hqufe. What have 
 we todo with this r It. is not neceifary unto Sal- 
 vation, it is none of the EiTentials of. Religion ; 
 ' we will hold by the Eflentials, but as for the Go- 
 vernment of his Houfe, it is not abfolutely neceifa- 
 ry to Salvation. Oh what a grofs Saying is this ,!' 
 If the Government be thrown afide ; I fay, if the 
 Government of the Houfe be can 1 by, the Ordinan- 
 ces of the Houfe will not ftand long pyre. If once 
 the Hedge of Government be taken away, why, 
 then all PaiTengers will pluck at the Ordinances 
 and Inftitutions of the Houfe ; the very wild Beads 
 of the Field, and the Boar out of the Wood, will \ 
 wafre it at their Pfeafure. Cjirift, the worthy 
 Lamb, the Lord of his own Houfe, he is a jealous 
 God, he is very zealous for his own Glory, he 
 will have all Things'In his Houfe, to the very leaft 
 Pin, managed according to the Pattern fhewn in 
 ihe. Mount. And truly, Sirs, he who is the chafte 
 Virgin, not 'defiled with Women, he regardeth all 
 the Ordinances and Inflitutions of Chrift's Houfe, 
 and the Order and Government of his Houfe no 
 I.efs. As for that felfifh Spirit of theirs, who pre- 
 tend a Regard to thofe Things they call Effentials 
 of Religion, I (hall only fay this, their Regard is 
 not much to ,be regarded, who take upon them to 
 difrcgard any Part of what relates to the decla- 
 rative Glory of the. Lamb. Such a Temper as 
 this is perilous, and exceeding difpleafing in his 
 Sight ; ' and we may be fiire of this one Thing, 
 
 thSl 
 
( 2 3. ) 
 that where God has reared up his Houfe, made 
 the Land a covenanted Land, and even there Mat- 
 ters come to this lad'Pafs, of difregarding the Go- 
 vernment of his Houfe, as a Thing of no Moment, 
 it is an awful Prelude, that the Lord will fhor't- 
 ly plead a Controversy with the Land. Sirs, fome-. 
 thing might be born with fuch as have not arrived' 
 at the fame Degree of Reformation that Scotland 
 has arrived at. Let fuch as make light of thefe 
 Things take it as they will, God looks upon it as 
 fpiritual Adultery, and' going a-whorihg from the 
 worthy Lamb. 
 
 In the %d and" (aft Place, the- Chaffity of the 
 Lamb's Retinue may be known, and doth evidence 
 itfelf, in their fincere Love and Affection to the 
 worthy Lamb their Husband ' -, and a chafte Love 
 unto the Lord Ghrift, Lt very well becomes all his 
 Followers ; their Love ought to be chafte and/ 
 pure, their Affections ought to be chafte and pure ; 
 Ghrift, the worthy Lamb, ought to have the chief 
 Room in their Heart and Affections, and it well' 
 becomes him to have it ; and it is fpirituaJ Forni- 
 cation and Adultery, if any Thing beiide him have 
 it; if other Things, beiide Chriff,. are entertained 
 before him in any Heart or Affections, it is a fad 
 Sign that Heart is not yet opened to the worthy 
 Lamb. This then is another Character of the 
 Followers of the worthy Lamb, his Retinue and 
 Train, They are not defiled with JVomen, for they are 
 Virgins. They are "chafte unto the Lord Ch rift ; ; 
 chafte in the Hatred of Sin, chafte in their Con- 
 cern for the declarative Glory of, chafte in their 
 Love and Affections towards the worthy Larnb. 
 But . 
 
 I proceed to a fourth Character of thofe' who 
 follow the Lamb, his Retinue and Train j and you ' 
 
 i&ave' 
 
have it in the Clofe of the Verfe which I have read, 
 where they are defigncd, the firft Fruits unto God and 
 the Lamb J Now, if it is inquired, why the Lamb's 
 Retinue are deftgh.ed, the firj} Fruits unto God, I 
 anfwer in theie two Obfervatiom>. In t he fir/} Place, 
 you know,, under the old Teftamentv the firft Fruits 
 were confecrated unto God; ahcl fo they who 
 follow the Lamb, they are a Company confe- 
 crated unto God ; they have' confecrated and 
 devoted themfelves unto the Lord, and they 
 jUH look upon themfelves to be the devoted Thing, 
 which belongs to God as his Due and Right, 
 As the firft ripe Fruits were prefented to the Lord, 
 fo the Lamb's Followers, they anfwer that Exhor- 
 tation of the Apoftle, I befeech you, Brethren, by 
 the Mercies of God, that ye prefent your Bodies ( a 
 Part put for the whole Man, by an ufuat Figure) . 
 4 living Sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which 
 is your reafonable Service. We fay, they con fecrafe 
 themfelves wholly unto him ; they confecrate and 
 devote their Hearts and Souls unto him ; they con- 
 fecrate and devote their Affections and Love unto 
 him; in a Word, they devote all' the Powers and 
 Faculties of their Souls unto him ; they devote all- 
 the Members, of their Bodies unto him ; they de-^ 
 vote Hkeways their Wealth and Subftance unto him; 
 all that they can call theirs, they are content it be . 
 the Lord's.- Thus they are the firft Fruits unto 
 God, and to the Lamb. The firft Fruits, Jroii 
 know, are but a fmall Part of the Crop, and fo 
 the Expreffion intimates the Paucity of the Num- 
 ber who are with the Lamb : Many are called, but, 
 few are chofen. Strait is the Gate, and narrow ,is 
 the Way, that leadeth to Life, and few there be that, 
 find it. There are many Profeifors at this l!) ay, s 
 Sirs; but, alas, how few know the Myflenels "of 
 
( *!> ) 
 
 the Kingdom of God ? How few know the Myftery 
 of Religion f Many are called, but few are choferi. 
 The Lamb's Retinue and Train, I fay, are but 
 like the firft Fruits, which are but a fmall Part of 
 the Crop : They are fometimes fewer in one Pe-. 
 riod than in another, bur (till, even when they are 
 moil: numerous, they* are but like the firft Fruits, 
 in comparifon of the great Bulk who are not of 
 the Lamb's Retinue and Train. Some think the 
 Expreffion here refpecls fuch a Time as that, when 
 the Lamb has but a very thin Backing, in compari- 
 fon of the Multitude wondring after the Beaft, 
 and who of confequence go down the Stream of 
 Defection. I remember an ExpreiTion of worthy 
 Rutherford, in one of his Letters, when Epifco- 
 pacy was like to get the Afcendant in this Land ; 
 faith he, The Queftion frail be, Few Noblemen, if 'any >> 
 few Barons, if any, feiv Gentry, if any, to ft and it out. 
 It is brought to this with us, Sirs; few Noblemen, 
 if any, few Barons, if any, to. take the Gaufe of 
 Chrift by the Hand in Scotland : Few Minifters and 
 few Commons to take the Caufe of Chrift by the 
 Hand ; they are comparatively like the firft ripe 
 Fruits. But, 
 
 idly. There is another Obfervation I would 
 make on the firft Fruits. The firft Fruits, you know, 
 are a Token of an approaching Harveft, and fome 
 think the Expreffion here points at the Time when 
 there will be a glorious Enlargement of the Church 
 and Kingdom of Chrift, when the Lord begins the 
 Quarrel againft Antichrift. Well, tho' the Fol- 
 lowers of the Lamb be but like the firft Fruits, yet 
 the firft Fruits to God and to the Lamb, they go 
 before a plentiful Crop and Ingathering under the 
 Lamb's Banner. Sirs, here then is good News, 
 However low the Lamb's Gaufe may be brought, 
 D however 
 
( '«« ) . - 
 
 however few his Retinue and Train may be in cer- 
 tain Periods, yet the Lamb (hall be uppermoft, the 
 Lamb {hall gain the Day, ere all be done ; the 
 Lamb mall have a glorious Retinue and Train ; 
 the Lamb (hall have a plentiful Gathering in of 
 Souls to him ; the firft Fruits fecure the Harveft i 
 "What Trials and Difficulties may be in our Way, 
 in a Way of witneffing for the Lamb, in this Day 
 of backiliding and declining, we .know not ; how- 
 ever, in the mean Time, Faith may feed upon this, 
 that the firft Fruits to God and to the Lamb, both 
 proceed and fecure a glorious Harveft and Ingather- 
 ing of Souls to the Lamb's Retinue and Train. 
 This is good News, good Food for Faith, and we 
 may believe it fhall be fo ; for Jehovah hath faid 
 concerning the Lamb's Retinue, P faint Ixxii. 1 6. 
 There Jhdll be an Handful of Corn in the Earthy on the 
 Top of the Mountain ; the Fruit thereof pall /hake 
 like Lebanon, and they of the City Jh all flour ifh like Grafs 
 of the Earth. And of the Lamb himfelf, Verfe 17. 
 if is Name pall endure for ever ; his Name fhall be 
 continued as long as the Sun ; and Men /hall be blefled 
 in him ; all Nations pall call him ble/fed. 
 
 The $th and laft Character I took notice of, 
 which is given to the Followers of the Lamb, his 
 Retinue and Train, you have it in the 5- th Verfe, 
 where they are defigned, Perfons in whofe- Mouths is 
 no Guile : And in their Mouth -was found no Guile, for 
 they are without Fault before the Throne of God. This 
 Character of the Lamb's Retinue, we fee, is twofold. 
 
 In the firfl Place, they are faid to be without 
 Guile : In their Mouths was found no Guile"; that is, 
 their Heart is with their Mouth, they correfpond 
 together ; the Word of their Mouth is the Thought 
 of their Heart. Many diffemble in their Profe'flion 
 concerning the worthy Lamb, they fhew much 
 Love in their Profeffion. With their Mouth and 
 
 Lip 
 
( 27 ) 
 Lip they profefs to draw near to God, but, in the 
 mean Time, their Heart goeth after their Covetouf- 
 nefs ; and fo that is a diiTembling Profeffion. But 
 it is otherways with the Followers of the Lamb ; in 
 their Mouth is no Guile ; their Heart and their 
 Mouth agree together, their Heart andProfeffion cor- 
 refpond together. All that are with the Lamb, and 
 follow the Lamb, they are fingle and true-hearted 
 Men : They that are the Lamb's true Followers, 
 they are /ingle for the Lamb's Glory and Honour ; 
 they follow the Lamb whitherfoever he goeth. 
 Many take up a Profeffion of Religion, in a fair 
 Day, and they juft lay k down again, when this 
 and the other Temptation or Trial cafts in the 
 "Way. Try your Profeffion, Sirs. {If you be the 
 Lamb's Followers, you will have Mouths this far 
 -without Guile, that your Heart and Profeffion will 
 agree together ; and fo, when the Heart and Pro- 
 feffion do correfpond and agree together, then they 
 have the other Part of the Character, as it follows, 
 they are 'without Fault before the Throne of God. 
 
 If it be asked, How are they without Fault be- 
 fore the Throne of God ? I anfwer, They are with- 
 out Fault in a two-fold Refpecl. In the ift Place, 
 They are without Fault in regard of their Juftifica- 
 tion ; idly. In refpect of their San&ification. 
 
 In the firfl Place, I fay, the Retinue of the Lamb 
 -are without Fault in regard of their Justification, 
 being juflified freely by his Grace, through the Redemf - 
 tion that is in Jefus ChriJ}, Rom. iii. 24. "When God 
 pardons the Sins of his People in Juftification, he 
 juft cafts them all into the Depths of the Sea, 
 and accepts their Perfons as righteous in his Sight, 
 only for the Righteoufnefs of the Lamb ; and in 
 this Refpecl they are all without Fault before the 
 Throne of God j having their Sins waftied away 
 
 in 
 
( =8 ) 
 in his Blood, and their Perfons accepted through, 
 and covered with the Righteoufneis of the Lord 
 Jefus Chrift, the worthy Lamb. He is juft their 
 Clothing, their Ornament, their only Covering be- 
 fore God, and they are all bdautified with his Excel- 
 lency, and made comely with his Comelinefs: And 
 hence it follows that they are without Fault before 
 the Throne of God, in refpect of their Juftification. 
 But then, 
 
 In the 2d Place, the Lamb's Followers are with- 
 out Fault in refpect of their Sanguification. Altho' 
 the Work of Sanclification be but imperfect while 
 the Soul is in this World, yet the Work of Sancli- 
 fication is a progreflive Work, it is growing up to 
 Perfection -, yea, even in this World it hath a 
 Perfection of Parts, altho' it is not perfect as to 
 its Meafure and Degree ; and this begun Perfection, 
 this Perfection of Parts, is an undoubted Pledge 
 and Evidence of a full Perfection, as to Meafure 
 and Degree, indue Time; for all that are with 
 the Lamb, who follow the worthy Lamb, they 
 fhall be prefented before the; Throne of God, warn- 
 ed with Water by the Word ; fo fanctified and 
 cleanfed, that there they fhall appear, not having 
 Spot or Wrinkle, or any fuch Thing ; holy and without 
 Blemifh, Eph. v. 26, 27. 
 
 Now, Sirs, thus have I fet before you fome of 
 the Characters of the Lamb's Retinue and Train, 
 the Followers of the worthy Lamb. Have you 
 been applying as I have been (peaking? What 
 has been faid may be improven, as Marks and Evi- 
 dences by which you may try yourielves, whether 
 you are among the Lamb's Retinue or not. Try 
 it, then, Sirs. Are you redeemed from the Ea~rth, 
 redeemed from among Men, redeemed by the 
 Price of the Lamb's Blood, and by the Power of 
 
 his 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 his Spirit ? Arc ye among thofe who have learned 
 the new Song, which none can learn but fuch as 
 are with the Lamb, and follow the Lamb f Have 
 you ever been taught of God, taught the myfte- 
 rious Song, which is a My fiery to all but the 
 Lamb's Retinue and Train ? Have you learned the 
 Object of the Song, the Matter of the Song, and 
 the Manner of the Song ? Again, are you iuch as 
 are not defiled with Women, who are Virgins I 
 Are you chafte to the worthy Lamb your Husband, 
 chafte in your Hatred of Sin, chafte in your Con- 
 cern for his declarative Glory, &c ? Are you the 
 fifft Fruits to God, and to the Lamb ? And, finally, 
 are you ranked and numbred among thofe in whole 
 Mouths is no Guile, and who are without Fault be- 
 fore the Throne of God . ? Does your Heart and your 
 Mouth correfpond together ? Are you justified by 
 the Righteoufnefs of the Lamb, and fancliiied by 
 his Spirit I Why, then you have the Lamb's Call 
 to go to his Table ; to take the Seal of his Co- 
 venant, the confirming Seal of his Love ; to re- 
 member him, and what he hath done for you ? 
 He hath given himfelf for you ; and go ye, then, 
 and take a View of the worthy Lamb in the Sa- 
 crament, in the Ordinance of his Supper. Go, 
 and there behold the Lamb of God. 
 
 I cannot proceed farther upon this Subject at the 
 Time. The Lord blefs his Word, and to his 
 Name be Praife. 
 
 Orwell, 
 
( 3° ) 
 
 Orwell, Monday, 7 Augufl 1738. 
 
 Rev. xiv. 4. 
 
 Thefe are they which follow the Lamb 
 whitherfoever he goeth. 
 
 MY Friends, we are- aflembleel together 
 this Day, to give Thanks unto the 
 Lord, the worthy Lamb, on aThankf- 
 giving-Day, after a folemn Communi- 
 on-Day : "We are affemblcd together to fing 
 Praifes to our great King, the King of Zion, who 
 is gone up with a Shout, as in the Pfalm fung in the 
 Entry. He is gone up with a Shout, he w hath a- 
 fcended up on high, he hath afcended up with a 
 Shout of Victory over his Enemies, he hath Spoil- 
 ed. Principalities and Powers, and made a Shew of 
 them openly upon the Grofs : And, upon the Back 
 of his Victory upon the Crofs, he hath gone up 
 with a Shout unto his Throne, to his Crown above, 
 where he reigns and rules, and will do fo until all 
 his Enemies be made hisFootftool. O Sirs, upon the 
 Back of a folemn Communion-Sabbath, what think 
 you of Z ion's King, the worthy Lamb ? Have you 
 got any Sight of his Beauty, Glory, and tranfcen- 
 dent Excellency ? If fo be, what think you of him ? 
 "What think you of the Prince of the King's of 
 the .Larth., the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords ? 
 I am fure, my Friends, if you have got any fpiri- 
 tual Views of the Lamb, of the Glory of this great 
 
 King, 
 
( 3* ) 
 
 King, who is gone up with a Shout, then your Souls 
 have been made to bow unto him, to ftoop unto 
 him, to give the Obedience of Faith unto him, 
 and you have been made to fay concerning this 
 King, Let him reign over me, let him fway the 
 Sceptre over me, juft in my Heart. O let him be 
 great in my Heart, let him be exalted there, 
 let him be all there ! O he is worthy to be exalt- 
 ed, worthy to be honoured, worthy to be glorifi- 
 ed, and worthy to be fet on high above all ; for he 
 is that King, that God who has gone up with a 
 Shout, with a triumphant Shout, with a magnifi- 
 cent Shout, a victorious Shout. And, Sirs, I tell 
 you to-day, that this King, who has gone up with 
 a Short, will, in like Manner, in a little Time, 
 come down with a Shout. The Lord himfelf mall 
 defcend from Heaven with a Shout, with the Voice 
 of the Archangel, and the Trump of God. O 
 what a Shout will that be ? Why, it mail be heard 
 in all the Ends of the Earth ; it will be a Shout 
 that will gather all Nations before him ; it will be 
 a Shout that will gather his redeemed and ranfom- 
 ed Ones together before him, to go to Glory with 
 him ■ it will be a Shout that will gather all his 
 Enemies before him, to receive their final Doom 
 from him. Here is a Mark of the genuine Follow- 
 ers oJf the Lamb, they long for this Shout. The 
 Old Teftament Church longed for the Time when 
 ' this King mould come and finilh his Work, and go 
 tip with a Shout : The new Teftament Church 
 longs for the Time when he fhall defcend with a 
 Shout. When they think of his defcending with 
 a Shout, they cry, Amen, even fo come, Lord Je- 
 fus, Well, his Work is going on, and in a very 
 little his Work will be finifhed. It is long fince 
 he faid, Behold, I come quickly. And he who faid, 
 
 Behold, 
 
Behold, 1 . come quickly, he is coming apace ; he 
 will come in a little, and gather all his Followers 
 together to be ever with the Lord. We are met 
 together this Day to give Thanks to this King 
 who is gone up with a Shout ; and, Sirs, in our lo- 
 lemn Alterably a Shout of longing, for his defcen-, 
 ding with a Shout, fhould go up to him who is 
 gone up with a Shout. And is there any Longing 
 among you for that Day, that happy Day, that 
 blefTed Day, when the Lamb fhall defcend with a 
 Shout, and when all the Members of his myilical 
 Body (hall be gathered together, with the Lamb at 
 the Head of the Company, and the whole Compa- 
 ny of the redeemed from among Men at the Lamb's 
 Back, not having Spot or Wrinkle, or any fuch 
 ThingrThe whole Company with the Lamb, come- 
 ly through his Comelinefs upon them •, the whole 
 Company like unto the Lamb, all mining with the 
 Glory of the worthy Lamb. O long for that happy 
 Day! Let every one that is amongft the Lamb's 
 Company, his ranfomed Ones, cry out, Amen, even/6 
 some, Lord Jefus, come quickly. Let this be your Lan- 
 guage, Sirs, when we are this Day to part one 
 from another : We know not what may be before 
 another Seafon of Communions come ; but what 
 ever be, my Friends, I tell, you good News this 
 Day, Zion\ King lives, Zion's King reigns, the 
 Government is laid upon his Shoulders, and furely 
 the Children of Zion have good Reafon to be glad, 
 and rejoice in their King. What ever dark Things 
 may be in the A^omb of Providence,- it is good our 
 King lives ; our King is and will be exalted ; our 
 King will manage all for the. real Good of his Sub- 
 jects. jLet the Children of Zion rejoice in their 
 King, let them glory in their King, let them com* 
 mit all their Concerns to their King. Let us look 
 
 to 
 
( 33 ) 
 
 to. him to give us a parting Bleffing with his Word 
 this Day, that ye who know this King may go a- 
 way more confirmed and eftabliihed, before' fhak-. 
 ing Winds blow : Indeed making Winds are .alrea- 
 dy blowing, but they may blow higher and higher, 
 till a Hurricane of the Lord's Wrath come to a- 
 venge his, Quarrel with the Ifles of the Sea. But 
 I proceed. .. .-,%■, ^ ... 
 
 y In the firft four or five Verfes of this Chapter; 
 which is a Part of the Vifion which the Apoftle- 
 John, the Penman of this Book, faw, the Lamb's 
 Retinue and Train are defcribed by fevera!* Cha- 
 racters'; .and, among other diftinguiming Charac-. 
 ters of them, the Spirit of God takes Notice, that 
 they are fuch as follow the Lamb whitherfcever 
 he goeth : Thefe are they which fallow the Lamb, &c, 
 I have fpqken twice on thefe Words already upon 
 this Occailon.. After opening up the Words, ths 
 Doctrine I offered from them was, 
 
 "That all that are with the Lamb, or are on the Lamb's 
 Side K they follow the Lamb whitherfoever he 
 goeth. . - • 
 
 ■ Thefe are th g y which follow the Lamb whit^erfoeiier . 
 be goetjj. The Method I propofed for difcourfing' 
 from this Doctrine, was, in thefirft Place, to fpealt; 
 alittle concerning the worthy Lamb, the Leaded of 
 this Company. , . , ; ■ - 
 
 . idly. To mention fome of the Characters given 
 iq the Followers of the Lamb, his Retinue and' 
 Train. ..'..' 
 
 ^dly. To mew what is imported in fblioWing"t : he 
 Lamb. - 
 
 Ofthly. To fhew how, or by what Means, ths' 
 Lamb's Retinue .and Train do follow him. 
 
 5thly* To fhew wherein they do follow ths 
 
 'M 6 thy, 
 
, - " ( 34 ) 
 
 6thly. Give the Reafons of the Doctrine, or mew 
 why all thofe who are with the Lamb, do follow the' 
 Lamb whkherfoeverhe goeth. 
 
 And, laftly, make Application. 
 
 1 have already fpoken fomewhat, ift, concerning, 
 the worthy Lamb; and, idly, fomewhat of thofe who 
 follow him, his Retinue and Train. I mall proceed' 
 now to the third general Head in the Method, which" 
 was, to fhew what is imported or implied in follow- 
 ing the Lamb. IfhaH only offer a few Particulars 
 briefly on this Head. 
 
 In thefirft Place, then, to follow the Lamb does 
 import the Knowledge of the Lamb, fome Uptak- 
 ing of and Acquaintance with the Lamb. What 
 we have in the 4th Chapter of Matthew, and 20th 
 Verfe, is plain to this Purpofe. "When our Lord 
 made himfelf known to Andrew and Peter, then, it 
 Is faid, they forfook their Nets and followed him. 
 It is juft a faving Oifcovery of the Lamb that draws' 
 the Soul after him. They that follow the Lamb, 
 they have got fome politive Acquaintance with thd 
 Lamb, and this Acquaintance is given to them, 
 fir ft, m their effectual Calling, when they are called 
 out of Darknefs to rthe Lord's marvellous Light. 
 When God, who commanded Light to ihine out of 
 l&arknefs, ihihes into their Hearts, giving the Light 
 of the Knowledge of the Glory of God, in the Face 
 of Jefus Chrift, then the Face of lowering, caff' 
 over all People; is taken off them : We fay, juft 
 when the Lord manifefts himfelf in a faving Manner, 
 then it is they are drav^n forth towards the Lamb ; 
 then it is they are made to follow the Lamb ; then 
 it is they are made to fay, Where thou goeft I will go, 
 where thou lodge ft I will lodge ; thy People /hall be my 
 People, and thy God my God, 2.:, Ruth faid to Naomi. 
 What think you, Sirs, does firft effectually draw a 
 
 Sinner 
 
( 35 ) 
 pinner to Chrift ? Why, it is juft a faying Difplay 
 of the Glory of Chrift conveying the faving Know- 
 ledge of Chrift into the Heart of the Sinner, But 
 .then, 
 
 In the 2d Place, following the Lamb, it does 
 import and irnply a Principle of fpiritual Life. A 
 .dead Sinner cannot follow Chrift. It is very true, 
 all the Followers, of the Lamb are. by Nature dead 
 In Trefpaffes and Sins, as well as others : But the 
 Lamb, he fends forth his quickning Spirit into their 
 Hearts, and fo, in effectual Calling, they are made 
 to hear his quickning Voice: As in the i oth Chap- 
 ter ofEzekiel and 6th Verfe, If aid unto thee, when 
 thou wa n ':n thy Blood, Live : Tea, I faid unto thee 
 when thou waft in thy Blood, Live. TheLamb makes 
 them hear his Voice, which is a quickning Voice, 
 a Life-giving Voice ; and fo, upon hearing th£ 
 Lamb's Voice, they are immediately led out to 
 follow the Lamb : So, I fay, to follow the Lamb, 
 does imply that there is a Principle of fpiritual Life 
 implanted in them. Again, 
 
 In the third Place, following the Lamb does im- 
 port or include in it, the voluntary Subjection of 
 Faith unto the worthy Lamb. Indeed, in that Day 
 when the Lord Jefus Chrift mines into the Heart of 
 a Sinner, in that Day when he fays unto a detd Sin- 
 ner, Live, then there is the voluntary Subjection 
 of Faith unto him : In the Day of Power, the Day 
 wherein the Obftinacy and Stiffnefs of the Hea'rt is 
 overcome, in that very fame Day the willing People 
 comes unto him and follows him ; according to 
 ?hat Word of Promife in the i ioth Pfalm, and 3d 
 Verfe, Thy People fiall be willing in the Day of thy 
 Power. The Day of Power is a Day wherein there 
 is a voluntary Subjection unto the Lamb, to fol p 
 lo-v the Lamb, We find Unbelief expreft by not 
 
 fubmitting 
 
Submitting to the Righteoufnefs of God, Rom. x. 3. 
 What is Unbelief V- Why, it is juft the very bppofite 
 of this voluntary Confent and Subjection of Faith 
 ■'luito th.e worthy Lamb: It is juft the proud Heart re- 
 fufing to ftbop to the Righteoufnefs of God, unto the 
 Rij^jueoulhels which is by Faith, tin to God's Way 
 of Salvation by "rich and free Grace. "And, upon the 
 other Hand, if yoii ask, '.What is Faith ?.-' Why 1 , 
 ijtis juft the Heart fubmitting to the Righteoufnefs 
 of God, the voluntary Subjection of the Soul unto 
 the Lord Jefus Chrift the worthy X'amb. In this 
 Day of his Power, the natural Pride and Obftinacy 
 of the Heart is 'broken and brought down'; the proud 
 Heart b brought down, is hurfibledi and they will 
 juft "bow to the Lord Jefus Chrift, (loop to the 
 Righteoufnefs of God which is by Faith in Chrifi 
 jfbfus, ftoop to the Way and Method of Salvation 
 By Chrifi Jefus. Faith is juft 1 Sinner's Renoun- 
 cing airfefope of Salvation from the Hills and Mul- 
 titudes of Mountains, 'and a cheerful fubmitting un- 
 to Salvation 'by the free Grace of God through 
 Chrift Jefus : It is juft a Sinner's_fibfcribing himfelf 
 a Debtor unto rich and free Grace, to the Sovereign 
 Grace of 'God venting in Chrift jefus the worthy 
 JLaniB. ' And fo, we' fay, in. following the Lamb 
 there is included the voluntary Subjection of Faith 
 unto turn; and "in this voluntary Subjection, belides 
 what we have faid, there is a Giving the 'Lamb his 
 proper Karnes arid Characters. 'The Soul is made 
 to call him, 'Lord, and this none can do but by the 
 Spirit of the Lord Chrift V And as he gets' his pro- 
 per Names, fo the Soul, thus fubjected to him, it 
 jftoopeth to his Authority and Government. It fays, 
 iipojri the Matter, let him rule over me, let him reign 
 and rftJe in and over me, by his Word, by his Grace 
 hid Spirit : ' Let him iway his Sceptre over me ; 
 ; ' -. : " '■'■ y let 
 
( 37 r% '. . 
 
 Jet all the Powers and Faculties of my Soul be obc- 
 'dient and pay Homage unto him ; let his Throne 
 t>e fet un in my Heart ; let him alone -be enthroned 
 there. But,- not to infill, 
 
 In the i\th Place, following the Lamb, it imports 
 or includes a clofe Conjunction with the Lamb. 
 All the Followers of the Lamb, fo to fpeak, they 
 are clofely conjoined with the Lamb :- There *s 
 fuch a clofe' Conjunction between him and them, 
 that they are one Spirit with him. O wonderful 
 is that Onenefs that is between the Lamb and all his 
 Followers. They have juit one Spirit with th.e 
 worthy Lamb ; that Spirit that reds upon him, that 
 is riven unto him without Meafure, above all Mea- 
 iure, even 'that fame Spirit takes up his Relldence 
 in the Hearts of all the Followers of the Lamb. 
 They.are an Habitation of God through the Spirit, 
 they are Temples of the Holy-Gholtr in which he 
 dwells, lie takes up hrs Residence in them ; and 
 fo, if any Man have not the Spirit of Chrift, he is 
 none of his : If any Man have not the Spirit of the 
 Lamb, he is not among the Followers ofthe Lamb. 
 There is a clofe Conjunction between the Lamb and 
 all the Followers ofthe Lamb : The Lamb and his 
 "Followers, they have, fo to fpeak, one common 
 Came ;'. the Caufe ofthe Lamb is the Caufe of all 
 liis Followers. No fooner does the Sinner take his 
 Standard On the Lamb's Side, but immediately the 
 
 :.r . 
 
 j mo s 
 
 Caufe is his Caufe : They' have on; 
 
 mon Gaufe ; and hence, whatever afreets the Lamp 
 does likeways, fo to fpeak, affect thera. : The Dif- 
 honours done to; the Lamb affect the Followers of 
 the Lamb : The Indignities done to the Lamb 
 'affect the Followers ofthe Lamb : The great Indi- 
 gnities done to the Lamb, they take as done to 
 £hei|j, as a great Affront and Indignity done to 
 
 them 
 
< S$ ) 
 
 them, yea, as the greateft Hurt that can be 
 done to them. The Lamb and his Followers 
 have fuch a clofe Conjunction together, that 
 'that which affects him the Head, affects them 
 as his Members, yea, what affecls them, does like- 
 ways affect him ; for, faith he, He that toucheth you> 
 toucheth the Apple of mine Eye. They Jiave juij 
 common Friends and common Foes. Pfalm exxxix. 
 21, 22. Do not I hate them, Lord, (faith die Pfal- 
 mift) that hate thee? And am not I grievfd with thofe 
 that rife up again]} thee P I hate them with perfeft 
 ^Hatred ; I count them ?nine Ejietnies. 
 
 But, again, in the $th Place, to follow the 
 Lamb, it imports a clofe Gorrefpondence with the 
 JLamb. All that are with Lamb, and follow the 
 Lamb, they have a clofe Correfpondence and In- 
 timacy with him. The JLamb, fo to fpeak, com- 
 municates and imparts all his Secrets to them. 
 Ye have a remarkable Word to this Purpofe in the, 
 15-th Chapter > of John, and i$"th Verfe, Henceforth 
 (faith Chrift) / call you no more Servants > for the 
 Servant knoweth not what his Lord doth ; hut 1 have 
 called you Friends, for all Things that I have heard 
 of my Father, I h.ave made known unto you. The 
 Lamb, fo to fpeak, imparts to his Followers all 
 the Secrets which his Father has imparted unto him. 
 And what are thefe Secrets, think you, which he 
 imparts to his Followers ■ "Why, he imparts the 
 great Secrets of the Covenant of Grace to them. 
 The Secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, 
 and he will ihew them hjs Covenant, Pfalm xxy. 
 14. What are the great Secrets he imparts unto 
 them ? Why, his Name it is fecret, and he imparts 
 his Name unto them : He juil imparts himfclf unto 
 them, the Glory of his Perfon unto them. But 
 as, in this clofe Gorrefpondence, the Lamb imparts 
 
 his 
 
( ) 
 
 his Secrets to His Followers, fo his Followers, fo 
 to fpeak, they juft impart their Secrets unto him. 
 They can freely impart all their Grievances unto 
 him : They can tell him what they cannot Com- 
 municate to any Body elfe t They can tell him 
 what they cannot tell to their licareft Relation upon 
 Earth. There is a wonderful holy Familiarity be- 
 tween them and the Lamb : He juft tells them plain- 
 ly of the Father, and of himfelf, and even of them- 
 felves : He tells them atl Things ever they did, 
 and' they, tell him all their Heart. 
 
 I (hall only add, in the fixth and laft Place, to 
 follow the Lamb, it imports or implies, that the 
 Lamb ftands in a manifold Relation to his Follow- 
 ers. He ftands in the Relation of a Friend unto' 
 them ; hence he calls them no more Servants, but 
 Friends : He ftands in Relation of a Brother unto 
 them ; wherefore he is not afhamed to call them 
 Brethren : He ftands in Relation of a Father unto 
 them : I will be a Father unto you, and ye Jhall be my 
 Sons and Daughters*,: pith the Lord Almighty. At" 
 the laft Day he will : prefent them unto the Father, 
 faying, Behold, here' ain I, and the Children whom 
 thou haft given me ! The Lamb's Followers, the)? 
 are his fpiritual Seed. Again, he ftands in the Re- 
 lation of an Husbandunto them ; Thy Maker is thing 
 Husband, &c. But when they are defigned, Thefe 
 are they which follow the Lamb, the Expreffion points 
 at fome particular Relation befides thefe Generals 
 we have mentioned. What then is the particular 
 Relation pointed at, "when they are faid to follow 
 the Lamb ? Why, it points out, or imports, that 
 he ftands in the Relation and Character of a Lead- 
 er unto them : Behold, I have given him for a Lead- 
 er unto the People I He is the great Leader given by 
 J'efavah the Father unto the People; ancUll that are 
 
 on 
 
oh the Lamb's Side, they follow the Lamb. as their 
 Leader : They juft follow the Lamb, as their Leader, 
 through all the difficult and different Steps of their 
 "Wildernefs journey, and they refign themfelves 
 wholly to the leading. of the Lamb.. .Thou wilt, 
 guide me with thy CounfeJ while here, and afterwards 
 receive me to Glory. But not only does this Expref- 
 fion point at. the. particular Relation of a Leader, 
 but. it fays alfo, .that the Lamb ftandsin the parti- 
 cular Relation of a Commander unto his Followers,' 
 his Retinue and Train. .. Jehovah has not only 
 given him for a Leader, but alfo for a Commander 
 unto his People., All the Armies in Heaven and 
 Earth, who Jen ow the Lamb, they follow him as 
 their great Commander. All the Armies inTIeaven,. 
 his Retinue and Train, they follow him in their 
 Robes, which are of fine Linen, clean and white : 
 They follow' his Commands and Orders,, hpbaiife: 
 he h the bleft' and only Potentate ; the King of 
 Kings, and Lord of Lords ; the Prince of the Kings 
 of the Earth. And the Truth is, he ftands in 
 thi,s Relation to them, of being their King : He 
 who is the Captain-Qeneral of the Lord's Hoil, the. 
 Captain-General of' the Armies in Heaven and, 
 Earth, the Captain-General of all the redeemed 
 Company about the Throne, he .is their King and. 
 rightful Lord ; and Co it is moil fit. he mould go at^ 
 their Head, and they at his Back, ready to obey all 
 his Commandments who is their Leader and Com- 
 mander. But I fhall not infill farther upon this 
 Head. 
 
 I mail now proceed to the fourth general Head 
 in the Method, which was, to mew how and by 
 what Means the Lamb's Retinue and Train do fol- 
 low him. How then does this happy Company 
 follow the Lamb? I aiifwcr,- in the/r/7 Place, .they 
 
 folIoVy 
 
follow him by frequent Meditations upon h-'rn, 
 You have a Word to this Purpofe in the 63d P/S/;/;-. 
 and 6th Verfe, When 1 remember thee upon wy Bed, and 
 meditate upon thee in the Night-Watches, my Soul fol- 
 loweth hard after thee. This. Company, they love 
 to meditate upon the Lamb, they love to think upon 
 the Lamb, they lov„ to think upon his Undertaking, 
 they love to think upon whai he- hath done, they 
 love to think upon what he 13 doing, they love to 
 think upon what he hath promifed to do, and they 
 love to think upon what he v ill do, and'do for themj 
 yea, they love to think upon the happy 'Time, 
 when they ihall be admitted into the immediate 
 Prefence of the Lamb : And thus they follow the 
 Lamb, by frequent Meditations upon the Lamb. 
 
 In the 2d Place, How do they follow the Lamb J 
 They do it by their fervent Breathings and Defirel? 
 after him, after Accefs to him, after the Enjoyment 
 of him -, they long for Accefs into his Prefence, 
 
 fay, they draw me, . we will run after thse : , Song i\ 
 a. They follow him by earneft Longings to be 
 in his Company, to have the Enjoyment of hi? 
 Prefence for ever- Ye find his Followers e'xbref^ 
 fing themfelves after this Manner, Pfahn ci.' 1, 6 
 when wilt thou come unto me I And with Job, O thai 
 
 1 knew where I might find him, that I might come 
 even to his Seat f What is it that brings them' to 
 Ordinances and 1 Inftitutions" of his Appointment?, 
 "Why, it. is juft this fervent Breathing for him, :M? 
 there they may find him, draw near unto him, and 
 worfhip him ; behold his Beauty, and enquire in 
 his Temple : As in that 2.7th Pfalm and 4th Verfe, 
 One Thing (fays the Pfalmift)' have I defired of ths 
 Lord, that will I fee'k after, that" 1 may dwell in the 
 Boufe of the Lord all the Days of my Life, that I may 
 behold the Itemty of the Lord) and to inquire in fits, 
 
 t ftitfb* 
 
; • ( 4 : 2 ) 
 
 Tempts. "Why, Sirs, What is the Reafori the 
 Lamb's Followers love fo well to come to Ordi- 
 nances, to Communions ? TheReafonis, they juft 
 want another View of the Glory of the Lamb 
 there, they expect to fee .the Glory of the Lamb 
 there, and fo they follow him irr the Wore), they 
 follow him in the Sacrament, they follow him in fe- 
 dret Duties ; ill one Word, they follow him in all 
 the Duties of his own Appointment, juft that there 
 they may l^ye Communion with him, that there may 
 have the^.a Correfpondenee with him, that there 
 they may fee his Glory, that there they may hear 
 from him, and that he may fpeak unto them. But 
 then, again, in the' 
 
 2'd Place, the Lamb's Followers, they follow him 
 try an entire Subjection and Obedience unto him. 
 All that are the true and genuine Followers of the 
 Lamb, they give (fo to exprefs'it) an implicate O- 
 foedienee unto him ; but then it is a judicious Obe- 
 dience, for it flows from Knowledge of the Lamb. 
 *Fbey follow him whitherfoever he goeth. When he 
 fays, Go, they go ; and Come, they come. They 
 credit his Word, when they cannot tell what is 
 wrapt up hi thre Word : They credit his Word 
 bfPromife, and go forth at his Colli even when' 
 they cannot fee his Ways. They give an impli- 
 eitc Obedience linto the Lamb, when, in the mean 
 Time, they know not what their Obedience may 
 coll tii em. You have a memorable Inftance of this 
 iri the 1 1 th Chapter to the Hebrews, and 3th Verfe,' 
 where it is faid concerning Abraham, That by Faith 
 Abraham, when he was called to go out into a Place 
 •which he- jhould after receive for an Inheritance, obeyed, 
 and he went out, not knowirfg whither he went. He 
 juftgave implicite Obedience to the Call and Com- 
 mand of God, and he went out, not knowing' 
 
 whither' 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 whither he went. So all the true Followers, of the 
 Lamb, they fo far give implicite Obedience to the 
 Commands of the Lamb, that, e*en when they 
 cannot fee what is in the Womb of Providence, 
 they hearken to his Word of Command, tho^ k be 
 never fo hard-like or difficult ; yea, not only fb, 
 but they can credit the Word of God, in Obebicnce 
 to the Lamb, even when the Providence of God 
 feems quite to contradict the Promife of God, 
 jiift when Providence feems to fly in the Face of the 
 Promife- This likewife is evident in the Cafe of 
 Abraham, in the 4th Chapter of the Epifrle to the 
 Romans, from the 18th Verfe and downward, Who 
 againft Hope believed in Hope, that he might become 
 the Father of many Nations ; according to that which 
 was fpoken, So Jhall thy Seed be. And, being not weak 
 in Faith, he confidered not his own Body now dead y 
 when he was about an Hundred Tears old, neither yet 
 the Deadnefs of Sarah's Womb. He Jl agger ed not at 
 the Promife of God, through Unbelief but was firpng 
 in the Faith, giving Glory to God, being fully per/wad- 
 ed, that what he had promifed he was able $lfo to 
 perform. Thus the Followers of the Lamb, they 
 credit God's naked Word of Promife, even when 
 the Courfe of his Providence feems directly to con- 
 tradict the Promife ; yea, whatever Difficulties 
 may feem, in their View of Matters, to be in the; 
 Way of the Accomplimment of the Promife, *hey 
 follow the Lamb, by giving Obedience to every on;? 
 of his Commandments, and that without Exeption 
 to any one of them : They fee him to be the on- 
 ly Lawgiver, and fo they follow him as their only 
 Lawgiver, faying, The Lord is our Judge, the Lord 
 is our Lawgiver, the Lord is cur King, he will fave us. 
 And f°> if the Commands of Men happen to inter- 
 fere with the Command and Authority of the Lamb, 
 
 then 
 
X 44 ) 
 
 then the Authority of the Lamb will indeed caft 
 the Balance with all the Followers 6f the Lamb. 
 O for Tome Drops of the R.ain of Heaven from him 
 that has the (cycn Spirits of Qod in h-is Hand, tp 
 'make all this Company to jiiten to the Commands 
 'and Authority of the. worthy Lamb, and to follow 
 'the Lamb, by giving intire Subjection and Obedi- 
 ence unto him. Again, in the 
 
 $th Place, they follow the Lamb by an open 
 Confegion of him. Ye fee it is faid of the Follow- 
 ers of the Lamb, in the Beginning of this Chapter, 
 \\\zX they have his Name and.-his Father's Name writ- 
 'ten upon, their Foreheads. .That imports that they are 
 not amamed' to make an open Confeflion and Profef- 
 lion of the I^a.mb ; they are not in theleaft aihamed 
 "openly to cqnfefs the worthy Lamb. All the Fol- 
 lower's-' of the Lamb, they are Gpnfbrfors of the 
 Lamb ; they ought to be fb, It is a Duty plainly 
 laid down in the Word, Rom: x. 3, 10. If thou 
 (halt confefs with thy Month the Lord Jefus, and fly alt 
 believe in t^ine Heart that God has raifed. him frofi} 
 the Dead, thou Jhalt be faved : For with the Heart 
 Man helieveth unto Right eoufnefs, and with the Mouth 
 ■ Confeflion is made unto Salvation. All th r e Followers 
 of the Lamb ought to be Confellbrs of the Lamb 
 "before a finful and perverfe Generation. They 
 ought to confefs themfelves to be on the Lamb's 
 Side, whatever jt may colt them •, and wherever the 
 Lamb'.fets up his Standard, there ought they to fix 
 their Station, and, deferve the Character given them; 
 I fa. xliii". io. Te are my IVitneJJes, faith' the Lo-rd; , 
 How ought the Followers of the Lamb to whnefs 
 for him ? Why, .every one of them, in their feveral 
 Spheres and Stations, ought to witnefs for him as 
 he is plcafcd to give an Opportunity ; and fo, if, 
 i declining Day, a Tefrimony be lifted up for 
 ' ' } '■ ' : ' ' - the 
 
the Honour and Truth of the Lamb, all his Fol- 
 lowers ought to efpoufe that Teftimony : And, 
 Sirs, if the Teftimony lifted up at this Day be a 
 faithful Teftimony for the declarative Glory of the 
 Lamb, for the.Truths of the Lamb, (as I make no 
 Doubt bur it is fo) then ail the Followers of the 
 Lamb in Scotland, th'ey ought to efpoufe that Tefti- 
 mony, to own that Teftimony, whatever it may 
 coft them. What ever Difficulties' may be in the 
 "Wav, his Followers muft be Confeifors, and good 
 Keafon ix ihould be fo, good Reafon they -have to 
 confefs the' Lamb, the worthy Lamb, if it is con- 
 sidered he made a good Confeftion for them before 
 pontius Pilate. ' No Oppoiition did hinder his 
 Confeftion of them, and fo, in like manner, in fol- 
 iq wing the Lamb; he is to be confeifed in the Face 
 OX Oppofitiort, let the Oppofttion be never fo great. 
 In the 5//; PlaCe, as the Followers of the^Lamh 
 do follow him by an open Confeftion ofhihi, fo 
 they ought to follow the Lamb by a conftant Cleav- 
 ing to all me Lamb's Truths, to ail his Ordinances 
 and Inftitutions. The Lamb upon the Mount' Zion\ 
 he hath given' Ordinances to Mount Zion, pofitive 
 . J^aws and- Inftitutions to Mount Zion. The Infti- 
 tutions that the Lamb has given to Mount Zion y 
 they refpecl the Doclrine of bis Houfe, the religious 
 ".V orftiip of his Houfe, the Difcipline of his Houfe, 
 and the -Government of his Houfe ;'and what any 
 >V"ay concerns any, of thefe, the Followers of the 
 Lamb they ought all of them to cleave unto them, 
 tney ought to adhere unto them, and. in fo doing 
 tney own the Lamb' to be the Prince-of the Kings 
 Q-f the Earth; the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, 
 him who only has Right to prefcribe Laws and 
 Rules 10 Mount Zion ,- our Lord jefus Chrift, the 
 'ion, the King and Head of the 
 ■■' ' Church, 
 
•( ¥ ) 
 
 Church, has not left the New Telrament Church 
 without her divine Inflitutions and Appointments, 
 ik> more than the Old. He has laid down tl^ie Doc- 
 trine, Worfhip, DifcipJme and Government of his 
 .Church in his Word ; and all the, Followers of 
 the Lamb, they ought to follow pirn by a conftant 
 •Cleaving unto all the Lamb's Inflitutions, and par- 
 ticularly, at this Day, the Followers of the Lamb 
 'ought to follow ,him' by a faithful Adherence unto 
 the Presbytexial Form of Church-Government, laid 
 down in the Word of God. I (hall not enlarge at 
 prefent upon this Subject ; only, with Reference to 
 t-he Glory of the Lamb's Followers, with Refpect un- 
 to Presbyterial Church-Government, there are two 
 Things J would fay. 
 
 . \j¥i As our Lord Jefus Chriit., the King and on- 
 ly Head of £he Church, has committed the Keys of 
 Government unto Office- Bearers, to acl in Parity 
 together, without a lordly Prelacy, whereby one 
 ruleth over another ; fo it is the unquestionable Du- 
 ty of all the Lamb's Followers, to witnefs again!]: 
 prelativts, who maintain the contrary, in as far the 
 Lord is pleafed to open up this Truth to every one 
 in their' different Stations. J know tjiofe who are 
 Favourers of the prelatick Scheme, will tell you, 
 that Qpinion of theirs is countenanced in the Word 
 of God, particularly from the Practice of the A- 
 poflies, whom they fay acted as prelatical Bifhops, - 
 in a Degree fuperior to ordinary Pallors. We grant 
 that the Apofries had an extraordinary Million from 
 Cnrifl:, and had no Eela.tion to any particular Place 
 or Charge, but had laid upon them the Care of all 
 the Churches, in that infant State of the (Church: 
 But then it is to be confidere^, that that extraordi- 
 nary Miffioa was peculiar to the Aportles themfelyes, 
 and ceafed with them : So that no Order of 
 
 Church- 
 
( 47 ) , 
 Church-Officers above Gofpel-Minifters, to whom 
 is committed the Power of Ordination and Govern*- 
 ment, to act arid rule in Parity, as well as Warrant 
 to difpenfe Word and Sacrament, is acknowledged 
 in the Wofd of God. Again, 
 
 idly. The Followers of the Laffib, in cleaving 
 to the Government of the Lamb's Houfe, they are. 
 to bear Witnefs with him, again ft Independents, and 
 all Sectarians, who maintain that our Lord Chriit 
 hath committed the Keys of Government unto the 
 Community of the Faithful, and fo fet up for a popii- 
 iar Government, which is to introduce a plain Confu- 
 fion» In this Cafe it is incumbent on ail the Lamb's 
 Followers to witnefs with him, that the Keys of 
 Government are committed to Office- Bearers, to 
 fuch as are cloathed with official Power and "Autho- 
 rity from the King-and Head of the Church. This 
 Truth we fee clearly founded upon the Word of 
 God, as in the 1 6th of Matthew and itfth Verfe. 
 There our Lofd gives the Keys to Peter, in name 
 of the whole Church-Officers, without any Word 
 of the Community of the Faithful. I will give unto' 
 thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and what fe- 
 ver thou jhalt bind on Earth, fall he hound in Heaven f 
 ahdwhatfoever thou (halt loofe on Earth, /hall bejoofed in 
 Heavej7.Wc fee alfo the Spirit of God plainly makes 
 a Difference, in Scripture, between]3.u!ers andTtuJed: 
 Obey them. that have the Rule over you, &e. Ft is raoft' 
 reafonable it mould be fo ; for, if all were Rulers, 
 who mould be ruled r Thus we fee, then, that the" 
 Keys of Government are committed to Minifters, to 
 the Office-Bearers of the Lamb's Houfe, who are tcr 
 manage them; not in a lordly" Way and Manner, 
 lording it over the Confcienees of Men, but in a 
 miniiterial Way and Manner, foas they may there- 
 by edify the Body <ef G&rift, *ti& i»ay -contend a- : 
 
 gainft 
 
( 4« ) 
 gairift every Error fubyerfiveof the Truths ofChnP', 
 and fo as that every Truth of Chrift may be vindi- 
 cated and wltnelied/or ; and all the. . Followers of 
 the Lamb are, in their feveral Stations, to ftrength- 
 enthe Hands of Office -Beaters in a 'Way of vindica- 
 ting the Difcipline and Government of the Lamb's 
 Houfe. Tbusj .we fay, the Followers of the Lamb 
 are; to follow him by a conftanh Cleaving to. the 
 Difcipline and Government .of the Lamb's Houfe g 
 and as to the Doftriile and Worihip, and all the 
 Ordinances of his Houfe, they ought to cleave to 
 them, to, adhere to them. They are. to .cleave to 
 all the Doctrines of his,. Word,, to all the" Truths' 
 that are contained in the Lamb's Word '-, and, in 
 a fpecial. Manner, the Followers of .-the 'Lamb, they 
 follow him by cleaving to and witneflmg for what 
 the Spirit of God calls the pfefent Truth. There 
 is a Word to this Purpofe in the 2d Epiftle of Peter, 
 lit Chapter and 12th Verl\ where the Spirit of 
 God faith, Be gftabjified in. the prefent Truth. Now, 
 what is that Truth called the prefent" Truth ? Whyy 
 Sirs, that Truth that becomes a controverted'Tnuh, 
 that is the prefent Truth, and that is the Truth, in 
 a fpecial Manner, which the Followers of the Lamb 
 are called to cleave unto, to witnefs for and bear 
 Teftimony unto : .■ Particularly, if the Truth con- 
 cerning trip Perfon of the Lamb, his being y.txy* 
 CjocI and very Man ;in one Perfon, be attacked/ 
 then a Teftimony is to be given for that Truth by 
 the Lamb's Followers: If the fupreme Deity of the 
 Lamb be attached, then a Teftimony ought to be 
 given for it : If the declarative Glory of God, a?'- 
 the great and ultimate End of all the Followers of 
 the Lamb, be attacked, then a Teftimony ought to* 
 be given for it : If any Branch of the Government 
 ofGhfift's Houfe be attacked, then a Teftimony is" 
 
 to 
 
( 49 5 
 
 jfo be given for it: If theHeadfhip of the Lamb, his 
 Sovereignty and Dominion over Zion the Hill of his, 
 Holinefs, be attacked, (as" it was by the late Aft of 
 Parliament anent Captain John Port coils') then a Te- 
 ftimony ought to be given for it: If the fpiritual Pri- 
 vileges and Liberties of the Subjects of the Lamb's 
 Kingdom are attacked, (as they are manifeftjy at this 
 Day) then a Teftimony ought to be given for them; 
 if the mifrifterial Liberty, and Freedom of the Mi- 
 nifters of Chrift, either with re fpect to the Doctrine 
 or Difcipline of the Houfe of the God of Heaven, 
 be attacked, then a Teftimony is to be given for it: 
 And fo, by the By, we may fee the Reafonablenefs 
 and Neceffity of the prefent Teftimony on the Field, 
 for thefe Truths, which have been fo glaringly at- 
 tacked by the prefent Judicatures of this national 
 Church'. There are, no doubt, fome good Men and 
 Minifters, who have got their Million from Chriftv 
 who condemn our prefent SecefTion from the Judi- 
 catures of his Church, as a Thing quite -needlcfs ; 
 But, when the Truths and Institutions of the Lamb 
 are fo manifeftry attacked as they have been, Is it not 
 highly reafonable and neceffary for all the Follow- 
 ers of the Lamb, to fide themfelves, and as openly 
 to give a Teftimony to thefe Truths and I-nftitu- 
 tions, as Adverfaries have been open in impugning 
 the fame ? I fhall only fay, if the Banner of a Te- 
 ftimony lifted up be againft the Lamb, I have noE 
 feen that •, but if it be for the Lamb, and his Truth 
 and Caufe, as I doubt not to affirm, then let all the' 
 Friends of the Lamb, who are for cleaving to the 
 prefent judicatures, notwithstanding of all the Height 
 of Defection and Apoftafy from God which they 
 are arrived at, fee to their Conduct in this Matter, 
 As the judicial Teftimony lifted up,- is a free and 
 faithful Teftimony for the born-down Caufe ofth& 
 
( p ) 
 
 worthy Lamb, and againft the open Attacks ,and' 
 Difhohours done to him, then I have no doubt to 
 alTemble you to that Banner ; and where the Lamb 
 lifts up his Standard, all his Followers ought to ga- 
 ther together. Thus, we fay, the Followers of 
 the Lamb, . they follow him by a conftant Cleaving ; 
 to all the Lamb's Truths, to all his Ordinances and 
 Jhftitutions, to the Docrrine, Wormip, Difcipline 
 and Government of the Lamb's Hpufe. , 
 
 Again; in the 6th Place, How do the'y follow 
 ■him'? They follow him' by obfetvihg the Lamb's 
 IFootfleps and^ Paths, which he takes in the Di/pen-. 
 fations of his Providence. Sirs, the Providence of 
 God is frequently a Commentary upon the Word 
 of God; The Word of God is the (freight Rule 
 and Line by which the Work of Providence is car* ' 
 ried 'on, and will be carried on until tlie Work of 
 Providence be finimed. We ought, then, to ob- 
 serve the Operation of bis Hand, in following the 
 Eamb.V The 107th Pfalm is a Summary of many 
 fpecial Providences, and the ConcJufion of it is an 
 encouraging Promife to all fuch as follow the Lamb, 
 by a fteddy Obfervation of the Lamb's Footfteps 
 and Paths in the Difpenfation of divine Providence: ' 
 Whofe is viife, and will obferve theje Takings, even they 
 fiall under jlahd the loving Kindnefs of the Lord. Sirs, 
 the Lamb is fpeaking loudly by his Providences at" 
 this Day, tho' we are deaf and do not hear. He 
 hath, not been filent in Scotland thefe Years by- 
 pafh as to the Voice of his Providence ; yet, 
 alas ! this Voice Teems to be little regarded. It is 
 . only the fpiritilally Wife Man that will obferve 
 thefe Things. We need fpiritual Wiidom to ob- ' 
 ferve the Lamb's Tracl and Path iff the Difpenfa- 
 lions of' Providence. Many" of you think little of 
 the Lamb's- Tf?^ 'and Path with'refpccl to the pre- 
 
 fent ' 
 
C .5-1 ) 
 
 Tent Teftimony of the Day : But I make no 
 jDoubt to fay, the Tracl and Path of the Lamb 
 is remarkable, in thrufting out fome from the 
 Judicatures of this national Church, and in putting 
 this Teftimony in their Hands. We .know not 
 what the Tracl: and Path of the Lamb is, in putting 
 it in our Hands. O to be helped to follow the Tracl: 
 and Path of the Lamb in this Difpenfation of his 
 Providence J O to be helped to follow his providen- 
 tial Footfleps, according to the Line of his Word ? 
 I £hall not enlarge with reipecl to this particular 
 Providence, in putting a Teftimony in our Hands at 
 this Day ; I fhall only fgy, perhaps, in another 
 Age and Generation, when the Vifio.n will fpeak 
 and be (hen clearly, then the Lamb's Tracl and 
 Path will, as to this Particular, be more remarkably 
 feen. 
 
 As the Followers ofthe Lamb do follow him by 
 pbferving the Lamb's Footfteps, his Tracl and Path, 
 withrefpecl to the Church, fo they follow the Lamb's 
 Tracl and Path with refpecl to themfel ves. You who 
 are Believers, the true Followers of the Lamb, you 
 have Reafon in every Station and Period of your Life, 
 to remark the Providence of God towards you, to 
 obferve his Tracl and Path toward you. It J^fc? & 
 juft Obferve of one who was a great O.bferver of 
 Providence, That thofe that remark Providence, 
 remarkable Things in Providence will follow tlieni 
 in Agreeablenefs to the Word. Beware cf a 
 fuperftitious Regard to any ofthe Works of God ; 
 but put the Works and Word of God together, and 
 obferve his Providences, fo as to give Praife to the 
 God of Providence. 
 
 But then, again, in the jib and lafl Place, upon 
 this Head, How do the Followers of the Lamb fol- 
 low him? They follow him by imitating and 
 
 copying 
 
( r- ) 
 
 copying aiter that Pattern and Example which the 
 worthy Lamb calls before them in his Word, as we 
 fee he exliorts in the 1 1 th Chapter of theGofpel ac- 
 cording to Matthew, the 29th Verfe, Take my Yoke 
 upon you, and learn of me, for 1 am meek and lowly in 
 Hearty and ye Jhall find Reft unto your Souls. We are 
 frequently called to this Duty, of making Chriftthe 
 Lamb our Pattern, and copying after him, as in 
 that 5*th Chapter of the Epiitle to the Ephefidns, and 
 1 ft Verfe, Be ye, therefore, Followers of Cod, as dear- 
 Children. Verfe 2. And walk in Love, as Chrift alfo 
 hath loved us, &c. And again, Philip, ii. 5, Let 
 this Mind be in you y which was alfo in Chrift Je<* 
 fus* - 
 
 So much for the $th general Head propofed. I 
 proceed now 1 
 
 To the $th Thing in the Method, which was, to 
 (hew where it is they follow the Lamb. It is expref» 
 fed, in our Text, by a Following the Lamb whither- 
 fiever he goeth ; and truly, Sirs, they follow him 
 through good Report and bad Report ; they fol- 
 low the Lamb in ail Cafes whatsoever ; they follow 
 the Lamb, not only in a funny Pay, but they fol- 
 low the Lamb in a ftormy Day ; they follow the 
 Lamb, not only in a Day of Profperity, but they fol- 
 low the Lamb in a Day of Advcriity. But, more par- 
 ticularly, there are three Places I ihall touch at, 
 where the Followers of the Lamb dp follow him. ijK 
 "When he makes Darknefs his fecret Place ; idly* 
 When he goes without the Camp ; and, %dly. 
 "When he goes to Mount Calvary to a fuffertng Lot. 1 
 
 Firjl, 1 (ay, the Followers of the Lamb; they 
 follow him when he makes Darknefs his fecret Place, 
 when his Pavilion round about him is dark Waters 
 and thick Clouds of the Skies-, as in the 18th 
 ffal/u and ii th Verfe 5 when he wraps up himlelf 
 
 ia 
 
( m ) 
 
 in a Cloud, covers himfelf with a Cloud, that their" 
 Prayers mould not pafs through, as in the 3d of the 
 Lamentations, 44th Verfe. Well, if you ask, How do 
 the Followers of the Lamb follow him there, when 
 he fees meet to wrap up himfelf in a Cloud, and 
 makes Darknefs his fecret Place I I anfwer, in the 
 
 17? Place, They follow him, in fuch a Cafe, by 
 lamenting after him. When he goes out of Sight, 
 when he covers himfelf with a Cloud, then they 
 lament after him. Thus, you fee, when the Ark 
 of God abode twenty Years in Kirjaib-jearim, all 
 the Houfe of Ifrael lamented after the Lord, 1 
 Sam. vii. 2. Then, when the Lord was provok- 
 ed by Ifr eel's Sin, to keep the Ark in a private 
 and obfeure Place, and that near the Philiftines, 
 where many of the Ifraelites neither durft nor could 
 come to it, as when it was in Shi/oh, What then 
 was the Exercife of the true IfraeliUs ? Why, 
 they lamented after the Loid. Indeed the Ma- 
 jefty of the Lord is provoked, and fees meet to 
 to cover himfelf with a Cloud from all the reform- 
 ed Churches at this Day. No Wonder it be fo, 
 for our Iniquities have procured it. But what 
 mould we be doing . ? Why, it becomes us, in this 
 Cafe, to lament after the Lord, to lament over the 
 Grounds of the Quarrel and Controveriy. Again, 
 in the 
 
 id Place, How do the Followers of the Lamb 
 follow him, when he wraps up himfelf in a Cloud, 
 and makes Darknefs his fecret Place ? Why, then, 
 and in fuch a Cafe, not only do they follow him. 
 there, by lamenting after him, but alfo by waiting 
 for him, waiting upon him. We fee this expref- 
 fed by the Prophet 'Ifaiah in a like Cafe, I fa. viii. 
 17. In fome preceeding Verfcs the Lord threatens, 
 that many e/Tfrael and Judah /halt ', Jlumble, and fall., 
 and be broken^ and befnared, and taken. \Vhy, then 
 L " , the 
 
( 54 ) 
 .the Prophet, in Name of the Church, faith, / 
 
 will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his T ace from 
 the Houfe of Jacob, and I will look for him. ' Tho 5 
 he be a hiding God, yet his true Followers will 
 wait upon him, and look for him. O then, Sirs, 
 tho' at this Day he is a hiding God, wait upon him 
 in the Duty offecret Prayer, wait upon him in the 
 Ordinances of his Inftitiition, , wait upon him in 
 every Duty. Again, in the 
 
 3d Place^They follow the Lamb when he wraps 
 up himfelfin a Cloud, and makes Darknefs his fe- 
 cret Place, by earneft Wreftlings and pxpoflulati- 
 ons with him, for his returning and manifefting 
 himfelf. They cry unto him with fuch a Cry as 
 this, Return, return, for thy Servants Sake, the 
 Tribes of thine Inheritance. They expoftulate with 
 him by fuch a Cry as this, the Hope j/Ifrael, 
 the Saviour thereof in Time of Trouble, Why Jhouldefl 
 thou be as a Stranger in the Land,' and as a way- 
 faring Man that tumeth a fide to tarry for a Night f 
 Thus Faith it fees, that tho' he be making Dark- 
 nefs his fecret Place, yet; he gives a Vifit now and 
 then to his People, but they were very fhort, it 
 was but like the Vifit of a Stranger, that flays 
 hut for a Night ; and the Followers of the Lamb 
 they want him to abide with them. It is Ground 
 of Praife, that altho' the Lamb be making Dark- 
 nefs his fecret Place at this Day, yet I hope he 
 gives his People now and then a Vifit : But, Q 
 what a general Reftraint is there of the holy Spi- 
 rit at this Day ? Well, what fhall the Followers 
 of the Lamb do in fuch a <2afe \ Why, the bcfl 
 Way is, jufr. to fall in with the Exhortation the 
 Spirit of God gives, I fa. lxii. 7. Give him no 
 Reft till he eftablijh, and till he make Jerufajem a 
 Praife in the whole Earth. Again, in the 
 
 "■ ' Mb 
 
( $5 ) 
 
 1th Place, How do the Followers of the Lamb 
 fellow him, when he wraps up himfelf in a Cloud, 
 and makes Darknefs his fecret Place ? They fol- 
 low him, in fuch a Cafe, juft by muling him, that 
 he will manifeil himfelf. This was Job's Exer- 
 cife', when the Lamb's "Way was very dark to 
 him: Tho y he pay vie, yet will I truft in him. And we 
 fee fuch as are walking in Darknefs, through the 
 Lamb's wraping himfelf up in a Cloud, are exhort- 
 ed to this Exereife, If a, X. 10. Who is among you 
 that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the Voice of his 
 Servant, thatwalketh in Darknefs, and hath no Light ? 
 Let him truft in the Name of the Lord, and ft ay upon 
 his Cod. Take the Exhortation, then, and, when 
 he makes Darknefs his fecret Place, follow him in 
 the Truft and Expectation of Faith that he will 
 return, that he yet will manifeft himfelf, that he 
 will conie back. ; For the Expectation of the Poor 
 fall not always be forgotten ; it fhall not perijh for 
 ever. ......:., 
 
 2-d/y. Not only do the Followers of the Lamb ? 
 follow him when he wraps up himfelf in a Cloud, \ 
 when he makes Darknefs his fecret Place, but 
 they follow him when he goes without the Camp, 
 If the Lamb fees meet to go without the Camp, 
 there they follow him. Ye have a Word to this Pril- 
 pofe in the 13th Chapter of the Epiftle to ths 
 Hebrews, 1 2th and 1 3th Verfes, Wherefore Jeftis 
 alfo, that he might fanclify the. People with his Bloody 
 fujfered witho ut the Gate. What then is the Prac- 
 tice of his Fo llowers in fuch a Cafe as this ? We' 
 have it in the 1 3th Verfe, Let us go forth, there- 
 fore, unto him without the Camp, bearing his Reproach, 
 What is that, without jhe Camp P Without the 
 Jewijh Church, and all the Privileges that they 
 enjoyed ; from Judaifm, and all its Parts aboiifhed; 
 
 arid 
 
( 5* ) 
 and all erroneous Doctrines, however numerous 
 and agreeable to Fancy. This lets us fee ouY 
 Duty, when the Lord Chrifl, the worthy Lamb, 
 is pleafed to lift up the Standard of a Tefii- 
 mony without the Camp, without the prefent le* 
 gal eftablifhed Church. Let us go forth, there- 
 fore, unto him without the Camp, bearing his Re- 
 proach. The Words pi a inly in (innate, that the Re- 
 proach of Chrift, and going forth unto him with- 
 out the Camp, go together : But, even allow- 
 ing it be fo, let us go-forth unto him without the 
 Camp, bearing the Reproach of Chrifl ; the Re- 
 proach of the Lamb rrruft be born by the Follow- 
 ers of the Lamb: Let us go forth unto him, bear- 
 ing Reproach for him, Reproach for the Caufe off 
 Chrifl, Reproach for the Teftimony of Chrifl,- 
 Reproach for the Name of Chrifl : Let us go 
 forth unto him without the Camp, bearing h^S Re- 
 proach. The plain Intendment of the Words is, 
 that we ought to abandon all Church-Privileges, 
 from a Church, tho' legally eftablifhed, when flic 
 is become tyrannical in her Government, ind erro- 
 neous in her Doctrine, which is the Cafe with the 
 Church of Scotland, as reprefented by the prefent 
 Judicatures, as has beendfewhere proven at fomc 
 Length : And when, in Providence, the Standard of 
 a judicialTeflimony is lifted up for Chrifl, his Caufe 
 and Truth, without the Camp of the prefent Efla- 
 blifhment, What mould be the Language among, 
 all the true Followers of the Lamb, but jufl this, 
 Let us go forth, therefore, unto him without the Camp, 
 bearing his Reproach ? But again, in the 
 
 %d and I aft Place upon this Head, the Follow- 
 ers of the Lamb, they follow him when he goes 
 to Mount Calvary to a fuifering Lot. Not only 
 was the Lamb a Sufferer on Mount Calvary in the 
 
 Day? 
 
( 57 ) 
 Days of the Flefh, but he is a Sufferer to this very 
 Day in his Members ; and fo they follow him in 
 a Way of fuffering for him, if he calls them to it. 
 They who follow the Lamb, through his Grace, 
 will not decline fuffering for him at his Gall •, they 
 will venture upon it, and prefer it unto the Pro- 
 fits and Pleafures of the World, at the Call of the 
 Lamb. You have a remarkable Inftance of this in 
 the Cafe of Mofes, in the i ith Chapter of the He- 
 brews y 24th, 25th, and 2<5th Verfes, By Faith Mo* 
 fes, when he was come to Years, refufed to he called 
 the Son 0/*Pharaoh\r Daughter, chufing rather to fuf- 
 fer Affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy the 
 Pleafures of Sin far a Seafon ; efleeming the Reproach 
 ofChriJl greater Riches than the Treafures in Egypt. 
 Mo fes was brought up in the Court of a grand Pha- 
 raoh, and no doubt was trained up in all the Gran- 
 deur of that Court ; but,, fo foon as Mofes grew 
 up, and underftood his Relation to the perfecuted 
 and afflicted People of God, why, then he aban- 
 dones that Court, tho' then the greateft in the 
 World : And why fo ? Juft becaufe he efteemed 
 the Reproach of Ghrift greater Riches than the 
 Treafures in Egypt. I might (hew that this has 
 been the Practice of the Lamb's Followers in r 'all 
 Ages : But I now pafs this Head, and come to 
 the 
 
 6th and lafl Tiling on the doctrinal Part, which 
 was to give the Reafons of the Doctrine, or (hew 
 why all thofe who are with the Lamb, do follow 
 the Lamb whitherfoever he goeth. 
 
 In the iy? Place, then, Why do all thofe who 
 are with the Lamb, follow the Lamb, &c. They 
 follow him, becaufe he is excellent and glorious, his 
 glorious Excellency is the primary Caufe of all that 
 religious Worfhip, Homage and Obedience that is 
 H due 
 
due to him, and that is afcribed to him by all his 
 Followers. This his Excellency and Glory is pro- 
 claimed by the feraphick Tribe, in the 5th Chap* 
 ter of the Revelation, and ther-e the isthVerie, 
 Worthy is the Lamb that was /Iain, to receive Power, 
 and Riches, and Wifdom, and Strength, and Honour, 
 and Glory, and Bleffing. Why, is all this afcribed 
 unto him I Jufr. becaufe he is worthy to receive it. 
 How is it he is worthy to receive all this ? Why, 
 becaufe he is infinitely excellent and glorious : He 
 is the Brightnefs of the Father's Glory, and the 
 exprefs Image of his Perfon, and upholdeth all 
 Things by the Word of his Power. He is the fu- 
 preme God, . God over all blelTed for ever. He is 
 the true God, and eternal Life ; and for all this 
 the Followers of the Lamb count him worthy of 
 Obedience, that he fliould be followed whitherfo- 
 ever he goeth. But again, in trie 
 
 2d Place, They follow the Lamb, and that upon 
 the Account of what the Lamb has done for 
 them. Tho' this is not the primary Foundatior 
 of their Wormipping and honouring him, and pay- 
 ing this Homage unto him, namely, of following 
 him, yet it is a fecondary Reafon of it ; becaufe he 
 hath redeemed all the ranfomed Company, they 
 follow him ; they throw down their Crowns at his 
 
 Feet, and cry, as Rev. v. 9. Thou art worthy 
 
 for thou waff (lain, and haft redeemed us to God by thy , 
 Blood, out of every Kindred and Tongue, and People, 
 end Nation. He has done much for them, done 
 all for them, and therefore they follow him whither- 
 ibever he goeth. Again, in the 
 
 %d and lap Place, Why do they follow the 
 Lamb ? 'They follow the Lamb, becaufe of the 
 new Nature given to them in Regeneration : This 
 new Nature given them by the Lamb, it leads them 
 
 to 
 
( .59 ) 
 
 to this Work of following the Lamb, juft as every 
 Thing points towards its Centre. The new Nature 
 it juft breathes naturally after the Lamb: Whatever 
 Remains of Corrir: :m be in the beft, yet, with Re- 
 ference unto the renewed Part, it may beTaid, that 
 there is a Going out after the glorious, worthy and' 
 matchlefs Lamb. Wherever" the new Nature is 
 I implanted, that Soul goes out after the Lamb, fol- 
 lows the Lamb upon the Wings of Faith and Love, 
 mounts upward after him upon the Wings of Faith 
 and Love, tho' many Times bom down and retard- 
 ed in its Motion with a Weight of Unbelief, a 
 Weight of the Body of Sin and Death : But it is re- 
 markable, as to the Followers of the Lamb, when 
 they are difturbedin their Courfe of following him, 
 by the Weights of Unbelief and the Body of Sin 
 and Death, then it cries out under the Gppreffion-; 
 it cries out, wretched Man that 1 am, who Jhall 
 deliver me from the Body of this Death ; from this 
 Clog and the other Clog, that hinders my Motion 
 in following the Lamb ; from the Atheifm of my 
 Heart, from the Unbelief of my Heart, from the 
 Carnality of my Heart ! Fain would I mount up 
 Heaven -ward after the Lamb, but am born down 
 with thefe dead Weights J Fain would I be near 
 the worthy Lamb ! fet me as a Seal upon thine 
 Heart, as a Seal upon thine Arm, for hove is flrong 
 as Death! &c. 
 
 I ihall not farther infill upon the doclxinal Part. 
 I come now to make fome Application of the Doe- 
 trine -, and all the Ufe J defign, is, to addrefs myfelf 
 to three or four Sorts of Perfons, in a Word of 
 Exhortation to them feverally ; and may the Lord 
 hinfelf carry home the Word fpoken to their feve- 
 ral Hearts ! 
 
 In 
 
( 60 ) 
 
 In the i/? Place, then, if it is fo, that thofe who 
 are ''with the Lamb, do follow the Lamb whitherfo- 
 ever he goeth, let me addrefs you that profefsto be 
 on the Lamb's Side, who profefs to be the Follow- 
 ers of the worthy Lamb, and in this Clafs I take in 
 all the Communicants that have been in this Place 
 upon this Occaiion, and of fuch there has been a 
 great Number. Now, to iuch there are two or 
 three Things I would offer to your Consideration. 
 
 In the fir ft Place, let me exhort you to examine 
 your Profeffion ; ye ought to examine yourfelves 
 after a Communion, as well as before it ; examine 
 whether 'your Heart and Profeffion do agree together 
 or not. If they do not agree together, your Pro- 
 feffion is but a hypocritical Profeffion ; you will re- 
 member one of the Characters I took notice of, 
 which is given to the Lamb's Followers in the 
 Context, is, That in their Month w as found no Guile ; 
 that is, their Heaft and Profeffion agree together : 
 If it be not fo with you, ye are but hypocritical 
 ProfefTors ; if your Heart and Profeffion any "Way 
 correfpond, then your Heart has been made to bow 
 to the worthy Lamb, to ftoop to the worthy Lamb. 
 Examine your Profeffion, whether it be a dead or 
 lively Profeffion, whether you be dead or alive. 
 The moft Part of the Members of the Church of 
 Sardis, they had a Name tolive, and were dead: I am 
 afraid many at this Day have a Name to live, and 
 are dead. They may have fome Strietnefs in their 
 "Way, and yet dead, yet want a lively Faith in the 
 Lamb; but as, even in Sardis, the Lamb had a 
 few Names which had not defiled their Garments, 
 fo at this Day he hath yet a few Names, a few who 
 are alive ; try if ye be amongft them. Again, 
 examine whether ye are in the Faith or not, whe- 
 ther Ghrift be in you the Hope of Glory, or not ; 
 
 ixA 
 
and whether you are in him, or not : If you are 
 not in Chrift, and Chrift in you, it is but a hypo- 
 critical Profeffion which you are making, and, if 
 Mercy prevent not, your Profeffion will land in 
 Apoftafy from Ghrift and his Caufe, and ye will be 
 a Diihonour and Scandal to that Profeffion you 
 how make. 
 
 In the 2d Place, I would exhort you, who pro- 
 fefs to be the Followers of the Lamb, to be rooted 
 in the Lamb, to know the Lamb. O be concerned 
 to know the worthy Lamb in a faving Manner ! 
 Study to have faving Acquaintance with him ! 
 This, I told you, is included in following ol him. 
 Study to know him, not only by the Hearing of 
 the Ear, but with the Seeing with the Eye of faith, 
 with the Believing of the Heart. Xe have all 
 heard by the Hearing of the Ear ; the outward 
 Report of Chrift hath brought man) to the : roief- 
 ' lion of Ghrift that have never feen Chrift, ne c: oe- 
 Heved in Chrift, and therefore I would exHott ^ou 
 to feek to fee him, not with the natural Eye, not 
 with the Eye that is called natural Reafbn, but with. 
 Faith,- which is the Evidence of Things not feen, 
 and the Subftance of Things hoped for. It is faid 
 of Mofes, Heb. xi. 27. He endured as feeing him 
 who is invifible. He got a Sight of an invifible God ; 
 he faw him with the Eye of Faith, and that made 
 Mofes endure all Hardihips. And, Sirs, v/e may 
 tell you, whatever your Profeffion is for the ,pre- 
 fent, if you get not a Sight of the Lamb by Faith, 
 ye cannot endure Hardfhips, Trials and Sufferings 
 for the Lamb and his Caufe : It is only thbfe who 
 have i~ecn with the Eye of Faith can endure. He en- 
 dured, as feeing him who is invifible. Q examine 
 whether you have feen him in Truth, and in Kea- 
 
 litv> 
 
X ** ) 
 lity, or not! O be concerned to^get the faving Know- 
 ledge of him, whom to know is eternal Life i Again, 
 In the 3 d Place, I would exhort you, who pro- 
 fefs to be the Followers of the Lamb, to be well 
 acquainted with his Gaufe and Truths. This is 
 needful at all Times, and especially in fuch a Day 
 as this, when making and withering Winds ar$ 
 blowing, Winds of Infidelity and Error are blow- 
 ing. Winds of Neutrality and Indifferency are 
 blowing. O, tfien, be concerned to be rooted in 
 the Lamb, and well acquainted with Chrift and the 
 Truths of Chrift, that ye may bring forth Fruits un- 
 to God, that ye may have the Communication of 
 fpirituai Life from this Root. Chrift, the worthy 
 Lamb, is the Root, and only Spring, in which all 
 his Followers are ingrafted ; they are juft all root- 
 ed in him, as the Branch in the Vine : All their 
 Sap comes from him, fo that, if you are not rooted 
 in him, you will be fipplefs, withered, and barren 
 Profeftbrs. Be well eftablifhed in the Truths of 
 Chrift, and particularly in theprefent Truth. As 
 I have exhorted you on other Occafions of this Na- 
 ture, fo I again exhort you, to read your Bible often, 
 and, next, fo the Bible, your Confeffion of Faith 
 and Catechifms, and remember it is not an early 
 Reading I am adviflng you to, but read with Deli- 
 beration and Consideration; and if you would be 
 eftablifhed in the Truth of what you read, and not 
 foon fhaken in your Minds, then look for the Spi- 
 rit of Truth to lead and guide you into all Truth, 
 and to fettle you in every Truth of God laid down 
 in his Word. 
 
 In the j\th and laft Place, let me exhort you, who 
 are the profelfed Followers of the Lamb, to lay 
 your Account with this, that your Profeftion may 
 be tried : You have been long warned of Trials a- 
 
 coming. 
 
coming. The Lord has exercifed long fufFering 
 Patience toward us, 'yet we have not returned to 
 him with all our Heart, and it is like we will be tried. 
 There are two Things in the Circumftances of the 
 Day that threaten: An Inundation of Popery may 
 be our Trial. Firft, There is the clofe Conjuncti- 
 on of Popiih Powers abroad ; it hath been rarely 
 feen but their fecular Interefts have clamed together, 
 whereas, at this Day, there is a clofe Conjunction, 
 without Claming of their fecular Interefts. Second- 
 ly, There is an universal Formality, Backfliding and 
 Declining, not only of one particular Church, or 
 of fome Churches, but of all the Proteilant Churches 
 abroad and at home. Now, thefe two Things, put 
 together, have an awful Afpecl. If we take a View 
 of bur particular Cafe in Scotland $x this Day, Have 
 we not Reafon to fear we will be tried and punifhed, 
 as a Nation which has departed from the Lord f 
 Many "Warnings have we got, Yet what Stupidity 
 jmder them all takes Place with the great Bulk ? 
 Lay your Account, ProfciTors, to have your Profef- 
 . fion tried -, you may have it throughly tried ere all 
 be done. O take heed led ye be unflable and fickle 
 in your Profeffion ! I fear there are many Profef- 
 fc-rs like Reuben, unliable as Water, which cannot 
 prevail : "We ought to warn fuch, that they may 
 ■meet with making Providences to try their Profef- 
 fion. It may come to the Time, when fome will 
 f^y, Lo, he-re is Chrifi ! and others, lo, he is there ! 
 I know not what Shakings and Splittings there 
 may be in Scotland ere all be done •, but I would 
 fain hope the Lord will keep the little Handful 
 he hath brought together to own a Teftimony for 
 Ghrift ; that he will keep them together in making 
 Days, when fome are left to go to great Extreams, 
 fome on the Right-Hand, and fome on the Left, 
 O be concerned to be eflablifhed, that you may 
 
 not 
 
( *4 ) 
 not be foon JLhaken in your Minds, that ye may^be 
 Well fortified againft; trying Times ! As ye have 
 profefTed to receive Chrift Jefus the Lord, fo walk 
 ye in him, rooted and built up in him, and eftabli- 
 ihed in the Faith ; walk in him as tfre Lord your 
 Righteoufnefs and Strength ; the Glory of your 
 Strength doth only ftand in him, all your Springs 
 are in him. But, not to iniift, 
 
 There is a fecond Sort of Perfbns I would ad- 
 drefs myfelf unto, and that is, not only ProfeiTors, 
 butfueh as are really with the Lamb, and do follow 
 the Lamb, and of fuch I hope there are a goodly 
 Remnant. here. From what 1 have faid you may 
 know their Character: Andtry.it, Sirs •, Are you 
 among the Lamb's Retinue and T^tain ? They who 
 are, they have been quickned by his Spirit, they 
 know what it is to give Obedience to the Lamb, 
 they know what it is to have Gcrrefpondence with 
 the Lamb, they know what it is* in fome Meafure, 
 to be ingrafted in the Lamb. All the Followers of 
 the Lamb, they defire juft to be eternal Debtors to 
 the Lamb, they juft roll themfelves over upon 
 his Righteoufnefs for their Juftification, and upon 
 his Strength for their SancYification •, the Lamb is 
 their Light, the Lamb is their Life, the Lamb is 
 their Leader, the Lamb is their Glory, the Lamb is 
 their Hope, the Lamb is their All, they cannot live 
 without the Lamb. Well, Sifs. if you be amongft 
 the Lamb's Followers, amongft his Rerinue and 
 Train, there are a few Words I would fuggeft 
 unto you. 
 
 Firft, O keep your Eye upon the worthy Lamb, 
 your glorious Leader, the Captain of your Salva- 
 tion, who is made perfect through S^ufreri.ngs 1 Yc 
 are directed to look unto him, Heb. xii. i. 2. 
 Wherefore, feeing we alfo are compajjed with fo great 
 
 a Cloud 
 
( <* ) 
 
 Cloud of Wit-nefes, lei us lay a fide every Weighty 
 and the Sjn which doth fo eafily befet us ; let us run 
 with Patience the Race that is fet before us, looking 
 unto Jefus the Author and Finifher of our Faith. O, 
 then, keep your Eye upon him ; if you lofe Sight 
 of him, then you will lofe your Way: Look to the 
 glorious Leader, be concerned to keep within Sight 
 of him ; look to him juft in his Word, and keep 
 Sight of him as he manifefts himfelf in his Word, 
 looking unto Jefus the Author and Finifher of Faith. _ 
 Look to him as your Leader, for Conduct; look to 
 him as your Commander and General, for Strength, 
 that ye may be ftrong in the Lord, and in the 
 Power of his Might ; mind that all your Strength 
 is in your Leader and Captain ;- he hath a glorious- 
 Magazine in him, all Furniture of Grace in him, 
 Mercy and Grace to help in Time of Need. There 
 is an inexhauftible Treafure of Grace in him, all 
 the Fulnefs of the Godhead dwells in him. O 
 the glorious Furniture that is in our Captain-Ge- 
 neral, for the Supply of all his Followers, his Re- 
 tinue and Train ! Look to that inexhauftible Trea- 
 sure of Grace that is in him for the Supplying all 
 your Wants, for it is juft. in him for the Behoof 
 and Benefit of his Followers, juft in him to be 
 communicated and given forth to all his Followers, 
 But then, 
 
 In the id Place, Are you among the Followers 
 of the Lamb, his Retinue and Train ? Then let 
 me advife you not only to keep your Eye upon 
 your Leader, but alfo. to encourage yourfelvcs in 
 your worthy Leader, in the worthy Lamb, the 
 glorious Leader, in all the Difcouragements «n4 
 Trials that may caft up in your Way. The 
 Lamb's Followers frequently fee Temptations caft 
 up that they were not expecting •, and it may be, 
 Sirs, when you go home to your Houfes, you may 
 I meet 
 
( 66 ) 
 meet with Trials y6u did not expe£l, fome Lofs or 
 another, fome Crofs or another, fome Difappoint- 
 ment or another, may caft up, which you did not 
 expeel : But then, let me exhort the Followers of 
 the Lamb, to encourage themfelves in' the Lamb, 
 under all that calls up. Ye who are the Children 
 oi'Zion have good Reafon to encourage yourfelves 
 i in your King, the glorious and worthy Lamb, to 
 glory in your King whatever befal you. Confider, 
 whatever you meet with, it is all meafured out by 
 your King and Leader in infinite Wifdom : There 
 is not one Grain Weight of a Crofs laid upon you, 
 but what is meafured out for you by his own Hand, 
 and he fees it meet for you, needful for you : Yea, 
 Sirs, all your Trials are meafured out by infinite 
 "Wifdom and infinite Love, and therefore you may 
 be allured all is defigned for your Good ; there is 
 Good defigned in all the hard and trying Provi- 
 dences you meet with ; and it will ay be true, 
 All Things work together for Good to them that love 
 God, to them that are the Called according to his Pur- 
 pofe. Therefore encourage yourfelves in the Lamb, 
 under all your Difcouragements outward or in- 
 ward, and particularly'in View of a publick Storm, 
 a general Storm, which is fo awfully thrcatned, 
 and we know not how foon it may blow ; yet 
 let the Followers of the Lamb encourage them- 
 felves in him. Sirs, you who are the Followers of 
 the worthy Lamb, his Retinue and Train, I would 
 read you a Word that may be Food to your Faith 
 when you go home, yea as long as you live, and 
 ye know not but you may need it very foon in an 
 cfpecial Manner. It is in the 43d Chapter of the 
 Prophecies of If at ah, ift, 2d, and 3d Verfes, But 
 ?;oiv, thus faith the Lord that created thee, Jacob, 
 md he that formed thee, Ifrael ? Feat not ; for I have 
 
 redeemed 
 
( *7 ) 
 
 redeemed thee, . I have called thee by thy Name ; thou 
 art mine. When thou pafefl through the Waters, I 
 will he with thee, and through the Rivers, they Jhall 
 not overflow thee ; when thou walkeft through the Fire, 
 thou /halt not be burnt, neither Jhall the Flame kindle 
 upon thee : For I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of 
 Ifrael, thy Saviour. May not this Word of Grace 
 be Food to your Faith while you are in the Wil- 
 dernefs ? Even tho' a Hurricane of common Calami 1 " 
 ties fhould come upon thefe Lands, yea, even tho' 
 you mould die in the common Calamity, there is 
 enough here to carry you through all, 1 will be 
 with thee. ,. 
 
 But then, again, in the 3d Place, Are you a- 
 mong the Followers of the Lamb I Then let me 
 exhort you to be concerned that the Lamb may be 
 honoured and glorified in our Land yet, that the 
 Horn of the Lamb may bud forth pleafantly yet. 
 The Lamb is reprefented, in Scripture, as having 
 feven Horns : It is a figurative Expreffion, pointing 
 out, that he hath all Power, Glory and Excellen- 
 cy. Seven, in Scripture, is reckoned a compleat 
 Number; and fo the feven Horns of the Lamb, 
 points out the Perfection of the Lamb's Power, 
 Glory and Excellency. O, then, plead that the 
 Lamb's Horn may bud, his Power, Glory and 
 Excellency may be yet feen by all Ranks. That 
 you may be encouraged in your Pleading, there is 
 a Promife it mall be fo, in that 132. Pfalm, and 
 1 7 th Verfe, There will I make the Horn o/~David to 
 hud : I have ordained a Lamp for mine Anointed. 
 There will I make the Horn o/David to bud. If you 
 ask, "Where ? I anfwer, In the New Teftament 
 Church ; for this is a Promife that refpeels the New 
 Teftament Church, and fo his Horn it buds forth 
 in the Gonverfion of Sinners to himfelf, in a King- 
 dom, 
 
( 68 ). 
 
 dom, and in a Land. His Horn buds forth, 
 when he appears upon his Mount Zion, and makes 
 himfelf known in accomplifhing fuch a Promife 
 as this. O pray it may be made out more and 
 more ! Pray his Horn may bud forth, that his 
 Glory may be feen yet in our Land and Church. 
 Sirs, his Glory is much vailed at this Day, vailed 
 by ProfelTors, by the untender Lives of ProfelTors ; 
 vailed by the Walk, Talk and Converfation of 
 ProfelTors. Pray that the Lamb's Horn may bud 
 forth in the Walk of ProfelTors -, when they glo- 
 rify him in their Walk and Deportment, then his 
 Horn buds forth- O pray that his Horn may 
 bud forth yet in Scotland! That it may bud forth 
 yet in this covenanted Land ! A Land which the 
 Lamb hath fpecial Intereft in, by the fpecial Gift 
 of his Father, and by a voluntary Surrender of 
 themTelves unto him. O pray that his Horn may 
 bud forth in Scotland! Sometimes his Steps of Ma- 
 jelly have been feen in Scotland^ in a Work both 
 of the Converfion of Sinners and Confirmation of 
 Saints. O pray that his Name may be yet great 
 in Scotland! O cry him back to this Land, to 
 Scotland! O plead for his Return ! O that we were 
 exciting and ftirring up one another to take hold 
 of him ! This is his Complaint, that there is none 
 that calleth upon his Name, that ftirreth up him- 
 felf to take hold of him. It becomes us to ufe 
 the Means of ftirring up ourfelves, and of ftirring 
 up one another to call upon his Name, and to take 
 hold of him. To us his Voice is, Te that make 
 Mention of the Lard, keep not ft lent ; give him no 
 Refl till he ejlablijh, and till he make Jerufalem a 
 Praife in the whole Earth. And we exhort you te> 
 cry, Give him ?io Refl till he eftabUfl?, and till he make 
 Jeruialem a Praife in the whole Earth- O cry that 
 
 he 
 
( *9 ) 
 
 he may come back to his Mount Zion m Scotland, 
 where he has had his Dwelling in Times paft ! 
 
 In the $th and laft Place, let me exhort you, 
 who are the Followers of the Lamb, to follow him 
 fully, follow him inhitherfoever he goeth, as in our 
 Text. You know it is a Commendation given to 
 Caleb and Jojhua, that they followed the Lord fully. 
 Now, to follow the Lord fully, is, \ft, to follow- 
 all the Orders and Initiations of the Lamb, as you 
 have heard in the former Part of this Difcourfe ; it 
 is to follow all the Truths of the Lamb, to value 
 and efteem every Tiuth of the Lamb great j their 
 is no Truth little : It is true, fome Truths are of 
 greater Importance and Moment than others ; but 
 fo far is any Truth from being fmall, that every 
 Point of divine Truth is of greater Moment than 
 Heaven and Earth, of more Value than the whole 
 Creation. Every Point of divine Truth is of more 
 Value than Angels and Men put together O Sirs, 
 beware of thinking any Truth little ! No Truth is 
 little, no Truth is fmall; not one Hoof of divine 
 Truth is to be parted with by the Followers of the 
 Lamb. 
 
 idly. To follow him fully, is juft to live upon 
 the Lamb. The Lamb is Food to all his Follow- 
 ers, the Lamb is Clothing to all his Followers, the 
 Lamb is juft every Thing to all his Followers, that 
 they want and need, for Time and Eternity. The 
 Lamb that is in the Midft of the.Throne will lead 
 them to living Fountains of Water ; and the Time 
 is coming, Sirs, when the Lamb, with his own 
 Hand, will wipe away all Tears from your Eyes* 
 O, then, let the Followers of the Lamb, who have 
 it for their Concern to follow him fully, constant- 
 ly, and whitherfoever he goeth, rejoice and be 
 glad that that Day is a-coming, that there will be 
 
 an 
 
( 7° ) 
 
 an End of the War which they have now "with the 
 Lamb's arid their Enemies. The Conflict is but 
 fhort, and the Victory is fure, it mall come in a 
 little. But, as I am afraid I have infilled too long 
 already, I ftall jufl: clofe with a fhort Word to the 
 two laft Sorts of Perfons I had a View to fpeak 
 to. Is it fo, then, as has been faid ? Then, from 
 this Text and Doctrine, I might fpeak a Word, by 
 Way of Advice, to fuch of the Followers of the 
 worthy Lambj as for prefent may be labouring un- 
 der Doubts and Fears left they be not on the Lamb's 
 Side. To fuch I mall fay only a Word or two. 
 
 In the firft Place, I would exhort and advife you 
 to mint at a direct Act of Faith on the worthy Lamb. 
 That is a remarkable Word which I cited already 
 in 5 oth Chapter of Ifaiah, and i oth Verfe, to fuch 
 as are in a dark Cafe and under Doubts, Who is a- 
 inong you that feareth the Lord, and obeyeth the Voice of 
 his Servant, that walketh in Darknefs, and hath no 
 Light P Let him trafi in the Name of the Lord, and 
 flay upon his God. The beft Way to get Relief from 
 thy Doubts and Fears, is juft to mint at acting 
 Faith upon the Promife of God, where it is pro- 
 mifed that you fhall do it, as in that 48th Chapter 
 of Ifaiah, and 24th Verfe, Surely, jhall one fay, in 
 the Lord have I Righteoufnefs and Strength. The bcft 
 Way to get quite of thy Doubts and Fears, is juft 
 to roll them, all over upon the Lord. Cafl thy Bur- 
 den upon the Lord, and he will fuflain thee ; caft all 
 thy Doubts and Fears over upon him, caft all thy 
 Burdens on him, and act Faith on him that he will 
 fuftain thee. 
 
 I mail only fay to you, idly. Are you under 
 Doubts and Fears that you are none of the Lamb's . 
 Followers, his Retinue and Train ? Then, O wait 
 upon him ! Wait upon a promifwg God in Chrift ! 
 
 Wait 
 
( 7i ) 
 Wait upon him in the Ufe of the Means of his own 
 Appointment! Wait upon the Lord, be of good Courage, 
 and he jhall ftrengthen thine Heart ; wait, I fay, upon 
 the Lord. 
 
 In the $th and I aft Place, I thought to have dropt 
 a "Word to all this Aifembly, by Way of Exhor- 
 tation, a Word including all that hear me this Day. 
 And, in a Word, that I may conclude, I would 
 exhort you all, and- every one of you, wkoever 
 you are, and whatever you are, or have been, to 
 come and follow the Lamb, the worthy Lamb. O 
 come ! I call you in his Name to come and follow 
 the worthy Lamb. O come, come ! There are a 
 vaft Number gathered together here, and I am a- 
 fraid a great many Strangers to Chrift, the wor- 
 thy Lamb. O Sirs, ye come to Sacraments, ye 
 come to a Communion-Table, ye come to Ser- 
 mons, but ye never come- to Chrift, the Lamb of 
 God ! O Sirs, we tell you, the Lamb this Day 
 invites you to come to him, to come and follow 
 him ! This Day you are called and invited in the 
 Word of the Gofpel, Whofoever will, -let him come, 
 and take the Water of Life freely. What mall I fay ? 
 Does the Lamb invite you, and will you not come ? 
 O will you not come upon his Invitation and Gall ! 
 What fhould hinder your Compliance with the 
 Lamb's Call ? What tho' you have been bearing 
 Arms againft him all your Days to this very 
 Moment, yet, I fay unto you, there is Room in the 
 Lamb for you, Room in the Grace of the Lamb 
 for you, Room in the Heart of the Lamb for you, 
 and you are by the Lamb invited this Day to come, 
 in. Are you a poor gracelefs Sinner ? Why, 
 then, I tell you, there is Room in his Grace for 
 you, there are inexhauftible Treafures of Grace 
 in him, and thefe inexhauftible Treafures of 
 
 Grace 
 
( 72 ) 
 
 Grace are juft for them that have rebelled and 
 carried Arms againft the I^amb. O that ye "knew 
 and would beperfuaded, that the Lamb hath re- 
 ceived Gifts for Men, for fuch as did rebel, that 
 the Lord God might dwell among them. O, then, 
 be alfured the inexhauftible Treafure of Grace 
 that is in the Lamb, is juft for you. There is 
 Room in his Grace for you ; Treafurcs of par- 
 doning Mercy and ianclifying Grace are in him for 
 you. O come, then, at his Gall! Open your 
 Hearts to receive him at his Call! Give Obedience 
 to the Lamb, ftoop to the Righteoufnefs of the 
 worthy Lamb • be aifured there is Room in 
 the Righteoufnefs of the Lamb for you, Room in 
 the Obedience and Death of the Lamb for you ; 
 whatever thy Guilt is, his Merit is infinite, and in '• 
 it there is Room for you. O come, "then, in under 
 the Shadow of this perfect Righteoufnefs, this 
 Merit and Mediation of. the worthy Lamb, with 
 thy guilty Soul ; and then, Tho'ye have lien among 
 the Pots, yet Jhall ye be as the Wings of a Dove, co- 
 vered with Silver, and her Feathers with yellow Gold. 
 O come, guilty Sinner ! Q come, filthy Sinner ! 
 There is Room in this worthy Lamb for thee. 
 Ye were called yefterday to come under the LamB's 
 Shadow, and we call you again this Day to come 
 under his Shadow. O, it is a broad Shadow, it' 
 is a pleafant Shadow, is a delightfom Shadow. 
 O come under the Shadow of the worthy Lamb ! 
 O will you part from this Place, and from one an- 
 other, without coming to the Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 the worthy Lamb. O, our Hearts Defire for you 
 all is, that you may come to the worthy Lamb, 
 that ye may know the worthy Lamb, that you may 
 fhare of that Grace that is in Chrift Jefus the wor* 
 thy Lamb, and we are fure there is enough in him 
 
 ibr 
 
( n ) 
 
 fof you all, Whatever yor are or have been. O 
 come to him ! Whatever be thy Cafe, we allure 
 you here is fomething to fuit it. Are you full of 
 Wants t You will find in him a Supply of all your 
 Wants; Are you an hungred ? Food is to be 
 found in him. Are thou thirfty ? Drink is to be 
 found in him. Are you naked ? Clothing is to be 
 found in him. Are you poor ? Unfearchable Riches 
 are 1 to be found in him. Are you blind ? Eye- 
 Salve is to be found in him. / counfel thee, faith 
 the Lamb, to buy of me Gold tried in the Firti that 
 thou mayeft he rich ,- and white Raiment ', that thou, 
 mayeft be clothed, and that the Shame of thy Naked" 
 neft do not appear ; and anoint thine Eyes with Eye- 
 Salve, that thou mayeft fee, Rev. Hi- 18. O to be 
 found in the Lamb ! O, are you a poor, difeafed 
 Sinner ? Why, then, we tell you, Medicine is to 
 be found in him for all your Plagues and Maladies, 
 whatever they are ; his Name is Jehovah Rophr % 
 the Lord that healeth thee. Are you an Unbelie- 
 ver* and cannot truft his Word \ The Spirit 6f 
 Faith is in him. Are you dumb, and cannot feelc 
 anyThing from him, lame and cannot come to him I 
 Why, he maketh the lame Man to leap as an Hart 9 
 end the Tongue of the Dumb to fingi Have you an 
 obftinate, ftubborn and rebellious Heart ? He hath, 
 omnipotent Power to overcome all the Obftinacy 
 in thy Heart. O, then, come, come to the wor- 
 ty Lamb, and follow the worthy Lamb whither- 
 foever he goeth ! O that the Spirit of God may 
 be fent forth into thy Heart ! O that he may be 
 fcjnt forth as a Spirit of Faith, as a Spirit of Love I 
 O that he may be fent to take the Face of Cover- 
 ing from every one in all this Company, and ma- 
 nifeft the Glory of the worthy Lajnb unto us all 2 
 Tht Lord blefs his Word. 
 
 F I N I & 
 
The Father's Promife to the 
 Son r a clear Bow in the 
 Church's darkeft Cloud ; 
 
 O R, 
 
 The fpiritual Seed of Chrift 
 pref erved in all Ages and a- 
 midft all Dangers. 
 
 Being the Subftance of feveral 
 
 SERMONS 
 
 Preached at Terth, in the Years 1729, 
 and 1730. 
 
 By the late Reverend and Learned Mr. "William 
 "Wilson Minijler of the Go/pel at Perth. 
 
 2 Sam. iii. 38. There is a great Man fallen in 
 
 Ifrael. 
 Heb. xi. 14. H-e being dead yet fpeaketh, 
 
 EDINBURGH, 
 Printed for David Duncan, and fold at his Houfe, 
 oppofite to the Weigh-Houfe, Nojth'Side of the 
 Street. MGGDXLVXl. 
 
$®wmm®<m®mmmmmmmmm 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 TH E following Difcourfes were 
 lately found in the Author's 
 Clofet in Manufcript, corre&ed with 
 his own Hand ; an inconteftible Evi- 
 dence that he defigned the Publication 
 of the fame. So we judge it our Duty 
 to do him the Juftice, and the World 
 the Service of prefenting them with this 
 Part of his Works, Whofe Fame is in 
 the Church ; and fince a few Sermons 
 are all that Part of this Author's Works 
 the World can be favoured with, it is 
 therefore expefted that well-difpofed 
 People will be careful to perufe, and 
 recommend the Perufal of the fame 
 where they can have Influence, which, 
 thro' the Lord's BlefTing, will terminate 
 in their Profit. 
 
 
( 3 ) 
 
 Psalm lxxxix. '29. 
 
 His Seed alfo will I make to endure for 
 ever. 
 
 THIS excellent Pfalm was penned by Ethan 
 the Ezrahite, as the Infcription bears ; 
 it is probable he is the fame Ethan who 
 was famous in the Days of Solomon for 
 "Wifdom, together with his Brethren Heman, Chal- 
 chol and Darda the Sons of Macho, i Kings iv. 
 31. It is remarkable, that, in the preceeding 
 Pfalm, his Brother Heman is under much of a Spi- 
 rit of Bondage ; he cries out, that his Soul is full 
 of Troubles, that the Wrath of the Lord lieth 
 hard upon him, that he is in Darknefs and in the 
 Deeps, and that he is ready to die from his Youth, 
 and diftracled with the Terrors of the Lord : But 
 . in this Pfalm Ethan fings of the Mercy and Faith- 
 fulnefs of God. O what adorable Sovereignty is 
 here! Some of the Saints and People of God walk, 
 for the raoft Part of their Time, in Darknefs and 
 under much Heavinefs and Bondage, while others 
 enjoy a more pleafant Sun- Shine jpffpiritual Light, 
 Joy and Comfort : So it is wtih Ethan in this 
 Pfalm •, tho' in the Clofe of it heftewails the Cala- 
 mity and Diftrefs that the ChuMh and People of 
 God, in his Day, were broughHunder, yet he is 
 comforted and encouraged, and his Faith k> 
 ftrengthned and confirmed, from the fpiritual Dif 
 covenes .hat are given him of that rare Superitruc 
 ture of Mercy en the Behalf of miferable Sinners, 
 
 and 
 
< 4 ) 
 
 and alfo of the folemn Engagement of divine 
 Faithfulnefs for the Prefervation of Chrift's fpiritu* 
 al Seed, according to the Covenant-Tranfaclion 
 with the Lord Jefus, of whom David was an emi- 
 nent Type ; and therefore, from the Beginning to 
 the 15 th Verfe of the Pfa/m, he celebrates, with a 
 Song ofPraife, the Mercy and Faithfulnefs, the 
 Sovereignty, Greatnefs and Power of God mani- 
 fested in all his Difpenfati-ons towards his Church 2 
 aqd People. And, from the 15-th to the 19th 
 Verfe, we have fome of the fpecial Characters, 
 with the peculiar Bleffings of all fuch who are 
 Chrift's fpiritualSeed, and Heirs of the Promife j 
 from the 19th Verfe and downward, the new Co- 
 venant- Tranfaclion is farther laid open in fome 
 Account of the , wonderful Perfon who has the 
 firftRoom and Place in this excellent Bargain, and 
 who bears all the Weight and Burden of the 
 whole Building of Mercy •> as alfo of his Furniture 
 for his Work, and his glorious Succefs in it : Who 
 is he then on whom the Help of felf-dcftroying If 
 rael is laid . ? He is David Jehovah 's Servant, 20th 
 Verfe. Surely a greater than David the King of 
 Judah and lfrael is here, for he is one that is 
 mighty, 19th Verfe. He is indeed the mighty 
 God, the everlafting Father, who is able -to fave 
 unto the uttermoft all that come unto God through 
 him ; he is alfo one chofen out of the People, he 
 is God in our Nature, or Immamtel, God with us. 
 This is he with whom the Covenant of Grace 
 ftands faft, 28th Verfe. He is defigned the Firft- 
 born, 27 th Verfe. / -will make him my Firft-born. 
 And fo, Rom. viii. 29. he is called the Firft-born a- 
 mong many Brethren; and, Col. i. 15-, 18. The 
 Firfl-born of every Creature, • and the Firfl-born from 
 the Dead* that in all Things he might have the Pre- 
 eminence* 
 
( jr ) 
 
 eminence. The Right of the Firft-born is in the 
 Perfon of the Lord Jefus the fecond Adam ; he is 
 the Head of the new Covenant, the glorious Heir of 
 all Things, and unto him all the Promifes oi Grace 
 and Glory are given in the firft Inftance, and in, 
 him they are made fure unto all his fpiritual Seed. 
 "With reipect unto his Furniture for his Work he 
 was anointed with the Oyl ofHolinefs, that is, 
 with the holy Spirit in a fuper-abundant Meafure, 
 whereby he was furnifhed and ftrengthned for the 
 Difcharge of the great Work and Truft committed 
 unto him in the 20th and 21ft Verfes. And as for 
 his Succefs in his Work, lie hath trampled under 
 Foot the ftrong Powers of Darknefs, Sin and Sarsn, 
 the World, Death, Hell and the Grave, 2 2d and 
 2$d Verfes. And being now exa-lted into the 
 Trrtone of his Glory, he ftretcheth out his omni- 
 potent Arm in the Difpenfation of the Word of 
 the Gofpel, the Rod of his Strength, by which 
 he makes a Conqueft of Grace in the Iflands of the 
 Sea, and alfo in the Continent amongft the Rivers, 
 ?5-th Verfe. i And unto him it is promifed, in the 
 Words of our Text, that his Seed mail endure 
 forever, that is, he mall have a fpiritual Seed and 
 Offspring upon this Earth as long as the Sun arid 
 Moon do endure. His Seed I will make to endure. 
 Whatever Oppofition may be made by Men or 
 Devils unto Chrift's Caufe and People, yet that 
 Day mall never dawn wherein it can be faid that 
 Chrift's fpiritual Seed do altogether fail ; nay, in 
 all Ages and Generations he {hall have a Seed to 
 do him Service, a People to honour him, and Sub- 
 jects to yield Obedience unto him, for his Throne 
 mall be as the Days of Heaven. The doctrinal Pro- 
 portion I lay before you is aim oft in the -Words 
 of the Text, namely \ That Chrift's fpiritual Seed 
 
 Pall 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 fiall endure for ever. The fame Thing is promis- 
 ed in the 4th and 36th Verfes of the Pfalm, and 
 the Promife is ratified and confirmed by the Oath 
 of God, in the 3d and 4th Verfes. I have /worn 
 unto David my Servant, thy Seed will I eftablijh for 
 ever. And in the 35-th and 36th Verfes, Once have 
 1 fworn by my Holinefs, that I will not lie unto Da- 
 vid ; His Seed (hall endure for ever. The frequent 
 Repetition of this Promife, and with fuch a So- 
 lemnity, mews us of what Importance and Weight 
 this Subject is ; and truly it is of great Ufe, to 
 fupport and confirm the Faith of Believers in Chrift 
 under -all making and trying Difpenfations of 
 divine Providence towards the Church and People 
 of God, and particularly under the fad Thoughts 
 of Heart that we may have from the low State 
 and Condition of the Churches of Chrift at this 
 Day. It is alfo very ufeful to quicken and en- 
 courage us to our Duty, therefore I ihall infift 
 a little upon it ; and, in difcourfing it, I mail en- 
 deavour, firfl, to fhew you whom we are to un- 
 derftand by Chrift's Seed. idly. Why they are 
 called his Seed. %dly. How or by what Means 
 they have been preferved in all Ages and Genera- 
 tions, qthly. I mail lay before you fome few Con- 
 fiderations for confirming you in the Faith of this 
 important Truth. $t,kly~* I fliall ihew you why it 
 is that Chr ill's fpiritual Seed muft endure for e- 
 ver. And, iri the la ft Place, I mall make fome 
 practical Ufc and Improvement of this Subject. 
 
 The firir. Thing propofed is, to fhew who are 
 meant by Chrift's Seed. 
 
 Firft, All that are ordained unto eternal Life 
 are Chrift's fpiritual Seed ; there is a Remnant, 
 according unto the Election of Grace, even a 
 goodly Number of the apoftate and loft Race of 
 
 Mankind, 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 Mankind, who were chofen unto eternal Life be- 
 fore the Foundations of the World were laid, 
 Rom. viii. 29. Eph. i. 4. All thofe are Chrift's 
 fpiritual Seed ; they are his Seed in the Purpofe and 
 in the Decree of God ; they are his Seed by the 
 Father's Gift and Grant unto him ; they are the 
 Men who were given unto Chrift out of the 
 "World, John xvii. 6. They are his Seed in re- 
 fpe<5r. of his Undertaking for them ; he undertook 
 from all Eternity to pay the Price of their Re- 
 demption from Sin and Wrath, and to bring in a 
 Law-biding Righteoufnefs for their Juftification. 
 As all the Pofterity of the firft Adam were in him, 
 as their common Head and Reprefentatives, when 
 the Covenant of Works was tranfacted with him, 
 fo all the Elect was in Chrift the fecond Adam, as 
 their common Head and Reprefentative, when 
 God tranfacled with him ; and, in this eternal 
 Tranfaclion, not only was all needful Furniture 
 promifed unto the Redeemer, to enable him to 
 difcharge the Work and Truft undertaken by him, 
 but alio the Promife of Life, forfeited 5y the A- 
 poftafy of the firft Adam, is given unto him as 
 the fecond Adam, the Head of the new Family, and 
 the Heir of all Things. Hence, Tit. i. 2. it is 
 faid, In Hope of eternal Life, which God that can- 
 not lie promifed before the World began. Yea, 
 all the Grace deligned for the VeiTels of Mercy 
 in Time, is laid up in the fecond Adam as the com- 
 mon Treafury and Store-Houfe : For in him are 
 hid all the Treafures of Wifdom and Knowledge, 
 Col. ii. 3. And itis of his Fulnefs that we receive, 
 and Grace for Grace, John i. 16. And all the 
 Grace wherewith the VefTels of Mercy are filled 
 in Time, is given them in Chrift Jefus before the 
 World began, 2 Tim- i. p. All this is very well ex- 
 
 preiTed 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 prelfed, in a very few Words, in the Anfwcr to 
 that Queftion in our larger Catechifm, With whom 
 was the Covenant of Grace made ? The Anfwcr is, 
 The Covenant of Grace n&as made with Chrift as the fe- 
 cond Adam, and in him with all the Eleft as his Seed. 
 Gai. ill- 1 6. Rom. v. 15*. 
 
 Secondly, All who are effectually called arc 
 Chrift ? s fpiritual Seed. The Elect, in effe&ual Cal- 
 ling, are united unto the Lord Jefus Chrift, and 
 are made joint Heirs with him unto^the Promifes, 
 Gal. iii. 29. And, if ye be Chrift's, then are ye 
 Abraham's Seed, and Heirs according unto the 
 Promife : It is in their effectual Calling that the 
 Elect obtain an actual Intereft in the Promifes. For 
 clearing this Matter a little, you may obferve, 
 that.tho' all the Pofterity of the firft Adam were in 
 him as their common Head and Reprefentative, 
 when he finned and fell, yet they have no actual 
 Communion with him in his Sin, till once they have 
 a Being in him by natural Generation ; then it is 
 that his Sin is imputed unto them, and then it is 
 that they derive a corrupted and depraved Nature 
 from him, Rom. v. 12, 14, 15, 16. Even fo, 
 tho' all the Elect were virtually in the fecond A- 
 dam as their Head and Reprefentative, yet they 
 have not actual Communion with him in his Grace, 
 till the Day of their myftical Union with him, 
 when they are apprehended by the Spirit, fent 
 down from the living and Life-giving Head, and 
 are enabled by a lively Faith to apprehend him ; 
 then it is that his Righteoufnefs is imputed unto 
 them, and the Promife of eternal Life does then 
 Jbecome theirs in their own Perfons. In a Word, 
 then it is that they receive the Remiflion of Sins, 
 and an Inheritance among them which are fanllified by 
 faith that is in bim t Acts xxvi. 1 8. It is of the E- 
 
 tecl 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 lect converted, or of fuch who truly believe in 
 the Lord Jefus, that I underftand the Promife in 
 in our Text. His Seed alfo will I make to endure 
 for ever - that is, fuch as really believe in him 
 fhall never altogether fail from off the Earth; 
 he fhall have fome fuch in all Ages and Genera- 
 tions upon the Earth. 
 
 I proceed to the fecond Thing propofed, namely^ 
 To fhew you why Believers in Chrift are called his 
 Seed. 
 
 Firfii They all fpring from him ; they are his 
 genuine Hue and Offspring, Jfa. xxii. 24. And 
 they (loall hang upon him all the Glory of his Father's 
 Houfe, the Offspring and the Iffue. They fpring 
 from the Sufferings and Death of Chrift, Ifa. liii. 
 10. When thou jhalt make his Soul an Offering for 
 Sin, he fhall fee bis Seed. They are the Travail 
 of Ghrift's Soul, lfa. liii. \\. In his State of Humili- 
 ation he travailed to bring forth many Children to God. 
 They fpring from his Refurreclion from the Dead, 
 I Pet. i. 3. He hath begotten us again unto a lively 
 Hope, by the Refurrefiion of Jefus Chrift from the Dead. 
 They fpring from the Covenant-Tranfaction with 
 him ; this glorious Bargain is laid open in the 
 "Word and Promifes of the Gofpel, and by the 
 "Word of Truth they are begotten unto him, 
 James i. 18. Of his own Will begat he us with the 
 Word of Truth. They are born of the incorruptible 
 Seed of the Word, 1 Pet. i. 23. They are 
 brought forth and nourifhed by the IVIeans of the 
 "Word of Promife ; therefore they are called the 
 Children of Promife, Gal. iv. 28. They all 
 defcend from him as their Father, and are born 
 of his Spirit, John iii. 5-, 6. 
 
 idly. Believers in Chrift are called his Seed, 
 
 becaufe they have all their fpiritual Being from 
 
 B him : 
 
( io ) 
 
 him : As Children have their natural Being from 
 their Parents, To Believers have a fpiritual Being 
 from Ghrift ; whatever they have as they are Be- 
 lievers, they have it from him : They have all 
 their fpiritual Life from him, for he quickens them 
 when they are dead in Trefpalfes and Sins, Eph. 
 ii. i, 4, 5. They have that Faith, from which 
 they are denominated Believers, from him , for 
 it is the Faith of his Operation, Col. ii. 12. They 
 have that Righteoufnefs, whereby they are juftified 
 in the Sight of God, only from him, Ifa. liv. 17. 
 Their Right eon fnefs is of me, faith the Lord. Alfo 
 they have all their Sanctification from him ; for 
 he is made of God unto them San edification, 
 1 Cor. i. 30. In a "Word, they have all Grace and 
 Glory from him, for he gheth both Grace and Glory, 
 Pfalm lxxxiv. 1 1 . 
 
 %dly. Believers in Chrift are called his Seed, be- 
 caufe of that Refemblance that they bear unto the 
 Lord Jefus ; as Children refemble their Parents, 
 fo all Chrift's fpiritual Seed refemble himfelf. 
 lft. They refemble him in the new Nature that 
 is given unto him ; as Children have the fame 
 Nature with their Parents, fo Believers in Ghrift 
 are Partakers in the divine Nature, 2 Pet. i. 4,' 
 The divine Nature, in which they are faid to 
 partake, is their Renovation in the Spirit of their 
 Minds, or the new Man, which after God is creat- 
 ed in Right eoufnefs and true Holinefs, Eph. iv. 23, 
 24. idly. They refemble Chrift in the Spirit 
 that is given unto them: the lame Spirit that is 
 in "Chriit, is alfo given unto every Believer. The 
 Holy Ghoft was indeed given to him above Mea- 
 sure, but he is given unto every one of them ac- 
 cording to their Meafure, yet he is the fame Spi- 
 rit both in the Head and in all the Members of 
 
 the 
 
( II ) 
 
 the myftical Body. The Holy Ghoft did reft upon 
 the Head, as a Spirit of Wifdom and Knowledge, 
 and he is given unto all his Members, as the Spi- 
 rit of Wifdom and Revelation in the Knowledge 
 of Chrift, If a. xi. i. Eph. i. 17. The holy Spi- 
 rit did reft upon Chrift as the Spirit of Might, 
 and all his fpiritual Seed are ftrengthned with 
 Might by his Spirit in the inner Man, Eph. iii. 16. 
 The Spirit defcended upon the Head as the Spi- 
 rit ofHolinefs, and he is given unto every one 
 that believes as the Spirit of Sanccification, 1 Cor. 
 vi. 1 1. The Spirit did likeways reft upon the Head 
 as a Spirit of Supplications, for in the Days of 
 his Fle/b he offered up Prayers and Supplications 
 with ftrong Crying and Tears, Heb. v. 7. and 
 he is promifed and given as the Spirit of Grace 
 and Supplication unto all his fpiritual Seed, Zech. 
 xii. 10. He is in them the Spirit- of Adoption 
 whereby they cry Abba. Father ■, Rom. viii. 15". ?>dly. 
 Believers in Chrift referable him in their Graces, 
 fuch as Faith, Love, Zeal, and the like. The 
 Head and Captain of Salvation was eminent for his 
 Faith and Truft in God, Heb. ii. 13. for Love to 
 and Zeal for his Father's Honour and Glory ; The 
 Zeal of thy Houfe did eat me up. Likeways for his 
 Humility and Meeknefs, Matth. xi. 29. Lean: of 
 me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart ; and all Chrift's 
 fpiritual Seed bear fome Refemblance and Likenefs 
 to him in thefe ;. they are a People that put their 
 Truft in the Lord, Pfalm ix. 10. It is a Charac- 
 ter of them, that they love him, 1 Pet. i. 8. 
 they are the Meek of the Earth, Pfalm xxv. o. 
 
 qthly. Believers in Chrift are called his Seed 
 becaufe of his tender Care and Concern about 
 them. As Parents are naturally careful of their 
 Children, fo the Lord Chrift has the Heart of a 
 
 Father 
 
( ** ) 
 
 Fajther towards his People, and the Gare and Con- 
 cern of a Father for them. ift. He loveththemas a 
 Father loveth his Children. The Love of a Parent 
 to his Children is a tender Love, a great Love, a 
 comparlionate and fympathizing Love -, fo is the 
 Love of Chrift unto his People : He loveth them 
 with a tender Love. As the affectionate Parent 
 carrfes the little Child in his Arms, and lays it in 
 his Bofom, fo it is faid of Chrift, that he gathereth 
 his Lambs with his Arm, and carries them in his Bo- 
 fm, Ifa. xl. ii. Likeways the Love of Chrift unto 
 his People is a very great Love. Parents will 
 readily expofe themfelves to very great Dangers 
 for the Sake of their Children ; but the Love of 
 Chrift excels in Greatnefs ; he expofed himfeif to 
 the greateft of all Dangers, for the Sake of all his 
 fpiritual Seed, even to the Wrath of a Sin-reveng- 
 ing God, and to Death armed with its direful 
 Sting, Eph. v. i. Chrift alfo hath loved us, and 
 given himfeif for us. Alfo the Love of Chrift 
 unto his People is a companionate and fympathiz- 
 ing Love, Pfalm ciii. 1 3 . Like as a Father pitieth 
 his Children, fo the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 
 Who can exprefs the Pity, Sympathy, the Year- 
 nings of Bowels that are in a tender-hearted Pa- 
 rent towards his Child, efpecially in its Affliction 
 and Diftrefs ? Yet this is but a faint Emblem 
 and Shadow of that Pity and Sympathy that is 
 with the Lord Jefus towards his People, fuch as 
 a Sympathy with them, that in all their Afflictions 
 he is afflified, Ifa. lxiii. 19. and whoever touch- 
 eth them, toucheth him in the moil tender and 
 fenfible Part, Zcch. ii. 8. For he that toucheth you, 
 toucheth the Apple of his Eye. ■ 
 
 " 2dly. Parents are careful to provide for their 
 Children, even fo Ghrift has made a liberal 
 
 and 
 
( *3 ) 
 and large Provifion- for all his fpiritual Seed, 
 he hath provided a goodly Heritage for them, even 
 the Inheritance incorruptible, underiled, that ia- 
 deth not away, and unto the Hope of this Inheri- 
 tance they are begotten, i Pet. i. 3, 4. He 
 has made Provifton of all fpiritual Bleiiings for 
 them, he will give them both Grace and Glory, 
 Pfalm lxxxiv. 11. and whatever temporal Blef- 
 fings are needful for them, thefe are provided in 
 the Covenant likeways, If a. xxxiii. i<5. 7 heir 
 Bread (hall be given them, and their Water Jhall be 
 fire. $dly. He corrects them as a Father doth his 
 Children, the Duty of a Parent is carefully to cor- 
 rect the Child when the Rod is needful ; and y/hen 
 the Lord fees the Rod to be needful for his Chil- 
 dren, he will not fpare it, Rev. iii. 19- As many 
 as 1 love I rebuke and ch a fieri, Heb xii. 8. If ye 
 he without Chaflifement, whereof all are Partakers, 
 then are ye Bafiards, and not Sons. And in the T - 7 er- 
 fes following our Text, 30, 31, 32. If his Chil- 
 dren f 9; fake my Law — Then will 1 vifit their 
 
 ■TranfgreJJions with the Rod. 
 
 Sthly. Believers in Chrift are called his Seed, be- 
 caufe in him they have a Right and Title unto all 
 Things. All are yours, and ye are "Chrift^, 
 1 Cor. iii. 22. The Head of the Family, as we 
 have obferved already, is the Heir of all Things, 
 Heb. i. 2. and all Children of the Family are 
 joint Heirs with him, Rom. viii. 17. All the Pro- 
 mifes are given unto Ch rift in the firft inltance, 
 Gal. iii. 1 6. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the 
 Promifes made. He faith not, and to Seeds, as of 
 many ; but as of one, and to thy Seed, which is Chrifl. 
 And in him all the Promifes of Grace and Glory- 
 are Tea, and Amen, unto all Iris fpiritual Seed. 
 The Head of the Family has the firft Right and 
 
 Title 
 
( M ) 
 
 Title to plead the Covenant -Relation. In the 26th 
 Verfe of th'isPfalm, He Jhall cry anto me, Thou art 
 my Father, thou art my God, and the Rock of my Sal- 
 vation : And it is in him, even under the Shadow 
 of his Wings, that all the Children of the Fami- 
 ly may with the Boldnefs of Faith cry unto him, 
 Thou art ?ny Father, my God, and the Rock of my Sal- 
 vation. It is in him that they may plead the Re- 
 lation ; therefore he fays, John xx. 17. / afcend 
 unto my Father and your Father, to my God and your 
 God. Chriit the Head of the Family has the firfl 
 Right and Title to the Kingdom, to the Glory, 
 and to the Throne ; and in him all his fpiritual 
 Seed have a Right and Title unto the Kingdom, 
 I appoint unto you a Kingdom, as my Father hath ap- 
 pointed unto me ; yea, in him they have a Right 
 and Title unto his Glorv, and unto his Throne, 
 John xvii. 11. And the Glory vjhich thou gave]} me I 
 have given them, Rev. iii. ii.To him that overcometh 
 will /grant to fit with me on my Throne, even as I alfo 
 overcame 1 and am fet down with my Father on his 
 Throne. 
 
 I proceed to the third Thing propofed, namely \ 
 To mew you, how of by what Means Chrift's 
 fpiritual Seed have been "jpreferved in all Ages and 
 Generations. 
 
 I ahfwer, ifl. By the Minifrry of the Word. 
 
 idly. By the Concurrence cf the Spirit of God 
 with the Word. 
 
 %dly. By the Church's wreftling with God ia 
 Prayer. 
 
 phly. By the Word of their Teftimony. 
 And, 
 
 $thly. By remarkable Appearances of the Lord 
 amongft them and for them. , 
 
 I fhall upon each of thde Heads give you fome 
 
 particular 
 
( H ) 
 particular Inftances with reference to the Lord's 
 Church and People in this Land. 
 
 In the firfl Place, Chrift's fpiritual Seed have 
 been preferved in all Ages by the Miniftry of the 
 "Word. This is the great outward Mean that the 
 Lord hath made Ufe, and doth ftill make Ufe of for 
 bringing forth a Seed unto himfelf, it is the Rod 
 of his Strength, by which his People are made 
 willing in the Day of his Power, Pfalm ex. 2, 3. 
 The Word of the Gofpel was firft preached in 
 Paradife by the Angel of the Covenant, to our 
 firft Parents immediately after their difmal Apo- 
 ftafy in that Promife, Gen. iii. 15-. / will put Enmi- 
 ty between thee and the Woman, and between thy Seed 
 and her Seed, &c. We have no Ground to doubt 
 of the Succefs of this Preaching, and from it we 
 may date the bringing forth of a fpiritual Offspring 
 unto the Lord Jefus, which have continued ever 
 fince, and will continue to the End of Time. 
 The fame Word of the Gofpel was preached un- 
 to Abraham, Gal. iii. 8. compared with Gen. xiL 
 3. And it was believed by him, Rom. iv. 30 
 Abraham believed God, and it was counted , to him for 
 Righteoufnefs. This Woc4 was given by the 
 Lord to the whole Church olilfrael, and great was 
 the Company of thofe that published it, Pfalm 
 lxviii. 1 1 . The Apoft les were alfo commanded 
 to preach the Word of the Gofpel, firft at Jeru- 
 falem, and then among the Nations, Luke xxiv. 
 47. The preaching of the Gofpel was the great 
 Mean by which the Kingdom of Pagan Darknefs 
 was firft ihaken,and afterwards gradually deftroyed, 
 throughout the Roman Empire; even in the J- 
 pofiolick Age, their Sound went unto all the 
 Earth, and their Words to the Ends of tfie Worla 7 , 
 Rom. x. 18. The Sound of tjie Gofpel went at 
 
 that 
 
( Itf ) 
 
 that Time, not only through the Roman Empire, 
 but alfo to thefe Places of the Earth into which 
 'the Roman Arms had not then penetrated : And it 
 is very probable, that our barbarous Forefathers 
 in Scotland were early enligh tried by the Word of 
 the Gofpel, if not in the Apoftolick Age, yet in 
 the Beginning of the next. Thus, as the Walls 
 of Jericho did fall before the Blowing of Ranis 
 Horns, fo was Pagan Idolatry deftroyed by the 
 Blowing of the great Trumpet of the Gofpel. A- 
 gain, when grofs x^ntichriftian Darknefs had cover- 
 ed the Chriftian World, it pleafed the Lord, by the 
 pure Preaching of the Word of the Gofpel, to 
 'make the Kingdom of Antichrift. By this glorious 
 Mean, whole Nations and Provinces were brought 
 ©fffrom their blind Subjection to Antichrift ; and, 
 amongft others, Scotland, being covered with Po- 
 pith Darknefs, was, in the Century preceeding 
 the laft, again illuminated by the Miniftry of a 
 Hamilton, Wijhart and Knox ; who' may be juftly 
 reckoned amongft the. firft three ; and, by their 
 Miniftry, a numerous Seed was brought forth to 
 the Lord Jems, which have been preferved in 
 Scotland by the preaching of the Word, even 
 when the Church of Chrift in this Land has been 
 brought very low. As for Inftance, in the late 
 cruel perfecuting Days, it was by a preached Go- 
 fpel in Corners and in the Defarts, that a fpiritual 
 Seed were preferved unto the Lord Jefus. 
 
 idly. Chrift's fpiritual Seed have endured in all 
 Ages by the Concurrence of the Holy Spirit with 
 the Word : The Word is only a Mean, it has no 
 Efficacy of itfelf, all the Efficacy depends upon the 
 Energy of the Hojy Ghoft ; it is through the 
 Power of the Spirit, accompanying the Word, 
 that it has done fuch great Things upon the 
 
 Earth. 
 
( 17 ) 
 Earth. The Word in the Hand of the Spirit of 
 God has prevailed over the ftrong Powers of 
 Darknefs, it has overcome Nations and Provinces, 
 and broughtTnany of Chrift's Enemies unto a pro- 
 feffed outward Subjection, and others unto a real 
 and cordial Subjection unto him. , The Arrows of 
 the Word, when direCled by the Spirit of God, is /harp 
 in the Hearts of the King's Enemies, Pfalm xlv. 5*. 
 The Old Teftament Believers had the Spirit of Faith' 
 given unto them, and the fame Spirit of Faith is 
 given under the New Teftament Difpenfation, 
 1 Cor. iv. 13. only, under the New Teftament 
 Difpenfation, there is a more plentiful and more 
 extenfive Effufton of the Holy Spirit ; the Suc- 
 cefs that the Gofpel had in the Apoftles Days, 
 and alfo in our reforming Days, was wholly ow- 
 ing to the Concurrence of the Spirit with the 
 Word ; and by . this Means Chrift's fpiritual 
 Seed have been preferved to this very. Day, ac- 
 cording to that Promife, If a. lix. 21. My Spirit 
 that is upon thee, and my Words that I have put in 
 thy Mouth, /hall not depart out of thy Mouth, nor out 
 of the Mouth of thy Seed's Seed, faith the Lord, from 
 henceforth and for ever. I might here condefcend 
 upon fome particular Inftances of a more than or- 
 dinary Down -pouring of the Spirit accompany- 
 ing the Word, but I will have Occafion to men- 
 tion thefe afterwards. 
 
 %dly. The Lord Chrift's fpiritual Seed have been 
 preferved by wreftiing with God in Prayer ; this 
 is a Mean the Church and People of God have tri- 
 ed with good Succefs, when they have been 
 brought very low ; and frequently, when the Lord 
 is about to give any great Deliverance to his 
 Church and People, he pours out a Spirit of 
 Prayer : When the Children of Ifreel were fighing 
 G vmder 
 
( iS ) 
 
 tinder their Bondage in Egypt, they cried unto the 
 Lord, and their Cry came up unto him, and he heard 1 
 their Groaning, and remembred his Covenant, Exod. 
 ii. 23, 24. When the Church was in great Danger 
 in E fiber's Days, flie fafted and prayed, and appointed 
 Mordecai and the reft of the Jews at Shu/ban to do 
 fo, E fiber iv. 15, 16. and the Lord anfwered 
 , their Prayers, by giving them a wonderful Deliver- 
 ance : Likeways the Members of the infant pri- 
 mitive Church, Ai~is\. 14. were all with one Ac- 
 cord in Prayer and Supplication, before that re- 
 markable Down-pouring of the Spirit on the Day 
 of Pentecofie. We have had a great Company of 
 Minifters and Chriftians in Scotland who have had 
 Power with God, and have prevailed in Prayer ; 
 their Prayers have fometimes been a Terror to their 
 yery Enemies. When Queen Mary heard of Mr. 
 'Knox and the Congregation their Fading and Pray- 
 ing, me declared me was more afraid of their Pray- 
 ers than of ten thoufand Men in Arms : And the 
 Hiftory bears, that the Lord gave a remarkable Re- 
 turn to their Prayer. Amongfr. many others that 
 might be named, Mr. Wijhart, one of the firft three, 
 after more than ordinary Nearnefs tx/God in Pray- 
 er, exprelfed himfelfin this Manner: ' This Realm 
 *' mall be illuminated with the Light of Chrift's Go- 
 ' fpel. as clearly as ever any Realm fince the Days 
 
 * of the Apoftles ; the Houfe of God (hall be buil- 
 
 * ded in it, yea, it lhall not lack, (faid he) till that 
 c the Glory of God mall evidently appear, and mail 
 
 * once triumph in Defpite of Satan : But, alas ! if 
 s the People mall be after unthankful, then fearful 
 
 * and terrible (hall be the Plagues that (hall fol- 
 « low '. Famous Mr. Wcljh, who ordinarily 
 fpent eight Hours of the four and twenty in Pray- 
 er, was overheard exprcfling himfclf after this Man- 
 ner; 
 
( IP 3 
 
 cer : O Lord,. wilt thou not give me Scotland! And 
 tie lived and died in the Faith of it, that the Lord 
 \ would preferve a Remnant in Scotland. Likeways 
 great Mr. Robert Bruce, after fome Time fpent 
 in Falling and Prayer for the Church of Chrift in 
 Scotland, at that Time groaning under Prelatick 
 Tyranny and Oppreffion, expreiled his Hopes of 
 that glorious Deliverance which was afterwards gi- 
 ven unto this Church in the Year 1638. But parti- 
 cular Inftances of this Nature are fo many, that I 
 muft flop, and not launch forth into them : I mail 
 only ©bferve, upon this Head, that the Wreftlers 
 in Prayer for the Church of Chrift in this Land, 
 have found Footing for Faith and Hope in that 
 Promife, Pfalm ii. 8. I will give thee the Heathen 
 for thine Inheritance, and the utmojl Ends of the Earth 
 for thy Pojfejfion. 
 
 qthly. Ghrift's fpiritual Seed have been preferved 
 by the Word of their Teftimony. This is another 
 notable Mean by which a Seed have endured to 
 the Lord in all Ages and Generations. By this 
 Mean they were preferved, under hot Perfecution, 
 from Rome Pagan and Antichriflian. Hence, Rev. 
 xii. 11. it is.faid, They overcame by the Blood of the 
 Lamb, and by the Word of their Tejlimeny ; they did 
 bear "Witnefs to the Truth in Face of the greateft 
 Oppofition. They did confefs and own the Truths 
 of Chrift, when thefe were either openly born down 
 by violent Perfecutors, or fecretly undermined 
 by cunning Seducers, and, in doing fo, they did 
 prevail and overcome ; and truly this *is a fpecial 
 Mean by which the Truths of Chrift have been 
 tranfmitted in their Purity from one Generation 
 to another. I fhall notice three "Ways by which 
 the "Word of the Church's Teftimony has been gi- 
 ven, particularly in Scotland. In the firft Place, 
 
 by 
 
( 2° ) 
 
 by piiblick Confeffions. Thefe have been, and are | 
 the Church's Teilimony unto the Truths of Chrift 
 againft rifing and prevailing Errors ; they are 
 publick Declarations to the World, what Things 
 are received and believed by the Church as the 
 Truths of God agreeable to the Holy Scriptures, 
 the only infallible Rule of Faith, and- what is 
 rejected by the Church as contrary thereunto, 
 or of what the Church believes to be Truth, and 
 condemns as Errors. Our Confeffions of Faith in 
 the Church of Scotland have been blefled Means 
 for preferving Purity, Harmony and Unity in the 
 Faith amongft us : Our firft Confeffion of Faith is 
 that Which was received and approven by this 
 Church in the Year 1560. and it contains this 
 Church's Teftimony unto the Truths of Chrift, 
 given in a fpecial Manner in Oppofition to the 
 Errors of the Church of Rome. Our laft Confeffi- 
 ~on of Faith, compiled by that learned and grave 
 Afifembly at Weflminfler, and received by this 
 Church anno 1647. is in many Things more full 
 than our firft, and contains the Words of this 
 Church's Teftimony to the Truths of Chrift, both 
 in Oppofition to the Errors of Popery, and alfo 
 unto many other Errors that had fprung up in 
 the Church fince the Reformation. Our national 
 Covenant doth alfo bear the Title of the Con- 
 feffion of Faith of all Ranks in Scotland ; and truly 
 our national Covenants were a more folerhn avouch- 
 ing of the Truth, and particularly of thofe that 
 were then mod oppofed, and a more foiemn en- 
 gaging againft Sin and Errors that the Church was 
 then moft in Danger of. All Confeffions of Faith 
 are" now cried down by fome in this Age, as an 
 Impofition upon the Confciences of Men, and as 
 an Incroachracnt upon our Chriftian Liberty •, but 
 
 that 
 
( 21 } 
 
 that Liberty which thofe Men would have, it is a 
 Liberty to vent and propagate Error and Herefy. to 
 the Dilhonour of God, and the Ruining of the 
 Souls of others. Our national Covenants are un- 
 dervalued and defpifed by others, not only by a 
 Set of Men who have, ever fince the Reformation, 
 declared their Enmity at the Work of God in this 
 Land, I mean the Popifh and Prelatick Party •, but 
 there are fome lately fprung up amongit us, who, 
 pretending to more Strictnefs, cry down all nation- 
 al Covenanting, as not warranted under the New 
 Teftament Difpenfation ; but, as national Cove- 
 nanting was no Part of the Law of Commandments 
 contained in Ordinances, (which is now indeed abro- 
 gated by the Coming of Chrift in the Fleih) fo it 
 has been a blefTed Mean in the Hand of the Lord, 
 for preferving and tranfmitting to us the Doctrine, 
 "Worfhip, Government, and Discipline of the Lord's 
 Houfe, pure and free from antichriftian Errors and 
 Superftition. idly. The Word of the Church's 
 Teftimony is given by her OfRce-Bearcrs, particu- 
 larly her Minitters in the preaching of the Word. 
 The faithful Minifters of the Church do, in their 
 publick Preachings, bear Teftimony unto Truth, 
 and againft the Errors and Evils of their Day and 
 Time. This Church has been bleifed with a great 
 Cloud of fuch WitnefTes, who have preached down 
 every Thing contrary unto the covenanted Doc- 
 trine, Worfhip, and Government of Chrift's Houfe 
 in this Land • and they have overcome by the 
 Word of their Teftimony : And if we are enabled to 
 ufe this Mean honeftly and faithfully, we have 
 Ground to hope we ihall overcome the rifing and 
 prevailing Evils of our Day and Time. %dly< The 
 Word of the Church's Teftimony is given, by- 
 owning and confefhng the Truths in Face of the 
 
 greateit 
 
( 22 ) 
 
 greateft Danger. Chrift ha,s had, in all Ages, hisWit- 
 neffes, who have not loved their Lives unto Death, 
 who have refifled unto Blood, firiving againft Sin, 
 and his fpi ritual Seed have been rather increafed 
 than diminimed by all the fad Sufferings they have 
 been expofed unto ; as it was with Ifrael in Egypt, 
 io it has been with them in all Ages, the more they 
 •were afflicted the more they grew : The Church's 
 fuffering Times have been her moft thriving Times. 
 The Church of Scotland has likeways given her 
 Teftimony unto the Truths of Chrift, by fore and 
 fharp Sufferings, before the Reformation was efta- 
 bli filed ; the Word of her Teftimony was given 
 and fealed by the Blood of feveral againft the Ido- 
 latry and Tyranny of the Church of Rome ; and, 
 iince the Reformation, the Word of her Tefti- 
 mony has been ftated for the Royal Power and 
 Authority of the Lord Jefus in his own Houfe, 
 and for that Government which he hath ap- 
 pointed in it : Thefe two Points are a notable 
 Branch of the covenanted Teftimony of the Church 
 of Scotland, to which a great Number have born 
 Witnefs even unto Death, particularly in the late 
 perfecuting Times, and they overcame hy the Blood of 
 the Lamb, and the Word of their Teflimony, 
 
 $thly. Chrift's fpiritual Seed have been preferved 
 by remarkable Appearances of the Lord amongft 
 them. T6 fpeak of the great Appearances of God 
 in Behalf of his Church is a large Subject. I mall 
 confine myfelf to few particular Heads, and give 
 fome particular Inftances under each of them. In 
 the 
 
 Fir/1 Place, The Lord has appeared in his Church 
 by railing up eminent Inftruments, fitted and qualifi- 
 ed for difcharging the Duties they were called to, 
 and encountring' the Difficulties that were in their 
 
 Way: 
 
c •** ■'■■■■') 
 
 "Way : Thus Mofes and Aaron were raifed up to 
 be the Inftruments of the Church's Deliverance 
 from the Oppreffion and Bondage they were under 
 in Egypt ; likeways, when the Church and People 
 of God were in Captivity in Babylon, the Lord ftir- 
 red up the Spirit of Cyrus King of Perfia to give 
 Liberty to the captive Jews to return, and raifed 
 up Zerubbabel and others to bring them back from 
 Babylon, Ezek. i. $. and ii. 2. Alfo the Apoftles 
 were indued with Power from on high for preaching 
 the Gofpel, and laying the Foundation of the New 
 Teftament. In like Manner, when the Lord was 
 about to bring his Church and People of Scotland 
 out of antichriftian Bondage and Darknefs, he 
 raifed up his Zerubbabels, who laid the Foundation 
 of a glorious Work of Reformation. The firft 
 three that I have already named were eminently 
 fitted for the Duties and Difficulties of their Day ; 
 the Lord alfo ftirred up the Spirits of fome of the 
 firft Rank in the Land to put to their Hands to his 
 own Work ; and as in that Period, fo in after Peri- 
 ods fince thatTime, he has raifed up Inftruments fit- 
 ted for the Dangers and Difficulties in which the 
 Church has been. 
 
 idly. The Lord has appeared amongft his 
 Church and People, by pouring down his Spirit in 
 a remarkable Way and Manner. The, Spirit of the 
 Lord was promiied to the Children of Ifrael and 
 Judah, at their Return from the Babylonijh Captivi- 
 ty, Jer.X. 4,5. The Children of Ifrael /hall come, 
 they and the Children of Judah together, going and 
 weeping, — fying, Come, and let us join ourfehes to 
 the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that flail not be 
 forgotten. Likeways, on the Day of Pentecofte, 
 Acls ii. the Holy Ghoft was poured down in an 
 extraordinary Manner, and 3000 were born at once 
 
. ( 2 4 ) 
 
 in Zion y by fuch remarkable Showers of the Spi- 
 rit a Spiritual Seed have been brought forth, and 
 preferved to the Lord Jelus. I fhall upon this Head 
 confine myfelf to a few particular Inftances of this 
 .Kind in the Church of Scotland. 
 
 \fl. At the Beginning of the Reformation, the 
 "Word of thp Gofpel had fuch wonderful Succefs, 
 that, in a ihort Time, the whole Body of the Na- 
 tion made a profeifed Subjection unto the Lord Je- 
 fus Chair. In 15 do. the firft ConfefTion of Faith 
 was appro ven in Parliament, and the. Pope's Au- 
 thority in Scotland- was abqlifhed, when a very few 
 Years before that antichriltian Darknefs was over 
 -the whole Land. Such marvellous Succefs had the 
 "Word of the Gofpel, that it might be faid a^vvhole 
 Nation was born at once. That Prophecy was re- 
 markably accomplished in Scotland, Ifa. Ixvi. 8. 
 Who hath heard fuch a Thing P who hath feen fuch 
 Things? Shall the Earth be made to bring forth in 
 one Day ? or fall a Nation be born ai once ? For as 
 foon asZ'ion travailed floe brought forth her Children. 
 This great Work was wrought by a more than 
 ordinary Concurrence of the Spirit of God with 
 the Word. 
 
 Afeccnd Inftance is,that remarkable Event * in the 
 Year 15-96. The General Ahcmbly of this Church, 
 being conveened at Edinburgh, did meet by tbem- 
 felves the 30th of March, at nine of the Clock, in the 
 little Church of Edinburgh, for folemn Humiliation 
 on Account of their own Sins and the Sins of the 
 Land ■, and there being affembled together about 
 4aoMinifters, Elders, and felcct Chriftians, there was 
 aii extraordinary Down pouring of the Spirit upon 
 them, and fuch deep Humiliation and Mourning a- 
 
 mongfl 
 
 * Fulfilling of the Scripture, Part III. Page 164- 
 
( n ) 
 
 mongfl: them, as that the Place where they were 
 met together might be called a Bochhn ; and before 
 they parted every one of them lifted up their 
 Hands to the Lord, and fware to purfue perfonal 
 and national Reformation ■-; the like of that Day- 
 had not been feen in Scot/and mice the Reformati- 
 on. This fame Practice was, by Order of the Af- 
 fembly, followed in all the Synods of this Church, 
 and afterwards in Presbyteries, and in the feveral 
 particular Congregations through the Land. This 
 folemn Renovation of Covenant-Engagements un- 
 to the Lord, was the Fruit of a Shower of the Spi- 
 rit of God that did at that Time go through the 
 whole Land. 
 
 f A third remarkable Inftance is in the Year 
 i62$. when the Church was under a dark Cloud* 
 and the Perfecutiort very hot from the Prelatick 
 Party ; about that Time there was an extraordina- 
 ry Out-letting of the Spirit of God, a great Spring- 
 Tide of the Gofpel, and that for fome Years Con- 
 tinuance, in the Weft of Scotland, in fo much that 
 the Power of Godlinefs did advance from one 
 Place to another, and a marvellous Luftre was to 
 be feen oh thofe Parts of the Country. There is 
 one remarkable Appearance of God under this 
 P'eriod, that deferves particularly to be remembred, 
 namely, that folemn Communion at the Kirk of 
 Shots, June 20. 1630. where there" Was a great 
 Down-pouring of the Spirit accompanying the Or- 
 dinances, efpecially the Monday^ Sermon, that it 
 Was reckoned near five hundred had a difcernible 
 Change wrought on them at that Time ; many of 
 whom could date their Conversions and others fome 
 remarkable Confirmation from that T>&y. At this 
 D 'time 
 
 f Fulfilling of the Scripture, Part /. Page 416* 
 
( *6 ) 
 
 Time a numerous Seed were brought forth to t.1 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, and a People prepared for tl 
 Coming of the Lord, in "that glorious Work whic 
 he wrought anno 1638. which leads me to a 
 
 Fourth Inftance ; and it' is that great Down-pour 
 ing of the Spirit upon all Ranks of Perfons in the 
 faid Year 1638. when the whole Land did make 
 off the Yoke of Prelacy, and did return by folemn 
 national Covenanting unto the Lord. Famous Mr. 
 Livingftoun tells us, in his Life written by himfelf, 
 that he has feen a Th'oufand lifting up their Hands to. 
 the Lord at once, arid not a dry Face amongft them : 
 He obferves likeways, that the whole Land went in 
 moft willingly to the Oath of God ; furely there was 
 no Force, no Compulfion here : Yea, a General Af- 
 fembly of the Church of Scotland teftifies with 
 what Joy the Land entred into the Oath of God. 
 In the Act of AfTembly 1648. approving the So- 
 lemn League and Covenant, we find thefe remark- 
 able Words, 'And having taken the fame, {viz. 
 ' the Solemn League and Covenant) as a Matter 
 
 * of fo pubiick Concern doth require, into their 
 f. graven 1 Confideration, did with all their Hearts, 
 c and with the Beginnings of the Feelings of that 
 
 * J ov which they did find in fo great Meafure up- 
 e on the Renovation of the National Covenant of 
 
 * this Kirk and Kingdom, all with one Voice ap~ 
 
 * prove and embrace, the fame. * The Solemn • 
 League and Covenant was alfo fworn with much 
 Cheerfulnefs and Joy in Scotland and England, an- 
 no 1643. and renewed again \n Scotland, with a fo- 
 lemn Acknowledgment of Sin and Engagement to 
 Duty, anno 1 648. In thcfe covenanting Times 
 there was'plentiful EfTunon of the Spirit of God up- 
 on all Ranks, and many were turned unto the Lord, 
 [hough, no doubt, there were not a few that were 
 
 ©nly 
 
( 2 7 ) 
 
 only brought under fome common Influences and 
 Impreffions, as their after Apoitafy and Defection 
 from the Covenant and the Oath of God made too 
 evident to the World ; yet faving, Knowledge and 
 the Things of God, and Acquaintance with the 
 
 [Power of Godlinefs, did increafe, the fealing Com- 
 forts of the Spirit of God were beftowed upon many, 
 fome of. whom did afterwards refift unto Blood, ftriv- 
 ing againfl Sin. I fnall only add upon this Head, 
 -whatever Contempt fome Men may carl upon nation- 
 al Covenanting, and our folemn national Covenants, 
 yet Scotland's covenanting Days were amongft. her 
 belt. Days ; for the Life and Power of Religion 
 and Godlinefs, and national Covenanting, have been 
 fignally. owned and countenanced of the Lord. 
 $thly. I may add likeways, that very difcernible 
 Influences of the Spirit did accompany a preached 
 Go (pel in the late perfecuting Times. All the Vio- 
 lence and Rage of wicked Perfecutors could not hin- 
 derMultitudesfrom reforting unto a preached Gofpel 
 in the Fields and in Deferts, and the Lord accom- 
 panied his own Word with fach Light, Life and 
 Power, that many were, brought in to the Lord Je- 
 fus, and others were confirmed and eftablilhed, and 
 fo were fitted and prepared to fin°rer> for the Truths 
 of Chrift, "unto Imprifonment and JBanifhment, yea, 
 even unto Death itfelf. The moft Part of that 
 Generation are now gone off the Stage ; but fome 
 of you are yet alive,' and hearing me, who felt the 
 warm Influences of Heaven under a preached Go- 
 fpel at that Time. 
 
 $dly. Chrift's fpiritual Seed have been preferved 
 by remarkable Deliverances given them, when they 
 have been in the greateft Danger ; the Lord has 
 often appeared glorioufly, when Men have appoint- 
 ed them to Ruin and Deftruclion, and all outward 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 Appearance of Help and Relief has failed them 
 as in Eflher\ Days, when the whole Church was' 
 in Danger of Deftru&ion, what a wonderful and 
 unexpected Deliverance did the Lord give them ; 
 and truly the Church of Scotland has ^Reafon to 
 fay, Had not the Lord been on our Side, when Men\ 
 rofe up ggainjl us, they had /wallowed us up quick, 
 -when their Wrath was kindled qgainfl us* The re- 
 markable Deliverances the Lord has given to his 
 Church in this Land, in the Day of our Strait and 
 Danger, are fo many, that I can fcarce venture to 
 defcend into Particulars. I mall only mention two 
 memorable Eighty-eighths, in which the Lord ap- 
 peared wonderfully for his Church in thefc Lands. 
 The firff. is, that great Appearance of God in the 
 Year 1588. in breaking the Spanijh Armada, when a 
 Defign was formed for ruining the Proteitant Inter 
 reft, both in thefe Lands and alfo abroad. Ao-ain, 
 a Century of "Years after this,, when the very fame 
 Danger threatned the whole Proteitant Intereft, 
 especially in thefe Lands, how wonderfully did 
 the Lord appear in that glorious Revolution in 
 the Year 1688? His own Right-Hand did then 
 work Salvation for us : A nil as at that Time the 
 Lord did give us a very remarkable Deliverance, 
 when we were upon the Brink of Ruin; fo we have 
 been preferved ever fmce, by a continued Series 
 and Train of remarkable Providences. Thefe are 
 f©me of the fpecial Means by which Chriil's Seed 
 have endured in all Ages and Generations. 
 
 To proceed now to the fm-th Thing that I pro- 
 pofed upon this Doctrine, and that is, 
 
 To lay before you fame Things ior confirming 
 you^ in the Faith of this important Truth, That 
 Chrift's Seed mall endure for ever. Let us here 
 fake a View of jfome of the Attempts of Satan, 
 
 the 
 
( 2$ ) 
 
 :he grand Adverfary of the Church and People of 
 God, to root out Chrift's fpiritual Seed ; and let us 
 alfo too consider how, notwithstanding of all thefe, 
 the Church has been ftill preferved. A few Ob- 
 fervations to this Purpofe may be of Ufe to 
 ftrengthen our Faith in this great Truth. 
 
 Before I proceed unto Particulars, you may ob- 
 ferve, That in all Ages Satan has ftUl employed 
 all his Malice, Power and Policy, againft Chrift's 
 Seed, to root them out. There is an Intimation 
 of this in the very firft Revelation of the Gofpel, 
 Gen. iii. 15". / will put Enmity between thee and the 
 Woman, and between thy Seed and her Seed. This 
 Enmity between the Serpent and the Seed of the 
 Woman, is not only between the Serpent and 
 Chrift perforial, but between the Serpent and his 
 Seed, that is, Satan and the wicked and ungodly 
 "World on the one Hand, and the Seed of the 
 "Woman, that is Chrift myftical, Head and Mem- 
 bers, the Lord Jefus Chrift and all true Believers 
 in him, on the other Hand. The War was firft 
 proclaimed in Paradife by the Lord himfelf, and 
 it continues to this very Day without any CeJTation 
 of Arms, and will do fo to the End of the World. 
 Many Times Satan has thruft fore at Chrift's Seed, 
 but he hath- never prevailed over them, and never 
 fhall. Sometimes, indeed, the Church, has been 
 brought very low, yea, fo low, that, to outward 
 Appearance, fhe has been as it were confumed 5 
 but ftill llie has rifen more glorious out of her own 
 A flies. The Archers have thruft fore at her, but 
 her Bow hath abode in Strength. Her Motto has al- 
 ways been, Perj}cuted,}ut not forfaken ; Cajl down, 
 hut not overcome. The Bufli burning, and not con- 
 fumed, which Mofes faw and wondred at, was a 
 lively Emblem of the Prcfervatien of Chrift's (pi- 
 
 ritual 
 
(jo > 
 ritual Seed, in all Ages, from the Fury and Rage 
 of Satan and his Seed t The Attempts of Satan 
 to deftroy the Church are compared to a Flood, 
 which that old Serpent cafts s out of his Mouth af- 
 'ter the Woman, that he may caufe her to be car-, 
 ried away by it, Rev. xii. 15-. I mall name a three- 
 fold Flood that the old Serpent hath been calling 
 out of his Mouth againft Chrift's fpiritual Seed, 
 and mew you that, notwithftanding of thefe, they 
 have been Hill preferved. 
 
 Flrft^ A Flood of Profanity ; idly, A Flood of j 
 Perfecution ; %dly. A Flood of Error : By thefe 
 dangerous Floods the Serpent hath Itill endeavour- 
 ed to carry away the Woman and her Seed; yet 
 they have lived under them, and mall endure for 
 ever. 
 
 Fir ft, The old Serpent calls a Flood of Profa- 
 nity out of his Mouth againft Chrift's fpiritual 
 Seed : Such a Flood did in Noah's Days overflow 
 the whole Earth, and fwelled to fuch a Height, I 
 that God was provoked to (weep the Inhabi- 
 tants of the Earth away with a Deluge of "Wa- 
 ters, Gen. vi. 5", 6, 7. And here you may notice, ; 
 1 ft. That, under this Inundation of Wickednefs, ■ 
 Chrift's fpiritual Seed were brought very low, 
 fo low that they were confined in one Family, 
 wherein there were no more than eight Perfons, 
 and neither were all thefe eight Perlqns of that 
 Number ■, for there was a curfed Ham amongft 
 them. You may obferve, idly. That as the Lord 
 preferved this fmall Remnant from the wicked Con- 1 
 tagion of that finful Time, fo he provided for their J 
 Safety againft the Deluge of Water that came upon f 
 the whole Earth, Heb. xi. 7. Noah, being warned of ! 
 God, prepared an Ark to the faving of his Hoiife. The 
 Serpent has been cafting out this Flood of Profa- 
 nity 
 
( 3* ) 
 
 nity in all Ages againft the Church ;- and we are 
 warned, that,inthe laft Days efpecially, the Church 
 (hall be in great Hazard and Danger from it ; and 
 therefore thofe Days of abounding Wickednefs 
 and Profanity are called perillous Times, i Tim. ih\ 
 i, 2, 3, 4. And truly he that runs may read it, 
 that there is an univerfal Loofenefs in Practice, e^en 
 in the reformed Churches, at this Day •, the com- 
 mon Impreffions of God are like to wear off the 
 Spirits of Men, it may be faid all Flefh have cor- 
 rupted their Way ; this is for a Lamentation : But 
 yet Chrift's Spiritual Seed have been preferved un- 
 der this overflowing Flood formerly, and we have 
 Ground to believe they (hall yet be preferved. 
 
 idly. Satan cafts out a Flood of Perfecution a- 
 gainft Chrift's fpiritual Seed ; he ftirs up his In- 
 struments, the Wicked and Ungodly, to perfeeute 
 them. • By Perfecution I underftand all the Vio- 
 lence done by a wicked World unto the People 
 of God, in their Names, Perfons, or Eftates, by 
 Reproaches, fpoiling of Goods, Imprifonments, cru- 
 el Tortures, and the like ; as alfo by killing and 
 flaying of them, as not worthy to live in the. 
 World, when yet the World is not worthy of 
 thern, Heb. :»;i. 38. When the Church was in A~ 
 dam's Family, Cain did perfeeute his Brother Abel 
 to Death : And the Apoftle teftifies what Suffer- 
 ings the WitnefTes for Chrift did with Patience 
 a lid Faith undergo, Heb. xi. 36, 37, 38. I mail 
 here mention three remarkable fuifering Periods of 
 the Church under the Old Tcftament, to which 
 there are three grand fuffering Periods under the 
 New compared. The firft remarkable Period of 
 the Church's Sufferings under the Old Teftament, 
 was that in Egypt, when they fighed by reafon of 
 
 thsir 
 
( 32 ■') 
 
 their heavy Bondage, and that cruel Edfcl: was p\ 
 blifhed commanding all the male Children to be caf 
 into the River, Exod. i. 22. This threatned Ririr 
 and DiftrucYion to the whole Church and People 
 of God. A fecond great Period of the Sufferings of 
 the Church under the Old Teftament, was that from 
 the Chaldeans by the Bahylonlfh Captivity, on Occafi- 
 on of which, it is probable, the igxhPJalm was pen- 
 ned by Jeremiah, or fome other Prophet, where the 
 Defolation of Jerufalem, and the Sufferings they 
 were brought under* are bewailed after a moft pa- 
 thetick Manner, particularly in the firft four Ver- 
 fes. A third memorable fuffering Period of the 
 Old Teftament Church, was that from Gog and 
 Magog, prophefied by Ezek'iel in his 38th Chap- 
 ter. It is thought, that by that Prophefy is in- 
 tended the fore Perfecution which the Church was 
 brought under from Antiochus Epipbanes. To thefe 
 fuffering Periods of the Church under the Old Te- 
 ftament, there are three fuffering Periods of the 
 Church under the New Teftament compared. 
 
 The firft great fuffering Period of the Chriftian 
 Church, was that Perfecution from 7cW<?-heathen, 
 called fpiritual Egypt, Rev. xi. 8. This began in 
 the Apoftles Days, and did continue, though with 
 various Intermiffions, till ;the Beginning of the 
 fourth Century. It is well known what Cruelties 
 the Chriftians fuffered during this Period, from 
 their heathen Perfecutors, and that many Times, 
 throughout the Roman Empire, the Blood of the 
 Chriftians was lhed without Mercy. The fecond 
 grand fuffering Period of the New Teftament 
 Church, is that from jfow<?-antichriftian, called Babylon 
 the Great, Rev. xvii. 5. It is long fince the Church's 
 Sufferings began from this Adversary ; and the Hi- 
 ftories of preceeding Ages bear Witnefs how much 
 
 flic" 
 
file has iunercd from this Enemy. There is fcarcb 
 one Nation, Province, or City, under the Jurifdic- 
 tion of jfow^-antichriirian, where the Blood of the 
 Witnciles for Jefus has not been ihed. Since our 
 Reformation from Popery the old antichriftian 
 iperfecuting Spirit did exert itfelf even hi this Land, 
 in two remarkable Periods, the one before the po- 
 table Year 1638. and the other before the memo- 
 rable Year 1 638. and under both thefe fnjiering 
 Times, the Tedimony of the WitnefTes far ChrJft 
 in our Land was dated for the Royal Power and 
 Authority of the Lord Jefus in and over his own 
 Houfe, and that Worfnip and Government that he 
 himfelf hath inftituted in the fame, which all Ranks 
 of Perfons in the Land had, by moll folemn Co- 
 venant-Engagements unto the raofl high God, bound 
 both themfelves and Generat/ons to come ftedfaft- 
 ly to cleave unto. I mail only obferve farther on 
 this Head, that though the Lord has begun to ap- 
 pear againft Antichrift, yet the Storm is not whol- 
 ly over. We in this Land do now enjoy a Calm, 
 but our Brethren abroad are groaning under the 
 Tyranny of this Enemy ; and who knows, but, ere 
 the Vial is poured out upon the Seat of the Beafr, 
 the Cup may pafs over again to us ? The third 
 furTering Period of the New Teftament Church is 
 that fpoke of, Rev. XX. 8. But this is yet whol- 
 ly in Prophecy, and therefore we can fpeak no- 
 thing about it. I mall now offer a^ few Things 
 concerning the Preservation of Chrift's fpiritual 
 Seed under thofe Storms of Perfection that have 
 already gone over the Church, for confirming you 
 in the Faith of this Truth, that his Seed {hall en- 
 dure for ever. 
 
 Firft y Sealing Times have gone before perfecnting 
 
 Times. "When Jacob is going down with his Fa- 
 
 £ miK" 
 
( 34 ) 
 mily into Egypt, the Lord appears to him, and 
 fays, Fear not to go down into ''Egypt,' I will go 
 down with thee, Gen. xlvi. 9, 4. This Promife, no 
 doubt, was fupporting to the Faith of the Church 
 and People of God under the fore Trials that after- 
 ward they met with in Egypt. That great EfFuiion 
 of the Spirit at Pentecofte was immediately before 
 the firft Perfecution raifed againft the infant Chri- 
 ftian Church at jerufalem, of which you read AcJs 
 viii. 1. The Angels of the four Winds are re- 
 ftrained from hurting the Earth, the Sea, or the Trees, 
 til! the Servants of God are fealed in their Foreheads, 
 Rev. vii. 1 , 4. There have been folemn fealingTimes 
 in Scotland before fuffering Times. That remark- 
 able Effufion of the Spirit 1396. which we have 
 already mentioned, went before the firft Storm of 
 Perfecution that did blow upon this Church after 
 the Reformation : Alfo, before the laft fuffering 
 Period, the Spirit of the Lord did accompany Go- 
 fpel -Ordinances with difcernible Power and Siic- 
 cefs, to the Converiion and Confirmation of many. 
 Some of the Ghriftians who were Witneifes to, and 
 had the Experience of this fealing Work of God, 
 have lived to our own Times ; by this Means a 
 People were prepared for entring into the Fur- 
 nace. 
 
 2d!'}'. "We may obferve, that Ghrift's fpiritual 
 Seed have been preferved in fufTering Times, in 
 regard Persecution has been the Occafion of the 
 jfpre'ading of the Cofpel. The firft Perfecution 
 raifed cui-iinf'' the Church at Jerufalem fcattered a- 
 broad the Difcipfbs, who went every where preach- 
 ing the Word, Art- viii, 4. The Perfecution raifed 
 by D-imitian 'againft: fix Chrjftian Church brought 
 the Goipel to the remote Parts of this Ifland. 
 
 3#i 
 
:>■* 
 
 . ( ' 35T ) 
 \dly. The Church of Chrift has fometimes been 
 brought very low under Perfection ; but yet, in 
 the darken: Times that have gone over her, the 
 Lord never wanted his WitneiTes. Under Achats 
 perfecuting Reign, Elijah complains, I Kings xix. 
 14. I % even I only t am left ; yet Ver. 18. I have left 
 vie feven t hot if and in Ifrael, which have not bowed nnto 
 Baal. Under the cruel Perfections raifed againft 
 the Church from Rme> heathen, the Lord never 
 wanted his WitneiTes :. Likeways the Lord had 
 frill his Witneffes under all the Storms of Perfec- 
 tion from .ifo'77£'-antichriltian ; in the very dark eft 
 Times of Popery there were fome found to bear 
 Witnefs for Truth • and in this Land the Lord 
 hath kept up WitneiTes for his Gaufe and Work, 
 both before and flnce our Reformation from Po- 
 pery, notwithflanding all the Severities ufed by Per- 
 fecutors. 
 
 jjfrbfyi We may remark, that the Sufferings of 
 the People of God have been Means bleffed for the 
 Conversion of fbme, and the Confirmation of o- 
 thers. It is an old and true Saying, The Blood ' 
 of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church ; their 
 Carriage and Behaviour at Stakes, and on Scaffolds, 
 has (truck Beholders with a Conviction that the 
 Lord was in them, and with them of a Truth ; 
 many particular Inftances of this Nature might be 
 given, if it were needful. 
 
 I Finally, All the Church's Perfecutions have iifued 
 in her farther Enlargement ; the more they were 
 opprefied, the more they grew : This hath been 
 verified in all Ages, and particularly in the Church 
 of Scotland. It deferves to be remembred, that, - 
 notwithftanding of near 28 Years Perfecution, by 
 cruel HarralTmgs, Connfcation ofGoods, Imprifon- 
 ' merit, Baniihment, and Sufferings unto Death, 
 
 which 
 
( s*: ) 
 
 which a great Number of all Ranks of PetTons in'this 
 Land were expofed unto ; yet, at the late glorious 
 Revolution, there was fuch a goodly Company in 
 all Corners of the Land, to appear for and to own, 
 that Caufe which had been reproached, defpifed 
 and perfecuted, that the Church of Scotland might 
 with 4-dmiratidii. fay, Who hath bpgotten me thefe, 
 -'feeing I have loft my Children., and am deflate, a Cap- 
 tive, and. removing to, and fro ? And who hath brought 
 up thefe ? Behold, I wa.s left alone ; thefe, where had 
 they been f Ifa. xlix. 2 1 . 
 
 / $dfy. Satan cafts out of his Mouth a Flood of; 
 Krror againft Chrift's fpirkual "Seed, and truly 
 they have been often in very great Danger from 
 this Flood •, Chrift warns his Pifciples concerning 
 it, Maithy xxiv. 24, 25. For there Jhall arife' ! 
 falfe Chrijls, and Jh all /hew great Signs and Wonders, 
 in fo much, if it was pofible, they Jhall deceive the very 
 Eleli. Behold, I have told you before. Alfo' his 
 Apoftles Paul and Peter dp warn the Churches of 
 it, 1 Cor. xi. 19. For there muft alfo be Here fie 5 a-, 
 mong you, that they which are approved may be made 
 manifeft, 1 Tiro. iv. 1. 'Now the Spirit fpeaketh 
 exprejly, that in the latter Times fame [ball depart 
 from the Faith, giving' heed to feducing Spirits, and 
 Doft nines of Devils, 2 Pet ii. 1. There Jhall be 
 falj'e Teachers among you, who privily Jloall bring hi 
 damnable Herefies, denying the Lord that bought them, 
 Alfo the Apoftle John, 1 Epift. iv. 1. Believe not- 1 
 every Spirit, but try the Spirits,- becaufe many falfM 
 Prophets are gone out into the World. Satan did be- 
 gin to call out this Flood very early againft the 
 Chriftian Church : There were feme, even in the 
 Apoftles Pays, who endeavoured, to oblcure or 
 deny the Doc"lrine of Juftification by the free 
 pracc of'Gpcl, through the impytedKighteou/hefs 
 
 . of* 
 
( 37 ) 
 of the Lord Jefus, as is evident from the Epiftles 
 to the Romans and Galatians. There were others 
 alio, who, abufing the Doctrine of Grace, preached 
 up a licentious Liberty, as is evident from the 
 Epiftle o£ James. It is^markable that the Seed 
 of Error has fprung up moll in the Day of the 
 Church's outward Calm and Peace ; when the 
 Church was delivered from Pagan Perfection, and 
 Peace and Liberty were granted her by Conjlan}lne 
 the Great, file was immediately infefted with a 
 Multitude of Errors and Hereiies : She enjoyed a 
 iliort Calm : And what is the firft Storm that 
 blows upon her I Lo the irian Hereiy breaks forth 
 like an impetuousTorrent, and Corruption, both in. 
 Doctrine and Practice, did increafe from Time to 
 Time, till Aniichnj] that Man of Sin was fully re- 
 vealed. With refpeft to the Church of Chrift in 
 this Land, the State of the Controverfy fince the 
 Reformation has chiefly been, as we have before 
 obferved, about the Government and Worinip of 
 Chrift's Houfe, until thefeDays of Degeneracy in 
 
 , which we live ; wherein Reaibn is exalted shove 
 
 ' divine Revelation, the fnpreme Deity of the Son 
 of God is impugned, and Alan's natural Power and 
 Abilities, with refpect to Things fpiritual, are ex- 
 
 ,4*>lLgd, with many, other new and dangerous Doc- 
 trines, which the old Serpent is this Day cafting 
 out of his Mouth as a Flood amongft us. 
 | I lnali here otter you a few Remarks concerning 
 this Flood, and the Prefervation of Chrift's fpiri- 
 tual Seed under the fame. 
 
 Firft, The Church of Chrift has many "Times 
 been brought very low bv the riling and ipread- 
 ing of Error ; this is a Flood that carries away 
 many, and thole not of the lowed Size, but fuels 
 
 as feera to be tall Cedars in lbs Church, Men of* 
 
 the 
 
. 
 
 ( 38 ) 
 
 the greateft natural Abilities and Endowments ; th 
 unfancYified Gifts of learned Men have done moft 
 Mifchief unto the ■ Church of Chrift ; the Church 
 was once brought fo low by the Arlan Herefy, 
 that it was faid, The whole World is become Avian. 
 
 idly. In every Period of the Church, the Lord 
 has (till kept up his' WitnefTes for Truth againft 
 prevailing Error : When the Art an Herefy did 
 moft prevail, he raifed up an Athanafius to bear 
 Teftimony againft it. Whatever Error or Herelies 
 do ariie, fome Inftruments are fitted by the Lord 
 for difcovering the Dangers of them, and for con- 
 tending for the Faith once delivered to the 1 Saints. 
 
 idly. Truth hat«h always mined forth more 
 brightly from under the Vails of Error that Men 
 have drawn over it. Truth is like the Sun, who 
 fhines moft brightly when he comes from under the 
 darkeft Clouds. x4Jl Attempts that have been 
 made againft divine Truth, have ifllied in its 
 brighter Manifeftation, and we have Ground to be- 
 lieve that the Clouds, that fome are endeavouring 
 at this Day to draw over the Perfon of the glo- 
 rious Son of God, or any other of the precious 
 Truths of the Gofpel, fhall be diflipated and feat- 
 tered by their Luftre arid Glory. I proceed to 
 the fifth general Head, to {hew you why it is that 
 Chriil's fpiritual Seed fhall endure for ever. I 
 anfv/er, 
 
 Firft, This was promifed to him in the Council 
 of Peace before the Foundations of the Earth were 
 laid. In this glorious Tranfaction, all the Elect 
 were given by the Father unto the Son, to be re- 
 deemed and (aved by him •, he accepted of the Gift, 
 yea, rejoiced in the Gift .and Grant that was 
 made him of a Company of miferable perifhing 
 Sinners in Adam's Family, to do Service to him up- 
 on 
 
( 39 •) 
 
 on the Earth : For his Delights were with the Sons of 
 Men, and his Rejoicing in the habitable Parts of the 
 Earth, before the Mountains were fettled, or the Hills 
 brought forth, Prov. viii. 25, 31. 6c. The Pro- 
 mife is made to him, that, in every Age and Period 
 of Time, he mall have fome of them upon this 
 Earth to he the Objects of this Delight and Joy : 
 He /hall fee his Seed, Ifa. liii. 10. Yea, this Pro* 
 mife is confirmed by the Word of the Oath, 
 Pfqlm lxxxix. 35, 36. Once have 1 fworn by my 
 Holinefs, I will not lie unto David ; his Seed {hall en- 
 dure for ever. Alfo, Verfes 3, 4. I have /worn 
 unto David my Servant, thy Seed will I efiablj/h for 
 ever. Thefe are the two immutable Things in 
 which it is impoflible for God to lie ; therefore 
 his fpiritual Seed muft endure for ever. 
 . idlf. This is due unto him as the Reward of 
 his bloody Sufferings : In his State of Humiliation 
 he travailed to bring forth a Seed, Ifa. liii. 10. // 
 pleafed the Lord to bruife him, he hath put him to- 
 Grief : When thou /halt make his Soul an Offering for 
 Sin, he [kail fee his Seed, and the Pleafure of the 
 Lord /ball pro/per in his Hand. 
 
 %dly. Chrift's Seed muft endure for ever, that 
 God may have WitnefTes for himfelf in the "World*- 
 All Chrift's fpiritual Seed are his WitnefTes: The 
 Mii-iifters of Ghri ft are indeed in a peculiar and 
 fpecial Manner his WitnefTes, but they are not his 
 only WitnefTes. This Honour have all his Saints 
 in Tome Meafure : Therefore, faith he of Ifrael, 
 whom he hath redeemed and called, Te are my 
 JVitne/fes, faith the Lord, Ifa. xliii. 10. They are 
 "WitnefTes to his glorious Being and Perfections, a- 
 gain ft the Atheifm of the World, Ifa. xliv. 8. 
 Te are even my Wiine/fes. Is there a God be fides me ? 
 Tea, there is no Cod, I know not any. They are 
 
 WitnefTes 
 
( 4 o ) 
 "Witnelfes unto the Truth and Reality of the Sal- 
 vation he hath wrought, againft: the Unbelief of 
 of the reft of the World, - Ifa. xliii. n, 12, 13. 
 /, even 1 am the Lord, and be fide me there is no Sa- 
 -viour. I have declared, and have faved : Therefore 
 ye are my Witneffes, faith the Lord. ' They are "Wit- 
 nelfes unto the Glory and Excellency /of this Sal- 
 vation, againft the Contempt the unbelieving 
 "World calls upon it. To them that believe not, 
 Chrift is a Stone of Stumbling, and a Rock of Of- 
 fence, but unto fuch as believe he is precious^- 
 1 Pet. ii. 7, 8, 9. They are Wirnelfes for the 
 Holiriefs of God, and the Purity and Equity of his 
 Law, againft the Unholinefs, Wicke^nefs and 
 Profanity of the World. Therefore Chrift faith to 
 to his Difciples, Let your Light fo pine before Men, 
 that the) may fee your good JVnrh, and glorify your 
 Father which is in Heaven, Matth. v. 6. There 
 was never an Age wherein Chrift wanted hi-s Wit- 
 nelfes. When a Deluge of Profanity had over- 
 fpread the whole World, Noah, a Preacher of 
 Righteoufnefs, bears Witnefs for God againft them. 
 Satan never broached an Error under the moft 
 fubtle Difgu'ife, but the Lord did alfo raife up fbme 
 to bear Witnefs againft it : For this End 'Chrift's 
 Spiritual Seed muft endure for ever, that there may 
 be ftandinjr and living Witnefies for the Holinefs 
 afGod, and for his Truths upon the Earth. 
 
 qtbly. Chrift's fpiritual Seed mall endure for ever, 
 becaufe the Spirit is given without Meafure unto' 
 their Head the Lord Jefus Chrift ; the Spirit of the 
 Lord doth reft upon him, Ifn. xi. 2. He is anointed 
 with the Spirit above his Fellows, and it is for 
 their Sate that he is anointed, John xvii. 19. 
 For their Sake I fanftify my j elf He received Gifts 
 for Men, even for fuch as did rebel, Pfalm Jxviii. 
 
 1 3. 
 
( 4* ) 
 p. The Spirit and all his Grace was given tmto 
 him, that he -might beget a Seed unto himfelf, and 
 cherifh and nourim them till they mould be per- 
 fected in Glory. The Spirit of the Lord doth 
 reft upon the Head, and is communicated from him 
 unto all his Members, according to that Promife, 
 Ifa. lix. 2 i . My Words that are in thy Mouth, and 
 my Spirit which I have put within thee, (hall not depart 
 cut of thy Mouth, nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed, 
 nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed's Seed, faith the 
 Lord, from henceforth and for ever. As the Lord ' 
 Jefus lives in Heaven, fo he mull live on Earth 
 by his Spirit in his Members, therefore his Seed 
 fhall endure for ever. 
 
 $thly. Ghrift's fpiritual Seed endure forever, be- 
 caufe he hath obtained Victory over the old Ser- 
 pent ; the Lamb has overcome him already. 
 Michael, the Angel of the Covenant, hath prevailed 
 over the Dragon and his Angels. In the firft Pro- 
 clamation of War that was made againft the Serpent 
 and his Seed, the Victory was injured to the Seed 
 of the Woman, Gen. iii. 15. He /hall hruife thy 
 Head. This Declaration of War, and the Promifc 
 of Victory made to the Seed of the Woman, was 
 no doubt a furpriiing Difappointment to-the malici- 
 ous Defigns and Expectations of the old Serpent : 
 This Promife had its Accomplishment when our 
 Lord Jefus fuifered unto Death ; then he triumphed 
 over Principalities and Powers, and made a Shew 
 of them openly upon his Crofs ; Kings of great 
 Armies were foiled, even fpiritual Wickednefs in 
 high Places ; the Head of Leviathan was broke in 
 Pieces by the glorious Head of the Church ; and 
 by reafon of his Victory and Conqueft over the 
 Powers ofDarknefs, the Gates of Hell ./hall never 
 prevail againft his Church. This Cams Promife is 
 F alfo 
 
( 42 ) 
 alio accomplifhed every Day, in the Prefervation 
 of the Children of God intheMidft of their Ene- 
 mies ; and it will have its final Accomplimment, 
 when Satan is for ever bruifed under the Feet of 
 ChrirVs myftical Head and Members, Rom. xvi. 20. 
 The God of Peace /ball fhortly hruife Satan under 
 your Feet. The exalted Head of the Church {hall 
 reign till all his Enemies are made his Footjlool. 
 
 6thly. Ghriit's Seed mall endure for ever, that 
 the Lord may be Seen and glorified in this great 
 Work of their Prefervation. In our Text it* is 
 faid, His x Seed will I make to endure for ever. I 
 WILL MA K E, whatever Oppofition may be 
 made to this Work of mine, whatever Adverfa- 
 ries they may have. O ! what of God is to be (eei\ 
 in their Prefervation, confidering the Power and 
 Multitude of their Enemies ? The old Serpent, 
 with all his Power, Malice and Cunning, is againft 
 them ; the World alfo hateth them ; they are like 
 the Lily among Thorns, Song ii. 2. If you inquire 
 what of God is to be feen in their Prefervation, I 
 anfwer, 
 
 Fir ft, The Sovereignty of God, even his abfo- 
 lute Dominion over the Works of his own Hands ; 
 He doth in the Armies of Heaven, and among the In- 
 habitants of the Earth, whntfoever feemeth good in 
 his Sight ; and he reproveth Kings for the Sake of 
 his People, Pfalm cv. 15. yea, for their Sakes he 
 will take their Crowns from off their Heads, and 
 fpoil them of all their Glory : He will overturn Em- 
 pires and Kingdoms for them. The Babyloni/h Em- 
 pire was overturned for their Cruelty againft the 
 Cnurch and People of God, and the Per/an Em- 
 pire is raifed up, that Cyrus might be the Inftru- 
 ment of the Church's Deliverance, I/a. xlv. 1, 4. 
 Thus faith the Lord to his Ami'ntsd^ to Cyrus, whofe 
 
 Right- 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 Right-Hand I have holden, to fubdue Nations before 
 lira. For Jacob my Servant's Sake, and Ifrael mine 
 Elett, I have even called thee by thy Name,; J h&ve 
 named thee, though thou haft not known me-. 
 
 idly. The Power of God is manifefted in this 
 great Work ; he difplays the Glory of his Power 
 in fetting Limits to the Fury and Rage of Devils 
 and Men againft the Church, Pfalm xlviii, 1 1 . His 
 Power is feen in preferving his People in the Fur- 
 nace, and delivering them out of it ; alfo in revi- 
 ving them when they are like the dead and dry 
 Bones fcattered about the Grave's Mouth. 
 
 %dly. The Wifdom of God is alfo to be feen in 
 the Prefervation of Chrift's fpiritual Seed. Infinite 
 Wifdom has baffled all thofe Projects that have 
 been fet on Foot, by Satan and his Inftruments, for 
 the Ruin of the Church, and turned them about 
 for her farther Growth and Enlargement. The 
 Wifdom of God hath brought Light out of the 
 darkeft Clouds, and Order out of the greateil Con- 
 fufion. When the WitneiTes for Chrift are (lain, 
 and the Inhabitants of the Earth are rejoicing, and 
 making merry over 'their Deftruction, lo the Spirit 
 of Life from God enters into them, and they afcend 
 up into Heaven in a Cloud, and their Enemies behold 
 ihem, R.ev. xi. 12. V 
 
 Finally, His Faithfulnefs is glorified in their Prefer^ 
 vation ; his Faithfulnefs in accomplishing his Word 
 of Promife, made firft unto their Head the Lord 
 Jefus : The Lord hath fwom by his Holinefs, he will 
 not lie unto David : Therefore the lxxxix Pfalm is 
 ufhered in with a Song of the Faithfulnefs of God, 
 in the firft Verfe, With my Mouth will I make known 
 thy Faithfulnefs to all Generations. The Church 
 and People -of God have, had Reafon in all Ages 
 
( 44 ) 
 
 to fay with the Prophet, Great is -thy Faithfufaefs, 
 Lam. iii. 23. 
 
 I proceed now to draw fdme Inferences from this 
 Subject. 
 
 Infer, ift. If it be fo, that Chrift's fpiritual Seec 
 lhall endure for ever, hence we may fee, that al! 
 Attempts whatfocver to root them out mall prov< 
 ineffectual ; The Gates of Hell /hall never prevail a- 
 gainft the Church, Matth. xvi. 18. Yea, Jerufalem 
 flail prove a burdenfom Stone for all People : Al 
 that burden t h em f elves with it /hall be cut in Pieces 
 though all People of the World be gathered togethet 
 again/1 ity Zech. xii. 3. All the Attempts of th< 
 Enemies of the Church and People of God, again] 
 them, ihall iffue in their own Ruin and Deftruc- 
 tion. 
 
 Secondly, If it be fo, then let us turn afide with 
 Mofes, and behold with Wonder this great Sight, „ 
 a Bufh burning and not confiimed. The Church has 
 ever been in the Midfl of Danger, yet behold me 
 lives. That Day never dawned, wherein it could 
 be (aid, that Chrift wanted fome to do Service to 
 him •, and that Day mail never dawn wherein it 
 can be faid that his Seed fails from the Earth. 
 This is a wonderful "Work of God ; and, if we fe- 
 rioufly look into it, it cannot but fill us with Won- 
 der and Admiration- I fhall offer a few Things to 
 evidence that this is a wonderful Work of God. 
 
 lft. There has been a continued War, without 
 a Ceffation of Arms, thefe five thoufand Years, and 
 more, again It all Chrift's fpiritual Seed, yet 'they 
 remain. A few Years War frequently depopulates 
 and wears out the molt flourifhing Countries ; but 
 here is a War that has been carried on by power- 
 ful Adverfaries, by fpiritual IVickedne/J&s in high 
 Places, by Principalities and Powers, the Ru/crs of 
 ■ ' the 
 
( 4? ) 
 
 the Darknefs of this World, even by the Dragoia, 
 that old Serpent, who hath managed this M r ar 
 with all his Power, Policy and Skill ; yet not- 
 withstanding Chrift's fpiritual Seed -do endure to 
 this very Day, and /hall endure for ever. 
 
 idly. Consider alfo the Enmity that is in the 
 World againft Chrift's fpiritual Seed ; They are net 
 of the World, but chofen out of the World, there- 
 fore the World hateih them, John XV. 19. The 
 World are not only Enemies to them, but Enmity 
 againft them ; they are Enmity againft that Doc- 
 trine they believe and receive, againft him whofc 
 Children they are, and againft his Hefted Image 
 which they bear : This Enmity is not for a Time, 
 or for one Age only, but it defcends from Father 
 to Son, from one Race to another. It is as natural 
 for Men to hate Chrift and his Seed, as it is for 
 them to cat and lleep. It is the Obferve of one, 
 That the human Race moves as riaturally to-deftroy 
 Chrift's fpiritual Seed, as it cloth to preferve its 
 own Kind ; yet, notwithstanding of this Enmity, 
 they endure for ever. 
 
 - %dly. Conftder alfo what difmal Times have gone 
 over the Church, what dreadful Tempelts have beat 
 upon her ; the Floods of Profanity, Periecution 
 and Error have many Times fwelied to fucb a 
 Height, as they have threatned to fwallow her up, 
 yet ihe remains ; this is a wonderful Work of God. 
 Thirdly, If it be fo, that Chrift's fpiritual Seed 
 fhail endure for ever, hence we may lee a Bow in 
 the darkeft Clouds that may hang over the Church ; 
 whatever threatning Difpenfations (he may be 
 brought under, yet Chrift's Seed fhall endure for 
 ever : With this the Lord's Remnant may and 
 ought to encourage themfclves in dark and trying 
 
 TO J t» 
 
 imes , 
 
 I fhall 
 
( 4« ) 
 
 I fhall upon this Head mention a few dark Pro- 
 vidences we are under at this Day, which threaten;! 
 Danger to the Church of Ghrift, notwjthftanding 
 ofvwhich the Lord's People, who are exercifed un-'! 
 der a Sight and Senfe of thefe Things, may draw' 
 Encouragement irom this Promife in our Text, His 
 Seed will I make to endure for ever. 
 
 In the fir ft Place, Corruption in Principle pre* 
 vails throughout all the reformed Churches, Ah 
 what Degeneracy is there from Reformation -Prin- 
 ciples . ? The Doctrine is corrupted, the Worm- 
 wood and Gall of Error is mingled with the Wa- 
 ters of the Sanctuary ; the Superftition inWoribip 
 is made light of by too many ; the Pledge of Go- 
 vernment, that Ghrift hath fet about his Houfe, is 
 broke down by others. We need go no farther 
 than this Church and Land wherein we live ; all 
 the Parts of our covenanted Reformation are at 
 this Day aiTaulted ; the Foundations of Doctrine 
 are Undermined. Some are not afraid to call in 
 queftion the fupreme Deity and neceiTary Exiftence' 
 of the bleffed God our Saviour. Superftition in 
 "Worlhip abounds through the Land, The Foun- 
 dations of Government are overturned by others, 
 who, under fair Shews and Pretences, are reviving 
 the old exploded Sectarian Schemes : All thefe 
 Things are againft Ghrift 's fpiritual Seed ; yet this 
 Promife in our Text is a Bow in the Cloud, His 
 Seed will I make to endure for ever. 
 
 idly. There is an univerfal Degeneracy at this 
 Time from the Power and Life of Religion. May 
 it not be faid of all the reformed Churches^ that 
 the Charge given againft the Church of Ephejus 
 may be too juftly applied to. them, Rev. ii. 5. Ne- 
 ver the'efs I have fomewhat againft thee, becaufe thou 
 haft left thy fir ft Love. A Form and Shadow is 
 
 come 
 
( 47 ) 
 ieome in inflead of the Life, Power and Suhftance of 
 (Religion and Godlinefs ; and amongft us our pri- 
 jmitive Love and Zeal are much decayed, and the 
 Things that remain are ready to die % yet, Have we 
 not Ground to believe, that becaufe the Head of 
 the Church lives, me fliall live alio ? And altho' 
 the Church mould be like the dry Bones fcattered 
 about the Grave's Mouth, yet (he ihall be revived 
 through the Death and Refurreclion of her living 
 and exalted Head, If a. xxvi. 19. Thy dead Men 
 fall live, together with my dead Body Jhall they a- 
 rife : Awake and fing, ye that dwell in the Duft. 
 
 %dfy. Corruption in Practice prevails exceeding- 
 ly in this degenerate Day. Many have no Profef- 
 fion of Religion at all ; many that have a Profcffioit 
 of Religion are a Reproach unto their Profelfion. 
 How unlike unto the Chriftian Name are many who 
 are called Ch'riftians P Sins of all Kinds abound 
 both againft the firft and fecond Table of the Law. 
 A Converfation like the Gofpel is a rare Thing. 
 Many profefs to look out for Heaven, and hope to: 
 be there, yet they are Strangers to a Converfation 
 in Heaven; the moll: Part feek themfehes, their 
 own Things, and few the Things of Chrifl. May 
 we not fay with the Apoftle, that the Walk of ma- 
 ny difcovers that they are the Enemies of the Crofs 
 of Chrif whofe End is Deftrutfion, whofe Goaf 
 is their Belly, and whofe Glory in is their Shame, 
 who mind earthly Things. This Degeneracy in Prac- 
 tice is very threatning unto the Churches ofChrift; 
 but yet he who has preferved a People unto h?m* 
 felf, under the overflowing Floods of Profanity and 
 "Wickednefs, will ftill preferve a Remnant. There 
 is one Thing here I would have you to beware : 
 of, when you fee the Walk of ProfeiTors unlike 
 their Profelfion, blame nor the holy Religion that 
 
 they 
 
C 43 >■ 
 
 they profefs ; or, when you fee the Conduct an 
 Behaviour of any amongft us, unlike that pure 
 Worlhip, and beautiful Order and Government 
 that Chrift has inftituted in his Houfc, blame not 
 the Ordinances of Chrift ; lay the Blame where it 
 fhould be laid, even upon the Corruptions of 
 .Men. 
 
 qthly. The fpirifual Glory is very much de- 
 parted from all the Churches of Chrift at this 
 Day ; the Purity of the Ordinances, and the fpe- 
 cial Prefence of the Lord in the Ordinances of his 
 own Inftitution and Appointment, is the Glory of 
 the Church ; Zion's God is her Glory, If a. lx. 19. 
 And when the Lord withdraws his gracious Pre-* 
 fence from his own Ordinances, then it may be 
 laid- that the fpiritual Glory is removed. And 
 may we not fay, that there is a great Withdrawing 
 of the divine Prefence from his own Ordinances v 
 amongft his Church and People? Is it not fo with. 
 a Witnefs amongft us ? Where is that convincing,, 
 converting, or confirming Power that fometimes 
 has accompanied the Ordinances of the Gofpel ? 
 May we not fee Ichabod written upon our AJTem- 
 blies, and written upon all our Solemnities ? Is not 
 the Hope oMfrael like a Stranger, like a way-faring. 
 Man in all the Churches ? ,But will he altogether 
 leave his People, and caft off his Inheritance r No, 
 he will not, Pfahn Xciv. 1 4. Look out therefore for 
 his Coming, and live in the Faith and Expectation 
 of his Return to his Churches ; He infill arife i and 
 have Mercy upon Zioo •, the Time to favour her, yea, 
 the fet Time will come, Pfalm cii. 13. 
 
 lyihly. Lukewarm nefs and IndifFerency under all 
 thefe Evils is very epidemick at this Day. Laodi- 
 ceah Difeafe prevails, and it is both a dreadfu." 
 Plague and Sin, Rev. iii. 16. Thou art lukewarm, 
 
 neither 
 
( 49 ) 
 
 either coU nor hot. O ! how unconcerned are 
 lany though the DocTxine of the Lord's Houfe be 
 :orrupted ? How indifferent are others though the 
 Government of his Houfe be trampled upon ? It 
 ;s the Sin of not a few, that they are like Ephraim, 
 i Cake unturned, cold upwards towards God and 
 the Things of God, and warm towards the Earth, 
 tand their own Things. But though we mould not 
 he concerned for the Truths of Chrift, yet he 
 jivill not want his WitneiTes ; he will have a Seed 
 Ed do Service to him, and to bear Teftimony un- 
 co his controverted and defpifed Truths. 
 
 j^thly. If it be fo, that Chrift's Seed mail en- . 
 Idure for ever, O then contribute your Endea- 
 vours towards the preferving of a fpiritual Seed 
 to the Lord Jefus. The Promife doth not exclude 
 the UTe of Means on your Part, but ought to 
 quicken and encourage you to ufe all proper 
 Means incumbent upon you towards this great 
 End. And, in the firfl Place, let me exhort every- 
 one of you to be fervent in Prayer, that the Lord 
 Chrift may have a Seed to do Service to him: This 
 is a Mean that every Chriftian onaht to ufe ; this is 
 a Mean, as we have told you, thuc the Church and 
 People of God have ufed with good Succefs when 
 they have been brought low. The low State of 
 the reformed Churches at this Time,, and all the 
 Providences of God towards them, call aloud for 
 this Exercife ; pray then importunately that the 
 Lord may revive his own Work in the Midft of 
 the Year, that he may return to his Churches, 
 that his Work ^nd Power may appear amongft them, 
 and that his Glory may yet be feen in them ; pray 
 that he may vindicate his own Truths from the 
 Reproach and Contempt that the Adverfaries are 
 throwing upon them ; pray that Peace and Truth 
 G may 
 
C 50 ) 
 
 may be within Jerafalem's "Walls, and then ma 
 we hope that Profperity fhall be within her Pala- 
 ces, idly. Let me exhort you all, and every on« 
 in your feveral Stations, to exert yourfelvcs 
 advancing the Kingdom of real Religion and Go( 
 linefs : Let fuch as are Magiftrates employ the 
 Power and Authority for this End ; and let fuch 
 are in a more private Station walk fo as they mt 
 commend Chrift and his Truths unto the Confc 
 ences of others ; this may be a Mean of Eftablii 
 ment unto the Weak, and alfo of Conviction ai 
 Converfion to fuch as are Strangers unto Chfii 
 Finally, Be careful to tranfmit the Truths of Chrifl 
 in their Purity to the rifmg Generation : We ir. 
 this Church and Land have pure Principles m 
 Doctrine delivered to us in our excellent Confef 
 fion of Faith, larger and fhorter Catechifms, all 
 drawn from that pure Fountain of Truth, th( 
 Holy Scriptures. We have pure Ordinances oi 
 Worfhip, and a Government eftablimed in Chrift*i 
 Houfe according the Pattern fjiewn on the Mount ; 
 Let the riling Generation be informed and inftru£t 
 ed in thefe Principles ; yea, let it be told to Po' 
 fterity, that thefe three Lands, and Scotland man) 
 Times, have lifted up their Hands and fworn tci 
 the Lord, to preferve and maintain the pure Doci 
 trine, Worlhip, Government and Dilcipline 01 
 Chrift's Houfe 5 and that no Perfon or Perfons or) 
 £arth can dilfolve the Obligation of the Oath n 
 God. Truth is a facred Truft committed to us tci 
 be kept for the Sake of Generations to come ; it 11 
 the moft valuable Treafure we can leave behind 
 us unto our Children ; it is the indifpcnfihle Dutj 
 of one Generation to deliver this precious Truil 
 fafe and uncorrupted to another ; yea, to fhew un 
 tp them the Pyaifes of tlic Lord, his Strength 
 
 arid 
 
( 5-1 ) 
 
 md his wonderful Works that he hath done, that 
 he Generations to come may know them, and 
 hat the Children yet to be born may arife and de- 
 :lare them to their Children, that they may fet 
 heir Hope in God, and not forget, the Works of 
 the Lord, but keep his Commandments, Pfalm- 
 ixxviii. 6, 7. Honeftand faithful En deaVours of 
 fhis Kind are an excellent Mean to preferve a 
 fpiritual Seed unto the Lord Jefus. Now, may 
 the City of the Lord flourifh, and may her Citi- 
 zens abound in Number like the Grafs upon the 
 Earth : Let his Name endure for ever, and his 
 Memorial to all Generations -, and let the whole 
 Earth be filled with his Glory. Amen and Amen, 
 
 F I N I S. 
 
The Watchman's DUTY 
 and DESIRE, 
 
 O R, 
 
 The Prayer of faithful Mini- 
 iters for the Lord's Beauty 
 on his Church, and Succefs 
 in their Work. 
 
 SERMON 
 
 Preached at the Opening of the Synod 
 of Tertb and Stirling, at Tertb, A- 
 pril ii. 1727. 
 
 By the late Reverend and Learned Mr. "William 
 Wilson Minifter of the Go/pel at Perth. 
 
 Printed from his own original Manufcript. 
 
 EDINBURGH, 
 
 Printed for David Duncan, and fold at his Houfe, 
 opposite to the Weigh-Houfe, Nordi-Side of th« 
 Street, MDGGXLVH. 
 
( 3 ) 
 
 Psalm xc. ij> 
 
 And let the Beauty of the Lord be upon 
 us ; and eftablijh thou the Work of our 
 Hands upon us, yea, the Work of our 
 Hands eftablijh thou it. 
 
 TH E Title and Infcription of this Pfalm 
 bears, that Mofes the Man of God is 
 the Penman thereof. This Epithet, 
 Man of Cod, is frequently given to the 
 Prophets under the Old Teftament, and fometimes 
 to the Minifters of the Church under the New Te- 
 ilament, as 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. All Scripture is gi- 
 ven by Infpiration of God, and is profitable for Doclri?ie J 
 Reproof, &c. that the Man of God may be perfett. 
 I Tim. vi. 11. But thou, Man of Go.d, flee the fe 
 Things. Mofes was called of God to take the 
 Charge and Overfight of the Church in the Wil- 
 dernefs : God fet him apart for this great Trufr, 
 and furnilhed him eminently for it : And the Spirit 
 of God gives him this honourable Teftimony, That 
 as a Servant he was faithful in all God's Houfe, Heb. 
 iii. 5. Here we may obferve, that it becomes all 
 that fit in Mofes's Chair to imitate him in Faithful- 
 nefs, and in the whole of their Deportment to mew 
 themfclyes to be Men of God, as we heard, the 
 laft Occafion of this Nature, from the forecited 
 1 Tim. vi. 1 1 . 
 
 This Pfalm is a Prayer of 'Mofes, wherein he be- 
 wails the Calamities that befel the Church and _^ 
 
 People * 
 
3 
 
 om- 
 
 rou- 
 
 C 4 ) 
 People of God in the Wildernefs, and withal com 
 forts them under their prefent Miferies and Trou- 
 bles, and alfo fervently prays that the Tokens of di 
 vine Difpleafure might be removed, that the Lord 
 may return with Mercy unto his People, 1 3 & 1 ^Ver- 
 fesi, and that he may build up his Church, andglo- 
 rify himfelf iri their Sight, and in the Sight of their 
 Pofterity after them, 1 6 Verfe. Mofex. was a Man 
 of Prayer • he many Times flood in the Breach, 
 and turned away "Wrath from this People, and 
 prayed down Bleriings upon them. Here again we 
 may obferve, that all the Church-Minifters are not 
 only called to go for God, and from him, to their 
 People, but it belongs alfo unto them, by their Office, 
 to go from their People, and for them, unto God, 
 and to be importunate with him for BlefTmgs upon 
 them : Therefore I hope it will not be unsuitable 
 to difcourfe, on this Occafion, upon a Prayer of 
 Mofes t the Man of God, for the Church ; a Pattern 
 %vorthy to be imitated by every one, but efpecially 
 by fucb, who, in regard of their Office, bear the 
 honourable Character of Men of God : It is the 
 laft Verfe of this Pfalm I am to difcourfe upon, 
 which contains the Conclufion of Mofes's Prayer, 
 and in it we have two very comprehenfive Petitions 
 The firft whereof is, And let the Beauty of the Lord 
 our God be upon us. Where we may notice, firft. 
 the Ble0ing prayed for, and that is the Beauty of 
 the Lord. The original Word is by fome rendred 
 Pleafantnefs : Let the Pleafantnefs of the Lord be 
 upon us ; let us enjoy that which will make us plea- 
 fant in his Sight, that wherein he delights and takes 
 Pleafure. But I fliall keep by the Phrafe our Tran- 
 slators ufe, being as agreeable to the Original as 
 any other. The Beauty here prayed for is called 
 the Beauty of the Lord. The Church is Chrift's 
 
 fpiritual 
 
( J ) 
 
 Ifpiritual Houfe, his fpiritual Kingdom; all htty 
 ! Beauty is fpiritual, and it confifts in her Conformi- 
 ty unto Jefus her Head and Lord : It is a Beauty 
 derived from him ; it is a Beam of his own Glory 
 from the God of Glory mining upon her, If a. 
 lx. I. The Glory of the Lord fall lighten thee. On 
 thefe Accounts the Beauty here prayed for may be 
 called the Beauty of the Lord. 
 
 idly. We may obfcrve for whom this Bleffing 
 in defired : Upon us, thy Church and People in the 
 Wildernefs. The Church of Ifrael in the' W ilder- 
 nefs was a lively Emblem of the Church'militant in 
 all fucceeding Generations. Though the Church, 
 while here, is ftill in theWildernds, ftili in a mili- 
 tant State and Condition, yet, when the Beauty of 
 the Lord is upon her, there is fueh a Splendor and 
 Glory about her, as doth diftjnguiih her from all 
 the reft of the World befide. 
 
 %dfy. The Church's Relation to God is here af» 
 ferted : Our Cod. This People in the Wildernefs 
 were feparate from the reft of the Nations ; Ged 
 had brought them within the Bond of his Covenant, 
 and taken them for his peculiar People. A View 
 of the Church's Relation to the Lord Jefus, her 
 Head and Husband, may give Strength and Courage, 
 Life and Vigour, to the Faith of his Servants and 
 People in Prayer. 
 
 The fecond Petition of Mofes, in my 'iText, is,, 
 Eflablijh thou the Works of our Hands upon us. W r here, 
 firft, we may notice fomething implied, namely, 
 their Hands were at W^ork, they were not idle :- 
 Mofes efpecially, and others with him, whom God 
 employed in carrying on and advancing his own 
 Work in the Church, they prayed, and joined Di- 
 ligence with their Prayer ; they exerted themfelves 
 
 as 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 as became his Servants and Inftruments in building 
 up the Church in the Wiidernefs. 
 
 idly. "We may here likeways obferve what is 
 prayed for, namely, That the Lord may eftablim. 
 the Work of their Hands. The Word rendred 
 eflablijh, is fometimes rendred to direct or order, 
 as Pfalm xxxvii. 23. A good Man's Steps are order- 
 ed by the Lord. Direct or order the Works of our 
 Hands ; that is, direct us to fuch Meafures as may 
 mod tend to thy Glory, and the Good of thy Church 
 and People : But the Word is ufually rendred to 
 eitablilh or confirm •, and two Things may be im- 
 ported in it. 2*7r//,When Mofes prays that God may 
 eitablifh the Work of their Hands, it is a Prayer 
 for divine AiMance in the Work ; as if he had 
 faid, Lord, put to thy own Hands to thy Work in 
 cur Hands, or, Hold thy Hands about our Hands, 
 ailid and ftrengthen us in the Work. When the 1 
 Under- Workers are furniflied and itrengthned by 
 the Lord for the Work, then the Work *roes on 
 more pleafantly. Again, idly. It is a Prayer that 
 the Lord may append his Seal to his own Work a- 
 mongft their Hands. W T hen the Lord crowns the 
 Labours of his Servants with Succefs, then hefliews; 
 that he is in them, and with them of a Truth. 
 This is his Seal to the Work of their Hands ; and I 
 when he thus feals the Work, then the Work of! 
 their Hands may be laid to be eftablifhed. I fhall 
 take in both thefe, namely, Succefs and Affiftance, as 
 imported in this Prayer, in the Doctrine I am to 
 offer from it. 
 
 %cffy. We may here likeways obferve the doubl- 
 ing of the Petition, Ejlablifb thou the Work of our 
 Hands, yea, the Work of our Hands ejlablijh thou it. This 
 imports the Senfe they had of the great Necelfity 
 of the Lord's putting his Hand to the Work, by 
 
 ftrengthning 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 drengthning their Hands, and making the Work 
 fuccefsful ; as alfo their ardent and fervent Impor- 
 runity for it. From the "Words, thus opened up, I- 
 offer the two following Doctrines. 
 
 Doct. I. That it is much to be defired by all, but 
 fpecial/y by the Church's Watchmen and Overfeers, 
 i that the Beauty of the Lord may be upon his Church and 
 People. 
 
 Doct. II. That fuch whom God employs in carrying 
 \n his own Work, fiould be importunate with him for 
 \AjJijlance and Succefs from him. 
 
 Doct. I. That it is much to be defred by all, but 
 \fpecially by the Church* s Watchmen and Overfeers, 
 \hat the Beauty of the Lord may be upon the Church. 
 Irhis is the Prayer of Mofes, the Man of God, for 
 ,:he Church and People of God, and in their Name, 
 \Let the Beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. Here 
 ![ will endeavour to fpeak a little of this Beauty of 
 :he Lord, which is fo much to be defired. idly. I 
 ivill (hew that it is the Duty, in a fpecial Manner, of 
 :he Church's Watchmen, to be concerned that the 
 Beauty of the Lord may be upon the Church. 
 -$dly. I mail offer a Word by Wav of practical 
 Die. 
 
 i. What is this Beauty of the Lord, which is 
 fo much to be defired upon the Church ? 
 
 I anfwer, There are three Things that contribute 
 to the Church's Beauty, to wit, Purity, Power and 
 Unity : All thefe three are much to be defired, 
 and where they are the Beauty of the Lord may be 
 raid to be upon that Church. 
 
 i ft, There is the Beauty ef Purity. The Church's 
 Purity doth confift in the Conformity of her Doc- 
 trine, Worfhip, Government and Difcipline, unto 
 the Word of God ; when every Thing is done in 
 the Church according to the Pattern fhewn in 
 
 the 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 the Mount, as the Lord commanded Mofes, Exact. 
 xxv. 40. The Doctrine of the Church is pure, 
 when it is all drawn from that pure Fountain of 
 Truth, the lively Oracles of God : To the Law 
 and to the Teftimony, if they f peak not according to this 
 Word, it is becaufe their is no Light in them, Ifa. viii. 
 20. Her Ordinances of Worlhip. are pure, when 
 they are fuch as God hath commanded or warrant- 
 ed in his Word, without any Mixture of human 
 Additions or Inventions, which the Lord Jefus con* 
 demns as vain Will. Worlhip, Matth* xv. <?. In 
 •sain do they worfhip me, teaching for Doctrines the 
 Commandments of Men. The Church's Difcipline is 
 pure, when her Cenfiires are fuch as God hath ap- 
 pointed in his Word j and truly thefe are all fpi- 
 ritual, For the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal, 
 2 Cor. x. 4. The Church's Government is pure, 
 when me is governed by fuch Officers as Chrift hath 
 appointed in his Word, and alfo by fuch as he 
 himfelf hath inftimtcd, every one of them acting 
 in a regular Subordination to one another, and all 
 of them in Subordination to the Lord Jefus, the on- 
 ly Head, King, and Lord of his Houfe, on whofe 
 Shoulder the Government is laid, Ifa. ix. 6. 
 
 idly. The Beauty of Power is much to be de- 
 fired likeways. In the Verfe preceeding our Text 
 Mofes prays, let thy Work and Power appear before 
 thy Servants . and jhew thy Glory to their Children, 
 This David defired to fee, even the Power and 
 Glory of God in the Sanctuary, Pfalm. lxiii. 2. 
 The Beauty of divine Power confifts in the fpeci^ 
 al Prefence of the Lord in the Church with the Or- 
 dinances of his own Iniritution and Appointment. 
 God is faid to mine out of the Church, Pfalm. 1. 2. 
 Out of Zion God hath Jhined : This imports his fpe- 
 cial Refidence in Zion ; yea,, the Church is the Hill 
 
 where 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 where he deiires to dwell, Pfalm Ixviii. lo. The 
 Church is his Reft, Pfalm cxxxii. 14. This is my 
 Reft for ever : Here will I dwell, for I have de fired it. 
 God is laid to be in the Midft of her, Pfalm xlviii. 
 5. In the Midft of her, in her Bowels, fo the origi- 
 nal Word fignifies ; he is her Life, her Soul. The 
 Lord in the Midft of her is her Beauty and Excel- 
 lency : The Church, and all the Ordinances there- 
 of, is like a Body without Life or Soul, when the 
 divine Prefence is not in her ; but when divine 
 Power is exerted with the preaching of the Word, 
 and other Ordinances ofWorihip, then the Wea- 
 pons of our ' Ministerial Warfare are feen to be 
 mighty through God, to the pulling down of ftrong 
 Holds, 2 Cor. x. 4. Then through the Greatneis 
 of his Power his Enemies are conftrained to bow, 
 Pfalm lxvi. 3. There may be fome Meafure of Pu- 
 rity where there is little Power ; but it will be found 
 that thefe two go frequently together. When the. 
 Church lofeth the Beauty of Purity, the Beauty of 
 Power will quickly depart ; and when the Beauty 
 of Power departs, the Beauty of Purity will not long 
 
 ftbfift. ;*■, . . . s 
 
 idly. The Beauty of Unity is much to be defi- 
 red alfo. The Spirit of God commends it as good 
 and pleafant for the Members- of the Church to 
 dwell together in Unity, Pfalm exxxii. 1. Behold 
 how good and. how pleafant is it for Brethren id dwell 
 together in Unity. How pleafant; it is the fame 
 Word which in our Text is rendred Beauty. The 
 Church's Unity confifts in Harmony in Doctrine 
 and Practice amongft her Members ; when they all, 
 andxfpecially her Wuchmtn, fpeak the fame Things \ 
 and are knit together in Love and Affection to one 
 another, then the Beauty of Unity may be faid to 
 be upon the Church. Purity and Power muff needs 
 concur to the Beauty of Unity and Harmony; un- 
 £ itfs 
 
( io ) 
 
 lefs Unity have Purity for its Balis and Foundati- 
 on, the Beauty of the Lord is not in it : And if 
 the Beauty of Power depart from a Church, Unity 
 upon the Bafis of Truth will not long remain. 
 "When the Lord departs from a People, he takes 
 his Peace away with him, and then a perverfe Spi- 
 rit is mingled amongft them. 
 
 The fecond Thing I propofe, upon this Do#rine, 
 is, To mew that it is the Duty of the Church's 
 "Watchmen, in a fpecial Manner, to be concerned 
 ihat the Beauty of the Lord may be upon the 
 Church. No doubt all the Members of the Church 
 fhould pray, Let the Beauty of the Lord our God be 
 upon us : But it is incumbent, in a fpecial Manner, 
 upon the Church's Overfeers, to be concerned that 
 this fpiritual Beauty may be upon the Church ; to 
 this they are fpecially obliged by virtue of their 
 Office, and on the Account of the Truft, with re- 
 fpeft to the Church's Beauty, committed to them. 
 This will appear, if we confider the following 
 Things. 
 
 ift. With refpeeT: to the Purity of the Ordinan- 
 ces of divine Inftitution, there is a fpecial Charge 
 given to the Church's Watchmen, that the Church 
 receive no Spot upon her Doctrine, her Worfhip, or 
 Government ; if lhe receive any Damage through 
 their Fault, this will be required at their Hands. 
 The Church of Philadelphia is commended for her 
 Purity, Rev. iii. 10. Thou haft kept the Word of my 
 Patience. She had fome Meafure of the divine Pre- 
 fence with her too, FerfeS. I have fet before thee an 
 open Door, and no Man canjhut it ; for thou haft a little 
 Strength, and hafl kept my Word. She is the Church 
 that amongft all the feven has the fai reft Character, 
 and the laigcft Commendation. Purity, with fome 
 Meafure of the divine Prefence, was her Beauty, 
 
 Crown 
 
( II ) 
 
 Crown and Glory. ,And what is Chrift's Charge 
 to the Angel of that Church, or her Watchmen 
 and Overfeers ? We have it in the 1 1 th Verfe, Be* 
 hold I com$ quickly ; hold that faft which thou haft, 
 that no Man take thy Crown. 
 
 idly. With re/pecl to the Beauty of Power, 
 though Minifters cannot command the Wind of 
 the Spirit "to blow, (the Lord is fovereign, and 
 comes and goes, with refpecl: to his fpecial and gra- 
 cious Prefence, as he pleaieth) yet it is incumbent 
 upon them, and that in a more fpecial Manner, to 
 cry. And let the Beauty of divine Power be upon us, 
 if we con/ider them, \ft. As the Lord's Remem- 
 brancers in behalf of the Church i idly.' As they 
 are the Church's Watchmen, ift. If we confider 
 them as they are the Lord's Remembrancers in be- 
 half of the Church, it is incumbent upon them to 
 put him in Remembrance of his Church, and to 
 plead with him on her Behalf, If a. lxii. 7, 8. I have 
 fit Watchmen upon thy JValls, Jerufalem, which jhall 
 never hold their Peace Day nor Night. Ye that mske 
 Mention of the Lord, keep not Silence, and give him no 
 Reft, till he eftablifl? and make Jerufalem a Praife in the 
 Earth. Te that make Mentien of the Lord j in the Mar- 
 gin it is rendred, Ye, that are the Lord's Remembran- 
 cers. And who are thefe \ Mo doubt all the People of 
 God may be called his Remembrancer s> but furely 
 Minifters are fuch in a fpecial Manner : They are 
 fuch by virtue of their Office, and it belongs tx> 
 them, above others, to cry, Remember thy Congrega- 
 tion which thou haft pur chafed of */i, &c. Pfalm lxxiv, 
 2. idly. If we confider Minifters as they are the 
 Church's Watchmen, it belongs to them, in a fpeci- 
 al Manner, to be concerned that the Beauty of 
 the divine Prefence may be -upon the Church, 
 This will appear if we notice two Things that are 
 
 incurs 
 
(12 ) 
 
 incumbent upon them as they. are the Church's j 
 "Watchmen. \fi. It belongs to them to watch a- 
 gainft thofe Evils that may provoke the Lord to 
 remove the Beauty of his -gracious Prefence from 
 his Church : They ought carefully to obferve thefe 
 Corruptions, whether in Principle or Practice, 
 which may fin away the divine Prefence : It be- 
 longs to their Office to lhew unto the Lord's Peo- 
 ple their. Sins, to the Houfe of Jacob their Tranf- 
 grejfions, Ifa. lviii. 2. idly. As they, are Watch- 
 men they fhould notice the Departure of the fpi- 
 ritual Glory, and to ftir up thernfelves and the 
 Church to ufe all proper Means for recovering the 
 divine Prefence, when it is in any Meafure remo- 
 ved. When the Bridegroom departs, it becomes 
 the Children of the Bride- Chamber to fall and 
 mourn, Matth. ix. i^. When the Lord removes 
 his gracious Prefence in any Meafure, it becomes 
 the Minifters of the Sanctuary to ftand and weep 
 between the Porch and the Altar, and to cry, Spare. 
 thy People, Lord, and give not thine Heritage to 
 Reproach, Joel ii. 17.. 
 
 %dly. With refpect to the Beauty of Unity and 
 Harmony, it is incumbent upon the Church's 
 Watchmen to maintain it where it is, to endea- 
 vour to recover it when in any Meafure it is loft. 
 The Gofpel they preach is the Gofpel of Peace ; 
 the Embaify upoii which they are fent is a Mef- 
 fage of Peace, if all the Members of the Church 
 fhould keep the, Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of 
 Peace, Eph. iv. 3. much more they who by Office 
 are the Minifters of Peace. 
 
 I now proceed to make fome practical Ufe of 
 this Doctrine ; and all the Ufe I make of it fliali 
 fee by Way of Exhortation. 
 
 It 
 
(. 13 ) 
 
 If it be fo, that it is much to be defired by aU, 
 but efpecially by the Church's Watchmen, that 
 the Beauty of the Lord may be upon the Church, 
 then this Doctrine ferves to exhort every one of us, 
 efpecially fucb of us as are by Office the Church's 
 Overfeers, to join Iflue with the Man of Go3, in 
 the Words of my Text, and to pray, Let the Beau- 
 ty of the Lord our God be upon us. I mall offer a 
 few Considerations which ihould move and excite 
 us to this Exercife, and then fubjoin a few Things 
 incumbent upon us, who are the Church's Watch- 
 men, with reference to this. 
 
 ifi. I mall offer a few Things which ihould 
 move us to be concerned that the Beauty of the 
 Lord may be upon us. 
 
 ift. Let us confider the Church has no Beauty 
 at all, if the Beauty of *the Lord be not upon her. 
 The Church's Unity and Purity, with the divine 
 Prefence in the Midft of her, are the Things that 
 not only diitinguifh this Society from all others, 
 but exalt the Church above the reft of the World 
 belide. The Church is a high Hill, as the Hill of 
 Baihan, Pfalm lxviii. 15. and in the \6th.Verfe, Why 
 hap ye, ye high Hills ? This is the Hill which God de- 
 fireth to dwell in, yea, the Lord will dwell in it for e- 
 ver. The leaft Deviation from Truth, when it be- 
 comes univerfal, is a black Spot upon a Church ; 
 when the Beauty of Power departs, black Formali- 
 ty covers the Church : Whatever Flourifh of a 
 ProfeiTion there may be, yet that Church is like a 
 dead Carcafe in the Lord's Sight, as the Church of 
 Sardis was, Rev. iii. 1. Again, when Purity and 
 Power are altogether loft, that Church has no 
 Beauty at all, Ihe is no more the Spoufe of Chrift, 
 but Satan's Synagogue, as the Church of Rome at 
 this Day is, 
 
 idly* 
 
( M ) 
 idly. Let us confider that the Beauty of the 
 Lord upon the Church makes her beautiful indeed \ 
 file is then a^n eternal Excellency, the Joy of many 
 Generations, If a, lx. 15. Her Beauty is then a 
 real Beauty ; {he is beautiful in her Lord and in 
 Husband's Eyes, he takes Delight and Pleafure in 
 her ; ihe is then a Grown of Glory in the Hand of 
 the Lord, a royal Diadem in the Hand of her God ; 
 fhe is then his Hephzibah and Beula, delighted in and 
 married to the Lord, I fa. Ixti. 4. Her Beauty is 
 then a mod excellent Beauty •, ihe is then beauti- 
 ful as Tirza, comely as Jeriifalcm : She looketh 
 forth as the Morning, fair as the Moon, clear as 
 the Sun, Song vi. 4, 10. All wordly Beauty and 
 Glory cannot then be compared with the Church's 
 Beauty, yea, the Spjendor and Luftreof the greats 
 eft and mod: glorious Kingdoms of this Earth, are 
 but like a Bubble unto that Splendor and Glory 
 that is upon the Church. When the Glory of the 
 Lord rifeth upon the Church, Zion is then the Per- 
 fection of Beauty, Pfalm 1. 2. Out of Zion the Per- 
 fection of Beauty, God hath finned. Again, when 
 the Beauty of the Lord is upon the Church, her 
 Beauty is an aftonilhing Beauty ; her Enemies are 
 {truck with Aftonimment, yea, fometrmes with 
 Terror, at the fpi ritual Luftre and Splendor that is 
 feen upon her, Pfalm xWul. 2. Beautiful for Situ- 
 ation is Mount Zion. Vcrfes 4, 5, 6. The Kings 
 were affembled, they faiv it, and Jo they marvelled ; 
 they were troubled, and hafted away. Fear took hold 
 upon them there. Yea, finally, when the Beauty of 
 of the Lord is upon the Church, then her Beauty 
 is an alluring Beauty ; others are engaged to come 
 and join themfelves to this beautiful and lovely 
 Society, Jfa. lx. I, 3. Arife, Jhine, for thy Light 
 is come t the Glory of the Lord is rifen upon thee* Ob- 
 
 fervc 
 
( >J ) 
 
 icrvc what follows in the 3d Verfe, And the Gentiles 
 flail cofie to thy Light, and Kings to the Brightnefs of 
 thy Rifing. » 
 
 ■$dfy. Confider, when the Beauty of the Lord is 
 upon the Church, the Lord Jefus is therein greatly 
 honoured and glorified ; then the gathering of the 
 People is unto Shi/oh ; then the Flocks of Kedar are 
 gathered unto him, the Rams of Nebajoth do mini- 
 ster unto him, they come up with Acceptance upon 
 his Altar, and glorify the Houfe of his Glory ; they 
 fly as a Cloud, and as Doves to their Windows, 
 Ifa. Ix. 7, 8. Yea, the whole ©f that Chapter is a 
 Prophecy of the Beauty of the New Teftament 
 Church, and the Glory that {hall redound to hfcr 
 Head the Lord Jefus thereby. 
 
 qthly. When the Beauty of Purity, Power and 
 Unity, is upon the Church, then there is a fpccial 
 Luftre and Splendor upon the Members of the 
 Church, both Minifters and People : They have a 
 Luftre of Heaven about them, they appear like the 
 Children of the King. The Church's Seed is then 
 , known among the Gentiles, and her Offspring a - 
 mong the People .: All that fee them acknowledge 
 that they are the Seed which the Lord has bleifed, 
 Ifa. Ixi. 9. When the Beauty of the Lord is up- 
 on the Church, her Members appear in the Beauty 
 of Holinefs, Pfalm ex. 3. In the Beauty of Holinefs 
 from the Womb of the Morning : Thou haft the Dew of 
 thy To.uth. There is then a fiveet Savour of Chrift 
 about them, Hof iv. 5. I will be as the Dew to If- 
 rael. And then, in the tfth Verfe, His Beauty flail 
 be as the Olive-Tree, his Smell as Lebanon. If the 
 Church has no Beauty at all, except the Beauty of 
 the Lord be upon her, if this makes her beautiful 
 indeed, and honours the Lord Jefus, and puts a 
 Luflre and Splendor upon all her Members, thefe 
 
 Things 
 
, 
 
 ... ( . «« ) 
 
 Things fliould move us to cry, and let the Beaut 
 of the Lord be upon us. I mall add two Things 
 more upon this Head. 
 
 $thly. The fpiritual Beauty is very much de- 
 parted from the reformed Churches, and there are 
 many Symptoms and Evidences of a Departure of 
 the fpiritual Beauty from us. If we look abroad 
 to the reformed Churches, Have not the mod Part 
 of them loll much of the Beauty of Purity and 
 Power tod % Error in Doctrine, and Corruption iri 
 Practice, feem to prevail every where. The Ordinan- 
 ces of Worihip are corrupted, the fpiritual Worfhip 
 and Government of Chrift's Houfe is quite marred in 
 many of them. As for Inftance, in our neighbouring. 
 Churches of 'England and Ireland, though their doc- 
 trinal Articles bear fome Meafure of Conformity 
 to the Word of God, yet, thro' a lordly Prelacy,- 
 a carnal Difcipline and human Ordinances of Wor- 
 ihip, the Beauty of Chrift's Houfe is very much de- 
 faced amongft them, and grofs Ignorance, Immo- 
 rality and Profanity are the Fruits of this amongft v 
 their People. Again, with refpect-to ourfelves,- , 
 our Standards of Docirj-ne are pure, our Ordinan- 
 ces of Worihip, our Rules for Difcipline and Go- 
 vernment, we hope, bear a Conformity to the divine 
 Pattern : Thus far we enjoy as yet fome Meafure 
 of the Beauty of Purity ; yet, alas, we may lay, : 
 our fpiritual Beauty is very much departed from - 
 us. "What Heart-breaking Divisions, Animofities 
 and Differences have been amongft us ? The Staves 
 of Beauty and Bands have been broke afunder : for 
 the Diviiions of our Reuben there may be Searchings 
 of Heart. Again, how little of the Power of Re- 
 ligion is to be found amongft us ? Our Exercife 
 bears not a Proportion to our Profeftion ; the Life 
 of Religion lies a-bleeding, ready to expire in our 
 
 Streets i 
 
( 17 ) 
 Streets ; that Vigour of Faith and Love, that fbml* 
 time has appeared, is very much abated. It was a 
 ieafonable Warning given us from this Place upon 
 an Occafion of the like Nature not long ago, from 
 Rev. ii. j. Never thelefs 1 have fomewbat sgainft thee % 
 becaufe thou hafl left thy firft Love. Ah ! where is 
 that Luftre and Splendor of Holinefs that mould be, 
 and fometimes has been the dilKnguifhing Glory of 
 Minifters and People ? Nay, may we not, in the 
 Words of the Spirit of God by the Prophet, bewail, 
 Lam. iv. 7, 8. Her Nazarites were purer than Snow, 
 they were whiter than Milk, they were more ruddy in 
 their Body than Rubies, their polijhing was of Sapphire: 
 Their Vifage is blacker than a Coal : They are npt 
 known in the Streets : Their Skin cleaveth to their 
 Bones: It is withered, it is become like a Stick P Thefe 
 and ma^ny fuch Evidences may be offered, that our 
 fpiritual Beauty is much departed from us. 
 
 Finally, The Departure of the fpiritual Beauty is 
 a Forerunner of fad Calamities. When the Beau- 
 ty either of Purity, Power, or Unity, departs from 
 a Church, it is an Evidence that the Lord is on his 
 Way, if not to unchurch that People, yet to pu- 
 riifh them. It is remarkable in the pth ofEzekiel, be- 
 fore the Commiifion is given to the Men with the 
 Slaughter- Weapons in their Hands, to go through 
 the Midft of the City, and to flay utterly Old and 
 Young, in the 3d Verfe, the Glory departs from 
 the Cherub to the Threfhold of the Houfe. The 
 Departure of the fpiritual Glory goes before a Day 
 of DeftrucYion and Defolation : Ought not thefe 
 Things to move us to a Concern that the Beauty 
 of the Lord may be upon us f 
 
 I fhall fhut up this Doctrine by laying before 
 
 you a few Things in a fpecitl Manner incumbent 
 
 upon us who are the Church's Watchmen and 
 
 G "" Overfers, 
 
C .8 ) 
 
 Overfeers. We ought not only to pray that the 
 Beauty of the Lord may be upon the Church, but 
 our utmolt Endeavours muft be u'fed to maintain 
 any Thing of the Beauty of the Lord that is upon 
 us, and to recover any Meafure of fpirituai Beauty 
 « that is wanting ;■ and for this End let us beware 
 of every Thing that may raarr the Church's Beau- 
 ty ; more particularly, . 
 
 Firft, It is incumbent upon us to beware of every 
 Thing that may man" the Beauty of Purify: "We 
 ought to keep pure and intire the Ordinances of di 
 vine Institution and Appointment, the Doctrine, 
 Worfhip, Difcipline -and Government ofChrifr/s 
 Houfe ; tliefe, I fay, jQiould be kept pure by us, 
 and tranfniitted pure to our Poiterity, that our 
 Children after us may fee the Glory of the Lord 
 We have excellent Catechifms, both Larger and 
 Shorter; an excellent /Confeffion of Faith, for 
 which we defire to blefs the Lord, tho' Confefli- 
 ( ons are now boldly cried down by fome in England \ 
 and others in Ireland, (of whom better Things might 
 have been expected) as huraari and\ tyrannical Inr- 
 portions upon the Confciences of Menr But what 
 tho* our Standards of Doctrine be pure ? If\we/o 
 not preach the Word of God purely, the Church's 
 Beauty will be marred by us ; it is our unqueflio- 
 nable Duty to hold fad: the Form of found Words, 
 a Tim. i, 1.3. The beaten Path, wherein the way- 
 faring Men before us have walked, is the fafefl. 
 Again, it is not enough that we have pure Ordi- 
 nances of Wonhip, unlefs 'Spirituality in Wormip 
 be maintained. IfMinifters tarn fiat and dett*j[ in 
 the Duties of publiek Worihip, their People are in 
 Hazard thereby to be hardend ; a lifelefs and car- 
 nal Way of ferving the living God opened 
 Door for all thefe Popilh Geriaionies that hav< 
 
 beer 
 
( IP ) 
 
 been a Plague upon the Chriftian Church. "When 
 Men once loft the Spirituality of "Worfhip (as the*- 
 judicious Dr. Owen obferves) they behoved, to hav$ ; 
 fomething to fill their natural Eyes, and gratify 
 their carnal Senfes : Hence all thofe gaudy Ceri- 
 rrionies, which Men have defired as Ornaments un- 
 to the Worfhip of God, were introduced into the 
 Church : And what are they all but an Abomi- 
 nation in the Sight of God, and of no other Ufe 
 but to divert Mens Minds from the Spirituality of 
 Worihip, and to make them pleafe themfelves with 
 an empty outward Form of Godlinefs ? Yea, far- 
 ther, it is not enOugh that we have good Rules for 
 Discipline, unlefs our Difcipline be managed in a 
 Spiritual Manner, for reaching its fpiritual Ends, 
 namely, the Conviction and Recovery of fuch as 
 have fallen. Some of us have Occafion to obferve, 
 in Places where grofs Scandals do much abound, 
 that it is very rare to fee any fatisfying Evidences 
 of ferious Repentance amongft them that fall. 
 Surely it becomes us, who are the Church's Gy:er- 
 feers, both Minifters and Elders, ferioufly to in- 
 quire how we manage the fpiritual Sword, left 
 their Obduration andHardnefs be imputable to fome 
 feasible Defect: in us. Finally, With refpedr, to the 
 Government of the Church, we have fuch Office- 
 Bearers as Ghrift hath appointed in his Houfe, 
 namely, the Elder who labours in "Word and Doc- 
 trine, the Elder who rules, the Deacon who takes 
 Care of the poor Members of the Church ; we 
 have alfo fuch Courts as Chrift hath eftabliflied in 
 the .Church, Seflions, Presbyteries, provincial Sy-> 
 nods, and national AJTemblies ; it is incumbent up- 
 on us to preferve this Government pure and intire. 
 SefTions are fubordinate to Presbyteries, and are 
 accountable to them for all their {eUional Manage- 
 ments 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 Bients whatfoever, as Presbyteries are to provinci- 
 al Synods, and they to the national AfTembly ; and, 
 Sf the State of the Church did allow of oecumenical 
 Aflemblies, national Aifemblies would owe Subjec- 
 tion to them. This is that beautiful Order that Chriil 
 hath inftituted in his Houfe. I may here farther 
 obferve, that, in order to our preferving the Go- 
 vernment pure, it is needful we commit the Govern- 
 ment of the Ghurch to faithful Men, yea, the Pu- 
 rity of Doctrine, Worfhip and Difcipline, as well 
 as that of the Government, are here nearly con- 
 cerned : Nothing can more endanger the Church's 
 Beauty than corrupt Office-Bearers, and it has been 
 found that a corrupt Miniftry has ever been the 
 Ruin of the Church ; therefore it is incumbent up- 
 on us, that we take heed whom we receive into 
 the Miniftry, and alfo how we receive Men into 
 the Miniftry ; I fay, it belongs to us to look well 
 whom we receive into the Miniftry, that they 
 iuch, who, fo far as we can difcern, have fom 
 Feeling and Experience of a Work of God upon 
 their own Hearts, and who feek into the Miniftry, 
 not merely to obtain a Livelyhood, or to make 
 Trade of Preaching, but who have higher an 
 more noble Ends before them, even the Glory o 
 Chrift, and the Salvation of others. Alfo we ilioul 
 look well how We receive them into the Miniftr 
 namely, that they be taken in in that Way and 
 Manner that Chrift has appointed his Miniftersto 
 be fet over his Church, that they be received by 
 that Door at which Chrift will have all his Mini- 
 fters to enter ; I mean, at the Door of a regular E- 
 lection and Call. To impofe and force aMinifter 
 upon a Chriftian People, 'is to exercifc a Lord- 
 ihip and tyrannical Dominion over the Heritage of 
 Chrift. 
 
 idly 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 idly. Let us take heed that we marr not the 
 Beauty of Power. We fhould be careful left the 
 divine Prefence be removed from us thro' our Sin. 
 For this End, in the firft Place, a faithful Application 
 of Doctrine is needful on our Part. God has pro- 
 mifed his Prefence to his Minifters, yet we cannot 
 expect the divine Prefence but in a faithful Dif- 
 charge of our Duty. Whatthe Spirit of God fpeaks 
 by the Prophet Jeremiah, concerning the Prophets 
 of that Time, is remarkable, Jer. xxiii. 22. Jf they 
 had flood in my Council, and had caufedmy People to hear 
 my Words, then fhould they have turned them from their e- 
 •uilWay, and from the Evil of their Doings ; intimating 
 tons, that the Sermons or Preachings of thefe Pro- 
 phets had not Succefs, and that becaufe they were 
 not faithful in their Doctrine. If we would have 
 the Prefence of the Lord with us in our Preachings, 
 it becomes us to addrefs ourfelves to the Confcien- 
 ces of our Hearers ; clofely to attack the ftrong 
 Holds of their natural Corruption, to difcover par- 
 ticularly their Sin and Mifery by their Apoftafy 
 from God in 'the firft Adam, and the Help that is 
 for them in the Lord Jefus the fecond Adam ; their 
 Ruin by the Breach of their firft Covenant, and the 
 only Remedy from this Ruin by the Covenant of 
 Grace: We ought to preach the Neceffity of a vi- 
 tal Union with Chrift Jefus, without which we can 
 have noCommunion with him here; and if we have no 
 Communion with him in Grace here, we mail have 
 none with him in Glory hereafter : Him we muft 
 exhibit as the only beautiful Foundation that is laid 
 mZion, ,as the precious and chief Corner-Stone ; 
 towards him mult all our Preachings point, as the 
 Lord our Righteoufnefs and Strength, otherways 
 there will be little Beauty and Glory in them ; to 
 him we muft lead our Hearers forRighteoufnefsunto 
 
 . ' their 
 
C 22 ) 
 
 their Juftification, and for the Spirit, in order to 
 the beginning, carrying on, and compleating of a 
 'Work of San&ification : But who is fufncieni for 
 thefe Things ? Yet our Sufficiency is of God. adfy. 
 If we would not mar the Beauty of the divine Pre- 
 fence, we mould endeavour to walk as we preach. 
 Though we (liould preach faithfully, if our Conver- 
 sation be not like our Preaching, we may fin away 
 the Prefence of the Lord from ourMiniftry. It is 
 not enough that we commend Gbrift in our Doc- 
 trine, we mould endeavour to have a Savour of him 
 about us in our Walk. It is not enough that we 
 preach up the Necemty and Excellency of Holi- 
 nefs, (which indeed all Minifters mould do) but we 
 muft. alfo endeavour to have the Beauty of Holinels 
 upon ourfelves, otherv/ays we will both {tumble, 
 and harden our People. All of us ihould follow 
 the Example of the Apoftle, who could fay to the 
 Theffalonians, i Theff. ii. I o. Te how how holily 9 
 ' how jujlly and unblameably we behaved ourfelves among]} 
 you. 
 
 j$dly. Let us take heed that we mar not the Beau- 
 ty of Unity and Harmony. Brotherly Love adorns 
 Church-Members, and efpccially Minifters of the 
 Gofpel -, Heart-Riiings at one another, groundlefs 
 Jealoufies, and ftriving about Words when there 
 is an Agreement in the Subitance, from whence 
 fprings Envy, Malice, Railings and evil Surmifmgs, 
 i Tim. iv. 6. thefe do all mar the Beauty of Uni- 
 ty. The Command of God, by the Apoftle, fhould 
 be regarded by all, but efpecially by the Church's 
 "Overfeers, Rom. xiv. 19. Let us lb ere fore follow af- 
 ter the Things which make for Peace, and Things 
 wherewith one may edify another. I may here- add, 
 that all fuch as bear Office in the Church, are fo- 
 temnly engaged, when fet apart to their Office, to 
 
 ufe 
 

 ( n ) 
 
 ufe their utmoft Endeavours to maintain the Beauty 
 of Purity and Unity, and to obtain the Beauty of 
 Power ; yea, this whole Church and Nation are 
 under the mod folemn Engagements to maintain 
 the beautiful Doctrine, . Wprfhip, Difcipline and 
 Government of Ghriit's Houfe, Unity in the Lord 
 amongft ourfeives, and- to purfue after the Life and 
 Power of Religion and Godlinefs. This is what is 
 chiefly intended in our national Covenants, which 
 were the Honour of our Land, and a Fruit and E- 
 vidence of the Beauty of the Lord upon us,, tho' 
 they have been contemned in the feveral Periods of 
 this Church, by Men of different Denominations, 
 from different and often contrary Views. 
 
 I proceed to the fecond Petition of the Man of 
 God in my Text, The Work of our Hands eftablijh thou 
 it ; and a fecond Doctrine from the Verfe, which 
 is, That fuch whom God employs in his Work 
 Jhould be importunate 'with him for Ajfiflance and. 
 Succefs in it. All I intendaipon this Doctrine is, 
 in thefirft Place, briefly to fpeak of the Work the 
 Church's Watchmen are employed in ; and then, 
 idly, to (hew-why they (could be importunate with 
 him ; and, %dly. to offer a Word by Way of practi- 
 cal Ufe. 
 
 i ft. What is the Work that the Church's 
 Watchmen are employed in f I anfwer, There 
 is a twofold Work that they are mainly employed 
 in, to wit. the Work of Gathering in, and the 
 Work of Building up the^ Church. To gather in 
 Sinners to Chrift is one Part of the Work that the 
 Lord puts into the Hands of Minifters ; for -this 
 End the Miniftry of Reconciliation is committed, 
 unto them ; it is for this End they are Tent forth 
 as AmbafTadors for Chrift, to intreat Sinners to be 
 reconciled to God, 2 Cor. v. ip, 20. . Again, ano- 
 ther Part of the Work that they are employed in 
 
( 2 4 ) , 
 is to build up Saints. The whole Church of Be- 
 lievers mult be built up in the Knowledge of Chrifr, 
 till they attain unto the Noon-Day Virion ofGlo- 
 ry ; they muft be built up in Sanclification and Ho- 
 linefs, thro' Faith, till the Work of Sanctificatio 
 be compleated in Glorification : For this End Mi- 
 niflers are Shepherds, and it belongs to them to 
 feed Chrift' s Sheep and Lambs ; Miniflers, are 
 Stewards of the Myfteries of God, and it belongs 
 to them to divide the fpiritual Bread, and to give 
 the Children of the Houfe their Food in Seafon : 
 This is their Work ; yea, the Church is God's Kuf- 
 bandry, his fpiritual Building, and Miniflers are 
 Labourers together with him, i Cor. iii. 9. In a 
 Word, a Gofpel-Miniftry, and all Ordinances what- 
 foever, are given for gathering in and building up 
 the Church, Eph. iv.i 1, 12. Be gave fome dpojlles, 
 and fome Prophets, and fome Evangelifts, and fome 
 Paftors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints 
 for the Work of the Miniftry, 1 and for edifying the 
 Body of Chrift ; this is the Work we are employ- 
 ed in, and all of us mould be importunate with 
 the Lord, for Afliftance and Succefs from him in 
 the Work. And I offer the following Reafons. 
 
 Firfty Upon the Account of the Greatnefs of the 
 the Work. To gather in Sinners to Chrift is a 
 great Work ; it is fo great that it requires creating 
 Power ; yea, it is a greater Work by far than the 
 firft Creation of Things out of nothing, Kere the 
 exceeding Greatnefs of Jehovah's Power is put 
 forth, Eph. i. 19. The Lord appropriates thjs 
 Work to himfelf • tho' he employ Miniflers as his 
 Inftruments, yet it is his Calling, yea, the high Cal- 
 ling of God in Chrift Jejus, Philip, iii. 14. 
 
 idly. Miniflers ihould be importunate with him 
 on the Account of their own Weaknefs ; they are 
 infufficient for the Work of thejnjelves j they are 
 
 Mcn> 
 
( *S ) 
 
 Men, they are finful Men, they are Men of like 
 Paffions with others ; This Treajure is in earthen 
 Vejfels, that the Excellency @f the Power may be ofGnd^ 
 i Cor. iv. 7. 
 
 $dly. The Difficulties that we have to encounter 
 with make this Importunity needful. The ftrong 
 Holds of natural .Enmity and Depravation muft be 
 attacked, and thefe ftrong Holds are aided and 
 affifled by all the Power, Malice and Policy of 
 Satan ; he is the ftrong Man that keeps the Houfe, 
 and makes all the Refiftance he can unto the Work 
 of the Lord in the Hand of the Church's Overfeers ; 
 he will keep the PoiTeffion till a ftronger bind and 
 caft him out. The World alfo bears an inveterate 
 Enmity and Prejudice at the fpixitual Laws, Cen- 
 fures and Government of Chrift's Houfe j they will 
 not have this Man to reign over them ; they fay, 
 Let us break the Lord's Ba?ids a/under, and caft away 
 his Cords from us, Pfalm ii. 3. In a Word, thofe 
 whom God employs in his Work have Men and 
 Devils againft them, Hell and Earth againft them j 
 therefore' they mould be importunate that the 
 Lord may give AiTiftance and Succefs in the Work. 
 All the Ufe I make of this Doctrine, is in a 
 Word by Way of Exhortation. 
 
 " If it be fo, that fuch whom God employs in his 
 Work ihould be imporunate with him for Afti- 
 ftance and Succefs in it, this doth exhort us, 
 who are in the Miniftry, in a fpecial Manner, to 
 be importunate with the Lord, that he may put to 
 his Hand to his own Work, that he may be with 
 us in the Work, and give Succefs to our Endea- 
 vours. Let us all cry mxh Mofes the Man of God, 
 in the Words of my Text, The Work of our Hands 
 eflablifh thou it, yea, the Work ofc t ur Hands eftablifl? 
 thou it, I fhall offer a few Consideration^ toinforce 
 D this 
 
tills Exhortation, and then conclude with a *Wpr<3 
 to the. Ghriftlan People. . 
 
 firji of all, Let us confider the Lord's Work 
 goes flowly on amqngft our Hands at this Day ; 
 theWork of Gathering in, and the Work of Buil- 
 ding up, is very much at a Stand ; it is the gene- 
 ral and too well-founded Regret of all, who have 
 any Meafure of fpiritual Difcerning, that the Go- 
 jfpel has little Succefs either for Conversion or Con- 
 firmation, that Ifrael is not gathered, that few are 
 brought in to Chrift, and that the Work of the 
 Xord goes but flowly on amongft them that are in 
 Chrift, that they are not built up in Holineft, that 
 Religion in its Life and Power is very low amongft 
 them. Thefe Things have a double Voice unto 
 us in the Miniftry* 
 
 'Fir ft. They call upon us to try ourfelves, left 
 there be any Caufe on our Part why Matters are fo. 
 Have we not Reafon to inquire if our Hands are em- 
 ployed with that Activity and Diligence about the: 
 Lord's Work that becomes, if we travail as in Birth 
 till Chrift be formed in the Hearts of our Hearers,: 
 if we have a fuitable Concern for Souls upon our 
 Spirits, if we water our Preachings, and other Parts 
 of our Minifterial Work, with Prayer for Succefs 
 and Increafe, if our Walk and Converfation be like 
 our Doctrine, if it be fuch as becomes the Minifters 
 and Ambaifadors of the Lord Jefus . ? All thefe 
 Things are necdiary Means to make the Work 
 of the Lord go on profperoufly in our Hands. But 
 are there any amongft us who will not find Rea- 
 fon, after a Jerious Communing with your own 
 Hearts, ro fay, Lord enter not. into Judgment .with 
 thy Servafo? 2<Uy. If the Lord's Work goes flow- 
 ly" on, vhis es.Ho us to that Importunity ti^ttr^ 
 1'oct and Doctrine do demand of us. Let us cry, 
 
 that 
 
( 2 7 ) 
 
 that the Lord may put to his Hand to his o\yn 
 Work, and make it profper in our Hands, The 
 Work of our Hands eft ablijh thou it, &c. 
 
 idly. Let us confider, many eminent Inftruments, 
 who were employed in the Work of the Lord, 
 have been carried off the Stage of late, fome of them 
 in their Prime and Vigour, who, by Courfe of Na- 
 ture, might have had their Hands much longer 
 aboufthe Lord's Work. This City has fmarted 
 under fuch Strokes, this Presbytery and this Pro- 
 vince, frequently, yea, the whole Church and Land ; 
 and tbo' there are not a few that are looking towards 
 the holy Miniitry,yet it is to be feared there are few 
 to fill up the Rooms of the able Under workers, who 
 now reft from their Labours. Our Judah may fay, 
 The Rubbijh is great, and the Strength of the Bearers 
 cf Burdens is dec-ay ed. Should not this move to an 
 Importunity with the Lord, that he may put to his 
 Hand to his own Work ? Let us cry, The Work of 
 our Hands eft ablijh thou it, yea, the Work of our Hands 
 cftablijh thou it. 
 
 %dly. Confider, though all Hands mould be at 
 Work, if the Lord put not his own Hand to the 
 Work, it will never go on ; the Work is fo great, 
 and we are fo weak, that it can never go on with- 
 out him ; the Difficulties are fo ftrong, that we can 
 never furmount them without him. /Wdoth plant, 
 and Jpollos doth water, but God doth give the In- 
 creafe. 
 
 qthly. Importunity has often prevailed with him. 
 The feveral Ages of the Church can afford remar- 
 kable Inftances of this ; the infant primitive Church- 
 Members were all with one Accord in Prayer and 
 Supplication, when the Holy Ghoft came down up- 
 on the Apoftles, A3s ii. i, 2. They were em- 
 ployed in importunate Prayer, and God* came 
 
 down 
 
< l8 ) 
 
 down from Heaven, and did put to his Hand to his 
 own Work. Then, O what glorious Fruit did follow? 
 Thoufands were born at once in Zion. That great 
 Man of God in our own Land, Mr. Robert Bruce, was 
 overheard in fecret Prayer, before he came to the 
 Publick, faying, I proteft I will not go except 
 thou go with me, I will not go except thou go with 
 jne. And when he came forth, God was fcen to be 
 in and with him ; as the Author of the fulfilling 
 of the Scriptures narrates, a Shower of divine In- 
 fluences did accompany the "Word fpoken by 
 him. 
 
 Finally, God will appear and will put to his Hand 
 to his own Work. If it mould be inquired at us, 
 "Watchmen, what of the Night ? May we not give 
 the Return the Prophet is directed to give, Ifa. 
 xxi. 12. The Morning comet h y and alfo the Night ? 
 The Church at this Time is under many threatning ! 
 Providences that prefage a Night, yet thefe very Pro- 
 vidences prefage that the Morning is coming. That 
 we are now under threatning Providences is evident, 
 if we confider the universal Degeneracy of the 
 reformed Churches from the Purity, Power, fpiri- 
 tual Life and Vigour that appeared in reforming 
 Days and Times ; the great Ones of the Earth do 
 not concern themfelves in the Intereft of Chrift's 
 Kingdom and Glory, farther than they think Re- 
 ligion fubfervient to their own political Interefh ; 
 no Care is taken either about Perfbnal, Family or 
 National Reformation ; yea, at this Day, the 
 Foundations are boldly {truck at, not only by open 
 and avowed Atheiits and Deifts, that deny all re- 
 vealed Religiob, but alfo by fome, who, tho' they 
 profefs a Regard for divine Revelation, yet arc 
 got afraid to move Debates about the fupreme Dei- 
 
C 29 ) 
 ty of the Son of God, who is the true God, even 
 God over all blefled for ever. Yea, farther, if we 
 confider, that. Profanity as a Flood has overflown 
 the Churches, and that every one of them feem to 
 have fallen into a deep fpiritual Lethargy, and alfo 
 the preferit State ofthe Antichriftian Kingdom ; An- 
 tichrift, for fome Years by paft, feems rather to have 
 gathered Strength, than to be weakned ; ail thefe 
 Things prefage that our Night may be yet darker. 
 "Whether the three Days and the Half of Killing 
 the WitnefTes, mentioned Rev. ii. 7. be yet pad or 
 to eome, I cannot determine. I do not think a- 
 ny can poffibly determine, tho' various and different 
 Conjectures have been made ; but I may fay, the 
 prefent State ofthe reformed Churches threatens an 
 overflowing Scourge. Yet, let me alfo add, the 
 Morning cometh, the Morning of God's appearing 
 for his own Work ; there is a Bow in the Church's 
 darken: Cloud ; the Church's greateft Extremity, 
 and the Lord's Appearing, have, in all Ages of the 
 Church, ordinarily tryfted together. I fhall con- 
 clude this Head with a judicious Reflection or two 
 of that great Obferver of divine Providences, the 
 Author of the fulfilling ofthe Scriptures, in his 
 Appendix to the firft Part of that excellent Work: 
 After having obferved, that the Church has gone 
 through that long continued and molt, difmal Trial, 
 which, under the Time of the Jjofpel, until the 
 Glofe of Time, was to go over her Head, even 
 that fore Bondage from Antichrift and under his 
 Reign ; ' This Winter being in a great Meafure now 
 « paft, and her Spring begun, (fays he) there are 
 ' clear and continuing Symptoms, by which fome 
 ' notable Grin's' in her Condition may be difcerned, 
 « that after many Conflicts and fore Wreftlings, 
 * £nce her Victory begun over Antichrift, this 
 
 * Time 
 
C 3° ) 
 j Time of the Church feems to fall under that 
 
 * more remarkable Ailault, which may be looked 
 « for from this Adverlary, before the pouring out 
 «' of the fifth Vial upon his Throne and Scat, 
 « which, as a Prelirdium of fo great a Victory, may, 
 4 in fome Proportion thereto, be more dreadful anc 
 
 \ (harp, for a Time, than any we have feen : The 
 ' Scriptures point clearly at this, which fhew the 
 < wreiHing Condition of the Church, and a War 
 1 continued betwixt Antichrifr. and the Lamb, 
 
 * even in his falling State, until the laft Decifion. 
 
 * put him off the Field, Rev. xvii. 14. For the Lamh 
 ' /hall overcome, and they -who are on his Side., who are 
 \ called, ch'ofen, and faithful.'' As a Woman when 
 fhe is in Travail, her fhaipefr. Showers gp before 
 and haften the Delivery, fo the Church's Victory 
 over Antichrifr may come through one of the fo- 
 reft and fliarpeft Aifaults from this Adverfary, Mic. 
 iv. 13. Be in Pain, Daughter of Zion, and go 
 forth into Babylon, for there /halt thou he delivered* 
 After all, whatever Steps the Lord may take, this 
 is fure, the Lord will fave Zion, and build the Ci- 
 ties of Judah ; the Time to favour Zion is fet, and 
 the fet Time is haflning apace. "Will God appear 
 for his Work ? Then let us meet an appearing God, 
 whether in a Way of Judgment or Mercy, with 
 a fervent Importunity, that he may put to his own 
 Hand to the Work of Gathering in and Building 
 up the Church. 
 
 I fhall conclude all with a Word to the Chriftj- 
 an People, and there are two or three Things I 
 would recommend to you. 
 
 Firfl, Has the Lord employed your Watchmen 
 and Overfeers in his Work, in the Work of Ga- 
 thering in and Building up the Church ? Take heed 
 that ye weaken not the Workmen^ Hands ; jdefpife 
 
 Hot 
 
pot their Perfons, but efleem them highly for their 
 "Work's Sake ; fubmit to their faithful Reproofs, 
 "Warnings, Admonitions and Counfels, Heb. xiii. 
 1 7 . Obey them thai have the Rule over you, and 
 fubmit yourfelves, for they watch for your Souls. 
 
 idly. Be not ftumbled at the Lord's Work, on 
 the Account of the Weaknelfes that do attend the 
 "Workmen : We whom God has employed in^he 
 Work are earthen Veifeis, Men of like Paffions 
 with yourfelves, compaffed about with Infirmities 
 as well as you, and you have Reafon to blefs the 
 Lord that the Work is committed to fuch ; you 
 could not have born the Prefence of Angels, had 
 the Work been in their Hands ; and they could 
 not have dealt with you from a Feeling of your 
 Infirmities : No doubt you may obferve the many 
 Failings that do attend us in our Pulpit-Appearan- 
 ces, in our Managements in Judicatories, and in the 
 whole of our Deportment. But O remember the 
 Work we are employed in is the Lord's Work, 
 therefore ftumble not at the Lord's Work in our 
 Hands. 
 
 ^dly. Look well how the Work of God thrives 
 in your Hearts. If it doth not thrive in your Hearts, 
 it doth not.profper in your Hands ; if the Work 
 of Faith with Power be not wrought in you. if you 
 are not built up in Holinefs and Comfort, through 
 Faith unto Salvation, our Labour is all loll amongfl 
 you.' 
 
 Finally, Join with us in this holy Importunity, 
 that the Lord may put to his Hand to his own 
 Work ; this God requires from \ ou as well as from 
 us, and the Gain and Advantage will be vours as 
 much as ours. If you 1 in this Rlgce v/ere importu- 
 nate with God for this End; if Jv|inifters and 
 People in this Province j if Minifters and People 
 
 throuVh 
 
< ? 2 > 
 
 through the Land, were exersifed in a holy Impor- 
 tunity for the Return of the divine Frefence a- 
 rnongft us, for more difcernible Succefs unto Go- 
 fpel- Ordinances ; this would be a promifing To- 
 ken for Good, that the Name of this City, the 
 Name of this Province, and the Name of this Church 
 and Land, might yet be Jehovah Shamma, the Lord 
 is there. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
THE 
 
 BLESSEDNESS 
 
 LOST IN 
 
 The Firft Adam, 
 
 To be found in 
 
 Christ the Second Adam* 
 
 Being the Suhfknce of fome 
 
 SERMONS 
 
 O N 
 
 Psalm lxxii. ijs jfndMenJhdllbe 
 
 bleffed in him 
 
 By the late Reverend and Learned Mr. "William 
 Wilson Minijler of the Go/pel at Perth, 
 
 With aPREFACE prefixed, 
 
 To the Gentlemen of the Deiflical Principles in or 
 about the Burgh of Perth, 
 
 EDINBURGH, 
 
 Printed for David Duncan, and fold at his Houfe 3 
 oppofite to the Weigh-Houfi, Notth-§idc of thg 
 Street. JYIPCGXLVIL 
 
Advertifement to the Reader. 
 
 J HE following Sheets contain the Subftance of feme 
 Sermons lately delivered, in my ordinary Courfe of 
 Preaching, in one of our Churches on the Lord's Day, I 
 had not ^ the r emote jl Intention of making them publicity 
 when I preached them ; but the following Preface ac- 
 counts for the Occafion of it. 
 
 When the Contagion of Infidelity in Principle, which 
 cannot mifs ■ to be attended with Loofenefs and Pro- 
 fan enefs in Practice, is fpreading ; when the Name 
 of Chrift. is naufeous to many ; when Preaching of 
 Chrift is become d Term of Reproach and Contempt, and 
 is cried down as an Engine to drive all rational Preach- 
 ing, (astheyfpeak)yea, Mortality itfelf out of the 
 World ;t ho' it cannot but be afecJing'io me, as it is to the 
 mojl judiciou. in this Place, I that I have any fuch under 
 my pajloral Charge to deal with ; yet I do not grudge 
 to take hold of the Occafion they have given me, to caft 
 in my Mite, in /peaking from the Prefsfor him whom 
 Hen deipife, and whom the Nations abhor, even 
 for, our exalted and glorious Redeemer, whofe Name 
 ihall be remembred with Hwour unto all Generati- 
 ons. 
 
< i" ) 
 
 TO THE 
 
 Gentlemen of the Deistn 
 cal Principles in or 
 about the Bureh o( Perth. 
 
 YOUR unfubfcriled Mi five, fent to my 
 Houfe by an unknown Hand, Tuefday's 
 Night before our late National Faft, ye 
 have thought fit to make publick, not 
 only by difperfing your Copies of it both in this 
 Place and in the neighbouring Country, but by 
 'Spreading them to more diftant Places. Your De- 
 iign is evident and plain * and therefore I thought 
 myfelf obliged to take this publick Notice both of 
 you and your ConducT. 
 
 ' As for the malicious Infinuations contained in 
 your invidious Queries, wherewith your Paper is 
 dwelled, and whereby you flyly attack my Charac- 
 ter, I am not afraid that they fhall do the leaft 
 Hurt or Prejudice unto it : And, if you have any 
 Confcience at all, I am perfuaded I have a Tefti- 
 mony in your own Breafts, that there is no Truth 
 in any of your wicked and railing Insinuations. 
 Therefore I fhall not take any farther Notice of 
 them, than to tell you I am not furprifed with the 
 Treatment you give me, I am warned of it : I have 
 the Honour to be his Servant by" Office, who has 
 told me, That the Difciple is not above his MaJIer, 
 nor the Servant above his Lord; and, if they have 
 tailed ike M after of the Houfe ikeizebub, much mors 
 
 (kaU 
 
( iv ) 
 fiat! they call them of his Houjhold, Matth. x. 24, 25% 
 
 But it is not at me only, it is at revealed Reli- 
 gion, itJs at the Gofpel through me, that your 
 envenomed Arrows are directed : And tho' you 
 have not the Affurance to come from behind the 
 Curtain, to own your Wickednefs, yet you have 
 pulled off the Mask in your Paper, when you de- 
 clare, that you reckon the Doctrines of the Gofpel, 
 which I am honoured and called to preach, are 
 airy Speculations concerning Faith, mere Phantoms in 
 Religion, which are nowhere to be found but in School- 
 Divinity, or fm the Brains of a hot Euthu/iaft, §cc. 
 It is for this Reafon that I have addreifed you un- 
 der the Character I have given you : and I do not 
 think that I ihould have done you any Injury, tho J 
 1 had defigned you \A9go/, that is, without God. Your 
 "Wickednefs has more aggravating Circumftances in 
 it, than theirs to whom this Character is given by 
 the Spirit of God, Eph. ii. 12. 
 
 After the manifeft Contempt you have difcover- 
 ed of the plain Preaching of the Truths of the Go- 
 fpel amongft you, I do not think any Thing that 
 is dropt from my Pen will be much regarded by 
 you : Yet I muft tell you, that I judge it very ap- 
 plicable to you, what an eninent Divine in the laft 
 Age writes concerning Men of the fame Complexi- 
 pn with yourfelves ; / know not (fays he) whether it 
 . were not more for the Honour ofChri/f, that fuch Per- 
 'fens would pub lickly renounce the Profefm of his Name ; 
 rather than practically manifef their inward Difregard 
 ■unto him. i 
 
 Tho' you have no Regard for me, yet, if you 
 have any for yourfelves, the following Sheets con- 
 tain the Subftance oi lome Sermons delivered on a 
 Subject that deferves your ferious Confideration. 
 Your Miflive led n;c to ibme Enlargements In trails 
 
 icribing 
 
( v ) 
 
 fcribing the Copy for the Prefs j particularly to 
 the Reafonings, in the firft three Inferences, with 
 fuch as defpile revealed Religion, and to whom the 
 Preaching of the Gofpel of Chrift is Foolifhnefs. 
 I was induced, from the two following Reafons, to 
 make them publick •, the one is, They contain, as 
 full as was delivered, what I fpoke on the Occafi- 
 on of an Itinerant, (from whence he came I know 
 not) who brought to this Place a pretended Piclure 
 of our bleffed Redeemer in fome Part of his Suf- 
 ferings : And iho' I fpoke nothing but what my 
 Duty and Office obliged me unto, yet you have re- 
 prefented me, firfl in the publick Prints, as preach- 
 ing Principles that had a Tendency to Blood and 
 Confufion, and now, in your Miffive, as the Author 
 of a Riot and Infolence committed by the Mob, 
 
 *Jpc. I am well pleafed that you have done me the 
 Honour to make me mare in the Reproach that 
 
 - your PredeceiTors in Opoofition to the Gofpel did 
 throw upon the firft and beft Minifters of the New- 
 Teftament Church, whom they ftiled Deceivers of 
 Mankind, and fuch as turned the World npfide down. 
 
 The other Reafon that moved me to make them 
 publick is, They contain the Subject. I was preach- 
 ing upon when I received your Miflive ; and I 
 judged it my Duty to lay before the "World a fhort 
 Summary of the Truths of the Gofpel, which I 
 am neither afraid nor afhamed to preach and own, 
 and which you, after a very bold Manner, have re- 
 prefented, in Town and Country, as airy Speculatioits 
 and mere Phantoms in Religion, As it was my De- 
 fign, in preaching on this Subjccl:, to lead you to 
 Chrift for eternal BlefTednefs, for I endeavoured to 
 declare fomething concerning the Fulnefs and Glo- 
 y of his Perfon. and Mediation, and the Neceffity 
 
 r 
 
 vital 
 
 cf Faith in him for eternal Salvation ; as alio, o 
 
a vital Union with him, that Men may bring forth 
 the Fruits 'of Holinefs, and may yield acceptable 
 Obedience unto God : If thefe Things are airy Spe- 
 culations and mere Phantoms in yoiir Eyes, you de- 
 fpife, and that unto your own Deft ruction, the 
 Wifdom, Grace and Love of God mining forth in 
 Go fpel- Revelation. I am fatisfied, that when the 
 feveral Members of your Club were preparing their 
 Revilings and Curfings againft me, I was employed 
 in bringing forth the Blefling unto you : But, if 
 you continue to defpife the Bleffing that was offer- 
 ed you, the Word of the "Gpfpel, which I have 
 preached amongit you, will be Witnefs thro' E- 
 ternity againft you. 
 
 It will unriddle a great Part of your Miflive, 
 when I tell you what is the Spring of all your 
 malicious Reientment againft me : It is becaufe 1^. 
 concurred with the Sejfion of Perth in their Endea- 
 vours to fupprefs the .profane Diver/ions of the 
 Stage in the School, a Practice that has an evident 
 Tendency to corrupt the Minds of our Youth, and 
 to debauch them in their Morals ; yet the Matter 
 of the School did, with a particular Infolence, de- 
 fpife the friendly Advice and Admonition of the 
 Seflion by their Committee, under a Pretence that he 
 was accountable only to the Presbytery for his 
 Managements in the School : It is becaufe I en- 
 deavour to declare from the Pulpit againft the. 
 overfpreading Wickednefs and Profanenefs of the 
 Age, and thofe Seminaries of it, or peculiar In- 
 centives to it, which go under the Name ofJJfem- 
 blles and Balls : It is becaufe I warned the People 
 of my Charge againft that Indignity done to the 
 Son of God, by an unknown Stranger his car- 
 rying about a pretended Picture of him in his Suf- 
 ferings for a common Shew ; It is becaufe I join- 
 ed 
 
( vii ) 
 cd with the Sejjion of Perth in the regular Steps 
 they took for bringing to a fair and impartial Trial 
 ti very flagrant Report of Scandal in the Matter of 
 the Grammar- School ; and for this the Sejfwn of 
 Perth, the moft considerable Body of this Kind in 
 the Bounds of the Presbytery, and who are daily 
 wreftling againfr. a Torrent of Profanenefs, mult 
 be laihed with your virulent Tongues and Pens, 
 It is for the above, and the like Reafons, that you 
 hifs like Serpents or Adders in the Path againft me ; 
 and yet you have the AfTurance to pretend, in your 
 Miifive, a Refpect to the Doctrines of Morality : 
 But you have confirmed me, that it is my Duty to 
 hold on in what, by "^Vay of Ridicule, you term 
 the beaten Path, even tho' the Reproofs of the 
 World mould gall and torment you. 
 
 It is like fome may think I have paid you too 
 great a Compliment, when I have taken any No- 
 tice of you at all ; but I allure you, if you conti- 
 nue in your -profane Banter, I mall never judge it 
 worth my While to make any Return unto you. Inu 
 the mean time, I fineerely wifh you well ; , and it 
 is my daily Prayer for you, That you, may be re- 
 claimed from the Error and Wickednefs of your 
 ,'Way. 
 
 Perth, Sept. 16, 
 
 173J. ; . 
 
 William Wilson* 
 
( I ) 
 
 Psalm lxxii. 17. 
 
 His Name flail endure for ever ; bis 
 Name /ball be continued as long the 
 Sun ; and Men jb all be blejfed in bim 9 
 &c 
 
 THE Penman of this excellent Pfalm is 
 David, the Royal Pfalmift ; it is the 
 laft Pfalm that he penned, as you may 
 fee from the laft Verfe: It bears theTitle 
 of a Pfalm for Solomon, and it is probable it was 
 penned when David refigned the Government into 
 the Hands of Solomon his Son, the Hiftory of which 
 you have, I Kings i. 33. Though the Pfalm con- 
 tains a Prayer for a profperous- and happy Reign 
 to King Solomon, yet a greater than Solomon is here. 
 Solomon was a very eminent Type of the Lord Jefus ; 
 he was a Type of him in the Names that were gi- 
 ven him r he was called Jedidiah when he was 
 born, that is, Beloved of the Lord, 1 Sam. xii. 25% 
 So Chrift is the Son of his Father's Love, his be- 
 loved Son in whom he is well f leafed. Again, the 
 Name Solomon fignifles Peaceable ; this Name was 
 given him, becaufe Ifrael enjoyed great Peace and 
 Tranquillity under his Government, 1 Chron. xxii. 
 9. Chrift is the Prince of Peace ; his Kingdom is 
 a Kingdom of Peace ; all his Subjects enjoy a glo- 
 rious Peace ; they have Peace with God ; and that 
 I inward Peace of God, which pajfeth Underflanding, is 
 one of Ghrift's Legacies unto them ; it is the JRoyal 
 B Giff 
 
.e 
 
 ( * ) 
 Gift and Grant of their King, John xiv, 22. SoU 
 mon built that ftately and magnificent Fabrick, the 
 Old Teftament Temple ; Chrift builds the Temple 
 of the Lord, and bears all the Glory \ Zech. vi. 13. 
 He is both the Foundation and Builder of his 
 Church, and he bears away all the Glory from his 
 Type. Solomon was famous for his "Wifdom ; but 
 all the Wifdom of 'Solomon was only a faint Shadow 
 of him who is the Wifdom of God, and in whom are 
 hid all the Treafures of Wifdom and Knowledge. Solo- 
 mon had immenfe Riches ; but all Fulhefs dwells in 
 the. Perfon of Chrift •, unfearchable Riches are with 
 him, all the immenfe Treafures of Glory and Grace 
 are in his Hand. It is Chrift, the promifed MeJJiah, 
 the glorious Antitype of King Solomon, who is prin- 
 cipally intended in this Pfalm ; the general Strain 
 of it is fo high and lofty, the Expreflions are fo 
 ■■; great and ftrong, that they cannot be applied to any 
 other : It is only of him that it can be faid, They 
 /hall fear thee as long as the Sun and Moon endure ; 
 throughout all Generations, Verfe y. It is he alone 
 •who comes doivn by the Doctrine of his Word,%md 
 by the Grace of his Spirit, like Rain upon the mo-wn 
 Grafs, as Showers that water the Earth, Verfe 6. 
 His Kingdom alone is a Kingdom of Right eon fnefs t , 
 and of abundant and perpetual Peace, Verfe 7. It 
 is to him that the Promife is made, That he fcall 
 have Dominion from Sea to Sea, and from the River tf 
 the Ends of the Earth, Verfe 8. And this Promife 
 gives us Ground to expect a more glorious Enlarge-' 
 ment of the Kingdom of Chrift : Though his Per- 
 son ,and Government are much defpifed at this 
 Time in the World and even amongft thofe who 
 bear the Chriflian Name •, yet tfov that dwell in the 
 Wildernejs fhaV 'how before him, and hit Enemies (hall f ?ck 
 the Dufl t Verfe p. But,not to infill upon the preceed- j 
 
 in g 
 
( 3 ) 
 ing Part of the Pfalm, ike "Words I have read are 
 a plain Prophecy and Promife concerning the Mef- 
 fiah y the Lord Jelus Chrift ; he was the Object of 
 the Faith, Hope and Expectation of the Old Te- 
 ftament Church ; for to him gave all the Prophets 
 Witnefs ; they fpoke of him as a-coming, they 
 hare "Witnefs unto his Perfon, unto his Sufferings, 
 and the Glory that mould follow : And, am'ongft 
 ! others, David was an eminent Witnefs unto the 
 Perfon of Chrift, unto his Sufferings and Death, 
 and the Glory that was to follow thereupon. His 
 Name, fays he, /hall endure for ever, and Men Jhall 
 be blejjed in him. The Expreflions are too great to 
 be applied to any mere Creature. In the Words 
 then you have a Prophecy, i . Concerning the per- 
 petuating of Chrift's Name unto all Generations ; 
 His Name /hall endure for ever. i . Of the great 
 Benefit and Advantage Men mall reap by him ; 
 They fh all be blefed in him. And, 3. of the uni- 
 verfa] Subjection of Jews and Gentiles to his King- 
 dom ,• All Nation Jhall call him blefed. 
 
 - The fifft Thing remarkable in the Verfe is a 
 Promife concerning the perpetuating of the Name 
 of Chrift, His Name Jhall endure for ever. "What 
 33 his Name ? Prov. xxx. 4. His Name is fecret, 
 he has a Name that none knows but he himfelf. 
 His Name is wonderful, his Name is a ^r^^ Name, 
 he hath a Name above every Name. By his Name 
 we are to underftand Chrift himfelf, and every 
 Thing whereby he makes himfelf known unto 
 us ; all the glorious Perfections and Excellencies of 
 his divine Nature are his Name ; all his Titles and 
 Office -Characters that he bears are his Name ; his 
 Word and his Ordinances are his Name : HisName 
 (loall endure fir ever, that is, his poll renowned Fame 
 fliall be publiihed and declared in all Ages and 
 
 Generations. 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 Generations. He mall never want Heraulds of his 
 Glory, and Trumpeters ofhisPraife; One Genera- 
 tion Jball praife him to another : The Glorious Ho- 
 nour of his Majefty fhall be proclaimed, they lhall 
 declare his mighty A<5b ; Men fhall fpeak of the 
 Might of his terrible Ails, and declare his Greatnefs, 
 Pfalm cxlv. 4, 5, 6. Our Lord Jefus got to himfelf 
 a great Name in the Victory that he obtained over 
 the Power of Darknefs, namely, over Sin and Satan, 
 over Death, Hell, and the Grave ; he has triumph* 
 ed glorioufly over them, and therefore he hath a 
 Name above every Name. The glorious Fame of 
 what he haSj done, of the Satisfaction that he has 
 given to the Juftice of God, of the Atonement 
 that he has made for Sin, of his bruifing the Head 
 of the old Serpent, and of the everlafting Righte- 
 oufnefs that he has brought in 5 the Report and 
 Fame of all this lhall endure for ever : He mail 
 be known in all Ages and Generations as Immanu- 
 el, God with us ; as Jehovah our Righteoufnefs, 
 our Peace, our Strength, our Healer, our Redeem- 
 er, and our Sanctifier ; as our great Prophet, 
 Prieft and King ; as the great God our Saviour. It 
 is remarkable, is is faid, His Name fhall endure ; 
 whatever Oppofition may be made to this glorious 
 Name, yet it fhall endure. It has been the great 
 Plot of Hell in all Ages to baniih this Name out 
 of the World, or to darken this illuftrious and glo- 
 rious Name ; and the fame Defign is purfued with all- 
 the Rage and Cunning of the old Serpent in the Age 
 wherein we live. The Perfon of Chrift is blafphem- 
 ed, his "W nd is reproached and traduced, his 
 Grace is rejected, and his Ordinances are defpifed: 
 But his Name lhall endure for ever ; the divine 
 Glory of his Perfon mall Ihine forth brightly from 
 under all the Clouds and Vails that Men endeavour 
 
 to 
 
( r ) 
 
 to draw over It ; his Wprd (hall {land its Ground 
 againft all the Batteries of Hell ; his Ordinances 
 and Inftitutions (hall be maintained and preierved 
 in his Church ; if Men pervert or corrupt them, he 
 will not want feme Wineries for the Honour of 
 his ISIame again!!: any Injuries that are Gone to 
 them ; for a Seed /hail do Service unto him, and it 
 jhall be accounted to the Lord for a Generation ; they 
 fu all come and jhall declare his Righieoufnefs, Pfalm 
 xxii. 30, 31. 
 
 The nextClaufe in the V r erfe is, His Name fn all 
 be continued as long as the Sun. Thefe Words 
 are very important and emph-itick ; our Tranilators 
 in the Text have followed the Seventy. The ori- 
 ginal Word, which is here rendred continued, is not 
 oft ufed in Scripture ; I (hall not offer any criti- 
 cal Commentary upon it, but confine my fell to the 
 Tranflation given us in the Margine, where it is 
 rendred, He jhall be as a Son to continue his Father's 
 Name for ever : The Father's great Name is conti- 
 nued in the Son ; he is the effential Image of the 
 Father, the exprefs Image of his Pe>Jbn, Heb. i. 2. 
 All the effential Attributes and Perfections of the 
 divine Nature are in the Perfon of the Son ; the 
 Father's great Name is in him, Exod. xxiii. 2 1 . Is 
 the Father the fupreme, the independent and felf- 
 exiftent God ? So is the Son ; therefore it is faid, 
 He that hath fecn the Son, hath feen the Father alfo ; 
 for he is in the Father, and the Father in him, John 
 xiv. 10. Again, he mail be as a Son to continue 
 his Father's Name for ever ; that is, the Father's 
 great Name is made known to Men in the Perfon 
 of his Son, as he is Immanuel, God with us : It is 
 in the Face, or in the Perfon of Chrift, that the Light 
 of the Knowledge of the Glory of God is given unto 
 Men, 2 Cor. iv. 6» That great Name of God, 
 
 the 
 
('« ) 
 
 The Lord, the LordGod, merciful and gracious, is no- 
 where to be fecn, it is nowhere to be read, it is 
 nowhere to be known, but in the Perfon of the 
 Lord Jefus : The Love, the Mercy, and the Grace 
 ot God, are vented upon Sinners only in and 
 through him ; for it is in him that Men are bleffed. 
 This is a Ihort Hint at what has been delivered 
 on the firft Part of this Verfe." 
 
 I proceed now to the fecond Part of the Verfe, 
 which contains the great and unipeakable Benefit 
 that comes to Men by Ghrift, Men flail be blejfed in 
 him, This is the fame Promife, upon the Matter, 
 with that which was given to Adam immediately af- 
 ter the Fall, Gen. iii. iy. and which was renewed 
 to Abraham, Gen. xiii. 3. and xxii. 18. In thy Seed 
 Jhall all the Nations of the Earth be blejfed. The A- 
 poftle Paul declares, that this was the Gofpel 
 which was preached to Abraham, Gal. iii. 8. A- 
 braham fa'w the Day of Chrift in this Promife, and 
 was glad. This Promife, That Men Jhall be blef- 
 fed in him, is a ihort Sum of the Gofpel. And in it 
 you may notice, ijl. What it is that is promiled ; 
 it is .BleiTednefs : The BleiTednefs here promifed is 
 fpiritual and eternal BleiTednefs-, it is that BleiTed- 
 nefs that was loft by the Entrance of Sin ■; it in- 
 cludes all thefe fpiritual Bleljmgs in heavenly Places 
 that are bellowed upon all that believe, idly. You 
 may notice where it is that this BleiTednefs is to be 
 found ; in him ; that is, in the Lord Jefus, who is 
 God manifefted in the Flefli, and who bears the 
 Character of the fecond or laft Adam, 1 Cor. xv. 
 45". and. the la/I Adam is a quickmng Spirit. He 
 bears this Name, becaufe he is the Head of a new 
 Family, who are redeemed from among Men by 
 his Blood, and whom he quickens by his Spirit. 
 But I am, afterwards to open up more fully what is 
 
 imported 1 
 
( 7 ) . 
 imported in thefe "Words, in him. ^dly. You may 
 here likeways notice who they are that are blci- 
 fed in him ; they are Men % Men fhall bs blefted : 
 Not the Angels that finned, but Men ; for he took 
 not on him the Nature of Angels, or, he taketh not 
 ■hold of Angels, but of the Seed of Abraham he 
 taketh hold, Heb ii. 1 6. He took hold on our 
 Nature, and preferves a Remnant of Mankind from 
 Ruin and Deftru<5tion, when all the apoftate An- 
 gels are fliut up under Chains of Darknels. Again, 
 Men (hall be bleffed in him - not innocent Men, or 
 Men that have not finned, but finful and rebellious 
 Men. Adam, in a State of Innocence, flood in no 
 Need of Chrift the Redeemer and Mediator. He is 
 the Saviour of finful Men, a Help found out for 
 periihing and loft Men ; He received Gifts for the 
 Rebellious, that God the Lord might dvjell amongft us. 
 Again, Men (hall be blejfed ; that is, Men indefinite- 
 ly, Gentiles as well as Jews. The "Words of our 
 Text point at New Teftament Times, when the 
 Blefing of Abraham comes upon us Gentiles. Under 
 the Old Teftament Difpenfation, the Revelation and 
 Promife of the Blefting was confined for a confider- 
 able Time to one Nation ; but now the middle Wall 
 of Partition is broken down, and we Gentiles are 
 ■madefellow- Heirs and Partakers of his Promife in Chrift 
 hy the Gofpel, Eph. iii. 6 qthly. You may notice in 
 the Words the Manner how it is promifed Men 
 /hall be blelTed ; that is, It is the^unchangeable and 
 irreverfible Purpofe of his -Will to blels Men in 
 his own Son the Lord Jefus Chrift. When Satan 
 feduced our fir ft Parents into Sin, he no doubt 
 thought he had brought all Mankind into utter and 
 inevitable Ruin, and that he had made them as cur- 
 fed and mlferable as himfelf. This was the geeat 
 Plot and Defign of Hell : But in the Promife God 
 
 intimates 
 
<: 8 ) 
 
 intimates his Purpofe of Love, whereby the Defign 
 of Hell is counterploted and difappointed ; {or Men 
 jball be blejfed in him ; as if it had been faid, The 
 whole Race of Mankind (hall not perifh, the Cap- 
 tives of the mighty Power of Darkneis jhall be taken 
 away, and the Prey of the Terrible jhall be delivered, 
 Satan has done his utmoft to mine them, but I will 
 make my g-eat Power and Grace to be knoVn in 
 the Redemption and Salvation of a Remnant of 
 Mankind, in and by my own Son the Lord Jefus. 
 The Doctrinal Proportion that I oifer you from 
 the Words is this ; 
 
 That it is in the Lord Jefus drift alone, that finful 
 ' and miferable Men may find fpi ritual and eter- 
 nal Btejfednefs : Or, That the Bleffednefs that 
 Men have loft in the firft Adam, it is to be 
 found in the Lord Jefus the fecond Adam. 
 
 The Doctrine rs evident from the Words of the 
 Text; and, for Explication of it, I lhall, in the 
 jjf Place, premife a few Things for paving our 
 Way on this Subject. idly. I mail mew you 
 what is imported in the Expreffion, In him Men fall 
 he blejfed. o>dly. Give you fome Account of that 
 Bleffednefs which is to be found in Chrift. $thly. 
 Shew you how it comes to be fo ; or, why it is 
 that the loft Bleffednefs is to be found in him. And 
 then, in the lad Place, make fome practical Ufe 
 and Improvement of this Subject. 
 
 I return to the firft general Head, namely, To 
 premife a few Things. 
 
 if}. When God made Man at the Beginning, he 
 made him happy and bleffed: When Man came out 
 of his Creator's Hands, he was bleffed with the I- 
 niage of God, Gen. i. 26, 37. And God faid, Let us 
 
 make 
 
(?) 
 
 make Man in our own Image, after our Likenefs.- — So 
 God created Man in his own Image, in the Image of 
 Cod created he him. This Image of God, in which 
 Man was created, was fome Refemblance andLike- 
 nefs which he bore unto his glorious Creator, in 
 Knowledge, Righteoufnefs and Holinefs ; and this 
 was Man's peculiar Glory and Excellency, to bear 
 the Image of God ; he was crowned with this Ho- 
 nour and Glory above all the other Works of God's 
 Hands in this lower World. But this was not all 
 the BleiTednefs thac was bellowed upon him, for 
 God condefcended to become a promifing God to 
 him ; he promifed him Life upon Condition of per- 
 fect Obedience to his Law ; this Condition Man 
 was able to perform without any Difficulty : The 
 Promife of Life upon this Condition is implied in 
 the Threatning of Death in cafe of Difobedience, 
 Gen. ii. 17. and plainly declared elfewhere in 
 Scripture, Rom. x. y. When God made a Promife 
 of Life unto Man upon the Condition of his Obe- 
 dience, he condefcended to make him his Friend 
 and Confederate, and here he dealt with him in 
 the Way of a Govenawt ; this was a higher De- 
 gree of Bleffednefs beftowed upon Man : And in- 
 deed the Diftance between God and the Creature 
 is fo great, that tho' reafonable Creatures do owe 
 Obedience to him as their Creator, yet they can- 
 not expect the Fruition of him as their Bleffed- 
 nefs and Reward, but by fome voluntary Conde- 
 fcenfion on God's Part, which he was pleafcd to 
 cxprefs to our firft Parents by the Way of a Cove- 
 nant ; and this Covenant is that which is ordinarily 
 called the Covenant of Works, wherein the whole 
 Race of Mankind were included and comprehend- 
 ed, the firft Adam being their common Head and 
 
 Reprefentative, Rom. v. 12, 20. 
 
 C idlj. 
 
( IP ) 
 
 idly, Tho' God made Man blefted, yet he did 
 not abide in this blefled and honourable State : Our 
 firft Parents, being feduced by Satan, did volunta- 
 rily and wickedly depart from God their Blefted - 
 nefs ; . they tranfgreifed his Covenant by the Breach 
 of the poiitive Command that was given them fof 
 the Trial of their Obedience, Gen. iii, 6. - This 
 Sin and Difobedience of the firft Adam was the 
 Defection of the whole Race of Mankind from God 
 their BlciTednefs and their Reward ; they all fumed 
 . in him, and by his Difobedience every one of them 
 
 are made Sinners, Rom. v. ,12, 18, 19. 
 
 Hence, 
 
 $afy. The whole Race of Mankind, by their 
 Sin and Rebellion againft God, are under his Curfe, 
 and obnoxious to his Sin-revenging Juftice. When 
 Sin entred into the "World, theCurfe of the broken 
 Law took hold on Adam and all his Family ; for, 
 ■ Cur fed is every one that continueth not in all Things 
 which are written in the Book of the Law to do them, 
 Gal. iii. 10. Therefore, tho' God made Man 
 blelTed, Man by his own Sin has loft the Blelfed- 
 nefs that God gave him, and brought himfelf un- 
 der the Curie and Wrath of a righteous and holy 
 God. This is that miferable Eftate into which our 
 Apoftafy and Defection from God has brought us ; j 
 we have forfeited every Thing that is good, and 
 have made ourfehes liable unto every Thing that 
 is evil; we have loft that beautiful and glorious' 
 Image of God after which we were created ; wgj 
 have loft the Favour and Friendfliip of God •, we 
 have forfeited that Life that was promifed unto us 
 in the firft Covenant, and v eare every one born un- 
 der the Curfe of the broken Law •, we are Children 
 of Wrath by Nature, and, while we are in our 
 natural State, the Wrath of God abide th on us, 
 
 tfhly. 
 
4^/y* Though all Mankind are under the Curfe, 
 yet the whole Race are not left to perifti in this de- 
 plorable and miferable Condition ; for God has, 
 out of his mere good Pleafure, from all Eternity, e- 
 lecled fome to everlafting Life, even fome of that 
 apoftate and iinful Family : For whom he did fore- 
 know, them he didpredeftinate, Rom. viii. 29. They 
 are predeflinate to the Adoption of Children, Eph. 
 i. 5*. And it is for this End, that an eternal Re- 
 " venue of Glory may be given unto God, Father* 
 Son and Spirit, in their Redemption from Sin and 
 Wrath, Eph. i. 5, 6. 
 
 $thly. The Bleifednefs that Men have forfeited 
 by Sin is to be found in the Lprd Jefus, and no- 
 where elfe ; there is no Salvation in any other, and 
 there is none other Name given under Heaven among 
 Men, whereby we muj} be faved, Acts iv. 12. The 
 Incarnation, Obedience and Death of the eternal 
 Son of God, is the great Mean provided, in his 
 adorable Wifdom and Love, for our Redemption 
 from that Wrath and Curfe we are under, and for 
 bringing back unto us the Bleifednefs that we have 
 loft. But this leads me to 
 
 . Thefecond Thing propofed in the Method, which 
 is, To open up the Import of the Expreflion, Men 
 fhall be blejfed in him. It is the Import of thefe two 
 Words, In him, that I am to confider, and there 
 is very much wrapt up in them. 
 
 They import, in the fir/} Place, that Chrift is 
 the Treafure-Honfe of all fpiritual and eternal Blef- 
 fednefs unto Men : In Mm are hid all the Treafiires 
 of Wifdom and Knowledge, Col. ii. 3. They are 
 hid in him ; that is, they are laid up, or treafured 
 up in him : He is made the firft Recipient of all 
 that Bleifednefs that is ddigned for Men- in Time 
 
 or 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 or Eternity : All the Bleffings that are prepare^ in 
 the Purpofe of God for the Veifels of Mercy, are 
 lodged in the Perfon of his Sen, to be difpenfed 
 and communicated by him •, for. it pleafed the Father 
 that in him all Fulnefs fhould dwell, Col. i, 19. He 
 becomes the Treafure-Houfe of nil fpiritual Bleffings 
 to Men, three Ways. 1. By his Father's eternal 
 Delignation and Appointment. 2. By the Cove- 
 nant-TranfacYion with him. 3. By his actual Ma- 
 nifestation in the.Flefh. 
 
 \jl. He is the Treafure-Houfe of all fpiritual 
 Bleffings by the Defignation and Appointment of 
 his Father : He is defigned in the eternal Purpofe 
 of God to be the fecond Adam, the Head-Repre- 
 fentative of a new Family, even of a Remnant of 
 the finful and miferable Pofterity of Adam, who 
 were given him to be redeemed and faved by him ; 
 therefore he fays himfelf, Prov. vi'ii. 13. I was 
 fet upfront everlafting. Hmyas fet up to be the Me- 
 diator berwixt God andJH|ji-; he was fet up to 
 be the Centre of Union- ailfr Communion betwixt 
 Heaven and Earth ; he waa fet up to be our Re- 
 deemer, both by Price and Power, to be a juftify- 
 ing and fancljj&ng Head unto us, to bring in an 
 everlafting Rignw>ufnefs for Juflification, and to 
 communicate the Spirit of Holinefs unto us for our 
 Sandtification : In a Word, he was fet up to be 
 the Captain of our Salvation, to bring many Sens unto 
 Glory, through his Obedience and Death. And, by 
 this eternal Conftitution and Appointment, he is 
 become the Treafure-Houfe of all fpiritual Bleffings 
 to Men ; therefore all the Fulnefs that dwells in 
 his Perfon is afcribed to the Sovereign Good- Will 
 and Pleafure of the Father, Col. i. 19. and for the 
 fame Reafon the Elect are faid to be chofen in him, 
 Eph. i. 4. The fovereign Good- Will and Plea- 
 fure 
 
' . ( 73 ) 
 
 fure of God (which admits of no Caufe or Motive 
 ■without himfelf ) is the only Source and Spring of 
 our Salvation. When we are faid to be chofen in 
 him, the Meaning is, that he is the great Mean 
 found out and provided in the infinite Wifdom of 
 God for our Recovery from Sin and Ruin, and for 
 our obtaining everlalting Bleffednefs ; hence the 
 giving of the Son to be the Redeemer and Saviour 
 is mentioned in Scripture as the Fruit and Effect of 
 the iovereign Purpofe of Love to Sinners, John 
 iii. 16. and herein the manifold IVifdom of God 
 is eminently difplayed. If the vVifdom and Love 
 of God, in the Conftitution and, Appointment of his 
 own eternal Son to be the Redeemer and Saviour, 
 is not believed and humbly adored, it is rejected 
 and defpifed ; ^ind if it is rejected and delpifed, 
 then you reckon the only Mean that infinite VVif- 
 dom hath pitched upon for bringing back BiefTed- 
 nefs to Men to be Fooliihnefs ; and, if this is Foolifh- 
 nefs in your Eyes, your Condemnation mult, be as 
 inexcufable, as it is certain and inevitable. 
 
 idly. Chrift is the Treafure-Houfe of all fpi ritual 
 and eternal Bleffings, by virtue of the Covenant- 
 Tranfaction betwixt Jehovah and the eternal Son 
 confidered as the fecond Adam, is plainly declared 
 in Scripture, Pfalm lxxxix. 3. Zecb. vi. 13. In 
 the Covenant of Works the firft Adam was confider- 
 ed as a publick Perfon repreferrfing all his natural 
 Seed ; God dealt with him as their Head and Re- 
 prcfentative, he was Truftee for them, their Stock 
 was lodged in his Hands ; perfect Obedience was 
 required as the Condition of Life, Death was 
 threatned upon the lead Failure : But Adam broke 
 this Covenant, he loft the Right and Title to Life, 
 and involved himfelf and his Pofterity into Sin 
 and Mifery. In the Covenant-Tranfaclion with the 
 
 fecond 
 
( v* > ; 
 
 fecond Adam> there is a fovereign Grant of the 
 Father, giving and . delivering to his eternal Son, 
 to be redeemed and faved by him, ascertain definite 
 Number our of Adam's Family, who were beheld 
 lying in the Ruins of Sin by the Breach of the firft 
 Covenant. Hence Chrift, fpeaking of them, calls 
 them, The Men given him by the Father out of 
 the World ; Thine ( fays he ) they were, and thou 
 gave/} them me, John xvii. 6,— — 9. In this Trans- 
 action the Son is considered as a publick Perfon, 
 {landing in their Law-Place, Room and Stead, un- 
 dertaking to do and fuffer every Thing that was ne- , 
 ceifary to fave them from Sin and Wrath, and to * 
 poffefs them of eternal Life. More particularly, 
 he undertook to aflume their Nature into a perfonal 
 Union with his divine Nature, and in that Nature 
 to fulfil the Condition of Life ; that is, to yield 
 the perfect Obedience that the Law or Covenant of 
 "Works demanded as a Condition of Life ; alfb, to 
 bear the Puniihment incurred by the Breach of 
 that Covenant, and to endure that Curfe and that 
 Wrath that was the Defert of Sin, to die that very 
 Death which by the Law is the Wages of Sin. In, 
 a Word, he undertook to redeem, or buy back, at 
 the Price of his own Blood, the forfeited Blefling, 
 and to deliver by the Power of his Spirit the law- 
 ful Captives, and to refcue them, not only from 
 the Guilt, but alfo from the Power, Filth, and Be- 
 ing of Sin, and from the Dominion and Tyranny 
 of Satan. All this you have in the following 
 Scriptures, Pfalm xl. 6, 7, 8. Ifa. xliii. 21. 
 Chapter liii. throughout. Dan, ix. 24. Ifa. xlix. 
 24, 25-. As the Lord Jcfus, in the Covenant-Tranf- 
 aclion with him, was an undertaking Head, fo he - 
 was alfo a receiving Head : All the Bleflings de- 
 igned for the elect: Sinners were delivered into his 
 
 Hand. 
 
( iJ ) 
 
 Hand : He received on their Behalf all the Promifes 
 of the Spirit, of Grace and Glory, yea, of every 
 good Thing which they were to receive on the Ac- 
 count of his undertaking for them :, Hence it is 
 faid, that Grace was given us in Chrift J e fits before the 
 World began, i Tim. i. 9. that is, in him as our 
 Head and Representative. Alfo eternal Life, which 
 includes all the BlefTings wherewith Men are blelfed 
 in Chrift, is faid to be promifed before the World be- 
 gan, Tit. i. 2. To whom was the Promife then 
 made . ? To the great New Covenant Head, the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift : On account of this Tranfacli- 
 on with him, he is defigned the Father's Servant, Ifa. 
 xlii. i. And, on account of his fulfilling his En- 
 gagement, as alfo becaufe of that Fulnefs of Grace 
 that is in his Perfon, and the Fulnefs of Merit and 
 Virtue that is in his Obedience, in his Death, and 
 daily Mediation, he is declared in the "Word of the 
 Gofpel to be given for a Covenant of the People, Ifa. 
 xlii. 6. This Covenant-Trarifaclion is that Bot- 
 tom and Foundation on which the whole Building 
 of Mercy and Grace Hands ; and it is laid open in 
 the Word and Promifes of the Gofpel, as a Foun- 
 dation of our Faith and Hope for all Bleffednefs 
 fpiritual and eternal. 
 
 %dly. Chrift is the Treafure-Houfe of all fpiritual 
 Bleffmgs, by his affummg our Nature into a per- 
 fonal Union with his divine : This he did in the 
 Fulnefs of Time, in, confequence of his. eternal 
 Undertaking, Gal. iv. 4- J%hn i. 14. The Word 
 was made Flejh, and dwelt among us. "Who is it that 
 was made Fleih ? The Word, that is, the fecond 
 Perfon of the adorable Trinity, who is. described 
 in the Beginning of this Chapter from his Eternity 
 and Omnipotence, manifefred in the creating of all 
 Things. His Manifeftation in the Fleih is the 
 
 great 
 
( 16 ) 
 
 great My fiery ofGodlinefs, i Tim. iii. \6. IF we 
 behold him in the gloriousConftkution ofhis Perfon, 
 as he is Immanuel, God with us, his Name may 
 juftly be called Wonderful. He is the mighty God, 
 the Father of Eternity, yet a Child bom unto us : He 
 is God, and he is Man too ; he is God and Man, 
 in two diitincl Natures and one Perfon for ever. 
 The Union of thefe two diftincl Natures in one 
 Perfon is the Effect of the manifold "Wiidom of 
 God, and what wc mould rather adore and admire 
 than curiouily fearch into ; it is a Myftery that 
 the Angels defne to look with Reverence and Ad- 
 miration into. By affuming our Nature into a 
 perfonal Union with his divine, he is become the 
 rich Treafure-Houfe of all fpiritual Bleffings unto 
 us ; for in him dwells all the Fulnefs of the Godhead 
 bodily, Col. ii. p. He received Gifts for Men, or 
 in the Man, in Adam, fo it \%<m the Original, Pfalm . 
 xlviii. 1 8. Grace is poured into the Lips of the fe- 
 cond Adam, Pfalm x'lv. 2. The Spirit in all his 
 Gifts and Graces doth reft upon him, for Go,d gave 
 -not the Spirit by Meafure unto him. His Difciples, 
 in the Days of his Flefh, faiu the Glory of God in 
 him, and beheld him as full of Grace and Truth, John 
 \. 14. and they acknowledge, that all the fpiritual 
 Bleffings that they enjoyed, they found them in 
 him, and received them from him ; and every one 
 that believes will make the fame Acknowledgment . 
 with them, Of his Fulnefs have all ive received, and 
 Grace for Grace, John i. 16. 
 
 Secondly, Men fhall be bleffed in him ,• it imports, 
 that he is the Conduit of all fpiritual Bleffings unto 
 Men : The Grace, the Love, and the Mercy of 
 God, have a Vent upon Men through Chrift, and 
 only through him. God out of Chrift is a con- 
 fuming Fire to Sinners ; his Juftice, his Holm eft, 
 
 his 
 
( 17 ) 
 his Faithfulnefs, are all againft the Sinner. And 
 here you may obferve, that fpiritual Bletlings are 
 conveyed unto Men through the Perfon, Death. 
 and Mediation of the Lord Jefus, by the Means 
 of the Word, and by the fpecial Energy of his ho- 
 ly Spirit. 
 
 ifl. He is the Conduit of fpiritual Bleflings unto 
 Men in his Per fin. It is in his Perfon, as he is 
 hmnaniiel, God with us, that we have any comfor- 
 table and gracious Difcoverie's of God ; it is only 
 in him that we may look with Hope and Expecla* 
 tion toward God : God comes to us in the Perfon 
 of his Son in a Way of Grace and Mercy, and in. 
 him we may draw near with Hope and a holy Con- 
 fidence unto God^ John xiv. 6. I am the Way : He is 
 the Way in which God comes unto us, and 'the 
 Way in which we may come to God, and there 
 is not another Way. Whatever Difcoveries of the 
 Being and Perfections of God are given us by the 
 Light of Nature, yet Nature's Light cannot afford 
 us the leaft Ground of Confidence or Truft in God 
 for Redemption from the Curfe that Sin brings us 
 under, or Deliverance from the Wrath that it de* 
 ferves : Why, the Light of Nature fpeaks nothing 
 of the Perfon of Chrift the Redeemer, the only 
 Days-Man- betwixt God and us ; it cannot inform 
 us of an Atonement for Sin, or any Reparation 
 made of the Dilhonour that is done unto the great 
 God, the fupreme Ruler and Governor of the 
 World, by the univerfal Defection and Apoftafy of 
 Mankind from him, whereby every individual Per- 
 fon is become a Rebel, yea, is continually rebel- 
 ling againil his fovereign Authority and Govern- 
 ment. Likeways the righteous and holy Law dis- 
 covers unto lis the Holinefs and Purity of God the 
 great Lawgiver ; it informs us that we are Sinners, 
 D $nd 
 
( 18 ) 
 
 and obnoxious to his Wrath ; it both finds lis and 
 leaves us under the Curfe, but fpeaks nothing of a 
 Way of Reconciliation unto God : It is only in 
 ihe Perfon of Chrift, as he is revealed in the Word 
 of the Gofpel, that any comfortable Difcoveries of 
 the Glory of God are given. In him Mercy and 
 Truth are met together ; in him Righteoufnefs and 
 Peace kifs each other mutually ■ in him all the glo- 
 rious Excellencies and Perfections of the divine 
 • Nature dart forth the comforting and refrefhing 
 Beams of Mercy and Grace; in him theFaithfulneis, 
 Juftice, and Holinefs of God fpeak Peace on Earth, 
 and Good-Will towards Men j for God is in Chrijl re- 
 conciling the World to himfelf. 
 
 idly. He is the Conduit of fpiritual Blellings to 
 Men in his Obedience and Death. The Lord Je- 
 fus, according to his eternal Undertaking, did actu- 
 ally in Time fubftitute himfelf in the Room of Sin- 
 ners ; he was made under the Law, he fuiFered and 
 died in their Room and Stead. In the perfect O- 
 bedience of his Life he fulfilled all the Demands 
 of the Law as a Covenant of Works ; and, by 
 his Obedience unto it, the broken Law was magni- 
 fied and made honourable : Greater Honour was done 
 to the Law in the Obedience of the Son of God, 
 than Adam by his Obedience could have given, if 
 he had continued in a State of Innocence. Like- 
 ways, in his Sufferings unto Death, he bore that 
 Puniihment that was incurred by the Breach of the 
 Law, and thereby gave Glory to the rectoral 
 Juftice of God, and to his 1'aithfulnefs in the 
 Threatning : The Satisfaction that Chrift gave 
 unto the Law and Juftice of God for Sin and Sin- 
 ners, was finifhed and completed in his Death ; 
 and therefore our Redemption and Reconciliation 
 are frequently afcribed unto the Death of Chrift in 
 
 Scripture* 
 
C *P ) 
 
 Scripture. By this full and compleat Satisfaction 
 that he gave unto the Juftice of God, an offended 
 ' God is atoned, and an everlafting Righteoufnefs 
 is brought in : The great Surety, having paid 
 all the Debt, obtained the Difcharge in his Refur- 
 rection fiom the Dead : He is now afcended into 
 Heaven, and is fet down on the Right-Hand of the 
 Majejly on high, and conveys all fpiritual Bleflings 
 thro' this glorious and coftly Channel of his Obe- 
 dience and Death. Redemption from Sin, Recon- 
 ciliation unto God, and all other fpiritual Bleflings, 
 flow unto Men thro' the Blood of the Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, Eph. i. 7- $!> i. 20, 
 
 2d/j>, He is the Conduit of all fpiritual Bleflings 
 to Men, by the Means of his Word. The rich 
 Treafure-Houfe of all fpiritual Bleffings is opened 
 up in the Word of the Gofpel : The Gbfpel 
 reveals Chrift; it is a Preaching of him in his 
 Perfon and Offices, as the great Ordinance of 
 God for our Juftification and Sanctifieation, and 
 'for our compleat Redemption and Salvation. 
 Chrift, the Treafure-Houfe of all fpiritual Bleffings, 
 was -firft opened up in the firft Promife, Gen. iii. 
 15. and afterwards to Abraha?n, Gen. xii. 3, 18. 
 After the firft Revelation of Chrift, the Difcoverie's 
 of him were like the Morning-Light, that fhineth more 
 jind more unto the perfect Day ; they grew fuller and 
 clearer from Time to Time, till he himfelf ap- 
 peared in Perfon on Earth, and by his Death rent 
 the Old Teftament Vail afunder. Under the New 
 Teftament Difpenfation he is clearly revealed in. 
 his Perfon and Offices : The Glory of his Perfon 
 and the Bleflings that are purchafed hy him, are 
 imvailed : Every Word, every Offer and Promife 
 of the Gofpel, every Command to believe, every 
 Gall and Invitation that is given you to come to 
 
 the 
 
( SO ) 
 
 the Lord Jefus, is an Opening up of the rich Trea- 
 sures of fpiritual Bleffings that are in him. In this 
 Word that is preached unto you, Men Jhall be blef- 
 fid I in him, all the Bleffings that are in Chrift are 
 brought nigh unto you, his Righteoufnefs and Sal- 
 vation are brought unto your Door. 
 ; qthly. He is the Conduit of all fpiritual Bleffings 
 unto Men by his holy Spirit. In the bleffed Oe- 
 conomy of our Redemption and Salvation by the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, the effectual Application of all 
 purchafed and promifed Bleffings is committed un- 
 to the Holy Choir. ; for this End he is promifed, 
 and for this End he is given by Chrift : Hence he 
 is called the Spirit ofJVifdom and Revelation in the 
 Knowledge of Chrift, becaufe he gives the faving 
 Knowledge of hmi, Eph. i. 17. Chrift is not on- 
 ly revealed by the Word, but he is revealed by 
 the Holy Ghoft within the Hearts of all that be- 
 lieve, as the Apoftle Paul doth exprefs it, Gal. i. 
 15, 16. And, left any fhould think that this 
 ■was extraordinary, and peculiar to the Apoftle PauL 
 (though there is no Doubt that Paul had an extra- 
 ordinary Revelation of Chrift to lit him for the ex- \ 
 traordinary Office and Character that he was to 
 bear) he fpeaks of a faving Revelation of Chrift by \ 
 the Holy Ghoft, as what is common \o all that are 
 effectually called, and peculiar to them alone ; he 
 expreffeth it by the Lord's Jhining into their Hearts, 
 2 Cor. iv. 6. This Work of the Spirit, whereby 
 he applies the Redemption purchafed by Chrift, is 
 his powerful Teftimony concerning Chrift unto 
 the Souls of ail that believe, according to the Pro-- 
 mife, John xv. 16. He flail teflify of me. The 
 "Word is no doubt the Teftimony of the Spirit con- 
 cerning the Lord Jefus in his Perfon and Mediation, 
 but the Teftimony of God in, the Word is aho 
 
 brought 
 
( 2' ) 
 
 brought home unto the Minds of them that believe, 
 by the fupernatural Power and Energy of the Ho- 
 ly Ghoft : Hence it is faid concerning the Theflalo* 
 
 . wans, That the Gofpel came not unto than in Word 
 only, but alfo in Power, and in the Holy Ghoft, i Theff. 
 i. 5. When the Spirit of God brings home the 
 Teftimony of God in his Word unto the Heart of 
 
 - a Sinner, the Word carries alongft with it its own 
 Evidence, and all that believe reft upon God's 
 own Teftimony in his Word concerning his Son, 
 evidencing itfelf in its own Light and Power unto 
 their Minds : Hence- their Faith is /aid to [land, not 
 in ths'Wifdom of Men, but in the Poiver of Cod, 1 Cor, 
 ii. 5-. The Holy Spirit is alfo promifed to ihew. 
 the Things of Chrift, John xvi. 14. He jh all glori- 
 fy me, for he fall receive of mine, and fall [hew if 
 unto you. And what is it that he ihews I He (hews 
 the Glory and Excellency of the Pefion of Chrift, 
 the Glory that is in bis Undertaking and in his O- 
 bedience and Death, the Fulnefs of; Merit and Vir- 
 tue that is in the Satisfaction he gave, the Suitable- 
 nefs that is in all his Oflices for the Mifery we are 
 under. Thefe and the like are the Things that the 
 Holy Ghoft ihews : And he ihews them, not by the 
 bare outward Revelation of them, but by giving a 
 fpiritual Ability to difcern and know the Things 
 of God ; He gives us Urjerfiajiding to know him that 
 is true, 1 John v.' 20. He creates in {he Heart 
 that Faith whereby we are enabled to receive and 
 apprehend the Lord Jefus Chrift for our Redempti- 
 oix and Salvation from Sin and Wrath. It is a 
 certain Truth, that none can partake in any of 
 the Bleffings that are in Chrift, unlefs they are ap- 
 plied by the fupernatural Energy of the Holy 
 Ghoft ; and if Men deride and defpife his Work, 
 thev ihall meet with a fatal Difappointment in the 
 
 End, 
 
( 22 ) 
 
 End. The Contempt that is call by many upon 
 the Spirit of Chrift, in his fpecial and fupernatural 
 Operations, it is a plain Evidence of the Truth of 
 his own "Word, i Cor. ii. 14 The natural Man 
 receive th not the Things of the Spirit of God, for they 
 are Foolifhnefs uuto him, neither can he know them, be- 
 cause they are fpiritually difcerned. 
 
 I mall conclude this Head with obferving, that 
 there is a beautiful and glorious Order in the Com- 
 munication of divine Bleffings : All the Bleffings de^ 
 iigned in the Purpofe of God for finful and miferable 
 Men are delivered into the Hands of the Son, they 
 are treafured up in him as the Head of the new Co- 
 venant, they are purchafed by his Blood, they are 
 revealed and offered in the Word and Promiles of 
 the Gofpel, and effectually conveyed by the Holy 
 Ghoft unto all Chrift's fpiritual Seed. 
 
 Thirdly, Men -mall be bleffed in him, imports the 
 Neceffity of an Inbeing in Ghrift, in order to an 
 actual Participation of the Bleffings that are in him. 
 We are every one by Nature in the firft Adam ; 
 and as we are in him, we are under the Guilt and 
 Power of Sin, and confequently under the Curfe 
 and Wrath of God : We rauft needs be cut off 
 from that corrupt Root from whence we fpring, and 
 ingrafted in the Lord Jefus Chrift, otherways we 
 cannot partake of the Bleffednefs that is in him. A 
 Branch has no Benefit from a Root, unlefs it is in- 
 grafted in it. All Communion betwixt the Head 
 and Members refults from Union betwixt them. 
 If we have not a vital Union with Chrift the living 
 Head, we can have no Communion with him in 
 his Bleffings ; if we are not in him, we have no In- 
 tereft in his juftifying Righteoufnefs, nor in his , 
 fanftifying Spirit ; if we are not in him, we have 
 not any Right or Title to Glory : Union is the 
 Foundation of Gommunion, , and Communion re- 
 frits 
 
( 2 3 ) 
 < fults from Union. The Union that w&.are (peak- 
 ing of, is that which is ordinarily called the myftical 
 Union; it is a molt clofe and real Union ; it is re- 
 fembled to the Union that is betwixt a Foundation 
 ■ and a Building, and to the Union betwixt the 
 Head and the Members, and to that which is be- 
 twixt the Root and the Branches, yea, to that 
 which is betwixt the Husband and the Wife : But 
 allthefe Companions are only Shadows of that U- 
 nion which is betwixt Chrift and his People ; for 
 he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit, I Cor. vi. 
 17. The two fpecial Ligaments * and Bonds of 
 this Union are the Spirit and Faith : The holy 
 Spirit is the primary and firft Ligament of this U- 
 nion ; he defcends from the living Head into the 
 Heart of a Sinner, in his convincing, enlightning 
 and quickning Virtue and Power -, and he fays un- 
 to the dead Sinner, Live ; and that very Moment 
 In which the Breath of fpiritual Life is breath- 
 ed into the Heart of a Sinner, Faith, the other 
 Ligament and Bond, fprings up and takes hold on 
 Chrift. ■ 
 
 Having touched, on the former Head, at the Ne- 
 ceflity of a fupernatural "Work of the Spirit of 
 Chrift, in order unto our partaking of the BleiTed- 
 nefs that is in him, ' let us take a View of Faith, 
 the other Ligament of the myftical Union. It is 
 the appointed and the inftituted Mean for uniting us 
 to Chrift, and interefting us in his Salvation ; it is 
 the only uniting Grace, though, "where it is, it is 
 never alone, but has Repentance, Love and all the 
 ot-Jier Graces attending it : Hence Chrift is faid to 
 dwell in our Hearts by Faith, Eph. iii. 17. On 
 this Account our Juftiflcation is afcribed to Faith, 
 Rom. v. 1. Likeways our Sanflincation, for the 
 Heart is purified by Faith, Acls xv. 9. Alfo we 
 
 are 
 
( 2 4 ) 
 arefaid to befaved through Faith, Eph. ii. 8. through. 
 Faith, as it is the Mean of God's Appointment for 
 intereftingus in Chrift himfelf, and in all his fpiri- 
 tual Bleflings. The Grace of Faith has a fpecial 
 Aptitude and Fitncfs in it for this End, for it is a 
 felf-denying, a (elf- em prying, and j^ fdf abating 
 Grace : It renounceth all Confidence in the Fleih, 
 and leans' unto the Lord Jefus Chrift alone; it re- 
 nounceth Confidence in,. every Thing elfe befide 
 Chrift himfelf for Deliverance from Sin and Wrath, 
 for Acceptance in the Sight of God, and for 
 Right and Tvrieurfti© eternal Life. The Language 
 of Faith is, In the Lord have I Righteoufnefs and 
 Strength, Faith credits the Record of God in the 
 "Word, concerning his Son, as true ; it approves 
 of the whole Plan and Device of Salvation through 
 Jefus Chrift, as fuitcd unto the divine Perfections, 
 to the Cafe of perifhing and loft Sinners, and to 
 the Perfons own Cafe in particular, and, upon the 
 "Warrant of God's own "Word, trufts unto, or refts 
 upon Chrift himfelf for the whole of his Salvation, 
 for Salvation from Sin as well as from Wrath, for 
 Salvation from the Power as well as from the Guilt 
 of Sin, for Sanctification "as well as Juftification 
 And this Faith is not of our/elves, it is the Gift of, 
 God ; it is a Blefting promifed and given by th< 
 Lord Jefus, it is one of the Fruits of his Spirit 
 hence the Holy Ghoft is called the Spirit of Faith, 
 2 Cor. iv. 13. By the Means of the Grace of Faith 
 the myftical Union betwixt Chrift and the Believer 
 is completed ; and from this Union refill ts that 
 actual Propriety and Intereft which all that be- 
 lieve have in Chrift himfelf, and in all the Bleflings 
 that are purchafed by his Death, and treafured up 
 in his Perfon, and revealed and oftered in his Word: 
 For of him are ye in Chrift Jefus, who of God is 
 
 made. 
 
C 25" ) 
 
 made unto us Wifdom, Righteoufnefs, and Sancli- 
 . fication, and Redemption, i Cor. i. 30. 
 
 I proceed now to the third Thing propofed for 
 * Explication of the Doctrine, which is, To fpeak 
 of thofe BleJJings wherewith Men are blefTe<sl in 
 Chrift. They are great and many, even all Jpiritual 
 Blefings in heavenly Places, Eph. i. 3. And what all 
 thefe are, what Tongue can declare, or what Heart 
 can conceive ? The Riches of Chrift are truly un- 
 fearchable Riches. I can only give a few Inftances 
 of thofe Bleflings that are to be found in him ; every 
 one of them have an unfpeakable "Worth and Ex- 
 cellency in them. 
 
 1 ft. Juftification in the Sight of God is a Blef- 
 flng wherewith Men are blefled in Chrift ; In him 
 (hall all the Seed of Ifrael bejuftified, and fh all glory. 
 We are every one concluded under Sin ; we are 
 guilty before God, and under the Sentence of 
 Death ; we have no Merit to purchafe, no Moyen 
 to procure Pardon and Remiflion of Sin ; we are 
 deftitnte of a Righteoufnefs wherewith to appear be- 
 fore a righteous and holy God ; our beft Duties, 
 and what Men may reckon their moft virtuous Ac- 
 tions, when prefented before a holy God, they are 
 all as an nnclean Thing, they are all but filthy Rags. 
 In Juftification Sin is pardoned, and the Perfon of the 
 Sinner is accepted as righteous in the Sight of God : 
 When one is juftified, he is acquitted and abfolve4 
 from the Sentence of Condemnation ; the Hand- 
 writing of the Curfe, that was ftanding againft 
 him, is cancelled and blotted out, and he is de- 
 clared righteous (fo to fpeak) at the Bar : But the 
 Judgment of God is always according to Truth;, 
 none can be declared righteous without a Righte- 
 oufnefs : But where is this Righteoufnefs to be 
 £ found t 
 
found . ? With us there is nothing but Guilt and 
 Sin; we muft plead guilty at the Bar : The Righ- 
 teoufnefs, on the Account of which .we muft be 
 juftified, is only to be found in the Lord Jefus ; he 
 has brought in a perfecl and an everlafting Righ- 
 teoufnefs, a Righteoufnefs that honours both Law 
 and Lawgiver. Every convinced and felf-condem- 
 ned Sinner, who ftands trembling at the Bar, .may 
 plead this Righteoufnefs for Juftification ; and all 
 who take Hold of it by Faith are juftified in the 
 Sight of God ? Their Righteoufnefs is of me, faith 
 the Lord, Ifa. liv. 17. This is the Name wherewith 
 he is called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUS- 
 NESS, Jen xxiii. 6. He bears this Name, that 
 every juftified and pardoned Sinner may remain an 
 eternal Debtor to his free Love and rich Grace ^ 
 therefore let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord. 
 
 idly. Peace and Reconciliation with God. Cod 
 is in Cbrifl reconciling the World unto himfelf, 2 Cor. 
 v. rp. We loft the Favour and Friendfhip of God 
 In the firft Adam. When Sin entred into the World, 
 it fet God and Man at Variance, it made a great 
 Kupture, a wide Breach Setwixt Heaven and Earth; 
 the whole Creation could never have made up the 
 Breach : But the eternal Son of God ftooped to ftand 
 in the Gap, and to make up the wide Breach ; he a- 
 lone was able for this Undertaking ;, being both God 
 and Man, he was a meet Mediator of Peace and Re- 
 conciliation : He is the only Days-Man,who lays his 
 Hand upon the offended and offending Parties ; and 
 he is the only properUmpire of the Variance between 
 Jehovah and us -, He is our Peace, Eph. ii. 14. He 
 hath made Peace through the Blood of his Crofs, Col. 
 i. 20* And God is to be found in him a God of 
 Grace, and of Peace and Goodwill towards Men. 
 
 %dly. Sanffification is only to be found in him, 
 1 Cor. h 30, Chrijl is made of Cod to m—Sanftifica- 
 
 thn. ! 
 
( 27 y ; 
 tUn. In the firft Adam we have loft the Image of 
 God, our whole Nature is corrupted arrd depraved, 
 our Works are abominable :* Their is none that doth ' 
 Good, no not one. "Where is the Image of God to 
 be found? Or where is Hojinefs to be had. ? On- 
 ly in the fecond Adam, the Lord Jefus : As his 
 Righteoufnefs is imputed to all that believe for 
 Juttification, fo he is theFountain-Head and Spring 
 of Sanctiiication unto them ; the Spirit of Holinefs 
 defcends from the holy Head unto all his Members, 
 when they are united to him : In their Union with 
 him, a Principle of Purity and Holinefs is implant- 
 ed in them ; hence they are called his Workmanjhip, 
 created in Chriji Jefus unto good Works, Eph. ii. 10. 
 And this Principle of Purity and Holinefs infufed 
 in them, it is the Image of God reftored unto 
 them : It is called the Wafhing of Regeneration, and 
 the Renewing of the Holy Ghojl, becaufe the Spirit of 
 the living and holy Head begins the Work of 
 SancYification, in Regeneration ; and, as he begins 
 it, fo he carries it on by Ordinances and Provi- 
 dences, by the Word and by the Rod, by every 
 Hean of his own Inftitution and Appointment, till 
 it is complete in Glorification. To conclude this 
 Head, unlefs Men are Partakers of the Spirit of 
 Holinefs from the holy Head, there is no Holinefs 
 in any of their Works, there is no Holinefs in their 
 Duties, nor in any of their Actions. And do not 
 deceive yourfelves, Without Holinefs no Man fiall 
 fee God : If you are not holy, you cannot have 
 Communion with him, neither in Grace here, nor 
 in Glory hereafter. 
 
 tfhly. The Adoption of Children is another Blcf- 
 iing wherewith Men are bleifed in Chrift. By our 
 Apoftafy from God in the firft Adam, we are caft 
 «ut of God's Family ; we have loft the Right of 
 
 Sonihip t 
 
( *8 ) 
 
 Sonfhip, and all the Privileges of the Sons of God; 
 we are Strangers and Foreigners to the Family of- 
 God : And it is in the Lord Jefus, the Head of 
 the new Family, that the Right is recovered, and 
 the Privileges of Sons reftored ; hence the Elec"r. 
 are faid to be predejlinated unto the Adoption of Children 
 by Jefus Chrifl, Eph. i. jf . that is, by him as the Head 
 of the whole Family of God ; therefore, to as many as 
 receive him, to them gives he Power to become the Sons 
 of God, John i. 1 2. The Lord Jefus Chrift, the 
 fccond Adam, he is the firft and great Heir of all 
 Things, Heb. i. 2. The Right unto the whole j of 'i 
 the forfeited Inheritance is in his Perfon, accord- 
 ing to the Govenant-TranfaeYion with him ; and 
 as many as receive him ,by Faith, are taken in to 
 the Family of God ; he gives them Power to become 
 the Sons of God, that is, he gives them "the Right and 
 privilege of Sonftiip : For in him, who is the great 
 Head of the Family, they are made Sons and Heirs, 
 .even Heirs of God, and joint Heirs with Chrijl, Rom. 
 viii. 17. In him they are Heirs unto all the good 
 and great Things that are contained in the Pro- 
 mife. While you are in the firft Adam, you are 
 Children of Wrath, you are Heirs unto the Curfe 
 of the broken Law, and the Sin -revenging Wrath 
 of God : It is in the Lord Jefus, the fecond Adam, 
 that you muft be the Heirs of Promife ; he has the 
 Keys of the Houfe of David in his Hand, he opens 
 and none can /hut, he jhutteth and none carl open : He 
 admits into the Family, and keepeth out of the 
 Family, according to his good Pleafure. 
 
 fthtyy Accefs to the Pre fence of God is another 
 Blefling wherewith Men are bleiTed in Chrift, Heb, 
 x. 19. Having therefore, Brethren, Boldncfs x to enlet 
 into the Holiefl by the Blood of Jefus, by a new ant 
 Hying Way which he hath confecrated for us through 
 
 the 
 
C 2 P ) 
 
 the Vail, that is to fay, his Flefi. When Sin cn- 
 tred into the World, ait iriendly Tnterccurfe be- 
 twixt God and Man was broke up. Sin fhut us out 
 from the Prefence of God •; it ilands as 3 £/eat 
 Mountain, and as a Partition- V- ail betwixt lod 
 and us : But in Chrlft this Partition-Wall i r-.-ot- 
 ken down, there is a V- ay prepared for us into' 
 the Holieft of all, the Stumbling Blocks are taken 
 out of the Way, according to ihe Prophecy, If a, 
 Ivii. 14, 15. Cajl ye up, call ye up, prepare ye 
 the Way, take up ihe Stumbling 'Bictk Qui of ihe 
 Way of my People. For thus faith the high nui L-fly 
 One that hhabiteih Eternity, whofe l\avie is Hoiy, I 
 dwell in the high and holy Place, with shim aifo that 
 is of a contrite and humble Spirit. God condefcends 
 to come down and dwell with Men : Why •' the 
 Way is prepared, the Stumbling- Blocks are re- 
 moved, juilice is fatisfied, the Faithfulneis of God 
 to the Threatning is glorified, his Law is magnified 
 and made honourable. Now God comes to us thro' 
 the Blood of his own Son, and we have-Accefs to 
 him that fame Way, even through the VailofCbrift's 
 Fle/h ; that is, through a crucified and flain Chrift, 
 we haVe Accefs to God with Hope and Confidence 
 of Acceptance in all Duties of Worfhip ; through 
 him we have Communion with God both in Grace 
 and Glory : This is indeed a wonderful Way of 
 Accefs to God : May we not fay of it, // is the 
 Doing of the Lord, and let it be wonderful in our Eyes ? 
 6thly. The Life of Glory hereafter is a BlelTmg 
 wherewith Men are'blefted in Chrift. This B\e(- 
 ling was loft by Sin, and it is only to be found in 
 the Lord Jefus Chrift. By the Life of Glory I 
 underftand all -that BlefTcdnefs and Felicity that is 
 reierved for the Heirs of Promife, even the Inheri- 
 tance incorruptible y mdefiled, that fadeth not away, 
 
 referved 
 
( 3° ) . 
 
 referved in Heaven for them : This Glory, it is Glo- 
 ry to be revealed ; it is tailed from us in our prc- 
 fent State ; ior Eye hath not fen, nor Ear heard, 
 neither have eni red into the Heart of Man, the Things 
 which God ha: h prepared for them that love him : It 
 is exprcfTed in Scripture by being ever with the Lord, 
 I Theif. iv. 17. By feeing his Face in Righteoufnefs, 
 and being fat isfied with his Likenefs, Pfalm xvi. 15. 
 Seeing him as he is, 1 John iii. 2. Seeing Face to 
 Face, 1 Cor. xiii. 12. 
 
 •jthly. To (hut up this Head, God gives himfelf 
 in Chrift unto Men. This is indeed a comprehen- 
 five Blefling, it is the Sum and Subftance of all 
 otiher Bleumgs. When Man fell, he loft BlefTed- 
 nefs, that is, he loft God himfelf; in Chrift God 
 himfelf is to be found as our chief Joy, as our eter- 
 nal BlelTednefs and Reward : This is the great 
 new Covenant Gift and Grant unto us, I will be 
 your God, and ye /hall be ?ny People, Jer. xxxi. 33. 
 Behold, then, the Tabernacle of God is with Men, and he 
 will dwell with them ; and they /hall be hisPeople,and God 
 himfelf /hall be with them, and be their God, Rev. xxi. 3. 
 Jehovah, Father, Son and Spirit, gives himfelf unto 
 Men in the Perfon of our great Immanuel, and, 
 through his Death and Mediation, to be their Por- 
 tion and Inheritance, their Husband and Father, 
 their Bleffednefs and Glory. O what amazing and 
 condefcending Grace and Love is here ! Well 
 may it be laid, Men /hall be bleffed in Chrift. 
 
 X proceed to the fourth general Head, and that 
 is, To enquire how it comes to be fo, or why it is 
 that Men are blefled in Chrift. 
 
 I anfwer, ift. This is intirely owing to the 
 Goodwill and Plcafure of God ; this is the origi- 
 nal Spring and Source of the whole of our Salvation: 
 
 There 
 
 i 
 
( 3» ) 
 
 There was no Caufe, no Motive without himfelf, 
 that moved him to be a God of Bleffings to Men ; 
 we are bleffed hVChrift, becaufe fo it feemed good 
 in his Sight. The whole Work of our Redemp- 
 tion and Salvation by Jefus Chrift is afcribed to 
 the good Pleafure of his Will, Eph. i. 5. It is ac- 
 cording to his good Pleafure, which he hath purpofed 
 in himfelf Verfe p. 
 
 idly. It is for the Manifestation of the Glory of 
 God. This is the great End of all the Works of 
 God ; for the Lord hath made all Things for himfelf 
 that is, for his own Glory, Prov. xvi* 4. For of 
 him, and through him, and to him are all Things, to 
 •whom be Glory for ever and ever, Rom. xi. 36. The 
 Work of our Redemption and Salvation, by Chrift 
 Jefus, is the chief of the Works and Ways of God, 
 and the Manifestation of his Glory is theDefign of 
 this great Work of God ; and the divine Glory mines 
 forth more brightly here than in all the other W'orks 
 of God. The adorable Sovereignty of God is mani- 
 fefted in blefTing fallen Men, and in fhutting up the 
 Angels who finned under Chains of Darknefs : Yea, 
 glorious Sovereignty lhines forth in bellowing the 
 Bleffing upon fome of Mankind, while others are 
 palTed by. Here there is an unfearchable Depth ; 
 How unfearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways 
 paft finding out ? Who may fay unto him, What doft 
 thou ? If any will contend with their Maker, how 
 will they manage the Plea againft him ? For all are- 
 guilty, all are finful before him ; and he might 
 have juftly dealt with the whole Race of Mankind, 
 as he has done with the fallen Angels. Here the 
 awful Justice of God, the fpotlefs Purity and Ho- 
 linefs of his Nature, and his untainted Veracity and 
 Truth to the penal Sanction of his righteous Law, 
 do all mine forth ; for God /pared not his own Son. 
 What greater Evidence can there be of the Evil of 
 
 Sin, 
 
( 3* ) 
 Sin, of GM's infinite Hatred and Deteftation at if, 
 and of the Excellency and Importance of his Law, 
 than his giving his own Son to be the Propitiation 
 for Sin ? As nothing lefs could vindicate the Ho- 
 nour and Authority of his Law than this amazing 
 Infrance of Love,' fo it was a publick Declaration 
 to the whole World, unto Angels and Men, of the 
 Holinefs and Purity of his Nature, and of his in- 
 exorable 'Juftice and Equity, as the fupreme Rector 
 and Governor of the World. It is one of the Let- 
 ters of his great and glorious Name, that he %>}li by 
 no Means clear the Guilty : His Juftice and Holinefs 
 cannot admit of Forgivenefs without a Satisfacti- 
 on, Again, the Glory of Grace arid Mercy is won- 
 derfully difplayed here : An Atonement is made for 
 Sin, and a Satisfaction is given unto the Juftice of 
 -God, that Mercy and Grace may have an Egrefs 
 upon Men,, to the Honour of the Holinefs and 
 Faithfulnefs of God. Juftice and Judgment are 
 the Habitation of his Throne, and Mercy and Truth 
 go before his Face ; therefore we are blelTed with 
 all fpiritual Bleflings in Chrift, to the Praife of the 
 Glory of his Grace, Eph. i. 6. and that in the Ages 
 to come he may /hew the exceeding Riches of his Grace 
 in his Kindnefs toward us through Chrift Jefus, Eph. 
 ii. 7. Alfo, what a glorious Difcovery is thereof 
 the manifold Wifdom of God, in finding out filch 
 a proper Mean for our Recovery from Sin and Mi- 
 fery, whereby the Honour of God, his Law and 
 Government are fecured, and the higheftr Glory is 
 brought unto him out of the greateft Evil, even 
 the Sin and Fall of Man, and whereby Man is 
 raifed to a State far more glorious and excellent 
 than that in which he was placed at his firft Crea- 
 tion ? Likeways the perfonal Glory of God is ma- 
 nifefted here j the electing Love 01 the Father, the 
 
 redeeming 
 
( 33 - ) 
 redeeming Love of the Son, and the applying 
 Love of the Spirit, iliine forth in the Contrivance, 
 Purchafe, and-Accomplifhment of our Salvation : 
 Thefe glorious Difcoveries, both of the perianal 
 Glory of God, and of the adorable Perfections 
 and Excellencies of his Nature, in the Bufinefs of 
 our Redemption and Salvation, will be the fubject 
 Matter of the Contemplation, Admiration, and Praife 
 of Angels and Men through Eternity. 
 
 I proceed now to make fome practical Improve- 
 ment of this Subjeel. And the firft Ufe may be by 
 Way of Information and Infra-lion. 
 
 \ft. if it is fo, that finful and miserable Men 
 may rind Bleifednefs in the Lord Jefus, and only 
 in him ; hence we may fee the miferable Eflate and 
 Condition of thofe who are without Cofpel-Reve- 
 lation ; they know not, neither can they know 
 where BlelTednefs is to be found -, they are'/;? Dark- 
 nefs., in the Regions of the Shadow of Death, without ■ 
 God, and without ffqpe in the World. The Apofile 
 ' teftifies, that the itwijille Things of God from t%* 
 ■ Creation of the World are clearly feen, being under* 
 food by the Things that are made, even his eteHj&L 
 ,. Power and Godhead ; Jo that they are without Excit&ji 
 Rom. i. 20. Yet the wifeft and moft learned ^';- 
 mong the Heathen never made that Improvement 
 they might have done of thofe Difcoveries which, i 
 the L^ght of Nature gave them of the Being of - 
 God, and of fome of his glorious Excellencies and 
 Perfections ; they never walked, up to that fmall 
 Light they had : And, in all their pretended Sear- 
 ches after Wifdom, any Knowledge that they had 
 of the fupreme Being difcovered their grofs Ignq- 
 ranee about him ; for the World by Wifdom kneurndt 
 God. How i-nconfiftently with themfelves, and with 
 F what 
 
fc . ( 54 ) 
 what Uncertainty, do they fpeak about the chief 
 Good . ? They knew not what it was, and generally 
 they placed it in indulging themfelves in their car- 
 nal and finful Pleafures. Every one of them were 
 in the utmoft Darknefs about the Way of Recon- 
 ciliation to God, aiid of acceptable Worihip, Ser- 
 vice and Obedience unto him : Such of them as 
 have commended Virtue, have lived in the grofTeit 
 Wickednejs themfelves : Every Thing was rec 
 koned indifferent among them, that did not break 
 Society, or difturb the publick Tranquillity : And 
 none of them knew any higher Origin, from which 
 virtuous Actions fpring, than Self-Intereft, Self-Ap- 
 plaufe, or one's own Honour and Efteem : A Re- 
 gard unto the Authority, the Honour and Glory of 
 God, never entred into their Thoughts : In all 
 their virtuous Actions, they facrificed unto their own 
 Net, and burnt Incenfe unto their own corrupt Drag : 
 Therefore, however ufeful fome of their Rules they 
 laid down concerning Morality might be for hu- 
 man Society, yet all their virtuous Actions were 
 npthing but Jple'ndid Sins in the Sight of God, as 
 an eminent Light in the primitive Church did ex- 
 prefs himfelf. This was the miferable State and 
 Condition in which the Gofpel did find the Gentile 
 World, when it was fir ft publifhed among them, 
 under grofs Darknefs and Ignorance of God, vain 
 in their Imaginations, having their foolifh Hearts 
 darkned : Prof effing themfelves wife, they became Fools ; 
 changing the Glory of the incorruptible God into an 
 Image made like to corruptible Man, and to Birds, 
 four-footed Beafls, and creeping Things ; and giving up 
 themfelves to all Manner of Uncieannefs r and to vile 
 dffeflions. In a Word, the Gofpel found them 
 altogether under the Power of Satan, the God of 
 W: . thh 
 
( 3* > 
 
 this World, the Spirit, that worketh in the Children of 
 
 ! Difobedience, Rom. i. 21, 22, 2 3, 6"£. Eph. ii. 2. 
 When I have mentioned the Morality of the 
 Heathens, and the Grounds upon which their Phi- 
 lofophers pled for it, I muft here obferve, that it 
 is a ilrong Evidence of the natural Darknefs that is 
 upon the Minds of Men, that under, the Light of 
 the Gofpei, when God fpeaks plainly and clearly 
 unto us, Morality fliould be taught upon no better 
 Foundations and Principles than thofe upon which 
 the Heathen Philofophers built their Schemes. A 
 Scheme of Morality, which has Self-Interefr. for its 
 principal and leading Motive; that has no Refpect to 
 Chrift as its Author and Ground of Acceptance, or 
 to the Glory of God as its End, is plain Heathem/m, 
 It is too open and evident, that there is a deep Plot 
 of Hell, in the Age wherein we live, to pluck up 
 by the Roots the true Origin, Spring and Ground 
 of all acceptable Obedience unto God, and to bring 
 Men back to Paganifm : Hence it is that the Re- 
 novation of our Natures by fupernatural Grace, a. 
 vital Union with the Lord jefus in order to the 
 bringing forth the Fruits of Holinefs in Heart, Life 
 and Converfation, Faith in hina for the Acceptance 
 , of our Perfons and all Duties of Obedience, are 
 Doctrines that are naufeous to the Men of this 
 Age, that pretend to be of a more rciined Tafle ; 
 and hereby they difcover that their Under {landings 
 are darkned, that they are alienated from the Life of 
 Cod through the Ignorance that is in them, and that 
 they have no Tafte, no Difcerning of the Things 
 of God : Whatever their Pretences to Morality 
 or Wifdom are, yet their Principles have a native 
 Tendency to banifh. Holinefs out of the World, 
 and to introduce Profanity and Loofenefs in Prac- 
 tice : The Run of Profanity and Lafcivioufnefs 
 
 through 
 
( 3* ) 
 
 through the Land, is one of the Fruits of the loofe 
 and corrupt Principles that are vented in the Age. 
 The Men of the Principles that I have named, 
 whatever their Opinion of themfelves may be, are 
 no better than their Heathen PredecejTofs, ivithout 
 Ckrifly 'Strangers to the Covenant of Promife, and 
 without God in the World, Eph. ii. 12. Yea, their 
 Sin Is more highly- aggravated, in regard they have 
 the Light the Heathen "World had not ; and their 
 Judgment- and Condemnation will bear a Proponi- 
 on to their aggravated Guilt and Sin. 
 
 idly\ If it is fo, that Bleilednefs is only t@ be 
 
 found "in. Chrift •, hence fee the Infufficiency of na- 
 
 turartleligion to lead Men to Happineis and Blef- 
 
 fednefs. A Set of Men in the prefent Age, who 
 
 who have rejected the Bible, or that Revelation 
 
 that God makes of himfelf in bis Word* and tq 
 
 whom the Docirine of Chrift, and every Thing that 
 
 - concerns his Perfon and Mediation, is Fooliihnefs, 
 
 affirm, That there is a Sufficiency in what they call 
 
 natural Religion, for obtaining eternal Felicity ancj 
 
 Bleilednefs y or, " That the Laws of Nature do \y 
 
 * l obvious to the -Gbferyaticn of every Man that 
 
 *' inquires with Attention into the Nature of 
 
 ? 6 Things, and in themfelves are a certain and 
 
 . " fufficient Rule to direct rational Minds to Hap- 
 
 *' pinefs ; and our observing of thefe Laws is tht 
 
 " Mean or In(trnment of our real and laiting Feli 
 
 " city." From thefe and the like Principles, thai 
 
 are vented in rhe preferif Age, it ioliows, that thcrf 
 
 is no NeceififJ' of divine Revelation . if we ob 
 
 fcrve the ftaws of Nature, which ly obvious. to e 
 
 very Man,} we mjf be Mefled and happy withou 
 
 it : And ^ttoftyly there is no Need of Chrift 
 
 his ' >cfi^|j ar3 Hydration, his Spirit and Grace ; i 
 
 we. ofyfe'rve £h$ I^.\ys of Nature, we may be bleifec 
 
 \> an< 
 
( 37 > 
 and happy without him. Yea, many in this degenera- 
 ted Age are not aihamed openly to ovn : that the.> 
 whole of divine Revelation is an Impofhr.e ; that the 
 Gofpel is a cannirigiy devifed Fable ; and that the com** 
 fiion Notices chat we have from the Light of Nature, 
 of the divine Being and Goodnefs, are fufficient to 
 conduct IVien to Bieiiednefs. Tfoeie and the like are 
 the Principles upon which the ancient Heathen Phi- 
 lofophers -rejected the Goipel of Chrift, and, being 
 vainly puffed up with an Opinion of their own 
 "Wifdom, looked down upon this bleiied Device 
 of Salvation through Chrift as FooiijbneJ}. 
 
 Befide what was obferved on the former Head, 
 concerning the Ignorance and Darknefs that pre- 
 vailed in the "World before Gofpel Light did mine 
 amorigft the Nations, is it not plain that all Man- 
 kind are Sinners before God I The Heathens them- 
 felves have acknowledged it, the Defpifers of re-', 
 vealed Eeiiglon cannot refufe it: Is not Sin a Tranf- 
 greffion of the Law of God ? Is it not Rebellion a- 
 gainft his fovereign Authority I Is it not contrary 
 to his Purky an.d Holiness i" 'If it is acknowledged 
 that there is any flicb Thing as Sin in the World, 
 all this muft be acknowledged likeways. Again, if 
 Sin is an infolent Affront offered to the Majefly of 
 God, if there is an irreconcilable Contrariety in it 
 to his hply ] iture the Wifdom, juftice, and Ho- 
 linefs of God make a penal Sanction to his Lawne- 
 ceiTary, and his Faithfulnefs pleads for the Execu- 
 tion of the threatned Punilhment : Hence it is an 
 important and weighty Queffion, Wherewith fhall a 
 guilty Sinner come before the Lord, or bow himf elf be- 
 fore the ?noft high God ? Or, How mail a guilty Sin- 
 ner ftand before him . ? The juftice, Faithfulnefs, 
 and. Holinefs of God demand that the penal Sanc- 
 tion of the Law fhall be executed, the Honour of 
 
 the 
 
< 3* ) 
 
 the Law and Lawgiver tmifbbe maintained : "What 
 can give Relief to the Confcience perplexed and 
 diftreffed under a Senfe,of Guilt ? What can be a 
 fumcient Plea for the Sinner againft the Juftice and 
 Faithfulnefs of God ? Can the Religion of Nature 
 loofe the Difficulty - ? Can the Laws of Nature in- 
 form us of any proper Mean whereby Sin may be 
 pardoned, and at the fame Time the Dilhonour done 
 to the great God repaired, his Faithfulnefs main- 
 tained, and the Honour and Authority of his Law 
 vindicated ? Nay, if the Confcience is awakned, 
 the Terror and Dread of the righteous and holy 
 Law of God immediately ftrikes the Sinner ; the 
 Religion of Nature cannot tell him where his Re- 
 lief is to be found, it cannot direct him to any pro- 
 per and fuitable Mean of Relief : In the- prefent 
 Cafe, the Sinner, if he could, he would, with Adam, 
 fiee from the Prefence of God, and hide himfelf 
 from his Juftice ; but there is no PofTibility of his 
 covering himfelf from the Eye of God, or of fhel- 
 tering himfelf from the Stroke of his Hand : There- 
 fore the laft Shift and Refort of the miferable and 
 felf-deceiving Deifl y for quieting his guilty Confci- 
 ence, is his Notion of the general Goodnefs of 
 God. God, fays he, is infinitely good, and therefore, 
 if we repent of our Sins, that is, if we are forry 
 for them, and return to our Duty, he will furely 
 pardon and forgive. Not to infift upon the Con- 
 trariety that is in Man's corrupted and depraved 
 Nature unto that Sorrow for Sin, and that Return 
 to Duty, that is pretended, and confequently the 
 Impoffibility thereof, which may be obferved after- 
 wards, the Queftion at prefent is about a fuitable 
 Separation of the Dilhonour done to God, and what 
 is a fufficrent and fure Foundation for Peace unto 
 a Confcience awakned under a Senfe of Sin. Is 
 
 not 
 
( 39 ) 
 not God infinitely juit, as well as infinitely good ? 
 jDoes not his Juftice and Holinefs require that the 
 Honour and Authority of his Government mould 
 be maintained, and that the Sanction of the Law 
 fhould be executed ? What Security has the mife- 
 rable Drift for it, that has alledged that Repentance 
 can be acceped for the Ends and Purpofes named ? 
 "Who told him this ? If he fays, It is evident from 
 the Goodnefs of God ; it is as evident that the Ju- 
 ftice of God pleads for the Punifhment. Is he a 
 Debtor for the Egrefs of his Goodnefs unto any of 
 his Creatures, far lefs for his pardoning Grace and 
 Mercy to finful Creatures ? It would not be rec- 
 koned a fufficient Security for any Government a- 
 mong Men, if Rebels and Criminals in every Cafe 
 fhould have aTitle toPardon upon theirRepentance ; 
 fuch a Principle as this would unhinge Government, 
 and open a Door for the greater!: Diforders amongfl 
 Men ; the Authority of human Laws could not at 
 this Rate be maintained. Can Men think that their 
 Repentance is a fufficient Atonement for their hei- 
 nous Rebellion againft the Sovereign of Heaven and 
 Earth, or that it is fufficient to maintain the Honour 
 of his Government, and Authority of his Laws? 
 
 If Men own their Dependence upon God, and 
 his Authority over them, mull they not likeways 
 own that perfect Obedience without Sin is due un- 
 to the great Creator ? And is it not as true that 
 none can anfwer this Debt and Obligation that they 
 are under ? Therefore, how can we expect to be ac- 
 cepted in that Sorrow for Sin, or in that Return to 
 Duty, which is alledged ? Can a Repentance which 
 anfwers not the Demand of the Law, and our O- 
 bligation to Duty, be accepted for itfelf ? And, if 
 if cannot be accepted for itfelf, can it make an A- 
 tonement f©r any other Tranfgreifions I To con- 
 clude 
 
(. 4" > 
 dude this Head, "When that Revelation of the on 
 ly Mean and Way to obtain BJeiTednefs in and by 
 the Lord jefus Chrift, which God gives us in his 
 own Wordy U fejfc&ed, what Security can mife- 
 rable Men have fof obtaining Peace and Reconcili- 
 ation with God ? Or what can they pretend unto 
 as a fufficient Bottom and Foundation for Peace, 
 ^Qiiiet, and Reft to their own Confciences under a 
 Scnfe of Sin ? Yet vain Man. like the wild Afs's 
 Colt, will run hinifMfinto the greater! Labyrinths 
 and Difficulties, rather than fubmit his carnal Rea- 
 fon and Wifdorn, which is but Blindnefs and Folly, 
 to that Revelation which God makes of himfelf in 
 his Word. The Root of all the Oppofition that is 
 made both now and formerly to the Word of God, 
 the Perfon of Chrift, and the Way of Salvation 
 through him, is that natural Enmity that is iii the 
 Hearts of Men againft God. The carnal Mind is 
 Enmity againft God ; for it is not fubjetf unto the Law 
 of God, neither indeed can be, Rom. viii. 7. 
 
 ^dfy. If it is ib, that BleiTednefs is to be found 
 in Chrift, hence fee the Excellency and Glory 6,f 
 divine Revelation. Life and Immortality are brought 
 unto Light by the Word of God : The Word in- 
 forms us where BleiTednefs is to be found, Men fiall 
 be b'ejfed in him. The whole Subject of divine Re- 
 velation is great, excellent, and glorious ; it is fuch 
 as becomes its Author ; it proclaims and declares to 
 Men that God himfelf is its Author, if they will 
 not wilfully flint their own Eyes againft the glorious 
 Light that breaks forth from the Word. The great 
 Deflcrn of divine Revelation is to inform us how Sin 
 entred into the World, of the exceeding Evil that 
 is in it, and the Ruin and Mifery it brings upon Man- 
 kind ; and alfo to declare unto us a Way of Recon- 
 ciliation unto God, and of Redemption and Delive- 
 rance 
 
■ (" 4i ) 
 .rancc from Sin, and all the difmal Fruits and Ef- 
 fects of it* to the Honour and Glory of all the di- 
 vine Excellencies and Perfections. The Origia 
 of Evil was a My fiery to the Heathen Philofophers 
 of old : They had fome Conviction that Mankind 
 was corrupted and depraved, their own Confciences 
 told them fo much, their daily Experience bore 
 "Witnefs unto it, the Miferies and Calamities where- 
 with they faw. Mankind affected were fo many E- 
 vidences of it : But how Sin entred into the World, 
 they knew not. Both in this, and in every Thing 
 "that 'concerns Deliverance from it, they groped for 
 the Wall like the Blind, they groped as if they had no 
 Eyes, they /tumbled in their Noon- Day as in the Night, 
 they were in deflate Places as dead Men. But the 
 "Word of divine Revelation plainly declares unto 
 us how Sin entred into the World, what Way the 
 whole Race of Mankind are corrupted and de- 
 praved, together with all the difmal Effects of bur 
 Apoflafy from God : Alfo the Word reveals unto 
 us a Way to Bleifednefs, wherein God is glorified, 
 wherein all his glorious Excellencies are eminently 
 difplayed, a Way that honours both Law and Law- 
 giver, alfo a Way that is fure and fafe for us. The 
 forfeited and loft Bleifednefs is brought back unto 
 us by the eternal Son of God, who,aifumed our 
 Nature in a perfonal Union with his divine, and in 
 that Nature which- he affumed gave himfelf an Of- 
 fering and Sacrifice for Sin ; and in offering up him- 
 felf a Sacrifice, he gave Glory to the Juftice, Holi- 
 nefs, and Faithfulnefs of God : Yea, the Glory and 
 Honour that is given by the Redeemer to the Law of 
 God, to his rectoral Juftice and Equity, to his Ho- 
 linefs and Faithfulnefs, is not only equal unto, but 
 greater by far than the Dilhonour that is done hint 
 by Mam's Apoitafy from him, and Rebellion again'ft 
 G him. 
 
» 
 
 ( 42 ) 
 
 him. If it is confidered who he is that gave him 
 felf a Sacrifice ; he is a divine Perfbn, one who 
 thought it no Robbery to be equal with God ;' The 
 infinite Dignity and Excellency of his Perfon gave 
 Infinite Worth and Value to his Satisfaction, where- 
 by it bore a juft Proportion to that infinite Evil 
 and Defert that is in Sin, and was a full Reparati- 
 on of the Difhonour done to God, his LaW, Au- 
 thority, and Government, by the Entrance of Sin 
 into the World. Here then we may fee the Ho* 
 linefs, Juftice, and Faithfulnefs of God fhining 
 forth in their meridian Luftre and Glory, when 
 pod /pared not bis own Sou, but delivered him up 
 for us all. Juftice and Judgment are the Habitation 
 of his Throne, Mercy and Truth go before his Face. 
 Judgment is executed upon Sin in the Perfbn of th 
 great Surety, who was fubftitute in the Room o 
 Sinners j Juftice is fatisfled, and the Law is mag 
 nifled by him : Hence Mercy vents itfelf through 
 this coftly Chanel, the precious Blood of the Son. 
 of God. 
 
 As the Way of Peace and Reconciliation to 
 God, through the Death of his eternal Son, brings 
 the highcft Glory to God ; fo it lays a folid Foun 
 dation for true Peace, Quiet, and Reft to the Con 
 fcience of the convinced Sinner : Therefore it is 
 a Way not only honourable for God, but fafe for 
 11s. Here the Sinner, convinced of Guilt and Sin 
 may fee that the God whom he has offended, whofe 
 Law he has broken, may, notwithftanding of his 
 fpotlefs Purity, his deep Hatred of Sin, his inex- 
 orable Juftice and Righteoufnefs, and 'his untainted 
 Faithfulnefs pledged in the Threatning of the Law, 
 not only pardon and forgive Sin without Preju- 
 dice to his Juftice and other Attributes, but alfo that 
 he is juft. even in juftifying them that believe, Rom. 
 
 iii. 
 
( 43 > 
 iii. 16. Here a Sinner may fee a beautiful Recon- 
 ciliation of feemingly inconiiftent Attributes ; Mer- 
 cy and Truth are met together : All this gives Ground 
 for a Song, even for an eternal new Song, Pfahn 
 xcviii. 1 . fing unto the Lord a new Song ,• for he hath 
 done marvellous Things. The Lord hath made know. -,i his 
 Salvation, his Right eoufnefs hath he openly /hewed in the 
 Sight of the Heathen, that- is, in the Sight of the Na- 
 tions, yes, in the Sight of the whole rational World ; 
 the Death of the Son of God being a publick- Evi- 
 dence of his Juftice, Holinefs and Faithfulnefs be- 
 fore the whole World, to the Admiration of An- 
 gels, and to theConfufion and Terror of Devils, that, 
 through this glorious Chanel of the Death of Chrift, 
 the Love, Mercy, and Grace of God might flow 
 down upon Men for their eternal Salvation. 
 
 Upon this Foundation and Bottom, the Atone- 
 ment made for Sin in the Death of the Son of God, 
 whereby the higheft Glory is given unto God, Peace 
 is proclaimed on Earth, and Goodwill towards Men ; 
 Chrift is preached in his Perfon and Offices as the 
 Salvation of God to the Ends of the Earth, as the 
 Foundation and Ground of our Accefs to God, and 
 Acceptance in his Sight, as the great Ordinance of 
 God for Righteoufnefs unto our Juftification, and 
 as the Fountain-Head and Spring of all Sanclifica- 
 tion. In the Gofpel we are told, that Peace with 
 God, the Pardon of Sin, the Adoption of Children, 
 Conformity to the Image of God, Grace here, and 
 Glory hereafter, are all to be found in the Lord 
 Jefus Chrift. If it is inquired how we may be in- 
 terefted in the Bleffednefs that is in Chrift, the 
 Gofpel informs us, that it is through Faith in the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, John iii. 36. He that believeth on 
 the Son of God hath, everlafling Life ; end he that 
 believeth nop the Sen, /hall not fee Life, but the IVrath 
 
 °f 
 
( 44 ) 
 
 of Cod ahldeth on him. Every Unbeliever is under 
 the Curfe ; and all that believe, and only they, are 
 interefted in Chrift, and in all that Bleffednefs that 
 5s in him ; for he that believeth hath everlajling Life. 
 Hence all that believe are not only juftified, but 
 fan£Hfied alfo ; theJmage of God loft in the firft 
 Adam is reftored unto them ; a Principle of Purity 
 and Holinefs is implanted within them, which in- 
 clines to purfue after Conformity to the whole com- 
 manding Will of God : They, and they only, re- 
 turn to their Allegiance and Duty to God, for they 
 fee the exceeding Evil that is in Sin, and the Con- 
 trariety that is in it unto the Authority and Holi- 
 nefs of God, not only in the Glafs of the righte- 
 ous and holy Law of God, but alfo in the Suffer- 
 ings and Death of the Son of God. A Sight of 
 Sin in his Death makes them lothe and abhor it 
 and forrow and mourn for it as the greateft Evil ; 
 they forrow and mourn for Sin with a fatisfying 
 Reft on the Atonement that is made by Chrift, and 
 they turn from it as the worft of Evils ; they be- 
 come zealous of good Works ; and they evidence 
 the Sincerity, Reality, and Truth of their Faith, 
 in Duties of Obedience both to'the firft and fecond 
 Tables of the Law : To this they are daily influ- 
 enced, from the Authority, Love, Grace and Kind- 
 nefs of God in Chrift, and that they may glorify 
 him m- their Bodies and Spirits which are his. If 
 it is faid, great is the Corruption and Depravation 
 of our Nature, and that there is not only an Ina- 
 bility to believe, but a natural Enmity in us againil 
 the Way of Salvation through Chrift ; then that 
 Faith whereby we are united to Ghrift, together 
 with the Renovation of our Natures, and the San<5ti- 
 iication of our Perfons, are all of them promifed 
 BlciTings : Hence the. Promife is, Thy People jhalf 
 
 k 
 
he wilting in the Day of thy Power, Pfalm ex. g. 
 The holy Spirit is promifed as Floods on the dry 
 Ground ; and then one frail fay, I am the Lord's, 
 Ifa. xliv. 3, 4, 5". The new Heart and the new Spi- 
 rit- are promifed, with all fanclifying Grace, Ezek. 
 xxxvi. 25, 26, 27. And, in the lafl Place, the great- 
 eft Security is given to ail that believe, for the full 
 Enjoyment of all the BleiTednefs that is promifed. 
 Though they are in tKc Midfl of Snares, Dangers 
 and Temptations, they malt not, nay, they cannot 
 lofe their BleiTednefs ; they cannot fall totally nor 
 finally away ; they have his Word for it, that they 
 fhall be kept by the Power of God through Faith unto 
 Salvation, 1 Pet. i. y. Yea, they have his Oath 
 likeways, Wherein God, willing to fhew more abundant- 
 ly unto the H,eirs of Promife the Immutability ofjjis 
 Counfel, confirmed it by an Oath,, That by two immu~ 
 table Things, in which it was impofible for God fo lie, 
 they might have flrong Conflation, who have fled for 
 Refuge to lay Hold on the Hope- fet before them, Heb. 
 vi. 17,18. This great Security is given them, not 
 to encourage or indulge them in Sloth, but to quic- 
 ken and incite them to the Ufe of all appointed 
 Means, to animate them under Difficulties, to for- 
 tify them againit Temptations, to embolden them 
 againit all the Oppolition they may meet with from 
 Satan or his Inftruments in the Way of their Du- 
 ty, and to give them the fatisfying Hope of a Glo- 
 ry to be revealed hereafter ; as alfo to let them fee 
 -that their Standing for BleiTednefs is upon a more 
 excellent and better Foundation and Bottom than 
 Adam's was when in a State of Innocence, even 
 upon the Bottom of the unchangeable Love of God, 
 the eVerlafting Covenant of Grace, and the daily 
 Mediation of the Lord Jefus. But, not to kfifr. on 
 this bsge and extenfive Subject, every Thing in 
 
 the 
 
the Way of Salvation and BlelTednefs through 
 
 Chrifi: proclaims, that it is a Device that honours 
 
 God, and that it is lafe and fuitable for us. If 
 
 Men in their Oppofition to it fhould fearch into 
 
 the Bottom of Hell for Weapons to fight againft 
 
 it, no Weapon that is formed againft it iliall pro- 
 
 iper : TUi the Schemes that are fet up in Oppofi- 
 
 tion to the Goipel bear a Stamp and Imprefs of 
 
 the Father of Lies upon them ; they are inconfiftent 
 
 with themfelves, and they fly in the Face of all the 
 
 moral Perfections and Excellencies of God, and 
 
 can never afford Quiet or Reft to an awakened Con- 
 
 fcience. I conclude this Head with obferving, that, 
 
 though Men mould defpife his Perfon, his Word 
 
 and his Grace, yet the Defigns of infinite Wif- 
 
 dom and Love, in the Incarnation, Obedience and 
 
 Death of the Son of God, mail not, yea, they 
 
 cannot' be difappointed : The utmoft Efforts of the 
 
 Gates of Hell cannot prevail againft the Rock of 
 
 Ifrael ; v and therefore, though we mould preach 
 
 Chrift crucified a Stumbling-Block to fome, andFooli/h* 
 
 tiefs to others, yet unto all that believe ha is, and he 
 
 will be the Wifdom and Power of God. 
 
 Athly. If it is fo, that Bleffednefs is only to be 
 found in Chrift ; hence fee, that all that are with- 
 out a faving Intereft in Chrift are under the Curfe. 
 It is in him that Men have Redemption from the 
 Curfe, in him they are juftified, fancYified and eter- 
 nally faved ; if you are out of Chrift, you are un- 
 der the Curfe of the broken Law, you are un- 
 der the Wrath of God, God is angry with you e- 
 very Day, ye are curfed in your common Blef- 
 fings, Deut. xxviii. 16. Curfed Jh alt thou be in the 
 City, curfed flmlt thou be in the Field, curfed /hall be 
 thy Basket and thy Store ; curfed (halt thou be when 
 thou goe/l out, and curfed /halt thou be when thou 
 
 comeji 
 
 
( 47 ) 
 emeft in. The Plowing of the Wicked is Sin ; all 
 that are out of Chrift, their belt Works are abo- 
 minable in the Sight of God, though they may in 
 fome Cafes be profitable to themfelves, and very 
 ufeful to others. 
 
 Hence, $thly. See the Excellency of Chrift. 
 Men /ball Be blejfed in him, all BleiFednefs is to be 
 found in him : He is hnmanuel, God with us, fairer 
 tha?i the Sons of Men ; all Grace is poured into his 
 Lips, God hath ble(fed*Fim for ever, that Men may be 
 
 . bleffed in him. Behold him in the glorious Fulnefs 
 of his Perron .' All the rich Treafures of Grace and 
 ' Glory are in him, he is full of Grace and Truth, the 
 glorious Conduit of all Spiritual Bleffings to Men. 
 Who can declare what is in his Perfon } . What 
 Tongue can tell, what Heart can conceive the un- 
 fearchable Riches that are in him ? All the Glory 
 of God is in the Perfon of Chrift, and all the Glo- 
 
 | ry of Heaven is in him : He is the BleiTednefs and 
 Glory of the Church triumphant, and the Confi- 
 dence and Joy of the Church militant ; he is the 
 Object of the Wonder, Admiration and Praife of 
 the Redeemed from amongft Men, and of all the 
 holy Angels through Eternity. Behold him in the 
 Fulnefs of Merit that is in his Death ! An offended 
 God is atoned, awful Juftice is Satisfied •, in his 
 Death he trode upon Sin and Satan, he triumphed 
 over Principalities and Powers, he dejlroyed him that 
 
 j had the Power of Death, that is the Devil ; he brings 
 back the Blefling unto us, by bruifing the Head of 
 the Serpent, and ipoiling the mighty Powers of 
 Darknefs, and none but he was Match for them. 
 Is he not then matchlefs and incomparable ? May 
 v/e not fay of him, There is none like unto the God 
 e/"Jefurun, who rideth upon the Heaven in thy Help, 
 and in his Excellency on the Sky ? The eternal God is 
 thy Refuge, he hath thurft out theEnemyfrom before thee, 
 
 Deut. 
 
( 43 ) 
 Dent, xxiii. 16, 27. To conclude this Head, yott 
 may obferve that Chrift has all fpititual Bleflings 
 for every one of you. Ifaac had but one fpirituai 
 Bleffing to give, but Chrift has all fpirituai Blef- 
 iings to give : Ifaac\ Bleffing was confined to Ja- 
 cob, he could not beftow the very fame Bleffmg 
 on Efau ; but Chrjft beftows all fpirituai Bleflings 
 upon every one that comes unto him, and there is 
 Room in him for you all, he will not put any away 
 that come unto him. 
 
 6thly. If it is fa, that Men are bleffed in Chrift, 
 hence fee that all that believe have nothing in 
 themfelves wherein to glory : Let him that glorieth, 
 glory in the Lord. According to the Tenor of the 
 firft Covenant, Man was to work for Life, to do 
 for Life, his own Obedience gave him a Right and 
 Title to eternal Life , but Matters are now other- 
 ways ftated in the new Covenant, all fpirituai Blef- 
 lings whatfoever are the free Gift of God through 
 Chrift. : That Righteoufnefs, whereby we are jii- 
 Hified, is the free Gift of God through Chrift ; 
 Faith and Repentance unto Life, the Renovation 
 of our Natures, the Adoption of Children, and 
 Perfeverance unto the End, are all the free Gift 
 of God through Chrift. In a Word, eternal Life 
 is the free Gift of God through Tefus Chrift our 
 Lord. Where is Boa/ling then ? It is excluded, there 
 is no Room for it in the new Covenant : Why, in 
 ourfelves we are fenemies and Rebels, but in Chrift 
 Peace and Reconciliation is given : In ourfelves 
 we are guilty, under the Curfe and Wrath of God, 
 but in him ive have Redemption through his Blood, even 
 the Forgivenefs of Sin, according to the Riches of his 
 Grace ; In ourfelves we are dead, but in him we 
 have Life ; for he is the RefurreBion and the Life r 
 In ourfelves we are dark and blind, but in him we 
 have tight and Sight ; he is Light to them 1 that fit 
 
 in 
 
( 49 ) 
 
 in Dafknefs, and he opens the Eyes of the Blind : 
 In ourfelves we are wretched, miferable and naked 3 
 but he is Gold tried in the Fire to inrich the Poor, 
 and a Covering for the Naked : In a Word, in 
 ourfelves we are loft, but in him we have Salvati- 
 on ; for he is the God of Salvation : Therefore all 
 the Ranfomed and Redeemed of the Lord muft 
 needs fay, Not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy Name 
 be the Glory ; yea, they mall through Eternity call 
 down their Crowns before him, and cry with a loud 
 Voice, Salvation unto our God who fitteih upon the 
 Throne, and unto the Lamb, Rev. vii. 10. 
 
 jthly. Hence-fee the adorable Condefcendence of 
 
 ' the Lord Jcfus, in ftooping to be the Conduit of all 
 fpiritual Bleflings unto Men. How great is his Con- 
 defcendence, if we confider, 1 . Who he is in whom 
 Men are blelfed ? He is the Son of God \ this is the 
 perfonal Character of this glorious divine Perfon ; 
 he is the Son, by eternal, ineffable and incomprehen- 
 fible Generation ; for, Who can declare his Generati- 
 on ? He is the fame in Subftance with the Father^ 
 the Bright tie fs of his Glory, and the exprefs Image of 
 his Perfon, equal with him in Power and in Glory. 
 Is it not wonderful Condefcendence, that he whofe 
 
 I Name is Jehovah, who is infinitely bleffed in bimfelf, 
 and who ftartds. not in the leaft Need of any of his 
 Creatures, mould ftoop to be the Conduit of all fpi- 
 ritual Bleflings to Men ? Efpecially when it is con- 
 fidered, 2. To whom it is that he is the Conduit of 
 fpiritual Bleflings : They are Men that have rebel- 
 led, Men who have broken his Law, and have' 
 trampled under Foot his Authority, and thereby 
 have brought themfelves under his Curfe, and are 
 obnoxious unto his Sin-revenging Jinnee. Yea, 
 confider, 3. How it is that he becomes the Conduit 
 of all fpiritual Bleflings unto Men : It is by af- 
 H fuming 
 
. ( SO ) - 
 faming our Nature into a perfonal Union with his di- 
 vine. That the great God Ihould become Man, that 
 Men might be blelTed in him, is amazing Conde- 
 fcendence : The Word was made.FleJh, and dwelt a- 
 mongft us ; he was made Flefh, by afluming our 
 Nature into a perfonal Union with his divine •, and 
 tho' here there is no Gonfufion of the two Natures, 
 yet the human Nature had never any diftincl Sub- 
 licence of itfelf, but From the Moment of his In- 
 carnation did always fubfift in a perfonal Union 
 with the divine Nature, and will do fo through E« 
 ternity. And this is one Reafon, amongft others, 
 why all Images and Pictures of the human Nature 
 of the Son of God may be juftly reckoned an Af- 
 front upon his Perfon, and an Indignity done to 
 the great God our Saviour : But more of this af- 
 terwards. And, in the I aft Place, as he affumed 
 our Nature, fo he fullered unto Death, that he 
 might be the Conduit of fpiritual and eternal Blef- 
 fednefs unto Men. That the Son of God mould 
 become Man, is wonderful Gondefcendence ; that 
 he mould be a fuffering Man, is greater ■ but that 
 he ihould be made a Gurfe, that we might he blef- 
 fed, and that he Ihould die, that we might have 
 Life, is mod: wonderful : Yet all this was needful, 
 nothing lefs could bring the Blelling unto us. 
 
 I proceed now to a fecond Ufc of the Doctrine, 
 which may be of Lamentation. And here may we 
 not lament over the Contempt that the World cads 
 • upon Ghrift. ? He was defp'ifed and rejeCled of Men 
 when he appeared in Perfon upon Earth ; He cair.e 
 unto his own, but his own received him not : He was 
 afterwards rejected by the Bulk and Body of the 
 Jewijh Nation, when the Gofpel was firfl preached 
 to them by his Apoftles; and therefore Wrath came- 
 
 t\[9n. 
 
( ti ) 
 
 upon them to the uttermofl : He was alfb rejected and 
 defpifed by the great Pretenders to "Wifdom among 
 the Gentiles, i Cor. i. 23. We preach Chrifl crucifi- 
 ed, unto the ' Jews a Stumbling-Block, and unto the 
 Greek's Fooliftnejs't Ke has been a Stone of Stumblings 
 and Rock of Offence, in all Ages and Generations : 
 And how much is he defpifed in the Age wherein 
 we live ■ His Perfon is undervalued, his Grace is 
 abufed, his "Word is ridiculed, 'and his Spirit is re- 
 proached. O what Ingratitude is there in the Con- 
 tempt thaf Men caft upon him, if we confrder that 
 it is he who brings the Bleffing to Men, yea, he him- 
 felf is the great Bleffing that is given unto us ! O 
 how great Wickednefs is there in it ! "When he 
 is defpifed, all the Grace, all the Love, and all the 
 Mercy of God is flighted : Yea, O what Injury do 
 Men unto themfelves, when they reject him in 
 whom alone Bleffednefs is to be found ! He that 
 finneth again ft him, ivrongeth his own Soul. When 
 Chrifl is defpifed, Life is defpifed, Salvation from 
 Sin and Wrath is defpifed ; Death, upon the Mat- 
 ter, is preferred to Life, and the Curfe is preferred 
 to the Blefling. O what Folly, yea, Madnefs, is 
 here! If* Men reject Chrift, there is not another 
 Way to obtain Bleffednefs ; for there is no other 
 Saviour, there is no other Redeemer : Therefore all 
 that defpife him muft perifh. 
 
 But, fince this is the heinous Guilt and Sin of 
 the Age in which we live, I muft give you fome 
 particular Inftances of the Contempt that is caft 
 upon him in whom Men are bleffed. And here I 
 lay the Charge of defpifing the Son of God, our 
 exalted and glorious Redemer, againft the follow- 
 nv Perfons. 
 
 o 
 
 ifl. He is defpifed by all fuch as caft off and 
 eject that Revelation which God makes of 6k 
 
< 5* ) 
 
 Blind to Men in his written Word, or who do not 
 believe that the Scriptures are the Word of God. 
 There are too many \n this degenerate Age, who 
 have been baptized in the Name of Ghriit, and 
 yet have laid afide the Bible : Some of them not 
 only reckon it altogether ufelefs, but even hurtfu" 
 and, inftead of regarding it as the Word of the 
 living God, reproach and revile it. But, having 
 fpoken to this on a former Head, I mall not enlarge 
 upon it now : Only, all fuch as defpife revealec 
 Religion woyld know, that, fince they reckon the 
 manifold Wifdom of God Foolifhnefs, and that 
 Ghrift died in vain, they are treafuring tip Wra, 
 unto themjelves again]} the Day of Wratb, and t> 
 ^Revelation of the righteous Judgment of God. It wil! 
 be no Apology for them, that they have formed their 
 Principles according to their depraved and blindec 
 Judgments •, nay, it will be their Condernnation, that 
 jf^ight is. come into the World, and that they have loved 
 JOarknefs rather than Light, John iii. 19. 
 
 %dly> He in whom Men are blefTed is defpifed by 
 the blafphemous Socinians % who refu(p that Chrift 
 had any Exiftence before his Birth of the Virgir 
 Mary, and who affirm that he was only a Prophe 
 to teach, and not a Prieft to fatisfy the Juftice oi 
 God for Sin ; and that the principal End and De- 
 ilgn of his Death was to confirm his Doctrine 
 and that he lived and died chiefly to give a Pat 
 tern and Example of Patience in fufFering, of O 
 bedierice to God, and Resignation to his Will. It 
 15 a ftrong Evidence of the Corruption and Depra 
 vation of Man's Nature, when fuch who profefs 
 to own divine Revelation, do, after fuch a bole 
 and daring Manner, attempt to overthrow the ve 
 jry fir ft Foundation of the Chriflian Faith. Our 
 bleifed Lord, the faithful and true Witnefs, tefti 
 
 iics 
 
C 5-3 ).. 
 
 6es concerning himfelf, Johnvm. ^S. Before Abra~. 
 ham was, I am. He who is a Child born unto hs, 
 and a Sow £/W» unto us, is the Mighty God, the Ever- 
 la/ling Father, or Father of Eternity, Ifa. ix. <5. He 
 who, according to Micab's Prophecy, was to be born 
 in Bethlehem, his Goings forth have been of -old, even 
 from everlkftittg, Micah v. 2. There is no Doubt 
 that in his Life and Death he is the greater! and 
 bell Pattern of Obedience and Resignation unto 
 the Will of God : But was this the principal 
 End and Defign of his Life and Death, to teach 
 us the "Will of God, and to confirm his Doctrine 
 by his Sufferings, or to give us a Pattern of Pa- 
 tience in Suffering, and of Refignation to the Will 
 qf God . ? Nay, if Men will not ihut their Eyes 
 againft the plain Teftimony of God in his own 
 Word, it is evident that the principal End and 
 Defign of the Manifeftatibn of the Son of God in 
 the Flefh, was to make an Atonement for Sin, to 
 fatisfy the Janice of God, to bring in an everlaft- 
 ing Righteoufnefs for our Juftification in the Sight 
 of God, and to give his own Life as the Price of 
 our Redemption from Sin and Wrath, that God 
 might be honoured and glorified in our Salvation ; 
 hence it is faid, that he was wounded for our Tranf- 
 grefjlons, and the Chaflifement of cur Peace was upon. 
 him, Ifa . ] iii. 5 . He made his Soul an Offering for Sin, 
 Ifa. liii. 10. He was made Sin for us, 2 Cor. v. 21. 
 He once JlfFered for Sins, the Jujl for the Unjuft, 
 1 Vet. ill. 18. He. was made a Curfe for us, Gal. 
 iii. 15. His Subfritution in the Room of Sinners, 
 his fuffering in their Stead, his making a proper 
 Atonement for their Sins, cannot be exprelfed in 
 {Ironger and clearer Terms, than in thefe and the 
 like Words of the Spirit of God. I (hall only ob- 
 this Head, that when Chrift is only 
 
 preached 
 
C '54 V 
 
 preached as a Pattern of Morality, when the main 
 End and Defign of his Obedience and Death is 
 overlooked, or but (lightly touched at, true Sanc- 
 tification and Holinefs can never be obtained •, if 
 the Foundation and Spring of Holinefs is neglec- 
 ted, you have an empty Shadow without the Sub- 
 ftance, you have the fpecious Name of Morality 
 and Virtue, and that is all. If Men reject the A- 
 tonement made by the Son of God, and will not 
 be obliged to the Merit of his Death for Redemp- 
 tion from Sin and Wrath, they defpife the Blef- 
 fings both of Juftification and San edification, and 
 confequcntly of eternal Salvation, that flow through 
 • this coflly Chanel. 
 
 %dly. Ghrift is defpifed by , the wicked Arians, Avho 
 deny his true and proper Deity. The ancient A* 
 rians owned that he had a Being before the Creati- 
 on of the World, and that by him God created 
 the World, but would not allow him to be co-eterr 
 nai and co-effential with the Father ; they denied 
 that he was the fame in Subilance, equal in Power 
 and Glory with the Father. Our modern Refiners 
 ..upon the Arian Scheme pretend to fpeak more ho^ 
 nourably of him than their PredecefTors did, yet 
 they will not allow him to be the fupreme, the 
 felfexijlent, and the independent God ; and truly, if 
 lie is not felf-exiftent and independent, he is not 
 God, but a mere Creature : But his Name is Jeho~ 
 vah, that is, the felfexijlent and independent Being ; 
 he is the Lord of Ho/Is, the whole Earth is full of 
 his Glory ; The Seraphims cover their Faces with 
 their Wings before him, and cry one to another, 
 Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah Tzebaoth, the whole Earth 
 is full of his Glory, Ifa. vi. 3. Thefe Things (aid E- 
 faias when he fazv his Glory, and /pake of him, John 
 xii. 41. He is Alpha and Omega y the Beginning and 
 
 the 
 
the Ending, which is, and which was, and which is f» 
 come, the Almighty, Rev. i. 8. He is the Fir/} and 
 the Laft, and be fides him there is no God, Rev. i. 
 ir, 17. with Ifa. xliv. 6. His abfolute Eter- 
 nity, Self-exiftence and fupreme Deity, cannot-be 
 expreffed in plainer Terms : And, if he were not 
 the fupreme God, his Satisfaction could have bom 
 no Proportion to the Indignity and Dilhonour that 
 is done unto God by Sin ; it would not have had 
 Merit, Worth, or Value in it to make an Atone- 
 ment for Sin : But he is Jehovah, God over all blef- 
 fed for ever ; and therefore our fure and all-fufficf-* 
 ent Help is in his' great Name. 
 
 ^thly. He in whom Men are bleifed is defpifed 
 by the Popifh, Church. The whole Doctrine of Po- 
 pery is levelled againft the Offices, the Word, and 
 Grace of the Lord Jefus Chrift ; That univerfal 
 Headfhip that the Pope of Rome claims to himfelf 
 over the Houfe of God, is an Evidence that he is. 
 that Antichrift, who, as God, fitteth in the Temple of 
 God, oppofing and exalting himfelf above every Thing 
 that is called God, 2 TheiT. ii. 4. Their Doctrines 
 concerning the Imperfection of the holy Scriptures, 
 the Authority and Neceffity of unwritten Traditi- 
 ons, as alfo the Infallibility their Church claims to 
 . herfelf, and that blind Subjection that is required 
 from all her Members to her Decrees and Canons, 
 are all fo many Evidences that their Church is an- 
 tichriftian. Their Doctrines concerning the Me- 
 rit of good Works, concerning Penance for Sin 
 in this Life, and a Purgatory after this Life, are 
 oppofite to that only and abundant Merit that is 
 in the Death of Chrift, to the Fulnefs of Virtue 
 and Efficacy that is in the Satisfaction he gave to the 
 Law andjuftice of God,and contrary to the Freedom 
 ©f Grace manifefted in the J unification of a Sin- 
 ner 
 
aer before God, on the Account of the Rignteouf- 
 nefs of Chrift imputed and received by Faith a- 
 lone. If our Perfons are accepted, either in Whole 
 or in Part, on the Account of any good Works 
 done by us ; if any Thing done by us by be rec- 
 koned in the leaft fatisfactory for Sin, then the 
 Doctrine of Justification and Salvation by the free 
 Grace of God is quite overturned ; for, if by Grace, 
 then it is no more of Works, otherways Grace is no 
 more Grace, Rom. xi. 6. But I fhall not now in- 
 fill: on thefe Things ; I only obfervc at the Time, 
 that the Popifh Doctrine concerning Images or Pic- 
 tures of the Lord Jefus is highly difhonourable to 
 him. I have already noticed, that all Pittures of 
 Chrift are an Indignity unto his divine Perfon. Some 
 of you, it is like, may fay, May we not have a Picture 
 of the human Body -of Chrift, to bring him to our 
 Remembrance, as we remember our abfent or deceaft 
 Friends by their Pictures ? But, is there not a vaft 
 Difference betwixt that Remembrance you ought to 
 have of Chrih\ and the Remembrance you may have 
 of any abfent or deceaft Friend . ? Ought you to have 
 any Remembrance of Chrift but what is religious I 
 that is, Ought you to have any Remembrance of 
 him but what includes fupreme Love to his Per- 
 fon, Confidence and Truft in him for fpiritual and 
 eternaf BlefTednefs, and alfo Gratitude and Thank- 
 fulness to him for what he has done and fuffered I 
 This, is what you will readily acknowledge, if you 
 are confiftent with your Chriftian Profeffiou. But 
 you will fay, May we not have a Picture of him to 
 'excite to this religious Remembrance, though we 
 do not worlhip the Picture ? If you think fo, then 
 you and the Papifts are agreed in this Point : They 
 cxprefly refufe that they worfhip Images or Pic- 
 tures ; they are not fo mad- as to affirm that there 
 
 3i 
 
 
( 5-7 ) 
 is any Divinity or Virtue in them, for which they 
 ought to be reverenced or adored : Nay, fay they, 
 " We make Ufe of Images or Pictures of Chrift 
 ** to affift us in our Devotions, to excite in us a 
 " more lively Remembrance of him, and to raife 
 " our Affections unto him." See the Bifnop of 
 Condom's Expofition of the Doctrine of the Catho- 
 lick Church, Sett. $-. 
 
 But an Image or Pi Bare of Chrift, for religiou 
 Ends and Purpofes, is the Idolatry forbidden in 
 the fecond Command. The firft Command directs 
 us to the Object of Worfhip, namely, JEHO- 
 VAH the true God, who is one God in three Per- 
 fons ; the fecond Command directs us to the Means 
 of Worfhip, namely, all fuch Ordinances as he has 
 appointed in his Word : The firft Command for- 
 bids us to worfhip any other but the true God ; and 
 the fecond Command forbids us to worfhip the true 
 God by Images, or any other Way not appointed 
 in his Word. It expreily forbids all Images or Pic- 
 tures of any Thing in Heaven or in Earth, as af- 
 fifting or exciting Means of our Devotion, and that 
 becaufe God is a jealous God : Therefore all Ima- 
 ges and Pictures of Chrift, for exciting a religious 
 Remembrance of him, are an Abomination in the 
 Sight of God. If you inquire where it is that 
 you may fee Chrift, I anfwer, Chrift. is fet before 
 you, crucified, in the Word and in the Sacraments ; 
 thefe are the Ordinances of his own Inflitution 
 and Appointment : iVnd, if ever you get a faving 
 Sight of Chrift, it is only in his own Ordinances 
 that you can fee him ; for it is not with the Eye of 
 Senfe, but with the Eye of Faith, that a crucified 
 
 Chrift is feen, 2 Cor. v. 7 16. His own In- 
 
 ftitutions are the only as well as the mod fuffieient 
 
 Means for giving us the faving Knowledge of him, 
 
 I and 
 
( *8 ) 
 
 and for exciting our Love to him, and our Confi- 
 dence and Truft in him ; therefore all Images and 
 Pictures of Chrift are only an imaginary Chrift, 
 and a grofs Delufion. Let me then advife you to 
 be concerned to. get a fpiritual View of the Glory 
 that is in a crucified Chrift, as he is fet before you 
 in the Ordinances of the Gofpel : If Men lofe 
 once a fpiritual Senfe of the Things of God, and 
 fpiritual Views of Chrift in his Perfon and Suffer- 
 ings, they are ready to fubftitute in the Room there- 
 of Images, Pictures, or Paintings of Chrift, to gra- 
 tify their carnal Senfes ; and this is the true Ori- 
 gin and Spring of all that Idolatry and Superfti- 
 tion that for fo long a Time has been the Sin and 
 Plague of the Chriftian "World. 
 
 5tbly. All carnal Reprefentations of Chrift and 
 his Sufferings, for a profane 4 .pr common Ufe, are 
 a high Contempt of the Perfon, Death, and Medi- 
 ation of the Lord Jefus. If it is an Abomination 
 in the Church of Rome to frame Images or Pictures 
 of him for a religious Ufe, is no lefs an Abomination 
 to carry about a pretended Picture of Chrift in his 
 Sufferings, to expofe it as common Shew for Mo- \ 
 ney, under a Pretence of mewing a fine Piece of 
 Paint ; this is a moft profane Proitituting of the fa- 
 cred Myfteries of our holy Chriftian Religion : I 
 am bold to warn you againft fuch an abominable 
 Practice ; it is, with a Witnefs, a trampling under 
 Foot the Son of God, and a counting the Blood of the | 
 Covenant, wherewith we are fanftified, an unholy or 
 common Thing. 
 
 6thly. Chrift is defpifed by them who do not 
 believe on him, or who receive not the Teftimo- 
 ny that is given in the Word concerning him. 
 All who do not receive Chrift into their Hearts, 
 who do not fubmit unto his Government, and who 
 do not ftudy Conformity to him in their Lives, de- 
 
 fpife 
 
( 59 ) . 
 fpife him. The Charge, as it is now laid, is the 
 epidemick Sin of this Generation ; it is the Sin of 
 this Generation, it is the Sin of this Congregation. 
 Have we not Reafon to fay, Who hath believed our 
 Report ? To tuhom is the Arm of the Lord revealed f 
 You have enjoyed the Word of the Gofpel for a 
 considerable Time ; but fome are more hardned un- 
 der the Means of Grace, and others are altogether 
 indifferent and unconcerned about the Bleffing that 
 the Word of the Gofpel brings unto them ; they 
 prefer the World, their Trade, or their Meffcl ,n- 
 dife, to Chrift and the Bleffednefs that is to be 
 found in him, like thofe mentioned, Matth. xxii. 5-. 
 Some deceive themfelves with a prefumptuous Hope 
 and Confidence in themfelves, and others are weari- 
 ed of the Gofpel ; they lothe the Doctrines and 
 plain Truths of the Gofpel, as the Ifrcelites did 
 the Manna in the Wildernefs. Too many give up 
 themfelves to open Profanity and Wickednefs, while 
 others content themfelves with an external Pro- 
 fefTion, and an outward Attendance upon the Or- 
 dinances of the Gofpel. Know, that if you do 
 not receive Chrift into your Hearts, if you do not 
 receive the Teftimony of God in his Word con- 
 cerning his Son, if you do not embrace him in his 
 Perfon and Offices, as he is offered to you in the 
 Word and Promifes of the Gofpel, you defpife 
 and rejeiTt him ; and "if you defpife and reject him, 
 you reject the Blefling, you prefer Death to Life, 
 you prefer Deftruction and Mifery to eternal Feli- 
 city and Bleffednefs. And, foi\ a Conchfion to 
 this Head, may I not ask at you, What ails you 
 at Chrift ? He is altogether lovely, he is fairer than 
 the Sons of Men, a Name is given unto him above 
 every Neme, that Men may be bleffsd in him. What 
 r*ils you at the Way of Salvation through Chrift ? 
 
 Is 
 
( 60 ) 
 fa it not a "Way that honours and glorifies God, 
 sfnd a Way that is fafe for you ? "What ails you 
 at the Righteoufnefs of Chrift? Is not all your 
 own as filthy Rags ? Can you prefent any Thing: 
 that you can call your own before a holy God, as 
 the Ground of your Acceptance in his Sight ? Is 
 not the Righteoufnefs of Chrift a fufficient, as well 
 as the only Ground for the Justification of a Sinner 
 before God ? What ails you at the Government of 
 Chrift ? Is not his Yoke eafy, and his Burden light ? 
 His Commandments are not grievous : All the Com- 
 mands of the moral Law are the Commands of a 
 God in Chrift unto his People ; and that Obedi- 
 ence unto them which fprings from Faith, and is 
 influenced by the Love of Chrift, is both Pleafant- 
 nefs and Peace ; for Wifdorn's Ways are Pleafant- 
 nefs, and all her Paths are Peace, Prov. iii. 17. 
 
 I proceed to a third Vk of the Doctrine, and 
 it is by Way of Exhortation. If it is fo, that Blef- 
 fednefs is to be found in Chrift, then I exhort yon 
 all, and every one, to come to him for the Bleffing. 
 I [hall offer a few Things by "Way of Motive, 
 And, 2, A Word by Way of Direction unto you. 
 And, to move you to come unto him for the Blef- 
 fing, confider, ift. All that BlefTednefs that is to be 
 found in Chrift is offered unto you : In the Word 
 of the Gofpel that we preach unto you, all the 
 Bleffings of the new Covenant are brought unto 
 your Door, they are fpread before you ; Thus 
 faith the Lord, Incline your Ear, and come unto me ,* 
 hear, and your Souls /hall live ; and I will make an even- 
 laffing Covenant with you, even the Jure Mercies of 
 Pavid, Ifa. iv. 3. God doth carneftly call and in- 
 vite you to come and partake in the BlefTednefs 
 that is'to be found in Chrift ; his awful Authority 
 
( 61 ) 
 
 is interpofed, commanding yon to come unto him 
 for the Blefling ; This is his Commandment, that we 
 Jhould beiie-ve on the Name of his Son Jefus Chrift, 
 T John iii. 23. 
 
 idly. Confider to whom it is that the Blefling is 
 offered : My Text tells you that it is unto Men ; 
 for Men [hall be blejjed in him. God comes as a 
 God of Blejfings in his Chrift to finful and rebel- 
 lious Men ; Unto you, Men, I call, and my Voice 
 is to the Sons of Men, Prov. viii. 4. 
 
 3 dly. Confider what is the Blelfing that is offer- 
 ed unto you : It is no lefs than God himfclf ; he 
 gives himfelf in Chrift unto you ; / will be your 
 God, and you (hall be my People. And with himfelf 
 he gives Salvation and Deliverance from Sin and 
 Wrath, and the eternal and beatifick Vifion of 
 himfelf in Glory ; all this is offered unto you : 
 What would you have more, or what can you 
 defire more ? 
 
 qthly. Confider the Worth and Excellency of 
 the Bleffings wherewith Men are bleffed in Chrift : 
 They are mo ft excellent, and moft valuable ; if 
 they are compared with ail other Things, they 
 will be found to excel them all. (1.) The Blef- 
 fings that are to be found in Chrift are fubjlantial ' 
 Bleffings. All Things in this World are at beft 
 but a Shadow, a vain Shew, Pfal. xxxix. 6. But 
 the Bleffings that are to be found in Chrift arc a. 
 fubftantial Portion and Inheritance, they that inhe- 
 rit them, inherit Subflance, Prov. viii. 2 1 . They arc 
 fubftantial Food to the Soul ; Eat ye that which 
 is good, Ha. lv. 2. Hence, (2 ) the Bleffings to 
 be found in Chrift are Soul-fatisfying Bleffings, they 
 afford abundant Satisfaction. The World, and the 
 beft Things in it, can never fitisfy the Defires and 
 Expectations of the Soul : but ail fuch as are blef- 
 fed 
 
fed in Chrift, are fatisfied with his abundant Grace, 
 with the Goodnefs of his Houfe, even of his holy 
 Place, Pfalm lxv. 4. They are fatisfied as with 
 Marrow and Fatnefs, Pfalm Ixiii. 5. (3.) The 
 Bleffings that are to be found in Ghrift are fure and 
 certain ; they are called the fire Mercies of Da- 
 vid, Ifa. lv. 3. All other Things arc uncertain ; 
 Riches take Wings and fly away ; one may be rich 
 to-day, and poor to-morrow ; you have every 
 Day Inftanccs of the Uncertainty of all Things in 
 this World : But fuch as are bleffied in Ghrift can 
 never be deprived of their BlefTednefs ; the Blef- 
 fings wherewith they arebleifed are in a fure Hand, 
 they are kept by the Lord jefus : Yea, lie himfelf 
 is their Bleffednefs ; therefore, take from the Be- 
 liever what you will, you can never take his Porti- 
 on from him ; for hrs God is his Portion : What- 
 ever the Believer may lofe, he can never lofe his 
 Treafure, Ghrift is hi&Treafure ; Who Jhall fep a-, 
 rate us from the Love of Chrifl ? Rom. viii. 35. 
 (4.) The Bleffings that are to be found in Ghrift 
 are eternal, 2 Cor. iv. 18. If a Man mould enjoy 
 all the good Things that this World can afford, 
 Death deprives him of them all, it makes a Sepa^ 
 'ration betwixt us and every Thing in Time ; but 
 the Bleffings that are to be found in Chrift go 
 through Death with the Believer : Yea, the full 
 Enjoyment of that Bieftednefs which is promifed 
 unto him, is in that better Country, the heavenly, 
 which lies beyond the Line of Time. 
 
 $th!y. Consider all the Bleffings that are in Chrift 
 are freely given. You have nothing but Poverty 
 and Mifery, but the good Things that arc treafured 
 up in Ghrift, are given out freely to wretched and 
 miferable Men : Pardon of Sin is the free Gift of 
 God, eternal Life is the free Gift of God, all the 
 
 Bleffings 
 
( <*3 > 
 
 Bleflings purchafed by Chrift are Blcffings of Grace 
 unto you, you may have them without Money and 
 •without Price, Ifa. Iv. I. Whofoever will, let him 
 take the Water of Life freely, Revel, xxii. 17. Fi- 
 nally, if you are not bleifed in Chrift, you muft 
 remain under the Curfe, and under the Wrath of 
 God ; you fhall die under the Curfe. and you muft 
 needs ly under the Wrath of God for ever. What- 
 ever you may think of it now, you mail know in 
 a little, to your woful Experience, that the Threat- 
 nings of God's Word are not mere Scarcrows, and 
 that the Wrath of a Sin -revenging God is not a 
 Matter of Jeff. : It is a fearful Thing to fall into 
 the Hands of the living God. 
 
 I fhall conclude this Head with a few Words by 
 Way of Advice unto you. If you would be blef- 
 fed in Chrift, ift. Serioufly confider your mifcrable 
 State in the firft Adam, and that, while you are in 
 a natural State and Condition, you are under the 
 Curfe and under the Wrath of God. Atheifm 
 lies at the Root of all the more open, or more fe- 
 cret and hidden Contempt that there is, amongft 
 Men, of Chrift, and the Way of Bleflednefs through 
 him ; it is the Spring of the IndifFerency and Care - 
 lefnefs that is amongft the moft Part of the Hearers 
 of the Gofpel about their eternal Salvation. Did 
 Men really believe that they are by Nature under 
 the Curfe and Wrath of God, did they believe the 
 Juftice and Holinefs of God, and the Defert of e- 
 very Sin, they would readily value and prize the 
 Revelation and Offer of Blelfednefs that is made 
 unto Men through the Lord Jefus Chrift. idly. See 
 your Inability to come unto Chrift for the Elef- 
 fing. Some reckon it an eafier Matter to believe 
 than to praclife ; fuch, I am fure, are Strangers 
 both to faving Faith and found Practice : Saving 
 
C *4 ) 
 Faith in Chrifl: is above the Power of Nature, it 
 is the Fruit of the exceeding Greatnefs of divine 
 Power, it is the Effect of that mighty Power which 
 •wrought in Chrifl when he was raifed from the Dead, 
 Bph. i. 19, 20. And without Faith there can be 
 no Soundnefs in Practice. It is the firft Principle 
 of any acceptable Obedience unto God, either in 
 the Duties of the firft or fecond Table of the 
 Law ; for without Faith it is impoffible . to pleafe 
 Gjd, Heb. xi. 6. If ever you come to the Lord 
 Jefus for the Blefling, you mutt be convinced of 
 your Unbelief ; and a thorough Conviction of Un- 
 belief is the fpecial Work of the holy Spirit 
 John xvi. 8. If you are convinced of your Un- 
 belief, you will not only fee your Inability to be- 
 lieve, but alfo the Enmity that is in your Heart 
 againlt the Way of Salvation through Chrift, Rom. 
 viii. 7. $dly. Wait carefully upon the Ordinan- 
 ces of the Lord's Inftitution and Appointment ; 
 Faith comes by Heoring, and Hearing by the Word of 
 God. The Blefling is promifed in his own Ordi* . 
 nances, and it is in them that you may expect to 
 find the Blefling, Exod. xx. 24. In all Places where 
 I record my Name, I will come unto thee, and I will 
 blefs thee. In the lafl Place, Pray for the Blefling 
 From him. Prayer is a fpecial Mean of his own 
 Inftitution and Appointment for obtaining the Blef- 
 ling : All the Bleflings of the Purchafe of Chrift 
 arc freely promifed and freely given ; the Grace 
 of Faith, as we obferved before, whereby we are 
 interefted in the Bleflednefs that is to be found ill 
 Chrift, is likeways a promifed Blefling : And this 
 may encourage you to look, to wait and pray for 
 the Spirit of Faith ; and if you are feeking the 
 Spirit of Faith, under a Senfe and Feeling of your 
 Unbelief, ye are in the Way to obtain it. 
 
 I pro- 
 
C ^ ) 
 
 I proceed to the /aft Ufe of this Doclrine ; and 
 it is in a Word to fiich as are Partakers of that 
 BleiTednefs that is in Chrift. And here I (hall; in 
 the firft Place, give fome Charters of them. i» 
 OiFer fome Things for their Coi)folation and Encou* 
 ragement. And, 3. conclude with a few "Words 
 by Way of Advice unto them. 
 
 Inthtftrft Place, I fhall give you a few Char&c^ 
 ters of them that are blelTed in Chrift. 
 
 jft. If you are bleifed in him, ye have feen 
 yourfelves under Sin, and under the Curfe and 
 Wrath of God by Nature ; the Spirit of God has 
 convinced you both of Sin and Mifery : You have 
 feen the Sin of your Nature, and of your Way 5 
 you have feen yourfelves Sinners in the firft Adam, 
 and that you are Tranfgreftors from the very Womb ; 
 ye have feen that your Life has been one continued 
 Series and Trafr. of Rebellion againft God ; you 
 have feen Sin in its exceeding Sinfalnefs ; you 
 have feen it in its Contrariety unto the holy Na- 
 ture of God, and confequently that you are loathfom 
 and vile before him ; ye have feen Sin in its Con- 
 trariety unto the Authority of God exprefTed in his 
 Law, and confequently that you are guilty before 
 him, and that you are not only obnoxious unto e- 
 veriafting "Wrath, but alfo that you deferve no- 
 thing but "Wrath, and that he is righteous, juft and 
 holy, tho' he fhould condemn you ; you have feen 
 that all your Duties are as an unclean Thing, that 
 all your own RighteoufheiTes are as filthy Rags, 
 and that you can do nothing at all for your own 
 Help and Recovery from that Mifery and Ruin 
 that Sin has brought you under, and that, if you are 
 faved, your Salvation muft be by the free Grace of 
 God alone through Jefus Chrift. In a Word, e- 
 very convinced Sinner, who has come unto the 
 Lord Jefus for the BlefTing, fees the Evil of Sin; 
 K and 
 
(66 ) 
 
 and alfo the high Defert of it ; all Confidence in 
 himfelf is beat down, his lofty Looks are humbled, 
 the Haughtinefs of his Heart is made low ; he 
 lothes himfelf before the Lord for his Iniquities 
 and his Abominations, Ifa. ii. 12- — — 17. Ezek. 
 xxxvi. 31. 
 
 idly. If you are blelTed in Chrift, you have a 
 fpiritual Inbeing in him, through the Faith of the 
 Operation of God. Many of you are joined to 
 the Lord Jefus only by an outward Profeffion ; you 
 are baptized in the Name of Chrift, you attend up- 
 on his Ordinances, you have fome common Know- 
 ledge of the Principles of Religion, and make an 
 outward Subjection unto Chrift : But, if thefe are 
 the only Ligaments and Bonds wherewith ye are 
 joined unto him, ye have no Part as yet in the 
 Blefting, ye are Strangers unto him, ye are amongft 
 the Branches that lhall be taken away as withered 
 and ufelefs, who are gathered in the End and call: 
 
 into the Fire, and are burned, John xv. ^ 6. 
 
 If you have any real and fpiritual Inbeing in 
 Chrift, the Spirit of the Lord has taken the Face 
 of Covering from off you, he has, by the Means of 
 the "Word of the Gofpel, jh\ned into your Hearts* 
 and given unto you the Light of the Knowledge of the 
 Glory of God in the Face of Jefus, 2 Cor. iv. 6. You 
 have got a Difcovery of Chrift in the Glory of his 
 Perfon, and in the Suitablenefs of his Offices, as a 
 meet Saviour and Redeemer for you ; and your 
 Souls have ecchoed back to the Gofpel-Revelation 
 of Chrift, In the Lord have I Right eoufnefs and 
 Strength. I count it a faithful Saying, and worthy 
 of all Acceptation, that Chrijl came to five Sinners* 
 of whom I am the Chief. In a Word, you approve 
 of the whole Plan of Salvation; thro' Chrift, as a 
 Device full of infinite Wifdom-and Loyc, as a De- 
 vice 
 
C *7 ) 
 
 vice that honours and glorifies God, and that is 
 fuitable and fafe for you ; you reft upon the Perfon 
 and Mediation of Jefus Chrift for Salvation from 
 Sin in its Guilt and Filth, and alfb in its Power 
 and Being ; you reft upon him for Deliverance from 
 the Wrath to come, for Acceptance in the Sight 
 of God, for a Right and Title to eternal Glory, 
 and for the actual Fruition and Enjoy menrof what- 
 ever is contained in the everlafting Covenant. 
 
 gdfy. If you are blelTed in Ghrift, you will efteem 
 him highly yourfelves ; and it will be your Defire 
 that he may be exalted and honoured by others : 
 I fay, you will efteem him yourfelves. If he is 
 defpifed by them that believe not, if he is a Stone 
 of Stumbling and a Rock of Offence unto them, 
 yet unto them that believe he is precious, I Pet. ii. 
 7. They prefer and efteem him above all other 
 Perfons and Things 'whatfoever. Likeways, it 
 will be your Defire that he may be exalted and ho- 
 noured in the Congregation and Place where you 
 live, and you will readily lay out yourfelves, in 
 the feveral Stations in which you are placed, to 
 honour and glorify his Name ; you will defire that 
 he may be exalted in the Land wherein you live ; 
 yea, you cannot but cry out with the Pfalmift, in 
 the Words following our Text, BleiTed be his glo- 
 rious Name for ever, and let the whole Earth be fiL 
 led with his Glory ; Amen, and Amen. 
 
 j^thly. If you are Hefted in him, then you will 
 ftudy Conformity to his Image. It is one of the 
 diftinguifhing Characters of all that are blefted in 
 him, that they are conformed to his Image, Rom. viii. 
 29. And this is no fmall Part of that Bleftednefs 
 wherewith Men are blefted in Chrift, as you heard. 
 All that are blefted in him, they are renewed in 
 the whole Man after the Image of God, Ef>h. iv. 23, 
 
 24t 
 
( ■ «8 ) 
 
 24. They are made Partakees of the divine Na- 
 ture, 2 Pet.i. 4> They have an inward Principle 
 of Purity and Holinefs implanted in them, and it 
 is their Endeavour daily to die unto Sin, and to 
 live unto Righteoufnefs, to advance in San edifica- 
 tion and Holinefs, till the Top- Stone is fet upon 
 the Work in Glory. If you are conformed unto 
 the Image of Chrift, then you will love the whole 
 Law of God, becaufe of its Purity and Holinefs ; 
 you will hate every falfe Way, becaufe of its Con- 
 trariety to the Holinefs and Authority of God ^in- 
 dwelling Sin will be your daily Burden, you will 
 maintain a daily Conflict and Fight againft it, you 
 will make Chrift your Pattern and Example, you 
 will daily purfue after Conformity to your holy 
 Head, and you will third: after Deliverance from 
 the Inbeing of Sin, and after that confummate and 
 complete Sanctification and Holinefs, which, acr 
 cording to his Promife, you fhall ihortly attain un- 
 to ; for he will prefect ail his Members unto him/elf 
 a glorious Church, not having Spot or Wrinkle, or any 
 fuch Thing, but holy and without Blemifh, Eph. v. 27N 
 I proceed, in the fecond Place, unto a "Word of 
 Confutation and Encouragement unto all that are 
 indeed blelfed in Chrift, and particularly to you 
 who can lay Claim to the Characters juft now given. 
 "Whatever difcouraging Providences you may be 
 tried with, whatever Difficulties you may be under 
 whatever your Afflictions or Troubles may be, yet 
 you have Ground for flrong Confolation. For, 
 
 In the firjl Place, If you are blelfed in Chrift, 
 your Bleifednefs is. well fecured unto you. Your 
 great New Covenant Head is Truftee for you ; he 
 is not only intruded with all the Concerns of his 
 Father's Honour and Glory, but alfo with all that 
 concerns you for Time and Eternity ; neither De 
 
 vijs 
 
( 69 } 
 
 vils nor Men can pluck you out of his Hand, John 
 X. 28. I give unto them eternal Life, and they (hall 
 never pcrifh, neither foall any pluck them nut of my 
 Hand. The firft Adam loft the Stock of Bleifed- 
 nefs that was put into his Hand, and thereby ruin- 
 ed himfelfand all his Posterity ; but the fecondv^ 
 dam is the mighty God ; what his Father put into 
 his glands fhall be furely and fafely kept ; and what 
 you have committed unto him, he is able to keep again!} 
 that Day, viz. the Day of his glorious Appearance, 
 2 Tim. i. 12. 
 
 idly. If you are blefled in him, you are bluffed 
 in any Thing that you have. If you have but lit- 
 tle in the World, there is a Bleffing in it I A Utile 
 that a righteous Man hath, is better than the Riches 
 of many wicked. There is a Blcding in all your 
 LoiTes, and in all your Groffes •, whatever crofs : 
 "Winds of Providence may blow in your Face, they 
 are defigned for your Good ; whatever Loifes you 
 may meet with, they are for your Good ; for all 
 Things /hall work together for Good to them that love- 
 God, Rom. viii. 28. 
 
 'idly. If you are bleffed in Chrift, you can never 
 be accurfed. Satan and his Initruments may curfe 
 and revile you, but they cannot hurt you ; if they 
 malign and revile you, reckon the Reproach of 
 Chrift your Crown and your Glory : If you are re- 
 proached for the Name ' of Chrift, happy are you ; for 
 the Spirit of Glory and of God reflet h upon you, 1 Pet. 
 iv. 14. You are fafely flickered and covered from 
 the Curfe of the Law, and from the Sin-revenging 
 Juftice of God, under his Shadow who is the Lord 
 our Right eoufnefs : The Curfe of the Law can never 
 take Hold on yon, it is a Hand-Writing that is 
 cancelled and blotted out ; for there is no Condemna- 
 tion to them that are in Chrift, fn a Word, you 
 
 have 
 
( 70 ) . 
 have Ground for that holy donation and Boaft of 
 Faith, Who jball lay any Thing to the Charge of God's 
 Elctt ? It is God that juflifieth : Who is he that con- 
 demneth ? It is Chrift that died, yea rather, that is, 
 rifen again, who is even at the Right-Hand of God, 
 who alfomaketh Inter cejfion for us, Rom. viii. 33, 34I 
 4'/;/>'. If you are bleifed in Chrift, you mall be 
 bleifed in your Death ; Blejfed are the Dead that die 
 in the Lord, Rev.xiv. 13. You muft die as well as 
 others, but Death will be a Bleffing unto you : 
 Death is di farmed of its Sting, and is a Friend unto 
 all them that are in Chrift ; it is a Meffenger fent 
 to bring them to the PofTeffion of that perfect and 
 complete BlefTednefs that is rcferved for them. Are 
 you bleifed in Chrift ? Then Death will put a Pe- 
 riod to all your Doubts and Fears, to all your 
 Temptations and Trials ; it will fet you free from 
 all the Remains of Sin, it will bring you unto the 
 immediate Enjoyment of God himfelf, who is your 
 everlafting Glory and BlefTednefs. Hence, 
 
 In the fifth Place, You mail be bleifed after 
 Death. The Souls of Believers are at their Death 
 made perfect in Holinefs, and they pafs immediate- 
 ly into Glory ; you mall then pafs into the imme- 
 diate Fruition and Enjoyment of God, you ihall 
 fee him a>H?e is, you lhall be with him where he is, 
 and (hall behold his Glory, John xvii. 24. You lhall 
 pafs into the immediate Worihip and Service of 
 God, for there his Servants Jhall ferae him, Rev. 
 xxii. 3,. You mall pafs into nn everlafting Freedom 
 from all Sin, all Sorrow, and all Trouble : God 
 /hall wipe away all Tears from your Eyes, and there 
 jhall he no more Death, neither Sorrow, nor Crying, 
 neither Jhall there be any more Pain, Rev. xxi. 4.. 
 
 6thly. You fliall be bleffed at the Day of Chrift's 
 glorious Appearance. , He who fufFered and died, 
 
 and 
 
( 7i ) 
 
 and who rofe by his own Power from the Dead, 
 and who is now fet down on the Right-Hand of th* 
 Majefty on High, will come again from Heaven to 
 Earth with Power and great Glory : Surely, fays 
 he, / come quickly. ^ Rev. xxii. 20. The Day of 
 his Coming will be a terrible Day to his Enemies, 
 and to the Enemies of his Church and People : It 
 will be the Day of his righteous Vengeance on Sa- 
 tan, and on all the wicked and ungodly : But it- 
 will be a Day of Bleflings unto you that are inte- 
 refted in him ; you mall then be raifed up in Glory, 
 your vile Bodies ihall then be changed, and mail be 
 fajhioned like unto his glorious Body ; your glorious 
 Head, in whom you are bleiTed, will openly ac- 
 knowledge and own you as his, before his Father, 
 and before the holy Angels, yea, before the Devils, 
 and before all the wicked and ungodly World ; 
 he will in like Manner openly acquit you from e- 
 very Accufation and Charge that Law and Jufticc 
 may give in againft you, and from all the Re- 
 proaches that Satan or his Inftruments may throw 
 upon you. You are now juftified and pardoned ; 
 but then the Sentence ihall be publifhed and de- 
 clared before all the World : Every Tongue that 
 ■ rifeth in Judgment againjl you fl;all be condemned* 
 Then will he fay unto you, Come, ye hlsjfed of my 
 Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the 
 Foundation of the World, Matth. xxiv. 34. 
 
 I conclude this Subject with a few Words by 
 Way of Advice to fuch as are Partakers in the 
 BlefTednefs that is to be found in Chrifl. 
 
 And, in the/?-/? Place, be concerned to honour 
 him in whom vc are blelfed. He is a glorious and 
 honourable Perfon,. yea, he is infinitely excellent 
 and glorious : A Name is given him which is a- 
 feove every Name that is named, both in this 
 
 World, 
 
( n ) 
 
 "World, and in that which is to come. You are 
 under the ftrongeft Obligations to honour him ; he 
 humbled himfeif, he vailed the Glory of his 
 divine Pcrfon, and made himfeif of no Reputation 
 for a Time, that you might be blelfed in him : 
 Should you not then lay out yourfelves to honour 
 and glorify him ? If you inquire what Way you 
 ought to glorify him I I anfwer, Ee concerned for 
 his declarative Honour and Glory in the World ; 
 appear for him in the feveral Stations in which 
 you are placed ; be neither afbamed to own his 
 defpifed Members, nor to confefs any of his inju- 
 red Truths ; beware of grieving his Spirit, and ftu- 
 dy univerfal Obedience to his Law , let your E- 
 fteem of his Perfon increafe and grow the more that 
 you fee him undervalued and defpifed. I know 
 not if in any Period, fince the Dawning of Refor- 
 mation -Light in Scotland, more Contempt has been 
 caft upon the Perfon, upon the Offices, upon the 
 Word and the Spirit of Ghrift, than, in the Age 
 wherein we live. Is not that blelfed Book, the Bi- 
 ble, the Object of the Scorn and Ridicule of many . ? 
 Is not his Perfon rejected, and his Grace defpifed ? 
 Are not the fpecial Operations of his bleffed Spirit 
 reviled? But, if he is a Stone of Stumbling, and 
 a Rock of Offence unto others, let him be more 
 precious in your Eyes, let your Love to him grow ; 
 for he is worthy to be loved, he is infinitely glo- 
 rious, and altogether lovely : And, if you can do 
 no more for him, be affected with the Difhonours 
 that are done unto him ; mourn in fecret for the 
 Difhonours that are done him in Scotland, and in 
 the Place and Congregation where you live. 
 
 idly. If you are among thofe who are bleffed in 
 him, then live upon him who is the inexhauftible 
 Treafurc-Houfe of all fpiritual Blelfings : Let all 
 
 your 
 
 
( 73 ) 
 y$ur Hopes and Expectations centre in him: Truft 
 him with what concerns you for Time and E- 
 rernity : Make Ufe of that Fulnefs of Grace that 
 dwells in his Perfon ; he has new Bleffings to give 
 you evefy Day j he giveth liberally, and upbraideih 
 ■not. 
 
 %dly. See that you glory in his holy Name. You 
 have Ground for a holy Boaft and Gloriation ia 
 your blelfed and glorious Head ; glory in him as your 
 Strength for every Duty, and under every Difficul- 
 ty ; glory in hirri as your juftifying Righteoufneis, 
 tinder whofe Shadow you are fheltered and faved 
 from the vindictive Wrath of»God, and in whom 
 you have Accefs^ with the Boldnefs of Faith into 
 the Holiefl: of all. In a Word, glory in him as 
 the God of your Salvation ; he will be your All 
 and your Glory through Eternity : Let him that 
 glorieth, glory in the Lord, i Cor. i. 31. 
 
 Ajhly. Be concerned for others', that they may be 
 blefled in him. Gome with your Families unto him 
 for the Bleffing ; bring your Children and Servants 
 unto him, that he may blefs them ; pray for the 
 1 Congregation wherein you live, that many in it 
 may be blefled in him ; pray for a Bleffing on your 
 Neighbours ; yea, blefs them that perfecute you, anii 
 pray, for them that defpite fully ufe you. 
 
 Finally, Give Glory to him in whom you are 
 bleffed : Blefs his holy Name ; all and every one 
 in all Nations, who are bleffed in him, /ball call him 
 blejfed. When he blefTeth us, he makes us bleffed, 
 he communicates his Bjeffings unto us : But he is 
 infinitely bleffed in himfelf) he can receive no Ad- 
 I dition to his BlcfTednefs ; and therefore, when you 
 are called to blefs him, and to give Glory unto him, 
 you are called to declare his Glory, to acknow- 
 I* leige 
 
( 74 ) 
 ledge what he is, and what he has done for you : .. 
 And who is fufficient for this Work and Exercife f 
 For who can mew forth his Praife ? Who can de\ 
 clare his Glory ? Yet you ought to mint at it ; it! 
 is what you ought to endeavour to do. A re you \ 
 blelfed in him ? O then give Glory to him, and 
 blefs him ; acknowledge with Heart and Tongue 
 that he is infinitely blelfed in himfelf, and that your 
 Goodnefs cannot extend unto him. Give Glory to 
 him. by declaring his glorious Excellencies and 
 Perfections : Blefs him, by acknowledging your^ 
 felves Debtors to his fovereign and free Love, and 
 his rich and abundant Mercy and Grace : And 
 though you have much Reafon to complain that 
 you have neither Hearts nor Tongues for this fpi- 
 ritual Exercife; yet the Time is coming, when you. 
 fhall, without a jarring Note, or miftuned Heart, 
 join the heavenly Quirifters, wlio cry out with a, 
 loud Voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was /Iain, to 
 receive Power, and Riches, and Wifdom, and Strength^ 
 and Honour, and Glory, and Ble fling. And let every 
 Creature which is in Heaven, and on the Earth, fay x \ 
 Blefling, and Honour, and Glory, and Pqwer he unto him 
 that fitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lamb fw ever : 
 md ever, Rev. v. 12, 13. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
1 
 
* 
 
y 
 
in 
 
 ft- 
 
 BOOKS fold hy John Henderfon 
 bernethy. 
 
 Bibles of feveral Sorts. 
 Watfon's Body of Divinity, 
 Welfch's Sermons, <&<?. 
 Lofton's Fourfold State. 
 
 — - on the Covenant. ' 
 
 . Crook of the Lot. 
 
 Marrow of. Modern Divinity, with Bofton's Notes, 
 
 Rutherford's^ fetters. 
 
 Welwood's Glimpfe of Glory. 
 
 Confeflions of Faith, with Scriptures at large. 
 
 .Durham on the Revelation. 
 
 ■ — on Conference. 
 
 — on the Commands. 
 
 
 Mbncrief 's Duty of national Covenanting explained. 
 
 Glory of Immanuel. 
 
 . ■ Call to the riling Generation. 
 
 Mr. Ralph Erskine's Faith noJ?ancy. 
 
 r-r Gofpel Sonnets. 
 
 . — . — , — Gathering to Shiloh. 
 
 . . Harmony of the divine Attributes. 
 
 — — — Gradual Conqueft. 
 . — - s .y. Little Remnant. 
 
 — : K' ln g ne H in the Galleries. 
 
 Brown's Life of Faith. 
 
 Swan's Song. 
 
 The Affbciate Presbytery's Aft and Teftimony. 
 
 - Do&rine of Grace. 
 
 . Act for renewing the Covenant. 
 
 A<5ls and Proceedings of the Aflbgiate Synocj, 
 Mr. John Hunter's Sermons. 
 
 ■H 
 
m I 
 
 :t. : '.' 
 
 Pi 
 
 Hi p 
 
 B$