Fourthly, In the application of Christs benefits, there is no regard to external temporal differences. Christ doth not communicate himself to a Christian for any external consideration, nor are his favours dispensed with such references, but according to their spiritual capacities: Hence it comes about, that some poor, weak Christian, may enjoy far more of God and Christ, then the richest man, or the learnedst man that is in the world, because Christ dispenseth himself in a spiritual way, because they are his members, and believe in him, not for accidental respects: Thus Christ saith, I stand at the door and knock, Rev. 3.20. if any man open I will come in, and sup with him Christ will come to a poor mans house, and knock there, and will sup with him: The meaning is, he will manifest himself in a gracious comfortable way to such an one, let him be never so contemptible: Know then, to partake of Christ, and to have intimate fellowship with him, is not according to the manners of great Kings and Potentates in the earth: It's not here as with Ahasuerus, none might come into his presence, but such as were perfumed, and gloriously prepared for his presence a long while together: Every believer may come boldly to the throne of grace, and call God, Father, and never be discouraged for external respects, God may make the poor mans cottage an heaven, whereas the rich mans palace or hall is many times an hell. Christ regards not great men, but good men, yet this must not be wrested to an Anabaptistical error, that because in spiritual dispensations Christ makes no such difference; therefore the public civil order that is between rich and poor, honourable and base, is to be confounded: No, Christs Gospel doth not abolish humane policies and civil differences, but doth with great diligence command the renewing of them; Take an instance about a believing servant, 1 Tim. 6.2. They that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; Servants might think that by Christ all difference is taken away, why should he be a servant, he hath as much of Christ, and is equally beloved of him with his Master? Oh, saith the Apostle, take heed of such corruption, grace doth not confound and abolish relations and order, but rather confirmeth them, and commands to discharge them with the greater care.
Fourthly, In the application of Christs benefits, there is no regard to external temporal differences. Christ doth not communicate himself to a Christian for any external consideration, nor are his favours dispensed with such references, but according to their spiritual capacities: Hence it comes about, that some poor, weak Christian, may enjoy far more of God and Christ, then the richest man, or the learnedst man that is in the world, because Christ dispenseth himself in a spiritual way, because they are his members, and believe in him, not for accidental respects: Thus Christ saith, I stand at the door and knock, Rev. 3.20. if any man open I will come in, and sup with him Christ will come to a poor mans house, and knock there, and will sup with him: The meaning is, he will manifest himself in a gracious comfortable way to such an one, let him be never so contemptible: Know then, to partake of Christ, and to have intimate fellowship with him, is not according to the manners of great Kings and Potentates in the earth: It's not here as with Ahashuerus, none might come into his presence, but such as were perfumed, and gloriously prepared for his presence a long while together: Every believer may come boldly to the throne of grace, and call God, Father, and never be discouraged for external respects, God may make the poor mans cottage an heaven, whereas the rich mans palace or hall is many times an hell. Christ regards not great men, but good men, yet this must not be wrested to an Anabaptistical errour, that because in spiritual dispensations Christ makes no such difference; therefore the publique civil order that is between rich and poor, honourable and base, is to be confounded: No, Christs Gospel doth not abolish humane policies and civil differences, but doth with great diligence command the renewing of them; Take an instance about a believing servant, 1 Tim. 6.2. They that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; Servants might think that by Christ all difference is taken away, why should he be a servant, he hath as much of Christ, and is equally beloved of him with his Master? Oh, saith the Apostle, take heed of such corruption, grace doth not confound and abolish relations and order, but rather confirmeth them, and commands to discharge them with the greater care.
