A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

Use 3 For trial, 1 Whether we keep Gods Commandments.

Ʋse 3 For tryal, 1 Whether we keep Gods Commandments.

2 Whether we be in Christ or no.

1 Wouldest thou know whether thou keepest Gods Commandments as thou shouldest? dost thou keep them as thy Way, as thy Treasure? &c. if thou dost, I declare to thee, thou art in Christ, and thou either dost, or shalt know Christ. And if thou wouldest know whether thou be in Christ, why, thou mayest know it, if thou keep Gods Commandments.

1 Wouldest thou know whether thou keepest Gods Commandments as thou shouldest? dost thou keep them as thy Way, as thy Treasure? &c. if thou dost, I declare to thee, thou art in Christ, and thou either dost, or shalt know Christ. And if thou wouldest know whether thou be in Christ, why, thou maist know it, if thou keep Gods Commandments.

1 Thou art in Christ, 2 Thou knowest thou art in Christ, and this is fullness of joy; for if thou be in Christ, thou hast no condemnation belonging to thee, Rom 8.1. and thou mayest also know it; how ill then do they deal with their own souls, who know they are in Christ, and yet every discouragement puts them off from comfort? it is a shame that Christians that have such a privilege as to be in Christ, and know it, should be so discouraged; therefore those that would keep a continual festival unto Christ, let them get into Christ, and learn to know that they are in Christ, and this may be a comfort unto them against all discouragements.

1 Thou art in Christ, 2 Thou knowest thou art in Christ, and this is fullnesse of joy; for if thou be in Christ, thou hast no condemnation belonging to thee, Rom 8.1. and thou maist also know it; how ill then do they deal with their own souls, who know they are in Christ, and yet every discouragement puts them off from comfort? it is a shame that Christians that have such a priviledge as to be in Christ, and know it, should be so discouraged; therefore those that would keep a continual festival unto Christ, let them get into Christ, and learn to know that they are in Christ, and this may be a comfort unto them against all discouragements.

Doct. It is the duty of all such as profess Fellowship with Christ, to walk as Christ walked; or the profession of Fellowship with Christ, ought to be joined with imitation of Christ.

Doct. It is the duty of all such as professe Fellowship with Christ, to walk as Christ walked; or the profession of Fellowship with Christ, ought to be joyned with imitation of Christ.

Q. What is it to walk as Christ walked?

A. Christ hath walked in some ways as God, in some ways, as Mediator, God and man, and in some ways, as man.

A. Christ hath walked in some wayes as God, in some wayes, as Meadiator, God and man, and in some wayes, as man.

1 Then he wrought some works as God, he fasted forty days and forty nights, he fed five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, he walked on the water, &c. God never calls us to imitate him in these works, but he calls, learn of me for I am meek and lowly.

1 Then he wrought some works as God, he fasted forty dayes and forty nights, he fed five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, he walked on the water, &c. God never calls us to imitate him in these works, but he calls, learn of me for I am meek and lowly.

Q. 2. Doth he call us to walk in those ways which he walked in as Mediator?

A. He doth not call us to walk in the same kind, but in resemblance to them, as he dyed for us and rose again, so in resemblance he calls us to dye unto sin, and to rise again to the life of Grace, so to dye to the World as he dyed to nature, and to rise to newness of life as he arose from the dead, Rom. 6.16.

A. He doth not call us to walk in the same kind, but in resemblance to them, as hee dyed for us and rose again, so in resemblance hee calls us to dye unto sin, and to rise again to the life of Grace, so to dye to the World as he dyed to nature, and to rise to newnesse of life as he arose from the dead, Rom. 6.16.

2 As he was a King, Priest, and Prophet unto God, so he would have us Kings to over-rule our temptations, to rule over our families, to rule over our Tongues, to rule over our Hearts; he hath called us likewise to be Priests, to offer up sacrifices of prayer and praise, and alms, and to offer up our bodies and souls, an acceptable sacrifice unto him, Hos. 14.3. Heb. 13.16, 17. Rom. 12.1, 2. and to be as Prophets to teach our Children, and Servants, and Families, and instruct them, Act. 2.17.

3 Some works he wrought as man, and so he was either a Minister of Circumcision, or as a Servant of God, a good man; and in these we are to imitate him, 1 As a Minister, so Ministers should follow him.

1 In undertaking his Calling from him, as he did his from God, he saw Gods call, he was sent by his Father, so we should see his call, otherwise to undertake it without a call from him, is the way to bring a curse upon our selves.

2 In his Calling he performed his Ministry with all Faithfulness, he did bring in the stray, heal the sick, instruct the Ignorant, &c. Ezek. 34.16. and his inward care was, that they might have life, and have it more abundantly, Joh. 10.10, 11. so should Ministers dispense the word of life, strive to beget the life of Grace in the hearts of their people, to help the weak, comfort the distressed, inform the Ignorant, &c.

2 In his Calling he performed his Ministry with all Faithfulnesse, he did bring in the stray, heal the sick, instruct the Ignorant, &c. Ezek. 34.16. and his inward care was, that they might have life, and have it more abundantly, Joh. 10.10, 11. so should Ministers dispence the word of life, strive to beget the life of Grace in the hearts of their people, to help the weak, comfort the distressed, inform the Ignorant, &c.

2 As a private Christian, a good man, we must imitate him in his doing and suffering.