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

1. All such as are so far from seeking Christ himself, that they do not seek the benefits of Christ, they look at grace and christian duties as melancholy wearisome things, for pardon of sins, they never look after it, and for heaven they hope they shall do as well as others; why, these men they will neither have Christ nor any thing of his.

1. All such as are so far from seeking Christ himselfe, that they doe not seek the benefits of Christ, they look at grace and christian duties as melancholly wearisome things, for pardon of sins, they never look after it, and for heaven they hope they shall doe as well as others; why, these men they will neither have Christ nor any thing of his.

2. This excludes such from having Christ, as have more desire of his benefits then Christ himself, pardon of sin, and grace, and peace of conscience, and comfort that they look after, but Christ they forget; why, as yet our seeking is not sincere: if a woman perceive that her love seeks more for wealth and dowry, then her person, no wonder, if she hold off; so if Christ find we come to him, and seek for pardon of sin, and grace, and peace, more then for himself, no wonder if he keep off and hide himself from us, because this may come from self-love, from respect to our own good, and yet nature teacheth us not to seek such things, and those desires are ordinarily good beginnings; for indeed christians at first are full of self-love, but yet Christ will never fully reveal himself, till we seek his person rather then his gifts, therefore first labour to get Christ and he will bring all these privileges with him, Rom. 6.32. seek him chiefly and not his gifts; you must first know Christ will be more loved for his own sake then his gifts, before he say to you as to the church, Cant. 2.14. O my Dove, let me see thy Countenance, let me hear thy voice for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance lovely, before he thus manifest himself to thee, he will make thee willing to seek thee as thy head and husband, as the most wise, the most beautiful, the chiefest among ten thousand; and let but thy desire be towards him, and his desire will be towards thee, Hos. 3.3. Stand not upon dowries, take him without Feoffments, for better, for worse: and if you thus take Christ, and choose his person in the first place, then all his benefits and privileges become yours, 2 Cor. 3.22, 23. 2. A child of God is said to have the Son, when he hath the Spirit of the Son, 2 Cor. 3.17. Having spoken before of a Spirit of ministration and grace; why, saith he, the Lord is that Spirit, not only because he is the giver of it, but there is a secret union betwixt Christ and his Spirit, so that if you have the one, you have the other, Rom. 8.9. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Gal. 4.6. he that hath the Son, hath the Spirit of the Son, and is made conformable to his Image.

2. This excludes such from having Christ, as have more desire of his benefits then Christ himself, pardon of sin, and grace, and peace of conscience, and comfort that they look after, but Christ they forget; why, as yet our seeking is not sincere: if a woman perceive that her love seeks more for wealth and dowry, then her person, no wonder, if she hold off; so if Christ find we come to him, and seek for pardon of sin, and grace, and peace, more then for himself, no wonder if he keep off and hide himselfe from us, because this may come from self-love, from respect to our own good, and yet nature teacheth us not to seek such things, and those desires are ordinarily good beginnings; for indeed christians at first are full of self-love, but yet Christ will never fully reveale himselfe, till we seek his person rather then his gifts, therefore first labour to get Christ and he will bring all these priviledges with him, Rom. 6.32. seek him chiefly and not his gifts; you must first know Christ will be more loved for his own sake then his gifts, before he say to you as to the church, Cant. 2.14. O my Dove, let me see thy Countenance, let me hear thy voyce for sweet is thy voyce, and thy countenance lovely, before he thus manifest himself to thee, he will make thee willing to seek thee as thy head and husband, as the most wise, the most beautifull, the chiefest among ten thousand; and let but thy desire be towards him, and his desire will be towards thee, Hos. 3.3. Stand not upon dowries, take him without Feoffments, for better, for worse: and if you thus take Christ, and choose his person in the first place, then all his benefits and priviledges become yours, 2 Cor. 3.22, 23. 2. A child of God is said to have the Son, when he hath the Spirit of the Son, 2 Cor. 3.17. Having spoken before of a Spirit of ministration and grace; why, saith he, the Lord is that Spirit, not only because he is the giver of it, but there is a secret union betwixt Christ and his Spirit, so that if you have the one, you have the other, Rom. 8.9. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Gal. 4.6. he that hath the Son, hath the Spirit of the Son, and is made conformable to his Image.

There is a twofold Spirit whereby we are knit to Christ, and Christ to us 1. A Spirit of union. 2. A Spirit of liberty.

1. We are like him in his nature, 2 Pet. 1.4 by the precious promises, we are made partakers of the divine Nature, so that we are meek as he was, lowly as he was, innocent and harmless as he was the Spirit of God stamp• the same Image on us that was in Christ, Joh. 1.16. Hence it is, that the e that have Christ, they reason from Christs nature to theirs, and from their nature to Christs, 2 Cor. 1.17, 18, 19. Paul had sometimes sent to them, that he would come to them as he passed by into Macedonia, but neither in his going not his return did he come to them, therefore they accuse him of levity and inconstancy; Paul excuseth this, and he pleads from the nature of Christ; for the Son of God, Jesus Christ that was preached among you by us, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea; Why, what's that to him? Yes, look as Christ is yea and amen, the faithful witness, that what he speaks, he will perform, •o make account that Christ hath poured the same Spirit on us, that our words likewise are yea and amen, had not Gods providence hindered it; there is such a participation of the divine nature, that the nature of Christ, the nature of the Gospel, and the nature of a Christian, all of them answer one another; the same Spirit that made Christ yea and amen, faithful and true, hath made the Gospel, and so the same Spirit in Gods people makes them true and faithful, so that look what they say, their hearts go with it, and if Gods providence hinders not, they will perform their word.

1. We are like him in his nature, 2 Pet. 1.4 by the precious promises, we are made partakers of the divine Nature, so that we are meek as he was, lowly as he was, innocent and harmlesse as he was the Spirit of God stamp• the same Image on us that was in Christ, Joh. 1.16. Hence it is, that the e that have Christ, they reason from Christs nature to theirs, and from their nature to Christs,

2. There is a conformity in his offices, he hath made us Priests, Kings and Prophets to his Father, Rev. 1.6. Kings to over-rule our lusts, to overcome the world, anointed with a royal Spirit, although not yet invested with full glory; Priests, to offer sacrifices of prayer, of a broken spirit, Psal. 51.12. Sacrifices of righteousness, Psal. 4.5. and to sacrifice our lives for Christ, Phil. 2.17. so he hath made us Prophets of God, Act. 2.17. he hath poured on us the Spirit of prophecy, poured, not dropped sparingly, but poured on us abundantly, hence it is that a christian understands many secrets of Gods will, Psal. 25. 14. many hidden mysteries of the Scripture, so that he is bound to see a secret providence of God, guiding him in his way.

2. There is a conformity in his offices, he hath made us Priests, Kings and Prophets to his Father, Rev. 1.6. Kings to over-rule our lusts, to overcome the world, anoynted with a royal Spirit, although not yet invested with full glory; Priests, to offer sacrifices of prayer, of a broken spirit, Psal. 51.12. Sacrifices of righteousnesse, Psal. 4.5. and to sacrifice our lives for Christ, Phil. 2.17. so he hath made us Prophets of God, Act. 2.17. he hath poured on us the Spirit of prophesie, poured, not dropped sparingly, but poured on us aboundantly, hence it is that a christian understands many secrets of Gods will,

3. There is a conformity in their estate: our Saviour in this world went through a double estate, 1. Of Humiliation, 2. Exaltation, and in the most deep passions he went through, when he was excommunicated by the Church, hated, crucified, yet even then he mightily showed forth his divine power; hence he is said to triumph openly on the cross, Col. 2.17. and such is a Christians estate, Psal. 34.19. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, there is his humiliation: but the Lord delivers him out of all, there is his exaltation, for by those deliverances he makes them glorious, Psal. 149.4. He will beautify the meek with salvation; nay a christian in the midst of all his worldly comforts, he gets loose from them, so that you may see those are not the things he chiefly looks after, if he have great parts and gifts, yet they are clad with a Spirit of Christ crucified, Gal. 6.14. their outward deportment is but mean and homely, yet in their outward meanness and baseness, you may discern the power of Christ crucified, 2 Cor. 13 4. Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, as he was crucified through weakness, and yet liveth in me by the power of God, even so we are weak with him, that is, in outward show, why, yet as Christ when he was most debased▪ showed forth most power; so a christian in his greatest debasements and weaknesses, Gods power is most magnified in him, never more glorious then when most debased. Hence those strange phrases, we are dead with Christ, Col. 2.20. and risen with Christ, Col. 3.1. crucified with Christ, Rom. 6.6. that is, by the same Spirit of Christ that is in us, we are so knit with him, that we are made of the same state with him; that as he was weak and base, and yet glorious; so are we,

2 There is a Spirit of liberty; nothing better expresseth the temper of the Son, Christ the Fathers Image, then a Spirit of liberty, 2 Cor. 3.17. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; If the Son shall make you free, then you are free indeed, Joh. 8.36. His liberty is a real liberty: And this is

2 There is a Spirit of liberty; nothing better expresseth the temper of the Son, Christ the Fathers Image, then a Spirit of liberty, 2 Cor. 3.17. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; If the Son shall make you free, then you are free indeed, Joh. 8.36. His liberty is a reall liberty: And this is

1. Liberty from the fear of sin of hell of the grave, and of all his enemies he is not afraid like a sla•e that is not is a […] of liberty, Rom. 8.15. H•b. 2.15. A Spirit of liberty is a Spirit of freedom from all fear, Luke 1.74, 75. Such a man is not afraid what flesh can do unto him, Psal. 3.5, 6. I will not be afraid though ten thousand shall compass me about I will lie me down and sleep quietly, the fear of men shall not break his sleep, so Psal. 56.3.10 11. this holy tranquility frees us from all fears, and this liberty is proper to a Son, he fears not others, so he may please his father; he knows his Father will give him protection, and provision, Rom. 8.37.

1. Liberty from the fear of sin of hell of the grave, and of all his enemies he is not afraid like a sla•e that is not is a 〈…〉 of liberty, Rom. 8.15. H•b. 2.15. A Spirit of liberty is a Spirit of freedome from all fear, Luke 1.74, 75. Such a man is not afraid what flesh can doe unto him, Psal. 3.5, 6. I will not be afraid though ten thousand shall compasse me about I will ly me down and sleep quietly, the fear of men shall not break his sleep, so Psal. 56.3.10 11. this holy tranquility frees us from all fears, and this liberty is proper to a Son, he fears not others, so he may please his father; he knows his Father will give him protection, and provision,

2. He hath a liberty from the dominion of sin, sin hath not that power to carry him captive, Rom. 6.4. Rom. 8.2. The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death, that is, the Spirit of grace that commands and rules me like a law, hath freed me from the law of sin and of death, that a Christian is now but a beginner of sin, sin hath not that power over him that formerly it had; time was when I could not break off from evil company, but now the Law of the Spirit of life hath set me free from them; many a valiant spirit fears not death; many a soldier ventures upon a Canons mouth, but yet I presume he is captivate to many a base lust; but a Christian is not only freed from the fear, but the bondage of sin.

2. He hath a liberty from the dominion of sin, sin hath not that power to carry him captive, Rom. 6.4. Rom. 8.2. The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death, that is, the Spirit of grace that commands and rules me like a law, hath freed me from the law of sin and of death, that a Christian is now but a beginner of sin, sin hath not that power over him that formerly it had; time was when I could not break off from evil company, but now the Law of the Spirit of life hath set me free from them; many a valiant spirit fears not death; many a souldier venters upon a Canons mouth, but yet I presume he is captivate to many a base lust; but a Christian is not only freed from the fear, but the bondage of sin.

3. He hath liberty from being servant unto men, 1 Cor. 7.23. Ye are bought with a price, be not servants of men: he doth not mean that they should shake off all obedience and subjection; but though they should be subject to their Masters, ye now they should not serve them in a slavish manner, but with freedom of Spirit in obedience to Christ, heartily and readily, 1 Cor. 7.22. he that is called in the Lord, being a servant is the Lords freeman, he doth his Masters work with a free spirit, and withal he doth the work of Gods service with much more freedom, and when they come to their own liberty, they will be inclined to good duties, strive to gain opportunity for prayer and reading, and hearing, whereas others though they have much more outward liberty, yet they have far less inward.

3. He hath liberty from being servant unto men, 1 Cor. 7.23. Ye are bought with a price, be not servants of men: he doth not mean that they should shake off all obedience and subjection; but though they should be subject to their Masters, ye now they should not serve them in a slavish manner, but with freedom of Spirit in obedience to Christ, heartily and readily, 1 Cor. 7.22. he that is called in the Lord, being a servant is the Lords freeman, he doth his Masters work with a free spirit, and withall he doth the work of Gods service with much more freedom, and when they come to their own liberty, they will be inclined to good duties, strive to gain opportunity for prayer and reading, and hearing, whereas others though they have much more outward liberty, yet they have far lesse inward.

4 The Spirit of God that sets me free from the service of men, makes me free to every duty of God, to have free access to him, the Spirit that set me at liberty from Satan, will make me run the ways of Gods Commandments with an enlarged heart, Psal. 119.32. Ps. 110.3. Gods people are a willing people and as he is free from the bondage of men, so he is Lord over them, he can make them all serve him; Gen. 25.23. God told Rebecca there were Nations in her womb, and the elder should serve the younger, how was that fulfilled, seeing Jacob calls Esau Lord, and himself his servant? Gen. 33. Why, as some say, that must be understood of the Nations, not of the persons; but it may be Esau's Lordship and roughness did Jacob more real service then ever Jacob did him, whence was it that he went out of his Fathers house, met with so glorious a vision the first night? whence was it that he made such a vow to God, that if the Lord would be with him, and bless him in that country, then the Lord should be his God? whence was it that he returned with such a blessing? whence was it that he so wrestled with God and obtained a blessing? was not this from Esau's bitterness, and for fear of him? which shows that every fury and persecution of wicked men do Christians the truest service, as it was with the Tyrants in Syria, and Egypt, all the tyranny did but purify the people of God, and make them white, Dan. 11.35.46. they are but as scullions to scour and rinse Gods people, they are but as servants or like house-wives, they lay them in soap, and dung, and sharp lee, but it is but to make them white.

4 The Spirit of God that sets me free from the service of men, makes me free to every duty of God, to have free access to him, the Spirit that set me at liberty from Satan, will make me run the wayes of Gods Commandements with an inlarged heart, Psal. 119.32. Ps. 110.3. Gods people are a willing people and as he is free from the bondage of men, so he is Lord over them, he can make them all serve him;

Try therefore whether you have the spirits of sons. Do you find in you the nature of Christ? do you find your selves invested with a Kingly Royal spirit? do you find in you the spirit of prophecy? do you find in you the state of Christ, that in the meanest condition you have a mighty power of Christ breathing in you? why, then it is evident you have the Spirit of God, but if we find we are not like him in his nature, we cannot pray or prophesy, then we have none of Gods Spirit.

Try therefore whether you have the spirits of sons. Doe you find in you the nature of Christ? do you find your selves invested with a Kingly Royall spirit? doe you find in you the spirit of prophesie? doe you find in you the state of Christ, that in the meanest condition you have a mighty power of Christ breathing in you? why, then it is evident you have the Spirit of God, but if we find we are not like him in his nature, we cannot pray or prophesie, then we have none of Gods Spirit.

Do we find our selves still in bondage to sin, lying under the fear and dominion of it? then we have not Gods Spirit in us, Gods Spirit would set us free from all bondage.

Do we finde our selves still in bondage to sin, lying under the fear and dominion of it? then we have not Gods Spirit in us, Gods Spirit would set us free from all bondage.

3 We are said to have the Son, when we have Christ not only for our Saviour, but for our Prince. Acts 5.31. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour. To whom he is a Saviour, to them he is a Prince. It were dishonour, to God to save those whom he cannot rule, to deliver them from sin and Satan and yet leave them in their sins; God hath sent his Son not only to save but to rule us.

3 We are said to have the Son, when we have Christ not onely for our Saviour, but for our Prince. Acts 5.31. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour. To whom he is a Saviour, to them he is a Prince. It were dishonour, to God to save those whom he cannot rule, to deliver them from sin and Satan and yet leave them in their sins; God hath sent his Son not only to save but to rule us.

Two things here are to be opened.