The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mysterie of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...

The Eighth SERMON. * 1.1 (Book 8)

PSAL. 45. 7.

—Therefore God thy God, hath anointed thee with * 1.2—the oyl of gladness above thy fellows.

THe Method of grace in uniting souls with Jesus Christ, hath been opened in the former discourses, thus doth the Spirit (whose office it is) make ap∣plication of Christ to Gods elect: The result and next fruit whereof is Communion with Christ in his graces and benefits: our Mystical union is the very ground-work and foundation of our sweet soul-enriching Communion, and participation of spiritual priviledges; we are first ingraffed into Christ, and then suck the sap and fatness of that root: first married to the person of Christ, then endowed and en∣stated in the priviledges and benefits of Christ. This is my proper work to open at this time, and from this Scri∣pture.

The words read are a part of that excellent song of love, that heavenly Epithalamium, wherein the spiritual espousals of

Christ and the Church are figuratively, and very elegantly * 1.3 celebrated and shadowed. The subject matter of this Psalm is the very same with the whole book of the Canticles: and in this Psalm under the figure of King Solomon and the daughter of Aegypt whom he espoused, the spiritual espousals of Christ and the Church are set forth and represented to us. Among many rapturous and elegant expressions in pra•…•…e of this glo∣rious bridegroom Christ, this is one which you have before you. God thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows: (i. e.) enriched and fill'd thee in a singular and peculiar manner with the fulness of the Spirit, whereby thou art consecrated to thy office; and by reason whereof thou out-shinest and excellest all the Saints who are thy fellows or Copartners in these graces. So that in these words you have two parts,

Viz.

• First, The Saints dignity, and
• Secondly, Christs preeminency.

First, The Saints dignity which consists in this, that they are Christs fellows, the Hebrew word—〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is very full and * 1.4 copious, and is translated consorts, companions, copartners, partakers, or as ours reads it, fellows, (i. e.) such as are partakers with him in the anointing of the Spirit: who do * 1.5 in their measure receive the same Spirit, every Christian be∣ing anointed, modo sibi proportionato, with the same grace, and dignified with the same titles. 1 Joh. 2. 27. Rev. 1. 6. Christ and the Saints are in common one with another: doth the Spirit of holiness dwell in him? so it doth in them too: is Christ King and Priest? why, so are they too by the grace of Union with him. He hath made us Kings and Priests to God, and his Father. This is the Saints dignity to be Christs fel∣lows, consorts, or copartners: So that look whatever grace or spiritual excellency is in Christ, it is not impropriated to himself, but they do share with him; for indeed he was fill'd with the fulness of the Spirit for their sakes and use: as the Sun is fill'd with light not to shine to it self, but to others; so is Christ with grace: and therefore some translate the Text not pr•…•… consortibus, above thy fellows, but propter consortes, for thy * 1.6 fellows: making Christ the first recepta•…•…le of all grace, who

first and immediately is fill'd from the fountain the Godhead, but it is for his people who receive and derive from him ac∣cording to their proportion.

This is a great truth, and the dignity of the Saints lyes chiefly in their partnership with Christ, though our translation above thy fellows suits best both with the importance of the word and scope of the place.

Secondly, But then whatever dignity is ascribed herein to the Saints, there is and still must be a preeminency acknow∣ledged * 1.7 in and ascribed to Christ: if they are anointed with the Spirit of grace, much more abundantly is Christ: God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows.

By the oyl of gladness, understand the spirit of holiness: compared here with oyl, of which there was a double use * 1.8 under the Law, viz. a Civil, and a Sacred use: it had a sa∣cred and solemn use in the inauguration, and consecration of the Jewish Kings, and High Priests: it had also a civil and common use, for the anointing their bodies to make their limbs more agile, expedite and nimble: To make the face shine, for it gave a lustre, freshness, and liveliness to the countenance: it was also used in Lamps to feed and maintain the fire, and give them light: these were the prin∣cipal uses of oyl. Now, upon all these accounts it excel∣lently expresseth, and figuratively represents to us the Spi∣rit of grace poured forth upon Christ and his peo∣ple: For

First, By the spirit poured out upon him, he was prepared for and consecrated to his offices, he was anointed with the holy Ghost and with power, Acts 10. 38.

Secondly, As this precious oyl runs down from Christ the head to the borders of his garments, I mean as it is shed up∣on believers, so it exceedingly beautifies their faces, and makes them shine with glory.

Thirdly, It renders them apt, expedite and ready to every good work: non tar dat unctarota.

Fourthly, It kindles and maintains the flame of divine love in their souls, and like a lamp inlightens their minds in the knowledge of Spiritual things, the anointing teaches them.

And this oyl is here call'd the oyl of gladness, because it is * 1.9 the cause of all joy and gladness to them that are anointed with it: oyl was used (as you heard before) at the instal∣ment of soveraign Princes, which was the day of the gladness of their hearts: and among the common people it was li∣berally used at all their festivals, but never upon their days of mourning: whence it becomes excellently expressive of the nature and use of the Spirit of grace, who is the cause and author of all joy in believers, Joh. 17. 13.

And with this oyl of gladness is Christ said to be anointed above his fellows, (i. e.) to have a far greater share of the Spirit of grace than they: for to every one of the Saints is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ, Eph. 4. 7. but to him the Spirit is not given by measure, Joh. 3. 34. It hath pleased the father that in him should all fullness dwell, Col. 1. 19. and of his fulness we all receive grace for grace, Joh. 1. 16. The Saints partake with him, and through him in the same Spirit of grace, for which reason they are his fellows, but all the grace poured out upon believers comes exceeding short of that which God hath poured out up∣on Jesus Christ. The words being thus opened, give us this note.

Doct.

That all true believers have a real communion or fellowship with * 1.10 the Lord Jesus Christ.

From the Saints Union with Christ, there doth naturally and immediately result a most sweet and blessed communion or fellowship with him in graces and spiritual priviledges, Eph. 1. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (or things) in Christ: in giving us his Son, he freely gives us all things, Rom. 8. 32. so in 1 Cor. 1. 30. of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdome, righteousness, sanctifica∣tion and redemption: and once more, 1 Cor. 3. 22, 23. all are yours, and ye are Christs: what Christ is and hath is theirs by communication to them, or improvement for them: and this is very evidently carried in all those excellent Scripture me∣taphors by which our Union with Christ is figured and sha∣dowed

out to us: as the Marriage Union betwixt a man and his wife, Eph. 5. 31, 32. You know that this conjugal uni∣on * 1.11 gives the wife interest in the estate and honour of the husband, be she never so meanly descended in her self: the natural Union betwixt the head and members of the body, by which also the mystical union of Christ and believers is set forth, 1 Cor. 12. 12. excellently illustrates this fellowship or com∣munion betwixt them: for from Christ the whole body fitly joyn∣ed together, and compacted, by that which every joint supplieth ac∣cording to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body, as the Apostle speaks, Eph. 4. 16. The Union betwixt the graffe and the stock which is another embleme of our Union with Christ, Joh. 15. 1. imports in like manner this communion or partnership betwixt Christ and the Saints. For no sooner doth the graffe take hold of the stock, but the vital sap of the stock is communicated to the graffe, and both live by one and the same juice.

Now that the scope of this discourse be not mistaken, let the Reader know that I am not here treating of the Saints communion or fellowship with God in duties, as in prayer, hearing, Sacraments, &c. but of that interest which believers have in the good things of Christ by vertue of the Mystical Union betwixt them through faith: there is a twofold communion of the Saints with Christ.

• The first is an Act.
• The second is a State.

There is an actual fellowship or communion the Saints have with Christ in holy duties: wherein Christians let forth their hearts to God by desires, and God lets forth his com∣forts and refreshments again into their hearts: they open their mouths wide, and he fills them: this communion with God is the joy and comfort of a believers life: but I am not to speak of that here. It is not any act of communion, but the State of communion, from which all acts of communion flow, and upon which they all depend; that I am now to treat of: which is nothing else but the joynt interest that Christ and the Saints have in the same things: as when a ship, an house, or estate is among many partners,

or joynt-heirs, every one of them hath right to it, and inte∣rest in it, though some of them have a greater and others a lesser part. So is it betwixt Christ and his people: there is a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (i. e.) a fellowship or joynt interest betwixt them, upon which ground they are call'd co-heirs with Christ, Rom. 8. 17. This communion or participation in Christs benefits de∣pends upon the Hypostatical Union of our nature, and the mystical union of our persons with the Son of God: in the first he partakes with us, in the second we partake with him; the for∣mer is the remote, the later the next cause thereof.

In the explication of this point I shall speak to these four things,

• 1. What are those things in which Christ and believers have fellowship.
• 2. By what means they come to have such a fellowship with Christ.
• 3. How great a dignity this is to have fellowship with Jesus Christ.
• 4. And then apply the whole in divers practical infe∣rences.

First, What are those things in which Christ and believers * 1.12 have fellowship: to which I must speak both negatively and positively.

First, The Saints have no fellowship with Jesus Christ in * 1.13 those things that belong to him as God: such as his consub∣stantiality, coequality, and coeternity with the father: 'tis the blasphemy of the wicked Familists to talk of being God∣ded into God and Christed into Christ: neither men or Angels partake in these things, they are the proper and incommuni∣cable * 1.14 glory of the Lord Jesus.

Secondlly, The Saints have no communion or fellowship in the honour and glory of his mediatory works, viz. his satis∣faction to God, or redemption of the elect: 'tis true, we have the benefit and fruit of his mediation and satisfaction, his righteousness also is imputed to us for our personal justifi∣cation, but we share not in the least with Christ in the glo∣ry of this work: nor have we an inherent righteousness in us as Christ hath, nor can we justifie and save others as

Christ doth: we have nothing to do with his peculiar honour and praise in these things: though we have the benefit of being saved, we may not pretend to the honour of being Sa∣viours as Christ is to our selves or others. Christs righte∣ousness is not made ours as to its universal value, but as to our particular necessity: nor is it imputed to us as to so many causes of salvation to others, but as to so many subjects to be saved by it our selves.

Secondly, But then, there are many glorious and excellent * 1.15 things which are in common betwixt Christ and believers, though in them all he hath the preeminence, he shines in the fulness of them as the Sun, and we with a borrowed and les∣ser light, but of the same kind and nature as the Stars. Some of these I shall particularly and briefly unfold in the following particulars.

First, Believers have communion with Christ in his names and titles: they are call'd Christians from Christ, Eph. 3. 15. from him the whole family in heaven and earth is named: this is that worthy name the Apostle speaks of, James 2. 7. He is the son of God, and they also by their union with him have power or authority to become the sons of God, Joh. 1. 12. He is the heir of all things, and they are joynt heirs with him, Rom. 8. 17. He is both King and Priest, and he hath made them Kings and Priests, Rev. 1. 6. but they do not only partake in the names and titles, but this com∣munion consists in things as well as titles: and there∣fore

Secondly, They have communion with him in his righte∣ousness, (i. e.) the righteousness of Christ is made theirs, 2 Cor. 5. 21. and he is the Lord our righteousness, Jer. 23. 6. 'Tis true, the righteousness of Christ is not inherent in us, as it is in him; but it is ours by imputation, Rom. 4. 5. 11. and our union with him is the ground of the imputation of his righteousness to us, 2 Cor. 5. 21. we are made the righte∣ousness of God in him, Phil. 3. 9. for Christ and believers are considered as one person, in construction of Law; as a man and his wife, a debtor and surety are one: and so his payment or satisfaction is in our name, or upon our account.

Now this is a most inestimable priviledge, the very ground of all our other blessings and mercies. O what a benefit is this to a poor sinner, that owes to God infinitely more than he is ever able to pay him, by doing or suffering; to have such a rich treasure of merit as lyes in the obedience of Christ, to discharge in one entire payment all his debts to the least farthing? Surely shall one say, In the Lord have I righteous∣ness, Isa. 45. 24. even as a poor woman that owes more than she is worth, in one moment is discharged of all her ob∣ligations, by her marriage to a wealthy man.

Thirdly, Believers have communion with Christ in his ho∣liness or Sanctification, for of God he is made unto them not only righteousness, but Sanctification also: and as in the for∣mer priviledge they have a stock of merit in the blood of Christ to justifie them, so here they have the Spirit of Christ to sanctisie them, 1 Cor. 1. 30. and therefore we are said of his fulness to receive grace for grace, Joh. 1. 16. (i. e.) say some, grace upon grace, manifold graces or abun∣dance of grace: or grace for grace, that is, grace answerable to grace: as in the seal and wax, there is line for line, and cut for cut exactly answerable to each other: or grace for grace, that is, say others, the free grace of God in Christ for the sanctifica∣tion or filling of our souls with grace: be it in which sense it will, it shews the communion believers have with Jesus Christ in grace and holiness. Now holiness is the most precious thing in the world, it's the image of God, and chief excellen∣cy of man: it is our evidence for glory, yea, and the first-fruits of glory: in Christ dwells the fulness of grace, and from him our head it is derived and communicated to us: thus he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one, Heb. 2. 11. You would think it no small priviledge to have Baggs of Gold to go to, and enrich your selves with, and yet that were but a very trifle in comparison to have Christs righteousness and holiness to go to for your Justification and Sanctification. More particularly,

Fourthly, Believers have communion with Christ in his death: they dye with him, Gal. 2. 20. I am crucified with Christ, (i. e.) the death of Christ hath a real killing and mor∣tifying influence upon the lusts and corruptions of my heart and nature: true it is he died for sin one way, and we dye

to sin another way: he dyed to expiate it, we dye to it when we mortifie it: the death of Christ is the death of sin in belie∣vers: and this is a very glorious priviledge: for the death of sin is the life of your souls: if sin do not dye in you by mor∣tification, you must dye for sin by eternal damnation: if Christ had not dyed, the Spirit of God by which you now mortifie the deeds of the body, could not have been given unto you: then you must have lived Vassals to your sins, and dyed at last in your sins: but the fruit, efficacy and benefit of Christs death is yours, for the killing those sins in you which else had been your ruine.

Fifthly, Believers have Communion with Christ in his life and resurrection from the dead: as he rose from the dead, so do they; and that by the power and influence of his vivifica∣tion and resurrection: 'tis the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus that makes us free from the Law of sin and death, Rom. 8. 2. our spiritual life is from Christ, Eph. 2. 1. and you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins: and hence Christ is said to live in the believer, Gal. 2. 20. Now I live, yet not I; but Christ liveth in me: and it is no small priviledge to partake of the very life of Christ, which is the most excellent life that ever any creature can live: yet such is the happiness of all the Saints, the life of Christ is manifest in them, and such a life as shall never see death.

Sixthly, To conclude, Believers have fellowship with Je∣sus Christ in his glory which they shall enjoy in heaven with him: they shall be ever with the Lord, 1 Thes. 4. 17. and that's not all, (though as one saith it were a kind of heaven but to look through the keyhole, and have but a glimpse of Christs blessed face) but they shall partake of the glory which the father hath given him, for so he speaks Joh. 17. 22, 24. and more particularly they shall sit with him in his throne, Rev. 3. 21. and when he comes to judge the world, he will come to be glorified in the Saints, 2 Thes. 1. 10. So that you see what glorious and inestimable things are and will be in common betwixt Christ and the Saints. His Ti∣tles, his righteousness, his holiness, his death, his life, his glory. I do not say that Christ will make any Saint equal with him in glory: that's impossible: he will be known from all the Saints in heaven, as the Sun is distinguished from

the Stars: but they shall partake of his glory, and be fill'd with his joy there: and thus you see what those things are that the Saints have fellowship with Christ in.

Secondly, Next I would open the way and means by which * 1.16 we come to have fellowship with Jesus Christ in these excel∣lent priviledges; and this I shall do briefly in the following Po∣sitions.

Position 1.

First, No man hath fellowship with Christ in any special sa∣ving * 1.17 priviledge by nature, howsoever it be cultivated or improved; but only by faith uniting him to the Lord Jesus Christ: 'tis not the priviledge of our first, but second birth. This is plain from Joh. 1. 12, 13. But to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to as many as believed on his name, who are born not of flesh, nor of blood, nor of the will of man but of God. We are by nature children of wrath, Eph. 2. 3. we have fel∣lowship with Satan in sin, and misery: the wild branch hath no communication of the sweetness and fatness of a more noble and excellent root, until it be ingraffed upon it, and have immediate Union and coalition with it, Joh. 15. 1, 2.

Position 2.

Believers themselves have not an equal share one with another in all the benefits and priviledges of their Union with Christ, but in * 1.18 some there is an equality, and in others an inequality: according to the measure and gift of Christ, to every one.

In Justification they are all equal: the weak and the strong believer are alike justified, because it is one and the same per∣fect righteousness of Christ which is applied to the one and to the other, so that there are no different degrees of Justi∣fication, but all that believe are justified from all things, Acts 13. 39. and there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, Rom. 8. 1. be they never so weak in faith, or defective in degrees of grace. But there is appa∣rent difference in the measures of their Sanctification, some are strong men, and others are babes in Christ, 1 Cor. 3. 1. the faith of some flourishes and grows exceedingly, 2 Thes. 1. 3. the things that are in others are ready to dye, Rev. 3. 2.

It's a plain case, that there is great variety sound in the de∣grees of grace and comfort among them that are joyntly inte∣rested in Christ, and equally justified by him.

Position 3.

The Saints have not fellowship and communion with Christ in the fore-mentioned benefits and priviledges by one and the same medium, * 1.19 but by various mediums and ways according to the nature of the be∣nefits in which they participate.

For instance, they have partnership and communion with Christ (as hath been said) in his righteousness, holiness and glo∣ry: but they receive these distinct blessings, by divers mediums of communion: we have communion with Christ in his righte∣ousness by the way of Imputation: we partake of his holiness by the way of infusion: and of his glory in heaven by the beatifi∣cal Vision. Our Justification is a relative change, our sanctifica∣tion a real change, our glorification a perfect change by redem∣ption from all the remains both of sin and misery.

Thus hath the Lord appointed several blessings for belie∣vers in Christ, and several channels of conveying them from him to us: by imputed righteousness we are freed from the guilt of sin, by imparted holiness we are freed from the domi∣nion of sin, and by our glorification with Christ we are freed from all the reliques and remains both of sin and misery let in by sin upon our natures.

Position 4.

That Jesus Christ imparts to all believers all the spiri∣tual * 1.20 blessings that he is filled with, and with-holds none from any that have Union with him: be these blessings never so great, or they that receive them never so weak, mean, and con∣temptible in outward respects. Gal. 3. 27. Ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. The salvation that comes by Christ is stiled the common salvation, Jude 3. and heaven the inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1. 12. There is neither Greek nor Jew (saith the Apostle) Circumcision nor uncircum∣cision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond or free; but Christ is all and in all, Col. 3. 11. he means, there is no priviledge in the one

to commend them to God, and no want of any thing in the other to debarr them from God: let men have or want outward excellencies, as beauty, honour, riches, nobility, gifts of the mind, sweetness of nature, and all such like or∣naments: what is that to God? he looks not at these things, but respects them, and communicates his favour to them as they are in Christ: he is all, and in all. The gifts and blessings of the Spirit are given to men as they are in Christ, and without respect to any external differences made in this world among men: hence we find excellent treasures of grace in mean and contemptible persons in the world: poor in the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdome: and as all believers without difference receive from Christ, so they are not debarr'd from any blessing that is in Christ: all is yours, for ye are Christs, 1 Cor. 3. ult. with Christ God freely gives us all things, Rom. 8. 32.

Position 5.

The Communion believers have with Christ in spiritual benefits * 1.21 is a very great mystery, far above the understanding of natural men. There are no footsteps of this thing in all the works of creation, therefore the Apostle calls it the unsearchable riches of Christ, Eph. 3. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: the word▪ signifies that which hath no footsteps to trace it by: yea, 'tis so deep a mystery that the Angels themselves stoop down to look into it, 1 Pet. 1. 12. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them them that love him: but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, 1 Cor. 2. 9, 10.

Thirdly and Lastly, I shall in a few particulars open the dignity and excellency of this fruit of our Union with Christ, and shew you, that a greater glory and honour cannot be put upon man, than to be thus in fellowship with Jesus Christ, Joh. 17. 22. The glory which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one as we are one: and therefore more particu∣larly let it be considered

First, With whom we are associated, even the Son of God: with him that is over all, God blessed for ever. Our asso∣ciation with Angels is an high advancement, for Angels and

Saints are fellow servants in the fame family, Rev. 19. 10. and through Christ we are come to an innumerable company of Angels, Heb. 12. 22. but what is all this to our fellowship with Jesus Christ himself; and that in another manner than Angels have? for though Christ be to them an head of do∣minion, yet not an head of vital influence as he is to his mystical body the Church: this therefore is to them a great mystery, which they greatly affect to study, and pry into.

Secondly, What we are that are dignified with this title, the fellows or copartners with Jesus Christ: not only dust by na∣ture, dust thou art, but sinful dust; such wretched sinners as by nature, and the sentence of the Law ought to be associated with devils, and partakers with them of the wrath of the al∣mighty God, to all eternity.

Thirdly, The benefits we are partakers of in and with the Lord Jesus Christ: and indeed they are wonderful and astonishing things, so far as they do already appear, but yet we see but lit∣tle of them, comparatively to what we shall see, 1 Joh. 3. 1, 2. Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. O what will that be! to see him as he is, and to be transformed into his likeness.

Fourthly, The way and manner in which we are brought into this fellowship with Christ, which is yet more admirable. The Apostle gives us a strange account of it in 2 Cor. 8. 9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through •…•…is poverty might be rich: he empties himself of his glory, that we might be fill'd: he is made a curse, that we might enjoy the blessing: he submits to be crown'd with thorns, that we might be crowned with glory and honour: he puts himself into the number of worms, Psal. 22. 6. that we might be made equal to the Angels; O the unconceivable grace of Christ!

Fifthly, The reciprocal nature of that communion which is be∣twixt Christ and believers: we do not only partake of what is his, but he partakes of what is ours▪ he hath fellow∣ship with us in all our wants, sorrows, miseries, and afflictions, and we have communion with him in his righ∣teousness, grace, sonship, and glory: he takes part of our misery and we take part of his blessedness: our sufferings are

his sufferings, Col. 1. 24. O what an honour is it to thee, poor wretch, whom a great many would not turn aside to ask how thou doest, to have a King, yea, the Prince of all the Kings of the earth to pity, relieve, sympathize, groan and bleed with thee, to sit by thee in all thy troubles, and give thee his Cordials, to say thy troubles are my troubles, and thy afflictions are my afflictions: whatever toucheth thee toucheth me also: O what name shall we give unto such grace as this is?

Sixthly, and Lastly, Consider the perpetuity of this priviledge: your fellowship with Christ is interminable, and abides for ever. Christ and the Saints shall be glorified together, Rom. 8. 17. while he hath any glory, they shall partake with him. 'Tis said indeed 1 Cor. 15. 24. that there shall be a time when Christ will deliver up the Kingdome to his father: but the meaning is not that ever he will cease to be an head to his Saints, or they from being his members: no, no, the relation never cease: Justification, Sanctification and Ado∣ption are everlasting things, and we can never be devested of them.

Infer. 1.

Are the Saints Christs fellows, what honourable persons then are * 1.22 they! and how should they be esteemed and valued in the world! If a King who is the fountain of honour, do but raise a man by his favour and dignifie him by bestowing some honoura∣ble Title upon him, what respect and observance is present∣ly paid him by all persons? but what are all the vain and empty Titles of honour to the glorious and substantial pri∣viledges with which believers are dignified, and raised above all other men by Jesus Christ? he is the son of God, and they are the sons of God also: he is the heir of all things, and they are joynt-heirs with Christ. He reigns in glory, and they shall reign with him: he sits upon the throne, and they shall sit with him in his throne. O that this vile world did but know the dignity of believers, they would never slight, hate, abuse, and persecute them as they do! and O that believers did but understand their own happiness and pri∣viledges by Christ, they would never droop and sink under every small trouble at t•…•…t rate they do.

Infer. 2.

How abundantly hath God provided for all the necessities and wants of believers! Christ is a storehouse fill'd with blessings * 1.23 and mercies, and it's all for them: from him they receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, Rom. 5. 17. of his fulness they all receive grace for grace, Joh. 1. 16. all the fulness of Christ is made over to them for the supply of their wants: my God shall supply all your need (saith the Apostle) according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ, Phil. 4. 19. If all the riches of God can supply your needs, then they shall be supplyed. Say not Christ is in the possession of consum∣mate glory, and I am a poor creature struggling with many difficulties, and toyling in the midst of many cares and fears in the world; for care is taken for all thy needs: and orders given from heaven for their supply: my God shall supply all your need. O say with a melting heart, I have a full Christ, and he is fill'd for me. His pure and perfect righteousness is to justifie me, his holiness is to sanctifie me, his wisdome is to guide me, his comforts are to refresh me, his power is to protect me, his all-sufficiency is to supply me. O be chear∣ful, be thankful, you have all your hearts can wish; and yet be humble, it is all from free grace to empty and unworthy creatures.

Infer. 3.

How absurd, disingenuous and unworthy of a Christian is it to deny or with-hold from Christ any thing he hath, or by which he * 1.24 may be served or honoured? Doth Christ communicate all he hath to you, and can you with-hold any thing from Christ? On Christs part it is not mine, and thine; but ours, or mine and yours, Joh. 20. 17. I ascend to my Father, and your father, to my God and your God. But O this cursed Idol Self! which impro∣priates all to its own designs and uses. How liberal is Christ! and how penurious are we to him! Some will not part with their credit for Christ, when yet Christ abased himself un∣speakably for them. Some will not part with a drop of blood for Christ, when Christ spent the whole treasure of his blood

freely for us: yea, how loth are we to part with a shilling for Christ to relieve him in his distressed members, when as yet we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich! O ungrateful return! O base▪ and disingenuous Spirits! The things Christ gives us are great, the things we deny to him are small: he parts with the greatest, and yet is denyed the least. The things he communicates to us are none of ours, we have no right nor title by nature or any desert of ours to them, the things we deny or grudge to Christ are by all titles his own, and he hath the fullest and most unquestionable title to them all: what he gives to us he gives to them that never deserved it; what we with-hold from him, we with-hold from one that hath deserved that and infinitely more from us, than we have, or are.

He interested you freely in all his riches when you were enemies, you stand upon trifles with him, and yet call him your best and dearest friend: he gave himself and all he hath to you, when you could claim nothing from him, you deny to part with these things to Christ, who may not only claim them upon the highest title his own soveraignty, and absolute pro∣perty, but by your own act, who profess to have given all in Covenant to him: what he gives you returns no profit to him, but what you give or part with for him, is your greatest advan∣tage. O that the consideration of these things might shame and humble our souls.

Infer. 4.

Then certainly no man is or can be supposed to be a loser by conversion, seeing from that day whatever Christ is or hath be∣comes * 1.25 his.

O what an inheritance are men possessed of by their new birth! Some men cry out, Religion will undo you, but with what eyes do these men see? surely you could never so reckon, except your souls were so incarnated as to reckon pardon, peace, adoption, holiness and heaven for nothing: that invisibles are non-entities, and temporals the only reali∣ties. 'Tis true, the converted soul may lose his estate, his liberty, yea, his life for Christ: but what then? are they

losers that exchange Brass for Gold? or part with their pre∣sent comforts for an hundredfold advantage, Mark 10. 29. So that none need scare at religion for the losses that attend it, whilest Christ and heaven is gain'd by it: they that count religion their loss, have their portion in this life.

Inference 5.

How securely is the Saints inheritance settled upon them, seeing they are in commons with Jesus Christ? Christ and his Saints * 1.26 are joynt-heirs, and the inheritance cannot be alienated but by his consent, he must lose his interest, if you lose yours: indeed Adams inheritance was by a single title, and more∣over, it was in his own hand, and so he might, (as indeed he soon did) devest himself and his posterity of it: but it is not so betwixt Christ and believers, we are secured in our inheritance by Christ our co-heir, who will never alienate it: and therefore it was truly observed by the Father, Foelicior Job in sterquilinio, quam Adamus in Paradiso: Job was happier upon the Dunghil, than Adam was in Paradise. The cove∣nant of grace is certainly the best tenure: as it hath the best mercies, so it gives the fullest security to enjoy them.

Infer. 6.

How rich and full is Jesus Christ, who communicates abun∣dantly to all the Saints, and yet hath more still in himself than is * 1.27 communicated to them, although all they receive were brought in∣to one heap!

Take all the faith of Abraham, all the meekness of Moses, all the patience of Job, all the wisdome of Solomon, all the zeal of David, all the industry of Paul, and all the tender∣heartedness of Josiah: add to this all the grace that is pou∣red (though in lesser measure) into all the elect vessels in the world, yet still it is far short of that which remains in Christ, he is anointed with the oyl of gladness above his fellows: and in all things he hath, and must ever have the preemi∣nence: there be many thousand Stars glittering above your

heads, and one star differs from another star in glory, yet there is more light and glory in one Sun, than in the many thousand Stars: grace beautifies the children of men exceedingly, but still that is true of Christ, Psal. 45. 2. Thou art fairer than the children of men, grace is poured into thy lips: for all grace is secondarily and derivatively in the Saints, but it is pri∣mitively, and originally in Christ, Joh. 5. 26. Grace is im∣perfect and defective in them but in him it is in its most ab∣solute perfection and fulness, Col. 1. 19. In the Saints it is mixed with abundance of corruption, but in Christ it is al∣together unmixed and exclusive of its opposite, Heb. 7. 26. So that as the heathen said of moral vertue, I may much more say of Christ, That were he to be seen with mortal eyes, he would compel love and admirati∣on from all men, for he is altogether lovely, Cant. 5. 16.

Infer. 7.

What delight and singular advantage must needs be in the com∣munion of the Saints, who have communion with Jesus Christ in all * 1.28 his graces and benefits!

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, 1 Joh. 1. 3. O 'tis sweet to have fellowship with those that have fel∣lowship with God in Jesus Christ. Christ hath commu∣nicated to the Saints varieties of graces in different mea∣sures and degrees: and as they all receive from Christ the fountain, so it's sweet and most delightful to be impro∣ving themselves by spiritual communion one with ano∣ther: yea, for that end one is furnisht with one grace more eminently than another, that the weak may be as∣sisted by the strong: as a Modern Divine well observes: Athanasius was prudent and active, Basil of an heavenly * 1.29 sweet temper, Chrysostome laborious without affectation, Am∣brose resolv'd and grave, Luther couragious, and Calvin acute and judicious: thus every one hath his proper gift from Christ, the fountain of gifts and graces, 1 Cor. 7. 7. One hath quickness of parts, another solidity of judge∣ment,

but not ready and presential; one is zealous, but ungrounded, another well principled but timorous; one is wary, and prudent; another open, and plain; one is trembling, and melting; another chearful, and joy∣ous; one must impart his light, another his heat: the Eye, the knowing man, cannot say to the Hand, the active man, I have no need of thee. And O how sweet would it be if gifts, graces, and experiences were frequently, and humbly imparted: but idle notions, earthly-mindedness, self-interests, and want of more communion with Christ, have almost destroyed the comfort of Christian fellowship every where in the world.

Infer. 8.

In a word, those only have ground to claim interest in * 1.30 Christ who do really participate of his graces, and in whom are found the effects and fruits of their Union and communion with him.

If you have interest in Christ, you have communion in his graces and benefits, and if you have such communi∣on it will appear in your maintaining daily actual com∣munion with God in duties, whereby will be pro∣duced,

First, The increase of your Sanctification, by fresh participations from the Fountain: as Cloth which is often dipt into the Fat receives the deeper dye, and live∣lier tincture; so will your souls by assiduous communion with God. It will also be discerned,

Secondly, In your deeper humiliation and spiritual sense of your own vileness: the more any man partakes of God, and is acquainted with him, and assimilated to him; the more base and vile in his own sight he still grows, Job 42. 5, 6. Isa. 6. 5.

Thirdly, It will appear in your more vehement longings after the full enjoyment of God in heaven, 1 Pet. 1. 8. and Rom. 8. 23. you that have the first-fruits, will groan with∣in your selves after the full harvest, and satisfying fruition: you will not be so taken with things below, as to be content

with the best lot on earth for your everlasting portion. O if hese communicated drops be so sweet, what is there in Christ the fountain?

And thus I have opened the method of grace in bringing home Christ and his benefits to Gods elect by Union in or∣der to communion with him.

Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Serm. 8.
• * 1.2

  Text. Setting forth the Believers fellowship with Christ, the next end of his Applicati∣on to them.
• * 1.3

  Hic Psalmus propheticus est, continetque E∣pithalamium quo Christi cum ecclesia nuptiae cele∣brantur, idem{que} habet argumen∣tum quod can∣ticum cantico∣rum, ejus{que} vi∣detur esse Epi∣tome. Coc. in Loc.
• * 1.4

  1. Consortes, par∣ticipes, sodales, socios.
• * 1.5

  Vox Hebr•…•… quodcun{que} soci∣etatis sive com∣munionis genus significat. Muis.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  2.
• * 1.8

  Oleum ipsum est limpidum & pellucidum & flammis fo∣mentum & ali∣moniam suppe∣ditat; inde sumpta meta∣phora ungere in scriptura saepe significat spiri∣tu sancto intus a•…•…imum illu∣strare, & ac∣cendere in eo veram-agnitio∣nem dei & mo∣tus congruentes cum deo. Mol∣lerus in Loc.
• * 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dicitur id quod causam dat summi gaudii. Grot∣in Heb. 1. v. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. OEcum.
• * 1.10

  Doct.
• * 1.11

  •…•…bi ego Cajus tu Caja. Uxor clarescit in radiis ma∣riti.
• * 1.12

  1.
• * 1.13

  Negatively.
• * 1.14

  Justitia Chri∣sti fit nostra, non quoad uni∣versalem valo∣remsed particu∣larem necessita∣tem, & impu∣tatur nobis non ut causis sal∣vationis, sed ut subjectis sal∣vandis. Brad∣shaw de justi∣ficatione.
• * 1.15

  Posi ively.
• * 1.16

  2.
• * 1.17

  Position 1. Soli verè fide∣les sunt mem∣bra Christi, id{que} non quate∣nus homines, sed quatenus Christiani: nec secundum pri∣mam genera∣tionem, sed se∣cundum reg ne∣rationem. Po∣lanus Syntag. lib. 6. cap. 35.
• * 1.18

  Position 2.
• * 1.19

  Position 3.
• * 1.20

  Position 4.
• * 1.21

  Position 5.
• * 1.22

  Infer. 1.
• * 1.23

  Infer. 2.
• * 1.24

  Infer. 3.
• * 1.25

  Infer. 4.
• * 1.26

  Infer. 5.
• * 1.27

  Infer. 6.
• * 1.28

  Infer. 7.
• * 1.29

  Mr. Tors•…•…ell.
• * 1.30

  Infer. 8.