The holy Eucharist, or, The mystery of the Lords Supper briefly explained by Thomas Watson ...

TO THE READER.

Christian Reader,

I Have (according to my promise) superadded a few lines, suiting a Sacramental Discourse. The Sub∣ject is so excellent and sublime, that I cannot speak enough of it, nor well e∣nough. What can be more sacred, than the observing Christ's last Will and Test∣ament, Do this in Remembrance of me. We are to be so solemnly affected at the Holy Supper, as if we were re∣ceiving it among the Apostles from Christ's own hands* 1.1. This mysterious Ordinance is to be perpetuated till

Christ's coming to judgment, 1 Cor. 11. 26.* 1.2 The Supper of the Lord is a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or foret ast of that Marriage-Supper of the Lamb, Rev. 19. 9. which made Damascen pray, Lord, let me receive this Supper, as an Earnest of my future Heaven. But into what a degenerate age are we fallen, when the most weighty tremendous Points of Re∣ligion are called in question. To such a Climax of impudency are some risen, as to vilifie Ordinances, oppugn Christ's Divinity, deride the in-habitation of God's Spirit* 1.3; and deny praying by the Spirit. These are they who would cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before them, Isa. 30. 11. They would turn all Religion into a Romance, and leaven the World with Atheism. I wish they have not sinned the sin unto death* 1.4. If once the Truths of God iose their authority in Peoples hearts, then is a fatal stop put to all solid Practical Piety. God grant that the more others

decry the Sanctity of the Gospel, the more we may reverence it. They have made void thy Law, therefore I love thy Commandments, Psal. 119. 126. Such as have experienced the sweetness of Truth in their own Souls, know how to estimate it. I should be glad if this short ensuing Discourse, might render the Lord Jesus more precious and eligi∣ble in our eyes, and add one cubit to our faith. O happy Ordinance of the Supper that causeth such endearments of love between Christ and the Soul; and begins those sacred Nuptials, which shall be for ever solemnized in the Kingdom of God. But I avo•…•…d Prolixness: hoping for a blessing from on high upon these endeavours. I rest

Yours affectionately in the service of the Gospel. Thomas Watson.

Feb. 19. 1668.

The Fiery Serpents.

Numb. 21, 6, 7, 8, 9.

And the Lord sent Fiery Serpents among the People, and they bit the people, and much people of Israel dyed; There∣fore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the Serpents from us: And Moses prayed for the People; And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a Fiery Serpent, and set it upon a Pole; and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten when he looketh up∣on it shall live. And Moses made a Ser∣pent of Brass, and put it upon a Pole; and it came to pass, that if a Serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the Serpent of Brass, h•…•… lived.

IN this Portion of Holy Scripture, there are two things considerable. The people of Israels being stung, and the manner of their Cure.

1. Their being stung with the Fie∣ry Serpents; where observe,

1. The occasion of God's sending these Fiery Serpents.

There were two Sins provoked the Lord to inflict this Punishment.

1. Their Murmuring, ver 5. The People spake against God and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the Wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water, Speaking against God and his Prophets go together. They spake against God and against Moses. The Chaldee reads it, They murmured before the Lord. Murmuring is a spea∣king against God; and it proceeds from distrust, Psal. 106. 24. They be∣lieved not his Word, but murmured. So in the Text, There is no bread, or water; they thought they should die in the Wilderness, and then they spake against God. Murmuring is the daughter of Unbelief. And observe the Time when they murmured; it was imme∣diately

after an eminent and glorious deliverance, ver. 3. The Lord harkned to Israel, and delivered up the Cana∣anites, and they utterly destroid them and their Cities. And behold the re∣quital they make God for this signal mercy! They murmur against him. What? to find fault with God! and just after a Deliverance? the Lord being highly provoked, sent Fiery Serpents among them, and much peo∣ple of Israel dyed, ver. 6.* 1.5

Oh, how suitable to their Sin was this Punishment. Israel did burn in heat of Passion, and God made their Flesh burn with extream heat: Their Speeches were venemous, and they were punished with venemous Ser∣pents* 1.6. Hence observe,

Doctrine 1. Of all Sins God can * 1.7 least bear the sin of Ingratitude To be delivered, yet murmur! God

presently sent Fiery Serpents to a∣venge his quarrel. Israel did not only forget God's Mercies, Psal. 106. 13. but abuse them. To be ungrateful for mercy, is, like Absalom, who assoon as David kissed him, and took him into favour, plotted Treason against him* 1.8. 2 Sam. 15. 10. Like the Athenians, who, in lieu of the good Service Aristides had done them, banished him out of their City * 1.9. Like the Mule who kicks the Damm after she hath given it milk. Ingratitude (saith Cicero) hath nothing of evil wanting in it * 1.10. It is a sin that leaves a People without excuse; if God let loose his Judgments, and send Fiery Serpents, they have nothing to say, Ezra. 9. 10. And now O our God what shall we say af∣ter this? after what? ver. 9. Mercy hath been extended to us in the sight of the Kings of Persia, yet we have forsa∣ken thy Commandments. What shall we say after this?

Use. Let our Ingratitude be deep∣ly laid to heart. This puts an accent upon sin, and makes it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, out of measure sinful. How many are the worse for mercy. They make a dart of God's Mercies, and shoot at him; he gives them Wit, and they serve the Devil with it; he gives them an Estate, and they feast their Lusts with it. Are these worthy to be Guests at the Lords-Table who lift up the heel against him? Will God welcome such into his presence, as know not how to use kindness? Oh that this sin may fill our faces with blushing. Take we heed for the future of following this bad example in the Text. Let us turn all our Murmurings into Hosan∣•…•…ahs. Let us praise God for his Mer∣cies, and serve God with his Mercies.

2. The second cause of God's sen∣ding * 1.11 the Fiery Serpents, was, Their slighting of Manna. ver. 5. Our soul loatheth this light bread. The Septu∣agint * 1.12 renders it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, this

empty bread. It is spoken in contempt. Israel counted Manna vile in respect of other meat. Manna is called Angels Food; but they call it in disdain light bread. This Manna was miraculous, it came from Heaven in an extraordina∣ry way; and mystical: It was a type and figure of the Lord Jesus, who is called the bread of Life, Joh. 6. 98. and the Hidden Manna * 1.13, Rev. 2. 17. The contempt therefore of Manna was a contempt of Christ; for this, God sent Fiery Serpents.

Doct: 2. The slighting and despi∣sing * 1.14 the Lord Jesus is a God-provo∣king sin. This was Israels Crime, the despising of Manna; which was not only corporal food, but a Type of Christ their spiritual food; this greatly incensed the Lord, and made him send Fiery Serpents among them. Thus, when we despise Christ and prefer our lusts before him, as Israel did Leeks and Onyons before Manna, then come the Fiery Serpents.

Use. Let us take heed of growing weary of Christ, this blessed Manna. At first Israel did highly esteem Man∣na, they ran out to gather it, Happy was he that could get Manna. But this Food from Heaven, which at first was so sweet to their Palat, within a while was loathed and contemned. Our nature is such, that we are apt to disesteem the richest blessings when they are common. If Pearls and Dia∣monds were plentiful, none would value them. If the Sun did shine but once a year how would it be prized; but because it shines every day, few admire this Lamp of Heaven. Take heed of despising Jesus Christ, Mat. 22. 5. If God was so angry with Israel for slighting of Christ when he was hid under a Type; how angry will he be with those who slight Christ, af∣ter he hath been visibly revealed, Hebr. 10. 29. Of how much sorer pu∣nishment shall they be thought worthy, who have trod under foot the Son of

God. Jesus Christ is a super-eminent blessing; a magazine and storehouse of all good Things* 1.15. And the love of God was never so much seen as in giving of Christ; therefore to slight Christ, is to slight the love of God.

Quest. But who dares slight Christ?

Resp. It is a slighting of Christ to slight his Gospel, and offer of Grace; and hath not this been England's Sin? have not we formerly nauseated Man∣na? did not we grow curious and wanton, and esteem'd the Manna of the Gospel light-bread, and was not the Lord provoked with us? Did not he send, though not Fiery Serpents, yet a Fiery Rod among us in this City, that hath burnt down our Dwellings? Christians, I beseech you take heed of this for the future. If God indulge you with Manna again, beware of surfeiting on the bread of life. The loathing of Manna is the next way to the losing of Manna. God will take away his Mercies if they are under∣valued.

If you play with the light, God will put out the light.

2. The Punishment it self, which was Fiery Serpents. These may be un∣derstood,

1. Literally they were called Fiery Serpents.

1. Because they were of a fiery colour.

2. From the effect, They were Seraphims, Burners* 1.16. For when they did bite the people, they did burn with extream heat and thirst* 1.17. The Septuagint translates them▪ Killing Serpents * 1.18. Many of the people died, ver. 6.

2. These Fiery Serpents may be understood mystically. So these Ser∣pents were first a Type of Satan, call∣ed the old Serpent, Rev. 12. 9. He is in∣deed a Serpent for his subtilty. The Hebrew word for Serpent comes of a Verb that signifies to use subtilty * 1.19.

Gen. 3. 1. So Satan is a Ser∣pent* 1.20 very subtil in his temp∣tations; he hath his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 his depths, Rev. 2. 24. and his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, his devices, 2 Cor. 2. 11. The Devil doth with his artificial varnish put a fine gloss upon his Temptations, that he may the better draw men to his lure; he either hides his malicious designs. or colours them* 1.21.

2 These Fiery Serpents were a Type of Sin.

Doct. 3. Sin is a Fiery Serpent. This Serpent is bred in our nature; it is within us* 1.22. We would think it sad, to have Spiders and Serpents in our bodies; as it is said of Maximinus the Emperor, his body bred vermin: But it is worse to have the Serpent of Sin in our Souls. Sin is a Serpent.

1. For its Poyson. Sin hath inve∣nomed us, and that is the reason we

swell. Why doth one man swell with Pride, another with Passion, another with Lust? he is poysoned. If one had achild whom he dearly loved, mor∣tally poyson'd; how would he grieve for it? Our Souls are poysoned, yet we grieve not. How oft do sinners poyson the Sacramental Cup!

2. Sin is a Serpent for the sting of it. 'Tis the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Sin at first shows its colour in the glass, afterwards it bites as a Serpent, Prov. 23. 32. Sin is a Serpent with four stings. 1. It stings with guilt, Rom. 3 19. 2. With hor∣ror of Conscience, which is Limen in∣ferni; Judas and Spira felt this; all the racks, strappadoes, and tortures in the world are but Ludibria & risus, a sport in comparison of this deadly sting; no outward comforts can ease a Conscience stung with sin, no more than a Crown of Gold can cure the Head-ach.

3. Sin stings with death, Rom. 5. 12. and death by Sin. Sin is the wild Gourd

that Adam gathered and eat; and the next news was, There is death in the * 1.23 pot.

4. Sin without Repentance stings the Soul with damnation. This Fiery Serpent, brings to the Fiery Furnace, I have rcad of the City Amycle in Italy destroy'd by Serpents* 1.24. Such a de∣stroying Serpent is sin.

Use 1. See the sad condition of wicked men! They make light of sin, but sin is a Fiery Serpent crept into their bosom. When the Serpent hath bitten one (saith Pliny) the venome and contagion of it spreads all over his body. Sin hath invenomed men all over; their hearts are full of poy∣son, Rom. 1. 29. Being fill'd with all unrighteousness. Their Tongues spit forth the poyson of the Serpent in Oaths and Curses, Psal. 58. 2. The poison of Asps is under their Tongue.

This may serve to humble God's own people; though they have the meekness of the Dove, yet they have

aliquid serpentis, something of the evil evil of Serpent in them. Though the curse due to sin is taken away, yet the venome of this Serpent doth in part remain: They have much love of the World, much Unbelief much unmortified Passion. Among Christ's Disciples there was Pride and Emu∣lation. Tho Christians have something of God's Spirit in them, yet they have something which is Serpentine. This Viper of sin will not be shaked off till death. Oh how may this humble the best of God's Saints. The Bishop of Alexandria when Egypt was conver∣ted to the Faith, destroyed all their Idols but one, that so looking upon that, they might see their folly, and abhor themselves for their Idolatry. So God suffers not sin to be perfectly abolished in this life, he leaves some corruption in the heart, Something of the Serpent, that his people may loath themselves in the dust. What need have Believers to drink Christ's

Blood in the Sacrament, which is the best antidote against the poyson of the Soul.

3. See that which may raise in us abhorring thoughts of sin. It is a venemous Fiery Serpent; will any man hug a Serpent? Oh look not on the sine coat of the Serpent, but the sting. It stings with the wrath of God. Pursue sin with an holy malice, Morti∣fie the deeds of the flesh, Rom. 8. 13. It is an happy thing when a Christian can say, Though the Serpent be not dead, yet i•…•… is dying. Kill this Serpent or it will kill you.

4. If sin be a Fiery Serpent, then be sensible of the malignity and viru∣lency of this Serpent, feel your selves stung. Feel your Hypocrisie and In∣fidelity. We are ready to think what a fearful thing it was to be bitten with the Fiery Serpents. We have a worse Serpent bites us, and the misery of all is, we are stung and are asleep, Eph. 4. 19. O that God would by his Spi∣rit

awaken us that we may not sleep the sleep of death.

5. If sin be a Fiery Serpent with so many stings, then let us labour that these deadly stings fastned in our Consciences may be healed. And that brings me to the second Thing.

II. The manner of Israels Cure. * 1.25 vers. 8. Make thee a Fiery Serpent, (or Serpent of Brass) and set it upon a Pole: and it shall come to pass that eve∣ry one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live: And Moses made a Serpent of Brass, and put it upon a Pole, &c. In which words there is the Sig∣num, and the Signatum; the Sign, the Brazen Serpent, and the thing signi∣fied, Christ the healer of Souls. So it is interpreted by the Evangelist. Joh. 3. 14. As Moses lifted up the Ser∣pent in the Wilderness: even so must the son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, &c.

Doct. 4. The Lord Jesus is the * 1.26 true Brazen Serpent that heals sinners stung with sin* 1.27. For the further illustrating of this I shall show you,

1. The fit Analogies and resem∣blances between Christ and the Bra∣zen Serpent.

1. The Serpent in the Wilderness resembled Christ in its materiality, the Serpent was of Brass, not Marble, or beaten Gold: This being made of Brass did Typifie Christ three ways.

1. Brass is an inferiour Metal, and unlikely to produce such a noble ef∣fect. What was a Serpent of Brass to heal one that was stung? If some Soveraign Medicine or Antidote had been applyed, if the balm of Gilead had been brought, this had been like∣ly to have wrought a Cure, but what is there in a Serpent made of Brass to heal? This was a Type of Christ, it resembled the meanness of his Person, he affected not outward pomp and state; he came into the

World in a mean Condition, There was no beauty in him that he should be desired, Isa. 53. 2. Who that had loo∣ked upon Christ with a carnal eye, would ever have thought he should be the Messiah, the glorious healer of the World?

2. Brass is a solid firm Metal; which resembled Christ's Power. Job 9. 19. If I speak of strength, lo he is strong. Therefore called, The Mighty God* 1.28, Isa. 9. 6. Of what invincible forti∣tude was he, who could bear the wrath of God and the sins of the World! He must needs be puissant who could break the Gates of Hell, and triumph over Satan upon the Cross.

3. Brass doth shine, but not dazzle the eyes. So Christ though he doth shine in his God-head, yet his Human Nature doth so allay the splendor of his Glory, that we may look upon him now, and not be over-whelmed with the immenseness and brightness of his Majesty.

2. The Brazen Serpent resembled Christ in its figure and shape. The Serpent though it was made like a Serpent, yet it was no * 1.29 real Serpent. Thus Christ (as the Scripture saith) was in the likeness of sinful flesh, Rom. 8. 3. yet he was no sinner. He was made sin, but knew no sin, 2 Cor. 5. 21. He knew sin in the weight, but not in the act. He was ab omni macula alienus, he was purer then the Sun; he had no more sin than the Brazen Serpent had sting or venome in it * 1.30.

3. The Serpent in the Wilderness resembled Christ in its Erection and Elevation. It was lifted up that all Israel might see it. It must not on∣ly be framed but lifted up * 1.31. So Christ must not only be made a Saviour, but he must be lifted up. Now Christ is said to be lifted up four ways.

1. Christ was lifted up in the Ac∣clamation of the Angels, Luk. 2. 7. Unto you is born this day, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord; and suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and say∣ing glory to God in the highest, &c. The Angels adored Christ, and were the Heraulds to proclaim the joyful news of a Saviour to the World. Thus was Christ lifted up in the Triumphs of Angels.

2. Christ is lifted up in the Prea∣ching of the Gospel * 1.32. So he is an Ensign erected for all to look to, Isa. 11. 10. It is the Ministers office to lift up Christ in the eyes of the World; to hold him forth in his glo∣ry, and proclaim him as the only Messiah, and that there is no Salvation in any other, Act. 4. 12 * 1.33.

3. Christ was lifted up upon the Cross: The Pole was undoubtedly a Type of the Cross, and the lifting up of the Serpent on the Pole was a

Type of Christ's being lift up upon the Cross. This was a blessed lifting up. Christ's lifting up is our lifting up. Joh, 12. 32. And I if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me: That is, all that belong to the Election. For mercy runs only in the channel of Election. O how happy was it for us, that this spiritual brazen serpent was erected. Christ's being lifted up upon the Cross, is the cause of our being lifted up to Heaven. And in the Sacrament is a solemn Comme∣moration of Christ's Crucifixion.

4. Christ is lifted up in our hearts, by our contemplating, admiring, loving him. It is not the lifting up of Christ on the Cross will save us, unless he be lifted up in our hearts. When we prize Christ, and set him highest in our thoughts and esteem, this is to lift him up in our souls. There are two chief things a Christian hath to do, to depress self, and exalt Christ.

4. The brazen serpent resembled Christ in the design of its being lifted up, and that was intuition; when Israel were stung, they must look upon the Brazen serpent; which looking imply∣ed a secret hope they had of cure. So Christ was therefore lifted up on the Cross, that he may be looked upon by an eye of Faith. The people of Israel needed not to have taken down the Serpent from the Pole, and touch∣ed their sores with it; they were only to look on it, and they were healed. So we need not go to fetch Christ down from Heaven (as the Papists do who make him to be corporally in the Bread); no, if we do but look upon him fiducially, we shall be cured of our sting.

Observe four Things about the Brazen Serpent. There were four ca∣ses in which the Brazen Serpent would have done the people of Israel no good, though it were lifted up.

1. In case the Brazen Serpent had been set up, yet if they had not fixed their eye upon it, it would not have cured them. So though Jesus Christ be lifted up as a Saviour to the world; yet if this Brazen Serpent be not loo∣ked upon believingly he will not save, Joh. 3. 18. He that believeth not, is condemned already. The Arminians dream of Universal Redemption, Christ dying intentionally for all. The Bra∣zen Serpent was made a Type of Christ; now the Brazen Serpent cu∣red not all persons, only them that looked upon it. So those who either through ignorance, or stubbornness, look not on Christ by Faith have no benefit by him.

2. In case the people of Israel had not looked upon this Serpent Alone, if they had set up another Brazen Ser∣pent by this, and looked upon both, they had not received a cure. So after God hath set up Christ to be a Savi∣our, if any shall presume to set up

another Saviour by him (as the Papists who look partly to Christ, and partly to their Merits) they can receive no sanative vertue from him. For us of the Protestant perswasion, to look upon our duties equally with Christ, our prayers and tears, as expecting they should merit salvation, this is to make two Brazen Serpents, to set up two Christs, and then we cannot be cured. We are to use duties, but to look beyond them to Christ. They are good duties, but bad Christ's. If we trust to our duties for salvation, they will be Fiery Ser∣pents to sting us, not Brazen Serpents to heal us.

3. In case the Brazen Serpent was set up upon a Pole, if Israel had loo∣ked only upon their sting, and not upon the Serpent, they had not been cured. So if we look only upon our Sins, and through despair look not up to Christ, vve have no healing from

him. To keep avvay from Christ be∣cause of our sins, is a disparagement to Christ, as if there were more malig∣nity and poyson in sin then vertue in this Brazen Serpent. Indeed vve must look with one eye upon sin, but vvith another eye upon Christ. Look on sin vvith a penitent eye, and on Christ vvith a believing eye* 1.34. Weep for sin that slevv Christ, but hope in the Lamb slain.

4. In case Israel had looked upon the Brazen Serpent, yet if it had been vvith an eye of scorn or contempt, as despising that remedy God had pro∣vided, they had not been cured; Jesus Christ is lifted up, but if he be looked upon as the Jews looked upon him vvhen he hung on the Cross, vvith an eye not of reverence but disdain, he vvill not cure. The blas∣phemous Socinians look upon Christ only as a meer man, and his blood not

satis•…•…ory or meritorious, these can∣not be •…•…ved by him* 1.35. Isa. 53. 3. He is despised of Men. To these he is not a Brazen Serpent, but a consuming fire.

5. The Brazen Serpent resembled Christ in the issue and result of it. He who looked on the Serpent had an infallible cure. So he that can but look wishly on Christ by Faith is cer∣tainly sav•…•…d. Joh. 3. 14. Whosoever believeth on him shall not penish. Our misery at first came in by the eye, loo∣king upon the apple undid us; but looking on Christ aright saves us.

2. I shall show the Transcenden∣cies of Christ the Spiritual Brazen Serpent above that in the Wilder∣ness.

1. The Brazen Serpent was inani∣mate, it could repair life, not infuse life. But Jesus Christ gives life to the World* 1.36, Joh. 6. 33. Yea, a never-dying life, Joh. 3. 15. Eternal life. Life is sweet, but this word Eternal, makes it sweeter.

2. The Brazen Serpent could cure only a sting in the body. The Lord Jesus heals a more deadly sting in our souls. * 1.37 Psal. 103. 3. So deep were these wounds that they could not be healed but by deeper wounds made in Christ's side. He was fain to die to cure us.

3. The Brazen Serpent could cure only those who were within sight of it, such as were afar off and in remote parts of the Wilderness, had not their sting removed; But Jesus Christ cures none but them who are afar off, Jer. 2. 5. They are gone far from me. The East is not so far from the West, as the sinner is from God; but herein ap∣pears the vertue of our Spiritual Bra∣zen Serpent, he heals none but them who are afar off. Such as are not only aliens but rebells, that live in the De∣vil's Territories, Christ works a cure upon them, and turns them from the power of satan, Act. 26. 18.

4. The Brazen Serpent cured them that looked on it; but if they had wanted the organ of fight, there had been no cure for them. What would a poor blind Israelite have done? but Christ our Brazen Serpent not only cures us when we look upon him, but if we want our sight, he enables us to look upon him. Christ not only saves us when we believe, but he gives us power to believe, Ephes. 2. 8. Christ anoints us with the eye-salve of his Spirit that we may look up, and loo∣king up we are cured.

Use. 1. Information,

1 Branch. In this Mystery of the Brazen Serpent, see by what impro∣bable means God doth sometimes ef∣fect great things. What was a Brazen Serpent? What likelihood that this should heal one that was stung? it was a meer Image, a shape, and this not applyed to the wound, but only beheld and looked upon, yet this wrought a cure. Reason would with

Sarah have laughed at this. A bitter Tree cast into the vvaters did dulcifie and make themsweet to drink of * 1.38. Clay and spittle cured the blind man; vve vvould rather think it should put out ones eyes that did see. What is there in the Rainbovv to prevent a deluge? What is Bread and Wine in the Sacrament, that these Elements should be consecrated to such an high mystery as to be a sym∣bol of Christ's Body and * 1.39 Blood? What more strange then that a dead man should quicken the vvorld? but God loves to amuse and non-plus human vvisdom, and bring great things to pass by vveak contemptible means, 1 Cor. 1. 27, 28. This the Lord doth.

1. That his Glory may shine forth the more. The less appears in out∣vvard means the more of God is seen. The less beauty and splendor is in the

Load-stone, the more the virtues of it are admired. And the less outward Pomp is in the instrument, the more Gods wisdom & energy is manifested.

2. God would have the World see what power is in his Institution. God appointed the Brazen Serpent * 1.40, therefore a word of Blessing went a∣long with it to heal, * 1.41 Psal. 107. 20. He sent forth his word and bealed them. In the blessed Sacrament we are to look above the Elements; a word of Blessing goes along with God's Insti∣tution to make this Ordinance effect∣ual for the sealing up of Christ and all his benefits to us.

2. Bran. In this Mystery of the Brazen Serpent, see what infinite need we stand in of Christ. What would a stung Israelite have done without a Brazen Serpent? if Balm be needful for one that is wounded, if an antidote be needful for one that is poysoned, then Christ the Brazen ser∣pent is needful for a soul stung with sin.

Yea, and what need have we to look often upon Christ in the frequent Celebration of the Lords Supper, where Christ in a special manner is lifted up; though we have looked upon this Brazen serpent formerly, yet still we have need to look upon him, we are not perfectly healed. In∣deed Israel if they had looked but once on the Brazen Serpent, they were perfectly cured; but though we have looked several times on Christ in the Sacrament, and can say by experience, We have fetched vertue from him, yet we are not perfectly cured. Though the guilt of sin be taken a∣way, yet not the presence and in∣being. Our bloody issue is not quite dried up; our wounds bleed afresh, our sins break out again. I appeal to the best hearts alive, how often have they been stung with sin and tentati∣on since they looked last on Christ lifted up in the Sacrament. O what need then to come often to this Ordi∣nance.

Herein the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper differeth from the Sacrament of Baptism which is to be administred but once, this often, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cor. 11. 26 * 1.42. If we consider how strong our cor∣ruptions are, how weak our Graces, how numerous our wan•…•…s, it may make us come often to the Lords-Ta∣ble, where we may have an healing sight of Christ. He that wants Gold goes often to the Indies. Our Spiri∣tual indigence may renew our addres∣ses to the Lords-Supper for strength and comfort.

3. Bran. See in this Mystery the Cabinet of Free-grace opened, and God's love sparkling forth! Three ways.

1. That God hath provided Christ this Brazen Serpent as a remedy for stung lapsed sinners. Oh infinite good∣ness of God, that when vve had de∣generated from him by Apostacy, the Lord should take pity of us, and in∣stead of brandishing his flaming

svvord, should erect a Brazen serpent, and make Christ knovvn to us in his healing vertues * 1.43. When the Angels sinned there vvas no Brazen serpent for them, God did not send them to the Hospital to be healed, but to the Jail to be punished. They are reserved in everlasting Chains, Jude 6. O rich Free-grace that hath indulged us vvith a remedy, and found out a vvay of cure for all our desperate mala∣dies!

2. See Gods Free-grace, that some should be healed of their sting and not others. There are but a fevv healed. There is a time vvhen sin∣ners vvill not be healed, Jer. 51. 9. We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed; and there is a time vvhen sinners cannot be healed, Nah. 3. 19. There is no healing of thy bruise. Novv Christian, vvhen most die of their vvound, that the Brazen serpent should be sent to thee to cure thee!

Oh stupendious Grace * 1.44! that God should lay his left hand upon many of the rich and noble, and lay his right hand upon thee; that Heaven should fall to thy lot; that thou shouldst be one of those few that are saved*; cry out in admiration, Lord how is it that thou shouldst show thy self to me and not unto the world* 1.45.

3. See God's Free-grace that he cures us upon such cheap terms. When we were wounded so deadly, God did not put us to charges, we were not to bring money to purchase our Cure; not rivers of Oyl, or drops of blood, no, only look upon the Brazen Ser∣pent, and the Cure is effected. Isa. 55 1. Come without money, and without price. We are not to pay for our Cure. Spi∣ritual Blessings are too dear for our purse to reach; Christ made a pur∣chase for us in his Blood; all he re∣quires is to receive it and be thank∣ful.

4. See how justly all wicked men * 1.46 perish. God hath provided a brazen Serpent, a glorious Saviour, that who∣ever believes in his blood may obtain mercy. God beseecheth, yea chargeth men to believe, if therefore through * 1.47 folly they neglect Christ, or obstinacy refuse him, how righteous will God be in pronouncing that last and fatal sentence upon them. They who pe∣rish under the Gospel must needs be double damned; Hell's furnace will be heated seven times hoter for them, because they put away Salvation from them, Act. 13. 46. Pagans perish in the want of a Brazen serpent, and Christians in the Contempt * 1.48. Jesus Christ saith, Come unto me all ye sinners who are stung with guilt, I will heal you. I conflicted with my Fathers wrath, I was wounded, and out of these bleeding wounds comes forth a soveraign medicine to cure you. But desperate sinners love their disease better then their remedy. They

had rather die then look up to Christ for life, Psal. 81. 11. Israel would none of me. Oh strange delirium, the old Serpent after he hath stung men hath bewitched them, that they mind not a Cure. Who will pity such as will∣fully cast away themselves? how will mercy slight their tears at last, and God's justice triumph in their deser∣ved ruin.

Use 2. Let us look in a right man∣ner * 1.49 upon this Mystical Brazen Ser∣pent, Heb. 12. 2. Looking unto Jesus. The Greek word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifies the stedfast fixing of the eye upon some lovely beautiful object. Faith will be of more use to us than any other grace. As an eye (though a dim one) was of more use to a stung Isra∣elite than any other member. Faith discerns the Lords body. To encourage Faith; Consider,

1. Christ was lifted up upon the Cross purposely to cure us. Christ had no other end in dying but to heal, his

blood is a soveraign balm for a sin∣sick soul. Such as feel the burden of their sins, need not question Christ's willingness to save them, when the very design of his death was to cure, Psal. 147. 3. He healeth the broken in heart. Serpents (as Naturalists affirm) have a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or great love to their young, and will hazard their lives for them * 1.50. So full of love was Christ our Mystical Brazen serpent, as to die for us, by whose stripes we are healed, Isa. 53. 5.

2. Such as do not look up to Christ's merits do necessitate themselves to damnation, Mar. 16. 16. He that believeth not shall be damned. * 1.51. Had not Israel lift up their eyes to the Bra∣zen serpent they had died for it. If thou dost not look up as David did; Psal. 25. 15. Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord, then thou must look up as Dives did, Luk.

16. 23. In hell he lift up his eyes. Oh therefore let us fix our eye upon the Brazen serpent, looking unto Jesus. Let us look up to the sacrifice of Christ's blood, and to the cloud of incense which he sends up by his glo∣rious Intercession.

Object. 1. But I fear I have no Faith alive in my Soul, whereby I should look up. Though Israel were stung yet they were alive; but how dead do I find my heart?

Answ. We must distinguish be∣tween a Christian that is liveless, and that is without life. A sick man is live∣less, and hath no mind to stir, yet he is not without life: So Christian thou maist be liveless, and thy grace dor∣munt; yet the seed of Faith may be alive in thy heart. Did not David find his heart dull and listless? though he was not dead in sin, yet he was dead in duty; why else did he pray, Quic∣ken thou me, Psal. 119. 25. But that deadness which is in a Believer, he is

sensible of, which argues life; he mourns for it, and never leaves till he hath in the use of means recovered that agility and liveliness of soul as once he had.

Object. 2. But if my Faith be alive, it is so weak, that I fear I shall receive no benefit from the Brazen serpent?

Answ. If it be a true Faith though weak, it will fetch vertue from Christ. Suppose an Israelite had had but one eye, and that eye had been sore, yet looking on the Brazen serpent, he had been presently cured. Blear eyed Leah might have been cured; though thy Faith be weak it will justifie. Say as Cruciger, on his death bed, Lord, I believe but with a weak Faith, yet I believe * 1.52.

Object. 3. But my sins are of that magnitude that I am discouraged from looking up to Christ?

Answ. Captivate fear, and advance Faith * 1.53. Suppose an Israelite had been more stung and bitten than others, yet by looking on the Brazen serpent he might have been healed as well as they that had but the least sting. Christ's blood believed in, cures the greatest stings. What cannot the blood of God do? it cured Manasses three deadly stings, bloodshed, Idolatry, Sorcery, 2 Chron. 32. 2, 3. The Bra∣zen serpent can cure the Crimson sin∣ner, Isa. 1. 18. I speak not this that any should presume, but that no bro∣ken-hearted sinner should despair.

2. Bran. Let us acknowledg God's wonderful mercy in bestowing the Brazen serpent upon us. O bless God cordially for Christ* 1.54, who was lift up up∣on the Cross, and is held forth in the Sacrament, for our con∣solation and salvation. How joyful was an Israelite that lay burning with his sting, when he saw the Brazen

serpent erected. We have infinitely more cause to be joyful for Christ, whose blood delivers us from •…•…rath to come, 1 Thes. 1 10. What had be∣come of us if Christ not pityed us and come into the world. Had not Christ been lifted up, we had been thrown down to hell for ever.

Let us then bow the knee in all re∣verence, and with the leper that was healed, return to give glory to God, Luk. 17. 15.

Use 3. Comf. Let this chear up the hearts of all true Believers. You that now look upon Christ lift up up∣on the Pole, shall shortly see him lift up vpon the Throne. You that have seen Christ in his Crucifixion shall shortly see him in his Coronation. In short, you that now behold Christ lifted up for you, shall shortly be lif∣ted up to him. And there you shall behold the wonders of his love, the riches of his glory, and shall be for e∣ver solacing your selves in the light of his blessed countenance.

The Spiritual Vine.

John 15. 1.

I am the True Vine.

THe Name of Christ is most fragrant, and because of the savour of his good Oyntments, therefore the Virgins love him* 1.55. Jesus Christ is the beauty of Heaven, and the joy of the heart* 1.56. In him all ful∣ness dwells, Colos. 1. 19. In this flower is all sweetness. If the Gospel be the field, Christ is the treasure hid in it. The knowledg of Christ is so precious and delectable, that though St. Paul knew him before, yet he desires to know more of him* 1.57, he would have more light from this Sun, Phil. 3. 10. That I may know him, as he who hath

found a gold Mine, desires to dig out still more Gold. Jesus Christ in Scrip∣ture is set out by several Metaphors.

1. He is compared to the Rose of Sharon, Cant. 2. 1. the Rose is the Queen of Flowers. So sweet is this Rose of the Heavenly Paradise, that it makes us a sweet savour to God. * 1.58

2. Christ is compared to a Pearl of Price, Mat. 13. 46. other Pearls add no realworth to them that wear them; but Christ this illustrious Pearl doth; he makes us worthy through his wor∣thiness; Ez•…•…k. 16. 14.

But among all the Metaphors and Allegories in Scripture, none doth more lively decipher, and set out Christ, than the Vine. He calls him∣self here, the True Vine. The Vine (saith Pliny) is to be ranked the high∣est among all the Plants that grow.

Doct. 1. That Jesus Christ is a Spiritual Vine. The Analogies are these.

1 The Vine is of it self weak, and must be supported and born up: So the humane Nature of Christ, was of it self weak, and was fain to be sup∣ported and underpropped with the Divine Nature.

2. The Vine grows in the Garden, not in the Forest: So Christ this bles∣sed Vine, grows in the Garden of the Church. He is not known among the Heathen, they being Forest ground are not the better for this Vine. To Israel pertains the Glory, for unto them were committed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Oracles of God, Rom. 3. 2.

3. The Vine communicates to the Branches. Believers are called Bran∣ches of the Vine, ver. 5. Christ shoots up his sap of Grace into these * 1.59. Joh. 1. 16. Of his fulness have we all received.

Then, let not the branches grow proud; all comes from the root of the Vine. The Saints gifts and graces are derived from Christ. Therefore he calls the Spouses Graces his Gra∣ces, Cant. 5. 1. I have gathered my myrrh; not thy myrrh. The Branch hath nothing but what it receives from the Root * 1.60.

4. The Vine hath rare delicious fruit growing on it, it bears sweet clusters; the promises are the clusters of Grapes growing on Christ the True Vine * 1.61. The Promises are said to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in him, 1 Cor. 1. 20. the Pro∣mises are made in Christ, and grow upon him as fruit on the Tree.

5. There are many things about the Vine useful besides the fruit. The Leaves that grow on it (saith Pliny) have a Physical vertue to allay heats and inflamations; the Gumm that di∣stills from it is good against Leprosie.

So it is with this Spiritual Vine, the Lord Jesus; he is exceeding useful, and full of vertue. There is vertue in his Passion, Resurrection, Interces∣sion; he pleads for us as the Advocate for the Client; He perfumes our holy things with his Incense. Christ's Pray∣er is the cause why our Prayers are accepted. Such various excellency is in this Vine.

1. See the different Vertues in * 1.62 Christ to the Godly and the Wicked. To the Godly, He is a Vine full of Comfort; to the Wicked, He is not a Vine, but a Rock of offence. The Godly feed on Him, the Wicked stumble at him; the Wicked are of∣fended at the meanness of Christ's Person, the Spirituality of his Doct∣rine, the Strictness of his Laws; but to the Godly he is a Vine yielding most fragrant delicious fruit * 1.63.

2. Bran. See the misery of men living and dying in sin, they are not implanted into Christ; therefore do

not at all partake of his precious ful∣ness. The Vine communicates influ∣ence only to its own Branches. The wild Olive hath no fruit from the Vine. Such as abide in the old stock of nature, Branches of the wild Olive have no benefit from Christ. It is cold comfort to the Reprobate part of the world that there is a Vine gro∣wing which bears the fruit of Salva∣tion, as long as they remain strangers to Christ, and hate to be united to him. Fire will come out of this Vine to devour them.

3. Bran. See the Goodness of God! When we had forfeited the fruit of Paradise, •…•…e hath given us a better tree then any grew there; he hath enriched us with a pleasant Vine. When Christ suffered, now was this blessed Vine nailed to the Cross, now it was cut and did bleed * 1.64, and Sal∣vation comes to us in the blood of this Vine. The gleaning Grapes here, are better then the World's Vintage.

This Spiritual Vine,

1. Chears the heart * 1.65,

Curam metum{que} juvat dulci lyaeo sol∣vere. Horat.

Are we sad in the sense of sin, and think our selves unworthy to come to the Lords-Table, this wine of Christ's blood is a Cordial * 1.66; It is both the Price, and Seal of our Par∣don.

2. It strengthens: the Vine hath a strengthning vertue. So when our Graces are spiritually consumptive, by tasting the fruit of this Vine, we renew our strength; in the Holy Cele∣bration of the Lord's Supper fresh in∣fluence is communicated to us. This Spiritual Vine did invigorate the Saints and Martyrs of old, and infuse a spirit of Magnanimity into them. That I may raise the Saints esteem of

Christ, and that they may come to the Sacred Supper with more eagerness to drink his Blood; I shall show where∣in this True Vine surpasseth in glory all other Vine-Trees.

1. In the Vine there is something unuseful. Though the fruit of the Vine be sweet, yet the wood of the Vine is unuseful; it is good for no∣thing. Ezek. 15. 3. Shall the wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a Pin of it to hang any Vessel upon? But it is not so with Christ; there is nothing in this Vine but what is useful. We have need of Christ's Humane Nature to suffer, of his Di∣vine to satisfie; we have need of his Offices, Influences, Priviledges, there is nothing in Christ we can be with∣out.

2. There are variety of Vine-Trees. But there is but one True Vine that brings Redemption to Man∣kind. The Papists would fetch com∣fort from more besides Christ; From

the Angels and the Virgin Mary. The Angels themselves are beholding to this Vine the Lord Jesus, they are by Christ confirmed in their obedience that they cannot fall* 1.67; And as for the Virgin Mary, it is not her milk that saves but Christ's blood. The Virgin Mary though she was Christ's Mother, yet she calls Christ her Sa∣viour, Luk. 1. 47. The Virgin Mary is saved, not by bearing the Vine, but by being ingrafted into the Vine.

3. The Vine bears but one sort of fruit; 'tis all but Grape: But the Lord Jesus bears several sorts of fruit.

1. This Vine bears the the fruit of Justification, Rom. 5. 9. Being justifi∣ed through his blood: In Justification there is remission of sin, and imputa∣tion of righteousness. A Believer tri∣umphs more in the Righteousness of Christ imputed, than if he had Adams righteousness in innocency; nay then if he had the Angels righteousness: for now he hath the Righteousness of God,

2 Cor. 5. 21. Without this, a sinner is put into a continual Ague of Consci∣ence; but by virtue of Justification, he arrives at an holy Serenity, Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.

2. This Vine bears the fruit of Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1. 30. He is made to us Sanctification. A man may have pleasant fruit growing in his Orchard, and others be never the better for it: but holiness in Christ is diff•…•…sive; this fruit is for all the Elect, they are made holy with Christ's Holiness.

3. This Spiritual Vine bears the fruit of Consolation; Cant. 2. 3. His fruit was sweet to my tast. This is a bunch of Grapes by the way; when a Believer hath tasted some of this fruit from Christ, he hath had such Trans∣figurations of soul, and been filled with such ravishing delight, that he could be ready to say as Paul, Whether in the body I cannot tell. He hath been put in Heaven before his time.

4. A Branch may be cut off and•…•…se∣parated from the Vine. But no Branch shall be ever separated from Christ this Heavenly Vine. The Arminians tell us, A justified person may fall away finally. Is not Christ a perfect Vine? He is not perfect, if a living Branch may be pluck'd off from him. Hath not Christ said of his Elect, They shall never perish, neither * 1.68 shall any man pluck them out of his hand, Joh. 10 28. If any Branch be pluck'd away from Christ, it is either because Christ is not able to keep it, or because he is willing to lose it. He is able surely to keep it, for he is strengthen'd with the God-head: and he is not willing to loose it, for why then would he have shed his blood for it? So that no Branch shall be ever separated from the Coelestial Vine. You may sooner pluck a Star out of the Sky, than a true Believer from Christ. Indeed Hypocrites who

look like Branches, fall off, but they were never really in the Vine. They were in Christ by Profession, not by Union. They were tyed on to the Vine, but not ingra•…•…d. An Elect Branch can no more perish than the Root.

5. The Wine that comes from the true Vine is better than any other. 1. Wine from the Grape delight•…•… the Palat, and revives the Animal spirits; but Christ's blood chears the Consci∣ence. 2. One may take too great a quantity of Wine, and then it bites as an Addar * 1.69. But it is otherwise with the Wine which Christ gives, we cannot have too much of it; as a man cannot have too much health. Christ's blood is Pardoning and Paci∣fying; and the more we drink of it, the better; the deeper the sweeter * 1.70; the death of the Soul is not by drink∣ing too much of Christ's blood, but by refusing to drink. 3. Wine will

chear a man when he is living, not when he is dead. Wine in a dead mans mouth loseth its vertue; but Christ's blood hath such a flavour in it; it doth so sparkle, and is so full of spirits, that it will fetch life in them that are dead. If they are dead in sin, the blood of Christ makes them revive. Joh. 6. 54. He that drinks my blood, hath eternal life. 4. The Wine that comes from the Grape doth but chear mans heart, but that Wine which is distilled from Christ the Heavenly Vine chears God's heart. The Lord did smell a sweet savour in the Wine of Christ's Blood; and was so infinitely pleased and delighted with it, that for this he spared all Mankind.

Use 2. Labour to be real Branches * 1.71 of this Spiritual Vine. What was the old World the better to hear of an Ark, unless they got into the Ark: So what are we the better to hear of a Vine unless we are in this Vine.

Quest. How shall we know that we are in this Vine?

Answ. 1. By being ingrafted in∣to the Vine. Faith is Vinculum uni∣onis, the ingrafting grace. And here∣in Faith hath a peculiar excellency above other Graces. Other Graces make us like Christ, but Faith makes us one with Christ* 1.72. Other Graces make us lively Pictures of Christ, but Faith makes us living Branches of Christ. By Love and Humility we imitate Christ; but by Faith we are implanted into him, as the graft or siens is in-oculated into the Tree. Let us therefore examine whether we have this ingrafting Grace. Faith ad∣mires Christ's beauty, confides in his Merits * 1.73; submits to his Laws; Faith gives up its will, its love, its life to Christ. Faith hath two hands, with one it takes Christ for its Sin∣offering, with the other it gives up it self to Christ as a Burnt-offering.

2. We may know we are in the Vine by receiving influence from the

Vine. 1. A vital influence, Joh. 5. 21. The Son quickneth whom he will. And this life from Christ is evidenced by sensation; we are sensible of the first ebullitions and risings of corruption, Rom. 7. 23. and of the least ebbings of grace, Hebrew. 5. 14. Who have their senses exercis'd, to dis∣cern both good and evil. 2. A Sancti∣fying influence: The root of this Vine being holy, makes all the Bran∣ches holy. Hath Christ diffused some of his Divine Unction into us? are our hearts consecrated? do we set our selves against every evil? as there is a conflict in the stomack be∣tween the spirits of Wine and Poison. Do we forsake fin not only out of Policy but Antipathy? Are we by the power of Grace transformed and made Partakers of the Divine Nature? Are we meek, humble, zealous? Is the fiame of our heart Spiritual, doth our pulse still beat aster God? Is our aime sincere? Do we not only advance

but design God's Glory? behold here a sanctifying vertue derived from Christ into us, and we need not doubt but we are Branches of the true Vine, and shall grow and flourish in him to eternity.

2. Bran. You that are Believers stand and wonder that when you were by nature the Vine of Sodom; Deut. 32. 32; a Vine in your blood, Ezek. 19. 10; a wild Vine, which not only cumbred the Ground, but poy∣son'd it, That God should take such degenerate Branches and plant you into Christ, and make you partake of the spiritual juice and fat of this Vine, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, O the unfathomable depth of Gods love! you who are the Branches of this Vine, let me beseech you love the Vine that bears you; kiss and embrace Christ. Let your Souls sound forth Hallelujahs to the whole Trinity. Admire God the Father in sending a Vine from Heaven: Admire God the Son who was a bleeding Vine for

you. Admire God the Holy Ghost who hath by his mighty Power im∣planted you into this Vine. Turn all your sullen discontents into trium∣phant songs. You are now made living Branches who we•…•…e once dead; holy Branches, who were once unclean; you now bear Grapes, who did once bring forth Thistles. Oh make melody in your hearts to the Lord. Admire and celebrate Freegrace; It is well that there is anEternitya coming, and that will be little enough to praise God.

Use. 3. Here is a breast of Con∣solation to all who are implanted into Christ this Spiritual Vine: Let the Times be what they will, you have never so much cause to be sad as you have to rejoyce, 2 Cor. 6. 10. As sor∣rowful, yet always rejoycing * 1.74. Harken to me thou Branch of Christ; what though thou hast little in the world? seeing thou partakest of the blessing of the Vine, even of all the fulness of God, Eph. 3. 19. What though thou

art reproached? * 1.75 It is honour enough that thou art in Christ; This Vine being a Plant of Renown, casts a glory upon all the Branches* 1.76. What though thou art told by the Tempter that Christ doth not love thee? Thou maist reply, Am I ingrafted into Christ? is the holy sap of his Grace infused into me? and doth he not love me? What though thou art persecu∣ted; be of good chear thou hast a life hid in the Vine, Col. 3. 3. Your life is hid with Christ. Fear not; if thou canst not live without mole•…•…ation in a Wilderness, thou shalt grow in Para∣dise. When Basil was threatned with banishment, he comforted himself with this, Either I shall be under Hea∣ven, or in Heaven* 1.77. Oh how may all the Branches of the true Vine flou∣rish with joy! Let death come, they may triumph: death shall destroy Sin, and perfect Grace.

In particular, there is comfort to all the real Branches of Christ, in these four Cases.

1. It is comfort under fear of Spi∣ritual barrenness; I am afraid, saith the Saint, I shall grow dead at last, and be like that barren Figtree in the Gospel which was cursed. But for thy comfort know, that the Branches of this Spiritual Vine never cease yield∣ing fruit. Indeed ordinary Vine-Trees though they are for a time fruitful, yet when they grow old, they grow barren; but the Branches of the true Vine are never so old as to be past bearing, Psal. 92. 14. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age. Believers the longer they live, the more full they are of Faith* 1.78; the more per∣fumed with Love. The Church of Thyatira, the older she grew the bet∣ter she grew. Her last works were more than her first, Rev. 2. 19. What a deal of fruit did Paul bring forth not long before his death! This light shined brighter before his setting, 1 Cor. 15. 10. I laboured more abun∣dantly than they all. So long as there

is a fulness in Christ, Believers shall not want. This Holy Vine being re∣plenished with sap, the Branches can∣not choose but be fertil, Joh. 14. 19. Because I live, ye shall live also. Because the Root lives, therefore the Bran∣ches shall flourish with fruit.

2. It is comfort in case of wrongs and injuries, especially when endured for Christ's sake. The Lord Jesus is sensible, and will one day vindicate his people. The Vine is sensible of all the injury done to the Branches, Exod. 3. 7. I have seen, I have seen the afflictions of my people. Not only have I seen them with an eye of inspection, but affection. Christ bleeds in the Saints wounds. He who knows their Sufferings feelingly, will avenge them speedily.

3. It is comfort under fear of fall∣ing away, I am afraid, saith a Chri∣stian, I shall tyre before I get to Hea∣ven. Either I shall be blown down by Satan's Temptation, or faint under

sufferings, Oh remember thou art a Branch in Christ, and thou canst not be broken off; thou hast Omnipo∣tency to support thee. Adam when he grew upon his own root of inno∣cency withered, but thou growest upon Christ's root, therefore thy Grace shall flourish into Persever∣ance. Though thou wert but as a bough that hangs half on the Tree, thou shouldst never drop off, because Christ holds thee: It is not thy hol∣ding Christ, but Christ's holding thee preserves thee; He repells the force of Temptation, over-pours the rel∣licks of corruption, encreaseth the spark of Grace; 1 Pet. 1. 5. Kept by the power of God. The Greek word is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Kept as in a Garrison.

4. It is comfort in case of the World's hatred. Hieroni blessed God that he was counted worthy to be one whom the World hated. What though thou art maligned and hated?

God loves all the Branches of the True Vine; nay, he loveth them as he loves the Root, Joh. 17. 23. That the World may know, that thou hast loved Them as thou hast loved Me. It is the same love for kind, though not degree. 1. God the Father loved Christ ab aeterno, from eternity, Joh. 17. 34. Thou lovedst me before the Foundation of the World. And so he loves Believers, Eyhes 1. 4. He hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world. Our love to God began but late * 1.79. We may remember the time when we had no love in our hearts sparkling towards the Deity; but God's love to us bears date from Eternity. 2. God's love to Christ is a love of immutability; and so it is to Believers. The Sun of electing love having risen upon them never sets. Death may take away their life, but not God's love; Isa. 54. 10. The Hills shall be removed, but my

kindness shall not depart from thee. The Lord may change his love into a frown, but he will never change his love into hatred. God can no more hate a Believer then he can Christ; for a Believer is part of Christ, he is Christ-mystical. What a comfort is this, God loves the Branches as he loves the root, and the fruit of God's love to the Elect-branches appears in two things.

1. In pruning of them. He prunes them by affliction. We are apt to think, when God afflicts us he doth not love us, an Husbandman loves his Vine never a whit the less, because he prunes it. Affliction is God's Pruning-Hook, he prunes us to make us bring forth the peaceable fruits af Righteousness, Hebr. 12. 11. God had rather have the Branches bleed, then be barren. Joh. 15. 2. Every branch in me that

beareth fruit, he purgetb it that it may bring forth more fruit. All this is Love. It is God's love that he will rather lopp and prune the Branches, then let them grow wild.

2. In Transplanting them into Hea∣ven. The Branches of Christ will thrive best when they are transplan∣ted; and good reason, because then they will grow in a better soil. Christ desires to have all his Branches which are scattered up and down in the World to be with him. Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that those which thou hast given me be with me * 1.80. The Elect will never be happy till they are transplanted, Then they will grow quietly. In Heaven there will be no Bramble to tear the Vine-Branches, none of the Red Dragon's Race. Then all the Bran∣ches will be sweetly united in love. Then they shall grow in the Sun∣shine.

God's Countenance will be ever shining upon them. In this life they partake of Christ's Grace, and hereafter they shall partake of his Glory.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Eo affe∣ctu debe∣tis esse imbuti, •…•…um sumitis Eucharistiam, perinde ac in illa ipsa Christi •…•…ssetis vespera, adeo{que} coena, eidem{que} accumbereti•…•… thoro, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 abipso Christo acciperetis sacrum istud 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  Patet, ritum hunc Eucharistiae dura∣turum us{que} ad finem mundi. Ca•…•…vinus, Groti•…•…s, Theophyl:
• * 1.3

  Rom. 8. 9.
• * 1.4

  1 Joh 5. 17.
• * 1.5

  Fiebat magna strages. August.
• * 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Chrys. ad Pop. Ant•…•… Hom. 19.
• * 1.7

  Doct. 1.
• * 1.8

  Vas per∣tusum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.9

  Plutarch.
• * 1.10

  Nihil ma∣li non in∣est. Cic. ad Attic.
• * 1.11

  2.
• * 1.12

  Panis in∣an. P. Fagius.
• * 1.13

  Dat Pa∣•…•…em De is quem sig∣nificabat Manna, ipsn•…•… scil: Dominum Jesum Aug.
• * 1.14

  Doct. 2.
• * 1.15

  Communi•…•… the saurus. Luth.
• * 1.16

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ussit, crema∣vit.
• * 1.17

  Morsum ardentes infigebant, at que simul toxicum. Mun∣sterus, Clarius.
• * 1.18

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.19

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.20

  In Serpente max∣ima est astutia, & dolus nocendi: non pedes habet ut ejus vestigia audiantur, in ejus itinere ve lut lenis est gressus non rectus. Aug.
• * 1.21

  Magis rever a me∣tuendus est daeinon fallens, quam saeviens. August.
• * 1.22

  Serpentes vitia tua s•…•…nt. Aug. in Psal. Tom. 8.
• * 1.23

  2 King. 4. 40.
• * 1.24

  Pliny.
• * 1.25

  11.
• * 1.26

  Doct. 4.
• * 1.27

  Morsus Serpent is l•…•…thalis, mors domi∣ni vitalis. Austin.
• * 1.28

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.29

  Serpens ille •…•…neus non erat Pestifer, sed solum speciem forebat. P. Fagius.
• * 1.30

  Suscipi∣•…•…ndo sine culpa paenam, & paenam sanavit & culpam. Aug. Tom. 10.
• * 1.31

  In extremitate hastis vexillaris ut eminus ab omnibus conspici posset. Ar. Montan. Vatabl. •…•…rusius.
• * 1.32

  Ainswort.
• * 1.33

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.34

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Chrysostom.
• * 1.35

  Qui non erubescit crucifixum saluus fiet. August.
• * 1.36

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.37

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.38

  Sal Elisaei sanavit terram sterslem, li∣cét sal natura sua sterilitatem indu∣cat. Drusius.
• * 1.39

  Quid magis rationi obstat quàm mortu. um homsnem vivifi∣care mundum, in illius cruce & igno minia, humans ge n•…•…is gloriam ab∣sconditam esse. P. Fagius.
• * 1.40

  Fac tibi Presterem.
• * 1.41

  Non in Serpente sed in do∣mini imp•…•…∣rio vis po∣sita.
• * 1.42

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.43

  Mal. 4. 2.
• * 1.44

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Favorem indicat ac benevolentiam numinis, non tri∣butam nostris meri∣tis, sed ab ipsius gratuita bonitate profectam. Erasm.
• * 1.45

  Joh. 14. 22.
• * 1.46

  4 Bran.
• * 1.47

  1 Joh. 3. •…•…3.
• * 1.48

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Mat. 11 22. Quia ul∣tra natura legem, eti∣am •…•…cripta lex vobis data est. Brugens.
• * 1.49

  Use 2. Exhor∣tation Bran. 1.
• * 1.50

  •…•…sin. lib. 9.
• * 1.51

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Non solum ut caeteri, bominum peribit, qui Des 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, non cognoverint, ve∣rum etiam ut peccata sua hac in vita auxe∣rit, vel eo ingratitu∣dinis crimin•…•… quod ob∣latum sibi Evangelium repulerit, it•…•… in altera gravioribus tam cor∣poris quam animi ad∣•…•…icetur suppliciis, Bru.
• * 1.52

  Credo do∣mine lan∣guida fide, sed •…•…amen fide.
• * 1.53

  Mark 5. 36.
• * 1.54

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Chrys.
• * 1.55

  Cant. 1. 3.
• * 1.56

  Rev. 21. 23.
• * 1.57

  O The sau∣•…•…is omni∣bus opn∣lentior no∣titia Christi Aug.
• * 1.58

  Eph. 1. 6.
• * 1.59

  Vitis lig∣num 〈◊〉〈◊〉 asternm & dehile 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ra∣dice sua per stipitem aut truncum nobilem illum instillat palmi∣tibus succum, quo imbuti possint uvas proferre: it a jesus vili licet forma merito incarnationis mortis{que} suae instillat animi•…•… electorum succum divinae gratiae quae possint edere insigma virtu∣tum opera, &c. Brugens.
• * 1.60

  Ita sunt palmites in vite ut viti nihil conferant sed inde accipiunt unde florent. Aug.
• * 1.61

  Habent•…•… •…•…bera vere vino meli∣ora. Bern.
• * 1.62

  Use 1. Inform. 1 Bran.
• * 1.63

  Una cau∣sa varios habet effe∣ctus.
• * 1.64

  Jam fuit vitis am∣putata. Bern.
• * 1.65

  Psal. 104. 15.
• * 1.66

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.67

  Austin.
• * 1.68

  Imbelles sunt oves (electórum emble∣m•…•…ta) sed non tan∣ta erit ab extrà 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quanta eas rapere queat e ma∣manibus Christi. Brugens.
• * 1.69

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Chrysost.
• * 1.70

  Cant. 5. 1.
• * 1.71

  Use 2. Exhor. 1 Bran.
• * 1.72

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Chrys.
• * 1.73

  Sibi isti fidere, non 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fidei sed Perfidi•…•…e.
• * 1.74

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.75

  Opprobria assulae Crucis.
• * 1.76

  Isa. 28. 5.
• * 1.77

  Aut sub Coelo aut in Coelo.
• * 1.78

  2 Thes. 1. 3.
• * 1.79

  Serò nimis te amavi domine. Aug▪
• * 1.80

  Ejusdem mecum gloriae con∣sortes.

  Brugens.