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If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
WE are all by nature polluted with iniquity both in soul and body, and have need to cry with the Leper, un∣clean, unclean; if this sinful pollution be not washt a∣way, it will prove destructive to our soules and bodies eternally; the onely meanes to wash away this pollution is the pretious bloud of our blessed Redeemer, which he doth by the merit and efficacy of it; for if he wash
us with his bloud we shall be Kings and Priests unto God, Revel. 1.5, 6. but if he wash us not, we have no part with him.
Touching the occasion and coherence of these words, we read in the first verse of this chapter, its said. Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world un∣to the Father, &c. verse 2. and supper being end∣ed, &c. verse 4. he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took a towell and girded himself: verse 5. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the Disci∣ples feet, and to wipe them with the towell where∣with he was girded: verse 6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter, and Peter saith unto him, Lord, doest thou wash my feet? verse 7. Jesus answered and said unto him, what I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter: verse 8. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt ne∣ver wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Christ washt their feet, partly to shew his admirable love to them, partly to give them an example of humility, and love one to another; and lastly to intimate, that he onely cleanseth us from our sins, 1 John 1.7. when Peter said, Lord, doest thou wash my feet? this he seemed to say, as fearing it had been too much dis∣honour
for Christ, the Son of the immortal God, to wash a sinners feet, not then fully understanding as after he did, 1 Peter 1.19. that he came to redeem us with his own pre∣tious bloud; in effect he said, O my Lord, dost thou wash my feet with those sacred hands, with which thou didst open the eyes of the blind, heal the sick, and raise the dead, &c. I am unworhty to perform this office to thee, and wouldest thou do it for me? Christ told him, verse 7. What I do thou knowest not now, &c. as if he had said, Peter thou doest not as yet understand the reason of this act of mine, thou shalt in due time know upon what ground I do it, but in the mean time it behooves thee to submit thy self with all humble obedience to this work I have in hand, for if I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me: the meaning is, if I do not wash thee both by my bloud, shed for the expiati∣on of mans sin, and by the sanctifying power of my Spirit (which I would represent unto thee by this washing) thou canst have no part of glorious comfort with me, no interest in me, no benefit by me: afterwards, verse 12. Christ sat down with his Disciple to the Passover; where by the way observe: That Christ celebrated four Passovers.
The first was mentioned in John 2.23.
which as the learned conceive, was celebrated on the sixt day of April.
The second Passover they conceive is men∣tioned John 5.1.
The third they conceive is in John 6.4.
The fourth here mentioned in this chap∣ter, and in Math. 26. Mark 14. Christ kept his Passover the fourteenth day of the first moneth, called in the Hebrew Abib, Exod. 13.4. in the Chaldee tongue Nisan, Esther 3.7. containing part of March, and part of Aprill, for that indeed was the proper time first appointed by the Lord, Exod. 12.6. he did not tarry the other two dayes, as the Jewes did before they kept it. The tenth day every one was to begin to prepare, and so Christ did by coming to Jerusalem, for he came thither six dayes before the Jewes kept their Passover, the first of which answered to our Monday, and the fourth to Thursday. That the Jewes kept not their Passover till two dayes after, it is plain, because he being taken by them that night, and brought to the judgement Hall next morning, being Friday, it is said, that they would not go in, because it was their preparation to the Passover, John 18.28. so they kept not the Passover till the next day, being our Saturday, but their Sab∣bath. That Christ kept his Passover before
the Jewes kept theirs, is expresly noted in this chapter, for his last Supper is said to be before the Passover: but this by the way.
These words in my Text contain two parts.
1. A Supposition, If I wash thee not.
2. A Position, Thou hast no part with me.
Doct. From hence observe this Doctrine, That if Christ wash us not, we have no part with him, that is, no part of grace, glory, comfort, or spiritual benefit with him; what he spake to Peter, he spake to us all.
This Point hath two branches.
The first is, That Christ washeth us, and that he doth five wayes.
1. By the Sacrament of Baptisme, Math. 3.11. I indeed baptize you with water, &c. but he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire: that is, with the holy Ghost like to fire in operation and effect; Titus 3.5. But ac∣cording to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghost: that is, by the renewing of the holy Ghost, which is like a bath of water, whereby our filthy sins are washt away, Ezek. 36.25, 26, 27. whereof Baptisme is a sign and a seal:
in the original it is, by the laver of regenerati∣on, he alludes to the laver of brass, Exod. 30.18, in which the Priests washed themselves when they ministred in the Tabernacle.
2. By his blessed Word, John 15.3. Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spo∣ken unto you? that is, the Word which I have spoken to you was accompanied with such power of the Spirit, that like water it cleansed you from corrupt affections.
3. Christ washeth us by the merit and ef∣ficacy of his pretious bloud, 1 John 1.7. And the bloud of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin, namely, by the merit and efficacy of it.
4. Christ washeth us by the saving graces of his holy Spirit, Titus 3.5. and renewing of the holy Ghost: Ezek. 36.25. Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you: that is, the sa∣ving graces of the holy Ghost.
5. Christ washeth us by his gentle cor∣rections and trials sanctified to us; afflicti∣ons are compared to water, Psalm 66.12. We went through fire and through water: Psalm 42.7. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy water spouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me: as if he had said, one affliction (like so many waves) comes in the neck of another, and in a miserable succession, as it
were, cals for the next, upon the predetermi∣nation of these my adversities, which do, as it were, gush out from thee, by those convei∣ances which thou hast ordained; now the fruit of these afflictions sanctified is set down in Isaiah 27.9. By this therefore shall the ini∣quity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his sin.
Reas. Because God ordained and sent him for this end, John 6.27. For him hath God the Father sealed: that is, ordained and authorized him to be the onely meanes to wash and cleanse us; such as seek by other meanes to get their sins washt away, and not by his bloud, will loose their labour, and such as seek to have them washt away by his bloud, shall certainly enjoy this mercy, be∣cause God hath ordained him to this work, and he will do it perfectly.
2. Because he onely can do it, he hath in∣finite merit and efficacy in him; it belongs to his priestly office to wash our sins away, Hebr. 9.14. How much more shall the bloud of Christ, who through the eternall Spirit (that is his Godhead) offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works, &c. all doctrine belongs to his Prophetical Office, all merit belongs to his Priestly Office, all efficacy belongs to his Kingly Office.
3. Because Christ purchased and procured pardon of sins, and peace with God for us; therefore he is said, 1 Corinth. 1.30. to be made to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption: God the Father is every true beleivers portion, Christ by his bloud hath purchased this portion for them, and the holy Ghost seales this portion to them, Ephes. 1.13. Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise; that is, which Christ pro∣mised to send to his Elect, in John 14. and 16. chapters.
The second branch is, If Christ wash us not, we have no part with him: 1 Corinth. 6.10, 11. Nor theeves, nor covetous, nor drun∣kards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inhe∣rit the Kingdom of God: and such were some of you, but ye are washed, &c. implying, that such wicked persons for want of this wash∣ing are like to be damned.
Reas. Because no filthy unclean thing can come into heaven, for God is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on ini∣quity: now such as be not washt with Christs bloud are very filthy; heaven is a place of infinite purity and holiness, on earth unclean persons are suffered to dwell, but into heaven they shall never enter.
2. Because if Christ wash us not we have no peace with God, for all true peace with God ariseth from Christ his washing us, Rom. 5.1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Justification is Gods gratious sentence, whereby (for Christ apprehended by faith) he absolves a beleiver from sin and death, and reputes him just to life; for in justifica∣tion Christs bloud by its merit washeth away sin, which provokes God to anger, but when that is removed, we have peace with God; but such as have no peace with God, are ne∣ver like to have part with Christ.
3. Because if he wash us not we shall ne∣ver enjoy the precious benefits of his death, resurrection, ascention, and intercession, Ephes. 5.25, 26. As Christ loved the Church, and gave himself (viz. to death) for it: that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water, by the word: that is, by bap∣tismal water, and his word taught; for whom he washeth, they enjoy the spiritual benefit of his death, resurrection, &c. and as Paul proves at large, Rom. 6.3, 4, 5, 6. Colos. 3.1, 2. yea, this washing is a sure sign of his love to us, Revel. 1.5. unto him who hath lo∣ved us, and washed us from our sins in his own bloud; but such as have no right to the death,
resurrection, ascention and intercession of Christ, cannot be saved.
Next I shall teach you how to use this point. The Uses I shall draw out of those five wayes mentioned, whereby Christ wash∣eth us.
Ʋse. I told you that Christ washeth us by the Sacrament of Baptisme: This Use still serves to reprove all such as were never washt inwardly, as never felt the spiritual fruit of baptisme in their hearts and lives; they content themselves with the bare outward washing, and would be accounted Christi∣ans, but no life of Christ appears in their lives; such as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ, Galat. 3.27. but these never put on Christ, they go to hell with a Trumpet before them, proclaiming their leudness o∣penly, they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not, they have not crucified their old man, nor destroyed the body of sin, neither do they walk in newness of life: Simon Ma∣gus was baptized, yet was in the gall of bit∣terness, and bond of iniquity; so are these, they shew themselves to be servants of sin, and their end is like to be according to their works.
2. I told you in the second place, that Christ washeth us by his sacred word: This
Use still serves to reprove such as never felt the lively vertue and working power of the Word upon their own soule; the Word preached to them was like water poured up∣on a Rock: God would have purged but they would not be purged, therefore they shall not be purged any more, till he cause his fury to rest upon them; the Word they heard did not profit them, because they did not beleive it, it seemed as a fable to them, had they regarded it, they would have refor∣med their lives by it more than they did: but they are so wedded to their wicked wayes, that Gods Word hath no place in them, but they are like a Smiths Anvil, more hardened by many blowes: so be they by frequent preaching, they please themselves in that they can sometimes weep under a cross, but stone wals can sweat against rain and yet be hard within, so are their hearts as hard, and their lives as wicked as any heathen; Christ may say to them as he did to Jerusalem, Jerem. 13.27. Woe to thee, wilt thou not be made clean! when shall it once be?
Object. But many such will say, They hope to do as well as the best, for God is merci∣full,
Answ. Will ye live in swearing, whore∣dome, drunkenness, sabbath-breaking, con∣tempts
of godliness, blaspheming Gods peo∣ple, lying and deceit, and yet say, you hope for mercy? are these the wayes to find mercy with God? if you look no better about you then thus, but live and die in these sins, you are as sure to damned, as you are to die, John 8 24. there Christ threatned the Pharisees, that they should die in their sins, which is the most fearful kind of death that can be: we account hanging a dogs death, pining a most painful death, or to die in a stinking dungeon a miserable death, and so they be, yet one may die any of these wayes and his soul be saved, but they that die in their sins cannot be saved, for they die out of Gods fa∣vour, they die enemies to God.
3. I told you in the third place, that Christ washeth us with the merit of his pre∣cious bloud: This Use still serves to reprove such as never seek to have themselves washt with it, but still lie under the guilt of sin, they content themselves with a little overly knowledge of Christ, and with a bare histo∣rical faith, but they never apply Christs me∣rits to their soules for justification; their consciences are extreamly defiled, they are more full of filthy lusts than a Serpent is of poyson; the Papists teach, that a Christiā may merit heaven by good works, so they offer
horrible indignity to Christ precious merits and many carnal Protestants follow them, thinking they can addle heaven by their good deeds and good meaning, but all this while they endeavour not to be found in Christ, that they may be clothed with his righteousness; at their death, and at the end of the world, they will find their sins the heaviest burthen they ever bare, and then for ever will they be ashamed of their ugly lusts and filthy sins, which were never washt away with Christs bloud.
4. I told you in the fourth place, that Christ washeth us with the saving graces of his holy Spirit: This Use still serves to re∣prove such as were never thus washed; too many loose and prophane people, who have not so much as a form of godliness, these hate and deride holiness, they beleive not those places, Psalm 9.17. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the Nations that for∣get God: Hebr. 12.14. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord: but they shall find these places true, when they find these judge∣ments threatned executed upon them; too many be there, who rest in bare civil honesty and in some outward form of holiness, but are as dead in sins and trespasses as the other sort be; if there were as many people upon
earth naturally dead, as there be spiritually dead, it would be very sad, fearful and dole∣ful; you may hear them wish for grace, but they take no paines for it, their hearts rise a∣gainst such as are gracious, when they be in health, though in sickness they desire to die the death of the righteous; its very sad to, see how long many have lived graceless un∣der excellent meanes of grace; if a man fall into a swound, and we pour Aqua vitae into him, we rub him, and use meanes to recover him, but we perceive in him no heat, sense, nor motion, we conclude he is dead, the like we may say of very many, who have been long rubb'd and stirred by powerful preach∣ing, but there appears in them no motion to∣wards holiness, no warmth of love to Christ and his image, no sense of grace, but cold∣ness in their hearts and lives, doubtless these men are dead, having no life of God in them.
5. I told you in the fift place, that Christ washeth us by gentle corrections and trials sanctified to us: This Use still serves to re∣prove such as be nothing bettered by afflicti∣ons, many crosses hath God laid upon them to humble and reform them, but they, like wicked King Ahaz, sin more in their af∣fliction, 2 Chron. 28.22. Jerem. 5.3. he
complains of the Jews for their perverseness, O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not greived, thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction, they have made their faces harder than a rock, they have refused to return. In Amos the fourth chapter, God by him complained of the Jewes, how he had many wayes afflicted them, Yet ye have not return∣ed unto me, saith the Lord: To many plunge themselves deeper into wickedness when Gods hand is upon them, they are incorrigi∣ble, and grow more obstinate, proud, pro∣phane, worldly minded, and malitious against the truth; to such, lesser crosses will prove the beginning of sorrows; thou canst com∣plain of bitter troubles and smarting miseries thou hast suffered, but what change have they wrought in thy heart and life? have they made thee more fearful to offend God, and more studious and careful to please him? then thou art in a blessed condition if it be so; but if thou beest more hardened in sin by afflictions, then know to thy terrour, that the worst is behind; Hosea 5.12. God threatens to be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness; that is, he would try them with lesser afflictions, and wast them by degrees; but if those did them
no good, he threatens verse 14. For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah, I, even I will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him: that is, he would come with more fear∣full and terrible judgements to destroy them, forbearance is no forgiveness, though God have leadē heels, yet he hath iron hands, easie warnings neglected ever end in destruction; you that have been oftentimes crusht and prest with heavy crosses, yet you are nothing better, but wax worse and worse, your judge∣ment lingers not, your damnation slumbers not.
Ʋse. 2. For comfort: I told you in the first place, that Christ washeth us with the Sa∣crament of Baptisme: This Use serves for singular consolation to all that be thus wash∣ed, you are happy, and have cause to re∣joyce: for,
1. First you were baptized into Christ his; death, Rom. 6.3, 4. you are buried with Christ by baptisme into death, your old man is cru∣cified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth you should not serve sin; now his death will destroy your corruptions, as Irish earth kils venomeous creatures applied to it; sin may dwell in you, but it shall not have dominion over you, it
troubles you like a tyrant, but it shall never be laid to your charge; you by faith apply∣ing Christs death to your soules, shall find your corruptions weaker, and your hearts ri∣sing against them; as Davids house waxed stronger and Sauls house weaker, so shall grace grow stronger and sin weaker in you.
2. You are planted together with Christ in the likeness of his resurrection, that ye may walk in newness of life; you live above o∣thers, in a farre more excellent way than they do, blessed are you that ever you were born, but chiefly that you were born again; you are more excellent than your carnal neigh∣bours, you are such, of whom the world is not worthy, you are precious in the eyes of Je∣hovah, and he will honour you for ever, your life is gracious, and your death shall be glori∣ous.
3. You shall have the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 3.21. The like figure whereunto even baptisme doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience, &c. Here Peter hath respect to that custome which was used in the baptisme of those who were of age, the person baptizing asked the person to be
baptized, Whether he beleived? and he an∣swered, I beleive, &c. hence by the answer of a good conscience, we may understand that unfained faith, whereof they made confessi∣on at their baptisme, and whereby their con∣sciences were purified, and whereby they re∣ceived remission of their sinnes, testified by Christs resurrection from the dead; also we may understand that covenant whereinto they entred at their baptisme, the embracing whereof they testified by their unfained con∣fession of their faith; this benefit you shall receive by baptisme, by applying unto your soules the power of Christs resurrection, your consciences shall be both quieted and assured of pardon and favour, and is there∣upon enabled to treat for, and expect mercy from God, and reconciliation with him, and so the faithful soul, in the confidence hereof, boldly questioneth with God about his fa∣vour reconciled unto him by Christs death, and testified by his resurrection, saying, hath not Christ reconciled thy favour unto us by his death to endure for ever? certainly it is so, for his resurrection doth testifie it, seeing that unless he had made a perfect expiation of our sins by his death, and reconciled thy favour unto us, he could not have risen again to life and heavenly glory.
2. I told you in the second place, that Christ washeth us with his sacred Word: This Use still serves to comfort all such as are washed it by, these benefits thou shalt enjoy by it.
1. You shall ask what you will (if it be according to Gods will, and for his glory) and it shall be done unto you, John 15.7. which is an high priviledge; prayer is the wing of the soul, wherewith it flies up to heaven to Christ, it peirceth the clouds, it is a corner of heaven to a gracious soul, it hath a kind of omnipotency in it, it is the key of heaven gates to unlock them; this is a sign of Gods great favour to you, when he graci∣ously heares and grants your suits; its a sure sign of an upright heart hating all sin, Psalm 66.18. If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me: verse 19. But verily God hath heard me: therefore he might safely conclude, he regarded not iniquity in his heart: friends will say to one another, you shall prevail with me sooner than others shall: I will do more for you than for others, doubtless its a sign you are good friends when you find good hearing and granting your prayers; so our Saviour cals them friends, Iohn 15.14, 15.
2. You shall abide in the love of God,
Iohn 15.10 If ye keep my commandements, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Fathers commdements, and abide in his love: what greater happiness can you desire in this world? you need not fear the malice and fury of devils and wicked men, you need not fear famine, sword pestilence, poverty, nor death it self, whilest you abide in the love of God; his loving kindness will be better to you than life, for in his love is life, yea, it is better than wine, his love will make every thing work together for your good, it will sweeten crosses and want to you; what if you loose your outward estate, your liberty, your favour with the world, yea, your bodily life for Christ, yet your continuing in Gods love will make amends for all, it will repair your losses, renew your comforts, establish your hearts in grace, and promote you to glory; you cannot be in a better condition, than to abide in the love of God.
3. Christ will present you glorious to God, Ephes. 5.26, 27. That he might sancti∣fie and cleanse it, with the washing of water, by the Word: that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish: as if he had said, that he might sanctifie and cleanse it by his
holy Spirit working in us, by his Word, and by his Sacrament of baptisme, as the meanes thereof, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, &c. Christ presents his Church to God at three several times.
The first time was, when he was upon the cross, 1 Peter 2.24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, &c. for he died for all the elect, and the Lord said upon him the iniquities of them all: the merit of his bloud then shed, and the power of his death extends to all the elect from the beginning of the world to the end of it, and God looks upon them washt with that bloud, and recon∣ciled to himself by his death.
The second time is from his death to the end of the world, now he is interceding in heaven, Rom. 8.34. Who also maketh inter∣cession for us: Christ is our intercessour four wayes:
1. By appearing for us in the sight of God, Hebr. 9.24. he is gone before us to prepare a place for us, John 14.2. and Hebr. 6.20 Whether the fore-runner is for us entred, even Jesus, &c.
2. By the force of his sacrifice once offer∣ed to make full satisfaction to Gods justice; Hebr. 10 12, 14. Christ presents his merits as a publick satisfaction for the debt of sin,
and as a publike price for the purchase of glory, for the justice of God was not to be intreated or pacified without a satisfaction, and therefore where Christ is called an Ad∣vocate, he is called a propitiation too, 1 Iohn 2.1, 2. because he intercedes for us in the right and vertue of the price which he payed, for the Lord spared not his Son, Rom. 8.32 but dealt in the full rigour of his justice with him.
3. By his constant will, that for the merit of that sacrifice, God would be pacified to wards the elect, Hebr. 10.10. Iohn 17.24.
4. By the assent and agreement of the Fa∣ther resting in this will of his Son for us, Iohn 11.42 Math. 17.5.
The third time is at the day of judgement, when he will say, Behold I, and the children which thou hast given me; then the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord; then Christ will say to his true Members, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the King∣dom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world: then shall true Christians have boldness in the day of judgement, 1 Iohn 4.17. because as he is so are we in this world: that
is, our hearts tell us, that we desire to be every way conformable to his will, labouring to∣wards that holiness and perfection which it in him; we are as Christ was in this world, when by the mortification of our sins we re∣present Christ dying for us, and by true bro∣therly love we come as neer to him as we can.
3. I told you in the third place, that Christ washeth us with his precious bloud: This Use still serves to comfort all that be so washed; these blessed priviledges belong to you:
First, its a sure sign that Jesus Christ hath loved you, Revel. 1.5. Ʋnto him that hath lo∣ved us, and washed us in his own bloud: If he had not loved thee, he would not have washt thee; this is thy great honour and comfort, to be beloved of him; it is a true proverb, he is rich whom God loves, and poor who God hates; the love of Christ is better than wine, its the ground of all other comforts, thou needest not fear the malice of devils, and wicked men, for the love of Christ can do more for thee, than their malice can do against thee, devils are mighty, wicked men are mighty, and sinnes are mighty, but Christ is Almighty, for he is God over all blessed for ever, neither can any thing separate
thee from his love, Romans 8. last.
2. A second priviledge is, thou art a spiri∣tual King and a Priest, Revel. 1.6. And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father: that is, as he redeemed us by his bloud, so he hath regenerated us by his Spirit, 1 Iohn 5.6. and made us Kings to rule over the devil, the world and the flesh, and priests to offer up to God the personal sacri∣fice of our selves, Rom. 12.1. the verbal sa∣crifice of praise, and reall sacrifice of almes, Hebr. 13.15, 16. what though thy outward estate be mean and low, thou art nothing set by, yet thou art honourable, because thou art precious in Gods sight, Eccles. 10.7. I have seen servants upon horses, and Princes walking as servants upon the earth; yet they are Princes still, for the righteous, though he be low and contemned, is better than his rich neighbour that is wicked and leud, though the world look upon thee with scorn and hatred, yet God and his glorious Angels behold thee with delight, for the Lord takes pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mer∣cy, Psalm 147.11.
3. A third priviledge is, thou shalt serve and glorifie God in an acceptable manner, Hebr. 9.14. How much more shall the bloud of Christ, who through the eternall Spirit (that is
his Godhead) offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God? namely, in an accep∣table manner: Revel. 7.14, 15. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the bloud of the Lambe: therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them: that as the waters of the Sea, though they be salt and brackish in their own nature, yet by running through the veines of the earth loose their brackishness, and become pure and sweet; so though our service we perform to God be weak and pol∣luted with sin, yet being presented through the intercession of Christ, and persumed with his merit, it becomes pleasant and acceptable to God; and that as David loved lame Me∣phibosheth for Jonothans sake, even so will God take in good part thy weak service for Christs sake.
4. I told you in the fourth place, that Christ washeth us with the saving grace of the holy Ghost: This Use still serves to com∣fort all such whom he hath thus washed.
For first, he will give thee a new and a tender heart, Ezek. 36.25, 26. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be
clean from all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you: a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh: This is an excellent fruit of his spiritual washing you; it is a greater blessing than a house full of gold: David earnestly desired God to create a clean heart in him: happy for ever art thou that hast a tender heart, forthy ser∣vice performed to God will be pleasing to him, thou art freed from the dominion and damnation of sin, thou art more fearful to offend God, and more careful to please him than others.
2. Now thou shalt be able to walk in Gods wayes, and to keep his Statutes; verse 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them: This is a great happiness, for the wayes of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them, but the transgressours shall fall therein, Hosea 14.9. and blessed is every one that feareth the Lord, that walketh in his wayes for these are wayes of pleasantness, and paths of peace; carnal people know not these wayes, neither can they walk in them, but God hath given thee life to walk in them without weariness
and fainting, for the way of the Lord is strength to the upright; now thou walkest with God, and to God thou shalt go at thy latter end.
3. God will be thy God, and will bless thee, Ezek. 36.28, 29. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God: I will also save you from all your uncleannesses, and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. He is God Al∣mighty, and can do more for you than you can ask or think; he is God infinitely mer∣ciful and pittiful, and therefore will do more for you, than any enemy can do against you: if you have him to be your God, what can you desire more? he is the God of all grace, mercy and glory, all happiness is in him, he is the fountain of all blessedness, happy is that people that is in such a case, happy is that people whose God is the Lord.
5. I told you in the fifth place, that Christ washeth us by gentle corrections sanctified to us: This Use still serves to comfort all that be cleansed by afflictions sanctified to them.
For first, Christ will keep thee safe in the midst of great calamities and dangers; thou shalt be mediis tranquillus in undis: Job 5.
20, 21, 22. In famine he shall redeem thee from death, and in war from the power of the sword: thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue, neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh: at destruction and famine thou shal•• laugh; neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth: He will shew his power most, in preserving thee when thou art exposed to extream calamities; as he kept the Israelites at the red sea, the three Children in the fiery furnace, Daniel in the Lions den; and though Christ works not miracles ordinarily now, yet he can preserve thee by ordinary means, as well as by miraculous meanes; let the meanes be what it will be, yet thou hast the same almighty power and fidelity of Christ to save thee.
2. Thou shalt have peace with his crea∣tures, Job 5.23. For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee: that is, all creatures, who are ingaged in the quarrels of their Maker, shall now stand in good terms with thee, and joyn together to thy use and service; the blessed Angels have a charge too keep thee in all thy wayes, Psalm 91. so they delivered Lot out of Sodom, and Peter out of prison, they saved Jacob from Esau; The starres in their courses fought against
Sisera, and helped Deborah and Barak, Judges 4, and 5. the waters of the red Sea gave way to the Israelites to passe over safely: now you are at peace with the master of the fa∣mily, all his servants shall be at your ser∣vice.
3. Thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace, and thou shalt visit thy habitation and shalt not sin, Job 5.24. that is, thy fa∣mily shall live peaceably with thee, and one with another, all thine shall be safe, and all thou hast shall prosper; thou shalt look into the state of thy family, requiring an account of thy children and servants, how they have carried themselves, and how things commit∣ted to them prosper; and thou shalt not be deceived of thine expectation, but shalt find things as thou thinkest, and as thou wouldest have it, and that thine have been faithful, and thy affairs prosperous.
4. Thou shalt know also, that thy seed shall be great, and thine off-spring as the grass of the earth, Job 5.25. that is, thou shalt live to see thy childrens children, and shalt leave a great posterity behind thee like the grass on the earth, for a good man being in covenant with God, leaves Gods blessing for a legacy to his children, when wicked men leave Gods curse to theirs.
5. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his sea∣son: that is, as full ripe corn is made into shocks, and carried into the b••rn, so thou shalt die in peace, and shalt not be as wicked men, cut off in their sins, thy last day shall be thy best day, and the day of thy death will be better than the day of thy birth; whoso∣ever closeth thy bodily eyes at thy dissoluti∣on, the eye of thy soul shall see Christ in his glory; whosoever bears thy body to burial, the blessed Angels shall bear thy soul to hea∣ven.
Ʋse. 3. For direction, I told you in the first place, that Christ washeth us by bap∣tisme: This Use serves to direct us how to get our soules washt by baptisme.
First, remember what a solemn promise we made in our baptisme, and how often we break it; this will be a good meanes to humble us, and to make us more carefull to keep our covenant.
2. Repent for the frequent breach of it, else it will lie very heavy upon your consci∣ences at the hour of death, we would be a∣shamed to break our peace so often with man, as we have done with God; let Gods faithfulness to us make us be ashamed of our perfidiousness to him.
3. Labour to feel the efficacy of your baptisme, by faith in Christ indeavour to feel corruption mortified through the power of Christs death, and your soul quickened with grace through the spiritual efficacy of his resurrection, then you put on Christ to your eternal comfort.
2. I told you in the second place, that Christ washeth us by his Word: This Use still serves to direct us how to get our soules washt by it.
First, We must hide it in our hearts, Psalm 119.11. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee: and when it cleanseth thy heart, which is the fountain, then it will cleanse thy words and actions streaming from it.
2. Hear it with a purpose to practise it, Psalm 119.33. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end: verse 34. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart: what good will the best meat do to an hungry man if he eat it not? Or what good will an excellent plaister do to a wounded man if he apply it not? So what is a man better for hearing and reading Gods Word if he do it not? Micah 2.7. Do not my words good to him that walketh uprightly?
but if he walk not uprightly, they are not like to do him good.
3. Make use of it upon all occasions, then as Christ said, John 15.3. ye shall be clean through the word spoken to you: obey the precepts of it, apply the promises, and stand in awe of the threatenings, that your profi∣ting may appear to all: live by the rules of it, walk in the light of it, that you may be such as God would have you.
3. I told you in the third place, that Christ washeth us by the merit of his precious bloud: This Use still serves to direct us how to get our soules washed by it; that must be by faith, Rom. 3.25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. We read in the New Testament, how our blessed Saviour healed many that belei∣ved in him; there is mighty efficacy in a true lively faith, to cleanse the soul by applying the merit and efficacy of Christs bloud; be∣leive stedfastly in the Lord Jesus with all your heart, and you shall find the strength of sin dying in you.
4. I told you in the fourth place, that Christ washeth us with the saving graces of his holy Spirit: This Use still serves to direct
us how to get our soules thus washed.
First, Get a clear sight of the worth and necessity of them, then you will pray to Christ with Peter, Lord, wash not my feet onely, but also my hands and my head: there is no de∣sire of a thing unknown; grace is so exceed∣ingly sweet and lovely, that the spiritual sight of it will set the heart a longing after it.
2. Hunger and thirst exceeding fervent∣ly after grace, and you shall be satified and washed: Christ is very bountiful of his bles∣sings now he is in glory; for Revel 22.17. he freely invites us, And let every one that is a thirst, come; and whosoever will, let him take the waters of life freely: The more you thirst after these living waters, the faster will they flow into you.
3. Labour to grow in these graces, that you may be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect, and holy, as he that calleth you is holy: think not that a stock of grace at your conversion, without daily growth, will bear you out to your latter end, as many in their youth provide worldly riches enough to maintain them in their old age; you must be alwayes adding to your stock; if a child were no bigger at twenty yeares old than when its new born, how could it help it self? how
could it maintain it self? defend it self a∣gainst dangers? so if you grow no better after the receit of Gods abundant mercies, and in particular, under the plentiful meanes of grace, how will you be able to serve, please and glorifie God? how will you be able to suffer for Christ? to work out your salvation with fear and trembling? therefore grow in grace, and then you shall be more clean from iniquity.
5. I told you in the fifth place, that Christ washeth us by afflictions sanctified to us. This Use still serves to direct us how to get our selves washed by them.
First, Labour to know the right cause of them; this course is prescribed in Lamen. 3.39, 40. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search and try our wayes, and turn again to the Lord: that is, let us not repine at Gods hand in correcting us, but let us search and try our wayes to find out our sins, our personal and particular failings, which provoked God to afflict us; this course if we take, we may find cause enough in our selves to justifie Gods righteous hand in afflicting us.
2. Let afflictions drive thee to repen∣tance, to make thee a partaker of Gods holi∣ness, Hebr. 12.10. But he for our profit, that
we might be partakers of his holiness: then they are sanctified to thee, and will tend to the health of thy soul, as physick that works kind∣ly proves healthful to the body: let crosses make thee more penitent, more holy, more heavenly, more upright, then it will be com∣fortable to thee in thy latter end.
3. Pour out earnest prayers, and hearty suites to God in miseries: this course Gods people took formerly, Isaiah 26.16. Lord, in trouble they have visited thee; they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them: pray to our Redeemer to be with thee in all afflictions, never to leave thee to thine own weakness, nor to the will of thine enemies; beseech him to mitigate thy miseries, to san∣ctifie them to thee, to cause them to yeild thee the peaceable fruit of righteousness, to teach thee to make an holy use of them, and to give thee a gracious issue out of them in his good time, then you may say as Psalm 49.5. Where∣fore should I fear in the day••s of evill, when the iniquity of my heels shall compasse me about?
Some may object, What, is there not cause to fear, when the iniquities of our heeles compass us about?
But I answer: That the word in the origi∣nal 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which is translated heels, may sig∣nifie
supplanters, and is read interrogatively, thus, shall the iniquity or malice of my ene∣mies compass me about? shall they have their will upon me? his meaning is, they shall not; and the words following in verses 6, 7. favour this sense. Use all these meanes to be washed from your iniquities, that you may have part with Christ; let the world plod, carke and care for profit, pleasure and pre∣ferment (the worldly mans Trinity) as ever you hope and desire to see the face of Christ to your comfort, and to live with him eter∣nally, I beseech you now and ever to think of these things, for if Christ wash you not, you have no part with him.