The marrow of Christianity

SECT. VI. Wherein is the condition of persons restored by Christ, and their union with God, dis∣covered?

THe Restauration of persons by Christ may be considered, 1. either exter∣nall and generall: or else 2. more speciall and spirituall.

First, externally and generally, and that hath a relation to a••l, it is as ye have heard formerly, 1. A condition of being in the world: 2. A condition of possibility of a spirituall and eternall well-being in God, if God in his S••nne draw up the soule to himselfe, John 6.44.

But secondly, and that I principally in∣tend, is the more speciall and spiritual con∣dition of soules thus drawn up to God in Christ; it is not onely a restauration to the condition of the first Adam, with re∣lation to a freedome from sin. This every

belee∣ver enjoyes by Christ a freedome, a justifi∣cation from sin: But secondly, every soule drawn up out of it selfe to God, is brought into the condition of the second Adam; which is a condition as far above the first, as the heaven is above the earth: For, the first man is of the earth, earthy; the second Man is the Lord from Heaven: And as all men have born the Image of the earthy, so those who beleeve, beare the Image of the heavenly; & as is the heavenly, such are all they that are heavenly, 1 Cor. 15.47, 48, 49. And wherein Christ exceedes the first A∣dam, therein beleevers exceed; for they are as he is, even in this world. 1 Iohn 4.17.

Now the condition of Christ, and so the Saints, exceeds the condition of the first Adam, not onely in their being upheld by God; but principall•• in these foure parti∣culars:

1. In their spirituall relations unto God: Christ, and so all beleevers are related to the Father as Sons, and that not onely by creation, as the first Adam, or naturall ge∣neration: but first Christ a Son by a spiri∣tuall proceeding and comming forth from the Father, who was eternally one in the Father, and so in him all beleevers are

made by the same Spirit, the adopted Sons of God, being made partakers of the same divine Nature. Adams Sonship was in the flesh by creation, or in the Spirit by rege∣neration, and the Spirit of adoption; which is indeed a mystery to all naturall men, and worthy to be looked into and known of all the sonnes and daughters of Syon, 1 Iohn 3.1, 2, 3. Behold what manner of love is this, that we sh uld be called the sonnes of God.

2. Relation of Christ, and so of the Saints as of sons, so of a spirituall union with God, not onely a union by way of peace, but a union of Spirit: thus was the Father and the Son, one, Iohn 14.10, 11, Iohn 10.30. I and the Father are one. And thus are all the Saints one in the Father and the Son, and in and with each other in the Spirit, Iohn 17.21. It was a part of the prayer of Christ, who was heard in all things he asked, That they also may be one in us. Now the union of the Father, Sonne and Saints, may be considered, either as first a union of spirits; The Lord powred down of his Spirit abundantly upon the Lord Je∣sus, according to that glorious prophesie, Esay 11.2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of Wisdome and un∣derstanding,

the spirit of counsell and might, the spirit of knowledge and the feare of the Lord. And this was fulfilled when Christ was baptized, Matth. 3.16 Iohn 1.22, 23. Of this spirit are the Saints made parta∣kers, Iohn 14.16, 17. I, saith Christ, will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, and he shall abide with you for e∣ver, even the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive. This Spirit of Christ, or this spirituall anoynting, is that which every son and daughter of God are made parta∣kers of, Rom. 8.9. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Christ dwels spiritually in all the Saints, Christ is in you, except yee bee reprobates. Therefore it concernes all who professe themselves to bee Christians, to examine themselves: It is much to bee feared that there are exceeding many carnall Christi∣ans, I mean, that bear the name of Christi∣ans, and that in a more than a common and ordinary way. And if Christ be in you, Rom. 8.10. the body is dead because of sinne, that is, the body is a dead and sinfull body, and cannot act toward God; and if Christ be in you, you shall be sensible of it. Never a soule wherein Christs dwels, but is sensible

of its own deadnesse, through the dwel∣ling of Christ there, Col. 3.8. ye are dead (saith the Apostle) and your life is hid with God in Christ: but the spirit is life because of righteousnesse, that spirit of Jesus, that adopteth sons to the Father in him, and hath discovered and made the soule partaker of the righteousnesse of God in him: lives and acts continu∣ally in the spirituall Christian. Hence it is, the Apostle could say by experience, Gal. 2.20. I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me: Thus are the Saints made par∣takers of the same spirit of life that was in Christ Jesus, 1 Cor. 6.17. he that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit, of the same annoyntings, and the annoyntings that ye have received shall teach you all things, 1 Iohn 2.27.

2. They that are joyned to the Lord, are made partakers of the same power: there is a union with the Father in his power, the spirit of Might was powred upon Jesus Christ, and he stood in the power of the Father: as he came forth in the wisdome of the Father, so he acted by the power of the Father, and this power the first Adam never had,

and as Christ the head was upheld in the Fathers power, he was annointed with the holy spirit and with power, Act. 10.38. All power in heaven and earth was given to him, so that he stood in the power and strength of the Almighty (and this did not the first Adam, if he had, then he had not fallen) he is called, Esa. 9. the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, so that he stands while God stands: So likewise this is the condition of all the Sain••s, spiritu∣ally made one with God in him, the same power upholds them that upheld Christ, they are kept by the power of God un∣to Salvation, Gods power is become the Saints power: A glorious word of com∣fort for the Sons and Daughters of Syon, with relation to aff••ictions, either exter∣nall or internall, they stand not in their own strength, they are not founded up∣on their own bottome, they are out of themselves, the power of God is theirs, and they may conclude with comfort, that while God stands, they shall stand, he hath promised to be with his in aff••icti∣on, to uphold them, to comfort them, to carry them through in his bosome: If the

Saynts were but sensible of this truth, that the power of God is for them; it is that would exceedingly helpe them a∣gainst the feare of fa••ling. 2. Consider this might be a warning to the Saints, to take heede of acting in their own pow∣er, but in all undertakings, to see them∣selves acted by a power above them∣selves.

3. As there is a union of spirits, a u∣nion of power; so there is a union in wisdome, the wisdome of God is become the Saints wisdom, and that not as in the first Adam; he was made partaker of wisdome, God imparted wisdome unto him, so as to make him a reasonable man humane wi dōe according to his humane nature; so that here dwelt in him, as you have h••a••d formerly, a humane perfecti∣on in this par icular: but the second A∣dam, Christ, was not onely made partaker of the guifts of wisdome; but he was the very wisdome of the Father, he was both the power and the wisdome of God, he had the spirit of wisdome powred down upon him, he dwelt in the Fathers bo∣some, and lived in the knowledge of the whole Councel of God, and from hence

he never did his own will, but the will of the Father, and as Christ, so all the Saints are made one in this wisdome Christ who is the wisdome of God is made unto us, wisdome, 1 Cor. 1.30. not onely by way of imputation, but by the operation of the same spirit, who dwells as truly in every beleever as in Christ, and as the wisdome of the spirit increaseth, so the wisdome of the flesh decreaseth: that wisdome in the first A∣dam was a humane wisdome, this a spi∣rituall and heavenly wisdome, this wis∣dome destroyes that wisdome: that is, in the things of God, he destroyes the wisdome of the wise, and brings to nought the understanding of the pru∣dent: that wisdome sets the creature a-working; this, sets the creature a belee∣ving: that wisdome carried on the crea∣ture in its own power; this spirituall wisdome sets the creature out of himselfe in the power of God: that wisdome car∣ried on the creature to the answering of God in the letter; (and yet in all comes short) this wisdome carries on the soule, where it dwells, not after the oldnesse of the letter, but after the newnesse of the

spirit: In a word, that wisdome could not helpe to the knowledge of God in the spirit; this doth, 1 Cor. 1. after that in the wisdome of God, the world (viz. in the wisdome of the first Adam) by wisdome knew not God, but the wis∣dome of Christ teacheth the spiritual knowledge of God, 1 Cor. 2.12.14, 15, 16. Hence it is, that those who are taught of God, despise the worlds wisdome, and are content to be fooles to the world, and in the worlds eyes, that they may be wise in God. Hence it is likewise, that so many Ignorants, in the wise and learned mens account, are made partakers of the know∣ledge of God in the mystery; which (in∣deed) according to the Word of the Apo∣stle, 1 Cor. 1.27. Confounds the wise and learned, and mighty things of the world: this being a truth; that Saints are made one in the wisdome of the Father: How should this, in the first place, incourage them to look up to the Lord, for the more full enjoyment of this spirituall wisdome; that as they are made one in the wisdome of God, so they might live in the same wisdome; and from a deep sence of their own folly, to look unto the Lord for con∣tinuall

teachings, and leadings forth in the Spirit, expecting that promise to be fulfil∣led, thou shalt heare a voyce behind thee, saying; This is the way, walk in ••t, when thou turnest to the right hand or to the left. 2 This might bee a ground of comfort to the Saints, in all their walkings with God; the wisdome of God is theirs, that GOD, with, and in, whom they are made one, is their wisdome; and in the conclusion, they shall be swallowed up in the perfection of it, as Christ himself, 1 Iohn 3.2. 3 This might answer that foolish opinion of the world, who look upon the most Spirituall Saints, as the worst Fooles in the world: It is true, the wisdome of God is folly with men; but if they could looke with a spirituall eye, they should see, that those people, are the only wise people, wise in God; and those who live below upon Creatures, and things that will not, nor cannot satisfie, are (indeed) in Gods ac∣count, the only fooles, and they themselves shall bee driven to confesse it one day. 4 Christ and the Saints are made one with God in righteousnesse; Gods righteous∣nesse was Christs righteousnesse: for the fulnesse of the God-head dwelt in him bo∣dily;

He was filled with the spirituall in∣dwellings of God, who continually acted him according to the divine pleasure; and as the second man was made one in the righteousnesse of the Father; so are all the Saints made one in the same righteous∣nesse: he was made si••ne for us, that wee might be made the righteousnesse of God in him, 2 Cor. 5.21.

Quest. How may the Sa••nts be said to be the righteousnesse f God, in Christ?

Answ. Either, First in the Letter; or secondly, in the Spirit. First, in the Letter, there is a righteousnesse presented, which is the first thing sinners are made parta∣kers of; that is, the righteousnesse of a Christ, dying upon the Crosse, making sa∣tisfaction to the letter of the law, and to the Conscience troubled, by reason of that letter, which is (indeed) the cause of sinne; for where no law is, there is no transgres∣sion: Now, Christ dying upon the Crosse, satisfies the Law; and likewise upon the sight & applicatiō of him, sati fies the trou∣bled Conscience. This is the first righte∣ousnesse God discovers to the soules of sinners, and by Faith makes them parta∣kers of it, and this is called the righteous∣nesse

of God, because God gave forth his sonne, inabled him to go through, and by his suffering, to obtaine such a righteous∣nesse for his people, that might both satis∣fie the law transgressed, and the Consci∣ence of man transgressing.

Secondly, in the Spirit, the Saints are made the righteousnesse of God; that is, God, now as in Christ, dwells and acts in his Saints by his Spirit, writes his law in their hearts, makes them partakers of his own nature, and so goes on in fulfilling his own righteousnesse in them: For, the righteousnesse of the law in the Spirit is fulfilled in us, aswell as the law in the let∣ter for us who walke not after the flesh; that is, after the law in the letter, but after the Spirit of Christ who dwells in us, and acts according to its own pleasure, and so by degrees drawes up the spirits of his people to himself, untill at last, they are swallowed up in the fulnesse of the righ∣teousnesse of God in the Spirit, and bee made wholly and for ever one in the Fa∣ther with Christ, 1 Iohn 1.2. A glorious mysterious truth, meet to be known of all spirituall Ones; this is the top of the Saints glory, and their height of spirituall

perfection, the knowledge and enjoyment of this spirituall Onenesse in the Father, & in the sonne, 1 John 2.24

5 There is an Onenesse in love and de∣light between the Father, Son, and Saints: the Fathers love and delight is in his Son, and Saints, Matth. 3.17. This is my belo∣ved Son, in whom I am well pleased; well pleased with his Son, and with his Saints in his Son. Hence the Lord speaking after the manner of men, is said to delight and sing, and rejoyce over his people, even as the Bride-groom rejoyceth over the Bride, Esa 62.5. Zeph. 3.17. to rejoyce even with joy and singing: So likewise it is the de∣light and joy of the Saints to live in the Fathers love, the very thoughts of it is precious, and the enjoyment of it, excee∣ding glorious: though the soule seemes to come short of the perfection of that en∣joyment in this world; yet what it sees and enjoyes, with the expectation of per∣fection in another world, fills the soule with joy unspeakable, and full of glory; and now as the soule dwels in the Fathers love, delight, and joy; so likewise, it dwels in the Fathers will, and it delights in, and is well pleased with, the wil of the Father,

it can say with Christ, what ever tempta∣tion presents it self; yet not my will, but thy will be done, such is the Onenesse betweene the Fa••her, Sonne, a••d Saints, they de∣light & take pleasure in each other.

6. There is a union in g••ory like wise; the Fathers glory is the Sonnes glory, and the Sonnes glory is the Saints glory, what this glory shall be is unconceivable and unexpressable: to go about to expresse it either with tongue or pen, would ra∣ther darken it than illustrate it: yet, a word by the way; The perfection of the Saints glory shall be the enjoyment of all things in God, who is, and shall be, their everlasting fulnesse in the spirit. Those who dreame of a Kingdome after the flesh, or of any externall pleasures in the highest measure, discover themselves, to have exceeding carnall thoughts of the Saints glory: It is true, they shall have a Kingdome, but a spirituall one, so called, because injoying all spirituall satisfacti∣ons in the Fountaine, when the body and all the whole internall and externall part of man shall be turned into spirit, 1 Cor. 15.44. And our vild body shall be chang∣ed and made like his glorious body. In a

word; Such is the Saints glory, and shall be in the perfection of it, through their u∣nion with God in Christ; that wee must conclude with 1 Iohn 3.2. We are already the sons of God; but it doth not yet ap∣pear what we shal be. But this we know, when Christ shall appeare, wee shall bee made like unto him; and this is enough for us to know: And as there is an One∣nesse between Father, Son, and Saints; so likewise there is a spiritual union between the Saints: This was Christs prayer, who was heard in all things hee prayed for; that the Saints might be one, as he himself was one, in, and with the Father: the uni∣on of the Saints, is not a carnal union, but a spirituall: they who are joyned to the Lord, are one spirit.

Vse 1. To incourage all the Saints to presse forward in the power of the Lord, after a farther knowledge, and injoyment of this spirituall union with the Lord, and with the Saints: Truly friends, as this was not only the resolution of the Apo∣stle himself, Phil. 3. but his prayer for the Ephesians, 1.16, 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus, the Father of glory, might give unto them the spirit of wisdome, in

the Revelation of him, that their eyes be∣ing inlightened, they might know what was the hope of their calling, & the riches of his glorious inheritance in the Saints: so is it my desire, not only to presse for∣ward in the power of God, after the knowledge of this mystery; but that all the Saints might live in the knowledge of it, that their hearts might bee comfort∣ed together, being knit together in the spi∣rit of unity and love. The effects of the knowledge of this blessed union will prove exceeding glorious.

1 It is that will produce a glorious spi∣rituall communion, and fellowship with the Father, Son, and Saints; union alwayes being that which produceth communion, even a civill union after the flesh; when once the Lord saith, concerning man and woman, they are no more twaine, but one flesh, that produceth fellowship and com∣munion after the flesh: so likewise, and much more doth a spirituall union pro∣duce a spirituall communion and fellow∣ship; a fellowship and communion with the Father and the Son, in all his admini∣strations, in all the wayes and acts of his providence, civill or spirituall: the spiri∣tuall

Christian enjoyes God in all, 1 Iohn 1.3. Our fellowship is with the Father & his son Jesus Christ (Christ and the Saints from their union with each other.)

1 They dwell together in the spirit, they are his house, and he dwels in them; the Temples of the holy spirit, and they dwell in him: they who dwell in God, dwell in love.

2 They enter together in the spirit, eate, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly; the Lord takes as it were spirituall satisfacti∣on in his Saints, and they take spiritual sa∣tisfaction in the Lord; it is their life to live in the enjoyment of him.

3 They walk together in the spirit, they have their garden and galleries, and plea∣sant delights.

4 They talk together, and commune with each other in the spirit, the Lord he makes forth himself in the spiritual disco∣veries of his love to his Saints, & thē they are carryed forth to tell him of it, to ad∣mire him in it, and to praise him for it: and thus there is many a sweet confe∣rence, and heart-discovery betweene the Lord, and a spirituall Christian, which makes the soule to revive within it selfe.

5 Christ and the Saints lye down toge∣ther in the spirit, and take their fill of love each with other, they sleep, as it were, in the bosome of each other, and so they rest themselves in love. And this likewise pro∣duceth fellowship amongst Saints, a fel∣lowship in spirituals, a fellowship in tem∣porals, and they continued in the Apostles Doctrine, & fellowship, in breaking bread and prayer, & breaking bread from house to house, being filled with gladnesse and singlenesse of heart, Act. 2. and they who beleeved had all things commune, a com∣munity as well as a unity; that is, so far forth, as need is, and cals for it; so in guifts; so in all things. 1 Cor. 3.22. All is yours, Paul, Apollo, & Cephas, And se∣condly, the knowledge of this spirituall glorious onenesse which the Father, pro∣duceth an exceeding earnest desire in the soule enjoying of it; to live more & more in that glory. What is the reason Profes∣sors content themselues to be so low, so carnall in their minds; but because they were never acquainted with, nor enjoyed higher things? but the Apostle who had seen and tasted of that glory, forgets all be∣hind, and presseth forward; if so be, that he

might obtaine the resurrection of the dead, Phil. 3. and apprehend that for which he was apprehended, that love, that grace, that God who had apprehended him. Certainly, that soule who hath once tasted how good, how gracious the Lord is, in the spirit, can never be satisfied with the knowledge of him, in the Letter. 3 The knowledge of this spiritual union with God produceth an acting more in and af∣ter the spirit of God: How doth the crea∣ture set it self a-work, and acts it self even in the Letter of the Gospel, aswel as for∣merly in the Letter of the Law, for want of knowledge of the union in the spiritual power of the Lord! although without Christ, that is not being acted by Christ; we can do nothing; the Creature being un∣acquainted with that spiritual mystical u∣nion with God, acts himself in the things of God. 4 The knowledge of this spiritual union with God, produceth the killing & crucifying of that earthly part: nothing kils and destroyes the flesh, but the grow∣ing up in the spirit. Oh! how would the soule many times be content to undergoe any thing, so it might bee rid of pride and selfe, and those fleshly corruptions; and

why? it is the growing up in the spirit, that destroyes the flesh: the more you live in and after the spirit, the lesse, after the flesh. 5 It is that will help us to know Christ and the Saints, more in and after the spirit, and lesse after the flesh, and so wil produce a more spiritual communion amongst all the spiritual Saints of Jesus. 6 And lastly, it is that wil make the thoughts of a change exceeding sweet, be∣cause the soule lives in expectation of a glorious freedome from sinne and sorrow, and a full perfection of spiritual and eter∣nal glory, therefore it can be contented to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, which is best of all, where it shal for ever live in the continual admiration of, and glorying in the spiritual enjoyment of God, whose work shal bee everlastingly and fully to enjoy, and freely to sing prayses unto the Lord.