Consider it is our calling. We are all prophets, all anointed. A Chris- tian hath an high calling ; but specially consider what we do believe by the ' communion of saints ;' and what we pray for, when we say, ' thy king- dom come,' that is, that faith may reign in our hearts and minds. Shall we say, let thy kingdom come, when we are enemies of the ministry and good communion ? If we use this prayer thus, we mock God. I desire God to make these things effectual.
The apostle in the former chapter, as we have heard, raiseth up the soul to the chief cause of all heavenly light in the soul, which is God, by his almighty power shining in our hearts, as he caused the light to shine at the first. By how much that light is more excellent than that light of nature, by so much the greater power is put forth for the working of it, being so opposite thereunto.
The end of this shining in the hearts of the ministers especially, is to * give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.' God shineth on ministers that they may reflect that light upon others. As John Baptist saith, ' they be friends of the bride, that leam of the bridegi'oom,' Christ, what to do to help his spouse, John iii. 29. They labour to know the meaning of Christ, what his good will is to them that be his. They be friends on both sides, on Christ's, and the spouse's. They come between both, for the furthering of the blessed marriage between Christ and the soul.
I have spoken of the glory of God, which specially shines in his mercy and goodness. There is a greater lustre of God's atti'ibutes in the gospel than in the law.
Q\iest. It may be asked. Are not we for to'preach the law as well as the glory of God in the face of Christ discovered in the gospel ?
Ans. I yield there must be special care of that, even now in the days of the gospel ; for you know there be three degrees, the state of nature, the state under the law, and the state under grace. Before we can come from nature to grace, we must come under the law ; we must know ourselves thoroughly, and be humbled to purpose. Many live under the gospel, that were never yet under the law, that think themselves under Christ, and under grace, and yet were never humbled. Therefore in love to the souls
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of men, lot the iiiw be discovcrod ; as God p^axc the law, not to damn men but in love to men, that thereby they mij^'lit sec the impurity of their natures, and lives, and the curse due to it, and so follow him forthwith to Christ, from Sinai to Sion, appealinj^ from the throne of justice to the throne of grace and mercy, the Lord Christ. The Lord gave not the law puiiiosely to damn men, but to drive them to an holy despair in themselves. They that despair in themselves, they come to see their whole hope of comfort to be in the face of God in Christ.
Therefore respectively to grace, we ought to force the law in these dull and drowsy times. For they that stick in the state of nature, as profane godless persons, swearers, loose persons, were never yet imder the law. And what have they to do with Christ, that were never humbled ? If their eyes were open to see what they are by nature, and what they would be if God should cut the thread of their lives, they would look about them then. The kingdom of hcavcu- would suffer violence, if men understood their states throughly, that there is but a step between them and hell, nothing but a life full of uncertainties, without serious repentance.
Moses brought none into Canaan. That was Joshua's part. When Moses had brought them near, then he giveth up his office to Joshua. The law must give up its office to Christ. When men are cast down with appre- hensions of sin, they must run into the bosom of the gospel, and shelter themselves under the wings of Jesus Christ. Though such persons may in the error of their conscience think themselves farthest off grace, yet they be nearest. For * blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,' Mat. v. 3. * And come to me, all ye that be heavy laden, I will ease you,' Mat. xi. 28.
Quest. Again, some will object, we must teach moral duties, teach men not to be sottish and drunken and filthy in their lives.
Ads. It is very good. I would these abominations were reformed, but if there be not a better foundation laid for the knowledge of God in the face of Christ, by the discovery of the hidden face of nature, we should make them but hypocrites, and only civilise them. Therefore the right way to make them leave these abominations is, first, to get knowledge of themselves by nature, and of their original corruptions ; and then, to lead them to the knowledge of God ' in the face of Jesus Christ,' that seeing love, love may kindle love, and alter their course, and make them study to please God. If duties spring not from love, they be dead duties, and but carcases of duties. But love constraineth us to perform services by the apprehension of Ood's mercy in Christ.