The iaylers iayl-deliuery. Preached at Great Saint Maries in Cambridge, the 6. of February. 1619. By Henry Greenvvood, Master of Art, and preacher of the Word of God

THE IAYLERS IAYL-DELIVERY . ACTS 26. 30 , 31. Sirs , what must I doe to be saued ? And they said , Beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ , thou shalt be saued , and thine houshold .

THE onely course the Lord our God doth take in the effectuall calling and conuerting of such , whose names are written in the booke of Life , is this : hee humbleth , before he exalteth ; he shews our daninable estate through sinne by the Law , before euer hee signifieth vnto vs , that hee is our saluation .

A three-fold reason may be rendred thereof :

First , because till men bee thus humbled , they will neuer seek after Christ nor desire him , without which they can neuer finde him , for God hath appointed that by seeking we shall finde him .

Secondly , that our redemption might be more precious vnto vs : as health is more pleasant after sicknesse ; liberty , after bonds ; plenty , after scarcitie ; peace , after warre ; and faire weather after foule .

Thirdly , that Gods mercy in our deliuerance might bee prized in his kinde : the redeemed , in heauen for this especiall cause extoll the Lord and the Lambe with a perpetuall Halleluiah : for an euerlasting redemption from an euerlasting damnation requireth an euerlasting glorification .

This generall truth is confirmed by a particular example , in the words of my text : for this poore Iayler is most greeuously tormented through the horror of the Law , before euer hee can finde his soule recouered by the saluation of the Gospell .

Sirs , what must I doe to bee saued ? and they said , Beleeue in the Lord , &c.

In which words I commend to your religious considerations in generall these two .

First , an earnest inquisition for saluation , and that on the Iaylers part : Sirs , what must I doe to bee saued ?

Secondly , a comfortable resolution to this perplexed Iayler ; and that on Paul and Syla's part : Beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ , thou shalt bee saued and thine houshold .

In this Iaylers earnest enquiry for saluation , I note these three .

First , his reuerent carriage to the Ministers of the most high God , in the first word , Sirs .

Secondly , the occasion of this his earnest inquisition , and that was his humiliation by the Law , in those words : What must I doe ? I that am the sonne of bitternesse , indignation and eternall weeping ; what must poore , lamentable , damnable I doe to bee saued ?

Thirdly , the inquisition it selfe , and that is for saluation , in these words : To be saued . Sirs , Sirs , what must I doe ? Sirs , what must I doe to be saued ?

Sirs , It is nomen honoris , a name of honour , and Sirs . title of dignity , elim tributum ijs qui sapientia abundarunt : in elder time appropriated to wisdome and learning .

Heere first I might take occasion to shew with how great reuerence Ministers of the Gospell are to bee respected : good Pastors are to bee had in double honour : yea their feet to be esteemed blessed , that bring glad tidings of peace to our soules ; but I forbeare the prosecution of this point , and propound vnto you the marueylous change that is Note . found in this Iayler : for in the precedent verses it is euident how doggedly and despectiuely hee vsed these holymen : he laid vpon them hand and foot bolts and fetters as many as they could beare , hee thrust them into the inner dungeon and prison : but now the Lord hauing taken him to doe , and giuen him the true and terrible fight and sense of his sinnes , hee is of another minde : now he brings them out , washeth their wounds , refresheth their bodies , and reuerenceth their persons ; Sirs , Reuerend Sirs , you Ministers of the most high God ; what must I doe to be saued ?

No reason can be rendred for this miraculous change , but this : The winde bloweth where it luft●th : John 3. 8. and God hath mercy on whom he will haue mercy : and Rom. 9. 15. Of this stone God can raise a childe to Abraham . Math. 3. 9.

This change wee must all be acquainted with , if euer wee will proue our selues truely conuerted .

The Greek word for repentance , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 by name signifieth a change , signifying vnto vs , that hee that will proue himselfe truly penitent for his sinne , must bee truly changed from his sinne .

This change we finde in penitent Mary : those eyes which once inticed to sinne , and those hayres which once were employed to iniquity , were wondrously altered and changed ; for her eyes were conduits to distill whole buckets of teares to wash our Sauiours feet , and her hayres an acceptable towell Iohn 11. 2. to wipe them .

This change wee finde in penitent Paul : who of a Persecutor became a Profossor , of a Lyon a Lambe : Acts 9. 6. and as he put to death others for the Gospell ; so in the end himselfe put to death for the same .

This change wee finde in Zacchee : who before his conuersion was a notable pick-purse and poller of the Commons : but when Christ came to the house and home of his heart , proued bountifull and liberall , insomuch , that halfe of his goods hee Luke 19. 8. gaue to the poore , and if any man could proue that hee had wronged him a penny , he would make him quadruple restitution .

So this Iayler before his conuersion , an insidell , prophane , and hard-hearted member : but the Lord hauing taken him to taske , and trembling him by the spirit of bondage , now hee reuerenceth Gods Ministers , now hee humbly sues vnto them for counsell and instruction , saying : Sirs , Renerend Sirs ; what must I doe to be saued ?

And thus must wee all be changed , ( beloued in the Lord ) from darkenesse to light , or el● hell and damnation must bee our portion to drinke .

The Lord then worke this excellent change in our hearts , the Lord create in vs all a new heart , and renew a right spirit within vs ; the Lord take away our stony hearts and giue vs hearts of flesh ; the Lord renew vs in our minds and iudgements , wills and affections , words and actions : turne vs ( O Lord ) and wee shall be turned , conuert vs thus ( O God ) and then , and neuer before then shall we bee conuerted .

Thus much for the first word , Sirs .

The second orderly to be considered , is the occasion of this his earnest enquiry for saluation : and that was his humiliation by the Law in these words : What must I doe ? I that am the childe of wrath and What must I doe ? sonne of perdition , I that am leprous , lothsome , and out of measure sinfull , I that haue the wrath of God sensibly vpon my soule for my sinnes , I that know no way out of this my feare and misery ; O what must poore lamentable , damnable I doe to bee saued ?

Whence wee note the power , office , and property of Note . the Law : that it is ( as we reade Galathians 3. 24. ) A Gal. 3. 24. notable Schoolemaster to send vs to Christ : it sends vs to Christ , non aliciendo , sed compellendo , not by alluring , but by compelling .

The Law is a killing letter : When the commandement came , I dyed , saith Paul : it killeth by shewing Rom. 7. 10. vs and making vs feele the damnability of our sinnes : some by the Law killed to destruction , as Caine , Esau , Iudas , and such as wholly despaire : others killed to saluation , as Paul and such as by their despaire are driuen vnto Christ .

The property of the Law is to humble and quake vs for our sinnes : it sheweth vs our sinne , and ministreth wrath vnto our soules .

This humiliation standeth in two . Confession . Attrition .

The first brings shame , the second horror : shame from sinnes filthinesse , horror from sinnes fearefulnesse : This doth the Law being knowne and applyed , as a Centinel it bewrayeth the enemy , and makes vs flye vnto Christ .

Thus were they humbled that heard Peter in the Acts : they were wounded in conscience and pricked in heart before they cried out , Men and brethren , Act. 2. 37. what must we doe ?

Thus the Law wrought vpon them that heard Iohn , before they cryed out , What must wee doe Luke 3. 10. then ?

And so Nineueh being first humbled , sought vnto Ion. 3. 5. God , and Paul first trembled , then said , What shall I Act. 9 6. doe Lord ? And heere a poore Iayler in the sorrow of his soule , cryeth out for saluation ; Sirs , what must I doe to be saued ? so that the Law prepares vs to Christ .

It is most certaine that saluation belongeth to none but the humble : To whom will I looke ( saith Esay 66. 2. the Lord ) euen to him that is of a contrite heart , and trembleth at my words : yea the refreshing is promised to none but the laden : for we must go through Math. 11. 28. the hell of a wounded conscience , before wee shall taste of the heauenly refreshing : Merchants waxe Similie . must leach in a candle , before it can take a stampe or impression : the terror of sinne must languish our soules , before wee can come to blessed remission .

The comming of God into the soules of his chosen , is notably resembled by his appearance to Eliah : First , there came a mighty strong winde 1. Kin. 19. 11. 12. that rent the mountaines , and brake the rockes , but the Lord was not in the winde : after the winde came an earthquake , but the Lord was not in the earthquake : after the earthquake came fire , but the Lord was not in the fire : at last came there a still and soft voyce . So the Lord appeareth to his redeemed ones , first by the winde of his wrath , breaking their hearts ; then by the earth-quake of his anger , shaking their soules ; then by the fire of his displeasure , smoking their consciences : but in the end , by the still voyce of his mercy hee refresheth their soules .

This poore Iayler had an earth-quake in his conscience , as an earthquake in his Castle , before euer hee perceiued his election and saluation .

There is an old saying , Wee must goe by the gates of Hell to Heauen : but I say more , We must after a sort be in Hell before euer we can bee capable of Heauen : that is , in the hell of an ashamed , affrighted , and confounded conscience , before euer the Lord will say vnto our soules that he is our redemption .

If humiliation by the Law precedes the saluation of the Gospell , then they are not conuerted that more or lesse were neuer humbled .

Secondly , they that are troubled and amazed at their sinnes , let them not be disparaged ; so farre they are in this their hell from Hell , as hereby they are composed and fitted for Heauen ; for wee must be lost before we can be found , wee must bee condemned before we can be saued .

Thirdly , let not humbled consciences rest here , but passe on still till they haue found the spirit of bondage become the spirit of adoption to their soules .

And this counsell I giue all troubled soules for sinne :

Let them come to the Temple .

Let them impart their griefe to some friend or Minister .

Let them conferre with them that haue beene in the like case .

Let them know that they must be thus sicke , before Christ will euer heale them .

Let them build vpon Gods mercy promised to such .

Let them pray that God in his good time would minister refreshing .

What must I doe ? Text.

AGaine heere wee may note the miserable Note . mischiefe and cursed condition of sinne : how burthensome and irksome it is to the soule , it ministreth nothing but horror and hell to our soules .

The seruice of sinne is farre worse then the slauery of Egypt .

The bondage of Egypt was of the body onely : this of sinne is both of soule and body .

In the bondage of Egypt they serued men : in this , sinne and Satan .

In the first , they had a sense of their bondage and desired liberty : in the second , they thinke themselues free and despise deliuerance .

In the first the misery was but temporall : in the second eternall .

In outward bondage men may help themselues by running away , by intreaty , by ransome : in the the second they lye still till Gods mercy deliuer them .

A wofull thing it is to abide in the estate of sinne : yea the damned themselues confesse that the way of sinne is a wearisome way to bee walked in : Wee haue wearied our selues in the wayes of wickednesse , Wisd. 5. 7. and the light of righteousnesse hath not shined vpon our soules .

No maruell therefore if the bands of wickednesse bee called , heauy and importable burthens . Esay 58. 6.

Sinne is onus Deo , a burthen to God : Esay 1. 14. Your sacrifices are a burthen vnto me .

Sinne is onus Angelis , a burthen to the Angels : for it sunke them downe from heauen . Luke 10. 18.

Sinne is onus creaturis , a burthen to the creatures : for it makes them grone . Rom. 8. 22.

Sinne is onus hominibus , a burthen to men : Mine iniquities are gone euer my head , and as a weighty burthen too heauy for me to beare . Psal. 38. 4.

Let vs then beware of sinne that made this Iayler roare and cry , O what must I doe to be saued ? For though sinne fawne vpon thee now , yet it will in the end pluck out the very throat of thy soule .

Let vs then flye from sinne as from a stinging serpent and biting Cockatrice ; for they that doe such things , shall neuer see the saluation of God .

To bee saued . Text.

THirdly , let vs behold the substance and subiect of his sute ,

It is not with Iames , to sit by Christ in his Mat. 20. 21. glory :

It is not to haue an inheritance diuided with that Luk. 12. 13. worldling in the Gospell :

It is not for any worldly pompe or honor , but it is for saluation : What must I doe to be saued ?

The most principall thing that all men should Note . striue for vnder Gods glory , is the saluation of their soules .

First , and aboue all things seeke the Kingdome of Math. 6. 33. God and the righteousnesse thereof , and in a subordinate manner the things of this life : for what if wee haue all the world , and bee damned when wee dye , what a miserable condition is this ?

O how Moses beg'd to see the face of the Lord ! Lord ( saith he ) shew me thy glory . Exod. 33. 18.

O how Dauid sued to God for his loue : Some Psal. 4. 6. craue worldly goods , and riches doe imbrace ; but Lord , grant me thy countenance , thy fauour and thy grace .

O how this Iayler cries out heere for saluation ! O what must I doe to be saued ?

This meets with carelesse and desperate people of the world , that worke not out this their saluation with feare and trembling , that make not sure their election and calling : O better for these neuer to haue beene borne , than not to be reborne .

O how carefull were the Apostles , when Christ told them that one of them should betray him ! they could neither eate nor drinke till they knew themselues freed from that cursed fact : Numquid Math. 26. 22. ego Domine ? Is it l , Lord , is it l ?

O wee should resolue with Dauid , not to suffer our Psal. 132. 4. eyes to sleepe , nor eye-lids to slumber , nor the temples of our head to take any rest , till wee haue found the boxe of Election opened vnto vs , and the sweete odour of Gods loue shed abroad in our hearts .

To bee saued . Text.

IN that this Iayler by the Iudgements of God , is drawne neerer to God , wee may see the different Note . working of Gods iudgements vpon the Elect and Reprobate : the one hardened by them , the other humbled : the one desperate , the other seeking to God for remission and saluation .

Euen as the Sunne in the Heauens melieth wax , Similie . but hardeneth clay : as the same water saued Israel , but drowned Pharao : and as the same trumpe in battell incourageth the one side , but discourageth the other : So the same word and iudgements of God draw neerer to the Lord the elect , but harden the hearts of the wicked : Cain hardened , Manasses humbled : Iudas desperate , but Paul by Gods iudgements conuerted .

It makes against such as with Pharac harden their hearts against God by his iudgements , vtterly despairing of his mercy for remission : Maior est Deipictas , quam quaeuis iniquitas .

Gods mercy is greater then mans misery : God is more merciful then man can be sinful , if man wil be truly and heartily sorrowfull .

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth : God Psal. 25. 10. hath two feet whereby hee walkes in his wayes , the foot of mercy and the foote of iustice : If we looke vpon his mercy only , ten to one we shall perish by presumption ; if wee looke vpon his iustice onely , ten to one wee shall perish by desperation : therefore let vs humbly fall downe and kisse both of his feete , that in respect of his mercy wee may keepe hope , and in respect of his iustice wee may keepe awe , reuerence and feare .

If therefore the Diuell tempts thee to presumption , look what thou art in thy selfe , vile , wretched , miserable , and thou shalt neuer presume : if hee tempts thee to desparation , looke what thou art or maist be in Christ Iesus , spotlesse , holy , glorious , then thou shalt neuer despaire .

Thus the Church of Christ did : I am blacke , ( O Cant. 1. 4. yee daughters of Ierusalem ) yet comely as the curteines of Salomon . How could shee bee black and beautifull ? black in her selfe , and beautifull in Christ Iesus .

Thus plainly haue I vnfolded the first part of my text , the Iaylers misery : the second part is ministred mercy by Paul and Sylas , and as plainly by Gods assistance I purpose to passe thorow that : for I had rather pleasure your hearts then please your heads , worthy is your science , but ( I feare me ) farre short comes your conscience : giue me leaue then to bestow my labour where there is most need , and I pray God as meane an instrument as I am , I may be a meane to further you all in the way of Gods Kingdome .

And they said , Beleeue in the Lord Iesus Text. Christ , thou shalt be saued and thy house .

BEfore I come to the particulars of their answere , I must needs commend the wisdome and discretion of these Preachers : they minister a fit salue to this poore mans sore : they put oyle to vineger , mercy to iudgement , Gospell to Law : an excellent temper for health euerlasting .

Had they preached the Law , and denounced Gods curses against him , they had sunke him downe to hell by despaire : but perceiuing him ready to bee swallowed vp of damnation , by the casting-net of the Gospell they saue his soule from sinking .

A good president for all Gods ministers , that they bee carefull wisely , discreetly , and rightly to breake the Bread of life to the people .

Wee must preach the Gospell to languishing soules , and the Law to presumptuous : otherwise wee shall sooner damne then saue by our preaching .

To this poore Iayler in the very iawes of Hell and mouth of damnation , Paul and Sylas tender Christ Iesus for his recouery and saluation .

And thy house . Text.

I Must here resolue a doubt , before I come to this heauenly resolution .

Some may obiect and say , What , shall the Iaylers Ob. faith redeeme his family ? if the master beleeueth , shall the houshold be saued ? It may seeme so by the words of the text : Beleene thou , and thy house shall be saued .

To answer this : heere is something implyed Ans. that is not expressed : Beleeue on the Lord Iesus Christ , thou shalt bee saued and thy houshold : that is , they beleeuing with thee

As if they had said : Poore Iayler , be no disparaged , but looke vpon Christ Iesus , there 's mercy enough in store , not onely for thy selfe , but for thy whole houshold if they can but beleeue , yea aboundant saluation for all humbled beleeuers .

That the faith of one saueth not another , ( at least in adultis ) looke into Ezekiel . That soule that Ezek. 18. 20. sinneth , that soule shall dye : the righteousnes of the righteous shall be vpon him , and the wickednesse of the wicked shall be vpon himselfe also .

In the old Law , it was Fac hoc and viues , Do this , and thou shalt liue . God gaue vs leaue to doe it by another Iesus Christ the righteous : but in the new Law it is Crede & viues ; beleeue and thou shalt liue . God gaue vs leaue to doe this by no other .

Can a man see with another mans eye ? No more can a man goe to heauen by another mans faith ; Euery man must beleeue for himselfe , if he will be saued himselfe .

This is notably apparant in the Parable of the Virgins : The foolish would haue borrowed oyle of the Math. 25. 9. wise , but they answered , Not so , lest there be not enough for vs and you : they had ( it seemeth ) grace little enough to saue themselues , they could saue none for their sistren .

I know , for the godly mans sake , God many times spareth the wicked : as if there had beene found ten righteous in Sodome , for their sakes the Gen. 18. 32. City had beene spared , but this was in a temporary saluation : but in the point of iustification to eternall happinesse , euery man must haue faith in himselfe : therefore quod dixit Christus , dico vobis , Habete salem in vobis : what Christ said in his Gospel , that I say vnto you al , Haue the salt of faith in your selues : for Iustus exsua fide viuet : the iust shall liue Hab. 2. by his faith .

Beleeue on the Lord Iesus Christ , and thou Text. shalt be saued .

IN this heauenly resolution I note three .

1. First , the act : Beleeue . Secondly , the obiect : on the Lord Iesus Christ . Thirdly , the euent : And thou shalt be saued .

Beleeue : Beleeue on the Lord Iesus Christ : Beleeue on the Lord Iesus Christ , and thou shalt bee saued .

Beleeue . Text.

FIdes , faith , in the Hebrew is called Amnah , of Aman , which signifies firmum esse , to be firme or strong , or well resolued .

In the Greeke it signifies a perswasion : in the Latine , fides , quasi fiat quod dicitur , of the two sillables , fi-factum , des , dictum : that shall bee done , that is spoken . 'T is Augustines descant vpon them .

Thus therefore I describe faith : It is firmus ac Faith . constans animi assensus Verbo Dei , Spiritus Sancti afflatu ad credentium salutem : Faith is a stedfast and resolute assent or consent of the heart to Gods Word , by the breathing of the holy Ghost to the saluation , of beleeuers . The materiall cause of faith , is the Word of God . The formall cause , is the act of consent . The efficient cause , is the holy Ghost , the finall cause , is the saluation of our soules .

Now lest wee should imagine euery beleeuer to bee blessed , wee are to know that there is a fourefold faith , yet but one salutiferous .

The first , Historicall : when a man assents to the truth of the word ; the Diuels goe thus farre in Iam. 2. 19. faith , and tremble .

The second momentany : when a man with some howerly delight imbraceth the Word , meerely for knowledge sake and no further , and suffers not the power of it to bee lodged and seated in his soule , in prosperity to make a great flourish in Religion , but in the time of triall to fall away , as in that of Saint Luke , They depart from Luke 8. 13. God in time of tribulation .

The third , Miraculous : spoken of in the Corinths , What if I had all faith , that I could remoue mountaines , 1 Cor. 13. 2. and haue not Charity , such a faith profits me nothing .

The fourth , Iustifying : whereby a man possessing and imbracing Christ Iesus with his merits and graces , is accepted as iust before God : This is also called a liuely faith , shewing that it may bee as easily perceiued in the wombe of the conscience , as a childe after quickening in the wombe of the mother . Bede makes a triple distinction of faith .

Credere Deum : Deo : In Deum .

To beleeue there is a God : to beleeue that he is faithfull and iust in his mercies and iudgements : to beleeue that hee is reconciled to vs in the bloud of his Sonne , into whom wee are inserted as an ympe or sciens into a stocke or tree , and so liue by the sap and iuyce of his deriued merits and graces : this is the faith that instrumentally is said to saue all our poore soules euerlastingly aliue : And I may well say instrumentally : for faith , as it is a bare and meere quality , saueth no man , but as it hath reference to the obiect Iesus : As a Diamond Ring is said to be rich Simile . and precious : but take out the Diamond and it is worth little : Faith is this Ring , Christ is this Diamond which enricheth vs all with heauenly saluation .

Now lest wee should build vpon the sands of presumption , and thinke wee are in this faith , being yet farre wide : Let vs examine this faith by his fruits ; for as fire is not without heate , and the Sunne without shine ; so this faith is neuer knowne without workes of amendment : Hee that rubbleth muske , cannot but smell thereof ; so hee that hath put on Christ , cannot but bee a new creature , cannot but smell of Psal. 45. 8. Myrrhe , Aloes and Cassia , out of Christs Iuory Palaces , whereby his heart is made exceedingly glad .

There are fiue especiall euidences and fruits of this faith .

It brings peace of conscience , and ioy in the holy Ghost , vpon our reconcilement with God : Being iustified by faith , wee are at peace with Rom. 5. 1. God &c.

It causeth a man , boldly and openly to confesse the name of Christ : For , by the heart Rom. 10. 10. a man beleeueth to righteousnesse , and by the tongue , a man confesseth to saluation : Where there is a beleeuing heart , there will bee a confessing tongue and professing life to Gods glory .

It teacheth a man to rest vpon Gods promise and prouidence in all streights and tryalls whatsoeuer : The iust shall liue by faith : that is , they by faith Hab. 2. 4. shall rest vpon God in their streights , and God will preserue them .

It stirres vs vp to often and earnest prayer : Lord , I beleeue : there is his faith : Helpe mine vnbeliefe : Mark . 9. 24. there is his prayer : therefore no prayer , no faith ; cold prayer , dead faith ; vehement prayer , strong faith .

It behaueth it selfe as a Preacher in the Pulpit of the soule , alwayes mouing the soule to holinesse : Beleeue thus on the Lord Iesus Christ , thou shalt be saued and thy houshold .

Now by these examine your selues , proue your selues whether you are in the faith : know yee not that Iesus Christ is thus in you , except you bee reprobates ? yee are reprobates , if these things more or lesse be not in you .

The Lord then worke in our hearts this faith , and encrease it towards perfection , that so our selues with our houshold , euerlastingly may bee saued .

On the Lord Iesus Christ . Text.

THe obiect of our faith , is the Lord Iesus Christ .

There is not a name vnder Heauen , wherein saluation Note . can be expected and had , but in the name , merit , and power of Iesus .

Hee is our Iacobs Ladder , on whom wee must climbe to life euerlasting .

Let vs not goe to Rome for a Pardon , nor to Mahomet for a blessing , nor to the Sorcerer for skill , nor to the Magician for counsell ; but let vs come vnto Christ , and hee will refresh vs . Quo ibimus ? Whither shall we goe ? Thou ( O Christ ) and none but thou , hast the words of eternall life .

Lord Iesus Christ . Text.

ALl the names of our blessed Redeemer are happily met together .

Lord : his name of power .

Iesus : his name of propriety .

Christ : his name of Office .

Lord : a name of power , attributing to God his Essence and being , shewing that hee receiued his being from none but himselfe alone , as all things else haue their being from him : For in him wee Act. 7. 28. li●e , wee moue , and haue our being .

Christ is a Lord By power , coequall with his Father . By purchase , redeeming vs by his bloud .

And therfore called , Dominus Dens , Dominus Electorum , the Lord of the Elect.

Heerein his Deity is apparant : He must be thus a Lord , or else hee could neuer haue beene a Iesus . First , a Lord , to support , deliuer , and make conquer his humanity : Againe , a Lord , to dignifie and make meritorious euery act done in his humanity for the saluation of his Elect.

That this glorious title is duely giuen vnto our Sauiour , witnesse that of the Psalmes , The Lord Psal. 110. 1. said vnto my Lord , Sit thou on my right hand , till I make thine enimies thy foot-stoole .

And Thomas thus confesseth him , Thou art my Ioh. 20. 28. Lord and my God .

This then is no small comfort to the faithfull , that they haue so powerfull and glorious a Messiah ; And it maketh also much against those base Heretickes , that mock vs for our dependance on Christ for saluation .

Againe , in the last place , it should teach vs what manner of persons wee should bee to our Redeemer . A sonne honoureth his father , and a seruant his Mal. 1. 6. master ; if I then be your Lord and master , where is then my feare ? Many would haue Christ their Iesus , but few can brooke him their Lord ; Wee must bee conformed to this our Lord in two , in grace , in crosse , if euer wee will be glorified with him .

There are fiue properties of a faithfull seruant , which we must labour to haue , if euer we will make account of Christ for our Lord .

The first is Obedience ; such were the Centurions seruants , He said to one , Come , and hee commeth : to Luke 7. 8. another , Goe , and he goeth : to another , Doe this , and hee doth it . O that wee were such obedients to our Lord !

The second is Diligence ; He toyleth and labours dayly in his masters seruice for his masters aduantage and gaine : so industrious and laborious should wee be for the glory of our Lord Iesus .

The third is Reuerence ; if his master doth but bend his browes , hee quakes and trembles : so when our Lord seemes angry , we must ( with Noah ) Heb. 11. 7. be moued with reuerence .

The fourth is Patience ; if his master correcteth him , hee beares it meekely , quietly , and patiently : so when wee are chastised of our Lord , wee should vndergoe it with meekenesse and patience .

The fift is Loue ; if his master bee wronged or reuiled , he will not beare it with patience , but stand vp to reuenge it : so if wee heare or see our Lord Christ blasphemed , and his most holy Profession derided , it should be a Simeons sword to pierce our soules .

Iesus . Text.

THis name was giuen him by an Angell , before hee was conceiued in the wombe , and a reason thereof rendred , Because hee should saue his people Math. 1. 21. from their sinnes . Hee saues vs from sinnes Guilt . Punishment . Regiment .

From sinnes guilt and punishment , by his imputatiue passions ; from sinnes regiment , by his merits and graces applyed and deriued vpon vs : and by his actiue obedience imputed , he doth entitle vs to the glory of heauen .

Old Simeon acknowledged Christ such a saluation : Mine eyes haue seene thy saluation , yea and my saluation ; thine for sending , mine for sauing ; thine Luke 2. 30. for loue , mine for life : Mine eyes haue seene this saluation .

And the spirit of Mary also exulted in this her Sonne Sauiour . Luke 1. 47.

And all you that would finde him a Iesus from Hell , bee carefull yee finde him a Iesus from sinne .

Christ . Text.

CHrist signifieth Anoynted : In the Old Law they anointed three :

Kings , Priests , Prophets .

And for the worke of our Redemption , Christ was necessarily anoynted to a triple Office , with the oyle of holinesse aboue his fellowes .

He was anoynted to be a King , Prophet , Priest .

To be a King , a type whereof was Salomon ; to be a Prophet , a type whereof was Dauid ; to bee a Priest , a type whereof was Melchisedech ; Melchisedech , not Aaron : Aaron a Priest , but not a King ; Dauid a King , but not a Priest ; Melchisedech both King and Priest , King of Salem , and Priest of the most high God ; and therefore a notable type of Iesus .

Hee was anoynted to bee a King , to rule his Elect and protect them ; hee was anoyuted to bee a Prophet , to teach his Elect and direct them ; hee was anoynted to be a Priest , to ransome his Elect and redeeme them .

If Christ be thy Christ as King , then the Diuell reignes not in thee but Christ ; if Christ bee thy Christ as Prophet , then his word , not thy will , is the rule and square of all thine actions ; if Christ bee thy Christ as Priest , then thy affections are slaine concerning sinne , and thy whole man sacrificed to God .

And thou shalt be saued . Text.

THe reward of our faith is the saluation of our Note . soules : Blessed is the estate of Christianity , for it is rewarded with inexpressible felicity .

The benefit of beleeuing is multiple .

First , heereby wee are adopted the children of God : Yee are all the sonnes of God by faith in Christ Gal. 3. 26. Iesus .

Secondly , hereby our sinnes are forgiuen vs , as we reade in the Gospell : Confide , fils , & remittuntur tibi peccata : Beleeue , my sonne , and thy sinnes are for giuen thee .

Thirdly , hereby we haue right and interest in all Gods blessings of this life : Godlinesse hath the promises 1. Tim. 4. 8. of this life , as well as of that which is to come .

Fourthly , hereby we are freed from the damnation of hell : Now then there is no condemnation to Rom. 8. 1. those that are in Christ Iesus , which walke not after the flesh , but after the Spirit .

Lastly , hereby we shall be possessed with the saluation of heauen : the glories and ioyes whereof are so great , as they cannot bee numbred ; so precious , as they cannot be valued ; so lasting , as they are euerlasting .

Neither , eye hath seene , nor eare hath heard , nor 1. Cor. 2. 9. heart of man hath euer imagined , the thousand part of this heauenly felicity .

Beleene on the Lord Iesus Christ : thus thou shalt bee saued and thine houshold .

If then to bee members of Christ Iesus bee so blessed a condition ; O let vs begge of God the heauenly Husbandman , to rend vs off by true humbling from the stocke of corruption , and to plant vs into Christ Iesus , by effectuall beleeuing , that at that terrible Iudgement , wee all with our poore housholds euerlastingly may be saued : And that for Iesus Christ his sake , our only Lord and euerlasting Redeemer .

Amen .

FINIS .