ICountAllThingsButLoss

byThomasBoston

TableofContents

SERMONI:ICountAllThingsButLoss

SERMONII:Mybelovedismine,andIamhis

SERMONIII:ForWhomIHaveSufferedtheLossofAllThings

SERMONIV:ForwhomIhavesufferedthelossofallthings,Part2

SERMONV:ForWhomIhavesufferedtheLossofAllThings,Part3

SERMONVI:Anddocountthembutdung,thatImaywinChrist.

SERMONVII:AndbeFoundinHim.

SERMONVIII:Nothavingmineownrighteousness

SERMONI:ICountAllThingsButLoss

Yea,doubtless,andIcountall thingsbut loss, for theexcellencyoftheknowledgeofChristJesusmyLord.-PHILIPPIANS3:8

THEapostle,intheprecedingverse,havingspokenofhisprivilegesinhisunconverted state, and toldhowmeanlyhe thoughtof them forChrist;dothinthisgooutwithfullsail,inrunningdownallthingswhatsoever,in comparisonofChrist. In thewords.Considerhow thingsweighed inhis esteem. That which was of the greatest weight with him, and wasabsolutelyhighest inhisesteem,wastheexcellencyoftheknowledgeofChrist.ThatistheexcellencyofthepracticalknowledgeofChrist,savingacquaintancewith,andinterest inhim.Nextwhatwasdownweighedby

it,allthings;notonlyhisgoodworksdoneinhisunconvertedstate,buteven these really good, done by the influence of the Holy Ghost. In aword, all things imaginable, without Christ, he counts loss; and incomparisonofChrist.Wehavealsohiscertainty in thismatter.Hewasnot in doubt about this reckoning, but with the utmost certainty wascometoapoint,"Yea,doubtless."

WehavearemarkableevidenceofasuperlativeesteemofChrist;namely,thatwhereashehad suffered the lossof all things forhim,ona reviewthereof,he countedhimselfno loser,but fullymadeup, soashemightbut win Christ. So much for a general view of the words. Moreparticularly, beforewe enter on thematter of the text,we shall attend,first,totheapostle'smanner;and,secondly,tohisgrandscope.

I.Letusconsiderthemannerinwhichtheapostledelivershimselfuponthis great subject.He speakswith openness,with the utmost certainty,and the greatest affection. I shall illustrate these three points in theirorder.

1.HeopenlyprofessethhisesteemofChristaboveall.Hedoesnotdeliverthistruthinthegeneral,thatChrististobepreferredaboveall,butlaysitoutinhisownexperience,thattheymightseethathehadgoodreasonforwhat he said. This teaches us, that it becomes the saints openly andavowedlytoprofesstheirsuperlativeesteemofChrist.Itisnotenoughtohavethatesteemofhimintheheart,butitshouldhaveaventoutwardly."For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with themouthconfessionismadeuntosalvation."ThisconfessionmustbemadeforthegloryofGod.OnegreatendofourregenerationandmarriagewithChristis,thatwemaysoundforthhispraiseintheworld."Thispeople,"sayshe,"haveIformedformyself,theyshallshewforthmypraise."Ifhishearthasbeenopenedtoreceiveus,whyshouldourmouthsbeshut tohispraise.Wehavenomoretorender,butthecalvesofourlips.Itservesalsoforthegoodofothers,thattheymayfall inlovewithChrist."Iwillmakethynametoberememberedinallgenerations,thereforeshallthepeoplepraisetheeforever."TherecommendationswhichthesaintsgivetoChristhaveoftenagoodeffect.Theysaythatthedroppingofthe lilybegetsotherlilies,sothesaintsbegetotherstoChrist,bythedroppingoftheirlives,whichhaveanattractivevirtue,1Pet.3:1,2.Thedropsoftheir

bloodaregenerativeofsaints.Thebloodofthemartyrsistheseedofthechurch.Yea,theverydroppingsoftheirmouthsforChristarebeneficial,Song7:9.Itisthennopartofreligionforpersonstokeeptheirreligiontothemselves.Thereismuchhypocriticalprofession;butwemustnothideourlovetoChrist,ifwehaveany,becauseofthat.WemustnotbedumbinthecauseofChristandreligion,becausemanygivehimfairwords,andno more. Blessed is that professor, in whom Naphtali's blessing andJoseph'sdomeet,goodlywords,andafruitfulbough.

Letthesaints learnthentobemoreopenmouthedforChrist.Letthemcommendhimtoothers,andcommendhimfromtheirownexperience;first,totheirfellowsaints,saying,"Come,andhear,allyethatfearGod,andIwilldeclarewhathehathdoneformysoul."O!shouldnotChrist'sfriendsbecommendingtheirfriendonetoanother.Thiswouldbeamostseasonable work at this day, in which religion is decaying; and if everChristcomesagain,tothespiritsofhispeopleinthisland,thisneglectedworkwillberevived.O!itwouldbelikeacoaloffire,tosetlovetoChristinmotion.Will two cold flints, striking one another, kindle a fire; howmuchmore two, inwhichthere issomefire. "Howdidourheartburn,"said the disciples, "within us, while he talked with us by the way, andwhileheopenedtousthescriptures."

Letthemalsocommendhimtostrangers,Song5:9–16.DropawordforChrist to such, you know not what it may do. Many times a wordforgottenby the speakerhas beenminded,with time andplace: by thepersontowhomitwasspokeninChrist'sbehalf,andhasbeenlikeseeddropped,thathassprungupsweetlyafterwards.Osirs!whenwecometoadeath-bed,andaskourselveswhathavewedone,whathavewespokenfor Christ, we will have but a sorry reflection on it, if we do not exertourselvesmoreinthatwaythanweareliketodo.

Letusalsospeakinhiscauseandinterestintheworld.Weshoulddothatespeciallyinthosethingsthatareopposedinourday;tobesuretoholdbythetruthofChrist,againstallopposition,Mark8:38.Ifweesteemonehighly,itisnaturaltotakehispart,andtodowhatwecantosupporthisinterest and honour; and if Christ have our hearts, he will get ourendeavoursthatwayalso.

2.Theapostle, inthetext,expressethhimselfwiththeutmostcertainty,"yea,doubtless."Hewasnothaltingbetweentwoopinions,butgoeswithfull sail, to determine in Christ's favours, upon the competition of anythingwhatsoeverwithhim:"Yea,doubtless,andIcountallthings,"&c.

DOCTRINE.Inmattersofreligion,weshouldlabourtobedoubtless.Weshouldbeatapoint,fullyresolved,atafullassurance.

Thisholdsinthesetwothings:First,Inthetruthsofreligionwithoutus.Secondly, In the truth of religion within us. So Paul was doubtless inthese two points. He did not doubt but he so counted and esteemedChristaboveall.Heaslittledoubted,butsocounting,hecountedright.

I. Then we should labour to be doubtless in the truths of religion,especially themainpointsofreligion."Rootedandbuiltup inhim;andstablished in the faith as ye have been taught, abounding therein withthanksgiving."Thisisnecessary,

1.Because,howeverdoubtsofthesemaybeouraffliction,yettheyareoursin also. Satanmay be the father of them, indeed; but it is a dark andunbelieving heart which is the womb in which these doubts areconceived,andbywhosebreaststheyarenonrished.Itisthefilthymireofacorruptheart,fromwhichdoubtsasathickmistdoarise,todarkenthelightofthetruthshininginthewordofGod.

2.Because thesedoubtsareenemies to faith. It is true,doubting isnotaltogether inconsistentwith faith;namely,with theexistenceof faith inthesoul.Mayitnotbesaidthattruefaithisthelegsofthesoul;doubtsare the lameness of these legs, so that though themanmaywalk withthem, yet hewalks halting by them.And so far as they are opposite tofaith, they are dishonourable to God, and impeach his truth. "He thatbelievethontheSonofGod,haththewitnessinhimself:bethatbelievethnotGod,hathmadehimaliar;becausehebelievethnottherecordthatGodgaveofhisSon."

3.Becausetheyarethespringofapostacyanddefectionfromthetruth.Theyfirstsetmena-wavering;theyarecarriedaboutwitheverywindofdoctrine; theywerenever truly rooted in the truth; andafter theyhave

gonehitherandthitherintheirprinciples,atlasttheycome,inatimeoftemptation,tofalloffaltogether.

Lastly, Because they are enemies to growth in religion.A floating headmakesabarren life.Likea treethatnever takeswiththeground,but isalwaysloose,itcannotbringforthfruitwhileitisso,Eph.4:14,15.

Labour then tobeatapoint in the truths,especially themain truthsofreligion.Andforthiscause,

1.Studythewordoftruth,whichisGod'stestimonytothetruth."Tothelawand to the testimony; if theyspeaknotaccording to thisword, it isbecause there is no truth in them." The word of God is the onlyfoundationoffaith.Youmaytakeupthingsuponyourownfancy,orthetestimony of others, and thenhold fastwhat youhave so received.Butthat isnot faithwhich isnot foundedondivinetestimony.Hencemanycannot be said to be doubtless, as to the foundation points of religion,becausetheirbeliefofthemisnotfoundedonthetestimonyofthewordofGodhavingweightwiththeirconsciences,hencetheirbeliefofthemisasahousebuiltonsand.

2.Giveupyourself to the teachingof thespiritof truth.Layyoursoulsdown before the Lord, to be taught by his Spirit. "It is written in theprophets,AndtheyshallbealltaughtofGod."WhenPetersaidtoJesus,"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus said unto him,"BlessedartthouSimonBar-jona:forfleshandbloodhathnotrevealedituntothee,butmyFatherwhichisinheaven."TheSpiritofGodteachesmenexperimentally,making themnot only to see, but to feel the truthanditspowerupontheirownhearts.Hebringsthem"toobeyfromtheheartthatformofdoctrinewhichisdelivereduntothem."Theirsoulsarecast into the mould of it. And for this cause, there is need of muchhumilityandself-denial,andareadinesstohearwhattheLordwillsay."The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach hisway."

Lastly,Walkinthetruth."Ifanymanwilldohiswill,heshallknowofthedoctrine,whetheritbeofGod,orwhetherIspeakofmyself."Thereisacertain harmony betwixt the truths of God, and a tendency in them to

holinessoflife;soasclosewalkingwithGodinspiresamanwithacertainrelish,bywhichheisenabledtodiscernbetwixttruthanderror;havinghis spiritual senses exercised, he judgeth of them, as themouth tastesmeat.Wenowproceed,

II. To shew that we should labour to be doubtless as to the truth ofreligionwithinus,astotherealityofgrace,andnotsatisfyourselveswithacontinueduncertaintyinthatpoint,whetherChristhaththechiefroominourheartornot.We should seekafter this certainty,with respect toourpersonalreligion.

1.Because the saintsmayattain to it. It ispromised. "He thathathmycommandments,"saithJesus,"andkeepeththem,heitisthatlovethme:andhe that lovethmeshallbe lovedofmyFather, and Iwill lovehim,and will manifest myself to him." It is commanded. "Wherefore therather,brethren,givediligencetomakeyourcallingandelectionsure;forifyedothesethings,yeshallneverfall."Again,"Letusdrawnearwithatrueheart,infullassuranceoffaith;havingourheartssprinkledfromanevil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Not onlyscripturesaints,asDavid,Hezekiah,Thomas,Peter,Paul,butevenmanyothersoflowersizehaveattainedit.

2.Becausedoubts in this case arehurtful. Suchdoubts are like thistlesamong corn; though it is possibly not theworst ground onwhich theygrow, yet they arehurtfulweeds, andare tobepluckedup.Doubts areinjurious toGod, and spoil himof his praise. They are injurious to thesaints themselves, spoiling them of their comfort, strength, andconfidence, which theymight otherwise have, 2 Peter 1:10. A doubtingChristianisalwaysaweakChristian;thereforeIwilladd,

Lastly,Thecaseofourdaycallsforit.Thereissolittledoubtofourbeingputtothetrial,thatweshouldnowbelabouringtobedoubtlessaboutit.ForadoubtingChristianisveryunfittoactforChristinadifficulttime,andmoreunfit tosuffer forChrist.Whenwehavenothing intheworldsure, we should endeavour to have our religion sure. Therefore insuffering or difficult times, theLorduseth to give this assurance to hispeople,astoMoses,Paul,&c.

DIRECTIONS. 1. Labour to get out of an ill frame, if you would bedoubtlessastoyourstate.Itisdifficultforamantoknowinwhatstateheis,whenasleep;so in thespiritual stateof security,ourevidencessleepwith us; therefore, awake.Nor can aman judge of his statewhen in afaint; so in the spiritual faint of desertion, we are not fit to read ourevidences,whenthelightoftheLord'scountenanceisgoneoutwithus.Norcanamanjudgeofhisstate,whenstunnedwithasorefall:thusalsospiritualfalls,especiallyrelapses,putamanontofhisspiritualsenses.Asa man when he is in a thicket of thorns, so are men sometimes intemptations, theyareno soonerout, than theyare takenholdof again.Wrestlethentogetoutofentanglingtemptations.

2. Labour to have a close walk with God. "Herein," says Paul, "do Iexercisemyself, to have a conscience void of offence towards God andtowardmen."Thishaththepromiseofassurance."Whoseofferethpraiseglorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright, will Ishew the salvation ofGod." Such a conversationmakes conscience ourfriend,andcherisheththeSpirit,bywhichwearesealed."Beloved,ifourheartcondemnusnot,thenhaveweconfidencetowardGod."

3.Attendcarefullytothedutyofself-examination."Examineyourselveswhetheryebeinthefaith;proveyourownselves;knowyenotyourownselves,howthatJesusChristisinyou,exceptyebereprobates."Godhasgivenus,inhisword,marksofthesoul'sbeinginChrist,theseweshouldapply.

Lastly,Crymuch toGod forhisSpirit, to teachyou toknow the thingsthatarefreelygiventoyouofGod,andforhisSpirit"tobearwitnesswithyourspirit,thatyouarehischildren."

HavingthusseentheapostleopenlyprofessinghisesteemofChristaboveall,andexpressinghimselfwiththeutmostcertainty;wegoon,thirdly,toobserve that the apostle delievers himself here very affectionately, andwithanenlargedheart.ThemorehespeaksofChrist,hestill riseththehigher.Somethingshecountedloss,buthereallthings;notonlyloss,butdung.Now,

This teachethus, that the excellency ofChrist is a subject that natively

firesagraciousheart.Itdoththis,

1.Becausealltheirhopesareinhim.Whatevertheyhaveinhand,orinhope, of pardon, peace, joy, assurance, all is built on him as thefoundation. "For theyaredead,and their life ishidwithChrist inGod.WhenChrist,who is their life, shall appear, thenshall theyalsoappearwithhiminglory."

2.Becausealltheirdesiresareinhim."WhomhaveIinheavenbutthee,and there is none on earth that I desire besides thee."He is to themasatisfyingportion,inwhomtheyseeenoughtosatisfy,andtogiveresttotheirspirits.

USE1.Itisasadsymptonwhenpeople'sspiritsarenotaffectedwiththepreachingofChrist.Whenpeoplefindtheirheartstouchedandaffectedwiththethenderingsofthelaw,butremainunmovedwiththestillsmallvoiceofthegospel.Whenthingsrelatingtothepublicraisetheirspirits,andthepreachingofChrististastelesstothem,asthewhiteofanegg;itisthesigneitherofadead,oradistemperedsoul.

2.Letthesaintsthenthink,speak,andhearofChrist,asthebestwaytofiretheircoldrifeheartsandaffections.It isbyhimalonewepartakeofdivine influences; and tohis saints, "hisnamewill everbe as ointmentpouredforth,thereforedothevirginslovehim."Themorethesoulthinksonhim,themorepreciouswillhebein itseyes; forheisanobjectthatwillabidealook.

II. Let us consider the grand scope of the apostle in this verse. It is toshew the incomparable excellence of Christ. Every clause in the textbreathesoutthis."Yea,doubtless,andIcountallthingsbutloss,fortheexcellencyoftheknowledgeofJesusChristmyLord."

DOCTRINE.JesusChristisanabsolutelymatchlessone.Heisanonsuch.All sheavesmustbow tohis.The subjectof thematchless excellenceofChrist, isa subject that canneverbeexhausted. I shallonlydropa fewthings. There are three ways to prove the transcendent excellence ofChrist.

I.Bytestimony.

II.Byrealevidence.

III.Bycomparison.

I. By testimony. Heaven and earth concur to bear witness to thetranscendentexcellenceofChrist.Hehath,

1.God's testimony.TheFatherdeclareshim tobehisdelight, Isa.42:1.Hegavehimtotheworldasthegreatestdemonstrationofhislove,John3:16.Hedeclaredbyavoicefromheaven,"thatheishisSon,inwhomheiswellpleased;"notonlywithhimself,butwithsinnersforhissake.Thiswasdonewithgreatsolemnity,"forlo!theheavenswereopenedtohim,andhesaw theSpiritofGoddescending likeadove,and lightinguponhim."

2.Thetestimonyofangels.Anangelbroughtthenewsofhisbirth,andanhost of them sung for joy at the great event, Luke 2:10–14. In anotherplace,wefindthousandsofthousandsofthem,givingtheirtestimonytohim, in these words: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receivepower,andriches,andwisdom,andstrength,andhonour,andglory,andblessing."

3. The testimony of the saints in heaven, who have got a place amongthemthatstandbeforethethrone.Thiswemaylearnfromthatwhichisborrowedfromtheirpractice,toshewtheexerciseofthechurchmilitant."Theyrestnotdayandnight,sayingHoly,holy,holy,LordGodAlmighty,whichwas,andis,andistocome.Theyfalldownbeforehimthatsittethupon the throne, andworshiphim that liveth for ever."They cast theircrowns before the throne, saying, "Thou artworthy,O Lord, to receiveglory,andhonour,andpower:forthouhastcreatedallthings,andforthypleasuretheyare,andwerecreated."Couldwehaveaccesstothem,theywould give us that testimony of himwhich the queen of Sheba gave ofSolomon. "Behold thehalfwasnot toldme: thywisdomandprosperityexceedeththe famewhichIheard.Happyarethymen;happyare thesethyservants,whichstandcontinuallybeforethee,andhearthywisdom."

4.Thetestimonyof thesaintsonearth,whoconcur in this, thathe isamatchless one. "Thou art fairer," say they, "than the children of men;grace ispoured into thy lips: thereforeGodhathblessed thee forever."SaysAsaph, "Whomhave I inheavenbut thee, and there isnoneuponearth that I desire besides thee." Says Solomon, "For wisdom is betterthan rubies; and all the things that may be desired, are not to becomparedtoit."Butwhyshouldwestanduponparticulars,allhavegivena real testimony, in joiningwithPaul, in the text. They knowhim, andthereforetheirtestimonyistoberegarded.

5.Hisveryenemiesbeartestimonytohim.Wehearthemsay,Nevermanspakelikethisman.

Allthatprofesshisname,givehimthattestimony,though,alas!manyofthem,indeed,preferotherstohim.

II.Byrealevidence,whereoftakethesefollowing:

1. He is God. "He is the true God, and eternal life;" therefore hisexcellence is infinite. "In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godheadbodily.""HeisthebrightnessofhisFather'sglory,andtheexpressimageofhisperson,upholdingallthingsbythewordofhispower."Angelsandmen,andalltheirworks,arebutcreatedthings,theworkmanshipofhishands.He is theCreator, thebeginning: "All thingsweremadebyhim;andwithouthimwasnotanythingmadethatwasmade."

2.Christiscommensuratetothedesiresofthesoul,whichallcreatures,conjunctlyorseverally,arenot.Allthingsbesideshimhavetheboundsoftheirgoodness;oneof them isgood forone thing,another foranother;noneofthemforallthings.Butthereisanuniversalfitnessinhim,"foritpleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell." He is thestorehouse, from which all the saints, from Adam, have derived thesupply of theirwants. "In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom andknowledge."Whatwouldwehave,itisallinhim.

3.Whateverexcellencyorperfectionisinanythingelse,itisderivedfromhim.Themostdesirable creatures shinewith lightborrowed fromhim.Thereisnoperfectioninthecreature,butwhatiseminentlyinhimself,as

the first cause. "Thatwas the trueLight,which lightetheveryman thatcomethintotheworld."

4.AllthingsbesideChristcannotmakeamanhappy;buttheenjoymentof Christ alone can do it. There are two things wanting in all thecreatures, that are to be found in him. These are, First, sufficiency;nothingcanmakeonehappy,butwhat is completely satisfactory; for iftherebetheleastwant,itmarshappiness;nownothingbesidesChristissuch.Inthemostprosperousconditionthereissomethingwanting,asinparadise.Christaloneiscompletelysatisfactory,Psal.73:25."Heisallinall;"virtuallyallthings.Heistheheirofall,andtheywhohavehim,haveall.Secondly,certainty;whatisliabletochangecannotmakemenhappy;but all things beside Christ arc so, Prov. 23:5; but he is unchangeable,"thesameyesterday,to-day,andforever."Allfulnessdwellsinhim;theythatenjoyhimneedfearnochange;notinthislife,"forhelovesuntotheend;"nor in the life tocome, "for theyshallbeeverwith theLord."Nochangewith respect to the subject, they shallneverbe taken fromhim,Rom.8:38;norwithrespect to theobject,heshallneverbe taken fromthem.

5.When no other thing canmake help to aman, Psal. 142:3, 4. Thuswhilethecisternsofcreatedcomfortsrundry, thesaints live in,andbyhim. Thus when David was spoiled of all, in Ziklag, "he encouragedhimself in the Lord his God." Thus Habakkuk resolved, that whatevershouldbefallhim,"hewouldrejoiceintheLord,andjoyintheGodofhissalvation." Sowhen death comes, they have him "to be the strength oftheirhearts,andportionforever."

Lastly,Hecandoforuswhatnoothercando,procureforuspardonofsin, peace with God, a right to heaven, things which angels and mencannotdo.

III.Bycomparison.Noperson,nothingistobecomparedwithhim.

1.Menonearth;whatarethey,incomparisonofChrist.Greatmen;theyare all but his vassals,who isKing of kings; they have but a borrowedglory.Wisemen;theirwisdomisbutfolly,incomparisonofthewisdomofGod.Goodmen;theirgoodnessisnothing,incomparisonofhim.

2.Saintsinheaven;whatarethey,butsomanybrightstarsshiningwithlight from the Sun of Righteousness, wonders of his mercy, andmonumentsofhislove.Theyarelikethelilies,wearingagloryforwhichtheynevertoiled.

3.Angelsareallservants.Heistheirhead.Whenanangelwasofferedtogobeforethepeople,Moseswasnotcoutent,butsaid,"Ifthypresencegonotwithme,carrymenotuphence."

4. The devils have great power: the god of this world. Christ hath thedevilsinachain.

No thingsare tobecomparedwithhim,noaffluenceofworldly things.Theyareallofthemgreaterinexpectationthaninenjoyment.Allbrokencisternsthatsoonrundry.Allbittersweets.Allinsufficienttosatisfytheheart.

Evenspiritualthingsarenottobecomparedtohim.Graceandgloryarehisgifts;butthegivermustbeabovethegift.

USE1.TheyhaveapoorportionwhoarewithoutChrist.Theynevercanbehappy.

2.TheyhavemadeagoodchoicethathavereceivedChrist.Betheircasewhat it will, they have no reason to complain; Christ is theirs. Thoughtheyhavelittleinhand,theyhavemuchinhope.

3. We are to stand on nothing, so as we may gain Christ; and to besatisfiedwithnothing,ifsowemustlosehim.

ThissubjectreprovesalltheslightersofChrist.Suchareprofanepersons,carnalworldlings,moralists,hypocriteshoweverrefined,andallsuchasundervalue the glory, honour, kingdom and interest of Christ in theworld.

LetwhathathbeensaidcommendChristtousall.

ALLTHINGSBUTLOSSFORTHEEXCELLENCY,&C.

I COME now particularly to the words. Here is the excellency of theknowledgeofChrist,heldforthasbeforeallthings.Whatismeantbytheknowledge of Christ? By the knowledge of Christ here, I understand asaving interest in, and enjoyment of Christ. So it is taken, "This is lifeeternal, that theymight know thee theonly trueGod, andJesusChristwhomthouhast sent."SoourLord tells the foolishvirgins, "I sayuntoyou Iknowyounot."Theypleadan interest inhim,herebyhedisownsthemasnoneofhis.Andso"seeingofGod,"Matth.5:8,and"seeingofthekingdomofGod,"John3:3,isputforaninterestin,andenjoyingofGod. And so the text must be understood; for certainly it is not thenotional,speculativeknowledgeofChrist,whichPaul'sadversarieshereneglectednot;butthesaving,practical,experimentalknowledgeofhim,as is evident from the context, ver. 9. This is that forwhich he throwsawayall thingselse, takinganddesiringtohavehiminsteadofall.AndthisiscalledtheknowledgeofChrist,

BecauseChristisaspiritualobject;anobjectforthesoul,andnotforthesenses; "whom, having not seen, we love." The soul must rise fromsensiblethingsandoccupyitselfinthecontemplationofhisperfections,unitiugwithhim,sothatthesoulfindsthatsweetnessinhimthatsatiatesit, so that thehappinessofheavenconsists in the seeingofGodandofChrist,"whomweshallseeasheis;"thatis,theenjoyingofthem.

DOCTRINE1.ThatonlyisthetrueknowledgeofChristwhichterminatesinaninterestin,andenjoymentofhim.Allotherknowledgethatcomesshortofthisisunworthyofthename.Astheleastbrookthatis,howevershallow,differsfromthedeepeststandingpool,whileitrunsintothesea,andrestethnottillitbethere;sotheleastmeasureofsavingknowledgediffers from all the light a hypocrite hath, in that it terminates in anembracing of, and uniting with Christ, while the other stands idle andinefficaciousinthatmatter.Toconfirmthis,consider,

1.ThatalltheknowledgeofChristwhichmenhave,thatbringsthemnottohim,isbutsplendidignorance,accordingtotheword.Hencetheyarebrandedeverywhereasfools;menwhoseheartscannotberight,becausetheirheadsarenotright;foolishbuilders,foolishvirgins;theyareblindalso.Somepersonscan talksoas theyareadmiredof the ignorant,butwhenknowingpersonscometotrytheirknowledge,theyfindtheydonot

understandwhattheyspeak,norwhereoftheyaffirm.Soisitwiththosethat have not the saving knowledge of Christ; their knowledge is butgildedignorance.

2.ThatknowledgeofChrist,whichissnesnotinaninterestininhim,isnot so much knowledge, as mere opinion; which is dubious anduncertain."ThenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod,for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, becausetheyarespirituallydiscerned."Naturalmen,tospeakproperly,havenotthe knowledge of Christ, though they can preach him; but only anopinion,agoodopinionofhim,asmenhaveofmanypointsthatare incontroversy,inwhichtheyarefarfromanabsolutecertainty.TheythinkwellofChrist,but yet theywillnot commit themselves tohim,becausethey are not sure. "When you meet with a stranger at an inn whentravelling, you find, perhaps, the man a very discreet person, and youformagoodopinionofhim,thatheisaveryhonestman,andthereforeyou will converse with him a while; but yet you will not commit yourmoneytohim,becausethoughyouhaveaverygoodopinionofhim,heisastrangertoyou,youdonotknowhim.JustsoitiswiththosewhohaveonlyaspeculativeknowledgeofChrist.Theydonotknowhimsowellastoput their trust inhim.There are twopoints of savingknowledge, bywhichImayexemplifythis.

1. The superlative worth and excellency of Christ. That he is moreprecious than all things else, as in the text; and that all the things thatmaybedesiredarenot tobecompared tohim.Now,nodoubt,each inthis congregation would answer, if asked, that they know this. Butmistakeitnot,thereisadifferencebetwixtknowledgeandopinion.Asformostofus,itisbutopinion,notknowledge,otherwisewewouldtakehimfor,andinsteadofall,Matth.13:45,46.Ifoneshouldofferapearltoanordinarymerchantforallthathehath,hisattentionwouldbeexcited,hisheartandeyewouldbe in thepearl indeed,buthedarenotventureonthebargain;forthoughhehassomenotionthatperhapsthatonepearlisbetterthanallthegoodshehath,yetheisnotsure.Butshouldajewellercomeandtellhim,assuringhimthatitisworthdoubleofallhisware,hewould take it, and give up all his warewith heart and goodwill. ThussaithJesus, "if thouknewest thegiftofGod,andwho it is that saith to

thee,Givemetodrink;thouwouldesthaveaskedofhim,andhewouldhavegiventheelivingwater."

2.Christ's sufficiency.ThatChrist isable tobearall thesinner'sweightfortimeandeternity.Thatheisjustsuchanhighpriestasbecameus.Weall thinkweknow this; and certainly the saints thathavebelieved, androlledall theirweightuponhim,haveknown it.They can say, each forhimself,"IknowwhomIhavebelieved,andampersuadedthatheisabletokeepthatwhichIhavecommittedtohimagainstthatday."Butreally,to the most part, it goes no farther than a bare opinion, which neverbringsthemtoventureallfreelyuponhim.Theyarelikeamanfallenintoadeeppit,aropeisletdown,helookstoitagainandagain,thinksitisstrongenough;yetwhenhecomestotryit,hestartsback,cannotventureforhe isnotsure,andtherefore fallsaclimbingup, tillhe fallandruinhimself.Nowthe trueknowledgeofChristdiffersexceedingly fromthisopinion of him. Says Paul to the Thessalonians, "Knowing, brethrenbeloved,yourelectionofGod.ForourGospelcamenotuntoyouinwordonly,butalsoinpower,andintheHolyGhost,andinmuchassurance."

3. The true knowledge of Christ engages the heart, and captivates thesoul."Andtheythatknowthyname,willputtheirtrustinthee;forthou,Lord,hastnotforsakenthemthatseekthee."Whenthegospelcomesinpower and demonstration of the Spirit, the heart of a sinner isoverpowered,thatasitcannothinderitselftoassenttocleartruth,soitcannotbutembracehimasthechiefgood."Becauseofthesavourofthygoodointments, thynameisasointmentpouredforth, thereforedothevirgins lovethee."Asthe loadstonedrawsironto it,sothere isadivinevirtue in spiritual illumination, to draw the sinner to Christ. As somewatershaveahealingvirtuecomingthroughminerals,soChrist,ridingintriumphinhisglorythroughthesoul,certainlygainstheheartconsentofthosethatbeholdhim.Sothatthatlight,likethefireofthefurnace,burnsoffthechildren'sbondswherewiththeywereheldbefore.

4.ThesavingknowledgeofChristdiffersnotinkind,butindegrees,fromheaven's happiness. It is the commencement of eternal life in the soul,John17:3,"ButweallwithopenfacebeholdingasinaglassthegloryoftheLord,arechangedintothesameimage,fromglorytoglory,evenasbythe Spirit of the Lord." Here the knowledge of him is through a glass

darkly, there face to face. As in heaven, then, there is a completehappinessandenjoymentofGod, fromthatknowledgeofhimthere;sothereisarealinterestandenjoymentofhimhere,insome,inwhichtheknowledgeofhimheredothissue.Whatdiditavailtherichman,toseeAbraham, and Lazarus in his bosom, afar off; this contributed to historment.SowhatavailsanyknowledgeofChrist,withoutan interest inhim?AsJamessaysoffaithwithoutworks,"Canfaithsaveyou?"Somaywesayofmerespeculativeknowledge,Canitsaveyou?

Lastly, The true knowledge of Christ is not an idle speculation, but apracticalexperimentalknowledge,ver.9.Itistoknowhim,thatwemaybepartakersofhim.Savingknowledgeistransforming,2Cor.3:18.Mendonotdigintothebowelsoftheearthtoseegold,buttoenjoyit;nordotheyknowthetreasureinChrist,whosebusinessitisnottomakeittheirown.

USE1.OfInformation.

1. Many of those who want not knowledge of the truths of religion insomesort,maybeginagaintolearntheA,B,C,ofChristianknowledge.Howmanylearnedignorantsarethereintheworld,thatknowsomethingofallthings,buttheonethingneedful.Thisisacertainrule.AmanhasnomoreofChristinhishead,thanhehasofhiminhisheart.Andifthatbesotruly,forasfarasmostofusareon,wemaybebroughtbacktothefirst question of grace's catechism, "What is his name, andwhat is hisSon'sname,ifthoucansttell?"

2.Trueknowledge carriesamanoutofhimself toChrist, and so fills amanwithhumilityandself-denial."Ihaveheardoftheebythehearingofthe ear," says Job, "but now mine eye seeth thee, wherefore I abhormyself,andrepentindustandashes."Thatknowledgewhichpuffethupisnoneoftherightsort,forwereitoftherightkind,itwould,asariver,runintotheseaoftheexcellencyofChrist,andraisehim,andemptyandhumblemen'sselvesintheirowneyes.NomoreknowledgeofChristhavewe,thanwehaveofhumilityandself-denial.TheytowhomChristisall,willthemselvesbenothingintheirowneyes.

3.SurelyChristisaveiledbeautytothosewhoarenotinterestedinhim.

Theythatknowhimcannotbutloveandembracehim,theycannotrefusehim. IfChristhasnotyetgot thyheart, surely thineeyesareheld, thatthou canst not perceive him, Song 5:9–16, compare chap. 6:1. Thoucouldst not prefer any thing to him, if thou didst but behold his glory,thereforethouknowestnomoreofhimthanhehasofthyheart.

4.InwhatevermeasureanythingbesidesChristcarriesawaytheheart,theknowledgeofChristissofarlost.Theheartofmanisanemptythingthatmustneedsbeseekingsatisfactionintheenjoymentofsomething.Ifthyheartbeinordinatelygoingoutaftertheenjoymentofthecreatures,itisanevidencethatithassofarlosttheknowledgeofhisexcellence;sofaras that is gone, so far hast thou lost the true knowledge of him. And,therefore,forrecovery,turntheeyesofthymindtowardshimtobeholdhisglory,whichisthereadiestwaytodarkencreatedexcellence.

Lastly,ThebestwaytoobtaintrueknowledgeofChrist,istobemuchinseekingandconversingwithhim,thatisthewaytoenjoyhim."Mysoulshallbesatisfiedaswithmarrowandfatness,andmymouthshallpraisetheewithjoyfullips,whenIremembertheeuponmybed,andmeditateontheeinthenightwatches.""Ifanymanwilldohiswill,heshallknowof the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."Practical religion is the bestway to attain tomore of the knowledge ofChrist.Asthosewithwhomwewouldbeacquainted,wemustbemuchintheircompany,andconversewiththemfrequently;sothis isthewayinwhichChristiansgetthesecretsofthecovenantmanifestedtothem.

USE2.LetmeexhortyoutolabourtoknowChrist,andtoimproveyourknowledge of him to an interest in, and enjoyment of him; and neversatisfy yourselves with a knowledge of him that comes short of that.Never reckon you knowmore than you enjoy and feel in your souls ofChrist,orthanyoureally,inbelieving,makeuseof,andimproveforyoursouls.Consider,

1.Suchknowledgeisveryuselesstoyou,whateveritmaybetoothers,forwhomGodcanservehimselfofit,toleadtheminthewayoftruth.Whatwould itavailaman toknow the remedy,whileheneglects toapply it;wouldnotsuchanonedieofhisdisease.Sinners,whatwillitavailyou,thatyouknowChrist isaSaviour, if youdonotemployhim?What the

betterisaman,thathedieswithinsightofthephysician?Whatwoulditavailifamanhadeversomuchknowledgeofthelaw,ifyethesuffermentowheedlehimoutofhisestate,whileheneglectstopleadhisright?Andwhatthoughyouknowwhattodotobesaved,ifyoudoitnot?WhatthebetterareyoutoknowChristtobeanup-makingportion,ifyoutakehimnotforyourportion?

2.Nay,suchknowledgeisnoxious.Itdothforthepresentaggravateyoursin.Sinsagainstlight,areofallsinsthemostheavy.Forthefuture,itwillaggravateyourcondemnation.Alas!what is thatknowledge, thatservesonlyasalanterntolightmenintoeverlastingdarkness?

3.Ourdiseaseliesmoreinourheartsthaninourheads.Therewassomeknowledge left after the fall,Rom.2:15; but therewasno goodness, noheartholiness.Ifphysicbetaken,yetifitdonotoperatetocarryofftheillhumoursofthebody,apersonisnothingthebetter,butrathertheworse;soisitwhenknowledgecomesintothehead,butsinksnotintotheheart.Men's minds should usher in the truth received, into the heart; butinstead of that, they are often as jailors, to lock it up in prison that itcannotstir,"Theyholdthetruthinunrighteousness."

Lastly,Godwillnotownhisknowingofany,butthoseinwhomhehasaspecialinterest,Matth.25:12.AndifyewouldreckonasGrodwilldo,youwouldreckonthusalso.

USE3.OfcomforttothosethathaveseenasmuchofChrist,asthattheycannotrestwithoutaninterestinhim;andhavesomeenjoymentofhim,butmaybediscouragedunderasenseofweaknessofknowledge.Butbecomforted,itistrueknowledge.Andasalittlegoldisfarmorepreciousthanmuchbrass,sothelowestdegreeoftrueknowledgeisfarbetterthangreatstoresofmerespeculativeknowledge.

DOCTRINE II. All things are but loss in comparison of an interest inChrist,andtheenjoymentofhim.Thisisapointthatrunscountertothejudgmentofalltheunregenerateworld,whocounthighlyofotherthings,butmakelightofChristandaninterestinhim.ThisisconfirmedbythedailypracticeofalloutofChrist.HereIshall,

I. Shew in what respects all things are but loss in comparison of aninterestinChrist,andtheenjoymentofhim.

II.Ishallconfirmthispointbyproofsandillustrations.Iamthen,

I.Toshow inwhat respectsall thingsarebut loss, incomparisonofaninterestinChrist,andtheenjoymentofhim.

1.Thereisnotonethinginallthecreation,butitisloss,incomparisonofthe enjoyment of Christ as ours. Turn over all the creatures, and allcreatedperfectionsintheworld,singleoutthebestofthem,andthemostdesirable,takethechoicest,itwillbebutrefuseincomparisonofChrist.

2. All of them together, are but loss in this respect. Suppose youwerepossessed of the whole inventory of good things; profitable pleasantthings,lawfulandunlawful,thatwhatiswantinginone,maybemadeupto you in another; lay the possession of them in one balance, and theenjoymentofChrist inanother, theywouldallbeweigheddown. If thewholeconstellationofcreatedperfectionsshouldariseuponyou,Christ,astheSunofRighteousness,woulddarkenthemall.HadyouSolomon'srichesandwisdom,Samson'sstrength,Absalom'sbeauty;shouldall thecreatedcomfortsevermanhad,oreverwillhave,falldowntogetherintoyourbosom,allwouldbenothingincomparisonofaninterestinChrist,and the enjoyment of him. All is but loss. All are of no value incomparisonofaninterestinChrist.Thebestofthemarenotworthytobenamedwithhiminoneday.Healthandstrengtharegood,andoutwardaccommodations andprivileges are good, but as the glorious starshidetheirheadswhenthesunappears,somustallthesethingsbeforeChrist.Theyarealltobethrownaway,whenwecannothaveChristwiththem.Ifitcomestothat,thatwemustpartwithChristorpartwiththem,thenwehavereasontosay,farewellprofits,pleasures,honours,liberty,lifeitself,andallthings,andwelcomeChrist.Theyaretobelostinthatcase,butinnocasemustweagreetolosehim.Themanisatnolossthatloseththem,but gains Christ. He loseth but loss, which no man will grudge. He issufficientlymadeupinthewantofthemall,bytheenjoymentofChrist.

Finally,He has a poor bargain of it, that has all, butwantsChrist.Hisgainmaybesoontold,hislosscannotbereckonedup.Wenowproceed,

II.Toconfirmthispointbyproofsandillustrations.Otobelieveit!Thebeliefofitwouldturnthecurrentofourdesiresandendeavoursanotherway.

1.AninterestinChristmakesGodours,forheisGod;"thefulnessoftheGodheaddwellsinhim."Sorunsthecovenant,inwhichGodmakesoverhimself, in Christ, to sinners: "Iwill," says he, "be to them aGod, andtheyshallbetomeapeople."Heistheirportionandtheirheritage.Theyare childrenandheirs, "heirsofGod, and jointheirswithChrist."Nowwhat is all theworld in comparison ofGodhimself? "While others cansay,thisland,thishouseismine,theChristiancansay,Godismine,forChrist ismine: "Lo thisGod is ourGod."An interest inChrist, then, isabsolutely the greatest treasure. Men nor angels cannot make aninventoryoftheChristian'sportion,whichissummedupinthis,Godistheirs.Thegreatestabundanceofearthlythingsmaybereckoned,andyouwill soon hear that there is no more. "But eye hath not seen, nor earheard,neitherhaveenteredintotheheartofman,thethingswhichGodhathpreparedforthemthatlovehim."TheinfiniteperfectionsofGodaretheir treasure, and this treasure will tell out to all eternity. It is alsoabsolutely themostvaluable treasure, forwhatproportioncan therebebetwixt theperfections ofGod, and those of the creature.Worldlymenmayhavesomestreamsofgoodthingsletouttothem,buttheChristianhas the fountain of all. Now, where thewater is good, it is best in thespring. Sure then the enjoyment ofGodmust be best. God's goodness,love,andall-sufficiencyistheirs.

2.An interest inChrist is theonethingnecessary."Onething"saysourLord, "isneedful."All thingsmustgo fornecessaries.Amanpartswithhismoneyandgoodsforhishealth,andwillpartwithallforhislife.Hereckons all nothing in comparison of that, because he can live withoutother things, but none of these things can avail him, if he lose his life,Matth.6:25.EvensoaninterestinChriststandsbyitself,andisnottobereckonedamong,butaboveallthingselse.

Other things are conveniencies to be thankfully received, but notnecessariesthatcannotbewanted.Man'sgreatdesireistobehappy.Thisis the end which all propose to themselves. Now, I say, other thingsbesides Christ are not absolutely necessary for this end. It is not

necessary that you may be rich, you may be happy without riches.Lazarus was happy, though poor; the apostles, though despised, andcountedas theoff-scouringof all; Job,without eitherhealthorwealth;thesaintsinheavenarestrippedofthecomfortsofthislife,yetperfectlyhappy;thereforehappinessmaybewithoutthem.

ButaninterestinChristisabsolutelynecessary.Nohappinesswithoutit.Thoughyouwerecompassedaboutwithall theprofitsandpleasuresoftheworld,yetinthiscasetheswordofvengeancehangsabovethyhead.Thouartbutasacondemnedmalefactorsetdownatawellcoveredtable,butknowethnothowsoonhemayberaisedandledtoexecution.Thoughthe earth smiles on thee, yet heaven frowns; though men bless, Godcurseththee,andmaysaytothee,"thoufool,thisnightshallthysoulberequired of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hastprovided?"

Again, nothing can make up the want of an interest in Christ; but aninterestinhimcanmakeupthewantofallthingselse.AllthegoldoftheIndieswillnotbuyapardon,northegreatestearthlyhonourskeepfromeverlastingcontempt.Havewhatyouwill,ifyouhavenotChrist,youareunderalossthatcannotbemadeupanotherway;butthatmakesupallotherwants,Philip.4:18.Whateveryouwant,ifChristbeyours,youhavewhatisbetter.

Finally,Everythingthatonereallyneedsiscomprehendedinit,sothatthewaytogetallourneedscompendiouslyanswered,istogetaninterestinChrist.Ourwantsarefarmorethanourneeds.Wereckonourneedsmorethantheyare;butonceinChrist;thenonemaywellexpecttogetallhe reallyneedsmadeout tohim. "He that sparednothisown son,butdeliveredhimupforusall,howshallhenotwithhimalsofreelygiveusallthings.""FortheLordwillgivegraceandglory;nogoodthingwillhewithholdfromthemthatwalkuprightly."Whateverhispeopleneed,God,asaFather,willprovideforthem,"Matth.6:32.

3.An interest inChrist is satisfying to the soul,while nothing else cangive satisfaction.Youmayas soongrasp your arms full of dreams, andembraceyourownshadow,assucksatisfactionoutofthedrybreastsofthecreatures.ButinChristthereiswhatwillsatisfythesoul,answerits

desires in breadth and length. There are two things necessary to givesatisfaction. First, Suitableness.NowChrist is a suitable enjoyment forthesoul.He issuitable to thenatureof thesoul,which isspiritual,andthe enjoyment of him is the enjoyment of spiritual blessings. "Grodblessesuswith all spiritual blessings inheavenlyplaces inChrist."Thesoul is immortal, and so an interest in Christ is durable; "for durablerichesandrighteousnessarewithhim."Heissuitabletothenecessitiesofthesoul,forpardon,peace,andeveryblessing;whereasallthingsoftheworldarenothingso.

Again,fulnessisnecessarytosatisfaction.Nowthereisafulnessofthesesuitableblessingsinhim."IthathpleasedtheFather,thatinhimshouldallfulnessdwell."Whatcanbewantinginaninfinitegood.Herethen"weeatthatwhichisgood,andoursoulsdelightthemselvesinfatness."

4.AninterestinChrististhemostenrichinginterest."WereanestimatetobemadeofwhatthemeanestChristianisworth,andwhattherichestmonarch, the Christian's would be found infinitely beyond his. TheChristianhasarighttomore,forhehatharighttoallthroughChrist."Allthings,"saysPaultobelievers,"areyours."TheChristianhasmarriedtheheirofallthings,andsomaysethisnameonallthatishis.Whatthoughhehathbutlittleinhand,yetlookhispapers,readhischarter,hisbondsunder thehandofGodhimself,containing thepromisesof this lifeandthatwhich is to come, and thegreatest richesof thegracelessworld, isrankpovertyincomparisonofthat.

Nasy, theChristianhathmore inactualpossession thanthegreatestonearth.Themostpreciousandvaluablerichesareordinarilyleastinbulk.A little gold, or a small pearl, ismore valuable than a bag full of brasscoin.Reckonthus,andthemanthatisinterestedinChristhathmoreinhandthantherichestintheworld.Hisgraceismorepreciousthangold,hispoweroverhisownspiritbetterthandominionoverkingdoms.Whatis so great on earth as a kingdom?What kingdom so great as that ofheaven?TheChristianhasit:"ForbeholdthekingdomofGodiswithinyou."And this leadsus toobserve, that theChristian,byhis interest inChrist,hathallwithinhimself,thatheneedsnotgooutforit.Youwillsaysuchamanhasawellfurnishedhouseandtable,somethingshegotfromsuch a place, and some things from another. O! but, say you, thero is

anothermanhathall thingswithinhimself, the last ispreferable.So inthis. What an ungodly man doth most value, generally it is withouthimself.Hisrichesareinhiscoffers,hisplentyinhisbarns,hisdominionisgivenhimbyothers,andcanbetakenaway;hishonouralsodependsonothers.ButtheChristianhathallwithinhimself,becauseChristisinhim.Yes,"Christ is inhim, thehopeofglory.""Agoodman," it issaid,"shall be satisfied from himself." Christians "know in themselves, thatthey have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." He hath akingdomwithin,thatcontainswhatissuitableforeverycase.

Here, also, I would remark, that the little that one hath, that hath aninterest in Christ, is more valuable than the greatest abundance of aChristlessman."Alittle,"saiththePsalmist,"thatarighteousmanhath,is better than the riches ofmanywicked." Better than the riches, eventhan the riches ofmany.But how can that be? I answer, the little theyhave, theyhave itwith the loveofGod;andwhateverothershave, theyhaveitwithhiswrathandanger."ThecurseoftheLordisinthehouseofthewicked,butheblesseththehabitationofthejust."WhattheChristianhath, comes fromGod's love, and is a tokenof his love; and you knowtokensarevaluedmoreforthesakeofthegiver,thanthegiftitself.

Again,theChristianhaththesanctifieduseofwhathepossesses.Allthattheyhavecomestothemthroughthechannelofthecovenant,andtendstotheirgood."Forweknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgoodtothemthat love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,"whereasothers,byvirtueofasecretcursethatisinwhattheyhave,arethereby injured.There isdeath inthepot."Theprosperityof foolsshalldestroy them." Many have been nourished and supported with coarsefare,whenkings and emperorshavehadpoisonmixedwith theirmostdeliciousmeats.Soitishere.

Besides,thelittlethattheChristianhath,hehathitfreely,nothingtopay.It ispaid foralreadyby thebloodofChrist.Butotherswillhaveadearreckoningthatwillpayforallatthelatterend.Theymaywriteonalltheirenjoymentsthismotto,Thepriceofblood."Forwhatisamanprofited,ifheshallgainthewholeworld,andlosehisownsoul?orwhatshallamangive in exchange for his soul?" The world is as a commodious inn,perhaps thechildren theredonot faresowellas thestranger.But then

thestrangergetshisbillerehegoaway,whenhemustpaydearforallhehathgot.

TheChristian,also,hathafarbetterrighttohislittle,thantheotherhathto his abundance. A covenant right, it is the purchase of Christ. ItwaspreciouswaterthatwasbroughttoDavid,outof thewellofBethlehem,morepreciousthanwine,becauseitwasthepriceofblood.

Others have but a right by common providence. Their good things arebonescasttodogs.Itisbutasasupperwhichamalefactorenjoysbeforeheisledforthtoexecution.

Lastly,The littlewhichtheChristianhath, isanearnestofmoremercy.YoumaycallitJoseph,forGodwilladdanothertoit.Now,alittlegivenasanearnest,isbetterbyfarthanagreatsum,afterwhichnomoreistobeexpected.EventheChristian'swantsarebetterthantheabundanceofothers,evenasthewantofstrongliquorisbetterthantohaveittoputusinafever.

5.An interest inChrist is theonlyabiding, lasting interest. Itwillabidewhenwemust loseallother things.Weseethata little thingcoming inyearly, ispreferredtogreatsumsinhand,whichmaysoonbeallspent.AninterestinChristcannotbetakenfromusasotherthingsmay,Matth.6:19.Thephilosophercalledrichesthevomitoffortune;ifso,wefindthevomit is often resumed. Job inhis time sawhimself rich andpoor to aproverb,Prov.23:5.Butonce inChrist,always inhim.The landedmanmayhavehiscropdestroyed,buthislandabides.Otherthingsarelentus,butthisisanirrevocablegift.

Wecannotbetakenfromit,Matth.6:20.ThemanthatdiesinterestedinChrist is his own heir, and carries his interest into anotherworldwithhim.Theworldlycomfortsmenhave,arelikeservantsinaninn,thatwaituponpersonswhiletheycontinuethere,butgonotawaywiththem,butabidetoserveothersthatcomeafterthem.

Lastly,IshallproveitbyaninductionofparticularsuponwhichmensettheirheartsmorethanuponChrist.

1.KnowledgeofotherthingsbesidesChrist,isnowaycomparabletotheknowledgeofChrist.Thepleasurewhichmenfindinit,isinfinitelybelowthat which they find in the knowledge of Christ. It can do no good atdeath,and theywillhavenomoreuse for it througheternity,while theotherwillcontinueas thesaint'seternalhappiness. "This is lifeeternal,that theymight know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whomthouhastsent."Theyare likemengoing throughacity,gazingateverything about them,while they never look to their ownway, and neglecttheir own business. Each of them may say with Grotius, Ah! I havedestroyedlife,laboriouslydoingnothing.

2.Richesarevain,and,laidinthebalancewithaninterestinChrist,arelighterthanvanity.Theyareuncertainasthewind,andcanneverfilltheheart, Prov. 23:5. Nay, they enlarge the desires, where grace does notnarrowthem;forworldlinessisasortofspiritualdrunkenness,thatthemoreonegets,themorehewouldhave.

Theycannotprofitinthedayofwrath.ItiswithChristiansandothers,aswithAbraham'schildren.Abrahamgaveallthat"hehaduntoIsaac.Butunto thesonsof theconcubineswhichAbrahamhad,hegavegifts,andsentthemawayfromIsaachisson."Christiansarewiththefirst,theyareheirs;othersgetbutmoveables,andtheyaremadeovertothemwiththeburdenofdanger,forsaithJesus"howhardlyshalltheythathaverichesenterintothekingdomofGod."Thereisdangerinaneviltimefrommenby them. The tall oaks are torn up by the roots, while the low shrubsescape;and theyareatall times,butespecially inevil times,asnare tothesoul.TheyareahandlebywhichSatanholdsmen;sothatwhiletheycleavetothem,Satandrawsthemtohimself.Theyhavealsoaburdenofduties.Godrequiresmoreofrichpersonsthanofothers."Towhommuchisgiven,fromthemmuchshallberequired."Theyhaveaccountstogive.Theyarebutstewards,andthemoretheyhaveamongtheirhands,theiraccountswillbethegreater,Luke16.ButaninterestinChristshallneverbelost.

3.Honourandreputation.Whatvainthingsarethey,dependingupontheuncertainthoughtsofothers;andwheremenhavethematmanyhands,theymaybewantingatthathandwheretheymightdothemmostgood.How easily is reputation stained, and it is at the mercy of every

calumniousdetractor.Itisawindybubbleofwaterthathasnosolidityinit, andquickly is gone.Buthe thathasan interest inChrist, thoughheshouldlieamongthepotswhileheliveshere,shallshineinthathonourwhichiseternal,hereafter.

4.Aneasyandpleasantlifeintheworldisavainthing,muchdesiredandpursued,totheneglectofaninterestinChrist.Butletusdoourutmosttomake our bed soft here, there shall ever be found some thorn ofuneasinessinit.NosoundeasebutinChrist.Whenworld'seaseisgot,itbearshardon the soul,whichas readily corrupts;while troubles in theworldsetmentotheirduty.Andhowsuddenlyismen'seaseandpleasureinterrupted;andthemoretheyhadofit,theycantheworsebearthewantofit.

5. Friends able to do one a kindness aremuch valued. They that havethem, value themselves upon them; they that want them, think theywould be well if they had them. But alas! how oft do they prove likebrooksdriedup,Job6:15;andhowquicklymaywebeinsuchacase,thatifevenourbest friendswereneversowilling, theyareutterlyunabletohelpus.Christisafriendthatcan,andwillhelpinallcases.

6. Comfortable relations; a husband, wife, or children, dutiful andcomfortable.Greatmerciesindeed,butlossincomparisonofaninterestinChrist.Howdifficultisitforustohavethemsuchandnotmakegodsof them?How difficult to rejoice, and not overjoy in them? Andmanytimeswherepeoplehavethoughttofindtheirgreatestcomfort,theretheyhavefoundtheirgreatestcross.Andhowevercomfortable,yettheymustpart;andwhentheygo,themorecomfortabletheywere,thedeeperisthewoundtheyleavebehindthem.

7.Libertyiswhateverypersonprizes;thereisalwaysnomanwhowouldnot rather choose to be stripped of all, and to wander to find her forhimself, than tobepennedup inapalace.Butwhat serves that liberty,whileamanisstillinthedevil'schain,andhastheeternalprisonabidinghim; that though he can gowhere hewill, yet be can go nowhere butwhere Satan is with him, and in him. How much more worthy is aninterestinChrist.Thoughthebodybeimprisoned,confined,orbanished,yetthesoulhasaccess"atalltimestothethroneofGod.

8.Lifeisdearerthanallthese,yetisbutlossincomparisonofaninterestin Christ. What a vain thing is the life of man on earth, liable to athousandaccidents,andwhichevenablastofinfectedaircantakeaway.Thelampgoesoutat length,theoilbeingwasted;andwhileitremains,maybecloggedwithsuchmiseriesasmaymakelifeitselfaburden,andmentocourttheirdissolution,thattheymayrestinagrave.TononeoftheseisaninterestinChristliable,itisthatwhichsecuresaneternallife.

Lastly,Inaword,selfiswhatmostmenseek,neglectingChrist.Butwhatavainthingareweourselves.Itwillnotbeamisstogiveheresomeself-debasingconsiderations.Consider,then,wearenothing.Whateverfigurewemake,wearenothing;thatistosay,weareworthnothing.Howevergreat,wearebutfairnothings.IAm,isGod'sname.Takeawaythepartsofacompound,andthen it isnothing.LetGodtakebackhisownfromus,andwearenothing.Youwillseesomemenmakeagreatappearance,andyou think theyarerichmen;butothers thatknowtheiraffairswilltellyou that theyareworthnothing, for it isallotherpeople'spropertythat theyhaveamong theirhands;and that if everyonehad theirown,theywouldbebroughttonothing."Withoutme,"saithJesus,"yecandonothing."WearebutmeretoolsintheLord'shands:withouthimwecando nothing in grace or nature. As our being is from him, so is ourworking.Again,wedeservenothing.We areunprofitable servants.Ourdemeritisgreat,ourmeritnothing.Wedeservehellindeed,butdeservenot the least mercy. Yea, we are worse than nothing, as being sinfulcreatures,evenasacupfullofpoisonisworsethananemptycup.

USE1.Ofinformation.

1.Howfoolisharemen,then,whoareverybusyanddiligenttogetotherthings,butwhoneglecttogetaninterestinChrist.LikeMartha,theyarecarefulandtroubledaboutmanythings,whiletheyneglecttheonethingneedful, the better part. With what carefulness do men manage theirbusiness for their bodies, who are careless of their souls. Surely thisinterestisthegreatprojectweshouldbedrivingintheworld,andnotbeseekingafterthatwhichislost,totheneglectingofthegreatgain.

2.Theyhavemadebut apoorpurchase,havewhat theywill, thathavenotaninterestinChrist.Cantheybehappy,thoughtheyweremonarchs

of theworld?They cannot, for their all is but aheapof loss anddung,theyhavenothingsubstantialanddurable.Havewhatyouwill,whatwillallthesethingsavailyou,ifyouhavenotChrist.

3.Therighteousismoreexcellentthanhisneighbour.ThepoorestsaintonearthisricherthanthegreatestmanonearththatisaChristlessman.Hehath thatwhich isofmoreworth thanall theworld.O!but frettinganddiscontentmentillbecomesaChristianforwantofanyworldlything.Does not Jesus say, Am I not better to thee than ten sons. Surely it isbecausetheyseenottheirstock.

4.Menarenolosers,losewhattheywillforChrist.Wehavenoreasontogrudgetosufferthelossofallforhim.

USE2.Ofexhortation.IexhortyouthentoseekandsecureaninterestinChrist foryourselves.Make thisyourgreatbusiness. Ihaveoftencalledyoutothis,andithasbeenthegreatscopeofallmypreachingamongyoutoleadyoutoChrist.AndnowwhentheLordisthreateningtodrawourtable,andseparateministersfromtheirflocks,Idesireoncemoretocalland invite you to an interest inChrist.And if I could prevail, though Ishouldnevermorehaveaccesstoserveyouinthegospel,IwouldthinkIhadgotmyerrand.

MOTIVE 1. Christ is willing to receive you. There is amatch proposedbetwixt theKingofGloryand thedaughterofZion,Christandsinners.And I declare there is nothing to hinder it on Heaven's part. "For theSpiritandthebridesay,Come.Andlethimthathearethsay,Come.Andlethimthatisathirstcome.Andwhosoeverwill,lethimtakeofthewaterof life freely." Young sinners, that are setting out in the world, he iscontent tobeyours. "I love themthat loveme," sayshe, "and they thatseek me early shall find me." Old sinners, he is content to be yours,thoughyouhaverefusedmanycalls.Heexcludesnonoofyou,donot,Ibeseechyou,excludeyourselves."Ho!everyonethatthirsteth,comeyetothewaters;andhethathathnomoney,comeye,buyandeat;yeacome,buywine andmilkwithoutmoneyandwithontprice."And to evidencehiswillingnesstobeyours,consider,

Whydidhecomethelongjourneyfromheaventoearth,buttorelievethe

captivedaughterofZion.Areyouthelost,Luke19:10.WhydidheleavetheFather'sbosom,but tobring thesebackto it,whomsinhadshakenout.Whysufferedhe,butthattheymightbesaved?Whywashebruised,but that hemight become bread to the hungry soul?Why shed he hisblood,buttoremovethelawfulimpedimentsofthismatch?

Invaindidheshedhisblood,ifsinnersamongstmenbenotpartakersofit.Whomhadheinhiseyeforreconciliation?Notangels,notdevils,Heb.2:6.Itwasmen,"Untoyou,Omen,Icall;andmyvoiceistothesonsofmen."Nottotherighteous,therewerenonesuch;andiftherehadbeen,theyhadnotneededhim.Answertoyournamethen,Osinners!forsuchChristcametocall;hereallyoffershimselftoyouinhiswordpreachedbyhis ambassadors.How then can you doubt hiswillingness.Our offer isreally,thoughministerial,Christ'sownoffer,forwehavehiscommissionto bear us out in it. Our commission and office we had not from themagistrate, therefore it isnot in theirpower todepriveusof it, as theymaydeprivemenofofficescivilandmilitary,whichcomefromthem.Butour commission is from Christ. We teach not but what Christ hascommandedus,andthereforehewillbewithus in it;whichthesehavenogroundtopretendto,thatteachfordoctrinesthecommandmentsofmen,whomthisChurchisinhazardofhavingthrustinuponher;2Cor.5:20.We are proxies for the Lord of Glory, come to youwith his ownword, by his orders.Would you have himself leave his glory a secondtime,toofferhimselftoyou?Orwouldyouhavehimcomeinhisglory.Youknownotwhatyouask.Itwouldbecomeyoubettertodo,as1Sam.25:40–41.

Our offer of him in his own name, is so really his, that you will beeternallyruined,ifyourefuseit,Mark16:15,16;John17:20.

Consider,also,howlonghehaswaiteduponyou,andaftermanyrefusalshasstill,andiscourtingyourconsent,Rev.3:20.Whydidhenotgoawayat your first or second refusal? No, but you have still line upon line.Finally, he knows very well what is in you and about you; yet hath hedeclared, thatnothingshallhinder thematch, ifyoubewilling.Thoughyou be poor andmiserable, he is willing to take you, to enrich you, toclothe you, and nourish you for ever; and is he not then willing to beyours.

MOTIVE2.Considerwhatyouarewithouthim.WretchedandmiserableisthestateofeveryChristlesssoul.IfyousawyourcasebythelightoftheSpirit,youwouldbemuchaffected.Letusglanceata fewpartsofyourpicture,asitispresentedintheglassoftheword.Sinner,thouartGod'senemy. "Thecarnalmind is enmityagainstGod."Thoucamest into theworldinastateofenmityagainstGod.Thereconciliationisnotyetmadeup, for there is no peace with God, but through Christ. Hast thou nointerestinChrist,thenwhathastthoutodowithpeace,whohastnothingto dowith the great peacemaker. There is wrath in God's heart, in hisword,andinhishandagainstthee.

Againthouartdebtortojustice.Sinisthydebt,whichthouartnot,andneverwillbeabletopay.Thouartinthehandofaninexorablecreditor.Thouhastno cautioner tobe surety for thydebt.Thouwiltnot get thydebtdenied.Consciencewillbe insteadofa thousandwitnessesagainstthee.Thouwiltbepursuedforprincipalandinterest,andthedebtwillbepursuedatthyownexpense.Thouartalsothelaw'scriminal.Godhathalaw,andbythatlawthoumustdie."Forthewagesofsinisdeath."Thelawcondemnsthee,takesawaythylifeasatraitortoGod,anenemytoheaven.Thoulivestbutasamalefactor,bythebenefitofareprieve,andthouknowestnothowsoonitmayexpire.

Thouart,moreover,Satan'sslave,captive,andprisoner.Thouartunder"thepower of Satan, and taken captivebyhimathiswill." In this caseChristfindsallthosetowhomhecomes.Beholdthydrudgerywork,thesignofthyslavery,thychains,thycaptivity,thyprisongarmentsthatareonthee.

Thou,Osinner!inthyChristlessstate,arttoeverygoodworkreprobate.ThoucanstdonothinggoodoracceptableinthesightofGod.Thyprayersare but howling, thy sacrifice an abomination, thy throat an opensepulchre.

Besides,inthyChristlessstate,sinner,thouartastrangertothecovenantofgrace,andall thebenefitsof it,Eph.2:12.Thouhastnotmarriedtheheir, and, therefore, what hast thou to do with the bonefits of thecontract.Thoucansthavenopardonnorpeaceinyourpresentstate.

Thouartaburdentotheearth,Rom.8:22.Everycreatureisthineenemy.The very meat which thou eatest, waits a command to dispatch thee.Thou art an abomination to heaven, that will have nothing to do withthee. "For there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth,neither whatsoever worketh abomination, ormaketh a lie." Thou art apreytothepit'sdevouringmouththatwaitethforthee.

MOTIVE3.AninterestinChrististhebestinterestwhichyoucanhaveintheworld.Considerthatitisaninterestforsoulandbodyboth.Aman'spurchase in theworld,may furnishhimsomething in theworld forhisbody,foodandraiment,andthelike;butnothingforthesoul.Thiswillfurnish you peace, pardon, and all the benefits of the everlastingcovenant.Yea,andforthebody,itmakesitamemberofChrist,atemplefor theSpirit,andensuresagloriousresurrection. It isan interestbothforheavenandearth.Itmakesthemto inherit theearth,Matth.5:5,bytheirrighttoitinChrist,andtheircontentmentwithwhattheyhaveofit,asiftheyhaditall,andthisinterestentitlesthemtoglory.Itisthenbothfortimeandeternity."Itisprofitableuntoallthings,havingthepromiseofthelifethatnowis,andthatwhichistocome."Itisthebestsecurityforathrough-bearinghere,andwillbeaninterestofwhichyouwillreapthefruitsforever.

MOTIVE4.Considerthecaseofthedayinwhichwelive,callsloudlyforustosecureourowninterestinChrist.Andwecanmakenogooduseofthereelingsofthetimes,iftheydonotleadustothis.Havewenotneedofsomethingwhichmencannot take fromus?Andwhat is that,butaninterest in Christ, with the benefits depending thereon? We arethreatenedwithpersecutionandwiththesword,inwhichtheChurchandlandwereonceinvolved,whatinsuchacasehavementheycancalltheirown? Have we not need of something that may be comfortable to us,under the loss of all things? Indeed, the man that hath an interest inChristmaysay,Ihavearefuge,aportion.

If you be called to suffering,what a sad thing is it to suffer for one inwhom you have no interest. Youwill be ready to turn your back uponhim;andyet,shunningsufferingforagoodcause,youmaybebroughttosufferdishonourably,whetheryouwillornot,soassinningwillnotkeepyoufromsuffering.

Whensnaresareabroad,andacourseofdefection,howcanyouthinktoescapethathavenointerestinChrist?AndwhentheLordisthreateningtoremovethegospelfromyou,itcallsyouatlengthtoanswerhiscall.

MOTIVE5,andlast.Lettheconsiderationofeternitystiryouup.Whatwill you dowithout an interest in Christ, when death arrests you? Thesoul and body must part. Who will keep you from the second death?Whentimeisgone,thoumustpasstoeternity.

Whatwill youdowhen the resurrection comes?Whathill ormountainwillcoverthesinnerfromthefaceoftheLamb?

When, O sinner! thou must stand before the tribunal, and that verySaviourwhomthounowslightestwillbethyJudge,whowillthenpleadthycause?

DIRECTIONS. View your sinfulness. Get a deep sight of your miserywithout Christ, your utter inability to help yourselves, and thehelplessness of all creatures. Give away yourselves solemnly to Christ,andallthatisyours,takinghimfor,andinsteadofall.Amen.

SERMONII:Mybelovedismine,andIamhis

PHILIPPIANS3:8,

MyLord.

HEREtheapostleassertshisinterestinChrist,callinghimhisLord;notonlyasChristhadaninterestinhimandlordshipoverhim,butinsofarashehadaninterestinChrist."Mybelovedismine,andIamhis."

DOCTRINE.Saintsmay,andoughttopleadaninterestinChristastheirLord.TheLord'speople sometimes fall into thehandsof strange lords,whoarehardlordstothem.ButintheworstoftimesachildofGodmaytellafivefoldtaleofChrist,whichtheirgracelessenemiescannot.Every

saintmaysayofChrist,

1.HeismyLordGod.Foraslowashisworkandcauseare,thebeliever'sLord is God, and his God, John 20:28. "The fulness of the Godheaddwells inhim." "He isGodmanifested in the flesh."Nowan interest inGodasourGod, isan interestaboveexpression.His infinitewisdom istheirstodirect,hispowertoprotectthem."Happyisthatpeoplethatisinsuchacase;yeahappyisthatpeoplewhoseGodistheLord."Whythenshouldtheybeafraidofmen,howeverseveremasterstheybe?

2.MyLord,proprietor,masterandowner.WeandalloursaretheLord's,thereforehemaydisposeofusashewill,andwearetosubmit.Inthedayofthesoul'sclosingwithChrist,wegaveupourselvesandallour'stotheLord,andsomustwesay,"wearethyservant's,OLord!trulywearethyservants."Butofothers,Satanistheirlordandproprietor.

3.MyRedeemer."Hegavehimselfforus,toredeemusfromalliniquity."WhenourliveswereforefeitedtothejusticeofGod,hecameandboughtthemwithhispreciousblood.Andshallanythingbetoodeartoustoloseforhim.

4.MyLord and husband.He sought the believer in spiritualmarriage,whohasconsentedtohim,andsoheistheirhusband.Anoblerelation!"For thy maker is thy husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name." Andtherefore it is below a child of God to prostitute himself, his soul andconscience,tothelustsofmen,orpollutethemtopleasethegreatestonearth.

Lastly,MyLordandKing.Hehas subdued them tohimself.Theyhaveacceptedhimas theirKing andLawgiver.His throne is in their hearts,and his laws are there; and therefore they can do nothing contrary totheir allegiance to him, command it who will, under the most severepenalties.Andinthestrictobservationofhislaws,theymayexpectsuchprotectionandprovision fromhimwho is theKingofkings, ashe seesgoodforthem.

The saintsmay plead this relation to him and interest in him, for theyreallyhave it.Though their real statebe capableofdegrees, andone is

more holy than another, yet this honour have all the saints, and thatequally.HeisasmuchtheLord,God,Husband,andKingofthemeanestsoever,asofthestrongest.Andtheyoughttopleadit.

1.ItisverypleasingtoGod,Jer.3:4.Godlovestohavehischildrenknowtheir relation to him, and therefore are the Scriptures written and theSpiritgiven,thatwemayknowthethingsfreelygivenusofGod.Weneednotblameanybutourselves,ifwewalkindarkness.Itistheweaknessofoureyesthatkeepsusfromseeingourprivileges,anditrobsGodofthesacrificeofpraise.

2. It is very comfortable and strengthening to the saints themselves, 2Pet. 1:10. This would not only heighten our comforts in the worst oftimes,butheightenourgraces,ourlove,repentance,obedience,ourtrustinhim,anddependenceuponhim.

USE I.O! the happy state of the saints, beyond all theworld. Christ istheirs. Mine is a sweet word, especially when it is joined to the mostgloriousobject.Nebuchadnezzarcouldsay,mykingdom,mymajesty;butmyLord andmyGod, is a note of an infinitely higher strain. This is apropertythatisaboveallother,thatmaycomfortinthewantofall,andwillsupplyallotherwants,and isapropertywhichnonecantake fromus.

2.Letthesaintsimprovetheirfaithtothisdegreeofassurance,thattheymayconfidently,thoughhumbly,callChristtheirLord.Butofthisbefore.Itistheweaknessofthesaints,thattheydarenotsay,MyLord.Itisnopresumption in a gracious soul to say so, who has taken Christ for hisLord.Thoumayestsayit.

1.IfChristbeLordofthyheart,havingthechiefroominthyaffections,Psal.73:25,hastthouseenagloryinhim,thathasdarkenedallcreatedexcellency,sothathereignsinthyaffections,andthyheartishiscaptive,sothatheisdearertotheethanwhat isdearest intheworld?—callhimthenthyLord,forheisLordofthyheart.

2.IfhebeLordofthylife,sothatthouendeavourestcontinuallytolivetohimandnottothyself,nottothylusts,Phil.1:21.Thegreatdesignthou

hast in the world is to please him, and to walk before him to all wellpleasing, in heart, lip and life; and what is displeasing to him, isdispleasingandaburdentotheealso.CallhimthenthyLord.

3.IfhebeLordofthyall,sothatthouartcontenttopartwithallthatisdear to thee rather thanwithhim,his favour,his truths,hiswork, andcause,Luke14:26.Ifthouhastlaiddownthyallathisfeet,tobedisposedofwhatwayhewill,callhimthenLord.

Lastly,LetthepeopleofGodfollowtheirdutytoChristastheirLord,inspiteofalloppositionfromtheworld.Ifthecommandsofmengocrossto the commands of Christ, though they were the highest powers onearth,letusrememberwearetoobeyourLordGodratherthanmen;andletusneverdoathingtopleaseourlordsonearth,thatwilldispleaseourLordfromheaven.Thisday,alas!isadayinwhichthecommandsofourrulersontheministryofthisChurchcannotbeobeyedinthejudgmentofmanyworthyministers,withoutdisobeyingourgreatLordandMaster;thoughothers arenot of thatmind.This threatens to rend thisChurchasunder,toseparateministersfromtheirflocks,andtoshutupmanykirkdoors, and yours among the rest. Prepare for snares, and cleave to theLordwhatevercome. IfGodbafflenot thedesignsofourenemies, theywill not rest here, but having begun at the sanctuary, there will be aproceedingtothecity;andthoughministersmaysmartfirst,professorswill not want their share. But cleave ye to the Lord, to the purity ofdoctrine,worship,disciplineandgovernment institutedbyhimself;andthoughthelawsofmenshouldoverturnallthese,chooseyourathertositby the house of God, though lying in rubbish, than to embrace that inreligionwhichhasno stampbut that of humanauthority, forhe is ourLord,andhisorderswemustobeyonallhazards.

SERMONIII:ForWhomIHaveSufferedtheLossofAllThings

ForwhomIhavesufferedthelossofallthings.-PHILIPPIANS3:8,

THIS is a day in which suffering or sinning is set beforemany in this

church;andthoughourcaseisextraordinary,yetourgoodLordsendsusthis inourordinary,whichgivesanevidenceofadueesteemofChrist,whichthesaintshave.

1.Wehaveinthewords,theapostle'slot,whichtriedhisesteemofChrist,byhis suffering forhim.Hehad spokenmuch to the commendationofChrist,butmanywillgiveChristagoodword,whowillnottakeafrown,anillword,orabuffetforhissake;butPaulsufferedforhim.

Wehavenextwhathesuffered;thelossofallthings.Whenhesaysall,heexceptsnothingwhichmight come in competitionwithChrist, externalgoodthings,yea,andinternalalso,asincompetitionwithhim.Wehavealsothecauseofhissufferings;theywereforChrist,forthesakeofthatpreciousone.

DOCTRINE.God tries, and the saints giveproofof theirdue esteemofChrist,bytheirsufferingthelossofallthingsforhim,astheyarecalledtoit.Therearetwothingsaimedatinthetext,namely,externalgoodthings.Saintssuffer the lossof these twoways forChrist: 1. Inaffection,whentheylosethepredominantaffectiontothem,Luke14:26;whentheheartissofarweanedfromthem,astheyarecontenttopartwiththem,ratherthanChrist.Thisisasuffering,insofarasitisnoteasy,butoppositetonature to be content to let them go for Christ. 2. In action, when theyactuallylosethemforChristandhiscause,andletthemgoratherthanagoodconscience.Sometimesstormsariseinthechurch,soasmenmusteitherpartwithChrist,hisway,andhistruths,orelseletalltheyhavegoforhissake.

Next internalgoodthings.Thesaintssuffer the lossof these inpointofconfidence, when all their confidence is carried off them, and laid onChrist alone.Both of these are aimed at in the text. Iwill now speak awordtothefirst,namely,externalthings.And,

I.Iwilltouchatthosethingswhichthesaintsalwayssufferthelossofinaffection,andofteninaction,forChrist.Theymustlaytheiraccount,

1.With the loss of their credit, esteem, and reputation. "We are fools,"says theapostle, "forChrist's sake."Nonecanbewise to theLord,who

arenotcontenttobetheworld's fools.Nonewillgotoheavenbuttheirreputationwillrunarisksometimeorother.Theworldlywisewill lookupon themasacompanyofweakmen,and thewickedwillbe ready tocount themmadmen.Nay, theymay lay their accountwith their creditgettingajog,evenamongprofessorsalso.

2.Thelossoftheirworldlygoods,Heb.10:34.WhenJosephisflyingfromthe temptation, thedevil takesholdof themantleofworldlysubstance,andtheymusteither leaveChrist,or theyshallnotknowhowto live intheworld.

3.Thelossofeaseandquiet.Sometimestheysiteveryoneunderhisvine,eachathisowntableandfireside,butwhenpersecutionsarisetheymaybehuntedaspartridges,andnothavewheretolaytheirheads.

4.Thelossofoutwardcomfortsandconveniencies.Thesaintshaveoftengot caves for their houses, been exposed to the want of all things, tohunger,thrist,nakedness,withnocertaindwelling-place.

5. The loss of their relations.Husbands dragged from their wives, andwives from their husbands. In such cases they lose liberty, and sufferconfinement, imprisonment or banishment. Racks, tortures, andscourges,areinflicteduponthem,andtheseoftenterminateinthelossoftheir lives, and even after death their bones are not allowed to rest intheirgraves.Nowletusenquire,

II. What it is to suffer these things for Christ. It is to suffer them forChrist'ssake.Thesaintsgetpardon,peace,andeveryblessingfromGod,forChrist'ssake;andtheymusttakestripesandblowsfromthehandsofmen.Butmoreofthis,whenGodgivesanotheropportunity.

November,2,1712.

SERMONIV:ForwhomIhavesufferedthelossofallthings,Part2

ForwhomIhavesufferedthelossofallthings.-PHILIPPIANS,3:8

THElastLord'sday,Itoldyouseveralthings,withthelossofwhichthesaintsmightlaytheiraccountsforChrist.Thereisonething,which,fromexperience,wearetaughttheymaylaytheiraccounttolose,namely,thecountenanceandprotectionofthecivilmagistrateintheirduty.Thisisinitselfagreatloss.AndseeingGodhaspromisedtoachurch,whenheiswellpleasedwithher,"thatkingsshallbehernursingfathers,andtheirqueenshernursingmothers;"thewithdrawingofitmustbeasignoftheLord'sdispleasure.Yea,andifwetracethesinsofrulersthatbearhardonthepeopletotheirfirstspring,wewillfindthatitissomequarrelthatGodhathwiththepeople,2Sam.24:1.Thisshouldhumbleus,andstirusuptoprayforthem,andbedutifultothem,towhomtheLordhassaid,"yearegods,"ineverythingthatisnotinconsistentwithyourdutytoGodhimself.Butthisisatrialtous,whetherwewillregardGodormanmost;and the saints will ever prefer the countenance of the Lord, to thecountenance of the highest powers on earth; and depend upon hisprotectionalone,whentheyaredeprivedofallother.

Itoldyou,likewise,whatitistosufferthelossofanythingforChrist.Isaid,1.ItistosufferforChrist'ssake.2.Forthetruths,theways,andthecauseofChrist.Iwillnowadd,

3. It is to suffer upon Christ's call to suffering. We are not to castourselves into suffering, even for a good cause, at random.We are notlordsofourselves,andthereforemustnotthrowawayourpeace,goods,liberty,or life,butwhenGodcalls for them,andwhen that is the case,thenallshouldbeathisservice.NowGodcallsustoit,whenitisbroughttothat, tosufferorsin."WemustchooserathertosufferafflictionwiththepeopleofGod,thantoenjoythepleasuresofsin,whicharebutforaseason."Ifpeoplecannotgetoverthewatersofsufferingbutinthedevil'sboat, which is always a sieve to sink a good conscience, though itmaysavemen'spersonsandgoods,theymustevenbecontenttoswim.Ifthecrossliejustinthewayofduty,andtherebenowayofgettingbyit,butbygoingoutoftheway,wemusteventakeitupandbegoing.

4. To suffer for the love of Christ. "Many waters cannot quench love,neithercanthefloodsdrownit."Thisismorethanmerelytosufferforhissake.Manyaman,intimeofthechurch'strouble,getsablowforChrist'ssake,thatdeservesitnotattheenemy'shand;for,atthebottom,theyare

even men of their own party, the seed of the serpent, though foundamongChrist'sdoves;merehypocrites,theysutfernotforChrist,seeingit is not for love to him, of which they are void. A Roman spirit mayoutbravedeathitself;arugged,opposingspiritmayputmentosufferthehardest things, rather than yield. Yea, self is such a salamander as canliveinfire,foragoodcause.Thoughwegiveourbodiestobeburned,andhavenotcharity,itprofitethusnothing.Buttheheartsofhonestsufferersarehardenedagainstoppositionofmen,bysoftlovetotheLordhimself;tohiswork,cause,andtruths,forhisownsake."Thou,Lord,hastgivenabanner to them that fear thee, that itmay be displayed because of thetruth."

Lastly,ItistosufferasamemberofthebodyofChrist."Ifanymansufferas aChristian, lethimnotbe ashamed;but lethimglorifyGodon thisbehalf."Therewas ameasure of sufferings laid out forChrist personal,and he alone did bear them: "He endured the cross." But there is ameasureof sufferings forChristmystical,which isdividedamongst themembersofChrist,astheirheadseesmeet,andeveryonemusttaketheirshare;andthus"fillupthatwhichisbehindoftheafflictionsofChristintheirflesh;forhisbody'ssake,whichisthechurch."Somemustgiveinoftheirgoods,sometheirliberty,sometheirblood,tofillupthismeasure.Andthustheysuffer,thatsufferforChrist.Icomenowtothe

III. Thing,Why theLord trysts his peoplewith suffering the loss of allthingsforhim.

1.Becausetherearenothingswhichtheycanlongguidewell,andhewillnot permit them to destroy themselveswith them. The father gives hischildaknifeinthesheath,todiverthimselfwithit;butwithinalittle,thechilddrawsouttheknife,andplayswithit."Go,"saysthefather,"takeitfromhim,forhewillhurthimselfwithit."SoGodgiveshispeopleease,peace, andwealth;andso longas theseare swallowedupwith them intheloveofGod,theycandothemnoharm;butalas!theyoftenchildishlythrow aside the love of the Lord, and solace themselves with the bareworldly enjoyments, and love to these things gets uppermost in theirhearts;thencomesthewordfromtheLord,Takethemfromthem.Suchamanhasmadeapillowofsecurityofsuchathing,heissleepinguponit,andmindsnothiswork:go,drawthepillowfromunderhishead,thathe

sleepnottodeathuponit.Itisnowondertoseewasterswant.Wehavebadlongpeaceintheenjoymentofordinances.Godremovesthatpeace,thathemaymakeusthankfulofthecrumbswhichsometimesfall fromourtables.ThenthewordoftheLordbecomesprecious,whenthereisnoopenvision.

2.Toexerciseandquicken their graces, tomake them thrive thebetterinwardly. "By this, therefore, shall the iniquityofJacobbepurged;andthisisallthefruit,totakeawaytheirsin."TheChristian,likethepalm-tree,orcamomilebed, themorehe isafflicted, themorehegrows.Thefireburnshottestinacoldfrost,andthewindofpersecutionmakesgraceto flame,andblowsaway theashes.Thewatersofafflictioncaston thefacesof faintingChristianshasoftenmade themrecover.Andsure thisgenerationneedssuchanawakening.Sufferingstendtotheconvictionofmen,Jer.2:23,35.Solomontellsus,"thatoppressionmakethawisemanmad;"andagreaterthanheletsusseeitwillmakeamadmanwise,asinthecaseoftheprodigal,Luke15:17.Nodoubt,sufferingswillmakeallofus see faults in our way, which we had no will to acknowledge in ourprosperity.Sufferingsalsomakesinbitter."Thineownwickednessshallcorrectthee,andthybackslidingsshallreprovethee;knowtherefore,andsee,thatitisanevilthingandbitter,thatthouhastforsakentheLordthyGod."SinislikeEzekiel'sroll,sweetinthemouth,butbitterinthebelly.WhentheLordwritesthesininthepunishment,thesmartofthewoundwillmakesinbitter.Itwillthenbeasgallandwormwoodonthebreasts,toweanthechild.Theyarealsoahedgeinthesinner'sway,Hosea2:6.ManyareridingpostawayfromtheLord,tillthecrossmeetthem,astheangeldidBalaam,andmakesthemstand.Andtruly,iftheLorddidnotsowithus,wherewouldwebeinalittletime.ItisGod'sgoodnesstotheChurch of Scotland, that he doth not allow her to have a long time insinning, but takes her quickly, when she is going away from him.AfflictionsalsostirupthesaintstotakeholdofadepartingGod,Hos.2:7.Sufferings are the devil's wedges, driven to separate the saints fromChrist.ButGodmakesthemcordstodrawthemtohim,andmakethemcleavetohimwithpurposeofheart,asthechildcleavestothenursethemorethatoneofferstopluckitfromher.

3.Tolearnthemtolivebyfaith."Iwillalsoleaveinthemidstoftheean

afflictedandpoorpeople,andtheyshall trust inthenameoftheLord."ThereisneversomuchglorygiventoGodinbelieving,asinasufferingtime; the promises of the covenant never smell so sweet as then. Nay,therearemanypromisesintheBible,ofwhichthesaintsnevertastethesweetness till then.While their worldly enjoyments stand entire aboutthem, they live much by sense. While they live at ease in their ownhouses, the shelter that is in that promise, "Lord, thou hast been ourdwelling-placeinallages,"isnotsosweetaswhentheyhavenothingelsetodependupon.Thedailybreadinthepromiseisnotsosweetwhenwehaveplenty,aswhenweareinneedycircumstances.

4.TobearealtestimonybeforetheworldofthesuperlativeexcellencyofChrist,andtherealityofreligion.Whiletheworldseesmenwhomtheycannotdeny tobeotherwisewise and sober, andhaving adue concernabouttheirworldlyenjoyments,yetsufferthelossofall,ratherthanpartwith Christ and his way, it must needs leave a conviction on theirconsciencesof thesethings.While theyseethis, it isa testimonybeforethemtothis,thatChrist'sfavour,andway,arebetterthanalltheworld;preferabletorelations,goods,yea,andlifeitself.Forhisfavourwiththemweighsdowntheworld's frowns;and the testimonyof theirconscience,that bird within their breast, makes the sweetest of all melody. Thisconduct of the saints under sufferings is also a testimony to the life tocome against an atheistical generation. What do they fear, that theychoosesufferingratherthansinning;notthewrathofhim"thatcanonlykill thebody," for sinningwere theway topreserve it;but thewrathofhim"thatcandestroybothsoulandbodyinhell."Whatdotheyhopefor,great things in theworld?No, they losewhat theyhave, they thereforelookforarewardandrecompenseinanotherworld.Itisalsoatestimonytothepowerwhichthereisinreligion,toweantheheartfromtheworld."Jobisbutadissembler,"saysthedevil,"butputforththinehandnow,and touchall thathehath, andhewill curse thee to thy face."But Jobmakes the devil a liar. There is a power in religion,whichmakes themsuffer the lossofall. It in likemannerestablishes thisgrand truth, thatthereisapowerinreligiontomakemenlivewithoutthesethings,whichthecarnalworldcannotwant;thatthereisacommunicationbetwixtGodandthesoul,thatcansupplythewantofallthings.Godwilllethispeopleseehecanmakethemliveverywellwithoutthesethings,andhewilllet

theworldseeittoo,John14:19.

5.Itistomakethemlongforheaven,andsotopreparethemforaplaceamong them that stand at his right hand. If they were not so harshlyentertained in theworld, theywouldnotsomuch longtobehome.Buttheruggedwaywhichtheyfindinthewildernessmakesthemlongtoseethe landofCanaan.While theseaof thisworld iscalmto thepeopleofGod,theyareinhazardofsaying,"Itisgoodforustobehere."ThereforetheLordraisethastorm,theshipistossedtoandfro,thentheylongtobeonshoreinImmanuel'sland.

6.Thatwhattheyget,theymaythebetterseefromwhatablessedhanditcomes.God loves tohavehispeopleknowthat theyare inhiscommonforwhattheyhaveinaworld.Whenmenhaveallathand,theydonotsowell understand their holding; therefore he calls in his own benefitssometimes, to keep them from hand to mouth; and make themmanyerrands to the throne of grace, that what they had before in a moreordinaryway,maycometothemasananswerofprayer.

USE1.Ofinformation.Itletsussee,

1.Thatnoman is a saint indeed,buthe towhomChrist isdearer thanwhatisdearesttohimintheworld,Luke14:26.EverychildofGodisamartyreitherinactionoraffection.Grace,whenitcomesintotheheart,soloosethallworldlythingsattheroot,thatifeveritcometothat,thatthemanmusteitherloseChrist,orloseall,hewillsufferratherthelossofallthings.

2.ThatChristhathnothisdueesteemintheheart,wherethemancanbyno means suffer the loss of all for him. The shifting of the cross, bysinningagainsttheLord,howeveritmayprevailsometimesonthesaints,if itbeaman'shabitualpractice,willprovehimtobenoneofhis,foritsaysthattheloveoftheworldispredominantinsuchaperson.

USE2.Of exhortation.Letmeexhort you then tobe ready to evidenceyouresteemofChrist,bysufferingthelossofallthingsforhim,whenhecallsyoutoit.BenotoffendedatthecrossofChrist,butembraceit.Andbe not choosens of the cross. Somewill be willing to part with such a

thingforChrist,butthereisanothertheycannotpartwith.Butyoumustmake no reserve. Alas! that this exhortation is so very seasonable. Thehalfhour'ssilenceintheheavenofthisChurchseemstobeatanend.TheploughthatmadesuchdeepfurrowsonthebackofthisChurchformerly,stands now yoked again; the cords of it, which the Lord cut, are knitagain,andhowsoonthewordmaybegiventodriveon,weknownot.Butifitwereoncesetagoing,itisverylikeitmaymakedeeperfurrowsontheback of the Church of Scotland than ever it yetmade since her youth,though we hope it shall be loosed sooner. Idolatrous papists andsuperstitions bigotsmake furious drivers. "Let us contend for the faithonce delivered unto the saints," and cleave to that purity of doctrine,worship, discipline, and government, towhich this Church hath by themercy ofGod attained; towhich she stands engaged by the covenants;andwhichhasbeenhandeddown tous, sealedwith thebloodofmanymartyrs."LetusstandfastinthelibertywherewithChristhathmadeusfree."LetouresteemofChrist,histruths,waysandwork,bedisplayedinoursufferingthelossofallthings,ratherthangiveupwiththem.

MOTIVE1.WewillbetrayChrist'scause,ifweshifthiscross.Andwoebeto that man who doth this. It is impossible in the way of God'sdispensationlaiddownintheScripture,thatthechurchshouldcontinueintheworldwithoutsufferings."ForwemustthroughmuchtribulationenterintothekingdomofGod.Yea,andallthatwilllivegodlyinChristJesus, shall suffer persecution." Do we think that ever the seed of thewomanandtheseedoftheserpentwillbeatpeace?thatevertheshipofthechurchwillgettothehaven,withoutthedevil'sraisingastormtosinkher?WherehadChristianitybeenthisday,iftheprimitiveChristianshadcompliedwiththeirpaganpersecutors,andrefusedtosuffer?WherehadtheProtestantreligionbeen,ifbloodycrneltiescouldhavefrightenedourancestors intopopery?AndwherehadourChurchbeen thisday, if thefining, imprisoning, banishing, executing of the opposers of abjuredprelacy, had frightened all into a tame compliance with the course ofdefection then carried on. So thatwhosoever shall choose to sin ratherthansuffer,will forhispartgiveChristandhisworkfreedomtodepartoutofourcoasts.

2. Consider the danger of apostacy from the good ways of the Lord,

becauseof thecross. "Ifanymandrawback,"saithGod, "mysoulshallhave no pleasure in him." This makes men unsavoury salt, witheredbranches,andordinarilyendsinthecandleoftheirlifegoingoutwithastink:eithergoingoffinfearfulstupidity,orhorror."Holdfast,then,theform of sound words as ye have been taught" for many years, andhowever youmaybeafterwards trysted, let it appear that youhavenotheard nor professed in vain. And though grievous wolves enter amongyou,letitbeseenthatyouareChrist'ssheepthatdiscernhisvoice,andthat will not refuse even his fire mark, rather than to be marked foranother.

3.ConsiderthatwhateverChristshallmarkoutforhis,amongthethingsyou have, whenever he has said, give up with it for me, it will not beworththekeepinglonger.Forwhat?Itwillbelikethemanna,whichthepeople kept until the morning, against the express command of God,whichstankandbredworms.TheplagueofGodwillbeinit,anditwillnever after do you good. "It is a snare to themanwho devoureth thatwhichisholy,andaftervowstomakeinquiry."IfChristshallsay,Man,giveupwithyourease,goods, liberty, life, forme; thouhadstbetterbeharrassed, tossed and stripped of thy substance, than be at ease in thyownhouse,amidstallthyenjoyments.NothingintheworldcanbemoretousthanwhatGodmakesitbe.Wecangetnogoodofwhatwehave,butwhatgoodnessGodputsinit.Butinthisthesubstanceisoutofit.Anevilconsciencewillputasting in it,andeithersilentlyorviolentlysuckthesapoutofit.

4.WhatislostforChristwillbethesurestandbestlaidoutthinginyourpossession.It isgoodlendingtotheLord.Youwillhavehisbondforit."And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, orfather,ormother,orwife,orchildren,orlands,formyname'ssake,shallreceive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit eternal life." See here theinterestsecured,andthatisaveryextraordinaryinterest,anhundredforone. That is peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, sweetcontentment,withany thing that is left,andablessing in it.A little forpresent support, served up in the dish of a promise and a particularprovidence,whichyouwillseeasifyousawthefaceofGod;whichisanhundred-fold better than any thing lost for him. See also the principal

secured,butexchangedintoeternallife,inheaven.

November9,1712.

SERMONV:SufferedtheLossofAllThings

ForwhomIhavesufferedthelossofallthings.-PHILLIPIANS3:8,

NOW,letmeurge,byafewmotives,thatyebenotchoosersofthecross,butletallwithoutreservebeathisservice.

MOTIVE 1. Absolute resignation of ourselves to the will of the Lord isnecessarytoevidenceoursincerity.Thereisnorealitywherethereisanyreserve,forwhereChristhasthechiefroomintheheart,everythingwillgiveplacetohim,Acts20:24.Thewillmustbethefirstsufferer,ifeveraman suffer to purpose. It must be melted down into an universalcompliancewiththewillofGod.

2.Christ'sstandardwillneverbekeptup in theworldbyacompanyofmen who have any thing with which they cannot part for Christ.Persecutionislikeafire,thatwillburnonandconsume,ayeanduntilitmeetwithsomethingthatwillnotburn.Thewicked'smalicewillnotend,tilltheycangonofarther.

3. It is in some sort all one what we suffer for Christ; for in our ownstrengthwecannotacceptablysufferthelossofanythingforhim;butinhisstrengthweareabletosustainthegreatestloss,andyetsay,"wehaveall, andabound."PeterdeniedChrist, at the voiceof amaid;butwhenstrengthened by his Master's grace, his boldness was so astonishinglygreat,"thateventherulerstookknowledgeofhimthathohadbeenwithJesus."TheLordgivespeoplestrengthsuitedtotheirburden.Itisaseasyforastrongmantoliftastoneweight,asforachildtoliftapound.

4. The small things we lose for Christ, are lost indeed as to divineacceptation, when not willing to part with all for him. He will not beservedbyhalves,noraccordingtoourwill,Mal.1:13;2John8.

Lastly,Christstoodatnoloss,astoohardforus.Hetookthewholecup,andwrungoutthedregsof it.Whathadbecomeofus,hadChristdealtwith the Father, aswe dowith him?No, but hewas content to be theFather'sservantinall,Psal.40.

DIRECTIONS1.Labourtogetyourheartsloosedfromtheworld."Lovenottheworld,neitherthethingsoftheworld.Ifanymanlovetheworld,the love of theFather is not in him."Now if youwould be thus loosedfrom theworld, then let your hearts be going outmore after heaven. Imustput these together, for there isnopartingof them.Theheartwillnevergiveupitsholdoftheworldtillitbetofixonheaven.Soyoumustdowithyourheartsastheydowithchildren,whentheyoffertotakeonethingfromthem,theymustdoitbyputtinganotherthingintheirhand.Nowiftheheartwereloosed,worldlythingswouldfalloffeasily,asripefruitfromatree;andtheaffectionssetonheaven,fitforsuffering,Phil.3:18,19,20.

2.Strivetogetthecoalofholyzealblownupinyourspirits.Abirdshallassoonflywithoutwings,asonesufferarightwithoutzealforGod.ZealisanheatoftheaffectionstoChrist,hiscause,histruths,andway.Itisproperly an affection that is betwixt married persons, by which theyresenttheaffrontsputupontheiryoke-fellow,especiallywithrespecttotheir chastity. "For I am jealous over you," says Paul, "with godlyjealousy,"2Cor.11:2,3.(Greek,)zealousoveryouwithzeal.Andifevertherewasatimeforthiszeal,itisnow,whensomanyarecrying,letZionbedefiled,whentheyaresetting themselves todealwithourmotheraswithanharlot.

3. Study experimental religion.There isnodisputingagainst sense andfeeling.Hencetheunlearned,butexperiencedChristianhasstooditout,whenthedisputersofthisworldhavefallen.Studytokeepupthepowerof godliness, communion with God in duties, and to feel the power oftruth upon your hearts. Personal holiness in men's private walk is anexcellenthelptotheirkeepingrightinpublictrials.

4.Renewyourrepentance,and let therebenostandingquarrelbetwixtGod and you. Unmortified, unrepented sin, leaves a sting in theconscience, deprives us of confidence with God, and so unfits us for

bearingthecross.

Lastly,Livebyfaith."Thejustshalllivebyfaith."Letfaithbeemployedtocast your burden on the Lord; the burden of your duty, protection,provision, and through-bearing on Christ, and to keep in your eye thepromisedreward,Heb.11:26.

Ishouldnowcometospeakofthesethingsofwhichthesaintssuffertheloss, in point of confidence, for Christ. But I have before, on the thirdverse,spokenofthesethings,internalandexternal,withwhichtheygiveupinpointofconfidence.Iwillonlyhintattwothings:

1.The saints suffering the lossof their sufferings forChrist, inpointofconfidenceinthem.Sirs,youheardwhatyoumaybeobligedtoloseforChrist;butIwilltellyouonethingmorewhichyoumustgiveupforhim,whenyouhavesufferedthelossofallthese;andthatis,allconfidenceintheseyoursufferings,orelseyouwill losethemall indeed;aswhenyouhavedone,sowhenyouhavesuffered,"youmustsayyouareunprofitableservants."Theywillperishintheirsufferings,whomaketheirsufferingstheirconfidencebeforetheLord.Consider,

1.Thishasbeenthewayofallhonestsufferers,Gal.6:14;compare2Cor.11:23.SeealsoRev.7:14,15.Whentheyhave lostall forhim,theyhaverenouncedconfidenceinall,andflednakedtothehornsofthealtar,anddurst not plead for his favour for their sufferings, but for the Lord'ssufferings.

2.Topleadupon sufferings forChrist is adreadfulmarkof a gracelesssufferer,Matth. 20:12–16. It is a signmen seek themelves and not theLord in their sufferings, therefore they get their penny, the credit andreputationamongthesaintsthattheywereseeking,andthatisall.

3.WhatistheLordobligedtous,whenwehavesufferedthelossofall?Havewedonemorethanourduty;yea,thanourinterest ledusto?Ifabeggarshouldcomein,andcravehisalmsasdebt,because,forsooth,hestood at your door, and would not go away, though a heavy rain wasfallingonhimallthetime,whatwouldyouthinkofhisplea?Soitiswithus,ifwepleadthemeritofoursufferings.

4.Noneofoursufferingswillabidethetrialofthelaw,sothatinourbestperformancesthatwaythereissintocondemnus.SothatifGodwouldenter into judgmentwith us for our sufferings, wewould be ruined bythem.Thegreatestpatiencewantsnotamixtureof impatience,andthestrongestfaithsomeremainingunbelief.

Lastly, It is our honour to suffer for Christ, and considering ourunworthinessandsinfulness,wemaywonderifeverGodhonourthelikeofustobearhiscross.Andthereforesuchpersonsaredeeperindebttofreegracethanotherpersons;becausethattheyhadanythingtoloseforChrist,whichmanyhavenot,andthatwhentheyhadit,theyhadahearttopartwithitforhim.

2. I would take notice of the difficulty of parting with these things, inpointofconfidence.Suchadifficulty itwas to theapostle, that itwasaperfectsufferingonhispart.Hehadadifficultyinrenouncingthem,butyethedidit.

1. It isdifficult, for it isabovenature todo it. It isharder foraman torenounceconfidenceinhissuffering,thanitistosuffer;orinhisdutieswhendone,thanitistodothem.Thelatterarenotbeyondthepowerofnature,theformerare,Phil.3:3;Matth.5:3.Theinfluenceofthelawmaybearamanouttothelatter,butgospelgraceisnecessarytotheformer.

Itiscontrarytonaturetodoit.Notonlynaturecannotdoit,butcannotbutresistthedoingofit.Naturebendsalwaystothewayofthecovenantofworks,whichwastodependuponthegooddonebythemanhimself,andisoppositetothewayofbelieving,whichcarriesamanoutofhimselftoChrist.Thisisasufferingtoaproudheart,tohaveitsbeautifulfeathersthuspulleddownandtrampledinthedust.Tobeobligedtoanotherforlife,whileitthoughtithadasufficiencyofitsown.TobeatpainstodoandsufferfortheLord,andafteralltobeobligedtorenounceall ithasdoneandsuffered,andbetakeitselftothedoingandsufferingofanother:toworkforthewinningofheaven,andthentooverlookallasiftheyhaddone nothing. It is no evidence of acquaintance with the heart, wheremen findnothingof thisdifficulty.Thisweedgrows inallmen'sheartsnaturally,howeverfewdosweatatthepluckingitup.Amen.

SERMONVI:Anddocountthembutdung,thatImaywinChrist.

Anddocountthembutdung,thatImaywinChrist.-PHILIPPIANS3:8,

MANY are mistaken in their first accounts, and therefore throw awaywhat they would gladly take up again, when they havemade a secondreckoning.Sucharethefoolishbuilders,Luke14:29.Buttheapostle,whofirstcountedallloss,andthenpartedwiththemforChrist,uponareviewcountsthembutdungordog'smeat,suchthingsasareonlyfittobecasttothedogs:andsorepentsnothispartingwiththem,buttakeshisheartawayfromthemall,thathemaygainChrist.Thiswashisgrandobjectintheworld, towhichall thingsbehovedtoyield.AndgainingChristwiththelossofall,countshimselfagreatgainer.

DOCTRINEI.ItistheChristian'sgrandobjectintheworld,andshouldbethegranddesignofeveryone,towin,orgainChrist.

O,mybrethren!whatisyourgrandobjectordesignintheworld?whatisthe great business which you have in view? No doubt it is to winsomething.Butwhatisthatsomethingwhichyouchieflysetyourselvestowin?Isittowinpreferment?towinanestate?astocktoyourselves,andyourfamiliestoliveupon,afteryou?Towinalivelihood?Aretheseyourgrandobjectsintheworld?Ifearmostofusrisenohigher.Thesearetoomean, toogrovelling.Ishewyouamoreexcellentway.Ifyoumakenotthisyourchoice,youwillbefoolsindeed.

I.IwillshewyouwhatitistowinChrist,andhowwearetowinhim.

II.Givethereasonsofthepoint.Letusthen,

I.ShewwhatitistowinChrist,andhowwearetowinhim.

TowinorgainChrist,istogethimtobeours.Togetaninterestinhim,andenjoyhim.Thiswehavealwaystoseektillwecometoheaven,wherewewill have the full enjoyment of him.This is thatwhich is the grand

object of some, and should be of us all. Now this winning of Christimports, thatnaturallywearewithoutChrist,Eph.2:12.He isnotoursnaturally.ThisspiritualrelationtoChristmustbebythesinner'sconsent,whomusttakehimforLordandHusband,andthenheistheirs.Butallnaturallyaredestituteofaninterest inthisblessedtreasure.It imports,also, that Christ is gain. They are great gainers that get him.He is aninestimable treasure, "the treasure hid in the field." "The one pearl ofgreatprice."Theyareenrichedforeverthathavehimtobetheirs.Losewhowill,theyaregainers.Theblindworldseenobeautyforwhichheistobedesired.Butitisnowondertoseethemostgainfulbargainslightedbyfools,whohaveapriceputintotheirhandtogetit,buthavenoheartfor it. It imports that thisgainmaybegot.WemayhaveChrist for thewinning.Thetreasureishidinthefield,theymayhaveitthatwilldigforit.Christisrevealedandofferedinthegospel.Thedoorofaccesstohimis open. The proclamation is made, "whosoever will, let him take thewateroflifefreely."Itisourownfaultifwewanthim.Buttheythatwillhavehimmustwinhimeretheycangethim.Peoplemustnotthinktositat ease, and wait till heaven drop down into their months; or that aninterestinChrist,andtheenjoymentofhim,willbeobtainedbydrowsywishes, with folded hands. No, wemust lay this bargain to heart, andleavenostoneunturnedtomakeiteffectual;nay,inordertowinhim,

1.Wemustworkandwinaslabourersdo."Workoutyourownsalvationwith fear and trembling." Itwill costworking, and soreworking.Whatsevererwork,thanthatofthosewhodiginmines."Ifthouseekestherassilver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thouunderstand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Upthen,youlazysouls,ifyouwouldhaveaChrist;youmustputyourhandtowork;yea,yourheartmustbesettowork."Yeshallseekmeandfind,saith theLord;when you shall search formewith all your heart."GodgivesChristfreely;butIassureyouitistolabourers,nottoloiterers,thatgiftismade.Youwilltoilsoretowinsomethingforthebody,butwhatareyoudoingtowinChrist?

2.Wemustfightandwinassoldiers."Thekingdomofheavensufferethviolence,andtheviolenttakeitbyforce."IfyouhaveamindforChrist,tocome even to his seat, you must fight your way to it. "To him that

overcometh,"saithhe,"willIgivetositwithmeonmythrone;evenasIalsoovercame,andassetdownwithmyFatherinhisthrone."WheneverasoulisonthewaytoChrist,thealarmissoundedinhell,andifthesoulwill have him, it must have him in opposition to flesh and blood,principalities and powers. You must fight your way through the whitebandof theworld'ssmiles,profits,andpleasures;andrefusetobeheldbythesesilkencords,whichthedevilusestokeepsoulsfromChrist;andalso through the black band of temptations, doubts, fears,discouragements, that he will muster up against you; and, by allappearance,theredbandtoo,sothatitmaycostyoutoresistuntoblood,Heb.12:4.SometimesSatangetsplunderings,prisons,tortures,yea,anddeath, set up between Christ and them that would be at him; but youmust fight andwin, saying, in all these things, "we shall bemore thanconquerors,throughhimthatlovedus."

3.Wemustwrestleandwin,asthosedowhostriveforthemastery,Eph.6:12–14.Therewillbeacombat, inwhichyoumustbeengagedagainstyour own lusts, "for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spiritagainsttheflesh."Ifyoutamelyyield,trulyyouwillneverwinChrist.Youmust inhis strength cast themdown, get themnailed tohis cross, andmakeyourwayoverthem,totheenjoymentofhimself.Youmustcutoffrighthands,andpluckoutrighteyes,thatyoumaywinChrist.

4.Wemustrunandwinasracersdo."Sorunthatyemayobtain.""Layasideeveryweight,andthesinthatdothmosteasilybesetyou,andrunwith patience the race set before you." There is a race proposed by theLord,namely, theprofessionof the truth, andpracticeofholiness.TheLordChrist and his apostles opened the race, and ever since that timetherehavebeenmanywhoengagedtorunthatrace.Butassoonasitwasopened,thedevilplantedthornsontheraceground,kindledfires,setupgibbets,laidmisery,shame,grief,poverty,andtemptationsofallsortsintheway.Manyfell,manyturnedback,agreatmanyrunfaintly,butallgoforwardthatwinChrist.Intheworld,mensupposebuttwofixedpoints,the highest and the lowest; the bodies betwixt the two are in continualmotion. In the rationalworld, theglorifiedare in thehighestpoint, thedamnedinthelowest.Bothfixed,neitherofthemcangofarther.Wethatarebetwixt the two,are inmotioneither toheavenorhell. Ifwewould

winChrist,then,letussetourfaceheavenward,andrunandwin.

5.Wemust tradeandwinasmerchantsdo. "Thekingdomofheaven islikeuntoamerchantmanseekinggoodlypearls;who,whenhehadfoundone pearl of great price,went and sold all that he had, and bought it."And,asspiritualmerchants,wemustbeatpains;wemustexchangeandwin,astheydo.TheythathaveamindforChrist,havemuchbusinessinthe royal exchange of heaven.And youwill say theywin indeed, if youconsiderwhattheyexchangewiththeLord."Anewheartalso,"sayshe,"willIgiveyou,andanewspiritwillIputwithinyou;andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andwillgiveyouaheartofflesh."Christtakesoff theirrags,andgives themhisrobesofrighteousness.He freesthemfromthecurse,andsendsthemawaywiththeblessing.Youmustalsosellandwin,asmerchantsdo.Ihadoccasion,onanothersubject,totellyouhowyoumustsellallyouhaveatthemarketoffreegrace,Mark10:22,andcondescendedontheparticularswhichyouaretosell.Besurethisisagainingtrade.

Youmustalsobuyandwin,asmerchantsdo.I findthreethings,whichthe spiritualmerchant,whowouldwinChrist, is thisday called tobuy.Precious truth. "Buy the truth,andsell itnot." It canneverbe toodearbought;whateverpeoplemaypayforit,theyaregainers.Thisisliketobeatimeforsellingof thetruth,andpersonsofJudas' tradewillneverbewanting,saying,"whatwillyougiveme,andIwilldeliverhimuntoyou."Butletmengetforitwhattheywill,theywillfindatlengththattheyhavemadeafool'sbargain,andtheywillbelosersattheendoftheday."Forwhatisamanprofited,ifheshallgainthewholeworld,andlosehisownsoul?Orwhatshallamangiveinexchangeforhissoul?"Asecondthingyououghttobuy,isprecioustime."Redeemingthetime,"saysPaul.Wehavehad a long time of selling it, and squandering it away, thoughwehavenotenrichedourselveswiththeprice.Wehaveallowedourpreciousopportunities of communion with God to go for trifles. But buy againnow, for the days are evil. That is, as the merchant who has foolishlyneglectedhisbusinessmostoftheday,plysitmosteagerlywhenheseesthemarket isnearaclose, ifbyanymeanshemaymakeuphis formerloss.Sodoyou.The third thingyoumustbuy, is theprecious richesofChrist."Icounselthee,"sayshe,"tobuyofmegoldtriedinthefire,that

youmayberich;andwhiteraiment,thatyoumaybeclothed."Hismerit;thatis,goldabletopurchaseheaven.Hisrighteousness;raimentforyoursouls.HisSpirit;salveforyourblindeyes.Itisablessedmarketthis.Youcannotbutbegainers.Hereweare to"buywithoutmoneyandwithoutprice."ForIhopeyouwillnotcountuponrenouncingyourownmerits,righteousness and wisdom, as a price for these things. You must alsoexportandimport,asmerchantsdo.Ourtradetoheavenconsistsmuchinourexport to Immanuel's land.Andwhathavewe toexport,but thehome product of guilt, weakness, poverty and wants. But let us carrythemallawaytotheLord,wewillgainbyit,leavingthemthere.WemustimporttheproductsoftheKing'scountry,consistingofpardonsforourguilt,strengthforourweakness,andfulnessforourwants,andthenwewillgainindeed.Wenowproceed,

II.Togive reasonsof thepoint. It is theChristian's greatobject towinChrist,andshouldbethegreatobjectofall.

1.BecauseifwewinChrist,wegainall.Thisistheshortestwaytomakeupastock,atreasurethatwillenrichusforever,intimeandeternity.Hethoughtsowhosaid,"onethinghaveIdesiredoftheLord;thatwillIseekafter."Soalsodidthewisemerchant,Matth.13:45,46.Hewereafoolishman who would spend his time in making a great number of pettybargains,bywhichhegainedbutlittle,andwouldneglectabargainthatwould make up for all his days, when in his offer. Thou art the man,whosegreatobjectisnottowinChrist.IfyouwinChrist,youaremadeupfor time. "Godliness is profitableunto all things, having thepromise ofthelifethatnowis."Whatwouldyouhavefortime?Wouldyouhavefoodandraiment?winChrist,andyoushallhavethem.WiththekingdomofGodyourgreatobject,"all thesethingsshallbeaddeduntoyou."Itwillbe a very bad time indeed, in which Christ's spouse may not promiseherself foodand raiment. It isnot anuncertain, but sure thing: "Breadshall be given her, her water shall be sure." She wants then only adwelling-place:well,"sheshalldwellonhigh;yea,theLordhimselfisherdwelling-place,inallgenerations."Butsomepeoplewouldhavelandtoo.Thenthereisnosuchsurewaytomakeapurchaseasthis,winChrist.HeisLordof all the land in theworld, and thewhole earth is thine in therightofthyhusband,Matth.5:5.Butwhatwillpeopledoformoney?Win

Christ,andyoushallnotwantit."TheAlmightyshallbethydefence,andthou shalt have plenty of silver." (Hebrew,) gold; and the silver of thystrength.

OBJECTION.Yes,saystheunbeliever,thesearebravewords,butdependupon them, and seewhat theywill bring in to thy treasure, ANSWER.TheyareGod'swords,andhisgoodwordsarebetterthanalltheworld'sgooddeeds.Godgivessomepersons, forwhomhehathnospecialcare,theirportionintheirhand,andsendsthemaway;andothers,hisdearestchildren,hegivesthemthegoodwordsofapromise,andkeepsthemathomewith himself. Say now,who has the best of it,Matth. 25:34, "YeblessedofmyFather;"(Greek,)youtowhommyFatherhathspokenwell.God's goodwords have always good deeds in their bosom.Hewill notapproveofthosewhosaytotheneedy,"beyeclothed,beyefed,butgivenotthethingsthatareneedfulforthebody."Andwillhebefoundsuchan one himself? No, no. Many of the saints have depended upon hiswords,andtheyhavebeenfedandclothed,andleft theirexperienceonrecord, Psal. 34:6–10.Theyhavedeclared, that like thedisciples, "theyhad lacked nothing." Themistake of the unbeliever is, he thinks God'sbondcannotbepaid,unless itbepaid incash, theverything itself.No,God can make it out another way, and his people can say, "as havingnothing, and yet possessing all things." Had Moses any reason tocomplain,whenhewantedmeatfortydays,whenGodsosupportedhim,thatheneededitnot.Adamlivedverywellatfirst,whentheheavenwastheroofofhishouse,theearthhisfloor,thegrasshisseat,andtheshadeof trees his bed-chamber.Hedidnot complain of thewant of a house,when God was his God, and he was so provided. Stamped leather hassometimesgoneformoney,andtheythathadenoughofitwereevenasrich as they that have the silver and gold now; and if itwas as good, IhopeyoumayallowtheAlmightyhimselftobebetterthangold.

Again, thou art made up for eternity. "Godliness is profitable unto allthings,havingthepromiseofthelifethatnowis,andofthatwhichistocome."Comedeathwhenitwill,thylodgingistakenupontheothersideofJordan.ThouhastwontheLordofthelandtobethine,howcanstthoubebutwelcomethere?John14:2.Thelawcannotlayaughttothycharge,forhehassatisfied it,andthoumayestsay,"IamcrucifiedwithChrist,

nevertheless I live."Justice cannotapprehend thee, for thedebt ispaidandChristhasgotupthydischarge.Whenthegainofotherpeople,whoarewinningtheworld,isatanend,thygainisbutinsomesortbeginningtocomein,butitisagainthatwilltelloutthroughtheagesofeternity.

2.BecauseifwewinnotChrist,wewinnothing,weloseall.Weloseoursouls,andwhereisourgainthen?Matth.16:26.WithoutChrist,withouthope,forheistheonlywaytotheFather,John14:6.Thewisepeopleoftheworldneednotboastoftheirwinning;theyarepennywiseandpoundfoolish,winwhattheywill,seeingtheywinnotChrist."Whatevertheyarewinning, there is a thousand times more going to destruction in themeantime.Wouldhebeawisemanthatwouldgoabroadintheharvest,and while he is winning by some little bargain, his whole crop in themeantimeisshakenwiththewind,androttenwiththerain.Thatisthycase,Oman!thouartabroadwinningtheworld,butallisgoingwrongathomewithin thy own soul. And when thou comest home to thyself, atdeath,orotherwise,itwillbesad.Whateveryouarewinning,isbutlikechildrenwinningof their fellows, thatwillnevermakethemrich,neverbuymeatnorclothes to them. It ismoney"for thatwhich isnotbread,and labour for that which satisfieth not." A thousand worlds will notpurchaseapardon;aheaventoyou,withoutwhichyouwillbemiserable.Itisapoortrade,whereamanisnotwinningChrist.Itwillneverbringhimtheonethingnecessary,andwhatwinningcanbethere?

Whateveryouarewinning,ifyouwouldcountwhatyougiveout,aswellaswhatyougetin,youwouldfindallyourwinningisworsethannothing.Countyourdays,yourprecioustime,preciousopportunitiesofgraceandsalvation,yourprecioussoulslaidoutinwinningthethingsoftheworld,butnotChrist;eachofwhichisfarmorepreciousthanwhatyoucanwinthatway,andyouwillseeyouwinnothingbythebargain,butaregreatlosers.

USE1.Itreprovesseveralsortsofpersons;andfirst,thosewhoaretakenupaboutnothingbut towin theworld,utterlyneglecting towinChrist,andtogetaninterestinhim.Thereislittledifferencebetweensuchandthebrutes.Theywork,andeat,andsleep;thesearetheallofthebeasts,andtheallofsomewhoareworsethanthebeasts.Theyneverseriouslysetthemselvestogetmattersrightfortheirsouls.Itweretheiradvantage

thattheycoulddieasthebeasts,astheylivelikethem.

YouwhosebusinessitistowinChrist,butitisnotyourmainbusiness.Itisbutabye-handworkwithyou.ItistheworldthatisneareryourheartsthananinterestinChrist,andtheenjoymentofhim.YouwalkwithGodatalladventures.AssureyourselvesthatnomanwillstumbleuponChristbyaccident,orsnapperintoheaven,orfallintoitbyguess.Ifyoumakeitnot your chief business, youmay gain a name, but you will never winChrist.

Thosewho sell the truth and a good conscience, that theymay get theworldkept.Peoplethatwillsailwitheverywind,andkeepalwaysonthesidethatisupmostintheworld,arenotinthewaytowinChrist;"Forwecan do nothing against the truth, but for the truth." Take heed toyourselves, our time is like to be an ensnaring time.Youwill be fair tolosetheworldanditscountenance,ortoloseChrist.Butbeyoureadytoletallgowhichyoucannotholdinhisownway,withhisfavour.

Thosewhowillnotstandtosellsoulandconscience,towinsomethingofthe world, if they can but get their hands on it. They are careful fornothing but their credit, which is in hazard too, if so be they can gainsomelittlethingintheworld.Itseemswehavesuchpersonsamongus,bythefrequentcomplaintspeoplearemakingoftheirlossesthatway,notonly by picking, but stealing. May the good Lord discover them for aterror toothers!O!howarepeople'sconsciences thusseared,and theirheartshardenedtodefythatcurse,thatrollofcursesthatGodhassaidhewill send into the house of the thief, Zech. 5:4; that bill of eternalexclusion from heaven, passed against the unrighteous, 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.Readtheirdoom,Deut.29:19,20.

USE2. I exhort you tomake it yourmainbusiness in theworld towinChrist.Considerthisisthewayinwhicheverypersonmaywin,thepooras well as the rich. It is not much the most part of us can rationallypropose to win to ourselves in the world. It is difficult to win much,unlesspeoplehaveagoodstock,andbeverydiligentalso.Butcomehereandwin,evenyouthathathnomoney.

Youhavebeenatpainstowinsomethingoftheworld.Someofyouhave

won,someofyouhavelost;manyofyouhaverealdifficultytowinyourdailybread.Youhave tried theone,will younotdo somuchas try theotheralso.Sirs,ifyouwillnot,yourtoil,sweat,andweariness,inwinningtheworld,willbeawitnessagainstyoubeforetheLord,thatyoucouldbeatpainsforotherthings,butatnopainsforChrist.

This is theshortestwayofwinning.Nomanwillchoosethewinningbymany small bargains, when he canwin all that andmore by one greatbargain.Thisisthecase,winChristandyouwinall.Inshort,itisasafeand sure way of winning. The best traders that ever carried onmerchandisehavelostofsomebargains;butneveronewasaloserhere.YouwillbesuretowinifyousetyourselftowinChrist,andyourwinningwillbebeyondyourexpectation.

Lastly, It is a durable winning that can never be lost. People will bewinners one year, and lose all that andmore, another year;win of onebargain,and lose it againof another:butwinChristonce, andyouwillneveragainloseyourwinning.

USE.3.Oftrial.YoumayseewhetheryoubeChristiansornot.Trywhatisyourgrandobject.IsittowinChrist,ornot?Youmayknowitbywhatfollows.

DOCTRINE.II.TheywhosegrandobjectintheworldistowiaChrist,willcount all but dung that comes in competition with this bargain. Forexplicationofthis,theywillcount,

1.Nothingtoomuchforhim,butbecontenttohaveChristonanyterms.Theywillsay,"Lord,whatwiltthouhavemetodo."Dungisaworthlessthing,thatnobodymakesaccountof.Theywillthinknopainstoomuchforhim;andtheythatthinkotherwise,neversawtheworthofthepearl,Prov.2:4,5.Theywillhangonabouthisdoor,andthinktheyspeedwell,iftheybeheardatlength.Theywillcountnocosttoomuch.Sometimesmen have a cheap religion; but it is not to be supposed that they willalwaysgettheLordservedwiththatwhichcostthemnothing.ItisverylikethatGodwillhaveacostlysacrificeofthehandofthesenations;towhichbothhisownpeople,andtheenemiesofreligionandofhiswork,shall be obliged to contribute both of their goods and of their blood.

These lands are defiled with blood. So many murderers escapingunpunished; and the blood of the saints shed in these nations remainsunpurged,thoughitisliketheremaybemoreputtoit,andthelandmaygetbloodtodrink.ItnearlyconcernsusthatGodhathsaid,"Iwillbringasworduponyou,thatshallavengethequarrelofmycovenant."Wehavemixedwith thenationsand learnedof them theirways, and justlymaythe Lord send the instruments of his vengeance from the places fromwhichwe have brought the atheism and profanity of the day. But costwhatitwill,thesaintswillthinknothingtoomuch,soastheywinChrist.

2.Costwhatitwill,theywillnotthinkthattheyareevenhands,butthattheyaregainers, if theycanwinChrist.WhateverbelaidinthebalancewithChrist,itisbutsomuchdunganddrossforsomuchgold.Theymustlay out for Christ, lusts dear as right eyes; yea, it may be also goods,liberty,andlife.Thecarnalworldcannotseehowtheycanholdtheirownwith such trading, and thereforewill trade no suchway. But hewhosegrandobjectistowinChrist,considersitthemostgainfulbargain;evenahundred-foldgotin,foronegivenout,Matth.19:29.

3.Havewhattheywill,theywillcounttheyhavenothing,whiletheyhavenotChrist.Whatavailbarns,andcoffersfullofdung,toaman?Whatdofoodandclothing,richesandhonour,avail toamanwhoseestheneedandtheworthofChrist?Willhenotbereadytosay,whatwiltthougiveme,ifIgoChristless?Thesethingscandonomoretomypoorsoul,thandung to my body. Could the soul dwell and feed with the swine, theywouldhave enough,while theyhavedog'smeat.This says, fewmake ittheir grand object to win Christ, seeing somany can live and reign askingswithouthim;andgivethemtheworldandtheirlusts,andtheyhavethedesireoftheirhearts.

4.Winwhat theywill, theywill count theywinnothing, if theywinnotChrist. It is but dung they can win that way. The world thinks godlypeople fools, while they care not for winning, as they do. But see theworld's fool's, while they lose so egregiously, yet count themselvesgainers.Achanwasnogainer,whenhebrought intohistentawedgeofgold,andaweightofwrathfarheavierthanthewedge.Thatmeatisbutdog'smeat, thathasabone in it to stick in the throatof theeater.Theopenfieldsarebetterthanahouseinwhichbrimstoneisscatteredonthe

habitation. Wealth, with the want of God's favour, is but dung incomparisonofwant,withGod'sgoodwill.Iamafraidtherearebutfewwhocountthisway.

5. Be about them what will, if Christ be not in them, they will countthemselvesloathsomewithitall,likepersonsthathavenothingbutdungabout them, Job 9:31; therefore they countwickedmen vilemen, Psal.15:4. Rags, with righteousness, are more desirable to them than robesand gay apparel,where there is a naked soul.What is a throne for thebody but dung,while Christ has not the throne of the heart; or riches,whilemenarenotrichtowardGod.

6.Beintheirwaywhatwill,tohinderthemfromChrist,theywillshovelitoutof theirwayasdung, rather thanbekeptback fromChrist,Song8:6.7.Himtheycannotwant,himtheymusthave. "Castyeup,castyeup,prepare theway; takeup the stumbling-blockoutof thewayofmypeople."TheymustbeatZion;andiftheyshouldcuttheirwaythroughrocksandovermountains,theymustbethere; ifaRedSeawerebeforethem,itshallnotstopthem.O!howeasilyarethemostofuskeptbackfromChrist!Littlethingwillstandbetwixthimandus,whichwewillbeasloathetocastoutofourway,asifitweregold.

Lastly, If they cannot shovel it out of their way, they will tread andtrampleonitasdung,thattheymaywinChrist."ThusLevisaiduntohisfather, and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did heacknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children; for they haveobserved thy word, and kept thy covenant." The street of the NewJerusalemislaidwithgold,forthecitizensthereofwilltreadongold,andonwhatismostvaluableintheworld,thattheymaygetforwardtoGod.Ifwatersbe intheirway, theywillpass throughthem;andif fires, theywillwalkover them, and therefore all the travellers toZion "have theirfeetshodwiththepreparationofthegospelofpeace."

USE 1.Of information. This lets us see that there are few in theworldwhose grandobject is towinChrist; so far are they fromcounting thatdung which comes in competition with Christ. Nay, instead of that,peopleareworshippingdunggods,sotheoriginalcallsidols.Thegodsofmanyarenootherthangodscomingoutoftheearth.Itistheearth,and

whatisinit,thathasmostoftheirhearts.Thebellyisthegodofmany,theworldof others, for covetousness is idolatry; yea,who is the godofthisworld,butthedevil,Beelzebub;thatis,thegodofdung,(Syriac.)

Theyarealsowallowing in themireofprofanity,2Pet.2:22.Mire, theword properly signifies the dung that is carried out of stables inwhichswinewallow.Andwhataretheseprofanecourses,butthatwhichcomesoutofthevilestableofanunrenewedheart,Mark7:21.Andalas!manywashed swine are found there,who sometimes appeared another thingthantheyarenow.

Theyare loading themselveswith the thick clayof theworld,Hab.2:6.Takingacompleteburdenoftheworld,pressingthemsothattheycannotgetuptheirheadstowardheaven.Surelythesecountnottheworlddung,or less of it would serve them. The cares of it stretch theirminds liketenterhooks,andareSatan'scordsbindingthemdowntotheearth,thattheycannot liftuptheirsoulstotheLord.Thusthehousesofmanyarebutdunghills,whereallisfortheworld,nothingforGodandthemselves,butdungtofattentheearth,nottohelptoreplenishheaven.Dustistheirmeat, for they are the serpent's seed, Isaiah 65:25. That is to say, theyfetchtheirsatisfactionfromtheirlusts,theycannotrejoiceinGod,norinthe ways of holiness. These things are tasteless to them, and nothingrelisheswiththem,butthehusksofsin,whichtheswineoftheworldeat.

Finally,Theworshipofmanyisbutdungandloathsome.Godsaystothein, "I will spread dung on your faces, even the dung of your solemufeasts."There isnothingofspirit in theirworship.It isbuta loathsomecarcaseofbodilyexercise,which isgood fornothingbut tobecastout.They may value it themselves, for sometimes dung was valued highly,when"a fourthpartofacabof itwassold for fivepiecesof silver,"butGodabhorsit.TherewasagateinJerusalemcalledthedung-gate,Neh.2:13.Suchmaybeinthechurch,buttheywillbecarriedoutatthedung-portbydeath,orotherwise;andseetheirend,"theyshallperishforever,liketheirowndung;theywhohaveseenthemshallsay,wherearethey?"

USE2.EvidenceyourselvestrueChristians,bycountingthus.Therearethree parts of counting, which the carnal world cannot learn, butChristianslearnthemattheschoolofChrist:

1.Countingdays."Soteachus,"saysMoses,"tonumberourdays,thatwemayapplyourheartstowisdom."Thecarnal,whentheybegintocounttheirtime,theynumberbyyears,andmanyyears,Luke12:19;andhencethey always fool away thepresent time.But theChristianwill countbydays, and these fewdays short anduncertain,Gen.47:9; and "soapplytheirheartsuntowisdom."

2.Countingafflictionsandtrialstobegainful.Thecarnalworldcanmakenothing of these that is desirable, but the total of them is still grief,sorrow, and loss; they cannot see how tomakemore of them. But thegodly are taught to count them light,momentary, and gainful; yea, "asworkingforthemafarmoreexceedingandeternalweightofglory."Theycountthemalljoy,andthattheyarehappythatendurethem,James1:2,and5:11.

3.Countingthingsofthisworld,incompetitionwithChrist,totheirtruevalue. The world is ever completely wrong in this counting. Here theycount theirmites to talents; and instead of fifty, set down anhundred.They count them ever above their worth, better than Christ and hisfavour.ButChristianshavelearnedtocountthematanotherrate,alllossanddungforChrist;andIwouldhaveyoucountso.Consider,

1.HowGodaccountsofthem.TheverdictoftheSpiritconcerningallis,"vanityofvanity,all isvanity.""Richesarethatwhichisnot."Agrippa'sgreatpomp is, in the languageof theHolyGhost,much fancy, (Greek,)Acts25:23.Godisnoaccepterofpersons.NoneofthesetilingscommendustoGod,morethanifwewerenakedandbare;thejudgmentofGodisaccordingtotruth.Consider,

2.Howyouwillaccountofthemwhenyouaregoingintoanotherworld,andwhenyouarethere.Whendeathstaresyouintheface,andgivesyouawarningawayfromallyoupossess,whatwillyouthinkofthemthen?Whenyouareinanotherworld,andstandingbeforethejudgment-seatofChrist,whetherwill graceorgold, robesor righteousness,Christor theworld,beofgreatestvalueinyoureyes?

3.ConsideryouwillneverhonourChrist,andifso,hewillneverhonouryou. Youwill never honour him in your hearts, while you prefer every

thingtohim;norinyourlives,bydoingmuch,orsufferingforhiscause.Amanthatcountsnotthus,isnotfitforsuchatimeasthis,inwhichGodseemstobeabouttoput it tothetrial,whatmenthinkof theworld, incomparisonofChrist.

Labour then to get a viewof the glory, riches, and excellencyofChrist,and then you will count all things but dung for him. Ifmen knew theworthofChrist,theywouldthinknothingtoomuchforhim.

DOCTRINE III. They are truly winners, lose what they will, that gainChrist.Toconfirmthispoint,consider,

Whatheisinhimself.HeisGod,andsoifhebeyours,Godisyours,forhe is God; the Son of God begotten by the Father, by an eternalunspeakablegeneration, so thathehas life inhimself.He isman,God-man,fairerthanthechildrenofmen.Thehumannatureisunitedtothedivine in thepersonof theSon,andso liesat the fountainhead,as thebowlinZechariah'scandlestick.

2.Considerwhatheistous:

1.WinningChrist,wegainaransomforoursouls."Hegavehimself forus,toredeemusfromalliniquity."IfonewereaslavetotheTurks,whatmatterwhathelost,ifhegainedaransomforhimself.Wearedebtorstojustice,criminals in law,prisonersofSatan,boundover to thewrathofGodbynature.Nowthesoul's redemption isprecious. Ifwecouldgainthewholeworld,thatcouldnotransomus,Hos.13:14;Job33:24.

2.WinningChrist,wegainapurchase.HenotonlyransomsusfromthewrathofGod,butpurchasethheaventous.Hegivesusgoldtriedinthefire,toenrichus.IfChristbethine,hecommunicateshismerittotheeforthyjustification,andtitletoeternallife;sothatitisarighteousthingfortheetogetheaven,2Thess.1:6,7.

3. Winning Christ, we gain a treasure; the treasure hid in the field.ConsiderthatwhateveryoucanloseforChrist,ifyouwinhim,youwinatreasure,whenyoulosebutsomesmallmiteforit.Christisatreasureforpreciousness,everythinginChristisprecious.WhenSolomoncountedall

thatwasintheworld,hesetsdownthetotalintwogreatcyphers,vanityandvexation.Andisthistheprizeforoursweatandcares?Whysoeageronvanity,sofoudofvexation.ButallinChristisprecious.Isnotgrace,pardon,peace,precious?Theywerepurchasedwithhispreciousblood,1Pet.1:19;theyarewrappedupinpreciouspromises,2Pet.1:4.Opreciouspromises!wherehappiness iswraptup inwordsand syllables.Eternitycouchedinasentence!aneternalweightofgloryinaword!Christisalsoatreasure,forvarietyandabundanceofpreciousthings.Thetreasureofworldly things is soon counted.We have the inventory of it, consistingbutofthesethreethings,"thelustoftheeye,theIustoftheflesh,andthepride of life." But it "hath pleased the Father, that in Christ should allfulnessdwell.""Eyehathnotseen,norearheard,neitherhathitenteredintotheheartofmantoconceive,thethingswhichGodhathlaidupforthemthatlovehim."Iwillonlytellyouofthefollowingthingsinit.Thewhole constellation of graces, each more precious than gold, of moreworththanaworld.Thewholeprivilegesofthesaints:aneternalweightofglory.Finally,thewholeTrinity.Christisalsoatreasureinrespectofsecrecy. Hid to the unrenewed world, and even to believers in a greatmeasure. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that,whenheshallappear,weshallbelikehim;forweshallseehimasheis."Buteveninglory,theywillneverseetotheendofit.

4. Winning Christ, we gain that which will turn every thing to ouradvantage."Allthingsshallworktogetherforourgood."Thisisthestonethatturnsalltogold.IfwebeinChrist,deathshallbeprofitabletousasaninlettoeternalbliss;thegrave,aplaceofrest,asGod'sfield,wheretheseedsownshallspringupwithincrease;thewindofafflictionsshalldriveusmorespeedily toourharbour;ourcrossesshallbe forcrucifyingourlusts; our losses shall be our gain to bring an hundred-fold. Thus, in aword,allthingsshallworkforourgood.

5.WinningChrist,we gain an heirship.We "becomeheirs ofGod, andjointheirswithChrist."Morebyfar,thanifwewereheirsofthegreatestmonarchonearth.Bythisyouwillbeheirsofthepromises,youngheirsof glory. Attended by angels, and duly provided for while in yourminority,andatlengthadmittedtoyourinheritance.Yea,allisyours.

6.Thereisnothing,then,whichwehavetoloseforChrist,thatisworthy

tobelaidinthebalancewithhim.Thelossisinfinitelymadeupinhim.What areourworldly goods, in comparisonof thegoodness laidup forthose that are in Christ.May not the relation to Christ and his Fathermakeupallthelossofotherrelations?ThegloriouslibertyofthesonsofGod,makeupthelossofourlibertyintheworld;andaneternallife,ournaturallife.

Lastly,ItisbelowthehonourofGodtoletsinnersbelosersathishand.Hewillnotbebehindwithhiscreatures.Theyshallhavegoodmeasure,presseddownand runningover. "Butnow theydesireabetter country,thatis,anheavenly;whereforeGodisnotashamedtobecalledtheirGod,forhehathpreparedforthemacity.

USE1.Ofinformation.Theworldlymanispennywiseandpoundfoolish."He strains at a guat and swallows a camel."Hewill be loath to lose asixpence, but he can let a talent of glory slip through his fingers. Hewatchethalittlegildedearth,laysitupsecurely,holdsitfastinhishand,nay,inhisheart;buthecanletacrown,akingdom,aheaven,aChristgo.Thoughitisdifficulttobeguilehiminotherthings,hewillbecheatedoutoftheseforatrifle, likeachild.Esauwasacunningman,yethewasaseasilycheatedoftheblessingasifhehadbeenafooloridiot.

2.InatimeofgivingoutforChrist,theyarenotthegreatestgainersthatlosenothingforhim.Whenthetrial isover,andeveryonecounts theirwinning, the greatest losers will be found the greatest gainers. Thegreatest outgiving has the greatest income, as in the parable of thetalents.Alas!whatisthewinningofothers,butthattheyhavesavedtheshoe, but lost the foot; saved the cabinet, but lost the jewel; saved thebody,butlostthesoul;theworldisgained,Christislost.

USE2.Ofexhortation."Buythetruth,andsellitnot."WinChristatanyrate,losehimatnorate.Rememberyoucannotmaketoodearapurchaseinthispoint.TherearethreecasesinwhichIwouldhaveyoutowalkbythisprinciple,

1.Whensincomestoyou,likePotiphar'swifetoJoseph,andoffersyoudeadlypoisoninagoldendish.NowChristandalustareincompetition.Now here is a goodly price offered you for the Lord's favour and

countenance;butsell itnot, forallyoucanmakebyitwillnotclearthecost,but itwillbebitterness intheend.Nowyoumusthavehimat therate of plucking out a right eye, yet buy the truth, assure yourself it ischeapenoughofall.

2.Whenslothcomes toyou,asPeter toChrist, coveringa sharpswordwithwordssofterthanoil,saying,"Master,sparethyself,"whatneedsallthis troubleaboutreligion?Whatneedssuchbitterrepenting,wrestlingin prayer, watching over heart and life? What needs this exposingyourself for a sermon?Now sloth and Christ are come in competition.HereisagoodlypriceforChrist,asoundsleeponthesinner'ssoftbed,away strewedwith roses,pleasant carnal company, andawarm fireside;butsellitnotsocheap:allthatisnotworthonesmileofhisface:nay,ofonecheckfromhim.Takehim,thoughattherateof themostexquisitediligence, the most painful exercise, most difficult and grating to theflesh,andcheapenough.

3.When the enemies of Christ and his work come to you, as the chiefpriests to Judas, offering you thirty pieces if you will betray him; andwhenyouareputtolossinhiscause,say,likeJudastothehonestwomanthatbestowedaboxofointmentonChrist,"Whatneedsallthiswaste?"NowChristandtheworldareincompetition.HereisagoodlypriceforChrist.Youmaykeepwhatyouhave,andalsogetmore;youshallgettheworld's smiles, if youwill venture on his frowns. Let them guideGod'shouseastheywill,andyoushalldwellinceiledhouses.Takethemarkofthebeastinyourforeheads,orinyourhands,andyoushallobtainleaveto buy and sell. But sell him not. The world's offer is not worth thehearing;itisbutdungforgold,countersforpearls.Butinsuchacaseyoucannothavehim,butat theexpenseof theworld'scountenance, lossofmeans, and perhaps liberty and life itself, but he cannot be too dearbought.

MOTIVE. You will get all in Christ that you are seeking to win in theworld,andmore.Ifyouwouldhaveaname,youshallgetone,betterthanthat of sons anddaughters.Would youhavehonour? you shall have it."Him that honourethme," says God, "I will honour."Would you havegold?you shallhave it.Thevery streetsofheavenarepavedwithgold.Amen.

SERMONVII-AndbeFoundinHim.

"Andbefoundinhim."-PHILIPPAINS3:9

HEREisanother thingwhich theapostlehath inhiseye,namely, tobefound in Christ. This supposeth that they who win Christ are in him,unitedtohim,andthattheywhoareunitedtohimwillbefoundinhim,when God searcheth for them. Having before handled the doctrine ofunionwithChrist,Ishallonlyspeaktothis.

DOCTRINE. It should be men's great care, to provide that when Godcomestosearch,theymaybefoundinChrist.HereIshall,

I.Shewhow,orwhenGodcomestosearch,andthesaintsarefoundinChrist.

II.Howandwheretheyshallbefound,thatarefoundinChrist.

III.Givethereasonsofthepoint,andthensubjoinsomeimprovement.Iamthen,

I.ToshewhoworwhenGodcomestosearch,andthesaintsarefoundinChrist. Thisworld is a confusedheap, andmany times the counterfeitsarefoundamongthejewels,undiscerned;butGodhathsearchingtimes,inwhichhewillsearchoutmen."Iwill,"sayshe,"searchJerusalemwithcandles,andpunishthementhataresettledintheirlees,thatsayintheirheart,TheLordwillnotdogood,neitherwillhedoevil."

1.Onesearchingtimeis,atimeofplainsearching,preachingoftheword.ThewordisGod'scandle,whichhekindlestoletmenseethroughtheirstate and condition. "The word of God is quick and powerful, sharperthananytwo-edgedsword,piercingeventothedividingasunderofsouland spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thethoughts and intents of the heart."God carries this candle through theman's spirit, and searcheth him thoroughly. Thus Paul tells us, that bysuch searching preaching "even an unbeliever, or unlearned man, is

convincedofall,heisjudgedofall;andthusarethesecretsofhisheartmade manifest; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, andreportthatGodisinyouofatruth."Nowthefalsewaresofthehypocriteappear naught, the mask is drawn off between God and their ownconsciences,Malachi3:1–3.Butthenthebeliever is foundinChrist, forthewordisneveranenemytothegraceoftheSpirit,"forhethatdoethtruth,comethtothelight,thathisdeedsmaybemademanifest,thattheyarewroughtinGod."

2.Atimeoftemptationisasearchingtime.ThisisasievewhichSatanisallowed tomanage for thediscoveryof the truegrain. "Satan," saidourLord,toPeter,"hathdesiredtohaveyou,thathemightsiftyouaswheat.Sometimes Satan is, as it were, let loose, and temptations abound,iniquityisestablishedbylaw,andthengoodandbadareputtothetrial.Thenthelightcornandchaffappear,beingdrivenawaybeforethewind;the world begins to wonder after the beast, stars fall. Then goes theearthly,carnal-mindedprofessortotheearth;theheady,unsettled,lightprofessor, unstable aswater, falls away; the proud, conceited professorappears as he is, like a tall barren tree. But then saints are found inChrist, sealed and safe; "for it is impossible to deceive the elect," Rev.7:1–3.

3.Aseasonofthechurch'strouble,andofpersecutionforthegospel,isasearching time. A true friend is known in adversity. The stony groundreceives thewordandholdsgreen, till thesunofpersecutionarise,andthenitwithereth.WhenChristridesintriumph,manycry,Hosanna,whowillafterwardscry,Crucifyhim.ManyrunafterChristinadayofpeace,thatwillrunasfastawayfromhiminadayoftrouble.ThisisGod'ssieve,withwhichhesearcheth.Theyarebroughttothewatersofsuffering,andthenbowersdowngoawayback.ButthesaintsarenowfoundinChrist,so that when "Israel is sifted as corn, not the least grain falls to theground."

4.Thetimeofdeathandjudgment:thisisthemainthing,thoughnottheonlythingaimedatinthetext.Possiblysomemayescapealltheformersearches,butnonecanescapethis.NowtheKingindeedcomesintoseethe guests, and if there be but one hypocrite, hewill instantly discoverhim.Atpresentthecornandchaffaremixed,butthenhewillthoroughly

purge his floor. Now foolish and wise virgins cannot easily bedistinguished, but then it clearly appears who are wise and who arefoolish.Nowgoatsandsheepintermingle,butthentheyshallbeforeverseparated. Then the saints shall be found in Christ, and placed on hisrighthand.Wenowproceed,

II.Toshewhowandwheretheyshallbefound,thatarefoundinChrist.

1.Theyshallbefoundinhim,asbranchesinthetruevine,John15:1–6.Beingthusinhim,theyareinnohazardoftheaxeofGod'swrath.Barrentreesmay,andshallbecutdownforthefire;butChristmysticalisatreewhichtheaxemaynot,yea,cannotapproach."ItheLorddokeepit;Iwillwateriteverymomentlestanyhurtit;Iwillkeepitnightandday."Thepruning-knife,indeed,maycometoit,tocutoffthetwigsofcorruption;but this, insteadof injuring,will render itmore fruitful.Theyare innohazard of the wind, blow from what quarter it will. The wind oftemptationandtroublemayindeedshake,butcannotbreaknorremovethebranches thatare inChrist.Theymaybemadebyaviolentblast tosweeptheground,buttheywillneverbebrokenoff.

2.Theyshallbefoundinasanctuary,inaplaceofrefuge."TheLordshallbeforasanctuarytothem."Theyhavefledtohimforrefuge,andsoshallfindshelterintheworstoftimes."Come,mypeople,"sayshe,"enterthouintothychambers,andshutthydoorsaboutthee:hidethyselfasitwerefora littlemoment,until the indignationbeoverpast."WhenGodcameby a deluge to search the old world, he found them all eating anddrinking;Noahonlyhefoundintheark,andtherehewassafe.Theywhoare in Christ, have laid hold on the horns of the altar: law and justicecannotdragthemfromit.Theyarewithinthecityofrefuge,whereonedropofwrathcannotfall.

3. They shall be found under a covert, and in a hiding-place. ThemanJesus shall be to them as an hiding-place from thewind, and a covertfromthetempest.This isacovertofblood,theMediator'sblood,underwhich the guilty creaturemay sit safely, and abide the searchof aholyGod; forhesits there, clothedwithaneverlastingrighteousnes,awhiteraiment,inwhichomnisciencecanseenospot.WhenGodsearchethfortheguiltycreature,but findshimhere,"thenhe isgracioustohim,and

saith,Deliverhim fromgoingdown to thepit, Ihave founda ransom."There is blood sprinkled on the door-post where this man is, andthereforethedestroyingangelmustpassby.

4.Theyshallbefoundinthecovenant,inChrist'schariot,whichisasafeplace, Song 3:9, 10; and so they shall be treated asGod's own friends,evenwhenhecomestorendervengeancetohisenemies,Isa.27:4,5.Wearenow,

III.Togivethereasonsofthepoint.

1.Godwill searchand findout everyoneofus,bewherewewill. "TheKingwillcomeintoseetheguests."Wemaysitateaseawhile,butwemust lay our accountwith a narrow search at last, whichwill trywhatmetalweareof.There isnohiding fromGod."Cananyhidehimself insecretplacesthatIshallnotseehim?saiththeLord:DonotIfillheavenand earth? saith the Lord." Menmay deceive themselves, andmake afigure in theirowneyes,when theyarenaught in thesightof theLord."ButGodisnot,cannotbemocked."Theworldmaybedeceived,sothatonelimbofthedevilmayhateanother,becauseheissolikeasaint.Thesaintsmaybedeceived,whomaytakethemforfullbrethren,whiletheyare not father's children. What if even hypocrites deceive the devilhimself,intheirreligiousfits,Jer.17:9,10;butGodwillfindusout,"forhesearcheththereinsandhearts,andwillgiveuntoeveryoneaccordingtohisworks."

2. IfGod findus, in thissearch,outofChrist,weareundone.Wehavenothingtoshelterus,hewilldrawusoutofourhiding-placesandlurkingholes; takeoff ourmask, and spueusoutofhismouth.Wewillbeputawaylikedross,drivenasthechaffbeforethewind,setamongthegoats,andseparated forever todestruction. "Neither is theresalvation inanyother: for there is none other name given under heaven among men,wherebywemustbesaved."

3.IfwearefoundinChrist,wewillbesafeintimeandeternity,blowthestormasitmay.Temptationsshallnottotallycarryusaway,butweshallbebornupagainstthestream.Troubles,thoughtheygetoverourheads,yetwewillfindhim"thelifterupofourheads,"andweshallgetsafeon

shore. When death comes, it shall be without its sting, seeing we arefoundinChrist;andatthedayofjudgmentweshallberighthandmen,becauseinhim.

USE.LetitbeyourgreatcaretobefoundinChrist.Ourtimeisliketobeasearchingtimeoftemptationandtrouble;andthoughitshouldnot,yetdeath and judgment are abiding us. What should we do to be carriedthrough?Why,ifyoubefoundinChrist,asNoahintheark,LotinZoar;youareinyourchambers,"noevilshallbefallyou,norplaguecomenearyourdwelling."Letnotthesearchingtimefindyouatadisadvantage;allthosewillbefoundso,whoareinsuchatime,

1. Found in an unregenerate state, "dead in trespasses and sins, andwithoutChrist."This is adangerousandsoul-ruiningcase tomeetGodin.GodwillfindthesemenasElijahfoundAhab,"hastthoufoundme,O!mineenemy."Twocannotwalktogetherexcepttheybeagreed;yettheymaymeet together, but surely therewill be sadworkwhen theymeet.Dreadfulwill themeetingbe,betwixtGodandhisenemies.Whenthesemeet,aconsumingfireanddrystubblemeet;ajudgeandacriminal.TheJudgewillsay,"thosemineenemies,whichwouldnotthatIshouldreignoverthem,bringhither,andslaythembeforeme."

2. Be not foundwith the sluggard, in your bed. Be not secure, as Godfoundtheoldworld.ItislikethatGodwillsetfireintothenestsofthisgeneration,itweregoodtoleavethemintime,andshakeoffsecurity;"tohave our loins girt, and lamps burning." Itwas a sad casewith Jonah,whenhewasdrawnoutofasoundsleep,andcastintoaragingsea.Itisawfultofeelcalamities,arewefeartheyarecoming.

3.Benotfound,asdeathfindsthewicked,intheembracesofyourlusts."The wicked is driven away in his wickedness." The Philistines foundSamsonjustrisenoutofDelilah'slap,withouthishair.ThesoftembracesofouridolsdobutmakewayforseverestrokesfromthehandofGod.ItisdifficulttoconceivehowamanmayjustmakebutaskipofitfromtheenjoymentofhislustsintoAbraham'sbosom.Nay,rather,Godwilltakethese filthy garments, cover themwithbrimstone, and set themon fireaboutmen'sears.

4.Benotfound,likeSaul,hidamongthestuff."Layasideeveryweight,and the sin that doth most easily beset you." The world is like a longgarment,whichentanglesaman,andunfitshimtorunandfleefromthewrathtocome.Therichman,whowasthinkingofnothingbutfullbarns,andgoodslaidupformanyyears,wasinasadcasewhenGodfoundhimout.Sitloose,then,totheworld,ifeveryouwouldmeetcomfortablywithGodinthewayofhisjudgments,hereorhereafter.

Lastly, Be not found in the devil's camp, among ill company. "Acompanion of fools shall be destroyed." Lot's sons-in-law might haveescaped, if they would but have left their ill company in Sodom, Gen.19:14, 15. Better go to the house of mourning, than to the house offeasting; the house of trembling, than of riot. "Blessed is theman thatwalketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way ofsinners,norsittethintheseatofthescornful."Butifyouwouldabidethesearchhereorhereafter,thenbefoundinChrist.

1. Be found to be in him, united to him, by his Spirit and by faith.Nostorm can blow down those who are built upon this rock; neither willChrist loseamemberofhisbody, intimeoreternity.Heisthetruearkandrefuge,"noneperishthattrustinhim."

2.Be foundwalking inhim."AsyehavethereforereceivedChristJesusthe Lord, so walk ye in him."Walking with him, before him, after hisexample,"walkingevenashealsowalked."Thisistowalkinthewayofholiness,"withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord."

Finally,Befoundlivinginhim,anduponhim,Gal.2:20.Thosethatliveinandbythemselveswillwither,whenthetreesplantedinGod'shousewillbeflourishing.

MOTIVES, to urge you to make it your main business to be found inChrist,whenGodshallsearchforyouintimeandeternity:—

1.IfyoubefoundinChrist,hewillbefoundinyou,soshallyouhaveadoublesecurityinatimeoftrial;foritisamutualinbeing,John17:21–23.Hewillbefoundinbelievers,asinhisownhouseandlodging.Christhathtwolodgings:oneinheaven."Heinhabitetheternity,anddwellsin

thehighandholyplace."Hehathanotheronearth,thebeliever'sheart."For he dwells with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit."Christhathboughtboth,andhemadeajourneytotakepossessionofthehouseinheavenforus,Heb.6:20;anditisourownhouse,becauseitishis."Itisourhouse,whichisfromheaven."Andhecomestothesinner'sheart,totakepossessionofitforhimself,andwhentheyopentohimbyfaith,hecomesinanddwells,Rev.3:20.Thiswillbeagrandsecurity.Amanwillalwaystakecareofhisownhouse,especiallyinastorm,thatthewindsdonotunroofit,ortherainswasteit.

Christ will be found in you, as in his banqueting-house. The Phariseeswonderedthathewasaguesttosinners;andtheworldwillnotbelieveit,becausetheycannotseeit.God'sownchildrenoftensay,howcanthesethingsbe?Willhecomeintosuchapoorhousetobeentertained,wherethere is little or nothing with which to entertain him? They do notconsiderthatChristbringstheprovisionwithhim.HeissuchaguestasElijahwas to thepoorwidow in a timeof dearth, and feasts them in atime of the greatest trouble. "In the world," says he, "ye shall havetribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome theworld; inme yeshallhavepeace."

Hewillbefoundinyou, inhis fortifiedhouse,asaconqueror.Thefirstthing David did, after he received the kingdom, was to take thestronghold of Zion, which was so well fortified against him, that theythoughttheblindandthelamecouldholditout,2Sam.5:6,7.SoChrist,beinganointedking,setshimself torecover theheartsof theelect,heldout against him as a stronghold, by a blind understanding, and a lameand crooked will. "But he pulls down the strongholds, and casts downimaginations;"andhavingbroughtalltoobedience,hecomesintoholditforhimself.Nowhereisanothersecurity.Willhequithisconquest?No."I give unto them" says he, "eternal life, and they shall never perish,neithershallanypluckthemoutofmyhand."

4.Histemplehouse,astheGodofthetemple.Believersarehistemple;astheKingofGlory,hehathcome in, todwell in theirsouls forever.Thesoulthatwasachapelforthedevil,becomesthetempleofChrist.Therearesacrifices.TheyofferthemselvestotheLord;theirgracesasincense,andheisthealtarthatsanctifiesthegift.Anothersecurity;theyshallbe

under special protection. "His eyes and his heart shall be on themperpetually."Hewillseetoit,thatthetempleshallnotbepolluted;andthough it should be laid in rubbish in a grave, it shall be gloriouslyrebuilt.

5. His garden. "I am come," says he, "into my garden, my sister, myspouse."Theyareagardenofspices,inwhichthepreciousplantsofgracegrow.Thisisanothersecurity."Hewillwateriteverymoment,"hedgeitaboutandpreservethem,asamandothhisgarden,whilehisotherfieldsareexposed,Jer.17:5,6.

6. As a child in themother'swomb. "My little children," says Paul, "ofwhomItravail,asinbirthagain,untilChristbeformedinyou.""Christisinthemthehopeofglory."This isanothersecurity.Themothercannotbeexecutedinlaw,whilesheiswithchild,forthatwouldbethedeathoftwo,whereasherlifeonlyisexposed.

Lastly,Asthesoulisinthebody,Christistheirverylife;helivesinthem,Col.3:4;Gal.2:20;Acts2:25–27.

MOTIVE2.IfyoubenotfoundinChrist,youwillbefoundinabadcasein timeandeternity; ina trying time in this life, and inanotherworld.Youwillbefoundasunderthecurse:laidopentothewrathofGod,asthechafftobedrivenawaywiththewind.

SERMONVIII:Nothavingmineownrighteousness

Not havingmine own righteousness, which is of the law, but thatwhich is through the faith of Christ; the righteousness which is ofGod,byfaith.-PHILIPPIANS,3:9

IN these words, the apostle describes the righteousness in which hedesires to be found and to compear before God, and this is therighteousnessofChrist.Itisnotourown,fortoourownheopposethit.Itisnotourfaith,foritisthroughandbyfaith.ButitistherighteousnessofChrist, through the faith thathathhimfor itsobject.Therighteousness

receivedbyfaith.

DOCTRINE.Christ'srighteousness,receivedbyfaith,isthesinner'sonlysecurity tobedependeduponbeforeGod. It is the sinner'sonly shield,shelteranddefence,fromthewrathofGod.HereIshall,

I.ShewwhatismeantbyChrist'srighteousness.

II.Howitisreceivedbyfaith.

III.Confirmthedoctrine.Iam,

I.ToshewwhatismeantbyChrist'srighteousness,whichisthesinner'sonlyshield.Righteousnessistheresultofobediencetothelaw.Hewhosatisfies the law is righteous, and this shelters from wrath. The greatthing that standsbetweenGodanda sinner is abroken law;andwhileGodis,itwillbeaneffectualbartokeepsinnersoutofheaven,towhichthesinnercannevercomebutwiththegoodleaveoftheholylaw,itbeingoncesatisfied.Forthiscause,seeingsinnerscouldnotsatisfythelawforthemselves,Christundertook todo it for them.Accordingly,he fulfilledit,andbyhisfulfillingit,comesthisrighteousnesswhichisthebeliever'ssecurity.NowChristfulfilledthelawinourroom,

1.Byhisactiveobedience to its commands;perfectobedience toall thecommands. This no mere man since the fall could do, yet it is thatwithoutwhichnomancanbesaved.Itisadebtwhichmustbepaidforeveryone,eitherbythemselves,orbytheirsurety.Thelawsaithtoallthechildrenofmen,"If thouwiltenter into life,keepthecommandments;"that is, keep them perfectly. Alas! then, must all perish? No. Christanswered for his own.What they could not do, he did. Now the law'sdemandsofthesinnerwereveryhigh.

DEMAND1.Thynaturemustbeabsolutelypureandspotless:for if thefountain be poisoned, how can the streams be wholesome. "Who canbringacleanthingoutofanunclean?notone."Alas!thesinnercanneveranswer this.Hehathacorruptednature,andhecannotpurify it. "WhocansayIhavemademyheartclean,Iampurefrommysin."Hewasbornin sin; he cannot get into his mother's belly, and be born over again

withoutsin.Well,Christsatisfiesthisdemandforhispeople,thelawshallhaveallitsasking;thereforetheSonofGodtakestohimselfatruebodyandasoul,bothsinless.Theancientofdaysbecomesaninfantofdays;heisconceivedwithoutspot,bythepoweroftheHolyGhost,andinduetimebornwithout sin.For ashewas inhis life, sowashe inhisbirth,"holy,harmless,undefiled,andseparatedfromsinners."Hisnaturewasnotintheleasttainted,butabsolutelyfreeoftheleastseedofsin.Hereisnow such a birth, such a nature as the law sought, so that demand isanswered,thatbarinthesinner'swayistakenout;butthelawhasotherdemands.

DEMAND 2. Thou must give obedience to every command. Thyobediencemustbeasbroadasthelaw.Onehair'sbreadthlacking,thoushalt never see heaven. "Cursed is every one that continueth not in allthingswhicharewritteninthebookofthelaw,todothem."Alas!whatshallthesinnerdowiththis;therearemanyofthesecommandswhichhedothnotknow,howshallheobeythem.Manyquiteagainsthisnature,as"loveyourenemies."Manythat,werehis lifea thousandtimes lyingonthem,andhewouldsethimselftotheutmostwatchfulness,hewilloftenbreak;suchasvainthoughts,andimpuredesires.

Christhathanswered thisdemand. "He fulfilledall righteousness." "Hedidnosin,neitherwasguile found inhismonth."Hemade the law,hecouldnotthenbutknoweverypartofit;andhefulfilleditineveryiota.Hegaveexternalandinternalobedience;obedienceinheartandlife.Itshardest commands he opposed not; loved his enemies and deniedhimself;notavainwordeverdroptfromhismouth,noravainthoughteverenteredhisheart.

DEMAND3.Everypartofthyobediencemustberaiseduptothehighestdegree and pitch the law requires. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,withallthyheart,andwithallthysoul,andwithallthymind."Itisnotenough that thoube sincere,anddesire todobetter,andbe sorry thoucanstnot.Alas!thesinnercanneveranswerthis,heshallassoonreachtheclouds.Lethimdohisbest,corruptionholdshimdown,soashecannever reach the top. If he be praying ever so fervently, there is alwayssome coldrifeness in the heart. In his purest intentions, self-willinsinuatesitself.

Christ answered this demand. His love to his Father was more thanseraphie.Itwasmostardentlove.Hislovetomenwasincomparable,andwent to the utmost bound of love. "For greater love hath noman thanthis,thatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriends;buthelaiddownhislifefor his enemies." Every one of his actions was absolutely spotless andperfectlyrefined,withouttheleastmixtureofimperfection.

DEMAND 4. All this must be continued to the end, without the leastfailure in one iota,Gal. 3:10. If thou shouldest all thydays live sinless,andatthehourofdeathavainthoughtrunthroughthymind,allisgone.Alas!howimpossible is this!Thesinnercannotkeepperfectlyrightoneyear,day,hour,minute,ifathousandhellswereinit.

ButChristsatisfiedthisdemand."Hebecameobedientuntodeath,eventhedeathof the cross."The firstAdammadea fairoutset,buthe soonhalted.Thesecondcontinuedtotheend.Thelawcouldnevercatchhimintheleastsinfromhiscradletohisgrave,bydayornight,aloneor incompany.Hisheartandlifeshoneinholinessinitsmeridianbrightness,withouttheleastcloudorspot,whilehisdaylasted.Soallthesebarsareremovedbyhisactiveobedience.Hefulfilledthelawalso,

2.Byhispassiveobedience.Whenall thesedemandsareanswered, thelawhasanotherwordwiththesinner,erehecanenterwithinthegatesofthe city, and that is, taking sure hold of him, it says, "Pay what thouowest." Thou art in debt to the justice of God, for the sins alreadycommitted.Thoumust satisfy the threateningsof the law,andbear thecurseandvengeancethyself,or findasurety.O! then,"will theLordbepleasedwith thousandsof rams, orwith ten thousandsof rivers of oil?ShallIgivemyfirstbornformytransgression,thefruitofmybodyforthesin ofmy soul?"No. These are all toomean to satisfy here. But,O! yecrowned heads, and mighty monarchs of the world, may not you becautionersforthedebt?No,theycannot,iftheywouldselltheircrowns,kingdoms,anddigupallthegoldintheworld,andlayitdown,itwouldnot pay their own debt; but they themselvesmust have a cautioner, orthey are ruined.O yemighty angels!maynot you rather undertake forthis debt, than that your fellow-creatures should perish? They cannot.They are not able. They would be bankrupt with the payment of the

thousandth part, and ruined for ever; and it would never be paid forthem.Ohighdemands indeed! thatno creature inheavenor earth cananswer.Then said theMediator, "Lo, I come,"Psal.40:7.Whatare thydemands?

DEMAND1. Sinner, thoumust suffer, thoumustdie thedeath, for thewordisgoneoutoftheLord'smonth,"inthedaythoueatestthereofthoushaltsurelydie."Alas!howshallthisbeanswered?Forifthesinner'slifegoforit,whathathhemore?Andifdeathoncegethimdown,itwillholdhimdownforever.O!maynotbearingcrossesdoit?No,thelawmustbesatisfiedwithbearingcurses,notcrosses.O!maynottearsforsin,bittermourning, do it?No, it is shedding of blood, not pouring out ofwater,that the law must have. Without this, no remission of sin. But Christsatisfiesthisdemand.Itshallhaveall itsasking.Heputshimself totheswordof justice.Armeddeathfallsuponhim,shedshispreciousblood,wounds him to the heart, separates soul and body, carries him awayprisonertothegrave,andheislaidinthedustofdeath.Deathgavehimthefirstfall,butbecausehewasGod,herisethagain;anddeathhavinggot his due, he brings away the keys of hell and death with him, thatneveroneofhismaybeprisonerthere.

DEMAND2.Thysufferingsmustbeuniversal in thewholeman, for sohath thy sinning been. That body of thine, the instrument of sin,mustsuffer. That head, that hath contrived so much mischief, must bewounded; that heart, that has been the spring of all, must be pierced;thesefeet,whichhavecarriedtheesooftentosin,andthesehands,thathavewrought somuch iniquity,must also be pierced. And that soul ofthinemustalsosufferprincipally,usbeingthechiefactorofallthouhastdoneagainstGod.Ah!howshallwebearit?Whocanendurethis,whichisathousanddeathsinone?Christsatisfiesthisdemandalso.Hesuffersinhisbody.Hisheadwas crownedandpiercedwith thorns. "Hisheartwasmeltedlikewaxinthemidstofhisbowels.""Hisfeetandhandswerepierced.""His tonguedidcleavetohis jaws.""Hisboneswerealloutofjoint."Hisbodyhadnothingtocoveritbutshame,andhisstrengthwasdried up like a potsherd. The wrath of God fell on his soul. It wastroubled, sore amazed, and agonized. The arrows dipped in the cursewereshotagainstit,tillthelawhadnomoretorequire.

DEMAND3.Thysufferingsmustbemostexquisite; thoushalthavenopity,nosparing,butjudgmentwithoutmercy,Deut.29:20.Ah!whocansatisfythis?"Whocandwellwithdevouringfire?""ItisafearfulthingtofallintothehandsofthelivingGod."Christsatisfiesthistoo."Godspareshimnot,butdelivershimuptothedeathforusall."Thoughhisbodywasofamostrefinedtemperature,andsohissensesmostexquisite,hisdeathwasof themost tormentingkind.His eyesweredenied the lightof thesun,hisearsheardtheircruelmockings,andhegotvinegartodrink.Hewas in travailingpangs,andsoul travail.Nohelphadhe in it.Mennorangelsdidnothelphim,andhediedinit.

DEMAND4.Thysufferingsmustbeinfinite,foritisinfinitejusticethatthouhastoffended.Ah!whocanbearthis?Thisiskilling;saddestofall,athousandtimes.Universal,exquisite;yetinfinite,evertoendure,nevertoend."Whocanabidewitheverlastingburnings?"Thisisthehellofhells,andbeyondthereachofacreature,afinitebeing.ButChristanswersthistoo.He is God, therefore an infinite one; so his sufferings, though notinfiniteinduration,yetinfiniteinvalue,fullyansweringthedemandsofthelaw.

LastDEMAND.Thysufferingsmustbevoluntary,forGodhatesrobberyforburnt-offering.Ifthoumurmurintheleast,underallthysufferings,itisnewsin;ablemishinthesacrifice,whichpreventsitsacceptance.Ah!whocandothis?TheweightofwrathmakesthedevilsandthedamnedroaragainstGod.Amancanscarcelybeara fitof thegoutorgravel,oreven a sharp pain of any kind, but with some impatience. But Christsatisfies this too. "Whenhewasoppressedandafflicted,heopenednothismouth."Inallhissufferings,heneverhadtheleastwrongthoughtofGod rising in his heart, Psal. 22:1–3. Never the least murmuring orfretting.Hewillingly underwentwhat hewas to suffer.He did not fleewhen his hour came.He prayed for his enemies, hismurderers, in thevery extremity of his sufferings, in ameek and lovingmanner, saying,"Father,forgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo."Letus,

II. Shew how this righteousness is received by faith. It is received andbecomes ours by faith, as faith unites us to Christ. Upon this union,follows a communionwith Christ in his righteousness; so Christ beingoursby faith,his righteousness isours.Thesoul,by faith,marrieswith

Christ,andtherighteousnessisitsdowry.ThesoulfliestoChristasthecityofrefuge,andthatrighteousnessistheircover.Wenowproceed,

III.Toconfirmthedoctrine.

1.ThatonlycanshelterusfromthewrathofGodwhichsatisfieshislaw.Nowthisrighteousnessistheonlythingwhichcansatisfyhislaw,andithas done it fully. The law is magnified more by his obedience andsufferings than if all the elect had gone to hell for it. The law beingobeyed,andexecuteduponChrist,ismoremagnifiedthanitcouldhavebeenby them, and thatbecauseof thedignity of theperson.Evenas akingshewsagreaterrespect to the law,byexecuting itonhisownson,thanuponathousandcommonmalefactors.Theywouldhavebeeneversatisfying, but never could have fully satisfied. By Christ it gets bothactiveandpassiveobedience,bythemonlypassive.

2. It is the righteousness of God. It is so called, because it is therighteousness of himwho is God, Jer. 23:6; therefore it is called, goldtriedinthefire.Ourgoldisbecomedross,itwillnotabidethetouchstoneof the law, because imperfect, butChrist's righteousnesswill.OurswillnotabidethefireofthejudgmentoftheGodoftruth.Ourobedienceisnot fullmeasure,and,beingweighed in thebalanceof thesanctuary, itwillbefoundlight.

It is theonlyrighteousnessacceptedofGod. "Inwhom,"sayshe, "Iamwellpleased."Itmaybesafelydependedupon,forit isofinfinitevalue."Christ purchased the church with his own blood." It was the divinenatureofChristthatmadeallhisobediencesoefficaciousforthebenefitofhispeople.WhatsinswillnotthebloodoftheSonofGodpurgeaway?"Itcleansethfromallsin."

3.ItistherighteousnesscontrivedbytheonlywiseGodtosavesinners,when nothing else could do it, Psal. 40:6, 7. When there was no helpamong angels or men for thein, he laid help on the Mediator, as onemighty to save. This was a contrivance becoming an infinite God. ThemercyofGodshinesforthinit, findinganobject inthedeepestmisery.To have given a deliverance fromwrath, aftermillions of years, wouldhavebeengreatmercy;buthere ismercy,bringing the sinner from the

lowestabyssofmiseryuntothehighestpitchofhappiness.Here,also,thejusticeofGodshonegloriously.Inthedeluge,andtheburningofSodom,itappeared,butmorehere.Itgotallitsdemands.Whatareallcreatures,totheSonofGodsuffering?TheloveofGodwasdisplayed."Godsolovedtheworld, that he gave his only begotten Son." The Sonwillingly gavehimself.Hereislove,wonderfulindeedinallitsdimensions.Beholdalsothe wisdom of God. The confused mass at the beginning was notcomparabletotheconfusionatthefall.Buttruthmetwithmercy.Outofthe sin that obscured the glory ofGod, is brought the greatest honour.Thematter is so ordered, thatman standsmore firmly than under thefirstcovenant.Whentheangelsstoodastonished,hellrejoicedatthefall.Man lay grovelling in the dust ofmisery, wisdom found out a way forrestoringthemtohappiness.

USE1.Neverentertainlowthoughtsofsin.Itistheworstofevils,whichcouldnotberemedied,butbythesufferingsofChrist.Itbringsaheavyburdenonasinnerthatbearshisownburdens.BeholditintheglassofChrist'ssufferings,andyouwillthinknoneofitlittle.Sinrunscountertothe nature of God, and dishonours all his attributes. God is the chiefgood,sintheworstevil.ThesinnerdaresGod'sjustice,presumesonhismercy,mockshispatience,challeugethhispower,despisethhislove,andinvades his sovereignity. So Christ behoved to suffer themost extremepunishment,tohonourhisjusticeandglorifyallhisperfections.

Sin contradicts his will. The foolish contradicts the laws of infinitewisdom,castsoffGod'slawsandmakeitsownlustslaws,and,therefore,toblotoutthisdishonour,theSonismadeasacrifice.

WhenGod had perfected the frame of theworld, and it remained onlythatheshouldhavehis tributeofglorypaidtohimoutof it, singavearudeshocktothewholework,shookthewholeframe;thereforewastheresuchdreadfulworktorepairit,theMediatorsuffering,rocksrending,thesunnotshining,&c.

USE2.Neverentertainlowthoughtsofpardon.Everypardonisthepriceofblood,morepreciousthanathousandworlds.Pardoningsinisoneofthe greatest letters of God's name, one of the greatest of his works,greaterthantomakeaworld.WhenGodsaid,letsuchathingbe,itwas.

But when sin is to be pardoned, justice stands up for satisfaction; thetruthofGodforthehonourofabrokenlaw.Wisdomissettoworktofindoutaway,theSonpaysdownthepriceofhisblood,Num.14:17–19.

USE3.CometoChristforshelterunderhisrighteousness,thatyoumaybejustified,pardoned,andaccepted.Considerthereisnootherwaybutthis to thedivine favour, no shelter from the sting of unpardoned guiltbuthere.Allotherwillbebutfig-leafcovers.

Is not pardon of sin, and acceptance with God, worth the seeking? Itmakes aman happy, Psal. 32:1. Amanmay be rich and yet reprobate,great in thisworldandyetdamned in thenext.Hisportion fat, yethissoullean.Butajustifiedmanisahappyman.WorldlythingscomefromGod'shand,butthisgreatblessingfromhisheart.Itwillbesweetsauceto the bitterest dish; it will cause you to glory even in tribulation. TherighteousnessofChristjustifiesaman,andthismakeseverybitterwatersweet."ForthereisnocondemnationtothemthatareinChristJesus.ItisGodthatjustifieth,whoishethatcondemneth?"

Andifyouwouldgiveevidenceofyourinterestinimputedrighteousness,youmustdoitbyinherentrighteousness.Shewyourfaithbyyourworks.Faithwithoutworksisdead,beingalone.Amen.

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