would fain have the light to come into their chambers, but they are afraid of the cold air, and so dare not open their windows. So here, some would fain have more light and knowledge of Christ, but they are afraid of the cold, and so dare not open their windows to receive the light. But pray, friends, why should we be afraid of new lights? for why should there not be new lights found out in the firmament of the scripture, as well as the astrologers find out new stars in heaven? Be not afraid to set open your windows for any light that God shall make known unto you.

So if you would

If you would know Christ crucified in a right way and manner, then study much, think much upon this crucified Christ: meditate much, insist and dwell much upon Christ crucified. It is not slight and superficial thinking of Christ crucified that will bring in this knowledge. If I would know a man, I must be conversant with him. know Christ crucified, you must be conversant with him, you must sit down and consider and dwell upon Christ crucified in your thoughts and meditations. Now there are four times wherein it will be good for you especially to think of Christ crucified much. Four cases: In case of some revelation or vision that you may be under. When Christ was transfigured, and Peter said, "It is good to be here," Christ turns him off and reads a lecture to him about his sufferings; why, but to shew that in such times of raptures and revelations is a fit season to think of Christ crucified. Another time or season is, The time and case of spiritual pride. In case your heart be lifted up within you in reference unto any privilege, gift, or performance, then is a fit time to think on a crucified Christ. a crucified Christ. The disciples were speaking who should be greatest, "that one might sit on Christ's right hand, and the other at his left hand;" then said Christ, "Are ye able to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, and to drink of the cup that I shall drink of?" "The son of man must suffer," saith he. He turns them about from those thoughts to a crucified Christ; why? but to shew thus much, that when at any time our hearts are lifted up upon any account, then is a fit time and season to think on a Christ crucified. The time of dissention and difference among professors and brethren is a fit time and season to think on a crucified Christ. When one

disciple desired to sit at Christ's right hand and the other at his left, the rest of the disciples took it ill, and all quarrelled one with another. Christ now tells them of his sufferings; Is this a fit time for you to have differences among you? think of my sufferings. Never more seasonable time to think of a crucified Christ than when professors are at variance. Times of dissension call for thoughts of a crucified Christ. Again, In case that a man be in any great affliction, or danger, or fear thereof, then is a good time to think of the sufferings of Christ. Nicodemus comes by night unto Christ out of fear, and Christ first preaches to him the doctrine of regeneration, and when he had done so, saith he in John iii. 14, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up." Nicodemus was afraid to suffer for Christ, now Christ turns him over to his sufferings. The Son of man must be lifted up; why but to shew thus much, that when we are afraid of sufferings, when we meet with afflictions and troubles, and are in fear thereof, then is a fit time for us to think of Christ's sufferings. It is a It is a good thing to think of Christ crucified at all times; but when you have revelations and visions, when your hearts are lifted up, when you are in any dissen

tion, when you are under any any affliction, trouble, or in fear thereof, then is a good time, especially when you are under spiritual temptations. And thus now you see the second thing; if you would know Christ crucified in a right manner, study and meditate much on him, and insist much thereon. But then,

If you would know Christ crucified in a right manner, make it your work and your business to know Christ crucified. Solomon gives you a promise in Prov. ii. 3, "If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasure, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God," verse 5. How do men seek for hidden treasure; how do men seek for gold and silver? They dig into the bowels of the earth and spare for no pains. So, saith the Lord, If you dig and search for it, you shall have this knowledge. And you know how it is with those that do dig for gold and silver; though they do not meet with a mine presently, possibly they may

meet with several springs of water that may stand them in more stead than the mine. So digging in the Scripture, though a man do not presently reach the mine, yet he may meet with such springs of comfort in the way, as may be a a refreshment to him all his days. Now therefore, friends, do you desire to know Christ and him crucified? then remember these three things: Go unto God the Father to create this light in you. Dwell and insist much upon Christ crucified in your thoughts and at some times especially. And then make it your work and business to know Christ crucified. Dig in the mines for this knowledge.

But suppose I do know Christ crucified, what is my duty then?

Why then if you do know Christ crucified, certainly it doth not become you to conform unto the world, and to be uncrucified in your affections to the world?

It doth not become you to be the servants of men, especially in the worship of God. Ye are bought with a price, be ye not the servants of men.

Cer

Certainly it doth not become you to walk proudly. What, shall Christ humble himself, and shall we be proud? tainly it doth not become you to walk proudly.

But what shall I do then?

Go and resign and give up yourselves to Christ. Shall Christ give down himself unto us, and shall not we give up ourselves unto him? Resign and give up yourselves unto him.

And then if indeed you do know Christ crucified, take heed that you do not doubt of your interest in God, or salvation by Christ. What, know Christ crucified and yet doubt? Why, saith the apostle, "If when we were enemies we were reconciled by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life," Rom. v. And, viii. 32,"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? If God the Father did give his Son to death for you, will he deny you other things?

دو

Go away and look no more sorrowful, let it appear that you know Christ, and that you know Christ crucified.

In case at any time any temptation doth arise upon you, presently turn and look wishly upon Christ crucified, and

there fix. If a man be in a great temptation, possibly the temptation may be put by by way of divertisement, turning to another object; but if that other object be engaging, then he is helped thereby, not only by way of divertancy, but by way of assistance. Now if a temptation do arise at any time upon any of you, presently turn your eye, fix it upon Christ crucified, there stand and there look, and thus shall you be helped, not only in a way of divertancy, but in a way of assistance.

If you do indeed know Christ crucified, then why should you not hold forth the virtues of this Christ, the death of Christ, in your dying unto all things below, and say with Paul upon all occasions, " Henceforth let no man trouble me, I bear about in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." You come to tempt me to such a sin, do not trouble me, I know Christ crucified. Henceforth let no man trouble me, I know Christ crucified. Answer all your temptations thus, and be peremptory and resolute, Let no man trouble me, do not trouble me, I know Christ crucified.

Go away and communicate that knowledge of a crucified Christ unto others; your knowledge is nothing unless you make others to know what you know. There is a twofold revelation of Christ; Christ revealed to men, and Christ revealed in men, as Paul speaks, "When it pleased the Lord to reveal Christ in me." When a man hath a revelation of Christ within him, he will communicate that knowledge. Ye see how it is with the sun shining upon the wall, and with a candle in a lanthorn; the sun shines upon the wall, and the wall enlightens nobody, why, because the sun is not in it: but there is a candle in a lanthorn, and that enlightens others, why? because the candle is within it. So when a man hath a revelation of Christ upon him, it falls dead, as upon a mud wall, and he communicates not that light unto others; aye, but if Christ be in me the hope of glory, then certainly I shall communicate this knowledge of Christ unto others also.

And to end all, if you do know Christ and him crucified, then go and place yourselves before the Lord, as David did, when the Lord had made known his mind unto him: “Then went king David in and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou

"And what can David say

hast brought me hitherto?" &c. more unto thee, for thou Lord God knowest thy servant; for thy word sake, and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them." So I say, go you and place yourselves before the Lord and say, What am I, Lord, oh what am I, poor ignorant creature as well as others, that Christ crucified should be made known to me? Oh the riches and the greatness of the grace of God; according to thine own heart, Lord, hast thou done this, to make these things known unto thy poor servant: wherefore glory and honour unto God the Father, and unto the Lamb that sitteth upon the throne for ever.

And thus now I have spoken something concerning a crucified Christ, as the object of your faith; the former time concerning the excellency of Christ to draw out your love: now then let your faith and love meet together; and may your love be quickened and your faith strengthened, I have enough.

SERMON III.

THE NEW COVENANT OF GRACE OPENED.

"And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."-Heb. xii. 24.

In this scripture you have the difference between the law and the gospel; the excellency of the state of the church under the new testament, above the state of the church under the old testament: for, saith the apostle at the 18th verse, "Ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words but ye are come unto Mount Sion, (verse 22,) and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels," &c.

So that first, look how much mount Sion doth excel mount Sinai; the city of the living God doth excel the wilderness; and the heavenly Jerusalem doth excel the mountain that