Manton - BX8915 M26 1684 v1

324 SERMONS upon Serm. 38. admired in his Saints, 2 Theft. 1. to. Then the Myftery of his Perfon Ihall be diii doled ; fo (hall the Myftery of our Fife. Col. 3. 3, 4. For ye are dead, and your Life is hid with Chrift in God. When Chili who is age Life (hall appear, then 'hall le alt ap- pear with him in Glory. Chrift judgeth the World ;. fo do the Saints. 1 Cor. 6. 2. Know ye not that the Saints (hall judg the World t: Mat. 19. 28. Te which have followed mein the Regeneration, when the Son of Man 'pall fit in the Throne of his Glory, )e alfa 'hall ft upon twelve Thrones, judging the twelve Tribes of Ifrael. The fecund time' anti Pall appear without Sin unto Salvation, Heb. 9. 28. So we (hall be then difburdened of all the Fruits and Effects of Sin, which hall be blotted out, when the Tim*i of Refrejhing (hall come from the pretence of the Lord, Alts 3. ¡9. We are like him in his Offices, Kings, Priefts, and Prophets, but in aSpiritual Manner, to rule our Luth, to minifter in Holy Things, and to inftrult our Hearts. Thus you fee there is a conformity in Grace and Glory. Now Chrift is thus earnelt to make us like himfelf, partly, out of his own Love, he cannot fatisfy his Heart with giving us any inferior Privilege. Whatever he had and was, it was for our fakes ; as Man, he received it for us : Pfal. 68. 18. Thou haft "re- ceived Gifts for Men : compared with Ephef 4.8. He gave Gifts unto Men : His Life, Righteoufnefs, and Glory, is for our fakes. Wherefore doth Chrift make himfelf like unto us, but that we might be like unto him ? Partly, in obedience to God's Counfels and Decrees Rom. 8.29. For whom he did foreknow, he alfa did predef inate, to be conformed to the Image of his Son, that he might be the Firfl -Barn among many Brethren. There is Wifdom in it, Primum in nnoquoq; genereefi preflantimtem. Chrift is the Example and Patern fet forth by God, and that in our Nature, he is the fecond Adam, a new Root, and it is meet that Head and Members fhould fute, otherwife it is monftrous. 211è a. It fheweth who areChriffs, they that are like him ; there is a conformity' between them and Chrift ; firff, in Grace, and then in Glory. Here we are like him in Soul, in regard of Difpofitions, and Moral Excellencies ; and in Body, in regard of Aflliâions and Weaknefles : Hereafter we (hall be like him in Soul and Body in a glorious manner ; here in Holinefs, hereafter in Happinefs : He beginneth with the change of the Soul, the Refurre &ion is 7a7aivyevtaía, a Regeneration; Mat.i9.28. Then we Than be perfefly renewed; our Carnality is done away by Grace, our Corruption and Mortality by Glory. All Things are there made new, new Bodies, new Souls. Glory, it is but the full Period of the prefent Change and Transformation into Chrift's Image. 2 Cor. 3. 18. We are changed into the fame Image, from Glary to Glory : Glory is but the Confummation of Grace, or our full Conformity to Chrift, or that final Eftate which is fuitable to the Dignity of the Children of God. Therefore every one that looketh for Eternal Life in Chrift, mutt be like him in this Life; they are partakers with him of Glory hereafter, becaufe followers of him here. Therefore fee; Art thou like Chrift ? Haft thou the Image of Chrift ? that is our Title. Alas ! many are not conformable, but contrary to Chrift ; Chrift fpent whole Nights in Prayer, they in Gaming and filthy Excefs ; it was Meat and Drink to him to do his Father's Will, but it ís your Burden ; Chrift was Humble and Meek, you are Proud and Difdainful, Vain in Apparel and Behaviour. Were you ever changed? Till you refemble Chrift here, you (ball never be like him hereafter. Vfe 2. It preffeth us to look after this Conformity and Likenefs unto Chrift. It is the Ground of Hope, you cannot otherwife think of Death and Judgment to come, without Horror. t John 4. 17. Herein it Love made perfell, that we may have boldnefs in the Day of Judgment; becaufe as he is, fo are we in the World. David was not athamed to own his Followers, when he was crowned at Hebron. So neither will Chrift be afhamed of us, if we have followed him. If you profefs Chrift, and be not like him, Chrift will be a(hamed of you. Heb. 2. For both he that fanïlfeth, and they that are fan27ified, are all of one ; for which carafe he is not afhamed to call them Bre- thren. He is not alhamed to own the Saints : if one of your Name were Iligmatized, and branded with a Mark of Infamy, you would be athamed to own him. To this end, e. Eye your Patern. Chrift's Life fhould be ever before your Eyes; as the Copy is before the Scholars; lieb. 12. 2. looking unto Jefiss, &c. He bath fee forth himfelf in the Word to this end and purpofe. 2. Often

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