01.01. Section 1
(Section 1)
My dearest friends, whom I love dearly, remember daily, long for greatly, pray for earnestly, and praise God heartily; to whom I could write with my purest blood—I send these lines from my inward affections.
Though I cannot say I am as transported with affection and zeal as Paul—as to wish myself accursed from Christ for your sakes; yet I am persuaded, I could be contented with Jonah, to be cast into the sea, to the pacifying of God’s wrath for you; that I may be free from the blood of all men; and by the power of God, to deal plainly and sincerely with all my fellow-creatures, not valuing the smiles, nor fearing the frowns of wicked men. It is better to lose their smiles—than it is to lose their precious souls. Though there are many who are enemies to me—yet I am an enemy to none, a hater of no man’s person, but a lover of their souls. He who loved me when I was an enemy, commands me to love my enemies. Dear Christians, cleave to the Lord, and follow after him fully! Neglect no duty, though you know there is danger in doing it. Fear God and sin—more than men and suffering. Let your souls bear up with Christ, bear off from the world, bear down your corruptions, and bear forth your testimony. Respect all, and reject none of God’s commandments; and take patiently and thankfully, the hardest dealings of God. The heaviest afflictions you meet with on earth, are but light in comparison with Christ’s sufferings, or the punishment of the wicked in hell. When God’s people are humble, and the wicked high enough, and the Lord’s appointed time has come—then the godly may expect deliverance, and not before. You should not envy the patience of God towards your enemies, for it is nothing in companion of what love he shows to you; be you diligent at your work, and leave God at his. The Lord will soon turn from his wrath—if men were turned from their wickedness. Look closely to your hearts, tongues and ways. I never trusted God—but I found him faithful. I never trusted my own heart—but I found it false.
Take heed friends, that you be not always wooing Christ, and yet never married to him; therefore do not leave, until you have put the great question out of all doubt. Look upon Christ without—and then search for him within you. He who will clearly see with the eye of faith—shall shut the eye of reason. It is the will of God, that saints should rejoice more in what Christ has done for them, than in what they have done for him. Oh, lay up for Christ, make haste and do your work—and God will give you eternal wages.
Dear brethren, I beseech you to consider well these following things, for they are precious, weighty, and necessary truths.
I shall add no more, but promise you my prayers for a blessing upon this treatise—that it may bring to glory God, and grace to you—which is all that is aimed at by him, who is, Your soul’s servant,
William Dyer
To the Christian Reader
It is the great unhappiness of our age, that the greatest part of men busy themselves most, in that which concerns them least. Look among rich and poor, high and low, young and old—and see whether it appears by the whole scope of their lives, that they set their hearts more on the world, than Christ and his salvation. Just so that they may have but some of the earth in their hands—they care for nothing of heaven in their hearts! But gold can no more fill their hearts—than grace their purses!
Most people are like that silly woman, that when her house was on fire, so minded the saving of her goods, that she left her child roaring in the flames! At last remembering it, she cries out, "Oh! my child, my child!" Just so, there are many who drop into perdition, merely for a little wealth!
There are many who are temporally miserable—who are eternally happy! And there are many who are temporally happy—who shall be eternally miserable! Oh! there is a great vanity—in all worldly excellencies! The world is big in our hopes—but little in our hands. It cannot satisfy the senses of men—much less their precious souls!
Dear Christians, according to my talents received, I have endeavored to set forth the riches, the loveliness, the preciousness and excellencies that are in Christ—to draw your heart after him, and to make you desire and love him. Oh! Jesus Christ is a fountain of life, light, love, grace, glory, comfort, joy, goodness and sweetness; always full and flowing, yes, overflowing! Paul was so much captivated by Christ—that he was ever in his thoughts, ever near his heart, and ever upon his tongue! Oh! that our hearts and thoughts were thus busied about, and taken up with Christ, and those treasures of wisdom and knowledge which are in him. The design of this piece is not the ostentation of the author—but the edification of the reader. Though the author is contemptible—yet the matter is comfortable. I hope none will blow out such a candle, by the light of which they may see the way to heaven. If God had given more spiritual matter to me—I would have given more out to you. If God may have glory, and the Church edification by these labors of mine—I shall have my end. Now my prayer for you is, that the gracious God may bring your heart more and more in love with Christ, who is altogether lovely—that shortly you may enjoy endless felicity in his loving bosom! Your Servant in Christ,
William Dyer "He is altogether lovely!" Song of Solomon 5:16
Out of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, comes better and sweeter honey, than out of Sampson’s lion! That is the sweetest honey—which we suck out of Christ’s hive—for the face of none is so lovely in a saint’s eye, as the face of Christ; and the voice of none is so pleasant in a saint’s ear—as the voice of Christ. Oh Christian! the God whom you serve is so excellent, that no good can be added to him; and he is so infinite, that no good can be diminished in him. He makes others happy—and yet is not the less happy; he shows mercy to the full—and yet remains full of mercy. Oh come eat and drink abundantly! Oh beloved, there is no fear of excess here, though one drop of Christ is sweet—yet the deeper, the sweeter. The wine that Christ draws, is the best wine that a Christian drinks! The whole book of Canticles is bespangled with the praises of Jesus Christ; the subject matter of this book is a declaration of the mutual fellowship of love and affection between Christ and his church; what spiritual entertainment is given on both sides, with the sweet contentment they have in each other’s beauty! Here you may see the King in his glory—and the spouse in her beauty! Here you may see Christ giving her sweet promises, adoring her with many excellencies, communicating his love, and commending her graces! Here you may also see the church even ravished with the consideration and contemplation of Christ’s love and beauty! His beauty is breath-taking, his love is ravishing, his voice is pleasing, his goodness is drawing, his manifestations are enticing! He is the beloved Son—and the Son of love; he is nothing but love—to those who are his love. But I shall no longer entertain you with a crumb at the door—but carry you to the chapter out of which my text is taken—and so lead you to the cabinet where the jewel lies!
Brethren and beloved, you have a glorious description of Christ in this chapter, and that from Song of Solomon 5:10-16. where the spouse is setting forth the riches, the dignity, the excellency, the beauty, the majesty, the glory, the preciousness, and loveliness of Jesus Christ. "My Beloved is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven. His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels. His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume. His lips are like lilies dripping with myrrh. His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite. His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires. His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars. His mouth is sweetness itself! He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." And thus she sets forth her beloved, and at last winds up all with this rare expression, "He is altogether lovely!" This text is a sacred cabinet, which contains in it:
First, The Jewel Christ, in this word, HE.
Secondly, The value of the Jewel, ALTOGETHER LOVELY. The observation, or doctrine, is this, That Jesus Christ is infinitely and superlatively lovely. He is the most amazing and delightful object. The very name of Jesus Christ, is as precious ointment poured forth. It is said, that the letters of his name were found engraved upon Ignatius’ heart. Jesus Christ is in every believer’s heart, and nothing can do better there; for "he is altogether lovely!" That Jesus Christ is thus transcendently lovely, will appear in four kinds of ways:
First, by titles.
Secondly, by types.
Thirdly, by resemblance.
Fourthly, by demonstrations.
I shall only speak to the first of these—his TITLES. Our Lord Jesus has seven famous and lovely titles, which are as so many jewels of his crown.
First, The Desire of all Nations.
Secondly, The King of kings.
Thirdly, The Mighty God.
Fourthly, The Everlasting Father.
Fifthly, The Prince of Peace.
Sixthly, The Precious Elect one.
Seventhly, Wonderful.
We will begin with the first of these famous titles, namely, THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS This title you have in Haggai 2:7 : "And the Desire of all Nations shall come." But you shall say, "How is Christ the Desire of all Nations? Do not all the nations abhor him and say, We will not have this man to rule over us!" "The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One," Psalms 2:2. The kings of the earth are afraid—lest Christ’s government should un-king them. The rulers are jealous—lest he will depose them from their noble places; they are jealous, lest Jesus will encroach upon their power and privileges. Kings are afraid of him, and think themselves but half kings, where Christ sets up his power and discipline. Merchants are afraid of him—lest he should take away their gain. Lawyers are afraid of him—lest the laws of Christ should overtop the unrighteous laws of the land. The people are afraid of him—lest he should compel them to subjection to the law and way which their souls abhor. Oh, how long has the world rebelled against Jesus Christ, and his government! But tell me, Have the people gained anything by resisting Christ, his gospel and government? by hating his servants, and by scorning his holy ways? I shall leave you to judge of this.
But, beloved, for all this, Jesus Christ is the Desire of all Nations. And that I shall show in five particulars. Though Jesus Christ is not actively desired by all nations—yet he is rightly called, the Desire of all Nations.
First, Because he is most desirable in himself, and all things that are desirable are in him. Beauty is in Christ, bounty is in Christ, riches and honor are in Christ. Jesus Christ is the treasure hidden in the gospel, the pearl of great price; he is the sun in the firmament of the Scriptures, whom to know is everlasting life; he is a spring full of the water of life, a hive of sweetness, a storehouse of riches, a river of pleasures, wherein you may bathe your souls to all eternity!
Oh! he is fullness and sweetness. "He is the chief among ten thousand," Song of Solomon 5:10. "He is more precious than rubies; and all the things you can desire are not to be compared to him," Proverbs 3:15.
Alas! what are all the crowns and kingdoms of the world, all the thrones and scepters of kings, compared to Christ! I say what are the treasures of the east, the gold of the west, the spices of the south, and the pearls of the north, compared to him? These, or whatever you imagine, are not to be compared unto the blessed Jesus! Beloved, the glories and excellencies of Christ excel all others. As all waters meet in the sea, and as all the lights meet in the sun; so all the perfections and excellencies of all the saints and angels meet in Christ! Nay, sirs, Christ has not only the holiness of angels, the loveliness of saints, and the treasure of heaven—but also the fullness of the Godhead; the riches of the Deity are in him! Colossians 1:19. "For it has pleased the Father that in him all fullness should dwell," fullness of grace, fullness of knowledge, fullness of love, fullness of glory. He is lovely to the Father, lovely to the angels, lovely to the saints, and lovely to the soul. And therefore he may well be called the Desire of all Nations, for all desirable things are in him.
Secondly, Jesus Christ is called the Desire of all Nations, because his desire is after all nations, though he has no need of them; he has thousands of angels before him, and ten thousand daily minister unto him; yet such infinite love does he bear to the sons of men in whom there is no loveliness, that he himself says, "My delight is with the sons of men," Proverbs 8:31. That our Lord Jesus has a strong desire after the nations to convert them, and save the nations, will appear by three things:
First, By what he did before he came into the world.
Second, By what he did when he was in the world.
Third, By what he does now that he has left the world.
First, Our Lord Jesus had a great desire after the poor nations before he came into the world—or else he would never have left his crown, his royal court, his Father’s bosom, his glorious robes, to come into this world—to be spit upon by men, and to be murdered by men! Nay, he did not only become a laughing-stock to men—but a gazing-stock to angels. Now, beloved, do you not think that Jesus Christ had a great desire after the nations’ good, that he would leave all his glory, and greatness, and pomp, and riches—to come into this world, to be poor, to be hungry, to be weary, to be tempted, to be betrayed, to die? But you may perhaps say, that Christ little thought his own countrymen would have shed his blood, and that one of his own friends would betray him.
Why, beloved, do you think he did not know it? yes, he knew it before he came into the world, how he would be abused in the world, that the Jews would crucify him, and that Judas would betray him, John 6:1-71. He knew it from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who would betray him. Christ knew it before he came from heaven, what cruel treatment he would have upon earth. Now, beloved, put all this together, and tell me, had not Jesus Christ a desire after us before he came to us, that he would uncrown himself—to crown us; and put off his robes—to put on our rags; and come out of heaven—to keep us out of hell? He fasted forty days—that he might feast us to all eternity. He came from heaven to earth—that he might send us from earth to heaven! The Son of God became the Son of man; that we, the sons of men, might become the sons of God; and all this he did to save the nations!
Secondly, He had a longing desire after the nations when he was in the world. Oh! Christ would gladly have saved the nations, and healed them, and enlightened them; therefore he sends forth his apostles, Matthew 28:19. and bids them, "Go and teach all nations." The people were in his eyes, and upon his heart; and so in Matthew 22:1-46, Christ sends forth his servants, once, twice, thrice, as if he would take no denial—but they would not come. Nay, beloved, our Lord Jesus Christ did not only send others to poor souls, to beseech them, to entreat them to come in, to repent, and to believe in their Savior, that their souls might be saved; but he went himself and desired them. Nay, that is not all, beloved, he cried to them, and said, "If any man thirsts—let him come unto me and drink!" John 7:37.
Oh! how earnest was Jesus Christ with poor souls to come to him. "Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," Matthew 10:28. So in Luke 14:23. "Go to the highways, and compel them to come in, that my house may be full." Do you see this—what vehement desires Jesus Christ had after the nations and souls of men, that he might ever make them happy, when he was in the world; and he has the same desire still. How often would Jesus Christ have healed the Jews, that poor nation, as he himself speaks in Matthew 23:37. "How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers in her young ones, and you would not." Nay when he has done all this, he does not leave them—but weeps over them; his eyes were wet—because their eyes were dry. So this is clear from what Christ did when he was in the world, that he desired much the healing and converting of nations.
First, In his bearing with them.
Secondly, In his offers unto them.
Thirdly, He has a great desire after the nations, now he has left the world—and though he has gone to heaven, and entered into glory, and there sits at the right hand of the Father; yet, I say, his desires are as much after poor souls as ever. This will appear by two things:
Firstly, In his forbearance and long-sufferance. Oh! how long has Christ borne with the sinful nations, and yet he bears with them still, notwithstanding they have broke his laws, and despised his gospel, and scorned his ordinances, and shed his saints’ blood, and grieved his Spirit, and abused his mercies! This and much more have they done, and yet he spared them that he might be gracious to them, Isaiah 30:18. "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion."
Now, beloved, do you think that Jesus Christ would take all this at the nations’ hands—but that he is unwilling to destroy them, and most willing to save them.
Secondly, His love appears, not only by his bearing with them—but by his offers to them. Oh beloved, how does God stand day after day, month after month, and year after year, offering himself, his Son, his mercy, his love, his grace, and his glory—to poor souls!
Many have the space of repentance, who have not the grace of repentance.
Now my brethren, by these things you may see that Jesus Christ has a great desire after the nations.
Thirdly, Jesus Christ is called the Desire of all Nations, because it is he alone, who can make any person, family, or nation, truly desirable.
Oh! beloved, what is the reason that the Lord Almighty prefers his people before all the sons of men? The Lord prefers his little remnant before all the world besides, Exodus 19:5, "You will be my treasured possession!" "The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor," Proverbs 12:26. Though his neighbor is a king, or emperor, or a pope—yet if he is righteous, he is more excellent than them; they are but base born. Believers be these worthies, of whom the world was not worthy, Hebrews 11:38. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, God’s holy nation, his very own possession!" 1 Peter 2:8. Believers are not only diligent Christians—but excellent Christians.
Now, what is the reason, beloved, that the saints are thus excellent above all others? Is it for their birth, breeding, or learning, or riches, or greatness, or honor? No, no! It is for none of these; but if you would know the reason, it is because Christ is formed in them, and married to them; they have the new name, the new nature, the new heart, the new spirit! Oh, this is the reason! If there were anything beside Christ that would make any nation, or family, or person truly desirable, it must be either birth, or greatness, or learning, or riches, or beauty, or wisdom, or strength; now all these do not make any one desirable, for if they did, then those who reign over the nations would be the most desirable people under heaven, because they have the most of these.
"He has made us to be kings and priests unto our God." Revelation 1:5. Oh! Christ has made every believer a king! It is Christ’s beauty that makes us beautiful; it is his riches that makes us rich; it is his righteousness that makes us righteous! He alone makes us truly honorable, and desirable. Well may Christ be called the Desire of all Nations—for it is he who can make a nation desirable.
Fourthly, Jesus Christ is called "the Desire of all Nations," because all nations stand in need of him; Nay, not only all nations—but all people, young and old, rich and poor, high and low. He who will be saved—must have a Savior to save him, or else he can never be saved. The apostle tells us, Acts 4:12, "Neither is their salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we can be saved." And Christ says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6. So that not only all nations—but all people stand in need of him.
You may go to heaven without health, without wealth, without honor, without pleasure, without friends, without learning—but you can never go to heaven without Christ.
What will you do, if you begin to die naturally—before you begin to live spiritually? If the tabernacle of nature be taken down—before the temple of God be raised up in your soul; if your paradise be laid waste—before the tree of life be set up in it; if you give up the spirit—before you ever receive the Holy Spirit; if the sun of your life be set within you—before the Sun of Righteousness shines upon you; if the body is fit to be turned into the earth—before the soul is fit to be taken to heaven? If the second birth has no place in you—the second death shall have power over you!
Though the nations need nothing more than Christ—yet they slight nothing more than Christ.
Tell me how you will live when you die—who are dead while you live.
Oh, beloved, is it not sad that the nations should resist Christ, his gospel and government as they do!
Indeed, if men might be their own judges, then Christ had no enemies, we are all his friends. If the Jews might so have been their own judges, it was not the Son of God whom they crucified—but an enemy to Caesar. It was not Paul as a saint whom they persecuted—but one that they found to be a pestilent fellow; some men will say now, they do not persecute the saints of God—but seditious lunatics; but God will shortly take off the veil of hypocrisy from their faces!
Oh grieve for them, that cannot grieve for themselves! And thus you see that all nations stand in need of Christ, who is the Desire of all Nations.
Fifthly, Our Lord Jesus is called the Desire of all Nations, because when he sets up himself in anyone as their desire—then they run after him, and count nothing too dear for him! So the church of God, Isaiah 26:8-9. "The desire of our soul is to your name; with my soul have I desired you in the night; yes, with my spirit within me will I seek you early."
Oh! when the Desire of all Nations once sets up himself in the soul—then he becomes the desire of the soul. When he had thus endeared himself to their souls, they count nothing too dear for him—all shall be at his command: their gold, their silver, their strength, their lives. Revelation 12:12, "They did not love their lives in the face of death." So that, beloved, let men be enemies to Jesus Christ—yet as soon as Christ sets up himself in their hearts, they will love him, own him, serve him, and suffer for him!
Now, sirs, put all these together, and it will fully prove Christ to be the Desire of all Nations.
I shall make but a short application of it, and so conclude. Is it so, that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Desire of all Nations, and that all things desirable are in him? Oh then, let me beg of you, oh let me beseech you, for the Lord’s sake, and for your soul’s sake—make Christ Jesus the desire of your souls!
He is the Desire of all Nations—and shall he not be the desire of your soul? Whom will you love, if not the KING of saints? Whom will you long for, if not for the Desire of all Nations? Whom will you prize, if not the Prince of Peace? He is the Son of God, before whom angels and archangels, and all the host of heaven bow. He is the glory of glories, the crown of crowns, the heaven of heavens! He is a light in darkness, joy in sadness, riches in poverty, life in death! It is he who can resolve all your doubts, secure you in danger, save your souls, and bring you to glory, where all joys are enjoyed! Oh therefore, give all glory to him, and yourselves to Him. So much, or so little for this time.
Doctrine: That Jesus Christ, is infinitely and superlatively lovely. "Yes, he is altogether lovely! This is my beloved, and this is my friend!" Song of Solomon 5:16 I now proceed to the second title, which is given to the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is King of kings. THE KING OF KINGS "On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS!" Revelation 19:16 Beloved, Jesus Christ is a threefold king:
First, His enemies King.
Secondly, His saints King.
Thirdly, His Father’s King. The first, he rules over. The second, he rules in. The third, he rules for.
I shall begin with the first, and take them in order.
Alas! alas! what are all the mighty men, the great, the honorable men of the earth—compared to Jesus Christ! They are but like a little bubble on the water; for if all the nations, in comparison to God, be but as the drop of the bucket, or the dust of the balance, as the prophet speaks in Isaiah 40:15— Oh how little then must be the kings of the earth!
Nay, beloved, Christ Jesus is not only above the kings of the earth, and higher than kings—but he is higher than the angels. Yes, he is the head of angels; and therefore all the angels in heaven are commanded to worship him! Colossians 2:12, "He is the head of all principalities and powers," which includes angels. And in Hebrews 1:6. "Let all the angels of God worship him." God will have the angels worship Christ—as well as men.
Oh, sirs, Christ is a King, before whom angels veil their faces, and kings of the earth cast down their crowns!
Again, as he is a King above all kings—so he is a King over all kings too. Jesus Christ is an universal King. He is the King over all kingdoms, over all nations, over all governments, over all powers, over all people! Daniel 7:14, "He was given authority, honor, and royal power over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.’’ You here see that Christ is not only King of saints—but King of nations too! Therefore you find in Psalms 2:8, "Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth Your possession!" The very heathen are given to Christ, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. As the Lord Jesus Christ has all the kingdoms of the earth given to him—so likewise he has all power given to him. If this were otherwise, he would have no ability to rule his kingdoms. Matthew 28:18, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Oh, here is a text that should revive the hearts of saints! So that it is he who binds kings in chains, and princes in fetters of iron! It is he who allows no man to do them wrong; yes, he reproves kings for their sakes, and breaks mighty kings in pieces for the saints’ sake! And therefore it is he who over-rules kings, and overcomes the kings of the earth that make war with the saints!
Revelation 17:14, "These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them," and why? "Because he was King of kings, and Lord of lords!" This is the first, Jesus Christ is his enemies King, that is, he is a King above their kings, and over their kings. As Jesus Christ is his enemies King—so he is his saints King.
Now, beloved, I beseech you here to listen carefully. Jesus Christ you see, is King of the wicked, and of the godly; but as for the wicked, he rules over them by his power and might; but the saints, he rules in them by his Spirit and graces. Now to this the Scripture witnesses, that Jesus Christ rules in the saints, and is the King of the saints; and therefore it tells them, Colossians 1:27, "Christ in you the hope of glory," and elsewhere, "Know you not that Christ is in you." Mark, Christ must be in you, "Christ in you the hope of glory." So in Psalms 24:7, "Lift up your heads, O you gates, and be you lifted up, you everlasting doors, that the King of glory may come in." Here Christ is called the King of glory; and the psalmist calls upon men to open their hearts that the King of glory may come in. So in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me."
Oh this is Christ’s spiritual kingdom, and here he rules in the hearts of his people, here he rules over their consciences, over their wills, over their affections, over their judgments and understandings; and therefore he is called the King of saints. It is true, other kings may bear rule ever the estates of men; but as for the soul—that only belongs to Christ! Therefore believers are said to be all glorious within. "The king’s daughter is all glorious within," Psalms 45:13. The King of glory rules there, and dwells there! God dwells in the highest heavens—and in the humble hearts. Christ is not only the King of nations—but King of saints; the one he rules over, the other he rules in.
First, A spiritual kingdom, by which he rules in the hearts of his people, and so is King of saints.
Secondly, A providential kingdom, by which he rules the affairs of this world, and so he is King of nations. Now, beloved, the Scripture says, "That the Father has put all things in Christ’s hands." And the apostle tells us, "God has put all things under his feet." The Father judges no man—but has committed all judgment to the Son, and he has appointed him over his own house. Now, as Christ has all, so he does all, and rules all for his Father; and therefore the Father calls him his servant. Isaiah 41:2, "Behold my servant." He rules for his Father, and does his Father’s will. So that, beloved, in these respects, Christ is a King.
Now I shall lay down some things wherein the Lord Jesus infinitely excels all other kings of the earth.
Oh, sirs, it is better to be a poor member of Christ—than the head of a nation! Oh, how infinitely happy are all Christ’s subjects! They are all kings, all heirs, all favorites, all sons! The true believer is the only happy man. Alas! where is there such a king to be found—who makes all his subjects kings? There are many kings that undo their subjects—but Christ makes his subjects kings! There are many kings who make their subjects beggars—but Christ makes his subjects kings! There are many kings who put their subjects to death—but Christ died that his subjects might live! There are many kings who give their subjects titles—but Christ gives all his subjects heaven!
Sirs, in a word, this is the greatest nobility, to be the servant of the great God; he is nobly descended, who is born from above. Oh, how many lords has that man—who has not Christ for his Lord! every sin is his lord, and every lust lords it over him. Now where Jesus Christ comes to be King, he makes them kings to his Father, and kings over their lusts. Now, beloved, here is the excellence and happiness of our King—he makes us all kings, and gives all crowns of glory!
Yes, and "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Php 4:19. Oh, this is a sweet Scripture! Oh, poor souls, Christ knows everything about you! This is our great happiness, that we have a King who knows us so well. Oh, here is the excellency of our King!
Now, I wonder where there is any king but Christ, who will allow his subjects to sit upon his throne with him. Alas! this would be treason for a man to attempt it!
I have read of a king, whose crown fell off his head and into the water, while passing over a river. One of his poor servants, out of love to the king, leaped in and fetched it up out of the river, and put it back on the king’s head. And for this—the poor man had his head cut off! So arrogant was this king! Yes—but sirs, the Lord Jesus is not so, he is no such proud King! He did not only uncrown himself—to crown us; and wear the crown of thorns—that we might wear the crown of glory—but he brings his subjects to sit upon the throne with him! "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne!" Oh, what a glorious King is this! Every one of his poor subjects shall sit upon the throne with him! So in Revelation 21:7, "He who overcomes shall inherit all things." One would think this very promise would draw the whole world after Christ! Oh, what a glorious King is this! Every one of His poor subjects shall sit upon the throne with Him! One would think this very promise would draw the whole world after Christ! Oh! what great offers, and privileges, and honors Christ bestows upon all His poor followers! He not only makes them kings—but He brings them to sit upon His very throne with Him!
O believer, you say that it would be an honor indeed, if could you but look into heaven, and merely to see Christ sit upon His throne! But this honor have all His saints; yes, much more—He makes them all kings, and grants to them to sit upon the throne with Him!
First, His love to his subjects is a PRIMARY love. It was not man’s loveliness that engaged God to love and save men! Says the apostle, "We love him," and why? "because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 His love is the cause preceding—our love is the effect following. If he had not first fired our hearts with the flames of his love—we would never have bestowed one spark of spiritual love upon Christ. He must draw us—before we can run after him. And therefore says the church, "Draw me—and WE will run after you." Song of Solomon 1:4. Sirs, we cannot run after Jesus—without him first drawing us. And when he draws us—we run!
Oh! sirs, since God loved us when we were ungodly—we should strive to be like him who thus loved us! Nothing can engage a saint to love God so much as this—that God loved him so much. A Christian once weeping at the table, and being asked the reason of it, answered, "Because I love Christ no more!" Indeed, friends, this should grieve us who are so much beloved—that we love Jesus so little!
You have a famous saying of Augustine, "He loves not Christ at all—who loves him not above all!" This is the first love with which God loves his people it is a primary love.
Secondly, Christ is a King that loves his subjects with a DISTINGUISHING love, and a separating love. The general love of Christ is scattered and branched out to all the creatures in the world. But his special love, his exceeding great and rich love, is only settled upon his redeemed people. Now, if you ask me what Christ’s distinguishing love is—I shall but enumerate it to you:
1. It is Pardoning love.
2. It is Redeeming love.
3. It is Calling love.
4. It is Justifying love.
5. It is Adopting love.
6. It is Sanctifying love.
7. It is Glorifying love. This I say, is a particular love; Christ’s love is not only sweeter than wine—but better than life! He is most lovely, he is altogether lovely! Christ is nothing but love to those who are his love.
Thirdly, Christ loves his saints with a PROTECTING love. "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Though she may forget—yet I will not forget you!" Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her nursing child? Is it possible a woman should be so inhumane, to forget her tender infant, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? "Yes!" says the Lord, "Though she may forget—yet I will not forget you!" God may as soon cease to be God—as cease to be good! He may as soon cease to live—as cease to love his people! No, no! He cannot forget them! Did he forget Israel in Egypt, or his church in Babylon, or Daniel in the lions’ den? Did he forget the three Hebrew children in the furnace, or Jeremiah in the dungeon, or Jonah in the whale’s belly, or Peter in the prison? Did he forget them? The wicked say indeed, that the Lord does forget, in Ezekiel 9:9, "They are saying—The Lord doesn’t see it! The Lord has forsaken the land!" But they are much mistaken! There are three or four texts of Scripture, which I shall humbly offer to your serious consideration, that do wonderfully speak out God’s protecting love to his people. The first is in Revelation 7:3. You find there an angel has power given him to harm the earth and the sea. Now there comes another angel, and cries out, "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees!" Why? what is the reason? "Until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." Do not pour out your judgments upon the earth—until we have secured the servants of God. Oh! how wonderfully does the Lord protect his people! So again, in Ezekiel 9:1-11. God had set certain men to destroy that wicked city, but first the Lord calls, "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it." But for the rest, God says, "Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children—but do not touch anyone who has the mark!"
Oh! sirs, this does wonderfully set out God’s protecting love to his people. So in Isaiah, the Lord bids the prophet tell them what dreadful judgments would come upon them, upon the kings, and princes, and great men, and soldiers. Now, says the Lord, say to the righteous, "it shall be well with them, none of this destruction shall come near them!" Oh! how wonderfully does this magnify God’s protecting love.
Isaiah 26:20, "Come my people, enter into your rooms, shut the door, and hide yourselves for a little while." Why so, O Lord? "Until the Lord’s anger against your enemies has passed by!" "Come," says God, "I am resolved to execute my judgments on wicked men; therefore hide yourselves for a while!" And therefore, I say, let no man’s heart fail him—it is but for a moment—and then your miseries shall end. Beloved, when our miseries are at the greatest—his help is at the nearest! Man’s extremity—is God’s opportunity. When Mordecai is thoroughly humbled, the crude Haman shall be hanged! But then,
Fourthly, Christ loves his people with a most INTENSE love. He loves them with all his heart! More, they are the dearly beloved of his soul, as himself calls them in Jeremiah 12:7, "the dearly beloved of my soul." Christ’s love to his people is not a lip-love, from the teeth outwardly; but a real love from the heart inwardly. Christ loves his people as his Father loves him! And how is that? Can you fathom the Father’s love for Jesus? No, all the men on earth, nor angels in heaven, cannot fathom the love that the Father bears to Christ! And yet as God loves Christ—so does Christ love his people. You have a full text for this, they are Christ’s own words, "As the Father loves me—SO I have loved you.’’
Oh, sirs, how infinitely does the Father love the Son—and how infinitely does the Son love his people! Why, he loves them as much as the father loves him. Oh, Lord, what love is this! that the Savior should love the sinner; that Christ should love the miserable sinner! And thus it is! Oh! sirs, believers are like letters of gold engraved on the very heart of Christ! "Oh the breadth, the height, the length of the love of Christ," says the apostle, "it passes knowledge!" Ephesians 3:19. As if there were both lack of words, and lack in words, to set forth the love of Christ to his people. But certainly it must be very great; for as the Father loves him—so he loves them!
Alas! others love the saints—but how do they love them? Why, not with an intense love; they do not love them for their good—but for their goods; it is more for the money in their purses, than for the grace in their hearts. They love the saints, just as men do with their sun-dials, who never look on them but when the sun shines. Why so? The world never looks upon the saints but in the time of prosperity. When the Jews flourished and were in their glory, oh what great friends were the Samaritans to them! But when the poor Jews were under affliction, then they had no worse enemies than the Samaritans. But Christ is not so, he loves you when you are poor, as well as when you are rich; as well when you are in your rags, as when you are in your robes; when you are in adversity, as well as when you are in prosperity. Christ loves his saints as well upon a gallows—as though it were in a palace; for whom he loves, he loves unto the end.
Hebrews 13:5, "He is faithful, who has said, I will never leave you, nor ever forsake you!" I will never leave you in any condition, or any place. Oh, sirs, what a love is this! And therefore, we do not hanker for what the world can do for us, or for the world’s love; it is like a Venice glass—soon broken! It smiles now—and quickly frowns! It cries "Hosanna!" today, and tomorrow "Crucify him!" But Christ’s love is infinite—from his very heart.
Fifthly, Jesus Christ loves his people with a DEMONSTRATED love. "God so loved the world—that he gave his one and only Son!" John 3:16. Says Paul, "He loved me—and gave himself for me," Galatians 2:20. The Father gives the Son—and the Son gives himself. He loved me—and gave himself for me; all that Christ did and suffered—it is for me! All that Christ has—is mine. Christ’s love is mine to pity me! Christ’s mercy is mine to save me! Christ’s graces are mine to beautify me! Christ’s power is mine to protect me! Christ’s wisdom is mine to counsel me! Christ’s Spirit is mine to comfort me! Christ’s Word is mine to teach me! Christ’s glory is mine to crown me!
There are four attributes of God which are of great support to Christians:
1. His faithfulness.
2. His mightiness.
3. His goodness.
4. His wisdom. And therefore, sirs, it is your duty to live upon God promises, when his providences seem to run adverse!
Christ’s love to you is free love! All that he has given you is free—his grace is free, his love is free, his salvation is free, and he himself is free. Therefore, a grain of saving grace in the heart—is better than a chain of gold around the neck! Now, beloved, all that Christ has bestowed upon you—it is free, and therefore it is a divine love.
Sixthly, Christ loves his people with a love of COMPASSION, sympathizing with them in all their sorrows and sufferings. Truly this is a great comfort indeed, "In all their afflictions," says the text, "he was afflicted," Isaiah 63:9. So says the apostle, "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses," Hebrews 4:15. That is, we have a high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities—one who weeps in our tears, and sighs in our sighs, and sorrows in our sorrows, and suffers in our sufferings! And therefore, says Christ, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute ME?" Christ was first persecuted by Paul in his members, and afterward he was persecuted in Paul as one of his members. Oh, what a sweet love is this! a love of compassion, and sympathizing with us in all our sorrows and sufferings!
Now, beloved, Jesus Christ loves his subjects with a love of compassion, and therefore let your sufferings be what they will, Jesus Christ does only as it were, bear a share with you.
Seventhly, Jesus Christ loves his people with a love of DELIGHT. Speaking there of Christ the King, "The King shall greatly delight in your beauty," Psalms 40:11. The King shall greatly delight in your beauty—with great delight and joy. And therefore, beloved, Christ calls his church—his love, his dove, his beloved, his lovely one. Oh, how infinitely does Christ love his church! Certainly Christ bears a great love to his church; and hence it is you read, "Christ walks among the golden candlesticks, and he feeds among the lilies, and his delight is with the sons of men."
Although poor believers are ’ravens’ in the world’s eye—yet they are ’doves’ in Christ’s eye! They are very precious in his esteem! Though they are loathed by wicked men—yet they are dearly beloved by God—he delights in them. The King shall greatly delight in them.
Eighthly, Christ loves his people with an EVERLASTING love. He loves them with an undying love—a love that never fades, never waxes cold. Christ’s love is like a fountain ever flowing, and never dried up! Whom he loves from all eternity—these he loves to all eternity! Now, sirs, is not this a great favor to be so loved by Christ? "Having loved His own who were in the world—He loved them to the end!" John 13:1. He did not love them for a day, a month, or a year—but even unto the end. And in Jeremiah 31:3, speaking there of his love, it is called an everlasting love; "I have loved you," says God, "with an everlasting love."
Oh, sirs, this is a love that shall bed and board with you—that shall lie down and rise up with you—that shall go to your death-bed with you—that shall go to the grave with you—that shall go to heaven with you! The saints shall put off the jewel of faith when they die—but not the jewel of Christ’s love; for that shall remain with them to eternity. He loves his saints with an everlasting love!
Ninthly, Christ loves his people with a UNIVERSAL love. His love is universal to all his saints. Oh, Christ infinitely loves every true believer! He loved poor Lazarus—as well as rich Abraham! He loved despised Job—as well as honorable David. He loves the poorest saints—as well as the richest. He loves them all alike—God is no respecter of persons. Oh, where is there such a king now, as Christ! They love their nobles, they are their favorites; but Christ loves all his subjects. Christ’s love extends to all his saints; his love is like the beams of the sun, which reaches all ways, east, west, north, and south—so does Christ’s love.
Tenthly, Christ loves his people with a CORRECTING love. "The Lord disciplines those he loves, and he scourges everyone he accepts as a son." Hebrews 12:6
Eleventhly, Christ loves his people with a DIRECTING love. He has promised to guide and direct his people in the way wherein they ought to walk.
Oh, put all these particulars together, and surely you must confess that Jesus Christ loves his subjects INFINITELY. As it was said of Lazarus, when Christ wept for him, they made this construction of it, "Oh, how he loves him!" Oh, how does Christ love you who are his people! He loves you infinitely, even beyond all measure!
Now, oh sirs, for the Lord’s sake, consider of it, and let this draw forth your love to him.
I now come to show you the love of Christ’s people—to Christ.
"Yes, he is altogether lovely! This is my beloved, and this is my friend!" Song of Solomon 5:16
"Oh, feed me with your love—your ’raisins’ and your ’apples’—for I am utterly lovesick!" Song of Solomon 2:5 The Spouse indeed was love-sick! But Christ exceeded her love—for he died for his love! "While we were sinners, Christ died for us!" He loved us more than his own life! Yes, the very life of Christ to him was not too dear for us. The ’pelican’ feeds her young ones with her own blood. Oh! sirs, Christ is our pelican, who has nourished and fed us with his own blood. "My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed," says Christ, John 6:55. Christ’s red blood—has taken away our red guilt! Scarlet-red sinners have become milk-white saints, when washed in his blood! All our precious mercies, come swimming to us in Christ’s precious blood!
Christ bled love at every vein! His drops of blood—were drops of love! Yes, the more bloody he was—the more lovely! He was most lovely upon the cross—because then he showed most love to us! In the last section, I showed you the great love which Jesus Christ bears to all his subjects; and the sum of my discourse was this—that Jesus Christ loves his subjects with an everlasting and undying love. That which I am now to show to you is this—that all Christ’s subjects love him; and what kind of love they have for Christ. The saints’ love to Christ is VEHEMENT and STRONG. This will appear, if you consider to what the Scripture likens and compares the saints’ love. Now it is compared to four things:
1. To sickness.
2. To death.
3. To the grave.
4. To fire. To these things is a believer’s love compared in Scripture; I shall handle them in order.
First,
She is overwhelmed, she is overcome, and even ravished with his love and beauty. "Oh! I thirst, I faint, I pant, I long for him!" O! The Christian should be very sick, and ready to swoon with love to Jesus. Never was Ahab so sick for a vineyard, never was Sisera so desirous for milk, nor Samson for water, nor Rachel for a child, nor Amnon for his sister Tamar—as poor broken-hearted sinners are for Christ! When Christ gets into the heart, he draws all the affections to him.
I remember the speech of a gracious woman, I have borne, said she, nine children, with as much pain as other women, and yet I could with all my heart bear them over again; yes, bear them, and bear them all the days of my life, that 1 might be sure of a part in Christ.
Oh how infinitely do believers love Christ! David wonders at his own love in Psalms 119:97, "O, how love I your law!" He makes a wonder at it here; with what vehemency he loves God’s Word. "O how love I your law!" Just so, the spouse here, she does not only love him—but she is utterly love-sick. Oh! sirs, here is a sickness not unto death—but unto life; it is a sickness that still brings blessedness and happiness with it, a sickness that shall be cured by him who is the great Physician of souls. This is the first kind of love; she compares her love to sickness.
Secondly, The next thing whereby she expresses the strength of her love to Christ, it is by
But, alas! none of these gallants were hardy enough for death—it trod on the necks of them all! And therefore, oh look upon death—as a thing you must reckon with! Look upon yourselves—as a thing you must part with.
Now, by this you may guess what love is—It is as strong as death; yes, strong indeed. Oh, how strong is death! Nay, believers’ love to Christ is not as strong as death—but stronger than death—as some Scriptures make it appear. A believer’s love to Christ is stronger than death, "I am persuaded," says Paul, "that neither life, nor death, principalities nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, shall ever be able to separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39.
Death, though it may kill us—it cannot hurt us! Though death may send us to the pit of darkness—yet it cannot send us to the place of torments! Though it may take away our lives—yet it cannot take away our loves! Bloody tyrants have taken away the martyrs’ lives for Christ—but they could never destroy their love to him. One of the primitive Christians, when he came to suffer, said, "Oh, I shall die for my Savior but once—but I have no more lives to lay down! Oh, I could die a hundred times for him!" Oh! sirs, love is a thing that outlives all enemies, all persecutions, all dangers; nay, death itself!
Revelation 12:11 says, "They loved not their lives unto the death." And so says Job, "Though you slay me—yet will I trust in you;" as if he had said, "Oh, Lord, though you take away my possessions, my greatness, my health, my goodness, my children; yes, my life itself—you shall never take away my love! Though you kill me—yet will I trust in you!" Job 13:15. So love to Christ is not only as strong as death—but stronger than death; for love is the conqueror at the last.
Thirdly, Another thing whereby she expresses the strength of her love, and her strong affection to Christ, it is the
"He who drinks of the water that I shall give him, shall thirst no more." No more after those base poor things—but more and more after Christ.
"My soul thirsts for You!" Psalms 42:1. Why, David—how does your soul thirst for God? He tells you, "As the deer pants after the water brooks—so my soul pants after you, O God." Now mark, sirs, the poor deer which is hunted by dogs—it is, as it were, all in a burning heat, and then it pants, and thirsts, and is ready to die for water. Now, says David, "As the deer pants after the water brooks—so pants my soul after you, O God." Oh, the vehement fire of David’s thirst! No hungry man ever longed for bread, nor a thirsty man long for water, nor a naked man long for clothes, nor a covetous man long for riches, nor a sick man long for health, nor a condemned man long for pardon—than truly gracious soul thirsts for Jesus!
David tells you elsewhere, "Whom have I in heaven but you, and there is none I desire on earth in comparison of you!" Psalms 73:23. David—do you not desire your wife, your children, your crown, your kingdom? "Yes, these be desired in their places—but these were nothing in comparison of God." I remember the saying of a martyr, to one that asked him if he did not love his wife and children, when they wept by him? "Love them! yes!" says he, "if all the world were gold, and mine to dispose of, I would give it all to live with them, though it were in a prison;" says he, " yet, in comparison with Jesus—I love them not." Oh! sirs, we must tread upon father, and run over mother—to come to Christ.
You know Peter, to come to Christ—he would go upon the bare water! Rather than sail, he went upon the sea to Christ! Truly it was a dangerous passage—but Peter bore up excellently well, while his faith bore up—but when his faith sank, then Peter began to sink too. In Scripture, the world is called a sea; and you must go upon these waters to Christ, and be sure to keep up faith, and then you will hold out; but if faith fails, you shall be sure to sink.
Oh! sirs, the believer’s love is unsatisfied like the grave. "None but Christ, none but Christ!" says the martyr. Ad as Augustine says, "Oh Lord, take away all—only give me yourself!"
Fourthly, Love is compared to
Now, beloved, as the saints’ love is compared to fire in the Scripture, so you shall find afflictions, and persecutions, and dangers, and these cruel things that accompany the poor saints in the world, are called waters and floods. Revelation 17:15, "The waters which you saw, where the whore sat." Revelation 12:14, "Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from its mouth." Now, what is the flood here? Why, this flood is bloody persecutions, and devilish persecutions. Now, beloved, how long has the dragon been spewing out her water upon the church? And why is all this water thrown out? It is to quench the fire that I speak of; but can they do it? No, alas! they may spew until their eyes come out of their head, and to no purpose! Song of Solomon 8:7, "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it!" All the bloody persecutions and afflictions cannot quench love; and therefore let wicked men send forth as many floods as they will—they cannot drown the saints’ love.
All the water that Saul and his party threw upon David did not quench his love. No, says he, "Though I walk through the valley and shadow of death—yet will I fear no evil." Psalms 23:4. David is not afraid to go by death’s door.
All the waters that Herod and the rulers threw upon the apostles, could never quench their love.
Now, beloved, you will find after the apostles where whipped soundly, that they went away rejoicing, and rejoicing in this very thing, that they were accounted worthy to suffer for Jesus Christ. "They took joyfully accepted the confiscation of their property." Hebrews 10:34
Says Paul, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us!" Romans 8:35-37
Believe it, sirs, all these are trying things, and yet, says he, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" No, no, they cannot do it! There is nothing that shall ever be able to separate us from the love of Christ! The believer’s love is not made of such metal, as to be quenched by this flood; the saints are all on fire for Christ. And so we find that great flood which Nero and Julian poured out upon the primitive Christians; what—did it quench the fire? I remember one of the martyrs said, "Had I ten heads—they should all suffer for Christ!" And another said, "If every hair of my head were a man—they should all suffer for Christ!" Alas! the poor Christians grasped their torments like so many crowns! For the Scripture tells you, that "many waters cannot quench love."
Now, beloved, put these four things together, and it is very clear, that the saints’ love to Christ is vehement and strong. They will hang for him, they will burn for him, they will do anything for him, and suffer the greatest torments rather than he should lose the least grain of glory! But you will say, WHY do all God’s subjects love Him with such great love? The reasons are two:
First, Because he deserves it.
Secondly, He commands it.
First, Christ deserves our love. Why do we love him? Because he deserves it at our hands, even it it were ten thousand times more than it is. Beloved, it was he who created us; it is he who sanctified us; it is he who redeemed us, and loved us; it was he who changed our natures, and pardons our sin! It was he who made our peace, and pacified his Father’s wrath for us, and satisfied his Father’s justice for us, and wrought everlasting righteousness for us! It is he who bore our cross—that we might wear his crown. He waded through a sea of sufferings for us—to bring pardon to our souls! And does not this Christ deserve our love? Oh infinitely, infinitely! And truly, sirs, the more Christ has done and suffered for us—the dearer shall he be unto us.
Secondly, As Christ deserves our love, so he commands it. Christ commands us to love him above life, above wife, above relations. Christ will have all—or none at all. Jesus Christ must weigh heavier than all relations in the balance of our affections; he commanded to love him above all.