Then & Now · 15 of 28
12. God Hath Chosen You to Reveal His Secrets To
12. God Hath Chosen You to Reveal His Secrets To
Twelfthly, Conſider, you are the only perſons in all the world that God hath made choice of to reveale his ſecrets to. John 15. 15. Henceforth I call you not ſervants, for the Servant knoweth not what his Lord doth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my father I have made known unto you. Every thing that God the father had communicated to Chriſt as Mediator to be revealed to his ſervants, he did make known to his diſciples as to his boſome friends. Chriſt loves his people as friends, and he uſes them as friends, and he opens his heart to them as friends. There is nothing in the heart of Chriſt, that concerns the internal and eternal28 welfare of his friends, but he reveales it to them: he reveales himſelf, his love, his eternal good-will, the miſteries of Faith, and the ſecrets of his Covenant, to his friends. Chriſt loves not to entertaine his p. 76 friends with things that are commonly and vulgarly knowne. Chriſt will reveal the ſecrets of his mind, the ſecrets of his love, the ſecrets of his thoughts, the ſecrets of his heart, and the ſecrets of his purpoſes, to all his boſome friends. Sampſon could not hide his mind, his ſecrets from Dalilah,29 though it coſt him his life: and do you think that Chriſt can hide his mind, his ſecrets from them for whom he hath laid down his life? ſurely no. O ſirs, Chriſt is,
Twelfthly, consider you are the only persons in all the world that God hath made choice of to reveal His secrets to. ‸ ‸“‸Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:15). Everything that God the Father had communicated to Christ as mediator to be revealed to His servants, He did make known to His disciples as to His bosom friends. Christ loves His people as friends, and He uses them as friends, and He opens His heart to them as friends. There is nothing in the heart of Christ‸ that concerns the internal and eternal welfare of His friends, but He reveals it to them. He reveals Himself, His love, His eternal good‸will, the mysteries of faith, and the secrets of His covenant to His friends. Christ loves ‸ to entertain His friends with things that are not commonly and vulgarly known. Christ will reveal the secrets of His mind, the secrets of His love, the secrets of His thoughts, the secrets of His heart, and the secrets of His purposes, to all His bosom friends. Samson could not hide his mind, his secrets, from Delilah, though it cost him his life (Judg 16:15–17); and do you think that Christ can hide His mind, His secrets, from them for whom He hath laid down His life? Surely not. O sirs! Christ is‸
1. A univerſal friend.
2. An omnipotent friend, an Almighty friend: He is no leſs than thirty times called Almighty in that book of Job; he can do above all expreſſions, and beyond all apprehenſions.
3. He is an omniſcient friend.
4. He is an omnipreſent friend.
5. He is an indeficient friend.
6. He is an independant friend.
7. He is an unchangable friend.
8. He is a watchful friend.
p. 77 9. He is a tender and compaſſionate friend.
10. He is a cloſe and faithful friend.
- a universal friend,
- an omnipotent friend, an almighty friend. He is no less than thirty times called Almighty in that book of Job; He can do above all expressions‸ and beyond all apprehensions.
- ‸ He is an omniscient friend.
- ‸ He is an omnipresent friend.
- ‸ He is an indeficient friend.
- ‸ He is an independent friend.
- ‸ He is an unchangeable friend.
- ‸ He is a watchful friend.
- ‸ He is a tender and compassionate friend.
- ‸ He is a close and faithful friend.
And therefore he can’t but open and unboſom himſelf to all his boſom friends. To be reſerved and cloſe is againſt the very law of friendſhip. Faithful friends are very free in imparting their thoughts, their minds, their ſecrets, one to another. A real friend accounts nothing worth knowing, unleſs he makes it known to his friends: He rips up his greateſt and moſt inward ſecrets to his friends. Job calls30 his friends inward friends, or, the men of his ſecrets. All Chriſts friends are inward friends, they are the men of his ſecrets, Prov. 3. 32. His ſecrets are with the righteous, that is, his covenant and fatherly affection, which is hid and ſecret from the world. He that is righteous in ſecret, where no man ſees him, he is the righteous man to whom God will communicate his cloſeſt ſecrets, as to his deareſt boſom friend. It is only a boſom friend to whom p. 78 we will unboſom our ſelves. So Pſal. 25. 14. The ſecret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will ſhew them his Covenant.
- 30. Job 19. 19. [dropped from the edition]
Therefore‸, He cannot but open and unbosom Himself to all His bosom friends. To be reserved and close is against the very law of friendship. Faithful friends are very free in imparting their thoughts, their minds, their secrets, one to another. A real friend accounts nothing worth knowing‸ unless he makes it known to his friends. He rips up his greatest and most inward secrets to his friends. Job calls his friends “‸inward friends,” or‸ the men of his secrets (Job 19:19). All Christ’s friends are inward friends; they are the men of ‸ ‸ ‸ His secrets‸. “His secret is with the righteous” (Prov 3:32); that is, His covenant and fatherly affection, which is hid and secret from the world. He that is righteous in secret, where no man sees him, he is the righteous man, to whom God will communicate His closest secrets, as to His dearest bosom friend. It is only a bosom friend to whom we will unbosom ourselves. ‸ ‸ ‸“‸The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant” (Ps 25:14).
Now there are three ſorts of divine ſecrets.
Now, there are three sorts of divine secrets:
Firſt, There are ſecrets of Providence;31 and theſe he reveals to the righteous, and to them that fear him. The Prophet Amos ſpeaks of theſe ſecrets of Providence, Amos 3. 7. Surely, the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his ſecrets unto his ſervants the Prophets. Micaiah knew the ſecret of the Lord touching Ahab, which neither Zedekiah32 nor any other of the falſe Prophets knew. So Gen. 18. 17. And the Lord ſaid, ſhall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? The deſtruction of Sodom was a ſecret that lay in the boſom of God; but Abraham being a boſom friend, God communicates this ſecret to him, Verſ. 19, 20, 21. Abraham was a33 friend, a faithful friend, a friend by a ſpecialty, and therefore God makes him both of his Court and p. 79 Counſel. Oh how greatly doth God condeſcend to his People! he ſpeaks to them as a man would ſpeak to his friend; and there is no ſecrets of Providence, which may be for their advantage, but he will reveal them to his faithful ſervants. As all faithful friends have the ſame friends and the ſame enemies, ſo they are mutual in the communication of their ſecrets one to another; and ſo ‘twas between God and Abraham.
(1) First, there are secrets of providence, and these He reveals to the righteous‸ and to them that fear Him (Ps 107:43; Hos 14:9). The prophet Amos speaks of these secrets of providence: ‸ ‸“‸Surely‸ the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). Micah knew the secret of the Lord touching Ahab, which neither Zedekiah nor any other of the false prophets knew. ‸ ‸ ‸“‸And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” (Gen 18:17). The destruction of Sodom was a secret that lay in the bosom of God; but Abraham being a bosom friend, God communicates this secret to him (‸vv. 19-‸21). Abraham was a friend, a faithful friend, a friend by a specialty (Jas 2:23); and therefore, God makes him both of His court and counsel. Oh, how greatly doth God condescend to His people. He speaks to them as a man would speak to his friend; and there are no secrets of providence, which may be for their advantage, but He will reveal them to His faithful servants. As all faithful friends have the same friends and the same enemies, so they are mutual in the communication of their secrets one to another; and so it was between God and Abraham.
Secondly, There are the ſecrets of his Kingdom, and theſe he reveals to his people, Matth. 13. 11. Ʋnto you it is given to know the myſteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but unto them it is not given. So Matth. 11. 25. At that time Jeſus anſwered and ſaid, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, becauſe thou haſt hid theſe things from the wiſe and prudent, and haſt revealed them unto babes. 34 Let us not think (ſaith Hierom.) that the Goſpel is in the words of Scripture, but in the ſenſe; not in the outſide, but in the marrow; not in the leaves of p. 80 words, but in the root of reaſon. Auguſtin humbly begg’d of God, That if it were his pleaſure, he would ſend Moſes to him, to interpret ſome more abſtruce and intricate paſſages in his Book of Geneſis. There are many choice, ſecret, hidden35 and myſterious Truths and Doctrines in the Goſpel, which Chriſt reveals to his people, that this poor, blind, ignorant world are ſtrangers to. There are many ſecrets wrapt up in the plaineſt truths and doctrines of the Goſpel, which none can effectually open and reveal but the Spirit of the Lord, that ſearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. There are many ſecrets and myſteries in the Goſpel, that all the learning and labour in the world can never give a man inſight into. There are many that know the Doctrine of the Goſpel, the Hiſtory of the Goſpel, that are meer ſtrangers to the ſecrets of the Goſpel. There is a ſecret power, a ſecret authority, a ſecret efficacy, a ſecret prevalency, a ſecret goodneſs, p. 81 a ſecret ſweetneſs in the Goſpel, that none experience, but thoſe to whom the Lord is pleaſed to impart Goſpel ſecrets to, Iſa. 29. 11, 12. Seal my law among my Diſciples. The Law of God to wicked men is a ſealed book, that they cannot underſtand, Dan. 12. 9, 10. ‘Tis as blotted paper, that they cannot read. Look as a private letter to a friend contains ſecret matter that no man elſe may read, becauſe it is ſealed. So the law of grace is ſealed up under the privy ſeal of Heaven, ſo that no man can open it or read it, but Chriſts faithful friends, to whom ‘tis ſent. The whole Scripture (ſaith Gregory) is but one entire letter diſpatcht from the Lord Chriſt, to his beloved Spouſe on earth. The Rabbins ſay that there are four keys that God hath under his Girdle.
(2) Secondly, there are the secrets of His kingdom, and these He reveals to His people‸‸. ‸ ‸ “It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given‸‸‸‸…‸At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matt 13:11; 11:25). “‸Let us not think‸,” saith Jerome, “‸that the gospel is in the words of Scripture, but in the sense; not in the outside, but in the marrow; not in the leaves of words, but in the root of reason.‸” Augustine humbly begged of God that if it were His pleasure, He would send Moses to him‸ to interpret some more abstruse and intricate passages in his book of Genesis. There are many choice, secret, hidden, and mysterious truths and doctrines in the gospel, which Christ reveals to His people, that this poor, blind, ignorant world are strangers to. There are many secrets wrapped up in the plainest truths and doctrines of the gospel, which none can effectually open and reveal but the Spirit of the Lord, that “‸searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor 2:10). There are many secrets and mysteries in the gospel that all the learning and labor in the world can never give a man insight into. There are many that know the doctrine of the gospel, the history of the gospel, that are mere strangers to the secrets of the gospel. There is a secret power, a secret authority, a secret efficacy, a secret prevalence, a secret goodness, a secret sweetness in the gospel, that none experience‸ but those to whom the Lord is pleased to impart gospel secrets to‸‸. “‸Seal the law among my disciples” (Isa 8:16; 29:11–12). The law of God to wicked men is a sealed book‸ that they cannot understand (‸Dan 12:9–10). It is as blotted paper‸ that they cannot read. Look, as a private letter to a friend contains secret matter that no man else may read‸ because it is sealed; so the law of grace is sealed up under the privy seal of heaven, so that no man can open it or read it except Christ’s faithful friends‸ to whom it is sent. The whole Scripture‸, saith Gregory, is but one entire letter dispatched from the Lord Christ‸ to His beloved spouse on earth. The rabbins say that there are four keys that God hath under His girdle:
- 1. The key of the Clouds.
- 2. The key of the Womb.
- 3. The key of the Grave.
- 4. The key of Food.
1) the key of the clouds; 2) the key of the womb; 3) the key of the grave; 4) the key of food.
And I may add a Fifth key that p. 82 is under his Girdle, and that is the key of the Word, the key of the Scripture, which key none can turn but he that hath the key of David, that opens and no man ſhuts, and that ſhuts and no man opens, Revel. 3. 7.
‸ I may add a fifth key that is under His girdle, and that is the key of the Word, the key of the Scripture; which key none can turn but “‸he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, ‸ and no man openeth” (Rev 3:‸7).
O ſirs, God reveals himſelf, and his mind, and will, and truth, to his people in a more friendly and familiar way, than he doth to others, Mark 4. 11. And he ſaid unto them, unto you ‘tis given to know the myſtery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all theſe things are done in parables. Luke 8. 10. And he ſaid, unto you it is given to know the myſtery of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that ſeeing they might not ſee, and hearing they might not underſtand. Though great Doctors and profound Clerks, and deep ſtudied, but unſanctified Divines, may know much of the Doctrines of the Goſpel, and commend much the doctrines of the Goſpel, and diſpute much for the doctrines of the Goſpel, and glory p. 83 much in the doctrines of the Goſpel, and take a great deal of pains to dreſs and trim up the doctrines of the Goſpel, with the flowers of Rhetorick or Eloquence; though it be much better to preſent truth in her native plainneſs, than to hang her ears with counterfeit Pearls (the Word, without humane adornments, is like the ſtone Garamantides, that hath drops of gold in it ſelf, ſufficient to enrich the believing ſoul) Yet the ſpecial, ſpiritual, powerful, and ſaving36 knowledge of the doctrines of the Goſpel, is a ſecret, a myſtery, yea, a hidden myſtery to them.
- 36. Rom. 16. 25. 1 Cor. 2. 7. [dropped from the edition]
O sirs! God reveals Himself and His mind‸ and will‸ and truth‸ to His people in a more friendly and familiar way‸ than He doth to others‸‸‸. “‸And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables‸‸…‸And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand” (Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10). Though great doctors, and profound clerks, and deep-‸studied‸ but unsanctified divines may know much of the doctrines of the gospel, and commend much the doctrines of the gospel, and dispute much for the doctrines of the gospel, and glory much in the doctrines of the gospel, and take a great deal of pains to dress and trim up the doctrines of the gospel, with the flowers of rhetoric or eloquence; though it be much better to present truth in her native plainness‸ than to hang her ears with counterfeit pearls (the Word, without human adornments, is like the stone Garamantides‸ that hath drops of gold in itself, sufficient to enrich the believing soul)‸, yet the special, spiritual, powerful, and saving knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel is a secret, a mystery, yea, a hidden mystery to them (Rom 16:25; 1 Cor 2:7).
Chryſoſtome compares the myſtery of Chriſt, in regard of the wicked, to a written book, that the ignorant can neither read nor ſpell; he fees the cover, the leaves, and the letters, but he underſtands not the meaning of what he ſees. He compares, the myſtery of Grace to an indited Epiſtle, which an unskilful Ideot viewing, he cannot read it, he cannot underſtand it; he knoweth p. 84 it is paper and ink, but the ſenſe, the matter, he knows not, he underſtands not. So unſanctified perſons, though they are never ſo learned, and though they may perceive the bark of the myſtery of Chriſt, yet they perceive not, they underſtand not the myſtery of grace, the inward ſenſe of the ſpirit, in the bleſſed Scriptures. Though the Devil be the greateſt Scholar in the world, and though he have more learning than all the men in the world have, yet there are many thouſand ſecrets and myſteries in the Goſpel of grace, that he knows not really, ſpiritually, feelingly, efficaciouſly, powerfully, throughly, ſavingly, &c.
Chrysostom compares the mysteries of Christ, in regard of the wicked, to a written book‸ that the ignorant can neither read nor spell. He sees the cover, the leaves, and the letters, but he understands not the meaning of what he sees. He compares‸ the mystery of grace to a dictated epistle, which an uneducated person viewing, he cannot read it, he cannot understand it. He knoweth it is paper and ink, but the sense, the matter, he knows not, he understands not. So unsanctified persons, though they are never so learned, and though they may perceive the bark of the mystery of Christ, yet they perceive not, they understand not, the mystery of grace, the inward sense of the Spirit in the blessed Scriptures. Though the devil be the greatest scholar in the world, and though he have more learning than all the men in the world have, yet there are many thousand secrets and mysteries in the gospel of grace‸ that he knows not really, spiritually, feelingly, efficaciously, powerfully, thoroughly, savingly‸‸.
O but now Chriſt makes known himſelf, his mind, his grace, his truth, to his people, in a more clear, full, familiar and friendly way, 2 Sam. 7. 27. For thou, O Lord of hoſts, God of Iſrael, haſt revealed to thy ſervant; ſo you read it in your Books: but in the Hebrew it is thus, Lord, thou haſt revealed this to the ear p. 85 of thy ſervant. Now the emphaſis lieth in that word, to the ear, which is left out in your Books. When God makes known himſelf to his people, he revealeth things to their ear, as we uſe to do to a friend, who is intimate with us, we ſpeak a thing to his ear. There is many a ſecret which Jeſus Chriſt ſpeaks in the eares of his ſervants, which others never come to be acquainted with. 2 Cor. 4. 6. God who commanded the light to ſhine out of darkneſs, hath ſhined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt.
Oh, but now Christ makes known Himself, His mind, His grace, His truth, to His people, in a more clear, full, familiar, and friendly way‸‸. “‸For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant” (2 Sam 7:27). So you read it in your books; but in the Hebrew it is thus: “‸Lord, thou hast revealed this to the ear of thy servant.” Now, the emphasis lieth in that word, “‸to the ear,” which is left out in your books. When God makes known Himself to His people, He revealeth things to their ears, as we use to do to a friend‸ who is intimate with us: we speak a thing to his ear. There is many a secret which Jesus Christ speaks in the ears of His servants, which others never come to be acquainted with. ‸ ‸ ‸“‸God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:6).
The ſix ſeveral gradations that are in this Scripture are worthy of our moſt ſerious conſideration. Here is,
The six several gradations that are in this scripture are worthy of our most serious consideration. Here is:
Firſt, Knowledge.
First, knowledge;
And,
Second,
Secondly, The knowledge of the glory of God.
the knowledge of the glory of God;
And,
Third,
Thirdly, The light of the knowledge of the glory of God.
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God;
And,
Fourth, shining;
Fourthly, Shining. And,
Fifth, shining
Fifthly, Shining into our hearts. And,
‸ into our hearts; and,
Sixthly, Shining into our hearts in the face of Jeſus Chriſt.
Sixth, shining into our hearts in the face of Jesus Christ.
And thus you ſee that the Lord reveals the ſecrets of himſelf, his kingdome, his truth, his grace, his glory to his ſaints. But.
And thus, you see that the Lord reveals the secrets of Himself, His kingdom, His truth, His grace, His glory, to the saints. ‸
Thirdly, There are the ſecrets of his favour, the ſecrets of his ſpecial love, that he bears to them, the ſecret purpoſes of his heart to ſave them, and theſe are thoſe great ſecrets, thoſe deep things of God, which none can reveal but the Spirit of God. Now theſe great ſecrets, theſe deep things of God, God doth reveal to his people by his Spirit, 1 Cor. 2. 10, 11, 12. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the ſpirit ſearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, ſave the ſpirit of man which is in him? Even ſo the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the ſpirit of the world, but the ſpirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Now what are the things p. 87 that are freely given to us of God, but our election, vocation, juſtification, ſanctification, and glorification? And why hath God given us his Spirit, but that we ſhould know the things that are freely given to us of God. Some by ſecret, in that 25th. Pſal. 14. do underſtand a particular aſſurance of Gods favour, whereby happineſs is ſecured to us both for the preſent and for the future; they underſtand by ſecret, the ſealing of the Spirit, the hidden Manna, the White Stone, and the New Name in it, which none knoweth but he that hath it. And ſo much thoſe words, He will ſhew them his Covenant, ſeems to import; for what greater ſecret can God impart to his people, than that of opening the Covenant of grace to them in its freeneſs, fulneſs, ſureneſs, ſweetneſs, ſuitableneſs, everlaſtingneſs, and in ſealing up his good pleaſure, and all the ſpiritual and eternal bleſſings of the Covenant to them? Such as love and ſerve p. 88 the Lord, ſhall be of his Cabinet Counſel, they ſhall know his ſoul ſecrets, and be admitted into a very gracious familiarity and friendſhip with himſelf, John 14. 21, 22, 23 He that hath my commandements and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me, ſhall be loved of my father, and I will love him, and manifeſt my ſelf unto him. Judas ſaith unto him, not Iſcariot: Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifeſt thy ſelf unto us, and not unto the world? Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto him, if any man love me, he will keep my words, and my father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him. God and Chriſt will keep houſe with them, and manifeſt the ſecrets of their love to them that are obſervant of their commands. And thus you ſee that the Saints are the onely perſons to whom God will reveal the ſecrets of his Providence, the ſecrets of his Kingdom, and the ſecrets of his Love unto. Chriſt came out of the boſom of his father, and he opens all the ſecrets of his father p. 89 only to his boſom friends.
(3) Thirdly, there are the secrets of His favor, the secrets of His special love‸ that He bears to them, the secret purposes of His heart to save them. And these are those great secrets, those “‸deep things of God,” which none can reveal “‸but the Spirit of God” (1 Cor 2:10–11). Now these great secrets, these deep things of God, God doth reveal to His people by His Spirit‸‸. “‸But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Cor 2:10–12). Now what are the things that are freely given to us of God, but our election, vocation, justification, sanctification, and glorification? And why hath God given us His Spirit, but that we should know “‸the things that are freely given to us of God” (v. 12)? Some by “‸secret” in the 25th‸ Psalm ‸ do understand a particular assurance of God’s favors whereby happiness is secured to us, both for the present and for the future. They understand by “‸secret” the sealing of the Spirit, the hidden manna, the white stone, and the new name in it, which none knoweth but he that hath it. And so much those words, “‸He will shew them his covenant,‸” seem to import (Ps 25:14); for what greater secret can God impart to His people‸ than that of opening the covenant of grace to them in its freeness, fulness, sureness, sweetness, suitableness, everlastingness, and in sealing up His good pleasure‸ and all the spiritual and eternal blessings of the covenant to them? Such as love and serve the Lord‸ shall be of His cabinet council, they shall know His soul secrets, and be admitted into a very gracious familiarity and friendship with Him‸‸‸. “‸He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me‸ shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:21–23). God and Christ will keep house with them‸ and manifest the secrets of Their love to them that are observant of Their commands. And thus, you see that the saints are the only persons to whom God will reveal the secrets of His providence, the secrets of His kingdom, and the secrets of His love unto. Christ came out of the bosom of His Father, and He opens all the secrets of His Father only to His bosom friends.
Now what an exceeding high honour is it for God to open the ſecrets of his love, the ſecrets of his promiſes, the ſecrets of his providences, the ſecrets of his counſels, and the ſecrets of his covenant to his people.
Now what an exceeding high honor is it for God to open the secrets of His love, the secrets of His promises, the secrets of His providences, the secrets of His counsels, and the secrets of His covenant to His people!
Tiberius Caeſar thought no man fit to know his ſecrets. And among the Perſians none but noble Men, Lords and Dukes, might be made partakers of State ſecrets; they eſteeming ſecrecy a Godhead, a Divine thing; as Ammianus Marcellinus affirms. But now ſuch honour God hath put upon all his Saints, as to make them Lords, and Nobles, and the only privy-ſtatesmen in the Court of Heaven. The higheſt honour and glory that earthly Princes can put upon their ſubjects is to communicate to them their greateſt ſecrets. Now this high honour and glory, the King of kings hath put upon his people; For his ſecrets are with them that fear him, and he will ſhew them his Covenant. ‘Twas a high honour to Eliſha, p. 90 that he could tell the ſecrets37 that were ſpoken in the Kings bedchamber. O what an honour muſt it then be for the Saints to know the ſecrets that are ſpoken in the preſence-chamber of the King of Kings.
- 37. 2 Kings 6. 12. [dropped from the edition]
Tiberius Caesar thought no man fit to know his secrets. And among the Persians none but noblemen, lords, and dukes might be made partakers of state secrets. They esteemed secrecy a godhead, a divine thing, as Ammianus Marcellinus affirms. But now such honor God hath put upon all His saints as to make them lords and nobles and the only privy‸statesmen in the court of heaven. The highest honor and glory that earthly princes can put upon their subjects is to communicate to them their greatest secrets. Now this high honor and glory‸ the King of kings hath put upon His people‸. “The secret of the LORD is ‸ with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant” (Ps 25:14). It was a high honor to Elisha‸ that he could tell the secrets that were spoken in the king’s bedchamber (2 Kgs 6:12). Oh, what an honor must it then be for the saints to know the secrets that are spoken in the presence-chamber of the King of kings!
Now I appeale to the very conſciences of all that fear the Lord, whether it be not a juſt, equal, righteous, and neceſſary thing, that the people of God ſhould freely and fully lay open all the ſecrets of their hearts before the Lord, who hath thus highly honoured them, as to reveale the ſecrets of his providence, kingdome and favour to them? Yea, I appeale to all ſerious and ingenious Chriſtians, whether it be not againſt the light and law of nature, and againſt the law of love, and law of friendſhip, to be reſerved and cloſe, yea, to hide our ſecrets from him, who reveales his greateſt and his choiceſt ſecrets to us? And if it be, why then do not you in ſecret, lay open all your ſecret ſins, and ſecret wants, and ſecret p. 91 deſires, ſecret feares, &c. to him that ſeeth in ſecret? You know all ſecrets, are to be communicated only in ſecret: none but fooles in Folio will communicate ſecrets upon a ſtage, or before many. But,
Now I appeal to the very consciences of all that fear the Lord, whether it be not a just, equal, righteous, and necessary thing‸ that the people of God should freely and fully lay open all the secrets of their hearts before the Lord, Who hath thus highly honored them‸ as to reveal the secrets of His providence, kingdom, and favor to them? Yea, I appeal to all serious and ingenuous Christians, whether it be not against the light and law of nature, and against the law of love, and law of friendship, to be reserved and close, yea, to hide our secrets from Him Who reveals His greatest and His choicest secrets to us? And if it be, why then do not you in secret‸ lay open all your secret sins, and secret wants, and secret desires, secret fears, etc., to Him that seeth in secret? You know all secrets‸ are to be communicated only in secret. None but fools in folio will communicate secrets upon a stage‸ or before many. ‸