out of him so the Church was hid in Christ formed and drawn out of Christ cast into the deep sleep of death Ezek. 47.11 John 19.34 O rejoyce in Christs Testament glory in his Riches Triumph in his Salvation that when sin reigns over most unto death grace should reign over you thro' the Righteousness of Christ unto Eternal life 2 Cor. III. 6. Who also hath made us Able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit For the Letter Killeth but the Spirit giveth Life IN the words 1. we have a Subject spoken of and that is the New Testament as it is distinguished from the Old Testament which was not the Covenant of Works but the Covenant of Grace wrapt up in Types and Figures more darkly Administred Galat. 3.18 2. The Apostle insists on this New Testament and commends it that it is Spirit and not Letter 1 John 17. that is the Holy Ghost doth eminently and signally manifest himself in this New Testament Dispensation It is Filled it is Enriched it is Ennacted by the Holy Ghost he doth so breath in it and worketh it that it may well be called Spirit and not Letter The Gospel is not a meer Literal Doctrine or Command but mightily animated by the Spirit if it were only Letter it would kill us frail and weak Greatures exacting Duty And requiring Obedience of us that are Impotent yea dead Creatures but it is Spirit and so it gives Life The Holy Ghost enlightens Blind Minds softens Hard Hearts and Quickens Dead Souls The effectual Workings of the Spirit are called the Law of the Spirit and this Law of the Spirit of Life is said to make free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 This is a Law that is all Power and consists wholly in Execution 3. The Apostle informs us of the Honour and Dignity of Gospel-Officers for they are Ministers of this New Testament 4. The Apostle glorifies God and instructs us how it is that Officers do become able Ministers of this New Testament It is God that made Paul and others Able Ministers of the New Testament The words afford us Three Doctrines 1st That there is a New Testament 2dly That Gospel Officers are Ministers of this New Testament 3dly That it is God that doth make Men able Ministers of the New Testament 1. Doctrine that there is a New Testament We may observe and admire the Wisdom of God that first there was a Promise then a Covenant then a Testament this last the best and most Noble Edition of the Covenant of Grace this is called the New Testament to distinguish it from the Old Testament First The Old Testament was made with one Nation in the day that the Lord took Israel by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Egypt but it is God's design by Christ and the New Testament to gather together into one all the Children of God that are scattered abroad John 6.52 Christ Preacheth now not onely to the Jews that were nigh but also to the Gentiles that were afar off Ephes 2.17 2. The First Testament had Moses for â Mediator Gal. 5.19 The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth comes by Jesus Christ 1 John 17. Jesus is the Madiator of the New Testament Heb. 9.15 The Old Testament was accompanied with Figures and Shadows of things to come 2 Col. 17. The Law had a shadow of good things to come and not the very Image of the Things that is Christ himself and the very Live Image of Spiritual things were not then exhibited Righteousness was not yet brought Atonement was not yet made the Fountain was not yet opened for sin and uncleanness The Law and Prophets Prophesied till John Matth. 1.13 they spake of Christ and foretold the Glorious things of the Gospel as yet to come but now the Kingdom of God is clearly discovered and is Preached as come Luke 7.16 I ourthly The Old Testament and the Ceremonial Law made nothing perfect Heb. 7.19 but did introduce the Hope of a better Priest and of a more Noble Sacrifice but Christ by one Offering hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified On the day of Atonement there was a remembrance of all the Sins committed that year which did shew the weakness and imperfection of those Sacrifices in that there was a Remembrance again made of Sins But in this the Excellency and Perfection of Christ's Sacrifice appears in that it did purge and put away Sin and God on the account of it made that Promise Your Sins and Iniquities I will Remember no more Heb. 10.17 18. Fifthly The Old Testament was confirmed by the Blood of Beasts Moses killed Sacrifices and took the Blood of them and sprinkled it on the People saying behold the Blood of the Covenant that God hath made with you But the New Testament was confirmed with better Blood Christs Blood is the Blood of Sprinkling and the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant Heb. 12.24 Heb. 13.20 Sixthly The Old Testament was weak and faulty it did not it could not purge Conscience by the Blood of Brutish Sacrifices neither could it introduce the Law of God into the Soul and write it in the Heart but the New Testament is strong and powerful it makes those that were barren to bear and rejoyce Isa 54.1 And by it the Law of God is writ in the Heart and put into the inward parts and the Soul is Renewed and Transformed to walk with and live to God 7thly The Old Testament waxed old and did vanish away but the New Testament remains abides and is Everlasting Heb. 13.20 the Blood of Christ is still fresh and therefore his Testament is still new He offered one Sacrifice for Sins for ever Heb. 10.12 His Sacrifice is of an Everlasting Virtue and the way made by it to the true Holy of Holies is living and still new Heb. 10.19 and the Covenant and Testament built on this Everlasting Sacrifice must need be Everlasting This is God's last speaking to the World and it shall never give place to any other Covenant Heb. 7.1 This is a better Covenant or Testament established on better Promises than the Covenant of Works was Heb. 8.6 yea the Promises of the New Testament are clearer and exhibit more grace than the Promises of the Old Testament The Old Covenant is compared to and set forth by Hagar that was a young Woman and had Natural Strength to conceive and bare a Son Gal. 4.24 25. with Isa 54.1 but the New Testament is set forth by Sarah that was barren and was made fruitful by a supernatural power Acts 1.11 The Promises of the Law do respect the strength that God first put into Man and are built on the obedience to be performed by this strength but the New Testament is built on a Spiritual and Supernatural strength put into the Soul by the Holy Ghost For the opening and Explication of this New Testament I shall insist on these several
be mindful of his Covenant Psal 111.5 The Kingdom of God and his Righteousness is our chief good and true Happiness the main of Gods Covenant is wrapt up in this Matth. 6.33 yet Earthly and outward things are Promised as an advantage these shall be added to God's Children to supply their wants The Children of Israel had need of a Passage to Canaan the Country that God had given them Moses sent to Sihon to desire a passage through his Country unto Canaan Deut. 2.26 27 28 30. but he refused to let Israel pass through his Land so God gave him up to Israel to be destroyed Thus the People of God must have some Footing in and Possession of the World as it is a passage to the Heavenly Canaan that is their proper Country Heb. 11.15 16. 3. How do Christians become Heirs I answer By being effectually called None but such shall partake of the Eternal Inheritance Heb. 9.15 When Christ doth not only seek after straying Souls but doth apprehend them Phil. 3.12 Paul saith he was apprehended of Christ When the Lord of Glory doth not only knock but open the Heart Rev. 3.20 Acts 16.14 When the call of God is accompanied with gifts Rom. 11.29 The gifts and calling of God are without Repentance when God so calls that he gives an understanding to know him 1 John 5.20 and gives a Heart to love and fear him Deut. 30.6 Jer. 32.39 When God bestows a new Heart and a new Spirit then is the call effectual Ezek. 36.26 Fourthly Where there is a Testament there must be a Sanction Confirmation and Establishment of it Heb. 9.15 Where there is a Testament there must of necessity be the death of the Testator Heb. 9.16.17 The Civil Law saith as long as a Man lives voluntas est perambulatoria it is mutable and changeable but the Death of a Testator fixes things and gives force to his Will confirms and establishes all his Legacies How sweet are these words where there is a Testament there must be the Death of the Testator The Law speaks at another rate where there is a Crime the Criminal must be punished Where there is a Transgression the threatening must be put in force the Curse must be executed the Transgressor must be cut off but here is a New Testament established by the Blood of Jesus Christ This is my Blood of the New Testament Matth. 26.28 This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood 1 Cor. 11.25 Jeremiah did speak of God's making a New Covenant or Testament Jer. 31.31 but there is no mention made or discovery given of the Blood that this New Covenant was to be confirmed by but the Gospel teacheth us what the Blood is by which the New Testament is established God did put the threatenings and Curse of the Law in force by cutting off Christ Zech. 13.7 Isa 53.8 That he might put the Promises in force fulfill them to us and bestow the Eternal Inheritance on us Who could have imagined or thought of such a thing that the death of Sinners should be prevented and the death of a Testator should succeed and be in the place of their Sufferings and death Fifthly Where there is a Testament there must be an effectual way to execute it We read of the sure Mercies of David that is of Christ as the next Verse doth plainly evidence that it is Christ that is spoken of for he is said to be given as a Witness as a Leader and Commander to the People Isa 55.3 4. This is observable that all the Riches Blessings and Benefits of the Covenant are Christ's Mercies He is a Priest of good things Heb. 9.11 he purchases he procures them and it is he also that distributes and gives them out In Isaiah there is only mention made of the sure Mereies of David but in the Acts Acts 13.34 it is thus expressed I will give you the sure Mercies of David and this Promise is grounded on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who is now no more to return to Corruption Acts 13.33 34. As Christ died as a Testator so he rose again to be the Executor of his own Testament he is not alive to Violate or Disanul but to fulfil his Testament So we are said to be saved by his Life Rom. 5.10 Heb. 7.25 Jesus Christ discharges all his Offices by executing of his Testament 1. Jesus Christ executes his Prophetical Office No Man hath seen God but the only begotten that is in the Bosom of the Father hath declared him to us 1 John 18. Luke 1.7 8. Isa 9.6 Mal. 3. last He is the Day spring from on high the Wonderful Counsellor the Messenger of the Covenant he Preached Righteousness and declared God's Faithfulness and Salvation Psal 40.9 10. 2. Jesus Christ executes his Priestly Office in Sprinkling his Blood as clean Water to Purifie from Uncleanness and to Wash Men from their Sins Ezek. 36.28 Rev. 1.5 6. And Jesus as Priest Intercedes that his Legacies may be bestow'd and his Blood cries for the Execution of his Testament Heb. 7.25 He ever lives to make Intercession John 17.19.24 Heb. 12.24 3. Jesus Christ as King executes his Office he writes his Doctrine and Laws in the hearts of his Subjects and gives them new hearts Jer. 31.33 Ezra 36.56 1. Vse This may inform us of the wonderful Grace of God that there should be a New Testament Did Fallen Man ever imagine or conceive such a thing that Christ's Goods should be Dispensed and his Inheritance be derived to and setled on Sinful Creatures by a Testament Ratified by his own Blood and Death 1. We deserved to be stript and deprived of all External and Temporal Enjoyments that the Wine-press and the Corn-floor should not feed us Hos 9.2 That God should return and take away his Corn Wool and Flax from us Hos 2.9 and that the things that God hath given us shall pass away from us Jer. 8.13 God might by the Execution of his Threatnings have impoverished and destroy'd us and what Grace is this that he should make a Testament to save and inrich us 2. The Covenant of Works doth exact perfect and perpetual Obedience it requires the full Debt without any abatement of us poor Insolvent Creatures and threatens us with Eternal Punishment and Perdition for any defect failure or default in our Obedience And what Grace is this that a New Testament should be made that forgives the Guilty and gives to the Poor The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ John 1.17 3. Consider how dear it cost Jesus Christ to be a Testator 1. He was obliged to put on our Humane Nature that he might have a Body to offer up a Life to lay down Blood to shed a Soul to pour out to the Death 2. Jesus Christ must be a Surety Heb. 7.22 or else he could not have been a Testator he must bear our sins pay our Debt discharge our Ransom he must buy and purchase all
Though Christs Ministers are many times pooâ— yet they make many Rich 2 Cor. 6.10 Thâ—â— are Deacons of Christs Testament They aâ—â— hands by which Jesus Christ gives forth his Almes and distributes Spiritual Gifts O come and hear the Gospel this may be the day of your Visitation A new Leaven may be laid in your Meal and a new Byass may be put on your Wills for over to incline your Hearts towards God That word may be ingrafted that may better and ennoble your stock and enable it to bring forth â—ruit to God The Lord Jesus may speak that with a strong hand to thy Soul that Man speaks 〈◊〉 with a weak hand to thy Ear. God saith to Hoses that he would stand on the Rock and he â—â—ould smite it and it should give forth Water â—â—od 17.6 If God had not been there Moses â—ould rather have struck Fire out of the Rock â—â—an have drawn out Water from it But because God stood on the Rock it did cleave and â—â—eld Water abundantly when Moses smote it 〈◊〉 this my incourage Ministers to smite the Rocky â—â—arts of men with the Rod of the Word that God that Christ will be there to cleave the Rock â—â—d to turn the Flint into a Fountain of Water 〈◊〉 114. last God's hand goes along with his â—â—sign Isa 49.22 When Christ Curcified is reached then God lifts up a standard and disslays an Ensign and this cannot be in vain for â—hen God so lifts up his hand to the Gentiles â—hat they presently bring Zions Sons in their arms â—nd carry her daughters on their shoulders that â—hey may be joined with and to the Church Christ by the Gospel opens blind Eyes Isa 42.7 â—sal 110.3 Psal 47.3 And by this Rod of â—is strength he subdues disobedient and Rebellious souls While Ministers do open the Riches of Christs Testament he opens the understanding of Men to perceive and discern the Fulness and Glory of this Testament Luke 24.45 Christ takes away the vail from the Heart unstops the deaf Ear and takes away the Heart of stone Though Ministers may seem but poor contemptable men yet they bring Treasure in Earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4.7 There is a hidden Treasure and a Pearl of price to be found in the dispensation of the Gospel Christ executes his Testament and dispenses the Treasures of his Grace by the Preaching of the word of Life and of the Gospel of Salvation The Gospel is the Arm of the Lord and the Ministration of the Spirit and of Power so that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and the deaf shall hearken to the word of Life Isa 53.1 John 5.25 Isa 29.18 3d. Doctrine It is God that makes Men able Ministers of the New Testament 1st God the Father fits Men to be Laborers and thrusts them forth notwithstanding all difficulties and discouragements into his Harvest It is not every one that is fit to pluck secure Sinners out of the fire and compel them to come unto the Feast Judes Epistle 23. Luke 14.23 It is God the Father that must qualify for this noble and hard work 2dly The Son of God makes able Ministers of the New Testament Eph. 4.11 12. He gave Gifts to Men Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers Christ gave them from Heaven when he ascended up on high and poured down the Spirit from on high Psal 68.18 with Isa 32.15 By the Holy Ghost he furnished them with Light Life Zeal for the discharge of their Office 3dly The Holy Ghost gives the inward call and fits Men with Gifts and Graces for the fulfilling of their Ministry The Holy Ghost is said to make overseers of the Church Acts 20 28. 1. Question Wherein doth this ability to be Ministers of the New Testament consist What is requisite furniture to make Men able Ministers Answer 1. They must have the word of Knowledge and of Wisdom 2 Cor. 12.8 The word of Knowledge is a skill to open explain and vindicate the great Principles of the Gospel the very Foundations of our Holy Religion And the word of Wisdom seems to signify an ability and dexterity to apply the word sutable to the various Conditions and Exigences of Souls to divide and apply it aright that every Hearer may have his proper portion 2. This ability consists much in Spiritual Experience of the Power of the Word on their own Souls and Consciences When Ministers themselves taste that the Lord is gracious to them 1 Pet. 2.3 that he hath Reconciled them to himself 2 Cor. 5.18 when they have been cast down and raised up When they have been wounded and healed When they have tasted the bitterness of Sin and the sweetness of the Grace of Christ Paul when Christ called him from Heaven was three days blind and did neither Eat or Drink during this time Paul seems to be under great anguish and anxiety of mind for his former Enmity to Christ and Persecuting of his Church at this time Saul did know the Terror of the Lord how Terrible God would be to him if he did not faithfully Preach the Gospel and how Terrible the Lord would be to others if they did not listen to it Embrace and Receive it 3. This ability consists in love to Christ the Love of Christ constrains us because we thus judge that if one dyed for all then were all dead The Apostle had a Spiritual mind and did rightly judge of things that if Christ died for us all then we were all Spiritually dead else we needed not that Christ should die for us yea if Christ died for us all then this was as effectual for our Redemption and deliverance as if we had all died yea we all died in him and with him O how should this heighten affection to and inflame Love towards Christ How should Ministers bestir themselves to gain Souls to Christ that hath so much obliged them 4. This ability consists much in tender compassions and pitty to perishing Souls Christ awakens the pitty of his Disciples when he bids them to go to the lost Sheep of the House of Israel Matth. 10.6 Jeremiah saith if the Jews would not hear him his Soul should weep in secret places his Eyes should run down with Tears Jer. 13.17 Paul served God with many Tears and ceased not night and day to warn the Ephesians with Tears Acts 20.19 31. He tells the Philippians with with Tears that there were some among them that were Enemies to the Cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 And he wrote a Letter to the Corinthians with many Tears 2 Cor. 2.9 5. This ability consists in great Self-denial 2 Cor. 12.15 I will very gladly spend and be spent for you though the more abundantly I love you the less I be loved I if I am offered on the service and Sacrifice of your Faith I therein rejoyce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If my blood be poured out as a Drink-offering to promote the Service and Sacrifice of your Faith do therein