undertakes them to that very end VII An Advocate undertakes the Weight of a Cause and knows how far it will prevail if well managed VIII An upright and just Advocate is faithful to his Client and will not betray his Cause to his Adversary IX An Advocate gives Counsel and Advice puts into a way and Method how to improve a Cause when carried X. An Advocate is tied up to Customes and Rules of Court which he always observes that he might please and not offend XI An Advocate usually speaks Comfort to his Client especially if the Cause will bear it XII An Advocate can use freedom of Speech and speaks boldly to the Judg. XIII An Advocate knows the fittest time to manage Business and every thing is beautiful in its season XIV An Advocate hath the Judges Ear more than those that are but standers-by that may be somewhat concerned in a cause but the Judge listens to him because he expects him to speak to the purpose who hath Authority so to do XV. An Advocate gives free access and is ready to be spoken with by all Persons that have any Business with him XVI An Advocate undertakes high and desperate Causes he refuseth not to speak for Men greatly obnoxious to the Law he sticks not sometimes to plead the Cause of Traitours where the Law admits of a legal Plea tho in very great danger of their Lives by reason of the greivous Crimes wherewith they stand charged against their Prince XVII An Advocate is much honoured by the Judg in all his Replies sometimes gives him the title of Brother XVIII An Advocate knows much of the Judges mind being skill'd in all the Rules that he judgeth by and is well acquainted with his Nature and Disposition XIX An able eminent and learned Advocate fears not being over-match'd when he knoweth he hath Law and Reason on his side XX. A good and worthy Advocate is of so noble and generous a Disposition that he will plead the Cause of the Poor out of Pity rather than they should miscarry XXI An able Advocate doth and that not seldom carry Causes that are very doubtful to others XXII An Advocate is careful to keep up the Honour of the Judg and Laws because the Contempt thereof proves of ill Consequence XXIII A good Advocate is always very diligent and mindful of his Client 's Concerns XXIV A good and able Advocate is very successful in carrying on many Causes XXV A good Advocate is concern'd when a Cause is lost through the Clients fault because he would not make use of an Advocate XXVI A good and wise Advocate will not undertake all Causes there are some Causes so highly foul that they are not in the least hopeful Matters are gone too far and have stayed too long they are past remedy XXVII A wise and honourable Advocate lieth fair for Preferment viz. In some space of Time to be a Judg himself when his Work and Business of Advocateship ceaseth Parallel I. CHrist is a wise and learned Person In whom are all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg The Lord God having given him the Tongue of the Learned c. II. The Lord Jesus is related to God and the high Court of Heaven the Man that is God's Fellow The Man of his Right-hand made strong for himself III. Jesus Christ was born and constituted under the Law and made it his Rule in all Cases would not vary in the least from what God had required or enjoyned therein IV. Jesus Christ took not this Place and Office upon himself but was called and appointed to it by God as Aaron was to the Priesthood V. Christ doth undertake Causes for any if they come to him If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous Who is the Propitiation for our Sins and not for ours only but for the Sins of the whole World VI. The Lord Jesus pleads all Causes that he undertakes did it when here on Earth Holy Father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me c. Thine they were c. they have kept thy Word Father forgive them they know not what they do Luk. 23.34 VII Christ knows the Weight of every ones Cause and knows how far it will go if well managed He knows who will carry the Cause and who will lose it he that relies upon him alone by a lively Faith in a way of Holiness and new Obedience is certain of the Cause when all others are like to miscarry He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16.16 VIII Jesus Christ being Justice it self will be faithful in all Causes wherein he is entrusted he is not only called Jesus Christ the Righteous but he did as a due Proof thereof refuse the tender or offer of the whole World for the sake of Sinners rather than he would betray his Trust or yield up the Cause of Men's Souls into the hand of their cruel Adversary the Devil IX Jesus Christ the wonderful Counsellor he sets his People in a hopeful way and Method to improve a Cause when carried against an Adversary Go thy way and sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee c. X. Christ did nothing of himself but what he received from the Father he is a strict Observer of all Rules of Righteousness so as to lead at all times in the Ways thereof and in the midst of the Paths of Judgment and that he might appease the great Judg in all things he came up to the demands of Justice and answered the Law and now pleads the Merits of his own Blood in the Court of Heaven for us XI Jesus Christ out-does all Advocates under Heaven in all things for he speaks so as never Man spake like him He bids them ask what they will and he will do it for them Ask and it shall be done that your Joy may be full XII Christ most fully answers to this where he saith Father I will that those whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory c. XIII The Lord Jesus knows the fittest times to manage Business on the behalf of Souls there is an acceptable time for him to be heard and to do his Work when Satan tempts when he desires to sift when he accuses to God as in the Case of Job when Provocation is given and the Enemy lays Siege against the Soul then is a fit time for our Advocate to work this Christ is well acquainted with Simon Simon Satan hath desired to have thee that he may sift thee as Wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not c. XIV Christ hath the Ear of the Heavenly Judg because he always speaks to the very life of the Cause He was heard in all things and at all times I know that thou
meant To this passage the Apostle Paul alludes Rom. 16.20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your Feet shortly c. Such a treading under Foot as is used in a Wine-Press is ascribed to God Lam. 1.5 By which the extream Oppression and Affliction of men is noted To this may be refered that emphatical phrase Esa. 63.3 I have trodden the wine-press alone c. which is spoken of Christ who by his Merit and satisfaction freed us from our Enemies whom he crushed under his Feet Hitherto of Actions which concern the rational Soul and such as concern the animal faculty follow which are threefold as it respects the present purpose 1. The Actions of the External senses which are five 2. The Actions of the Locomotive faculty or which respect motion and local situation 3. Actions procreating or generating which Physitians calls vegative but we reduce it to the Animal for vegetatives are comprehended under it Seeing or Sight is attributed to God by which as was said before when we treated of Eyes his most exact knowledge is intimated Exod. 32.9 I have seen this People and behold it is a stiff-necked People that is I very well know how wicked they are 1 Sam. 16.7 A man looketh on what 's before his Eye but the Lord sees to the Heart that is he hath an exact prospect into the very thoughts of the Heart and the whole inward frame of the mind and accordingly Judges Psal. 11.4 The Lords Eyes behold his Eye-lids try the Children of mens 't is a singular passage which we find John 5.19 Where Christ says of himself Verily verily I say unto you the Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do for what things soever he doth these also doth the Son likewise Here the Sight of Christ is equal with the Omniscient Fathers and consequently his Omnipotence is equal and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 energy or power in operation Upon this and the following verse Erasmus thus paraphrases I affirm it again and again that the Son who wholly depends on the Father can of himself do nothing forasmuch as he is not of himself but what he sees the Father do the same does he their Will and Power is the very same with the Father there is Authority and whatsoever the Son is or can do is derived from him Whatsoever therefore the Father hath done the same in the like manner is wrought by the Son because of the equality of the Communicated power Amongst men the Sons oftentimes degenerate from the Fathers neither have they always the same Will and Faculty but the matter is otherwise here the Father loves the Son alone and begot him most like himself and transfer'd an equal power of operation into him shewing him all things that are to be done by himself he is sent forth as the great exemplar by him in all other matters the operation of each is common c. 2. By the Sight of God his Providence over his Creatures is to be understood sometimes denoting his approbation favour Grace and good Will as Gen. 1.4 And God saw that the Light was good c. So verses 10 12 18 21 25. After which is annexed a general sentence verse 31. And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Which signifies his Divine approbation of his created works and his sanction of the duration of Natures order to the end of the World See Psal. 104.30 31. c. Hence comes that form of Speech when God is said to See denoting his Providence of certain persons or things under his immediate Care and Government as Gen. 16.13 Thou God Seest me that is thou providest for me And Gen. 22.8 God will See that is provide himself a Lamb for a Burnt-offering It is not to be understood that Abraham knew before hand that he should find a Ram to offer for a Sacrifice to God instead of Isaac but that he would quiet his Son by that kind of answer he being solicitous and inquisitive for the Lamb that should be offer'd for a Burnt-offering therefore he intimates that Isaac should leave it to the Care of Divine Providence and as Abraham spoke the event happ'ned for he lifted up his Eyes verse 13. and beheld the Sacrifice to be offered and so he gave the place a Name viz. Jehovah-jireh that is God shall see verse 14. c. So 1 Sam. 16.1 I have Seen me a King among his Sons that is as our Translation has it I have provided and chosen me a King More specially the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 respicere or Seeing or respect of God as it concerns men denotes his Approbation Mercy Care and Help Of which Illyricus in Clave There is in this a twofold figure viz. An Anthropopathy in as much as Sight is ascribed to God then a Metalepsis or Metonymie because the external motion of the Eyes the Effect being put for the Cause signifies the inward affection of the Mind For it takes in the external help which is the consequent of the internal affection and the external motion of the Eyes so that here is a third Trope Gen. 4.4 And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his Offering and verse 5. but unto Cain and his Offering he had not respect that is he accepted and approved of the one but not of the other See Num. 16.15 1 Sam. 1.11 Psal. 9.13 14. and 10.13 14. Psal. 84.9 10. Psal. 102.17 18. and 74.19.20 Psal. 113.6 Esa. 66.2 Lam. 4.16 and 5.1 Jon. 3.10 Luk. 1.25 48. c. Deut. 26 15. Psal. 80.14 15. Psal. 102.20 Lam. 3.50 c. Hitherto the phrase of Gods Seeing or Respecting denotes his Favour and Love which is sometimes directed to the object as when he is said to have respect to the Man or his Offering sometimes to an internal Cause as when he is said to have respect to his Covenant that is the declaration of his Mercy and Grace that way expressed to man Psal. 74.19 20. Likewise when he is said to look upon the Face of his Annointed that is Christ who is our Mediator and Saviour for whose sake David Prays for a blessing calling him the Servant of the Lord 2 Chron. 17.19 And the Word of the Lord 2 Sam. 7.21 See 1 Chron. 17.17 2. It denotes Evil as Wrath Vengeance and Punishment as Exod. 14.24 And it came to pass that in the morning Watch the Lord looked unto the Host of the Egyptians through the pillar of Fire and of the Cloud and troubled them c. 1 Chron. 12.17 Psal. 104.31 32. Jer. 3.8 Lam. 3.36 Ezek. 16.50 c. Hearing is attributed to God in which likewise his Grace and Benevolence in satisfying the desires of his People and in a ready hearing their Prayers and Sighs is denoted as Gen. 16.11 The Lord hath heard thy Affliction Exod. 2.24 And God heard their groaning 2 King 20.5 I have heard thy Prayer
the times past as Erasmus and Pliny say they were wont to use gestures of derision or mockery by the Nose from which term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word here is derived By another Metaphor the Jews call their own King the Breath of their Nostrils Lam. 4.20 that is under whose Protection they did Breath and were Refreshed c. A Mouth is more used in a Metonymy than a Metaphor yet sometimes it denotes the Mind and Will of Man Gen. 24.57 We will ask her mouth that is learn her Mind and Will 2 Sam. 17.5 To fight with one mouth so the Hebrew Josh. 9.2 that is with one consent See Psal. 126.2 and 103.4 5. and 81.10 11. Exod. 4.16 Prov. 6.13 A perverse man is said to speak with his feet and teach with his fingers which denotes some composed artificial Gestures of deceit as when by treading upon anothers foot he signifies something which is Metaphorically call'd speaking and so by the gestures or numbering of his fingers informs another of something he knows not by way of Confederacy to deceive a third Person A Shoulder because it bears Burdens signifies Affliction and Tribulation Psal. 21.12 Isa. 9.4 and 14.25 sometimes obedience Zeph. 3.9 Zach. 7.11 Hos. 6.9 Isa. 11.14 Deut. 33.12 Isa. 9.6 The Government shall be upon his shoulders The sense of this is variously given by Interpreters The Chald. understands it of the fulfilling of Gods Law thus rendring it He took the Law upon himself to keep it Many of the Fathers understand it of the Cross of Christ and quote Isa. 22.22 But it seems plainly to denote the whole administration of Christs Office Brentius upon the place says Mundani Monarchae non gestant principatum super humeros suos sed c. Worldly Monarchs do not bear the burden of Government on their own shoulders but transfer it upon their Servants Counsellors and Civil and Military Officers c. But Christ is such a King that he bears all the weight of Government on his own shoulders for he alone rules preserves and Governs his Church He only expiated sin He had no helper as Earthly Princes are wont to have c. An Arm because it exerts a mans strength is put for power or strong aid 1 Sam. 2.31 Job 22.8 and 35.9 and 38.15 and 40.4 Psal. 44.3 Jer. 17.5 and 48.25 Ezek. 30.22 and 31.17 and 22 6. Zach. 11.17 Isa. 9.20 They shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm that is they will destroy and Consume those of their Friends and Neighbours from whom they were wont to be supplyed c. A Hand the extreme part of the Arm by which works are promptly perform'd is also put for strength Exod. 18.9 Deut. 32.36 Josh. 8.20 Job 34.20 Psal. 89.25 Esa. 28.2 Dan. 12.7 Hence it is Proverbially said An Nescis longas Regibus esse Manus Dost thou not know that Royal hands are long that is that the Kings power reaches a great way It is likewise put for Help Ministry and Machination which require power Exod. 23.1 1 Sam. 22.17 2 Sam. 3.12 and 14.19 2 King 17.13 Esa. 20.2 Hag. 1.1 and 2.1 In these last four Texts A Hand signifies the Ministry For the Prophets are the Organs or Instruments of the Holy Spirit and the dispensers of the Mysteries of God which they received to be communicated to the people or to be reacht forth as it were by the hand As if when one remits Money or Treasure to be distributed or paid by him it is said to be by such a Hand c. Lev. 25.35 It is said and if thy Brother waxeth poor and his hand faileth so the Hebrew that is if through Poverty he be rendred uncapable of Business Trade or Employment and so not able to provide for his Family c. Then Relieve him The metaphor being taken from a man that 's consum'd or weakened by a Disease who cannot labour with his hands On the contrary to strengthen the Hand is by Counsel and Help to assist 1 Sam. 23.16 Job 4.3 Esa. 35.3 When a Hand is attributed to the Earth it signifies a certain place or space Deut. 23.12 Num. 34.3 2 Sam. 8.3 Esa. 56.5 and 57.9 Jer. 6.3 c. The Back denotes alienation estrangedness or neglect 1 King 14.9 Neh. 9.26 Sometimes it is a symbol of oppression and affliction Psal. 129.3 The Plowers plowed on my Back c. Esa. 51.27 Rom. 11.10 The Loyns because the strength of the Body consists in them Job 40.11 are metaphorically or it may be rather metonymically put for strength it self Esa. 45.1 I will loose or dissolve the Loyns of Kings the Septuagint has it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And I will break the strength of Kings See Psal. 69.23 Rom. 11.10 This Metaphor chiefly respects the girding of is Loyns which denotes a confirmation of strength and activity in order to run labour or fight 1 King 18.46 2 Kings 3.21 Psal. 18.40 Prov. 31.17 Job 38.3 Jer. 1.10 Esa. 5.27 c. Hence the phrase of girding the Loyns is translated to spirituals Esa. 11.5 denoting the faithfulness alacrity and expedition of the Messiah In his great Mediational and Redeeming Office Psal. 45.3 In the faithful Members of Christ it denotes Christian vigilancy and perseverance in the profession of Truth and Piety Luk. 12.35 1 Pet. 1.13 Eph. 6.14 Upon which place Hemingius says As the Loyns in which are the chiefest strength of the Body are made more firm by girding making the Souldier in fight more steady and active So the heart is made more firm by the Truth of God which causes that in our Doubts and Hesitations the Devil cannot overthrow and destroy us A Navel by which nourishment is conveyed to the Infant in the VVomb is by an elegant Metaphor transferred to the Sons of the Church Prov. 3.8 It that is to Fear the Lord and depart from evil shall be Health or a medicine to thy Navel as if he had said as the child is nourished by the Navel so the knowledge and fear of and obedience to God will by the blessed Spirit feed educate and comfort It is added and watering or moistning to thy bones that is it shall be thy whole strength as the bones are moistned and strengthned by Marrow as Job 21.24 c. Not cutting the Navel is allegorically translated to denote the primitive miserable and abominable state of the Jewish People Ezek. 16.4 It signifies the middle or an eminent place in the Earth as the Navel is in the midst Judg. 9.37 Hence God is said to work Salvation in the midst of the Earth Psal. 74 12. Because Judea was esteemed so by the Geographers of those times A Bosome is put for the middle or concavity of a Chariot 1 King 22.35 Ezek. 43.13 14 17. And because that part for modesties sake is covered with a garment it is applied to the hidden and inward parts of man Job 19.27 Eccl. 7.10 Psal. 89.51 and 35.12 13.
shall be considered in a fourfold respect Viz. 1. It s Nature 2. It s Extent 3. It s Signification 4. It s Usefulness And under these Considerations it affords matter for the ensuing Parallel METAPHOR I. A Portion or Inheritance is a Gift II. A Portion or Inheritance as it includes Education and provision of future maintainance is the best gift that men can dispose of III. A Portion or Inheritance is given to advance the honour and interest of the person on whom it is bestow'd IV. A Portion or Inheritance as it is the best for quality so the extent and proportion of it is usually commensurate to the Riches and Estate of the Donor a good and great Predecessor Father or Benefactor gives like himself in quantity as well as quality V. Portion or Inheritance implies or supposes Relation Men do not give Portions to Forreign Strangers or Enemies but to Relations that are so Naturally or by Adoption VI. A Portion or Inheritance signifieth love and good will to the Subject Men never give Portions and Inheritances out of hatred and ill will VII The Gift of Portion and Inheriance is bestowed on purpose to fix the Subject to whom it is given in a future settlement of Happiness and Prosperity VIII A Portion or Inheritance frees from that Contempt others are exposed to that have none they that have no Portion are acounted poor beggarly and inconsiderable Persons Men of no Esteem IX A great Portion or Inheritance doth not only free from Contempt but procures many Friends as Solomon speaks the Rich hath many Friends X. A great Portion or Inheritance makes a Man to value himself accordingly he will not joyn in Affinity with any who are not suitable to him or are much below him XI A great Portion frees a Man from fear of want and so elevates his Mind to a more noble and high degree of living than those that have none XII A Man that hath the greatest Portion and Inheritance will not be perswaded to change Estates with other Men. XIII An earthly Man that has a great Portion esteems highly of it as appears by the Young Man in the Gospel and as Christ saith Where your Treasure is there will your Hearts be also XIV A great Portion or Inheritance makes way for Entrance into or Alliance with a great and noble Family XV. A great Portion or Inheritance makes a Man able to do more Good than multitudes of others can he can help those he loves and oftentimes Enemies receive Advantage by him XVI A great Portion or Inheritance furnisheth a Man with whatsoever is good and desirable here below yea with the best of every sort whether for Necessity or to make the Life comfortable a Man lives upon his Portion and reaps whatsoever Good Profit or Pleasure it is capable to afford him PARALLEL I. GOd hath given himself to his people to be their Portion for ever II. God being comprehensive of all spiritual good is the best gift that can be received and when he becomes a Portion to good men he makes them partakers of his Divine Nature gives them his holy Spirit even the wisdom that is above III. God in giving himself unto his people advances their honour and interest and makes them no less than Kings and Princes for when he makes them Heirs of God they then become Joynt-Heirs with Christ Instead of thy Father shall be thy Children whom thou mayst make Princes in all the Earth c. And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests c. IV. God who is the greatest the richest and most liberal Predecessor Father or Benefactor always gives like himself in quantity and proportion Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full Ask what ye will and it shall be done for you c. Even above what you can ask or think He doth not only make them to inherit substance but he fills their Treasury makes all grace to abound towards them and with-holds no good thing from them that walk uprightly V. God is not the Portion of Devils or wicked men who are Enemies and Aliens the proud he knoweth afar off but he is the Portion of the Righteous such as are his Relations by Regeneration or Adoption if Children then Heirs But when he shall appear we shall be like him VI. God when he becometh the portion of any man it is out of love the greatest love and good will that ever was exprest a love that is admired because unmeasurable O the height and length c. What manner of love is this A love that is great large fathomless without end VII So God in becoming the Portion and Inheritance of Saints doth design thereby to fix them in a future settlement of Eternal Happiness and Felicity The pure in Heart shall see God be with him and injoy him for ever Everlasting Joy shall be upon their Heads they shall obtain Joy and Gladness Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away VIII So Saints in having God to be their Portion are delivered from that Reproach and Contempt the Holy Scriptures cast upon others viz. on the Ungodly of the Earth who because they have no Part nor Portion in God are called poor blind and miserable whereas the Saints are called honourable and excellent ones Jabez was more honourable than his Brethren they are Men of Name Princes God's Treasure his beloved Ones his Jewels IX So the Saints having God to be theirs are not only freed from the greatest Contempt and made Honourable Ones but thereby come to have many Friends all the Angels of Heaven are in perfect Bonds of Peace and true Friendship with them as well as all Saints on Earth who bless and pray for them nay many times God makes their very Enemies to be at Peace with them X. So God being a Saint's Portion it makes him value himself upon the best and most worthy grounds in the World 1. Because he is rich 2. Inconceiveably rich 3. Really rich other Men great Men of the World are but seemlying rich 4. His Riches and Portion make him really Honourable truly Noble and renow'd in the sight of God Angels and Saints 5. Because God hath made him so rich and illustrious 6 Because he cannot be made poor by Men nor Devils His Riches are durable XI So when a Saint comes to know that God is his Portion how doth it free him from fear of want others have cause to fear they shall beg at Harvest and have nothing when he knows what Mines of Treasures are laid up for him against that day The Lord is my Shepherd therefore I shall not want yet will I rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my Salvation the Lord is my Portion saith my Soul therefore will I hope in him XII So a Saint knowing God is his Portion will not change his Estate with Kings
upon his people he can cause his precious dew to distil upon the tender herb and showers of rain to fall upon the grass VII God can make the vilest and worst of sinners to bring forth good fruit when his grace converts them and the barrenest souls to be fruitful souls VIII None can hinder the Almighty from his labour I will work and who shall lett it IX God the spiritual husbandman never grows old and can never die but is ever taking care of his husbandry COROLLARIES 1. THis shews the wonderful condescension of the great and Almighty God in comparing himself to an husbandman an Employment of great toyl and very hard labour yet profitable and honest 2. Shews the great priviledge dignity and security of the Church of Christ being the plantation of the great God in which he takes delight the rest of the world being like a barren and howling Wilderness to it Wo is me that I sojourn in Mesech and dwell in the Tents of Kedar 3. It shews the necessity of being truly grafted into this vineyard a bare profession will not do as in the foolish Virgins case he has a quick eye and will soon find out such as bear no fruit or are rotten at heart such he cuts down and burns 4. Here 's cause of joy to those that are truly implanted into Jesus Christ they are under his special care and watch they shall flourish and bring forth fruit in old age Walled in on every side and so very safe God a Builder Psal. 127.1 Except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it Prov. 9. Wisdom hath built her a House Heb. 3.4 But he that built all things is God IN these Scriptures and many others God is called a Builder which is a Metaphor taken from Carpenters and Masons that build Houses The Hebrew word by which Building is express'd is derived from the Root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aedificavit extruxit Domum vel Vrbem to build or rear a House or City 1 Kin. 10.4 Metaphorically 't is put for Procreation and Education of Children of which Families are as it were built Gen. 16.2 2. For repairing decayed Places 1 King 12.25 3. For the Restauration Preservation and Exaltation of God's People Jer. 31.4 The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preparo instruo to prepare or build up is as Illyricus says a military Word and signifies vasa instrumentáque castrensia colligere the gathering together of Vessels or Vtensils of the Camp of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Vessel God may be said to be a Builder in a four-fold respect 1. He created or built the visible World 2. He built or constituted the Church Militant 3. The Church Triumphant 4. The Invisible World the Celestial City or New Jerusalem for the Church Triumphant to inhabit when the visible World is dissolved In a Builder we are to consider three things viz. Skill Strength Action 1. Skill to contrive 2. Strength to provide and 3. Action to compleat All which are fairly applicable to God as a Builder as appears in the following Particulars Metaphor I. A Builder is an Artist a Man of Wisdom to contrive the fittest Model of the Whole in general and of the distinct Rooms and Parts in particular II. A Master-Builder usually hath a principal or Head-Workman to whom he imparts his Secrets in his great and weighty Contrivances who is to enter upon the chiefest part of the Work and not only to work himself but to order and direct all subordinate Workmen III. A Master-Builder hath the Figure or Idea of the Materials in his Mind of which the Fabrick is to be compacted and gives Order for the bringing them forth to answer his great Project and Design IV. A wise Master-Builder lays a Foundation to set that Fabrick upon that he intends to build for a House City or any kind of Edifice which cannot stand without it as Christ tells us V. A Builder puts his Workmen into Order and his Materials into their proper places the Stone Brick Timber Lead Iron Brass Silver c. VI. A Builder raises Fabricks of several sorts some of higher Consideration and Grandure than others as Temples the Palaces and Thrones of Princes Noble and Great Men's Houses inferior Dwellings and dismal Prisons VII A Builder gives Ornament as well as Form and Being to a House VIII A Builder is a great Benefactor to the World in making Places both for Safety and Conveniency IX A Builder is pleased with his Work when finished and is worthy of Honour for it Disparity I. GOD the first Founder and Builder of all things is that great Master of Wisdom of whom it is said that he finds out knowledg of witty Inventions that he is wise and perfect in knowledg that his Wisdom is unsearchable and his Ways Contrivance and Projections past finding out in his Works of Creation as well as Providence for not Man only is fearfully and curiously made but all his other Works so well contrived that it is not possible for any to mend them In Wisdom hast thou made them all II. God the infinite and most wise Contriver hath his Word or Son who is called the Wisdom of God and a wonderful Counsellor to be his Head-Workman who was in the Bosom of the Father and understood all his Secrets by whom he made the Worlds who is called the Son the Character Image or Representative of God without whom there was nothing contrived or made that was made either things in Heaven or things on Earth visible or invisible whether Thrones Dominions or Principalities all things were made by him and he was before all things and from him came Order and Direction to all subordinate or secondary Causes III. God the Builder of all things had the Idea in his own Mind and gave Order for the bringing of them forth in order to suit his most wise and wonderful Purposes for as known to God are all his Works from the beginning so he said Let the Heavens the Earth the Water the Air appear and they did so IV. God this great and wise Master-Builder hath planted the Heavens above and laid the Foundations of the Earth beneath which when we consider that they have no bottom but the Air and the Water we must resolve it into his own Power which can do every thing or his Word or Son who bears up the Pillars of the Earth and upholds all things He looked for a City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God V. The God of the whole Earth did at the first put all Materials into their proper places and assigned all his Servants their respective Work the Heavens above the Air the Air above the Earth and the Earth above the Waters Christ is Head-Workman above Angels Angels above Men Men in Work and Business above the Fowls of the Air Beasts of the Field creeping Things of the Earth Fishes of the
put them into a better Form I know that thou canst do every thing and that no Knowledg is hid from thee Corollaries 1. FRom these Particulars we may observe That if God be the Builder of all things then the Work must of necessity be very well done for no human Architect can mend it 2. That it is very rational that he should be acknowledged and praised by his handy Work 3. That there is good Reason that all should be at his disposal for he gave them Being 4. That Men have no cause to murmur because they have no greater part of this World than God allots for they ought to acquiesce in his Will 5. That in all our Wants we should apply our selves to Him that gives liberally and upbraideth not for we can have no Supply elsewhere 6. That in all Projects and Undertakings we should seek Counsel of this great and wise Master-Builder and observe his Leadings in all Enterprizes 7. That good Men have no reason to be troubled for worldly Losses for all is the Lord's and he will surely give them what is fit for them God a Man of VVar. Exod. 15.3 The Lord is a Man of War 1 Sam. 17.45 The God of the Armies of Israel Isa. 47.4 The Lord of Hosts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dominus Exercituum Observation God is compared to a Warrior TO illustrate this Similitude we shall shew 1. What Wars the Almighty God engages himself in 2. What manner of Warrior he is 3. In what respect he is parallel with earthly Warriors 4. The Disparity betwixt them 5. Draw some Inferences or Corollaries from the whole 1. The Lord is engaged in a Spiritual War against the Ungodly that remain obstinate and rebellious against him He judges the Righteous and is angry with the Wicked every day If he turn not he will whet his Sword he hath bent his Bow and made it ready He hath also prepared for him the Instruments of Death he ordaineth his Arrows against the Persecutors If I whet my glittering Sword saith the Lord and mine hand take hold on Judgment I will render Vengeance to mine Enemies and will reward them that hate me I will make mine Arrows drunk with Blood and my Sword shall devour Flesh and that with the Blood of the Slain and of the Captives c. 2. The Lord is concerned and oftentimes engages himself in Temporal or National Wars and Battles 'T was He that led Joshua forth as an armed Man against the Canaanites Hence he is called the God of the Armies of Israel I know not saith an eminent Writer any one thing where the Providence of God is more fully set out in Scripture than in the Workings of it about Wars It was the Lord that brought up Nebuchadnezzar against the Cities of Judah and stirred up the Medes to destroy the Babylonians Q. But what manner of Warrior is God A. 1. He is a Righteous and Just Warrior The proud haughty Princes and Potentates of the Earth many times take up Arms upon unjust grounds and pick Quarrels for vain-glorious and ambitious Ends If they see their Neighbour thrive as if it were an Eclipse to their Glory they invade him and imbrue their cruel Swords in Blood and Slaughter sacrificing the Lives of many thousand Innocents to gratify their avaricious and damnable Lusts Whereas God never proclaims War nor draws the Spiritual Sword against any Soul People or Nation but when there is just cause and no other means will do Shall not the Judg of all the Earth says Abraham do Right 2. The Lord is a skilful and expert Warrior he knows how to marshal his Host and set his Battle in Array There is no Policy in War nor Stratagem in the Military Art but he understands it 3. He is a mighty and terrible Warrior He can shake the Heavens by his Voice and make the Mountains quake before him With him is terrible Majesty he is the Lord mighty in Battel He makes the Earth to fear and the Inhabitants thereof to melt so that the Men of Might shall not find their hands He can make Emperors as Stubble to his Bow and mighty Kings as Chaff before the Whirlwind He makes Beelzebub with all his Guards to tremble and fly into Darkness it self to hide themselves He cuts off the Spirits of Princes and is triumphant over the greatest and proudest Monarchs Alexander Pompey Caesar and Tamberlane have all yielded to this invincible Conqueror If he shews but a Finger on the Wall he makes proud Belshazzar quake and can employ inanimate Creatures to terrify and destroy Pharaoh and his Host. 4. The Lord is a victorious and prevailing Warrior when he rises up he devours at once He bears long before he stirs up himself like a Man of War he is not quickly provoked I have saith he for a long time held my Peace I have been still Now I will cry like a travelling Woman I will destroy and devour at once The Lord shall go forth as a mighty Man he shall stir up Jealousy like a Man of War He shall cry yea roar he shall prevail against his Enemies 5. He is a Kingly Warrior or General of a mighty Host All the Inhabitants of Heaven and Earth are at his Command Metaphor I. A Great and principal Warrior is dignified with a Title suitable to his Office as Lord General or his Excellency II. He trains up and disciplines his Army in the Military Art instructing them how to behave themselves in all Martial Engagements discovering the Enemies Stratagems to them III. A General or Warrior takes Counsel and Advice before he makes War IV. A Royal Warrior when engaged in War sends forth Commissions and levies an Army or Armies as the Kings of Israel did who were great Warriors and his Orders are obeyed V. A great Warrior opens his Armory and distributes Weapons and Martial Habiliments to his Souldiers VI. A Warrior sets up his Martial Standard or chief Ensign of War VII A Warrior causes his Trumpets to sound to make ready for the Battel VIII A Warrior when he musters his Army sets them in array assigning their proper Work and Stations for the respective Squadrons or Divisions IX A just and a generous Warrior sets forth his Declarations of the Equity of his Cause and the End of his Quarrel X. A great Warrior gives his Souldiers Banners to be displayed XI A Warrior before he fights animates and encourages his Souldiers and provokes them to valorous and undaunted Actions XII The General or chief Warrior marches in the Head of his Army and leads them on in Person to Battel XIII A prudent Warrior takes care not only of his Front but of the Rear of his Army he manages their Retreat as well as the Onset XIV A Royal Warrior is careful in providing Pay for his Souldiers at his own charge Parallel I. GOD has a Title that expresses his transcendent Excellency and Grandure he is
Confidence V. Some Warriors invade their Enemies with sudden Irruptions not giving them Warning nor Time of Preparation VI. Worldly Men of War know not sometimes how to put a Period to a War when it is begun nor can tell when it will end VII Tho Earthly Warriors can kill yet they cannot make alive VIII Such cannot kill the Soul IX A Warrior may waste his Treasure and empty his Exchequer by long and chargeable Wars X. He makes his Subjects bear the Charge Disparity I. GOD the Spiritual Warrior is the Eternal Jehovah who formed Man and all things else Thou hast laid the Foundations of the Earth and the Heavens are the Works of thy Hands They shall perish but thou shalt endure yea all of them shall wax old like a Garment as a Vesture shalt thou change them But thou art the same and thy Years shall have no end II. God has an absolute Power and Sovereignty over Heaven and Earth whom he will he sets up and pulls down at his pleasure whom he will he kills and whom he will he saves alive He doth whatsoever he pleaseth and who can say unto God What dost thou III. But there is no Match for God in the World Who would set the Briars and Thorns against me in Battel I would go through them I would burn them together He is called a consuming Fire and the greatest of his Enemies are but as Stubble fully dry It was a Saying of Caesar Veni vidi vici and may truly be said of God for he never comes off with Loss IV. The omniscient God that knows all things cannot be baffled nor disappointed he knows who of either side shall fall and who shall be slain and who wounded before the Battel begins V. The Lord of Hosts before he takes up Arms or intends to destroy a single or a combined Enemy gives them timely Warning and Notice of it that so Sinners may be ready and prepare themselves This appears in respect of the Old World those vile Enemies of God the Lord gave them warning one hundred and twenty Years of his breaking in upon them before it came to pass So he likewise gave warning to Jerusalem by the Prophets before he brought the Babylonians in upon them And what warning did the Lord give to the People of the Jews before the Destruction came upon them by the Romans God shoots off his Warning-Piece before he discharges his Murdering-Piece VI. God can in a moment stop any Judgment he can stay the Sword from devouring and the Fire from consuming He knows when the Controversy he hath with any Nation or People shall cease VII The Lord of Hosts can kill and make alive and many times by killing brings to Life VIII But God is able to kill both Soul and Body and after cast them into Hell IX But God's Treasury can never be wasted nor his Store consumed X. But God bears all the Charge of his Wars himself See the Metaphor of Captain Corollaries 1. FRom the foregoing Particulars we may infer That such as fight against God's People fight against God himself he being their Head and General that bears the Charge of the War and will certainly vindicate his People 2. From hence all good Men may derive encouragement because they are under the Conduct of so Incomparable a Warrior that can in a moment destroy all their Enemies 3. We may infer that a Martial Employment is a very honourable and useful Employ viz. when the Cause is good when 't is for God's Glory and for the Honour and Safety of King and People God is called The Lord of Hosts the God of the Armies of Israel which puts a Lustre and Dignity upon this Title c. 4. If God's People be worsted by an Enemy we may infer that it is suffered by the Almighty as a Scourge and Punishment for their Sins This was Israel's Case very often 5. Let God's People when they go out against their Soul-Enemies go in the Name of the Lord of Hosts for 't is dangerous to face an Enemy unless God go with us In the Name of the Lord will we set up our Banners 6. We may infer the desperate Case of such as fight against God Who ever hardned his Heart against him and prospered Such as make a Tumult and hate him that lift up the Heod that take crafty Counsel against his People c. Such shall be made as Stubble before the Wind and their Confederacy laught at by him that sits on high c. The most steely and flinty in the World can no more stand before God than Briars and Thorns before a flaming Fire Whoever commences War with him does it to his own Ruine and Destruction c. 7. Hence let all the Enemies of God consider that it is their wisest and safest Course to lay down their Arms and make their Peace with God 1. Because he is a God of Might and Power 2. Of Terror and Majesty 3. Of Influence and Authority he commands all 4. Of invincible Resolution and Constancy 5. Of so great Valour and Generosity that as there is no fighting with him so honourable Terms may be made with him upon Submission That he is a God of Might and Power Terror and Majesty hath been shewn already therefore we shall proceed to the third Particular viz. 3. He is a God of Influence and Authority he commands all Nothing can stand when he commands a March The Frogs invade Pharaoh the Stars fight against Sisera an Angel fights the whole Host of Assyria the Watchers turn Nebuchadnezzar to Grass toss Belshazzar from the Throne and open the Gates of Babylon for Darius He brings forth his Angels by Troops and shews them in the Air to strengthen or amaze all mounted on Chariots and Horses Sends the Winds out of his Chambers to make Confusion both by Sea and Land which rolls up the great Waves and hurls the Ships against Rocks that overturns Houses pulls up Trees by the Roots enters into small Crannies and shakes the Foundations of the Earth shakes the Walls of Jericho makes the Ground open to swallow up Men alive Whoever he sets himself against they are undone for neither Riches nor Strength will save them Riches profit not in the Day of his Wrath Money cannot bribe him and by Strength can no Flesh prevail For he can smite blind and lame in a moment put in fear smite Hip and Thigh that they cannot move to run away from him break their Cheek-Bone that they shall not bite nor ask for Mercy Many have been overcome by him but never any prospered against him So successful hath he been in Battel that the Victory goes on his Side where-ever he undertakes the War He makes One chase a Thousand and Two put Ten Thousand to Flight As is his Power so is He. His Wisdom and Counsel is such that by one Act he knows the Strength of all his Enemies and the Counsel
as a Lion The Scope of this Text being to set forth the Anger and Wrath of the Incensed Majesty of GOD with the consequent Destruction of the Wicked and Impenitent we shall illustrate the Similitude in the following Parallels Simile I. THe Lion is a most terrible Creature If the Lion roars all the Beasts of the Forrest tremble Naturalists observe That tho other Creatures are swifter on foot than the Lion yet when he roareth they lie down II. A Lion when enraged especially hath a majestical fierce and an amazing Look and how ready are all to run and shift for their Lives when he rises up to the Prey III. None can take away the Prey from a Lion as the Prophet sheweth us who if he goeth through a Flock of Sheep both treadeth down and teareth in pieces and none can deliver IV. A Lion is strong and crushes the whole Compages of a Man's Bones at one Crush he rends the Body of Man to pieces And Naturalists tell us That when the Lion hath torn the Body asunder he loves to suck the Blood that is about the Heart and as for other Parts of the Body except he be very hungry he leaves them to other Beasts to prey upon but the Heart the Blood and the Fat that is about the Heart the Lion loves to suck V. The Lion is a Creature as Naturalists observe that seems much for Justice No Creature more fixed or constant in their Love and Friendship or more ready to revenge the Breach of Amity than is a Lion which is further demonstrated by a great Historian citing a Passage of Eudemus who writeth of a certain young Man that nourished together many Years a Dog a Bear and a Lion who lived in perfect Peace and Concord without Breach Snarling or appearance of Anger But on a day as the Dog and the Bear played together and biting one another gently it happened that the poor Dog fastened his Teeth in sport deeper than the Bear could digest and thereupon he presently fell upon him and with his Claws tore out the soft part of his Belly whereof he presently died The Lion sitting by and seeing this Cruelty and Breach of Love Amity and Concord that had been amongst them was inflamed to revenge that Perfidy and like a true King of Beasts measured the same measure to the Bear as he had done to the Dog and served him with the same Sauce tearing him instantly in pieces If a Lion be harmed by a Man with a Stone or Dart according to the Merit of their Hurt they frame their Revenge VI. 'T is observed of the Lion that he will narrowly mark any one that wounds him And tho there are hundreds of Men together and but one wound him or shoot at him or any ways hurt or injure him he will observe and mark that Man and keep the Wrong in his Mind a long time VII Moreover 't is observed of the Lion that he sleeps but little and with his Eyes open or as some others note he having great Eyes and so small Eye-lids they cannot wholly cover his Eyes VIII The Lion will fall upon no Creature except he be in Hunger or is greatly provoked IX The Lion as Pliny observes cannot endure to be look'd asquint upon by any X. Again of all wild Beasts it is observed that the Lion if one do fall down and prostrate himself before him as it were and petition for his Life he will spare him Take Pliny's own Words The Lion alone of all wild Beasts is gentle to those that humble themselves unto him and will not touch any such upon Submission but spareth what Creature soever lieth prostrate before him XI A Lion as Pliny and divers other great Naturalists tell us is a great Enemy to Apes and Wolves Parallel I. THat God that cometh forth in a way of Judgment against the Wicked is a terrible God Hence it is said He shall roar out of Sion The Threatnings of God are as the Roaring of a Lion and terrify the Wicked as a Lion doth the more impotent Animals II. When the Face of God is set against a Soul or Nation or he be moved to Frowns Indignation and Wrath against them let all stand clear How ready are all to fly when God rises up to the Prey that is to be avenged on the Ungodly III. None can deliver themselves out of God's hands when he comes forth against them as an hungry Lion God tells us He will arise to the Prey and all the Earth shall be devoured with the Fire of his Jealousy There is none can deliver out of his hand neither Power nor Policy Craft nor outward Force will signify any thing IV. The dreadful God when Sinners fall into his hands will crush them as a Lion Consider this ye that forget God lest he tear you in pieces I will arise and devour at once I will rent the Caul of their Heart and there will I devour like a Lion A Reverend Divine hath an excellent Note upon this place The Lord will do as a Lion doth He more immediatly will strike out their Hearts and punish them with spiritual Plagues and Judgments And as for their Estates and Bodies he will leave them to other Beasts and they shall plague them that way Their Hearts were grown fat they had a Film about their Hearts and Instruction could not get to their Hearts but God will tear that Caul that Film from off their Hearts Mr. Burroughs hath noted further That it denotes the sending Plagues upon the Hearts of wicked Men and to leave their Estates c. to the Assyrians confirming Luther's Observation and for a further Confirmation cites Arius Montanus V. The holy God is just in all he doth Just and righteous are thy Judgments O Lord. The right Hand of the Lord is full of Righteousness Yet he delights to live in Love Concord and real Friendship with all his Creatures and O how fix'd and constant is he therein and how loth that any should move him to Anger But when once the Covenant of Peace and Amity is broken and nought but Cruelty and Injustice appears amongst Men and the great Ones of the Earth prove Tyrants and tear in pieces and devour the Poor how is God thereby enraged or stirred up to revenge the Breach of his Law For the Oppression of the Poor saith God will I arise And he will retaliate upon the Wicked according to the Nature of the Evils they have done Rob not the Poor because they are poor neither oppress the Afflicted in the Gate For the Lord will plead their Cause and spoil the Soul of those that spoiled them And I heard the Angel of the Water say Thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus for they have shed the Blood of Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them Blood to
preservation of Health the neglect of putting them on many times brings Sickness sometimes death VIII Garments are used for Distinction as 1. They distinguish one Sex from another the Man shall not put on the Apparel which appertaineth to the Woman 2. Garments also distinguish the several Ranks and Qualities of of Men those that are cloathed in soft Raiment are in Kings Houses 3. By the Habit or Garment we do distinguish the People of one Nation from another IX Garments are of a comfortable and refreshing Nature and of excellent use to them who put them on X. Garments answer not their End in making neither are they of use till put on XI Some sorts of Garments were Significations of Grief and Sorrow Mordecai put on Sackcloath so in Joel 1.13 XII Garments were also used to testify Joy as appears in the Case of the Prodigal Bring forth the best Robes and put on and put a Ring on his Finger Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus Christ is a Cover for the Soul every Mans Nakedness and Deformity appears that hath not on this Spiritual Garment II. Naturally we have no Righteousness that is either accepted of God or a suitable Cover for the Soul this Spiritual Garment is wrought by the Spirit and made fit for us III. The Lord Christ is put on for a Garment or spiritual Cloathing by those Nations and People only where Christianity is received and not by many there neither some are like Brutes and Hethenish People naked without Christ and true Holiness IV. Before a Man can put on the Lord Jesus Christ and be cloathed with the Garment of Holiness he must put off the abominable filthy Cloaks and Covers of Wickedness he must be stript of his filthy Rags that he may be cloathed with the Spirit and Graces of Christ Put off the former Conversation the Old Man and put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness V. By putting on of Christ in a way of Faith and Holiness the Soul is defended from the cheeks and smarting pricks of Conscience from the fiery Darts of Satan and from the killing Power of the Law and the Wrath of God VI. This blessed Garment keeps the Soul warm hereby Saints become fervent in Spirit and zealously affected If we have any spiritual Heat in us we must attribute it to Christ naturally we are as cold as that Child was when his Spirit was departed 2 Kings 4.24 VII The Graces of Christ and true Holiness are the only Preservative of the inward Man from spiritual Sickness by putting him on and leading of a holy Life we abide in Health and those who neglect to put on these Garmens are exposed to all manner of Scuâ—â—-Diseases which end in eternal Death VIII This spiritual Garment makes a Distinction 1. Holiness distinguisheth Believers from Unbelievers the Godly from the Wicked Who hath made thee to differ from another If a Man be in Christ he is a new Creature 2. This Glorious Garment shows that the Righteous are more excellent than their Neighbour as it was said of Jabush he was more Honorable than his Brethren it makes appear the Godly are Kings Children having Princely Robes upon them 3. By a holy Christ-like Conversation the People and Saints of God are known to be People of another Country Citizens of another City Ye are not of this World IX This spiritual Garment is of a most excellent sweet comforting and refreshing Quality the Vertue whereof is not cannot be felt nor apprehended by Unbelievers X. Men put not Christ to that use for which he came into the World till they put him on for Sanctification and Holiness neither will he be otherwise of saving Benefit unto them He that believeth not shall not see Life Without Holiness no Man shall see God XI Such as have put on this Garment do abundantly demonstrate their great Sorrow and Grief for Sin Godly Sorrow worketh Repentance yea shall be sorrowful All such as put on Christ for Sanctification are cloathed with Humility XII Such who are cloathed with the Robes of Righteousness have on them the beautiful Garments of Salvation which signifies that they above all have cause to rejoyce hence saith the Apostle As sorrowful yet always rejoycing Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say rejoyce Metaphor I. MAterial Garments are made by Man II. Other Garments consist of Matter and are of such or such external Shape according to the Party for whom they are made III. Other Garments may be bought with Mony and those likely who have most of it have the best Robes IV. Material Garments render a Man or Woman amiable only in the sight of Man c. V. Other Garments are the worse for wearing by long and often using they will decay VI. Other Garments at certain Times are to be put off or may be changed As light or thin Garments for Summer and more substantial for Winter c. VII A Man may part with or dispose of other Garments at his Pleasure as he thinks fit to his Friends or to such as want Cloaths Disparity I. THis Garment of Holiness is wrought by the Spirit of God II. This Garment consists of Grace Divine Vertues and Spiritual Qualifications III. This Garment may be had without Mony or Price 't is true Christ speaks of buying c. white Raiment That buying is free receiving The Porphet explains this Phrase Isa. 55.1 No Man hath any thing of worth or value to give for it the Gift of God cannot be purchased with Mony the poor in Spirit are better cloathed than the rich IV. This Garment renders a Man or Woman lovely in the sight of God The Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit is in the sight of God of great Price V. This Garment the more and longer it is used the better and more excellent it is Use makes perfect in Godliness as well as in other Cases VI. This Garment viz. the Robe of Righteousness is never to be changed nor put off Day nor Night Winter nor Summer we ought to be good and vertuous in Sickness and Health at all times in Prosperity and Adversity 't is good always to be zealously affected in a good thing VII This Garment Christ and Holiness as a Man cannot dispose of it unto others so he ought not No Man hath so much Grace as to furnish his Friend with it the Wise Virgins had no Oyl to give to the Foolish What thou hast already hold fast till I come Inferences I. WE may from hence admire the Excellencies of the Lord Jesus Christ he is Life he is Meat hidden Manna he is Drink yea he is all in all and provides all for Believers II. It shews the miserable State of those that are without true Holiness such are naked Now a naked Man is exposed to the Reproach of every Eye his Shame appears
hearest me always He only is authorized to plead for poor Sinners XV. Jesus Christ invites all that are weary and heavy laden to come to him for Rest with a Promise of free access Whosoever comes to me I will in no wise cast out Joh. 6.36 XVI The Lord Jesus this wise and able Advocate hath undertaken desperate Causes such as Mary Magdalen a great Offender Peter a great Backslider Paul a great Blasphemer and Persecutor The Gentiles that were Thieves and Idolaters by the Fall desperate was the Cause of all he undertook I Pray not for these alone but for all that shall believe on me through their Words He makes Intercession for the Trangressors XVII Christ is very much honoured by God he calls him his Fellow and will have all Men honour the Son even as they honour the Father XVIII Jesus Christ knows much of the mind of God being skill'd in all the Laws Natural Moral and Evangelical well understands his Nature and Disposition being always by him and as one brought up with him being daily his delight c. so near and familiar that he lay in his Bosome XIX Jesus Christ had unspeakable Confidence in so much that he feared not to appear amongst great and learned Doctors in the Temple hearing them and asking them Questions to the Astonishment and Amazement of all them that heard him He appeared too mighty and learned for all the Pharisees Sadduces and Priests of the Jews XX. The Lord Jesus stands not on Fees or Gratuities for indeed none are able to give unto him a Reward for his Work but he acts on the same terms that God gives Wine and Milk and that is without Mony and without Price Whosoever will may come and take his Counsel and Advice Water of Life freely He hath filled the Poor with good things but the Rich he hath sent empty away Their Cause falling to the ground XXI Christ did frequently when on Earth and since his Departure into Heaven carry Causes doubtful to others He carried the Cause in a great Trial against Satan who made strong Attempts against him after he had fasted fourty days And when none was found worthy to open the Books and unloose the Sea's and look thereon at which John wept The Lion of the Tribe of Judah prevailed In due time Christ died for the Ungodly he hath delivered us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us XXII Jesus Christ is watchful to keep up the honour of God and his Laws because the Contempt thereof would prove of ill Consequence I honour my Father I have glorified thee on Earth Not one jot of the Law shall fail think not that I came to destroy the Law c. He answered the Demands of it that God might be just and the Justifier of those that believe in Jesus XXIII Christ is very diligent never guilty of any Neglects in acting for his People he went about doing Good pleaded often pleaded strongly with Crying and Tears used mighty and prevailing Arguments with God on the behalf of his Flock on Earth pleads for great things for them for the holy Spirit for divine Protection Union and for their safe Conduct to Heaven Father I will that all they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory XXIV Jesus Christ is successful he hath carried many yea multitudes of Causes for his People nay indeed it may be said when did he miscarry what Cause was lost when the Sinner did sincerely and in good earnest engage him he carried the Cause for poor Peter to the preventing his utter Destruction he prevailed for the Protection of God to the twelve Apostles that continued with him He pervailed for the sending the Comforter when he went away he carried Paul and the suffering Saints away Conquerours hath made us more than Conquerours He manages effectually all the Affairs of his Elect throughout all the Earth XXV Jesus Christ is greatly grieved to see Men miscarry in the great Cause of their Souls through their own neglect because they did not they would not come to him retain him make use of him He drew near the City He beheld it and wept over it O Jerusalem that thou hadst known even thou in this thy day the things that belong to thy Peace But now they are hid from thine Eyes their Cause was irrecoverably lost because they would not come unto him XXVI Jesus Christ will not take the names of some into his Lips he leaves them wholly to themselves to stand or fall saith of them as once it was said of Ephraim Let him alone such are the hardned Hypocrites and Reprobates horrible Apostates the Blasphemers of the holy Ghost of these it may truly be said as in Eccles. 4.10 Wo unto him that is alone and they may say of themselves The Harvest is past the Summer is ended and we are not saved God hath sworn in his Wrath against some that they shall not enter into his Rest and Christ will neither plead nor pray for them He will take no foul Cause into his pure Breast but clearly leaves them out of his Intercession and Advocateship I pray not for the World c Joh. 17.9 XXVI The Lord Jesus is the wisest and honourablest Advocate that ever was and therefore is the undoubted Heir to Preferment yea to the greatest of Preferments He being appointed the Judg of all the World by a former and unalterable Decree Him hath God ordained to be the Judg of the quick and dead God judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment unto the Son He hath appointed a day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained c. Advocate I. AN Advocate here below is concerned but for a few Clients cannot serve many much less all that need an Advocate to plead their Cause for them II. An Advocate here below is but of short standing comes in an hour and goes out in an hour the Eldest are but of yesterday and of small Experience III. An Advocate here below leaves his Clients doubtful because they know not how a Cause will go before Trial. IV. Some Advocates here below do more often miss than carry Causes and many of them lose more Causes than they gain V. An Advocate may carry a Cause here below and there may lie an Appeal against it in some of the superior Courts as the Court of Chancery c. The Cause may be carried for a Person in one Court and lost in another VI. An Advocate in these lower Courts tho he be an able Man yet he may be over-match'd and out-done by others it being a Rule in most Cases Not one so good but he may find his Equal c. Disparity I. JEsus Christ is an Advocate for his whole Church all may come and make use of him I pray not for
VII The Apostles were to take care of the Church whilst they lived and after their Decease Paul had the Care of all the Churches upon him He sent for the Elders and gave them charge c. St. Peter took care that after his Decease the Churches might be secured from Danger VIII The Apostles had a Dispensation committed to them from which they were not to depart A Dispensation of the Gospel is committed to me Wo is me if I preach not the Gospel They also ordained other Ministers IX The Apostles went through good and evil Report unweariedly till they had finished their Course and then committed themselves to Him that judgeth righteously in expectation of a Crown of endless Glory Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness c. Parallel I. CHrist Jesus was immediatly sent by God He came not of himself but the Father sent him II. Christ Jesus went about preaching the Gospel doing Good and healing all that were oppressed III. Christ Jesus was not alone but the Father was with him God was with him in an extraordinary manner beyond what he ever was with any Mortal IV. Christ as the great and chief Apostle bore witness to the Truth For this cause came I into the World â—â— V. The Lord Jesus came as the chief Apostle to open Mysteries that had been kept hid VI. Christ Jesus had not the Spirit by measure but was filled with the Spirit to do and speak mighty things VII Christ more especially took care of his Church before he left them He forewarned them of Evils to come he cautioned them against Fears and Apostacies and committed them to the Care of his Father Keep through thy Name those that thou hast given me VIII Jesus Christ as the great Apostle had a Dispensation committed to him The Work that my Father gives me to do shall I not do it I must work the Works of God Tell that Fox I do Miracles this day to morrow and the third day I shall be perfected He had Power also to ordain other Officers and Ministers IX Christ suffered great Contradiction of Sinners against Himself fought as the Captain of our Salvation with all Difficulties and Enemies till he had finished his Work and could say Father it is finished into thy hands I commend my Spirit He for the Joy that was set before him endured the Cross despised the Shame and is sate down at the right hand of God An Apostle I. THe Apostles were but meer Men whose Original was from the Dust. II. The Apostles had but small measure of the Spirit and were not without Sin and Infirmities III. The Apostles were but Fellow-Servants and not Lords over God's Heritage not like some we have had since their Time IV. The Apostles did but shew and direct to a Saviour to Salvation and eternal Life they were not able to save nor could they give Salvation to any Was Paul crucified for you c. Disparity I. CHrist was Emanuel the eternal Son of God God vâ—â—ry God of God Lord of all whose Descent was from Heaven I came down from Heaven The second Man was the Lord from Heaven II. Christ had the Fulness of the Divine Spirit dwelt in him and rested upon him God gave not the Spirit to him by measure Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself to God without spot The Prince of this World came and found nothing in him He was holy harmless and undefiled separate from Sinners III. But Christ is Master Head Lord Ruler and Governor a compleat Prince and King as well as Priest and Prophet and Apostle He is Lord of all over all God blessed for evermore Which made Mary say They have taken away my Lord and Thomas say My Lord and my God IV. But Christ did more than shew and direct to a Saviour He was that Saviour himself and the Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him He had Help laid upon him being mighty to save was born a Saviour To you is born in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And that great Salvation is not to be neglected without eminent Danger How shall we escape that neglect so great Salvation Inferences I. BEhold the great Goodness of God to the Church and World that he should send so great an Apostle so wise an Ambassador to treat with Souls and for Souls and to settle govern and establish the Church II. What great Love Christ had to Sinners that he should leave his Riches and Glory above to come down to be an Apostle a Fellow-Servant for our sakes He that was rich became poor that we through his Poverty might be made rich III. What need have we of the Pope and his Cardinals seeing God hath been so kind to give us Christ to be our Apostle and High-Priest We own none but Christ to be the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession who can do all things for us by his Word Spirit and Ministers Away therefore with that grand Antichrist and vile Impostor whom they call His Holiness with all his Antichristian Crew IV. This may serve to inform us that we ought to listen to him and be taught by him for there is great reason for it 1. God sent him I came not of my self the Father sent me 2. He spake so as never Man spake No Man ever yet nor ever will speak like the Man Christ Jesus He spake like one that had Authority and not like the Scribes learned Doctors and wise Men among the Jews Many were astonished at his Understanding and Answers in his tender Age. 3. God commands us to hear him This is my beloved Son hear him 4. God threatens us if we do not hear him 't is dangerous to refuse to hear him How shall we escape if we turn away from him that speaks from Heaven Christ the Bread of Life John 6.48 50 51. I am the Bread of Life This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven I am the living Bread which came down from Heaven IT is not my Business here to give the various Opinions of Men touching the Bread in the Text Some hold it to be Christ's Doctrine others Christ in the Sacrament others hold it is Christ in a more invisible Administration but to shew metaphorically that whatsoever Bread properly so called is to Men considered as Men that Jesus Christ is unto Believers and all true Christians according to the Gospel Metaphor I. BRead is prepared and made fit for Food II. Bread is a Substance well suited for the Subject to which it is appointed III. Bread is good in it self and of its own nature IV. Bread is not inherent in us but a distinct thing from us and a Gift from another V. Bread is ordained to an high and most excellent End even to preserve the whole
are fitted as Vessels of Wrath for Destruction Metaphor I. THe Sun is a Creature and had a beginning and when Time is swallowed up of Eternity it will set and rise no more II. The Sun gives Light but cannot give Sight the Sun-Beams tho never so powerful cannot make a blind Man see III. The Sun shines but in one Hemisphere at once when it rises to us it sets to our Antipodes IV. The Sun hath endamaging as well as healing Qualities defaces Beauty maketh Men faint Fruits are sometimes withered to nothing by it V. The Sun is inanimate hath neither rational sensitive nor vegetative Life tho in some sence called the Fountain of Life VI. The Sun is the Servant of Men from the Root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to minister 'T is Idolatry to worship it Disparity I. JEsus Christ is God in his Essence uncreated and without beginning Christ endureth for ever he is Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the Ending the First and the Last II. Christ gives Sight as well as Light he made the Blind to see He also cures spiritual Blindness as Saul's by Ananias Acts 9.17 III. Christ is able to shine over the whole World at once It may properly be said of him as of the King of Assyria The Stretching out of his Wings are able to cover the World at one moment IV. Christ hath no hurtful quality he quickens the Soul never makes it faint He makes Deformity beautiful and lovely ripens but never withers the Fruits off Grace His Beams are destructive to none but such as have no root such indeed he withers V. Christ has Life Light and Heat and is often in Scripture called our Life for he gives and maintains both natural and spiritual Life VI. Christ is our Lord whom Men and Angels must worship all the Host of Heaven adore him 'T is gross Impiety not to worship him Inferences I. HEnce we may learn to know the Worth and Excellency of Christ as also the indispensible and absolute Necessity every Soul lies under of receiving Divine Illuminations from this everlasting Sun for as natural Bodies perish without the Influence of the natural Sun so will Souls if the Sun of Righteousness give not his Life-cherishing Efficacy II. Hence we may also see how greatly we are concerned to pray earnestly to God that our Hemisphere may never be deprived of this Sun of Righteousness nor overspread with the Clouds of superstitious Popery nor other Heretical Errors and Darkness III. This may shew the Folly and Madness of such as would drive the Light of the Gospel out of the World 1. In respect of the Wrong and Injury they would do the World thereby if they could effect it 2. Their Inability to accomplish it IV. Hence we may infer the Necessity of labouring whilst it is day we know not how soon our Sun may set and we are not sure of another The Lord thus threatens the Prophets that cause the People to err I will cause the Sun to go down at Noon c. Which Judgment the Lord God in Mercy deliver England from Christ the Root of David Rev. 22.16 I am the Root and Off-spring of David c. THere is a great and glorious Mystery in these Words many understand not how Jesus Christ should be the Root and yet the Off-spring of David This Text agrees with those Words of our Saviour If David called him Lord how then is he said to be his Son They understood him not Christ as he is God is David's Lord and the Root of David but as he is Man he is his Off-spring and hence elsewere called the Branch Christ is and may fitly be called and compared to a Root The Root of 1. Grace 2. Glory Metaphor I. A Root is that from whence the Tree and Branches do proceed II. A Root is a thing hidden in the Earth and not obvious or visible to the Eye III. A Root hath Life nay 't is the Center of Life the Life of any Tree or Plant is principally in the Root IV. The Root beareth the Body of the Tree and all the Branches thereof V. The Root communicates Sap and Nourishment unto the Body and all the Branches thereof VI. The Body and Branches have a necessary dependance on the Root VII There is much Life and Sap in the Root when the Tree and Branches seem dead dry and sapless VIII As is the Soundness and Firmness of the Root of a Tree the more sound firm and stable is the Tree it self with the Branches thereof these being likely to endure when those that have no Root fall away IX The Root is best secured of any part of the Tree being excellently fortified by Nature in the Earth X. Those that would utterly destroy the Tree strike at the Root XI The Root communicates of the same Life and natural Virtue to the Tree and Branches Parallel I. FRom the Lord Jesus Christ the Root of David all Believers do proceed I am the Vine ye are the Branches See Christ the true Vine II. The Deity or Divine Nature of Jesus Christ is a hidden thing cannot be seen with mortal Eyes Christ's Glory was vailed under Afflictions Reproaches Poverty c. as a Root is under the Earth III. In the Lord Jesus Christ is Life He is called the Way the Truth and the Life As the Father hath Life in himself the Son also hath Life in himself Life is in Christ as Sap is in the Root of a Tree IV. The Lord Jesus Christ this Root bears up his Church and every Member thereof V. The Lord Jesus Christ conveys Sap and Nourishment to all his Church and every particular Believer or Branch thereof hence he is called our Life VI. The Saints and Church of God have the like dependance on the Lord Jesus Christ Without thee we can do nothing VII There is much Sap and Life in Jesus Christ for the Godly when oft-times they seem like withered and dry Branches VIII The Goodness Firmness and Soundness of this Divine Root the Lord Jesus Christ shews us the very happy stedfast and secure State of the Church This Root cannot fail nor decay and consequently the Church and People of God shall endure and stand against all the Storms and Blasts of the Devil Antichrist and all wicked Enemies IX The Lord Jesus Christ is secured from Hurt and Danger whilst his Church is daily exposed thereunto being hid in God as it were You are dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God X. The Devil 's grand Design being utterly to destroy all the Godly struck most furiously at Jesus Christ the blessed Root XI Christ communicates of his Spirit and Divine Nature to his Church If the Root be holy even so are the Branches Be ye holy even as I am holy He that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Metaphor I. NAtural Roots
come to have our Sins forgiven 't is he that gives us a Heart to ask it and a Hand to receive it Is Christ All to thee in respect of every Grace He gives Faith 't is he that is the Author and Finisher of it 't is he that sheds Love abroad in our Hearts by the Holy-Ghost All Grace is treasured up in him all Grace is communicated to us through him Is he all to thee in the Ministry of the Word 't is Christ that is preached 't is he that gives Grace to preach and opens the Ear to hear the Word preached and helps the Soul to receive the Word Is Christ all to thee in Ordinances The Lord's Supper holds forth his Death his Body broken and his Blood shed He is the sum and substance of it Baptism shews his Burial and his Resurrection In Ordinances or Duties art thou not satisfied unless thou meetest with Christ Jesus 9. Art thou willing to accept of Christ as the Father offers him Art thou willing to have him to be thy Prince as well as thy Saviour to destroy thy Sin as well as to save thy Soul 10. Dost thou long to be like him art thou willing and desirous to be holy as to be happy to live to him here as well as to live with him hereafter Is every thing in Christ or that belongs to Christ precious to thee V. Reproof This reprehends those that lay aside and would build without this precious Corner-Stone Who they are see Metaphor Christ the Foundation VI. Labour to esteem and highly value Jesus Christ. What are all things without him If he is not precious to thee nay thy All all thy profit by him at last will be nothing at all what wilt thou do at Death Qu. Some may say What shall we do to get Christ to obtain him who is so precious 1. Let thy Sins go 2. Let all thy Righteousness go in point of dependence do not trust to that 3. Let all Consultations with Flesh and Blood go and close immediately with Christ. 4. Improve the Means of Grace God is pleased to afford thee attend upon the Ministry of the Word Lastly Here is comfort to all true Believers you that have Christ have all and let me tell you you can never have less than all for this precious Stone can never be taken away from you you having made the blessed Choice that one thing needful with Mary Christ the Wonderful Counsellour Isa. 9.6 And his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour c. COuncellour is a word of a double Signification respecting two ranks of Men. 1. Such as appertain to the high Courts of Princes called Counsellors of State 2. Such as appertain to the high Courts of Judicature who are called Counsellors at Law These two Ranks of Men have their proper Work and Business peculiarly appropriated to them c. The first of these Ranks of Men are in Councel with the King to make and establish Laws therefore called Elders or Senators c. 2. The proper Work and Business of the second Rank or Order of Men is to unfold and plead Law therefore called Barresters or Counsellors c. Many things belonging to each Station do very fairly agree to the Son of God who therefore is not unfitly called Wonderful Counsellor c. Wonderful because the greatest and wisest that ever was Counsellor because his Place Work and Circumstances agree thereto as appears in these following Considerations Counsellour I. SOme Councellors are of a noble Extraction well descended which gives them Advantage above others Such have a double Advantage 1. In respect of Honour 2. In respect of Education Men basely or meanly born and descended are seldom or never advanced to the Honour of Counsellors in the highest Courts especially of Parliaments II. A Counsellor is brought up to useful Learning for so great an Employ or Office Men who are illiterate being unfit for it III. A Counsellor is a Man of Worth otherwise unfit for that Function or to appertain to any Court IV. A Counsellor of State is or ought to be a Man of an high and heroick Spirit not concerned about Triffles and things of an inferior Nature but mostly taken up with the more weighty and more considerable matters of the Law V. A Counsellor of State is chosen to that high Sphere and Dignity he comes not in of himself but by choice VI. A Counsellor of State is admitted into the Kings Court takes his place at the Council-Table and his chief Business lies there VII A great and wise Counsellor of State is made acquainted with the most secret Purposes of the King himself without whose Counsel and Consent there is nothing acted nor brought to light VIII A Counsellor of State is one who is thought worthy to be the Kings Familiar and Companion IX A Counsellor of State is one of the highest Ranks of Men none above him but the King himself X. A Counsellour of State is concerned in the agitating of Great Affairs such as immediately concern the King and the good of all his Subjects as the issuing out of Proclamations and the approving of other Ministers to be imployed in the King's Business XI A wise worthy and good Counsellor of State tho he be a Subject and Favourite to the King yet he is a great Glory to a Kingdom and it is the more respected for his sake I. A Counsellor at Law is a publick Officer belonging to a Court of Judicature II. A Counsellor at Law gives Advice and Councel from whence he derives the Denomination of being called a Counsellor III. A Counsellor at Law makes known the Law to those that are ignorant or unlearned he being the Mouth as it were of the Law IV. A Counsellor at Law resolves doubtful Cases which other Men cannot V. Counsellours at Law make Conveyances of Estates and most Men think these Conveyances not sufficient unless made by such able Men as they VI. Counsellours at Law have great respect amongst Men especially those who do most need them and make use of them VII A Counsellour at Law puts an end to Controversies by Non-suiting or Overthrowing the Party which is on the Adversaries side VIII A Counsellor at Law makes Contracts in great and weighty Cases between Parties IX A Counsellor at Law discovers Flaws in Evidences to undeceive the over-credulous X. A Counsellor at Law is of general use to Men since their tempers have been corrupted their manners vitiated and a necessity of multiplying Laws to correct them c. XI A Counsellour at Law is a Pleader of Causes which is none of the least part of his work Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus is of an high and sublime Extraction well descended according to the Flesh of the Blood Royal of the Lineage and Stock of David the King of Israel and in respect of his Diviniâ—â—y the eternal Son of God Possessor of Heaven and Earth He is Lord of the Angels and King of Saints and
hunger and thirst after Righteousness c. Blessed are the meek c. But except your Righteousness shall exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5.20 Ye that have abode with me in my Temptations I appoint unto you a Kingdom c. With a multitude of such like Speeches which are contained in the holy Gospel which he uttered to encourage and animate all his Disciples in their Spiritual Warfare IX Jesus Christ takes in and shuts out as he sees Cause he cashereed Judas Demas Hymeneus Philetas and Alexander and takes in Paul Barnabas and Apollo into his Company X. The Lord Jesus is the Head of all true Christians and Commander of the Church Militant in chief all the Bands of the white Reigment march under his Banner Hâ—â— is the Head of his Body the Church Given to be a Leader and Commander to the People X. Christ when he was baptized by John took his Place in the Minstry as the Leader of his Church and ran the greatest Hazard yet deserted not his Followers for fear of Danger He not only loved them to the end but did bear them company and abode with them to the last even till he suffered for their sakes the bitter Death of the Cross c. And is spiritally with them all ways to the end of the World XI Christ gives the Word of Command to his Saints which they are to observe If any Man will serve me let him follow me Teach them to observe all things that I command you XII So is Christ by being the Captain of our Salvation for War not originally from his own natural Disposition for he is for Peace but by reason of the resolved Opposition that is in the hearts of his Enemies against him I came not to send Peace on the Earth but to bring a Sword Mat. 10.34 XIII Jesus Christ met with Enemies not only Flesh and Blood yea potent Flesh and Blood Men in Power and high Places such as Herod Pontius Pilate and the Rulers of the Jews but Principalities and Powers no less than Beelzebub himself and all his Train whom he fairly engag'd with eminent Success XIV Jesus made use both of Armor and Weapons he saw no small need for it viz. 1. The Breastplate of Righteousness when Satan and wicked Men by their Temptations would have drawn him from his Allegiance by great Proffers of Power and Glory 2. The Sword of the Spirit by which he cut down the Devil and the wicked Jews in all their Assaults It is written it is written c. 3. The Shield of Faith when he came to the last and most bloody Battel of all For the Joy that was set before him he endured the Cross despised the Shame and is sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high XV. Jesus Christ like a most valiant Captain made good his Ground against all the Force and Artillery of Hell in a glorious manner even to the death of the Cross. XVI Christ took great care of his Saints to preserve and secure them how ever it fared with himself 1. He left them good Orders to observe in his absence the Rules of the holy Gospel 2. He took care to send them a good Guide for their Conduct no less than the Holy-Ghost the Comforter 3. He prayed for them on Earth and he prays in Heaven to engage the Protection of Almighty God for them Father keep through thine own Name those that thou hast given me c. XVII Jesus Christ prefers his Saints and Followers whom he finds worthy He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the Work of the Ministry c. I thank Christ Jesus who hath put me into the Ministry XVIII Christ made not Novices and unexperienc'd Christians Ministers and Pastors of Churches and Leaders of Societies He set Peter James and John to be Apostles and Leaders in the first place and Paul Sylvanus and Timotheus stout and brave Commanders to bring up as it were the Rear God hath set forth us the Apostles last of all as it were appointed to Death XIX Jesus Christ in all weighty Affairs is joined with the Father and holy Spirit the great Council of Heaven and without Him who is called Wonderful Counsellor there is nothing of grand Importance transacted either in Heaven or Earth nay without him was nothing done at first All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made When Commission was givn to Creatures of all kinds to act in their proper sphere Christ was there See Counsellor XX. Christ's place is a place of Honour because he was Worthy and the Army that he hath raised is not a Rebellious Army but legally raised and behave themselves well they are kept under good Government and Discipline not one debauch'd person in the Army is continued in the Muster-Rolls but presently turn'd off blotted out and delivered up to Satan when discovered by his inferior Officers to be such Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness From such turn away Deliver such over to Satan turn him into his own Kingdom Because thou hast loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity therefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows That all Men might honour the Son even as they honour the Father XXI Jesus Christ offers Terms of Peace and Reconciliation because he would prevent their Ruine if possible before he falls upon them and fights against them with the Sword of his Mouth Turn at my Reproof how often would I have gathered thy Children together c. In what Place soever you enter say Peace c. I gave her space to repent of her Fornication but she repented not Rev. 2.21 I will kill her Children with Death c. XXII Jesus Christ when his Grace and Offers of Mercy are refused hath and will make slaughtering work in the Earth O what work was made upon Jerusalem not long after the refusing the terms of Peace and offers of Grace and Favour by Jesus Christ. See the lamentable Story in Josephus c. And what work will shortly be made with bloody Rome in the day of Death Mourning and Famine that is coming on apace when she shall have Blood given her to drink and shall be utterly burnt with Fire And what Devastation will be made by this great Captain who is red in his Apparel and his Cloaths as them that tread in the Wine-Press at the Battel of Armagedon when the vast Armies of the Beast shall be slaughtered and destroyed by the sharp Sword that goes out of his Mouth And Blood shall come forth to the Horses Bridles for a thousand and six hundred Furlongâ—â— The Fowls of Heaven shall be filled with their Flesh there shall
in Summer they preserve and defend from parching Heat every Blast would pinch us were it not for our Garments every Thorn would scratch us every Blow would bruise us Robinson VI. Garments are prepared and made fit for the Person that is to wear them or otherwise they are not comely VII When a Person puts on a Wedding-Garment all other Garments are laid aside as invaluable and unseemly for a Bride to have on VIII A Wedding-Garment is usually very rich if provided for a Person of Honour a Princess or some great Heiress IX A rich and glorious Wedding-Garment is put on as a sign of Joy and a good Day X. Those who were invited to a Marriage amongst the Jews as History tells us if they had not on a Wedding-Garment they were not entertained nor suffered to be amongst the Guests but were if observed turned out of the Wedding-Chamber XI The Bride that is gloriously cloathed and adorned in her Marriage-Robes is delighted in and rejoyced over by the Bridegroom Parallel I. THe necessity of Christ and his Righteousness came in by original Depravity Man in Innocency had no need of a Saviour was perfect and wanted nothing II. Christ is the Souls Spiritual Cover 1. He hides all our natural Filthiness 2. He hides and covers all our actual Sins and Pollutions 3. He covers all the Spots of our Holy Duties The Cherubims under the Law covered the Mercy-Seat the Mercy-Seat covered the Ark where the two Tables of the Decalogue lay this Mercy-Seat did typify Christ. Jesus Christ covers all the Sins which Believers commit against the Law of God He delivers us from the Curse and Accusation thereof Hence 't is said God beheld no Iniquity in Jacob he doth not see it to impute it because it is hid under the covering Mercy-Seat Jesus Christ. III. All our Righteousness is as filthy Raggs and in another place compared to a menstruous Cloth our best Services are grievously defiled and polluted with Sin But Christ is a glorious Robe his Righteousness is of inestimable Value glorious Apparel which by Faith all true Believers are cloathed with IV. Christ's Righteousness put on the Soul by Faith is the most beautiful Ornament that ever Mortals were adorned with this makes Men and Women amiable and very comely in the Eyes of God and Holy Angels V. The Lord Jesus cloathing us with his Righteousness defends us 1. From Sin Sin hath not Power and Dominion over us it cannot bear sway nor hurt the Soul because Christ hath condemned it in the Flesh. 'T is a vanquish'd wounded and crucified Enemy 2. Christ defends us from the smarting Pricks and Checks of Conscience when for want of Light a Believer is accused and condemned and is driven almost into despair Christ's Righteousness is a glorious Garment to guard and keep off Conscience from mauling breaking and bruising of him in pieces through Christ Saints obtain Deliverance Come to me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest to your Souls My Grace is sufficient for thee 3. Christ defends us from the fiery Darts and cruel Assaults of Satan This roaring Lion would tear us in pieces if this impenetrable Garment were not between his Teeth and our Souls His fiery Darts would stick to the very Heart did not this Garment blunt and dead them Notwithstanding all the Malice and Rage of the Devil he cannot destroy us because we are cloathed with Christ's Righteousness and have the Lord Jesus to be a Cover for us 4. Christ defends us from eternal Wrath. God is to all that are naked to all that have not Christ on for Cloathing a scorching and consuming Fire the hottest Flames cannot touch the Body till they have burn'd the Garments but Wrath cannot seize any more upon Christ he hath overcome it and quenched its Burning he hath lain under it once for all and therefore it cannot seize on a Believer who is circled about with Christ and with his Righteousness as with a Garment The Fire cannot burn the Man whilst the Screen is between him and the Flame Jesus Christ is a Believer's Screen which stands continually between him and the devouring Flame of God's Anger Robinson VI. Christ's Righteousness prepared for Believers is made fit for the Soul it answers to the Law and Justice of God it every way suits accommodating every Part leaving none uncomely nor uncloathed in the sight of God VII When a Soul puts on Christ's Righteousness by Faith it lays aside its own Raggs having no Confidence in the Flesh if a Man is not stript of all Hopes Trust and Reliance in respect of his own Righteousness he will not seek for another neither can he put Christ on for Christ is the only Garment for such who are naked and see an absolute necessity of that which is by Faith in order to their being accepted in the Eyes of the Bridegroom VIII Christ's Righteousness is a very rich and glorious Robe curiously wrought the Person for whom it is provided being nobly descended born from above and espoused to the Prince of Heaven and Earth I cloathed thee with Embroidered Work and covered thee with Silk I decked thee with Gold and thy Raâ—â—ment was of fine Linen The Kings Daughters were among the Honourable Women Psal. 45.9 13. Vpon thy Right-hand did stand the Queen in Gold of Ophir IX The Righteousness of Christ put on by Faith signifies Joy and a good Day the Soul that is cloathed with this Robe of Righteousness that Beautiful Garment of Salvation hath infinite cause of Joy and Gladness hence saith the Apostle as sorrowful yet always rejoycing Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say rejoyce Phil. 4.4 X. Those that have not the Spiritual Wedding-Garment in the day when our Bridegroom comes shall not be entertained amongst Christ's Guests but shall be put out of the Wedding-Chamber and turned into Eternal Darkness And when the King came in to see the Guests he saw there a Man that had not on a Wedding-Garment And he said unto him Friend how camest thou in hither not having on a Wedding-Garment And he was speechless Then said the King to his Servants Bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into utter Darkness there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 22.11 12 c. XI That Soul that hath this Wedding-Garment on that is cloathed and adorned with Christ's Righteousness that is justified and accepted by Faith the Lord Jesus takes great delight in As a Young-Man who marrieth a Virgin c. And as a Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee Isa. 62.5 METAPHOR I. A Garment can cover but one at once it can't cloath several Persons II. Every material Garment will not serve to cover every part of the Body that which is proper for the Head will not cover the Loins and that which fits the
well that which is written in the Heart of Man as that which was written in Tables of Stone and then as to the Law of the Gospel that is called the Law of Christ because he gave forth all the Precepts contained thereâ—â—â— 2. The Lord Jesus Christ is full of Goodness full Proofs of which he gave before his advancement to his Dignity He is not forward to accuse is free from Anger not subject to take advantage by the Weakness of an Offender but ready to pity and forgive if the Circumstances of the Cause will bear it An Instance of which we have in what Christ said to the Woman taken in Adultery He that is without Sin let him cast the first Stone c. 4. The Lord Christ is a Man of Justice that will not be flattered with fair Words His Impartiality appeared in the days of his Flesh. He told Nicodemus a great Ruler that he must be born again called Herod the King a Fox He told the Rulers of the Jews that they should hereafter see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and Glory that is as a Judg to arraign them for their Injustice Cruelty c 5. The Lord Jesus tho he be a Lamb for Meekness and a Dove for Innocency yet he is a Lion for Boldâ—â—ess and Courage and in his time will shew himself so to be to all the Ungodly of the Earth whether Kings Captains or mighty Men They shall cry to the Rocks to fall upon them and Mountains to cover them to hide them from the Face of him that sits upon the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb. III. The Work assigned to the Lord Jesus as a Judg is grounded upon the highest Reason 1. The Authority of God the Father who hath committed all Judgment into the hands of the Son 2. The Reasonableness of his Authority He gave to all their Being and therefore may challenge a Right more than earthly Sovereigns to sit as Judg over them 3. The Equity of his Laws which are holy just and good there is nothing amiss no fault can be found in them 4. In respect of his Subjects God is not unrighteous to forget their Work of Faith and Labour of Love c. of the Godly And 't is a righteous thing with him to recompense the Ungodly according to their Deeds He shall render unto every Man according as their Works shall be IV. The Lord Jesus Christ is appointed to take the Place and Office of a Judg He acts not of himself but by Commission from the great and mighty Potentate of the whole Universe God judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son 'T is he that is ordained of God to be the Judg of the Quick and Dead He hath appointed a Day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained It is appointed unto Men once to die and after Death the Judgment to which end Christ shall appear the second time V. In like manner is there a set Time a certain Day limited for the Lord Jesus the great Judg to keep a general Sessions and hold a solemn Assize for the Honour of the eternal God called the Day of Judgment It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that City VI. The Lord Jesus as Supreme Judg by virtue of his Authority and Commission when the set Time is come will summon the whole World even all Offenders to appear before his Judgment-Seat The Time is coming when all that are in their Graves shall hear his Voice and come forth The Trumpet shall sound and the Dead shall be raised incorruptible There shall be a Resurrection from the Dead both of the Just and Vnjust The Lord shall descend from Heaven with a Shout with the Voice of the Archangel and the Trump of God and the Dead in Christ shall rise first We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ c. VII The Lord Christ immediatly after Summons upon this great Appearance before his dread Tribunal enters upon his last and great Work First to open the three great Law-Books that Men have lived under viz. 1. The Law of Nature 2. The Law of Moses 3. The Gospel-Law The Judg being set the Books are opened next in Order the Witnesses appear and first those that gave the Laws and they are of three sorts 1. God that wrote the Law of Nature after an invisible manner on the Hearts of Men I will come near you to Judgment and be a swift Witness against you saith the Lord. 2. Moses that delivered the Law to Israel There is one that accuses you even Moses in whom you trust 3. The Apostles that published the Gospel-Law not to Jews only but to the Gentile World These will appear not only to judg the twelve Tribes of Israel but the Gentiles whose Persons and Works also must be tried by Christ as well as the Jews He shall judg the Secrets of all Men. VIII Jesus Christ will judg the World viz. all Men both Jews and Gentiles according to their Works God shall bring every Work into Judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil The Necessity of which appears in these four Cases 1. The Scripture will not else be fulfilled and made good which doth fully assert the bringing to Light the hidden things of Darkness and making manifest the Counsels of the Heart 2. The Ungodly will not otherwise be convinced of all their ungodly Deeds and all their hard Speeches which ungodly Sinners have spoken against the Lord. 3. The Judgment will not otherwise appear just upon which the Glory of the Judg doth so much depend 'T is for his Glory to overcome when he judgeth And unless Matter of Fact be charged due Proportions will not be weighed out and awarded according to Desert with clearness and satisfaction either in a way of Mercy or just Severity to all Spectators Therefore the Gentiles shall be charged with Matter of Fact against the Law of Nature Whâ—â—remongers and Adulterers God will judg The Jews shall be charged for rejecting Moses and killing the Prophets The Jews and Gentiles jointly that they have neglected Faith and Charity under the Vouchsafement of the Gospel He shall judg the Secrets of Men by Christ Jesus according to my Gospel The fore-mentioned Witnesses are sufficient to prove Matter of Fact both in point of Number and Capacity The first and chief Witness will be God himself who knew all things and there can be nothing hid from him The second Witness will be Conscience which was and is with Men in all Places and Actions which Man could never leave at home nor shun his Company when he went out or when he came in He is with him in his most secret Retirements and has often told him
LEaven is of a diffusive Quality it infuses it self into every part till the whole Lump is leavened II. Leaven is of an assimilating Quality it turns the Meal in which it is hid into its own Nature III. The Woman took the Leaven and hid it in the Meal Leaven must be hid that so it may leaven the Meal the better IV. Leaven secretly and invisibly worketh and altereth the Meal and maketh a Change therein turning of it into Dough. V. Leaven doth not change the whole three measures of Meal all at once but it accomplishes its Work by degrees VI. A little Leaven will leaven the whole Lump 1 Cor. 5.6 Gal. 5.9 Parallel THe Word and Grace of God is of a diffusive nature it will where it is received in a spiritual sence leavens every Faculty of the Soul until the whole Man Body and Spirit is leavened therewith By three measures of Meal some understand the Body Soul and Spirit to be meant II. The Word of God where it is in Truth received such is the assimilating Nature thereof doth convert by its powerful Operation the whole Soul into its own Likeness it changes the evil Quailties thereof and works divine and spiritual Qualities in the room of them making a glorious and visible change in the Heart and Life III. The Word of God must be received into the Heart it must be hid as it were there like Seed that is covered in the Earth that so it may have its blessed Effect in order to leaven the Soul in a spiritual Sence the better Thy Word have I hid in my Heart IV. So the Workings and Operations of God's Word are secret and invisible our Saviour alludes to this when he compares the Work of the Spirit in Regeneration to the Wind as is well observed the Word and Spirit work secretly their Operations are invisible to the outward Eye V. So the Word and Grace of God works not that blessed Change in the Soul all at one instant but Grace is carried on in Believers by degrees I deny not but at the first Infusion of Grace or Act of Faith a Man is really and actually justified yet the Work of Conversion and Holiness is gradually carried on and may be a great while before it is perfected VI. So a small Quantity or but a dram of true Grace will spiritually leaven and change the whole Man hence Grace in the beginning is compared to a Grain of Mustard-Seed Parable LEaven is taken in the Scripture in an evil sence for Hypocrisy evil Doctrine Malice and Wickedness from that sowre Quality that is in it Disparity THe Word of God hath no unpleasant or sowring Quality in it but contrariwise it is the only means through the Spirit to purge out that old Leaven whether it be evil Doctrine Hypocrisy Malice or Wickedness that sowreth and corrupteth the whole Man 2. This may further inform us touching the nature of the Word and Grace of God And from hence we may be able to make some Judgment whether Conversion be truly wrought in our Souls or whether the Kingdom of God where Christ spiritually rules which is Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit be in Truth begun in us or no The Word of God compared to Glass 2 Cor. 3.18 Beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord and like unto a Man beholding his natural Face in a Glass BERNARD understands by Glass here to be meant the Gospel with divers others and we see no cause to question this Exposition Simile A Glass is a Medium that represents Persons and things unto the sight of our external Eyes II. Some Glasses shew us such things that we cannot see nor discern without them as common Experience shews which are called Perspective-Glasses III. A Glass seems to bring such things near to us that are at a great distance Some by looking in a Glass have discovered Things and Persons many Miles of as if they were just by them IV. A true Glass shews or represents unto a Man his own natural Face by looking therein he may see what manner of Man he is he may take a plain view of himself whether fair or deformed V. A Glass is used by some as a thing to dress themselves in by it they know how to put on their Attire and to deck themselves with all their Ornaments if any thing be wanting or amiss which they would have on they soon perceive it by looking in a Glass VI. A Glass is a thing that some Persons take much Delight to look into VII He that would have a full or plain sight of a Person or Persons that he hath a desire to behold in a Glass must look therein with open Face he must not look asquint upon it VIII A Man that beholds his natural Face in a Glass and goes his way soon forgets what manner of Man he was if he saw Spots or Blemishes or other Deformity in his Face or any uncomly Features he soon forgets them IX If a Man looks into a Glass he sees there but the Image Resemblance or Representation of a Person or a Thing not the Person or the Thing it self Parallel THe Gospel is the best Medium which represents God the Father the Lord Jesus Christ and holy Spirit Angels and Saints with things past present and to come to our spiritual Sight or to the Eyes of our Faith II. The Word of God shews us such things and Mysteries that without it we could not see nor have the least Knowledg of as the manner of the Creation of the World in six Days the cause why God sets his Bow in the Cloud the glorious Attributes of God together with God's manner of being or the glorious Trinity the Conception Birth Life Death Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ as also God's positive Law and instituted Worship III. The Word and Gospel of God brings things that are afar off very near it represents to our Faith the Judgment-Day and shews us how matters and things shall be managed then who shall be cleared and who condemned it brings near to the Eye of our Faith the glorious Kingdom of Jesus Christ and many things of like Nature IV. So the Word of God shews forth not only the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ as also what this World is what Sin is c. But it shews what Man is before Grace how wretched blind naked deformed polluted and also after Grace through Christ how happy adorned beautiful and glorious V. So the Word of God is absolutely needful or necessary for all Christians to look into who would dress and deck themselves with the Ornaments of Grace that they may be comely in the sight of God By looking into the Word they may see what Ornaments are wanting and how to put them on so as to be compleatly dressed and every way ready for the Bridegroom 's coming VI. The Word of God is a thing that all true Christians