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
And God said let there be light and there was light suitable to 2 Cor. 4.6 where 't is written and God who said or Commanded the light to shine out of Darkness verse 6. And God said let there be a firmament in the midst of the Waters and verse 9. And God said let the Waters under the Heaven be gathered together c and verse 11. And God said let the Earth bring forth Grass c. verse 14. And God said let there be lights in the firmament of the Heavens and verse 20. And God said let the Waters bring forth abundantly the moving Creature and verse 24. And God said let the Earth bring forth the living Creature c. Rab. Mos. Maimon says that this phrase in the Creation and God said is to be under stood of the Will and not of Speech because speech by which a thing is Commanded must of necessity be directed to some being or object capable to execute his Commands but no objects of such a capacity had then being therefore of necessity it must be understood only of Gods Will. Masculus in his Comment says that Moses speaks of God after the manner of men not that God spoke so For by his word the vertue and efficacy of his Will is expressed c. for what we would have done that it might be understood believed or done we express our selves by the prolation of a word and when Gods Will is expressed it is called a word God is a Spirit and uses no corporeal or Organical Speech no transient voice nor Hebrew Greek or other Idiom unless in some temporary dispensation he was pleased to utter himself Organically which has no place here c. So the appellation of Names given to the Creatures verses 〈…〉 10. which is ascribed to God notes only his decree and divine Constitution 〈◊〉 men should so call them So the blessing of God to Fishes Fowl c. ver 22. denotes his real appointment of the multiplication of their respective kinds upon which Musculus very well says if you consider that God speaks to a quatiles or watry Creatures you will judge it a wounderful kind of speech But he speaks not to their Ears but to their Natures to which by the vertue of his word he hath given a power and efficacy to propagate their own kinds From this description of the Creation the Divine force and efficacy of Gods Will in the Creation and Conservation of the Creatures which is so conspicuous is called the Word of God Psal. 33.5 6. Psal. 107.20 Psal. 147.15 18. Heb. 1.3 and 11.3 2 Pet. 3.5 7. c. So in other decrees of the Divine Will God is said to speak Gen. 8.21 And the Lord said in his heart I will not again Curse the ground that is he so constituted and decreed it that by Noah it should be so manifested unto the World Psal. 2.5 Then shall he speak to them in his Wrath that is he will crush his Enemies with horrible Judgements and Punishments Sometimes the Decrees and Appointments of the Trinity by way of Dialogue or Colloquy among the Divine persons as Gen. 1.26 And God said let us make man in our likeness or Image c. and chap. 2.18 And the Lord said it is not good that the man should be alone I will make him an help meet for him and Gen. 3.22 And the Lord God said behold the man is become as one of us c. Gen. 11.6 And the Lord said behold the People is one and have one language go to let us go down and there confound their Language By this deliberate way of expression the Decrees of the Holy Trinity and their effectual power of operation are noted Psal. 2.7 I will declare the Decree the Lord said unto me thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right hand c. These phrases signifie the most Holy and most efficacious discerning and efficiency of Gods VVill. To this speaking of the Father answers the hearing attributed to Christ John 8.26 40. and 15 15. And to the Holy Spirit John 16.13 For this cause among others the Son of God is called the VVord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for by him a manifestation of the internal speech of the Holy Trinity that is their Divine Decrees for mans Salvation is made unto us John 1.1 13 14 c. So much of speech in general More particularly Rebuking or Chiding is attributed to God by which its real effect or destruction is noted of which you may see examples Psal. 18.15 2 Sam. 22.16 VVhere Tempests Earthquakes c. are said to be at Gods Rebukes and Psal. 104.7 that at his rebuke the waters fled that is were separated from the Earth Gen. 1.9 To Rebuke in proper speaking two things are requisite 1. That that which is reprehensible may be chekt 2. That it may be corrected or amended these may be aptly applyed to Gods Creating VVord for when he said Let the waters under the Heaven be gathered together into one place and let the dry Land appear In the first the indigested confusion of things is reprehended and in the second they are corrected and rightly disposed off into their proper places Musculus on this place annexes this marginal note that it is an invincible Argument of Christs Divinity that at his rebuke the Winds and Seas were obedient Mark 4.39 Luke 8.24 See Psal. 9.5 and 76.6 and 68.30 Esa. 17.13 Zach. 3.2 Rebuke signifies destruction Deut. 28.20 Calling when ascribed to God signifies its real product or effect as 2 Kings 8.1 The Lord hath called for a Famine and it shall also come upon the Land for seven years Psal. 105.16 Rom. 4.17 Gods Commanding inanimate or irrational Creatures denotes a direction for some certain work to be done or omitted as Esa. 5..6 I will also Command the Clouds that they Rain no more upon it See Esa. 45.12 Answering is attributed to God when he is said to Answer mens Prayers 2 Sam. 7.9 Psal. 3.4 5. Esa. 58.8 c. Illyricus says that in hearing God answers in a threefold manner 1. By the very hearing for every man that prayes earnestly requests that 2. By some Testimony of his Spirit that we are heard 3. By granting the petition which is the most real and apparent answer Contrary to this is Gods Silence when his people pray by which his delay in comforting and helping them is noted as Psal. 28.1 Vnto thee O Lord do I Cry be not deaf toward me c. So Psal. 83.1 And God is said to answer when he takes pleasures in man Eccl. 5.20 and 9.7 The Lord is said to be a Witness when he declares the Truth of a thing in fact or justly punishes Lyers 1 Sam. 12.5 Jer. 42.5 Malach. 3.5 c. The Lord hath been a VVitness between
that want water this signifies the Idolatries of Apostacy of the people to which God the Fountain of living water is opposed 3. The Qualities of Water of these we will note two 1. It is Fluid and Liquid and if congealed by cold it is resolved and liquifi'd again by heat Hence a metaphor is taken for when to melt or to be liquid is spoke of men it signifies fear consternation anxiety and griefs Exod. 15.15 Deut. 1.28 and 20.8 Josh. 7.5 where liquid water is added Job 7.5 and 9.23 Psal. 75.3 and 107.26 Esa. 10.18 and 13.7 and 31.8 where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies melting the Chald. breaking Consternation for fear Others render it Tribute which is the other signification of the word Esa. 6.4.7 Ezek. 21.15 Job 30.22 So Ovid de Ponto Sic mea perpetuis liquescant pectora curis So may my breasts with constant sorrows melt See Psal. 58.7 8. and 22.14.15 Where there is an express comparison Psal. 119.28 My soul melteth in the Hebrew droppeth for heaviness that is consumes as if it were liquid the Chald. My soul is sad for sorrow Some say that this is an hyperbolical description of his Tears as if his soul were liquid and resolved into weeping See Job 6.14 15. Judg. 15.14 2. Water is capable of Cold and Heat Rom. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fervent in spirit by which spiritual ardor and the zeal of Faith and piety is denoted the Syriack expresses it by a word which signifies boyling water Job 41.22 Ezek. 24.3.5 See Job 30.27 Rev. 3.15 I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot ver 16. So that then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth In this text there is a manifest translation from the qualities of water He calls the Cold such as are without any interest in Christ or the unconverted and the Hot he calls such as are endued with the true knowledge of Christ in an eminent degree and the lukewarm are such as would be called Christians but do not seriously stand by or plead the cause of Religion nor lead a life conformable to their holy profession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is God loves such as are hot or fervent with the zeal of piety But the lukewarm who are only Christians in Name and not in reality he hates nor will he reckon them among his which by a metaphorical allusion to warm water is here expressed For by that a man is easily provok't to vomit so that Christ by the term vomiting expresses that he will reprobate such Object But what means this where he wishes that he were Cold Does that frame of spirit also please God Answer This is to be understood respectively or by way of Comparison 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Cold in that with respect to the lukewarm are more praise worthy because they openly profess what they are not counterfeiting that sanctity which they have not pretending one thing and doing another but being under the blindness of a natural state if they are taught they frequently amend and prove good men whereas the lukewarm making a specious shew of Godliness but denying the power are in afar hopeless condition The sence therefore is it is fit that thou beest put into the extream degrees that thou mayest be judged c. Prov. 17.27 A man of understanding is of an excellent Spirit the Hebrew is of a cool spirit that is of a sedate and quiet mind who is not easily provok't to be disturb'd with the fiery sallies and intemperate heat of Anger 4. The Actions of Water are of two sorts some it s own actions as to break forth Job 28.4 which signifies abundance of Wealth and a plentiful off-spring Gen. 28.14 and 30.43 Exod. 1.12 Job 1.10 Hosea 4.10 Also a publishing of speech 1 Sam. 3.1 1 Chron. 13.2 2 Chron. 31.5 When the waters are said to overflow it signifies an irruption or attaques of a multitude of Enemies and also the celerity and speed of the invasion Examples of the former are Esa. 8.8 and 28.15.17 18. Dan. 11.22 Nah. 1.8 Of the latter Psal. 90.5 Esa. 10.22 Jer 8.6 Isa. 22. All Nations shall flow together to it Jer. 51.44 Micah 4.1 Here the Prophets treat of the Conversion of the Gentiles to Christ by a very significant metaphor In the means of Conversion which is the Evangelical word by his Divine efficacy the people willingly without any compulsion flock to him Waters naturally descend if they are made to ascend it is by Engines or art and not from any spontaneous motion or peculiar quality so inclining them so this people when they tend Sion-wards and ascend that Holy Hill are acted animated and strengthned by the aid art and efficacy of the Holy Spirit by the Gospel of Christ. In men converted 1. This denotes diligence and fervour in piety as waters gather together with Celerity and Impetuosity 2 It denotes Frequency and Plenty as many waters flow together 3. It denotes Concord or Agreement as many streams come from divers places and when they meet make up one homogeneous body whose parts cannot be discerned from each other c. See Psal. 19.3 and 79.2.119.171 Prov. 1.23 and 15.2.28 and 18.4 Psal. 45.1 My heart is inditing a good matter the Hebrew is my heart boileth or bubbleth up a good word The LXX 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eructavit prompsit this is an elegant metaphor of the speech of the heart well premeditated which by the mouth and lips is uttered as water when it boils oftentimes bubbles over To Distill is put for Speech Doctrine or Prophecy either because like Rain or Dew it is every moment instill'd into the Ears for all Words and Sentences are not proposed at one and the same time but distinctly and as it were by drops Or because as Rain and Dew Waters Refreshes and Fructifies the Earth so does heavenly Doctrine render a soul fruitful c. Examples are to be seen Deut. 32.2 Job 29.22 Ezek. 20.46 and 21.2 Mic. 2.6.11 The Heavens and Skies are said to drop down Righteousness when God gives blessings from Heaven Esa. 45.8 See Joel 3.18 Amos 9.13 The Mountains shall drop New-wine and the Hills flow with milk by which is understood that plenty of Celestial blessings purchased by the Merits of Christ. Some Actions of a man about waters as to pour out which signifies Evil sometimes with respect to God when he is said to pour out his wrath that is when he grievously punishes 2 Chron. 12.7 Esa. 42.25 Psal. 79.6 Jer. 42.18 Ezek. 9.8 22.23 Dan. 9.11 Lam. 2 4. Hos. 5.10 God is said to pour contempt upon Princes Psal. 107.39 40. that is he will devest tyrants of all authority and make them contemptible in exiles or banishment as it follows there See Job 16.13 Psal. 141.8 As it respects men it signifies the evil of guilt
the Destruction of their Opposites The Name Jehovah implieth that God had his Being or Existence of Himself before the World began and that he giveth Being to all things that he giveth Being to his Word effecting whatsoever he speaketh I appeared saith the Lord to Abraham Isaac and Jacob by the Name of God Almighty or All-sufficient but by my Name Jehovah was I not known to them as the Greek and Chaldee render it manifested not They believed God was able to perform whatsoever he had said but they saw not the Performances till when he makes good the Covenant to their Children he calls himself Jehovah denoting the faithful Performance of all his Promises and therefore may be rightly called a Strong Tower 10. The last Elion Altissimus Psal. 9.3 92.9 to which the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 most High answers Luke 1.32 Acts 7.48 which sets forth the surpassing Dignity Excellency and high Sovereignty of God which is over and above all In all these respects God's Name is a Strong Tower for he is their Support He is Almighty and so can destroy such as rise against him He commands the Celestial and Terrestrial Hosts And lastly he is the most High so that there is no contending with him Besides the other Attributes of God are as so many strong Towers to secure his People His Wisdom orders all things for the best His Goodness and Mercy engages him to fatherly Affection By his Omniscience he knows all their Wants Temptations Afflictions c. His Faithfulness gives them Assurance that he will not fail c. Coronaries I. IF God be such a Strong-Tower let the Righteous make haste and run into it An Interest in Christ an Exercise of Faith sincere Prayer Confession of Sin c. is the way Motives to this are 1. No other Strong Tower can secure them Wisdom Honour Riches c. will not do it 2. To flie to other Strong-Holds is a Breach of God's Law and brings a Curse Cursed is the Man that trusteth in Man c. 3. It is absolute Folly and Madness to depend upon any other for they cannot save in a Day of Wrath. 4. There you will be safe from all the Enemies in the World II. From hence we may infer That all the Attempts of Hell and wicked Men will certainly prove vain and unsuccessful against the Church and People of God III. That there is no resting in a bare lifeless Form which are the Out-works but such as will be safe must get the Power as well as the Profession of Religion God compared to a Giant Job 16.14 He breaketh me with Breach upon Breach and runneth upon me like a Giant JOB under the heavy Pressures of Afflictions maketh this bitter Complaint I know not any Scripture besides wherein God is held forth by this Similitude viz. Running upon his People or a particular Saint like a Giant Which shews as Mr. Caryl well observes from the place how much Terror God is pleased to cloath himself with and what Strength he puts forth whilst he contends with those that fear him God doth not only afflict such as he loves but sometimes he afflicts them sorely Doth he not so when he shakes them in pieces Doth not he so when he sets them as his Mark when a Multitude of skilful Archers compass them about when he cleaves their Reins asunder when he pours out their Gall upon the Ground Doth he not so when he sets Engines of Battery to make Breach upon Breach and then runs upon them like a Giant Doct. God sometimes in chastising or afflicting of his People runneth upon them like a Giant Simile I. A Giant is a mighty Man or a Man of more Strength and Robustuousness than others as Goliah and the Sons of Anak were When a Giant assaults a Man it is more than to be set upon by an ordinary Man II. A Giant is not only said to be strong but fierce and terrible and his running upon one like a Giant denotes Courage Fierceness and Fearlesness therefore called Horim III. A Giant is not only strong and fierce but also swift hence David compares the Sun at his rising to a Bridegroom coming out of his Chamber and to a Giant or strong Man who rejoiceth to run a Race Parallel I. GOD puts forth his Strength when he is said to break forth against a Man like a Giant What is a weak Man or a poor feeble Child in the hands of a Giant How much less is Man in the hands of a strong and mighty God II. God seemed to come forth against Job fiercely as if he would break him to pieces and destroy him at once I will give thy Flesh saith Goliah to David to the Fowls of Heaven III. God is not only fierce in the way of his Chastisement of his People but also sometimes very swift He may seem to delay for a while the Use of the Rod but at last he cometh on apace brings one Judgment upon another speedily as appears by Job's Messengers Quest. Why is God said sometimes to run thus upon his People as a Giant and break out so furiously upon them whom he dearly loves Ans. Sometimes because he is greatly offended and provoked so to do by their Sins You have I known above all the Families of the Earth therefore will I punish you for your Iniquities God's People sin sometimes with a high hand therefore God punisheth them with a high hand Thine Arrows stick fast in me and thine Hand presseth me sore saith that good Man David And again There is no soundness in my Flesh because of thine Anger neither is there any Rest in my Bones because of my Sin Quest. But why did God run like a Giant upon so upright and holy a Man as Job was Doth it stand with the Justice and Righteousness of God thus to break forth upon a holy Person Ans. Before I speak to the Solution of this Question it will be necessary to premise six or seven things 1. Tho it may not be immediatly for this or that Sin that the Almighty afflicts his Jobs yet Sin is the Original Cause of all their Afflictions If Job had not been polluted and defiled with Sin he had never known Sorrow or Affliction 2. Tho Job might not be afflicted for Sin yet Job's Sins tho a very holy Man deserved greater Punishment than that which God brought upon him He hath visited thee little or nothing saith Elihu so the word will bear it The least Mercy is more than we deserve and the greatest Affliction is less than we deserve He hath not dealt with us after our Sins nor rewarded us according to our Iniquities 3. Tho God came forth fiercely upon Job yet it was not in a way of Wrath to destroy him nay God did not design any Injury or Wrong to him but contrariwise his great Good and Advantage You have heard of the Patience of Job and of the End of the Lord
these alone but for all them that shall believe on me through their Word Whosoever comes none is refused that hath an Appeal to make to the great God who is Judg of all the World c. II. But Christ this great Advocate of Souls who appertaineth to the high Court of Heaven is of long standing and great Experience possessed the Place of an Advocate from the Fall nothing can surpass his Cognizance he stood before the Antient of days in the days of Noah Daniel Job c. III. But Jesus Christ knowing all things relating to the Judgment-day gives assurance to his Saints before Trial it shall go well with them He that seeth the Son and believeth in him hath the Cause hath eternal Life and shall never come into Condemnation IV. But Christ this high and holy this great and good this wise and just this true and righteous Advocate carries every Cause he undertakes He will not undertake any Cause to plead effectually but the Believer's He will not speak a word for the Sons of Belial that will not submit to his Laws I pray not for the World but for those thou hast given me For those that willingly submit to his Laws he is successful to a Wonder whatever he desires is done for them his Prayers being always heard V. But the Lord Jesus the Churches Advocate makes sure Work when He carrieth a Cause it 's done in the highest Court it self from whence there is no Appeal Every Cause that Christ carrieth is like the Laws of the Medes and Persians unalterable and like the Covenant ordered in all things and sure it is as the good Part Mary chose that shall never be taken from her neither Men nor Devils shall be able by Fraud nor Force to take it away from them 'T is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth 'T is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who also maketh Intercession for us VI. Christ hath no Match or Equal but he very much transcends all his Opposites Beelzebub hath had a great Name but he is nothing to Jesus Christ makes him flie before him and fall like Lightning He hath an awful Majesty in his words that if he doth but say Get thee behind me Satan The Lord rebuke thee Satan shrinks off shamefully He dares not cannot stand before this powerful Advocate Application I. BEhold the marvellous Goodness of God that he should in meer Mercy to us appoint such an able Advocate to whom the very Angels themselves are inferior in point of Wisdom Power Office and Honour Those Sons of the Morning shout for Joy at his Appearance as an Advocate and pry into the Mystery of his honourable Work II. There is great Encouragement to come to this Advocate God invites Men to come to Christ for advice and to take his Counsel This is my beloved Son hear Him He is not concealed in some secret Chamber where he cannot be found but stands at the opening of the Gates at the Place of the chiefest Concourse God hath given him to be a Light to the Gentiles and his Salvation to the ends of the Earth Whoever believingly and in truth desires to have him for their Advocate my have access unto him and have their Cause undertaken pleaded and effectually managed by him who is the Judge's own Son The Motives to this Duty are many 1. When poor Sinners come to this holy Advocate they are kindly embraced 2. They have their Work readily undertaken they are not tired out with Delays 3. They have it very carefully managed the Cause is not lost nor suffered to fall to the Ground for want of prudent and careful Management c. 4. It is a great Case that cannot safely be trust in any other hand it is about a Title to an Inheritance wherein if a Man miscarry he is utterly undone yea utterly undone to Eternity 5. Their Cause is admitted of and undertaken without Fees or any kind of Charges He will do all freely without Money 6. There is much Peace Satisfaction and Security in it A Man that hath committed his Cause to this Advocate may sleep in Peace go about his Business in Comfort neither need he in the least doubt or fear of what will follow for there was never any one that trusted in him confounded or put to shame There was never a Cause left by any Man to the wise Counsel and Management of this most powerful and holy Advocate but it carried the Day He is not only able to save but able to save to the utmost not only some but all those that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them III. Who then would refuse coming to Jesus Christ or neglect to make use of this Advocate IV. It also shews us the Cause why Men perish and miss of God's Favour and lose eternal Life It is not for want of free Tenders of Grace or because there is no Advocate to plead for them but it is because they will not open at his Knock nor take his Counsel c. They will not come unto him that they might have Life Lastly Let all Saints who through Satan's Temptations have been overcome and have sinned and wounded their Consciences remember that there is an Advocate for them with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous Christ an Apostle Heb. 3.1 Consider the Apostle and High-Priest of your Profession Christ Jesus AN Apostle signifies in the Greek one sent and it hath something peculiar to it to distinguish the Office from other Offices appertaining to the Gospel and the Church for tho John Baptist was one sent with many others yet were they not called Apostles but dignified by some other Names Titles or Epithets as Fore-runner Disciple and Servant of the Church c. Now inasmuch as one Rank and Order of Men have this Title given them and by it are distinguished from others concerned in Divine Service we may suppose it to signify their Commission and Qualification for their designed Work which Commission Qualification and designed Work seems to be comprehensive of these three things viz. 1. Immediatly sent 2. Marvellously inspired 3. The Master-Builders of the Gospel-Foundation for the Christian Religion That all these are declared and set forth concerning Jesus Christ is evident Therefore in that Christ is here called an Apostle it must or may signify that He was sent after a higher and more extraordinary manner than common Messengers An Apostle I. AN Apostle was immediatly sent by Christ. II. The Apostles In pursuit of their Commission went up and down preaching the Gospel c. III The Apostles had Christ always with them in their Work in an extraordinary manner IV. An Apostle was to bear witness to the Truth and to Christ's Name V. The Apostles were to open Mysteries that had been kept hid VI. The Apostles were endued with Divine Power to do Wonders and mighty Works
in the following Parallel METAPHOR THe Wind is invisible no Man ever saw it nor is the way of it known it passeth the Skill of Man to find out from whence it cometh and whither it goeth II. The Wind blows at God's Command He is said to hold the Wind in his Fist. III. The Wind has a purging quality in it it cleanseth and purifieth the Air which otherwise would be hurtful and prejudicial to Man it drives away those ill Vapors and Stinks that arise from the Earth IV. The Wind hath a cooling Property how much do People in hot Countries desire to have the Wind blow to lay the Extremity of Heat V. The Wind hath a clearing quality dispersing Clouds and causing Serenity expelling all Mists and Foggs which darken the Air. VI. The South Wind as Naturalists observe is of a thawing quality which Experience oft-times shews to be true VII The Wind is of a searching quality it finds out the most hidden Places it passes through the most private Corners and undiscernible Crannies VIII The Wind Naturalists obâ—â—erve has also a drying and ripening Property it dries up filthy and unclean Places that are not passable and helps to ripen things for Harvest IX The Motions of the Wind are various sometimes it blows one way and sometimes another when it blows on high in one part of the Kingdom it is low or hardly blows at all in another part It s several Motions also have various Effects and Properties X. The Wind blows freely where it lists we cannot command the Wind to blow when and how we would XI The Wind blows and worketh sometimes powerfully strongly and irresistibly it hath a mighty force in it bearing down all that stands in its way it turns up the Cedars of Lebanon rends the Mountains and breaks Rocks in pieces XII The Winds many times by their blowing cause Rain by dissolving the Clouds XIII Men observe or take good notice of the blowing of the Wind and by certain Signs viz. by beholding the Clouds Vanes c. they know which way it blows XIV The Wind Naturalists observe causes some Flowers to wither and hang down their Heads XV. The Wind tho it be invisible and cannot be seen yet it may be heard and its Effects are seen and its Influences evidently felt and experienced by all XVI The Wind cherishes and causes Plants and Grass to grow and thrive as 't is observed by some that nothing will grow and thrive without it 'T is thought that the Roots of Things being moved by the Wind it causes them to root the more making the Ground to give way unto them by which means they take the faster hold XVII The Wind is useful for Navigation to carry a Ship from one Port unto another for if the Wind does not blow they are becalm'd nor can they sail at all without it XVIII The Wind is very profitable to fan or winnow Wheat to sever the Chaff or light Seed from the good Corn or Grain XIX The Wind rises high and blows powerfully sometimes it riseth on a sudden and at other times gradually XX. Naturalists tell us that an Earthquake is occasioned by the Wind certain Exhalations or Wind being got into the Earth shake it Parallel THe holy Spirit is invisible and works invisibly none of the Ways and Operations thereof can be perceived or seen by mortal Eyes Neither doth the natural Man understand the things of the Spirit nor can he The Workings and Operations thereof are of a hidden and mysterious Nature hardly to be found out by the Godly themselves II. The Operations of the Spirit are from God 't is He that causes or commands the Spiritual Winds to blow upon the Souls of Men and Women III. The holy Spirit cleanseth the Soul of a Sinner purging out all those hurtful Fumes that arise from the inward Corruption of the Heart it expells and works out Deadness and Indisposedness to Good and removes those things that cause a Man to be unsavoury in his Place and Generation and which indeed makes him not to savour of the things of God IV. The Spirit also is of a cooling nature which abates the burning Lust of Concupiscence and the scorching of Satan's fiery Darts and Temptations as is further open'd in the Metaphor of Water How comfortable is it in time of Temptation to have the Wind of the Spirit blow upon the Soul the Desire after Evil is presently allayed thereby V. The holy Spirit disperseth the Clouds of Ignorance and Darkness in the Understanding and drives away those Mists of Temptation which cause Men to lose their way and by its powerful Influence makes fair Weather in the Soul VI. The holy Spirit melts or thaws the cold and frozen Heart of a Sinner The Hearts of Men are naturally congealed like Ice hard and obdurate but no sooner doth the Spirit come to blow upon it but this hardness thaws and dissolves into a Flood of Tears VII The Holy Spirit tries the Heart and Reins and finds out the very Thoughts of Men 't is said to search all things yea the deep things of God It pierceth even to dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit Joints and Marrow and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart VIII The Spirit dries up the filthy Issue of our sinful Humors which makes our way to Heaven very hard and difficult and also ripens us like Wheat for the Lord's Harvest 'T is by the Influence of the Spirit that we are made meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light IX The Spirit moves and operates variously sometimes it blows upon one People and sometimes upon another sometimes upon one Church it blows powerfully when upon another at that time its Operations are hardly discernible Again sometimes the North Wind of the Spirit blows which is sharp cold and nipping Rebukes and Reproofs of the Spirit and Afflictions are like the blowing of the North Wind which tends to kill the Weeds and Worms of our Corruptions And then again at another time the South Wind blows which is warm comfortable and refreshing Peace inward Joy and Consolation of the Spirit are signified thereby as the Learned observe X. The Spirit of God is a free Agent it moves blows and operates as it pleaseth 't is not at our Command But all these things worketh the one and the same Spirit dividing to every one severally as he will XI The holy Spirit is powerful in its Operations there is no standing before it It brings down and levels all high mighty lofty and towering Thoughts of Men when in good earnest it begins to work upon the Heart no Opposition that is made against it is able to stand Tho Satan and evil Relations may endeavour to obstruct its workings and hinder the Soul in its Purposes and Resolutions Heavenwards yet nothing is effectual to impede the powerful Influences of the Spirit and Grace of God Mountains of Sin
rendered as a vile Hypocrite as Job was it doth clear him and makes his Heart light and how doth he prize and esteem of such a Friend Alas had not a Christian the Witness in himself to clear and bear up his Soul he would sink down many times into utter Despondency but this made holy Job to triumph over all his Enemies Behold my Witness is in Heaven and my Record is on high As much as if he should say though many Witnesses are against me yet I will keep my Conscience clear I will not have my own Heart to charge me or witness against me as long as I live VI. So the Holy Ghost gives in such clear Demonstration and Proof to the clearing up of a Man's Evidence for Heaven that when all Cases are clearly considered a poor Saint though doubtful before comes to a good and full Satisfaction therein God's Spirit and Conscience compares a Man's State with the Word of God and if upon Trial it appears that those Qualifications are wrought in his Heart that the Word expresly mentions concerning the Truth of Grace he then finds he hath no more cause to doubt of the goodness of his Condition VII So the Holy Spirit and Conscience bring off a Christian with abundance of holy Joy and Triumph notwithstanding his Case may seem very dangerous by means of strong Accusations of Satan as it was with Job For this is our rejoycing the Testimony of our Conscience that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity we have had our Conversation in the World c. VII So the Spirit or God confirms the Covenant of Grace to the Soul of a Believer for when the true Fear of God is wrought in the Heart the Spirit witnesseth to it and thereby assures us that all the Promises that are made therein are undoubtedly our own and shall be performed to us Inference HOw happy is the State of the Godly what good Assurance have they of Eternal Life they have received an Earnest of it it is sealed unto them and they have two infallible Witnesses to confirm it to them See Conscience a Witness The Holy-Spirit a Teacher Luke 12.12 For the Holy-Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say Joh. 14.26 But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things and bring all thing to your Remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you THe Holy Spirit is the great Teacher of the Church and every particular Saint and Member thereof unto whom the Accomplishment of that great Promise is committed And they shall be all taught of God Joh. 6.45 Teacher A Teacher is a personal Appellation II. A Teacher implieth one or more that needeth Instruction or Teaching it argues Weakness of Knowledg and want of Understanding in some Persons about such things they ought to be well instructed in III. It behoveth an able Teacher to have great Knowledg and Understanding himself in all those Things and Mysteries he instructeth others in IV. A spiritual and able Teacher openeth divers dark deep hidden and mysterious things to the Understandings of Men. V. A divine and able Teacher by this means greatly inlightneth the World and causeth Darkness and Ignorance to fly away inriching Men's Minds with the precious Knowledg of sacred Truths VI. An able Teacher instructeth ignorant Persons by degrees as they are able to take in conceive and apprehend things first to read the a b c and then the Bible and afterwards the Grammar or any other Things of Learning they desire to be instructed in VII Some Teachers teach their Scholars out of a Book their great Business is to help them rightly and distinctly to understand that VIII A Teacher exerciseth much Patience towards them whom he instructeth especially when he meets with such that are very dull and unapt to learn he is forc'd to take much Pains with them IX Some Teachers tho very deserving have been greatly slighted by those very Persons they have shewed much Love to and taken great Pains with for their good which hath sorely grieved them X. Some Teachers after they have found those whom they were imployed to teach and instruct grown to such a great degree of Stubborness and Obstinacy that they have utterly despised and refused to betaught by them and have cast all Counsel behind their Backs then they have left them and wholly given them up as hopeless Persons XI Godly Teachers are so great a Blessing to People that it is a great Loss to lose them nay a sore and lamentable Judgment upon the Church and the World to be deprived of or have their Tea-chers taken away from them or forc'd into a Corner Parallel THe Holy Ghost is a Divine Person See Comforter II. There is no Man whatsoever but needeth the Divine Teaching and Instruction of the Holy Ghost For what Man knoweth the things of a Man save the Spirit of a Man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no Man but the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 III. The Holy Ghost hath great Knowledg yea he is infinite in Understanding there is nothing that he is ignorant of that either concerns God's Honour or our Good The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God IV. The Holy Ghost openeth many dark and deep Mysteries what hidden Mysteries did he reveal to the Prophets and open and unfold to the blessed Apostles Which in other Ages were not made known unto the Sons of Men as is now revealed unto the Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit V. The Holy Ghost inspiring and teaching the Prophets and Apostles who were the holy Pen-men of the sacred Scripture hath greatly inlightned the Inhabitants of the Earth where their Record is known and also when he hath opened the Eyes of the Understandings of Men in those profound and glorious Mysteries contained in the holy Scripture how are their minds inriched with the Knowledg of divine Truths VI. The Holy Ghost teacheth and instructeth poor Sinners gradually first the a b c of Religion viz. the Knowledg of Sin and their lost and undone Condition thereby the Vanities of this World together with the necessity of a Saviour and then in the second Place he instructeth them in higher Mysteries opening and explaining the Covenant of Grace as also the glorious Mystery of Union and Communion with God the Mystery of the Trinity the Incarnation of Christ his Priesthood and other things relating to him as Mediator together with many dark Sayings and Prophecies of the Scripture which those who are unlearned viz. who have not the Spirit 's teachings wrest unto their own Destruction I have many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now VII So the Holy Ghost teacheth Sinners the Knowledg of the Scriptures for as the Spirit gave them forth so he is the best Interpreter of them Then opened be their Vnderstandings that they might understand the
diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and communion of the holy Spirit be with you all Acts 20.28 Take heed to the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers Mat. 12.31 All manner of Sin and Blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men but the blasphemy against the holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men Psal. 139.7 Whether shall I go from thy Spirit Joh. 14.26 But the Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the father will send in my name he shall teach you all things Luke 12.12 The holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say Acts 13.3 And as they ministred to the Lord and fasted the holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Paul for the work whereunto I have called them Ver. 4. They being sent forth by the holy spirit departed c. 'T is evident upon consideration that there is not any thing which we believe concerning the holy Ghost but that it is plainly revealed and declared in these Testimonies He is directly called God Act. 5.3 which the Socinians will not say is by vertue of an exaltation unto an Office or Authority as they say of the Son that he is an Intelligent voluntary Divine Person he knoweth he worketh as he will which things if in their frequent repetition they are not sufficient to evince an Intelligent Agent a Personal subsistance that hath Being Life Will We must confess that the Scripture was written on purpose to lead us into mistakes and misapprehensions of that we are under penalty of eternal Ruine rightly to apprehend and believe It declareth also that he is the Author worker of all sorts of Divine operations requiring Immensity Omnipotency Omnisciency and all other Divine excellencies unto their working and effecting Moreover it is revealed that he is peculiarly to be believed in and may be sinned against Also that he together with the Father and the Son created the World the spirit of God hath made me that he is the Author of all grace in Believers and order in the Churches The sum is that the holy Ghost is a Divine Distinct Person and neither meerly the power or vertue of God nor any created Spirit whatsoever This plainly appears from what is Revealed concerning him for he who is placed in the same series or order with Divine Persons without the least note of difference or distinction from them as to an Interest in Personality who hath the names proper to a Divine Person only and is frequently and directly called by them who also hath Personal Properties and is the Voluntary Author of Personal Divine Properties and the proper Object of Divine VVorship he is a Distinct Divine Person And if these things be not a sufficient Evidence and Demonstration of a Divine Intelligent Substance I shall as was said before despair to understand any thing that is expressed and declared by words But now thus 't is with the Holy spirit according to the Revelation made thereof in the word and gospel of God One Consideration which hath in part been before proposed I shall premise to free the subject of our Argument from ambiguity And this is that this word or name Spirit is used sometimes to denote the Spirit of God himself and sometimes his gifts and graces the Effects of his operation on the Souls of men and this our Adversaries in this cause are forced to confess and thereon in all their writings distinguish between the holy spirit and his Effects This alone being supposed I say it is impossible to prove the Father to be a Person or the Son to be so both which are not acknowledged any other way than we may and do prove the holy Ghost to be so For he to whom all Personal Properties Attributes Adjuncts Acts and Operations are ascribed and unto whom they do belong and to whom nothing is or can be truly and properly ascribed but what may and doth belong unto a Person he is a Person and him are we taught to believe so to be So know we the Father to be a Person as also the Son For our knowledge of things is more by their properties and operations then by their Essential forms especially is this so with respect to the Nature Being and Existence of God which are in themselves absolutely incomprehensible Now I shall not confirm the Assumption of this Argument with reference unto the holy Ghost from this or that particular Testimony nor from the assignation of any single Personal property unto him but from the constant uniform tenor of the Scriptures in ascribing all those properties unto him And we may add hereunto that things are so ordered in the wisdom of God that there is no personal property that may be found in an Infinite Divine Nature but it is in one place or other ascribed unto him First He is placed in the same rank and order without any note of Difference or Distinction as to a distinct Interest in the Divine Nature that is as we shall see personality with other Divine Persons Mat. 28.19 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Ghost 1 Joh 5.7 There be three that bear witness in Heaven the Father the Son and the Spirit and these three are one 1 Cor. 12.3 4 5 6. No man can say the Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit and there are differences of administrations but the same Lord and there are diversities of operation but it is the same God which worketh all in all Neither doth a denial of his Divine Being and distinct Existence leave any tolerable sence unto these expressions For read the words of the first place from the Mind of the Socinians and see what it is can be gathered from them Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the vertue or efficacy of the Father Can any thing be more absonant from Faith and Reason than this absurd expression and yet is it the direct sence if it be any that those Men put upon the words To joyn a quality with acknowledged Persons and that in such things and cases as wherein they are proposed under a Personal Consideration is a strange kind of Mystery and the like may be manifested concerning the other places Secondly He also hath the Names proper to a Divine Person only For he is expresly called God Act. 5. He who is termed the holy Ghost ver 3. and the Spirit of the Lord ver 9. is called also God ver 4. Now this is the name of a Divine Person on one account or other The Socinians would not allow Christ to be called God were he not a Divine Person though not by Nature yet by Office and Authority And I suppose they will not find out an Office
for the Holy Ghost whereunto he might be exalted on the account whereof he might become God seeing this would acknowledge him to be a Person which they deny So he is called the Comforter Joh. 16 7. A Personal Appellation this is also and because he is the Comforter of all Gods People it can be the name of none but a Divine Person In the same place also it is frequently affirmed that He shall come that he shall and will do such and such things all of them declare him to be a Person Thirdly He hath Personal properties assigned unto him as a VVill. He divideth to every man severally as he will and understanding the spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God As also the actings that are ascribed unto him are all of them such as undeniably affirm Personal Properties in their Principle and Agent For Fourthly He is the voluntary Author of Divine operations he of old cherished the Creation the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters He formed and garnished the Heavens he Inspired Acted and Spake in and by the Prophets well spake the holy Ghost by Isaiah the Prophet unto our Fathers The Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man But holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost He Regenerateth Enlighteneth Sanctifieth Comforteth Instructeth Leadeth Guideth all the Disciples of Christ as the Scriptures every where testifie Now all these are Personal Operations and cannot with any pretence of Sobriety or consistency with Reason be constantly and uniformly assigned unto a quality or vertue He is as the Father and Son God with the Properties of Omniscience and Omnipotence of Life Understanding and VVill and by these Properties workes acts and produceth effects according to VVisdom Choice and Power Fifthly The same regard is had to him in Faith VVorship and Obedience as unto the other Persons of the Father and Son For our being Baptized into his name is our solemn engagement to believe in him to yield obedience to him and to worship him as it puts the same obligation upon us to the Father and the Son So also in reference unto the worship of the Church he Commands that the Ministers of it be separated unto himself The holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them Acts 13.2 ver 4. So they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost departed VVhich is comprehensive of all Religious VVorship of the Church And on the same account is he sinned against as Act. 5.3 4 9. for there is the same Reason of Sin and Obedience Against whom a man may sin formally and ultimately him he is bound to Obey VVorship and believe in And this can be no quality but God himself for what may be the sence of this expression thou hast lyed to the efficacy of God in his operations or how can we be formally obliged unto Obedience to a quality There must then an antecedent unto Faith Trust and Religious Obedience be supposed as the ground of rendering a Person capable of being guilty of Sin towards any For Sin is but a failure in Faith Obedience or VVorship These therefore are due unto the holy Ghost or a man could not sin against him so signally and fatally as some are said to do in the foregoing Testimonies I say therefore unto this part of our Cause as unto the other that unless we will cast off all Reverence of God and in a kind of Atheism which as I suppose the prevailing wickedness of this Age hath not yet arrived unto say that the Scriptures were written on purpose to decieve us and to lead us into mistakes about and misapprehensions of what it proposeth unto us we must acknowledge the holy Ghost to be a Substance a Person God yet distinct from the Father and the Son For to tell us that he will be our Comforter that he will Teach us Lead us Guide us that he spoke of old in and by the Prophets that they were moved by him acted by him that he searcheth the deep things of God works as he will that he appointeth to himself Ministers in the Church In a word to declare in places innumerable what he hath done what he doth what he sayes and speaks how he acts and proceeds what his will is and to warn us that we grieve him not sin not against him with things innumerable of the like nature and all this while to oblige us to believe that he is not a Person an Helper a Comforter a Searcher a Willer but a quality in some especial operations of God or his power and vertue in them were to distract men not to Instruct them and leave them no certain conclusion but this that there is nothing certain in the whole book of God And of no other Tendency are these and the like immaginations of our Adversaries in this matter Dr. Owen Secondly The Gospel is glorious in respect of the Revelation made therein of the Spirit touching his glorious Works and Operations 1. The framing forming and miraculous Conception of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Womb of the Blessed Virgin was the peculiar and special work of the Holy Ghost This work I acknowledge in respect of designation and the Athoritative disposal of things is ascribed unto the Father for so the Lord Christ speaketh unto him A body hast thou prepared me Heb. 10.6 but this preparation doth not signifie the Actual Forming and making Ready of that body but the eternal designation of it was prepared in the Council and Love of the Father As to the voluntary assumption it is ascribed to the Son himself Heb. 2.14 For as much as the Children were partakers of flesh and blood he himself partook of the same He took unto him a Body and Soul entire humane nature as the Children or all Believers the same Synedochically expressed by flesh and blood ver 16. He took on him the Seed of Abraham But immediate Divine Efficiency in this matter was the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost Mat. 1.18 VVhen his Mother Mary was Espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found to be with Child of the holy Ghost Luk. 1.35 The Angel answered and said unto her the holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God 1. The Person working is the holy Ghost he is the wonderful Operator in this glorious work and therein the power of the most high was exerted For the Power of the most High is neither explicatory of the former expression the holy Ghost as though he were only the power of the most High Nor is it adjoyning of a distinct Agent or Cause unto him as tho' the holy Spirit and the power of the most High were distinct Agents in this matter Only
We shall here only speak of the Word as it is compared to a Hammer Simile A Hammer is a fit Instrument to break Rocks and beat Stones in pieces c. II. A Hammer can do nothing of it self without the hand that uses it III. According to the Strength Design and Wisdom of the Work-Man a Hammer doth effect this or that c. IV. A Hammer is not only a fit Instrument to break things in pieces withall but also to drive home Nails c. and to clench and fasten them also Parallel THe Word of God is prepared by the Almighty as a fit means to break in pieces the stony and rocky Hearts of Sinners II. The Word of God cannot of it self break in pieces the Sinner's Heart God must use it by the hand of the Spirit if ever it accomplish that for which he sent it III. So according to the Design Wisdom and Strength the Holy Ghost is pleased to put forth upon the Heart of a Sinner is the nature of the VVork that is effected or accomplished thereby VI. So the Word of God in the hand of the Spirit is very useful to drive home and fasten 1. The Nails of Conviction 2. To drive home and fasten Precepts 3. To drive home and fasten Promises God is the great Master of Assemblies who fastens the Words of the Wise as Goads and Nails given from one Shepherd Inferences EXamine your selves have you experienced the Word to be like a Hammer 1. Have you been broken in pieces by it have you been under Grief and Trouble for your Sins 2. Are you broken off from your Sins 3. Are your Hearts soft 4. Hath the Word and Spirit of God fastened Convictions so upon you that you cannot get free of them Do they abide like a Nail in a sure place Have the Precepts of God in like manner been drove home that you cannot rest till you have submitted to them Have Promises been so fastened as that you do believe and stedfastly apply them to your own Souls II. If you would have the Word of God break your hard and rocky Hearts then 1. Consider the Severity of it touching the Threatnings thereof Gal. 3.10 Mark 16.16 Luk. 13.5 2. Consider what hath been executed upon such who break the Word 1. Adam 2. The old World 3. Korah and his Company Those that broke Moses 's Law dyed without Mercy under two or three Witnesses Heb. 10.28 3. Consider the Truth of the Word Mat. 5.18 Job 36.17 Luk. 21.22 4. The Power and Authority of the Word 5. The Torments of the Damned 6. Read often and consider the Sufferings of Christ. 7. Cry to God that he would be pleased to take the Hammer of the Word into the hand of his Spirit and smite your rocky Hearts See Simile stony and rocky Heart The Word of God the Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 And the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God TWO things may be inquired into and in both these respects we shall run the Parallel 1. Why the VVord of God is compared to a Sword 2. VVhy the VVord is called the Sword of the Spirit 1. Some take as Mr. Gurnall observes the Abstract here to be put for the Concrete 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sword of the Spirit for the spiritual Sword as if it were no more but take the spiritual Sword which is the VVord of God according to that of the Apostle 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal but mighty that is spiritual VVeapons Indeed Satan being a Spirit must be fought with spiritual VVeapons and such is the VVord of God viz. a spiritual Sword but this tho true reacheth not the full sence of the Place where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken Personaliter for the Person of the Holy Spirit METAPHOR A Sword is a Weapon generally made use of by all Souldiers of every Rank and Quality the Captain as well as the ordinary Souldier hath and ought to have his Sword II. A Sword is a Weapon by which they do not only defend themselves but also do great Execution upon their Enemies III. A Sword is a keen sharp piercing Weapon it will enter into the Body and pierce the very Heart of a Man IV. A Sword is an honourable Weapon and of great Antiquity it hath been in use from the beginning a Weapon that no Enemy hath any just cause to quarrel with V. Some Swords have two Edges they will cut both ways they will cut backwards and forwards as they go in and as they come out VI. A Sword will cut off a Member many a Leg and Arm have been cut off therewith VII Some Wounds of a Sword are so mortal that there is no cure for them VIII A Sword is born oft-times before a Magistrate to signify Authority and Justice He bears not the Sword in vain IX A Sword is a very victorious Weapon it hath done great Execution in the World Joshua made great Slaughter upon the seven Nations of Canaan with the Sword it is said he put all the Souls in several Cities to the Edg of the Sword Parallel THE VVord of God the spiritual Sword every Christian of what Rank or Quality soever maketh use of and cannot ought not to be without it the Captain General fought with this VVeapon himself Ministers as well as every private Christian ought always to be armed herewith II. So the VVord of God is a spiritual VVeapon by which a Christian doth not only defend himself from the danger of Sin and Satan the VVorld c. but by it he offends yea cuts down and overcomes and vanquishes all these and other cruel Enemies of the Soul 1. The VVord is a defensive VVeapon Saith David By the Word of thy Lips I have kept me from the Paths of the Destroyer Vnless thy Law had been my Delight I should have perished in my Affliction 2 Offensive by it our blessed Captain made the Prince of Darkness fly It is written thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God III. The Word of God is sharper than any Sword If the Spirit uses it it will soon enter into and pierce the Heart of a Sinner as appears by that notable Instance concerning those Jews that put the Lord Jesus to death whilst Peter preached the VVord to them it is said they were pricked in their Hearts IV. The Word of God is an honourable VVeapon our Saviour and all holy Prophets and good Men would never else have made use of it it is also of great Antiquity the Writings of Moses as it is observed by divers were before any humane Records No Devil nor vile Heretick hath any cause to except against it or to quarrel with the Holy Scripture V. The VVord of God is quicK and powerful sharper than any two-edged Sword it hath a twofold Operation at one time as it is used by the Ministers of the Gospel it wounds the