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
that he is very pitiful and of tender Mercy 4. We must always imprint this as an undoubted Truth and sure Maxim in our Minds That tho God sometimes afflicts 〈◊〉 may afflict his Children as a bare Act of his Sovereignty Sin being not directly the Occasion thereof yet nothing God doth or can do is unjust I know O Lord that thy Judgments are right and that thou in Faithfulness hast afflicted me All his Ways are Judgment a God of Truth and without Iniquity just and righteous in all his Ways That is his Administrations or his Doings as Mr. Ainsworth noteâ—â— are Judgment that is judicious equal A God of Truth or Faithful without Iniquity or there is in him no Iniquity no injurious Evil Right or righteous is he Consider further 5. That the greatest and sorest Afflictions that godly Men may meet with are no sufficient Ground to conclude they are cast out of God's Favour For the best of Saints and dearest Servants of God have been from the beginning under the greatest Exercise of Affliction As many as he loves he rebukes and chastens 6. Another thing that we should premise is That the Afflictions which we meet with in this World come not by chance They are all measured out by God's ordering Providence in matter and manner for kind and quality And tho the Judgments and Dealings of God are sometimes very secret and hard to be understood at first we ought with Patience to bear them and humbly wait till God is pleased to shew us his Mind and Pleasure in them 7. We must consider that it is our Duty to acknowledg all our Troubles and Afflictions and whatever they be as coming from God and look beyond Instruments and secondary Causes Is there any Evil in the City and I have not done it He breaketh me with Breach upon Breach and runneth upon me like a Giant He Why some may say It was the Devil and his Agents viz. the Sabeans and Chaldeans c. Job knew that no Devil or wicked Man could hurt or touch him if God did not give them leave and open the Door for them These things being premised I now shall give you five or six Reasons why God ran thus upon Job or breaks forth after this manner upon sincere Persons when Sin is not the Cause It is necessary to note this by the way That God doth frequently single out the most eminent and choicest of his Children to undergo the sharpest and sorest Affliction because they have the greatest Strength Joseph excelled for Grace and Vertue and therefore he is singled out from all his Brethren to hard Works and Sufferings No Man like Job in all the Earth in his Day for a perfect and upright Man and what a Man of Sorrows and Afflictions was he Those that have received most Grace from God are able to bear most Afflictions from God A General of an Army chuseth out the most valiant and experienced Souldiers to put them upon hard Adventures It is not prudent to put a Fresh-water Souldier upon difficult Service As Christ saith I have many things to say unto you but you cannot bear them now and therefore deferred till they had got more Strength So God saith of a young Christian one that is newly converted Thou hast great Afflictions to undergo before thou diest but thou art not fit to bear them yet I will defer thy Trial till thou art grown more hardy and fit for that Encounter as our Saviour told Peter John 21.18 1 Reason One Reason why God ran thus upon Job like a Giant or brings sore and severe Trials upon his dearest Servants is That he may fit them for eminent Work and Service Hereby they learn Experience and Knowledg not only how to carry themselves in dark and dismal Days but to teach others also how to behave themselves under Trials 2. That God might crucify them unto all the things of this World They do not only this way come to see the Vanity and Emptiness of them but to be dead unto them In Prosperity the Hearts of the best of Men are ready to be ensnared with the World therefore God brings Adversity upon them And indeed it is every way as good and useful for a Saint as Winter and sharp Frosts are to the Fruits of the Earth which kills the Worms and Weeds that otherwise would greatly hurt and injure them God's Jobs have a Body of Sin and Death in them as well as others and nothing like Affliction tends to destroy it The Corruptions of our Hearts are compared to Chaff and Dross which the Furnace of Affliction burns up and purges away No Man is so pure and clean but he needs to be made more pure and more holy Job was very good before but God made him much better by the Rod before he had done with him He was Gold before his Trial but afterwards refined Gold When I am tried I shall come forth as Gold to wit refined Gold 3. God brings his Jobs under great Exercises and Afflictions for the Trial of their Graces Grace never shines forth in its real Splendor and Glory until it comes to be tried A Saint knows not what his Faith can do until it is brought under Exercise Abraham knew not the Strength of his Faith and Love until he was called to offer up his Son Isaac He with-held not his Son his only Son Isaac whom he loved such was his Love to God And if we respect his Faith 't is said He believed in Hope against Hope that he might become the Father of many Nations According to that which was spoken so shall thy Seed be He being not weak in Faith considered not his own Body being now dead when he was about an hundred Years old neither the deadness of Sarah's Womb He staggered not through Vnbelief but was strong in Faith giving Glory to God By Faith he offered him up accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the Dead From whence also he received him in a Figure How did Job's Patience shine forth when it came under Exercise by all those sore and bitter Afflictions he met withal The greater the Temptation or Trial is if the Soul can resist it and bear up under it the greater Demonstration there is of the Strength and Power of that Grace the Soul possesseth The Almighty shews hereby the Strength and Unmoveableness of Faith how unconquerable it is what kind of Omnipotency there is in Grace He would have all the World know that a godly Person is in vain assaulted by Friends or Enemies by Men or Devils by Wants and Wounds tho he be even benighted in his Spirit tho God himself takes away the Light of his Countenance from him and runs upon him like a Giant yet that over all these things God's Grace can make him stand and cause him to be more than a Conqueror For in the Book of Job we may say is an
XVI A good Housholder is full of Sympathy is much concerned and grieved when things go ill and are out of Order XVII A good Housholder gives reiterated Instances of his Favours he is familiar with his Family speaks to them and smiles on them hears them when they call helps them up when they fall XVIII A wise and good Housholder deals plainly and uprightly with his Family sheweth them the Danger of Disobedience both to Children and Servants hides nothing from them that may be for their Good lets his Servants know that if they obey not he will turn them out of Service and Children if they are disobedient they shall not only be beaten but also dispossessed of many Privileges and Inheritances XIX A good Housholder encourages his Family by present Rewards and future Promises he pays his Servants well for their Work gives his Children Promise of Reward even an Inheritance XX. A good Housholder gives Correction in season for Faults committed Fathers after the Flesh and Masters chastise disobedient Ones for Faults XXI A good Housholder is so prudent moderate and gentle in his Administration of Severity that there is no Cause of Blame and Censure his Equity and Authority justify his Ways XXII A good and wise Housholder when any are obstinate withdraws the Manifestation of former Goodness Favour and Delight for if after all good Means used fruitlesly they will not be reclaimed then he frowns on them and cannot shew his Countenance as at other Times XXIII A wise and good Housholder will maintain his own Rights against Invaders and keep up his Interest according to Law and Justice and the Use of reasonable Means XXIV A wise and good Housholder brings all the Spoil taken from his Enemies and all the Fruits of his Land into his own Houshold there are his Trophies and the Fruits of his Labour found XXV A wise and good Housholder shuts all unruly Persons out of Doors to preserve Peace and prevent Disturbance David would not let a wicked Man dwell with him nor a Liar stay in his House Some will divorce a Wife when she proves treacherous Abraham turned or cast out the Bond-woman and her Son XXVI A wise Housholder sometimes becomes an Enemy to those of his own Family when his Patience is abused and they stand out by large Provocations XXVII A wise and good Housholder doth in his Wrath sometimes swear against Reconciliation and future Acceptance XXVIII A wise and good Housholder sometimes and in some Cases casts off all Care and Pity so as to interpose against Evil or Dangers that may befall from without but gives up to fearful Ruin XXIX A good and wise Housholder is ready to have his Actions tried and refuseth not to come before a Judg or before the Determination of tolerable indifferent Persons XXX A good and wise Housholder renders Rewards and Encouragement to his Family and Servants that do well Be thou Ruler over much enter into the Joy of thy Lord. Parallel I. THat God is the first Author that gives Being to Matter Form and Order is so great and evident a Truth evinced by Scripture and Reason that none can deny it without shaking the very Foundation of Heaven and Earth and of all true Piety and Religion For all things that do appear were produced by some Cause pre-existent or else they did cause themselves which last cannot be because then they must be before themselves which is a monstrous Absurdity See the ancient Records of the World and all things therein Gen. 1. II. God the most great and good Housholder seeing it very needful and convenient hath built a House for the Commodity of his Family yea many Houses suitable to the distinct Parts of his Family which is very great One House fit for Angels and the Souls of Saints that is Heaven one for Men even the Earth one for a Nursing-House to the Off-spring of his Family and that is his Church which is the House of the Living God the Nursing-House for his Heirs and eldest Sons These things have his Hands begun and finished He that built all things is God III. God did not think it meet to be alone in the Enjoiment of perfect Happiness in himself and therefore hath taken into Covenant with himself Angels and Men and for this end was Jesus Christ set up from everlasting to gather together in himself both things in Heaven and things on Earth c. IV. Thus God the great and good Housholder hath done He hath made nothing in vain but hath fitted each Creature with Natures to do Work suitable to their proper Station The Angels to dwell in Heaven to praise in Heaven to flie through Heaven to come down into the Air to visit the Earth and view the Sons of Men Men are fitted to look up to Heaven to pray to reade to contemplate to reverence God to propagate to replenish the Earth Beasts are fitted for Labour and Service as the Horse the Mule the Ox c. The Sheep with all other Creatures receive Influence from his great and good Spirit so as to come to the Place where their Prey is and where they are to be taken for assigned Use. V. God the great and good Housholder hath set all things in Order both in the upper and lower World who is not a God of Confusion but of Order in all the People of his Family Christ his First-born is not only King even the King of the Earth but the King of Angels he is the Head of all Principalities and Powers Angels next to him above Men Men God's Representatives and Vicegerents above Women The Man is the Head of the Woman Parents the Head of their Off-spring and Children above Servants and all these above the Beasts of the Field or creeping Things of the Earth VI. Even thus hath God the great and good Housholder done to all his Family He hath appointed his First-born to be a Mediator a Priest an Advocate to influence the Gospel and Word his Angels to protect his People in Love to serve one another and bear one anothers Burthens Women to bear Children and nurse them and to be meet Helps to their Husbands Parents to love their Children Children to honour their Parents Servants and Subjects to obey their Supreme and all these to adore God and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. VII God this great Housholder hath made Provision for his great and large Family The Eyes of all things look up and trust in him he gives them their Meat in due season In my Fathers House is Meat enough and to spare Heavenly Manna as Meat and Food for Angels heavenly Food as the Bread of Life for the Saints earthly Food as Corn Wine and Oil for Men Grass and Herbs c. as Meat for Beasts c. His Hand gives all things needful If in the House he feeds them if in the Field he feeds them and fills them with good things c. VIII God keeps his Place in
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
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
the Israelites were to deal with the cursed Caananites 4. Possitively Confess all your former Rebellions Unbelief Earthly-mindedness Pride Passion Lying Drunkenness yea all Sins and forsake them 5. Take hold of Christ receive the Atonement he hath made for thee 6. Enter into Covenant immediately seal it now defer it not on pain of Death 7. Joyn thy self to the Lord's Covenant-People with speed delay not c. Application 1. From whence we may infer That those that reject Christ the great Embassador of Peace are undone to all Eternity 2. Let those that through Grace are in a reconciled state and condition ascribe all to Christ Omnis Adoratio Laus tribuenda Christo. Christ a Witness Rev. 1.5 And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful Witness 1 Tim. 6.13 Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good Confession c. John 18.37 For this cause came I into the World that I should bear Witness to the Truth Rev. 3.14 These things saith the Amen the faithful and true Witness the Beginning of the Creation of God THe Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Witness or Martyr Beza upon Acts 22.20 says Hic ego Graecum vocabulum servare malui c. i. e. Here I have chosen rather to keep the Greek Word viz. where Stephen is called a Martyr than to translate it a Witness for common Use hath so prevailed that they are peculiarly called Martyrs who not only by Confession of Mouth but also by their Blood testify the Doctrine of Christ. See Piscator upon the Place The Greek word signifies any Witness yet in all Tongues except Greek a Martyr is a loser of his Life for the Gospel and often in Greek too in Ecclesiastical Writers Christ in a spiritual sence is called a Witness Isa. 43.10 55.4 Rev. 1.5 3.14 1. Because he is the most assured Testimony to us of Divine Truth John 18.37 2. Because he hath exactly fulfilled all that was foretold of him in the Old Testament Joh. 1.17 And 3. because he was martyred upon the Cross for us to compleat our Redemption and confirm the Gospel As Witnesses amongst Men are absolutely necessary to the keeping up of Justice and deciding all matters of moment between Man and Man Even so Almighty God intending to deal with Men according to this Rule hath in Wisdom thought fit to provide Himself with a Witness for the keeping up of Justice and deciding of all matters between Himself and Mankind and according to his own rich and admired Grace he hath provided a Witness who is free from all exception both in respect of his Faithfulness and Knowledge of things and that is Jesus Christ himself who is set forth to be the true and faithful Witness the beginning of the Creation of God who in point of Antiquity is very capable to set forth and attest whatsoever is necessary to be known of God and in whatsoever a faithful and true Witness in point of usefulness can be unto Men that and much more is Jesus Christ between God and Mankind For the illustration whereof take these following Considerations Metaphor WItness imports something done that is to be attested when it shall be required II. A Witness hath respect to a future Judgment where a Difference may come upon trial between two Parties III. A Witness is or ought to be a person of Knowledge who is necessarily qualified for the Work IV. A Witness is usually called to give Testimony and that in matters of which he hath very good knowledge V. A Witness gives in a Testimony and leaves the matter on Record that he is call'd to bear witness unto VI. A good and credible Witness makes a Cause valid to which he gives Testimony VII A Witness is so necessary in all matters of moment especially that which relates to Judgment and to the determination of things that they are seldom done without one VIII A Witness is to speak the whole Truth when no less will serve to clear the Case IX A good Witness is a just and impartial Man that abhors Lying X. A good and credible Witness ends Controversies upon Trial the right way and leaves those that are cast without Excuse or Relief Parallel THere was something done between the Father and the Son in respect of Man before the World began which God thought Christ a fit Person to bear Witness unto 1. That God had a purpose of good-will to Man and in pursuit of which made a gracious Covenant in behalf of Man 2. That God promised Happiness to Man through that gracious Covenant whom he saw fallen And this Jesus Christ hath born Witness unto in hopes of Eternal Life that God who cannot lye promised before the World began This Covenant Promise and all other gracious Acts of the Father that attend them as they are brought to light by Christ in the Gospel he is a Witness of together with the Being and Perfections of God the necessity of Faith and Holiness and Belief of the Resurrection of the Dead and of Eternal Judgment and the World to come II. The Witness of Christ hath a full and clear respect to a future Judgment where a Difference is to be tried between God and Man He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my Word I judg him not the Word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day III. Jesus Christ is a Person of the greatest Knowledge in Divine Things being always with the Father and in his Bosom spake on Earth what he saw and heard in Heaven He had the Word of God immediately from his own mouth which no others had besides himself and therefore qualified to be a Witness in the highest degree as it 's said Him that God hath sent speaketh the words of God I speak not of my self but my Father that dwelleth in me he doth the works IV. Jesus was not only called to be a Priest as Aaron but also to be a Witness God called him from his high and exalted Glory in Heaven to go forth as his great Witness to the World to testifie what he knows of the Father's Will from Eternity Hence said he I came not of my self but my Father sent me and for this cause came I into the World that I might bear witness of the Truth V. Jesus Christ hath given in a full Testimony and born Record of all things depending between God and Mankind He hath testified that God loved the World and sent him to be a Saviour and that there is forgiveness of Sin and eternal Life through his Name and that God will condemn all those that believe not He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned VI. Jesus Christ however accounted a false Witness and Deceiver by the Jews yet hath by his excellent Doctrine his holy Life and stupendous Miracles given such a Testimony to the World of God's Grace and Good-will in making a Covenant
Firr-trees shall be terribly shaken 'T is put for Musical Instruments 2 Sam. 6.5 And David and all the House of Israel played before the Lord on all Firr-wood so the hebrew that is as in our Translation on all instruments made of firr-wood as the following words shew viz. on Harps and on Psalteries and on Timbrels and on Cornets and on Cymbals Brass is put for Fetters or Shackles made of Brass Lam. 3.7 He hath made my Brass heavy that is my chain or fetters whereby my legs are shackled See Judg. 16.21 2 Sam. 3.34 Ezek. 24.11 and 16.36 You may see more Examples Psal. 68.30 2 Sam. 7.2 Jermiah 4.20 Habak 3.7 Gold and Silver are put for things made of them 1 Chron. 29.2 Psal. 115.4 Their Idols are Silver and Gold that is made of Silver and Gold 2. For Money or Currant Coyn Gen. 23.9 16. Gen. 24.22 2 Kings 5.5 1 Chro. 21.22 24. Gen. 20.16 Deut. 22.19 29. Caedar is put for Caedar-work or Tables made of that Wood Zeph. 2.14 Iron is put for an Axe 2 Kings 6.5 For Fetters Psal. 105.18 Corn is put for Bread Lam. 2.12 with Chapt. 4. verse 4. Wood and Stone are put for Vessels made of them Exod. 7.19 Stone is put for an Idol made of Stone Jer. 2.27 3.9 And for a pound weight Deut. 25.13 2 Sam. 14.26 Prov. 11.1 See more examples Esa. 34.11 Zach. 4.10 and 5.8 Gen. 28.18 22. with verse 11. Wood is put for a House made of Wood Jer 21.14 I will kindle a Fire in the Forrest thereof that is in the House of Jehovah In the House of the King and in the Houses of the Nobles which were built of precious materials brought from the Forrest of Lebanon Jer. 22.7 2 Kings 25.9 2 Chron. 36.19 Jer. 52.13 c. CHAP. II. Of a Metonymie of the Effect A Metonymie of the Effect is when the Effect is put for the Efficient Cause which is done three ways as 1. When the Action or the Effect is put for the Author or Person effecting 2. When a thing Effected by an instrument is put for the Instrument or Organical Cause 3. When the Effect is put for the thing or action Effecting 1. The Action or Effect is put for the Author or person Effecting AS Gen. 15.1 I am says Jehovah to Abraham thy exceeding great Reward that is I am a most liberal giver of Reward Deut. 30.20 He is thy Life and length of Days that is he is the Cause of it Gen. 49.18 I have waited for thy Salvation that is the promised Messiah the Author of Salvation as Luke 2.30 Where Simeon says Mine eyes have seen thy Salvation that is Christ. All flesh shall see 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Salvation of God that is a Saviour See Esa. 49.6 c. Psal. 3.3 4. and 106.20 and 27.1 Thou art my Light Salvation Strength c. that is the Author and Cause of them so Psal. 18.2 and 22.20 and 33.20 and 46.2 Jer. 16.19 and 23.6 John 11.25 and 14.6 1 Cor. 1.30 Eph. 2.14 1 John 5.20 And Heb. 5.9 Rom. 15.5 13. 2 Cor. 1.3 Luke 1.50 Luke 11.14 And he viz. Jesus was casting out a Devil and it was Dumb that is he made the man in whom he was dumb or suffered him not to speak and so was the cause of dumbness See Matth. 9.32 33. and Mark 9.17 25. Luke 13.11 It is said Gen. 26.35 That Esaus wives were a grief of mind or as the hebrew says bitterness of Spirit unto Isaac and Rebecca that is the Cause of sadness and trouble of Spirit See Gen. 25.23 Nehem. 12.31 Rom. 13.3 Rulers are not a terror that is a cause of terror to good men 2 Cor. 1.14 we are your rejoycing as ye are ours the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies glorying or boasting that is the cause of your rejoycing or glorying inasmuch as we instructed you in the Gospel which is the way of Salvation and you likewise are our glory inasmuch as we have won you to Christ 1 Thess. 2.19 20. Rom. 5.2 2. When a thing Effected by an Instrument is put for the Instrument or Organical Cause GLory is put for the Tongue Psal. 16.9 My Heart is glad and my glory rejoyceth that is my Tongue because it is the Organ by which God is and ought to be gloryfied sutable to Acts 2.26 Therefore did my heart Rejoyce and my Tongue was glad See Psal. 30.12 13. and 5.7 9. Power is put for the Organ exerting power as Rom. 1.16 The Gospel is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the power of God unto Salvation to every one that Beleiveth that is the Gospel is the means or organ by which God exerts or puts forth the power of his Salvation to Beleivers Eph. 1.19 Victory is put for the Instrument of overcoming as 1 John 5.4 This is the victory that overcometh the world even your Faith that is the Instrument of victory Eph. 6.16 Life is put for the means of its preservation Deut. 24.26 No man shall take the nether or the upper Milstone to pledge for he taketh a mans Life or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Soul to pledge that is the Instruments that are necessary for the preservation of Life Prov. 7.27 Life is put for food or maintenance Luke 15.12 He divided unto them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Life that is his Estate or as we translate it his living Hesiod lib. 2. calls money the soul of a man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. When the Effect is put for the Thing or Action Effecting THis Species of a Metonymie is distinctly found in Nouns and Verbs as when the Effect is put for the cause materially as 2 Kings 4.10 There is death in the pot that is deadly poyson which will cause Death So Death is put for great perils and dangers troubles or Calamities which cause Death Exod. 10.17 Rom. 7.24 2 Cor. 1.10 and 11.23 And for the Plague Rev. 6.8 See Prov. 11.23 Jer. 3.24 Shame is put for an Idol Jer. 11.13 Hos. 9.10 The reason of the Name you may see Jer. 48.13 And Moab shall be ashamed of Kemosh as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence See Ezek. 44.18 Hosea 12.1 Ephraim dayly increaseth lies and desolation that is he commits such evils that nothing can be expected but Desolation and Calamity See more Examples Lam. 2.14 1 Cor. 12.6 8. 1 Cor. 14.3 He that Prophecyeth speaketh unto men Edification and Exhortation and Comfort that is an Edifying Exhorting and Comforting speech Sometimes the Effect is put formally for the Cause as Deut. 30.15 I have set before thee this day Life and Good Death and Evil that is I have clearly shewed and lay'd before thee what is the cause and original of each or for what cause and reason either of these was to come upon thee viz. To Love and obey God brings Life and Good but Rebellion Sin and Disobedience brings Death and Evil as the following
11. And it came to passe that when Moses held up his Hand that Israel prevailed and when he let down his Hand Amalek prevailed c. It is said John 3.35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his Hand denoting a communication of the fulness of the Godhead to his humane nature See Matth. 11.27 and Col. 2.9 A Right hand is ascribed to God by which his Divine Power is understood or indeed the omnipotent God himself as Exod. 15.6 Thy Right hand O Lord is become glorious in power thy Right hand O Lord hath dashed in peices the Enemy Psal. 77.10 I will remember the years of the Right hand of the most high Psal. 118.15 16. The Right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly The Right hand of the Lord is exalted the Right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly Psal. 139.10 Even there shall thy Hand lead me and thy Right hand shall hold me that is thy power which is unlimited and diffus'd every where Esa. 48.13 More especially the Right hand of God notes his power which he exerts in Mercy and Bounty to Believers Psal. 20.7 and 18.36 and 44.4 and 63.9 and 8â—â— 16 18. Sometimes his wrath and vengeance to his Enemies as Exod. 15.6 12 c. The Phrase of Christs sitting at the Right hand of God being exalted in his humane Nature as Psal. 110.1 Matth. 26.64 Mark 16.19 Act. 2.33 34. and 7.55.56 Rom. 8.34 Col. 3.1 c. is not to be understood properly as if there were a local situation in a certain place of Heaven but by an Anthropopathy or Scripture way of speaking and is to be understood of a Dominion and Power most powerfully and immediately operating and governing as it is explained 1 Cor. 15.25 Eph. 1.20 21 22. and 4.10 Heb. 1.3 4. and chap. 8.1 A Finger is ascribed to God by which likewise his power and operating vertue is noted as men work by the help of their Fingers Exod. 8.19 and 31.18 Psal. 8.3 When I consider thy Heavens the work of thy Fingers c. Some apprehend that there is a metaphorical emphasis in this place because the Heavens were created with extraordinary facility by God and built very artificially as the finest and most precious sorts of workmanship are wrought by excellent Artists not by strength of body nor with their Arms and Hands but by the dexterity of their Fingers By the Finger of God the Holy Spirit is understood if you compare Luke 11.20 with Matth. 12.28 because it respects the vertue and power of its operation as Act. 10.38 c. If a mans Fingers be contracted it is called the Hollow of his hand if extended a Span which by an Anthropopathy are ascribed to God Esa. 40.12 Who hath measured the Waters in the Hollow of his Hand And meted out the Heavens with a Span c. that is to say the Lord hath done it denoting how easie it is to create all things and most powerfully to support and govern what he has Created For as men by Engines and Devices do lift up and advance huge weights c. so it is much more easie for God to rule and dispose the whole Universe at his pleasure Prov. 30.4 c. Esa. 48.13 c. A Heart is attributed to God by which either his lively Essence is denoted as the heart in man is judged to be the principle or beginning of Life Gen. 6.6 It greiv'd him at the Heart that is in himself or else his Will and Decree as Gen. 8.21 the Lord said in his Heart that is he decreed and appointed Chald. He said in his Word Jer. 19.5 It came not up into my Heart so the Hebrew that is I did neither Will nor Command it For the Scripture makes the Heart the seat of the soul whose property it is to think will and discern More especially it signifies the good pleasure and approbation of God 1 Sam. 13.14 The Lord sought him a man after his own Heart that is his favour or good will So Act. 1â—â— 22 c. Jer. 32 4â—â— I will plant them in this Land assuredly with my whole Heart and with my whole Soul that is with greatest benevolence regard and good Will Bowels are attributed to Cod by which his Mercy and most ardent love is expressed Esa. 63.15 Where is thy zeal and thy strength the sounding of thy Bowels and of thy Mercies towards me Jer. 31.20 My Bowels are troubled for him that is for Ephraim Luke 1.78 Through the Bowels of the Mercy of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us Hence comes the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 misericordia commoveri to be moved with Compassion which is frequently said of Christ as Matth. 9.36 and 14.14 and 15.32 Mark 1.41 and 6.34 c. See Gen 43.29 1 King 3.26 Psal. 51.3 See Esa. 63.7 c where the Hebrew word that signifies Bowels and Compassionate love is ascribed to God Illyricus upon the place says that this Metaphor is deduced from the love of Mothers to their Children which they bear in their Wombs the same Hebrew word signifying Bowels and Womb because the seat of affection is in the Bowels and so Metonymically the thing containing is put for the thing contained or the Cause or Instrument for the Effect agreeable to Esa. 46.3 Which are born by me from the belly which are carryed from the Womb which the Chaldee expresses You who are beloved by me beyond all people and dear beyond all Kingdoms Others by the term womb would properly understand the time of Conception and Nativity so denoting Gods Constant care and preservation even from the very birth A Bosome is in three places attributed to God Psal. 74.11 VVhy withdrawest thou thy hand even thy right hand Pluck it out of thy Bosom that is suffer thy right hand to be no longer idle but employ it as if it were drawn from thy Bosome in finishing thy glorious work against thine and our Enemies See Prov. 19.24 and 26.15 Rabbi Kimchi by the Bosome of God understands a Sanctuary which is as it were a certain hiding place for God as a mans Bosom Esa. 40.11 He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd he shall gather the Lambs with his Arm and Carry them in his Bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young This is spoken of the Messias who is here compared to a Shepherd and his tender care of the Sheep and Lambs Metaphorically sets forth his extraordinary Philanthropy or Love Mildness and Compassion to miserable sinners who are broken under the sense of Gods Wrath and weak in Faith Shepherds are wont to bear their little and weak Lambs gently in their bosom as they carry the great Sheep upon their backs or shoulders c. So does Christ in a spiritual sence c. John 1.18 The only begotten Son which is in the Bosom of the Father This phrase metaphorically sets forth the
signifies to know or understand Gen. 42.1 Eccl. 1.16 Jer. 2.31 Matth. 2.16 and 9.2 4. Rom. 7.23 with ver 7. Rev. 1.12 To think or consider Gen. 20.10 and 49.15 Eccl. 1.14 Isa. 22.9 and 5.12 Matth. 6.26 see Luk. 12.24 Rom. 11.22 Col. 4.17 Jam. 1.25 To provide carefully Gen. 41.33 c. or avoid hurt Matth. 9.30 Mark 12.38 c. 3. It signifies spiritual vision as the Prophecies Num. 24.16 17. 1 Sam. 9.9 Isa. 30.10 c. It is said of Angels that they desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to look into the Mysteries of the Gospel 1 Pet. 1.12 that is they coveted a full and perfect knowledge of it such is the Majesty and Beauty of that blessed Mystery To Sight is oppos'd Blindness by which the want of true Faith and Gospel Illumination is noted Isa. 42.18 19. Lam. 4.14 Matth. 15.14 and 23.16 24 26. Joh. 9.39 Rom. 2.19 2 Pet. 1.9 1 Joh. 2.11 Rev. 3.17 Blindness attributed to the VVicked Denotes three things as 1. 1 Joh. 2.11 Darkness hath blinded his Eyes this is the proximate and immediate Cause viz. a corrupt mind and VVill expressed by the term Darkness See Eph. 4.18 2. 2 Cor. 4.4 It is said that the God of this world hath blinded the Eyes of them that Believe not c. This is the first cause of all Evil and Condemnation viz. the Devil seducing and hardning men 3. John 12.40 It is said He that is God hath blinded their Eyes In what respects this is attributed to God the great and sole Fountain of Goodness and Mercy you may find expounded in Gram. Sacra p. 285.286 It is said Exod. 23.8 That gifts blind the seeing that is Bribes corrupt the wise and skilful to pervert Justice And therefore blindness with the Synonimous Terms are ascribed to the wicked that will not take Counsel Deut. 28.28 Esa. 8.21 2â—â— and 59.9 10. Zeph. 1.17 The Object of sight are Colours Of these Whiteness is a most exact symbol of inward purity and cleansing from sin Psal. 51.7 Esa. 1.18 Rev. 7.14 A metaphor taken from Linnen which when foul is restor'd to its colour by washing and cleansing it from all spots Outward Whiteness as by rubbing of chalk or washing with Lime denotes Hypocrisie Act. 23.2 See Matth. 23.27 Ezek. 13.10 and 22.28 c. Of the White Stone Rev. 2.17 we will treat anon Redness or a Red colour is attributed to Sin Esa. 1.18 where the Prophets respects Blood as ver 15. by which not only Homicides or killing of men is metonymically understood but also all enormous sins by a Synecdoche For as blood rashly spilt contaminates the Homicide and renders him guilty 1 Kings 2.5 6 31.32 33. So Sins are nothing but an abominable spot and contamination in the sight of God To this cursed Redness the blessed blood of Christ is oppos'd which expiates sin and converts it into whiteness See Rev. 1.5 and 7.14 c. Blackness with Comeliness is mentioned as the beauty of the Spouse Cant. 1.5 The first denoting Sin and Affliction the latter Divine Grace which Regenerates and Renews Augustine says Black by Nature fair by Grace black in Original sin fair by Regeneration Beda upon the place Black by the adversity of oppressions but fair by the Beauty of vertues Whiteness and Redness are attributed to the heavenly Spouse Cant. 5.10 denoting extraordinary beauty loveliness and health the native sign of which that colour is Some say that he is called white with respect to his Divinity and red with respect to his humanity White because of his purity and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is being without sin and red because his blood was pour'd out c. Hearing and to Hear denotes 1. The inward understanding intelligence or discretion of the mind Gen. 11.7 and 41.15 and 42.23 2 Kings 18.26 Esa. 36.11 Jerem. 5.15 Matth. 13.13 1 Cor. 14.2 c. 2. Approbation and Obedience Gen. 3.17 21.12 Josh. 1.17 18. Judg. 2.17 20. Deut. 18.19 1 Sam. 2.25 Prov. 4.1 Esa. 33.15 Matth. 17.5 John 8.47 9.27 10.27 1 Tim. 4.16 See Jam. 1.22 c. To Hearing is oppos'd Deafness denoting unbelieving wicked and obstinate sinners Esa. 42.18 19. with 6.10 't is spoke of the Converted Esa. 29.18 Smell what relates to this sence we have in part shewed before A thread of Tow is said to Smell the Fire so the Hebrew Judg. 16.9 when it touches it and finds its force See chap. 15.14 also Job 14.9 and 39.25 Bad Report is said to stink Gen. 34.30 Exod. 5.21 1 Sam. 13.4 2 Sam. 10.6 16.21 Dan. 6.14 To Tast is put for to understand experience or enjoy Psal. 34.8 9. Prov. 31.18 Matth. 16.28 John 8.52 Heb. 6.4 5. 1 Pet. 2.3 Hence the Noun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gustus Tast translated to the Mind signifies Counsel Judgment or Reason 1 Sam. 21.13 25.33 Psal. 119.66 Prov. 11.22 Job 12.20 Dan. 3.10.12 Jonas 3.7 Sweetness or to be sweet is a metaphor well known and signifies to delight or to be well pleased in a thing Job 20.12 Psal. 55.14 Prov. 3.24 and 9.17 where by a metaphor of stol'n Waters which are said to be sweet and bread of Secrecies to be pleasant wicked Company-keeping with an Adulteress is expressed Cant. 2.3 14. 5.16 Jer. 31.26 c. See Prov. 3.22 Psal. 19.10 11. Psal. 119.103 Bitterness or to be bitter denotes an overwhelming with Calamity which are as hateful to the mind and sense as bitterness is to the Taste Gen. 26.35 Exod. 1.14 Ruth 1.20 1 Sam. 30.6 and 1.10 2 Kin. 4.27 Job 13.26 and 21.25 Prov. 17.25 Isa. 38.17 Lam. 3.15 Ezek. 3.14 Zach. 12.10 c. Isa. 24.9 It betokens that which is evil and hurtful Prov. 5.4 Jer. 2.19 and so is applyed to Idols Hos. 12.15 More especially it denotes anger or fierceness and cruelty of Mind Gen. 49.23 Judg. 18.25 2 Sam. 17.8 Hab. 1.6 Eph. 4.31 Col. 3.19 It denotes Calumnie Rom. 3.14 Jam. 3.14 with ver 8 9 10 11. Sin as Acts 8.23 Rom. 3.14 Heb. 12.15 Matth. 26.75 Luk. 22.62 The Object of Touch is hard and soft Hardness is spoken 1. Of Men and denotes 1 Pravity Pertinacy and Stubbornness of Mind Exod. 7.3 and 13.15 Deut. 2.30 and 10.16 Prov. 28.15 Isa. 48.4 63.17 Ezek. 2.4 Matth. 19.8 Mark 10.5 Acts 19.9 Rom. 2.5 and 9.18 Heb. 3.8 13 15. and 4.7 2 It denotes cruelty and unmercifulness Gen. 49.7 Judg. 4.24 1 Sam. 5.7 Isa. 8.22 and 19.4 Matth. 25.24 3 Afflictions and sadness 1 Sam. 1.15 Job 30.25 Psal. 60.5 c. 2. Of Things and so their perplexity difficulty and grievousness is intimated Gen. 35.16 17. Deut. 1.17 and chap. 15.18 2 Sam. 2.17 Acts 9.5 Jam. 3.4 3. Of Speech and words as when they are bitter Gen. 42.7 2 Sam. 19 4â—â— Psal. 31.18 when they are difficult to be understood 2 Kin. 2.10 Joh. 6.60 He is call'd hard who denounces evil or adversity or any misfortune 1 Kin. 14.6 Softness is apply'd 1. To the heart of man
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
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
the Honey-Comb the Delight of good Men a sure Guide to them in all their Ways and none of its Commands are grievous but all Duties required by it are reasonable VI. In this there is none so holy and upright as the Lord who is no Respecter of Persons hates flattering Words and giving of Bribes will spare none for the Dignity of their Birth or Antiquity of their Lineage but will do Justice according to Right and Law whether it be upon Angels Emperors Kings Princes Priests Prophets his Church that are his professed Friends as well as upon the World his professed Enemies He will destroy his own anointed Ones if they stand in opposition to Justice and Equity Cities Kingdoms Towers Temples all shall fall rather than Law and Justice be justled out of place He spared not Angels overthrew Kings mighty Kings with Kingdoms and Nations Pharaoh King of Aegypt Og King of Bashan Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon Darius King of Persia and Alexander King of Greece Herod King of Judea Jerusalem and Samaria with both their Kings When once they come to be laid in the Ballance and the Lord enter into Judgment with them when he ties Judgment to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet Noah Daniel and Job shall not save when Truth Law and Justice calls for a cutting off He will by no means spare the Guilty when the Time of Forbearance is expired VII Of this no Man shall have wherewith to accuse God for he will not do more than is right that Man should enter into Judgment with his Maker nay he will rather make abatement than over-do And this hath been owned in his Act of Judgment Thou hast not dealt with us according to our Iniquities VII In this case the Lord our Judg hath sufficiently approved himself first in respect of the Old World secondly in respect of Sodom and Gomorrah where he would take nothing upon Trust but come down himself to see if things were so bad as they were represented to him And for Israel and Judah their Sins did testify to their Face before he did execute Judgment upon them IX To this in respect of God 't is said In the Day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die I will destroy Man from the Face of the Earth and 't was done Pharaoh and his Host that thou hast seen this day thou shalt see no more for ever Because thou didst not restrain thy Sons I have rejected thee from being a Priest Because thou hast caused my Name to be blasphemed the Sword shall not depart from thy House Because Nebuchadnezzar was lifted up with Pride he shall be driven from his Throne Because his Son did not humble but harden his Mind his Kingdom was numbred finished and translated to the Medes and Persians X. As for God his Way is not only perfect and his Word tried but he is of one Mind and there is none can turn him in a Case of Right Truth and Justice His Councel shall stand for he is not as the Son of Man that he should repent With him is no variableness nor shadow of turning He is the same yesterday to day and for ever He changeth not will not alter the thing that is gone out of his Mouth XI In this Jehovah is not behind-hand for he is a God with whom the Fatherless find Mercy pities the Poor when he sees they have no Helper breaks the Teeth of the old and young Lion smites the Enemy upon the Cheek-Bone avengeth their Cause when they crie to him and hath destroyed them and their Posterity who made long Prayers to devour Widows Houses XII The Almighty hath a great and mighty People under him even all the Inhabitants of the World Europe Asia Africa and America He is God of all the Kingdoms of the World and Judg of the whole Earth XIII In this our high and mighty Judg doth overmatch all other Judges for he is provided with Legions of Angels all ready to observe his Dictates and obey his Commands The Devils are all subject to him so that if he say Go they go Do this and they do it Millions of Men are under his Influence and as many Fowls of the Air Beasts of the Field and creeping Things of the Earth to do his Will to execute his Judgments when he speaks the word or lifts up his hand to them They shall invade the Courts of Kings enter the Chambers of Princes fetch Emperors off their Thrones bring them to Chains Blocks and Gibbets when he passes Sentence and gives Orders to do it XIV God is to be feared not only as a Creator who can annihilate and dissolve make Men cease to be as a Father who can love and rebuke as a Lord who can command and give Orders but as a Judg who can punish in this World and bring Mens Sins before-hand to Judgment XV. With God is terrible Majesty and he rideth upon the high Places of the Earth XVI God doth often reprieve and put off the Execution of Sentence so that Delinquents are not speedily executed but a Time given them to consider their ways The old World had one hundred and twenty years given them before Judgment was executed Judea Jerusalem and Samaria continued a long time before the Fury of the Almighty broke out upon them XVII God sometimes gives Orders to Angels to punish and execute his Sentence when Men are out of the reach of human Hands as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar the Host of the Assyrians and Herod the King Tho great Men join hand in hand for Wickedness yet shall they not go unpunished XVIII God will punish those that himself employs in case they exceed their Commission in any case that concerns his Act of Justice He punished Assyria and Babylon for going beyond their Bounds in his own Works of Judgment against the Jews XIX God the great Judg doth vindicate his own Honour and the Justice of the Laws he executes by giving Liberty to the People to testify against him if they have wherewith to accuse and demands of them what Evil their Fathers have seen in him requires them to testify to his Face if his Ways are in any point unequal XX. God when he comes forth in a way of Judgment doth not execute the fierceness of his Wrath he is far from rendring to Men more than they deserve he doth not reward according to their full demerit but in the midst of Judgment remembers Mercy XXI God hath assigned an Advocate to plead before he proceeds to Judgment If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father XXII God hath not only made Laws and published them and will judg Men for wilful and reiterated Rebellions but keeps a Register for the great Day to be then opened as it is written Some Mens Sins go before-hand to Judgment and they that are otherwise cannot be hid The Judgment shall sit and the
Second Person in the Glorious Trinity Christ a Mediator 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus Heb. 12.14 To Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant THe Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is thought by Erasmus to be peculiar to the Scripture as being not elsewhere used and doubts whether it should be rendred Mediator Reconciler or Intercessor The Term as applied to Christ is borrowed from Persons whose Office it is to reconcile such Parties as are at variance being as it were in the middle betwixt both solliciting the Cause of each to the other till they bring them to Concord or Agreement 'T is thus defined by Illyricus Mediator is dicitur qui inter duos parum inter se congruentes aut etiam sibi invicem Hostes medius est utriusque nomine cum altero agit promovens conciliationem c. Quique tamdiu apud utramque partem alterius nomine laborat donec eas in consensum pactionem deducat The Term is applied to Moses typically Deut 5.4 5. with Gal. 3.19 but really and antitypically to Jesus Christ Heb. 12.24 Col. 1.20 Rom. 5.10 11. 1 John 2.1 A Mediator I. A Mediator implies a Difference between two Parties II. A Mediator properly signifies a Midler or middle Man a Reconciler III. A Mediator oftentimes is appointed to make up Differences that arise between two Parties upon Breach of Covenant IV. A Mediator must be a Person willing to undertake the great Work and Transaction of making Peace V. A Mediator ought to be an indifferent or impartial Person free from all Exceptions VI. A Mediator ought to be a Well-wisher to Peace a Person that loves it and longs after it nothing being more acceptable to him than to be a Peace-maker VII A Mediator must have the great Transaction of making Peace committed to him or be invested with full Power and Authority to do it VIII A Mediator ought to be a condescending Person not to have his own Will to be done in any respect further than the Nature of the Cause will require it IX A Mediator is not chosen unless there appear great need of it and that the Business cannot be accomplished otherwise X. A Mediator must be fitly qualified for this Work a Person very wise and for Justice and yet greatly inclined to Mercy that so he may every way answer the Requirement of each Party so far as is necessary XI A Mediator must be faithful seeking the Interest Right Honour and Weal of both Parties XII A Mediator many times meets with great Trouble and Difficulty in undertaking the composing of some Differences XIII A Mediator ought to be endued with much Patience Meekness and Long-suffering not only bearing Frowns from one Party or the other but also in his long waiting upon either of them to yield to Terms of Peace offered to them XIV A Mediator must be undaunted and couragious unwearied not tired out nor let the Work fall XV. A Mediator should be mollifying that is of so pacifying a Temper as to labour for such Mediums that the Streams of strict Justice may run in a way of Mercy especially considering the Weakness and Impotency of one Party for Peace sake XVI A Mediator hath usually a set Time prefixed finally to finish and accomplish his Work XVII A Mediator makes use of strong and powerful Arguments to bring the adverse Party to Terms of Peace and Friendship XVIII A Mediator whose Mediation is rejected after long Patience leaves the offending Person open to the Severity of the Law XIX A Mediator is made sole Judg in those great Matters he is chosen about and is to make righteous Decision between Party and Party and to give the definitive Sentence at last XX. A Mediator after he hath done and finished his Work of Mediation gives up his Trust and ceaseth to be a Mediator any more in that Affair XXI A Mediator leaves no Liberty of Appeal after he hath past the definitive Sentence Parallel I. SIn made a great Breach between God and Man God is angry with the Wicked every day Hence by Nature Mankind are said to be the Children of Wrath. The carnal Mind is Enmity against God II. Jesus Christ is a Mediator between God and Man He is not only God but Man not only Man but God a blessed Reconciler of Man to God and of God to Man III. The Difference originally that is between God and Man did arise from Man's breaking God's Covenant God and Man were in Peace and Concord whilst Man stood in the State of Innocency but when he fell Christ came to make up that Breach IV. Jesus Christ was willing to undertake the Work of Mediator to make Peace between God the offended Creator and Man the offending Creature Lo I come to do thy Will O God V. Jesus Christ is a Person free from all Exceptions whatsoever God approved of him and Man hath no cause to except against him but contrariwise to be abundantly thankful to God for chusing him to this Work and Office because none else could be found in Heaven or Earth None able to open the Book and loose the Seals thereof but He. VI. Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace never did any give such clear full and undeniable Proofs and Demonstrations of his being a Well-wisher to and Lover of Peace witness all he did and endured or past through from first to last that he might accomplish this Work of making Peace VII God hath given Christ full Power and Commission to accommplish this Work of Mediatorship He is annointed and ordained to be a Prince and Saviour All Power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth Him hath God the Father sealed VIII Christ shewed himself to be of a marvellous condescending Spirit Who being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation c. He for our sakes became poor that we through his Poverty might be made rich I came down from Heaven not to do mine own Will but the Will of him that sent me Not my Will but thy Will be done IX There was great need of or it was very necessary that there should be a Mediator betwixt God and Man First On God's part Secondly On the Creatures part First On God's part it was necessary in respect of his own Glory 1. In respect of the Glory of his Wisdom This of bringing forth and ordaining a Mediator was the marvellous Contrivance and the highest Manifestation of Divine Wisdom for hereby a way is found to reconcile Justice and Mercy and make them meet together in sweet Harmony that the Punishment of Sin might be borne and yet the Sinner pardoned freely in a way of Mercy Hence as the Apostle sheweth the manifold Wisdom of God is made known by the Church according to the
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
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
satisfying Fruit no other Fruit can satisfy not only good for Food but choice and satisfying Food 5. There is store of Fruit on this Tree see how the Tree hangs the Boughs thereof are wonderfully loaden the Plenty is great in this 't is like the Tree spoken of by Daniel 6. It s Fruit is lovely and delightful to the Eye do not the Looks of these Apples invite you 7. It s Fruit is durable cannot corrupt nor decay 8. 'T is the Tree of Life Eat of this Fruit and thou shalt not dye but live for ever Such are past from Death to Life and shall not come into Condemnation Joh. 5 2â—â— 9. 'T is Fruit that those that eat thereof shall be made wise by it 10. It yields a sweet Smell comforting under Faintness 11. It is medicinable the Fruit of this Tree will purge out the evil Venome and horrid Poison that came into our Natures by old Eve's eating of the forbidden Fruit contrary to the Command of God 12. It s Shadow is most excellent for refreshing it gives great Consolation yea the greatest Consolation to poor fainting wearâ—â—ed Souls that willingly sit down under this Tree 1. He shelters from the scorching heat of God's Wrath due for Sin 2. He shelters or is a Covert from the hurt and heat of Persecutors or Rage of such 3. 'T is a delightful Shadow Refreshing to the weary Soul and in a troublsome Land a sweet Resting-place 4. 'T is a Shadow that yields full Content and Satisfaction I sat down in the Text signifies her acquiescing there or making her Abode under the same she desires no better nor no other Happiness seeks noâ—â— to Angels to Saints nor to her own Works 1. I sat down with Delight now this Delight is neither carnal nor sinful but 't is spiritual 2. 'T is great Delight which the Church has even ravishing Joy 3. 'T is abiding and lasting Delight increasing it will be more and more as it is said of the Light of the Righteous it shines more and more to the perfect Day 4. This Delight is an Earnest of that Delight which the Soul shall have in Heaven 5. 'T is a compleat and perfect Shadow it answers all Needs a Shadow for the Head Heart and every part and at all times From hence we infer 1. What great cause have we to admire the Goodness of God tho he denied us in Adam to eat of that Tree of Life after the Fall yet hath he provided us another Tree of Life to make us immortal 2. What Fools are all those who refuse to eat and live for ever 3. Let us also learn from hence when we are faint and weary to seek to none but Christ the Tree of Life for Refreshment 4. How happy are Believers who sit under the Shadow of Christ's Protection his Ordinances and Divine Doctrine Christ an Embassador Mal. 3.1 And the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come into his Temple even the Messenger of the Covenant whom ye delight in c. THe Words Embassador Legate or Messenger are synonimous Terms properly such as are commission'd or deputed betwixt distant Parties to transact Affairs of moment The Term is applied to Christ who is the Angel Messenger or Embassador of the Covenant who not only transacted but compleated the Work of Redemption thereby reconciling God and Man who were before at variance and Enmity Which shall be further manifested in the following Parallel Metaphor I. AN Embassador or Messenger of Peace is an honourable Person and usually a great Favourite to the King II. An Embassador is a wise Person skilled in State-Affairs and knows how to adjust National Differences or to make up a Breach or Breaches that may be between one Kingdom and another III. An Embassador must be of known Integrity and Faithfulness as well as of Ability great Trust being reposed in him IV. An Embassador is appointed and made choice of to this great Employment and Place of Trust by the determination and decree of the King V. A Person that is chosen to go an Embassador must accept of the Place and Work before he takes his leave of the Court. VI. An Embassador is entrusted with Matters of great weight and moment things that concern Peace and War the Weal and Wo of Kingdoms and Nations VII An Embassador as he is chosen and entrusted with Matters of great consequence so likewise that he might be invested with a Legal Power he receives a special Commission from the Prince or State he represents which does authorize him to that Work and Office VIII An Embassador having received his Commission leaves his own Kingdom and goes into that Country to which his Prince hath ordered him there to negotiate the Affairs that are committed unto him IX An Embassador of Peace represents the Person of the Prince or State that sent him so that the same Honour and Dignity or Indignity that is shewed to him is shewed thereby to the Sovereign whom he represents And it is easy to guess how much they esteem the Prince by the Respects they pay to his Embassador X. An Embassador is strictly tied to the prescribed Rules Precepts and Directions which are delivered to him and doth not must not proceed contrary unto them XI An Embassador is oftentimes sent to prevent or put an end to War that thereby great Effusion of Blood Ruin and Desolation might be stopp'd and prevented XII An Embassador offers Terms or makes Proposals to the adverse Party thereby finally to conclude and make a lasting Peace XIII An Embassador that hath a tender Heart is greatly grieved when he sees his Mediation and merciful Terms of Peace to be slighted and rejected and from the consideration of the woful Misery and Calamity that is like to follow he is the more importunate using many Arguments to cause Compliance XIV An Embassador hath many Servants or a great Retinue waiting upon him and is a Person deserving much Honour in discharging his Trust with very much Awe and Fidelity to his Prince XV. An Embassador hath Power given him to ratify and confirm Articles of Peace between Kingdoms and Nations who are at variance that so there may be Commerce between them in future Times XVI A faithful Embassador is received with abundance of Joy at his return home and is highly preferr'd as a Testimony of great Favour for his Works sake XVII An Embassador not having success in his Business in bringing the Adversary to amicable Terms of Peace and Reconciliation many times against those Nations or People that refuse bloody War is proclaimed and great Desolation follows XVIII An Embassador is oftentimes an Instrument to save Thousands and Ten Thousands of Souls from Death and Kingdoms from Fire Sword and Destruction and thereby he raises Trophies to his Fame and Glory Parallel 1. CHrist the Embassador or Messenger of the Gospel of Peace is a most noble honourable and renowned Person Lord of Lords most excellent in Worth and Dignity one near-allied
the chief of that Rank we shall consider Captain in a threefold respect In respect of his 1. Qualifications 2. Place and Office 3. Progress or Actions METAPHOR I. A Captain is supposed to be a Man qualified for his Place to which there are these things necessary 1. That he be free and willing to take that Work and Office upon himself it is not meet he should be forced to do it 2. It behoveth him to be one faithful in all things to his Soveraign 3. A Captain must be valiant and couragious not easily dismaied tho he meet with never such hard and difficult Service 4. He ought also to be well skill'd in the Work and Duty of his Place and Office II. A Captain is made so by his Commission which is his Authority to act in that Capacity III. A Captain hath the Power of listing Souldiers under his Command to serve in the King's War IV. A Captain by virtue of his Place and Office doth nominate his Officers and appoint them their proper Work gives out his Orders beyond which they are not to venture V. A Captain hath the keeping of Muster-Rolls wherein all the Names of his Under-officers and Souldiers are entred by which he calls them over and knows them all by Name VI. A Captain leads his Souldiers out into the Field to be exercised and disciplin'd to be made fit for Service against the day of Battel VII A Captain makes a Speech to his Souldiers to encourage them in the way of their Duty and shews them the dangers of Neglect and Remisness VIII A Captain hath Power to casheer can take in or shut out as he seeth Cause IX A Captain is the Head of a Company Commander over a Band of Men. X. A Captain when he hath taken his Place marches in the Head of his Company runs the greatest Hazard deserts not his Men for fear of Danger XI A Captain gives the Word of Command to his Souldiers which they are carefully to learn and observe XII A Captain by his Place is engaged to War both offensive and defensive as occasion shall require XIII A Captain meets with Enemies to try his Skill and Courage XIV A Captain makes use of Armor and Weapons of which there is no small need in the day of Battel XV. Captains are commonly stout Men and will make good their Ground against an Enemy scorn to yield till they die XVI A good Captain takes care for his Men to preserve and secure them whether he lives or dies himself XVII A Captain hath the power to prefer his Men to Office that he approves of to be fit and worthy XVIII A wise Captain puts the best Men into the greatest Service he makes not young and unexperienc'd Men Commanders of Companies and Leaders of Parties lest the Work should miscarry in their hands XIX A Captain in weighty Affairs is joined with the Council of War without whom there is nothing of grand Importance transacted XX. A Captain 's place is a place of Honour where the Subject is justly worthy of it and the Army legally raised XXI A valiant and Noble-hearted Captain offers terms of peace to the Enemy before he falls upon them and fights them to prevent effusion of Blood if possible XXII Captains when their Favour is refused put Men to the Sword and make slaughtering work in the World XXIII A Captain doth not only come off a Conquerour but improves his Conquest and Victories to many degrees of Advantage 1. To the discouragement of Advarsaries 2. In spoiling their Forts and Strength 3. In the erecting Trophies 4. In disposing the Prey to gratify and reward his Souldiers that engaged with him in the War Parallel I. JEsus Christ the Captain of our Salvation had not only these four but all other honourable and necessary Qualifications that made him fit to be a Leader For 1. Jesus Christ was free and ready had no force put upon him but came voluntarily and of his own free will to undertake this Office c. he looked round about and saw that there was none to help or to undertake this Work then said he Lo I come to do thy Will O God 2. Jesus Christ was faithful over his own House called the faithful and true Witness he never so much as thought in the least of betraying of his Trust. It was impossible indeed he should be unfaithful who was without Sin the holy and immacculate Lamb of God 3. Christ was valiant and resolute the danger of Death and Threats of an ill natur'd King could not make him retreat when he had entred the Field slighted his Enemies high Words and vain Florishes Go tell that Fox that I work Miracles this day and to morrow the third day I shall be made perfect Luk. 13.32 The Contempts of his Enemies nor Perswasion of his Friends could not at all abate his Valor he knew he must and resolved he would be about his Father's Business Luk. 2.49 4. Christ was fitted with Wisdom and Understanding he is called the Wisdom of God II. Christ was commissionated by God after his qualifications did commend him to this Place for though he offer'd freely to accept yet he acted not of himself but by Command and Authority from the Father I came not of my self the Father sent me I received Commandment from the Father III. Jesus Christ hath the Power of listing Spiritual Souldiers under his Command to serve in the Wars of the Soul and Battel of the Lord of Hosts He took the Names of Nathaniel Zacheus Cephas Peter James and John who listed themselves under his Command with many others we read of in the Gospel IV. Jesus Christ doth appoint Saints their proper Work and gives forth his Orders beyond which they are not to pass He nominated the twelve Apostles to be next to himself and gave Orders that they should not march beyond the confines of Judea but tarry at Jerusalem till fresh supply of Strength came in Go not to Samaria nor the Cities of the Gentiles But tarry at Jerusalem till you are endued from on high Add not to his Word c. V. Christ hath a Book wherein the Names of his Saints and faithful Followers are recorded called in Scripture the Lamb's Book or Book of Life whose Names are in the Book of Life the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World He calls his own Sheep by Name c. VI. Jesus Christ lead his Saints to the Sea side to the Mountains to the Desert to exercise and make them fit for Service against the day of Battel by which he taught their Hands to war as it were and their Fingers to fight against the Devil the Flesh and the World VII Christ made large Speeches to all his Followers see his Sermon in the Mount to encourage them in the way of their Duty and shew them the great dangers of Neglect and Remisness Blessed are they that
other Stars is fixed in its Orb wherein it performs a constant Motion IX The Morning Star gives most Light just before break of Day X. It is the Opinion of some that the Morning Star doth send forth very blessed Influences upon those Bodies that are under its Dominion XI The Morning Star doth chiefly govern pleasant and delightful Plants XII The Morning Star is accounted the master Planet for Moderation said to cause gentle Storms in Winter and moderate Heat in Summer XIII The Morning Star is said to be the cause of Beauty XIV The Morning Star doth most Service in Winter because the greatest part of that Season is Night and Darkness XV. The Morning Star hath an honourable Name it is called the Son of the Morning XVI The morning Star is known to be the Evening Star as well as the Morning Star and in both respects is useful to the World XVII The Morning Star tho it may be obscured by Mists Fogs Clouds and dark Vapors yet nothing can hinder its Course but it constantly keeps its Motion and Circle in the Heavens cannot be prevailed against by any malignant Power whatsoever Thieves and evil Men like not its Appearance yet cannot obstruct its Motion in the Firmament nor stop its Light from shining on the Earth XVIII The Morning Star as it hath those Properties and Excellencies already exprest so lastly it exceeds all other Stars for Brightness and Glory Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus is a very solid Light whose Glory is not like others who have their Intermissions but he abides steady his Glory and Bright-shining is always alike his whole course of Life was as if it had been but one continued Act of Goodness He is the same in the Morning Noon and Night Yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13.8 II. Jesus Christ he is the Harbinger of the great Joy to all Nations How joyful was that time when the Day-spring from on high did first visit us The People that sat in Darkness saw great Light and to those that dwell in the Vallies of the shadow of Death great Light is risen c. His coming was the fulfilling of God's gracious Promise unto the Fathers and as the blessed manifestation of God's rich Favour and good Will to Man he is also the Fore-runner or the Harbinger of that Dominion that the Just shall have in the Resurrection the morning of the longed-for Day The path of the Just is as a shining Light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 The upright shall have Dominion over them in the Morning The Night is far spent the Day is at hand This above all others is the day that the Lord hath made for good Men therein to rejoyce and be glad Psal. 118.24 III. Jesus Christ is not only an Ornament to the Christian Church and Profession far beyond what Moses was to the Jews but even to Heaven it self and the Holy Angels who did not a little rejoyce at his ascending into Heaven God is gone up with a shout the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet sing Praises to our God sing Praises Psal. 47.5 IV. Jesus Christ is a very pleasant Object to Men that are spiritually inlightned therefore it is that they do ardently desire to be near him and with him where he is David tho he had not so clear a sight and prospect of this bright and morning Star as Men have under the Gospel yet that prospect he had made him use this pious Prayer O when shall I come and appear before God! Psal. 42.2 Then shall I be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness c. Psal. 17.15 I have a desire saith Paul to depart and to be with Christ c. Phil. 1.23 Those that look for him do also cry Come Lord Jesus come quickly V. Jesus Christ is highly esteemed by all that sail Heaven-wards no steering the right Course without him He gives good Assurance to all that follow him they should not abide in Darkness but have the Light of Life The Following of Christ Jesus is the most certain way to avoid the Rocks the Sands and the Hands of all spiritual and temporal Enemies VI. Jesus Christ is really the most excellent and chiefest Light that ever God set in the Church Moses and the Prophets John Baptist and the three Beloved Apostles Peter James and John and Paul who was most eminent were shining Lights and glorious Stars who adorned the Profession of the Holy Gospel but in all things this Bright and Morning Star infinitely surpassed them in Splendor and Brightness VII Jesus Christ is a great Terror not only to wicked Men but wicked Angels to all that love Darkness more than Light they hate him and fear him they consulted against him and more times than once attempted to pluck this Star out of the Firmament that so they might walk in Darkness carry on their black Designs and Deeds without discovery Satan attempted his Destruction from the Pinacle of the Temple sets a Squadron of the black Regiment to resolve upon his Death knowing him to be the Fore-runner of the Day which Thieves and Robbers cannot endure Come let us kill the Heir c. They hate the Light come not to it lest their Deeds should be reproved They led him to the Brow of the Hill that they might cast him down headlong Luk. 4.29 The evil Angels thought he came too soon Why art thou come to torment us before the time VIII Jesus Christ is constant in his Orb or Station he is a Priest for ever a Prophet to guide for ever a King to govern for ever he leaves not his Office as inconstant Men do but makes good his Word as settled in Heaven And lo I am with you always to the end of the World Mat. 28.20 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee or leave thee to a forsaking IX Jesus gave a great Light unto the World by the Ministry of John by the Appearance of himself and by the Ministry of the Apostles and their immediate Successors But the greatest Light is reserved to the flying of the Angel through the midst of Heaven with the everlasting Gospel before the great and notable Day come wherein the whole Earth shall be lightned with his Glory both Jews and Gentiles shall acknowledg the Blessed Messiah Arise and shine for thy Light is come the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee The Gentiles shall come to thy Light and Kings to the Brightness of thy rising Isa. 60.1 3. The Earth shall be filled with the Knowledg of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Hab. 214. X. Jesus doth send forth very blessed and sweet Influences upon the Bodies and Souls of Men that are under his gracious Rule and Dominion it is he who sends down the Holy Ghost If I go away I will send you another Comforter the Spirit of Truth c. Joh. 16.7 8. XI Jesus Christ tho all
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
Because the Gospel holds Christ forth to be the store house of all Divine grace and blessings he is ordained to convey all spiritual Riches to his Church and to every Member thereof 3. To allure and engage souls to love him and close in with him how can any refuse such a friend reject such a Saviour that is so beautiful to look upon and also so exceeding Rich. 4. That it might leave all men and women without excuse in the great Day what will they have to say that reject such a Saviour that turn their backs upon such a Christ when they are called to answer in the Day of Judgment 5. To relieve the tempted Soul 6. To strengthen the Faith and chear the hearts of all that do believe in him Fourthly The gospel is glorious in respect of Christ the glorious Object of it as it reveals his glorious Power Power in Scripture is taken two manner of ways or it shews a twofold power in Christ. 1. A Commanding Power his power of Soveraignty or Regal power that which we call Authority 2. The power of working or effecting that which he would have done Some have power to command but want a power to Effect that which they command cannot accomplish what they would have done but what Christ commands he can do or cause to be done at his Pleasure 1. I shall shew that the power of Christ is a glorious power 2. Shew why Christ hath such power 1. Christ hath a commanding Power he hath great Authority he hath a Regal Power or Superiority over all 1. Over Angels 2. Over the Church 3. Over the Devils I will lay upon the shoulders of Eliakim the Keys of the house of David Isa. 22.22 Keys is a borrowed speech signifying Government and Legal Power Christ hath the Keys of David Rev. 3.7 All Power in Rule and Government in Commanding Forbidding Punishing Binding Loosing Damning Saving is in Christs hand See Christ the Head and Heir of all things Keys of Hell and Death signifieth Christs Regal power over the Devils and delivering up unto Death and Hell or keeping out of it Over men mighty men Kings of the Earth He is the only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords They are all his Subjects shall and must Submit to him 4. He hath an universal Power therefore glorious Power the Sun the Moon the Stars the Winds the Seas obey him 5. Christs Power is absolute he bears the Image of God he is God as you heard before None hath absolute power but God he doth what he pleaseth 6. Christs Power is Just therefore glorious in Power it is not a Might without Right 't is in him Essentially as God and is given to him as Mediator in the one Respect he derived it from none in the other sence he received it from the Father 7. Christs Power is Infinite he made the World he upholds the World therefore glorious in Power He could have made a Thousand Worlds can do beyond all that we can conceive or speak 8. Christs Power is glorious because he can bring all other Power to nought in a moment at his pleasure whether of Men or Devils 9. Christs Power is glorious Power in that it is everlasting Power Men may be powerful for a time but they may soon lose it must die and so cannot hold it long but Christ sits King for ever his power is from everlasting to everlasting of his Kingdom there shall be no end 10. Christs power is Dreadful he looketh upon the earth and it Trembles he can make all tremble before him who can Thunder like God 1. He has a glorious commanding Voice 2. A glorious restraining voice what is swifter than the Sun which he can stop in a moment 3. Glorious in his reproving voice Psal. 50.21 4. In his threatning voice Rev. 2.16 and Chap. 2.23 11. He hath a Glorious Victorious Conquering and Subduing Power he hath overcome Sin Devil Death Hell c. 12. Christs Power is Glorious because nothing is too hard for him to do nay nothing is hard for him to do he can do what he will with a word of his mouth 13. Christs Power extends not only over the Body but over the Soul also works mightily in us as well as for us and can do wonderful things by weak Instruments by foolish and contemptible ones in the eye of the VVorld VVhat mighty things did he do by a few poor Fishermen and others not accounted off 14. Lastly Nothing is hard for Christ to do tho' all the Devils of Hell and Men on Earth oppose and resist him I will work and who shall let it VVhy hath Christ as Mediator such great and glorious Power given to him 1. From the greatness of his work he is to accomplish 2. Because no Souls whatsoever Discouragements they meet with should despair in coming to him or in relying upon him 3. That he might be feared and dreaded by all yea that his very enemies might tremble before him 4. That he might be honoured and adored Honour belongs to Sovereignty Thirdly As the gospel is Glorious in respect of the Revelation made therein of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ. So likewise in Respect of the Holy Ghost the gospel shews the Spirit in himself to be a distinct living powerful intelligent Divine Person Not only a distinct self subsisting Person but also a participant of the Divine Nature not the chief of all created Spirits and so the head of all good Angels as some imagine but that he is uncreated truly and ready God coeternal with the Father and the Son This we shall speak a little unto together with his glorious work Office and Operations First The VVord of God holds forth and positively declares that the holy Spirit is in himself a distinct intelligent Divine Person and which ought to be believed concerning this great truth viz. the Diety and Personality of the holy Ghost may be seen in the ensuing Testimonies according as they are Collected to our hands by a Reverend Divine Psal. 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the spirit of his mouth Job 26.13 By his spirit he hath garnished the Heavens Psal. 104.30 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit they are created Mat. 28.19 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Act. 1.16 That Scripture must needs hath been fulfilled which the holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake Act. 5.3 Peter said to Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the holy Ghost Ver. 4. Thou hast not lyed to man but to God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 12.11 All these worketh that one and the self same Spirit dividing to every severally man as he will And there are
Obedience in our Conversion to God be not the effect of his Grace in us he doth not work in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure 1. The work of Conversion it self and in especial the act of Believing or Faith it self is expresly said to be of God to be wrought in us by him to be freely given unto us from him the Scriptures saith not that God gives us ability or power to believe only Namely such a power as we may make use of if we will or do otherwise but Faith and Conversion themselves are said to be the work and effect of God But it maybe Objected that every thing which is actually accomplished in potentia before There must therefore be in us a power to Believe before we do so actually The Act of God working Faith in us is a creating work for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus And he that is in Christ is a new Creature now the Effects of creating acts are not in potentia any where but in the active Power of God so was the World it self before its actual existence This is termed potentia logica which is no more but a Negation of any Contradiction to existence not potentia physica which includes a disposition unto actual existence Notwithstanding therefore all these preparatory works of the Spirit of God which we allow in this matter there is not by them wrought in the Mind and Wills of men such a next power as they call it as should enable them to believe without further actual grace working Faith it self Wherefore with respect to believing the first act of God is to work in us to will So Phil. 1.13 he worketh in us to will This God worketh in us by that grace which Austin and other Learned men call gratia operans 2. Faith and Repentance 'T is said to be given of God Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance unto Israel and remission of sin to you it is given in behalf of Christ not only to believe but to suffer for his sake By Grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is gift of God Our own ability be it what it will however assisted and excited and Gods gift are contra-distinguished If it be of our selves it is not the gift of God if it be the gift of God it is not of our selves and the manner how God bestows this gift upon us is declared ver 10. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good work And from hence Faith is called the Faith of the operation of God 3. Love that precious prevailing Grace is planted in the Soul by the Spirit causing the Soul with Delight and Complacency to cleave unto God and his wayes the Lord God will Circumcise thine heart to love the Lord Deut. 30.6 Hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost Rom. 5.5 The fruit of the spirit is love Gal. 5.22 4. It might be further demonstrated by considering how Conversion with the manner how it is effected is set forth in the holy Scripture The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart c. What is this but the putting off the Body of Sin Col. 2.11 This is the mediate work of the Spirit of God no man ever Circumcised his own heart A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and will take away the stony heart that is that impotency and enmity which is in our hearts unto Conversion 5. The work of grace upon the Soul is called a vivisication we are by nature dead in Sins and Trespasses in our Deliverance from thence we are said to be quickened The Dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and Live being made alive now no such work can be wrought in us but by an Effectual Communication of a Principle of Spiritual Life and nothing else will deliver us Some think to evade the power of this Argument by saying that all these Expressions are metaphorical and arguing from them are but fulsome Metaphors And 't is well if the whole Gospel be not a Metaphor unto them But if there be not an Impotency in us by nature unto all Acts of spiritual Life like that which is in a Dead man unto acts of Life natural if there be not an alike Power of God required unto our deliverance from that Condition and the working in us a Principle of spiritual Obedience as is required unto the Raising of him that is dead they may as well say that the Scripture speaks not truly as that it speaks metaphorically 6. Believers are said to be begotten and born again of the Spirit by which it appears that our Regeneration is not an Act of our own I mean not so our own as by outward helps and assistance to be educed out of the Principles of our nature Of his own will begot he us by the word of truth c. Born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible c. Which were born not of blood nor of the will of man but of God This being so it behoveth them who plead for Active Interest of the will of Man in Regeneration to produce some Testimonies of Scripture where it is assigned unto it as the Effect unto its proper Cause where is it said that a man is born again or begotten anew by himself and if it be granted as it must be so unless violence be offered not only to the Scripture but Reason and common sence that whatever be our Duty and Power herein yet these Expressions must denote an Act of God and not ours Regeneration being thus proved to be the glorious working and operation of the holy Ghost we shall now proceed to shew further the nature and excellency of grace as it shines forth in the gospel and is experienced by every sincere Christian. 1. Gospel grace is glorious because when received in Truth it delivers the Soul from Bondage it breaks the bonds For the Soul is not set at liberty by the bare shedding of Christs blood without the application of it by the spirit or infusion of grace into the heart 2. The gospel through the grace of it when received in Truth opens blind Eyes it makes them see that never saw in a spiritual sence before it opens their eyes that were born blind how blind was Saul till the gospel grace shone upon him or rather in him 3. The gospel through the grace of it when received in Truth raises the dead Soul to Life 'T is hereby we come to be quickened the flesh profiteth nothing 't is the Spirit that quickeneth that is the Humane nature without the Divine cannot accomplish Salvation for us nor shall any Soul receive any saving
to be better rooted in Grace and strengthned in Holiness VII So when the Word of God is early received in the Love of it when a young Person is sanctified in the Bud Grace many times flourishes more abundantly Such have treat Advantage above others Long Experience tends much to the strengthning of Grace enabling the Soul to hold out in an evil Day It was a great Advantage to Timothy that he knew the Holy Scriptures from a Child VIII The Seed of God's Word which the Son of Man by his faithful Ministers soweth in the Ministration of the Gospel falls oftentimes upon a hard and rocky-hearted Sinner who tho he receive the Word with much seeming Joy yet in time of Persecution falls away Because of the Word be is offended Others like thorny Ground receive the Seed but the Cares of this World and the Deceitfulness of Riches choak the Word and it becometh unfruitful The other hear the Word and understand it not then cometh the Devil called the Fowl of the Air and catcheth away that which was sown in the Heart This is he that receiveth Seed by the High-way-side IX So the Fruitfulness of the Word in Mens Hearts depends upon Christ's gracious blessing and shining upon it and the Spirits bedewing and watering it 'T is God that gives the Increase X. So when the Word of God is received in truth into the Heart Sin and Corruption will if not carefully weeded out spring up and hinder the Growth of the spiritual Seed Hence the Apostle gives charge to the Saints That they should look diligently lest any fail of the Grace of God lest any Root of Bitterness spring up and trouble them XI So none but honest and sincere Christians stand in the Day of Trial and bring forth Fruit unto Eternal Life XII So such as God hath sent to preach his Word do diligently attend their Ministry early and late in season and out of season as knowing that their Labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. XIII Even so hath the Seed of the Word been sown in all Ages notwithstanding the Storms have beaten and the Wind of Persecution hath blown very roughly sometimes one way and sometimes another yet this hath not in the least prevented the sowing of the spiritual Seed of the Word XIV How plentifully hath the Word of God been preached in England and in other Countries and how plentifully was this spiritual Seed dispersed by the Apostles and Servants of Christ They went every where preaching the Word Which is come unto you as it is in all the World and brings forth Fruit as it doth also in you since the day ye heard of it and knew the Grace of God in truth METAPHOR SOme Men either through want of Judgment or to save Charge sow bad Seed such as will not bear much Fruit although the Ground whereon it is sown be never so good II. No Seed that Men sow can be at all fruitful or yield encrease except the Plow go before to break up the Ground which the Seed cannot do of it self by any Art of Man III. Many Men have sowed good Seed and that upon good Ground and it hath taken Root and flourished and yet by some Accident or other they have had a bad Harvest brought but little Corn into the Barn or sometimes none at all IV. The Seed which Men sow is not quickned except it die Disparity But the Seed of the Word of God is good Seed and was never sown into good Ground that is a good and honest Heart but it took Root and became fruitful as all true Believers have experienced II. But the Word of God through the mighty Operation of the Spirit is not only Seed but also the spiritual Plow by which the fallow Ground of the Heart is broken up and made fit for it self to sink into and take deep Root there III. But never was the Seed of God's Word sown in a good and honest Heart taking Root there and flourishing but a blessed Harvest always followed nay tho they sow in Tears they shall reap in Joy He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious Seed shall doubtless come again with rejoycing bringing his Sheaves with him IV. But the Word of the Lord dieth not but liveth and abideth for ever The Words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are Life Inferences IT may inform us that the Cause why some Persons fall away and turn with the Dog to his Vomit and with the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire is Because they were never sincere nor upright in Heart The honest and upright Soul falls not away cannot fall so as never to rise again but brings forth Fruit to everlasting Life as our Saviour clearly shews II. O then let Men and Women take heed to their own Hearts and see whether they were ever throughly broken in the sight and sence of their Sin The Word and Gospel must first be as a Plow unto them to break up the stony and fallow Ground of their Hearts before like Seed the Word can be received by them III. Remember that notwithstanding a poor Soul may meet with many Storms and go through much Difficulty and Trouble both within and without rise early and lie down late whilst he keeps his Hand on the Lord's Plow in this Seeds-Time of the Word yet the Harvest will make amends for all You that have sowed in Tears shall reap with Joy Nay the Day is at hand wherein both the Sower and the Reaper shall rejoyce together The Word of God compared to Rain Deut. 32.2 My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain c. Simile RAin is the immediate and proper Work of God He gives us Rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons Are there among the Vanities of the Gentiles they that can cause Rain Or can the Heavens give Showers art not thou he O Lord II. Rain falls by divine Direction and Appointment God causes it to rain upon one City and not upon another You often see a Cloud dissolve and spend it self upon one place when there is not a drop within a few Miles of it one Land may have Rain and a fruitful Season when another may have none III. There is a great deal of difference in the Showers of Rain that fall upon the Earth sometimes you have it in small Drops a drisling Rain which comes gently but continuing long it waters the Earth and the Fruits thereof throughly going to the very Root at other times it comes down in a hasty and violent manner causing the Streams to run but it is gone presently and doth but little good IV. Some People in the World have no Rain as the Egyptians for it is said that it seldom or never rains there V. Rain comes down successively and gradually now a little and then a little it doth not fall all at one time before it gives over but