conspicuously manifested himself This world appeared intendeth as much See § 130. XIV Christ did but once come into the world This word once hath reference to Christs appearing in the world See § 129. XV. Christ was exhibited in the end of the world See § 129. XVI The best things are reserved to the last times This followeth by just consequence from the former doctrine for by and with Christ came the best things into the world See § 130. XVII The end of Christs appearing was to put away sin XVIII Sin was put away by a Sacrifice XIX The Sacrifice that put away sin was Christ himself These three last doctrines are plainly expressed See § 131. §. 133. Of all mens subjection to death Heb. 9. 27 28. Vers. 27. And it is appointed unto men once to die and after this judgement Vers. 28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation THese two verses are added as a reason to prove the former point that Christ did but once offer himself The reason is taken from the condition of man which is but once to die Of the Greek word translated to die See Chap. 7. v. 8. § 51. The note of comparison as especially as it hath reference to the next verse wherein the second part of the comparison is set down under this note of the second part of a comparison so demonstrateth as much There are two Greek words which are comprised under this small particle as and may be translated in as much as But our little particle as doth expresse the meaning to the full and the more properly in regard of the latter part of the comparison in the next verse This note of resemblance as sheweth that Christ subjected himself to the common condition of man As man he dyed As man he dyed but once We have shewed how in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren See Chap. 2. v. 17. § 168 c. It is here taken for granted that men must die There needs no proof hereof experience besides the frequent mention hereof in Scripture gives evident proof to the truth hereof See Chap. 7. v. 23. § 97. Sin is the true proper cause hereof Death was first threatned against sin Gen. 2. 17. So as death entred into the world by sin Rom. 5. 12. And the wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. Object Sin is taken away from justified persons if then the cause be taken away 〈◊〉 doth the effect remain Answ. 1. Sin is not utterly taken away from any man while here he liveth 1 Ioh. â—… 8. It is one benefit that death bringeth even to those that are justified that all remainder of sin is taken away thereby 2. By Christs death the nature of death is altered and the sting of it is pulled out 1 Cor. 15. 55. whereas death was first instituted as the enterance into hell It is now made to justified persons the enterance into heaven It is to them but an uncloathing and putting off the ragged garment of mortality for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdome of God neither doth corruption inherit corruption 1 Cor. 15. 50. In this respect death is as no death This that is indefinitely spoken of men must be applyed to all of all sorts for an indefinite particle is equivolent to a general But to put the point out of all doubt the Apostle plainly expresseth the generall thus death passed upon all men Rom. 5. 12. On this ground the Prophet was commanded to cry all flesh is grasse Isai 46. Object 1. An Apostle seemeth to affirm the contrary thus we shall not all sleep 1 Cor. 15. 51. Answ. 1. That is spoken only of such as are living at the very moment of Christs comming to judgement All before them shall dye 2. Even they shall be changed that is their ragged robe of mortality shall be taken away which is equivolent to death Object 2. Enoch was translated that he should not see death Heb. 11. 5. Answ. 1. One or two extraordinary instances do not infringe an ordinary rule especially when it is altered by him that set the rule Object 3. Eliah also was wrapt up into heaven and died not 2 King 2. 8. Answ. 1. Some affirm that his body was burnt in the region of fier above the clouds but there is no good warrant for that 2. The former Answers about Enoch may be applyed to Eliah 3. It is sufficient that both of them were changed and that their mortality was taken away before they were admitted into heaven 4. A speciall reason of freeing these two from death may be this many years passed betwixt the promise of Christ and the exhibition of him Therefore to support the faith of believers in freedome from death by Christ the Lord was pleased to give two reall demonstrations hereof One in one world before the flood the other since the flood Object 4. Righteousnesse delivereth from death Prov. 11. 4. Answ. There is a threefold death 1. Spiritual 2. Eternal which is called the second death Rev. 2. 11. From both these justified persons are fully freed Rom. 6. 13. Iohn 8. 51. 3. Corporall death even from this in sundry respects may a righteous man be said to be freed 1. In that God doth oft prolong his dayes Exod. 20. 12. Prov. 3. 16. Hezekiah is a particular instance hereof Isa. 38. 3. But on the other side it is threatned that bloody and deceitfull men shal not live out half their dayes Psal. 55. 23. take Absalom for instance 2 Sam. 18. 9 c. 2. Righteous men are kept from capitall lawes For Daniels adversaries could find no occasion or fault against him concerning the kingdome though they sought it Dan. 6. 4. 3. Their name is not swallowed by the death of their body Prov. 10. 7. 4. The sting of death is pulled out to them 1 Cor. 15. 55. So as their death is no death but a sleep 1 Thes. 4. 13. 5. They shall be raised to everlasting life Ioh. 5. 29. 1. This subjection of man to death gives just cause of walking humbly Man who at first was made like God is now like the beasts that perish Psal. 49. 12. Now he is dust and to dust he shall return Gen. 3. 19. He who was created Lord over all must now say to corruption Thou art my Father and to the worm thou art my Mother and my Sister Job 17. 14. This is the reward of sin therefore for sin we ought especially to be humbled When proud man is puffed up with the gay feathers of honour wealth wit beauty or any other like seeming excellency if he cast his eyes upon his black feet of mortality it may move him to cast down those gay feathers 2. We may well think that many are far from making this use of this their
Angell and a Devill There was as great a disparity betwixt the persons offered Iesus and Isaac Isaac was a meer man a sinfull man a man that deserved death death was a debt once to be paid Heb. 9. 27. But Jesus was true God Rom. 9. 5. He was God manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. He was perfectly pure and that as God 1 Iohn 1. 15. and as Man also Heb. 7. 26. he was no wayes guilty of death in himself nor subject to death further than he voluntarily subjected himself Iohn 10. 18. Isaac was indeed a begotten son but begotten of man and part of his substance Jesus was the onely begotten of God the same in substance with the Father Iohn 10. 30. Isaac was a beloved son whom his father loved Gen. 22. 1. Iesus was infinitly more beloved and that of God Matth. 17. 5. Isaac was a child of joy of Iesus when he came into the world an Angell thus saith Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people and thereupon a multitude of heavenly host thus praised God Glory to God in the highest c. Luk. 2. 10 14. Isaac was a child of blessing But why even because Iesus was of his seed Gal. 3. 16. Iesus is he in whom truly and properly Abraham himself Isaac and all others are blessed Most of the excellencies of Isaac consist in this that he was a type of Iesus but Iesus is the truth of all types and the truth far surpasseth the types 2. The motive which put on God to offer up his Son went far beyond that wherewith Abraham was moved to offer up his Son Abraham was tried he was tried by an express charge from God Gen. 22. 2. He might not therefore forbear to do it it was a bounden duty necessity lay upon him he had sinned if he had refused it But there was no such motive to put on God to offer his Son he was under no such command it was his own good pleasure and superabundant love that moved him Iohn 3. 16. Besides Abraham might expect approbation and remuneration from God From whom could God expect any recompence 3. There was as great a difference in the manner of the one and the others offering his Son Abraham laid the wood to burn the sacrifice on Isaac to be sacrificed The Cross whereon Christ was to be crucified was laid on Jesus Iohn 19. 17. Isaac was bound to be laid on the Altar but Jesus was nailed to the Cross Iohn 20. 25. Isaac was offered up only in his Fathers intent and purpose but Iesus was actually and really offered up If Isaac had been offered up it would have been but a speedy death but Iesus was put to a torturing and cursed death Gal. 3. 13. What tongue can utter what heart can conceive the bitterness of the agony whereunto Iesus was brought He was a surety for sinners and as a surety having all the sins of all the Elect laid on him he was offered up 4. The benefit of the oblation of the one and of the other doe differ as much as the other points The benefit of Isaac's being offered was a proof of the Fathers obedience to God and of the Sons patience These were indeed very acceptable to God and they were abundantly rewarded by him Gen. 22 12 16 17. But by the offering up of Jesus an attonement is made for sin Gods wrath is pacified his Justice satisfied his favour procured and he that had the power of death the Devill vanquished the Law as an inditement against us cancelled the curse thereof removed we freed from damnation and made heirs of eternal salvation Nothing that ever was done in the world gives such cause of admiration There never was nor can be the like matter of gratulation The offering up of Iesus is the onely true ground of all consolation This is such a pattern of imitation as cannot possibly be paralled Of all things it most confirms this main point Nothing is to be held too deer for God §. 95. Of Isaac's yielding to be offered up THere are about this offering up of Isaac sundry circumstances which do much set out Isaac's patience in yielding to be offered up 1. His age Some say that this was in the thirty seventh year of his age That was the year of Sarah's death for Sarah was ninety years old when Isaac was born and an hundred and seven and twenty when she dyed Others in the five and twentieth others in the fifteenth year of his age There are no certain proofs for any of these but this is certain that he was of a good growth and strength in that he could carry up hill such a burchen of wood as was enough to have burnt him to ashes Gen. 22. 6. 2. The age of his Father who was an hundred year old when Isaac was born Gen. 21. 5. So as he must at this time be much above an hundred years 3. The solitariness of these two who were alone and no body with them for Abraham left the company that came with him and his Son below the hill and that afar off Gen. 22. 4 5. Thus there was none at all to assist Abrahams in doing what he was about 4. Abraham bound Isaac and laid him on the Altar upon the wood Gen. 22. 9. This could not be without Isaac's voluntary submitting of himself for he was strong enough to have resisted his old Father and to have kept himself from being a sacrifice But it is more than probable that when they came to the place where Isaac was to be offered up Abraham made him acquainted with Gods charge for no other motive could have made him yield himself so far as he did Had it not been for that charge Prudence Piety Justice Charity Humanity and other like vertues had moved him not only to disswade but also to hinder his Father from such an unnatural act That therefore which moved the Father to attempt such a fact moved also the Son to yield unto it which was Gods charge Hereby it appeareth that what God will must be endured It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 1 Sam 3. 18. Let the Lord do to me as seemeth good to him 2 Sam. 15. 26. In this the pattern of Christ goes beyond all others who in his bitter agony said to his Father Not as I will but as thou wilt Matth. 26. 39. This giveth instance of the extent of that obedience which we owe unto God which is not only readily to do what he requireth but also patiently to endure what his pleasure is to call us unto God hath a greater power over us than the Potter over the clay Isa. 64. 8. But the Potter may order the clay as it pleaseth him Ier. 18. 4 5 6. The Lord may beat may bruise may break us after his own pleasure No man may open his mouth against God Rom. 9. 20 21. But such
to free us from our sins He appeared to put away sin So clearly is this revealed to Christians by the Gospell as an Apostle saith to them ye know that the was manifested to take away our sins 1 Joh. 3. 5. An Angel before the birth of Christ declaring by what name he should be called giveth this reason thereof Thou shalt call his name Iesus for he shall save his people from their sins Matth. 1. 21. And his forerunner upon Christs first appearing publickly thus set him out Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world Joh. 1. 29. 1. Sin was it that implunged man into so wofull a plight as it had been better for him not to be then not to be freed from sin 2. Such was his case as neither he himself nor all creatures in the world were able to free him 3. God was pleased to take pitty on man in that miserable condition On these and other like grounds Christ appeared to take away sin This is such an instance of Gods love to man as exceedeth all expression all apprehension If it be demanded how far sin is taken away I answer in a double respect 1. In reference to the condemning power of sin Rom. 8. 1. This is set out in Scripture by many metaphors whereof see The Guide to go to God or An Explanation of the Lords Prayer 5 Petit. § 130 c. 2. In reference to the domineering power of sin for by Christ that power is subdued Sin hath not power in believers to make them slaves to it Object Sin remains in the best and maintains a combate in them Rom. 7. 21 23. Answ. Sin remains in the regenerate as one that hath a deadly wound which can never be cured yet may retain life and so struggle and strive This the Lord suffereth for the tryall and exercise of his Saints These two respects about the condemning and domineering power of sin may be the more fitly applyed to this taking away of sin by reason of that double law which concerneth sin One is a law against sin which is the law of God The other is the law of sin whereby sin hath a kind of command Of this speaketh the Apostle Rom. 7. 23 25. The word here used of putting away is applyed to the ceremonial law and translated a disanulling Heb. 7. 18. and it may imply in some respect a disanulling of the foresaid double law about sin This taking away of sin affords great matter of comfort to poor sinners who know the nature of sin and feel the burthen hereof Were it not for knowledge of this doctrin and faith therein they could not but be cast into Belshazzars passion Dan. 5. 5. But by this doctrine that fear is taken away and matter of thanks is ministred Rom. 7. 25. Yea also of an holy triumph 1 Cor. 15. 55 56. When therefore we have accesse to God for pardon of sin let us think on this But withall let us by the latter namely freedome from the domineering power of sin gain assurance of the former which is freedome from the condemning power of sin For where the Apostle â—…aith there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ he addeth who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 1. They deceive themselves who being held as slaves under sin dream of freedome from the punishment of sin For the wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. The means or rather the true proper cause of taking away sin as aforesaid is thus expressed By the Sacrifice of himself The Sacrifice according to the notation of the Greek word implyeth blood yeâ—… death even that which is slain so as Christ put away sin by his death See v. 22. § 111. This Sacrifice was of himself even his own blood See v. 12. § 57. and Chap. 1. v. 3. § 29. These are great amplifications of Christs good respect to us §. 132. Of the resolution of Heb. 9. 25 26. And observations thence raised Vers. 25. Nor yet that he should offer himself often as the high Priest entereth into the Holy place every year with blood of others Vers. 26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself Vers. 25. THâ—…se two verses set down another difference betwixt Christ and legall Priests The difference is 1. Propounded v. 25. 2. Proved v. 26. The difference as propounded consisteth in two things especially 1. In the things offered For Christ offered himself but the high-Priest offered the blood of others 2. In the time for Christ did not offer himself often but the high-Priest every year offered the blood of others This latter part of the difference is amplified by the place whereinto the high-Priest entered here sâ—…iled the Holy place Vers. 26. The proof is taken from the kind of Christs offering which was a suffering 1. This is set down by way of supposition then must he often have suffered which is amplified in the time since the foundation of the world 2. An inference is made thereupon The inference is thus expressed he hath appeared And it is enlarged 1. By the time which admits a double consideration 1. One that it was but once 2. The other that it was in the end of the world 2. By the end to put away sin This is illustrated by the means whereby he put away sin the Sacrifice of himself Doctrines I. Christ brought an offering Vers. 25. II. The offering that Christ brought was himself These two doctrines are here taken for granted See § 126. III. Christ did not often offer himself This is here expressed See § 126. IV. Christ in not offering himself often was unlike the legall high-Priest The negative particle nor applyed to Christ and the note of comparison as applied to the high-Priest proves this point See § 127. V. There was an high-Priest under the law See § 127. VI. The high-Priest under the law entered into the tabernacle That was the holy-place here mentioned See § 127. VII The legall Priest oft offered Sacrifice Every year his solemne Sacrifice was offered up See § 127. VIII The legal Priest appeared before God with blood This is here intended under this phrase with the blood See § 127. IX The blood which the legal Priest carried before the Lord was the blood of beasts Under this word others beasts are understood See § 127. X. Christ offering himself was a suffering to death This is raised from the meaning of this word suffered as it is inferred as a reason of Christs not offering himself See § 128. XI Christ must not oft have suffered This is here taken for granted See § 128. XII There was but one Sacrifice of Christ from the beginning of the world to the end This is implyed under this phrase since the foundation of the world See § 128. XIII Christ hath
He or â—…e himself The word is emphatical and implieth a singular person It excludeth all others as if he had said He and none but he He alone There is a like pronoun used and translated this man whereof see Chap. 7. v. 4. § 33. This here hath reference to him of whose excellency much hath been spoken before and who is expresly named Iesus Christ v. 10. This singular person is here set down in opposition to that generall particle 〈◊〉 That implied many Priests this only one so that there is but one only Priest of the New Testament Of this point see Chap. 7. v. 24. § 99. It is here taken for granted that Christ offered a Sacrifice in that it is said after he had â—…ffered or word for word having offered which sheweth that he was a true Priest Hereof see Chap. 2. v. 17. § 172. That was the one sacrifice which is here mentioned which word is to be taken exclusively as if he had said onely one or but one as hath beene before shewed Chap. 7. v. 27. § 115. The end of this sacrifice is expresly set downe to be for sins Sin was that procuring cause which moved Christ to offer himselfe up a sacrifice and also the finall cause to take away that for which he offered himselfe up In regard of the former sin brought man into that woefull plight and into that depth of misery as neither man himselfe nor all creatures in the world were able to free him out of the same Christ thereupon was moyed to put in himselfe that he might free him out of that misery In this respect that which implunged man into that misery moved Christ to doe that which might free him out of that misery Sin which caused the one caused also the other Sin caused mans death and sin caused Christs death In regard of the latter sin was taken away by Christs sacrifice for thereby a ransome was paid and satisfaction made to the justice of God for mans sin and thereupon sin taken away Of sundry inferences raised from Christs taking away fin by his sacrifice see Chap. 9. v. 26. § 131. In setting forth this point of Christs offering one sacrifice for sin the Apostle setteth out the excellency of Christs Priest-hood above the Levitical Priest-hood and that in these particulars 1. Christ was but one they were many 2. His sacrifice was but one they were more then one 3. His sacrifice was but once offered for when he had offered that one he ceased and offered no more they offered oftentimes 4. His sacrifice tooke away sin theirs could not There is a circumstance of time betwixt Christs offering one sacrifice for sin and his sitting down at the right hand of God in this phrase for ever so placed as it may be referred to the one or to the other For it is in the mixt betwixt both The distinction of sentences by a comma determineth the point If the comma be placed after the word for ever then it s referd to that which goeth before and setteth out the perpetuall efficacy of Christs sacrifice whereof see v. 1. 4. § 39. Thus our English doe refer it for they have put a comma after this word for ever But if a comma be set before this phrase for ever It hath reference to Christs sitting at Gods right hand and setteth out the everlastingnesse of Christs sitting there Thus the vulgar Latin referr it and other translators Neither of these crosse the other for both imply in generall the same thing which is the alsufficiency of Christs sacrifice The former which is the perpetuall virtue of Christs sacrifice sheweth the thing it selfe that it is perfect and maketh perfect The latter which is Christs perpetuall sitting at Gods right hand manifested the reason of the perfection of Christs sacrifice as is shewed Heb. 7. v. 24. § 98 99. §. 36. Of Christs sitting at Gods right hand AS the humiliation of Christ was manifested in offering a sacrifice so his exaltation in sitting at Gods right hand after he had offered that sacrifice Hereof see Chap. 1. v. 3. 30. 31 c. This is here purposely added to amplifie the forenamed excellency of Christs Priest-hood For 1. This phrase set downe is a note of dignity and authority and importeth that Christ continueth to execute his function not as his servant as the Priests did but as a Lord. 2. This dignity and authority is amplified by the place where he is said to sit down which is the highest place that any can be advanced unto even next unto God himselfe at his right hand we never read that any was so highly exalted 3. It is much illustrated by the continuance thereof which is without date for ever It is an Eclipse of the lustre of any glory to have a date and a period The very thought that such a glory shall be removed or taken away cannot but much dampe the spirit of him that enjoyeth that glory Of the phrase here translated d for ever See Chap. 7. v. 3. § 26. Of Christs everlasting Priest-hood See Chap. 5. v. 6. § 29. and Chap. 7. v. 24. § 98. and Chap. 7. v. 25. § 106. §. 37. Of Christs waiting upon his Fathers will Heb. 10. 13. From hence-forth expecting til his enemies be made his foote-stoole THis verse doth in particular explain this generall phrase for ever as it hath reference to the execution of Christs Priestly function v. 12. That phrase for ever as there used is til all his enemies be brought under In setting down that exemplification Christs expectation thereof is thus expresed From hence-forth expecting The word translated from hence-forth is derived from a verbe that signifieth to lack Luk. 18. 22. or to want Tit. 3. 13. Properly it signifieth a remainder So here it implieth that though Christ were set at Gods right hand yet there remained some what to be done by him which was to subdue his enemieâ—… Til that time it remained that he should continue to perfect what he had begun The next word translated expecting is a compound The simple verb signifieth to receive Matth. 10. 40. this compound in common use signifieth to expect 〈◊〉 15. 43. or wait for Now men expect such things as they would gladly receive The expectation of Christ here noted is in reference to that day which his Father hath appointed to judge the world Act. 17. 31. Christ is able in a moment to destroy all his enemies but because it is the will of his Father that the Church shall be tried and assaulted with enemies Christ patiently waiteth in that place and expecteth that time wherein the enemies of his Church shall be destroyed He willingly waiteth his Fathers will and good pleasure he thinkes it not over long that enemies still continue Some of them are old enemies as all the evill Angels who still retain their being might and malice Other enemies succeed one another as
and fine linen and fared sumptnously every day yet refused to feed Lazarus with the crums that fell from his table Luk. 16. 19 c. These may be counted pound prodigall and penny covetous §. 53. Of the hainousnesse of Covetousnesse THere are many circumstances concerning covetousnesse which do much aggravate the hainousnesse thereof For 1. It is a deceiving sinne It blinds the understanding and corrupts the judgement in a main point of happinesse For the covetous man maketh gold his hope and fine gold his confidence Job 31. 24. This is further manifest by the titles that are usually given to it as substance and goods They who get much wealth are said to be made for ever and they who lose much to be undone for ever The rich man when his corn exceedingly encreased thus saith to his soul Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry Luk. 12. 19. Upon this conceit of happinesse wealth so stealeth away a mans heart and so inflames his affections as he maketh it his god Justly therefore is a covetous person called an Idolater Eph. 5. 5. And covetousnesse Idolatry Col. 3. 5. 2. It is an unsatiable sinne He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver nor he that loveth abundance with increase Eccl. 5. 10. In this respect covetousnesse is like a dropsie which increaseth thirst by much drinking and like a fire which by addition of fuel is the more fierce The desire of a covetous man ariseth from abundance and in that respect is unnaturall For nature is satisfied with sufficiency Hunger and thirst cease when a man hath eaten and drunk that which is sufficient 3. It is a gawling sinne It works a continuall vexation and takes away all the comforts of this life The Apostle saith that they which covet after money pierce themselves thorow with many sorrows 1 Tim. 6. 10. There is a threefold wo that accompanieth covetousnesse 1. A wo of labour and toyl in getting wealth 2. A wo of care and trouble in keeping it 3. A wo of grief and anguish in parting with it Nothing makes death more unwelcome then a covetous desire of the things of this world 4. It is an ensnaring sinne They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare 1 Tim. 6. 9. Wealth as it is a bait to allure men to snap thereat so it is a snare fast to hold them and a hook to pull them down to perdition How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God Mark 10. 23. This snare kept the farmers from the wedding feast Luk. 14 18 19. It keeps many from the word yea it steals away the heart of those that come to the Word For their heart 〈◊〉 after their covetousnesse Ezek. 33. 31. 5. It is a mother sinne The love of mony is the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6. 10. Fitly therefore doth the Prophet thus style it evil covetousnesse Hab. 2. 9. There is no evil which a covetous man will forbear His covetousnesse puts him on to all evil It is a root of impiety It draws the heart from God so as there can be no true love nor fear of God in a covetous heart It makes a man be of that Religion which is professed in the place where he liveth though it be palpable idolatry A covetous man can swallow all manner of Oaths yea and perjury it self For gain he will profane the Sabbath It makes inferiours purloyn from their superiours and superiours to neglect their inferiours It is a cause of much rebellion of many â—…reasons murders thefts roberies deceit lying false witnesse breach of promise and what not 6. It is a growing sinne The longer men live in the world the more covetous they use to be after the world Old men are commonly the most covetous Herein it differeth from other violent sinnes which by age abate in their violence 7. It is a devouring sinne The deceitfulnesse of riches choak the word Matth. 13. 22. Covetousnesse is like Pharaohs lean kine which did eat up the fat kine and when they had eaten them up it could not be known that they had eaten them but they were still as ill-favoured as at the beginning Gen. 41. 20 21. 8. It is a crying sinne The cries of them which are oppressed by covetous persons enter into the ears of the Lord. Hereupon an Apostle bids them weep and houl Jam. 5. 1 c. Covetousnesse causeth a curse from man and God He that withholdeth corn as the covetous man will when he can the people shall curse him As for Gods curse the wrath of God cometh upon men because of these things Eph. 5. 5 6. The Apostle reckoneth covetous persons among those that shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 10. §. 54. Of Remedies against Covetousnesse FOr preventing or redressing Covetousnesse these rules following are to be observed 1. The judgement must rightly be informed in these two points 1. In the nature of true happinesse 2. In the vanity and deceitfulnesse of riches Many Learned men want this point of understanding It is the blindnesse of a mans minde that maketh him place a kind of happinesse in the things of this world whereby he is brought even to doat upon them If therefore we shall be rightly instructed that happinesse consisteth in matters of another kind then this world affords and that the things of this world are so vain as they can afford no solid comfort to a man especially in spirituall distresse and so uncertain as they may suddenly be taken away from men or men from them surely their immoderate desire of riches could not be but much allaied He that said There be many that say Who will shew us any good Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us Psal. 4. 6. well discerned the difference betwixt earthly and heavenly blessings So did he who said Riches profit not in the day of wrath but righteousnesse delivereth from death Pro. 11. 4. 2. The will and heart of man must follow the judgement well informed and raise themselves up to that sphear where true happinesse resteth Set your affection on things above not on things on the earth Col. 3. 2. This will keep the heart from doting on things below For where your treasure is there will your heart be also Matth. 6. 21. A beast which is feeding in fair and fresh pasture will not stray into a bare and barren heath much lesse will an understanding man that findes the sweetnesse of spirituall and heavenly blessings dote upon earthly trash This made Paul account all outward things but dung because his heart had tasted of the sweetnesse of Christ Phil. 3. 8 c. 3. A mans confidence must be placed on God and his providence Gods providence is an over-flowing and ever-flowing fountain The richest treasures of men may be exhausted Gods cannot be Be therefore
if they had been thus joyned together But we see Iesus crowned with glory and honour The thing questioned in the former verse was this we see not yet all things put under him To that in way of opposition the Apostle addeth this But we see Iesus Crowned This crowning of Jesus is a cleer demonstration that all things are put under his feet for it sheweth that he hath dignity and authority over them all And it is here again upon the mention of Christs suffering set down to take away the scandall of Christs cross for Christ crucified was unto the Iews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness 1 Cor. 1. 23. But the glory of Christ after his suffering made his suffering to be accounted no despicable matter but rather most glorious it being the way to a Crown of glory and honour To shew wherein Iesus was made lower then Angels this phrase is inserted For the suffering of death The Preposition translated FOR is diversly used in the new Testament It is sometimes set before the genitive case and then it signifieth the efficient cause and that principall as Rom. 1. 5. or instrumentall as Matth. 1. 22. or the means whereby a thing is effected as Acts 5. 12. In all these senses it is translated By. See Chap. 3. v. 16. § 164. Sometimes it is set before the accusative case and is translated FOR then it signifieth the finall cause as Matth. 14. 3 9. and in this sense it is sometimes translated because as Matth. 13. 21. In the next verse both cases are joyned to it so as it signifieth both the finall and the efficient cause Here it is joyned with the accusative case But the sentence is so placed between the humiliation and exaltation of Christ as it may be referred to either Some refer it to the one some to the other It being referred to Christs humiliation implieth the end of his being made less then Angels namely for death that he might suffer death or that he might die For Jesus as God was eternall immortall and could not die but as man he was mortall he could he did die Some place Christs humiliation below Angels in his death and thus translate it lower then the Angels by the suffering of death Our english giveth an hint of this by putting this divers reading in the margin thus or by But the accusative case with which the preposition is here joyned will hardly bear that interpretation Again Others referre this clause concerning Christs death to his exaltation thus We see Iesus for the suffering of death crowned which is as if he had said Because he suffered death he was crowned c. If this be taken of the order or way of Christs entring into glory namely that after he had suffered death he was crowned with glory it well agreeth with other Scriptures which thus speak Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and enter into glory Luk. 24. 26. He became obedient to death wherefore God also hath highly exalted him Phil. 2. 8 9. But thereupon to inferre what Papists do that Christ by his passion merited his own glorification is no just consequence nor an orthodox position For 1. The Greek phrase noteth the finall rather then the meritorious cause 2. The glory whereunto Christ was advanced was due to him by virtue of the union of his humane nature with his divine 3. The glory whereunto he was advanced was too great to be merited 4. It impaireth the glory of Christs passion to say that hereby he merited for himself implying that he aimed therein more at his own glory then our good 5. It lesseneth Gods love to man as if God should give his Sonne to suffer that thereby he might attain unto another glory then he had before 6. Christ going out of the world thus prayeth O Father Glorifie thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was Joh. 17. 5. How was that merited in the world which he had before the world was 7. The Rhemists themselves and other Papists acknowledge that Christ was strait upon his descending from Heaven to be adored by Angels and all other creatures I suppose that the main scope of the Apostle is to set out the end of Christs being made lower then Angels namely that he might be a sacrifice to expiate mans sin and thereby to make reconciliation betwixt God and man In this respect the first interpretation is the fittest namely that Christ was made man for this very end that he might die This is most agreeable to the proper meaning of the phrase and minde of the Apostle Thus do many Ancient and later Divines take it This is a second proof of Christs true manhood namely his death See § 1. §. 75. Of Christs being man to die HAd not Christ assumed an humane nature which in the substance and sundry infirmities thereof is inferior to the Angelicall nature which is spirituall and incorruptible he could not have died To imagin that as God who only hath immortality 1 Tim. 6. 16. he should die would imply the greatest contradiction that could be God is a Spirit of spirits more free from any corporall infirmity and from death then any created spirits can be Yet to effect what Christ did by his death he that died must be God For Christ died not as a private person to pay his debt but as a Surety for man and a Redeemer of man For man therefore he was to satisfie infinite justice to remove the insupportable curse of the Law to break the bonds of death to overcome the devil that had the power of death No single creature could do all these Immanuel God with us God made man died and by death effected whatsoever was requisite for mans full Redemption As by being man he was made fit to suffer so that manhood being united to the Deity was made able to indure whatsoever should be laid upon it and thereby also an infinite value worth and merit was added to his obedience for it was the obedience of him that was God but in the frail nature of man Behold here the wonder of wonders Christ undertakes a task above the power of all the Angels and to effect it he is made lower then Angels If ever power were made perfect in weaknesse it was in this §. 76. Of Christs Sufferings THe Apostle here addeth suffering to death For the suffering of death to shew that it was not an easie gentle light departure out of this world but a death accompanied with much inward agony and outward torture This word in the plurall number Sufferings is frequently used in the New Testament both to set out the manifold sufferings of Christ as 1 Pet. 1. 11. and also the sufferings of Christians for Christs sake as Rom. 8. 18. The singular number Suffering is used in this only place but collectively it compriseth under it
all that Christ indured either in body or soul. To demonstrate the truth hereof the Apostle with an emphasis thus expresseth the kinde of his death even the death of the Crosse Phil. 2. 8. which was a cursed death Gal. 3. 13. This will yet more evidently appear if to Christs external sufferings be added the sufferings of his soul. A Prophet saith that his soul was made an offering for sinne Isa. 53. 10. This was manifested by his inward agony concerning which he himself thus saith My soul is exceeding sorrowfull unto death with strong crying and tears he thus prayeth O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass yea again and the third time he fell on his face and praied in the same manner Such was his agony as his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground So great was his agony as an Angell is said to appear unto him from heaven strengthening him When he was upon the Cross he cried with a loud voice saying My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Do not these effects further prove that the Apostle had cause to adde Suffering to Christs death and to stile it Suffering of death All this was to keep us from suffering what by our sinnes we had deserved For Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. Who is able to comprehend the breadth and length and depth and height of Christs love to us which passeth knowledge Ephes. 3. 18 19. What now should not we do and indure for Christs sake thereby to testifie our love to him §. 77. Of this reading Without God THe proper end of Christs suffering is thus expressed that he by the grace of 〈◊〉 should taste death for every man This conjunction THAT is a note of the finall cause as Matth. 5. 16. Whâ—… in special that end was is shewed in this phrase for every man Hereof See § 83. The chief procuring cause is here said to be The grace of God It appears that some of the Ancients read this clause otherwise then now we reade it though it be confirmed by a constant consent of all Greek copies as we now have it That other reading is thus That WITHOUT God he might taste death The Greek words translated Grace in the Nominative case and without are somewhat like they differ but in one letter Thence might the mistake arise For some have here taken grace in the Nominative case for Christ who died as if he had said That the grace of God might taste death for every man He called him grace 〈◊〉 tasted death for the salvation of all saith one and the Sonne is called the grace of God the Father saith another But the word used by the Apostle is of the Dative case so as hereby the likenesse of the Greek words is taken away and the mistake appears to be the greater The sense wherein the Fathers used this phrase without God was this that though Christ consisted of two Natures Divine and Humane yet he suffered only in his Humane nature his Deity did not suffer But Nestorius a notorious Heretick and his followers inferred from those words without God that Christs Humane nature was a distinct person of it self and so suffered without God not united to God For they held that God and man in Christ were two distinct Persons Thus we see what advantage is given to Hereticks by altering the words of Scripture §. 78. Of Gods grace the cause of Christs death TO come to the true reading of this text which is this by the grace of God Grace is here put for the free favour of God Thus it is oft taken in the holy Scriptures All blessings tending to salvation yea and salvation it self are ascribed thereunto as Election Rom. 11. 5. Redemption Eph. 1. 7. Vocation 2 Tim. 1. 9. Justification Rom. 3. 24. Salvation Eph. 2. 8. It was therefore of Gods grace that Christ was given to man and that he did what he did and endured what he endured for man Iohn 3. 16. Ephes. 2. 4 7. There is nothing out of God to move him to do any thing He worketh all things after the counsell of his own will Eph. 1. 1. See more hereof § 37. and Chap. 4. v. 16. § 97. As for man there can be nothing in him to procure so great a matter as is here spoken of at Gods hand By this it is manifest that Gods free grace and the satisfaction that Christ hath made for our sinnes may stand together Christs satisfaction is so farre from being opposite to the freeness of Gods grace as it is the clearest and greatest evidence that ever was or can be given thereof More grace is manifested in Gods not sparing his Sonne but giving him to death for us then if by his supream authority and absolute prerogative he had forgiven our sinnes and saved our souls We that partake of the benefit of Christs death nor do nor can make any satisfaction at all For God to impute anothers satisfaction to us and to accept it for us is meer grace and that the rather because he that is true God even the proper Son of God made that satisfaction Thus we see how in working out our redemption Divine grace and justice meet together and sweetly kiss each other Iustice in reference to the Sonne of God who hath satisfied Gods justice to the full Grace in reference to us who neither have made nor can make any satisfaction at all Learn hereby to ascribe what thou hast or hopest for to grace and wholly rely thereupon It is the surest ground of comfort and safest rock of confidence that poor sinners can have Paul ascribes all in all to it 1 Cor. 15. 10. 1 Tim. 1. 14. He taketh all occasions of setting it forth yet never satisfieth himself therein He stileth it abundance of grace Rom. 5. 17. Exceeding abundant grace 1 Tim. 1. 14. Riches of grace Eph. 1. 7. Exceeding riches of grace Eph. 2. 7. Let us be like minded Let us acknowledge the grace of God to us and ascribe all the good we have thereunto Let us so deeply meditate thereon as we may be ravished therewith Let us so apply it to our selves as we may render all the praise of what we have or are able to do to this grace of God Had it not been by the grace and good pleasure of God no violence or force of man or devils could have brought Christ to die Did he not with a word of his mouth drive back those that came to apprehend him Ioh. 18. 6. He could have had more then twelve legions of Angels to defend him Matth. 26. 53. He was delivered by the determinate counsel of God Acts 2. 23. And this God did upon his free grace and good will towards man This moved Christ to lay down his life Joh. 10. 18. and to give himself
Christs death was sufficient to redeem every one In this respect it is said The blood of Christ cleanseth from all sinne 1 John 2. 7. 5. In regard of the impotency of all other means There is no other means to redeem man but the death of Christ so as every one that is redeemed is redeemed by his death In this respect saith this Lord I am the Lord and beside me there is no Saviour Isa. 43. 11. Where in a City there is but one Physician we use to say all that are sick are cured by him meaning all the sick that are cured §. 82. Of Gods impartiality THis in generall verifieth that which was of old affirmed by Moses Deut. 10. 17. by Elihu Job 34. 19. in Iehoshaphat 2 Chron. 19. 7. by Peter Acts 10. 35. by Paul Rom. 2. 11. and sundry others namely that with God is no respect of persons All sorts in all Nations whether male or female great or mean free or bond learned or unlearned rich or poor or what other outward difference may be betwixt them All are alike to God By this may every one be bold to apply Christs death to himself Hereof see more in The whole armour of God on Eph. 6 16. Treat 2. of Faith § 29 30 c. §. 83. Of Christs dying for us THe end of Christs death being thus set down for every man sheweth that it was man even mans good for whom and for which Christ died Rom. 5. 8. His birth his life his death were all for us children of men A Prophet who was a sonne of man thus setteth out Christs birth Unto us a Childe is born unto us a Sâ—… is given Isa. 9. 6. And an Angel speaking to sons of men thus Unto you is born â—… Saviour Luke 2. 11. The obedience of Christs life was also for us Rom. 5. 19. So he died for us 1 Thes 5. 10. The like is said of his buriall for in regard of the benefit which we receive from Christs buriall we are said to be buried with him Roâ—… 6. 4. Col. 2. 12. yea he was made sinne for us 2 Cor. 5. 21. and a curse for us Gal. 3. 12. For us he vanquished the devil Heb. 2. 14. The like also of his resurrection Rom. 4. 25. Of his ascension Iohn 14. 2. Of his intercession Rom. 8. 34. and oâ—… his abode in heaven Iohn 17. 24. All is for us Good ground we have hereupon to apply as other things of Christ so especially that which is here in particular expressed his death and to rest thereon as on a satisfaction for our sinnes and as the means of pulling out the sting of death 1 Câ—…r 15 55. and making it a sweet sleep to us 1 Thes. 4. 14 15. §. 84. Of the Resolution of Heb. 2. 9. But we see Iesus who was made a little lower then the Angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should tast deaâ—… for every man THe summe of this verse is The End of Christs humiliation This is set down by way of Answer to the Objection propounded in the former verse The Objection was against the supream Authority of Christ over 〈◊〉 creatures Of the Objection See § 68. The Answer hath reference unto two branches of the Objection One concerns the Person intended which was man meaning a meer man This the Apostle so yields unto as notwithstanding he affirmeth Jesus who was morâ—… then man to be so highly exalted as is mentioned in the Testimony The other concerns the evidence alleadged against the foresaid supream Authority which is thus set down We see not yet c. This he answereth by a distinction of sights to this purpose though with bodily eyes we can see no such matter yet we may with the eyes of our soul. See § 7â—… In setting down the foresaid end two points are distinctly expressed 1. A description of Christs humiliation 2. A declaration of the end thereof Christs humiliation is set down by the low degree thereof and that comparatively in reference to Angels thus Lower then Angels Hereof see § 64. The end is 1. Generally propounded 2. Particularly exemplified In the generall is declared 1. The end it self 2. The consequence that followeth thereupon The end it self is 1. Propounded in this word Death 2. Aggravated by this Epithete Suffering The consequence following was exaltation This is 1. Propounded in the metaphor of a Crown which implieth a royall dignity 2. It is amplified two waies 1. By the excellency of that Crown in this word Glory 2. By the esteem that others have of it in this word Honour Of these two words See § 60. In the particular exemplification of the end are set out 1. The manner of Christs partaking of death in this metaphor Tast. 2. The causes thereof Which are two 1. The procuring cause The grace of God 2. The finall cause For every man §. 85. Of Doctrines raised out of Heb. 2. 9. I. OBjections against truth are to be answered Thus such clouds as obscure truth will be removed Thus may men be kept from forsaking the truth This particle BUT intendeth the Doctrine See § 68. II. Christ is the Saviour of man For he is Iesus See § 73. III. Things supercelestiall may be seen Supercelestials are such as are above the starres even in the highest heaven where Jesus hath abode ever since his ascension There may we now see him namely with the eyes of the soul. See § 72. IV. Truths invisible are most sure to Beleevers They are Beleevers of whom the Apostle thus saith We see See § 72. Of Doctrines raised out of these words made a little lower then the Angels and out of these Crowned with glory and honour See § 65. V. Christ was incarnate that he might be a fit sacrifice See § 74 75. VI. Christ suffered unto death His death is here expresly mentioned VII Christs death was with great suffering It is here stiled the suffering of death See § 76. VIII Great glory followed upon Christs great suffering This phrase the suffering of death imports great suffering and this Crowned with glory great glory and the order of setting down these two shews that the later followed upon the former See § 74. IX Christs high dignity giveth proof of the subjection of all things under him The Apostle here proveth that subjection by Christs Dignity See § 74. X. Gods free grace was the procuring cause of Christs suffering for man This is here directly set down See § 78. XI Gods grace and Christs merit may stand together See § 78. XII Christ was not swallowed up of death XIII Christ actually and really died XIV Christ began the cup of death to us These three last Doctrines arise from this metaphor Tast. See § 80. XV. Christ died for all of all sorts See § 81. XVI Christ died not for himself See § 74. XVII God is no respecter of persons For he gave his Sonne
And this Christ led captivity â—…ptive Eph. 4. 8. And this He hath spoiled principalities and powers c. Col. 2. 1â—… For such is Satans might compared unto men such his malice as if he 〈◊〉 not thus destroyed no flesh would be saved Hereby we have evidence of the provident care of our Captain who knowing what flesh and blood it and what our enemies are hath first himself vanquished them and then provided sufficient armour for his children to stand safe against them Eph. 6. 12 c. This is a great comfort against the terrour of the devil Many fearfull and terrible things are written of him in the Scripture Observe in particular how he is described Eph. 6. 12. But this that he is destroyed by our Captain who did take part of flesh and blood is a great comfort to us who are flesh and blood This also is an incouragement to stand against him and to resist He is an enemy spoyled Hereupon an Apostle thus encourageth us Resist the devil and he will flie from you Jam. 4. 5. There is assurance of victory to such as beleeve If Satan get the upper hand it is by reason of our timorousnesse and want of faith As the Ancients by faith were made strong waxed valiant in sight turned to flight the armies of the aliens Heb. 11. 34. So may we in this spirituall combate with the devil The phrase of Christs leading captivity captive Eph. 4. 8. is spoken of our spirituall enemies and implieth that they are as captives chained so as Christ lets them out and puls them in as it pleaseth him If he suffer any of them to assault any of his children he himself will order the combate as seemeth good to himself He will suffer them to fight so long as he seeth cause if he espy an enemy ready to get an advantage he will quickly pull him back This is a great incouragement §. 142. Of that death whereof the devil hath power HE that Christ so destroyed is here said to have the power of death Death here is to be taken in the uttermost extent and to be applied to all kindes of death temporall spirituall and eternall For he was the originall cause and first authour of sin by which all these kindes of death came upon man Rom. 5. 12. By sinne mortality seized on man for God at first made mans body immortall By sinne man forfeited that Image of God wherein consisted his spirituall life Eph. 2. 1. By sinne man made himself guilty of eternall damnation Rom. 6. 23. This extent of death giveth evidence of the malicious and mischievous minde of Satan As in generall he aimed at mans destruction he was a murderer from the beginning for death is the destruction of a thing so he extended his malice as far as he could even to body and soul and that in this world and the world to come He contents not himself to annoy the body and that unto death but also vexeth and perplexeth the soul. Instance his dealing with Saul 1 Sam. 16. 14. yea he seeketh the eternall damnation of mans soul and body Thus much is comprised under this phrase he seeketh whom to devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. §. 143. Of that kinde of power which the devil hath over death THe Greek word whereby Satans power is set forth is somewhat emphaticall It is twelve times used in the New Testament and in every of those places except this attributed to God so as for the most part it sets out a Divine and Almighty power even the power of him that saith See now that I even I am he and there is no God with me I kill and I make alive Deut. 32. 39. 1 Sam. 2. 6. He it is of whom it is said after he hath killed he hath power to cast into hell Luke 12. 5. He that said I have the keys of hell and of death Rev. 1. 18. was true God Therefore here it sets out a subordinate power given by God to him that hath it Power was given to him that sat on the pale horse Rev. 6. 8. For as Christ said to Pilate Thou couldst have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above Joh. 19. 11. so the devil could have no power at all except it were given him from above But the power that is given him is a great power For power of death must needs be a great power What is stronger then death which overcomeâ—… all living creatures Who can stand against death In regard of the greatnesse of the power of the devil a wo was denounced to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea and this reason is rendred thereof for the dâ—… is come down unto you having great wrath Rev. 12. 12. Sundry are the respects wherein the devil may be said to have the power 〈◊〉 death 1. As he is the executioner of Gods just judgement He is in this regard as an Hangman who may be said to have the power of the Gallows because he hangeâ—… men thereon 2. As he is like an Hunter Fisher Fowler or Faulkner He hunteth fisheth and fowleth for the life not of unreasonable creatures only but also of reasonable men 3. As he is a thief and continually laieth wait for blood and seeks the precious life of mans body and soul. 4. As a continuall tempter to allure or drive men into sin and thereby to death Herein he spared not Christ himself Matth. 4. 1 c. As at first he dealt with the first man so ever since hath he dealt with his whole posterity This moved the Apostle to say I fear least by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through 〈◊〉 subtilty so your minde should be corrupted 2 Cor. 11. 3. 5. As he is an accuser of men hereof see more § 145. and as an adversary to presse Gods just Law against men and to call for judgement against them 6. As he is a tormentour for when he hath drawn men to sin he affrighteth them with the terrour of death and damnation In generall nothing is more terrible then death In this respect death is called the King of terrours Iob 18. 14. This kinde of power namely of death attributed to the devil 1. Sheweth wherein his strength especially lieth even in doing mischief and bringing men to destruction His power is to hurt men In this respect he hath names of destruction given unto him as in Hebrew Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon Rev. 9. 11. and he is styled a murderer Ioh. 8. 44. 2. It manifesteth the vile slavery and wofull bondage of the devils vassals They serve him who hath the power of death and doth what he can to bring all to death What can any expect from him but death The task that he puts on them is sinne the wages which he gives is death Rom. 6. 23. Herein such as having been rescued out of his power retain a lingring minde after it again are worse then the
be said to be bound One is the bond of Law as an obligation whereby a man stands bound to pay a debt The other is a bond of violence as when a man is bound by cords chains or other like means Act. 22. 30. In the former sense men are redeemed by payment of the debt which is a point of justice Thus Christ is said to redeem us by a price which was his own precious blood 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. In this respect another word is used which signifieth to buy and we are said to be bought 1 Cor. 6 20 7. 23. Thus Christ bought us of his Father and by giving his blood for our Redemption satisfied the justice of his Father In the later sense men are redeemed by might and force This is an act of power Thus Christ overcame that Tyrant that held us in bondage and so delivered us Hereof see § 141. This deliverance is here amplified by the extent of it for the benefit thereof extended to all of all sorts This is implied under these indefinite relatives them who The correllative in Greek implieth a generality It is translated sometimes as many as Matth. 14. 36. Sometimes all they that Luk. 4. 40. Sometimes whosoever Luk. 9. 5. This indefinite particle doth not intend that every one that was subject to the foresaid bondage was delivered but that there were none so deeply implunged therein and so fast held thereby but might be delivered by Christ. Of Christs dying for every man See § 81 82. Of all deliverances this here spoken of is the most admirable in the kinde and most beneficiall to us that partake of the benefit thereof Was the Israelites deliverance from the Egyptian bondage or from the Babylonish captivity a benefit worthy to be kept in perpetuall memory Surely then much more this There is as great a difference betwixt them and this as betwixt a tyrant that is but flesh and blood and Principalities and powers as betwixt earth and hell as betwixt temporary and everlasting The difference is greater then can be expressed whether we consider the bondage from which or the means by which we are delivered This deliverance was it which made that good old Priest which had been dumb when his mouth was opened thus to praise God Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people c. Luk. 1. 68 c. How ill doth it become those who think and professe that they are delivered to walk as slaves who are not delivered With great vehemency thus doth the Apostle protest to such This I say and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles c. Eph. 4. 17. Having changed our Master it is most meet that we should change our service The Law of nature and of Nations requireth as much Ye were sometime darknesse but now are ye light in the Lord walk as children of light Eph. 5. 8. This was the principall end for which Christ delivered us out of the hand of our enemies namely that we might serve him without fear in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the daies of our life We may not therefore any longer be servants of sin Rom. 6. 12. nor of Satan 1 Pet. 5. 9. nor of men 1 Cor. 7. 23. They who so do make void that for which Christ hath taken flesh and blood and therein by death destroyed the devil §. 153. Of the Resolution of Heb. 2. v. 14 15. 14. For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil 15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage IN these two verses is a description of Christs Kingly Office This is set out by two effects accomplished by his death so as a further proof is herein given of Christs humane nature united to his Divine Two points are hereabouts observable 1. A connexion of Christs Regall Function with his Propheticall in this phrase For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood 2. The demonstration of this Royall power The connexion sheweth a reason why Christ exercised his Kingly Office in maâ—… nature Namely because the children which God had given him were so In setting down this reason observe 1. The relation of the persons at whose good he aimed the children 2. Their constitution flesh and blood 3. Their participation therein are partakers In the demonstration of Christs Royall power is set down 1. The nature wherein he exercised it 2. The Acts whereby he manifested it About the foresaid nature is set down 1. The Person that assumed it He himself 2. The kinde of nature The same 3. The manner of assuming it He took part 4. His resemblance therein to others also likewise The Acts of his Royall Function are two 1. A conquest v. 14. 2. A deliverance v. 15. In setting down the conquest we may discern 1. The manner of expressing it by way of a finall cause That he might 2. The matter whereof it consisteth This setteth out 1. The kinde of conquest Destroy 2. The means whereby he accomplished it by death 3. The enemy conquered He is set out 1. By his power Him that had the power of death 2. By his name Devil The second Act of Christs Royall Function is set out as the former 1. By the manner of expressing it which is by way of a finall cause implied in this copulative and as if he had said And that he might 2. By the matter whereof it consisteth Herein is set down 1. The kinde of Act Deliver 2. The extent thereof Them who or whosoever 3. The parties delivered These are described by that miserable condition wherein they were before they were delivered This condition is set out two waies 1. By that fear wherein they are aggravated by the object thereof death 2. By that bondage wherein they were This is aggravated 1. By the straitness of the bond subject or fast held 2. By their continuance therein all their life time §. 154. Of the Observations collected out of Heb. 2. v. 14 15. I. MAns nature is of a frail constitution It is flesh and blood visible sensible mutable mortall corruptible See § 137. II. Saints are of the same constitution with others By the children are meant Saints and these are said to be partakers of flesh and blood See § 138. III. The Son of God became man This relative He himself hath reference to Christs eminency even as he was God See § 58. IV Christ voluntarily became man This word took part implieth as much See § 139. V. Christ would partake of the very same nature that others had So much is expressed under this phrase the same See § 139. VI. Because the rest of Gods children were flesh and blood
are sufficient to disprove the fore-said errour As for Christ himself it is expresly said That he rejoyced in Spirit Luk. 10. 21. which is the ground of true laughter This third errour is an uncomfortable errour which is enough to keep men from professing the Christian Religion An Errour in practice is of them who professe Faith and Hope in Christ and yet are alwayes dejected in Spirit walking heavily they will not be comforted nor made cheerfull These are in sundry respects to be blamed For 1. They give too great cause of justifying the errour last mentioned that rejoycing is unlawfull 2. They wrong themselves in making their life more miserable then otherwise it might be and putting away such comforts as God hath provided for them 3. They prejudice other weak ones in disheartning them They discourage such as have entred into the Christian list and deter such as have not entered from entering 4. They disgrace the holy Profession as if it were the most uncomfortable profession in the world 5. They dishonour God as if he were an hard Master So as no profit joy or comfort were to be found in serving him §. 67. Of Beleevers rejoycing JUst cause is here given to exhort and incite such as professe to have hope in 〈◊〉 to testifie the truth of their hope by rejoycing Rejoyce in the Lord alway 〈◊〉 again I say rejoyce Phil. 4. 4. Rejoyce evermore 1 Thess. 5. 16. None have such just and true cause of rejoycing The dignities honours pleasures profits and other like things wherein the men of this world rejoyce are vain like ice hail 〈◊〉 snow which waste in the handling They may be taken from us Iob 1. 21. 〈◊〉 we from them Luk. 12. 20. But Christians have matter of true rejoycing 〈◊〉 which is solid unutterable everlasting Among other Christian duties this is much pressed in Scripture Moses doth 〈◊〉 least ten times inculcate it in that last book which he uttered in the last month of 〈◊〉 age and that either by advice Deut. 33. 18. or by promise Deut. 12. 12. The sweet Singer of Israel hath ten times ten times in like manner pressed the same 〈◊〉 his Book of Psalms So other Prophets also call upon the people of God to rejoyce Isa. 66. 10. Zeph. 3. 14. Zech. 9. 9. So Christ Matth. 5. 12. and his Apostles Phil. 4. 4. 1 Pet. 4. 13. Iames 1. 9. yea and the Angels from Heaven Rev. 19. 7. None have greater cause of rejoycing then beleevers for their names are written in the book of life Luke 10. 20. Christ the greatest matter of rejoycing 〈◊〉 theirs they have a right to all that Christ did and endured for man yea to the things of this world and to Heaven it self As they have in these respects just cause of rejoycing so the blessed effects 〈◊〉 follow upon their rejoycing are forceable inducements to perform the 〈◊〉 For 1. By their rejoycing the Author and giver of joy is much glorified It shews that he is so kinde and good a Master every way as his servants much rejoyce 〈◊〉 him 2. It is a great inducement to draw on others who are without to like 〈◊〉 profession which causeth such rejoycing and themselves to take upon them 〈◊〉 profession 3. It sweetens our whole life It sweetens all that we do for preservation 〈◊〉 nature as eating drinking sleeping and other refreshings It sweetens the works of our calling It sweetens the duties of piety which we perform to God and the duties of justice and charity which we do to man It sweetens all â—…ner of sufferings it sweetens our very death-bed §. 68. Of Perseverance without intermission or revolt THat which maketh confidence and rejoycing a true sure and infallible evidence of being Christs house is Perseverance therein Therefore the Apostle addeth this Caution If we hold fast firm unto the end The Apostles expression is very emphatical There are three words used every of which imply the point intended 1. The Verb hold fast is in Greek a compound The simple Verb 〈◊〉 to have But this compound so to have it as never to let it go and this is to hold 〈◊〉 So is this word Heb. 10. 23. 1 Thess. 5. 21. 2. The Adjective translated a firm importeth such a stedfastnesse as can 〈◊〉 be taken away See more hereof Chap. 2. v. 2. § 11. It implieth an holding 〈◊〉 without intermission 3. This last clause unto the end shews that such a perseverance is here intended as will neither be interrupted nor clean broken off For the end here meant 〈◊〉 the last period of ones life So is the word taken vers 14. Matth. 10. 〈◊〉 Revel 2. 26. To shew that it implieth a perpetual continuing in a thing It is translated â—…nual Luk. 18. 5. and it is applied to such a perpetuity as is eternal Iohn 13. 1 Cor. 2. 8. The perseverance here set down is opposed to a double kinde of hypocrisie One of such as make shew of confidence and rejoycing by fits Sometimes they are exceeding bold and jocund other times they are full of fear and anguish They are like men sick of an ague sometimes well sometimes ill It fals out with such many times as notwithstanding their well dayes they die in a fit They deal with the graces of Gods Spirit as children do with a bird that they hold by a string sometimes they will hold it in and sometimes let it flie out So as the bird on a sudden they letting go their hold flies clean away This intermission argueth unsoundnesse and is contrary to the caution here prescribed The other is of such as repent their good beginnings and prove plain Apostates They are like such as having left their colours will be hanged rather then return to them again These are in a most wofull plight The last state of such a man is worse then the first Luk. 11. 26. 2 Pet. 2. 20. These are like Nebuchadnezzars Image whose head was of fine gold his feet part of iron and part of clay whereby it came to be broken to peeces Dan. 2. 32 33 34. Such were Saul Ioash Iudas and others whose end was memorable and miserable In this case I may use Christs Memento Remember Lots wife Luke 17. 32. §. 69. Of Motives to Perseverance IF divine exhortations to a grace and earnest disswasions from the contrary if earnest supplications for obtaining a grace and hearty gratulations for enjoying it If gracious promises made to a grace and fearfull denunciations against the want of it If a blessed recompence of those who have attained it and wofull revenge on those that have failed therein be motives of force to enforce a point forceable motives are not wanting to presse this point of Perseverance Many instances might be given out of Gods Word to exemplifie every of these Of each take one instance 1. For Exhortation 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2. For Disswasion Heb. 3. 12. 3. For
13 c. The disswasion may have an immediate reference to that which in the siâ—… 〈◊〉 verses of this Chapter is set down concerning Christs Propheticall Office 〈◊〉 the whole Divine testimony being included in a parenthesis this verse may be â—…ferred to the first particle of the 7th verse Thus Wherefore take heed c. See § â—… Or else it may have reference to this note of comparison AS v. 7. and then 〈◊〉 perspicuity sake the other particle of comparison SO be here prefixed in this 〈◊〉 ner As the holy Ghost saith c. So take heed c. Both references tend to 〈◊〉 same end The Apostle enforceth this admonition by this mild sweet insinuating 〈◊〉 brethren Here he seems to be jealous of them and to fear that they might 〈◊〉 Apostates Wherefore to make this bitter pill of jealousie and fear to be the 〈◊〉 taken he sweetens it with this title which is an especiall evidence of his entiâ—… 〈◊〉 to them and tender care over them This is yet more fully evidenced Gal. 4. 11 â—… Heb. 6. 9. Of this title Brethren See § 3 4. There it was shewed that exhortations are 〈◊〉 to be sweetned So are Admonitions 2 Thess. 3. 15. Commands 2 Thes. â—… Prohibitions Iam. 2. 1. Reprehensions Iam. 3. 10. and other like kinâ—… dealing For these are as fulsom potions and bitter pils they have need of â—…ning that they may the better relish Thus it is manifested that Commands Aâ—…nitions Prohibitions Reprehensions Fears and Jealousies do not proceed 〈◊〉 anger or hatred but from love and good will and tend not to the disgrace 〈◊〉 the good of those to whom they are applied That therefore which the Apostle in this kinde practised himself he gave in charge to his Successor 1 Tim. 5. 1. 2 Tim. 2. 25. and is to be observed of all that have power and occasion to command exhort disswade forbid and reprove others §. 122. Of circumspection in preventing Apostasie THe word whereby the Apostle setteth out his admonition properly signifieth to see It is applied in the New Testament both to corporall and also to spirituall sight See Chap. 2. v. 9. § 72. Seeing is an especiall means to avoid danger Blinde men that cannot see if they walk abroad without a guide are ready to rush upon every wall to knock themselves by every post to stumble at every block to fall into every ditch that iâ—… in the way where they passe and to implunge themselves into many other dangers Now because seeing is a means to prevent such mischiefs prudent care in avoiding danger is set out under this word See and it is thus translated in a spirituall sense Heb. 12. 25. It is also thus translated look to 2 Joh. 8. Beware Mar. 12. 38. Take heed Luke 21. 8. So here in this Text. It being here premised as a means to avoid backsliding and falling away sheweth that great circumspection must be used for preventing Apostacy yea and other sinnes also To this purpose is this caveat in this very word frequently used in the New Testament and in other like words and phrases both in the Old and New Testament as Deut. 4. 9 15. 29. 18. Prov. 4. 23 26. Matth. 16. 6. Rom. 11. 20. Heb. 4. 1. 12. 15. Great need there is of much circumspection in regard 1. Of sinne whereby men are brought to fall away 2. Of Satan who continually tempts men thereto 3. Of our selves who are too prone to decay 4. Of God who may be provoked to leave us to sinne Satan and our selves 1. For sinne it is exceeding deceitfull Therefore this Apostle attributeth unto it this Epithete Deceitfulness v. 13. Sinne never presents it self in its own colours but takes upon it the shape of some virtue or other as superstition the dress of Religion licentiousness of Christian liberty coveteousness of thriftiness prodigality of liberality and it ever makes some pretence of delight profit advancement or other like thing that gives content to man as Gen. 3. 6. 34. 23. Mark 12. 7. Prov. 7. 18. Herein it shews it self to be a brat of the devil and like to iâ—… Sire for Satan can translate himself into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. Sinne is also of a bewitching nature It insensibly soaks into a man as lust did into David 2 Sam. 11. 2. c. and when once it hath possessed a man that mans heart cannot be withdrawn from it as appears by Davids prosecuting his lust not only by committing adultery with Uriahs wife but also by making him druâ—…k and working his destruction 2 Sam. 11. 13 14. Yea it so bewitched Sampson as though he kâ—…ew that Delilah had consented to the Philistims to betray him into their hands yet he could not leave her Iudg. 16. 5 c. Even so many are so bewitched with sinne as though they know it will cost them both their temporall and eternall life yet they cannot give it over See more of sinnes deceitfulnesse § 148. 2. For Satan he is a mortall enemy unplacable sedulous restlesse and very terrible All these are set forth to the life in these words Your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. 1. His name devil declares him to be an accuser and therein one that seeketh all the advantages that he can against us 2. He is an adversary who will do us all the spight he can as an adversary in Law 3. He is as a lion strong ravenous fierce and cruell 4. He is as a roaring lion doing what he can to affright us and make us yield to him 5. He walketh up and down Herein he shews himself to be sedulous yea and restless Matth. 12. 43. 6. He seeks whom he may devour This declares him to be a deadly enemy He aims at our death even the damnation of our souls It there not just cause to be very watchfull against such an enemy 3. For our selves We are exceeding foolish like the silly fish that by a 〈◊〉 soon taken with the hook By reason of the flesh that is in us we are prone 〈◊〉 forward to yield to every temptation as dry tinder soon takes the least spark 〈◊〉 fire and as gunpowder taking the least spark is soon all on a flame so we 〈◊〉 nature are soon taken with the least temptation and soon set all on fire 〈◊〉 there is in us a naturall pronenesse of our selves to decay in grace and to fall 〈◊〉 it as in a stone weight of lead or any other earthy and heavy thing to fall â—…ward if continually by some means or other it be not held up or as water to 〈◊〉 cold if fire be not continually kept under it 4. For God he is oft provoked by mens security and carelesnesse to leave 〈◊〉 to the temptations whereunto they are subject which if he do how can we 〈◊〉 Take instance in this case of
appeared to be so Of the word here used See more Chap. 10. 29. § 108. §. 14. Of the Resolution and Observations of Heb. 4. 1. 1. Let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entring into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it THe Summe of this Text is A Caveat against Backsliding Two points are hereabout to be observed 1. The Inference Therefore 2. The Substance Of the Substance there are two parts 1. An Admonition 2. An Incitation to observe it 1. The matter of the Admonition is in this word Fear 2. The manner is manifested in the first person and plurall number Let us In laying down the Incitation the Apostle demonstrateth 1. The ground 2. The damage of Backsliding The ground is expressed in this phrase A promise being left Here observe 1. Their Deficiency Left c. 2. The Subject thereof which was a promise Their Deficiency is set out 1. By the thing promised Rest. 2. By the kinde of Rest His namely Gods 3. By the fruition they might have had thereof entring into 2. The Damage is 1. Generally implied in this particle of supposition Lest. 2. Particularly exemplified In the Exemplification are set down 1. The kinde of damage Comeshort 2. The persons who incur that damage Any of you 3. The time At any time 4. The extent of avoiding it in this word Seem Doctrines I. We must be warned by others harms For this end the Apostle inferreâ—… 〈◊〉 Admonition on judgements executed upon the Israelites Therefore See Chap. 3â—… § 89. II. Admonishers of others must admonish themselves The Apostle in using the â—…ral number admonisheth others and using the first person he admonisheth 〈◊〉 self Let us See § 3. III. Christians must be fearfull of falling away This is it whereabout we are 〈◊〉 joyned to fear See § 5. IV. There is a Rest for Gods people This is here taken for grant under this 〈◊〉 Rest. See § 6. V. The rest prepared for Saints is Gods rest This relative HIS hath refereâ—… God See § 9. VI. The good intended to Gods people is promised to them This also is here takâ—… grant under this word A promise See § 6. VII It is dangerous to leave a promise This is here laid down as the groâ—… missing the promise See § 8. VIII We must be circumspect This word of Caution Lest intends as 〈◊〉 See § 5. IX Our circumspection must be over our selves and others impartially 〈◊〉 § 10. X. Apostates fail of the prize This Metaphor Come short intends this 〈◊〉 § 11. XI We must so run that we may obtain We are here fore-warned not to 〈◊〉 short See § 12. XII Appearance of backesliding is to be avoided We may not seem to come 〈◊〉 See § 13. §. 15. Of the inference of the 2d V. on the first Verse 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them but the 〈◊〉 preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heard it THe Apostle presseth his former Admonition of fearing the like judgeâ—… that was inflicted on the Israelites by the like means of stedfastnesse 〈◊〉 to us that was afforded to them The Argument may be thus framed They who have like priviledges may expect the like judgements that 〈◊〉 inflicted on them that perverted the priviledges But we Christians have the same priviledges that the Israelites had Therefore we Christians may expect the like judgements if we 〈◊〉 the priviledges The particular priviledge wherein the Apostle exemplifieth his Argument 〈◊〉 Gospel preached It was preached to the Israelites and it is preached to 〈◊〉 stians That this common priviledge is here brought in as a reason to enforce the 〈◊〉 mer Admonition is evident by the two first particles a For Also or For 〈◊〉 It becomes us therefore well to use that priviledge and means of salvation which God still affordeth to us as he had afforded to the Israelites lest by our failing therein we provoke God to deal with us as he hath dealt with others on the like ground See more hereof on Chap. 3. vers 11. § 113. §. 16. Of the blessing of the Gospel THis phrase The Gospel was preached is the interpretation of one Greek word which may be thus translated Gospellized or Evangellized the persons being added thereto thus We are Evangellized This is a Grecism used again v. 6. Mat. 11. 5. Our English hath fully and fitly interpreted the meaning of the Grecisme thus Unto us was the Gospel preached The Verb is a compound The simple Verb signifieth to declare as to bring a message tidings or news The Adverb with which it is compounded signifieth well in composition good as to declare a good message to bring good tidings Of the notation and sense of this word See The whole Armour of God on Ephes. 6. 15. Treat 2. Part. 5. § 4. See also Chap. 6. § 35. Chap. 13. v. 9. § 117. This relative US unto us hath reference to the Church in and since Christs time For we are here set down in opposition to them that lived under the Law The compound Verb intendeth two things 1. That the Gospel is the ground of faith It was for this end made known to the Israelites and Christians Of the Gospel working faith See The whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 16. Of Faith Treat 2. Part. 6. § 19 21. 2. That preaching the Gospel is the most usual and powerfull means to work faith See Chap. 2. v. 3. § 23. The force of the foresaid reason intends a third point 3. That where the Gospel is preached Faith Obedience and Perseverance in our Christian course This is it which the Apostle presseth to restrain us from the sinnes whereinto the Israelites fell and to keep them from backsliding and by consequence to make them faithfull in their holy profession This motive did the fore-runner of Christ and Christ himself use for that end in these words Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand Mat. 3. 2. 4. 17. So did Christs Apostles after him Act. 2. 38 39. 17. 30. By preaching the Gospel offer is made of remission of sins of reconciliation with God and of eternal salvation Good reason therefore that Repentance Faith and new Obedience are to be yielded To refuse to yield to the Gospel is to reject the counsel of God against ones self Luk. 7. 30. Just cause have we well to observe what by the Gospel is required and expected In what age of the world in what Nation in what City and place hath the Gospel been more plentifully perspiculously and powerfully preached then among us §. 17. Of the Gospel preached before Christs time as well as since THe former Argument the Apostle yet further enforceth by comparing the estate of Christians with the estate of the Israelites in this phrase As well as unto them This intends thus much that the Gospel was preached to Christians as
derived useth to be applied to such as are in great distresse as to blinde men Matth. 9. 27. to men affrighted and in danger Matth. 14. 26 30. to a woman in travell Revel 12. 2. to lamenters of great desolations Revel 18. 18 19. to such as 〈◊〉 others destruction and to such as seek pardon for others sinnes Acts 7. 57 60. There is also another Verb derived from this Noun that carrieth a greater emphasis and is attributed to the woman who cried after Jesus for her childe grievously vexed with a devil Matth. 15. 22. to them that would have 〈◊〉 crucified Ioh. 18. 40. 19. 6 15. and to them that would have Paul destroyed Act. 22. 23. yea it is used to set out Christs cry at the raising of 〈◊〉 Ioh. 11 43. This Noun is applied to that cry which was raised about the dissention 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Sadduces Acts 23. 9. To the Angell that called for Divine â—…geance Rev. 14. 18. and to the cry that shall be at Christs coming to judgement Matth. 25. 6. Thus the word it self intendeth vehemency and ardency Whether we take crying for extension of voice for so much is noted of 〈◊〉 on the Crosse Matth. 27. 46. and it may be that he did so in his agony in the Gaâ—…den Matth. 26. 39. or to the inward extention earnestnesse and 〈◊〉 of his spirit as Exod. 14. 15. Psal. 119. 145. Lam. 2. 18. It implieth one and the same thing namely ardency in prayer Christ manifested his ardency both waies by voice Matth. 27. 46. in spirit Luk. 22. 44. To shew further that it was more then ordinary ardency this epithere strong is 〈◊〉 thereunto This epithete is derived from a Noun that signifieth power Thence a Verb 〈◊〉 signifieth to be able It useth to be applied to such things as are extraordinarily 〈◊〉 as a strong man Mat. 12. 29. a strong winde Mat. 14. 30. a strong or mighty 〈◊〉 Luk. 15. 14. a strong or mighty City Rev. 18. 10. a strong or mighty thunâ—… Revel 19. 6. a strong Angel Revel 5. 2. and to the strong Lord Revel 18. 8. Strong crying then implieth an extraordinary great crying This is yet further illustrated by adding tears thereunto For tears are signs of 〈◊〉 prayer Of this see The whole Armour of God Treat 3. Part. 2. Of 〈◊〉 on Ephes 6. 18. § 97. Tears are an effect of inward anguish Ier. 31. 15. They are attributed to the anguish of hell Matth. 8 12. §. 38. Of Christs grievous Agony IN these words With strong crying and tears the Apostle hath an especial relation to Christs Agony partly in the Garden and partly on the Crosse. Christs tears are not mentioned in his Agony Yet on other occasions they are â—…entioned For he wept at Lazarus grave Iohn 11. 35. and he wept over Ieruâ—… Luk. 19 41. As for Christs Agony it may be well supposed that he also then shed tears For 〈◊〉 is not credible that he which wept at the fore-sight of Ierusalems calamity had â—…ry eyes in his own bitter Agony Can we think that his sweat should be as it 〈◊〉 great drops of bloud Luk. 22. 44. and that no tears should gush out of his eyes It doth not follow that he shed no tears because no mention is made thereof Many other things did Iesus which are not written John 20. 30. That which the Apostle here saith of Christs strong crying and tears gives evidence of the great anguish that Christ endured Christ had not a childish womanish faint spirit Never any so manfully endured so much as Christ did If other circumstances be compared with these it will appear that never such effects of anguish were manifested in any other To omit his falling to the ground and groveling thereon his falling down to prayer and rising up again and again his bloudy sweat the matter of his prayer If it be possible let this Cup passe Why hast thou for saken me and the descent of an Angel to strengthen him All which do shew that never any mans agony was 〈◊〉 to his Beside these evidences the Scripture saith That at the time of his Agony he began to be sorrowfull to be sore troubled and to be very heavy and that in his Agony his soul was exceeding sorrowfull even unto the death Matth. 26. 30 39. Mâ—…k 14. 33 34. and troubled Joh. 12. 27. Hence it appears that Christs anguish was very great The cause hereof was our sinne and the just desert of it For he became our surety and took upon him our debt In this respect it is said That he was made sinne for us 2 Cor. 5. 21. And that he hath born our griefs and carried our sorrows Isa. 53. 3 c. yea it is said That he was made a curse for us Gal. 3 13. In this case two things caused his foresaid Agony 1. The weight of the burden that lay upon him 2. The weaknesse of his humane nature 1. The weight must needs be great for it was the punishment of all the sins of all the Elect. Sinne being committed against God hath a kinde of infinite hainousnesse and the punishment must be proportionable The punishment is Gods wrath and thereupon infinite The reprobate because they are not able to stand under it themselves nor have any to hear it for them lie eternally under it Obj. Christ was the Sonne of Gods love and never provoked his wrathâ—… How then could it lie upon him Answ. 1. To speak properly God was never angry with his Sonne nor did his wrath lie upon him but rather the effects thereof God was as well pleased with the person of his Sonne even then when he was in his greatest Agony and said Why hast thou forsaken me as he was at his Baptism and transfiguration when he said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased 2. We must distinguish betwixt the person and undertaking of Christ Though Christ in his Person was the beloved Sonne of God yet by his undertaking to be a Surety he stood in the room of sinners and though he himself never provoked Gods wrath yet they whose Surety he was had provoked it and for their sakesâ—… endured the heavy burthen thereof Object 2. The effects of Gods wrath for sin is to be cast into hell to lie in â—…nesse to be tormented with fire and all this everlastingly Answ. The place the distinct kindes of torments and other like circumstances are but accidents belonging to the punishment of sinne God can in any place maâ—… the creature feel the fiercenesse of his wrath As for darknesse fire worm and other like expressions of hell torments they are but metaphors to aggravate 〈◊〉 torment in our apprehensions Concerning the Eternity of hels torment it is because the damned are not able to bear it in time and they have none to deliver thâ—… But Christ being supported by his Divine power was able at once to
dead workes THe first of the foresaid principles is thus expressed Repentance from dead works By dead works are meant all manner of sins which are so stiled in regard of their cause condition and consequence 1. The cause of sin is privative the want of that spirit which is the life of the soul as the want of life is the cause of putrefaction Men that are without that spirit are said to be dead in sin They must needs be dead works which come from dead men Eph. 2. 1. 2 The condition of sin is to be noisome and stinking in Gods nostrils as dead carrion Psal. 38. 5. 3. The consequence of sin is death and that of body and soul temporall and eternall Rom. 5. 12. and 6. 23. Repentance implieth a turning from those workes The severall notations of the word in all the three learned languages imply a turning The Hebrew noune is derived from a verb that signifieth to turn and is used Ezek. 33. 11. The Greek word according to the notation of it signifieth a change of the minde 〈◊〉 change of counsell So the Latine word also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 componuntur ex prepositione 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod significat post Act. 15. 13 Prior vox 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 componitur ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mens Tit. 1. 15. seu intellectâ—… Phil. 4. 7. Inde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intelligo confidero Matth. 24. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 post vel iâ—…erum considero ut ij solent quos hujus vel illius facti poenitet Est igitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 posterior cogitatio qualis suit in Prodigo Luc. 15. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 convertâ—… vel convertor tanquam Synonyma conjunguntur Act. 3. 19. 26. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 componitur ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cura est Est impersonale Inde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 poeniteâ—… Impersonale Est enim poenitentia posterior cura Solemus nos pâ—…itere alicujus facti cum animum id attentius expendentes cura solicitudo subit Hinc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 poenitentia ducor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exponitur apud alios authores mutatio consilij sed nunquam legitâ—…â—… novo Testamento Alij componunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 meditor 1 Tim. 4. 15. Ita ut significet iterum vel postea meditor ut senior filius Matth. 21. 29. In generall repentance implieth a reformation of the whole man It presupposeth knowledge sense sorrow and acknowledgement of sin but yet these mâ—…e not up repentance For they may all be where there is no true repentance Iâ—…das had them all yet was he not reformed He retained a murtherous mind foâ—… he murthered himself Reformation makes a new man A man turnes from what he was to what he was not This the Apostle thus expresseth to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God Act. 26. 18. From this ground there are made two parts of repentance 1. Mortification whereby we die to sin Sin is like the Egyptian darkness which extinguished all lights it is like thornes in the ground which soak out all the life thereof Sin therefore must be first mortified 2. Vivification which is a living in righteousness If grace be not planted in the soul it will be like the ground which will send forth weeds of it self The soresaid reformation is of the whole man For the minde seeth a necessâ—…y thereof the will pursueth it the heart puts to an holy zeale and the outward parts help to accomplish it Therefore repentance consisteth not simply in sins leaving a man for a prodigall when he hath spent all may cease to be prodigall and an old adulterer when his strength is ceased may forbear his adulterous acts but in these and others like them though the act be forborn the inordinate desire may remain Nor doth repentance consist in leaving some sins onely So did Herod Mar. 6. â—… Nor in turning from one sin to another as from prophaness to superstition so did they whom the Pharisees made Proselytes Matth. 23. 15. Nor in a meer ceasing to do things unlawfull so may such as are idle on the Sabbath day The speciall principles that are comprised under this first head have reference either to the expression of dead workes or of repentance from them They are such as these 1. Man by nature is dead in sin Eph. 2. 1. Tit. 1. 16. though he live a nâ—…rall life 1 Tim. 5. 6. 2. All the acts of a naturall man are dead workes His thoughts words and deeds though they may seem never so fair Gen. 6. 5. Tit. 1. 15. for they are 〈◊〉 of dead men 3. The end of all a naturall man doth is death Rom. 6. 16. 4. There is a necessity of mans being freed for there must be repentance from deâ—… workes He were better not be then not be freed Repentance is necessary for freedome from dead works Luk. 13. 3 5. for this end knowledge sense sorrow desire resolution and endeavour to forbear dead workes are requisite Under this first head is comprised whatsoever is meet to be taught in a Cateâ—…hisme of the law rigour and curse thereof of sin the kinds and issue thereof of death and the severall sorts of it of all mans misery and impotency of repentance of the nature necessity and benefit thereof of meanes and motives to atâ—…in it and signes to know it §. 9. Of principles concerning God THe second principle is this Faith towards God By vertue of this principle they were instructed in two great points One concerning God The other concerning Faith God is here to be considered essentially in regard of his divine nature or personally in reference to the three distinct persons Father Son Holy-Ghost In the former respect they were taught what God is what his divine properties what his workes In the latter respect they were taught the distinction betwixt the three persons and that in regard of order and kind of workes which are to beget to be begotten and to proceed and also in their distinct manner of working the Father by the Son and Holy-Ghost the Son from the Father by the Holy-Ghost the Holy-Ghost from the Father and the Son Concerning the Father they were taught that he is the primary fountain of all good that he sent his Son to save the world Ioh. 3. 17. that he gave the comâ—…orter which is the Holy-Ghost Ioh. 14. 16 26. Concerning the Son they were instructed in his two distinct natures and the union of them in one person which was God manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. and in his three offices which were King Priest and Prophet A King to gather preserve and protect his Church A Priest to make
fore-runner This act of Christ being premised immediatly before his Priest-hood sheweth that heaven is the place where Christ continueth to exercise his Priest-hood 1. That was prefigured by the most holy place Heb. 9. 11. 2. There is the mercy seat or throne of grace whereon his Father sitteth Heb. 8. 1. 3. That is the only place of true happinesse 4. That was shâ—…t against us by our sins but Christ by his own blood entred in thither 〈◊〉 obtained eternall redemption for us Heb. 9. 12. See more hereof Chap. 4. v. 14. § 84 85. To move us the rather to apply this entring of Chrinst into heaven unto our selves the Apostle here expresly saith that he did it for us So as a main end of Christs entring into heaven was for our good As he came down from heaven for our good so for the same end he entred into heaven again Indeed for us and for our good he did and endured all that he did and endured See Chap. 2. v. 9. § 83. In particular he entred into heaven for us 1. To prepare places for us Iohn 14. 2. and 12. 26. 2. To make continuall intercession for us Rom. 8. 34. 3. To make us partaker of his own glory Iohn 17. 24. Rev. 3. 21. 2 〈◊〉 2. 〈◊〉 We are utterly unable of our selves to enter into heaven Ioh. 3. 13. Therefore Christ ascended for us to open a passage for us and to bring us thither 1. This putteth a difference betwixt the ascension of Christ and of others 〈◊〉 ascend thither Christ ascended by his own power and for the good of others But all others that inter into heaven entred by vertue of Christs entring 〈◊〉 and for themselves This phrase God hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Iesus Eph. 2. 6. is very emphaticall and 〈◊〉 that we are not only in hope but indeed entred into heaven in the person of Christ and that by vertue of our neer union with him 2. This is a strong motive to believe in Christ. If Christ did all for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not then good reason for us to apply what Christ did and suffered to our selves Meditate hereon for strengthning your faith If we apply not to our selves 〈◊〉 Christ did we do not only lose the benefit of all but also we make void as 〈◊〉 as in us lyeth the main end of Christs entring 3. From the particular we may receive a general direction to apply to our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ himself so his offices actions natures properties value and vertue of what he did and endured for all was for us 4. This ministreth singular comfort against all the troubles which in this 〈◊〉 we are subject unto Let not your hearts be troubled saith Christ in my Fathers 〈◊〉 are many mansions and I go to prepare a place for you John 14. 1 2. Thus Christ comforteth his Disciples against troubles upon this consideration that he himself as a fore-runner entred into heaven for their sakes even to prepare places for them On this ground we may support our selves against trouble because Christ in heaven prepareth a rest for us and we have no cause to fret at the honours wheâ—… unto wicked men are advanced in this world in that Christ prepares honour enough 〈◊〉 us in heaven 5. This sheweth the reason of the assurance of our hope that is an Anchor caâ—… within the vaile namely because Christ hath entred thither for us that we should be made partakers of the happinesse there enjoyed For this cause doth the Apostle here make mention of Christs entring thither for us This assurance then ariseth not from our selves but from that order and meanes which God hath appointed and afforded to us That we might not be mistaken about the foresaid fore-runner and his entring into heaven for us the Apostle doth expresly name him under this title Iesus which signifieth a Saviour and this amplifieth all the fore-mentioned points that the forerunner is a Saviour and he that entred into heaven for us as a Saviour Upon such a ground did this Apostle thus set down Iesus by name Chap. 4. v. 14. § 86. Of this name Iesus See Chap. 2. v. 9. § 73. §. 161. Of Christ a Priest after the order of Melchisedec THe latter part of this verse in these words made an High-Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec is a pertinent and perfect transition betwixt the Apostles digression and his description of Christs Priest-hood Of his digression See Chap. 5. v. 11. § 57. This transition eyeth both that which went before and that which followeth In reference to that which he had delivered about the fore-runners entring into heaven he hear sheweth what an one he was even the only true High-Priest who is for us in things pertaining to God Hereby the benefit of Christs entring 〈◊〉 is much amplified In reference to that which followeth this transition layeth down the sum of the Apostles large discourse about Christs Priest-hood He doth here resume the very words at which he brake off his fore-mentioned discourse Chap. 5. v. 10. that thereby we might the better discern how he returnes to his sonner matter and proceeds therein This is the third time that this testimony of Christs Priest-hood hath been alledged namely Chap. 6. v. 6. and 10. and here And it is twice more mentioned in the next Chap. v. 17. and 21. Yea twice more hint thereof is given Chap. 7. â—… 11 15. It is a testimony that setteth down sundry remarkable points about Christs Priest-hood as 1. The warrant that Christ had to execute this function in this word made which by the Apostle himself is thus explained called of God Chap. 5. v. 10. § 54. Christ was deputed by God to this excellent function That this word made implyeth a deputation or ordination to a function is shewed Chap. 5. v. 5. § 24. Where this word made is used to the same purpose 2. The kinde of function expressed in this word Priest That Christ was a true Priest is proved Chap. 2. v. 17. § 172. 3. The dignity of that function in this word high which declareth that Christ was the chiefest of Priests see Chap. 2. v. 17. § 173. 4. The everlasting continuance of this function For he is here said to be a Priest 〈◊〉 ever See Chap. 5. v. 6. § 29. 5. The singular kind of Priest-hood for this phrase after the order implieth a peculiar kind of function 6. The eminency of Christs Priest-hood for the mention of this person Melchisedec sheweth that Christs Priest-hood was of all the most eminent He was such an one as never any like him Of the two last points See Chap. 5. v. 6. § 30. §. 162. Of the resolution of Heb. 6. 19. 20. THe sum of these two verses is A description of Christian hope Of the description there are two parts One setteth out the use of hope The other the qualities of
leaving any good undone or evilly performing the good which we take in hand For they are all expresly against the Covenant of Works 4. For all the effects of Gods wrath which fall on us ours or others in body or soul here or hereafter They are all caused by transgressing the Covenant of works 3. The Covenant of works giveth direction about two things especially 1. To acquaint our selves with that Covenant because it contains a perfect and everlasting rule of righteousnesse and sheweth what is good what evil what lawful what unlawful so as thereby we may learn what is the will of God Rom. 7. 12. It also setteth out sin to the life so as thereby we may know the horror thereof Rom. 7. 7. and 3. 20. 2. To examine our selves thereby Isaiah 8. 20. This is that glasse which will shew unto us every spot upon our soul. 4 That Covenant affords matter of gratulation in two especial respects 1. For Gods great and good respect to man in giving his Son to be our Surety who in our nature and in our stead even for us perfectly fulfilled that Covenant of works Rom. 8. 3. and endured to the full the curse which we had deserved that we might be freed from the same Gal. 3. 13. 2. For Gods special care over his Elect called by the Gospel and believing in Christ whom he hath freed from the Covenant of Works so as they are neither to be justified thereby for then would they not be justified at all nor yet to stand to the condemning doome thereof for then should we be all condemned 5. That Covenant gives us just ground of denying our selves For the Covenant of works plainly demonstrateth that there is nothing in us and that nothing can be done by us which may abide the tryall of that Covenant for nothing is done according to the rule thereof By it we may see that all our righteousnesses are as filthy raggs Isaiah 64. 6. And that all the World is guilty before God Rom. 3. 19. §. 45. Of the Covenant of Grace THe Covenant of Grace is Gods compact with Christ to save such as beleeve and repent That this Covenant may be the more distinctly and fully conceived I will endeavour to set forth 1. The Titles in Scripture attributed to it 2. The Authour of it 3. The procuring cause thereof 4. The Mediator in whom it was made 5. The time when it was made 6. The occasion of making it 7. The parties with whom it was made 8. The good that was promised therein â—… The duties required thereby 1â—… The ratification of it 1. The Titles given to it are in special foure 1. A Covenant of Peace So it is stiled Ezek. 34. 25. and 37. 26. By Peace is meant Reconciliation with God for Adams transgression caused enmity betwixt God and man But by this covenant that enmity is put away and peace made Hereupon the Mediator that caused that peace is stiled the Prince of Peace Isaiah 9. 6. and Christ is said to be our peace Eph. 2. 14. 2. A Covenant of Life Mal. 2. 5. for life even eternal life is the main thing promised in this Covenant 3. A Covenant of Salt Numb 18. 19. Salt maketh things long continue It here implies a perpetuity The perpetuity of this Covenant is in opposition to the Covenant of Works which was soon disanulled 4. An everlasting Covenant Isai. 55. 3. This sheweth the extent of the aforesaid perpetuity that it shall never have end Ier. 33. 20 21. 2. The Authour of this Covenant is God considered as a Father propitious 〈◊〉 ready to receive man though a transgressor into grace and savour Deut. 32. â—… Though there be the same Authour of the Covenant of Works and Grace yet in â—…aking the one and the other Covenant he may admit a double consideration The consideration of a Creator and Lord in the former but the consideration of a Father and Saviour in the latter 3. The procuring Cause was Gods free Grace Mercy and Compassion Gods 〈◊〉 pleasure and meer will was the cause of the former not any worth or deâ—… in man But now man was in misery in such misery as all the Creatures in the World were not able to deliver him The Lord thereupon pittyed man and in 〈◊〉 compassion entered into this other Covenant with him Ezek. 16. 4 5 6. c. 〈◊〉 doth much amplyfie this other Covenant of Grace 4. The Mediator with whom the Covenant of Grace was made is Christ Jesus God-Man for there was not only an infinite distance betwixt the Creator and creaâ—… as in mans first estate but also plain contrariety betwixt the pure holy righteous God and impure unholy unrighteous sinners so as God could not with clear evident and full satisfaction of justice enter into a Covenant immediatly with man faln without a Mediator neither could there be any other Mediator then Christ God-Man 1 Tim. 2. 5. 5. The time when this Covenant was first made was anon after the former Covenant was broken And it is observable that before the Judgement against the Man or the Woman was denounced this Covenant of Grace was entered into Gen. 3. 15. This God so ordered that man might be kept from despair upon hearing of the doom but that notwithstanding the Judgement he might have hope of pardon 6. The occasion which God took to enter into this Covenant of Grace was Mans transgression whereby both the infinite riches of Gods mercy was more magnifyed and also the unsearchable depth of his wisdom more manifested Had God made such an inviolable Covenant of Grace before man fell into misery nor his pitty not his justice nor his power nor his wisdom had been so manifested as now they are 7. The parties with whom God made the Covenant of Grace were sinners such as not only had deserved no favour from God as neither man in his innocency had but also had deserved the extremity of Gods wrath and indignation to be executed upon them This also doth much amplifie the Covenant of Grace 8. The good promised by this Covenant was 1. Freedom from all that misery whereinto man by sin had implunged himself 2. A greater degree of happinesse and a farre more glorious estate then that which was promised in the first Covenant This was by reason of Gods giving Christ to man and man to Christ By vertue whereof they are so united as Christ liveth in man here Gal. 2. 20. and man liveth with Christ for ever hereafter 1 Thes. 4. 17. 9. The duties required in this Covenant are faith and repentance Mark 1. 15. Faith is required to give evidence to the free grace of God for faith is but as an instrument or hand to receive that which God freely and graciously offereth unto us Iohn 1. 12. Repentance is required to give evidence to the purity of God who though he do freely
conâ—…er grace upon sinners yet he suffereth them not to continue in sin Rom. 6. 1 2. Vnder Repentance all sanctifying graces are comprised that tend to mortification and vivfiâ—…cation which are the two parts of repentance Repentance required by virtue of the Covenant of grace is to be considered as a qualification for participation of that glory which God hath freely promised for the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 9. no unclean thing shall enter into it Rev. 21. 27. Besides Faith and repentance are not so in mans power as that obedience was which by the former Covenant was required of him God by his Spirit worketh encreaseth and continueth these graces in us Jer. 31. 33. Ezek. 11. 19 20. 10. The ratification of this Covenant is manifold It is ratifyed 1. By Gods word and promise Gen. 3. 15. 2. By Gods Oath Deut. 29. 12 14. Isa. 54. 9 10. 3. By Sacraments whereof God had divers in the several ages of his Church as the Ark in Noahs time 1 Pet. 3. 21. Circumcision enjoyned to Abraham and his seed Gen. 17. 10. the Passeover under the Law Exod. 12. 11. Their passing through the red Sea The Cloud Manna The Rock in the Wildernesse 1 Cor. 10. 2. c. Baptisme and the Lords Supper under the Gospel Mat. 28. 19. 26. 26. 4. Christs blood and that typified before his exhibition by sundry sacrifices even from the beginning Gen. 4. 4. and actually shed upon the Crosse. Ioh. 19. 34. §. 46. Of the uses of the covenant of grace THe covenant of grace is of singular use for instruction consolation incitation direction and gratulation 1. It instructeth us in Gods special love to man Man was a sinner and retained a rebellious disposition against God when God made the foresaid covenant of grace with him There was no reason that could be found in man to move God hereunto VVhen we were enemies we were reconciled Man neither offered to God nor desired of God any attonement The whole cause therefore resteth in God even in his free grace and undeserved love This love of God to man the Apostle layeth down as the true reason of the covenant of grace Tit. 3. 4 5. See more hereof in a plaster for the plague on numb 16. 46. § 34. 2. It instructeth us in the desperate condition of those that reject this covenant of grace and still stand at odds with God This is to count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing which is a great aggravation of sin Heb. 10. 29. That blood which is there intended is the blood of the Sonne of God shed to ransom us from our 〈◊〉 It is the most precious thing that could have been offered up to the Creator and to man the more precious because it was the blood of the covenant that is that blood whereby Gods covenant with man for remission of sins reconciliation with God all needful grace and eternal blisse is sealed up Thus the covenant was made a Testament that is unalterable and inviolable Heb. 9. 16 17. so as that blood was most precious in it self and to man most useful and beneficial To count this an unholy thing cannot be but a great aggravation of sin The word which the Apostle useth in this aggravation which we translate unholy properly signifieth common which implyeth that those persons do account it to have no more virtue and efficacy then any other blood In the law-phrase things prophane and unholy were called common Mark 7. 2. 2. The Covenant of grace affordeth singular comfort to poor sinners who on apperhension of their sinfulness and unworthinesse fear least they should be utterly 〈◊〉 off But let such call to mind this Covenant of grace how God for his own 〈◊〉 on his free grace and favour hath entered into Covenant with men to give 〈◊〉 life in Christ requiring nothing of them but that they reach out the hand of 〈◊〉 to receive this grace and to repent of their former rebellions against him to come into him and to accept of attonement and reconciliation Poor penitent 〈◊〉 whose hearts are broken with sight and sense of sin and beleeve in Christ 〈◊〉 from hence receive much comfort See more hereof in a plaster for the plague on 〈◊〉 16. 46. § 36. 3. We may be incited with an holy boldnesse and confidence to go to Gods throne of grace and there to seek grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. God 〈◊〉 entered into a Covenant of Grace and given a Mediator who is also a Surety see chap. 7. v. 22. § 93. We may therefore take courage to our selves and not fear to go to the Throne of Grace 4. The said Covenant affordeth us a good direction in our addresses and accesses to God which is to have the eye of our soul fast fixed upon this Covenant of Grace to plead it before God and to ground our faith and hope thereupon This will encourage us notwithstanding our sinfulnesse and unworthinesse to powre 〈◊〉 our whole souls before God God is said to remember his Covenant when he 〈◊〉 kindnesse to his people Exod. 2. 24. 2 Kings 13. 23. and this have Saints pleaded Psal. 74. 20. Ier. 14. 31. This hath moved God to refrain his wrath Psal. 8â—… 34. and to repent of his judgements Psal. 106. 45. 5. Great matter of gratulation doth Gods Covenant of Grace afford unto man 〈◊〉 it is the ground of all that hope that we can have of any favour or blessing from God Iâ—… gratulation be due to God for any blessing at all then for this especially which is the ground-work and foundation of all If the particulars about this 〈◊〉 set down § 45. be well weighed namely the Authour of this Covenant God our Father the Mediator Jesus Christ the procuring cause free grace the subject matter full happinesse Gods condescention to man and binding himself to him the ratification thereof by the death of his Son and other like branches we shall finde great and just cause of hearty gratulation even for this Covenant §. 47. Of the agreement betwixt the two Covenants of Works and Grace THe two Covenants of Works and Grace agree 1. In their principal Authour which is God though in a different consideration namely as a Creator and a Saviour In which respect the Prophet thus saith Thy Maker is thine Husband and thy Redeemer the holy one of Isael the God of the whole earth shall he be called Isai. 54. 5. Deut. 32. 6. 2. In the general procuring cause which is Gods good pleasure without any desert of man Eph. 1. 11. Rom. 11. 35 36. 3. In the parties between whom the Covenants passed which were God and 〈◊〉 Gen. 2. 8 9. and 3. 15. and 17. 7. 4. In the good promised by both which is life even eternal happiness Rom. 10. 5. 〈◊〉 3. 16. 5. In a mutual stipulation that is on mans part Though there be
continuance three months The reason was a divine stamp upon the child They saw he was a proper Child The latter proof of their saith was their courage which is 1. Manifested by the contrary they were not afraid 2. Amplified 1. By the subject matter which they feared not a commandement 2. By the Author of that commandement the King Doctrines I. PArents are honoured by worthy Children For honours sake the parties are here described by their relation to their son Moses See § 124. II. Parents especially ought to have care of their Children So had Moses Parents See § 124. III. There ought be a joynt care of Fathers and Mothers For both these are comprised under the word Parents See § 124. IV. Persons in danger may be concealed from mischievous persons So was Moses from the Egyptians See § 125. V. Danger is to be prevented betimes So soon as Moses was born he was hid See § 126. VI. Care in preventing danger must be continued This phrase three months intendeth as much See § 127. VII God sets a stamp on such as he deputes to a special work Thus he did here on Moses See § 128. VIII Gods stamp works a good esteem So did this about Moses See § 128. IX Faith expells fear It was faith that made these not afraid See § 129. X. Unlawfull Edicts fright not believers Moses Parents were not afraid of such commandements See § 130. 〈◊〉 Kings in sinfull things are not to be obeyed It was the Kings Commandements that was not feared See § 130. §. 132. Of Moses acting when he was of years Heb 11. 24. 〈◊〉 Faith Moses when he was come to years refused to be called the son of Phanohs daughter THE tenth instance to demonstrate the vigor of faith is Moses himself Of the notation of this name Moses See Chap. 3. v. 2. § 37. His saith is largely set forth Three times by an elegant Anaphora is this phrase 〈◊〉 saith used in setting out the fruits of Moses faith v. 24 27 28. The first fruit is contempt of the word This he began to manifest betimes 〈◊〉 when he came to years In Greek it is word for word thus when he was 〈◊〉 This is here diversly taken For some refer it to dignity others to age They who are advanced to honour are said to be great Matth. 20. 26. They also who are grown up to years are said to be grown great or become 〈◊〉 That here it is to be referred to Moses his age is evident 1. By the history Exod. 2. 11. There the Hebrew hath such a word that sigâ—… Great as the Greek here hath The Hebrews do oft use that word in 〈◊〉 to age as where it is said the boyes grew Gen. 25. 27. And the child 〈◊〉 grew namely in years â—… Stephen having reference to this circumstance saith Moses was full 40. 〈◊〉 old Acts 7. 23. In that respect he became great This is noted to shew that Moses was of mature judgment when he did what 〈◊〉 did he was not spurred on thereto by rash youth for years teach wisdom Job 3â—… 7. 1 Cor. 13. 11. It is said of Christ that he increased in Wisdom and Staâ—… Luk 2. 52. or in Wisdom and Age as in the one so in the other As parts of body grow in bigness and strength so the faculties of the soul 〈◊〉 more capable of their several endowments and more active in exercising 〈◊〉 same This instance sheweth that weighty things are to be enterprised when men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well to mannage the same It is a judgment that Children shall be peoples 〈◊〉 Isa. 3. 4. And the wise man denounceth a woe against that land whose 〈◊〉 is a Child Eccles. 10. 16. The like may be applied to other functions I will not deny but that there my be a Iosiah an Edward the sixt a Samuel a Timothy but these are not orâ—… By continuing to some ripeness of years means of fitting one to a function remultiplyed and thereby a man is better fitted thereto They who come to years and remain Children in understanding wisdom and 〈◊〉 Christian graces are a shame to their profession This is upbraided as a great â—…grace Chap. 5. v. 12. 1 Cor. 3. 1. §. 133. Of Moses his Trialls BEfore I come to handle those particulars wherein the Apostle doth here seâ—… out the faith of Moses it will not be impertinent to note out the heads of Moses his Trialls Gifts and Privileges as we have done in other Worthies 1. The Trialls of Moses were these and such like 1. So soon as he was born his life was in hazard Exod. 2. 3. c. 2. He was in great danger to have been cut off from the Church by being accounted the Son of Pharaoh's daughter Exod. 2. 10. 3. He was trained up forty years in an Idolatrous court Acts 7. 22 23. 4. Though he himself lived as a Prince yet his whole Nation lay in a miserable bondage which could not but be a great trial to him As the like was to Nehemiah Neh. 1. 4. c. 5. His own people though he sought their good regarded him not 〈◊〉 2. 14. Acts 7. 25 27. 6. He was forced from the place of his education yea and from his own nation which was the Church to save his life Exod. 2. 15. 7. He served 40. years in a strange land Exod. 2. 22. Acts 7. 29 30. 8. God himself was incensed against him for neglecting to Circumcise his Son Exod. 4. 24. 9. He was sent to a cruell King with a displeasing message Exod. 5. â—… 10. His own people for whose good he was sent murmured against him Exod. 5. 21. and 6. 9. 11. His people whom he brought out of Egypt revolted from God and from him Exod. 32. 1. c. 12. His people in their streights were ready to stone him Gâ—…n 17. 4. 13. Korah and sundry others made head against him Numb 16. 1. c. 14. Hard charges were laid to his charge Numb 20. 8. 15. He was provoked to speak unadvisedly with his lips Psal. 106. 33. 16. He was excluded out of Canaan By these as by other Saints trialls we see what Saints on earth are subject unto answerably it becometh us to expect trialls to prepare for them patiently to bear them and to be comforted under them §. 134. Of Moses his Gifts 1. HE was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians Acts 7. 22. 2. He was mighty in words and deeds Acts 7. 22. 3. He was a man of great faith This is here proved 4. He had great zeal for Gods glory Exod. 32. 32. 5. He was of great courage in Gods cause v. 27. 6. He had great indignation against Idolaters Exod. 32. 19. 7. He was of a meek spirit in his own cause Numb 12. 3. 8. Great was his love of his Brethren Exod. 2. 12. and 32. 32. 9. He contemned the world This is here at large proved 10. Great was his patience in reference to wrongs done
5. She and hers dwelt for ever among the Israelites so as true Converts though strangers after good proof are to be accounted as those who are born in the Church 1. Quest. Why is no mention made of her Husband and Children Ans. It is probable that she being an Harlot had neither Husband nor Child 2. Quest. How is this that she perished not attributed to her faith seeing it was an act of Ioshua and the Israelites Answ. 1. Her faith made her expect preservation 2. It made her shew that kindness to the Spies which was the procuring cause of her preservation 3. It made her capitulate with them about her preservation 4. It made her bind them by promise and oath to save her 5. It made her tye the scarlet thred to her window as a sign 6. It made her withall her kindred to abide in her house whereby she and they were saved This fruit of faith giveth a proof that faith may keep believers from common destruction Thus Noah and they that were with him in the Ark were preserved from the general Deluge See more hereof in the Plaister for the Plague on Numb 16. 45. § 12 13 c. Under this preservation all those that were in Rahabs family were preserved Iosh. 6. 22 23. It giveth proof that they who belong to believers may reap much good by them Act. 27. 24. Luk. 19. 9. Act. 16. 15 31. This ariseth not from any desert of faith but meerly from that respect which God beareth to believers 1. This teacheth such as belong to believers 1. To bless God for that lot that is fallen unto them 2. There to abide Iohn 6. 68. 3. To be subject to such as believe 1 Tim. 6. 2. 4. To pray for them Gen. 24. 12. 2. This directeth such as have liberty to choose their habitation in a Nation Citie Parish or House to choose it where Believers are as Ruth 1. 16. Ioh. â—… 38. Exod. 12. 38. Thus may they expect a blessing §. 185. Of the danger of obstinate infidelity THE parties who perished are said to be they that believed not This phrase is the interpretation of one Greek compound whereof See Chap. 3. â—… 18. § 171. There it is shewed how it signifieth both unbelief and also disobedience Both these significations are here noted by our English Translators One in the Text The other in the margent Both of them may here very well stand The former of unbelief may have reference to her faith She believed that the God of Israel was the onely true God and that he had given them the land of Canaan answerably she desired to live among them and to be of the Communion of Saints and thereupon she was preserved They believed no such thing 〈◊〉 thereupon were destroyed The latter of disobedience may have reference both to their former lewd conâ—… which was a disobedience against Gods holy Law written in their 〈◊〉 and also to their stiff standing out all the seven days that the City was compassed about wherein they did not yield any whit at all nor hold out any white flag of agreement This giveth proof that infidelity and obstinacy cause destruction An Apostle rendreth this to be the reason of the destruction of the old world â—… Pet. 3. 20. And our Apostle rendreth this to be the reason of their destruction who perished in the wildernes Chap. 3. v. 18. § 170 171. 1. This layeth a sinner open to Gods wrath Iohn 3. 36. 2. It maketh men neglect means of preservation Iohn 3. 18. 3. It occasioneth men to implunge themselves into danger Exod. 9. 21. and 14. 23. 1. This informes us in the fearfull nature of infidelity and obstinacy The temporal destructions which they bring are enough to manifest them to be very fearfull but much more eternal Rev. 21. 8. 2. Learn hereby to take heed of standing out against God It is hard to kick against pricks Act. 9. 5. §. 186 Of the lawfulnes of Spies AN especial fruit of Rahabs faith is thus set down when she had received the spyes with peace This phrase when she had received is set down in a participle thus having received She first received the Spies and afterwards was preserved from destruction They whom she received are here stiled Spies This noun is a compound the simple verb whence it cometh signifieth to 〈◊〉 Rom. 16. 17. Phil. 3. 17. And to consider Gal. 6. 1. The compound verb signifieth to spie out Gal. 2. 4. Thence this noun fitly translated Spies This hath reference to those two men whom Ioshua sent forth to spie out the land secretly Another Apostle calleth them Messengers Jam. 2. 25. They are called Messengers by reason of their warrant they went not of themselves but upon his ordering who had the chief command over them They are called Spies by reason of the end why they were sent even privily to spie out the land Quest. Seeing God had promised the land to them what need they send spies before hand 1. Answ. To use warrantable meanes for the accomplishment of Gods promises Dan. 9. 2 3 2. To strengthen the Faith of the people by understanding the fear of their enemies whereof those Spies gave them notice Iosh. 2. 24. Thus dealt God with Gideon Judg. 7. 9 10 11. Here we have two things to be observed 1. Ioshuahs prudence and providence in ordering matters so as his Souldiers might be the better encouraged to go on 2. The negligence of the enemy who notwithstanding the fame of the Israelites coming over Iordan with a purpose to possess Canaan are so careless of their Citie as Spies had advantage to come in and view their Citie Indeed afterwards they did straitly shut up their Citie Josh. 6. 1. But that was too late the Spies then had done their work thus God to accomplish his work can give wisdom to some and stupifie others That which is here noted concerning Rahabs receiving Spies as a fruit of her Faith giveth proof that Spies are warrantable It cannot be doubted but that Ioshua herein had Gods approbation yea the Lord himself doth expresly command this Numb 13. 2 3. Object A very evill event followed upon the return of the Spies that were first sent to search Canaan Numb 13. 32. c. and 14. 1. c. Answ. Lawfulnes of actions are not to be judged by events There may be failings in sundry circumstances about warrantable actions whereby the Lord may be provoked to cross them Instance Iudg. 20. 21 15. It was the cowardize and faithlesness of the Spies not the unlawfulness of their action that caused the fearfull events that followed thereupon Gods people much used this kind of policy against their enemies as Iudg. 1. 23 24. and 18. 2. 1 Sam. 26. 4. This may be an especiall means to find out the counsels intents plotts and policies of enemies the knowledge whereof is a great advantage in war but
meant the Resurrection of the body at the last day when the soul being united again with it both shall enjoy eternall glory To amplifie this pain the more it is set down comparatively in this word of comparison better so as it hath reference to another Resurrection before which this is preferr'd Was it that Resurrection which is implied in the first clause of 〈◊〉 his verse Women received their dead from a Resurrection Answ. They had no ground to expect such a Resurrection Was it then a greater degree of glory for sufferings Answ. This Text maketh no comparison betwixt degrees of glory Is the comparison then made betwixt the Resurrection of Professors and Persecutors Answ. No. The comparison is betwixt a Resurrection which Professors rejected and which they obtained What was the Resurrection which they rejected Answ. The deliverance before mentioned upon condition of renouncing their profession For when professors are in the clutches of bloody Persecutors they are as dead men to escape out of their clutches is as a resurrection from the dead In this sence but in another case Abraham is said to receive Isaak from the dead v. 19. because he was deputed to death In that the Professors here mentioned would not be delivered on the Persecutors termes they may be said to reject a Resurrection Now they aimed therein at the Resurrection to eternall life and this was a far better Resurrection than any Resurrection from their Persecutors could be That this was the end of their suffering is evident by the Apostles express setting it down so with this finall conjunction that so as they did it not rashly but upon good advise and to a good end They had reason to do what they did §. 249. Of Believers suffering advisedly THE general expression of the end of Saints sufferings noted in this causal particle that giveth us to understand that true Believers advisedly endure what they endure for the Faiths sake So fight I saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 9. 26. not as one that beateth the aire that is not as a mad man that fighteth with a shadow not weighing what he doth but as a man of understanding that have good cause to do what I do This advisednes with reference to the cause he doth here set out For the which cause I suffer these things for I know whom I have believed 2 Tim. 1. 12. All those Texts which set down the causes and motives why Saints were induced to suffer give proof hereof Particulars were these 1. Submission to the will of God Matth. 26. 42. 2. Confirmation of the Gospel Phil. 1. 17. 3. Establishing the Professors thereof Phil. 1. 14. 4. That Eternall weight of glory which followeth thereupon 2 Cor. 4. 17. Believers are endued not onely with reason which in general moves men to prefer the most excellent but also with spiritual understanding and divine Wisedom which makes them well weigh what they do and endure Thereby also they are enabled to distinguish betwixt things that differ and thereupon to chose and prefer the more evcellent needfull and usefull Take notice hereby of the perverse censure which the men of this world do in this case pass upon Believers They judge them to be no better than sots idiots frantique mad if they suffer imprisonment loss of goods reproach or any kind of censure what mad men are these say they not knowing the ends which Saints aime at and that blessed fruit that will follow thereupon §. 250. Of Believers suffering with an eye to the better Resurrection THE end that is here set down doth apparently surpass all that they lose or endure by their suffering so as they suffer upon advantage They obtain they get they gain thereby Well did he understand this who said Our light affliction worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. All the rewards that are mentioned in Scripture of suffering give proof hereunto This may not be imagined to be any mercenary matter as arising from a mans own merit but from Gods promise which ariseth from his free grace and good pleasure This sheweth that there is a mystery in this trade of suffering which we shall do well to enquire into In the things of this world if we observe men by such and such courses to thrive we use to be inquisitive after the same Enquire therefore and that with diligence into Gods Word and thou shalt find that by holding close to God by holding fast a profession of his Truth by suffering for that same thou shalt have an abundant recompence God will not suffer any thing to be done or endured for his sake in vain The more and greater the sufferings be the more ample and excellent will the reward be This is here exemplified by the Resurrection A Resurrection was the end they aimed at Of the word translated Resurrection See § 248. The Resurrection enboldens Believers to do what they do This phrase What advantageth it me if the dead rise not 1 Cor 15. 32. sheweth that the Apostle in his sufferings had an eye upon the Resurrection which also is implyed 2 Cor. 4. 14. By the resurrection we are fully exempted from all manner of misery and estated in that felicity as exceedeth all expression all apprehension This is it that the world doth not understand they know not what the Resurrection meaneth They dote onely on things present like brute beasts The Heathen who wanted the light of Gods Word never believed the Resurrection of the body though they had some glimpse of the immortality of the Soul Their Philosophers counted Paul a babler because he preached the Resurrection Act. 17. 18. Many that carry the Name of Christians and in general know and believe that there shall be a resurrection of the body do not understand the difference betwixt the distinct kinds of Resurrection namely that there is a Resurrection of life and a resurrection of damnation John 5. 29. Neither are they acquainted with the true grounds and sure evidences of that difference Hence it is that both Heathen and common formall Christians do so wonder as they do that Believers should be so forward to suffer and so prodigall of their lives as they are Faith in the Resurrection of life will make a man less carefull of preserving his mortal life in Gods cause That Resurrection whereon true Believers have their eye in suffering is here said to be a better Resurrection better than any deliverance in this world better than any thing that can be enjoyed in this life Thus much the Apostle implyes in this phrase to be with Christ is far better Phil. 1. 23. And in this ye have in heaven a better substance Heb. 10. 34. This will the better appear by comparing this resurrection with other resurrections mentioned in Scripture 1. We read of a first resurrection Rev. 20. 5 6. This resurrection here spoken of by the Apostle is the second
among the kinds of death Yea further it may be taken for temptations on the right hand as we speak as riches honours promotions immunities pleasures and other such like fair baites and are here reckoned amongst the kinds of cruell death because this kind of temptation was as dangerous as the cruellest death if not more For instance take David who all the while he was persecuted by Saul and while he had enemies in his Kingdom remained faithfull and constant with his God but peace and prosperity stole away his heart to satisfie his lust and to follow the same to the taking away of the life of Uriah 2 Sam. 11. 2. c. Demas was an old disciple and had long in the time of fiery persecutions held the true Faith yet at length the world made him revolt 2 Tim. 4. 10. It is said of Antiochuâ—… that by peace he should destroy many Dan. 8. 25. Though for many yeares after Christ was ascended the Church was under fiery persecutions yet then were the purest times thereof and in that respect Sathan is said to be bound Rev. 20. 2. But when thorough Constantines other Emperors large donations to the Church they enjoyed peace obtained much wealth and attained to high honors they proved in time to be Antichristian In this respect Sathan is said to be loosed Rev. 20. 3. Experience of all ages giveth further proof hereof In the latter end of Queen Maryes days there were sundry Professors who for the truth they held had patiently and couragiously endured long and hard imprisonment and other trialls for the Truths sake and had remained so constant therein as they were condemned to death and ready to be burned but by the sudden death of Queen Mary were as brands pulled out of the fire and set at libertie Of these many in the halcyon days of Queen Elizabeth being preferred to high places and having obtained much wealth denied the power of Godlines and made shiprack of Faith and a good conscience There are two especiall grounds hereof 1. The deceitfullnes of these temptations 2. The foolishnes of mans heart 1. This epithite deceitfulnes is in general added to sin comprising under sin all temptations that lead thereto Heb. 3. 13. In particular it is attributed to riches Matth. 13. 22. And to pleasing lusts Eph. 4. 22. Of the respects wherein sin is deceifull See Chap. 3. v. 13. § 148. 2. The foolishnes of mans mind herein appeareth that it so doteth on these temptations as it is intoxicated therewith and prefers them before all other things Voluptuous persons are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God 2 Tim. 3. 4. Covetous persons are Idolaters Ephes. 5. 5. They make their wealth their God Ambitious persons advance themselves above all that is called God 2 Thess. 2. 4. Baits are not more dangerous to the silly fish fowl and beasts than these temptations to men They are like a sweet poyson the venome whereof is not discerned till it hath soaked out the vital vigor in man and become incurable 1. This informes us in the vigor of Faith that enables a man to stand against these temptations as hath been exemplified in Moses v. 24 25 26. 2. This giveth proof of the subtiltie of Persecutors who can so far fawn on them they hate as to offer all pleasing things unto them We have heard how persecutors could offer freedom to professors if they would yield § 247. They shew themselves herein to be guided by the spirit of the old wily Serâ—…ent who hath his wiles Eph. 6. 11. Thus he tempted Christ reserving this kinde of temptation to the last place which Christ resisted with greatest inâ—…ignation Matth. 4. 8 9 10. 3. This instructeth us in the need use and benefit of crosses They are espeâ—… means to keep us from those temptations which are so dangerous We have cause in this respect to bear crosses the more patiently because they are means to wean us from this vvorld 4. This teacheth us to moderate our desire of the things of this world in 〈◊〉 they are temptations so dangerous They that will be rich fall into temptaâ—… and a snare and into many foolish and hurtfull lusts which drown men in deâ—… and perdition 1 Tim. 6. 9. We ought therefore to be so â—…ar from an immoderate desire of riches as if 〈◊〉 increase not to set our hearts upon them Psal. 62. 10. 5. This is enough to keep us from envying those that have this world at will they deserve more pity for they are subject to dangerous temptations 6. This also is enough to comfort such which want the preferments and proâ—… and pleasures which others have What want they Nothing but dangerous temptations snares and such things as may make them for ever miserable §. 257. Of persecutors seeking the bloud of professors THE ninth kinde of persecution and last of the three which was to death is thus set down were slain with the sword or word for word they died in the â—…aughter of the sword The sword hath in all ages been an usual instrument to put men to death therewith and that by beheading them or thrusting them through or otherwise taking away their life Much cruelty hath been shewed upon Saints by the sword I suppose that this kinde of death is in the last place noted to intimate the 〈◊〉 of martyrs that by their bloud have sealed up Gods truth The Apostles phrase induceth me to suppose so much The slaughter of the sword implieth a great slaughter In this respect a mouth is attributed to the sword and the sword is said to eat or devour and the same word which sâ—…gnifieth destruction is put for a sword because thereby many are destroyed see § 232. So many Prophets and Professors were slain with tâ—…e sword in Ahabs time as Elijah thought none to be left but himself 1 King 19. 10. That which is here said of slain or slaughter sheweth that Professors may be brought to Seal their profession by their bloud The first Professor that ever was was brought hereunto namely Abel Gen. 4. 8. so was Zechariah 2 Chr. 24. 21. I have the rather named these two in particular because Christ hath made especial mention of them Yet so as he implies many more betwixt them under this phrase all the righteous bloud shed upon the earth from the bloud of Abel unto the bloud of Zecharias Matth. 23. â—…5 1. This ariseth from an immortal hatred of the truth and an unsatiable thirst of the bloud of Professors thereof in persecutors 2. From a secret fear that persecutors have of Professors thinking they can never be secure till they be sure of the death of Professors Herâ—…by we see a necessity of preparing against the utmost that persecutors can do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to kill Luke 12. 4. This caution is hinted in this phrase ye have not yet 〈◊〉 unto bloud Hebr. 12. 4. What advantage is it to have much resisted 〈◊〉 if we yield
of the spirit of sanctification in him is more worth than Millions of Worlds as a rich and precious Jewel is of more worth than many loads of filthy mud 2. By reason of that benefit vvhich Saints bring to the places vvhere they are The vvorld through ignorance taketh no notice of that benefit or through obsâ—…inacy scorneth it or through malice persecute them who bring that benefit and thus shew themselves like hogs and dogs and so are not vvorthy the society of Saints In this reason two things are necessarily implied and two others plainly expressed 1. The things implied are these 1. The vvorth and benefit of Saints 2. The vvorlds esteem of them 2. The two things expressed are these 1. The vvorlds vilenesse 2. The judgement following thereon §. 266. Of the word of Saints OF the first point imployed which is the worth and benefit of Saints see Chap. 13. vers 1. § 8. One special ground thereof is Gods favour to them A mortal Kings favour may make a mean man precious and of high account Instance Pharaoh's favour to Ioseph Gen. 41. 40. c. And Darius his favour to Daniel Dan. 6. 3. And Ahashuerosh his favour to Hester and Mordecai Hest. 2. 17. and 9. 4. And the favour of other Kings to their favourites in all ages Much more will the favour of the eternal God Almighty Lord and King of Kings make men precious There is an Hebrew word which fitly answereth to our English word a favourite whereof see Saints sacrifice on Psal. 116. vers â—…5 § 95. 96. Another ground is their Union with Christ As Christ assumed mans nature in general So he hath united in special their persons to that mystical body whereof he is the head they are all called Christ 1 Cor. 12. 12. In this respect they must needs be the most precious Creatures of all A third ground is the aboad of the Spirit of God in them whereby they are enabled to do much good wheresoever they come 1. This is a matter of high admiration and requireth much gratulation 2. It is a great incitement to be of this society and fraternity men vvill serve seven years or more to be of a good Company but what Company like to this 3. This should make us content with this worthy estate and precious condition With what estate shall any be content if not with this The honourable man is in a slippery estate witnesse Haman The rich man holds an Eeâ—… by the tail for Riches fly away as an Eagle Prov. 23. 5. The voluptuous man nourisheth an Adder in his bosom For he that withheld not his heart from any joy discerned all to be vanity and vexation of spirit Eccles. 2. 11. But believers when they wander have cause to be more content than they that dwell in stately Palaces and they that are clothed with Sheeps skins and Goat skins have more cause to rejoyce than Herod in his royal apparrel Act. 12. 21. When they are destitute they have more cause of content than Dives who fared sumptuously every day Luke 16. 19. When they are afflicted they are in a better condition then Belshazzar when he was most merry with his Princes Wives and Concubines Dan. 5. 3 4. When they are evil intreated they are better than they who are applauded as Herod was Act. 12. 22. When they are tormented they are in a better case than they that stretch themselves upon beds of Ivâ—…ry Amos 6. 5. 4. The worth of Saints teacheth them to walk worthy of that worth They must be like the Woman arrayed with the Sun which trampled the Moon under her feet Rev. 12. 1. Their worthy walking is to be heavenly minded and to have an heavenly conversation Their condition calls them to contemne the world and their want of a setled place in this world should put them on to wander heaven-ward And to seek that Citie which is to come So did wanderers of old vers 16. 5. The aforesaid worth of Saints is a great comfort and encouragement against the scoffs and scorns of the men of this world It is enough that whatsoever the world judge of them they are precious in Gods sight That good angels answerably have them in high esteem and that other Saints account them as Gods chiefest Treasure 6. This affords a caveat to the men of this world to take heed of abusing these wanderers These are they of whom the Lord saith Touch not 〈◊〉 anointed Psal. 105. 15. And again He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye Zech. 2. 8. God may in his unsearchable wisdom suffer his worthy ones to be tried and thereupon suffer adversaries and persecutors to prevail against them for a while but assuredly as Gods precious ones shall not be utterly forsaken so their adversaries shall not go scot-free 2 Thâ—…s 1. 6 7. §. 267. Of the worlds vile esteem of Saints THE other thing implied is the worlds esteem of Saints and that is a base and vile esteem as if they were not to be regarded For the aforesaid instances that they wandered in Sheeps skins c. doth manifest a vile esteem of them They neglected they rejected they ill entreated them Isâ—…mael had a mean esteem of Isaac manifested by mocking him Gen. 21. 9. So had Saul of David 1 Sam. 22. 11 and Michal his daughter 2 Sam. 6. 16. David's oâ—…t complaints hereof Psal. 119. 51. and 79. 4. So Iob Iob 30. 1. c. The Prophets observe this to be the common conceit of the world Isa. 62. 4. Ier. 30. 17. So doth an Apostle 1 Cor. 4. 13. Wofull experience giveth too evident proof of the truth hereof even in these our dayes This is so by reason of many corruptions in the world As 1. Ignorance both of the true worth of Saints and also of Gods high account of them The world is blinde in spiritual matters 1 Cor. 2. 14. 〈◊〉 2. Unbelief The world will give credit to nothing revealed out of Gods word Isa. 53. 1. 3. False principles As false rules of judging which are outward shew sence and worldly glorie The world sets too high a price on external and earthly things 4. Malice This adds much to their blindnesse yea it casts dust upon the eye of their reason It becomes us to take heed of being beguiled vvith the vvorlds esteem and account of men Yea and to take heed that vve be not over credulous in believing the reports that the vvorld giveth and rumours that it spreadeth abroad of Saints What vile reports did they give of John the Baptist and of Christ himselâ—… Mat. 11. 12 19. The like might be exemplified in every age of the vvorld §. 268. Of the Worlds unworthinesse a cause of Saints wandring THE first thing expressed in this reason of Confessors wandring is the vvorlds vileness The vvorld is not vvorthy of them This consequence is confirmed by this direction vvhich Christ giveth to his Disciples
consciences and assistance of the spirit and other divine blessings fail of them namely because they seek them too late Indeed God hath promised to such as seck that they shall find Matth. 7. 7. But it is to such as seek aright for note what the Apostle Iames saith Iam. 4. 3. ye ask and receive not because ye ask amisse that ye may consume it upon your lusts Now there are many wayes whereby men fail in seeking First some fail in and about the means they have means of their own invention and subject not themselves to the means which the Lord hath warranted and sanctified as Rom. 10. 2 3. All the heathen all infidels all pagans which are without the light of Gods word whereby the means of seeking God aright is revealed misse of the right means So do all sorts of Heretiques that pervert Gods word yea and ignorant persons who have not the knowledge thereof Secondly others faile in and about the matter of seeking of God in that they seek him and divine blessings from him only in shew and appearance as all manner of hypocrtes whereof the Lord complaineth Ezek. 33. 31. Or if in truth yet very loosely and carelesly as if God and his blessing were the least thing to be regarded Note Ier. 48. 10. Thirdly Many faile in the time as the instances before shew There is a failing in the the time of seeking two wayes 1. When men begin too late 2. When they continue not long enough as Saul in 1 Sam. 13. 8 9 10. §. 96. Of Esaus seeking the blessing with tears ESaus earnest desire of the blessing is expressed by his seeking of it by tears The word whereby his desire is set forth is a compound verb which adds much emphasis The simple verb signifieth to seek but the compound signifieth more then ordinary seeking therefore our English hath to that purpose added this epithite carefully though he sought it carefully with tears And that he did more then ordinarily seek it is evident by that which is added namely with tears This is thus expressed Gen. 27. 34. He cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry and v. 38. thus He lift up his voice and wept This was in externall evidence of a very earnest and vehement desire yet he prevailed not thereby So that earnest desires may sometimes be in vaine And therefore it will be the wisedome of such as are moved as Esau did diligently to seek divine blessing and yet find no better issue and fruit in their seeking then Esau did to search after the cause thereof This was the counsell given by God himself Iosh. 7. 13 c. See my â—…laister for the Plague § 4. and Dearths Death § 18. First therefore examine thy self concerning thy spirituall estate whether true grace be in thee or no. If thou be not an Israelite indeed as was said of Nathaniel John 1. 47. thou hast no cause to expect thy prayers thy cries thy tears should be heard for an hypocrite shall not come before the Lord Job 13. 16. and God abhors sâ—…ch Psal. 106. 40. Secondly Consider the end thou aimest at whether it be not some bie and siniâ—… respect in regard of thy self and own advantage as Numb 22. 8. Iames 4. 3. Thirdly Call to mind whether thou hast not formerly stopt thine eare against Gods outward call by his word for thereupon the Lord threateneth to turne a deafe eare to our prayers as Prov. 1. 24 28. Because I have called and ye refused I have 〈◊〉 out my hand and no man regarded but ye have set at nought all my counsell and would none of my reproofs c. v. 28. They shall call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me Or whether thou hast not stopt thine eare to Gods inward call as Matth. 13. 15. Fourthly Observe whether there be not some execrable matter lurking in thy soul as Iosh. 7. 13. Note Iudg. 20. 21 25. Fifthly Well weigh the matter of prayer whether it be not such as the Lord is resolved not to grant as Deut. 3. 26. 1 Sam. 16. 1. 2 Sam. 12. 14 16. Sixthly Take notice of the manner of thy prayer if it be not too coldly For note what the Apostle Iames sayeth Iam. 5. 16. It is the fervent prayer only that is effectuall It is further observable in Esau that though he sought the blessing with tears yet was he rejected so that not only his cries but also his tears were in vaine Neither of them did prevaile which may seeme the more strange because of that high account which God maketh of mens tears as I have shewed in My whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 18. § 97. Which may informe us of the difference betwixt Gods discerning of spirits and manâ—… Men may be taken and beguiled with tears as Ier. 4. 1. 6. But God cannot And it may instruct us how to judge of tears our own or others for this distinctly note the forementioned ground and kind of Esaus tears Q. When are tears acceptable R. 1. When they are from a broken heart Ioel 2. 12. 2. When for grief of sin either our own as Luk. 7. 38. Matth. 26. 75. Or for other mens sins Psal. 119. 136. 3. When for Gods displeasure or anger Psal. 6. 1 8. 4. When out of an expression of earnest desire as 1 Sam. 1. 10. Hos. 12. 4. Mark 9. 24. 5. When upon threatning of judgements or fore-sight of them 2 King 22. 19. 6. When in agony or sense of paine Heb. 5. 7. God pities those whom in such cases he sees weeping As an evidence hereof he is said to wipe away tears Psal. 116. 8. §. 97. Of the resolution of and observations from Heb. 12. 16 17. Vers. 16. Lest there be any fornicatour or profane person as Esau who for one morsell of meat sold his birth-right Vers. 17. For ye know how that afterward when he would have inherited the blessing he was rejected for he found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with tears THe sum of these verses is the exemplification of the Christians caveat Hereof are two branches Vers. 16. 1. The inference in these words lest there be any 2. The substance wherein two vices are condemned 1. Fornication 2. Profanesse This latter is 1. Propounded in these words or profane person 2. Amplified in a particular instance of a profane person In setting down this instance we may observe 1. The person in whom the exemplification is made namely Esau. 2. The point whereof the exemplification consisteth where we have 1. His sin verse 16. 2. His punishment v. 17. 1. His sin was the selling of his birth-right for a morsell of meat Wherein we may observe 1. The act he sold. 2. The commodity which he sold viz. his birth-right 3. The price for which he sold it namely Meat which is amplified by the smalnesse thereof one morsell of meat
Church the City of God THe second Metaphor whereby the place whereunto we are brought is The City of the living God Whereby is here meant the Church which is oft stiled in 〈◊〉 the City of God as Psal. 87. 3. and Psal. 48 1 2 8. Glorious things are spoken 〈◊〉 thee O City of God So likewise in Isa â—…0 14. and Rev. 3. 12. That the Church is a City see Chap. 11. v. 10. § 47. And it is called the City of God 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for excellent things are said to be of God 2. For distinction from Cities of men 3. Because God is the author and governor of it 4. Because the ordinances immunities and priviledges thereof are all of God 1. In that the Church is a City it may enform us in the state and condition 〈◊〉 the Church it is a well-ordered estate an estate that hath different degrees of persons some for government some for subjection some to make known Gods will some to bring men into obedience thereto There are also lawes orders and ordinances proper and peculiar to the Church 2. It doth afford a ground of consolation to such as in this world are as strangâ—… and forreiners that have no City to go to if they be of the communion of Saints they are Citizens of the best City that can be the most safe and secure City the best governed City best provided for which hath the best orders fairest priviledges and fullest immunities that can be 3. It should stir up such as are of the Church to carry themselves as becommeth Citizens of such a City Phil. 1. 27. For this end take notice of the lawes and ordinances of this City In that the Church is the City of God 1. It doth exceedingly amplifie the excellent estate and condition of this City It is not a City of man but of God So the lawes ordinances and all things appertaining thereunto are of God 2. It should stir us up to pray to God for it God will provide for protect and every way blesse his own Kingdome God is here said to be the the living God The City of the living God Of the living God see Chap. 3. v. 12. § 138 139. §. 102. Of the heavenly Jerusalem THe third Metaphor whereby 〈◊〉 place whereunto wee are brought is the heavenly Ierusalem Of Jerusalem see the Saints sacrifice on Psal. 116. § 115. The speciall thing here to be noted is that epithite Heavenly added to Ierusalem which is so called 1. For distinction sake to distinguish it from earthly and therefore Gal. 4. 26. called Ierusalem which is from above 2. For excellency sake 3. To manifest the end of it which is to bring us to heaven Matth. 19. â—…8 Rev. 19. 6. 4. To shew the nature and kind of it it is an introduction to heaven yea a part of heaven the beginning thereof See My guide to go to God 2 Pet. § 38. Uses arising from this title heavenly attributed to the place whither we come may be these 1. Incitation to desire and endeavour to be of this City Citizens of this Ierusalem It is an heavenly Ierusalem Note Heb. 11. 16. This is a part of that heavenly City Of this we must be before we can be of that 2. Admonition not to envy the Glory Pompe Riches c. of this world Nor the priviledges of any earthly City Yee are come to an heavenly City Yee that are Citizens hereof have more cause to pitty them yea to triumph over them All theirs are but earthly all ours heavenly and what comparison is there between earthly and heavenly 3. Dehortation from setting our hearts upon this world upon the promotions profits and pleasures thereof they are all earthly they become not such as are Citizens of this heavenly Ierusalem no more then the habit or attire of Iewes and Trukâ—… sworne enâ—…mies of Christ becomes a Christian. Doting and setting our hearts on them bewraies an earthly and worldly mind and heart which is no way suitable to this heavenly Ierusalem Nay farther there is a bewitching force in the things of this world to our corruptnature whereby they are stollen and alienated from this heavenly Ierusalem and from the heavenly thing thereof All the things of this heavenly Ierusalem are things of God But God and this present world are contrary each to other Note Iames 4. 4. 1 Iohn 2. 15. 4. Exhortation to get an heavenly disposition and to shew forth an heavenly conversation for we are Citizens of the heavenly Ierusalem This is the main scope of the third petition in the Lords prayer The particulars implied under this generall exhortation are three 1. Let us clense our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the spirit As the Apostle expresseth 2 Cor. 7. 1. In heaven there is nor can be any unclean thing Rev. 21. 27. 2. Grow up unto full holinesse as the Apostle implieth in these words 2 Cor. 7. 1. perfecting holinesse in the fear of God In heaven all are holy Heaven itself is the most holy place Heb. 9. 8 12. and 10. 19. The supream Soveraigne thereof is the holy God holy in his nature holy in each person holy Father Iohn 17. 11. holy Son Act. 4. 27 30. Holy Ghost Matth. 28. 19. The inhabitants there are all holy Holy Angels Mark 8. 38. Holy Saints When the Angels fell from their holinesse they fell from that excellent habitation 3. In all things have an eye to Gods will So it is in heaven therefore in the third petition our Saviour hath taught us to pray That Gods will might be done by us on earth as it is done by Angels in heaven Matth. 6. 10. 4. So far as Gods will is made known do it If yee know these things happy are â—…e if ye do them saith our Saviour Iohn 13. 17. To know and not to do aggravates condemnation Luk. 12. 47. 5. Do Gods will after a right manner as it is done in heaven by the Angels sincerely entirely cheerfully diligently zealously constantly He that said our conversation is in heaven Phil. 2. 20. shewed himself a Citizen of this heavenly Ierusalem §. 103. Of the innumerable 〈◊〉 of Angels HEtherto of the description of the Christian Church by the Place whereto we are brought The Persons to whom we are joyned follow The first of them are set out in this phrase an innumerable company of Angels Of their Name Nature Properties Functions c. vid. Chap. 1. v. 7. § 84 85 86 87 c. Their number is implied under these words innumerable company The word in the Greek doth signifie ten thousand But as sexcenta by the Latines is frequently put for an indefinite and infinite number so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Grecians Our English Translators have accordingly well translated it an innumerable company For indeed the number of Angels is innumerable We read of an host of Angels Rev. 12. 7. but no number put to it We read 2 King
points as declare the hainousnesse of them both and then such aggravations as make Adultery to exceed Whoredom The hainousnesse of Fornication and Adultery is herein manifested that these sins are committed against God our Neighbour and Our selves Against God in that This is the will of God even our sanctification that we should abstain from fornication 1 Thess. 4. 3. A Prophet thus aggravateth this sin Have we not all one Father Why do we deal treacherously every man against his Brother Mal. 2. 10. The treachery there meant is the sin here spoken of and that is committed against God as our Father It is also committed against the Sonne of God In which respect the Apostle thus expostulateth this caâ—…e Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of an harlot God forbid 1 Cor. 6. 15. And it is likewise committed against the Spirit of God For the Apostle thus again expostulateth the same case What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God 1 Cor. 6. 19. Thus is this sin committed against each person of the Trinity 2. Against our Neighbour and that is sundry respects 1. Against the party with whom the sinne is committed for it is alwayes committed with another Hereupon the brethren of Dinah whom Shecbâ—…m defiled said Should he deal with our Sister as with an Harlot Genesis 34. 31. 2. Against the children that are born in Fornication which are in that respect bastards These by Gods Law could not inherit The sonne of the bonawoman shall not be heir with my sonne saith Sarah Gen. 21. 10. which sentence God approved By Gods Law a bastard was not to enter into the Congregation of the Lord to his tenth generation Deut. 23. 2. By entring into the Congregation of the Lord is meant some special office and service whereby he had liberty to enter into the house of God That which is noted of Gileads sons thrusting out Iephthah and saying unto him Thou shalt not inherit in our Fathers house for thou art the sonne of a strange woman Judg. 11. 2. sheweth that it was a custom among Gods people to keep bastards from inheriting The opposition which the Apostle makes betwixt bastards and sons in this phrase Then are ye bastards and not sons Heb. 12. 8. sheweth that bastards have not a right to the priviledge of true sons 3. Against the friends kindâ—…ed and alliance of each party It is expresly said of a Priests daughter that playeth the whore That she profaneth her Father Levit. 21. 9. And the brethren of Dinah took themselves dishonoured in that their sister was defiled Gen. 34. 7. 4. Against the whole family For this sin is a fire that consumeth to destruction Job 13. 12. God thus threatneth David The sword shall never depart from thy house because thou hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittiâ—…e to be thy wife 2 Sam. 12. 10. 5. Against the very Town City and Nation where such unclean birds do roost For severe judgements have been executed upon those places as we shall afterwards shew This is one of the sins for which the Prophet saith The Land shall mourn Hos. 4. 2 3. 6. Against the Church For by the lawfull use of Marriage among Professors of the truth a godly seed is preserved Mal. 2. 15. This is the seminary of the Church but by this sin a spurious brood is brought forth and the Church thereby destroyed 3. This sin is committed against our selves even against our Souls Bodies Name and State and against these in an especial manner 1. It is expresly said of him that committeth adultery That he destroyeth his own soul Prov. 6. 32. 2. It is said that he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body 1 Cor. 6. 18. He maketh this very body the instrument whereby that sin is committed Other actual sins are said to be without the body that is some other object that is without the body is abused and made the instrument of sin in other cases as wine in the sin of drunkennesse 3. Who so committeth adultery getteth a wound and dishonour and his reproach shall not be wiped away Prov. 6. 32. Infamy or an ill name is hereby set out 4. Such bring themselves to extream poverty For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread Prov. 6. 26. that is his state is much impaired and even consumed he hath not enough for his own sustenance Thus hath the holy Ghost set forth the hainousnesse of both their sins of uncleannesse Adultery admits of further aggravations §. 39. Of the Aggravations of Adultery above Fornication 1. ADultery is expresly mentioned in the seventh Commandment which is this Thou shalt not commit adultery Exod. 20. 14. It is counted an aggravation of a sin to be by name expressed in any of the ten Commandments For therein it is made an head of many other sins 1. Adultery makes the nearest and firmest bond wherewith two persons are joyned together dissoluble That bond is marriage whereby two distinct persons are made one flesh Gen. 2. 24. It is by Gods Ordinance an inviolable bond and ought not to be dissolved but by diremption which is by severing man and wife by death Com. 7. 2. But that adultery makes this bond of marriage dissoluble is evident by this restriction of Christ saving for the cause of fornication Mat. 5. 32. meaning adultery 3. Adultery nullifies a special Covenant of God This phrase The wife of thy Covenant Mal. 2. 14. intendeth a Covenant made before God whereof God is the Author Gen. 2. 18. and a witnesse Mal. 2 14. and in that respect called the Covenant of God Prov. 2. 17. 4. Adultery makes an incurable wound For jealousie is the rage of a man therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance he will not regard any ransom c. Prov. 6. 34 35. It is not so in the case of fornication for a recompence is set down in that case Deut. 22. 29. 5. By adultery the affections of married persons are so alienated as they are brought many times to wish and practise one anothers death 6. By adultery a spurious brood may be put in the room of legitimate children and false heirs enjoy that inheritance which belongeth to true children which we have shewed in the former Section to be against Law and Right Genes 21. 10. Iud. 11. 2. 7. By adultery the Goods of the family cannot be but much wasted the adulterous husband spending that wherewith he should provide for his family on his harlot and the adulterous wife purloining what she can from her husband Herein they shew themselves worse then Infidels 1 Tim. 5. 8. 8. Adultery is by Gods Law judged to be a capital crime Deut. 22. 22. But fornication not so Deut. 22. 29. 9. The very Heathen by the light of nature
did judge this sinne to be worthy of death For Nebuchadnezzar rosted in the fire two men for committing adultery with their neighbours wives Jer. 29. 22 23. 10. Adultery is made worse then theft Pro. 6. 30. yet theft amongst us is accounted worthy of death Obj. Lust is a violent passion and a man is more put on to adultery then he can be to thefâ—… Ans. There may be a greater instigation to steal namely to satisfie a mans hunger Pro. 6. 30. then to commit adultery Though lust be violent yet married persons have a ready remedy to allay it which is a seasonable use of the lawful marriage duty §. 40. Of Gods judging Fornicators and Adulterers THis act of judging attributed to God hath reference Sometimes to all sorts indefinitely Sometimes distinctly to the righteous or distinctly to the unrighteous In the indefinite respect it is used two wayes 1. To set out Gods righteous governing the whole world and his equal dealing with all men Thus it is said of God He shall judge the world in righteousnesse Ps. 9. 8. 2. To demonstrate Gods rewarding every one according to his works as where it is said How shall God judge the world Rom. 3. 6. His rewarding of all is thus set out especially at the last day In the day when God shall judge c. Rom. 2. 16. Distinctly in reference to the righteous it implies Gods trying their truth and integrity Iudge me O Lord for I have walked in my integrity Examine me O Lord and prove me c. Psal. 26. 1 1. 2. His determining their cause The Lord judge between me and thee and see and plead my cause c. 1 Sam. 24. 12 15. 3. His justifying them by revenging their adversaries Psal. 9 4 5. 4. His chastening them here to prevent their eternal damnation 1 Cor. 11. 32. In reference to the unrighteous it signifieth 1. To revenge them in this world Rev. 6. 10. 2. To condemn them in the world to come Luk. 19. 22 compared with Matth. 25. 30 In these two last respects is this word judge here used Concerning Gods judging these sinners it is in general said That because of these things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience Eph. 5. 6. Particular judgements are either such as God mediately by the Ministry of man inflicteth on these kinds of sinners or such as immediately he sendeth down from himself Mediate judgements by the Ministry of men are either extraordinary or ordinary Of extraordinary mediate judgements we have these instances Phineas his thrusting thorow with a Javelin Zimri and Cosbi in their Tent Num. 25. 6 7 c. And the sons of Iacob destroying the Shechemites Gen. 34. 25 c. And the Israelites destroying almost the whole Tribe of Benjamin Judg. 20. 48. And Absoloms destroying his brother Amnon 2 Sam. 13. 29 32. The ordinary mediate judgement against adulterers was death The Law for this is expresly set down Deut. 22. 22. This judgement was in use among Gods people even before the Law of Moses for Iudah adjudged Tamar his daughter to be burnt for this sin Gen. 38. 24. The very Heathen by the light of Nature saw the equity hereof For Abimelech charged all his people not to touch Isaac or Rebeccah upon pain of death Gen. 26. 11. Some take this touching especially of Isaacs wife to be of committing adultery with her But more clear is that instance which the Prophet Ieremiah giveth concerning the King of Babylons rosting in the fire Zedekiah and Aâ—…ab because they committed adultery with their neighbours wives Ier. 29. 22 23. Heathen Authors give us many instances of the practice of States among the Gentiles in putting adulterers to death The Arabians used so to do Draco's Law among the Athenians judged adultery to be a capital sin The Goths used to put adulterers to death The Laws of the Romans called the twelve Tables did also make adultery to be a capital offence So did the Iulian Law Thus was it also among the Romans in the dayes of Augustus Caesar. Judgements immediately from God have been of divers sorts As 1. Upon particular persons namely those four and twenty thousand which died of a plague for committing adultery with the daughters of Moab Numb 25. 9. 2. On Cities The Prophet declareth this sin to be one cause of that extraordinary judgement that was executed on Sodom and the Cities near unto her he saith They committed abomination Ezek. 16. 50. hereby he means their buggery and other kinds of uncleannesse 3. Upon Nations God expresly saith That the Land where Israel dwelt spued out the Nations that were before them for sinnes of uncleannesse Levit. 18. 27 28. 4. Upon the whole world For concerning the old world which was destroyed with a â—…loud it is said That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair and they took them wives of all which they chose Gen. 6. 2. Their adulteries are hereby described and set down as a special cause of the general deluge More particularly kinds of judgement may distinctly be considered as inflicted in this world or in the world to come In this world while they live or after their death While they live Temporal or Spiritual Temporal judgements inflicted in this life on unclean persons are 1. In their Name Shame and Disgrace as we noted before § 38. 2. In their Body sundry diseases God saith of an Adulteresse That he would cast her into a bed and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation Revel 2. 22. By casting into a bed diseases which force persons to keep their bed are meant 3. In their State with extream poverty as was shewed § 38. 4. In their Soul with terror of conscience Certainly David was herewith sorely punished who in that Psalm which he penneth as a testimony of his repentance for his adultery thus prayeth Make me to hear joy and gladnesse that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Psal. 51. 8. Under that metaphor of broken bones terror of conscience is signified Hardnesse of heart and a reprobate sense hath ceised on others These are spiritual judgements inflicted in this life 5. All manner of bitternesse The end of a strange woman is bitter as wormwood and sharp as a two-edged Sword Prov. 5. 4. By experience the Wiseman thus saith of such an one I finde more bitter then death the woman whose heart is snares and nets c. Eccl. 7. 26. 6. A miserable death which the Wiseman speaking of an Adulterer and Adulteresse thus expresseth He goeth after her straightway as an Ox goeth to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the stocks till a dart smite thorow his liver as a bird hasteth to the snare and knoweth not that it is for his life Pro. 7. 22 23. After death his infamy continueth for his reproach shall not be wiped away Pro. 6. 33. And this sin is a fire that will root
the behalf of others thus Praise ye the Lord for it is good c. Psal. 147. 1. The Motive will appear to be the greater if we apply it to the several acceptions of good before set down To shew wherein the power and life of the duty whereunto he exhorteth especially lieth he expresseth this subject thereof the heart It is a good thing that the heart be established Of the divers acceptions of this word heart See Chap. 3. v. 8. § 79. It is here put for the whole soul of man and the mention thereof in this place sheweth that the heart is especially to be looked into that is it which ought most of all to be well setled and established See Ch. 3. v. 12. § 126. §. 117. Of Grace put for the Gospel THat whereabout the heart ought in special to be setled is here styled Grace It is a good thing that the heart be established with Grace Grace is here metonymically put for the Gospel So Tit. 2. 11. This is called The Gospel of the Grace of God and the Word of his Grace Act. 20. 24 32. Fitly is the Gospel thus styled in three especial respects 1. In regard of the procuring cause which is Gods free Grace Ephesians 3. 2 8. 2. In regard of the matter thereof For the Gospel setteth out Gods grace to man in Christ. The Summe of the Gospel is thus expressed by Christ himself God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son c. Ioh. 3. 16. 3. In regard of the Effect thereof which is to work encrease and perfect grace in men Where the Apostle giveth to the Gospel of Christ this title The Word of his Grace he addeth which is able to build you up Act. 20. 32. 1. This is an high commendation of the Gospel to be entituled Grace The Grace of God This makes the Word Gospel fitly to answer the notation thereof Gospel that is a good spell a good speech and an Evangile as the Scots according to the Greek notation term it that is good or glad tidings See Ch. 4. v. 2. § 16. In this respect the Gospel is styled The Word of God Chap. 6. v. 5. § 35. It is also in a like respect styled The Gospel of Peace Ephes. 6. 15. The Word of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5. 19. The Word of life Phil. 2. 16. The Gospel of Salvation Ephes. 1. 13. For Peace Reconciliation Life and Salvation is manifested by the Gospel and the Gospel is the means of making â—…s partakers thereof 2. By this title Grace given to the Gospel the Gospel is distinguished from the Law For the Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Iâ—…sus Christ. See more of this difference Ch. 6. v. 5. § 35. 3. This title Grace put for the Gospel sheweth that the ground of faith is Gods grace For the Gospel is the word of faith Rom. 10. 8. and that in this respect because it clearly revealeth the free grace of God 4. This ought to incite us to have the Gospel in high account in that it is grace the grace of God the Word of his grace They who well know the wofull plight whereunto sinners are implunged and that there is no means to free them out of it but the grace of God cannot but be much affected with his Word of grace 5. This in particular is motive enough to enforce the duty here pressed by the Apostle That the heart be established with grace §. 118. Of Establishing THe Greek word here translated Established is the same that is used Ch. 2. v. 3. § 25. and translated confirmed It is derived from an Adjectiee that signifieth firm or stable Ch. 2. v. 2. § 11. Hence also a Substantive which signifieth and is translated a confirmation Ch. 6. v. 16. § 27. Here the word implieth such a setling of a thing as remains unmovable never to be taken away To have the heart established with grace is to have such understanding of the Gospel and so to affect it in the whole soul as to be resolved never to depart from it never to be carried about with any other doctrine which is not agreeable with this grace here spoken of This phrase established in the faith Col. 2. 7. doth in effect intend as much as to be established with grace For faith is an especial effect of grace There the Apostle addeth two Metaphors which do much illustrate this point in these words rooted and built up The former Metaphor is taken for a tree such an one as our Oak whose root doth spread as far in the earth as the boughes in the air so as no storms throw it Sooner may the arms of it be rent one from another then the tree be overthrown or rooted up Thus he whose heart is established with grace will sooner suffer his limbs to be pulled one from another or his soul be parted from his body then his heart from grace or grace from his heart The other Metaphor thus translated built up is taken from an Edifice well setled upon a sure foundation like to that house whose foundation is laid on a Rock which could not be shaken by rain flouds or winde Matth. 7. 25. Luke 6. 48. Thus no persecution nothing that the Devil or Devils Instruments can do will unsettle or overthrow that mans heart which is established with grace This phrase of having the heart established with grace doth in effect intend the same thing that was intended under this phrase Hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm unto the end Chap. 6. v. 6. Both phrases require Perseverance Of motives thereto and means thereof See Ch. 3. v. 6. § 68 69 70. §. 119. Of Distinction of Meats BEcause meats were as many then used them contrary to grace the Apostle here sheweth the unprofitablenesse of them and opposeth them to grace as is evident by this negative NOT So as he denieth that to meats which he ascribed to grace as if he had more fully said It is not good that the heart be established with meats Hereby he implieth That he would not have them think that meats can establish the heart or quiet the conscience as grace can The Noun translated meats is derived from a Verb that signifieth to eat Joh. 6. 13. It is indefinitely put for all manner of food even for whatsoever one eats for nourishment Rom. 14. 15. Here it is put for such meats as were by the Law accounted clean in opposition to such as were unclean For many in the Apostles time though by the Gospel the distinction of meats were taken away made conscience of eating such meats as by the Law were prohibited and thought that they did please God therein But that the observation of that distinction of meats could not establish a mans heart the Apostle here affirmeth they could not do it under the Law nor under the Gospel Not under the Law because they were
Christ last and second 9. 143 144 Comming of Christ looked for by believers 9. 145 Comming of Christ yet to come 10. 139 Comming of Christ speedy 10. 140 Communication of properties in Christ 9 57 Companions with sufferers 10. 126. Lord 11. 138 Company with wicked dangerous 11. 138 Comparisons see Parables Compassion in Priests and Ministers 5. 9 Compassion on all sorts 5. 11. and 10. 128 Complaints of God 3. 105 Concealing such as in danger 11. 125 Conclusion to be expressed 4. 53 Conception of Christ 8. 6 Conditions stand with free grace 12. 43 Confessors and Professors distinguished 11. 259 Confessors brought to wander 11. 261 Confessors brought to want 11. 262 Confession of sin 10. 7 8 Confessors hardly handled 11. 264 Confidence for profession of faith or faith it self 3. 61 Confidence to be maintained 10. 132 Confesse thy condition 11. 67 Conscience what it is 13. 155 Conscience good and evill 13. 155 Conscience not quieted by legal rites 9. 49 Conscience most affected with sin 9. 83 Conscience quieted when purged from sin 10. 5 Conscience evil 10. 66 Consider what it intendeth 3. 21 Consider weighty matters 3. 22 Consider Christ above all 3. 23 41 Consider one another 10. 75 Consecrated a way is by Christ 10. 55 Consolation from Gods promises 6. 144 Consolation strong 6. 145 Conspiring in sin aggravates it 3. 104 Constancy See Perseverance Constancy of Christ in sufferring 12. 18 Content with thy gifts 2. 37 Content with any estate 11. 45. And 53. 61 62 c. Continue See Persevere Continue God doth his great works among opposers 3. 100 Continuance in sin aggravates it 3. 102 109 Contradictions of sinners against miseries 12. 24 Contradiction make weary 12. 2 Contrary vices to be avoided 6. 8â—… Contraries cause contrary consequences 4. 31 Converted ones at first most assaulted 10. 119 Converted ones at first great courage 10. 121 Conviction works on affection 7. 77 Corruption bitter 12. 84 Corruption to be kept down 12. 85 Corruption defileth many 12. 87 Courage spirituall needfull 12. 25 Covenant what it is 7. 94. and 8. 39 Covenant made with Christ â—… 118. 8. 45 Covenant and Testament differenced 7. 94 Covenant with Christians wherein better 7. 94 Covenant established on the Mediator 8 24 Covenant of God established on promises 8. 26 Covenants four causes 8. 40 Covenant new 8. 35 Covenant a prop to faith 8. 41 Covenant of works 8. 42 Covenant of works why promulged after mans fall 8. 42 Covenant of Grace 8. 45 46 Covenant upon tables of stone 9. 30 Covenant of God the ground of the good he doth 10. 46 Covet best gifts 2. 37 Courage spiritual needful 12. 25 Country of believers 11. 72 Councell of God immutable 6. 135 Creation not understood by reason 1â—… 8 Creation by Gods word 11 8 Creation of nothing 11. 8 Creatures variously taken 4. 75 Creatures perish how many wayes 1. 137 139 Creatures how altered by Christ 1. 140 Creatures cannot work miracles 2. 28 29 Crosse what it is 12. 17 Crosse of Christ 12. 17 See sufferings Crown Crowning 2. 60 Cruelty in death 11. 255 Cruelty of men exceeds beasts 11. 271 Crucifie Christ again 6. 41 Curse followes rejecting 6. 49 Custome no sure rule 10. 80 D. DAnger See Distresse Danger utmost to be declared 6. 30. and 10. 87 Danger of others to be prevented 11. 125 187 Danger to be timely prevented 11. 126 Danger to be prevented so long as may be 11. 127 Danger avoided by such as have courage 11. 147 158 168 Dangerous places made the safest 11. 168 Davids name frailties crosses graces priviledges 11. 211 212 c. Day To day taken for eternity 1 50 This Day applied to set times 1. 58. and 1. 61 Day the extent of it 3. 76 91 146 Daily do good 3. 145 146 Day the last 10. 82. How it approacheth 10. 83 Day the last how it is seen to appear 10. 84 Day the last how fitted for it 10. 85 David the penman of the book of Psalms 4. 44 David a type of Christ 11. 217 Death of Christ vanquished Satan 2. 144 Death See Mortall Death fearful 2. 149 Death in Gods power 5. 41 42 Death principles about it 6. 19 Death of Christ a death of suffering 2. 76 Death in causes of Religion 10 103 Death approaching take care of posterity 11. 112 119 Death most irrecoverable 11. 240 Dead works 6. 8. and 9. 8â—… Dearest yeelded to God 11. 93 Dearest subject to destruction 11. 159 Deceitfull sin is 3. 122 148 Defer not repentance 3. 76 Defences against God in vain 11. 175 Degrees of sin 2. 18. 3. 85 Deliverance from spirituall bondage 2. 152 Deliverance out of troubles 11. 121 Depart from God See Apostates Deputed to his function Christ was 3. 33 See Appointed Desertions spirituall take not away all comfort 3. 64 Desire of doing good 13. 156 Desires though earnest may be in vain 12. 96 Desperat distresse avoided 11. 23â—… Despâ—…se the Law who do 10. 102 Despisers of the Law put to death 10. 103 Despisers of Gospel more sorely punished 10. 107 Determined God hath whom to blesse 11. 90 Devil destroyed 2. 141 Devils power of death 2. 142 143 Devil an accuser 2. 146. 3. 122 Devil compriseth all the evill angels 2. 147 Devil described 3. 122. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—… 74 81. and 3 164. and 6. 84. and 10. 5 Dy men must 9. 133 Dy but once men do 9. 134 135 Different times argue different things 4. 29 Different things discerned by faith 11. 144 Different priviledges from God 11. 277 Diffidence See unbelief Diligence about heavenly rest 4. 64. and 6. 79 Directions to be added to admonitions 3. 143 Disgraces See reproaches Disgrace put upon professors â—…0 124. Disgrace a kind of persecution ibid. Disobedience distinguished from transgression 2. 14 Distresse no just cause of distrust 3. 39 See Danger See Desperate Distrust See unbelief Divers doctrines 13. 115 Divine truths differenced 2. 22 Doctrines divers and strange 13. 115 Dominions 1. 84 Dominion of Christ 2. 61 69 Doubling a word an emphaticall hebraisme 6. 103 Draw neer to God 10. 62 Drinks legall 9. 50 Dulnesse in hearing 5. 50 Dulnesse from want of exercise in Gods word 5 68 Duty necessary 2. 3 Duty daily to be done 3. 145 E EArth the foundation 1. 131 Earths and heavens extent 1. 130 Earth the place of Saints plgrimage 11. 69 Efficay of Christs propheticall office 2. 122 127 Efficacy of Christs blood before shed 9. 90 Elder not ever the worthier 11. 11 106 Elders who are 11. 6 Election Gods power therein 2. 131 Elect only given to Christ 2. 133 Elect perfected by Christ 10. 40 Eliah died not 9. 133 Elohim when to be taken of God when of creatures 1. 107 Encrease of Gods goodnesse to his Church 8. 53. And 11. 57 61 End of world cleared 9. 119 End justifieth not an act 11. 125 Endeavour after heaven 4. 63 Endeavour acceptable 13.
6. 131 God makes matters most cleer to man 6. 132 God the most high 7. 6 God to be spoken of with reverence 7. 6 God a peculiar God 8. 67. and 11. 78 God of peace 13. 163 God is the living God 3. 138. and 3. 85 God desires that which he delights in 10. 17 God to be believed that he is 11. 22 God the rewarder 11. 23 God resembled to Abraham in offering his Son 11. 94 God returns what he receives 11. 100 God seen by believers 11. 150. 12. 77 78 God invisible 11. 151 God carrieth through danger 11. 168 God can make things that stand in his way to yeeld of themselves 11. 176 God makes men differ 11. 277 God how seen 12. 77 78 Gods wrath terrible 12. 137 Good variously taken 13. 116 Good report See Report Good works to be done See works 13. 172 Good works 10. 77 Goods spoiled a persecution 10. 129 Good things to come 9. 53 Gospel to be heeded 2. 5 6 Gospel of Salvation 2. 20 Gospel Preached before Christ 2. 20 Gospel reveales the better things 2. 21 Gospel sins the greater 2. 21. and punishments 10. 107 Gospel first published by Christ 2. 24 Gospel confirmed 2. 25 Gospel-benefits 4. 16 17 Gospel a good word 6. 35 Gospel times blessed times 10. 83. 12. 115 Gospel the truth 10. 90 Gospel more excellent then the Law 12. 115 Gospel came from heaven 12. 126 Gospel-despisers surely and soarly punished 12. 127 Gospel came in with power 12. 130 Gospel unchangeable 12. 132 Governors are servants 3. 51 52 Grace of God cause of Christs death 2. 78 Grace stands with Christs merit 2. 78 Grace to be accepted in the season 3. 76 Grace ground of all good 4 97. 13. 196 Grace put for the Gospel 13. 117 Grace rejected dangerous 10. 92 Grace a cause of preferment 11. 11 192 Grace decayed may be recovered 11. 202 Grand-fathers respect to childrens children 11. 111 Growth in grace 6. 4 5. and 10. 135 Grieved how God is 3. 103 167 168 H. HAbit what it is How gotten 5. 75 Hand attributed to God 2. 33 132 133 Hands of men make external things 9. 121 Things made without hands better then things made with hands 9. 121 Harden See Heart Harlots believed 11. 183 Hatred of iniquity 1. 116 Hear Christ 3. 25 78 Hear aright 3. 77 Hear Christs prayer God did 5. 43 Hearers capacity to be observed 5. 62 74 Hearing how iâ—… profits not 4. 18 19 Heresies against Christs humane nature 2. 140 Heart What it is 3. 79 Heart to whom attributed 3. 79 Heart how hardned 3. 80 81 Causes thereof 3 84 Heart how hardned by God Satan other men 3 82 83 Heart hardned by ones self 3. 85 Heart hardned by degrees 3. 85 Heart hardned a wofull plight 3. 86 Heart hardned how discerned 3. 87 How redressed 3. 88 Heart above all to be kept 3. 126 Heart evill 3 127 Hearts sincerity 3. 70 126 Heart-searcher God is 4. 74 76 77 Heart leads to God 10. 63 Heart how pure 10. 64 Heaven Christ exalted unto 1. 35 Heavens and earths extent 1. 130 Heaven the work of Gods hands 1. 132 and 11. 49 Heavens glory 2. 93 Heaven the hope of believers 11. 76 Heaven opened 4. 84 85. and 10. 53 Heaven an holy place 9. 59. and 10. 53 Heaven the place where Christ continueth his Priesthood 9. 123 124 Heavens way 10. 54 Heaven the place of reward 10. 131 Heaven a City 11. 47 Heaven a Country 11. 72 Heavenly calling and gifts 3. 15. and 6. 33 Heavenly things purified 9. 118 Heavenly things the substances of types 9. 117 Hebrews what they were 1. 5 Hebrews much affected by the Apostle ibid. Heed See Circumspection Heed to be especially given to a speciall charge 8. 15 Heir Christ 1. 17 Heires of Salvation 1. 160 161 162 Heires of promise 6. 133 Heires none but believers 6. 134 Hell-fire how materiall how not 10. 98 Hereticks 11. 270 Hezekiahs sicknesse and recovery 11. 133 Hide such as in danger 11. 125 High-Priest Christ is See Priest 2. 173. and 5. 27 High-Priests infirmities 5. 12 High-Priests function honourable 5. 18 High-Priest and Christ resembled 8. 4 High-Priest alone entered into the most holy place 9. 40 High-Priest went once a year into the most holy place 9. 41 High-Priest entered with blood into the most holy-place 9. 42 Himself Christ offered 1. 29 Highest God is 7. 6 Hold fast 10. 132 Holy-Ghost 2. 35 Holy-Ghost true God and a distinct Person 3. 76 Holy-Ghost put for his gifts 6 34 Holy-Ghost how communicated to hypocrits 6. 34 Holy-Ghost testifieth things written before 9. 46 Holy See Saints Holy who and what so called 3. 5 Holy how men come to be 3. 6 Holy who may be accounted ibid. Holy how things are 9. 14 Holy place 9. 14 Holy of Holies 9. 15 Holy ones draw neer to God 10. 69 Holinesse excellency utility necessity 3. 7 Holinesse an evidence of Gods good respect to man 3. 8 Holinesse vilified by many 3. 9 10 Holinesse to be pursued 3. 11 Holinesse how attained 3. 12 Holinesse makes perfect 10. 27 Holinesse of God conferred on Saints 12. 56 Honour distinguished from glory 2. 66 Honour refused 11. 136 Honour may be sought 11. 136 Honour to grace 11. 11 192 Hope of Saints heaven 6. 148 157 Hope is an evidence that we are Christs 3. 62 Hope causeth rejoycing 3. 63 Hope of believers not uncertain 3. 66 and 6. 80 154 Hope of things not seen 6. 156 Hope better 7. 87 Hope a needfull grace 10. 71 Hope to be professed 10. 72 House of God Saints are 3. 37 58 House variously taken 3. 47. and 8. â—…6 House of Christ excellent and large 3. 59 House of Christ we are 3. 58 House of Christ compriseth all believers before and since Christ exhibited 3. 59 Humane Authors how usefull 11. 244 Humiliation the way to exaltation 2. 63 Husbands faith usefull to wives 11. 58 Hyperbolees how to be used 11. 60 Hypostaticall union of Christ 1. 15 Hypocrites how partakers of Holy Ghost 6. 34 Hypocrites taste of Gods good word 6. 35 Hypocrites how far they may ascend and fall 6. 36 37 Hysop what it typified 9. 103 I. IAcob his name 11. 106 Jacobs prerogatives 11 09 Iacobs trials 11. 110 Iacob worshipped on his staffe 11. 113 Idolatry hatefull 11. 38 Iealousy good over others 4. 2 Iehovah Christ 1. 28 Iephthahs Name Birth Infirmities and Excellencies 11. 207 208 209 Iephthahs rash vow 208 Iericho described How destroyed 11. 174 Iesus 2. 73 Iesus Christ joyned 3. 29 Iewes who so called 8 36 Iewes may be Christians 3. 28 Iewish Christians 7. 61 Iewes liturgy belongs not to Christians 7. 73 Iewes calling to be prayed for 8 37 Iewes priviledges belong to Christians 8. 38 Iewes perfected with Christians 11. 279 If is not alwayes conditional 2. 8 3. 60 Ignorance how it extenuates or aggravates sin 3. 111 Ignorances damages 3. 112 Ignorance a sin
The paterns that are set before us do prove as much for the choycest â—…thies of God in all former ages are set before us as examples for us to follow Heâ—… Chap. 11. We are commanded to take the Prophets for an example who were â—…ed with an extraordinary spirit Iam. 5. 10. and an Apostle requires us to 〈◊〉 him as he followed Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. And as if the best paterns on earth were not sufficient we are enjoyned to pray to do Gods will on earth as it is in 〈◊〉 Mat. 6. 10. and as if the paterns of all mere creatures were not sufficient it is required that that minde be in us which was also in Christ Iesus Phil. 2. 9. yea yet â—…ther we are exhorted to be followers of God Eph. 5. 1. and to be perfect as he 〈◊〉 Mat. 5. 48. Such is the excellency such the commodity such the sweetness of Christian knowledge and grace as a man ought never to be satisfied therewith How corrupt is the treasure of the men of this world who account an earnest â—…suance after those things to be more then needs yea not only needless but â—…ness as Festus said to Paul Act. 26. 24. Let this adde a spur to those who are most forward still to press on further 〈◊〉 to do as the Apostle professeth of himself Phil. 3. 13. c. Of propounding a perfect patern and aiming at more then we can attain to See The guide to go to God or my explanation of the Lords prayer on 3. Petit. § 68 69. §. 6. Of building upon a foundation well laid THis phrase not laying again the foundation is metaphoricall In effect it 〈◊〉 down the same thing which was intended under this phrase leaving the â—…ciples § 3. Only by this metaphor the point is more fully and plainly declared For he resembleth principles to a foundation If only a foundation be laid and 〈◊〉 more no benefit will redound to the builder but rather loss of labour there is no fit house to dwell in We can be no fit house or temple as is intended 〈◊〉 should be Heb. 3. 6. Eph 2. 21. 1 Cor. 3. 16. if we stick only in principles What a foundation in the proper signification of the word is hath 〈◊〉 shewed Chap. 1. v. 10. § 131. A foundation is both the beginning of a greater building Luk. 14. 29 3â—… and also the ground-work whereupon the rest of the building is erected 〈◊〉 whereby it is upheld Eph. 2. 20 21. It is therefore needfull that it be very solid and substantiall for it must 〈◊〉 long as the building and it useth to be but once laid By the way here note an undue cavill of the Rhemists against reading the Scripture and for traditions raised out of this place which is this we see hereby 〈◊〉 there was ever a necessary instruction and belief had by word of mouth and 〈◊〉 before men came to the Scriptures To grant there was such a kinde of instruction I deny that it was 〈◊〉 by tradition without the word of God I deny also that it was before 〈◊〉 came to the Scriptures for all of all sorts had liberty to read 〈◊〉 Scriptures As for the points which by word of mouth were taught them 〈◊〉 were catechised they were no other then the Doctrine of the Prophets and â—…postles as also the higher and deeper mysteries were For milk and 〈◊〉 meat may for matter be of the same Doctrine but the difference betwixt them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the manner of delivering it For that instruction which was brought into easie 〈◊〉 familiar principles and by word of mouth delivered to babes was taken out of 〈◊〉 Scripture as the severall heads following shew See more hereof 〈◊〉 â—… v. 14. § The participle laying joyned with this noune foundation addeth further emphasis It signifieth to cast or lay down and from thence is derived another Greek word which also signifieth a foundation as is shewed Chap. 4. v. 3. § 29. This conjunction again giveth hint of a totall apostacy as if they were in danger to fall from all their former principles so as a new foundation must be laid or else there could be no further going on This danger is more fully manifested v. 6. In this caution not laying again the foundation each word is observable 1. For erecting a good edifice there must be a foundation the first principles must be taught them who would be well instructed in the Christian faith See Chap. 5. v. 12. § 64. 2. A foundation must be well laid surely and soundly The notation of this word laying intends as much This Christ distinctly observeth Luk. 6. 48. This phrase As a wise master builder I have laid the foundation 1 Cor. 3. 10. sheweth that the Apostle was very circumspect about laying the foundation Now there is no such way to lay the foundation of Religion soundly as to ground it on Gods word Sâ—…e Chap. 5. v. 12. § 65. 3. Laying a foundation intendeth a further building For a foundation is but the beginning of an edifice The negative particle not imports thus much for by forbidding to lay a foundation he stirs them up to diligence in building up the house So as more must be learned then the first principles See § 4. 4. The inserting this word again gives us to understand that a foundation useth to be but once laid A Christian once well instructed must not stand in need to be taught the first principles again Such an one in disgrace is called a babe See Chap. 5. § 71. §. 7. Of the six principles of the Apostles Catechisme THe manner of joyning the particular principles following with this generall word foundation sheweth that they are as so many stones of that foundation They are joyned with this note of the genitive case OF This phrase The Foundation of 〈◊〉 Stones 1 Kings 7. 10. sheweth that those stones made up the foundation The number of principles here set down is diversly taken by different expositors I leave others to their own opinion I suppose that the most proper distribution will be into six heads 1. Repentance from dead works which manifesteth the naturall mans misery 2. Faith towards God which declareth the way of freeing man from misery and bringing him to happiness 3. The Doctrine of Baptismes which pointeth at the outward meanes of working faith and repentance and of revealing and sealing up unto us Gods mercy which are the Word and Sacraments 4. Imposition of hands which hinteth the order and discipline of the Church 5. Resurrection from the dead namely of our bodies 6. The eternall judgement and that of all sorts good and evill the one to receive the sentence of everlasting life the other the doom of eternall death These are the heads of that Catechisme which the Church had in the Apostles time and was to be learned of such as were to be admitted into the Church §. 8. Of repentance from