company out of coÌ„mpanie Hypocrisie pride security vnbeleefe impenitency c. In prosperity aduersity c. Partaking with others sinne Our owne righteousnesse as Esa. 64.6 is as filthy clouts and we all doe fade like a leafe and our iniquities like the wind haue taken vs away Besides personall faults as drunkennesse vsury swearing whoredome c. workes of the flesh Galath 5.19.20.21 Moreouer the workes of the flesh are manifest which are adultery fornication vncleannesse wantonnesse c. The vses of these principles are fourefold First for information and that in 9. things For hereby we may know 1. That there can be no iustification by our workes Rom. 9.20 Therefore by the workes of the law shall no flesh hee iustified in his sight for by the law commeth the knowledge of sinne Psalm 130.3 If thou O Lord straitly markest iniquities O Lord who shall stand For euery mouth must bee stopped and all the world bee guilty before God 2. That the cause of all Gods dis-regard of vs and the miseries that befall vs is in our selues How can we murmure at our crosses if wee looke vpon our sinnes There is mercy in the greatest Iudgement for it is his mercy wee are not consumed Lam. 3.22 It is the Lords mercy that we are not consumed because his compassions faile not c. If Adams one sinne deserued it what doe all these in vs. 3. That it will neuer goe well with the wicked though God forbeare for a long time Eccles. 8.11.12 Because sentence against an euill worke is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set to doe euill But it shall not be well to the wicked neither shall hee prolong his dayes he shall be like a shadow because he feareth not before God 4. That no man hath cause to brag of his good nature there are so many springs of sin within vs. 5. That the things that defile a man are from within in himselfe it is not any outward deformitie ill cloathes naturall foulenesse c. 6. That a little repentance will not serue the turne 7. That there is difference betweene the wicked and the godly in sinning 8. Concerning Gods prouidence in the death of Infants we kill young snakes and adders because they will sting as well as the old because they haue stung 9. Say not God is the cause of our ruine nor is it thy chance or ill lucke or onely the diuell that brought thee into this or that mischiefe it is thine owne ill nature Secondly for humiliation First to the godly in two respects 1. Because they find so many of their old corruptions hauing receiued such graces and mercies from God 2. Because they yet are the meanes of the conueiance of originall sinne to their children Secondly to such wicked men as liue in open sinnes yet repent not Why doth their hearts cary them away Iob 15.12.14 Haue the workers of iniquitie no knowledge are they guiltie of so many reasons and fallen into the hands of a righteous Iudge and yet secure Psal. 82.5 They know not and vnderstand nothing they walke in darkenesse albeit all the foundations of the earth be moued To ciuill honest men for here they may learne how vild their estate is though God haue restrained some euils in them for 1. They want the Image of God 2. They haue an infected nature in all the former fourteene things 3. There is in them a disabilitie in the manner of all holy duties 4. They partake of other mens sinnes many waies 5. They are guiltie of many omissions 6. They abound in inward sinnes by which God is vexed as Genes 6.5 When the Lord saw that the wickednesse of man was great in the earth and all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart were onely euill continually and Satan by theÌ„ can set vpâ—â— strong holds 2 Co. 10.5 7. They are guilty of many outward euils against the least commandements The third vse is for instruction so strong Christians should learne to admire and praise God 1. That could bee pacified Oh what is maÌ„ that God should here looke vpon such a dounghill 2. That hath so vouchsafed to make vs cleane in part from such filthinesse taking away the body of sinnes and seasoning the fountaine and drying it vp Secondly weake Christians should neuer bee at rest till they get assurance of their pardon in the blood of Iesus Christ. Thirdly all the godly 1. Sould striue after the contrary holinesse and to expresse the reformation of their natures and liues Ephes. 4.22 and cast off concerning the conuersation in times past the old man which is corrupt through the deceiueable lusts c. 2. Should walke humbly all their daies because of the many remainders of corruption as Rom. 7.15.16 c. For I allow not that which I doe for what I would that doe I not but what I hate that doe I. and looke to their hearts Heb. 3.12 Taking heed lest at any time there be in any of them an euill heart and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God And looking to it that sin raigne no more Rom. 6.16 c. 3. It should worke in all the godly a wonderfull desire of finall redemption Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shalt deliuer me from the body of this death Psalm 14.7 Oh giue saluation vnto Israel out of Zion when the Lord turneth the captiuity of his people then Iacob shall reioyce and Israel shall be glad Oh how should wee desire to get out of the world seeing all so leprous the plague sore running vpon euery man so as we are in danger to be infected in all places and by all persons 4. It should worke in wicked men a feruent desire of remission and constant indeuour in the confession of sinne crying out daily with the leper vncleane vncleane The last vse is for consolation 1. First to all men for the Lord vseth this as an argument of pitie and mercy Genes 8.21 And the Lord smelled a sauour of rest and the Lord said in his heart I will hence forth curse the ground no more for mans cause for the imaginations of mans heart is euill euen from his youth neither will I smite any more all things liuing as I haue done Isaiah 48.8.9 I knew that thou wouldest grieuously transgresse therefore haue I called thee a transgressor from thy wombe yet for my name sake will I deferre c. 2. Chro. 6.35.36 Then heare thou in heauen their prayer and their supplication and iudge their cause If they sin against thee for there is no man that sinneth not and thou be angrie with them and deliuer them vnto the enemies and they take them and carry them away captiue vnto a land farre and neere c. 2. To the godly they should admiringly reioice in their priuiledge in the blood of Christ and in the remission of all their sins CHAP. X. Of the punishment of sinne Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as
trust in God 5. As any are more godly so they must know they shall bee more assaulted Thus for instruction This doctrine of the fall hath matter in it of extreame humiliation in that eternall shame lies vpon our nature by this vile offence both in respect of the extremity of our losse and the fearfull displeasure of God Lastly it may comfort the godly to thinke of their estate by Christ hauing receiued the assurance of a better condition then euer they could haue had in Adam and the rather because they are now confirmed as the Angels of heauen that they can neuer fall from the happinesse they haue in Christ. CHAP. IX Of Sinne. Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death went ouer all men for as much as all men haue sinned c. HItherto of the cause of our misery The parts follow viz. 1. Sinne. 2. Punishment The principles concerning sin are First that all men haue sinned Psalm 14.1.2.3 The foole hath said in his heart there is no God they haue corrupted and done an abominable worke there is none that doth good The Lord looked downe from heauen vpon the children of men to see if there were any that would vnderstand and seeke God All are gone out of the way they are all corrupt there is none that doth good no not one Prou. 20.9 Who can say I haue made mine heart cleane I am cleane from my sinne 1. King 8.46 There is no man that sinneth not c. Eccles. 7.22 Surely there is no man iust in the earth that doth good and sinneth not Rom. 3.9 What then are wee more excellent No in no wise for we haue already proued that all both Iewes and Gentiles are vnder sin Iam. 3.2 For in many things we sinne all 1. Ioh. 1.8 If we say that we haue no sinne we deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. The second principle is that the nature of man is stained with sinne from the birth Iob 14.4 Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthinesse there is not one Iob 15.14 What is man that he should bee cleane and hee that is born of a womaÌ„ that he shuld be iust Psal. 51.5 Behold I was borne in iniquity and in sin hath my mother conceiued me That this infection hath ouerspread the whole nature of man hence called the old man For explication of this principle we must consider that the nature of man is tainted 14. waies For there is in man by nature Extreame darknesse sightlesnes especially in the knowledge of God and happinesse Colos. 1.13 Who hath deliuered vs from the power of darknesse 1. Cor. 2.14 But the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can hee know them because they are spiritually discerned Insensiblenesse and vnutterable hardnesse of heart Ephes. 4.18 Hauing their cogitation darkened and being strangers from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the hardnesse of their heart c. Impotency and extreame disability to deliuer our owne soules or breake off our sinnes Esa. 44.20 He feedeth of ashes a seduced heart hath deceiued him that he cannot deliuer his soule nor say is there not a lie in my right hand Enmity to that which is good Rom. 8.7 For the wisedome of the flesh is enmity to God Rom. 7.23 But I see another law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind and leading me captiue vnto the law of sin which is in my members 5. Impurity foulnes filthines all ouer Tit. 1â— 5. Vnto them that are defiled 〈◊〉 â—â—beleeuing is nothing pure 〈◊〉 euen their mindes and conscienâ—â— are defiled Psal. 14.3 All are gone out of the way they are all corrupt there is none that doth good no not one 6. Abundance of false principles 7. Pronenesse to al sorts of euil Rom. 7.14.21 For we know that the law is spirituall but I am carnall sold vnder sinne I finde then by the law that when I would do good euill is present with me c. Concupiscence Want of all righteousnesse defects of the loue feare Ioy. c in God so of mercy c Psalm 14.3 All are gone out of the way they are all corrupt there is none that doth good no not one c. Rom. 3.10 As it is written There is none righteous no not one The members are naturally seruants of sinne so the senses Rom. 6.13.16 c. Neither giue you your members as weapons of vnrighteousnesse vnto sinne c. Know ye not that to whomsoeuer ye giue your selues as seruants to obey his seruants you are to whom ye obey whether it bee of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnesse c. A seruile will a will that apprehends no liberty but in sinning Rom. 7.14 A natural aptnesse to be scandalized so as Christ himselfe is an offence a rocke of offence 1. Cor. 8.7 1. Pet. 2.6 A naturall sauouring and relishing of the things of Satan Ephes. 2.2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world and after the prince that ruleth in the ayre euen the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience This hath been euer since the first tentation in Paradise Corruption of memory Forgetting Good Retaining Euill A naturall dis-union one from another lusts of disagreement shunning all harty communion with others through dislike and selfe-loue Iam. 4.1 From whence are warres and contentions amongst you are they not hence euen of your lusts that fight in your members These things proue that wee haue all vile natures that there is not one of a good nature in the world by nature The fourth principle is that besides these sinnes that sticke fast vpon our natures euery man is guilty of horrible and many and vile actuall sinnes Psalm 14. 1.2.3 They haue corrupted and done an abominable worke c. Iob. 15.15.16 Behold he found no stedfastnesse in his Saints yea the heauens are not cleane in his sight How much more is man abominable and filthy who drinketh iniquity like water Rom 3.12 They haue all gone out of the way c. Such as are 1. A world of euill thoughts Genes 6.5 When the Lord saw that the wickednesse of man was great in the earth and all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart were only euill continually Atheisticall thoughts innumerable Impure thoughts innumerable Vaine thoughts innumerable Errours in all parts of Religion 2. Vile affections Impatiency Lust Anger Enuie Suspition Malice Worldly feare Trust Ioy Loue c. 3. Vile words bitter idle false flattering slaÌ„dering proud filthy deceitfull scornfull censuring words 4. Atheisticall workes Psal. 14.1.3 as in many places before Against Gods worship in all the parts Against the Sabbath In our particular and generall calling At home and abroad Secret open Of omission and commission Of ignorance of knowledge Sudden and of custome In
is the mystery of godlinesse which is God is manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit c. 1. Ioh. 5.20 But we know that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a mind to know him which is true and we are in him that is true that is in his son Iesus Christ this same is very God and eternall life 2. By the diuine proprieties giuē vnto him as Eternity Ioh. 1.1 Ioh. 17.5 Omnipotency Ioh. 3.31 Phil. 4.13 Sauiour King of Kings and the like 3. By diuine workes done by him as Creation Coloss. 1.16 Forgiuenesse of sinnes Matth. 9.6 Working of miracles Ioh. 10.25 4. By the diuine honour due vnto him as Adoration Psalm 72.11 Heb. 1.8 and beleeuing in him 5. By the conquest the Gospel hath made in the world 1. Tim. 3.16 and that not by any carnall power Zach. 4.6 6. By the patient suffering of his Saints Reuel 12.11 But they ouercame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their testimony and they loued not their liues vnto the death c. But why was it needfull hee should be God For two causes chiefly 1. The one was the greatnes of our euill which no creature could take off vs viz. 1. the grieuousnesse of our sinnes 2. The immense intolerable waight of Gods anger 3. The Empire of death 4. The tyranny of the diuell 2. The other was the greatnes of our good which none but God could restore viz. 1. An obedience to iustifie many 2. The image of God 1. Cor. 1.30 Colos. 3.10 If our Sauiour be the sonne of God yea God himselfe that holds it no robbery to be equall with God Then it may first serue for humiliation and so 1. To the world In which this glorious light hath risen and yet their darknesse comprehended it not Ioh. 1.5.10 To the very godly because they are not so affected as may become this maruellous glory of the Sonne of God it should much abase vs that we haue not thoughts and affections to take that notice wee should of this Sonne of righteousnesse so gloriously in the Gospell shining amongst vs we doe not receiue him conceiue of him as this doctrine teacheth vs how often hath he come amongst his owne and his owne receiued him not Ioh. 1.11 For instruction and so it should worke in vs 1. Illumination to see the greatnesse of the mistery of godlines that tels vs of God manifested in the flesh 1. Tim. 3.16 Our eyes should in this point receiue sight and clearing This doctrine should shine in our hearts as the Sunne in the firmament wee should neuer rest informing our selues heerein and praying for discerning till after much neglect and vnbeleefe past we could say with Thomas My Lord and my God Matth. 16.16 Ioh. 20.28 This is the rocke vpon which the Church is built 2. The estimation of his sufferings for vs this blood of the new Testament was the blood of God Act. 20.28 3. The celebratiō of his praises is God ouer all then let him be blessed for euermore Rom. 9.5 Of whom are the fathers and of whom concerning the flesh Christ came who is God ouer all blessed for euer Amen 4. The adoration of his person when God brings forth his onely begotten Sonne let all the Angels of heauen worship him Heb. 1.4 5. Faith this should make vs beleeue in him and relie vpon the sufficiency of the redemption in him yea we should neuer rest till we know him and that we are in him For this is eternall life Ioh. 1.7 The same came for a witnesse to beare witnesse of the light that all men through him might beleeue 1. Ioh. 5.20 But we know that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a mind to know him which is true and wee are in him that is true that is in the Sonne Iesus Christ the same is very God and eternall life The consideration of the diuinity of Christ should wonderfully comfort vs so it is vsed in diuers Scriptures For if he be God thē he is ful of grace to supply our wants Ioh. 1.14.16 He is infinite in righteousnes to iustifie vs Ierem. 23.6 The gouernment being on his sholders he will euer bee knowne to bee wonderfull as a Counsellor to direct vs as a mighty God to defend vs as an euerlasting father to loue vs and pity vs and spare vs and beare with our infirmities as a Prince of peace to preserue vs in our reconciliation with God and to fill vs with peace that passeth all vnderstanding and that we may not doubt of perseuerance the Prophet assures vs that of the encrease of his gouernment and peace there shall be no end for he will order vs and establish vs henceforth and for euer CHAP. XIII Of Christs humanity HItherto of the diuine nature of Christ There are foure principles concerning the humane nature of Christ the one concernes the matter the other three concerne the manner 1. The first that the Sonne of God was incarnate did assume the true nature of man and was a very man amongst vs Ioh. 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and that word was God 14. And the word was made flesh and dwelt among vs and we saw the glory thereof as the glory of the only begotten Sonne of the Father full of grace and truth Hebr. 2.14 For as much then as the children were partakers of flesh and blood he also himselfe likewise tooke part with them 16. For hee in no sort tooke the Angels but hee tooke the seed of Abraham 2. That hee was not conceiued as other men but by the holy Ghost Luk. 1.35 And the Angell answered and said vnto her the holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the most high shall ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee shall be called the Son of God Mat. 1.20 Feare not to take Mary for thy wife for that which is conceiued in her is of the holy Ghost 3. That hee was borne of a Virgin Esa. 7.14 Therefore the Lord himselfe will giue you a signe behold the Virgin shall conceiue and beare a Sonne and she shall call his name Emmanuel Matth. 1.18 Now the birth of Iesus Christ was thus when as his mother Mary was betrothed to Ioseph before they came together she was found with child of the holy Ghost Genes 3.15 I will also put enmity betweene thee and the woman and betweene thy seed and her seed hee shall breake thine head and thou shalt bruise his heele 4. That his humane nature did subsist in the diuine nature and so both made but one person Colos. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Luk. 1.35 And the Angel answered and said vnto her The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the most high shal ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thee
into heauen viz. as Adam did into paradise naked in body but clothed in soule with Innocency and immortality but chiefely to expiate for our shamefull wickednesse before God 10. Hee was hanged vpon a tree that so as death by the tree entred into the world so on a tree it should be destroied and life brought backe againe And besides herein Christ answered the type in Isaacks offering vp and the brasen Serpent lifted vp on high Ioh. 3.14 and that Christ lifted vp in the aire might ouercome the Prince of the aire and all his spirituall wickednesses Coloss. 2.15 And that he might beare the curse of the Law being in that kind of death made a speciall curse for vs Gal. 3.13.14 11. He dranke gall and viniger wherein he both fulfilled the Scriptures Psal. 69.21 For they gaue me gall in my meate and in my thirst they gaue me vineger to drink c. And as the second Adam bare the punishment of the first Adams offence in tasting the iuice of the forbidden fruit 12. The nailing of his hands and feete assures vs of the cancelling of the hand-writing of ordinances that was against vs both of the dissolution of all ceremoniall agreements and of the full cancelling of the bond morall for so much as concernes the forfeiture that lay vpon vs Coloss. 2. 14 c. CHAP. XXI Of Christs intercession HItherto of the expiation of sinnes The third part of the Priesthood of Christ followes and that is the intercession of Christ concerning which there are foure principles 1. That Christ at the right hand of God maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8.34 Who shall condemne It is Christ which is dead yea or rather which is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for them 2. That we haue no other intercessour in heauen but Christ 1. Tim. 2.5.6 For there is one God and one Mediator betweene God and man which is the Man Christ Iesus Who gaue himselfe a ransome for all men to bee a testimony in due time Isaiah 59.16 And when he saw that there was no man he wondred that there was no intercessour therfore his arme did saue it and his righteousnesse it selfe did sustaine it 3. That the intercession of Christ is perpetuall hee so doth it once as hee will neuer faile to doe it in all ages Heb. 7.25.28 For the Law maketh men high priests which haue infirmitie but the word of the oth that was since the law maketh the sonne who was consecrated for euermore 4. That he makes intercession onely for the Elect Iohn 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast giuen me for they are thine c. Now for the explication of these principles three things must be opened The first is the acceptation of the word intercession for it signifieth Sometimes the prayers which the godly make in the name of Christ the intercessor to turne away Gods iudgements from their brethren in this world and so it is taken 1. Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giuing of thanks be made for all men c. Sometimes the complaints that men make or pretend to make against the faults of others Thus Elias made intercession against Israel Rom. 11.2 And the Iewes made intercession against Paul Acts 25.24 But vsually it signifieth that part of the mediation of Christ in which he appeares before God to preuent or pacifie his displeasure towards the Elect. 2. The second is how many waies Christ makes intercession for vs and so there are seuen distinct things in the intercession of Christ for 1. First he presents himself before God with his merits tendring his sacrifice for our satisfaction Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places that are made with hands which are similitudes of the true sanctuary but is entred into very heauen to appeare now in the sight of God for vs. And so pacifying God toward vs Ier. 30.31 2. Hee praied and still doth pray for vs all his prayers on earth were a part of his intercession and he still prayeth for vs in heauen Rom. 8.34 Who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing hee euer liueth to make intercession for them c. 3. He offers vp our prayers and praises to God Reuel 8.3.4 That he should offer with the prayers of all Saints vpon the golden altar which is before the throne And the smoke of the odours with the prayers of the Saints went vp before God out of the Angels hand And so all our good works Col. 1.22 In the body of his flesh through death to make you holy and vnblameable and without fault in his sight 4. He vndertakes for vs before God and giues his word for vs that we being mindfull of reconciliation through him shall eschew sinne by his grace and not prouoke God any more as wee haue done This sponsion is a necessary part of the office of an intercessor Iohn 17.6 I haue declared thy name vnto the men which thou gauest mee out of the world thine they were and thou gauest them mee and they haue kept thy word 25. O righteous Father the world hath also not knowne thee but I haue knowne thee and these haue knowne that thou hast sent me 26. And I haue declared vnto them thy name and will declare it that the loue wherewith thou hast loued me may be in them and I in them 5. He pleades our cause as an aduocate and remoues and non-suites all accusations which men or Diuels may make against vs to God Rom. 8.34 as before 1. Ioh. 2.1 My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the iust c. 6. He poureth out vpon vs the spirit of intercession which causeth vs after an vnutterable manner to make our moanes and requests to God Rom. 8.26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what to pray as we ought but the Spirit it selfe maketh request for vs with sighes which cannot be expressed c. So in the 15 For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6.7 And because yee are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his Sonne into your hearts which crieth Abba Father c. 7. Hee sprinkleth his blood vpon vs by application of his merits to vs which cries and makes intercession for vs Heb. 12.24 And to Iesus the Mediatour of the new Testament and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that