will give thee a name better then of the sons and daughters He will protect thee by an invincible protection and crowne thee with everlasting and glorious salvation The best of the land of Egypt was given to Josephs brethren the best of the treasures of mercy and righteousnesse is given to thee Gifts were given to the sonnes of Keturah but the possession was Isaacs gifts are given to the sons of men but the possession amongst the Lords inheritance is given to thee O my soule thou hast obtained a lot above all lots and a mercy above all mercies Therefore exalt his name with the Church saying His mercy endureth for ever his mercy endureth for ever And make mention of his love with the Apostle Behold how great a love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sonnes of God 1. Joh. 3. CHAP. VII Concerning Redemption Definition 1. CHiefly our knowledge consists in this that having lost what was given in the creation is again restored to us by the hand of Christ in the act of Redemption who shed his blood to redeeme us from evils Phil. 3.8 Yea doubtlesse I count all things but losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ 2. The knowledge of Christ our redeemer is known by the fall of Adam and by the materiall cause of our Redemption 3. Redemption is the bringing of man to the state of libertie from the slavery of sin and Satan by the exhibition of a inst price Matth. 20.28 Even as the Sonne of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many 4. The end of Redemption is application and the fast measure rule and reason of application is the fame gracious will of God which hath been the cause of mans Redemption Galat. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Sonne of God who loved me and gave himself for me 5. Man being lost he must seek for the Redemption of his soule through the hand of Christ Christ is the adoption of the elect the conservation of the Church the instauration after dissipation and the redemption of his from Satan sin and all miseries Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeeme us from all iniquitie and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works 6. We receive the vertue of that redemption by Christ through the power of the Spirit of Christ who joyneth us with Christ Hence is he called the Spirit of sanctification and adoption and the seal of our redemption and salvation 2. Cor. 1.22 Who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts Ephes ◠14 7. When as in the loyns of Adam whole humane kind was lose so that the noblenesse and excellencie of our estate of integritie cannot profit us when we think upon it but rather turn to our greater shame untill God the Father appear in the person of his onely begotten Son to the saving or freeing of our souls from all calamities 1. Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption 8. After the fall of the first Adam whole mankind was inthralled his knowledge of God unto salvation sure would profit him nothing without a Saviour Hence saith our Saviour Joh. 17.3 This is life eternall to know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent 9. Whilest we are condemned by the Law dead in sin naked wanting righteousnesse poore wanting riches and bondmen wanting libertie we must seek for these at the hands of our Redeemer in whom and at whose hands we may receive these in the time of necessitie Hebr. 4.14 15 16. Seeing then that we have a great high Priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus the Sonne of God let us hold fast our profession For we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like us yet without sinne Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need 10. Not rashly nor by hap or chance or by the will of man that Christ should have this name Jesus but from the wil of God delivered by the Angels that he should save his people from their sinnes Mat. 1.21 And shee shall bring forth a sonne and thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sinnes 11. God was an enemy to man till by the death of Christ he was restored into favour Man was accursed till by the sacrifice of Christ his iniquitie was expiated he was separated untill by the body of Christ he into Conjunction hath been received Ephes 2.16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Crosse having slaine the enemy thereof 12. God loves us first after by Christ he redeemeth us unto himselfe and untill Christ by death redeem us from him that hath the power of death iniquitie doth remaine which may deserve the indignation of God so that through it we may stand accursed and condemned in his sight Rom. 3.19 Now wee know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every mouth may be stopped all the world may become guiltie before God Gal. 4.4 5. Verse the 4. But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his sonne made of a woman made under the Law Verse the 5. To redeeme them that were under the Law that wee might receive the Adoption of sonnes 13. When as we are redeemed by the death of Christ it is not so understood as though now he should begin to love us whom before he hated but that now loving us he doth redeeme us to be his people Gal. 1.4 Who gave himselfe for our sinnes that he may deliver us from this present evill world according to the will of God and our Father 14. It was not sufficient for the taking away of cōdemnation that Christ should undergoe death but also that he might feele the sence of his Fathers wrath upon him for us that so our Redemption from wrath might be fully accomplished 1 Pet. 2.24 Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree that we being dead to sinne should live unto righteousnesse by whose stripes ye were healed 15. The Father hath abolished the power of sinne when the curse of God rested on the flesh of Christ then Christ was a satisfactory sacrifice to his Father for sinne that the strife being ended through his sacrifice we may cease to feare the anger of God
Sanctification infancy and strong age the one is in the estate of grace the other in the estate of felicitie and glory 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 3. In Sanctification there are two parts considerable 1. Mortification 2. Vivification 4. Mortification is the first part of Sanctification through which sinne is mortified and the force thereof weakned and abated Rom. 6.6 Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we might not serve sinne 5. Vivification is the second part of Sanctification through which the Image of God is restored and renewed 1 Cor. 15.49 And as we have borne the Image of the earthly we shall also beare the Image of the heavenly 6. The efficient and absolute cause is the Father of eternall grace and mercies 1 Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soule and body be preserved blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7. The meritorious or formall cause the precious deare bloud of the Lord Christ that bought us Heb. 10.10 By the which will wee are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all Heb. 10.29 Oh how much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be thought worthy who hath troden under-foote the Sonne of God and hath counted the bloud of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace 8. The instrumentall cause of our Sanctification is the precious and sanctifying Word of the Lord Jesus Joh. 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy Word is truth 9. The spirit of life and glory is the cause principally working and perfecting of our Sanctification Hence the Spirit of Christ is tearmed the Spirit of Sanctification Rom. 1.4 10. There is an inseparable lincke and conjunction betwixt the act of Justification by or through the righteousnesse of the Lord our righteousnesse and the act of Sanctification through the Spirit of life and Adoption The ground is this Sith the end of Justification through the love of God and righteousnesse of Christ is the holinesse of our lives and conversations 11. Whilest the inabilitie of man is insufficient to mortifie sinne transgression and iniquitie the Spirit of life and consolation worketh faith in the hearts of the faithfull which layeth hold on the deare bloud and precious death of the Lord Christ which draweth strength from thence to the utter subduing and mortifying of corruption Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the bloud of Christ who through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without spot to God purge your conscience from dead workes to serve the living God Rom. 6.8 9 10. Now if we be dead with Christ we beleeve that we shall also live with him Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dyeth no more death hath no more dominion over him For in that he dyed he dyed unto sinne once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God 12. Whilest man is insufficient to restore againe the Image of God which he lost in Paradise to him is given the Spirit of life through which he is freed from the Law of sinne and death and raised againe to live by the life and resurrection of Christ Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sinne and death Rom. 8.11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you 13. The New Creature reconciled through bloud justified through righteousnesse and sanctified by the Spirit is really absolutely freed from blame reproofe and sinne in the sight of God the Father 2 Cor. 5.17 Coll. 1.22 Vide. 14. As God hath glory by faith in his promise love to his Name and hope in his salvation so he hath glory by holinesse and sanctitie in our lives and conversations Rom. 4.20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbeliefe But was strong in faith giving glory to God Joh. 17 10. And all mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven 15. Though the Father of glory and God of all consolation give us life eternall without the desert of holinesse and sanctification yet he doth not give the joy of the Spirit supply of grace without the meanes of sanctimony or sanctification Act. 10.43 44. Vide. 16. Answerable to the sence of Gods divine favour the apprehension of the divine love of Christ and the over-fillings and over-flowings of the joy of the Spirit so is the faithfulls progresse to the high calling of God in Christ Phil. 3.14 I presse toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus 17. So farre as our sanctification or holinesse is an assurance of our glory and blessednesse hereafter that it shall receive the crowne of hope and approbation in the day of Judgement and that through it we glorifie our heavenly Father before the sonnes of men we may rejoyce before God with an assured confidence Act. 24.14 15 16. But this I confesse unto thee that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers beleeving all things which are written in the Law and the Prephets And have hope towards God which they themselves also allow that there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust And herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwayes a conscience voyde of offence towards God and men 18. Not the terrors of the Law the feare of hell the dread of Justice nor the affrightment through condemnation ought to move the Saints to the obedience of the Gospel of life and salvation sith they are bound to the obedience thereof by the love of God a reconciled Father and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 15.12 This is my Commandement that yee love one another as I have loved you Joh. 14.15 If yee love me keepe my Commandements 19. Though the Saints for their sanctitie and holinesse are not assured of life and immortalitie yet without sanctitie and holinesse they are not assured of beatitude and glory Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord. 20. When the faithfull doe not consider their justified estate and condition and their glorious presentation through the act of reconciliation but opposeth and compareth their works with the Commands and Precepts of the Morall Law It doth possesse them with dreadfull griefe and woefull sorrow Heb. 12.18 19 20
convenient they should be used these presented passing thy meditation expect not the strongnesse of the aged or the boughes of a Cedar from a twig but let thy wisdome and discretion Christian Reader passe by the weaknes of the writer More must not be expected then is communicated therefore it is not meet that acceptation should be further requested yet requesting that the benefit of these may be to thy conscience sealed that thou mayst live and not die that thou mayest die and live no more to the creature but to God blessed for ever To whom be ascribed all blessednesse through Christ Jesus for evermore Thine in the Lord Christ beloved of the Father and respected of the Saints Timothie Batt The Table of the severall Heads contained in this Book 1. Of Grace 2. Of Election 3. Of the Covenant of Grace 4. Of Vnion 5. Of Vocation 6. Of Adoption 7. Of Redemption 8. Of Christs Mediation 9. Of Reconciliation 10. Of Justification 11. Of Sanctification 12. Of Glorification CHAP. I. Concerning Grace Definition 1. THe Hebrew word Chen from Chanan doth signifie to pitie The Greeke ward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from charistomaj signifies to shew kindnesse to a man immeriting or undeserving Definition 2. Grace is the free benevolence or gracious favour of God the Father in Christ through which he loves his chosen and peculiar people remitting their transgressions imputing them just and righteous and bestowing on them the spirit of Adoption and eternall hope and benediction Jer. 31.33 34. I will be their God and they shall be my people I will forgive their sin and their iniquitie I will remember no more Ephes 1.3 Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly things in Christ 3. The prevenient grace of God is that through which God loves his in the beloved without any respect to any merits or deservings in his own peculiar 1. Joh. 4.19 We love him because he loved us first 4. The concomitant grace of God is that whereby he doth continually supply his own with sweet communion with himself in the day of grace and perfect fruition and communion with his Christ in the eternall weight of glorie 1. Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard that declare we unto you that ye may have communion with us and our communion is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 5. The subsequent and prevenient grace of God are all one and the same onely they differ in respect of dispensation 6. Operating grace is that which changeth the mind will and affection Cooperating grace is that which makes the Saints move to Godward when the will is changed 1. Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Phil. 4.13 I am able to do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me 7. The grace of Christ is that whereby he dispenseth abundantly to the Saints from the overflowing and abundance of grace enwrapt within himself and procureth for his eternall favour through which they are ever beloved of his Father Joh. 1.16 And of his fulnesse all we receive grace for grace Jude 21. Keep your selves in the love of God waiting for the mercie of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8. The supereminencie of divine grace and bountie is declared in the redemption union and salvation of the unworthie and immeriting Ephes 2.7 That he might shew in the ages to come the supereminent riches of his grace according to his bountie towards us in Christ 9. Grace is proposed unto all in the Gospel of life and reconciliation but made effectuall to none but the Saints beleeving Hebr. 4.2 The Word profited them not because it was not mixed with faith in them which heard it 10. The fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse mediately are produced by the Saints communion with Christ and immediately by grace the cause of everlasting hope and reconciliation 1. Joh. 1.6 If we say we have communion with him and walk in darknesse we make him a lyar and there is no truth in us Tit. 2.11 The grace of God which bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared vers 12. Teaching us to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live chastly godly and righteously in this present world 11. The collocation of inestimable and unspeakable graces abounded in Christ sith he was anointed with the oyl of gladnesse above his fellows and the Spirit was not given to him by measure Hebr. 1.9 Joh. 3.34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giveth him not the Spirit by measure 12. There is an inseparable conjunction between the grace of God and the satisfaction of the Lord Christ sith the Lord Christ hath no otherwise merited life and salvation by his merit or satisfaction save by the favour or divine pleasure of his Father Luk. 22.42 Father if thou wilt take this cup from me neverthelesse not my will but thy will be done Joh 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Sonne that whosoever beleeved on him might not perish but have eternall life 13. There is an inseparable bond betwixt the satisfaction of Christ and the pleasure of God the Father Hence whatsoever the Lord Christ hath procured it is his Fathers pleasure to bestow it Matth. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world 14. The inestimable grace of God which is collocated in the Lord Jesus and from him effectually bestowed on the Saints redeemed cannot utterly be abolished or extinguished Rom. 8.39 Neither height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 15. The Lord Christ by the grace of supplyment doth supplie the travellers of his hope in the estate of love and mercy and by the grace of complement doth crown his peculiar with the fruition of glorious and full communion in the estate of glory 1. Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who is made unto us wisdom of God and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption Which is his body the complement of him who filleth all in all Ephes 1.23 16. Answerable to the act of faith pitching upon God the Father in his beloved Christ so is the gracious injoyment of the sence of Gods free mercie and benevolence in Christ Ephes 3.17 18 19. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith 18. That being rooted and grounded in love ye may be able to comprehend what is the breadth and the length and the depth and the height 19. And to know the love of Christ which passeth all knowledge that ye may be filled with all the fulnesse of God 17. Pacification of spirit and peace of conscience ariseth whilest the faithfull rest on Gods fatherly indulgencie being
be manifested upon them Rom. 9.23 That he might declare the riches of his glory upon the vessels of mercie which he hath prepared unto glory 2. God in the election of free grace wils the glory of the riches of his grace and the everlasting benediction of his people Hence he hath disposed a way for them that they may come to everlasting life and benediction Ephes 1.5 6. Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ in himself according to the good pleasure of his will vers 6. Vnto the praise of the glory of his grace whereby he hath made us freely accepted in his beloved 3. Christ is not the meritorious or impulsive cause of election nothing in election must be considered but the meer and free goodnesse of God our heavenly Father Ephes 1.11 In him I say in whom we have obtained lot whilest we were predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsell of his own will 4. The fruition of glorious salvation is founded on the free mercie and bountie of a loving God the matter upon the obedience or satisfaction of Christ the instrument is faith and the end is the glory or illustration of divine mercie Ephes 1.4 As he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblameable before him in love 5. The elect can never fall finally or totally from grace received sith in Christ their grace is founded and that Gods love to them in Christ cannot be altered Isa 54.10 For the mountains shall remove and the hils shall fall down but my mercy shall not depart from thee neither shall the covenant of my peace fall away saith the Lord that hath compassion on thee Rom. 8. last verse Neither height nor depth nor any other 〈◊〉 shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 6. To the Elect is given the sound and solid knowledge of God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent sith that to them is not onely given the knowledge of the letter but also the revelation of the mystery of God Christ through the Spirit Colos 1.27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mysterie among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory Contemplation BEfore man had a being God moved to man through love the being and well-being of every creature He singled Angels to stand in the estate of puritie and man to stand in the estate of innocencie and integritie Love chose us before we were chosen Love imbraced us before we loved Much was given to Mary she loved much much is given to the Saints before they loved before we were the children of wrath we were the children of mercie and whilest we were the children of mercy we became the children of wrath we were that we are not through love we are that we were not not for beautie amiablenesse or comelinesse not for works doings and performances not for riches honours or dignities are we chosen to salvation Our silver became drosse our excellencie became a dunghill of iniquitie and our glory was turned to impuritie The Father of mercie moved in mercie shewed mercie and yearning in the bowels of compassion incompassed poor souls with dear compassions when they were in their blood he said unto them Live when they lay wallowing in their blood he made them live for ever they were received when the righteous were refused the poore prodigals are received in their fathers house when the self-conceited are despised The loveliest starres and the choisest cedars were chosen for the building of the Temple the poorest spirits and the captives of hope are chosen to be temples of the holy Ghost Oh my soul thou art become a child of bountie through bountie and a vessell of glorie through the riches of eternall glorie thy Father delighted in thee when thou hadst no delight in him he loved thee when thou hadst no love to him and gave thee the right hand of fellowship and communion when thou stoodest not related to Godward by relation or union Fear nothing O my soul what though thou art not famous nor glorious in the world what though thou possessest not the riches and pleasures thereof what though no eye under heaven shew pitie or compassion towards thee yet thy God will extend the bowels of that his tender bountie towards thee Art thou not chosen of mercie to expresse mercie and a vessell of glorie to expresse the riches of his glorie thou art chosen to be that thou wouldest be and denied to be that thou wouldest not be denied to be a child of wrath and death and chosen to be an heire of mercie and life What wilt thou give to God for so great a kindnes what wilt thou render to God for so great a favour though thou canst not answer mercie yet declare of mercie and though thou wantest in the expression of favour yet declare and expresse the favour of thy loving God and Father Psal 136.23 Who remembred us in our base estate for his mercy endureth for ever CHAP. III. Concerning the Covenant of grace Definition THe Covenant of grace is the free promise of God in Christ Jesus through which he strongly assureth his chosen people that he wil be their God and they shall be his people Jer. 31.31 32 33. The 31. verse Behold the daies come saith the Lord that I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah The 32. Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt which my Covenant they break although I was an husband unto them saith the Lord. The 33. But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those dayes saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people The difference betwixt the old and the new Covenant 1. Under the old they had the promise of Christ to come we the testification that Christ is come 1. Joh. 5.6 This is he that came by water and blood even Jesus Christ not by water onely but by water and blood and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spirit is truth 2. They had the time of infancie and bondage we the time of freedome and the spirit of adoption Galat. 4 5 6. The 5. To redeeme them that were under the Law that we might receive the adoption of sons The 6. And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts crying Abba Father 3. In old time it was made known onely to one people in our time to all Nations under heaven Isa 54.1 Sing O barren thou that didst not beare breake
forth into singing and cry aloud thou that didst not travell with child for more are the children of the desolate then the children of the married wife saith the Lord. Rom. 10.6 7 8. But the righteousnesse which is of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above 7. Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring Christ again from the dead 8. But what saith it the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach 4. They had the grace of God darkly and obscurely we plainly and apparently 2. Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 5. The communication or gifts of the Spirit under the Gospel of reconciliation are more excellent then those which have been communicated under the Law Act. 2.17 18. the 17. And it shall come to passe in the last dayes saith God I will poure out of my Spirit upon all lesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesie and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams The 18. And on my servants and on my hand-maids I will poure out in those dayes of my Spirit and they shall prophesie 6. The old Covenant was given by Moses this by Jesus Christ Joh. 1.17 For the Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 7. The old Covenant binds us over to absolute righteousnes the new commands us to seek it in Christ the Lord our righteousnesse Joh. 6.40 And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and beleeveth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day Rom. 3.26 To declare I say at this time his righteousnesse that he might be just and the justifier of him which beleeveth in Jesus 8. The old Covenant was given to impell men to Christ the new to hold forth and exhibite Christ Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternall life and they are they which testifie of me 9. The proper object of the old was to consternate and humble the new to comfort them who are consternated and humbled Matth. 11.28 29. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavie laden and I will give you rest 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls 10. They differ by accident and through our infirmitie for the Law without the Gospel is insufficient to salvation Rom. 8.3 For what the Law could not do in as much as it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh 11. The Lord Christ is the Mediatour of the new Covenant not onely because the Covenant is made with his for his sake but because through the vertue of his mediation this Covenant cannot be disanulled Hebr. 8.6.9 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministery by how much also he is the Mediatour of a better Covenant which was established upon better promises 9 Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt because they continued not in my Covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord. 12. The supereminent superabundant and superexcellent grace of God our dear and propitious Father is manifested to his poore servants in that he hath established the everlasting Covenant of free grace and mercie in the hand of Christ Mediatour 2. Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us Hebr. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediatour of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance 13. The Covenant of grace is an everlasting and perpetuall Covenant sith the foundation of that Covenant is the free grace of God and the ratification and confirmation of the same is the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ Hebr. 12.24 And to Jesus the Mediatour of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel 14. The supereminence of divine grace and favour hath not only appeared in this that he hath established this Covenant in the hand of a Mediatour but also in this that he hath smitten a Covenant with the immeriting and undeserving Hos 2. the last And I will sowe her unto me in the earth and I will have mercie upon her that had not obtained mercie and I will say to them which were not my people Thou art my people and they shall say thou art my God 15. The grace of God is the ground the blood of Christ the matter the end eternall life and beatitude made over to the faithfull in all ages that they might be certainly and fully assured that God will be their God and Father everlasting Hos 2.19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteousnesse and in judgement and in loving kindnesse and in mercie 16. The true and solid knowledge of this free Covenant of grace bountie causeth the beloved Saints and beleevers to hate all Pharisaicall performances or the righteousnesse of Justiciaries Phil. 3.9 That I may be found in him not having mine own righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is by the faith of Christ the righteousnesse which is of God through faith 17. The benefits of the free Covenant of pitie and clemencie are the remission of sinnes and condonation of transgression the donation of the Spirit everlasting and continuall communion with the Lord Christ in the kingdome of felicitie perseverance in the state of grace by the all-sufficient hand of God our clementious and heavenly Father Jer. 31.34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord For they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquitie and I will remember their sin no more 1. Joh. 3 24. And he that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us 1. Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation to be revealed in the last time 18. The intrinsicall seal of the Covenant of grace and salvation is the Spirit of glory and obsignation the extrinsicall is the Lords Supper Baptisme 1.
the time of the Law taught plainly that God would not be mercifull to any but through Christ and that salvation could not be found elsewhere save in the expiation of Christ who should poure out his blood for his peoples ransome Luk. 22.2 Likewise also he took the Cup after supper saying this Cup is the new Testament in my blood which is shed for you 27. When as man hath not been able to stand in Gods sight through the feare and terrour of transgression that we might appear without fear and terrour he hath given Jesus Christ our Lord that he might be Mediatour and Advocate with himself for us 1. Joh. 2.12 I write unto you little children because your sinnes are forgiven you for his Names sake 28. Christ is Mediatour to day yesterday and for ever Hence Gods people never fail of acceptation in Gods sight that loves them Heb. 13 8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever Ephes 1.6 He hath made us accepted in the beloved 29. Who of the sonnes of men could make themselves the sons of God of captives heires of the celestiall kingdome except Christ Mediatour who assumed the humaine nature of man that he might give to them that plenitude of his grace which was given unto him and that he might take to him that which belonged unto them 2. Cor. 5. last For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 30. The prayers which the faithfull offer up to God are freely accepted through the mediation of Christ Ephes 5.2 And walk in love as Christ also loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice unto God for a sweet smelling savour 31. Christ for ever appearing Mediatour and Advocate in the presence of God God doth turn away his face from our sins and turn his face toward his righteousnes Dan. 9.24 Sevēty weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy Citie to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins and to make reconciliation for iniquitie and to bring in everlasting righteousnesse and to seal up the vision and prophesie and to anoint the most holy 32. Through the mediation of Christ true beleevers have free accesse to the throne of grace from which they are filled with divine grace and heavenly blessings being freed from the terrors horrors of their spirituall enemies Luk. 1.74 That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies may serve him without fear Hebr. 2.15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage 33. Damned preparatories will faile in the houre of death and judgement when the mediation of Christ will be a citie of refuge against sin and an arke of covert against the rigour of the Law and all evils Rom. 8.34 Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Contemplation SUch was thy separation O Christian from God that thou nor I could approach nigh to God without the hand of our Mediatour Christ Jesus through sin the hand-writing is written against us we are laid in the ballance and found too light the mightie wall of separation doth so prevent us from approaching that unlesse God did descend down to us by Christ we could not ascend to him If we did but think of ascending to God without Christ our quakings would be like the quakings of Beltashazar and our tremblings as the tremblings of Israel before Mount Sinai or we should hide our faces from him as did Adam our Father How terrible how dreadfull how angry is God with those who look toward him for mercy without Christs Mediation Assuredly if God should but enter into judgement for one sin should but ponder or weigh one iniquitie none could stand before him If the Angels are impure in respect of the puritie of his nature how much more sinfull or ungodly men Man may offend or trespasse against man and man may plead for him But if man sinne against God who shall plead for him but Christ By him alone we have recourse to the throne of grace for grace and to the throne of mercie for mercy Without him the heaven should be as brasse and iron so that our prayers could not enter into the celestiall Sanctuary nor find acceptation in the presence or sight of God Where now is the hand of mercy the scepter of bountie and the comfortable answer of God to the conscience but in Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us Wherefore if we want wisdome peace and righteousnesse remission of sins and joy of the holy Ghost let us look towards heaven and remember that Christs oblation once offered is so prevalent that through that we shall have an answer of what our souls desire Though we may hide our faces as did the Cherubims in respect of our own vilenesse yet may we look up to God for spirituall blessings through the mediation of Christ with confidence No child may go freer to his father no wife to her husband then we may have recourse to God through Jesus Christ Whilest our prayers are weak Christs mediation is strong and whilest our performances deserve to be denied through Christs oblatiō they are accepted Hester found acceptation although the golden Scepter of Ahashucrus was not stretched forth much more shall we find accepration sith that in Christ the Scepter of bountie is stretched forth not faithlesse requests lowdnes of voice repetitions of hell and death cause an answer of desires for had not Christ merited an answer wee could not be answered Hence before our requests touch the heavens we have an answer on the earth Dan. 9.23 At the beginning of thy supplications the Commandement came forth and I am come to shew thee for thou art greatly Beloved therefore understand the matter and consider the Vision CHAP. IX Concerning Reconciliation Definition 1. REconciliation is an Act of the free and deare love of God our heavenly gracious and clementious Father whereby through the death and bloud of the Lord Jesus Christ he hath reconciled us unto himselfe to the end that we might enjoy everlasting peace and communion with himselfe through his beloved 2 Cor. 5.19 2 Cor. 5.18 Rom. 5.10 Coll. 1.20 2. As the bloud of Christ is the cause of Redemption from sinne so it is the cause of Reconciliation to God Coll. 1.20 And having made peace through the bloud of his Crosse by him to reconcile all things unto himselfe by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven 3. The onely subject in whom we are reconciled to God our Father is Christ Jesus our Lord sith that in him alone God doth not impute our sinnes to us 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in
have of the answer of mercy and of the treasures riches and wisdome of Christ is because that through the infinite worth of Christs death and bloud they are absolutely reconciled to GOD the Father Col. 2.2 That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. Col. 1.21 22. Yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight Contemplation THe saying of Ahaziah King of Israel to Jehu was Is there peace His answer was What peace The reply of the wounded Conscience is Is there not peace The answer is given there is peace God who was an enemy is now become a friend his hatred against sinne was so great that it could not be pacified or asswaged by any humane creature The barres of Hell the gates of death the iron bands of sinne the fiercenesse of the Morall Law is removed by a person infinite the same vertue and worth which hath procured Redemption hath procured Reconciliation The strength of Sampson was more then the gates of Azzah the vertue and worth in Christ hath been above the enmity betwixt God and man What is like to this great and wonderfull worke of Reconcilement As nothing can parallell the work of Redemption and Union with GOD through Christ so nothing can equall the work of Reconciliation to God by the hand of Christ When we see the Rain-bow we admire yet wee cease to admire when we consider the hand that made it When we behold the famous work of Reconciliation we may wonder yet cease to wonder when we consider the hand that did it How comfortable is the calmenesse of weather after stormy times How passing comfortable is the peace of Conscience from Reconcilement to God after the stormy times of temptation Out of the sweet comes Corroboration and out of this comes the greatest consolation When Balacke saw the standing of Israel in the Wildernesse he said How comely are thy tents O Israel and thy habitations O Jacob When the faithfull through the eye of faith behold the fruits of reconciliation to God they say how great delight and comfortablenesse ariseth from that peace which is made betwixt God and their soules Hence from the worke of Reconciliation comes the worke of a Christians moving to God-ward with freenesse of spirit Hence comes the Gospell of Reconciliation which speaks better things then the Law the Law speakes evill as Micah against Ahab as Doâ—g against the Priests of the Lord as the Jewes against our Saviour but now the Gospell speakes graciously and sweetly of peace of grace of mercy being that man to God is reconciled through the hand of the Mediator Jesus Christ turne therefore thine eare from the Law to the Gospell and walke thou in the comfort thereof till thou come to see thy Redeemers face in Sion and the brightnesse of the countenance of thy loving God and Father blessed for evermore Then shalt thou be satisfied with his favour filled with joyes and his sight and Image shall be thy great contentment Then shalt thou say with the Psalmist Psal 16 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is fulnesse of joy at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore CHAP. X Concerning Justification Definition 1. ZAdick Just in hiphill signifieth righteousnesse in hisdiâ—k justificare that is to account some man just or righteous Rom. 3.26 To declare I say at this time his righteousnesse that he might be just and the justifier of him which beleeveth in Jesus 2. Justification is the gracious sentence of God through Christ apprehended by faith whereby he doth free the sinner from sins death and condemnation and repute them just to life glory and salvation Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 5. ult That as sinne hath raigned unto death even so might grace reigne through righteousnesse unto eternall life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 3. This gracious sentence in Justification proceeds from Gods decree that it might be pronounced in Christ our Saviour to his people and virtually sealed to the soule by the holy Spirit that the Saints might be assured of the condonation of iniquitie and the imputation of divine and heavenly righteousnesse Micah 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy Rom. 5.18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousnesse of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life 4. By the same grace wherby Christ was called unto the office of a Mediator the elect are called to union and communion with Christ and by that accounted just in the sight and presence of God Hebr. 3.1 2. Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling consider the Apostle and high Priest of our profession Christ Jesus Who was faithfull to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithfull in all his house 1. Cor. 1.9 God is faithfull by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Sonne Jesus Christ our Lord. 5. The efficient cause of our justification is the rich and free grace of God the mereitorious cause is themerit of Christ the instrumentall cause is faith apprehending and resting on the promises of God the end is the glory of God the salvation of beleevers and the illustration of divine mercy Rom. 5.17 For if by one mans offence death reigned by one much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gifts of righteousnesse shall reigne in life by one Jesus Christ 6. Christ is dead and all are dead that the righteousnesse of one might be imputed to all 2. Cor. 5.15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Rom. 4.24 But for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we beleeve on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead 7. Christ willingly died and was willingly crucified and willingly bare the sence of his Fathers wrath for our sakes that he might break the bonds and chains of death that he might satisfie the justice of his Father and bring in everlasting peace attonement and reconciliation Isa 53.6 7. All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned everie one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquitie of us all He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a Lambe to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumbe so he opened not his mouth 8. Christ changeth our estate and condition and clotheth us with his pure
I will shew thee my faith by my works 26. In the justification of the Saints through faith we must consider the remission of sinne and transgression The imputation of divine and celestiall righteousnesse the gracious acceptation of the Saints prayers and praises and that free and gracious reconciliation with God our bounteous and celestiall Father 27. True justifying faith hath alwaies joyned with it a certain perswasion of the bountie and exceeding mercy of God the Father in Christ Jesus Hebr. 6.18 19. That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us Which hope we have as an ancre of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the vaile 28. Though the Saints after their justified estate and condition may aske the pardon of sin and the forgivenesse of iniquitie notwithstanding the end thereof must be the further assurance thereof the exaltation of the riches of grace and the praise of the blood of Christ which is the cause of condonation or remission The grounds are these that diffidence and unbeleef may be removed and the exaltation of the love of God in Christ may be exalted 29. The new creature presented in Christ unblameable and unreproveable in the sight of God through reconciliation made perfect and pure in the presence of God through justification endewed with the heavenly pure grace of sanctification is so freed from sinne iniquitie and transgression that God beholds no more sin in it then in the Lord Jesus Christ Joh. 17.23 I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me 30. O admirable change O garment most sumptuous O royall and beautifull robe of Christs puritie and divine righteousnesse wherewith the Saints are adorned his chosen invested and his beloved friends and brethren enrobed that they may be for ever and evermore presented glorious in the sight of God who is most righteous and holy Revel 3.4 Thou hast a sew names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy Revel 7.13 14. And one of the elders answered saying unto me What are these which are arayed in white robes and whence came they And I said unto him Sir thou knowest And he said to me These are they which came out of great tribulation and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lambe Contemplation THe Church of Christ is all glorious within through the rare induements of the Spirit of grace she is all glorious without through the righteousnesse of Christ imputed to her God her Father beholds her compleat in the garment of her elder brother if she sin she is washed if she is washed she is purified if she is purified she is spotlesse being she is purged by the blood of the Lambe Christ Jesus The robe of righteousnesse wherewith she is attired is not beggerly but rich not impure but pure not finite but infinite Though the world judge her poore naked and miserable yet she is holy pure and cleane she is as she is made to be compleat in Christ who is her head and bridegroome we beleeve there is an holy Catholique Church we see it not for it is invisible notwithstanding Gods imputation is not to be gainsaid by the rabble of unlearned Doctors If God speak the thing it is so if God impute her just shall it not be so If the Son make her free she is free indeed if God account her just she is just indeed If a King forgive a rebell who shall impute that fault to him If God acquit his Church who shall lay any thing to her charge When Jacob was clothed with the garment of Esau his nakednesse appeared not to the sight of his old father Isaac The Church being clothed with the righteousnesse of Christ her nakednesse appears not in the sight of God her heavenly Father through this garment wherewith she is so strongly invested she is worthie to follow the Lord Christ from earth to heaven not onely by the ascent of heavenly meditation but by ascent of soule after her pilgrimage is ended For what ends to participate of all the rich and celestiall treasures which have been prepared for her before the foundation of the world and to see the face of her loving Father in celestiall glory What now shall fear her shall wrath shall anger divine justice or indignation No for she is beloved through her well beloved Christ the very Angels rejoyce because she is rich and full of treasures beautifull and exceeding amiable through the beautie and amiablenesse of Christ which is given to her Had Benjamin a suit passing the suites of his brethren and hath not the Church a righteousnesse passing the righteousnes of Pharisees Hence she loveth knoweth nor acknowledgeth any other righteousnesse save the righteousnesse of Christ she detesteth even her own works in matter of justification she will weare no linsie-wolsie garments for her pride is great and her ambition much in that particular All her glorie is in the Lord her righteousnesse all her thoughts is now to love and praise her Saviour and cease from working any more in the way of justification confessing that of and from and in him she injoyeth it ascribing continually to him the praise of righteousnesse She giveth the glory of glory to the Prince of glory she rendreth the praise of life to the Lord of life she ascribeth the honour of peace to the Mediator of peace and she attributeth the dignitie of righteousnesse to her Lord of righteousnes She is in Christ as a branch in the Vine through union She is in Christ as a man in the Sunne by glorification she is in Christ as a man in his garment through Justification Shee desireth none to rest in her but Christ the hope of glory she requesteth to be in none but Christ her everlasting righteousnesse for his righteousnesse is the righteousnesse of God and it is his Fathers pleasure that he should become the Lord her righteousnesse Upon which consideration he is tearmed the God of her righteousnesse Psal 4.1 Heare me when I call O God of righteousnesse for thou hast set me at libertie when I was in trouble have mercy upon me and hearken unto my prayer CHAP. XI Concerning Sanctification Definition 1. SAnctification is a reall transmutation from the filthinesse of sinne unto the puritie of the Image of God Ephes 4.22 23 24. That yee put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts And be renewed in the spirit of your minde And that yee put on that new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse 2. There are two degrees of
inheritance unto the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory 2 Cor. 5.1 For wee know if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hand eternall in the heavens 6. The glory and dignitie of the Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour consists not in temporall joyes terrene pleasures or earthly jucundities but in the divine manifestation of the blessed presence of a God most loving Psal 4.7 8. Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us Thou hast put gladnesse in mine heart more then in the time that their corne and wine and oyle increased Psal 17.15 They have children at their desire and leave the rest of their substance for their babes Verse the 16. But as for me I will behold thy presence in righteousnesse I shall be satisfied when I wake with thy likenesse 7. Not onely the whole Church espoused redeemed and reconciled shall have possession in the Kingdome of hope and consolation but also they shall be possessed of it for ever and evermore Hence shee is said to reigne for ever and evermore Apoc. 22.4 5. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads And there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the Sunne for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reigne for ever and ever 8. That priviledge from bonds by redemption the righteousnesse of Communion with Christ and of the bright shining and glorious countenance of God in Christ shall be more fully comprehended in the Kingdome of felicitie then hath been comprehended or apprehended in this vaile of misery 1. Joh. 3.2 Behold now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 9. The sence of the deare and tender love of God through union and communion with the Lord Christ is that happinesse felicitie glory and beatitude which shal be injoyed of the Saints for ever and ever 10. The abundant fluent and supereminent grace of God powred upon the faithfull and beloved Saints in the estate of grace is their glory hope and blisse in that estate and condition Rom. 5.2 By whom also we have accesse by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoyce under hope of the glory of God 11. The heavenly Canaan hath been designed out by the promised Land of Canaan and our heavenly Jerusalem hath been figured out by the earthly Jerusalem Gal. 3.25 26. For this is Agar in Mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to Jerusalem which now is and is in bondage with her children But Jerusalem which is above is free which is the mother of us all 12. Predestination from eternall vocation by the Word of truth and the Spirit of glory Justification through the admirable and pure righteousnesse of Christ Sanctification by the death and resurrection of Christ are insepably conjoyned to the glorified estate and condition of the Saints in glory Rom. 8.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified 13. Joyes supereminent comforts superexcellent consolations superabundant are annext to the faithfull and dear children of glory when they think and consider they shall have an end of all their hopes a fulnesse of all their wants an answer of all their desires in that heavenly glorious and famous Citie where their loving Redeemer and dear Father dwels and inhabits for evermore Isa 15.8 He will swallow up death in victory and the Lord God will wipe away teares from off all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth for the Lord hath spoken it Psal 36.9 For with thee is the well of life and in thy light shall we see light Apoc. 7.15 16 17. Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them They shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the Sunne light on them nor any heat For the Lambe which is in the middest of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters and God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes Contemplation SWeet were the streames which were in Paradise precious are the streams which flow from this fountain of grace and glory it is a free glory which is bestowed upon the Saints beloved Freenesse of grace is the cause of justification the freenesse of love the cause of sanctification the freenesse of bountie the cause of glorification What worth what value what dignitie hath there been in thee O my soule For in thy conscience hath been impuritie in thy will contradicencie in thy affection indignitie and in thy flesh impugnancie Thou that wast purer then the purest Nazarene becamest more leprous then Naaman the Syrian Thou that wast more polished then the polished Saphir becamest most vile by thy wicked nature thou mayest confesse that thou art nothing thy Christ is all yea a thousand nothings for he is all for evermore This glory was destinated for thee before the world was promised to thee in the covenant of free grace and bountie treasured up in Christ the Mediator of free grace and mercie and sealed by the Spirit of Adoption life and glorie What said I is it laid up in Christ Yea for in him is thy power wisedome strength and felicitie in him is thy peace rest life and glory in him is thy redemption wisedome righteousnesse and excellencie Hast thou not heard that in him the Father is well pleased in him dwels the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily and that the light of the glory of God shines in his face and favour Not onely mediate communion is granted to thee in the day of thy grace but immediate communion shall be grāted to thee in the day of thy glory and felicity It is meet that Christ who is the Redeemer of poore souls the justifier of the ungodly the Reconciler of them who were at enmitie the selector or chuser of a people undeserving that he should be the fountain of their blessednesse and beatitude It is an honour too great to be given to principalities to powers to dignities to Mights or to Dominions this onely befits Israels eternall Shepheard the Author of their peace and Prince of their consolation This hath been the Fathers pleasure that as all their joyes love peace righteousnesse and promises should be communicated to the Saints by Christ in the vale of miserie This hath been the Fathers bountie that the communion of the Saints the perfection of his people the coronation of his Martyrs should be given to his in him in that state so happie The end of predestination is vocation the end of vocation union the end
perfection of grace yet not without grace though grace and glory is no cause of heavines yet sometimes the Saints are in heavinesse But their Lord will see them againe their hearts shall rejoyce and their joy shall no man take from them They shall see CAn mortall man behold the face of God in glory No. Can mortalitie behold him who is invisible No or can the frail creature eye him who is immortall No No man hath seen God at any time but the Son out of his bosome he hath declared him but when corruption shall put on incorruption when weaknesse and frailty shall be clothed with strength and glory and mortalitie shall put on immortalitie then shall they see his face His. VVHat the face of an earthly Potentate No what the sight of an earthly Prince No. What the countenance of a mightie Monarch No. What then the face of him who is the God of sweetest consolation the Father of divine and shining glory the Creator of the heavenly wights and the orbe terrestriall the Lord of hosts our Israels King and the God onely wise blessed for evermore Amen His face VVHere are the fountains of pleasures where are the springs of delectation where are the rivers of supercelestiall joyes and consolation save in his sweet and gracious presence Is not that the river that makes glad the Citie of our God Is not that the stream which maketh glad the Tabernacles of the most high Is not that the sweetest spring that refresheth all the Saints beloved Are Abanah and Pharper rivers of Damascus comparable the waters of Jordan answerable or the waters of Bethlehem in parralell to this No the captives say by this they are delivered the wounded affirme by this that they are healed the dead relate by this they are revived this makes the thirsty land a poole of pleasant waters the driest land a spring of sweetest solace and the desart place a place of hopefull scituation If we might enjoy heaven and not this what sweetnesse If we might enjoy the company of celestiall weights what delightfulnesse If we might enjoy all things and not this all what cheerfulnesse The thought thereof makes the travellers to heavenly glory comfortable and triumphous in their walking the fighters for the heavenly crown of righteousnesse valiant and victorious in battell and the prisoners in bonds and chains for Christ's sake pleasant and joyous in praises O what thought like this thought O what cogitation like this cogitation or what consideration like this ponderous and serious consideration To consider that through the light of this countenance and the cheerfulnesse of this blessed face and favour the Saints shall be delivered from all evill to enjoy the highest and supremest good For they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads What delivered from all evils Yea by this the Law hath no power to accuse before the barre of Justice arraigne before the tribunall throne of God condemne through the infinite and eternall justice of God or to command us to stand righteous or holy in the sight and presence of God By this the feares of death are removed the terrors of death abolished the sting of death extinguished and the delivery of death unto the second death prevented by this the roarings of that roaring Lion the devill are stopped The cunning of that old craftie Serpent subverted the fire-balls of the black prince of darknesse repulsed and the power of the prince of the aire utterly annihilated By this the spot of sin the impuritie of iniquitie the wrath and indignation for transgression cannot take hold upon the Saints redeemed By this they are delivered from the outcries and blasphemies of the damned the chains of miserable and woful darknesse the judgement of the great and notable day of the Lord from the woes and miseries of hell for evermore for they are a people blessed beloved of the Father For they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads To enjoy the chiefest good what said I the chiefest good Yea for in the enjoyment of this hopefull and blessed countenance they shall enjoy the promises Shall not the dead enjoy the promises of life Shall not the wearie and heavie laden enjoy the promise of rest shall not the fighters for glory enjoy the crown of righteousnesse shall not the Saints and Martyrs enjoy the crown of glory Yea for his word is as fast as heaven and earth his Decree as absolute as the Decree of the Medes and Persians and the foundation of his truth more stable then the center of the earth Hath he not engaged himself by oath affirmed by his Word and established by his promise His promises are in Christ yea and Amen unto his glory Shall they not understand the infinite and eternall price of Redemption the sweet and the delightsome peace of Reconciliation the glorious beautie of the righteousnesse of Christ in Justification the blessed communion and union with Christ annext to vocation and that eternall and blessed weight of glory in glorification What benefit hath been procured by the crosse of Christ what conquest by the death of Christ what life and righteousnesse through the resurrection of Christ or what priviledge through the mediation or intercession of Christ that is not communicated to the Saints through this blessed face and favour For they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads As they may glory so will I glory and triumph though the Sea roare though the mountains be cast into the midst of the waters though the earth should quake and the heavens should be shaken yet would I not feare O my soule what if thou wast cast into a den of Lions with beloved Daniel what though thou wast cast into the fierie fornace with Shadrach Meshech and Abednego what though thou wast in prison with Peter bound in chains amongst the foure quaternions yet this would refresh thee What though thou wast with David shut out from the Lords inheritance suffered the want of light in a dungeon of darknesse and sustained the losse of goods friends and acquaintance yet this would replenish thee this will make thee more joyfull then others with all their corn and wine in abundance This will make thee more cheerfull then others having treasures with superfluance this shall make thee more delightfull then others that possesse all things with excrescence When thou awakest with this Image thou maiest be satisfied with the sweetnesse of his face and blessed vision thou maiest be ravished for in his face is fulnesse of joy and pleasures for evermore Shall others see and not I shall others behold and not I I shall behold him and now neer I shall see him and not farre off Therefore will I glory with them that glory sith my lot with theirs is fallen in goodly places For we shall see his face and his Name shall be in our foreheads And his Name shall be in their foreheads O Admirable
of union communion the end of communion hope and righteousnesse and the end of hope and righteousnesse is everlasting blisse and blessednesse Therefore I may say Christus meus omnia Millies hoc dicam millies hoc cogitabo millies hoc usque usque usque millies repetam Neque enim vel dicere vel cogitare majus possum aut melius quam hoc ipsum Christus meus omnia Alii alia quaerant alia desiderent unum ego Christum meum quaero Christum desidero O Christus meus omnia Opes aliis honores voluptates aliis universas relinquo Christum ego habeaÌ„ omnia habeo Totos aliis ego mundos concedo Aureos gemmeos montes non invideo summas delitias permitto mihi Christus meus est omnia Nihil ita bonum nihil ita pulchrum aut jucundum quin summum illud primumâ—â—num melius sit pulchrius sit ac jucundius Christus meus omnia quam me varia saepe accedunt desideria quam diversis subinde aestuo cupiditatibus ita ut cum lunatico illo adolescente modò in ignem modò in aquam rapiar Sed quaenam illa tanta bona sunt quae ego tam anxiè appeto Num hoc vel illud genus edulii aut potionis Christus meus cibus meus potus meus omnia Num hoc vel illud genus relaxationis aut voluptatis Christus meus gaudium meum voluptas mea omnia Num hoc vel illud genus honoris aut dignitatis Christus meus honor meus dignitas mea mea omnia Quid est tandem quod appetere possim cujus loco mihi non Christus sit sit omnia Mihi epulatio mihi oblectatio mihi quies mihi thesaurus Christus est mihi Christus omnia plus quam omnia Nam etsi cibis quibus inhio vesci potu quem sitio refici voluptate quam ardeo frui honores quos ambio assequi liceat quid istudvesci quid istud refici frui affequi Christus meus omnia te frui à te refici est perfectissimè refici est frui omnibus bonis Christus meus omnia At vero labor premit dolor affligit curae distrahunt homo turbat exagitat Nihil horum metueodum neque enim haec omnia etiamsi simul ingruaÌ„t mala sunt si summum illud bonum opituletur Christus Christus meus omnia Tu mihi O bone Christe O bonitas tu in labore quies in dolore voluptas in curis securitas tu mihi ab omni hominum insultu propugnaculum tutissimum tu mihi ab omni malo refugium tu mihi es omnia quaecunque tandem desiderare pâ—ssum Ergo quandecunque in posterum quodcunque bonum appetiero hoc ipse mihi semper occinam Christus meus omnia Desine O homo impuros rivulos sectari cum fonteÌ„ purissimum habeas Christum habes omnia habes quaecunque habere concupiscis O ye sons daughters of meÌ„ O ye Watchmen of Israel marvell not though I exalt the glory of the Lord of glory For I have none to mediate my cause in heaven but him nor none to comfort my distressed soul on earth besides him Do the thirstie long for water the hungrie desire bread and the Hart bray after the rivers and springs of water and do not I long desire and bray after my Lord that bought me I cry how long Lord how long shall it be ere I see thy glorious face and lovely countenance O my soule what though thy teares trickle downe thy cheeks what though thy face is bedewed with teares what though thy heart is full of heavinesse Because the battell is strong betwixt thee and the black prince of death and darknesse the world hates and contemnes thee and Angels of light have made thee worse then the filth of the earth yet shalt thou not be dismayed for there is a Citie provided for thee whose maker and builder is God in which there is the crowne of righteousnesse the crowne of life and the crown of glory in which there is fellowship with the Angels with the Saints with the Father and with Christ the beloved Mediatour and Reconciler in which is everlasting praise eternall comforts and infinite fruition Therefore I will walke with the travellers runne with the runners and fight with the fighters laying hold of eternall praise and glory saying with the lovers of free grace the waiters for mercie and the poore captives of hope praise be given to God our celestiall gracious and bountifull Father honour be ascribed to Jesus Christ our propitious and benignous Mediatour now and for evermore Amen FINIS HEAVENLY Contemplations REvel 22.4 And they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads And they shall see his face THey which go down to the Sea and occupie in the great waters they see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep So they that go into the Church of Christ and view what Christ hath done for his Church and chosen they see the works of Christ and the wonders he hath wrought hath he shewed his admirable work in the act of Redemption his famous work in the act of Justification and hath he not shewed his famous and admirable work in the act of donation What hath Christ given yea what hath he not given He hath given his redeemed Saints to see his loving face and lovely countenance And they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads They. VVHat they yea they shall see his face they whose names are written in the book of the living whose lives are hid with God in Christ who are presented spotlesse blamelesse reprovelesse in the sight of God their loving and beneficiall Father What they yea they who are cleansed from sin by the blood of the Lambe incontaminate and immaculate who are blessed with spirituall and celestiall blessings who are collocated in the heavenly places in Christ and have undervalued their lives to the death for Jesus cause What they Yea they who are brethren to Jesus Christ sonnes of God the Father redeemed from all evils and beloved before the world was according to the Text. And they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads They shall NOt now yet now in part not in full perfection or fruition now they stand and rejoyce under the hope of glory now Christ is in them the hope of glory now by the Spirit of life and adoption they passe from glory to glory now environed with great tribulations now they are under great temptations now they mourn with the sadest lamentations are not their mournings as the mournings of Rachel their teares are superfluent as the teares of Jeremiah and their sadnesse as the sadnesse of Hagar they see in grace not in glory yet not without glory they see in glory without the