Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	light_n	natural_a	sun_n	1,020	5	9.7836	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A37483	Tropologia, or, A key to open Scripture metaphors the first book containing sacred philology, or the tropes in Scripture, reduc'd under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each / partly translated and partly compil'd from the works of the learned by T.D. The second and third books containing a practical improvement (parallel-wise) of several of the most frequent and useful metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes of the Old and New Testament / by B.K.	De Laune, Thomas, d. 1685.; Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704.	1681 (1681)	Wing D895; ESTC R24884	855,682	1,006

XXII By the Spirit of Christ we are regenerated or born again Holiness Faith Love Joy c. and all such precious Fruits are the Productions of the holy Spirit through Christ. Such as lie as it were buried in the Grave of Sin and spiritual Misery shall when the quickning Beams of this spiritual Sun shine upon their Souls have a Resurrection from that Death and by its efficacy shall their Bodies also be raised from the Dust at the last Day XXIII The Beams of Gospel-Light and Divine Illumination do not shine alike in every Nation nor in every Soul In some European Countries especially in England they are more bright and radiant than elsewhere A great many Places want the Comfort of this Spiritual Sun more than Greenland wants the Presence of the created Sun for there the Sun shines half the year but in many Heathen Countries the Sun-shine of the Gospel has not yet arose yea even in Palestine and the adjacent Countries where it first shined most gloriously its Light is for the most part if not altogether removed and communicated to the Isles afar off to the Glory of his rich and unspeakable Grace and Love to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. XXIV Christ warms and heats the Soul which of it self is cold earthly and of a benummed Constitution He sends the Comforter by him we are quickned c. He gives Rest he is the Resurrection and the Life of his People and therefore their Reviver As a Refiner's Fire he burns our Dross Hay Stubble c. And if this Fire be cherished it parches and dries up the Weeds and Trash the Thorns and Briars that grow in our Souls as predominant Sin and Lust all Self-love Corruption and carnal Confidence c. which else would choak the Word and stiffle all good Motions in us See Refiner XXV Christ is the Light of Men. Natural or Moral Light is too dim like the Moon to discover the secret Pollutions of the Soul it cannot make you see the Corruption and Filth of such as lie in their Blood being Captives to Satan the Heart does receive no Light but what comes from this Sun of Righteousness without it which we shall stumble and fall converse with Sin which envenoms the Soul and at last tumble blindfold into Hell and eternal Damnation By this blessed Light is discover'd 1. What Sin is and its Nature and Consequences for tho natural Conscience if it may be so called arraigns us for Immorality or any Breach of the Law of Nature yet it is too dark and far short of discovering the horrid Filth and abominable Evil of Sin in a Gospel-way that is the Work of the Spirit and 't is only spiritually discerned 2. This spiritual Sun or Gospel-Light shews the sad and lamentable Condition of fallen Man by Sin 3. How insignificant the World with all its outward Pomp and imaginary Glory is to release him and afford any solid Content or Satisfaction 4. It discovers the Craft and Subtilty of Satan that Arch-Enemy of Souls 5. It reveals as far as frail Man can comprehend it the Being of God in his glorious Attributes and most sublime Perfections 6. It holds forth the transcendent Excellency of Jesus Christ and the absolute Necessity there is for poor fallen Man to have an Interest in him in order to his Peace with God 7. It informs us which are false Ways who are Hereticks where the false Church is c. Which are things not to be known but by the blessed Light of this Sun of Righteousness shining in his Word viz. the holy Scriptures This Sun of Righteousness gives us Light and Direction in all the Ways of God's holy Worship this Soul-Guide leads in the right way of Wisdom and in the midst of the Paths of Judgment He leads the Blind by a Way they knew not and makes Darkness Light before them and crooked things streight See the Metaphor Light XXVI What can be so desirable so comfortable as the Light of God's Countenance to have this Sun of Righteousness shining on us David accounted it the one thing desirable That he might dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of his Life to behold the Beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple If the Beams of this spiritual Sun be withdrawn the Soul is restless till it finds them seeking every where and crying out with the Spouse Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth His Favour and Loving-kindness is better than Life XXVII When Christ draws near the Soul by his heavenly Influences he causes it to become green and flourishing When this Gospel-Sun rises high and shines hot in any Kingdom or Country it causes them wonderfully to flourish it fertilizes Souls and Nations and makes them to bring forth beautiful Blossoms and wholesom Fruit but in his Retreats and Withdrawings how do they languish and pine away 'T is Night where Christ is absent and Day where he is present His being at a distance is the Soul's Winter and his blessed Approach is Summer As Birds chant their warbling Notes in the Spring rejoycing at the Sun 's coming so do the Saints with spiritual Melody congratulate the Approaches of Christ. XXVIII Christ the Sun of Righteousness shining forth in the manifestation of the Gospel causeth the Heart of one Man to dissolve and melt like Wax distilling him into Tears of Repentance others are hardned and grow obdurate as a Rock not through the Gospel's fault but their own obstinate and rebellious Minds To some the Word is a Savour of Life unto Life and to others a Savour of Death unto Death XXIX Christ is often vailed so that we cannot see him viz. when strange and dark Providences attend us as in the case of Job How often do our Sins interpose like Clouds betwixt us and this blessed Sun of Righteousness leaving our Souls in the dark Yet in these Withdrawings the Soul is sensible that his Efficacy and Virtue are not removed XXX Some like Felix cannot bear the powerful Influences of Christ's Word and heavenly Doctrine XXXI The dazling Light and transcendent Glory of Christ exceeds all the Glory of the World and all that is therein their Light is but Darkness when compared to him XXXII The Sun of Righteousness is to us eclipsed when this World gets between us and Christ when our Hearts and Eyes are so much upon it that we cannot see him in his Beauty Christ is never totally eclipsed to a gracious Soul because Sin is infinitely less than him XXXIII Jesus Christ rejoyces in doing the Work of the Father his Meat and Drink was in doing the Will of him that sent him Lo I come to do thy Will O God XXXIV Christ by his blessed Word through the Influences of the holy Spirit ripens his chosen Ones for the Harvest which is the end of the World and prepares them for Glory And the Wicked through their own Perverseness

build upon this Foundation VI. Christ is the only Foundation as he is every way fit and meet to be laid in the bottom of the Building so he is without Fault And no other Foundation can be laid than that which is laid which is Christ Jesus But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel to you than what we have preached unto you let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 VII Christ is a Foundation that can never be shaken the greatest Revolutions Mutations Changings Turnings and Over-turnings that can come cannot over-turn this Foundation nor remove it out of its place Foundations of Kingdoms Nations Commonwealths and Constitutions of Antichristian Churches may and shall be shaken but Christ the Foundation of the true Church shall abide for ever VIII Christ the Spiritual Foundation is able to uphold and preserve the H●●use or Soul that is built upon him I know whom I have believed and am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him Vpon this Rock I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16.18 Inferences I. THis informs us of the great Wisdom and Condescension of God in contriving such a blessed Foundation for the Church and all true Believers to build upon it was the purpose of God to found his Temple upon a sure Basis even the Rock Christ Jesus II. It also sets forth the happy and glorious State of the House of God what can add greater Glory to it than to have a Foundation so precious lasting and permanent III. It shews the Honour and Excellency of Gospel-Ministration Ministers do not only propound Christ but in a subordinate sence in the Ministry of the Word may be said to lay Christ as a Foundation Hence Paul saith I have laid the Foundation c. for we are Labourers together with God 1 Cor. 3.9 10. IV. It reproves those that lay aside and reject this Foundation and build upon others as 1. The Papists that build upon Peter and on their own Merits and what their Merits are England and other Nations can soon resolve 2. The Quakers who build upon the Light of Natural Conscience they refuse the Person of Christ and the valuable Price of his Blood and introduce in his room an inward Quality viz. that Beam of Light that shines in Men from Jesus Christ considered as Creator 3. Such as build but in part on Christ come justly under the verge of this use of Reprehension because they do not lay all the stress and hope of their Salvation upon this Foundation V. It serves also to put Men and Women upon Trial to see whether the Lord Christ be their only Foundation or not 1. Do you really remove your selves off all other Foundations 2. Do you not build on nor confide in Pharisaical Righteousness even a Righteousness of your own 3. Do you not build upon Federal Holiness and upon Birth-Privileges think not to say within your selves We have Abraham to our Father 4. Do you not build upon Legal Conviction or outward Reformation 5. Do you not build upon a bare believing the History of the Gospel upon the Faith of Credence 6. Do you not build upon a Confession of Sin 7. Do you not build upon outward Priviledges upon visible Church-Membership and External Ordinances remember the Foolish Virgins 8. Do you not build barely on the Mercy of God not well considering he is just as well as gracious and will not acquit the guilty notwithstanding your Repentance and moral Righteousness without the Atonement made by the Blood of Christ. 9. Do you not build upon present Purposes and Resolutions to change your ways and course of Life hereafter is not this that which supports and stays your Minds 10. Do you not build upon Learning Parts and that Knowledg you have in Divine Things above others 11. Do you not build upon Men Ministers the Church taking all upon Trust that such and such Doctors and able Divines say VI. This may caution all Preachers of the Gospel to take heed how and what they build Upon this Foundation if they build Wood Hay or Stubble they will suffer Loss Let them be very careful they preach nothing for Doctrine but what Christ hath given in Commission and receive none lay none into the Building but living Stones such as are well hew'd and squar'd and fitted by the Spirit and Word for the Spiritual Building for God's Temple must be built with Gold Silver and precious Stones VII Let all such that are not built upon this sure Foundation be exhorted with all speed to get an Interest in this Rock for otherwise your Building will be on the Sand and you will fall into the lowest Hell at last VIII It demonstrates the happy State of those that are built upon this sure Foundation the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-Stone in whom all the Building c. And let all those that speak the Truth grow up in Love unto him in all things who is the Head Labour to be well fixed cemented and united to this Foundation that you may be established in the Faith IX And lastly This may comfort the Godly in the worst of Times for as it is a Foundation of God's laying and of so excellent a nature in its self you may be sure 't is not in the Power of Men nor Devils to raze or destroy it be sure you shall be saved whoever you are that build in a right manner on the Rock of Ages the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ the Corner-Stone 1 Pet. 2.6 I lay in Zion a chief Corner-Stone elect and precious Psal. 118.22 The Stone which the Builders refused the same is become the Head of the Corner CHRIST by a Metaphor called Anthropopatheia is not only called a Stone but also by a very emphatical Phrase a Corner-Stone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 21.42 Acts 4.11 1 Pet. 2.6 And whereas Builders place the strongest and most durable Stone in the Corner-Foundation it denotes the firmness strength and duration of Christ the Foundation or Spiritual Stone upon which the whole Church is built It is said 〈◊〉 3.17 The Lord will smite the corner of the Head so the Hebrew of the Daughter of Zion The exterior Angle of an Edifice has a Prospect to each side and is put for Principality or the chief Ruler Judg. 20.2 1 Sam. 14.38 Isa. 19.13 hence it is attributed to Christ Psal. 118.22 expounded Eph. 2.15 16 17 20. he having the chief over-sight of as well as he is the principal Foundation to his Church METAPHOR I. A Corner-Stone sustains and upholds the building if the Corner of the House fall the whole Structure is in danger There came a Wind from the Wilderness and smote the four Corners of the House and it fell upon the young Men and they are dead Some Stones may drop out of the middle of the Building

Smoak perfumed with Myrrh and Frankincense with all the Powders of the Merchant We read of the sweet Scent of the Church but how comes she to smell so rarely but from the Communication of the sweet Graces of Christ to her Sinners are very unsavoury until this Myrrh-Tree has dropp'd upon them II. Christ is the richest and purest Perfume Heaven and Earth can afford none so sweet How fragrant is he in the Nostrils of God the Father He even ravishes the Senses of Angels and Saints makes us and all our Duties as sweet Odours unto the Father III. Christ hath in him a preserving Quality or Power were it not for that Life he has communicated to us and the rest of Mortals how soon would our Bodies rot But in a special manner he preserves our Souls Sin is of a rotting stinking and putrifying Nature compared to a Leprosy and filthy Sores now if Christ did not drop daily a little of his Myrrh I mean the Grace of his Spirit into our Souls how loathsom should we soon become IV. Jesus Christ makes every Believer beautiful they have no Comeliness but what he has put upon them 'T is he that makes their Faces to shine who takes away every Spot and Wrinkle and presents them a perfect Beauty in the Father's sight by imputing and imparting of Righteousness unto them through Faith V. Christ the true Christ of God is not easily known to the ignorant many take a false Christ for the true Christ. Some are so blind that they think the Light which is in every Man the Light of natural Conscience is the Christ of God and Saviour of the World VI. Jesus Christ hath many medicinal Virtues By his Stripes we are healed He dries up all evil and offensive Rheums makes Prayer the Breath or Breathings of the Soul savoury clears the ●●oice and helps our Infirmities by which ●●eans we pray more elegantly and ferven●●y in the Spirit takes away all Impediments so that our Prayers are heard and accepted by the Father VII The Spirit of Christ and Graces thereof are compared to Oil He is the Myrrh-Tree from whence the Divine Oil flows wherewith the Ministers and Saints of God are more or less anointed See Oil of Gladness 1. In Christ is abundance of Divine Sweetness not a Sprig or two but a great Bundle not two or three Grains but a Bag filled with it or a Bundle of heavenly Myrrh 2. Whatever is good in Christ is laid up safe Believers may waste or lose much of the Grace of Christ in them but none of that which is bound up in this sacred Bundle can be lost METAPHOR I. MYrrh has some Dregs in it tho never so purely refined II. Other Myrrh may be bought for Money III. Other Myrrh will lose its Virtue if kept over-long IV. The Myrrh-Tree doth not always drop this Gum distills but at certain Seasons of the Year Disparity I. IN Christ is no Dregs no Sin nothing but what is invaluably precious II. All the Riches of both the Indies can't purchase one drain of this Divine Myrrh III. Christ's Virtue is ever the same IV. Christ the spiritual Myrrh-Tree is always dropping Application 1. CHrist is a precious Jesus and saving Grace worth the prizing 't is like to sweet-smelling Myrrh 2. What a Mercy is it to have our spiritual Senses so exercised as to discern between things that differ 3. What Eyes do they see with that despise and slight Jesus Christ This Bundle of Myrrh this Rose of Sharon this Lilly of the Vallies is not so much regarded by the most of Men as a Bundle of Thorns and Briars 4. You that love a sweet Smell here is a precious Perfume for your unsavoury Souls Notwithstanding all your rare Gums Odors and fragrant Flowers Spices and choice Powders you will smell ranck and unsavoury in the Nostrils of God if you have not this Bundle of Myrrh to perfume your Souls and Services 5. If Believers receive all their Graces and Sweetness from Christ let them make grateful Acknowledgments thereof to Him Christ the Saints Wedding-Garment Mat. 22.11 12. And he said unto him Friend how camest thou hither not having a Wedding-Garment c. THIS Text is part of the Parable of the Marriage Mat. 22. And the Word Parable is thus expounded by Jerome Tom. 3. Epist. 51. ad Algasiam q. 6. p. 359. Parabola hoe est Similitudo quae ab eo vocatur quod alteri 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hoc est assimilatur quasi umbra praevia Veritatis est A Parable that is a Similitude so called because it is like another thing and is as it were a previous shadow of Truth The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to compare or liken it answers to the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mashal In the New Testament it signifies an Enigmatical or Allegorical Comparison c. For further account the Reader is referred to the Place where we treat of Parables The Phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Wedding-Garment is borrowed from a custom among the Ancients where every Guest at that Solemnity was arrayed in a Habit peculiar only to such Feasts and such as wanted it were accounted Intruders viz. such as without any Right thrust themselves in Now in this Parable all Orthodox Expositors affirm that by the King ver 2. we are to understand JEHOVAH by his Son the Messiah by his Servants the Ministers of the Gospel by such that found pretences of Absence worldly-minded Persons that prefer their temporal Pleasures before Grace and true Religion by the Invitation of the Guests the calling of the Gentiles c. by him that wanted the Wedding-Garment Hypocrites or such as have not put on Christ spiritually that is are not clothed with his Righteousness by Faith whose doom is damnation ver 13. All the best Expositors agree by the Wedding-Garment is intended Christ's Righteousness or Imputed Righteousness which is put on the Soul by Faith for Justification For the further demonstration hereof see the following Parallel METAPHOR I. THe use and necessity of Garments came in by the Fall Adam in Innocency had no need of them II. Garments are to cover Nakedness that Shame and Deformity may not appear to others for this reason did our first Parents sew Fig-leaves together to cover themselves and from hence God afterwards made them Coats of Skins c. III. Garments differ much in Worth and Excellency we read in Scripture of filthy Garments and likewise of glorious Apparel IV. Garments are for Ornament they set off natural Excellency making Men and Women appear very lovely and amiable in the eyes of others V. Garments are of great Utility in respect of Defence they secure us from many Hurts and Dangers which naked ones are exposed to they are Munimenta Corporis they are as light Armor to the Body in the Winter they save the Body from peircing Cold

in Summer they preserve and defend from parching Heat every Blast would pinch us were it not for our Garments every Thorn would scratch us every Blow would bruise us Robinson VI. Garments are prepared and made fit for the Person that is to wear them or otherwise they are not comely VII When a Person puts on a Wedding-Garment all other Garments are laid aside as invaluable and unseemly for a Bride to have on VIII A Wedding-Garment is usually very rich if provided for a Person of Honour a Princess or some great Heiress IX A rich and glorious Wedding-Garment is put on as a sign of Joy and a good Day X. Those who were invited to a Marriage amongst the Jews as History tells us if they had not on a Wedding-Garment they were not entertained nor suffered to be amongst the Guests but were if observed turned out of the Wedding-Chamber XI The Bride that is gloriously cloathed and adorned in her Marriage-Robes is delighted in and rejoyced over by the Bridegroom Parallel I. THe necessity of Christ and his Righteousness came in by original Depravity Man in Innocency had no need of a Saviour was perfect and wanted nothing II. Christ is the Souls Spiritual Cover 1. He hides all our natural Filthiness 2. He hides and covers all our actual Sins and Pollutions 3. He covers all the Spots of our Holy Duties The Cherubims under the Law covered the Mercy-Seat the Mercy-Seat covered the Ark where the two Tables of the Decalogue lay this Mercy-Seat did typify Christ. Jesus Christ covers all the Sins which Believers commit against the Law of God He delivers us from the Curse and Accusation thereof Hence 't is said God beheld no Iniquity in Jacob he doth not see it to impute it because it is hid under the covering Mercy-Seat Jesus Christ. III. All our Righteousness is as filthy Raggs and in another place compared to a menstruous Cloth our best Services are grievously defiled and polluted with Sin But Christ is a glorious Robe his Righteousness is of inestimable Value glorious Apparel which by Faith all true Believers are cloathed with IV. Christ's Righteousness put on the Soul by Faith is the most beautiful Ornament that ever Mortals were adorned with this makes Men and Women amiable and very comely in the Eyes of God and Holy Angels V. The Lord Jesus cloathing us with his Righteousness defends us 1. From Sin Sin hath not Power and Dominion over us it cannot bear sway nor hurt the Soul because Christ hath condemned it in the Flesh. 'T is a vanquish'd wounded and crucified Enemy 2. Christ defends us from the smarting Pricks and Checks of Conscience when for want of Light a Believer is accused and condemned and is driven almost into despair Christ's Righteousness is a glorious Garment to guard and keep off Conscience from mauling breaking and bruising of him in pieces through Christ Saints obtain Deliverance Come to me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest to your Souls My Grace is sufficient for thee 3. Christ defends us from the fiery Darts and cruel Assaults of Satan This roaring Lion would tear us in pieces if this impenetrable Garment were not between his Teeth and our Souls His fiery Darts would stick to the very Heart did not this Garment blunt and dead them Notwithstanding all the Malice and Rage of the Devil he cannot destroy us because we are cloathed with Christ's Righteousness and have the Lord Jesus to be a Cover for us 4. Christ defends us from eternal Wrath. God is to all that are naked to all that have not Christ on for Cloathing a scorching and consuming Fire the hottest Flames cannot touch the Body till they have burn'd the Garments but Wrath cannot seize any more upon Christ he hath overcome it and quenched its Burning he hath lain under it once for all and therefore it cannot seize on a Believer who is circled about with Christ and with his Righteousness as with a Garment The Fire cannot burn the Man whilst the Screen is between him and the Flame Jesus Christ is a Believer's Screen which stands continually between him and the devouring Flame of God's Anger Robinson VI. Christ's Righteousness prepared for Believers is made fit for the Soul it answers to the Law and Justice of God it every way suits accommodating every Part leaving none uncomely nor uncloathed in the sight of God VII When a Soul puts on Christ's Righteousness by Faith it lays aside its own Raggs having no Confidence in the Flesh if a Man is not stript of all Hopes Trust and Reliance in respect of his own Righteousness he will not seek for another neither can he put Christ on for Christ is the only Garment for such who are naked and see an absolute necessity of that which is by Faith in order to their being accepted in the Eyes of the Bridegroom VIII Christ's Righteousness is a very rich and glorious Robe curiously wrought the Person for whom it is provided being nobly descended born from above and espoused to the Prince of Heaven and Earth I cloathed thee with Embroidered Work and covered thee with Silk I decked thee with Gold and thy Ra●●ment was of fine Linen The Kings Daughters were among the Honourable Women Psal. 45.9 13. Vpon thy Right-hand did stand the Queen in Gold of Ophir IX The Righteousness of Christ put on by Faith signifies Joy and a good Day the Soul that is cloathed with this Robe of Righteousness that Beautiful Garment of Salvation hath infinite cause of Joy and Gladness hence saith the Apostle as sorrowful yet always rejoycing Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say rejoyce Phil. 4.4 X. Those that have not the Spiritual Wedding-Garment in the day when our Bridegroom comes shall not be entertained amongst Christ's Guests but shall be put out of the Wedding-Chamber and turned into Eternal Darkness And when the King came in to see the Guests he saw there a Man that had not on a Wedding-Garment And he said unto him Friend how camest thou in hither not having on a Wedding-Garment And he was speechless Then said the King to his Servants Bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into utter Darkness there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 22.11 12 c. XI That Soul that hath this Wedding-Garment on that is cloathed and adorned with Christ's Righteousness that is justified and accepted by Faith the Lord Jesus takes great delight in As a Young-Man who marrieth a Virgin c. And as a Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee Isa. 62.5 METAPHOR I. A Garment can cover but one at once it can't cloath several Persons II. Every material Garment will not serve to cover every part of the Body that which is proper for the Head will not cover the Loins and that which fits the

and powerful sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and Intents of the heart 'T is a hard matter for a Man tho' never so wicked to shut out or Prevent the Light of Gods Word from darting into and piercing of his Evil and accusing Conscience 3. The Word and blessed Gospel of Christ is so Great a Light that it makes wonderful Discoveries to the Children of Men. 1. It makes Manifest not only that there is a God but also what a God he is Not only his Being but also his manner of Being 2. It Discovers the Creation of the World 3. The State of Man before he fell and after his Fall 4. The horrid nature of Sin 5. The secret Counsel and Eternal Love of God to lost Man together with the severity of God towards the fallen Angels 6. It makes known the Lord Jesus Christ and his Blessed Design in coming into the World his Incarnation Nativity Life Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession c. 7. It Discovers how God is to be Worshipped all his Laws Ordinances and Institutions are revealed by it 8. It discovers the True Church which otherwise cannot be known 9. Lastly It makes manifest whatsoever is needful or necessary to be known believed or practiced in order to Salvation 4. The VVord of God Directs and Guides Men in the Right way Hence David saith Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathes God is Gracious to mankind in this respect viz. he leaves them not at an uncertainty without an infallible Guide in matters of Religion Take away this Un●●erring Rule and what confusion would the Christian VVorld be in one Man might say this is the way and another that I walk saith one by the Guidance of the Spirit and so saith another that teacheth quite Contrary things Saith a third you are both out of the way 't is I alone that am led by Inspiration and ye are in Darkness Others plead for the Pope and General Counsels which have been miserably Contradictory one to another and none of these can Give better Demonstrations touching the truth of what they Preach or Practice then the Rest being not able to Confirm their Doctrine by Miracles and so consequently how shall a poor doubtful Soul be directed in the way to heaven by either or any of them For were not the holy Scriptures the Rule but Contrariwise the Light within or Inspiration c. then must a Man be able to Confirm and Prove what he sayeth in such a way or by such means that no Deceiver or Impostor can pretend unto or do the like But is not the Spirit of God above the Scriptures which you call the VVord did not the Spirit give forth the Scriptures if so sure then that is of the Greatest Authority and only Light that can best Direct men Into the right way That the holy Spirit or third Person of the holy Trinity is a Greater Light then the holy Scripture is not Denied by vertue of which holy men of old were Inspired that gave them forth yet the Question is VVhether any Man now hath such a measure of the Spirit in him which is a greater Light than the written word and to whom others are bound to adhere and be directed by for 't is this only which is Denied 5. The word and Gospel of Christ hath a Chearing and Quickning Vertue This is my comfort in my affliction thy word hath Quickened me And in another place I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast Quickend me As 't is grevious to be Spiritually blind or in the Dark Region and Dungeon of Idolatry Sin and Unbelief so on the other hand how comfortable is it to enjoy the blessed word and Gospel of Jesus Christ. 6. The VVord and Gospel of Christ hath a Cleansing Purging and purifying Vertue in it Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you The Gospel and word of God Disperseth and Scattereth all the Fogs and Mists of Darkness and Error It is the refining-pot of Truth VVhat an unwholsome Pesthouse would the VVorld be in a Spiritual Sence were it not for the Light and Excellent Vertue of Gods holy VVord 7. The VVord and Gospel of God is very pure and of an undefilable Nature what filthy sinks hath it past through and what means hath been used by the Popish Adversaries and others to Corrupt and Polute it and yet no defilement cleaveth to it it remaines unmixed and pure still shining forth Gloriously such is the Excellent nature of it it purifieth the hearts and lives of men and nothing can fasten upon it to polute it 8. The VVord and Gospel of Christ is called by the Apostle The Glorious Gospel the Gospel is exceeding full of Glory There is nothing in it but that which is very Glorious Here you have a Resplendency and Shining forth of the Sun of Righteousness Gloria quasi clara saith Aquinas because Glory is the bright shining forth of Excellency now its transcendent Excellency and Splendor shines forth as may be demonstrated many wayes 1. It s Glorious in Respect of the Author and Fountain from whence it proceeds 2. 'T is Glorious in a Comparative sence 3. 'T is Glorious in respect of it Self First As light is Glorious because it is the most Excellent Rayes Resplendency and Shinings forth of the Sun so is the Gospel because 't is the glorious shining forth and resplendency of Jesus Christ the Sun of Righteousness Secondly 'T is glorious in a comparative sence it Excells the Law hence called a better Testiment tho' that was glorious yet it had no glory in this respect by Reason of the glory that Excelleth I. The Gospel excels the Law in respect of the names of the one and the names of the other 1. The Law is called the Letter the Gospel the Ministration of the Spirit 2. The Law is called a Ministration of death the Gospel a Ministrator of life II. The gospel excels in glory above the law 1. In regard of the light and perspicuity of it the law was full of obscurity clothed with many Ceremonies and mysterious Sacrifices 2. They were at a great loss touching the main drift and end thereof 2 Cor. 3.13 God spake as it were under a Vail III. The gospel is clear and plain Christ beheld heard handled c. the Mysteries long hid open'd and explained fully we behold with open face c. IV. The law was appointed to be but a leading Ministration and in subserviency to the gospel our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. V. The gospel more glorious or excels the law in respect of the strength of the one and weakness of