As God he was the Altar that sanctified that Sacrifice for the Altar sanctifieth the gift Matth. 23. 19. As God-man in one person he was the Priest that offered that Sacrifice upon that Altar Through the eternall spirit he offered himself Heb. 9. 14. Herein the sufficiency of Christs Priest-hood is evidenced in that each nature did what was proper to it By the humane nature all matters of service and suffering were done and endured by the Divine nature all matters that required Divine authority and dignity were performed from the union of those two natures in one person the accomplishment consummation and perfection of all arose See more hereof Chap. 9. v. 14. § 78. §. 173. Of Christ an high and great Priest AS Christ was a true Priest so he is here styled by the Apostle an Highpriest In Greek these two words are compounded in one which word for word we may translate Arch-Priest as Arch-Angel 1 Thess. 4. 16. Jude v. 9. Arch-Shepherd or Chief Shepherd 1 Pet. 5. 4. Arch-builder or Master-builder 1 Cor. 3. 10. Arch-Publican or Chief-Publican Luk. 19. 2. In the Hebrew the phrase translated Highpriest is great Priest Levit. 21. 10. And the same person translated in English Chief Priest is in Hebrew Head-Priest 2 King 25. 18. Aaron was the first that had this title given unto him Lev. 16. 3. and the eldest son of the family of Aaron was successively to be High-Priest after the death of thé former High-Priest Exod. 29. 29 30. There were sundry Duties and Dignities proper to the High-Priest for the time being As 1. To enter into the most Holy place Lev. 16. 3. 2. To appear before God for the people Exod. 28. 29. 3. To bear the sins of the people Exod. 28. 38. 4. To offer incense Lev. 16. 12 13. 5. To make atonement Lev. 16. 32. 6. To judge of uncleannesse Lev. 13. 2. 7. To determine controversies Deut. 17. 8 12. 8. To blesse the people Num. 6. 23. Christ is styled High-Priest 1. For excellency sake to shew that he was the chiefest and most excellent of all 2. To demonstrate that he was the truth whom Aaron and other High-Priests typified 3. To assure us that all those things which were enjoyned to Aaron as High-Priest were really in their truth performed by Christ. For 1. Christ entred into the true Holy place which is heaven Heb. 9. 24. 2. Christ truly appeareth before God for us Heb. 9. 24. 3. Christ hath born all the sins of all the Elect 2 Cor. 5. 21. 4. Christs intercession is the true incense which makes things that are pleasing and acceptable to God to be so accepted for us Eph. 1. 6. 5. By Christ we have â—…eceived the atonement Rom. 5. 11. 6. Christ purgeth our sins Heb. 1. 3. 7. Christ is the supream Judge and determiner of all Controversies Christ is also called a great High-Priest Heb. 4. 14. to adde emphasis unto this excellency Never was there never can there be any like to him in dignity and excellency Nor Aaron nor any other had both these titles Great High given unto them Though an High Priest under the Law were in Hebrew styled a Great Priest Numb 35. 24 28. yet never was any called Great High Priest but Christ only He indeed was Great in his person being God-man Great in his sacrifice being an humane nature united to the Divine Great in the works that he did and continueth to do all of them carrying a Divine value and efficacy By the way note the intolerable arrogancy of Antichrist that Man of sinne who takes to himself this style The greatest Highpriest Two degrees higher then that which is attributed to Christ. §. 174. Of the excellency and benefits of Christs Priesthood THese two titles High Great applied to Christ as Priest do imply that he was a most excellent Priest Those titles simply taken import an excellency In reference to others comparatively taken they import a super-excellency above all others Never was there nor ever can there be such an excellent Priesthood as Christs was which the Apostle in this Epistle proveth by sundry evidences 1. The Dignity of his person Christ was not only a son of man but also the Son of God Other Priests were meer sons of men Heb. 7. 28. 2. The Purity of his nature Christ was holy harmlesse undefiled separate from sinners all other Priests were sinners Heb. 7. 26 27. 3. The Eminency of his order Christ was a Priest after the order of Melchiâ—…dech Heb. 5. 6. None so but he 4. The solemnity of his Ordination Christ was made Priest with a sacred Oath others without an Oath Heb. 7. 20 21. 5. The kinde of his Priesthood Christ was a true reall Priest others only typicall or metaphoricall See § 172. 6. The unchangeablenesse of his Office Christs Priesthood was unchangeable Others office passed from one to another Heb. 7. 23 24. 7. The everlastingnesse of his Priesthood Christ abideth a Priest continually others were not suffered to continue by reason of death Heb. 7. 3 23 24. 8. The perfection of Christs Priesthood Christ by his Priesthood effected to the uttermost what was to be effected by a Priest But the Priesthood under the Law made nothing perfect Heb. 7. 11 25. These excellencies are every one expresly noted by this Apostle and shall be more distinctly and largely handled in their severall places So excellent a Priesthood as Christs is cannot but bring many benefits to Christs Church For 1. It is necessary that the Church have a Priest to be for it in things apperâ—…ing unto God and that by reason of the infinite disparity and disproportion 〈◊〉 is betwixt God and man Hereof see The whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 18. Treat 3. Part. 2. § 62. 2. It is also necessary that Christ be the Priest of the Church and that by reason of that infinite Dignity Authority Power and worth which belongs to that Priâ—… Hereof see § 172. All the benefits that flow from Christs Office and Passive obedience from 〈◊〉 Death and Sacrifice from his Buriall and Resurrection from his Ascension and Intercession are fruits and effects of his Priesthood For as our Priest he subjected himself to the service and curse of the Law he offered up himself a Sacrifice he was buried and rose from the dead he entred into heaven and there maketh continuall intercession for us Particular benefits of Christs Priesthood are these that follow 1. Satisfaction of Divine Iustice For Christ as our Priest and Surety standing in our room in our stead and for us satisfied Divine Justice Without this satisfaction no mercy could be obtained but through this satisfaction way is made for all needfull mercy In this respect it is said that God is just and a justifier of him which beleeveth in Iesus Rom. 3. 28. To justifie a sinner is a work of great mercy yet therein is God just because
conspicuously manifested himself This world appeared intendeth as much See § 130. XIV Christ did but once come into the world This word once hath reference to Christs appearing in the world See § 129. XV. Christ was exhibited in the end of the world See § 129. XVI The best things are reserved to the last times This followeth by just consequence from the former doctrine for by and with Christ came the best things into the world See § 130. XVII The end of Christs appearing was to put away sin XVIII Sin was put away by a Sacrifice XIX The Sacrifice that put away sin was Christ himself These three last doctrines are plainly expressed See § 131. §. 133. Of all mens subjection to death Heb. 9. 27 28. Vers. 27. And it is appointed unto men once to die and after this judgement Vers. 28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation THese two verses are added as a reason to prove the former point that Christ did but once offer himself The reason is taken from the condition of man which is but once to die Of the Greek word translated to die See Chap. 7. v. 8. § 51. The note of comparison as especially as it hath reference to the next verse wherein the second part of the comparison is set down under this note of the second part of a comparison so demonstrateth as much There are two Greek words which are comprised under this small particle as and may be translated in as much as But our little particle as doth expresse the meaning to the full and the more properly in regard of the latter part of the comparison in the next verse This note of resemblance as sheweth that Christ subjected himself to the common condition of man As man he dyed As man he dyed but once We have shewed how in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren See Chap. 2. v. 17. § 168 c. It is here taken for granted that men must die There needs no proof hereof experience besides the frequent mention hereof in Scripture gives evident proof to the truth hereof See Chap. 7. v. 23. § 97. Sin is the true proper cause hereof Death was first threatned against sin Gen. 2. 17. So as death entred into the world by sin Rom. 5. 12. And the wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. Object Sin is taken away from justified persons if then the cause be taken away 〈◊〉 doth the effect remain Answ. 1. Sin is not utterly taken away from any man while here he liveth 1 Ioh. â—… 8. It is one benefit that death bringeth even to those that are justified that all remainder of sin is taken away thereby 2. By Christs death the nature of death is altered and the sting of it is pulled out 1 Cor. 15. 55. whereas death was first instituted as the enterance into hell It is now made to justified persons the enterance into heaven It is to them but an uncloathing and putting off the ragged garment of mortality for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdome of God neither doth corruption inherit corruption 1 Cor. 15. 50. In this respect death is as no death This that is indefinitely spoken of men must be applyed to all of all sorts for an indefinite particle is equivolent to a general But to put the point out of all doubt the Apostle plainly expresseth the generall thus death passed upon all men Rom. 5. 12. On this ground the Prophet was commanded to cry all flesh is grasse Isai 46. Object 1. An Apostle seemeth to affirm the contrary thus we shall not all sleep 1 Cor. 15. 51. Answ. 1. That is spoken only of such as are living at the very moment of Christs comming to judgement All before them shall dye 2. Even they shall be changed that is their ragged robe of mortality shall be taken away which is equivolent to death Object 2. Enoch was translated that he should not see death Heb. 11. 5. Answ. 1. One or two extraordinary instances do not infringe an ordinary rule especially when it is altered by him that set the rule Object 3. Eliah also was wrapt up into heaven and died not 2 King 2. 8. Answ. 1. Some affirm that his body was burnt in the region of fier above the clouds but there is no good warrant for that 2. The former Answers about Enoch may be applyed to Eliah 3. It is sufficient that both of them were changed and that their mortality was taken away before they were admitted into heaven 4. A speciall reason of freeing these two from death may be this many years passed betwixt the promise of Christ and the exhibition of him Therefore to support the faith of believers in freedome from death by Christ the Lord was pleased to give two reall demonstrations hereof One in one world before the flood the other since the flood Object 4. Righteousnesse delivereth from death Prov. 11. 4. Answ. There is a threefold death 1. Spiritual 2. Eternal which is called the second death Rev. 2. 11. From both these justified persons are fully freed Rom. 6. 13. Iohn 8. 51. 3. Corporall death even from this in sundry respects may a righteous man be said to be freed 1. In that God doth oft prolong his dayes Exod. 20. 12. Prov. 3. 16. Hezekiah is a particular instance hereof Isa. 38. 3. But on the other side it is threatned that bloody and deceitfull men shal not live out half their dayes Psal. 55. 23. take Absalom for instance 2 Sam. 18. 9 c. 2. Righteous men are kept from capitall lawes For Daniels adversaries could find no occasion or fault against him concerning the kingdome though they sought it Dan. 6. 4. 3. Their name is not swallowed by the death of their body Prov. 10. 7. 4. The sting of death is pulled out to them 1 Cor. 15. 55. So as their death is no death but a sleep 1 Thes. 4. 13. 5. They shall be raised to everlasting life Ioh. 5. 29. 1. This subjection of man to death gives just cause of walking humbly Man who at first was made like God is now like the beasts that perish Psal. 49. 12. Now he is dust and to dust he shall return Gen. 3. 19. He who was created Lord over all must now say to corruption Thou art my Father and to the worm thou art my Mother and my Sister Job 17. 14. This is the reward of sin therefore for sin we ought especially to be humbled When proud man is puffed up with the gay feathers of honour wealth wit beauty or any other like seeming excellency if he cast his eyes upon his black feet of mortality it may move him to cast down those gay feathers 2. We may well think that many are far from making this use of this their
when they are whipt put in the stocks in an inner prison and that at night as Paul and Silas did Acts 16. 13 24 25. â—… The foresaid point instructeth us in sundry duties as 1. To have an holy conversation 2 Pet. 3. 11. 2. To repent Acts 17. 31 32. 3. To take heed of all sin Eccles. 12. 14. Matth. 12. 36. 4. Faithfully to imploy our talent Matth. 29. 19. 5. To judge our selves 1 Cor. 11. 31. 6. To take heed of judging others rashly 1 Cor. 4. 5. Rom. 14. 10. 7. To take heed of doing wrong 2 Thes. 1. 6. 8. To abound in works of mercy Matth. 25. 35. 9. Patiently to endure Iames 5. 8 9. 10. To long for this day Tit. 2. 13. §. 138. Of repeating the same things IN the 28. verse is the second part of the aforesaid comparison as is evident by this note of reddition or application SO wherein two things in Christ are manifested to be answerable to the two things noted of man 1. Man dyeth but once and Christ was but once offered 2. After mans death commeth judgement and Christ having offered himself will appear the second time in judgement The principal point for this comparison was produced was to prove that Christ was offered but once This is here directly concluded It was thrice before affirmed namely Chap. 7. v. 27. and v. 12. 5. 60. and 26. § 120. of this Chapter Here the fourth time and again Chap. 10. v. 10. The Apostle knew that it was a true sure and weighty point and he foresaw that it would be much questioned and contradicted as it is by the Papists in their Masse wherein they say that the very body of Christ is daily offered up Hereby we see that matters of moment may be again and again repeated 1. This checks the pride of such Ministers as scorn to utter what hath been before delivered by themselves or others Many errours arise from affecting new matter 2. It manifesteth that such hearers as cannot endure to hear the same things again have itching ears It sheweth that they have more desire to have their ear tickled then their heart wrought upon 3. It teacheth Ministers wisdome in putting difference betwixt points of greater and lesser weight and so to presse the weightier matters as their people may not let them slip 4. It admonisheth people both to be patient in hearing the same things again and also to confer with one another yea and to meditate with themselves thereabout For knowledge and faith came not to us as revelations and inspirations did to Prophets we must use means for aâ—…taining them Of repeating the same thing See Chap. 3. v. 15. § 158. §. 139. Of Christs bearing mens sins THe main point here proved is that Christ is offered and that but once Of these two points See Chap. 7. v. 27. § 115. Here is further set down the end why he offered himself namely to beat sins The word translated to bear is a compound and that with the same simple verb that the former compound translated offered was But the propositions in the one and the other are different Of the difference between these two compound verbs See Chap. 7. v. 1. § 6. Whereas in verse 26. it is said that Christ put away sin by the sacrifice of himself and here that he baâ—…e sins This latter setteth down the means whereby the former was effected For Christ by taking our sins upon him and so bearing them took them away from us This was typified by the sin-offering and also by the scape goat Levit. 16. 21 22. The goat which being slain was called the sin-offering was so called because it was a sacrifice for sin over the scape goat which also typified Christ who by his divine nature had victory over death sin was confessed and that goat is said to bear all their sins Expresly was this foretold Esa. 53. 4 5. and it is most cleerly revealed to be accomplished 1 Pet. 2. 24. where the word of Text is used In this respect Christ is said to take the hand-writing that was contrary to us out of the way nailing it to the Crosse Colos. 2. 14. yea he is said to be made sin for us 2 Cor. 5. 21. and a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. Quest. How did Christ bear sins Answ. 1. As sin was a debt and Christ our surety that debt was imputed to him thus was he made sin 2 Cor. 5. 21. 2. He endured the punishment of sin Thus was he made a curse Gal. 3. 13. This he did to free us from sin and the punishment thus we are said to be healed by his stripes Esa. 53. 5. 1 Pet. 2. 24. and to be freed from the curse Gal. 3. 13. This also he did that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. O blessed change Christ took upon him our sins and freed us with his righteousnesse 1. This burden of sin that lay on Christ should deeply humble us who are the cause thereof It was such a burden as we had sunk everlastingly under the burden of it if he had not born it If ever thou wilt bâ—…hold sin in the horriblenesse of it behold it lying on the Lord Jesus and making him lye graveling on the ground sweating drops of blood praying thus Father if it be possible let this Câ—…p passe and crying my God my God why hast thou forsaken me It is something to behold sin forcing Adam out of Paradise and pressing the evill Angels down to hell and in the manifold judgements that God hath inflicted on sinners and in the terrours of aâ—… despairing conscience and in the tortures and torments of the damned but all these come far short of the burden that lay upon the Son of God who knew no sin and yet was made sin for us who was the most blessed one and yet was made a 〈◊〉 foâ—… us 2. Thus doth much aggravate the wretched disposition of them who continue to â—…dd sin to sin What is this but to adde load unto load to presse their surety the â—…ore or else to presse themselves more deeply into Hell This causeth the Lord thus to complain behold I am pressed under you as a Cart is pressed that is full of sheaves 〈◊〉 2. 13. O ungrateful and foolish persons ungrateful in slighting the great burthen of their surety foolish in depriving themselves of the benefit thereof 3. This ministreth much comfort to such as are pressed with the burthen of their 〈◊〉 Here is a means of ease As he that beheld the Serpent of brasse that Moses lifted up was eased and cured Numb 21. 9. So shall he be that by faith looketh on Christ. This surety of ours who barâ—… our sins inviteth all that labour and are heavy lâ—…en to come unto him and promiseth to give them rest Math. 11. 28. Rest therefore with confidence on this
all private businesse whatsoever Wherein he was not one to make up a number but a chief one He sat as one of the Assessors and very frequently filled the Chair in the Moderators absence And such was his constant care and conscience of spending his time and improving it to the best advantage that he would fill up the void spaces of his Assembly-affaires with his own private studies To which end it was his constant practice to bring his Bible and some other Books in his pocket which upon every occasion he would be reading as was observed by many He was likewise chosen by a Committee of Parliament among others to make Annotations upon the Bible being well known to be a Iuditious Interpreter of Scripture How well he hath performed his trust is evident to all that read the Annotations from the beginning of the first book of Kings unto Iob which was his part In which the Intelligent Reader will observe such skill in the Originall such acquaintance with the Sacred Story such judgement in giving the sense of the Text and such quicknesse and pertinency in raising observations that without the help of any otherComment a man may accommodate himself with the Sense Doctrines and Uses of most of those Scriptures which came under his hand in those cursory Annotations When the book of Sports and Recreations on the Lords Day was appointed by publick Authority to be read in severall Churches thorowout the Nation as divers other faithfull Ministers he utterly refused to read the same resolving to suffer the utmost rather than manifest the least approbation of such a wicked and ungodly thing so contrary to the expresse letter of the Scripture By reason of his ability and dexterity in resolving cases of conscience he was much sought unto for resolving many doubts and scruples of conscience and that not only by ordinary Christians but also by diverse ministers in City and Country and that by word of mouth and writing being accounted the Father of London Divines and oracle of his time He was likewise a sweet comforter of troubled consciences wherein he was exceeding skilfull and dexterous as many hundreds in the City have found time after time being sought unto far and near by such as groaned under afflictions and temptations many of whom through Gods blessing on his labours were restored to joy and comfort out of unspeakable terrors and torments of conscience He was of a most sweet and meek disposition yea such was his meeknesse of Spirit that it seemeth unparalleld for though he had lived with his Wife above 20. years together yet neither Child nor Servant could ever say that they observed an angry countenance or heard an angry word proceed from him towards her all her life Some have observed that in his visage towards his latter end he did much resemble the picture which usually passeth for Moses his effigies Certainly he was the exact effigies of Moses his Spirit and in this resembled him to the Life that he was one of the meekest men this generation knew He was as a great Peace-kâ—…eer so a great Peace-maker having an excellent dexterity in composing differences far he was from doing others wrong and far from revenging wrong done by others He suffered much both by the Speeches and also by the Actions of evill and envious persons yet he would pray for them rather than in any harsh way requite them He accounted revilers and wrong-doers to do more hurt to themselves than to him Sundry scandalous and false aspersions have been cast upon him particularly by such as have been guilty of those crimes which they have laid to his charge For some who have lived by an unwarrantable trade of Usury for justifying their own unwarrantable practice have not stuck to impute the same to him from which he was ever free never putting any Monies out to use either by himself or any other for him neither directly nor indirectly as he hath been often heard to say as in his life so not long before his death He was ever Charitable especially to the godly poor according to the direction of the Apostle Paul in Gal. 6. 10. Where he exhorteth us to do good unto all especially unto them who are of the household of Faith He maintained some poor Scholars at the University wholy at his own charge and contributed liberally towards the maintenance of others He was of such a charitable and bountifull disposition that though his Father left him a competent estate yet such were his disbursements yearly for his Kindred and others who stood in need of relief that from the death of his Father till his Children came to be of years to call for their portions he laid up nothing of all his commings in so that they who out of envy cry up his estate to be greater than it was do consequently cry up his Bounty Charity because whatsoever his estate was it was wholy laid out for the relief of such as stood in need necessary expences for his Family only excepted which as it doth appear from the Doctors papers So in his life time he expressed as much to some of his Children And truly as in other things he excelled others so in this even himself He was very conscionable in spending his time from his youth to his very death He did use to rise very early both Winter and Summer In the Winter he did constantly rise so long before day as he performed all the exercises of his private devotions before day light and in the Sommer time about four of the Clock in the Morning by which meanes he had done half a daies work before others had begun their studies If he heard any at their work before he had got to his study he would say as Demosthenes spake concerning the Smith that he was much troubled that any should be at their Calling before he at his He was a man of much temperance and sobriety as in his eating and drinking so in his apparell As for recreations howsoever many pious persons do spend time therein and that lawfully in warrantable recreations yet he spent none therein Insomuch as he was never expert in any kind of exercise for recreation He hath been often heard to say that he took not any journey meerly for pleasure in all his life time study and paines having been all waies both in youth and age his chiefest pleasure and delight Yea it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his heavenly Father wherein he took as much pleasure and delight as naturall men do in their eating and in their drinking or in their sports and pastimes Such was his Carriage and Conversation that there was scarce a Lord or Lady or Citizen of quality in or about the City that were piously affected but they sought his acquaintance and were ambitious of his Company wherein they look
himself to sit at Gods right hand but Iehovah that said to him Sit on my right hand glorified him herein God hath highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name God was pleased thus highly to exalt his Sonne in sundry respects 1. In regard of that entire love which as a Father he did bear to a Sonne Ioh. 3. 35. 5. 20. 2. In regard of the low degree of Christs humiliation Philip. 2. 8 9. Ephes. 4. 9 10. 3. In regard of that charge which Christ undertook to provide for his Church and to protect it Hereunto is he the better enabled by that high advancement Mat. 28. 18 19 20. Ioh. 17. 2. 4. In regard of the Saints who are Christs members that they might with stronger confidence depend on him Psa. 80. 17 18. 2 Tim. 1. 12. 5. In regard of his enemies that he might be the greater terrour unto them and be more able to subdue them Psa. 110. 2. §. 150. Of Christs continuance at Gods right hand TO the greatnesse of Christs dignity is added his continuance therein which is until one principall end of his high advancement shall be accomplished which is the subduing of all his enemies This word until though it point at a time how long Christ shall retain his dignity yet it setteth not down a date thereof or a period thereto For it hath not alwaies reference to the future time as excluding it but to that whole space of time that is to passe to the accomplishing of the thing mentioned including in it all that space of time and that because the question is concerning it alone as where Christ saith Till heaven and earth passe one jot or one tittle shall in no wise passe from the Law Mat. 5. 18. his meaning is not that the Law shall passe when heaven and earth passe away but that so long as the world continueth the Law shall remain to be the rule of righteousnesse This word until oft implieth rather a deniall of a determination then an affirmation thereof as 2 Sam. 6. 23. where it is said that Michal had no childe until the day of her death None will imagine that after her death she had any but because the question of having a childe must be about the time of her life this phrase Until the day of her death is used In the same sense a like phrase of the Virgin Maries bringing forth the Lord Jesus is used Mat. 1. 25. Joseph knew her not till she had brought forth her first born Sonne that is he never knew her Thus is this word until here to be taken Sit on my right hand until I make thiâ—…e enemies my footstool Sit till then and ever after that So as here is implied an everlasting continuance of Christs dignity If until all his enemies be subdued then for ever For what shall hinder it when there be no enemies Will his Subjects hinder it Will his members that are advanced with him hinder it Will good Angels whose Ministry is made the more glorious thereby hinder it Will his Father whose love and respect to him is unchangeable and everlasting hinder it Obj. Subduing of enemies is here set down as the end of Christs sitting at Gods right hand when that end is accomplished there will be no need of his sitting there Answ. Though subduing of enemies be one end yet it is not the only end Sundry other ends have have been noted before § 149. It will be requisite that Christ having to the full accomplished all things that were to be done or endured for mans full redemption and eternal salvation should for ever retain that dignity whereunto he was advanced after he had accomplished all To depart from any part of his dignity at any time would be some impeachment of his glory Object 2. It is expresly said that when the end cometh the Sonne shall deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father And when all things shall be subdued unto him then shall the Sonne also himself be subject c. 1 Cor. 15. 24 28. The Answer to these words is set down before § 109. §. 151. Of Christs Enemies THE time of Christs sitting at Gods right hand being thus expressed Until I make thine enemies thy footstool plainly declareth that Christ hath enemies and shall have enemies so long as this world continueth These enemies are not only such as directly oppose Christ himself as the Scribes and Pharisees Priests and Rulers among the Jews who at length brought him to that shamefull death upon the Crosse Act. 2. 23. or as Saul who afore his taking up into heaven thought with himself that he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Iesus Act. 26. 9. and Iulian who with his breath breathed out this scornfull Title against Christ O Galilean thou hast overcome but also such as revile wrong oppresse or any way persecute the Church of Christ or any of the members of his body It was in relation unto them that Christ said to Saul when he breathed out threatning and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9. 1 4. for beleevers are so united unto Christ as members unto an head Ephes. 1. 22 23. and thereupon it is that he that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye Zech. 2. 8. That we may the better discern who and what these enemies are I will endeavour to rank them out as it were in battle array In a well set army there is a Generall and under him Colonels Captains Lieutenants Majors Corporals Ancients Trumpeters Drummers Scouts and of Souldiers there useth to be a Van-guard man Battalio Reer right and left Wings and Ambushments The Generall is that great Dragon and old Serpent which is called the devil and Satan Rev. 12. 9. Colonels Captains and other Commanders and Officers who whet on and embolden all such as take part with Satan are all sorts of infernall spirits and fiends of hell The Van is made up of Athiests Idolaters Persecutors and other like open and impudent enemies of the Church The Battalia consists of all manner of prophane and licentious persons In the right wing are all the lusts of the flesh in the left all the honours and pleasures of the world In the Reer follow sinne death grave and hell it self with such like mortall enemies and their deadly instruments In ambushment lie hypocrites false brethren corrupt teachers and treacherous Politicians There being such enemies it much concerns us to be very watchful against them and to take heed of security And we ought to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6. 10. Yea we ought alwaies to be prepared and stand armed with the whole armour of God Eph. 6. 13. c. Obj. Christ on his Crosse having spoiled Principalities and Powers made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it Col. 2. 14 15. And when he ascended
to God or man and of what is a sinne against the one and a wrong unto the other Herein lieth a main difference betwixt this Divine Law and all humane Laws These are subject to alterations and corrections or amendments for which end Parliaments and Councels are oft convocated §. 13. Of the respects wherein the word of Angels was steadfast THe word of Angels may be said to be steadfast in three especial respects 1 In the Event in that whatsoever they declared by prediction promise or threatning was answerably accomplished Of predictions take these instances Gen. 16. 11 12. 31. 11 12. Zech. 1. 9 c. Matth. 28. 5 7. Acts 10. 3 c. Rev. 1. 1. Of promises take these Gen. 18. 10. Iudges 13. 3. Matth. 1. 20. Acts 27. 23. Of threatnings take these Gen. 19. 13. 2 Kings 1. 3 4. These particulars are sufficient to prove the point in hand As for the generall I dare boldly say that never was any matter of history or or promise of good or threatning of judgement declared by an Angel but answerably it was accomplished and in that respect an Angels word was steadfast 2 The word of Angels was steadfast in regard of the bond which bound them to whom any duty was enjoyned or direction given to observe the same For they were extraordinarily sent from God yea they were the chiefest of Gods Messengers Saints thereupon believed their word and obeyed their charge As Manoah Judg. 13. 8 12. Elijah 1 Kings 19. 8. 2 Kings 1. 15. The Virgin Mary Luke 1. 38. Ioseph Matth. 1. 24. and sundry others 3. Their word was steadfast in regard of the penalty which was inflicted on such as believed not or obeyed not their word Hereof see § 16 17. §. 14. Of the difference between transgression and disobedience UPon the steadfastness of Gods Word though spoken by Angels it is inferred that every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward This inference is joyned to the steadfastness of their word by a copulative particle AND which sheweth that this penalty is a motive to give good heed to their word as well as the steadfastness thereof And that it is an effect that will assuredly follow thereupon For because the word of Angels was steadfast therefore every transgression was punished There are two words in this inference namely transgression and disobedience which in the generall may intend one and the same thing and yet here be also distinguished by their degrees yea and by their kindes The verb from whence the first word in Greek is derived properly signifieth to pass over a thing metaphorically having reference to a Law or any other rule it signifieth to swerve from that rule or to violate and break that Law Matth. 15. 3. In this metaphoricall sense this word is oft used in relation to the Law of God and put for any breach thereof as Rom. 4. 15. Gal. 3. 19. It is put for the first sinne of Adam Rom. 5. 14. and for Eves speciall sinne 1 Tim. 2. 14. The other word according to the notation of it in Greek intimateth a turning of the ear from that which is spoken and that with a kinde of obstinacy and contumacy as where Christ saith of an obstinate brother if he neglect to hear Mat. 18. 17. or obstinately refuse to hear I finde the word here translated disobedience twice opposed to a willing and ready obedience namely of true Saints 2 Cor. 10. 6. and of Christ Rom. 5. 19. This opposition importeth a wilfull disobedience or a contumacy as some here translate the word Others under the former word transgression comprise sinnes of commission and under the later word disobedience sinnes of omission For the Verb from whence the later word is derived signifieth to neglect or refuse to hear Matth. 18. 17. There is questionless a difference betwixt these two words either in the degrees or in the kinds of disobedience in which respect the universall or as here it is used distributive particle every is premised to shew that no transgression great or mean in one or other kinde passed unpunished Let not any think by mincing his sinne to escape punishment A Prophet having reckoned up a catalogue of sins some greater some lighter maketh this inference If a man do the like to any one of these things he shall surely dye Ezek. 18. 10 13. Every particular branch of Gods Law is as a distinct linck of a chain if any one linck fail the whole chain is broken The will of the Law-maker is disobeyed in every transgression Iames 2. 10 11. Herein lieth a main difference betwixt a faithfull servant of God and a formall professor The former makes conscience of every sin The later of such only as are less agreeable to his own corrupt humour or such as he conceiveth most dammageable to himself §. 15. Of punishments on transgressours THe memorable judgements executed on the Israelites after the Law was given unto them on Mount Sinai do give evident proof of the Divine vengeance which was executed on the transgressors thereof Many of those judgements are reckoned up together 1 Cor. 10. 5 c. I will endeavour further to exemplifie the same in particular judgements executed on the transgressors of every one of the particular precepts or of denunciations of judgements against them 1 Moses and Aaron for their transgressions against the first Commandment because they beleeved not but rebelled against Gods Word died in the wilderness and entred not into Canaan Numb 20. 12 34. 2 The Israelites that worshiped the golden Calf Exod. 32. 6 28. and joyned themselves unto Baal-Peor Numb 25. 3 4 5. And the sons of Aaron that offered strange fire Lev. 10. 1 2. were all destroyed for their Idolatry against the second Commandment 3 The blasphemour against the third Commandment was stoned Levit. 24. 11. 23. 4 He that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day was also stoned for violating the fourth Commandment Numb 15. 32 36. 5 Corah Dathan and Abiram with such as took part with them perished for breaking the fifth Commandment in rising up against Moses and Aaron their Governours in State and Church Numb 16. 3 32 35. 6 A murtherer was to be put to death and not spared Numb 35. 31. 7 Zimri and Cosby were suddenly slain together for their impudent filthiness and the people that committed whoredom with the daughters of Moab Numb 25. 1 8 9. 8 Achan for coveting and stealing what God had forbidden was destroyed with all that belonged to him Iosh. 7. 21 24 25. 9 A false witness was to be dealt withall as he had thought to have done to his brother Deut. 19. 19. His doom is this He shall not be unpunished he shall perish Prov. 19. 5. 21. 28. Not to insist on any more particulars these and all other transgressions together with their punishment are comprised under these words Cursed be he
all that Christ indured either in body or soul. To demonstrate the truth hereof the Apostle with an emphasis thus expresseth the kinde of his death even the death of the Crosse Phil. 2. 8. which was a cursed death Gal. 3. 13. This will yet more evidently appear if to Christs external sufferings be added the sufferings of his soul. A Prophet saith that his soul was made an offering for sinne Isa. 53. 10. This was manifested by his inward agony concerning which he himself thus saith My soul is exceeding sorrowfull unto death with strong crying and tears he thus prayeth O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass yea again and the third time he fell on his face and praied in the same manner Such was his agony as his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground So great was his agony as an Angell is said to appear unto him from heaven strengthening him When he was upon the Cross he cried with a loud voice saying My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Do not these effects further prove that the Apostle had cause to adde Suffering to Christs death and to stile it Suffering of death All this was to keep us from suffering what by our sinnes we had deserved For Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. Who is able to comprehend the breadth and length and depth and height of Christs love to us which passeth knowledge Ephes. 3. 18 19. What now should not we do and indure for Christs sake thereby to testifie our love to him §. 77. Of this reading Without God THe proper end of Christs suffering is thus expressed that he by the grace of 〈◊〉 should taste death for every man This conjunction THAT is a note of the finall cause as Matth. 5. 16. Whâ—… in special that end was is shewed in this phrase for every man Hereof See § 83. The chief procuring cause is here said to be The grace of God It appears that some of the Ancients read this clause otherwise then now we reade it though it be confirmed by a constant consent of all Greek copies as we now have it That other reading is thus That WITHOUT God he might taste death The Greek words translated Grace in the Nominative case and without are somewhat like they differ but in one letter Thence might the mistake arise For some have here taken grace in the Nominative case for Christ who died as if he had said That the grace of God might taste death for every man He called him grace 〈◊〉 tasted death for the salvation of all saith one and the Sonne is called the grace of God the Father saith another But the word used by the Apostle is of the Dative case so as hereby the likenesse of the Greek words is taken away and the mistake appears to be the greater The sense wherein the Fathers used this phrase without God was this that though Christ consisted of two Natures Divine and Humane yet he suffered only in his Humane nature his Deity did not suffer But Nestorius a notorious Heretick and his followers inferred from those words without God that Christs Humane nature was a distinct person of it self and so suffered without God not united to God For they held that God and man in Christ were two distinct Persons Thus we see what advantage is given to Hereticks by altering the words of Scripture §. 78. Of Gods grace the cause of Christs death TO come to the true reading of this text which is this by the grace of God Grace is here put for the free favour of God Thus it is oft taken in the holy Scriptures All blessings tending to salvation yea and salvation it self are ascribed thereunto as Election Rom. 11. 5. Redemption Eph. 1. 7. Vocation 2 Tim. 1. 9. Justification Rom. 3. 24. Salvation Eph. 2. 8. It was therefore of Gods grace that Christ was given to man and that he did what he did and endured what he endured for man Iohn 3. 16. Ephes. 2. 4 7. There is nothing out of God to move him to do any thing He worketh all things after the counsell of his own will Eph. 1. 1. See more hereof § 37. and Chap. 4. v. 16. § 97. As for man there can be nothing in him to procure so great a matter as is here spoken of at Gods hand By this it is manifest that Gods free grace and the satisfaction that Christ hath made for our sinnes may stand together Christs satisfaction is so farre from being opposite to the freeness of Gods grace as it is the clearest and greatest evidence that ever was or can be given thereof More grace is manifested in Gods not sparing his Sonne but giving him to death for us then if by his supream authority and absolute prerogative he had forgiven our sinnes and saved our souls We that partake of the benefit of Christs death nor do nor can make any satisfaction at all For God to impute anothers satisfaction to us and to accept it for us is meer grace and that the rather because he that is true God even the proper Son of God made that satisfaction Thus we see how in working out our redemption Divine grace and justice meet together and sweetly kiss each other Iustice in reference to the Sonne of God who hath satisfied Gods justice to the full Grace in reference to us who neither have made nor can make any satisfaction at all Learn hereby to ascribe what thou hast or hopest for to grace and wholly rely thereupon It is the surest ground of comfort and safest rock of confidence that poor sinners can have Paul ascribes all in all to it 1 Cor. 15. 10. 1 Tim. 1. 14. He taketh all occasions of setting it forth yet never satisfieth himself therein He stileth it abundance of grace Rom. 5. 17. Exceeding abundant grace 1 Tim. 1. 14. Riches of grace Eph. 1. 7. Exceeding riches of grace Eph. 2. 7. Let us be like minded Let us acknowledge the grace of God to us and ascribe all the good we have thereunto Let us so deeply meditate thereon as we may be ravished therewith Let us so apply it to our selves as we may render all the praise of what we have or are able to do to this grace of God Had it not been by the grace and good pleasure of God no violence or force of man or devils could have brought Christ to die Did he not with a word of his mouth drive back those that came to apprehend him Ioh. 18. 6. He could have had more then twelve legions of Angels to defend him Matth. 26. 53. He was delivered by the determinate counsel of God Acts 2. 23. And this God did upon his free grace and good will towards man This moved Christ to lay down his life Joh. 10. 18. and to give himself
a season Luk. 4. 13. This phrase for a season implieth that Satan afterwards set upon him again And this phrase The Prince of the world cometh Joh. 14. 30. being spoken a little before the time of Christs death further sheweth that the devil set upon him again These temptations of Satan were no small sufferings Christ was also tempted by men and those both adversaries and friends The Pharisees and Sadduces and others like them among the Jews oft tempted him as Matth. 16. 1. 19. 3. 22. 18. Ioh. 8. 6. His Disciples also tempted him as Peter Matth. 16. 22. and Iames and Iohn Mar. 10. 35. and Thomas Joh. 20. 25 27. These temptations from his Disciples especially could not but much trouble him witnesse the sharp rebuke that he gave to Peter Matth. 16. 23. Yea the temptations of his adversaries the Jews stirred up anger in him and grieved him much Mark 3. 5. 8. 12. Finally Christ was tried and proved and in that respect tempted by God himself as by the Spirit of God when he was led up of the Spirit into the wildernesse to be tempted of the devill Matth. 4. 1. And by the Father who so withdrew his assistance and comfort from him as forced him to cry out and say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Matth. 27. 46. Afflictions inflicted on him were very many For order and distinction sake they may be considered in his non-age man-age and time of death In his non-age these may be accounted sufferings 1. His mean birth in the stable of an Inne where he was laid in a manger Luk. 2. 7. 2. His flight in the night time into Aegypt upon Herods persecution This was aggravated by the slaughter of all the Infants in Bethlem and in all the coasts thereof Matth. 2. 14 15 16. 3. His Parents offence at his abode in Ierusalem Luk. 2. 49. What afflictions he endured all the time of his private life who knoweth In his man-age his afflictions were greater as manifold persecutions and that with a purpose to have destroyed him Thus was he persecuted by his own Countrymen Luk. 4. 29. and by the common sort Ioh. 8. 59. The Rulers Priests Pharisees sent Officers to take him Ioh. 7. 32. Herod threatned his life Luk. 13. 31. By reason of these persecutions he was forced sometimes to passe thorow the middest of them so as they could not discern it Luk. 4. 30 Ioh. 8. 59. Sometimes he hid himself Ioh. 12. 36. Sometime he fled from country to country and from town to town as Ioh. 4. 3 4. From Iudea to Samaria and thorow it to Galilee From Nazaret to Capernaum Luk. 3. 31. From Hierusalem to the place beyond Iordan Joh. 10. 40. His greatest afflictions were about the time of his death when the hower of his adversaries and power of darknesse was come Luk. 22. 13. These may be drawn to two heads Outward in body Inward in soul. of these See § 76. §. 97. Of Christ made perfect by sufferings CHrist by his sufferings is said to be made perfect The Greek word according to the notation of it signifieth to finish or accomplish a thing to put an end unto it or to perfect it The Greek Noun whence this Verb is derived signififieth an end Chap. 3. 6. For that which is brought to an end so as there is no further proceeding therein is said to be perfected and that is accounted to be made perfect which is fully and absolutely done so as nothing needeth to be added thereto Hence the Adjective translated perfect Matth. 5. 48. and the Substantive translated perfection Heb. 6. 1. Luk. 1. 45. This word is variously translated As 1. To finish a thing Ioh. 4. 34. Acts 20. 24. 2. To fulfill what was foretold Ioh. 19. 28. 3. To make perfect Heb. 10. 1 14. 12. 23. 4. To consecrate Heb. 2. 28. that is to set apart to an holy use and that with speciall solemnity The Greek Septuagint do use this word in this sense Exod. 29 9 22 26 29 33. The Greek Fathers do apply this word to initiating persons by baptisme whereby they were solemnly consecrated and brought into the Church 5. To die and that as a sacrifice offered up to God Luk. 13. 32. In this sense Greek Fathers apply this word to martyrdom Not unfitly in every of those senses may it here to taken at least every of those acceptions give great light to that which is here spoken of Christ. For 1. Christ by his sufferings finished that work and satisfaction which was on earth to be done Therefore on the crosse he said It is finished Joh. 19. 30. 2. By his sufferings were sundry Prophecies fulfilled Luk 24. 25 26 27 45 46. 3. By his sufferings Christ was made a full and perfect redeemer Heb. 7. 26. Nothing needed more to be added thereunto 4. By his sufferings Christ was solemnly consecrated to be our everlasting high-Priest Heb. 7. 28. 5. By his sufferings to death Christ was made an offering for all sinnes even a true reall propitiatory sacrifice Heb. 10. 10. The scope of the Apostle in this place is to remove that scandall of Christs sufferings whereat both Jews and Gentiles stumbled For this end he here sheweth that Christs sufferings turned more to his glory and ignominy They were honourable ensignes and solemn rites of advancing him to glory For by his sufferings he vanquished all his and our enemies he gloriously triumphed over them all he satisfied the justice of God and pacified his wrath 〈◊〉 reconciled God and man and merited remission of sinnes and eternall salvation Yea by his suffering he became a pattern and guide to us and made the way of suffering passible for us to follow him therein so as we may thereupon passe iâ—… thorow more easily Though Christ were ever perfect in himself yet for bringing us to glory muâ—… was wanting till he had finished his sufferings but thereby all that wanted was supplied and he made perfect Wherefore glorious things are spoken of the crosse 〈◊〉 Christ as 1 Cor. 1. 18. Gal. 6. 14. Eph. 2. 16. Col. 1. 20. 2. 14 15. Who now that duly considereth the end of God in suffering his Sonne to suffâ—… what he did will be ashamed of the crosse of Christ It becomes us rather to glory therein as the Apostle did Gal. 6. 14. Great reason there is that we should so do for in Christ humiliation consisteâ—… our exaltation in his crosse our crown in his ignominy our glory in his deatâ—… our life That we may thus do we must behold Christs sufferings not with the eye 〈◊〉 flesh but of faith Jews and Gentiles beholding Christ with no other eye then the eye of flesh dispised him by reason of his sufferings for flesh can see nothiâ—… therein but folly basenesse ignominy contempt But faith beholds wisdom victory triumph glory and all happinesse As this affords matter of glorying
namely that Christ was not ashamed to call men brethren The Argument may be thus framed He that saith of men I will declare thy Name unto my brethren is not ashamed to call them brethren But Christ saith of men I will declare thy Name unto my brethren Therefore Christ is not ashamed to call men brethren The Substance containeth a proof of Christs Propheticall Office about which we may observe 1. The kinde of proof 2. The point proved The kinde of proof is a Divine testimony Of this kinde there be three particulars 1. The execution thereof ver 12. This is taken out of Psal. 22. 22. 2. The ground of Christs courage in executing it ver 13. This is taken out of Psal. 18. 2. 3. The efficacy thereof ver 13. This is taken out of Isa. 8. 18. 1. The execution of Christs Propheticall Office consists of two parts 1. To declare Gods Name 2. To sing praise to him In the former four particulars are expressed 1. The Prophet I. 2. The Act will declare 3. The Subject matter Thy Name 4. The Object to whom My brethren In the later four other particulars are expressed 1. The same Person or Prophet I. 2. Another act which is to sing praise These two words are the translation of one Greek word 3. The person whose praise he would set forth unto thee 4. The place where he would do it In the midst of the Church 2. The ground of Christs courage was his confidence Here is expressed 1. The connexion of this with the former in this phrase And again 2. The main Proposition Herein are three particulars 1. The kinde of confidence put trust 2. The person who doth put his trust I will saith Christ. 3. The person on whom in him namely God 3. The efficacy of Christs Propheticall Office was in fitting those for God who were given to him Here also are expressed as before 1. A connexion of this with the former And again 2. A Proposition Wherein observe 1. An evidence of the power of Christs Ministry 2. The reason thereof In the evidence are set down 1. An act which demonstrateth the evidence intimated in this particle Behold This intendeth a presenting unto God such as were fitted for him 2. The persons presenting in this Pronown I and presented in this relative children The reason is taken from a trust committed unto Christ in these words Which God hath given me Here observe 1. The kinde of trust Given 2. The Trustor or Person that committeth the trust God 3. The trusted or persons that are given in this relative Which That hath reference to children 4. The Trustee or person who is entrusted in this Pronoun Me. Which hâ—… reference to Christ. §. 135. Of Observations raised out of Heb. 2. 12 13. I. A Divine testimony is a sound proof See Chap. 1. § 46 61. II. Christ was a Prophet He himself here saith I will declare which iâ—… an act of a Prophet or Preacher See § 111 112. § 23 24. III. Christ received what he delivered He delivered nothing of his own heâ—… See § 111. IV. Christ delivered what he received He concealed nothing The word decleâ—… includeth both these See § 112. V. Christ made known what was to be known of God The Name of God intendâ—… much See § 112. VI. Christ executed his Propheticall Office in mans nature The main scope of 〈◊〉 Apostle in this place is to set forth Christs humane nature and what he did therâ—… See § 112. VII Saints are Christs brethren See § 106. VIII Christs brothren do especially partake of the benefit of Christs Propheticall â—…fice To them in speciall he saith I will declare Gods Name See § 113. IX Christ was carefull to set forth his Fathers praise This phrase Unto thee 〈◊〉 reference to God the Father See § 114. X. God is praised by singing Therefore Christ professeth to sing praise 〈◊〉 § 115. XI God is to be praised with cheerfulnesse Singing implieth a cheerfulnesse of â—…rit See § 116. XII God is to be praised in great Assemblies The midst of the Church 〈◊〉 great Assembly See § 117. XIII Divers testimonies may be produced to prove the same point Here 〈◊〉 Apostle useth this phrase And again in reference to a former testimony 〈◊〉 Chap. 1. XIV Christ himself trusted on God He here expresly professeth as 〈◊〉 See § 119. XV. Christ is one with us See § 121. XVI Christs Ministry was powerfull See § 122. XVII Mysteries of Christ are remarkable This particle Behold intends so 〈◊〉 See § 124. XVIII Christ brought others to God § 126. XIX Christ accompanied those whom he brought to God See § 125. The â—…nexion of these two words I children I and my children intends the two 〈◊〉 points XX. The Ministry of the Gospel is effectuall The presenting of children to 〈◊〉 is here brought in as a Demonstration of the efficacy of the Gospel 〈◊〉 § 127. XXI Saints are Christs children So they are here called See § 128. XXII God hath power to exact an account Because God gave these 〈◊〉 to Christ Christ to make up his account brought his children to God See § 129. XXIII God freely bestowed men on Christ. This word Given includes freeness under it See § 130. XXIV God hath power to chuse and refuse whom he will This act of giving is here restrained to children See § 131. XXV Christ is the means of all good to men To him are they given who are brought to God for good See § 132. XXVI The Elect alone partake of the benefit of Christs Offices These are they who are given to Christ and by Christ brought to God See § 133. §. 136. Of the transition betwixt ver 13 14. Verse 14. For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil Verse 15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage FRom the Propheticall Office of Christ which he exercised in his humane nature the Apostle proceedeth to set down speciall acts of his Kingly Office which he also performed in the same nature Very elegantly doth the Apostle pass from the one point to the other For upon the mention of children belonging to Christ the Apostle taketh occasion to shew that Christ would be of the same nature whereof they were though it were a frail and infirm nature even flesh and blood The inference of this later upon the former point is set down in two particles For as much then both which intend a reason The former word translated For as much is also translated with this causall particle FOR THAT Chap. 5. 2. and so then Chap. 9. 26. and 10. 2. And also with this Because Chap. 6. 13. and 11. 11. The other particle properly signifieth therefore and so it is translated even joyned with
And this Christ led captivity â—…ptive Eph. 4. 8. And this He hath spoiled principalities and powers c. Col. 2. 1â—… For such is Satans might compared unto men such his malice as if he 〈◊〉 not thus destroyed no flesh would be saved Hereby we have evidence of the provident care of our Captain who knowing what flesh and blood it and what our enemies are hath first himself vanquished them and then provided sufficient armour for his children to stand safe against them Eph. 6. 12 c. This is a great comfort against the terrour of the devil Many fearfull and terrible things are written of him in the Scripture Observe in particular how he is described Eph. 6. 12. But this that he is destroyed by our Captain who did take part of flesh and blood is a great comfort to us who are flesh and blood This also is an incouragement to stand against him and to resist He is an enemy spoyled Hereupon an Apostle thus encourageth us Resist the devil and he will flie from you Jam. 4. 5. There is assurance of victory to such as beleeve If Satan get the upper hand it is by reason of our timorousnesse and want of faith As the Ancients by faith were made strong waxed valiant in sight turned to flight the armies of the aliens Heb. 11. 34. So may we in this spirituall combate with the devil The phrase of Christs leading captivity captive Eph. 4. 8. is spoken of our spirituall enemies and implieth that they are as captives chained so as Christ lets them out and puls them in as it pleaseth him If he suffer any of them to assault any of his children he himself will order the combate as seemeth good to himself He will suffer them to fight so long as he seeth cause if he espy an enemy ready to get an advantage he will quickly pull him back This is a great incouragement §. 142. Of that death whereof the devil hath power HE that Christ so destroyed is here said to have the power of death Death here is to be taken in the uttermost extent and to be applied to all kindes of death temporall spirituall and eternall For he was the originall cause and first authour of sin by which all these kindes of death came upon man Rom. 5. 12. By sinne mortality seized on man for God at first made mans body immortall By sinne man forfeited that Image of God wherein consisted his spirituall life Eph. 2. 1. By sinne man made himself guilty of eternall damnation Rom. 6. 23. This extent of death giveth evidence of the malicious and mischievous minde of Satan As in generall he aimed at mans destruction he was a murderer from the beginning for death is the destruction of a thing so he extended his malice as far as he could even to body and soul and that in this world and the world to come He contents not himself to annoy the body and that unto death but also vexeth and perplexeth the soul. Instance his dealing with Saul 1 Sam. 16. 14. yea he seeketh the eternall damnation of mans soul and body Thus much is comprised under this phrase he seeketh whom to devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. §. 143. Of that kinde of power which the devil hath over death THe Greek word whereby Satans power is set forth is somewhat emphaticall It is twelve times used in the New Testament and in every of those places except this attributed to God so as for the most part it sets out a Divine and Almighty power even the power of him that saith See now that I even I am he and there is no God with me I kill and I make alive Deut. 32. 39. 1 Sam. 2. 6. He it is of whom it is said after he hath killed he hath power to cast into hell Luke 12. 5. He that said I have the keys of hell and of death Rev. 1. 18. was true God Therefore here it sets out a subordinate power given by God to him that hath it Power was given to him that sat on the pale horse Rev. 6. 8. For as Christ said to Pilate Thou couldst have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above Joh. 19. 11. so the devil could have no power at all except it were given him from above But the power that is given him is a great power For power of death must needs be a great power What is stronger then death which overcomeâ—… all living creatures Who can stand against death In regard of the greatnesse of the power of the devil a wo was denounced to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea and this reason is rendred thereof for the dâ—… is come down unto you having great wrath Rev. 12. 12. Sundry are the respects wherein the devil may be said to have the power 〈◊〉 death 1. As he is the executioner of Gods just judgement He is in this regard as an Hangman who may be said to have the power of the Gallows because he hangeâ—… men thereon 2. As he is like an Hunter Fisher Fowler or Faulkner He hunteth fisheth and fowleth for the life not of unreasonable creatures only but also of reasonable men 3. As he is a thief and continually laieth wait for blood and seeks the precious life of mans body and soul. 4. As a continuall tempter to allure or drive men into sin and thereby to death Herein he spared not Christ himself Matth. 4. 1 c. As at first he dealt with the first man so ever since hath he dealt with his whole posterity This moved the Apostle to say I fear least by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through 〈◊〉 subtilty so your minde should be corrupted 2 Cor. 11. 3. 5. As he is an accuser of men hereof see more § 145. and as an adversary to presse Gods just Law against men and to call for judgement against them 6. As he is a tormentour for when he hath drawn men to sin he affrighteth them with the terrour of death and damnation In generall nothing is more terrible then death In this respect death is called the King of terrours Iob 18. 14. This kinde of power namely of death attributed to the devil 1. Sheweth wherein his strength especially lieth even in doing mischief and bringing men to destruction His power is to hurt men In this respect he hath names of destruction given unto him as in Hebrew Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon Rev. 9. 11. and he is styled a murderer Ioh. 8. 44. 2. It manifesteth the vile slavery and wofull bondage of the devils vassals They serve him who hath the power of death and doth what he can to bring all to death What can any expect from him but death The task that he puts on them is sinne the wages which he gives is death Rom. 6. 23. Herein such as having been rescued out of his power retain a lingring minde after it again are worse then the
opening the sense of a mystery or an obscure sentence This mystery In Isaac shall thy seed be called is thus opened that is they which are the children c. Rom. 9. 8. and in exemplifying such things and persons as are indeffinitely propounded as here in this phrase that is the devil Power of death may be thought to appertain unto God to whom belong the issues of death Psal. 68. 20. and so indeed it doth as he is the high supream Lord over all and judge of all Lest therefore any should overmuch spend their thoughts about him who is here said to be destroyed the Apostle plainly expresseth whom he meaneth Herein he doth as Ester after she had indeffinitely complained to the King of one that had sold her and her nation unto death upon the Kings enquiry who it was she plainly and directly answered The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman Est. 7. 6. §. 146. Of the Devil an accuser THis title Devil in the Greek signifieth an accuser It is derived from a root that signifieth to cast as Ioh. 8. 7. Thence a compound which signifieth 〈◊〉 strike through metaphorically to accuse Luk. 16. 1. An accusation falsly and maliciously made striketh a man as it were a dart through the heart The Noun is oâ—… translated a false accuser as 2 Tim. 3. 3. Tit. 2. 3. Thus this title Devil setteth out his disposition which is to be a false and malicious accuser To prove as much an other word which more properly signifieth an accuser is attributed to him Rev. 12. 10. That word in Greek is derived from a root which signifieth a place of judicature and a Noun compounded and derived from thence signifieth such an one as in such places useth to accuse others and plead against them Acts 24. 8. Ioh. 8. 10. The title adversary attributed to the Devil 1 Pet. 5. 8. intendeth as much The root from whence the Greek word is derived signifieth strife contention or suit in Law Thence a compound Verb which signifieth to stand against one in suit of Law He who doth so is properly termed an adversary who pleads against one in a Court of Justice or in any other publike assembly and to prejudice the cause raiseth false accusations and forgeth unjust crimes against him Such an one was Duâ—… 1 Sam. 22. 9. against whom David penned the fifty second Psalm Never was there nor ever can there be such an accuser as the Devil As his name is so is he He spareth none nor ever ceaseth to accuse He accused God to man Gen. 3. 5. and man to God Iob 1. 9 10. and man to man 1 Sam. 22. 9. and man to himself as Matth. 27. 4 5. These two latter instances of Saul and Iudas are the rather applied to the devil because the holy Ghost doth expresly note that an evil spirit even the devil came upon the one 1 Sam. 16. 14. and upon the other Luk. 22. 3. Behold here by what spirit false accusers and forgers of unjust crimes against the children of God are guided I may say of all them as Christ did of the Jews Ye 〈◊〉 of your father the Devil and the lusts of your father ye will do Joh. 8. 44. §. 147. Of all the Devils combined in one THat which is here said of the Devil in the singular number is to be extended to all the infernal spirits They are indeed many for so they say of themselves We are many Mark 5 9. And we read that the devils made an host to fight against Michael and his Angels Rev. 12. 7. all that host consisted of devils It at once there were an whole legion in one man which is computed to contain about 6666 how many are there in all the world besides for we may suppose that no man is free at any time but hath devils about him to solicit him to sinne The innumerable number of good Angels hath been noted before Chap. 1. § 73. It is indeed probable that there are not so many Angels that sell as stood yet they that fell might be also an innumerable company but they are here and in sundry other places set down as one Devil The reasons hereof may be these 1. Devil is a collective word and compriseth under it all the evil spirits as Jew Gentile Turk c. 2. They are all under one head for we read of a Prince of Devils Mark 3. 22. and the name Devil is given to this one head as is clear by this phrase The Devil and his Angels Matth. 25. 41. Under the head all the members are comprised as under Israel all that descended from Israel 3. All the evil spirits concur in one minde and aime at the same end and thereupon are all counted as one Devil 4. Their forces are so united and combined as if they were all but one Thus it is said That all the children of Israel went out and the Congregation was gathered together as one man Judg. 20. 1. This word Devil being here thus comprehensively taken doth much amplifie the power of Christ in subduing all the power of hell And it giveth evidence of our freedom from all our spirituall enemies And it is a strong ground of confidence to rest on Christ and not to fear any fiend of hell §. 148. Of Christs vanquishing the Devil for our deliverance Verse 15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage BOth the Copulative particle And and also the setting down of this verb deliver in the same mood and tense that the other verb destroy in the former verse was sheweth that that act of destroying the devil and this of delivering us do both tend in generall to the same purpose namely to declare the ends of Christs assuming our nature and subjecting himself therein to death One was to destroy the devil the other to deliver us This latter is set down in the latter place because it is also an end of the former For this end did Christ destroy the Devil that he might rescue and free us from the power of the devil as Abraham destroyed those enemies that had taken Lot captive with the rest that dwelt in Sodom that he might deliver Lot and the rest of the people from those enemies Gen. 14. 14. And as David destroyed the Amalekites that he might deliver his wives and children and others that were taken by them out of their hands 1 Sam. 30. 9 c. Man by yeelding to the devils temptations Gen. 3. 6. became his slave and was in bondage under him as the Apostle sheweth in the words following It was therefore for our liberty that Christ vanquished the devil in the manner that he did rather then for his own glory So implacable and unsatiable an enemy was the devil as he would not let us go but per force Christ therefore thought it not enough to satisfie Gods justice and pacifie
be said to be bound One is the bond of Law as an obligation whereby a man stands bound to pay a debt The other is a bond of violence as when a man is bound by cords chains or other like means Act. 22. 30. In the former sense men are redeemed by payment of the debt which is a point of justice Thus Christ is said to redeem us by a price which was his own precious blood 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. In this respect another word is used which signifieth to buy and we are said to be bought 1 Cor. 6 20 7. 23. Thus Christ bought us of his Father and by giving his blood for our Redemption satisfied the justice of his Father In the later sense men are redeemed by might and force This is an act of power Thus Christ overcame that Tyrant that held us in bondage and so delivered us Hereof see § 141. This deliverance is here amplified by the extent of it for the benefit thereof extended to all of all sorts This is implied under these indefinite relatives them who The correllative in Greek implieth a generality It is translated sometimes as many as Matth. 14. 36. Sometimes all they that Luk. 4. 40. Sometimes whosoever Luk. 9. 5. This indefinite particle doth not intend that every one that was subject to the foresaid bondage was delivered but that there were none so deeply implunged therein and so fast held thereby but might be delivered by Christ. Of Christs dying for every man See § 81 82. Of all deliverances this here spoken of is the most admirable in the kinde and most beneficiall to us that partake of the benefit thereof Was the Israelites deliverance from the Egyptian bondage or from the Babylonish captivity a benefit worthy to be kept in perpetuall memory Surely then much more this There is as great a difference betwixt them and this as betwixt a tyrant that is but flesh and blood and Principalities and powers as betwixt earth and hell as betwixt temporary and everlasting The difference is greater then can be expressed whether we consider the bondage from which or the means by which we are delivered This deliverance was it which made that good old Priest which had been dumb when his mouth was opened thus to praise God Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people c. Luk. 1. 68 c. How ill doth it become those who think and professe that they are delivered to walk as slaves who are not delivered With great vehemency thus doth the Apostle protest to such This I say and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles c. Eph. 4. 17. Having changed our Master it is most meet that we should change our service The Law of nature and of Nations requireth as much Ye were sometime darknesse but now are ye light in the Lord walk as children of light Eph. 5. 8. This was the principall end for which Christ delivered us out of the hand of our enemies namely that we might serve him without fear in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the daies of our life We may not therefore any longer be servants of sin Rom. 6. 12. nor of Satan 1 Pet. 5. 9. nor of men 1 Cor. 7. 23. They who so do make void that for which Christ hath taken flesh and blood and therein by death destroyed the devil §. 153. Of the Resolution of Heb. 2. v. 14 15. 14. For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil 15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage IN these two verses is a description of Christs Kingly Office This is set out by two effects accomplished by his death so as a further proof is herein given of Christs humane nature united to his Divine Two points are hereabouts observable 1. A connexion of Christs Regall Function with his Propheticall in this phrase For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood 2. The demonstration of this Royall power The connexion sheweth a reason why Christ exercised his Kingly Office in maâ—… nature Namely because the children which God had given him were so In setting down this reason observe 1. The relation of the persons at whose good he aimed the children 2. Their constitution flesh and blood 3. Their participation therein are partakers In the demonstration of Christs Royall power is set down 1. The nature wherein he exercised it 2. The Acts whereby he manifested it About the foresaid nature is set down 1. The Person that assumed it He himself 2. The kinde of nature The same 3. The manner of assuming it He took part 4. His resemblance therein to others also likewise The Acts of his Royall Function are two 1. A conquest v. 14. 2. A deliverance v. 15. In setting down the conquest we may discern 1. The manner of expressing it by way of a finall cause That he might 2. The matter whereof it consisteth This setteth out 1. The kinde of conquest Destroy 2. The means whereby he accomplished it by death 3. The enemy conquered He is set out 1. By his power Him that had the power of death 2. By his name Devil The second Act of Christs Royall Function is set out as the former 1. By the manner of expressing it which is by way of a finall cause implied in this copulative and as if he had said And that he might 2. By the matter whereof it consisteth Herein is set down 1. The kinde of Act Deliver 2. The extent thereof Them who or whosoever 3. The parties delivered These are described by that miserable condition wherein they were before they were delivered This condition is set out two waies 1. By that fear wherein they are aggravated by the object thereof death 2. By that bondage wherein they were This is aggravated 1. By the straitness of the bond subject or fast held 2. By their continuance therein all their life time §. 154. Of the Observations collected out of Heb. 2. v. 14 15. I. MAns nature is of a frail constitution It is flesh and blood visible sensible mutable mortall corruptible See § 137. II. Saints are of the same constitution with others By the children are meant Saints and these are said to be partakers of flesh and blood See § 138. III. The Son of God became man This relative He himself hath reference to Christs eminency even as he was God See § 58. IV Christ voluntarily became man This word took part implieth as much See § 139. V. Christ would partake of the very same nature that others had So much is expressed under this phrase the same See § 139. VI. Because the rest of Gods children were flesh and blood
reward in Heaven Mat. 5. 11 12. II. Believers are also subject to wrongs and oppressions of worldlings and though not simply for the Gospel yet for their sheep-like and dove-like disposition in that they are not forward to revenge wrong He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey Isa. 59. 15. But the Apostle Peter saith That this is thank-worthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully And again If when he doth well and suffereth for it he take patiently this is acceptable with God 1 Pet. 2. 19 20. That which is thank-worthy and acceptable with God is matter of rejoycing III. Beleevers likewise are as others subject to torturing and â—…ormenting seases yea and to the uncomfortable disease of the plague But 1. They know that these things are ordered by God in wisdome in love for their need and for their good and in that respect rejoyce A wise man is glad when a skilfull and faithfull Physician or Chyrurgion undertakes to cure him though he be forced to drink fulsom Potions to drink bitter Pils to endure cupping lancing cutting splinting searing yea sawing off a limb Much more beleevers are glad at Gods chastâ—…sements though they be grievous 2. Believers in all their pains and anguishes use to call to minde the pains of hell which their sins deserve in comparison whereof all that can be endured in this world is but as a flea-biting Now that faith which they have in 〈◊〉 freedom â—…rom Gods wrath from the power of sin and Satan from the curse of death and damnation makes them rejoyce in all bodily pains 3. God useth in all the distresses of his Saints whether publick or private for maintenance of the Gospel or trial of their graces to give them such a spirit of consolation as makes them rejoyce under their crosses It is Gods usual dealing to encrease the consolations of his Spirit according to the need of his servants 2 Cor. 1. 5. IV. Believers are subject to spiritual desertions But though these may seem to be as water that quencheth all the fire of spiritual joy yet the Lord reserveth some sparks of comfort and confidence in the souls of true believers as he did in 〈◊〉 Sonne who in his bitterest agony thus cried to his Father My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27. 46. On this ground said Iob Though he 〈◊〉 me yet will I trust in him Job 13. 15. Besides that inward grief will turn into greater joy After sundry dismal showry cloudy dark dayes when the clouds are dispelled the Sunne seemeth to shine more brightly and more comfortably So the spirit of joy after such desertions Many of Davids Psalms which begin 〈◊〉 sighes and groans and expressions of much grief do end in praisings and rejoycings §. 65. Of rejoycing of hope standing with mourning weeping and brokennesse of heart Object WE are commanded to weep Ioel 2. 17. And Christ pronounceth them blessed who mourn Mat. 5. 4. and weep Luk. 6. 21. 〈◊〉 a broken spirit and a contrite heart are said to be the Sacrifices of God Psal. 51. 17. How then can rejoycing of hope stand with these Answ. 1. Those and other like charges to weep and mourn were given on special occasions and that for sinne or judgement The end thereof was to bring comfort and joy to the soul. 2. The blessing pronounced to mourning and weeping is in regard of the coâ—…sequence and event that should follow thereupon which are comfort and laughter Mat. 5. 4. Luke 6. 21. 3. There may be a mixture of joy and grief in the same person at the same time but in different respects In respect of sinne and apprehension of Godâ—… displeasure there may be grief But in respect of Gods mercy Christs Sacrifice and faith therein there will be rejoycing A Saint while he is confessing his sinne useth to be much dejected and broken in Spirit but in the apprehension of the â—…tonement made by Christ his Spirit reviveth rejoyceth and praiseth God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 laughter the heart is sorrowfull Prov. 14. 13. So in weeping the heart may be joyfull 4. There is a time to weep and a time to laugh Eccles. 3. 4. In this respect directions to weep and directions to rejoyce having respect to their distinct and 〈◊〉 seasons do not thwart each other §. 66. Of errors contrary to the rejoycing of Hope THis property of rejoycing attributed to Hope discovereth sundry Errours some in opinion some in practice One errour in opinion is of Papists especially who make uncertainty a Property of Hope and teach That it is against the nature of Hope to be sure and stedfast Answ. 1. Herein they expresly thwart the Scripture which attributeth full Assurance to Hope and termeth Hope an anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast Heb. 6. 11 19. In this respect it is said That Hope maketh not ashamed Rom. 5. 5. because it disappointeth him not of that which he hopeth for 2. They strip Hope of that Property which the Apostle here attributeth to it For rejoycing cannot arise from that which is uncertain or from a doubting of that which we hope for but rather from an assurance of receiving it 3. They take away the difference betwixt the Hope of Saints in reference to eternal life and of worldlings in reference to the things of this life The hope of worldlings is mixed with doubtings fears and griefs because the event of the things they hoped for is uncertain but so is not the glory which true beleevers hope for A second Errour in opinion is their conceit that think a Christians life is a life full of fear grief and perplexity Answ. I will not deny but that beleevers by reason of the mixture of the flesh with the spirit in them have many times occasions of fear grief and perplexity yet not such as depriveth them of the rejoycing here intended The beleevers sorrow is not like the sorrow of worldlings Theirs is a godly sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of But the sorrow of the world worketh death 2 Cor. 2 10. Many times when worldlings seem jocund they have heavinesse within them but when Christians seem outwardly pensive they have much comfort within The seeming outward joy of worldlings take it at the best is fading Aâ—… the crackling of thorns under a pot so is the laughter of a fool Eccles. 7. 6. Prov. 11. 7. But to those that were of Christs house saith he Your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man taketh from you Joh. 15. 22. A third Errour in opinion is that expressions of joy in special by laughter are unlawfull and thereupon advise Christians to go alwayes as mourning and to be ever dejected and for proof alledge that Christ never laughed Answ. The many exhortations in Scripture to rejoyce and approved paterns of Saints that have rejoyced yea and laughed Gen. 17. 17. 21. 6. Psal. 126. 2.
lived not in a barren and dry wildernesse but in a fertile place flowing with milk and honey as Canaan did where we need no Manna to fall from heaven because the earth brings forth store of Corn where we need not that Rocks should be smitten to send forth water because springs of sweet water are in every corner and rivers of water runne thorow all the parts of the Land and other like blessings so abound as we need not such extraordinary provisions as were made for the Israelites in the wildernesse If the wildernesse in regard of Gods extraordinary provision for them did aggravate their sinnes how much more doth England and Gods gracious dealing with us therein aggravate our sins O let us consider this that we may endeavour to walk more worthy of Gods favours to us then formerly we have done §. 93. Of the Wildernesse as a place wherein the Israelites were brought to great straits AS the wildernesse was considered in the former § a place of Gods extraordinary providence and goodness So it may be also considered as a place wherein the Israelites were oft brought to great straits and yet that did not excuse their sinne in tempting God For by their tempting God in the Wildernesse they provoked him So as straits and distresses are not sufficient excuses of tempting God We ought not to doubt of Gods Providence or of his Power or of his Goodnesse or of any of his Divine Attributes because we are in want or in any other strait The Devil took an oceasion from Christs being fourty dayes in the wildernesse to sollicit him to use an indirect course for providing sustenance to himself but Christ refused so to do Matth. 4. 3 4. If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small Prov. 24. 10. The day of adversity is the time for a man to manifest his courage to faint then when he should shew most courage argues little or no courage Gods Power and Providence is not straitned by mens straits He can work as it pleaseth him without means as in creating all things or with means and those ordinary which are comprized under daily bread Mat. 6. 11. or extraordinary And that 1. In the kinde Exod. 16. 15. 2. In the quantity as the little meal in the barel and oyl in the cruse nourished Elijah a widow and her family a long time 1 Kin. 17. 16. 3. In the quality as course pulse nourished Daniel and his companions as well as the daintiest meat that a King could afford Dan. 1. 12 c. 4. In the manner of getting as a Raven was Elijahs cater to provide him bread and meat morning and evening 1 King 17. 6. Yea God can preserve by contrary means for Ionah was preserved from being drowned in the belly of a Whale Ionah 1. 17. We ought in this respect to arm our selves against tryal and before-hand to meditate on Gods Power Wisdom Goodnesse Providence Presence Truth and Faithfulness and to be of his minde who said Though I walk thorow the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil Psal. 23. 4. How doth this aggravate their incredulity who in time of peace plenty and all needfull prosperity thorow distrust fulnesse tempt God! How many covetous rich men upon fear of future want treasure up all that they can any way get How many timorous persons living where the Gospel is maintained upon fear of a change yeeld to Superstition and Idolatry If being in the straits of a wildernesse excuse not a man from tempting God can such as tempt God in a plentifull 〈◊〉 secure Canaan think to be excused § 94. Of the adverb â—… when or where Verse 9. When your Fathers tempted me proved me and saw my works fourâ—…y yâ—… IN this verse the Apostle doth more particularly exemplifie the sin here forbidden The first particle being an adverb and set alone as here it is is put for the place and translated where as Mat. 18. 20. Luk. 4. 16 17. Act. 3. 13. Rom. 4. 15 Rev. 17. 15. When it is joyned with a Preposition that limiteth it to the time it signifieth time and is translated till Mat. 1. 25. Mar. 13. 30. until Mat. 17. 9. whilâ—… Mat. 14. 22. Thus there is a Preposition joyned with this adverb v. 13. and translated while I finde not this adverb set alone as here it is in the New Testament put for the time but every where for the place By most Expositors it is here so taken The Hebrew word used Psa. 95. 9. is also put for the place and translated where in our former English and so do most Expositors there translate it and iâ—… other places also as Gen. 2. 11. 28. 13. Whether this adverb be taken for the time when or for the place where â—…tend to the same end namely to declare that particular sin against which the Apostle forewarns the Hebrews even that which the Israelites committed in the wildernesse and that while they were there So as this adverb whether it be â—…ken for time or place hath reference to the last word of the former verse which 〈◊〉 the wildernesse §. 95. Of avoiding the sinful courses of forefathers THE Persons whose ill example is to be shunned are here set down under thâ—… relative Fathers The Hebrews came from Abraham Isaac and Iacob and by a lineall desâ—… from those Israelites that were in the wildernesse Hereupon this correlative 〈◊〉 is here used In relation to the Jews both Abraham and also all others descending from 〈◊〉 and living under the Law are called Fathers in the New Testament See Chap. â—… v. 1. § 11. But here it is restrained to such Israelites as lived in the Wildernesse So in sundry other places as Ioh. 6. 31 49 58. Act. 3. 22. 7. 38 39. 1 Cor. 10 â—… These Fathers therefore were they whom the Lord delivered out of the Egypâ—… bondage and brought with a mighty hand by great wonders into a place of freedom where after an especiall manner he nurtured them as was shewed 〈◊〉 § 92. The Apostle sets them out under this Title Fathers because people use to 〈◊〉 much opinionated with an high conceit of their Fathers So were the Jews espâ—…ally and in that respect prone to imitate them in every thing even in their 〈◊〉 courses Therefore to root out that conceit the holy Ghost in the 95 Psâ—… and in this place expresseth their Fathers and sets them out to be notorious â—…bels and as rebels severely punished by God Can we now think that the practice of Ancestors who are called Fathers iâ—… 〈◊〉 it self a sufficient warrant for their posterity who come after them to do as 〈◊〉 did and to tread in their paths It is exptesly said that God gave Laws which should be made known to the generation to come that they might not be as their Fathers a stubborn and rebellious generation c. Psa. 76.
God was grieved with none and punished none but such as sinned Gen. 18. 23 c. Ezek. 18. 4 c. Ezek. 9. 4. Rev. 7. 2. For the Lord is a just and a righteous God Gen. 18. 25. Hereof see more in The Plaister for the Plague on Numb 16. 45. § 12 13 14 15. §. 167. Of sinne grieving God THe later Question wherein the Answer to the former consisteth is set down negatively thus Was it not with them c. This implieth a sure certain and unquestionable affirmation and determination of a point as where it is said Have we not all one Father Hath not one God created us Mal 2. 10. This Christ maketh most clear For after he had propounded this negative Question Shall not God avenge his own Elect c. He thus addeth I tell you that he will avenge them speedily Luk. 18. 7 8. This later express conclusion demonstrateth the infallible certainty of the former Question In that this negative Question inferres that they that had sinned grieved God it is most certain that it was the sinne of the Israelites whereby God was so much grieved It was shewed § 148. that the b Greek word here translated sinned by an Hebrew notation signifieth to imbitter and provoke Sinners therefore must needs grieve God It is said that it grieved God at the heart for the sins of the old world Gen. 6. 6. And of the Son of God it is said that he was grieved for the hardness of peoples hearts Mark 3. 5. Object It is also said that the soul of the Lord was grieved for the misery of Israel Judg. 10. 16. If he be grieved at peoples misery then not at their sinnes only Answ. 1. Sinne was the cause of their misery so as in grieving at their misery God also grieved at their sinne yea sinne also might be mixed with their misery 2. There is a double kinde of grief One through indignation The other through compassion With the former God properly grieves at sinne with the later at misery God cannot but be much grieved at sinne because it is directly contrary to 〈◊〉 minde and will to his purity and holiness to his power and Soveraignty and 〈◊〉 other his Divine Excellencies This ought to be as a bridle and curb to hold us in and restrain us from 〈◊〉 Who would grieve the Divine Majesty especially so as to stirre up the fire 〈◊〉 his indignation Who would set the briars and thorns against me in 〈◊〉 saith the Lord I would go through them I would burn them together Isa. 27. 〈◊〉 Will any be so foolish as being like briars and thorns fit fuell for fire 〈◊〉 dare to blow up the fire of Gods indignation §. 168. Of the vengeance that followed upon grieving God ANother effect of their sinne is set out in these words Whose carkasses sell 〈◊〉 Wildernesse This as it was the fruit of their sinne so it was also a just recompence of 〈◊〉 grieving God By their sinne they grieved God and God being grieved â—…stroyed them The Greek word translated carkasse properly signifieth members of 〈◊〉 body but by a Synecdoche it is put for the body which is constituted of membeâ—… So this word is used in other Greek Authors It is no where else in the New Teâ—…ment The Apostle hath taken it from the LXX For they do oft translate 〈◊〉 Hebrew word which signifieth a carkasse or dead body by this word as 〈◊〉 David saith I will give the carkasses of the hoast of the Philistims 1 Samuel 17. 4â—… Three times is this word used in one Chapter Numb 14. 29 32 33 Yea this 〈◊〉 phrase is there thus used Your carkasses shall fall in this wilderness So as the Aâ—…stle may seem to have taken it from thence Our English word carkass betokeneth a dead body For they did not fall â—…ving bodies so as they might rise up again but they were slain The Verb fall implieth a sudden and extraordinary kinde of death It 〈◊〉 to set out the fall of the walls of Iericho Heb. 11. 30. and the fall of the house 〈◊〉 was built on the sand Matth. 7. 27. And of blinde men falling into a ditch Aâ—… 15. 14. And to Ananias and Saphira their sudden falling down dead Act. 5. 5 And to Euâ—…ychus his falling down dead Act. 20. 9. And to those three and 〈◊〉 thousand which fell in one day in the wilderness 1 Cor. 10. 8. And to the fall of â—…bylon Rev. 148. We do not reade of any one that died a natural death as we speak in the â—…-derness all the time that the Israelites were there Both Moses and 〈◊〉 while they were in health and might according to the course of nature have â—…ved longer Even their death was extraordinary and a judgement on them 〈◊〉 fell and so did all the rest that died in the wilderness They all fell Mention is made of the wildernesse wherein the fore-said judgement was excuted to give a more clear evidence of the kinde of judgement The wilderness was but a passage into the promised Land The reason of the long abode there was their murmuring against God Numb 14. 33. To die in 〈◊〉 wilderness was to come short of the promise made to their fathers In this 〈◊〉 respect to die there was reckoned as a judgement to Aaron Numb 20. 24. and 〈◊〉 Moses Deut. 32. 50 51. Of the wilderness See v. 8. § 92 93. This islue of those sinners that grieved God giveth evidence That they 〈◊〉 by their sinnes grieve God do therein sinne against their own souls they 〈◊〉 vengeance upon themselves So did the old world Through their sinne it grâ—… God at his heart that he had made man and thereupon he said I will destroy man 〈◊〉 6. 6 7. God was displeased at Onans sinne and slew him Gen. 38. 10. When Eâ—… offended in Baal he died Hos. 13. 1. Reade through the book of God and 〈◊〉 shall ever finde some judgement following upon offending grieving or 〈◊〉 the Lord. His Justice Power Prudence Truth and other like Attributes stir him up thâ—… maintain the glory of them Otherwise his wrath his grief and otherlike paâ—… to speak of God after the manner of man would be little regarded nay altogether slighted This cannot but much work upon those that well heed it and make them very wary in taking heed how they grieve God If zeal of Gods glory do not move them yet let them have pity upon their own souls that they bring not ruine to themselves O what terrour must this needs bring to obstinate sinners who persist in grieving God! Where shall they appear Where shall they stand If the wrath of a mortal King be as the roaring of a Lion and if he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul Prov. 19. 12. 12. 1. What is the wrath of the Almighty God And how doth he sin against his own soul that provoketh the wrath of the Lord §.
was one of them that was sent to spy out the Land of Canaan who together with Caleb brought good tidings about the Land whereas the other Spies brought an evil report of the Land which they had searched He and Caleb believing that God would make good his promise did what they could to encourage the people who were thinking to return into Egypt Whereupon of the 600000 men that came out of Egypt only he and Caleb entered into Canaan Numb 14. 6 c. He had not only the honour to enter in himself but also to be a Guide a Captain a Generall and chief Governour to lead in all the rest that 〈◊〉 â—…o vanquish their enemies and to settle them in that promised Land Numb 27. 18. c. Deut. 31. 7 14. Ioâ—…h 1. 1 2 c. Ioshua was herein an especiall type of Christ who vanquisheth all our spirituall enemies and setleth all his Redeemed from bondage of Satan in the heavenly Canaan 〈◊〉 pleased God to raise up such temporall Saviours to his people to nourish their hope in that true Saviour the Lord Jesus who should save them from all their spirituall enemies Luk. 1. 68 69. Ioshua gaâ—…e â—…hem rest in Canaan not Moses the Law-giver to shew that the Law cannot bring us to heaven that work is reserved for Jesus § 48. Of Ioshua's giving rest and Gods work attributed to man THis phrase Had given rest is the interpretation of one compound Verb. Of the simple Verb and the compound Noun See Chap. 3. 2. 11. § 116. 〈◊〉 is here used 〈◊〉 â—…vely It doth not here signifie only to rest as it did â—… 4. 〈◊〉 give rest to others for this relative them depends on it It is in this respect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…brews third Conjugation which they call Hiphil The â—…st which is here implied to be given by Ioshua was the Land of Caâ—… 〈◊〉 was called rest in reference to the troubles of Israel in Egypt and to their travels in the wildernesse on the one side and on the other side in reference to Israels enjoying Canaan for a perpetuall inheritance Ioshua is said to give them that rest under God as Gods Minister whom God used to settle his people therein It was God that properly gave them that rest Deut. 3. 20. 25. 19. Iosh. 22. 4. â—…3 1 Yet Ioshua is said to give them rest in these respects 1. Ioshua was appointed by God to be the chief Governour over his people after Moses his death at that time when they should enter into Canaan Numb 27. 18 〈◊〉 Deut. 3â—… 14. 2. God promised Ioshua that he should settle his people in Canaan Josh. â—… 3 c. 3. Ioshua was their guide to lead them out of the wildernesse to Canaan and that through Iordan Josh. 3. 8. 4. Ioshua was the Generall in all the battels against the Canaanites so as he had the chief hand in destroying them Iosh. 11. 18. 5. When the men of Aâ—… once had the better over Israel and put them to â—…light Ioshua by his praier so prevailed with God as the Lord was pleased to direct them how to regain their losse and destroy those enemies Iosh. 7. 6 c. 6. When they wanted time to destroy a numerous multitude of enemies Ioshua prayed and the Sun Moon and whole host of heaven stood still about a whole day Iosh. 10. 12. c. 7. Ioshua at length so farre destroyed all the inhabitants of the Land of Canaan as there was 〈◊〉 enough for the Israelites to place their habitatien there Iâ—…sh 21. 43. 8. â—…ua by lot divided that Land among the Israelites and gave to every Tribe their inheritance Iosh. 14. 1. 9. When Ioshua died he left Israel in peace and rest and that in their severall 〈◊〉 Iosh 24. 28. All these were ministeriall acts done by warrant from God and by the assistance of God himself Hereby was Ioshua much advanced above other men but nothing at all was derogated from God This act of giving rest to Israel being ascribed to Ioshua manifesteth Gods respect â—…o man in attributing his own Divine work to man The like he did to Moses 〈◊〉 he bid him divide the sea Exod. 14. 16. and where he said that Moses brought 〈◊〉 out of Egypt Exod. 32. 7. Thus the mighty work of God in the first converâ—… of sinners is ascribed unto men in which respect Paul saith of himself that he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through the Gospel 1 Cor. 4. 15. Philem. v. 10. 〈◊〉 God doth to honour mans nature in making men coworkers with himself â—… Câ—… 6. 1. and to magnifie his own power for his strength is made perfect in 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 12. 9. This also he doth to move other men to submit themselves to them whom he 〈◊〉 over them and whom he useth for their good To distrust the effecting of a matter because God useth weak men as his Miniâ—… for bringing it to pass is to oppose our shallow conceit to the unsearchable 〈◊〉 of God It becomes us to use such means as God is pleased to appoint and in using of 〈◊〉 to look unto him for good success and blessing There are two extreams whereinto men are prone to fall in this case Oâ—…e is too much diffidence by reason of the seeming meanness of the means aâ—… Christs Countrymen despised him and believed not by reason of the meanness of his birth and education Mark 6. 3. The other is too much considence in the means giving the honour of God â—…self thereunto as the Licaonians who accounted the Apostles to be Gods Act. 14. 11. §. 49. Of not resting on blessings below as the highest to be expected THis consequence Then would he not afterward c. is here inferred to prove that Ioshua did not settle Gods people in that rest which David intended It is such a proof as was before noted § 45. The force of the proof resteth on these two words after another The Argument may be thus framed If there had been no other rest for Gods people to enter into then that wherein 〈◊〉 setled the Israelites David would not after that setling have spoken of another time to enter into a rest But David after that setling spake of another day to enter into a rest Therefore there is another rest to enter into By this Argument the Apostle would draw the Hebrews from resting upon that typicall rest which their Fathers had long enjoyed He plainly sheweth that the type is not the truth it self Ioshua was a type of Iesus and Canaan was a type of heaven but nor Ioshua was Jesus himself nor Canaan heaven it self The Ark was not it which saved those that were in it from eternall destruction though it were a type thereof 1 Pet. 3. 21. For cursed Cham was in it The cloud in the wilderness Exod. 13. 21. preserved not all that were under it from the scorching fire of Gods wrath for many of them were consumed in the
restraint excluding all that obeyed not from salvation so this generall particle ALL is a note of extent 〈◊〉 all of all sorts of what rank or degree soever they be so as none at all 〈◊〉 obey shall misse of salvation He that observes the condition shall assuredly 〈◊〉 the fruition of that which is promised God rewardeth every man according to 〈◊〉 Psal. 62. 12. 1. He that propoundeth the condition bindeth himself to perform what is proâ—… thereupon 2. Christ is no respecter of persons Act. 10. 34. What he giveth to any one he 〈◊〉 give to every one that is guided by the same spirit All of all sorts great and mean rich and poor male and female or of what 〈◊〉 rank or degree soever they be that are in the number of those that obey may 〈◊〉 this ground lay hold on salvation and rest assuredly to be made partakers thereof This may give a good direction to all that are in Gods room over others and 〈◊〉 power to reward that they do it impartially and look to the work not to the person §. 54. Of Christ called a Priest after the most excellent Order Verse 10. Called of God an Highpriest after the order of Melchisedâ—…c THis verse is added as a conclusion of what the Apostle had said concerning the acts and ends of Christs Priesthood which were such as could agree to none of the Priests under the Law so as he must needs be a Priest after a more excellent order then the order of Aaron This he had shewed before v. 6. to be the 〈◊〉 of Melchisedec and thereupon concludeth that he is called of God an High-Priest after this order The Greek word translated called is a compound here only used in the New Testament It signifies a free open acknowledging one and 〈◊〉 it were by name calling him This act is ascribed to God in this phrase Called of God and implieth that God 〈◊〉 Christ unto this excellent Priesthood As was noted before § 24 27. Of this phrase After the order of Melchisedec See v. 6. § 30. §. 55. Of the Resolution of Heb. 5. v. 7 8 9 10. 7. Who in the daies of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared 8. Though he were a Son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered 9. And being made perfect he became the author of eternall salvation unto all them 〈◊〉 they him 10. Called of God an Highpriest after the Order of Melchisedec THe summe of these four verses is A proof of the excellency of Christs Priesthood Hereof are two parts 1. A confirmation of the point v. 7 8 9. 2. A conclusion thereof v. 10. The point in generall was before declared v. 5 6. It is here proved by an â—…ction of particulars The particulars may be brought to two heads 1. The act of Christs Priesthood v. 7. 2. The ends thereof v. 8 9. The principall act is 1. Propounded 2. Illustrated About the act four things are propounded 1. The kinde thereof He offered 2. The subject matter which he offered Hereof are two branches 1. Prayers 2. Supplications 3. The manner of offering them up Hereof are also two branches 1. With strong crying 2. With tears 4. The person to whom he offered This person was God who is described 1. By his ability to do what was desired To him that was able 2. By the extent of his power in this phrase To save from death The foresaid point is illustrated two waies 1. By the time when it was done 2. By the issue thereof The time is described two waies 1. By the brevity of it implied in this phrase In the daies 2. By the infirmity of Christs humane nature in this phrase Of his flesh The issue of Christs prayers is set out 1. By the kinde thereof He was heard 2. By the subject whereabout he was heard in that he feared The ends of Christs executing his Priesthood are here noted to be two 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reference to his Father v. 8. The other in reference to his Church v. 9. In the former we may observe two points 1. The manner of bringing it in by these discretive particles Though yet 2. The matter whereof it consists Hereof are two branches 1. A Lesson 2. The means of learning it In the lesson are expressed 1. The Schollar a Son 2. The kinde of learning which was experience 3. The lesson it self Obedience The means of learning the foresaid lesson were sufferings In declaring the other end which hath reference to the Church there is 〈◊〉 1. The ground of it Christ was made perfect 2. The kinde of it This is 1. Propounded 2. Amplified In propounding the end is manifested 1. The kinde of it Salvation 2. The continuance of it eternall It is amplified 1. By the efficient in this phrase He became the author 2. By the persons to whose good it tended These are manifested 1. By a restraint Them that obey him 2. By an extent of that restraint in this generall particle ALL. The conclusion is that Christ is the most excellent Priest Concerning this three points are expressed 1. The author of his calling Called of God 2. The kinde of his Function An Highpriest 3. The Order after which he was a Priest After the Order of 〈◊〉 §. 56. Of Observations raised out of Heb. 5. 7 8 9 10. I. CHrists time on earth was but short Here it is set forth by daies See § 33. II. Christs humane nature was a frail nature It was flesh See § 33. III. Christs sufferings were only for the time of this life They were in the daies of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See § 33. IV. Christ as our Priest offered for us This is plainly expressed See § 34. V. The gifts which Christ offered up were prayers This also is plainly expressed 〈◊〉 § 36. VI. Christ added supplications to prayers Of the difference betwixt prayers and 〈◊〉 See § 35. VII Christ prayers were very ardent They were strong cryings See § 37. VIII Christ prayers were mixed with tears This is here expressed See § 37. IX Christs agony was very great The effects thereof here noted do demonstrate is much See § 38. X. In extraordinary distresse extraordinary prayer is to be made Christs distresse 〈◊〉 extraordinary so was his prayer See § 39. XI Prayer is to be made to God alone Christs pattern teacheth thus much See § 40. XII They who call on God must believe that he is able to help For this end is God 〈◊〉 described Who is able c. See § 40. XIII God hath power over death For he can save from death See § 41. XIV God can keep such as die from being swallowed up of death Thus was Christ 〈◊〉 from death See § 42. XV. Christ was offered up to death Thus much is intended by the mention of death iâ—… this place See
The paterns that are set before us do prove as much for the choycest â—…thies of God in all former ages are set before us as examples for us to follow Heâ—… Chap. 11. We are commanded to take the Prophets for an example who were â—…ed with an extraordinary spirit Iam. 5. 10. and an Apostle requires us to 〈◊〉 him as he followed Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. And as if the best paterns on earth were not sufficient we are enjoyned to pray to do Gods will on earth as it is in 〈◊〉 Mat. 6. 10. and as if the paterns of all mere creatures were not sufficient it is required that that minde be in us which was also in Christ Iesus Phil. 2. 9. yea yet â—…ther we are exhorted to be followers of God Eph. 5. 1. and to be perfect as he 〈◊〉 Mat. 5. 48. Such is the excellency such the commodity such the sweetness of Christian knowledge and grace as a man ought never to be satisfied therewith How corrupt is the treasure of the men of this world who account an earnest â—…suance after those things to be more then needs yea not only needless but â—…ness as Festus said to Paul Act. 26. 24. Let this adde a spur to those who are most forward still to press on further 〈◊〉 to do as the Apostle professeth of himself Phil. 3. 13. c. Of propounding a perfect patern and aiming at more then we can attain to See The guide to go to God or my explanation of the Lords prayer on 3. Petit. § 68 69. §. 6. Of building upon a foundation well laid THis phrase not laying again the foundation is metaphoricall In effect it 〈◊〉 down the same thing which was intended under this phrase leaving the â—…ciples § 3. Only by this metaphor the point is more fully and plainly declared For he resembleth principles to a foundation If only a foundation be laid and 〈◊〉 more no benefit will redound to the builder but rather loss of labour there is no fit house to dwell in We can be no fit house or temple as is intended 〈◊〉 should be Heb. 3. 6. Eph 2. 21. 1 Cor. 3. 16. if we stick only in principles What a foundation in the proper signification of the word is hath 〈◊〉 shewed Chap. 1. v. 10. § 131. A foundation is both the beginning of a greater building Luk. 14. 29 3â—… and also the ground-work whereupon the rest of the building is erected 〈◊〉 whereby it is upheld Eph. 2. 20 21. It is therefore needfull that it be very solid and substantiall for it must 〈◊〉 long as the building and it useth to be but once laid By the way here note an undue cavill of the Rhemists against reading the Scripture and for traditions raised out of this place which is this we see hereby 〈◊〉 there was ever a necessary instruction and belief had by word of mouth and 〈◊〉 before men came to the Scriptures To grant there was such a kinde of instruction I deny that it was 〈◊〉 by tradition without the word of God I deny also that it was before 〈◊〉 came to the Scriptures for all of all sorts had liberty to read 〈◊〉 Scriptures As for the points which by word of mouth were taught them 〈◊〉 were catechised they were no other then the Doctrine of the Prophets and â—…postles as also the higher and deeper mysteries were For milk and 〈◊〉 meat may for matter be of the same Doctrine but the difference betwixt them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the manner of delivering it For that instruction which was brought into easie 〈◊〉 familiar principles and by word of mouth delivered to babes was taken out of 〈◊〉 Scripture as the severall heads following shew See more hereof 〈◊〉 â—… v. 14. § The participle laying joyned with this noune foundation addeth further emphasis It signifieth to cast or lay down and from thence is derived another Greek word which also signifieth a foundation as is shewed Chap. 4. v. 3. § 29. This conjunction again giveth hint of a totall apostacy as if they were in danger to fall from all their former principles so as a new foundation must be laid or else there could be no further going on This danger is more fully manifested v. 6. In this caution not laying again the foundation each word is observable 1. For erecting a good edifice there must be a foundation the first principles must be taught them who would be well instructed in the Christian faith See Chap. 5. v. 12. § 64. 2. A foundation must be well laid surely and soundly The notation of this word laying intends as much This Christ distinctly observeth Luk. 6. 48. This phrase As a wise master builder I have laid the foundation 1 Cor. 3. 10. sheweth that the Apostle was very circumspect about laying the foundation Now there is no such way to lay the foundation of Religion soundly as to ground it on Gods word Sâ—…e Chap. 5. v. 12. § 65. 3. Laying a foundation intendeth a further building For a foundation is but the beginning of an edifice The negative particle not imports thus much for by forbidding to lay a foundation he stirs them up to diligence in building up the house So as more must be learned then the first principles See § 4. 4. The inserting this word again gives us to understand that a foundation useth to be but once laid A Christian once well instructed must not stand in need to be taught the first principles again Such an one in disgrace is called a babe See Chap. 5. § 71. §. 7. Of the six principles of the Apostles Catechisme THe manner of joyning the particular principles following with this generall word foundation sheweth that they are as so many stones of that foundation They are joyned with this note of the genitive case OF This phrase The Foundation of 〈◊〉 Stones 1 Kings 7. 10. sheweth that those stones made up the foundation The number of principles here set down is diversly taken by different expositors I leave others to their own opinion I suppose that the most proper distribution will be into six heads 1. Repentance from dead works which manifesteth the naturall mans misery 2. Faith towards God which declareth the way of freeing man from misery and bringing him to happiness 3. The Doctrine of Baptismes which pointeth at the outward meanes of working faith and repentance and of revealing and sealing up unto us Gods mercy which are the Word and Sacraments 4. Imposition of hands which hinteth the order and discipline of the Church 5. Resurrection from the dead namely of our bodies 6. The eternall judgement and that of all sorts good and evill the one to receive the sentence of everlasting life the other the doom of eternall death These are the heads of that Catechisme which the Church had in the Apostles time and was to be learned of such as were to be admitted into the Church §. 8. Of repentance from
short of heaven how diligent ought we to be in the triall of the truth of grace We have before shewed in every branch differences betwixt the upright and hypocrite In briefe the knowledge of the upright is experimentall their faith unâ—…ained the work of the Holy Ghost renewing the good word abideth ever in them and they have assured evidence of their future happiness §. 37. Of an Hypocrites fall Verse 6. THe Apostle having declared in the two former verses how far an hypocrite may ascend on the ladder of salvation In this sixth verse he declareth how far he may fall down The main point is expressed in this phrase If they shall fall away In Greek thus and falling away For it depends on the former thus It is impossible that person inlightned c. And falling away c. The Greek participle is a compound and here onely used and no where else thorowout the New Testament The simple verb signifieth to fall Of it see Chap. 3. v. 17. § 168. The preposition with which it is compounded signifieth from The compound verb to fall from a thing or to fall clean away The Metaphor may be taken from an house that is fairely built above ground but the foundation thereof not found The fall of such an house useth to be a totall or universall fall not of this or that part alone Christ speaking of the fall of such an house saith Great was the fall of it Matth. 7. 27. This Metaphor may also be taken from a man that having ascended high on a ladder falleth down to the bottom and so bruiseth his body and breaketh his bones as he is not able to rise up again Thus the falling here spoken of is not a falling away onely from some particular graces and gifts received nor from some measure of them but a totall and universall falling from them all as in the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation Jude v. 6. That the fall here spoken of may the better be discerned I will here more distinctly shew how far such as profess the Gospell for the description before mentioned v. 4 5. is of such may fall Falling away may have respect to the measure or continuance of grace In regard of the measure some fall away in part some in whole In regard of continuance some so fall as they recover themselves again soâ—…e so as they can never be recovered Both the degrees of the measure namely partiall and totall have respect to the outward profession and to the inward disposition of him that falleth away In profession he falleth away in part who denyeth some of those principles 〈◊〉 Religion which formerly he professed as Peter and Barnabas Gal. 2. 12. In disposition he falleth away in part who thorow his own weakness carelesnâ—… or temptations decayeth in those graces which once he had at least in the measure power and comfort of them Hereof see Chap. 3. v. 12. § 136. In profession he wholly falleth away who renounceth all his Religion even 〈◊〉 whole saith which once he professed as those Levites in the captivity whom God afterwards though they repented would not admit to offer sacrifice before 〈◊〉 Ezek. 44. 9 10. and many Christians in the ten fiery persecutions and many 〈◊〉 our Countrymen in Queen Maries dayes They in disposition wholy fall away who do not only deny the saith but 〈◊〉 clean put away a good conscience 1 Tim. 1. 19. and 4. 1 2. Hence followeth â—…tred of the truth persecution against the Preachers and professors thereof and â—…sphemy against Christ himself Such were many of the Pharisees Mark 3. 30. Hâ—…meneus and Alexander 1 Tim. 1. 20. and Iulian. These and such other fall awâ—… wholy in outward profession and inward disposition in tongue and 〈◊〉 And from the whole even from all the Articles of Christian Religion 〈◊〉 the whole or for ever even with a setled peremptory resolution never to â—…turn to the Religion again They that fall away in these last respects are such as are here meant Seeing there are such degrees of falling away let us take heed of procâ—… from one degree to another Let us carefully look both to our profession and dâ—…position If by our own weakness or any temptation we be brought any way to dâ—…cay in grace let us not renounce the faith If by fear or other temptation wâ—… Wordâ—… brought to deny it let us not put away a good conscience If in part we be broâ—… to do it let us not still go on to adde one degree to another so as we should 〈◊〉 fall from the whole for ever which is a most fearfull case The forementioned degrees of falling away are to be noted against the errâ—… 〈◊〉 Novatus He lived in the year of our Lord 253. He came from Africkâ—…o â—…o 〈◊〉 There fell an eâ—…lation betwixt him and Cornelius Bishop of Rome That Câ—… had admitted into the Church upon their repentance some that had fallen away in the seventh persecution under Decius Hereupon Novatus published that none 〈◊〉 had offered sacrifice to the heathen gods were to be admitted to repentance He pressed this Text to justifie his error Some of the Latine Fathers and others Papists and Lutheranâ—… 〈◊〉 upon a misinterpretation of this Text and other passages in this Epistle dâ—… the canonicall authority thereof Concerning the point in question to deny this Epistle to be canonicall because it avoucheth that it is impossible to renew again unto repentance such as are there described is to cut not to unty the knot That which the Apostle here speaketh of is the sin unto death 1 Joh. 5. 16. which is the sin against the Holy Ghost but every outward denying of the faithâ—… fear of persecution is not the sin against the Holy Ghost For Peter did as 〈◊〉 Matth. 26. 70 c. yet upon his repentance was continued and confirmed in 〈◊〉 Apostleship Ioh. 21. 15. c. It is said of Novatus that he was so puâ—…ed up against those that fell as if 〈◊〉 â—…mained no hope of salvation for them The Novatians affirm that not onely sacrificing to idols but also many other 〈◊〉 sins unto death Thus they left no place for repentance nor for the grace of God 〈◊〉 to such as in times of persecution yeelded to Idolatry Hereby we see how dangerous it is to mistake and misapply the sense of sacred Scripture §. 38. Of the impossibility of Apostates renovation OF those who totally fall away it is here said that it is impossible to renew 〈◊〉 This word impossible is a compound The simple verb whence it is derived signifieth to be able so as it intendeth a power but the privative preposition taketh away all power A thing is said to be impossible two wayes 1. Improperly 2. Properly That improperly is said to be impossible which can hardly be done Thus doth Christ himself
for a right Christian oath must be made by God See § 120. God is in an Oath made a Judge in two respects 1. In regard of his omniscience who knoweth all things past present and to come secret and open yea even the secret intentions of the heart 2. In regard of his omnipotency in that he is able to take such vengeance as may make all creatures fear to provoke him Hence is it that an Oath is counted so strong a bond and that it putteth an end to differences because it is supposed that no man dares make God a witnesse of any untruth or provoke such a Judge to execute vengeance It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10. 31. §. 119. Of the severall kinds of swearing AN oath may be distinguished according to the ground matter manner of it 1. The ground of an oath is either imposed or free An oath may be imposed by such as have authority or such as pretend damage By reason of his authority Abraham made his servant to swear Gen. 24. 3. and Iacob his Son Gen. 47. 31. Thus might the High-Priest under the Law impose an oath Numb 5. 19. and publick Judges Exod. 22. 8. This power publick Judges ever had and still have Upon pretence of damage one neighbour might require an oath of another 1 King 8. 31 32. A free oath is that which one on his own pleasure taketh to move others the more to believe what he saith This may and must be done when the matter makes to the glory of God 1 King 22. 14. or our neighbors speciall good 1 Sam. 14 45. or our own suspected integrity 1 Sam. 26. 10. 2. The matter of an oath is something past or present or else something to come The former end of an oath is called assertory whereby something is affirmed or denied thus David by an oath affirmed that he was in danger of death and the widow of Zarephath denied by oath that she had not a cake c. 1 King 17. 12. The latter kind of oath which concerns things to come is called promissory 〈◊〉 when King Zedekiah sware that he would not put Ieremiah to death Ier. 38. 16. 3. The manner of swearing hath respect to circumstances as the Persons betwixt whom the oath is made the Place where the Time when the occasion why with other the like Thus an oath is publick or private A publick oath is many wayes differenced as when a Nation or congregation swear to God 2 Chro. 15. 14. or when one Nation sweareth to another as the Isâ—…lites did to the Gibeonites Iosh. 9. 15. or subjects to their Governors as the Gilâ—…dites to Iephthah Judg. 11. 10. A private oath is betwixt particular persons as that which was made between Iâ—…nathan and David 1 Sam. 20. 42. The evidences of all the forementioned kinds of swearing being approved in sacred Scripture give proof that they are all warrantable §. 120. Of swearing by God alone THe proper object of mens swearing is thus set down by the greater Hereby God is meant God alone For men that swear are here considered aâ—…â—…tures distinguished from their Creator Now all creatures in reference to their Creator are fellow-servants and in that respect none so great over an other as meet to be sworn by Besides all other creatures were made for man God gave man dominion over all creatures in the aire waters and earth Gen. 1. 28. The heavens are made a covering for him the Sun Moon and Stars to give him light yea the Angels have a charge given unto them to keep man in safety Psal. 91. 11. and they are ministring spirits for him Heb. 1. 14. Now that for which other things are iâ—… counted the best There being then among creatures no greater then man by whom he may swear he may swear only by the Creator As God because he had no greater then himself did swear by himself so man because he hath no greater then God must when he sweareth swear by God This exclusive particle only which Christ addeth to serving of God Matth. 4. 10. is to be applied to swearing by God For both these are joyned together Deut. 6 13. This phrase unto me every tongue shall swear Isa. 45. 23. is exclusive it excludâ—… all but God and this he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of 〈◊〉 Isa. 65. 16. 1. Divine properties are attributed to that by which men swear as omnipresence omniscience searching the heart supreme soveraignty power to revenge and the like which are proper to God alone That which the Lord saith of the last of these to me belongeth vengeance Deut. 32. 35. may be said of all the rest To the Lord belongeth omnipresence omniscience c. even to him alone 2. Divine worship is given to him by whom men swear for there is divine invocation comprised in an oath which is a principall part of divine worship 3. It is a great debasement for man to swear by any other then God in that hâ—… maketh himself inferiour to and lesse and lower then that by which he sweareth 4. It addeth much to Gods honour to have such a prerogative proper and â—…liar to himself §. 121. Of the the inviolablenesse of an Oath whereby differences are ended ONe speciall end of mens swearing is thus expressed An Oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife The principall end of an oath is for confirmation the other words are as a consequence following thereupon which is to end and determine matters in question whereupon differences and controversies arise The word translated confirmation is derived from that which is translated â—…edfast chap. 2. v. 2. § 11. It implyeth such a confirmation as is not rashly to be gainsaied and contradicted for it must put an end to contradictions The word translated strife properly signifieth contradiction It is derived from a compound verb that signifieth to speak against Iohn 19. 12. or contradict Act. 13. 45. or gain-say Rom. 10. 21. Answerably this noune is translated contradiction Heb. 7. 7. and 12. 3. and gain-saying Jude v. 11. The noune translated end signifieth the utmost border or bound of a place In the plurall number it is translated utmost parts Matth. 12. 42. and ends Râ—…m 10. 18. A privative preposition joyned with this word signifieth endlesâ—… 1 Tim. 1. 4. By these notations of these words this phrase appeareth to be very emphaticall and they shew that the use of an oath is fully to resolve matters in question so as thereupon no gain-saying is to be made in that there remaines nothing to be further said in and about that point This is the main end of an oath to put an end to differences Many are of opinion that two ends are here intended One in this phrase for confirmation The other in this an end of all strife The former they refer
Mâ—…sse Virgin Mary Peter and sundry other Saints but it is also used in their publicâ—… Courts and soleâ—… oathes thus by God and the Virgin Mary by God and the Holy Gospell yea it is also justified by their Divines The Rhemists in their Annotations on Matth 23. 21. have this glosse swearing by creatures as by the Gospell by Saints is all reâ—…erred to the honour of God whose Gospell it is whoâ—…e Saints they are Answ. 1. Their manner of referring that which they do to the honour of God is without and against Gods word and this conceit hath been the occasion of most of their Idolatry 2. Gods honour is simply to be referred to himselfe and not relatively in and through his creatures I am the Lord saith he That is my Name and my glory will I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ther neither my praise â—…o graven Images Isa. 42. 8. 3. That manner of referring honour to God drawes mens mindes from the Creator to the creature They have in such an oath their minds so fixed on the creature by whom they swear as they think not on God Herein Papists do justifie Pagans who swear by their false Gods as Laban did Gen. 31 53. Scholars in their ordinary Grammer Scholes yea and in universities too and in other places where they write or speak Latin do justifie the practise of heathens herein by 〈◊〉 the very words and phrases of the heathen which were concisâ—… formes of their swearing by their Idols such as these Hercle Mehercle Pol Aedeâ—… Diâ—… immortales with the like Profane persons among us do herein exceed both Papists and Pagans Scarce a creature can be thought on by which they do not swear They swear by the heaven by the Sun by the light and by all the host of heaven They swear by all things on earth that are for mans use as bread meat drink monâ—…y fiâ—… and what not They swear by the parts of man as soul heart body head and other parts They swearby the body of Christ himself by his blood by his wounds by his crâ—…ss c. They swear by graces and vertues as faith truth honesty with the like They swear by meer toyes As the Gileaâ—…ites and Ephraimites were distinguished by their manner of speech Iudg. 12. 6. so may Pagans Papists profane and pious persons â—…e distinguished by their manner of speech Pagans swear by fâ—…lse Gods Papists by Saints profane persons by mute things pious persons only by the true God and that on just occasion and in a due manner §. 124. Of Swearing things unlawfull A Third error is either to swear or to cause others to swear that which is unlawfull Into this error do Papists fall many wayes 1. They swear and cause others to swear that which oft proves to many impossible as perpetuall continency For they who admit any into religious orders 〈◊〉 them vow and swear perpetuall continâ—…ncy and all that enter into such orders among them do vow and swear as much Now it is not in mans power to be perpetually continent To many it is a matter of impossibility Christ speaking of this point thus saith He that is able to receive it let him receive it Matth. 19. 1â—… Hereby he implyeth that some are not able it is not possible for them to be â—…nent at least in a single estate without the benefit of marriage 2. They take children that have Parents living into religious orders without and against their Parents consent which children being so taken in they cause 〈◊〉 swear obedience to these orders yet such children are not in capacity to keep 〈◊〉 oath They are under the power of their Parents who have authority to 〈◊〉 void their oath 3. They make many to swear things uncertain as in the case of regular â—…ence They who are placed under such and such Superiours must swear to do what their Superiours shall enjoyn them though when they take the oath 〈◊〉 know not what they will enjoyn The rule of this blind obedience is that which Absalom gave to his servants in these words have not I commanded you 2 Sam. 〈◊〉 28. On this ground have many zealots attempted to commit Treasons and â—…thers and received the reward of Traytors and Murtherers To this head may be referred oathes of giving what others shall desire though they know not what those others wil desire The head of Iohn the Baptist was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by this meanes Matth. 14. 7 8 9. 4. They bring sundry of their profession to swear things apparently sinfull 〈◊〉 they who bound themselves under a curse to kill Paul Acts. 23. 12. Many Popish hot-spurs did swear to murther Queen Elizabeth whom God preserved from all their plots §. 125. Of equivocation upon oath A Fourth error is to swear deceitfully which is commonly called equivocation This is a most undue kind of swearing whereof Papists are in a high degree guilty There is a kind of verball equivocation when a word or sentence may be diversly taken which is a rhetoricall figure as when Christ said our friend Lazarus sleepeth and his Disciples thought that he had spoken of taking rest in sleep Joh. 11. 11 13. But the equivocation which we speak of is a mentall equivocation and that is when a man sweareth a false thing yet so as he reserveth something iâ—… his mind which if it were uttered would make the speech true as if one guilty with others be upon oath demanded whether he ever saw such an one answereth I never saw him though he have seen him often and well know him reserving this clause in his mind in heaven which expressed maketh the answer true but it iâ—… nothing to the mind of him that propounded the question neither can any such matter be fetcht out of the words so as such an oath commeth nothing short of perâ—…ury The end of an oath in determining controversies would thus be taken away Notwithstanding those enormous consequences of equivocation Papists use to equivocate not only all their life time but also upon their death beds 〈◊〉 Tresham one of the conspirators in the Gun-powder Treason a little before his death protested upon his salvation that for sixteen years before that time he had not seen Henry Garnet Superiour of the Iesuites in England and yet both the said Henry Garnet himself and sundry others confessed that the said Garnet and Tresham had within two years space been divers times together and mutually conferred one with another Garnet being then asked what he thought of Treshams Protestation answered that he thought he made it by equivocation This kind of deceit Papists have taken from Arrius an ancient Hâ—…retick who being to be freed out of banishment if he would professe the Nicene faith caused the Articles of his own hâ—…retical faith to be written in a Paper and put them into his bosome and in the presence of those who were to take his protestation immediatly after the Articles of the Nicene faith were read unto him laying
down concerning Melchisedecs excellencies §. 50. Of a likenesse in unequals Heb. 7. 8. And here men that die receive tithes but there he receiveth them of whom it is â—…sed that he liveth INn this verse the Apostle produceth a third argument to prove the excellency 〈◊〉 Melchisedecs Priest-hood above the Levites The argument is taken from the â—…ferent condition of the Priests The Levites were mortall Melchisedec not so The argument may be thus framed He that ever liveth to execute his Priest-hood is more excellent then 〈◊〉 who are subject to death and thereupon forced to leave their 〈◊〉 others But Melchisedec ever liveth c. And the Levites are subject to death 〈◊〉 Therefore Melchisedec is more excellent then they Of the adverb truly expressed in Greek but not in English See v. 5. § 〈◊〉 In setting down this argument the Apostle giveth an instance of a common â—…ledge that belonged to the Levites as well as to Melchisedec which was to 〈◊〉 tithes How this was a priviledge is shewed § 33. Herein he giveth an 〈◊〉 that a common priviledge in some things argueth not an equality in all 〈◊〉 may be a like resemblance in some particulars betwixt such things as are much â—…ferent one from another There is a like resemblance betwixt the sun and a 〈◊〉 in giving light yet there is a great disparitie betwixt these creatures Man is 〈◊〉 to be made in the Image of God and after his likenesse Gen. 1. 26 27. This â—…plieth a resemblance betwixt God and man which is further manifested by 〈◊〉 title Gods given to sons of men Psal. 82. 6. Yet if any shall imagine man to be equall to God he neither knoweth God nor man aright 1. Hereby sundry places of Scripture which otherwise might seem very strange are cleared such as these Walk in love as Christ also hath loved us Eph. 5. 2. Forgive one another as God hath forgiven you Eph. 4. 32. Be perfect even as your father 〈◊〉 is in heaven is perfect Matth. 5. 48. Thy will be done in earth as it is in 〈◊〉 Matth. 6. 10. Every man that hath hope in Christ purifieth himself even as â—…e 〈◊〉 pure 1 Ioh. 3. 3. All these and other like places are to be understood of such a resemblance as may stand with much in-equality 2. This discovereth the false inference which Anabaptists do put upon sundry spirituall priviledges which are common to all Christians as to be one in 〈◊〉 Gal. 3. 28. to be made free by Christ Gal. 5. 1. To have one Father one 〈◊〉 one teacher and to be all brethren Matth. 23. 8 9 10. From these and other like common priviledges they infer that all of all sorts Kings and Subjects Masters and Servants and others differenced by other relations are equall every way and that the ordinary degrees of superiority and inferiority are against the warrant oâ—… Gods word and common priviledge of Christians Herein they bewray much ignorance being not able to discern betwixt those different respects wherein things are equall and things differ By this consequence the difference here noted betwixt 〈◊〉 dec and Levi would be taken away These two adverbs here there are fitly used in this place For the Apostle speaketh of the Levites as of his Country-men dwelling where he did 〈◊〉 of Melchisedec as of a stranger dwelling in a remote place 2. He spake of the Levites as men of latter dayes neerer his time but of â—…sedec as of a man of ancient dayes long before the Levites These two adverbs imply thus much In this place and in that place every 〈◊〉 at this time and at that time at all times Priests of the Lord received 〈◊〉 This was not a prerogative proper to Melchisedec but common also to the Levites Prudently therefore is their due given to both parties Though the main drift of the Apostle be to advance Melchisedec and his Priesthood above the Levites and their Priest-hood yet he denies not the Levites 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which was due to them as well as to Melchisedec which was 〈◊〉 tithes This is be noted against sâ—…ch wrangling Sophisters and intemperate disputers as in their heat through violence in opposing their adversaries deny them that which 〈◊〉 dâ—…e unto them and labour to dâ—…base them more then is meet they will deny maâ—…y truths because they are averred by their adversaries §. 51. Of Ministers being mean men that die ALbeit there were a common priviledge betwixt the Levites and Melchisedec yet there was a great disparity in thâ—…ir persons for of the Levites it is here said they were men that dâ—…e but of Melchisedec he liveth So as there was as great a difference betwixt them as betwixt mortality and immortality There are two points observable in this phrase men that die The first is about this word men Thâ—… Greek word signifieth ordinary mean men It is the same that is used Chap. 2. v. 6. § 54. The other is in this word die meaning such as are subject unto death and in their time shall die and thereupon leave this world and all their imployments therein yea so leave them as not to do any thing about them any more for there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor device nor knowledge nor wisdome in the graâ—…e Eccles. 9. 10. The Greek verb translated die is a compound The simple verb signifieth to die Matth. 2. 20. Thence an adjective that signifieth mortâ—…ll 1 Cor. 15. 53 54. The compound being with a preposition that signifieth from hath an emphasis and implieth a departing from all that a man hath This mortality of the sons of Levi who were Priests is in speciall here set down to amplifie the excellency of Melchisedec who liveth but withall it may be brought in as an evidence of the mutability of the legall Priest-hood and that by a kind of resemblance betwixt the persons and their office that as the persons who are Priests had their time and after that were taken away so their office which was the Priest-hood had an appointed time after which it should be abrogated This point of the mutability of the Priest-hood is expresly proved by the Apostle v. 11 12. Of Priests being subject to death See v. 23. § 97. That which is here said of the Levites is true of all Ministers of the word that they are but men mean men mortall men that die Hereupon this title son of man is given to a choyce Prophet Ezek. 3. 17. And choyce Apostles say thus of themselves We also are men of like passions with you Act. 1â—… 1â—… They said this when people so admired them as they supposed them to be gods and would have sacrificed unto them God doth herein magnifie his power by enabling men that are subject to death to perform so great things as the ministeriall function requireth to be performed 1. This common condition of Ministers to be men that die should make them oft to look upon these black feet
another and that in time so as this body shall not be full till the end of the world and then will there be no more need of this intercession The intendment of this phrase applyed to Christ to make intercession is to shew thâ—… Christ being Gods favourite and our advocate continually appeareth before God to make application of that sacâ—…ifice which once he offered up for our sins Thaâ—… hâ—… is Gods favourite is evidâ—…nt by this testimony which God from heaven gave of him This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Matth. 3. 17. 〈◊〉 expresly called an advocate with the father 1 Iohn 2. 1. It is expresly said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 entred into heaven now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9. 24. This Christ doth 1. To present unto his Father himself the price of our â—…demption 2. To make application of his sacrifice to his Church time after time 〈◊〉 to the need of the severall members thereof 3. To make our persons prayers services and all good things acceptables God 1. This sheweth that the Church needeth no other sacrifice nor yet a 〈◊〉 that sacrifice The reason which Papists forge for their supposed 〈◊〉 bloody sacrifice is directly against this intercession of Christ for if 〈◊〉 still remain our Priest in heaven and as our Priest still makes intercession 〈◊〉 us what need is there of any other Priest or any other sacrifice 2. We may in faith and with boldnesse at all times approach to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 grace in that we have an advocate who also is Gods favourite there alwayes â—…sent An advocate that is able to make our cause good He himself hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 indured whatsoever is requisite to make our cause good He is a favourite to 〈◊〉 God will hearken Though we be unworthy and have much incensed Gods 〈◊〉 yet there is hope so as we need not despair 1 Iohn 2. 1. On this ground the Apostle with an holy insultation saith Who is he that condemneth It is Christ that 〈◊〉 yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who maketh â—…nuall intereession for us When thou art troubled with horror of sin when thoâ—… 〈◊〉 in any distresse when thou art going out of this world lift up the eyes of thy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ thy advocate at the throne of grace making intercession for thee and in 〈◊〉 commend thy case and soul to him 3. This is a good ground of assurance of Gods constant favour to us and of 〈◊〉 persevering unto the end and it is the more sure because it is not in our selves 〈◊〉 in Christ. 4. This is a further ground of presenting our persons prayers and all our services to God in the name of Christ. See § 105. This relative to them hath reference to the persons described in the former 〈◊〉 of this verse It intendeth such a limitation as excludeth all others So as Christ doth not make intercession for all Ioh. 17. 9. See Chap. 2. v. 9. § 81. §. 107. Of the resclution and observations of Heb. 7. 25. Vers. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come 〈◊〉 God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them THe sum of this verse is The alsufficiency of Christs Priest-hood in setting 〈◊〉 hereof observe 1. The inference in this word wherefore 2. The substance In it 1. An effect 2. The meanes of accomplishing it The effect is set out 1. By the kind of it to save 2. By the ground of it he is able 3. By the extent to the uttermost 4. By the persons that are saved These are described 1. By their act them that come 2. By the object to whom unto God 3. By the mediator by Christ. 2. The meanes of accomplishing the foresaid effect is 1. Propounded 2. Amplified In the point propounded there is 1. An act he liveth 2. A continuance therein for 〈◊〉 In the amplification of it we have 1. The end to make 〈◊〉 2. The Persons for whom for 〈◊〉 Doctrines I. Christs excellencies made him an alsufficient Priest The generall reference of this verse to all that went before intends thus much See § 101. II. Salvation is the end of Christs Priest-hood He was such a Priest as is before described to save See § 101. III. Christ was able and meet to accomplish what he undertook This is exemplisied in this particular of saving See § 102. IV. The salvation which Christ bringeth is full and perfect It is to the uttermost See § 103. V. Men must endevour to be saved They must come See § 104. VI. Salvation belongs to those that come to God This is here taken for granted See § 104. VII Christ is the meanes to bring us to God Christ is understood under this relative him See § 105. VIII Christ still liveth as our Priest So much is intended under this phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 liveth See § 106. IX Christ maketh intercession This is plainly expressed See § 106. X. Christ maketh intercession for such as he intends to save This relative for 〈◊〉 hath reference to such See § 106. §. 108. Of Christ such an High-Priest as became 〈◊〉 Heb. 7. 26 27. Vers. 26. For such an High-Priest became us who is holy harmlesse undefiled separate from sinners and made higher then the heavens Vers. 27. Who needeth not daily as those High-Priests to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins and then for the peoples for this did he once when he offered up himself IN these two verses a fifth argument is laid down to prove the excellency of Christs Priest-hood above the Leviticall See § 1. The argument is taken from the difference of the persons that executed the one and the other Christ was perfectly puâ—…e v. 26. but the Leviticall Priest polluted v. 27. Of Christs being a Priest and an High-Priest see Chap. 2. 17. § 172 173. The Apostle to make the force of his argument more evident premiseth a necessity of such an High-Priest as Christ was in this phruse became us Of the various acception of this word became see Chap 2. v. 10. § 86. It signifieth both a decency or glory and also a necessity In the former respect it hath reference to God whose glory is much set forth thereby In the latter respect it hath reference to man who could not have been saved without such a Priest as is here set forth Well therefore might he say such an High-Priest He is such an one as never the like was or can be Christ being the truth of that which was prefigured in Melchisedec and being so far prefer'd before Aaron as he is in this Chapter this relative such and that in the largest extent may well be applyed to him How Gods glory is set out by Christs Priest-hood wherein he humbled himself to death was shewed Chap. 2. v. 10. § 87. In reference to Christ himself that there was a meetnesse a necessity for Christ
Candlestick was and for the same ends See v. 2. § 8. It set forth the purity and continuance of Gods ordinances It sheweth also that things presented before the Lord must be pure and such as are indeed precious and may well be so accounted Thus will they be also lasting as Gold 2. The quantity being an Omerfull shewed the plenty of Gods provision For an 〈◊〉 held about three pintes which is a plentifull allowance of bread for one person every day and so much had every man every day Exod. 16. 16. Thus Christ is a plentifull portion So as we may well rest therein God would have this measure in particular reserved that his plentifull provision for those of whom he taketh care might be the better considered 3. The place before the Lord was before the Ark which was a speciall represenâ—… of Gods presence There it was put 1. Because this was a solemn and sacred monument and therefore put in a sacred 〈◊〉 solemne place 2. To put them in mind of this evidence of Gods providence so oft as they appeared before God for it is very usefull when in prayer we appear before God to â—…ll to mind Gods memorable and mercifull workes 3. To demonstrate that Christ our spiritual food is to be found before God 4. The end was that future generations might have knowledge of this evidence of Gods providence Hereof see Chap. The Churches Conquest on Exod. 17. 15. § 76. Thus God will have Christ to be remembred throughout all generations He 〈◊〉 but a set time on earth and in that time tlid and endured what was requisite for mans eternal salvation 〈◊〉 the memorials thereof remain thorowout all ages §. 28. Of Aarâ—…ns dry Rod. THe fourth particular type in the most holy place is thus expressed 〈◊〉 rod that budded Here are three things to be considered 1. The type it self a rod. 2. The owner thereof Aaron 3. The effect that budded 1. Both the Hebrew and Greek word translated rod is diversly taken See Chap. 1. v. 8. § 11. The Greek word is put for a staffe to walk with Matth. 10. 10. for a 〈◊〉 to beat one with Rev. 2. 27. for a staffe to measure withall Rev. 11. 1. For a scepter Heb. 1. 8. Here it is taken for a Governours staffe For Governours used to carry long white slaves in their hands Some take it for a Shepheards crook which they say every head of the several tribes of Israel did bear in their hands in memorial of Israel their father who was a shepheard under his uncle Laban yea and each head of the several tribes was a shepheard also Of what kinde or fashion soever it were this is certain that it was 〈◊〉 from a 〈◊〉 very dry past sprouting and springing according to the course of nature a dry stick as we say This typified Christ who came from the stock of man but as a withered branch The house of David was not known in the world when Christ sprang out of it For 〈◊〉 did what he could to destroy that whole stock The meaness and poverty of 〈◊〉 and Mary were a means of keeping them from the notice of Herod Christ also in his own person was as a dry withered stick From his birth till the 〈◊〉 year of his age he lived in a private low and mean condition Yea afterwards though he did such works as might have made him famous he was exâ—… despised and at the time of his death apprehended as a traytor arraigned scourged busfeted many other wayes most vilely handled and crucified betwixt two 〈◊〉 dead and buried He is to the life set forth to be as a dry stick Isa. 53. This phrase I am it worm and no man a reproach of men and despised of the people is spoken of Christ Psal 22. 6. Thus God would have him deeply humbled for the greater manifestation of his high 〈◊〉 and of the glory thereof This also may be applyed to the mysticall body of Christ which by natureâ—… dead in sin Eph. 2. 1. This circumstance is a strong prop to our saith in all seeming impossibilities for effecting glorious matters 2. This rod is said to be Aarons for distinctions sake It is probable that it was 〈◊〉 to the râ—…ds of the heads of other tribes because their several names were written â—…on them Numb 17. 2. Thus Christ taking upon him mans nature was as other men It is said of 〈◊〉 there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Iesse c. Isai. 11. 1. He took upon 〈◊〉 form of a servant c. Phil. 2. 7. Thus came Christ to be a fit redeemer and saviour Thus may we with stronger confidence trust unto him §. 29. Of the effect and fruit of Aarons rod. THe effect of the foresaid dry rod is set down in four branches 1. It budded 2. It brought forth buds 3. It bloomed blossomes 4. It yeelded Almonds These typified the glory of the Lord Jesus who notwithstanding his foresaid meanness was manifested to be the promised Messiah the King of Israel and this many wayes 1. Angels declared as much before and at his birth Luk. 1. 27. and 2. 10 11. so did the wise men from the East Matth. 2. 2. 2. The manner of his preaching and myracles which he wrought declared as much Matth. 4. 24. and 7. 29. Ioh. 7. 31 46. 3. After he was put to death he rose again ascended into heaven and gave giftâ—… to men Eph. 4. 8. These were lively sproutings buddings blossomes and fruits 4. The members of his mystical body though brought to dry bones shall be raised and made glorious Thus every way there is hope of glory arising out of meanness The kind of fruit that was brought forth is said to be Almonds which are a sweet and pleasing fruit yea wholsome and medicinable Most sure it is that the 〈◊〉 is so nothing more sweet and pleasing nothing more wholsome and medicinable then the fruit of all manner of grace that sprouteth out of Christ. By the foresaid fruit of Aarons rod was Aaron manifested to be chosen the high Priest of God Numb 17. 5. So was Christ by his glorious works and manner of preaching by his death resurrection and ascention and gifts that he gave manifested to be appointed of God our high Priest After the foresaid evidence of Aarons being chosen of God by his rod that 〈◊〉 was set before the testimony Numb 17. 10. So Christ after the foresaid evidences of his glory is set in heaven at Gods right hand Heb. 8. 1. To heaven therefore must we on all oceasions lift up the eye of our faith and thereby behold this our high Priest there abiding for us §. 30. Of the tables of the Covenant THe fift holy type in the most holy place was the Tables of the covenant The Greek word properly signifieth a broad thing and that which is 〈◊〉 stone The French word plague seemes to be derived from the
unity of their minds and mutuall consent This is a divine and heavenly property 4. With their faces towards the Mercy-seat Exod. 25. 20. This manifested their desire to know the depth of Gods counsel concerning his mercy to man for from the Mercy-seat God caused his will to be knoâ—… Exod. 25. 22. In reference hereunto it is said which things the Angels desire to look into 1 Pet. 1. 12. How much more ought we to search after those mysteries The benefit of thâ—… redounds to us §. 33. Of a Teachers wisdome in desposing his matter AFter the Apostle had distinctly mentioned the principall type in both parts of the Tabernacle he thus concludes Of which things we cannot now speak particularly This he doth to shew the mind he had speedily to pass to the services that were performed in those places so as there is wisdome in ordering the matter which a teacher delivereth sometime briefly passing over some things other times insisting upon them more largely 〈◊〉 Why then have you so distinctly and largely insisted upon these types Answ. 1. The Apostle laid a foundation Preachers and expositors raise up an edifice Now the building useth to be larger then the foundation 2. There would be no end of expounding Scriptures if they should be as concise as the Scripture it self is 3. The Apostle himself here intends to be more large even in these points and 〈◊〉 either by preaching before them or by after writing more unto them This is â—…plyed under this particle now we cannot now speak implying that here after â—…e â—…ght speak more particularly of those things 4. If types recorded be not applyed to their truth and the meaning of them sâ—…â—…rth of what use are they under the Gospel For now they are no more services 〈◊〉 religion This was an especiall end why God hath caused these mysteries to be 〈◊〉 to his Church that the truth of them being cleerly and fully revealed under the Gospel the full sense of them might be the better discerned In which it is veryâ—…dfull and usefull that the substance and equity of those types to be made known §. 34. Of the resolution of Heb. 9. 2 3 4 5. Vers. 2. For there was a Tabernacle made the first wherein was the Candlestick and the Shew-bread which is called the Sanctuary Vers. 3. And after the second Vaile the Tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all Vers. 4. Which had the goldeâ—… Censâ—…r and the Ark of the Covenant overlaid round about with Gold wherein was the golden pot that had Manna and Aarons rod that budded and the Tables of the Covenant c. Vers. 5. And oâ—…er it the Chernbims of glory shadowing the Mercy-seat of which we cannot now speak particularly THe sam of these verses is An enumeration of sundry sacred types Herein two points are considerable 1. The matter propounded 2. The manner of concluding the same The matter noteth out two things 1. The place where those types were 2. The distinct kind of types The place is 1. Generally propounded in this word Tabernacle 2. Distinguished by the parts thereof and titles given to it The parts were the first and second distinguished by a Vaile The titles were 1. The Sanctuary or Holy place 2. The Holiest of all In the former place three distinct kind of types are mentioned 1. The Candlestick 2. The Table 3. The Shew-bread In the latter place are set down seven other types 1. The golden Censer 2. The Ark amplyfied 1. By the Covenant in it 2. By the gold overlaid round about it 3. Manna amplified by the golden pot in which it was 4. Aarons rod amplyfied by the fruit that budded 5. The Tables of the Covenant 6. The Mercy-seat 7. The Cherubims amplyfied 1. By their glory 2. By their place over the Ark. 3. By their act shadowing the Mercy-seat The manner of concluding all in these words Of which we cannot now speak particularly §. 35. Of observations out of Heb. 9. 2 3 4 5. V. 2. I. GOd had a place for divine worship This was the Tabernacle II. The place of Gods worship was distinguished according to distinct uses There was the first and second Tabernacle III. Christ is light unto his Church IV. The Church holds out that light These two doctrires are raised out from the typicall Candlestick See § 7 8. V. Christ is a means of communion with God This is in generall the use of a tabâ—…e See § 12. VI. Christ is bread of life He was typified by the shew-bread See § 13. VII The place of Gods worship under the law was holy It is called a Sanctuary â—… Holy place See § 14. Vers. 3. VIII Christs flesh was set forth by a vail See § 16. IX Heaven was prefigured by the most Holy place See § 15. Vers. 4. X. Christ is a means of attonement betwixt God and man This the goldâ—… Censer typified See § 18. XI Christ hath all Gods treasures hid in him In this respect he was typified by 〈◊〉 Ark. See § 20. XII Christ is the Mediator of the Covenant See § 20. XIII Christ is spâ—…uall food He is the true Manna See § 22. XIV God will have memorials of his mercies This was the end of reserving a 〈◊〉 of Manna See § 27. XV. God can make dry things to flourish So did Aarons rod that budded See § 28. XVI Christ from death was raised to glory This was typified by the fruit which Aarons dry rod brought forth See § 28. XVII God wrote the old Covenant in tables of stone These were the tables of the covenant See § 30. XVIII Christ is a Mercy-seat A means of Gods shewing mercy to man The mercy-seat typified as much See § 31. XIX Angels are glorious Spirits They are here stiled Cherubims of glory See § 32. XX. The glorious Angels attend Christ. Thus much is intended by the Cherubiâ—…s shadowing the Mercy-seat See § 32. XXI Teachers may as occasion serveth forbear enlargements The Apostle here would do no more then name the foresaid types See § 33. §. 36. Of preparation for Gods service Heb. 9. 6. Now when these things were thus ordained the Priest went alwayes into the first â—…nacle accomplishing the service of God FRom the holy types the Apostle proceedeth to the sacred service of God He beginneth with that kind of service which was performed in the Holy plaâ—… and that generally in this sixt verse Wherein he first hinteth the preparation made 〈◊〉 that service in this phrase Now when these things were thus ordained The adverb of time Now is in Greek â—… conjunction of opposition but which is diversly taken and well enough here translated This relative these things hath reference both to the places and types before mentioned Of the verb translated ordained See Chap. 3. v. 3. § 46. The meaning of these words is this When the Tabernacle was made and the parts thereof fitly distinguished one from the other and all the holy types made and set in
to others in himself and in that right that belonged unto him Matth. 17. â—…6 All the subjection that he yeelded to others was meerly voluntary Phil. 2. 7. 〈◊〉 10. 18. 5. This heifer was to be slain and that without the camp This typified Christs death without the gate of the City Heb. 13. 12. 6. The blood of this heifer must be sprinkled seven times This typified the application of Christs blood from time to time so long as there was need for seven is a number of perfection And this was to be done before the Tabernacle oâ—… the â—…gregation That is the Church of God Numb 19. 4. 7. The heifer must be burnt to set out the fire of Gods wrath which Christ endured 8. The skin flesh blood and dung must be all burnt Numb 9. 5. To shew that Christ suffered in the whole man and that in his suffering great reproach as dung was cast upon him 9. Cedar-wood and hysop and scarlet was cast into the midst of the burning of the Heifer These were means of sprinkling the blood so as the means used for applying Christs blood unto our selves are sanctified by the passion of Christ. 10. The Ashes of the â—…aid Heifer were to be gathered up and laid in a clean place The gathering of Ashes intended the continuance of the merit of Christs sacrifice The laying them up in a clean place prefigured the Church of God which Christ 〈◊〉 cleansed by his blood This circumstance without the camp may here inâ—… the Church of the Gentiles 11. With these ashes running water must be mixed which was called a water of â—…tion in that it was for those who by any uncleanness were separated from the congregation but being sprinkled with this water he was purified and so again admitted to the congregation Therefore it is also stiled a purification for sin Numb 19. 9. Thus the word ashes here in the Text is synecdochically put for the water also with which it was mixed and made a purifying water and giveth evidence that God affordeth to his Church means of cleansing such as are unclean Though he that is washed needeth not to be washed all over again yet he needeth to wash his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 13. 10. Though he need not another regeneration yet he needeth daily a renewing of his repentance For this end as God appointed sundry sacrifices washings and sprinklings under the law So hath he ordained the Ministery of the word administration of the Sacraments and other ordinances under the Gospel All these are conscionably to be used according to our continuall need thereof §. 71. Of severall occasions of sprinkling blood and water under the law THe manner of using the foresaid blood and water of ashes was by sprinkling them Under the law on sundry occasions they sprinkled blood and they sprinkled water also 1. At the Passe-over they sprinkled blood upon their door posts Ex. 12. 7. This was an expresse type of the benefit of Christs blood applyed by faith whereby believers are preserved from that common destruction that fals upon all others 2. At making of the covenant blood was sprinkled on the people Exod. 24. 8. to shew that by Christs blood we have a right to the covenant of grace 3. On the annual day of reconciliation blood was sprinkled on the Mercy-seat to shew that by the satisfaction which thorow Christs blood is made for our sins God comes to be merciful unto us Lev. 16. 14 15. 4. Blood was sprinkled at the consecrating of Priests to shew that even the Ministers of Gods holy ordinances here need to be cleansed from sin Exod. 29. 16. Water of purifying was to the like purpose sprinkled upon the Levites Numb 8. 7. 5. When any had sinned whether Priest or whole congregation or ruler or any particular person blood was sprinkled to make an attonement for them Lev. 4. 6 17 c. 6. At the cleansing of any unclean person blood was sprinkled Lev. 14. 7. which declared that it is Christs blood that cleanseth from all spiritual uncleannesse 7. Such as on any occasion touched a dead corps were to be sprinkled with purifying water Numb 19. 13. §. 72. Of applying Christs blood intended by sprinkling THe foresaid sprinkling of blood and water under the law intended a spiritual application of the blood of Christ to the souls of men In this mysticall sense do both Prophets and Apostles use this metaphor of sprinkling where it is said He shall sprinkle many nations Isa. 52. 15. the meaning is that Christ by his Spirit would so apply to the Gentiles his merits as they should be perswaded to trust in Christ. To like purpose saith God by another Prophet I will sprinkle clean water upon you Ezek 36. 25. Frequently doth this our Apostle in the mystical sense use this word as Chap. 10. 22. and 12. 24. So 1. Pet. 1. 2. By this mystical sprinkling or applying Christs blood all the benefit thereof redounds to us It is as laying a plaister to a sore as drinking a wholsome potion as swallowing good pils as eating and drinking meats and drinks as putting on a garment The benefit of all these ariseth from the fit application of them even so it is in the application of the blood of Christ. Quest. How is this blood sprinkled upon our souls Answ. Two wayes 1. By the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 6. 11. which inwardly perswades the soul of a right it hath to Christ and to all that he hath done and endured for mans redemption 2. By faith Act. 15. 9. This moves us to rest upon Christ for a particular benefit to our selves of his obedience unto death On this ground the Apostle gives this exhortation Let us draw neer with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evill conscience and Heb. 10. 22. The ordinances which God hath sanctified unto his Church are especial meaâ—… of conveighing Gods Spirit into us which Spirit in and by those means worketh and encreaseth faith wherefore as we desire to be sprinkled as aforesaid and to partake of the benefit of that sprinkling our care must be conscionably to attend upon those ordinances §. 73. Of Christs justifying and sanctifying persons THe Apostle referreth this sprinkling both to blood and to ashes also meaning by ashes the purifying water which was made of the ashes of the heifer and of running water Numb 19. 17. Hereby was typified that by Christ we are both justified and sanctified for blood pointeth at our justification water at our sanctification justified by his blood saith the Apostle Rom. 5. 9. And again Christ gave himself for the Church that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water Eph. 5. 26. In this sense is this phrase the washing of regeneration used Tit. 3. 5. See Domest Duties Treat 1. on Eph. 5. 26. § 39. There is in the obedience of Christ whether active or passive both a merit and a vertue By the merit divine justice is
This was sprinkled in two respects One of it self another of the people 1 In regard of the law it self It was not able to make perfect as hath been shewed Chap. 7. v. 19. § 86. Therefore it was requisite that another means even Christs blood should be added thereto 2. In regard of children of men who by use or rather abuse made it a condemning letter it needed to be sprinkled with blood 1. This sprinkling of the book with blood and water is directly against the Popish proud conceit of justification by works All works come under the law If man could be justified by the law what need was there of sprinkling this book Object They are works dipt in Christs blood which justifie Answ. Christs blood was added to the law not to enable the law to justifie a man but to bring in a new way of justification Rom. 8. 3. Christ is therefore said to be a new and living way Chap. 10. v. 20. 2. Object Christ merited to make our works meritorious Answ. This is to make Christ to dye that we should be redeemerâ—… 2. Let us by this sprinkling of the book take notice of the necessity of Chriâ—… death without it all Covenants betwixt God and man are in vain Only in Christ the Covenant of God is made effectual to sinners 3. This sprinkling of the book giveth instance that pure and holy things are made impure to sinfull men not that they are so in themselves but in mens use of them The law that was written in this book is pure and clean Psal. 19. 8 9. Bâ—… yet to men a killing letter 2 Cor. 3. 7. yea the Gospell is made a savour of death 2 Cor. 2. 16. And the holy Sacrament judgement or damnation 1 Cor. 11. 29. 〈◊〉 Christ himself a stone of stumbling and rock of offence 1 Pet. 2. 8. The ground hereof is mans sin which turneth blessings into curses and that corruption which is in man whereby he perverteth every good thing that he useth As the sweetest herbs are made poysonous to spiders the cleer sun noysome to dunghils The purest waters that come from heaven produce weeds in ranck groundâ—… not in themselves but by reason of the venom in the spider the stanch in the dunghil and the rancknesse in the ground so is it in this case 1. Much matter of humiliation doth this minister unto us If Iohn had cause to weep because no man was found worthy to open the book Rev. 5. 4. what cause have men to mourn because the book being opened is made death to them Whether iâ—… worst not to have the book opened which endangereth life or to have the book so opened as death to follow thereupon 2. Upon sprinkling the book with blood and water great matter of gratulation is ministred unto us for hereby death is taken away God thought it not enough to give unto his people that book of the Covenant but that it might be usefull unto them he causeth it to be sprinkled with the blood of his Son §. 105. Of sprinkling all the people THe second instance of being sprinkled is here said to be all the people Thiâ—… must here be taken either representatively for the heads that represented all the rest or inclusively for all that were present This general particle all implyeth that all of all sorts are unclean Isay 64. 6. Ioh. 3. 6. Eph. 2. 3. For who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean Job 14. 4. What David said of himself every one hath just cause to say I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did 〈◊〉 mother conceive me Psal. 51. 5. This is a point to be known and acknowledged to keep us lowly and from all self conceit yea and to make us enquire after means of cleansing The sprinkling of all the people sheweth that means of cleansing are afforded to all in the Church 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. The extent of Gods covenant made to Abraham Gen. 17. 10. declares as much so doth the extent of Christs charge Matth. 28. 19. For with God is no respect of persons See § 101. 1. This is enough to strip man that remains unclean of all excuse Luk. 14. 24. They who living in the Church are not cleansed reject the means of cleansing â—…dered unto them and manifest a contradicting spirit against Christs good will towards them forcing him to say I would but you would not Matth. 22. 3â—… Let this stir us up to use the means of cleansing afforded unto us What stronger motive can we have then this general motive See the Whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 16. Treat 2. Part. 6. § 29 30. §. 106. Of reconciling Moses and the Apostle Heb. 9. 20. Saying This is the blood of the Testament which God hath enjoyned unto you IN this verse the Apostle by way of parenthesis joyneth together the word and sign the Covenant and Seal The sign and seal was the sprinkling of blood Here is shewed the end and use of that riâ—… â—…n this phrase this is the blood of the 〈◊〉 c. The end of the foresaid holy rites were to be signes of the Covenant betwixt God and his people This word of transition seeing implyeth that that which followeth is a declaration of the meaning of that which was done It is necessary that these two testament and blood be joyned together For a Teâ—…ent is of no validity without blood as hath been shewed v. 17. § 93 94. And 〈◊〉 is of no efficacy without a Testament This Text is taken out of Exod. 24. 8. where it is thus expressed Behold the blood of the covenant which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words In the words of the Prophet and the Apostle there is some seeming difference but in sense there is none The difference in words is either by leaving out or altering some of them 1. This note of attention Behold is left out That being but a circumstance altereth no sense Besides it is implyed in this particle of reference This. 2. The last words concerning all these words are left out Moses in those words had reference to sundry ordinances which he read whereof because the Apostle had no occasion to mention he omitted The alterations are these 1. What Moses calleth a Covenant the Apostle stileth a Testament Answ. 1. The word which the Apostle useth signifieth both a Covenant and a Testament as hath been shewed Chap. 7. v. 22. § 94. 2. Moses wrote before the death of the Testator The Apostle after his death so as the same thing which in Moses time was a Covenant in the Apostles time was a Testament 3. Moses speaking of the matter which was an agreement betwixt God and his people stileth it a covenant but the Apostle speaking of the manner of ratifying it stiles it a Testament 2. Where Moses useth this word covenanted or made the Apostle turns it enjoyned or commanded Answ. Moses used a word
indefinite phrase blood of others doth confirm the first difference betwixt Christ and the legal Priests Christ offered himself and with his own blood entered into heaven v. 12. § 57. and thereby procured remission of sins But the Priests offered the blood of beasts and therewith entered into an earthy Tabernacle and could cleanse no further then to the purifying of the flesh v. 13. § 75. God appointed under the law the blood of beasts because that was sufficient for the end whereunto it was appointed namely to typifie a spiritual cleansing not absolutely to cleanse by it self If the Priest himself had been slain his blood could not have purged himself or any others from sin For 1. He was a man and in that respect a sinner 2. His blood was too mean a price to redeem another Psal. 49. 7. 3. He could not have carried his own blood when he was dead 4. If a Priest should have offered himself for others who would have been a Priest For scarcely for a righteous man will one die Rom. 5. 7. 5. It would have been counted a cruel law for a Priest to shed his own blood Herein we have an evidence of Gods tender respect to man in sparing his blood Though man were ordained a Priest to typifie Christs Priest hood though man in that function were to appeare before God though he were to beare their names yea and their sins Exod. 28. 38. all which Christ did yet when it came to the shedding of his blood as Christ did his therin God spared him and accepted the blood of beasts as he accepted the Ram for Isaac Gen. 22. 13. How doth this amplifie Gods love to man who was so tender of mans blood and yet spared not his son but gave him for us to death Rom. 8. 32. There was no other meanes to redeeme man from eternall damnation therefore rather then man should perish eternally God would give his son for him On the other side this doth much aggravate the Heathenish impiety and inhumanity of such Israelites as sacrificed their children to Idols This was one of Ahaz his impieties 2 King 16. 3. God did expresly forbid it Lev. 18 21. The Prophets much complained hereof Isa. 57. 5. Ezek. 18. 20. This was one especiall cause of their captivity 2 Kings 17. 7. This also is an aggravation of the sin of murther and shedding mans blood unjustly From the main difference that is here made betwixt the Priests under the law that they every year went with blood into the holy place and Christ who did not often but once only offer himself we may infer that 1. What the Priests did was imperfect See Chap. 7. v. 27. § 112. 2. What Christ did was perfect See Chap. 7. v. 27. § 115. §. 128. Of the necessity of Christs suffering but once v. 26. IN the 26 verse A reason is rendered of the former part of the former verse that Christ did not offer himselfe often The reason is taken from the kinde of offering which was with suffering For then must he often have suffered The Argument may be thus framed If Christ offered himself often he often suffered but he hath not often suffered Therefore he offered not himselfe often It is here taken for granted that Christ offered himselfe up by suffering yea by suffering to death Phil. 2. 8. That Christs death was a suffering death is shewed Chap. 2. v. 9. § 76. The time wherein Christ was to suffer often if he had offered himselfe often is here said to be since the foundation of the world Of this phrase See Cap. 4. v. 3. § 29. The reason of this extent of time is mans sin For man sinned anon after the foundation of the world was laid And anon after man had â—…inned Christ was promised a Redeemer to free him by his blood from sin Gen. 3. 15. In this respect Chriâ—… is said to be a Lambe slaine from the foundation of the world Rev. 13. 8. The must that is here put upon the point thus then must he is in a double respect 1. In regard of Gods purpose so to redeeme man for Gods purpose must be accomplished 2. In regard of Christs undertaking He undertooke to redeeme man by satisfying Gods justice which must be by suffering By this it appears that a frequent offering of Christ is a frequent making him to suffer For there is no true offering up of Christ but by death Therefore he is fail to be a sacrifice in the latter end of this verse which according to the notation of the Greeke word signifieth a thing slaine as is shewed Chap. 8. v. 1. § 7. Iâ—… this respect offering and sacrifice are joyned together as Chap. 10. v. 12. Eph. 5. â—… Let Papists answer this in the case of their frequent offering Christ in theiâ—… masse This word of necessity must implieth a necessity of Christs death See v. 9. § 95. The force and drift of the Apostles Argument demonstrateth that Christ could not oâ—…t suffer The word once in the next Section proveth as much The Apostle expresly saith that Christ dieth no more Rom. 6. 9. So as no other suffering of Christ is to be expected Obj. The Apostle saith that there is behind of the afflictions of Christ. Col. 1. 24. Answ. Christs afflictions or sufferings are to be considered two wayes 1. In his own person which he himself suffered in his humane nature 2. In his body when the members of his mystical body do suffer as members of that body he is said to suffer with them Thus when Saul breathed out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord Christ saith Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9. 1 4. This kind of affliction is that which the Apostle calls the afflictions of Christ but he here speaks of his personal afflictions Christ having finished all sufferings on earth ascended to that glory which he will never leave But leave it he must if he suffer again This should make â—…s watchful against that apostasie which cannot be recovered without crucifying the Son of God afresh Heb. 6. 6. §. 129. Of Christs suffering in the end of the world THe proof of the forementioned assumption is set down in the latter part of the 26. v. thus but now once c. That which is but once done is not often done This particle of opposition but is here the note of an assumption as Chap. 2. v. 6. § 50. The Apostle that lived in the end of the world useth this word now to shew that experience gave proof that Christ had not suffered before that time He addeth this exclusive particle once to make his argument the more clear for it is here to be taken exclusively as if he had said only once and no oftner Thâ—…s it is taken v. 12. § 60. This phrase in the end of the world is an explication of this particle of time now The word translated end
condition in that they so live here as if they should ever live here as covetous persons who are never satisfied with the things of this life and proud disdaiâ—…full persons who scoffe at the threatnings of Gods word Isa. 28. 14 15. And hard hearted oppressors and all impenitent persons 3. This condition of mortality instructeth us in sundry duties which are 1. To learn to number our dayes aright which is a lesson that God most teach us Psal. 90. 12. 2. To provide for the time to come This is the main scope of the parable of the steward Luk. 16. 1 c. 3. To trust in the living God The Psalmist because his dayes were like a shadow trusted in the Lord that endureth for ever Psal. 102. 11 12. 4. Not to fear man who is but mortall 4. This subjection to death is a matter of great comfort unto believers and that 1. In regard of the myseries of this world from which they are freed There the weary be at rest Job 3. 17. 2. Against the plots and practises of men 3. Against the remainder of sin in them which maketh even them to complain and say Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Rom. 7. 24. The death of the body will deliver believers from this body of death 5. The extent and community of this condition teacheth all of all sorts to apply all the forenamed uses to themselves They who are Gods on earth shall die aâ—… men Psal. 82. 6 7. The wise man dyeth as the fool Eccles. 2. 16. Riches profit not in the day of wrath Prov. 11. 4. The rich man died Luk. 12. 20. and 16. 22. Such as are a staffe in a state shall all be taken away Isa. 3. 1 2 3. §. 134. Of Dying but once TO the foresaid common condition of all men to die the Apostle addeth this limitation Once which is to be taken as before exclusively see v. 26. § 129. Hereupon Christ saith that man when he hath killed the body can do no more Luk. 12. 4. Experience giveth evidence to the truth hereof Object Many were raised from the dead and died again as the Son of the widow of Zarephah 1 King 17. 23. And the Shunamites son 2 King 4. 36. And another man 2 King 13. 21. And in the new Testament Iairus daughter Mark 5. 42. The widows Son Luk. 7. 15. Lazarus Joh. 11. 43. And Dorcas Acts 9. 41. Answ. 1. Some say that their souls slept in their bodies and manifested no vigor or life at all But this is not to be admitted for then the raising of such from the dead had not been true miracles 2. It may be supposed that all that were raised from the dead were Saints and that they to manifest the glory of God were content to come into their bodies again 3. For full answer to the point this of dying but once is to be taken of the ordinary course of nature The Lord of nature can order it as it pleaseth him 1. This is good encouragement against all that man can do Luk. 12. 5. Martyrs â—…reby were encouraged against their cruel adversaries in that when they had once â—…ed the body they could do no more 2. This instructeth us about well using the time of life which God affordeth unâ—… 〈◊〉 It is the day of grace and time of repentance If once a period be put to it â—…re is no returning again Christ made advantage hereof Ioh. 9. 4. The wise 〈◊〉 giveth advice so to do Eccles. 9. 10. As a man once dyeth so for ever he abiâ—…th §. 135. Of the ground of mans dying but once THe ground of mans dying but once is thus expressed It is appointed The Greek word doth properly signifie to lay aside or to lay up So it is used Luk. 〈◊〉 10. Col. 1. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Now because what God determineth before hand is 〈◊〉 a thing laid up firm and sure it is here applyed to Gods decree He hath set it down as an inviolable law This law or decree of God is to be extended both to the condition it self that men 〈◊〉 die and also to the limitation thereof but once Some make the ground hereof to arise from nature which consisteth of contrary qualities that destroy each other But that destructive contrariety was not in mans primary nature as God made it it came from sin That decree therefore is of God as a punishment of sin 1. This demonstrates an inviolable necessity of the former points cencerning mans subjection once to death The law of the Medes and Persians which altereth not Dâ—… 6. 12. is not so firm as this appointment or decree 2. This teacheth us to make a vertue of necessity which is willingly and comfortably to yield to that which cannot be avoided Malefactors by light of nature are taught to make this use of necessity namely quietly to submit themselve to exeâ—…on That we may do it with the greater comfort let us acquaint our selves â—…ith the end and benefits of death to believers whereof see before § 133. §. 136. Of judgement immediatly following death THe word here translated judgement is ost put for that general judgement that in the last day of the world shall passe upon all men which day is stiled the day of judgement Matth. 10. 15. and 11. 22 24. and that judgement is stiled the judgement of the great day Jud. v. 6. It is also put for that estate wherein a man is set immediately upon his death Thus is it here taken as is evident by this phrase after this which intendeth the time of a mans death so as judgement immediatly followeth a mans death so soon as he dyeth he receiveth his doom Three are two sorts of people that die 1. The Elect. Concerning such an one Christ said upon the day of his death Today shalt thou be with me in Paradice Luk. 23. 43. Such an one was he who said I desire to depart and to be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. Such an one also was Lazarus who died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Luk. 16. 22. 2. The reprobate such an one was Dives who died and fell into hell Luk. 16. 27. This life is the only time of probation when that is ended nothing remaines but judgement Object 1. He that believeth shall not come unto judgement Joh. 5. 24. The same word is there used that is used in this place Answ. There are two kinds of judgement One of absolution The other of condemnation This word signifieth the one and the other Our translation in that place of Iohn turneth it to condemnation So is the verb used and thus translated he that believeth on him is not judged or not condemned The simple verb and noun is in both places put for the compound Object 2. Christ expresly saith that he that believeth not is condemned already even
in his life time Answ. In judgement we must consider 1. Desert 2. Guilt 3. Apprehension of condemnation in the conscience of the malefactor 4. The denunciation of the sentence of condemnation Of this latter that speech is not to be taken but in regard of the desert and of the guilt he is condemned and may also be in his own conscience condemned We say of a Traytor that peremptorily refuseth the Kings pardon he is condemned already though he be not brought to the bar for tryall Object 3. If judgement be immediately upon death what need a solemne day of judgement Answ. 1. For our bodies which rest till that time 2. For declaration of the equity of Gods just proceeding In this respect that day is called the day of revelation of the righteous judgement of God Rom. 2. 5. 3. For confirmation of that judgement that hath passed upon men at their death For by the sentence of the judge they know that there is no alteration thereof By this point of judgement immediatly after death to Popish errours are directly refuted 1. Their conceit of purgatory 2. Of praying for the dead Of these two see more in The whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 18. § 39 40. §. 137. Of the certainty of judgement to come THe Apostle by inferring judgement as well as death upon Gods appointment and decree giveth us to understand that Judgement is most certain and cannot be avoided no more then death As this is true of the judgement that passeth upon the soul immediatly upon the dissolution of it from the body so also of that judgement which shall passe upon body and soul at the great and last day for as the soul is judged at death so shall body and soul be judged after the Resurrection That therefore which is said of the one may be applyed unto the other The last judgement is as sure as death Of Iudgement saith the Apostle God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world Act. 17. 31. And to like purpose the wise man saith God shall bring every work unto judgement Eccles. 12. 14. And a must which implieth a necessity is put upon it 2 Cor. 5. 10. We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ. This was foretold by Enoch who lived in Adams time for Adam lived 930 years and Enoch was born 622 years after Adam was created so as he lived 306 years in Adams time And that prophesie which he uttered concerning Christs coming to judgement whereof the Apostle Iude maketh mention v. 14. 15. might be uttered in Adams time and from thence continued to the Apostles time for this word Maranatha is taken to be the beginning of Enoâ—…hs Prophesie 1 Cor. 16. 22. They signifie thus much Our Lord cometh It was part of that solemn denunciation of judgement which the Church made against impenitent sinners whereby they gave over such a sinner to the last judgement of Christ as if there were left no pardon for him Ever since the Apostles time this Article of Christs coming to judgement hath been held in the Church and so will be so long as there is a Christian Church on earth There is a necessity of a future judgement for a clear manifestation of the justice of God Though God be most just in all his wayes Psal. 105. 17. yet in this world is it not so evidently discerned because God in wisdom oft suffereth the wicked to prosper yea and to dominere over the righteous But then shall every one be manifested in his own proper colours and God will render to ever one according to his deeds Rom. 2. 6. Did mockers believe this they would not say where is the promise of his coming 2 Pet. 3. 4. 1. This point of judgement after death discovereth the grosse errour of those who imagine that death is an utter destruction of body and soul. The Heathen discerned that the soul was immortal by the spiritual substance thereof and by the properties and effects of it we have further evidence hereof by the light of Gods word The Resurrection of the body seemed to them a strange Doctrine and when it was preached to them they mocked for it is indeed an Article of faith which cannot be demonstrated by reason but is believed because it is expresly revealed in the word See more here of Chap. 6. v. 2. § 20. 2. This cannot be but a matter of great terror to obstinate and impenitent sinâ—…s To such may be applied this caveat know thou that for all these things God will 〈◊〉 thee into judgement Eccles. 11. 9. To aggravate this terror Christ Jesus whom â—…pious persons while here they live and whom they reject yea and persecute in his Members shall be their Judge This Judge said to the impious Priests and others who crucified him yea shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and 〈◊〉 in the Clouds of Heaven Namely to judge them Mark 14. 62. Yea one end of his comming is to execute judgement upon all that are ungodly c. Iud. v. 15. 2 Thes. 1. 8. Hence is it that such are called upon to weep and howle for the mysteries that â—…all come upon them Iam. 5. 1. No marvel that Felix trembled when he heard 〈◊〉 preach of judgement to come Act. 24. 25. And that Iudas hanged himself 〈◊〉 27. 5. And that they who beheld the lamb sitting as a judge said to the mountains and rocks Fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne Rev. 6. 16. If any thing be of force to make men wish Balaams wish That they may 〈◊〉 death of the righteous and their last end be like theirs Numb 23. 10. this is 〈◊〉 O that it might be of force to move them to live the life of the righteous 3. This on the other side ministreth much matter of comfort to such as believe in Christ and make conscience of well ordering the whole course of their life Here 〈◊〉 this world they have many discomforts and discouragements For 1. They are subject to the same outward condition as others are Eccles. 9. 2. 2. They are in this world as sheep among wolves Matth. 10. 16. 3. Their integrity is either not seen or not regarded but depraved and scorned 4. Such is their estated in this world as the Apostle saith If in this life only we have 〈◊〉 in Christ we are of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. But in that day they shall be pronounced blessed and accordingly they shall be forever blessed So as a full recompence shall be returned for all their sufferings here This is enough to make believers content in any estate as Paul was Phil. 4. 11. and to blesse God for taking away as Iob. did Iob. 1. 21. and quietly to sleep in chaines and setters as Peter did Acts 12. 7. and to rejoyce in suffering shame for Christs name 〈◊〉 5. 4 1. and to sing
shall raise them and withall a great shout of the inhabitants of heaven that shall make all the world to ring again with the noyse thereof 2 Thes. 4. 16. 4. He shall sit upon a throne and that throne shall be a throne of glory Matth. 25. 31. Thrones are set on high that all may behold him that sitteth thereon 5. All nations shall be gathered before him Matth. 25. 32. Not only the righteous but the wicked also shall see him The righteous shall rejoyce to see him the wicked shall wish that the rocks and mountains might fall upon them and hide them from him whom they see 6. He shall judge every one For that end every one is to appear before his judgement seat Rom. 14. 10. Do not all these yea every of them shew that he shall conspicuously appear Thus will Christ appear both in regard of believers and others 1. Among believers many never saw him and many who saw him saw him as a man despised Isa. 53. 3. That they might now see that their faith was not misplaced but set upon one that was worthy to be believed on to be loved and to be obeyed he will so conspicuously appear 2. Wicked ones took occasion of despising him either because while he was on earth he appeared in a mean condition or because in heaven he doth not visibly â—…nifest himself Thus as they regarded not his person so they despised his ordiâ—…ces derided his members oppressed such as professed him That such might be the more affrighted and confounded when they behold him he appeareth conâ—…uously in glory and with power Hereupon it is said that he will come in flaâ—… fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that he will come to be â—…fied in his Saints and to he admired in all them that believe 2 Thes. 1. 8 10. 1. This cannot but minister singular comfort and encouragement to the faithfull Though their confidence be placed on him whom they never saw yet at length then the day of recompence commeth they shall conspicuously see him In the 〈◊〉 while as their faith is manifested to be more sound so will it be more accepâ—… to him Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed Ioh. 20. 29. This was the excellency of Abrahams faith Ioh. 8. 56. Rom. 4. 18. 2. On the other side this cannot be but terrible to the wicked who like the evil 〈◊〉 Matth. 24. 48. take advantage from the Lords absence to live in all looseâ—… and licentiousnesse Fearful is the doom that is denounced against such an 〈◊〉 Matth. 24. 50 51. §. 143. Of Christs last and second comming THe aforesaid appearing of Christ is here said to be the second appearing This hath reference to a former appearing mentioned v. 26. § 130. That was his 〈◊〉 appearing when he took flesh upon him Never did Christ conspicuously and â—…sibly in his own humane nature manifest himself till the fulnesse of time when he 〈◊〉 made flesh At sundry times before he gave some representations of himself in 〈◊〉 shape as when he appeared to Abraham Gen. 18. 2 c. and to Moses Ex. â—… 2. and to Ioshua Josh. 5. 13. 14. but in the forenamed fulnesse of time he took 〈◊〉 unto the unity of his deity whereby he was God manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3. 〈◊〉 From that time he continued about thirty three years and an half on earth and there finished all matters of service and suffering requisite for mans redemption be ascended into heaven and there abides never to come from thence till the restitution of all things Acts 3. 21. which will not be before the end of the world This appearing therfore which is be at the end of the world ot is said to be the second 〈◊〉 so as from Christs ascension to the last day he will appear no more on earth Indeed he did appear to Stephen in his humane nature Acts 7. 56. and also to Paul 1 Cor. 15. 8. but both those were in heaven He did extraordinarily enable the visive faculty of Stephens eye to see his bodily shape as far as heaven and Paul knew not whether he was wrapt into heaven or no 2 Cor. 12. 2. but the appearing here mentioned is a generall appearing unto all men into some eminent place where he shall gather all men and Angels before him This phrase of God the father unto him Sit thou at my right hand unto I make thine enemies thy footstool Psal. 110. 1. giveth proof that he shall remain in heaven till death be utterly destroyed for death is the last enemy 1 Cor. 15. 26. But death shall not be destroyed till the last day And this phrase The heavens must receive him untill the times of restitution of all things intends as much The word translated receive signifieth also to retain the thing received as where it is said they received the word Acts 17. 11. and receive the grace of God 2 Cor. 6. 1. The word of God and his grace must be retained The word also translated restitution Acts 3. 21. signifieth a bringing of things to that full perfection whereunto they are appointed This restitution is said to be of all things but this shall not be till the last day Therefore till that day Christs humane nature shall be contained in heaven It is one of the Articles of a Christians faith set down in the three solemn formes of Articles which are commonly call Creeds as the Apostles Creed the Nicene Creed Athanasius Creed and others that Christ shall continue to sit in heaven at Gods right hand till he comes to judge the quick and the dead which will not be till the last day â—… That personal appearance which many conceive shall be of Christ a thousand years before the last day is apparently against the foresaid Scriptures But I would further demand e to what end should he personally appear on earth what good would come thereby his royal throne and seat whereon he sits being in heaven he can and doth behold the whole earth in every part and corner thereof and in it his whole militant Church and all particular congregations yea and member thereof Being in heaven he can and doth provide for all Churches and for every particular person all needful temporal spiritual and eternal blessings and protect them from all temporal spiritual and eternal enemies and miseries What more can be expected to be done by his personal appearing on earth yea on earth could he so well do all that that he doth in heaven 1. This expresse mention of Christs appearing the second time is directly against the opinion of the Ubiquitaries who hold that Christs body is on earth as well as in heaven in all places continually By this opinion as like the heretick Marcion they destroy the humane nature of Christ and make his body to be no body so they make the last appearing of Christ to be not
of their Fathers family and there did service to God so as Adam's house was God's Church whereby we may see the antiquity of the Church even from Adam's time As this first Family was a Church so other Families of the antient Patriarchs were Churches The Church herein hath a preheminence above other Societies Though both the foresaid Brothers offered to God yet both of them did it not with the same mind and in the same manner This is implyed under this word of comparison more excellent Of the positive whereupon this comparative more excellent or greater is grounded see Chap. 10. v. 12. § 120. They were of diffâ—…rent dispositions One was an errant Hypocrite the other an upright Worshipper of God Thus from the beginning it was shewed that Gods Church on earth is a mixed Assembly That this may here more distinctly appear I will shew 1. Wherein these two agreed 2. Wherein they differed They agreed in three points 1. In their general action They both drew near to God and worshipped him 2. In the general matter of that action They both brought an offering 3. In the general kind of their offering which was of that which belonged to each of them Cain was a tiller of the ground and he brought of the fruit of the ground Abel was a keeper of sheep and he brought of his flock Gen. 4. 3. 4. 1. They differed in the distinct kinds of offering Cain's was of the fruit of the ground wâ—…ich was but a meer gift Abel's was of the flock which was a sacrifice slain The notation of the Greek word in my text translated sacrifâ—…ce implyes as much See Chap. 5. v. 1. § 7. 2. In the manner of offering Abel offered up his sacrifice in faith whereby he believed that God would pardon his sins and accept of his person and service No such thing is implyed of Cain 3. In the quality of their offering Cain brought of the fruit of the ground we read of no choyce of any excellent fruit that he should bring But Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof These were the best and choycest §. 13. Of the testimony which Faith brings AS Abel testified a good respect to God so likewise God testified a good respect to him For he obtained witness that he was righteous The ground hereof was his faith For this relative by which hath reference not to sacrifice but to faith For this is an exemplification of that which was said of the Elders By faith they obtained a good report As others so Abel As he obtained a good report so he obtained it by faith By a true justifying faith the Believer so applyes Christ unto himself as he resteth upon him to be enabled to do that which is acceptable unto God and therein to be accepted of God This faith put him on to offer a more excellent sacrifice than Cain this faith in Christ moved God to give a gracious testimony of him This phrase he obtained witness is the interpretation of one Greek 〈◊〉 namely that which is before translated obtained a good report v. 2. § 6. The testimony or witness which he obtained is thus expressed that he was righteous Of this word righteous see Chap. 10. v. 38. § 144. By faith he applyed to himself that righteousness of Christ which made him righâ—…eous before God and by the same faith he was put on to endeavour to do sâ—…ch duties of piety towards God which appertained to him in his place and withall such duties of justice and mercy as made him be accounted righteous before men This witness of Abel's righteousness was given by God especially As it was before said of the witness which the Elders received v. 2. § 6. so it may be â—…ere said of this witness which Abel received This giveth instance that even in Gods account men in this world may be râ—…ghteous See more hereof Chap. 10. v. 38. § 144. This testimony That he â—…as righteous hath an especial respect to his person and that must be by faith in the Lord Jesus Thus it is said that the Lord had respect unto Abel Gen. 4. 4. namely unto his person Nothing can here make us righteous before God but the righteousness of Christ applyed by faith 2 Cor. 5. 21. To set out the foresaid witness more fully the Apostle addeth this God testifying of his gifts Howsoever distinction may be made between sacrifices and gifts as hath been shewed Chap. 5. v. 1. § 7. yet they are also both taken in the same general sense Sacrifices were brought to God and offered up to him â—…nd in that respect were called gifts So as God himself doth here witness that men may give gifts to him Hereof see Gods testifying of those gifts was a manifestation of his accepting thereof for it is expresly said that God had respect to his offering In two respects are the things which Abel offered to God called gifts 1. In regard of Abel's mind he brought them in testimony of thankfulness 2. In regard of Gods mind who accepted them as gifts The twofold mentioning of witness concerning Abel hath reference to that double respect that in the Historie of Abel the Lord is said to have He had respect unto Abel namely to his person and to his offering this was his gift By this witness it appears that God will have his Children to know his mind towards them that so they may be the better encouraged to go on in that course which is acceptable to God §. 14. Of Abel's speaking being dead FOR greater commendation of Abel's faith another kind of testimony is added in these words By it he being dead yet speaketh This is a perpetual testimony from Abel's death till the time that the Apostle wrote and so will continue to the end of the world For the verb speaketh being of the present tense implyeth a continued act so also doth this adverb yet Of the word translated dead see Chap. 7. v. 8. § 51. It is here meant of the death of his body being slain by his Brother Cain Gen. 4. 8. Quest. How doth he speak being dead Answ. 1. In that his faith and the fruits thereof are registred in the everlasting Records of the holy Scripture and thereby he speaketh as evidently as if we heard his voyce 2. In that his innocent blood being wrongfully spilt cryed to God for vengeance Gen. 4. 10. Yea still it remaineth crying against all such Fratricides and Homicides as Cain was in which respect Christ saith to the murdering Jews that upon them should come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel Mat. 23. 35. 3. In that his soul is among those souls which cry aloud saying How long O Lord dost thou not judge and avenge our blood c. Rev. 6. 9. He is said to speak by faith because as he offered his sacrifice by faith and by faith obtained
removed from their former Teacher Gal. 1. 6. Or from one place to another as the Patriarchs were carried out of Egypt into Sichem Act. 7. 16. Here it implyeth both For 〈◊〉 was translated from Earth to Heaven and the mortality of his body was translated into immortality For this end of his translation is thus expressed 〈◊〉 he should not see death The translation here meant was both in body and soul from Earth into Heaven Such a translation as Eliah's was 2 King 2. 11. The distinct manner of translating Enoch is not so punctually set down as that of Eliah's 2 King 2. 11. We read of Christ that he also was taken up body and soul into Heaven but it was after his death and resurrection wherein his ascension differed from the translation of these two Acts 1. 9. These two Enoch and Eliah are the onely instances that have been given of Gods extraordinary power in this kind since the beginning of the world Papists have fabulously recorded much of the assumption of the Virgin Mary but without all warrant Those two before mentioned were before Christs time and that they might be special evidences of the bodies fruition of eternal life together with the soul in Heaven Enoch was in the first age of the world before there was distinction of Iew and Gentile and so an instance of the glorification of body and soul to the whole world To assure them the more thereof while he was on earth he prophesied of the Lords coming to judgement Iude v. 14. Eliah was in that age wherein the partition wall stood between the Jew and Gentile So as he was a special instance thereof to the Church of Israel Christs ascension was yet a more pregnant proof thereof and that to all Nations to the end of the world For as he was seen in his body animated by his soul to ascend into Heaven so after his ascension was he seen in that body to be in Heaven by Stephen Acts 7. 56. And by Paul Act. 22. 14 17. There shall be at the moment of Christs coming to judgement a like but a more universal rapture for all then living shall with their bodies and souls united be rapt up to the judgement seat of Christ. We shall be changed saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 52. changed both in our place and in our condition as Enoch was §. 18. Of Enoch's not seeing death THE translation of Enoch is much amplified by this end thereof that he should not see death This phrase not see death is an Hebraism Death thereby is resembled to an Enemy not seeing to an absolute freedome He should be so far from being taken and seized upon by death as he should not see death death should not come near him Thus it is said of those that have nothing to do with the Kingdome of God they cannot see the Kingdome of God Joh. 3. 3. To clear this a little further Christ useth these two phrases shall never see death shall never tast of death Joh. 8. 51. 52. at the same time as setting forth one and the same thing one expounding the other Not to tast of a thing is to have nothing at all to do with it To â—…ast is the least degree of participation Because that no other but onely those which have been mentioned shall be free from death for it is appointed unto men once to dye Heb. 9. 27. it is said What man is he that liveth and shall 〈◊〉 see death into whose sight death shall not come and seize upon him Psal. 89. 48. The Psalmist excludeth all men except before excepted from the privilege of not seeing death so as it was a singular and an especial prerogative As an evidence that Enoch was taken away in his very body so as his soul onely was not translated and his body left on earth for that had been to be dead but that his body also was translated whereby he was freed from death it is here added that he was not found The Hebrew thus expresseth it and he was not This phrase it put for such as are missing and can hard y if at all be had again being either on earth kept from one as Simeon was in Egypt kept fast from his Father or by death taken away as Iacob supposed Ioseph to be Gen. 42. 36. The LXX interpret that phrase He was not thus He was not found Whom the Apostle followeth well knowing that it fully expresseth the sense of the text For it is probable that they who lived with Enoch missing him did search for him as the Children of the Prophets did for Eliah after he was taken into Heaven 2 King 2. 17. This phrase then sheweth that he was no more on earth nor ever shall be If the living cannot be found amongst the dead Luk. 24. 5. much less can Saints glorified in Heaven be found here on Earth This among other arguments doth clearly disprove the Popish conceit about Enoch and Elias their reservation in the earthly Paradise and their being the two Witnesses that shall oppose Antichrist and be slain Because that which is related of Enoch is extraordinary the Apostle renders such a reason thereof as is enough to stop the mouth of any gainsayer and to work credence in those who bear any respect to God The reason is thus expressed because God had translated him This word translated is the same verb that was before used in this verse and to be taken in the same sense He was translated from a mortal condition to an immortal and from place to place even from Earth to Heaven The Hebrew word used in this point signifieth to take and it is frequently used of taking a person or a thing to ones self as Isaac took Rebekah Gen. 25. 20. Now it was God that thus translated him and took him to himself for God hath power to preserve from death whom he will and to settle any man where he will He hath not tyed himself to those bounds wherewith he hath limited his Creatures Enoch by faith in God was translated and we by faith do understand that he was translated §. 19. Of Enoch's pleasing God AS the Apostle rendred the reason of Enoch's translation to rest in God who translated him so he further renders the reason why God translated him namely because he had pleased God The causal particle FOR demonstrateth as much This is further manifested by the order of setting down this point in this phrase before his translation This noun translation is derived from the same verb that was used twice before It is also used before Chap. 7. v. 12. § 67. Before this act of God Enoch did that which moved God to translate him So much is here expresly set down in the reference of this preposition before and implyed by the verb of the time past had pleased So as in his life time before he received any recompence he did that which was acceptable
Blessed Hereof see § 105. The parties whom he blessed were not his immediate sons but his sons sons 〈◊〉 sons of Ioseph for Ioseph was his youngest son save one so as Iacob was a Good-father to these whom he is here said to bless Hereby we are given to unâ—… that Grand-fathers ought to bear such respect to their Childrens Chilâ—… as to their own The like is noted of a Grand-mother For Naomi took the 〈◊〉 of her daughter in law and laid it in her bosome c. Ruth 4. 16. Grandfathers are as Fathers In the right line there are no degrees If Adam 〈◊〉 now living he should so far as he was able take care of the whole world 〈◊〉 did of Cain and Abel 1. This instructeth us in the extent of a Grand-fathers duty 2. This directeth children to manifest a Childlike affection to their Grandfathers and Grand-mothers and that by reverence obedience all manner of 〈◊〉 and recompence also In setting down the persons blessed the Apostle useth an indefinite particle which signifieth Every one which may intend many sons But because the 〈◊〉 maketh mention onely of two Ephraim and Manasseh Gen. 48. 20. 〈◊〉 translators for perspicuity sake have translated it both It is probable that at 〈◊〉 time he had but these two sons Other sons that he should have after these 〈◊〉 a kinde of generall blessing Gen. 48. 6. These two here intended were Ephraim and Manasseh Ephraim was the 〈◊〉 but purposely named before his elder brother Manasseh because God 〈◊〉 more honor to him See v. 4. § 11. Ephraim according to the derivation of the word signifieth fruitfull This 〈◊〉 Ioseph himself rendreth of that name that God had caused him to be fruitâ—… in the land of his affliction Gen. 41. 52. That name might also be given by 〈◊〉 Prophetical spirit for he proved the most fruitfull of all Iacob's sons the 〈◊〉 of Ephraim was the greatest Tribe Ephraim is of the dual number be 〈◊〉 Ioseph then had two sons Manasseh signifieth forgetfull That name was given by the father in meâ—… of that advancement whereunto God had brought him and thereby made 〈◊〉 forget all his toil c. Gen. 41. 51. These two were by this blessing made heads of two distinct Tribes whereby 〈◊〉 to pass that Ioseph had two portions which was the priviledge of the 〈◊〉 son 2 Chron. 5. 1. For Ioseph was the eldest son by whom Iacob first and 〈◊〉 loved and who was his truest wife Though Manasseh and Ephraim were the two particular persons blessed yet they are not expressed by their own names but by that relation which they had 〈◊〉 their Father and thus stiled the sons of Ioseph Ioseph is here 〈◊〉 1. For honours sake for it was an honour to Ioseph to have two sons blessed is two distinct heads of several Tribes which honour none of the brethren of Ioseph had 2. To shew a ground of that blessing which was because they were the sons of Ioseph Hereby God would manifest that his goodness extends it self to the children of belivers Ioseph was a believer possessed with a true fear of God who by no tryalls could be drawn from his God Therefore though he might seem to be cast out of the Church yet is he preserved as an head and stock thereof among others and his children though born of a woman that was a stranger and in a strange land are here naturalized by Iacob and made free Denisons of the Church yea stocks out of which the Church should sprout Thus said God to Abraham I am thy God and the God of thy seed Gen. 17. 7. And an Apostle saith to believing Christians The promise is unto you and to your children Acts 2. 39. §. 112. Of taking care of posterity at the time of our death THe time of Iacob's blessing the sons of Ioseph is here said to be when he was a dying Of the composition and meaning of the word translated dying See Chap. 7. v. 8. § 51. The participle here used implieth not only the moment of giving up the Ghost but also the neer approach of death manifested by old age sickness or any other like occasion This circumstance of the time here noted sheweth that the time of a mans departing out of this world is a seasonable time to think of posterity and to doe what lieth in his power for their good In the history it is said that the time drew nigh that Israel must dye and again it was told Ioseph that his Father was sick Gen. 47. 29. and 48. 1. when Iacob took order about matters after his death so Isaac when he intended to bless his sons thus saith Behold now I am old I know not the day of my death Gen 27. 2. When God had told Moses that he should be gathered to his people then Moses thought of a successor Numb 27. 13 16. Yea Moses himself rendred this reason concerning his Declaration of the future estate of Israel that he was an hundred and twenty years old and could no more goe out and come in among them Deut. 31. 2. This reason Ioshua rendred on the like occasion I am old and stricken in age Josh. 23. 2. At such a time God appointed such a duty to Hezekiah 2 King 20. 1. Yea Christ himself when he was upon the Cross takes care for his Mother Iohn 19. 27. So Peter at such a time manifesteth his care of the Churches 2 Pet. 1. 14. and other Apostles 1. The duty it self of taking care for posterity is an evidence of a holy zeal of Gods glory and of true love to his Church in that it contenteth us not to promote the one and the other in ourselves or in our own time but also endeavour to have it done by others after our time 2. The time of ones death is in this respect the fittest because if that time be let slip there remains no time after it for us to do any thing There is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave Eccles. 9. 10. When the night cometh no man can work John 9. 4. 3. The time of a mans departure is the most seasonable time because the words of a dying man make the deeper impression 1. How many are there who as if the world were onely for themselves take no care for their posterity They neither care to instruct nor to direct nor to pray in reference to future times nor to make their will About making a will See chap. 9. v. 16. § 94. See also Domestick duties Treat 6. Of Parents § 62. 2. A generall instruction may be here raised for all who are mortal and ought to learn to dye daily daily to testify a care of posterity by instruction exhortation encouragement in good things admonitions against evill and predictions of such things as we have good ground before hand to make known See § 119. §. 113. Of Jacobs worshipping upon his staff ANother effect of
of his Brethren and so hated as they could not give him a good word and that not for any desert of his but because his Father loved him even deservedly Gen. 37. 4. 2. He coming to enquire of the wellfare of his Brethren they upon the first 〈◊〉 of him conspire to slay him but being kept from that unnatural fratriâ—… by the eldest among them they strip him and cast him into a pit where when he had lien some while they take him up and sell him to strange Merchants 〈◊〉 a slave Gen. 37. 23 24 28. Psal. 105. 17. 3. He was brought into Egypt by the foresaid Merchants and there sold to 〈◊〉 Captain of the guard Gen. 39. 4. 4. In his Masters house he was impudently tempted by his Mistress 5. He was falsly accused and maliciously slandered by her that tempted 〈◊〉 6. He was unjustly cast into prison Gen. 39. 7. c. 7. In prison they so manacled and fettered him as they hurt his feet with 〈◊〉 fetters Psal. 105. 18. 8. The kindness that he shew'd to a fellow-prisoner whom he desired to reâ—… him was forgotten Gen. 40. 23. 9. He was kept all his life after he was once sold out of the visible Church 〈◊〉 was his Fathers family in a strange land where he had his wife and 〈◊〉 he died and where his bones remained for a long while Gen. 50. 26. Who may think himself free fnom trialls when as such a man as Ioseph had 〈◊〉 trialls as he had §. 117. Of the Graces that were in Joseph THe Graces wherewith Ioseph was endowed were many and excellent such as these that foâ—…low 1. Faith This is here in special commended 2. Fear of God Tâ—…is he himself doth profesâ—… of himself Gen. 42. 18. 3. Faithfulness This was manifested in all his relations as 1. To God by declaring that which God had made known to him in dreams Gen. 37. 5. 2. To his Father by â—…ringing to him the evill report of his Brethren 3. To his Master who trusted him over all he had Gen. 39. 6. 4. To his Mistâ—…ess in disswading her from unfaithfulness Gen. 39. 8. 5. To the King For what he did was to the Kings emolument Gen. 47. 20. 4. Chastity which was brought to a through proof Gen. 39. 10. 5. Sincerity He câ—…uld not in secret be brought to sin Gen. 39. 11. 6. Patience under Crosses Psal. 105. 18 19. 7. Bearing with wrongs Gen. 50. 21. 8. Forgiving 〈◊〉 Gen. 50. 17 19. 9. Overcoming evill with goodness Gen. 42. 25. and 50. 21. 10. Wisdom in ordering his affaires This was manifested 1. In his Masters house Gen. 39. 4. 2. In the prison Gen. 39. 22. 3. In the Kingdom Gen. 41. 39. and 47. 14. 11. Providence against future wants Gen. 41. 48. 12. Bowells of compassion Gen. 42. 24. and 43. 30. 13. Reverence to his Father and that when he was advanced to outward digâ—…itie above his Father Gen. 46. 29. and 48. 12. 14. Obedience to his Father Gen. 37. 14 15. and 47. 31. 15. Recompence to his Father and that 1. While his father lived Gen. 47. 12. 2. When he was dead Gen. 50. 2. 16. Care of posterity and that 1. In reference to his own Children Gen. 48. 1. c. 2. In reference to his Brethren and their Children Gen. 50. 24. Joseph may be a pattern for Servants Children Brethren Subjects Governours Prisoners Exiles such as are unduly slandered and wronged yea and for all Saints §. 118. Of Joseph's prerogatives THe prerogatives wherewith Ioseph was honoured and blessed were these following 1. His comely feature Gen. 39. 6. 2. His Fathers love Gen. 37. 3. 3. His birthright 2 Chron. 5. 1 2. 4. Gods blessing on his affairs Gen. 39. 2 23. 5. The favour of all that were over him Gen. 39. 4 21. and 41. 38. 6. An extraordinary divine spirit Gen. 37. 6. c. and 40. 8. and 41. 25. 7. High honour even next to the King Gen. 41. 40. 8. Ability and opportunity of doing good Gen. 41. 57. 9. A reservation of his own and Childrens right to the Church of God though he lived most of his dayes in strange land where he was a prime Governour and where his Children were born and brought up Psal. 48. 6. 10. A reputation to be as his father Iacob and other his forefathers a stock and head of the Church the members whereof are stiled the Sons of Iacob and Ioseph Psal. 77. 15. 11. A numerous progenie Gen. 49. 22. Two Tribes issued from him and one of them namely Ephraim was more numerous than most of the other 12. The many years that he lived which were an hundred and ten Genes 50. 22. 13. An honorable laying him in a coâ—…fin wherein he continued hundreds of years Gen. 50. 26. 14. The carrying of his bones in the aforefaid cosfin with the Israelites when they were delivered out of Egypt Exod. 13. 19. 15. His buriall in that part of Canaan which by lot fell to Ephraim and became the inheritance of the Children of Ioseph In these prerogatives of Ioseph we have an instance of the providence and bounty of God towards such as fear him §. 119. Of savoury speeches of dying men THe first point of the commendation of Ioseph's faith is about the Time of shewing it forth thus expressed when he died or dying In the Greek another word is used than was in the former verse translated when he was a dying but of the same signification both of them are participles of the same tense The root from whence this word cometh signifieth and end for Death puts an end to our life here in this world The negative is used of that which never shall have end as their worm dieth not Matth. 9. 44. It here intendeth the very same thing that was implyed of Ioseph's father in this phrase when he was a dying The phrase in this Text hath reference to that which Ioseph himself said Gen. 50. 24. I dye or I am dying This Ioseph saith in regard of his age being an hundred and ten years old and in regard of the weakness of his body and some sickness that befell him and readiness of his minde to yeeld to the good pleasure of God Having apparent signes of the neer approach of his departure he used that phrase to move them the rather to attend to that which he should say unto them for the words of a dying man use most to be heeded The prefaces which dying men have used give good proof to the point Read for this purpose Gen. 49. 〈◊〉 Deut. 32. 1. Iosh. 24. 1 2. 1 Sam. 12. 3. 2 Sam. 23. 1. 1 Kings 2. 〈◊〉 3. 〈◊〉 the speeches of understanding and wise men use to be most pertinent 〈◊〉 hearty most impartial and most profitable Then they consider what lesâ—… are fiâ—…est to be remembred after death 1. As this is commended in others of former times so it ought to be our care in our dayes to consider
what may be fit to give in charge to our posterity oâ—… to Counsell and Advise them concerning future times even after our departure especially in regard of those that are under our charge and those to whom we have any speciall relation 〈◊〉 This is a motive to such as are present at the time of the departure of such persons to give more than ordinary heed to their directions exhortations admonitions and other kinde of speeches Hereof see more in Domest Duties Treat 6. of Parents § 58. §. 120. Of Believers perswading others that which themselves believe THe first evidence of Ioseph's faith here specified is this He made mention of 〈◊〉 departure of the Children of Israel In the history this is thus expressed 〈◊〉 surely visit you and bring you out of this land c. Gen. 50. 24. Hereof 〈◊〉 was confident by reason of the express promises which God had made to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gen. 15. 13 14. and 26. 3. and 46. 4. Hereby we have an instance that they who do themselves believe Gods proâ—… are carefull to perswade others of the truth of them This was the end of 〈◊〉 mention that he made of the point in hand The Greek word here used is the same that was before used ver 15. and 〈◊〉 mindful and it is also used Chap. 13. 7. and translated remember The making mention here intended is a calling to mind such a thing as should 〈◊〉 come to passe which he would have them now to take notice of and 〈◊〉 to remember The like to this is noted of Moses Deut. 31. 3. Iosh. 〈◊〉 5. 6. 1 Chron. 22. 11. 2 Chron. 20. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 11. The like is noted of other Prophets and Apostles and it is the duty and 〈◊〉 to be the practice of all Ministers yea and of other Saints 〈◊〉 apprehending the truth of God in his promises worketh in the heart a 〈◊〉 of Gods glory and love to others These graces are operative and put on 〈◊〉 to communicate to others what they know and believe themselves as Anâ—… and Philip. Iohn 1. 41 45. §. 121. Of Gods delivering his out of trouble THat whereof Ioseph here made mention was the departing of the Children of Israel By the Children of Israel are meant that numerous and holy seed which was 〈◊〉 to Abraham Gen. 15. 5. and to Isaac Gen. 26. 4. and to Iacob Geâ—… 28. 24. 〈◊〉 was also stiled Israel Gen. 32. 28. and because he was the immediate 〈◊〉 of those twelve sons which were the heads of the twelve Tribes his 〈◊〉 is mentioned and of his two names that which was the more honourable 〈◊〉 Israel The departing here intended was their freedom from a miserable bondage 〈◊〉 which those Children of Israel were pressed yea even oppressed Exod. 〈◊〉 13. So as their departing out of Egypt was a great deliverance from a miserable 〈◊〉 and it giveth instance that God will deliver his out of their troubles This is oft exemplified in time of the Iudges yea and of the Kings also and especially in the return of the Iews from the Babylonish captivity See more hereof in the Guide to go to God or Explanation of the Lords Prayer on the eighth 〈◊〉 § 188. And in the Churches Conquest on Exod. 17. 15. § 77. §. 122. Of Reserving Joseph's bones ANother evidence of Ioseph's faith is a charge that he gave concerning his bones The word which we translate gave commandement is the same that is used Chap. 9. ver 20. § 106. and translated enjoyned It implyeth a strict charge which by no means he would have omitted or neglected This hath reference to that oath which Ioseph imposed upon the Children of Israel Gen. 50. 25. It must needs therefore be a strict charge whereunto they were bound by oath A like charge with a like bond did Iacob lay upon his son Ioseph Gen. 47. 31. So as herein this pious Son imitated his pious Father as the said Father imitated his Father Isaac in blessing his Son The manner of commanding by an oath doth give warrant for requiring an oath and for taking an oath Hereof see more Chap. 6. ver 16. § 116 119. The matter which so strictly Ioseph commanded concerned his Bones namely that they should carry his bones out of Egypt Ioseph believed that God would bring the Children of Israel out of Egypt into the land of Canaan promised to their Fathers To give them assurance of his faith therein and also to strengthen their faith he giveth this charge He foresaw that they should abide in Egypt a long while yea and that they should there be much oppressed but yet he believed that they should be delivered and that in Canaan should be the continual residency of the Church There therefore he would have his bones perpetually to lye as his Predecessors desired to be buried in a cave that was in that Countrey Gen. 49. 31. He maketh mention of bones rather than of body because they were long to continue in Egypt For after Ioseph's death they there abode an hundred and forty years and after that they were forty years in the wilderness and they were also sundry years in conquering Canaan So as from the death of Ioseph to the buriall of his bones Iosh. 24. 32. might be about two hundred yeares In this time his flesh though it were enbalmed could not but be clean wasted away yet his bones might remain being kept dry In general we here see that care of ones dead corps is a fruit of faith This made Abraham so carefull of a place for the burial of his wâ—…ves and his own corps and Isaac and Iacob carefull to have their own and their wives corples buried where Abraham and Sarah's bodies were Gen. 47. 30. Hereby hope of the Resurrection of the body is nourished This warranteth a decent funeral This is promised as a blessing 1 King 14. 13. But the contrary is threatned as a curse Ier. 22. 19. 1. By this means is manifested a difference betwixt the bodies of men and beasts 2. This ministreth comfort against death both in regard of our own departure and also in regard of our friends that depart before us 3. This is the rather to be done among Gods people because their bodies while they were living were Temples of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6. 19. 4. The dead bodies of believers still remain members of Christ. This therefore as a duty lieth upon surviving friends who hereby may give testimony of a good respect to their deceased friends Neerest and deerest friends have taken special care hereof as Children who have survived their Parents 1 Gen. 25. 9. And Parents that have survived their Children Luke 7. 12. And husbands Gen. 23. 4. And friends Iohn 11. 17. and 19. 39 40. Act. 8. 2. See more hereof in Domest duties Tract 5. Of Children § 45. Papists here raise a use about reserving the Reliques of Saints and ground it upon this instance about reserving Ioseph's bones
The two 〈◊〉 Conquerours Alexander and Caesar were carefull in taking the first opâ—… and in using all the expedition they could The Motto of the one was 〈◊〉 he let slip no season and of the other that as soon as he came and saw 〈◊〉 overcame These principles are of special use in spiritual dangers §. 127. Of continuing in what is well begun THE time of their continuing to hide their Son is set down in this phrase three months which is expressed by one word in Greek The Grecians have 〈◊〉 words for other months as for four months John 4. 35. and five months 〈◊〉 so others they have one general word to comprise all months unâ—… it Those three months were as long a time as they could hide him Some say 〈◊〉 the Egyptians searched the Israelites houses every three months It appears 〈◊〉 some discovery began to be made of their child or at least that there was 〈◊〉 suspition of such a child For the history saith she could not longer hide him 〈◊〉 2. 3. Questionless diligent inquisition was made by the Egyptians conâ—… the Israelitish women that were with child from which inquisition though 〈◊〉 while they might conceal their child yet long they could not For wicked 〈◊〉 as their father 1 Pet. 5. 8. are diligent and sedulous in pursuing their 〈◊〉 and mischievous courses Thus was Herod in seeking the life of Iesus 〈◊〉 2. 8 16. and Ahab in seeking after Elijah 2 Kings 18. 10. This circumstance sheweth that care in preventing danger is to be continued 〈◊〉 long as may be It is said of the mother of Moses when she could not longer 〈◊〉 him Exod. 2. 3. So as she hid him as long as she could Rahab hid the 〈◊〉 till they who fought them were out of sight Iosh. 2. 15 16. So Ioseph aâ—… in Egypt to keep Iesus there safe untill the death of Herod Matth. 1. 15. The benefit of preventing danger consisteth in continuing so to do till fear of 〈◊〉 be overpast If such as are hid for a time be left and fall into the danger 〈◊〉 good cometh by the former hiding 〈◊〉 it is a point of unfaithfulness to fall from those whom we have begun to 〈◊〉 and succour Such were the men of Keilah who would have delivered 〈◊〉 into the hands of Saul 1 Sam. 23. 12. or rather that timorous and 〈◊〉 King of Israel who after he had taken some care of Ieremiah and freed 〈◊〉 out of the prison where he was like to die and caused bread to be allowed 〈◊〉 every day upon the instigation of the Princes delivered him up into their 〈◊〉 â—…er 38. 5. This unfaithfulness is much greater in the spiritual dangers of our souls as 〈◊〉 Governours shall begin to protect their people from Idolatry and after 〈◊〉 them up thereto as Ioash did 2 Chron. 24. 17 18. and Ministers that 〈◊〉 well begin to keep their people from Sathans snares and after suffer 〈◊〉 to slide back by negligence or by any corruption in life or doctrine as sunâ—… false brethren and Apostles in the primitive Church So Parents and Goverâ—… of families So friends and neighbours yea and all backsliders that negâ—… their own souls which for some time they have begun to keep An Apostles 〈◊〉 of such is that it had been better for them not to have known the way of 〈◊〉 2 Pet 2. 21 22. This particular sheweth how necessary constancy and perseverance is in the 〈◊〉 things that we do enterprise Hereof see more Chap. 3. v. 6. § 68. §. 128. Of respecting Children that carry Gods Stamp ONE special reason of the aforesaid care that the Parents of Moses had of him is thus expressed because they saw he was a proper child This word because doth in general intend a reason The particular reason was a visible stamp of Gods respect to this child in the 〈◊〉 favour and feature of it The Hebrew expresseth it by a general word that signifieth good and compriseth under it every kinde of goodness Hereof see Chap. 13. v. 9. § 116. It setteth out the beauty and comeliness of persons and is translated fair Gen. 6. 2. and 24. 16. The Greek word here used signifieth comely and beautifull It is used in this very case Acts 7. 20. There the word God is added to it and the title God being added it is translated very fair for the addition of God to things in Canaans language addeth an excellency unto them as Cedars of God tall Cedars Mount of God a great mount and so in other things Or els this phrase fair to God may imply a divine Stamp whereby it was evident that God had marked him for some great work This might God set on him to move both his Parents and also Pharaohs daughter to respect him In this respect it was not fondness in the parents by reason of the prettiness comeliness and fairness of the child that moved them to do what they did but that divine Stamp and their faith thereupon God oft setteth a Stamp on such as are by him deputed to weighty works Iacobs holding his brother by the heel was such a kind of stamp Gen. 25. 26 and Iohn Baptists springing in his mothers belly Luk. 1. 41. So Sampsons strength Iudg. 14. 6. and Davids courage 1 Sam. 17. 34. This God doth to raise up in men before hand an expectation of some great matter that thereby they may be moved to call upon God to depend on him and to ascribe the praise and glory of that which is done by such to God Moses his brethren are herein blamed that they did not understand that God would deliver them by Moses when Moses avenged one of his brothers that was oppressed and smote an Egyptian Acts 7. 24 25. This is the reason that moved the parents of Moses to take such care as they did of preserving him and thereby it appears that it ought to be the care of Parents to take special notice of such children as God doth set any special mark upon The name which God gave to the second child of Bathsheba which was Solomon 1 Chron. 23. 9. and Iedidiah 2 Sam. 12. 25. gave David to understand that that Son was a select Child of God hereupon both David was the more carefull of his education Prov. 4. 3 4. and Bathsheba also Prov. 31. 1 2. On that ground David is carefull to give his Son sundry instructions 1 Chron. 22. 7. c. and to give his Princes a charge concerning him 1 Chro. 2â—… 17. c. and 28. c. This phrase which is oft applied to the Virgin Mary She laid up those things in her heart Luk 2. 19 51. have reference to extraordinary evidences of divine glory in her Son and made her more carefull over him 1. Care upon such a ground importeth an eye of the soul on Gods providence and faith in effecting some great matter This as it manifesteth a good and
pardon for a sin to be committed It is like the prayers of single Combatants who immediatly before their seeking to kill one another make pretence of praying to God This their pretence is an evidence against them This should move people to take heed of Tempting God It was the answer that Christ gave to the Devill when he tempted him to cast himself down from a pinacle of the Temple whereby he might have killed himself Matth. 4. 7. For preventing this sin 1. Give no place to the Devill Ephes. 4. 27. 2. Resist the Devill stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 5. 9. 3. Pray against spirituall desertions Psal. 51. 11. 4. Oft meditate on the horrible nature and fearfull issue of this sin 5. Take heed of solitarines 6. Set God always before thee and reason as Ioseph did Gen. 39. 9. §. 206. Of Samson being a Type of Christ. SAmson and David were two of the most eminent Types of Christ that are registred in the Old Testament It will therefore be meet distinctly to declare in this place wherein Samson was a Type of Christ. This will appear in the Particulars following 1. The Name Samson and notation thereof which is his Sun See § 199. Christ is called the Sun of righteousnes Mal. 4. 2. 2. The prediction of his conception compare Iudg. 13. 3 c. with Luke 1. 31. 3. His Sanctification in his mothers womb Compare Iudg. 13. 5. with Luke 1. 32. 4. His speciall separation to be a Nazarite Compare Iudg. 13. 5. with Matth. 2. 23. 5. His miraculous birth Samson was born of a barren woman Iudg. 13. 3. Christ was born of a Virgin Luke 1. 34 35. 6. His principall function which was to deliver Gods people Iudg. 13. 5. So Christ. Matth. 1. 21. 7. His growth to admiration Iudg. 13. 24. So Christ. Luke 2. 52. 8. His Marriage to a Philistine Judg. 14. 1. c. So Christ was espoused to the Gentiles 〈◊〉 His great strength Judg. 13. 25. Christ is said to travell in his strength 〈◊〉 63. 1. 10. The subject whereabout his strength was manifested as a Lion Iudg. 14. 5 6. and the enemies of Gods people who were the Philistines Judg. 14. 4. So Christ exercised his strength upon the Devill who is a roaring Lion 1 Per. 〈◊〉 7. and in rescuing Gods people from their enemies Luk. 1. 7. 4. 11. His manner of teaching by riddles Judg. 14. 12. So Christ by Paâ—… 12. The hony that Samson took out of the Lion whom he had 〈◊〉 Iudg. 14. 〈◊〉 Much sweetness comes from the destruction of the Devill 13. Samsons binding Judg. 15. 13. and 16. 8. So Christ was bound when they apprehended him Iohn 18. 12. 14. His breaking the bonds with which he was bound Iudg. 15. 14. So Christ brake the bonds of death Act. 2. 24. 15. His â—…hirst Judg. 15. 18. So Christ thirsted Iohn 19. 28. 16. His Subjection under his enemies for a time Judg. 16. 21. So was Christ for a while under the power of his enemies Matth. 27. 2. 17. His being sold for a summe of mony Iudg. 16. 18. So was Christ Mat. 〈◊〉 â—…5 18. Gods seeming to forsake him for a time Iudg. 16. 20. Christ complained 〈◊〉 Math. 27. 46. 19. The scorn whereunto he was put by men Iudg 16. 25. so Christ was scorâ—…ed of men Mat. 27. 39. 20. His victorious death Iudg. 16. 30. Much more victorious was Christ's death Col. 2. 15. §. 207. Of Jephtha's Name and Birth THE fourth particular mentioned in this brief Catalogue is Iephthah his History is recorded Iudg. 11. and 12. About him we are to consider 1. His Name 2. His Birth 3. His Infirmities 4. His Excellencies I. His name is derived from an Hebrew verbe which signifieth to open It is oft used of drawing a sword out of the scabbard Psal. 37. 14. The first letter useth to be prefixed before nounes according to the notation Iephthah implyâ—…th one that openâ—…th It was a fit name for in his time the Israelites were so kept 〈◊〉 by the Ammonites as there was none to open a way of liberty for them 〈◊〉 to draw a sword in their defence Iephthah first drew out his sword vanâ—… the enemies and opened a free passage for the Israelites II. His birth was infamous for he was basely born Iudg. 11. 1 2. Bastardy 〈◊〉 in all ages been accounted a great infamy God by his Law barred them from publick functions even unto the tenth generation Deut. 23. 2. This number of yeares is the greatest that we read of any sort of people â—…o barred Bastards by the Law of many nations have been excluded from inheritances He is not accounted an heire by out Law He is said to be no mans child States have thus judged them in sundry respects 1. In detestation of the foul sin of uncleanness 2. In reference to that evill disposition that is for the most part in them God laying a curse on such a corrupt brood 3. In respect of their dissolute education Bastards use much to be neglected therein This phrase of the Apostle if ye be without chastisement then are ye bastards Heb. 12. 8. Seemeth to allude thereunto Yet God here in an especiall and extraordinary manner conferreth his Spirit on this Iephthah and advanceth him to the highest dignity and function amongst his people and prospered him exceedingly By this it appeareth That no outward condition be it never so base is an hindrance to Gods grace witness Rahab an harlot Ruth a gentile Iudah and Thamâ—… adulterers Phares born in Incest All these reckoned up in the Catalogue of Christs progenitors Matth. 1. 3 4 5. Many like instances are registred in Sacred Scripture God hereby sheweth the freenes of his grace extended to unworthy ones and the riches of his mercy conferred upon the worst kind of sinners and the power of his Spirit whereby Valleys are exahed and crooked things made streight and rough places plain Isa. 40. 4. 1. This may be an incouragement even to those who are base born to be diligent in using means of grace and fervent in prayer for grace setting before their eyes this instance of Iephthah 2. This may be a direction to others as they see any evidences of Gods Spirit even in such as are base born to take notice thereof and to make the best use thereof that they can The Elders of Gâ—…lead took notice of a more than ordinary Spirit in Iephthah and answerably made use thereof and hadgood success thereby Iudg. 11. 6. 29. 3. This should quicken up such as being base born are made partakers of a new birth to be the more thankfull and to walk the more worthy of that priviledge 1 Tim. 1. 12 13 14. and say thus hath the Lord dealt with me to take away my reproach among men It is a great means to enlarge the heart unto all thankfulness well to weigh our former vile condition Ephes. 2. 11 12 13. §. 208. Of
before we die §. 258. Of the multitudes which persecutors destroyed THE instrument whereby the forementioned slaughter is made is here set down to be the sword which gives an hint that a few Martyrs satisfied not persecutors for slaying with the sword implieth the slaughter of many Witnesse Ahabs persecution which was so great as Elijah thought he had slun all that professed the name of God 1 King 19. 10. Nimrod in this respect is said to be a mighty hunter Genes 10. 9. It is said of Manassah that he shed 〈◊〉 bloud very much till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another 2 King 2â—… 16. An antient Father said that there was no day in the year except the first of January wherein more than five thousand were not martyred Papists have exceeded Pagans herein witnesse their many cruel massacres in France and other pâ—…aces Witnesse their burning and otherwise destroying houses full barâ—…s full Churches full Towns full Cities full and Countries full of Professors of the truth Their malice and thirst after the bloud of Professors of the saith is unsaâ—…iable The holy Ghost saith of the whore of Babylon that she was drunk with the bloud of Saints Rev. 17. 6. It is said of Nero that he wished all the necks of the inhabitants of Rome to be as one that he might cut them all off at one blow 1. This admonisheth those who live amongst such persecutors and see their brethren martyred before them to be the rather induced to prepare themselves for the like not thinking that persecutors will spare them because they have exercised their cruelty on many others We may as well think that a Wolf will give over worrying sheep because he hath worried many The Wolvâ—…sh nature remaining in him he will take all opportunity of devouring more Commonly Wolves are made the more eager in seeking after others by sucking out the bloud of some so is it with persecutors 2. This teacheth us to be the more earnest with God in calling upon him to restrain the cruelty and unsatiable thirst of persecutors and to keep the remainder of his Flock from their clutches and thereby to shew himself the potent prudent and provident pastor of his sheep A good shepheard knowing the ravenous disposition of a Wolf when he observeth that the Wolf hath wearied some sheep will with more vigilancy keep the other But there is no such shepheard as God onely he exspects that we should take all occasions 〈◊〉 seeking help of him Psal. 79. 1 2. c. Ioel. 2. 17. §. 259. Of flying in time of persecution THE third kinde of sufferings here set down are such as befell Confessors Confessors were such as professed the truth and stood constantly to it but having a â—…air way made by the Divine providence for escaping death made use thereof yet shrunk no whit at all from their holy profession All their sufferings may be comprised under this word wandred about but aggravated by many circumstances which we shall note in order This phrase they wandred about is the interpretation of one Greek compound word The simple verb signifieth to come or go The preposition about It is very well according to the meaning of the word wandred about They could not with safety abide in their own house or home and thereupon went into other places and not knowing where to abide securely they wandred up and down as those that fled from persecution to save their lives Hereupon a question is raised whether a professor of the truth may fly from persecution Answ. Yes he may The Prophets have so done 1 King 19. 3. 〈◊〉 18. 13. Yea God is said to hide his servants from persecutors Ier. 36. 19â—… 6. Many Christians fled from Ierusalem by reason of the persecution there Act. 8. 1. Paul also fled from persecution Act. 9. 25. yea an Angel was sent to free 〈◊〉 out of prison Act. 12. 7. Christ conveyed himself from persecutors Luke 4. 30. Joh. 4. 3. and 8. 59. Yea Christ adviseth his Disciples so to do Matth. 10. 23. Times may alter and more good may afterwards be done The Valiantest Captain that is may see a fit occasion of leaving the Field That which the Apostle said of his continuing to live may be fitly applied to this case To abide in the flesh is more needfull for you Phil. 1. 24. Obj. Christ pronounceth them blessed that are persecuted Matth. 5. 10. c. And Martyrdom procureth a Crown Answ. These are grounds to move Christians to stand stoutly to their cause when they are called though it be by suffering death the case so standing as they must die or deny the truth But as there is a season for all things Eccles. 3. 1. There is a time to fly and a time to die Christ who oft avoided the danger of persecution in the season of suffering would not be disswaded from it Matth. 16. 23. Luke 9. 51. But offered himself thereunto Joh. 18. 4. That we may the better apply this we must duely way and well distinguish these circumstances following 1. The persons Private persons have more liberty than they who have a charge These latter must stand to the utmost even for their charge sake This Christ exemplifieth in a good shepheard Joh. 10. 11. 2. The kinde of persecution There may be a personal persecution against one particular person In this case Paul escaped from those that went about to 〈◊〉 him Act. 9. 29 30. There are also publick persecutions In which professors by standing maintain the cause that is persecuted 3. The condition of persecutors If sheep prove Wolves people that are under good Governors or Ministers prove persecutors of them such shepheards Governours or Ministers by flying do no wrong to their flock and people but good to themselves Thus the Jews even the common sort proved persecutors of Christ therefore he oft avoided their persecution 4. The time Before a professor be taken his hour of suffering is not come In that case he may prudently avoid but being apprehended as a profâ—…ssor he must then stand to it for that event sheweth that then is his hour Luke 22. 53. 5. The means of escaping They must be lawfull such as by the Divine providence are afforded If we use not such means we may seem to neglect Gods providence But to use unlawfull means as breaking Bars of the Prison window foreing open of the doors bribing the keepers or any other like indirect means is to make our selves trespassers of the Law and maleâ—…actors Thus the cause for which we are first apprehended is lost and such suffer as evil doers which is expresly forbidden 1 Pet. 4. 15. Considering that there are cases wherein Professors may avoid persecution and cases wherein they must stand to it 1. Professors are to pray for wisedom and also for a good conscience Both are joyned together by Christ. Matth. 10. 16. By wisedom they may be kept from giving
through outward afflictions They who deny that he suffered in Soul and apply all his inward Agonies to externall causes come too neer an undue charging of Christ with overmuch discontent His not opening of his mouth and the resemblance of him to a sheep Isa. 53. 7. give evidence of his meek and quiet Spirit 3. In relation to his enemies Christs patience was manifested 1. By his continuing to do all the good he could to them notwithstanding their continuall seeking to do all the evill they could to him For 1. He continued to instruct them 2. He miraculously helped them according to their needs 3. He forbad his Disciples to strike them 4. He healed the wound that was rashly made by one of his Disciples Luk. 22. 49 51. 5. He prayed for them 6. He excused them by their ignorance Luk. 23. 3â—… Christs constancy under his sufferings was manifested 1. By his invincible resolution to endure the uttermost He so set himself thereto as he would not be kept from it Luk. 9. 51. and 12. 50. Matth. 16. 22 23. 2. By his continuing to do the things which occasioned his sufferings and that was to discover the superstition hypocrisie pride ambition and other corruptions of Priests Scribes Pharisees and others among the Jewes This he did not long before his death Matth. 23. 3 c. 3. By resisting unto bloodâ—… that is as long as he could suffer in this world 4. By finishing and accomplishing all that was to be endured as is evident by this phrase It is finished Joh. 19. 30. 1. Christs enduring the Crosse is a motive to us to endure that Crosse which God shall lay upon us for shall not we be willing to do what Christ did 2. Christs manner of enduring the Crosse affordeth a good direction for well bearing our crosses Therefore we ought duly to observe the severall circumstances of his enduring §. 19. Of the shame whereunto Christ was put ONe thing which moved Christ to set joy before him was the Crosse which he endured The other was shame Of the notation of the Greek word translated shame see Chap. 2. v. 11. § 108. Shame properly taken is a disturbed passion upon conceit of disgrace But here it is metonymically taken for that which causeth shame namely reproach or disgrace the effect being put for the cause So it is used Phil. 3. 19. Their glory iâ—… their shame that is in that which should make them ashamed they glory Thus here Christ with a kind of scorn passed by those reproaches which ordinarily cause shame This joyned with the Crosse sheweth that the Crosse useth to be accompanyed with shame that is with such reproaches and disgraces as are enough to work shamâ—… This might be exemplified in sundry sufferings of Saints but we will exemplifie it only in the examples of Christ who was put to as great shame as ever any Shame was laid on him by words and deeds By words in these particulars 1. By upbraiding to him his country Ioh. 7. 52. and his kindred and his education Mark 6. 3. 2. By casting his company into his teeth and therewith slandering him Matth. 9. 1â—… and 1â—… 19. 3. By cavilling at his doctrine Ioh. 7. 12. Matth. 5. 17. 4. By blaspheming his miracles Matth. 12. 24. 5. By slandering his whole life Iohn 9. 24. At his death the flood-gates of shame were opened against him 1. Iudas in scorn saith to him Haile Master Matth. 26. 49. 2. False witnesses charge him with false crimes Matth. 26. 60. Luk. 23. 2. 3. They accuse him of blasphemy Matth. 26. 65. 4. They blind-folded him and bid him prophecy who smote him Luk. 22. 64. 5. In scorn they say Haile King of the Iewes Matth. 27. 29. 6. One of the theeves that were crucified with him reviled him Luk. 23. 39. 7. When he was on the Crosse they bid him in derision come down Matth. 26. 41. 8. Passers by reproach him Matth. 26. 39. 9. When in the bitternesse of his agony he cried Eli Eli mockingly they replied He calleth for Elias Let Elias come and save him Matth. 26. 46 c. By deeds they put him to shame in these particulars 1. They lay hold on him as if he had been beside himself Mark 3. 21. 2. They send Officers as a malefactor to apprehend him Ioh. 7. 32. 3. They bind him as a theef when they had taken him Ioh. 18. 12. 4. The Priests men blindfold him spit in his face and buffet him Luk. 22. 64. Matth. 26. 67. 5. They preferred Barrabas a Murâ—…herer before him Matth. 27. 21. 6. Herod with his men in scorn array him with white Luk. 23. 11. 7. Pilats Souldiers strip him array him in Purple plat a Crown of Thornes on his head put a reed as a Scepter into his hand bow their knees to him as to a King but all in derision Matth. 27. 28. 8. For the greater disgrace they made him bare his own Crosse Ioh. 19. 17. 9. They put him to a shamefull death in a disgracefull place betwixt two theeves at a solemn time when all sorts assembled to Ierusalem Matth. 27. 33 c. 10. They nod their heads in mockage of him when he was on the Crosse Matth. 27. 39. 11. They give him in derision vinegar and gall to drink Matth. 27. 34 48. 12. They cause his Sepulcher to be sealed and watched as if he had been a seducer Matth. 27. 63. 13. To conceal the power of his resurrection they give it out that his Disciples stole him away Matth. 28. 13. Never was such shame laid on any and that by all of all sorts Great Mean Young Old Priest People Rulers Subjects Countrymen Strangers §. 20. Of the aggravation of Christs shame THere are three circumstances which much aggravate the shame whereunto Christ was put 1. The eminency of his person 2. The integrity of his life 3. The goodnesse of his disposition 1. To lay shame upon a Noble man an honourable person a great officer is counted Scandalum magnatum and maketh one liable to an heavy censure To lay it on a King is little lesse then treason Who in eminency of place or calling to be compared to Christ Did ever any in nobility in high and excellent offices or in any other kind of greatnesse excell him 2. To lay shame on an innocent person who hath no way deserved any blame is a monstrous defamation David doth oft aggravate the wrong which in this case was done unto him Psal. 69. 4. and 109. 3. But who is to be compared unto Christ in innocency and integrity He was holy harmlesse and undefiled 3. To lay shame upon a good man such an one that might win all of all sorts to speak well of him is an exceeding shamefull thing More then barbarous inhumanity David doth also much aggravate the undue shame that was laid on him by this circumstance Psal. 38. 20. and 109. 4 5. In goodnesse Christ exceeded all Never did any more good Never did any
Old Covenant Heb. 8. 13. So as the new must come in when the old is abrogated 1. This doth set forth the excellency of the Gospel above the Law and of our times above the times of the Law Well weigh the difference betwixt the Mediator of the Law and of the Gospel betwixt the old and new Covenant and the soresaid excellency will more clearly and fully be manifested 1. The Mediator of the Law was a son of man a meer man Whereas Christ the mediator of the Gospel was the Son of God and though a true man yet not meer man but God-man 2. Moses the Mediator of the Law was a sinfull man once in danger to be killed for neglect of Circumcision Exod. 4. 24 25. And after excluded out of Canaan for his incredulity Numb 20. 12. Whereas Christ the Mediator of the Gospel knew no sin 2 Cor. 5. 21. but was holy harmelesse undefiled c. Heb. 7. 26. 3. Moses the Mediator of the Law was not able himself to endure the delivery of that whereof he was a Mediator Heb. 12. 21. It is said he exceedingly feared and quaked at the delivery of the Law Whereas Christ the Mediator of the Gospel was able to dwell with that devouring fire and everlasting burnings mentioned Isa. 33. 14. He stood in that bush which burned with fire and was not consumed Exod. 3. 2. 4. Moses was a Mediator only to deliver the Law from God to the people Deut. 5. 27 31. Acts 7. 38. Gal. 3. 19. Whereas Christ the Mediator of the Gospel is our surety who hath satisfied the Law for us We therefore have beyond all comparison the better Mediator and in like manmer the better Covenant so it s expresly called Heb. 8. 6. Now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the Mediator of a better Covenant which was established upon better promises It s better then the Covenant of works in the very substance of it It s better then the Covenant of grace as it was made with the Iewes 1. In the clear manifestation of it by the Gospel Eph. 3. 5. 2. In the sure ratification of it by the death of Christ Heb. 9. 15. 3. In the mighty operation of the Spirit in and by it 2 Cor. 3. 6. 2. To stir us up to take due notice of the excellency of the times of the Gospel to blesse God for reserving us thereto and to endeavour with our utermost ability to walk worthy thereof This worthy walking is in particular expressed 2 Cor. 5. 17. Eph. 4. 24. §. 116. Of the sprinkling of Christs blood Heb. 12. 24. And to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel THe last priviledge here noted as it is a distinct priviledge in it self as the copulative AND importeth so it is an amplification of that which is immediatly set before it For it is one of the prime fruits of Christs mediation Being our Mediator he shed his blood for us His blood being the blood of a Mediator it proves a blood of sprinkling Being a blood of sprinkling it speaks better c. To handle this as a distinct priviledge the meaning of the words is first to be opened By blood he meanes the death of the Mediator before mentioned For mans life is in his blood Gen. 9. 5. The shedding of a mans blood is the taking away of his life Now Christs blood was shed as the blood of beasts under the Law for a sacrifice for expiation of sin And that Gods people might have a more particular assurance of their clensing by the blood of their sacrifices it was wont under the Law to be sprinkled upon them Exod. 24. 8. and 29. 21. Lev. 14. 6 7. Hereunto alludeth the Apostle in this place And by blood of sprinkling by a figure he means blood sprinkled or as Heb. 11. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 2. sprinkling of blood Sprinkling of blood setteth out the application of the merit thereof to the particular persons that are sprinkled Now Christs blood is applied on his part by his Spirit which inwardly perswades the soul of a right it hath to Christ and to all that he hath done and endured for mans redemption And on our part by faith which moves us to rest upon Christ for a particular benefit to our selves of his obedience unto death So as the mention of blood shews the ground of atonâ—…ment sprinkling the means of receiving benefit thereby So that from the sprinkling of Christs blood the Apostle gives us to understand That Christs blood is communicable which is evident by the frequent sprinkling of that blood and of that water which under the law were types of Christs blood For by the sprinkling thereof things and persons were consecrated to an holy use and unclean things and persons were cleansed To give some particular instances The Tabernacle which was the place of the holy worship was thus sprinkled and all the ministring vessels therein Heb. 9. 21. And the Altar Lev. 1. 5. And the Mercy Seat Lev. 16. 14. And the Book of the Covenant Heb. 9. 19. So also the Priests and their garments Lev. 8. 30. And all the people Exod. 24. 8. That sprinkling of blood was a rite of consecration is evident Lev. 8. 30. Quest. Why should the forementioned things be consecrated by sprinkling of blood Answ. All things are unclean to sinful man till by Christs blood and faith therein they are sanctified So as hereby the contagion of mans natural pollution was set out Instances of cleansing unclean things by sprinkling of blood and water are these 1. Such as eat any unclean thing Lev. 11. 8. This being prohibited was a plain sin So touching or any way medling with unclean things wilfully 2. Such as unawares touched any unclean thing Lev. 5. 2. This was a casualty 3. Such as were infected with leprosie running issue or any like disease Lev. 13. and 15. So women certain dayes after child-bearing These were infirmities 4. Such as buried their dead friends or touched their corps Numb 19. 11. to typifie the danger of having to do with such as are dead in sin Like to this was the uncleannesse of him who killed the red cow who carried her out who burnt her who gathered up her ashes to make the sprinkling water withal All these were duties commanded yet because they were occasioned by sin though they were about the means of purging from uncleannesse made the performers thereof unclean All these and other like kinds of legal uncleannesse were purged with blood sprinkled on them Numb 19. 17 18. Heb. 9. 22. Thus purging vertue arising from sprinkling of blood evidently shewes that Christs blood is communicable the vertue of it extends to others for the legal purging was but a type of Christs This is further manifest by the Sacramental sprinkling of water in Baptism which is a sign of Christs blood and by the communicating bread and wine in the Lords Supper Two especial
Thus Iacob said concerning his Brother Esau I fear him thereupon he prayed to God to be delivered from him and withall used means to prevent what mischief he could Genesis 32 11 13 c. The evil therefore of fear of man is in the excesse thereof and that 1. When man is feared more then God so as in that case there is an opposition betwixt God and man This Christ for bids where he saith Fear not them which kill the body but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body Matth. 10. 28. 2. When fear of man keeps us from our bounden duty as They which knew Christ yet were kept from speaking openly of him for fear of the Iews Iohn 7. 13. 3. When it puts us on to any sinne as Abraham was hereby brought to dissemble his wife Gen. 12. 11 c. 20. 2. So Isaac Gen. 26. 7. and Peter was hereby brought to deny his Master Matth. 26. 69 c. Saul acknowledgeth his sinfull fear in this kinde 1 Samuel 15. 24. §. 86. Of Motives against fear of man III. AMong other Motives against fear of man these following are of force 1. Expresse Prohibition 1 Pet. 3. 14. Christ himself hath thrice together inculcated this prohibition Matth. 10. 26 28 31. which makes it the more forcible 2. The Patern of such Worthies of old as have not feared man The Parents of Moses were not afraid of the Kings commandment Moses himself feared not the wrath of the King Heb. 11. 23 27. David as here so in sundry other places professed that he feared not man Psal. 56. 4. Micaiah feared not the threatning of Ahab 1 King 22. 28. Nor Daniel nor his three Companions feared the King and his Princes Dan. 3. 16. 6. 10. The Apostles feared not the threatning of the Priests of the Jews Acts 4. 19. 5. 29. The examples of Martyrs in all ages are memorable in this kinde 3. The Disgrace that followeth upon fear of man It ill beseems yea it is a great shame to servants of God to fear men Should such a man as I flee saith Nehemiah in this case Neh. 6. 11. There can be no greater disgrace to a souldier then upon fear to flee from his colours 4. The evil Effects that follow thereupon Many are thereby brought against their conscience to omit bounden duties as openly to professe Christ Iohn 7. 13. and to acknowledge other truths Iohn 9. 22. Others are brought to commit grosse sins This moved Aarâ—…n to make the golden Calf Exod. 32. 22 c. This made many Christians of old to offer Sacrifice to Devils as the Heathen did and otherwise to commit abominable Idolatry This made many English in Queen Maries dayes to go to Masse and professe Popery This in our dayes hath made many to seem more prophane then their consciences told them they should be This hath made many Judges to pervert judgment There is scarce a sin that fear of man brings not men unto 5. The Restraint of mans power It can at the uttermost but reach to the body and all that it can do to the body cannot make a man miserable See more hereof in The Extent of Gods Providence on Mat. 10. 29. § 8. 6. The Extent of Gods Power no way limited but by his own will The Extent thereof in this case is to be considered two wayes 1. Against such as Gods servants may be afraid of 2. For Gods servants themselves In the former respect five things are duly to be observed 1. God can turn the minds of enemies The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord c. Prov. 21. 1. God turned the fury of Esau into favour towards his brother Compare Gen. 32. 6. with Gen. 33. 4. 2. God can abate the spirit of the stoutest God made all the Inhabitants of Canaan to faint Ioshua 2. 9. The terrour of God was upon the Cities that were round about Iacob Gen. 35. 5. Even the youth shall faint c. Isa. 40. 30. 3. God can weaken the power of the strongest He weakneth the strength of the mighty Job 12. 21. 4. He can disappoint mens plots He disappointeth the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot accomplish their enterprize Job 5. 12. Ye thought evil against me saith Ioseph to his brethren but God meant unto good Gen. 50. 20 Act. 12. 6. 5. God can utterly destroy his servants enemies 2 King 19. 35. In the later respect five other things are duly to be observed 1. God can keep his servants safe in the midst of danger He kept Daniels three companions safe in the midst of a fiery fornace and Daniel himself in a Den of Lions Dan. 3. 25. 6. 22. God in general hath promised as much Isa. 43. 2. 2. He can deliver out of the danger He caused Ieremiah to be pulled out of the dungeon He delivered also him that pulled out Ieremiah Jer. 38. 13. 39. 17 18. 3. He can turn the judgement to an advantage The carrying of Daniel and his three companions and Mordecai and Esther into Captivity proved much to their advantage Dan. 2. 48 49. Esth. 2. 17. 6. 10. 4. God can make a temporal judgment to be a means of spiritual good When Manasse was in affliction He prayed unto God and God was intreated of him 2 Chron. 33. 12 13. 5. By the uttermost that man can do which is death God can free his servants from greater evils Isa. 57. 1. Iosiah was killed by an enemy at that very time when the floud-gates of Israels misery began to be pulled up Hereupon it is said That he should be gathered to his grave in peace and that his eye should not see all the evil c. 2 Kings 22. 20. §. 87. Of Rules for redressing fear of man IV. FOr preventing and redressing fear of man these Rules following are observable 1. Possesse thy soul with a fear of God Fear of God and fear of man are contrary one to another as light and darknesse life and death Light keeps out darknesse and so long as life remains in a man death is kept away The more fear of God there is in one the lesse fear of man there will be in him If the fear of God were perfect in one there would be no fear of man in him Christ prescribeth this Rule where after he had forbidden his to be afraid of them that kill the body he addeth But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear Fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell yea I say unto you Fear him Luk. 12. 4 5. 2. Lift up the eye of thy soul which is Faith higher then thou canst the eye of thy body Thus shalt thou see him who is invisible So did Moses and feared not the wrath of the King Heb. 11. 27. 3. Frequently and seriously meditate on Gods Promises and on his Properties of Mercy Goodnesse Truth Faithfulnesse Wisdom Power and the like Psal. 18. 2.
thereof 2. We have proof hereby of the perfection of Christs sacrifice The grave was the prison into which Christ as our Surety was cast By coming out of that prison he giveth proof that the debt is discharged and justice satisfied 3. This ministreth much comfort to us against our naturall bondage under sin Satan death grave and hell By Christs resurrection we are freed from all that bondage For he rose as our Surety Therefore we are said to be raised up together in Christ Jesus Eph. 2. 6. And we may be assured that we also shall be raised 4. The Apostle from the resurrection of Christ inserreth this duty We should walk in nâ—…wness of life Rom. 6. 4. And taking it for grant that we are risen with Christ exhorteth to seek those things which are above Col. 3. 1. This mystery of Christs resurrection is in other places amplified by the circumstance of time that it was within the space of three daies This was answerable to the type Mat. 12. 40. This time was sufficient to give evidence of the truth of his death and withall to keep his body according to the course of mans nature from putrifaction For it is said of the body of Lazarus By this time he stinketh for he hath been dead four daies Joh. 11. 39. But God would not suffer his holy One to see corruption Psal. 16. 10. Act. 2. 27. Christs members may hereupon with much confidence rest upon Gods care in a seasonable providing for them and in keeping them from utter destruction Nor death nor any other affliction shall clean swallow them up After two daies will he revive us in the third day he will raise us up On this ground saith the Apostle We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 2 Cor. 4. 8 9. §. 165. Of our Lord Iesus HE whom the Father brought again from the dead is set out by his Dominion and by his title Our Lord Iesus Lord is a word of supream Soveraignty as was shewed Chap. 1. v. 10. § 128. The relative Our compriseth under it such as are of the Church of God of whom Christ is in speciall the Lord as hath been declared Chap. 7. vers 14. § 74. Iesus was the proper Name of the Son of God incarnate and signifieth a Saviour as is proved Chap. 2. v. 9. § 73. This part of the description sheweth how much it concerneth us to know and beleeve the fore-mentioned resurrection For he was raised from the dead who was in speciall manner our Lord under whom we are and to whom we are subject yea he who is our Saviour For there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Act. 4. 12. All the good that we can any waies expect resteth in this Our Lord Iesus whom God raised from the dead §. 166. Of Christ a Shepherd OUr Lord Jesus is further set forth under the resemblance of a Shepherd The Greek word hath its notation from a Verb that signifieth to â—…eed So also the Latine for it is the speciall part of a Shepherd to feed his sheep Ioh. 21. 16. Christ was of old foretold to be a Shepherd Isa. 40. 11. Ezek. 34. 23. Zech. 13. 7. Christ himself professeth himself to be a Shepherd Ioh. 10. 14 16. Matth. 26. 31. answerably he was so styled by his Apostles as here and 1 Pet. 2. 25. 5. 4. There are sundry respects wherein this Metaphor may fitly be applied to our Lord Iesus For 1. A true Shepherd entreth in by the door Joh. 10. 2. that is he is lawfully called and appointed by God so was our Lord Jesus Heb. 5. 5. 2. The Porter openeth to the Shepherd Ioh. 10. 3. So the Ministers of the Church acknowledge Christ to be sent of God and answerably entertain him Ioh. 6. 69. 1 Pet. 2. 25. 3. A Shepherd cals his sheep by name Joh. 10. 3. So the Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. 19. 4. A Shepherd knoweth his own sheep Ioh. 10. 3. Thus Christ judgeth between cattell and cattell Ezek. 34. 17. 5. A Shepherd leads out his sheep Ioh. 10. 8. So Jesus is a guide to his sheep He is the way the truth and the life Joh. 14. 6. that true way wherein his sheep may attain unto life 6. A Shepherd ordereth the affairs of his sheep in season he puts them forth Ioh. 10. 4. namely when it is time for them to go out of the fold Christ doth things when it is time Ioh. 7. 6. 7. A Shepherd goeth before his sheep Ioh. 10. 4. In this respect Christ is styled our Captain Heb. 2. 10. 8. A Shepherd provides for his sheep 1 Chron. 4. 40. so doth Christ Ioh. 10. 9. Psal. 23. 2. 9. A Shepherd procures safety for his sheep This is implied under this phrase which Christ applieth to himself He shall be saved and shall go in and out 10. A Shepherd hazardeth his life for his sheep 1 Sam. 17. 35. so doth Christ Ioh. 10. 17. 11. A Shepherd so acquainteth himself with his sheep as they know his voice Iohn 10. 4. so the Church knoweth the voice of Christ Iohn 10. 14. 12. A Shepherd so governs his sheep as they follow him Ioh. 10. 4. so doth Christ govern his Church 1 Cor. 11. 1. 13. A Shepherd useth to mark his sheep so as he may know them from others Thus Christ by his Spirit sealeth his Eph. 4. 30. 14. A Shepherd watcheth over his sheep Gen. 31. 40. Luk. 2. 8. Thus doth Christ Ioh. 17. 6. 15. A Shepherd tenderly healeth his sheep Thus doth Christ Ezek. 34. 16. Matth. 8. 16. 16. A Shepherd keeps his sheep together that they stray not Gen. 30. 29. For this end Christ hath his Assemblies and Ordinances 17. A Shepherd seeks out the sheep that stray so doth Christ Matth. 18. 11 12. 18. A Shepherd will carry such sheep as are feeble and cannot go so Christ Luke 15. 5. 19. A Shepherd will be accountable for his sheep Gen. 31. 39. so also is Christ Iohn 17. 12. 20. A Shepherd will keep the infected from the clean so Christ 1 Cor. 5. 4 c. §. 167. Of Duties due to Christ as he is a Shepherd THe Duties that we are to perform to Christ as a Shepherd are these and such like 1. Take Christ for thy Shepherd Psal. 23. 1. 2. Hearken to Christs voice Ioh. 10. 27. Matth. 17. 5. 3. So acquaint thy self with Christs voice as thou maiest know it Ioh. 10. 4 14. Luke 24. 35. 4. Follow him Iohn 10. 4 27. Rev. 14. 4. 5. If by occasion thou hast gone astray return to him 1 Pet. 2. 25. 6. If thou beest brought into any danger cry to him Matth. 8. 25. 7. If wounded hurt or diseased seek cure of him Psal. 6. 2. 8. Expect from Christ whatsoever may be expected from a
as 1 Cor. 4. 17. Phil. 2. 19. 1 Thess. 3. 2. Yea Saint Paul joyns the names of Timothy with his own in sundry Epistles that he wrote to the Churches as 2 Cor. 1. 1. Phil. 1. 1. Col. 1. 1. 1 Thess. 1. 1. Philem. v. 1. and he left him at Ephesus where was a great Church there to water what he himself had planted and to order the affairs of that Church 1 Tim. 1. 3. All these shew that he was a Minister of the Gospel of very special note and of singular use to the Church of God so as his liberty must needs be good news to Gods Church 2. To the second we cannot finde either in the Book of the Acts or in any of the Epistles where this should be but sure it is that he was some way or other restrained otherwise the Apostle would not have said that he was set at liberty The Greek word used by the Apostle is a compound The simple Verb signifieth to lose or unlose Mark 1. 7. This Compound signifieth to lose from a thing It is used of putting away a mans wise Matth. 1. 15. 5. 31. Of dismissing a company Matth. 14. 15. Of releasing a prisoner Matth. 27. 15. Of the souls departure from the body Luke 2. 29. Of forgiving a debt Luke 6. 37. Of loosing from an infirmity Luk. 13. 12. All these shew that the Verb here used doth signifie some restraint from which Timothy was now freed While he was restrained he could not as a freeman do the work of his Ministry nor go hither or thither for the Churches service Therefore upon this liberty and freedom the Apostle implieth that he would come to them 3. To the third How he was set at liberty there are many wayes whereby it might be effected For 1. He might be restrained upon some accusation about civil affairs but upon examination of the case be found not guilty as Paul concerning whom they said This man doth nothing worthy of death Act. 26. 31. 2. He might be restrained for something about the Christian Profession but when the case came to be heard the Judge finding it to be a question thereabouts might say as Gallio did I will be no Iudge of such matters Act. 18. 15. and so set him free 3. There might be some prudent man among his Judges such an one as Gamaliel was and he a means of his liberty Act. 5. 40. Or God might stir up some faithfull friend for him such an one as Ebedmelech was to Ieremiah Jer. 38. 8 c. Many other wayes might be for effecting his liberty so as though the particular be not set down in Scripture we may and ought to believe the general that he was set at liberty 4. To the fourth When he was delivered This Question is the rather moved because many are of opinion that the restraint and liberty here intended was after Pauls death yea and after the Acts of the Apostles were written But this would make too much against the Divine Authority of this Epistle which maketh mention hereof It hath been proved that this Epistle was penned by Paul so as this must be in the time of Pauls life and before Paul himself was imprisoned at Reme It was while Timothy was in the strength of his age and might do most service to the Church of God 5. To the fifth Why Paul call'd Timothy brother This Question is moved because Paul called Timothy son 1 Tim. 1 2 18. 2 Tim. 1. 2. thereupon they do infer That either Paul was not the Author of this Epistle or that this was not that Timothy to whom Paul sent his Epistles But this is a very slender Objection for in these Epistles he wrote to him as one that had a kinde of charge over him and partly in regard of their age Paul being an old man and Timothy a young man partly in regard that Paul had been a means of Timothies regeneration he cals him son But at other times and in other Epistles he joyns Timothy with himself in sending his Epistles to the Churches and calleth him brother as 2 Cor. 1. 1. Phil. 1. 1. Col. 1. 1. 1 Thes. 1. 1. 3. 2. He stiles him brother for honour sake and to make the Church to have him in higher account yea and to testifie the humility of his own minde how he esteemed all Ministers of the Church young or old brothers equal to himself in regard of the general function of a Minister By this instance of Timothies being set at liberty it is evident That Ministers may be restrained of their liberty and restored again to their liberty See v. 19. § 159. §. 187. Of Ministers desire to be present with their people UPon the fore-mentioned news of Timothies liberty the Apostle inferreth this consequence With whom I will see you Quest. How could this Apostle promise to see them seeing it is implied that he was restrained of liberty v. 19 § 159. Answ. He might have sure evidence of his liberty 2. He might promise it by divine instinct 3. He might promise it upon reserved condition if he should be set at liberty This manner of expressing his minde I will see you is not upon such a peremptory resolution of his own power to do it as is condemned Iam. 4. 13. but upon an intended submission to the will of God for true believers have that in their minds whether they expresse it or no. This Apostle did oft times in plain terms expresse that condition as where he said I will return again unto you if God will Act. 18. 21. And I will come unto you shortly if the Lord will 1 Cor. 4. 19. The phrase of my Text implieth an earnest desire of the Apostle to be with these Hebrews God had made him a means of their conversion unto the Christian faith and of their edification therein and this put into him an entire affection of doing yet further all the good he could It was shewed v. 19. § 159. that people ought to be earnesty desirous of the presence of their Ministers among them Here we see a like earnest desire of a Minister to be present with his people I long to see you saith the Apostle Rom. 1. 11. He there rendreth an especial reason thereof in these words That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift By the presence of Ministers with the people they may the better discern their peoples condition and know what Instructions what Admonitions what Consolations are most needfull for them or usefull unto them If an Apostle who had a general charge over many Churches did thus desire to see such particular Churches as he had planted How much more ought special and peculiar Pastors that have the charge of one only Congregation be present therewith and watchfull over the same How doth this condemn Non-residency §. 188. Of Ministers associating themselves one with another THe Apostle was not only desirous to see the