out of him so the Church was hid in Christ formed and drawn out of Christ cast into the deep sleep of death Ezek. 47.11 John 19.34 O rejoyce in Christs Testament glory in his Riches Triumph in his Salvation that when sin reigns over most unto death grace should reign over you thro' the Righteousness of Christ unto Eternal life 2 Cor. III. 6. Who also hath made us Able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit For the Letter Killeth but the Spirit giveth Life IN the words 1. we have a Subject spoken of and that is the New Testament as it is distinguished from the Old Testament which was not the Covenant of Works but the Covenant of Grace wrapt up in Types and Figures more darkly Administred Galat. 3.18 2. The Apostle insists on this New Testament and commends it that it is Spirit and not Letter 1 John 17. that is the Holy Ghost doth eminently and signally manifest himself in this New Testament Dispensation It is Filled it is Enriched it is Ennacted by the Holy Ghost he doth so breath in it and worketh it that it may well be called Spirit and not Letter The Gospel is not a meer Literal Doctrine or Command but mightily animated by the Spirit if it were only Letter it would kill us frail and weak Greatures exacting Duty And requiring Obedience of us that are Impotent yea dead Creatures but it is Spirit and so it gives Life The Holy Ghost enlightens Blind Minds softens Hard Hearts and Quickens Dead Souls The effectual Workings of the Spirit are called the Law of the Spirit and this Law of the Spirit of Life is said to make free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 This is a Law that is all Power and consists wholly in Execution 3. The Apostle informs us of the Honour and Dignity of Gospel-Officers for they are Ministers of this New Testament 4. The Apostle glorifies God and instructs us how it is that Officers do become able Ministers of this New Testament It is God that made Paul and others Able Ministers of the New Testament The words afford us Three Doctrines 1st That there is a New Testament 2dly That Gospel Officers are Ministers of this New Testament 3dly That it is God that doth make Men able Ministers of the New Testament 1. Doctrine that there is a New Testament We may observe and admire the Wisdom of God that first there was a Promise then a Covenant then a Testament this last the best and most Noble Edition of the Covenant of Grace this is called the New Testament to distinguish it from the Old Testament First The Old Testament was made with one Nation in the day that the Lord took Israel by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Egypt but it is God's design by Christ and the New Testament to gather together into one all the Children of God that are scattered abroad John 6.52 Christ Preacheth now not onely to the Jews that were nigh but also to the Gentiles that were afar off Ephes 2.17 2. The First Testament had Moses for â Mediator Gal. 5.19 The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth comes by Jesus Christ 1 John 17. Jesus is the Madiator of the New Testament Heb. 9.15 The Old Testament was accompanied with Figures and Shadows of things to come 2 Col. 17. The Law had a shadow of good things to come and not the very Image of the Things that is Christ himself and the very Live Image of Spiritual things were not then exhibited Righteousness was not yet brought Atonement was not yet made the Fountain was not yet opened for sin and uncleanness The Law and Prophets Prophesied till John Matth. 1.13 they spake of Christ and foretold the Glorious things of the Gospel as yet to come but now the Kingdom of God is clearly discovered and is Preached as come Luke 7.16 I ourthly The Old Testament and the Ceremonial Law made nothing perfect Heb. 7.19 but did introduce the Hope of a better Priest and of a more Noble Sacrifice but Christ by one Offering hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified On the day of Atonement there was a remembrance of all the Sins committed that year which did shew the weakness and imperfection of those Sacrifices in that there was a Remembrance again made of Sins But in this the Excellency and Perfection of Christ's Sacrifice appears in that it did purge and put away Sin and God on the account of it made that Promise Your Sins and Iniquities I will Remember no more Heb. 10.17 18. Fifthly The Old Testament was confirmed by the Blood of Beasts Moses killed Sacrifices and took the Blood of them and sprinkled it on the People saying behold the Blood of the Covenant that God hath made with you But the New Testament was confirmed with better Blood Christs Blood is the Blood of Sprinkling and the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant Heb. 12.24 Heb. 13.20 Sixthly The Old Testament was weak and faulty it did not it could not purge Conscience by the Blood of Brutish Sacrifices neither could it introduce the Law of God into the Soul and write it in the Heart but the New Testament is strong and powerful it makes those that were barren to bear and rejoyce Isa 54.1 And by it the Law of God is writ in the Heart and put into the inward parts and the Soul is Renewed and Transformed to walk with and live to God 7thly The Old Testament waxed old and did vanish away but the New Testament remains abides and is Everlasting Heb. 13.20 the Blood of Christ is still fresh and therefore his Testament is still new He offered one Sacrifice for Sins for ever Heb. 10.12 His Sacrifice is of an Everlasting Virtue and the way made by it to the true Holy of Holies is living and still new Heb. 10.19 and the Covenant and Testament built on this Everlasting Sacrifice must need be Everlasting This is God's last speaking to the World and it shall never give place to any other Covenant Heb. 7.1 This is a better Covenant or Testament established on better Promises than the Covenant of Works was Heb. 8.6 yea the Promises of the New Testament are clearer and exhibit more grace than the Promises of the Old Testament The Old Covenant is compared to and set forth by Hagar that was a young Woman and had Natural Strength to conceive and bare a Son Gal. 4.24 25. with Isa 54.1 but the New Testament is set forth by Sarah that was barren and was made fruitful by a supernatural power Acts 1.11 The Promises of the Law do respect the strength that God first put into Man and are built on the obedience to be performed by this strength but the New Testament is built on a Spiritual and Supernatural strength put into the Soul by the Holy Ghost For the opening and Explication of this New Testament I shall insist on these several
A DISCOURSE On 2 Cor. III. 6. Who also hath made us Able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit For the Letter killeth but the Spirit giveth Life BY Samuel Comlyns M. A. Minister of the Gospel in Marleborough LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the Lower End of Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1699. THE DEDICATION To my Well-beloved Friends in Christ Mr. Stephen Lock Mr. William Smith Mr. John Isgar and other Christian Friends living in Gospert Grace Mercy and Peace be multiply'd IT is near Thirty years ago that I was first Acquainted with some of you and Conversant among you Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God I am now drawing towards the Confines of Time and the Borders of Eternity I was therefore willing to Dedicate this Discourse of Christ's Testament to you as a Grateful Acknowledgment of your Kindness to me and as a Token and Pledge of that Real Love that I bare towards you The Testament of Christ is the most Noble and Sweet Subject that your Minds can be Conversant about and your Affections feed on that which was contrived from Eternity may well be Matter of Contemplation in time and of Admiration to Eternity This Testament was drawn in the Mind and Counsel of God before the Foundations of the World and hath been since Written in the Blood and established by the Death of the Son of God In it there are the most precious and inestimable Legacies Bequeathed God gives himself as a Father and Portion Jesus Christ gives himself as a Husband and the Spirit is given as a Sanctifier and Comforter and Christians are caused to inherit the Church and Heaven that once were desolate Heritages as to them though the Testator be alive again yet this doth not lessen our Portion or worst our Estate Isa 4.8 as the Death of Christ doth Purchase so the Life of Christ is powerful to conveigh and bestow his Legacies Christ hath passed through the most hard and difficult part of his Work Rom. 5.10 he died to reconcile us that he may live and save us and may sit in Heaven and Enrich us and perfect whatever concerns our Happiness Consider these following particulars in Relation to the Testament of Christ 1. The Wisdom of God shines in this that such a way should be found out to set God's House in Order and to dispose of the most Rich and Great Estate all ways of Communicating Good to the Creature seemed to be shut up and obstructed by the Guilt of Sin God's Treasury was Locked his Fountain Sealed his giving Hand bound but Christ died for the Redemption of Transgressions Heb. 9.15 to buy off those sins that would separate between God and us that would hinder good things from us and sink us down into the Bottomless Pit and shut us up in the Eternal Prison The Conveyance therefore of a Rich Estate to Guilty Beggerly Bankrupt Creatures through the Death and Testament of Christ is the bare contrivance of Infinite Wisdom In the Lord's Supper the Seal of Christ's Testament his Blood is set forth as Purchasing us to be a peculiar People Acts 20.10.41.15 and his Flesh is set forth as Bread to strengthen and enable us to perform our Duty towards our Saviour By Redemption we are obliged to be First-Fruits to God and the Lamb Rev. 14.4 and by Regeneration we are fitted to be First-Fruits James 1.18 that is to consecrate and devote our selves to God and Christ and to live to them 2. Consider the Admirable Righteousness of God that appears in this Testament that Jesus Christ purchased what he Bequeathed he is a Priest of good things Heb. 9.1 that is he Merited he procured them by his Death Good things do not come to us as a Gift from Christ Living but as a Legacy from Christ Dying It is now just with God to forgive the sins of Believers John 1.9 It might have been just with God to punish and destroy but now through the Death of Christ it is just for God to Forgive Grace may now Reign through Righteousness to Eternal Life Rom. 5. last And they that receive an Abundance of Grace and of the Gift of Righteousness shall Reign in Life Rom. 5.17 Jesus Christ doth not as other Testators by Death leave the Inheritance empty but Purchases a Right for us to enter upon the Inheritance and to possess and enjoy it 3. Consider the wonderful Grace of God and Christ that is manifested in this Testament 1. That Christ should Constitute us as his Heires then he might have Executed us as Malefactors 2. That when the Threatnings were in force for our Death that Jesus should die to put the Promises in force for our Life that he should cease to live for a time that we might live eternally 3. That he should make a Testament to enrich us with Spiritual and Eternal Blessings when we had by sin forfeited our Lives and deserved to be stript of all Temporal Comforts and Enjoyments 4. That Jesus Christ should become poor to enrich us 2 Cor. 8.9 He became poor that we by his Poverty might be made Rich. Jesus Christ had no House to put his Head in he lived on what others Ministred to him Matth. 8.20 Luke 8.3 He was robbed of his good Name and censured as a Blasphemer of God and Condemned as an Vsurper and Enemy to Caesar they stript him of his Garments and did not cease afflicting him till every drop of Strength was gone out of his Body and every spark of Life was quenched and he became a weak cold Carcase Christ was thus emptied to fill us and stooped so low to lift us up to Glory 5. What the Law of God requires as a Duty by Christ it is Bequeathed as a Legacy and bestowed as a pure Gift What is required of the Heirs of Promise is purchased for them by the Blood of the Testator and wrought in them by the Spirit of Promise They are changed from Glory to Glory as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. last The Holy Ghost doth excite actuate and draw forth Grace This North and South Wind blowing on Christ's Garden doth cause the Spices of it flow forth Cant. 4. last If Duties were required to be performed by our Free-will and Natural Strength the New Covenant would not differ from the Covenant of Works The First Promise was a most Free and preventing Promise and in it undertakes to break the League and Amity that was between the Woman and the Serpent and to kindle Enmity between them and their Seed Gen. 3.15 And this Free Promise was to be apprehended by Faith only God doth not say Do and your Soules shall live but hear that is Believe and your Soules shall live Isa 55.3 The Promise doth not run thus I will be your God if you will be my People but I will be their God and they shall be my People Joel 31.33 Christ takes it upon himself
to fetch back and bring home straying Sheep and to cause them Isa 29.19 though deaf and dead John 5.25 to hear his voice John 10.16 We cannot sincerely enter into Covenant with God till God in a great measure hath executed his Covenant in us whence Miracles of Grace is to be wrought on us that Gifts of Grace might be received by us Till we have new hearts and spirits given to us we shall but flatter God and lie to him in all our seeming Service Psal 79.36 37. Hos last It is bad to lie to God in all our Confessions of Sin and Petitions for Grace and Mercy We must not therefore stay in the Exacting Letter of the Law but have Recourse to the Living Testament of Christ The Law saith be Holy Deut. 20.7 But it is Christ that Sanctifies Heb. 2.11 and as an everlasting Father doth propagate and derive a new Divine Nature to us Isa 9.6 2 Pet. 1.4 We are bid to Love God but it is Christ that Circumcises the Heart 2 Col. 11. To Love God he cuts off the Vnclean and Filthy Foreskin of Sinful Self-love and Baptizes with his Spirit as with Fire Deut. 30.6 to inflame our hearts with Love towards and zeal for God Matth. 3.11 We are charged to acquaint our selves with God Job 22.21 but the Promise must help us here All Zions Children shall be Taught of God and shall all know me from the greatest to the least Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.39 He that hath heard and learned of the Father comes to Christ John 6.44 45. We are enjoyn'd to keep God's Precepts diligently Psal 119.4 but God hath promised to Write his Laws in our hearts Jer. 31.33 We ought to live to and walk with God yet it is by virtue of his Spirit put into us and causing of us to walk in his Statutes and to keep his Commandments Ezek. 36.27 All the Earth is called on to Fear God Psal 33.8 but that we may do it God must put his Fear into our hearts Jer. 32.40 We ought to Repent but it will never be except God doth take away the heart of Stone and give a heart of Flesh Mark 1.15 Ezek. 36.26 Faith it self is comprised in and given by Christ's Testament to know God and Christ containes Faith in it Jer. 31.34.17 John 3. By his Knowledge that is by Believing on him Christ Justifies many Isa 53. Chap. 11. 4. Consider the Excellent and Glorious Power that executes this Testament 2 Cor. 4.7 Ephes 1.19 God saith he will be our God and we shall be his People Jer. 3.33 God cannot be our God if Idols are not cast out if Enemies are not dethroned if Rivals and Competitors are not put from their nearness to and intimacy with the Heart and this the mighty Power the glorious arm of God only can effect And we can never be Gods People if our blindness be not cured our enmity conquered if our Minds be not renewed and our Wills inclined to choose God for our chief good and only portion Christ knocks and it is he that must open the door Rev. 3.20 Acts 16.14 It is he that calls Isa 55.5 And must enable us to Eccho to his call to say we are the Lords Isa 48.5 and that he is our God Zech. 13. last 5. Consider the consolation that may be drawn from this Testament that we are so safe that there is no condemnation to us Rom. 8.1 because Gods sword hath awaked against Christ Zech. 13.7 Our debt was exacted of him our Curse was executed on him and that spiritual things are made so sure to us by Christs death that is past and by his Testament that is confirmed and made irrevocable that there can be no detracting from its free Promises or adding barder and heavier terms to it Gal. 3.15 There is no disanulling or adding to it God promises to pour Waters on him that is thirsty and floods on the dry ground Isa 44.3 4. The Heavenly Husbandman will improve and inrich dry and barren ground If the overflowing of Nilus makes Egypt fruitful therefore we read of the Harvest of the Kiezr Isa 23.3.4 that Harvest that is caused by the River much more can the Spirit as the River of God make us fruitful 3. I would exhort you to make sure your own concern in an Interest in this Testament of Jesus Christ be is risen from the dead to woo and espouse Souls to himself Rom. 7.4 If you be joined to the suerty of the Testament and be Married to the Testator all the Riches of this Testament shall be yours God with Christ gives all things Rom. 8.32 Eccho to Christs call and open at his knock let in the Heir of all things and he will bring in his Righteousness his Riches his fullness with him Christ will come in and order our Thoughts our Wills Affections and subdue all to himself Isa 9.7 Psal 47.3 Christ will execute justice and Judgment Jer. 23.5 he will execute justice He will do God right in raising up fallen bringing back straying alienate sinners to God Isa 49.56 And he will execute judgment in destroying Satan and his works Heb. 2.15 1 John 3.8 Though there were many Creatures in the Earth yet Adam was counted to be alone till a VVoman was made for him to set his love on So though you have abundance of Creature enjoyments yet count your selves to be alone till you Know Love and Marry Jesus Christ 3. Express your gratitude and thankfulness to God and Christ for this Testament Paul saith Brethren we are debters Rom. 8.12 Never were any such great debters as believers are to God and Christ you were Reconciled when Enemies justified when Vngodly Rom. 5.2 Rom. 4.4 Righteousness hath looked down from Heaven Psal 55.11 And Bread hath been rained down from Heaven when it should have sprung up and grown out of the Earth How wonderful is it that Enmity should be slain Isa 61.1 Isa 49.9 Isa 49.24 Ephes 2.16 and yet Enemies be spared and reconciled That Sin should be condemned Rom. 8.3 yet Sinners be pardoned Col. 2.13 That Christ came to destroy Satans work only John 1.38 but to heal revive and set at liberty those that were the workmanship of God he releases Prisoners and delivers those that were lawful Captives Heb. 2.18 Rom. 8.2 They are turned from the power of Satan to God and made free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 Children of wrath might have been made Vessels of wrath have been filled up with Gods fury and have been dashed to pieces by that Rod of Iron that is in Christs hand In the Law if a Husband was Arrested for debt his VVife and Children might be sold to pay the debt Matth. 15.25 and to free the Husband and Father But what Grace is this that Christ who is the Everlasting Father and Husband of the Church should be sold to pay our debts As Eve was hid in Adam and by a Divine Power Isa 9.6 2. Cor. 11.2 brought forth
be mindful of his Covenant Psal 111.5 The Kingdom of God and his Righteousness is our chief good and true Happiness the main of Gods Covenant is wrapt up in this Matth. 6.33 yet Earthly and outward things are Promised as an advantage these shall be added to God's Children to supply their wants The Children of Israel had need of a Passage to Canaan the Country that God had given them Moses sent to Sihon to desire a passage through his Country unto Canaan Deut. 2.26 27 28 30. but he refused to let Israel pass through his Land so God gave him up to Israel to be destroyed Thus the People of God must have some Footing in and Possession of the World as it is a passage to the Heavenly Canaan that is their proper Country Heb. 11.15 16. 3. How do Christians become Heirs I answer By being effectually called None but such shall partake of the Eternal Inheritance Heb. 9.15 When Christ doth not only seek after straying Souls but doth apprehend them Phil. 3.12 Paul saith he was apprehended of Christ When the Lord of Glory doth not only knock but open the Heart Rev. 3.20 Acts 16.14 When the call of God is accompanied with gifts Rom. 11.29 The gifts and calling of God are without Repentance when God so calls that he gives an understanding to know him 1 John 5.20 and gives a Heart to love and fear him Deut. 30.6 Jer. 32.39 When God bestows a new Heart and a new Spirit then is the call effectual Ezek. 36.26 Fourthly Where there is a Testament there must be a Sanction Confirmation and Establishment of it Heb. 9.15 Where there is a Testament there must of necessity be the death of the Testator Heb. 9.16.17 The Civil Law saith as long as a Man lives voluntas est perambulatoria it is mutable and changeable but the Death of a Testator fixes things and gives force to his Will confirms and establishes all his Legacies How sweet are these words where there is a Testament there must be the Death of the Testator The Law speaks at another rate where there is a Crime the Criminal must be punished Where there is a Transgression the threatening must be put in force the Curse must be executed the Transgressor must be cut off but here is a New Testament established by the Blood of Jesus Christ This is my Blood of the New Testament Matth. 26.28 This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood 1 Cor. 11.25 Jeremiah did speak of God's making a New Covenant or Testament Jer. 31.31 but there is no mention made or discovery given of the Blood that this New Covenant was to be confirmed by but the Gospel teacheth us what the Blood is by which the New Testament is established God did put the threatenings and Curse of the Law in force by cutting off Christ Zech. 13.7 Isa 53.8 That he might put the Promises in force fulfill them to us and bestow the Eternal Inheritance on us Who could have imagined or thought of such a thing that the death of Sinners should be prevented and the death of a Testator should succeed and be in the place of their Sufferings and death Fifthly Where there is a Testament there must be an effectual way to execute it We read of the sure Mercies of David that is of Christ as the next Verse doth plainly evidence that it is Christ that is spoken of for he is said to be given as a Witness as a Leader and Commander to the People Isa 55.3 4. This is observable that all the Riches Blessings and Benefits of the Covenant are Christ's Mercies He is a Priest of good things Heb. 9.11 he purchases he procures them and it is he also that distributes and gives them out In Isaiah there is only mention made of the sure Mereies of David but in the Acts Acts 13.34 it is thus expressed I will give you the sure Mercies of David and this Promise is grounded on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who is now no more to return to Corruption Acts 13.33 34. As Christ died as a Testator so he rose again to be the Executor of his own Testament he is not alive to Violate or Disanul but to fulfil his Testament So we are said to be saved by his Life Rom. 5.10 Heb. 7.25 Jesus Christ discharges all his Offices by executing of his Testament 1. Jesus Christ executes his Prophetical Office No Man hath seen God but the only begotten that is in the Bosom of the Father hath declared him to us 1 John 18. Luke 1.7 8. Isa 9.6 Mal. 3. last He is the Day spring from on high the Wonderful Counsellor the Messenger of the Covenant he Preached Righteousness and declared God's Faithfulness and Salvation Psal 40.9 10. 2. Jesus Christ executes his Priestly Office in Sprinkling his Blood as clean Water to Purifie from Uncleanness and to Wash Men from their Sins Ezek. 36.28 Rev. 1.5 6. And Jesus as Priest Intercedes that his Legacies may be bestow'd and his Blood cries for the Execution of his Testament Heb. 7.25 He ever lives to make Intercession John 17.19.24 Heb. 12.24 3. Jesus Christ as King executes his Office he writes his Doctrine and Laws in the hearts of his Subjects and gives them new hearts Jer. 31.33 Ezra 36.56 1. Vse This may inform us of the wonderful Grace of God that there should be a New Testament Did Fallen Man ever imagine or conceive such a thing that Christ's Goods should be Dispensed and his Inheritance be derived to and setled on Sinful Creatures by a Testament Ratified by his own Blood and Death 1. We deserved to be stript and deprived of all External and Temporal Enjoyments that the Wine-press and the Corn-floor should not feed us Hos 9.2 That God should return and take away his Corn Wool and Flax from us Hos 2.9 and that the things that God hath given us shall pass away from us Jer. 8.13 God might by the Execution of his Threatnings have impoverished and destroy'd us and what Grace is this that he should make a Testament to save and inrich us 2. The Covenant of Works doth exact perfect and perpetual Obedience it requires the full Debt without any abatement of us poor Insolvent Creatures and threatens us with Eternal Punishment and Perdition for any defect failure or default in our Obedience And what Grace is this that a New Testament should be made that forgives the Guilty and gives to the Poor The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ John 1.17 3. Consider how dear it cost Jesus Christ to be a Testator 1. He was obliged to put on our Humane Nature that he might have a Body to offer up a Life to lay down Blood to shed a Soul to pour out to the Death 2. Jesus Christ must be a Surety Heb. 7.22 or else he could not have been a Testator he must bear our sins pay our Debt discharge our Ransom he must buy and purchase all
into Heaven it self by the Blood of Christ The invisible World is more discovered 2. This Covenant and Testament is ordered in all things 2 Sam. 23.5 it is so wisely ordered as that it meets with all our Objections and may silence them It meets with our doubts and fears and may banish them It meets with all our wants and supplies them It is so ordered that there is a Legacy suited to all the Noble and Principal faculties of our Souls 1. God Promises concerning his Elect People that they shall all know him from the greatest to the least Isa 31.34 Here is a Legacy of Light and Knowledg to the understanding 2. God promises Pardon that he will be merciful to Unrighteousness and will remember Sins and Iniquities no more in the same Text. Here is a Legacy to the Conscience It is Pardon that doth quite Conscience and establish its peace 3. There is a further Legacy that God will write his Law in the Heart and put it into the inward parts this is a pretious and noble Legacy to the Will to renew byass and rectify it 3. This Testament hath the strongest confirmation Of old God gave his Oath to shew the immutability of his Counsel Heb. 6.17 19. That the Heirs of Promise might have strong Consolations but now the Son of God hath bled and his Testament is established by his own death Heb. â— 15 4. What can we look for if we are not interested in this Testament A day of Wrath Vengeance and Destruction will be our portion We shall be stript and deprived of all Good and be loaded and burthened with all Evil We shall be felled down as barren Trees for the Fire be vinnowed as chaff out of the Floor into the Furnace and be silled up as Vessels of Wrath. 1. Vse Of Information This shews us how Excellent and Honourable the Office of Christs Ministers is that they are imployed and conversant about the Testament of the Son of God that they are to open its Fulness Explain and discover its Riches and to urge and press Men to lay hold of it They are to warn Men of their danger out of Christ and to press Men to fly into the City of Refuge and sit down under the shadow of Christ and so to flee from the wrath to come They are to beseech Men through the Mediator to be Reconciled to God and to woo Men to be Espoused to Christ 2 Col. 13. They are to set forth the free Grace of God in forgiving giving all Trespasses and in giving liberally and largely according to his Divine Power he gives all things that appertain to Life and Godliness 2 Pet. 13. Rom. 8.32 And freely with Christ gives all things also 2. Vse If Gospel-officers are Ministers of the New Testament this may Reprove such as call themselves and would be accounted Ministers of the New Testament yet only Preach and press Moral Duties and build up a Natural Religion but seldom or very little touch on the great Principles and Truths of the Gospel as if there were no Testator or New Testament They urge Duty but they little themselves understand and therefore are very unable to Reveal to others How Men shall recover Life and Righteousness attain Power and Strength and to partake of the Eternal Inheritance They Treat of the New Covenant as if it were only a Mistress to command Work and not as a Mother to give Life and Strength As if Christ was little more than a Political Head to make Laws and exact Obedience to them and not a Natural Head to give Life and influences to his Members to enablthem to obey 3. Vse Are Christs Officers Ministers of the New Testament Then 1. This should encourage Ministers to Preach and People also to Hear 1. This should encourage Ministers to Preach the Gospel cannot be wholly Preached in vain Jesus Christ must have Sons to bear up his Name Psal 72.17 and Heirs to possess his Goods and Inheritance He that sowed in Tears must reap in Joy he must see his seed and the Travel of his Soul and be satisfied God's Promises to Christ must be fulfilled and executed that he shall have the Heathen for his Inheritance the utmost parts of the Earth for his Possession God's great Servant must receive a great and glorious Reward for his Work All King's must fall down before him as Worshippers all Nations must serve him Psal 72.10 11. When Ministers Preach the Gospel the Hand of the Lord is with them Acts 11.21 to open hearts to break the Rock in pieces to draw Men to Christ to subdue them to his Kingdom and Government As Christ speaks in so he works with his Ministers when they Preach Christ ingrafts the Word 2 Cor. 13.3 with Mark 16. last Jam. 1.21 And when they Teach the Spirit writes an Epistle and powerfully impresses the Doctrine of the Gospel on Mens Souls the Wilderness must be manured and Sowed The Meal of Men must be Levened Christ will come forth as a deliverer and turn Men from Ungodliness Rom. 11.26 He will Circumcise the Heart to love him and Baptize with the Spirit make Men free from the Law of Sin and Death 2 Col. 11. Matth. 3.9 Rom. 8.2 Psal 110.3 and render them a willing People in the day of his Power Isa 9.6 He will beget a Holy seed as an Everlasting Father and quicken Souls dead in Sins and Trespasses as he is the Resurrection and the Life 2. This should perswade and incourage Men to hear and listen to the Ministers of the New Testament It is very necessary that Men should bâ— rescned and delivered from the Covenant oâ— Works from a killing Letter and a Ministry oâ— Condemnation O listen to the Ministers of thâ— New Testament lay hold of it do not makâ— light of all that Christ hath purchased and bequeathed Do not continue Spiritually poor oâ— be shut out of the Kingdom and come short of thâ— Glory of God Do not satisfy your selves witâ— momentary Enjoyments till you are driven out 〈◊〉 this Earth and turned into Hell Attend on thâ— dispensation of the Gospel it is clothed and anâ—mated with the Spirit this is a Seed so powerful that is changes the Soul It is a writing thaâ— alters the Table and turns a Heart of Stone inâ—â— a Heart of Flesh 2 Cor. 3.3 The Gospel is 〈◊〉 Glass that changes the Spectators and transformâ— them into the glorious Image of God 2 Cor. 〈◊〉 last The Holy Ghost is as a Tongue of fire oâ— them so that they do not speak cold words bâ—â— they throw Coals into the bosomes of Sinners anâ— cast chaines of light and love about Souls Cant. 6 7. Isa 45.14 They sow but God makes tâ—â— Seed to take root and grow 2 Cor. 3.6 7. Minâ—sters do call Sinners to come out of their Prisoâ— but Christ opens the door Acts 16.14 They bâ— Sinners to rise and come out of their Graves Epâ— 5.1 but it is Christ that breathes Life into theâ—