Because they arise immediately from God's Spirit it is the divine Spirit that Injects those Thoughts into our Hearts whilst we Sleep 2. Because the Subject matter of them is Divine Spiritual or Heavenly God speaking hereby unto us and sealing up either Instruction Reproof or Comfort to our Souls Mr. Caryl Notes Five Messages God sends Men by Dreams which take as followeth First To Reprove or Admonish Thus God dealt with Abimelech in a Dream that he should not meddle with Sarah and with Labon that he should not hurt Jacob or hinder him in his Journey back to his Father's House Secondly God sends Dreams to instruct and inform There are teaching Dreams as that of Joseph was not only to shew him what to do about Mary his espoused Wife but to instruct him about the great Mystery of God manifested in the Flesh to save lost Man Thirdly Dreams are sent for Support and Consolation in time of Trouble Thus he cites Jacob's Dream in our â—ext God saith he comforted Jacob by that Dream when he was in a desolate Condition and aâ—sured him of his Presence but no doubt in it was contained as much Instruction as of Consolation Fourthly Some Dreams are sent of God upon a sad Message to Afflict and Terrify Job be moaned his Sufferings and Sorrows by such Dreams When I say my Bed shall comfort me my Couch shall ease my Complaint then thou scarest me with Dreams and terifiest me through Visions Fifthly God fore sheweth by Dreams what shall come to pass He reveals his own Counsels as to future Providences by Dreams and Visions the Seven Years of Famine were revealed to Pharoah in a Dream and the great things of the Church and of the World too were revealed to Daniel in a Dream There are some who affirm that a Man is never in a sound or deep Sleep when he Dreameth which certainly is a great mistake For doth not the Text say That a deep Sleep fell on Abraham when God by a Dream revealed to him what should become of his Posterity and how they should be in Egypt Four Hundred Years I find that Divines give several Reasons why God used to apply himself to Man by Dreams or this way speaketh to him Of which Mr. Caryl gives five Reasons 1. Because in Sleep Man is as I may say at best leisure for God to deal with him he is not so busy nor distracted or hurried with the Affairs of this Life Some Men are so fill'd with earthly thoughts whilst awake that they have no time no leisure to hear what God hath either by his Word or by Conscience to say unto them 2. Because when they are awake they are ready to debate and discuss what they receive by their own Reason we are subject as he observes to Logick it with God or use Arguments to avoid sharp Convictions darted into the mind But in Sleep we take things barely as offered without Reasonings or Disputings against it 3. Because in Sleep when all is still and quiet that which God represents to us takes more with the Soul and leaves a deeper Impression upon the Mind of Man for common experience teacheth us how Dreams and specially some stick and how those Apprehensions which we have in our Sleep dwell with us and abide in our Memory when awake Nay perhaps some remarkable Dream we had Twenty Thirty nay more than 40 years ago are still fresh in our Minds we finding it was of God and full of Instruction As I could tell you of one I had when Young a discovery to me of those great Troubles and Sorrows I should meet with I thought I was with the Lord Jesus and he gave me a touch and bid me follow him which I did tho' I saw no form and he spake to me and told me I should suffer hard things for his Sake and soon after my Trials began which were known to many tho' this was between 30 and 40 years ago yet is as fresh in my Memory as if not above a Year since 4. Because the Lord hereby would clearly shew his Divine Skill in Teaching and Instructing Man or that he hath a peculiar way or art in Teaching He Teacheth so as none of the Wise Masters of Learning were ever able to Teach and Instruct their Schollars there was never any Man could Teach another when Asleep they that are Taught ought to be more than Awake they ought to exercise all their Senses Care and Diligence but now God is such a Teacher such an Instructor that when we are Asleep nay in a deep Sleep he can convey Instruction and Teach us his Lessons This surely doth magnifie his Skill Divine Wisdom and Power Who but God can teach thus As he can give a Heart tâ— Understand and can give Understanding to the Heart of Man so he can teach us and discover himself and 〈◊〉 up Instruction to us when we are asleep 5. It may also be because God would hereby assure us â—hat the Soâ—l is a distinct Essence and hath it 's distinct Operations from the Body and that even Death it self cannot deprive the Soul of Man of it's Working for what iâ— Sleep but a kind of Death Sleep is a short Death and Death is a long Sleep Now when the Boâ—â— is as it were laid aside the Soul can go to work when the Body lyes like a Block and stirs not the Soul can bestir it self and act about many matters and run it's thoughts to the utmost ends of the Earth without the help of the Bodily Organs or Powers yea raise up the thoughts to the highest Heavens in blessed intercourse with God himself There is no need to prove matter of Fact that it 't is so What Night with reference to some or other doth not utter this point of Knowledge Nor need I saith the same Author stay to prove that this is if not a Demonstrative yet a very Probable Argument of the distinct Substantiality of the Soul from the Body namely it 's Operations when the Body with all it 's proper and peculiar Faculties and Powers is asleep and contributes nothing to those Operations And tho' it may be objected that irrationaâ— Creatures may have Dreams yet their Dreams do no doubt differ as much from those of Men as themselves do To this effect Caryl and other Learned Men speak 1. But from hence I would not have people to regard all sorts of Dreams especially considering as I hinted before Satan hath such power admitted him as sometimes to suggest evil and pernicious thoughts into our Minds when we are asleep some Dreams being Diabolical and others arising from Natural Causes and are Vain and Ridiculous 2. It therefore ought to be considered how we may know Divine Dreams from others And this be sure of that whatsoever Dreams tend to draw the Soul from God or to imbrace any Notion or Doctrine that is repugnant to the Word of God is not Divine not from
a Ladder c. DOCT. I. The Lord Jesus may fitly be compared to a Ladder that is set on the Earth and the top of it reacheth up unto Heaven I Have run the Parallel in many respects between Christ and such a Ladder in respect had to his Person and Offices as our Saviour and Blessed Mediator I shall proceed to some further Particulars Thirteenthly He that climbs up a Ladder looks upwards as he goes he does not turn his eyes down towards the Earth for that is dangerous So he that sets out in the way to Heaven by Jesus Christ must look up his eye must be set on Heavenly things While we look not at things that are seen but at things that are not seen c. 1. This look my Brethren may refer to his Underderstanding his Understanding is enlightened it is open'd to see the Nature and Excellency of Heavenly things That the eyes of your Vnderstanding being enlighthed that ye may know what is the Hope of your Calling and what is the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints What the Eye is to the Body that the Understanding is to the Soul 2. It may refer to his Affections Set your Affections on things above where Christ sitteth on the Right Hand of God A Believer's Desires and Affections are Spiritual and Heaven-ward 3. It denotes moreover the Exercise of Faith Such with Moses by Faith see him that is invisible Did not the Eyes of Believers see something above excelling all things here below they would never ascend by Faith on this Ladder nor slight and conntemn all the Riches Pleasures and Glory of this World 4. It may also denotes the excellent Frame of their Hearts They are born from above they have received a heavenly Nature an heavenly and spiritual Frame and therefore they look upwards They that are after the Flesh mind the things of the Flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit 5. This of looking upwards may signify a Believer's Hope and Expectation Their Hope is in Heaven not in this Life If our Hope be only in this Life we are of all Men most miserable As they are born from above so they are travelling thither their Faces are set heaven-ward Heaven is their Inheritance They seek an heavenly Countrey men of the World have their eyes downwards A man that looks downward that climbs up a Ladder is in danger of falling however he must make a pause or stand still but a Believer must go on his way he must not look back nor stand still but press forwards as Paul did He must not look back Fourteenthly A Ladder is a narrow way to go upon and it is a difficult thing to travel all day upon it So Jesus Christ who is the way to the Father is a narrow way Narrow is the way that leadeth to Life The way to Hell is broad multitudes go in that way but the way to Life is narrow tho this Ladder is wide or broad enough for all the Elect of God even for all for whom it was prepared for all that come to Christ for the vilest Sinner that is helped to venture himself upon him yet comparatively it is a very narrow way 1. A Narrow way is opposed to that which is Broad where any careless or negligent Person may go or multitudes may travel in it Now Christ is so narrow a way many cannot go this way it is not wide enough for them Christ will not allow them the Liberty they will take and will have let what will come of it they will have their Lusts their Riches their Honours their sensual Pleasures their old Companions their sinful Customs and sinful Practices the way must be broad enough for them and their base Consorts too or they will not go that way 2. It may be called a narrow way because it is hard to find it a narrow Path is not soon found or discerned as a broad common beaten road is Christ is a way not discerned by Carnal Persons The natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit they are foolishness to him neither can he know them because they are Spiritually discerned Man naturally accounts the way to Heaven by Jesus Christ a foolish thing because they cannot comprehend how they should be Justified by the Righteousness of another and he a poor Man as he was accounted who was Crucified on a Tree to be Justified by their own Works or by their own Righteousness this seems easy to discern it is natural to them to seek tâ— be saved in such a way all men being borâ— under the Covenant of Works Brethren Chriâ—â— is a way that lyes above humanâ— Reason it is a Mystery that depends wholly upon divine Revelation it is as strange and as an unlikely a thing to meer natural Men to think to be â—aved or to go to Heaven this way as it is for them to think a Ladder may be made and set upon the Earth the top of which shall reach up to Heaven So that Men may that way i. e. by climbing up on that Ladder go to Heaven They look with an eye of sense and not by an eye of Faith 3. Narrowness may denote the Difficulty of walking in this way Christ is not only a way hard to find but also hard to walk in Faith leads the Soul to deny it self i. e. of Sinful-self natural-self and righteous-self and to do this is hard and difficult and not only to deny ourselves in all these respects but also to take up our Cross O 't is this also that renders the way narrow What deny ourselves of every Flesh-pleasing and profitable Lust and of all our own Wisdom Honour Relations and Righteousness and take up the Cross too 1. This includes all Losses and Damage even to part with all for Christ's sake 2ly To take up our Cross denotes Shame and Reproach for the sake of Christ. 3. It denotes also Pain and Suffering nay Death it self when called to it 4. Faith leads the Soul to mortify Sin to crucify the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts The Dominion and Power of Sin must be broke Sin must not reign we must not only leave Sin but mortify it also This is hard to do and to follow Christ whither soever he goes or doth lead us to follow him fully constantly universally and now this is no easy thing to do to the Flesh. 4. Narrowness of the Way or Ladder may signifie what careful steps must be taken by all that climb up thereon we must step straight forward viz. Lead a holy and strict life For without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. We must take heed we do not suffer our feet to slide or slip therefore have need to say with holy David Order my steps in thy Word and let not any iniquity have Dominion over me Direct all the thoughts and motions
of Angels 〈◊〉 their ministration to him than the Scripture Records yet perhaps no more is meant hereby than that Nathaniel and other Saints shall see or know that the holy Angels are far inferiour to the Son of Man and do administer to him And also that all that good Believers do receive by the ministration of Angels is alone in and through Jesus Christ our Mediator Moreover that God doth not only make use of the ministration of Angels in governing of the World but also in the preservation safety and good of his Church The way to Heaven is full of holy Angels some going to Heaven for Intelligence and â—thers coming from Heaven either to forward proâ—ect or comfort the Saints 1. Angels are but Christ's Messengers he is the â—ead and Lord of all Principalities and Powers 2. They own themselves to be our Fellow-Serâ—ants I am thy Fellow-Servant of thy Brethren 3. They move at his Command and go and come 〈◊〉 his Pleasure 4. And they move at his Word with all Alacrity â—â—ey are speedy and swift in doing the Will of God 5. Moreover they are sent forth to minister unto â—hem that are the Heirs of Salvation Observe DOCT. That in and thro Jesus Christ the holy Angels minister to Believers while in this World In speaking unto this Proposition I shall take this method viz. 1. I shall speak a little to the nature of Angels 2. Open their Work and Office 3. Give you some Reasons why Christ imploys them to minister to the Saints And 4ly Apply it First They are Creatures they were created by God and within the six Days also By him were all things Created whether in Heaven or Earth visible or invisible whether Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him The Heavens and all the Angels which dwell therein were created by him i.e. by the Son of God Jesus Christ Let them praise the name of the Lord for he commanded and they were Created And this was in the Beginning In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth c. If therefore they had been Created before there should have been a beginning of time work done before that or else Angels were from Eternity and so not Creatures but none is eternal or without beginning but God Besides 't is said that God wrought all his Works in Six Dayes but if it be demanded what day they were created I answer in all likelyhood on the First-day When the Morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God â—â—oued for Joy Even when God laid the foundation oâ— the Earth when the highest Heavens and first maâ—ter was created of Nothing out of which other things were formed Secondly These excellent Creatures are true Substances and do really exist contrary to the Opinion of the Sadduces who denyed Angels and Spirits that is that they thought by the name of Angels waâ— meant nothing but good or ill Inspirations or Motions or else the Wonders and Apparitions which were wrought of God 1. They were I say created therefore they are Substances and not Accidents in another Subject 2. They are endow'd with Understanding and Will by vâ—rtue of which they were capable of Sinning and of departing from the Truth of obeying or disobeying of God until confirmed by an Immutable Head 3. From their Office this is further evident They appear before God they serve him and we are commanded to make them our Patterns they come to us admonish us teach protect and comfort us 4. Because thâ—y are said to appear to Men as to Abraham Jacob and many others tho not in their own spiritual Form As so considered no mortal Creature doubtless could behold them for that is to render the Invisible World to be Visible Sometimes they have appeared in assumption of Bodies tho not for the doing of their Work but to manifest themselves to be familiar with men Aquinas adds That they might manifest the intelligible Society and Converse which men expect with them in another Life 5. Because Christ is said not to take unto him the nature of Angels and hath a Name given him above them And in the Resurrection we shall be like to them As to their Nature they are Spirits incorporate and immaterial Who maketh his Angels Spirits And again it is said Are they not all ministring Spirits Tertullian and some other ancient Fathers asserted they have proper Bodies tho invisible to us but yet he seems to mean no more than a Substance And as the same Author observes If they have any such Composition as may be called a Body it is certainly of the greatest Fineness and Subtilty a spiritual Body and therefore not like to be of that grosness that either the Air is or those Heavens that are framed out of the same Chaos but nearer the substance of the highest Heavens which seem to be made at the same time Lastly saith he it will be safe to say that in Comparison of God they are Bodies but in comparison of us they are pure and mighty Spirits To which let me add I see not that the Saints at the Resurrection tho in some things they shall be as the Angels of God yet not that their Bodies shall be such bodies as the Angels have for tho the Saints be made spiritual Bodies yet shall be material i.e. of the same matter they now consist of only refin'd Thirdly Let it be consider'd saith he that as it is God only that is without beginning so it belongs only to him to be without any possibility of change or shadow of change and that the Angels as Creatures are reducable to nothing by the same hand that made them tho not from their own Nature nor shall they ever cease to be no more than the Spirits of all men yet they are in God's hand tho the best pieces of Nature and if he withdraw his hand they all moulder to nothing Angels saith my Author may properly be called Incorruptible and Immortal because they are so by Nature I speak not saith he now of the changableness of their Wills but of their Nature and Substance The Reasons are First Because the Angels are not produced out of the power of Matter or corporal Substance as the Souls of Beasts but only by the word of God and therefore as they have internal principles of Being so they have none of Dissolution for there is the same reason of Being and not Being Secondly Angelical Nature as the Souls also of Men are not compounded of Matter and Form but are simple Forms and Substances subsisting by themselves Now all Corruption Mortality and Death is by the separation of the Form from the Matter as when the Soul is separated from the Body which is Corruption or Death or when the accidental Form is separated from the Subject as White from the Wall or Health from the Man Now whatever wants Matter
It may be necessary to speak a little briefly by way of Explication and chiefly to shew what may be either Primarily or more Remotely or Subordinately signified or held forth by this Ladder 1. I understand by this Ladder directly and Primarily is meant our Lord Jesus Christ Nor am I alone in this respect for divers learned Men hint the same thing among which I might mention our late 〈◊〉 upon the Holy Bible on the place beâ—â—â— by Reverend Mr. Pool He says This Ladder represents Christ by whom Heaven and Earth are united who is called the way to Heaven which this Ladder was Moreover very evident it is that our Saviour himself refers to Jacob's Ladder Joh. 1.51 speaking of himself and of the Angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man 2. But more Remotely or Subordinately it may refer as some think to the Church of Christ Some being on Earth and others in Heaven of their going from Earth to Heaven and as thus it may represent God's special Providence and Care of Jacob either Personally considered or Mystically i. e. the whole Church bearing the name of Jacob who by degreeâ— thro' the Providence and blessed Favour of God and ministration of the Angels ascend from a low State to an exalted State or from a State of Grace on Earth to a state of Glory in Heaven It may represent saith Mr. Pool to Jacob the Providence of God who though he dwells in Heaven extends his Care and Goverment to the Earth and particularly maketh use of Angels as ministering Spirits for the good of his People who are not Idle but always in motion Behold a Ladder c. This word Behold hath various Acceptations sometimes it calls for Observation and Attention and sometimes for Admiration Behold what manner of Love is this c. It may referr to both these in my Text Such a Ladder the Foot standing upon the Earth and the Top of it reaching to Heaven calls both for diligent Attention and Observation and also for the highest Admiration The Second Branch of this Vision is That of the Angels of God ascending and descending upon this Ladder or upon the Son of Man Verily verily I say unto you hereafter ye shall see Heaven open and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man There are Two Things to be noted 1. The Persons mentioned 2. The Motions of the Persons 1. The Persons mentioned are the Angels of God 2. The Motion of these Persons they ascended and descended Reciprocally upon this Ladder that is upon Christ either Personally or Mystically considered and as one Observes when they are said to ascend they Minister to Christ Personally considered and when said to descend they minister to Christ Mystically considered i.e. to the Church How the Angels minister to Christ and to his Church I purpose to speak unto and open that in one Sermon upon this Text and shall therefore speak no more to it now And behold the Lord God stood above it In our Text this word behold is thrice repeated which doubtless may denâ—te the important matter signified thereby By the Lord God I understand GOD the FATHER who is represented above it as the contriver and maker of this mystical Ladder who indeed prepared the Body of Christ and so found out this wonderful way to Heaven and said I am the Lord thy God that is in Christ I am thy God or a God in Covenant with thee Jacob and with all thy true Spiritual Seed who strive to ascend up to me by this glorious Medium for doubtless God the Father being above it it doth also denote that this Ladder is the only way to the Father No man cometh to the Father but by me So much by way of Explication I. Observ. God knows how even by Dreams to instruct and comfort his People The Apostle saith That God at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets Sometimes by Angels sometimes by special Inspiration sometimes by Visions and sometimes by Dreams In a Dream in a Vision of the Night when deep Sleep falleth upon Men in slumbring upon their Beds then he openeth the ears of Men and sealeth their Instruction I shall speak a little as to Dreams in general of whâ—elâ— there are three sorts 1. Natural Dreams 2. Diabolical Dreams 3. Divine Dreams 1. Some Dreams are meer natural Dreams and these may arise from the Temperature of the Body Melancholy and Flegmatick Persons have their special Dreams so have those that are of a Sanguine or of a Cholerick Complexion The First as Naturalists observe are inclined to Dream of things â—enâ—ing to Sadness perhaps of Death of Graves or of dead Men. The Second of Sottish things The Third of Pleasant and Delightful things The Fourth of War Blood Contention or of Fighting and Wranglings 2. A Dream cometh through multitude of Business Commonly as Mr. Caryl observes a Man Dreams at Night of what he hath been doing in the Day as experience shews 3. Natural Dreams some affirm are caused by the Diet or Food which we eat some Meat especially inclining to some special thoughts and Dreams 4. As the same Author noteth also Natural Dreams arise from vehement Affections to or desire of what we want the Prophet signifieth The hungry Man Dreameth he Eateth and the thirsty Man Dreameth he Drinketh These are called Natural Dreams because they arise from Natural Causes or the rise of them are seated in Nature Secondly There are some Dreams that are no doubt Diabolical or arise from the Injections of the Devil I am subject to think but few godly Christians but by sad experience may find they at some times have been afflicted by filthy or hateful Dreams dreaming of such things which their Souls abhor ask them and they will tell you The Devil well knows what Corruptions are in our Hearts or in the Unregenerate part and if God restrains him not he may work upon and stir up those evil Humours when we are asleep Take Mr. Caryl's words Satan is skilful and diligent in soliciting our Lusts and Corruptions both Day and Night both Sleeping and Waking Yea the Devil can inspire false Doctrines and Opinions by Dreams as well as provoke to wicked Practises of such Dreams If there be among you a false Prophet or a dreamer of Dreams c. False Prophets had many Dreams and as the good Prophets had their Dreams from GOD so the false Prophets had their Dreams from the Devil All diabolical Dreams are either Dreams of Lies or Falshood like Satan himself or else Filthy and Defiling for he is an unclean Spirit Thirdly There are some Divine Dreams Dreams are of three sorts saith Reverend Mr. Perkins Natural arising from the Constitution of the Body Diabolical such as come by the Suggestion of the Devil Divine which come from God Some Dreams may be called Divine Dreams 1.
God but from the Devil 3. Moreover let no person now expect God should speak unto them by Dreams or Visions for tho' he did so frequently before Christ came yet Now in these last days God hath spoken unto us by his Son and we have a more sure Word of Prophecy God now as reverend Perkins notes doth not usually speak to us by Dreams yet he being a free Agent may so do if he please and no doubt sometimes he doth thus speak tho' not commonly for the Instruction and Consolation of his People Yet let aâ—â— take heed they are not deceived by Dreams Lutheâ— observes how many in his time were deluded bâ— Dreams and Visions which they falsly attributeâ— to God as the immediate Author of them and froâ— hence prayed earnestly about two things 1. That God would give him a good Understanding of the Scriptures and of his Mind revealed therein 2. That he would not send him Dreams or Visions Yea saith he I contracted with God that hâ— would not Brethren the holy Scriptures are those sacred Oracles by which God speaks to us and 〈◊〉 them iâ— contained all things which are necessary for us to know as to Faith and Practice being sufficient to make every Man Wise to Salvation thro' Faith in Jesus Christ and Perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works Therefore certainly such that are not satisfied to adhere to the holy Scriptures as a sufficient Rule in all points of Faith and Practice but desire God to speak unto them by Dreams oâ— Visions are deluded by Satan and do thereby casâ— great contempt upon the holy Scriptures But no more as to Dreams in general we will now come to this remarkable Dream and Vision Jacob had And behold a Ladder c. II. Observ. The Lord Jesus may fuly be compareâ— to a Ladder that is set upon the Earth and the Toâ— of it reaching to Heaven This Proposition I shall open God assisting And First I shall run a parallel between Jesus Christ and Jacob's Ladder And Shew that Christ may be compared to Jacob's Ladder In respect both of his Person and Offices Now Before I proceed I know not my Brethren why we may not run the Parallel so far as there is a clear Parity and it is consistent with the Analogy of Faith 1. A Ladder is the contrivance of the Wisdom of Man for the reaching attaining or doing of some thing which the Author designed thereby to do So JESUS CHRIST as Mediator GOD-MAN in one Person is the rare and wonderful contrivance of the infinite Wisdom of God for his attaining or accomplishment of his own most glorious design and purpose which is the Glory and Exaltation of his own Name and the Salvation of his Elect who on this Mystical Ladder must ascend to Heaven 2. A Ladder is a proper means or Medium to attain to that thing or accomplish that work which it was contrived or made for and possibly without which Medium it was impossible for the Person to reach to that thing or do that work which he designed and purposed to attain unto or to accomplish and bring to pass So JESUS CHRIST is the only way and means which GOD hath found out to bring us to Heaven The Builders of Babel thought to get up to Heaven by a contrivance of their own even by erecting a mighty Tower the top of which they said should reach to Heaven but they were soon confounded And like to them Mystery-babylon hath sought out other ways to Heaven then by this Mystical Ladder Jesus Christ they think to get Justification and eternal Life by their own good Works and by other Sacrifices then by the one Sacrifice of the Cross which they offer up for the living and the dead but they are but Babel-builders even blind and deceived Wretches whom God hath confounded and will confound Brethren there is no other way nor means to obtain eternal Life but by Jesus Christ alone I am the Way the Truth and the Life no Man cometh unto the Father but by me Jesus Christ went to Heaven as our blessed Head and Representative by his own Blood by his own Blood he entered in once into thy holy Place to shew that there is no other way by which Sinners can go to Heaven this only suiting with the Wisdom of God and every ways answering his own glorious Purpose and Design in manifesting and magnifying the Glory of all his blessed Attributes and making the Law honourable by Christâ— fulfilling all the Precepts thereof and bearing the penalty of it to free us from the Curse thereof Some think to get to Heaven by a Sober Moral Life others by their own Faith and inherent Holiness and Obedience to the precepts of the Gospel but in opposition to all these 〈◊〉 Christ is the Wayâ— it is by his Righteousness alone we are Justified in the sight of God his perfect Obedience to the Law is our Title to eternal Life and by his death who bore Hell pangs for us we are delivered from everlasting Wrath and Condemnation Neither is there Salvation in any other For there is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we must be Saved For either Soul or Body there is no other Person no other Sacrifice no other Righteousness no other way or thing But by this Mystical Ladder Jesus Christ alone by which we can be Saved 3. A Ladder must be long enough to to reach the thing desiâ—ed Now Jesus Christ in respect of his two Natures is prepared so by the Wisdom of God that in his Person he may be said to reach from Earth unto Heaven 1. As touching his Humane Nature which is the Fâ—ot of this Ladder this stands as it were upon the Earth And 2. As touching his divine Nature which is the Top of the Ladder this reacheth unto Heaven and in these two Natures in the Person of Christ we have what is represented by Jacob's Ladder for as these two Natures are in his Person united together Heaven and Earth are united together And now that he is God see John 1.1.2 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God Christ in respect of his divine Nature is here called the Word he was before the beginning of the Word even 〈◊〉 everlasting or ever the Earth wâ—s He was with God and was God not a Creature he was not Created at the beginning but was the Creator the Maker of Heaven and Earth all things were made by him not as the Instrumental Cause of all things or any Instrument in the Father's hand but as a Principle Efficient Cause of all things Without controversie great is the mystery of Godliness God was manifest in the Flesh. The Word was made Flesh and dweit among us That is the Son of God or second Person in the Trinity The Evangelist as one observes rather saith he was made
of God and thought it not Robbery to be equal with God he could not be said to be Exalted but taking our Nature upoâ— him he was abased he Humbled himself He took on him the â—orm of a Servant and became Obedient unto Death As considered as Mediator he is Exalted and hath a Name above every Name in Heaven or Earth First In respect of his Person Behold my Servant shall deal prudently he shall be Exalted and Extolled and be made very high here are three words signifying the same thing to express and hold forth the Glory and Exaltation of Jesus Christ. 1. He hath the Glory of God the Glory of the whole God-head in him The fullness of the God-head dwells bodily in this blessed Person the Man Christ Jesus and it pleased the Father it should be thus He is the brightness of his Father's Glory and the express Image of his Person 2. In that all the Glory of his Father's House is hung upon him placed in him he is the true Eliakim the glory of the house of David and of God's Israel Nay all the Glory of the holy Attributes slâ—ine forth in him and are united and meet together in sweet Harmony in him He is the Man of God's right Hand whom he hath made strong for himself To manifest his own Glory and to raise up his Elect to a most excellent State for ever 3. In that the same divine Worship and Adoration which is due to the Father is due to the Man Christ Jesus this my Brethren tends greatly to lift up elivate and exalt him to the Heavens That all Men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father all Men must thus honour and Worship him Brethren this is one of our strongest Arguments to prove that our Lord Jesus Christ is God the true God God by Nature i. e. because Divine Adoration is due to him even the same worship that is due to the Father were he a meer Man not the most high God it would be great Idolatry to worship him I am the Lord that is my Name and my glory will I not give unto another c. the Apostle John would have worshiped the Angel thinking no doubt it had been Christ I fell at his Feet to worship him and he said see thou do it not I am thy Fellow-servant and of thy Brethren that have the Testimony of Jesus worship God Here Note two things 1. That no meer Creature tho' never so glorious ought to be worshiped with divine Worship I am but a Creature equal in Office with thee tho' not in Nature as if the Angel should say therefore see thou do it not 2. That divine Worship alone belongs to God Worship God 't is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve But all Men are to worship Christ and not only Men but the holy Angels also and again when he bringeth in his first begotten into the World he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him All the Angels the mighty Angels that excell in Glory Power and Strength bow down before him and worship at his Feet So far is he exalted above them he is beloved the head of all Principalities and Powers he is their great and glorious Prince and Sovereign they are all at his Command are his Servants and Retinue they all wait upon him and willingly serve and obey him 4. Christ is lifted up or exalted in that he is the immediate Object of our Faith and Trust True the Father is Primarily the object of our Faith but Brethren Christ is the immediate Object thereof Ye believe in God believe also in Me And this because he is equal with the Father and as Mediator we must by him believe in God the Father and come to the Father by him No Man cometh to the Father but by me But again 5. Brethren Jesus Christ is lifted up and exalted in that the Government of the World is committed unto him The Father Judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son the Father Judgeth no Man but by the Son all the administration of Judgment Rule and Authority in the Church and in the World is in the hands of Christ as Mediator he pulls down and sets up By me Kings reign and Princes decree Judgment All Power and Authority in Heaven and Earth is his it is his essentially as God and it is given unto him as Mediator 6. Christ is Lifted up or exalted in that he is all and in all where there is neither Greek nor Jew c. but Christ is all and in all He is our All to the Father he is our all with the Father and our All from the Father he is our All by way of Merit he is meritoriously made All to us he purchased All that good we have and expect to have both Grace here and glory hereafter Jesus Christ is All to us by way of Conveyance as he meritted all for us so it is through him all good things or divine Blessings are communicated to us As he is the Fountain that contains all things so he is the Conduit-Pipe thro' whom all good is conveyed to us also Again he is All to us by way of Efficency and Causality he works all our Works in us and for us and without him we can do Nothing It is from him the Head that the whole Body receiveth Nourishment so he it is that blesseth that Nourishment that Food viz. himself his Word his Ordinances and all afflictions to us which we live upon Secondly Christ is wonderfully lifted up or is exalted to Heaven if we consider the Persons who are said to Greaten and Magnifie Him 1. The Father magnifies him and hath exalted him at his Right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour This Exaltation of Christ denotes his Abasement because he condescended so low to humble himself and to dye the Cursed death of the Cross therefore he is exalted See what Paul saith Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a Name above every Name that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow c. Not at the naming of Jesus but at his Name that is in respect of his Power Authority and Glory which he hath above all in Heaven and Earth considered as he consiâ—teth in both Natures or as Mediator God-man 2. All the Saints of God and Faithful Miniâ— of the Gospel exalt Jesus Christ True they cannot add any thing to his Glory but they give or ascribe the highest Glory unto him as his due The Apostle lifted him up above Moses above Angâ—ls nay as equal with the Father Paul desired to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him Crucified and resolved he should be magnified in his Body whether it were by Life or by Death 1. In that they all did all things they
did in his Name 2. By his Power 3. To his Praise and Glory 4. Also in shewing all Knowledge Learning Parts Righteousness moral Vertues Gifts and all Duties of Religion are Nothing or avail Nothing to a Man out of Christ because it is his Righteousness his Mâ—rits exclusive of all or any thing else that is the matter of our Justification before God 3. All the holy Angels likewise exalt Christ adore and magnify hiâ— Thirdly God haâ—â— exalted him from Earth to Heaven in respect of his Office in which alsâ— he is the Antitype of Jacob's Lâ—â—deâ— whâ—c◠〈◊〉 I have hinted at already yet I â—â—all add 〈…〉 1. Christ is chosen of God aâ— I said to be the only Mediator between God and Man our Days-Man that lays his hands upon both and as Mediator he is a King Priest and Prophet First He is a Priest excelling the High-priests under the Law being the substance and Antitype of all those Priests he is both Priest Altar and Sacrifice they were made Priests by men he is made a Priest by God himself they without an Oath he by an Oath they had Infirmities he had none The Priest under the Law could not continue by reason of Death he abideth a Priest for ever They offered up Sacrifices that could not take away Sins but by his one Sacrifice all sins are done away for ever He bore the sins of his People indeed he entered into the holiest of all he appears before God indeed they only Typically He made Attonement indeed they but Typically and Ceremonially He Judgeth of Uncleanness indeed they but Typically he maketh true Judgment because he knows all mens Hearts He offers up unto God the true Incense he blesseth the People by conferring Grace and divine Habits to them and by turning them from their evil ways He beyond the Priests under the Law doth determine all yea the hardest Controversies he resolves all doubts between God and Man such as these following 1. How God is Just and yet Gracious or how an offended God can and doth justify guilty Sinners 2. In and by by him we see how Justice and Mercy meet together and Righteousness and Truth kiss each other The one exalting the highest Satisfaction on terms of pure and severe Justice and the other crying for infinite Mercy 3. He resolves this Question viz How an unrighteous and ungodly Man can be justified with God 4. How Sin can be Punished and yet Pardoned 5. How the Debt can be Paid and yet be freely forgiven Brethren Christ is a Priest and as a Priest he is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder and as so considered he is exalted on high for in and by this Office he brings God and Man Heaven and Earth together I mean by that Attonement he hath made by his bloody Sacrifice It pleased the Father by him to reconcile all things to himself whether they be things on Earth or things in Heaven Heaven and Earth are not at a farther distance from each other as Naturally we are unto God in respect of our state and Spirits such Enmity is in the hearts of all unrenewed Sinners against God but saith the Apostle But now in Christ Jesus ye that were afar off are made near by the Blood of Christ. The way is by his Death by his Blood which was shed upon the Earth here we were and here is the Foot of the Ladder God's Justice requires an infinite Satisfaction and Christ being God reached Heaven i. e. the full demands of divine Justice Such a Days-Man we needed who layeth his hands upon both By his being a Priest in his oâ—â—ering up that one Sacrifice he reconciled God to us and by his Spirit he reconciles us to God by his applying and making the Attonement efficacious or effectual to us that in the dispensation of the fulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ. This is done in him even in Christ alone none but he hath done it or could do it God by him who stands at the top of the Ladder comes down to us as well as we go up to God it is by Christ that God comes down to us in a way of Mercy Peace and Reconciliation and it is by Christ we go up to God in a way of Faith and dependance Beloved God and poor Sinners meet together on this Sacred Ladder or blessed Medium and contrivances of infinite Wisdom in Christ we who were Strangers and Enemies meet with a holy and just God with joy and comfort You that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your Minds by wicked Works hath he reconciled in the body of his Flesh through Death When we were Enemies we were reconciled unto God by the Death of his Son Now this is done by Christ as a Priest in dying But Secondly He is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder as our High-Priest also by his Intercession now in Heaven 1. He interceeds with God for us in Heaven also 2. He interceeds by his Spirit in us By his Intercession in heaven he prevails with God for the Blessings of his Attonement and by his Spirits intercession in us all those Blessings are applyed and so made effectual to us By vertue of his Satisfaction God is brought near to us and thro Application of his Blood by his Spirit we are brought near unto God And thus is Christ the blessed Medium or Way by which Peace is made between Heaven and Earth or God and Sinners Moreover by this glorious Meâ—ium we have free access unto God which is the effects of Christ's Priestly Office It is on this Sacred Ladder we come with holy boldness to the Throne of Graâ—e It is by the blood of Jesus through him by one Spirit we have both that is Jews and Gentiles access unto the Father Again he saith In whom we have boldness and access with Confidence through Faith of â—im Christ is the Way of our Union with God and also of our Comâ—union All that divine and blessed intercourse that passeth between God and us is in and by Jesus Christ Seeing then we have a great High-Priâ—â—t tâ—â—t is passed into Heaven let us therefore come â—oldly to the Throne of Grace c. Again he saiâ—h Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus Secondly Christ is exalted as he is a King and also as King he is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder and in this respect wonderfully exalted Him hath God exalted at his Right-hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel and remission of Sins Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords the only Potentate It is by him Kings reign and Princes decree Judgment He pulls down one and sets up another as it pleaseth him 1. Christ my Brethren is the Father's Heir his First-born 2. He is also qualified with all Princely Wisdome
me behold me what is that but to believe in him lastly and sometimes for Consolation Now the Word here no doubt calls for Observation for Admiration for Faith and Dependance and also for Consolation Behold a Ladder set upon the Earth and the top of it reacheth to Heaven Of what a length is this Ladder Astronomers according to Reverend Greenhill observe 't is 160. Millions of Miles from Earth to Heaven A wonderful thing An amazing height so it is a wonderful thing to behold Christ Jesus the Way to Heaven Behold with Admiration be Astonished who could have thought of such a way to the Father to be Saved by a dying Jesus by a poor Man hanged on a Tree to be Justified by his Righteousness and by his Death to be delivered from Hell this is a marvelous thing Angels wonder beholding this Person Observe from hence DOCT. II. That the way which God hath found out to save lost Man namely Jesus Christ ought to be beheld with the greatest Care or utmost Diligence and with the greatest Admiration and Wonderment 1. I shall shew wherein in speaking to this Proposition the wonderfulness of this spiritual Ladder doth consist 2. How we should behold Jesus Christ. 3. Shew you why we should behold him 4. For what Sinners should behold Christ or look to him 5. Apply it To the first of these 1. To behold this spiritual Ladder in respect of the Cause or Motive that moved God to make or prepare it 2. In respect of the Wisdom of God that did prepare it 3. In respect of the Matter of which it is made or doth consist 4. In respect of the great and glorious Design of God in making or preparing of it First we may well admire this spiritual Ladder Jesus Christ in respect of thâ— Motive which moved God to prepare it which was his infinite Love Mercy and Goodness to Sinners to shew so great Compassiâ—n towards sinful and râ—bellious Creatures who deservâ—d instead of being raised up to Heaven to be immediately cast down to the lowest Hell What is Man that thou art mindful of him that thou shouldst magnifâ—â— him and set thy heart upon him Sirs it was the love of God the Father I say that tâ—is way was prepared it sprang or proceeded from the greatness of his love God so loved the Wâ—rld if it had not been the product of the Father's Loâ—e it wâ—â—lâ— not be to the praise of 〈◊〉 Grace the love of the Fâ—ther in this case in Moving was as great as the 〈◊〉 in Consenting O how did his Bowels work and move in him O the miraculousness of divine goodness by the law we had broke we were guilty insolently taking up Arms against our Maker plunging ourselves into a Sea of divine Wrath and Vengeance guilty of Millions of Sins meritting Millions of Deaths yet has love would not let him rest until he had found out a way to raise us up from the lowest Hell to the highest Heaven And in making his Son his only begotten Son the way and that by Abasing of him making him so Poor that was so Rich so Low that was so High and Glorious so Cursed that was so Blessed yea Blessedness it self nay so miserable for a time to make our way to Heaven thro' the rending his Flesh and taring his Soul to pieces and pouring forth his most precious Blood and this for such who hated him and were cursed Traitors against him well might the holy Ghost say Behold a ladder behold a new and living way which he hath provided and consecrated thro' the Veil that is to say the Flesh of his own Son O my Brethren the way to enter into the Holiest is by the blood of Jesus Doth not God hereby shew greater Love and Grace than if he had saved lost Sinners on a way of simple Mercy without the Death of his own Son Therefore as one Observes God resolvâ—d to signalize his Love to us he would have it reâ—ch the highest Note and it could not be screw'd up to an higher Peg than to Sacrifice his Son for us with his own Hand it pleased the Lord to Praise him Be astonished both Men and Angels Now may our Meditations swim in this boundless bottomless bankless Ocean of the Fathers Love God spared not his own Son Brethren the Love of the Father was the Motive that moved him to contrive this way to Heaven yea and the fullest the freest and the most amazing Love that ever was shewed free to us but expensive to him it cost him the Blood of his Son more costly than the making of Millions of Worlds he lay in his Bosom and there was none besides him from Eternity to put up a request it was the Result of his own Bowels before the being of any Creature 't was the effect of his Power Tho' our Justification Sanctification and eternal Blessedness be the Fruits and Merits of Christ's Death yet whatsoever is Meritted for us by Christ it is all the Fruits of God's Love Christ did not merit the Fathers Love nor did he merit the Office of being a Mediator no this sprung only from the Love of God to us Christ did not I say dye to procure the Fathers Love tho' thereby he makes us more lovely unto him by washing us from our natural Filthiness and by the fruits of his Death thro' the Spirit by stamping his Image upon our Souls Brethren God could not shew greâ—ter Love to us as Abraham could not to God than by the Offering up his own Son Isaac whom he so dâ—arly loved Secondly Admire this Sacred Ladder in respect of the Wisdom of God in contriving of this way to Heaven As it exceeds the Art and Wisdom of Men to make a Ladder to reach up to Heaven so it far surpasseth the Wisdom of Men or Angels to contrive such a way to Heaven that God may be glorified in all his Attributes to the highest Perfections and yet we Saved Sin Punished and yet the Sinner Justified Besides God had lost the glory of his work in making of Man and this World for his sake and Satan would have insulted over him had he not contrived a way to restore him It would have been to the Disparagement of his Wisdom who pronounced all the Works he had made to be Good and when he had made Man very Good to see himself so soon disappointed and his work marr'd I mean the noblest part thereof all other Creatures being made for Man's use and so for lower and baser and more unworthy ends Brethren Christ the way not in vain called the Wisdom of God because in him God displays the highest acts of his divine Wisdom the holy Angels are amazâ—d at this Wisdom they pry into this depth this profound mystery of God manifested in the Flesh. There is a wonderful Mystery in our way to Heaven by Jesus Christ as well as in the Fellowship of this Mystery or in the
are imployed to defend the godly Brethren the Ladder goes through Satan's Territories and tho they can't come upon it yet they strive to throw us down if possible but know the Good Angels have as great power to defend us as the Evil Angels have to annoy us The Angels are our guard to deliver us to aid and assist us when assaulted by the Powers of Darkness and from the hurt and mischief which those Millions of wicked Spirits that swarm about us would do us The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him they are God's Hosts as Jacob calls them and a mighty Host they are the King of Aâ—â—â—â—â— sent a great Host with Chariots and Horsemen and tâ—ey came by night and encompassed the City about And now Elisha â—s Servant cries out Alas my Master 〈…〉 shall we do 2 Kings 6.15 And he answered Fear not for they that are with us are more than 〈◊〉 that be aâ—ainst us verse 1â— And Elâ—sâ—a prayed and said Lord I pray thee open his eyes that 〈…〉 And the Lord opened the eyes 〈◊〉 the young man and he saw and behold the Mountâ—â—n was 〈…〉 and Charioâ— of pre round 〈…〉 6. They no doubt suggest good thoughts into the minds of God's People Can any think that the evil Angels have more power to suggest evil thoughts into our minds than the good Angelâ— haâ—e to suggest good thoughts We have not only the holy Spirit of God to do this but the good Angâ—lâ— also 7. They are imploy'd to guide and lead us along on this Ladder that so we may not faâ—â— He will send his Angel before thee and 〈…〉 hold saith God my Angel shâ—◠〈…〉 Angel was to lead him all the way 〈…〉 they lead us all the way to â—â—aven even 〈◊〉 we step the last step of the Ladder 8. God in governing the World and his People in it makes use of Angels they lead sâ—metimes a poor Soul perhaps into a godly Family or 〈◊〉 the Company of a gracious Person and so he by that means is converted and his Feet set upâ—n the Ladder or brought to believe on Jesus Christ or Persons are by their Ministration perhaps brought into a Meeting or an Assembly of God's People unexpectedly which proves their Conversion Or may be an Angel may smite a notorious Sinâ—â— with Sickness at God's Command to awaken others with sudden Death 9. They are to keep the Godly in all their ways or rather in God's ways to keep our feet on the Ladder lest they Lip For he shall give his Angels thaâ—â—e over thee to keep thee in all thy ways they shall bear thee up in their hands or sustain thee and uphold thee in all thy goings as we do a Child or weak person especially in times of danger as a Nurse bears the Child in her Arms. But take heed of going out of God's way lest you fall and the evil Angels have power over you as he had over a godly Man's daughter who going to a Play-house was possessed by the Devil and a godly Minister pleading with God said Lord why didst thou suffâ—r Satan to possess such a man's Chilâ— The Devil presently said in her as I remember the passage What did â—â—e then upon my ground The good Angels Brethren have a charge only of us while in his way a Saint may step out of it tho not out of Christ yet out of his ways O take heed of that 10. Angels are imployed to comfort God's People Fear not Mary thou hâ—st sound favour with God Angels know us by name An Angel appeared to Daâ—iel and said O Daniel a Man greatly beloved understand the words I speak unto thee Angels know who are most beloved of Jesus Christ An Angel appeared to Cornelâ—us and said Thy Prayers and thy Alms are come up as a Memorial before God 11. They also as Mr. Greenhill observes are to look to the Souls of Believers that they fall not into the hands of Devils at death for they all go to Heaven through his Territories the Air For saith he if the Devil durst contend with Michael for the Body of Moâ—eâ— much more fâ—r the Souls of the Saints Lazarâ—â—'s Soul was carried by the Angels into Abraham's â—oâ—om before Men carried the Body to the Grave the Angels carried his Soul to Glory Moreover they are the Reaperâ— of the Harvest of the World and shall gather tâ—gether all the Elect at the last day they must blow the terrible Trumpet to raise the Dead at the last day 12. The Angels have work in the Church they attend the Assemblies of the Saints For thâ—s cause ought the Woman to have poweâ— oâ— her Head because of the Angels or to have her Head viz. her Faâ—e covered the thing signified is here put for the sign she is under the power of her Husband signified by covering her Head Quest. But why must she be covered because of the Angels Ans. There are divers Opinions about this 1. Some think the Apostle means the evil Angels who watch to take advantage to tempt Men by the sight of some beautiful Object But certainly as our Aâ—â—oâ—â—ors observe the Apostle would not have spoken of Dâ—vils under this nâ—tion 2. Others think he means the Ministers or Oâ—â—â—cers of the Church who are called Angels â—ut as Calvin observes the word Angel is never appropriated to Ministers without some addition as to the Angel of the Church of Epâ—â—stâ—â— c. 3. Most understand by Anâ—els here the good Angels they have a charge of our Churches as Peter Martyr observes as well as they had of the Jews Michael the Prince stood up for the Children of thy People The Angels take good notice of every person's behaviour in our Assemblies how they demean themselves with piety modesty and sobriety If any let their Eyes wander or rove abâ—ut they observe them Hence 't is thought the Women should cover their Faces especially in Prayer because of the Observation the Angels make of them and others whilst in God's holy Worship in his Church Brethren like aâ— the Devils attend our Churches to hinder us in our profiting under the Word so the good Angels are there also to resist them and to further our profiting Satan as one observes is first and last at the meetings of God's People and he hath many ways to obstruct the Souls of Men from hearing with attention may be luâ—â—s them asleep or fills their minds with prejudice against the Preacher or against the Word he preaches or to confuse their thoughts causing them to think of their worldly Business perhaps of their Debts what they owe or what is owing to them or of Injuries sustained and how to seek revenge or else cause them to fix their Eyes upon one beautiful Object or another thereby to divert them from what they should mind But we may conclude the good Angels have as many ways to help us as the evil have