John 5.8 And there are three that bear witnesse in earth the Spirit and the water and blood and these three agree in one 1. Cor. 10.16 The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we break is it not the communion of the bodie of Christ 19. Whosoever are under the Covenant of grace are not under the Law but under grace not under the jurisdiction of the devill but under the rule and command of Christ not under the dominion of sin and transgression but under the Regiment of the Spirit of life and adoption Rom. 8.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death Rom. 8.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God 20. The faithfull after the time they are assured that God is their God through the Covenant of free grace and mercie are wholly removed from the barre of justice to heare what tydings of peace mercy and salvation shall come from the throne of grace and mercie Hebr. 12.18 19 20 21 22 23 24. 21. The Covenant of grace is smitten with the faithfull in Christ the onely and absolute Mediatour before they come to the true and effectual assurance thereof in their hearts and consciences 22. The joy of the holy Ghost doth then fill the hearts of the faithfull when in the receiving the seals of the Covenant they through the act of faith do firmly and strongly behold the marvellous and exceeding freenesse of that to them undeserving 1. Tim. 1.14 15. the 14. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 15. This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 23. If any man would have assured confidence that he shall live immortally and that grace communicated to him shall never be removed or extinguished let him turn his eye upon the freenesse and newnesse of the new Covenant established and confirmed to him in the hand of a Mediatour Hebr. 8.6 24. The Morall Law is no part of the new Covenant in equalitie and substance it is the same which was made with Adam in his innocency and integritie Gal. 3.12 And the law is not of faith but the man that doth them shall live in them 25. As the Father of admirable love and kindnesse makes his covenant with his in Christ so doth every Christian make his covenant with God in Christ sith that in himself there is nothing but indigencie want and deficiencie and that through Christ the fountaine and well-spring of fulnesse and excellencie he may receive sufficient to performe what he hath promised to God-ward for his own particular Joh. 15.5 I am the Vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing 26. Our covenant is an holy resignation of soule and body to serve obey feare and love God our deare and loving Father and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent in answer to that free Covenant which he hath made to us in Christ when he chose us to be a peculiar people zealous of good works Rom. 12.1 I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service Tit. 2.14 Who gave himselfe for us that he might redeeme us from all iniquitie and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Contemplation THe eye that seeth the eare that heareth the mind that conceiveth the immense and incomprence love of God to his may admire that God through grace should make a new covenant of grace to his people undeserving grace he saw them in their blood defiled stained spotted and impure yet he chose and did not refuse them in that wofull state and condition Though they were unfaithfull to God in the first covenant he is faithfull to them in the second through the breach of the first they lost all through the help of Christ in the second they recover all in that they stood not in the first they shut the gates of heaven upon themselves through or by vertue of the second heaven is open for them to have free entrance though the Law of works speak bitter heavy and terrible things to the conscience yet the second speaks not of bitternesse dreadfulnesse or terriblenesse but of favour bountie and benignitie to the soule or spirit The first was in the hand of man the second in the hand of Christ Hence it is so fast strong and permanent that neither heights nor depths principalities nor powers neither dominions nor the prince of darknesse with all his rabble can anihilate disanull or bring to nothing O Christian whilest thou art comprehended behold that which is incomprehensible whilest thou art measured behold that which is immeasurable whilest thou ponderest of something ponder of that which is unutterable Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God how unsearchable are his judgements and his wayes past finding out CHAP. IIII. Concerning Vnion Definition 1. VNion is the work of the Spirit of Christ through faith whereby the Saints are united unto Christ and to the Father in Christ to the end they may enjoy communion in the promises and benefits of Christ in the state of grace and in the estate of glory everlasting beatitude and perfection 1. Cor. 6.17 But he that is joyned unto the Lord is one spirit 1. Cor. 3.22 Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods 2. The faithfull are not onely united to Christ by faith as the instrumentall cause by the Spirit the cause principalliter operans but also by the blood of Christ as the cause materiall Ephes 2.13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were farre off are made nigh by the blood of Christ 3. It hath not onely been the divine pleasure or benevolence of our heavenly Father that we should be united to his dearly beloved Son by nature but that we should be united to him by a secret and mysticall union Joh. 17.23 I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me 4. The Son of God took upon him the humane nature of mankind through which he is joyned to all men but that is infirme and weake and not able to bring us to eternall glory without the union mysticall I in them and they in me c. Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold
A TREATISE CONCERNING the free grace of God the Father and of the love of Jesus Christ In which is contained the Fountain of precious Consolation to all the Saints beloved and redeemed PSAL. 46 4. Yet there is a river whose streames make glad the city of God even the sanctuary of the tabernacles of the most High By TIMOTHIE BATT LONDON Printed by T. P. and M. S. for Ed. Blackmore at the Angel in Pauls Churchyard 1643. TO THE BELOVED Churches in God the FATHER and in IESUS CHRIST the blessed Redeemer living in Transilvania sanctified in Christ Jesus grace and mercie be multiplied from God our Father and from Jesus Christ whom he hath sent DEarly beloved seeing we are bound by the deare love of Christ not to conceal the mind of Christ and that we are not our own but every one bound by the bond of dear affection to tender the good one of another not onely in temporall and common affairs but also in spirituall and celestiall matters and not to retain as churlish Nabal but rather dispence as Booz unto Ruth I therefore upon the aforesaid considerations am determined according to the strength and power which Christ hath given unto me to bring to the view of the Saints this heavenly Doctrine of free grace of vocation by the Spirit of Adoption of Mediation by the Lord of life and glory of Reconciliation by his blood of sanctification by the Spirit of union through faith and love and of glorification through that sweet communion which we shall injoy in him who is the Lord of life and blessednesse for ever To whom shall I present these lines except to you who know the mysterie of life and salvation who are heires and coheires with God in Christ who have interest in all that is the Fathers and Jesus Christs whom he hath sent and walke in the light as Christ is the light of truth and Redemption I am perswaded of your intire loves and affections to the Word of life and salvation and that nothing is so dear unto you as to heare of the praise of your beloved In the true knowledge of what is Christs consists the true solace of heart joy in conscience and contentment of mind What joy what peace what consolation can be without this knowledge that God communicates to his grace undeserving that they are called from the kingdome of Satan to the kingdome of Christ that they who were slaves and captives of hell are made the brethren of Christ that they are united to the beloved Christ from whom they receive their being and well-being that they are sanctified by the Spirit of life which frees them from the law of sinne and death that they are clothed with the royall robes of Christ and that they shall for ever dwell with Christ in the heavenly Jerusalem This fountain is as Gileads balme and Damascus rivers As a continuall spring of the sweetest repast as a fountaine of over-flowing pleasures and the delightsome delectation of all the faithfull Hath eyes seen hath eares heard or mind conceived the admirable joyes that God hath laid up for them that love him or hath eye seen eare heard or mind conceived the singular consolation which comes from the knowledge of these to the Saints through the hand of a Mediator Was Jacob joyfull because Joseph was yet alive was Isaac comforted because of Rebeckah his wife and may not the Saints be consolated in this divine love and favour through the testimonie of the Spirit O the height of favour O the deepnesse of love O the breadth of grace and the longitude of free immense and in comprehense mercie of God to his poore servants that the clouds are discussed the mists and foggs of darknesse dispersed and the Saints behold the mirror of divine glory in the face of Jesus Christ I confesse beloved brethren that my talents in number answereth his who had but two and the composure of these lines are as the gleanings of the vintage yet doubt I not of your loving and sweet acceptation therefore I rest upon your loving acceptance yet will I never rest nor cease day and night imploring and beseeching the Father of supereminent grace and bountie to seal these spirituall and heavenly benedictions to your souls wishing your strength like Judah's your blessing like Josephs and your triumph like Gads through the good will of him who was in the bush and the sweet pleasure of him who died on the Crosse that so you may be preserved from miserie unto eternall felicitie through the Son of everlasting righteousnesse and glory to whom be ascribed all glory and honour for ever and evermore Amen Yours in all love and dear affection in the Rock Christ TIMOTHEUS BATT TO THE CHRISTIAN READER Christian Reader THou art not ignorant that the barren ground is not answerable to the fruitfull soyle notwithstanding through the dewie drops which cometh from the clouds it yeeldeth fruits for the use of man Though that the expressions of lines do not superabound with the sweetnesse of phrase or curiousnesse of stile yet according to the strength which from Christ I have received I have not been wanting for thy use or benefit Insensible creatures expresse according to that which to them is communicated and shall not man who is a sensible creature expresse according to communication The divine and abundant love of God binds not onely life but pen to move if it may make for his glory and the honour of Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Both the great and little foxes run abroad to obscure the doctrine of grace and justification It is neither knowne to the Papists nor taught in the Churches of Arminians it is our Crown and dignitie not onely to hold forth the Word of life and salvation by preaching but also by writing Light is given to the Sun that the lower region might be enlightned In the plejades is placed the strengths of influence that of inferior things it might be received The end of Gods donation to rationals is that to others it might be revealed Every element moves to its proper place the earth and water downward and aire and fire upward every good Christian moves to his proper end to wit to the glory of his Maker and the good of his brethren If a man plants a vineyard it yeelds its fruits in time convenient If we have spent our labours in studies shall it not be declared in time expedient What is hotter then fire Love Love as a fire within my breast hath burned a long season Therefore I could not chuse but set my pen to paper in the course of indictment these have I not indicted because they are not known but because they are known or that the yongnes of dayes could equall the gravest sentences of the ancient or that my ambition is to answer the meanest of Rhetoricians but because my candle is lighted and two talents must not be interred sith that for the benefit of others it is
Christ reconciling the world unto himselfe not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation 4. The ends of Reconciliation are the peace of Conscience the dignitie of Christ our Mediator and the faithfulls fruition of Gods presence which was obscured or hidden from them by reason of iniquitie Ephes 2.14 For he is our peace who hath made both one and broken downe the middle wall of partition betweene us 5. Whilest the soule apprehendeth not this reconciliation with God in Christ there is nothing but disturbance but when the Spirit of God doth assure us of our Reconciliation with him wee then enjoy the peace of Conscience Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace whose minde is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee 6. The sence of Reconciliation through the hand of Christ Mediator is the beginning of tranquilitie of mind and the upholder of the Spirit against the feare of the houre of death and Judgement Isa 26.12 Lord thou wilt ordaine peace for us for thou also bast wrought all our works in us Isa 25.8 He will swallow up death in victory and the Lord God will wipe away teares from off all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the carth for the Lord hath spoken it 7. The more a Christian hath the sence of this estate and condition he is more heavenly in his meditation more comfortable in declaration and holy in conversation The ground is this sith the deare love of God in the act of Reconciliation is the ground of our affection to Christ in the heavenly places and of obedience to Gods blessed and sacred Majestie 8. It is impossible he should loose Gods favour any more who through the death of Christ is to God reconciled sith that sinnes hand-writing is wholly removed and that this precious death is a sufficient ransome from all iniquitie Col. 2.14 Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nayling it to his Crosse Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised againe for our justification 9. The faithfull under the Law did not onely looke for salvation but also for reconciliatiō by the hand of Christ Isaiah 26.12 Lord thou wilt ordaine peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our workes in us 10. God was reconciled to man before it was vertually manifested and after vertuall manifestation he is reconciled before of his it be received The ground is this Sith it is the wisdome of the Faether that in himselfe there should be the primary ordination afterwards answered by Christ in the act of Reconciliation and conferred to the Saints by way of Reception 11. For as much as it hath been impossible that any creature could reconcile himselfe to God infinite in nature it hath been the free grace of God to send his beloved Sonne that being infinite he might answer what infinite Justice did require Isaiah 63.3 I have troden the Wine-presse alone and of the people there was none with me 12. He that supposeth that by answer to the morall Law he either pacifieth Gods Justice procureth Gods favour or maketh peace with God is deceived for there is no other meanes under heaven to give us rest in the day of great necessitie or peace in the depths or gulfes of misery save by the death and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Isaiah 53.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed 13. To attribute Reconciliation to any Creature save unto Christ Mediator is blasphemy and a point of high Arminianisme 14. Although we have been estranged from God through sinne heires of anger of eternall death subject to destruction shut out from all the hope of salvation and alienated from the blessings of God and under the yoake and bondage of the Morall Law notwithstanding such hath been the love of God unto us in Christ that he would remove all these and not onely reconcile us unto himselfe by the bloud of Christ but also by his death Rom. 5.10 For if when we were enemies wee were reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life 15. By the knowledge of Gods anger against us we come to the knowledge of our misery and of his mercy and unlesse we know how great a sepation or distance there is betwixt GOD and us we can never value or prize the exceeding or excellent vertue of our Reconciliation by Christ 16. As God first loves us before he doth redeeme us so doth he love us before he reconcile us unto himselfe albeit we have no assurance of his love untill wee through faith apprehend him to be reconciled unto us through Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.18 And all things are of God who hath reconciled us unto himselfe by Jesus Christ and hath given us the ministery of Reconciliation 17. Incomprehensible and immutable is the love of God that although we were not reconciled actually through the bloud and death of his Sonne yet he loved us before the foundation of the world Ephes 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love 18. As Redemption Adoption Union and Communion can never be disannulled sith they are obtained by Christ and in him established so reconciliation being the worke of God in Christ and procured both by the precious bloud and vertuall death of Christ can never be annihilated 19. Not onely the presentation of the chosen of God but also the glory of God the honour of Christ Mediator hangs upon the everlasting reconciliation of the faithfull to God Col. 1.22 In the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it selfe now to appear in the presence of God for us 20. The infinite worth and power of Christ in matter of Reconciliation is so sufficient to answer Gods infinite puritie that Gods pure nature desireth no more in matter of Reconciliation 2 Pet. 17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased 21. Though there is a participation of the vertue of Christs Reconciliation in this vaile of misery yet the full fruition is not enjoyed of the faithfull untill they come to the Heaven of felicitie 1 Cor. 2.9 For it is written eye hath not seene nor eare heard neither hath entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 22. The assurance that the faithfull
Sanctification infancy and strong age the one is in the estate of grace the other in the estate of felicitie and glory 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 3. In Sanctification there are two parts considerable 1. Mortification 2. Vivification 4. Mortification is the first part of Sanctification through which sinne is mortified and the force thereof weakned and abated Rom. 6.6 Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth we might not serve sinne 5. Vivification is the second part of Sanctification through which the Image of God is restored and renewed 1 Cor. 15.49 And as we have borne the Image of the earthly we shall also beare the Image of the heavenly 6. The efficient and absolute cause is the Father of eternall grace and mercies 1 Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soule and body be preserved blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7. The meritorious or formall cause the precious deare bloud of the Lord Christ that bought us Heb. 10.10 By the which will wee are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all Heb. 10.29 Oh how much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be thought worthy who hath troden under-foote the Sonne of God and hath counted the bloud of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace 8. The instrumentall cause of our Sanctification is the precious and sanctifying Word of the Lord Jesus Joh. 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy Word is truth 9. The spirit of life and glory is the cause principally working and perfecting of our Sanctification Hence the Spirit of Christ is tearmed the Spirit of Sanctification Rom. 1.4 10. There is an inseparable lincke and conjunction betwixt the act of Justification by or through the righteousnesse of the Lord our righteousnesse and the act of Sanctification through the Spirit of life and Adoption The ground is this Sith the end of Justification through the love of God and righteousnesse of Christ is the holinesse of our lives and conversations 11. Whilest the inabilitie of man is insufficient to mortifie sinne transgression and iniquitie the Spirit of life and consolation worketh faith in the hearts of the faithfull which layeth hold on the deare bloud and precious death of the Lord Christ which draweth strength from thence to the utter subduing and mortifying of corruption Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the bloud of Christ who through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without spot to God purge your conscience from dead workes to serve the living God Rom. 6.8 9 10. Now if we be dead with Christ we beleeve that we shall also live with him Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dyeth no more death hath no more dominion over him For in that he dyed he dyed unto sinne once but in that he liveth he liveth unto God 12. Whilest man is insufficient to restore againe the Image of God which he lost in Paradise to him is given the Spirit of life through which he is freed from the Law of sinne and death and raised againe to live by the life and resurrection of Christ Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sinne and death Rom. 8.11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you 13. The New Creature reconciled through bloud justified through righteousnesse and sanctified by the Spirit is really absolutely freed from blame reproofe and sinne in the sight of God the Father 2 Cor. 5.17 Coll. 1.22 Vide. 14. As God hath glory by faith in his promise love to his Name and hope in his salvation so he hath glory by holinesse and sanctitie in our lives and conversations Rom. 4.20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbeliefe But was strong in faith giving glory to God Joh. 17 10. And all mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven 15. Though the Father of glory and God of all consolation give us life eternall without the desert of holinesse and sanctification yet he doth not give the joy of the Spirit supply of grace without the meanes of sanctimony or sanctification Act. 10.43 44. Vide. 16. Answerable to the sence of Gods divine favour the apprehension of the divine love of Christ and the over-fillings and over-flowings of the joy of the Spirit so is the faithfulls progresse to the high calling of God in Christ Phil. 3.14 I presse toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus 17. So farre as our sanctification or holinesse is an assurance of our glory and blessednesse hereafter that it shall receive the crowne of hope and approbation in the day of Judgement and that through it we glorifie our heavenly Father before the sonnes of men we may rejoyce before God with an assured confidence Act. 24.14 15 16. But this I confesse unto thee that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers beleeving all things which are written in the Law and the Prephets And have hope towards God which they themselves also allow that there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust And herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwayes a conscience voyde of offence towards God and men 18. Not the terrors of the Law the feare of hell the dread of Justice nor the affrightment through condemnation ought to move the Saints to the obedience of the Gospel of life and salvation sith they are bound to the obedience thereof by the love of God a reconciled Father and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 15.12 This is my Commandement that yee love one another as I have loved you Joh. 14.15 If yee love me keepe my Commandements 19. Though the Saints for their sanctitie and holinesse are not assured of life and immortalitie yet without sanctitie and holinesse they are not assured of beatitude and glory Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord. 20. When the faithfull doe not consider their justified estate and condition and their glorious presentation through the act of reconciliation but opposeth and compareth their works with the Commands and Precepts of the Morall Law It doth possesse them with dreadfull griefe and woefull sorrow Heb. 12.18 19 20
certainly perswaded that whatsoever they do according to his pleasure is accepted in the hands of Christ Mediatour Ephes 1. Vnto the praise and glory of his grace whereby he hath freely accepted us in his beloved 18. The effects of divine grace and favour are the remission of sins the imputation of righteousnesse the donation of the Spirit of peace and consolation and everlasting blessednesse in the kingdom of hope and fruition 2. Thess 2.13 God hath chosen us from the beginning unto salvation by sanctification of the Spirit and the faith of truth 14. Now the same Lord Jesus Christ and God even our Father which hath loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace 19. Christ died for the sins of his Saints and is risen again for their righteousnesse and justification so that he is not onely become our salvation but his Father is gracious and propitious to us for his sake Rom. 4.25 He was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Matth. 17.5 This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased hear him 20. As by the sin of Adam we were estranged from God and destinated to destruction so by the obedience of Christ we are received into favour and imputed righteous to justification Rom. 5.19 As by the disobedience of one man many were made sinners so by the obedience of one man many were made righteous 21. God began to imbrace through free favour whom he loved freely before the foundation of the world then it appeared apparently when he reconciled us to himself through the precious blood of his beloved Son Ephes 2.4.13 Through his great love wherewith he loved us now in Christ Jesus ye who were sometime afar off hath he made nigh by the blood of his Son 22. God through his benevolence hath not onely given the body of Christ but the soul of Christ to feel the sence of his wrath for the redemption of mankind that although we were lost we might be found and although through the law we could hear nothing but condemnation yet now through Christ we may hear the sentence of salvation Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that abideth not in all things which are written in the Law to do them 2. Tim. 1.10 But now is made manifest by the glorious coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought in life and immortalitie into light by the Gospel 23. In this hath appeared the immense love of God towards men whilest he was sent into the world for their deliverie whilest he was made a sacrifice to pacifie the wrath of his Father which was so hot against them 1. Joh. 4.10 In this is love not that we have loved God but that he hath loved us and hath sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins 24. God was most clementious and propitious in the beloved Christ making him the Redeemer of humane generation whilest the beloved Christ was willing to redeeme them Heb. 10.6 7. Burnt-offerings and sacrifice thou wouldest not for sin then said I behold I come In the volume of thy book it is w itten of me that I should do thy will O God 25. The free grace of God is the stay of the mind the prop of the soul and the hope of the conscience in the midst of all sorrow and tribulations Lament 3.21 22. This call I to mind therefore have I hope It is the Lords mercy we are not consumed but his compassions fail not 26. If any man shall set himself before the tribunall seat of an angry God he shall not stand being there is nothing in him that may merit favour or deserve love at the hands of God Psal 130.3 If Jah shall observe iniquities O Lord who shall stand 27. Christ through his obedience hath obtained favour he hath satisfied for our sins he hath born the punishment for us and through his obedience God is well pleased 2. Cor. 2.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Contemplation O Christian look to the Rock from whence thou art hewen and to the hole of the pit from whence thou art digged all that thou receivest is from free favour and grace of a loving Father had he not favoured thee where hadst thou remained or where hadst thou been assuredly in the bottomlesse pit under the heat of everlasting burnings bound by the black swadle bands of the devill lockt up under the blacknesse of darknesse to the judgement of the great day arraigned by the power of justice and condemned by the morall Law never to have heard the sweet sound of reconciliation or the heavenly harmony of the gracious doctrine of redemption except the bowels of overflowing mercie had yearned and the gracious countenance of thy loving Father had been manifested The clouds open and distill their drops to the refreshing and replenishing of the sublunarie creature Thy gracious Father hath yearned by the bowels of his compassion and hath replenished and refreshed thy soule with his abundant kindnesse Thy dayes might have been dayes of sorrow and thy nights nights of terrour The terrours of death the horrors of hell and the afrightment of a wofull conscience might have sadded thee had not free love and superabundant grace prevented Is not his grace better to thee then kingdomes then Consulships then riches then Honours then dignities or dominions The Disciples wondred at the rare and famous buildings of the Temple and mayest not thou wonder at the excellencie and incomparablenesse of the free grace of God thy celestiall Father O how sweet is his grace unto me is it not as an ointment poured out as the sweetest drops distilling from the fullest clouds and as the sweetest dewes upon the tender hearb Did the babe spring in the wombe of Elizabeth at Maries salutation and doth not joy spring in my conscience because of free grace in everlasting redemption Here is grace incomparable here is mercie ineffable and here is bountie unalterable is not this the River from whence my soul hath water is not this the Sunne from whence my mind hath light is not this the heart from whence my will receiveth vitall motion I am adopted to be a sonne elected to salvation redeemed from bonds united to the Lord Jesus Christ But from whence flowes all these but from the rivers of free love and the fountain of gracious love and bountie My life my hope my peace my rest my faith my all is from Christ all in all as the Apostle saith Rom. 11. last verse For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be praise and glory for ever Amen CHAP. II. Concerning Election 1. ELection is the selecting or chusing of some certain men that the glorious and supereminent grace of God may
forth into singing and cry aloud thou that didst not travell with child for more are the children of the desolate then the children of the married wife saith the Lord. Rom. 10.6 7 8. But the righteousnesse which is of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above 7. Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring Christ again from the dead 8. But what saith it the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach 4. They had the grace of God darkly and obscurely we plainly and apparently 2. Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 5. The communication or gifts of the Spirit under the Gospel of reconciliation are more excellent then those which have been communicated under the Law Act. 2.17 18. the 17. And it shall come to passe in the last dayes saith God I will poure out of my Spirit upon all lesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesie and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams The 18. And on my servants and on my hand-maids I will poure out in those dayes of my Spirit and they shall prophesie 6. The old Covenant was given by Moses this by Jesus Christ Joh. 1.17 For the Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 7. The old Covenant binds us over to absolute righteousnes the new commands us to seek it in Christ the Lord our righteousnesse Joh. 6.40 And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and beleeveth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day Rom. 3.26 To declare I say at this time his righteousnesse that he might be just and the justifier of him which beleeveth in Jesus 8. The old Covenant was given to impell men to Christ the new to hold forth and exhibite Christ Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternall life and they are they which testifie of me 9. The proper object of the old was to consternate and humble the new to comfort them who are consternated and humbled Matth. 11.28 29. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavie laden and I will give you rest 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls 10. They differ by accident and through our infirmitie for the Law without the Gospel is insufficient to salvation Rom. 8.3 For what the Law could not do in as much as it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh 11. The Lord Christ is the Mediatour of the new Covenant not onely because the Covenant is made with his for his sake but because through the vertue of his mediation this Covenant cannot be disanulled Hebr. 8.6.9 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministery by how much also he is the Mediatour of a better Covenant which was established upon better promises 9 Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt because they continued not in my Covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord. 12. The supereminent superabundant and superexcellent grace of God our dear and propitious Father is manifested to his poore servants in that he hath established the everlasting Covenant of free grace and mercie in the hand of Christ Mediatour 2. Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us Hebr. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediatour of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance 13. The Covenant of grace is an everlasting and perpetuall Covenant sith the foundation of that Covenant is the free grace of God and the ratification and confirmation of the same is the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ Hebr. 12.24 And to Jesus the Mediatour of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel 14. The supereminence of divine grace and favour hath not only appeared in this that he hath established this Covenant in the hand of a Mediatour but also in this that he hath smitten a Covenant with the immeriting and undeserving Hos 2. the last And I will sowe her unto me in the earth and I will have mercie upon her that had not obtained mercie and I will say to them which were not my people Thou art my people and they shall say thou art my God 15. The grace of God is the ground the blood of Christ the matter the end eternall life and beatitude made over to the faithfull in all ages that they might be certainly and fully assured that God will be their God and Father everlasting Hos 2.19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteousnesse and in judgement and in loving kindnesse and in mercie 16. The true and solid knowledge of this free Covenant of grace bountie causeth the beloved Saints and beleevers to hate all Pharisaicall performances or the righteousnesse of Justiciaries Phil. 3.9 That I may be found in him not having mine own righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is by the faith of Christ the righteousnesse which is of God through faith 17. The benefits of the free Covenant of pitie and clemencie are the remission of sinnes and condonation of transgression the donation of the Spirit everlasting and continuall communion with the Lord Christ in the kingdome of felicitie perseverance in the state of grace by the all-sufficient hand of God our clementious and heavenly Father Jer. 31.34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord For they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquitie and I will remember their sin no more 1. Joh. 3 24. And he that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us 1. Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation to be revealed in the last time 18. The intrinsicall seal of the Covenant of grace and salvation is the Spirit of glory and obsignation the extrinsicall is the Lords Supper Baptisme 1.
will give thee a name better then of the sons and daughters He will protect thee by an invincible protection and crowne thee with everlasting and glorious salvation The best of the land of Egypt was given to Josephs brethren the best of the treasures of mercy and righteousnesse is given to thee Gifts were given to the sonnes of Keturah but the possession was Isaacs gifts are given to the sons of men but the possession amongst the Lords inheritance is given to thee O my soule thou hast obtained a lot above all lots and a mercy above all mercies Therefore exalt his name with the Church saying His mercy endureth for ever his mercy endureth for ever And make mention of his love with the Apostle Behold how great a love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sonnes of God 1. Joh. 3. CHAP. VII Concerning Redemption Definition 1. CHiefly our knowledge consists in this that having lost what was given in the creation is again restored to us by the hand of Christ in the act of Redemption who shed his blood to redeeme us from evils Phil. 3.8 Yea doubtlesse I count all things but losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ 2. The knowledge of Christ our redeemer is known by the fall of Adam and by the materiall cause of our Redemption 3. Redemption is the bringing of man to the state of libertie from the slavery of sin and Satan by the exhibition of a inst price Matth. 20.28 Even as the Sonne of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many 4. The end of Redemption is application and the fast measure rule and reason of application is the fame gracious will of God which hath been the cause of mans Redemption Galat. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Sonne of God who loved me and gave himself for me 5. Man being lost he must seek for the Redemption of his soule through the hand of Christ Christ is the adoption of the elect the conservation of the Church the instauration after dissipation and the redemption of his from Satan sin and all miseries Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeeme us from all iniquitie and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works 6. We receive the vertue of that redemption by Christ through the power of the Spirit of Christ who joyneth us with Christ Hence is he called the Spirit of sanctification and adoption and the seal of our redemption and salvation 2. Cor. 1.22 Who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts Ephes ◠14 7. When as in the loyns of Adam whole humane kind was lose so that the noblenesse and excellencie of our estate of integritie cannot profit us when we think upon it but rather turn to our greater shame untill God the Father appear in the person of his onely begotten Son to the saving or freeing of our souls from all calamities 1. Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption 8. After the fall of the first Adam whole mankind was inthralled his knowledge of God unto salvation sure would profit him nothing without a Saviour Hence saith our Saviour Joh. 17.3 This is life eternall to know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent 9. Whilest we are condemned by the Law dead in sin naked wanting righteousnesse poore wanting riches and bondmen wanting libertie we must seek for these at the hands of our Redeemer in whom and at whose hands we may receive these in the time of necessitie Hebr. 4.14 15 16. Seeing then that we have a great high Priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus the Sonne of God let us hold fast our profession For we have not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like us yet without sinne Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need 10. Not rashly nor by hap or chance or by the will of man that Christ should have this name Jesus but from the wil of God delivered by the Angels that he should save his people from their sinnes Mat. 1.21 And shee shall bring forth a sonne and thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sinnes 11. God was an enemy to man till by the death of Christ he was restored into favour Man was accursed till by the sacrifice of Christ his iniquitie was expiated he was separated untill by the body of Christ he into Conjunction hath been received Ephes 2.16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Crosse having slaine the enemy thereof 12. God loves us first after by Christ he redeemeth us unto himselfe and untill Christ by death redeem us from him that hath the power of death iniquitie doth remaine which may deserve the indignation of God so that through it we may stand accursed and condemned in his sight Rom. 3.19 Now wee know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every mouth may be stopped all the world may become guiltie before God Gal. 4.4 5. Verse the 4. But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his sonne made of a woman made under the Law Verse the 5. To redeeme them that were under the Law that wee might receive the Adoption of sonnes 13. When as we are redeemed by the death of Christ it is not so understood as though now he should begin to love us whom before he hated but that now loving us he doth redeeme us to be his people Gal. 1.4 Who gave himselfe for our sinnes that he may deliver us from this present evill world according to the will of God and our Father 14. It was not sufficient for the taking away of cōdemnation that Christ should undergoe death but also that he might feele the sence of his Fathers wrath upon him for us that so our Redemption from wrath might be fully accomplished 1 Pet. 2.24 Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree that we being dead to sinne should live unto righteousnesse by whose stripes ye were healed 15. The Father hath abolished the power of sinne when the curse of God rested on the flesh of Christ then Christ was a satisfactory sacrifice to his Father for sinne that the strife being ended through his sacrifice we may cease to feare the anger of God
bondmen from everlasting slavery What is the bondage to man in respect of the bondage to Satan or what is the libertie amongst men in respect of the libertie of Christ Jesus From what are we freed yea from what are we not freed from the dominion of sinne the slavery of the Law the tyranny of Satan and the gates of the pit of hell and destruction By what art thou freed yea by what art thou not freed From sinne by the precious incōparable inestimable bloud of Christ out of the jawes of Satan by the potent invincible and unconquerable strength of Christ from the force of death by the vertuall and efficatious death of Christ and from the cursing condemning and arraigning power of the Morall Law by the full and satisfactory obedience of Christ It hath not been in the power of man nor the will of man to worke out the work of satisfaction or the worke of Redemption the Wine-presse of Gods wrath would have been too hotte and too heavie for him It hath not been in the minde of Angells it would have crusht them to the earth yea to hell to have born that weightie wrath and fierce indignation of God against sinne when neither speare nor shield was found among any in the world for the delivery of mankinde strength and power hath been found in the armes of Christ fully to performe the worke of deliverance if a world had been given for the Redemption of one soule it would have been refused an infinite would admit of nothing finite O! what worth what value what price is the bloud of Christ which is of sufficiency to redeeme all men all the power of the Creature could not bring one soule out of the slavery of the Devill Oh! what power what strength what worth of excellency is there in Christ who by his power strength and might hath brought thousands out of the bondage and slavery of hell and the Devill All the Angells in heaven could not by their skill remove one poore soule from the barre of Justice and bring it to the mercy-seate to heare one word of mercy What a Sea of wisdome is in Christ who by his wisdome can bring all the poore and distressed Consciences to the throne of mercies to receive whole Rivers of mercy from thence unto their soules Sampson overthrew more at his death then he did all his life Christ did more in the Redemption of his in death then he did in the time of his life Let us therefore lift up our eyes to heaven and behold the bountifull and benignous mind of God unto us that whilest our cases were desperable and we saw no way for delivery God hath found out a way and hath sent from heaven the Sonne of his love to be our deliverer A Ram was not provided but a Lamb that through his bloud tooke away the sinnes of the world satisfied Gods Justice and procured for his people a joyfull and glorious freedome God manifested his power from the Cloud and overthrew Pharoah his Charets and horsemen in the red Sea God manifested his mightie strength in the subverting of Satan and sinne through the bloud of Christ When Peter was in bonds the Angell set Peter free when we were bound by chaines in the dungeon of darknesse and death Christ hath set us free So that now the consciences and spirits of the faithfull and ours also are free to grace and to the enjoyment of the Kingdome of felicitie let the Christian therefore thinke on these things and triumph with the Apostle Oh death where is thy sting oh hell where is thy victory let him not feare neither Law nor hell nor death nor the Devill sith he is redeemed from the world though he live in the world to God above who is all in all to whom be ascribed the praise of all for evermore 1 Tim. 1.17 Now unto the King eternall immortall invisible and the onely wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen CHAP. VIII Concerning Christs Mediation Definition 1. THe Mediation of Christ is the presentation of himself that externall and infinite oblation once offered to God his Father to that end that the riches of heavenly grace might be infused his redeemed might have free accesse to his Fathers Majestie and his Father everlastingly reconciled to his peculiar and selected Hebr. 7.25 26 27. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them For such an high Priest became us who is holy harmlesse undefiled separate from sinners and made higher then the heavens Who needeth not daily as those high Priests to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins and then for the peoples for this he did once when he offered up himself 2. It is convenient that Christ who is the Mediatour betwixt God and man should be God-man unlesse he had been man he had not been a fit sacrifice unlesse he had been God he had not been of sufficient vertue 1. Tim. 2 5. For there is one God and one Mediatour between God and men the man Christ Jesus 3. Through the personall union of both natures Christ Mediatour is become King of his Church and head of the same kind with his body Ephes 1.22 23. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church Which is his body the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all 4. The humiliation of Christ through which he submitted himself to answer the righteousnesse of God and his exaltation which was manifested when he rose again from the dead ascending on high leading captivitie captive hath obtained a perfect redemption for the faithfull Ephes 4.8 Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men Hebr 9.12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternall redemption for us 5. The satisfaction and merit of Christ Mediatour hath taken away condemnation and hath brought eternall life and salvation Colos 1.13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darknesse and hath translated us into the kingdome of his dear Son 6. The merit and satisfaction of Christ differ in divers operations 7. The exaltation of Christ is no part of the merits or satisfaction of Christ through which he mediates for his with his Father The ground is this sith the exaltation of Christ Mediatour followeth his crosse or satisfaction 8. Christ is said to be Mediatour betwixt God and the faithfull not that it wholly agreeth to the humaine nature of Christ but also to his divine nature Act. 20.28 Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood 9. The satisfaction of Christ according to the substance of it
divine and spotlesse righteousnesse that in his Fathers sight and presence we might find acceptation Ephes 1.6 vide 9. This is the streame of sweetest consolation that the Lord Christ was accounted unjust that we might be counted just and that he stood in the place of the unrighteous that we might stand in the place of righteous 1. Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned by the Spirit 10. Christ the Sonne and Lord of righteousnesse who is our life and everlasting righteousnesse overcoming death shineth by the Gospel maketh us now to sit with himself in the heavenly places that there might be nothing wanting to our felicitie and to the praise and riches of his grace and bountie Ephes 2.6 7. And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindnesse towards us through Christ Jesus 11. Now the Sonne and Lord of righteousnesse doth shine and we have the perfect beautie of his divine and pure righteousnesse revealed in the Gospel of life and reconciliation such as is the clearnesse of noonday although in former ages it hath been hidden and obscured Ephes 3 8 9. Vnto me who am lesse then the least of all Saints is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ 12. Adam whilest he stood in his integritie innocency and puritie was not so pure in the sight of God as the Saints who are presented spotlesse in the flesh of Christ and imputed righteous through the righteousnes of Christ the Lord and Prince of righteousnesse The ground is this sith the righteousnesse which is given to the Saints through union with Christ surmounteth that which was given to Adam when he was created 13. The righteousnesse of God is not sufficiently manifested and declared unlesse by that the Saints and redeemed may be accounted sufficiently just in his sight and that God should communicate righteousnesse to the undeserving 14. This is our trust and glory that Christ the Sonne of God the onely author of our salvation is become our righteousnesse and that we in him are the sons and heirs of the celestiall kingdome made partakers of the divine nature and called to the hope and expectation of everlasting beatitude 1. Pet. 1.3 4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead Rom. 8.17 And if children then heires heires with God and joynt heires with Christ If so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together 2. Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust 15. The sinner is received into communion with Christ whilest by the grace of God he is reconciled and by the blood of Christ he is purged from transgression and not otherwise doth he stand before the tribunal seat of God save by the righteousnesse of God his Saviour and of Jesus Christ his blessed and sweet Redeemer The ground is this sith no righteousnesse can answer the righteousnesse of God but the pure and infinite righteousnesse of Christ 16. There is an inseparable conjunction between the pardon and remission of sins and the imputation of divine and absolute righteousnesse which is conveyed to the Saints through communion with the Lord Jesus so that their imperfections are covered the spots and filthinesse thereof are deleted lest they may come into question by eternall and absolute judgement 17. If we seek by what meanes the heart is fixed and the conscience satisfied by no other way or meanes shall we find it save by the power of the crosse of Christ interest in his death the efficacie of his resurrection and the imputation in pure and everlasting righteousnesse 18. Whosoever doth desire to be just before God he must seeke to be freed from sinne by the precious and incomparable blood of Christ and from the riged force of the Morall Law by his active and passive obedience Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth 19. By his puritie all our spots are covered and the uncleannesse of our imperfections to us is not imputed and our transgressions in Christs grave buried that they might never plead against us before the barre of Justice 20. When we are inserted and ingrafted into Christ then doth he dignifie us making us one in himselfe that we may glory that we are admitted into fellowship and communion with the Father with himself and with his people who are sanctified by the Spirit and accounted a glorious people through his glorious and perfect righteousnesse 1. Joh. 1.3 vide 21. Although justification is for and in Christ the beloved Mediatour notwithstanding the Saints are not justified in the sight of God untill faith is given to the Saints by which the Lord Christ is apprehended Rom. 5.1 Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 22. Christ is the adaequate object of faith so farre forth as faith doth justifie Galat. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have beleeved in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the Law for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified 23. Faith upon no other consideration is said to justifie save because it apprehendeth the superabundant grace of God in reconciliation applieth Christs death blood and resurrection to the Saints and resteth upon the promises of God which are yea and Amen to the glory of the Father 2. Cor. 1.20 vide 24. This is the life of saith through which a sinner doth come to the possession of his own salvation whilest by the doctrine of the Gospel he doth acknowledge himself reconciled to God redeemed and ransomed by the inenarrable blood of Christ sealed by the Spirit of life and obsignation and filled with joyes unspeakable and glorious 1. Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet beleeving ye reioyce with ioy unspeakable and glorious 25. We are justified before men by holinesse and uprightnesse of conversation but before God by the imputation of righteousnesse in justification Jam. 2.18 Yea a man may say thou hast faith and I have works shew me thy faith without thy works and
perfection of grace yet not without grace though grace and glory is no cause of heavines yet sometimes the Saints are in heavinesse But their Lord will see them againe their hearts shall rejoyce and their joy shall no man take from them They shall see CAn mortall man behold the face of God in glory No. Can mortalitie behold him who is invisible No or can the frail creature eye him who is immortall No No man hath seen God at any time but the Son out of his bosome he hath declared him but when corruption shall put on incorruption when weaknesse and frailty shall be clothed with strength and glory and mortalitie shall put on immortalitie then shall they see his face His. VVHat the face of an earthly Potentate No what the sight of an earthly Prince No. What the countenance of a mightie Monarch No. What then the face of him who is the God of sweetest consolation the Father of divine and shining glory the Creator of the heavenly wights and the orbe terrestriall the Lord of hosts our Israels King and the God onely wise blessed for evermore Amen His face VVHere are the fountains of pleasures where are the springs of delectation where are the rivers of supercelestiall joyes and consolation save in his sweet and gracious presence Is not that the river that makes glad the Citie of our God Is not that the stream which maketh glad the Tabernacles of the most high Is not that the sweetest spring that refresheth all the Saints beloved Are Abanah and Pharper rivers of Damascus comparable the waters of Jordan answerable or the waters of Bethlehem in parralell to this No the captives say by this they are delivered the wounded affirme by this that they are healed the dead relate by this they are revived this makes the thirsty land a poole of pleasant waters the driest land a spring of sweetest solace and the desart place a place of hopefull scituation If we might enjoy heaven and not this what sweetnesse If we might enjoy the company of celestiall weights what delightfulnesse If we might enjoy all things and not this all what cheerfulnesse The thought thereof makes the travellers to heavenly glory comfortable and triumphous in their walking the fighters for the heavenly crown of righteousnesse valiant and victorious in battell and the prisoners in bonds and chains for Christ's sake pleasant and joyous in praises O what thought like this thought O what cogitation like this cogitation or what consideration like this ponderous and serious consideration To consider that through the light of this countenance and the cheerfulnesse of this blessed face and favour the Saints shall be delivered from all evill to enjoy the highest and supremest good For they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads What delivered from all evils Yea by this the Law hath no power to accuse before the barre of Justice arraigne before the tribunall throne of God condemne through the infinite and eternall justice of God or to command us to stand righteous or holy in the sight and presence of God By this the feares of death are removed the terrors of death abolished the sting of death extinguished and the delivery of death unto the second death prevented by this the roarings of that roaring Lion the devill are stopped The cunning of that old craftie Serpent subverted the fire-balls of the black prince of darknesse repulsed and the power of the prince of the aire utterly annihilated By this the spot of sin the impuritie of iniquitie the wrath and indignation for transgression cannot take hold upon the Saints redeemed By this they are delivered from the outcries and blasphemies of the damned the chains of miserable and woful darknesse the judgement of the great and notable day of the Lord from the woes and miseries of hell for evermore for they are a people blessed beloved of the Father For they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads To enjoy the chiefest good what said I the chiefest good Yea for in the enjoyment of this hopefull and blessed countenance they shall enjoy the promises Shall not the dead enjoy the promises of life Shall not the wearie and heavie laden enjoy the promise of rest shall not the fighters for glory enjoy the crown of righteousnesse shall not the Saints and Martyrs enjoy the crown of glory Yea for his word is as fast as heaven and earth his Decree as absolute as the Decree of the Medes and Persians and the foundation of his truth more stable then the center of the earth Hath he not engaged himself by oath affirmed by his Word and established by his promise His promises are in Christ yea and Amen unto his glory Shall they not understand the infinite and eternall price of Redemption the sweet and the delightsome peace of Reconciliation the glorious beautie of the righteousnesse of Christ in Justification the blessed communion and union with Christ annext to vocation and that eternall and blessed weight of glory in glorification What benefit hath been procured by the crosse of Christ what conquest by the death of Christ what life and righteousnesse through the resurrection of Christ or what priviledge through the mediation or intercession of Christ that is not communicated to the Saints through this blessed face and favour For they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads As they may glory so will I glory and triumph though the Sea roare though the mountains be cast into the midst of the waters though the earth should quake and the heavens should be shaken yet would I not feare O my soule what if thou wast cast into a den of Lions with beloved Daniel what though thou wast cast into the fierie fornace with Shadrach Meshech and Abednego what though thou wast in prison with Peter bound in chains amongst the foure quaternions yet this would refresh thee What though thou wast with David shut out from the Lords inheritance suffered the want of light in a dungeon of darknesse and sustained the losse of goods friends and acquaintance yet this would replenish thee this will make thee more joyfull then others with all their corn and wine in abundance This will make thee more cheerfull then others having treasures with superfluance this shall make thee more delightfull then others that possesse all things with excrescence When thou awakest with this Image thou maiest be satisfied with the sweetnesse of his face and blessed vision thou maiest be ravished for in his face is fulnesse of joy and pleasures for evermore Shall others see and not I shall others behold and not I I shall behold him and now neer I shall see him and not farre off Therefore will I glory with them that glory sith my lot with theirs is fallen in goodly places For we shall see his face and his Name shall be in our foreheads And his Name shall be in their foreheads O Admirable
precious in prison as in the heavenly places and the chain of Christ in prison more rich then a chaine of pearls and jewels therefore the Apostle gloried in this chain Phil. 9. Yet for loves sake I rather beseech thee being such a one as Paul the aged and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ Of CHRIST 1. CHrist is our glory and our strength for ever A help at need a hold that faileth never 2. When darknes is the Sun appeareth bright The darknes past the Sun we have in sight 3. And though the darknes for a time remain It passeth over light springeth again 4. And light appearing Christ came from on high Passing his word to be our Suretie 5. To answer what of man the Law required Or Justice plea of right the truth desired 6. By worth of death and blood to satisfie His Fathers wrath sins most hainous cry 7. So heaven did its drops to earth distill And with its springs the vast places did fill 8. When heaven high adjoyn'd it self so lowe All fluent favours on it to bestow 9. Distance of place prevents not influence The eye may see a love incomprehence 10. The height the depth the faithful do admire With serious thoughts within themselves retire 11. To think such favour kindnes free grace Laid up for them in the celestiall place 12. Obtain'd by Christ the Lord of peace life Shedding his blood that he might end the strife 13. Hence then Christ pleads saith that al is mine My blood and death it hath redeemed thine 14. For to enjoy the fulnesse of my store For them laid up of old for evermore 15. With Angels Saints songs of celestiall praise Mention thy bounty favour eke alwayes Of Faith 1. THy suit pursuit after the place celestiall Thy highest thoughts do leave the place terrestriall 2. Thy sweet repose and stedfast acquiest In God through Christ for everlasting rest 3. This faith of thine is placed in intellect Ever on Christ thy object doth reflect 4. Which changeth nature old age reneweth Altring the will and will obeyes the truth 5. To truth consenting and doth not gainsay What divine truth will have it to obey 6. God ours in Christ through faith we do assent By it from Christ our ioy and complement 7. Our hope through faith looks unto God future To be perswaded of a kingdome sure 8. Sith promise faithfull is our faiths foundation Assuring us in Christ our great salvation 9. Faith saves it's true yet not without Christs blood Though it conduct us to eternall good 10. And though we are the sons of God most high Yet that 's through faith the truth doth not deny 11. Whilest we are just through royal righteousnes From Christ not man our faith doth that confesse 12. Whilest we are holy by Christs Spirit free Our faith applyeth Christ to thee and me 13. Whilest we adorn and reverence his Name Faith gives the vertue power to the same 14. Whilest we do mourn faith causeth to repent Moving the vitals yet not to relent 15. And whilest we have a glorious rich reward Faith saith that God our works doth not regard 16. But looks to Christ who hath obtain'd the Crown Obtained honour conquest and renown 17. It never leaves to bring the gray and heary Vnto the place of their celestiall glory 18. Where sing they shall and evermore remain Halelujahs song and nevermore refrain 19. Sith lot is good a portion them befall To be with Christ who is theirs all in all T. BATT FINIS