have of the answer of mercy and of the treasures riches and wisdome of Christ is because that through the infinite worth of Christs death and bloud they are absolutely reconciled to GOD the Father Col. 2.2 That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. Col. 1.21 22. Yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight Contemplation THe saying of Ahaziah King of Israel to Jehu was Is there peace His answer was What peace The reply of the wounded Conscience is Is there not peace The answer is given there is peace God who was an enemy is now become a friend his hatred against sinne was so great that it could not be pacified or asswaged by any humane creature The barres of Hell the gates of death the iron bands of sinne the fiercenesse of the Morall Law is removed by a person infinite the same vertue and worth which hath procured Redemption hath procured Reconciliation The strength of Sampson was more then the gates of Azzah the vertue and worth in Christ hath been above the enmity betwixt God and man What is like to this great and wonderfull worke of Reconcilement As nothing can parallell the work of Redemption and Union with GOD through Christ so nothing can equall the work of Reconciliation to God by the hand of Christ When we see the Rain-bow we admire yet wee cease to admire when we consider the hand that made it When we behold the famous work of Reconciliation we may wonder yet cease to wonder when we consider the hand that did it How comfortable is the calmenesse of weather after stormy times How passing comfortable is the peace of Conscience from Reconcilement to God after the stormy times of temptation Out of the sweet comes Corroboration and out of this comes the greatest consolation When Balacke saw the standing of Israel in the Wildernesse he said How comely are thy tents O Israel and thy habitations O Jacob When the faithfull through the eye of faith behold the fruits of reconciliation to God they say how great delight and comfortablenesse ariseth from that peace which is made betwixt God and their soules Hence from the worke of Reconciliation comes the worke of a Christians moving to God-ward with freenesse of spirit Hence comes the Gospell of Reconciliation which speaks better things then the Law the Law speakes evill as Micah against Ahab as Doâ—g against the Priests of the Lord as the Jewes against our Saviour but now the Gospell speakes graciously and sweetly of peace of grace of mercy being that man to God is reconciled through the hand of the Mediator Jesus Christ turne therefore thine eare from the Law to the Gospell and walke thou in the comfort thereof till thou come to see thy Redeemers face in Sion and the brightnesse of the countenance of thy loving God and Father blessed for evermore Then shalt thou be satisfied with his favour filled with joyes and his sight and Image shall be thy great contentment Then shalt thou say with the Psalmist Psal 16 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is fulnesse of joy at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore CHAP. X Concerning Justification Definition 1. ZAdick Just in hiphill signifieth righteousnesse in hisdiâ—k justificare that is to account some man just or righteous 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 2. Justification is the gracious sentence of God through Christ apprehended by faith whereby he doth free the sinner from sins death and condemnation and repute them just to life glory and salvation Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 5. ult That as sinne hath raigned unto death even so might grace reigne through righteousnesse unto eternall life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 3. This gracious sentence in Justification proceeds from Gods decree that it might be pronounced in Christ our Saviour to his people and virtually sealed to the soule by the holy Spirit that the Saints might be assured of the condonation of iniquitie and the imputation of divine and heavenly righteousnesse Micah 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy Rom. 5.18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousnesse of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life 4. By the same grace wherby Christ was called unto the office of a Mediator the elect are called to union and communion with Christ and by that accounted just in the sight and presence of God Hebr. 3.1 2. Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling consider the Apostle and high Priest of our profession Christ Jesus Who was faithfull to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithfull in all his house 1. Cor. 1.9 God is faithfull by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Sonne Jesus Christ our Lord. 5. The efficient cause of our justification is the rich and free grace of God the mereitorious cause is themerit of Christ the instrumentall cause is faith apprehending and resting on the promises of God the end is the glory of God the salvation of beleevers and the illustration of divine mercy Rom. 5.17 For if by one mans offence death reigned by one much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gifts of righteousnesse shall reigne in life by one Jesus Christ 6. Christ is dead and all are dead that the righteousnesse of one might be imputed to all 2. Cor. 5.15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Rom. 4.24 But for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we beleeve on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead 7. Christ willingly died and was willingly crucified and willingly bare the sence of his Fathers wrath for our sakes that he might break the bonds and chains of death that he might satisfie the justice of his Father and bring in everlasting peace attonement and reconciliation Isa 53.6 7. All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned everie one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquitie of us all He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a Lambe to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumbe so he opened not his mouth 8. Christ changeth our estate and condition and clotheth us with his pure
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
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
the time of the Law taught plainly that God would not be mercifull to any but through Christ and that salvation could not be found elsewhere save in the expiation of Christ who should poure out his blood for his peoples ransome Luk. 22.2 Likewise also he took the Cup after supper saying this Cup is the new Testament in my blood which is shed for you 27. When as man hath not been able to stand in Gods sight through the feare and terrour of transgression that we might appear without fear and terrour he hath given Jesus Christ our Lord that he might be Mediatour and Advocate with himself for us 1. Joh. 2.12 I write unto you little children because your sinnes are forgiven you for his Names sake 28. Christ is Mediatour to day yesterday and for ever Hence Gods people never fail of acceptation in Gods sight that loves them Heb. 13 8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever Ephes 1.6 He hath made us accepted in the beloved 29. Who of the sonnes of men could make themselves the sons of God of captives heires of the celestiall kingdome except Christ Mediatour who assumed the humaine nature of man that he might give to them that plenitude of his grace which was given unto him and that he might take to him that which belonged unto them 2. Cor. 5. last 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 30. The prayers which the faithfull offer up to God are freely accepted through the mediation of Christ Ephes 5.2 And walk in love as Christ also loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice unto God for a sweet smelling savour 31. Christ for ever appearing Mediatour and Advocate in the presence of God God doth turn away his face from our sins and turn his face toward his righteousnes Dan. 9.24 Sevēty weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy Citie to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins and to make reconciliation for iniquitie and to bring in everlasting righteousnesse and to seal up the vision and prophesie and to anoint the most holy 32. Through the mediation of Christ true beleevers have free accesse to the throne of grace from which they are filled with divine grace and heavenly blessings being freed from the terrors horrors of their spirituall enemies Luk. 1.74 That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies may serve him without fear Hebr. 2.15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage 33. Damned preparatories will faile in the houre of death and judgement when the mediation of Christ will be a citie of refuge against sin and an arke of covert against the rigour of the Law and all evils Rom. 8.34 Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Contemplation SUch was thy separation O Christian from God that thou nor I could approach nigh to God without the hand of our Mediatour Christ Jesus through sin the hand-writing is written against us we are laid in the ballance and found too light the mightie wall of separation doth so prevent us from approaching that unlesse God did descend down to us by Christ we could not ascend to him If we did but think of ascending to God without Christ our quakings would be like the quakings of Beltashazar and our tremblings as the tremblings of Israel before Mount Sinai or we should hide our faces from him as did Adam our Father How terrible how dreadfull how angry is God with those who look toward him for mercy without Christs Mediation Assuredly if God should but enter into judgement for one sin should but ponder or weigh one iniquitie none could stand before him If the Angels are impure in respect of the puritie of his nature how much more sinfull or ungodly men Man may offend or trespasse against man and man may plead for him But if man sinne against God who shall plead for him but Christ By him alone we have recourse to the throne of grace for grace and to the throne of mercie for mercy Without him the heaven should be as brasse and iron so that our prayers could not enter into the celestiall Sanctuary nor find acceptation in the presence or sight of God Where now is the hand of mercy the scepter of bountie and the comfortable answer of God to the conscience but in Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us Wherefore if we want wisdome peace and righteousnesse remission of sins and joy of the holy Ghost let us look towards heaven and remember that Christs oblation once offered is so prevalent that through that we shall have an answer of what our souls desire Though we may hide our faces as did the Cherubims in respect of our own vilenesse yet may we look up to God for spirituall blessings through the mediation of Christ with confidence No child may go freer to his father no wife to her husband then we may have recourse to God through Jesus Christ Whilest our prayers are weak Christs mediation is strong and whilest our performances deserve to be denied through Christs oblatiō they are accepted Hester found acceptation although the golden Scepter of Ahashucrus was not stretched forth much more shall we find accepration sith that in Christ the Scepter of bountie is stretched forth not faithlesse requests lowdnes of voice repetitions of hell and death cause an answer of desires for had not Christ merited an answer wee could not be answered Hence before our requests touch the heavens we have an answer on the earth Dan. 9.23 At the beginning of thy supplications the Commandement came forth and I am come to shew thee for thou art greatly Beloved therefore understand the matter and consider the Vision CHAP. IX Concerning Reconciliation Definition 1. REconciliation is an Act of the free and deare love of God our heavenly gracious and clementious Father whereby through the death and bloud of the Lord Jesus Christ he hath reconciled us unto himselfe to the end that we might enjoy everlasting peace and communion with himselfe through his beloved 2 Cor. 5.19 2 Cor. 5.18 Rom. 5.10 Coll. 1.20 2. As the bloud of Christ is the cause of Redemption from sinne so it is the cause of Reconciliation to God Coll. 1.20 And having made peace through the bloud of his Crosse by him to reconcile all things unto himselfe by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven 3. The onely subject in whom we are reconciled to God our Father is Christ Jesus our Lord sith that in him alone God doth not impute our sinnes to us 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in
21. 21. The workes of Sanctification makes us not the more beloved of God the Father or purer in his sight or presence The ground is this Sith the absolute free and eternall love of God the Father and the righteousnesse of Christ praeceeds the worke of Sanctification 22. The imperfection of sanctification is not imputed to the Saints and Redeemed sith they are absolutely done away in the bloud of the Lord Jesus The ground is this sith the end of the effusion of the bloud of Jesus is the pardon or remission of iniquitie and impietie 23. Whilest the faithfull present themselves in the sight and presence of God the Father they must not looke to their owne weaknesses infirmities and imperfections but to Gods sweet and loving acceptation in Christ in whom God alone is well pleased Ephes 1.6 The ground is this Sith the end of Gods acceptation is that through which the Saints may have or enjoy the remission or condonation of iniquitie weaknesse and infirmitie Contemplation THe Lord Christ the Author and finisher of our saith the fountaine and well spring of our refreshment the ground of all our hope and dependance is the cause and finisher of our sanctification The lower Spheares are moved by the first Motion our affections are moved by the power and might of the Lord Jesus Doth the mightie waters move without the motiō of the Moone or the body move without the Intellectualls or the soule move to Christ without the exceeding and operative power of Christ O my soule thou hast to deale with that roaring Lyon the Devill the bonds and cords of iniquity the strong gates and barres of death and all evills and with the flesh which is an enemy against the Spirit of life and glory But thy knees are feeble thy hands are weake and thy spirit failes thee in the day of battaile Therefore thou canst not ride the wilde Asses colt or tame the wilde Hindes of the Wildernesse or bring the untamed Unicorne to thy becke and command The day is Christs not thine Thou art a triumpher but by his power thou art a victorer but by his might thou art an overcomer but by his strength Thy righteousnesse thy life thy peace thy joy thy love thy hope and communion is from Christ all Thy mortification thy vivification thy sanctification is from Christ all in all Is his bloud the cause of remission his righteousnesse the cause of Justification his Spirit the cause of thy Adoption and not his life and death the cause of thy sanctification To thee is given the life of faith the life of love and obedience to live unto God blessed for ever To thee is given power from the death of Christ who could not be retained by the bonds of death blessed for evermore Where then are the fiery darts of Satan the presumption of the flesh the high lookes of Principalities and Powers Sith thou art made a Victorer through the Lord of Victory and hast obtained a Triumph through our Lord Triumpher As the weake falls before the mighty and valiant and light gives way to darknesse so doth hell the flesh the Devill and evills give way to the Spirit of glory and sanctification In the day of the Crosse that roaring Lyon the Devill could not stand before the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah In the day of the Resurrection the blacke King of darknesse and terrours could not stand before the Lord of life light and salvation In the day of thy fight or combats the powers of hell or the barres of death cannot stand through thy Lord that loves thee O my soule Where now is thy thought lower then the throne of grace No. Where is thy contemplation lower then the Mercy-Seate No. Where is thy affection below the heavenly places no. Thy Lord hath drawne thee and thou art drawne thy Lord hath allured thee and thou art allured In the time of his love he brought thee from earth to heavenly places from hell and death to possesse a Being of heaven and life Where thy Lord is there wilt thou be if he was upon the Crosse there wouldst thou behold him if he were in the grave there thou wouldst lodge with him if he be at the right hand of his Father there wilt thou dwell with him All thy Songs are Praise and Glory all thy phrase power and wisdome all thy meditations wisdome and strength be ascribed to thy Lord of life and light So that thou sayest with the Angells Amen Benediction and Glory and Wisdome and Thankesgiving and Honour and Power and Strength to our God for ever and ever Amen Rev. 7.12 CHAP. XII Concerning Glorification Definition 1. GLorification is a reall transmutation from the misery punishment guilt and impuritie of sin into eternall felicitie and everlasting beatitude and glory Apoc. 21.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more paine for the former things are passed away Psal 16. last Thou shalt shew me the path of life in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore 2. Respectu termini à quo It is called a freedome from sinne and a conservation from anger death and the kingdome of darknesse 1. Thes 1.10 And to wait for his Sonne from heaven whom he raised from the dead even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come Matth 4.16 The people which sate in darknesse saw great light And to them which sate in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up 3. Respectu termini ad quem It is called beatification benediction life eternall glory the kingdome of our God and of our Lord Jesus Christ 1. Joh 5.11 And this is the record that God hath given to us eternall life and this life is in his Sonne Ephes 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ Apoc. 12.10 And I heard a loud voice saying In heaven now is come salvation and strength and the kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before our God day and night 4. Such shall be the glory of the faithfull in the kingdome of their God and Father that no eare hath heard no mind conceived nor any tongue can speak of that glory so inenarrable and incomparable 1. Cor. 2.9 But as it is written eye hath not seen nor eare heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them which love him 2. Cor. 4.17 18. vide 5. Though the glory of the Saints hath been intended before the world was neverthelesse it hath been in time by the Lord Christ procured and purchased and after time of the glorious Saints shall be possessed and enjoyed Ephes 1.14 Which is the earnest of our
priviledge the Churches admiration because of the savour of thy sweet ointmēts thy name is an ointment poured out the Virgins love thee Is this a small matter to be called Branches Members Spouse to Christ thy worthy and loving Bridegroome to his redeemed and chosen Is this a thing of no worth to be called heires coheires with Christ and sonnes and daughters of the living God Is this thing of no consequence that we should be called the redeemed of the Lord the friends of Christ and the Lords inheritance O my soule shalt thou not rejoyce and rejoyce again to consider that thou bearest the name of God the new name of the Citie of our God even of the new Jerusalem Now thy name is altered and changed thou wast called a child of wrath now a child of favour a servant of the devill now a servant of Jesus Christ an alienate from the common-wealth of Israel now a citizen of the Kingdome of heaven A limbe of the house of hell and death now one of the familie of God thy deare and tender Father A stranger from the Covenant of promise now one of the familiars and acquaintance of Christ Was that a priviledge that Abram should be called Abraham and not this a priviledge to thee that wast a slave to the black king of darknesse shouldst be called a servant of life and light Was that a dignitie that Jacob should be called Israel and is not this a dignitie to thee that thou who wast a vessell of hell and wrath shouldst be called a vessell of blisse and glory O my soule triumph that thou hast a name better then the sons and daughters better then of kings and Princes better then Adam in the day of puritie and integritie for thy name is written in the book of life it is known in the land of the living and ingraven on the breast of Israels Redeemer Thou therefore with boldnesse shalt beare his Name in thy forehead neither principalities nor powers nor dominions shall affright thee neither prison chains nor bonds shall amaze thee neither sword famine nor pestilence shall discourage thee neither shipwracke whips nor reproaches shall daunt thee thou shalt with boldnesse confesse his Name before men and Angels for thou shalt behold his face in glorie with them that behold it Revel 22.4 And they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads REvel 22.5 And there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither the light of the Sunne for the Lord God doth give them light and they shall reigne for evermore And there shall be no night there It was said of Asher that his bread should be fat and he should yeeld pleasures for a King It may be said of this that the fruits thereof will be sweetnes it yeeldeth sweetnesse to Kings washed and beloved It was spoken of Naphtalie that he should be as a Hind let go speaking goodly words It may be spoken of Christ that he came out from the Father uttering gracious speeches And of Joseph that his bowe abode in strength his hands were strengthened by the hands of the mightie God of Jacob the stone and Pastor of Israel It may be related of the Saints that they abide invincible and their faith inconquerable by the hands of the Lord of life and salvation and by the words of the great Shepheard the Redeemer and seeker of Israel By what words by the words of death of darknesse of sin hell and condemnation No but by the words of life light remission heaven and salvation according to the text And there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither the light of the Sunne for the Lord God doth give them light and they shall reigne for evermore No night there VVHat no night there What no darknesse there what no promiscuousnesse nor dimnesse there No time was they sate in the region and shadow of death but to them the light of Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse both appeared Time was they sate in darknesse being bound with affliction and iron but to them the brightnesse of glory in the face of Jesus Christ hath been manifested Time was the god of this world had blinded their eyes that they could not behold the glory of the Lord in the land of the living but now Christ the Light of the world the Son beloved of the Father to them hath been declared shall they sit in solitarie places No. Shall their bonds be everlasting bonds under darknesse No or shall their feet stumble upon promiscuous mountains No. For the Gospel of life and light is their claritie the Sunne of glorious righteousnesse their glory and the shining countenance of their heavenly Father their beautie For there shall be no night there and they need no candle neither the light of the Sunne for the Lord God doth give them light and they shal reigne for evermore And they need no candle VVHat not of the candle that yeeldeth light in the hidden and secret places that is a pleasure unto sublunarie creatures that directeth the paths of them that walk in obscuritie No. What not of the word of Reconciliation that is a lanterne to our feet and a light to our paths not of that which sought out man upon the mountains of sinne and the craggie rocks of iniquitie of that which bringeth in life peace and immortalitie There is no need of the terrene and earthly but of the spirituall and heavenly that alone is needfull in the day of grace not in glory the day-starre appearing the lesser lights are extinguished The Sun of light and glory appearing the inferiour lights are deleted Though we need a candle in the day of grace yet we need no candle in the estate of glory for the Lord God who giveth grace and glory immediately enlightneth by his glory For there shall be no night there neither need of the candle neither of the Sun for the Lord God doth enlighten them and they shall reigne for evermore Neither of the light of the Sunne VVHat not of the light of the Sun which is as supreame amongst the Planets the rarest of lights the delight of sublunaries the beautie of the world the illumination of hidden and secret places and the rejoycing of the lower orbs or inferiour Regions No. What not of Christ the effulgencie and character of his Fathers person the Son of the bosome full of grace and truth the Mediatour of the new Covenant the Prince of peace the Lord of life and salvation the great Shepheard of his sheep the Sonne of light righteousnes and immortalitie Yea for as our life is deadnesse without his life our righteousnesse unrighteousnesse without his righteousnesse our glory deformitie without his beautie our riches poverty without his treasure so our light is darknesse without his shining beams of glory Though there is no need of the light of the Sun yet there is need of the light of the Son of righteousnesse For there shall be
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
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
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
my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world 5. This union is produced through effectuall vocation through which the Saints are brought from the worlds delectation to love the Lord Christ with a deare entire and tender affection 1. Cor. 1.9 God is faithfull by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Sonne Jesus Christ our Lord. Cant. 1.2 Let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth for thy love is better then wine 6. By how much the Saints feele the sence of Gods deare and sweet bountie and injoy sweet communion with their Lord that bought them by so much the more they rejoyce in the love and fellowship one of another 1. Joh. 1.7 But if we walk in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Sonne cleanseth us from all sinne 7. There is so strong an union betwixt Christ and his Saints that there is no need of his corporall presence in this vaile of miserie sith more excellent benefits redounds to the Saints by his presence in heaven then if he should remaine on earth Hence he is said to have consummated the work of our redemption to sit at the right hand of God to make intercession for us and to go to his Father to provide for us an habitation Joh. 14.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that Where I am there ye might be also 8. The greatest dignitie under heaven is to be a member of Jesus Christ a branch of the vine Christ and one of the spouses to Christ our royall and loving Bridegroome Hence the Church glories in her priviledge Cant. 2.16 My beloved is mine and I am his he feedeth among the Lillies Revel 19.7 8 9. Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour unto him for the marriage of the Lambe is come and his wife hath made her self ready 8. And to her was granted that she should be arayed in fine linen cleane and white for the fine linen is the righteousnesse of Saints 9. And he saith unto me Write blessed are they which are called to the marriage of the Lambe 9. All the strength power might of all the enemies of salvation cannot separate the branches from the vine the members from the head or the spouses of the Lord Christ from Christ her deare and loving Bridegroome Because they are made perfect in one through union with Christ and with the Father in Christ Joh. 17.23 10. Christ by the grace of complement will crown all his absolutely with full fruition in the kingdome of beatitude and with the grace of supplement in the kingdome of grace and primary communion that they might not want in the day of fiery trials a supply by his gracious hand of dispensation Revel 22.5 And there shall be no light there and they need no candle neither light of the Sun for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reigne for ever and ever Joh. 1.16 And of his fulnesse have all we received and grace for grace 11. There is an inseparable linke betwixt union with Christ the peace and obsignation of the Spirit of glory and the fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse to the glory of the Father Joh. 15.5.8 the 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 The 8. Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my disciples 12. The united have interest in God through Christ from whom they receive the spirit of Adoption which worketh in them effectually that they might be delivered from sin and regenerated to the hope of eternall life 1. Cor. 3.22 Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours 1. Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which ac-according to his abundant mercie hath begotten us againe unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Josus Christ from the dead 13. The members of Christ are moved by the same Spirit known by the same badge of love fruit and charitie and have the same end which is life eternall and salvation Joh. 15.16 Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remaine that whatsoever ye shall aske of the Father in my Name he may give it you 1. Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls 14. Though the Saints who are united unto Christ may appear to be dead in themselves yet the life which they received in their first communion and union with Christ cannot be utterly abolished or extinguished The ground is this sith there is an inseparable conjunction betwixt the perpetuall communion and everlasting union of the Saints with and in Christ their Lord that loved them and bought them with an eternall worth or price impervestigable Contemplation VVHo could search the depth of the waters of the Sanctuary or who can search the depth of this glorious and heavenly mystery It is a mystery of mysteries a depth of depths and a riddle past finding out If I had the tongue of a thousand Angells the rationality of a thousand men yet could I not relate the excellency of this union betwixt Christ and the soule and the soule and Christ Rare is the influence of celestiall bodies in sublunary creatures Rare is the vitall motion in rationall creatures but more is the working of Christ in them who are his redeemed and united people O my soule when thou wast as far from Christ as heaven is from hell as the East is from the West the North from the South thy Lord came by his oyntments powred out by his drops of liquid myrrhe by his precious incomparable bloud and made thee one with him who was so distant from him thou wast a dead branch fit for the everlasting burnings thou wast a dead member fit for hells interring thou wast a divorced Spouse not worthy of enjoying yet his eye of love was deare over thee and thy Lord hath made thee a branch not of hell but of the Vine of Consolation a member not of death but of himselfe the head of his Church and sweet dilection a Spouse not of an earthly Prince and Monarch but to himselfe the beloved his Fathers delectation Oh! what love is this that my Lord should goe to the gates of death the barres of hell to the tribunall seate of Justice to the chained under the blacke swadle bands of the devill and fetch my soule from thence and make me one of his Oh! what mercy is this to my soule that my Lord is become my Bridegroom to satisfie me with pleasurable and delectable delights my head to fill me with wisdome
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
any more Heb. 2.14 15 Verse the 14. For as much then as the Children are partakers of flesh and bloud he also himselfe likewise tooke part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Deuill Verse the 15. And deliver them who through feare of death were all their life time subject to bondage 16. God hath commended his love to us who gave Christ the price of Redemption for us commanding us to flee for succour to his bloud that through that we might stand secure in the day of Judgement Rom. 5.8 God hath commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us 17. Christ hath been subject to the righteousnesse of God that he might performe what was required of us fully performing what was necessary to the delivery of those who are true beleevers Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth 18. The great grace and righteousnesse of God is manifested in the freedome of his from evill to enjoy the chiefest good Psal 136.23 Which remembred us in our low estate for his mercy eadureth for ever Verse the 24. And hath delivered us from our enemies for his mercy endureth for ever 19. The application of delivery is the singular worke of the Spirit of life and Adoption Hence the Spirit is said to be the earnest of the Saints Redemption and the seale of their everlasting delivery and liberation 20 Redemption floweth from the divine Decree and Donation of GOD whereby he doth give certaine men unto Christ that he might redeeme and save them from sinne and iniquitie Luk. 1.68 69. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people And hath raised up an horne of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 21 Redemption is not without the minde of Christ being Christ determined that his satisfaction should be for the good of them whom he would redeeme by his bloud unto God Rev. 5.9 And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof for thou wast slaine and hast redeemed us to God by thy bloud out of every kindred and tongue and people and Nation 22. The shedding of the bloud of Christ is not without the acceptation of his Father being his Father accepteth his satisfaction through his bloud as sufficient to salvation redemption and reconciliation Col. 1.20 And having made peace through the bloud of his Crosse by him to reconcile all things to himselfe by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven 23. Liberation or Redemption from sinne and death not onely hath been established in Gods Decree but also in Christ and granted to us in him before it be received of us 1 Joh. 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sinnes and not for ours onely but also for the sinnes of the whole world 24. Christ did satisfie for them onely who by him are saved although in respect of his sufficiency he hath satisfied for all and every one 1 Tim. 2.6 Who gave himselfe a ransome for all to be a testimonie in due time 25. The death of Christ frees from sinne the bloud of Christ from the anger of God and iniquitie The power of Christ from the jawes of Satan and Christs active and passive obedience from the force of the morall Law Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us For it is written cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree 26. Through the delivery or freedome from these we have not onely assurance that wee shall inherit the Kingdome of glory but also in the state of grace we have assurance that wee shall continually have supplyes of that abundant and overflowing grace which is in Christ Jesus 1 Joh. 1.16 And of his fulnes have all we received and grace for grace 27. Peace of Conscience joy in the holy Ghost holinesse of conversation are adjuncts of this freedome or Redemption Luke 1.74 75. That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without feare 75. In holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life 28. Redemption hath been once performed twice manifested in the day of grace and the houre of Judgement Rom. 8.23 And not onely they but our selves also which have the first fruits of the Spirit even we our selves groane-within our selves waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of our body 29. Redemption doth so farre free the Christian that he is wholly taken from the barre of Justice and placed alwayes at the throne of grace and mercy Heb. 12.18.22 23 24. Verse the 18. For yee are not come unto the Mount that might be touched and that burneth with fire nor unto blacknesse and darkenesse and tempest Verse the 22. But yee are come unto Mount Sien and unto the Citie of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angells Verse the 23. To the generall Assembly and the Church of the first borne which are written in heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect Verse the 24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the Covenant and to the bloud of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel 30. The comfort and consolation of the Redemption by the hand of Christ Redeemer is according to the act of faith in Christ by whom this redemption is wrought Psal 116.8 Thou hast delivered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feete from falling Isaiah 51.11 Therefore the Redeemed of the Lord shall returne and come with singing unto Sion and everlasting joy shall be upon their head they shall obtaine gladnes and joy and sorrow shall flee away 31. There is an inseparable conjunction between Election and Redemption sith that before the foundation of the world Christ was chosen to be the Redeemer of his chosen and peculiar Ephes 9.7 Having made knowne unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himselfe Verse the 7. In whom we have reaemption through his bloud the forgivenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace Contemplation SUch was the kindnesse of God to Israel that once in fiftie yeare they had a yeare of Jubile in which he who was in bondage and thraldome was set at libertie and freedome Such hath been the bountie of God to us that he hath appointed a yeare of deliverance by the hand of Christ that we being Captives might be set free and being also bondslaves we might be set at libertie Christ was anointed for that end not with the oyle of Olives or other materiall substance but with the abundant and overflowing grace of God that hee might bring poore Captives from Captivitie and wee who were poore
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
presupposeth grace through grace Christ hath been called to the work of satisfaction Isa 53.10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to griefe when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sinne he shall see his seed he shall prolong his dayes and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands 10. When we speak of the Mediatour Christ Jesus we must have reference to the divine pleasure of God for through that he hath ordained Christ to be Mediatour that he might obtain eternall peace for his redeemed Isa 53.6 And we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquitie of us all 11. The price of our redemption could not be payd by man therefore it hath been the work of a Mediatour to pay the ransome to intercede betwixt God and man not onely by payment procuring redemption but also by intercession making a perfect peace and reconciliation Isa 53. the last verse Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath powred out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressours and he bare the sinnes of many and made intercession for the transgressors Ephes 2.14 For he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition betweene us 12. When as our sins were as a cloud betwixt God and us we being banished and shut out from his presence so that we could not behold his favour neither could we ascend to him unlesse he had descended down to us by the hand of a Mediatour Ephes 2.17 18. And came and preached peace to you which were afarre off and to them that were nigh For through him we both have an accesse by one Spirit unto the Father 13. Although man had stood perfect and entire without spot or wrinkle yet was he of so meane a condition that he could never come to God without the hand of the Mediatour Christ Jesus The ground is this sith it would have been a dishonour to the Lord Christ if man should have accesse to God blessed for ever except by himself who was the appointed Mediatour 14. The mission of Christ that he might be Mediatour and that he might be reconciler betwixt God and man floweth from the divine decree of God upon which dependeth the beatitude or felicitie of man Ephes 1.9 10. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himself That in the dispensation of the fulnesse of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him Luk. 2.14 Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men 15. In the person of Christ the Mediatour there are two things considerable the distinction of natures and the personal union of both together divine so farre as he is the second person of the Trinitie humaine so farre as he took upon him the seed of Abraham Hebr. 2.14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devill 16. The intercession of Christ is twofold verball or meritorious Verball in his prayers for his whom he would redeeme and justifie meritorious being an oblation of infinite value accepted of his Father that through that the prayers persons and services of beleevers may be accepted in all ages Joh. 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine Hebr. 10.5 6. Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure 17. The office of Christ Mediatour is not onely to pray for his but to offer up his life for the redemption or deliverie of the life of his people Matth. 20.28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many 18. The intercession of Christ Mediatour is the cause of the intercession of the Spirit in us Rom. 8.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God 19. Christ Mediatour intercedes for his with his Father he is ever present with his Father The Father ever remembreth that sacrifice once offered by him for his peculiar Hebr. 7 25. 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 20. The intercession of Christ Mediatour hath been sufficient and efficatious from the beginning by vertue of the decree promise and acceptation Hence he was tearmed a Lambe slain from the beginning of the world 21. The adoption of beleevers dependeth on the grace of Christ Mediatour 22. Christ Mediatour was never promised without the shedding of his blood being it hath been the eternall counsell of God that none should be cleansed from sin without that blood so precious 1. Pet. 1.18 19 20. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers But with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lambe without blemish and without spot Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you Revel 1.5 And from Jesus Christ who is the faithfull witnesse and the first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the kings of the earth unto him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood 23. The prayers of all the faithfull from the beginning of the world hath had acceptation alone for the Mediators sake Christ Jesus Dan. 9.17.23 Now therefore O our God hear the prayer of thy servant and his supplications and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuarie that is desolate for the Lords sake At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth and I am come to shew thee for thou art greatly beloved therefore understand the matter and understand the vision 24. The anger of God rests on them who leave Christ the onely Mediatour by the appointment of God the Father Joh. 3.36 He that beleeveth on the Sonne hath everlasting life and he that beleeveth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him 25. God never sheweth himself propitious to any without the mediation of Christ the absolute Mediatour Matth. 3. ult And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 26. The sacrifices in
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
of union communion the end of communion hope and righteousnesse and the end of hope and righteousnesse is everlasting blisse and blessednesse Therefore I may say Christus meus omnia Millies hoc dicam millies hoc cogitabo millies hoc usque usque usque millies repetam Neque enim vel dicere vel cogitare majus possum aut melius quam hoc ipsum Christus meus omnia Alii alia quaerant alia desiderent unum ego Christum meum quaero Christum desidero O Christus meus omnia Opes aliis honores voluptates aliis universas relinquo Christum ego habeaÌ„ omnia habeo Totos aliis ego mundos concedo Aureos gemmeos montes non invideo summas delitias permitto mihi Christus meus est omnia Nihil ita bonum nihil ita pulchrum aut jucundum quin summum illud primumâ—â—num melius sit pulchrius sit ac jucundius Christus meus omnia quam me varia saepe accedunt desideria quam diversis subinde aestuo cupiditatibus ita ut cum lunatico illo adolescente modò in ignem modò in aquam rapiar Sed quaenam illa tanta bona sunt quae ego tam anxiè appeto Num hoc vel illud genus edulii aut potionis Christus meus cibus meus potus meus omnia Num hoc vel illud genus relaxationis aut voluptatis Christus meus gaudium meum voluptas mea omnia Num hoc vel illud genus honoris aut dignitatis Christus meus honor meus dignitas mea mea omnia Quid est tandem quod appetere possim cujus loco mihi non Christus sit sit omnia Mihi epulatio mihi oblectatio mihi quies mihi thesaurus Christus est mihi Christus omnia plus quam omnia Nam etsi cibis quibus inhio vesci potu quem sitio refici voluptate quam ardeo frui honores quos ambio assequi liceat quid istudvesci quid istud refici frui affequi Christus meus omnia te frui à te refici est perfectissimè refici est frui omnibus bonis Christus meus omnia At vero labor premit dolor affligit curae distrahunt homo turbat exagitat Nihil horum metueodum neque enim haec omnia etiamsi simul ingruaÌ„t mala sunt si summum illud bonum opituletur Christus Christus meus omnia Tu mihi O bone Christe O bonitas tu in labore quies in dolore voluptas in curis securitas tu mihi ab omni hominum insultu propugnaculum tutissimum tu mihi ab omni malo refugium tu mihi es omnia quaecunque tandem desiderare pâ—ssum Ergo quandecunque in posterum quodcunque bonum appetiero hoc ipse mihi semper occinam Christus meus omnia Desine O homo impuros rivulos sectari cum fonteÌ„ purissimum habeas Christum habes omnia habes quaecunque habere concupiscis O ye sons daughters of meÌ„ O ye Watchmen of Israel marvell not though I exalt the glory of the Lord of glory For I have none to mediate my cause in heaven but him nor none to comfort my distressed soul on earth besides him Do the thirstie long for water the hungrie desire bread and the Hart bray after the rivers and springs of water and do not I long desire and bray after my Lord that bought me I cry how long Lord how long shall it be ere I see thy glorious face and lovely countenance O my soule what though thy teares trickle downe thy cheeks what though thy face is bedewed with teares what though thy heart is full of heavinesse Because the battell is strong betwixt thee and the black prince of death and darknesse the world hates and contemnes thee and Angels of light have made thee worse then the filth of the earth yet shalt thou not be dismayed for there is a Citie provided for thee whose maker and builder is God in which there is the crowne of righteousnesse the crowne of life and the crown of glory in which there is fellowship with the Angels with the Saints with the Father and with Christ the beloved Mediatour and Reconciler in which is everlasting praise eternall comforts and infinite fruition Therefore I will walke with the travellers runne with the runners and fight with the fighters laying hold of eternall praise and glory saying with the lovers of free grace the waiters for mercie and the poore captives of hope praise be given to God our celestiall gracious and bountifull Father honour be ascribed to Jesus Christ our propitious and benignous Mediatour now and for evermore Amen FINIS HEAVENLY Contemplations REvel 22.4 And they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads And they shall see his face THey which go down to the Sea and occupie in the great waters they see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep So they that go into the Church of Christ and view what Christ hath done for his Church and chosen they see the works of Christ and the wonders he hath wrought hath he shewed his admirable work in the act of Redemption his famous work in the act of Justification and hath he not shewed his famous and admirable work in the act of donation What hath Christ given yea what hath he not given He hath given his redeemed Saints to see his loving face and lovely countenance And they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads They. VVHat they yea they shall see his face they whose names are written in the book of the living whose lives are hid with God in Christ who are presented spotlesse blamelesse reprovelesse in the sight of God their loving and beneficiall Father What they yea they who are cleansed from sin by the blood of the Lambe incontaminate and immaculate who are blessed with spirituall and celestiall blessings who are collocated in the heavenly places in Christ and have undervalued their lives to the death for Jesus cause What they Yea they who are brethren to Jesus Christ sonnes of God the Father redeemed from all evils and beloved before the world was according to the Text. And they shall see his face and his Name shall be in their foreheads They shall NOt now yet now in part not in full perfection or fruition now they stand and rejoyce under the hope of glory now Christ is in them the hope of glory now by the Spirit of life and adoption they passe from glory to glory now environed with great tribulations now they are under great temptations now they mourn with the sadest lamentations are not their mournings as the mournings of Rachel their teares are superfluent as the teares of Jeremiah and their sadnesse as the sadnesse of Hagar they see in grace not in glory yet not without glory they see in glory without the
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