certainly perswaded that whatsoever they do according to his pleasure is accepted in the hands of Christ Mediatour Ephes 1. Vnto the praise and glory of his grace whereby he hath freely accepted us in his beloved 18. The effects of divine grace and favour are the remission of sins the imputation of righteousnesse the donation of the Spirit of peace and consolation and everlasting blessednesse in the kingdom of hope and fruition 2. Thess 2.13 God hath chosen us from the beginning unto salvation by sanctification of the Spirit and the faith of truth 14. Now the same Lord Jesus Christ and God even our Father which hath loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace 19. Christ died for the sins of his Saints and is risen again for their righteousnesse and justification so that he is not onely become our salvation but his Father is gracious and propitious to us for his sake Rom. 4.25 He was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Matth. 17.5 This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased hear him 20. As by the sin of Adam we were estranged from God and destinated to destruction so by the obedience of Christ we are received into favour and imputed righteous to justification Rom. 5.19 As by the disobedience of one man many were made sinners so by the obedience of one man many were made righteous 21. God began to imbrace through free favour whom he loved freely before the foundation of the world then it appeared apparently when he reconciled us to himself through the precious blood of his beloved Son Ephes 2.4.13 Through his great love wherewith he loved us now in Christ Jesus ye who were sometime afar off hath he made nigh by the blood of his Son 22. God through his benevolence hath not onely given the body of Christ but the soul of Christ to feel the sence of his wrath for the redemption of mankind that although we were lost we might be found and although through the law we could hear nothing but condemnation yet now through Christ we may hear the sentence of salvation Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that abideth not in all things which are written in the Law to do them 2. Tim. 1.10 But now is made manifest by the glorious coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought in life and immortalitie into light by the Gospel 23. In this hath appeared the immense love of God towards men whilest he was sent into the world for their deliverie whilest he was made a sacrifice to pacifie the wrath of his Father which was so hot against them 1. Joh. 4.10 In this is love not that we have loved God but that he hath loved us and hath sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins 24. God was most clementious and propitious in the beloved Christ making him the Redeemer of humane generation whilest the beloved Christ was willing to redeeme them Heb. 10.6 7. Burnt-offerings and sacrifice thou wouldest not for sin then said I behold I come In the volume of thy book it is w itten of me that I should do thy will O God 25. The free grace of God is the stay of the mind the prop of the soul and the hope of the conscience in the midst of all sorrow and tribulations Lament 3.21 22. This call I to mind therefore have I hope It is the Lords mercy we are not consumed but his compassions fail not 26. If any man shall set himself before the tribunall seat of an angry God he shall not stand being there is nothing in him that may merit favour or deserve love at the hands of God Psal 130.3 If Jah shall observe iniquities O Lord who shall stand 27. Christ through his obedience hath obtained favour he hath satisfied for our sins he hath born the punishment for us and through his obedience God is well pleased 2. Cor. 2.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Contemplation O Christian look to the Rock from whence thou art hewen and to the hole of the pit from whence thou art digged all that thou receivest is from free favour and grace of a loving Father had he not favoured thee where hadst thou remained or where hadst thou been assuredly in the bottomlesse pit under the heat of everlasting burnings bound by the black swadle bands of the devill lockt up under the blacknesse of darknesse to the judgement of the great day arraigned by the power of justice and condemned by the morall Law never to have heard the sweet sound of reconciliation or the heavenly harmony of the gracious doctrine of redemption except the bowels of overflowing mercie had yearned and the gracious countenance of thy loving Father had been manifested The clouds open and distill their drops to the refreshing and replenishing of the sublunarie creature Thy gracious Father hath yearned by the bowels of his compassion and hath replenished and refreshed thy soule with his abundant kindnesse Thy dayes might have been dayes of sorrow and thy nights nights of terrour The terrours of death the horrors of hell and the afrightment of a wofull conscience might have sadded thee had not free love and superabundant grace prevented Is not his grace better to thee then kingdomes then Consulships then riches then Honours then dignities or dominions The Disciples wondred at the rare and famous buildings of the Temple and mayest not thou wonder at the excellencie and incomparablenesse of the free grace of God thy celestiall Father O how sweet is his grace unto me is it not as an ointment poured out as the sweetest drops distilling from the fullest clouds and as the sweetest dewes upon the tender hearb Did the babe spring in the wombe of Elizabeth at Maries salutation and doth not joy spring in my conscience because of free grace in everlasting redemption Here is grace incomparable here is mercie ineffable and here is bountie unalterable is not this the River from whence my soul hath water is not this the Sunne from whence my mind hath light is not this the heart from whence my will receiveth vitall motion I am adopted to be a sonne elected to salvation redeemed from bonds united to the Lord Jesus Christ But from whence flowes all these but from the rivers of free love and the fountain of gracious love and bountie My life my hope my peace my rest my faith my all is from Christ all in all as the Apostle saith Rom. 11. last verse For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be praise and glory for ever Amen CHAP. II. Concerning Election 1. ELection is the selecting or chusing of some certain men that the glorious and supereminent grace of God may
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
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
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
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
no night there for the Lord God doth enlighten them and they shall reigne for evermore For the Lord God doth enlighten them VVHat said he for the Lord God that is he who was who is and is to come who is the Alpha and Omega who hath been from everlasting to everlasting and from eternitie to eternitie who is the Lord of hosts the holy One of Israel the King of Kings the God onely wise blessed for evermore who is the Father of glory the God all-sufficient the fountain of consolation the well-spring of living waters the ancre of hope and the Lord God of Israel to Israel his redeemed who is strong gracious and mercifull slow to anger and abundant in kindnesse and truth He will give grace and glorie enlightning them with his light and glorie according to the text For the Lord God doth enlighten them and they shall reign for evermore Doth enlighten them O Admiration of admirations O wonder of wonders O gift of gifts that the high and holy One of Israel the Father of eternall mercies of incomprehensible and infinite kindnes who dwels in light in accessible should communicate his light and glory to poore distressed captives who walked upon the dark mountains who were bound by Law and justice to everlasting chains under darknes who were blinded by the fearfull king of terrors that roaring Lyon whose dwelling and habitation is in eternall wo and miserie O my soul was not thy darknesse worse then the darknesse of Egypt was it not more terrible then the darknesse of the night season wa st thou not as blind as the Sodomites yea thy blindnesse worse then the blindnesse of the Aramites In that day of darknesse and obscuritie thou sawest nothing but sinne transgression and iniquitie but hell death and calamitie but justice wrath and furie but destruction woe and misery though the glory of God showne in the land of the living though the beautie of Christ showne amongst the beleeving yet thou beheldest not his glory but now he hath enlightned thee when he became the day starre in thy heart a Sunne of brightnesse in thy understanding and his glory showne in the face of Jesus Christ upon thy conscience What light is like this light wherewith thy Father hath enlightned thee not the light of the starres Christ the day starre is thy illumination not the light of the candle the Spirit of Christ is to thee the Spirit of revelation nor the light of the Sun though it shine in the Meridian That enlightneth the aire this thy soul that contents thy eye this thy conscience that setteth and riseth this riseth and never setteth that draweth vapors from belowe this draweth thy soule as high as the heavenly places that enlightneth Townes Cities and Countreys this enlightneth thee to the heavenly Citie whose maker and builder is God O my soule is light sowne for the righteous and not for thee Hath light appeared in a dungeon of darknesse and not to thee Or hath Christ the Light of the world appeared and not to thee Yea for though thou wast born blind yet now thou seest and though thou wast encompassed with obscuritie yet now thou beholdest what doest thou behold yea what dost thou not behold For his grace is thy glory his face thy comfort his promise thy rest his Christ thy hope his kingdome thy end and the fruition of his face thy great felicitie Thou sawest the Sunne whilest the Sonne of righteousnesse was obscured and whilest the Son of righteousnesse appeared the Sunne in the midst of the Planets was ecclipsed so that whilest thou wast deprived of the one thou didst enjoy the other as the text relateth For thy God enlightneth his and they shall reigne for evermore And they shall reigne for evermore VVHat they who received the holy unction who have been made Kings and Priests to God our Father through the blood of Jesus who have washed their long white robes through that blood most precious They yea they who have been cast out to the open shame and contempt of their faces who have been unsavourie salt whom no eye pitied neither towards them hath the bowels of mercy yearned yea they who have not been ashamed of chaines fetters and bonds for Christs sake who have endured reproaches slanders shipwracks whippings and rebukes for Christ their Master who have not been ashamed to confesse the Name of Christ before Kings Princes and Monarchs of the earth They yea they who have been strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel alienates from the Covenant of promise without Christ and without God in the world They shall reigne with Christ for evermore They shall WHat not now who are more then conquerours through Christ that loved them who have encountred with sin fought with Satan overcome death and by the power of their blessed and loving Mediatour have suppressed all evils and removed all the force of powers and principalities Not now who are alreadie anointed with the holy unction filled with the fulnesse of grace and mercie made Kings through Christ the beloved King and Lord of life and reconciliation Yea now for Christ lives in them they in Christ Christ dwels in them they in Christ Christ reignes in them and they by Christ And they shall reigne for evermore Reigne VVHat they yea they who have wandred in sheep-skins and goat-skins they who have been counted as sheep to the slaughter and have been slain all the day long for his names sake They yea they who have not had the oyle of unction who have not had a foot of inheritance amongst the sonnes of men who are the mock of the world the derision of the people adjudged unworthie though most worthie whom the world is not worthy of they shall enjoy a kingdome not earthly but heavenly not mortall but immortall not momentarie but eternall not made of stone of lime of gold of silver or established upon any earthly foundation not senced with walls of brasse and posts and gates of wood and iron but incompassed about with an eternall protection not filled with terrene fruits and pleasures delectable but with heavenly pleasures and joyes inenarrable not with terrene or terrestriall profits accounted valeable but with heavenly treasures and thing unvaleable O the Himnes the Songs and Psalmes that are in that Citie O the praisings laudings and honours that are in that Jerusalem O the dignifyings laudings and magnifyings that is in that kingdome There is nothing but peace love and amitie there is nothing but blessednesse life and felicitie there is nothing but heavenly fruition glorious communion and the excellent and eternall weight of glory For the Lord Jehovah dwelleth there Therefore they shall need no light and they shall reigne for evermore For evermore NOt for daies times years moneths and houres not for tens hundreds thousands and millions but for aeternitie What day like that day wherein the Sonne of righteousnesse shall never set what time like that time wherein the splendorous glorious
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