the Kingdom puts a difference between Egypt and Israel secludes Hymeneus and Philetus Hypocrites and Hereticks and all unclean Persons that the Peace of the Family may be preserved hath threatned they that trouble it shall bear their Judgment whoever they be God divorced the Church of Israel c. XXVI God upon this Ground hath tho he account it his strange Work turn'd to be an Enemy to those â—â—f his own Houshold and hath not only cast them out but drawn his glittering Sword made sharp by whetting bent his Bow and prepared his Arrows upon the String made sick in smiting and utterly destroyed aâ—â— in the Case of Israel Judah and Jerusalem XXVII God sware in his Wrath that they should not enter into his Rest and left them to expectation of fiery Indignation XXVIII Thus God dealt with Israel and Judah gave Jacob to the Spoil and Israel to the Robbers and was so far from interposing between them and Danger that he gave them up to fearful Ruine from the Chaldeans and to the Romans in the Time of Josephus declaring that his Eye should not pity neither would he have Mercy And as to particular Persons David told Solomon that if he forsook God God would cast him off for ever Thus those are confounded even as Judas Iscariot was and as Jesus Christ speaks of the Branches that abide not They are cast off and Men gather them and they come to Burning and as Salt when good for nothing is cast to the Dunghill and trodden under foot XXIX God that he might be justified in all his Actions hath appointed a general Judgment to bring forth his Works and Actions that he may clear himself and overcome when he is judged Hence it is said He hath appointed a Day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness call all his Houshold to account before the Angels and there make his Justice shine as the Sun at Noon in respect of all his Providences and Dispensations XXX God certainly rewards all Men for well-doing both in this World and that which is to come Verily shall one say there is a Reward for the Righteous when there is a God that judges in the Earth The Righteous shall be recompenced in the Earth Godliness hath the Promise of the Life that now is and that which is to come Metaphor I. AN Housholder in this World hath but a small Family tho never so great a Person Solomon was the greatest we read of yet small in comparison c. II. An Housholder in this World is but a Steward under another c. III. An Housholder in this World wants Wisdom and may be defective in respect of Government over his Houshold IV. An Housholder cannot of himself make his Family V. An Housholder in this World cannot communicate Strength nor secure from falling by Sickness or Death till they have finished the Work which he hath committed to them VI. An Housholder in this World may be taken away from his Houshold by human Force or by Sickness and Death VII An Housholder in this World may be from home about other Business not all times doing his Family good VIII An Housholder in this World tho he be at home and well yet he may be asleep and Evil come in the same Instant IX An Housholder may be taken away captive or forced to flie from his Family tho as valiant as David as wise as Solomon as great and mighty as Belshazzar and Darius X. An Housholder cannot always preserve his Family in Peace nor give them everlasting Rewards Disparity I. GOD hath a very great Family as numerous as the Stars or the Sand of the Sea The God of the whole Earth shall he be called The Earth is the Lord's and the Fulness thereof The Fathers and the Children are all his and the whole World receives great Benefits by him c. He gives all their Meat in due season He makes the Sun to shine and the Rain to fall on the Just and Vnjust II. But God is absolute Head and Lord under no Commission neither in subjection to any III. God is infinitely wise and good perfect in Knowledg hath all Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg hath Depths of Wisdom and Knowledg unsearchable and past finding out 'T is impossible for him to err or miscarry in any case his Way is perfect IV. But God is the Maker of his Family from the highest to the lowest Thou hast made us and not we our selves c. V. But God is able to make all Grace abound to make the Arms of their Hands strong to renew their Strength like the Eagle to make the Weak become as David and David as the Angel of God so as to run and not be weary to walk and not faint VI. God is always abiding as he hath no beginning of Days nor end of Life He is the eternal and ever-living God VII God is never from home about other Business cannot be out of the way of doing his Family good because every where present on Earth as well as in Heaven He fills his own Work therefore promised to be with them in the Fire and in the Water and promised never to leave them nor forsake them VIII But God the Keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps for Night and Day the Dark and the Light are alike to him and between the Land and the Sea there is no difference For his Ways are in the Dark in the Deep and his Footsteps are in the mighty Waters IX But God yea the Omnipotent God cannot be invaded nor carried away captive he keeps his Place and is immoveable None hath an Arm like God and by Strength nor no other way shall any prevail over him God is Omnipotent Powerful Invincible c. X. But God the Preserver of Men and of the Souls of his Saints can so preserve in Peace that none darâ—â—s approach to rob his Family of it God gives his Family Consolation and good Hope here and Reward or Inheritance hereafter which shall never fade away nor be taken from them Inferences 1. IF God be an Housholder we infer against Epicures that he is and must be concerned in the Affairs of this lower World why otherwise should all things look up to him as the Psalmist saith and how should they be cared for and provided for as Christ himself and St. Paul averr God gives not his Spirit once and no more but it is given to his People daily and hourly 't is that gives us our daily and common Bread and taketh care of us c. 2. We infer how greatly ignorant most of the World are in that they do not account it a great Privilege to be under the Conduct of God and enquire what they should do to please him 3. What a mighty Blessing and Privilege they have who are under his Conduct that is able to do all manner of Good for them in this World and reward with everlasting Life in the World to come
thee and the wife of thy Youth Mal. 2.14 that is to joyn them in an individual Society of Life A judicial Inquisition which inflicts revenge and punishment upon the guilty is noted in these texts Gen. 9.5 Josh. 22.23 Psal. 9.12 Psal. 10.14 15. The Metaphor is taken from the Custom of Judges who by the Examination and weighing of Testimonies first inquire into the case and then proceed to sentence By Numbring the most exact care and providence of God is noted as men keep accounts of affairs that concern them much Psal. 56.8 Thou tellest my wandrings put thou my tears into thy bottle are they not in thy book Matth. 10.30 But the very hairs of your head are numbred Also his most exact knowledge of things that are innumerable to us Psal. 147.4 He telleth the Number of the Stars he calleth theâ—â— all by their Names Esa. 40.26 He bringeth out their host by Number he calleth them all by their Names by the greatness of his Might c. By the term Selling a delivery into the power of the Enemy by an offended God is noted as things that are sold by men are transfeerred into the right power and property of another as Deut. 32.30 How should one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight except their Rock had sold them Jud. 2.14 And the Anger of the Lord was hot against Israel and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them and he Sold them into the hands of their Enemies round about c. and chap. 4.9 The Lord shall Sell Sisera into the hand of a Woman c. See Psal. 44.12 Esa. 50.1 Ezek. 30.12 c. By the term Buying is signifyed Redemption by and through Christ as 1 Cor. 6.20 For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God c. and 1 Cor. 7.23 Ye are bought with a price be ye not the Servants of men So Gal. 3.13 and 4 5. 2 Pet. 2.1 Rev. 14.3 4. The price which purchases this Mystical Buying is the Blood Death Passion and Merit of our Blessed Saviour The second kind of Actions which are proper to the hands are either general or special In general there is ascribed to God by an Anthropopathy Labour in the work of the Creation So Job calls himself the Labour of his hands Job 10.3 that is fashioned and formed him in his Mothers Womb of which he emphatically speaks in verse 8. Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about The Hebrew word properly signifies the forming of a thing with great Labour Art and Diligence In other places it denotes anxiety Grief and Trouble setting forth the exceeding great Wisdom of God in the Creation or forming of man which is expounded in the 10th and 11th verses with more special and emphatical words hast thou not pouâ—â—ed me out as Milk and curdled me like Cheese Thou hast cloathed me with Skin and Flesh and hast fenced me with Bones and Sinews c. Psal. 139.13 14 15. This Divine work is spoken of Thou hast covered me in my Mothers Womb I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made marvellous are thy works and that my Soul knoweth right well My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the Earth c. The Hebrew Translated curiously wrought is very emphatical for it properly signifies to paint with a Needle or the texture or weaving various Figures and Pictures in Arras or Tapestry Hangings or Garments interwoven or wrought with many curious colours The formation of man is therefore compared to such a work because of its marvellous Order Symmetry and Contexture of various Members Veins Arteries Bones Flesh Skin c. In the work of Redemption the Passion and Death of Christ is called Labour as Esa. 43.24 Thou hast made Labour in thine iniquities so the Hebrew He shall see the Labour or travel of his soul. Esa. 53.11 This comes to pass in a two-fold respect which attend Labour As 1. Anxiety and Toyl Then 2. The Vtility and Profit that follows for the word comprehends both according to that saying Gen. 3.19 In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat Bread where the Toyl and Profit are joyned The Toyl and Anxiety of Christ in the work of our Redemption is largely described by the Evangelists and how great the profit and benefit of it with respect to the unspeakable blessing it brought to poor mankind is evident to every soul that has tasted of his grace To Labour is opposed Rest and Recreation which by this figure is attributed to God Gen. 2.2 And God rested on the seventh day from all his works which he had made and verse 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctifyed it because that in it he had rested c. This Rest in God presupposes no wearyness as it does in men but the compleating end and perfection of his admirable work of this great and incomprehensible Fabrick and so only a cessation from his Creating work is to be understood For among men the more Arduous Laborious and Profitable the work is the more pleasing and delectable the Artificers rest is when he compleats it Some say that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rest is properly attributed to God which strictly signifie Rest as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 does but a bare and simple cessation as Josh. 5.12 Job 32.9 Rev. 4.8 c. And commonly it is said that he that ceases from his work does Rest although not weary but in full strength and vigor Be it so but for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for the very Rest here spoken of Exod 20.11 For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth and all that in them is and Rested the seventh day c. And if the word signifies a meer cessation without any previous wearyness 1 Sam. 25.9 It is to heedfully noted that it is said Exod. 31.17 For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth and on the seventh day he Rested was refreshed or took breath which word is also used Exod. 23.12 Of the weary Servant after his Labour viz. On the seventh day shalt thou Rest and 2 Sam. 16.14 It is expressely opposed to weariness Sion and the Church is called the place of his Rest Psal. 132.14 and Esa. 11.10 Which denotes his gracious Presence Operation and Complacency Of the special Actions of men a great many are attributed to God by which his various works of Grace Righteousness and Wrath are to be understood As 1. He is said to wash away filth and sin when he graciously remits it Psal. 51.2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin Esa. 4.4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughter of Sion c. 2. He is said to hide the Godly and Believers when he protects
subsequent to Man's Obligation IV. Christ being a fit Person undertook not only to be a Mediator betwixt God and Man but also to be the Surety of the Covenant on Man's part upon consideration of his Impotency or Inability to perform the Conditions of the first Covenant since the Fall and to bear the Punishment for the Breach of it for Man having once failed and become Bankrupt God will neither treat nor trade with him more without a Mediator and such a Surety as Christ. Because they continued not in my Covenant I regarded them not saith the Lord. See Dr. Owen on Heb. 7.22 p. 225. V. The Stability of the new Covenant depends upon the Suretiship of Christ and 't is secured to Believers thereby For the first Adam in whose hands the whole Estate and Riches of Mankind were trusted ran out of all and therefore God established another Covenant and constituted Christ as a responsible Security of known Fidelity and mighty to perform to be the Surety thereof that so it might be a firm and sure Covenant between Him and Man VI. Christ by becoming Surety stands engaged to the Father to satisfy in the behalf of Man so far as God sees it necessary or comports with his Wisdom and the Perfections of his holy Attributes That he might be just and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus VII Those that Christ the Surety of the Covenant undertook to make Peace for were not only spiritual Debtors but Criminals also such as deserved Death dead in Law and under the Sentence thereof spiritually dead being under the deprivation of the Light of God's Countenance VIII Christ seeing how unable we were to make Satisfaction according to the Demands of Law made a full Compensation and laid down a valuable Price satisfactory to Law and Justice for he bore the Punishment due to us for our Sins First he endured Death and the Curse of the Law he died and was made a Curse for us Secondly he bore or sustained the Wrath of God being under a deprivation of the Light of his Countenance the Favour of God was for a time suspended and withdrawn from him My God my God why hast thou forsaken me He was made Sin for us that knew no Sin c. God hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all IX Tho Christ was appointed by the Father to be the Surety of the Covenant yet all that he did was his own voluntary Act I lay down my Life freely no Man taketh it from me c. X. The Love and Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ was such that tho he was rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we through his Poverty might be made rich I. live says the Apostle by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Surety I. A Surety among Men is not of the Creditor's but of the Debtor's procurement II. Sureties and Debtors amongst Men enter into the same Bond and the Debtor is look'd upon to be the principal Bondsman III. Among Men when the Surety makes a full Compensation for Debts the Party indebted cannot be said to receive a Release or Discharge in a way of Grace and Favour but only in a way of Justice IV. Among Men usually the Surety's Bond is for Debts contracted at or before the Surety's Bond is given in and for a particular Sum or Sums specified V. A Surety sometimes repents his coming into Bonds and 't is a great Trouble and Perplexity to him and seeks ways to be released My Son if thou be a Surety for thy Friend if thou hast stricken hands with a Stranger thou art ensnared with the Words of thy Mouth c. VI. A Surety many times undoes himself by being bound for other Men he engages for more than he is able to pay and is thereby cast into Prison and never capable to deliver himself out Disparity I. THe Surety of the Covenant was of God's procurement who is Man's offended Creditor or rather Creator God chose called and anointed Christ to this Office tho 't is true he was as ready to accept of it as the Father was to assign it him In this the infinite Grace and Mercy of God was manifest to Mankind for among Men the Creditor is not concerned to seek out a Security from the Debtor But should a Creditor do so all must confess 't is in his Choice to propound when how and upon what Terms the Debtor should be discharged and it would be thought very reasonable especially if he hath wronged or abused the good Name of his Creditor that before he be acquitted he should be brought upon his Knees and humbly confess his Fault and beg Forgiveness in regard tho a Compensation was made according to the Demands of Law and Justice for the Debt yet the Surety being of the Creditor's own procurement and indeed his own Son who having vast Riches and Abilities and likewise equal Love with the Father to the poor Debtor knowing the Law was such that Satisfaction must of necessity be made offered freely to lay down the Price or full Sum. Even so God and Christ in making of this Covenant in behalf of Sinners agreed that upon Christ's laying down his Life as a satisfactory Price when and upon what Conditions we should be discharged of the Guilt of Sin which binds us over to eternal Wrath And these Conditions are expressed in the Word of God viz. Faith and Humiliation for 't is certain that no Man is actually acquitted before he believes and takes hold of the Satisfaction purchased by Christ applying his Merits and the Virtue of his Blood unto his own Soul by the help of the Spirit which Christ the Surety hath promised to give to all sincere Ones that he might thereby make his Death effectual to them and so compleat his Work and Office of Suretiship II. Christ engaged as our Surety without us Our Bonds and Obligations signify nothing by reason of our utter Inability Christ hath therefore changed our Name and in the room and place of it put his own so that Death and the Curse fall upon him He was wounded for our Transgressions He looked and there was none to help therefore his own Arm brought Salvation III. Christ the Surety of the Covenant of Grace makes full Compensation for Sin and yet the Sinner receives his Release in a way of Grace which may be thus demonstrated First God as was said and not the Sinner found or provided the Surety which his own Sovereign Grace and Goodness moved him to being wholly at his own choice whether he would save Man or no having cause enough to cast him off for his Disobedience as he did the Angels that sinned So that whatever Relief or Discharge Sinners receive it is of Grace being wholly the Contrivance of the Creditor to find out the way which best comported in his Wisdom to the satisfying of Law and Justice
to the Admiration of all The Matter being known and related to them that that were concerned he had not only his Life but the Lion also to wait upon him who became a faithful Servant to him Hic est Leo Hospes Hominis hic est Homo Medicus Leonis was that which the People would say when they saw him lead along his Lion through the Streets Here goes the Lion which was the Man's Host and there is the Man who was the Lion's Physician XII No Creatures love their Young as you may percieve by the foregoing Story in part more than the Lions which they further demonstrate in their Defence for they will receive many terrible Blows Slashes and Wounds the one opening the bleeding Body and the other pressing the Blood out of the Wounds standing invincible never yielding till Death as if Death it self were nothing to them saith the Historian so that their young Ones might be safe XIII Lions are full of Clemency to them that prostrate themselves at their feet they will not touch such as do as it were by submission humble themselves to them XIV Out of the dead Carcase of Sampson's Lion came forth Sweetness as in his Riddle XV. None can take away the Prey from an hungry Lion XVI 'T is affirmed that if a Man be anointed all over with the Blood of a Lion he shall never be destroyed by wild Beasts XVII The Blood of a Lion as Naturalists say being rubbed or spread upon a Canker or Sore which is swell'd about the Veins will presently cure the Grief Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus is the King of Kings the Lord of Lords King of the Kings of the Earth II. Jesus Christ is full of Majesty It may be truly said of him that he carries Majesty in his Face Majesty in his Looks Majesty in his Words Majesty in his Walking Christ being our Captain tho we are timerous Creatures is enough to oppose scatter and vanquish the most potent Army that ever the Prince of Darkness or the God of this World could raise against them his Looks and Words affright his Enemies III. Christ is the Power of God He is a mighty Man nay He is a mighty God mighty to save IV. Christ is of superlative Courage of an invincible Mind for he never encountred with any but he was Conqueror He subdued the Devil yea whole Legions of them and rode in Triumph through the Air. He overcame the World trampling it under his Feet He conquered Sin yea Death it self The Woman bringing forth the Lion of the Tribe of Judah portended nothing less than the Conquest of the Devil's Kingdom V. Christ appears in his Dispensations for some time to couch down as it were suffers himself to be abused in his People and seems to lie still as if he were asleep VI. Christ when he is rouzed up by the Cruelties of the Enemies of his Church and the Cries of his People will be very terrible he will come upon Princes as upon Mortar Tho now he seems still and peaceable like a Lamb yet the Day is at hand when he will rise up like a Lion to destroy and devour at once VII When Christ shall utter his Voice at the last Day and come to Judgment he will make the Nations of the World quake Let all the Inhabitants of the Earth tremble for the Day of the Lord cometh for 't is nigh at hand The Lord shall also roar out of Zion and utter his Voice from Jerusalem and the Heaven and Earth shall shake c. VIII There is nothing hid from the Eyes of Christ he sees into the darkest Corners of Mens Hearts and Imaginations the most subtil Sinners cannot escape his Notice There is no secret Place where the Plotters or wicked Men can hide themselves from him He sees all their horrid Designs and Combinations IX Jesus Christ will reward every one according to the Nature of his Works in the great Day and when he comes forth to judg Babylon he will retaliate upon her according as she hath done Thou hast given them Blood to drink for they are worthy for they have shed the Blood of thy Saints and Prophets Reward her as she hath rewarded you X. Christ marks all those that injure him and his People Wherefore doth the Wicked contemn God he saith in his Heart he will not requite it Thou hast seen it for thou beholdest Mischief and Spite to requite it with thy hand I remember that which Amalek did to Israel now go and smite Amalek I will contend with them that contend with thee and I will save thy Children And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own Flesh and they shall be drunken with their own Blood as with sweet Wine XI The Lord Jesus as he avenges the Wrongs and Injuries done to his People so he will requite Kindnesses shewed to them Such as feed the Hungry cloath the Naked visit the Sick and those that are in Prison for Christ's sake shall be rewarded Their Work of Faith and Labour of Love shall not be forgotten yea He that gives but a Cup of cold Water in the Name of a Disciple shall not lose his Reward Which is a Reward of Grace not Merit for there is no proportion between eternal Life and the best of our Performances yet God accepts of them XII The Lord Jesus loveth his People with such a strong and endeared Love that he did not only fight with cruel Enemies in their behalf but freely also received many Lashes and sore Wounds in his Body and stood invincible never yielding till Death He made his Soul an Offering for Sin Yea Death it self was nothing to him so that he might save his poor Church from Wrath and eternal Misery XIII The Lord Jesus is full of Clemency Compassion and Tenderness of Bowels to all that humble themselves at his Feet He resisteth the Proud and will tear them in pieces but giveth Grace to the Humble XIV Sampson's Riddle is unfolded best in the slain Body of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah from thence comes all the Honey the Sweetness of Grace and Glory XV. None can deliver themselves out of Christ's hand when he rises up for the Prey XVI That Person whosoever he be who applieth Christ's Blood by Faith or hath every Faculty of his Soul viz. the whole Man bathed therein shall never be destroyed by the Devil nor the Powers of Darkness XVII The Blood of Christ cures all Wounds Cankers and putrifying Sores of the Soul or inward Man when applied by the hand of Faith Metaphor THe Lion is cruel blood-sucking proud preying stony-hearted malitious a Devourer of Flocks and Herds the very Tyrant of Beasts Disparity THe Lord Jesus is mild merciful tender-hearted forgetting Injuries the Preserver and Saviour of the innocent poor weak and helpless Ones c. Inferences 1. LEt the Ungodly tremble
a Priest for ever the Rhemist Annotators are greatly at a loss about concluding that it makes against the Jews and Aaron's Priesthood which worthy Cartwright learnedly answers to whom we refer you For clear it is that what the Papists affirm concerning their Priest and Mass to be a propitiatory Sacrifice for the Quick and the Dead is detected from hence to be a blasphemous execrable and pestilent Error and by no means are they able to make the Offerings and Sacrifices made by their Priests as Christ's Successors to hold good in any case or consonant to God's Word Which further to evince we shall here cite a Page of Dr. Owen's on Heb. 7.24 and so conclude this of Christ's Priesthood The Expositors of the Roman Church are greatly perplexed in the reconciling of this Passage of the Apostle unto the present Priesthood of their Church and they may well be so seeing undoubtedly they are irreconcileable Some of them say That Peter succeeded unto Christ in his Priesthood as Eleazar did unto Aaron so Ribera Some of them deny that he hath any Successor properly so called Successorem non habet nec ità quisquam Catholicus loquitur si benè circumspectè loqui velit saith Aestius But it is openly evident that some of them are not so circumspect as Aestius would have them but do plainly affirm that Peter was Christ's Successor A Lapide indeed affirms that Peter did not succeed unto Christ as Eleazar did unto Aaron because Eleazar had the Priesthood in the same degree and dignity with Aaron and so had not Peter with Christ but yet that he had the same Priesthood with him a Priesthood of the same kind he doth not deny That which they generally six upon is That their Priests have not another Priesthood or offer another Sacrifice but are Partakers of his Priesthood and minister under him and so are not his Successors but his Vicars which I think is the worst Composure of this Difficulty they could have thought upon For 1. This is contrary unto the Words and Design of the Apostle for the Reason he assigns why the Priesthood of Christ doth not pass from him to any other is because he abides himself for ever to discharge the Office of it Now this excludes all Subordination and Conjunction all Vicars as well as Successors unless we shall suppose that although he doth thus abide yet he is one way or other disabled to discharge his Office 2. The Successors of Aaron had no more another Priesthood but what he had nor did they offer any other Sacrifice than what he offered as these Priests pretend to offer the same Sacrifice that Christ did So that still the case is the same between Aaron and his Successors and Christ and his Substitutes 3. They say That Christ may have Substitutes in his Office tho he abide a Priest still and altho the Office still continue the same unchangeable So God in the Government of the World makes use of Judges and Magistrates yet is himself the supreme Rector of all But this Pretence is vain also For they do not substitute their Priests unto him in that which he continueth to do himself but in that which he doth not which he did indeed as a Priest ought to do but now ceaseth to do for ever in his own Person for the principal Act of the Sacerdotal Office of Christ consisted in his Oblation or his offering himself a Sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour unto God This he did once and ceaseth for ever from doing so any more but these Priests are assigned to offer him in Sacrifice every day as Partakers of the same Priesthood with him which is indeed not to be his Substitutes but his Successors and to take his Office out of his hand as if he were dead and could henceforth discharge it no more For they do not appoint Priests to intercede in his Room because they grant he continueth himself so to do but to offer Sacrifice in his stead because he doth so no more Wherefore if that be an Act of Priesthood and of their Priesthood as is pretended 't is unavoidable that his Priesthood is passed from him unto them Now this is a blasphemous Imagination and directly contrary both unto the Words of the Apostle and the whole Design of his Argument nay it would lay the Advantage on the other side For the Priests of the Order of Aaron had that Privilege that none could take their Office upon them nor officiate in it whilst they were alive but altho Christ abideth for ever yet according to the Sence of these Men and their Practice thereon he stands in need of others to officiate for him and that in the principal part of his Duty and Office For to offer himself in Sacrifice unto God he neither now doth nor can seeing henceforth he dieth no more This is the Work of the Mass-Priests alone who must therefore be honoured as the Successors of Christ or else be abhorred as his Murtherers for the Sacrifice of Him must be by Blood and Death The Argument of the Apostle as it is exclusive of this Imagination so it is cogent unto this purpose for so he proceedeth That Priesthood which changeth not but is always vested in the same Person and in him alone is more excellent than that which was subject to change continually from one hand to another for that Transmission of it from one unto another was an Effect of Weakness and Imperfection And the Jews grant that the Frequency of their Change under the second Temple was a Token of God's Displeasure But thus it was not with the Priesthood of Christ which never changeth and that of Aaron which was always in a transient Succession And the Reasons he gives of this contrary State of these two Priesthoods do greatly enforce the Argument For the first Priesthood was so successive because the Priests themselves were obnoxious unto Death the Sum and Issue of all Weaknesses and Infirmities But as to the Lord Jesus Christ his Priesthood is perpetual and unchangeable because he abideth personally for ever Being made a Priest according to the Power of an endless Life which is the Sum of all Perfection that our Nature is capable of Christ a Prophet Mat. 13.57 A Prophet is not without Honour save in his own Country Luke 7.16 And they glorified God saying That a great Prophet was risen among them John 4.19 The Woman said unto him Sir I perceive thou art a Prophet Acts 3.22 For Moses truly said unto the Fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you like unto me c. IT is a common and received Principle amongst all that are truly godly that Jesus the Son of the Highest stands in a capacity of King Priest and Prophet to his Church and so is to be received by all that will on good grounds receive benefit by him Having spoken somewhat of his Kingly and Priestly Office somewhat relating to Him in
Will and one who knew all the Father's Secrets No Man hath seen God at any time save the only begotten Son of God which is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him XIII Jesus Christ hath excelled all that went before him in this respect He was not applauded by the People only who said he was a Teacher come from God that he taught like one that had Authority and never Man spake like him but he was commended as one fit to be heard by God himself and that with an audible Voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son hear ye him This great Prophet of the Most High hath in pursuit of his Prophetical Office laid a fair Foundation for the Church to build upon in these great and most important Points 1. He hath set forth God in the Excellency of his Nature and Perfections He hath told us we are to have Faith in him to love him with all our whole Soul and with all our Strength and to worship him in Spirit and in Truth 2. He hath set forth Himself as Mediator the immediate Object of Faith and to be followed in his Life and Doctrine Another Foundation can no Man lay 3. He hath confirmed the Holy Scriptures as the Rule of Worship directing Men to them for the Regulation of their Hearts and Lives Search the Scriptures 'T is written in your Law c. And to the young Man that would know what he should do to inherit eternal Life he said How readest thou c. 4. He hath set forth the World to come in the Glory of it as the Reward of Worship telling them that there is a Kingdom to be given and The Pure in Heart shall see God XIV Jesus Christ hath not only as the Author of our Faith laid a sure Foundation for us to build upon but as the Finisher thereof hath Store of Gifts and Graces to bestow which he hath promised to give down and hath also proposed such Examples and Precepts touching all the Particularities of our Duty which if followed cannot miss of perfecting and making the Church compleat Be ye merciful as Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect Love one another Walk as you have me for an Example and what you would that Men should do to you that do unto them This is the Law and the Prophets XV. Jesus Christ was the most perfect Copy to write by the best Example to conform our Lives unto that ever our Eyes beheld or that ever appeared 1. In his unparallel'd Meekness Humility Self-Denial and Contempt of this World 2. His unwearied Patience under Afflictions and Sufferings 3. His Zeal and Forwardness to do good even to the worst of his Enemies XVI Jesus Christ hath given forth Scripture by the glorious Power of the Holy-Ghost which are the four Evangelists and all the Epistles and as to the Book of the Apocalypse he hath so confirm'd it that he hath made it Damnation to any that shall add to it or diminish from it XVII Herein Jesus Christ hath compleated his Work as a Prophet He did expound to his Disciples what was written in the Law of Moses in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning himself And not only so but he foretold them things that were yet to come to pass as the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Captivity of the Jews He did not conceal but plainly told that there should be a Day of Distress such as had not been since they were a Nation And soon after his Ascension sent his Angel to signify to his Servant John for the teaching all his Churches many things that are and shortly should come to pass As 1. The Rise Reign and Ruine of the last Beast 2. The Suffering of the Church in the Wilderness during his Reign 3. The Glory Grandure horrid Wickedness and fearful Overthrow of Mystery Babylon 4. The going forth of the everlasting Gospel into all the World 5. And lastly his own coming in Glory with the New Jerusalem the holy Angels and all Saints to solemnize the last and dreadful Judgment Prophet I. ALL other Prophets besides Christ were inspired by Christ. The Prophets searched what manner of time the Spirit of Christ in them did signify c. by which he preached to the Spirits in Prison II. Other Prophets pointed at Christ as the Scope of their Prophecies they testified before-hand the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that was to follow III. Other Prophets did but begin the holy Books that were to be the perpetual Rule of Faith and Practice they told us of Divine Things but in part IV. Other Prophets spake of God by private Inspiration and the Intelligence of Angels and few of them confirmed their Words by Miracles V. Other Prophets have left their Work and are all gone Your Fathers where are they And the Prophets do they live for ever What Man is he that liveth and shall not see Death Abraham is dead and the Prophets c. Disparity I. JEsus Christ received not the holy Spirit by measure but hath the Fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily II. Jesus Christ came as the Sum of their Prophecies to fulfill them and compleat what they foretold This is He of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write III. Jesus Christ did finish and compleat the holy Books which are to be the perfect and compleat Rule of Faith and Practice to the end of the World He shewed plainly of the Father He is that Prophet that all Men are to hear upon the Penalty of being destroyed from amongst the People He that hears not his Voice and believes not his Gospel shall not see Life but perish in his Sins How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation confirmed by Signs and Wonders IV. But Jesus Christ spake of the Father as he had seen Him and conversed with Him heard his Words and was in his Bosom before He came down among us in the likeness of Man and confirmed his Doctrine by many immediate and mighty Miracles No Man has seen God at any time but the only begotten Son that is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him The things that I have heard of him I speak unto you If I had not done amongst them the Works which none other Man did they had not had Sin but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father V. Jesus Christ abides in his Prophetical Office still that is of like continuance with his Kingly and Priestly Office as he abides a Priest continually so a Prophet He is with his Church to lead it and guide it to the end of the World as himself saith And lo I am with you always even to the end of the World Inferences I. WE may infer from hence That God hath been exceeding good
But Christ cannot nay will not disappoint thee Application I. IS Christ a Friend such a Friend then how greatly doth it concern poor Souls to make sure of this Friend Doth not Self-Interest lead Men to seek for Friendship and as much as in them lies with such as are likely to do the part of a Friend c. II. Doth not this reprove the Ignorance and Folly of those that slight and reject this great and good Friend How many instead of seeking his Favour are in Friendship with the World and their Lusts and by their wicked Practices are bidding defiance to him as tho neither his Favour nor Frowns were to be regarded III. It shews the miserable Condition of those that are unacquainted with him He is the Soul's Friend and it calls aloud upon them to be acquainted with him IV. Is Christ thy Friend then here 's a sure Ground of Comfort you can never want that have such a Friend so loving so sympathizing so necessary and so suitable a present a constant a careful Friend yea a Soul-Friend a wise a powerful a faithful immortal and everlasting Friend This is a Friend indeed an honourable Friend that is in favour with God who never had his Suit denied V. Is this thy Friend O then 1. Bless God that hath raised up such a Friend for thee and made thee acquainted with him 2. Prize and love this Friend dearly 3. Visit him often tell him all the Secrets and Grievances of thy Heart How sweet is Communion with him 4. Be not ungrateful to him be not like Joash who forgat the Kindness of his Friend May it not be justly said to some Is this thy kindness to thy Friend O 't is sad to abuse the Kindness of such a Friend 5. Trust your Friend take him at his word question him not he is faithful 6. Have no commerce with his Enemies but keep close and faithful to him in every Condition Achitophel dealt treacherously with David do thou not so with Christ. 7. Publish and declare what a Friend thou hast endeavour to get Sinners acquainted with him 8. Be sure let nothing part thy Friend and thee Prize his Presence dread his Frowns follow his Doctrine and Examples that it may be known that Christ is yours and you are his Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven Christ is the only Friend A true Friend is tried in a doubtful matter Christ hath laid down his Life for Believers what is more difficult to Nature than Death Christ the Rose of Sharon Cant. 2.1 I am the Rose of Sharon IT is Christ that speaks these words it becomes not the Spouse thus to commend her self saith Solomon Let another and not thine own Lips praise thee The Lord Jesus elegantly expresseth his own Excellency by comparing Himself unto a Rose the Rose of Sharon Metaphor I. A Rose is the Off-spring and Fruit of a good tho seemingly dry Root II. A Rose is a beautiful Flower very pleasant and delightful to the Eye of different Colours red and white and in some curiously joyned and intermix'd together red and white shews an excellent Complexion and makes up a perfect Beauty III. A Rose is a fragrant and sweet Flower it yields a most excellent and odoriferous Scent This may not hold true of every sort of Roses but 't is such an one Christ compares himself unto IV. The Rose is a useful Flower it is full of Virtue 1. Roses distilled afford a most sweet cooling Liquor good against intemperate Heat it gently qualifies Cholerick Exhalations refreshes the Spirit when sad c. and is good for the Eyes 2. Being conserved and otherwise made use of and applied they are very cordial and medicinal Their Use in Physick saith an eminent Writer words are too few to express V. The Rose is called by Naturalists the Queen of Flowers none being to be compared to it VI. The Roses that grew in Sharon were the best and chiefest of Roses they were singular in Beauty and Property VII The Rose of Sharon signifies in Greek the Flower of the Field Sharon being a Place or Plain wherein King David's Herds and Cattel were fed Roses that grow in a Field are not planted by Man and indeed do lie open to Beasts to be spoiled pluck'd to pieces or trodden down VIII The Roses of Sharon were free Persons might have access to them when they could not to other Flowers that were in close and secret Gardens IX Roses and other delightful Flowers of the Field are the Beauty and Glory of the Field they cloath the Grass X. Sharon was a Place as we said before of Pasture a Place of Feeding where the Flocks used to rest a very fruitful Vally XI The Rose yields a very precious Oil good in divers cases Parallel I. CHrist touching his humane Nature is the Off-spring of David or a Branch out of the Stem and Root of Jesse II. Christ is said to be white and ruddy Some understand thereby his two Natures by the white his Divinity by the red his Humanity The one denotes his natural Purity and Innocency the other his bloody Agony and Suffering for our sakes hence said to be red in his Apparel No Object so delightful to the Eye as Jesus Christ is in his Humiliation crucified for our Sins in his Exaltation appearing at the Father's right-hand for us True and evangelical Sights of Christ delight the Eye and ravish the Soul of a Believer Christ is a perfect and compleat Beauty III. Jesus Christ yields a most fragrant and lovely Savour What is so sweet and refreshing to the spiritual Senses of the Soul as the Merits and saving Graces of Christ His very Name is as precious Ointment poured forth He is the Savour of Life unto Life to them that believe IV. The Lord Jesus is excellent for Profit and spiritual Virtue 1. Being crucified for our sakes what precious Virtue what Soul-mollifying Water of Life does he yield us good against all Cholerick Heats and Exhalations of the Heart and Flesh making the furious and impatient Man gentle meek and humble refreshes the Spirit of a Saint when dejected and under Temptations and is exceeding good to open the Eyes of the Understanding 2. Jesus Christ laid hold on by Faith and the Virtue of his Blood applied and kept in the Soul will prove a Sovereign Cordial at all times The medicinal Properties of this Rose of Sharon for the healing the Distempers of the inward Man words I may well say cannot express V. Jesus Christ infinitely excells all others whether Angels or Men none are to be compared to Him He is the Head the Flower and Glory of Things in Heaven and of Things on Earth whether Thrones or Dominions Principlaities or Powers He is fairer than the Children of Men the chiefest among Ten Thousands VI. There is
and a great Favourite in the Court of Heaven II. Jesus Christ the Messenger of the Covenant or God's Embassador to Sinners is full of Wisdom and Skill in all the grand Affairs which concern the Glory of his Father and the Welfare of Sinners He knows how to end the Differences between God and Man and to make up that grievous and destructive Breach that hath been so long between them III. The Lord Christ hath in him all the Perfections of the glorious Deity He is called the faithful and true Witness Never did Embassador act with such Integrity to Prince and People as Christ doth between God and Sinners He would not have God dishonoured nor Man to miss of Pardon IV. Christ was chosen and appointed Messenger of the Covenant by the Determination Counsel Purpose and Foreknowledg of the King of Heaven hence is Christ said to be a Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World V. The Lord Jesus Christ when chosen to be sent on this great Embassy or Message of Peace to Sinners readily accepted it Lo it is written in the Volumn of the Book I come to do thy Will O God VI. Jesus Christ the greatest Embassador and Plenipotentiary of Heaven and Earth hath Matters of such weight and moment committed to his Trust that very far exceed those things that concern Peace and War amongst Men and Nations for they are Matters in which are wrapp'd up the spiritual and eternal Weal or Wo of all People and Nations of the World He is entrusted with those high and wonderful things that concern the Glory of God and the Peace and eternal Felicity of our Souls VII As Christ was chosen and ordained God's Messenger and entrusted with the great Concerns and sole Management of the Covenant of Grace so that he might every way be rightly constituted authorized and empower'd he received a special Commission from the Father He gave me Commandment what I should say and what I should speak I have a greater Witness than that of John for the Works which the Father hath sent me to do the same bear witness that he hath sent me VIII Christ that he might negotiate and fully accomplish and compleat the great and important Affairs of making Peace between God Almighty and poor Sinners left his own Kingdom and the Glory he had with the Father and came into this World When the Fulness of Time was come God sent forth his Son IX Christ Jesus the Messenger of the Covenant represents the Person of God himself so that whosoever reverences the Son reverences the Father also He that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me The Father judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son that all Men should honour the Son as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him X. The Lord Jesus Christ did require and command nothing of Mankind but what was the absolute Will and Pleasure of the Father My Doctrine is not mine but the Father 's that sent me I lay down my Life that I may take it up again This Commandment received I of the Father c. XI Christ was sent to put an end to that dismal and desolating War which was occasioned by Sin and the horrid Breach of the first Covenant between God the Creator being offended and the sinful guilty and rebellious Creature God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself c. For if whilst we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son much more being reconciled shall we be saved by his Life And that he might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the Cross having slain the Enmity thereby And came and preached Peace to you that were afar off and to them that were nigh And to you that were sometimes alienated and Enemies in your Minds by wicked Works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death XII Christ the Messenger of the Covenant offers gracious Terms of Peace and Reconciliation to Sinners Repent and believe the Gospel Believe and be baptized He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you Rest. O what sweet and easy Terms of Peace are these 'T is but to acknowledg our own Guilt and Vileness lay down our Arms and accept of Mercy by believing in the Lord Jesus Look unto me and be ye saved all ye Ends of the Earth Whoever will let him take of the Water of Life freely XIII Jesus Christ the Messenger of the great God was greatly grieved to see the Jews to whom he was first sent stubbornly to refuse and reject that glorious Salvation offered to them by himself When he came near the City he wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things that belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes O Jerusalem Jerusalem how often would I have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathers her Chickens and ye would not O that Israel had hearkned unto me XIV Jesus Christ hath many Servants who wait on him in the Accomplishment of this great and glorious Work viz. the holy Angels and the blessed Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel The Lord Jesus deserveth eternal Honour for this glorious Work Let the Angels of God worship him All ought to honour the Son as they honour the Father At the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow XV. The Lord Jesus Christ ratified and confirmed the Covenant of Grace between God and Man by his own Blood and thereby opened a free Commerce with God For through him we have access by one Spirit to the Father Saints may with boldness come to the Throne of Grace by the Blood of Jesus XVI The Lord Jesus when he had done his Work returned home unto his Father and is highly honoured being cloathed with Glory and Majesty and is set down at the right hand of God on high far above Principalites and Powers XVII Those People and Nations that refuse the Offers of Grace and Peace made to them by Jesus Christ God proclaims War and eternal Death against them He that hath the Son hath Life but he that hath not the Son hath not Life but the Wrath of God abideth on him It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that City If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledg of the Truth there remains no more Sacrifice for Sin but a fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery Indignation that shall devour the Adversaries and all those that have stubbornly refused the free Tenders of Grace XVIII Jesus Christ was and is
hunger and thirst after Righteousness c. Blessed are the meek c. But except your Righteousness shall exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5.20 Ye that have abode with me in my Temptations I appoint unto you a Kingdom c. With a multitude of such like Speeches which are contained in the holy Gospel which he uttered to encourage and animate all his Disciples in their Spiritual Warfare IX Jesus Christ takes in and shuts out as he sees Cause he cashereed Judas Demas Hymeneus Philetas and Alexander and takes in Paul Barnabas and Apollo into his Company X. The Lord Jesus is the Head of all true Christians and Commander of the Church Militant in chief all the Bands of the white Reigment march under his Banner Hâ—â— is the Head of his Body the Church Given to be a Leader and Commander to the People X. Christ when he was baptized by John took his Place in the Minstry as the Leader of his Church and ran the greatest Hazard yet deserted not his Followers for fear of Danger He not only loved them to the end but did bear them company and abode with them to the last even till he suffered for their sakes the bitter Death of the Cross c. And is spiritally with them all ways to the end of the World XI Christ gives the Word of Command to his Saints which they are to observe If any Man will serve me let him follow me Teach them to observe all things that I command you XII So is Christ by being the Captain of our Salvation for War not originally from his own natural Disposition for he is for Peace but by reason of the resolved Opposition that is in the hearts of his Enemies against him I came not to send Peace on the Earth but to bring a Sword Mat. 10.34 XIII Jesus Christ met with Enemies not only Flesh and Blood yea potent Flesh and Blood Men in Power and high Places such as Herod Pontius Pilate and the Rulers of the Jews but Principalities and Powers no less than Beelzebub himself and all his Train whom he fairly engag'd with eminent Success XIV Jesus made use both of Armor and Weapons he saw no small need for it viz. 1. The Breastplate of Righteousness when Satan and wicked Men by their Temptations would have drawn him from his Allegiance by great Proffers of Power and Glory 2. The Sword of the Spirit by which he cut down the Devil and the wicked Jews in all their Assaults It is written it is written c. 3. The Shield of Faith when he came to the last and most bloody Battel of all For the Joy that was set before him he endured the Cross despised the Shame and is sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high XV. Jesus Christ like a most valiant Captain made good his Ground against all the Force and Artillery of Hell in a glorious manner even to the death of the Cross. XVI Christ took great care of his Saints to preserve and secure them how ever it fared with himself 1. He left them good Orders to observe in his absence the Rules of the holy Gospel 2. He took care to send them a good Guide for their Conduct no less than the Holy-Ghost the Comforter 3. He prayed for them on Earth and he prays in Heaven to engage the Protection of Almighty God for them Father keep through thine own Name those that thou hast given me c. XVII Jesus Christ prefers his Saints and Followers whom he finds worthy He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the Work of the Ministry c. I thank Christ Jesus who hath put me into the Ministry XVIII Christ made not Novices and unexperienc'd Christians Ministers and Pastors of Churches and Leaders of Societies He set Peter James and John to be Apostles and Leaders in the first place and Paul Sylvanus and Timotheus stout and brave Commanders to bring up as it were the Rear God hath set forth us the Apostles last of all as it were appointed to Death XIX Jesus Christ in all weighty Affairs is joined with the Father and holy Spirit the great Council of Heaven and without Him who is called Wonderful Counsellor there is nothing of grand Importance transacted either in Heaven or Earth nay without him was nothing done at first All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made When Commission was givn to Creatures of all kinds to act in their proper sphere Christ was there See Counsellor XX. Christ's place is a place of Honour because he was Worthy and the Army that he hath raised is not a Rebellious Army but legally raised and behave themselves well they are kept under good Government and Discipline not one debauch'd person in the Army is continued in the Muster-Rolls but presently turn'd off blotted out and delivered up to Satan when discovered by his inferior Officers to be such Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness From such turn away Deliver such over to Satan turn him into his own Kingdom Because thou hast loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity therefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows That all Men might honour the Son even as they honour the Father XXI Jesus Christ offers Terms of Peace and Reconciliation because he would prevent their Ruine if possible before he falls upon them and fights against them with the Sword of his Mouth Turn at my Reproof how often would I have gathered thy Children together c. In what Place soever you enter say Peace c. I gave her space to repent of her Fornication but she repented not Rev. 2.21 I will kill her Children with Death c. XXII Jesus Christ when his Grace and Offers of Mercy are refused hath and will make slaughtering work in the Earth O what work was made upon Jerusalem not long after the refusing the terms of Peace and offers of Grace and Favour by Jesus Christ. See the lamentable Story in Josephus c. And what work will shortly be made with bloody Rome in the day of Death Mourning and Famine that is coming on apace when she shall have Blood given her to drink and shall be utterly burnt with Fire And what Devastation will be made by this great Captain who is red in his Apparel and his Cloaths as them that tread in the Wine-Press at the Battel of Armagedon when the vast Armies of the Beast shall be slaughtered and destroyed by the sharp Sword that goes out of his Mouth And Blood shall come forth to the Horses Bridles for a thousand and six hundred Furlongâ—â— The Fowls of Heaven shall be filled with their Flesh there shall
shall mention is Reconciliation which is a glorious blessing what is more fully opened and held forth in the gospel than Reconciliation with the means and manner how and by whom accomplished which will appear 1. By Considering the parties Reconciled 2. By Considering the Nature of the breach that was between them 3. By Considering the means and manner how it is accomplished 4. By Considering the Fruits and Effects of it 1. Considering the Parties that were at Variance who by the gospel are Reconciled God and Man the infinite God the holy God and Man these were at Enmity 't is sad when a difference rises in a Family in a Congregation in a City in a Kingdom or between one Kingdom and another but much more sad is it to have God and sinners at Enmity Adam runs from God hides himself he knew God was now become his Enemy the word declares the Creature to be Gods Enemy whilst he stands in old Adam in the state of nature and you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minds c. And then God declares himself to be the Sinners enemy he is angry with the wicked every day he is said to fight and war against them which plainly shews he is their Enemy But now what a glorious blessing is this to have these two Parties reconciled when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son You that were enemies in your minds by wicked works or as in the Margent by your minds in wicked works yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through Death Secondly Gospel reconciliation appears to be glorious reconciliation if we consider the nature of the breach that was between them 1. It was an old breach no sooner was man made but straitway he became an Enemy to God nay every Soul that comes into the world comes into it an enemy of God or in a state of enmity 2. 'T is so great a breach that all the Angels in heaven nor all the Saints on earth could not make up 3. It was such a breach that lays the Soul obnoxious to Gods fearful Curse 4. It is such a breach that makes the Creatures of God at enmity one with another and Mankind in danger of being Devoured by them and also hath set man one against another 5. It is such a breach that sets man against himself it hath caused his own Conscience to be his Enemy and to accuse and fight against him and condemn him If our Hearts condemn us God is greater c. 6. It is such a breach that unless made up will produce an eternal Separation from God depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devils and his Angels c. Thirdly 'T is glorious Reconciliation if we consider the means and manner how and by whom it is wrought about and accomplished every Person in the glorious Trinity hath a hand in it and are eminently concerned about it God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself All things are of God who hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ c. The Lord Jesus the second Person is imployed we may see from hence as one fitly qualified to make up this dreadful Breach and in order thereunto he took our Nature on him There was a necessity of Christs coming to reconcile God and man God his Law and Justice was wronged and God was resolved to have this wrong made up and his Justice satisfied which none but Christ could do God was willing to be reconciled yet nevertheless he will wherein he was wronged be righted and have his Justice fully and compleatly satisfied Christ knew what would appease and satisfie both Law and Justice what he hath done hath infinite worth and efficacy in it this way tends most to glorifie God the Father the Son is glorified most this way the Spirit is glorified most this way and there was no way like this to melt the Sinners heart to abase him and lay him at the feet of God See Christ the Mediator c. 2. Christ doth not only reconcile God to the Creature but also reconciles the Creature unto God he undertakes to bring God near to Man and Man near to God whose heart is full of Sin and Enmity to his Maker and not subject to his Law he lays his hands upon both the first is done by his death Christ like Jonas is cast into the Sea as it were of wrath to make a Calm The second is done by the Spirit he breaks the heart changes the inward qualities and evil dispositions he takes away the heart of stone and gives a heart of flesh Fourthly Gospel Reconciliation is glorious in respect to the nature of it 1. It is a free Reconciliation it is a work of free grace alone it is not of man not of him that willeth or him that runneth but of God that shewed mercy Hence the Apostle saith All things are of God speaking of Reconciliation 2. It is mysterious Reconciliation we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world begun to our glory the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God This is one of those deep things which many because they cannot comprehend it in their own natural Wisdom cavil against it 3. It is a certain reconciliation God is at Peace and fully Reconciled in Jesus Christ Christ shall not will not loss his glorious design in coming into the world and taking our nature on him and dying the cursed death of the Cross. Those therefore that are brought to accept of the terms of Peace and Reconciliation as offered in the Gospel stand in a state of Real Peace and Friendship neither let any once imagine that after all these glorious transactions of the blessed Trinity about this work that the issue of the whole in order to the making of it effectual depends upon the Will and power of man 4. The Soul is taken into perfect Love and Union with God God hereby intirely loveth us and is so for us or on our side that his Friends and Allies become our Friends and Allies and all our Enemies become his Enemies so that what is done to us he takes as done to himself 5. It is an honourable Reconciliation it is a Reconciliation upon honourable Terms God suffereth not in any of his glorious Attributes If God had passed by our offences so that we had Pardon and Reconciliation without more adoe without a compensation for sin the Devils perhaps saith a Divine might have cryed out against him and have said where is the Glory of thy justice these have sinned against thee as well as we and the breach they have made upon thy justice is no wayes made up but now their mouths are stopt for ever This Reconciliation will be to the glory of God in the sight of Angels and Men to
THe Title explained 142 143 Christ as a King attended by Angels par 8. 144 Privileges and Excellencies pertaining to Christ a King shewed in seven Particulars par 21. 146 Wherein Christ exceeds all earthly Kings in twelve things 146 147 Knoweth Christ knoweth the Causes of Distempers and Diseases par 6. 113 L. Lamb. HOw Christ may be called a Lamb opened in ten Particulars 185 to 187 Practically improved 187 Light Christ the Sun of Righteousness exceeds all other Lights 220 Lilly Christ the Lilly of the Vallies opened in five Particulars 226 227 Lion A strange Story of the Justice of a Lion Met. 5. 41 Sight of a Lion 136 Voiee of a Lion Met. 7. 136 Christ a Lion 135 A Lion and Lioness revenge the Death of their Young upon a Bear Met. 10. 136 A Lion requiâ—â—es a Kindness Met. 11. 137 London London burnt An. 1666. The Desolation made thereby 67 Locust By Locusts Rev. 9. are meant the Popish Clergy Priests Friars Monks Jesuits par 23. 16 M. Man A Brittle Creature 64 Man by Nature miserably in debt to God 95 96 Manna Manna what 139 With a Parallel Manna the Type and Christ the Anti-type in twenty six Partic. 139 to 142 Christ excells Manna in a six-fold respect Dispar 142 Mediator Mediator what Mediatorship of Christ opened in one and twenty Particulars 87 88 89 The Necessity of a Mediator between God and Man shewed 1. In respect of God in six Partic. 2. In respect of Man in two things 88 Christ a Mediator fitly qualified shewed in three things 89 But one Mediator 91 Men. Christ is the Light of Men par 25. 218 Member Christ judgeth between Member and Member one Saint and another par 12. 163 Ministers Christ's Spokes-men sue hard to gain Sinners unto Christ shewed in seven Partic. par 15. 101 Christ all in the Ministry of the Word 288 Mouth The Nature of a Mouth 46 47 Myrrh The Properties thereof shewed in seven Particulars Why called a Bundle of Myrrh 269 N. NAme of God what meant shewed in four things 29 In what respect the Name of the Lord is called a Strong-Tower shewed in ten Partic. 32 â—â—3 The Name of Christ like to precious Ointment opened in ten Partic. 190 191 Christ's Name excelleth other Names shewed by ten Dispar 191 192 With Application 192 193 Necessity The Lord Jesus is of universal Necessity and Benefit par 10. 112 O. Oil. OIl anointing therewith on the Head in Consecration Met. Par. 9. 178 The Oil of Gladness and the excellent Nature thereof 302 to 304 Oil the Nature of it opened in seventeen Partic. ibid. Ordinance Christ All in All in every Ordinance 288 Order The Order of God in building the first and second Creation par 5. 18 Ointment Christâ—â—s Name like precious Ointment opened in ten Partic. 190 191 P. CHrist All in Pardon of Sin 288 Pearl Christ a Pearl of great Price opened in thirteen Partic. 187 to 189 Christ the Pearl exceeds all other Pearls shewed by a five-fold Disparity 189 People God's People are a separate People par 4. 15 Perfection All the Perfections of the Father shine forth in Christ 110 Physician In what respect Christ is a Physician opened in 23 Partic. 112 to 115 The Excellency of Christ a Physician above all other Physicians 116 117 Portion God a Portion 6 What a Portion God is shewed in 12 Partic. 8 Considered in a fourfold respect 1. It s Nature 2. It s Extent 3. It s Signification 4. It s Vsefulness p. 6 Nine practical Corollaries upon God a Portion 9 Precious To whom Christ is precious opened 248 Marks of Trial in ten Partic. 249 250 The Way to find Christ precious in four things 250 Priest Christ a Priest 149 Christ exceeds the Jewish High-Priests in 8 Partic. 153 Christ's Priesthood and Gospel-Government exceeds that of the Law Inf. 2. 154 The Notions of the Church of Rome about Priesthood discovered Infer 6. 154 to 156 Priviledg The great Privilege that Souls are let into by Christ as a Door par 13. 130 Prophet Christ a Prophet opened in seventeen Particulars 157 to 160 Christ in pursuit of his Prophetical Office layeth a Foundation for the Church to build upon par 13. 159 Prophets foretell things to come so doth Christ par 17. 160 Christ exceeds all other Prophets in five things 160 161 R. Rest GOD is the Souls Rest par 5. 10 Refuge The Import of the Word in six Particulars 50 No Refuge like God 53 All other Refuges besides God vain Met. 4. 53 Cities of Refuge under the Law what they typified 55 The Way made plain to the City of Refuge Met. 7. 168 Refiner Refiner opened in 15 Partic. 262 to 264 Register God keeps a Register for the Great Day 83 Righteousness Christ the Sun of Righteousness 214 to 220 River The Holy-Spirit a River shewed in 20 Partic. 313 The Excellency of the River of God opened in nine Partic. 316 317 The Spirit like an overflowing River 314 Rock Christ a Rock opened in twelve Partic. 170 to 172 Root Christ the Root of David opened in nine Partic. 221 222 How Jesus Christ is the Root of David and Stem of Jesse answ 222 Rose Christ the Rose of Sharon opened in 11 Partic. 119 to 201 S. Saints SAints cannot encounter with their Enemies without their Shield 75 Christ judgeth between one Saint and another par 12. 163 Salvation Common why so called Infer 2. 170 Christ the Captain of our Salvation shewed in 23 Partic. 258 to 256 Sanctuary God the only Sanctuary par 2. 10 Servant Christ the Servant of God opened in 11 Partic. 131 to 133 Christ excells all other Servants 133 Sharon Christ the Rose of Sharon 202 Shepherd Christ a Shepherd in 19 Partic. 162 to 164 Why Christ is called the great Shepherd Dispar 4. in five respects 164 Christ exceeds other Shepherds in a six-fold Disparity 164 165 Serpent The Type explained in thirteen Particulars 285 286 Sin Sin a Cause of our own Misery 49 Sin a Sickness 118 God punisheth Sin in his People gradually ibid. Spirit The Holy-Spirit a Comforter opened in fifteen Partic. 291 to 295 The Holy-Spirit a Divine Person par 3. 292 How the Spirit comforteth Believers shewed in 10 Partic. par 7. 29â—â— The Spirit compared to the Wind in 20 Partic. 297 to 301 The Holy-Spirit the Earnest of the Saints Inheritance opened in 10 Partic. 305 306 The Holy-Spirit compared to a Seal in ten Partic. 309 310 How may a Man know he hath received the Seal of the Spirit shewed in six Partic. 312 Holy-Spirit a River opened in twenty Partic. 313 to 318 The Holy-Spirit compared to Water opened in 10 Partic. 319 320 Spirit of God a Teacher opened 324 325 Spirit of God a Saints Guide 327 How the Spirit guides 327 328 Star Christ the Morning Star opened in eighteen Particulars 274 to 277 Sun Christ the Sun of Righteousness opened in 34 Partic. 214 to 220 Surety Suretyship of
If thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted of If thou followest on to know the Lord then shalt thou know him Seek and ye shall find Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved XII Christ's last Will and Testament is the godly Man's Title Whoever he be that Christ hath bequeathed such and such a Blessing or Promise to he is sure enough of it from the Nature of the Covenant and from the Provision that is made by Christ the Testator for the fulfilling and accomplishing thereof My People shall be willing in the day of my Power Christ makes the Condition easy to his Elect. XIII Christ hath resigned this great Trust of fulfilling of his Will into the hands of the Father and the Holy-Ghost who are not only faithful Executors of this his Testament but able to supply the Wants of every one and helps all those to whom the Covenant doth belong Holy Father keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me I will pray the Father and He shall send you another Comforter who shall abide with you for ever XIV Christ's Will and Testament being confirmed and ratified by his Blood as He will not alter it himself much less may any Man or Angel presume to do it If We or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached let him be accursed If any Man shall take away from the Words of the Prophecy of this Book God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life If any Man add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book XV. Christ by dying opened a way and gave Legacies to Sinners to have his Testament executed if the Testator had not died there had been no room nor access to them that are called to receive the Eternal Inheritance Testator I. THe Death of a Testator amongst Men makes only his own Will valid cannot make and confirm the Will of another II. A Testator amongst Men cannot be a Witness to the Will he ratifies and establishes III. A Testator among Men bequeaths or gives Legacies comparatively but to a few IV. A Testator among Men cannot enjoy or possess that Kingdom Estate or Inheritance himself after he hath given it away to others and settled them in possession V. A Testator amongst Men commits his last Will and Testament to Men to be fulfilled VI. The best Legacies Testators among Men bequeath are but earthly and temporal things Disparity I. CHrist did not only give force and value to his own Will but to the Will of the Father also II. Christ is not only a Testator but a Witness of the same Testament as 't is the Father's He is given of God as the great Evidence of Covenant-Love and of all the choice Favours and Good-will to Sinners God so loved the World c. And secondly he is given as the great Covenant-Interest and Relation betwixt God and Sinners He testifies that all that is contained in the Covenant is true and the absolute Will and Pleasure of God He said these things are true and faithful Who is it that affirms and testifies this Jesus Christ who is the true and faithful Witness III. Christ gives Legacies to Thousands and Ten Thousands no Godly Man hath nor ever shall have any spiritual good thing but what was bequeathed to him by Christ's Will and Testament IV. Christ the spiritual Testator tho he hath given away all that he hath and gives the possession to Believers by his last Will and Testament yet is Co-heir of the same Kingdom and Glory and shall possess it together with them V. Christ the spiritual Testator surrogates his Spirit in his absence and after his Death to see his Will executed in all points and to give real and actual possession of all his Covenant-Blessings unto them to whom they are given VI. The Legacies Christ bequeaths are spiritual things of a high and most sublime Nature As all things are given to Christ the Mediator so all that he is or hath he parts with freely to his faithful Followers the Graces of the Spirit Adoption Pardon of Sin Peace of Conscience precious Promises in a word all things that appertain to the Life that now is and to that which is to come All is yours and ye are Christ's and Christ is God's Inferences 1. THis exceedingly shews forth the Grace and Love of Christ to Sinners in that he should assume Man's Nature and become liable to Death and Mortality what marvellous Condescension is here that he should act or do any thing in contemplation of Death and be a Testator and yet could not see Corruption the Grave could not keep him and yet refused not to submit unto Death that thereby through the Spirit he might convey a legal Right and Possession to us of eternal Life 2. From hence we may also see how firm and sure the Covenant of Grace is made to all the true Seed and faithful Children of God 3. And let all the Friends and Legatees of Jesus Christ know that their Right and Title to spiritual and eternal Blessedness is of absolute Grace and meer Pleasure of the Testator 4. And what cause have we to praise the Name of God in Christ who hath published and made known his last Will and Testament unto the Sons of Men We have the Mind of Christ. 5. And in that he hath left one to execute his Will and that it is put into the hands of the holy Spirit in Christ's absence who is able to do it effectually But the Comforter which is the holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things he shall testify of me 6. Moreover let all such tremble that adventure to alter add to or diminish from any thing that is left in Christ's last Will and Testament the Plagues of God without Repentance are like to be their Portion for ever 7. Furthermore from hence you may see what reason we have to examin what is preached for Doctrine or published by any Man as the Mind of Christ for if it be not written or found in his last Will and Testament we ought utterly to reject it tho an Angel from Heaven should preach it Whatever is affirmed to be an Ordinance of Christ's if it be not nor cannot be naturally inferred without Abuse or Wrong to the Text let it be abhorred and contemned by us 8. This affords much Comfort to the Godly whose Names are written in this Testament and in the Lamb's Book of Life You will there find exceeding great and glorious things bequeathed to you and let it be your care to sue for them according to the Will and Directions of the Testator 9. Also let them not forget their Friend nor neglect to keep up his Remembrance in those holy Signs of his Death and Suffering for their sakes
which he hath enjoyned upon them This do in remembrance of me c. Christ compared to an Hart. Cant. 2.9 My Beloved is like a Roe or young Hart. THe Lord Jesus in several places is resembled to an Hart. Simile I. AN Hart is a lovely and pleasant Creature so called in the Proverbs pleasant Roe 'T is observed by Writers that the Hart hath some resemblance of a Lion a Horse and a Grey-hound which are all accounted very stately Creatures II. An Hart as Naturalists tell us hath no Gall. III. An Hart is a Creature that exceedingly delights in Musick loves to hear such that can sweetly sing IV. An Hart or Stag saith Pliny is the most gentle and mild Beast in the World V. An Hart is a Creature that has a very clear Sight and a quick Hearing nay can see if Credit may be given to Historians in the Night as well as in the Day VI. An Hart is a very loving Creature to those of its kind and will help its Fellow when forc'd to take to a River one resting his Head upon the Loins of his Fellow and if the foremost tireth the hindmost changeth place with him VII An Hart is a very sociable Creature greatly delights in Company Multitudes of them will if they can be together VIII An Hart is a Creature that is chased exceedingly by Dogs and vexed by Hunters IX The Hart is a mighty swift Beast excellent in leaping and ascending Mountains Their Swiftness doth not only appear upon the Earth but also upon the Waters David alludes to this when he says The Lord hath made my Feet like Hinds Feet The lame Man shall leap saith the Prophet as an Hart. X. Dictum est de Cervis quòd aâ—â—errimè pugnant pro uxoribus sua certamina instituunt in montibus It is said of the Harts that they fight fiercely for their Females upon the Mountains XI An Hind when she has brought forth her Young lodges them say the Naturalists in some Rock or other bushy and inaccessible Place covering them and if they be stubborn and wild beating them with their Feet until they lie close and contented They leap over their young teaching them to run and leap over Bushes Stones and small Shrubs against a Time of Danger Or as Pliny saith their little Ones they practise and exercise to use their Legs from the very beginning c. They bring them to high steep and ragged Rocks and there shew them how to leap and withal acquaint them with their Dens and Places of Harbour XII The Hart when 't is hunted by the Dogs will flie to Men nay rather than be made a Prey to the Hounds run to the Huntsman In short it greatly desires and pants after Help and Relief in its Distress XIII Mirabilis est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inter Cervos Serpentes c. There is say Historians a marvellous Antipathy and continual Enmity between the Hart and Serpents 1. The Hart knows by a wonderful Instinct of Nature in what Holes or Caverns they lurk and hide themselves and by his Breath brings them out that he may spoil and destroy them 2. The Hart is hard beset and much annoyed by Serpents in Lybia Multitudes of them do set upon him together fastening their poysonful Teeth in every part of his Body some on his Neck Breast Sides Back twine about his Legs biting him with mortal Rage which he throwing himself upon the Ground destroys others he bruises and so clears himself of them XIV Cervi devoratis Serpentibus ita inflammantur ut ardentissimam sitim concipiant ejulationes edant donec ad fontem perveniant c. The Hart when it hath devoured Serpents is so inflamed with vehement Thirst that he cries with a lamentable Moan and rests not till he comes to a Fountain to drink XV. Odium inter Serpentem Cervum etiam durat post mortem c. The Hatred between the Serpent and the Hart continues after Death when the Hart is slain Pliny and Sextus affirm that if a Man sleep on the Ground having upon him an Hart's Skin Serpents never annoy him The Virtues of his Horn are wonderful nay Naturalists affirm the whole Nature and Disposition of every part of this Beast to be good against Poyson and venemous things his Blood hath excellent virtue in it Parallel I. JEsus Christ is exceeding lovely and pleasant to look upon tho not to every Eye Some cannot discern wherein the Hind resembles a Lion a Horse or a Grey-hound this is known only to the curious Observer So there are some that see nothing lovely nor pleasant in Christ think there is no Form nor Comeliness in him but a Believer who hath the Eyes of his Understanding enlightned can clearly discern a Loveliness and Amiableness in the Lord Jesus II. Jesus Christ hath no Rancour of Spirit retains no Envy or Indignation to poor Sinners for Injuries done to him he prayed for those that murdered him Father forgive them they know not what they do III. Jesus Christ greatly delights in the Melody of the Souls of sincere Christians in the well-tuned Instruments of their Hearts who by fervent Prayer can open their Case and send forth the Desires and Breathings of their Souls to him such make sweet Musick in his Ear When they sing spiritual Songs and Hymns of Praise to him with Grace in the Heart he is exceedingly delighted Sing Praise unto the Lord sing Praises IV. Jesus Christ is meek and humble in Spirit and may rather be compared to a Hart than Naphtali whom Jacob says was as a Hind let loose giving goodly Words Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find Rest to your Souls V. Jesus Christ hath so quick and sharp an Eye that he can see into the very Heart of a Man or Woman All things lie naked and open to his Eyes Day and Night are alike to him he sees as well in Darkness as in the Light His Ears are always open to the Prayers of his Saints he is quick in hearing their Complaints VI. Jesus Christ dearly loveth his People all sincere Christians and is ready to help them not only when they are in the Water but in the Fire When thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee When thou walkest through the Fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the Flame kindle upon thee I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteousness VII Jesus Christ was very sociable in the days of his Flesh he took delight to be amongst poor Sinners and great Multitudes flock'd together to him My Delight was with the Children of Men. VIII Jesus Christ was exceedingly chased pursued and hunted by wicked Men in the days of his