world and all things in it Sometimes the Sea being a vast body is also expressed The God of heaven which hath made the Sea and the drie Land Ionah 1. 9. Sometimes heaven earth and Sea and all that is in them as Nehemiah 9. 6. Exod. 20. 12. Heaven how taken By Heaven is meant first The Air which in Scripture is called Heaven The fowls of heaven that is of the Air Psal 79. 2. and so in other places Secondly that higher Heaven wherein are the Sunne Moon and Starres which are therefore called The host of heaven Deuteron 4. 19. And thirdly above these Heavens there is a third Heaven as it is called 2 Corinth 12. 2. which is the place of Blisse and happinesse and therefore is called Paradise 2 Cor. 12. 4. This seems to be it also which is called The Heaven of Heavens 1 King 8. 27. Nehemiah 9. 6. That is the highest and most excellent heaven as Song of Songs that is a most rare and excellent Song To be the Maker of Heaven Earth belongs as to the Father so also to the Sonne and to the H. Ghost Now as the Attribute Almighty belongs to all the three Persons so also doth this Maker of Heaven and Earth It belongs to the Father There is but one God the Father of whom are all things 1 Corinth 8. 6. yet not to the Father onely but to the Sonne also One Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things 1 Corinth 8. 6. All things were made by him and without him was nothing made that was made John 1. 2. So Col. 1. 16. And so likewise to the holy Ghost The Spirit of God hath made me said Elihu Job 33. 4. And he that made him made all As God made all things so in and for all things is he to be glorified The Lord hath made all things for himself saith Salomon that is for his own glory Prov. 16. 4. For of him and through him and to him are all things to him be glory for ever Amen Rom. 11. 36. See Nehem. 9. 5 6. Rev. 4 10 11. As God made all so he preserves and governs all Furthermore as God is the Maker so he is also the Preserver and Governour of all things In this respect Christ said My Father worketh hitherto and I worke John 5. 17. On the seventh day hee ceased from working so as not to Create any more kindes of Creatures but in respect of Preserving and Governing his Creatures he ceased not neither doth cease Thou preservest them all Nehem. 9. 6. His Kingdome ruleth over all Psal 103. 19. In this respect also is God to be glorified O blesse our God people and make the voice of his praise to be heard which holdeth our soul in life and suffereth not our feet to be moved Psalm 66. 8 9. Necessary to beleeve in Iesus Christ And in Jesus Christ As it is necessary to beleeve in God so is it to beleeve in Jesus Christ Ye beleeve in God beleeve also in me saith Christ John 14. 1. Christ is the onely Mediator betwixt God and us 1 Tim. 2. 5. We cannot have accesse to God but by Christ John 14. 6. What the name Iesus doth import Iesus This name Jesus comes of a word in the Hebrew that signifies to save and it imports as much as a Saviour Thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sinnes said the Angel to Joseph Mat. 1. 21. where the reason of the name is rendred And the Angel Gabriel had said before unto Mary Thou shalt conceive in thy Wombe and bring forth a Sonne and shalt call his Name Jesus Luke 1. 31. To which words not to the other related by S. Matthew though that place be noted in the Margent of our Bibles S. Luke hath reference afterward when he saith And when eight dayes were accomplished for the circumcising of tâ—e Childe his name was called Jesus which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the Wombe Luke 2. 21. Christ was conceived in the Womb before the Angel spake to Ioseph about naming him Iesus but not when he spake to Mary about it By Iosua Iesua and Iesus are all one name Compare Ios 1. 1. other places with Neh. 8. 17. Heb. 4. 8 the Name Iesus is sometimes meant Iosua who after Moses was Captain and Commander over the Israelites and brought them into Canaan See Acts 7. 45. and Hebr. 4. 8. Iosua in those places is the Iesus that is spoken of he had the same name with our Saviour and was a Type and Figure of him So also we read of others who were likewise called Iesus but all Iesusses besides the Lord Iesus Christ were either onely Saviours in name not in deed or but temporall and Typicall Saviours onely our Lord Jesus is the true and everlasting Saviour Iesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same for ever Hebr. 13. 8. He is the Author of eternall salvation to all them that obey him Hebr. 5. 9. Neither is there salvation in any other c. Acts 4. 12. See Luke 2. 11. What the name Christ signifieth Christ Our Saviour in the Old Testament is called Messiah Dan. 9. 25 26. In the New Testament he is called Christ The words Messiah and Christ signifie both one thing onely the one is Hebrew the other Greek See Iohn 1. 41. and 4. 25. They signifie as much as Anointed Compare Acts 4. 25 26. with Psal 2. 1 2. The reason of the Name appears Psal 45. 7. God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladnesse above thy fellows Christs threefold Office This name Christ imports the Office to which our Saviour was anointed which Office was threefold viz. the Office of a Priest the Office of a Prophet the Office of a King Kings were anointed 1 Sam. 10. 1. and so other places shew the same Priests also were anointed Exo. 29 7 And Eliah is commanded of God 1 King 19. 16. to anoint Elisha to be Prophet in his roome which seems to be meant of outward anointing as Kings and Priests were anointed But that outward and visible anointing with oyl did signifie inward invisible anointing with the Spirit and so onely was our Saviour anointed not any materiall Oyl but the Spirit was powred upon him See Ioh. 3. 34. Isa 61. 1. with Luke 4. 18. 21. Christ was anointed to be a Priest Thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec Ps 110. 4 â—t was spoken to our Saviour as is shewed Hebr. 5. 6 10. and 6. 20. and 7. 15 17 21. Christ was a Priest to offer himself a Sacrifice unto God for our sins and to make atonement for us He appeared to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himself Hebr 9. 26. Therefore he is called The Lamb of God that taketh away the sinne of the world Iohn 1. 29. And as a Priest Christ doth still make intercession unto God for
Vicegerents I have said ye are gods Psa 82. 6. Thou shalt not revile the gods Exod. 22. 28. But truly and properly so called there is but one God I am God and there is none else Isa 45. 22. Thou shalt have none other gods before me Exod. 20. 3. We know that an Idol is nothing in the world that is no such thing as an Idolater takes it to be and that there is none other God but one For though there be that are called gods c. yet unto us there is but one God c. 1 Cor. 8. 4 5 6. That God is a Spirit infinite eternall God truly and properly so called is a Spirit Iohn 4. 24. And not onely a Spirit for so the souls of men and Angels also are spirits Hebr. 12. 23. 1. 14. but he is an immense and infinite Spirit which none else is Do not I the Lord fill heaven and earth Ier. 23. 24. Yea the heaven even the heaven of heavens cannot contain him 1 King 8. 27. God also is an eternall Spirit which neither the soul of man nor an Angel is He is the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity Isa 57. 15. The name of Father how attributed unto God The Father Sometimes the name of Father being attributed unto God is taken essentially and is common to the whole Trinitie Have we not all one Father hath not one God created us Mal. 2. 10. I will be a Father unto you and you shall be my sonnes and daughters saith the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6. 18. Sometimes it is taken personally and belongs onely to the first Person of the Trinity who is called the Father in respect of the second Person called the Sonne Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Sonne Iesus Christ 1 Iohn 1. 3. Thus is the word Father here taken as appears by that which follows And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne c. The whole Trinity is our Father but onely the first person of the Trinitie is Christs Father When it is here said I beleeve in God the Father it is not meant that the first Person onely the Father is God as if the Sonne were not God and the Holy Ghost God also The Father how the first Person of the Trinity but onely the Father is first mentioned as being the first Person of the three the first Person I say not in time nor in dignity for they are all co-eternall and co-equall but in order and proceeding For the Father is of himself not proceeding from any other but the Sonn proceedeth from the Father and the Holy Ghost both from the Father and from the Sonne I proceeded forth and came from God saith Christ Iohn 8. 42. The Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father Iohn 15. 26. And so the Spirit also proceedeth from the Sonne and is therefore called the Spirit of the Sonne Galath 4. 6. and is said to be sent by the Sonne Whom I will send saith Christ speaking of the Spirit or Holy Ghost Iohn 15. 26. which argues that the Holy Ghost doth proceed from the Sonne hath the Divine Nature communicated unto him by the Sonne as well as by the Father even as the Sonne is said to be sent by the Father Iohn 3. 16. and in other places because hee doth proceed from the Father and hath the Divine Nature communicated to him by the Father But the Father is never said to be sent either by the Sonne or by the Holy Ghost as not proceeding either from the one or frō the other Thus then the Father is God and so is the Son and so the Holy Ghost all one and the same God though severall and distinct Persons These three are one 1 Ioh. 5. 7. They are three and yet one three Persons yet one God As Persons they differ each from other as God they are the same one with another This is a great Mysterie which though we cannot comprehend as being above reason yet we must beleeve as being revealed in the Scripture As the Father is Almighty so is the Son and the Holy Ghost also Almighty This attribute Almighty is not peculiar to the first Person the Father but is common to all the three Persons As the Father is Almighty so is the Sonne and so the Holy Ghost also For God as God is Almighty and therefore each Person of the Trinitie being God is Almighty Yet as Athanasius saith there are not three Almighties but one Almighty For the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost are one and the same God and so one and the same Almighty That God is Almighty and how he is Almighty Now that God is Almighty is clear by Scripture I am God Almighty saith he Gen. 17. 1. God Almighty blesse thee said Isaac to Iacob Gen. 28. 3. God is stiled The Almighty Ruth 1. 20. 21. The Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me said Naomi And again The Almighty hath testified against me God is Almighty in that he can do all things whatsoever he pleaseth With God nothing shall bee unpossible Luke 1. 37. True it is God cannot lie Tit. 1. 2. He cannot deny himself 2 Tim. 2. 13. But this doth not derogate from his Almightinesse because these things to lie to deny himself and the like note imperfection and to doe them argues weaknesse and not Power How weak is thine heart saith the Lord seeing thou dost all these things Ezek. 16. 30. God being Almightie 1 Let us fear to offend him Do we provoke the Lord to jealousie are we stronger then he 1 Corinth 10. 22. Who ever hardened himself against him and prospered Iob 9. 4. 2. Let us with boldnesse flie unto him and trust in him O Lord God of our Fathers said Iehoshaphat Art not thou God in heaven and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen and in thine hand is there not power and might so that none is able to withstand thee 2 Chron. 20. 6. And verse 12. O our God wilt thou not judge them for wee have no might against this great Company that commeth against us neither know we what to do but our eyes are upon thee So Paul I know said he whom I have beleeved and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day 2 Tim. 1. 12. How God made heaven earth Maker of heaven and earth Creatour of heaven and earth In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth Gen. 1. 1. To create is as much as to make of nothing so God made heaven and earth By faith we understand that the world was framed by the Word of God the Word of his power his most powerfull Will Pleasure so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appeare Heb. 11. 3. What is meant by heaven and earth Heaven and Earth These two being the principall parts of the world are put for the whole
Lord Jesus Christ who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us againe unto a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead unto an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for us 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. 3. To assure us of our resurrection For the resurrection of the Members depends upon the resurrection of the Head the resurrection of Christians depends upon Christs Resurrection See after upon those words The resurrection of the body Quest But if Christ rose the third day to wit after that he dyed how is it said that he should be three dayes and three nights in the heart of the earth that is in the grave Matth. 12. 40. Answ That is not so to be understood as if Christ were three dayes and three nights compleat in the grave but onely some part of three dayes and three nights He dyed as the Evangelists shew the day before the Jewish Sabbath that is on Friday as we call it in the afternoon and was buryed the same day That part of the day stands for the whole day and also the night going before which the Jews beginning their naturall day that consists of 24 hours at Evening Levit. 23. 32. did belong unto it Then he rested in the grave all the night following and the next day which we call Saturday And the night after hee also remained in the grave rising early in the Morning on Sunday as we call it Now together with that night is rekoned the day following to which it belonged and so taking the part for the whole as sometimes it is taken Christ was three dayes and three nights in the grave though otherwise hee was little above two nights and one day in it After this manner is it said that Esther and the Jewes did fast three dayes and three nights Esth 4. 16. for the Fast was ended on the third day as is clear by Esthers putting on her royall apparell and addressing her selfe to the King on that day Esther 5. 1. As Christ rose from the dead corporally so must we spiritually wee must rise from the death of sinne to the life of grace Awake thou that sleepest and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light Ephes 5. 14. We are buryed with him by Baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6. 4. And Vers 11. Likewise reckon ye your selves dead indeed unto sinne but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. And Col. 2. 12. Buryed with him by Baptisme wherein also you are risen with him c. And Col. 3. 1. If ye then be risen with Christ seeke those things which are above where Jesus Christ sitteth at the right hand of God He ascended into heaven This is the second step of Christs exaltation That Christ ascended into heaven the Scripture testifies Mark 16. 19. Luke 24. 51. Acts 1. 9. Of Christs Ascension into Heaven It was requisite that Christ should ascend into heaven Reasons why Christ ascended into Heaven First because he came down from heaven not that he brought his body from heaven as some Hereticks imagined but in that by his Incarnation he made himself manifest upon earth whereas before he onely kept residence as it were in heaven The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as the glory of the onely begotten Sonne of God c. Iohn 1. 14. In this respect Christ is called The Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15. 47. And it s said that he came down from Heaven John 1. 13. Now as Christ thus came down from heaven so having finished the worke for which he came it was meet hee should return to heaven I came forth sayes Christ from the Father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the Father John 16. 28. And speaking to his Father I have glorified thee on earth said he I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And now O Father glorifie me with thine ownself with the glory which I had with thee before the World was Iohn 17. 4 5. Secondly that it might appeare that his Kingdome is not of this world as he said John 18. 36. Thirdly that hee might shew himself to triumph over sinn death and him that had the power of death that is the Devill Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive Psal 68. 18. That was spoken of Christ as the Apostle sheweth Ephes 4. 8. To lead captivitie captive is as much as to lead a multitude of Captives as appears by Iudges 5. 12. Fourthly that he might send down the Spirit and inrich his Church with the gifts and graces of the Spirit Thou hast ascended on high c. thou hast received gifts for men Psal 68. 18. When hee ascended up on high c. he gave gifts unto men Ephes 4. 8. The holy Ghost was not yet given to wit in such measure as afterward because that Iesus was not yet glorified Iohn 7. 39. It is expedient for you that I go away for if I goe not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you said Christ to his Disciples Iohn 16. 7. Fiftly that having offered himself a Sacrifice for us on the Crosse he might present himselfe likewise unto God in heaven and make intercession for us 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 Hebr. 9. 24. 6. That he might make way for us to ascend into heaven also I go to prepare a place for you said he to his Disciples John 14. 2. Whither the forerunner is for us entred even Jesus c. Heb. 6. 20. He is called the forerunner because he going before and preparing the way we also in due time shall follow after But in the mean time in our hearts and affections we must ascend into heaven whiles in respect of our bodies wee are here upon earth Set your affections on things above not on things on the â—arth Col. 3. 2. For our câ—nveâ—sâ—tion is in heaven Phil. 3. 20. Of Christs sitting at the right hand of God And sitteth on the right hand of God This is the highest step of Christs exaltation It is expresly mentioned Mark 16. 19. Hebr. 1. 3. and in other places But how is Christ said to sit And how on the right hand of God First for sitting it is not here taken properly as it imports such a distinct kinde of bodily posture What is meant by sitting It is not the intent of the Holy Ghost in the Scripture to shew what bodily posture now in heaven Christ useth to what purpose were it for us to know that But to sit we know is a posture of