2. A Vine is exceeding nourishing 2. A Vine is nourishing Wine makes the Heart glad and refresheth the Spirits and comforts the Weary and Afflicted So Christ abundantly refresheth and comforts his Children His Consolations are abundantly sufficient for them 3. The Vine communicates Juice and 3. The Vine communicates Juice and Nourishment unto the Branches Joh. 1. 16. nourishment unto the Branches so Christ communicates his vertues to his People In Christ there is a fulness Col. 1. 19. and there is a Derivation from the Root to the Branches Of his fulness we receive Grace for Grace A 3d. Tree whereto Christ is compared 3. Christ is compar'd to a Medicinal Tree is a Medicinal healing Tree a none-such and unparallel'd for its excellent virtues Rev. 22. 2. It 's the Tree of Life which bears twelve manner of Fruits and yielded her Fruit every Month and the leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the Nations Such a Tree as this was Prophesyed of Ezek. 47. 12. and the Fruit thereof shall be Meat and the Leaf thereof for Medicine Now who is the Healer of Soul and Body but Jesus Christ The Word of God is our Souls Physick but Jesus Christ is the Physician who prescribes the Physick And Christs Spirit accompanying his Word makes it effectual The twelve manner of Fruits mentioned in the forecited place Rev. 22. 2. shews variety of comforts and plenty And as Leaves laid on Wounds conduce to the healing of them So in all the Ordinances of God when Gods Spirit sanctifieth them there 's a healing vertue not as if they healed by their own Power but by the Power of Christ working effectually upon them I might add further comparisons but I conceive there 's no necessity to make farther Inlargements in so clear a point CHAP. VIII Concerning Christs Purchases of Justification Sanctification and Glorification SECT I. Of Justification by Christ FUrther to represent the excellency of Sect. 1. Of Justification by Christ Christ we are to consider his threefold purchase viz. Of Justification Sanctification and Glorification for all true Believers In order we begin with the Purchase of Justification And herein we are to consider that we are not to treat of any legal Justification by works so no Man can be justified for we have all sinned None but Christ who was and is God and Man United in one Person could keep the Covenant of works but we are to treat only of Evangelical Justification which consists in the imputation of Christs Righteousness In handling of this Justification we are to consider Quid Nominis and Quid Rei i. e. The Name and the Thing 1. For the Quid Nominis The Greeks 1. For the Name of Justification express it by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Terms are Forensical opposite to Condemnation The Metaphor of Justification is taken from a Judge who absolves the Prisoner at the Bar when a Pardon is brought from the King So though we are Condemned by the Law at the Bar of Divine Justice yet we are justified and acquitted by the imputation of Christs Righteousness We read in Scripture of being Justified before God Rom. 2. 13. and of being made Righteous Rom. 5. 19. and of imputing Righteousness Rom. 4. 3. and of being accounted Blessed who have Righteousness imputed and Sins remitted Rom. 4. 6 7. All these are Synonymous Expressions and serve for the farther Explication of the Doctrine of Justification From the Quid Nominis let 's come to the Quid Rei and inquire concerning the thing it self or nature of Justification 2. Consider the thing it self or nature of Justification The Article of Justification was so highly valued by Luther that his thoughts Night and Day ran upon it This indeed is the Foundation of all our Comfort and all our strength lies in the Doctrine of Justification by free Grace In corde meo regnat iste unus Articulus in quâ— fiuunt refâ—â—untque mâ—ae cogitationes theologiâ—â— die nâ—cteque Luth. Instead of giving Definitions of Justification because they are many I will make a farther Inquiry into the causes of Justification and the Properties or rather Singularities which appertain there unto 1. Let 's consider the causes of Justification 1. Consider the Causes of Justification The Efficient cause is God Is 43. 25. The impulsive moving cause is the Mercy of God Eph. 2. 2. The Material cause is the effusion of Christs Pretioâ—s Blood The formal cause is the imputation of Christs Righteousness The Instrumental cause is Faith But considering every Instrumental cause is to be reduced to it's efficient cause from whence it proceeds I shall distinguish * Non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut qualitas propriè aut â—otus actiâ— vâ—l passiâ— aut opus aliquod bonum eximii pretii quasi ipsâ— sit justitia aut ejus pars aut etiam justitiae loco ex censu aestimatione Dei sed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nâ—mpe ut modus medium Instrumentum ceu oculus manus qua Christi ejusque Justitiae participes redâ—â—mur adeoque relative ad objectum Jesum ipsius justitiae prâ—â—â—ssâ—â—â—is gratiae Purions Theol. Synops with a Learned Author that we are not Justified by Faith primarily in a proper sence as a Quality but secondarily as a means and instrument as an Eye to see and as an Hand to lay hold on Christ Lastly the final cause of Justification is either in respect of God and so it is his Glory for all things must be done to the Glory of God or as in respect of our selves and so it 's our Salvation 2. Now let 's consider the Properties or 2. Consider the Properties or Singularities of Justification 1. Justification is an Act of free Grace rather the Singularities of Justification 1. Justification is an Act of free Grace No Intuition of merits no concurrence of Good Works moved God to set his Heart upon any How free this Act of Justification is we may read Rom. 3. 24 Being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ The Word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 freely nothing that we can do of our best works merits any favour at the Hand of God For when we were in our blood in a most loathsome forlorn condition he said Live that was a time of Qui docet in opera confidere is negâ—t meritâ— Christi sufficere Aug. Love So then here 's not the least ground to trust in our works That were to derogate from Christ's righteousness Can any thing be freer than free-gift The Justification of a Sinner springs from free Grace free Love and Mercy Faith is the instrumental but not efficient cause of Justification neither can the bare 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Credere the Act without the Object Justifie Christ is he that justifieth Faith is the Hand to lay hold on Christ
Neither is Faith the Hand of a Work-Man that earns his Wages but the Hand of a Beggar that receives all of Favour and Mercy 2. Justification by Faith consists in the 2. Justification consists in the Remission of Sins Remission of Sins and non-imputation of Transgressions Ps 31. 1 2. Blessed is he whose Transgression is forgiven and whose Sin is covered Blessed is the Man to whom the Lord imputeth not Iniquity Likewise the Apostle declares how the great work of Reconciliation was transacted 2 Cor. 5. 19. Not imputing their Trespasses unto them It 's true that the best of Gods Children have their Failings For in many things we offend all and he that is without Sin let him cast the first Stone and it will recoil upon himself that casts it But Gods Children are humbled for Sin they water Psal 6. 6. their Couches as David did with their Tears They sigh with Ezekiel to the Ezek. 2â— 6. Jer. 31. 19. breaking of their Loins with Ephraim they smite upon their Thighs Sin is their Sorrow Grief and Burthen wherefore they are by Christ call'd unto Repentance and Christ imputes their Sins not unto themselves but unto himself They indeed are the Principal Debtors but Christ hath made himself liable to pay their Debts and make full satisfaction because he hath become surety for them unto the Father 3. Justification consists in the Imputation 3. Justification consists in the imputation of Christs Righteousness of Christs Righteousness 2 Cor. 5. 21. We are made the Righteousness of God in him Of Unrighteous we are made Righteous of Ungodly we are made Godly And though we are Ungodly Christ justifieth us for he doth not find us good but he makes us so Now this Righteousness of Christ is altogether a Righteousness without us not depending on any inherent Righteousness nor any work in us But it 's free and Gratuitous without any Praevision or Intuition of Grace in the Person to be justified St. Bernard Assignata est homiâ— justitia â—lienâ— quiâ— carâ—it suâ— Justitia Bern. Ep. 190. fully expresseth it saying that anothers Righteousness is assign'd to Man because he wants a Righteousness of his own Hence our Works and Services though Failings in themselves are accepted Righteous by imputation of Christs Righteousness How miserable would our condition be if our Services were no better offer'd to God than they come from us But Christ mends our Services in the carriage by offering them to the Father in his own Name and Mediation so that though our Duties be raw weak and imperfect yet Christ makes them perfect by the imputation of his own Righteousness and so they obtain acceptance with the Father 4. Justification brings forth choice and 4. Justification brings forth choice and excellent Fruits excellent Fruits as we may read Rom. 5. 1 2 3. All those choice Fruits grow on that Tree of Justification Faith is the Mother-Grace there mentioned Peace and Access unto the Throne of Grace Joy Hope Glorying in Tribulation are the Daughters or the Fruit which grow on this Tree Wherefore though Faith only Justifies yet Faith is not alone when it Justifieth For it is accompanied with a Goodly Train of Graces Though Faith Justifieth the Person yet Works Justifie the Faith or declare the Faith to be true Faith works by Love and purifies the Heart Gal. 5. 6. Act. 15. 9. and it 's the Apostles charge Tit. 3. 8. This * Hujus fidâ—i charitâ—â— non est forma sed frâ—ctus pâ—nitâ—â—tiâ— est justificati conditiâ— non causa justificationis fidâ—s 〈◊〉 quâ— justificat non quae justificat est sine operibus sola dicitur in isto munere non solitaria respectu comitatus aliarum virtutum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Per non propter fidem Justi declaâ—â—â—r per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—icâ—t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prideaux Manuductio ad Theologiaâ— is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly that they which have Believed in God might be careful to maintain good Works A Learned Professor very dextrous in stating of Controversies concludes thus Love is not the form but the Fruit and Repentance is the Condition of him that is Justified not the cause of Justification c. This then is the Purchase of Christ who imputes his perfect Righteousness to his Members and their Sins to himself and this Justification is active whereby Christ fulfilled the whole Law and passive whereby Christ became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross SECT II. Of Sanctification by the Spirit of Christ A Second Purchase of Christ is Sanctification 2. Purchase of Christ Sanctification â—â— the Spirit For whom Christ justifies by his Grace those he Sanctifies by his Spirit In order of Nature Justification may be conceived to preceed Sanctification because Justification is the Root or Mother Grace The Works of Sanctification are the Fruit proceeding from it yet in order of time they are simultaneous Those who are purged from the guilt of Sin labour to be purged from the filth of Sin It 's a good Character to be as solicitous and desirous for Mercy to sanctify renew and purify as for Mercy to pardon us Wherefore Sincerity is an undoubted evidence of a justified Condition Psal 32. 2. It 's an infallible sign of Justification In whose Spirit there is no Guile In handling of the Doctrine of Sanctification we are to consider these ensuing Particulars which may serve as so many strong Arguments to perswade or as so many Motives to stir us up to the practice of Holiness The first Motive is drawn from Election Motive 1. We are elected unto Holiness we are elected unto Holiness Eph. 1. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Election doth not give the least licentious Liberty but engageth us unto Holiness Observe the Words now cited It is not said that we should live as we list Non eliguntur Paulus qui ei similes sunt quia â—rant sancti immaculati sed eliguntur praedestinaâ—tur ut in sequenti vita per â—pera atque virtutes sancti immâ—culaâ—i fiaâ—t Hieron in â—ph 1. 4. but that we should be holy Neither is it said that we are elected for any Holiness foreseen Election and effectual Calling go together and to be assured of our Election we must make sure of our effectual Calling 2 Pet. 1. 10. Calling is put before Election in the situation of the Words and in respect of our Duty incumbent on us Wherefore saith the Apostle the rather Brethren give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Now if we ask why doth Christ purchase Sanctification for us The Answer is because he loved us His Love moved him to wash and put such Royal Dignities upon his Children Rev. 1. 5 6. Vnto him that loved us and
to Christ be like the Love of Jonathan that abode in its Strength Love which holds out to the end which passeth through good report and bad report both through fair and foul Weather that 's the Love which will obtain Acceptance Love will conquer Difficulties as Jacob's did to Rachel who thought many years but a few days because he loved her Love to Christ will make us willing to pass through Fire and Water and encounter Sons of Anach and Beasts of Ephesus Love will cause a Christian to be willing to bear and suffer any thing for Christ Persecutions Oppositions and variety of Sufferings try the Sincerity and Constancy of a Christian's Love to Christ There 's a constraining Power in the Love of Christ which engageth all Christ's adopted Children to hold fast their Profession to be faithful to Death to account Christ All in all and persevere in their Faith so that Difficulties are as Whet-stones to sharpen a Believers Fortitude And the Snuffers of Persecution makes the Saints Candles burn brighter And thus in these five mentioned particular Tryals I have represented our Love to Christ CHAP. XI Containing an Vse of Exhortation to labour for the excellent Grace of Faith and an Vse of Direction THe foorth Use is for Exhortation Use 4 For Exhortation to labour for Faith Is it so that Christ is only precious to Believers then let 's hence infer one grand Duty to labour for the excellent Grace of Faith Hereby we shall set the highest value on Christ Faith is an instrumental means to help us to know the excellency of Christ For Faith is an Eye to â—ehold Christ Faith is a Hand to receive Christ a Mouth to feed on him an Heart to believe on him But we must interpose this caution that Faith receives all of Grace and Mercy and nothing of Merit Faith embraces Christ but Christ first gives Faith to embrace him Faith rests and relies on Christ but Christ supports our Faith If we believe he works it in us we must be thankful for what we receive and give God the Praise and Glory of all The Apostle gives an absolute determination Eph. 2. 8. For by Grace are ye saved through Faith it is the gift of God That our Endeavours Affections even the whole Man may be quickned to get this choice and excellent Grace of Faith I shall lay down these ensuing persuasive Arguments in the following Section SECT I. Containing persuasive Arguments to get Faith THat I may use all the prevailing Arguments as far as I apprehend to get Faith I shall insist on these following 1. Faith is a condition of the Covenant of Grace The Covenant of Works was Arg. 1 Faith is the condition of the Covenant of Grace do this and live none but Christ who is God and Man could perform this Covenant The Covenant of Works will not abate us a Transgression in the least title It exacts perfect Obedience and curseth the Transgressor Who continues not in all Gal. 3. 10. things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them But the Covenant of Grace runs Believe and thou shalt be saved The Law sheweth us our Sores and Wounds the Gospel applyeth Soveraign healing Plasters The Law like a Serjeant arrests and shuts us up and so hampers us that we cannot possibly escape The Gospel sets us at Liberty Gal. 3. 22. But the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lex veluti sit complexa concluserit que omnes in peccatum peccaturum virsus ostendit Oecum Rom. 9. 20. Scripture hath concluded all Men under Sin that the promise by Faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe Who then can lay any claim to this Covenant but the true Believer God accepts the Faith of a Believer through Chtist's Merits instead of legal Obedience Where fore we read of that Righteousness which was of Faith which is a Righteousness imputed by Christ's Righteousness even a Righteousness without us which is our Justification And here 's the great priviledg of a Believer That he is justified by the Righteousness of another and not by any Righteousness of his own but only by the Righteousness of Christ by imputation By Christ's Merits of Unrighteous we are made Righteous For saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 5. 21. For he hath made him to be Sin for us who knew no Sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him So that hence it 's evident that He was accounted a Sinner by Imputation for he imputed our Sins unto himself and we are accounted Righteous by Imputation for he imputes his Righteousness unto us Here then appears Riches of Mercies that Evanglical Righteousness is accepted instead of Legal Righteousness Christ's Wisdom makes amends for our Folly Christ's Obedience for our Disobedience and Christ's absolute Perfection for our manifold Imperfections Now the Believer only hath interest in the Covenant of Grace Covenants essentially include Conditions The Covenant is a free Covenant a free Gift and of free Grace The Condition on our part is Faith but the Condition as well as the Covenant are given of God Take heed therefore O Christian that thou Sacrifice not to thine own Net and Dragge O do not trust to thy own Strength and Ability as if thou wert able to perform this Condition For the best of Believers by rheir own Strength are no more able to believe than to perform the Commandments Both to will and to do are the work Phil. 2. 13. Ki 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys of God And as Chrysostome observes God gives the very propension and inclination to will Faith indeed is the Believers Act and it 's his duty to believe but it 's God's Gift Faith is a lively Motion working upon a Believers Heart but this Motion is powerfully wrought by the Assistance of God's Spirit Whoever thou art if thou believest give God the praise of working this Belief in thee For God enables thee to perform what he requires and thou couldst not do any thing acceptably unto God unless he first gave to thee what he commandeth of thee Hence the Apostle tells us that We are buried with Col. 2. 12. him in Baptism through the Faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead The self-same Power that raised up Christ from the Dead must raise us up to believe in Christ 2. Faith is an instrumental means of our Arg. 2 Faith is an Instrumental Means of our Union unto Jesus Christ Union unto Christ Between Christ and us there must be an Union before there can be an Imputation of Righteousness We believe before we are Justified How Justification may be as some suppose ab Aeterno I can no more conceive than Glorification is such is in the secret Decree of God That Faith goeth before Justification is evident from Gal. 3. 24. The Law was our School-master to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by Faith We believe
be happy hereafter we must here be Holy No Holiness no Happiness SECT II. Containing the Fruits of Justification which are a Ground of the Believers Comfort HAving proved the first Ground of the Comfort of Believers because they are Precious in the 〈◊〉 of Christ I come now and with this Section I shall conclude To lay down a second Ground of Believers Comforts drawn from the Fruits of Justification And they are set down Rom. 5. 1 2 3 4. Therefore being Justified by Faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also we have access by Faith unto this Grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the Glory of God And not only so but we Glory in Tribulation also knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope There are sixspecial Fruits of Justification by Faith mentioned as so many Daughters of that Mother or as so many Precious Fruits growing on that Tree And they are Peace Access Joy Hope Patience and Experience These I shall inlarge particularly and so finish the Treatise 1. By being Justified by Faith we have 1 Peace with God Peace with God We have sweet tranquility and security upon our Spirits What though Men Condemn and the World Persecute us What though troubles come as violently as Waves in a Storm dashing upon us with more renewed fury Yet Peace with God and security of Conscience will quiet our Spirits and comfort us amidst discontents and fortifie us against Euroclydons and most Tempestuous Storms When God Justifieth who can Condemn When God speaks Peace who can speak Trouble It 's a grand incouragement notwithstanding Troubles come thick and three-fold that in Christ we have Peace He is our Peace and Peace-maker and Reconciler However the World Storm yet Christ becalms the most Blasting Winds These things saith he I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have Peace But in the John 15. 33. World ye shall have Tribulation be of good chear I have overcome the World We should indeavour after the things that make for Peace and as the Apostle Commandeth If it be possible as much as in you Rom. 12. 18. lies live peacable with all Men. But some are of such implacable Spirits as will never be at Peace and of the same malitious temper with David's Enemies who when he was for Peace they make themselves Psal 120. 7. ready for Battel Yet here 's a ground of of singular Comfort that we have Peace with God and this will make amends for all For saith the Apostle What shall we then say to these things if God be for Rom. 8. 32. us who can be against us Wherefore let 's labour to get and keep Peace with God and a good Conscience Peace within will support and quiet us against all Troubles without as Aarons Rod swallowed up the Rods of the Aegyptians 2. Another Fruit of Justification by 2 Accesâ— unto God Faith is Access unto God Sin sets Bars against us and hinders our Access unto the Throne of Grace But Christ breaks the Rom. 5. 2. Barrs and gives us Admission We are led by the hand of Christ unto the Father The Original Word imports as much Rom. 5. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Manuduction or leading of us by Christ unto the Father is a great Priviledg Hereby we are admitted into the presence of the great King None might presume to come into the Court of Ahasuerus unless the King held out to him the golden Scepter Behold Christ hath purchased this Priviledg of the King of Kings to hold forth his golden Scepter and admit Believers into his presence Hence a Beleiver enjoys a sacred Communion with the Father Son and Holy Ghost and hath freedom to make his request known in Prayer and Supplication What then remains but that we should make use of our Priviledg and reduce the Apostle's Precepts in continual Practice Heb. 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need A third Fruit of Justification by Faith is 3. Joy Joy and this is Joy in the Lord or a spiritual Joy in believing The sence of God's Love The apprehension of his reconciled Countenance The Believers Interest cleared up that he hath a new Name a white Stone and the hidden Mannah rejoyceth his Heart more than the Fruition of all the Honours Pleasures and Profits which the Universe can afford When God speaks to the Soul and saith Thy sins are pardoned this is the most joyful and welcome day that ever a Believer saw The good Hearers received the word with Joy and brought forth Fruit with Patience Amidst great straits and exigencies the Church discovers an heroical Resolution Yet will I rejoice in the Lord I Hab. 3. 1â— will Joy in the God of my Salvation Amidst multiplicity of rolling troublesome Thoughts the Psalmist takes ground of encouragement Psal 94. 19. In the multitude of my Thoughts within me thy Comforts delight my Soul A Believer's Joy acts extraordinarily that which extinguisheth the Joy of a Carnal Man is Feweâ— to enkindle the Joy of a Godly Man â—or saith the Apostle And not only so but we Rom. 5. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jam. 5. 2. glory in Tribulation also A Believer accounts it all Joy when he falls into divers Temptations He kisseth the Rod that beats him and with a Martyr bids welcome to the Cross of Christ and with the Apostles rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Christ Acts 5. 41. O! what Joy doth Faith bring to Believers in all their Sufferings so that scoffs and reproaches they account their Honour whips and tort ures scars of Marâ—yrdoms Though a Believer be tost up and down with boistrous Waves and Tempests he can see Christ by the Eye of Faith Though his Body be tormented upon the Rack yet he can see Christ his Comforter Though his Name be trampled on upon Earth yet he rejoiceth that his Name is written in Heaven A fourth Fruit of Justification by Faith 4. Hope is Hope and this is the Anchor of the Soul Were it not for Hope the Heart would break in the days of Jacob's Troubles But days of Jacob's Troubles are days of Jacob's Hope When Ezra and the People were full of grief and perplexities because the Holy Seed had mingled themselves with Heathens and were unequally yoaked with strange Wives but notwithstanding Hope was left quasi tabula post naufragium Ezra 10. 2. Yet now there 's Hope in Israel concerning this thing Rom 8. 24. By Hope saith the Apostle we are saved When Spoilers come a Believer is a Man of Hope Whatever they take from him yet they cannot take away his Hope Amidst Clouds of Darkness his Hope is That the Sun of Righteousness will arise with healings under his Wings He hopes against his Reason
Cant. 5. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 70. white and Ruddy the chiefest of ten Thousands Christ is white for his innocency and purity ruddy for his Sufferings as his bloody Sweat Agony and Passion upon the Cross Now because it infinitely exceeds the capacity of Men or Angels to represent Christs Dignity Honour and excellencies to the full in positive expressions therefore by way of negation we express the Price Dignity Valuation of Christ to be infinite unparrallell'd and inestimable and when we have said inestimable it 's beyond the sphere of our activity as an ancient * Nobis ad intellectum pectus angustum est ideâ— sic Deum digne estimamus dum inâ—stimabilem dicimus Min. Felix Father observes to reach any higher in our expressions 2. Here 's another word 2. What is meant by Believers to be explained viz. Believers It s sayd * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sola est â—des quae pretium ac excellentiam Christi nobis patefacit Calv. in loc Vnto you therefore which believe For as judicious Calvin observes it's faith alone which lays open to us the price and excellency of Christ Such then as believe unto Salvation are such whose hearts are k Act. 15. purified by faith l Rom. 5. 1. and justified by Faith and have such a faith as m Gal. 5. 6. works by love Called n Tit. 1. 1. the faith of Gods Elect. * They are chosen saith the Apostle unto Salvatioâ— through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth 2 Thes 2. 3. Quia electi sunt elegerunt non quiâ— ellegerunt electi sunt elligentium meritum nullum esset nisi â—os eligentis gratiâ— Dei preveniret Aug. These have their Robes washt and made white in the Blood of the Lamb. Rev. 7. 14. They are begotten again to a lively hope 1 Pet. 1. 3. and made Partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. These and these alone discern the Excellency and Dignity of Christ and they set the highest estimate and valuation upon him From the Premises thus divided and expounded there results this Doctrinal Conclusion That Christ is of inestimable Dignity and Honour Doctrine and infinitely Pretious in the accompt of all true Believers For the Methodical inlargment of this Method propounded Excellent Doctrine my work in the ensuing Treatise shall be first to give in the clear proof of the Doctrin and afterwards to infer an useful improvement thereof The Assertion to be proved is That Christ is of inestimable Dignity This shall constitute the Doctrinal part That which shall be intended by way of improvement is That as Christ is thus pretious and highly to be valued as in himself or so he ought to be by all true Believers This shall constitute the particular Use and Application of all 1. That Christ is of inesâ—imablâ— Dignity Honour and this is proved in 5 several Particulars In handling of the former Assertion I shall confine my self to these ensuing Heads of discourse 1. To reckon up several excellent Names of Honour and Dignity appropriated unto Christ in Scripture 2. To unfold the grand Mystery of the Divine and Humane Nature of Christ Hypostatically united in one Person 3. To represent the invaluable worth of those threefold Offices of Christ viz. Sacerdotal Prophetical and Regall 4. To set down several Metaphors and Resemblances in Scripture which applied to Christ declare his singular Dignity 5 To consider those great Purchases which Christ hath made for his People which are Justification Sanctification and Glorification These Heads of discourse I shall endeavour through Christ that strengthens me to inlarge in so many distinct Chapters Which as I hope and desire will abundantly satisfy confirm and establish us in this Fundamental Truth That Christ is pretious and estimable for Dignity and Honour Of these I shall treat in order in the following Chapters CHAP. II. Chap. 2. Containing an enumeration of several choice and honourable Names in Scripture ascribed unto Christ AMongst variety of Names in Scripture appropriated unto Christ I shall select these following not naming all that might be named and explain them as I go along The first I shall mention is Shiloh Gen. 1. Name Shiloh 49. 10. Which name the whole current of Orthodox Interpreters unanimously apply unto Christ The name signifies safe happy and blessed as * Est nomen verbale Salvus beatus faelix unde Shiloh derivatur Servator felicitetor hoc est faelices reddere Pet. Mart. in Gen. 49. 10. Peter Martyr observes some render Shiloh as learned Jerome and others He that is to be sent * Quasi tranquillatorem dicas qui tranquillitatis nostrae spiritualis Authâ—r sit futurus Scultet Exercit. Evangel Scultetus after he had mentioned variety of Interpretations acquiesceth in this That Shiloh signifies to cease and be quiet Ludovicus de Dieu understands Shiloh to be the promised Seed which was to spring from Judah The version of the 70 is emphatical and plainly declares Christ to be * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 70. Interpretum a Saviour That Jacob's Prophesy was fulfill'd and that the Scepter did not depart from Judah till the coming of Christ may thus be convinced For the Politick state amongst the Jews was not changed but still the * Non auferetur Sceptrum Regium dicet regnum permansurum esse in Judausque ad Christum quantumvis affligeretur propecollapsum videretur Vaâ—abl in loc â— Name a Star 1 The Star of Jacob. Regal Dignity and Politick Government continued in Judah Maugre all Persecutions and Oppositions whatsoever Judah was the Law-giveing Tribe And those Laws continued till the coming of Christ But at Christs comeing the Scepter departed from Judah and was translated to an Heathen King 2. Another Name attributed to Christ is a Star He is called the Star of Jacob and a bright Morning Star 1. He is called by Balaam the Star of Jacob Numb 24. 17. although Balaam was a Mercenary Prophet who as he is branded by the Apostle a 2 Pet. 2. 15. loved the Wages of unrighteousness Yet he gives this true attestation There shall saith he come a Star out of Jacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel This is a clear Prophecy concerning * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 70. Surget Princeps ex Israel Vers Syr. Ungetur Christus de domâ— Israel Paraphr Chald. Christ Christ is that Star that lightneth and Shineth and what light we have is borrowed and derived from him who is that great light b Joh. 1. 9. which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World Malachy calls him c Mal 4. 2. the Sun of righteousness Zachary calls him d Luk. 1. 78. The Day spring from on high St. Peter calls him e 2 Pet. 1. 19. The Day Star For Christ shines gloriously in the Gospel He inlightens guides and directs He scatters Clouds and
that we may be justified Christ is said to be of God made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption It 's said unto us who were first united unto Christ by Faith That is that which the Apostle prays for That Christ might Eph. 3. 17. dwell in their Hearts by Faith As there is a substantial Union between God the Father and God the Son so there is a Mystical Union between Christ and all his Members This as the Apostle saith is a great Mystery concerning Christ and his Eph. 5. 31. Ut indicet ad istam Spiritus â—nitatem opus esse solidâ et constanti cohaesione qualus est membrorum in corpore ramorum in arboribus Musc Church And this Union the Apostle declareth farther 1 Cor. 6. 17. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one Spirit The Spirit on God's part and Faith on our part which Faith we could not have unless God first gave it makes up this Union between us and Christ i. e. a Mystical Union And by vertue of this Union we paticipate of Juice and Nourishment from Christ as the Branch doth from the Vine and receive influence as a Member from the Head and we receive Supportation and Strength as the Building from the Foundation Farther yet in the very Grave we shall yet remain united to Christ For Christ will be with us in the Grave Every Saint is a part of Christ's Body and not one Member can be wanting otherwise which is impossible Christ's Body would not be compleat And these Bodies of ours if they be the Bodies of true Believers they shall be made like unto the glorions Body of Jesus Christ Phil. 3. 21. This Union is the ground of Communion with Christ There ' a mutual Union and Communion between Christ and his Members for in Christ there 's a fulness and of his fulness we receive Grace for Grace Joh. 1. 19. There 's in Christ fulness of Wisdom to Counsel us and of Mercy to pardon us of Righteousness to justify us and of Holiness to sanctify us and of Eternal Glory to make us happy to all Eternity The Head takes care of all the Members Christ the Head of his Church will not leave it destitute of Supplies and continual Influences from him Now it 's Faith that makes particular application of all the benefits of Christ By Faith we draw vertue from Christ and fetch Supplies from him In hearing by Faith we taste the sweetness of God's Word In praying by Faith we have a sacred Communion with God and receive a gracious answer of our Prayers In receiving the Lord's Supper by Faith we feel Strength and Help for the subduing of our Corruptions So then Faith is an Instrument that makes Christ and all his Benefits our own by particular Application 3. Faith gives us Victory over all our 3. Faith gives us Victory over all our Enemies Enemies There are three grand Enemies of our Salvation viz. the Flesh the Devil and the World 1. The Flesh i. e. corrupt Nature is The first Enemy is the Flesh a grand Enemy always plotting destructive Designs against us and the harder it is to be avoided because it is an inbred Domestick Enemy an Inhabitant that lieth in our Bosom like the Syren it lulls us asleep and then devoureth us it kisseth and kills embraceth and strangles Inter amplexus strangulat and when it maketh the most fair and plausible pretences then it intends the most mischief It 's an Enemy to God even Enmity it self in the abstract We read of the miserable estate of unregenerate Men who have this grand Infamy Tò 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom 8. 7. Hic observemus hominis voluntatem divinae voluntati per omnia adversari Calv. stampt on them fulfilling the desires of the Flesh In the Original it's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 2. 3. The Wills of the Flesh plainly shewing that the Flesh hath a commanding Will requiring Obedience And the Flesh hath an enticing alluring way to entice Sinners and draw them with all alluring Persuasions to follow that way that leads to Destruction For we read of Seducers that they allure through the Lusts of the Flesh 1 Pet. 2. 18. The Expression is emphatical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They lay a bait and so allure to the rnine of those that take it We must beware of the Baits of the Flesh least if we swallow them we be choaked by them Many Diswasives the Scripture gives against lusting loving and living after the Flesh It 's the Apostles charge entreaty both 1 Pet. 2. 11. Dearly Beloved I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstain from fleshly Lusts And there 's a strong Argument added to persuade in the following Words which war against the Soul The Flesh sets it self in battel array and useth all the battering Engines which it can invent that it may conquer the royal Cittadal of our Immortal Souls Other diswasives which the Scripture useth against the Flesh are Rom. 8. 6. To be carnally minded is Death And Rom. 8. 8. They that are in the Flesh that is they that abide in the state of unregeneracy they cannot please God And Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15. 50. Now having discovered our Enemies let 's prepare to encounter with them and the Weapon which we must use is Faith For Faith is an Instrument to subdue our selves even unto our selves even corrupt self unto renewed self When thy pretended Friend i. e. thy Flesh but rather that real Enemy which as I may compare is as a Snake which is in thy Bosom I mean corrupt Nature enticeth and allureth thee to Sin and assaults thee with renewed Forces fight by a strong Faith against this dangerous Enemy so through the strength of God thy corrupt self will be subdued unto thy renewed self i. e. the Flesh unto the Spirit A second Enemy is the Devil The A second Enemy is the Devil Devil throws Darts and not ordinary Darts but fiery Darts Wherefore the Apostle exhorts us above all taking the Shield Eph. 6. 16. of Faith where with we shall be able to quench the fiery Darts of Satan The Devil is a potent Adversary compared to a Lyon for Strength and not to a Lyon penn'd up in his Den but to a rageing Lyon not a sleepy but a roaring Lyon not a lazy but an industrious Lyon and industrious to act Cruelties Wherefore the Apostle's caution is both seasonable and necessary 1 Pet. 5. 8. Be sober be vigilant because your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom he may devour And what 's the Weapon offensive and defensive against this potent Enemy The Apostle prescribes it ver 9. Whom resist stedfast in the Faith This Adversary hath strong holds And the 2 Cor. 10. 4. Weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds Luther
of any Sin let 's loath abhor and cast it out and willingly allow our selves in no Sin When we receive the Lord's Supper we either do or I am sure should do so even enter into a solemn Covenant to amend our Lives And how much is our Faith strengthened by the Reformation of our Lives For Faith and Obedience Faith and purification of the Heart go together and cannot be seperated Thus I have shewed both internal and external Means of getting and encreasing Faith CHAP. XII Concluding with the sixth Vse for Consolalation AND now to put a period to this Treatise Use 6 For Consolation I shall close with a Word of Consolation unto all true Believers the adopted Children of God They esteem Christ precious his Ordinances precious his Ministry and all his Members precious his Day i. e. the Lord's day Sabbath they esteem precious and account it the delight of their Souls to such as these I shall apply an Use of Consolation upon a double Ground 1. Because they are precious in the account of Christ hence they ground their Comfort 2. From the choice and Fruits which they receive from Justification by Faith in Christ 1. All true Believers are precious in Christ's estimation 1. All true Believers are precious in Christ's estimation Christ first prized and valued them making them precious by the application of his precious Merits before they knew how to prize him Christ first loved them before they loved him Now if a Creature a Man can set such an high price on Christ after Christ hath enlightned him to discern his inestimable Dignity O! how much more doth God the Father prize Christ his Beloved Son in whom he is well pleased And if we honour Christ he will honour us Let us therefore take a narrow view and thence make a Judgment how precious all true Believers are in the Eyes of Christ This shall be evidenced in these four Demonstrations 1. Christ gives precious Names unto all true Believers 2. Believers have interest in Christ's precious Merit 3. They have the precious influences of his Spirit And 4. Christ assures them of a precious Inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven In all these respects it will abundantly be evidenced That all true Believers are precious in the estimation of Christ For a distinct enlargement of these Particulars SECT I. Proving that Believers are precious in the account of Christ and this is a ground of their Comfort THere are in Scripture several precious Demonst 1. Names given by God the Father and God the Son unto all true Believers 1. They have precious Names sounding â— Believers have precious Names forth Bowels of Affection 2. Precious Names of Honour and Dignity 1. Christ gives Believers precious 1. Names of Affection Heb. Mat. 12. 50. Joh. 10. 28. Lnke 12. 36. Joh. 21. 15. Jer. 12. 7. Gen. 24. 31. Cant. 12. 2 Names full of Affection He calls them Children Friends Brethren Brother Sister Mother Sheep-Flock Lambs Further yet the Saints are called the dearly beloved of the Lord The Spouse of Christ From all those Names and affectionate Titles given unto the Children of God may evidently appear how high they are in his estimation Now then to wrong a Servant of Christ is to wrong his Friend his Brother his Spouse And questionless Christ will Revenge those Injuries and Indignities which are offered unto his Servants And as there are Names of Affection so 2 Names of Honour and Dignity there are Names of high Honour and Dignity put upon the Saints even the Living Members of the Body of Christ for First they are call'd Gods peculiar Treasure Exod. 17. 5. That as a Learned Author Abulensis in Exod. 17. 5. observes is call'd Peculium which the Son and Heir of the House hath of his own besides the right of his Fathers Inheritance which he may dispose of as he thinks good So though the Earth be the Lord Christ's by right of Inheritance yet he hath an interest in his Church above all other Add further they are accounted Gods Jewels Mal. 3. 17. Although vile and profane Persons account Gods Children no better than the Off-scouring 1 Cor. 4. 13. Scobem aut Rumentum aut quicquid limando deteritur Budaus 1 Cor. 4. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suut Purgamenta aut excrementa seu quaequae de re immunda qua una fiat pura ne pecatur in metallis Scocii in uno aut olei faeces Illyric and Filth of the World and no better than the Whitlings of Sticks and the Filth that comes from the scouring of Pots yet God esteems them as his Jewels and whose Judgment will you take the Judgment of the Wise Infallible Lord God or the Judgment of foolish sinâ—ul Men 2. They are accounted Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1. 5. When Gideon had Zeba and Zalmunnah his Captives he propounded this Question unto them What manner of Men were they whom ye slew at Tabor They Answered As thou art so were they eacâ— one resembling the Children of a King Judg. 8. 18. So will Christ ask the Question who are they whom you the Men of the World Revile and Persecute Who are they whom ye scorn and trample on Are they vile contemptible Persons No they are Spiritual Kings and Priests Persons Honourable in the accompt of God And therefore as Gideon put Zeba and Zalmunnah to Death for killing his Brethren so will God severely punish the Wicked of the World for all the Injuries and Persecutions which they have done unto the Children of God However Ignorant Profane and Malicious Men debase and scorn such as truly fear God yet they are precious in the Sight of God and honourable There are many complicated Isa 43. 4. Epithets of Honour joyn'd together 1 Pet. 2. 9. But ye are a chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood a Holy Nation a Peculiar People 3. They are accounted a Crown of Glory 3. They are accounted a Crown of Glory and a Royal Diadem Isai 62. 3. God calls his People his Glory Isai 46. 13. I will plead Salvation in Sion for Israel my Glory And the Saints are call'd the House of Gods Glory Isai 60. 7. More yet they are call'd the Throne of Glory Jer. 4. 21. What need I enlarge further All Gods Children are Col. 12. Deu. 32. 9. Jer. 12. 10. Is 19. 25. Saints his Portion his pleasant Portion His Inheritance Other People are the Work of Gods hands but Israel is his Inheritance They are the Church the Family of the First-born the Sons and Daughters of the Living God In all these respects and many more which might be mention'd it evidently appears how pretious all Christs Members are in his estimation and this is a singular ground of Consolation unto them I proceed to a second Demonstration De mon. 2. All true Believers have Interest in Christs Pretious Merits that all Believers have interest in Christs pretious Merits Christs Redemption
Though Sense fails and Reason be non-plust and all humane Confidence seem to be broken yet the hope of a Believer abides like the Bow of Janathan firm in it's strength A Believer hath hope for his Helmet For saith the Apostle 1 Thess 5. 8. putting on the Breast Plate of Faith and Hope and for an Helmet the hope of Salvation Let 's then make God our hope as the Prophet Jeremy did Jer. 17. 17. Thou art my hope in the Day of evil Let 's apply Jeremys Resolution with Jeremys Affection Lam. 3. 24. The Lord is the Portion of my Soul therefore will I hope A Fifth Fruit of Justification by Faith 5 Patience is Patience In your Patience saith Christ Possess ye your Souls There 's an absolute Luk. 21. 19. necessity of the Grace of Patience for saith the Apostle ye have need of Patience Heb. 10. 36. that after ye have doen the Will of God ye might receive the promise Were it not for Afflictions there would be no Tryal of Patience But Afflictions and Sufferings trie a Believers Patience When Enemies make long Furrows on the back of the Righteous when the Vision is dark and the Chariot Wheels of deliverance drive heavily when expectations though highly raised are disappointed In a Word when Troubles Losses and Persecutions come and fear upon â—ar and one danger upon the Neck of another as one Wave of the Sea follows another then O! then what necessity is there of the exercise of the Grace of Patience Submission and Resignation of our Wills in all things unto the Will of God A waiting Patient frame of Spirit is prepar'd to undergo Hardships and Sufferings with Courage and Alacrity If then Faith and Hope begin to flag let Patience interpose A Believer makes not hast He dares not prescribe to God nor limit the Holy one of Israel When God hides himself our Duty is to continue waiting Isa 8. 17. And I will wait upon the Lord that hideth his Face from the House of Jacob and I will look for him There 's the exercise of Faith and Patience Let us then immitate those who through Faith and Patience have Inherited the Promises Let Faith and Patience hold out and whatever Pressures are upon us they will either be removed or else be made more easy for us to bear them The best and last Fruit is Experience If 6. Experiâ—nce Christians Treasured up their Experiences and brought them forth upon variety of emergencies they might live more comfortable Lives than they do Faith makes much 〈◊〉 of Experience and puts a Christian upon a serious review of Gracious Passages of Providence and thence draws Groans of Consolation As for Instance saith a Believer I have been bewildred with Troubles on every side and then God delivered me I have been at the brink of the Grave and then God delivered me I have known a pinching season and a great scarcity then God kept me alive even in a time of Famine and made Provision for me I have been delivered from Satans Temptations and from my own Corruptionâ— I have been delivered from Enemies within me and Enemies without me I have escaped Fire when others have been a Taberah I have escaped Pestilence when Thousands fell besides me and ten Thousands at my Right Hand I have escaped the Sword when many have been numbred to the Sword Thus then let me infer O! how thankful ought I to be to God for all his Mercies and O! what cause have I to trust and depend on him and conlcude that the same God Omnipotent Reigneth as Good as Gracious as Merciful as ready to help as ever and therefore the experience of former Mercies should ingage me to depend on God for the Future When David was to encounter with Goliah he assum'd a strong ground of Incouragement from his own Experience 1 Sam. 17. 36. Thy Servant slew both the Lyon and the Bear and this Vncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them seeing he hath defied the Armies of the Living God Let 's Write down our Experiences of Gods dealing with us and let 's comfort our selves with this consideration that God is in Heaven still There 's no deficiency in the All sufficient God His Hand is not shorned that it cannot help his Ear is not heavy that it cannot hear Put then all these Fruits of Justification togegether and labour to be abounding and Fruitful in them Now for a close of all I heartily desire that the Promise may abide on all our Hearts and our profiting may appear that so I may comfort others with those Comforts wherewith I my self have been comforted I know and I acknowledge that there are many Practical Treatises in Print and I wish there were more And I acknowledge that of Solomon to be an undoubted truth Eccles 12. 12. Of making many Books there is no end Yet if I can by this Treatise or what I have formerly Written be Instrumental for the Spiritual good of any one Christian I shall account it a great incouragement to add greater Labours and further Pains hoping that something may leave a deep impression on the Hearts of Readers that their Souls may thrive thereby The design I endeavour and desire to drive at in Writing is this that my self and others may be made better my Conclusion therefore of all shall be in the Words of that most excellent Father St. Bernard Therefore are all Books Written that one Book of the Conscience may be amended FAXIT DEVS FINIS