and glory hereafter And such is the office of all the ministers of Jesus Christ. Which the same Apostle sets forth 2 Cor. 4. 6. God hath shined into our hearts speaking of himself and other Gospel Ministers that we should give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ that being our selves effectually illuminated we might be instrumentall in the inlightning of others This are the Ministers of Christ to doe by word 2. And as by word so by worke As by Doctrine so by Example Thus are they to shine before others in an Exemplarie Conversation So indeede ought all Christians to doe It is the Commendation which the Apostle giveth of his Thessalonians 1 Thes. 1. 7. They were ensamples to all that beleeved in Macedonia and Achaia But the Ministers of Christ in a special manner They beeing by their office shepheards they should as shepheards anciently were wont to doe go before their flocks Or to hold to the Emblem in the Text from which I would deviate as little as may be as that Star did which was given for a guide to the wise men to direct them to the place of Christs nativity It went before them saith the Text until it came and stood over where the young child was Matth 2. 9. Such Stars should the Ministers of God be unto the people Being given them for Guides they should not onely shew them light which that star also did to them but they should go before them till they bring them to heaven being Ensamples to them So was Paul to the believers of his time Marke them saith he to his Philippians which so walk as ye have us for an ensample Phil. 3. 17. Whereupon he there propounds himself unto them as a pattern for their Imitation Brethren be followers together of me And such all Gospel Ministers either are or ought to be This is that which Paul requires from Timothy 1 Tim. 4. 14. Be thou an example to the believers in word in conversation c. And the like from Titus Tit. 2. 7. In all things shew thy self a pattern of good works And it is Saint Peters charge to all of that Tribe Neither as being Lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock 1 Pet. 5. 3. The Ministers of Christ though they be as stars set over others by God yet they may not as Astrologers tell us some of the stars do Lord it over their Brethren Whether over their Consciences or Personâ— by an imperious obtruding of their own dictates instead of Gods Commandements as the Pharisees did or by carrying themselves Magisterially towards any under their charge But Patterns they should be teaching the people as by Doctrine so by Example Here is a fourth resemblance to which add a fifth 5. Stars have light and give light but it is a borrowed light In that differing from the light of the Sun whis is originally in the body of it The Sun being the fountain of light it hath light in and from it self But so have not the stars Their light is a borrowed light which they receive from the Sun And such is the light which the Ministers of Christ communicate unto others it is but a borrowed light Therein differing from that light which is in Christ who is the Sun of Righteousness as he is called Mal. 4. 2. the fountain of all spiritual light That was that true light saith Saint Iohn speaking of Christ Iohn 1. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 light it self Original light So was not Iohn the Baptist as the verse foregoing hath it He was not that light A light he was and that a shining an eniment one but not that light that Original light This was onely Iesus Christ. He is the Sun As for his Ministers they are but stars receiving their light from him I have received from the Lord that which also I delivered unto you saith the Apostle to the Church of Corinth touching the Doctrine of the Sacrament And the like may be said of the whole doctrine of the Gospel This the Ministers of Christ receive before they can deliver it Being themselves enlightned before they can enlighten others God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined into our hearts saith the Apostle that we should give the light c. in that place fore-named 2 Cor. 4. 6. Hence is it that sometimes they are compared to Candlâ—s or Lamps Ye are the light of the world saith our Saviour to his Apostles Matth. 5. 14. But what light why not Sun-light but Candle-light So the verse following explains it Neither do men light a Candle and put it under a bushel meaning that he had not communicated unto them that light to the end that they should hide it And thus it is said of Iohn the Baptist that he was a shining light John 5. 35. But what light why a Lamp or a Candle for so the word there properly signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whence cometh the Latine word Lychnus and the English Linke And such were these Angels the Ministers of these seven Churches of Asia the Churches being the Candlestick as they are here represented to Iohn in this vision they were the Candles in them Now a Candle or Lamp how great soever the light be that it giveth yet it is but a borrowed light And so is it with the Ministers of the Gospel Their light is but a borrowed light Here is a fifth resemblance Take one more 6. Stars are Influentiall As they all give light and the same light so they have their severall Influences What those Influences are it is in a great measure a Mysterie a secret to us But that they have such Influences it is not to be questioned So much we may learne from God himselfe who Putteth the Question to Iob Cap. 38. 31. Canst thou binde the sweete Influences of Pleiades or loose the bands of Orion Pleiades and Orion two of the Constellations of heaven Pleiades the seven stars which rising in the spring bring warme showres for the moistning and refreshing of the earth Orion a winter Star which brings with it hard frosts which are there called the Bands of Orion because the earth is as it were bound with them Thus are they both Influentiall changing and altering the Earth and the Ayre And like Influences have these Stars the Ministers of the Gospell upon the Persons and places over which they are set working upon them as by their Doctrine so by their Examples Both which are very Influentiall and operative for the changing and altering of the people either for the better or the worse Hence is it that they are compared to salt Mat. 5. 3. Ye are the salt of the earth Salt being layed upon a peice of flesh it hath in a little time a great influence upon it in altering the taste of it seasoning it and making it savorie And thus the Ministers of Christ by their wholesome and
in his Conception and Birth And such he was in his Life During which he continually conversed with sinners yet he received no infection from them Being every way such as the Apostle describeth him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holy harmless â—ndefiled separate from sinners viz. in respect of any participation in that sin which is common to all other of the sons of men Heb. 7. 26. Thus Jesus Christ was and is as the Sun in respect of his personal properties From them come we to his operations and effects And here we shall find the like resemblance Christ being unto his Church as the Sun is to the world present with it Even as the Sun is in the midst of the Planets and being in his strength at noon day it is in the midst of the heavens and yet so as it is vertually and vigorously present in all places of the hemisphere that part of heaven and earth wherin it appears Even so is the Lord Iesus in the midst of his Châ—rches So this Son of man here appeareth unto our Apostle in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks A representation of the presence of Christ in the midst of those seven Churches as the last verse of this Chhapter expounds it And so he is in all other his Churches in the midst of them Being present not only with his Ministers to whom he hath promised his presence after a special manner Behold I am with you alwayes to the end of the world Math. 28. 20. But also with all true worshippers That is his promise to his Disciples and in them to all believers Matth. 18. 20. Where two or three are met together in my name there am I in the midst of them Coming together in the name by Authority with commission from Iesus Christ and being occupied about the business of his worship and service there is he in the midst of them viz. by his grace and spirit Even as the Sun whilest the Body of it is in heaven yet by the beams of it it is upon earth Thus the Lord Jesus whilest his body is in heaven yet by his grace and spirit he is present with his Church upon earth and that efficaciously present not only eying and observing but acting Exercising many operations in for and upon his Church resembling those offices which the Sun performeth unto the earth Of these instance in three or four of the principal 1. Enlightning it This doth the Sun being the fountaine of light it inlightneth both earth and heaven as the dark places here below so the moone and stars above all with what light so ever they have they receive it from this great Luminary the Sun This is Iesus Christ the light of the world So he stileth himselfe once and againe I am the light of the world Ioh. 8. 12 and 9. 5. viz of the Reasonable world the world of mankinde In him was life and the life was the light of men Ioh. 1. 4. Of all men What ever light they have whether Naturall or Supernaturall they receive it from Iesus Christ. For Naturall light even that common light of reason and understanding that is a beame from this Sun So that Text is commonly understood Ioh 1. 9. where it is sayed of Christ. Hee is that true light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world viz with that common light of Reason which as their Creatour he bestoweth upon them Much more supernaturall light And that both of Grace and Glory The light of grace where with the soules of Gods elect are inlightned it is an effluxe from this Sun The light shineth in darkness sayth Saint Iohn in the fift verse of that Chap Thus doth Iesus Christ inlighten the minds of men with supernaturall knowledg which of themselves are full of darkness of ignorance And so that ninth verse there may be read and construed That was the true light which coming into the world inlightneth every man So Grotius following Cyrill and Augustine there looketh upon it referring the participle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coming not to the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Every man but to the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Light This Iesus Christ coming into the world inlightneth every man viz. that is inlightned Communicating the light of divine and supernaturall knowledg to the world And that as the Sun doth his light unto the earth which in a little time in the space of twentie-foure howers inlightneth the whole world So the Psalmist setteth forth both the swift motion and vigorous operation of it Psal. 19. 5. In the heavens God hath set a Tabernacle for the Sun which is as a Bridgroome coming out of his Chamber and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race His going forth is from the end of the heavens and his circuit unto the ends of it and there is nothing hid from the heat therof Even thus the Lord Iesus coming out of the womb of the virgin his Bride-chamber in a little space by himself and by his Apostles caused the light of his gospel to shine forth through the world in so much as the Apostle saith that in his time it was and had beene preached to every creature under heaven Col. 1. 23. So as in this he was like unto the Sun So the Apostle applyeth that of the Psalmist concerning the Sun unto him Rom. 10. 18. Thus doth the light of grace come from Iesus Christ in whome as the Apostle saith are hid all the Treasures of wisdom and knowledg Col. 2. 3. And that as of Common so specially of saving grace This light cometh from the face of Iesus Christ being beheld by faith So much we may learn from that Text of the Apostle 2. Cor. 4. 6. God hath shined into our hearts that we should give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ. The glory of God shineth in the face of Iesus Christ which being held forth unto Gods elect in the Glass of the Gospel and there beheld by them by faith they come thereby to be changed into the same Image from glorie to glory as the same Apostle hath it 2 Cor. 3. last By thus beholding of the face of Christ they come to be made like unto him in the glory of holiness which work is still in progress here untill it come to perfection in heaven Thus is the light of Grace derived from Iesus Christ. And so is the Misticall Glory Which is but as it were a reflex from that glory which is in the face of Iesus Christ which being beheld by the Saints of God in that beatificall vision they thereby are made partakers of the same glory Even as so many looking glasses being set before the Sun by the reflex of the Beames thereof every one is changed into the same Image and made like unto it Even so shall it be with the Saints in heaven We know saith Saint Iohn
is hid to nature as viz. the Miserie of their naturall Condition by reason of sin and the punishment due thereunto together with the meanes of deliverance by and through Jesus Christ as also shewing them the way wherein they are to walke so as they may please God Now is it so that any of you are as yet strangers to this light which it is to be feared too many among us are poore ignorant Creatures whose soules are like dungeons into which the Sun never yet looked as darke as midnight they know nothing of God of Christ of themselves nothing of the mysterie of salvation be you awakened to looke up and to looke out for it This is the watchword which the Apostle Saint Paul having received it from some of the prophets the prophet Isaiah as it is conceved giveth to such as were in that dead sleep of sin Eph. 5. 14. Awake thou that sleepest and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he shall shine upon thee inlighten thee And let me hand it to every of you who are thus asleepe Awake you and stand up from the dead that Christ may give you light Be you awakened and roused out of that bed of sinfull securitie wherein you have beene sleeping and beeing convinced of your owne ignorance and blindness looke out for that light of knowledg without which the heart cannot be good That the soule be without knowledge it is not good saith the wiseman Prov. 19. 2. Or as the former Translation not without the consent of the Originall readeth it without knowledg the minde is not good Of what use is a dungeon fit for nothing but to make a prison of And such is a soule without knowledg And therefore in the fear of God now awake open your eys Behold the Sun is up the Sun of righteousness is risen the Lord Jesus sheweth himselfe to you in the preaching of the Gospel doe not now shut your eyes against the light Men will not doe so by the light of the Sun When that ariseth they will not shut their doores and windowes against it to keepe it out but rather set them open to let it in that they may receive the comfort and benefit of it And so doe you by that light the light of the Gospell which now shineth forth to you Let it not be said of you what our Saviour chargeth upon the Jewes Ioh. 3. 19. That Light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light This if you shall doe it will be unto you as our Saviour there saith it was unto them a just Condemnation This is the Condemnation Were it for heathens who never heard of the name of Christ to be ignorant and blinde as to what concerneth their eternal happines and salvation this would be some extenuation as of their sin so of their punishment But for Christians such as are borne in times and places of light having the Sun as it were standing over their heads for them to love darkness rather then light still to continue in their naturall blindnes and ignorance so shutting out the light they are here in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 self-condemned and were there nothing else to be layed to their charg this is to them a matter and ground of a just Condemnation That it may not be so to any of you be you perswaded to set open the doores and windowes of your soules and to let in the beames of this Sun of righteousness into your hearts Be you inlightened by the light of the Gospell which as yet shineth forth unto you And being thus inlightened now reflect that light So doe the Stars Having received light from the Sun they reflect it upon the earth And the like doe you Having received light from Iesus Christ shew forth that light and that by walking as children of light That is the Apostles Exhortation to his Epehsians Eph. 5. 8. Ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the Lord walke as children of the light And let it be mine to you All of you to whome Christ hath beene as a Sun inlightning of you walke you as children of light Hath Christ shined upon you doe you shine Arise shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee saith the Prophet to Ierusalem Isai. 60. 1. And let me in his words though happily in somewhat a different sense speake unto you Arise you and shine for the light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you The Lord Iesus who is the true light the Sun of righteousness he is risen upon you in the preaching of the Gospel And therefore doe you arise and shine shine as lights That is Pauls Commendation of or Exhortation to his Philippians for it is read both ways Phil. 2. 15. Ye doe shine or shine ye as lights in the world And this be you also exhorted to doe The night being spent and the day come unto you doe you cast off the workes of darkness and put on the armour of light as the same Apostle exhorts his Romanes Romans 13. 12. Those sinful ways and courses which heretofore you have walked in which may fitly be tearmed workes of darkness in as much as they both proceede from darkness and tend to darkness proceede from the darkness of ignorance and tend to the darkness of Hell whither they will bring them that go on in them lay them a side cast them away Putting on the Armour of light that bright shining Armour Even the graces of the Spirit within shining forth in an answerable Conversation without Thus Let your light shine before men that they seeing your good workes may glorifie your father which is in heaven as our Saviour presseth it Math. 5. 16. Here is the first of these Operations Inlightning 2. The second is Enliuening This also doth Iesus Christ as I have shewen you Being like the Sun the fountaine as of Light so of Life In him was life Ioh. 1. 4. As Naturall so Supernaturall life both Originally in him as in the fountaine Having then received the former seeke also the later from him That living the life of nature in him In him we live Act. 17. 28. So we may live the life of grace by and through him finding and feeling him living in us Now I live saith the Apostle yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2. 20. Thus the Sun liveth in the plant vertually by causing it to live And O that Iesus Christ may thus live in every of us by communicating unto us his quickning Spirit whereby being raised from the grave of sin we may live unto God living the life of grace Which that we may be made partakers of be we united unto him All Communion is from union And such is the Communion which the members of the mysticall Body have with their Head it floweth from that Union which they have
presence with his Church Christ performeth the like offices to his Church that the Sun doth to the earth Inlightning it All light coming from Jesus Christ. Natural light of reason Reason Supernatural light of Grace Of Glory Inlivening Comforting Making fruitful Purifying Christ as the Sun to his Enemies how Branch 2. The face of Christ as the Sun shining Christ upon earth like the Sun under a cloud In his death Eclipsed In his Resurrection breaking forth Herein the members conformable to their head Partaking of the same glory for kind though not degree Branch 3. The face of Christ as the Sun shining in his strength The glory of Christ transcendent Etiam justi fulgebunt sicut sol in regno patris Christi verò corpus fulget ut Sol in vigore suo quo excellentia capitis prae membris significatur Pareus ad Text. His efficacious operations Dissipating and dispelling fogs and mists of Heresies and Errors Melting frozen and congealed hearts Warning and heating them with joy love zeal Drying up sinful corruption Applic. Seek we the face of Jesus Christ. Quest. How seek it Answ. That we may see it The Beatifical vision upon earth Quest. How Christ is to be seen upon earth Answ. 1. Neg. Not by way of vision Answ. 2. Affirm In the Glass of the Gospel In his Ordinances Answ. 2. Seek the face of Christ that we may feel it The operations of Christ to be felt in the soul. Illumination Light received is to be reflected how Vivification No life from Christ without union with him Spiritual life as begun so maintained and increased by Jesus Christ. Consolation True comfort not to be found in the creatures Nor in a mans self All true comfort to be sought from Christ Fructification Purification Christ to be felt as the Sun in his strength Dispelling mists of ignorance infidelity Thawing and melting of the heart Warming and heating it The appearing of Christ not to be feared by those who have felt these his powerful operations Which to others will be terrible Christs second coming to believers a joyful day Errata to the three Sacred Emblems The text upon what occasion takâ— up Declaration Novem. 21. 1655. Division Parts three Part 1. The occasion of this lamentation The eye lets in affection to the heart What Christ looked upon in Jerusalem that so affected him The City it seâ—f magnificent for structure The number of people devoted to destruction Magis tamen subversionem planxit animarum quam ruinas parietum Carthus â—d lot The qualitie of the people Gods people Qâ—um populum qui in spem vita aeâ—ernae adâ—pius 〈◊〉 suae ingratiâ—udine maâ—iâ—ia misere perire videret nihil mirum si lachrymâ—s non tenuit Cal. â—d loc Ierusalem the 〈◊〉 the head city upon which the whole Nation had a dependance Ierusalem the City of the great King the city of God Quum expenderet illam divinitus electam esse sacram sedem in quae resideret salutis aeternae foedus Sanctuarium unde prodiret salus salas toti mundo fieri non potuit quam ejus interitum graviter doleret Cal. ad loc Part 2. The expression of Christs compassion by weeping Lachrymae sunt legati doloris Cyprianus lib. Ep. 7. Weeping a passion not unsutable to Christ. Mutarunt homines temerarii delicati quibus flere Christo indignis videbatur Grotius at Text. Gorranus ad Text. alli Alii septies Chriâ—â—um flevisse aâ—â—erunt Gerhard Harm ad loc Why Christ lamenteth what he could have remedied To shew the truth of his humanity Carne humanacircundatus vere humanos induit affectus Cal. ad loc To testifie his affection to the Iews Hoc fletu testatus est fraterne se diligere eos in quorum gratiam fuerat homo factus Calvin ad Text. Viscera misericordiae suae per fletum osstendit Theophil ad loc Why did he not then help and save them Christ here in acteth as man Obs. Christians to be tenderly affected towards the Churches of God The Churches misery to be mourned over Christians to mourn for those who do not mourn for themselves Reas. Christians members of the same body Appli The present times to be mourned over In regard of the state of the Church abroad The presen state of England a matter of just lamentation Englands condition looked upon three waies What it hath been What it is Set forth in the late Declaration Iamaika Four particulars justly to be mourned over Tares of division Abominable blasphemies Dreadful apostacy The hindrance of settlement and reformation What like to be Part 3. The cause of Christs weeping Pathetica est ratio ideoque abrupta Calvin ad loc Passionate expressions often abrupt The defect here how supplied Obser. Christs affection to an unworthy people the Iews God not taking pleasure in the death of sinners How God willeth the death of the wicked Appli Gods grace not to be turned into wantonnesse Gods goodnesse leading to repentance Christ still retaining the same affection towards poor sinners The matter of this lamentation where the evil lamented Aggravations of it The evil lamented Expli Three things What here meant by peace viz. All kind of happinesse What were the things which belonged to their peace viz. Christ and his Gospel How they are said not to know these things viz. in not owning of Christ. To know God and Christ what Christ acknowledged by a small party By whom it was A party inconsiderable both for quality and number Obser. Not to receive Christ and his Gospel a most deplorable thing This is that which belongeth unto the peace of a people The rejecting of the Gospel the undoing of a people Applic. A just cause of mourning over this nation the sleight entertainment given to the Gospel Calling for deep lamentation Vse 2. What to be done for the preventing of judgment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic est utinam Grotius ad loc The Aggravations of this complaint Aggravation 1. The Persons Thou as well as others Diodate Annot ad loc Thou rather then others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vel tu urbs illa suprâ— omnes terrae urbes Dco dilecta urbs David urbs Regia urbs sacris dicata Grotius ad loc Ierusalem a Non-such in respect of spiritual priviledges An Aggravation Of Christs sorrows Of her sin Obser. Means and mercies not answered great aggravations of sin and judgment Ad astra tolli Sublimi feriens sydera vertice The more light the greater sin R. Grace abused a high contempt Applic. Vse 1. Application to the nation in generall Jerusalem and England pararelled In respect of spirituall priviledges Temporall favours Unanswerable returnes A great Aggravation of Englands sin Threatning a proportionable judgment Application to the Town of Yarmouth in special Vse 2. Exhortation To indeavour an answerable return to mercies A sad thing for God to upbraid a people with his favours A thing which he is not ready to do Yet being provoked by ingratitude he will do
Stars Such are the Ministers of the Gospel Mark it This is that which I am now to prosecute Gospel Ministers are stars Such was their Lord and Master Iesus Christ himself he was a Star There shall come a star out of Iacob saith Baâ—â—â—m in his prophecy concerning Christ Nâ—mb 24. 17. I am the bright and morning star saith Christ of himself Reâ— 22. 10. A Star having his birth manifested to the wise men by a Star Mat. 20 2. to shew that he was that star foretold A bright star excelling all others in glory and a morning star bâ—â—ging the day of grace and glory to the Church after the night of ignorance and misery And as the Master so the Servants They are also stars Such were the Apostles whom Saint Iohn saw so represented Râ—â—l 12. â— where he tells us of the woman 〈…〉 with the 〈◊〉 having the Moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve stars And who was this woman why the Church the true Church of Christ which being cloathed with the righteousness of Christ who is the Sun of righteousness and trampling under foot all earthly glory is beautified and adorned with the doctrine of the twelve Apostles who were as so many stars Such were they and such are their successors all the true Ministers of Jesus Christ. Gospel Ministers they are as stars So called and represented in regard of the resemblances betwixt the one and the other which are divers I shall onely single out some of the chief and principal which as I conceive to be most plain proper and genuine 1. Stars are set by God in the firmament of heaven So we find it Gen. 1. 16 17. He made the stars also And God set them in the firmament of heaven And even so hath he set the Ministers of the Gospel in the firmament of the Church which is often called by the name of Heaven So the Apostle setteth forth their original 1 Cor. 12. 28. God set some in the Church speaking of Gospel Ministers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Constituit he Constituted and appointed them to their places in the Church the Church Catholick visible for so it must be there understood So then a Gospel Ministry is a Divine Institution not a humane Invention He that set the stars in the firmament hath set his Ministers in the Church And he hath set them there as stars fixing and setling them by a perpetual ordinance That is the difference betwixt Stars and Comets Comets though they blaze for a time yet it is but for a time and that a short time but Stars are for perpetuity to continue to the end of the world Such Stars are the Ministers of the Gospel How else saith our Saviour what he doth that he will be with them to the end of the world Mat. 28. 20. 2. Stars though they be set in the same firmament yet they have their several Orbs to move in And so is it with the Ministers of the Gospel though they be set in the same firmament of the Church being all Ministers of the same Church Catholick visible yet they have their several Orbs their several Charges committed and assigned to them for their inspection and oversight Thus Paul willeth the Elders the Ministers of Ephesus to feed the flock over which the holy Ghost had made them overseers Acts 20. 28. And thus those seven stars in the Text the Ministers of the seven Churches of Asia had their several Charges which were as their several Orbs. And so it is with ordinary Ministers That being one difference betwixt them and the Apostles The Apostles were universal Pastors having the care of all the Churches committed unto them This was Pauls daily cumbrance as he tels his Corinthians 2 Cor. 11. 28. Even the care of all the Churches Thus were they universal Bishops But so are not their successors That of the Bishop of Rome is but a groundless usurpation Ordinary Ministers have their severall charges 3. Stars have their different Altitudes and Magnitudes Some above others and some greater then others One star differeth from another star in glory 1 Cor. 15. 41. And so is it in the Gospell Ministerie In the firmament of the Church there are such different stars Ministers of different Orders and Dignities So much we may learne from the Apostle in that place forecited 1. Cor. 12. 28. God hath set some in the Church saith he first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers c. Severall Orders and Degrees So there were then And still there are severall Magnitudes even among Ordinarie Ministers Who differ in respect of theire gifts and ministeriall abilities even as one Star differeth from another in Glory Thus are these Stars set in the firmameut of the Church having their sevearll Orbes Altitudes and Magnitudes But wherefore are they thus set That is a fourth particular which I conceive to be here principally eyed and intended 4. Stars are set up for Lightes like so many Tapers in the firmament of heaven to give light to this inferiour world in the night season So you have the end of their first Creation set down Gen. 1. 16. God made the stars also and he set them in the firmament of heaven to give light unto the earth This is the office as of the Sun and the Moon so of the Stars to give light unto the earth and that in the night season And such is the office of the Ministers of the Gospel-God hath set them up in the firmament of the Church to a like end that they should be Lights So it is said of Iohn the Baptist He was a Burning and a shining light Ioh. 5. 35. And such all the Ministers of the Gospel either are or ought to be Ye are the light of the world saith our Saviour to his Apostles Mat 5. 14. True it is such all private Christians in their measure ought to be This is that which Paul saith of his Philippians Phil. 2 15. Yee doe shine or shine yee for so the word may be and is read either Indicatively or Imparatively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This they did or should have done But this the ministers of the Gospell ought to doe in a speciall manner They being Lights by office which requireth this at their hands that they should give light to others Which they are to doe two wayes By Doctrine and by Example 1. By Doctrine Holding forth to others the word of truth the word of Life that so those which yet sit in darkness may see a marveiloâ—s light This was Paules errand whereupon he was sent to the Gentiles viz. to open their eyes and so turne them from darkness to light Act 26. 18. Which he was to doe by preaching of the Gospell unto them whereby they might have their eyes opened to see the sinfulness and miserie of their natural condition and so might be brought to the light of Grace here
of the mouth of Jesus Christ his word it hath a double yea a contrary operation being both a killing and a qâ—ickning word Both these doth the Lord in a literal sense The Lord killeth and maketh alive saith Hannah in her song 1 Sam. 2. 6. And both these doth the Lord Jesus in a Spiritual sense and that by his word So the Apostle setteth forth the two-fold property of it 2 Cor. 3. 6. The letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life The letter The letter of the Law which is litera occidens a killing letter in as much as it requireth part from man which in his now corrupted estate he is no wayes able to perform and so is a sword at his heart giving him a deadly wound Whence it is that is called in the verses following 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Ministerie or Ministration of death vers 7. and in the 9 th verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Ministration of condemnation Because it layeth men under the sentence of eternal condemnation Such is the Ministery of the Law But now the Spirit and the Ministery thereof in the preaching of the Gospel that giveth life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it quickneth maketh alive First putting a new life into a dead soul raising it up from the death of sin to the life of holinesse to the life of grace here and glory hereafter Whence it is called by the Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word of life Phil. 2. 16. And then reviving and chearing it with the sweet promises thereof Thy word hath quickned me saith David Psal. 119. 50. Thus hath the Word like a two edged sword a double and contrary operation upon the soul. And so it hath to prosecute this point yet a a little further both upon different subjects and upon the same First In different subjects or persons it hath a different opperation So it hath upon beleevers and unbeleevers Elect ones and Reprobates Working upon both but in different yea contrary waies This the same Apostle setteth forth most clearly in the chapter there foregoing 2 Cor. 2. 15 16 For we saith he speaking of himself and other Gospel Ministers are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish Their service in preaching of the word is acceptable unto God through Christ though it do not produce the same effect in those that hear them but have a contrary work according as it needeth with different subjects So it followeth To the one we are a savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life Such contrary smels and savours there are in nature as Grotius notes upon it some poysonous and deadly as of those Lakes Avernus and Asphalties others again so recreating and refreshing that being put to the nose they will revive the spirits of a fainting person And of such a contrary operation is the sword in the preaching of it Meeting with persons of different dispositions it is to the one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the one a sweet savour a savour of life So is it to Gods Elect to whom believing it it is made the power of God to their salvation as the same Apostle elsewhere saith of it Rom. 1. 16. A savour of life unto life quickening them up as I said before to the life of grace here and glory hereafter But on the other hand to unbelivers it becometh a savour of death unto death A deadly savour Not that the Gospel is so of it self being in its own nature as I said even now the word of life but accidentally it becometh so to them through their rejecting of it Now it is to them not onely an occasion but a cause of their just and greater condemnation Even as it is with the Proclamation of a Prince which he maketh to his rebellious subjects wherein he maketh offer not onely of pardon but of grace and favour to those that will lay down their armes and forthwith come in shewing themselves loyal and obedient but on the other hand threatneth extremity of punishment to those that shall yet stand out This Proclamation with the same breath breatheth both life and death Life to those which will hearken to it which is the proper end and intent of proclaiming it but death to those that oppose themselves against it Even so it is with the Evangelicall Proclamation the Doctrine of the Gospel it preacheth life and death after the same manner Life to penitent believers who readily accept the offers of grace and mercy there tendered Death to obstinate and rebellious sinners who reject them Thus is Iesus Christ who is the proper subject of the Gospel according to Simeons Prophesie at his Birth Luk. 2. 34. Behold saith he this childe is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel Even as the same Star as our new Annotators glosseth upon it is at the same time both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both morning Star and evening Star To some the morning Star bringing the light and day to them To others the evening Star bringing darknesse and night Thus is the Lord Iesus that Star of Jacob being held forth in the Gospell to some those that believe on him he is what he calls himsel Rev. 22. 16. The bright morning Star bringing to them the light and day of Grace here and Glorie hereafter But to others such as reject him will not receive him as their Saviour and Lord as the evening Star bringing to them a night of everlasting darknesse Such is the different and contrary operation of the word upon different persons 2. And in the second place such is the operation of it in and upon the same Persons A different nay a contrary operation So it hath in and upon Gods Elect upon all true believers of whom it may be said not onely that they were dead and are alive This my sonne was dead and is alive again saith the Father of his Prodigall sonne being returned home Luke 15. 24. And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins saith Paul of his believing Ephesians Eph. 2. 1. But also that they are dead and alive both at the same time So that the Apostle tels his Romanes Rom. 6. 11. Likewise reckon ye your selves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God And both these they are the effects of the word Which first killeth them which it may be said to do two wayes First by showing them their naturall state which is a state of death Such effect it had in and upon the Apostle as he sets it forth Rom. 7. 9. I was alive without the Law once but when the â—ommandment came sin revived I died Whil'st he was a Pharisee he thought well and highly of himself that he was in a happy condition he apprehended himself to be in perfect health as
surpassing all other Churches that ever were or shall be But I find him herein deserted by his fellows who though ready enough to crye up the glory of their mother and to lay hold upon ought that may seeme to looke that way yet in this they are not willing to owne such palpable flatteries And not without cause for as Pareus animadvertes upon it If that had been our faviours designe and meaning in this his Apparition to set forth the glorie of that Church how is it that he should be so forgetfull as not to direct aparticular Epistle to it as well as to those seven Asian Churches 3. In the ninth place our Mr Brightman looketh upon it as a representation of the spiritual Glorie of these Churches in the midst wherof this son of man now appears manifesting his presence there in the midst of his Ordinances and that after a glorious manner all things being there so constituted and ordered both for worship Dicipline as made those Churches at least some of them truly glorious There did the face of Iesus Christ shine saith he So the worship of God saith he is somtimes called his face Instancing in that of the Psalmist Psal. 105. 4. Seeke his face evermore To which that other Text answereth Psal. 27. 8. when thou saidest seeke yee my face my heart sayed unto thee thy face Lord I will seeke Where by the face of God is understood by divers Expositors the Arke where God manifested his presence in the Temple And The like he doth still in his ordinances which where they cease God may be sayd to with draw his face And where any are excluded from them they may be sayd to be banished from the face of God So that of Cain may be expounded Gen 4. 14. where he complaineth that he was driven from the face of the earth and hid from the face of God By the former understanding the place of his habitation where he had kept his former residence or the societie of men the inhabitants of the earth who would now be afraid of his company By the latter the presence of God in his Ordinances from which he was now secluded beiug under the sentence of excommunication cast out of the Church But I shall also let that pass though having somewhat more colour then the former 4. Some others in the fourth place looke upon this as a representation of the glorie of the Church under the Gospel which is a transcendent a surpassing glory for exceeding that under the Lawe A mysterie not unfitly represented by this shining of the face of this Son of man here after this manner which is sayed to shine as the Sun Under the Law we reade of the Moses's face Exod. 34. 40. Moses his face shone A passage which the Latine Enterpreters by a mistake of the word in the Originall Karan for Keren renders Cornuta erat Facies his face was horned From whence some infer that Moses's face at that time was like the Moone which in the increase and decrease appeares in that forme and fashion But here the face of Iesus Christ saith one was like the Sun Leting that gloss pass as grounded upon a false bottom In the mean time for the maine it is true Moses's face at that time did shine and that gloriously insomuch as the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold him for the glory of his countenance as the Apostle clearly expounds it 2 Cor. 3. 7. yet did it not shine like the face of this Son of man the Lord Iesus whose face shone as the Sun yea as the Sun in his strength at noon day So far doth the glory of the Gospell excell that of the Lawe There was a glory in that Legall ministration but not like the Evangelicall So the Apostle setteth forth the difference most fully by comparing one with the other in that place last named 2 Cor 3. 7 8 9 10 11. under the Gospell there is a far more glorious light broke forth then that was under the Lawe The one as the Moone the other as the Sun So the Prophet Isaiah expresseth that surpassing glorie that should come upon the Church in Gospel times as it is contained Isai. 30. 26. The light of the Moone shall be as the light of the Sun Such is the glorie of the Church under the Gospell far exceeding that which was under the Lawe So not a few expound that of the Prophet Haggai chap. 29. where he foreteleth that the glory of the Later house or Temple should be greater then the former Major erit Ecclesiae gloria quà m Synâ—â—gogae the glorie of the Church under the Gospel should be greater then under the Law And this Interpretation I confess may learne to fuit more fitly with the Text then any of the former but yet I cannot look upon it as so genuâ—ne and Proper as to fasten upon it 5. And therefore to hold you no longer in suspence what was hereby signified refer we it unto Christ himselfe looking upon this as a Representation of some Perfections and Excellencies in the Person of Christ whose face is here said to be as the Sun as the Sun shining as the Sun shining in his strength Three particulars each of which hath is severall Emphasis and will afforde us some what worth our taking notice of Begin with the first 1. His face was as tho Sun A fit Hieroglyphick or Emblem of Iesus Christ who is sometimes so called the Sun the Sun of righteousnes Mat. 4. 2. It is spoken of Christ who is fitly resembled by the Sun and that in many respects Of these Analogies and resemblances I meete with noe less then eleven reached forth by one hand writing upon this Text. But of them I finde some so far fetcht as that I shall leave them where I find them not so much as taking notice of them Take some of those which I conceive to be most genvine and Proper These I shall refer and reduce to two heads Iesus Christ is as the Sun in respect of his personal properties and in respect of his operations and effects For the former his Personall Properties Of these I might name divers 1. The Sun is but One. Thence it taketh his Latine name say some Sol quia Solus In the firmament there are many Stars but one Sun Thus in the firmament of the Church there are many Stars of severall magnitudes many Saints in earth and heaven some out shining others as one Star differeth from another in glory And in the Church upon earth there are some of more eminent place then others Such were these stars in the right hand of Iesus Christ the ministers of the Churches but in the meane time but one Sun marke the vision Seven stars but one Sun Seven stars in the hand of this Son of man but one Sun which was in his face Thus though there be never so many eniment lights
in the Church yet is there but one Sun but one Lord. One Lord one faith sayth the Apostle Ephes. 4. 5. True it is there have been others which have been so called and owned This the Apostle elswhere taketh notice of 1. Cor. 8. 5. There be Gods many and Lords many saith he viz. so called as he there explaines himselfe Such were the Gods of Baal to which the Apostle may be conceived there to allude all which were called by their masters name Bagnatim which signifieth Lords As Baal-Zebub Zebub Baal-Peor Baal-Berith Baal-Berozim and divers others These were the Heathens Lords which they worshipped and served as their Patrons and Protectors But these were all as the name of the first of them Baal-Zebub imparts Flye-Lords Mock-Lords not unlike some of those Lords which were wonte to be set up at this season of the yeare a strange honour to such a Master Lords of misrule as they were vulgarly but truly called Lords in name nothing less in truth In truth in the Church there is but one Lord In the Church I say In the common-wealth indeed there are many Lords and those not only Titular but Reall Thus we read of the Lords of the Philistines and of the King and his Lords Dan. 5. 10. Such are all Rulers and Governours who have Authoritie and dominion over the estates liberties lives of others But in the Church but one Lord which is Iesus Christ. So the Apostle there goeth on in that Text forenamed 1 Cor. 8. 6. Vnto us there is but one God One Lord Iesus Christ. Whatever there be to others to us Christians there is but one Lord One Mediatour There is one God and one Mediatour betwixt God and men the man Christ Iesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. One Saviour Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4. 12. But one Sun One true Sun I mean sometimes indeed there are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as they call them half Suns appearing in the heavens which are nothing but reflections of the Sun shining upon some thick clouds And so there are false mediatours such as those which Romish superstition hath set up as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 partners with Iesus Christ as sharing with him in the office of his Mediatourship But one true Sun and one true Mediatour both of Redemption and Intercession even the Lord Iesus who upon this account is fitly resembled by the Sun Sol quia solus 2. As the Sun is but one so it far exceedeth and excelleth all the other stars Exceedeth them in Quantity excelleth them in Quality In Quantity in the magnitude of the Body which is vast and great even beyond belief being as by the masters of the Astronomical science it is voted no less then one hundred and sixty times bigger then the whole Globe of the Earth and Sea and far exceeding any other of the Stars And so in Quality in the greatness of the light which is greater not onely then the light of any one star but of the Moon and all the stars being put together And such is the transcendency of Iesus Christ above all other creatures whether men or Angels All which he excelleth in dignity and power in majestie and glory To him is given that nomen super omne nomen that name above every name Phil. 2. 9. supereminent power transcendent glory and that above all creatures Yea even above those Angelical spirits which in themselves are glorious creatures yet compared with Jesus Christ they are but as stars to the Sun So the Apostle setteth forth his transcendency and preeminence Ephes. 20. 21. where speaking of the exaltation of Christ he sheweth how God the Father having raised him from the dead set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not onely in this world but also that which is to come In the whole firmament of heaven no star to be compared with the Sun Among men and Angels in earth or heaven none to be compared with this Son of man the Lord Iesus 3. Again the Sun it is as it were Oculus mundi the Eye of the world seeing and beholding what is done upon earth As it were viewing all places and passages His going forth saith the Psalmist speaking of the Sun is from the end of the heaven and his circuit unto the ends of it and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof Psal. 19. 6. And therein is it a fit Embleme of Iesus Christ who whilest he keepeth his residence in heaven yet hath a universal inspection and oversight of all things here upon earth being absolutely omniscient taking notice of all persons in all places and of all their several transactions and actions I know thy works saith this Son of man to the Churches in the Chapters following And not onely their actions but their thoughts their counsels When he was upon earth he was able to look through the Breasts of men He needed not that any should testifie of man saith St Iohn for he knew what was in man John 2. last And elsewhere we read of his seeing and knowing the thoughts of men Matth. 9. 4. 12. 25. And this he still doth Like as the Sun looketh through the window and so as it were discovereth what is within doors which those that stand without take no notice of Even so doth the Lord Iesus he being as God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the searcher of hearts he looks into the most secret corners of them looking through whatever lattices whatever specious pretences their words or actions are glazed with taking notice of their most secret counsels and intentions seeing their thoughts yea before they arise in their hearts Thou understandest my thoughts a far of Psal 139. 2. This was the mystery of those fiery eyes of the Son of man in the verse before the Text. His eyes were as a flame of fire intimating the perspicacity and omniscience of the Lord Jesus 4. Yet again the Sun is an Emblem of Purity Being pure in it self and not capable of contracting any impurity from elsewhere Though the beams of it pass through the impurest channels yet they receive no taint but still retain their native purity And such was this Son of man the Lord Iesus in the dayes of his flesh He then passed through the womb of the Virgin which was not so pure as those that Idolatrize her would make it she being no more free from that Original contagion then others of the sons and daughters of Adam yet he received no tincture from it Whilest he partaked of her nature taking flesh from her yet he was free from the taint of that corruption which cleaved to her nature Thence called by the Angel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That holy thing that shall be born of thee Luke 1. 35. Such he was
and will be as the Sun to all others even to his Enemies and that whether open or secret For his secret Enemies Hypocrites he shall discover them Even as the Sun rising upon the earth it maketh a discoverie of what lay hid before Thus shall the Lord Iesus when he shall arise upon the earth as he shall doe at his second coming hee shall then make a discoverie of all men of their Persons Actions Counsels though now never so secret So the Apostle layeth it down 1. Cor. 4 5. Iudg nothing before the time untill the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsells of the hearts And both secret and open Enemies he shall then confound who shall not be able to looke him in the face at the last day when he shall appeare in his glory no more then a bleare eye can indure to looke upon the Sun shining in his strength But then shall they flye from his presence Even as the Psalmist saith of those beasts of prey Psal. 104. 20 21 22. Thou makest darkness and it is night wherein all the beasts of the forrest doe creepe forth The young lyons roare after their prey c. But the Sun arising they gather themselves together and laye them downe in their dens Thus shall it be with the Enemies of Christ and his Church During the night of the Churches afflictions they forage and make prey of the poore Lambs of Christ exercising all kind of savage crueltie upon the Saints of God But when this Sun shall arise upon the Earth as one day it shall the Lord Iesus appeare in his glory then they will flye from his presence running to their dens So we have it described and set forth Rev. 6 15 16. Where our Apostle speaking of the manner of Christs coming his coming to judgement at the last day as it is commonly looked upon at this day saith he The Kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the cheif Captaines those who had before been the most robustious and daring enemies of the Church they shall then hide themselues in the dens and in the rocks of the mountaines saying to the rocks and to the mountaines fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the lambe So terrible shall the face of Iesus Christ be â—o his Enemies when they shal see him As see him they shall Every eye shall see him saith the seventh verse of this Chapter And see his face and that as Saint Iohn here doth shining as the Sun And how terrible will this face be then to all those who have formerly done that metaphorically which some of the Iewes did literally Math. 26 67. Spit upon it But I hold back Thus have I done with the first of these particulars I shall be more brief in explicating the two other so put altogether in a joynt Application The face of this Son of man was as the Sun and as the Sun shining So doth not the Sun alwayes Though it be above the Horizon yet it doth not alwayes shine forth being sometimes veiled with a cloud or eclipsed by the interposure of the Moon And such was the estate of this Son of man Iesus Christ here upon earth He was then a Sun To you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise saith the Prophet speaking of the coming of Christ in the flesh Mal. 4. 2. But he was then under a cloud the glory of his Divinity being hid under the veil of his Humanity under a mean outside Insomuch that they who then looked upon him saw nothing extraordinary in him He hath no form nor comliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him So the Prophet sets forth the state and condition of this Son of man upon the earth Isaiah 53. 2. which was so mean and despicable as that there was nothing sightly much less glorious to be seen in him Such it was in his life much more in his death Then was this Sun under a sad and almost total Eclipse Then was this Son of man no other but a ruful spectacle of deformity and misery His face his countenance was then marred So the same Prophet in the Chapter foregoing expresseth the sadness of his condition Many were astonished at him saith he speaking of Christ his visage was so marred more then any man and his form more then the sons of men Isaiah 52 14. So was it with him in his Passion wherein the person of Christ was subjected to the greatest indignity that could be cast upon it His face was then far from shining But now behold this Sun is broke forth Christ being risen from the dead and ascended into heaven now his face shineth So it did in his Transfiguration upon the Mount Matth. 17. 2. His face did shine as the Sun A preludium of that Glory which he was to enter into after his Passion was over Of which he tels those Disciples travelling to Emmaus Luke 24. 26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory And what he therefore telleth them was to be done here he sheweth unto his servant Iohn that it was done making him an eye-witness of it shewing him his face which was as the Sun shining Such was the change of his condition In his state of Humiliation mean and despicable none more in his state of Exaltation glorious none so much His Humanity his flesh being cloathed with a singular and admirable clarity and brightness so burnished that it shines like the Sun And herein shall the members be made conformable to the head Whatever the state and condition of Gods Saints here be though never so mean and inglorious yet hereafter shall they be glorious creatures shining yea shining as the Sun So our Saviour himself expresseth it Matth. 13. 43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father Being exceeding glorious And that even in their Bodies which shall have a singular clarity and lustre put upon them being made glorious bodies It is sowen in dishonour it is raised in glory saith the Apostle of the Bodies of Gods Saints 1 Cor. 15. 43. who shall change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body Phil. 3. last Quest. But what then shall their glory equal the glory of Christ Answ. Not so Head and members shall both be glorious Christ and his Saints shall both be made partakers of the same glory the same for kind but in a different degree So much we may learn from the third Particular which informs us that the face of the Sun of man shined as the Sun yea As the Sun shineth in his strength 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In vigore suo as the Sun at noon day or in
Christ Zeale for Christ. The aforesaid Mary having had experience of the great love of Christ in forgiving her so many and great sins she returns an answerable affection she loved much Luk. 7 47. And Paul after he had seene that great light shining round about him from heaven and heard the Lord Iesus speake unto him how Zealous was he ever after for Christ Not more Zealous against him before then now for him Now he calleth out Lord what wilt thou have me to doe Act. 9 3 6. And not only do but suffer I am readie not only to be bound but to dye at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus Act. 21 13. Thus doth this Sun shining upon the heart in its strength it draweth up ardent Affections towards it self I might go on and yet instance in some other particulars wherein the Lord Iesus is like the Sun in his strength As viz. In drying up of sinful Corruption and inordinate lusts in the soule even as the Sun in the Summer season dryeth up those waters wherewith the face of the earth was before surcharged to the prejudice of it And so in diverse other But I shall harken to the Counsell which Aretius writing upon the Text giving to those that handle it which is that whilst they prosecute this Allegorie betwixt Christ and the Sun wherin he acknowledgeth there are many very apt resemblances to be found yet ne modum excedant they take heed of following it too far so as to extort that from it which it will not naturally yield Taking this advice I shall pass to Application That consisteth of many Branches but I shall graft them upon one stock reducing all to one head which shall be onely to exhort and excite every of us to seeke the face of this Son of man Seeke the face of Iesus Christ. This is that which the Lord calleth upon his people to doe in that foresaid Text Psal. 27 8. Seeke ye my face And wherefore was it that this Son of man here shewed his face in this glorious manner in the midest of the Churches but that they should be invited to seek his face And this doe wee Having heard how glorious this face of Iesus Christ is let all of us seeke it This is the Psalmists resolve there in the Text last named Hearing what God sayed unto him and other beleevers Seeke ye my face his heart ecchoeth backe againe Thy face O Lord I will seeke And let there be the like mind in every of us Hearing how Christ shewed his face here unto his servant Iohn in the midest of the Churches seeke we this face of his Q. How seeke it A. Take the Answere in two words Seeke it that we may See it and seeke it that we may feele it 1. That we may See it A sight worth the seeing His face was as the Sun saith the Text Now what more desirable sight then this Truely the light is sweet saith the Preacher and a pleasant thing it is to behold the Sun Eccles. 11. 7 How pleasant to beholde this Sun the Sun of righteousness It is so to the Saints in heaven who behold this Sun shining in his strength see Iesus Christ as he is in the fulness of his glory they are never wearie of beholding him That we may also in due season be made partakers of that beatificall vision to see Christ in his Kingdom of glory seeke we his face now in his Kingdom of grace that we may see it This was that which some were so desirous to see when he was upon earth to see the face of Christ though then to the bodily eye it was scarce worth the seing there being no beautie in him that he should be desired as the Prophet hath it Yet Zacheus gets up into a tree to see him as he passed by Luk. 19. 3. And this is the request which those Greekes which came to worship in the Temple made unto Philip Sir we would see Iesus Ioh. 12. 21. What they desired to see with the bodily eye every of us labour to see with the eye of our soules This is the vision which maketh the eye of the beholder happie and blessed Blessed are your eyes for they see saith our Saviour to his Disciples Math. 13. 16. And what did they see that should make them so blessed why they sawe Christ in the flesh But did not others so also Yes but not as they did They saw him not onely with their bodily eyes as the multitude did many of which sawe him but beleeved not in him as our Saviour tells some of them Ioh. 6. 36. Yee also have seene me and beleeve not nay multi viderunt oderunt many saw him and hated him but they sawe him also with the eye of their minde they saw his inside who he was and what he was they so saw him as that they beleeved on him which is the true seeing of Christ. This is the will of him that sent mee that every one which seeth the Son and beleeveth on him may have everlasting life saith our Saviour vers 40. of the same Chapter They sawe not only that meane out side of his as others did who were thereby prejudiced against him Is not this the Carpenter Mark 6. 3. but they saw the glorie which was hid under that veile The word was made flesh aâ—d dwelt amongst us and we saw his glory the glory as of the onely begotten sonne of the father saith Saint Iohn Ioh. 1. 14. O that all our eyes may be blessed with this vision with the beholding of the glory of Christ that wee may see this face of his shining as the Sun That so we may give unto him the glory of those Personall Properties wherein hee resembles the Sun the glory of his Sole Lordship and Mediatorship by submitting to him and resting wholly upon him the glory of his transcendent Dignitie by adoring and Worshipping him the glory of his Omnisciens by indeavouring to approve our selves unto him and that not onely our actions but our secretest Counsels and intentions â—he glory of his absolute Puritie by striving to be like him holy as he is holy Q. But where or how shall wee thus see him A. Take the Answer first Negatively Do not looke to see him as Saint Iohn here did by way of vision immediate Revelation Thus indeede Christ here shewed himselfe to this his servant but this was an extraordinary favour and so not to bee expected by us Nay thus wee cannot see him see his face When Moses desired to see the glory of God Exod. 33. 18. The Lord returnes him answere verse 20. Thou canst not see my face for there shall no man see mee and liue And our Apostle here upon the sight of the face of this Son of man fell down as dead Such is the glory of this face that no mortall eye is capable of beholding it in an immediate way Q. How then A.
Take the Answere Affirmatively 1. Would wee see the face of Christ looke into the glass of the Gospel Here may we behold it both safely and clearly So may we behold the Sun which shining in his strength being excellens sensibile cannot be looked upon without indangering of the eye yet in a glass we may see it and that as I said both clearely and safely And thus behold we this Mysticall Sun the face of Iesus Christ in this glass the glass of the Gospel Here it was that Paul saith of himself and other beleevers of his time that they beheld this face 2 Cor. 3. last But we all with open face as in a glass behold the glory of the Lord. And what Glass was this why the glass of the Gospell wherin Christians doe or may behold the glory of God shining in the face of Iesus Christ the glory of his mercy Iustice power goodness all manifested in by and through Christ And that with open face far more clearly then the Iewes did under the Lawe where this Mysterie of Christ was hid under the veile of Types and figures as the Arke was under its divers coverings And in this Glass behold we this Sun Here behold we the Mysterie of Iesus Christ as it is held forth unto us in the doctrine of the Gospel which acquaints us with his one Person two Natures three Offices His Incarnation Conception Birth Life Death Resurrection Ascension sitting at the right hand of his father As also with the many and great benefits which he hath obtained for us as Redemtion Iustification Adoption Sanctification Glorification And withall shewing us the way and meanes whereby we may come to be made partakers of them so setting before us the whole mysterie of Christ which it doth most clearly and fully Insomuch that there is not a line as I may say in this face which is not here drawn forth to the life All of us then if we would have a view of the face of this Son of man looke into this Glass studie the doctrine of the Gospell the Hystorie the mysterie of it 2 Waite upon Christ in his ordinances When the Parents of our Saviour had sought him three dayes at length they found him in the Temple Luk. 2. 46. And here this Son of man sheweth his face in the midest of the Candlesticks Would we see the face of Iesus Christ seek him in his Ordinances in his publike worship and service Here is the face of Christ to be seene as I shewed you Seeke his face saith the Psalmist in that forecited Text Psal. 105. 4. Speaking of the Arke of the Covenant where God manifested his presence The like doth the Lord Iesus now in the midst of his Ordinances his Word his Sacraments There doth Christ shew his face unto his people communicating himselfe to them that seeke him in a gratious manner Here then seek we his face and that as the Psalmist there hath it Evermore Being constant in this our attendance upon the Ordinances of Jesus Christ. That so we may see him see him in his Sanctuary as David saith he did Psal. 63. 1 2. O God thou aâ—t my God early will I seeke thee My soule thirsteth for thee c. To see thy power and thy glorie so as I have seene thee in the Sanctuarie Here had David seene more of God then elswhere in his Sanctuary in his Ordinances And would we have a sight of Iesus Christ so as to see his face seeke it in his Sanctuarie in his Ordinances Where content not our selves to heare of him but labour to see him with our owne eyes Yea to feele him 2. That is the second Particular So seeke the face of Jesus Christ that we may feele it or feele of it Not contenting our selves with a bare simple intuition a mere speculative knowledg of Iesus Christ but labour also for an Experimentall knowledg of him This is that superexcellent knowledg which the Apostle speaketh of Phil. 3. 8. I count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Iesus Tò 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that knowledg of Christ which is most excellent And what knowledg was that why not meerly a Contemplative but an Experimentall knowledg So he explains himselfe in the tenth verse That I may know him and the power of his resurrection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not onely to know by what power it was that Christ was raised from the dead as Grotius there so dilately expounds it but to know it in an experimentall way to feele the power and vertue of Christs Resurrection working the like effect in and upon himselfe in raising up him from the death of sin to the life of Grace here and Glory hereafter This is the Excellent knowledg of Iesus Christ. And this let every of us looke after Not contenting our selves with the bare beholding of this Sun to see the glare and shine of it but labour to feele that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that strength that vertue wherewith it shineth To finde and feele Iesus Christ unto us unto our soules as the Sun is to the Earth To finde and feele his gratious and efficacious presence with us putting forth his power and vertue in us exercising the like Operations upon us that the Sun doth upon the Earth What those operations are I have alreadie showen you Let me now reflect upon them minding you of them againe Exhorting you to endeavour to find and feele every of them in and upon your own soules 1. The first is Illummination Inlightning This was the Alpha the first worke in the first Creation God said let there be light and there was light Gen. 1. 3. And so it is in the second the new Creation New creatures must have a new light Upon the account whereof they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sons or Children of light Luk 16. 8. 1. Thes. 5. 5. Having beene somtimes darkness now they are light in the Lord. Eph. 58. Being called out of darkness into a marveilous light 1. Pet. 2. 9. And see that every of you be such Being coâ—vinced what by nature you are not onely darke but even darkeness it selfe wholy in the darke as to what concerneth your eternall happiness seeke after a new light that you may be inlightned that you may see a light shine forth unto you This was the preparative to Peters inlargment The Angel of the Lord came upon him and a light shined in the prison Act. 12. 7. And so it was to Paules Conversion There shinned round about him a light from heaven Act. 9. 3. And the like course God taketh with all those whom he hath a gratious purpose towards to set them at libertie from the Captivity of Sin and Satan and to bring them home unto himselfe he causeth a light to shine forth unto them a light from heaven I meane a supernaturall light revealing and making known to them that which
Ioy in the Lord Christ as when the Candles are all blowne out there is light enough in the Sun Rejoice we in him Seeking how to make answerable returnes unto him Answering his love with love loving him above all which who so doth not Saint Paul hath denounced an Anathema Maranatha upon him If any man love not the Lord Iesus let him be had in execration even unto the death 1 Cor. 16. 22. And loving him be Zealous for him Zealous for his truth Zealous for his worship and service Zealous for his honour and glory Thus labour we to find and feel these and the like efficatious and powerfull operations of this Sun of Righteousness Which whilst we doe now feare not the rising of this Sun the coming and appearing of the Lord Iesus at the last day Which indeede unto all his enemies as I shewed you both open and secret shall be a terrible appearing in so much as they shall not be able to abide it So saith the prophet Malachie concerning his first coming Mal. 3. 2. Who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth Such was the day of his first coming his coming in the flesh a dreadfull day to obstinate and obdurate sinners for whome it had been better he had never come How much more the day of his second coming his second appearing when he shall come like the Sun in his strength in the glory of his power and Majesty come purposely to render vengeance to them that would not knowe and acknowledg him nor obey his Gospell Then shall all the kindreds of the earth wail because of him as you have it verse 7. of this Chapter Rev. 1. Then shall the sinners in Sion be afraid fearefullness shall surprize the Hypocrites as the prophet speakes Isaiah 33. 14. And why Because then they shall be discovered That shall be a day of Revelation when God shall bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts of men as the Apostle hath it 1. Cor. 4. 5. Then shall all masks and vizardes be pulled off And then shall they who have here stood out against the Government of Jesus Christ would not stoope to his scepter to be guided by his word they shall be dragged before his dreadful tribunall brought to appeare before the Iudgment seat of Christ that they may receive the things done in the body as the same Apostle tels them 2 Cor. 5. 10. So terrible shall that his second appearing be to all his Enemies But to others who have here owned him in the Relations of a Saviour and Lord it shall be a joyfull day Such was his first coming to these that beleeved on him So it was to Abraham who onely sawe it afar off by faith in the promise your father Abraham rejoyced to see my day so our Saviour tels the Jewes Ioh. 8. 56. And so it was to Iohn the Baptist who being then in his mothers womb yet leaps for joy at the salvation of Marie Luk. 1. 41 44. by a secret sympathie exulting in the Incarnation of Christ. And the Angell bringing the tidings of the Nativity unto the shepherds telleth them Behold I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people Luk. 2. 10. The greatest Ioy that ever sounded in the eares of men or Angels Such was his first coming to all beleevers And such shall his second coming much more be unto them When they shall see their King coming to them not as he did to Ierusalem in that meane and despicable garbe but in his glory coming with clouds as the seventh verse of this Chapter hath it sitting upon them as on a throne of glory his face shining like the Sun in his strength this shall be a joyfull and a happie day to them all them who having been in their measure made comformable to him here shall then be transformed into his Image When he shall appeare we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Ioh. 3. 2. Having beene like unto him in grace we shall be like him in glory When Christ who is our life shall appeare then shall we also appeare with him in glory Col. 3. 4. And so have I now done with this verse Wherein we have met with three sacred Emblems The Mysticall Stars Sword Sun the first in the Hand the second in the Mouth the third in the Face of this Son of man the Lord Iesus Each holding forth unto us many usefull truths and some of them verie seasonable for the present times My prayer shall now be that they may be in like manner profitable to you to whome they have beene delivered FINIS Reader besides some other Literal and Punctual mistakes pardon and Correct these more considerable Errours of the Press FIrst Part. p. 2. l. last for Mysteries r. Ministers p. 3. marg r. â—aspidefulvo p. 4. l. 14. dele as p. 17. l 13. r. affectionate p. 19. l. 17. r. as he p. 25. l. 22. r. am less l. 24. r. far the least p. 32. l. 14 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 33. l 3 for cumbring r. combining p. 35 l. 24. dele have p. 37 l. 6. dele little p. 40. l. 21. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 46. l. 17. for twice r. choice p. 50. l 11. r his Ministers l. 15. r. Ambassadours are p. 56. l. 27. r. mission p. 57. many r. doing his will p. 62. l. 21. r. tels us p. 64. l. 18. dele by p. 20. for reports r. respects p. 65. l 6. r. but not l. 8. for see r. be l. 11. r. saith our Part 2. p. 2. l. 7. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 12. for his r. a. l. 21. dele story l. 28. for Engine r Ensign p. 3. l. 22. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 26. r. thâ—s King p. 4. l. 11 r Etymologist l. 28 r. Virga oris l. 30 for life r. lips p. 7. l 2. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 17. r. like as l. 20 r. Simeon p 8 l. 28. marg r. The word doing p. 9. l. 22 for part r. that l. 25. r. it is called p 10. l 28 for needeth r. meeteth p. 11 l 6. for sword r. word p. 13. l. 10. del that p 14 l. 13 r This is also the p. 16. l. 9 r in and by p. 17 l 22 for change r challenge ibid. r. to a p. 19. l 3. r. did those p. 21. l 22. r his truth p. 22. l. 6. for blinded r. blended l. 26. r. two hinges p. 23. l. 4. r will be l 16 for first r. such p. 25. l. 8. r. the directions p 26 l 30 del not p. 27. l. 32 for put r passe p. 28 l 9. r. O that l 20 r so here p 29. l 5 r the effectuall l. 9 for communication r compunction p. 30 l 4 for then r never Part 3. p. 1 l 3 r Son of man p. 2. l 14 del
are l 16 r over his Church p 3. l 5. r far surpassing l. 19. r In the third place p 4 l 25. r. far exceeding l last r. Interpreter p 5 l. 28 r as it is conceived p 6 l 8 r may seem p 7. l last r Bagnalim p. 8 l 1 r Baal-Perazim l. last r false 10 suns pmarg r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 13. l. 27. r all which l 29 r Thus is p. 14 l 16 marg del reason l 27. r Thus Jesus p. 16. l. 8. r the light of glory p 18. l 24 r Isai 61 p 19 l 2 r putteth p. 26 l 17. for answer r consume p. 27. l 2 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p 29. l 5 for bottome r bosome p. 30 l 26. r giveth p 37 l 9 r too dilutely expounds p 44 l 6 r salutation TEARS FOR IERVSALEM OR The compassionate Lamentation of a tender hearted Saviour over a rebellious and obdurate people A subject entered upon on the late day of solemn Humiliation December 6. 1655. afterwards prosecuted and now published as useful at all times but very seasonable for the present By Iohn Brinsley Minister of the Gospel at Great Yarmouth Daughters of Ierusalem weep not for me but weep for your selves and for your children Luke 23. 28. LONDON Printed by I. L. for Tho. Newberry 1656. To the Mourners in Sion Such as being truely sensible of are cordially affected with the present sad and calamitous condition of the Church of God in the Island of Great Britain Much esteeemed in the Lord. THe last year I sent forth a Groan a Groan for Israel I now here second it with Tears Tears for Ierusalem And whether there be cause for both these I appeal to you whom God hath in any measure made sensible of the present state of the land of your Nativity and specially of the Church therein When Nehemiah heard that sad report concerning Ierusalem that the remnant which were left therein were in great affliction and reproach and that the Wall thereof was broken down c. It came to passe saith he when I heard these words that I sate down and wept and mourned Neh. 1. 4. And is not this the Condition of the poor Church of God among us in this Nation at this day Is not the Wall thereof broken down All Church-Government levelled By reason whereof all kind of dangerous and damnable Errours and Heresies and enormious practises with unbrotherly and unchristian divisions have broke in upon us to the rendring of us a scorn and derision to the Nations round about Thus doth Englands sore run in this night of her Affliction and ceaseth not her calamity every day increasing And yet which is no small addition to her misery how few are there who so lay it to heart as to seek out for cure and remedy Nay how many who refuse it being offered not induring to hear of any such thing as Church-Government Insomuch as the servants of God some and many of them may take up the like complaint concerning this Nation that Babylons friends once did concerning her Ier. 51. 9. We would have healed her but shee is not healed Nay that which is far worse shee refuseth so to be So deplorable and almost desperate is her condition now become Now in this case what shall Sions friends do What desert and forsake her This indeed is the resolve of Babylons friends there Let us forsake her say they and let us goe every man into his own Countrey for her Iudgment reacheth unto heaven and is lifted up unto the skies They will give her over and every one shifteth for himselfe But far be such thoughts from all the servants of God in this Nation How ever it must be acknowledged they have cause enough to feare the event having so many sad symptomes before their eyes yet not knowing but that there may be hope in Israel concerning this thing let them not in the day of her adversity forsake their Mother in whose womb they were conceived and whose breasts have given them suck But let them with faith and patience yet looke out look up for from thence must come Englands cure being importunate with the God of Israel that he who hath in his just judgment for our unfruitfulnesse broken down the hedge of his Church amongst us so as the Boar out of the wood doth waste it and the wild beast of the field doth devour it would in his free grace and mercy return and look down from heaven and visit this vine and the vineyard which his own right hand hath planted Which that all may be excited to do is the design of this small Treatise To which end if it may be in any degree serviceable to any I have that I aimed at In the hopes whereof I rest Great Yarmouth Feb. 2. 1655. Your Brother and Companion in the Kingdome and Patience of Iesus Christ John Brinsley TEARS FOR IERVSALEM OR The compassionate Lamentation of a tender hearted Saviour over a rebellious and obdurate people Luk. 19. 41 42. And when he was come near he beheld the City and wept over it 42. Saying If thou hadst known even thou at the least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace But now they are hid from thine eyes THis portion of Scripture I now take up not that I look upon it as Prophetical to England So indeed it was to Hierusalem to which it is was spoken I wish it may not be so to this Nation But as concerning it both useful and seasonable for the present times and as proper to the present occasion as any I can meet with finding it put into my hands by that Declaration which hath upon this day called us together where we are directed to make this one chief part of our arrand at the throne of grace to beg it of God that he would give his people in this nation to know the things which belong unto their peace which is the very thing which our blessed Saviour here wisheth to Hierusalem and that with tears in his eyes And when he was come near he beheld the City c. In the words we have a short History reported onely by this one Evangelist setting forth unto us the Passionate lamentation of our blessed Saviour over Hierusalem wherein the occasion of it the expression of it the ground or cause of it We may take notice of three things First the occasion of that lamentation his approaching and beholding of the City And when he was come near and beheld the City Secondly the expression of it by tears He wept over it Thirdly The ground or cause of it the sad state of the City in regard of a two-fold evil the one of sin the other of punishment of sin the stupidity and blindnesse of the inhabitants of that City in not laying hold upon the offers and tenders of grace and mercy held forth to them If thou hadst known c.
the people of the Iews Isaiah 5. ver 6. I will also command the cloudes that they rain no rain upon it That is as some safely if not somewhat too curiously expound it the means of grace and salvation should not bee continued unto that people as formerly He would beâ—eave them of their Prophets take away their Teachers Which accordingly he did as may be collected from that Promise which the same Prophet maketh to the Church Isaiah 30. 20. Though the Lord give you the bread of adversitie and the water of affliction yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy teachers So it had been with that people Prophets had been very scarce among them So much we may take notice of from that of the Psalmist Psal. 74. 9. where the Church lying under a sad desolation is brought in complaining We see not our signes there is no more any Prophet neither is there a-mong us any that knoweth how long They wanted their Seers as the Prophets sometimes are called And by this meanes were the things which belonged to their peace hid from their eyes And by a like means came they here to be hid from Ierusalems by withdrawing those means of grace from them which formerly they had injoied Christ himself being taken away he also ordered his Apostles after a while to withdraw from them So much is insinuated in that Parable of the Mariage feast where the first guests that were invited though sollicited by messenger after messenger refusing to come the servants are then ordered by the Master of the Feast to go into the High-waies and Hedges and By-lanes and to bid new guests as the Evangelists have it Mat. 22. 9. Luke 14. 21. 23. The meaning of the Parable seems to be obvious This Marriage is the marriage betwixt Christ and his Church The first invited guests were the Iews to whom God sends his servants one after another first the Prophets then Iohn the Baptist with the Apostles and Disciples of CHRIST who perswaded them to come and receive Iesus Christ and to have Communion with him but they refusing the Apostles with their Successors are afterwards sent to the Gentiles Which accordingly sometimes after our Saviours Ascension came to passe For however at the first according to their Masters direction they applied themselves onely to the Jewes yet afterwards finding them unworthie and being rejected by them they shook off the dust of their feet against them turning to the Gentiles So Paul and Barnabas expresly tell them Act. 13. 46. When they heard the Jewes contradicting them and blaspheming their doctrine Then they waxed bold saith the Text and said It was necessarie that the Word of God should first have been spoken unto you but seeing you put it from you and judge your selves unworthie of eternal life lo wee turn to the Gentiles for so hath the Lord commanded us Thus when men do abuse the light of the Gospel Christ often removeth the Candlestick as hee threatens the Church of Ephesus Revel 2. 5. taketh away that light taketh away his Ministers and Ordinances and so leaveth them in the darke by which meanes the things belonging to their peace are hid from their eies and that through the want of means 2. But Secondly sometimes the means are injoyed but the Spirit is withheld not accompanying not going along with the meanes Even as the Church complaineth Psal. 44. 9. that God did not go forth with her Armies Her Armies went forth but God did not go forth with them as formerly to direct assist blesse and prosper them to make them victorious Thus God sometimes sends forth his Ministers but hee doth not go forth with them hee doth not accompany his Ordinances with his Spirit This is that which the Prophet Isaiah complaineth of hee lift up his voice like a trumpet hee spared not to his dutie But who hath believed our report to whom is the arme of the Lord revealed Isaiah 53. 1. His Ministerie was for the most part ineffectual few there were that were wrought upon by it Hee had as elswhere hee bemoans it Isaiah 49. 4. even laboured in vain and spent his strength for nought Now whence was this Why God did not concurr with him by the efficacious work of his Spirit hee did not put forth his power reveal his Arme hence was it that his indeavours became so ineffectual to the greatest part And thus God is pleased sometimes to enervate his Ordinances by withdrawing his presence from them Even as it was in Ezekiels Vision hee saw the Glorie of the God of Israel going up from the Cherub to the threshold of the house Ezekiel 9. Verse 3. The Cherub stood still in his place but the glorie was departed God had withdrawn his presence from it Thus Ordinances may bee continued and yet the Spirit withdrawn whereby they become ineffectual So as though the light shine forth unto men yet wanting that Spirit of Illumination which should open their eies and let that light into their hearts they still remain in the dark So fared it with the Scribes and Pharisees though the mysterie of Salvation was as clearly held forth unto them as unto others yet whilest others saw it it was hid from them How so Why this was God's work to put a differencee betwixt the one and the other So much our Saviour taketh notice of and acknowledgeth Matth. 11. 25. I thank thee Father Lord of heaven and earth or I confesse unto thee or acknowledge before thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because or that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes The same Word was preached by the same persons unto both but it had not the same effect in both To the simpler sort of persons men and women of weak apprehensions altogether unlearned and ignorant very children in understanding the mysteries of eternall Salvation were clearly revealed by the Ministerie of Christ and his Apostles but not so to the wise and prudent great and learned Clerks men wise in their own and others opinions as the Scribes and Pharisees were To them were these things hid Now whence was this Why God did not co-operate with the Word as to them hee did not work upon their mindes by his Spirit by which means the Word became ineffectual unto them Again in the Third place God coucurreth in hiding these things from the eies of men not onely in Negative or Privative but also after a sort in a Positive way Not onely by not opening their eies and hearts but by blinding and hardning them So it was with this people the people of the Iewes as our Saviour also taketh notice of it giving this as a reason why they did not believe Iohn 12. 39 40. Therefore they could not believe saith hee because Isaias said again He hath blinded their eies and hardned their hearts that they should not see with their eies
onely to him as Romanists would have it but to other his Apostles and Disciples and in them to their Successours even to all the Ministers of the Gospel as I touched before Into whose hands he hath put a double Key The Key of Doctrine and discipline of Doctrine giving them not onely leave or allowance but power to preach the Gospel Go teach all Nations Matth. 28. 19. Go preach the Gospel to every creature Mark 16. 15. And that in measure as himself is said to have done Matthew 7. last with Authoritie These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all Authoritie saith Paul to Titus Tit. 2. last And as the Key of Doctrine which is elsewhere called the Key of Knowledge Luke 11. 52. because it openeth the door and letteth men into the saving knowledge of God in Christ so of Discipline and Government Jesus Christ having given a Ministerial power to them partly by the Application of that Doctrine to the consciences of men and partly by the censures of the Church as it were to open and shut the Kingdome of Heaven the Kingdome of Grace and Glorie to open it to penitent believers to shut it against obstinate sinners Whatsover ye bind on earth c. Whose sins ye remit c. Thus have Gospel Ministers their Office from Christ their persons also being sent by him with Authoritie from him And upon this account are these stars here placed in the hand of this Son of Man to intimate the interest and propertie that Iesus Christ hath in the Ministers of the Churches who are his Ministers Here is a first thing hereby signified Pass we to a second Secondly As they are Ministers his Officers so they are ordered and governed by him And upon this account again they may be said to be in his hand in as much as they are disposed of and directed by him As are Ambassadours by their Masters that send them together with their Commission they receive particular directions and instructions both whither they are to go and what they are to say and do Even so it is with the Ministers of Christ being sent by him they are also directed by him As whither to go so were the Apostles whose Commission was first restrained to one particular Nation viz. to the Jewes Go not into the way of the Gentiles Matth. 10. 15. afterwards inlarged Goe teach all Nations Matth. 28. 19. And so was S. Paul sent to the Gentiles by Christ who appeared to him Acts 26. 18. And so are ordinarie Ministers though not in so immediate a way yet still they are directed by Christ viz. by his special Providence whither to goe where they are to be imployed It is this hand that fixeth these Stars in their several Orbes that placeth Ministers in their particular charges where also he continues them during his good pleasure disposing of them both for life and libertie as he seeth fitting So also what it is that they are to speak in his Name To which end he as it were putteth his word into their mouths So the Lord is said to have done into that fals Prophet Balams Numb 23. 16. The Lord met Balaam and put a word in his mouth And so he did in the mouths of his true Prophets Behold I have put my word into thy mouth saith the Lord to the Prophet Ieremy Jer. 1. 9. And the like doth the Lord Jesus into the mouthes of his Ministers he putteth his word into their mouthes sending them to preach he ordereth them what they are to preach Goe preach the Gospel Thus he giveth them directions and instructions from his Word the Scriptures whereby the Man of God cometh to be perfect as the Apostle telleth Timothie 2 Tim. 3. last And with his word he giveth them his Spirit This is that which our Saviour maketh promise to his Apostles and Disciples John 14. 16. 17. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter even the Spirit of Truth which Spirit he afterwards tells them should guide them into all Truth chap. 16. 13. And this Spirit Christ giveth in measure to all their Successours the true and faithfull Ministers of the Gospel whereby their Heads and Hearts come to be enlightned with those saving and usefull truths which they are to hold forth uuto others God hath shined into our hearts saith the Apostle in that place forenamed Thus are they in their ministerial work and service disposed of ordered governed by Christ. And upon this account again may be said to be in his hand Thirdly They are in his hand his right hand being powerfully supported and upheld defended and maintained by him In this sense all the Saints of God are said to be in his hand All his Saints are in thy hand saith Moses Deut. 23. 3. Gods Saints in the hand of Jesus Christ under his custody and protection But so are his Ministers after a special manner They are in his right hand under his powerful and gracious protection and support So the Psalmist often useth this phrase Thy right hand upholdeth me Psal. 18. 35. v. 63. 8. O thou that savest by thy right hand them that put their trust iâ— thee Psal. 17 7. The right hand is a member strong and active whereby a man sheweth and putteth forth the whole strength of his body And thence is it that Gods power manifested in the protection or deliverance of his people is called the strength of his right hand The Lord saveth his anointed with the saving strength of his right hand saith the Church speaking of David her king Psal. 20. 6. And such is the salvation which the Lord Christ sheweth unto his servants his faithful Ministers First maintaining their office which he will do in despite of all opposition to the end of the world I am with you alwaies to the end of the world And then so far as he seeth it expedient defending their persons continuing their lives and liberties Thus was this Son of man with those stars the Ministers of the Asian Churches He held them in his right hand protectiug them keeping them either from or in the hour of Temptation That is the promise which he maketh to the Philadelphian Angel Revel 3. 10. I will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world Such was the state of the Church then under the reign of that cruel Tyrant the Emperour Domitian it lay under a general persecution yet the Lord Iesus promiseth to the Church and in particular to the Ministers thereof an exemption and immunitie And thus doth Iesus Christ hide his Ministers sometimes as it were in the hollow or shadow of his hand Thus was he himself hid by his Father as the Prophet Esay saith of him Isai. 49. 21. In or with the shadow of his hand hath he hid me So protecting him against all the might and malice of his capital enemies that they could not lay hold upon him or do ought
unto him before the time that God fore-designed was come as St. John observes it Joh. 7. 30. 8. 20. Thus did his Father still uphold him in the work of his Ministery in despite of all opposition Behold my servant whom I uphold it is spoken of Christ Isai. 42. 1. And thus is Jesus Christ pleased sometimes to uphold his Ministers being with them as he was with those three worthies in the midst of the fiery furnace keeping them from persecution in the midst of it so as whilest they see or hear of it yet they feel not of it Or if they do yet even then standing by them supporting strengthning delivering them So was he with his servant Paul At his first appearing before Nero as he tels Timothy 2 Tim. 4. 16 17. No man stood by me but all forsook me yet notwithstanding saith he the Lord stood by me and strengthened me and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lyon Thus did his Lord and Master then stand by him holding him in his right hand preserving and delivering him from the hand of that cruel tyrant still continuing both his life and libertie And the like hath he done for other of his servants This is that the Lord telleth his servant Ieremy chap. 1. vers 18 19. Behold I have made thee this day a defenced City and an iron pillar and brazen walls against the whole land against Kings Princes Priests People And they shall fight against thee but they shall not prevail against thee for I am with theâ—â— saith the Lord to deliver thee And the like may all the faithful Ministers of Christ comfortably assure themselves of that so long aâ— their Lord and Master hath any work for them to do he both can and will uphold them he hath them in his right hand Fourthly and lastly he hath them in his right hand giving Influence to these stars giving efficacy and successe to the labours of his Ministers making them effectual for those ends for which they are designed This is that which the Lord promiseth to the Philadelphian Angel Rev. 3. 8. Behold I have set before thee an open door and no man shall shut it Though your adversaries at that time were many and those both potent and violent yet they should not be able to hinder the passage of the Gospel but the Ministers of the Church should have both liberty and great successe in their Ministry This is also the work of Christ to set open such a door as Paul saith was opened to him at Ephesus 1 Cor. 16. 9. a great and effectual door This is the hand as it is said in that text forecited Act. 11. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them that preached the Gospel and a great number beleeved and turned unto the Lord. To him it is the Apostle ascribes the efficacy and successe of all the Ministerial labours of himself or others 1 Cor. 3. 5. Who then is Paul saith he or who is Apollos but Ministers by whom ye beleeved even as the Lord gave to euery man As he was pleased first to dispence his gifts and then give successe to the endeavours of his servants who are but as Instruments in his hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as he saith of servants Reasonable instruments and so may use their endeavours but in the mean time the successe and efficacy thereof dependeth all upon the hand that holdeth them So the Apostle goeth on I have plaâ—â—ed Apollos watered but God gave the increase v. 6. Paul had laid the foundation converting them from loganisme to christianitie and Apollos and others had built upon that foundation watering what he had planted but is was God that gave the blessing to both their endeavours Thus are Ministers as I said no other but instruments in the hand of Christ the efficacy of their ministerie depending wholly upon his Cooperation Not able to do any thing of themselves But through the hand of Christ assisting of them they are made instrumental for great services So are weak instruments sometimes in the haud of a skilful Artificer great and curious peeces are wrought by them And even so are the Ministers of Christ being acted by his hand though weak and impotent of themselves yet their ministerie is made powerful for the effecting of great things Even their foolishnesse of preaching as the Apostle calls it is now made the power of God to the salvation of them that beleeve And thus you see the mysterie also of this Representation Which let it now be useful as the former was first to Ministers then to people For the former Let them in that place Remember whose Ministers they are From whom it is that they have received their office their power their omssion their commission Even from Jesus Christ in whose hand they are to be disposed of by him according to his good will and pleasure He it is that is their Lord they his servants instruments in his hand And being so In the second place let them approve themselves unto him in doing his will his work Even as Christ himself did the will and works of his Father I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me Joh. 6. 38. I must work the works of him that sent me Joh. 9. 4. Even so let the Ministers of Christ do being sent by him let them not do their own wills their own works but the will and works of him that sent them Following those directions and instructions which they receive from him not speaking or acting of their own heads Of my self I can do nothing as I hear I judge saith Christ to the Jews Ioh. 5. 30. And again v. 19. The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do Being sent by his Father he followed his instructions his directions both in Dostrine and Practise And so let his Ministers do renouncing their own judgements and wills let them attend his directions In all seeking his Glory not their own so did their Lord and Master I seek not mine own glory saith he Ioh. 8. 50. Whose then why the glory of his Father who had sent him I have glorified thee on earth Joh. 17. 4. And so let all the Ministers of Christ in their whole Ministration let them not seek themselves but him It is a foul imputation which the Apostle chargeth upon most of the Ministers of his time that they were self seekers All seek their own things not the things which were Iesus Christs Phil. 2. 21. All that is the greatst part preferred their own profit and honour before the glory of their Lord and Master Let is not be so with us Hereby shall the ministers of Christ approve and evidence themselves to be his Ministers indeed viz. by doing his work with an eye to him seeking his glory He that seeketh his glory that sent him the same is true Joh. 7. 18. Thirdly
He will fight against them with the sword of his mouth executing upon them those judgements which he hath threatned in his word Temporal or Eternal It may be temporal Thus is he said to slay the Isralites with the words of his mouth in that place forecited Hos. 6. 5. And thus shall he go forth against Antichrist and his party as you have it set forth Revel 19. 15. Out of his mouth goeth a sharpe sword that with it he should smite the Nations Thus shall the Lord Jesus execute upon that grand enemy of his that man of sin and his adherents the judgements denounced and threatned in his Word And thus let all obstinate and rebellious sinners fear lest Jesus Christ whose Word they now contemn should thus come forth against them here thus fighting against them with the sword of his mouth executing upon them Temporal judgements But if not so yet let them know there is a judgement to come which they shall not escape even that last and Eternal judgement And then shall they both see and feel this sword coming out of the mouth of Iesus Christ when they shall hear that terrible sentence put out of his mouth As for those mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them bring them hither and slay them before me as you have it Luk. 19. 27. O how will this sword then pierce through their soul Now thus knowing the terrour of the Lord as the Apostle speaketh 2 Cor. 5. 11. taking notice of this sharpe two edged sword going out of the mouth of Jesus Christ the refore we perswade men and that it might take place with all you that hear it that they would stand in awe fearing before him Fourthly And thus standing in awe of his Person now hear and receive his word Receiving it from the mouth of his Ministers The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth saith the Prophet Malachy Mal. 2. 7. And this let the people do seek the Law of Christ at the mouth of his Ministers Receiving it as his word Though spoken by man yet so have and receive it as coming from the mouth of Iesus Christ. So did those believing Thessalonians receive the word which came from Pauls mouth as he giveth testimony of them 1 Thes. 2. 13. When ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God And thus let the word which is spoken to you by the Ministers of Christ in his Name be heard and received not as their word but as his word as coming out of his mouth Fifthly And being so looked upon let it be heard and received with holy fear and trembling To this man will I look saith the Lord even to him that trembleth at my Word Isai. 66. 2. letting it into the heart labouring to find and feel effectual working of it upon your souls to find it there as it is here represented and set forth as a sharpe two edged sword First Pricking your hearts with Godly communication and contrition for sin Which who so have not in measure felt they may conclude they have not yet heard Iesus Christ speaking to them His word is a sword Secondly And thus pricking suffer it to pierce further even to the dividing a sunder of the soul and spirit and of the joynts and morrow making a full and thorow discovety of the frame and temper of your hearts and souls so as the secrets of your hearts may thereby be made manifest to your selves that you may be thorowly convinced of the corruption of your natures the lusts of your hearts and errour of your lives Thirdly Thus piercing labour also to find and feel the killing and mortifying property of it as in making you to see your selves dead men by reason of sin so in killing the body of sin mortifying all sinful and inordinate lusts in your souls Fourthly And thus feeling the killing labour also to find the quickning power of it This is the two fold operation of this two edged sword as I told you it both killeth and maketh alive Labour to feel this efficacy of it that whilest you are dead unto sin you may be alive unto God through Iesus Christ. Thus feeling the power of this sword of Jesus Christ the sword of his Word here yea shall then feel of that other sword of his the sword of judgement and vengeance which he is said to whet against all obstinate sinners Psal. 7. 12. and wherewith he will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of every such a one as goeth on in his trespasses Psal. 68. 21. FINIS THE Mystical Sun In the Face of JESUS CHRIST And his Countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength HEre have we the last branch of this Description which our Evangelist and Apostle giveth of this Sun of Man which appeared unto him in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks Iesus Christ in the midst of the Churches Wherein he giveth us an account of the most noble and principal part of his Body his Face his Countenance That ordinarily sheweth what the the man is And so it here did what this Son of man was No ordinarie person but one far surpassing all other of the Sons of men His face had a radiant Majestie in it such as never was seene in the Face of any mere man It was as the Sun as the Sun shining as the Sun shining in his strength Quest. And what was hereby represented and signified Ans. Here againe I finde different apprehensions among expositors 1. Some looking upon this as a representation of the glorie of the mysticall body of Iesus Christ his Church which is and shall bee Glorious here Thence are called the Glorie Isai. 4. 5. upon all the Glorie shall be a defence saith the Prophet speaking of Gods protection and his Church under the Gospell which is called the Glorie in as much as it is the habitation of the God of glorie as the Arke upon the same account also was called The glorie is departed 1 Sam. 4. 22. where he manifesteth his presence in the midest of his ordinances The Church glorious here much more hereafter As glorious in the Kingdome of grace so much more in the Kingdome of glorie where all the members of the misticall Bodie shall be made conformable to their glorious head when Christ who is our life shall appeare then shall ye also appeare with him in glorie Col. 3. 4. And this glorious condition of theirs some looke upon as represented here by this glory in the face of Iesus Christ. 2. One and but one I meete with who in this glass fancies a representation of the splendor and glorie of the Roman Church which in regard of externall pomp and state must be acknowledged to be paramount for
that when he shall appeare we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Ioh. 3. 2. Like him in Glory When Christ who is our life shall appeare then shall yee also appeare with him in glory Col. 3. 4. Thus is Iesus Christ fitly resembled by the Sun in regard of his illuminating property being fons luminis the fountaine of all light inlightning all that are inlightned in what kind so ever 2 And inlightning hee also enliveneth quickneth This doth the Sun in a naturall way it quickneth vegetables hearbs and plantes and trees and some other creatures which seeme dead in the winter yet by the returne of the Sun they are quickned in the spring And the like doth Iesus Christ in a supernaturall way Hee quickneth men Thence called their life in that place last mentioned When Christ who is our life shall appeare Col. 3. 4. Quickning them and that both in their soules and Bodies Their soules The Son quickneth whome he will Ioh. 5. 21. This doth he here to the soules of men Finding them dead in trespasses and sins Chap. 2. 1. hee quickneth them Which he doth by sending his spirit into their hearts as the Sun quickneth the hearbs and plants by sending his warme beames into the bosome of the earth And as the soules so the Bodies of men Having quickned the soules of his elect here he shall quicken their Bodies hereafter This is the Fathers will who hath sent me saith our Saviour that of all that he hath given me I should loose nothing but should raise it up againe at the last day Ioh 6. 39. And this shall he doe by the same spirit So the Apostle tels his Romanes C. 8. 11. If the spirit of him that raised up Iesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodyes by his spirit that dwelleth in you That spirit of Christ which here quickneth the souls of his elect in the first resurrection shall by the like power also quicken their bodies in the second Upon which double account he is called by the Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Quickning spirit 1. Cor. 15. 45. The last Adam was made a quickning spirit The last Adam Iesus Christ who is the head and roote of all his elect as the first Adam was of all mankind he is ordained by God to be the fountaine and Author both of a spirituall and Eternall life unto them quickning them by the Communication of his spirit unto them quickning their Souls here and Bodyes hereafter Thus is he as the Sun vivifiying quickning 3. Quickning he also cheareth and comforteth This doth the Sun which is as it were the Ioy and comfort of the world without which there is nothing but melancholie darkness and sadness Such is Iesus Christ the joy and comfort of his Church The Consolation of Israel as he is stiled Luk. 2. 25. refreshing chearing comforting the hearts of his people Even as the Sun by the warm beams of it cheereth and refresheth the herbes and plants making them lift up the head which drooped before Even thus doth this Sun of righteousnes arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2. Comforting the hearts of his people chearing up their drooping and dejected spirits comforting them I even I am he that comforteth you saith the Lord Christ to his people Isai. 51. 1. This is the proper office of Iesus Christ as the same Prophet sets it forth Isai. 91. 1. 2. The spirit of the Lord is upon me and hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meeke He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted to comfort all that mourn To appoint unto them that mourn in Sion to give unto them beauty for asshes and the oyle of joy for mourning the garment of gladness for the spirit of heavines Even as the Sun arising upon the earth putteth a new garment upon it instead of that sable mantle of darkness wherewith it was covered it put on it a robe of â—ight and so alters the habit of it making all things chearfull and comfortable So doth Iesus Christ coming to a dejected soule he causeth light to shine forth into it even the light of spirituall joy and comfort so changing and altering the state of it Which also he doth by his spirit Even as the sun whilst the body of it is in heaven yet by sending downe its beames it cheareth and comforteth those creatures which are here below Thus doth the Lord Iesus though he be in person in heaven yet by sending his spirit he comforteth the hearts of his people That is the Promise which he maketh unto his Apostles when he was to take his leave of them as to his bodily presence yet he would not leave them comfortles Ioh. 14. 18. I will not leave you comfortless I will come unto you viz. by his spirit Even as the Sun though at a vast distance from the earth yet daily cometh to it viâ—iteth it by sending down his beams upon it Thus â—he Lord Iesus though keeping his residence in heaven yet he cometh to his people upon earth by sending his Spirit to them which is their Comforter When the Comforter is come whom I wil send unto you even the spirit of truth c. Ioh. 15. 26. 4. Againe Thus chearing the hearts of his people he also maketh them to fructifie So doth the Sun to the earth to trees and plants by â—hining upon them it maketh them beare fruit which otherwise standing in the shade would be barren What ever fruites the earth bringeth forth it may thanke the Sun for it And thus the Lord Iesus by sending his spirit into the hearts of his people he maketh them fruitful who otherwise without him would be barren as he himself setteth it forth fully Ioh. 15. 4 c. By this meanes they who of themselves are not sufficient so much as to thinke a good thought as the Apostle hath it 2 Cor. 3. 9. come to abound in good workes and to be filled with the fruites of righteousness which are by Iesus Christ to the Praise and Glory of God as the same Apostle prayeth for his Philippians Phil. 1. 11. Which fruits are the fruites of the spirit so called Gal. 5. 22. 5. To which I might yet add As he causeth them to fructifie so also he purifieth them Thiâ— doth the Sun rising upon the earth it clarifieth purifieth the ayre freeing it from those annoyances which in the night season had fallen upon it And this doth the Lord Iesus rising upon the heart of his people by his spirit he purifieth them Thence compared to a refiners fire Mat. 3. 2 3. But I shall not give way to further inlargments Thus you see how Iesus Christ is as the Sun to his Church performing the like office to his people that the Sun doth to the world I might yet goe on and shew you how he is
the height of Summer when it is in his greatest vigour and strength Such a difference here is betwixt the head aud members of the mystical body The Saints they shall shine yea shine gloriously shine as the Sun but not so as Iesus Christ doth he shineth as the Sun in his strength Such is the transcendent glory and excellency of the Head above the members as Pareus observes it from this word in the Text. He being as before I said the Head of the Church and the first-born it is meet that he should have a double portion as he had of grace so of glory having the preeminence in all things Here is his Personal property Besides which we may yet conceive some other operations of his hereby insinuated I shall touch upon two or three and that briefly 1. The Sun in his strength dissipates and dispels all mists and fogs which were before upon the earth hiding the face of it And so will the Lord Iesus this Sun of righteousness when he shall shew himself in his strength he shall dissipate and dispel all those mists and fogs of Heresies and Errours which do infect the Church and darken the truth of God So the Apostle tells us concerning Anti-Christianisme in that known Text 2 Thes. 2. 8. Where speaking of that Mystery of Iniquity which began to work as he saith in his time there being then some Errours and Superstitious doctrines held forth which served as materials for the building of mystical Babel he saith Then shall that wicked one meaning that man of sin the Romish Anti-Christ be revealed whom the Lord shall answer with the spirit or breath of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming He shall consume him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wasting him by little and little till he come to nothing as that word doth properly signifie Thus doth the Sun arising on the earth by little and little it consumes and wasts the fogs and mists which were upon it till at length they disappear and come to nothing And thus shall the Lord Iesus do to that man of sin and all those Antichristian mists which have in so great a measure overspread the face of the Church he shall consume them by little and little by the preaching of his Gospel till at length by the brightness of his coming 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a powerful manifestation of his presence he shall utterly destroy both him and them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abolish and bring them to nothing as that word signifieth And so shall it be with all other erroneous doctrines It may be for a time they overspread the face of the Church and darken the truth of God but in his time the Lord Iesus shall dissipate them all being unto his Church as the Sun shining in his strength 2. Again the Sun shining in his strength resolveth and melteth what was before congealed and frozen The Summers Sun resolves the Winters Frosts loosing those bands of Orion wherewith the Earth and Waters before were bound And such operation hath the Lord Iesus upon the hearts of poor sinners Though frozen as it were and congealed in sin yet he arising and coming upon them by the powerfull work of his Spirit he thaweth melteth resolveth them bringing them into a relenting temper Such operation had the eye of Christ upon the heart of Peter After he had denied his Master and was grown stiff in his denial standing to it though pressed again and again like the water which being hard frozen bears whoever treads upon it adding Abjuration to his Abnegation forswearing to his denying yet no sooner doth his Master turn and look upon him but presently his heart forgave So Saint Luke expresly notes it Luke 22. 61. 62. And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter c. looked upon him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a benigne aspect a gracious eye even as the Sun looketh upon the frozen earth and Peter went out and wept bitterly Such a suddain thaw there was upon the appearing of this Sun his heart melted And so did the heart of that Mary whom the same Evangelist denominates a sinner Luke 7. 37. a sinner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a notorious lewd woman a trumpet upon her appearing and coming nigh unto Christ vertue also going out of him as it did for the healing of the Bodies of those that touched him Lu. 6. 19. her heart also melted melted into tears wherwith she washed her Saviours feet Such operation hath the spirit of Christ upon the most obdurate and obstinate sinners Though before through long custome and continuance in sin their hearts were hardned even frozen in their wickedness yet he coming to them in the power and strength of his spirit meleth and softneth them making them pliable and tractable fit and ready to receive the impressions of his grace so setting them at liberty from those bonds of sin wherein before they were bound This is the proper office of Iesus Christ as the Prophet sets it forth Isaiah 61. 1. The spirit of the Lord God is upon me c. he hath sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound to set them free both from the Guilt and Power of sin which he doth by the Application of his Merit and the communication of his Spâ—rit unto them 3. Againe the Sun in his strength not only looseth softeneth the earth but also warms it heats it whereby it cometh to steame upwards exhaling and sending forth a warm vapour out of the bottom of it towards the Sun from which it hath received that warmth And the like operation hath the Lord Iesus upon the hearts of his people shining upon them giving them some cleare and comfortable euidences of his love and favour some sence and feeling of it there with he Warmeth their hearts So it was with those Disciples forenamed whome our Saviour fell with as they were going to Eâ—â—maus while he talked with them opening to them the Scriptures their hearts as they say burned within them They felt a holy fervour in their spirits kindled there by that Spirit of Christ which accompanied his word And such effect hath the Spirit of Christ where he is pleased gratiously to communicate himself to the souls of his people he causeth a holy fervour in thier hearts Warming them with inward Ioy which is the immediate fruit and effect of the face of Iesus Christ shining upon the soule Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us saith the Psalmist adding Thou hast put gladness in my heart more then in the time that their corne and their mine increased Psal. 4 6 7. No warmth so kindly as the warmth of the Sun No joy like that which is caused by the light of Gods countenance the shining of the face of Iesus Christ upon the soul. And breeding Joy it also produceth Love and Zeale Love to
been I shall content my self with generalities Onely taking notice of that long day of grace and mercy which this Nation hath had during which the light of the Gospel hath shone forth to it and that in so clear and glorious a manner as I suppose without flatterie I may speak it it hath not done to any other nation under heaven Now have we in this our day known the things which belonged to our peace Hath Christ and his Gospell found that intertainment among the generality which he expected and it deserved The Generalitie I say True it is some there have been and at this day are who have sincerely imbraced both And so there were in Jerusalem some that cryed Hosanna to the Sonne of David Hosanna in the highest Matth. 21. 9 15. But how is it with the greatest part do not they yet love darknesse rather then light setting light by the light of the Gospel and the Ministery thereof even Gadarene like preferring their swine before Iesus Christ. A charge wherein I wish there were not too much truth Such sleight and slender entertainment hath the Gospell with the faithful messengers thereof found among the greatest part of this Nation A sad prognostick Specially if it be considered to what a height this disaffection is at this day improved and risen even to the disclaiming and crying down of the Ministery it self So is it with some and not a few They are growen disaffected not onely to the persons of Ministers but even to their function and calling disclaiming that as Antichristian Thus are the feet of them who bring glad tidings of peace which sometimes were and in themselves are beautifull now become in the eyes of many black and deformed A sad symptome So it was in Jerusalem of which we read 2 Chr. 36. 16. The Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his Messengers rising up betimes and sending them because he had compassion on his people on his dwelling place But they mocked the Messengers of God and despised his words and misused his Prophets untill the wrath of the Lord rose against his people till there was no remedy no Healing This made their disease incurable and the wrath of God implacable When sickmen being distracted shall flye in the faces of their Physitians and there be none to bind them what hope of Cure can there be This was Jerusalems case as the Parable sets it forth Matth. 21. 33. God the great Householder having planted a Vineyard the Jewish Church and let it forth to Husbandmen so the Priests he sends his servants some after other to receive the fruites thereof his Prophets former and latter to require that people to bring forth fruits meet for repentance but they beat one and killed another and stoned another so did they use the Prophets Hereupon he sendeth his sonne Christ himself who met with the like usage Now what followeth hereupon That you may hear first from the mouthes of the Jews themselves to whom our Saviour here propoundeth this Parable making them judges in the cause that so he might cōdemn them out of their own mouthes They say unto him he will miserably destroy these wicked men and will let out his vineyard to other husbandmen which shall render him the fruites in their season v. 41. which afterwards you find explained and applyed by our Saviour to themselves v. 43. Therefore I say unto you the Kingdome of God shall be taken from you and given to a Nation bringing forth the fruit thereof When the Ministers of God come to meet with such intertainment and that for doing their office it is a sad presage that the Kingdome of God the Gospel shall not long continue there and that Judgment is not far from such a people Upon this account our Saviour looketh upon Jerusalems condition as desperate O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee How often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not Behold your house is left unto you desolate Matthew 23. 37 38. Here is a first Prognostick and that a sad one Secondly Let a second be that which I have named and touched upon already Gods withdrawing the light by putting out the Candles I mean taking away his Ministers who are said to be the light of the world Thus was it done to Ierusalem And whether this be in any degree applicable to this Nation or no I shall leave it to those who are privie to the present state of it to judge Of late how many able and faithfull Ministers taken away Now when a Prince begins to call away his Ambassadours it is ordinarily looked upon as a Passing-bell to the peace of that Nation Repl. But howsoever it may be said some be by Providence taken away yet others by the like providence are substituted in their roomes A. True it may be in some places but not so in all Some Candlesticks there are at this day and I suppose not a few destitute of Candles not well knowing where to find a supply Again as for those which are thus substituted by the providence of God are they also all substituted by his Ordinance Are there not some and not a few Ambassadours without their commission men running before they are sent not called nor impowred to do any Ministeriall act which yet Vzziah like they attempt to do that not onely to preach which the Apostle will tell us none can do except they be sent Rom. 10. 15. speak they may but not Preach which is an act of office but also some of them to administer the Seales the Sacraments And by this means the Church in many places cometh to be deprived of an Ordinance upon which all other publick Ordinances have a dependance I mean of a true Gospell Ministerie with which Iesus Christ hath promised his special countenance Thirdly To this add in the third place that where means are continued yet is not the Spirit withdrawen So was it with Ierusalem they injoyed Ordinances but there was no life in them the Glorie of the Lord was gone up from the Cherub And is it not so in many parts of this Nation at this day Ordinances remain but is not the glorie of the Lord departed from them where is that life where is that power which heretofore appeared in them God hath yet his Armies of Prophets many faithfull and powerfull Ministers who may be looked upon as the Chariots and Horsemen of Israel but he doth not go forth with these his Armies as formerly giving such successe unto the labours of his servants as heretofore he hath done How is it that in many places where the word is purely and powerfully preached there are such thin Auditories as there are specially upon the week daies in comparison of what they have been some refusing to come not willing to lend an eare to any but their
shall see the things belonging unto their peace being already doomed and adjudged to everlasting darknesse You are now called into that marvellous light as Saint Peter calleth the grace of the Gospell 1 Pet. 2. 11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not undeservedly so stiled in as much as therein are revealed those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wonderfull things of God As the Apostles auditors of them at the day of Penticost that they heard them speake the wonderfull workes of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 magnifica the magnificent great and admirable things of God Such are the ministers of the Gospell wherein those wonderfull acts and Counsels of God touching the salvation of his Elect by Christ are revealed and held forth A misterie which the Angels themselves do earnestly desire to looke into as Saint Peter telleth us 1 Pet. 11. 2. Being much taken there with when they sawe it more clearly revealed under the Gospel then it had been under the Lawe they even stooped bowed down as it were for so the word there used properly signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as desirous to prie and looke narrowly into it Now these are the things which God hath revealed unto you And for this do you praise and magnifie his name for ever Taking this as a pledge and assurance of what hereafter you shall see Your eyes being thus opened to see Christ by faith here you shall see him hereafter when you shall have a full sight of him see him as he is see him in his glory Which when you shall do then shall ye be made like unto him as St. Iohn assureth you 1 Ioh. 3. 2. like him in glorie When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Col. 3. 4. Which beautifull vision the Lord of his free grace and mercie in Iesus Christ vouchsafe to everie soul of us Amen FINIS The mysterie opened Seven Stars what Vid. Cornel. A Lapide in Text. The Angels of the seven Churches Stellaâ—us jaspide futro Eâ—sis erat Virgil. Aeneid 41. Obs. Gospel Ministers Stars Resemblances betwixt them Ministers set by God in the firmament of his Church They have their several Orbs. Of different Altitudes and Magnitudes Set up for Lights shining 1. By Doctrine 2. By Example 5. Their light is borrowed They are Influential They have a power of Binding and Loosing Applic. To Ministers Ministers Duties why to be opened before the people Ministers are to do office of Stars Provided first that they be Stars Set in the Church by God Illuminated themselves Then shining before others By Doctrine preaching the word which they are to do Voluntarily freely Faithfully and sincerely Constantly and assiduously An incouragement for faithful labourers Example Ministers wherein they are to be Examples to others In Purity In Zeal Their zeal must be well tempered In Humility In Sobriety Modesty Gravity In Regularity and Constancy In Patience and undanted Resolution Ministers should be heavenly minded Not clashing with their Brethren In what cases Ministers may and must apâ—eare â—gainst their Brethren Not pragmaticall Busibodies Vigilant over their flocks A modest enquiry touching the Ministers of the Church of England Some not deserving the name of Stars Many Meteors Comets Intruders upon the Office Exhalations Blazing Stars Falling-Stars Bitter stars Vse 2. Application to the People who ought To take notice of their Ministers as set over them by God Bless God for them if able and faithfull Praying for their Lives and Liberties Giving respect to their Office and Persons Making use of their Light Of Doctrine Their Example Following them as they follow Christ. Gospell Ministers in the right hand of Iesus Christ. The Mysterie explained Christs properties and interest in his Ministers Their Office is from him Right hand Blessings speciall blessings Gospell Ministerie a great Blessing to the Church Their Mission from him Their Commission from him Gospel Ministers ordered and governed by Iesus Christ. Supported and maintained by him The efficacy and successe of their labours is from him Application To Ministers Let them remember whose Ministers they are Approve themselves unto Jesus Christ. During his will and work Seeking his glory Commit themselves to him Submit unto him Encourage themselves in him Against the contempt of the world Against Opposition in and from the world Looking for success unto Jesus Christ. Going on cheerfully and courageously in their work Take heed of provoking him in whose hands they are Vse 2. To the people Take notice whose Ministers they are which are set over them Not daring 〈◊〉 oppose them Arguments to deter men from such oppression Faithful Ministers to be sâ—ught from Iesus Christ Due respect to be given to faithfull Ministers Not undervaluing â—hem Christ honoured in his Mâ—nisters Not esteeming too highly of them Receiving them specially their Doctrine The Mystery opened What signified by this sword Some understand hereby Divine judgement Corn. à lapid ad Text Others the Word The Word a Sword Christs Sword the Sword of his Mouth The word a cutting and killing Instrument The Word a sharpe sword peircing the heart The word a two edged sword Law and Gospel the two edges of this sword The word having a double execution The word having a double and contrary operation Vpon different persons beleevers unbelâ—vers Vpon the same persons Beleevers dead and alive at the same time Both the effects of the word which Killeth them and that two wayes Quickeneth them This sword the word going forth of the mouth of Iesus Christ both Law and Gospel Application To Ministers what sword they are to use But one sword The sword of the mouâ—h The sword goingforth of the mouth of Christ. Ministers to make use of this sword Ministers to preach both Law and Gospel This sword to be used for Christ. To the people This sword sufficient for them Private Christians to make use of this sword Not in a publick way But in a private All to stand in awe of Christ and his word Christ figâ—â—â—ng against â—â—stinate sâ—â—â—â—â—s By temporal judgements By eternal judgment The word of Christ to be â—eceived as his word The word to be received with fear and trembling The word to be felt as a sharpe two edged sword Pricking Piercing Killing Quickning Christs face sheweth him to be no ordinary person The Sun in his face Mystical What hereby signified various coÌ„jectures about it The glory of his mystical body Of the Romane Church Aleazac ad lec Of the Asi-Churches Brightman Of the Evangelical Church Of Christ himselfe which is insisted on Three branches of this description Branch 1. Christ as the Sun Cornel. à Lapide ad Text. In respect of his Personal properties Powerful operations Personal properties His Oneness Many stars one Sun One Lord in the Church * Preached Decem. 26. Romish Mediators 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His transcendent excellency His Omniscience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Poet. His Purity Powerful operations of Jesus Christ. His