Benefit by the flesh or Death of Christ unless he be quickened by the Spirit 4. The gospel in the grace of it when received in Truth works out that cursed enmity that is in the heart against God and thereby reconciles the sinner to the blessed Majesty of Heaven 5. The grace of the gospel works Regeneration makes the sinner another Man a new Man It forms the new Creature in the Soul 1. It infuses new qualities 2. It makes the Proud Person humble and not to vaunt himself 3. It makes the Unclean Person Chast and to loath Lascivious thoughts 4. It makes hard-hearted sinners full of Bowels 5. It makes the impatient Soul to bear all things 6. It makes the Covetous Person Liberal and to distribute to the poor 7. It makes the worst Husband the best Husband the worst Wife the best Wife the worst Children the best Children the Rebellious ones to be Obedient ones 6. The gospel in the grace of it brings the Soul into Union with God No Grace no Christ. God is the Fountain of this Union Christ is the Conduit-pipe as Mediator the Spirit and the grace thereof is the stream Union is let into the Soul at this door no grace no God no union with him and no Union with him no Communion with him 7. The grace of the gospel washeth the polluted Soul it cleanseth the filth of the heart and Pollution of the Life He put no difference between them and us purifying their hearts by faith 8. The grace of the gospel or saving operations of the Spirit heals the wounded Soul he poured in Oyl and Wine c. 9. Gospel grace gives the Soul a right to all the Blessings of a Crucified Christ 't is that which puts on the Wedding garment It was a pretty saying of a good Man 1. The Father weaves this Garment he was first concerned about it he prepared the matter with which 't is made 2. The Son made it he has wrought Righteousness for us 3. The Spirit puts it on 10. The grace of the gospel makes a glorious Soul a glorious Man a glorious Woman a glorious Family a glorious Church a glorious City a glorious Kingdom where 't is generally received in Truth It makes a glorious Soul It finds it naked and clothes it It finds it starved as it were and feeds it It finds it wounded and heals it It finds it cold and warms it It finds it unclean and sanctifies it It finds it poor and inriches it It finds it in bonds and sets it at liberty It finds it an Enemy to God and reconciles it It finds it Condemned and justifies it It finds it Dead and gives it Life 11. The grace of the gospel adornes the Soul it puts Ornaments upon the head and Chains beyond those of Gold upon the Neck It decks it with Jewels I decked thee with ornaments I put Bracelets upon thy hands and a chain on thy neck I put a Jewel on thy forehead earings in thine ears and a Beautiful Crown on thy head thou wast dect with Gold and silver with silk and broidered work It puts a Ring on the Finger it adorns the Soul with a meek and a quiet Spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 12. The grace of the gospel makes a man to behold a beauty and glory in the gospel to love it and to suffer for it The gospel is worth little in the sight and esteem of that man that has not the grace of the gospel What is the word of grace without the grace of the word 13. Gospel grace is an excellent preservative against the Plague of Sin No Pestilence so bad as this How shall I saith Joseph do this thing and sin against God It is also a Potion to work it out as well as to preserve from it 14. Gospel grace is good really good alwayes good and glorious at all times 't is good in health the Soul cannot have health without it good in Sickness 't is good in Prosperity 't is good in Adversity 't is good in good times and wo to them that want it in bad times we are blessed that have it but they are cursed that are without it whatsoever Profession they make For the Profession of the gospel without the grace of the gospel will do a man no good 't is but the name without the nature the Cabinet without the Jewel the Lamp without the Oyl 15. The grace of the gospel makes men like to Christ to love Christ and to die for Christ. 16. Gospel grace makes men to live to God they live to themselves that have it not they live to God that have it It makes men wise to be men of Understanding to live sober to themselves to live righteously to men and to live holy towards God to live in Subjection to God to obey God to delight in God and to live in Obedience and Subjection to his Church 6. The gospel is glorious in respect of the tenders and offers made therein to the Sons of Men. VVhat is tendered Repentance is tendered Pardon is tendered Peace is tendered Bread and VVater of Life is tendered perfect Righteousness is tendered Adoption is tendered Glorious Liberty is tendred in short God is offered he makes a tender of himself Christ is tendred with all his Benefits who is the Pearl of great price worth Millions yea more than ten thousand worlds a Marriage with Christ is tendered the Spirit is tendered with all the blessings of it a Kingdom is offered in the gospel a Crown is offered a Crown of endless glory a Crown that fadeth not away Eternal Life is tendered VVho is it that makes these tenders and offers in the gospel The great God he that has them to bestow and a right to give them VVho are they offered to To such that are his Enemies Rebels even the worst of Sinners in a word who ever will he that hath a will to receive them may have them Upon what Terms are they offered Freely offered without Money and without price tho' a man as to Righteousness hath nothing of worth nor Beauty in him being in himself but a Lump of Sin and Filthiness yet he may have these things they are offered unto such They are sincerely and faithfully offered God doth not mock men and women offer them such things as these and yet never intend to bestow them upon them if they have a heart a Mind to them my Life for theirs they may enjoy all these and many more like glorious good things Nay and more then this they have been often tendered with much Affection and in Bowels of Compassion God bewails and Christ bewails the state of such who do refuse them O then what Fools are mortals to slight and reject these tenders 7. The gospel is glorious in Respect of the glorious things that are brought about and accomplished thereby The first I
but mourning and all evil to its adorers So much of simple bodies and what bears Analogy with them Of Compound we will treat in the following Chapters CHAP. XI Of Metaphors taken from Minerals Plants and Living Creatures COmpound Bodies according to the Physical distinction are either Inanimate or Animate Inanimate are Mettals Stones and Concrete Juices as Salt Animate are either Vegetative Sensitive or Rational Of the first kind are Plants or Things growing out of the Earth Of the second kind Brutes Of the third kind Men and Women Of which distinctly and in Order Metaphors taken from Inanimate Bodies GOLD metaphorically signifies quoad Naturalia as it respects Naturals 1. A clear and shining liquor like Gold viz. Pure Oyl Zach. 4.12 2. Serenity of Sky when it is of a yellowish red Job 37.22 Fair weather cometh out of the North in the Hebrew 'tis Gold cometh out of the North that is as Schindler says a clear Air without Clouds or a wind pure as Gold and purifying the Air making it as pure as Gold The North Wind hence called by Homer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the causer of serenity The Septuagint rendred it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clouds shining like Gold As it respects Spirituals Gold signifies the pure Doctrine of the Gospel as Silver and precious Stones do 1. Cor. 3.12 Also the Grace and benefits of Christ our Saviour or which is the same thing true Wisdom received by the Word of Christ Rev. 3.18 and even Life Eternal Rev. 21.18 Silver is taken or put for an excellent or very fair thing whence the Word of God is said to be as Silver tryed in a Furnace of Earth purifyed seven times Psal. 12.6 where respect is had to its great purity Hence our Saviour is said Mal. 3.3 To be a Refiner and purifyer of Gold and Silver that is to institute a repurgation of his heavenly Doctrine The phrase in Esa. 1 22. Thy Silver is become dross denotes corrupt doctrine and a depraved Life The rebellious people of the Jews are called Reprobate Silver as if it were said overmuch corrupt and therefore good for nothing but to be reprobated or cast away The Excrements of Silver as Dross Tin and Lead denote Idolaters wicked and reprobate people Esa. 1.25 See Psal. 119.119 Prov. 25.4 5. Ezek 22.18 and the following verses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a fragment or by a Syllepsis fragments Esa. 1.28 are called the particles or refuse of that dross with which the Prophet compares the wicked because like that not to be healed c. Brass and Iron denote hardness and solidity Deut. 28.23 Esa. 48.4 Jer. 1.18 Mich. 4.13 Iron also denotes great Troubles and Crosses if a Furnace which because of the Fire it contains is a symbol of Calamity be added Deut. 4.20 1 Kings 8.51 The like is to be understood if it be added to a Yoke as Deut. 28.48 And to a Rod Psal. 2.9 each of which by themselves signifie Affliction There is an obscurer place Jer. 15.12 Shall Iron break the Northern Iron and the Steel or Brass which some expound that the Northern Enemy viz. The Assyrian Army was plainly invincible Others on the contrary that there would assuredly come another Enemy who should break and chastise the Assyrians to wit the Persians c. Vatablus chooses the former fence by the first Iron understanding the Jews He compares says he the strength of the Jews to pure Iron and the strength of the Chaldeans to Iron which is mixt with much steel and therefore stronger As if he had said shall the Jewish Iron Sword break the Chaldean well temper'd with Iron and Steel No Iron and Brass he calls Iron mixt with Brass that is Steel Junius and Tremellius take it as a confirmation of the foregoing promise ver 11. which God made by the Prophet that he would defend them from the hostility of the Chaldeans and would make them to intreat them well and therefore they expound the first Iron the Chaldeans and the latter Iron and Brass that is Steel from the North or Chalybes for there were a people of that Name in the Northern parts of Pontus from which Chalybes or Steel took its Name as Virgil in the 2 Book of his Georgicks and Strabo in his 12th Book of Geography Witness Jehovah himself as if he viz. Jehovah had said these are Iron but I who interpose or come to releive thee am a Wall of Steel to thee therefore you have no cause to fear that you should be broken by those Enemies It is said Esa. 60.17 For Brass I will bring Gold and for Iron will bring Silver and for Wood Brass and for Stones Iron which signifies the restauration or Redemption of Mankind and the Change of the legal into an Evangelical dispensation by the Messiah A Stone if transfer'd to a Man sometimes denotes a great stupidity of mind 1 Sam. 25.37 Sometimes hardness of heart and the state of the sinner before Conversion to God Ezek. 11.19 and 36.26 To which the Contrary is that such as are converted and believe are called living Stones 1 Pet. 2.5 With respect to Christ who is called the precious and elect Stone upon which they are spiritually built Eph. 2.20 21 22. c. This Word Stone is also used in a good sence Gen. 49.24 But his Bow abode in strength and the Arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob from thence is the Shepherd the Stone of Israel that is Joseph stood and was sent by the most powerful God to feed Israel and his Family as a Pastor and to prop them as a Stone to wit when he supplyed and preserv'd his Fathers whole house from Egypt Some think that this man of God did Prophesie of times to come and that by Pastors we should understand Prophets and by a Stone eminent Kings and Princes that were to come of the Family of Joseph among the People of Israel which people they were to lead forth and teach and to support them as a Rock or a Foundation Stone supports the Building It is said Zach. 12.3 That Jerusalem will be made a stone of burden for all people upon which words Jerome notes Formerly in little Villages Little Towns and little Castles they were wont to place round Stones of great weight which the youth for exercise sake were wont to strive who could lift them highest some could lift only to their Knees some to their Navels some to their Shoulders and Head some that made an ostentation of their strength with erected hands threw them over their heads c. Hence the Prophet alludes say they that if any Nations will adventure to assault the Church to remove it from its place and toss it at their pleasure they shall sink under their burden and be even crusht to pieces even by the power and strength of the chief Corner-stone of the Church Luke 20.17 18. From Quarries of stone an elegant Metaphor is taken
If thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted of If thou followest on to know the Lord then shalt thou know him Seek and ye shall find Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved XII Christ's last Will and Testament is the godly Man's Title Whoever he be that Christ hath bequeathed such and such a Blessing or Promise to he is sure enough of it from the Nature of the Covenant and from the Provision that is made by Christ the Testator for the fulfilling and accomplishing thereof My People shall be willing in the day of my Power Christ makes the Condition easy to his Elect. XIII Christ hath resigned this great Trust of fulfilling of his Will into the hands of the Father and the Holy-Ghost who are not only faithful Executors of this his Testament but able to supply the Wants of every one and helps all those to whom the Covenant doth belong Holy Father keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me I will pray the Father and He shall send you another Comforter who shall abide with you for ever XIV Christ's Will and Testament being confirmed and ratified by his Blood as He will not alter it himself much less may any Man or Angel presume to do it If We or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached let him be accursed If any Man shall take away from the Words of the Prophecy of this Book God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life If any Man add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book XV. Christ by dying opened a way and gave Legacies to Sinners to have his Testament executed if the Testator had not died there had been no room nor access to them that are called to receive the Eternal Inheritance Testator I. THe Death of a Testator amongst Men makes only his own Will valid cannot make and confirm the Will of another II. A Testator amongst Men cannot be a Witness to the Will he ratifies and establishes III. A Testator among Men bequeaths or gives Legacies comparatively but to a few IV. A Testator among Men cannot enjoy or possess that Kingdom Estate or Inheritance himself after he hath given it away to others and settled them in possession V. A Testator amongst Men commits his last Will and Testament to Men to be fulfilled VI. The best Legacies Testators among Men bequeath are but earthly and temporal things Disparity I. CHrist did not only give force and value to his own Will but to the Will of the Father also II. Christ is not only a Testator but a Witness of the same Testament as 't is the Father's He is given of God as the great Evidence of Covenant-Love and of all the choice Favours and Good-will to Sinners God so loved the World c. And secondly he is given as the great Covenant-Interest and Relation betwixt God and Sinners He testifies that all that is contained in the Covenant is true and the absolute Will and Pleasure of God He said these things are true and faithful Who is it that affirms and testifies this Jesus Christ who is the true and faithful Witness III. Christ gives Legacies to Thousands and Ten Thousands no Godly Man hath nor ever shall have any spiritual good thing but what was bequeathed to him by Christ's Will and Testament IV. Christ the spiritual Testator tho he hath given away all that he hath and gives the possession to Believers by his last Will and Testament yet is Co-heir of the same Kingdom and Glory and shall possess it together with them V. Christ the spiritual Testator surrogates his Spirit in his absence and after his Death to see his Will executed in all points and to give real and actual possession of all his Covenant-Blessings unto them to whom they are given VI. The Legacies Christ bequeaths are spiritual things of a high and most sublime Nature As all things are given to Christ the Mediator so all that he is or hath he parts with freely to his faithful Followers the Graces of the Spirit Adoption Pardon of Sin Peace of Conscience precious Promises in a word all things that appertain to the Life that now is and to that which is to come All is yours and ye are Christ's and Christ is God's Inferences 1. THis exceedingly shews forth the Grace and Love of Christ to Sinners in that he should assume Man's Nature and become liable to Death and Mortality what marvellous Condescension is here that he should act or do any thing in contemplation of Death and be a Testator and yet could not see Corruption the Grave could not keep him and yet refused not to submit unto Death that thereby through the Spirit he might convey a legal Right and Possession to us of eternal Life 2. From hence we may also see how firm and sure the Covenant of Grace is made to all the true Seed and faithful Children of God 3. And let all the Friends and Legatees of Jesus Christ know that their Right and Title to spiritual and eternal Blessedness is of absolute Grace and meer Pleasure of the Testator 4. And what cause have we to praise the Name of God in Christ who hath published and made known his last Will and Testament unto the Sons of Men We have the Mind of Christ. 5. And in that he hath left one to execute his Will and that it is put into the hands of the holy Spirit in Christ's absence who is able to do it effectually But the Comforter which is the holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things he shall testify of me 6. Moreover let all such tremble that adventure to alter add to or diminish from any thing that is left in Christ's last Will and Testament the Plagues of God without Repentance are like to be their Portion for ever 7. Furthermore from hence you may see what reason we have to examin what is preached for Doctrine or published by any Man as the Mind of Christ for if it be not written or found in his last Will and Testament we ought utterly to reject it tho an Angel from Heaven should preach it Whatever is affirmed to be an Ordinance of Christ's if it be not nor cannot be naturally inferred without Abuse or Wrong to the Text let it be abhorred and contemned by us 8. This affords much Comfort to the Godly whose Names are written in this Testament and in the Lamb's Book of Life You will there find exceeding great and glorious things bequeathed to you and let it be your care to sue for them according to the Will and Directions of the Testator 9. Also let them not forget their Friend nor neglect to keep up his Remembrance in those holy Signs of his Death and Suffering for their sakes
preservation of Health the neglect of putting them on many times brings Sickness sometimes death VIII Garments are used for Distinction as 1. They distinguish one Sex from another the Man shall not put on the Apparel which appertaineth to the Woman 2. Garments also distinguish the several Ranks and Qualities of of Men those that are cloathed in soft Raiment are in Kings Houses 3. By the Habit or Garment we do distinguish the People of one Nation from another IX Garments are of a comfortable and refreshing Nature and of excellent use to them who put them on X. Garments answer not their End in making neither are they of use till put on XI Some sorts of Garments were Significations of Grief and Sorrow Mordecai put on Sackcloath so in Joel 1.13 XII Garments were also used to testify Joy as appears in the Case of the Prodigal Bring forth the best Robes and put on and put a Ring on his Finger Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus Christ is a Cover for the Soul every Mans Nakedness and Deformity appears that hath not on this Spiritual Garment II. Naturally we have no Righteousness that is either accepted of God or a suitable Cover for the Soul this Spiritual Garment is wrought by the Spirit and made fit for us III. The Lord Christ is put on for a Garment or spiritual Cloathing by those Nations and People only where Christianity is received and not by many there neither some are like Brutes and Hethenish People naked without Christ and true Holiness IV. Before a Man can put on the Lord Jesus Christ and be cloathed with the Garment of Holiness he must put off the abominable filthy Cloaks and Covers of Wickedness he must be stript of his filthy Rags that he may be cloathed with the Spirit and Graces of Christ Put off the former Conversation the Old Man and put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness V. By putting on of Christ in a way of Faith and Holiness the Soul is defended from the cheeks and smarting pricks of Conscience from the fiery Darts of Satan and from the killing Power of the Law and the Wrath of God VI. This blessed Garment keeps the Soul warm hereby Saints become fervent in Spirit and zealously affected If we have any spiritual Heat in us we must attribute it to Christ naturally we are as cold as that Child was when his Spirit was departed 2 Kings 4.24 VII The Graces of Christ and true Holiness are the only Preservative of the inward Man from spiritual Sickness by putting him on and leading of a holy Life we abide in Health and those who neglect to put on these Garmens are exposed to all manner of Scuâ—â—-Diseases which end in eternal Death VIII This spiritual Garment makes a Distinction 1. Holiness distinguisheth Believers from Unbelievers the Godly from the Wicked Who hath made thee to differ from another If a Man be in Christ he is a new Creature 2. This Glorious Garment shows that the Righteous are more excellent than their Neighbour as it was said of Jabush he was more Honorable than his Brethren it makes appear the Godly are Kings Children having Princely Robes upon them 3. By a holy Christ-like Conversation the People and Saints of God are known to be People of another Country Citizens of another City Ye are not of this World IX This spiritual Garment is of a most excellent sweet comforting and refreshing Quality the Vertue whereof is not cannot be felt nor apprehended by Unbelievers X. Men put not Christ to that use for which he came into the World till they put him on for Sanctification and Holiness neither will he be otherwise of saving Benefit unto them He that believeth not shall not see Life Without Holiness no Man shall see God XI Such as have put on this Garment do abundantly demonstrate their great Sorrow and Grief for Sin Godly Sorrow worketh Repentance yea shall be sorrowful All such as put on Christ for Sanctification are cloathed with Humility XII Such who are cloathed with the Robes of Righteousness have on them the beautiful Garments of Salvation which signifies that they above all have cause to rejoyce hence saith the Apostle As sorrowful yet always rejoycing Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say rejoyce Metaphor I. MAterial Garments are made by Man II. Other Garments consist of Matter and are of such or such external Shape according to the Party for whom they are made III. Other Garments may be bought with Mony and those likely who have most of it have the best Robes IV. Material Garments render a Man or Woman amiable only in the sight of Man c. V. Other Garments are the worse for wearing by long and often using they will decay VI. Other Garments at certain Times are to be put off or may be changed As light or thin Garments for Summer and more substantial for Winter c. VII A Man may part with or dispose of other Garments at his Pleasure as he thinks fit to his Friends or to such as want Cloaths Disparity I. THis Garment of Holiness is wrought by the Spirit of God II. This Garment consists of Grace Divine Vertues and Spiritual Qualifications III. This Garment may be had without Mony or Price 't is true Christ speaks of buying c. white Raiment That buying is free receiving The Porphet explains this Phrase Isa. 55.1 No Man hath any thing of worth or value to give for it the Gift of God cannot be purchased with Mony the poor in Spirit are better cloathed than the rich IV. This Garment renders a Man or Woman lovely in the sight of God The Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit is in the sight of God of great Price V. This Garment the more and longer it is used the better and more excellent it is Use makes perfect in Godliness as well as in other Cases VI. This Garment viz. the Robe of Righteousness is never to be changed nor put off Day nor Night Winter nor Summer we ought to be good and vertuous in Sickness and Health at all times in Prosperity and Adversity 't is good always to be zealously affected in a good thing VII This Garment Christ and Holiness as a Man cannot dispose of it unto others so he ought not No Man hath so much Grace as to furnish his Friend with it the Wise Virgins had no Oyl to give to the Foolish What thou hast already hold fast till I come Inferences I. WE may from hence admire the Excellencies of the Lord Jesus Christ he is Life he is Meat hidden Manna he is Drink yea he is all in all and provides all for Believers II. It shews the miserable State of those that are without true Holiness such are naked Now a naked Man is exposed to the Reproach of every Eye his Shame appears
and a great Favourite in the Court of Heaven II. Jesus Christ the Messenger of the Covenant or God's Embassador to Sinners is full of Wisdom and Skill in all the grand Affairs which concern the Glory of his Father and the Welfare of Sinners He knows how to end the Differences between God and Man and to make up that grievous and destructive Breach that hath been so long between them III. The Lord Christ hath in him all the Perfections of the glorious Deity He is called the faithful and true Witness Never did Embassador act with such Integrity to Prince and People as Christ doth between God and Sinners He would not have God dishonoured nor Man to miss of Pardon IV. Christ was chosen and appointed Messenger of the Covenant by the Determination Counsel Purpose and Foreknowledg of the King of Heaven hence is Christ said to be a Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World V. The Lord Jesus Christ when chosen to be sent on this great Embassy or Message of Peace to Sinners readily accepted it Lo it is written in the Volumn of the Book I come to do thy Will O God VI. Jesus Christ the greatest Embassador and Plenipotentiary of Heaven and Earth hath Matters of such weight and moment committed to his Trust that very far exceed those things that concern Peace and War amongst Men and Nations for they are Matters in which are wrapp'd up the spiritual and eternal Weal or Wo of all People and Nations of the World He is entrusted with those high and wonderful things that concern the Glory of God and the Peace and eternal Felicity of our Souls VII As Christ was chosen and ordained God's Messenger and entrusted with the great Concerns and sole Management of the Covenant of Grace so that he might every way be rightly constituted authorized and empower'd he received a special Commission from the Father He gave me Commandment what I should say and what I should speak I have a greater Witness than that of John for the Works which the Father hath sent me to do the same bear witness that he hath sent me VIII Christ that he might negotiate and fully accomplish and compleat the great and important Affairs of making Peace between God Almighty and poor Sinners left his own Kingdom and the Glory he had with the Father and came into this World When the Fulness of Time was come God sent forth his Son IX Christ Jesus the Messenger of the Covenant represents the Person of God himself so that whosoever reverences the Son reverences the Father also He that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me The Father judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son that all Men should honour the Son as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him X. The Lord Jesus Christ did require and command nothing of Mankind but what was the absolute Will and Pleasure of the Father My Doctrine is not mine but the Father 's that sent me I lay down my Life that I may take it up again This Commandment received I of the Father c. XI Christ was sent to put an end to that dismal and desolating War which was occasioned by Sin and the horrid Breach of the first Covenant between God the Creator being offended and the sinful guilty and rebellious Creature God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself c. For if whilst we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son much more being reconciled shall we be saved by his Life And that he might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the Cross having slain the Enmity thereby And came and preached Peace to you that were afar off and to them that were nigh And to you that were sometimes alienated and Enemies in your Minds by wicked Works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death XII Christ the Messenger of the Covenant offers gracious Terms of Peace and Reconciliation to Sinners Repent and believe the Gospel Believe and be baptized He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you Rest. O what sweet and easy Terms of Peace are these 'T is but to acknowledg our own Guilt and Vileness lay down our Arms and accept of Mercy by believing in the Lord Jesus Look unto me and be ye saved all ye Ends of the Earth Whoever will let him take of the Water of Life freely XIII Jesus Christ the Messenger of the great God was greatly grieved to see the Jews to whom he was first sent stubbornly to refuse and reject that glorious Salvation offered to them by himself When he came near the City he wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things that belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes O Jerusalem Jerusalem how often would I have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathers her Chickens and ye would not O that Israel had hearkned unto me XIV Jesus Christ hath many Servants who wait on him in the Accomplishment of this great and glorious Work viz. the holy Angels and the blessed Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel The Lord Jesus deserveth eternal Honour for this glorious Work Let the Angels of God worship him All ought to honour the Son as they honour the Father At the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow XV. The Lord Jesus Christ ratified and confirmed the Covenant of Grace between God and Man by his own Blood and thereby opened a free Commerce with God For through him we have access by one Spirit to the Father Saints may with boldness come to the Throne of Grace by the Blood of Jesus XVI The Lord Jesus when he had done his Work returned home unto his Father and is highly honoured being cloathed with Glory and Majesty and is set down at the right hand of God on high far above Principalites and Powers XVII Those People and Nations that refuse the Offers of Grace and Peace made to them by Jesus Christ God proclaims War and eternal Death against them He that hath the Son hath Life but he that hath not the Son hath not Life but the Wrath of God abideth on him It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that City If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledg of the Truth there remains no more Sacrifice for Sin but a fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery Indignation that shall devour the Adversaries and all those that have stubbornly refused the free Tenders of Grace XVIII Jesus Christ was and is
their malignity and wickedness Job 24.1 Esa. 13.6 Joel 1.15 and 2.1 2. Amos 5.20 Zeph. 2.2 and 1.14 15 16 18. By way of eminency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the last Judgment when God shall reward every man according to his works is called the day of the Lord Joel 2.32 Act. 2.20 1 Cor. 1.7 1 Thess. 5.2 c. The day of the Son of man Luke 17.24 26. is expounded verse 30. to be the day wherein the Son of man shall be revealed That appellation by an Antanaclasis is taken otherwise verse 22. The days will come when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man and ye shall not see it Brentius upon the place says The sence is because things are now in tranquility the Son of man is despised and rejected But so great calamities shall come upon Judea that men shall desire but for one day to see me and enjoy my help but shall not compass their desires Illyricus says ye shall desire to see that is enjoy for a small season those good things and that good state you are in whilst I am present with you but c. See verse 23. and Matth. 24.21 23. c. Christ calls his day the season of his coming into the Flesh in the fulness of time John 8.56 Your Father Abraham rejoyced to see my Day and he saw it and was glad that is he saw it by a peculiar appearance and believed upon which D. Franzius says None may doubt but a prospect of the face and person of Christ was shewn and exhibited to Abraham in his Divine vision viz. As he was born of a Virgin come of Abraham's seed beginning with miraculous ministrations exalted from his passion to the right hand of the Father and to come in the last day and Crown him in another Life The Day of the exhibition of Christ in the flesh is called Mal. 4.5 The great and terrible day of the Lord or as others render it honourable and fearful as Jacob adorn'd the place where the heavenly Manifestation was made with the same Epithete Gen. 28.17 How dreadful is this place This is no other but the House of God and the gate of Heaven This day viz. the manifestation of the Messiah is dreadful or terrible to Devils because by his power their Kingdom is destroyed John 12.31 1 John 3.8 As also to the Impious and Rebellious Enemies of Christ See Malachy 3.2 and Matth. 2 3. An Hour Mark 14.35 He that is Christ prayed that if it were possible the Hour might pass from him that is that most bitter passion the thoughts of which at that time troubled and oppressed him John 12.27 Father save me from this hour that is from the Anxiety and Agony which I shall suffer in the time of my passion Christ spoke of the time of his Passion and Death at the thoughts of which as a true and real man he seemed to be in a great trembling and consternation The End or last time is put for reward which is wont to be given when one has done his work as Prov. 23.18 Prov. 24.14 20. Jer. 29.11 So 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the end of your Faith even the Salvation of your Souls which the Syriack renders Reward or Retribution But this Reward given by God is not a debt but of free Grace and Mercy because a merited reward or wages must bear proportion to the service done but no service of ours can bear proportion to Everlasting Life and Happiness so that it necessarily follows that the reward is purely of Grace Feast is put for the Sacrifice which is offered upon the Feast day as Exod. 23.18 Thou shalt not offer the blood of my Sacrifice with leavened Bread neither shall the fat of my Feast remain untill the Morning that is the fat of the Lamb to be sacrificed or of the sacrifice of my Feast as Junius and Tremellius render it As also the Chaldee So Esa. 29.1 Let them kill Feasts that is as we translate it sacrifices See Mal. 2.3 Psal. 118.27 Bind the Feast so the hebrew with Cords even unto the horns of the Altar that is the sacrifice of the Feast or Festival day c. The Passeover is put for the Lamb which was slain and eaten on that Festival in memorial of the Deliverance from Egypt Exod. 12.21 And kill the Passeover that is the Paschal Lamb. 2 Chron. 30 17. Mark 14.12.14 Matth. 26.17 18 19. Luke 22.8 11 13 15. Summer is put for Summer Fruit Esa. 16.9 Jer. 40.10 Amos 8.1 2 Sam. 16.2 For in these places the hebrew is only Summer Harvest is put for Fruit gathered in the time of Harvest Exod. 23.10 Deut. 24.19 Esa 16.9 Joel 3.18 'T is also put for the Reaper Esa. 17.5 Which we translate Harvest-man 4. The Opinion of Men is put for the Thing it self IN Holy Scriptures sometimes things are named and described according to appearance or mens Opinion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as they are in their own Nature This happens 1. In single words as Nouns and Verbs 2. In a Conjunct phrase In Nouns 1 Sam. 28.14 15 16 20. That Diabolical spectrum or Apparition rais'd by the Witch of Endor in the likeness of Samuel is called Samuel because he falsly gave out that he was Samuel and the deluded spectators thought him so Hananiah is called a Prophet Jer. 28.1 5 10. Not that he was truly so but so reputed 'T is said Ezek. 21.3 I will cut off from thee the Righteous and the wicked where by Righteous is meant persons that were only so in appearance having an external form of Righteousness which begat the good opinion of men but with respect to Gods notice that knows the inward frame of the Heart to be unsound there is to be unrighteous Matth. 8.12 The Jews are called the Children of the Kingdom because they seemed to be such and Christ says Matth. 9.13 I am not come to call the Righteous viz. such as are so in their own eyes but sinners to Repentance Luke 18.9 Rom. 10.2 3. c. Luke 2.48 Joseph is said to be the Father of Jesus and verse 41. he is said to be his Parent because he was thought to be so by men which is expresly said Luke 3.23 See John â—â— 42 1 Cor. 1.21 It pleased God by the foolishness of Preaching to save them that beleive verse 25. Because the foolishness of God is wiser then men c. Where Preaching of the Gospel c. is called foolishness not that it was really so but because the worldly wise reputed it so as verse 18. viz. To teach Salvation by the Cross to seek Life in Death and Glory in Disgrace which the Carnal Worldling thought folly as verse 23. The Devil is said to be the God of this World 2 Cor. 4.4 because he boasts that the Kingdoms of this World are at his disposal Matth. 4.8 9. Luke 4.6 7.
understood For as man lives and operates by the Soul so God in himself is Essential Life and a most pure act My Soul shall not abhor you Lev. 26.11 The wicked his Soul hateth Psal. 11.5 See Esa. 1. â—â—4 and 42. 1. Jer. 5.9.29 Matth. 12.8 Heb. 10.38 Hence the Lord is said to swear by his Soul Jer. 51.14 Amos 6.8 that is by himself as our Translation renders it and agreeable to Esa. 45.23 Jer. 22.5 Heb. 6.13 Where it is expounded A Body by reason of his incorporeal Essence is no where attributed to God but 't is ascribed to our Saviour Christ in a twofold respect 1. As opposed to the Shadows Figures and Types in the Old Testament the Truth Complement or Fulfilling of the things prefigured by these Shadows being held forth in him Col. 2.17 Which are a shadow of things to come but the Body is of Christ that is the Truth and Complement is in Christ. And Col. 2.9 It is said that in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bodily that is most really perfectly and solidly not in a Typical or shadowy manner as God manifested himself in the Old Testament 2. The Church is called the Body of Christ Eph. 1.22 23. And God gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him that filleth all in all It is called his Body because he Rules it giving Sense Life and Spiritual motion to it as a mans head does to his body It is called his fulness because though Christ is absolutely perfect in himself and has no need of us his Love is so great to his Church that he will not be without it any more then a head would be willing to want his members Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am c. John 17.24 Eph. 4.12 15 16. So much for Christs Mystical Body As for the humane Body of our Lord it being really and not metaphorically such it concerns not this place God is called the Head of Christ. 1 Cor. 11.3 1. With respect to his humane Nature for in that sence Christs says the Father is greater then he John 14.28 2. With respect to his Office as Mediator and Redeemer for all the actions of Christ were done by the Will Order and Commission of the Deity The Apostle by the figure Climax or a certain Gradation in the same text calls Christ the head of the Man because he chose that Sex when he took humane Nature upon him so becoming the firstâ—â—born among many Brethren Rom 8.29 He also calls man the Head of the Woman because of the preheminence of Sex and being ordered her Lord and Superior In these places the Word is Metaphorical in respect of eminency because the head in the natural body is seated highest excelling the whole body in dignity of sense and reason 3. In respect of Rule and Government the natural body being ruled by it c. More generally Christ is called the Head of the Church Eph. 1.22 and 4.15 Col. 1.18 c. In which sence man has no prerogative over the Woman as to the participation of the benefits of Christ and Mystical Union with him Gal. 3.28 Neither Male nor Female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus Hence it is said Eph. 1.10 That he might gather together in one head all things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth which Chrysostom well interprets viz. It is done by the mystery of Redemption that Celestial and Terrestrial things that is Angels and Men should have one head that is Christ whereas before by reason of mans sin heavenly things were separated from Earthly A Face Is attributed to God by which the manifestation of himself to Angels and Men and the various workings of his Providence is to be understood for so God is known to us as one man is known by his face to another the Face of God signifies manifestation 1. In the blessed state of Eternity Psal. 16.11 With thy Face is fulness of Joys so the Hebrew and Psal. 17.15 I will behold thy Face in Righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness Matth. 18.10 Their Angels do always behold the Face of my Father which is in heaven In this sence no man can see Gods Face and Live Exod. 33.20 23. For now we see through a glass darkly but then Face to Face 1 Cor. 13.12 c. 2. In the state of Mortality when God in any measure reveals himself As 1. By the Face of God his presence and propitious aspect is noted as Exod. 13.21 The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud and by night in a pillar of Fire Exod. 33.14 My Face so the Hebrew shall go with thee and I will give thee rest and verse 15. Moses said If thy Face go not with us cause us not to go up hence c. that is if you be not present as heretofore in the pillar of a Cloud and Fire Hence that appellation given to Christ is deduced Esa. 63.9 The Angel of his Face or presence because by the pillar of a Cloud and Fire in a visible manner he led the Israelites of old and made the Face of God as it were conspicuous to them others say it is because he is the image of the invisible God by whom we know the Father as one man is known by his Face to another Col. 1.15 John 14.9 10. which cannot be said of any other The Face of God signifies also that glorious appearance of God to the people on Mount Sinai Deut. 5.4 And that more illustrious manner of his Revealing himself to Moses above any other Deut. 34.10 See Numb 12.6 7 8. c. Sometimes the Face of God is put for the place where God reveals himself and where the Ministry of the word flourishes or as Jehovah himself words it Exod. 20.24 Where he Records his Name c. Thus Cain is said to go forth from the Face of God Gen. 4.14.16 that is from the place where his Parents worshipped him and Jonah rose up to flee from the Face of the Lord that is left the Church and People of God to go to Tarshish among Infidels not but that he knew that none can so fly from the Face of God as to be unseen by him but he thought that there was no place for Divine Revelations besides the Holy Land and therefore hoped that in those strange places God would no longer trouble him nor impose so hard a Province upon him as to Preach against Ninive c. See Exod. 23.15 and 25.30 Psal. 100.1 2 3. and 104.4 2 Sam. 21. 1. Psal. 139.7 Lev. 17.10 Psal. 9.4 c. Sometimes wrath and divine punishment is noted by the Face of God as Psal. 68.1 Let them that hate him flee before his Face Jer. 21.10 I have set my Face against this City
which were the object and scope of desire And Adultery 2 Pet. 2.14 and Compassion as when the Eye is said to pity Deut. 13.8 Esa. 13.18 c. And Hope or Expectation Psal. 119.82 123. and 145.14.15 vid. Gram. Sacr. p. 282. 2. Words are used of Brutes which properly belong to man as Job 12.7 But ask now the Beasts and they shall teach thee and the Fowls of the Air and they shall tell thee or speak to the Earth and it shall teach thee and the Fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee To ask and speak in this place signifies to meditate search into or contemplate for the teaching telling or narration of Beasts Fowls the Earth and Fishes intimates that they are a real Testimony and Evidence of the wisdom of the Creator What he said ver 2. that he had understanding and skill in what his Friends discoursed of he prosecutes here as if he had said ye have talkt much of the Wisdom and Power of God and that he creates and preserves all things as if they were unknown to me but the very Creatures tacitely inform me of that See Job 9.10 Rom. 1.20 Job 41.29 He the Leviathan or Whale laugheth at the shaking of a spear that is he cares not for it Prov. 30.25 The Ants are a people not strong c. ver 26. The Conies are but a feeble people c. Joel 1.6 For a Nation is come up upon my Land strong and without Number c. The speech here is of Canker Worms Locusts or Caterpillars mentioned ver 4. and which by the same Metaphor are called the great Army of God chap. 2.11.25 By the same reason the multitude of Locusts are represented as an Army Prov. 30.27 Neh. 3.17 Hieron upon Joel 2. thus writes This we saw lately in this Province viz. Palestine For when whole Troops of Locusts came and filled the Air between Heaven and Earth they flew with so great an order by the disposal of God who commanded them so that like square stones placed by the hand of an Artificer in a pavement they kept their places that not one was observed to incline to the other by any transverse or irregular motion This was a great punishment upon enormous sinners which Moses in Gods stead threatens Deut. 28.38 39. and Salomon prays against 1 Kings 8.37 And Pliny himself a Heathen Writer lib. 11. cap. 29. acknowledges the Anger of the Gods by the multitude of these Insects Some with these words of Scripture parallel Virgils words of Bees Lib. 4. Georg. Magnanimosque Duces totiusque ex ordine gentis Mores studia et Populos et praelia dicam And of Ants. It Nigris Campis Agmen praedamque per herbas Convectant calle Angusto pars grandia trudunt Obnixe frumenta Humeris pars agmina Cogunt Castigantque Moras c. lib. 4. Aeneid To this Classe may be referred when the word Son is ascribed to Beasts as Exod. 29.1 Take a young Bullock the Son of a Cow so the Hebrew that is a sucking Calf or one not yet weaned Gen. 49.11 The * Son of an Ass is put for its Colt or Foal Zach. 9.9 A Colt the * Son of Asses that is one of the she Asses according to the Idiotism of which see the Book cited in the Margent By another Reason Rams are called the Sons of Bashan Deut. 32.14 that is fat Rams of the breed of Bashan because that was a good place for Fatning A hand is attributed to a Dog Psal. 22.20 To a Lion and a Bear 1 Sam. 17.37 In general a Hand is ascribed to every Beast Gen. 9 5. In which places power and strength is to be understood especially and more eminently in the last See Gram. Sacr. p. 138. It is said Prov. 30.28 The spider taketh hold with her hands that is with her feet which are on either side so pliable as a mans hand to spin their web and seize upon their prey Junius 3. Some things are spoken of things growing out of the Earth which properly belong to man as Levit. 19.23 And when ye shall come into the Land and shall have planted all manner of Trees for food then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you it shall not be eaten of The meaning is that the fruit of the three first years shall be accounted unclean and rejected as an uncircumcised man was accounted unclean before God and was not to be received among the People And in the fourth year that fruit was to be offered to God as a sign of Thanksgiving ver 24. but the fifth year the common use of it was allowed ver 25. Job 14.7 8 9. Hope Old Age Death the scent of Waters are applyed to the Bough of a Tree which is cut off and buds again and compared to a man once dead cannot return or revive again viz. into this Life which was the scope of Job as chap. 7.7 9 10. and 13.15 16. and 19.25 26 27. Where he evidently declares the Resurrection of the dead to the enjoyment of Everlasting Life Psal. 78.4 Killing and Death is attributed to Plants as he killed so the Hebrew their Vines with Hail and their Sycomores with great Hail Stones Contrary to this is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zoopoiesis quickning or living of the seed cast into the Earth by which its budding or growth is noted as in the following verses Ezek. 31.9 Envy or Emulation ver 14. Exalting or Elevation of heart and drinking of Water ver 15. mourning or grief of mind ver 16. Consolation or Comfort are attributed to Trees by a certain Prosopopeia and in a way of comparison of a goodly Tree with the King of Assyria See Hos. 9.6 Joel 1.10 The New Wine is ashamed or blushed that is there is so bad a Vintage or Wine Harvest that it is ashamed because it did not answer the peoples expectation In the same verse languishing or a disease is attributed to Oyl which properly belongs to man Psal. 6.2.3 But metaphorically denotes a spoil and devastation of the fruit of the Earth as Esa. 16.8 c. It is said Habak 3.17 That the labour of the Olive shall lie so the Hebrew when it answers not the desires of men but fails their expectation of much fruit which is also ascribed to New Wine Hos. 9.2 It is said Psal. 58.9 Before your pots can feel the Thorns he shall take them away as with a whirlwind that is before your pots grow hot with a fire of Thorns which were wont to be used for that fire lasts but a little while and will not boyl the Flesh so shall they quickly perish c. 4. Some things are spoken of Inanimate Creatures which properly belong to a living man or more generally to living Creatures As 1. Of Dead men Gen. 4.10 The Voice of thy Brothers bloods cryeth unto me from the ground Here a voice and crying is attributed to
that in the words of the Apostle there may be an opposition between this Life and that which is to come this life being compared to an obscure place which needs a Candle to light it which Candle is the Prophetical Revelations but life to come is compared to a clear Day in which Christ our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 phosporos or light-bringer shall illuminate the Eyes of believers with a most full and bright radiance And thus the great perfection of the Prophetical Scriptures as also of the Apostolical which are exactly conformable to them and as it were an explanatory light to them is proved because most sufficient with the help of Divine Grace for the obtaining of Everlasting life c. The parts of the day are the Morning Noon and Evening Psal. 55.17 Evening and Morning and at Noon will I pray c. The morning season metaphorically denotes diligence sedulity and care because men rise early to go about such business as they are careful of and are much upon their hearts Job 8.5 Psal. 5.3 and 92.2 and 101.8 Prov. 8.17 2 Chron. 36.15 Jer. 35.4 Zeph. 3.5 7. The Watchman said the morning cometh and also the Night c. Some understand that the morning is here put put for Prosperity as if he had said to Dumah or the Idumeans The yoke of the Israelites being shaken off of thy Neck as it is said Gen. 27.42 You shall enjoy liberty prosperity and plenty of good things But another Calamity hangs over thee from the Assyrian by which as with the darkness of night thou shalt be obscured Others take the word morning properly but not unlike the former sense the morning indeed comes as ye ask ver 11. Watchmen what of the night that is when shall the day-dawn come And what will happen then But together with it that night comes which is more dark and terrible For when the days are calamitous there arises with the Sun as it were a new light yet ending in a night more full of calamity then the former Illyricus says Although the Morning properly taken will come yet the metaphorical morning will not come but it will be a metaphorical Night The Chald. takes it metaphorically but applies it more generally thus it paraphrases the whole verse The Prophet said there is a reward provided for the just and vengeance for the wicked if you will repent do it while you may Esa. 47.11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee the morning thereof thou knowest not so the Hebrew that is whose sudden coming or beginning thou that shalt not at first mind as in the morning betimes the Sun rises and darts out its beams upon a sudden Some think that the Prophet derides the vanity of the Chaldean Astrologers Others thus the morning or day break gives an indication of the Suns coming so this evil that was to come upon Babylon was not without its marks and tokens that went before it which were as illustrious as the dawn that ushers in or harbingers the day But not known to Babilon because of its blindness and conceited security Hos. 10.15 In a morning shall the King of Babylon be utterly cut off that is swiftly and suddenly He speaks of Hosea the Son of Elah 2 Kings 17.1 5. c. This term moreover denotes divine grace to believers because of the beauty and sweetness of the springing and arriving light For as the morning brings the beginning of day light after the tedious sadness of a dark night and is no little comfort to them especially if sick that are weary of darkness and earnestly long for day so the grace of divine consolation does wonderfully recreate and refresh the hearts of such as are troubled and afflicted c. Of which take two examples Psal. 110.3 From the Womb of the morning thou hast the Dew of Of which place many have said many things It is certainly to be expounded by a metaphor denoting the Grace of God given in his Word which is compared to the Morning Esa. 58.8 Hosea 6.3 A Womb is attributed to the morning because of the mystery of God in his spiritual begetting of his Children The unfolding of this Trope is thus as the Dew by a wonderful and invisible way as it were born of the Womb of the morning that is it plentifully falls at that time without any help or assistance of man Job 38.28 So by the grace and mercy of God and by the power of his heavenly word but in a far more abstruse and mystical manner the youth of the Messiah that is that willing people in the day of his power and in the beauties of holiness of which the Psalmist speaks in the same verse See Psal 22.30 31. Ps. 87.4 5. Esa. 53.10 and 54.1 Micah 5.7 John 1.12 13. and 3.5 8. Jam. 1.18 c. The other place is Esa. 8.20 where the morning is put for the grace of God and that comfort and peace of spirit which flows from it the words in Hebrew are because there is no morning in him But Interpreters do not agree whether this is to be understood of men or the perverse Doctrines of such as consulted them that pretended to foretell things to come by a devilish or familiar Spirit If it be referred to men it bears this sence To the Law and to the Testimony If they speak not according to this word they shall have no morning that is true light This is true in it self but the letter of the text is not altogether conformable to it for it is not in the plural to them but in the singular to him or it But others expound this text better thus To the Law and the Testimony that is recourse must be had thither for the Law and Testimony must be consulted according to the Will of God otherwise that is if they do not speak the truth of Divine Grace there let them speak an Ironical concession joyned with indignation let them speak because they will not do otherwise though seriously and frequently admonished let them speak I say according to this word viz. in which there is no morning that is no light of Divine Grace or Comfort ver 21. And let him pass through it the Earth hardly bestead and hungry the singular for the plural and it shall come to pass that when they shall be hungry they shall fret themselves and curse their King and their God c. Now whereas the Prophet calls this speech of that wicked People viz. that they were to seek Councel of them that had familiar Spirits c. and not of the Law and Testimony a word without a morning or void of the light of divine Grace and Consolation it certainly follows according to the intention of the Prophet that that morning of Grace and Comfort is to be found in that word of the Law and Testimony alone with sure and safe counsel in Tribulations and Afflictions which to distressed minds is like the morning sweetness or
and punishment or afflictions c. See examples Job 30.16 Lam. 2.11 12. Psal. 22.14 15.73.2 Ezek. 16.15 Sometimes it is taken in a good sence sometimes of God sometimes of Man Of God as when he is said to pour out his spirit and his grace when he plentifully bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost upon Believers and exhibits his grace Esa. 32.15.44.3 Joel 3.1 Zach. 12.10 Act. 2.17 33. Rom. 5.5 Tit. 3.6 See Psal. 45.3 1 Sam. 1.15 Psal. 62.8 9. Lam. 2.19 Job 3.24 To Wash and make clean which is wont to be done with water is often translated to signifie the Justification of sinful man before God and his sanctification and Renovation To be washed from sin as from most fordid filth is to obtain remission of sins through the Mediator Christ Psal. 51.8 9. Esa. 4.4 Ezek. 16.4 9. 36.25 Act. 22.16 1 Cor. 6.11 Heb. 10.22 Rev. 1.5.7.14 Or that which is always joyned with the antecedent benefit of God to abstain from sin and practise Holiness and purity of Life Job 9 30. Psal. 26.6 Psal. 73.13 Prov. 30.12 Esa. 1.16 Jer. 4.14 Jam. 4.8 c. Of Metaphors taken from the Earth IN the Globe of the Earth two things are to be considered which afford as many metaphorical acceptations 1. That it is opposite to Heaven with respect to quantity and qualities Hence as Heaven denotes the spiritual Kingdom of God and the state of eternal felicity so on the contrary the Earth denotes the state of Corruption and Sin in which man after the fall was involved John 3.31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that is of the Earth is of the Earth and speaketh of the Earth A very fair Antanaclasis The first phrase of the Earth is properly taken and denotes an Earthly original that is to be begotten by a natural man in a natural way to which is opposed that Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 come from above and from heaven See 1 Cor. 15.47 The second phrase of the Earth metaphorically taken is to be carnally wise ignorant of Divine things lost in sin and an absolute stranger to heaven and the spiritual Kingdom of God which elsewhere is phras'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to mind that is only taken care for Earthly things Phil. 3.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to take care for those things which are of the Flesh Rom. 8.5 See John 3.6 1 Cor. 2.14 To which in this place of John viz. 3.31 is opposed that Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is above all that is the heavenly Lord and most Holy God void of all imperfection and worldly spot The last phrase to speak of the Earth is conformable to the first and is to speak those things which are contrary to the Kingdom of God erroneous and lying See 1 John 4.3 5. To which is opposed that Christ testifies that which he saw and heard and speaks the words of God which whosoever receives he Seals or Witnesses that God is true the like opposition Christ uses speaking to the carnal Jews John 8.23 2. Because the Earth affords men Houses and convenient Habitations in that respect Eternal Life and the heaven of the blessed is called a new Earth or Land Esa. 65.17.22 2 Pet. 3.13 Rev. 21.1 Because in it are those many Mansions which are provided by Christ for Believers John 14.2 In this sence some of the Fathers expound Matth. 5.5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth But this may be fitly interpreted of the Earth on which we dwell For this sentence seems to be borrowed from Psal. 37.11 The meek shall inherit the Earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace The meaning may be they who do violence to none and when injur'd easily forgive who choose rather to lose their right then vexatiously to wrangle or contend who value Concord and Tranquillity of mind before great Estates to whom a quiet Poverty is more welcom then brawling Riches these I say will truly and with a mind full of tranquillity inhabit and possess this Earth and in it will enjoy the grace and blessing of God to them and their posterity whilst the Goods of the wicked are by divine Vengeance scatter'd as it were into the light Winds so that these viz. the meek are the true possessors of the Land and as it were the props or pillars that conserve it whereas the wicked together with the Devils are but possessors of a bad Faith and unjust Ravishers for whose malice every Creature groans and does as it were tacitly implore Deliverance of the great Creator Rom. 8.20 21 22. c. So much in general now we shall briefly shew what Metaphors are taken from the several parts of the Earth As 1. A Mountain or Hill being a more high and elevated part of the Earth metaphorically denotes 1. Heaven the habitation of God so called by an Anthropopathy as he is elsewhere said to dwell in the highest Psal. 3.5 I cryed unto the Lord with my voice and he heard me out of his Holy Hill that is from Heaven As if he had said I am cast out from the place of the Terrestrial Sanctuary appointed in Jerusalem but there is yet an open access to the Holy Hill of God his heavenly habitation where my Prayers shall be heard and shall implore the wished help against those rebellious and stubborn Enemies So Psal. 99.9 Psal. 121.1 and 123.1 and 15.1 18.8 2 Sam. 22.8 2. Kingdoms and Empires which like Mountains have a preheminence in the World Psal. 30.7 Lord by thy favour thou hast made my Mountain to stand strong that is thou hast given my Kingdom strength and tranquility Psal. 76.4 Thou art more glorious and excellent than the Mountains of prey that is the Kingdoms of the wicked who unjustly plunder and prey upon the World Jer. 51.25 Behold I am against thee O destroying Mountain saith the Lord c. Illyricus So he calls Babylon although it was situate in a plain because of the loftiness of its Dignity and Power by which as a very high Mountain it hung over other Cities and People But others think that by the vast circuit and thickness of its Walls it rise like a Mountain for Herodotus Strabo Pliny and Diodorus Siculus affirm that the Walls of Babylon were 50 Cubits thick and 200 Royal Cubits high And that which is added in the same place that Babylon should be made a burning Mountain is to be understood of the rubbish and ruinous heap which was left like a Mountain after the burning of that great City Hab. 3.6 The Everlasting Mountains were scattered and the perpetual Hills did bow that is the Kingdoms of the peoples were suddenly shaken and overthrown He speaks of the blessing of God which expelled the Canaanites and distributed their Lands to his people by his Ministers Moses and Joshua See Exod. 15.14 c. 3. Any proud Enemies of the Kingdom of God Esa. 2.14 The day of the Anger of the Lord upon all the High
Luk. 7.14 Sometimes men afflicted and penitent called a bruised Reed Esa. 42.3 viz. A Reed of its self frail and weak is much more weak if it be shaken and bruised Our Saviour therefore promises that he will not by any means break such but rather strengthen consolidate and heal them Sometimes it signifies men great indeed but unable to help that are more mischievous and naught on which some are apt to rely or depend though to their loss as such do who lean on a weak and broken Reed to their own destruction 2 Kings 18.21 Esa. 36.6 Ezek. 29.6 7. A Rush or Bulrush signifies men of the basest and lowest condition Esa. 9.14 19.15 Wormwood because of its ungrateful tast and extream bitterness is by a metaphor brought to signifie sometimes sin and evil Deut. 29.18 Amos 5.7 and 6.12 See Deut. 32.32 Esa. 5.20 Rev. 8.11 Sometimes punishment or torment Jer. 9.15 23.15 Lam. 3.15 19. See Prov. 5.4 So much of the Species of things growing out of the Earth which yeild any Metaphors to which we may fitly subjoyn where mention is made of the containing Subject Which is 1. A Wood. 2. A Garden A Wood inasmuch as it contains many barren Trees is a symbol of infidelity and impiety Esa. 32.15 And because it is full of Trees and Shrubs it carries the notion of an entire Army Esa. 10.34 Of both which we have spoke before in the 10th Chap. where we spoke of Carmel and Lebanon A Garden is the place of the most eminent and choicest Plants and Trees especially that first Garden which we call Paradise The Church of Christ Cant. 4.12 is called a Garden inclosed or barred A Garden because of its spiritual fruitfulness barr'd because hid to the World hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 The World knoweth us not 1 John 3.1 The same Church with its fruits of the Spirit ver 13. is called Paradise Of which elsewhere Heaven or Eternal Life is called Paradise Luk. 23.43 2 Cor. 12.4 Rev. 2.7 The reason of the metaphorical Appellation being drawn from the extraordinary pleasantness of that Garden and the great plenty of good things there Of Metaphors taken from the Olive-Tree and its Fruit. AMongst the things growing in the Land of Canaan three are most eminent by which its Goodness Fruitfulness and other Excellencies may be known viz. The Olive which is a Tree The Vine which is a Shrub And Grain or Corn of all sorts All which are joyned together Deut. 14.23 18.4 Psal. 104.14 15 16. c. Jer. 31.11 Hos. 2.8 22. Joel 2.19 and in the common Version Gen. 27.37 Psal. 4.7 8. Where the Syriack Interpreter expresses all three From each of these and things that bear affinity or relation to them there are a great many delicate Metaphors deduced in Scripture The People of Israel are called an Olive because of the great dignity with which they were invested by God Jer. 11.16 The Lord called thy Name a green Olive-Tree fair and of goodly fruit as if he had said thou hast been like a green and leafy Olive which most beautifully flourishes giving extraordinary hope of its Fruit. But the Antithesis follows With the noise of a greà t tumult or tempests he hath kindled fire upon it aâ—â—d the branches of it were broken that is as Junius and Tremellius have interpreted it they shall be like encountring storms of Winds which rushing into this place shall shake down thy flowers break the branches that is they will destroy small and great Afterwards they will consume with fire the very Town as if it were the stump of a Tree That these things were transacted the last Chapters of the Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah do fully make it out ver 17. This Olive is said to be planted by the Lord c. Zach. 4. What are called the two Olives ver 3 11 12. are said to be the two Sons of Oyl so the Hebrew ver 14. that is two Oleaginous Olives plentiful fat having as it were a spring of Oyl continually flowing This Metaphor signifies the perpetual supplies of spiritual gifts to the Church through Christ who was beyond measure anointed with the Oyl of gladness Psal. 45.7 from whom believers have this unction 1 John 2.20.27 But this was spoken to in the Chapter of an Anthropopathy Rom. 11.17 The Church of Israel is called an Olive eminent for fatness whose root Abraham may be said to be with respect to the Covenant God entred into with him and the promise of a blessed seed divine benediction and Eternal Life made to his believing posterity that is his Sons by Faith who believe as he did such being only the Sons of Abraham whether Jews or Gentiles Gal. 3.29 This being observed it is easie for any one to understand why the Gentiles are compared to a Wild Olive and what this ingrafting into the Olive is and the partaking of its root and fatness that is the fatness proceeding from the Root and diffused to the Branches by the figure Hendiadys as also the cutting off of the branches Rev. The two Witnesses raised by God by whom those sincere few Teachers of the Church in the midst of the Antichristian Tyranny and fury preserved by God are understood expressed by the number two because in the month of two or three Witnesses every Truth shall be established Deut. 19.15 2 Cor. 13.1 are called two Olives and two Candlesticks standing before the God of the Earth In the former Metaphor we are to understand the consolation of the Word of God given by the Holy Spirit the Oyl of gladness as also fruitfulness in good Works as the Olive is a most fruitful Tree and Constancy and Perseverance in the Faith under persecutions as the leaves of the Olive do not wither but are always green and the wood of the Olive-Tree never rots through age In the latter Metaphor Divine Illumination from the Word of God is understood that this is taken from the fore-cited place of Zach. 4. is evident Oyl The Fruit of the said Tree is much valued and much used amongst all sort of People and Nations In Scripture Metaphors sometimes it denotes an abundance of pleasant and acceptable things Deut. 32.13 Job 29.6 Sometimes Joy and Refreshment of mind if considered with respect to the anointing Esa. 23.5 Psal. 92.10 and 141.5 Cant. 1.3 Esa. 61.3 The Reason of the Metaphor is taken from the fragrancy and wholesomeness of this fruit From hence we may in a manner give a reason for the Name of Christ and Christians it being derived from the Vnction or annointing of the Holy Spirit which is compared to Oyl Esa. 10.27 There is mention made of Oyl And it shall come to pass on that day that his burden shall be removed from off thy shoulder and his yoke from off thy Neck and the yoke shall be destroyed from the face of Oyl or from before the Oyl Which the Chald. expounds of the Messiah Junius and
the Measure of your Fathers viz. of the sins of your Fathers as Erasmus paraphrases it go on imitate your Ancestors and what they wanted of extreme cruelty do ye make it up they killed the Prophets and you him by whom and of whom they Prophesied The highest pitch of villany is noted by this phrase beyond which there is no further progress and makes ripe for Divine Vengeance and severest punishment which certainly follows it as payment follows things fully measured and sold. See the examples of the Amorites Gen. 15.16 Of the Sodomites Gen. 18.20 c. Of the Amalekites Exod. 17.14 1 Sam. 15.2 c. 3. Because there is a mutual equality and proportion in giving and restoring therefore it is metaphorically said in a Proverb with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again which we find three times with a different or diverse scope 1. Denoting just Retaliation either with respect to reward or punishment Matth. 7.2 Luke 6.38 Relating to our Neighbour 2. A legitimate and saving handling of the Word of God Mark 4.24 As Euthymius says as ye attend the Word so ye shall profit in knowledge Or 3. As Piscator says If ye communicate the word of God liberally God will communicate the knowledge of his Divine Mysteries more liberally to you and augment your Gifts c. For this heavenly Talent is improved and multiply'd by communicating it to others A Razor which shaves off hair is put for the King of Assyria Esa 7 2O Denoting that God would permit him to destroy Israel 'T is called hired with respect to the fact of Ahaz who hired the King of Assyria to assist him against the King of Syria 2 Kings 16.7 8. Moab is call a wash pot by David Psal. â—â—0 9 denoting the baseness of those people and that they were only fit for the vilest Offices 2 Sam. 8.2 A Burthen denotes things troublesom and difficult Exod. 6.6 Psal. 55.22 Esa. 9.4 and 10.27 14.25 Matth. 23.4 c. Weight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies the greatness of heavenly glory 2 Cor. 4.17 frequently Trouble and Misfortune Matth. 10.12 Acts 15.28 Gal. 6.2 1 Thess. 2.6 Rev. 2.24 See Prov. 27.3 Sin is called heavy Heb. 12.1 because it is an impediment in our heavenly race or course to heaven Of a Seal we have treated before A Looking glass denotes an imperfect knowledge of the Mysteries of God in this Life 1 Cor. 13.12 because it gives but an imperfect reflection of the figure or object compared to the object it self And because some Looking-glasses reflect the rays or beams of the Sun when it shines on them to an object The Apostle elegantly says uses the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beholding in a Glass for the light of Divine knowledge 2 Cor. 3.18 But we with open face beholding as in a Glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image that is are eminently illuminated and communicate light to others from Glory to Glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. Spoils taken from an Enemy denotes Christs Victory over Satan Esa. 53.12 Luke 11.22 Col. 2.15 a mans life is said to be to him for a prey which denotes deliverance from present Death as he that takes a booty exposes his life to Danger Jer. 21.9 and 38.2 and 39.18 and 45.5 Stipend or wages given to a Soldier is attributed to Sin Rom. 6.23 whose due wages is death Eternal A Table is attributed to the heart when it is fixed upon any thing Prov. 3.3 Jer. 17.1 A Cover or Covering denotes ignorance because if a thing be covered we cannot see it Esa. 25.7 2 Cor. 3.14 15 16. Lam. 3.65 A Sheath or Scabbard is put for the body because the Soul lodges there as a Sword in a Sheath Dan. 7.15 A Vessel is put for a mans body 1 Sam. 21.5 1 Thess. 4.4 Paul calls himself and his Collegues Earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4.7 because of the Contempt Calamities and Hazards that they were expos'd to in the World as Earthen Vessels are more despised and more obnoxious to be broken than such as are made of Silver and Gold 1 Pet. 3.7 Peter calls a Woman the weaker Vessel because more subject to weaknesses and infirmities than men Paul is called a chosen Vessel by Christ Acts 9.15 that is a most choice and excellent instrument whom he would use to Convert the Gentiles Vessels of Grace or Honour are such as are saved by Grace and Vessels of Wrath and Dishonour such as rejected and damned for their Infidelity and Contempt of the Messiah Rom. 9.21 22 23. See 2 Tim. 2.20 21. Where there is an express comparison See Esa. 22.8 c. A Garment which covers the body defends and adorns it yeilds a double Metaphor 1. It denotes Salvation by the application and appropriation of the great benefits of Christ as well in this life as in that which is to come Psal. 45.8.13 14. Esa. 61 10. Rev. 3.18 and 7.14 and 16.15 The reason of the Comparison is excellent 1. From the hiding of indecenâ—â— nakedness of which Psal. 32 1. Rom. 4.6 7. 2. Because thereby the body is defended from Cold and other noxious things Matth. 2â—â— 12 Rom. 8.30 c. 3 Because it adorns and beautifies Psal. 110.3 c. See the Parables Ezek. 16.10 c. Math. 22.11.12 Luke 15.22 The Typical Visions Zach. 3.3 c. Rev. 7.13 14. and 19.8 and 21 2. The Typical Actions Gen. 3.21 and 24.52 The Putting on and constant keeping of this spiritual Garment is primarily by Faith in Christ Rom. 13.14 Gal. 3.26 and 27. And consequently by the Renovation of Holy Spirit and the Conversation of a Holy Life Rom. 13.12 Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10 12. 1 Pet. 3 3 4. Contrary to this is the Garment spotted with the Flesh Jude ver 23. The defiling of Garments Rev. 3.4 which is the old man Eph. 4.22 Col. 3.8 See Esa. 59.5 6. c. 2. With respect to outward Conversation Sheeps Cloathing is attributed to the False Prophets and False Teachers in the Church Matth. 7.15 Which denotes any outward things which are specious and made use of craftily to acquire authority and popular favour as when men make use of a dissembling personated or hypocritical sanctity as a Cloak to inveagle and deceive others When they pretend to be called of God Jer. 23.25 30. 1 Kings 13.18 Matth. 7.22 When they make a flourish about the knowledge of Tongues Universal Learning great Eloquence and other acquired Ornaments Rom. 16.18 1 Cor. 13.1 2. and gifts especially the working of Miracles whether truly done or by meer Imposture Deut. 13.2 Matth. 7.22 2 Thess. 2.9 See 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. 2 Tim. 3.5.6 Col. 2.18 To this Sheeps Cloathing is fitly oppos'd A Wolfish mind denoting 1. The quality of their Doctrine viz. it was damning and a Wolf is a destroyer of Sheep 2. Their bloody principles that would cruelly Lord it and Tyrannize over mens Consciences
the Kingdom puts a difference between Egypt and Israel secludes Hymeneus and Philetus Hypocrites and Hereticks and all unclean Persons that the Peace of the Family may be preserved hath threatned they that trouble it shall bear their Judgment whoever they be God divorced the Church of Israel c. XXVI God upon this Ground hath tho he account it his strange Work turn'd to be an Enemy to those â—â—f his own Houshold and hath not only cast them out but drawn his glittering Sword made sharp by whetting bent his Bow and prepared his Arrows upon the String made sick in smiting and utterly destroyed aâ—â— in the Case of Israel Judah and Jerusalem XXVII God sware in his Wrath that they should not enter into his Rest and left them to expectation of fiery Indignation XXVIII Thus God dealt with Israel and Judah gave Jacob to the Spoil and Israel to the Robbers and was so far from interposing between them and Danger that he gave them up to fearful Ruine from the Chaldeans and to the Romans in the Time of Josephus declaring that his Eye should not pity neither would he have Mercy And as to particular Persons David told Solomon that if he forsook God God would cast him off for ever Thus those are confounded even as Judas Iscariot was and as Jesus Christ speaks of the Branches that abide not They are cast off and Men gather them and they come to Burning and as Salt when good for nothing is cast to the Dunghill and trodden under foot XXIX God that he might be justified in all his Actions hath appointed a general Judgment to bring forth his Works and Actions that he may clear himself and overcome when he is judged Hence it is said He hath appointed a Day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness call all his Houshold to account before the Angels and there make his Justice shine as the Sun at Noon in respect of all his Providences and Dispensations XXX God certainly rewards all Men for well-doing both in this World and that which is to come Verily shall one say there is a Reward for the Righteous when there is a God that judges in the Earth The Righteous shall be recompenced in the Earth Godliness hath the Promise of the Life that now is and that which is to come Metaphor I. AN Housholder in this World hath but a small Family tho never so great a Person Solomon was the greatest we read of yet small in comparison c. II. An Housholder in this World is but a Steward under another c. III. An Housholder in this World wants Wisdom and may be defective in respect of Government over his Houshold IV. An Housholder cannot of himself make his Family V. An Housholder in this World cannot communicate Strength nor secure from falling by Sickness or Death till they have finished the Work which he hath committed to them VI. An Housholder in this World may be taken away from his Houshold by human Force or by Sickness and Death VII An Housholder in this World may be from home about other Business not all times doing his Family good VIII An Housholder in this World tho he be at home and well yet he may be asleep and Evil come in the same Instant IX An Housholder may be taken away captive or forced to flie from his Family tho as valiant as David as wise as Solomon as great and mighty as Belshazzar and Darius X. An Housholder cannot always preserve his Family in Peace nor give them everlasting Rewards Disparity I. GOD hath a very great Family as numerous as the Stars or the Sand of the Sea The God of the whole Earth shall he be called The Earth is the Lord's and the Fulness thereof The Fathers and the Children are all his and the whole World receives great Benefits by him c. He gives all their Meat in due season He makes the Sun to shine and the Rain to fall on the Just and Vnjust II. But God is absolute Head and Lord under no Commission neither in subjection to any III. God is infinitely wise and good perfect in Knowledg hath all Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg hath Depths of Wisdom and Knowledg unsearchable and past finding out 'T is impossible for him to err or miscarry in any case his Way is perfect IV. But God is the Maker of his Family from the highest to the lowest Thou hast made us and not we our selves c. V. But God is able to make all Grace abound to make the Arms of their Hands strong to renew their Strength like the Eagle to make the Weak become as David and David as the Angel of God so as to run and not be weary to walk and not faint VI. God is always abiding as he hath no beginning of Days nor end of Life He is the eternal and ever-living God VII God is never from home about other Business cannot be out of the way of doing his Family good because every where present on Earth as well as in Heaven He fills his own Work therefore promised to be with them in the Fire and in the Water and promised never to leave them nor forsake them VIII But God the Keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps for Night and Day the Dark and the Light are alike to him and between the Land and the Sea there is no difference For his Ways are in the Dark in the Deep and his Footsteps are in the mighty Waters IX But God yea the Omnipotent God cannot be invaded nor carried away captive he keeps his Place and is immoveable None hath an Arm like God and by Strength nor no other way shall any prevail over him God is Omnipotent Powerful Invincible c. X. But God the Preserver of Men and of the Souls of his Saints can so preserve in Peace that none darâ—â—s approach to rob his Family of it God gives his Family Consolation and good Hope here and Reward or Inheritance hereafter which shall never fade away nor be taken from them Inferences 1. IF God be an Housholder we infer against Epicures that he is and must be concerned in the Affairs of this lower World why otherwise should all things look up to him as the Psalmist saith and how should they be cared for and provided for as Christ himself and St. Paul averr God gives not his Spirit once and no more but it is given to his People daily and hourly 't is that gives us our daily and common Bread and taketh care of us c. 2. We infer how greatly ignorant most of the World are in that they do not account it a great Privilege to be under the Conduct of God and enquire what they should do to please him 3. What a mighty Blessing and Privilege they have who are under his Conduct that is able to do all manner of Good for them in this World and reward with everlasting Life in the World to come
eternal Purpose which was purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2. It was for the Glory of his Mercy and Goodness which moved Wisdom to seek out and provide this blessed Mediator and glorious Means of Reconciliation when God might justly have left fallen Man as he did the fallen Angels Moreover this of a Mediatâ—â—r shews us that God must be dealt with in a way of free Grace Entreaty and Request Hence we read how fervently Christ prayed and interceded for us yea what strong Cries and Tears he offered up in the Days of his Fiesh Whatsoever blessed Relief Pardon Peace c. Mankind receives 't is wholly in a way of Mercy and free Grace through the Mediation of the Lord Jesus Chriist By Grace ye are saved God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son 3. It was for the Glory of his Justice which must be dealt with in a way of Satisfaction Grace will be dealt with in a way of Intreaty salvâ Justitiâ Therefore the Covenant is established in the hands of a Mediator that is able to lay down a Price or Ransom That so God might be just and the Justifier of those that believe in Jesus Nay when the Lord Jesus undertook on our behalf to come up to the Demand of Justice 't is said God spared him not but delivered him up to Death for us all He bore our Sins in his own Body on the Tree 4. The Sovereignty of God is manifested in its Glory that through a Mediator he is pleased to extend Mercy to Mankind when none is afforded to the Angels that sinned and that Jesus at his Command should lay down his Life for the Sheep 5. It magnifies the Glory of God's Power and All-sufficiency who can raise up and restore Man to greater Happiness than ever he had before his Fall when Devils and Sin had done their worst 6. The like might be said of the Holiness Patience and Faithfulness of God c. Moreover this Undertaking adds to the Glory of Christ Jesus who is the Mediator himself God had hereby a design to greaten the Name of his Son the second Person of the Trinity in our Nature 1. In that he is constituted by undertaking in this honourable Office King Priest and Prophet 2. In respect of that great Power which is given to him to make Peace between God and Man to have the Keys to open and shut and to give eternal Life to as many as he pleaseth or are given by the Father to him 3. Nay his Glory shines forth herein to such a degree that 't is the Duty of all Men to honour the Son as they honour the Father 4. Christ hath hereby the Honour of accomplishing the whole Affair being Author and Finisher of our Faith and Salvation Secondly In respect of Man there was great need of such a Mediator 1. God would not treat with Sinners upon any other Terms There is no Knowledg of God which is saving nor Union with him without a Reconciliation You that were sometimes afar off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ. Neither knoweth any Man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him 2. Without a Mediator to atone and make Peace between the Father and us there is no Communion with him Can two walk together unless they are agreed Nor Eternal Life Such as are without Christ and without God must die that is be damned in their Sins X. Christ was every way qualified and fitted for this Work He was not only wise but the Wisdom of God much for Justice but yet inclined to Mercy and Pity to the Poor And then again how was he fitted by his being God 'T is from the Worth and Excellency of his Person that the Price comes to be satisfactory Besides had he not been God as he could not have expiated Sin so he could not have overcome Death and other Enemies he was to encounter with that he might accomplish our Redemption 2. He must be Man because he is to plead for us and be sacrificed on the Cross in our stead he must bleed as well as intercede for Man For without shedding of Blood there is no Remission He must be Man that he might be one with us that his Righteousness might by Imputation be ours and that he might receive the Spirit for us and we from him who is the Son receive it with the Adoption of Sons and thereby be sure of the eternal Inheritance 3. He must be God and Man in one Person A Mediator is not a Mediator of one but God is one And by this Means he is fitly qualified for his Office He must be a Person at an equal distance from and drawing near and allied to both Parties having Interest in and participating of the Nature of each Hence it is thought that he is called our Dayes-man or Kinsman that lays his hands on both Having access unto them knowing what will stand with the Honour of the one and be for the Relief and Profit of the other XI Christ is faithful both to God and Man greatly for the Honour of the one and as much for the Comfort and Salvation of the other He is said to be faithful to him that appointed him And in respect of Man he is called a faithful High-Priest XII Jesus Christ met with much Trouble in the Days of his Flesh in managing our Business as Mediator from the Devil and wicked Men. He found the World very averse to accept of Terms of Peace and not only so but they offered violence to him and grievously abused him XIII Jesus Christ was meek and lowly in Heart he patiently bore the Hidings of his Father's Face How quietly did he bear and endure the Punishment due to us for our Sin notwithstanding we esteemed him not but hid our Faces as it were from him He was oppressed he was afflicted yet he opened not his Mouth He patiently waits upon poor Sinners XIV Jesus Christ as he was potent so he was of a very couragious and undaunted Spirit He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he hath set Judgment in the Earth XV. Jesus Christ was a pacifying Mediator for instead of a personal Satisfaction from the Sinner God accepts of his Mediation He was made Sin for us who knew no Sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him Instead of an inherent Righteousness God accepts of a Righteousness imputed and accepts of Sincerity instead of a perfect keeping the whole Law and through his Mediation obtains pardon for human Frailties XVI Jesus Christ our Mediator hath a Time set him to finish his Mediatorial Kingdom and Office which will cease at the end of the World when all the Elect are gathered in XVII Jesus Christ our Mediator uses most weighty and powerful Arguments such as in the Word of God
him and coming into the World Secondly by those hard things he met with in this Life for our sakes Thirdly by shedding of his Blood Fourthly he commends his Love by the continual Motions of his Spirit upon our Hearts and by those inward Checks of Conscience besides those blessed Offers and Tenders of Grace which dropp'd from his gracious Lips If any Man thirst let him come unto me and drink Look unto me and be saved all ye Ends of the Earth Come to me all ye that are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you Rest. Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any Man hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in unto him and sup with him and he with me IX Jesus Christ loves poor Sinners not for any thing he sees in them not for Beauty Riches c. For naturally Mankind hath nothing that may render them any way desirable in Christ's eye he might see enough in them to loath them but nothing to love them X. Jesus Christ sues hard is very importunate uses many powerful and weighty Arguments to prevail with Sinners to accept of the Terms of Grace and join in an holy Contract of Love with him 1. One is taken from the Dignity of his Person being the Root and Off-spring of David David's Lord as well as David's Son I saith he and my Father are one 2. From that early Love and good Will he bore to them When there were no Depths was I brought forth When he gave the Sea his Decree Then was I by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his Delight rejoycing always before him Rejoycing in the habitable Parts of the Earth and my Delights were with the Sons of Men. And in another place I have loved thee with an everlasting Love therefore with Loving-kindness have I drawn thee 3. From the Intention or Purpose of his coming so long a Journey I am come that ye might have Life Not to call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance Come to seek and to save that which was lost 4. His great Abasement and Condescension 5. From his Suffering I lay down my Life for my Sheep Can there be a greater Argument than this 6. He argues with Sinners from the Consideration of their own Misery and that absolute Necessity there is of closing with him and the blessed Effects of it He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the Wrath of God abideth on him XI Jesus Christ waits long and hath much Patience before he doth desist his Suit and leave Sinners to perish in their Iniquities How long did infinite Patience wait upon the old World was it not one hundred and twenty Years and forty Years upon Israel in the Wilderness I have saith he spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious People But if he prevails at last he thinks nothing too much that he has suffered for Sinners He waits at the Door of his Spouse until his Head is wet with Dew and his Locks with the Drops of the Night yet does he not think all too much XII Jesus Christ doth express and manifest great Love to Sinners which he intends to take into Covenant-Relation with himself His Love like Nilus overflows all Banks and Bounds his Grace is without Limits beyond the Love of Jonathan to David What doth the Gospel shew or express more plainly than the Strength of Christ's Love to Sinners Christ express'd such Love that never any other had in laying down his Life for his Enemies for such that were Rebels to him and his Father There is Depth Heighth Length and Breadth in it it passeth Knowledg XIII Jesus Christ is greatly troubled at the ungrateful Repulses he meets with from Sinners which appears 1. By his being grieved He was grieved because of the Hardness of their Hearts When he drew near to Jerusalem he wept over it perceiving how basely they had slighted and rejected him 2. By condoling and bewailing their miserable State and Obstinacy Israel will have none of me O Jerusalem Jerusalem how often would I have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings and ye would not 3. By hiding of his Face and bringing Afflictions upon them I will go and return to my place till they acknowledg their Offences and seek my Face In their Afflictions they will seek me early XIV Jesus Christ notwithstanding all the Unkindnesses of Sinners hath afforded them his Word wherein is expressed his good Will and Desire to them nay and more than this sends many a kind Message to them by the sweet Motions of his Spirit to awaken their Consciences before he leaves them finally Thus he strove with the old World XV. Jesus Christ sends his faithful Ministers who are as Spokesmen for their Master I have saith Paul espoused you to one Husband that I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ. I have espoused you the meaning is I have been employed as an Instrument sent and commissionated by the Lord Jesus to do it Many Arguments they use to bring poor Sinners to accept of the Offers of Grace and receive Jesus Christ as 1. They like Abraham's Servant set forth the Greatness and Riches of their Master The Lord saith he hath blessed my Master greatly and he is become great he hath given him Flocks and Herds Silver and Gold c. And Sarah my Master's Wife bare a Son to my Master when she was old and to him hath he given all that he hath God is very great all things in Heaven and Earth are his the Cattel upon a thousand Hills and saith the Servant of God he hath given unto Christ all that he hath All things are delivered unto me of my Father Christ is very rich the Heir of all things 2. They set not out only the Greatness and Riches of Christ but his excellent Beauty also Thou art fairer than the Children of Men. 3. The Power of Christ. 4. His Wisdom 5. His Love and rich Bounty 6. They set before Sinners what the Promises are if they receive him and what Glory they shall be raised to 7. The Wofulness of their present State and what it will be in the end if they do refuse him Knowing therefore the Terror of the Lord we persuade Men. XVI Jesus Christ sends tokens of his gracious Love to all such that he intends to marry and betroth unto himself for ever he gives them a Cabinet of costly Jewels the Graces of the Spirit to adorn them They shall be an Ornament of Grace unto thy Head and Chains about thy Neck Grace is like a Box of precious Ointment whose odoriferous Smell perfumes the Hearts and Lives of Believers XVII Jesus Christ cannot endure that the Heart of-a Professor should be divided or that a Man or Woman should have
who think Christ Jesus will never appear as a Lion but always shew himself in his Lamb-like Disposition Christ is a Lion as well as a Lamb and will ere long rise up to the Prey 2. What will become of the Murtherers and Destroyers of his Church in the Day of his fierce Wrath when he comes to make Inquisition for Blood 3. O that Sinners from hence would learn to prostrate themselves at his feet 4. This speaks much Comfort to the Godly He is full of Bowels and like a Lion able to defend and deliver them 5. By Faith and Prayer let us strive to rouze up this Lion of the Tribe of Judah to tear in pieces all his implacable Enemies Christ the true Manna John 6.50 This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven that a Man may eat thereof and not die Rev. 2.17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna CHRIST and the Graces of Christ are called Manna the Antitype of that Manna that fell in the Wilderness Exod. 16. Manna in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Manah preparare to prepare because it was Food prepared from Heaven for the Israelites in the Wilderness Flacc. Illyricus and others say That when the Israelites saw it like congealed Dew or small Hail or Snow lying up and down about the Camp they asked one another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What 's that what 's that And because of frequent Repetition that it might be more easily pronounced they added the Letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and pronounced Manhu whence they retain the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man Manna Type I. MAnna was a strange and mysterious thing at first to the Israelites they knew not what it was II. Manna was Food prepared from Heaven III. Manna came down or descended from Heaven IV. Manna was white it was a pure fair and bright thing V. Manna was round in Form and Figure VI. Manna was a Gift it was given to Israel freely it cost them nothing VII Manna was given to all to the Poor as well as to the Rich none were forbidden to partake thereof VIII Manna was pleasant it had all the Taste and Relish of Sweetness in it IX Manna did nourish well and was given in great plenty X. Manna was to be bruised in a Mill that so it might become more useful for Food XI Manna was given equally to all the Israelites they had all a certain measure not one more than another were all Fellow-commoners every Man had his part his Omer XII Manna was a small and little thing unto the Eye like to a Coriander-Seed XIII Manna came down with the Dew it was covered or hid as it were with Dew XIV Manna was not given to the Israelites whilst they were in Egypt XV. Manna fell round about the Camp of Israel and in no other place XVI Manna was given to Israel in the Wilderness it was their only Food whilst they remained in that desert State XVII It was gathered daily except on the Sabbath then there was none to be found XVIII They went out of their Tents to gather it XIX If Manna was kept or received otherwise than God ordained and appointed it stank and bred Worms XX. Manna ceased when Israel came into Canaan XXI Manna was only given to the Israelites XXII Those that would receive the Benefit of Manna were to eat it XXIII Manna came very seasonably to Israel they had else starved XXIV Manna was to be kept and put in a Golden Pot before the Lord to remain in the Holiest for ever XXV Manna was loathed by those evil Murmurers on whom the Wrath of God fell they esteemed it light Bread XXVI In the day before the Sabbath in the night Manna fell abundantly that so they might gather it on that day to provide Food for the Sabbath Parallel I. JEsus Christ is the Wonder of Men and Angels and when He came into this World yea to his own they knew him not II. Christ had a Body prepared of the Father that he might be Food for Believers III. Christ is the true Bread or Manna from Heaven IV. Sic Christus describitur Apoc. 1. So is Christ described without Sin V. Christ respecting his Divinity is infinite perfect and entire no beginning no end VI. Christ is called a Gift the choicest Gift that ever God bestowed given freely for the Life of the World VII Christ is sent to all to Jews and Gentiles to the Small as well as the Great to the Poor as well as the Rich none are excluded VIII Whatsoever is pleasant sweet and delicious in a spiritual sence is found in Christ his Word is sweet as Honey or the Honey-Comb O taste and see how good the Lord is IX Christus sufficit ad omnes c. Christ is very sufficient and plentiful there is in him enough to nourish and feed all What Soul is there but may be filled to the full if he comes to Christ X. Christus ut animis nostris cibus esset doloribus mortis in Cruce contundebatur Christ that he might be Food for our Souls was bruised It pleased the Father to bruise him XI All true Israelites have their equal Share in Christ a whole Christ is given to every Saint they have all one Portion one Husband one Kingdom and Crown that fadeth not away XII Christ was little low and contemptible in the Eyes of the World of no reputation XIII Christ came down with the Dew of the Spirit being baptized or covered therewith hence called as some conceive hidden Manna XIV Christ who is the true Manna is not given to Unbelievers that remain in Bondage and Slavery under the Power of Sin and Satan XV. Christ is conversant within the Limits of his Church The Graces of the Spirit fall upon Mount Hermon the Dew descends upon the Mountains of Zion There God commanded the Blessing even Life for evermore Christ walks in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks XVI Christ and the Blessings of Christ are given to us who are in the Desert or Wilderness of this World We have no other Food for our Souls but are to live upon Christ by Faith so long as we are in this howling Wilderness XVII Those that would have Christ must seek him in the Time God hath appointed In the Day of the glorious Rest or Sabbath that remains to the People of God there will be no Christ no Manna for Sinners XVIII We must go out of the old Man and sensual Rests and Love of this World if we would participate of Christ. XIX The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper or any other Institutions of Christ made use of or received in other manner than Christ hath ordained and appointed it stinks in the Nostrils of God and is abhorred by good Men. XX. Living by Faith and our being fed by Ordinances will cease when
a Priest for ever the Rhemist Annotators are greatly at a loss about concluding that it makes against the Jews and Aaron's Priesthood which worthy Cartwright learnedly answers to whom we refer you For clear it is that what the Papists affirm concerning their Priest and Mass to be a propitiatory Sacrifice for the Quick and the Dead is detected from hence to be a blasphemous execrable and pestilent Error and by no means are they able to make the Offerings and Sacrifices made by their Priests as Christ's Successors to hold good in any case or consonant to God's Word Which further to evince we shall here cite a Page of Dr. Owen's on Heb. 7.24 and so conclude this of Christ's Priesthood The Expositors of the Roman Church are greatly perplexed in the reconciling of this Passage of the Apostle unto the present Priesthood of their Church and they may well be so seeing undoubtedly they are irreconcileable Some of them say That Peter succeeded unto Christ in his Priesthood as Eleazar did unto Aaron so Ribera Some of them deny that he hath any Successor properly so called Successorem non habet nec ità quisquam Catholicus loquitur si benè circumspectè loqui velit saith Aestius But it is openly evident that some of them are not so circumspect as Aestius would have them but do plainly affirm that Peter was Christ's Successor A Lapide indeed affirms that Peter did not succeed unto Christ as Eleazar did unto Aaron because Eleazar had the Priesthood in the same degree and dignity with Aaron and so had not Peter with Christ but yet that he had the same Priesthood with him a Priesthood of the same kind he doth not deny That which they generally six upon is That their Priests have not another Priesthood or offer another Sacrifice but are Partakers of his Priesthood and minister under him and so are not his Successors but his Vicars which I think is the worst Composure of this Difficulty they could have thought upon For 1. This is contrary unto the Words and Design of the Apostle for the Reason he assigns why the Priesthood of Christ doth not pass from him to any other is because he abides himself for ever to discharge the Office of it Now this excludes all Subordination and Conjunction all Vicars as well as Successors unless we shall suppose that although he doth thus abide yet he is one way or other disabled to discharge his Office 2. The Successors of Aaron had no more another Priesthood but what he had nor did they offer any other Sacrifice than what he offered as these Priests pretend to offer the same Sacrifice that Christ did So that still the case is the same between Aaron and his Successors and Christ and his Substitutes 3. They say That Christ may have Substitutes in his Office tho he abide a Priest still and altho the Office still continue the same unchangeable So God in the Government of the World makes use of Judges and Magistrates yet is himself the supreme Rector of all But this Pretence is vain also For they do not substitute their Priests unto him in that which he continueth to do himself but in that which he doth not which he did indeed as a Priest ought to do but now ceaseth to do for ever in his own Person for the principal Act of the Sacerdotal Office of Christ consisted in his Oblation or his offering himself a Sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour unto God This he did once and ceaseth for ever from doing so any more but these Priests are assigned to offer him in Sacrifice every day as Partakers of the same Priesthood with him which is indeed not to be his Substitutes but his Successors and to take his Office out of his hand as if he were dead and could henceforth discharge it no more For they do not appoint Priests to intercede in his Room because they grant he continueth himself so to do but to offer Sacrifice in his stead because he doth so no more Wherefore if that be an Act of Priesthood and of their Priesthood as is pretended 't is unavoidable that his Priesthood is passed from him unto them Now this is a blasphemous Imagination and directly contrary both unto the Words of the Apostle and the whole Design of his Argument nay it would lay the Advantage on the other side For the Priests of the Order of Aaron had that Privilege that none could take their Office upon them nor officiate in it whilst they were alive but altho Christ abideth for ever yet according to the Sence of these Men and their Practice thereon he stands in need of others to officiate for him and that in the principal part of his Duty and Office For to offer himself in Sacrifice unto God he neither now doth nor can seeing henceforth he dieth no more This is the Work of the Mass-Priests alone who must therefore be honoured as the Successors of Christ or else be abhorred as his Murtherers for the Sacrifice of Him must be by Blood and Death The Argument of the Apostle as it is exclusive of this Imagination so it is cogent unto this purpose for so he proceedeth That Priesthood which changeth not but is always vested in the same Person and in him alone is more excellent than that which was subject to change continually from one hand to another for that Transmission of it from one unto another was an Effect of Weakness and Imperfection And the Jews grant that the Frequency of their Change under the second Temple was a Token of God's Displeasure But thus it was not with the Priesthood of Christ which never changeth and that of Aaron which was always in a transient Succession And the Reasons he gives of this contrary State of these two Priesthoods do greatly enforce the Argument For the first Priesthood was so successive because the Priests themselves were obnoxious unto Death the Sum and Issue of all Weaknesses and Infirmities But as to the Lord Jesus Christ his Priesthood is perpetual and unchangeable because he abideth personally for ever Being made a Priest according to the Power of an endless Life which is the Sum of all Perfection that our Nature is capable of Christ a Prophet Mat. 13.57 A Prophet is not without Honour save in his own Country Luke 7.16 And they glorified God saying That a great Prophet was risen among them John 4.19 The Woman said unto him Sir I perceive thou art a Prophet Acts 3.22 For Moses truly said unto the Fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you like unto me c. IT is a common and received Principle amongst all that are truly godly that Jesus the Son of the Highest stands in a capacity of King Priest and Prophet to his Church and so is to be received by all that will on good grounds receive benefit by him Having spoken somewhat of his Kingly and Priestly Office somewhat relating to Him in
Will and one who knew all the Father's Secrets No Man hath seen God at any time save the only begotten Son of God which is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him XIII Jesus Christ hath excelled all that went before him in this respect He was not applauded by the People only who said he was a Teacher come from God that he taught like one that had Authority and never Man spake like him but he was commended as one fit to be heard by God himself and that with an audible Voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son hear ye him This great Prophet of the Most High hath in pursuit of his Prophetical Office laid a fair Foundation for the Church to build upon in these great and most important Points 1. He hath set forth God in the Excellency of his Nature and Perfections He hath told us we are to have Faith in him to love him with all our whole Soul and with all our Strength and to worship him in Spirit and in Truth 2. He hath set forth Himself as Mediator the immediate Object of Faith and to be followed in his Life and Doctrine Another Foundation can no Man lay 3. He hath confirmed the Holy Scriptures as the Rule of Worship directing Men to them for the Regulation of their Hearts and Lives Search the Scriptures 'T is written in your Law c. And to the young Man that would know what he should do to inherit eternal Life he said How readest thou c. 4. He hath set forth the World to come in the Glory of it as the Reward of Worship telling them that there is a Kingdom to be given and The Pure in Heart shall see God XIV Jesus Christ hath not only as the Author of our Faith laid a sure Foundation for us to build upon but as the Finisher thereof hath Store of Gifts and Graces to bestow which he hath promised to give down and hath also proposed such Examples and Precepts touching all the Particularities of our Duty which if followed cannot miss of perfecting and making the Church compleat Be ye merciful as Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect Love one another Walk as you have me for an Example and what you would that Men should do to you that do unto them This is the Law and the Prophets XV. Jesus Christ was the most perfect Copy to write by the best Example to conform our Lives unto that ever our Eyes beheld or that ever appeared 1. In his unparallel'd Meekness Humility Self-Denial and Contempt of this World 2. His unwearied Patience under Afflictions and Sufferings 3. His Zeal and Forwardness to do good even to the worst of his Enemies XVI Jesus Christ hath given forth Scripture by the glorious Power of the Holy-Ghost which are the four Evangelists and all the Epistles and as to the Book of the Apocalypse he hath so confirm'd it that he hath made it Damnation to any that shall add to it or diminish from it XVII Herein Jesus Christ hath compleated his Work as a Prophet He did expound to his Disciples what was written in the Law of Moses in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning himself And not only so but he foretold them things that were yet to come to pass as the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Captivity of the Jews He did not conceal but plainly told that there should be a Day of Distress such as had not been since they were a Nation And soon after his Ascension sent his Angel to signify to his Servant John for the teaching all his Churches many things that are and shortly should come to pass As 1. The Rise Reign and Ruine of the last Beast 2. The Suffering of the Church in the Wilderness during his Reign 3. The Glory Grandure horrid Wickedness and fearful Overthrow of Mystery Babylon 4. The going forth of the everlasting Gospel into all the World 5. And lastly his own coming in Glory with the New Jerusalem the holy Angels and all Saints to solemnize the last and dreadful Judgment Prophet I. ALL other Prophets besides Christ were inspired by Christ. The Prophets searched what manner of time the Spirit of Christ in them did signify c. by which he preached to the Spirits in Prison II. Other Prophets pointed at Christ as the Scope of their Prophecies they testified before-hand the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that was to follow III. Other Prophets did but begin the holy Books that were to be the perpetual Rule of Faith and Practice they told us of Divine Things but in part IV. Other Prophets spake of God by private Inspiration and the Intelligence of Angels and few of them confirmed their Words by Miracles V. Other Prophets have left their Work and are all gone Your Fathers where are they And the Prophets do they live for ever What Man is he that liveth and shall not see Death Abraham is dead and the Prophets c. Disparity I. JEsus Christ received not the holy Spirit by measure but hath the Fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily II. Jesus Christ came as the Sum of their Prophecies to fulfill them and compleat what they foretold This is He of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write III. Jesus Christ did finish and compleat the holy Books which are to be the perfect and compleat Rule of Faith and Practice to the end of the World He shewed plainly of the Father He is that Prophet that all Men are to hear upon the Penalty of being destroyed from amongst the People He that hears not his Voice and believes not his Gospel shall not see Life but perish in his Sins How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation confirmed by Signs and Wonders IV. But Jesus Christ spake of the Father as he had seen Him and conversed with Him heard his Words and was in his Bosom before He came down among us in the likeness of Man and confirmed his Doctrine by many immediate and mighty Miracles No Man has seen God at any time but the only begotten Son that is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him The things that I have heard of him I speak unto you If I had not done amongst them the Works which none other Man did they had not had Sin but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father V. Jesus Christ abides in his Prophetical Office still that is of like continuance with his Kingly and Priestly Office as he abides a Priest continually so a Prophet He is with his Church to lead it and guide it to the end of the World as himself saith And lo I am with you always even to the end of the World Inferences I. WE may infer from hence That God hath been exceeding good
unto the World in sending such a Prophet after the great Abuse of others that went before a good Prophet a great Prophet none like him that went before him or should come after him The Son of God Emanuel God with us II. This informs us also how exceeding useful our Lord Jesus Christ as a Prophet is to his Church having compleated what others left undone shewing the Riches Glory and Duration of the World to come and indeed in declaring the whole Counsel of God and bringing Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel III. Moreover you may seee the absolute Necessity the Church has of such a Prophet without whom the People would have sate in Darkness and in the Shadow of Death and have been left to stumble upon the dark Mountains IV. From hence we infer the infallible Certainty of what he has declared for it could not be that such a Prophet should deceive the World These things are true and faithful V. Behold the strong and forcible Obligation that is upon the World to believe his Doctrine where it is preached and to reject all Doctrines that are repugnant to it VI. How inexcusable will all those be who reject his Gospel and despise his Ministers It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for them VII Let the Christian Church from hence learn to hold fast what she hath received for the Truth as it is in Jesus had a great and faithful Witness who confirmed it by mighty Miracles and sealed it with his own Blood Christ a Shepherd John 10.11 I am the good Shepherd c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metaphor I. A Shepherd is chosen and appointed to take care of the Sheep being a Man skilful in doing that Work and Business II. A Shepherd knows his Sheep he knows their Number and knows them particularly from Sheep that are none of his and one from another III. A Shepherd marks his Sheep whereby they are distinguished from others IV. A Shepherd feeds his Sheep he leads them to green Pastures and Springs of Water Should not the Shepherd feed the Flock V. A Shepherd preserves his Flock he takes care they do not feed in unwholsom Pastures and defends them from Enemies VI. A Shepherd hath a Fold for his Sheep whither he brings them for their better Security and his own Profit VII A Shepherd keeps his Sheep together suffers them not to stray and straggle abroad lest they should be lost VIII A Shepherd if any of his Sheep be set upon by Dogs or Wolves will venture his Life for them to defend and rescue them from those Beasts of Prey as David for a Lamb fought with a Lion and a Bear IX A Shepherd is very tender of his Flock will not over-drive them takes special care of the Lambs and those that are weak and feeble X. If a Shepherd has lost one Sheep if one Sheep or Lamb be gone astray he will seek it and when he hath found it he brings it home with abundance of Joy saying to his Neighbours Rejoyce with me for I have found my lost Sheep XI A Shepherd heals the Diseases of the Sheep The diseased saith God to the Shepherds of Israel have ye not strengthned neither have ye healed that which was sick XII A Shepherd judges between Sheep and Sheep between fat and lean Ones and if any push the weak and hurt or wrong his Fellow or would thrust and shoulder him out of the Fold the Shepherd takes notice of it and accordingly orders such who do the wrong XIII The Shepherd watches over his Sheep because of the Dangers that might otherwise befall them in the Night And there were in the same Country Shepherds abiding in the Field keeping watch over their Flock by night c. XIV Shepherds are to give an account of their Sheep to see that none are lacking XV. A Shepherd washes his Sheep in convenient places from all Filth and Soil which they are subject to contract to themselves XVI A Shepherd delights much to see his Sheep and Lambs thrive XVII A Shepherd if he sees one or more of his Sheep are infected with any Distemper so that they may endanger the rest he separates such from the Flock XVIII A Shepherd separates the Sheep from the Goats XIX A Shepherd leads his Flock to some sweet shady Place where he makes them rest at Noon when the Sun shines hot Parallel I. JEsus Christ is chosen of God and appointed to take the Care and Charge of the Church and very capable to undertake that blessed Work II. I know my Sheep saith Christ and am known of mine He takes special notice of every particular Saint he knew Moses by name He knows their Wants their Sufferings their Weaknesses their Sicknesses and whatever Service they do for his holy Name-sake III. The Lord Jesus hath set his own Image upon his People The Mark which they always bear upon them is Holiness Meekness Obedience by which they are distinguished from the World Set a Mark upon the Men that mourn Christ's Sheep are sealed in their Foreheads and Hands 1. For Distinction 2. Secrecy 3. Security IV. Christ feeds his Flock like a Shepherd his great care is to put them into good and fat Pastures and leads them by the still Waters He gives them good Doctrine feeding them with Knowledg and Vnderstanding V. The Lord Jesus to preserve his Church doth often charge and caution them to beware of and avoid all pernicious and evil Doctrine false Teachers c. And he continually defends them from Sin Satan and all other Enemies VI. The Lord Jesus hath his Church for his Fold whither he brings his Elect for their better Security and his own Glory The Lord added unto the Church daily such as should be saved Glory to God in the Church throughout all Ages VII The Lord Jesus frequently assembles his People together and will not allow any to straggle abroad or be like Lambs in large Places Exhort one another daily c. VII Christ laid down his Life for his Sheep exposed himself to great Sorrows and Miseries for their sakes and engaged with the cruellest of Enemies who sought to make a Prey of and devour his Flock which all the Malice of wicked Men who lay Snares to entrap them cannot accomplish IX Christ is exceeding tender of weak and feeble Christians He shall gather the Lambs with his Arm and carry them in his Bosom and gently lead those that are with young Strengthen ye the weak Hands and confirm the feeble Knees X. Christ the good Shepherd came to seek and save that which was lost his great Design is to bring home Sinners and such as have gone astray as David Peter and other Saints have done When he finds them broken for their Sins how is he pleased He takes up the lost Sheep upon his Shoulder as it were
Way is well-troden the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and all the Godly walked in this very Way 'T is made very smooth the weakest Traveller may without stumbling or danger walk in it VIII In Christ the spiritual Way are all things necessary provided There is Bread and Water of Life sweet Repose and precious Grace ready to defray all Expences for every willing and faithful Traveller IX There is no coming to God but by Christ There is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we must be saved Whoever refuse Christ and Life through him let their Confidence be never so great it will deceive them and their Hope will prove like the Spider's Web. X. Poor Sinners greatly rejoyce when through Christ they are brought home to the Father but what Joy will it be to them when they come to the End of their Journey the Salvation of their Souls Quest. In what respect is Christ called the Way or said to be the Way to the Father Ans. As he is Mediator between God and Man 1. As a Priest he aton'd and made Peace by his own Blood and thereby he is a blessed Way for us to the Father and as he is a Priest to intercede for us in Heaven See Advocate 2. He is the Way as a King to appoint Laws for us and to subdue Sin and other Enemies in us and for us 3. He is the Way as a Prophet to teach and instruct us by his Word and Spirit how to receive that glorious Atonement he hath made and to walk in those Ordinances he hath appointed 4. He is the Way by that holy Example he hath left for us Quest. What kind of Way is Christ Ans. 1. He is the only Way to the Father and eternal Life 1. The Patriarchs of old knew no other Way Abraham rejoyced to see my Day c. 2. The Prophets knew no other Way 3. The Apostles knew no other Way 4. There is no other Way revealed to Mankind 5. There is a Curse denounced to such as shall preach any other Way 2. Christ is a new Way The old Way of Access to God was barred and chained up by the Fall his Blood is called the Blood of the new Covenant By a new and living Way c. 3. Christ is a sure and certain Way no Man ever missed Heaven that rightly sought it in this Way 4. Christ is a safe Way there is Protection Guidance and safe Direction in him 4. Christ is an easy Way his Yoke is easy his Commands are easy There is Strength and Supplies of all things necessary afforded to all that walk in him 6. Christ is a comfortable Way There is sweet Company all Friends and Brethren and no Enemy walks in this Way besides there are excellent Accommodations 7. Christ is a plain Way a Way prepared cast up and all Stumbling-Blocks removed 8. He is a holy Way all other Ways are unclean and filthy none but holy Persons can walk in this Way 9. 'T is a Way of God's devising and finding out 10. 'T is a costly Way It is a cheap Way to us but dear to God it cost Him the parting with his own beloved Son and Christ the Price of his precious Blood Metaphor I. OTher Ways lead only to external Places and Privileges II. Other Ways lead to a Place but they are not that Place to which they lead III. Other Ways are sometimes out of Repair and unfit for Travellers IV. Other Ways have no Life in them nor can't preserve the Traveller from Death and Danger Disparity I. CHrist leads to the blessed immortal and eternal God Heaven and lasting Happiness II. Christ and the Father are one He is the End of a Saints Journey as well as the Father III. But Christ is a Way never out of Repair nor unfit for Sinners to walk in IV. Christ is a living Way He is a speaking directing animating and quickning Way He preserves from Death and Danger Inferences 1. BLess God for this Way O what infinite Grace is here that the Almighty should be so kind and merciful to us poor Sinners as when we had barr'd up our Way to him he should find out another for us and be at such great charge as to send his own Son to be the Way it self 2. We may infer from hence that the Salvation of the Elect is one and the same hence called common Salvation 3. It shews us that there is no Salvation but by Christ. 4. It holds forth the great Necessity of the Gospel and the Ministry thereof 5. What a miserable Condition are all those in that reject Christ 6. It reprehends those who hope or think to find other Ways to Heaven The Papists think to get thither by their own Merits the Quakers by the Light within c. 7. Labour to see a Necessity of Christ. 8. Prize Christ O value Christ He is All in All He is every thing to Believers you can never over-value precious Jesus Christ a Rock 2 Sam. 23.3 The Rock of Israel spake to me c. Mat. 16.18 Upon this Rock will I build my Church 1 Cor. 10.4 And that Rock was Christ. THe Lord Jesus is compared to a Rock Metaphor I. A Rock is a firm and an immoveable thing good for a Foundation I will liken him unto a Man that built his House upon a Rock c. That which is built upon a Rock stands sure in a tempestuous and stormy Season The Rain descended the Floods came and the Winds blew and beat upon the House and it fell not II. Rocks in ancient Times were made use of for Habitations People dwelt in them as well as built upon them they hewed out Houses or Habitations in Rocks III. A Rock is Locus excelsus an high Place tho they have their Root low and deep yet their Tops being high and soaring are lifted far above the Surface of the Earth IV. Rocks being high or eminent Places for Height they are exceeding useful to take pleasant Prospects from hence one may see afar off From the Tops of the Rocks I see him saith Balaam V. Rocks are strong and were made use of for Defence they are Cannon-proof no Fortifications like some Rocks they are impregnable David for Security came into a Rock VI. Rocks are durable permanent and lasting there is no removing a Rock they grow not weak with Age but continue the same from one Generation to another VII Rocks yield Honey Out of the Rock with Honey would I have satisfied them and elsewhere 't is said He gave them Honey out of the Rock VIII Rocks yield the purest Water most pleasant Springs proceed from them No Water says the Naturalist is so clear as that which comes percolated through Rocks IX Precious Stones and Jewels are but as it were the Sperm the Spawn or as Philosophers would have them the Sweat of Rocks All rich Mines of Gold and Silver as is evident from that in Job
I go to prepare a Place for you If I go away I will come again and receive you unto my Father that where I am you may be also XVII The Son of God receiveth Reverence and Respect Love and Honour from the Church and all its Members when others despise him and account him an Impostor and Deceiver But the Church says He is the Son of God both Lord and Christ Lord of Glory Lord of all the Princes of this Life the Head of Angels the choicest and chiefest of Ten Thousand Whom having not seen they love and tho now they see him not yet believing they rejoice with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory He is precious in their Esteem his Name is as Ointment poured forth Metaphor I. THe natural Head is joined but to one numerical and physical Body II. The natural Head is joined to the physical Body by fleshly Bonds and Ligaments Veins and Sinews Nerves and Arteries c. III. The natural Head is sometimes sick being liable to many Distempers of very dangerous consequence as Apoplexies c. and being so it cannot help the Body IV. A natural Head doth many times fall asleep and so becomes unsensible and uncapable of securing its Body and Members at that juncture of Time V. A natural Head is weak and wants Help it self for there is no Man so wise but may receive Additions from others and doth so in all Arts and Sciences yea the Angels themselves have made known to them by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God and are in some respects charged with Folly VI. A natural Head may afford some small help to the Body but cannot bless what it affords VII A natural Head may be broken dasht in pieces and lose its Power of helping the Body and Members VIII A natural Head may dye and lie by the Walls where is then its Help Disparity I. THe Son of God the mystical Head is joined to many numerical and physical Bodies He is not only Head of Angels even of all Principalities and Powers but of all Men in some sence and to the Church and every true Member thereof in a more special and peculiar sence I would have you to know that the Head of every Man is Christ and he is the Head of the Church the Fulness of him that fills all in all II. Jesus Christ is joined to the mystical Head by spiritual and more lasting Bonds as the Bond of voluntary Choice of Promise and invisible Union Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you Because I live you shall live also that they also may be one at thou O Father and I am one I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one III. The Son of God is never sick but always in a capacity not only to help his sick Body on Earth but also against all Diseases much more permanent than the Angels of God dwelling where Sickness cannot approach Neither shall there be any more Sickness or Pain IV. But the Son of God is the Angel of God's Presence and made the Keeper of Israel who neither slumbers nor sleeps V. The Son of God is not weak wants no Help from other Men in respect of any Arts or Sciences whatsoever for if the first Adam had such strength of Wisdom and Knowledg as to give Names to all things sutable to their Natures who was but earthly much more the second Adam who was the Lord from Heaven In whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg VI. The Son of God cannot only afford sutable Help to the Body and Members but can bless the Help to them bless Society and Communion bless Word and Sacraments bless Lenitives and Corrosives Rod and Staff make all things work together for good VII The Son of God though he was hard laid to and much struck at by the Powers of Darkness yet could they never reach high enough to break his Head to dash him and destroy his Power to help his People in time of need but were destroyed themselves in the very Attempt He spoiled Principalities Whoso shall fall upon this Head of the Corner shall be broken to pieces He bruised the Head of the Combatant VIII The Son of God hath passed through the Gates of Death hath conquered him that had the Power of Death and can never dye Death hath no more Dominion over Him He ever lives to make Intercession for the Saints lives for evermore Inferences 1. THis sheweth the great Love and Goodness of God in giving such a Head 2. The great Love of Christ and his wonderful Condescention in stooping so low as to become a Head to poor Mortals 3. What a happy Condition the Church and Members of Christ are in 1. Interrested in the same Love with the Head 2. Under the same degree of Election with the Head 3. Allied to the same Relations interested in the same Riches and assured by Membership of the same Life and Immortality in the World to come Because I live you shall live also 4. Affords a very great motive to all Men to seek Union and Membership with him because as he is so shall they be also hereafter in the next State When he shall appear we shall be like him Christ a Garment for Sanctification Rom. 13. ult But put ye on the Lord Jesus and make no Provision for the Flesh c. IN this Text are two Parts 1. An Act. 2. An Object I. An Act 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is a Metaphor taken from puting on of Garments a Phrase used by the Apostle often in reference to the New Man Eph. 4.24 In reference to the Spiritual Armour Eph. 6.11 In reference to Acts of Mercy Col. 3.12 And here in reference to the Application of Jesus Christ in respect of Sanctification From the scope of the Text 't is evident the Apostle intends Gospel Holiness he presses the Saints at Rome to a godly Life and not only to walk holily but to draw all Power of holy walking from Christ so as to be cloathed with the Vertues and Graces of his Spirit Metaphor I. GArments are for the covering of the Body they hide Nakedness and Deformity II. Garments come not naturally but are prepared and made fit for us III. Garments are worn only in some Countrys by civilized Nations and People some Barbarian and Heathenish Men and Women go naked in some Nations IV. Before new Garments can be put on the old defiled and over-worn Garments must be put off V. Garments are of great Utility in respect of Defence they secure us from the pricks and scratches of Bushes and Thornes and from many bruises and rubs and other hurts which Nakedness exposes to VI. Garments are for keeping of the Body warm what should we do who live in cold Countrys were for it not Cloaths and useful Garments she is not fearful of the Snow for all her Houshold are cloathed in Scarlet VII Garments tend to the
that have Interest in him or can lay claim to this Lamb and his Righteousness is for our Cloathing No Money will pass for currant as it were with God but Jesus Christ. He is the Saints Treasure their Estate and Inheritance lies in Christ But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness c. X. Christ made himself of no reputation In respect of his Humanity he is called a Worm as Annotators expound that in the Psalmist Psal. 22.6 I am a Worm and no Man a Reproach of Men and despised of the People He was small and despised in the eyes of the great Heroes of the Earth There are several great Disparities between Christ and a Lamb but we shall pass by them and only take notice of two or three Inferences I. IF the Lord Jesus was such an harmless innocent silent and delightful Lamb how doth this set out and aggravate the horrid Sin of the Jews and others who put him to death II. And how doth it magnify the Love and Pity of God to us that he should be pleased to part with this precious Lamb out of his Bosom to be made a Sacrifice for our Sins III. From hence also we may learn how to carry it in the World not to be high-minded and seek great things for our selves he did not so Let the same Mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus c. IV. Let us make him our Example when under Suffering and in the hands of wicked Men who when he was reviled reviled not again let us not seek Revenge nor render Evil for Evil to any Man V. Moreover let us be contented as He was whatever it pleaseth the Father to exercise us under or in what Pasture soever he sees good to put us VI. And since he suffered so willingly for us let us labour when called thereunto to lay down our Lives for his holy Name-sake Christ the Pearl of great Price Mat. 13.45 46. And when he had found one Pearl of great Price he sold all that he had and bought it Metaphor I. PEarls as Naturalists tell us have a strange Birth and Original 't is the wonderful Geniture of a Shell-Fish congealed into a diaphanous Stone The Shell which is called the Mother of Pearl at a certain time of the Year opens it self and takes in a certain moist Dew as Seed after which they grow big till they bring forth the Pearl II. Those that would find Pearls must search curiously for them and resolve to run through many Dangers among those huge and terrible Monsters of the Sea saith Pliny III. 'T is not an easy thing to find Pearl very few know where to seek for it it lying usually at the bottom of very deep Waters IV. Pearls are things of very great worth The richest Merchandize of all and the most Sovereign Commodity throughout the whole World are these Pearls saith Pliny Moreover he tells us of one Pearl that Cleopatra had which was valued at six hundred thousand Sestertii hence Men will part with all for Pearl V. Yet notwithstanding many Men and Women do not know the Worth and Value of Pearls and hence they through Ignorance esteem them not above Pebbles Swine tread them under their feet they value Pease above Pearls VI. Pearls have a hidden Virtue in them tho for bulk but small yet in Efficacy they are very great VII Pearls are of a splendid and oriental Brightness for which reason the Greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à nitore splendente their Beauty is as much within as without VIII A Pearl is round which is an Emblem of Eternity it hath no end IX Pearls are firm strong and well-compact so as Fire cannot consume them nor ordinary Strength break them X. They need no other Riches that find a Pearl of great Price and Value they are made for ever as the Proverb is in respect of this World XI Pearls are a rich Ornament Such as have precious Pearls in their Ears or rich Strings of them about their Necks are look'd upon as honourable Persons XII Pearl is a very rich and Sovereign Cordial and is of excellent use and virtue to prevent Poyson to preserve natural Strength and purge Melancholy XIII Pearls are called Vniones by the Latins because they are found one by one quòd conjunctim nulli reperiantur Parallel I. THe Original and Birth of Christ is wonderful God manifested in the Flesh is the Admiration of Angels A Virgin the Mother of this Pearl according to the Flesh being over-shadowed with the holy Spirit which is compared to Dew conceived and when her Time was come travailed and brought forth Christ the Pearl of great Price And the Angel said unto her The Holy-Ghost shall come upon thee and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee c. II. Those that would find the Pearl of great Price must search and seek after him diligently as for hid Treasure and must resolve to pass through all the Troubles and Difficulties that attend the Way of true Piety and Godliness III. 'T is no easy thing to find Christ and obtain an Interest in Him many seek him where he is not to be found in the broad Way and by the Merit of their own Performances few they be that find this precious Pearl IV. Christ is of an inestimable value may well be called the Pearl of great Price The Worth Excellency of Christ far exceeds the Riches of both Indies He is the rarest Jewel the Father hath in Heaven and Earth more precious unto Believers than Rubies and all that can be desired cannot be compared unto Him No mention shall be made of Pearl Hence the Saints part with all for him and do account the best of earthly things but Dung that they may win Christ. V. The Lord Jesus tho in himself he is so precious and prized above all by the Godly yet wicked and carnal Persons by reason of that sordid Ignorance and Blindness that is upon their Understandings esteem him not above the perishing things of this World nay some swinish Men prize their own beastly Lusts above Christ. VI. Christ hath an hidden Virtue most excellent in Nature tho He seem weak small and despised in the Eyes of the carnal World yet he is the Power of God to Salvation VII Christ is beautiful fair and shining his Oriental Brightness is far above the glorious Splendor and Brightness of the Sun shining in his Strength He is the Brightness of the Fathers Glory and the express Image of his Person Christ's Beauty is as much within as without VIII Christ in respect of his Divinity is from Eternity to Eternity without beginning and without end IX Christ is called a Stone a tried Stone and sure Foundation there is no Fire can consume him nor can all the Powers of Hell break or mar him X. They
hearest me always He only is authorized to plead for poor Sinners XV. Jesus Christ invites all that are weary and heavy laden to come to him for Rest with a Promise of free access Whosoever comes to me I will in no wise cast out Joh. 6.36 XVI The Lord Jesus this wise and able Advocate hath undertaken desperate Causes such as Mary Magdalen a great Offender Peter a great Backslider Paul a great Blasphemer and Persecutor The Gentiles that were Thieves and Idolaters by the Fall desperate was the Cause of all he undertook I Pray not for these alone but for all that shall believe on me through their Words He makes Intercession for the Trangressors XVII Christ is very much honoured by God he calls him his Fellow and will have all Men honour the Son even as they honour the Father XVIII Jesus Christ knows much of the mind of God being skill'd in all the Laws Natural Moral and Evangelical well understands his Nature and Disposition being always by him and as one brought up with him being daily his delight c. so near and familiar that he lay in his Bosome XIX Jesus Christ had unspeakable Confidence in so much that he feared not to appear amongst great and learned Doctors in the Temple hearing them and asking them Questions to the Astonishment and Amazement of all them that heard him He appeared too mighty and learned for all the Pharisees Sadduces and Priests of the Jews XX. The Lord Jesus stands not on Fees or Gratuities for indeed none are able to give unto him a Reward for his Work but he acts on the same terms that God gives Wine and Milk and that is without Mony and without Price Whosoever will may come and take his Counsel and Advice Water of Life freely He hath filled the Poor with good things but the Rich he hath sent empty away Their Cause falling to the ground XXI Christ did frequently when on Earth and since his Departure into Heaven carry Causes doubtful to others He carried the Cause in a great Trial against Satan who made strong Attempts against him after he had fasted fourty days And when none was found worthy to open the Books and unloose the Sea's and look thereon at which John wept The Lion of the Tribe of Judah prevailed In due time Christ died for the Ungodly he hath delivered us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us XXII Jesus Christ is watchful to keep up the honour of God and his Laws because the Contempt thereof would prove of ill Consequence I honour my Father I have glorified thee on Earth Not one jot of the Law shall fail think not that I came to destroy the Law c. He answered the Demands of it that God might be just and the Justifier of those that believe in Jesus XXIII Christ is very diligent never guilty of any Neglects in acting for his People he went about doing Good pleaded often pleaded strongly with Crying and Tears used mighty and prevailing Arguments with God on the behalf of his Flock on Earth pleads for great things for them for the holy Spirit for divine Protection Union and for their safe Conduct to Heaven Father I will that all they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory XXIV Jesus Christ is successful he hath carried many yea multitudes of Causes for his People nay indeed it may be said when did he miscarry what Cause was lost when the Sinner did sincerely and in good earnest engage him he carried the Cause for poor Peter to the preventing his utter Destruction he prevailed for the Protection of God to the twelve Apostles that continued with him He pervailed for the sending the Comforter when he went away he carried Paul and the suffering Saints away Conquerours hath made us more than Conquerours He manages effectually all the Affairs of his Elect throughout all the Earth XXV Jesus Christ is greatly grieved to see Men miscarry in the great Cause of their Souls through their own neglect because they did not they would not come to him retain him make use of him He drew near the City He beheld it and wept over it O Jerusalem that thou hadst known even thou in this thy day the things that belong to thy Peace But now they are hid from thine Eyes their Cause was irrecoverably lost because they would not come unto him XXVI Jesus Christ will not take the names of some into his Lips he leaves them wholly to themselves to stand or fall saith of them as once it was said of Ephraim Let him alone such are the hardned Hypocrites and Reprobates horrible Apostates the Blasphemers of the holy Ghost of these it may truly be said as in Eccles. 4.10 Wo unto him that is alone and they may say of themselves The Harvest is past the Summer is ended and we are not saved God hath sworn in his Wrath against some that they shall not enter into his Rest and Christ will neither plead nor pray for them He will take no foul Cause into his pure Breast but clearly leaves them out of his Intercession and Advocateship I pray not for the World c Joh. 17.9 XXVI The Lord Jesus is the wisest and honourablest Advocate that ever was and therefore is the undoubted Heir to Preferment yea to the greatest of Preferments He being appointed the Judg of all the World by a former and unalterable Decree Him hath God ordained to be the Judg of the quick and dead God judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment unto the Son He hath appointed a day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained c. Advocate I. AN Advocate here below is concerned but for a few Clients cannot serve many much less all that need an Advocate to plead their Cause for them II. An Advocate here below is but of short standing comes in an hour and goes out in an hour the Eldest are but of yesterday and of small Experience III. An Advocate here below leaves his Clients doubtful because they know not how a Cause will go before Trial. IV. Some Advocates here below do more often miss than carry Causes and many of them lose more Causes than they gain V. An Advocate may carry a Cause here below and there may lie an Appeal against it in some of the superior Courts as the Court of Chancery c. The Cause may be carried for a Person in one Court and lost in another VI. An Advocate in these lower Courts tho he be an able Man yet he may be over-match'd and out-done by others it being a Rule in most Cases Not one so good but he may find his Equal c. Disparity I. JEsus Christ is an Advocate for his whole Church all may come and make use of him I pray not for
these alone but for all them that shall believe on me through their Word Whosoever comes none is refused that hath an Appeal to make to the great God who is Judg of all the World c. II. But Christ this great Advocate of Souls who appertaineth to the high Court of Heaven is of long standing and great Experience possessed the Place of an Advocate from the Fall nothing can surpass his Cognizance he stood before the Antient of days in the days of Noah Daniel Job c. III. But Jesus Christ knowing all things relating to the Judgment-day gives assurance to his Saints before Trial it shall go well with them He that seeth the Son and believeth in him hath the Cause hath eternal Life and shall never come into Condemnation IV. But Christ this high and holy this great and good this wise and just this true and righteous Advocate carries every Cause he undertakes He will not undertake any Cause to plead effectually but the Believer's He will not speak a word for the Sons of Belial that will not submit to his Laws I pray not for the World but for those thou hast given me For those that willingly submit to his Laws he is successful to a Wonder whatever he desires is done for them his Prayers being always heard V. But the Lord Jesus the Churches Advocate makes sure Work when He carrieth a Cause it 's done in the highest Court it self from whence there is no Appeal Every Cause that Christ carrieth is like the Laws of the Medes and Persians unalterable and like the Covenant ordered in all things and sure it is as the good Part Mary chose that shall never be taken from her neither Men nor Devils shall be able by Fraud nor Force to take it away from them 'T is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth 'T is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who also maketh Intercession for us VI. Christ hath no Match or Equal but he very much transcends all his Opposites Beelzebub hath had a great Name but he is nothing to Jesus Christ makes him flie before him and fall like Lightning He hath an awful Majesty in his words that if he doth but say Get thee behind me Satan The Lord rebuke thee Satan shrinks off shamefully He dares not cannot stand before this powerful Advocate Application I. BEhold the marvellous Goodness of God that he should in meer Mercy to us appoint such an able Advocate to whom the very Angels themselves are inferior in point of Wisdom Power Office and Honour Those Sons of the Morning shout for Joy at his Appearance as an Advocate and pry into the Mystery of his honourable Work II. There is great Encouragement to come to this Advocate God invites Men to come to Christ for advice and to take his Counsel This is my beloved Son hear Him He is not concealed in some secret Chamber where he cannot be found but stands at the opening of the Gates at the Place of the chiefest Concourse God hath given him to be a Light to the Gentiles and his Salvation to the ends of the Earth Whoever believingly and in truth desires to have him for their Advocate my have access unto him and have their Cause undertaken pleaded and effectually managed by him who is the Judge's own Son The Motives to this Duty are many 1. When poor Sinners come to this holy Advocate they are kindly embraced 2. They have their Work readily undertaken they are not tired out with Delays 3. They have it very carefully managed the Cause is not lost nor suffered to fall to the Ground for want of prudent and careful Management c. 4. It is a great Case that cannot safely be trust in any other hand it is about a Title to an Inheritance wherein if a Man miscarry he is utterly undone yea utterly undone to Eternity 5. Their Cause is admitted of and undertaken without Fees or any kind of Charges He will do all freely without Money 6. There is much Peace Satisfaction and Security in it A Man that hath committed his Cause to this Advocate may sleep in Peace go about his Business in Comfort neither need he in the least doubt or fear of what will follow for there was never any one that trusted in him confounded or put to shame There was never a Cause left by any Man to the wise Counsel and Management of this most powerful and holy Advocate but it carried the Day He is not only able to save but able to save to the utmost not only some but all those that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them III. Who then would refuse coming to Jesus Christ or neglect to make use of this Advocate IV. It also shews us the Cause why Men perish and miss of God's Favour and lose eternal Life It is not for want of free Tenders of Grace or because there is no Advocate to plead for them but it is because they will not open at his Knock nor take his Counsel c. They will not come unto him that they might have Life Lastly Let all Saints who through Satan's Temptations have been overcome and have sinned and wounded their Consciences remember that there is an Advocate for them with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous Christ an Apostle Heb. 3.1 Consider the Apostle and High-Priest of your Profession Christ Jesus AN Apostle signifies in the Greek one sent and it hath something peculiar to it to distinguish the Office from other Offices appertaining to the Gospel and the Church for tho John Baptist was one sent with many others yet were they not called Apostles but dignified by some other Names Titles or Epithets as Fore-runner Disciple and Servant of the Church c. Now inasmuch as one Rank and Order of Men have this Title given them and by it are distinguished from others concerned in Divine Service we may suppose it to signify their Commission and Qualification for their designed Work which Commission Qualification and designed Work seems to be comprehensive of these three things viz. 1. Immediatly sent 2. Marvellously inspired 3. The Master-Builders of the Gospel-Foundation for the Christian Religion That all these are declared and set forth concerning Jesus Christ is evident Therefore in that Christ is here called an Apostle it must or may signify that He was sent after a higher and more extraordinary manner than common Messengers An Apostle I. AN Apostle was immediatly sent by Christ. II. The Apostles In pursuit of their Commission went up and down preaching the Gospel c. III The Apostles had Christ always with them in their Work in an extraordinary manner IV. An Apostle was to bear witness to the Truth and to Christ's Name V. The Apostles were to open Mysteries that had been kept hid VI. The Apostles were endued with Divine Power to do Wonders and mighty Works
tasted that the Lord is gracious Therefore O taste and see how good the Lord is Experience worketh Hope This was that which Christ meant when he said Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you When you taste relish and experience the hidden Virtue that is in Christ the use of his Name the sight of his Person the hearing of him preached will do you no good XIII Christ is a free Portion a common Right to the Poor as well as the Rich he that will endeavour to get him that will labour for the Meat that perisheth not may have him He feeds the hungry with good Things None are forbidden to take of this Bread those that will not look out for it will certainly lose their Souls at last The Sloathful shall beg in Harvest and have nothing his Desires slayeth him We are to seek to ask to knock to strive to labour for the Meat that perisheth not Joh. 6.27 or perish for the want of it XIV Jesus Christ is absolutely necessary to Mens Happiness there is no Joy no Peace no Tranquility of Mind no Content or Satisfaction no Freedom from the fretting Humour of a distempered Mind from the hungry craving of a gall'd Conscience without him If Relations speak what is it if he cloath himself with Silver if he adorn himself with Jewels if his Rooms be hung with rich Tapestry if he stretcheth himself on a Bed of Ivory all is as nothing it will not stop the Mouth of Hunger nor minister one nights solid Content or Satisfaction the heighth of all his Happiness lyeth but in the Folly of Advancement that vanisheth upon the first opening of his Eyes and seeing himself lost and thâ—â— saddest case without Christ in the World He dreams he hath spiritual Food but when he awakes his Soul is hunger-starved and sinks within him he thinks he is full and needs nothing but is naked poor and miserable and wants all things And there can be none but miserable Comforters round about him that can say little more than there is no Help for him in his God because he hath neglected this spiritual Bread For he that hath not the Son hath not Life but the Wrath of God abideth upon him Joh. 3.36 XV. A true and real sence of the want of Christ will occasion violent Motions as it did when the Poor pressed into the Gospel The violent took it by Force The Blind-man cryed when forbidden the Woman came for Crumbs upon the sharp point of great Repulses and would have no Denial XVI Jesus Christ as he is the Bread of God the Bread of Heaven the Bread of Souls is comprehensive of the greatest Blessings when promised or injoyed he is the Light of our Eyes the Joy of our Hearts the Life of our Souls his approach to us far exceeds the Joy of Harvest to an Husbandman But the greatest of Judgments when denied there follows a lean miserable starved decayed sinking dying destroyed and damned Soul for ever and ever My Servants shall eat but you shall be hungry I will break the Staffe of Bread c. Metaphor I. BRead is an earthly Substance II. Bread is a dead Substance III. Bread properly is for the Body IV. Bread properly so called will perish as the Manna in the Wilderness V. Bread properly so called is literally eaten as the Fathers did eat Manna VI. Literal or corporeal Bread is given by the hands of Men as Parents give to their Children when they ask it Disparity I. BUt Christ is the Bread that came down from Heaven the second Man was the Lord from Heaven II. But Jesus Christ is living Bread was dead for a while but is alive and lives for evermore He ever lives to make Intercession dies no more c. III. But Jesus Christ is bread Meat Refreshing Life for the Soul Whosoever hath Christ shall have him for ever shall never die IV. But Christ is durable the same yesterday and to day and for ever Whom God would not suffer to see Corruption V. But Jesus Christ is eaten spiritually not as the Papists do imagine not to his Hurt or Punishment but to his Honour and Delight not as the Fathers eat Manna in the Wilderness VI. Christ is given by the hand of God and by the Ministration of the Spirit He shall take of mine and shew unto you Inferences IF this Doctrine be true as certainly it is which hath been discovered then it affords us matter of Instruction 1. It teacheth us God's great Goodness in providing such Bread for us that is so good in it self so necessary unto us that we die and perish without it II. It shews Jesus Christ's great Goodness in vouchsafing to become Bread and Food for us what manner of Love is this that the Son should undertake to feed and save 〈◊〉 c. 3. It shews the indispensible Necessity of Mens coming to Him their receiving and being Partakers of him All Soul-Bread is in him all Life yea all spiritual Life is in him Those that refuse him chuse Death The eternal Life that God gives is in his Son 4. It shews the Blessedness of those that are made Partakers of him Whosoever hath the Son hath the Father also And he that hath the Son hath Life and shall never come into Condemnation 5. It teacheth Good and Bad to pray The Good that God would evermore give them this Bread every day give them Bread Give us this day our daily Bread The Bad that God in Mercy would not let them die before they are made Partakers of Christ the true Bread the Bread of God the Bread of Life that whosoever dieth without dieth never to live again he dies the second Death O cry to God to the Lord of Life that whatsoever you want of this Life you may not eternally perish without Jesus Christ. Christ the Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 But unto you that fear my Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with Healing in his Wings c. Psal. 84.11 The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield Which as Mr. Ainsworth noteth may refer to Christ Mal. 4.2 Observ. JESUS CHRIST is and may fitly be compared unto the Sun to the Sun in the Firmament the great Light of Heaven Metaphor I. THere is but one Sun to give Light to the Universe and from its Singularity it may take its Name Sol quia solus There are many Stars but one Sun II. The Sun is not only Light but a Fountain of Light the Eye and Soul of the World III. The Sun is a pure bright and spotless Creature the Beauty and Ornament of Heaven His Brightness is such that a Man cannot look upon it but it daâ—â—les and blinds his Eyes unless looking downwards and beholding it in Water which tho thick and gross yet is a proper Medium The Sun tho he looks as it
gather there drive away Darkness and clear the Sight And further saith Quid possit Vitis alia quae fundit sermone explicare nemo potest that no Tongue could sufficiently tell the Virtues of the Vine the like says Pliny Parallel I. JEsus Christ in his state of Humiliation did not appear in that outward Glory Pomp and Magnificence which the proud Grandees of the Earth glitter in he was not entertained with the Royalties of Imperial Palaces for his Kingdom was not of this World He was look'd upon in comparison of the Mighty Men who are compared to the Cedars of Lebanon and Oaks of Bashan as a poor mean and contemptible Shrub as the Prophet foretold He shall grow up before him as a Tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry Ground he hath no Form nor Comliness and when we shall see him there is no Beauty that we should desire him II. Jesus Christ hath a Name above every Name he infinitely excels whatsoever is good great and glorious in Angels Saints and Men. The spendor and Stateliness of Monarchs Courts is nothing in comparison of that unexpressible Lustre and Majesty that surrounds him The Heavenly Luminaries are dim to him he is the Royal Ofspring of Heaven of the sublimest Extraction When he bringeth the first begotten into the World he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him III. Christ when in his young and tender Age grew much in favour both with God and Man and when he was twelve years old disputed with the Learned Doctors hearing them and asking them Questions and all that heard him were astonished at his Vnderstanding and Answers c. IV. Jâ—â—sus Christ is full of Life and Divine Vertue the Treasuries of his communicable Graces are immense and unspeakable All Wisdom and Knowledg are hid in him In him all Fulness dwells his People mystically united to him are his Branches them he supplies with spiritual Quickning Nourishment and Growth and though scattered over many Kingdoms and Nations his Protection environs them round about provides a sufficient Supply for their spiritual Wants which is to be found no where else If a Man abide not in me saith he he is cast forth as a Branch that is withered c. V. Christ the Spiritual Vine is not only a green spreading and flourishing Plant but also exceeding fruitful he was so in his Life going up and down doing good both to the Bodies and Souls of Men fruitful in his Death In that Cluster there is much choice Fruit as Atonement Reconciliation Redemption Victory over Sin and Satan the abolishing of the Law and establishing the everlasting Righteousness he was fruitful in his Resurrection Ascention Intercession c. The Graces of the Spirit Holy Ordinances and Promises of Eternal Life are all Fruits of this heavenly Vine from him is all our Fruit found See Metaphor Light VI. The Lord Jesus brings forth the most pleasant and most desirable Fruit. I sate down under his Shadow with great delight saith the Spouse and his Fruit was pleasant to my Taste No Cup so refreshing as the Cup of Divine Consolation No Wine nourishes or quickens the Body so much as the Love of Christ Peace with God Reconciliation Pardon of Sin Justification Adoption c. These Blessed Fruits of this mystical Vine do chear feed and enliven a Drooping and Languishing Soul VII The Lord Jesus yields Fruit every way profitable All the Good that Soul or Body is capable to receive flows from him and is the Fruit of his Love purchased by his Death and communicated by his Word and Holy Spirit It warms supports and strengthens the Souls of his People His Grace is of a healing quickning and vivifying nature See Metaphor Wine and Ointment c. VIII Jesus Christ is a Shadow to his Church a hiding-place from the Wind and a Cover from the Tempest as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land He defends from the Rage of Satan from Sin from the Fury of Man in the heat of Persecution yea from the wrath of God by which were it not for the interposition of this blessed Skreen or Shade we should be scorched burnt yea utterly consumed See Rock Apple-Tree c. IX Christ the Spiritual Vine being affronted rejected and abused by the rebellious obstinate and unbelieving Jews when he approached and beheld the City He wept over it was grieved for the hardness of their Hearts but more especially when he came under the execution of Divine Wrath for Mans sake and in his stead which he did willingly undergo how did his bruised and abused Body sweat as it were great drops of Blood until he yielded up his blessed Life and precious Spirit for us X. The Grace of Christ the Spiritual Vine is precious Eye-Salve which removes those thick Clouds of Darkness and Ignorance that are upon the Understanding by which a Soul spiritually comes to have a clear Prospect of those never-fading Glories of the other World and plainly discerns the gilded Follies and transitory Vanities of all things here below In a word no Tongue can sufficiently exalt the transcendent Virtues of this ever-blessed Vine Metaphor I. THe Vine is a Plant of an earthly Extract the choicest and goodliest are only the Plantation of Men. II. The Vine is not always green the Leaves fall off in Winter You may look for Fruit when the Vintage is gathered and find none III. The Fruit of the Vine taken to excess is offensive to God hurts and injures the Soul breeds Diseases and destructive Humours in the Body bereaves Men of Reason intoxicates the Brain c. IV. The Fruit of the Vine diminishes by gathering Cluster after Cluster you may soon strip it off all V. The Fruit of the Vine is only good for the Body VI. The Vine wants Support unless it be underpropt it falls being not able to bear the weight of its own Branches Disparity I. CHrist is of an heavenly Original and Extraction a Vine of God's own planting who prepared a Body for him and appointed him to the work of Redemption He is the true Vine and God the Father is the Husbandman no other could plant so Noble a Vine as Christ is II. Christ the Spiritual Vine perpetually flourishes always abounds with Fruit and knows no Winter he is the same from Generation to Generation yesterday to day and for ever without variation or shadow of turning there 's always a full Vintage that never diminishes withers nor decays never grows old but ever remains in its full growth and absolute Perfection III. The Fruit of Christ the Spiritual Vine never hurts any no danger of Surfeit here the more you eat and drink the better 't is here 's no fear of Excess The Wine of Consolation neither gluts nor inflames nor intoxicates but nourishes and feeds the Soul
of his Faithfulness in performing and making good the same of the reality of his Intentions to make Men happy through believing that he renders the matter on God's side valid against all Contenders whatsoever so as that God shall be clear in Judgment and none be able to answer him one word of a thousand VII Jesus the faithful and true Witness was so necessary to the determination of matters relating to God and man that it could not be done without him otherwise another might have serv'd in his room but none in Heaven nor Earth was found worthy to open the Book and loose the â—â—eals thereof Rev. 5.4 If I had not come and done what no other did you had not had Sin but now you have no cloak for your Sin John 15.22 24. VIII Christ as the chief Witness hath spoke the whole Truth left nothing conceal'd that either concerns God's Glory or Mens Good either by himself before he went to Heaven or by his Apostles since he hath declar'd the whole Counsel of God so that the Record of his Testimony is able to make us perfect and compleat in the whole Will of God and if any add to or take from his Word he shall lose his part in the Book of Life and heavenly Jerusalem IX Jesus is so just and impartial a Witness yea and so great an Abhorrer of Falshood that he is called the Truth it self yea Grace and Truth came by him He was holy harmless separate from Sinners X. As the Testimony of Jesus will put an end to all Controversies the right way and leave the Wicked wholly wiâ—â—hout Excuse and clear the Justice of God So it shall be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom in the day of Judgment than for that City that refuse and reject the Word and Testimony of Christ in the Gospel Divine Justice however will be cleared in the eyes or view of Men and Angels in condemning them that had the Light and would not be determined by it See Christ a Prophet Metaphor I. THe greatest Witnesses amongst Men are but of a short standing they are but of yesterday know but in part therefore can testify but in part II. Earthly Witnesses are but Servants and in many things return the Matter of their Testimony by Information Disparity I. BUt Jesus Christ is an Ancient Witness of long standing was with the Fâ—â—ther from the Beginning saw and â—â—eard all things that he spake and did I was by him as one brought up with him c. Before Abraham was I am II. Jesus Christ is the Son of the great King and Law-giâ—â—er and hath the whole matter of Testimony by Sight and personal Knowledg The Father hath shewed the Son all things that himsâ—â—lf doth c. And what he hath seen and heard that he testifyeth Joh. 3.32 Inferences I. THese things shew the great value God puts upon the Souls of Men that rather than they should miss the Knowledg of his Will and perish for want of Testimony to confirm the Truth he sent Jesus Christ his own Son to witness and testify Divine Things to them God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto our Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son II. That the Gospel is to be highly valued as the perfect Will of God witnessed to not only by him that was true and faithful but perfect and fâ—â—ee from the least stain or spot of Sin III. They deserve to be damn'd that live under the repeated Testimony of Christ the true Witness and yet will not believe it so as to be reformed by it How shall we escpae if we neglâ—â—ct so great Salvation IV. What Confirmation Establishment and Consolation also is here to all that belieâ—â—e and embrace the Gospel in Sincerity 1. This is the Truth as it is in Jesus The true Grace of God wherein ye stand 2. There is a high degeee of Blessedness to them that have not seen and yet believed 3. The abiding by this Testimony and Witness of Jesus Christ gives an Interest â—â— and Right unto Eternal Life 4. It advanceth the great Honour makes Men no less than the Children of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ. V. An Exhortation to all them that have received the VVitness and Testimony of Jesus Christ to hold it fast against all Opposition whatsoever There is great danger in being ashamed of and relinquishing the VVord and Testimony of the Son of God He will be ashamed of them before God and the Holy Angels VI. To them that have not received his Testimony to receive it with all speed because it is the word of Life the very Doctrine of Salvation It a fearful thing to refuse him that speaks from Heaven and trample under foot the Blood of the Son of God Christ an Altar Heb. 13.10 We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat who serve the Tabernacle THE Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies an Altar where the slain Sacrifices were offered and sometimes as Brightman says on Rev. 16.7 The Altar of Incense or Perfumes It is derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a Sacrifice or Offering In this Text it Metaphorically denotes the whole Mystery of Christ the Mediator and is put by a Synecdoche for the Oblation or Sacrifice viz. Christ. See 1 Cor. 9.13 10.18 The meaning is that such as still stick to the Ceremonies of the Law by serving the Legal Tabernacle and thereby seek their Justification cannot eat of this Spiritual Altar that is they cannot be Partakers of the Benefits of this Sacrifice purchased by the Death of Christ. Metaphor I. THe Altar of Perfume was appointed by the Lord to be made of Shittim Wood overlaid with Gold having a Crown of Gold about it II. The Altar of Burnt-Offerings was ordaind for Sacrifices to attone for Sin the Flesh of Beasts was offered thereon III. All Sacrifices were to be offered upon the Altar of Burnt-Offerings and all Incense to be burnt upon the Altar of Incense IV. The Altar of Burnt-Offerings was but one and in one place and the Sacrifice to be offered thereon in this place only V. The Altar did sanctify the Sacrifices which were laid upon it VI. The Altar was a place of Refuge Men that were in danger fled to the Horns of the Altar and there intreated for Favour VII The Horns of the Altar were to be sprinkled with Blood and so was the Altar of Incense once a year VIII The Altar had four Horns on the four Corners thereof Parallel I. CHRIST's Humane Nature was covered and over-laid as it were with the Divinity and crown'd with Majesty as the Gold adorn'd the Wood and circled the Altar II. Christ was appointed for Sacrifice his Humane Nature was offered up as a Propitiatory Sacrifice for the Sins of the whole World III. All our Duties
Nations and also King of all the Kings of the Earth be that comes from above is above all The second Man is the Lord from Heaven the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth having the advantage of the greatest Honour and highest Education being by the Father brought up with him and daily his Delight II. Jesus Christ is qualified and fitted every ways with heavenly Learning for the highest Undertaking of this kind whatsoever having been with God and also is God knows every thing that is done in Heaven and Earth knows the tempers and manners of all People He hath Rules of Judgment above others he hath received the Gift of Oratory from the greatest Master of Tongues and Languages in the World The Son doth whatsoever he seeth the Father do The Lord God hath given him the Tongue of the Learned c. so that he can understand without an Interpreter and speak without humane Assistance III. Jesus Christ is a Man of worth most fit to be Counsellor in the high Court above and that in these four following respects 1. In respect his great Wisdom 2. The Knowledg of all Laws and Customs amongst Men. 3. Of his long Standing and Experience 4. As he is united to the Ancient of Days who is the Center of all Perfection IV. The Lord Jesus was a Man of a great and noble Spirit not busied about low and inferior things of a mean Consideration but about Matters of the most weighty moment to establish Principalities and Thrones in Heaven to reform Nations and Kingdoms to reclaim the whole World and bring Heaven and Earth into an amicable Correspondence That he might gather together in one all things in himself whether they be things in Heaven or things on Earth Eph. 1.10 V. Christ the great Counsellor was elected and chosen by God himself to act in this high Sphere and Capacity called The Man of his Right-hand His Elect in whom his Soul delighteth One chosen out of the People VI. Jesus Christ was admitted into the hight Court of Heaven took his place there at the Right-hand of the Majesty on high in the presence and view of all the Angels and the seven Spirits that are before the Throne He is entred into Heaven and is set down at the Right-hand of God VII Christ that great and wise Counsellor is made acquainted with the great and wise Purposes of the great and wise King of Heaven and Earth nothing is hid from him as God without him there was nothing created or done No Man hath seen God at any time save the only begotten that is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him He brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel VIII The Lord Jesus is God's Familiar and Companion Awake O Sword against my Shepherd and the Man that is my Fellow Who being in the form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2.6 IX The Lord Christ is of the highest Rank not of Men only but is indeed exalted above all his Fellows whether Men or Angels hath no Superior as Mediator but the Father The Head of every Man is Christ. He is the Head of all Principalities and Powers The Father is greater than I. The Head of Christ is God X. Jesus Christ is concern'd in the agitating of the greatest Affairs of Heaven and Earth such as immediately concern God himself and the good of all his People the Proclamations and Tenders of Grace Peace and Pardon come through his Hands He hath the Approbation of all Ministers that are imployed in the Business of the great King either in Matters Civil Military or Ecclesiastical viz. Kings Princes Rulers Deputies Judges Generals of Armies Apostles Bishops Embassadors and the like All suiters to God for Favour whether Ministers or People for the Soul or the Body their Petitions come to the hands of Christ. By him we have access to the Father of him all receive even Grace for Grace Joh. 1.16 XI Christ is the Delight of the Father and as a wise worthy and good Counsellor he is a Glory to Heaven it self and Heaven is the more longed for for his sake This is generally acknowledged by all that have the Knowledg of him or Interest in him So much may suffice concerning Christ as compared to a Counsellor of State I shall now speak concerning him under the other acceptation of the Word viz. Counsellor at Law c. I. The Lord Jesus Christ is a publick Officer belonging to Heaven the highest Court of Judicature I am not of this World glorify me with the same Glory that I was glorified before the World was c. II. The Lord Jesus gives the best Advice and Councel and most worthily deserves the title of a Counsellor I will bless the Lord who hath given me Councel Go thy way sin no more lest a worse thing come upon thee I counsel thee to buy of me Gold tryed in the Fire and white Raiment that thou mayest be cloathed c. III. Jesus Christ makes known the Law of God to those that are ignorant and unlearned he illustrates all the parts of it and sheweth to what degree it extends c. He also shews what are the Priviledges of keeping it and what are the Damages of breaking it For if you forgive Men their Trespasses your heavenly Father will forgive you c. IV. Christ resolves doubtful Cases that other Men cannot in that he saith Son be of good chear Daughter be of good chear thy Sins are forgiven thee c. V. The Lord Jesus makes over the heavenly Mansions to Men and no Man can have a good Title to this Heavenly Inheritance unless Christ makes the Conveyance As the Father hath Life in himself so hath he given the Son to have Life in himself and hath power to give Eternal Life to as many as are given unto him VI. Jesus Christ hath great respect amongst Men the Turks own him for a great Prophet the Papists for the Son of God but his own Disciples that see an Excellency in him and an absolute necessity of him make use of him own him to be their Saviour Yea and doubtless I count all things but loss for the Excellency of Jesus Christ my Lord c. Phil. 3.8 He is the Chiefest among ten thousand Cant. 5.10 VII The Lord Jesus puts an end to Controversies by Non-suiting or Overthrowing the Devil and all other Adversaries of the Soul in their own Plea I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not My Grace is sufficient for thee c. And the Dragon and his Angels were thrown out of Heaven c. To this end was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil VIII So Christ makes Contracts between the great God and his People in that weighty Case that concerns their Salvation and mediates and
other Stars is fixed in its Orb wherein it performs a constant Motion IX The Morning Star gives most Light just before break of Day X. It is the Opinion of some that the Morning Star doth send forth very blessed Influences upon those Bodies that are under its Dominion XI The Morning Star doth chiefly govern pleasant and delightful Plants XII The Morning Star is accounted the master Planet for Moderation said to cause gentle Storms in Winter and moderate Heat in Summer XIII The Morning Star is said to be the cause of Beauty XIV The Morning Star doth most Service in Winter because the greatest part of that Season is Night and Darkness XV. The Morning Star hath an honourable Name it is called the Son of the Morning XVI The morning Star is known to be the Evening Star as well as the Morning Star and in both respects is useful to the World XVII The Morning Star tho it may be obscured by Mists Fogs Clouds and dark Vapors yet nothing can hinder its Course but it constantly keeps its Motion and Circle in the Heavens cannot be prevailed against by any malignant Power whatsoever Thieves and evil Men like not its Appearance yet cannot obstruct its Motion in the Firmament nor stop its Light from shining on the Earth XVIII The Morning Star as it hath those Properties and Excellencies already exprest so lastly it exceeds all other Stars for Brightness and Glory Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus is a very solid Light whose Glory is not like others who have their Intermissions but he abides steady his Glory and Bright-shining is always alike his whole course of Life was as if it had been but one continued Act of Goodness He is the same in the Morning Noon and Night Yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13.8 II. Jesus Christ he is the Harbinger of the great Joy to all Nations How joyful was that time when the Day-spring from on high did first visit us The People that sat in Darkness saw great Light and to those that dwell in the Vallies of the shadow of Death great Light is risen c. His coming was the fulfilling of God's gracious Promise unto the Fathers and as the blessed manifestation of God's rich Favour and good Will to Man he is also the Fore-runner or the Harbinger of that Dominion that the Just shall have in the Resurrection the morning of the longed-for Day The path of the Just is as a shining Light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 The upright shall have Dominion over them in the Morning The Night is far spent the Day is at hand This above all others is the day that the Lord hath made for good Men therein to rejoyce and be glad Psal. 118.24 III. Jesus Christ is not only an Ornament to the Christian Church and Profession far beyond what Moses was to the Jews but even to Heaven it self and the Holy Angels who did not a little rejoyce at his ascending into Heaven God is gone up with a shout the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet sing Praises to our God sing Praises Psal. 47.5 IV. Jesus Christ is a very pleasant Object to Men that are spiritually inlightned therefore it is that they do ardently desire to be near him and with him where he is David tho he had not so clear a sight and prospect of this bright and morning Star as Men have under the Gospel yet that prospect he had made him use this pious Prayer O when shall I come and appear before God! Psal. 42.2 Then shall I be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness c. Psal. 17.15 I have a desire saith Paul to depart and to be with Christ c. Phil. 1.23 Those that look for him do also cry Come Lord Jesus come quickly V. Jesus Christ is highly esteemed by all that sail Heaven-wards no steering the right Course without him He gives good Assurance to all that follow him they should not abide in Darkness but have the Light of Life The Following of Christ Jesus is the most certain way to avoid the Rocks the Sands and the Hands of all spiritual and temporal Enemies VI. Jesus Christ is really the most excellent and chiefest Light that ever God set in the Church Moses and the Prophets John Baptist and the three Beloved Apostles Peter James and John and Paul who was most eminent were shining Lights and glorious Stars who adorned the Profession of the Holy Gospel but in all things this Bright and Morning Star infinitely surpassed them in Splendor and Brightness VII Jesus Christ is a great Terror not only to wicked Men but wicked Angels to all that love Darkness more than Light they hate him and fear him they consulted against him and more times than once attempted to pluck this Star out of the Firmament that so they might walk in Darkness carry on their black Designs and Deeds without discovery Satan attempted his Destruction from the Pinacle of the Temple sets a Squadron of the black Regiment to resolve upon his Death knowing him to be the Fore-runner of the Day which Thieves and Robbers cannot endure Come let us kill the Heir c. They hate the Light come not to it lest their Deeds should be reproved They led him to the Brow of the Hill that they might cast him down headlong Luk. 4.29 The evil Angels thought he came too soon Why art thou come to torment us before the time VIII Jesus Christ is constant in his Orb or Station he is a Priest for ever a Prophet to guide for ever a King to govern for ever he leaves not his Office as inconstant Men do but makes good his Word as settled in Heaven And lo I am with you always to the end of the World Mat. 28.20 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee or leave thee to a forsaking IX Jesus gave a great Light unto the World by the Ministry of John by the Appearance of himself and by the Ministry of the Apostles and their immediate Successors But the greatest Light is reserved to the flying of the Angel through the midst of Heaven with the everlasting Gospel before the great and notable Day come wherein the whole Earth shall be lightned with his Glory both Jews and Gentiles shall acknowledg the Blessed Messiah Arise and shine for thy Light is come the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee The Gentiles shall come to thy Light and Kings to the Brightness of thy rising Isa. 60.1 3. The Earth shall be filled with the Knowledg of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Hab. 214. X. Jesus doth send forth very blessed and sweet Influences upon the Bodies and Souls of Men that are under his gracious Rule and Dominion it is he who sends down the Holy Ghost If I go away I will send you another Comforter the Spirit of Truth c. Joh. 16.7 8. XI Jesus Christ tho all
the World besides And thou Lord in the beginning didst lay the Foundations of the Earth and the Heavens are the Work of thy Hands II. Jesus Christ thought it no Robbery to be equal with God And he is not only the bright and Morning-Star but also the Sun of Righteousness see Sun the brightness of his Father's Glory and the express Image of his Person and he upholds all things by the Word of his Power III. Jesus Christ gives internal light which illuminates the Minds and Souls of all Believers This is the true Light who is not only the Light of the World but delivereth also all those that truly follow him out of darkness and bestoweth on them the Light of Life IV. Jesus Christ giveth light continually and can never lose his Glory because a greater Light than he cannot arise The night and the day are alike to him The Light shined in Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not He is the Lord that is an everlasting Light V. Jesus Christ gives Light to the visible and celestial too to this World and to the World to come or heavenly Jerusalem which City hath no need of Sun or Moon to shine in it but the Lord God and the Lamb is the Light thereof Ye are come to Mount Zion to God the Judg of all and to Jesus the Mediator VI. Jesus shall never fall from Heaven nor be dissolved but abide and continue when the Heavens shall be no more And thou Lord hast laid the Foundations of the Earth and the Heavens are the Work of thine own Hands they shall wax old as doth a Garment and as a Vesture shalt thou shalt fold them up and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy Years fail not Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever Inferences I. WHat great Love doth God bear and what Care doth he take of Believers in placing such a Star as Jesus Christ is to be a Light unto them to direct them how to steer their Course in the darkest time so as to miss all dangerous Rocks and Sands and to arrive in safety at the desired and longed-for Haven II. How safe are they that do always steer their Course by his Light and follow his Conduct they shall not be at a loss in their Journeys or Voiages nor suffer Shipwrak by Rocks Sands or Storms but shall have the Light of Life shall never perish Believe in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved III. This may shew also the certainty of their perishing in the Dark and in the Deep that continue their Course to the end of their Voiage without the Light and Guidance of this Bright and Morning Star This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men love Darkness rather than Light because their Deeds are evil VI. Hence all true Christians that have experimentally enjoyed Inlightnings Refreshings and Conduct by Jesus Christ as the Bright and Morning Star may be stirred up and perswaded yet more and more to look unto Jesus who is not only the Author and Finisher of their Faith but causeth his Glorious Light to shine upon their Path by reason whereof the nearer they approach to the end of their joyful Journey or Race the more and more will the Light shine unto the perfect day Take you heed therefore to that more sure word of Prophecy as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place until the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your Hearts V. Lastly If Christ be the Bright and Morning Star then let us look and wait for the Day which he is the fore-runner of seeing the Morning Star hath appeared and is up be sure the Day is at hand and a glorious Day it will be to them who are ready and prepared for it The Coming of Christ compared to the Coming of a Thief in the Night 1 Thess. 5.2 But you your selves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so cometh as a Thief in the Night THere are various Opinions concerning the Day of the Lord or the Coming of Christ spoken of Mat. 24. Luke 21. 2 Pet. 3.9 10. and in this Text. But if the Scope of the Text be but carefully considered it will clearly appear that the Coming of Christ here spoken of is his Coming at the last Day to Judgment when the Dead shall be raised Read the latter part of the fourth Chapter c. Why the Day of the Lord is compared to the Coming of a Thief in the Night will appear by the following Parallel Simile I. THe coming of a Thief in the Night is with a design to circumvent an unwatchful House and to take his Prey II. A Thief comes provided for his purpose with a resolution to fight and Instruments to make way to his Design Keys to unlock Doors Bars to break them open or the like III. A Thief comes at a Time when all is still and People are least thoughtful of Danger but are careless at ease even asleep upon their Beds thinking themselves secure till they are invaded and their Goods taken away IV. The coming of a Thief into a House puts the careless Family into a great Fright when they see themselves surprized and cannot tell how to help it V. The approach of a Thief in the Night makes the poor amazed Family to forget all their former Pleasures and Enjoyments and expect no more than their Lives for a Prey and glad would they be of them too VI. At the coming of a Thief in the Night Execution is oftentimes done to the Ruin of the People where he comes Parallel I. THe Coming of Christ or Day of the Lord will be with design to circumvent the careless Professors who sleep in a sinful secure State as if there was no God to fear no Jesus Christ to look for no Heaven to be sought no Hell to be avoided to such he will come and seize them for his Prey to cut them asunder and appoint them their Portion with Vnbelievers and Reprobates II. Even so will the Lord Jesus Christ at his second coming be provided for his purpose with Fire and Sword to accomplish his Design which is to make a Desolation in the Earth For by Fire and Sword shall the Lord plead with all Flesh and the slain of the Lord shall be many He shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in Flames of Fire c. III. The Day of the Lord will come when all is still and the World least thoughtful of Danger but are careless eating and drinking and marrying and sleeping till the Heavens rend asunder the Archangel utter his Voice and the Judg himself come upon them But as the Days of Noah were so shall the coming of the Son of Man be IV. The Day of the Lord will in like manner put the sleepy Generation that shall then be into a great and dismal Fright when
me II. The Spirit hath all excellent Qualities in it 't will not only beautify and perfume but 't is also soveraign good for healing all Distempers of the Soul what rare Property is there in any sort of Oil but the Spirit in an heavenly manner far excels it III. The Spirit ever abides the same never corrupts nor loseth its Virtue it lasteth from everlasting to everlasting Inferences FRom hence we may see the excellent Nature Properties and Usefulness of the Spirit 2. It may move and stir us up to pray to the Father for fresh Anointings 3. Let us ascribe all tenderness and brokeness of Heart to the mollifying Virtue of this Precious Oil. 4. When ye see choice and excellent Oil think seriously on the Holy Spirit 5. Labour to get much of it in your Vessels lest your Lamps go out and you go to buy when 't is too late The Holy-Spirit the Earnest of the Saints Inheritance Eph. 1.13 14. After ye believed ye were sealed with the Spirit of Promise which is the Earnest of our Inheritance c. METAPHOR AN Earnest is usually part of the best things which are in common Use and Estimation among Men as Gold Silver c. II. An Earnest imports some thing bought or sold as also an Agreement or Consent between two Parties for the confirming of some Contract or Promise which before was not settled III. An Earnest is given as a Pledg of some future good thing purchased or promised to a Person IV. An Earnest oftimes of a great Bargain or Purchase is a considerable Sum twenty or thirty Pounds sometimes more hath been given in earnest of an Inheritance an Earnest is commonly proportioned according to the worth or value of the Purchase V. An Earnest is that which confirms or makes sure a Bargain or Contract between two Parties by the means of which each claims his own Interest and Property VI. An Earnest puts a Bar to any who would unjustly stop disanul or make void the Covenant agreed upon VII An Earnest confirms a Bargain so that it gives assurance to him that receives it of the Inheritance or Purchase of whatsoever it is the Earnest VIII An Earnest though it may be in it self something of considerable value yet it is always far short in worth to that which it is the Earnest of IX An Earnest as it is something given of a valuable consideration to confirm a Bargain so the Person that receives it immediately enjoys it he hath it in hand for his present Profit and Advantage and many times a Man hath nothing else to live upon till he receives the whole Sum but the Earnest-Mony X. There is always some distance of Time between the laying down of the Earnest of an Inheritance and full enjoyment of it or entering into the Possession thereof Parallel THe Holy Spirit viz. the Gifts Graces and Operations thereof is part of the best things which the great God in this World gives unto his dear Children II. The Earnest of the Spirit doth also denote as 't is observed by some that spiritual Bargain which is made between God and a Believer The Lord in a solemn Contract requires of us our whole Soul Life Strength the best we are and are capable to perform for the Glory of his holy Name and to the end he might have as I may say the Bargain punctually observed hath given us an Earnest to wit his Spirit and we in receiving of it shew our Assent and Consent to the Contract to serve the Lord and become his for ever III. The Spirit is given by the Father to Believers as a Pledg or Earnest of the blessed Inheritance which Christ purchased by his Blood for them and upon the account of his own free Grace is promised to them Who hath also sealed us and given us the Earnest of the Spirit in our Hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 IV. The Spirit which God giveth to Believers as the Earnest of Eternal Life is a great Sum or that which is of considerable Value the Purchase being infinite or invaluable 't is meet the Earnest should bear some Proportion to it who is able to account or reckon up the worth of the Spirit of God which is the Earnest of the Saints Inheritance We may judg of the Value and Excellency of it by the fruits thereof which are Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Faith Meekness Temperance c. One particular Fruit of the Spirit viz. Peace is such an inestimable Jewel that the Apostle saith It passeth all Vnderstanding V. The Earnest of the Spirit which God hath given to his People confirms that mutual Contract and Agreement which is between him and them God hereby claims a new Covenant-Right to Believers and Believers claim Interest and Property in God Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit 1 Joh. 4.13 VI. The Earnest of the Spirit prevents Satan from steping in to break and make void the Spiritual Bargain or Contract between the Soul and the Lord Jesus Christ. A Saint can by this means say I have received Earnest of God I am not mine own I have agreed covenanted and sold my self to him Depart from me ye evil doers for I will keep the Commandments of my God The Lord rebuke thee Satan c. And hereby God looks upon himself concern'd to secure and make sure of the Soul to preserve his Right and Interest he hath in his People against all Enemies that he might not lose his Bargain VII The Spirit confirms the Covenant of Grace so to Believers that it gives them an assurance of Eternal Life and Glory to come hence 't is called The Earnest of the Saints Inheritance until the Redemption of the Purchased Possession VIII The Gifts Influences and Graces of the holy Spirit tho they are in themselves of great Worth and Value and accordingly greatly prized by the Godly yet not to be compared to the full Fruition of God and the glorious Inheritance which the Spirit is given as the Earnest of IX The Spirit which is the Earnest of Glory is given to Believers for their present Profit God's infinite Favour bestows Grace Peace Joy and the like whilst Saints are in this World and indeed 't is upon this Earnest-Mony they live and 't is so much as is sufficient to bear all their Charges and defâ—â—ay all their Expences till they receive the everlasting Kingdom X. There is also a distance of Time between the Saints receiving the Spirit which is the Earnest of that glorious Inheritance and the full Possession of it They receive the Spirit as the Earnest when or soon after they believe the Time when they receive the Inheritance is not till they die and not the full Fruition or perfect Enjoyment of it till the Resurrection Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the righteous Judg will give me at that Day c.
METAPHOR AN Earnest among Men is usually a certain Sum either more or less of Gold or Silver which are but corruptible and earthly Things II. The best and greatest Purchase an Earnest among Men is given for consists but of temporal things that pass away and perish as all Sublunary Things do III. Sometimes among Men a Person who has given Earnest for such or such a Commodity does afterwards recant his Bargain IV. Sometimes the Purchaser loses his Earnest by flying from the Bargain and so never has the Inheritance V. Amongst Men the Earnest of an Inheritance is given by the Purchaser to the Seller and he expects something of equal worth for that he parts withal for it VI. An Earnest among Men is given by the Purchaser with an intent or design to advantage himself thereby 't is chiefly his own Interest and Profit which he aims at in this Action Disparity THe Earnest of the Saints Inheritance is of an inestimable value being of an heavenly and sublime Nature the holy blessed and eternal Spirit of God in the Operations Gifts and Graces thereof II. The holy Spirit is the Earnest of an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life III. There never will be any recanting about giving or receiving this Spiritual Earnest God will never repent that he gave his Spirit to his faithful Children it being bestowed upon them as the Result of his eternal Purpose in Jesus Christ. And Believers have no cause to recant their Bargain in yielding themselves up to God both Body and Soul all they are and are capable to do for the Glory of Free-Grace for their Gain will be unspeakable thereby Godliness is profitable to all things having the Promise of the Life that now is and that which is to come it is great Gain IV. God will never can never lose those Souls for whom he gave his Son as the Price of their Redemption and his Spirit as an Earnest to make sure of them My Father which gave them me is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hands V. The Spiritual Earnest is given by the Father upon the account of Christ's Purchase unto Believers The Lord Jesus bought the Inheritance and received the Earnest of it for us as Mediator who freely gives it to us out of his own good Will he bestows it upon us as an Assurance of the full possession of eternal Life VI. The Lord giving his Spirit as the Earnest of future Blessings designs 't is acknowledged his own Glory thereby but chiefly the Profit will be ours 'T was our Good our Advantage Christ designed and aimed at in dying for us and in giving his Spirit to us Inferences WHat admirable Grace and Favour is here Did God give Christ to die for us to redeem us from Sin and Wrath to come and did he receive the holy Spirit as Mediator to give it unto us the Earnest of that purchased Possession Let this be to the Praise of his Glory Christ purchases that we might possess Others purchase that they might inherit themselves and give Earnest to make sure the Estate to themselves but the Lord Jesus needed not to do so he was Heir from everlasting and all that he did as Mediator was for us to enrich and make us happy and blessed for ever 2. If God hath given to Believers the Holy Spirit as the Earnest of their Inheritance let them take heed they do not go about to defraud him of his Bargain They are not their own they are bought with a Price and they have consented to this holy Contract by taking an Earnest from his hand 'T is great Injustice to deprive or keep back any part of a lawful Bargain from the Buyer especially when he hath given Earnest for it 3. This shews what certain Hopes and good Assurances a godly Man hath of eternal Life 'T is bought or purchased for him 't is given by Promise to him the Promise is sealed nay more than this he hath received a Pledg or Earnest of it What little ground is there then for any Soul to despond or doubt of the eternal Inheritance The holy God deals with us after the manner of Men about the great Concerns of another World the bare Promise of God would be Security enough we need not require a Seal and an Earnest of him O how doth Divine Goodness condescend to poor Creatures that the Heirs of Promise might have strong Consolation 4. From hence Believers may learn how to repell and withstand the Temptations of Satan Simon saith our Saviour Satan hath desired to have you c. But might not Simon and so consequently every true Christian say I am not mine own thou comest too late Satan I have received Earnest of a better Estate of a better Kingdom than thou hast I have given up my self to Jesus Christ and he hath taken possession of me by his Spirit that I might possess and enjoy him to Eternity 5. And let Sinners who would have an Interest in God and enjoy this eternal Inheritance learn from hence the ready way to come to it First They must believe The Saints that are sealed with the Spirit which is the Earnest of the purchased Inheritance are said to trust in God after they heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of their Salvation In whom saith the Apostle after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise which is the Earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased Possession to the Praise of his Glory Secondly As they must hear attend upon the Word go out of themselves to Christ rely upon him and trust in him believe and receive the Record God hath given of his Son so they must submit to his Ordinances The Spirit is promised to those that keep his Commandments John 14.15 16. If this be done in Truth and Sincerity you shall certainly receive the Earnest of future Happiness as well as others 6. Those that would have a Trial of their Estates and Conditions who desire to know whether they have received the Spirit of God or not may read the Metaphor where the holy Spirit is compared to a Seal Nothing is more needful all may see from hence to make sure of the Spirit take heed you be not mistaken about it c. And let them that have received it live upon it Such need not fear wanting any good thing this Earnest-Penny will as hath been shewn already defray all their Charge whilst they are in this World 'T is a great Sum God gives like himself and answerable to that Inheritance prepared and purchased for Believers 7. What Fools are they that slight and despise this Earnest God offers Men in the Gospel everlasting Life and to assure them of it promises them if they will come to his
Terms to give them his Spirit as the Earnest thereof Turn you at my Reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit upon you I will make known my Words unto you The Holy-Spirit compared to a Seal Eph. 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the Day of Redemption A Seal is an Instrument fitted to make an Impression or Mark by which a Man knows the thing done whatsoever it be to be his own and not anothers Act as also to ratify and make authentick Bonds Covenants c. And in opening this Metaphor of Believers being sealed by the holy Spirit these things are meet to be noted 1. The Letter written or the Vessel filled with Treasure every true Christian. 2. The Wax appointed to the Seal and that is the Heart the relenting and pliable Heart of a Sinner Heb. 10.16 3. The Sealer that is as some conceive the Father or the Lord Jesus Christ others more immediatly the holy Spirit or third Person of the Trinity 4. The Seal as some understand is the Word of God others the Spirit we include both jointly considered 5. The Sealing or Impression active is the Act of applying the Word in the Ministry of the Gospel by the help of the Spirit to the Soul 6. The Print or Impression passive or Image of the Seal left in the Wax is called the Image of God or Knowledg Faith Love Truth Holiness c. which are originally in God and communicated to us by the Word and Spirit from him 7. The End of Sealing which is Secrecy Property and Security which things will appear more fully in opening the Metaphor METAPHOR A Seal especially if it be the King's Seal is highly prized and very carefully kept II. A Seal makes an Impression in the Wax like it self or leaves a resemblance of it III. Before the Seal can make an Impression the Wax must be melted or made pliable soft and fit to take it IV. The Seal alters the Form of the Clay 't is set or stamp'd upon A piece of Clay is a rude Lump without form or figure saith Mr. Caryl but if you take a Seal and stamp upon it that Clay receives any Figure or Coat of Arms that is engraven upon it V. A Seal is to confirm and make sure Bonds Contracts or Covenants that are made between Man and Man If an honest Man makes a Promise of such and such things to his Friend he thinks he hath ground to hope those good things so promised him are his own but if he gives it under his Hand in Writing he concludes he is more sure but if the Writing Covenant or Promise be sealed 't is as firm and as sure as he can desire to have it VI. A Seal is used to distinguish or differ things one from another whereby Property is known and secured a Merchant knows his Goods from other Mens by the Seal or Mark he sets upon them VII A Seal is used to confirm and make Laws Authentick till they have the King's Seal stamp'd upon them they oblige not the Subject to Obedience VIII A Seal is used to secure preserve or keep safe several things which otherwise might be spoiled run out and become good for nothing Things that we would not have any to touch nor meddle with we set a Seal upon IX A Seal many times is counterfeited by ill Men they indeavour to imitate it as nigh as they can to cheat poor ignorant People thereby X. A Seal is used to hide or keep back others from the Knowledg of things if a Man have any thing to write unto his Friend that he would not have others know he seals up his Letter upon the account of Secrecy tho 't is like afterwards in convenient time those things so conceal'd are discovered Parallel THe holy Spirit is the King's Seal the glorious King of Heaven and Earth and therefore is highly valued and prized by every true Christian. II. The holy Spirit makes an Impression on the Heart there is in a Believer a Similitude a Likeness or Resemblance of God every Saint hath the Image of the Spirit upon him he is holy harmless heavenly c. III. Before the holy Spirit seals any Person to the Day of Redemption the Heart is broken softned and made pliable by the Word and powerful Operations of Grace and so made fit to take that heavenly Impression And thus you have David speaking I am poured out like Water and all my Bones are out of Joint My Heart is like Wax it is melted in the midst of my Bowels IV. The Spirit makes a change upon the Soul of a Man or Woman that receives the Impression of it it alters every Faculty and puts a new Form or Figure as it were upon it Man naturally is a rude Lump a gross and confused Piece by reason of Sin till the Spirit stamps upon him or infuses into him new Habits V. The Holy Spirit confirms and makes sure the Covenant and Promises of God to Believers God hath not only made gracious Promises to them of Pardon Peace and Eternal Life c. But he hath left these Promises written in the Holy Scriptures and not only so but such is his great Love and Kindness to them he hath given them his Seal they have his Promise his Word and his Spirit also that they might not doubt of the Truth and Stability of his Covenant We are his Witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to them that obey him VI. The Holy Spirit distinguishes or differs one Man from another God hath set his Seal or Mark upon all his People The Foundation of God remaineth sure having this Seal The Lord knoweth them that are his If any Man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his VII The Holy Spirit is the broad Seal of Heaven by which all the Laws and Institutions of the Gospel were ratified and confirmed with Signs and Wonders in the Primitive Time by which means they come to be Authentick and everlasting Laws obliging all Men to Obedience and all Laws of Spiritual Worship Traditions and Institutions injoyned by any Potentate Assembly or Council whatsoever that were not thus sealed or witnessed to are utterly to be rejected VIII The Spirit secures preserves and keeps safe all true Believers from the Danger they continually are exposed to from Sin Satan and the Insnarements and Mischiefs of this evil World Satan nor wicked Men must not cannot destroy the Servants of God because of the Mark or Seal he hath set upon them Set a Mark upon the Men that mourn c. saying Hurt not the Earth c. till we have sealed the Servants of our God in
Spirit your Sin will cleave to you 3. This River is large enough and yet as 't is large 't is free All may come and partake of these Waters none are excepted Whoever will may come and take of the Waters of Life freely 4. This River is near the Streams thereof run by your Doors VI. Moreover from hence let Professors try themselves whether they have been washed and bathed in this River and have tasted of its Waters yea or no. Art thou mollified Is thy Heart made tender Art thou cleansed Is thy Life and Heart made holy Art thou healed of the Sores and Wounds of Sin These Waters have a healing Virtue in them they will heal a wounded Spirit a gauled Conscience they are good to clear the Sight causing one to see far off Are the Eyes of thy Understanding enlightned Dost thou prize the Ordinances of God that convey these Waters of Life unto thy Soul Is the Water of this Râ—â—ver sweet to thy Taste Is this River thy chief Element Dost thou live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit VII VVhen you remove from one Place to another from one Country to another from one Land to another be sure to plant your selves near the Chanel of this River go not from these VVaters Labour to live near the Ordinances of God and where the VVater of Life is to be had VIII Pray fervently that God would never turn the Course of this River another way VVhat would become of God's Church in England were it not for this Chrystal Stream The Holy-Spirit compared to Water Ezek. 36.25 Then will I sprinkle clean Water upon you c. Joh. 7.38 39. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive c. In both these places and divers others the Holy Spirit is compared to Water METAPHOR WAter for its rise is from the Ocean thence it comes and thither it returns II. Water cleanses from Filth and Pollution Cloaths and other things that are defiled are usually washed and made clean in Water It is indeed the Bath of Nature which the God of Nature hath appointed for the cleansing of things or Creatures that are polluted III. Water hath a cooling Virtue it cools the Earth after a vehement hot and parching Season so the sweating Travellor cools himself by washing in Water When the Sun by its scorching Beams hath made a Room hot wash it with Water and 't is brought immediately into a cool Temper IV. Water makes the Earth fruitful 't is of a fructifying nature How barren how unprofitable is it in a great Drought The Grass fadeth withereth and is dried up but when a soaking Shower falls upon it how green and flourishing is it immediately made thereby V. Water softens and mollifies the Earth David speaking of the Earth saith Thou waterest the Ridges thereof and makest it soft with Showers VI. Water hath a healing Virtue in it Some great Wounds have been healed only by washing in Water Some Waters in England are soveraign good to cure many Distempers and Diseases of the Body like the Pool called Bethesda VII Water is so necessary a thing that we cannot live without it many have perished for want of it VIII Water is good to quench ones Thirst to allay the heat of our Stomacks and to satisfy the longing Desire and remove the intolerable Pains that rise from an excess of Drought IX Water is free and cheap easy to come at it doth not cost us much 't is a common Element none are barr'd from it X. Water is necessary to quench Fire when by Treachery of Enemies our Houses have been set on fire over our Heads how serviceable have we found Water to be to quench it Parallel THe Spirit flows from God the Ocean of all Fulness But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testify of me Joh. 15.26 II. The Spirit of God purges and washes the Conscience from the horrid Defilement of Sin I will sprinkle clean Water upon you and ye shall be clean from your Filthiness And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God The Spirit cleanseth by applying Christ's Blood and by creating clean Dispositions in the Soul See River III. The Spirit hath a cooling Virtue in it The Heart of a Man is subject to great Heats sometimes its sweltered with Temptation Satan by shooting his fiery Darts puts a Believer into violent Heats As the Hart is by the Hunter put in a foaming Sweat and brays after the Water-brook so Satan that Blood-Hound makes the Soul thirst after the Water of Life Sometimes Men are put into great Heats by prevailing and raging Corruptions They are saith the Lord as an Oven heated by the Baker The Spirit cools this Heat partly by subduing the lustings of the Flesh and partly by strengthning the renewed part Jesus Christ opens the Oven of a distempered Heart and by casting the Water of the Spirit upon it brings it into a cooler Temper When Saul was in that hot and raging Heat to shed the Blood of the Saints the Spirit quickly allays his Rage and Fury IV. The Spirit where e're it falls makes the Soul fruitful Men's Hearts naturally are barren and like the parched Heath in the Desert but when this sacred Rain comes down upon them they quickly look green and in a glorious manner fructifie and bring forth the Fruits of Righteousness as appears in the Case of Zacheus no sooner did he receive of this divine Water and Salvation was come to his House but he crys out Half my Goods I give to the Poor V. The Spirit softens the hard and flinty Heart by applying the Blood of Christ. No sooner doth the Water of the Spirit come down upon a stubborn and rocky-hearted Sinner but he is made tender and pliable thereby Lord saith Soul what wilt thou have me do He was soft mollified and melted willing to do what ever the Will and Pleasure of God was VI. The Spirit heals all the Wounds and Diseases of the Soul Lord be merciful unto me and heal my Soul saith David for I have sinned against thee He sent forth his Word and healed them No Soul that ever took down one draught of these Waters but was cured of whatsoever Disease he had It searches to the bottom of every Sore and purges out the Corruption and then by applying the Blood of Christ it heals the Soul of all its Wounds perfectly VII The spirit is of absolute necessity without it we cannot live to God can't live the Life of Faith the Life of Holiness many perish and are utterly lost for
want of the Spirit for not coming to these Waters VIII The Spirit of God allays that great Drought that is in Men and Women naturally after perishing things But whosoever that drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst c. It greatly satisfies the spiritual Desires of the Soul giving Peace inward Contentment and Joy through believing IX The Spirit and the Blessings thereof are free Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters Whoever will let him take of the Water of Life freely X. The Spirit quenches the Fire of Lust the Fire of Pride the Fire of Passion which Satan and our own treacherous Hearts are ready at every turn to kindle in us and which would were it not for this sacred Water burn and consume our Souls and bring us to utter Desolation METAPHOR OTher Water many times doth prove prejudicial to the Body when it is received at certain times too freely it surfeits and indangers the Life II. Waters whether taken in the common Acceptation elementary Water or cordial Waters or Spirits prepared by Art are not Waters of Life no Water can beget Life nor give Life to the Dead III. Water may be defiled made muddy and become unwholsome and unfit to drink or wash in Disparity THe Spirit never hurts any who drink thereof though in never so great a heat you may freely take down this Water and not be hurt thereby it surfeits none no danger of drinking to excess here II. The Spirit is called the Spirit of Life and Water of Life and may fitly be so termed 1. Because it begets spiritual Life in all poor dead Sinners 2. Because it maintains Life that which gives Life and Being to us as we are Men or Christians preserves the same Whether it be natural or spiritual 3. Because it makes the Hearts of Christians lively and increases Life in them 4. 'T is called Water of Life because it brings unto everlasting Life The Water that I will give him shall be in him a Well of Water springing up into Everlasting Life III. The Spirit ever remains pure and admits of no Filth 't is impossible to defile this Water or make it unfit for the Souls of Sinners See River Inferences FRom hence we may infer that those who have not received of the Spirit or drank of this sacred Water have no spiritual Life in them If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Those that have not this clean Water sprinkled upon them their Filthiness remains II. What Fools are those Men who refuse to drink of the Water of Life 't is but drinking and live for ever III. Be exhorted to pray earnestly long for and endeavour after a Participation of the Spirit How ready are Men and Women to go to this Well and that Well to drink Water for the help and healing of Bodily Distempers go many Miles dispense with all other Affairs that they may be recovered of external Diseases But how few inquire after the Water of Life or leave all their secular Business for the good and health of their immortal Souls To perswade you to acccept of a word of Counsel take these few Motives You are invited Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters c. These Waters are free you may have them if you have a Heart and Will in you to them the Well is open and Christ stands with his Arms spread forth to call and embrace you If any Man thirst let him come to me and drink The Holy-Spirit a Witness 1 Joh. 5.6 10. It is the Spirit that beareth Witness because the Spirit is Truth He that believeth on the Son of God hath the Witness within himself Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth Witness with our Spirit c. Rom. 9.1 My Conscience also beareth me Witness in the Holy Ghost c. A Witness is absolutly necessary for the keeping up of Justice deciding of all Matters of Moment or to the putting an end to Controversies that may arise between Parties and for the confirming and establishment of Truth METAPHOR WItness imports something to be done that is to be attested when it shall be required or when there is need of it II. A good Witness is a just and impartial Person one that will tell only the Truth III. A good and faithful Witness decides Controversies upon Trial the right way IV. One Witness is not sufficient to the deciding of some Differences in some Cases there should be more than one Witness In the mouth of two or three Witnesses shall every Word be established V. A Witness is highly esteemed and his Testimony prized by a Man falsely accused when his Life lies at stake thereby especially when such clear Evidence is given in for the Defendant that tends to the clearing up his Innocency and absolutely to acquit him and to his great Honour set him at liberty notwithstanding those cruel and false Accusations of his Enemy VI. A good Witness many times gives in such clear Proof and Circumstances to the deciding of Controversies and ending Differences that the Matter appears exceeding plain in the sight of all Persons VII A good and faithful Witness brings a Man sometimes off triumphantly that all were ready to conclude was a dead Man VIII A Witness is so necessary to confirm Bonds Contracts and solemn Covenants that they are not look'd upon Authentick and good in Law without Parallel THere is somthing done by Christ for us and in us which it is needful there be a Witness of to confirm and establish both 1. Whatever the Lord Jesus did in the days of his Flesh as the sent one of the Father was born witness to by the Holy Spirit by those mighty Works which were done by the means and power thereof 2. The Lord Jesus hath also done great things in those who do believe the Truth of which the Holy Spirit beareth Witness II. The Holy Spirit is a just and impartial Witness The Spirit beareth Witness because the Spirit is Truth III. So the Holy Spirit decides and ends the great doubt that arises in the Heart about the work of Grace the right way will not speak Peace to him to whom it doth not appertain will not clear the Guilty viz. him that believeth not notwithstanding his seeming Zeal Holiness c. nor condemn the holy and sincere Person notwithstanding the Weaknesses and Infirmities of his Life IV. So in the great case of Interest or no Interest in Jesus Christ or about Faith and Regeneration there must be two or three Witnesses no more is required First The Spirit of God And secondly Our Spirit or the Testimony of our own Conscience The Spirit it self beareth Witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God V. When the Spirit of God with a Man 's own Conscience gives in Evidence for him touching his Sincerity when accused by Satan and by wicked Men and
live a godly Life to keep a good Conscience towards God and towards Men these are part of those things the Spirit guides Men in and such who thus live are led by the Spirit of God and are the Sons of God THE Word of God Compared To LIGHT The Fourth Head of Metaphors Allegories Similitudes and other borrowed Terms in Scripture that relate to the most Sacred Word of GOD. Psal. 119.105 Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a Dark place c. 2 Cor. 4.4 6. Least the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine upon them c. In handling this Metaphor we will 1. Shew what Light is 2. Give its various acceptations 3. Run the Parallel and largely open the Properties of Gospel Light Concluding with Practical Improvements upon that and some Dependant and Collateral Points LIght properly taken is thus defined Lux est claritas seu splendor in Corpore luminoso vel extra a corpore luminoso exiens that is Light is a Clarity Brightness or Splendor in a luminous body or proceeding from it It is called in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or from whence comes the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cerno to behold which cannot be done but where there is light The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Maor is properly a lightsome or lucid body as the Sun Moon Stars Gen. 1.14 15 The Greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 17.2 Act. 26.23 the Latines lux and lumen It is threefold viz. there is a Natural light a light of Grace and a light of Glory the first is common to all that have the Sense of Seeing the second to Believers only on Earth the third to the Saints and glorified Spirits in Heaven The second sort of which we treat proceeds from Christ who is called the light Joh. 1. and his Gospel which is also called Light because it has the same influence and Efficacy in illuminating the Minds of Men which without it are spiritually dark as the Sun and other lucid bodies have to help our Corporal Eyes in the discovery of Objects Light Metaphorically is put for life it self Job 3.16 20 21. 2. For any Prosperity and Joy of Mind arising from thence Esth. 8.16 3. For the open and manifest state of things Matth. 10.27 Zeph. 3.5 Joh. 3.21 1 Cor. 4.5 4. For Favour and Good Will Prov. 16.15 5. For the Mistery of Regeneration 1 With respect to the Organical Cause of it viz. the Word and Spirit of God Psal. 43. Prov. 6.23 Isa. 2.5.20 2 Cor. 4.6 1 John 2.8 2 With respect to the formal Cause which is the Saving knowledge of Christ and true Faith Act 26.18 Eph. 5.8 1 Pet. 2.9 1 John 1.7 Hence Believers are called the Sons of Light Luk. 16.8 Eph. 5.8 1 Thes. 5.5 and the Graces of the Spirit and effects thereof the Armour of Light Rom. 13.12 3 VVith respect to the final Cause the last scope and effect of Faith which is life Eternal Isa. 6O 19 20. Joh. 8.12 Act. 26.23 2 Tim. 1.10 c. More particularly by a Metaphor Light is put for Knowledge Dan. 5.11 Isa. 60.3 For Beleivers Eph. 5.8 For the Ministers of the Gospel Matth. 5.14 For God himself 1 Joh. 1.5 Natural light was the first perfect Creature that God made of this visible world Gen. 1.3 Light is put for the Morning Neh. 8.3 And he read unto them from the light so the Hebrew until Midday Noon light in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zocharajim signifies double light or that which is extraordinary shining The Devil is called an Angel of Light 2 Cor. 11.14 that is by himself or Agents he assumes a specious and seeming Sanctity on purpose to insnare and deceive the Godly God is said to dwell in unapproachable Light 1 Tim. 6. that is in such transcendent Glory that no Mortal Eye can approach unto There is nothing so illustrious and glorious as Light hence the joyes of Heaven are set out by it In what respect the Word or Gospel is compared to Light take as followeth METAPHOR 1. Light is pleasant and very Comfortable Truly Light is sweet saith Solomon and a pleasant thing it is for the Eyes to see the Sun How grevious is it to be blind or to be kept in a deep and dark Dungion without seeing or beholding the Light 2. Light hath a penetrating quality it is of such a piercing and subtil Nature that it conveys it self into the least Crevise you can hardly make a Fence so Close as wholly to keep out light 3. Light makes manifest Great Light discovers and makes things manifest causing them to appear as they are in their proper nature which in the dark many times are taken to be that which indeed they are not When you would see what a thing is that you may make a true Judgment of it you bring it to the Light Whatsoever maketh manifest saith the Apostle is Light 4. Light hath a Directive vertue it Guides men in their way the Traveller by the Benefit of Light sees what path to keep and how to avoid the Dangers that may attend should he turn to the Right hand or to the Left 5. Light hath a Chearing Warming and Reviving Quality Light contributes much to the Vegetation Growth and Life of Plants and other Creatures Light and Motion are the cause of heat which the Heavenly Bodies send down upon the Earth Light is that Instrument whereby all Influences of Heaven are communicated and dispersed to the World 6. Light hath a purging and purifying Vertue Fogs and Mists that are gathered in Darkness are dispersed and scattered when the Light comes hence Light is called the refining-pot of Nature The World saith a worthy Divine would be an unwholsom Pesthouse if it had no Light 7. Light is of an undefileable Nature Tho' it passeth through sinks and most polluted places yet it Contracts no defilement it cleanseth all things but is defiled by nothing 'T is a quality so spiritual that nothing can fasten upon it to pollute it 8. Light is Glorious for beauty and splendor Hence the Glory of Heaven is called Light There is nothing of all created beings so Glorious as the Sun and light is a resplendency and shining forth of it Parallel 1. The Word or Gospel of Jesus Christ is very pleasant and a delightful thing How woful was the state of England in former times when men were kept in the Dungeon of Popish Darkness without the Precious Light of Gods Word Light is compared to Gladness and a good Day many Good Days have we enjoyed since God sent out his Light and Truth amongst us 2. The Word of God is of a searching and penitrating nature the Apostle saith it is quick
and powerful sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and Intents of the heart 'T is a hard matter for a Man tho' never so wicked to shut out or Prevent the Light of Gods Word from darting into and piercing of his Evil and accusing Conscience 3. The Word and blessed Gospel of Christ is so Great a Light that it makes wonderful Discoveries to the Children of Men. 1. It makes Manifest not only that there is a God but also what a God he is Not only his Being but also his manner of Being 2. It Discovers the Creation of the World 3. The State of Man before he fell and after his Fall 4. The horrid nature of Sin 5. The secret Counsel and Eternal Love of God to lost Man together with the severity of God towards the fallen Angels 6. It makes known the Lord Jesus Christ and his Blessed Design in coming into the World his Incarnation Nativity Life Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession c. 7. It Discovers how God is to be Worshipped all his Laws Ordinances and Institutions are revealed by it 8. It discovers the True Church which otherwise cannot be known 9. Lastly It makes manifest whatsoever is needful or necessary to be known believed or practiced in order to Salvation 4. The VVord of God Directs and Guides Men in the Right way Hence David saith Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathes God is Gracious to mankind in this respect viz. he leaves them not at an uncertainty without an infallible Guide in matters of Religion Take away this Unâ—â—erring Rule and what confusion would the Christian VVorld be in one Man might say this is the way and another that I walk saith one by the Guidance of the Spirit and so saith another that teacheth quite Contrary things Saith a third you are both out of the way 't is I alone that am led by Inspiration and ye are in Darkness Others plead for the Pope and General Counsels which have been miserably Contradictory one to another and none of these can Give better Demonstrations touching the truth of what they Preach or Practice then the Rest being not able to Confirm their Doctrine by Miracles and so consequently how shall a poor doubtful Soul be directed in the way to heaven by either or any of them For were not the holy Scriptures the Rule but Contrariwise the Light within or Inspiration c. then must a Man be able to Confirm and Prove what he sayeth in such a way or by such means that no Deceiver or Impostor can pretend unto or do the like But is not the Spirit of God above the Scriptures which you call the VVord did not the Spirit give forth the Scriptures if so sure then that is of the Greatest Authority and only Light that can best Direct men Into the right way That the holy Spirit or third Person of the holy Trinity is a Greater Light then the holy Scripture is not Denied by vertue of which holy men of old were Inspired that gave them forth yet the Question is VVhether any Man now hath such a measure of the Spirit in him which is a greater Light than the written word and to whom others are bound to adhere and be directed by for 't is this only which is Denied 5. The word and Gospel of Christ hath a Chearing and Quickning Vertue This is my comfort in my affliction thy word hath Quickened me And in another place I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast Quickend me As 't is grevious to be Spiritually blind or in the Dark Region and Dungeon of Idolatry Sin and Unbelief so on the other hand how comfortable is it to enjoy the blessed word and Gospel of Jesus Christ. 6. The VVord and Gospel of Christ hath a Cleansing Purging and purifying Vertue in it Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you The Gospel and word of God Disperseth and Scattereth all the Fogs and Mists of Darkness and Error It is the refining-pot of Truth VVhat an unwholsome Pesthouse would the VVorld be in a Spiritual Sence were it not for the Light and Excellent Vertue of Gods holy VVord 7. The VVord and Gospel of God is very pure and of an undefilable Nature what filthy sinks hath it past through and what means hath been used by the Popish Adversaries and others to Corrupt and Polute it and yet no defilement cleaveth to it it remaines unmixed and pure still shining forth Gloriously such is the Excellent nature of it it purifieth the hearts and lives of men and nothing can fasten upon it to polute it 8. The VVord and Gospel of Christ is called by the Apostle The Glorious Gospel the Gospel is exceeding full of Glory There is nothing in it but that which is very Glorious Here you have a Resplendency and Shining forth of the Sun of Righteousness Gloria quasi clara saith Aquinas because Glory is the bright shining forth of Excellency now its transcendent Excellency and Splendor shines forth as may be demonstrated many wayes 1. It s Glorious in Respect of the Author and Fountain from whence it proceeds 2. 'T is Glorious in a Comparative sence 3. 'T is Glorious in respect of it Self First As light is Glorious because it is the most Excellent Rayes Resplendency and Shinings forth of the Sun so is the Gospel because 't is the glorious shining forth and resplendency of Jesus Christ the Sun of Righteousness Secondly 'T is glorious in a comparative sence it Excells the Law hence called a better Testiment tho' that was glorious yet it had no glory in this respect by Reason of the glory that Excelleth I. The Gospel excels the Law in respect of the names of the one and the names of the other 1. The Law is called the Letter the Gospel the Ministration of the Spirit 2. The Law is called a Ministration of death the Gospel a Ministrator of life II. The gospel excels in glory above the law 1. In regard of the light and perspicuity of it the law was full of obscurity clothed with many Ceremonies and mysterious Sacrifices 2. They were at a great loss touching the main drift and end thereof 2 Cor. 3.13 God spake as it were under a Vail III. The gospel is clear and plain Christ beheld heard handled c. the Mysteries long hid open'd and explained fully we behold with open face c. IV. The law was appointed to be but a leading Ministration and in subserviency to the gospel our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. V. The gospel more glorious or excels the law in respect of the strength of the one and weakness of
the other what the law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sent forth his Son c. The law wounds but can't heal it shews a man he is dead but it can't give him life it shews man he is naked but it cannot cloth him The gospel gives life heals clothes and comforts the one shews we are in Prison the other brings us out no Salvation by the one and none without the other VI. The gospel excels in glory above the law in regard of the discovery there is made therein of the Mercy and Grace of God the one shews God is just and severe and will not clear the guilty the other shews he is not only just but also gracious If any grace shone forth under the law it was only beams of gospel light darting forth darkly in it VII The gospel is more glorious in regard of the chief Administrators of the one and of the other The one were 1 Angels if the VVord spoken by Angels were stedfast who have received the law by the disposition of Angels and have not kept it 2. Moses a Servant one that spake on earth Heb. 12.25 The other Christ the Lord of life and glory who speaks from heaven How shall we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven VIII The gospel excels the law in respect of Preisthood Aaron and his Sons were Priests of the law Christ is the only Priest of the gospel 1. The Priests of the law were Men no more than Men Christ God-Man 2. They had infirmities sin and guilt in their hearts and lives as well as others Christ had none in his Mouth was found no guile 3. They were made Priests without an Oath but Christ with an Oath Heb. 7.21 so greater solemnity at his instalment into Office 4. They could not continue by reason of Death and they truly were many because shey were not suffered to continue by reason of death but Christ dieth not he ever liveth to make intercession for us but this man because he continueth for ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood 5. Christ was more merciful and filled with greater bowels than they he hath compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way Heb. 5.2 6. Christ as Priest was the substance the Antitype of Aaron and his Priest-hood 7. There is compleatness and perfection in Christs Priesthood but it was not so touching Aarons If therefore perfection were by the Levitical Priest c. the law that made nothing perfect IX The Priesthood of Christ under the gospel excels Aarons in respect of Work and Office c. 1. He was to enter into the holy place 2. To appear before God 3. To bear the sins of the People Exod. 28.38 4. To make an Atonement Lev. 16.32 5. To Judge of Uncleanness Lev. 13.2 6. To offer Incense Lev. 16.17.8 7. To determine Controversies Deut. 17.8 8. To Bless the People and many other things which Jesus Christ infinitely Excels in 1. Christ is entered into the true Holy Place Sanctum Sanctorum the Holy of Holies Heaven it self 2. He appears really before God for us being set down on the right hand of the Majesty on High c. 3. He hath as the great Anti-type born our sins upon his own Body on the Tree 4. He hath made a compleat and perfect Attonement 5. He Judges of our uncleanness both of the Heart as well as of the Flesh. 6. He resolves all our Doubts ends Controversies speaks peace to the disconsolate a word in season to him that is weary 7. He offers Incense And there was given to him much Incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints 8. He gives down Blessings Him hath God sent to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities c. IX The gospel excels the law in respect of Sacrifices 1. Those Sacrifices under the law were not so Excellent there was not that worth in them as is in the Sacrifices of the gospel What was the blood of Bulls Bullocks and Lambs these were part of those Legal Sacrifices Christ offered up his own Body poured forth his precious Blood to take away our sins 2. They were offered often to Atone for Iniquity dayly every year But Christ hath offered up himself in Sacrifices once for all by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified that which they were alwayes or continually a doing and yet could not accomplish he did by one single Sacrifice and that for ever X. The law required perfect righteousness and nothing less would be accepted and so consequently no soul could thereby be delivered from terror and bondage but the gospel through Christs perfect righteousness acted in his own Person for us accepts of Sincerity in the room and stead of the perfect keeping the whole Law XI In respect of the extent of the one and of the other The law was only given to Israel or unto the lineal Seed of Abraham and to the Proselyte Stranger he dealt his Laws and Statutes to Israel he did not so to any Nation c. The gospel is extended to all People and Nations under the whole Heavens Go into all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature Mar. 16.15 VVhosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal Life XII The gospel excels the law in the easiness and sweetness of it the precepts of the law were many more in number and hard to learn and remember and very difficult and painful some of them to do particularly Circumcision and also very chargeable beyond what the Gospel is My yoak is easie and my burden is light XIII The gospel is glorious above the law in regard of the Promises of it called better Promises better Covenant better Hope Heb. 7.19 XIV It is more glorious in respect of its Duration the law was but for a time the Servant abides not in the house for ever but the Son abides for ever an everlasting Covenant an everlasting Priesthood an everlasting Gospel No other Ministration is to be looked for till the end of the VVorld Thirdly The gospel is glorious in respect of it self here we shall be large If we have respect to the Historical part the gospel contains a glorious history there is that in it which may affect every person please every Curiositâ—â— what is there in any History which may Commend or illustrate its glory and excellency which the gospel comes short in 1. Some Persons delight to Read and hear Histories that treat of Love and amorous stories 2. Some are more affected with such that treat of Martial-Exploits or Atchievements of Wars of the conquering of Kingdoms and Nations and overcoming mighty Champions c. 3. Some rather Commend such Histories that treat of those great rarities which are in many Nations and Kingdoms of the world and of the Cities Lawes Customes and
held forth in the gospel touching his Deity to be Equal with the Father yet this doth not must not lessen or diminish the Fathers glory all are to honour the Son as they honour the Father but not above the Father nay what can or ever did demonstrate or greaten the honour which is due to God the Father like the honour and adoration ascribed and given to him by the Lord Jesus as Mediator O how did he strain to set out and promote the Glory of God the Father My Doctrine is not mine but the fathers that sent me As the living father sent me and I live by the Father c. My father is Greater than I I Honour my father but ye dishonour me for I have not spoken of my self but the Father which sent me he giveth me commandment what I should say and what I should speak VVherein doth the gospel manifest the Fathers glory The Fathers glory shines forth therein to Admiration in respect of his infinite Grace Love and Rich Bounty to poor perishing men 1. Whatever Relief succour and saving Benefit any sinners do Receive in this world or have the promise of Receiving in the world to come the Gospel wholly ascribes it in the first place to God the Father his Compassion his Bowels and his Love and Bounty is set forth in the gospel to be such to his poor Creatures that no tongue is able to Express it He is great and glorious Alexander is said to give like himself be sure the Father hath hath out done him and Araunah too He gives not to Kings but like a King yea like the King of Kings he is wonderful in grace and rich bounty he is wonderful II. Consider what it is he hath given what he hath parted with for and to poor sinners has he not parted with his Choicest Jewel his best and Choicest treasure God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life If it had been a Servant his Noah his Abraham his Moses his David his grace and bounty had been great but alas they could not Redeem us none were found worthy to open the Book nor loose the Seals thereof amongst all the Children of men or Saints of God that ever lived Or had it been an Angel one of the glorious Seraphims or Cherubims the favour had been unspeakable considering what we were but to think it was and must be his Son his only begotten Son that lay in his Bosom his dearly and welbeloved Son in whom he was well pleased a Son that never offended a glorious Son the Joy and Delight of his heart III. Consider whether he sent this his dear Son and wherefore 1. He sent him into the World 2. Into a sad World into a strange Country where he was not known 3. He sent him amongst Enemies amongst wicked men such that hated him and his Father 4. Nay amongst Devils 5. He sent him to be Abased he was Vilified Contemned and Spit upon He was despised and rejected of men 6. Nay he sent him to Die to pour forth his Soul to Death to become a Ransom for many he commanded him to lay down his Life IV. Consider for whose sake he sent him to suffer all this 1. Was it for his Friends such that he was beholden to 2. Or was it for some dear Relation 3. Or was it for some worthy or deserving Creature that had Merited such Favour and Grace from him No it was for such that were his Enemies who Deserved nothing but Hell and Eternal Wrath for ever V. And Lastly Consider what was his great and glorious design in all this 1. Which was to make peace God was in Christ Reconciling the world to himself 2. To Espouse and Marry poor Sinners to himself for ever 3. To Convey a gracious and Legal Pardon to them and to wash them from their sins in the blood of his Everlasting Covenant 4. To bestow the blessing of Adoption upon them i. e. to make such his own Children by Favour and Grace who were his Enemies and Children of Wrath by nature 5. To Purchase a Kingdom for them 6. To save them from Eternal wrath and death and to bestow upon them Eternal Life And thus the glorious Mercy of God the Father shines forth in the gospel for these things fully set forth that the Father is gracious And in the next place let me speak a little of his Justice also for his glorious Justice as well as Mercy shines forth in the Gospel First It must be considered that Justice as well as Mercy is in God as his Mercy is Infinite so is his Justice Secondly It must be granted also that Justice was injured by the Fall and Sin of Man and called for Satisfaction which was signified 1. By the Execution of the Sentence pronounced upon the account of Mans Disobedience 2. By turning him out of the Garden 3. By the flaming Sword 4. By the Law upon Mount Sinai 5. By many severe expressions and fearful Threatnings mentioned in the holy Scriptures God is angry with the wicked every day his Soul lothed them he has whet his Sword c. Thirdly In the next place consider Justice must be satisfied or we must be Damned that God will not save in a way of Mercy to the wronging of his Justice Fourthly It behoveth us therefore to know what will satisfie Gods Justice and appease his wrath And indeed nothing less will do this than perfect and compleat Obedience to the Law for the time to come and a plenary compensation for the wrong done in time past Thou must be holy pure without sin in thine own person or have such a Righteousness by Faith imputed to thee What will the sinner now do may be he will say I will cast my self upon the Mercy of God that is thy only way but if thou hast not an eye to the Attonement and Satisfaction made by Christ Jesus thou wilt Perish notwithstanding for he that said he was Gracious Merciful abundant in Goodness and Truth said also he would by no means acquit the Guilty The gospel shews Gods Wrath must be appeased and that it must be appeased by Sacrifices but if we should Sacrifice a 1000 Rams or 10000 Rivers of Oyl nay do as the Gentiles did Sacrifice our Children or cause them to pass through the fire as the Jews did to Moloch and give the fruit of our Body for the Sin of our Soul it will not be accepted And as a Child cannot by being Sacrificed make an attonement for Sin neither can any mans Brother do it for him they that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their Riches none of them can by any means Redeem his Brother nor give to God a Ransom for him for the Redemption of their soul is precious c. What will the
God Promised to give the Land of Canaan and rest therein to his seed how punctual was he in performing of it as Solomon well observes 1 Kin. 8.56 Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest to his people Israel according to all that he promised there hath not failed one word of all his good promise c. it was declared to Abraham that his seed should be strangers in the Land of Egypt four hundred years and Moses shews that at the end thereof nay the very self-same day the Lord brought them out of the said Land Exod. 12.41 4. God promised to send a Saviour and accordingly when the fulness of time was come he sent him into the VVorld 5. And that Gospel Promises might be firm and sure to all the faithful and Covenant People of God they are put into Christs hand who having shed his Blood to procure the good Promised hath Received the Promises for us as our Trustee Acts 2.33 Therefore being by the Right hand of God Exalted and having received the Promise of the holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear 6. That the Promises might be made sure to all the seed Christ hath brought himself under an Obligation to make them good And the Lord Jesus is not only ingaged but the Father also 1. In respect of his Goodness and Mercy Heb. 10.23 1 Joh. 1.9 2. In respect of his Faithfulness and Truth 1 Cor. 10.13 3. Nothing can hinder or obstruct God in accomplishing whatsoever he hath promised 4. They must be made good because of the nature of the Covenant 't is ordered in all things and sure 'T is unto God as the waters of Noah Isa. 54.10 They are left in Christs last VVill and Testament that was confirmed by his blood See Testator And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of death for the Redemption of the Transgressions that were under the first testament they which are called might Receive the promise of eternal inheritance 5. But if all this is not enough God hath ingaged himself by oath to make them good he hath if I may so speak pawn'd his own Being Life Power Truth and Holiness upon the performing whatsoever he hath promised to his own Covenant-people for when God made a Promise to Abraham because he could swear by no greater he swore by himself Gen. 22.16 17. Saying surely in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thee And so after he had patiently endured he obtained the promise for men verily swear by the greater and an oath of confirmation is to them an end of all strife Wherein God more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed by an Oath ver 17. That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have strong consolation who have fled for Refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us May not this cause a Believer to venture upon a Promise of God and to rest satisfied until it is accomplished 10. Gospel Promises are glorious promises because they are generally and more especially Soul or spiritual promises What is it to have a promise of such or such an Estate or Lordship or to be blessed in the Basket and store or with all earthly good things these are the blessings it is granted that worldly men seek after I have goods saith the Rich Glutton laid up for many years blind wretch but how poor and miserable was his Soul Now gospel promises are of a spiritual heavenly and sublime Nature as you have heard before soul-food soul-strength soul-health soul-riches soul-peace soul-liberty soul-life a Christ a Kingdom and Crown that fadeth not away for the Soul This is the Tenth 11. Gospel promises are glorious promises because 't is by vertue of these thou comest to take hold of and obtainest an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ. Is not that a precious promise that will make thee sure of a Saviour a bare Promise for of his Interest is security enough tho' he has condescended in a gracious manner to us not only to make over himself and eternal Life to our Souls by Promise but hath given us an earnest also into our hearts nay more then that Sealed us also by his Spirit unto the day of redemption See earnest and Seal under the head of Metaphors respecting the Spirit The Promises are the ground of Faith and Hope that Faith is a Fancy and that hope will be but as a spiders Web that is not grounded upon the Promise of God 12. Gospel Promises are glorious in a comparative sence above the Promises of the Law 1. Better in respect of perspicuity or clearness of them those were Promises under obscure Types and shadows Justification was held forth by several Sacrifices burnt-offerings and sin-offerings c. Sanctification held forth under several Ceremonial washings 2. Better in regard of the Nature or Quality of them the former were generally promises of Temporal or Earthly things 3. In respect of the Efficacy and Power that is in these o're what was in the other The Law made nothing perfect many blessings were made indeed in case of Obedience but the Law gave no power to perform the Condition or help the Soul in that Obedience 4. They are better in regard of extent and Duration 13. Gospel Promises are glorious in respect of the variety of them there is variety of all good things promised therein answering to every condition the Creature may be under They tend in a sweet manner to remove all objections doubts and discouragements of the Soul whatsoever as you may perceive by taking a brief Taste I am a vile sinner saith the Soul mine Iniquity is gone over mine head as a heavy burden they are more then can be number'd and are ever before me I have sinned against Light and Knowledge and hated Instruction Is there any Hope or Promise for such a wretch such a Rebel and Monster of wickedness as I am See the promise How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and ye scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge turn at my reproof Behold I will pour out my spirit upon you I will make known my words unto you Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God and he will abundantly pardon Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Here are promises that may be grounds of encouragement to the vilest sinner Were there no Promises but to righteous Persons or to men and women so and so qualified it were sad But through Christ and in closing with him in the Gospel there is pardon offered to sinners as sinners tho' they have been very vile and
unto Christ and spiritual Intimacy and Communion with him O when wilt thou come unto me 'T is the Voice of my Beloved that knocketh With my Soul have I desired thee in the Night IV. The Spouse desires such Favour and Manifestations of Christ's Love and Grace that she may never forget his Love We will remember his Love more than Wine V. The Spouse desires as doth every gracious Soul that Christ would lay himself under such Obligations of Love and Friendship to her that he may never forget her The Death of Christ is the greatest Expression of his Affection to his Elect. Let him seal up his Love to us by the Kisses of his Mouth viz. by his gracious Promises and we are sure enough VI. The Spouse desires the greatest Confirmation of Christ's Love and gratious Affection to her to have clear Evidence of her Union with him and eternal Life VII Manifestations of Christ's Love do belong properly to the Church and covenanted People of God Hence the Spouse presumes to speak thus unto her Beloved Let him kiss me with the Kisses of his Mouth I have the Liberty and Privilege to request it of him VIII Manifestations of Christ's Love are greatly prized by gracious Persons after there hath been a seeming Strangeness or Breach in their Apprehension between them knowing they were wholly in the fault and the only Cause of the Breach IX The Love-Tokens or Expressions of Christ's blessed Favour to the Spouse make the Daughters of Jerusalem to long after Christ's Love and Favour as well as she Whither is thy Beloved gone O thou fairest among Women that we may seek him with thee This was after she had declared His Mouth is most sweet he is altogether lovely X. How sweet and exceeding comfortable are the Kisses of Christ's Mouth or Evidences of his Love after a long time of spiritual Desertion XI Manifestations of Christ's and the Father's Love are glorious Tokens or Acts of Acceptance of poor Sinners who having been very vile and rebellious return home at last to their Father's House and embrace a precious Saviour XII The Kisses of Christ's Mouth who is the only King and blessed Potentate of Heaven and Earth are an infinite Honour can a poor Creature be more eminently dignified Let him kiss me with the Kisses of his Mouth BY Mouth Annotators generally understand is meant his holy Word or his own lovely and gracious Doctrine that is Let me have expressions or give evidence of thy Love to me from thy Word Kiss me with the Kisses of thy Mouth by a Metonymy of the Cause viz. Cum causa organica sive sermonis formandi instrumentum pro ipso sermone sive loquelâ ponitur That is when the Organical Cause or the Instrument that forms Speech is put for the Speech it self as the Mouth is put for Testimony Deut. 17.6 15.19 Mat. 18.16 which is expounded John 8.17 It is also written in your Law that the Testimony of two Men is true The Mouth is also put for a Command or Appointment as Gen. 45.21 where the Mouth of Pharaoh so 't is in the Hebrew signifies the Command of Pharaoh So the Mouth of the Lord is put for his Command Word and Appointment Exod. 17.1 Numb 3.16 39. 20.24 27.14 Deut. 1.26 43. 34.5 Where the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 juxta Os Domini at the Mouth of the Lord with us translated Word is by the Targum attributed to Jonath Vziel rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad osculum Verbi Domini To the Kiss of the Word of the Lord. Lying Lips do not become a Prince that is lying Words Now the Reason why the Church desires Kisses of Christ's Mouth may be as followeth METAPHOR KIsses of the Mouth are Expressions of high Favour much more than to kiss the Hand II. Kisses of the Mouth have Virtue in them they tend to encrease Love in the Object or beget more ardent Affection III. Kisses of the Mouth are plain and visible Evidences of cordial Affections and many times put a Person out of doubt about the Reality of the Giver's Love IV. The Mouth is the Instrument or Medium to convey the inward Conceptions of the Heart and Mind whether it respects Thoughts or Actions to the Knowledg and Understanding of others Parallel CHrist in a high manner expresses his Favour and exceeding great Affection unto his People in his Word I lay down my Life for my Sheep Greater Love than this hath no Man II. Evidences of Christ's Love from his Word and gracious Promises are full of Life and Virtue they wonderfully draw out the Soul in Love and Longings after Christ. How did that sweet Word or Kiss of Christ to Mary endear her to the Lord Jesus Woman thy Sins are forgiven thee III. Evidences or Manifestations of Christ's Love to a believing Soul are clear Demonstrations of Christ's real Affection When a Promise is set home and imprinted upon the Soul or Spirit of a doubting Christian it causes all his Fears to flie away Remember thy Word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope IV. The Word of Christ is the Way or glorious Medium he makes use of to convey or make known those gracious high and eternal Conceptions of his Heart and Mind to his Elect also hereby he opens and explains to us the End of his Coming into the World and his Design in dying and in all things he did which otherwise would have been hard to us to have found out METAPHOR OThers many times kiss them they do not love out of Complement II. Others give sometimes a flattering and dissembling Kiss like that of Absalom's kissing the People thinking thereby to steal away their Hearts from David his Father III. Others salute Persons oftentimes with an unchast and wanton Kiss IV. Others kiss when they design to murther Thus Joab kissed Abner and slew him Judas our Saviour and thereby betrayed him Disparity CHrist never vouchsafes any the Kisses of his Mouth but to those that he dearly loves II. Christ always when he vouchsafes his gracious Favour to any Soul doth it in all Simplicity and Integrity of Heart in his Heart is no Guile or Deceit III. All Christ's Kisses are holy chast heavenly harmless and innocent IV. Christ's design is to save those whom he kisses He came to seek and to save that which was lost I come that ye might have Life Inferences FRom hence we may perceive what a vast difference there is betwixt the Godly and the Wicked The one have their Hearts set upon heavenly Objects the other on carnal the Desires of the one are holy heavenly and spiritual the Desires of the other are fleshly earthly and sensual II. If the Kisses of a Saviour or Evidences of his Love are so sweet methinks this should stir up all to desire Kisses of Christ's Mouth III. It may be some Souls are ready to enquire How may I come to
Word of God is and may be fitly compared to Fire METAPHOR FIre is of an illuminating or inlightning Quality II. Fire is of a warming and heating Quality there is not only Illumination but Calefaction III. Fire will burn any combustable matter it can seize upon separating Metal from Rust and Dross it discovers whether Metals be of a currant or counterfeit and base allay Whatever Fire seizes effectually upon it converts it into a Flame IV. Fire is of an ascending Quality greedily mounting to its proper Seat and will not rest till it incorporates with its own Elements Earth and Water incline to their own Centers though sometimes artificially made to ascend V. Fire is of a melting and softning Quality Iron and other Metals are made pliable by it and fit to receive any Figure whatsoever as Wax keeps the Impression of the Seal VI. Fire hath a vivifying inlivening and quickning Quality it refreshes and restores that Heat and Warmth which the prevailing Cold deprives us of VII Fire is of a comforting and consolating Quality or Nature VIII Fire is of a penetrating or piercing Nature there is no pore or secret Passage of the Body thrown into it but it pierces it IX Fire is of an assimilating Quality that is it changes all Materials into its own Nature or sets them on fire X. Fire is a very profitable Element there is a necessity of it many Trades cannot be followed without it nor can Men and Women live without it XI Fire is oft-times quenched and in a great measure put out to the damage of those for whom it was kindled Parallel THe Word and Spirit is Light The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light inlightning the Eyes Psal. 19.8 The Entrance of it gives Light Psal. 119.130 By it the Eyes of our Vnderstanding are inlightned By which we know the Riches of his Glory See Metaphor Light II. The Word and Spirit of God give Heat and Warmth to the benum'd Soul of a poor Sinner they give Zeal and Fervency that is Heat of Spirit to serve the Lord. III. The Word and Spirit of God burns and consumes all that 's fit Fuel for it when throughly kindled upon the Souls and Consciences of Men it destroys the Hay Stubble Wood Chaff c. of Sin and Corruption and leaves no Metals in the Building unconsum'd save what is built upon the Foundation Jesus Christ who like Gold Silver and precious Stones will endure the Fire it also causes the Soul to burn in Love to Christ to be lifted up with transported Ardency of Affection after him and desiring to be united to him also All Men are to be tried whether with respect to Doctrines or Practices by God's Word and what disagrees with this Standard or will not bear touch with this Touch-stone is to be rejected as counterfeit and of no value IV. The word of God when it hath by the Spirit kindled the Soul of a Sinner it immediately causes his Affections and Desires to ascend and mount up to Heaven as to its Center and only Place of Satisfaction leaving as the Fire only leaves Ashes his dreggy and impure Part behind the Soul seems to be then on the Wing wholly for Heaven too pure and â—â—enned for Communion with corrupt things They shall dwell on high c. Isa. 33.16 V. The Word by the Spirit softens the hard and stony Heart and makes it a Heart of Flesh disposes the Soul and makes him fit to receive or take the Seal or heavenly Impression and Image of God See Zeal VI. The Word and Spirit quickens the Soul of a Sinner nay raises to Liâ—â—e those who have been in a spiritual Sence dead in Sins and Trespasses 'T is the Spirit that quickenns the Flesh profits nothing The Law kills but the Spirits gives Life VII The Spirit of God called the Comforter administers the greatest nay the only Consolation to the Soul of Believers O what Comforts have some poor deject Christians received from the gracious Promises of God's Word VIII The Word and Spirit of God searches all the Faculties and Powers of the Soul it penetrates not only the Head but the Heart Judgment Affections Conscience Will c. It leaves no Corner unvisited nor secret Place undiscern'd IX The Word and Spirit of God makes the Soul spiritual transforms the carnal Mind and makes it partaker of its own divine Nature it sets it in a flame of Love and spiritual Zeal for Christ and his blessed Truth X. The Word and Spirit of God is of such absolute necessity that Saints cannot live one Moment without it Hence the Spirit of Christ is called The Spirit of Life Moreover the Word of God was esteemed by Job above his necessary Food and by David above thousands of Gold and Silver Man lives not by Bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Mat. 4.4 A Christian can perform no Duty aright acceptable to God without the Divine Help and Influences of the Spirit of God XI So is the Divine Fire many times quenched and put out in a great measure to the hurt and damage of Christians Quench not the Spirit 1 Thes. 5.19 METAPHOR FIre is an external Element and only useful for the Profit and Comfort of the outward Man II. Fire is a bad Master when it has got to a head and violently breaks out it doth much Mischief and destroys wonderfully Disparity THe Spirit of God and his Word are divine sacred and heavenly profitable to the Soul of Man II. The Word and Spirit of God never hurts or injures those that it gets the Mastery and Victory over if it destroys 't is only Sin and such things that would ruine and spoil the Soul happy are those in whom the Word of God and his Spirit doth raign and predominate Inferences IF this be so take heed you do not quench the Word or Spirit of God which you may be said to do 1. By a bating of the Spirit 's Heat in its Operations or by diminishing or lessening the Graces and good Motions thereof when the Spirit loses the vigor of his Operations as when Zeal decays Convictions wear off and Affections die this is like slacking the Heat and lessening the Burning of the Fire 2. When Men do not only diminish and lessen the Burnings and Operations of the Spirit in the Graces Influences and Motions thereof but yield to Sin and the Devil so far as to put the Fire quite out The common Motions and Operations of the Spirit may be quite extinguished Give us of your Oil for our Lamps are gone out We read of some twice dead pluck'd up by the Roots Quest. Which way may the Spirit and the Word of God be quenched Answ. 1. By witholding of Fuel Where no Wood is the Fire goes out We feed that Fire which we would not have extinguished we labour to add fit matter to it that we may
III. Treasure hath a great Influence upon the Hearts of the Sons of Men. IV. Treasure is much sought after with great Care and Pains and when obtained Men are very loath to part with it V. Treasure is usually kept in some strong or secure place to the end it may be safely preserved VI. Treasure sometimes signifies Store and Plenty of good Things VII Much Treasure makes Men great and honourable in the World VII Treasure will carry a Man a great way in and through great Straits Afflictions Sorrows and Sufferings Parallel THe Gospel is much in little it hath been of that Esteem that in the time of its scarcity a Load of Hay hath been given for one Leaf of the Epistle of James in English See the Word of God compared to Light II. So doth the Gospel How many poor miserable wretched Men and Women have not only been supplied as to their need but enriched thereby III. So hath the Gospel through the Spirit and therefore the Lip of Truth saith Where the Treasure is there will the Heart be also IV. What Pains did the holy Men of old use in seeking after a Discovery of the Truth of the Gospel and of the things therein contained And what a Cloud of Witnesses are there who rather than they would part with this Treasure parted with their Lives and all they had V. So the Word and Gospel of God hath been preserved in the worst of Times when the great Design of Men and Devils hath been to destroy or corrupt it Thy Word have I hid in mine Heart VI. There are Store of good Things held forth in the Gospel viz. Christ Grace Glory and every good Thing else with him and by him VII Faith in the Gospel raiseth to great Honour O what Dignity ariseth from that noble Birth that is from above until which how mean and disgraceful an Object is fallen Man VII So the Gospel and the Grace of it O how far and through what Difficulties will it carry a Man With what contentment have Christians behaved themselves in the want of all outward Enjoyments having had a little of this Treasure METAPHOR ALL Treasures here be they never so rich or rare yet they are but earthly or from the Earth II. Earthly Treasures are corruptible and many times are spoiled they become worth little or nothing Lay not up Treasure on Earth where Moth and Rust doth corrupt c. III. Earthly Treasures tho they may go far and supply many bodily Wants yet they cannot supply Soul-Wants IV. The Poor have but little of worldly Treasure and therefore 't is they are accounted poor it is mostly in the hands of the great Men of the Earth V. Men by their natural Care and Industry may get worldly Treasure and grow rich thereby VI. Worldly Treasure may be taken away by Thieves as well as eaten by Moths Disparity BUt such is the Glory of the Gospel as that it is a Treasure from Heaven and of an heavenly product and extract II. But the Gospel and Grace thereof is a Treasure incorruptible it cannot putrify or be spoiled its Splendor and Glory is durable But of incorruptible the Word of God c. III. But the Gospel or Word of God extendeth to the Supply both of the Soul and Body The Gospel heard and received by Faith makes up a full Supply to the Soul of whatever it needs My God shall supply all your Wants c. IV. But it is evident that the Poor receive the Gospel and James saith expresly that God hath chosen the Poor of this World rich in Faith c. The Poor of this World have generally most of this sacred Treasure and so are the richest Men. V. No Man whatsoever tho never so worldly wise ingenious careful and industrious in laying out all his natural Parts can enrich himself with this sacred Treasure What hast thou which thou hast not received VI. But the Gospel is a Treasure that cannot be taken away by Thieves nor can the Moth corrupt it it is called the everlasting Gospel Inferences THis shews who are the truly rich Men and Women in the World and what is indeed the true Treasure that will make them so here and to Eternity Jam. 2.5 2 Cor. 6.10 II. It shews the Folly and Madness of those that slight and despise the Gospel Heb. 2 2 3. Jer. 8.8 9. III. What strong Motives might I produce in order to the getting of this Treasure 1. Would you be rich for ever would you have durable Riches c. 2. VVould you be defended and know how to subsist another Day Then get much of this Treasure Quest. But is not this the way to be in the more danger For 't is not the Poor that the Thief cares to meddle withal but the Rich We see what Assaults they meet withal that have this Treasure therefore 't is best to be at ease and quiet and forbear to middle with it Answ. God's Power and Strength is laid out for its Preservation and of the Vessels in whom it is It is God's Treasure and the Vessel too for his People are his peculiar Treasure He will keep it night and day lest any hurt it meaning his People whom he hath enriched with this Treasure Quest. But why is this Treasure put into such earthen Vessels Is it not in the greater danger therefore to be lost they being so subject to be broken Answ. 1. They are tho mean in the VVorlds eye and also in their own yet chosen and sanctified Vessels and fitted for the Lord's use so that the Treasure can suffer no loss by the Vessel 2. The Power of God is the more manifested in preserving this Treasure in an earthen Vessel Object But these Vessels may be nay have been and are often broken and turned to Dust. Answ. Yet God never wanted a Vessel for this Treasure nay those that are turned to Dust are not destroyed they are but dissolved that the Treasure might be the more diffusive and spread it self The Blood of the Saints hath been the Seed of the Church FINIS ADVERTISEMENT THere is a second Volume ready for the Press which consisteth of two Parts The First opens by way of Metaphor and Parallel c. about One hundred sixty eight Metaphors Similes Allegories and other borrowed Terms contained in the holy Scriptures consisting of all the principal Metaphors Similes c. that the Authors can meet with under these ten Heads following 1. Such as concern the Graces of the Spirit and Ordinances of the Gospel 2. Such as concern the holy Angels and the Souls or Spirits of Men. 3. Such as respect the Church of God 4. Such as concern 1. Man in general 2. Good Men 3. Wicked Men. 5. Such as concern the Ministers of the Gospel 6. Such as respect Sin wherein the odious Nature of Sin is largely opened 7. Such as concern the Devil 8. Such as concern the false Church and false