therefore hath God made choice not of the Object but the Act of faith to be imputed to us for our Justification There is indeed a lenitive cast in to qualifie the sharpness of this corroding and poisonous errour graunting faith not to be the meritorious cause of Justification But why then is the Lord Jesus Christ the Object of our faith so plainly shut out from having any part at all in this matter and why are we told that where it is said we are justified by faith it is not to be taken Tropically and Metonymically for the Object as many Orthodox Writers do interpret it whom I could set in opposition to those that are mustered up for the defense of this Errour if they have at least given that suffrage unto it as is pretended yea and why is such an inference derived from the Apostles frequent magnifying of faith Rom. 4. as to say the Holy Ghost had not bound himself so precisely to those words and syllables viz. of justification by faith if he had not meant to give this Honour unto faith it self but rather to some other thing as it is most uncomely called which faith laieth hold upon Alass alass that any who pretend to have a share in the merits of Christ should in this manner detract from his Glory did the Lord Jesus Christ himself Bear our sins in his own body on the Tree yea become sin for us that his righteousness might be imputed unto us and according to the appointment of his Father be made glorious in our justification and shall not the travel of his Soul be his peculiar satisfaction what is faith it self become false to the justling of Christ out of his Throne whose office it is and ever hath been to advance and promote his Crown and Dignity or rather is not the hand of Joab I meane the malice of the Devil as I said before evidently to be seen going along in this matter In vain it is for any man living to make a flourish and to boast of a constant adherency to the Protestant Profession notwithstanding the fury of late persecutions when there is such a manifest agreement avouched with Rome in this particular viz. of justification by works It seems by common report that the Authour of the Book called Theologia Veterum is of late deceased nevertheless what is here written may stand as an antidote to preserve others from the infection of these postilent errours which if there were nothing else to work in the hearts of those that are faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ a loathing of that Anti-christian Synagogue this alone were enough to cause an everlasting separation But I have done and do be think my self what I have done how I have raised up some spirits that may possibly be thought not to be easily laid again whereas my hope is they are rouzed to give Glory to God in consenting to what is written Nevertheless so long as I have Truth on our side I shall not be afraid though an Hoste of adversaries how Potent soever they may prove to be did rise up against mee It is not God knoweth out of any unbeseeming contempt or disrespect of any Person that I have medled in this controversy Learning I do reverence wheresoever it is as much as any shall onely I do wish that it may not be used as a Weapon to fight against Jesus Christ But floreat Veritas Ruat Coelum Let the World go which way it will with me I cannot I dare not betray the Truth by a sinful silence when so fair an opportunity of vindicating it is presented unto me I must confess there hath been in this particular some small digression for having an Errour in chase it hath made me go beyond my bounds But we shall return and take into consideration the second Period of Time here mentioned in the Text with a reference unto this third interpretation of it Consider what hath been said and let us pray that the Lord may give unto us a right understanding in all things CHAP. II. Sheweth the meaning of the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to day as it is rendred in the Text according to our Third Interpretation and treateth also of Christ's Oeconomy therein Proposition JESUS CHRIST is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Same or the onely Hee to Day Now herein also two things are to be considered by us First The Denomination of Time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Secondly What is predicated of that Time viz. Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Same to Day First the Denomination of the Time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. mansuetus ad differentiam noctis quae immitis â—orrida est to Day from whence we may collect The Time of the Gospel is a time of light The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 implying it which the former word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth not The text we see calleth it a day and it is light we know that formeth the Day without which it vanisheth and cometh to nothing A Day then it is and a light-some day A day which the Lord hath made even the Lord our Light and our Righteousness the Path of that just one having from the beginning been as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day A glorious day wherein is concluded the light of Yesterday For as the light which for the three first dayes of the Creation was dispersed through the Heavens it pleased God to gather and unite into one body of the Sun so that Light of Yesterday which was diffused through so many shadowes and Legal Ceremonies was at last complicated and folded up in Christ the Son of Righteousness who is now in this day of his Power like a strong man running his Race displaying his Beames distilling his Influences filling the Earth with knowledge even as the Waters covers the Seas But let us more particularly behold and see the Glory of this Light First the Light of this Day is the true Light 1 Joh. 2.8 as the Evangelist Saint John calleth it 1 Joh. 2.8 Not like unto that of old which was darkned with the shadowes of the Mosaicall Oeconomy but clear and manifest Lumen illuminans Joh 1.9 A Light that inlightneth every man that cometh into the World non illuminatum not inlightned by Moses or any man in the World Secondly It is a great Light overspreading the whole World shining out into all Nations making a day of Salvation unto all People There were two great Lights which God Created in the beginning the greater Light to rule the Day Gen. 1.16 and the lesser Light to rule the Night Answerably hereunto hath God ordained two great Lights for his Church the lesser Light to rule the time of the Law and the greater to rule the time of the Gospel and as the Evening did precede the Morning in the ordering of the natural
unto him in heaven and in Earth The exercise of which power he would first have to be manifested in discipling whole Nations of the Gentiles Matt. 28.18 19. receiving them into Covenant by the Sacrament of Baptisme as the Jews were by the Sacrament of Circumcision Where the word Nation in order to the Gentiles must without controversie be taken in the same sense as it was with a reference unto the Jews for as the Nation of the Jews was made up of all sorts and sexes old and young so in like manner are the Nations of the Gentiles And because his commission which he then gave unto his Apostles was not formed according to the erroneous fancy of these deluded people who in effect render it thus Go and Disciple all men But thus Go and Disciple all Nations baptising them in the name c. And Children being a part of the Nations we may conclude without any hesitancy that the intent and purpose of the Lord in this commission to his Apostles was that they should wheresoever they came baptise the Children as well as the Parents And seeing he came to break down the wall of partition that was between Jews and Gentiles which was actually done in the execution of this Commission It is not to be imagined that he would by it set up a partition-wall between Parents and their Children so as that they should be at as great a distance the one from the other in point of eternal Salvation as Heaven is from Hell A thing he never did in all the Ages before and undoubtedly whatsoever these Dreamers may blasphemously prate against him He hath not done it now because he is still the Same I will not dwell any longer upon the Conviction of these obstinate people least the more reason be shewed unto them out of the Scripture to lead them into the way of truth they be thereby according to their usual wont the more hardened in their errour The Lord open their eyes that they may see betimes what dishonour they bring unto Jesus Christ in the diminution of his power by their frantick Opinions What disturbance they create unto his Church and consequently what hazard they run notwithstanding their conceited assurance of their own everlasting Salvation We have now done with this second particular viz. Jesus Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Same to day which he was yesterday that is The Same to his Church in the time of the gospel which he was in the time both before and under the Law CHAP. III. Sheweth how JESUS CHRIST shall continue to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Same for ever Vnto his Church WE should now according to our prescribed method come to speak of the third course or computation of time here mentioned in the Text and of that which is predicated of it viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ the Same or the onely He for ever But to avoid Prolixity which hath already spun out the former parts into a greater length then was intended we shall not distinguish this into several propositions as hath been done with those before Neither indeed can we be able to speak of what shall come upon the Church in the continuation of this day of the Gospel to the end of the world Onely this we can say because the Holy Ghost witnesseth it That persecutions and Afflictions do abide it but withall that Jesus Christ will be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto it which he ever hath been Hereupon therefore shall we fix the short remainder of our discourse deriving some inferences from it for the further edification of those that take pleasure in beholding the immutability of the Lord Jesus Observe then In the midst of all the various changes and chances that may come upon the Church to the end of the world Jesus Christ will be unto it still The Same No variableness nor shadow of turning shall ever be found in him either in his Mediation with the Father or in the dispensation of his power among his people But he will be Semper idem Alwayes the Same Now herein we can but speak of the exercise of Christs Mediatory office as we have already done and therefore it will be needless to spend many words about it As he began so he will continue to be the Prophet Priest and King of his Church The same word of truth which he hath revealed he will still continue no addition unto it or diminution from it will he ever suffer his Gospel is an everlasting Gospel Rev. 14.6 1 Pet. 1.25 His word abideth for ever And if an Angel from Heaven should come and preach any other we must therefore much more will he ho'd him accursed Gal. 1.8 He is a Priest for ever according to the oath of God not to be retracted saith the Prophet Hath an unchangeable Priest-hood saith the Apostle Ps 110.4 Heb. 7.24 A Priest established in his Dignity as master and Lord by virtue of his Son-ship not like unto the servants the Priests of Aaron's order Who when they entred into the most Holy place were not there to sit but otherwise to execute their office according to the order prescribed unto them by Moses Heb. 10 11 They stood as became servants saith the Apostle ministring before the Lord. But Jesus Christ when he had offered one Sacrifice for sins for ever and according to the Law entred into the holy place to finish the Atonement Sat down on the right hand of God noting the perpetuity of his office according to the dignity of his person and that he ever liveth which was not possible for any other to do to make intercession Dan. 7.14 Mach. 4.7 His Throne in like manner is for ever and ever His Kingdom an everlasting Kingdom and his Dominion endureth throughout all Generations No Salvation then to be expected for ever Act 4.12 but onely by him No other Name under Heaven given among men from the beginning of the world to the end of it whereby we must be saved For before him as he saith of himself there was no God formed Es 43 10 or rather as it may be rendred nothing formed of God for any such purpose as to be a Saviour Ec. 2.12 Ps 145.11 12. neither shall there be after him What alas can the man do that cometh after the King What He may speak of the glory of his Kingdom and talk of his power to make known to the Sons of men his mighty acts and the glorious Majesty of his Kingdom But to imitate him in his power and his mighty Acts or to compare with him in the Majesty of his Kingdom would not onely be a contempt cast upon his Crown and Dignity but an utter impossibility and a meere vanity for men or angels to attempt it They poor Creatures being infinitely unfit and unworthy must let that alone for ever and they that will expect it of them will finde it to be folly
there is no number Ps 147.5 as the Psalmist speaketh Psal 147.5 Hear how Christ laieth claim unto Wisdom as his peculiar Prerogative and a chief Gem in his everlasting Diadem Pro. 8. Counsel is mine saith he when he was about to plead his Eternity and sound wisdom Pro. 8.14 not such as is to be found amongst the children of men corrupt and hollow yea I have strength too such wisdom as never decaies And therefore it would be man's wisdom whosoever he be old or young to lay his hand upon his mouth and to hold his peace Job 13.5 when Wisdom it self is about to put forth her Voice for if Daies must speak and multitude of years teach wisdom who is fitter to teach then he and of whom are we all fitter to learn then of him who is the same yesterday to day Es 9.6 and for ever He is the everlasting Father of his Church His head and his hairs Rev. 1.14 as he appeared unto John were white like wooll as white as snow betokening his wisdom and gravity If then he be a Father where is his honour if his counsel be not regarded It is a commandment given in the Law which the Gospel hath not disanulled but confirmed rather Lev. 19.32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man Which rising up as it expresseth a respectful posture of the body towards such a person so it implies a reverend attention unto his Counsel and Instruction As it is written of Constantine the Great that he used to rise up and stand when he heard the Gospel faithfully and convincingly preached And Theodosius finding on a time Arsenius his Sons Tutour to stand and his Sons to sit while he read unto them he could not with patience suffer so prepostrous a sight but made him to sit and the other to stand Yea Judg. 3.20 even Eglon the Heathenish King of Moab when he heard Ehud tell him he had a message unto him from God he rose up from his seat reverendly to attend the Tenour thereof Jesus Christ therefore being the express Image of the Ancient of Daies who might much rather then Paul have that reverend denomination given him of Christ the Aged though not in the vain sense of the Anthropomorphites Phil. 1.9 far be from us such a dotage but in a spiritual sense of Divine Eternity far beyond our shallow conceptions In whom also are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Col. 2.3 He I say is to have this honour ascribed unto him above all others viz. To consult his wisdom and humbly to attend to his grave and righteous commands I name no gesture either of rising or falling down prostrate before him though both at times may well become us according as he is pleased to make himself known unto us 4. And indeed a necessity lies upon us to hearken to this his infallible wisdom and to follow it as our only Guide and Conduct in all our waies how else alas shall we be able to escape the snares wherein Satan seeks to entangle us from day to day For our own parts such is our extreme folly we are apt like children still to be running into harmes-way and to be catching at every Toy and for Satans part such is his profound subtlety and indefatigable malice that he hath laid his Trains for us even in those waies wherein we may think our selves most secure and though we may and do sometimes through mercy escape them and otherwhiles by the same good hand of God upon us unwind our selves out of them yet his Budget is never empty but one project or other he will still produce to draw us to his Lure So that were it not for the wisdom of Christ which checks our folly and goes beyond all the policy of Hell we should certainly perish without any remedy 5. Besides what improvement can we make of our Talents in our Masters service which we may well think is expected from us unless we listen after his counsels and have a respect unto his rules which he hath set us When our minds are perplexed with various thoughts concerning our eternal estate hovering between Hope and Despair not knowing what to do here then is Wisdom whereto if we resort we may be throughly resolved without any fear of delusion When Controversies arise in matters of Religion as this present Age is full of them and we consult with some on the right hand but they cannot help us we betake our selves to others on the left but they involve us more and more in disorder and confusion Here is the Oracle that will and must put an end to all such differences And oh that we were so wise as to submit to his infallible Determinations But alas alas this is the misery of many people in these daies who are too like unto foolish Rehoboam Refuse the Counsel of the Ancient and follow after a new Recent upstart Light a light that hath grown up with them which Solomon yea a wiser then he Jesus Christ never knew a very Ignis fatnus that leads them into fearful Precipices where nothing is to be expected unless this Eternal Wisdom prevent it but inevitable ruine And now to close up this second Consideration let us I say give unto Christ the Glory due unto his Name in the several Branches thereof as they have been laid before us because even because he is the Eternal Begotten Son of God the same yesterday to day and for ever Or if that be not enough let us consider we have reason thus to honour him because he hath highly honoured us in that he being the eternal begotten Son of God was pleased to become the Son of man advancing our Nature above the Nature of Angels whereby we who were at first made a little lower then they are now made a great deal higher they adoring our Nature in the personal Union with the Deity from whence also hath ensued a great alteration in that intercourse that is betwixt us and them for before this exaltation of our Nature they could and did it is the observation of Bishop Andrews suffer a prostration of men in their presence 1 Chron. 21.16 But now they do in effect acknowledge the case is altered and will no more assume to themselves any such superiority Rev. 19.10.22.9 Neither is this all the honour that Christ hath done us but as he hath raised up our Nature to the highest elevation above every name that is named so he hath made us by his Spirit partakers also of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 2 Pet. 1.4 And what more is there that can be desired What honour or happiness can poor Creatures in this world be capable of beyond this which the Lord Jesus Christ hath conferred upon us If the Sun in the Firmament should attract a humane body and incorporate it into it self where it should not only live a
concerning this matter The affront that is hereby put upon the Lord Jesus Christ is so notorious that it is discernable by all that are not given up to strong Delusions To conclude therefore it is very well noted by one who hath a long time been a laborious Workman in the Lord's Vine-yard that the Lord by Burying the dead Body of Moses in an unknown place did in a kinde signify that he hath so abolished the Legal Ordinances that they must be buried in eternal Oblivion and never to be looked after nor minded any more Whosoever therefore shall now go about to revive any of those Ceâ—emonies of the Law as the Papists do their Work is no other in God's eyes then the raking up of Moses's Dead Body which the Lord hath concealed Such a Censure likewise giveth Saint Augustine when he had spoken of the Jewish Ceremonies that they were to have a Solemn Funeral which would require some time upon which account were the Apostles excusable for their temporary connivence at them He addeth Quisquis nunc c. Whosoever shall now use them as it were raking them up out of their Dust he shall not be pius deductor corporis sed impius violator sepalturae A pious Helper in the Burial but an impious and sacrilegious Wretch that ransakes the quiet Tombs of the Dead In the last place such who now-a-dayes Pretend to Oracles that is Visions and Revelations and wait for Miracles may by this Doctrine be convinced of a woful Delusion wherewith they are Haunted for it will appear that even these also were the Light of Yesterday Indeed when God was letting forth Light by little and little now a part of his Word and then a part of his word he did at that time as hath been said before reveal his Minde sundry ways but now when the Day is not onely Dawned but the Sun of Righteousness is come forth out of his Chamber appearing like a strong man in his Race God doth not use to interpose Heterogeneous Flashes of Light differing from that which he hath in his Wisdom and Goodness set forth to be the Fountain of Light to all the World The Firmament of Heaven cannot endure two Suns yea horrid Confusion would seaze upon the Face of Nature if such a thing were even the Parelii that is Resemblances of the Sun in the Aire usually called Mock Suns are Praemonitours of fearful Prodigies like to ensue and these new Lights differing from the ordinary Light of our Day have not onely Portended but brought on Dismal and Lamentable Disasters upon the poor Church of God Visions and Revelations were the Light of Yesterday and though there were some such Manifestations of it now and then Ps 89.19 when it was in Occasu in the instant of Setting in the Primitive Times as there were Prophecies and Jewish Ceremonies of which we finde some though very rarely were taken up and made use of for after a Shower will come some Drops yet to expect them now or to pretend any need of them at this time when with open Face we do behold the Glory of the Lord and this Glory of the Lord likewise shines clearly unto us in the Face of Jesus Christ what were this but shameful ingratitude It is as if a man should exclaim against the Light of the Sun and call for a Candle to be set up at High-noon Day Objection It may perhaps be Objected if such Revelations were so frequent under the Old Testament and not to be expected now then was the State of the Church better at that time then it is now under the Gospel Solution But this I affirm to be no good Consequence for first we are recompensed by having the Scriptures Perfect and Compleat which they of the Oâ—d had not Secondly they indeed had more ordinary Revelations of matters Personal and Private but of such things as do necessarily concern Salvation we in the time of the New Testament have more evident Demonstration and more full Revelation according to the Prophecy that went before of us Jer. 31.34 Jer 31.34 For Example particular mercies to some of God's special Servants or particular Judgments on his Enemies whether particular Men or whole Kingdoms were often revealed to Godly Men in those Days but Salvation by the Messiah And the manner how the Messiah should save his Church is more fully and †plainly plentifully revealed now then it was in those Days Besides we have the Substance of their shadows and the performance of their Promises In which respects it must be acknowledged our State is far more excellent then theirs From whence we may Collect with a late Writer Mr. Perkins who in his Generation laboured much in the Lord That Revelations of God's Will to be expected now under the Gospel are ordinarily nothing els but these viz. The true Sense and Meaning of Holy Scripture and a discerning of True Scripture from Forged of True Sacraments from Supposed of True Doctrines from False of True Pastours from False Prophers these and such like as far forth as they are necessary to Salvation all true and faithful Believers which out of an humbled Heart do seek it by devout Prayer at God's hand are sure to have revealed unto them from God Ps 25.14 Ps 25.14 But as for other Purposes of God viz. of Personal and particular matters or what shall be his blessings or what his Judgments to these and these Men Families Cities or Kingdoms or when or how he will change States or translate Kingdoms or by what extraordinary means he will have his Gospel propagated or a declining Church or State upholden these we are not now to expect nor easily to believe any that shall say such things are revealed unto them And yet as the said Authour saith well we do not hereby limit the Almighty or tie the Lord in such strait Bonds but he may sometimes extraordinarily reveal his Purpose in some such Cases to some of his selected Servants provided that that Revelation be examined and allowed of by the Church Thus he And the truth is it is but necessary that such restrictions should be in this Case which undoubtedly God doth allow of it being a most certain rule Deus non deficit in necessariis God is not wanting in things necessary Now surely this is needful For though the Holy Scriptures are not to wait upon the allowance of the Church rather let the Church stand or fall to the infallible Judicature of the Scriptures yet this Power hath the Church given unto her of God to judg of extraordinary Revelations whether they be of God or no neither are they to be of any account with the people of God till they have passed the Scrutiny and Censure of the Church otherwise what dangerous Consequences would follow hereupon it is not any hard matter to foresee Here we shall have one cry out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have Dreamed I have Dreamed as those Impostours
Application Consider then with your selves O poor People ready to perish Is not this a great and and notable day And can you now be able to endure the Coming of the Lord Mal. 3.2 Now as the Prophet saith when he appeares as a Refiner's fire and as Fullers sope that is to cast out all dross and filth out of his Church when as the Baptist saith He comes with his Fan in his hand Mat. 3.12 that is The preaching of his Gospel in the Ministery of his servants whereby as with a purging blast he will throughly cleanse his floor gathering his wheat into his granary but burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire Can your hearts endure or your hands be strong in the day wherein the Lord thus deals with you How much better were it for you to awaken your selves out of your sinful security and to walk in the light of this day then to have the Thunder and Lightning of it flash into your Souls with the pledges and first-fruits of everlasting burnings What meanest thou O steeper said the ship-master unto Jonas when the Sea wrought and roared for his prey So now when you are in such apparent hazard may it not be very well said unto you what mean you sleepers Will you go away in a sleep and be swallowed up for ever in the bottomless sea of Gods wrath and fury What mean you thus carelesly to lie down in sin when you should walk before the Lord in the light of the living Is this a time think you to say with the Sluggard Pro. 16.10 Yet a little sleepe a little slumber a little folding of the hands to sleepe when dreadful danger is so neare and ready to fall upon you as an armed man Awake therefore I say you that are ignorant Be not still brutish for lack of understanding when God hath sent out his Light and his truth to leade you and guide you do not you refuse any longer to follow it If in the things of this World you can as occasion is offered manifest some skill and dexterity promoting carnal interests and negotiating your affairs to your best advantage will you not be without excuse if in those things that concern the everlasting estate of your Souls you be foolish and ignorant even as beasts before the Lord O remember that you have Souls souls more precious then all the world which should be cared for as well as your Bodies And what is both the Ornament and the Nourishment of a Soul but that knowledge which this day would enlighten it with Alas consider Is it not a shame that all the labour of a man should be for his mouth as the wise Preacher once said Eccles 6.7 and his Soul in the mean time which denominates the man distinguishing him from other Creatures that are inferiour unto him to be altogether Vnsatisfied Awake therefore and get Wisdom now while it is to be had which is the principal Pro. 8.7 And will all your gettings and above all get understanding Awake also you that are profane Let the swearer awake lest God also swear in his wrath that he shall never see the light of this day unless it be to his horrour and amazement Let the swinish drunkard that makes a swill-tub of his body and his soul a trough for the Devil to bouze in let him I say awake out of his intemperance for it is the eleventh hour of the day and if he continue until night he shall be inflamed with the cup of Gods fury which is full of mixture that is Ps 75.8 of curses that are written for eternity against impenitent sinners Let adulterers and unclean persons awake out of their filthiness They shall else be thrown into a bed of shame and the day shall un cover their nakedness to the loathing of their persons in the sight of God and his holy Angels Let the merciless oppressour awake that grindes the faces of the poor with a heart more hard then the nether mil-stone let him I say awake betimes and break off his sin by repentance undoing heavy burdens and letting the oppressed go free otherwise the Arrow of Gods indignation that now flieth by day shall surely find him out and peirce him-thorough with a wound incurable In a word let the fraudulent Deceiver the voluptuous Epicure the atheistical Scoffer the greedy Mammonist and the Idolatrous Rimmonist I mean the Superstitious Romanist with all other of that Cimmerian crew children of darkness who are this day fast asleep in their sins rouze up themselves and be awakened Alas poor creatures what mean you Will you I say again go away in a sleep De tenebris ad tenebras from the inner darknes of your minds swallowed up in ignorance and profaness to the outer darkness of Gods everlasting displeasure Shall the terrible lightning of this day blast your souls till there be no remedy What mean you sleepers Awake awake it is now time that you should arise from sleep yea the time is almost past Now is salvation nearer then when you first believed Rons 13.11 that is when you first gave up your names to Christ to be his Disciples and now is damnation nearer then when you first were threatned To conclude be confident what ever Satan may suggest unto you or what ever vain imagination your own foolish and deceitful hearts have entertained concerning this day be assured I say of this it will bring you no better tidings then what I have here proclaimed in your ears unless you awake you will certainly perish Albeit you lie sleeping in sin yet your damnation as the Apostle saith slumbreth not for the day light keeps it awake 2 Pet. 2.3 and not onely so but provokes it with greater and greater rigour to fall upon you But I will hope better things of you Who will not disdainfully reject what is here offered unto you yea such things as accompany salvation because the light of this day naturally bodes that which is good unto the world whereas the judgment that comes along with it is but accidental mercy being now in her prime beautified with an evangelical lustre and rejoycing against judgment With this hope we shall terminate this first Point viz the Denomination of the Time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to day as it is rendred in the Text according to our third Interpretation That which comes next to be considered is what is here predicated of that Time viz. Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The same to Day THE same now as yesterday the same which he was from the beginning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id prorsus as he told the Jewes when they demanded of him saying Who art thou Joh. 8.25 That which he was from the beginning viz the Prophet Priest and King of his Church he is the same now in the time of the Gospel Other foundation can no man lay 1 Cor. 3.11 saith the Apostle then that that is laid
it be Superstition in them to joyn with him in the Observation thereof especially when they are few in number no merit placed in them nor are they required to be observed as things necessary to salvation or as parts of Gods worship which under pain of Damnation ought to be used nor as signs operative working Grace in those that make conscience of them but are expresly declared to be indifferent in their own nature and that upon just causes they may be altered and changed In so much that if the Supreme Magistrate shall again forbid the use of the said Service and Ceremonies the people may without sin lay them aside yea are bound in Conscience so to do and observe others provided that they have the same premised Boundaries which he shall command All which considered Who seeth not how unjustly we are accused of Superstition in the Service of our God because of our religious using of some few harmless Ceremonies without which our late Experience may sufficiently teach us that Religion it self would not long stand in safety but by degrees be totally laid waste Ego certe illas veneror tantae pietati semper assurgo for my part I shall notwithstanding the Oggannition of gain-sayers highly esteem them and commend the observation of them to all who are willing to advance the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus It was said of one Luke 7.47 She loved much because much was forgiven Were it not here a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Excursion from the matter in hand I who have too much complyed with the late Schisme and through mercy not onely been convinced of my folly therein but blessed be God do partake of the Indulgence of Holy Church my Mother in the forgiveness thereof could open my heart at large in her vindication against her Adversaries who are very apt to cast aspersions upon her But the design of this Treatise tendeth another way and Wisdom in this matter hath been clearly justified of her children Nevertheless I shall presume without offence I hope to offer a small Libamen of my love and duty unto this dear Mother in the justification of two of her Ceremonies which by her unnatural children are as much quarrelled at as any Those are First Bowing at the Name of Jesus Secondly Bowing at our Entrance into and Departing from the Congregation For the first besides what hath been abundantly written by others we are in the duties of Divine Worship and Service to give unto Christ this Honour upon these two Considerations First Because that for our sake he made himself of no Reputation Secondly Because a sort of wretched men in the world about us set on by the Devil conspire together to make him of no Reputation also First I say for our sake he made himself of no Reputation great reason therefore that we should account him worthy of all Honour not onely that which is Spiritual in captivating every thought to the obedience of his Gospel but that also which is of the body in the outward deportment of it for he hath bought it with a Price a great Price even his dearest Bloud as well as the Soul it was no robbery for him to be equal with God for he was the Brightness of his Fathers Glory the Character of his Person yet Saint Paul tells us he emptied himself and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross Now Quanto pro me vilior tanto mihi charior said Holy Bernard sweetly The more humility appeared in him it is but meet that the more honour be ascribed unto him Admit that it be not a duty of the Text to use Genu-flexions at the mentioning of his blessed Name whiles we are employed in the publick exercises of Divine Worship yet since the Father hath even upon the account of his Humility highly exalted him and given him a Name above every name it well becommeth the Church upon the same account in a conformity to that Divine Pattern according to her poor strength and ability by all ways and means to exalt him likewise This then I conceive may somewhat stop the mouth of Contradition against the holy and religious custom of our Church in requiring all persons to Bow at the Name of Jesus for she hath learned it of the Father whose example is withuot controversie in this case worthy of all imitation to exalt him because for our sake he made himself of no reputation Again Is not our Lord now as it hath been prophecied of him Esa 53.3 despised and rejected of men Do not Jews Turks and Infidels blaspheme that worthy name by which we are called Are not Socinians those cursed Hereticks as unwearied now in their malice against him to lay his honour in the dust as the Arians were of old Is not the precious Bloud of this Immaculate Lamb of God shed to take away the sin of the World every where almost beslaver'd with the impious mouthes of execrable swearers And are there not some wretched people risen up amongst us in these days who out of a Luciferian Pride pretend that they are as well and as truly God as Jesus Christ because they have their Being in God and are partakers of the Divine Nature What then should the Church do but out of a detestation of these horrid impieties and out of a tender regard to the honour of her Lord give a signal testimony of her duty in commanding all her faithful children to bow their bodies in token of reverence unto him at the mentioning of his Name That Name I say which sounds the sweetest in the ears and hearts of poor penitent sinners which speaks him not onely to be Inmanuel God with us but Immanu as the rapture of our admired Bishop Andrews distinguisheth it With us or One of us bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh which hath been the occasion that his enemies have laid hold upon to make light account of him But enough of this It is said also that our bowing the body at our Entrance into the Congregation and Departure from it is Superstition In answer hereunto to add somewhat likewise to that which hath been written by others If this be Superstition we may justly retort it upon the common practice of Non-conformists themselves in their private meetings where they use at their rising up from their Devotions to bow their bodies to one another pretending as it hath been said by some of their principal leaders that it is a laudable custom among them for that they do thereby testifie their unanimity in the service of God and mutually witness their gratitude for their mutual praying for one another Thus plausibly can they please themselves with Apologies for what they act of this nature among themselves in private without any scruple at all of conscience and yet
and our Vision of him For when we shall see him as he is we shall be like him to the full extent of our susceptibility of his Likeness and the immediate irradiation of his Light and Power shall overshadow us and transform us into the same Image both in soul and body This this I say is the complement of our future happiness the perfection of our eternal glory And this the Apostle clearly testifies concerning our vile bodies that even they shall be made like unto his glorious body Phil. 3 21. Phil. 3.21 From whence we may safely collect that as the Image of Christs body shall possess our bodies so shall the Image of his soul possess our souls and the Image of his spirit our spirits Whereupon it will follow we shall be wholly possessed with his Glory when we shall see him as he is in the Glory of the Father He shall then be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Same in himself respecting his Existence which as I have said will infinitely tend to the advancement of the Saints happiness and then also the Same to his Church respecting his Power though in the exercise and administration of it he be not the Same His Power I say both over us and in us Over us he is now as our Head to guide and govern us so he will be then for his Headship over his Church as his preheminence over the creatures he will not relinquish neither will the Father deprive him of it even when God shall be all in all And this I conceive to be undeniable though it may sound strangely unto some for the Humane nature of Christ being eternally united to the Divine it is not to be imagined that as Man he should be in an equality with the Saints but have a superiority over them and to be the Head of that Triumphant Church unto all Eternity without doing any office that belongs unto that Honour is inconsistent with the dignity and wisdome of the Sonne of God If any should now require an account of the particulars wherein Christ will hereafter do the office and exercise the authority of a head over the Church Triumphant in Heaven I must tell them They are to stay for an answer to their too curious question till in Heaven we come to see him as he is for then and not before shall we know even as we are known 1 Cor. 13.12 1 Cor. 13.12 Nevertheless in the generall this we know for the present Jesus Christ shall then be the head of his Church alone without any Power subordinate unto him as now For saith the Apostle All Rule and all Authority and Power both Celestial and Terrestrial shall then be taken away 1 Cor. 15.24 No humane Ordinance or Government of whatsoever Creation it be shall there be of any use no nor the Angels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though now as some conceive they have divers offices assign'd unto them according to the diversity of their names and titles for the discharge of their Ministery to which they are appointed of God 1 Pet 2.13 for those who shall be heirs of Salvation Hebr. 1.14 yet when all the heirs are settled in their Inheritance they shall then be devested of all their Rule Authority and Power Bruno their very Titles of distinction utterly cancelled and disannulled for to the Angels shall not be put in subjection the world to come and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Furthermore As a Head he will preserve and uphold all the members of his mysticall Body in their glorious Being for as all things visible and invisible both in Heaven and in Earth were made by him and for him so by him must they consist Col. 1.16.17 Col. 1.16.17 Again As a Head he will keep them in a perfect unity together that they may be one according to the Divine Patterne before them As the Father is in him and he in the Father Joh. 17.21 Joh. 17.21 Lastly As a Head he will shew unto them those glorious Mysteries which for the present are beyond their reach and capacity so as they shall be plain and obvious unto them To which particular Saint Augustine whose judgment in the Interpretation of holy Scripture is worthy of all acceptation beareth his witness whom I find giving the sense of our Saviours words in his Prayer to his Father Joh. 17.26 in this manner Clarificavi illis nomen tuum c. I have Declared unto them thy name that is saith he In this World so far as they are able to receive it And I will Declare it that is saith he In the world to come more perfectly Yea give me leave to add one Meditation more touching this weighty matter which I confess I received long since from a Divine of eminent Note in his writing unto me In Glory saith he The Relation of Head and members between Christ and us shall not cease but shall be rather perfected by the enjoyment of that for which God did appoint it which is the shedding abroad of his love upon those that are made conformable to the Image of his Son Rom. 8.29 For the end and aime which God hath in the decree of Election is to make those whom he did fore-know and predestinate to be conformable to the Image of his Son that he might be the first-born among many Brethren Now when God shall have accomplished this aime and we shall be fully conformable to the Image of his Son then shall we be susceptible of the Love wherewith he loveth his Son as he is Man for the love wherewith he loveth him as God none can partake of but he alone and when by this conformity to his Image we shall be susceptible of this Love then the brother-hood between Christ and us shall not cease or be made void nor shall then his Prerogative of being the first-born among many Brethren be taken from him but it shall rather be most gloriously compleated when not onely the Fathers Love wherewith he loveth the first-born shall be extended to all those that are fully conformable unto his Image but also the Love of the first-born himself shall have its full and glorious Influence upon his younger Brethren By all which it is clear Jesus Christ will be over his Church Triumphant in Heaven as he is now over his Church Militant here on Earth Again As he will be then over us so likewise he will be in us In us he is now by Faith but Faith which gives him entertainment in our hearts and Hope which attends upon him there shall vanish with this Life and expire in their Service as being of no use in Heaven for Faith is of things not seen and therefore ceaseth when vision cometh Hope also if it be seen is not Hope onely Love remaineth to be the constant Bond of an eternal Union betwixt Christ and us and by love it is that he will take Possession of our hearts