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
persons putting them upon this Blasphemy that they poor worms are as well and as truly God as Jesus Christ And why Because they have their Being in God Act. 17.28 are partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 and are one with Christ John 17.21.22 c. Now if this were admitted what a sordid profession would Christianity be What in time would become of Satisfaction for Sin Imputation of Righteousness the Purity Dignity Royalty of the Blood of God How ridiculous and contemptible would the pretended terrour of the great Day seem unto the World For a Contest might possibly arise who should be the chief Judge at that time and according to the person and quality of the Judge so would the Judgment be But to these deluded ones we may well say as Moses did to Korah and his Complices Num. 16.9 10. Seemeth it a small thing unto you that God hath separated you Numb 16.9 10. and brought you near unto himself but you will seek the Priesthood also What is it nothing to be as you pretend your selves to be advanced to the knowledge of the true God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord to have the Image of God consisting in Righteousness and true Holiness 2 Pet. 1.4 to be repaired and renewed in you which is the participation of the Divine Nature but that you will aspire like the Devil 1 Tim. 3.6 to be equal with God speaking after the language of him who said in his heart I will ascend into Heaven Es 14.13 14. I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God I will sit upon the mount of the Congregation in the sides of the North. I will ascend above the heights of the Clouds I will be like the most High Is the iniquity of our first Parents too little for you from which we are not cleansed until this day but that you will rise up and rebel against the Lord even after the same manner as they did What have you been coeternal with Jesus Christ and immutable like unto him Can ye say You are the same yesterday to day and for ever Where were you then Job 38.4 when God laid the foundations of the earth Declare if you have understanding When he prepared the Heavens when he set a compass upon the face of the Depth when he established the Clouds above when he strenghned the Fountains of the Deep Were you then by him Pro. 8.27 as one brought up with him rejoycing alwaies before him Have you known the mind of the Lord Or have you been his Counsellours Were you joyn'd in Commission with Jesus Christ to be his Co-agents in the great Work of Redemption Es 63.3 Did you help to tread the Wine-press in the discomfiting of his Enemies Or to establish a Church so as the Gates of Hell should not prevail against it Look then now on every one that is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked in their place hide them in the dust together and bind their faces in secret Then will I confess to you that you are free from those Delusions that are charged upon you and unjustly tax'd with Blasphemy whereof otherwise you cannot but be deeply guilty But enough of this The other Project of Hell which is now on foot against Jesus Christ in these our daies is to level him with poor dust and ashes not allowing him a preheminence above the sons of men unless it be such as hath been devised by the Devil for the more close conveyance of his inveterate malice I do not say it is an Egg lately hatch'd by that Cockatrice for it is of an old brood and did exceedingly infest the Church in former times as hath been said before but though it was smitten through and through with the two-edged Sword of Gods word yet there are now again sprung up new Heads of that old monstrous and malicious Hydra who with the faces of Sodom and Gomorah dare publickly tell us that our great Redeemer of whom we make our boast is no other then a meer man I am prone to believe that such as love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity do find their hearts shivering within them at the very mentioning of this horrid Blasphemy but behold yet greater Abominations What an amazement must it be to all the Churches of Christ to read or hear that In A. B. his Exposition of the 17th Chap. of S. John which I have read of Socinus In the reciting whereof there may be some doubt as one said in another case whether you should be desired to open or to stop your ears the speech being so horrible as it is a wonderful patience of God that the Earth opened not her mouth to swallow him up quick yea it may seem strange that the dumb and dead paper did not stand up refusing to take that Ink wherewith such an abominable Blasphemy should be either printed or written which is expressed in these words viz. This Doctrine of Christs Deity is so absurd that the Christian World will one day be ashamed of it and that the word Trinity may be in time as much abhorred as Transubstantiation and the Mass What shall we say to this but as the Angel spake to the Devil Increpet Dominus Es 6.1.3.5.8 John 12.40 41. Psal 102.19 22 23.26 27. Heb. 1.10 11 12. Let the Lord rebuke them whosoever they be that have their Tongues thus set on fire of Hell against Christ and his Glory The Apostle tells us Phil. 2.6 That being in the form of God he counted it no robbery to be equal with God Yet these wretches do in effect say that he is a Thief and a Robber if he shall lay claim to such an equality What Is he the great Jehovah Eternal and Immutable the same yesterday to day and for ever and all this while but a meer man Could a meer man be able to wade into the vast Ocean of the wrath of the Almighty and not be swallowed up everlastingly therein Could he be able to enter into a Plea with Divine Justice and put her to a Non-suit To undertake by his own Righteousness to justifie so many Myriads of Saints and not find to his shame his covering infinitely too narrow to hide the deformities of so great a multitude To encounter with Death and Hell and overcome them in their own Den Surely we must needs say with him in the Gospel If this man were not of God Nay If this man were not God he could do nothing nothing I mean in these great noble and glorious Atchievements For admit that he was perfect in himself both in his birth and in his life the power of the most High when it came upon the Virgin in her Conception stopping up the Current of original sin that it could not pollute him and his own proper power preserving him all his life-time from the least spot of any actual sin yet alas wherein could this single
45. I form the Light and create Darkness I make Peace and creat Evill I the Lord do all these things And in the 54 of the same Prophecy Behold I have created the Smith that bloweth the Coals in the fire Es 54 17. and him that bringeth forth an Instrument for his work and I have created the Destroyer to destroy Destruction cometh from the Instrument the Instrument from the Smith the Smith and all from this great Wise and Almighty Governour of Heaven and Earth who rideth upon the Heavens as upon a Horse and by his power ruleth the raging of the Seas the noise of his Waves and the madness of the people Away therefore with these Abominations let them not be once named amongst us as becometh Saints That they should indeed be found among the Heathen it is no marvel But alas alas that such as make their boast of Jesus Christ and are ready alwaies by a verbal profession to ascribe unto him the Governance of the World should be thus besotted so impiously by their practice to derogate from him and that under so clear and glorious a Light as now shineth What Tongue or Pen can express it without a bitter Lamentation Again are not the great Repinings and Murmurings which are to this very day found amongst factious Separatists against the most remarkable and reiterated Dispensations of Heaven in the Restauration of our Civil Government according to the ancient Constitution of this Realm a great dishonour unto Jesus Christ As if he were to be directed by such poor Worms how to sway his Scepter and to manage his Power It was an Atheistical word of that wretched Alphonsus King of Spain who said That if he had stood by Christ when he created the World he would have shewed him how to order it better then now it is And is it not now I beseech you a sin of a high nature by continued grudgings at these Revolutions that have come upon us in effect to spurn at Divine Providence and to quarrel the Government of Christ because it is not according to some mens humours and expectations Princes of the earth we know do usually love to maintain their unlimitedness and Prerogative which is due unto them and do not like it that any should make a Scrutiny into the secret of their Sovereignty How much more should poor dust and ashes beware of prying into or descanting upon the Prerogative of Heaven The Lord Jesus Christ will certainly notwithstanding all the unkinde Recalcitrations of sinful men continue still to be the same in guiding and governing and preserving the World according to that wise and holy Decree which hath been enacted from all Eternity he will shake and over-turn root up and pull down and build and plant again as seemeth good unto him and that by such waies and means and instruments which though they may seem strange and harsh unto flesh and blood shall serve in the end to make the Beauty of his Providence the more glorious Here therefore give me leave a little to treat with these discontented people Do ye well to be angry And will you be angry still Will you draw out your anger to all Generations Surely it will be folly and shame unto you for Anger resteth in the bosom of fools Ec. 7.9 saith Solomon And what alas are you angry for Is it as it is to be seared it is because you are crost in the promoting of such a temporal Interest which you had contrived which yet according to your own principles is not of an absolute concernment to the Kingdom of God Or whom are you angry with Is it the persons of men that have been instrumental in bringing to pass this great Alteration that is come upon us A small matter it seems will make you angry and as vain and fruitless will the success of your anger be unto you There was as it hath been observed a certain people in Affrick who being troubled with the North-wind driving heaps of Sand upon their fields and dwelling places they gathered an Army of men to fight against it but with so ill success that themselves were also buried under Hills of sands Xerxes the Persian Monarch having received a loss by the rage of Hellespontus himself more mad then the Sea caused Fetters and Manicles to be cast into the waters thereof as if he would make it his prisoner and binde it with links of Iron at his pleasure Darius did the like upon the River Gynde when it had drowned him a white Horse he threatned the River to divide it into so many streams and so to weaken the strength of it that a woman great with child should go over it dry-shod It is not unlike as the said Authour makes the Comparison to the folly of our daies some people must not be cross'd but will fall to murmuring and repining But as God asketh Sennacherib Whom hast thou railed upon or whom hast thou blasphemed So may these be asked Whom are ye angry with who hath displeased you Are you angry with the Saw or with him that lifteth it What is Aaron that you murmure at him And for a conclusion hereof consider well that place of the Prophet Es 40.22 c Es 40.22 23. It is he for in the sequel you shall find that your anger reacheth at him that sitteth upon the Circle of the earth and the Inhabitants thereof are as Grashoppers That stretched out the Heavens as a Curtain and spreadeth them out as a Tent to dwell in That bringeth the Princes to nothing much more Usurpers he maketh the Judges of the earth as vanity who saith and who shall contradict him Yea they shall not be planted yea they shall not be sowen yea their stock shall not take root in the earth he shall also blow upon them and they shall wither away and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble Let therefore the advice of the Prophet prevail with you who saith Ps 75.5.6 7. Lift not up your horn on high speak not with a stiff neck for promotion cometh neither from the East nor from the West nor from the Desart but God is the Judge he putteth down and setteth up another And say not any more how comes it to pass that God hath brought this turn upon us that our Mountain which was made so strong and from which we thought never to be removed is now utterly overthrown that destruction cometh upon destruction Where is that Providence that ruleth all things For you do not enquire wisely concerning these matters Stand still rather and see the Salvation of God Surely Destructions are come to a perpetual end their memorial shall be perished with them For why Jesus Christ is the same still in guiding governing and preserving the whole Creation and will so continue unto the end Besides these before-mentioned there are sundry others also who disclaim Christ's Sovereignty over them Such are the Covetous the Ambitious the Proud the Worldly
Job 14.14 The Creature therefore must wait all the daies of their appointed time untill their change come Now the time when this shall be is here very significantly called the Manifestation or Revelation of these Sons of God which word of the Apostle is in Travel as Rebecca with a Twin of Interpretations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for it may be taken not only in a Passive sense as some will have it but also in an Active Consider it first Actively These Sons of God that is The Angels shall be sent forth by Jesus Christ and employed in an eminent Work of Revelation four several waies First They shall break open the Chambers of Death and bring out the naked Bodies of the whole Race of Mankinde that have been there shut up and laid to sleep from the beginning of the World not one shall be missing Secondly They shall gather all the Saints which are God's Jewels together Mal. 3.17 and leave the Wicked which are the dross and dregs of the World by themselves thereby manifesting the one from the other each side to receive a Sentence from the Righteous Judge according to their Works Thirdly That Righteous Judgment which shall then pass must also have its manifestation according to the Apostles word Rom. 2.5 Rom. 2.5 And who but these Sons of God shall be the Messengers and Instruments of Justice at that day So saith Jesus Christ himself in the Parable of the Tares the Reapers that is Mat. 13.30 the Angels have their charge given them not only to gather the Tares together but to binde them in bundles to burn them and as for the Wheat they must bring that safely into the Barn Fourthly and above all these Sons of God shall be employed in the manifestation of the Son of man when he comes in his Glory for they shall in effect proclaim the Name of the Lord before him unto all the World as once it was when he passed before Moses being in a Cleft of the Rock Exod. 34. The Lord the Lord God Ex. 34.6 7 merciful and gracious long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and upon the childrens children Ps 50.3 unto the third and fourth Generation A fire shall devour before him and the Lord shall descend from Heaven as the Apostle speaketh 1 Thes 4.16 with a Shout a Shout that will make the Earth to quake and the World to ring and with the Voice of the Archangel and with the Trump of God And what doth this imply but that these Sons of God shall minister unto Jesus Christ at that day in the manifestation of his Glory The Scripture we know speaketh often of the Manifestation and Revelation of Jesus Christ and his Glory 1 Cor. 1.7 1 Pet. 1.7.13 1 Pet. 4.13 c. And though it be most true that the Lord will then make himself known by the Judgment which he then executeth and by his appearing in his peculiar Glory yet doubtless the innumerable multitude of the Heavenly Hostes that attend upon him at his comming will also make his Praise glorious else would not the Wisdom of God have so contrived it that his Appearance should be also made solemn and formidable by reason of his Attendants that wait upon him And to this purpose the Apostle speaks expresly 2 Thes 1.7 So Beza renders it Act. 14.27 15.4 2 Thes 1.7 The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven But how With his mighty Angels in flaming fire or by his mighty Angels as the Preposition there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth also signifie And thus we see how these Sons of God shall be Active in the great Work of Manifestation at the last Day But then secondly the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is also as hath been said to be rendred in a Passive signification Thus these Sons of God shall themselves be manifested and that in two respects first of their Nature secondly of their Number First Their Nature shall be made manifest to the World for though they have appeared often under several Forms sometimes in the shape of Men sometimes like unto flaming fire for the comfort of the Godly and terrour of the Wicked yet doth it not clearly appear thereby what they are Spirits indeed they are Glorious and Heavenly and Immortal Spirits created after the Image of God of marvellous Agility excellent in Strength able to do Wonderously beyond the power of all other Creatures in the World Yet this and all else that we know of them doth not argue but that there will be a more perfect knowledge of them at the time of their Manifestation then shall it appear plainly what Relation they stand in unto God how they come to have cognizance of things done upon the Earth how they have been present in the Assemblies of the Saints and assistant unto them in the solemn duties of Divine Worship and Service 1 Cor. 11.10 then shall it be known and manifested how and wherein they have been a Guard to the people of God to keep them in all their waies and to conclude then shall they more freely and familiarly converse with men not keeping themselves at a distance as he did who reproved Maneah Judg. 12.18 saying Wherefore enquirest thou after my Name seeing it is secret So that a clear manifestation there will be of them in this regard Secondly Mat. 25.31 Their Number or whole Multitude shall then be also manifested For the Lord Jesus shall come with all his holy Angels not only with his Legions Mat. 26.53 Judg. 5.14 Es 40.26 Mat. 26.53 but his holy Myriads attending upon him He will bring out his Hosts by number saith the Prophet calling them all by Names as a General doth his Souldiers on a Training day not one of them shall fail Well may it therefore be called the Manifestation of the Sons of God when there shall be such a general Appearance of them The Lord among them as in the Holy Place Ps 68.17 Psal 68.17 Thousand thousands ministring unto him and ten thousand times ten thousands standing before him And thus have I given my sense of this Particular also which I submit to the examination of the Church it being I confess somewhat singular the Place being taken generally so far as the narrow extent of my poor Reading doth reach for the manifestation of the believing Saints of whom indeed the Evangelist speaketh after the like manner 1 John 3.2 1 John 3.2 which hath inclined Expositours to give the same Interpretation here Now saith he are we the Sons of God it should rather be rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Children of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him
as he is But I hope I may without offence give in my poor Judgment as I have done concerning this Scripture considering it is not inconsistent at all with the scope of the Holy Ghost therein and being guided hereto by some certain Probabilities First They are Angels we know and a great multitude of them who did at the Birth of Jesus Christ proclaim Peace to the Creature as well as Good-will towards men the Creature therefore may be in expectation of the manifestation of the Angels that this Promise or Salutation given by them might be made good and perfected Secondly It is not without some reason that the Holy Ghost doth use the different terms of Sons and Children in this Scripture viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sons in the 19 Verse and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Children in the 29 Verse especially considering that that which is predicated of each carrieth with it also a great difference too for the manifestation of the Sons of God answers the expectation of the Creature But the Deliverance of the Creature is not there to be terminated but only by the liberty of the Children of God Now there seemeth to me to be some probability that the varying of the terms should imply also in this place a varying of persons viz. The first to be understood of the Angels of God and the latter of the Saints the latter word also being comprehensive of the first and not the first in a true propriety of speech of the latter considering withall what hath been before said that the Creature must have the Angels employed in working their Deliverance but not the Saints Sons being also fitter then Children in the bringing to pass so great a Work as delivering the Creature out of Bondage is like to be More might be added but this shall suffice for the third Observation from this Scripture viz. The time of satisfying the Creatures expectation that is at the manifestation of the Sons of God Fourthly That which is next offered to our View is the manner of the Deliverance of the Creature or to what it shall be reduced at the expiration of its Bondage it shall be delivered into the Glorious Liberty of the Children of God For it is but subjected saith the Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in hope or under hope of a happy change to a better Estate and though this hope deferred maketh the poor Creature to faint yet the patient abiding thereof shall not perish for ever For hope maketh not ashamed especially when it is fixed upon such a sure Foundation Rom. 5.5 as Gods Eternal Purpose which cannot be disanulled A Deliverance therefore shall undoubtedly arise unto the Creature even as there shall be to the Children of God for as in this corrupt estate wherein they are involved for the present by the first Adam they are both together fellow-sufferers so shall they together in their several Capacities be set at liberty and have their Pristine Excellencies restored yea much more enlarged unto them by Jesus Christ the second Adam who being the Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End of the Creation the same yesterday Rev. 21.5 6. to day and for ever is of power sufficient to make all things new It is indeed upon the Childrens account that the Creature shall be Interessed in that glorious Deliverance for as the Apostle speaks in another case Doth God take care for Oxen So may we say doth God so respect the Creature that is the frame of Nature that he will vouchsafe for its own sake to beautifie it when it is deformed Or doth he altogether for our sakes that are his Children For our sakes no doubt shall this glorious Work be accomplished that even the Creature it self also may in a free and liberal manner which is earnestly desired by it be subservient unto his Glory And thus we finde the Preposition here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is translated into is taken by some as carrying the force of another viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Propter which signifieth for so reading the word thus The Creature shall be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption for the Glorious Liberty of the Children of God that is That the Childrens Liberty might by their service be the more Glorious For as God made the Creature in the beginning for Man and because of him subjected it likewise unto Vanity that so it might not even in the daies of Vanity be superiour to him for whom it was created So will he deliver it again for Man's sake that is for the Accumulation and Illustration of his childrens Glory Though I confess upon the Creature also it self as it is said before shall be conferred a Glory which shall be in the proportion of its Nature a sutable Advancement unto it as the glory of the children shall be unto them And this I conceive in short to be the sense of the Apostle as to this Particular whereby we may see clearly that there shall be a Restauration of the Creature that is as saith S. Peter 2 Pet. 3.13 Now Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness Which words of new Heavens and new Earth as they are used in a certain place by the Prophet Isaiah being spiritually understood Es 65.17 are I confess appliable to the state of the Church in the times of the Gospel under the Kingdom of Christ when it should be so renewed that it should seem to be as 't were a new World old things being done away 2 Cor. 5.17 Types and shadows removed yea the whole Service of the former Tabernacle abolished and all things made new 2 Cor. 5.17 So that in this sense this Prophecy is already fulfilled Nevertheless though the words of the Prophet may be so taken yet we are not to confine the Spirit of God thereunto especially when he hath declared his meaning elsewhere to be of a larger extent as he hath done in this very particular for the Apostle S. Peter in the forecited place Commenting upon the Prophet speaks of the new Heavens and the new Earth as not so much to be seen in this World as in that which is to come his whole Scope in the said Chapter tending thereunto Let then the spiritual sense be acknowledged by us yet that hinders not but that the other sense viz. That there shall really be new Heavens and a new Earth at the last Day may be acknowledged also even as Glory is said to be begun here in those Graces that are shed abroad by the Holy Ghost in the hearts of the Elect which shall notwithstanding shine forth in its full Splendour in the Kingdom of Glory Objection I hear what is objected unto this viz. That in the Day of the Lord 2 Pet. 3.10 The Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the works that are therein shall
be burnt up which implies a total Abolition of the Heavens and of the Earth How then can there be such a Restauration For answer to this Objection if a late Writer may be heard he will tell us that this place of S. Peter is to be understood of the Destruction of Judaea and not of the end of the World Which suggestion of his I shall not for my part insist upon it being an unwarrantable Interpretation differing not only from the Prophet before and the Apostle himself after him in the 7th Verse where he clearly expresseth presseth his meaning to be of the general Conflagration as it were of the Heavens and of the Earth at the Day of Judgment That which I have to say unto the Objection shall be folded up in a twofold Reply Answ 1 First We see the Apostle speaks there of Heavens in the Plural Number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as comprehending all Heavens So that if the place be to be taken in that sense as that the Heavens and the Earth shall so pass away 1 Reg. 8.27 Es 63.15 Heb. 12.28 as to be no more then we must conclude also that even the Heaven of the Blessed which is the Heaven of Heavens the Habitation of Gods Holiness and Glory shall be altogether taken away likewise But that is a Kingdom which cannot be moved therefore surely it is not so to be understood Answ 2 Secondly Whereas the Apostle speaks of the Dissolution of these inferiour Heavens being on fire and their passing away with a great noise of the Elements also melting with fervent heat and the burning up of the Earth and the Works that are therein the meaning is not as if the substance of these Creatures shall be annihilated and reduced to nothing but only that their present Form and quality shall be changed For first the Quintessence of the Heavens is not combustible by any Elementary fire if the Apostles sense should be taken with a reference to any such kinde of fire it being a most certain Maxime Coelum à subcoelestibus nihil patitur that is Heaven cannot fall under the power of any thing that is below it self for being next unto the Angels the prime Agent in Nature it cannot possibly be Passive And if it were subject to any such Consumptive fire then should that fire which is a far more ignoble Creature have a Being in its greatest height and glory when the Being of the Heavens is under a Decay which is too great an absurdity to be imagined by any that take pleasure in searching into the great Works of the Almighty Yea more considering that the constant Product of such fire is nothing else but Ashes it will follow that when the Heavens and the Earth are consumed the Ashes thereof must remain in the presence of God as if he favoured only the Dust of the Creatures But doubtless in stead of Ashes there shall be a glorious Beauty upon the face of Nature at that Day which beauty even that very fire that shall then visibly flame out shall also be a means through the mighty working of the most High to bring forth We will not too curiously search into the nature of that fire possibly it may be such as that wherein God appeared unto Moses in the Bush but consumed it not Ex. 3.2 and connatural with that which took up Elias into Heaven not destroying his body but changing it into a glorious estate 2 Reg. 2.11 In both which Apparitions as in many more the Ministry of Angels was imployed whom as the Psalmist speaks God maketh a flaming fire And therefore when the innumerable multitude of these Angels shall appear at the last Day waiting upon the Lord Jesus when he comes in his Glory well may Heaven and Earth be then said to be in a flame and as it were all on fire But let the Nature of that fire be as it is ordered by the Wisdom of the Creatour far surpassing our shallow Apprehensions being sparkles of those everlasting Burnings that are in himself This fire at that day shall put a new Form and Quality upon the Heavens and the Earth But how Or what I say again we know not neither is it indeed fit for us to know while we are in this our present estate This we know because God hath promised it there shall be new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness that is it may be such Heavens and such Earth at least as there was in the beginning wherein Adam dwelt when he was in his Innocency This also we know that the Angels who are this flaming fire as they are now employed by God in the Ordering Guiding and Governing the Heavens and the Earth which now are so they shall in the end be instrumental in making all things new for they shall take away every thing that doth offend and like unto fire separate the Precious from the Vile which will necessarily bring on a perfect Renovation and this Renovation is that which will surely be the Dissolution of the former both Heavens and Earth so as they shall not be remembred nor come into minde according to the word of the Prophet Es 65.17 Add unto this the melting of the Elements which the Apostle also mentioneth a plain Metaphorical expression what doth it imply but that they shall be brought into a new form even as Mettal when it is melted loseth not its substance but only the faeculency and dross is taken away and the Mettal transformed into another shape then it had before And thus in like manner the Prophet David when he had spoken Ps 102.26 of the perishing of the Heavens doth declare what his meaning thereof was in the words immediately following viz. All of them shall wax old like a Garment Ps 102. 26. as a Vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed He speaketh not of other Heavens but the old changed into better The wrong side of the Vesture is for the present only discernable but the day shall come when it shall be seen in all its Glory Unto this we have the concurrent assent of Expositours both Ancient and Modern whose words because they are so clear and pregnant in the confirmation hereof I judge it fit to intersert them at large as I finde them Holy Hierom upon Isaiah writes thus Extrema illa Coelorum mutatio erit tantum renovatio illorum promotio in meliorem statum That is The change which shall be of the Heavens at the last Day will be nothing else but their Renovation and a promotion of them to a better estate And in his Commentary upon the 102 Psalm writing on these words They shall perish and wax old as a Garment gives his judgment thus Coelorum iste interitus non erit abolitio corum sed reformatio redintegratio that perishing of the Heavens shall not be their Abolition but their Reformation and Redintegration So likewise S. Augustine on the same
He was Which Primogeniture of Christ's into the Brother-hood as it denotes his everlasting Regal Power and Superiority which we shall presently make appear so notwithstanding his Birth which happened to be afterwards in due time it was often signified in those first Ages of the World by the Precedency that was given to the Younger Brethren above the Elder happily that the People then might also discern somewhat of this Mystery which did so neerly concern them For Example those nine Patriarchs before the Floud who succeeded Adam in their several Generations we may say of them with very great Probability I had almost said with apparent Demonstration from the Scripture and so do writers both Antient and Modern Judge that They were not the Eldest Sons and First-born of their Parents Aug. de Civit. Dei Musculus but onely such Holy Eminent Persons whom God had according to the good Pleasure of his Will chosen out from among their Brethren in a successive uninterrupted Line to be the Progenitours of the Messiah The like is to be said of Sem Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Pharez Aram David Solomon all Younger then their Brethren yet preferred before them And this I say Ab sit arrogantia verbo might possibly be so ordered by Divine Providence that the people of God might in all the preceding Ages acknowledge one that was to come after them for their Lord and Governour by virtue of his Primogeniture among them Yea John Baptist doth ingeniously acknowledge so much for himself and which may extend unto all Joh. 1.30 After me saith he cometh a man which is preferred before me for he was before me And in fine all those Types and Figures that were shadows of good things to come were the Praeludiums of his Inauguration to his Office but the effects and consequents of his Primogeniture which was at first given him of the Father The first Begotten then he was from the beginning which argues his Regal Power and Sovereignty that he had over all his Brethren for such Preheminence did belong to the first-born as appeareth in Scripture Gen. 4.7 Gen. 27.29.37 1 Sam. 20.29 And the Apostle saith that the Heir is the Lord of all Gal. 4.1 So S. Peter saith of Christ Act. 10.36 Act. 10.36 He is Lord of all which words are there enclosed with a Parenthesis but the sense and meaning thereof reacheth from the beginning of the World to the end of it Did not Abraham acknowledge Christ to be his Lord when he treated with him about Sodom Gen. 18.3.27.30 31. after he had appeared unto him in the Plains of Mamre And with how low a reverence doth he demean himself in that matter as became a Subject in his Address to his Lord and King Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes And again O let not the Lord be angry and I will speak V. 27.30 Yea again and again with the most proper terms of Homage and acknowledgment of his Power doth he put up his Suit unto him and that it was Christ who then appeared to Abraham is not to be doubted considering the shape wherein he did appear viz. of a man which manner of Apparitions according to the concurrent judgment of Holy and Orthodox Writers was not used by either of the other persons of the Trinity but only by Jesus Christ and was the Prototype to his Incarnation And in regard that Abraham calleth him the Judge of all the World Act. 10.42 which is the Office of Christ For him saith the Apostle hath God ordained to be the Judge of Quick and Dead And because it is so plainly said The Lord that is this Lord who appeared unto and parted from Abraham Gen. 19. Rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord that is as an ancient Council interpreted it who did pronounce an Anathema against all those that affirmed the contrary that Christ the Lord did it from his Father the Lord out of Heaven Thus did Abraham Syrmiensis An. Dom. 356. Cent. 4. cap 9. Ps 110.1 and thus in like manner did David in Spirit call him his Lord as the Lord himself testifieth out of the Psalm when he said The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand that is The Father the Lord said it unto Christ the Lord. If then David and Abraham two eminent persons whom the Evangelist by the Holy Ghost singleth out to be the Coryphaei the principal in the Line of the Progenitours of Jesus Christ did own him in their Generations for their supreme Lord and Governour and that also in a certain way of distinction from the Father though in a subordination unto him it may well be concluded that he was so by all others And let it be observed how Moses saith of himself that he was King in Jeshurun Deut. 33.5 But how could that be Deut. 33.5 1 Sam. 8.9 when the Kingly Government as it is described 1 Sam. 8.9 was not yet set up in Israel I answer this is not to be understood so much with a reference to the Political estate of that People as their Ecclesiastical in respect whereof Israel might in an especial manner be called Jeshurun from a word signifying Uprightness and Righteousness For though their Judicial Law which was the Soul of their Polity was a most righteous Law yet their Ceremonial Law which constituted them a Church was it that made them a righteous Nation before God giving them an interest in the Righteousness of God that is Jesus Christ whose Name is called the Lord our righteousness Jer. 23.6 Now because Moses did the work of a King in giving them this Law he might have the Title of a King given unto him when notwithstanding he was therein but Viceroy to Jesus Christ the supreme Lord of his people in all Ages And so a Viceroy is entituled elsewhere in Scripture as may be seen by comparing 2 Reg 3.9 2 Chr. 21.8 1 Reg. 22.47 Neither indeed was Moses any other for he saith the Apostle Heb. 3.5 was but a Servant in the house Christ was the Son and over his own house Moses had the Pattern given him in the Mount not only of the Form of the Tabernacle but every tittle and Iota of every Law by which that People were to be guided was there prescribed unto him and he was to do all things as became a Viceroy exactly according to that Pattern and Tenour neither adding unto it nor diminishing from it but Christ was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Ipse dixit the Legislator of the whole Law that Law I say which did distinguish the Israclites in their Polity from other Nations and Kingdoms viz. the Judicial Law and that Law which made them a Church above all people in the World viz. the Ceremonial Law and that Law which was a Rule of Righteousness not only unto them but to all Mankinde unto the end
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
inventions worthy of no value We deny not but where Antiquity is found in a way of Righteousness it is indeed a Crown of Glory among the Churches of Christ But being found in a way of Errour wandring from the righteous rule of the written word and laying inconstancy upon Jesus Christ who is this way of Righteousness as if he were not the same still in his Doctrine which he hath delivered to his Church it is fit to be despised We must here now look to be told that the written word is not the onely rule but that there are many other unwritten verities to which we are likewise bound to give heed as well as to that which is written Sess 4. Decreto de Can. Script Yea and the Council of Trent hath thundred out their Anathema against those who refuse Traditions for the rule of faith as well as against those that refuse the written word But may it not then be demanded if it be so where can faith finde a sure foundation to fix upon that which is unwritten being very uncertain whether it be from Heaven or of men If the written word be but a part of Gods revealed will and these unwritten verities as they are called the other part never can there be assurance given to any of the whole Mystery of Salvation neither can the Church know it aright in the whole series of it was God hath revealed it For when some affirm a Tradition to be Apostolical which others of as great account disdainfully reject for a spurious super-inducement and forgery thrust upon the Churches in after-times which dissenting in this case hath frequently come to pass even in the Primitive Dayes of the Gospel what a miserable maze is the faith of a believer brought into Will not our confidences be much weakned in our spiritual conflicts and our hopes of gaining Converts to our Christian Profession from among those that are without if they should make this objection unto us be utterly choaked and our endeavours in that kinde frustrated and come to nothing To let pass the great multitude of these Traditions the number of them being never yet determined whereby they must needs become a great yoke and burthen to the Church of Christ 1 Tim. 3.15 If that which is written be sufficient to make a man wise unto salvation surely that which is unwritten is not absolutely necessary to be heeded by us It is not to be denied but that the Church hath Power to appoint some certain Canons and Rules for the observation of Publick order and decency unto which so long as they are inoffensive in their own nature they that are true Children of the Church will give a ready and a chearful obedience yea we do confess that in things indifferent a respect ought to be yielded to Antiquity and to their Traditions But if an Angel from Heaven should come and tell us that all those things which are simply necessary to Salvation are not to be found in the Holy Scriptures we must hold him accursed Yet Bellarmine saith Nos asserimus in Scripturis non contineri expresse totam Doctrinam necessariam sive de fide sive de moribus Lib. 4. de verbo non scripto Ca. 3. Sect. 1. We further do willingly grant that the Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles preached many things that were never written And what they so preached ought to be of equal Authority with us as that which is written Pari veneratione pari pietatis affictu the very words of the Council of Trent not to be disliked with as much Piety and Veneration to be received by us as the Books of Holy Scriptures if they were as certainly known But it is a strange and strong delusion which we hope shall never seise upon us to believe that they preached doctrines which are a directly contrary to what is written in the said Books as light is unto darkness Holy and Faithful Master Deering in his Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews expostulates this case sadly in these words Is it the word of Christ written that we should not worship Angels And is it his Word unwritten that we should pray unto them Is it his Word written that we should not be bound to our Fore-Fathers Traditions And is it his Word unwritten that our Fathers Traditions should be to us as his Gospel Is it his word written that to forbid marriage which is honourable in all estates is the Doctrine of Devils And is it his Word unwritten that Ministers should be forbidden to marry Is it his Word written that five words in a known Tongue are better in the Congregation then five thousand in a strange Language And is it his Word unwritten that in our Congregations we should pray in a Language which the people understand not Is it his Word written that the dead are blessed which die in the Lord and they rest from their labours And is it his Word unwritten that they are tormented in the fire of Purgatory In short Is it his Word written that his Ministers should be subject to Kings should attend upon their flock and not meddle more then needs must with the affairs of this World And is it his Word unwritten that the Pope shall exercise Authority over Temporal powers depose Kings at his pleasure and that his Inferiours of the Conclave should be secular Princes Hath God written it that Christ sacrificed himself once for all and made a perfect Redemption And hath he left it unwritten that a shaven Priest must sacrifice him every day and say a Mass Propitiatory for the quick and dead What perversness is this of men of Corrupt minds thus to dream of Traditions contrary to the written Word of God And what an intolerable indignity do they put upon Christ to make him thus palpably contradict himself as if he had forgotten to be still 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Same But full well did Esaias prophecy of these men Es 29.13 saying This people draweth neare unto me with their mouth and honour me with their lips but their heart is far from me But in vain do they worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of men Mat. 15.8 But leaving these to their uncertain Traditions and their most certain innovations Let us look home to our selves and hearken to the Apostles advice which he giveth Phil. 2.5 viz. Phil. 2.5 To let the same minde be in us which was in Christ Jesus for he hath set us an example that we should herein also follow his steps even to be constantly the same in those things that belong to the Kingdom of God Not that we should stand at a stay and make no further progress in Knowledge Holiness Zeal for God's glory Brotherly-love self-denial Contempt of the world c. then we have already attained Rather let yesterdayes work in that sence be forgotten by us Phil. 3.13 and let us reach forth as Saint Paul said he himself