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
Jesus Châ—ist wâ—ll be the Same in the world to come is in part declared with a Caution premised p. 284. 1. He will continue to be the Same for ever in the Hypostatical union of his two Natures Divine and Humane p. 285. 2. He will continue to be the Same for ever in his mystical Vnion with his Church p. 286. Where is to be seen First How Christ will be over his Church then as a Head 1. As a Head alone without any subordinate power Celestial or Terrestrial ibid. 2. As a Head he will preserve and uphold the members of his mystical Body in their glorious Being p. 287. 3. As a Head he will keep the members of his said mystical Body in a perfect Vnion ibid. 4. As a Head he will shew unto them those glorious mysteries which in this life are beyond their reach and capacity ibid. Secondly Jesus Christ will then be in his people by love p. 288. The Doctrine proved by Scripture p. 290. And by the Testimony of Divines Ancient and Modern ibid. An Objection taken out of the Apostles words 1 Cor. 15.24.28 concerning Christs delivery up of the Kingdome to God even the Father c. Answered at large p. 291. An Exhortation to look unto Jesus p. 295. In the Appendix these following Scriptures proving the certainty of the Calling and Conversion of the JEWS are Quoted and Expounded DEut. 4 30 31. p. 300. Esaiah 11.11 12. p. 301. Esaiah 43.5 6. p. 302. Jeremiah 3.18.23.4 p. 303. Jer. 30.3.31.1.4 ibid. Ezekiel 37.21 22. ibid. Daniel 9.24 p. 306. Hosea 1.10 p. 316. Hosea 3.4 5. p. 318. Luke 21.23 24. p. 319. Acts 1.6 7. p. 324. Rom. 11. p. 328. An Objection answered viz. The Calling of the Jews shall not be till the very instant of the Consummation of all things p. 342. Another Objection answered viz. Their Pertinacy in despising the Gospel makes them the Object of Gods perfect hatred p. 344. Another Objection answered viz. They are enemies unto God not onely in a Passive sense but in an Active also p. 3â—â— Another Objection answered viz. The Jews are now so embodyed with other Nations that it is impossible they should ever any more become a Nation distinct from the Gentiles p. 350. Another Objection answered viz. To maintain this Doctrine of the Jews Restauration is to put the world into a carelesse security concerning the end p. ibid. A word of Exhortation to all the Churches of the Gentiles to pray earnestly unto God for the conversion of the Jews and to eschew those sins among our selves which may probably be a hinderance to the bringing on of so glorious a work p. 352. AN ASCENT TO THE HOLY MOUNT To see JESUS CHRIST in his Glory OR A PERSPECTIVE to help the Weak Sight to behold the Eternity and Immutability of the Lord Jesus Christ Taken out of the words of S. Paul Hebr. 13.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ the same Yesterday to Day and for ever Adsis O JESV JESVS CHRIST whom we still preach unto you and in whom you do believe else our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain The Lord Jesus Christ I say as he is the Object of your Expectation in this Service we are now about So is he you see by my Text the subject of my intended Business at this time When my Discourse therefore shall answer your expectation you will I hope afford your diligent attention thereunto The words at first sight seem to be the sudden efflux of the Spirit added here in the close as the result of that which had been said before and as the Total Sum of the Epistle shutting up the whole as in a Parenthesis implying that all that was written amounted unto this viz Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for-ever Or else they are inserted as a reviving Cordial to the poor Hebrews who might seeing the Gentiles were received into Covenant with God fear themselves to be quite cast off from Grace because their Nation had so generally with much pertinacy refused that great Salvation which was brought unto them Upon which account the Apostle inferreth this short and sweet Epiphonema to comfort them with now at parting Jesus Christ is the sams yesterday to day and for ever As much as to say Jesus Christ is the same to you as he was from the beginning who as he was at first sent to seek and to save the lost sheep of the house of Israel so now also notwithstanding former unkindnesses and though his grace is not to be confin'd as it hath been but must extend to all Nations yet he abideth still a Saviour unto you if you abide in the faith and he will be so likewise to the end of the world Thus may this Verse seem to carry this sense within its own Verge not having any intercourse with the Contexture bordering upon it But it is generally conceived by Expositours that these words are coincident with those immediately before-going where an Exhortation is given to the Hebrews to be mindful of their Guides who had taught them the way of God truly not according to the Mosaical but Evangelical Pattern and to imitate them in the holiness of their lives and in their constancy to the faith which they sealed with their death The words are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remember them which have the rule over you or are your Guides who have spoken unto you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation The force of example we all know is very great to induce likeness of Manners and the greater the example is the greater power it hath to draw to similitude It was wont to be said Facile transitur ad plures We are easily moved to go after a Multitude but it may well be added Facile transitur ad majores It is no hard matter to make us imitate great Authorities be the patterns good or bad for the vices of Rulers are commonly the rule of Vices and the vertues of Leaders will also lead unto Vertue Hereupon it is that the Apostle proposeth unto the Hebrews the example of their Leaders to the end that they might not as he saith V 9. be carried about with divers and strange Doctrines where they had their instruction there also they might receive establishment by their imitation in whose example Quiddam memorabile designat Apostolus saith Calvin the Apostle noteth some memorable matter worthy of their saddest thoughts implying thus much that their Teachers had in defence of that Word which they had spoken unto them gone through much affliction not loving their lives unto death for that was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the issue and Exit of their Conversation which the Hebrews should consider that when they saw how stedfast and invincible their Leaders were in the faith their example might the better move them And now to set an edge upon this Exhortation the Apostle sheweth in the words of my
involved in First It hath lost a great part of that Beauty and Goodness which the Creatour put upon it in the Beginning it being by the sin of man much dulled and disabled to Act and Communicate its Virtues as it did at the first Creation And though Nature doth not according to the Vulgar Opinion meerly through the length of time as she groweth in years fall into decay yet it cannot be denied but the Primitive vigour of the Creature is much impaired and that she hath lost much of that Comeliness which was upon her before the Curse came forth from God for Mans Disobedience Secondly There is a necessity lies upon the Creature to do Service unto the Enemies of the Creatour The Sun must shine not only upon the Good but also upon the Evil and the Rain must fall upon the Just and on the Unjust The Influences of Heaven make fruitful the Field of the Wicked as well as the Field of the most Righteous man in the World the Earth giveth out of her fulness to one as to another and is forced to receive into her Bowels the Ungodly as well as the Godly And this a sore Bondage unto it that makes it to be still groaning till the time comes wherein it shall vomit up again the Carkasses of the Reprobate as a Morsel that it could not well digest Thirdly Whereas the Creature is still proclaiming the Glory of God being unto Mankinde as it is observed God's Leiger-book By Dr. Henry Kâ—ng now Bishop of Chich. wherein his marvellous Acts are fairly written every Species a Line in that Book and every peculiar Work a Character for Man to read his Maker And when the curiosity of the Stile and variety of the Story therein contained might in reason invite all eyes to run it over to the end that the invisible things of God even his eternal Power and Godhead might be clearly seen by the things that are made when the Creature I say is thus industrious in her kinde to teach man the knowledge of God must it not needs be a vexation unto her to see him so stupid and indocible that he will not learn Fourthly It is a misery to the Creature that there is through the sin of man such a preposterous inverting of that Order which the Creatour hath in his wisdom established and such a Hysteren Proteron to be found in the Creation viz. That he whom she gloried in at first to be her Lord and Governour in regard of those excellent Abilities that were in him for that end should now so far degenerate as to be in many respects inferiour to brute Beasts For very clear it is that divers Beasts surpass man in many Virtues as the Dove in simplicity the Ant and the Bee in diligence and industry the Stork in humanity the Dog in love and fidelity the Lamb in meekness the Lion in magnanimity the Serpent in wisdom the Oxe and the Ass in a thankful acknowledgment of benefits and all of them in sobriety and contentment But which is worse as touching Vice therein Man surpasseth all Beasts being more treacherous and cruel then a Wolf craftier then a Fox prouder then a Peacock more voluptuous and unthankful then a Hog and more dangerous then a Viper Yea to fill up the measure of his Evils those pestilent and noxious inclinations which are alone and particularly in divers Beasts are oftentimes found to be altogether Concatenated or at least a great part of them in one man for there are many men courteous proud cruel envious unthankful and Oppressours all at one time And this is a sore Evil with which the poor Creature is much grieved seeing and beholding her Darling who was so Divinely qualified in his first Instalment for that Dominion which was granted unto him to be now eccentrick from his Honour destitute of Understanding and to be a Companion yea to be inferiour to the Beasts that perish Fifthly Add unto this that which is indeed an Addition to the former Misery and a great aggravation of it This Creature so excellent in her first appearance so industrions and indefatigable in promoting the Glory of her Creatour so tenderly affectionate towards Mankinde as hath been said yet is put to a most vile Drudgery being made though unwillingly the Instrument of Man's sin which is in truth the most sordid kinde of slavery that it could possibly be exposed unto Yea it is never at rest being continually made to dance Attendance after a hard Master for there is not any sin that can by man be likely produc'd into Act but the Creature must in some respect or other be serviceable thereunto Ps 19 5. The Sun saith the Psalmist rejoyceth like a Giant to run his Race But alas what a check is it unto his joy when he is taken up every hour by the way to be a Guard and Convoy unto sinful men in the pursuance of their ungodly Lusts The Earth in like manner lieth under this Servitude for though we hear often of her Childrens Tripudiations and Exultations the little Hills rejoycing on every side and the Valleys when they stand thick with Corn that they do laugh and sing yet sure we are she is not without her Trepidations neither and that because of man's sin wherein she is also involved whether she will or no. It was once spoken by Nabal in a churlish manner against good David but the Earth may speak it out of a just Indignation against a sort of riotous Unthrifts whom it fosters every day Shall I take my Bread and my Water and my Flesh and give it to such a Crew Alas poor Creature it is indeed sore against thy will to pour out Drink to fill the Drunkard to provide Meat to cram the Glutton to expose thy Territories to the boundless desires of the Ambitious to empty thy self to yield choice of Pleasures to the Voluptuous But what remedy If wretched man will Lord it imperiously and make thy Service more and more insupportable through his sin and folly who can help it It is an Affliction that is not to be avoided imposed upon thy shoulders by the just hand of the Almighty God because of thy Propinquity with him who consented to the Devil in a plain Rebellion against the Majesty of Heaven And thus we see some particulars of the Creatures misery though more might be added and what Vanity and Bondage it is made subject unto Secondy This Creature notwithstanding is in hope to be delivered and therefore waiteth and groaneth and travelleth in pain till the time of her Deliverance cometh In which words our Apostle useth a certain Figure called Prosopopaeia whereby humane Actions and Affections are ascribed unto that Creature to whom they do improperly belong Which figure we finde often made use of by the Prophets when they bring in the Flouds clapping their hands the Hills skipping the Mountains leaping the Heavens speaking the Land mourning c. Not that any should
of our Salvation which we should not frustrate his desire which we should satisfie and our own interest and benefit which we should be so wise as to promote to the uttermost of our power therefore arise and walk up and be doing Secondly 2 Motive As we must walk worthy of God who hath called us to his Kingdom and glory so should we walk worthy of our calling wherewith we are called 1 Thess 2.12 Eph. 4.1 1 Thess 5.5 and what are we called Wee are the Children of the Light and the Children of the Day we are not of the Night nor of Darkness whereupon the Apostle inferreth Let us not sleepe as do others but let us watch and be sober Brethren let me freely speake to you we vaunt our selves very frequently that live under a glorious light and whatsoever others have been before us we regard it not Wee are the Men Our lot is fallen unto us in this time to know more of the Mysteries of Heaven then hath been known in former Ages Well be it so but then our service must be answerable Rom. 12.1 it ought to be as the Apostle calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Reasonable service not reasonable as most of us make it confining it within those narrow and easy boundaries which our false deceitful hearts have devised but reasonable it must be viz. Such as is rather sutable to men grown up in a Gospel-stature then that which is fit to be done by those who were but the Children of Yesterday under the Paedagogy of the Law We are the Lords dayes-men he hath singled us out for special service his eye is continually upon us and we have much work to do it behoves us therefore to look about us for we shall be inexcusable if we be found negligent in the day of the Lord. 3 Motive Thirdly therefore consider the length of your way that you have to walk and the multitude of businesses that you have to do and then see whether you have not need to use well the Light of this day without which you can never be able to finish your course with joy You have I say a great journey to go viz. through all the wayes of God's Commandments before you can get to Heaven Ps 119.96 And these Commandments are exceeding broad yet must you traverse them in their whole breadth having respect unto every particular circumstance so far as you are concerned therein In this journey there must be no picking and chusing of our way according to our own fancies nor turning aside from any one Commandment for he that turneth away from the holy Commandment 2 Pet. 2.21 it had been better for him that he had never known nor entred into the way of Righteousness at all And now alas how is it possible for a poor weak Creature blinde and lame such are we all the best of us all of our selves to walk steddily in this way and to continue in it to the end unless he hath the light of this day to go before him which alone is ordained of God to be a conduct therein especially considering withall the variety and multitude of businesses that are to be done in the way Bishop Reinolds Let us take notice of them as they are prepared to our hands by a skilful Workman one of a thousand Christ saith he hath service much more then enough to take up all the Might strength studies abilities times callings of all his servants businesses towards God and himself worship fear Communion Love Prayer Obedience Service Subjection Businesses towards and for our selves watchfulness repentance Faith Sincerity Sobriety Growth in grace Businesses towards other men as instruments and fellow-members exhortation reproof direction instruction mourning rejoycing restoring relieving helping praying serving in all wayes of love so much evil to be avoided so many slips and errours to be lamented so many earthly members to be crucified so much knowledge and mysteries to be learned so many vain principles to be unlearned so much good to be done to my self so much service to be done to my brother so much glory to be brought to my master every Christian hath his hands full of work and can all this be done without light Or will you stand all the day idle as if you had not been hired at all into the Lord's Vine-yard but still continue in the market-place of the World amongst those that are without But be it known unto you you have been hired and the penny of eternal life hath been offered unto you again and again therefore woe unto you if you stand out any longer As yet there is day light for you to come in but you know not how soon it will expire Which indeed ought also to be thought upon by us as another special Consideration to quicken us in our way 4 Motive This day I say will have an end and we know not how soon the mystery of God will be finished and the Oath fulfilled that time shall be no more This nevertheless we know that there is an appointed time to man upon earth and that his dayes are as the dayes of an hireling Job 7.1 that is very short and uncertain so that how short this day of the Gospel may be to us we cannot tell and many times it is made shorter then the dayes of our lives being through God's just indignation taken from us leaving us in the darkness of our own foolish hearts and under the power of the Prince of darkness because we chuse darkness rather then light Very needful then it is to hearken to the advice which the Lord giveth Joh. 12.35 Walk saith he in the light while you have the light least darkness come upon you And also to follow his example I must saith he work the work of him that sent me Joh. 9.4 Ps 19.5 while it is day the night cometh wherein no man can work We see daily that the Sun in the firmament hath his rising and setting he cometh forth of his Chamber in the morning like a Bridegroom and retires again at even Thus in like manner is it with the light of this day it came forth De umbraculo suo out of its place where it lay shadowed before in the Tabernacle of Moses or if you will De thalamo for the word will bear both out of the Presence-Chamber of the God of Heaven where it was trimmed after the form of a Bridegroom in a more gorgeous manner then formerly it had been and being come forth hitherto like a strong man he hath run his race bearing down all opposition driving before it the darkness of Judaisme Hellenisme Paganisme Papisme and Atheisme and what ever it be that is contrary to sound doctrine But being in a race it will have an end and we may probably conjecture that it is well neere finished For as the coole of the day doth foretell the approaching of the night so that coldness
make known our requests unto him and to receive instruction and benedictions from him what a priviledge is it peculiar to this day to finde the Lord Jesus Christ in his Regal and Pontifical attire walking in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks that is in the assemblies of his people breathing upon them with his spirit and insinuating himself kindly into their hearts by his word and Sacraments Are not the goings of the Lord the Lord I say our God and our King in his Sanctuary worthy to be traced by us especially when the savour of his Oyntments doth so spread it self that it is sensibly to be discerned What do not the words of God do good to those that walk uprightly Shall God all the day long from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same stretch out his hands unto us filled with the choicest of his blessings that ever he did hold out to the Children of men And shall not we put forth our hands to receive them Is it nothing to have Satan fall down like Lightning before us in the powerful dispensations of Gospel-Ordinances O how happy were we if we knew our Happiness But since I am fallen upon a serious expostulation in this case suffer me I beseech you good brethren that belong unto this Congregation to bring it home to your Consciences by a particular application and without offense bee that speech which is intended not to offend but onely to affect with a clear Truth Yesterday it is like if there had been a Sermon in this place here would have been a full Congregation To day also it appeareth our Assembly is greater then it was wont to be upon these dayes yet yesterday and to day and all our dayes what do we that are your Ministers but work the work of him that sent us preaching peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all Whence is it then that our Message is despised That the holy and divine Ordinance of preaching is so much sleighted by your absenting your selves upon such dayes of the week wherein Ministers come freely to impart unto you some spiritual gift such as they have received from the Lord If indeed we did preach any other Gospel then that which the Church of God hath received from the beginning or any other Jesus then him who is the same yesterday to day and for ever ye might have just cause to despise our ministery and to hold us accursed But when we bring unto you no other doctrine of salvation then that which hath been professed and maintained by the Church of God in all Ages sealed and confirmed by the bloud of Martyres yea by the bloud of God himself accompanied also with the mighty operations of the spirit of God to the conversion and salvation of multitudes that hear it how can you without contracting unto your selves an extraordinary guilt in the sight of God refuse as you do to resort to this place at such times when this word is faithfully preached having no lawful lett to hinder you and to keep you from it Do you not hereby openly proclaim unto the world that you have no care of your souls what becomes of them whether they sink or swim whether they saved or damned Pro. 15.32 He that refuseth instruction saith Solomon despiseth his own soul Nay is it not a plain demonstration of too great an impiety as that you care not for God himself that you regard him not fear him not nourishing in your hearts a secret atheism and enmity against him Where there is not a desire of the knowledge of Gods waies there is questionless a slender account made of the majesty of God and a secret if not an open separation from him To this purpose saith Job They that desire not the knowledge of his waies say unto him in their hearts depart from us Nay more Job 21.14 To refuse to hear the word preached when we may and God offereth it unto us at such a time I say to have no minde to it no love to it but disdainfully to turn our backs upon it is a greater sin according to the judgment of Christ himself then the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah Hear what he saith Matth. 10.14.15 And what he speaketh there to his Disciples Matth 10.14.15 he speaks to all his servants lawfully called to the work of the ministery into whatsoever City you enter and they receive you not shake off the dust of your feet Verily I say unto you it shall be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment then for that City Weâ—l be assured of it when all 's done and the time of reckoning shall come This will be found to be a very great sin It will not boot thee then poor man to say I have been careful to celebrate the commemoration of my Saviours Nativity at the usual time of the year no no thy observation of this Ecclesiastical Constitution will not by ten thousand talents counterpoize thy great sin in disobeying the commandment of thy God by so frequent refusing to hear him as thou doest at other time of the year when he speaks unto thee in the ministery of his word Whereas therefore you will do this from which I will not disswade you Do not leave the other undone which God hath so expresly commanded should be done but to day hear his voice and harden not your hearts There are sundry other Ordinances which the children of the day might here be exhorted to walk in But it will not be expedient now to insist upon them all severally onely let the Sacraments which are together with the word the prime Ordinances of this day have that regard which is due unto them The Lord we know hath commanded that we should walk in them For as he said of old under the Law Lev. 18.4 So hath he in effect spoken it again and again in the Gospel concerning his Sacraments especially Levit. 18.4 ye shall keep mine Ordinances to walk therein I am the Lord your God Observe It is not said to talk and discourse of them onely as the manner of some is now-a-daies much less to keep them closed up and confined within those narrow limits which our late upstart Anabaptistical Projectors have devised with whom there hath been too much tampering and compliancy even almost to the irrepairable ruine of that whole Evangelical Institute under which we have hitherto prospered but to walk in them that is to use them both for our incorporation into his Church and our corroboration in it Since then the Lord hath commanded us this service we had not best stand arguing still about the administration of it and in the mean time leave it quite undone But let Ministers and People look to it betimes least the anger of the Lord smoke yet more and more against them for their disobedience Thus much for that which concerns the children of the day and what
what it is for the Son to deliver up the Kingdom to the Father It is even that which the Apostle saith Phil. 2.10 then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all whence it followeth that this subjection is the same with the delivery up of the Kingdom An interpretation therefore here seems to be necessary that the Son may be acknowledged to be subject to the Father and yet nevertheless that he may be said to have an everlasting Kingdom which may be called the Kingdom of the Son because then at the Name of Jesus every knee must bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the Earth When all things do confess the Lord Jesus and are made subject unto him whether it be by constraint or by consent then shall the mystery of one God be made manifest unto all and all praise shall redound unto the Father of whom are all things that so when preaching that is the creatures service in proclaiming the Name of God shall cease the one onely God may be known in the mystery of the Trinity For when all rule and all authority and power shall bow the knee to Christ then shall the Son manifest himself that it is not he of whom are all things but that he is his Son and that in him he himself is to be seen according to his own words Joh. 14.10 Joh. 14.10 This then is the subjection and the yeilding up of the Kingdome Christ subjecteth himself unto the Father proclaiming the Father to be he of whom are all things confessing also that he himself is of him For so great Majesty and Glory will appear in the comming of the Son that all the powers of Heaven and company of Angels may possibly look upon him as God alone But our Saviour when he shall say I am not he that is the Father but his Son he delivers up the Kingdome to the Father and yet continueth to be King still Herein then I say is manifested both his subjection and his delivery up of the Kingdome because when he professeth that he himself is of the Father he confesseth that whatsoever he hath is of the Father ascribing unto him the glory of being the complement of all things Besides this the same Saint Austin adds yet another sense concerning Christs delivery up of the Kingdome to the Father interpreting the said Kingdome for the people of the Kingdome that is his charge of the Elect Saints which he received of the Father not suffering one of them to be lost Ad Oro. Cont. Priscillia cap. 7. tom 6. Cum tradiderit Regnum Deo Patri id est cum perduxerit sanctos suos ad contemplationem Patris c. He shall deliver up the Kingdome to the Father that is when he hath brought all his Saints to behold the Glory of the Father and his own Glory which he had with the Father before the World was Now whether we understand the Apostle in this sense or that other before either of which we may safely adhere unto and unto one or both of them without question must the words of the Apostle be reduced we may conclude infallibly that Christs delivery up of the Kingdome to the Father shall not deprive him of that power and authority which he had before over his Church but that he shall continue to be King thereof unto all eternity August eodem loco Quod autem dicit Apostolus deinde finis cum tradiderit Regnum Deo Patri ibi finem non consumentem sed perficientem significat And whereas the Apostle saith then cometh the end when Christ shall deliver up the Kingdome c. That is not to be understood of the end bringing with it destruction and dissolution but rather that which bringeth perfection wherein shall be a clearer demonstration of Christs Power and Wisdome in the governing of his Church then is possible now to be discerned For as Luther upon these very words of the Apostle saith well Est idem hic in Terris regnum quod postea in Coelis futurum erit nisi quod jam contectum oculis nostris non pateat It is the same Kingdome here upon Earth which shall be hereafter in Heaven but that we are not able now abiding in this mortal and sinful estate to perceive it being hidden from our eyes I could multiply Authours both Ancient and Modern who do all agree in this that when Christ delivers up the Kingdome to the Father he then onely layeth down his Mediatorial Office not continuing any longer the Fathers Deputy in the governing of his Church but that his Kingdome notwithstanding shall everlastingly be the Same The same in the manifestation of his Wisdome Power Love Goodness towards his redeemed people to all eternity Onely how and wherein he will exercise the Authority of a Head over his Church otherwise then is before related there is none that is wise unto sobriety that will speak of it or be inquisitive after it Such knowledge is too wonderful for us it is high we cannot attain unto it Now therefore let all the ends of the Earth that is Application all the Inhabitants of the World farre and near Look unto Jesus and be saved Consider him in his Divine Nature Es 45.22 as he is begotten of the Father from eternity to eternity consider him also in the several works of creation continual preservation and future restauration of all things look unto him in his relation to his Church what he hath been is and eternally will be without any variableness or shadow of turning you 'll finde him in all that which the Apostle here proclaims him to be the same yesterday to day and for ever Look unto him then I say that you may more and more long after his apperance love him and delight in him Look unto him that you may follow his example an example equivalent with all Rules of righteousness in those things which he did and commanded though not altogether in those things which he did but commanded not What better object can you have to fix all the thoughts of your hearts upon He is the pattern set for your imitation according to the depth of Divine Wisdome He is the gift of God to the World 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 4.10 a greater gift then which though God be great in power and infinite in love he hath not to give Eph. 1.6 He is the beloved in whom the Father is well pleased deliciae Dei humani generis the darling of the Almighty Hag. 2.7 Ps 45.2 Cant. 5.10 and the desire of all Nations fairer then the children of men white and ruddy the chiefest of ten thousand white in his Divine Nature according to the sense of some late Expositours which was the brightness of his Fathers substance and red in his humanity being of the same substance with