Egypt and its Bondage and the Law-giver from God to whose Laws they were bound in all ages to yeild obedience till the Messiah should be revealed So also the Son of man was appointed and is made of God the Redeemer and Deliverer of us Mankind from the hands of our Spiritual Enemies and from all that hate us Luk. 1.70 72 73. Especially his followers and obeyers those that believe in him and are made the Seed or Israel of God in and by him He being also as Abraham and Israel was their Father The Everlasting Father of this Spiritual off-spring Isa 9.6 And he is the great Law-giver to the World for whose Laws the Iles or Gentiles are to wait and to them to yeild obedience to the end of the World For the Lord is our Law-giver Isa 33.22 42.1 4. 2. Again as Joshua was a Saviour and the bringer of them into the Inheritance which God had promised to their Fathers delivering them from the Inhabitants of that Land the Cananites utterly destroying them before them and dividing their Land to them by Lot So also Jesus the Son of Man was to be and is exalted and lifted up of God to be the expeller and driver out of Sathan and his Angels the powers of darkness out of their possession and the bringer in of his People the Israel of God that follow him into the heavenly Country and City of God which he hath promised to the spiritual Israel that are subject to him driving out all the power of Sin and Corruption from them Yea and in due time driving out all the Tyrants of the World with their Captains and Ring-leaders into Destruction he shall possess his People of the glorious Kingdom and divide to them their several portions and rewards in giving the Kingdom and Dominion and greatness of the Kingdom to the Saints of the most high God whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and his dominion that that shall have no end Dan. 7.27 3. As they had Judges also to be their helpers and Saviours from their enemies and to judge and avenge them of them and order their Affairs So Christ the Son of Man is raised up and appointed of God to be the great Judge the pleader of the Causes and avenger of Man-kind against Sathan and the Powers of Darkness And more especially of his Israel the Seed and Sons of God through the faith of him against all their Enemies Yea the great Judge of quick and dead who shall raise up all from their Graves and gather them together from all quarters of the World determining all Cases deciding all controversies and finally disposing to every man according to his Works everlasting rewards or punishments in Justice and Righteousness And seeing his Sentences put in execution with great and irresistible Power and Authority Act. 10.42 17.30 31. But perhaps we might as well have reduced these last mentioned offices or honours unto that that follows Viz. That 4. Whereas they had Kings set over them to go in and out before them to be their Captains and Leaders and to appoint Officers under them giving them Laws and Commands fighting their Battels and so to subdue their enemies protect them in peace and quietness in the peaceable possession of their Inheritances and enlarge their borders c. And so Moses also was said to be King in Jesurun So Christ this Son of Man is lifted up of God to that Authority and Sovereign dignity made his King by him set upon his holy hill of Sion Psal 2.1 2 6 7. And Maugre all opposition made by the Heathen and People the Kings and Rulers the Jews and Gentiles Herod and Pontius Pilate and all or any of their Successors that set themselves against him Act. 4.26 29. The King of Nations Jer. 10.7 Yea Of all the Earth Psal 47.7 And the King of Saints Rev. 15.4 5. A Great King above all Gods Psal 95.2 The Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our Judge The Lord is our King and he will save us Isa 33.20 Yea and further 5. Whereas their Priests and Kings and once we find a Prophet was anointed by Gods appointment to their several offices and so designed of God to them upon which also as we sometime find God gave his Spirit to fit them for the discharge of them as thereby also they were seperated from others to attend unto God to serve him and his People therein and receive his help and supplies for the same So also the Son of Man Christ Jesus was to be and is and was anointed of God with the holy Ghost and Power Act. 10.38 To design seperate and authorize him to and furnish him for all those Offices and undertakings to which God appointed and called him As for the discharge of his Prophetick Office and work it is said The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to Preach glad tidings to the poor to bind up the broken hearted c. Isa 61.1 2. With Luk. 4 18 19. for by his word and the Divine force and power of his holy Spirit breathing forth his grace therein He is as a great yea the great and only Phisician of the Soul and his words do good like a Medicine being words of grace words of eternal life pleasant words that are like a honey-comb pleasant to the taste and healing to the bones Prov. 15.14 16.24 Wholsome and sound and healing words are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine that is according to Godliness 1 Tim. 6.3 4 Again it is said Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my holy Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles c. Isa 42.1 And as the great King the Great God and our Governour He is Gods Christ or Anointed whom he hath set upon his holy hill of Sion Psal 2.2 6. And anointed with the Oyl of gladness above his fellows Psal 45.6 7. And as the most holy even the most holy High Priest who is holy harmless undefiled seperated from Sinners He may be understood to be the Anointed or Messiah spoken of by Daniel Dan. 9.24 When he saith To Anoint the most holy And so that he was Consecrated that way also as well as by the word of the Oath Though the former was tipyfied in Aaron and his Sons Sanctified and Consecrated with the holy anointing Oyl powred upon and anointing them Exod. 30.29 30. Levit. 8.12 And the latter exceeded them Heb. 7.20 21 28 To Minister before the Lord for ever Sure it is that Through the Eternal Spirit he offered up himself as the spotless Sacrifice Heb. 9.14 And with reference to this anointing him and furnishing him with the fullness of the holy Ghost The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding the Spirit of counsel and of might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord that rests and abides upon him and makes him quick
wickedness to be removed into the Land of Shinar Zech. 5.6 7. And the lifting up of the Sacrifices upon the Altar to be burnt up But I but mention them But 2. To lift up signifies often to exalt magnifie or glorifie And to the same phrase of lifting up the head is used by Joseph too in his interpretations in a quite contrary sense to the former In Gen. 40.13.20 21. For interpreting the chief Butlers Dream he tells him Within three days shall Pharoah lift up thy head and restore thee into thy place and thou shalt deliver Pharoahs cup into his hand And it came to pass saith vers 20. That the third day which was Pharaohs birth day he lifted up the head of the chief Butler and he restored the chief Butler unto his chief Butlership again And so the lifting up the horn was the exalting and lifting it up on high Psal 75.10 And according to the Spirit the exalting or magnifying the Kingdom and Power of Christ and his Saints 1. Chron. 25.5 And in this sense also Christ was to be lifted up that is exalted and that both by God and Men as we may see And in this sense the same Greek word here rendred lifted up is often translated to exalt or to be exalted or magnified As in Mat. 23.12 Luk. 14.11 18.14 Act. 2.33 5.31 But in this sense of lifting up there is something implyed even that which was done and included in the former sense or way of his being lifted up Namely 1. That he was or is down as it were made low and in a low place condition or esteem For as when the Psalmist had said by the holy Ghost Thou hast ascended up on high The Apostle from it inferrs Now that he Ascended what is it but that be first Descended into the lower parts of the earth Psal 68.18 With Ephes 4.8 9. So we may say here in that he saith The Son of Man must be lifted up What is it but that the Son of man was below or was down in a mean state or posture and in a lower place then that to which he must be lifted up And surely so he was and in some sense is so yet As to say 1. In respect of bodily place This Son of man was though now he is not here upon the Earth born here and living walking acting and conversing here Though he was the heavenly One the Lord in Heaven yet he came from Heaven from above As it 's said He that cometh from above or from Heaven is above all John 3.32 He was above in respect of what he was before he was manifest to men But he descended into the lower parts of the Earth the lower parts of Gods Creation the Earth Yea into the lower parts the heart of the Earth Ephes 4.9 Matt. 12.40 And so it 's said by him And I when I am lifted up from the Earth will draw all men to me John 12.32 He was then on the Earth and thence to be lifted up on the Earth in respect of place And 2 In respect of State in respect of what God did to him and what he submitted and yielded up himself to he was in a low and humble state and appearance among men in the world being of rich made and become poor that we through his poverty might be made rich 2 Cor. 8 9. Of one in the form of God not thinking it robbery to be equal with God He was made in the form of a Servant and was found in the fashion and habit of a man Phil. 2.6 7. Being made of a Woman he partook with us in Flesh and Blood and was made under the Law in a Bondage and Servile state A Servant to Rulers though he was Lord of all Gal. 4.4.5 Isa 49.7 Born of a mean and poor parentage as was evident in the entertainment given them in the Inne when his Parents were thrust into the Stable and he when born was entertained there in a Manger As also by the offering of his Virgin Mother offering according to the appointment of the Law of Moses for poor people whose hand or sufficiency could not reach to the offering a Lamb. Viz. A pair of Pigeons or two Turtle Doves Luk. 2.7 24. With Levit. 12 8. As also in that his reputed Father to whom the Virgin his Mother was espoused was not a person of any great port in the World or in any office or dignity but a Carpenter as he was called Mat. 13.53 Yea and it appears that he himselfe sometimes wrought of that Trade being therefore called by way of reproach the Carpenter Mark 6.3 And when he manifested himself to Israel he was not attended with any great followers but his Disciples were noted to be illiterate and mean men Fishers Tole-gatherers and the like So as that the people stumbled at that matter saying Have any of the Rulers or Pharisees believed on him but this people that know not the Law are accursed John 7.47 48. Yea and he himself when one said he would follow him replyed Foxes have their holes and the Birds of the Air have their nests but the Son of Man hath not whereon to lay his head Luk. 9.58 Yea and he went lower descending into the lower parts of the Earth into great sorrows and sufferings agonies and overwhelmings of his heart so as to the Death and Grave Dying the Death of the Cross the only accursed death Deut. 21.22 23. With Gal. 3.13 Being therein numbred with Transgressors yea and being dead he was taken down and laid in the Earth in the heart of the earth as we noted before Mat. 12.40 Making his Grave with the rich and with the wicked in his death Isa 53.9 Yea he was compassed about with the snares of death and the pangs of Hell caught hold upon him so as he found we and sorrow Psal 116.2 3. 18.4 5 6. A Worm and no Man a Man of sorrow and acquainted with griefs Yea his Soul went down into Hell in his great sufferings for our sakes as his not being left there implies Act. 2.27.31 So low was he brought and this was low indâ—ed lower not only then the Angels but also as to his abasement therein then other men and from such a casting down was he to be lift up Job 22.29 3 In respect of his esteem with and among men He was and so is still too low in Mens hearts in their thoughts and accounts of him and affections to him There he was very low in all his appearance in his Birth when they afforded him not room in the Inn. And in his Life when they that were his own received him not though he came to them in his Fathers name even in the name power and authority of God John 1.11 5.43 Doing such things as none else did and speaking such things as none else ever spake Yea they not only received him not but also rejected and despised him As it was fore-prophesied Isa 53.1 2 3. Who
I begotten thee And Sit thou on my right hand till I make thy foes thy foot-stool Heb. 1.5.13 Yea All the fullness of the God-head dwells in him bodily Col. 2.9 2. A State of greater Authority Power and Majesty For he is set above all Authorities Principalities Powers Thrones Might or Dominion yea and every name that is named not only in this World but in that which is to come Eph. 1.21 For He hath put all things under his feet And Given him to be Head over all things to his Church ver 22. The Head top or chief of all Principality and Power Col. 2.10 Not only Lord of Lords and King of Kings Gods first-born higher then the Kings of the Earth As Rev. 17.14 19.16 Psal 89.27 But he is also A great King above all Gods Psal 95.2 Angels and Principalities and Powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3.22 Lord of all Act. 10.36 Being made in the Nature of Man so much better higher and more glorious then the Angels at he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they being not only owned of God as his Son begotten by him from the dead to all this excelâ—ent glory dignity and majesty even to be set at his right hand on the Throne of Majesty in the highest Heb. 1.3 4 5 13. 8.1 But as set on Gods own Throne Rev. 3.21 So as it 's said to all other Potestates and Powers Let all the Angels of God Or as in Psal 97.7 Worship him all ye Gods And again to him it is said Thy Throne O God endureth for ever The Sceptre of thy Kingdom is a Sceptre of Righteousness or a right Sceptre Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity Therefore God thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows Above all other Gods Potentates or Powers among either Men or Angels And thou Lord Jehovah in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the Earth and the Heavens are the work of thy hands they shall perish but thou remainest they shall all wax old as a Garment as a Vesture shalt thou change them Or fold them up And they shall be changed but thou endurest and thy years shall not fail Heb. 1.6 8 9 10 11 12. Yea the Angels are all Ministring Spirits to him commanded by him and with one consent proclaim him the excellent and worthy one Worthy to receive Power and Riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing Rev. 5.11.12 In a word All Authority and Power in Heaven and over the Earth is given unto him And all that the Father hath is his Even all the Authority Power and fullness of the Father and it pleases to dwell in him Mat. 28.18 John 16.14 15. Col. 1.19 2.9 So that it may well be said as the Prophet foresaw That He is exalted extolled and very high Higher then Moses then Adam or David as some Jewish Criticks observe from the letters of the word Translated very being made up of the initial letters of those three Names Yea and should they to Adam joyn Abraham too whose name begins with the same letter their observation might hold true Isa 52.13 And herein also he is lifted up and so it behoved that he should be that he should suffer such things as he did and so should enter into Glory Luk. 24.26 That he might exercise and discharge the most glorious Offices most useful for us and most honourable for himself for and concerning our welfare and happiness Such as wherein he answers to all the most excellent and honourable things and persons under the Law and among the Israel after thâ— flesh that was lifted up to any honourable and useful Office or Service as the Covenant of Circumcision the Sabbaoth Sacrifices Temple c. Of which I may say more elsewhere I shall here only mention such Offices as were estated upon and exercised by most honourable persons amongst them as 1. The Prophets were holy and honourable persons and the office of a Prophet a most excellent useful and honourable imployment they having intercourse and Power with God and receiving their message from him for directing the people into the knowledge of him and of his mind and will concerning them Whence that of God to Abimelech concerning Abraham Restore the man his wife For he is a Prophet and he shall pray for thee Gen. 20.7 And Do my Prophets no harm Psal â—05 15 The Son of Man was to be and is lifted up into that honour and office For this is he of whom it was said A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your Brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you Deut. 18.15 18. With Act. 3.22 23. The Great Prophet And The Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy Rev. 19.10 The Great Light In his Testimony Word and Doctrine and the true Light lightning every man coming into the World Who came a Light into the World that whosoever believeth on and followeth him may not abide in darkness but see the Light of Life John 1.9 8.12 12.46 And so I might say also of the Apostles That they were highly honourable and useful as to their office and he is the Great Apostle of our Profession Heb. 3.1 2. The Priests were holy and honourable Persons under the Law in respect of their Office And the Priesthood a most honourable and useful Office for making attonement and Reconciliation for the People by offering gifts and Sacrifices for them to that purpose their lips keeping Knowledge also and teaching the People the Law And Christ the Son of Man was to be and is exalted to that Honour and Office to be the Priest the great High Priest after the order of Melchisedech As God did raise him up to be his Prophet and Apostle giving him that honour and glory that no man in Heaven or Earth or under the Earth was found worthy of even to open the book of Gods Counsels and unloose the Seals of it and unfold the Mysteries therein contained Rev. 5.2 3 6. So he gave him also the honour and Office of the Priest-hood For no man takes to himself that honour of the High Priest-hood but he that is called of God as Aaron was Wherefore Christ also glorified not himself to be made an High Priest but he that said to him Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Said also to him Thou art a Priest to me for ever after the Order of Melchisedec Yea the Lord sware and will not repent saying Thou art a Priest for ever c. Heb. 5.3 4 5. c. 3. Whereas some of the Prophets or Priests had other additional honours beside merely their being Prophets and Priests or the like Christ is lifted up in this his glory unto such honour also As to say 1. Whereas Moses was also a Deliverer of them by the Power of God out of
it again When the People some of them said that it Thundred others that an Angel spake to him John 12.28 29. But these things were known to few 2. In his speaking and working by him such things as never any spake or did for the words that he spake he spake not from himself as man alone but of or from the Father who dwelt in him and he it was that did the Works John 14.10 Whence he saith to Philip Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me or else believe me for the works sake ver 11. With Chap. 15.24 7.46 And that God did magnifie him in this and lift him up among men The Apostle Peter testifies Act. 2.22 Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God by Miracles Wonders and Signes which God did by him c. As also 3. By his raising him from the dead glorifying him and maintaining his cause and name against all oppositions and gathering in a Church to him and upholding it in the midst of Persecutions c. Of which things I shall not inlarge 2. Of God the Word or Son also even by himself or his Divine Being or Deity exerting and putting forth it self and so glorifying him as the Son of Man And so it behoved him and he did it Both 1. In Work As in his working glorious Miracles Thus it s said upon his turning Water into Wine at that Marriage in Cana of Galilee This beginning of Miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth his glory But more fully in his rising from the dead and ascending into Heaven and giving gifts from thence unto men as some Apostles some Prophets c. Whence he saith No man takes my life from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it up again This Commandement have I received of my Father John 10.18 For as it is said that he was raised again from the dead by his Father and his glory So also it is said that he rose again in and by the power of his divine Spirit And that he died rose and revived that he might be Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Lord it over the quick and dead Rom. 14.9 And he rose again the Third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.3 4. Being put to death in the flesh but quickned in the Spirit 1. Pet. 3.18 And so that he Ascended and went up on high and gave gifts unto men Psal 68.18 Eph. 4.8.9 2. In his Word Preaching forth himself and his own excellencies As he saith I am one that bear witness of my self and my Father that sent me he beareth witness of me Though he said If I bear witness of my self my witness is not true As implying that of himself as man only he bare not witness of himself if as Man only he had so done his Witness might have been slighted But he as the Word though made flesh witnessed of himself as in his works so in his word too and his witness as witnessing so was true For he knew whence he came and whither he went John 5.31 8.14 18. And so he declared himself in the Man-hood as the Son of man or the Word made Flesh to be the Son of God to be in Heaven and come from Heaven and to know the things of Heaven John 3.11 12 13 16. And so when he said here he must be lifted up we may understand him to say in such intimations and declarations of his excellencies as those were So he testified of himself that he is the Light of the World John 8.12 12.46 The bread of Life the bread that came down from heaven The living bread His Flesh meat indeed and his Blood drink indeed Necessary to be fed upon to the obtaining everlasting life And such as 〈◊〉 gives everlasting life to all that feed thereupon John 6.35 48 50 51 55 56. c. That he knows the Father and is known of the Father John 7.29 10.15 That he gives the water of Life which whoso drinks it shall be in him a spring of living waters springing up unto eternal life And causing Rivers of living waters to flow out of his belly or inward man as being the Baptizer with and giver of the holy Ghost John 4.14 7.37 38 39. Act. 1.5 With John 15.26 That he is The good Shepherd The door of the sheep knowing his sheep and giving to them in their following him Eternal Life John 10.3 9 11 15 28 29. That he is the Resurrection and the Life So as that He that believeth on him though dead he shall live he that liveth and believeth on him shall not dye for ever John 11.25 26. That he is The way the truth and the life John 14.6 The true vine John 15.1 4. And many the like But chiefly he is and was lifted up And that I might have referred the two former to the testimonies of the Father and Word as being brought to us and our cognizance by him 3. By the holy Spirit whose business it is to witness of Christ taking his things and shewing them and so glorifying him John 15.27 16.14 And so it is prophetically said of him That when the Enemy shall come in like a stood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him which Standard or Ensigne is Christ of the Seed of David of the Root of Jesse Isa 11.1 10 11. And put him to flight Isa 59.19 And he was to lift him up and hath and doth diversly as 1. By fore-testifying glorious things of him As that he as the Seed of the Woman and so as the Son of Man should bruise the head of the Serpent Overthrow his plot against us and our well-fare and take away his acquired power and jurisdiction over us and open the way for us into Paradise and so to God again Gen. 3.15 That he as the Seed of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob and so as the Son of Man should be the blessing of or bringer forth of blessing to all the Nations or families of the Earth Gen. 22.18 26.4 28.14 With Gal. 3.8 That he as proceeding out of the Tribe of Judah should be the Shiloh the peaceable one or peace-maker Vnto whom should be the gathering of the People Gen. 49.10 That he should be the Prophet raised up from among the People and so as the Son of Man whom all the People should hear in all things that he should say unto them Deut. 18.15 18. That he should be as the Seed of David and so as the Son of Man the Great King and Governour upon whose shoulders the Government should be The Wonderful the Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace Of the increase of whose Government and Peace there should be no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order and to establish it with justice and with judgment
from henceforth and for ever That he should be Gods first-born higher then the Kings of the Earth Having an everlasting Throne and Kingdom Preaching peace to the Heathen bringing forth Judgment to them and affording glorious rest and blessing to all that trust in him Psal 2.6 12. 89.3 4 19 20 25 26 27. 132.11 17 18. Isa 6.9 10. 11.1 10. 42.1 4. Zech. 9.9.10 That he should be a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Psal 110.3 And many such excellent and high commendations as may be seen in what he fore-signified to and by the Prophets of his Sufferings and of the Glory that should follow in all the Scriptures 1 Pet. 1.10 11 12. With Luk. 24.27 And so the Apostle saith speaking of the perfection of the Sacrifice and Priesthood of Christ Whereof the holy Ghost is a Witness to us for after he had said before This is the Covenant that I will make with them After those days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their hearts and in 〈◊〉 minds will I write them He adds And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more Heb. 10.15 16 17. As it is also said that in ordering the Sanctuary or holy place with the Ordinances of it The holy Ghost this signified that the way into the holy of holies was not yet made manifest while the first Tabernacle was standing Heb. 9.8 In a word Whatever things the holy men of God did foreshew of the coming of the Just One and the things to be found and effected by him they spake not of themselves but as they were moâ—ed thereto by the holy Ghost Whence they who resisted them in their Testimony resisted the holy Ghost 1 Pet. 1.10 11 12. 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. Act. 7.51 52. 2. In preparing and Sanctifying that blessed Body taken by him in which he was made the Son of Man Luk. 1.35 And appearing visibly to Descend and rest upon him in it in the likeness of a Dove as a Sign and signification of his being the Christ Mat. 3.17 John 1.31 32 33. In his anointing filling and working in and by him in all his Doctrine and Miracles assisting and strengthening him in all his temptations sufferings and services Matt. 4.1 Luk. 4.1.14.18 21. Mark 3.29 30. And in his raising and carrying up his body into Heaven For in the Eternal Spirit he offered up himself without spot to God Heb. 9.14 Rom. 6.4 But these things were evident some of them but to few Therefore I add that he witnessed to him more openly 3. In his gifting and furnishing the Apostles and Prophets and Servants of God for their work and service in the Gospel and for that purpose miraculously descending upon and working in many of them strengthning and helping them yea doing great Miracles and Signs by them and through their Doctrine and Miracles working upon the World to convince them of sin for not believing on him c. As our Saviour said When the Comforter shall come even the holy Ghost he shall bear witness of me and he shall convince or reprove the World of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment c. And in that he did Baptise or Wash and Sanctifie the Apostles so preparing and fitting them for their holy Work and Service lead them into all truth glorifie Christ taking of his things and shewing them John 15.26 27. 16.8 9 13 14 15. Act. 1.5 8. 2.2 3 4 17 18. 4.31 And that the holy Ghost that God gave to them that believed on or obeyed Christ was a witness to him and to his glory is said Act. 5 32. And this also was a Testimony from God the Father as it is said God bare them witness by Signs and Wonders and divers Miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost Heb. 2.4 As also the holy Ghost bears witness to the hearts and consciences of men concerning him Rom. 8.15 16. 2 Cor. 3.3 6 8 18. Causing the believing heart to see his glory as in a glass with open face to the changing it into his likeness from glory to glory But this he doth chiefly 4. In his Doctrine and teaching in and by the Gospel in his Revelation of him to and by the Apostles and to the World and Churches gathered out thereof As to them also the Spirit hath said Great and Glorious things as may be seen in those Epistles to the Seven Churches Rev. 2. 3. And thus the Three in Heaven the Father the Word and the holy Ghost bare witness of and to and therein lifted up the Son of Man and so is he lifted up of God and must be fully lifted up at his glorious coming and Kingdom when he shall appear in his own glory and in the glory of his Father and of his holy Angels Luk. 9.26 For the Great God the blessed and holy Potentate who only hath immortality dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto and which no man hath seen nor can see to whom be honour and power for ever and ever Amen will in his time shew him When he shall come and appear sitting on the right hand of God with Power and great Glory and pâ—ssâ—ss the great and glorious Kingdom which God hath promised to possess him of and to Admâ—nister by him but â—â—sâ—e ms to be beyond what this Text speaks of which speaks of his being lifted up that men might in believing on him not perish but have eternal Life And so of that which is in order of Nature if not also of time before mens believing on him And these particulars chiefly of the Spirits witnessing to him and lifting him up were and are needful and such as must be 1. That he might receive the Glory promised For God said that he would glorifie him Isa 49.7 55.5 And God cannot lye Yea he hath sworn by his holiness that he will not lye unto David his Seed shall endure for ever and his Throne as the Sun which is all glorious bright and lightsome before him Psal 89.35 36. Yea and 2. That men might run unto him and believe on him As it is said Kings shall see and arise Princes shall also worship him because of the Lord that is faithful and he shall chuse thee Isa 49.7 And thou shalt call a Nation whom thou knewest not and Nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the holy one of Israel for he hath glorified thee Isa 55 5. But unto this it was and is needful also that he be lifted up 2. Subordinately by Creatures and here we might consider 1. The holy Angels they have lifted him up in their honourable Testimony of him as the Son of Man The Word made Flesh They having also seen this Mystery and peeped down curiously to pry into it 1. Tim. 3.16 1 Pet. 1.12 And they have brought down honourable messages and discoveries concerning him He being as the Son of Man the Ladder
he pleaseth to be Apostles Prophets or otherwise useful for perfecting the Saints for the work of the Ministry and for the edifying the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the acknowledgment of the Son of God unto a perfect man to the measure of the stature of the age of Christ Eph. 4.8 11 12 13. Col. 2.3.9 That it is He that hath prevailed to open the book in the right hand of God and unâ—rose the seals and discover and declare the hidden Wisdom and secret Mysteries contained therein Rev. 5.1 6. The great Apostle faiâ—hful in all things to him that appointed him as Moses in all his house accounted worthy of more honor then Moses to be more acquainted and intimate with God even as his Son in his bosome and so fullier furnished for declaring his Glory and glorious grace and good-will and more faithful even as a son in his own house built by himself Whereas Moses was faithful but as a servant therein Wherefore as the Holy Ghost also saith to day if ye will hear his voice even his that is Gods own Son the heir of all things by whom also he made the worlds his who is the express character of his Fathers person and the brightness of his glory giving forth the fullest and brightest discovery of God and of his holy mind and will and speaking to us from heaven harden not your hearts c. Heb. 3.1 2 3 4 7. with 1.3 12.25 Secondly As the Priest in and High Priest over the house of God the most authorized and consecrated person consecrated with the Word of Gods Oath and after the power of an endless life by a sacrifice once offered for ever and that never needs to be iterated made a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck an everlasting Priest in the vertues of his once endured Death for us and therefore able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.25 A Priest upon the throne and so both a King and Priest the true Melchisedeck being both King of Righteousness and after that King of Peace working performing and commanding righteousnes and so commanding and prevailingly making and giving Peace far greater then Aaron Levi or Abraham Such a Priest as we needed and it behoved us to have being holy harmless undefiled and separated from sinners and made higher then the heavens Heb. 7.1.26 â—7 A great High Priest entred into the heavens even into Heaven it self by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle and by vertue not of the bloud of others as Aaron did into the figure of the heavens onely but of his own precious bloud and sacrifice Where he now appears in the presence of God for us having obtained eternal redemption Heb. 4.14 9.11 12 24. A faithful High Priest and therefore made like is brethren in all things that he might be so to make atonement and reconciliation for the people and to succour and help the tempted Heb. 2.17 18. To which end also he is both perfectly furnished with knowledge of our cases and conditions by reason both of his exceeding quickness and powerfulness as the VVord of God for searching into all things and piercing even to the dividing asunder the soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow being a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart So as there is not any creature that is not manifested in his sight but all things are naked and opened as things anatomized and laid perfectly before his view Heb. 4.12 13. The Spirit that rests upon him making him quick of understanding Isa 11.2 3 4. And also as having had an experimental feeling of our infirmities and temptations as man in himself having himself suffered and been tempted yea tempted in all points like to us yet without sin and so the more acceptable and prevalent in his mediating and interceding with God for us And also perfectly merciful and compassionate towards us ready to plead for us and help us Heb. 2.17 18. with 4.15 5.1 2. So as we have great ground of encouragement from this consideration of his Priesthood and its perfection and his fitness by the vertues of his Sacrifice to make the worshippers of and comers to him and to God by him perfect to draw nigh and come with boldness to the throne of grace with true hearts and full assurance of faith to ask and receive grace and mercy to help us seasonably in all our trials and temptations Heb. 4.14 16. 9.14 10.19 22. Thirdly As a King he is set forth as furnished with the most sovereign Authority over all creatures in heaven earth and under the earth all things being put under him and the Throne and power of God given him in the manhood So as also to be every way accomplished to be the Law-giver Saviour and Judge He being indued also with all the fulness of the Spirit of counsel and might which resting upon him renders him both infinitely quick in understanding in the fear of the Lord and perfect in Righteousness in all his Government and the exercise of it Girded up in his loyns with righteousness and in his reins even in all his thoughts purposes and desires from whence issue all his words and motions for action with faithfulness Isa 11.2 3 4 5. Having a white horse under him as supported by his own Righteousness or as riding on the Heavens and having them at his command for the help of his subjects and riding swiftly and prosperously in all his Government Deut. 33.26 27. being called faithful and true and in righteousness judging and making war His eyes as a flame of fire discovering and trying all things And on his head are many Crowns Either as denoting his superlative Power or Jurisdiction over the many Countreys brought into an acknowledgment of him yea Kings and Kingdoms Or the many great Victories gotten by him over his enemies whether evil spirits or evil men engaging themselves against him and gotten by his truth against errour and impiety Or also the many praises ascribed to him And he hath a name Dignity Title Power which none knoweth but himself as signifying that he is exalted above all blessing and praise Neh. 9.5 and that none can set forth all his praises Ps 106.2 And he is clothed in a vesture dipt in bloud either because all his appearance in his Government to the spiritual eye is such as in which is manifested the vertue of his most precious Bloud Sufferings and Sacrifice for us Or because it represents the overthrow of his and our enemies And his name is called the Word of God as being the great speaker forth and Interpreter of the knowledge of God to us And he hath a sword that goeth out of his mouth A sharp cutting word full of killing convincing efficacy to all that stands cross to him which is therefore said to go out
and despised knowledge brought to them by him to turn at his reproofs promising to pour out his Spirit to them and make known his words In which is implied that upon their turning he would forgive their former sleightings of him and sinnings against him which if they had not been to be forgiven and overlooked by him would have hindred them of such dispensations of his Grace and Spirit to them Prov. 1.22 23. As thence also the wicked are called upon to forsake their ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts and turn to the Lord and he will have mercy upon them and abundantly pardon them Isa 55.7 And Christ tells the unbelieving Jews that would not come to him that they might have life that he would not accuse them to his Father and that if any man heard his voice and believed not he judged them not now because he came not into the world to judge the world but to save the world John 5.40 45. 12.47 In which saying it 's evident that the world he came to save includes also the now unbelieving persons in it while it 's yet a day of Grace he is saving them Also by his Intercession for transgressours as the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world and by renewed dispensations of patience forbearance and further grace to them as appears 1 John 2.1 2. Isa 53.12 Luke 13.8 Yea he prayed for such as actually abused and crucified him and in the repenting of such afterward he actually pardoned and forgave them Luke 23.34 with Acts 2.37 38 39. 3.19 20. 2. As Moses lifted up the Serpent that whosoever were stung with the fiery Serpents might have advantage and opportunity there-through to look upon it he declaring and informing them that it was set up as a means of healing and that it was Gods mind for giving healing by it that they look up to it and that it would not give forth any healing-virtue to them if not beheld by them yea probably if not beheld till they were healed if they turn'd their eye from it before its virtue had its force in and upon them though the Serpent was the same whether beheld or not beheld Even so is and must the Son of Man be lifted up that men may have an advantage and opportunity of beholding him he being not to be beheld if not lifted up How can they believe on him of whom they have not heard And how can they hear without a Preacher Or how can they preach except they be sent For Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10.14 17. Which makes it needful that they that know him and are commissionated of God as every one that hears hath commission to say to others Come Rev. 22.17 do hold him forth commend and magnifie him to men It 's true that the Apostle there in Rom. 10.18 propounding that question Have they not all heard answers Yes doubtless their voice is gone into all the world and their words to the ends of the earth Alluding to Psal 19.2 3 4. Where the Holy Ghost speaks of the Heavens declaring the glory of God and the firmament shewing his handy-work And so of Gods Works and Providences setting him forth and uttering knowledge as elsewhere it 's said All his works shall praise him To which also they are often called upon Psal 145.8 9. 148. 150. And the Lord they commend and praise is doubtless the same of and to whom he saith Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the works of thine hands c. Psal 102.25 Which the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews applies to the Lord Jesus the Son of Man by whom the Lord hath spoken to us in these last days and by whom he made the worlds Heb. 1.1 2 10 11. And surely whosoever beholds him as there lifted up and praised so as to betake themselves to him for help they do and shall find mercy with him Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved In every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of him Rom. 10.12 Acts 10.34 They that by nature or without verbal or vocal instruction do the things contained in the Law that love God and their neighbour though uncircumcised or not under the outward Regiment of Gods Kingdom and Ordinances their uncircumcision shall be accounted circumcision that is they shall be accepted and accounted of as Gods Church Rom. 2.25 26. And of those that by such means also are won in to God I understand in part what our Saviour saith That many shall come from the East and from the West even such as are not the children of the Kingdom and born under the distinct knowledge and Ordinances of God as the opposition to them in the following words do manifest wherein he adds and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac in the Kingdom of God when the children of the Kingdom such as are born and brought up in the professed Church and so are professedly under Gods Government or Ordinances shall be cast out Matth. 8.12 But I say notwithstanding whatever of this nature may be true however God in his lifting him up in his Providences and Works and the manifestations of him implicitely therein may do for the rendring him visible to men that they may behold him look to him and be saved by him Yet it concerns us as our duty and is that which God requires of us that we so lift up Christ in our distinct Preaching of him to men that men through our ministration may behold him in the distinct express declaration of him and be saved from their errours ignorances and iniquities which while they by their wisdom know him not in the wisdom of God as manifested in his works and providences they run into As to that purpose and for that cause it hath pleased God to appoint the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1.21 It was not another light John bare witness to then that which enlighteneth every man coming into the world and that shined in the darkness before he bare witness to it It was not made another in or by his witness only more plainly declared and pointed to It was the same that was in the world though the world knew him not that came to his own and by his own was not received which whosoever received whether of the world or of his own were made the sons of God It was the same Word which was in the beginning with God that in due time was made flesh to bring us through his Sufferings in the flesh unto God in whom was the life and from whom the light came that always shined and in all the world But God to help men to discern him whom otherwise in his wisdom or more wise way to the view of the world as the way of his Creation and Providence is they usually overlook and
him and accept him heartily being discovered and Preached to us to which end also God added the Law for discovering of our sins that so we might look after accept and imbrace the Saviour whom he had fore-promised to us Gal. 3.19 22 24. Yea the very promise and declaration of that Saviour shews us to have been miserable Yea and yet if we neglect him to be in a most miserable condition for in that one died for all It 's most brightly testified that All were dead Yea and in that it 's such a one that died for us as Gods only Son it signifies and testifies yet more The greatness of our misery in our selves and of that death we were fallen into that put us into a need of such a ones dying for us 2 Cor. 5.14 But that will fall in in the third proposition or observation CHAP. X. The second Observation briefly spoken to and some Objections against it answered Obser 2 THe Second Observation is That God hath no pleasure in the death or perishing of men but that they rather should have eternal life And this is evident 1. By his own assertion under his oath that we might be the more confirmed in it as was noted above in Ezek. 33.11 Where he swears As he lives he hath no pleasure in the death of the Wicked but rather that he turn and live And sure if not in the wickeds in no mans death seeing it's the wicked that he every where threatens with Death As he saith to the wicked in the same Chapter Vers 8 Thou shalt surely die And The Soul that sinneth it shall die Chap. 18.3 20. And the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him ver 21. And yet he saith and sweareth that he hath no pleasure none neither secret nor revealed that the wicked should die 2. And his holy servants assert the same who have had his mind and grace in their hearts and declared it faithfully The Apostle Paul asserts That God wills all to be or that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 And the Apostle Peter that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 And the Prophet Isaiah represents the Lord calling all the ends of the Earth to look to him and be saved Isa 45.22 3. The many addresses that God in and through Christ by his Word and Spirit makes unto sinners to call and bring them to Repentance that they might live and not die are so many evidences and convincing demonstrations of his love to Mankind and that he hath no desire or delight that they should perish but have everlasting life For we may not think such a wicked and impious thought of the Almighty who is love and charity truth and goodness it self as if he should pretend one thing and intend another That he signifies one thing to be his desire and will outwardly and desires and intends the contrary inwardly and so dissembles with his lips seeing he protests the contrary Viz. That the opening of his lips are right things That he speaks right things and wickedness is an abomination to his lips That his words are all right and that there is nothing froward or preverse in them Prov. 8.7 6 8. Isa 45.19 Far be it from us to think that he is like to the wicked whom his Soul abhorreth to cover hatred with deceit As is said Prov. 26.26 Now thinking holily of God and according to truth we shall perceive the desire he hath of mens welfare abundantly testified in his addresses to us diverse ways As 1. In his calls and counsells frequently given us As it s said Wisdom cries out she lifts up her voice in the streets crying how long ye simple turn at my reproofs c. Prov. 1.20.23 And doth not Wisdom cry and Understanding lift up her voice Can that be denied Is not that evident and that to men indefinitely yea and to the worst of them therefore it follows that she stands in the top of high places where and whence she may best be heard and cries To you O men I call and my voice is to the Sons of Men. O ye simple understand wisdom and ye fools be ye of an understanding heart Prov. 8.1 2 4 5. And so Turn ye turn ye why will ye die O house of Israel Ezek. 33.11 Yea this was one great end of our Saviours coming into the World in order to his saving the World Viz. To call sinners to Repentance Mat. 9.13 John 12.47 2. In his promising them great and glorious things upon their hearing and obeying his calls Turn ye at my reproofs behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you I will make known my words Prov. 1.23 So in Prov. 8.32 33. Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my Gates waiting at the posts of my doors For whoso findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Aske and ye shall receive seek and ye shall find Mat. 7.7 8. And abundance the like 3. In his threatning sinners if they will take the course to perish and will not listen to his counsels As Because I have called and ye refused I stretched out my hands and no man regarded I also will laugh at your calamities I will mock when your fear cometh Prov. 1.24 26 c. O wicked man thou shalt surely die Ezek. 33.8 And many the like 4. In his reproving expostulating and reasoning the case with men that he might perswade them to their own good Why will ye die O house of Israel Ezek. 33.11 Ho every one that thirsteth come to the waters and ye that have no money come buy and eat yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price Why will ye lay out money for that that is not bread and your labour for that that satisfieth not c. Isa 55.1 2 3. 5. In his chastening men also for their follies in neglecting and refusing their own mercy in order to their awakning to Repentance that they might live As he saith I smote them thus and thus yet they turned not to me saith the Lord. As implying that he smote them to that end they might turn Amos 4.6 7 11. All these things doth God twice and thrice with men that he might keep them from going down to the pit c. Job 33.29 6. In his exercising long patience and forbearance towards them with much bounty and goodness to the same end that is To lead them to repentance As is exprest Rom. 2.4.5 With 2 Pet. 3.9.15 Isa 30.18 Waiting that he may be gracious Yea 4. The next Observation is an evident confirmation of the truth of this Namely the gift of Gods only Son the Son of Man for if he gave his only begotten Son to be the Saviour of the World evident it is then that he loved the World and if he loved it he desired not that it should perish but rather be saved
of Man so there is nothing to be said of Christ because nothing in him but what is excellent for in him all fulness dwells and he is fairer then the children of men the chiefest or he that carries the banner among ten thousand The most powerful wise just holy merciful and gracious one And the entrance of Gods word concerning him gives light discovers the excellencies in him the Forgiveness of sins Redemption Spirit and Spiritual Blessings the Grace and Glory in him and it gives understanding to the simple It gives sight to discern the light and what is discovered in and by it It opens the eyes of the blind and makes wise the simple Psal 19.7 8 9. 119.130 And so the Soul perceives the excellencies of Christ That he is the excellent and precious one Beautiful and glorious excellent and comely Isa 4.2 however he appears to others whose eyes are not opened but they are yet spiritually blâ—â—d or are blinded of Sathan for their not believing 2 Cor. 4.4 Yet the enlightened Soul sees him worthy to be adhered to above all other things and persons worthy above all to be loved and to be believed on Thus the Apostles whose eyes were blessed because they see saw in him as the glory of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and of truth And therefore pronounced of him Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God and whither should we go thou hast the words of eternal life c. John 1.14 6.68 69. Matth. 16.16 Now from this perswasion of the truth of Gods Testimony I say and this perception of his Excellencies discovered therein flow 2. The acts contained in the believing on Christ wherein the believing on him properly stands and is exercised which the Scripture variously expresseth To take in all which I say 1. It 's a hearty betaking of the Soul or of a mans self to Christ In which expression I include and intend what our Saviour or the Evangelists expresses in two used by them viz. 1. The receiving Christ which hath respect or reference to his being given of God to us and coming in his name and tendring himself to us to be our Saviour Helper Healer and in order thereto our Prophet Master or Teacher our King Commander Protector and Defender our precious Sacrifice and perfect High Priest yea our Lord and our God Now he that betakes himself to him receives him with all acceptation as such a one as the great gift of God and of himself unto and for all those exercises of his authority over us and grace toward us unto which he is given and which he tenders And this is interpreted in the Scripture it self to be believing on him or on his name John 1.12 He came to his own and his own received him not but to as many as received him he gave power to become the sons of God even to them that believed on his name This phrase also our Saviour uses to signifie the believing on one John 5.43 44. And so he that believes on him receiving him as the Prophet and Teacher sent of God receives also his sayings instructions reproofs counsels c. and receiving him as the Lord and King receives his commands yea receiving him as the great High Priest receives him so as to come to God by his Sacrifice yea receiving him as God receives his sayings and commands as the most sovereign and absolute sayings and commands of God To which also tends 2. The coming to him This also is included in believing on him and so in the betaking a mans self to him yea so as to go from all other to him For receiving him as such a one the Soul comes to him or betakes it self to him from all others that may stand in competition with him to be taught instructed counselled commanded and so to be helped healed protected and saved by him and to obtain blessing from God by his Sacrifice and Mediation And this phrase also is often used to express and signifie the believing on him As when it 's said Ye will not come to me that ye might have life John 5.40 He that cometh to me shall not hunger John 6.35 If any man thirst let him come to me and drink which in the next verse is He that believeth on me John 7.37 38. and many beside Now this coming is 1. First and principally of the heart and inward man liking prizing loving and looking to him for all grace and blessing and such is the believing heart a heart drawing nigh or cleaving to him with purpose or resolution Heb. 10.22 Acts 11.24 As the unbelieving heart is called an evil heart withdrawing or departing from the living God Heb. 3.12 10.39 An heart removed far from the Lord Isa 29.13 or departing from him Jer. 17.5 8. 2. Secondarily as the way to and an effect of the former it contains and leads to a coming to him in his Ordinances and the appointments of God as to the Assemblies and Societies of Gods people where he is spiritually present and exercising his power and dispensing his grace and blessing in a bodily coming thereto Matth. 18.20 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 1.13 Heb. 10.24 25. Psal 133. II. It 's a yielding up a mans self to him which as it is also included in the receiving Christ the admitting or entertaining him in his Doctrine counsels reproofs commands and so in the exercise of his Priestly power with God and Princely Authority over us and all things so it also hath in it that resigning up a mans self to his gracious guidance and government which is required of us and that obeying him which is to be exercised by us as is implied in that saying Heb. 5.8 9. That being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him which is put there for that which here and in other places is believing on him Obedience to him in yielding to his counsels and commands and so in being ruled and governed by him being a necessary and indispensible fruit or exercise of the faith or believing on him to which the promises are made exercised also and practised by the antient and approved believers recorded in the Scripture whose faith we are to follow as is to be seen in Heb. 11.7 8 17. Whence the unbelievers are called the children of disobedience and judgment threatned to them as such Eph. 5.6 Col. 3.6 2 Thess 1.7 8 9. This expression of yielding a mans self to the Lord we have in 2 Chron. 30.8 Yield your selves or as the Margent hath it Give your hands to the Lord who is stretching out his hand to us to succour and supply us to pull us out of the snares of sin and Sathan and to bring or lead us into his Sanctuary c. III. It 's an attendance to him also called in Scripture sometimes a looking to him as seeking and expecting all grace and blessing from him Isa 45.22 Psal 34.5 and a waiting
upon and for him in observing all his Ordinances and Appointments and him in them all and to receive commands counsels and help from him and waiting patiently upon him for them Whence those expressions of Wait on the Lord and wait I say on the Lord Psal 27.14 37.34 And they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength c. Isa 40.31 Yea and in this waiting a diligent listening to him and observing his sayings and looking for his help Psal 85.8 130.5 6. IV. It 's a dependance or reliance on him as believing him and him onely able willing and faithful to help and save And this includes in it as also the betaking a mans self to him doth 1. A renouncing it self and all confidence in it self it s own power strength wisdom righteousness worth or merit as altogether weak and unprofitable to help save or satisfie it denying a mans self Matth. 26.24 And 2. A rejecting all confidence or dependance on others whether things or persons besides Christ and God in him as believing also an utter insufficiency or unfaithfulness in them and every of them to help save or satisfie us either by way of mediation for obtaining favour or dispensation of favours obtained either as to teaching and counsel or as to power and strength for defence and safety c. that in vain salvation is looked for to the hills or mountains or any thing besides him Jer. 3.23 And also 3. In betaking and yielding up it self to him there is a leaving it self wholly with him to his guidance government dispose and ordering as believing it shall find what it wants or is good for it in and with and from him Psal 62.1 2. 121.1 2. 84.11 12. Rom. 8.32 And 4. Going forth to act and obey bear and suffer what he orders not in its own wisdom and strength or in other creatures but in his light and direction strength and sufficiency expected and given as it was said to Gideon Go forth in this thy strength namely that which God in looking upon him gave him Judg. 6.14 So David saith I will go in the strength of the Lord God and make mention of his righteousness and of his onely Psal 71.16 And they shall walk up and down in the name of the Lord Zech. 10.12 Yielding up themselves to obey and follow him and relying on him for his direction and guideance therein to go before them shewing and leading them in the way and for his strength to enable support and save them harmless therein As Israel did when they followed God in the wilderness through the sea and over Jordan This is also called a staying on the Lord or on his arm or name or a leaning thereon Isa 10.20 50.10 Cant. 8.5 or on the worth and prevalency of his Sacrifice and Mediation for all our acceptance And this with trust or confidence And so V. It 's a committing a mans self and way and all his concernments to the Lord with an hope trust expectation and confidence that he will not fail or forsake him so as to check all arising fears either of Gods failing or of any mans or devils prevailing against him I will trust and not fear for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and song and he also is become my salvation Isa 12. â— We may boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear what man can do unto me Psal 56.3 4 10 11. Heb. 13.56 Fears and doubtings though they may be in believers yet they argue want or weakness of faith or of believing on him Mat. 8.26 14.31 Psal 42.5 6. This for the acts of this believing But we have also in this description 5. The extent of the exercise of this faith and that both 1. For matters or cases and that is for all grace and blessing The promises both of the life that is and of that which is to come being all in him and in him yea and in him Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 with 1 Tim. 4.8 We are in our selves empty and destitute of all things and of all ability to help our selves in or unto any thing poor miserable wretched blind and naked Rev. 3.15 16 17. Nor is there help any where else in any thing to purpose for us He onely is the Saviour ordained and perfected of God for us His merit righteousness and worth onely procures all and he onely dispenses all by his Word Spirit and Divine Power and Providence And in his way onely even in listening to his word and obeying his counsels and commandments all good and blessing is to be met with and received of us 2. For duration And so in all this is included continuance or perseverance For in these kind of speeches that is implied As when it is said He that believeth not is damned or the wicked man shall dye it s meant if they persevere to do or be so So it 's here He that continueth to the end shall be saved Matth. 24.13 He that abideth in him sinneth not that is misses not the promised blessing 1 John 3.6 But he that abideth not in him is like a branch that abides not in the Vine that withers and is gathered and is cast into the fire and burned John 15.5 6. And thus much about that believing that is required of us and is needful to our Salvation Now that this believing is both required of us by and is acceptable unto God is also evident 1. That God requires it these following Considerations among divers others make it evident 1. In that God calls to and commands it Look to me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth Isa 45.22 And the same is implied in all those calls and commands to make a joyful noise to the Lord to serve him with gladness c. Psal 47.1 62.1 2. 98.4 100.1 2 4. Yea in 1 John 3.23 it 's expresly said This is his commandment that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another 2. In that he hath given forth his word and raised up a multitude of Preachers of it Psal 68.11 Men and Angels and all creatures in their kinds praising him and preaching forth his excellencies Psal 145.9 10. 148. John heard them do so though few have so good a hearing as he had and therefore perhaps some may deny it Rev. 5.13 Especially his holy ones the holy Apostles and Prophets and their followers out of whose mouth God hath ordained praises Psal 8.2 And this for the obedience of â—aith in all nations Rom. 1.5 16.25 26. 3. In that he gives his holy Spirit to work in and upon men to strive with or judge in them as is implied in his saying My Spirit shall nâ—t always strive with man Gen. 6.3 See also Neh. â— 20 30. 1 Pet. 3.19 1.12 Acts 7.51 And in this Spirit and wisdom it is that Wisdom is said to cry without and call to men yea and to stretch forth
all the goodliness of man is like the Flower of the Grass the Grass withereth and the Flower fadeth but the Word of the Lord even that word that in the Gospel is Preached to us the Word made Flesh abideth for ever That we might only look to and believe on him Isa 41.29 with 42.1 2 3 4 8. and 40.6 7. Acts 4.10 11 12 1 Pet. 1.24 25. 11. With this Doctrine and Exaltation of the Son of man therein is also the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit whose Word it is and whose work and business it is to Lift up this Standard in and by all Means and Mediums for Working and Begetting Confirming and Strengthening Increasing and Giving growth to this Faith or Belief on the Son of man He I say is present in and with it to make it Powerful and Effectual to in and upon the Heart of the Hearer that in hearing he might believe and live That he in hearing opening the Mouth to take in this Word of Faith he might strengthen and cause the Soul to Eat and feed upon Christ held forth therein EZek. 3.1 2. Whence it is called The Ministration of the Spirit and the Words of Christ said to be Spirit and Life because of the Spirit Ministred therein and there-with which Spirit quickneth and giveth Life whence also it is a Ministration of Righteousness and Life 2 Cor. 3.6 8 9. John 6.63 The Spirit is Ministred not in the works of the Law but by the hearing of Faith Gal. 3.2 In the lifting up of the Son of man or report given in the Gospel of and concerning him is the Arm of the Lord revealed Isa 53.1 And this Spirit being the Arm of the Lord must needs be powerful for all that it is given or put forth to either for begetting preserving strengthening or increasing this Faith or believing on the Son of man Whence it is also called the Spirit of Faith We having the same spirit of Faith we also believe and therefore we speak knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up by him 2 Cor. 4.13 14. And God hath not given us the spirit of Fear but of Power and Love and of a sound mind 2 Tim. 1.7 As implying that it is the Effect and Fruit of the holy Spirit working in and received by men that they believe and stand strongly and stedfastly in the Faith though under Temptations and Oppositions to the contrary Whence it also follows as a further Conclusion Conclusion 4. That the lifting up of the Son of man in the sense aforesaid viz. the Magnifying and Exalting him in the view of men is the proper and effectual means though not for putting any thing into Christ for us more then God hath put into him and upon him in his real Exalting and Lifting him up in his Person for in that respect he is compleat and perfect before the Preaching and Testifying of him The preparation for the poor was perfect before God gave the word and raised up the multitude of Preachers Psal 68.10 11. Even as the Serpent was perfect in it self as to what Moses was to make it before he set it up on the Pole Yet for the conveying Grace and Blessing to men and putting his Salvation and Life Eternal into them This in part was spoken to and its truth shewed in what was said above to the way of Christs saving the Believer from perishing from the way And in what we said of the Believers receiving and having Eternal life yet something we shall further here note And so I say this way of Exalting though it puts nothing into Christ but only ascribes and attributes to him what is in him yet it brings something into men even of Gods salvation to preserve them from perishing from the way of Life and Righteousness and so from the second Death in the Conclusion and of the Eternal life that is given us in him And this may be further Evidenced and Confirmed from the Titles given to the Gospel as that it s called the Word of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 The Gospel of Peace Ephes 6.15 The Gospel of our Salvation Ephes 1.13 The Word of Life Phil. 2.16 The Word of Righteousness Heb. 5.13 Yea The Words of Eternal life John 6.68 Which Names are given to it not only because it declares what God hath done in Christ for Reconciling us to himself and making Peace Or what Peace and Peaceableness is in the Heart of God towards us or what salvation righteousness and life are given us in him but also because it is it self the way Medium or power of God for reconciling the hearts of men to himself and creating peace in them Isa 57.17 and of saving quickning and giving life Num. 1.16 James 1.21 1 Cor. 15.2 Psal 119.93 Isa 55.3 c. Let us view the effects and fruits produced thereby in Men. 1. Therein and thereby Christ gives forth his voice and divine light to declare and discover to Men where and what they are what case and state they are in and where their safety lies and which way they may attain it Yea what not that may be useful for Men to see and know for saving them from the powers of darkness and what ignorance and error expose them to Thus as Christ is called the Light of the World so his word that declares and lifts him up is a light too a light to our feet and a lanthorn to our steps Psal 119.105 Whatsoever makes manifest is light Eph. 5.13 and this word manifests God and Christ Sin and Righteousness Life and Death and all things and therein also is the voice of God and Christ calling to us to awaken and stand up from the dead that Christ may give us light that so our feet may be directed into the ways of peace Ephes 5.13 14. yea this makes the Preachers of and walkers in it Lights too to Men as the Baptist who bare witness to Christ as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World and lifted him up as the true light the Christ preferring him before him as one who was before him was therein a burning and a shining light Joh. 1.6 7 8 9 28 29. 5.32 33. And the Apostles whose work it was to witness to and preach forth Christ and his excellencies were called the light of the World and were sent forth to open mens eyes by their word and turn them from darkness to light Matth. 5.16 Act. 26.18 For with this voice and light in the exalting of Christ is given forth 2. A certain divine force power and operation of and by the spirit to inliven quicken and so indue the hearer and receiver thereof with a capacity 1. Of seeing and discerning the light and hearing the voice of the Lord discovering and directing into the way of peace and safety and so saving from the way of errour and deceit that leades to destruction thence the light of Christ which he gives
1 Pet. 2.9 I do not say that all that hear the Gospel are made so but I say they have the Door opened to them that in Hearing and Believing they might be made so Yea when this Gospel is brought to a Person Family or People Salvation it self comes therein to them and life even Eternal life As it was said to Zaccheus Luke 19.9 This day is salvation come to thy house For the Gospel is the Power of God to salvation to every one that believeth for which believing also God therein opens the Door and Ministers Grace as is before shewed Rom. 1.16 And therefore also it is sometime called as the Word of salvation Acts 13.26 So also the Salvation of God Acts 28.28 Be it known unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles and they will hear it And How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which began to be published by the Lord himself c. Heb. 2.3 For as God is discovering and setting before us to move to Repentance and quicken to Life the great Salvation Redemption and Deliverance from under the first Death and Judgment so as that none shall perish therein and upon that account mearly Rom. 5.10 That none might keep themselves out from hoping in and coming to God because their first Fathers sinned and they inherit their guilt and filth without remedy And also that Power and Readiness in God and Christ upon the account of his perfect Obedience Sacrifice and Righteousness to save or deliver the Believers from the Guilt of new sins fore contracted in and by our personal disobediences during the time past of Gods forbearance though committed against former and other lesser manifestations of God and of his Power and Goodness Will and Commandment as in the Works of Creation continued and his Providences mercifully ordered and especially in the Dispensation of the Law and Prophets that none might Pine away in the conscience of such sins and be kept out thereby from believing and hoping in God and in that hope Worshipping him and to accept them graciously and justifie them freely from all things from which they might not otherwise no not by the Law of Moses be justified and so to save and preserve them from the Wrath to come and from the snares of Sin and Satan which lead thereto So also in the Preaching and making known this great Grace he is saving the Receiver of it who closeth not his Eye nor stops his Ears against but obeys its discoveries from the power of Satan and Darkness and Translates him into the Kingdom of his dear Son and preserves him unto everlasting Life as is before shewed This is the Medium and Instrument whereby he effects this Salvation in and upon men yea even those who by former and lower Dispensations of the knowledg of God are wrought upon so as they do there-through Fear God and work Righteousness as they that by Nature or without outward verbal Instruction do the things contained in the Law their Vncircumcision shall be counted Circumcision That is they shall through Christ though not distinctly known be accepted of God Rom. 2.26 Yet they by the coming of the greater Means the more open revelation of the Gospel of Christ in its distinct and clear sound may be and are in receiving it saved by it that is they are delivered from former Ignorances Mistakes Fears Griefs and Dangers which the lesser means of Light sufficed not to remove So we find that Cornelius though an Angel of God testified to him that his Prayers and Alms were accepted of God and by the Spirit in the Scriptures he is recorded to have been a Godly or as we render it a Devout man one that feared God and gave much Alms to the People and Prayed to God continually Yet was directed to send for Peter that he and the other Gentiles with him might hear the word of the Gospel by him and believe and be saved for so it is said He shall speak words to thee by which thou shalt be saved and all thine house Acts 11.14 with 10.1 2 3 4. and 15.7 So that Salvation both to those who never before rightly understood closed with or obeyed any other means of knowledg and of the Fear of God vouchsafed to them as appears not that any other of Cornelius Kindred did however its evident of the Jaylor Acts 16.28 29. and of some of the Corinthians being Fornicators Idolaters c. 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. And to those also who under and by former and lesser means are wrought upon and in complying with God in them are accepted of him is the effect of the Gospel And they have a great and wonderful mercy afforded them who have the clear lifting up of the Son of man vouchsafed them that is to say the Word of the Gospel of Christ It being a fuller saving Manifestation and a more quickning Word and Discovery as now in the fulness of it come forth since the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ then by any other way of Gods bearing Witness to himself as he left not himself without Witness to the Gentiles in times past when he suffered them to walk in their own ways and they had not the Scriptures or plain Gospel-preaching Acts 14.17 Yea or then in the Prophets or Johns Ministration which Ministration of John Cornelius is said to have known though he was not thereby made a Circumcised Proselite Acts 10.36 37 was afforded For this Doctrine is also called the Word of Life not only as most plainly discovering Life given us from the Dead through the Death and Resurrection of Christ but also as infusing a spiritual Life into the receiver thereof begetting him to a lively hope as is said 1 Pet. 1.3 And to be a kind of first-fruits of his Creatures as Jam. 1.18 Whence that Exhortation ver 19. Let every man be swift to hear Yea and the Wisdom of God thence exhorts Lay fast hold of Instruction and let it not go keep her for she is thy life Prov. 4.13 And the Words of Christ are said to be Spirit and Life John 6.63 Yea Eternal Life For so Christ himself said I know that his Commandment namely which I speak is everlasting Life John 12.49 50. So Christ knew it whether others know so or believe that his Knowledg was right or not Thence also the Jews putting away this Word of God are said to have judged themselves unworthy of Eternal life Acts 13.46 And must it not needs be so when the Holy Ghost tells us that Christ himself is herein offered or given to men to be Gods salvation to them as in the very next Verse the Apostle implies when having told the Jews that they would turn to the Gentiles he adds For so hath the Lord commanded us saying I have given thee for a Light to the Gentiles that thou mightest be for salvation or as in Isa 49.6 My salvation to the ends of the Earth vers 47.
Perfections And so 1. We may find him as the Son of man the First-born or most Choice and Excellent of every Creature and to be before all things As he in whom the choicest Virtues of all the choice Creatures are transcendently met And well they may seeing by him all things were made and by him received their several Beings Forms Properties and Virtues We may take a brief view of some of the prime of them as they are used in Scripture Speech to be as his Shadows or Representations of something of his Excellencies Who is the beginning of the Creation of God Rev. 3.14 The Wisdom in and by which all things were made Psal 104.24 Prov. 3.19 20. and 8.22 30. And here let us view 1. The Creatures made before man Of which 1. The Light was the first we read of distinctly mentioned And Truly the Light is sweet and of great good in the Creation comfortable and very useful discovering all things else and rendring them visible and affording Direction and something of Capacity for our Working Walking and comfortable Fruition of other Creatures And he is the Light of the World the true Light lightning every man coming into the World the Light of Life giving a right and true discovery of all things and affording Direction to us and Capacity for our right demeanour of our selves toward them and comfortable Injoyment of the Benefits in or by them inlightning the mind and inlivening the inward man John 1.9 and 8.12 2. The Earth with its Furniture and Garnishments is used also to represent some of his Excellencies For he is both as the Fruitful Soil that brings forth and gives Fruitfulness to the Vegetables there-on For in him the Trees of Righteousness are Planted and do Grow he being in the most choice sense the House of the Lord Psal 92.12 John 2.21 Col. 2.9 The fruitful Hill or Horn of Oyl Isa 5.2 Yea his Garden and Vineyard with all their pleasant Flowers Spices and Fruits have their Rooting in him Col. 2.6 7. And Grow in the Grace and knowledg of him 2 Pet. 3.18 Cant. 4.11 12.16 and 2.2 13. He the Word falling into the Earth the Humanity and Dying in the Manhood brings forth much Fruit that grows from and in him John 12.24 Yea he is both the Root and Off-spring of David too Rev. 22.16 Though Growing as a tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry Ground Isa 53.2 The Branch out of the Root of Jesse Isa 11.1 10. with Rom. 15.12 The pleasant Plant the Man whose Name is the Branch Zech. 3.8 and 6.12 The Branch of the Lord Beautiful and Glorious and the Fruit of the Earth Excellent and Comely No such Branch or Root or Fruit as he Isa 4.2 The True Vine John 15.1.4 Whose Grape and Juice chears both the Heart of God and man Judg. 9.13 The Apple-Tree amongst the Trees of the Forest whose Shadow is fragrant and delightful to sit under and whose Fruit is pleasant to the taste Cant. 2.4 5. Yea the goodly Cedar of Lebanon so strong and durable and the Palm-Tree so Tall and Streight growing up though under Weights and Pressures are Emblems of him and his Kingdom he being the Head of the Righteous the First and Prime of them Psal 92.11 The Green Olive-Tree also in the House of God is he ra-rather then any other trusting as man in the Mercy and Bounty of God and so Living by the Father that sent him John 6.57 For ever Psal 52.9 He is the choice Flower in Gods Garden and his Cheeks are said to be sweet Flowers Cant. 5.13 Again In the solid parts of and in the Bowels of the Earth he is represented by what is therein Excellent Whether it be what is hard and durable only or what is also precious the Stone for strength He is the Stone and Rock of Israel Gen. 49.24 2 Sam. 23.3 The Rock of Ages The Foundation of Gods Building that cannot be moved the sure Foundation the precious Corner Stone with whom what is united and upon whom whoso trusteth shall not be ashamed 1 Pet. 2.4 6. Isa 28.16 Yea if their be any Pearls in the bottome of the Sea Gems Jewels or precious Stones or Mettals in the Bowels of the Earth he is far more Rich and Precious then they He being and affording that which in the Spirit is called The Gold of Ophire and the Stones of the Brooks the Almighty that is the Defence or Gold of those that acquaint themselves with him and receive the Law from his Mouth As in him also we may find plenty of Silver or Silver of Strength His Word being as Silver seven times purified in the fire Job 22.22.24 Psal 12.6 Yea The words of his Mouth are better to the Soul then Gold then much fine Gold yea Then thousands of Gold and Silver Psal 9.10 and 119.71 He is the Pearl of Price which the wise Merchant sells all to purchase counting as Loss and Dung the most goodly and glistering Pearls besides that he may win him Mat. 13.44 45. Phil. 2.7 8 9. Yea He and the knowledg of him is that Wisdom that is better then Pearls and Rubies not to be valued with the Onyx Stone or Topaz of Ethiopia or what ever other Gems and Jewels All things that can be desired not being comparable therewith Job 28. Prov. 3.14 15. 3. If we View the Waters He is the Ocean of Goodness and of plenteous Redemption Into whose Depths he will cast all his Peoples sins Mich. 7.18 19. The Spring and Fountain of Living Waters Jer. 2.13 The place of broad Rivers and Streams much more safe then the Seas for therein goes no Gally with Oars nor gallant Ships Isa 33.21 And the Waters which he gives far transcend all others in Virtue and Goodness both for Cleansing for they cleanse the fowlest Spots make clean such as the house of David and Inhabitants of Jerusalem Persons guilty of bloody sins like Scarlet or Crimson Zech. 13.1 Isa 1.10 18 21 22. And for Fructifying for they cause the Trees of Righteousness always to be green and to bear forth precious and prosperous Fruits Psal 1.2 3. Ezek. 47.7 12. And for Quenching the Thirst for they cause the Drinkers of them to Thirst no more John 4.14 Rev. 7.16 17. Yea they also produce a multitude of Fish Souls trusting to and Swiming in the Goodness of God as manifested in him Yea and they give Life and Healing to all they come to Ezek. 47.7 8. And what are not healed by them are like Marshes and Miry places the Sinks of sin And these Waters are Christ and the knowledg of and abundance of Grace in him John 6.35 and 7.37 38 39. 4. View we the Air and there we shall find the Clouds useful for shading from the heat and the Rain and Dew thence refreshing the Earth and producing Fruits therein And is not Christ a Cloud of Protection and Shadow to his Servants Isa 4.4 And he shall come down like Rain on
and 71.3 Yea and he is Armour of Defence too A Shield to all that trust in him Psal 84.11 Prov. 2.7 4. It must have Rest and Sleep And he is the Rest wherewith the weary may rest Isa 28.12 And in him the true and heavenly Wisdom we may lie down and our sleep be sweet Prov. 3.25 Thirdly Yea all that God afforded to Israel in the Wilderness in their Travels as needful for their Life Christ is made it of God to us the Bread of God that comes down from Heaven that gives power to eat of it self because its living Bread so as that Manna could not do because not living and gives Eternal life to what eats it too whereas they who eat that Manna died John 6.50.58 And he is the true Rock from whence smitten with the Rod of Moses the Curse of the Law for us gushes out the Water of Life for the Rock that followed them was Christ 1 Cor. 10.3 But a far stronger and more lasting Rock then that as being Eternal and affording better Waters that will spring up in them that drink them unto Eternal life John 4.14 They had a Serpent lifted up to heal them when wounded and he is that as here is noted The Cloud too to go before and giving us with himself also a cloud of Witnesses and a refreshing Shadow And a Pillar of fire to give us Light by Night even in our darkness Isa 4.5 Heb. 12.1 Secondly He is also for our well and comfortable being many things we need to make our lives more chearful and we have all good to that purpose in him too As for Instance 1. It 's a comfort to have good Company and Fellowship It was not good for the man to be alone He that hath Christ never wants good Company for he will be with us He will never leave us nor forsake us so that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear c. Heb. 13.5 6. Isa 43.2.3 For he is as good as Ten Thousand and more He is enough to set against the greatest Army or Multitude So when Hezekiah would comfort his people against the numerous Army of the King of Assyria he tells them There was more with them then with their Enemy and when he comes to account he mentions none but the Lord their God 2 Chron. 32.8 for he hath all at his Beck If David was worth ten Thousand of the people 2 Sam. 18.3 How much more worth is the Son of David who is Davids Lord He that hath him having the Father also they come together to abide with them who receive and keep his words John 14.23 and so we may have Fellowship with the Father and with the Son 1 John 1.3 4. And to be sure the holy Spirit is not wanting where they Two are for they Three are one 1 John 5.7 And the holy Spirit is upon him Isa 42.1 Yea and an innumerable company of Angels do attend him and the Church of the First-born and the Spirits of Just men made perfect Heb. 12.22 23. 2. It s comfortable to have Friends and Relations and they have all that have him For he is that Friend that loves at all times and the Brother born for adversity Prov. 17.17 Yea he stands in all and affords the comfort of all Relations The everlasting Father and yet the Child born for us and the Son given to us Isa 9.6 That cares for us as a Father 2 Cor. 12.14 1 Pet. 5.7 And comforts us as a Mother Isa 66 12 A Brother to us and not ashamed to be so called Heb. 2.12 And yet owns us as a Mother as well as Brethren and Sisters if we do Gods will hearing his Word and keeping it Mat. 12.49 He bids us call Wisdom our Sister too and Understanding our Kinswoman Prov. 7.4 And he is Wisdom and hath Vnderstanding and gives it to us Prov. 8.1.14 with Luke 11.49 and Mat. 23.34 So then as we are Children begotten by him he is our Father Isa 8.18 with Heb. 2.13 As we are the Fruit of the Travail of his Soul He is to us and pities and loves us as a Mother Isa 49.13 14. As we are made partakers of his Divine Nature and he of our humane he is our Brother and as he is the Wisdom of God our Sister and Mother as we conceive in our hearts in the knowledg and faith of him and he took his humanity of us or of our Nature he is our Child or Son yea he makes his Relations ours his Father our Father his Brethren and Sisters ours and so us to be Brethren to each other Mat. 23.8 John 20.17 Yea as we are his Sheep he is our Shepherd to take care of feed and lead us and preserve us from evil the good Shepherd John 10.15 As we are his Disciples he is our Master and as we are his Servants so he is our Lord not hard and froward but Good Gentle and Righteous our Master in heaven Mat. 23.10 Col. 4.1 John 13.13 As we are a City he is our Ruler and Governour as we are his Subjects he is our King as we are Espoused to him he is our Husband c. Isa 54.5 And Good yea Excellent in all these and affords the Comfort of all these Relations in the most excellent manner 3. It s comfortable to have good Chear rich Provisions and Accomodations Mirth and Pleasures lawful and allowed of God And Christ is and affords all this to us not only Bread to strengthen our Hearts but also a Feast of fat things full of Marrow not only Water but Wine and Milk Wine on the Lees and well Refined Isa 55.1 2. and 25.6 Not only necessaries to keep us alive but fatness too for our souls delight fat things wherewith we may be satisfied and Rivers of Pleasures whereof we may Drink abundantly Psal 36.8 9. 4. Yea in a word Riches and Honours are often comfortable and Riches and Honours are with him yea durable Riches and Righteousness his fruit is better then Gold yea then fine Gold and his Revenues then choice Silver Prov. 8.18 19. For he is the Wisdom that is better then Rubies and all the things to be desired not to be compared with him in whose Right-hand is length of days and in whose Left hand Riches and honours his Ways are ways of Pleasantness and all his Paths peace He is a Tree of Life to every one that lays hold on him and happy is every one that retains him Prov. 3.13.18 He and his Presence gives joy and delight and is a Spring of Content and Comfort in a First-fruit here 1 Pet. 1.6 7 8. But fully in his everlasting Presence and Injoyment of his Glory Jude 24. 5. Yea He like Solomon his Type hath his Royal Palace Psal 45.15 Great Works Vineyards Gardens and Orchards planted with all Trees and all kind of Fruits Cant. 4.10 11. for those that Retain and Appertain to him Pools of Waters also Isa 35.6 7. Servants Psal
they might none of them ascend upon the Cherubims and sit down upon the Throne of God no it would have been high Arrogance and Luciferian pride and presumption to have assumed that place which was proper and peculiar to God alone The Priests or high Priests under the Law might not fit at all in the Temple but always stood and Ministred Heb. 10.11 much less on that Seat of God Only the Antichrist under the Gospel-times the man of sin presumes to seâ— himself in the Temple of God and likes to be worshipped as if he were God and exalts hâ—mself above all that is called God or that is worshipped He only of all that we read of dares to assume that Power and Place 2 Thes 2.4 A Wickedness the worst of the High-priests under the Law durst not presume to commit for this Place was reserved peculiarly to Christ Gods High-Priest Who having offered one Sacrifice once for all is set down on the Right-hand of God or of Power even on the Throne of Majesty in the highest Heb. 10.12 13. 1.3 8.1 12.2 The Father fully possessing him and putting on him all his own Power and Glory so as he the Father Judgeth no man but hath committed all Judgment to him the Son that all men might honour the Son even as they honour the Father that hath sent him John 5.22 23. So as That he that believeth on the Son believeth not on him but on him that sent him and he that seeth him seeth him that sent him John 12.44 45. And so we have an Object to worship even the same to whom all the Gods or Angels of God are commanded to do honour Worship him all ye Gods Psal 97.7 Heb. 1.6 Him we may Worship without Idolatry against God nay it 's rebellion against God and a refusing to Worship God not to Worship him for God is in him and he is God And therefore 1. We are Baptized into his Name and therein stand ingaged to Believe Depend on and Worship him yea the Father Son and Holy Ghost have but one and the same Name Mat. 28.19 And are one 1 John 5.7 2. The Apostles therefore joyn the Lord Jesus Christ with the Father in saluting the Churches Grace and Peace or Grace Mercy and Peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and to him also together with the Father and the holy Spirit they commend them 2 Cor. 1.2 and 13.14 2 Tim. 1.2 and 4.22 And well they may For First The Father and all his fulness is in him Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me saith he to Philip John 14.9 10. The Wisdom Holiness Grace and Glory yea and all the Power of the Father is in and on him And therefore also Secondly The Works of God are attributed to him As the Father raiseth up the Dead and quickneth whom he will so the Son quickneth whom he will And as the Father hath Life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have Life in himself and he hath given him Authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of man John 5.21.26 27. Yea he is the Creator and Maker of all things in Heaven and Earth Visible and Invisible Col. 1.16 And the Upholder of all things by the word of his Power Heb. 1.3 For he is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1.17 Is God the Repairer and Redeemer of his Creature He is so by Christ the great Repairer of the Breaches and Restorer of the Paths to dwell in the Ransome and Redeemer from Sin Death Hell Devil and Destruction 1 Tim. 2.6 Tit. 2.14 Gal. 1.4 and 3.13 and 4.4 5. The Father worketh hitherto in the works of Providence and he worketh also John 5.17 Yea what is said of Jehovah the Lord in that respect in Psal 146 6 10. is applicable to him as was above noted For he feeds the hungry with himself The Bread that he gives being bis flesh which he hath given for the Life of the World As he opened the eyes of the bodily Blind in the days of his flesh so he Preacheth the opening of the eyes to them that are spiritually blind Luke 4 18 19 And the Opening of the Prison to those that are bound raiseth up the bowed in Spirit loveth his Disciples as the Father loveth him John 15 9 Receiveth and Preserveth them that were Strangers to the Commonwealth of Israel and makes them fellow Citizens with the Saints Yea What things the Father doth the same doth the Son likewise John 5.19 Yea Thirdly He is what ever God is He and the Father is one one thing John 10.30 And he hath all that the Father hath For the Father loves the Son and hath given all things into his hands John 16.15 Fourthly The attributes of God are ascribed to him as Eternity He is that Eternal life that was with the Father and is manifested unto us 1 John 1.1 2. And he in the beginning laid the foundations of the Earth and the Heavens are the Works of his hands and when they perish yet he endures and his Years fail not nor have an end Immutability for he is the same and alters not yesterday and to day and the same for ever Heb. 1.10 11 12. and 13.7 Omnipotency for he upholds all things by the word of his Power Heb 1.3 The Alpha and the Omega the first and the last he that was and is and is to come the Almighty Rev. 1.8 Omnisciency Now know we that thou knowest all things and needest not that any man ask thee any thing c. John 16.30 He knew all men and needed not that any man should testifie of what is in man for he knew what is in man John 2.24 25. All things are naked and opened unto him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.12 13 Ubiquity or Omnipresence Where two or three are met together in my Name there am I in the midst of them Mat. 18.20 Yea Is God the Law-giver So is he Isa 42 4. The Isles shall wait for his Law Is God the Judg So is he Judg of Quick and Dead Acts 10.42 Is God the King So is he King of all the Earth Psal 47.2 3. Yea he is All and in all in the New Creature Col. 3.11 Again as for Spirit to Enlighten Quicken and Inable us to Worship acceptably The holy Spirit in the fulness thereof dwells in and rests upon him The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding the Spirit of Counsel and of Might the Spirit of Knowledg and of the Fear of the Lord Isa 11.2 And with him and by him he Inlightens Quickens Teaches and so fits for Worshipping God creates a clean Heart renews a right Spirit raises from spiritual death to spiritual life and so to Worship and serve God in the Spirit which Service he makes acceptable and he by that Spirit will raise the Body from the Dead and fashion it into the likeness of his
there a little neglecting the vision of All the Foundation and Rest wherewith the weary should be caused to rest Isa 28.12 13 16. and 29.11 They that so do are so far from being healed and saved in and by such ways that they fall under reproof as taking the wrong course for themselves because not looking to yea are under greater misery and judgment for neglecting and despising this healing Object These things then being considered let us be exhorted to look off from other things as vain and unprofitable as being neither Crucified for us nor having a Name Power and Virtue able to afford Relief to us Yea oftentimes bewitching of and destructive to us as the Tree of Knowledg of Good and Evil was to Evah and the Wedg of Gold and Babylonish Garment proved to Achan and to look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of the Faith c. Yea let us look to him in all cases for all things in all means at all times and with all diligence and perseverance I say First Let us look to him in all cases for all Grace and Blessing needful for us As to say 1. For pardon of our sins for in him is forgiveness of sin Preached to us and to him give all the Prophets witness c. as we noted before in speaking to the believing on him to be exercised by us It is not for us to pore upon our selves and sins and think that way to get rid of them without looking to him in believing on him Nor is it for us to run to other Means or Medicines or trust to any Popes or Priests to pardon us but look to him directly as our only Saviour that having Suffered and Died for our sins hath there-through both Power and Readiness to forgive them and so we shall receive it of and in him 2. Let us look to him for cleansing from the filth of our sins For he is filled with Spirit and Power to that purpose the Spirit of the fear of the Lord is upon him to inable and furnish him to frame our hearts to fear him and in his Mediating and Ministring the New Testament or Covenant he puts the fear of God into the heart which is clean and leads to cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit and to perfect holiness before him Jer. 32.39 40. with Heb. 8.6.10 Psal 19.9 2 Cor. 7.1 And to that purpose look we to him 3. For Light and Direction in the Truth of God as it is in him and to receive from him that Unction by which we may know all things and be lead into all truth That Light that will guide our feet into the Paths of Peace at all times and in all cases for He is come a Light into the World that whosoever believeth on him might not abide in darkness John 12.46 And he Will bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles and cause his Judgment to rest for a Light to the people Isa 42.1 and 51.4 They looked to him and were enlightned and their faces were not ashamed Psal 34.5 All others are vanity and their works wind and confusion none of them where he is not can answer any thing Isa 41.28 29. Let us look to him for direction in our ways as well as for instruction to our minds that we may know and understand his will concerning us in what he requires of us as well as what he is and hath done for us for he is the Counsellor to Action and Practice as well as the Teacher of us in Faith and Doctrine and he will teach us his ways that we may walk in his paths Isa 2.3 It 's good to seek to him both in matters of Faith and Practice and not to lean to our own understandings nor take things on trust from men simply on the account of their Authority or Wisdom 4. For Spirit and Grace to incline our hearts to believe on him and walk in his ways For the Spirit is put upon him and he is the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost John 1.33 which he gives to them that obey him Acts 5.32 Thus we find David looking to him for by Lord he oft-times signified the Son see Psal 97.1.5.7 and 68.17 18 19. and 102.12.25 with Heb. 1.6.10 11. Ephes 4.8.11 for the holy Spirit and for its inclining his heart to his fear and way Witness these and the like Expressions Uphold me with thy free Spirit Psal 51.11 Thy Spirit is good lead me into the Land of uprightness Psal 143.10 Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments incline my heart unto thy Testimonies and not to Covetousness turn away mine eyes from beholding Vanity quicken me in thy ways Psal 119.35 36 37. 5. Look we also to him For strength to strengthen us unto every good way and work and to uphold us in all difficulties and against all oppositions for the Spirit that is upon him is as well a Spirit of Might as of Vnderstanding and Counsel Isa 11.2 And the holy Men of God have looked to him for strength both unto all good so David In the day when I cried unto thee thou strengthnedst me with strength in my soul Psal 138.3 Strengthen me according to thy word Psal 119.28 And against all evil and opposition as Vphold me according to thy word that I may live and let me not be ashamed of my hope hold thou me up and I shall be safe c. Psal 119.116 117. And so it s promised that they who wait on the Lord the Lord will strengthen their hearts and they shall renew their strength they shall mount up as with wings like Eagles they shall run and not be a weary walk and not faint Psal 27.14 and 31.24 Isa 40.29 30 31. 6. For comfort in Distresses Troubles and Temptations For it s he that prays the Father for and obtains and sends the Comforter even the Spirit of Truth John 14.16 17. and 15.26 And in his seeing his people or visiting them with his Salvation he makes their hearts rejoyce so as their joy shall no man take from them John 16.22 Thus David looked up to the Lord for comfort When wilt thou comfort me Psal 119.82 and When wilt thou come to me Psal 101.2 And Rejoyce the soul of thy Servant for unto thee do I lift up my soul O Lord Psal 86.4 But in looking to him for this and all other things take we heed to love him and keep his Commandments as our Saviour instructs us John 14.15 16 21. 7. For help and succour in dangers and deliverance from evils and from all enemies whether they be men or Devils For all Power and Authority in Heaven and upon Earth is his and he stands and feeds or rules in the strength of the Lord and in the Majesty of his Name and is both mighty to save his Servants and to destroy his and their enemies Mat. 28.18 Mich. 5.4 Isa 63.1 James 4.12 Thus David Mine eyes are evermore to the Lord for he
shall pluck my feet out of the Net Psal 25.15 And when he had in vain looked for refuge to other things and they failed him then he looked to the Lord for refuge who never fails them that seeks him Psal 142.4 5. and 9.10 For indeed in vain is Salvation either in Grace unto Glory or from Enemies as Sin Satan and their Instruments or Designs looked for from any thing else and therefore it 's good to look to the Lord in whom alone is our Salvation and to wait for him the God of Salvation as in Jer. 3.23 Mich. 7.7 Yea in a word 8. Look to him for all Grace and Blessing the Promises of this Life and of the Life to come For in him all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen to the Glory of God 2 Cor. 1.20 And he is the God of all Grace all the fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him the Fountain of Living Waters who gives freely and liberally and upbraids no man Look therefore for the Mercy of this our Lord Jesus Christ even for the blessed hope and his glorious appearance unto Eternal life Jude 21. Tit. 2.13 And look we to him for all this Secondly In all means As to say 1. In minding his Word and looking into that perfect Law of Liberty as it is called James 1.26 There he is exercising his Spiritual power and affording his help that being Spirit and Life Rom. 1.16 John 6.63 A Ministration of Spirit that quickens and gives Life Strength and Grace 2 Cor. 3.6.8 Ephes 3.16 Heb. 10.29 And gives Wisdom and makes wise the simple Psal 19.9 and 119 130. Yea as it is written The holy Scriptures are able to make a man wise to Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 3.15 And he that hath the Doctrine of Christ in his heart so as to Believe Mind Love and Obey it hath Christ nay both Father and Son 2 John â— There he is Discovered Pourtraied or set forth so as there-through we may see what an One he is and behold his Grace and Glory with open face as in a Glass through the help of his Spirit as is signified Isa 52.15 Gal. 3.1 2 Cor. 3.18 Look upon him there therefore and there wait on and for him And with this 2. In meditating on him as there set forth musing on and pondering his words and on him as declared therein So it 's said Kings shall shut their mouths at him for what they had not been told shall they see and what they had not heard shall they consider Isa 52.15 They shall understand or mind with themselves namely as looking herein and considering them as Preached in the Gospel for unto that the Apostle applies it Rom. 15.21 Spiritual meditation being as it were an inward Contemplation and wister looking into the Law of Liberty and upon him as set forth therein My meditations of thee shall be sweet saith David Psal 104.34 3. In Praying to him and to God in and through him Then we lift up our faces to him Job 22.26 And therein a man may see his Face oft-times with joy lifting up pure hearts and hands to him Job 33.26 In Prayer we both look up to him and upon him fixing the eyes of our mind upon him we lift up our eyes unto and our eyes are upon the Lord our God till he have mercy on us Psal 123.1 2. There we are to take notice of and know his Name in calling upon it Psal 91.14 15. Exercising Faith which is the exercise of the eyes of the mind also to behold as well as of the hand to lay hold of him in him and his Name otherwise it 's not a Prayer of Faith as it should be and as it 's called Jam. 5.15 4. In his Sacraments or Ordinances of Communion together with him In Baptism we may behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world John 1.29 And in the Supper we have to do with his Body and Blood and his Death shewed forth therein it being a Communion of his Body and Blood held forth there to be taken notice of by us and received of us 1 Cor. 10.16 and 11.26 And for and in all these it 's good to look to him 5. In the Unity of the Spirit with his people and in Fellowship with them in his House his Church his Temple those that have his Name upon them and with them Many people shall say Come ye and let us go up to the Mountain of the House of the Lord to the House of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his Ways c. Isa 2.3 And Oh how good is it for Brethren to dwell together in unity for there the Lord commandeth the Blessing even life for evermore Psal 133.1.4 Thirdly Look we to him and upon him at all times Hear in season and out of season for that 's implied in that the Word is to be Preached in season and out of season 2 Tim. 4.2 for there is no Preaching but to some hearers meditate on him as set forth in it night and day Psal 1.2 whether literally understood for so David Seven times a day will I praise thee Psal 119.164 Consider my meditation in the morning will I direct it unto thee and will look Psal 5.1 3. And Mine eyes prevented the night watches that I might meditate in thy Word Psal 119.148 Or Metaphorically for times of Prosperity and Adversity when we are merry beholding his Goodness set forth in his Word or proved in his Works The Word of Christ dwelling in us will lead us to sing Psalms and when sad and heavy then considering in the day of Adversity him that is able to help us Pray Col 3.16 with James 5.13 Eccles 7.14 Yea that we may Bless him at all times and his praise be continually in our mouth it 's needful that the thought of Him and his Name and so the Consideration and Contemplation of him be always habitually in our hearts That out of the abundance of the heart the mouth may speak and we may out of the good treasure there bring forth good things Psal 34.1 2. and 145.1 2. Mat. 12.34 35. 4. With all earnestness and serious diligence even with the whole heart as Psal 119 10. Jer. 29.13 for this is not a matter of sport and divertisement only from some weightier matters but the main and chief thing of all our whole lives Matth. 6.33 The one thing needful or necessary Luc. 10.42 to be looking up to and upon the Lord Jesus therefore the one thing desired by David to dwell in his House that he might behold the fair beauty of the Lord as was noted before Psal 27.4 The things of greatest moment depending hereupon as to say 1. The deliverance of our Souls from the stings and venome of the old Serpent even from sin and death spiritual death and guilt and filth now and everlasting curse and misery hereafter And is this a thing to be trifled
6. and 3.1 2 13 14. c. and 5.1 c. Instance 10. Would we comfort any in any Temptation or Affliction The way is to lift up the Son of man and shew the Grace in him and how God orders all things wisely and holily in him so as to the good and profit of men to further their Salvation and Welfare and that there is help in him in every condition Heb. 12. 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10. c. 1 Thes 4.13.17 Rom. 15.4 5 6 13. Yea in a word would we either humble or exalt cast down or raise up encourage and strengthen in and unto what is good or do any other good thing in which we may profit men this is the way to do it viz. By Lifting up and Exalting Christ the Son of man and setting him and the Power and Grace in him before men as also his Terrours against those who refuse and turn from him 2 Cor. 5.10 11. Heb. 1. and 2.1 3. and 10.26 29. and 12.25 So that this way we may be profitable to men doing all in the Name of the Lord Jesus as we are exhorted giving thanks to God even the Father by him Col. 3.17 But waving this we do or can do nothing as is said John 15.4 5 6. That 's the second Motive Motive 3. Being acceptable to God and profitable to men we cannot but be useful to our selves also both in as much as no acceptable service to God or profitable work to men shall be without its reward 1 Cor. 15.58 Heb. 6.10 11. And also inasmuch as in Lifting up Christ to others we may mind him our selves if we do it as we ought And indeed we can scarcely Lift him up profitably to others without viewing and considering knowing and taking notice of him our selves and that 's the order and way approved of God for our doing it Let every one that heareth say come Rev. 22.17 And He that heareth speaketh constantly Prov. 21.28 While we view and look upon Christ our selves that we may commend him to others we shall not be without Fruit Profit and Advantage to our selves also opening our mouth wide in this sense too God will fill it Psal 81.10 And The liberal soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himself Prov. 11.25 Wherefore let us make it our business and design to know and view and serve the Lord Jesus and to know and view him that we may serve him and as we know him serve him in Glorifying and Lifting him up as we are exhorted Psal 99.5 8. Exalt that is lift up the Lord our God and worship him at his holy Hill for he the Lord our God is holy And let us do this as in all cases or to all purposes so in all things As to say 1. In all the Ordinances of God In Baptizing let it be into Him and his Name so as holding him forth and directing therein to Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world manifesting Christ to men as the Baptist did John 1.29 31. In breaking Bread or eating the Lords Supper lift up Christ the Son of man shewing forth his Death until he come 1 Cor. 11.26 Let it not be Baptism and the breaking of Bread much less the Water the Bread and the Wine that we lift up bless and magnifie therein but the Son of man they are sufficiently lifted up in being made the Mediums of lifting him up and conveying Virtue from him to us In Praying lift up the Son of man and so in Praising Thanksgiving and Singing of Psalms while we Pray and ask in his Name and upon his account and give thanks to God in all things by him and bless in his Name and in Singing Make melody with Grace in our hearts to him the Lord John 14.13 14. and 16.23 24. Col. 3.15 17. Ephes 5.20 Yea What ever we do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God even the Father by him In our Meditations let them be much of him and of nothing but as represented also in and through him Psal 104.34 and 48.9 Isa 26.7 8 9. Mal. 3.16 And so In our Conferences and Discourses Let us with one mind and mouth glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ so as the Father of him and so as lifting him up therein Rom. 15.5 Jude 20.21 And so 2. In all our whole Life and Conversation let us lift up the Son of man in walking so as becomes the Gospel of Christ Standing fast in one Spirit and in one Mind striving together for the Faith of the Gospel which is the Gospel of Christ and concerns him Phil. 1.27 Rom. 1.3 4 16. Oh let it be our business in all things and by all means to lift up the Son of man to Praise the Lord to Sing forth his Praises and to make his Praise glorious CHAP. XXVI Reproof to those that are faulty in not lifting up or in not rightly lifting up the Son of man With some discovery of Spirits which are of God and which not Use 4 HEnce also we may Reprove the Evils of men yea too much our Defficiency therein every where in not making it more our Business to lift up and look to the Son of Man I may speak briefly to either Branch And Reproof 1. First He is too little lifted up by men even by those that Minister and pretend to be his Servants and to Preach his Gospel too many such are faulty in not lifting him up in their Ministry Such as 1. They who lift up Themselves their Parts Wit Learning Places Offices being Proud of them and Vaunting themselves of and in them above their Neighbours but not lifting up Jesus Christ the Son of man that men might see his Glory Look to and Believe on him Too many there are like to Diotrephes that love to have the preheminence themselves rather then to endeavour that Christ may have it in all things and in all hearts and spirits seeking their own things and not the things that be Jesus Christs 3 John 9.10 Col. 1.18 Phil. 2.21 Most men proclaim every man his own goodness but a faithful friend to Christ who can find Prov. 20.6 2. Such as lift up other men and have their persons in admiration for advantage sake as the Apostle saith of the false Teachers Jude 16. Whether it be the Beast either the Papal or any worldly Power lifting up it self like Jereboam who made Israel to sin in the Temple and House of God and exercising Lordship therein over the Consciences of men and Worship of God As it is said Prophetically of many yea of the whole World worshipping and wondering after the Beast that they will lift or cry him up saying Who is able to make War with him and to overcome him Rev. 13.4 And many such flatterers there be admirers and applauders of the Antichristian powers and Preachers up thereof in opposition to
dispensing to us his grace and blessing and so remaining as a perpetual High Priest for us and Mediator of God and us through whom we are to have all our access to and dependance on God in all things but as if Christ was gone out of the Flesh or Beeing of a Man again Or else or also 6. Talk of waiting upon God or the Spirit without use of or attending to the Means and Ordinances appointed by Him and the gifts given by him for our helpfulness dissolving Jesus at it were and loosing or dividing the Spirit from the Flesh or Humanity of Christ and so from the Means and Mediums appointed in liew of the Personal Presence of his Flesh in the World the Apostles Prophets Evangelists and other Ordinances given and appointed by him Eph. 4.8 11 12 13 14 c. Or whether He 7. Mock at or deny the glorious appearance of the Person of Christ as the Son of man sitting on the right hand of God and coming in the power and glory of God with all the Angels of his might to raise the Dead in Body out of their Graves and to judge them all according to their works condemning the wicked to everlasting misery for their obstinacy in their wickedness and giving an everlasting Kingdom and glory to all that have here believed in and obeyed him for these deny him a great part of the glory given him of his Father and so do not lift Him up but cast him down from his excellency Act. 10.42 and 17.30 31. Matth. 26.64 Luc. 22.69 c. Take we heed of all these Principles and Spirits as erring and not lifting up the Son of man and therefore not of Gods sending and owning CHAP. XXVII The second Branch of the use of Reproof viz. Of those who look not to Christ as lifted up of God his Spirit and Servants Use 6 Reproof 2 ANd as they are worthy of Reprehension and Reproof who lift not up the Son of man in their Doctrine or make not that their great design in order to the glorifying of God and doing good to others What ever or who ever else they lift up yea though they lift up as some do humane Virtues yea or Gods Gifts and Graces which are lift up out of their places when men lift them up neglecting him the right Spring of all truly good Works and the Author and Infuser of all real and right Virtues as discovered to and looked to by us So again many are greatly faulty too in not looking to and believing on him when lifted up as he is rightly lifted up in the Scriptures And indeed as the former sort are reproveable exceedingly as dishonouring God and Christ abrogating Gods Grace and obscuring Christs Glory so as men may not clearly see it and so are also very injurious and destructive to men hindring them of what is prepared of God for their Welfare and Happiness as was noted before And thereby also procure a woe and curse against themselves for how shall they escape the damnation of Hell who stand so cross and opposite to God in his grand Design and to Christ in the Honour due to him and to his Name and to the good of all men if they repent not Surely wrath is likely to and without Repentance will come upon them to the utmost 1 Thes 2.16 So also are they enemies to their own good and go contrary to Gods Ordinance Will and Command and by their evil examples are also at least prejudicial and injurious to others who when he is rightly lifted up of God and of his Spirit and his holy Apostles and Prophets as all their liftings of him up are right and by his Servants Ministers and Disciples yet refuse to behold and look to him and to seek their help and healing in and by him But either First Neglect him looking after and upon other things As the World and Flesh going in their hearts after their Covetousness their Oxen Farms Wives that I say not worse things as Hawks Hounds Whores Wine and Belly-chear Sports Pastimes c. like those in Mat. 22.5 6. Luke 14.19 20 21. and as those that look to their gain from their quarters neither sensible of their Wounds nor seeking to be healed of them they look rather on the Wine when its red or on Women or the Wedg of Gold c. Prov. 6.25 and 23.5.31 Josh 7. Or Secondly In case they be sensible that they be as it were bitten and punished for their sins If Afflictions Dangers Fears Poverty Pains or the like come upon them yet they look not to the Son of man for help or healing They turn not to him that smites them neither seek the Lord of Hosts but look to other things as their Policies and Contrivances for themselves saying In the pride and stoutness of their hearts the Bricks are fallen down but we will build with hewen stones The Sycamore Trees are cut down but we will build with Cedars Isa 9.10 13. Or else looking to those that smite them as instruments of their troubles thinking by complying with them and getting their favour and friendship and making them on their side shall be safe saying A confederacy to them that say a confederacy and staying upon them Isa 8.12 and 10.20 Or else looking to Humane helps and Carnal ways of defence and safety as when God brought War upon and discovered the Covering of Judah the weakness and nakedness of their Covering or else that Covering of his Spirit wherewith they should have covered themselves Isa 30.1 Even Christ as held forth to them in the Law and Prophets the true Propitiatory or covering Mercy-seat Rom. 3.25 then they not looking to that true Covering looked to the Armour of the house of the Forest and and saw the breaches of the City of David that they were many and gathered together the Waters of the lower Pool and numbred the houses and made a Ditch c. Such like Humane courses for safety they took But they looked not to the Maker thereof nor had respect to him that Fashioned it long ago looked not to the Lord the Maker Advancer and Blesser of their City nor to him that Fashioned it or made and fashioned the Covering wherewith they should have covered long ago Isa 22.8.11 Or they looked to Egypt and their Horses and Chariots Isa 30.1 2. but looked not to the holy One of Israel Isa 31.1 2 3. As men in a danger or fright that look hither and thither for help but look not to the true place for help So are men apt to look to Hills and Mountains in times of War in times of Sickness to the Physician as Asa 2 Chron. 16 12. and the like But seeing God hath set up and exalted such a one as is mighty to save the Son of man one chosen out of the People one who is one with us our Brother and Kinsman and so one compassionate of us as acquainted with our Temptations and Troubles And one that
is able to Succour us because one with God the Son of God one in whom God and his Fulness gives forth himself to us Should we neglect and flight him and look to any other thing or person from him As that in Psal 121.1 may be read and is read in the Margin Should I look to the Hills and Mountains From whence then cometh my help My help cometh from the Lord who made the Heaven and the Earth Not from the Hills and Mountains but from the Lord Jehovah the Lord who made the Heavens and the Earth Should not a man look to his God Should a man seek for the Living to the Dead Isa 8.19 Is it not better to search and try our ways and turn to the Lord lifting up our heart with our hands yea our souls and our eyes to him in the Heavens Lam. 3.40 41. Psal 25.1.15 and 123.1 2. But Oh! How apt are we to look for help from trouble but not to consider that our sins are the causes of our troubles and so neglect to seek to be delivered from them Or if we seek deliverance from them then yet how many Thirdly Look to false ways for deliverance from sin and trouble too Running like the Heathens to false Gods or as some Jews to the true God by false ways not by Jesus Christ the Son of man and his Death and Sacrifice in and through which our way lies to God and access to and acceptance with him may be had of us But we men are apt either 1. With Israel of old to look to the Altars and Groves the works of their hands as in Isa 17.7 8. Where he saith in That day a man shall have respect to his Maker and his eyes shall have respect to the holy One of Israel and he shall not look to the Altars the works of his hands neither shall he respect that which his Fingers have made either the Groves or the Images Implying that that was now their way of sinning that they looked in a Religious way by Idolatrous and Superstitious sacrifices and observancies to pacifie Gods anger appease his wrath and obtain his favour as in all Nations generally the Heathen did by their Idolatrous Sacrifices and Ceremonies seek to please their gods and divert their anger and by such superstitious and heathenish ways too many yet conceit they may do it with the true God doing that to the Lord which the Heathen use to do to their gods contrary to the express Command of God Deut. 12.30 31. Or else 2. With Israel in latter times after that being punished for their gross Idolatries they were reformed from them For then they looked to the works of their own hands in another sense which they in those former times under any Reformation in their better Kings days were apt also to do they used to look to the Temple and to cry The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord are these And to their Sacrifices Oblations Burnt-offerings solemn Meetings many Prayers Sabbaths and the like And to hope for Deliverance from Sin and Judgments upon such accounts as these as in Isa 28.14 15. and 66.1 3. Jer. 7.4 5 6 c. Rom. 9.31 32. and 10.1 2 3 Luke 18.9 11 12. And are there not many now that look either to things as bad as the Idolatrous Sacrifices and superstitious Groves and Altars of the Gentiles and Gentilizing Jews Some that look for help pardon and deliverance from wrath from the Pope and his Ministers their Masses Dirges Pilgrimages Invocation of Saints and such like Fopperies And by things too much of Kindred to them where the Pope is rejected as by their saying their Prayers getting the Priests Absolution observing Church-orders c. And those who are reformed yet more from those things do they not come up too much to the zealous Jews and Pharisees in looking to their Orders Covenants Zeal Profession Ordinances Duties and many the like things never Crucified for them but to him who died for them and into whose Name they were Baptized they look not or look too little 3. So also they who look to one another but not to Jesus who think this or that Religious man or these or those good People shall help and succour them Like the foolish Virgins who neglecting Christ and the getting Oyl in their Vessels from him while they had opportunity looked that the wise Virgins in their defects should supply them Mat. 25.8 but their hope and expectation failed them verse 9. To such it may be said as old Jacob said to his Sons when they were like to famish for want of Bread corn Why look ye one upon another Behold I have heard that there is Corn in Egypt get ye up thither and buy that ye may live and not die Gen. 42.1 So may we say Behold we have heard that there is Grace in Christ Jesus there is Salvation in him Redemption in him Forgiveness of sins and Eternal life in him all things that we need in him c. Let us arise therefore and go up to him or look up to him and Buy of him Gold tried in the fire that we may be inriched and White Raiment that we may be clothed and our Nakedness may be covered and our Shame may not appear If we look to other things they will fail us and be like those deceiful Brooks whereof Job speaks and like to his Brethren compared to them Job 6.15 16 19 20 21. Streams which pass away what time they wax warm they vanish or are cut off in the heat they are extinguished out of their place the Troops of Teman looked the Companies of Sheba waited for them they were confounded because they had hoped they came thither they were ashamed Whereas Christ is the Fountain of living Waters and that Spring of Waters whose Waters fail not Jer. 2.13 John 4.14 The remedy of Gods providing for and commending to us the sure Foundation of Gods Laying on whom whosoever believeth shall not be ashamed Isa 28.16 4. They also who trust in themselves that they are Christs who trust in or look to their making mention of Christ their Preaching or Prophecying in his Name and having success therein so as to do many wonderful works and to have the Spirits subject to them thinking thence to find safety and deliverance from their sins and sorrows from wrath and judgment but look not to the Son of man so as to be healed of their sins by him It 's not any mans Acts about Christian Profession or Religion but Christ himself delivered up of God for our Sins raised again for our Justification and Exalted and Glorified of him and so that Grace in him that is to be Eyed Looked and Depended on by us for all Grace and Blessing yielding up to be Saved and Healed thereby as in believingly minded it worketh in us and so He that looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty and continues therein being not a
the dust shall how before him every one shall confess and give an account of himself to Him see Isa 45.23 with Rom. 14.10 11 12. and Philip. 2.10 11 and none can keep alive his own Soul Psal 22.27 28 29. Yea all Nations that he hath made shall come and worship before him and shall glorify his Name because He is great and doth wondrous things He as all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily is God alone Psal 86.9 10. Yea and all Flesh shall worship him and bless his holy Name for ever and ever Psal 145.21 Isa 66.23 Then shall those Prayers and Prophecies be accomplished that we have in Psal 67.3 4 5 6 7. Let all the People praise thee O God let all the People praise thee O let the Nations be glad and rejoyce or sing for joy for thou shalt judge the People righteously and govern the Nations upon Earth let the People praise thee O God yea let all the People praise thee then shall the Earth yield her increase for then shall all things be restored and made new new Heavens and new Earth in which shall dwell righteousness Isa 65.17 25. 2 Pet. 3.13 14. Rev. 21.1 5 6 and God even our God shall give us his blessing God shall bless us and all the ends of the Earth shall praise Him And then what our Lord directs his Disciples and Children to pray for daily shall be fully answered God's Name shall be so hallowed and his Kingdome come that his will shall be done on Earth as it is in Heaven as universally perfectly and perpetually for Sin and Satan and all that are wicked and love iniquity and would not let it go shall be thrust down into the Lake and shall have no place either in Heaven or Earth and those that believe on Christ being saved from perishing therein shall enjoy eternal life The sinners shall be consumed out of the Earth and the wicked shall be no more Bless thou the Lord O my soul praise ye the Lord Psal 104.35 CHAP. XXIX A brief Discovery of the True and False Church their distinct Manners and Priviledges And the Conclusion of the whole Treatise in a Brief Exhortation Use 9 HEre also we may take a brief View of the True Church of God who they be and what their Priviledges Many there be who greatly mistake that as well as their Fathers did mistake the Christ the Son of man the Lord and Head of it many cry up and lift up the Church instead of Christ crying the Church the Church the holy Catholick Church calling men as they think to it when they totally mistake themselves and it doing as those in Isa 48.1 2. who Sware by the Name of the Lord and made mention of the God of Israel but not in Truth nor in Righteousness though they called themselves of the holy City the holy Catholick Church and stayed themselves on the God of Israel the Lord of Hosts is his Name This that men usually magnifie as the Holy Church is but the outward Court that is without the Temple which the Beast and False-prophet the Antichrist or man of Sin sits in and sets up their Image in and which the Angel ordered the holy Man to cast out and not to measure as being prophane and no sufficient mark by which to know who is Holy and Accepted of God it being given unto the Gentiles even to those that are Uncircumcised in heart and life boasting in and knowing themselves by and after their flesh and fleshly Priviledges As their Birth Breeding Riches Learning Places Offices and the like and walking in and after the Flesh performing and rejoycing in a carnal fleshly Worship Religion Zeal Devotion and upon such accounts trampling under foot the holy City which they say they are of but Know Own or Love it not but do hate and Persecute it even the true holy Catholick Church indeed because it hath not nor approves and applauds but reproves and faults such carnal rejoycings and confidences as Adulteries and Treacheries against her Lord even the Lord Jesus That which they cry up in stead of it is the Whore that sits upon the many Waters or multitudes mounted stately upon the Beasts back riding him and upheld by him even by the Imperial power of the World Dressing her self partly with Christs Jewels his Scriptures and Ordinances mingled with and marred by her Adulterous additions her Inventions Orders and Impositions in Doctrine and Worship even the Church or Court of Rome and her Daughters that exercise her or a like power which is so far from being the holy Church that it is indeed a Nest and Cage of all unclean and impure Birds as is too evidently seen in the Lives and Practices of those that are of them too generally from the Pope to the Apparitor every where But leaving that filthy Whore with all her Members drunk with the Blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus the filthy Sink of sin and wickedness both Mother and Daughters we may note here That the true Church is indeed those and all those who through the Lifting up of the Son of man do believe on him obeying and following him and his holy Doctrine All that in their hearts perceiving his Excellency and Goodness do love and cleave to him receive his Commandments and keep them being Ruled and Governed by him and living in dependance on him These as united in and by one Spirit in and with him and so among themselves and one to another in the Faith and Love of him and love of one another for his sake are his holy Church his Body all of them together and Members of him in particular 1 Cor. 12.12 27. Rom. 12.5 And these need not to nor desire to Lift up Preach and commend themselves as the Whore the false Church and her Members do But they make it their business to lift up their Head and Husband the Son of man in whom they think themselves lifted up sufficiently This Church knowing her self to be his Body his Members his Beloved she judgeth that she hath enough in knowing his Worth Height Glory Excellency Power and Authority and that is the thing that She looks after yea looks upon and admires and cannot but talk and boast of to others She desires nothing but his Love and Fellowship to be admitted into the Knowledg of and Acquaintance with him and through him to have Access to and Acceptance with his Father who is through him her Father also and that she may Honour and Serve him and bring forth Children to him Let him have the Glory the Power the Riches the Wisdom the Strength the Honour and Blessing yea though she be Despised Dishonoured Impoverished and made conformable to him in her Use and Intertainment in the World she is well contented therewith for his sake She leans not upon the Power Riches and Authority of Princes and of the Nobles of the Earth though if God perswades any of
14.31 and the Love both of God and of Christ to us 1 John 3.16 17. and 4.9 10. able to move our hearts to love him again 1 John 4.19 Yea both his Love to his Disciples John 14. and 15.9 10. as an example and motive to us to love them that are his Disciples and our Brethren John 13.34 35. and 15.12 And his Love to those who were ignorant of him lost and perishing as an example to us to love such and a motive as we our selves were such to love such also with a love of compassion yea such as are strangers from us Eph. 2.11 12 13.19 2 Cor. 8.9 Rom. 5.6 1 Tim. 1.15 1 John 3.16 17. Gal. 6 10. Yea his Love to his Enemies is an Example and Motive to us to love to our capacities our enemies also Rom. 5.10 Mat. 5.44 45. Ephes 5.2 1 Pet. 2.21 Yea in this lifting up this Son of man by his Spirit is also the Presence and Efficacy of his Spirit as a Spirit of love to infuse love into us and frame us to love 2 Tim. 1.7 8. Yea Case 13. Would we be furnished with any Virtue and framed to and directed in any good way Look hither and behold Christ Crucified for us and lifted up there-through for and to us and here we may find Motive Inducement and Spirit to inable and frame the heart thereto Yea in most things if not in all Pattern and Example thereof as to say In Bowels of Mercy behold his mercifulness to us Luke 6.37 and 10.37 In kindness Tit. 3.4 In humbleness of mind Phil. 2.5 6 7. In meekness and lowliness Mat. 11.29 In gentleness 2 Cor. 10.1 In long-suffering 2 Pet. 3.9 and 1 Pet. 2.21 22. In forbearance and forgiveness Col. 3.13.14 In patient putting up of wrongs 1 Pet. 2 21 22 23. In love and obedience to God Phil. 2.8 John 14.31 In submission to Superiours in the World Mat. 17.25 27. Isa 49.7 In giving place to wrath Mat. 12.14 15 16 18 19. Isa 42.2 For mens loving their Wives Ephes 5.25 26 c. And to say no more Case 14. In case of loss of our Friends Brethren Relations Husbands Children c. as we have him for a Pattern of Submission to his Fathers Will in taking out of his hand and drinking the Cup he gave him to propose to our selves and imitate in looking upon him John 18.11 So also looking upon him as lifted up for and before us we shall see cause to be submissive to God therein For was it not more for God to give his Son for us and expose him to such Sufferings and Death then to take away a Son or a Daughter a Wife or a Husband or a Friend from us Seeing also by his Sons death he hath made a way through Death to better injoyments and greater happiness then they could have here in this life and hath given to his Son through his death the Keys of hell and death to bring or keep out from Death as he pleases Yea He is the Resurrection and the Life so as the Dead in him shall Live again Yea they do in their spirits live in his Presence and have a fuller Injoyment of him then we have while here Phil. 1.21.23 Rev. 1.18 19. John 11.25 26. And he is the Lawful and Sovereign Lord of all and so of us and ours a Just Righteous Holy Merciful and Good Lord whose Work is perfect and all his Ways judgment Deut. 32.4 Psal 145.8 9. and therefore doth us no wrong in any thing yea aims at our good and profit in all things Heb. 10.8 9 10. And if we believe that Jesus Christ Died and Rose again so we believe that them who sleep in Jesus God will bring With him for the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the Voice of the Archangel and the Trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first and then we that are alive and remain shall be caught up together in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so we shall be for ever with the Lord These words minded and these things looked to will be for comfort to us 1 Thes 4.14.17 As also that in the mean time the Lord is nigh at hand to us to help us and this Son of man as a Child born to and for us and a Son given us is also an Everlasting Father the Wonderful the Counsellor the Mighty God the Prince of Peace And he will be a Counsellor a Comforter a Provider for and Protector of us and better to us then many Fathers or Mothers Sons or Daughters Friends or Relations Isa 9.6 Yea in a word 〈◊〉 The looking to him is the way to have our understandings inlightned into all Truth our minds renewed our hearts cleansed comforted healed filled with peace joy hope and every good fruit our Souls saved from all evil of sin both guilt filth snare and punishment and from the pollutions of the World and power of Satan and so from every evil thing and our whole Conversation rightly ordered In a word it s the way to be saved from perishing out of the way and much more from perishing in the end and to have and injoy Eternal life Oh therefore let us in all cases and at all times look to him and wistly behold and view him and to that purpose Oh let us with David make it the one thing desired by us That we may dwell in his house and be always beholding the fair Beauty of the Lord and inquiring in his holy Temple Psal 27.4 Seeing also Motive 3. There is nothing else that we can turn to or look upon that can or will do any of these things for and in us no Law or Doctrine if this be rejected and put away or that is beside or swarveth from this no work frame or device of our own or others no Plaister Medicine or Course we can take will heal us in any thing so as to better our conditions For sure if Moses Law will not do it which was given from God himself the exactest and best that ever was given beside then much less will any humane Laws or Injunctions Impositions Works Ceremonies Practices of our own or others but if we turn from this Object we must needs go after vain things and things that cannot profit us because they are vain And though we may kindle fires to our selves and compass our selves with sparks and walk in the light of our own fire yet we must perish and lie down in sorrow 1 Sam. 12.19 20 21. Isa 50.11 Yea though we set any Precepts or Ordinances of Christ before us to observe and practise yet if we observe and practise them without seeing and looking to him and so believing and depending on him for wisdom Strength and Blessing we shall deceive our selves and do like them that made the Word of the Lord to themselves Precept upon precept Precept upon precept Line upon line Line upon line here a little and
in due time of all Men and be very high exceeding high and glorious As many were astonished at thee speaking to him his visage was so marred c. so he shall sprinkle many Nations The Kings shall shut their mouths at him for that which hath not been told them shall they see and that which they had not heard shall they consider Whatsoever the Father giveth him shall come to him nothing shall keep it back or any part of it who or whatever opposes it And then He that person Man or Woman that cometh to him He will in no wise cast them out which is a great incouragement also to any man to come to him Yea here is a double incouragement 1. That He shall have the heigth and greatness that God gives him He shall and must be lifted up and be made high 2. That He being so high and by consequent able to help succour satisfy and save all that come to Him He also is so good and merciful that whosoever cometh to him for help salvation or satisfaction he will in no wise refuse or cast him out which may both comfort us in his behalf and incourage us in our own to look to him who-ever they be that look away from or neglect and slight him For He came not down from Heaven to do his own will but the will of him that sent him and this is the will of him that sent him that of all that which the Father hath given him he should loose nothing nothing of all that honour glory Kingdom c. but should raise it up again at the last day And this is the will of him that sent him that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him should have everlasting life and he will raise him up at the last day Joh. 6.37 38 39 40. And these two Branches of his will answer to those two Branches of his assertion in vers 37. and that given him is distinct from him that seeth and believeth on him and the raising up of the one distinct from the raising up of the other as those words And this is the will of him that sent me in the beginning of vers 40. implies it being spoken of as a distinct business and so we may say As God gave him in the nature of man the Throne of Majesty in the Heavens and a great and glorious Name here on Earth among men notwithstanding all the folly and negligence of the Jews that see and believed not yea and against all the oppositions both of Jewes and Gentiles opposing Him his Doctrine and Servants and persecuting Him and them to Death so God lifted Him up to Heaven both in his Personal Body and as brought forth by his Church in the knowledge and faith of Him wherein he was taken up to the Throne of God Rev. 12.5 As also among men he was exalted extolled and made very high But now by the Anti-christian Beast and false Prophet arisen and grown great in the World He is darkned and diminished again as it were The Beast hath the great Company of followers and worshippers and is wondred after and magnified by them saying Who is able to make War with the Beast and Who is like the Beast even that which appertains to the Lamb the Lord Jesus is attributed to him see Psal 89.6 8. And we may take up that complaint which follows in that Psalm vers 38. Thou hast cast off and abhorred thou wast wrath with thy Anointed or Messiah not as to his Person but as to the appearance of his Name and Glory in the World and as to his Members here as his Name and Glory is upon them and they by his permission and providence are rendred as if they were objects of his wrath and abhorrency Thou hast made void the Covenant of thy Servants the Gospel-covenant at the present takes little place in the World thou hast prophaned by casting down his Crown to the ground c. But now saith our Saviour This is the will of Him that sent me that how-ever low my Crown Glory or Repute seem to lye I should not loose it but raise it up again at the last day and so He will When He arises and lifts up Himself to judge the World and to take to Himself his Great Power and Reign His Enemies shall be scattered Antichrist the Beast and false Prophet shall be discomfited and taken The Lamb shall overcome them and then when they are overcome by him He will thereby raise up his Name Covenant Throne and Kingdom again in the eyes views and hearts of the World as it were or into a more high and glorious form and appearance then before they fell down then before there was such an Apostacy and departure from him even as the Persons and Bodies also of those who see and believe on Him shall be raised into a better state and form then they were in before they fell into the earth by death then God will give him the Throne of his Father David and he shall raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen down and he shall build it up and shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever then shall that be fulfilled which is spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah chap. 2.11 22. That the lofty looks of man shall be humbled and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down and the Lord alone even the Lord Jesus and God in him shall be exalted in that day for the day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and he shall be brought low and upon all the Cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up and so upon all that 's high or pleasant to men that now eclipses or darkens his glory and robs him of his honour and they shall all be cast down and the Idols shall be utterly abolished and the Lord even Jesus alone shall be exalted and then great shall be his glory in Gods salvation visibly and apparently in the World also For at that last day he shall appear in glory and all his Saints shall appear in glory with him and then he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high indeed not only in himself but in his appearance in the World also and in the eyes and hearts of all men For then all the Kings of the earth shall praise him even such as now despise and persecute him when they shall hear the words of his mouth yea they shall sing in the ways of the Lord for great shall be his glory Psal 138.4 5. Yea and then all the ends of the World shall remember and turn to the Lord and all the Kindreds of the Nations shall worship before him for the Kingdom shall be and is the Lords and He the Governour then most gloriously among the Nations all they that be fat upon the earth shall eat and worship and all they that go down to