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
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
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
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
not in this spiritual sense to be Carpenter and Mason and Ingraver too Zech. 3.9 and his house is for us to dwell in and feast in too Psal 84.4 10. and 91.1 and 65.4 and 36.8 9. Yea 4. He is the good Husbandman that tills the Land breaking up the fallow ground and as he is the grain of Wheat that fell into the ground and dyed and brought forth or brings forth much fruit so he is the Sower too The Son of Man is the Sower saith Christ himself Joh. 12.24 with Matt. 13.37 Yea and the great Reaper too though he also make use of the Ministry of Angels therein Isa 28.24 25. Rev. 14.14 Matth. 13.39 Yea the Thresher too else he would not call his People his threshing Instruments wherewith he will thresh the Mountains and his Enemies Isa 21.10 and 41.15 Hab. 3.12 And he makes his People Plowers Sowers Reapers and Threshers too Jer. 4.4 Hos 10.12 Joh. 4.36 38. 1 Cor. 9.10 2 Cor. 9 6 10. Mic. 4.13 He also hath his fan in his hand and fans out the chaff casting it into the unquenchable fire and gathers the good grain into his granary c. Matth. 3.12 Yea he is that good husbandman that plants a Vineyard and dresses it fencing it gathering out the stones from it building a Tower in it digging a Wine-press in it and doing all the works of the Vine-dresser in it so as to challenge any to say what he hath therein omitted Isa 5.2 3. Yea and the great Vine-dresser in the Parable that intercedes for the barren Fig-tree ingaging to dig about it and to dung it Luc. 13.7 8. Yea and the Keeper of the Vine-yard that watcheth it day and night least any harm it Isa 27.2 3. And he reaps the Vintage and treads the Wine-press of the wrath of God Rev. 14.19 and 19.15 Isa 63.1 6. 5. We are naturally unclean and He is both the fountain opened for us to wash in Zech. 13.1 and the washer of us therein too sanctifying and washing us with the washing of Water in the Word Eph. 5.25 26. Yea he disdains not to wash his Disciples feet as really in the spirit as he did once in the flesh having risen from the Table with his Father and holy ones above laid aside his Robes of glory girded himself with a Towel prepared himself for the service poured Water into the Bason even the water in the Word into his Instruments for conveying it his Ministers He stands ready and proffers his service to wash us and waits for our acceptance crying Wilt thou not be made clean when will it once be Joh. 13.4 5 6 7. Jer. 13 35. 6. He is also the purifier of the Sons of Levi that both is as Refiners fire and Fullers sope and that sits as a Refiner and purifier of Silver to that purpose Mal. 3.3 4. 7. He is the great and good Shepherd of us his Sheep Joh. 10.11 Heb. 13.20 The chief Shepherd 1 Pet 5.4 that leads out the Sheep going before them and calling them by their Names and will give them pasture He seeks up the lost strengthens the weak fetches back that which is driven away and doth all the Offices of a good Shepherd Ezek. 34.10 11 12. Psal 23.1 2 3 4. 8. If we be Dishes of his Sanctuary He will wash and wipe us too when defiled as a man wipeth a dish wiping it and turning it upside down 2 Kings 21.13 And 9. He will sweep out the wicked of the earth like dross with the besome of destruction that his and his Fathers house may not be defiled Isa 14.23 As once to the same end also he whipt out the buyers and sellers out of the Temple at Jerusalem Joh. 2.14 15. As also in seeking what is lost he sweeps out of his house what may hinder the Souls being found of him Luc. 15.8 Oh the humility and condescention of this high and holy One to condescend to such ministry and service for us and which adds to all the rest in the exercise of all these relations offices and services He is 1. Infinitely able as to strength and power for them all being the great God and our Saviour Tit. 2.13 The man or Son of man that God hath made strong for himself Psal 80.17 2. Infinitely furnished with wisdom and understanding how to do all things in the most exact way and as is most befitting All his ways are judgment Deut. 32.4 For the spirit of wisdom and understanding rests upon him and makes him quick in understanding in all things Isa 11.2 3. Can we doubt that seeing he is that word and wisdom of God in which the World and all things therein were made and were so admirably disposed as they be Psal 104.24 with Joh. 1.2 3. Heb. 1.2 3. Infinitely faithful to exercise both power and wisdom so as may be best and most pleasing to God his Father and most conduce to our good and welfare in our attending to and being guided by him faithful in all things to him that appointed him Heb. 3.2 Thus all things pertaining to life are in and with him Yea pertaining to and included in 3. The life to come even Eternal Life as we have seen in which he will be 1. The everlasting Rest and Sabbath and give everlasting cessation and rest from all labour sorrow and suffering and in the fruition of God and himself to full satisfaction 2. The Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God giving eternal life an everlasting well and happy being 3. The fountain of life affording a River or rivers of delights and pleasures for ever more Psal 36.9 and 16.11 Rev. 22.1 II. He is and in him also are and in the knowledge of him are given all things pertaining to godliness or the right worshipping and serving God which is the great end of his dying for us and being a Light and Leader to us that being delivered from the hands of our enemies we might serve him without fear in righteousness and holiness before him all the days of hur life Luc. 1.75 All those also he is and affords to us As to say 1. Needful it is that to our right worshipping of God we have a right understanding and knowledge of him his name excellency and greatness love unto us and will concerning us how it is meet for him to be and how he will be served by us and to this purpose we have him made of God wisdom to us 1 Cor. 1.30 Our Great Prophet Act. 3.22 Our Rabbi Master or Teacher Mat. 23.8 10. The great Apostle of our Profession Heb. 3.1 Yea he is both the great Apostle Prophet Evangelist or Gospel-preacher and the great Pastor or Shepherd 1 Pet. 5.4 and Teacher and all these gifts for furniture and helpfulness to others are given forth from and by him according to the measure of his gift and pleasure of his will and by them all it s he that declares the mind of the Lord and his name and
nature to us Eph. 4.7.8 11. Heb. 12.25 2. It s needful for us that there be a place for us to worship and meet with God in as of old he appointed a Sanctuary for himself to dwell in among his People a Tabernacle and after that a Temple an holy and honourable Place set apart and sanctified for his Name where they might wait upon him bring their Offerings present their services to him and worship him and where He would meet with them and bless them Exod. 24.20 and 25.9 and 29.34 35. An house of prayer for all People wherein he would accept their Offerings and Oblations 1 King 8. 9. 2 Chron. 6. 7.12 15 16. Isa 56.7 Ezek. 20.40 And these were tipes of better things which being now come God injoyns not any such observation of such places but instead thereof Christ himself is the true Temple the great and glorious Temple in whom dwells all the fulness of the God-head bodily Col. 2.9 with Joh. 2.19 21. where God will be worshipped and will accept and bless us and by faith in him all that are united to and with him in union with him become his holy Temple also as is said Eph. 2.20 21 22. 2 Cor. 6.16 Yea in him every of our bodies become a Temple for the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.18 19. 3. Needful it is that there be some time for Worship And as the body of all those New-moons Sabbaths and holy days appointed under the Law was of Christ Col. 2.16 So He it is that makes a day wherein we may rejoyce before God and unto him and be glad binding with cords the sacrifices to the horns of the Altar confessing and praising God in and by him Psal 118.24 27 28. both the day of grace the accepted time and time of finding now and the everlasting Rest Sabbath or holy day hereafter we have in and by him Yea He is the Sabbath or Rest for the Soul which gives it rest in its believing on him and makes us ceasing from our own works attend on him and rest on him to be made an holy sanctified People to God in and by him the rest wherewith the weary Soul may be made to rest Isa 28.12 with 58.13 Heb. 4.2 3. with Matth. 11.28 29. Exod 31 13. 4. It appertained to Godliness or the right worshipping of God that Men entred into Covenant with him and gave up themselves to be his People avouching him for their God and receiving the Token and Seal thereof in being circumcized to him Gen. 17.7 10 11 Deut. 26. And Christ the Seed of Abraham the Son of Man is given for a Covenant to the People and they that close with and cleave to him are therein spiritually circumcised with the circumcision made without hands Philip. 3.3 and are taken into nighness with God to be his Children Heires of the World being accepted and accounted righteous and blessed of him for in him we are compleat circumcised c. Col. 2.10 11. Isa 42.6 and 49.8 and 55.3 Rom. 4.13 1 Cor. 3.21 22. 5. There were also Sacrifices and Offerings required to make atonement for the sins of the Worshippers and to testify their acknowledgment of his Soveraignty and giving admission into his favourable presence whence that Bring an Offering and come into his Courts Psal 96.8 But alas we have nothing clean and fit to offer unto him that may make us acceptable we being unclean our selves and all our righteousness like a filthy ragg Isa 64 6. and the inferiour Creatures are of a small value and he needs them not Psal 50.9 12. much less can we by any service of ours or offering of them make atonement for or any expiation of our sins against him Christ therefore answers both to Sacrifices and Offerings or Gifts being the great propitiatory atoning Sacrifice for us besides which there is none other the perpetual abiding propitiation for our sins and for the sins of the whole World Heb. 1.3 and 9.26 and 10.5 10. 1 Joh. 2.1.2 And he hath offered up himself a Sacrifice and an Offering of a sweet smelling savour unto God for us Eph. 5.2 That by him and the vertues of his blood and offering for us we in our going to God might find acceptance our sins being there-through forgiven us and liberty of approach given us to the Holy of Holies Heb. 10.10 14 19 20 22. 6. There needed a Priest to offer the Sacrifices and Oblations of the People and make the atonement and both to obtain and pronounce the blessing of the Lord for and upon them and to that purpose God chose Aaron and his Sons Numb 6.6 23. Deut. 10.8 1 Chron. 23.13 Levit. 1.3.8 But that Priesthood is gone and Christ the Son of man is the Priest in and great High Priest over the House of God for ever called of God an High Priest after the order of Melchisedeck and consecrated by the Word of Gods oath thereto as we shewed before such a Priest as we need having both perfect power with God and pity and compassion towards us and faithfulness towards both yea and He makes those that cleave unto him Priests to God too a royal and holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by him Rev. 5.10 1 Pet. 2.5 9. But He is over and among them the Great High Priest his are the holy Vestments the Breast-plate of judgment is upon his heart whence all his actings with God for us and from God with us as the great high Priest and Mediator are with exact judgment He gives both to God and us exactly what is right and shews to us faithfully the mind and judgment of God the Vrim and the Thummim Light and perfection are in his heart and in what proceeds there-from there are also ingraven the precious Stones with the Names of the several Tribes even all the Saints are in his heart to judg them and their causes exactly presenting them to God according to their several needs and dispensing supplies suitable to them The Ephod also hangs upon his shoulders on which the Government is laid Isa 9.6 and covers his Body as a Robe the exact righteousness in all his walkâ—ngs performing punctually all his undertakings towards both God and man as also the inner Robe of the Ephod that was down to the feet He being in his inward Intentions too and Purposes Righteous as well as in his Outward and most Appearing performances and both pleasant as Pomgranates and melodious as the Bells the preciousness whereof is also signified in that the Bells were of pure Gold He also is girt about the Paps with a golden Girdle of which we spake before And the Miter or Crown is upon his head the supreme Authority in the Service of God and in all holiness to the Lord. Yea he is the whole Orderer and Offerer of the Sacrifice that is acceptable to the Lord Of which I shall not add to speak 7. There needed an Altar to offer the Sacrifice upon