of it's owne or the Churches safety seeing the head of the Church who hath the key of David openeth and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth that is governeth and protecteth his Church irresistably if we take the word irresistably in opposition unto a final complete and victorious resistancy why should we feare the malice and enmity of weak men as long as we have the love and favour of so potent a Saviour if he be our friend no matter though we have all the world for foe If he be with and for us who can be against us Rom. 8.31 In that terrible invasion of Israel by Shalmanaser which ended in the utter ruine desolation and captivity of the whole nation described Isay 8. ult to be a time of trouble and darknesse and dimnesse of anguish far surmounting their former troubles though very great and grievous cap. 9.1 yet the prophet goeth to support the sinking spirits of the believing and penitent party with the promise of comfort and liberty v. 2 3 4. the ground of all which he makes to be Christs soveraignty vers 6. though the remnant of Christs people amongst the captiv'd Israelites walked in darknesse and dwelt as it were in the shadow of death yet they shall see a great light vers 2. the light of sprituall comfort and deliverance shall shine upon them they shall joy according to the joy of harvest vers 3. they shall be freed from the bondage of their spirituall enemies the yoke of their burden the staffe of their shoulder the rod of their oppressours shall be broken as in the day of Midian vers 4. for unto us a child is borne unto us a son is given upon whose shoulders the government of the Church the whole world is cast vers 6. And this government is managed as by unconceivable wisdome He is the wonderfull Counsellor so by unspeakable love the Zeale of the Lord of Hostes will performe this And the ground of this assertion is his relation unto us He is our everlasting Father v 6. If the Church be full of disorder and Confusion 1 Cor. 14.32 if the Spirits of the prophets be not subject to the prophets 1 Cor. 12.17 if the whole body affect to be the eye and the hearing why his government is upon the throne of David and his king dome to order it if the Church be in a weake and tottering condition his government is upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdome to establish it vers 7. We find Psal 80. that when the hedges of the Church of Israel were broken downe the hedge of discipline the hedges of God and the Magistrates protection vers 12 13. so that all they which passe by the way did pluck her The Beare out of the wood did wast it and the wild beast of the field did devoure it Why then the alone refuge and Sanctuary of her genuine members was the exaltation of Christ vers 17 18. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for-thy selfe So will we not go◠back from thee As if the Psalmist should have said if our blessed Saviour be highly exalted a name given him above every name and hath all power given unto him in heaven and earth why then we may wax confident of our perseverance for he wil imploy this his power and authority to preserve us from Apostacy and defection the shipwrack of faith and a good conscience so that we shall never draw back unto perdition Heb. 10.39 And this will satisfy and compose our spirits let the world goe how it will let all things be turned topsy turvy so as we goe not back from thee O Lord of Hostes so long as there is not in us an evill heart of unbeliefe we hope we shall possesse our soules in patience Though the vineyard of the Lord be burnt with fire and cut downe though there be scarce left among us so much as the face of a Church visible men may throw us out of our earthly enjoyments they may shut us up in a deep and darke dungeon and there exclude the light of the Sunne from us but in such a condition the power of our Mediatour should uphold our spirits He hath the Key of David and openeth and no man shutteth if he open heaven gates unto us not all the men in earth not all the Devils in hell are able to shut or barre them against us If we be cast upon a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time why at that time Michael shall stand up the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people and at that time thy people shall be delivered every one that shall be found written in the booke Dan. 12.1 This place of Daniel you may expound by Revel 12.7 where we have a warre raised in heaven that is in the Church of God by the Dragon and his Angels that is Satan and his adherents but they are encountered by Michael and his Angels who give them a totall rout and overthrow vers 8. They prevailed not neither was their place found any more in heaven They had no more power to tyrannize over the Church And it is observable that the Instruments of this great victory are none but poore martyrs for such as these were the Angels of Michael that is Christ described to be vers 11. They loved not their lives unto death The strongest weapons of their warfare are their sufferings The victory that overcometh the world is the faith and patience of the Saints 1 John 5.4 The shedding of their blood drawes blood from their adversary and their death puts life into the cause which they dye for so that we may say of them as of the King of Sweden at the Battell of Lutzen they conquer when they are killed If that befall our Church which Paul foretold of the Church of Ephesus that grievous wolves enter in among them not sparing the flock Act. 20.29 If foxes spoyle the vines and tender grapes Cant. 2.15 If hereticks false teachers seduce weake Christians especially new converts why he is the great shepherd of the sheepe and is able to represse them and chase them away If never so malitious potēt adversaries assayle the house the Church of God why Christ is the Lord of the house and he is faithfull to him that appointed him Heb. 3.2 therefore there is no need of any other garrison for it's protection then his power and care Psalm 2.1,2,3,4,9 the Kings of the earth set themselves the rulers take counsell together against the Lord against his anointed saying Let us breake their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision Thou shalt breake them with a rod of Iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessell If ten Kings
unto thee thy face Lord will I seek Ps 40.7,8 Then said I to I come c. I delight to doe thy will c yea thy law is within my heart Because all things were delivered to Christ of his Father Math. 11.27 therefore hereupon Christ himselfe exhorteth as unto faith in him come unto me c. ver 28. so also unto obedience to him Take my yoke upon you and yee shall find rest to your soules vers 29. however your bodies and estates may be lyable unto trouble the Father hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him Iohn 5.22,23 Indeed the divine excellency the infinite perfection of the Deity is the alone formall object principall ground reason or inducement of divine worship but yet the judiciary power delegated unto Christ as mediator and man may be a great and powerfull motive hereunto For by our obedience unto him we shall consult for our owne indemnity for his power if we do not bow unto it will break us if we do not yeeld him an active obedience he can extort from us a passive obedience if we doe not doe his will we shall suffer his wrath if we doe not prostrate our selves at his feet in a way of reverence service and worship we shall be put under his feet in a way of conquest and triumph as a footstoole to be trampled upon as he hath power to condemne for disobedience at the last day so he hath authority to chastise it here in this life with removall of his ordinances He walketh in the midst of the golden Candlesticks Rev. 1.12,13 And therefore he hath power to remove them where he please he hath in his right hand the Starrs verse 16. the ministers of his Church and therefore he can suffer an Eclipse of them he can rightfully permit the removall of our teachers into a corner Is 30.20 and the going downe of the Sun upon our Prophets Mic. 3.6 He is the Angell of the Covenant and therefore he can upon neglect contempt and refusall of it withdraw his ambassadors from any place whatsoever He is the Lord of the vineyard and therefore upon its unfruitfulnesse he can expose it unto desolation by the boar out of the wood and unto devouring by the wild beasts of the feild he can suffer it to be burnt with fire to be cut down he can make it to perish at the rebuke of his countenance Ps 80.13,16 Math. 20.8 Fifthly Because Christ hath all mediatory power given unto him in heaven and in earth this may encourage all his to make their addresses in prayer unto God by him in his Name through his mediation for may they not with boldnesse and confidence approach the holy of holyes as long as their accesse is by him who alone hath power of intercession with him It is his office to receive and present all the prayers of all the Saints Rev. 8.3 and therefore every Saint may be confident of a gracious returne into their bosomes of all their prayers brought unto him When the people cryed unto Pharaoh for bread Pharaoh sayd unto all the Aegyptians goe unto Ioseph and what he sayth unto you doe and Ioseph opened all the store-houses Gen. 41.55,56 If we cry unto God for bread for any mercy he sends us to his Ioseph who openeth all the storehouses of his speciall and rich mercies belonging any way to the covenant of grace All such mercies are handed and delivered out unto us by his mediation Every good and every perfect gift as it cometh downe from the father Jam. 1.17 so it cometh by Christ as a mediatour if we want private or personall mercies unto whom should we run for them but unto him who is now ascended up farre above all heavens and hath all power given him to distribute gifts unto men and to fill all things that is all his members with his spirit and grace Eph. 4.8,10 If we want any measure of light and knowledge wee should beg it of him for he himselfe having Mat. 11.27 affirmed his soveraignty over all things in generall All things are delivered unto me of my father He forthwith instanceth in his power of saving Illumination as one of the principall flowers of his crowne and cheife branches of his royall prerogative neither knoweth any man the father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveale him None hath authority savingly to reveale the Father but the Son He alone hath power to poure out a spirit of Wisdome and Revelation if the whole Church visible if any particular Church want a mercy and deliverance who so able to relieve and supply her as her head if the vineyard be overrunne by wild and savage beasts the Beare out of the wood and wild beasts out of the field cruell and bloudy enemies unto whom should we make our prayers in her behalfe but unto the Lord of the vineyard So the Church in the Psalmist Returne we beseech thee looke downe from heaven and behold and visit this vine and the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted Psalm 80.14,15 He is the Lord of the house his Church and therefore beseech him to look unto the ruines and dilapidations thereof He is the Lord of the harvest and therefore let us petition him to remove loyterers and send forth labourers into the harvest and withall to furnish them with abilities for their Labour all gifts requisite for the perfecting of the Saints for the worke of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Let us intreat him to poure upon them a spirit of prayer and supplication to open unto them a doore of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ that they may make it manifest as they ought to speake Col. 4.3,4 Vse 6. of Exhortation Sixthly from the greatnesse and fulnesse of Christs authority we may be exhorted unto a diligent endeavour after conformity unto him in all his morall actions that have a morall ground or reason For whom should Saints imitate if not the King of Saints whom should rationall and spitituall sheep follow but that one chiefe and great shepheard of Soules what pattern should disciples propound but that of their Master whose example should Souldiers in this spirituall warfare eye but that of the victorious captaine of their salvation whom God hath given for a leader and commander unto his people Isaiah 55.4 A governour that shall rule his people Israel Math. 2.6 How apish have men been in all ages to imitate men of great place power and authority The Courtiers of Alexander held their necks awry because his was naturally so And I have read that whereas a mischievous Eunuch Eutropius having the eare and heart of his Master the then Emperour he would never give way by his good will to the preferment of any unto any great place or office but such as
the sheep of Christ out of the Fathers hands And if they be in the Sonnes hands they be in the Fathers to o Joh. 17.10 But now Christ assumeth that he is one with his Father in regard of essentials I and my Father are one vers 30. and therefore he is as powerful as his Father He is whatsoever his Father is as touching his essence and can doe whatsoever his Father can doe What things soever the Father doth these also doth the Sonne likewise Joh. 5.19 Hereupon then it undeniably followeth that all the men on earth all the Devils in hell are not able to pluck so much as one of his sheep out of his hands That the fulness of the Godhead in Christ is a storehouse of blessings that never can be emptied I shall yet farther evidence by a brief view of the names attributes and workes of God and their application unto Christ 1. Then as touching the names of God and their attribution unto Christ together with the comfort that hereupon redounds unto the people of Christ I shall desire the Christian Reader to peruse and consider these following Scriptures Jer. 23.6 In his dayes Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwel safely and this is his name whereby he shall bee called The Lord our righteousness Here we have a name of God given unto Christ Jehovah the Lord and the salvation and justification of the Church depending upon and resulting from this name 1. The salvation in general of the Church depends upon this his name Because he is Jehova the Lord therefore in his dayes Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely Which words of the Prophet may be paraphrazed by those of the Angel Math. 1.21 He shall save his people from their sinnes 2. A particular branch of salvation depends upon this his name Because the branch of David is the Lord therefore he is able to justifye us to be our righteousness This is his name whereby he shall be called the Lord our righteousnesse Which words may be expounded by those of Paul 1 Cor. 1.30 Christ Jesus is made of God unto us righteousness c. Unto this place we may aptly conjoyne Isai 45.22,23,24,25 for that it is meant of Christ a comparison of vers 23. with Rom. 14.11 and Phil. 2.10 will easily demonstrate Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth For I am God and there is none else I have sworne by my selfe the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousnesse and shall not returne that unto me every knee shall bow every tongue shall swear Surely shall one say in the Lord have I righteousnesse and strength In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Another name of God given unto Christ is the Lord of Hosts and how comfortable the attribution of it unto Christ is may be cleared from these two following scriptures The first is Isai 8. vers 13 14. Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himselfe c. and he shall be for a Sanctuary c. Because he is the Lord of Hosts therefore he is a sanctuary which none can violate a sure refuge That the Person there spoken of is Jesus Christ cannot not be questioned by any true Christian For Simeon in Luke Paul Peter applieth the latter part of the 14 verse unto him and that speaks still of the same Person which the former part doth Agune in Zech. 2. vers 8 9 10 11 12. Because he is the Lord of Hosts sent by the Lord of Hosts therefore he assureth the Church of the Jewes that after their own glorious restitution they should enjoy a full victory over their enemies unto whom for the present they were vassals and servants And that this victory should be gained very easily on his part as it were with the shaking of his hand or lifting up of his finger And hereupon he exhorts them to triumph sing and rejoyce and he back 's his exhortation from a promise of his presence in her of the conjunction of the Gentiles with her and of his government of her For thus saith the Lord of Hâ—sts after the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoyled you For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye For behold I will shake my hand upon them and they shall be a spoile to their servants and ye shall know that the Lord of Hosts hath sent me Sing and rejoyce o Daughter of Sion for lo I come and will dwell in the midst of thee saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day and shall be my people and I will dwell in the midst of thee and thou shalt know that the Lord of Hosts hath sent me unto thee And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land and shall chuse Jerusalem againe To go from the Old Testament unto the New and there I shall single out but one place at present 1 Joh. 5. vers 18 20. where he is tearmed the true God and his being so is a reason of the saving illumination of the regenerate as also of their preservation from the sinne unto death and protection against the temptations of Satan We know that whosoever is borne of God sinneth not But he that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and that wicked one toucheth him not And we know that the Sonne of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Sonne Christ Jesus This is the true God and eternal life 2. Proceed we next from the names of God unto his attributes and consider we what comfort the ascribing of them unto Christ doth minister I shall at present instance onely in his eternity immutability omnipresence omnipotency omniscience 1. Then for his Eternity Because his goings forth have been from of old from everlasting therefore the remnant of his Brethren shall returne unto the Children of Israel And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God and they shall abide for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth And this man shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into the land and when he shall tread in our palaces Micah 5.2,3,4,5 If he had beene but a meere man if his coming forth had beene onely from Bethlehem Ephratah he had been utterly unable to have accomplisht any of all this He could not have brought in the fulnesse of the Gentiles the remnant of his brethren and have joyned them unto the believing Israelites He could not have fed them that is he could not have made provision for them He could not have governed and protected them He could not have been peace and security unto them against the dreadfull fury of the Assyrians invasion Our Saviour Christ having averred Joh. 8.51 that whosoever kept his sayings
this where the phrase is used in the new testament Now 1. They are tearmed rudiments or elements in an allusion unto Grammar wherein letters are the rudiments or elements of all literature even so the ceremonies of the Mosaicall law contained an elementary kind of instruction They were as it were the Primer the A B C of the Church suited unto her age of infancy Even so we when we were Children were in bondage under the elements or rudiments of the world Gal. 4.3 2. They are tearmed rudiments of the world or worldly rudiments because they enjoyned Corporeall sensible and in comparison of the more spirituall ordinances of the Gospell earthly and carnall ceremonies And the reason of this appellation Estius conjectureth to be Because the world is often in Scripture put for that part thereof which is corporeall and sensible and in conformitie hereunto the Leviticall sanctuary is said to be a worldly Sanctuary Heb. 9.1 By this you see that those who presse the antiquated and abrogated ceremonies of the Mosaicall law are seducers that carry away the sheepe of Christ from his fold as a spoile a prey or bootie Gal. 5.2 Lastly we have these two rules of superstition the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world set downe adversatively by way of Antithesis or opposition And not after Christ that is they are not after the doctrine or commandement of Christ Whatsoever is not after Christ that is according unto the doctrine of Christ in the Gospell is against Christ and therefore vaine deceit The uncommandednesse of a worship is sufficient to brand it for unlawfull Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire before the Lord which he commanded them not Levit. 10.1 They have built the high places of Tophet c. Which I commanded them not neither came it into my heart Jerem. 7.31 You have seen the words expounded in themselves I shall in the next place briefely dispatch the inference of this exhortation from the dwelling of all-fulnesse of the Godhead in him bodily implied in the particle for Beware lest any man spoile you through philosophy and vaine deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ for in him dwelleth all fullnesse of the Godhead bodily From the fulnesse of the Deitie in the person of Christ we may conclude the fulnesse perfection and all-sufficiency of his doctrine And consequently the danger vanity and deceitfulnesse of all additions thereunto whatsoever whether heathenish philosophy Pharisaicall or Popish the traditions of men or Judaicall the rudiments of the world What seducers can more spoile the flock of Christ then the patrons of such additionals For they withdraw from all fulnesse in the God head unto that which is but vaine deceit They lead from the fountaine of living waters unto broken cisternes that can hold no water The Philosophy of the Gentiles hath indeed a shew of wifedome but it was but folly and thick darknesse compared with the wisdome of Christ In him as man were hid 〈◊〉 the treasures of â—…sedome and knowledge vers 3. of this chapter And as the sonne of God he was the eternall uncreated wisedome He was full and perfect God His knowledge then was infinite and therefore he was able to provide not onely sufficiently but abundantly for the instruction and salvation of his Church without the supply of humane traditions or Mosuicall â—eremonies All men are lyars and therefore it would be a madnesse to embrace the traditions of men as long as we have the truth it selfe to instruct us The highest perfection of the saints of God is to be pantakers of the divine nature to have the Godhead dwell in them operatively in regard of it's gracious effects Whereas the sonne of God hath the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelling in him personally and therefore in comparison of his precepts which are able to make even the simple wise unto salvation Psal 19.7.2 Timoth. 3.16 the most specious and plausible traditions of even the best of men are in matters of faith and salvation most vaine empty and deceitfull trifles In Christ dwelleth an all fulnesse of knowledge and we having so able a seacher it would be extreame and unspeakable folly in us to fall back againe unto our horne booke unto the rudiments of the world unto an elementary worldly or carnall way of instruction by the ceremonies of Moses his law that was accommodated onely unto the Childish condition of the Church Besides Christ himselfe hath abrogated all ceremonies of the law and from the all-fulnesse of the Godâ—head in him we may gather his all-fulnesse of power and authority to make such an alteration Because he is God he is Lord of the Sabbath and all other ordinances in the Church It is no lesse therefore then a treasonable presumption for men to revive those lawes which he hath repealed to presse those observances which he hath abolished Interpreters upon the place generally make this observation upon the coherence that the Apostle giveth this generall refutation of those three impostures before specified that they are not according unto the doctrine of Christ not after Christ to shew that this consideration alone is ground enough to reject any doctrine or part of worship For he that derogates from the all-sufficiency of Christs doctrine detracteth from the alsufficiency and infinitenesse of his Godhead If men would but seriously consider how great and glorious a person he is how infinitely wise they would not listen unto impostors but hang upon Christ's mouth onely for direction in matters of faith and worship They would never dare to presume to attempt any supply unto the unsearchable riches or fulnesse of wisedome the manifold wisedome of God displaid in his Gospell Ephes 3.10 In him dwelleth all-fulnesse of the Godhead bodily and therefore beware least any man spoile you through Philosophy and vaine deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ The Deitie of Christ was the maine ground why Peter professeth in the behalfe of the rest of the Aposties a resolution to adhere constantly and solely unto the doctrine of Christ Joh. 6.68,69 1. He layeth downe two reasons for adherence unto Christ's doctrine alone 1. The alsufficiency thereof to instruct us in the way unto eternall life and salvation Thou hast the words of eternall life vers 68. and this he maketh good from the alsufficiency of his office and person vers 69. Thou art that Christ the sonne of the living God Thou are not onely man but God The sonne of the living God therefore thou art all-sufficient to be our Christ our Priest King and Prophet and therefore thou hast the words of eternall life 2. We have the utter insufficiency of all created persons to give us any light herein whither shall we goe vers 68 that is for the words of eternall life Christ is the sunne of righteousnesse Mal. 4.2 therefore will infallibly guide us unto heaven But if
Now that this progressive fulnesse is attainable here in this life may be evinced From the commendations that are given in Scripture unto the Saints for it from the exhortations to it from the prophesies promises and relations of it from the prayers both of petition and thanksgiving for it that occurre in Scripture 1. From the commendations that are given in Scripture unto the Saints for it as unto Elizabeth Luk. 1.41 Zacharias v. 67. Stephen Act. 6.8 7.55 Dorcas Act. 9.36 and Barnabas Act. 11.24 one part of the character of the Angell of the Church of Smyrna is that notwithstanding his outward poverty he was yet rich Rev. 2.9 to wit inwardly towards God Luk. 12.21 with true riches Luk. 16.11 Paul witnesseth of the Corinthians 2 Cor. 8.7 that they did abound in every thing in faith and utterance and knowledge and diligence and in their love towards the Ministers of the Gospel and he gives also as large a testimony of the better part of the Romans such as were strong and growne Christians I my selfe also saith he am perswaded of you my brethren that ye also are full of goodnesse filled with all knowledge able to admonish one another Rom. 15.14 In which words we have three things considerable 1. What fort of fulnesse it was that the Apostle speakes of 2. The matter of it goodnesse and all knowledge 3. The result or sequel of it That ye may be able also to admonish one another 1. Enquire we what sore or kind of fulnesse it was There is a twofold fulnesse of grace one of parts another of degrees 1. Of parts when one hath all the graces of sanctification for sort or kind And such a fulnesse is conferred upon even the weakest in the faith and that at their first conversion for then they have so much grace as doth in some measure enable them for the mortifying of every lust for the performance of all duties whether of the first or second Table In a second place there is a fulnesse of degrees and that againe either absolute or comparative Now the Romanes were not in regard of degrees absolutely full of goodnesse filled with all knowledge For such a perfection of fulnesse Paul himselfe disclaimeth Phil. 3.12 as being the alone priviledge of triumphant Saints Their fulnesse then was onely comparative in comparison of such imperfect beginnings as were in novices and babes in Christ such as were weake in the faith 2 We have the matter of this fulnesse goodnesse and all knowledge 1. Goodnesse by which the Greeke Expositours as Beza informeth me understand vertue in generall and oppose it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto wickednesse so that it comprehendeth all vertuous and gracious habits whatsoever 2. All knowledge that is the knowledge of all things necessary unto faith godlinesse and salvation 3. Lastly we have the result or sequel of this fulnesse Qualification of them for the duty of mutual admonition unto which is requisite a gracious heart and a gifted head Because they were full of goodnesse they had hearts propense unto so good a worke Because they were filled with all knowledge they were able to mannage it for the best advantage unto Gods glory and their owne edification The foure beasts were full of eyes before behind and within Rev. 4.6,8 that is the ministers of the Gospell comprehended under the foure Evangelists were full of knowledge and vigilant care They were full of eyes before to looke towards God and behind to looke towards their people and within to looke to themselves A second Argument for the attainablenesse of this progressive fulnesse is the exhortations that occurre in scripture unto it Paul exhorts the Corinthians to be perfect 2 Cor. 13.11 to perfect holinesse in the feare of the Lord 2 Cor. 7.1 and to be abounding in the worke of the Lord 1 Cor. 15.58 The Colossians to abound in faith Col. 2.7 the Hebrewes to goe on unto perfection Heb. 6.1 He beseecheth the Thessalonians by the Lord Jesus to abound more and more to wit in spirituals that is in graces and duties Thirdly there are Prophecies of this progressive fulnesse in the old Testament Esay 33.5 The Lord is exalted Christ is risen and ascended into heaven for he dwelleth on high that is he sitteth at the right hand of the Father And the fruit hereof is the filling of the Church with grace and goodnesse He hath filled Sion with judgement and righteousnesse The spirit shall be powred upon us from on high And the wildernesse shall be a fruitfull field Isaiah 32.15 The desert shall rejoyce and blossome as the Rose It shall blossome abundantly the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it The excellency of Carmel and Sharon Esay 35.1,2 A fourth Argument is the promise that is made in Scripture of this progressive fulnesse Whosoever hath to him shall be given and he shall have more abundance Our Saviour propounds this promise twice 1. In the parable of the sower unto the having or possession of grace Math. 13.12 2. In the parable of the talents unto the diligent use of grace 1. In the parable of the sower unto the having or possession of grace and then the words may be thus paraphrased Whosoever hath the initials of sanctifying and saving grace the beginnings of faith and repentance unto him shall be given increase thereof Phil. 1.6 and this increase shall not be sparing but very plentifull And he shall have more abundance The good ground the honest and believing heart that heareth the word and understandeth it beareth fruit and bringeth forth some an hundred fold some sixty some thirty Math. 13.23 a sparke shall grow to be a flame That light which at first was but as the dawning shall at last shine more more unto the perfect day He that abideth in me and I in him saith our Saviour the same bringeth forth much fruit John 15.5 And the reason hereof wee may fetch from the second verse of the same chapter Every branch that beareth fruit the father purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit The * Mr. John Goodwin in his Pagans debt and dowry Arminians will not allow this promise to be restrained unto the elect and the regenerate but would extend it unto the generalitie of mankind unto even the Heathen unto whom the sound of the Gospell never came But this our restraint of the words I shall justify out of our renowned Twisse Vindic. grat lib. 3. pag. 140 141 142. by three arguments first from the caution premised vers 9. secondly from the words immediatly foregoing vers 11. of which they are a confirmation 3. From the words following which are an illustration of them by way of Antithesis or opposition 1. From the caution premised vers 9. who hath eares to heare let him heare Where by eares is meant the inward eare of faith and spirituall understanding Now that they who have eares to heare are the same with our Saviours 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
his from his father He sends them and his father him As my father hath sent me even so send I you Joh. 20.21 If then we slight wrong or violence them both he and his father may justly interpret it as done unto themselves 2. Here is an use of terrour unto all the enemies of Christ whether open and professed or secret and dissembled Can there be a point of greater folly then for impotent dust and ashes to be against him that hath all power in heaven and earth all judgment committed unto him authority to sentence all his enemies unto eternall flames and torments All opposition of him is like the dashing of an earthen vessel against a great stone or rock for he is the head of the corner and whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken but on whomsoever it shall fall it will grind him to powder Math. 21.44 All his enemies all unregenerate and unbelieving persons whatsoever may be said to fall on him Vnto them he is a stone of stumbling rock of offence 1 Pet. 2.8 And they shall all of them be broken either to their conversion or destruction But now as for reprobates such as die in finall unbeliefe and impenitency Christ is an enemy unto them he falleth on them as a great stone from an high place and therefore he shall grind them to powder they shall utterly and irrecoverably be destroyed What King saith our saviour going to make war against another King sitteth not down first and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand or else while the other is yet a great way off he sendeth an Embassage and desireth conditions of peace Luk. 14.31,32 These foolish soules that wage warre against Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords if they would consult their owne safety so farre as to consider how unable such poore wormes as they are to cope and encounter with him that hath all the hostes of the Lord under his command They would speedily lay aside all farther thoughts of hostility and send their teares and prayers as Embassadours and desire conditions of peace upon Christs own termes It was a vaine bragge of * Plutarch Pompey that as oft as he did but stampe with his foot upon the ground of Italy he should bring men enough out of every corner both footmen and horsemen But much more may truly be averred of Christ he hath heaven earth and hell at a beck and can whensoever he please arme the whole creation against all that oppose him or his But indeed his justice doth not goe alwaies in the same path or pace His patience many times grants a reprive unto his greatest enemies during their lives here on earth Latter ages have hardly afforded a more bloudy and cruell adversary unto the Church of Christ then the Duke of Alva and yet Christ suffered his hoare head to goe downe to the grave in peace But there will come a day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God and Christ And then Christ will put all his enemies under his feete His father will make them all his footstoole Then the stoutest and proudest of his enemies shall be sufficiently sensible of their Impotency and when it is too late repent their mad and successelesse assaults of his kingdome And the kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the chiefe captaines and the mighty men and every bond-man and every free-man shall hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains and shall say to the mountaines and rocks fall on us and hide us from the face of him that setteth on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb Rev 16.15,16 How will the boares out of the wood that have wasted the vineyard of the Lord and the wild beasts of the field that have devoured it Psal 80.13 The Foxes the little Foxes that spoile the vines the tender grapes how I say will they be filled with despaire and confusion when they shall come to be censured for this by the Lord of the vine-yard How will they be able to look in the face the Lord of the harvest whose chiefe designe hath been to hinder the sending of labourers into the harvest to obstruct their worke and labour there in how will those Tobiak's and Sandallat's c. be confounded who have used all their interest and power in the world to oppose the building repairing and reforming of the house the Church of God when for this they shall be called unto an account by the sonne that is Lord of the house When those that have all their lives long been obstinate profaners and impugners of the sabbath and all other ordinances when they shall see their judge the Lord of the Sabbath and all other ordinances how unspeakable will their horror and amazement be One great part of the torments of those that have waged warre against the saints will be that the doome of the everlasting state of their soules is to proceed out of the mouth of the King of Saints No tongue can decypher no heart imagine the terrours that will overwhelme those wolves that have worried the sheepe of Christ when they shall see themselves drag'd unto the tribunall of the great shepherd of the sheepe At that last day the lot of all Christs enemies will be fatall and dismall and Christ himselfe giveth so comprehensive a character of his enemies as takes in all that in the Church visible are not active for his cause and glory all that concurre not with him in promoting the salvation of mens soules all that endeavour not according to their callings to gather in unto his Church He that is not with me saith he is against me and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad Math. 12.30 But now the condition of none of Christ's enemies will be so unsupportable as that of those who are visibly subjects and yet cordially enemies who professe service and subjection and yet practise nothing but enmity It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sydon for the land of Sodom for infidels Turkes and Pagans then for such because they adde unto their hostility falsehood treachery and mockery They deale with Christ as the souldiers that said unto him Haile King of the Jewes but it was in a way of scorne for they crowned him with thornes smote him with their hands Joh. 19.2,3 How bitterly did Christ himselfe expostulate with such hypocrites Why call ye me Lord Lord and doe not the things which I say Luk. 6.46 If men were but duely sensible of Christs soveraigne authority they would tremble at their hypocrisy in professing that Christ is their King when in the meane while they are wholly swayed by the worst of his enemies the basest of their lusts As for those citizens of Christ the members of his Church visible that hated him and sent a message after him saying we
and full discharge unto him their surety and so a virtuall pardon of them Hence the answer or apology of a good conscience unto the cry of sinne the accusation of the law and the concurrence of this answer unto our salvation is made by the Apostle Peter to depend upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ his going into heaven and his being there on the right hand of God and the subjection of Angels authorities and powers unto him 1 Pet. 3.21,22 Hence is it also that the Apostle Paul inferreth the non-condemnation of the elect rather from Christs exaltation then his death because his exaltation is a cleere and full evidence that his death is abundantly satisfactory unto the justice of God Who is he that condemneth It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen againe who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Rom. 8.34 many sin Satan and the law may be ready and very forward to accuse but none of these have any power to condemne for it is Christ that died for us And in the death of such a person as Christ there cannot but be a fulnesse of satisfaction But of this without his resurrection we could have had but little assurance and therefore that with the following parts of his exaltation the Apostle makes the chiefe ground of his confidence yea rather that is risen againe He haith paid the utmost farthing for he is delivered out of prison He is risen nay he is exalted unto a throne a crowne a Kingdome He hath all power given unto him in heaven and earth He is sate downe at the right hand of God and there he hath authority to make intercession in the behalfe of all the elect for whatsoever he pleaseth If he were not disburd'ned of the guilt of our sinne God would never have thus highly exalted him never suffered him to have been thus neare him to have had such power and prevalency with him Because the father hath committed all judgment unto the sonne Joh. 5.22 the sonne himselfe concludeth the freedome of all believers from condemnation Verily verily I say unto you He that Heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life Joh. 5.24 Thus you see how the fulnesse of Christs soveraignty dominion exempts believers from the guilt of sinne Now It is only guilt that makes men afraid of death hell it is the sting of death it is that which puts us into danger of hell fire therefore being freed from guilt we may be confident to be delivered from the wrath to come we need not fear the arrest of death or imprisonment in hell Christ our mediatour hath the keyes of death and therefore unto his death shall not be a prison but a bed or a withdrawing roome a place of repose He hath the keyes of hell and therefore he will suffer none of these to be cast into it for whom he hath prepared a mansion in his fathers house Secondly The fulnesse of Christs authority may comfort all his members against the power rage and raigne of sinne what complaint more usuall with believers then that of the violence of their lusts Oh say they our corruptions are so powerfull and vigorous as that we are afraid they will sometime or other break out unto our either disgrace if not undoing why if they would but looke off from themselves upon Christ Jesus at the right hand of his Father they might behold him invested with authority to mortify their most violent lusts to subdue their most head-strong corruptions He gave his Apostles power against uncleane spirits to cast them out Math. 10.1 and to heale all manner of sicknesse and all manner of diseases He gave the seventy disciples power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions and over all the power of the enemy Luk. 10.19 So he gives unto his disciples and members power to cast out uncleane habits every serpentine lust which are the spawne and broode of that great Serpent Indeed no wind so boisterous impetuous as the unmortified passions of men no sea so tempestuous so rough or restlesse as the hearts of unregenerate men Isa 57.20 The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast up wire and dirt The sea is calme sometimes but there is a perpetuall tempest in their bosomes their lusts are alwaies raging they are like a troubled sea when it cannot rest they cast up nothing but mire and dirt All their words and actions are not only sinfull but sins mire and dirt But now Christ is such a manner of man as that he can easily rebuke both the very wind seas obey him Mark 4.41 He hath such authority from his father as that he can in all the elect with a word as it were still the wind of passion and calme the sea of sinne and stay it 's proud waves Secondly The fulnesse of Christs power and authority yeelds comfort against the strength malice and temptations of Satan Christ hath the keyes of hell and therefore they that have interest in Christ have no reason slavishly to feare all the Divels in hell Satan indeed is the prince of the power of the aire but what is the power of the aire in comparison of the power of our mediatour All power in heaven and earth Satan is compared to a strong man armed Luk. 11.21 but in the next verse we find that Christ is stronger then he able to overcome and bind him to take from him all his armour wherein he trusted and to divide his spoiles Math. 12.29 Luk. 11.21,22 The Seed of the woman is able to overpower the seed of the serpent the utmost mischiefe that the seed of the serpent the Divell and his instruments can doe is but to bruise the heele and that is no mortall wound for it is farre from either head or heart but the seed of the woman Christ Jesus shall bruise the head of the serpent that is destroy the power the Kingdome and workes of the Divell 1 Jo. 3.8 It is true we wrestle not against flesh blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darknesse of this world c. Eph. 6.12 But let us be strong in the Lord Jesus and in the power of his might for it is a power farre above all principality power might and dominion c. Eph. 1.21 Christ is the head of all principality and power Col. 2.10 And therefore Paul had good reason to be perswaded that neither Angels principalities nor powers shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Lastly The fulnesse of Christs authority is a support and comfort unto all that belong unto him against opposition of men whether violent by persecution or fraudulent by heresy schisme Why should any member of the Church be diffident and distrustfull
living God therefore it is a fearfull thing to fall into his bands to be obnoxious unto his vindicative justice Hebr. 10.31 He is the Lord how dare we then provoke him to jealousy Are we stronger then he 1 Cor. 10.21 He woundeth and killeth neither is there any that can deliver out of his hand Deut. 32.39 He is able to destroy soule and body in hell fire Math. 10.28 He is the Lord of Host's therefore if his hand be stretched out who shall turne it back Isay 14.27 Because he is the Lord of Hosts therefore as you may see in Isay 8. vers 13 14 15. compared with Luk. 2. v. 34. Rom. 9.32,33 1 Pet. 2.7 He will be for a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence for a gin and a snare unto such of his adversaries as are finally impenitent Be they never so great and powerfull He will be as a stone and a rocke to dash and split them in pieces Be they never so crafty and subtile He will be for a gin and a snare to catch and entangle them unto their eternall destruction We may apply here that of Ely to his sonnes 1. Sam. 2.25 If a man sinne against the Lord who shall entreate for him He that sinneth with a high hand presumptuously and impenitently against the Lord Christ sinneth against his judge and therefore none can mediate for his peace and reconciliation 2. This doctrine of the personall union is a ground of unconquerable comfort and unextinguishable joy unto the Church in generall and all the members of Christ in particular They are related unto one of the greatest persons that is a person that is God as well as man and therefore a rewarder of them that seeke him Hebr. 11.6 rich in mercy Ephes 2.4 Excellent in power and in judgment and in plenty of justice Job 37.23 his right hand is full of righteousnesse Psal 48.10 that is The Lords * Dickson power is not idle but constantly working in equity and justice for performance of promises and threatnings for defending his people and punishing his enemies The man who is our shepherd is fellow unto the Lord of Hosts Zechar. 13.7 and therefore He is Jehovah the Lord of Hosts and therefore we may with David be confident that we shall never want c. Ps 23. He is the Sonne of God therefore his bloud cleanseth from all sins 1 Joh. 1.7 therefore the gates of hell shall not prevaile against his Church Math. 16.16 18. He is the first borne of every creature Col. 1.15 therefore they that are his need not dread the malice and opposition of any creature VVhen Zennacharib in the dayes of Hezekiah brake in with his forces like a deluge upon the land of Judah overwhelming it from one side unto another The prophet Isaiah upon this account that it was the land of Immanuel a land interested in Christ who being God from all eternity became one with us in the fulnesse of time bids and as it were proclaimeth a defyance unto all the associations preparations consultations and resolutions of their adversaries Now therefore behold the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river sâ—…ng and many even the King of Assyria and all his glory and he shall come up over all his channels and go over all his banks And he shall passe thorow Judah he shall overflow and go over he shall reach eeven to the neck and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land o Immanuel Associate your selves o ye people and ye shall be broken in pieces and give care all ye of far countryes gird your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces gird your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces Take counsel together and it shall come to nought speak the word and it shall not stand for God is with us Isaiah 8. vers 7 8 9 10. The same Prophet having prophesied of the future enlargement and advancement of the Church by the conversion of the Gentiles chap. 54. vers 1 2 3 in the fourth verse he dehorts from doubt and distrust of the fulfilling of this his prophecy assuring them that their expectation thereof should not be frustrated And whereas the maine discouragements of their hope were their reflection on their servitude in Egypt when they were as it were in their youth Jer. 2.2 Ezek. 23.3 and their present sense of their widdowhood that is desolate condition by the Babylonian bondage the Prophet promiseth them such a glorions estate for the future as shall drown the memory of all their former reproach and misery Fear not for thou shalt not be ashamed neither be thou confounded for thou shalt not be put to shame for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widdowhood any more But now the argument by which he laboureth to erect their faith and hope touching the performance of all this is the Deitie of Christ For thy maker is thy husband the Lord of hosts is his name and thy Redeemer the holy one of Israel the God of the whole earth shall he be called vers 5. Because the Church is espoused unto her Maker therefore no creature shall hurt her Nay all the creatures as there is occasion shall be serviceable unto her Because the holy one of Israel the God of the whole earth is her Redeemer therefore she may confidently expect a full deliverance for with him is plenteous redemption so that he will redeem his Israel from all he â—…iquities Psal 103. vers 7 8. And from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Children of God Rom. 8.21 The Prophet you see makes the Godhead of Christ the foundation of the Churches happiness and that in the most calamitous condition of warre and captivity And for it we have a very good argument from the mouth of our Saviour Joh. 10.29,30 where he asserts the certainety of the salvation of all his sheep from his coequality or coessentiality with his Father in vers 27 he gives us the character of his sheep They are such as obey his doctrine and imitate his example my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow mâ— Hereupon he promiseth them eternal life and perseverance in faith and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand vers 28. They are in his hands under his pastoral care and protection and no man or Devil can take them from him can break off or interrupt either totally or finally their union with him This he maketh good by a comparison of himselfe with his Father in regard of power My Father which gave them me is greater then all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand I and my Father are one vers 29 30. The Father is more powerful then all the creatures then the Devil and all his instruments and therefore none can pluck
God will make plentifull provision for all their wants It is the inference of the Apostle himselfe Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his owne sonne but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things He that soared not his owne sonne his deare son his most tenderly beloved sonne but delivered him up for us all unto the slaughter how shall he not with him freely give us all things that is all things needfull for our eternall happinesse and salvation all things that pertaine to life and godlinesse 2 Pet. 1.13 The promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Timoth. 4.8 4. They may hence be certaine of a continuall confirmation of their graces and preservation from Apostacy Gods t If Kings bear goodwill to some family if his love begin in some chief one who is with him at court as his speciall favourite it is so much the firmer to all the rest of them Thus here how firme and sure is his love to us whoâ—n he hath loved unto life in Christ our head and eldest brother who is his naturall sonne from whom it is impossible that his love should ever start and when it is sure to the head can the body be forsaken Mr Bayne on Eph. â— ver 4. pa. 39. love of them is like his love of him immutable Thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me saith Christ Joh. 17.23 If the head be alwaies the beloved the members can never be hated The fruits therefore of this love the gifts and callings of God are without repentance Rom. 11.29 If the naturall sonne of God be daily his delight and that as well unto as from eternity Therefore with everlasting kindnesse he will have mercy on his adoptive sonnes The mountaines shall depart and the hils be removed But my kindnesse shall not depart from them neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on them Isai 54.8,10 But now if he should not uphold and establish them by his spirit Psalm 51.12 if he should not continually support and underprop their graces but suffer them totally and finally to decay and wither this would be a palpable withdrawing of his loving kindnesse and a shutting up his tender mercies in anger Besides the sonnes love of them resembleth the fathers love of him Joh. 15.9 As the father hath loved me so have have I loved you Now there is no change in the fathers love of him therefore neither in his love of them And therefore we may conclude that as it is their duty so it shall be their priviledge and happinesse to continue in his love The Apostle Paul professeth in the behalfe of all believers that nothing can divorce them from the love of God in Christ that is for Christ I am perswaded saith he that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8.38,39 In those last words which is in Christ Jesus our Lord The Apostle layeth downe the ground of the perpetuity of God's love of his children 'T is not in themselves but in Christ Jesus that is it is for his sake for that unalterable affection which he beareth unto him Lastly from the eminency of God's favour unto Christ his members may with confidence expect the perfect and full glorification of their soules and bodies hereafter in heaven For our Saviour himselfe in that prayer of his Joh. 17. having petitioned for the glory of all that were to believe on him he inforceth this his petition by representing unto the Father the love that he hath borne unto him as man from all eternity Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with mee where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given mee for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world ver 24. Is is as if he had said That love which thou bearest unto me expresse unto those that are mine As thou loved'st mee invest them with that glory which thou hast decreed unto my humanity Believers then may as confidently expect their owne glory as they are assured of the Fathers affection unto Christ and this assurance should digest all their sorrowes and miseries here in this life From Consolations I proceed unto Exhortations and they shall be directed either unto the enemies or members of Christ 1. Then for enemies and aliens they may hence be exhorted 1. Unto humiliation for their past enmity against Christ 2. Unto a serious and earnest endeavour after reconciliation and union with him 1. Unto humiliation for their past enmity against him and his his members ministers and other ordinances Who dare almost oppose the Minions of earthly Princes for History presents us with plentifull instances of such whom their very frownes have ruined O then the hatred of heavens favourite must needs be infinitely more fatall and unfortunate Because he is able to crush his most potent adversaries tremble then to consider that all thy life long thou hast hated the beloved loathed and abhorred God's darling been averse from the Son of his love rejected his elect servant in whom his soule delighteth been a most disaffected and malignant Antagonist unto him in whom the Father is well-pleased 2. Because Christ is so highly graced with God all his enemies may be exhorted to doe what lieth in them for the future for reconciliation and union with him by application of themselves unto the diligent use of such meanes and ordinances as God hath sanctified and set apart for that purpose For those that are not united with him cannot expect so much as a good look from God because God is reconciled onely in him 2 Cor. 5.19 he accepts none but in the beloved Ephes 1.6 He is well pleased with none but such as are in him Those that are out of him lye under the displeasure and wrath of God which is a consuming fire In terrene courts how ambitious are men to be related unto the grand favourite as knowing that he is the channell of all considerable preferments Should it not then be the utmost ambition of men to have relation unto Christ for through him onely God dispenseth all saving favours unto the sonnes of men We may say of him in reference unto God as Tacitus did of Sejanus the powerfull favourite of Tiberius ut quisque Sejano intimus ita ad Caesaris amicitiam validus Contrà quibus infensus esset metu ac sordibus conflictebantur He that was an intimate of Sejanus needed not with any great labour search for honours He that had him his enemy languished under dispraise and misery None had any honour without his favour Neither without him could any keep any place of either profit or credit with security Besides
in him a fulnesse A fulnesse 1 of the grace of his favour love and mercy towards us The Apostle ascribes unto him riches of this grace and affirmeth that therein he hath abounded unto us Ephes 1.7,8 neither is this barely affirmed but as strongly confirmed from the effects or fruits thereof 1. In our justification In whom we have redemption the forgivenesse of sins according unto the riches of his grace c. both of which are plenary Psal 130.7 In him there is plenteous redemption He will abundantly pardon Isay 55.7 or he will multiply to pardon as it is in the margent 2. In our vocation In the riches of his grace he hath abounded towards us in all wisdome and prudence ver 8. Thus also Rom. 10.12 the Lord is said to be rich to wit in mercy love and favour Ephes 2.4 Vnto all that call upon him Where by Lord saith Diodati is meant Jesus Christ who by his death resurrection hath gotten himselfe a title over all men to be their Lord master to be the head of the elect amidst all Nations And he is said to be rich in the fruits and effects thereof For as Calvin and Estius upon the place observe rich is here taken actively for bountifull liberall or gracious The bounty and liberality of men may be disenabled by extensivenesse unto too many but it cannot be so with the grace love and favour of our Lord Jesus Christ for he hath unsearchable riches Eph. 3.8 that cannot be impaired by communicativenesse He cannot be impoverished though he be rich unto all that call upon him This fulnesse of Christs love is to the full displayed in the Song of Solomon and that both in the Churches confessions and Christs owne professions of it 1. In the Churches confessions of it and that both to Christ and others 1. She makes a gratefull acknowledgement of it unto Christ himselfe Thy love saith she is better then wine Cant. 1.2 Next she celebrates and reports it unto others chap. 3.9,10 King Solomon that is Christ made him a chariot that is framed assumed unto himselfe an humane nature the midst or innermost whereof his heart being paved with love of the daughters of Jerusalem that is the elect of God the children of Jerusalem the mother of us all In Isay 49.16 Zion is said to be engraven upon the palmes of his hand but here to be as it were written upon his heart y But as the heart signifieth inward love so the arme of Christ signifieth his outward manifestation of love by helping bearing supporting her in all her infirmities through his power Psal 77.15 89.10 Esa 40.10,11 Ainsworth She was in his heart to live and dye for her 2 Corin. 7.3 Againe chap. 7.10 His desire saith she or desirous affection is towards mee As it said of the woman Gen. 3.16 that her desire should be unto her husband Next we have Christs owne profession of this great love of his unto his Church He termeth her his love his dove his spouse his sister his beloved his friends Chap. 5. v. 1. He acquaints her that in expression of his love unto her he had endured much trouble and misery for her My head saith he is filled with dew and my locks with the drops of the night Chap. 5.2 Unto the Churches confession and Christs owne profession of this fulnesse of love we joyne also the Churches petition for it Cant. 8.6 Set me as a seale upon thy heart as a seale upon thine arme This was a prayer dictated unto and penned for the Church by the Holy Ghost himselfe and therefore if she put it up with faith and confidence it cannot be successelesse From it then we may conclude that the Church is very precious in Christs esteeme graven as the graving of a seale upon his heart And this his estimate of her he will manifest by wearing her as a signet upon his right hand The high priest Exod. 28. was to beare the names of the children of Israel engraven upon twelve precious stones and set in gold in the breast-plate of judgement upon his heart when he goeth in unto the holy place for a memoriall before the Lord continually vers 17 18 19 20 21 29. Herein the exceeding and wonderfull care and love of Christ unto his members is plainly typified and that in diverse particulars 1. The names of the children of Israel were engraven upon twelve precious stones set in gold to shew that the people of Christ are very deare and precious unto him as it were his jewels and precious stones Mal. 3.17 2. Besides there was curious art bestowed upon the engraving of these names It was like the engraving of a signet ver 21. And this might figure the curiosity of Christs workmanship in creating and engraving holinesse the image of God upon the spirits of his people which farre exceeded that which was used in the framing of those glorious and celestiall bodies the sunne moone and starres And the curiositie of this his workmanship in the beautifying of his members is a demonstration of his extraordinary affection unto them 3. His care of them and affection to them is not onely joynt and generall but particular and severall of one by one * Babington in locum The High priest was to have in his brest-plate the twelve stones with the particular names of the Tribes 4. Christ beareth his members not onely on his shoulders vers 12. by his protection of them and patience unto them but in his breast and heart by his singular and most tender affection towards them While he was here on earth his heart was so set upon them as that he shed his heart blood for them And now he is gone into the holy place they are still upon and in his heart he is still mindfull of and deeply sollicitous for promoting their salvation He even now rejoyceth in the habitable part of his earth and there will never be a period in his delights with the sonnes of men Prov. 8.31 the twelve stones are termed Exodus 25.7 lapides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is stones of fulnesses or filling stones Perhaps thinks Altingius loc com part 2. pag. 1. because the breast plate was filled with them and this might signifie that the breast or heart of Christ was even filled with his members in regard the love of his heart was fully placed upon them more then on all the rest of the creatures 5. The High Priest was to beare the names of the children of Israel for a memoriall before the Lord continually And this might denote that Christ is ever mindfull of his people Can a woman forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the sonne of her wombe yea they may forget yet will not I forget thee saith the Lord Christ unto his Zion Isay 49.15 Christ remembreth all his people even when as man he seeth them not And this might be imported by the High
velut ab ipso attracta sese quam celerrimè movebunt nam ab objecto trabi rapi quippiam notum est utovem à ramo viridi sibi ostenso puerum à pomo filium à matre conspectâ ac vicissem matrem à filio quae tamen omnia moventur etiam ab interna quadam insita virtute Estius in locum 1 Thes 4.17 Whence they collect that glorified bodies shall be made so strong nimble agile as that they shall be able to meet the Lord in the aire afterwards to soare up with him unto the very heavens Out of the Apocrypha they cite wisedom 3.7 In the time of their visitation they shall shine and runne to and fro like sparkes among the stubble A fourth endowment of glorified bodies which Paul reckoneth up is spirituality It is sowen a naturall body it is raised a spirituall body 1 Cor. 15.44 This is that which the Schoolemen call subtilty The mis-interpretation of which by some I have before noted and then also I acquainted you with Capreolus and Durand their exposition of it which I confesse is orthodox but yet not the meaning of the Apostle in this place For a naturall body unto which a spirituall body is here opposed is in the Greeke not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an animal or soulie body that is actuated and animated by the soule after a naturall way and manner by the intervention of bodily helps such as eating drinking sleeping and the like In all congruence of opposition then spirituality is here opposed unto animality and a glorified body is said to be spirituall in regard of an immediate supportance by the spirit without any corporall meanes in an everlasting incorruptible blessed and glorious life In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God in heaven Math. 22.30 without any use of the generative and nutritive faculties The Fourth and last place which I shall alleadge touching this particular is Rom. 8.23 Where the full and perfect glorification of the bodies of those that here receive the first fruites of the spirit is tearmed Synecdochically in regard of the tearme from which it is redemption to wit from all the punishments of sinne and in conformity hereunto the day of generall judgment and resurrection is stiled the day of redemption Ephes 4.30 There is a redemption by way of price and a redemption by way of power The redemption of both our soules and bodies in a way of price was finished by Christ in the worke of his humiliation and he rested from it upon the day of his owne resurrection The redemption of our soules by power is perfected in the houre of death But the redemption of our bodies by power will not be consummated untill the day of our resurrection and then they shall be fully delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God And thus have I confirmed our future conformity in soules and bodies unto the all fulnesse of glory that dwelleth in the humanity of Christ Now the certainty hereof should comfort us against the sinfull corruptions of our soules the naturall cumber and wearinesse the most ignominious deformities the most painfull infirmities of our bodies all other wants and miseries of our lives and lastly the feare of death a King of terrours unto all that are out of Christ 1. Against the sinfull corruptions of our soules There is no evill of so malignant a nature as sinne and therefore nothing so great and grievous a burden unto a pious and sanctified spirit Nothing so strong an argument for griefe and mourning But now the assured hope of our conformation unto Christs glory will put due limits and bounds unto this our sorrow so that it will keepe it from degenerating into despaire and keep us from being swallowed up of over much sorrow 2 Cor. 2.7 for it assureth us that all our corruptions shall one day be totally and finally subdued and we shall be endewed with a spotlesse holinesse that cannot be defiled and so shall be presented unblameable and unreproveable in the sight of God Col. 1.22 Secondly Here is comfort against the naturall cumber and wearinesse the ignominious deformities the painfull infirmities of our bodies c. For our resurrection will be a glorious redemption from them all Here many times our dull and unactive bodies are unable or unready to obey the commands to performe the desires of our soules and so are burdensome clogs and not serviceable helps unto them That which is sowed in weakenesse shall be raised in power Glorified bodies shall be endewed with such a power as shall render them most obedient able and agile instruments of their soules The Speed of their motion shall be like that of the devouring fire in a heape of drie stubble and the height of it shall surpasse the towring flight of the eagle For they shall be able to meet the Lord in the aire 1 Thes 4.17 when he comes to judgment and afterwards mount up unto the third and highest heavens Suppose we have blemishes either naturall or contracted that render us deformed in the sight of men Why the glory and beautie of the resurrection will exclude all defects The most unhansome ill-favoured and mis-shapen body of a saint shall be fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body Our bodies here are little better then receptacles of frailty and paine subject unto all manner of inward distempers or outward annoyances But the impassibility and clarity of our bodies in their glorified condition be will an abundant compensation for all this He that can with an eye of faith behold the future configuration of his vile body unto Christs body of glory will with patience support his spirit under the tedious languishment of a lingering consumption under the raging violence of a pestilentiall feaver under the otherwise unsupportable torments of the goute cholick stone c. And in the third place he will patiently undergoe all other wants and miseries of this life As for wants he knoweth that we have Gods promise to supply them Phil. 4.19 God shall supply all your need according unto his riches in glory by Christ Jesus As for all the most grievous aflictions of this life he expects a far more exceeding weight of glory that will overpoyse them 2 Cor. 4.17 The Apostle there expresseth our future blisse in foure gradations 1. It is glory 2. it is massie or weightie glory whereas our aflictions are but light 3. it is eternall and in comparison of that our aflictions are but for a moment 4. it is a farre more exceeding weight then our aflictions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exceedingly exceeding or above measure exceeding that is it is unmeasurable I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 This life unto the best is Bochim a vale of