Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	divine_a	person_n	subsistence_n	5,727	5	12.7007	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85733	The buddings and blossomings of old truths: or, Severall practicall points of divinity, gathered out of that sacred evangelist, St. John, chap. the third, from verse 22. ad finem. By that worthy light and lamp of heaven, Alexander Gross, Bach. of Divinity, and late preacher of Ashberton, in Com. Devon.	Grosse, Alexander, 1596?-1654.	1656 (1656)	Wing G2068; Thomason E1577_2; ESTC R209389	251,205	463

of the honour of Christ that seeketh its owne applause Joh. 5.44 1. Pet. 5.5 6. The last thing in this Verse was the manner of manifesting Christ Jesus he must increase Doctr. CHrist Jesus is not fully and at once but by degrees revealed unto his Servants the Sun appeareth by degrees so doth the sun of righteousnes by degrees manifest himselfe unto his people the blind man in the Gospel saw men as trees first he saw obscurely afterwards he saw more plainely thus Cant. 2.8 he was seen as on the mountaines a farre of then vers 9. he came nigher Joh. 16.29 Luc. 24.31 And our Saviour doth after this manner reveale himselfe unto his people I. Because of their infirmity as we reveale things to Children teach them a little and things easy at the first giving them milk and not strong meate Iac. 16.12 Mat. 9.16 17. II. Because they shall be sensible of the difficulty of obtaining it they shall be inforced to seek Prov. 2.2 3. search Ioh. 5.39 to waite Prov. 8.34 III. This he doth to humble us for our ignorance and removing corruption Use Therefore we must strive to grow in the knowledge of Christ as Schollers in learning apprentices in their trades we are not perfect 1 Cor. 13.9 12. therefore with Mary Luk. 10 39. with the lame man Joh. 5.5 we must not set still but 2 Pet. 3.18 we must not cease but strive to be filled Col. 1.10 Vse 2 This will teach us that all such as are Gods Servants do find Christ Jesus revealing himselfe unto them more graciously his Kingdome doth increase within them the longer they are in Christ the more clearly they understand his will the more sensibly they are affected with his love the more glorious he is in their eyes the more firmely they cleave to him the more strongly they build upon him the more abundance of contentement they find in him the more cheerefully they follow him VERS 31. THe Baptist having endevoured to remove from himselfe the sinister opinion which the Disciples conceived of him now he plainely delivereth his opinion of Christ sheweth by another comparison how farre he excelleth all others how much he is superiour to all others likening Christ to a King or supream Commander who speaking from his throne or tribunall is to be hearkned unto with all reverence but likeneth himselfe to one whose seate is in the dust infimetily inferiour unto Christ he who cometh from above who is not onely God-man but also God who teacheth divine and heavenly things in whom is nothing but that which is heavenly and full of Majesty he is above all in the excellency of his nature authority power wisedome and ability to unfold Gods counsell being the onely begotten of the Father in the bosome of the Father no creature man nor Angel being any thing in comparison of him but he who is of the earth even every man who hath an earthly originall and beginning is earthly ignorant carnall weake savouring of the things of the earth and can no further savour perceive or speake of the things of God than as they are revealed to him by him who is from above The Words set before us 1. Christs excellency 2. Mans indignity Christs excellency is set forth 1. By his originall he cometh from above 2. By his Dominion he is above all Man 's indignity is set forth 1. By his originall or from whence he is from the earth 2. By his quality or disposition earthly 3. By his practise speaketh of the earth first of Christs originall he cometh from above that is usually in Scripture said to be from above which is from heaven Acts 2.19 which is excellent and of great accompt of a spirituall and heavenly nature Gal. 4.26 or doth belong to a heavenly life Col. 3.1 The Sonne of God is said to be from above because he is God coequall with the Father according to his divine nature from the Father by eternall generation as he is the second person in the Trinity he is said to come from above in that he assumed our nature into the unity of his person dwelt in our flesh appeared in the forme of a servant to work out our redemption Doctr. That Christ Jesus who came to work out our redemption with a divine and heavenly originall and is even the Son of God by eternall generation Prov. 8.22 23 24 25 30. Psal 2.7 Phil. 2.7 8. Mat. 3.17 and this it behoved him to bee Reas 1 For the full expression of Gods unspeakeable love to his chosen had God sent a man an Angell a meere creature his love had not beene so great so excellent so worthy of admiration but now when he sent his owne Sonne his onely Sonne this did wonderfully disclose his love unto his people If a King send not a common man a counsellour a favourite but his owne Sonne to be a ransome to redeeme the captived a Physician to heale the diseased a teacher to instruct his ignorant subjects it is an argument of singular love so Ioh. 3.16 1 Ioh. 4.16 Reas 2 For the sustaining of his Fathers wrath a burthen which would have ground the rocks to powder and the mountaines to dust a fire whose heate would have dried up the deep waters of the Sea a wind which would have overturned all the Cedars of Lebanon and removed the pillars of the earth out of their places an arrow that would have drunk up the Spirits of all the mighty men of the earth a Wine-presse which neither man nor Angell was able to tread a cup which our Saviour himselfe prayed might passe from him a passion which made him sweat drops of blood which constrained him to complaine of desertion Psal 22.1 Reas 3 For the satisfying of his Fathers justice it was in vaine Mic. 6.6 7. Isa 40.16 the debt was so great that all the World was too little to make satisfaction Isa 53.10 11. as Psal 49.6 7. Reas 4 For the revealing of his Fathers will and counsell a sealed booke which none can open Rev. 5.3 4 5. therefore Ia. 1.18 Col. 2.3 Matth. 11.27 Reas 5 For the making of us to be the Sonnes of God by adoption Gal. 4.4 5. He that was the Sonne of God became a Servant to make us the Sonnes of God by grace who were the Servants of sin by corruption he emptied himselfe that we might be filled Reas 6 For the sanctifying and washing away the sin of our Souls no nitre could cleanse us Ier. 2.22 Abanah and Pherphar could not wash away the Leprosy of our Souls nothing but the Jordan of Christs blood could doe it 1 Ioh. 1.7 This quencheth our burning lusts extinguisheth our carnall and worldly thirst as Christ came by blood to justify us so he came by water to sanctify us 1 Ioh. 5.6 8. these things he could not work for us were he not omnipotent alsufficient and from above Vse This teacheth us whence our salvation and externall happines cometh not from beneath not from

to the hous of God spiritual blessings are of the chiefest use they are profitable to all things and in all estates they are the choicest ornament they are of the greatest price they bring the sweetest peace and are of the longest continuance and therefore if you will shew your love in any thing shew it in this In making them whom love partakers of these blessings 5. This must comfort all God's children all such as are truely sanctified all on whom God hath poured out the saving grace of the Spirit though the world hate you as Esau hated Jacob Gen. 27.41 as Ahab hated Micaiah 1 King 22.8 as Saul hated David 1 Cor. 4.13 though you are of no reputation in the eies of men yet comfort your selvs in this the Lord loveth you the Lord hath shewed the testimonies of his choicest affections towards you therefore bee sure that in his love hee will supply you when you want solace you when you are heavy deliver you when you are oppressed rais you when you are cast down as in his love hee brought Israël from the iron fornace the Egyptian bondage so in his love hee will in due season put an end to all your affliction and let his love bee a sufficient recompence for the want of all mens affection a strong stay in all trouble the King's love fully answereth the beggars hatred the Master's love the servants displeasure the light of the sun the want of all other lights plenty of wine the want of small drink his love is better than the richest treasure the choicest dainties the brightest sun Cant. 1.4 his love is everlasting a stream full of refreshment a hand full of strength a lamp of oil Jer. 31.3 that which is and may well be to all that have it instead of all friends peace joy dignity riches a thousand fold better then any earthly abundance Thus of the Connexion in the words themselvs wee have set before us 1. the love of God the father unto Christ The Father loveth the Son 2. the sequel of this love and hath given all things into his hands 1. Of the love of the Father to the Son whence two things are to bee noted I. That God the Father doth bear a singular affection unto his Son Christ Jesus II. That the love of God to Christ Jesus is the fountain of all happiness which cometh to his chosen servants First of the former of these Doctr. That God the Father doth bear a singular affection unto his Son Christ Jesus the love of God the Father unto Christ is so great so wonderfull so unspeakable that no capacity can fully comprehend it no tongue perfectly describe it no similitude sufficiently express it if I should liken it to the sun the sea the whole element of fire the glory of the sun is but a glow-worm to it the whole ocean but as a few drops the element of fire but as a few sparks of this but slender resemblances of it there is no comparison between things finite and infinite but the truth of this is manifest by the title given unto Christ called by a kinde of excellency God 's beloved Eph. 1.16 twice testified to bee so by an audible voice from heaven Mat. 3.17 Mat. 17.5 the excellency of it by way of comparison far excelling the love that God did bear to the Angels Heb. 1.5 the truth of this is moreover evideneed Reas 1. By the near union between the Father and the Son the Son in respect of his God-head beeing one substance with the Father as the water in the stream is one and the same in substance with the water in the fountain distinguished onely by relation as one and the same man may be a father and a son in several relations yet but one man hence God the Father and God the Son are said to bee one 1 John 5.7 John 10.30 2. By the similitude and likeness between them as the Father so the Son is holy absolutely independently according to his God-head and also as hee was man hee knew no sin there was no guil found in his lips hee was a lamb without spot pure grain without chaff 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Pet. 2.22 1 Pet. 1.19 Luke 23.41 3. By the high and admirable privileges wherewith hee endued him even as hee was man hee made his son not onely by creation as the Angels by adoption as his converted people but by grace of hypostatical union making the humane nature one in subsistence with the Second person in the Trinity hee hath made him head of the Church the Fountain of grace to all his chosen the Prince of peace the Lord of glory annointed King Priest and Prophet of the Church Eph. 1.22 Eph. 1.4 Isa 9.6 1 Cor. 2.8 Vse This must therefore stablish the faith of all God's people cause them to build upon Christ as upon a sure rock a strong foundation the love of the Father towards him is unspeakable the Father so loveth him that hee will not deny any petition of his but hee is heard in whatsoëver hee doth sue for hee putteth all into his hand as Gen. 41.40 once Pharaoh put the government of his kingdom into the hands of Joseph set him over all his house and ordained that according to his word all his people should bee ruled onely in the Throne hee would bee chief so hath God the Father put all into Christ's hand committed the ministration of his kingdom unto him onely in the Throne God will be chief above Christ as Mediator and therefore as a man having a friend in the King's Court whom the King loveth above all others hee cometh with confidence is assured that hee will prevail with the King for him the love of God to Christ doth infinitely surpass the love of any King to his Favorite or any other whosoever is most dear to him the love of God to Christ is most pure most perfect most full immutable and everlasting and therefore let us bee confident wee shall finde acceptance in him for all the promises of God in Christ are yea and amen 2 Cor. 1.2 and wee shall obtain whatsoëver wee ask in his name Joh. 16.23 God for the love hee beareth to Christ Jesus will not deny the suits of any of his servants 2. This serveth for the singular comfort of all the members of Christ though they bee unworthy of any love or favor in regard of their failings and manifold infirmities yet God hath a fervent love to Christ their head though the clouds of their sin hide away the light of God's face and the Lord seem to have forsaken them yet hee still loveth Christ their head their husband their friend if the King should bee highly displeased threaten death to a woman for som offence committed yet if shee had a husband whom the King loved unfeignedly and earnestly to whom hee would deny no request this would comfort her exceedingly Such a husband have wee and therefore wee may boldly approach unto the

as if God had brought them into a condition wherein he could not preserve them into a danger out of which he could not deliver them made a promise which he was not able to accomplish Psa 106.25 Hereby they deny Gods Soverainty and dominion they harkened not saith the. Psalmist Psa 106.25 that is they detracted from Gods authority and dominion they would not be guided by his voice ruled by his counsell but would fight against the Amalekites go into the land of promise when God forbad them Deut. 1.42 43.44 thus you see now greatly God is dishonoured by infidelity 2. Therefore as we doe desire to make the name of God glorious to doe any thing pleasing in Gods presence let us labour to beleeve his word to consent subcribe and yeeld to the truth of his testimony to search after the through-knowledge of it to imbrace it with most hearty and unfained affection to build upon it as upon a sure foundation to rest upon Christ alone for life and salvation to get a gracious perswasion in our hearts of the goodnesse of God in Christ towards our own soules to stay upon Christ as upon a sure pillar to build upon him as upon the onely foundation a foundation which will not faile to fasten our faith upon him as the marriner his Anker on a sure rock and as 2 Chron. 32.8 so let us rest our selves upon the promises of God no other hath promised life and salvation no other can conferre the remission of sinne and life eternall no other can deliver from Hell sinne and Satan therefore let us take off our hearts from all other and relye onely upon him Isa 45.22 for there is no other name Acts 4.12 and all the promises which God hath made in him are most certaine 2 Cor. 1.20 most constant whatsoever change there be this faileth not Isa 40.8 this like the Sea continueth full though other water brookes doe faile these are most pleasant and delightfull full of refreshment delight and comfort to Gods people Psa 23.4 and in beleeving Gods promises in geting interest in them in building upon them wee shall be drawne to attend Gods ordinances with delight as the child sucketh the brests as Job desired it more then his appointed food to come as to our fathers house as into our friends presence to be glad with David Psa 122.1.2 Wee shall stirre up others to seeke God in the use of his ordinances we shall call others Jsa 2.2 wee shall strive to bring them to the Physitian of their soules to make them partakers of his Grace Lu. 22.32 3. Wee shall be full of love to God and to his wayes Gal. 5.6 7. Wee shall be rich in all good works like a tree full of fruit a garden full of sweet flowers and thus shall we abundantly glorifie God by believing to this we should be induced by considering the fulnesse and Alsuffici of Christ Jesus for Verse 34. He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the spirit to him by measure The Baptist here rendereth the reason why they doe put to their seale that God is true when they doe receive the testimony of Christ even because the testimony of Christ is the testimony of God for Christ is come from his Heavenly Father and God alone doth speake by him for so Jo. 7.16 Jo. 14.24 Heb. 5.5 6. wherein we may consider 1. Christs authority he whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God 2. His sufficiency for he hath not received the spirit by measure first his authority hee was sent of God equall with God in regard of his Divine Essence but inferiour to the Father according of his humane nature office of a Mediatour the Sun is said to be sent in that he was appointed put forth and furnished with gifts and authority to fulfill the office of a Mediatour Gal. 4.4 and to speake the words of God in that as a Messenger declareth not his owne mind but his who sent him So Christ doth deliver the mind and Councell of God the Father from whence we may learne that the doctrine which is delivered by Christ Jesus is most holy and infallable the very word of God who is truth it selfe a doctrine of power to convince Mat. 7.28 full of light to give knowledge Mat. 4 16. a key opening Gods Councell which is hidden from the wise men of the World Lu. 10.21.22 a Doctrine not to be reproved but worthy to be beleeved Jo. 8.46 therefore to this wee should come upon this wee should wait as upon the light which alone is able to shew us the way of life as upon the Schoole wherein we may learne true wisedome 2. Tim. 3.17 as on the Jordan which will cleanse us from our iniquities Jo. 15.3 This wee should imbrace as the seed which will beget us againe unto a new life Jo. 1.18 As the voice which will raise us Jo. 11.44 Jo. 5.25 On this wee should feed as on the Milke which will make us grow in the grace of Gods Spirit 1 Pet. 2.2 this wee must follow as the fiery pillar which will lead us to the Heavenly Canaan this wee must use as the Spiritual weapon which will beate down the holds of sinne Satan which will cast him downe as the thunder doth the lightning thus wee must affect as the meanes of peace and reconcilement between us and our God Much more might be said of this but wee have lately heard of this more largely One thing more may be learned out of these words from the preparation of Christ to his office as he comming to preach the Gospel had his commission from God spake no other but the words of God so it setteth before us the duty of Gods Messengers and teacheth us Gods Ministers must be sure that God doe give them their commission and that they preach nothing but what is Gods will and councell First they must have a commission as an Embassadour must have a commission from his Soveraigne So Heb. 5.4.5 This is so needfull that without it they cannot discharge their calling Ro. 10.15 Therefore wisedomes Maidens Christs Ministers went not of their owne accord but were sent Pro. 9.3 And the Prophets of old went not upon their owne head but the Lord sent them Jer. 44.4 The disciples of our Saviour had also authority given before they undertooke this function Mat. 10.16 as they must have their commission so they must deliver none but Gods mind and message to the people an Embassadour may not deliver his owne but his Soveraignes message to the people it was the Lords charge Ezeck 2.7 It was Pauls care 1 Cor. 11.23 and 1 Pet. 4.11 And it was Peters comfort 2 Pet. 1.16 2. Cor 1.11.12 2 Cor. 4.1.2 Their commission they must have from God 1. Because otherwise they cannot faithfully open the mind and councell of God how can they preach accept they be sent unlesse they be furnished and prepared by the

none of the Astrologers onely Joseph and Daniel can interpret it for Mat. 11.27 7. In regard of the ministration of his kingdom and government of his Church and people none so great a charge so many people to rule so many great and strong enemies to oppose subdue and conquer therefore hee is said to bee girded with the sword Justice by his Word the sword of the spirit striking the hearts of rebellious people to bring them into subjection to ride upon the word of Truth by the ministry of the Gospel defending his chosen beating down sin and superstition working many wonders striking terror into the hearts of his enemies and for the accomplishment hereof hee is said to anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows to have received more grace then all men or angels Psal 45.3 4 5 6 7. for thus also it is said that the spirit of God doth rest upon him filling him with all heavenly gifts and graces the spirit of wisedom fulness of knowledg in the things of God the spirit of understanding promptness and readiness to know all things of what nature or condition soever the spirit of counsel faculty and quicksightedness to free himself out of all perplexities the spirit of might courage to teach the truth and to oppose shake and overthrow all fals doctrine and to reprove their wicked conversation the spirit of knowledg a sure and firm understanding of things the spirit of fear filial cheerfull and perfect obedience Isa 11.2 3 4. Observ Isa 512. 1. In external appearance hee was outwardly of low estate Phil. 2.6 7. but the more contemptible hee was in his outward condition the more evident was the work of the God head manifesting it self therein 2. Hee wanted beauty in the eies of carnal men the sun seemeth not beautifull to the blinde but to such as have the eie of understanding savingly enlightned hee is the fairest of ten thousand Cant. 5. vers 10. Vse This by way of instruction sheweth where to go to have all our spiritual wants supplied and furnished Christ is the fountain in whom the Father hath put all fulness hee is the Physitian that can cure us when wee are diseased the Conquerer able to deliver us when wee are captived the Counseller able to advise us when wee are doubtfull hee is the Teacher which can instruct us when wee are ignorant Isa 9.6 therefore when all the cisterns of the world are broken holding no water when no physitian can cure us when all store-houses are empty and no hand can enrich us when all lips are shut and no tongue can comfort us when all waters like Abana and Pharphar have no healing virtue no cleansive power then like the woman Mark 5.11 let us come to Christ like Naaman 2 King 5.14 let us come to the Jordan of his blood for in his hand there is power to heal the wounded soul in his blood is efficacy to purge away the filth of sin which no nitre can purge in his word is virtue to comfort the troubled soul which no voice of man or angel can quiet Isa 50.4 in him as the Apostle saith dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.9 in him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell Col. 1.19 all fulness both for number and measure of graces there is in Christ an absolute compleatness 1. In respect of members Ephes 1.23 2. In respect of inhabitation of the divine nature Col. 2.9 3. In respect of power and authority over all both in heaven and earth Mat. 28.4 In respect of merit 5. In respect of grace in him is fulness of wisedom to make us wise fulness of redemption to make us free fulness of righteousness to make us just fulness of sanctification to make us holy and hee is made to us of God 1 Cor. 1.30 therefore to him let us come Mat. 11.28 2. This by way of confutation reproveth and confuteth all Saint-worshippers and Meritmongers in Christ is all fulness there needeth no supply from Saint Angels or Works a fulness is no where to bee had but onely in Christ hee is able to save us to the utmost his royal robes are long enough to cover us his arm is strong enough to deliver us hee needeth not another to bee joyned with him hee trod the wine-press of his Father's wrath alone Isa 63. hee is the lamb slain from the beginning of the world which taketh away the sin of all beleevers in the world John 1.29 neither Saint nor Angel but Christ hath purged away our sin and is set down at the right hand of God Heb. 1.3 hee maketh reconciliation Heb 2.17 hee offered himself Heb. 7.27 all other are broken cisterns weak shields such as will not cover us in the day of Gods anger therefore it is not kiss the Saints but the Son Psal 2.12 3. By way of exhortation this seemeth to stir up men to labor for fulness of grace to bee replenished in measure as Christ is above measure as the members of the body are answerable to the head the branches in the tree answerable to the fulness of the juice in the root of the tree so wee who are members of the body whereof Christ is head branches in the true vine should labor a blessed fulness of all graces wee should strive to bee full of knowledg as the sea full of waters Isa 11.9 abundant in love 1 Thess 3.12 perfect in patience Isa 1.5 ful of joy and peace in the holy Ghost Rom. 15.13 full of faith in beleeving God's promises full of courage in maintaining God's truth against all opposition Act. 6.8 rich in all good works 1 Tim. 6.18 like trees bearing much fruit lamps holding much oil vessels filled with good liquor like travellers going forward like rich men building their barns greater enlarging our hearts more and more towards God and his waies this is the Apostle's charge 2 Pet. 3.18 this is Saint Paul's earnest entreaty 1 Thes 4.1 and for increas of grace of grace wee should strive 1. Becaus the more grace the more sweetness shall wee finde the more consolation shall draw from the ordinances of God the more health the more comfort doth the body finde in the food prepared for it the more perfect the eie the more pleasure it taketh in the light of the sun which it beholdeth the ordinances of God do good to them that are good Mic. 2.7 to those they are sweet Psal 119.103 joyous Jer. 15.16 comfortable tidings Rom. 10.15 holiness maketh God's ordinances to the soul like the chariots which Joseph sent to Jacob an occasion of reviving Gen. 48.25 like a wel-spring to the thirsty like dew to the ground like a feast to the hungry Psal 65.4 Cant. 2.4 2. The more grace the more comfort wee shall have in God's presence the more clearness wee shall behold in God's countenance the more obedient the childe is the more favorably his parent looketh on him the more profitably the servant