given to him of the Father 3. Wee are not presented before the Father without our Mediator Christ. 4. Christ and wee his little ones joyned together and separated from the worlde are a pleasant sight for the Father to beholde Vers. 14. Forasmuch then as the Children are part-takers of flesh blood Hee also Himselfe lykewyse tooke part of the same that through death Hee might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devill 1. HEe giveth farther reasons of his Incarnation And first hee behoved by death to destroy the Devill that had the power of Death and so behoved to bee a Man that hee might die THEN 1. Sinners without Christ are vnder the sentence of death temporall and eternall 2. Satan hath power of Death as the Burrio hath power over the Pitte and Gallowes at death to take them away to torment who are not delivered from his power 3. Christ hath destroyed Satan's power and tyrannie in this poynt in behalfe of all his Elect and true Believers 4. The way how Christ hath overcome Satan is by his owne death ransoming his owne 5. Frae death behoved to bee the way it behoved also Christ to bee a mortall man as well as God that hee might die 2. Agayne hee sayeth Christ tooke parte of flesh and blood with the Children that is with the Elect given to him THEN 1. Loue to the Elect made the Sonne of GOD come downe and make himselfe a Man also 2. CHRIST in his humane nature is as kyndlie a Man as anie of the Elect having flesh and blood and bones as well as wee His flesh and blood is not onelie lyke to ours but is a parte of our substance who is come of the same stocke of Adam and Eue as surelie as ours and not made eyther by creation of nothing or by transsubstantion of some other thing than our substance Vers. 15. And deliver them who through feare of death were all their lyfe tyme subject to bondage ANother Fruit of Christ's death is the deliverie of Believers from the bondage of the feare of death wherein they doe lye before Beliefe THEN 1. There is a naturall feare of Death and the Devill and Hell rooted in all men all wayes albeit not aye felt yet easilie wakened 2. This Feare putteth Men in bondage that they dare not meditate on Death or GOD'S Iudgement or Hell as deserved by themselues 3. CHRIST'S death delivereth his Subjects from the danger of this evill and from the bondage of this feare also 4. None but a Chylde of Christ's can haue solide and true Cowrage agaynst Death neyther is there a Free Man in the worlde except true Christians Vers. 16. For verilie Hee tooke not on Him the nature of Angels But Hee tooke on Him the seed of Abraham HEe insisteth in the Doctrine of Christ's Incarnation because it is the ground of all our Comfort and secludeth the Angels from such a honour as wee haue there-by The Sonne of God tooke on him the seede of Abraham and not the nature of Angels sayeth the Apostle THEN 1. CHRIST hath his proper subsistance and beeing in himselfe before the Incarnation even his owne Divine nature with personall properties existing For hee is the Sonne of GOD the second person of the Godhead before hee tooke on our nature 2. Hee choosed to assume our nature for our deliverie and not the Angels nature for deliverie of such as were fallen of their kynde 3. The nature that hee taketh on is Man's verie nature the seede of Abraham 4. Hee preventeth the personall subsistance of our nature hee assumeth the seede of Abraham 5. Hee maketh an Vnion of our nature with his Divine Nature 6. The way of making the Vnion is ASSVMPTION or TAKING of our nature vnto his owne whereby remayning the same which hee was before to wit The sonne of GOD hee joyneth our nature to himselfe and becōmeth what hee was not before to wit the Sonne of Man 7. Hee assumeth the seed of ABRAHAM that he may bee knowne to be no other but the same Messias which was promised by the Prophets to the Fathers 8. When hee hath assumed Man's nature to His Owne Divine Nature Hee remayneth the same HEE that Hee was before still one person So CHRIST IESVS is the promised Messias the second person of the Godhead verie God from everlasting and verie Man since the conception of the Virgine Marie before his Incarnation having onelie his owne Divine Nature in his person but now since that tyme having our nature also personallie vnited with his Divine Nature so to remayne both God and Man in one person for our good for ever Vers. 17. Wherefore in all thinges it behooved Him to bee made lyke vnto His Brethren that Hee might bee a mercifull and faythfull high Priest in thinges pertayning to GOD to make reconciliation for the sinnes of the people HEe concludeth That Christ behooved to partake both of our nature and punishment or miserie that wee might ceceaue the more good of Him 1. First hee sayeth Hee behooved to bee lyke his Brethren in all thinges that is for substance of nature for naturall properties for sinnelesse infirmiteis for fellowship in Temptations and miseries and in all thinges whatsoever our Good did requyre his making like vnto vs. THEN 1. They who imagine and worship a Christ not lyke to vs in all these thinges wherein the Scripture pronounceth him lyke vnto vs doe misstake the true Christ and worship a false 2. It is verie necessarie that wee conceaue rightlie of Christ's person seeing the Scripture doeth presse the knowledge thereof vpon vs so particularlie 2. Hee showeth the ende of his conforming himselfe vnto vs to bee That hee might bee a faythfull and mercifull high Priest THEN 1. As Christ tooke on our nature so in our nature hee tooke on a speciall Office of Priesthoode to doe vs good 2. In this his Office hee is faythfull and will neglect nothing night nor day that may helpe vs. 3. In our slippes and over-sightes hee will bee mercifull vnto vs. 4. Seeing hee hath conformed himselfe to vs for this ende wee may take his communion of nature and miseries with vs for a Pawne and Pledge to assure vs that hee will both pittie and helpe vs. 3. The extent of his Priesthood hee maketh in generall to bee In all things pertayning to God and in speciall To make Reconciliation for the sinnes of the people THEN 1. If GOD haue anie thing to doe with vs anie Direction or Comfort or Blessing to bestow vpon vs it must come by our high Priest IESVS vnto vs. 2. If hee command vs in anie thing or bee to make covenant with vs or haue controversie to debate with vs our high Priest will answere for vs. 3. If wee haue anie thing to doe with GOD to seeke anie good thing of him or deprecate anie evill or to offer anie Offering of Prayse or Service Christ's Office stretcheth it selfe to all this to doe for vs.
Covenant Hee declared the other to bee olde and to bee abolished when the Newe came Vers. 13. The doctrine of Chap. VIII VERS 1. NOw of the thinges which wee haue spoken this is the summe We haue such an High Priest vvho is set on the Right Hand of the Throne of the Majestie in the Heavens 1. THE Apostle accommodating himselfe to helpe the capacitie and memorie of the Hebrewes and vrging the speciall Poynct of his Discourse is worthie of imitation 2. In saying Wee haue such an High Priest who is set downe on the Right Hand c. hee setteth foorth the Glorie of Christ's person that hee may commende His Priesthood THEN 1. The Glorie of CHRIST'S Office is not seene till the Glorie of His Person bee seene 2. The Glorie of His Person is not seene till His glorious Soveraygnitie and Governament of the Worlde bee seene 3. Yea the Glorie of CHRIST is not rightlie seene till His Equalitie with the Father in Glorie bee seene and acknowledged 3. In saying that Christ as high Priest is set downe on the Right hand of the Throne hee giveth vs to VNDERSTAND That CHRIST as in His Divine Nature Hee is vndivided from the Father in Glorie and Dominion So in His Humane Nature Hee is exalted to the Fellowship of Divine Glorie with the Father Because of the Vnion of the Humane Nature with the Divine in one Person of the Mediator The two Natures still remayning distinguished but not divided nor separated the one from the other 4. Hee noteth the place of this Glorie to bee in the Heavens wherein hee preferreth Christ aboue the Leviticall Priestes for their Priesthoode is onelie exercysed on Earth but Christ's in Heaven AND THEREFORE When wee will employ our high Priest wee haue no earthlie Citie to seeke Him in but in the Heaven the onelie Place and Palace of His residence Vers. 2. A Minister of the Sanctuarie and of the true Tabernacle vvhich the LORD pitched and not man 1. FOR all this Glorie yet Christ is still called heere a Minister TO SHOW VS That His High Honour hindereth Him not to doe His Office for our Good 2. Hee is called a Minister of the Sanctuarie or of the holie thinges for the worde will agree with both and both tende to one purpose for the holie thinges were all tyed to the Sanctuarie and hee that was Minister of the Sanctuarie was Minister of the holie thinges also and that in name of the Saynctes Nowe the Sanctuarie or the holie thinges which heere is spoken of is the thing signified by the Sanctuarie and by the holie thinges And so taking all the significations of the worde together WEE ARE TAVGHT That CHRIST in his Glorie is not ydle but as a faythfull Agent in the heavenlie Sanctuarie taking the care of all the holie thinges which his saynctes and people are commaunded to present procuring and giving foorth all holie and spirituall thinges from heaven to his saynctes vvhich their estate requyreth 3. Hee is called a Minister of the true Tabernacle which GOD pitched and not man That is The Minister of his owne Bodie miraculouslie formed by GOD not after the ordinarie manner of other men signified and represented by the Typicall Tabernacle THEN The Tabernacle and Temple vnder the Lawe was but the shadowe and Christ's Bodie was the true Tabernacle For 1. As the symboles of GOD'S presence was in the typicall Tabernacle So the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelleth bodilie in Christ. 2. As the typicall tabernacle had inclosed in it all the holie thinges the Candle-sticke Table of Shew-bread Laver Altar c. So hath the humanitie of Christ or Christ the Man all holinesse and perfection the fulnesse of all good and all holie thinges in him Light Foode Washing and Reconciliation and all in himselfe that out of his fulnesse wee may all receaue Grace for Grace 3. As the Tabernacle in the outmost Coveringes seemed but base yet had better stuffe within So our LORD when hee dwelt in the tabernacle of his flesh amongst vs was found in forme as a man and in the shape of a servaunt but inwardlie was full of Grace and Trueth 4. In calling Christ's Bodie The true Tabernacle which GOD builded and not man hee teacheth vs To make vse of Christ in trueth as the Church of olde made vse of the Tabernacle in the Type That is In him seeke GOD Towardes him turne the Eye of our soule when we seeme to our selues to bee farre remooved to the ende of the earth In him offer all our spirituall sacrifices In him seeke our Washing our Foode our Light our Comfort In him as his Priestes make our Abode and daylie Dwelling In him let vs liue and breathe 5. In so calling Christ he appropriateth the sacrifcing of his Bodie to himselfe in his owne person as the personall and proper Act of his Priesthoode for the offering of the which Sacrifice once and never oftener as HEBR. vij 27. showeth hee keepeth still the style of the onelie Minister of the true Tabernacle as his owne incommunicable Prerogatiue AND THEREFORE Who-so-ever presumeth to offer his Bodie presumeth also to take his place Vers. 3. For everie High Priest is ordayned to offer Giftes and Sacrifices vvherefore it is of necessitie that this Man haue some-what also to offer HEE prooveth That Christ is the Minister of the Tabernacle of his owne Bodie by offering it vp because it behooved him seeing hee is a Priest to offer vp some-thing eyther the typicall Oblations or else his owne Bodie represented by them But the typicall Oblations hee could not offer according to the Lawe not beeing a Levite Therefore hee behooved to offer vp himselfe represented by the typicall Oblations THEN The Apostle acknowledgeth no Priest but eyther the Leviticall priest or the Priest that offereth vp his owne Bodie And who-so-ever pretendeth to haue the Office of a priest nowe vsurpeth eyther the Office of the Levite or Christ's Office Vers. 4. For if Hee were on earth Hee should not bee a Priest seeing that there are Priestes which offer Giftes according to the Lawe 1. HEE prooveth That Christ can not offer vp the typicall Oblations Because hee can not bee a Priest on earth albeit hee were on earth Because Priesthoode on earth is proper to the Levites onlie For they are the onelie Priestes by Lawe on earth and haue praescrybed to them by Lawe what they should offer Question You will aske mee heere Was not Christ a Priest when hee was on earth I aunswere Yes How then sayth the Apostle here If he were on earth hee should not bee a Priest I aunswere Because albeit hee began his Priesthoode vpon earth yet hee could not brooke his Office of Priesthoode on the earth For as the high Priest who was the Type carried the Sacrifice once a-yeare through the Court and before the Sanctuarie killed the Sacrifice and then tooke the bloode thereof in vnto the Holiest of all and presented himselfe there before the LORD
our conception helped 1. CHRIST the Sonne is called the Brightnessâ— of His Fathers Glorie The similitude is borrowed from the Sonne beams Then 1. As the Father is glorious so is CHRIST His Sonne glorious with the same Glorie Therefore 1. Cor. 2.8 Hee is called the LORD of Glorie 2. As the beames of light haue their originall from the Sunne so hath CHRIST His originall of the Father and is vnseparable from Him for as the Sunne was never without its light so neyther was the Father ever without the Sonne but coëternallie with Him 3. As the Sunne is not manifested but by its owne brightnesse So the inaccessible light of the Fathers Glorie is not revealed to the creature but by the Sonne 2. CHRIST is called the expresse Image of the Fathers Person The similitude is borrowed from a Signets impression which representeth all the lineaments of the Seale Then 1. The Father is one person and the Sonne is another person of the Godhead having His owne proper subsistence distinct from the Father 2. The Sonne resembleth the Father fullie and perfectlie so that there is no perfection in the Father but the same is substantiallie in the Sonne As the Father is Eternall Omnipotent Omnipresent infinite in Wisedome Goodnesse Mercle Holinesse and all other Perfections So is the Sonne Omnipotent Eternall and all that the Father is 3. Whatsoever Perfection wee can perceiue in CHRIST shyning in His Manhead or Word or Workes the same wee may conclude to bee in the Father also whose resemblance and expresse Image Hee is Finde wee CHRIST good and mercifull loving and pittifull meeke and lowlie not abhorring the most vyle and miserable whether in soule or bodie that commeth vnto Him for reliefe wee may bee assured that such a one is the Father and no other wayes mynded to such as seeke vnto Him through CHRIST 3. CHRIST vpholdeth all things by the word of His power Then 1. The preservation of the creatures as well as their creation is from Christ. The Father vpholdeth all so doeth the Sonne 2. What Hee doeth Hee doeth as Omnipotent GOD by His Word without trouble or burthen As Hee spake and all was done So Hee but by His Word commandeth and all standeth fast And this His Word is nothing else but His powerfull Will ordayning thinges to bee and continue and powerfullie making them so to bee and continue so long as Hee will 4. CHHIST by Himselfe purged our sinnes To wit by bearing our sinnes vpon his Bodie on the Tree 1. Pet. 24. Then 1. Our sinnes are a filthinesse that must bee purged 2. The satisfactorie cleansing of our sinnes is not a thing to bee done by mens meritorious doinges or sufferinges but alreadie done and ended by CHRIST before Hee ascended and that by Himselfe alone all creatures beeing secluded 3. Hee that vpholdeth all thinges by the Word of His owne Power and Hee that purged our sinnes by His owne Blood is but one selfe same Person GOD and Man is Hee in one person 5. CHRIST sate downe on the right Hand of the Majestie on high That is when CHRIST had cleansed our sinnes by his death hee ascended to Heaven and possessed himselfe as Man in the fellowship of the same Glorie which as GOD hee had before the Worlde was Iohn 17.4.5 Then 1. The Sonne is joyned in the fellowship of the same Glorie with the Father as well in his Manhead after his Resurrection as in his Godhead before his Incarnation For though the Glorie of CHRISTS Godhead was hid for a whyle by the sufferinges of his Manhead yet was it not abolished nor in it selfe abated thereby but the Manhead first was assumed vnto the vnitie of Person with the Godhead that our Ransome might bee rich and then to the vnion of the same Glorie that the Redeemer after the Ransomes paying might bee altogether glorious 2. Seeing Hee that hath cleansed our sinnes is so glorious a Person all the meanes of his cleansing vs how base soever such as were his Hunger and Thirst his Povertie and Weaknesse his shâ—mefull and paynfull Death should bee glorious in our eyes also 3. Majestie and Magnificence and Grandour properlie so called is the LORDS The highest excellencies of the creature are but sparkes of his Majestie and weake resemblances onelie albeit their earthlie glorie often holde mens eyes so as they forget the LORDS Greatnesse Vers. 4. Beeing made so much better than the Angels as Hee hath by Inheritance obtayned a more excellent Name than they 1. HEe prooveth Christ to bee greater than the Angels because his Name is more excellent than theirs For they are called Angels and hee GODS Sonne which hee is sayde to haue by Inheritance as due to him both as God by eternall generation and as Man by assumption of our nature in vnitie of one person according to which hee is not the adopted but naturall Sonne of GOD Filius natus non filius factus Then GOD giveth not ydle Titles as GOD calleth thinges so they are or are made to bee CHRIST as GOD is called GODS Sonne because by eternall generation hee is so as Man hee is called GODS Sonne because by assumption of the humane nature vnto the personall vnion of his Godhead hee is made so to bee 2. As farre as Sonneship is aboue servile employment as farre is CHRIST more excellent than the Angels Vers. 5. For vnto which of the Angels sayde Hee at anie tyme Thou art My Sonne this day haue I begotten Thee And agayne I will bee to Him a Father and Hee shall bee to Mee a Sonne 1. HEe prooveth his poynt by Scripture PSAL. 2.7 2. SAM 7.19 and putteth them to improbation of his Doctrine by Scripture if they could Then 1. In the true Primitiue Church in matters of Religion all Authoritie was silent Divine Scripture spake determined questioned points of Trueth 2. The Apostle counted it sufficient to bring Scripture for his Doctrine and permitteth no impugning of it but by Scripture 2. Onelie of CHRIST sayeth GOD I haue begotten Thee Then 1. Howsoever GOD hath manie Sonnes by Creation by Office by Grace and Adoption yet a Sonne by Generation a natiue Sonne hath Hee none but CHRIST 2. CHRIST is of the same Nature and Essence with the Father consubstantiall with him because begotten of him in himselfe without beginning the Sonne beeing eternallie in the Father and the Father eternallie in the Sonne of the selfe-same Nature and Godhead 3. This day haue I begotten Thee Beeing vnderstoode of CHRIST according to his Godhead signifieth the Fathers tymelesse eternall perpetuallie constant and present generation of his Sonne in himselfe Beeing vnderstoode according to his State in his Manhead it signifieth the Fathers bringing foorth of the Sonne to the knowledge of the Worlde and declaring him to bee the Sonne of GOD with power by his Resurrection from the dead ROM 1.4 These places it is true were spoken of David and Salomon as Types of Christ typicallie in a slender resemblance PSAL.
the Priest in one person Hee offered Himselfe as Man through the aeternall Spirit that is By the vertue and power of His owne Godhead by which Hee preached before His Incarnation to Sinners I. PET. III. 19 2. His Sacrifice was without spotte Hee was that spotlesse Lambe in whome was no sinne nor imperfection nor defect of anie thing that the Sacrifice requyred 3. The vertue of the Sacrifice which made it to purchase aeternall Redemption vnto vs floweth from the infinite worth of His aeternall Godhead 4. Albeit CHRIST'S two natures haue their distinct respectes in the actions of His Office yet CHRIST is one and vndivided in the execution of His Office 5. The fruite and force of the Sacrifice is set downe in this that this Bloode shall purge our Conscience from dead workes to serue the living GOD That is Shall both absolue a man from by-gone Sinne and also inable him to serue GOD for tyme to come THEN 1. Sinnes are but dead workes flowing from nature dead in sinne and not onelie deserving but also drawing on Death vpon the Sinner 2. The Conscience lyeth polluted with the filthinesse of dead workes till the vertue of the Blood of IESVS applyed bring intimation of Absolution 3. Christ's Bloode doeth not purge the Conscience from dead workes that a man should goe wallowe in them agayne but that hee may serue the living GOD more acceptablie 4. The purging vertue of Christ's Bloode is joyned with the Sanctifying and Renewing of the absolved Sinner and what GOD hath conjoyned let no man put a-sunder Vers. 15. And for this cause Hee is the Mediator of the New Testament that by meanes of death for the redemption of the transgressions which were vnder the first Testament they which are called might receaue the promise of aeternall inheritance NOw lest anie man should stumble aâ— Christ's Death hee showeth a necessitie thereof in respect of His Office of Mediation and the Purchase to bee made by His Redemption The force of the Reason is this Remission of Sinnes could not haue beene given vnder the Lawe except the Mediatour had beene to pay the pryce of the same vnder the Gospell Nor could the Faythfull and called Ones eyther then 〈◊〉 now obtayne aeternall Lyfe for an Inheritance otherwayes than by the Mediatour's Death Therefore it behooved the true Mediatour by meanes of Death to pay the promised Pryce of the Purchase of Remission of Sinnes and aeternall Lyfe THEN 1. The Remission of Transgressions and the Inheritance of aeternall Lyfe are both Fruits of Christ's Passion 2. The Fruites of His Passion extended themselues vnto them who were vnder the Olde Testament as well as vnto vs vnder the New 3. The Way of Purchase of these Benefites was by Redemption that is to say by lawfull Purchase such as might satisfie Iustice. 4. The Way in speciall was by Meanes of the Mediatour's Death His lyfe was layde downe to redeeme ours His one lyfe as good as all ours 5. For this cause Christ â—â—oke the Office of a Mediatour vnto Himselfe that Hee might haue Right and Enteresse by Death to make this Purchase 6. And therefore except Hee had reallie died the Purchase could not haue beene lawfullie made Vers. 16. For where a Testament is there must also of necessitie bee the death of the Testatour ANother Reason to prooue the necessitie of Christ's death from the force of the word COVENANT which signifieth also a Testament The force of the Reason is this CHRIST IER xxxj 31 promised to make a New Covenant and therefore also a New Testament and if to make a New Testament then also Hee promised to die The Articles of the Covenant also evinceth it to bee a Testament and the Promiser bound to make His Word good and so to die For IER xxxj the Lord Christ promiseth to reconcile his People to GOD to take away their sinnes and to bee their GOD. Iustice requyred satisfaction of them before they could bee reconciled Satisfaction they could not make themselues therefore hee who promised to make the Reconciliation with GOD was bound to make the Satisfaction for them to GOD and if Satisfaction for them then to vnderlâ—e the Curse of the Lawe for them and so to die THEN 1. The Newe Covenant is of the nature of a Testament and the Benefites promised â—herein to wit Remission of Sinnes Reconciliation Sanctification and Lyfe aeternall are Legacie freelie left vnto vs by our Defunct LORD who was dead and is alyue to execute His owne Will for evermore The Scripture is the Instrument and Evidence the Apostles Notares the Sacraments are Seales Witnesses from Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit Witnesses on earth the Water the Bloode and the Spirit 2. Christ Iesus is both the Maker of the Covenant which is in Iâ—REMIE xxxj and the Mediatour thereof also the Testatour and Executour of that blessed Testament 3. Christ's Death was concluded and resolved vpon and intimated before Hee came into the World Vers. 17. For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwyse it is of no strength at all whylest the Testatour liveth HEE cleareth his reasoning from the nature of Testaments amongst men which not before but after a man's death haue force But heere it may bee objected How can this bee seeing by vertue of the Testament of Christ Benefites not a fewe were bestowed vpon the Church before his death from the beginning of the Worlde not onelie Remission of Sinnes and aeternall Lyfe but also manie Graces and Blessings in this lyfe both bodilie and Spirituall I aunswere Albeit CHRIST'S death was not accomplished in act till of late yet for the certayntie of his death to followe and the vnchaungeablenesse of his Mynde towardes his Church before his death hee was reckoned both with GOD and the Church for dead and the Promise of laying downe his lyfe for his People accepted for the tyme as if it had beene performed For which cause hee is called Revel xiij 8 The Lambe slayne from the beginning of the worlde And Christ was still represented as a slayne man in all these Sacrifices which the Apostle poynteth at as meeting this Doubt in the next words which follow heere-after Vers. 18. Vers. 18. Wherevpon neyther the first Testament was dedicated vvithout blood HEE prooveth the necessitie of Christ's death yet farther Vnder the Law his Bloodshed was represented by types of bloodie Sacrifices therefore it behooved those Types to bee aunswered by his reall bloodshed and death THEN 1. What the types of the Lawe did signifie Christ behooved to accomplish in veritie 2. The Olde Church was taught that by vertue of the blood signified by these types the Covenant stoode betwixt GOD and them Vers. 19. For when Moses had spoken everie Precept to all the people according to the Lawe hee tooke the blood of Calues and of Goates with Water and Scarlet Wooll and Hyssope and sprinkled both the Booke and all the people Vers. 20. Saying This is the Bloode of
all our mynde as hath beene marked before Where-by hee teacheth vs 1. Howe wee doe enter into the Holiest to wit by Prayer sending vp our Supplications to Heaven And agayne 2. That in our Prayers to GOD wee may vse freedome of speach telling Him all our Mynd all our Griefes all our Feares all our Desires and even powre out our heartes before Him at all tymes 4. Hee commendeth this Priviledge by the Pryce of the Purchase there-of even the Blood of IESVS Where-by hee teacheth vs 1. To haue this Priviledge in high esteemation 2. To make good vse of it 3. To bee confident of the standing of it and all because it is so dearlie bought 5. Lastlie hee commendeth this Priviledge by the Common Right which all Believers haue vnto it the Apostle and these Hebrewes as his Brethren and all other of that Societie Where-by hee teacheth That albeit there bee great difference in the measure of Fayth and other Graces betwixt Christians some beeing stronger some weaker some as Apostles some as these weake Hebrewes c. yet all are the Children of one Father all are Brethren and all are admitted by Prayer to come and enter into Heaven freelie to powre out their soules at all tymes vnto GOD. Vers. 20. By a Newe and Living Way vvhich Hee hath consecrated for vs through the Vayle that is to say His Flesh. THIS is one Priviledge That wee haue libertie to enter into Heavē followeth another There is a Way made to leade vs on there-vnto which is Christ's Flesh compared to the Vayle of the Sanctuarie which both hid those thinges which were within the Sanctuarie and yet yeelded an enterie through it selfe vnto the Sanctuarie So is Christ's Flesh the Vayle of his Godhead which did bide the Glorie of his Deitie from the carnall beholders who stumbled at his basenesse and yet opened a Doore for the spirituall man to looke in vpon him that was invisible whyle as hee observed the brightnesse of the Glorie of GOD breaking through the Doctrine and Workes of the Man CHRIST 1. Hee maketh the Way to bee Christ's Flesh or Christ as incarnate or Christ considered according to his humanitie Because Christ's taking on our nature is the onelie Meane of reconciling vs vnto GOD. No man ever came to the Father but by him No other Name where-by men are saved but the NAME of IESVS CHRIST And therfore as in the way a man must enter and holde on still till hee come to the ende to the place where hee would bee Even so must everie man who would bee at Heaven begin at Christ and holde on making progresse in him still from Fayth to Fayth from Grace to Grace till hee come to his Rest. 2. This Way is of Christ's owne making hee hath devysed it and consecrated it Hee who is the Father's Wisedome hath thought it the best Waye to bring Man to GOD that GOD should become Man that the Word should bee made Flesh. The best Way to bring men to Heaven that GOD should come downe to the earth to take on Man's nature vpon him that hee might make Man Part-taker of the Divine Nature 3. Hee hath consecrated and dedicated his Flesh his humane nature set aparte and sanctified himselfe to this same ende that Men might make their Moyen with GOD by him as Man and by the Bandes of Nature with him he helped vp to the Bands of Grace with GOD by comming to the Man CHRIST might finde GOD in CHRIST 4. Hee calleth it a New Way 1. Because of the cleare manifesting of the Way to Heaven vnder the Gospell in comparison of the tyme of the Law 2. Because a readie playne and safe Way without stumbling Blockes Pittes or Snares Daungers or Inconveniences to such as keepe themselues there-in such as new-made wayes vse to bee 3. Because it waxeth never olde is now established and never to bee altered or abolished 5. It is a Living Way 1. Because Christ liveth for ever to helpe them all to Heaven who seeke vnto GOD through Him onelie 2. Because Lyfe is heere in Christ as in the Fountayne that hee may giue Lyfe to whom-so-ever hee will that is vnto all that come vnto him 3. Because it giveth Lyfe and refreshment to the wearie Passenger and quickeneth his dead and dumpish heart when hee considereth that his Saviour is a Man indeede so earnest to haue vs saved that hee hath yoaked himselfe in communion of nature with vs there-by to saue vs. It is Meat indeede to his Soule that the Word is made Flesh It is Drinke indeede to consider that hee hath suffered for our sinnes As Elias Chariot so is CHRISTS Manhead and Sufferinges Get vp heere by Fayth in him and thou shalt goe vp to GOD. This Way is as that of Eagles winges Lay first grippes vpon IESVS CHRIST GOD manifested in the flesh and hee will mount vp with thee and carrie thee thorow the Wildernesse to Canaan From the naturall Miserie and sinnes which thou lyest in vnto Heaven 6. This Way leadeth through the Vayle To teach vs That wee comming to CHRIST'S Manhead must not subsist there but by this meane seeke in to GOD who dwelleth in Him that our Fayth and Hope may bee in GOD. Wee enter by the Man CHRIST and doe rest on GOD in CHRIST on the fulnesse of the Godhead which dwelleth bodilie in CHRIST This is to distinguish the natures of CHRIST and to keepe the vnitie of His Person rightlie Vers. 21. And having an high Priest over the House of GOD. FOR our farther satisfaction hee giveth vs Christ over agayne to make yet more vse of him to direct guyde and convoy vs in the Way to leade vs to the Father in Heaven through the Courtes of his Dwelling and to bring vs in to him and make vs welcome There 1. Wee haue Christ for a PRIEST to vs whose Lippes doe alwayes preserue Knowledge in whome are hid all the Treasures of Wisedome and Knowledge who will informe our Myndes and perswade our Heartes to belieue and obey vvho will reconcile by His once offered Sacrifice the Believer will intercede for the Reconciled to keepe him still in Grace will blesse vs with all Spirituall Blessinges will take our Prayers Thankes-giving and the Spirituall Sacrifice of all the good Works of our Hands and wash the pollutions from them will offer them in our name with the Incense and Perfume of His owne Merites and leade our selues in where our Lampes shall bee furnished and our Table filled till wee goe in to Heaven and There Hee will welcome vs in a Mansion prepared for vs. 2 Hee is a high PRIEST adorned with all Authoritie and all Perfections having all in substance which the Types did signifie who beareth our names yea our selues on the Sholders of His Power and in the Breast of His Heartie Loue vvho beareth the iniquitie of the Holie Thinges and Holinesse in His Fore-head for vs. In whome the Father is well pleased with vs and hath made vs
is ended the promised Rewarde is given Vers. 37. For yet a little whyle and hee that shall come will come and will not tarrie HEE encowrageth them to patience by promise of the LORD' 's comming to relieue them shortlie THEN 1. The tearme of Patience is vntill the LORD come to deliver 2. The patient attender on His comming shall not bee disappoyncted For Hee will come and will not tarrie beyonde the due tyme of our necessitie 3. It should strengthen vs vnto patience that the tyme is short and the Deliverie certayne Vers. 38. Nowe the Iust shall liue by Fayth but if anie man drawe backe my soule shall haue no pleasure in him HOw shall they fende in the meane tyme Hee aunswereth from HABAC 2.4 The Iust shall liue by Fayth That is The man who will bee found righteous must not looke to present sense but sustayne his soule with the Word of Promise THEN 1. In the midst of Troubles and GODS felt absence Fayth will content it selfe with the onelie Promises of GOD. 2. Looking to GODS Word by Fayth is able to keepe a soule in lyfe and patience 2. Hee threatneth the missbelieving Apostate that chooseth to drawe backe and not to liue by fayth The wordes of the Prophet are He whose soule is lifted vp in him is not vpright The Apostle betaketh him to the meaning which beeing compared with the Prophet's wordes DOETH TEACH VS 1. That hee who refuseth to liue by Fayth is lifted vp with the false confidence of some other thing than GOD hee hath some strong holde within himselfe wherein hee doeth trust 2. Hee that lifteth vp himselfe in his vayne confidence will drawe abacke from believing in GOD'S Word in the tyme of tryall 3. Hee that draweth backe in the tyme of tryall bewrayeth the want of this sinceritie 4. A back-slyder from the profession of the Trueth is loathsome both to GOD and to His Sayncts Vers. 39. But wee are not of them who draw backe vnto perdition but of them that belieue to the saving of the soule HEE mittigateth the Threatening lest hee should seeme to suspect them of inconstancie THEN 1. Such Threatninges and Exhortations as haue bene given heere doe not importe the vncertayntie of their perseverance who are threatened but standeth with the assurance of the contrarie 2. Hee who threateneth should bee as warie to weaken his hearers fayth as his owne 3. Hearers must vnderstand that the right vse of threatening is to rowse men out of securitie and not to discowrage them 2. Wee are not of them sayeth hee who drawe backe vnto perdition THEN 1. They who drawe backe from constant avowing of the Fayth drawe neare vnto perdition Hee that forsaketh the Crosse runneth himselfe on the Rocke of his owne destruction which is worse 2. The Elect are not of that kynde or sorte of men who fall into Apostasie vnto perdition They may fall for a tyme but are not of them that drawe backe vnto perdition 3. Wee are of them sayeth hee who belieue to the salvation of the soule THEN 1. True Believers are of that kynde of whom all doe persevere 2. Persevering in the Fayth is a going on to Salvation The summe of Chap. XI NOw that you may know the better howe to liue by Fayth consider that Fayth apprehendeth thinges to come as present and subsisting by gripping them in their originall Fountayne which is the Word of Promise and beholding in the Mirrour of the Word the cleare certayntie of thinges as yet not seene to sense Vers. 1. For so were the Elect Beholders and Part-takers of CHRIST before Hee came and were justified Vers. 2. And so haue wee certayntie of the Creation of the World of nothing Vers. 3. By it was ABEL'S person and sacrifice accepted and preferred before his elder Brother Vers. 4. By it was ENOCH made readie for Heaven Vers. 5.6 And NOAH by it saved both in bodie â—nd soule Vers. 7. Fayth made ABRAHAM leaue his â—ountrey in hope of Heaven Vers. 8.9.10 By it SAâ—IA beeing olde got strength aboue the course of nature to become a fruitfull Mother Vers. 11.12 All these vnto their dying day were contented with the fore-sight of the Performance of GOD'S Promises and in hope thereof renounced the Worlde therefore GOD honoureth them as His Confederates Vers. 13.14.15.16 Fayth made ABRAHAM to offer his onelie sonne Vers. 17.18.19 ISAAC and IAAKOB and IOSEPH by Fayth at their death comforted themselues and others also in hope of the Performance of GOD'S Trueth Vers. 20.21.22 The Parentes of MOSES overcame the feare of man by Fayth Vers. 23. MOSES by Fayth got strength to choose the Crosse of CHRIST before the Riches and Honoures and Pleasures of AEGYPT Vers. 24.25.26 Fayth made him constant in his choyse and patient Vers. 27. By Fayth hee got the People of ISRAELL to bee saved when the first-borne of AEGYPT were slayne Vers. 28. By Fayth the deepe Sea gaue open way Vers. 29. High walled Townes were throwne downe Vers. 30. Rachab was saved when others perished Vers. 31. By Fayth numbers of GOD'S Children did wonderfull thinges and receaved wonderfull Comfortes and overcame all Persecutions Vers. 32.33.34.35.36.37.38 All these died in the Fayth of CHRIST and were justified albeit CHRIST was not yet come Vers. 39. GOD having reserved the accomplishment of the Prophesies and Types in the comming of IESVS CHRIST vntill our tyme that the Fathers might not get Salvation except by looking to our tymes and joyning with vs in the Fayth of IESVS in whome they and wee also are perfected Vers. 40. The Doctrine of Chap. XI VERS 1. NOw Fayth is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of thinges not seene HEE poyncteth out the nature of Fayth to helpe them to liue by it THEN Hee that would liue by Fayth had neede skilfullie to search out the nature thereof 2. In descrybing Fayth hee ascrybeth vnto it the propertie of the Worde which Fayth layeth holde vpon For it is the Word properlie which is the substance of thinges not seene THEN There is such an vnion betwixt Fayth and the Worde that what the Worde is in force and effect that Fayth is sayde to bee in force and effect also As Fayth honoureth the Worde so GOD honoureth Fayth in giving it the lyke commendation for force with the Worde What is the originall of the beeing and existence of anie thing but this GOD willeth it to bee or promiseth it shall come to passe or commaundeth that it may bee Therefore let Fayth get a grip of the Promise or Worde and it taketh holde of the thing promised by the foote thereof And in the hand of Fayth doeth Trueth budde out and flowrish vnto the type Fruit of full satisfaction in performance 3. The word EVIDENCE in the Originall is a tearme of Logicke importing that it is the nature of Fayth by Disputation to convince THEN It were wisedome for helping of our weake Fayth to make Syllogismes from the Worde and to reason so convincinglie