Earth God and fallen Man is much furthered by the Holy Spirit as a revealing Spirit A Touch hath been on this a little I will enlarge on it 1. Is it not by the holy Spirit Eph. 1.17 Vide Bodium ad lo um that the All-blessed Three in one with whom Communion is held is manifested and made known so as he is not to the world or to any save those that are called out of it Doth he not reveal outwardly 2 Cor. 3. ult and inwardly unto and in them especially in the Gospel-grace the Divine Glory 2. Is it not by the holy Spirit that the Lord Jesus in his Person Offices and Estates through whose Mediation God comes to Man and Man goes to God is declared Joh. 16.13 14. See Dr. Owen on this Doth not the Spirit glorifie Christ in taking what is his and shewing it unto those that are his Is not the Gospel hid as is He that is held forth in it to those lost ones into whose Hearts the Spirit shines not 2 Cor. 4 3 4. Is it not the holy Spirit that so makes known the Duties in which and Graces by which spiritual Communion is maintained that Persons are duly exercised in the one 1 Cor. 12.2 3. Gal. 5.16 25. and do truly exercise the other Can spiritual Duties be done or spiritual Dispositions be shewed by any save those whose Eyes the Holy Spirit has anointed The first Vse of this Position is for Conviction of sin 1. Doth it not fall on those who though they give the Word of God an hearing which alas some will not do Isa 59. ult are slighters of and not waiters for the holy Spirit which is put into the same Promise with it whose Office it is to lead Persons into the knowledge of it and of managing the spiritual Trade by it Do they duly value the Spirit of Revelation 1. Who are not for being clothed with Humility Psal 25.9 Job 42.5 6. Do not such as lye low lye fair for enlightings And doth not the Light of Life shew Persons matter for Humiliation 2. Do they value the revealing Spirit whose Carriage towards him is very untoward and cross doing what in them lyes to quench the Sparks that are of his kindling 1. See Mr. Pol-wheel on 1 Thes 5. By pouring on the foul Water of sensuality and Flesh pleasing Or 2. By heaping up the dust of Worldliness and Earthliness Or however 3. By withholding Fewel and slighting Ordinances O that these persons were in Mourning for their sin and did set themselves under a clear and searching Ministry and cryed that the Spirit would open their Understandings Can any expect he should be a glorifying who have not found him an enlightning Spirit 2 Thes 1.8 9. Shall not they who willingly want inner light be cast into and kept for ever in outer darkness The second Vse serves to quicken all enlightned persons to duty yea to divers duties proper for and incumbent on them Particularly 1. To Thankfulness that when the things that concern the spiritual and eternal Peace are hid from the eyes of many Mat. 11.25 they are revealed to and in them 1 Cor. 4.7 Who made them to differ Or what save Grace mov'd him to it 1. Hath not their Knowledge clearness in it Are not they of those who seeing so see as to perceive John 16.13 and discover the inside beauty and glory of Truths See Arrowsmith 's Armilla And so 2. Hath not their sight sureness and satisfy ingness in it Do they not in some measure arrive at assurance of Understanding having settlement in the Truth Col. 2.3 3. Scientia gustus 1 Pet. 2.3 Is not their Knowledge that of Tast and Experience Have they not Palats that are spiritualized Do they not know the sweetness of Grace A 2d Duty to which they are quickned is waiting for further and fuller Revelations 1. Have they any more than dawnings 1 Cor. 13.9 10. if their light be compared with the day of Glory 2. Will not the beauty of their spiritual Trading increase together with their brightness A 3d. Duty to which they are excited is walking as they should do who would shew they have the Spirit of Revelation being acquainted with those secrets that are peculiar to such 1. See Dr. Cheynell on Gen. 18.19 Humbling secrets May they know to the best purpose what it is to put their Mouths in the dust to cherish sorrow Lam. 3.29 that is after or according to God! May this stream rise so high 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 7.10 Phil. 3.8 9. as to carry them out of an unwarrantable confidence in self-righteousness in order thereunto may they know 2. Convincing Secrets May they see sin as by sun-light which shews how moates abound in the air Joh. 16.9 c. Neh. 3.12 May they see that it is an evil thing May they see what too few see the evil that is in an heart of unbelief 3. Isa 40. ult May strengthening secrets be revealed to and in them May they know from experience what it is to be strengthened with strength in their souls or inner man Eph. 3.16 May they run the way of God's Commandments and not be weary May they walk and not faint And so 4. May also comforting secrets be communicated to them May the holy Spirit take them down into Christ's banquetting-house Cant. 2.4 May his banner over them be love May they have so as to feel those strong Consolations that are able to hold up their heads and hearts in a dying hour Heb. 6.18 May they in seeing see the great Things of the Gospel To wit 1. That the Lord Jesus is Immanuel God with us Isa 7.14 Joh. 1.14 God manifested in the flesh or humane Nature Do not heaven and earth Infinite and Finite meet in him 2. That sincere Christians 1 Cor. 6.17 though distinct persons from Christ are in near union and relation to him Are they not ingrafted into this Vine and espoused to this Husband 3. That in the Justification of a believing sinner there is a royal exchange Are not his sins inputed to Christ 2 Cor. 5.21 Is not Christ's Righteousness in order to their acquittance and acceptance imputed to him May they withal as to great Gospel-Duties well know 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 9.24 What it is utterly to deny themselves as self stands opposed to the Honour of God the first Cause the chief Good the Highest Soveraign and the last End And as it lyes cross to the advantage of men should any Christian say after Cain Am I my brothers keeper 2. Gal. 2.20 What it is to be crucified with Christ and to have Communion with him in his death deriving from him as slain sin-slaying Vertue so that the death of sins that were as Dalilah's may be real and gradual through the actings of Faith 3. Job 23.4
take up Rooms for them there The 19th Position That there might be Communion between God and fallen Man the Son of God who became Man became the Mediator between God and Man Tho I cannot swear to all that a learned Writer hath said Dr. Scot vol. 2. I heartily approve of his stiling the Doctrine of our Saviour's Mediation a Fundamental Principle of Christian Duty this Mediation being also the great Channel for Conveyance of saving Mercy 1. Heb. 12. ult Had Man been to have looked immediately on a provoked God would he not have appear'd as a consuming Fire 2. Had the Lord look'd on and dealt with Man as in Filth and under Guilt had not his fierce Wrath fallen on him 3. Is not Christ as Mediator Joh. 14.6 the way from and to his Father If Enquiry be What 's implied in Christ's being a Mediator I answer 1. If respect be had to the Greek Word so rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 2.5 it is as some think a word peculiar to the Scriptures and is said to signify a Middler or middle Person a Person that steps into and stands in the middle betwixt two or more that are at Variance See Dr. Collings and Leigh Crit. Sac. in order to agreeing them 2. We are hereby led to consider the Person under Consideration Jesus Christ who partaking of the Nature of both is equally distant from and drawing near to God and Man deals with God for Man and with Man from God having as motion'd so made Peace between them And accordingly great Men speak of him as a Daysman Ephes 2.13 14. that lays his Hand both on God and Man that he may procure the Reconciliation of God to Man by his Merit and of Man to God by his Spirit Is not Christ rightly counted the true and full Mediator for Men of all Nations as Moses is stiled typical and in part Mediator for one Nation Of his three Offices or the three Branches of his Mediatorial Office e're long I may touch Here I hint More learned Men than one have compared the Mediation of Christ to the Ladder Dr. Horton c. whereof Jacob had the Vision And are not five middle or intermediate Steps or Rounds written on it 1. See Rev. Brynsley on this Is not Christ as an Arbitrator or Umpire that undertakes to take up the Difference 2. Is he not an Intercessor or Sollicitor that deals with both sides in order to that end 3. Is he not a Surety that answereth for the Wrongs done to his Father by his Children Heb. 7.22 4. Is he not an Advocate 1 Joh. 2.2 that pleads his Satisfaction for them 5. Is he not a Ruler Idem that gives as Laws so Hearts to obey them The two first point at his Prophetick the two following at his Priestly and the last at his Kingly Office And now I infer 1. That Sin made a wide Breach between God and Man Isa 59.2 Can any lower or other Mediator save he that is God-Man make it up Inf. 2. One Difference between the Covenant with Man when fallen and Man in his first Estate is evident the former being a Covenant of * Amicitiae Friendship was made with Man immediately See acute Blake the latter being a Covenant of Reconciliation is made through a Mediator Inf. 3. No Man or Woman should think of transacting with God in an immediate way nor dare to go to the Father not having the Son in his Arms. Luther Was not the great Reformer afraid to think of an absolute God or of God out of Christ Inf. 4. It is the Concern of all who are for trading in Spirituals to study the Mediator When they look upon him as God he appears 1. Able to bear the Wrath of his Father off from them 2. To satisfy the Justice of his Father in behalf of them 3. To appear and plead in his Presence for them 4. To obtain Grace for And 5. To apply Grace to them And when they look on him as Man may they not see 1. His Fitness to suffer for Man And 2. His Readiness to pity Man 3. His entring and taking possession of Glory in Man's Nature And when they see him as Immanuel as having his Human Nature united to his Divine Person they may see flowing from this Union that which is called the Communion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Communication of Properties 1 Jo. 3.16 so that his Godhead gave Virtue or Value to the Sufferings of his Manhood Is it not said that God he that is God laid down his Life Inf. 5. Persons should try whether they be interested in this Mediator 1. Do they feel as their pressing Burden the Breach Sin has made 2. Do they despair of having it made up save by him 3. Do they comply with his Proposals 4. Do they employ him to the Father Be it known this Mediator is precious for there is but one Last Inference Drooping Souls when they find themselves willing to receive Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 should take the Comfort that belongs to them Heb. 7.27 Is not this Mediator able and willing to save 'em to the uttermost The 20th Position That there might be Commerce and Communion between God and fallen Man he who is God-Man as Mediator did and doth exercise the three Offices or threefold Office of Priest Prophet and King In that famous Psalm which carrieth the Title of David's Creed Psal 110. Symbolum Davidicum See the excellent Dr. Reynolds on it as the Lord Christ in and by that choice Servant of his exerted his Prophetical Office his Kingdom and Priesthood are expresly prophesied of Who that owneth true Christianity questioneth the Truth of the Position now before us May its Usefulness be touched on in some Inferences Applicat 1. I infer That it is the near Concern of all who are for managing the spiritual Trade to meditate on the several Offices of Christ See Gillespy 's Ark the second Part. viewing and weighing their exact Sutableness to the best Good of Man and their sweet Concurrence with one another with respect to that and the Glory of God Was he not a Priest to God Heb. 5.1 that he might be a more meet Prophet to and Prince over Men 1. Is he not as a Prophet made unto his People Wisdom 1 Cor. 1.30 Is he not as a Priest made unto them Righteousness Is he not as a King made unto them Sanctification and Redemption 2. Vid. Amesii Medullam And Norton Orthod Evang. Doth not his Prophetick Office tend to heal their Ignorance of God Doth not his Priestly Office conduce to heal their Estrangment from him Doth not his Kingly Office further the taking away of their Enmity against him 3. Doth not he as a Prophet make known the best things Doth not he as a Priest make Purchase thereof Doth not he as a King make over those things
him 3. That his Spirit in and with his Word may ride on conquering and to conquer Revel 6.2 4. That Magistrates who rule by may rule for Christ 5. That in order to the flourishing of Churches 1. Col. 2.5 Officers may be established 2. Order maintain'd And 3. Censures exercised The 28th Position Through the Humiliation of Christ spiritual Trading or Communion between God and Man is no little furthered Did not the Humiliation of Christ shew most evidently That notwithstanding Man's Fall 1 Joh. 4.9 10. both he the Son and his Father were willing to transact with him Quo vilior pro nobis eo charior nobis In this among in this above other things was the Love of the Father manifested That he gave his only begotten Son that we might live through his Death and be exalted through his being humbled Velatio Deitatis Revelatio Charitatis And when he stooped lowest did not his Love to our sight rise highest 2. Doth not the Humiliation of the Son of God greatly encourage the Sons and Daughters of Men to draw nigh to God Dr. Manton Do we not read under one of the best of Hands that as by the Incarnation of Christ may be seen a way for removing Discouragements that arise from Man's distance from God so from his satisfactory Passion is a way made for taking away Man's Difference and Disagreement with God Hebr. 10.19 20 21. Seeing Heaven hath come down to Earth Men and Women on Earth may more boldly go up to Heaven I infer 1. That Christ's State of Humiliation is a Subject well worthy of the spiritual Traders Study May the Touches given thereon have becoming Consideration 1. Tho in the strictest sense he that is God and so most High cannot intrinsically be humbled Vid. Amesii Med. p. 81. Baxteri Methodum Part 3. p. 11. and Christ's humbling himself is brought in as following his being found in fashion as a Man yet as to us and as to appearance God is said to humble himself and when the Son of God took on him the form of a Servant he made himself of no Reputation he verily nothing'd himself Phil. 2.7 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 113.6 and so was extrinsecally and reputatively low 2. The stooping of Christ after his Incarnation is worth wondering at 1. 2 Cor. 8.9 Had not he humbling Circumstances attending his Birth Did not he who was and is rich become exceeding poor As a Creature is a poor thing to the Creator See profound Dr. Bates his Harmony Luk. 2.24 compared with Levit. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 2.13 22. Mark 6. and Man a Creature lower than the Angels and Man fallen lower than in his first Estate 1st Was not the blessed Virgin-Mother tho well descended so poor that her Offering was two young Pigeons 2dly Did not the most holy Babe first breath in an out-House belonging to an Inn and fall from the Womb into the Manger 3dly See Dr. Lightfoot Was not the Raiment he was wrapp'd in so coarse that by some the Greek Word is render'd Rags Again 2. Was it not wonderful that our dear Lord who was early made a Fugitive when and where he settled should go in the count of a Carpenter's Son and as some think work in that Trade 3. Can we stay on this side admiring Gal. 4.4 when we look on the Lord Jesus as made under the Law his own Law yea the Ceremonial Law that typified him having Blood drawn in his Circumcision 4. Was it not part of his Humiliation to be assaulted by the Tempter Mat. 4. the beginning and that with such horrid Temptations 5. Was it not so also that he endured the Ignominy that attended the verbal and real Contradiction of Sinners against himself See on this Dr. Stillingfleet on Heb. 12.3 4. 6. Was not his entring the Gates of Death who gave his Enemies Life wonderful Humiliation 1st Was not his dying a prime compleating Act of Obedience 2dly Phil. 2.7 8. Was not his being made an Offering in his Soul a great Abasement 3dly Were not his penal Sufferings as in all Parts so from all Hands I add Isa 53. ult 1. Was not his Burial or being brought to the Grave an Ingredient to his Humiliation 2. Was not so also that he descended into Hell Vid. Vcetium de descensu in the mildest sense that most Divines take the words in Inf. 2. In vain do they pretend to be spiritual Traders who do not look for and long after Communion with Christ in his Humiliation particularly in his Death Is not this their case 1. Zech. 12.10 Who are not for steeping their Souls in Humiliation for Sin and that as against Christ And theirs 2. Who are not for dying to Sin daily Gal. 2.20 throughly and voluntarily And are they so who live and lie in open Sins or do not keep up a Watch against inward ones May such Persons consider that if they thus live and die Christ's Humiliation will aggravate their Condemnation The last Inference All truly good Persons should learn the proper Lessons that Christ's Humiliation teacheth The first is Rom. 8.32 God the Father stood much on the Honour of his Government and so of his Justice To what Pains was Christ put 2. A fair open way was made for Christ's Exaltation Psal 110. ult Did not his drinking of the Brook in the way lead to the lifting up of his Head 3. The Doctrine of the Cross of Christ's enduring the Cross Gal. 5.14 and calling others to carry it after him is not to be stumbled at 4. 2 Cor. 8.9 A wide Door of Hope is set and stands open to and for humble Penitents Did not his drinking of the bitter Cup tend to sweeten it to them 1 Thess 1. ult and to prevent their drinking the Dregs of it The 29th Position Christ's State of Exaltation maketh much for furthering Communion between God and fallen Man 1. Doth not God the Father who hath received the Son as in our Nature into Heaven look on that Nature and on our Persons through it Eph. 1.6 if we stand in a State of Union to him that took it on him In Capite as pleasing to him yea doth he not consider us as in a sort exalted in and with him our Head Eph. 2.6 And are not his Employs and Actings on our behalf peculiarly regarded by him 2. When we are making Addresses to the most High Heb. 12.2 is it not our Duty Interest and Way much to look unto Jesus and that as exalted and appearing in our Nature for us Doth not this much encourage us Joh. 20.17 that he is gone to his Father and our Father to his God and our God The Use follows which is 1. By way of Caution Tho in managing the spiritual Trade we are with and by our Faith to follow Christ into Heaven
Ministration of the Spirit as well as the Mediation of the Son of God is requisite Are not Christians washed 1 Cor. 6.11 justified and sanctified as in the Name of Jesus Christ so by the Spirit of our God 2. 2 Cor. 13. ult When the Apostle prayeth that Persons may have the Communion of the Holy Ghost doth not that hint that as they have Communion with him so also that by his Influence and Efficacy they are prepared for Heaven and for having their Conversation in Heaven whilst they are on Earth For the further proving of the Position I offer If we look upwards and unto God 1. Is it not the Work of the Holy Spirit to reveal as his Nature and Excellencies so withal the great Mistery of Godliness and the way of exercising the Trade and Transaction that is held with him Eph. 1.17 as also the Laws Priviledges and Advantages that any way concern it Is he not stiled the Spirit of Revelation 2. Is it not the Work of the Holy Spirit as proceeding from God the Father and the Son to instruct and elevate the Hearts of Persons that they may not be intangled in such Employes and Affections as would hinder their Trafficking with Heaven 1 Cor. 7. And also that they may attend on the Lord and the main Business without allowed distraction And now we will a little cast our Eyes down on Man with regard to the Point in hand and under consideration propounding the following Quaere's 1. As to that part of Trade that goes under the Name of Exporting or carrying and sending to Heaven Can any Person do any Duty aright so as to exert Graces therein without the special Aids and Operations of the Holy Spirit Jude 20. Gal. 5.22 Are we not to pray in the Holy-Ghost And are not the Fruits of Faith from him 2. As to what is Imported and fetch'd from Heaven into which count falls increase of Grace and Communication of Comfort Is not his working necessary Eph. 3.16 Are any strenghened with might in the Inner Man save by the Spirit And doth not a late great Divine hold forth that Communion with him is much in Consolation Dr. Owen of Communion From what hath been said and proved I will first lay down some Inferences of Truth The 1st is All the Persons in the All-blessed and undivided Trinity are ingaged having an Hand and Heart in Mans best Good even his spiritual and eternal Welfare Joh. 14. Doth not the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father and the Son as to his Personality so as to the great Office I am pointing at Idem Who that reads this should do it without Admiration The second Inference All that call and would prove themselves Men and Women of God should be exceeding loth to do what is called grieving and demean themselves with all tenderness Eph. 4.30 and due respect to the Holy Spirit of God Should they be chargeable with what would grieve him So Dr. Spurstow and Mr. Hickman if he was as we are capable of grief Or causing him to carry strangely as we do towards those that grieve us Can we have Fellowship or as England's later great Divine would have it read Mr. Baxter Communion with the Father 1 John 3.3 and with his Son Jesus Christ except we be inspired and acted by the Holy Spirit The third Inference They shew that they are not for driving a Trade into and with Heaven whose course carrieth in it a wilful quenching of the Motions and resisting of the Ministry of God's Spirit 1 Thess 5. See on this Reverend Polwheel Boyse Alas is not the World I add Is not the Church considered at large and as to those that cry aloud The Temple of the Lord The Temple of the Lord full of such Persons Whilest some vainly pretend to the Spirit and others vilely scoff at him How many are there that sit at his Summons strive against his Strivings and will by no means be wrought or brought over to a Closure with the Person Acts 7.51 relying on the Mediation and Submission to the Government of Christ The fourth Inference The spiritual Trade shall not quite fall or fail How great soever their Numbers are who do neglect or decline it Will the Eternal Spirit whilest Time lasteth leave off to spiritualize Thousands yea Millions and so hold this Trade up Shall not the Pleasure of God the Father prosper in this Hand The fifth Inference According to the drawing near or withdrawing off the Holy Spirit the Trade into Heaven and the Management thereof doth fude and flourish Doth not the more full and plenteous pouring out of the Holy Spirit since the Ascension of Christ as to his Humane Nature Vicariam navare operam vid. Buxhorn Hist p. Cant 4. ult supply the want of his Bodily Presence Is he not said to be in his stead As this Wind wakeneth the Spices of Grace flow forth Rules of Duty are to come next The first is general All that will vouchsase this poor Paper a reading should take themselves to task and enjoyn their Consciences to give right Answers Have they ever yet experienced what it is to have Communion with the Holy Spirit and with the other Persons in the Godhead by and through him Hath he in a convincing humbling quickening and mortifying Presence and Influence come in to them Are not sundry rigid Separatists said not to have the Spirit Jude 19. The second Rule is They who have not found should humbly and earnestly seek the Effusion of the Holy Spirit should they not cry to the Holy Spirit and to the Father through the Son for the Spirit Zech. 12.10 Should they not wait at the foot of the Promise made of him If once God gives them hearts to ask will he not answer them Should not Spiritual Traffick be esteemed Luke 11.13 The third Rule is They who have the Holy Spirit should evidence it by their being spiritual and heavenly Traders and by their studying to excel therein Should they not be alwayes abounding in the Work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. ult Adding unto Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge c. For being filled with the Fruits of Righteousness Phil. 1.11 and fitted for the Crown of Righteousness should their souls cry The fourth Rule They whose hearts are by the holy Spirit set on driving the spiritual Trade should take the Cordials which God offereth them Was it not the sweet Psalmist's Infirmity Did he not see Psal 77.2 that it was so to refuse to be comforted Alas many of the Excellent of the Earth labour under that weakness they put the Word of Consolation away from them Shall not all that hold converse with God by his Spirit find their Trading in Grace issuing in the gain of Glory 1 Pet. 4. Is he not the Spirit of Glory The 31st Position Spiritual Commerce and Communion between Heaven and