except we abide in Christ and he in us we have no life in uâ— z Iohn 15. 4. and if any have not the spirit of Christ the same is none of his a Rom. 8. 9. therefore the Priesthood of Christ must be extended and multiplyed according to the true latitude of it else we derogate and detract from it pulling downe it and setting up men having mens persons in admiration b Iude 16. and may as well denye any of the faithfull any other grace that comes by Jesus Christ as to denye them the grace of Eldership prophesie or administration in the house of God yea the peace of conscience remission of their sins as well as this grace of Priesthood or Eldership in the Church we must also abreviate and bring it all into one that the whole administration and every part or particular thereof dependeth solely upon the Sonne of God or else we give unto men that glory that God never gave unto them but hath made it the peculiar honour of his Sonne and so set up Idolls unto our selves in the house of God Iames 1. 6. 27. Tim. 3. 9. instead of that pure and undefiled worship of God yea that man Idolizeth himselfe that attributes unto himselfe a greater necessity to teach then to learne from others Psal 19. 9. 44. Psal 78. 41. in the house and wayes of the worship of God whatever he may thinke of himselfe in that point for he limits the holy one of Israelc tying him to speake by him and not leaving it to his own grace and wisdome who is free and ever hath bâ—en Co. 14. 26. 6 31. either to speake or heare by whom he pleaseth for the hearing care and the seeing eye are both alike of the Lord. d But concerning the second thing propounded Prov. 20. 12. that is the Sacrifices offered for the Church let us instance in one for all namely the offering of the Lambe which if we seriously and duly consider was never offered up twice in the same forme but it is differed either in respect of time place or in the subject offered in the ordering of it or in the object to whom it was offered in respect of his action and demeanure in the approbation e Gen. 22. 7 8 Exod. 12. 3 4 5. Levit. 3. 7. Levit. 4. 32. Exod. 13. 13 Exod. 29. 39 Deut. 9. 3. Levit. 14. 10. 12. 13. or else in regard of some other act or adjunct in or about the offering of it now if we will know what the offering of a Lambe is we must consider it in all the circumstances that concernes it in the variety and severall multiplications thereof as being a Lambe slaine from the beginning f Revel 13. 8. a Lambe slaine in Egipt g Exod. 12. 3. a Lambe slaine in Israel h 1 Sam. 7. 9. 10. with many other circumstances adjuncts and exercises in and about the offering thereof but in all not twice in the same manner in all and every respect all which we must bring into the sacrificing of one Lambe which can never be found in any but onely in that Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world i Iohn 1. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 19. 1 Cor. 5. 7. so that he that was about to sacrifice a Lambe in any one particular way mencioned in the Law of the sacrificing thereof he disâ—nulled the Law and makes it voide and of none effect to himselfe if it do not comprehend all the wayes of offering the Lambe and he that goeth about to sacrifice in all the wayes of offering the Lambe he disanulles the Law also unto himselfe unlesse he can bring them all into one intire act of offering up of one Lambe that comprehends all the rest of the Sacrifices and Lambes offered and of such unity and multiplication are all other Sacrifices Offerings and Oblations in that leviticall and mosaicall Law otherwise Jesus Christ is not taught in them but they are made meerly historicall and traditionall and of none effect to those that are trained up and taught in such points of doctrine as multiplies not one into many and comprehends many in one for it is the voice of the spous with respect to her unity with her Lord to say draw me in the singular number and with respect to the multiplication of her seede we will run after thee in the plurall k Cant. 1. 4 So saith the Prophet Esay of Christ he shall see his seede and they shall prolong his dâ—yes l Esa 53. 10. his life and dayes are multiplyed in them and their life and dayes are made one in him and so doth the pleasure or good will of the Lord prosper take effect or is succesfull in his hand that is in his ministry m Psal 77. for the grace of God is a bundle of life in our Lord Iesus so that he that hath right and interest in one hath right and interest in all whatever the Saints have right unto interest in from the Lord they make use of putting it to the Exchangers n Mat. 25. 27. and so many not be deburied from any way of administration in the house of God they have right but unto one grace that one salvation by Christ and so he is our strength and Salvation f they have right also Psal 18 32. 39. Psal 27. 1. Ps 84. 5. to a multitude of Salvations even as many as there are severall wayes of distruction and so he is called the God of Salvations for the word is plurall in that place of the Psalme g even so it is with our sines that the Lambe of God taketh away h there is but one sin because there is but one infinit eternall and divine act and being against which and against whom sin is committed yet this one sin is multiplyed q Psal 68. 20. Iohn 1. adinfinitum because that one sin opposeth Psal 140. 7. contradicteth all those infinite perfections that are in that one divine act and being therefore it is that we cannot acknowledge any sin to he veniall because it becomes not the strength of the Sonne of God to stoope under a small burden nor the vertue of that blood of sprinkling to utter it selfe to any little or small effect r Heb. 29 12. 24. nor can any sin as it is a sin against God possibly be without an infinit and an eternall giâ—t in it crossing and standing at enmity and indirect opposition against the minde and will of an infinite God which cannot admit of any graduall distinctions therefore the Apostle saith that sin is the transgression of the Laws or as the Greek word there sounds the withoutnesse of a rule so that every sin is the withoutnes of a rule that is it hath not one jot or tittle of the Law mind rule or of the true reason of the Almighty in it for somtimes the phrase used for word or Law
signifies reason s 1 Ioh 3. 4. so that according to Gods wisdom in the orderly course of things in the production of them it hath not anything at all thereof in it but as the Law or wisdom of God is nothing else but instructive so is sin or the vvisdom of the Serpent nothing else but destructive for aâ—… the vvisdom of God in all the productions of it selfe in Christ expungeth all sin corruption out of our nature so that never guile was found in his mouth but as a I am spoile undefiled t Heb. 2. 2 in so much that however it be but a Creature that is properly saved yet this work of Salvation state condition which the Creature is set in doth infinitely surmount transcend the condition of a Creature for as the wisdom and the worke is properly of God so is the state condition godly and holy and so of an infinite and an eternall value even so it is with the wisdome of the flesh that is not subject to this will and law of God neither indeed can be u Esa 53. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 19. or that wisdome of the Serpent in all its operations and productions of it selfe expungeth all holinesse and righteousnesse yea that compleate law of the spirit and life that is in Christ Iesus w Ro. 8. 7. in every tittle of it out of it selfe leaving it selfe an uncleane spirit having a garment in every one part of it spotted with the flesh x Ro. 8 2 Ecl. 7. 29 Gen. 7. 5 and is become altogether ungodly and defiled so that as Christ was tempted in all things like unto us yet without sin so is Antichrist by his creation as also in that redemption of mankinde in all things made like unto the Sonne of God and yet without righteousnesse yea so free as the sonne of God is from sin y Mat. 12 43. 5. though tempted so free is the Sonne of perdition from righteousnesse though furnished at the first with it being made in it z Lu. 11. 24. Iude 23. Heb. 4 15 Ioh. 14. 30. So that howsoever it is proper to a finite Creature to decline and fall away from God yet that worke of darknes stare condition into which it brings the Creature is of an infinite nature extent because it is an annihilation and destruction of that whole worke and fabrick of which the Sonne of God himselfe is the onely and chiefe corner stone in the building a Gen. 1. 27. Gen. 5. 1. Gen. 2. 7. Ecl. 7. 29 Iob. 38. 6 Psal 118. 22. Esa 28. 16. or in expunging and blotting out of that law of the spirit which holds correspondency with the son of God in all points every breach of which infinite law must needes be of an infinite and eternall giâ—t and in our pretended opening of the Scripture to fall short of this latitude and extent in any particular sin is the proper prevarication Law or play the part of a false Lawyer at the Bar as the word signifies that in pleading his Clients cause neglects the chiefe point in the Law that should principally be brought in and puts it into his Adversaries hand secretly to cast the cause against his Client of such use are they to the soules of their hearers that neglect or fall short of this principall point of the Law in the infinite extent of mans sin for finite and infinite being made one the proper act of sin is the dis-junction and separation of them which is the proper worke of the flesh or naturall reasonings of the minde of a creature a Gen. 3. 1 6 Rom. 7. 9 10 11. betweene it selfe and the Creator so also finite and infinite being dis-joyned and separated by sin namely God and man made one at the first it is the proper work of the Grace and Spirit of God by faith to unite and make these twaine to be one and both these are of the same extent the validitie and substance of the one is not more exalted lifted up and made permanent then the vanitie and emptinesse of the other is vilified and debased becoming corrupted and putrified for ever without the love and distinct knowledge whereof we can neither understand the fall of man nor yet his restauration by Christ of such use and concernment is the knowledge of the multiplication of the offering of the Lamb together with the unity of it without which our speeches and thoughts of the taking away of the sins of the world John 1. 29. are meere blind conjectures and the certaine knowledge and faith thereof we have not yet attained unto b Pro. 19. 2. we are yet dead in our sins c 1 Cor. 15. 17. and doe not participate in the life of the Lord Jesus d 1 Iohn 5. 10 11. unto the first Resurrection e Rev. 20. 6. for till we know how the death of Christ in our nature answereth in all points diametrically unto our life in that Word of God or nature divine we cannot have the comfort of that life of Jesus Christ for mans fall can be of no lesse extent then that Resurrection of the Son of God is therefore as he that prayeth or prophecieth with his head covered dishonoureth his head f 1 Cor. 11. 4. that is if he doe not discover make bare and manifest the extent of that righteousnesse that is by Christ to be no lesse then the righteousnesse of God through faith in him g Rom. 10. 3 4. hee dishonours and shames his head now we know that the head of every man is Christ h 1 Cor. 11. 3. even so also he that hides his sins shall not prosper that is shall not passe through or succeed well as the word signifies i Pro. 28. 13 but that man hides his sin whatever he be that gives it not its proper weight guilt and extent which is not lesse then the death of the Son of God k Rom. 4. 24 25. Isa 53. 4 5 what sin soever it be and if we make it not to be that which it is we hide it and shall never prosper succeed or goe through the difficulty and power thereof for if we hide it it rests upon our selves l Ioh. 9. 41. 2 Cor. 3. 14 and is the death of Christ in us according to the Spirit for we thereby crucifie the Son of God unto our selves m Heb. 6. 6. in the spirit by treading under foot n Heb. 10. 29. that is by vilifying and undervaluing his blood not giving it its due proportion we reckon it upon our selves to our owne destruction for he is thereby dead in us in respect of the Spirit or of that spirituall state and condition of which he consisteth o 2 Cor. 5. 16. Heb. 10. 29. but if we confesse and forsake them p Pro. 28. 13. that is if we preach confesse or professe them according to their extent then we
farr from knowing and walking according to the Law rules or reason as the word given for Law somtimes signifies x Heb. 2. 2. of that Jerusalem that comes downe from heaven or Israel that is of God y Revel 21. 2. Gal. 4. 26. Gal. 6. 16. as a bruit beast is farre of and estranged from the art skill and rules that a man walkes by And the Apostle saith that none knowes the things of a man but the spirit of a man that is no other Creature but his own kind can reach them z 1 Cor. 2. 11. Even so none knowes the things of God but the Spirit of God a 1 Cor. 2. 11. for no unbeliever that is not led by that spirit can possibly reach them no more then a beast can be taught to cast an Account or learne the art of Musick though they have all the outward sences a man hath even as all the outward or visible Characters of the word of God according to the Letter are naturally ingraven in mans spirit b Deut. 30. 11 12 13 14. Rom. 10. 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 3. 6. 7. though he know not the minde and meaning of it no more can any man teach another the things of God for it is his own mighty handiwork alone for the hearing eare and the seeing eye are both alike of the Lord c Heb. 8. 11. Prov. 20. 12. Gal. 1. 12. 1 Thes 4. 9. Ephes 4. 21. 1 Iohn 2. 27. fighting therefore with and opposing these after the manner of the Sonne of God availeth much to the resurrection nay it is the resurrection it selfe that is when we lay downe our own life to preserve the like of another in the world that is when we lay downe all our own livelihood in our selves to preserve the life spirit doctrine power and authority of the Sonne of God amongst and against all that oppose that life spirit power and authority of his in the world Now the laying downe of a mans life for the preservation of the life of the Sonne of God is not properly to lay downe this naturall life as it is a separation of soule and body though it doth not exclude that also in its season for the life of man is properly to live to himselfe as all earthly Creatures by nature do and as all earthly men do d Phil. 2. 21. Phil. 3. 18. 19. that institute and gather Churches ordaine Officers multiply Members study preach pray fast feast baptize and minister in outward and earthly Elements and rudements to binde over the consciences of the people to aford them meanes to maintaine them in riches honour and ease as also the civill Magistrate to defend and protect them in what they speake and do e Exod. 32. 1 2 3 4 5 6. Acts. 7. 39. to 43. Now whilst Moses is in the Mount or rather Christ ascended on high f Psal 68. 18. Ephes 4. 8. and they know not how to fetch protection and defence from him nor do they indeed know what is become of him in regard of the exercise of his royall Offices no more then carnall Israel knew Moses imployment with God in the Mount but if we lay downe our owne life that the life of Jesus may be made manifest and abound in us that so in him we may live to our brethren g in any or in all servises of love h 2 Cor. 8. 9. 2 Tim. 2. 10 2 Cor. 1. 5. 6. then are we dead unto all the things of this present life and cannot hunt or seeke after any mans honour place Office riches preferrment credit reputation or respect whatsoever that another man injoyes in the things of this present life But all our warre is to have these things crucified unto man and man unto these things i Gal. 5 13. Rom. 12. 10. Col. 3. 1 2 3. both in our selves and likewise in others that the life of the Lord Iesus might appeare and exercise it selfe in us all k Col. 2. 20. that is all the hurt we do or may wish to any and the proper end of our combate in this world and this manner of fight at Ephesus and so in any state Corporation or condition in this world doth not exclude but include the laying downe of this naturall life in the separation of soule and body in witnessing the nature end and use of the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ whereby the world is crucified unto us and we unto the world l Gal. 61. 4. Col. 3. 5. It is become as a Crucified thing or Carior that is meane base yea abominable in comparison of the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ even as we are unto it in our spirituall Course of walking and worships in comparison of the workes and livelihood of the flesh which the world not tasting of plentifully in us they count us as men that have nothing but ill savour in us and we are as a crucified thing unto them * Gal. 6. 14. Esa 53. 3. Nor make we any question but a Saint may truly preach in his death for the conviction and confusion of the wicked m Col. 3. 3. 4 Gal. 2. 18. 19. 20. 2 Cor. 4. 10. 11. and also for the great incouragement comfort and instruction of the just n Iohn 10. 15. Ephes 5. 2. 1 Iohn 3. 16. Iohn 15. 12. and let his light shine unto them in that for their glorifying of their Father which is in Heaven o Acts. 7. 54. to 57. as in their workes done in the rest of their life time yea and may as freely comfortably and bouldly through Christ that strengthens them p Phil. 2. 17. 18. make a surrender of themselves unto God in that service to fall a sleepe in it q Mat. 5. 16. Acts 5. 41. 1 Pet. 4. 14. if it be sutable to the death of that witnesse Stephen as in any sermon he hath preached unto the world in any part of his life time for God can ripen his Saints to fall off as the first ripe fruits t Mica 7. 1. Iob. 5. 26. willingly seasonably and fruitfully in that way as well as in any other for it is the testimony that we give unto the world of the truth life spirit and power of God that is our consolation in what way soever he makes good and testifies the same unto the sonnes of men in our selves and in others this dying unto our selves is our resurrection in all things for as the sufferings of Christ abound in ust which is to dye to the flesh even so do his consolations much more abound in us our hope in this is stedfast * 2 Cor. 1. 5. 2 Cor. 1. 7. that as we are partakers of the suffering so also of the consolation u 2 Cor. 1. 5. for the death is the resurrection that which is the sorrow in the eye of all flesh is the consolation in the sight and revelation of the