34. to 36 Of the Phoenix and that Christ is the true Phoenix Page 269 to 271 Philosophy proves God is good Page 119 Christ the best Physician Page 272. ad finem Pittie the incredulous Jewes Page 177 178 Let Pilgrims be comforted that have the Sunne of righteousnesse shining before them Page 222 223 Christ as the Sun among the Planets he is ever in the midst Page 196 197 Plead before the Lord for mercy Page 290 Christ sheds his Beames plentifully Page 184 All the policy in the world cannot hinder Christs risings and manifestations either in soules or Nations Page 257 258 Davids policy when brought before Achish Page 2 3 There is a lawfull Policy Page 3 4 Christ can heale Politically and recover sicke Kingdomes Page 277 278 The Popes insolency in stiling himselfe the Sun among the Starres and assuming many other properties and descriptions of Jesus Christ Page 213. to 216 Prayer helps us to retaine experiences Page 25 In Prayer wee taste God Page 39 Prayer the meanes to be cured Page 290 How a Preacher may worke on his hearers Page 31 Let not the beautifull Mother of Gods Patience bring forth the ugly monster of thy Presumption Page 246 Prizing our experiences will helpe us to remember them Page 24 25 Wait the accomplishment of Promises Page 246 Cleare Prophecies of Christ of old for three Reasons The Vses many Page 165. to 180 We see many glorious Prophecies fulfilled Page 172 We must wait the fulfilling of Prophecies that are yet unfulfilled Page 178 179 All Prophecies but scripturall not much to be heeded Page 179 180 Of the book of Psalms and the occasion of the 34. Psalm Page 1. to 5. R. Christ spreads his Raies like the Sun freely suddenly impartially plentifully Page 181. to 184 The causes of our great Rain and waters Page 19 20 Range not after broken cisterns when the fountains are ful Page 22 Christ for all his cures looks for no Recompence but thankfulnesse Free grace is not Fee grace Page 288 Reckon on the rising of others with but against Christ Page 261 262 A Redeemer for men not Angels Page 11 Relapses dangerous yet curable Page 286 Reliques of corruption and mud in the best heart in this life Page 83 to 100 Most Relish not heavenly things The Reason why Page 57. to 63 How to Remember experiences for ever Page 24 25 The Remembring of our experiences begets trust in God Page 22 23 There is a Remunerative righteousnesse in Christ Page 244 to 246 Repetition of Sermons urged and commended Page 36 True Repentance is never to be repented of unlesse that we repented no sooner Page 54 Tasts of God Reserved for the elect Page 63 Rest not in truth of Grace but labour for more grace else t is not true Page 95. to 99 Of â—â—â—ists Resurrection Page 249 250 Vse Reverence in solemne Assemblies because Angels observe you Page 9 10 Our Reversions better then our possessions Page 92 Christ a bountifull Rewarder of his friends Page 244 Rewards prepared for such as win others to Christ Page 18 19 Christ the Sunne of Righteousnesse 1. inherent in himselfe 2. imparted in us 3. imputed 4. Remunerative All handled at large Page 223. to 246 When Christ riseth Page 247. to 265 Though Christ set he will rise again Page 264 265. When Christ ariseth many will rise against him Page 261 Wherein the manifestations of Christ are like the rising of the Sun and wherein unlike Page 254. to 260 Christs rising is our healing Page 265. ad finem Worship this rising Sun Page 260 261 The Christian Sabbath is Christs day in this sense it is Sunday or a day dedicated to the Sun of righteousnesse though it ought not to be called Sunday but the Lords day as John hath Christned it Page 221 222. God is tasted in the Sacrament there beleevers taste and see how good the Lord is Page 40 Saints may meet with troubles in Gods wayes much more shall wicked ones in the Devils Page 3 Why Saints have not perfect hell here but have some taste of Gods goodnesse to sweeten our pilgrimage Page 80 to 82 How Saints are not perfect here Page 77. to 100 In what sense Saints are said to be filled to be perfect and not to sin Page 87. to 90 Sampson a type of Christ Page 198 199 Our Sanctification from Christ Page 232. to 236 Motives to labour for Sanctification Page 236. to 239 God alone can fill and satisfy the poore heart of man Page 131 132 Onely one Saviour Page 185. to 187 The sacred Scriptures are full of affections and require affections in Christians Page 29 30 All the spirituall Senses accompany true life Page 102 103 Our head Christ is sensible of our infirmities Page 286 Sermons to be repeated in the family Page 36 Christ hath his settings prepare for them Page 162. to 165 In what manner Christ shâ—ds his comfortable beams 181 to 184 The shinings of Christ described Page 181. to 184 We are not meere shops of the Spirit for then our failings would be his Beleevers are so acted by Him as to act with him Page 90 91 Let 's be sicke of this world for here is but a taste of GOD. Page 85. and 99 Men and women naturally sick and in a crazie condition till Christ cure them Page 280. to 282 Satans baits of sin are tasted by many to their cost Page 64. to 66 Some sin against God because he is good Page 136 The Lord tempts not to sin Page 137. to 140 Sinne ordered by Christ and yet he abides pure he can touch pitch and not be defiled Page 203 204 How be that is born of God sinneth not Page 89 Great old sins curable Page 283. to 285 Christ a skilfull Physician Page 272 ad finem Slanders neither to be invented reported nor beleeved Page 140. to 142 God and Christ have been slandered Page 141 142 Sluggishnesse an enemy to grace Page 60 The spirit of slumber hath possessed many Page 63 Wicked Society a snare Page 62 63 Some sofened by Christs shinings others hardned Page 206 God will not spare the impenitent Page 231 Sparkles of glory flew out of Christs abasements 248 249 True knowledge is not bare Speculation Page 101 102 God in Christ a speciall good to the elect Page 124 125 Christ the beauty of Soules Page 194 He cures sick Soules Page 274. to 276 How the Spirit dwels in us Page 90 91 The dazeling splendor of Christ Page 190 to 194 The â—winkling Starre-light of creature-comforts cannot make day if Christ the Sun be wanting Page 207 208 Stout Sinners shall be subdued Page 158 159 Christ Strong in his motions Page 198 Streights to the godly are but tryals Page 3 Christ disparkles his beames and gives comfort Suddenly Page 182 183 Of Christs Sufferings Page 230 231 Christ is the Sun of righteousnesse he is like the Sun in 21 respects unlike in five Page 180. to 211 An old Heresie that Christ dwels
spotlesse and innocent which hath not met with some o See of slanders before p. 140 141 142. slanders and godly Ministers especially are besmeared herewith to blast the fruits of their Ministery a main engine of Satans But I remember a saying of Austin He that willingly takes from my good name unwillingly addes to my reward p Quisquis volens detrahit famae meae nolens addit mercedi meae August Matth. 5.11 12. And thus we have a little opened this truth That Christ is a Sun of Righteousnesse inherent in himselfe he was Righteousnesse and Holinesse it selfe Let mee inferre six things from hence First Inference 1 we see then a vast difference between the two q Adam Christus sunt tanquam duo principia vel duae radices generis humani hoc vult Paulus conditioneÌ„ quam per ChristuÌ„ consequimur longe potiorem esse quam fuerit sors primi hominis Calv. in 1 Cor. 15.45 Adams The first Adam who was the head of Mankinde was made a living Soule the last Adam who was the head of all the Elect was made a quickning Spirit The first man is of the earth earthly the second man is the Lord from heaven So Paul 1 Cor. 15. The first Adam had a posse non peccare and posse non mori the second Adam had a non posse peccare and a non posse mori The first Adam and all his children that lay then in his loynes had before the fall a possibility of standing the second Adam and all his seed according to the Spirit had an impossibility of falling our condition in the first Adam was very glorious innocent and free from all sinne had he stood our condition in the second Adam is very sure and certain though pester'd with some corruption In a word the first Adam by his folly infected all the world with sinne the second Adam by his power redeemed the world from r If the Reader would see this point described to the life see a Book cald Sparkles of Glory writ by John Saltmarsh which Book though dangerously erroneous in many things yet handles the point of the two Adams very clearly onely derogating a little from the first Adam in innocence Pag. 1 2 3 c. to the 15. Try all things c. sin Secondly what shall we thinke of Erberies doctrine Inference 2 that blasphemously speakeâ— of Christ as a meere man Å¿ Vide the account given to the ParliameÌ„t by the Ministers sent to Oxford p. 30.38.41 saying Why did Christ take some Disciples to pray with him Because he was afraid to pray alone Why did he pray the same words over and over Because hee could not goe forward but had the spirit of bondage as I have had I dare not say any more for the time is not yet come to speak the truth c. t Erberies relation p. 8. ad finem And he laid down this Thesis at a conference in Oxford that the Saints have the same fulnesse of the Godhead as Christ hath dwelling in them in the same measure though not in the same manifestation This likewise he endeavoured to prove at a publick meeting But his Disciple Robert u Robert Wastfield â—n his blaâ—phemons booke called Christ coming in the clouds pag. 17.18 Wastfield saith plainly God Christ and the Saints shall bee all one the fulnesse of the Godhead shall dwell in us bodily and God shall bee as fully and as really manifest in the flesh of the Saints here in this life as ever he was in the flesh of our elder brother which was crucified at Jerusalem c. Paul Best likewise saith Paul Best in his wicked book called Mysteries discovered pag. 4.6.11.14 'T is high blasphemy to equalize Christ with God w O sweet Jesus art thou thus requited for all thy love Thy patience is infinite for all judgement is committed unto thee thou couldst grapple with such blasphemers as once with Julian and dash them in pieces as potters vessels and destroy them with hot thunderbolts from heaven But forbearance is no quittance nor yet any Argument why such should bee tolerated Well the Sun of Righteousnesse shall breake through all these clouds and shine gloriously I will lay downe two positions then which nothing is clearer in the Word 1. Beleevers in this life doe finde and feele many Reliques of corruption and that Saint that hath received most grace comes short of perfection x This point proved before pag. 77. all objections answered 1 Cor 13.12 Rom. 7.23 Gal. 5.17 1 Cor. 15.19 1 John 3.2 Phil. 3.12 13. 2. Jesus Christ is true and perfect God The Deity of Christ proved for time coeternall for nature coessentiall for dignity coequall with the Father and Spirit y Doctor Gr. Williams his third Golden Candlestick part 1. cap. 3.4 c. pag. 777. to 779. 1. Coeternall Isai 9.6 Titus 2.13 1 John 5.20 See also Prov. 8.25 Job 38.4 Rev. 1.8 2. Coessentiall John 10.30 1 John 5.7 3. Coequall For 1. All the Divine properties are ascribed to Christ Matth. 28.20 Phil. 3.21 Matth. 9.4 Heb. 13.8 and so of the rest 2. The peculiar operations of the Deity are ascribed to Christ John 13.18 Col. 1.16 Heb. 1.3 John 1.9 16.7 14.13 Matth. 9.6 1 Cor. 11.13 Rev. 1.18 John 5.24 3. Divine honour and worship is due unto him and exhibited of all the Saints Phil. 2.10 John 17.5 and Rev. 5.13 And indeed Reason tels us that Christ the Mediator must be perfect God z Lombard li. 3 dist 5. Bellarm. lib. 1. cap. 4. de Christo pag. 62. ad 77. Athanasius in lib. de exposition Fidei Fulgentius in resp ad object Aâ—râ—â—norum Dionysius de divin nom For none can satisfie for sinnes nor be a a Psal 49.7 Saviour of soules but God onely No b Heb. 2.14 finite creature was able to vanquish all our enemies Sin Satan Death c. much lesse abide and overcome the infinite wrath of God and the sufferings due unto us for our sinnes Finally his Divinity made his sufferings of an infinite value and as Mediator he was to undertake for our good behaviour for the future and send his Spirit to apply the benefits of his death c. All this shewes he must be God And thus you see the dangerous madnesse of those that make him a meere man Acts 20.28 Heb. 9.14 or not perfect God that is the Sunne of righteousnesse and of unspotted purity and glory Next Inference 3 see the desperate madnesse of this evil world to condemn such a man as a malefactor that never had sin that never offeÌ„ded any in all his life but shone out before God Angels and Men in such immaculate innocency that from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there was no spot on him all places fared the better for him he healed their sick fed the hungry in soule and body d Christus
non gustavit amara Hen. Mollerus in Psal 34. pa. 275. Biâ—ter things are wont to do it You must feed on Christ the Paschall Lamb with the bitter hearbs of compunction and Gospel-contrition Make your moan to God grieve that you can grieve no more complain to God of your drynesse of eyes as Isaiah of his leannesse find out the Achan that stole this wedge of gold the Jonas that causes this tempest within thee O mourn for that sin especially that is the cause of Gods withdrawing These bitter hearbs may recover thy spirituall relish But now if this meet with the best that for a season are deprived of this taste how much more with p Intellectualibus amme sensibus non pollent Euthym. them that never had it The time is yet to come with many millions of souls that ever they tasted the Lords goodnesse in any mercy in any duty I have read of one that had no bodily q Lazarus vitrivorax vulgo dictus nullo prorsus gustu praeditus erat nullam in câ—endo voluptatem persentiebat saith Realdus Columbus in his last book quoted by Nierembergius Iist nat ib. 3. cap. 9. taste at all Nay I knew one of a very strong and healthy constitution that had little or no taste This is the condition of thousands in spirituall things Now if you put this question to me why many cannot feele such sweetnesse in holy duties as others doe why they passe from duty to duty and taste nothing of God in the Ordinance I answer that indeed it will not be amisse to discover unto you the proper causes of this temper and they are six 1. Some want the Ordinances in the life and power They cry out for bread and there is none to give it them Rom. 10.14 Such as want the ordinances will never taste the sweetnesse of God For faith comes by hearing r Strab. Geog. Some live neere the Arcttick pole and six months together see not the light of the Sun These are to be pitied but much more such Å¿ Prov. 29.18 as enjoy not the sun-shine of the Gospel and will never taste Christ Not but that strong beleevers as David here in the want of ordinances enjoy most of God who is not tied unto meanes and then they lye down and drink at the fountain where the water is sweeter and plentifuller but mistake not I speak of unregenerate then who want the ordinary meanes of conversion and beleevers that neglect the ordinances Now if in these cases there is want of the ordinances Heb. 10.25 1 Thess 5.20 no wonder if people taste not as otherwise they might the sweetnesse and goodnesse of God Next others are guilty of sluggishnesse and t We must not make Gods service 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a lazie businesse This was a precept of Pythagoras Dulcia non meruit qui non gustavit amara Erubescat humana pigritia plus vult ille dare quam nos accipere Aug. Ser. 29. de ver Dom. Labor omnia vincit negligence under the meanes Many Christians are oft restrained in the tastes of the sweetnes of Gods favour and presence because they are not carefull enough to attend upon him in the use of ordinances They bestow little paines few strugglings with their hearts they heare and pray and read c. all in a lazie and perfunctory manner No wonder therefore some taste not such ravishing sweetnesse as others for they use not like paines and diligence to search out the comfort of the Word For as rich Minerals are not gotten on the superficies of the earth but men must sweat and dig deep into the bowels of the earth to finde them And as the sweetnesse of a kirnell is not rasted till the shell be crackt nor the goodnesse of marrow known till the bone be broken even so it is here The sweetnesse of God and the rich comforts of the word are not tasted nor felt by them that look but slightly and superficially into them but are at no paines to suck the breasts of Consolation which are the promises and labour would overcome allthings Again some have distempered and vitiated palats and no wonder Angelicall viands are not pleasant to them To a sick man that which is sweet seemes soure and ungracious so it is here For besides that some have the taste of pleasures and profits and the lusts of the world in their u Currus bovem trabit siratio pareat affectui Lucian mortuorum Dialogo tom 1. p. 257. hearts when they come to duty where they should relish divine sweetnesse to whom Christ saith they shall not because they cannot and will not taste of his Supper in Luke 14.24 and Matth. 13.22 Others dream of a seeming sweetnesse in formes and pictures and postures and superstitious worship which the Prophet calls Feeding upon ashes and now these are snatcht from them their religion which consisted in such things is also gone So that now they are as people that have lost their w Judg. 18.24 So here God they can relish nothing else nor discover any sweetnesse in pure ordinances Isai 65.11 you read of these They prepare a Table for the Troop and they furnish the drink offering unto that number q. d. There are Reliques of idolatry and superstitious doings and will-worship among them Now see the thirteenth verse Therefore thus saith the Lord my servants shall eat but you shall bee hungry they shall drinke but you shall be thirsty they shall rejoyce but you shall be ashamed q. d. They shall have communion with me and taste of my goodnesse whilst you are strangers altogether unacquainted w th me Others are so taken up with x Ascanius his Parrot could say all the Câ—eed and another Parrâ—t being seized on by a Kite could repeat that piece of his Lâ—tany Sanite Thoma â—ra pro nobis How many nominall Christians doe thus stick in formes and play the Parrots with God These will never taste divine sweetnesse in any duty forms of godlines that they tast little of God in any duty they play the Parrots with God what is this but mocking of him cheating a mans own soule No greater strangers to God then formalists more hope of prophane ones then such saith Christ Matth. 21.31 Thus you see the palats of men may be vitiated and distempered and prepossest with other things so as they cannot taste the goodnesse of God in a promise which is compared to wine on the lees well refined Now as a man that hath eaten lushious food cannot taste nor relish the best wine so it is here c. 4. Many y Vide Ioseph Bentham of society with the Saints are engaged and intangled in wicked company in holinesse contemning and Christ-disrelishing society which is a snare and muzzle unto them that they cannot taste the goodnesse of God Prov. 9.5 6. There you 'l see there be some that taste not of Wisdomes banquet because they leave not the way
Christ 1. A Prediction The division of the Text. The Sun of righteousnesse shall arise viz. the Saviour shall come There were many cleare predictions in the old Testament of the coming of Christ 2. A description of him in the Beauty of his person and manner of operation 1. His person is described 1. in that he is exceeding glorious as the Sun and 2. in that he is very pure a Sunne of righteousnesse 2. The manner of his operation is described likewise for 1. It is by arising and discovering himself and beauty to the soule 2. It is with healing in his wings So that the main Poynts are foure Doctrines 4 1. Jesus Christ is that glorious Sun that with resplendent lustre shines out upon the Church 2. Christ is a Sun of righteousnesse 3. There is a time of his arising and discovering himselfe to the world to the soule 4. When Christ who is the Sun of righteousnesse doth arise on beleevers he brings healing under his wings he doth much for us is poynt of grace and comfort First of the coherence Of all which in order lend me your helping hand by prayer I begin with the coherence of the Text 1. Note from the coherence as it hath reference to the foregoing words where the first note is this that h Exod. 34.6 7. and Rom. 2.3 4 5 6. Christ is at once a scorching Oven to proâ—â— sinners and a refreshing Sunne to droopiâ—â— Saints The Poynt may easily be prov'd from the Titles Wisdome and Justice of Christ 1. From his Titles He is called a Saviour in reference to beleevers and a brother a friend a husband but in reference to the wicked a Judge a creditor an enemy A Lamb to his friends when on the Throne A Lyon to his enemies c. 2. From his Wisdome onely children and fooles smile or frown alike upon all friends and enemies others know when to looke pleasingly and when gravely much more a He can make forth himselfe in severall postures sutable to severall relations Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge 3. From his justice which calls upon him to give every one according to his workes As for beleevers though they can merit nothing at Gods hands yet Christ hath purchased heaven for them and God hath promised rewards unto them and therefore God is faithfull and just to forgive reward and save them And as for Reprobates they doe even dare God and dishonour him much by breaking his Lawes and slighting his Commands And besides God hath severely threatned them in the Word and therefore he is not just unlesse they suffer By way of Inference Let not Dogs catch the childrens bread Inference 1 not children feare the Dogs whip First is Christ at once an Oven and a Sun Then let not Dogs catch the childrens bread nor wicked wretches meddle with Saints comforts What have you to doe to take my promise into your mouthes that are resolved to goe on in a course of sin Many dainties are preparing for the Saints but you shal not taste of the Supper How ill will a Jewell become a Swines snout Surely Gospel comforts are pretious Jewels and wicked ones saith Peter are filthy Swine Think not because he is good to others he must needs be so to you for at the same time he is a Sun and an Oven Read the first verse and you will see four things speaking terror to impenitent sinners notwithstanding all the choyce comforts appertaining to beleevers 1. Foure things in the Context thunder terror Forbearance is no Quittance a Reprieve no pardon a Truce no Peace The day commeth that shall burn as an Oven Though 't is not yet come it is comming Eccles 8.11 and Psa 50.21 22. 2. c De excelso gravior est casus major de alto ruina Be n. ad soror cap. 39. God wil chiefly set himself against proud stout sinners such as flourish in wickednesses as a green Bay tree such as the world takes notice of for jolly and happy fellowes Psal 37.35 36. Job 24.23 24. Prov. 33.35 Rev. 6.15 16. Jam. 5.1 And therefore envy them not but rather pitie them for their fall is the d Et gravius sunâ—nâ— culmine nussâ—â—â—uunt Mâ—â—n in Eâ—â—â— 1. greater 3. Sinners though never so great rich or honorable yet they shall have no power to resist Christ or to help themselves The proud shall be as stubble Though in this life they be Iron and Brasse proud stout against God yet they shall be as stubble weak and unable to make resistance as little strawes or small stickes poore stubble that cannot fortifie themselves against the flame Jer. 13.24 Isa 47.14 Idem 27.4 Psal 37.20 Isa 1.31 Nab. 1.10 Dan. 4.30 32. Isa 40.22 Dan. 4 35. They are as stubble and grashoppers to him and his arm is clothed with power 4. Reprobates shall be fully and utterly destroyed God will leave them neither root nor branch their ruine is irrepairable not that sinners hereafter shall be annihilated or have leave to dye no they must live to feele what infinite power can inflict upon them c Quia omnis peccator peccat suo aeterno But the meaning is they shall be utterly wasted of all joy and comfort and hope O consider this you stiffe necked sinners look up and behold every cloud is lined with thunder and the brow of GOD is pleated with wrinkles of displeasure f NotanduÌ„ est pios in manus duntaxat hominum incidere impios vero quod longe terribilissimuÌ„ est in manus Dei viventis Bâ—â—linger in Heb. 10.31 O 't is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God those hands that span the heavens and shake the pillars and foundations of the earth those hands that have been stretched out all the day long to embrace you but you would not Is Christ a Sun as well as an oven Inference 2 Then as Dogges must not catch the childrens bread so children need not feare the Dogs whip all these instruments of death are nothing to you that are children of life Feare not tremble not you heires of glory for 't is your Fathers good will to give you a Kingdome Loe his bosome is opened to you you are his Jewels and the Signet on his right hand T is true the Oven is heated and prepared but will hee throw the apple of his eye in will Christ cut off his members and fling them in Whilst the Oven is heating for reprobates is not heaven fitting and furnishing and perfuming for you Lift up your drooping heads for your redemption draweth nigh g Necesse enim fuit communi mundi tristitiae anxietati piorum gaudium opponi quasi e regione nâ—tari inter ipsos reprobos discrimen ne Christi adventum exhorrescerent Scimus ScripturaÌ„ non de ultimo tantum judicio sed de omnibus quae quotidie Deus exercet varie loqui prout
coming to judgement when the Trumpet shall sound and the dead shall rise and all appeare before the Judgement-seat of Christ All this must come to passe and all this may be comprized in our comprehensive prophecie in the Text The Sun of righteousnesse shall arise with healing in his wings x See a Tract of Mr. Geerings call'd A discovery of the vanity or iniquity of Iudiciall Astrology Published 1646. 5. And lastly reject other Prophecies Predictions which insnare many soules in our dayes the Devill never drove such a trade as now when many Professors are not ashamed nor afraid to enquire of his Oracles touching publick or private affaires y Leovitius in admonit de usu Astrologiae Erasmus and z Aulus Gellius lib. 14. cap. 1. in sine Phavorinus disputing against Astrologians conclude all Prognostications and Predictions unprofitable saying if they foretell joyfull news they decrease our future pleasures if evill tydings they increase our present pain the feare of danger being often worse then the danger it selfe besides this all Predictions of this kinde are vaine uncertain and ambiguous and misse oftner then hit but above all they are sinfull and unlawfull either in the maker or receiver and God will set his face against such Lev. 20.6.2 Par. 10.13.2 Reg. 1.16 Peep not therefore into the Arke of Gods secrets be willing to goe Gods pace do not outrun Providence but wait wait I say on the Lord and so much of that point And thus having handled the Prediction of Christ I now come to the Description of him The Sun c. The second Doctrine is this that Jesus Christ is that glorious Sun Doct. 2d that with so much resplendent lustre shines out upon the Church For 1. The Sunne is of a communicative nature he doth not contract his beames and confine them within it selfe but diffuses and scatters and spreads his rayes o're the world the Sunne is the fountaine of light and it inlightens the Moone and Starres and whole universe The Lord Jesus is of such a nature Psal 84.11 The a Apud Deum quideÌ„ est sons vitiae justitae virtutis sapientiae at sons nobis occultus inaccessas sed horum omniuÌ„ copta nobis in Christo exposita fuit ut inde petere licâ—at ultro enim ad nos fluere paratus est si modo transituÌ„ illi fide demus Cal. Lord is a Sunne and a Shield the Lord will give grace and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke uprightly Marke he no sooner calls God in Christ a Sun but he talkes of giving and withholding nothing And indeed he makes all the Creatures participant of his goodnesse he gives forth his light unto the Saints who are called Starres Dan. 12.13 The lesser vesseils are filled by him and of his fullnesse wee all receive Grace for Grace Christ hath a sea of Grace and glory able to fill all our channells like the oyntment saith Martin b Hoc aduÌ„bratum est per Aaronem qui dâ—â— in Sacerdoâ—eÌ„ consecraretur perfusus est oleo super caput quod praenimiâ abuÌ„dantiâ in barbam oram vestimenti ejus defluxit sic c. Mart. Bucer Joan. 1.16 Bucer which being poured out on Aarons head trickled downe to his Beard and the very hemme of his garment So that divine and rich anoynting of the Spirit which was in such abundance poured out upon our head Christ flowes down to all his members God in Christ is a generall a communicative good the word here used is Schemesch the Minister of God viz. the Sunne which imparts and ministers light heat for the word c Sam. Torsh in Mal. 4.2 saith Torshel is of Schamasch to serve or minister to God or men according as the Syriack version of the new Testament useth this word Matth. 20.28 The Sonne of Man came not that he might be ministred unto but Deneschtammesch * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that hee might minister Christ doth benignly impart grace and glory a Fountain he is and that opened Zach. 13.1 2. The manner is observable the Sun communicates his beames freely suddenly impartially abundantly so doth Christ freely d Sol non expectat preces sed statim refulget omnibus videntibus lucem vitvmque affert ita Christus prior dilexit nos cum inimici essemus praevenit sponteque sua maximis beneficiis ditavit ditat Corn. a Lapide in Mal. 4.2 they are not brought by violeÌ„ce or attractives or any art or diligence of man but come of their owne free motion and surely all that Christ doth is freely without money or without price he justifies without the concurrence or help of our merits he is not moved by any thing in us but his own good will and pleasure e Beneplaciti nomen omnia merita diserte excludit Calv. Ephes 1.5 2 Tim. 1.9 Rom. 11.6 Object I but the violent take heaven by force Sol. 'T is certaine but this force is not offered on God but themselves and the world f Violentes rapere regnum coelorum est regni Christi cupiditate adeo flagrare ut vitam omnia quis contemnat modo particiceps sit Evangelii regni coelorum civis Mart. Bucer in Matth. 11.12 whereby they master all impediments and difficulties that else would hinder them from heaven and this not in their own strength but Christs Next the Sun communicates his beams suddenly many times in an instant Have you not seen the Sun mufled with clouds suddenly shew himselfe and in the twinkling of an eye disperse his beames Christ also can suddenly give out comfort to the soule not g Luke 17.24 onely his second comming in glory but his comming in grace may bee compared to lightning which flashes suddenly h Nihil fulgore celerius Erasmus in Matth. 24.27 So Erasmus and Calvin expound Matth. 24.27 The Gospell was suddenly scattered or'e the world grace and joy is oftentimes suddenly infused into the heart 'T is said i Psalm 85.8 God will speak peace unto his people q. d. Look how easily and quickly you can speake a word and with like facility and celerity can Christ give his grace and let out the discoveries of himselfe to us Thou that hast long waited for comfort remember this Christ can and may suddenly shew himselfe unto you when you are ripe for comfort and his set time is come to doe it he will not be long about it comfort may come next moment We are but Praecones Criers Publishers of the Gospels glad tidings but your inward peace and rest must drop from the clouds 'T is a new creation and if God say of a dark soul Let there be light there shall be light and that suddenly nay Christ can cure Nations in an instant k Jer. 18.7 Jer. 18.7 'T is but giving the wheele a turne and the Potter can new make us for wee are as clay in his hands and
satisfied divine justice and are most absolutely perfect and more righteous then Adam in Innocency but all this not in our own persons but in and by another even Christ All that he is hath done and endured being freely imputed unto us as if wee had been done and suffer'd it This is our Imputed righteousnesse and though it have many names in Scripture yet it flows onely from Christ the Sun and Fountaine of this Righteousnesse I finde that this is call'd the Righteousnesse of God of Faith of Saints and of Christ 1. This Imputed Righteousnesse is often call'd the Righteousnesse of God even the Divine Essence and in particular the Father Rom. 3.21 and 10.3 2 Cor. 5.21 Because God hath appointed to justifie man this way and no other and he as Judge is the justifier for the party offended must forgive m Non ait ut digni fit is sed ut dâ—gni habeâ—mini So Cajetan in 2 Thes 1.5 Rom. 3.26 2. 'T is call'd the Righteousnesse of Faith Rom 4.13 10.6 9.30 Because Faith onely is the hand that apprehends and Instrument that applies it Rom. 3.28 Faith singles out Christ as the onely sufficient l Rom. 3.22 Isa 9.6 1 Cor. 1.30 meanes of life and cleaves eternally to him for salvation 3. 'T is call'd the Righteousnesse of Saints Rev. 19.8 Because they onely are the subject of it and Christ never gives Imputed without infused Righteousnesse 4. 'T is call'd the Righteousnes of n Christus ut solus justus est ita suam justitiam in nos transferendo justos nos reddit Bullingerus Christ Jer. 23.6 And in the Text he is called the Sun of Righteousnesse because he lived and dyed for us and thus as Mediator efficiently justifies And so the Lord seeth no Iniquity in Jacob nor perversnesse in Israel Numb 23.25 1. Quest Are wee not righteous in Gods sight Quest 1 partly by Christs righteousnesse and partly by our own I answer No the Text is expresse Rom. 3.28 Wee conclude a man is justified by Faith without the deeds of the Law Linsey-woolsey-Garments were of old forbidden and so ploughing with the Oxe and Asse wee must not mingle nor couple Christs Righteousnesse and ours in Justification 2 Quest How Quest 2 Say our adversaries what righteous by another mans righteousnesse This is as if one should be said Alterius Doctrinâ doctus Learned by anothers learning c. I answer Dispar exemplorum ratio there is not the same Reason For one man is not united unto another as the Faithfull are to Christ Wee are members of his Body and are acted by one and the same Spiâ—it 3 Quest Doth not S. James say Quest 3 Wee are justified by works and not by faith onely Surely yes But he speaks not saith o Vide Bullingerum et Calvinum in Jacob 2.24 Calvin of the Imputation but demonstration of righteousnesse wee are righteous by works Non causative sed declarative Before others and in our own consciences But the word is full Rom. 8.33 By the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his sight The Inferences will be two First Inference 1 see the folly and madnesse of Justiciaries that doe not onely p Periculosa habitatio â—oruÌ„ quâ— habitant in Mâ—â—itis Bernard endanger their own precious soules but throw much dirt in the face of Christ for going about to establish their own righteousnesse they have not submitted themselves to the righteousnesse of God q The Papists jeeringly call it putative righteousness as Rom. 10.3 These dote on their own rags and reject his Robes They feed on husks and refuse viands Narcissus like they are enamour'd with their own shadows They stand a tip-toe and scornfully over-look Christ But when 't is too late then such will see the vanity of their own righteousnesse r Opera ante fidem inania ut cursus celerrimus praeter viâ—m Augustin Enarrat in Psal 31. when Death and Devills looke them in the face then they 'l know what it is to slight Christ The Lord rouze such and shew them their hopes are Cobwebs their foundations sandy and their end destruction except they get into Christ Å¿ Bâ—llarmâ—n hath his Tutâ—ssimum est c. Secondly How much comfort Inference 2 and confidence doth this administer to Beleevere they have the perfect righteousnesse of God upon them you may go to God with boldnesse look Death in the face with triumph and throw the Gauntlet to sinne Men and Devills as Rom. 8. What shall I say You have recovered more by Christ then you lost by Adam For 1. Adams righteousnesse was uncertain and â—uch as it was possible for him to loose 't was in his own keeping and therefore he lost it so soone But the righteousnesse wee have by Christ is made surer to us were it in our own custody wee might be tempted to sell it as Esau his birth-right for a messe of pottage But blessed be God it is in Christs hands and so it cannot be taken from us Our life is t Ponitur in tuto quia reponitur in Christo Col. 3.3 1 Pet. 1.5 hid with Christ in God and wee are kept by the Power of God to salvation 2. Admit Adams righteousnesse had been unchangeable yet had it been but the righteousnesse of man O but this is the righteousnesse of God and as the second Adam was a farre more excellent person then the first so is his righteousnesse more absolute more glorious To conclude Thou that hast the least faith thou that art the poorest and weakest beleever know thou art bottom'd on this rock cloath'd in this purple the very perfect righteousnesse of God is thine by imputation O that thou hadst eyes to see thy happinesse and an heart to be affected with it that so thou mayst rejoyce in it and be thankfull for it 4. Christ the Sun of righteousnesse remunerative 4. And lastly Christ is the Sun of righteousnesse remunerative he is a Sunne of righteousnesse or righteous dealing in impartiall distributions of rewards and punishments First he is the Sun of Righteousnesse remunerative in remembring defending and rewarding his followers and that because he hath promised it and they depend on him for it 1. u Promittendo se fecit debitorem Aug. Because he hath promised it and now must be as w Servus sum expecto alimeÌ„tum miles sum exigo ab Imperatore stipendium vocatus sum postulo ab invitante promissum Ambr. good as his word I could easily instance in Temporals Spirituals and Eternals I referre you to the Margent x Psal 36.6 7. 2 Pet. 1.1 and Psal 24.5 Heaven is called a Prize for the Runner a Penny for the Digger * NoÌ„ in merit is nostris sed in misericordia Dei salus humana consistiâ— Orig. in Rom. lib. 9. cap. 11. not that man but Christ hath earn'd it and God hath promis'd it 2. The Saints depend on him for it
came Saul to fall a Jew and rise a Christian See Acts 26.16 Christ appeared to him for that purpose See what came on 't x See Perkins 2. Volumne on Gal. 1.16 Pag. 180. opening that place Gal. 1.16 When it pleased God to reveale his Sonne in mee immediately I conferr'd not with flesh and bloud q. d. I was alter ego a chang'd man no longer a persecuting Saul but a praying Paul and I went not to consult with flesh and bloud that is neither with carnall company nor old Principles No I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision Nay I was resolved to obey it and stop my eares to all discouragements c. All this when the Sun of righteousnesse arose in mee when Christ appeaâ—â—â— and reveal'd himselfe to mee 3. Christ the Sun of righteousnesse ariseth in a soule when hee comes to quicken and revive it when the soule hath spirituall enjoyments of God and spirituall actings to God which is the very life of poor Christians when there is grounded assurance of his love and all joy and peace in beleeving when the soule is willing to be ordered by Christ and bound up in the will of God and can tell how to live upon God now indeed Christ is risen with healing under his wings to such a sinner why else doth David say touching Gods favour O lift up the light of thy countenance and return O Lord and cause thy face to shine upon me c. 3. Wherein Christs revealing himselfe like the rising of the Suâ—â—e 3. Thirdly Let us now see wherein Christs revealing and discovering himself and his beauty may be fitly compared to the rising of the Sun I answer The similitude holds in 7 things chiefly 1. The rising of the Sunne is not all in an instant he riseth by degrees and such also is the rising of Christ the Sun of righteousnes in a soul you read of the dawning of the day of grace there 2 Pet. 1.19 when there is the twilight of grace some glimmerings of light in the mind and the soule seeth things imperfectly as the blind man whom Christ â—nred first saw men as trees afteâ—wâ—rds more distinctly At first the sâ—uâ—e sees darkly and obscurely afterwards y Nunc quum lux nobis veritatis insulget cum sese regni coelestis su avitas meÌ„tibus apâ—rit â—am quideÌ„ dies est sed perfeâ—tus erit â—ies quando â—am quicquam dâ—nocte peccati in meÌ„te nostra â—n nâ—rit Câ—eâ— Râ—gisâ— epâ—â—â—â— 7. Ind. 1â— ep 126 Vide idem in Exek Homil. 5. l. 1. more clearly 7. Ind. 11. ep 126. for every beleever increaseth in knowledge and grace and goes forward to perfection Vide idem in Ezek. Homâ—â— 5. l. 1. as Prov. 4.18 The path of the just is as the Sunne that shines more and more unto the perfect day 'T is the same in the world this Sunne riseth by degrees and the Gospell hath small beginnings in many places Dan. 2.34 That little stone shall break in peeces the greatest Monarchies of the earth and grow up into a huge Mountaine that shall fill the world for all the kingdomes of the earth shall become the kingdomes of our Lord and his Christ z Rome was not built in a day neither will it bee pul'd down in a day And then shall that Promise be fulfilled Isa 30.26 The light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun as the light of seven dayes 2. The rising of the Sunne dispels all a Judg. 5.31 Fogges Mistâ— and Dewes Hos 6.4 So 't is with Christ the rising of this Sunne scattered Jewish ceremonies which were but as dark Types and shadows of things to come b Figurae suerunt quae portenderent ea quae post essent vere exhibenda a Christo Bullinger in locum Col. 2.17 These all flew away at the rising of this Sunne and still his and the Gospels rising scatter the thick mists of superstition and ignorance in which kingdomes are inveloped So Rev. 2.16 especially 1 Thess 2.8 Hee shall destroy Antichrist with the brightnesse of his comming which is not spoken saith Doctor Sclater of his last corporall comming but of the c Dr. William Sclater in expos on the Epistles to the Thess pag. 143. 144. spirituall manifestations of his presence in the Church at the appearance whereof the very throne of Antichrist shall totter and Popery vanish as the dew before the rising Sunne Christ doth the like in soules for when he ariseth and shoots his bright beames into our hearts all the damp foggâ— of unbeliefe are chased and dispelled and he gives us the cleare d 2 Cor. 4.6 light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of Christ 3. The rising of the Sunne is the rising of many millions besides the Sunne whom it awakens and raises and sends out to work Psal 104.22.23 The Sunne arises and the Lions goe into their Dennes but man riseth and goeth forth to his worke and to his labour unto the evening 'T is so when Christ ariseth and manifests himselfe sinners will then arise from the Down bed of Security and work out their own salvation whilst the day lasts See Isai 40.1 Arise and shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee e Non significat Paulus tune demuÌ„ affulgere nobis Christi lumeÌ„ ubisurrexerimus ex morte sed demonstrat nos resurgere a morte quum nos Christus illuminat Calv. in Eph. 5. â—4 So Ephes 5.14 Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead for Christ shall give thee light q. d. The Sunne of righteousnesse is risen therefore do you also arise The light and love of Christ Oh how it shames men out of sinne and security 4. The rising of the Sunne is not alwayes visible Christ may be risen in point of grace and thou know it not nor see him in point of comfort 5. The visible rising of the Sunne is attended with the f Omnes pene aves mane caÌ„tillant cantuque suo solem orieÌ„tem salutant Muâ—cul chirping and singing of birds yea it is welcome to g Oriens sol est instar sponsi de Thalamo suo prodeuntis Corn. a Lapide in Mal. all but Theeves and Whoremongers who saith Solomon delight in the duskish twilight The rising of the Sunne of righteousnesse is welcome to the Saints they sing and leap for joy 2 Sam. 23.4 He viz. Christ shall bee as the light of the morning when the Sun ariseth an old prophesie of Christ q.d. Oh hee shall be very welcome and refreshing to us but wicked men love darknesse rather then light because their deeds are evill 6. The Sunne ariseth in the h Num. 34.15 East and i TempluÌ„ versus orientem non ut solem orientem adorarent sed solis dominum Procopius in libros Regum lib. 3. c. 6. many conclude Christ
is purged and sweetned Answ dewes and cold offensiue moistures dried up and health procured to men and as by them all things are warm'd and cherisht plants beasts and men are quickned and all things at Spring revived which seemed dead or bedrid in Winter So Christ the Sunne of Righteousnesse by his word and Spirit purgeth them whom he enlightens and he brings life and health into the world 2. What is meant by healing under his wings healing in such a place I answer The Syr. and Arab. translates it Health upon his tongue thinking that a fitter place u Antidotum verbi serpentis venenum expugnat because he came and preached life and now intercedes for health for us But we must not be wiser then the Text that saith In alis In his wings Expositors differ Some will have it taken from Hennes that cherish their young with their wings Others say 't is the same Metaphor carried on and that by wings is meant the Sun-beames Let us examine them both 1. Some will have it to be an Allegory distinct from that of the Sun taken from Hennes that cherish their little Chickens under their Wings Thus Austin and others p Austin quoting this place Rich. Ward on Mat. 23.37 pag. 308. both as the Wing gathers defends and cherishes the young i. As it cluckes and gathers the young together that were scattered before So Matth. 23.37 How often would I have gathered thy Children together even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings but yee would not The Hens clucking and spreading her hovering wings calls the Chickens together that strive who shal come first under her wings The Lord Jesus Christ by his Word and Spirit cluckes and gathers the Saints to himselfe and into sweet communion q Iohan. Stumpfius in Postil Alegor EvaÌ„g parte hyemali pag. 1 26. one with another See r Cant. 2.4 opened Cant. 2.4 Hee had me into his Wine-cellar and his Banner over me was love The use of the Banner Flagge or Ensigne in Warre is at the sound of the Trumpet or Drumme to gather the Souldiers to the Company or Captain to whom they belong Love is Christs Banner and the displaying and manifesting of that with the shrill Trumpet of the Word gathers the Elect militant unto Christ the Captain of their salvation and into sweet communion one with another Å¿ John 17.23 1 Cor. 1.13 Rom. 3.28 Acts 2.42.46 especially in these t Ezek. 11.19 Hosea 3.5 latter times 2. As the Wing gathers so it cherishes the feeble Chicken The warmth of the Wing hatches the Egge and strengthens the young Chicken Why thus Christ receives us into his bosome and into communion with himselfe to u Psal 138.8 Apoc. 3.2 revive and cherish and strengthen the things are ready to dye and with the Pâ—llican he feeds us with his owne blood Come unto me saith Christ and I will give you rest Mat. 11.28 3. As the Wing defends the young and that 1. From the storme w Gallina ingruâ—nte tempe state sub alâ—s recipit pullos ita etiam Christus Stump p. 128. and tempest So Christ is a refuge against the storm and a shadow against the heat Isai 25.4 51.16 This is the best shelter to the soule in time of persecution 2. From ravenous birds of prey that watch to devour them Christ guards and defends us from all the powers of darknesse t is he keeps us from x Quid est in pennis ejus Mal. 4. In protectione ejus unde Psal 16. dicitur Sub umbra alarum tuaâ—um pretige me Augustin Gallina pullos suos contra milvi aliarâ— avium rapacium impetum defendit ita etiam Christus nos ab insidiis volucrum infernalium tuto praestat Stumpsius in Allegor Evang. Parte Hyemali pag. 127. all danger Psal 91.3 4. He will cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust And 17.8 Keep me as the Apple of thine eye y Ephes 6.12 Hide me under the shadow of thy wings So that if you make it a distinct metaphor it holds forth the bosome-embraces and providentiall dispensations of z Saints like Chickens under these wings id ibid. pag. 129. ad 132. Christ a Corn. a Lapide in locum Cornelius ae Lapide would have it to point out a further mystery That as Christ is the Sunne of the Church so the true Bird of the Sunne which is the Phoenix They say that rare creature for there is but one lives about five Ages and then building her a Nest of sweet Spices which with the heat of the Sunne and her Body kindle there she b Singing Moritur me non moriente senectus burneth and from her Ashes c Ovid metam 15. ariseth a new one to succeed her sure I am there is but one Saviour and in such a Nest hee suffered on the Crosse and rose out the third day exceeding glorious With healing in his wings The flight of that rare creature the Phoenix into Aegypt is reported by Tacitus to happen under Tiberius And Solinus tells us That being taken some thirty yeares afterwards it was by the command of Claudius shown publickly at Rome and the whole matter registred among the Acts of the d Wil. Burton in Annot. on Clements first Epistle to the Corinthians pag. 68. to 72. Citie Origen Lactantius Eusebius Clement with many others speak confidently of the e A Cyril Epiphanius Ambrose in his Hexam Tertull in his Poem de judicio Domini and his Tract de Carnis resurrect thus Il lum dicoâ— ali tem Orientis peâ—uliarem de singularitate famosum de posteritate monstrosum qui semetipsum libenter funerans renovat natali fine decedens atque succedens iterum Phoenix ubi jam nemo it erum ipse quia non jam alius idem Vide etiam Joh. Alsted Theolog. Nat. part 1. p. 217. par 2. p. 474. All these are confident Phoenix Tert ullian thinkes hee hath Scripture for it For so that place Job 29.18 which in the vulgar is I shall die in my Nest and multiply my dayes as the Palme and in our Translation as the Sand he reads thus I shall die in my Nest and multiply my dayes as the Phoenix And thus Beda and the Greeke Septuagint translate it We answer The word Phoenix signifies also a Palm-tree as well as that rare bird and there it can have no animall signification So that this is a fallacy of equivocation from a community in Name inferring à commmon Nature learned men bring many arguments against this Fiction 1. f Herodotus in his Euterpe Tacitus in his Annals and Piin. Hâ—st Nat. l b 10. cap. 3. Most Authors speak doubtfully of it and g Ionston Thanmatogr Nat cl 6. cap 27. And many others many flatly deny it 2. It would produce a vegetable production in Animals and unto sensible natures transferre the propriety of plants that is