2. And again consider how zealous Iesus Christ hath been for us 2. The zeal of Jesus Christ in giving himself What affection he hath shewn to us in doing what the Text mindeth us of giving himself for us and that to the Death even that accursed death treading the winepresse of his Fathers wrath for our sakes What zeal did he herein shew for us How earnest was his desire of effecting the work of our Redemption This is that which he telleth his Disciples Luke 12.50 I have a Baptism to be Baptized with saith he and how am I straitned till it be accomplished A Baptism meaning his Death and Passion whereby he was consecrated to be the Saviour of the world And concerning this he saith he was straitned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 earnestly desiring the accomplishment thereof that so the work of mans Redemption which he made his grand design might be effected A work which he was very zealous of And hereupon it was that he was so far from declining of that bitter Cup as Peter would have had him to do that he even maketh haste as it were to drink it going into the Garden where he knew the High Priests officers would come to apprehend him and there going forth to meet them offering himself unto them not accepting of any attempt for his rescue as I shewed you in opening the first Branch of the Text how Christ gave himself for us Such was his zeal for us that he thought not his dearest blood too dear for us And oh how zealous then should we be for him Was he so zealous in suffering for us how zealous should we be in doing for him Let these Considerations serve as well they may for the kindling of this fire 2. Considerations useful for the blowing up of this fire Which being in this way kindled let our next work be to inflame and blow it up In which way among other make use of these Considerations 1. The zeal of Angels in serving their God 1. Look upon the blessed Angels considering how zealous they are in serving their God and us So much we are put in mind of by that name which is given to some of them who are called Seraphim So we find them Isa 6.2 where the Prophet describing the Majesty of God represented to him in a Vision as sitting upon his Throne with a guard of Angels about him he saith About it stood the Seraphims or rather Seraphim as the plural termination in the Hebrew requires it should be Seraphim a word coming from Saraph which signifieth to burn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ussit form whence they were so called as to import their singular splendor so also their fervency of love to God and zeal in his service Who maketh his Angels Spirits his Ministers a flaming fire Psa 146. Such are those glorious Spirits Whence it is that in the verse there following they are said to have each of them six wings two whereof were to fly withall as also the Cherubins in the Temple had 1 King 6.27 intimating their promptness to and swiftness in executing the will of their God doing whatsoever he putteth them upon Doing his commandements hearkning to the voice of his word as the Psalmist describeth those heavenly Spirits Psalm 103.20 And as they are zealous in doing service to their God so to his people In serving his people Being Ministring Spirits unto them sent forth to Minister unto them who shall be heirs of Salvation as the Apostle sets forth their office Heb. 1. last how intent are they about this work Take heed saith our Saviour that ye despise not one of these little ones the meanest of Gods servants For I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Mat. 18.10 waiting for Gods command to be imployed for the meanest of his servants And are they so zealous in his service Why then should not they who hope to be like unto them another day which our Saviour tells us all true believers in the Resurrection shall be Matth. 22.30 strive to be herein like unto them 2. And as Angels so the Saints of God 2. The zeal of Gods Saints upon earth how zealous do we find many of them to have been How zealous for their God So was Moses and Phineas and Elias and David of whom I spake before And such was Iohn the Baptist A burning and a shining light John 5.35 burning in his zeal for God and shining in his doctrine and life before men And of the like spirit was Paul who when the Disciples understanding what troubles he was like to meet with at Ierusalem disswaded him from going up thither tells them I am ready not to be bound only but to die at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus Acts 21.13 And how zealous for their Brethren So was Moses who rather than Israels sin should not be forgiven them wisheth that God would blot his name out of his book of life Exod. 32.32 In like manner St. Paul being transported with the like affectionate zeal for his Countreymen the Iewes I could wish saith he that my self were accursed from Christ for my brethrens sake my kinsmen according to the flesh Rom. 9.3 And like zeal we find in other of the servants of God As in Mart. Luther who being disswaded by his friends from adventuring his person at the Council at Wormes took up that Heroick resolution that though there were as many Devils there as tiles to cover the houses yet would he in the name of the Lord Iesus present himself there And the like we read of Mr. Calvin how that bewailing the sad differences amongst the Churches in his time he professed Ne decem quidem maria that it was not the sailing over of ten Seas that would grieve him so he might but obtain an uniform draught of Religion Now setting these and the like Presidents and Examples before us let them be as so many provocatives unto us Such effect had the forwardness and liberality of the Corinthians in their charitable Contributions this their zeal provoked very many as the Apostle tells them 2 Cor. 9.2 And of such use let the zeal of Gods servants be unto us serving to blow up this heavenly zeal in our hearts 3. And such use make we of that zeal which we see betwixt Men upon Civil interests 3. Zeal betwixt men upon civil interests Thus when railing Shimei reviled and cursed the Lords Anointed King David in that base and unworthy manner that he did Abishai hearing it he could not endure it but presently he tenders his service to his Master for the revenging of his quarrel by taking off the head of the dead dog as he calls him as we have the story 2 Sam. 16.9 And like instances we meet with many of such as having espoused the interest of some other have been so zealous in the
their design so to be Lukewarm in their Religion Lukewarmness in some a politick design As for zeal it is a temper which their policy approves not of No a middle temper is the best neither hot nor cold But herein how are they mistaken Of all tempers Christ liketh it worst So he tells the Laodicean Church there Rev. 3.15 16. I would thou wert either cold or hot So then because thou art lukewarm c. I will spew thee out of my mouth Meats and drinks which are luke-warm are most offensive and displeasing to the stomach apt to provoke vomit And such are all Newters and Politick Time-servers unto Jesus Christ loathsome and detestable such as sooner or later he will cast out with loathing and detestation Here is a second sort Lukewarm Christians Besides these a third sort there are who are zealous I but of what Not of good works 3. Some zealous but not of good works What then Why either 1. Of things Indifferent which they superstitiously doting upon make necessary 1. Of things indifferent shewing more zeal for humane inventions than for any part of the instituted worship and service of God Such was the zeal of the Pharisees who found fault with the Disciples of Christ and quarrel with him their Master about it because they did not observe their Traditions Why do thy Disciples transgresse the Tradition of the Elders say they For they wash not their hands when they eat bread Matth. 1.2 Thus were they very zealous for those ceremonious observances which being in themselves indifferent they putting a Religion in them made necessary preferring them before divine Institutions and Commands So our Saviour there chargeth it upon the v. 6. Thus have ye made the Commandements of God of none effect by your Traditions And such was Pauls zeal before his Conversion as himself acknowledgeth it Gal. 1.14 I was then saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more exceedingly zealous of the Traditions of my Fathers And such a zeal may we see at this day among those great Zelots of the Roman Church who are transcendently more exceedingly zealous than others But whereof is it Why of the Traditions of their Fathers humane Inventions Rites Ceremonies such as have no warrant from the Word And would to God there were not too much of this zeal to be found amongst some Protestants at this day even amongst our selves who are still so much addicted to old Customes and Rites and Ceremonies as that their zeal to them maketh them overlook the substance of Religion and to neglect as I said some of the Ordinances of God Being zealous for Humane they neglect Divine Institutions 2. Of evil works 2. Others there are worse than these who are zealous about things in themselves evil Such are persons openly wicked who are zealous Actors of sin committing it with greediness Such were some of the Gentiles whom the Apostle describeth Eph. 4.19 Being past feeling they have given themselves over unto lasciviousnesse to work all uncleannesse with greedinesse Would to God there were not some such to be found among Christians amongst us Riotous Intemperate Luxurious persons such as Run to all excess of Riot as St. Peter hath it 1. Pet. 4.4 And such zeal shall we find amongst Idolaters Those of old whom we read of among whom some thought nothing too dear for their Idols not sparing some of them to sacrifice their Children unto them So did the worshippers of Molech or Baal of whom the Prophet Jeremie speaketh Jer. 19.5 They have built also the high-places of Baal to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal And such are the prime Zelots of the Church of Rome at this day such as are zealous for their Idolatry and Superstition as Invocating of Saints Worshipping of Images Adoring the Sacrament c. 3. Another sort there are who are zealous against good works 3. Against good works speaking evill of them and persecuting those that do them Such was Pauls zeal before his Conversion as himself acknowledgeth it Phil. 3.6 Concerning zeal persecuting the Church Such zeal our Saviour tels his Disciples they should make account to meet with from those who liked not their way John 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues Yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service And such zeal may we find among Papists at this day who care not what cruelties they exercise upon the true Professors of Gods Religion And would to God there were not some of this zeal to be found among our selves in such as are zealous against the wayes of God and those that walk in them not sparing to revile the Ministers of God for doing their duty and to rail upon his servants for being so forward so zealous as they are of good works Thus their zeal is against zeal which they look upon as no better than folly and madness in those who express it in the course of their lives and conversations by being more forward and zealous than others Now to close up this Branch of the Application as for all these let them here take notice that being such we cannot reckon them in the number of this peculiar people whom Christ hath Redeemed and Purified to this end that they should be zealous and zealous of good works Vse 2. Exh. Be zealous Which let all of us in the second place be exhorted and excited to That we may approve and evidence our selves to be of this blessed number such as belong unto Jesus Christ be we zealous zealous for God in doing his will Be zealous saith the Spirit to the Laodicean Church And such let us be 1. Motives and means for the kindling of this fire For the kindling of which fire in our hearts do but consider in the first place how zealous God hath been and is for us for his people Thus saith the Lord of hosts I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousie Zach. 1.14 1. Consider Gods zeal for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kinnethi saith the Original zelatus sum I have been zealous for them with a great zeal Such is Gods affection towards his Church and people like that of a most affectionate husband towards his beloved wife whom he cannot endure to see wronged Such is Gods zeal for his people Which as it induceth him to make so to perform and make good his promises unto them This it was that moved him to give his Son Christ for them to send him into the world to do what he hath done and shall do for them To us a child is born to us a son is given saith the Prophet Esay speaking of Christ Isa 9.6 And what moved God to do this Why The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this so the Reason is rendred in the verse following Thus hath God been zealous for us great reason then that we should be zealous for him
those Acts which they call ad Extrà works which God worketh out of himself for or upon his Creature they are all indivisa common to all the three Persons all concurring in them So was it in the work of Creation In the beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth Gen. 1.1 God essentially considered Elohim a word of the Plural number which being joyned with Barah a verb singular is commonly conceived to denote the Trinity of Persons in the unity of Essence Whether so or no sure we are all the three Persons were interested in that work Not only the Father to whom the Apostle ascribeth it 1 Cor. 8.6 Vnto us there is but one God even the Father of whom are all things But also the Son All things were made by him Joh. 1.3 seconded by Saint Paul Col. 1.16 By him were all things Created And even so is it here in this work of Redemption the repairing of the Microcosm the little world Man-kind Here was a concurrence of Persons The Father gave his Son the Son gave himself there being the same will and the same work in both The same will I can of my self do nothing I seek not mine own will but the will of the father which hath sent me c. 5. v. 30. I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me c. 6. v. 38. And as the same will so the same work Whatsoever things the Father doth these also doth the Son likewise Joh. 5.19 So he doth and that not by way of imitation but cooperation Not doing the like things but the same There being as one will so one power of working in both And so was it in this great work of Redemption Even as it was in Abrahams offering up of his Son Isaack a representation of this mystery Gods offering his Son Christ there was a concurrence betwixt the Father and the Son The one not more willing to offer than the other to be offered So was it here God the Father giveth his Son and his Son giveth himself The Father made his soul an offering for sin yet he himself poured out his soul unto death as the Prophet Isai there sets it forth Is 53.10 12. Being therein obedient to his Father Phil. 2.8 Obj. 2. Obj. 2. Christ delivered up by others But we find him delivered up by others also as viz. by Iudas who betrayed him into the hands of the High Priests and Elders and by them delivered unto Pilate and that bound So we have it recorded Matth. 27.2 When they had bound him they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate By whom he was delivered into the hands of the Iewes to be crucified as we have it v. 26. of that Chap. which was by them accordingly done He being delivered to their will as Saint Luke hath it they led him away Luke 23.25 26. Thus was he led as a Lamb to the slaughter as the Propher Isai hath it Is 53. How then can it be said that he gave himself Ans They herein but his Instruments Ans To this the Answer is as obvious as the former All these were Instrumental in bringing him to the Crosse being therein subservient to the great design of God the Father and of Christ himself concurring with them in the same Action though to different ends What God the Father and his Son Christ intended out of love to mankind they executed out of base and sinister respects Iudas out of Covetousnesse Pilate out of Fear the High-Priests and Elders out of malice the people many of them out of Ignorance In the mean time as herein they did nothing but what the Father had before decreed and determined to be done as that known Text speaks it fully Act. 4.27 Of a truth against thine holy Child Iesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and people of Israel were gathered together for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy Council determined before to be done So they did nothing but what the Son was willing withall Which had he not been it was not all their power that could have compelled him to it So much he gave them to take notice of when the High-Priests Officers came to attach him in the Garden where w th a word of his mouth he strikes them to the ground as we find it Ioh. 18 6. And when Peter in a forcible way began to attempt his rescue he tels him Matth. 26.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father and he shall presently give me more than twelve Legions of Angels viz. to be a guard about his Person So impossible was it for all the power of Men and Devils to have brought him to the Cross had he not voluntarily yeeldded up himself to it Which he expresly tells his Disciples that he did Joh. 10.17 18. I lay down my life No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down c. Obs Thus then was this Offering of Iesus Christs a freewill Offering Obs Christs Sacrifice a Free-will-Offering who gave himself saith the Text importing a voluntary Act. Such are Gifts properly things freely bestowed And such was this Offering of Christs a free will Ossering So it may be said to be upon a double account in reference both to Compulsion and Merit Where either of these two are that a man is compelled to do what he doth or that it is a thing demerited deserved at his hands it cannot properly be called a Gift But such was Christs giving himself for us a Gift a free gift 1. Free as to Compulsion 1. Free as to Compulsion What herein he did he did it not as compelled thereunto Whether by his Father to whom he was in all things obedient Obedient to death as we have it Phil. 2.8 willingly complying with his will Loe I come to do thy will O God Heb. 10.7 This was his Meat as he tels us Joh. 4.34 a thing which he desired more than his bodily food Or yet by his Enemies Which as it hath been already shewed so if need were it might be further cleared Mr. Tho. Taylor Com. in Text Christs dâ—aâ—h voluntary declared in divers particulars And indeed as one well noteth writing upon the Text it is a thing well worth the observing how the Holy Ghost throughout the whole History of our Saviours Life and Death hath set forth divers circumstances serving to confirm and make good this truth that this was in him a voluntary Act. Take we notice of some of the most obvious As 1. His going up to Jerusalem First His going up to Jerusalem notwithstanding that he knew what he should there expect So much he acquaints his Disciples with Mat. 16.21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his Disciples that he must go to Ierusalem and suffer many things of the Elders and chief Priests and
and willing should Christians be in their services as to God so to their Brethren therein imitating their heavenly Pattern the Lord Jesus who in obedience to God his Father Gave himself And that for Them So it followeth in the third Particular To which I shall now pass Donati 3. Partic. The Persons for whom Christ gave himself The Persons for whom Christ thus gave himself For us saith the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So we find it elsewhere and that often as Rom. 5.8 Christ dyed for us 1 Cor. 5.7 Christ our Passeover is slain for us Gal. 3.13 Being made a Curse for us Eph. 5.2 Christ hath loved us and given himself for us 1 Thes 5.10 Who died for us 1 Pet. 2.21 Christ also suffered for us And 1 Joh. 3.16 He layed down his life for us All speaking one and the same thing with this in the Text Who gave himself for us Quest Quest What to be understood by Vs But what or whom shall we understand hereby Ans Answ Man-kind For us that is for us Men. So it must be here looked upon as excluding all other Creatures So much we may take notice of from that which we meet within the fourth verse of the Chapter following where Gods love in sending and giving his Son Christ is called by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of God our Saviour towards man Such is this Gift proper unto man-kind There is one Mediator betwixt God and Men the Man Christ Iesus 1 Tim. 2.5 For their sakes it was that Christ came into the world taking their nature upon him Verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham so our Translation renders that Text which is commonly understood of Christs taking the nature of man into a personal union with his God-head Heb. 2.16 In which nature also he suffered Being put to death in the flesh as Saint Peter hath it 1 Pet. 3.18 that is in his Humane nature so suffering for man-kind This is a truth agreed at all hands Quest Whether all Man-kind or no. Quest But whether for all man-kind or no Here is the Question A Question which as heretofore so of late times hath occasioned not a little trouble and disquiet to the Church of God and that as elsewhere so in this Nation and I wish I might not say in this place at this day For the seeling of your Judgements and stablishing of your hearts that you may not be carried away with that wind of doctrine which hath of late broke in among you whereby some unstable souls have been turned aside to the renouncing of that truth which they had been formerly taught and therewith of that Communion which heretofore they imbraced give me leave now having so just an occasion offered for it from this Text to spend a little time upon it Wherein I cannot make promise of much if ought which you may not upon enquiry receive from other hands This being a point which hath been already sufficiently agitated and discussed and I suppose as much said in it pro and con as can in an ordinary way be expected Only I shall affect all possible plainness speaking as near as may be to the apprehension of the meanest Capacity Begin we then with the Text we have now in hand Ans The word in the Text us examined and so those other forenamed where it is said that Christ gave himself for us dyed for us How shall we understand this us Whether of all men universally considered So the Arminian looketh upon it taking the word us here in the greatest latitude that may be from hence concluding their plausible Doctrine so eagerly sucked in by many who understand it not of Vniversal Redemption that Christ dyed for all and every one that alike Vs here restrained to the Elect. But herein I find them more confident tban some of the Romanists dare be Estius the Professor at Doway writing upon this Text professeth himself to be dubious in it expounding this us with a Sive Estius Com in Text. Pro nobis sive omnibus hominibus sivè spectatim Electis For us that is In quorum personâ Paulus saepè lequitur Ib. either for all men or specially for the Elect In whose person saith he the Apostle often speaeketh And surely so we may justly conceive him here to do where he restraineth this us to a peculiar people a people redeemed from all iniquity and purified a people Iustified and Sanctified And who are these but the Elect such as God hath from the beginning chosen unto Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit as Saint Paul describeth believers 1 Thes 2.13 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Iesus Christ as Saint Peter hath it 1 Pet. 1.2 For such Christ gave himself for all such So much we yeeld may demonstratively be concluded from this Text but no more Quest Quest Whether Christ dyed only for his Elect But what then did Christ dye only for them did he not dye for others also yea for all alike the good and benefit of his death being by his Father and himself intended as as well to one Ans Difference of opinions about it as another So some Romanists Lutheranes and Arminians would have it Therin differing from some others some of them such as upon whose memories I shall write nothing but Blessed who out of a pious intention for the healing of this Breach the compremizing of this difference have with much study sought I cannot say found out a moderate and middle course viz. The middle way sought but not found Arch. B. B. of Armagh in Dr. Barnards vindication that Christ dyed in a general way for all to purchase a possibility of Salvation for them which he did by making satisfaction to the Justice of God for the sins of the whole world and so opening a door for the exercise of his Grace and Mercy towards and upon whom he pleaseth which before was shut It not being a thing consistent with the Justice of God to receive sinners to mercy till such time as satisfaction was made But this being done now the nature of man say they became salvable a subject capable of and fit for mercy which the Angelical nature in those that were fallen for want of such a Mediator is not cannot be Thus did God say they set forth his Son to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness that he might be just aod the justifier of him which believeth in Iesus as the Apostle sets forth the end of Christs death I confess my self to hold fully with them who said Etsi Christus pro omnibus mortuus est tamen specialiter pro nobis passus est quia pro Eclesia passus est Idem ibid. p. 20 Qui
to as many as thou hast given him These they were whom Christ had such a peculiar eye upon in what he did and suffered even those that were given him by his Father given him by his Decree of Election Them he had a care of living and for them he dyed giving himself for them to redeem them save them For their sakes I sanctifie my self in the Text before made use of Ioh. 17.19 Thus did the work of the Son in Redemption exactly answer to the work of the Father in Election the one not exceeding or falling short of the other whom the Father Elected them the Son Redeemed Whence it is that Believers are said to be Chosen in him Eph. 1.4 in as much as the decree of Election is executed in by and through him To which in the third place subjoyn we the work of the Spirit in Sanctifying Arg. 3. The work of the Spirit in sanctifying answereth to the work of Christ in Redeeming which in like manner answers to the two former to the work of the Father in Electing and the Son in Redeeming being of the same extent not coming short of them Thence is it that we find all these three put together by Saint Peter 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Iesus Christ Thus do Election Iustification Sanctification like so many Linkes in a Chain follow one upon another all belonging to the same persons Those whom God the Father Electeth the Son Reconcileth and the Spirit Sanctifieth Now the Spirit doth not undertake the sanctifying of all No more did the Son the Redeeming and Reconciling of all but only of those whom he intended as my Text hath it to purifie unto himself to be a peculiar people Arg. 4. Christ interceding for all those for whom he dyed Let a fourth Argument be that which is commonly made use of in this cause Those for whom Christ performeth one part of his Priestly Office for them he also performeth the other Those for whom he offered himself upon earth for them he intercedes in heaven So much we may collect from that Text forecited Eph. 5.2 where the Apostle sets forth how Christ is said to give himself for his people viz. as an Offering and a Sacrifice In which two words as I told you there seemeth to be an allusion to the two Altars and two kinds of Sacrifices in the Temple the Brazen Altar which was for bloody Sacrifices the Golden for the offering of Incense The former of which at our own new Annotator there observeth was a Type of Christs bloody offering upon the Crosse the other of his Intercession Now those for whom he giveth himself in one kind he also giveth himself in the other Those for whom he offered that his bloody Sacrifice upon the Altar of the Crosse for them he offereth up the sweet Incense of his Merits interceding for them in heaven And so much may be collected from that of Saint Iohn 1 Joh. 2.1 2. where he also puts these two together We have an Advocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous And he is the Propitiation for our sins Mark it those for whom Christ is a Propitiatour for them also he is an Advocate Interceding for those for whom he suffered For which most express is that Text commonly made use of in this cause Rom. 8.34 It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Now this last he doth not for all Christ not Interceding for all He did it not when he was upon earth I pray not for the world saith he Ioh. 17.9 Not for the Reprobate world For whom then why for those all those only those whom his Father had given him But for them whom thou hast given me His Apostles and Disciples which did then already believe on him as also those who afterwards should do the like As we have it v. 20. Neither pray I for these alone his Apostles but for them also which shall believe on me through their word that is for all his Elect who should believe on him in after ages And if Christ as Mediatour did not make Intercession for all whilest he was upon earth much less doth he now do it being in heaven And not interceding for them surely he dyed not for them He that would not breath out a prayer for them surely would not spend his blood for them The Distinction of General and special Intercession unscriptural Repl Yea but saith the Arminian there is a twofold Intercession of Christ the one General for all the other special for Believers Ans So they indeed have found out a distinction but where they found it they tell us not Surely not in Scripture nor yet in any approved writer whether Ancient or Modern Neither can they well tell us what they mean by it And therefore I shall forbear to trouble you with the examination of it Repl. Christ made Intercession for the Jewes that crucified him Repl. Why but say they do we not read that Christ made Intercession for others besides his Elect what means that of the Prophet Isai cap. 53.12 He made Intercession for the Transgressors which he did in his Passion when he prayed for them that crucified him as the Story tels us Luk. 23.34 Ans To this it is answered True Christ doth make Intercession for Transgressours viz. such sinners as have interest in him and belong unto him And he did pray for those that crucified him But how did he this Ans 1. Ans 1. This he did out of a humane Affection Why this he did either humano affectu out of a humane Affection wishing that to them as Man which as God he knew would not be granted to all of them Thus weeping over Ierusalem as man he wisheth for them that they had known in that their day the things which belonged unto their peace which yet as God he knew were then hid from their eyes Luk. 19.42 2. Or else this he did as an act of Obedience 2. As an act of Obedience as he did many other things that he might fulfil all righteousness which as he saith it became him to do Matth. 3.15 Herein doing that himself which he had taught his Disciples to do to pray for them which despitefully used them and persecuted them Matth. 5.44 Which accordingly in imitation of this his Lord and Master the Martyr Stephen did Act. 7.60 3. 3. Not for all but those who did it ignorantly among whom were some Elect. Or thirdly supposing him to put up this prayer as Mediatour yet will it not hence be concluded that he made Intercession for all those who had a hand in bringing him to the Cross but only those who did it ignorantly For so runs his prayer Father forgive them for they know not
have trespassed against the Lord saith he yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing And so upon the like ground it is that the Prophet Ioel exhorts the people to turn unto God by Repentance For who knoweth saith he if he will return and repent and leave a blessing behind him Joel 2.13 14. They were not sure that upon their Reformation and Repentance the Lord would presently free them from those temporal judgements which then lay upon them Yet knowing that there was no other way for the obteining of such a mercy but this and that there was hope in this way therefore they will have them put themselves upon it So standeth it with all poor sinners be their state and condition whatever it will be yet there is hope in Israel concerning this thing God hath provided a means of Salvation for such as they are And who knoweth but that he intendeth upon their coming to his Son Christ to apply it unto them So as were there nothing else yet this alone should be sufficient to put poor sinners upon this way of coming unto Christ and believing on him 3. But to this adde in the third place the All-sufficiency of this Sacrifice 3. The Al-sufficiency of his Sacrifice The death of Christ is sufficient for all Mark it Though we do not say what hath commonly but unwarily been received from the Schools and so asserted by many Orthodox Divines that Christ dyed sufficiently for all for that intimates that there was a purpose and intention in God the Father in giving his Son and in Christ giving himself that he should dye for all and so become a surety for all dying in their room and stead which will not be safe in any sense to yeeld Yet we affirm what I suppose will not be denyed or questioned that his death was and is in it self sufficient for all So it must needs be This Blood being the blood of God as the Apostle calleth it in that Text formerly made use of Act. 20.28 God purchased the Church with his own blood And so Saint Iohn 1 Joh. 3.16 God layed down his life for us that is that person who was truly God as well as Man Hence it is that the death and passion of Christ was and must needs be of an infinite value and vertue being the suffering of an infinite person Thus was it sufficient for all men for the whole world yea for thousands of worlds Now were it so that there were such a receit as would cure all diseases who is there but being sick would make tryal of it not standing to question whether it was prepared for him or no. Thus standeth the Case here All men by reason of sin are sick sick unto death Now the Blood of Iesus Christ is such a Panacea a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a true Catholicon The Blood of Iesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin 1 Joh. 1.7 How it is then that any poor sinners who are sensible of this spiritual aylement should make any demur about the drinking of this blood the applying of the merit of Christs death unto themselves by faith 4. The experience of all who have thus come unto Christ 4. To this in the fourth place add the experience which others have had those who have put their souls upon this way of whom never any one miscaried All have found cure who have rightly applyed this remedy And why then should not others do the like As it was with the Brazen Serpent set up in the wilderness as a cure for the stinging of the fiery Serpents there however at the first erecting of it happily some might look upon it as a meer Pageant having no such vertue in it and so would not trouble themselves to go up to it yet when once they saw by experience that all who came unto it received benefit from it now we may suppose that none should need to perswade those who felt themselves stung to repair unto it Thus standeth the case here For such an end was the Lord Iesus of whom that was a Type lifted up upon the Cross that whosoever believeth on him should not persh but have eternal life as our Saviour himself explains the mystery of it Ioh. 3.14 15. And of the vertue of this mystical Brazen Serpent the Saints in all ages have had experience Those before Christ after The one looking upon him as to come the other as already come Yet believing on him they were all saved by him Even as the Israelites which looked upon that Serpent whether it was before or behind or on which side soever we do not find but they were all cured Thus have the Ages before Christ since the Fathers under the old Testament and Saints under the New both alike found benefit by coming unto Christ and looking up unto him by faith We believe saith Peter that through the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ we shall be saved even as they Act. 15.11 We Iewes as they Gentiles None that ever came to Christ in a right way but have been saved by him So was it when he was here upon earth None came to him for cure of their Bodies but received it And so hath it been since his removal to heaven None ever came to him for the Cure of their souls but have found what they came for And what an incouragement then should this be to all poor sinners to take the same course to come unto him upon the same account These are all strong inducements to put Christians upon this way But behold yet more yea and stronger Arguments drawing more forcibly as viz. 5. Gods purpose in giving his Son 5. In the 5th place consider what is the Intimation which we have of God the Fathers purpose in giving his Son which we have in that Text before insisted on Ioh. 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish c. Now then taking notice what is the Condition whereupon depends the benefit of Christs death and which being performed it shall undoubtedly be made effectual what remains but that without any over-curious enquiry concerning the former part of that verse what is there meant by the world which God is said to have loved or how he may be said to have loved that world you apply your selves to the latter to the performance of what is there required Which shall you through the grace of God inabling make good on your parts do not doubt but God will make good unto you what he hath engaged on his part 6. Christs serious Invitation 6. To which add the Sons Invitation Christs calling you to come unto him which you may hear him doing in that known Text Matth. 11.28 Come unto me ye that labour and are heavy laden viz. under the burden of sin seriously desiring as I said to be freed from the guilt and power of it As also in that
elswhere more fully and fitly rendered Cap. 12. v. last of the same Epistle where we meet again with the same Injunction Covet earnestly the best gifts With such earnestness of affection are Christians to seek after spiritual Graces and Gifts Graces which may be beneficial to themselves Gifts whereby they may edifie others desire them with zeal and holy emulation 2. Works 2. And as Gifts so Works As to Receive so to Doe This the Text points at A people zealous of good works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sectatorem bonorum operum so the Vulgar Latin renders it A people that are followers of good works A truth Such Christs people must be Followers of that which is good as St. Peter hath it 1 Pet. 3.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imitators as that word properly signifieth Imitating and following of God Be ye followers of God Eph. 5.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imitating him in doing good unto all Zeal imports an intense Affection Thus ought Christians to be followers of good works Followers after Charity 1 Cor. 14.1 But the word in the Text imports more Vides inquit Chrysost ut non simpliciter opera virtutis a nobis exigantur Ait enim aemumulatorem h.e. magna cum alacritate ingenti studio animo vtrtutis opera crpessentem Esti ad loc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth to Boyl per Onomatopaeiam because when liquor boyles it maketh an hissing noise Vnde fortasse Anglicum Seeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zealous of good works Giving us to take notice as Chrysostom well observes upon it that it is not sufficient for Christians to do good works but they must do them with an intense affection They must be Emulatores bonorum operum as Jerome and Ambrose here render the Word or as Beza Studiosi bearing a fervent affection to them and earnestly striving to go before others in them This is the proper signification of this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zealous zeal the same in all thre Languages which coming from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a verb which signifieth to boyl or seeth a word answering it both in sound and sense and so may be conjectured to be taken from it or to make a hissing noise as water doth when hot Iron or burning Coals are cast into it it imports a fervent heat in the Soul an earnest and vehement Affection And with such an affection are Christians to go about good works to be zealous of them and in them zealously to Affect them Thus are they to be affected towards their God loving him with an intense Affection Christians to be zealous towards their God So the Law requireth it Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Saint Mark and Luke have it Mark 12.30 Luk. 10.27 And being thus affected towards him they are in like manner to be thus affected for him This is Phineas's commendation He was zealous for his God Numb 25.13 zealous for his sake as the 11th verse there hath it He could not indure to see such dishonour done to his God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zelando Zâ—latus sum Montan and therefore steppeth forth to execute Justice upon the offenders And the like saith Elijah of himself I have been very jealous or zealous for the word is the same for the Lord God of Hosts 1 King 19.10.14 And the like we read of David Psal 69.9 who was therein a type of Christ of whom it written the Zeal of thine house hath eaten me up Joh. 2.17 Such was his Zeal for the worship and service of God that it was as a fire within him burning in his breast and breaking forth as occasion was offered as at that time it did when he whipped the buyers and sellers out of the Temple And thus ought those who profess themselves to be his people to be affected towards their God Being zealous for his honour and glory in and about his worship and service Zealous towards their Brethren And in like manner are they to be affected towards their brethren being Zealous of them So Paul telleth his Corinthians that he was for them 2 Cor. 11.2 I am jealous over you with a godly jealousie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am zealous of you ardently affecting you earnestly desiring your wellfare So ought the Ministers of Christ to be affected towards the people committed to their charge desiring their good That is the Testimony which Paul giveth to his Colossians concerning Epaphras or Epaphroditus for they are conceived to be both one a faithfull minister of Christ as he calls him Col. 1.7 Epaphras idem qui Epaphroditus contractione pronunciationis sic Demas est Demetrius Grot. Annot. in loc I bear him record saith he that he hath a great zeal for you Col. 4.13 And thus ought all Christians to be affected towards their brethren earnestly desiring their good being readie to express their Affection to them by being forward to all good offices readie to every good work as we haue it in the verse next but one after the Text Tit. 3.1 With such Zeal are Christians to perform all duties All duties to be performed with Zeal to do all kind of good works of Piety and Charity works of Holinesse and Righteousnesse Being good works and proper for them they are be zealous in performing of them So was our blessed Pattern the Lord Jesus in doing the will of his father of which he saith that it was his Meat Joh. 4.34 My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work This he desired more than his bodily food which a hungry man maketh haste to feeding upon it with an eager appetite and with great complacency and contentment And thus are Christians to go about Gods work the doing of his will making haste to it I made hast and delayed not to keep thy Commandements saith David Psal 119.60 making it their delight I delight to do thy will O my God saith he Psal 40.8 Thy Testimonies are my delight Psal 119.16.24 and often in that Psalm And so is it with every truly godly man he is one whose delight is in the Law of the Lord as David describeth him Psal 1.4 as in Meditating of it so in Practising it doing it with alacrity and chearfulness and some spiritual vigor desiring to run Gods waies I will run the way of thy Commandements when thou shalt inlarge my heart saith that holy man v. 32. of that Psalm A Runner in a race is zealous in his way putting himself forward what he can putting all his strength to the work that he is about And so ought Christians to be in Gods waies being zealous of and in good works R. This is R. And great reason they should be so this being a thing both Good and Necessarie 1. Good 1. Good 〈◊〉
maintaining of it as that they have not spared to expose themselves to the greatest of hazards Sir Henry Slingsby Dr. Hewet beheaded on Tower-Hill June 8. 1658. even to the losing of their lives in the service Of which kind this week last past furnisheth us with two sad examples in this Nation Now shall men be so zealous for men and shall not Christians be as zealous for their God Who as he is able to protect and bear them out in whatever they do for him so he will not be wanting in recompencing of them Neither of which men are sure of from whomsoever else they engage and undertake for 4. And like use make we of the zeal which we see or hear of in evil workers as viz. 1. In Satan who ceaseth not to compass the earth as himself declares it Iob 1.7 The Question being put to him by God Satan whence comest thou he presently returns Answer which he doth once and again Cap. 2.2 From compassing the earth to and fro or as our new Translation hath it from going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it Such is his zeal to do mischief that he is continually ranging to and fro seeking opportunities and advantages Like a roaring Lion walking about seeking whom he may devour as St. Peter expresseth it 1 Pet. 5.8 So greedy is he of his prey zealous to do mischief 2. And the like zeal we may see in his Instruments 2. His Instruments Seducers With what zeal do they serve this their Lord and Master False Teachers subtle seducers how zealous are they in propagating and spreading of their pernicious errors They compass sea and land to make proselytes as our Saviour sayes of the Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 23.15 And thus Saint Paul speaking of false Teachers which opposed him and his Doctrine he tells his Galathians that they zealously affected them Gal. 4.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were very zealous in seeking to gain them and bring them over to their way And as Seducers so Persecutors Persecutor◠How zealous shall we find them in persecuting the truth and the sincere professors of it Concerning zeal persecuting the Church saith Paul of himself before his conversion in that Text forecited Phil. 3.6 A Persecutor he then was and that a zealous one Breathing out threatnings and slaughters against the Disciples of the Lord as it is said of him Acts 9 1. So vehement was the heat of his inraged heart against Christ and his followers that he discovered it both in his words by his menacing and threatning language and also in his actions taking upon him the office of an Apparitor and procuring a Commission from the High Priests that if he found any of that way professed Christians whether they were Men or Women he might bring thē bound to Ierusalem as it there followeth in the next verse v. 2. So zealous then was he against Christ and against all that professed the name of Christ And what he was then against them the like were others afterwards against him some combining and banding themselves against him So we read of those Iewes Act. 23.12 They banded together and bound themselves under a curse saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul Such was their zeal against the way which he then held forth And may we not see the like among those of the Romish Religion who spare not to prosecute whoever they are that dissent from them with fire and faggot Witnesse the Marian Persecution in this Nation in the last Age which spared neither Sex nor Age. So zealous are the Devils Instruments in serving of him in doing of his work 3. His servants false worshippers 3. And like Zeal shall we find in his Servants Idolaters and false worshippers how zealous shall we find them in their way So were the Ephesians for their Diana whom we may hear crying out for two houres together Great is Diana of the Ephesians Acts 19.34 And so are the Papists at this day for their Superstitious and Idolatrous worship And so are profane persons Profane Persons who willingly make themselves slaves to their lusts serving divers lusts and pleasures as the Apostle hath it in the Chapter after the Text Tit. 3.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Addicti Mancipati Addicted Mancipated inslaved to them which they are in a spontaneous and voluntary way selling themselves to work evil as it is said of Ahab 1 King 21.20 giving over themselves to the committing of sin and that with greedinesse as the Apostle speaketh of the Gentiles Eph. 4.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with an unsatiable desire or as it were striving how they may do most evil Thus are wicked men in doing of wicked works they are zealous resolved in their way so bent upon their will in it that nothing shall take them off or turn them aside Ye are of your father the Devil and the lusts of your father ye will do saith our Saviour to those malicious Iewes Iohn 8.44 Being of the like temper and disposition with the Devil and resembling him as the Child doth the Father his lusts they would do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quicquid collibitum est as Grotius explaines it whatever he pleased So forward are wicked and ungodly men in serving of sin and Satan in doing of wicked works which they do in a zealous way Their feet run to evil as the Wiseman saith of them Prov. 1.16 And are all these so zealous in evil works O then how zealous should we be in good works What shall the servants of Satan be more zealous in serving their Master than we in serving ours Let all these serve as Incentives to our zeal to stir and blow up this heavenly fire in our souls 4. And whilest we make this use of their zeal 4. The zeal of wicked men against zeal in for evil works make we the like also of their zeal against good works and against the Actors of them Wicked men they cannot endure those that are zealous of good works they are a mote in their eye they are ready to speak evil of them to revile them and upbraid them with this their zeal But let this be so far from quenching or yet cooling hereof that let it rather be an Incentive to it Like as the wind is to the fire or water to the Smiths forge which make it burn and flame so much the more such use make we of the scornes and obloquies which men of the world cast upon the zealous profession and practice of Godliness Let this make us so much the more zealous Such use did David make of that jeer which scoffing Michal put upon him for his zeal which he shewed in bringing the Ark of God into its place when she saw him dancing before the Lord with all his might which the Text tells us he did 2 Sam. 6.14 This she maketh a jeer of upon her next