for an Essay thereunto I think it neither unnecessary nor inexpedient before I come to the words themselves to preface the subsequent Discourse with these I think convenient Prolegomena THE PROLEGOMENA TO THE Ensuing Discourse ALl I have to say in the Proem to the Text I shall reduce to these Heads following I shall endeavour to shew 1. By whom this Epistle was written 2. To whom it was written 3. Vpon what occasion the Apostle wrote this Epistle 4. What is the Argument of this Epistle 5. At what time and where this Epistle was written 1. By whom this Epistle was written The Apostle Paul a * Act. 9. 15. chosen Vessel of God was the Author of this Epistle a man that was caught up to the third heaven where he heard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Montanus and the Vulgar translate arcana verba But Beza ineffabilia verba unspeakable words as our English Translators do well render such words †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est quae fando explicari à quoquam homine non possint Beza which no man can explain by speaking A man inspired with the Spirit of God as he testifies of himself in this Epistle 1 Cor. 7. 40. Therefore by the inspiration of the Spirit of God he wrote this Epistle Paul and all other holy men of old that wrote the Canonical and Divine Scriptures were but Amanuenses Penmen or Secretaries to the Spirit the Spirit was the immediate Author Inditer and Composer of the Scriptures All Scripture is of Divine Inspiration * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 3. 16. 1 Pet. 1. 21. For the Prophesie came not in old time or rather 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aliquando at any time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acti inspirati acted or moved by the Holy Ghost †D. Owen expounding this Text in his Divine Original of the Scripture p. 25. One of our Worthies hath an excellent gloss upon this Text. When the Word came or rather was brought 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the holy men that wrote the Scriptures it was not left to their understandings wisdomes minds memories to order dispose and give it out but they were born acted carried out by the Holy Ghost to speak deliver and write all that and nothing but that to every tittle that was so brought to them they invented not words themselves suited to the things they had learned but only expressed the words that they received And a little after he saith Not only the Doctrine they taught was the Word of Truth Truth its self Joh. 17. 17. but the words whereby they taught it were words of truth from God himself c. Thus this Epistle and other sacred Scriptures being of Divine Authority and thereupon of uncontroulable Soveraignty and of Eternal Verity ought to be received and entertained of us with holy respect and reverence to be heard and read as the Oracles of God 2. To whom this Epistle was written together with a Description of Corinth This Epistle was written to the men of Corinth but more specifically the Apostle himself tells ye 1 Cor. 1. 2. Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints with all that in every place call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours The Corinthians were Achaians Corinth Corinthii Achaici fuerunt was a famous and rich City of Achaia not only one of the chief but the Metropolitan or chiefest of that Region it was a City placed in an Isthmus or narrow streight going into Peloponnesus now called Morea and being scituate between * Both Poets and Geographers use to call her Corinthus Bi-maris Corinthus Achaiae Metropolis olim erat ob portuum commoditatem Emporium totius Asiae tum celeberrimum tum opulentissimum Marl. two Seas the Aegean and Ionian having fair Havens towards these two Seas a great concourse of people from many Countries resorted thither whereupon it was called Nobilissimum Emporium opibus abundans a most Noble Mart-Town overflowing with a confluence of wealth and worldly prosperity yea so famous and flourishing was this City that the Romans themselves began to suspect her greatness but the Corinthians were as insolent as the Romans were suspitious for they uncivilly abused the Roman Embassadors and cast Urine upon their heads as they passed through the †So Cicero relates it City Upon this disgrace the Romans sent Lucius Mummius then Consul who burnt the City and made it level with the ground In the burning of it so many rich and costly Images of sundry sorts of mettal were melted that thereof was found a very precious Brass called Aes Corinthium more esteemed than Silver among the Romans At last it was say some re-edified by Julius Caesar say others by Augustus Caesar because of the excellent fitness and scituation of the place it quickly encreased to its former wealth and splendour It was a place famous for the profession of Christianity but of late it fell into the hands of Turks and Infidels and by them it is at this day called Corinto Anno Ch. 1451. and Coranto To this City the Apostle Paul came from Athens where he converted to the Faith of Christ Act. 18. 1. Crispus and Sosthenes two chief Rulers of the Jewish Synagogue and many of the Corinthians Act. 18. 8. 17. hearing believed and were baptized for the Lord had by a Vision in the night told him he had much people in that City and withall for his encouragement to preach there uncessantly and to abide there patiently The Lord bids him be not afraid but speak Act. 18. 9. and hold not thy peace These words were Pillars of Support and Cordials of Comfort to his fainting heart Gods words are not empty or aâ—ery Dictates like * Vox praeterea nihil mans a voice and no more but creating corroborating comforting soul-renewing and soul-quickning and soul-restoring and reviving precepts where when and in whom he pleaseth for his word He upholdeth all things by the Word of his Power Heb. 1. 3. is the word of his power and therefore a word with power The words that I speak saith Christ they are spirit and they are life Joh. 6. 63. Again the Lord promiseth to be with Paul for I am with thee and no man shall Act. 18. 10 set on thee to hurt thee c. God did not only promise the assistance of his Spirit to his Ministry though that is rather implied than expressed but God also promiseth his Protecting Presence to his person that no man should set on him to hurt him How valiantly and chearfully may a soul fight after such a Leader and under such Ensigns under the promise of the faithful God and in the presence of the Mighty God He to whom God is a Sun of influence and a Shield of
our Father gave himself to death for his Church The Blood of Christ is the meritorious cause the Spirit of Christ is the efficient cause the Instrumeâ—ta in divinis operantuâ— acsi non operantâ—r Word and Ordinances are as subservient causes they work as Instruments in the hands of Christ for the Churches sanctification all the vertue that is in them or flows out to the Saints from them they receive from the efficiency of Jesus Christ These Pipes receive the Golden Oyl from this Candlestick Lastly the end of all is this that he might present her to himself a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle c. Thus the Church must be prepared by the Bridegrooms grace and so fitted for the Bridegrooms glory As the Virgins in Esther were to be purified with Oyl of Myrrhe and sweet Odours before Esther 2. 12. they entred into the Kings Palace or stood in the Kings presence So all the Virgins and followers of the Lamb are to be purified and refined by the Spirit and grace of the Lamb and perfectly sanctified compleatly glorified at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb Rev. 19. 7. 9. Christians your blessed Saviour is made of God both righteousness and sanctification to ye he hath both a glorious Robe of justification to impute and a glorious Robe of sanctification to impart to all believers and this without controversie is the white Linnen of the Saints which render them truly glorious which commends them to God to good men to the holy Angels which garment of glory and beauty they shall wear for ever in their Fathers presence The believing Corinthians called to be Saints are said to be sanctified in Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 1 2. The Church considered in her Inherent Grace is but fair as the Moon hath many spots in her but in her Relation to Christ so she is clear as the Sun c. Wherefore though the Church in her self may be said to be poor forlorn deformed needy yet by Union with Christ being implanted into him * Ecclesia omnem suam sanctitatem venustatem pulchritudinem omnia sua bona in geâ—ere à Christo Jesu sponso suo accipore habere dicitur P. Mart. she is rich with her Husbands riches holy with his holiness comely with his comeliness illustrious with his glory replenisht with his fulness He that is in Christ is a new creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. When by faith unfeigned we are united ingrafted into Christ the true Vine we really partake of spiritual life and sensation from him we are sanctified in him and by him Wherefore speaks a worthy †Sanctificamur ergo dum in Christi corpus inserimur extra quod non nisi pollutio est nec aliundè etitiamnobis confertur spiritus quam à Christo per quem Deo adharemus in quo simus nova creaturae Calv. Author we are then sanctified when we are ingrafted into Christs body out of which instead of sanctification there is nothing else but pollution and no other way but from and by Christ is the Spirit of Holiness conferr'd upon us c. Christ in his most heavenly prayer solemnly confesseth that his Father sent him into the world for the sake of true believers Joh. 17. 18. and that for their sakes he did sanctifie himself i. e. dedicate and give up himself for an holy Sacrifice that they viz. believers might be sanctified by the truth that is as most render it might receive remission of sins and sanctification of the Spirit and in fine the salvation of their souls as evidently appears from Heb. 10. 10. Through the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all And v. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified All which Scriptures seem to a judicious ear to joyn in Consort and speak one voice and language with the Text and point in hand That Jesus Christ is given of God the Father for our Sanctification Thus much for the first thing promised viz. the proof of the point We come to the second general 2. How or in what sense Jesus Christ may be said to be our Sanctification or made ordained constituted or given of God to be our Sanctification I conceive Christ may be said to be our Sanctification in Scripture sense these four wayes 1. By Imputation 2. By Vnion 3. By Assimilation 4. By Influence and Communication 1. By Imputation 'T is the saying of a Reverend man now with God That the perfect purity of Christs Humane Nature is reckoned unto M. Wilson in his Christian Dictionary believers by free imputation of faith Christ is made unto us Sanctification this is saith he Sanctification imputed Jesus Christ being consecrated and set apart of God to be the Messiah and Mediator for mankind and having for that purpose all the bounty and fulness of the Father poured on him being truly God and truly Man and as Man being conceived of the Holy Ghost without sin ordained to be a Sacrifice for sin and to sanctifie and make his people holy is worthily in Scripture called That Holy One Psa 16. 10. Act. 3. 14. Joh. 1. 2. 20. Also he is termed the Holy of Holies or most Holy Dan. 9. 24. And to annoint the most Holy The poor imperfect Church of Christ notwithstanding all her blots and spots blains and Uxor illucescit radiis mariti Qui justificantur sanctificantur hae gratiae individuo nexu cohaerent Calv. blemishes contracted by original and actual sins is reputed as a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing as she shines by the rayes of the Sun of righteousness through the sanctification or perfect holiness of her Bridegroom Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is a believers righteousness for Justification and his holiness for sanctification also These two are Twins inseparable The Lamb of God without spot was slain 1 Pet. 1. 18. to purge us from the guilt of sin for without shedding of blood there could be no remission Heb. 9. 22. And it must be a Lamb without spot and blemish and offered up to God by the Eternal Spirit This Lamb must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-man or else your pollutions had never been removed your Natures never sanctified your consciences never purged from dead works Heb. 9. 14. But Christ by the Hypostatical union is eminently qualified to be both vertually and efficiently your sanctification As the benefits of Redemption accrue to us by the Kingly Office of Christ so the benefits of Justification and Sanctification do accrue to us by the Priestly Office of Christ as Pareus notes Such an High-Priest it became us who is holy harmless separate from sinners Heb. 7. 26. And such an one is Christ He did not only satisfie divine Justice pacific the Fathers wrath make reconciliation for the sins of the people but also as the High-Priest of old he did and doth still appear before the
5. 20. Phil. 1. 9 10. are excellent he hath now a new spiritual clear affectionate knowledge of and a more distinct piercing knowledge in the Mysteries of the Gospel than ever he had befâ—râ— An enlightned head and a sanctified heart go both together This is the second effect or rather sweet Concomitant of Sanctification viz. Illumination 3. The third Effect or rather Concomitant or Adjunct of our Sanctification is Faith hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est eandem fidem ex ejusdem spiritus afflatu dono Beza that hath the spirit of Holiness hath also the spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4. 13. wee having the same spirit of Faith the spirit of Sanctification is also the Author of Faith for Faith is formally a special part of Sanctification 1 Joh. 5. 1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God that is our faith in Christ is a certain sign and evidence of our Regeneration He that believeth that Jesus is the Christ i. e. the promised Messiah is born of God The learned Blasphemia pessima Haeresis erat apud Judaeos Consiteri Iesum Mariae filium esse Christum upon the place observe that there was a great Controversie in the Apostle Johns days whether Jesus the Son of Mary was the Christ the promised Messiah or not And the blasphemous and blinded Jewes counted it the worst of Heresies to confess Jesus the Son of Mary to be Christ The Jews were many wayes offended in him offended in the vileness of his Appearance in the humility of his Conversation in the ignobleness of his Parentage in the sharpness and Authority of his Doctrine in the knowledge of his Countrey as I might demonstrate easily when Christ shall come say they we know not whence hee is but we know whence this man is i. e. of what Parentage and of what Countrey John 7. 27. The Scriptures had fore-told that the promised Messiah when he came should redeem Israel restore all things pardon sins seek and save that which was lost proclaim liberty to the Captives Comfort those that mourn bind up the broken-hearted bring in everlasting Righteousness and save his people with an everlasting salvation But the obstinate and heretical Jewes would not grant all this to the son of Mary They denyed Christ to be the true Messiah They Traduced the Son of God and blasphemously in thought and word reputed him an Impostor Therefore 't is said 1 John 11. 12 13. verses He came to his own and his own received him not Hee came to his own creature man and generally the generation of mankind did not receive him but refuse him so some expound it but others as Calvin give a better sense Thus he came to his own i. e. to his own Country men the Jewes of whom according to the flesh he came who is over all God blessed for ever but they received him not i. e. * Rom. 9. 5. Sed rectius sentiunt qui referunt ad solos Judaeos Calvin 1 Joh. 11. as their King and Saviour but to as many as received him to them gave he power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only power but also dignity priviledge to bâ—come the sons of God even to as many as believed his Name and who are these that thus believe in Christ and receive him into the hearts Why such as are not born of blood of an high and noble Parentage which the Jews gloried in being descended from Abrâ—ham nor of the flesh nor of the will of man nâ—â— by any principle of corrupted nature not bâ— the meer power of our own will but by the will and grace or gracious will of God we Jam. 1. 18. Ephes 2. 4. are born again or sanctified Now who are they that born of the will of God Why they that believe in Christ and receive him by Faith into their hearts as God hath promised and propounded him in the Gospel as Prephet Priest and King in all his Offices or aâ— the Text hath it as wisdome righteousness saâ—ctification and redemption Through Faith the soul doth receive in and Secundum diversos respectus fides regenerationis nostrae pars est ex regeneratione tanquam ex fonte manat fides Calv. conceive with the incorruptible seed of the Word of God whereby Christ is formed the new creature is produced the soul is regenerate or born again into a new and divine life wherefore if you are born again or sanctifieâ— which is the same you have faith in Chriâ—â— crucified at Jerusalem 1. You do believe that Jesus is the Christ 2. You do believe on Jesus Christ 1. You do believe that Jesus is the Christ that Jesus is the Saviour that there is no saâ—vation by any other Acts 4. 12. That he was â—nointed by the Father as Prophet Priest and Kiâ—â— Isa 61 1. for the perfecting of your salvation 〈◊〉 the obtaining of eternal Redemption for you Heb. 9. 12. Luther hath a notable speech upon Psal Ego saepe libenter hoc inculco ut extra Christum oculos aures claudatis dicatis nullum vos scrire Deum nisi qui fuit in Gremio Mariae suxit ubera ejus Luther Credere quod sit Christus est ab eo sperare quaecunque de Messia promissa sunt Calv. Comment in 1 John 5. 1. 130. Often and willingly saith he do I inculcate this that you should shut your eyes and your ears and say you know no God out of Christ none but he that was in the lap of Mary and sucked her breasts He means none out of him Iâ— is not a mystical Christ within you but the man Christ Jesus without you who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary crucified at Jerusalem rose again and ascended up into Glory that you must believe in for the remission of all your sins for the justification of your persons and for your eternal life Wee finde it recorded in Scripture and in History that this was the Grand Test of a Believer in the Primitive times Dost thou believe that Jesus is the Christ or that Jesus Christ is the son of God because in those dayes it was little less than Death among the Jews thus to own and confesse Christ 2. If you are born again or sanctified you do believe on Jesus you believe on the Name of the Son of God This is Gods great Commandment and our great Duty 1 John 3. 23. As God doth offer and propound him in the Gospel so accordingly ye do receive him into your hearts with all his Offices with all his Graces with all his inconveniencies You look upon Gods Terms as holy equitable and most advantagious to you Ye trust to Christ and rely on him alone for wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption God tenders his Son in the Gospel as the desire of all Nations aâ— the chiefest Hag. 2. 7. Cant. 5 10. Isa 63. 1. Heb 7. 25. Heb. 2. 17.