Heavenly Anthem What shall we say The very Oracles that is Images wherein the Devils acted and impos'd upon Men did attest at this Nativity that Nature had brought forth a King and having thus Declar'd they submitted to his Sceptre for whereas formerly they received Worship and Adoration they now prostrate themselves even to a breaking in pieces We read likewise that Augustus Caesar having first presented his Sacrifice enquired of the Oracle who should succeed him in the Empire as if this had been too difficult or rather because the Resolution must produce his own shame the Devil refused all answer till after a second Sacrifice and then did Declare Me puer Haebreus Divos Deus ipse gubernans Cedere sede jubet Tristemque redire sub orcum Aris ergo dehinc Tacitis abscedito nostris The New-born Hebrew Infant who is God far transcending all other Gods hath Commanded me to withdraw and to retire to my desolate Mansions of Darkness Seeing therefore I must obey give your self no farther trouble to frequent my Altars for you will always henceforwards find here a profound silence Hereupon Augustus Erected an Altar bearing this Inscription Ara Primogeniti Dei The Altar of the First Begotten Son of God Farther St. Paul speaking of Jesus Christ †Rom. 1.4 averrs That he was declared to be the Son of God with Power the Powerful or Mighty Works which he did throughout the Course of his Life were Demonstrations that he was the Son of God because no other could do such things The Case may thus be stated No Ordinary or Natural Means could possibly induce that Faith among Men That Jesus Christ the Son of the Virgin Mary was the Son of God but seeing this Faith was necessary in order to the obtaining Eternal Life therefore was he pleased to doe many things beyond the reach of Natural Power His own Discourse imports as much * Joh. 11.4 where he Interprets the occasion of Working a Miracle to be an happy opportunity of Manifesting Himself to be the Son of God for saith he This Sickness is not unto Death but for the Glory of God that the Son of God may be glorified thereby All his Miracles did publish the same Truth I shall Instance at present but in Two The Winds raging and the Sea roaring and both being deaf to Humane Commands or Entreaties did readily submit to His Authority * Matth. 14.33 upon his Speaking of a Word they were husht into a Calm What could the Spectators hereupon conclude other than of a Truth thou art the Son of God Humane Flesh cannot possibly so conceal thy Deity but that these Admirable Effects of thy Power will more discover it Nay the Devils themselves paid such Ready Obedience as did declare the sufficiency of his Authority they disputed not the Case nor would they try their Power and Strength but fore-seeing they were to be dispossessed ‖ Mark 5.7 I Adjure thee saith one in behalf of the rest that thou Torment me not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not to send him to his Prison to his place of Punishment and Restraint where he was to be kept Close and Tormented What could be a plainer Proof of his Deity than the Acknowledgment of those Infernal Spirits how that they were wholly at his Disposal It is evident that having formerly felt the Effects of his Irresistable Power when they were turned out of Heaven they dreaded by the least Act of Disobedience to Provoke him least he drave them to their Torment before the Time With Instances of like nature the Holy Writ is so plentifully stor'd that the Reader will not take it discourteously to be referr'd thither especially when he will there find the Jews Acknowledging the Gentiles Admiring the Apostles Proclaiming the Evangelists Recording and Multitudes offering to Seal with their Blood the Truth of the Doctrine and Miracles which were Ample Demonstrations of the Deity of Jesus Christ the Son of the Virgin Mary Lastly For farther Proof of the same Assertion we Appeal unto another Trinity of Witnesses viz. God the Father God the Holy Ghost and the Sacred Scriptures I. We Appeal to God the Father If Two or Three Creditable Persons Affirm a Thing the Wisdom of Men has Subscribed to such an Affirmation as a Rational and Warrantable Ground for Belief Hence the Apostle Argues †1 John 5.9 If we Receive the Witness of Men the Witness of God is greater i. e. ought to be received with greater Deference and Veneration * Ver. 11. We have the Testimony this is the Record that God hath given to us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son The direct way to Acquire this Life is Rightly to Believe in him as the Son of God ‖ Ver. 10. The Reason is given why we ought not to Fear Doubt or Waver in this Fundamental Article because we cannot doubt in this Case but with manifest Injury offered to the Truth of God for we must make him a Liar because God hath given this Testimony of his Son And the same Apostle says * 1 John 2.22 They are Liars that deny Jesus to be the Christ and not onely Liars but Antichrists for they deny both the Father and the Son they deny the Son directly and the Father by consequence because he hath Testified of the Son So that a Man cannot depart from or deny this Article of Faith That Jesus Christ the Son of the Virgin Mary is the Son of God without becoming a Liar and an Antichrist At the Baptizing the Son of the Virgin Mary in the River Jordan God the Father did openly declare this Truth ‖ Matth. 3.17 Loe a Voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased The Time at which the Place from which this Voice came and the Substance of the Voice are all manifest Declarations that he that was then Baptized was no other than the Son of God Again when our Saviour condescended to give to his Disciples a more Convincing Testimony of his Deity he blessed their Eyes with a Glimpse of his Glory †Mat. 17.2 and for their farther Confirmation that they were under no Delusion nor were encouraged to greater hopes than what should in time be accomplished beside the extraordinary Majesty of his Face the Heavenly Fulgure and Lustre of his Raiment the Tendance and Ministry of Moses and Elias they have from God's Mouth * Vers 5. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased The Apostle Illustrates this whole matter †2 Pet. 1.17 For he received from God the Father Honour and Glory when there came such a Voice from the Excellent Glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased If we consult the Verses preceding we shall find the Reason why the Apostle urged this so strongly viz. least after his departure which he looked for every day the Deity of Christ and the Redemption wrought by
his Order left the Monastery and put himself in the Head of such as rose to maintain and support the Truth And being demanded why he left his Cell his Answer was The great danger Threatning the Church constrained him I conceive the same Answer as Satisfactory to Justifie this Undertaking seeing there is an Equal Necessity and seeing New Heads are sprung out of the Old Hydra of Heresie and that some Devils Incarnate are Strangely Zealous to drive the Belief of Jesus Christ to be the Son of God out of the World Woe were unto us Ministers if we Preach not the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God The Devil was a Murderer from the beginning he laboured to Stifle Christianity at its first Birth by Inclining Herod's Mind to a Massacre wherein he made no doubt but the Son of God should have been Comprehended but finding himself disappointed in this first Project he be comes the carefuller in the next and used such Methods for stirring up Envy Malice and Wrath that he soon dispatcht his Life who brought Light and Life into the World However though he had Most Industriously watched all Opportunities of Stealing away the Heavenly Seed and had at last compassed the Death of the Sower yet beholding to his great grief that some of the Seed did spring up and that a New Order of Persons was Instituted to proceed in Sowing the same Good Seed to Frustrate their Endeavours he raises such a Tempest as could not be laid but by a Sacrifice of their Blood but even in this this Great Deceiver saw himself Deceiv'd for Sanguis Martyrum fuit semen Ecclesiae The Blood and Sufferings of these Seeds-men became as Seed Effectual to the Spreading of the Faith Hereupon the Adversary Selects Men of Curious Parts and Subtil Brains and these he employs in Sowing Tares Heterodox Opinions among the Good Seeds of Piety and Truth among such were Simon Magus the Gnosticks and other Antichrists These were Persons of Proud Lawless and Dishonest Principles and he Chose them because Proud being satisfied that such as were Conceited of their own Parts and Learning would more willingly Rely on their Own Fancies and Philosophical Notions than on any Divine Revelation wanting the Grace of Humility he foresaw they should never obtain that of Faith For tho' God giveth this and all other Graces to the Humble yet he in all Resisteth the Proud He also Chose them because Head-strong and Lawless for knowing how Irksome it was to Men of this Temper to be Confin'd within the Limits Prescribed by the Doctrine of Christ he was well assured such Libertines such Wild Asses would quickly kick against the Gospel because they would not bear the Yoak of it he had also observed that they wanted that Honesty Sobriety and Gravity that Integrity and Simplicity as was necessary in true Christians and therefore concluded they would soon ridicule a Gospel of sober plain and honest Principles nor were his expectations deceived he also raised another Legion out of the Arrians Samosatenians and Photinians and with these he waged War against the Son of God labouring to impugn the Truth of his Deity The true Catholick Faith ever taught two Natures in Christ Deity as being the Second Person of the Trinity and Humanity Which though differing as to Essence and Substance yet did constitute but one Hypostasis or subsistent Person as the Soul and Body make one Man Some of the Nestorians did so far agree with the Catholick Faith that they held two Natures in Christ but they had this Reservation that they did believe each Nature made a several and distinct Person by it self nay so subtil they were and so resembling Angels of Light that they â—sed the same words one Person as other Catholicks did yet who so peruses the Ecclesiastical Records will find that they no ways meant that the two Natures of Christ were united by a personal Subsistence but merely by an Unity of Affection Consent Liking or Co-habitation that is to speak in their Sence the Person of the Son of God did affect the Son of the Virgin Mary to that degree that it did only inhabit or dwell therein as in an House or Temple According to this Doctrine of the Nestorians God did not become the Son of Man nor was the Son of the Virgin Mary God but only the Temple or House of God whereas the truth is the second Person of the Trinity was Hypostatically united unto the Man-hood the Son of God assumed humane Nature and of both Natures one Person was Constituted called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-man not that the God-head inhabited humane Nature nor that the God-head was converted into Flesh but by taing of the Man-hood into God so there is no confusion of Substance but unity of Person God and Man became one Christ No Heresie which ever infected the Church of Christ hath been defended with such Sophistical Subtilties such fineness of Wit as this of opposing the Deity of Christ and even at this Day some Persons having more Wit than Grace and indulging that more than became them are endeavouring to revive this abominable Heresie but that these Scoffers and Mockers as St. Jude †v. 18. terms them might not proceed insultingly I have undertaken to make appear That Jesus Christ Born of the Virgin Mary was God Blessed for Evermore My Undertaking shall be directed by this following Method 1. I will enquire into his particular Names and Titles from whence the Truth of his Deity will explain it self Viz Jesus Christ Emanuel The Word The Son of God 2. I shall consider the Properties of the Deity are attributed to Him which are especially conspicuous in the great Works of Creation and Redemption And that I may the better put to silence the most impudent Gain-sayers as also farther confirm your Faith in this great Article I shall appeal to 1. God the Father 2. God the Holy Ghost 3. The Holy Scriptures First I shall argue and prove the Deity of Jesus Christ the Son of the Virgin Mary from the Names and Titles given him Here I must Observe That the World hath generally agreed in the use of Names viz. That Nomina sunt Notamina Names serve as well for the discovery of the nature of Things and Persons as for Distinction Next least any should cavil with me and plead that the Virgin Mary's Son was onely called Jesus Emanuel and the like and was not really so I shall judge this sufficient in answer hereunto that to be called in these Scriptures I shall Name signifies not only to be so Named or to be so Reputed but also to be that in Deed and in Truth which one is said to be or named to be for proof hereof I referr to * Matth. 1.16 where it is said Of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ i. e. he was the Christ in Deed and should be declared to the World to be so One place more to justifie that this
Point will admit of Having thus Vindicated the Deity of Jesus Christ and from the Names given him from the Properties of the Deity Attributed to him that is to say from his Infinite Power Wisdom c. visible in the Great Works of Creation and Redemption as also from the Testimony of God the Father God the Holy Ghost and from the holy Scriptures proved that Jesus Christ the Son of the Virgin Mary was and is True and Perfect God Now permit me to speak unto you in the words of St. Peter ‖ 2 Pet. 1.16 I have not followed cunningly devised Fables nor have I offered you any other Arguments or Proofs than what are Proper and tend naturally to evince this Article of our Faith I have in the whole management of them followed the plainest method hoping that in so doing I have spoke to your Understanding if I have shewn any zeal or warmth it is upon the account that I take it for granted could the Wit of Men or Malice of Devils overthrow this Foundation it could not be long before the Gates of Hell would prevail against the Church of Christ And now blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who by making known to us that Jesus Christ the Son of the Virgin Mary was also the Eternal Son of God hath Taught us First That we Christians of the Gentiles as it is Written ‖ Ephes 2.19.20 Are no more Strangers or Foreigners but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God and are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Corner-stone so that he that ever was still is the Head of the Church viz. Jesus Christ God blessed for evermore I find our Saviour declaring ‖ Matth. 16.18 Thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church Thou art Peter I so Surnamed thee †Mark 3.16 and as thy Name imports so thou art viz. a Living Stone in my Spiritual Temple upon this Rock this Confession of me to be the Son of the Living God * Matt. 16.16 I will build my Church The word Rock I take here to be mentioned Allegorically onely alluding to that Memorable Rock in the Wilderness and thus taken it signifies that as that Rock then Refreshed the Israelites in the Parched and Barren Wilderness so now the Knowledge and Confession of my Deity shall be as Refreshing Comfortable and Satisfactory to all Believers to allay the heat and burning of their Guilt to quench the fire of Divine Wrath and Vengeance as were the Streams that issued out of that Rock to cool your Forefathers Thirst and to satisfie their Appetites It were certainly a great mistake with the Church of Rome to take such notice of the Affinity of words as to Interpret Peter and the Rock to be the same thing as if Christ had here Promised to Build his Church upon Peter or were weary of his Spouse and did now intend to give her a Bill of Divorce and leave her to another this must be the consequence of that Interpretation which our Adversaries so highly favour and before we can consent to it we must Contend with Two such Difficulties as I judge Unconquerable I. If we say that Christ Promised to build his Church upon Peter How shall we answer that of the Apostle †1 Cor. 3.11 Other Foundation can no Man lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ yet not him but Peter say the Romanists but let these wise Master-Builders know that the Stone they refuse is Realy and Rightfully the Head-stone in the Corner and so dangerous is it here to stumble that he that falleth on this Stone that maketh this a Rock of Offence that doubteth and will not admit Christ to be the Head of the Church shall be broken shall be wounded in his Soul but on whomsoever it shall fall viz. such as through Pride or Contumacy shall strive to shake or pull this Stone out of its place it shall grind them to Powder divine Vengeance shall dash them into a thousand pieces How will they who expound these Words Vpon this Rock of Peter and not of Christ or that Confession made of him by Peter get over the clause of that Verse where it is said The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it viz. the Church built on this Rock i. e. neither the Power nor Policy of Hell should prevail against it yet it is visible that against Peter the Gates of Hell greatly prevailed Then how must the Church totter and shake when according to them this famous Rock on which it was built did so tremble and reel But to put an end to this Controversie we have a sure Rule to which all Christians do well to have regard †Eph. 1.22 God the Father of Glory hath given his Son Jesus Christ to be Head over all things to the Church Which words do abundantly condemn the Impudence of such as presume upon a Power to order things in the Church contrary to the Revealed Will of the Head thereof On the other hand seeing the Son of God is Head of the Church how Blame-worthy nay how Audacious and Inexcusable are they who spurn against and deny any of his Ordinances I mean such whose Froward Zeal hath Exploded the Lord's Prayer as a Form Obsolete and have laid aside the Sacraments as useless which the Head of the Church Instituted as Generally Necessary for Salvation Seeing Jesus Christ is Head of the Church it is a Riddle to me whence Men derive their Power of Altering Adding to or Diminishing from what he hath Ordained Having now so Sure and Sufficient a Foundation our Main Care must be what we Build upon it We are told †1 Cor. 3.12 if we Build Wood Hay or Stubble that is Wooden and Heterodox Opinions the Trash of Philosophical Notions or the Dry Stubble of Humane Inventions and Fansies these will not abide the Trial but if we Build thereon Gold Silver or Precious Stones Solid Clear and Ornamental Truths such as may Direct Justifie and Adorn our Conversations these will Abide therefore I shall accordingly Rear this Truth upon this Foundation II. Is Jesus Christ the Son of God And is this Son Head of the Church then as saith the Apostle ‖ Phil. 2.11 Let every Tongue Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father Let all the Nations and Kindreds of the Earth Acknowledge his Doctrine to be the Onely Word of Life and that he that Brought it was Rightly Jesus a Saviour Let every Soul Bend the Knee and Submit to his Commands as being the Commands of the Lord of Lords Let this Acknowledgment and Confession be made this Obedience and Homage tendred to the Glory of God the Father for by his Order and Decree this Eternal Son of God became in Fullness of time the Son of Man Now therefore tho there be some who