was to have hands laid upon the Head this was a Sign of Death XII The Head is the Subject of Humility When Men have been much affected with some great Thing they put Earth upon their Heads XIII But notwithstanding all the Head is the Glory of the Man XIV The Head sheweth the greatest Signs of Pity and Sympathy to the poor distressed and afflicted Members XV. The Head is the governing Part of the whole Man the Eyes the Ears the Hands the Feet are all governed by the Head XVI The Head loves the Body that belongs to it and is concerned night and day for its Prosperity XVII The Head receiveth Reverence and Respect Love and Honour from the Body and the Members Parallel I. THe Son of God as he was higher by Birth than Men yea than the greatest of Men Kings and mighty Potentates of the Earth c. so is he by Place and Office God hath anointed him with the Oil of Gladness above all his Fellows and set him over the Works of his Hands II. The Son of God the mystical or spiritual Head is the Seat of the spiritual Senses There is the clear seeing Eye the perfect hearing Ear the pure true and infallible Taste by which Things are distinguished aright the good from the bad for the benefit of the whole Body the Church III. Jesus Christ as a publick Person and Head of his Church is Receiver-General and common Treasury of the whole Body Whatsoever came originally from God for the Good and Benefit of the Church is lodged in Christ as Mediator and Head of his Church As David said All my Springs are in thee so may the Church say of Christ We beheld his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten Son of God full of Grace and Truth It pleased the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell IV. The Son of God doth transmit or cause to be transmitted by way of communication all the Supplies of the Mystical Body whether it be Peace of Conscience Ease for Soul-pains by an Application of his Blood and Spirit to comfort 'T is by Him that the whole Body by Joints and Bonds have Nourishment administred one to another as knit together in all parts and increasing with the Increase of God Of his Fulness we all receive and Grace for Grace V. The Son of God is the Fountain of Strength to his Church 't is said All Power is given to him I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me VI. Jesus Christ was a Man of Labour that carried our Burthens for us in Divine respects The Burthen of Temptations from Satan and the World fell upon him the Burthen of Persecution even to Death it self The Lord laid on him the Iniquities of us all VII The Lord Jesus was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with Grief There was no Sorrow like his it was heaped upon him even to perfection VIII The Lord Jesus is the Man of God's Right-hand made strong for Himself upon whom the Blessing is conferred by the Father as a Token of Good to the whole Church In Him all the Families of the Earth are blessed IX Christ the holy and spiritual Head received the Consecration of God for he was filled with the Holy-Ghost from the Womb and as a perfect Nazarite continued separate till his Baptism at which time the holy Anointing being upon him in a visible manner did furnish him for his Ministry and fit him to be a Priest unto God this holy Unction descended on him as it did on the Head of Aaron not only drenching his Beard but all the parts of his Body also even to the Skirts of his Garment Say ye of him whom the Father sanctifieth and sendeth into the World c. Who through the eternal Spirit offered himself to God X. The Son of God not only beareth the Glory of Priesthood but the highest Glory of his Father's House which consists of Kingship c. Thou art a Priest for ever c. We see Jesus made a little lower than the Angels c. crowned with Glory and Honour XI Christ was the principal Object of Envy and Hatred The Devil envied him the Jews hated him without cause Herod threatned him One while they waited to kill him at another time they led him to the Brow of the Hill that they might cast him down headlong to destroy him At last they came and laid their hands upon him in the Garden where he received the Sign of Death after his most bitter Agony and was soon after offered up on the Cross as a publick Sacrifice He died for our Sins according to the Scriptures Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us XII The Lord Jesus was a Subject of great Humility much affected with God's Providences and Mens Wickednesses He wept when Lazarus died Christ wept when the Jews rejected him to their own Destruction and as Publius Lettius saith of him he was never seen to laugh but often to weep The Devil Herod Pontius Pilate with the Jews were not content to persecute and drive the Son of God to Corners but after they had agreed with Judas to betray him they endeavoured as much as lay in them to take this blessed Head off from his Mystical Body nothing would satisfy them till they had slain the Lord of Life and Glory XIII And so is Jesus Christ the Glory of God the Glory of the Church She glories in Him His Head is as the most fine Gold He is altogether lovely This is my Beloved and this is my Friend O Daughters of Jerusalem XIV Christ being in all things like unto us Sin only excepted hath shewed no small Signs of Pity and Sympathy as one touched with our Infirmities as appears both before he left the World and since 1. He comforts them by good Words and Promises he will not leave them comfortless but will come to them 2. He assureth that he would send another Comforter the holy Spirit 3. He prays the Father to take them into his Care and Protection 4. He cries out from Heaven when Violence is offered to them Saul Saul why persecutest thou me c. XV. The Son of God as Head of the Church hath the Government on his Shoulders his Members hear his Voice and keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous unto them XVI Jesus Christ loves his Church yea all his Members He died to save and redeem them he shed his Blood to wash and sprinkle them and went to Heaven to prepare a Place for them and is concerned both night and day for their Prosperity and Welfare he will come again from thence to solemnize the glorious Marriage and receive them unto himself that where he is there they may be also I love them that love me He gave himself that he might redeem us from all Iniquity He hath loved us and washed us from our Sins with his own Blood
speaking are not in God but are used by way of similitude to signifie something Divine as we said about humane Members end for that and are ascribed to God of which kind in order Sadness and Grief of mind is attributed to God by which his displeasure and the withdrawings of his grace and favour are signified Esa. 63.10 But they rebelled and vexed his Holy Spirit Therefore he was turned to be their Enemy and he fought against them that is they have perpetrated such wickedness against their proper Consciences that the Holy Spirit has forsaken them and justly withdrawn his grace The like is said Ps. 78.40 How often did they provoke him in the Wilderness and grieve him in the Desart So Eph. 4.30 Greive not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of Redemption that is speak not so corruptly and prophanely as to provoke the Holy Spirit to withdraw his gracious gifts and operations from you and instead thereof to inflict wrath and punishment upon you So Gen. 6.6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the Earth and it griev'd him at his Heart that is their malignity so displeased him that he manifested his Divine Decree to punish them The Chaldee renders it And he said in his word that he would break their power according to his Will So Judges 10.16 And his Soul was grieved for the misery of Israel that is as the Chaldee renders it he greived or his Soul was affected with anguish by which greif the Commiseration and Compassion of God for the Afflictions and Calamities of Israel is noted The like phrase of the indignation and averseness of God is used Zach. 11.8 The word broken when ascribed to God is also of the same â—â—ence as Ezek. 6.9 I am broken with their whorish heart which hath departed from me that is I am affected with grief and as it were compelled to Decree their Punishment as verse the 10th Repentance is ascribed to God by which likewise his Divine displeasure against-mens iniquities and the infliction of punishment is noted Gen. 6.6 1 Sam. 15.35 Jer. 18.10 Sometimes if the speech be with reference to men that by serious Repentance are converted to God it denotes Divine Commiseration and a taking away of punishment Exod. 32.12 14. 2 Sam. 24.16 Psal. 106.45 Jer. 18.8 and 26.3 Hos. 11.8 Joel 2.13 14. Upon which place Tarnovius thus expresses himself The Condition of men being changed the immutable God is not changed but the thing it self For he willeth always that it should go ill with the obstinate and that they should perish eternally but that the Holy and Regenerate should be truly happy in this and the other World When God to converted Souls remits that punishment which he denounced to wicked and nesarious sinners he is said to Repent of the Evil by an Anthropopathy because he seems to do that which repenting men do otherwise cannot properly repent because he is not a man 1 Sam. 15.29 Augustine says that the Repentance of God is not after any error but the change of Things and Constitutions in his Power is noted as when it is said that he Repents the change of things is signified the Divine praescience remaining immutable and when he is said not to Repent it is to be understood that things are unchanged Polanus says that the Repentance of God is not a perturbation or greif arising from any sence of error in his Counsel or Divine decree which is immutable 1 Sam. 15.29 But the change of his Works the Divine Will remaining unchanged c. Its causes are the sins or Repentance of men c. Anger Revenge Hatred when attributed to God are by some refer'd to this head Where we are to note that these words are not ascribed to God by way of Anthropopathy for God most truly properly and for infinite Reasons is justly angry with sinners takes vengeance on them or afflicts them Jer. 9.9 Nahum 1.2 c. He truly hates sinners and hypocrites Psal. 5.6 Esa. 1.14 c. although these things are ascribed to him without any perturbation confusion or imperfection yet there is an Anthropopathy in certain words and phrases by which these affections are wont to be expressed Thus breath or to breath do sometimes note the Anger of God by a Metaphor taken from men who in the vehement commotion of Anger do draw their breath more strongly then ordinary Exod. 15.8 Job 4.9 Esa. 33.31 Ezek. 21.30 c. Where it is said Deut. 28.63 The Lord will Rejoyce over you to destroy you c. It denotes his alacrity to inflict punishment answering to his rejoycing over them to do them good When a thing is said to be burdensome or wearisome to the Lord Esa. 1.14 It notes his aversation and hatred He is said to receive consolation when he avenged himself of his Enemies as Revenge is wont to be sweet to abused and Angry persons Esa. 1.24 and 57.6 Ezek. 5.13 Zeal or Jealousie is ascribed to God to denote his most ardent Love to Beleivers and his care of their safety joyned with an indignation against their Enemies Esa. 9.7 Zach. 1.14 15. Joel 2.18 It also sometimes notes Gods vehement Anger against stubborn rebellious sinners who violating that Faith by which God espoused them to himself commit spiritual Adultery Exod. 20.5 Num. 25.11 Zach. 8.2 So in Hiphil men are said to provoke God to Jealousie by their Idolatry and sins Deut. 32.16.21 1 King 14.22 Ezek. 8.3 c. Humane Actions ascribed to God THese we shall distribute according to those more eminent Faculties 1. That which is intelligent and rational 2. That which is Sentient or Animal Actions which respect the Intellect and Reason and from which as from the first principles things flow are either Internal or External the internal which by Anthropopathy are attributed to God are Knowledge which must not be generically understood for that most properly and most perfectly belongs to the Omniscient God but such a knowledge as is Experimental and arrived unto by some special acts or new acquisitions as Gen. 18.21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it which is come unto me and if not I will KNOW The Omniscient Jehovah speaks of himself after the manner of men who when they would know a thing repair to the place where it was done that by Autopsy or personal sight and other mediums they may be assured that it is so Gen. 22.12 For now do I know that thou fearest God c. God knew it before and had a most exact prospect into Abrahams Heart but such an illustrious example of Faith and Obedience was never externally shewn which done Jehovahs says by the Angel now I know c. that is by a manifest and external proof thy hearty Faith and Obedience is now apparent See Gen. 11.25 Deut. 8.2 and 13.3
And God said let there be light and there was light suitable to 2 Cor. 4.6 where 't is written and God who said or Commanded the light to shine out of Darkness verse 6. And God said let there be a firmament in the midst of the Waters and verse 9. And God said let the Waters under the Heaven be gathered together c and verse 11. And God said let the Earth bring forth Grass c. verse 14. And God said let there be lights in the firmament of the Heavens and verse 20. And God said let the Waters bring forth abundantly the moving Creature and verse 24. And God said let the Earth bring forth the living Creature c. Rab. Mos. Maimon says that this phrase in the Creation and God said is to be under stood of the Will and not of Speech because speech by which a thing is Commanded must of necessity be directed to some being or object capable to execute his Commands but no objects of such a capacity had then being therefore of necessity it must be understood only of Gods Will. Masculus in his Comment says that Moses speaks of God after the manner of men not that God spoke so For by his word the vertue and efficacy of his Will is expressed c. for what we would have done that it might be understood believed or done we express our selves by the prolation of a word and when Gods Will is expressed it is called a word God is a Spirit and uses no corporeal or Organical Speech no transient voice nor Hebrew Greek or other Idiom unless in some temporary dispensation he was pleased to utter himself Organically which has no place here c. So the appellation of Names given to the Creatures verses 〈…〉 10. which is ascribed to God notes only his decree and divine Constitution 〈◊〉 men should so call them So the blessing of God to Fishes Fowl c. ver 22. denotes his real appointment of the multiplication of their respective kinds upon which Musculus very well says if you consider that God speaks to a quatiles or watry Creatures you will judge it a wounderful kind of speech But he speaks not to their Ears but to their Natures to which by the vertue of his word he hath given a power and efficacy to propagate their own kinds From this description of the Creation the Divine force and efficacy of Gods Will in the Creation and Conservation of the Creatures which is so conspicuous is called the Word of God Psal. 33.5 6. Psal. 107.20 Psal. 147.15 18. Heb. 1.3 and 11.3 2 Pet. 3.5 7. c. So in other decrees of the Divine Will God is said to speak Gen. 8.21 And the Lord said in his heart I will not again Curse the ground that is he so constituted and decreed it that by Noah it should be so manifested unto the World Psal. 2.5 Then shall he speak to them in his Wrath that is he will crush his Enemies with horrible Judgements and Punishments Sometimes the Decrees and Appointments of the Trinity by way of Dialogue or Colloquy among the Divine persons as Gen. 1.26 And God said let us make man in our likeness or Image c. and chap. 2.18 And the Lord said it is not good that the man should be alone I will make him an help meet for him and Gen. 3.22 And the Lord God said behold the man is become as one of us c. Gen. 11.6 And the Lord said behold the People is one and have one language go to let us go down and there confound their Language By this deliberate way of expression the Decrees of the Holy Trinity and their effectual power of operation are noted Psal. 2.7 I will declare the Decree the Lord said unto me thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right hand c. These phrases signifie the most Holy and most efficacious discerning and efficiency of Gods VVill. To this speaking of the Father answers the hearing attributed to Christ John 8.26 40. and 15 15. And to the Holy Spirit John 16.13 For this cause among others the Son of God is called the VVord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for by him a manifestation of the internal speech of the Holy Trinity that is their Divine Decrees for mans Salvation is made unto us John 1.1 13 14 c. So much of speech in general More particularly Rebuking or Chiding is attributed to God by which its real effect or destruction is noted of which you may see examples Psal. 18.15 2 Sam. 22.16 VVhere Tempests Earthquakes c. are said to be at Gods Rebukes and Psal. 104.7 that at his rebuke the waters fled that is were separated from the Earth Gen. 1.9 To Rebuke in proper speaking two things are requisite 1. That that which is reprehensible may be chekt 2. That it may be corrected or amended these may be aptly applyed to Gods Creating VVord for when he said Let the waters under the Heaven be gathered together into one place and let the dry Land appear In the first the indigested confusion of things is reprehended and in the second they are corrected and rightly disposed off into their proper places Musculus on this place annexes this marginal note that it is an invincible Argument of Christs Divinity that at his rebuke the Winds and Seas were obedient Mark 4.39 Luke 8.24 See Psal. 9.5 and 76.6 and 68.30 Esa. 17.13 Zach. 3.2 Rebuke signifies destruction Deut. 28.20 Calling when ascribed to God signifies its real product or effect as 2 Kings 8.1 The Lord hath called for a Famine and it shall also come upon the Land for seven years Psal. 105.16 Rom. 4.17 Gods Commanding inanimate or irrational Creatures denotes a direction for some certain work to be done or omitted as Esa. 5..6 I will also Command the Clouds that they Rain no more upon it See Esa. 45.12 Answering is attributed to God when he is said to Answer mens Prayers 2 Sam. 7.9 Psal. 3.4 5. Esa. 58.8 c. Illyricus says that in hearing God answers in a threefold manner 1. By the very hearing for every man that prayes earnestly requests that 2. By some Testimony of his Spirit that we are heard 3. By granting the petition which is the most real and apparent answer Contrary to this is Gods Silence when his people pray by which his delay in comforting and helping them is noted as Psal. 28.1 Vnto thee O Lord do I Cry be not deaf toward me c. So Psal. 83.1 And God is said to answer when he takes pleasures in man Eccl. 5.20 and 9.7 The Lord is said to be a Witness when he declares the Truth of a thing in fact or justly punishes Lyers 1 Sam. 12.5 Jer. 42.5 Malach. 3.5 c. The Lord hath been a VVitness between
and knowledge of him then the Saints on Earth can have by reason of their dwelling in so gross a habitation Likewise Polanus The Scripture oftentime says that God dwells in the Heavens not that he is there included but to intimate that he is above all in Majesty Power and Operation so as that he cannot be hindered by any on Earth as also that our minds may be elevated above the World so as that we may have no low or carnal or worldly thoughts of God c. To this may be also referred when it is said That the Holy Ghost doth rest upon any as Num. 11.25 26. 2 King 2.15 By which the distribution and energy or power of his gifts is intimated This Spirit is said to rest upon the Messiah Esa. 11.2 and 61.1 which is to be understood of the Communication of his gifts in their absolute fulness to Christ according to his humanity Psal. 45.7 8. John 3.34 The visible symbol was the resting of the Holy Spirit upon Christ in the likeness of a Dove Matth. 3.16 c. Time is ascribed to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a way of humane speaking but is to be understood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a way of divine Dialect of his absolute Eternity-Sometimes the description of Gods Eternity is taken from the Names and Differences of Seasons as Years are ascribed unto God which nevertheless are said to be throughout all generations Psal. 102.24 And shall have no end verse 2â—â— That he is the same and that his years shall not fail Heb. 1.12 And that the Number of his Years cannot be searched out as Job 36.26 Dayes are also attributed to him whence he is called the Ancient of Days Dan 7.9 which are called the Days of Eternity Micah 5.1 2 Pet. 3.18 Eternity is described by eternal time or times Rom. 16.25 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 1.2 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secula Ages by which term properly times and things done in time are noted Eph. 3.9 Col 1.26 c. Sometimes two or three differences of time that Eternity which wants Beginning Interruption and End may be expressed Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ the same that is always like himself invariable and immutable yesterday to day and for ever that is from Eternity to Eternity Rev. 1.4 Grace be unto you and Peace from him which is and which was and which is to come or will be that is who is the Eternal God so in the 8th verse there is another symbol of Eternity I am 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alpha and Omega the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet which denote the beginning and end of any thing which are the bounds and notes of time brought to express him who is the beginning without beginning and the end without end that is who is indeed absolutely Eternal so Christ speaks chap. 21. and 22.13 as is apparent from the context To this may be referred where the Scripture uses words concerning God which respect the time to come whereas in Eternity there is not properly any time past or to come as Psal. 139.2 Thou understandest my thought a far off that is long before it came in my mind as verse 4. For there is not a word in my Tongue but lo O Lord thou knowest it altogether It is said Rom. 8.29 For whom he did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foreknow he also did predestinate c. Rom. 11.2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew c 1. Pet. 2. Elected according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father c. D. Mylius upon Rom. 8. says thus God is said to Foreknow such as he foresaw would believe in his son not that there is any future time properly ascribable to God in whom no accident condition or circumstance of time and place can be admitted but these things are spoken of God by an Anthropopathy that is after the manner of men This Prescience of God inasmuch as it is certain and never failes therefore such as he Foreknew he also predestinated for this Foreknowledge is never without predestination Ambrose confirms this interpretation in these words Those whom God Foreknew would embrace the Faith he elected them to the promised rewards that they that seem to believe and either are not really such as they pretend to be or forsake the Faith may be excluded for such as God hath elected to himself do remain his 1 Pet. 1.20 'T is said of Christ the Lamb of God and the Redeemer of the World that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Foreknown before the Foundation of the World that is he was ordained by the Eternal Decree of God to be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of men Hitherto of inseparable Adjuncts the separable are various we shall recite some Armour and Weapons are attributed to God for he is sometimes said to be clad in Arms to denote the exertion or execution of his Wrath and Vengeance Psal. 35.2 3. Take hold of Shield and Buckler and stand up for mine help Draw out also the Spear and stop the way against them that persecute me c. Esa. 59.17 18. For he put on Righteousness as a Breast-plate and an Helmet of Salvation upon his head and he put on the Garments of Vengeance for Clothing and was clad with zeal as a Cloak c. Jer. 50.25 It is said The Lord hath op'ned his Armory and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation for this is the work of the Lord God of Hosts in the Land of the Chaldeans when by the Enemy he brings punishment and a general destruction upon a people thus the King of Babylon is called Gods battle axe and weapons of War for with him will he break in pieces the Nations and with him will he destroy Kingdoms Jer. 51.20 Because by him and his Host the Lord did afflict and make desolate several Countries More especially a Bow Arrows and strings are attributed to God Psal. 21.12 Lam. 2.4 and 3.12 He hath bent his bow like an Enemy he hath set me as a mark for the Arrow By which the effects of his Divine wrath against the wicked are noted By the Arrows of God are meant swift and unlookt for Calamities sent for sin Deut. 32.22 23 24. I will heap mischiefs upon them I will spend mine Arrows upon them Job 6.4 Psal. 38.2 3. and 64 7 8. Zach. 9.14 Lam. 3.13 And more particularly the Arrows of God are said to be Hail-Stones Thunder Lightnings Coals of Fire c. Psal. 18.13 14. and 144.6 Hab. 3.11 Sometimes the inspired efficacy of the Gospel in saving the Godly and Judging and Condemning the wicked Psal. 45.5 Esa. 49.2 John 12.47 48. 2 Cor. 2.15 16. A Sword is ascribed to God by which likewise is intimated his Wrath and Vengeance of which that is an index and symbol Deut 32.41 Judg. 7.20 Ps. 17.18 Esa. 27.1 and 34.5 6. Ezek. 21.8 9
especially because of his promise of Life and Salvation For as the Morning Star is as it were the Suns harbinger declaring its speedy approach so by the clearness of Christs Resurrection and his sure word or promise he discovers unto men what an extraordinary light of Glory will be afforded to Believers in the general Resurrection when they shall shine as Stars for ever Dan. 12.3 The Morning Star gives light but much less then the Sun so the light of the knowledge of Christ in this Life is not to be compared with that most illustrious and shining Glory which the Saints shall enjoy in bliss and which by Faith they expect 1 Cor. 13.12 Secondly Elementary things God is called Fire yea a consuming Fire Deut. 4.24 and 9.3 and 32.22 Esa. 10.17 and 66.15 16. Ezek. 21.31 c. Which denotes his Wrath against sin which consumes those miserable persons against whom it burns as Fire does stubble See Psal 18.8 Where by smoke also the Wrath of God is signifyed as also Psal. 74.1 and Psal. 80.4 How long wilt thou smoke against thy People so the Hebrew Deut. 29.20 God is said to be A Lamp Candle or Lanthorn when he exhibits his grace and favour to any 2 Sam. 22.29 Thou art my Lamp O Lord Psal. 18.28 For thou wilt light my Candle or Lamp the Lord my God will enlighten my Darkness that is he is the author of my light felicity and Salvation So the Candle of God is said to shine upon Jobs head Job 29.3 in the same sence as the following words shew viz. By his light I walked through darkness where he subjoyns a clear description of his former felicity Prov. 20.27 The Spirit of man is the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the Belly that is the Lord kindles a light in man by which he looks into the most inward things and therefore it shines in the mind of a wise King that he may search out a matter and take away the wicked Prov. 25.2 3. The Word of God is called a Lamp or Candle Psal. 119.105 Prov. 6.23 2 Pet. 1.19 Because of the light of saving institutions which it exhibits to Believers To the Element of Ayr belongs when Blowing or a Blast or Breathing is attributed to God by which his Divine Grace and Refection is noted as a cool breeze refreshes a man in Summers heat thus some aptly translate that passage Esa. 57.16 For I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth the Spirit before me shall roll it self and I will cause a Blowing that is the Holy Spirit which I will send to sorrowful and contrite Believers shall as it were open it self to them dwell in them and in the heat of Temptations shall with a comfortable gust or breeze refresh their fainting Spirits Sometimes it denotes Divine Wrath and vengeance as a strong Wind overthrows what 's before it and inflames the Fire Job 4.9 By the Blast of God they perish that is the wicked and by the breath of his Nostrils are they consumed Psal. 18.15 At thy rebuke O Lord at the Blast of the breath of thy Nostrils Esa. 30.33 The breath of the Lord like a stream of Brimstone doth kindle it that is Hell as brimstone is a great nourisher of Fire so the infinite and never ceasing Wrath of God shall be as it were an Eternal nourisher or continuer of Hell for whilst a pair of Bellows blow the Fire it burns so the breath of the Lord viz. his Wrath shall be always of efficacy to torment the souls and bodies of the damned in that infernal stream of brimstone To the Element of Water belongs where God is called a Fountain of Living Waters Jer. 2.13 and 17.13 Because he is the indeficient Author of all Life and refreshment here and hereafter Psal. 36.9 With thee is the Fountain of Life which is to be understood in the same sence which verse 8. is called the River of his Pleasures The Spirit is called a River of living VVater John 7.38 39. to which belongs the expressions of pouring out Esa. 44.3 Joel 3.1 Zach. 12.10 Act. 2.16 17 18 33. Tit. 3.5 6. Christ in general calls the blessings derived to men through him living water John 4.10 14. For he is that most abounding Fountain of Eternal Life John 1.16 Water cleanses refreshes quenches thirst softens or mollifies c. which with other good qualities may be most fitly ascribed to the blessed Saviour in a Spiritual sence See Esa. 55.1 Ezek. 36.25 Zach. 14.8 Psal. 23.1 2. c. The Heavens or Clouds are called the River of God full of water Psal. 65.9 Because he sends plenty of Rain from thence to make the Earth fruitful To the Earth we will refer whatsoever besides what was produced before in their proper places have a being in it that are metaphorically transferred to God whether they be natural productions or made by humane Art Christ is sometimes called a Stone and Rock as Psal. 118.22 The Stone which the builders refused is become the head of the corner which expressely referred to Christ Matth. 21.42 Act. 4.11 1 Pet. 2.7 By the Builders we are to understand the Priests and Great men and others among the Israelites whose office it was to build not destroy the Church of God How these refused Christ the Evangelical History plentifully informs us yet notwithstanding he is made the head of the Corner or the firm and chief corner stone of the whole Church fitly framed together and growing in him Eph. 2.20 21. To Wit both of Jews and Gentiles having broken down the partition wall verses 14 15 16 c. Other places are Esa. 8.14 and 28.16 Zach. 3.9 Luke 2.34 Rom. 9.32 33. 1 Pet. 2.4 6 7 8. Where he is called a Rock of offence and a stumbling Stone with respect to unbelievers and wicked men c. who are apt to despise his mean worldly estate and be offended at his severity against their sinful ways God is called a Rock to such as trust in him Deut. 32.31 Psal. 18.2 Psal. 31.2 3. Psal. 42.9 and 73.26 Esa. 26.4 that is a most certain and invinsible giver of help for there were Rocks in those Countries which for their height strength steepyness and difficulty of access were reputed impregnable c. Matth. 16.18 Christ alluding to the name of Peter calls himself that Rock upon which he was to build his Church that the Gates of Hell should not prevail against it Upon which Brentius very well paraphrases I have called thee Cephas before that is a Rock John 1.43 and I do not yet repent for giving thee that title for now in your own and Brethrens name you acknowledge the true Rock and Foundation in confessing that I am Christ the Son of the living God This Confession is the true Rock and upon it as upon a Rock and Foundation will I build my Church D. Calixtus says that the words the Church is
taken for the Restauration and Renovation of men whether in this Life by the Word and Faith or in the future by a clear and beatifical vision of God Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean Heart the explication and renew a right spirit within me 'T is as well the work of God to create a pure heart that is to convert and regenerate a man cleanse him from sin justifie and save him as 't is to create him The impurity therefore of our hearts can with no humane strength or art be purged away but we have need of the Creators work and the Redeemers vertue and power to make us New Creatures John 1.12 But to as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Psal. 102.18 And the People that shall be created shall praise the Lord that is the Church that shall be restored and gathered by Christ. For this Psalm treats of that and his Kingdom of grace as is alleaged Heb. 1.10 11 12. Esa. 65.18 Be you glad and rejoyce for ever in that which I create For behold I create Jerusalem a rejoyceing and her people a joy That he speaks of the Glory of Christs Kingdom and Church here is evident by the following verses for its restitution and the whole celestial Administration is expressed by the Word Creation to indicate the Omnipotency and most powerful operation of Christ ver 17. There is mention of the Creation of a New Heaven and a New Earth in the same sence which promise shall be most perfectly fulfilled in Eternal Life as Esa. 66.22 and 2 Pet. 3.13 Eph. 2.10 For we are his Workmanship Created in Christ Jesus unto Good works c. that is regenerated and renewed in the Image of God See Psal. 100.3 Esa. 29.23 c. This is that New Creature of whom it is said 2 Cor. 5.17 If any man be in Christ he is a New Creature that is he is renewed by the Holy Spirit to lead a new and Holy Life in the Faith of Christ What is corrupt in man by sin is restor'd and reform'd by Regeneration and Renovation and so the Image in which man was at first created but lost it because of his sin begins to be restored very fitly therefore is the Regeneration and Renovation of a man expressed by the term Creation for God alone is the Author and Cause of both Of Metaphors taken from Angels THE Creatures of God are divided into invisible and visible The invisible are Spirits 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 asomatoi without bodies and by them we understand Angels because being in their own nature incorporeal they cannot be seen by humane Eyes The visible are whatsoever things have an existence in this whole universe whether they be simple or mixt bodies There are Good and Bad Angels and from both some though not many metaphors are taken 1. From the good Angels some think that the Ministers of the Gospel are by a metaphor called Angels Judg. 2.1 Hag. 1.13 Mal. 2.7 3.1 Matth. 11.10 Mark 1.2 Luk. 7.27 1 Cor. 11.10 Rev. 1.20 and 2.1 8 12 18. and 3.1 7 14. and hence not improperly imply an analogy from the Holy Angels of God to the Prophets and other Preachers of the Word But the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Maleac and the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Angelos being an indifferent and common noun denoting any Messenger or Legate it is better to understand that term properly because Ministers of the Gospel are really and not metaphorically Gods Ministers Exod. 28.14 The King of Tyrus is called by a metaphor the annointed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cherub by which term Angels are called Gen. 3.24 and Ezek. 28.14 The covering cherub As if God had said as Angels amongst created things are by Nature and Ministry Commissioned by me for the protection of men so thou King of Tyrus didst in thine own conceit and fancy Judge thy self This metaphor alludes to Gen. 3.24 As Junius and Tremellius in their notes say This is a most elegant description of that Royal Majesty by comparing it to that Cherub which was placed by God in the Garden of Eden Gen. 3.24 For as an Angel was appointed to keep that Garden and arm'd with that flaming Sword which turned every way it was a terror to all so thou King of Tyrus since the Kingdom became thine didst fancy thy self to equal the Angels of God in Glory Some think it has respect to those Angelical figures placed in the Sanctuary Exod. 25.20 covering the Mercy Seat Riding upon a cherub is attributed to God Psal. 18.10 2 Sam. 22.11 When the speech is of Winds Storms Clouds and Tempests to which this name is ascribed by reason of their vehement swiftness and dreadful effects The Chald. renders it And he is revealed in his Magnificence upon most swift Cherubs and he is led in strength upon the Wings of the Wind. 2. As to what respects evil Angels or Devils Christ calls Peter Satan when he would disswade him from suffering Matth. 16.23 Mark 8.33 Get thee behind me Satan Some take this as a Noun appellative and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Satan signifies any adversary as if Christ had said Give over to contradict the Will of my Father 't is thy part to follow not to go before Now thou gainsayest studying to hinder what will save mankind what the Father will have done and what becomes me to do Thou desirest to be a partaker of the Kingdom and yet thou hinderest me that am hastning willingly to the Cross whereby it is to be purchased where you see me go viz. the Kingdom of Heaven there you ought also to bend your course Thou dost not yet savour of God but led by humane affections resist the Divine Will Hinder me not therefore thou unprofitable monitor but follow behind me and rather act the part of a Disciple then a Master But because our Saviour uses not the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 antikeimenos or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 antidikos which signifies an adversary or opposer but the Hebrew or Syriack Satan by which always the Devil is understood in the New Testament and Christ uses the same phrase to the Devil Luke 4.8 it is more rightly said that Christ calls Peter Satan by a metaphor because in his opposition he acted the Devils part in giving Satanical Counsel directly contrary to the Will of God From whence Luther fairly infers this maxime that whatsoever Peter with the universal Colledge of Apostles speaks from his own sence in Divine matters and not by Divine Authority and Revelation as ver 16.17 18. is to be accounted Diabolical and Opposite to Christ See 1 Cor. 3.11 16.22 Gal. 1.8 9. 2 Pet. 1.19 20. c. And then he adds That Christ in this passage with Peter and his Apostles prefigured the future History of his whole Church to wit that there should be some true confessors of Christ viz.
2 Tim. 1.6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee c. The Greeks word properly signifies to stir up Fire lest it go out that it may flame Beza upon the place says The gift of God is a certain live flame kindled in our hearts which the Flesh and Satan endeavour to suffocate or smother but on the other side we are so much the more concern'd to cherish it and stir it up when it is as it were asleep Where this Divine little flame is not stirred up Love or Charity waxes cold Matth. 24.12 And then the Fountain of Love which is saving Faith and external Salvation is lost c. Thus Paul exhorts not to quench the Spirit 1 Thes. 5.19 The saving light of the knowledge of God kindled by the Holy Spirit is extinguisht by neglects of the Word of God and devout Prayer by security impiety and ingratitude hence an exhortation to follow that which was good ver 15. and to pray without ceasing ver 17. was premised and despising prophesyings that is the interpretation of the Word of God is immediately prohibited ver 20. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zaraph which properly signifies to melt Mettals in order to purifie them from dross but is translated by an elegant Metaphor to signifie the purification and tryal of the Godly which is done by Crosses and Sufferings Whence the similitude of melted or burnt Mettal is sometimes expresly added Psal. 66.10 and 105.19 Esa. 1.25 Jer. 9.7 Dan. 11.35 Zach. 13.9 Hence the Furnace where Mettals are melted and purified is put for Afflictions sent by God Deut. 4.20 1 Kings 8.51 Jer. 11.4 In which place the Epithet of Iron is added to denote the tribulation severity or cruel nature of servitude A passage more notable than the rest we read Esa. 48.10 Behold I have refined thee but not with Silver I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction Jehovah intimates that he purges his people moderately and gently not as Silver or Gold are purged because such are wont to be most exactly and wholly melted in order to their purifying as if he had said I do so temper and qualifie corrections that I suit them rather to your weakness then proportion them to your Wickedness I do not deal with you with the utmost severity for if you should be purged as Silver and Gold from all dross you should totally perish See 1 Cor. 10 13. In generall it is put for the inward proof or tryal of the heart which God alone can do Psal. 26.2 and 17.3 See Prov. 17.3 It is put for outward choice of some from others which is done by an outward rise Judg. 7.4 The Word of God is said to be refined or as it were tryed in the Fire 2 Sam 22.31 Psal. 18.30 Prov. 30.5 Psal. 119.140 that is most pure most true and most certain Which is emphatically declared Psal. 12.6 The words of the Lord are pure words as Silver tryed in a furnace of Earth purified seven times Which passage without doubt respects the quick and lively experience of the Saints in whose hearts the Truth of Gods word is experimentally felt and approved to be of undoubted efficacy by the Fire of tribulation Whence some by Furnace of Earth understand Godly men in whom the Words of God are tryed The Furnace burns in the Fire The Godly are seasoned by the Fire of Afflictions By the same metaphor the Office of Christ is described Mal. 3.2 3. Metaphors taken from Air. THE Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ruach a Spirit signifies Air or Wind. And whereas the motion of the Air is uncertain inconstant and vanishing and that there is nothing solid or substantial in the Wind therefore they are metaphorically put to signifie things that are vain and vanishing Job 6.26 Do ye imagine to reprove my words and turn the speeches of one that is desperate into Wind that is do ye think that I utter vain words and despise them as things of no weight or sence Job 15.2 Should a wiseman utter knowledge of Wind that is vain as the Wind which has nothing but an empty sound resolving into Wind he adds or fill his belly with the East Wind that is admit vain and fluctuating thoughts in his mind inwardly Eccl. 5.16 What profit hath he that hath laboured for the Wind that is who hath heaped together much riches with great labour which is in vain when he can have no benefit or profit by them Jer. 5.13 The Prophets shall become wind that is as the Chald. renders it vain and of no worth Jer. 22.22 The wind shall eat up all thy Pastours that is they shall vanish and perish So on the other side It is said Hosea 12.1 Ephraim feedeth on wind and followeth after the East-wind the meaning is that the people of Israel shall feed upon a thing of nothing viz. They shall commit Idolatry with great earnestness which has no soul feeding vertue in it but the contrary for it proves as pernicious as it is to follow the East-wind which is immediately expounded of their making Covenants with the Assyrians a wicked and Idolatrous people Micah 2.11 A man walking in the wind and falshood is put for a vain and lying person See Esa. 41.29 57.13 Hosea 8.7 To this belong the words of the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.9 For ye shall speak_into the Air that is in vain and to no purpose He speaks of that Prophesied in the Church in an unknown Tongue and therefore could not be understood by the hearers 1 Cor. 9.26 To beat the Air signifies when one undertakes a vain and unprofitable work The metaphor is taken from men that fight who when they miss their stroke spend their strength vainly against the wind or Air Eph. 4.14 that we henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by this tossing to and fro of the wind instability and inconstancy of mind is denoted a metaphor taken from a Ship which is tost and driven here and there by the violence of the Winds and waves as Heb. 13.9 Be not carryed about with diverse and strange Doctines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace More because vehement winds are hurtful therefore Enemies which annoy and commit devastations on the Earth are called by this appellation especially the East-wind which blasts Corn and suffers it not to ripen and if ripe scatters and blows it down Psal. 55.8 Esa. 41.16 Jer. 4.11 and 51.1 Hosea 13.15 Job 27.21 See also Esa. 27.8 Jonas 4.8 Jer. 18.17 c. Job says of God when he punished him Job 30.22 Thou listest me up to the wind thou causest me to ride upon it and dissolvest my substance that is as a Whirlwind scatters chaff or stubble thou dost variously toss and consume me To this Classe we shall reduce Meteors which are imperfect mixtures condensed in the Ayr. The
17.4.6 Christ in his passion was placed as it were in a wide Wilderness and spiritually drank of the greatest Torrent of all tribulations and dolors which by his passing over the Brook Kedron which had its name from its blackness and darkness is noted John 18.1 So much of that Sometimes a Stream or Brook is taken metaphorically in a good sence either because of the abundance of VVaters which are transferred to plenty of good things Job 20.17 By the brooks of Honey and Butter to which Rivers and Floods are added is signifyed a confluence of prosperous pleasant and desireable things even to full satisfaction Psal. 36.8 God is said to make Believers drink of the Rivers or Brooks of his pleasures that is to bestow a plenty of blessed sweet and heavenly good upon them which is that life and overplus or more than abundance which Christ promised to his Sheep John 10.10 Prov. 18.4 The Well-spring of Wisdom is called a flowing Brook that is the mouth of a wise man does largely and abundantly utter and Communicate wisedom See Esa. 66.12 Amos 5.24 where there are express comparisons Or else the Reason of their being taken in a good sence is because in dry and unwatered Countries the inundation of Brooks are very seasonable and profitable Esa. 35.6 In the wilderness waters shall break out and streams in the Desart He adds ver 7. And the parched ground shall become a Pool and the thirsty Land-springs of water This is a metaphorical description of the blessings of Christs Kingdom and with respect to their sweetness and abundance A River if taken in an evil sence signifies the frequent irruptions and invasions of Enemies Esa. 18.2 A Nation whose Land the Rivers have spoiled Here is Divine vengeance foretold upon the wicked Ethiopians by armed Enemies who like mighty currents which none can resist were to overwhelm their Land Some take this properly because there are frequent inundations in Ethiopia a Country full of Rivers Others Metonymically understand it of Enemies who by the Rivers would invade the Country as the Turks often do Hungary upon the River Danubius See Esa. 8.7 If it be taken in a good sence it denotes the favour and blessing of God Psal. 46.4 There is a River the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God The Holy habitation which God placed in that City is intimated to be like a most sweet and pleasant River whose Rivulets or Streams exhilarate and rejoyce in the whole City and therefore it is added The holy of the Tabernacles of the most High By River Jehovah himself by his Grace and protection inhabiting there may aptly be understood and his streams are the special blessings or benefits we receive from his Divine protection which flow from his Grace as Rivulets from a River Neither would it be any error if it should be referred to the Word of God for where that is purely taught and flourishes God himself cannot but be graciously present there c. Esa. 41.18 I will open Rivers in High Places and Fountains in the midst of the Vallies I will make the wilderness a Pool of water and the dry Land-springs of water This is a metaphorical description of the Kingdom of Christ. Brentius upon the place By this metaphor of the Desert waters Fountains and Trees ver 19. is understood That God was to give the Gentiles who are called by the name of dry ground and Desert a most large and capacious Fountain that is the Preaching of his VVord in great plenty that they that are thirsty may drink of the Fountain that is Christ and Eternal blessedness John 7.38 He that believeth on me as the Scripture saith out of his belly shall flow Rivers of Living water Christ speaking of his being to give the Spirit to his believing Apostles by a wonderful effusion as ver 39. Therefore flowing of water must be understood of the plentiful gifts and operations of the Holy Ghost by which the Apostles and other Ministers by Preaching of the Gospel converted many unto Christ and filled them with living comfort VVhat Christ adds viz. as the Scripture saith belongs to the following words and the flowing of living waters out of their Bellies is inferred from some certain places of the Old Testament such as Esa. 58.11 Thou shalt be like a watered Garden and like a spring whose waters lye not that is fail not or do not wax dry Or from the whole substance of the Universal Gospel promises expounded or set forth by the allegory of Rivers Fountains and VVaters such are Esa. 44.3 and 49.10 Ezek. 36.25 26. Joel 3.1 and â—â— 23 Zach. 12.10 and 14.8 But Heinsius elegantly joyns the words as the Scripture saith with the words immediately going before He that believeth on me as the Scripture saith Christ has respect to that place Deut. 18.15.18 where the Prophet is promised Neither was there any place which was then more in their minds John 1.21 and 6.14 Act. 3.22 John 6.40 So that the words which follow out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living waters are really the words of Christ himself as is clear ver 39. See John 4.14 so far he The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peleg which signifies a Rivulet River or Stream with a gentle or natural current is much of the signification of the former Job 29.6 Rivers of Oyl signifies abundance of good things Prov. 21.1 The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the Rivulets of water that is he will incline it to what he pleases This similitude shews that Kings are carryed with great impetuosity where their inclinations prompt them But yet that it is in the power of God to convert them from evil to good as he dealt with the waters in the beginning directing the way where every River must run A Fountain is generally taken in a good sence with respect to Temporals and Spirituals Examples of the former are Deut. 33.28 The Fountain of Jacob that is the people of Israel which sprung from Jacob shall remain like a lasting Fountain Jer. 9.1 The Eye is called a Fountain or a vein of Tears that is it sheds Tears plentifully See Mark 5.29 Lev. 12.7 and 20.18 c. Examples of the later are Psal. 36.9 For with thee is the Fountain of Life that is thou O God art the cause of all Life and Heavenly blessedness Psal. 87.7 All my springs or Fountains are in thee The sence is That Believers regenerated by the Spirit of God of whom he speaks ver 4.5 should celebrate and sing praises to God in the Kingdom of Christ using this Argument All the Fountains of our life are in thee O our Blessed Saviour Thou alone art the Author Fountain and Original of Temporal Spiritual and Eternal Life Prov. 13.14 The Doctrine of the wise is a Fountain of Life that is wholesome or health-bringing and full of comfort like a clear Fountain which never wants refreshing or cooling water The
and punishment or afflictions c. See examples Job 30.16 Lam. 2.11 12. Psal. 22.14 15.73.2 Ezek. 16.15 Sometimes it is taken in a good sence sometimes of God sometimes of Man Of God as when he is said to pour out his spirit and his grace when he plentifully bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost upon Believers and exhibits his grace Esa. 32.15.44.3 Joel 3.1 Zach. 12.10 Act. 2.17 33. Rom. 5.5 Tit. 3.6 See Psal. 45.3 1 Sam. 1.15 Psal. 62.8 9. Lam. 2.19 Job 3.24 To Wash and make clean which is wont to be done with water is often translated to signifie the Justification of sinful man before God and his sanctification and Renovation To be washed from sin as from most fordid filth is to obtain remission of sins through the Mediator Christ Psal. 51.8 9. Esa. 4.4 Ezek. 16.4 9. 36.25 Act. 22.16 1 Cor. 6.11 Heb. 10.22 Rev. 1.5.7.14 Or that which is always joyned with the antecedent benefit of God to abstain from sin and practise Holiness and purity of Life Job 9 30. Psal. 26.6 Psal. 73.13 Prov. 30.12 Esa. 1.16 Jer. 4.14 Jam. 4.8 c. Of Metaphors taken from the Earth IN the Globe of the Earth two things are to be considered which afford as many metaphorical acceptations 1. That it is opposite to Heaven with respect to quantity and qualities Hence as Heaven denotes the spiritual Kingdom of God and the state of eternal felicity so on the contrary the Earth denotes the state of Corruption and Sin in which man after the fall was involved John 3.31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that is of the Earth is of the Earth and speaketh of the Earth A very fair Antanaclasis The first phrase of the Earth is properly taken and denotes an Earthly original that is to be begotten by a natural man in a natural way to which is opposed that Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 come from above and from heaven See 1 Cor. 15.47 The second phrase of the Earth metaphorically taken is to be carnally wise ignorant of Divine things lost in sin and an absolute stranger to heaven and the spiritual Kingdom of God which elsewhere is phras'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to mind that is only taken care for Earthly things Phil. 3.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to take care for those things which are of the Flesh Rom. 8.5 See John 3.6 1 Cor. 2.14 To which in this place of John viz. 3.31 is opposed that Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is above all that is the heavenly Lord and most Holy God void of all imperfection and worldly spot The last phrase to speak of the Earth is conformable to the first and is to speak those things which are contrary to the Kingdom of God erroneous and lying See 1 John 4.3 5. To which is opposed that Christ testifies that which he saw and heard and speaks the words of God which whosoever receives he Seals or Witnesses that God is true the like opposition Christ uses speaking to the carnal Jews John 8.23 2. Because the Earth affords men Houses and convenient Habitations in that respect Eternal Life and the heaven of the blessed is called a new Earth or Land Esa. 65.17.22 2 Pet. 3.13 Rev. 21.1 Because in it are those many Mansions which are provided by Christ for Believers John 14.2 In this sence some of the Fathers expound Matth. 5.5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth But this may be fitly interpreted of the Earth on which we dwell For this sentence seems to be borrowed from Psal. 37.11 The meek shall inherit the Earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace The meaning may be they who do violence to none and when injur'd easily forgive who choose rather to lose their right then vexatiously to wrangle or contend who value Concord and Tranquillity of mind before great Estates to whom a quiet Poverty is more welcom then brawling Riches these I say will truly and with a mind full of tranquillity inhabit and possess this Earth and in it will enjoy the grace and blessing of God to them and their posterity whilst the Goods of the wicked are by divine Vengeance scatter'd as it were into the light Winds so that these viz. the meek are the true possessors of the Land and as it were the props or pillars that conserve it whereas the wicked together with the Devils are but possessors of a bad Faith and unjust Ravishers for whose malice every Creature groans and does as it were tacitly implore Deliverance of the great Creator Rom. 8.20 21 22. c. So much in general now we shall briefly shew what Metaphors are taken from the several parts of the Earth As 1. A Mountain or Hill being a more high and elevated part of the Earth metaphorically denotes 1. Heaven the habitation of God so called by an Anthropopathy as he is elsewhere said to dwell in the highest Psal. 3.5 I cryed unto the Lord with my voice and he heard me out of his Holy Hill that is from Heaven As if he had said I am cast out from the place of the Terrestrial Sanctuary appointed in Jerusalem but there is yet an open access to the Holy Hill of God his heavenly habitation where my Prayers shall be heard and shall implore the wished help against those rebellious and stubborn Enemies So Psal. 99.9 Psal. 121.1 and 123.1 and 15.1 18.8 2 Sam. 22.8 2. Kingdoms and Empires which like Mountains have a preheminence in the World Psal. 30.7 Lord by thy favour thou hast made my Mountain to stand strong that is thou hast given my Kingdom strength and tranquility Psal. 76.4 Thou art more glorious and excellent than the Mountains of prey that is the Kingdoms of the wicked who unjustly plunder and prey upon the World Jer. 51.25 Behold I am against thee O destroying Mountain saith the Lord c. Illyricus So he calls Babylon although it was situate in a plain because of the loftiness of its Dignity and Power by which as a very high Mountain it hung over other Cities and People But others think that by the vast circuit and thickness of its Walls it rise like a Mountain for Herodotus Strabo Pliny and Diodorus Siculus affirm that the Walls of Babylon were 50 Cubits thick and 200 Royal Cubits high And that which is added in the same place that Babylon should be made a burning Mountain is to be understood of the rubbish and ruinous heap which was left like a Mountain after the burning of that great City Hab. 3.6 The Everlasting Mountains were scattered and the perpetual Hills did bow that is the Kingdoms of the peoples were suddenly shaken and overthrown He speaks of the blessing of God which expelled the Canaanites and distributed their Lands to his people by his Ministers Moses and Joshua See Exod. 15.14 c. 3. Any proud Enemies of the Kingdom of God Esa. 2.14 The day of the Anger of the Lord upon all the High
the Custom of Heathens who in their Games and publick Exercises of wrestling and the like had some that used to sit as Vmpires to give to them that did best the Reward of a Garland or Crown or some such thing yet were sometimes unjust and defrauded by some corrupt dealing those that really won the prize The sence is that they should not trust the Judgment of Divine matters and the Mysteries of Gods Law with respect to Worship to the Folly of humane Reason and the Comments of Will Worshippers lest they should lose Truth and consequently the prize of Eternal Salvation Col. 3.15 The White Stone Rev. 2.17 is a symbol of Heavenly glory To him that overcometh will I give a White Stone and in the Stone a new Name written c. The Metaphor as some conjecture is taken from an ancient Custome that a White Stone was given to an acquitted person that was accused and tryed and a Black one to guilty and condemned according to that of Ovid. 15. Metam Mos erat Antiquis niveis atrisquè lapillis His damnare Reos illis absolvere culpae c. The Custom was by White and Black small Stones T' Acquit the Guiltless and Dam'n guilty ones The writing of a new Name in the White Stone is said by Interpreters to denote not only a freedom from condemnation but also an adorning with heavenly Glory 1 John 3.2 Others say that 't is a symbol of Victory c. A Cup 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the guests drink out of it Jer. 16.7 Luke 22.17 and because it holds sometimes bitter liquor sometimes sweet metaphorically denotes sometimes a prosperous and happy condition as Psal. 16.5 23.5 and 116.13 Sometimes Punishment and Affliction Psal. 11.6 and 75.8 Esa. 51.17 22. Lam. 4.21 Jer. 25.15 and 51.7 Ezek. 23.33 34. Matth. 20.22 23. and 26.39 42. c. A Hand Writing commonly called a Bond Col. 2.14 is put for an obligation or that guilt that sinners incurr'd by sinning the cancelling of which and fixing it upon the Cross is the full or plenary satisfaction for sin made by Christ and applied to the soul by true Faith upon which see Erasmus in his paraphrase who does excellently expound it A Crown That peculiar and principal Ornament of the head in general denotes any beautiful or very pleasing Ornament or profitable thing Prov. 4.9 and 17.6 Jer. 13.18 Phil. 4.1 1 Thess. 2.19 Hence to Crown is put for to adorn bless with good things and so to make joyful Psal. 8.5 and 103.4 See Psal. 65.11 Esa. 23.8 Tyre is called the Crowning City that is a place that made its Inhabibitants great and Wealthy for 't is added whose Merchants are Princes whose Traffiquers are the honourable of the Earth 2. A Crown is the symbol of an Empire or a Kingdom hence the Kingdom of Israel is called a Crown of Pride Esa. 28.1 See Hos. 5.5 and 7.10 viz. a most proud Kingdom More Examples are to be read Psal. 21.3 and 89.39 Lam. 5.16 Ezek. 21.26 But this rather belongs to a Metonymie of the sign But 't is metaphorically when Crowning is attributed to Christ the heavenly King Zach. 6.11 12 13 14. Psal. 8.5 Heb. 2.7 9. c. 3. It denotes heavenly Reward or Eternal Life 1 Cor. 9.25 2 Tim 2.5 and 4.8 Jam. 1.12 1 Pet. 5.4 Rev. 2.10 and 3.11 c. Riches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for plenty of heavenly things and the spiritual gifts received through Christ Luke 12.21 1 Cor. 1.5 2 Cor. 6.10 and 8.9 Heb. 10.34 and 11.26 Col. 2.2 Jam. 2.5 Rev. 3 18. See Esa. 53.9 Serious piety 2 Cor. 8.2 and 9.11 1 Tim. 6.18 The Conversion of the Gentiles Rom. 11.12 Treasure denotes plenty of heavenly good Esa. 33.6 Matth. 6.20 c. which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Inheritance of Believers Acts 20.32 Eph. 1.14 18. Col. 3.24 Heb. 9.15 1 Pet. 1.4 And Believers themselves are called Heirs and Co-heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.7 Tit. 3.7 Heb. 6.17 Jam. 2.5 1 Pet. 3.7 Hence the phrase to inherit the Kingdom of heaven Matth. 19.29 25.34 and sundry other places the metaphor is taken from the Jewish Inheritances which were kept very sacredly and strictly by the Possessors and left to their posterity as appears by that Heroick speech of Naboth 2 Kings 21.3 who refused to exchange his Vineyard for a better c. To Riches Treasures c. are oppos'd poverty and begging which denote the want of spiritual good things Rev. 3.17 Sometimes Repentance and Contrition with a desire after them Matth. 5.3 and 11.5 Luke 4.18 and 6.20 c. A Debt denotes sin Matth. 6.12 See Luke 11.4 Luke 13.4 because we become thereby obnoxious to the wrath of God as a Debtor does to the Arrest and Suit of his Creditor See the Parables Matth. 5.26 and 18.23 c. Luke 7.41 42 47. and the appellation of a Bond Col. 2.14 of which before A Whip Metaphorically denotes Affliction Calamity and Loss 1 Kings 12.11 14. Josh. 23.13 Job 5.21 and 9.23 Esa. 10.25 and 28.18 Mark 3.10 and 5.29.34 Luke 7.21 Heb. 12.6 c. The Hammer of the whole Earth is a metaphorical Epithet of the Babylonian Monarch Jer. 50.23 because God as if it were with a great Hammer made use of him at that time to break in pieces the Kingdomes of the whole World See Jer. 23.29 and 51.20 A Table denotes heavenly good things Psal. 23.5 69.22 Prov. 9.2 Rom. 11.9 A Measure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 metron has 3 metaphorical significations 1. Because it contains part of an intire heap or parcel it is put for that portion or proportion of the gifts of the Spirit which Beleivers have Rom. 12.3 Eph. 4.7 16. Thus it is said of Christ John 3.34 That God giveth not the Spirit by Measure unto him on which Tertullian most elegantly Spiritus sanctus habitat in Christo plenus totus nec in aliqua Mensura aut portione Mutilatus sed cum tota sua redundantia cumulatè admissus ut ex illo delibationem quandam gratiarum caeteri consequi possint totius sancti spiritus in Christo fonte remanente ut ex illo donorum atque operum venae ducerentur spiritu sancto in Christo affluentèr habitante That is The Holy Spirit dwells fully and intirely in Christ only neither is it in any Measure or portion maimed or defective but with his whole redundancy intirely or absolutely admitted that others may receive the Communications of Graces from him the whole spring or fountain of the spirit remaining in Christ that the Veins of gifts and works may convey influence from him the Holy Spirit dwelling most abundantly in him 2. In regard a Measure is filled when a thing is sold it is put for a large remuneration of benefits Luke 6.38 or blessings As also the abundance or termination of evil and wickedness Matth. 23.32 with 1 Thess. 2.16 fill ye up then
the Measure of your Fathers viz. of the sins of your Fathers as Erasmus paraphrases it go on imitate your Ancestors and what they wanted of extreme cruelty do ye make it up they killed the Prophets and you him by whom and of whom they Prophesied The highest pitch of villany is noted by this phrase beyond which there is no further progress and makes ripe for Divine Vengeance and severest punishment which certainly follows it as payment follows things fully measured and sold. See the examples of the Amorites Gen. 15.16 Of the Sodomites Gen. 18.20 c. Of the Amalekites Exod. 17.14 1 Sam. 15.2 c. 3. Because there is a mutual equality and proportion in giving and restoring therefore it is metaphorically said in a Proverb with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again which we find three times with a different or diverse scope 1. Denoting just Retaliation either with respect to reward or punishment Matth. 7.2 Luke 6.38 Relating to our Neighbour 2. A legitimate and saving handling of the Word of God Mark 4.24 As Euthymius says as ye attend the Word so ye shall profit in knowledge Or 3. As Piscator says If ye communicate the word of God liberally God will communicate the knowledge of his Divine Mysteries more liberally to you and augment your Gifts c. For this heavenly Talent is improved and multiply'd by communicating it to others A Razor which shaves off hair is put for the King of Assyria Esa 7 2O Denoting that God would permit him to destroy Israel 'T is called hired with respect to the fact of Ahaz who hired the King of Assyria to assist him against the King of Syria 2 Kings 16.7 8. Moab is call a wash pot by David Psal. â—â—0 9 denoting the baseness of those people and that they were only fit for the vilest Offices 2 Sam. 8.2 A Burthen denotes things troublesom and difficult Exod. 6.6 Psal. 55.22 Esa. 9.4 and 10.27 14.25 Matth. 23.4 c. Weight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies the greatness of heavenly glory 2 Cor. 4.17 frequently Trouble and Misfortune Matth. 10.12 Acts 15.28 Gal. 6.2 1 Thess. 2.6 Rev. 2.24 See Prov. 27.3 Sin is called heavy Heb. 12.1 because it is an impediment in our heavenly race or course to heaven Of a Seal we have treated before A Looking glass denotes an imperfect knowledge of the Mysteries of God in this Life 1 Cor. 13.12 because it gives but an imperfect reflection of the figure or object compared to the object it self And because some Looking-glasses reflect the rays or beams of the Sun when it shines on them to an object The Apostle elegantly says uses the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beholding in a Glass for the light of Divine knowledge 2 Cor. 3.18 But we with open face beholding as in a Glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image that is are eminently illuminated and communicate light to others from Glory to Glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. Spoils taken from an Enemy denotes Christs Victory over Satan Esa. 53.12 Luke 11.22 Col. 2.15 a mans life is said to be to him for a prey which denotes deliverance from present Death as he that takes a booty exposes his life to Danger Jer. 21.9 and 38.2 and 39.18 and 45.5 Stipend or wages given to a Soldier is attributed to Sin Rom. 6.23 whose due wages is death Eternal A Table is attributed to the heart when it is fixed upon any thing Prov. 3.3 Jer. 17.1 A Cover or Covering denotes ignorance because if a thing be covered we cannot see it Esa. 25.7 2 Cor. 3.14 15 16. Lam. 3.65 A Sheath or Scabbard is put for the body because the Soul lodges there as a Sword in a Sheath Dan. 7.15 A Vessel is put for a mans body 1 Sam. 21.5 1 Thess. 4.4 Paul calls himself and his Collegues Earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4.7 because of the Contempt Calamities and Hazards that they were expos'd to in the World as Earthen Vessels are more despised and more obnoxious to be broken than such as are made of Silver and Gold 1 Pet. 3.7 Peter calls a Woman the weaker Vessel because more subject to weaknesses and infirmities than men Paul is called a chosen Vessel by Christ Acts 9.15 that is a most choice and excellent instrument whom he would use to Convert the Gentiles Vessels of Grace or Honour are such as are saved by Grace and Vessels of Wrath and Dishonour such as rejected and damned for their Infidelity and Contempt of the Messiah Rom. 9.21 22 23. See 2 Tim. 2.20 21. Where there is an express comparison See Esa. 22.8 c. A Garment which covers the body defends and adorns it yeilds a double Metaphor 1. It denotes Salvation by the application and appropriation of the great benefits of Christ as well in this life as in that which is to come Psal. 45.8.13 14. Esa. 61 10. Rev. 3.18 and 7.14 and 16.15 The reason of the Comparison is excellent 1. From the hiding of indecenâ—â— nakedness of which Psal. 32 1. Rom. 4.6 7. 2. Because thereby the body is defended from Cold and other noxious things Matth. 2â—â— 12 Rom. 8.30 c. 3 Because it adorns and beautifies Psal. 110.3 c. See the Parables Ezek. 16.10 c. Math. 22.11.12 Luke 15.22 The Typical Visions Zach. 3.3 c. Rev. 7.13 14. and 19.8 and 21 2. The Typical Actions Gen. 3.21 and 24.52 The Putting on and constant keeping of this spiritual Garment is primarily by Faith in Christ Rom. 13.14 Gal. 3.26 and 27. And consequently by the Renovation of Holy Spirit and the Conversation of a Holy Life Rom. 13.12 Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10 12. 1 Pet. 3 3 4. Contrary to this is the Garment spotted with the Flesh Jude ver 23. The defiling of Garments Rev. 3.4 which is the old man Eph. 4.22 Col. 3.8 See Esa. 59.5 6. c. 2. With respect to outward Conversation Sheeps Cloathing is attributed to the False Prophets and False Teachers in the Church Matth. 7.15 Which denotes any outward things which are specious and made use of craftily to acquire authority and popular favour as when men make use of a dissembling personated or hypocritical sanctity as a Cloak to inveagle and deceive others When they pretend to be called of God Jer. 23.25 30. 1 Kings 13.18 Matth. 7.22 When they make a flourish about the knowledge of Tongues Universal Learning great Eloquence and other acquired Ornaments Rom. 16.18 1 Cor. 13.1 2. and gifts especially the working of Miracles whether truly done or by meer Imposture Deut. 13.2 Matth. 7.22 2 Thess. 2.9 See 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. 2 Tim. 3.5.6 Col. 2.18 To this Sheeps Cloathing is fitly oppos'd A Wolfish mind denoting 1. The quality of their Doctrine viz. it was damning and a Wolf is a destroyer of Sheep 2. Their bloody principles that would cruelly Lord it and Tyrannize over mens Consciences
16. 1 Pet. 2.5 9. Rev. 1.6 5.10 20.6 because they Sacrifice spiritually to him The Ministry of the Gospel is expressed by the Name of the Levites Isa. 66.21 Jer. 33.18 21 22. Paul is said Rom. 15.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sacra operari vel sacerdotio fungi to act the Priesthood whence the Papists infer that he said Mass which is a ridiculous and false conclusion for he adds immediately the Gospel of God so that the term is Metaphorical and signifies the preaching of the Gospel as ver 19 20. Upon which Illyricus well says If the Apostle had not spoke so clearly of this Metaphorical Sacrifice of Preaching the Adversaries would by any Means from thence endeavour to confirm their Mass c. Secondly Sacred Actions have either God or Men immediately for their Object Of the first kind are Sacrifices offer'd to God according to his VVord This word Metaphorically denotes the whole Obedience Passion and Death of Christ and so his satisfaction for the sins of the VVorld Eph. 5.2 Heb. 9.23 26 28. and 10.10 12 14. Of which the old sacrifices were Types and Shadows Then the whole worship of Christians is call'd a Sacrifice Isa. 19.21 and 56.7 and 60.7 1 Pet. 2.5 More particularly by the word Sacrifice is expressed serious Contrition of heart Psal. 51.18 19. Faith and Holiness Mal. 1.11 Rom. 15.16 See Rom. 1.5 Phil. 2.17 New Obedience and Mortification of the Flesh Rom. 12.1 See Psal. 4.5 Sacrifice the sacrifices of Righteousness Devout Prayer is called a Sacrifice Psal. 141.2 Isa. 50.7 So is glorifying of God Psal. 50.14 107.22 Hos. 14.3 Heb. 13.15 Helping our Neighbour Phil. 4.18 Heb. 13.16 Martyrdom for the Truth Phil. 2.17 2 Tim. 4.6 Gods vengeance on his Enemies Isa. 36.6 The offering of first Fruits mentioned Lev. 23.9 10. Numb 15.20.21 Deut. 2â—â— 2 c. yeilds some metaphors 1 Cor. 15.20 It is said that Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The First Fruits of them that sleep that is of the Dead that shall rise again ver 23. For as a plentiful Harvest followed the offering of First-fruits so shall an universal Resurrection in due season succeed or follow the Resurrection of Christ. Some observe from Lev. 23.11 That the First-fruits were to be offered to the Lord on the Morrow after the Sabbath that is our Christian Sabbath or Lords-day vulgarly after the custom of the Heathens call'd Sunday and that in that very year wherein Christ suffered the day of offering First fruits fell on that day wherein our Lord rose from the Dead so making an excellent congruity with this allusive metaphor which Paul used 2. Beleivers are said to be First fruits 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aparche that is selected from the whole lump of mankind and consecrated to himself into the Adoption of the Sons of God as the First fruits were separated from the rest of the fruits and consecrated to God The glorified Saints in heaven are so called Rev. 14.4 Beleivers are said to have the first fruits of the spirit Rom. 8.23 For as the Israelites by the oblation of first Fruits had hopes to receive the remaining part in due season by the blessing of God So Beleivers by those gifts they receive in part of the Holy Spirit have hopes of a fulness of Joy and a full Harvest of Glory Some understand this of the Apostles only who received the First-Fruits of the Spirit miraculously Acts 2. But the former explication is more conformable to the scope of the Text. 3. It is said of the Jews Jer. 2.3 That they were the First-fruits of his increase that is chosen out of and before all other people of the World and consecrated to him The metaphor is continued All that devour him shall be desolate that is because as any that converted the sacred provision of offerings to their own use against Gods order were guilty and punished Lev. 5. so the People that would eat that is make Israel desolate shall themselves be destroyed Rom. 11.16 If the First-fruit be holy the lump is also Holy and if the Root be Holy so are the Branches that is as the whole lump was holy according to the Law when the first-fruits were offered so whereas the Patriarchs and Elders of the Jews were holy unto the Lord or a people peculiarly separated from all people to him this prerogative shall not expire with respect to their posterity but these also shall enjoy the participation of heaven and blessedness provided they believe the Gospel and heartily embrace it Neither does the Apostle speak of a spiritual but of a legal Holiness Sacred Actions of the latter kind which have men immediately for their Objects although primarily directed to the Worship of God are these Circumcision the peculiar Character of the people of God is put for Regeneration called the Circumcision of the Heart Deut 10.16 and 30.6 Rom. 2.28 Of which there is a fair Periphrasis Col. 2.11 In whom also ye are Circumcised with the Circumcision 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the Flesh by the Circumcision of Christ and ver 12. adjoyns baptism a principal medium of Renovation c. As the Jews were metonymically called the Circumcision of which we have spoke in the chapt of that Trope so Christians are metaphorically so called Phil. 3.3 And the prophane and wicked are called the Vncircumcision Lev. 26.41 Esa. 52.1 Jer. 4.4 And 6.10 And 9.26 Ezekiel 44.9 Acts 7.51 Col. 2.13 Moses is said to be of uncircumsed Lips Exod. 6.12.30 that is dull of speech or not Eloquent Of the Circumcising of Trees we have treated before Sprinkling upon the people either by Blood as Exod. 24.8 and 29.21 Lev. 14.7 c. Or by water mixt with the ashes of a red Heifer Num. 19. Heb. 9.13 c. Because it was a Type of Cleansing by Christ from sin is metaphorically put for it Esa. 52.15 Heb. 10 2â—â— and 12.24 1 Pet. 1.2 In this are three things remarkable 1. The Satisfaction and merit of Christ called the blood of Sprinkling Heb. 12.4 compared Heb. 9.13 14. 2. The Evangelical Word of Christ which is as it were Hyssop Psal. 51.7 which the Priest sprinkled upon unclean things as the Chaldee paraphrases it See the foregoing and following verses is sprinkled as it were upon the soul in order to its cleansing from sin See Romans 16.25 26. c. Gal. 3 2 5. c. 3. True Faith which is that very sprinkling of the blood of Christ by the Holy Spirit or the application of his Merits and satisfaction therefore they are joyned together Heb. 10.22 Annointing or Vnction because it was used to Kings 1 Sam. 10.1 and 16.13 1 Kings 19.16 To the Cheif or High Priest Exod. 40.12 c. And to Prophets 1 Kings 19.16 Metaphorically denotes any that have a singular call or Consecration to God who are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Annointed Psal. 105.15
Esa. 45.1 And by way of excellency the Messiah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vnctus our chief Priest King and Prophet blessed for ever is so called as the word denotes Dan. 9.24 Psal. 2.2 John 1.42 And 4.25 Hence the name of the annointed one is commonly given him in the New Testament Matth. 1.16 17. And 2.4 And 11.16 And 22.42 Luke 2.26 See also Psal. 2.6 And 45.7 8. Esa. 61.1 Dan. 9.25 Luke 4.18 Acts 10.38 Heb. 1.9 See Col. 2.9 And John 3.34 35. From our Lord Christ we are called Christians because we believe in him Acts 11.26 being made partakers of that Holy Annointing Heb. 1.9 John 2.20 Hence made Kings and Priests Rev. 1.6 See Esa. 61.3 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Rom. 5.5 c. 3. Holy Days and Times Of these the Sabbath is most eminent being a day of rest the seventh in a week instituted by God upon the compleating of his creating work Gen. 2.3 and most exactly to be observed by the people of Israel by the the Command of God this is metaphorically translated to express New Testament Worship Esa. 56.4 and to denote the rest of eternal blessedness Esa. 66.23 where there is mention also of a New Moon in the same sence which was a Jewish Holy-day likewise Hence it is said Heb. 4.9 That there is a Sabbatism left for the people of God From the Jewish Pass-over to which the Days of unleavened bread were joyned the Apostle makes a fair Allegorical exhortation 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Where Christ is called our Pass-over because he was sacrific'd and slain for us as the Paschal Lambs which were Types of the Messiah were slain in the Old Testament The Feast of Tabernacles is put for the whole spiritual Worship of the Old Testament Zach. 1â—â— 16 18 19. All Christians while they sojourn as Strangers and Pilgrims in this world do celebrate a Feast of Tabernacles whilst they long for the heavenly City to which they hasten not with the feet of the body but by the affection of the Heart and the progress of piety and good works See Gen. 47.9 Psal. 39.12 Psal. 119 19. 2 Cor. 5.4 6 8. Heb. 11.13 14. The words of Augustine are memorable Vse the World says he But let it not insnare you that thou hast come into it art upon thy Journey out of it and that thou didst come to depart not to tarry is certain thou art then upon a Journey let this Life be thy Inn use money as a Traveller upon the Road does a Table Cup Pot and Bed that is to leave them not to tarry with them So much of Old Testament Rites those of the New Testament are two Baptism and the Lords Supper Baptism and to Baptize are metaphorically put 1. For the miraculous effusion of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other Believers in the primitive Church To the Holy Spirit is sometimes added Fire which is a symbol of its external manifestation Acts 2.3 Matth. 3.11 Mark 1.8 Luke 3.16 John 1.33 Acts 1.5 and 11.16 Some give a Reason of the appellation from the Analogical Immersion or dipping for so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Baptize signifies because the house where the holy Spirit came upon the Apostles was so filled that they were as it were drowned in it Others say that the reason of the appellation is from the great plenty and abundance of those gifts as the Baptized were wont to be plunged or dipped in water or that they were wholly immerged in this Likewise because by the efficacy of the holy Spirit they were cleansed from sin refreshed and purified as water quenches thirst and washes away spots and filth c. 2. It is put for Calamities and Afflictions especially those of Christ Matth. 20.22.23 Mark 10.38 39. Luke 12.50 The Reason of this metaphor is likewise taken from multitude or abundance as Calamities are elsewhere compared to many and deep waters Psal. 18.16 and 32.6 and 69.1 2. c. 3. For the miraculous passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea 1 Cor. 10.2 which was a Type of Gospel Baptism c. From Bread the other part of the Lords Supper some think a metaphor is taken 1 Cor. 10.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quoniam unus panis unum Corpus multi sumus which is word for word in English thus because one Bread we being many are one body in our Translation for being many and one Body Upon which Erasmus in his Annotations The Greeks think that we understand that Bread which is the Body of the Lord Whereas all Christians are Members of Christ as if he had corrected what he before had spoke viz. we partake for it is more to be one and the same than partaker And in his Paraphrase thus We being all partakers of the same Bread do declare that though we be many in Number yet in the consent and harmony of minds we are one Bread and one Body Others Glassius in Rhet. sacra p. 434. says more truly understand the word Bread properly and that there is an Ellipsis of the Verb substantive is in this sence There is one Bread in the holy Supper So likewise we being many are one body the Syriack clearly expresses it thus As that Bread is therefore one so all we are one body For we all receive of the self same Bread For that sameness of Bread in the holy Supper is to be understood with respect to the Sacramental use of it as well as the Identity of matter c. CHAP. XIV Of a Synecdoche HAving largely gone through the most frequent and most eminent Tropes in the Scripture principally Metaphors we will be more Concise in what follows and illustrate each with a few Scripture Examples by which the rest of chat kind may be easily understood A Synecdoche is a Trope by which the whole is put for part or part for the whole And whereas the whole is either the Genus or Intire thing And part is a Species or Member we will treat of the 4 kinds of Synecdoche's in order A Synecdoche of the Genus is when the Genus is put for the Species or an Vniversal for a Particular as when 1. The Term All is put for the greatest part or many as that Rule of Law in the Pandects § quod Major All seem to do that which the greater part does In doing this there must be great heed taken to the Scope and right meaning of the Text take a few Examples out of the Old Testament Exod. 9.6 And All the Cattle of Egypt Died that is all that is in the field as ver 3. and some were left as ver 19. Chap. 14.26 28. and cap. 9.29 Exod. 32.3 All the People that is the greatest part as ver 26. Hence Paul uses a particular word 1 Cor. 10.7 viz. Some See more Examples Exod. 32.26 with ver 29. and Deut. 33.9 Isa. 2.2 3. Deut. 28.64 2 Sam 16.22 Hos. 7.4 c. In the New Testament
his protection like a refreshing shade is round about them Thou hast been a shadow from the heat II. God is the Souls chief and only Sanctuary When I am afraid saith David I will trust in thee that is as the Emphasis of the word bears I will retire into thee my blessed Habitation for thou art a strength to the poor and needy and a refuge from the storm When the blast of the terrible one is as a storm against the wall c. In the strangest Convulsions of State Revolutions of Kingdoms and Epidemical Calamities that afflict the World the Inhabitants of this blessed Mansion are sure to enjoy certain safety and tranquility III. Such as dwell in this heavenly habitation are preserved from a dead frozen and benummed frame of spirit they are made zealous and warm for God fervent in spirit serving the Lord inflamed with a divine fervour by the influence of the holy Spirit which is called Fire animating them with courage and resolution to stand for God and his ways against all opposition IV. God is a good mans chief comfort he is the joy and delight of his Soul for as he is the summum bonum in himself so all good things are radically and originally derivative from him therefore such as would partake thereof must have recourse to him In him is the Saints treasure laid up with him is the most desirable Communion Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none on earth that I desire besides thee says David V. Such is God to the Soul thither is the weary and heavy laden sinner invited in order to receive rest there 's eternal repose after the troublesome Pilgrimage of the flesh in reversion for all that die in the Lord Return unto thy rest O my Soul saith David c. VI. God is a Christians Home one may be said to be absent from God when he strays abroad giving the full Reins to a loose carnal and dissolute mind pursuing the vanities and follies of the world neglecting the solid comforts and delights of his proper home exposing himself to the hazards and disorders of a strange and dangerous entertainment among his Soul-Enemies whereas to live with God in a way or spiritual Love and Communion is to dwell in God and makes way for a more immediate and personal participation of his glory after death which made the Apostle desire to depart Phil. 1 21 22 23. Because death was gain to him inasmuch as it was to state him in his blessed and eternal home VII The Lord Jesus is the way that leads to this heavenly habitation I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh to the Father but by me he is a Priest to attone a King to govern and a Prophet to teach and direct his people VIII God is a Sanctuary to his Saints and a safe retreating place from the assaults of Satan sin and in-bred corruption From these Enemies there is no safety but by flying to the mercy of God in Christ. IX Christ is the Door that lets into this heavenly habitation this Door is always open to such only as are his known and approved Friends I am the Door by me if any man enter he shall be saved No man knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son shall reveal him X. This heavenly habitation is furnished with all those glorious Ornaments that are needful for spiritual profit or delight Gospel Institutions and Ordinances are by Expositors understood to be the Galleries of this habitation where the King is held In all places where I record my Name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee The blood of Christ is a Fountain of life Rev. 21.6 A Fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness Zach. 13.1 His Church is his Garden A Garden inclosed is my Sister my Spouse Cant. 4.12 His word as a green and pleasant pasture Psal. 23.2 and his Spirit the Spring that waters every plant and flower I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed c. Isa. 44.3 XI 'T is an Interest in God that makes a Soul to value him at so high a rate Thou art my God I will praise thee Thou art my God I will exalt thee Psal. 118.28 The Lord is my portion therefore will I hope in him XII To this heavenly habitation friends are solemnly invited Hoe every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without monâ—â—y and without price Now hath God granted to the Gentiles who were Strangers and Aliens repentance unto life This is the receptacle of poor hungry souls where a plentiful relief is daily given and freely distributed XIII He that dwells not in God through Christ is in a very sad and dismal condition being exposed to the cursâ—â— of the Law and divine wrath upon the wicked he shall rain snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest XIV The glorious Attributes of God are as so many retiring Rooms and places of security and repose to which the Saints must have recourse in times of danger Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as if it were for a little moment until the indignation be overpast More particularly inasmuch as he is Omniscient he knows what 's best for us and we ought to acquiesce in his will He is all wise and therefore orders all things to work for our spiritual good He is Almighty and can accomplish or effectually bring to pass whatsoever his knowledge dictates for our good He is faithful and therefore whatsoever he has promised shall be certainly fulfilled He is good and merciful which is a great encouragement to sinners to make application to him and commit themselves to his protection When I am afraid saith David I will put my trust in thee He is eternal and therefore an Everlasting Salvation c. METAPHOR I. A Habitation or house though never so stately and magnificent is yet the work and contrivance of a humane Architect and is composed of perishing materials II. Habitations here below serve only to accommodate the body the Rich Man in the Gospel that fared sumptuously every day had no Habitation for his Soul but Hell verse 23. III. A Habitation may be overthrown by an Earthquake blown down by a Storm demolished by an Enemy consumed by fire or the decays of time c. IV. A House may secure from some but not all dangers for Thieves may rob us of our Treasure or an Enemy if stronger may dispossess us and strip us of that and all our Estate V. A Habitation in its circumference and dimensions is limited and may be easily filled neither is any so compleat but may admit of further improvement or
their good things here IV. The Lord does not expect that Heathens and Infidels who are like dry and barren ground should bring forth or yield him so much increase and fruit of grace and holiness as those people and nations to whom he hath afforded his blessed Gospel and those Churches that he hath planted and bestowed much cost and pains upon Where much is given a suitable improvement is required and where but little the improvement of a little V. God separates his people from all the people of the world to be a peculiar inheritance unto himself There they have bounds set them viz. Holy laws and institutions within which they ought always to keep that they mix not themselves with the world to pass which bounds is a high and provoking evil VI. God Almighty takes special care of his Church and of every branch and member thereof And for their preservation hath made a hedge a fence yea a glorious Wall round about them This the Devil knows and nothing troubles him more hast thou not made a hedge about him and about all that he hath See more in the Metaphors of a Garden and Vineyard VII The Lord doth by his word plow up the fallow ground of our hearts When he threatned spiritual Judgments upon Israel his ancient Vineyard he says by the Prophet it shall not be digged but there shall come up briars and thorns Before our hearts are digged up they lie fallow Break up your fallow ground And sow not among thorns VIII The Lord finds all our hearts naturally very hard yet some more hard and obdurate than others And that he may effectually break them into pieces he uses divers Instruments some of his Ministers come with the smooth plow of the Gospel Others with the Maâ—â—tock of the law from Mount Sinai Some denounce the threatnings in Gods word like a hammer to break the Rock in pieces IX The Lord shews us in his word that no Persons whatsoever can bring forth good and acceptable fruit till by the word and spirit of grace they are wrought upon and planted or sowen by him X. When God hath through his word and holy spirit broken up the sinners heart by powerful convictions so that the inside of the soul is to it s own sight as it were turned outward as in the case of the woman of Samaria who cried out Come see a man which told me all things that ever I did and as 't was with the Jews Peter preached to who cried out what shall we do Then the filthiness of the soul and its horrid pollution appears and the poor man cries out I did not think there had been so much abomination in my heart that I had been such a Rebel against God O the pride the lust the blasphemy hard heartedness vanity folly and unbelief I find there who could think I had such a prodigie of wickedness XI The Lord takes great pains uses many ways and bestowes great cost to make his People bring forth fruit unto him he sends his word his spirit his Ministers sets Conscience on work and if all will not do but that weeds of Corruption still spring and roots of bitterness remain he sends afflictions to humble and cleanse them and destroy the power of sin XII Though the blessed God sees his people do not Answer his unwearied pains but that abundance of earthliness barrenness and unprofitableness still remains in them yet be gives them not over but with much patience waits year after year not sparing continual labour in order to their Reformation that so they may bring forth more fruit unto him XIII The Lord bestows his choicest mercies upon his heritage with the greatest chearfulness I will rejoice over them to do them good and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart c. 't is freely given and without grudging he has done as much as could be done to his Vineyard XIV The Lord God knows that though the Church his spiritual Vineyard be sowed with good seed and planted with choice plants yet they cannot grow nor prosper unless watered from heaven with Divine showers and refreshing dew And therefore God opens the sluices or windows of heaven and makes the Fruits of the earth flourish and wonderfully increase the rain c. watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater c. XV. The Lord declares in hâ—â—s word that the lowly and humble soul is the most fruitful Christ says he went down to see the fruits of the Valley his chief expectation is from them that lie low in their own sight Trees planted by the water-courses thrive best and bring moist fruit The rain glides off from Hills and Mountains and the Valleys receive it The lofty proud self-conceited person is barren and fruitless the savour of Gods grace abides not on their hearts To this man will I look that is poor and of a contrite spirit he that sees its own emptiness and has no confidence in the flesh but whose trust and dependency is upon Christ is the thriving and fruitful person that like the tree by the waterside spreading his roots by the River shall not see when heat cometh but his leaf shall be green and he shall not be careful in the year of Drought XVI The Heavenly husbandman bestows much pains that he may destroy the weeds of indwelling sin and corruption in his people He uses various means as his word and holy spirit trials afflictions c. in order to that end by these he digs up those weeds by the roots as worldly mindedness unbelief and sensual lusts which else would choak the good seed though some remains of them are left behind to keep us humble and watchful such ill weeds grow apace and are ready to spring up when the least liberty is given By these also this blessed husbandman prunes and pares of suckers or superfluous branches which â—â—eed upon that sap which should nourish his tender plants such are carnal divisions strife and unnecessary contention among Saints busying themselves about idle and unprofitable notions or matters of slender consequence neglecting in the mean time those serious and practical parts of Christianity which are of absolute and undoubteâ—â— necâ—â—ssity these are the spiritual suckers of our time and are the cause that so many lean and barren souls are found in this spiritual Vineyard XVII The Heavenly husbandman waits for the fruit of his fields also He looked that it viz. his ancient vineyard should bring forth grapes Isa. 5.2 Went three years seeking fruit on the fig tree c. And whâ—â—n the time of fruit drew near he sent his servants to the husbandmen that they might receive the fruits of it c. Where God sows plentifully he expects a sutable crop where much is given much is required where
we have many means of increase of grace the Lord will expect the fruits of holiness from his people XVIII The Lord loves to visit his vineyard often and delights to behold the flourishing graces of his people He is gone Down into his garden into his beds of spices c. He eats his pleasant fruit he takes pleasure in his Saints and will beautifie the meek with salvation Let us see says he if the vine flourish whether the tender grape appears and the pomegranatâ—â—s bud forth there will I give thee my loves He rejoyâ—â—es to find his people abound with graces which are the blessed fruits of the spirit no Ambrosia so sweet to this heavenly husbandman as the holy performances of his Saints which is the effect of his own cost and labour XIX The Lord expresses great grief when his people bring forth no fruit or which is worse wild fruit he looked that it should bring forth grapes and it brought forth wild grapâ—â—s How he complains by the Prophet She viz. the vineyard Jerusalem was plucked up in fury the East wind driâ—â—d up her fruit Fire hath devoured her fruit this is a lamentation and shall be for a lamentation How it grieves the Lord to the heart when his servants his Ministers return this account we have laboured in vain and spent our strength for nought c. XX. When the Lord finds any barren or withered branch in his husbandry past hope of recovery he cuts them 〈◊〉 every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away Christ cursed the fruitless fâ—â—g treâ—â— and immediately it was driâ—â—d up this cutting off may be done by the immediate hand of God â—â—ith in Spirituals or Temporals or by the censure and excommunication of the Church XXI God hâ—â—th also many workmen in his Churches divers painfâ—â—l labourers in his harvest Miniâ—â—ers of the Gospel are spiritual harvest men We then as Workers together with you beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain XXII A faithful experienced and laborious Minister the Lord values above thousands of slothful false hearted and self seeking ones who care not for the flock so they have the fleece and if they have the wages care not for the work Moses was faithful in his house and therefore esteemed but Corah and hâ—â—s Company that fain would have been lookt upon as appointed by God like Moses were swallowed up XXIII The Church of God often suffers and is much spoiled by those innumerable swarms of Locusts or Catterpillars that came out of the bottomless pit by which according to the opinion of divers eminent Writers are meant the great swarms of Popish Priests Friars Monks Jesuits and even all the whole tribe of the Romish Hierarchy who are fitly likened to Locusts which as Naturalists say are a little vile kind of vermine that spring out of smoak flying together in vast numbers gnawing eating up or destroying all green things and fruits of the eaâ—â—th being a very slothful and idle creature resembling the Popish Clergy exactly who are bred out of the smoak and darkness of hellish ignorance they are slow bellies living upon the sweat of other mens brows To such Kingdoms or Countries as abound with pleasant plants they flock in swarms where they make havock and lay wast all green things in the Church of God as this and other Nations have felt and still feel infecting thousands with their damnable devices superstitious practices and inventions XXIV When God finds a Church or people without the life and power of grace and religion cold and lukewarm having only the Carkass of external profession and that no calls nor endeavours will reclaim them he withdraws his presence removes his Candlestick takes away the hedge and lays it waste Go to my place in Shilo where I set my name at first and see what I did to it for Israel 's wickedness So Sardis Ephesus Smirna Philadelphia c. and the rest of those once famous Asiatick Churches are become a barren and waste Wilderness XXV The Lord by his word and spirit which is as a fan in his hand severs the chaff and refuse part of his Children that nothing but the pure grain and seed of grace may remain in them and oftentimes by affliction winnows his Church Severing the true Christian from the dross and chaff of hypocrisie I will sift the house of Israel as Corn it sifted in a sieve c. METAPHOR I. SOme husbandmen hire their ground and pay Rent for what they have II. A husbandman maybe dispossest of his farm and turn'd out of all his estate by an enemy or the injustice of a party stronger than himself III. The husbandman thrives or grows poor aâ—â—cording as his husbandry gives good or bad returns IV. Husbandmen often faint and grow weary of working V. Husbandmen know not the success and event of their labour nor the nature of some ground till they try it VI. Husbandmen cannot rain to water their fields 't is God that gives the increase for which their dependance must be upon him VII The husbandman cannot make bad trees bring forth good fruit nor barren trees bear nor some sort of ground good let him do what he can VIII Storms Tempests excessive Rain Snow Heat or Cold often force the husbandman to a cessation of his labour and an enemy may compel him from his work IX A husbandman grows old and dies and leaves his husbandry DISPARITY I. BUt God is the proprietor and proper owner of all the Nations and people of the Earth whatsoever is under the whole heavens saith the Almighty is mine II. God cannot be dispossest or turned out of his inheritance for no strength or power is able to stand before him none can oppress him or take his right from him against his will he can destroy at once all that rise up against him III. God though he lays out very much to cultivate a Nation Church or People is never the poorer his treasure is inexhaustible and can receive no addition nor diminution Can a man be profitable to God My Goodness saith David extends not to thee All that he doth is for his Creatures profit IV. God in a proper sence cannot be weary therefore in Scripture when we read of his being weary 't is spoken by the figure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the manner of men by way of condescention to our capacities after much patience and forbearance and finding no fruit he is said to be weary not properly but as before the everlasting God the Lord the Creator of the ends of the Earth fainteth not neither is weary V. But God knows all things the hearts and spirits of all men he knows what nation or people will prove fruitful or otherwise before his word and spirit are employ'd to cultivate and try them VI. God can cause it to Rain when he pleases externally upon the earth and spiritually
called the Lord of Hosts because all Creatures in Heaven and Earth are of his Army II. God teaches his People how to behave themselves in spiritual Conflicts and to fight under his Banner when he calls them forth He warns them of the Dangers of Enemies and discovers the Subtilties and Devices of their Soul-Adversaries III. God doth nothing rashly for in all Wars he engages in or Desolations that he brings He consults his own Wisdom and doth all by the Counsel of his own Will IV. God is invested with Power and supreme Authority to raise Armies at his Pleasure if he gives but the Word they immediatly rally together God will lift up an Ensign to the Nations from far and will hiss unto them from the end of the Earth and behold they shall come with speeed quickly And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall hiss for the Fly that is in the uttermost part of the Rivers of Egypt and for the Bee that is in Assyria and they shall come c. All are ready when He gives the Summons Angels Men Dragons Beasts the great Deeps Fire Hail Snow Wind Frogs Flies Locusts Caterpillars c. let him but hiss as it were and they come to execute his Commands 'T is said of Pompey that when one of his Officers complained of the want of Men he should reply Let me but stamp with my foot upon the Ground of Italy and I shall have Men enough which was a Note of confident Pride in him for he was wholly defeated afterwards by Caesar Yet 't is always true of the Lord of Hosts for if he holds up his Finger all the Celestial and Terrestrial Host are ready to fight his Battels V. The Lord brings forth his Weapons out of his Armory He opened his Armory and hath brought forth the Weapons of his Indignation for this is the Work of the Lord c. Take to you the whole Armor of God c. VI. So does the Lord I will lift up an Ensign to the Nation from afar And when the Enemy comes in like a Flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him VII God commands the Trumpets to be blown that all might be prepared for the Day of his dreadful Controversy Blow the Trumpet in Sion and sound an Alarm in my holy Mountain Let all the Inhabitants of the Land tremble And the Lord shall he seen over them and his Arrows shall go forth as the Lightning and the Lord God shall blow the Trumpet and shall go forth with the Whirlwind of the South VIII The Lord musters his Armies The Noise of a Multitude in the Mountains like as of a great People A tumultuous Noise of the Kingdoms and Nations gathered together The Lord of Hosts mustereth the Host of the Battel In the Wars of his People Israel he gave directions for their Battel-Array and when to give the Assault IX God hath published in his Word the Reasons why he prepares for War against a People or Nation They have moved me to Jealousy with that which is not God they have provoked me to Anger with their Vanities and I will move them to Jealousy with those that are not a People I will provoke them to Anger with a foolish Nation For a Fire is kindled in mine Anger and shall burn into the lowest Hell c. I will heap Mischief upon them I will spend mine Arrows upon them 'T is because Men turn not from their Sins They profess to know God but in Works deny him setting up the Creature instead of the Creator For the Iniquity of his Covetousness saith God I was wroth Men slight the Offers and Tenders of the Gospel and tho they add Drunkenness to Thirst they think they shall have Peace and for that reason God proclaims War and saith he hath whet his Sword Wherefore was it that God brought his Sword upon Jerusalem and gave it into the hands of the Babylonians Was it not for rejecting his Word and despising his Messengers Hence his Wrath came upon them till there was no Remedy hence Jerusalem was given up again to be trod down by the Romans viz. because they rejected Christ and the Gospel X. God hath given a Banner to them that fear him that it might be displayed because of the Truth or as Ainsworth renders it to be high-displayed because of the certain Truth The word Banner or Ensign as Ainsworth upon the place says is applied to the Flag or Ensign of the Gospel Isa. 11.12 49.22 62.10 here to David and his Victory c. XI God animates and encourages his People as he did Joshua There shall not any Man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy Life As I was with Moses so I will be with thee I will not fail thee nor forsake thee Be strong of a good Courage c. Only be thou strong and very couragious For then thou shalt make thy Way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success XII God himself comes into the Field with his People How often doth he tell them that he is with them The Lord your God is he that goeth with you to fight He assists them directs them relieves them None can march under a better Commander and he is the best Helper The Lord is on my side I will not fear what Man can do unto me The Lord taketh my part with them that help me therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me Fear thou not for I am with thee Be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the Arm of my Righteousness Lo I am with you always to the end of the World XII As the Lord goes before so he is the Rereward of his People Ye shall not go out with haste nor go by flight for the Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your Rereward He is in the Front in the Rear in the Middle and the Flanks therefore all is safe because he is invincible XIV God is a liberal Rewarder of his People tho his Royal Munificence is purely an Act of Grace not Debt or Obligation because we are his and when we have done all we are unprofitable Servants c. He that overcometh shall inherit all things Metaphor I. THe most renowned Conqueror or most successful Martialist on Earth is vulnerable and mortal Alexander would be thought the Son of Jupiter but Death soon convinced him II. Earthly Warriors are under certain Limitations for they cannot war as they please their Bounds being set by the Almighty III. There is no earthly Warrior tho never so redoubted but may be match'd and conquered too IV. Earthly Warriors know not the Success of their Arms before-hand nor foretell Events they may be baffled in their Hopes and made ashamed of their
Heaven Tho Angels fall out and go to War tho Men differ the Heavens shake the Mountains remove the Winds bluster the Waves of the Sea roar and rage yet the Lord is in Heaven and he beholds all Disorders of Men and still keeps his Place in perfect Tranquillity and moves not for the Good of his whole Houshold depends upon it for if it were possible for the immoveable God to leave his Place all would become a Piece of Confusion IX God the wise Housholder hath set out the Church for a Vineyard and Garden digg'd a Wine-Press and built a Tower the World for a plowed Field the wise and best Men both Divines Philosophers Naturalists and Historians to yield a fruitful Crop of Teaching and Instruction to supply his great Houshold X. God the most wise and good Housholder hath contrived the Scituation of his Family near adjoining to thâ—â—se great Conveniencies of still and stanâ—â—â—g Pools pleasant and gliding Streams coâ—â—stant rising and issuing Springs for eâ—â—crease of Knowledg and standing 〈◊〉 and Government establishing the 〈◊〉 of Religion and Piety as pleasant Streâ—â—â— and issuing Springs for encrease oâ—â— Knowledg XI God the great and wise Housholder teacheth instructeth gives forth his Law shews them what is good and required of them charges his Family to walk by the Examples of the Best to walk in Wisdom to give no Offence to hold fast that which is good God is troubled as it were and angry at great Miscarriages and unseemly Actions grieved if I may with Reverence so speak at his very Heart with particular Instruments angry with not only some but even the whole Houshold when the Offenders will not reform XII God loved all his Creation when he looked upon it and saw all to be good he could do no otherwise Angels Men Beasts creeping Things Fowls and all inanimate Things The Church he loves on new Terms The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and believed that I came forth from God XIII God sent Moses to Israel when sick of Oppression in Egypt when corrupted with Sin in the Wilderness about the Calf and had need of Purgation Abigail and Nathan to David on the same account Hezekiah to Israel and Ahab as well as he had before sent Samuel to David Peter's Advice is to cleanse from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit He takes care for their Security and manifesteth this Care diversly gives Cautions to take heed puts their Enemies in fear sometimes restrains in time of Pursuit of seeming Advantages orders Doors to be shut till the Enemies disappear and the Indignation be overpast XIV God hath to Admiration shew'd his Patience and Long-suffering to his Church to the whole World to the whole Families of the Earth He gave the old World one hundred and twenty Years bore long with the Murmurers of Israel in the Wilderness was forty Years grieved suffered Jerusalem long before the first Captivity longer before the last by the Romans gives Jezebel and Mystery Babylon Time and Space spared a sinful World in general above five thousand Years XV. God will not be always wroth lest the Object of his Wrath should fail before him retains not Anger for ever takes immediate Notice of Returns and forthwith proclaims Peace and Reconciliation XVI God is plenarily qualified with Bowels of Compassion and Tenderness towards his People I have seen the Affliction of my People and am come down to deliver In all their Afflictions he was afflicted My Bowels are afflicted for him He pities them that fear him c. XVII God loads as it were with Benefits speaks comfortably bids others speak comfortably as from him Speak comfortably to Jerusalem Let us reason together Smiles invisibly by Providence invisibly by Grace and Spirit hears Prayer in an accepted Time helps up his Church and People when they fall Aaron rose up by his help God raised holy David when he fell Peter in like manner Which confirms the Word of his Servant c. XVIII God demonstrates the great Danger of Disobedience with all plainness by Words at length If thou doest Evil Sin lieth at the Door All the Curses of the Book light on the Children of Disobedience who are separated to Evil and destroyed if they do wickedly He that sins shall die If you remain disobedient he will not prevent your Ruin He will not hear when you call but laugh at your Calamities and rejoyce when your Fear comes Prov. 1. XIX God suffers none to labour in vain nor spend their Strength for nought in his Service He doth good unto all his tender Mercies are over all his Works He makes one Day in his Courts better than a thousand elsewhere And the Church said it was better with her when she abode undeâ—â— his Conduct than when she left it He will give Grace and Glory and no good thing will be with-hold from them that walk uprightly XX. God in Love and Faithfulness doth correct rebuke chasten and afflict his People for their Profit In very Faithfulness hast thou afflicted me Whom he loves he rebukes and chastens to make Partakers of his Holiness The Fruits whereof David expresseth It was good for me that I was afflicted Thus when Men are iâ—â— Heaviness through many Temptations the Rod drives out ill Dispositions and is a good Remedy to cure Folly c. XXI God renders not to any Man more than is right that he should enter into Judgment with God He layeth Judgment to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet extenuates to Offenders rather gives less than more In the midst of Judgment he remembers Mercy He debates in measure and as to the Justice of the Cause provoking or measure of Punishments he appeals to the Justice of their own Minds Are not my Ways equal and yours unequal XXII This hath been the common way of God's dealing with Men as well large Congregations as particular Persons I will hide my Face from this Generation c. Thou art a God that hidest thy self c. God left Saul when obstinate and would not be found of him in distress When God leaves a People or Person they lose their Strength and come to Shame and Misery Wo to him that is alone XXIII God hath maintained the Lot of the Righteous throughout all Generations kept up his Church from falling contriv'd a Seed to serve him He will not suffer the Gates of Hell to prevail nor overthrow his Family XXIV God brake the Head of Leviathan gave it to be Meat to his People in the Wilderness cut Rahab wounded the Dragon overthrew great Kingdoms and Armies c. gained Victory over mighty Kings and brought the â—â—ruits of all his Works into his Church there are his worthy Acts Doctrine and Book of the Acts and Examples of all his Servants XXV God shut Angels out of Heaven to preserve Peace sent Cain unto the Land of Nod shut the Old World out of the Ark put Saul out of
us and renders our Services acceptable to God 10. Wo wo to them that have not Christ their Surety what will Sinners do without a Saviour If ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your Sins Lastly For Trial. Have you Christ for your Surety examine your selves by these Marks following 1. Did you ever see the Need of Christ's Suretiship Or do you adventure to come to God for more Goods in your own Name In this take heed for your Credit is gone 2. Hath Christ taken you as a Door off the old Hinges Have you seen your Want and Beggary and from hence chosen Christ for your Surety 'T is only the broken Man that seeks to his Friend for Security 3. Is the Law written in your Hearts have you that new Spirit put within you are you changed Ones I will put my Fear in their Hearts c. Do you love the Word of God because of the Purity of it Would you be holy as well as happy 4. Do you lay the Stress of your Salvation upon Jesus Christ Is he the Foundation of your Faith and Hope Have you fled to him for Refuge 5. Is Christ a Pearl of great Price to you To them that believe he is precious If Sin be in thy Sight the greatest of Evils and that which thou loathest above all things and Christ the rarest Jewel in thy Esteem whom thou preferrest before thy chiefest Joy then Peace be unto thee Christ is thy Surety For Caution O let none from the consideration of this glorious Grace shining forth in this great and wonderful Mystery take encouragement to run further into Debt if any should so do let them know that there is nothing can be a greater Evidence against them that they have no Part nor Lot in this Matter Christ a Bridegroom Mat. 25.6 Behold the Bridegroom cometh go you out to meet him John 3.29 He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom but the Friend of the Bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly because of the Bridegroom's Voice This my Joy therefore is fulfilled THis Metaphor of a Bridegroom as it is exceeding useful so it is as comfortable and pleasant a Metaphor as most we meet with in the holy Scriptures A Bridegroom presupposes two things First a Person in a single capacity and as so considered he is a Suitor Secondly a Person in a married Estate and as so considered he is a Head or Husband In both these respects Christ may be considered and is held forth in the Word of God He first acts as a Lover or Suitor to engage the Love and Affections of Sinners to himself and then joins himself in a glorious mystical Marriage-Relation with them and accordingly acts towards the Sons of Men Of which take this following Parallel Metaphor I. A Man that intends or is disposed to marry is not contented or thinketh it not convenient to abide in a single Condition how happy soever he is otherwise in the enjoyment of all outward good things in his Father's House II. An obedient and wise Son takes advice and consults with his Father being fully resolved to change his Condition and enter into a Contract of Love and Marriage-Union and then fixes upon a particular Object III. When a Man hath fixed upon an Object that he intends to espouse unto himself he contrives the way and method of his Proceeding in making known his Mind and to bring about his Design and many times will chuse to send Messengers to treat with the Person about the Business and discover his Affection before he goes himself in Person IV. After this a Lover usually his Heart being enflamed with Love and ardent Affection to the Person tho she be in another Country very far off takes a Journey resolving to give her a Visit and in order thereunto he suits himself in a fit Garb and Cloathing that so he might every way render himself a Person acceptable and meet likely and capable of winning and enjoying of her V. If the Person or Suitor be a Prince and known commonly at his Arrival he is much congratulated and welcomed by the Nobility and Persons of Honour VI. A Lover when he goes to visit a Person he intends to espouse unto himself usually sends his Friend or takes him along with him to signify not only what and who he is but also his Intention and Purpose in coming VII A Man propounds Questions to the Person he loves to discover whether she be preingaged to any other and if he perceives she is entangled through great Folly and in danger to be utterly undone thereby he strives to undeceive her and save her from Ruin VIII A Lover makes Offers of Love unto the Person he has fixed his Eye upon and uses divers Arguments to persuade her to yield or consent unto his Request IX A true Lover respects his intended Bride more than Wealth Beauty c. 'T is not the Portion but the Person his Eye is principally set upon X. Such a Person sues hard uses weighty Arguments to prevail and will not quickly take a Denial XI A faithful Suitor waits long and hath much Patience before he will desist or give over his Suit and yet thinks nothing too much that he suffers or does endure for her sake as appears concerning Jacob who served seven Years for Rachel And they seemed unto him but a few days for the Love he had to her XII One that intends to make a Person his Bride and only Consort expresses great Love his Love is sometimes much more than he can well express 't is very strong as strong as Death many Waters cannot quench it nor can the Floods drown it There is an unsatisfied Desire in the Person until the Object beloved be enjoyed XIII Such an one is greatly concerned and grieved at the Unkindnesses of his Friend and ungrateful Repulses and many times from hence doth withdraw himself and carry it as a Stranger XIV A Suitor nevertheless such is the Nature of his Affection knows not how to give her up he therefore sends Letters thereby further expressing the Ardency of his Desire and how loth he is to take his final Farewel XV. Moreover besides all this he sends faithful Messengers to her as Spokesmen to answer her Objections that so if it be possible he might bring her at last to a compliance who use also many Arguments in order thereunto This Abraham's Servant acted when he went to take a Wife for Isaac XVI A Suitor also sends Love-Tokens to the Person he intends to make his Bride Isaac sent unto Rebekah Ear-rings and Bracelets of Gold XVII A Lover cannot endure Corrivals nor permit that another should have a part or an equal share in the Affection of the Object beloved XVIII Some Lovers have fought great Battels and met with great Opposition from Enemies for the sake of those Persons they have set their Hearts upon XIX A Man will not make a Contract of
one Heart for Sin and another for him he must have the whole Heart or he will have none of it Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul c. Conscience may be for Christ and his Ways and the Judgment may be much enlightned when the Will may be opposite and the Affections set chiefly upon Sin and the Vanities of this World Their Heart is divided now shall they be found faulty XVIII Jesus Christ met with greater Opposition and fought more sore and fearful Battels than ever any did for the Sinner's sake as witness his Conflict with Satan that strong Man armed with Sin and Wrath and last of all with Death it self over all which Enemies he gloriously triumphed and got a perfect Conquest XIX Jesus Christ will not take into Covenant or make a Contract of Divine Love or Grace with a Person that is not dead to the Law We must see the Insufficiency of that and of our own Righteousness and have no confidence in the Flesh if we would win Christ. Wherefore my Brethren ye also are become dead to the Law that ye should be married to another even to him that is raised from the Dead that we should bring forth Fruit unto God XX. When Jesus Christ by his Word and holy Spirit hath brought over all the Faculties of the Soul unto himself finding the Person dead to Sin Self and to this World and all things being removed which obstructed this happy Contract he then proceeds and takes the Soul into Union with Himself But according to that holy Order and Decree of God no Soul is espoused by Christ but such as is given to him by the Father All that the Father hath given me shall come unto me XXI No sooner is a Sinner converted by Faith united or espoused to Jesus Christ but there is great Joy amongst the Angels of God in Heaven and amongst the Saints of God on Earth Likewise I say unto you there is Joy in Heaven in the presence of the Angels of God over one Sinner that repenteth And so in the case of the Prodigal at his return The Father said to his Servants Bring forth the best Robe and put it upon him and put a Ring on his hand And bring hither the fatted Calf and kill it and let us eat and drink and be merry And they began to be merry XXII Jesus Christ settles upon each Soul he espouses a very great Inheritance he makes over a Jointure of an inestimable value a Kingdom of Glory a Crown that fadeth not away even everlasting Blessedness XXIII Jesus Christ leaves his Church and each believing Soul whom he takes into Union with himself in this World for a while and doth not immediatly take them to himself or carry them to Heaven his own Habitation XXIV Jesus Christ delighteth greatly in his Church and in every sincere Member thereof hence Zion is called Hephzibah And as the Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee XXV Jesus Christ discharges his Saints and People from all those Debts that bind over to eternal Wrath. Sinners were miserably indebted to the Law and Justice owed ten thousand Talents but had not a Farthing to pay liable every day to Arrests and to be sent to the dark Shades of eternal Night or Prison of utter Darkness under the Wrath of the incensed Majesty having whole Mountains of Sin and Guilt lying upon them running every day into new Scores adding Sin to Sin one heavy Debt upon another O how great is the Guilt of sinful Man and how unable to satisfy Divine Justice How then shall these Debts be paid all these Sins expiated and the Guilt taken away Justice calls for full Payment it 's Language is Pay or perish yet we cannot make the least Reparation nor right God for the Wrong we have done him by offending the Eyes of his Glory But now by a Marriage-Covenant with Jesus Christ all is at once discharged and the Sinner acquitted there being Riches and Worth enough in him who hath fully satisfied the Demands of Law and Justice and by Union with him the Sinner comes to be interested into all He was made Sin for us who knew no Sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him The Lord hath laid on him the Iniquities of us all O how happy is that Soul that is espoused to Jesus Christ XXVI Jesus Christ confers great Honour on those that are espoused to him The Church is called a Queen and how comes that to pass but by means of this Contract and Marriage with Christ Vpon the right hand stands the Queen with Gold of Ophir Believers are called by Christ's Name have the Attendance of his Servants the holy Angels The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him He hath given his Angels charge concerning thee Saints lie in the Bosom of Christ's Love and Mercy XXVII Jesus Christ supplies all the Wants and makes blessed Provision for his Saints They that fear the Lord shall not lack any good thing Whether it be Grace or Peace either Food or Physick they want they shall have it from him all is in Christ In him all Fulness dwells and in him so as to be let out and communicated to his Saints XXVIII Jesus Christ sympathizes with his Saints In all their Afflictions 't is said he was afflicted And in another place 't is said His Soul was grieved for the Misery of Israel He himself hath suffered Being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted We have not an High-Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of mine Eye Cast thy Burthen upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee XXIX Jesus Christ requires Obedience of his Church and of every Member thereof hence Paul saith The Church is subject unto Christ. The Lord Jesus is exalted above all Principalities and Power Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this World but also in that which is to come and is given particularly to be Head over all things to the Church Call ye me Lord saith Christ and do not the things that I say XXX Jesus Christ reproves his Saints for their Evils and Transgressions out of his great Love As many as I love I rebuke and chasten XXXI Jesus Christ covers the Weaknesses and Infirmities of his People He covers our Sins doth not upbraid us with our Faults but forgives our Iniquities and remembers our Sins no more Tho his Saints have many Spots and Blemishes yet he through his great Grace overlooks them all and will not expose them to Reproach here nor hereafter for them XXII Jesus Christ gives Counsel and Instruction to his People I counsel thee c. What heavenly Instruction hath he left in his Word
to apply Pardon and the glad Tidings of Salvation saith Mr. Caryl to such a Soul may be its hardening and undoing Tho Mercy may be tendered to the Ungodly for God justifies such yet says not to a Man that perseveres in his Ungodliness that he will justify or pardon him but contrary-wise says he will not pardon them but condemn and destroy them The worst of Sinners may be saved but God will not save them in their Sins 'T is dangerous to daub with untempered Mortar to pronounce Peace where there is no Peace XIII Christ is very diligent and careful of poor Sinners that he undertakes tries their Hearts and Reins hath Eagles Eyes his Eyes are never off them gives charge to his Servants Ministers of the Gospel to look carefully after them that they want nothing that every Direction be followed and wholsom Diet provided XIV Christ rectifies disorderly Affections and other Faculties of the Soul When Pride or Worldliness would predominate he checks those Evils by his Word Spirit or by Affliction a sharper way of Cure and endeavours to ballance the Soul with an Equality of every Grace that there may be Love as well as Faith and that Patience might have its perfect Work XV. Jesus Christ cures none slightly that he undertakes but searches to the quick breaks the very Heart to pieces and lays it open with applying Causticks and Corrosives viz. Afflictions c. corroding Medicines and then effectually cures it They were prick'd in their Heart XVI Jesus Christ prescribes a way to his Church to cut off a corrupt or rotten Member when no other means will preserve it XVII Christ carries it gently and very tenderly when he hath to do with some poor broken-hearted Sinners The bruised Reed shall he not break Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest XVIII Christ uses many Sovereign Antidotes and Preservatives to deliver from the Infection of Sin his Word Promises Threatnings c. Thy Word have I hid in my Heart that I might not sin against thee XIX Jesus Christ hath prescribed Golden Rules to Saints how they may preserve their Souls in a healthful condition to avoid Surfeiting all Excess and immoderate Use of this World to keep good Company and to keep a good Diet to live under an able and powerful Ministry and to be frequent in the exercise of Religious Duties Prayer Meditation reading God's Word and Christian Conference c. XX. Christ when he finds the Soul of a Believer under Affliction Losses Temptation Persecution c. begins to faint and his Spirit low he gives more of his holy Spirit the Spirit of Faith is the choicest Spirit in this case in the World 't will not only revive and quicken a dying and doubting Christian but will raise to Life such as are dead in Sins and Trespasses I had fainted unless I believed XXI Christ rejoyces greatly when he sees his Word take place upon the Heart of Sinners and when Afflictions like powerful Potions cleanse the Soul from all those noxious Humors that bring Sickness and manifold Distempers on the Soul and that his Patient is effectually cured XXII Christ often visits his poor Patients that stand in need of his Help XXIII Christ is very faithful to poor Sinners he lets them know the worst of their Estate that Death is like to ensue if they repent and believe not Vnless ye repent ye shall all likewise perish And unless you believe that I am he ye shall die in your Sins Metaphor I. THe most learned Physician in the World may be deceived in his Judgment about the Cause and Nature of a Distemper and so miss of the Cure II. Some Physicians through Ignorance or Carelesness administer very destructive and ill-prepared Medicines often killing more than they cure III. Physicians come not to the Sick until they are sent for and tho they come not far yet expect to be paid for that besides their Physick IV. Physicians are mercenary do all for hire some pay for the Physick 't is to be feared much more than 't is really worth V. A Physician will be sure not to expend any of his own Treasure to cure his Patients will not be wounded himself to heal others or part with his own Blood to do it VI. Earthly Physicians cannot raise the Living their Patients dy whilst they are with them and oft-times whilst they look on them VII Physicians cannot bless their Physick know not how to make it effectual to this or that Patient the whole Success of what they give depends upon another VIII Physicians are not patient under Repulses they cannot bear to be kept out of door and slighted by the Sick they come to cure IX Physicians cannot visit many Patients at one and the same time who live far and remote from each other X. Physicians are subject to the like Diseases with their Patients XI The best Medicines other Physicians use are compounded of earthly and corruptible Ingredients and lose their Virtue by keeping long XII Physicians attend the Rich chiefly few of them mind or visit the Poor XIII Physicians provide not Hospitals nor other Accommodations as Food Nurses and other Attendants for their Patients at their own charge XIV A Physician may die himself and leave his Patient uncured Disparity I. CHrist cannot be mistaken about the Cause and Nature of any spiritual Disease because he is God and knoweth all things yea the very thoughts of the Heart There is not a thought in my Heart nor a word in my Tongue but thou knowest it altogether II. Christ never administred any improper Medicines all is well and skilfully prepared that Christ gives forth to his Patients if the Dose be hard and unpleasant to take yet there is no Aloes nor one dram of bitter Ingredient in it more than he sees a necessity of Neither do any miscarry under his hand for he wants neither Skill nor Care So that if a Sinner perishes 't is for not coming to him or not taking his Medicines and not observing of his Directions O Israel thy Destruction is of thy self III. Christ came to us who sent not for him which made him say I am sought of them that asked not for me and found of them that sought me not The Patients seek not first come not first to the Physician but the Physician to the Patient I am come to seek and to save that which is lost and besides he dearly paid all the Charge of his long Journey IV. Christ the spiritual Physician doth all freely without Money and without Price We never read of his taking a Penny of any of all those he cured in the days of his Flesh either of Distemper of Body or Soul V. Christ made himself very poor and laid out plentifully his Divine Treasure that he might cure poor Sinners of all their Maladies He
If thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted of If thou followest on to know the Lord then shalt thou know him Seek and ye shall find Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved XII Christ's last Will and Testament is the godly Man's Title Whoever he be that Christ hath bequeathed such and such a Blessing or Promise to he is sure enough of it from the Nature of the Covenant and from the Provision that is made by Christ the Testator for the fulfilling and accomplishing thereof My People shall be willing in the day of my Power Christ makes the Condition easy to his Elect. XIII Christ hath resigned this great Trust of fulfilling of his Will into the hands of the Father and the Holy-Ghost who are not only faithful Executors of this his Testament but able to supply the Wants of every one and helps all those to whom the Covenant doth belong Holy Father keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me I will pray the Father and He shall send you another Comforter who shall abide with you for ever XIV Christ's Will and Testament being confirmed and ratified by his Blood as He will not alter it himself much less may any Man or Angel presume to do it If We or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached let him be accursed If any Man shall take away from the Words of the Prophecy of this Book God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life If any Man add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book XV. Christ by dying opened a way and gave Legacies to Sinners to have his Testament executed if the Testator had not died there had been no room nor access to them that are called to receive the Eternal Inheritance Testator I. THe Death of a Testator amongst Men makes only his own Will valid cannot make and confirm the Will of another II. A Testator amongst Men cannot be a Witness to the Will he ratifies and establishes III. A Testator among Men bequeaths or gives Legacies comparatively but to a few IV. A Testator among Men cannot enjoy or possess that Kingdom Estate or Inheritance himself after he hath given it away to others and settled them in possession V. A Testator amongst Men commits his last Will and Testament to Men to be fulfilled VI. The best Legacies Testators among Men bequeath are but earthly and temporal things Disparity I. CHrist did not only give force and value to his own Will but to the Will of the Father also II. Christ is not only a Testator but a Witness of the same Testament as 't is the Father's He is given of God as the great Evidence of Covenant-Love and of all the choice Favours and Good-will to Sinners God so loved the World c. And secondly he is given as the great Covenant-Interest and Relation betwixt God and Sinners He testifies that all that is contained in the Covenant is true and the absolute Will and Pleasure of God He said these things are true and faithful Who is it that affirms and testifies this Jesus Christ who is the true and faithful Witness III. Christ gives Legacies to Thousands and Ten Thousands no Godly Man hath nor ever shall have any spiritual good thing but what was bequeathed to him by Christ's Will and Testament IV. Christ the spiritual Testator tho he hath given away all that he hath and gives the possession to Believers by his last Will and Testament yet is Co-heir of the same Kingdom and Glory and shall possess it together with them V. Christ the spiritual Testator surrogates his Spirit in his absence and after his Death to see his Will executed in all points and to give real and actual possession of all his Covenant-Blessings unto them to whom they are given VI. The Legacies Christ bequeaths are spiritual things of a high and most sublime Nature As all things are given to Christ the Mediator so all that he is or hath he parts with freely to his faithful Followers the Graces of the Spirit Adoption Pardon of Sin Peace of Conscience precious Promises in a word all things that appertain to the Life that now is and to that which is to come All is yours and ye are Christ's and Christ is God's Inferences 1. THis exceedingly shews forth the Grace and Love of Christ to Sinners in that he should assume Man's Nature and become liable to Death and Mortality what marvellous Condescension is here that he should act or do any thing in contemplation of Death and be a Testator and yet could not see Corruption the Grave could not keep him and yet refused not to submit unto Death that thereby through the Spirit he might convey a legal Right and Possession to us of eternal Life 2. From hence we may also see how firm and sure the Covenant of Grace is made to all the true Seed and faithful Children of God 3. And let all the Friends and Legatees of Jesus Christ know that their Right and Title to spiritual and eternal Blessedness is of absolute Grace and meer Pleasure of the Testator 4. And what cause have we to praise the Name of God in Christ who hath published and made known his last Will and Testament unto the Sons of Men We have the Mind of Christ. 5. And in that he hath left one to execute his Will and that it is put into the hands of the holy Spirit in Christ's absence who is able to do it effectually But the Comforter which is the holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things he shall testify of me 6. Moreover let all such tremble that adventure to alter add to or diminish from any thing that is left in Christ's last Will and Testament the Plagues of God without Repentance are like to be their Portion for ever 7. Furthermore from hence you may see what reason we have to examin what is preached for Doctrine or published by any Man as the Mind of Christ for if it be not written or found in his last Will and Testament we ought utterly to reject it tho an Angel from Heaven should preach it Whatever is affirmed to be an Ordinance of Christ's if it be not nor cannot be naturally inferred without Abuse or Wrong to the Text let it be abhorred and contemned by us 8. This affords much Comfort to the Godly whose Names are written in this Testament and in the Lamb's Book of Life You will there find exceeding great and glorious things bequeathed to you and let it be your care to sue for them according to the Will and Directions of the Testator 9. Also let them not forget their Friend nor neglect to keep up his Remembrance in those holy Signs of his Death and Suffering for their sakes
what I should speak As I have kept my Fathers Commandments c. VI. Jesus Christ to do the Work of God as Mediator was sent on a long Journey as far as 't is from Heaven to Earth and was thereby exposed to much Difficulty and great Hardships from Men and Devils He was persecuted from place to place his Life being often in jeopardy he had no-where to lay his Head and was at last most basely betrayed and put to Death VII The Lord Christ was most faithful Tho he was a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things he suffered My Meat is to do the Will of him that sent me and to finish his Work I delight to do thy Will O God Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's Business VIII The Lord Christ was faithful in doing all things which God required of him he went not beyond his Commission nor did he neglect any part of his Work He that God sent speaketh the Words of God and I know that his Commandment is Life everlasting Whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so speak I. Who was faithful to him that appointed him as Moses was faithful in all his House IX The Lord Jesus Christ hath an absolute Right to a Reward for his Work 's sake Tho there is no Merit or Desert for the Works which Believers do being unprofitable Servants when they have done all yet there is very great Merit and Worth in what Christ did And the Father will give him his Wages he shall have his Wife his Church for whom he served above fourteen Years nay He shall have the Heathen for his Inheritance and the uttermost Parts of the Earth for his Possession Behold my Servant shall deal prudently he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high I will divide him a Portion with the Great and he shall divide the Spoil with the Strong because he hath poured out his Soul unto Death But we see Jesus who for suffering Death is crown'd with Glory and Honour c. X. The Lord Jesus Christ having in his eye that eternal Advantage his Elect should receive and what Glory He as Man should be raised unto as the Reward of his Undertaking went through all his Sorrows with much cheerfulness Who for the Joy that was set before him endured the Cross despised the Shame and is set down at the right-hand of the Throne of God XI The Lord Jesus Christ was subject whilst he was here in our Nature in the Form of a Servant at some time unto Fear He was made under the Law 'T is said He was troubled in Spirit and was heard in that he feared Metaphor I. A Servant and the Master are not essentially and inseparably one II. A Servant amongst Men hath not an inseparable Interest in his Master's Goods and Estate III. Servants among Men many times through Temptation prove unfaithful and deceive either Father or Master yea the best Servants of good Men have in something or other miscarried IV. A Servant may be turn'd out of his Master's Service and lose his Honour V. The Servant abides not in his Master's House for ever VI. A Servant differs from the Heir in Place Dignity and Privilege VII Too many are oftentimes forced to become Servants because they cannot otherwise tell how to live Disparity I. JEsus Christ altho a Servant is essentially one with the Father the Father Son and Spirit are but the one everlasting and eternal God I and my Father are one There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these three are inseparably one II. Christ hath a full a clear and inseparable Interest in all that the Father hath All mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them III. It was impossible for Christ to be unfaithful or disobey God his Father because he was without Sin and Satan had nothing in him to fasten a Temptation upon IV. The Lord Jesus Christ did not could not displease his Father and therefore did not nor could lose his Honour I do always the things that please him V. Jesus Christ abideth in the House of God for ever VI. Jesus Christ tho he be called the Servant of God yet is he his own beloved Son and Heir of all things by whom he made the World There is none in Heaven or Earth that hath greater Glory Place or Privilege conferred upon upon him than the Lord Jesus Christ. VII Christ had no necessity of Nature laid upon him to accept of the low Place and Office of a Servant He was not forced to it because he could not tell how to live without serving he being infinitely happy in himself from Eternity but the Glory of his Father and the dear Love he bore to the Creature even to poor lost Man moved him to become a Servant he did it freely for our sakes that we might be Lords Inferences I. WE may note from hence the wonderful Condescension of Jesus Christ there is nothing which sets forth his great Abasement for our sakes more than this what Grace is this Doth the Son of God who is the Lord of Heaven and Earth become a Servant He that thought it no Robbery to be equal with God made himself of no reputation and took upon him the Form of a Servant The Son of Man came not to be ministred to but to minister Quest. But some may enquire Whose Servant is Christ c. 1. He is God's Servant Behold my Servant c. 2. He is his Peoples Servant The Son of Man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his Life for many II. Let us learn from him hence-forward to humble our selves Let the same Mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus Shall the Lord become a Servant and shall the Servant swell in Pride and Arrogancy and nothing content him but to be called Lord nay and lord it over God's Heritage whose Servants they ought to be if they would be Gospel-Ministers Surely Christ abhors him who calls himself the Servant of Servants whilst at the same time he exalts himself above All that are called Gods III. If the Lord Christ became a willing humble laborious and faithful Servant for us let us labour to be humble faithful and sincere Servants to him He hath done all the hardest Work and if any remain too hard for us he sticks not to set his hand to it Thou hast wrought all our Works in us and for us IV. Let this teach us to follow his Example and be Servants one to another I have given you an Example that you should do as I have done to you for this is acceptable to him V. Remember 't is an honourable pleasant and gainful thing to be Christ's Servant Paul seems to glory more in it than
once into the holy Place having obtained eternal Redemption for us XXII Christ only makes the Prayers of the Saints to come up into the Nostrils of God through his own Mediation as sweet Incense and no other Prayer must be made to God but such only as the High-Priest directeth us in XXIII Christ's Death makes an Atonement for all guilty Sinners that flie to the spiritual City of Refuge not for the Man slayer only but for the Adulterer Drunkard and Murderer also all whoever they be that take hold of God in Christ by a lively Faith are set at liberty and for ever delivered from the Avenger of Blood and all spiritual Thraldom whatsoever XXIV Jesus also that he might sanctify the People with his own Blood suffered without the Gate that so we might from thence go forth unto him without the Camp bearing his Reproach Type I. THe Jewish High-Priest was taken of the Tribe of Levi and so was after the Order of Aaron II. The Jewish High-Priest was made without an Oath and after the Law of the carnal Commandment III. The High-Priests under the Law were Men that had Infirmities and needed to offer up Sacrifices for their own Sins IV. The Priests under the Law offered up Sacrifices of Sin continually Every Priest standeth daily ministring or offering often the same Sacrifices which cannot take away Sins V. The Priests under the Law offered up the Bodies of Beasts and it was impossible that the Blood of Bulls and of Goats could take away Sin or purge the Conscience or make the Comers thereunto perfect Hence 't is said there was a Remembrance of Sin every Year VI. The High-Priest under the Law had a Successor there were many because they were not suffered to continue by reason of Death VII The Priest under the Law and the Sacrifices were two things VIII The Priest under the Law entred into the holy Place with the Blood of Bulls and Calves IX The Priest under the Law offered Sacrifices only for the Jewish Nation or Israel according to the Flesh. Disparity I. CHrist sprung of the Tribe of Judah and not after the Order of Aaron but after the Order of Melchisedec Wherefore the Priesthood being changed there is of necessity a Change of the whole Law II. Christ was made a Priest with an Oath By so much was Jesus made a Surety of a better Covenant III. But Christ is an High-Priest without Infirmity For the Law maketh Men High-Priests which have Infirmity but the Word of the Oath which was since the Law maketh the Son who is consecrated for evermore For such an High-Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners and made higher than the Heavens IV. Christ having offered up but one Sacrifice for Sin sate down at the right-hand of God Nor yet that he should offer himself often as the High-Priest entred into the holy Place For then must he have often suffered since the Foundation of the World but now at the end of the World hath he appeared to take away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself Christ once suffer'd to bear the Sins of many c. By one Offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified V. Christ offered up his own Body which was the Antitype of all those Legal Sacrifices By which we are sanctified through the offering up the Body of Christ once for all Those Sacrifices cleansed only ceremonially The Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better Hope did Christ's Blood who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purges the Conscience from dead Works to serve the Living God The Blood of Christ cleanses us from all Sin VI. Christ because he continueth for ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood He hath none needeth none can have none to succeed him in the Priesthood seeing he ever liveth and hath taken the whole Work upon himself being infinitely able and sufficient to discharge the whole Trust reposed in him VII Christ is both Priest and Sacrifice The Divinity or eternal Spirit offered up the Humanity as an acceptable Sacrifice unto God VIII Christ entred into the Holiest by his own Blood having obtained eternal Redemption for us IX Christ offered up a Sacrifice both for Jews and Gentiles He is a Propitiation for our Sins and not for ours only but for the Sins of the whole World Corollaries I. FRom hence we may learn that without the Blood of Christ offered up as a propitiatory Sacrifice to God there is no Remission of Sin nor eternal Life God's Wrath is only appeased by a Sacrifice and this was clearly hinted from the beginning II. From hence we may learn how far the Priesthood of Christ and the Gospel-Covenant doth excell that of the Law moreover the End and Design of God in the one and in the other Many things have been briefly touched wherein the great Differences do consist some of which for the sake of the Weak I shall reiterate in this place The Priest under the Law was a mortal Man Christ God-Man Those Priests were Sinners themselves and needed a Sacrifice for their own Sins Christ was without Sin and needed no Offering for himself Christ offered up his own Body on the Tree Those Sacrifices were the Shadow the Sacrifice of Christ is the Substance of them The Priest and Sacrifice is the Type Christ the Antitype Those Sacrifices could not take away Sin nor purge the Conscience Christ's Sacrifice doth both III. Moreover this reprehends such as slight and invalidate the meritorious Sacrifice of Christ and account his Blood to have no more virtue nor efficacy in it to Justification than the Blood of any godly Man IV. It also calls upon all faithful Christians to study the Nature of Christ's Priesthood more and more much of the Mystery of the two Covenants consisteth in Priesthood and Sacrifice there is something in it hard to be understood V. This greatly detects the Ignorance and abominable Error of the Romish Church that continues to offer up fresh Sacrifices for Sin as if Christ had not offered up a sufficient Sacrifice once for all or that he needeth Competitors and Help to atone and make Peace between God and Sinners VI. It may also confute their blasphemous Notion concerning Christ's Priesthood as if it passed from him unto them whereas nothing can be more plainly asserted than his continuing a Priest for ever His Priesthood is unchangeable exercised in his own Person as a principal part of the Glory of his Office and on the discharge of it depends the Churches Preservation and Stability He ever lives to make Intercession for us And every Believer may from hence go with confidence unto Him in all their Concerns for Relief and Succour who Himself is said to be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities But this of Christ's offering once for all and continuing
Will and one who knew all the Father's Secrets No Man hath seen God at any time save the only begotten Son of God which is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him XIII Jesus Christ hath excelled all that went before him in this respect He was not applauded by the People only who said he was a Teacher come from God that he taught like one that had Authority and never Man spake like him but he was commended as one fit to be heard by God himself and that with an audible Voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son hear ye him This great Prophet of the Most High hath in pursuit of his Prophetical Office laid a fair Foundation for the Church to build upon in these great and most important Points 1. He hath set forth God in the Excellency of his Nature and Perfections He hath told us we are to have Faith in him to love him with all our whole Soul and with all our Strength and to worship him in Spirit and in Truth 2. He hath set forth Himself as Mediator the immediate Object of Faith and to be followed in his Life and Doctrine Another Foundation can no Man lay 3. He hath confirmed the Holy Scriptures as the Rule of Worship directing Men to them for the Regulation of their Hearts and Lives Search the Scriptures 'T is written in your Law c. And to the young Man that would know what he should do to inherit eternal Life he said How readest thou c. 4. He hath set forth the World to come in the Glory of it as the Reward of Worship telling them that there is a Kingdom to be given and The Pure in Heart shall see God XIV Jesus Christ hath not only as the Author of our Faith laid a sure Foundation for us to build upon but as the Finisher thereof hath Store of Gifts and Graces to bestow which he hath promised to give down and hath also proposed such Examples and Precepts touching all the Particularities of our Duty which if followed cannot miss of perfecting and making the Church compleat Be ye merciful as Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect Love one another Walk as you have me for an Example and what you would that Men should do to you that do unto them This is the Law and the Prophets XV. Jesus Christ was the most perfect Copy to write by the best Example to conform our Lives unto that ever our Eyes beheld or that ever appeared 1. In his unparallel'd Meekness Humility Self-Denial and Contempt of this World 2. His unwearied Patience under Afflictions and Sufferings 3. His Zeal and Forwardness to do good even to the worst of his Enemies XVI Jesus Christ hath given forth Scripture by the glorious Power of the Holy-Ghost which are the four Evangelists and all the Epistles and as to the Book of the Apocalypse he hath so confirm'd it that he hath made it Damnation to any that shall add to it or diminish from it XVII Herein Jesus Christ hath compleated his Work as a Prophet He did expound to his Disciples what was written in the Law of Moses in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning himself And not only so but he foretold them things that were yet to come to pass as the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Captivity of the Jews He did not conceal but plainly told that there should be a Day of Distress such as had not been since they were a Nation And soon after his Ascension sent his Angel to signify to his Servant John for the teaching all his Churches many things that are and shortly should come to pass As 1. The Rise Reign and Ruine of the last Beast 2. The Suffering of the Church in the Wilderness during his Reign 3. The Glory Grandure horrid Wickedness and fearful Overthrow of Mystery Babylon 4. The going forth of the everlasting Gospel into all the World 5. And lastly his own coming in Glory with the New Jerusalem the holy Angels and all Saints to solemnize the last and dreadful Judgment Prophet I. ALL other Prophets besides Christ were inspired by Christ. The Prophets searched what manner of time the Spirit of Christ in them did signify c. by which he preached to the Spirits in Prison II. Other Prophets pointed at Christ as the Scope of their Prophecies they testified before-hand the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that was to follow III. Other Prophets did but begin the holy Books that were to be the perpetual Rule of Faith and Practice they told us of Divine Things but in part IV. Other Prophets spake of God by private Inspiration and the Intelligence of Angels and few of them confirmed their Words by Miracles V. Other Prophets have left their Work and are all gone Your Fathers where are they And the Prophets do they live for ever What Man is he that liveth and shall not see Death Abraham is dead and the Prophets c. Disparity I. JEsus Christ received not the holy Spirit by measure but hath the Fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily II. Jesus Christ came as the Sum of their Prophecies to fulfill them and compleat what they foretold This is He of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write III. Jesus Christ did finish and compleat the holy Books which are to be the perfect and compleat Rule of Faith and Practice to the end of the World He shewed plainly of the Father He is that Prophet that all Men are to hear upon the Penalty of being destroyed from amongst the People He that hears not his Voice and believes not his Gospel shall not see Life but perish in his Sins How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation confirmed by Signs and Wonders IV. But Jesus Christ spake of the Father as he had seen Him and conversed with Him heard his Words and was in his Bosom before He came down among us in the likeness of Man and confirmed his Doctrine by many immediate and mighty Miracles No Man has seen God at any time but the only begotten Son that is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him The things that I have heard of him I speak unto you If I had not done amongst them the Works which none other Man did they had not had Sin but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father V. Jesus Christ abides in his Prophetical Office still that is of like continuance with his Kingly and Priestly Office as he abides a Priest continually so a Prophet He is with his Church to lead it and guide it to the end of the World as himself saith And lo I am with you always even to the end of the World Inferences I. WE may infer from hence That God hath been exceeding good
Way is well-troden the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and all the Godly walked in this very Way 'T is made very smooth the weakest Traveller may without stumbling or danger walk in it VIII In Christ the spiritual Way are all things necessary provided There is Bread and Water of Life sweet Repose and precious Grace ready to defray all Expences for every willing and faithful Traveller IX There is no coming to God but by Christ There is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we must be saved Whoever refuse Christ and Life through him let their Confidence be never so great it will deceive them and their Hope will prove like the Spider's Web. X. Poor Sinners greatly rejoyce when through Christ they are brought home to the Father but what Joy will it be to them when they come to the End of their Journey the Salvation of their Souls Quest. In what respect is Christ called the Way or said to be the Way to the Father Ans. As he is Mediator between God and Man 1. As a Priest he aton'd and made Peace by his own Blood and thereby he is a blessed Way for us to the Father and as he is a Priest to intercede for us in Heaven See Advocate 2. He is the Way as a King to appoint Laws for us and to subdue Sin and other Enemies in us and for us 3. He is the Way as a Prophet to teach and instruct us by his Word and Spirit how to receive that glorious Atonement he hath made and to walk in those Ordinances he hath appointed 4. He is the Way by that holy Example he hath left for us Quest. What kind of Way is Christ Ans. 1. He is the only Way to the Father and eternal Life 1. The Patriarchs of old knew no other Way Abraham rejoyced to see my Day c. 2. The Prophets knew no other Way 3. The Apostles knew no other Way 4. There is no other Way revealed to Mankind 5. There is a Curse denounced to such as shall preach any other Way 2. Christ is a new Way The old Way of Access to God was barred and chained up by the Fall his Blood is called the Blood of the new Covenant By a new and living Way c. 3. Christ is a sure and certain Way no Man ever missed Heaven that rightly sought it in this Way 4. Christ is a safe Way there is Protection Guidance and safe Direction in him 4. Christ is an easy Way his Yoke is easy his Commands are easy There is Strength and Supplies of all things necessary afforded to all that walk in him 6. Christ is a comfortable Way There is sweet Company all Friends and Brethren and no Enemy walks in this Way besides there are excellent Accommodations 7. Christ is a plain Way a Way prepared cast up and all Stumbling-Blocks removed 8. He is a holy Way all other Ways are unclean and filthy none but holy Persons can walk in this Way 9. 'T is a Way of God's devising and finding out 10. 'T is a costly Way It is a cheap Way to us but dear to God it cost Him the parting with his own beloved Son and Christ the Price of his precious Blood Metaphor I. OTher Ways lead only to external Places and Privileges II. Other Ways lead to a Place but they are not that Place to which they lead III. Other Ways are sometimes out of Repair and unfit for Travellers IV. Other Ways have no Life in them nor can't preserve the Traveller from Death and Danger Disparity I. CHrist leads to the blessed immortal and eternal God Heaven and lasting Happiness II. Christ and the Father are one He is the End of a Saints Journey as well as the Father III. But Christ is a Way never out of Repair nor unfit for Sinners to walk in IV. Christ is a living Way He is a speaking directing animating and quickning Way He preserves from Death and Danger Inferences 1. BLess God for this Way O what infinite Grace is here that the Almighty should be so kind and merciful to us poor Sinners as when we had barr'd up our Way to him he should find out another for us and be at such great charge as to send his own Son to be the Way it self 2. We may infer from hence that the Salvation of the Elect is one and the same hence called common Salvation 3. It shews us that there is no Salvation but by Christ. 4. It holds forth the great Necessity of the Gospel and the Ministry thereof 5. What a miserable Condition are all those in that reject Christ 6. It reprehends those who hope or think to find other Ways to Heaven The Papists think to get thither by their own Merits the Quakers by the Light within c. 7. Labour to see a Necessity of Christ. 8. Prize Christ O value Christ He is All in All He is every thing to Believers you can never over-value precious Jesus Christ a Rock 2 Sam. 23.3 The Rock of Israel spake to me c. Mat. 16.18 Upon this Rock will I build my Church 1 Cor. 10.4 And that Rock was Christ. THe Lord Jesus is compared to a Rock Metaphor I. A Rock is a firm and an immoveable thing good for a Foundation I will liken him unto a Man that built his House upon a Rock c. That which is built upon a Rock stands sure in a tempestuous and stormy Season The Rain descended the Floods came and the Winds blew and beat upon the House and it fell not II. Rocks in ancient Times were made use of for Habitations People dwelt in them as well as built upon them they hewed out Houses or Habitations in Rocks III. A Rock is Locus excelsus an high Place tho they have their Root low and deep yet their Tops being high and soaring are lifted far above the Surface of the Earth IV. Rocks being high or eminent Places for Height they are exceeding useful to take pleasant Prospects from hence one may see afar off From the Tops of the Rocks I see him saith Balaam V. Rocks are strong and were made use of for Defence they are Cannon-proof no Fortifications like some Rocks they are impregnable David for Security came into a Rock VI. Rocks are durable permanent and lasting there is no removing a Rock they grow not weak with Age but continue the same from one Generation to another VII Rocks yield Honey Out of the Rock with Honey would I have satisfied them and elsewhere 't is said He gave them Honey out of the Rock VIII Rocks yield the purest Water most pleasant Springs proceed from them No Water says the Naturalist is so clear as that which comes percolated through Rocks IX Precious Stones and Jewels are but as it were the Sperm the Spawn or as Philosophers would have them the Sweat of Rocks All rich Mines of Gold and Silver as is evident from that in Job
are in and among Rocks X. Rocks yield Oil The Rocks poured me out Rivers of Oil saith Job And in another place 't is said God made Israel to suck Honey out of the Stone and Oil out of the hard Rock XI Rocks afford a very sweet and refreshing Shadow in hot Countries to weary Travellers XII Rocks are dangerous to stumble at or to fall on especially to fall from When Men get up almost to the Top of a high and mighty Rock and suddenly through want of care fall down such are broken to pieces and perish inevitably Parallel I. THe Lord Christ is a firm and sure Foundation Vpon this Rock will I build my Church c. Behold I lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone Another Foundation can no Man lay The Church being built upon Christ the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Whosoever lays the Stress and Structure of his Salvation upon this Foundation the Powers of Hell and Rage of Devils shall never be able to subvert and destroy This made the Apostle to break forth in that holy Triumph Rom. 8. II. God in Christ is a Believer's spiritual Habitation they like the Dove make their Nest in the Clifts of the Rock He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God See Habitation Dove c. III. Christ our Rock is high in respect of the Dignity of his Person He is the high God He was lower than Men in the state of his Humiliation yet far higher and more glorious than the Angels He is high in respect of his Dwelling-place being exalted far above all Heavens high in respect of his Power and Sovereignty having absolute Dominion over Devils Angels and Men. IV. He that by Faith ascends upon the Top of this spiritual Rock may take a better Prospect and Survey of Heaven than Moses could of Canaan when he stood upon the Top of Pisgah He sees most of God and the Glory of the other World that stands upon the Rock Christ. V. God in Christ is the Godly Man's Refuge He that makes God his Defence or flies to Christ for Refuge needs not fear Devils nor wicked Men nor what all the Powers of Hell can do unto him See Strong-Tower VI. The Lord Jesus hath the Stability of a Rock in him He is the Rock of Ages the same yesterday to day and for ever He grows not weak as his Years so his Strength decays not VII All sweet Peace and Comfort proceed from the Rock Christ His Promises are sweeter than Honey or the Honey-Comb VIII That celestial Stream Spring and River of Comfort viz. the Spirit proceeds from the Throne of God and the Lamb From this Rock saith a worthy Writer the clear and crystalline Streams of living Water bubble forth IX In Christ are hidden all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg all the Graces of the Spirit which are compared to but far more excellent than Gold Pearl or precious Stones are only to be found in this spiritual Rock X. Christ affords us Store of precious Oil the Spirit is so called with which the Godly are all more or less anointed We have received an Vnction from the Holy One No Oil like that which comes from this Rock XI Christ is as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land He keeps off all the hot scorching Beams of the Wrath of God and Hell See Apple-Tree XII Christ is a Rock of Offence many stumble at him and fall on him and some fall from him whose State of all is very sad For when Men fall from this Rock having gotten up very high by a speculative Knowledg and Profession they fall suddenly to the lowest Hell Metaphor I. ROcks tho they abide and last long yet are not everlasting II. Rocks in many respects are barren useless and unprofitable things yield no Fruit Seed that falls upon a Rock comes to no maturity Some fell upon a Rock c. III. Rocks are part of the coursest and grossest Element they are but Earth condensed and congealed into a massy senseless Lump Disparity I. CHrist abides for ever and ever he being stiled the Rock of Ages II. Christ the spiritual Rock is very fruitful and every way exceeding profitable III. Christ is of the highest and best of Beings He that made and formed the Elements and gave being to all Creatures and Things who tho called a Rock yet is the Lord from Heaven and a quickning Spirit Inferences 1. TAke heed Christ be not unto you a Stumbling-Stone and Rock of Offence 2. Let the Godly who dwell in this Rock fear no Evil their Rock is not like our Rock 3. Get into this Rock be like the Dove that makes her Nest besides the Holes Mouth 4. When you are down in the Valley and the Waters swell and threaten to overflow you get with David by Faith and Prayer upon the Rock that is higher than you 5. Prize the Rock precious Water Honey and Oil flow from it 1. 'T is a rich Rock 2. 'T is a living Rock 3. 'T is an invincible Rock 4. 'T is a feeding and fattening Rock 5. 'T is a Rock of Pearls and Diamonds 6. 'T is an eternal Rock 6. When you see a great Rock think of Christ. 7. Build all your Hopes of Happiness upon it let your Anchor be so cast as to take hold of this Rock Christ a Fountain Jer. 2.13 They have forsaken me the Fountain of living Water c. Zech. 13.1 In that Day there shall be a Fountain opened c. AMong the many Things that Christ is compared to in the holy Scripture to set forth his transcendent Excellency Beauty Usefulness and Perfections this of a Fountain is none of the least it being a most profitable Metaphor Metaphor I. A Fountain is the Spring and Head of a River from thence Waters issue and stream forth 'T is the Rise and Beginning of Springs and Waters II. A Fountain implies Abundance of Water I will open Fountains in the midst of the Vallies that is Fulness or Store of Water it denotes Plenty III. A Fountain is very tenacious a Place fit dense hard and well-compact to retain the Water leaving some certain Passage for to let its Water out in an orderly manner IV. A Fountain when the Passage or Vent is open le ts out its Water freely V. Fountains always empty themselves into low Places they love to glide in the Vallies of the Earth He sends his Springs into the Vallies VI. Fountains by letting out their Water into Vallies Meadows and low Ground make them very fruitful when Mountains and high Grounds abide barren and unprofitable VII Fountain-Water is usually common to all the Poor and he that hath no Money may partake of it none are forbid to come to a Fountain VIII Fountains yield pure and unmix'd Water Streams are sometimes muddy they may be defiled but Fountain-Water is clear fair and without Filth IX Many Fountains are deep
preservation of Health the neglect of putting them on many times brings Sickness sometimes death VIII Garments are used for Distinction as 1. They distinguish one Sex from another the Man shall not put on the Apparel which appertaineth to the Woman 2. Garments also distinguish the several Ranks and Qualities of of Men those that are cloathed in soft Raiment are in Kings Houses 3. By the Habit or Garment we do distinguish the People of one Nation from another IX Garments are of a comfortable and refreshing Nature and of excellent use to them who put them on X. Garments answer not their End in making neither are they of use till put on XI Some sorts of Garments were Significations of Grief and Sorrow Mordecai put on Sackcloath so in Joel 1.13 XII Garments were also used to testify Joy as appears in the Case of the Prodigal Bring forth the best Robes and put on and put a Ring on his Finger Parallel I. THe Lord Jesus Christ is a Cover for the Soul every Mans Nakedness and Deformity appears that hath not on this Spiritual Garment II. Naturally we have no Righteousness that is either accepted of God or a suitable Cover for the Soul this Spiritual Garment is wrought by the Spirit and made fit for us III. The Lord Christ is put on for a Garment or spiritual Cloathing by those Nations and People only where Christianity is received and not by many there neither some are like Brutes and Hethenish People naked without Christ and true Holiness IV. Before a Man can put on the Lord Jesus Christ and be cloathed with the Garment of Holiness he must put off the abominable filthy Cloaks and Covers of Wickedness he must be stript of his filthy Rags that he may be cloathed with the Spirit and Graces of Christ Put off the former Conversation the Old Man and put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness V. By putting on of Christ in a way of Faith and Holiness the Soul is defended from the cheeks and smarting pricks of Conscience from the fiery Darts of Satan and from the killing Power of the Law and the Wrath of God VI. This blessed Garment keeps the Soul warm hereby Saints become fervent in Spirit and zealously affected If we have any spiritual Heat in us we must attribute it to Christ naturally we are as cold as that Child was when his Spirit was departed 2 Kings 4.24 VII The Graces of Christ and true Holiness are the only Preservative of the inward Man from spiritual Sickness by putting him on and leading of a holy Life we abide in Health and those who neglect to put on these Garmens are exposed to all manner of Scuâ—â—-Diseases which end in eternal Death VIII This spiritual Garment makes a Distinction 1. Holiness distinguisheth Believers from Unbelievers the Godly from the Wicked Who hath made thee to differ from another If a Man be in Christ he is a new Creature 2. This Glorious Garment shows that the Righteous are more excellent than their Neighbour as it was said of Jabush he was more Honorable than his Brethren it makes appear the Godly are Kings Children having Princely Robes upon them 3. By a holy Christ-like Conversation the People and Saints of God are known to be People of another Country Citizens of another City Ye are not of this World IX This spiritual Garment is of a most excellent sweet comforting and refreshing Quality the Vertue whereof is not cannot be felt nor apprehended by Unbelievers X. Men put not Christ to that use for which he came into the World till they put him on for Sanctification and Holiness neither will he be otherwise of saving Benefit unto them He that believeth not shall not see Life Without Holiness no Man shall see God XI Such as have put on this Garment do abundantly demonstrate their great Sorrow and Grief for Sin Godly Sorrow worketh Repentance yea shall be sorrowful All such as put on Christ for Sanctification are cloathed with Humility XII Such who are cloathed with the Robes of Righteousness have on them the beautiful Garments of Salvation which signifies that they above all have cause to rejoyce hence saith the Apostle As sorrowful yet always rejoycing Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say rejoyce Metaphor I. MAterial Garments are made by Man II. Other Garments consist of Matter and are of such or such external Shape according to the Party for whom they are made III. Other Garments may be bought with Mony and those likely who have most of it have the best Robes IV. Material Garments render a Man or Woman amiable only in the sight of Man c. V. Other Garments are the worse for wearing by long and often using they will decay VI. Other Garments at certain Times are to be put off or may be changed As light or thin Garments for Summer and more substantial for Winter c. VII A Man may part with or dispose of other Garments at his Pleasure as he thinks fit to his Friends or to such as want Cloaths Disparity I. THis Garment of Holiness is wrought by the Spirit of God II. This Garment consists of Grace Divine Vertues and Spiritual Qualifications III. This Garment may be had without Mony or Price 't is true Christ speaks of buying c. white Raiment That buying is free receiving The Porphet explains this Phrase Isa. 55.1 No Man hath any thing of worth or value to give for it the Gift of God cannot be purchased with Mony the poor in Spirit are better cloathed than the rich IV. This Garment renders a Man or Woman lovely in the sight of God The Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit is in the sight of God of great Price V. This Garment the more and longer it is used the better and more excellent it is Use makes perfect in Godliness as well as in other Cases VI. This Garment viz. the Robe of Righteousness is never to be changed nor put off Day nor Night Winter nor Summer we ought to be good and vertuous in Sickness and Health at all times in Prosperity and Adversity 't is good always to be zealously affected in a good thing VII This Garment Christ and Holiness as a Man cannot dispose of it unto others so he ought not No Man hath so much Grace as to furnish his Friend with it the Wise Virgins had no Oyl to give to the Foolish What thou hast already hold fast till I come Inferences I. WE may from hence admire the Excellencies of the Lord Jesus Christ he is Life he is Meat hidden Manna he is Drink yea he is all in all and provides all for Believers II. It shews the miserable State of those that are without true Holiness such are naked Now a naked Man is exposed to the Reproach of every Eye his Shame appears
VII The Apostles were to take care of the Church whilst they lived and after their Decease Paul had the Care of all the Churches upon him He sent for the Elders and gave them charge c. St. Peter took care that after his Decease the Churches might be secured from Danger VIII The Apostles had a Dispensation committed to them from which they were not to depart A Dispensation of the Gospel is committed to me Wo is me if I preach not the Gospel They also ordained other Ministers IX The Apostles went through good and evil Report unweariedly till they had finished their Course and then committed themselves to Him that judgeth righteously in expectation of a Crown of endless Glory Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness c. Parallel I. CHrist Jesus was immediatly sent by God He came not of himself but the Father sent him II. Christ Jesus went about preaching the Gospel doing Good and healing all that were oppressed III. Christ Jesus was not alone but the Father was with him God was with him in an extraordinary manner beyond what he ever was with any Mortal IV. Christ as the great and chief Apostle bore witness to the Truth For this cause came I into the World â—â— V. The Lord Jesus came as the chief Apostle to open Mysteries that had been kept hid VI. Christ Jesus had not the Spirit by measure but was filled with the Spirit to do and speak mighty things VII Christ more especially took care of his Church before he left them He forewarned them of Evils to come he cautioned them against Fears and Apostacies and committed them to the Care of his Father Keep through thy Name those that thou hast given me VIII Jesus Christ as the great Apostle had a Dispensation committed to him The Work that my Father gives me to do shall I not do it I must work the Works of God Tell that Fox I do Miracles this day to morrow and the third day I shall be perfected He had Power also to ordain other Officers and Ministers IX Christ suffered great Contradiction of Sinners against Himself fought as the Captain of our Salvation with all Difficulties and Enemies till he had finished his Work and could say Father it is finished into thy hands I commend my Spirit He for the Joy that was set before him endured the Cross despised the Shame and is sate down at the right hand of God An Apostle I. THe Apostles were but meer Men whose Original was from the Dust. II. The Apostles had but small measure of the Spirit and were not without Sin and Infirmities III. The Apostles were but Fellow-Servants and not Lords over God's Heritage not like some we have had since their Time IV. The Apostles did but shew and direct to a Saviour to Salvation and eternal Life they were not able to save nor could they give Salvation to any Was Paul crucified for you c. Disparity I. CHrist was Emanuel the eternal Son of God God vâ—â—ry God of God Lord of all whose Descent was from Heaven I came down from Heaven The second Man was the Lord from Heaven II. Christ had the Fulness of the Divine Spirit dwelt in him and rested upon him God gave not the Spirit to him by measure Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself to God without spot The Prince of this World came and found nothing in him He was holy harmless and undefiled separate from Sinners III. But Christ is Master Head Lord Ruler and Governor a compleat Prince and King as well as Priest and Prophet and Apostle He is Lord of all over all God blessed for evermore Which made Mary say They have taken away my Lord and Thomas say My Lord and my God IV. But Christ did more than shew and direct to a Saviour He was that Saviour himself and the Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him He had Help laid upon him being mighty to save was born a Saviour To you is born in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And that great Salvation is not to be neglected without eminent Danger How shall we escape that neglect so great Salvation Inferences I. BEhold the great Goodness of God to the Church and World that he should send so great an Apostle so wise an Ambassador to treat with Souls and for Souls and to settle govern and establish the Church II. What great Love Christ had to Sinners that he should leave his Riches and Glory above to come down to be an Apostle a Fellow-Servant for our sakes He that was rich became poor that we through his Poverty might be made rich III. What need have we of the Pope and his Cardinals seeing God hath been so kind to give us Christ to be our Apostle and High-Priest We own none but Christ to be the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession who can do all things for us by his Word Spirit and Ministers Away therefore with that grand Antichrist and vile Impostor whom they call His Holiness with all his Antichristian Crew IV. This may serve to inform us that we ought to listen to him and be taught by him for there is great reason for it 1. God sent him I came not of my self the Father sent me 2. He spake so as never Man spake No Man ever yet nor ever will speak like the Man Christ Jesus He spake like one that had Authority and not like the Scribes learned Doctors and wise Men among the Jews Many were astonished at his Understanding and Answers in his tender Age. 3. God commands us to hear him This is my beloved Son hear him 4. God threatens us if we do not hear him 't is dangerous to refuse to hear him How shall we escape if we turn away from him that speaks from Heaven Christ the Bread of Life John 6.48 50 51. I am the Bread of Life This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven I am the living Bread which came down from Heaven IT is not my Business here to give the various Opinions of Men touching the Bread in the Text Some hold it to be Christ's Doctrine others Christ in the Sacrament others hold it is Christ in a more invisible Administration but to shew metaphorically that whatsoever Bread properly so called is to Men considered as Men that Jesus Christ is unto Believers and all true Christians according to the Gospel Metaphor I. BRead is prepared and made fit for Food II. Bread is a Substance well suited for the Subject to which it is appointed III. Bread is good in it self and of its own nature IV. Bread is not inherent in us but a distinct thing from us and a Gift from another V. Bread is ordained to an high and most excellent End even to preserve the whole
XXII By the Spirit of Christ we are regenerated or born again Holiness Faith Love Joy c. and all such precious Fruits are the Productions of the holy Spirit through Christ. Such as lie as it were buried in the Grave of Sin and spiritual Misery shall when the quickning Beams of this spiritual Sun shine upon their Souls have a Resurrection from that Death and by its efficacy shall their Bodies also be raised from the Dust at the last Day XXIII The Beams of Gospel-Light and Divine Illumination do not shine alike in every Nation nor in every Soul In some European Countries especially in England they are more bright and radiant than elsewhere A great many Places want the Comfort of this Spiritual Sun more than Greenland wants the Presence of the created Sun for there the Sun shines half the year but in many Heathen Countries the Sun-shine of the Gospel has not yet arose yea even in Palestine and the adjacent Countries where it first shined most gloriously its Light is for the most part if not altogether removed and communicated to the Isles afar off to the Glory of his rich and unspeakable Grace and Love to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. XXIV Christ warms and heats the Soul which of it self is cold earthly and of a benummed Constitution He sends the Comforter by him we are quickned c. He gives Rest he is the Resurrection and the Life of his People and therefore their Reviver As a Refiner's Fire he burns our Dross Hay Stubble c. And if this Fire be cherished it parches and dries up the Weeds and Trash the Thorns and Briars that grow in our Souls as predominant Sin and Lust all Self-love Corruption and carnal Confidence c. which else would choak the Word and stiffle all good Motions in us See Refiner XXV Christ is the Light of Men. Natural or Moral Light is too dim like the Moon to discover the secret Pollutions of the Soul it cannot make you see the Corruption and Filth of such as lie in their Blood being Captives to Satan the Heart does receive no Light but what comes from this Sun of Righteousness without it which we shall stumble and fall converse with Sin which envenoms the Soul and at last tumble blindfold into Hell and eternal Damnation By this blessed Light is discover'd 1. What Sin is and its Nature and Consequences for tho natural Conscience if it may be so called arraigns us for Immorality or any Breach of the Law of Nature yet it is too dark and far short of discovering the horrid Filth and abominable Evil of Sin in a Gospel-way that is the Work of the Spirit and 't is only spiritually discerned 2. This spiritual Sun or Gospel-Light shews the sad and lamentable Condition of fallen Man by Sin 3. How insignificant the World with all its outward Pomp and imaginary Glory is to release him and afford any solid Content or Satisfaction 4. It discovers the Craft and Subtilty of Satan that Arch-Enemy of Souls 5. It reveals as far as frail Man can comprehend it the Being of God in his glorious Attributes and most sublime Perfections 6. It holds forth the transcendent Excellency of Jesus Christ and the absolute Necessity there is for poor fallen Man to have an Interest in him in order to his Peace with God 7. It informs us which are false Ways who are Hereticks where the false Church is c. Which are things not to be known but by the blessed Light of this Sun of Righteousness shining in his Word viz. the holy Scriptures This Sun of Righteousness gives us Light and Direction in all the Ways of God's holy Worship this Soul-Guide leads in the right way of Wisdom and in the midst of the Paths of Judgment He leads the Blind by a Way they knew not and makes Darkness Light before them and crooked things streight See the Metaphor Light XXVI What can be so desirable so comfortable as the Light of God's Countenance to have this Sun of Righteousness shining on us David accounted it the one thing desirable That he might dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of his Life to behold the Beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple If the Beams of this spiritual Sun be withdrawn the Soul is restless till it finds them seeking every where and crying out with the Spouse Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth His Favour and Loving-kindness is better than Life XXVII When Christ draws near the Soul by his heavenly Influences he causes it to become green and flourishing When this Gospel-Sun rises high and shines hot in any Kingdom or Country it causes them wonderfully to flourish it fertilizes Souls and Nations and makes them to bring forth beautiful Blossoms and wholesom Fruit but in his Retreats and Withdrawings how do they languish and pine away 'T is Night where Christ is absent and Day where he is present His being at a distance is the Soul's Winter and his blessed Approach is Summer As Birds chant their warbling Notes in the Spring rejoycing at the Sun 's coming so do the Saints with spiritual Melody congratulate the Approaches of Christ. XXVIII Christ the Sun of Righteousness shining forth in the manifestation of the Gospel causeth the Heart of one Man to dissolve and melt like Wax distilling him into Tears of Repentance others are hardned and grow obdurate as a Rock not through the Gospel's fault but their own obstinate and rebellious Minds To some the Word is a Savour of Life unto Life and to others a Savour of Death unto Death XXIX Christ is often vailed so that we cannot see him viz. when strange and dark Providences attend us as in the case of Job How often do our Sins interpose like Clouds betwixt us and this blessed Sun of Righteousness leaving our Souls in the dark Yet in these Withdrawings the Soul is sensible that his Efficacy and Virtue are not removed XXX Some like Felix cannot bear the powerful Influences of Christ's Word and heavenly Doctrine XXXI The dazling Light and transcendent Glory of Christ exceeds all the Glory of the World and all that is therein their Light is but Darkness when compared to him XXXII The Sun of Righteousness is to us eclipsed when this World gets between us and Christ when our Hearts and Eyes are so much upon it that we cannot see him in his Beauty Christ is never totally eclipsed to a gracious Soul because Sin is infinitely less than him XXXIII Jesus Christ rejoyces in doing the Work of the Father his Meat and Drink was in doing the Will of him that sent him Lo I come to do thy Will O God XXXIV Christ by his blessed Word through the Influences of the holy Spirit ripens his chosen Ones for the Harvest which is the end of the World and prepares them for Glory And the Wicked through their own Perverseness
are fitted as Vessels of Wrath for Destruction Metaphor I. THe Sun is a Creature and had a beginning and when Time is swallowed up of Eternity it will set and rise no more II. The Sun gives Light but cannot give Sight the Sun-Beams tho never so powerful cannot make a blind Man see III. The Sun shines but in one Hemisphere at once when it rises to us it sets to our Antipodes IV. The Sun hath endamaging as well as healing Qualities defaces Beauty maketh Men faint Fruits are sometimes withered to nothing by it V. The Sun is inanimate hath neither rational sensitive nor vegetative Life tho in some sence called the Fountain of Life VI. The Sun is the Servant of Men from the Root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to minister 'T is Idolatry to worship it Disparity I. JEsus Christ is God in his Essence uncreated and without beginning Christ endureth for ever he is Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the Ending the First and the Last II. Christ gives Sight as well as Light he made the Blind to see He also cures spiritual Blindness as Saul's by Ananias Acts 9.17 III. Christ is able to shine over the whole World at once It may properly be said of him as of the King of Assyria The Stretching out of his Wings are able to cover the World at one moment IV. Christ hath no hurtful quality he quickens the Soul never makes it faint He makes Deformity beautiful and lovely ripens but never withers the Fruits off Grace His Beams are destructive to none but such as have no root such indeed he withers V. Christ has Life Light and Heat and is often in Scripture called our Life for he gives and maintains both natural and spiritual Life VI. Christ is our Lord whom Men and Angels must worship all the Host of Heaven adore him 'T is gross Impiety not to worship him Inferences I. HEnce we may learn to know the Worth and Excellency of Christ as also the indispensible and absolute Necessity every Soul lies under of receiving Divine Illuminations from this everlasting Sun for as natural Bodies perish without the Influence of the natural Sun so will Souls if the Sun of Righteousness give not his Life-cherishing Efficacy II. Hence we may also see how greatly we are concerned to pray earnestly to God that our Hemisphere may never be deprived of this Sun of Righteousness nor overspread with the Clouds of superstitious Popery nor other Heretical Errors and Darkness III. This may shew the Folly and Madness of such as would drive the Light of the Gospel out of the World 1. In respect of the Wrong and Injury they would do the World thereby if they could effect it 2. Their Inability to accomplish it IV. Hence we may infer the Necessity of labouring whilst it is day we know not how soon our Sun may set and we are not sure of another The Lord thus threatens the Prophets that cause the People to err I will cause the Sun to go down at Noon c. Which Judgment the Lord God in Mercy deliver England from Christ the Root of David Rev. 22.16 I am the Root and Off-spring of David c. THere is a great and glorious Mystery in these Words many understand not how Jesus Christ should be the Root and yet the Off-spring of David This Text agrees with those Words of our Saviour If David called him Lord how then is he said to be his Son They understood him not Christ as he is God is David's Lord and the Root of David but as he is Man he is his Off-spring and hence elsewere called the Branch Christ is and may fitly be called and compared to a Root The Root of 1. Grace 2. Glory Metaphor I. A Root is that from whence the Tree and Branches do proceed II. A Root is a thing hidden in the Earth and not obvious or visible to the Eye III. A Root hath Life nay 't is the Center of Life the Life of any Tree or Plant is principally in the Root IV. The Root beareth the Body of the Tree and all the Branches thereof V. The Root communicates Sap and Nourishment unto the Body and all the Branches thereof VI. The Body and Branches have a necessary dependance on the Root VII There is much Life and Sap in the Root when the Tree and Branches seem dead dry and sapless VIII As is the Soundness and Firmness of the Root of a Tree the more sound firm and stable is the Tree it self with the Branches thereof these being likely to endure when those that have no Root fall away IX The Root is best secured of any part of the Tree being excellently fortified by Nature in the Earth X. Those that would utterly destroy the Tree strike at the Root XI The Root communicates of the same Life and natural Virtue to the Tree and Branches Parallel I. FRom the Lord Jesus Christ the Root of David all Believers do proceed I am the Vine ye are the Branches See Christ the true Vine II. The Deity or Divine Nature of Jesus Christ is a hidden thing cannot be seen with mortal Eyes Christ's Glory was vailed under Afflictions Reproaches Poverty c. as a Root is under the Earth III. In the Lord Jesus Christ is Life He is called the Way the Truth and the Life As the Father hath Life in himself the Son also hath Life in himself Life is in Christ as Sap is in the Root of a Tree IV. The Lord Jesus Christ this Root bears up his Church and every Member thereof V. The Lord Jesus Christ conveys Sap and Nourishment to all his Church and every particular Believer or Branch thereof hence he is called our Life VI. The Saints and Church of God have the like dependance on the Lord Jesus Christ Without thee we can do nothing VII There is much Sap and Life in Jesus Christ for the Godly when oft-times they seem like withered and dry Branches VIII The Goodness Firmness and Soundness of this Divine Root the Lord Jesus Christ shews us the very happy stedfast and secure State of the Church This Root cannot fail nor decay and consequently the Church and People of God shall endure and stand against all the Storms and Blasts of the Devil Antichrist and all wicked Enemies IX The Lord Jesus Christ is secured from Hurt and Danger whilst his Church is daily exposed thereunto being hid in God as it were You are dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God X. The Devil 's grand Design being utterly to destroy all the Godly struck most furiously at Jesus Christ the blessed Root XI Christ communicates of his Spirit and Divine Nature to his Church If the Root be holy even so are the Branches Be ye holy even as I am holy He that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Metaphor I. NAtural Roots
gather there drive away Darkness and clear the Sight And further saith Quid possit Vitis alia quae fundit sermone explicare nemo potest that no Tongue could sufficiently tell the Virtues of the Vine the like says Pliny Parallel I. JEsus Christ in his state of Humiliation did not appear in that outward Glory Pomp and Magnificence which the proud Grandees of the Earth glitter in he was not entertained with the Royalties of Imperial Palaces for his Kingdom was not of this World He was look'd upon in comparison of the Mighty Men who are compared to the Cedars of Lebanon and Oaks of Bashan as a poor mean and contemptible Shrub as the Prophet foretold He shall grow up before him as a Tender Plant and as a Root out of a dry Ground he hath no Form nor Comliness and when we shall see him there is no Beauty that we should desire him II. Jesus Christ hath a Name above every Name he infinitely excels whatsoever is good great and glorious in Angels Saints and Men. The spendor and Stateliness of Monarchs Courts is nothing in comparison of that unexpressible Lustre and Majesty that surrounds him The Heavenly Luminaries are dim to him he is the Royal Ofspring of Heaven of the sublimest Extraction When he bringeth the first begotten into the World he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him III. Christ when in his young and tender Age grew much in favour both with God and Man and when he was twelve years old disputed with the Learned Doctors hearing them and asking them Questions and all that heard him were astonished at his Vnderstanding and Answers c. IV. Jâ—â—sus Christ is full of Life and Divine Vertue the Treasuries of his communicable Graces are immense and unspeakable All Wisdom and Knowledg are hid in him In him all Fulness dwells his People mystically united to him are his Branches them he supplies with spiritual Quickning Nourishment and Growth and though scattered over many Kingdoms and Nations his Protection environs them round about provides a sufficient Supply for their spiritual Wants which is to be found no where else If a Man abide not in me saith he he is cast forth as a Branch that is withered c. V. Christ the Spiritual Vine is not only a green spreading and flourishing Plant but also exceeding fruitful he was so in his Life going up and down doing good both to the Bodies and Souls of Men fruitful in his Death In that Cluster there is much choice Fruit as Atonement Reconciliation Redemption Victory over Sin and Satan the abolishing of the Law and establishing the everlasting Righteousness he was fruitful in his Resurrection Ascention Intercession c. The Graces of the Spirit Holy Ordinances and Promises of Eternal Life are all Fruits of this heavenly Vine from him is all our Fruit found See Metaphor Light VI. The Lord Jesus brings forth the most pleasant and most desirable Fruit. I sate down under his Shadow with great delight saith the Spouse and his Fruit was pleasant to my Taste No Cup so refreshing as the Cup of Divine Consolation No Wine nourishes or quickens the Body so much as the Love of Christ Peace with God Reconciliation Pardon of Sin Justification Adoption c. These Blessed Fruits of this mystical Vine do chear feed and enliven a Drooping and Languishing Soul VII The Lord Jesus yields Fruit every way profitable All the Good that Soul or Body is capable to receive flows from him and is the Fruit of his Love purchased by his Death and communicated by his Word and Holy Spirit It warms supports and strengthens the Souls of his People His Grace is of a healing quickning and vivifying nature See Metaphor Wine and Ointment c. VIII Jesus Christ is a Shadow to his Church a hiding-place from the Wind and a Cover from the Tempest as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land He defends from the Rage of Satan from Sin from the Fury of Man in the heat of Persecution yea from the wrath of God by which were it not for the interposition of this blessed Skreen or Shade we should be scorched burnt yea utterly consumed See Rock Apple-Tree c. IX Christ the Spiritual Vine being affronted rejected and abused by the rebellious obstinate and unbelieving Jews when he approached and beheld the City He wept over it was grieved for the hardness of their Hearts but more especially when he came under the execution of Divine Wrath for Mans sake and in his stead which he did willingly undergo how did his bruised and abused Body sweat as it were great drops of Blood until he yielded up his blessed Life and precious Spirit for us X. The Grace of Christ the Spiritual Vine is precious Eye-Salve which removes those thick Clouds of Darkness and Ignorance that are upon the Understanding by which a Soul spiritually comes to have a clear Prospect of those never-fading Glories of the other World and plainly discerns the gilded Follies and transitory Vanities of all things here below In a word no Tongue can sufficiently exalt the transcendent Virtues of this ever-blessed Vine Metaphor I. THe Vine is a Plant of an earthly Extract the choicest and goodliest are only the Plantation of Men. II. The Vine is not always green the Leaves fall off in Winter You may look for Fruit when the Vintage is gathered and find none III. The Fruit of the Vine taken to excess is offensive to God hurts and injures the Soul breeds Diseases and destructive Humours in the Body bereaves Men of Reason intoxicates the Brain c. IV. The Fruit of the Vine diminishes by gathering Cluster after Cluster you may soon strip it off all V. The Fruit of the Vine is only good for the Body VI. The Vine wants Support unless it be underpropt it falls being not able to bear the weight of its own Branches Disparity I. CHrist is of an heavenly Original and Extraction a Vine of God's own planting who prepared a Body for him and appointed him to the work of Redemption He is the true Vine and God the Father is the Husbandman no other could plant so Noble a Vine as Christ is II. Christ the Spiritual Vine perpetually flourishes always abounds with Fruit and knows no Winter he is the same from Generation to Generation yesterday to day and for ever without variation or shadow of turning there 's always a full Vintage that never diminishes withers nor decays never grows old but ever remains in its full growth and absolute Perfection III. The Fruit of Christ the Spiritual Vine never hurts any no danger of Surfeit here the more you eat and drink the better 't is here 's no fear of Excess The Wine of Consolation neither gluts nor inflames nor intoxicates but nourishes and feeds the Soul
between Christ and the Church as the Foundation is Holy Divine and Spiritual excellent in Nature and Form so is the House or Temple of God XI The Lord Jesus Christ doth not only bear the weight of the whole Church but also all that appertain to it all the Pillars Braces under-props and supports viz. the Prophets Apostles Ministers c. that are called Pillars in the House of God He bears up the Covenant the Covenant stands firm in him I have saith God made a Covenant with my Chosen He is the Mediator and Surety of it all the Precepts of God are built upon him He is the Foundation of every Ordinance Appointment and Institution of the Gospel What ever any Man preaches or practises for Doctrine or Discipline that hath not its Rise Ground and footing from Christ the Foundation it ought to be cast away and utterly rejected and abominated as altogether unfit for Gods Building All the Promises are built upon him To Abraham and his Seed were the Promises made not to Seeds as if many but to thy Seed which is Christ all the Promises are in him yea and in him Amen c. Union and Reconciliation with God are founded on Christ 't is he who hath made Peace by the Blood of the Cross. When we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son Justification Sanctification Righteousness and Redemption Vocation all are built upon him they all have their Rise and Foundation from Christ. Moreover Pardon of Sin and Peace of Conscience are from him Woman thy Sins are forgiven thee go in Peace My Peace I give unto you All Duties of Religion are built upon Christ it is he that hath commanded every thing that is to be done by us whether it respects the first or second Table all is to be done in Christ's Name by his Authority and in his Strength and by the help of his Spirit and to his Praise and Glory Faith Love Hope yea every Grace and all Gifts of the Holy Ghost which adorn the Soul and House of God are from Christ they are purchased by him and do flow from him to us by the Spirit Again the Ministry is from him he is the great Subject of Gospel-Ministration We preach Christ crucified c. The Efficacy of all is from him he gives the Encrease Lastly Eternal Life is built upon him This is the Record that God hath given to us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son He that hath the Son hath Life and he that hath not the Son hath not Life 1 Joh. 5.11 12. METAPHOR I. OTher Foundations are laid with many Stones joyned and cemented together II. Other Foundations are laid of sensless breathless Stone or Brick things that are natural things that are terrestrial congealed into a massy lump or artificially made and prepared III. Other Foundations many times decay and by that means the whole Building is in danger and tumbles down IV. Other Foundations are laid by some Man for as Man builds the House so he it is that first lays the Foundation thereof V. Other Foundations are laid of Stones of little Value and Worth comparatively the Foundation of a House is not laid with precious Stones as Jasper Saphyr Beril Jacinth Amythist Diamond c. VI. A Foundation is often removed fault being found with it and another laid in the room of it a Man may remove a Foundation which he hath laid at his pleasure or may lay more Foundations than one VII Other Foundations may be shaken an Earthquake may remove them out of their place VIII Other Foundation cannot preserve the House that is built upon it that may be totally demolished and destroyed and yet the Foundation may remain Disparity I. THis Foundation is but one whole entire Stone which adds to the Strength and Firmness of it Behold I lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone not Stones nothing besides Christ nothing of our own must be built upon as a Foundation for Salvation II. Christ is a living lively and active Spirit hence called a living Stone disallowed indeed of Men he created the Stones and Dust of the Earth as God he hath his Being of himself and from everlasting not made nor created III. Christ being a living Stone in whom is Spirit and Life doth not cannot decay and by this means the Church of God and every particular Soul that is built upon him stands sure he transforms the Building into his own nature and so keeps and preserves it from Rottenness and all manner of Decays whatsoever Living things do not rot nor putrifie as other things do And as the Body by Joynts and Bands from the Head hath Nourishment ministred and knit together groweth and encreaseth in Strength and Beauty so is it with the glorious Body the Church and Soul of a true Believer that is joyned to Christ this blessed Head and living Foundation Because I live ye shall live also IV. Christ is laid as a Foundation for us and in our Souls by the Father 't is God's Act and not our own Behold I lay in Zion c. Who can lay Christ for a Foundation but God He was first laid by God in his Decree and then he laid him by the Prophets and Apostles And lastly by the Spirit also is he laid in the Hearts of Believers Christ is infinite How can a finite Hand or Power move an infinite Being or Thing God first removes or razes by his Spirit all other Foundations he takes of Man's hopes off Heaven by his own Works Legal Conviction Tears Humiliations Vows Covenants Resolutions c. and in the place and room of all lays Christ crucified as the ground of Hope and Happiness Hence is all Boasting excluded and Salvation wholly of Grace See Mr. Tillinghust Christ the only Foundation V. Christ the Spiritual Foundation is a precious Stone to whom coming as to a living Stone disallowed indeed of Men but chosen of God and precious Christ is not a common Stone but a choice rich Stone a Stone of inestimable Value and Price Behold I lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone elect and precious This sets forth the Excellency of a Foundation and not only so but it adds a Lustre and Glory to the House which is built upon it The Foundation of New Jerusalem is said to be laid with all manner of precious Stones and then you read of the Excellency of the Superstructure the Building of the Wall was Jasper and the City was of pure Gold O how glorious must that City needs be that hath such a Foundation as Christ is and not only so but how durable also are some precious Stone The Diamond is the hardest Stone it cuts Glass there is nothing as Naturalists say can break it Jesus Christ makes Impression on the hard hearts of Men by his Graces O then how safe must it of necessity be for us to
Christ if he sees that a small Fire and easy Afflictions will not refine and purifie the Soul of a Believer adds greater Afflictions puts them into a very hot Fire great Trials according to his own Wisdom and good pleasure of his Will If need be you are in heaviness through manifold Temptations That the trial of your Faith being much more precious than Gold c. Think it not strange concerning the fiery Trial which is to try you as if some strange thing happened unto you VII Jesus Christ by refining his People separates their Dross from them separates Pride Passion Luke-warmness Worldly-mindedness c. and thereby makes Them and their Graces exceeding valuable Tried Faith tried Patience tried Love is highly esteemed 't is far beyond tried Gold This is the fruit of all the taking away of your Sin I will make a Man more precious than Gold even a Man above the Golden Wedg of Ophir And Christ by refining and putting the whole Church into the Furnace separates the Gold the sincere Christians from drossy Hypocrites VIII Christ to refine and throughly purge and purifie his Church and the Hearts of Believers puts them into one Fire one Affliction and then into another hence God speaks of purifying his People seven times for if you will not for these things obey me I will punish you seven times more according to your Sins God hath many Fires IX Christ adds something of another nature other Metal as I may say into his Gold viz. his Church and People that are in the Furnace there is the additament of his Word and Spirit Did not he add these to his People to refine and purifie them they would be long in the Fire before their Dross would be washed and consumed away nay without the Word and Spirit Afflictions could never accomplish nor perfect the Work and make them fit for his use X. Jesus Christ doth not put his Church or any one believing Soul into the Furnace to destroy or any ways to hurt them but purely out of a gracious Design to make them more pure and serviceable unto him Fathers for a few days chasten us after their pleasure but he for our profit that we might be partakers of his Holiness After he hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold He takes much care that nothing be lost none of them receive detriment thereby XI Christ will not suffer his People to remain in the Furnace or under Afflictions any longer than he sees need of it no longer than till all their dross and filth be purged away 'T is but in measure he knows when it is enough and then he soon abates the Fire XII Christ oft-times in refining of his Church wasteth the Wicked who are his Fuel by which he many times purges them In a secret way they hereby come many times to be bruised and smitten the Fire of God's Wrath seizes upon them as in the case of Pharoah whilst they are persecuting his People XIII Christ Jesus by putting his Children into the Furnace of Affliction resolves to burn up waste and destroy all Hypocrites and drossy Professors in a day of fiery Triall they pass away like Smoke But the Wicked shall perish even like Smoke they shall consume as the Smoke vanisheth so shalt thou drive them away XIV The Lord Jesus knows that sincere Souls or faithful Christians will abide the day of his coming when he sits as a Refiner viz. in a day of Distress and Tribulation and though the Church thereby is made less in bulk or quantity the formal and drossy part being many times more than the other yet in quality the Church thereby will shine forth more gloriously and consequently more acceptable unto God XV. Jesus Christ when he hath thorowly refined and purged his Saints they are made choice and golden Vessels the delight of Christ and for the use and ornament of the Church In a great House there are not only Vessels of Gold and Silver c. 2 Tim. 2.20 The precious Sons of Zion comparable to fine Gold how are they esteemed as Earthen Pitchers c. Lam. 4.2 See Vessels METAPHOR I. A Refiner refines but a little Gold at a time comparatively his Furnace is of small Dimension II. When a Refiner hath put Gold into a Crucible to be melted in order to make it pliable and fit to be wrought adds a quantity or allowable proportion of Allay which is of less value as Silver or Copper Disparity I. CHrist many times in one Furnace of Affliction refines almost all the Gold or godly Ones in a whole Kingdom as he dealt with the whole House of Israel II. Christ when he puts his Saints into his Furnace to make them maleable and fit to be wrought by the Hammer of the Word into the Image of God he puts in a measure of the Holy Spirit which is of more worth and value than the Gold it self viz. the Saints for indeed so hard is the Heart notwithstanding the Fire of that Affliction that there is no work can be made of it without the Spirit Inferences I. THis may inform us concerning the purpose and design of Christ respecting fiery Trials which the Godly meet with in this World that Afflictions are not for the hurt or injury of the Church II. It also shews us what Filth and Corruption is in our Hearts what reason have we to bewail our inward Pollution that nothing will purge and cleanse us but Christ's Blood his Word Spirit and Affliction III. Moreover let us learn from hence to cry to God when we are in the Furnace when in the Fire that Christ would apply his Blood Word and Holy Spirit to our Souls for if otherwise all Sufferings and Afflictions will be unprofitable unto us IV. And O that Christians would take heed in days of Liberty and Prosperity to walk humbly and holily before the Lord and beware lest they contract Filth and Pollution upon their own Souls and so provoke Christ to put them into his Furnace If the shaking of the Rod would bring us upon our Knees and reform our Hearts and Lives Christ would not bring slaying and fiery Dispensations upon us V. It may put us all upon the search to see if we are sincere Gold and not Dross for if we are corrupt Matter the Furnace will make a clear Discrimination of it for indeed Every Mans Work shall be tryed so as by or out of the Fire 1 Cor. 3.13 VI. Let all Professors from hence be wakened Christ the Refiner is near and the day of Trial comes on apace but how wilt thou stand when he appears There is an Amazing Dispensation at hand the Church of God shall be throughly purged and made white the drossy Christian e're long shall be consumed and pass away like the Smoak of a Refiners Furnace VII How good is God to take so great Pains with us that he might make us fit
its Article in the Greek No Man cometh to the Father but by me Christ is the Way wherein the Truth whereby and the Life whereunto we walk Christ is the Way without Error the Truth without Falshood and the Life without Death Truth lies between Way and Life as if the Way to Life were through Truth 3. Christ is all with the Father I know thou hearest me always Christ hath God's Ear at all times He is the Object of the Father's Delight This is my beloved Son in whom I acquiesce so the Greek It is an emphatical Word and signifieth an infinite Affection 17. Christ is all in all in respect of Merit He hath merited all for us and conveys all to us As we have all propter Christum so we receive all we have per Christum through Christ. He is not only the Fountain but the Medium or Conduit-Pipe 18. Christ is all in all or the Sum of the whole Gospel all the Good here or the promised Good we shall receive hereafter is through him he is virtually every thing unto us in every Condition 1. Art thou sick Christ is thy Physician and thy Physick too 2. Art thou poor Christ is thy Riches 3. Art thou weary Christ is thy Rest I will give you Rest. 4. Art thou in Trouble Christ is thy Peace This Man shall be our Peace when the Assyrian comes into our Land 5. Art thou a Stranger He is thy Way and the End of thy Journey 6. Art thou despised and contemned by Men Christ is thy Honour To you that believe he is precious in the Greek He is an Honour Quest. Who is he that makes Christ his All Answ. 1. He makes Christ his All that owns him believes in him obeys worships and adores him as God over all Rom. â—â— 5 2. He that loves him above all 3. He that denies himself of and forsakes all for Jesus Christ's sake and follows him 4. He that aims at Christ and exalts him in all he is hath doth or undergoeth Yea doubtless I account all things but Loss for the excellency of the Knowledg of Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the Loss of all things and do account them but Dung that I may win Christ. 5. He makes Christ his all that wholly lives by him for him and to him 6. He makes Christ his all who cannot be satisfied with any thing this World affords or can afford without him 7. The Man that makes Christ his all will not take any of his Right and Honour from him he will not diminish his Glory or ascribe that to the Creature which belongs to Christ. 8. He that makes Christ his all will not be contented in any Ordinance or Duty if he have not his influencing quickning and comforting Presence 9. He makes Christ his all who when it comes in competition will let all go even his own Life before he will part with him 10. He that makes Christ his all likes and loves him in all He loves not the Saints chiefly because they are of his Opinion in every thing but for that of Christ he sees in them 11. He makes Christ his all that longs above all things to be like him and to have his Image implanted in his Heart Quest. Why doth a true Christian make Christ his All 1. Because he is God over all it were a Sin thus to exalt him were he not God 2. Because he hath a Name given him above all above every Name At the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow c. 3. Because Christ hath suffered and done all those things for us which we should have done and suffered 4. Because a Believer sees himself unable to do any thing without him 5. Because he is made of God all in all things to them 6. Because nothing is of any worth in a Saint's eye without Christ. 7. Because in having Christ he hath all Application IS Christ all then this reproves them that esteem of any thing here in this World above him 1. It reproves such as esteem the Pleasures Honours and Profits of the World above him 2. It reproves and may eternally shame them that esteem of their Sins and base Hellish Lusts more than him Many will adventure the Loss of Christ rather than forego their evil Courses 3. It reproves them that esteem and exalt Christ in some things only he is not all in all to them 4. How then doth it reprove them that make Christ nothing at all who wholly cast him away and build their Hopes of Salvation upon another Foundation Secondly Be advised from hence whosoever thou art to make Jesus Christ thy All. Motives 1. Thou hast nothing that will stand thee in any stead till Christ be thy all 2. If thou hast not Christ to be thy all thy Knowledg and Profession of him will not prove to be worth any thing at last 3. If thou hast not Christ for thy all when Death comes what will become of that thou hast Thou wilt then have nothing Quest. How shall a Person come to have Christ to be his All Answ. 1. He must let all his Sins 〈◊〉 2. He must let all Consultings with Flesh and Blood go 3. He must let all his own Righteousness go so as not to rest and depend upon it for Salvation Thirdly This affords much Comfort to the Godly 1. Is Christ thy All Thou hast a great All what can there be more Thou mayest say with Jacob I have enough the word is all 2. Thou canst never lose thy All because thou canst not lose thy Christ. 3. Thou canst never be undone tho thou losest all thou hast in this World for Christ's sake because to thee Christ is All and in All. THE Third HEAD OF Metaphors Allegories and Similes With other borrowed Terms Respecting the HOLY SPIRIT OR THE Third Person of the Blessed Trinity The Holy-Ghost a Comforter John 14.16 And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever Vers. 26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things c. THE Comforter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oâ—â— the Advocate He shall give you another Comforter The Word Paracleâ—â— in the Greek comes from a Word of a large Signification and consequently may be rendred Advocaâ—â—e Exhorter or Comforter METAPHOR A Comforter implies one or more to be in Trouble and Disâ—â—ress or attended with Sorrow and Affliction A Man that is not in any Trouble stands not in need of a Comforter II. It implies or holds forth that those who are troubled and in a sorrowful condition are capable of Relief and Succour III. Comforter is a Name or Appellation belonging to a Person or a personal Appellation IV. A choice and true Comforter takes care to come unto a Person he loveth at the greatest time of need when he is most cast down and
discomforted Thus the Jews came to Mary to comfort her when they heard that her Brother Lazarus was dead and Job's Friends when he was in the depth of Sorrow came to comfort him V. A Comforter imports a Person able and willing to comfort and relieve such as are in a sorrowful mournful and afflicted condition VI. A faithful Comforter manifesteth much Love and Tenderness to his oppressed and afflicted Friend particularly 1. In coming to him 2. In supplying the Want he sustains of those things he is deprived of VII A wise Comforter uses many and weighty Arguments to infuse Comfort into a distressed and disconsolate Soul 't is not enough to come and give a bare Visit and look upon a Friend but to take apt and suitable Words and Motives to do it VIII A Comforter sympathizes with him he comes to visit to comfort him in his Grief and Trouble Job's Friends lifted up their Voice and wept and they rent every one his Mantle and sprinkled Dust upon their Heads So they sat down with him upon the Ground seven days and seven nights c. IX A true Comforter will intercede to others to administer support and relief in whose power it is to succor as well as himself X. A true Comforter will search into a Persons State and Condition to know how it is with him that thereby he may the better understand how to speak a word of Comfort to him XI A Comforter sometimes is slighted by the Person or Persons he comes to visit and administers Succor unto and all his good and sweet Advice is not regarded for a time XII A Comforter many times keeps his Friends from utter despondency and wonderfully revives and consolates his Soul and thereby makes Sighing and Heaviness to fly away The moving of my Lips should asswage your Grief c. XIII A faithful and true Comforter will not only give his distressed and disconsolate Friend a Visit but if he sees there is need of it will make his Abode even stay with him many days Job's Friends did so XIV A good faithful Comforter is highly esteemed and greatly beloved by his Friend especially when the worth of him is known or he is sensible of the Profit and much good rejected by him XV. A faithful Comforter will deal plainly with his Friend and not speak Peace and Comfort when he knows there is not just and good reason so to do but will reprove sometimes also if he finds cause for it Parallel THe Saints and People of God are in this World attended with manifold Troubles Afflictions and Sorrows Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous for all the day long have I been plagued and chastened every morning Verily verily I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament but the World shall rejoyce and ye shall be sorrowful but your Sorrow shall be turned into Joy II. The Disciples of Christ tho they mourn here or are in a sorrowful State upon many considerations yet they are capable of Comfort and fit Subjects of it They are not such as uâ—â—terly refuse or are unaâ—â—e to receive Relief and Comfort Such as have committed the unpardonable Sin or are already in Hell are uncapable of receiving true Peace and Comfort but so it is not with God's People Whatever their State and Condition is it admits of Relief tho through Satan's Temptations they are sometimes backward to take hold of it III. The holy Spirit is a Divine Person he is placed in the same Rank and Order without any Note of Difference or Distinction as to a distinct Interest in the Divine Nature with the other Divine Persons Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy-Ghost There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Son and the Spirit and these three are one 2. He hath also the Names proper to a Divine Person only for he is called God Why hast thou lied unto the Holy-Ghost Thou hast not lied unto Man but unto God 3. He hath personal Propertieâ—â— assigned him viz. a Will He divideth to every Man severally as he will and an Understanding The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 4. He is voluntary Author of Divine Properties he of old cherished the Creation he formed and garnished the Heavens he inspired acted and spake in and by the Apostles 5. The same regard is to be had to him in Faith Worship and Obedience as unto the Persons of the Father and the Son for our being baptized in his Name is our solemn Engagement to believe in him yield obedience to him and worship him as it puts the same Obligation upon us to the Father and Son IV. So the holy Spirit comes unto a gracious Person in the time of greatest Need when he is most dejected and discomforted whether it be under Temptation Affliction or Persecution for Christ's sake Hence the Apostle saith When we came into Macedonia our Flesh had no Rest but we were troubled on every side without were Fightings and within were Fears Nevertheless God that comforteth those that are cast down comforted us c. I will not leave you comfortless I will come unto you V. The holy Spirit is able and willing at all times to comfort sincere Christians in their Afflictions Such is the Power Ability and Efficacy of the Spirit upon this account thâ—â—t 't is more câ—â—pable and able to comfort Believers than the bare bodily Presence of the Lord Jesâ—â— is able to do Nevertheless I tell you the Truth it is expedient for you that I go away pray mind the Reason our Saviour gives of it For if I go not the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him VI. The holy Spirit doth manifest much Love and Tenderness to Believers which appears 1. In his coming to them that are poor and contemptible in the eyes of the World 2. By making up the Want of Christ's bodily Presence 3. In bearing Repulses from them how often hath the Spirit been slighted and his Motions rejected instead of being friendly entertained when in Love he comes to them VII The Holy Spirit doth not only come and give poor Believers a bare Visit in their Distresses but also uses fit and suitable ways and means to comfort and support their Souls He shall bring all things unto your Remembrance that I have spoken unto you He shall take of mine and shall shâ—â—w it unto you and he shall shew you things to come c. The Spirit usually comforteth Believers in and under their Sorrows and Afflictions 1. By shewing them whatsoever Christ hath done and suffered for them 2. By opening and applying the gracious Promises of Christ unto them he shall bring whatsoever I have said to your Remembrance 3. By sealing up Christ's Love unto them As many as I love I rebuke and chasten 'T is no sign they are hated by Christ or
not in his Love and Affection that they are chastised and so often under this and the other exercise of Affliction and this the Spirit labours either by his Word or Ministers and other ways to convince them of 4. By shewing from the Word that the like Afflictions if not greater many of God's Children have met with before them or are now under knowing that the same Afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World what are thy Sorrows saith the Spirit to those that holy Job and many of the Blessed Martyrs met with 5. By shewing them the Design and gracious End of God in all his Dispensations and Afflictions he doth it not simply for his own Pleasure as an Act of Soveraignty But for our Profit that we might be partakers of his Holiness This is the fruit of all the taking away of your Sins 't is for the trial of your Graces saith the Spirit When he hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold 'T is to convince the Devil and wicked Men that you are sincere and upright Ones and do not follow Christ for Loaves Doth Job saith Satan fear God for nought But put forth thine hand now and touch all that he hath and he will curse thee to thy Face God saith the Spirit hath brought this and the other Trouble upon thee to clear thy Innocency and to shew that Satan is a Liar 6. By shewing them that all their Afflictions are but short lived that they will soon be over they will last but for a Moment 7. That they will add to their Advantage here and hereafter Our light Affliction which is but for a Moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 'T is saith the Spirit to shew forth the excellent nature of true Grace Faith Love and Patience never shine forth in their proper Lustre and Glory until they come under exercise The trial of your Faith is much more precious than Gold that perisheth tho it be tried with Fire And it will hereby be found unto Praise Honour and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 8. 〈◊〉 â—â—irit comforteth Believers by shewing them that all their Sorrows will in a little 〈◊〉 be turned into Gladness Now ye are sorrowful but I will see you again and your Hearâ—â— shall rejoyee and your Joy no Man taketh away from you Ye shall be sorrowful but you 〈…〉 shall be turned into Joy Those that go forth weeping bearing precious Seed shall doubtless come again rejoycing bringing their Sheaves with them God will give unto them saith the Spirit that mourn in Zion Beauty for Ashes the Oil of Joy for Mourning the Garments of Praise for the Spirit of Heavinesâ—â— that they may be called Trees of Righteousness the planting of the Lord that he maâ—◠〈◊〉 glorified 9. The Spirit comforteth by shewing Believers that all their Sorrows 〈…〉 in this World the wicked have all their sweet things here and the godly have their bitter things here but as the wicked shall have nothing but bitter hereafter so the godly shall have nothing but sweet hereafter Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented 10. The Spirit comforteth by convincing Believers that God doth not punish them as their Sins do deserve He hath visited thee little or nothing saith Elibu so the Word will bear it The least Mercy is more than we deserve He hath not dealt with us after our Sins nor rewarded us according â—â—o our Iniquitieâ—â— VIII The holy Spirit sympathizes with every gracious Soul in their Distresses and Troubles according as God in his Word speakes to our Capacities In all their Afflictions he was afflicted his Soul was grieved for Israel And in that of the eighth Chapter to the Romans the Spirit particularly is said to sigh and groan after such a sort that cannot be uttered and hence the Apostle exhorts the Saints not to grieve the holy Spirit of God whereby they are sealed to the day of Redemption IX Likewise the holy Spirit also helps our Infirmities for we know not what to pray for as we ought But the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groans which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God Rom. 8.26 27. Hence the word Advocate or Comforter X. The holy Spirit searches the Heart and Reins of every Soul he comes to comfort to discover the State and Condition of a Person to him David crys out Search me O God and know my Heart c. I the Lord search the Heart c. He that searches the Heart c. The Spirit searches all things c. XI So the holy Spirit is sometimes slighted and grieved through the Power of Temptation by a Believer and his sweet and heavenly Advice is not minded nor followed as it ought to be but all Comfort is rejected for a time but afterwards tho sometimes long first the Soul with Joy takes hold of it XII The Holy Spirit keeps the Heart of a Believer from utter Despondency and greatly revives and consolates him hence the Apostle saith God hath given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through Grace we are troubled on every side but not in Distress we are perplexed but not in despair I have seen his ways and will heal him also and restore Comforts to him c. XIII The holy Spirit knows there is an absolute necessity for him not only to give the Saints a Visit and immediately be gone but also to abide with them always for they cannot be without his glorious Presence one Moment It 's true sometimes they may be without his eminent comforting Presence which causes the Church to cry the Comforter that should relieve my Soul is far from me yet his supporting Presence is ever with them I will pray the Father and he shall send you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth c. and he is said to dwell in us and to make his Abode with us But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you XIV The Holy Spirit is exceedingly prized and much beloved by every godly Man but more especially when they find by Experience the great Worth of him and the great Good and Profit they receive by his means XV. The Holy Spirit deals faithfully with every Man he will not speak Peace to any Person but to those to whom it doth belong nor at a time when the Soul is fallen into any Sin or under some great Temptation to sin but will at such times rather rebuke and
reprove them The Spirit is first a Spirit of burning and then a Spirit of Consolation the humble sincere and broken-hearted Ones he comforts and revives METAPHOR ANother Comforter tho wise and very compassionate and every way capable to speak Words to a disconsolate Person yet finds sometimes the Condition of his Friend to be such that all he can say and do will not take place nor administer present Relief to him but after all remains very sad and disconsolate II. Another Comforter many times misses the Case of a poor afflicted Person and thereby cannot accomplish the Work this did Job's Comforters they mistook his Case whereby they proved miserable Comforters to him III. Other Comforters are many times wearied out and leave their Friends in the midst of their Sorrow IV. Another Comforter may be absent nay at a great distance when his poor distressed Friend stands in most need of him besides he can visit but a few Persons at one and the same time and cannot be at above one Place at once V. Other Comforters can speak to the Ear but scarce able to reach the Heart Spira had many words of Comfort spoke to his Ear but they could not speak to his Heart Disparity THe Holy Spirit sometimes finds gracious Persons very much disturbed and cast down under heavy Pressures of Affliction and that no other can comfort him yet when he comes to a Resolution to relieve and refresh and comfort him all his Sorrow Temptations and Disquietments flie away Let a Saint be never so sad if the Spirit sees it is a fit time to speak Peace and Comfort to him he doth it effectually If he speak Peace who can cause Sorrow For I have satiated the weary Soul and I have replenished every sorrowful Soul Jer. 31.25 II. But the Holy Spirit never doth nor can mistake any Person 's Condition Being God he knows and is the Searcher of the Heart all things lie naked and open to his Eyes The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God III. But the Holy Spirit cannot be wearied nor tired out The Creator of the Ends of the Earth fainteth not there is no searching of his Vnderstanding IV. But the Holy Ghost is omnipresent Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither I shall fly from thy Presence He is always near and at hand and needs none to bring him News how it goes with any Person Being the Omniscient God He can visit Thousands and ten Thousands at one and the same time is every where not circumscribed nor limited to Place V. The Spirit can speak to the Heart of a poor Sinner I will saith God allure her and bring her into the Wilderness and speak comfortable Words unto her In the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 loquar super Cor or ad Cor ejus I will speak to her Heart In this the Holy Spirit infinitely excels all otheâ—â— Comforters he can in a moment cause all Sorrow to cease by speaking to the Heart Inferences WE may infer from hence the great Love of Christ to his own People he will not leave them comfortless nor send one to them that is not able to speak Peace or administer true Comfort and Consolation to their Souls II. It should teach us in our trouble to cry for the Holy Comforter to come unto us III. It reproves such who deny the Holy Ghost to be God and a Divine Person this being an Appellation that properly belongs to a distinct Person IV. Let us take heed we never grieve the Holy Spirit who is such a choice and blessed Friend to us V. It may also caution every Soul against receiving Comfort when God by the Spirit speaks it not to then 1. The Holy Spirit speaks not Comfort to any unconverted Soul who love and live in their Sins but rather Terror 2. The Holy Spirit speaks not Comfort to carnal and loose Professors and Hypocrites in the Church that have Lamps and no Oil the Name of Christ upon them but not his Nature in them much Knowledge but want Charity Fearfulness will saith the Spirit surprize the Hypocrite 3. The Spirit speaks no Comfort to an Apostate and Backslider in Heart and Life he tells them They shall be filled with their own ways and led aside with the Workers of Iniquity 4. The Spirit speaks no Comfort to the moralized Person who wholly rests upon his own Righteousness and sees no need of a Saviour nor of the Righteousness of God which is by Faith in Jesus Christ. 5. The Spirit speakes no Comfort to Persecutors and Murderers of the Godly to cursed Plotters and Haters of the true Religion and Lovers of Idolatry such that worship the Beast and are Followers of the Romish Church or Upholders of the same They the Spirit saith shall drink of the Wrath of God and be tormented with Fire and Brimstone for ever and ever But the Spirit speaks comfort to all true penitent ones to such who tho they have been great Sinners yet now loath themselves in a true and thorow sense thereof and forsake it 1. To those who do believe and wholly rely upon Jesus Christ for Life and Salvation 2. To those who desire to be holy as well as happy to have their Sins mortified as well as pardoned to be sanctified as well as saved to live to God here as well as to live with God hereafter 3. To such who are universal in their obedience that take up their Cross and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth 4. To such that obey the Precepts of God as well as believe the Promises 5. In a word To all sincere and upright ones Quest. How doth the Spirit speak Comfort to the Souls of Men Answ. 1. Usually by bringing Christ's Word and Promises to their remembrance 2. By using many Arguments some of which I have hinted at already 3. By his shining Influences sweet and comfortable Operations upon the Soul 4. By sealing up Christ's Love and giving good hope and assurance of Eternal Life unto them The Spirit compared to the Wind. Cant. 4.16 Awake O North-wind and come thou South and blow upon my Garden c. Joh. 3.8 The Wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the Sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh c. Acts 2.2 And sudddenly there came a Sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty Wind and it filled all the House where they were sitting c. THe Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which comes from a Verb that signifies to breath or to blow signifies sometimes Air sometimes Wind and sometimes a Spirit The several Metaphorical Notations of Wind may be read in our Philologia Sacra p. 116. to which we refer you Sometimes it denotes things that are vain light and empty as Eccles. 5.16 Hos. 12.1 c. In the Texts cited by an express Similitude it is compared to the Holy Spirit as you may see
in the following Parallel METAPHOR THe Wind is invisible no Man ever saw it nor is the way of it known it passeth the Skill of Man to find out from whence it cometh and whither it goeth II. The Wind blows at God's Command He is said to hold the Wind in his Fist. III. The Wind has a purging quality in it it cleanseth and purifieth the Air which otherwise would be hurtful and prejudicial to Man it drives away those ill Vapors and Stinks that arise from the Earth IV. The Wind hath a cooling Property how much do People in hot Countries desire to have the Wind blow to lay the Extremity of Heat V. The Wind hath a clearing quality dispersing Clouds and causing Serenity expelling all Mists and Foggs which darken the Air. VI. The South Wind as Naturalists observe is of a thawing quality which Experience oft-times shews to be true VII The Wind is of a searching quality it finds out the most hidden Places it passes through the most private Corners and undiscernible Crannies VIII The Wind Naturalists obâ—â—erve has also a drying and ripening Property it dries up filthy and unclean Places that are not passable and helps to ripen things for Harvest IX The Motions of the Wind are various sometimes it blows one way and sometimes another when it blows on high in one part of the Kingdom it is low or hardly blows at all in another part It s several Motions also have various Effects and Properties X. The Wind blows freely where it lists we cannot command the Wind to blow when and how we would XI The Wind blows and worketh sometimes powerfully strongly and irresistibly it hath a mighty force in it bearing down all that stands in its way it turns up the Cedars of Lebanon rends the Mountains and breaks Rocks in pieces XII The Winds many times by their blowing cause Rain by dissolving the Clouds XIII Men observe or take good notice of the blowing of the Wind and by certain Signs viz. by beholding the Clouds Vanes c. they know which way it blows XIV The Wind Naturalists observe causes some Flowers to wither and hang down their Heads XV. The Wind tho it be invisible and cannot be seen yet it may be heard and its Effects are seen and its Influences evidently felt and experienced by all XVI The Wind cherishes and causes Plants and Grass to grow and thrive as 't is observed by some that nothing will grow and thrive without it 'T is thought that the Roots of Things being moved by the Wind it causes them to root the more making the Ground to give way unto them by which means they take the faster hold XVII The Wind is useful for Navigation to carry a Ship from one Port unto another for if the Wind does not blow they are becalm'd nor can they sail at all without it XVIII The Wind is very profitable to fan or winnow Wheat to sever the Chaff or light Seed from the good Corn or Grain XIX The Wind rises high and blows powerfully sometimes it riseth on a sudden and at other times gradually XX. Naturalists tell us that an Earthquake is occasioned by the Wind certain Exhalations or Wind being got into the Earth shake it Parallel THe holy Spirit is invisible and works invisibly none of the Ways and Operations thereof can be perceived or seen by mortal Eyes Neither doth the natural Man understand the things of the Spirit nor can he The Workings and Operations thereof are of a hidden and mysterious Nature hardly to be found out by the Godly themselves II. The Operations of the Spirit are from God 't is He that causes or commands the Spiritual Winds to blow upon the Souls of Men and Women III. The holy Spirit cleanseth the Soul of a Sinner purging out all those hurtful Fumes that arise from the inward Corruption of the Heart it expells and works out Deadness and Indisposedness to Good and removes those things that cause a Man to be unsavoury in his Place and Generation and which indeed makes him not to savour of the things of God IV. The Spirit also is of a cooling nature which abates the burning Lust of Concupiscence and the scorching of Satan's fiery Darts and Temptations as is further open'd in the Metaphor of Water How comfortable is it in time of Temptation to have the Wind of the Spirit blow upon the Soul the Desire after Evil is presently allayed thereby V. The holy Spirit disperseth the Clouds of Ignorance and Darkness in the Understanding and drives away those Mists of Temptation which cause Men to lose their way and by its powerful Influence makes fair Weather in the Soul VI. The holy Spirit melts or thaws the cold and frozen Heart of a Sinner The Hearts of Men are naturally congealed like Ice hard and obdurate but no sooner doth the Spirit come to blow upon it but this hardness thaws and dissolves into a Flood of Tears VII The Holy Spirit tries the Heart and Reins and finds out the very Thoughts of Men 't is said to search all things yea the deep things of God It pierceth even to dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit Joints and Marrow and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart VIII The Spirit dries up the filthy Issue of our sinful Humors which makes our way to Heaven very hard and difficult and also ripens us like Wheat for the Lord's Harvest 'T is by the Influence of the Spirit that we are made meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light IX The Spirit moves and operates variously sometimes it blows upon one People and sometimes upon another sometimes upon one Church it blows powerfully when upon another at that time its Operations are hardly discernible Again sometimes the North Wind of the Spirit blows which is sharp cold and nipping Rebukes and Reproofs of the Spirit and Afflictions are like the blowing of the North Wind which tends to kill the Weeds and Worms of our Corruptions And then again at another time the South Wind blows which is warm comfortable and refreshing Peace inward Joy and Consolation of the Spirit are signified thereby as the Learned observe X. The Spirit of God is a free Agent it moves blows and operates as it pleaseth 't is not at our Command But all these things worketh the one and the same Spirit dividing to every one severally as he will XI The holy Spirit is powerful in its Operations there is no standing before it It brings down and levels all high mighty lofty and towering Thoughts of Men when in good earnest it begins to work upon the Heart no Opposition that is made against it is able to stand Tho Satan and evil Relations may endeavour to obstruct its workings and hinder the Soul in its Purposes and Resolutions Heavenwards yet nothing is effectual to impede the powerful Influences of the Spirit and Grace of God Mountains of Sin
and Opposition are broken in pieces by it When it once blows briskly upon the Soul it presently cries out Lord what wouldest thou have me to do Immediatly saith Saul I conferred not with Flesh and Blood XII The Spirit dissolving the Clouds of Iniquity waters the Heart with Tears of Repentance and Godly Sorrow XIII The Blowings or Operations of the holy Spirit ought carefully to be observed with the access and recess thereof for a Christian can make no Earnest of the Duties of Religion unless these Winds blow Moreover there are certain Signs whereby a Man may know which way the Spirit blows 1. If the Desires of the Soul are after God and Holiness it is one sign the Wind is in a right Point 2. If the Understanding be enlightned and Clouds of Ignorance scattered the Affections changed so that heavenly Objects are principally delighted in if the Will is brought to yield and readily to submit to the Will of God the Spirit blows the right way 3. If a Man leaves his old and evil Courses and Company if that which was once pleasant to him is now become grievous to him if his Discourse be savoury and his Life holy you may know which way the Wind blows They that are after the Spirit do mind the things of the Spirit 4. If there be new Habits wrought in the Soul so that altho a Man may sometimes be obstructed in his way and hindred in his course Heaven-ward yet immediatly as it were by a natural or divine Instinct he falls into his former Way and Course of Grace and Holiness again 't is a sign which way the Wind blows You know the Wind is sometimes obstructed or stopped in its usual course by Houses or Trees c. so that you can hardly discern by Vanes or Smoak c. which way it is so it may be with a Christian. Besides sometimes you can scarcely perceive any Wind to blow at all no more can you the Operations of the Spirit XIV The Spirit of God blowing upon the Soul of a Sinner causes his Pride and external Glory to fade away which is compared to the Flower of the Field The Rod hath blossomed Pride hath budded All Flesh is Grass and the Goodliness thereof is as the Flower of the Field The Grass withereth the Flower fadeth because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it XV. The holy Spirit tho it be invisible and its Operations mysterious and not to be discern'd by many Men yet they may see and hear the Effects of it they may perceive what Alteration and Changes it makes in this and that Man such as were very vicious and ungodly are by the Workings of the Spirit formed into another likeness and become pious and truly religious that Tongue that was wont to blaspheme God they now hear to praise and admire him c. And Believers themselves clearly feel and experience the blessed Effects and Operations thereof in their own Souls XVI The Spirit of God causes the Saints to grow in Grace and in the Knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit moves upon the Affections and every other Faculty of the Heart and by that means causes the Seed of Grace to take the deeper Root The Ground or Spirit of a Christian must be broken and loosened from the World and from the Love of sensual things more and more by the Wind of the Spirit or he will not be fruitful in Grace and good Works XVII Unless the Spirit blows upon the Soul or upon the Church they lie becalmed and cannot sail towards the Haven of eternal Happiness no Duty or Service performed in publick or private can avail any thing we get not a Bit of Ground nor any real Advantage by them unless they are performed by the Help and Influence of the Spirit God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth XVIII The holy Spirit winnows and fans God's People who are compared to Wheat and good Grain 'T is said of Christ His Fan is in his Hand and he will throughly purge his Floor How doth Christ fan and purge his People but by his Word and Spirit 't is that which cleanses and makes them pure from the Dross and Pollutions of Sin and Wickedness as the Apostle observes 1 Cor. 6.11 XIX The Spirit of God sometimes comes on a sudden upon a Soul and by its powerful Operation in a short space makes a great and wonderful Change as appears in the Case of Saul but at other times it riseth and worketh upon some Mens Hearts gradually XX. The holy Spirit when it gets into the Heart of a Man by its powerful Operation it makes him tremble and shakes him to pieces as it were causing strange tho glorious Workings in the inward Man This he doth by setting the Evil of Sin before his Eyes and his woful Condition thereby A Man never trembles as he should till the Spirit enters into him Saul was taken with such a trembling when the Spirit entred into him and began to work that he could not stand upon his Feet METAPHOR SOme Winds are sent in Judgment to destroy and overthrow which many times blow down Houses and Trees and make great Desolation witness that prodigious Wind in the Year 1661. II. Some Winds are of a blasting Nature and cause the Fruit to fall before it be ripe III. There hath been a Wind in which the Lord hath not appeared IV. Some Winds are compared to Words and Speeches of one that is desperate V. Sometimes Wind is made use of to set forth that which is vain and empty VI. Some Winds are without Rain Whoso boasteth himself of a false Gift is like Clouds and Wind without Water VII If some Winds be observed Men must not plow nor sow their Seed He that observeth the Wind shall not sow and he that regardeth the Clouds shall not reap VIII Man's Iniquity is compared unto the Wind. Disparity BUt the Spirit being the great Promise of the Father and the Fruit and Effect of Christ's Ascension is sent in Mercy to strengthen and establish and is so far from destroying or overthrowing as that it causeth the Church in general or a Christian in particular to take the more firm Root and stand the faster II. But the Spirit as compared to the North and South Winds ripeneth a Christian in Grace and causeth the Spices thereof to flow forth Grace ripeneth and fitteth for Glory III. But there is no greater Demonstration of the Lord's presence with his People or with a Soul than by the Indwelling of his Spirit Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I saith Christ. IV. But no Man speaking by the Spirit calleth Jesus accursed Men are by the Spirit brought into their right Minds witness the Prodigal V. But where-ever the holy Scriptures make mention of the holy Spirit it is to set forth
cause a Man to vomit it up by unfeigned Repentance by which means the Life of the Soul is preserved for if by the Operation of the Spirit Sin is not vomited up Death will certainly follow Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Luk. 13.3 For the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one to the other Gal. 5.17 IV. The Spirit of God will never mingle nor become one with the Flesh the Spirit is from above and ever endeavours to be uppermost in what Heart soever it is 't will not be under the command of Sin nor Satan Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh. V. The Spirit wonderfully revives comforteth and infuseth Spiritual Warmth and Heat into the Soul of a Believer when he is anointed with it and indeed nothing else will refresh enliven and warm the inward Man hence 't is compared to Fire and called the Spirit of Life and blessed Comforter VI. the Spirit cannot be dried up by the heat of Persecution nor the scorching beams of Satan's Temptations that will live and abide the same in the Souls of sincere Converts losing none of its gracious Influences and Operations And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that shall abide with you for ever Joh. 14.16 See Comforter VII The Spirit cleareth the Eyes of the Understanding 't is call'd Eye-salve and from hence the Apostle prayeth for the Ephesians That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory would grant them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledg of him That the Eyes of their Vnderstanding being enlightned they might know what was the hope of his calling c. Clouds and Mists of Darkness are upon the Eyes of all that have not received the Spirit so that they cannot behold things a far off VIII The Spirit of God is the only Remedy for all Obstructions of the inward Man those that scarce breath or pray at all by receiving a measure of the Spirit breath out freely their desire to Almighty God Likewise the Spirit helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit maketh Intercession c. No Man can say Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 IX The Spirit feeds the Soul yea it makes it fat and well liking nothing nourishes comparable to the Spirit the Word and Ordnances of God are but dry Bread to it this is the chief of those fat things full of Marrow by which God feasts and makes fat the Bones of his Saints X. The Spirit of God being received and lived upon the Abundance of the things of this World that have in them by means of Sin some hurtful and surfeiting Quality are made hereby very good and profitable to Believers but for want of the Spirit 's seasoning and sanctifying they become deadly and destructive to wicked Men their Table Bed and all they enjoy are made Snares to them Take heed to your selves lest at any time your Hearts be over-charged with surfeiting and Drunkenness and the Cares of this World c. Luk. 21.34 XI The Holy Spirit is of exceeding great use against all Tremblings and Convulsions of the Soul in evil Times it frees the Godly from all slavish Fears which shake some Men for want of it out of their Faith Honesty and Religion and it keeps sincere ones stedfast and imovable from being shaken by false Doctrine and lying Spirits which have troubled many with strange Convulsions Shakings and Tremblings in this Nation so that as my Author saith they have even foamed at the Mouth when Quakerism first came up amongst us XII The Holy Spirit is made use of by the Lord Jesus Christ our Heavenly High-Priest in cleansing the Leprosy of Sin he puts it into or upon every Faculty of the Inward Man the Will the Affection the Understanding the Conscience the Head the Hand the Heart the whole Soul is anointed therewith before it is pronounced clean by the Lord. I will put my Spirit within you and you shall be clean from all your Filthiness Now are you clean through the Word that I have spoken to you the Words that I have spoken to you they are the Spirit and the Life XIII The Spirit of God is that spiritual Oil that the Wise Virgins took in their Vessels and in their Lamps by which means they were accepted by the Bridegroom and the Foolish for want of it their Lamps of Profession went out and they not suffered to go into the Wedding-Chamber XIV The Holy Spirit hath an excellent beautifying Quality there is no scar spot nor deformity in the Soul but the Spirit can purge and cleanse it they that are anointed with this Oil shine in the Eyes of God and good Men 't will make a Blackmore white and beautifful fetches out those Wrinkles and foul-Staines and Spots that naturally are in the Souls of Men and Women it takes of Christ's Beauty and puts it upon the Soul and so places a shining Lustre upon the Inward Man Thy Beauty for it was perfect through my Comliness which I had put upon thee c. How glorious and beautiful to be hereby And all that sat in the Councel looking stedfastly on him saw his Face as did Stephen appear if it had been the Face of an Angel Acts 6.15 XV. There are some nay many Men in the World that love not like not the Spirit they are naturally so averse to it that they will not be perswaded to make trial of it they can't believe there is any Sweetness Benefit or Savour in it The Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are Foolishness unto him neither can be know them because they are spiritually discern'd 1 Cor. 2.14 XVI The Spirit is good to strengthen the weak and decayed Hands and Knees of a poor Saint and thereby makes the Soul more fit for Motion Godwards lively quick agile and fit for Heavenly Service XVII The Lord Jesus was anointed with the Spirit that Oil of Gladness above his Fellows Moreover every Minister of the Gospel must be anointed therewith or he is not accepted of God METAPHOR OTher Oil is of an earthly Extract and several sorts of it are prepared and made fit for use by the Art and Wisdom of Man being extracted from earthly things II. There is not one sort of Oil that hath all kind of excellent Qualities in it that which may be good to beautify and of a dulciferous Scent may not be medicinable III. Oil will not last long its Virtue is soon gone it quickly decays and becomes unsavoury Disparity THe Spirit is from above and without beginning Flowing from the Throne of God and the Lamb. But the Comforter even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testify of
me II. The Spirit hath all excellent Qualities in it 't will not only beautify and perfume but 't is also soveraign good for healing all Distempers of the Soul what rare Property is there in any sort of Oil but the Spirit in an heavenly manner far excels it III. The Spirit ever abides the same never corrupts nor loseth its Virtue it lasteth from everlasting to everlasting Inferences FRom hence we may see the excellent Nature Properties and Usefulness of the Spirit 2. It may move and stir us up to pray to the Father for fresh Anointings 3. Let us ascribe all tenderness and brokeness of Heart to the mollifying Virtue of this Precious Oil. 4. When ye see choice and excellent Oil think seriously on the Holy Spirit 5. Labour to get much of it in your Vessels lest your Lamps go out and you go to buy when 't is too late The Holy-Spirit the Earnest of the Saints Inheritance Eph. 1.13 14. After ye believed ye were sealed with the Spirit of Promise which is the Earnest of our Inheritance c. METAPHOR AN Earnest is usually part of the best things which are in common Use and Estimation among Men as Gold Silver c. II. An Earnest imports some thing bought or sold as also an Agreement or Consent between two Parties for the confirming of some Contract or Promise which before was not settled III. An Earnest is given as a Pledg of some future good thing purchased or promised to a Person IV. An Earnest oftimes of a great Bargain or Purchase is a considerable Sum twenty or thirty Pounds sometimes more hath been given in earnest of an Inheritance an Earnest is commonly proportioned according to the worth or value of the Purchase V. An Earnest is that which confirms or makes sure a Bargain or Contract between two Parties by the means of which each claims his own Interest and Property VI. An Earnest puts a Bar to any who would unjustly stop disanul or make void the Covenant agreed upon VII An Earnest confirms a Bargain so that it gives assurance to him that receives it of the Inheritance or Purchase of whatsoever it is the Earnest VIII An Earnest though it may be in it self something of considerable value yet it is always far short in worth to that which it is the Earnest of IX An Earnest as it is something given of a valuable consideration to confirm a Bargain so the Person that receives it immediately enjoys it he hath it in hand for his present Profit and Advantage and many times a Man hath nothing else to live upon till he receives the whole Sum but the Earnest-Mony X. There is always some distance of Time between the laying down of the Earnest of an Inheritance and full enjoyment of it or entering into the Possession thereof Parallel THe Holy Spirit viz. the Gifts Graces and Operations thereof is part of the best things which the great God in this World gives unto his dear Children II. The Earnest of the Spirit doth also denote as 't is observed by some that spiritual Bargain which is made between God and a Believer The Lord in a solemn Contract requires of us our whole Soul Life Strength the best we are and are capable to perform for the Glory of his holy Name and to the end he might have as I may say the Bargain punctually observed hath given us an Earnest to wit his Spirit and we in receiving of it shew our Assent and Consent to the Contract to serve the Lord and become his for ever III. The Spirit is given by the Father to Believers as a Pledg or Earnest of the blessed Inheritance which Christ purchased by his Blood for them and upon the account of his own free Grace is promised to them Who hath also sealed us and given us the Earnest of the Spirit in our Hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 IV. The Spirit which God giveth to Believers as the Earnest of Eternal Life is a great Sum or that which is of considerable Value the Purchase being infinite or invaluable 't is meet the Earnest should bear some Proportion to it who is able to account or reckon up the worth of the Spirit of God which is the Earnest of the Saints Inheritance We may judg of the Value and Excellency of it by the fruits thereof which are Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Faith Meekness Temperance c. One particular Fruit of the Spirit viz. Peace is such an inestimable Jewel that the Apostle saith It passeth all Vnderstanding V. The Earnest of the Spirit which God hath given to his People confirms that mutual Contract and Agreement which is between him and them God hereby claims a new Covenant-Right to Believers and Believers claim Interest and Property in God Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit 1 Joh. 4.13 VI. The Earnest of the Spirit prevents Satan from steping in to break and make void the Spiritual Bargain or Contract between the Soul and the Lord Jesus Christ. A Saint can by this means say I have received Earnest of God I am not mine own I have agreed covenanted and sold my self to him Depart from me ye evil doers for I will keep the Commandments of my God The Lord rebuke thee Satan c. And hereby God looks upon himself concern'd to secure and make sure of the Soul to preserve his Right and Interest he hath in his People against all Enemies that he might not lose his Bargain VII The Spirit confirms the Covenant of Grace so to Believers that it gives them an assurance of Eternal Life and Glory to come hence 't is called The Earnest of the Saints Inheritance until the Redemption of the Purchased Possession VIII The Gifts Influences and Graces of the holy Spirit tho they are in themselves of great Worth and Value and accordingly greatly prized by the Godly yet not to be compared to the full Fruition of God and the glorious Inheritance which the Spirit is given as the Earnest of IX The Spirit which is the Earnest of Glory is given to Believers for their present Profit God's infinite Favour bestows Grace Peace Joy and the like whilst Saints are in this World and indeed 't is upon this Earnest-Mony they live and 't is so much as is sufficient to bear all their Charges and defâ—â—ay all their Expences till they receive the everlasting Kingdom X. There is also a distance of Time between the Saints receiving the Spirit which is the Earnest of that glorious Inheritance and the full Possession of it They receive the Spirit as the Earnest when or soon after they believe the Time when they receive the Inheritance is not till they die and not the full Fruition or perfect Enjoyment of it till the Resurrection Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the righteous Judg will give me at that Day c.
METAPHOR AN Earnest among Men is usually a certain Sum either more or less of Gold or Silver which are but corruptible and earthly Things II. The best and greatest Purchase an Earnest among Men is given for consists but of temporal things that pass away and perish as all Sublunary Things do III. Sometimes among Men a Person who has given Earnest for such or such a Commodity does afterwards recant his Bargain IV. Sometimes the Purchaser loses his Earnest by flying from the Bargain and so never has the Inheritance V. Amongst Men the Earnest of an Inheritance is given by the Purchaser to the Seller and he expects something of equal worth for that he parts withal for it VI. An Earnest among Men is given by the Purchaser with an intent or design to advantage himself thereby 't is chiefly his own Interest and Profit which he aims at in this Action Disparity THe Earnest of the Saints Inheritance is of an inestimable value being of an heavenly and sublime Nature the holy blessed and eternal Spirit of God in the Operations Gifts and Graces thereof II. The holy Spirit is the Earnest of an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for us Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life III. There never will be any recanting about giving or receiving this Spiritual Earnest God will never repent that he gave his Spirit to his faithful Children it being bestowed upon them as the Result of his eternal Purpose in Jesus Christ. And Believers have no cause to recant their Bargain in yielding themselves up to God both Body and Soul all they are and are capable to do for the Glory of Free-Grace for their Gain will be unspeakable thereby Godliness is profitable to all things having the Promise of the Life that now is and that which is to come it is great Gain IV. God will never can never lose those Souls for whom he gave his Son as the Price of their Redemption and his Spirit as an Earnest to make sure of them My Father which gave them me is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hands V. The Spiritual Earnest is given by the Father upon the account of Christ's Purchase unto Believers The Lord Jesus bought the Inheritance and received the Earnest of it for us as Mediator who freely gives it to us out of his own good Will he bestows it upon us as an Assurance of the full possession of eternal Life VI. The Lord giving his Spirit as the Earnest of future Blessings designs 't is acknowledged his own Glory thereby but chiefly the Profit will be ours 'T was our Good our Advantage Christ designed and aimed at in dying for us and in giving his Spirit to us Inferences WHat admirable Grace and Favour is here Did God give Christ to die for us to redeem us from Sin and Wrath to come and did he receive the holy Spirit as Mediator to give it unto us the Earnest of that purchased Possession Let this be to the Praise of his Glory Christ purchases that we might possess Others purchase that they might inherit themselves and give Earnest to make sure the Estate to themselves but the Lord Jesus needed not to do so he was Heir from everlasting and all that he did as Mediator was for us to enrich and make us happy and blessed for ever 2. If God hath given to Believers the Holy Spirit as the Earnest of their Inheritance let them take heed they do not go about to defraud him of his Bargain They are not their own they are bought with a Price and they have consented to this holy Contract by taking an Earnest from his hand 'T is great Injustice to deprive or keep back any part of a lawful Bargain from the Buyer especially when he hath given Earnest for it 3. This shews what certain Hopes and good Assurances a godly Man hath of eternal Life 'T is bought or purchased for him 't is given by Promise to him the Promise is sealed nay more than this he hath received a Pledg or Earnest of it What little ground is there then for any Soul to despond or doubt of the eternal Inheritance The holy God deals with us after the manner of Men about the great Concerns of another World the bare Promise of God would be Security enough we need not require a Seal and an Earnest of him O how doth Divine Goodness condescend to poor Creatures that the Heirs of Promise might have strong Consolation 4. From hence Believers may learn how to repell and withstand the Temptations of Satan Simon saith our Saviour Satan hath desired to have you c. But might not Simon and so consequently every true Christian say I am not mine own thou comest too late Satan I have received Earnest of a better Estate of a better Kingdom than thou hast I have given up my self to Jesus Christ and he hath taken possession of me by his Spirit that I might possess and enjoy him to Eternity 5. And let Sinners who would have an Interest in God and enjoy this eternal Inheritance learn from hence the ready way to come to it First They must believe The Saints that are sealed with the Spirit which is the Earnest of the purchased Inheritance are said to trust in God after they heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of their Salvation In whom saith the Apostle after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise which is the Earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased Possession to the Praise of his Glory Secondly As they must hear attend upon the Word go out of themselves to Christ rely upon him and trust in him believe and receive the Record God hath given of his Son so they must submit to his Ordinances The Spirit is promised to those that keep his Commandments John 14.15 16. If this be done in Truth and Sincerity you shall certainly receive the Earnest of future Happiness as well as others 6. Those that would have a Trial of their Estates and Conditions who desire to know whether they have received the Spirit of God or not may read the Metaphor where the holy Spirit is compared to a Seal Nothing is more needful all may see from hence to make sure of the Spirit take heed you be not mistaken about it c. And let them that have received it live upon it Such need not fear wanting any good thing this Earnest-Penny will as hath been shewn already defray all their Charge whilst they are in this World 'T is a great Sum God gives like himself and answerable to that Inheritance prepared and purchased for Believers 7. What Fools are they that slight and despise this Earnest God offers Men in the Gospel everlasting Life and to assure them of it promises them if they will come to his
Terms to give them his Spirit as the Earnest thereof Turn you at my Reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit upon you I will make known my Words unto you The holy-Holy-Spirit compared to a Seal Eph. 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the Word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the Day of Redemption A Seal is an Instrument fitted to make an Impression or Mark by which a Man knows the thing done whatsoever it be to be his own and not anothers Act as also to ratify and make authentick Bonds Covenants c. And in opening this Metaphor of Believers being sealed by the holy Spirit these things are meet to be noted 1. The Letter written or the Vessel filled with Treasure every true Christian. 2. The Wax appointed to the Seal and that is the Heart the relenting and pliable Heart of a Sinner Heb. 10.16 3. The Sealer that is as some conceive the Father or the Lord Jesus Christ others more immediatly the holy Spirit or third Person of the Trinity 4. The Seal as some understand is the Word of God others the Spirit we include both jointly considered 5. The Sealing or Impression active is the Act of applying the Word in the Ministry of the Gospel by the help of the Spirit to the Soul 6. The Print or Impression passive or Image of the Seal left in the Wax is called the Image of God or Knowledg Faith Love Truth Holiness c. which are originally in God and communicated to us by the Word and Spirit from him 7. The End of Sealing which is Secrecy Property and Security which things will appear more fully in opening the Metaphor METAPHOR A Seal especially if it be the King's Seal is highly prized and very carefully kept II. A Seal makes an Impression in the Wax like it self or leaves a resemblance of it III. Before the Seal can make an Impression the Wax must be melted or made pliable soft and fit to take it IV. The Seal alters the Form of the Clay 't is set or stamp'd upon A piece of Clay is a rude Lump without form or figure saith Mr. Caryl but if you take a Seal and stamp upon it that Clay receives any Figure or Coat of Arms that is engraven upon it V. A Seal is to confirm and make sure Bonds Contracts or Covenants that are made between Man and Man If an honest Man makes a Promise of such and such things to his Friend he thinks he hath ground to hope those good things so promised him are his own but if he gives it under his Hand in Writing he concludes he is more sure but if the Writing Covenant or Promise be sealed 't is as firm and as sure as he can desire to have it VI. A Seal is used to distinguish or differ things one from another whereby Property is known and secured a Merchant knows his Goods from other Mens by the Seal or Mark he sets upon them VII A Seal is used to confirm and make Laws Authentick till they have the King's Seal stamp'd upon them they oblige not the Subject to Obedience VIII A Seal is used to secure preserve or keep safe several things which otherwise might be spoiled run out and become good for nothing Things that we would not have any to touch nor meddle with we set a Seal upon IX A Seal many times is counterfeited by ill Men they indeavour to imitate it as nigh as they can to cheat poor ignorant People thereby X. A Seal is used to hide or keep back others from the Knowledg of things if a Man have any thing to write unto his Friend that he would not have others know he seals up his Letter upon the account of Secrecy tho 't is like afterwards in convenient time those things so conceal'd are discovered Parallel THe holy Spirit is the King's Seal the glorious King of Heaven and Earth and therefore is highly valued and prized by every true Christian. II. The holy Spirit makes an Impression on the Heart there is in a Believer a Similitude a Likeness or Resemblance of God every Saint hath the Image of the Spirit upon him he is holy harmless heavenly c. III. Before the holy Spirit seals any Person to the Day of Redemption the Heart is broken softned and made pliable by the Word and powerful Operations of Grace and so made fit to take that heavenly Impression And thus you have David speaking I am poured out like Water and all my Bones are out of Joint My Heart is like Wax it is melted in the midst of my Bowels IV. The Spirit makes a change upon the Soul of a Man or Woman that receives the Impression of it it alters every Faculty and puts a new Form or Figure as it were upon it Man naturally is a rude Lump a gross and confused Piece by reason of Sin till the Spirit stamps upon him or infuses into him new Habits V. The Holy Spirit confirms and makes sure the Covenant and Promises of God to Believers God hath not only made gracious Promises to them of Pardon Peace and Eternal Life c. But he hath left these Promises written in the Holy Scriptures and not only so but such is his great Love and Kindness to them he hath given them his Seal they have his Promise his Word and his Spirit also that they might not doubt of the Truth and Stability of his Covenant We are his Witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to them that obey him VI. The Holy Spirit distinguishes or differs one Man from another God hath set his Seal or Mark upon all his People The Foundation of God remaineth sure having this Seal The Lord knoweth them that are his If any Man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his VII The Holy Spirit is the broad Seal of Heaven by which all the Laws and Institutions of the Gospel were ratified and confirmed with Signs and Wonders in the Primitive Time by which means they come to be Authentick and everlasting Laws obliging all Men to Obedience and all Laws of Spiritual Worship Traditions and Institutions injoyned by any Potentate Assembly or Council whatsoever that were not thus sealed or witnessed to are utterly to be rejected VIII The Spirit secures preserves and keeps safe all true Believers from the Danger they continually are exposed to from Sin Satan and the Insnarements and Mischiefs of this evil World Satan nor wicked Men must not cannot destroy the Servants of God because of the Mark or Seal he hath set upon them Set a Mark upon the Men that mourn c. saying Hurt not the Earth c. till we have sealed the Servants of our God in
the Forehead c. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the Grass of the Earth neither any green thing neither any Tree but only those Men which have not the Seal of God upon their Forehead IX The Spirit is oftimes counterfeited by Satan who transforms himself into an Angel of Light as do his Ministers as if they were the Ministers of Righteousness hence they pretend to Light Spirit and Holiness and beguile the ignorant and unwary Souls to their Eternal Ruine X. The Holy Spirit hath hid or seal'd up some things from some Men Bind up my Temstiony seal the Law amongst my Disciples Many things are hid from Saints themselves in dark and mysterious Prophecies in the Holy Scripture Seal up those things which the seven Thunders uttered c. Yet in due time those things shall be revealed and not only so but the Saints of God themselves by the Spirit are such a sealed and hidden People that but a very few can read and understand them though legible to be read of all the chosen and elect Seed and Heirs of Promise and in that great Day they shall be known by all the World METAPHOR A Seal among Men after a Bond or Covenant is sealed therewith may be defaced or broken and thereby the said Bond or Covenant may lose its Virtue Efficacy and not be deemed good and Authentick in Law II. A Seal among Men can make no Impression without a Hand or one to seal therewith III. A Seal is an Instrument made by the hand of some Artificer of earthly Matter or Substance and makes only a humane or external Impression IV. A Seal may be lost or grow old and defective and so make no perfect and clear Impression Disparity THe Holy Spirit having once made a gracious and glorious Impression in the Soul of a Man neither Devil nor any other Enemy can ever by all their Strength and Skill utterly deface tear or break it so as to make the Covenant of Grace to lose its Virtue and become of none Effect to the Soul hence Believers are said To be sealed to the day of Redemption II. The Spirit is not only the Seal but the Sealer he makes the Impression needing no other and also is the Seal by which the Impression is made III. The Spirit is an uncreated Being or an immortal Substance and makes a divine and heavenly Impression in the Mind or Soul of a Man or Woman which by the operation of God's Grace is made pliable and meet to receive it IV. The Spirit can never be lost grow old be wore out or become defective so that the Impression it now makes is the same in every respect with that it made five thousand Years ago Inferences FRom hence we may perceive by whom the Change or Difference is made which is in any Person Man is born in Sin and rather resembles Satan bears his Image than the Character and Likeness of God Almighty till the Holy Spirit stamps a new and heavenly Character upon them or infuses a spiritual Habit into him Who makes thee to differ from another or what hast thou which thou hast not received c. II. It may serve to stir every one up to examine their Hearts whether they have received the Impression of this Spiritual Seal as is the Seal such is the Impression it makes They that are after the Spirit mind the things of the Spirit But we all with open Face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. III. For further Trial take these few brief Notes following 1. Were your Hearts ever humbled in the sence of Sin broken in pieces melted made soft and pliable to receive the Seal The Heart of Man naturally is hard and obdurate and will not take this spiritual Impression 2. Did the Spirit ever set home and seal any Promise in particular or Promises in general upon your Hearts so that you can say with the Prophet David Lord remember the word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope Psal. 119.49 The Ephesians are said to be sealed with the Spirit of Promise Eph. 1.13 3. Are you formed into the Likeness and Image of the Spirit There is in that Soul that is sealed by the Spirit a certain Impression of Divine Light former Darkness flies away and the Eyes of the Understanding are enlightned the Soul sees an Excellency in God and in Jesus Christ a transcendent Beauty in divine Objects and values the Knowledg of Jesus Christ and him crucified above all the things in this World 4. Are you holy heavenly spiritual are there Principles of true Piety and Godliness wrought in you Do you love God because he is holy and love his Word because of the purity of it Do you breath and pant after a further Conformity and Likeness to him 5. Is thy Heart washed from its Filthiness If thou art not cleansed from thy former Wickedness and swinish Nature thou mayest assure thy self thou hast not the Spirit of God in thee thou art far from being sealed therewith 'T is by the virtue of those Promises that are imprinted upon the Soul by the Holy-Gost that a Man comes to cleanse himself from all Filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit and to perfect Holiness in the Fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 6. Doth not thy Heart condemn thee for allowing thy self in any known Sin or for living in the continual neglect of any one known Duty The Spirit witnesseth with our Spirits that we are the Children of God Where it is a sealing Spirit it is a witnessing Spirit It compares the Heart and Life of a Man with the Rule of the Word and if the Bent and Stream of the Soul be Heaven-ward and his sincere Design is after God and to live to him in this World as well as to live with him in the World to come to be holy here as well as to be happy hereafter then the Spirit witnesses for him But if otherwise it witnesses against him and his own Spirit condemns him IV. Moreover this may inform sincere Christians to their unspeakable Joy how firm and sure the Covenant of Grace is to them They are sealed with the holy Spirit unto the Day of Redemption they are mark'd for Heaven and cannot lose their Title to the eternal Inheritance because they cannot lose the Seal of it As they have received the Earnest of it so they have the Witness and Seal of it that it might be every way firm and sure to them V. Let all who profess the Gospel and pretend to the Spirit strive to get this Seal 'T is not enough to read of the Covenant of God and to have some external knowledg of it and dispute about it but labour to get it sealed to you by the holy Spirit VI. If the Spirit be the Earnest and Seal of this blessed Inheritance
do not grieve it this is the Counsel the Apostle gave to the Ephesians Do not quench the Motions of it nor turn a deaf Ear to the tender and gracious Reproofs it daily gives you Do not give way to Sin or Satan neglect not your Duties pray often and hear the Word and be found in your places where the Word and Spirit hath directed you Live in Love and let all Bitterness Wrath Anger Clamor and Evil-speaking be put away from you with all Malice and be kind one to another and tender-hearted forgiving one another as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you And hereby you will not grieve the holy Spirit whereby you are sealed unto the Day of Redemption Lastly Take heed Satan does not deceive thee with a counterfeit Seal Many are confident they have the Spirit Light and Power when 't is all meer Delusion The Spirit always leads and directs according to the written Word He shall bring my Word saith Christ to your remembrance Some Men boast of the Spirit and conclude they have the Spirit and none but they and yet at the same time cry down and vilify his blessed Ordinances and Institutions which he hath left in his Word carefully to be observed and kept till he comes the second time without Sin unto Salvation The Spirit compared to a River Psal. 46.4 There is a River the Streams whereof make glad the City of God John 7.38 He that believeth out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water Rev. 22.1 And he shewed me a pure River of Water of Life as clear as Chrystal proceeding out of the Throne of God and the Lamb c. METAPHOR EVery River hath a proper Head or Fountain from whence it doth proceed II. A River hath much Water in it a Cistern or Vessel will contain but small quantities some Rivers contain abundance and can never be emptied III. A River lieth open and free to all every Man that passeth by makes use of a River if he needs it Fountains and Conduits are many times seal'd or lock'd up and 't is hard to come at Water out of them but a River doth freely send forth its Streams that run continually never cease day nor night IV. Many Rivers are very deep Altho in some places they may be so shallow as that a Man may wade in them yet in some other places they are mighty deep and dangerous so that none dare adventure into them Hence Marks and Bounds are many times set up to give notice V. A River is the proper Element of Fishes and many living Creatures they are produced by it and live in it VI. A River is good to wash in to cleanse purge and carry away Filth and noxious Pollution VII A River hath its Banks to keep it in its proper Bounds and make it run in its own Chanel by which means People know whither to go if they would partake of the Benefit of its Waters VIII Some Rivers overflow their Banks at some certain times and greatly enrich the Soil and make it fruitful as particularly the River Nilus in Egypt IX A River is profitable for Commerce Traffick and Navigation it is the means of Conveyance of the rich Commodities of one Kingdom to another and of one City to another by which means People Cities and Nations are greatly enriched What a great Conveniency is the River of Thames to the City of London By this means also one Friend can soon go to another and often hear each from the other X. Some Rivers run very swiftly bear all down before them are so impetuous as they cannot be stopped in their Course and Chanel A swift Stream washes away Filth best XI Some Rivers environ Towns and are instead of other Fortifications to them making them strong and hard to be taken XII A River causes those Trees that are planted by the side of it to thrive and grow exceedingly The Waters softening the Ground their Roots spread forth they flourish when those that are planted on Heaths and barren Mountains wither and fade away in a Time of Drought XIII A River is very pleasant and delightful as well as profitable to them that dwell by it and they can take their Walks by the sides thereof XIV A River carries or conveys by the help of Boats and other Vessels many Things and Persons whose Purposes and Intentions are that way steer'd into the Ocean XV. Sometimes a River is so still calm and quiet that you cannot discern any Motion and then without meer human artificial means no Ship Boat or Vessel can sail or move along XVI Some Rivers divide one Country or Nation from another XVII After a great Rain a River rises higher runs more swift by reason of the Land-Floods that come down and run into it XVIII A River will carry and bear up a Ship of a great Burthen and many other heavy things and according as its Waters run either more slowly or swiftly so do those things which sail or swim along in it XIX The Water of a River and running Streams is usually more clear and savoury than Pools or standing Waters A River purgeth it self and if a Branch or small Stream runs through a loathsom Ditch it carries away the Pollution of it XX. The Waters of a River are good to drink and satisfy Thirst. Parallel THe holy Spirit is said to proceed from the Father But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testify of me It proceeds out of the Throne of God and the Lamb. II. The holy Spirit is called a River not a Cistern not a Vessel to denote that Fulness of the Water of Life which is in it the Abundance of heavenly Blessings that flow from it all the Godly in all Ages from the beginning of the World have been supplied from this River Thousands and Ten Thousands have drawn out of it have been filled with it have had their measures of it as God in his Wisdom saw good to communicate it to them yea and our blessed Saviour received it without measure And yet the River is as full as ever in it self there is no emptying of it III. The holy Spirit is a River that lieth open to all poor Sinners whoever will may come to these Waters none are forbidden no Restraint is laid on any Soul that desires to have them I will give freely to him that is thirsty even the Waters of Life Ho every one that thirsteth come to the Waters c. IV. This spiritual River is wonderful deep there is no searching out the Depths thereof Who knows the mind of the Spirit but he that searcheth all things The Purposes Decrees and secret Ways of the Spirit are unknown to Men in many respects tho some of his Ways Influences and Operations are discernible Believers may adventure a little way as far as their Bounds and Limits permit
This spiritual River divides the Church from the World Believers from Unbelievers For who maketh thee to differ from another And what hast thou which thou didst not receive XVII After brokenness of Heart or a Multitude of unfeigned Tears and true Contrition of Soul how high do the Waters of the Spirit rise how doth Peace and Joy abound in the inward Man XVIII This spiritual River carries and bears up the weight of the whole Church which sails like a Ship along these Waters and every Saint notwithstanding all those heavy Weights of Sin and other unprofitable Burthens that are in and about them are sustained by these Divine Waters XIX The Spirit is a pure Stream as clear as Chrystal its Waters are sweet and savoury and wheresoever they come they cleanse and wash away all Corruption No Man's Heart tho it be never so much polluted and foul like a stinking Ditch yet if a small Stream or Branch of this River be let into it and hath a free Passage it will carry away all the Filth and Pollution thereof XX. The Waters of this River are exceeding good for the Soul to drink and nothing else can allay or satisfy the inward Thirst and Desire thereof METAPHOR ALL earthly and elementary Rivers have a beginning II. Other Rivers are fed by Springs or Fountains c. They have not their Waters from themselves a River is not the same Head or Original from whence it proceeds III. Other Rivers are subject to decay do not always run with the same Strength a dry Summer makes abatement of its Waters many Rivers have been quite dried up God threatned the Egyptians that he would deal so with the River Nilus IV. The Waters of natural Rivers only cleanse and wash the Body from external Filthiness V. Other Rivers may grow muddy foul and unsavoury the Water not good nor wholesom to drink of VI. Other Rivers may be lock'd up or turned another way 't is possible to turn the Chanel and Course thereof Many Rivers have been made to forsake their ancient Currents This goodly River which feeds London may be lock'd up and turn'd another way by an Enemy VII Other Rivers may be frozen up tho running Streams do not freeze so soon as standing Waters yet sometimes they freeze also VIII Other Rivers breed noxious Creatures of strange and different Qualities Creatures that will eat and devour one another IX The Length Breadth and Depth of other Rivers may be measured and are of a small dimension comparatively Disparity THis River the Spirit is from everlasting to everlasting without beginning and without ending II. This River the Spirit is a Fountain as well as a Stream tho it is said to proceed from God yet it is God himself But Peter said to Ananias Why hath Satan filled thine Heart to lie to the Holy-Ghost Thou hast not lied to Man but to God There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy-Ghost and these Three are One. The Spirit of the Lord hath made me c. The Spirit knoweth all things sheweth us things to come is the Object of Divine Worship the Sin against the Spirit can never be forgiven From all which Instances it is evident that the Spirit is God See the Metaphor Light Book 3. pag. 22 23 24. III. This River the Spirit never decayeth it hath as much Water in it as ever it had 't is as broad as deep and as full now as it was at the beginning tho many Thousands have taken plentifully of it No Drought can abate its Chrystal Streams it is infinite in it self Tho God hath provided a Chanel of Ordinances to convey some of its Waters to his Chosen yet it cannot be circumscribed nor limited as 't is in it self IV. The Water of this River cleanseth the Soul and Conscience it washeth away all spiritual or internal Pollution and Uncleanness V. This spiritual River can never be foul'd nor made muddy nor be unsavoury 't is beyond the Power of Men or Devils to corrupt the Spirit of God VI. The River of the Spirit cannot be diverted or forced to leave its Chanel 'T is impossible to lock it up or turn its Course How can Men of finite Beings obstruct the infinite God in his ways and manner of working Whither shall I go from thy Spirit I will work and who shall let it VII This River can never be frozen The bleakest Wind the sharpest Air the coldest Season cannot change it These Divine Waters run as freely in the cold Winter as in the Heat of Summer they are of a very warming and comforting quality VIII This Spiritual River bringeth forth only Creatures of a harmless Quality All Believers so far as they are regenerated are the Production or Off-spring of the Spirit are of the same holy heavenly merciful and harmless Disposition IX This River is of great dimension Who by searching can find out God to Perfection His Length Breadth and Depth are past finding out The Spirit is incomprehensible an immense and infinite Being These Waters are like those spoken of by the Prophet Afterwards he measured a thousand Cubits and it was a River that I could not pass over for the Waters were risen Waters to swim in a River that no Man could pass over Inferences WE may perceive from hence the Excellency and Necessity of the holy Spirit He is much more useful and necessary to the Church than Rivers of Waters are to the World For our Hearts are naturally dry and parched like the Heath in the Wilderness and it is the Spirit that moistneth them our Hearts are hard and the Spirit mollifieth them they are naturally filthy and he washeth and cleanseth them yea our Hearts are barren and the Waters of this River make them fruitful II. It also sheweth us the Excellency of Ordinances which are as the Chanel in which the Waters of this River run or the Pipes through which these Streams are conveyed to the Soul III. Bless God for this River for his opening a free Passage through Jesus Christ for its flowing forth unto us and for causing us the People of England to live by the side of such a Chrystal Stream O what a happy Land is that which hath a River of Water of Life running through it IV. When you see profitable and delightful Streams think seriously of this sacred and heavenly River V. Let all be persuaded to come to this River Hoâ—â— every one that thirsteth come to the Waters c. Four Motives considerable 1. Consider have you not great need to have your Hearts purged and softned by this Spiritual River c. 2. There is no other River no other Way no other Fountain that can supply your Wants If you wash your selves with Snow-Water it will not do away your Filth if you could bathe your Souls in a River of Tears yet unless you are washed in Christ's Blood through the
Spirit your Sin will cleave to you 3. This River is large enough and yet as 't is large 't is free All may come and partake of these Waters none are excepted Whoever will may come and take of the Waters of Life freely 4. This River is near the Streams thereof run by your Doors VI. Moreover from hence let Professors try themselves whether they have been washed and bathed in this River and have tasted of its Waters yea or no. Art thou mollified Is thy Heart made tender Art thou cleansed Is thy Life and Heart made holy Art thou healed of the Sores and Wounds of Sin These Waters have a healing Virtue in them they will heal a wounded Spirit a gauled Conscience they are good to clear the Sight causing one to see far off Are the Eyes of thy Understanding enlightned Dost thou prize the Ordinances of God that convey these Waters of Life unto thy Soul Is the Water of this Râ—â—ver sweet to thy Taste Is this River thy chief Element Dost thou live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit VII VVhen you remove from one Place to another from one Country to another from one Land to another be sure to plant your selves near the Chanel of this River go not from these VVaters Labour to live near the Ordinances of God and where the VVater of Life is to be had VIII Pray fervently that God would never turn the Course of this River another way VVhat would become of God's Church in England were it not for this Chrystal Stream The Holy-Spirit compared to Water Ezek. 36.25 Then will I sprinkle clean Water upon you c. Joh. 7.38 39. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive c. In both these places and divers others the Holy Spirit is compared to Water METAPHOR WAter for its rise is from the Ocean thence it comes and thither it returns II. Water cleanses from Filth and Pollution Cloaths and other things that are defiled are usually washed and made clean in Water It is indeed the Bath of Nature which the God of Nature hath appointed for the cleansing of things or Creatures that are polluted III. Water hath a cooling Virtue it cools the Earth after a vehement hot and parching Season so the sweating Travellor cools himself by washing in Water When the Sun by its scorching Beams hath made a Room hot wash it with Water and 't is brought immediately into a cool Temper IV. Water makes the Earth fruitful 't is of a fructifying nature How barren how unprofitable is it in a great Drought The Grass fadeth withereth and is dried up but when a soaking Shower falls upon it how green and flourishing is it immediately made thereby V. Water softens and mollifies the Earth David speaking of the Earth saith Thou waterest the Ridges thereof and makest it soft with Showers VI. Water hath a healing Virtue in it Some great Wounds have been healed only by washing in Water Some Waters in England are soveraign good to cure many Distempers and Diseases of the Body like the Pool called Bethesda VII Water is so necessary a thing that we cannot live without it many have perished for want of it VIII Water is good to quench ones Thirst to allay the heat of our Stomacks and to satisfy the longing Desire and remove the intolerable Pains that rise from an excess of Drought IX Water is free and cheap easy to come at it doth not cost us much 't is a common Element none are barr'd from it X. Water is necessary to quench Fire when by Treachery of Enemies our Houses have been set on fire over our Heads how serviceable have we found Water to be to quench it Parallel THe Spirit flows from God the Ocean of all Fulness But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testify of me Joh. 15.26 II. The Spirit of God purges and washes the Conscience from the horrid Defilement of Sin I will sprinkle clean Water upon you and ye shall be clean from your Filthiness And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God The Spirit cleanseth by applying Christ's Blood and by creating clean Dispositions in the Soul See River III. The Spirit hath a cooling Virtue in it The Heart of a Man is subject to great Heats sometimes its sweltered with Temptation Satan by shooting his fiery Darts puts a Believer into violent Heats As the Hart is by the Hunter put in a foaming Sweat and brays after the Water-brook so Satan that Blood-Hound makes the Soul thirst after the Water of Life Sometimes Men are put into great Heats by prevailing and raging Corruptions They are saith the Lord as an Oven heated by the Baker The Spirit cools this Heat partly by subduing the lustings of the Flesh and partly by strengthning the renewed part Jesus Christ opens the Oven of a distempered Heart and by casting the Water of the Spirit upon it brings it into a cooler Temper When Saul was in that hot and raging Heat to shed the Blood of the Saints the Spirit quickly allays his Rage and Fury IV. The Spirit where e're it falls makes the Soul fruitful Men's Hearts naturally are barren and like the parched Heath in the Desert but when this sacred Rain comes down upon them they quickly look green and in a glorious manner fructifie and bring forth the Fruits of Righteousness as appears in the Case of Zacheus no sooner did he receive of this divine Water and Salvation was come to his House but he crys out Half my Goods I give to the Poor V. The Spirit softens the hard and flinty Heart by applying the Blood of Christ. No sooner doth the Water of the Spirit come down upon a stubborn and rocky-hearted Sinner but he is made tender and pliable thereby Lord saith Soul what wilt thou have me do He was soft mollified and melted willing to do what ever the Will and Pleasure of God was VI. The Spirit heals all the Wounds and Diseases of the Soul Lord be merciful unto me and heal my Soul saith David for I have sinned against thee He sent forth his Word and healed them No Soul that ever took down one draught of these Waters but was cured of whatsoever Disease he had It searches to the bottom of every Sore and purges out the Corruption and then by applying the Blood of Christ it heals the Soul of all its Wounds perfectly VII The spirit is of absolute necessity without it we cannot live to God can't live the Life of Faith the Life of Holiness many perish and are utterly lost for
want of the Spirit for not coming to these Waters VIII The Spirit of God allays that great Drought that is in Men and Women naturally after perishing things But whosoever that drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst c. It greatly satisfies the spiritual Desires of the Soul giving Peace inward Contentment and Joy through believing IX The Spirit and the Blessings thereof are free Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters Whoever will let him take of the Water of Life freely X. The Spirit quenches the Fire of Lust the Fire of Pride the Fire of Passion which Satan and our own treacherous Hearts are ready at every turn to kindle in us and which would were it not for this sacred Water burn and consume our Souls and bring us to utter Desolation METAPHOR OTher Water many times doth prove prejudicial to the Body when it is received at certain times too freely it surfeits and indangers the Life II. Waters whether taken in the common Acceptation elementary Water or cordial Waters or Spirits prepared by Art are not Waters of Life no Water can beget Life nor give Life to the Dead III. Water may be defiled made muddy and become unwholsome and unfit to drink or wash in Disparity THe Spirit never hurts any who drink thereof though in never so great a heat you may freely take down this Water and not be hurt thereby it surfeits none no danger of drinking to excess here II. The Spirit is called the Spirit of Life and Water of Life and may fitly be so termed 1. Because it begets spiritual Life in all poor dead Sinners 2. Because it maintains Life that which gives Life and Being to us as we are Men or Christians preserves the same Whether it be natural or spiritual 3. Because it makes the Hearts of Christians lively and increases Life in them 4. 'T is called Water of Life because it brings unto everlasting Life The Water that I will give him shall be in him a Well of Water springing up into Everlasting Life III. The Spirit ever remains pure and admits of no Filth 't is impossible to defile this Water or make it unfit for the Souls of Sinners See River Inferences FRom hence we may infer that those who have not received of the Spirit or drank of this sacred Water have no spiritual Life in them If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Those that have not this clean Water sprinkled upon them their Filthiness remains II. What Fools are those Men who refuse to drink of the Water of Life 't is but drinking and live for ever III. Be exhorted to pray earnestly long for and endeavour after a Participation of the Spirit How ready are Men and Women to go to this Well and that Well to drink Water for the help and healing of Bodily Distempers go many Miles dispense with all other Affairs that they may be recovered of external Diseases But how few inquire after the Water of Life or leave all their secular Business for the good and health of their immortal Souls To perswade you to acccept of a word of Counsel take these few Motives You are invited Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters c. These Waters are free you may have them if you have a Heart and Will in you to them the Well is open and Christ stands with his Arms spread forth to call and embrace you If any Man thirst let him come to me and drink The Holy-Spirit a Witness 1 Joh. 5.6 10. It is the Spirit that beareth Witness because the Spirit is Truth He that believeth on the Son of God hath the Witness within himself Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth Witness with our Spirit c. Rom. 9.1 My Conscience also beareth me Witness in the Holy Ghost c. A Witness is absolutly necessary for the keeping up of Justice deciding of all Matters of Moment or to the putting an end to Controversies that may arise between Parties and for the confirming and establishment of Truth METAPHOR WItness imports something to be done that is to be attested when it shall be required or when there is need of it II. A good Witness is a just and impartial Person one that will tell only the Truth III. A good and faithful Witness decides Controversies upon Trial the right way IV. One Witness is not sufficient to the deciding of some Differences in some Cases there should be more than one Witness In the mouth of two or three Witnesses shall every Word be established V. A Witness is highly esteemed and his Testimony prized by a Man falsely accused when his Life lies at stake thereby especially when such clear Evidence is given in for the Defendant that tends to the clearing up his Innocency and absolutely to acquit him and to his great Honour set him at liberty notwithstanding those cruel and false Accusations of his Enemy VI. A good Witness many times gives in such clear Proof and Circumstances to the deciding of Controversies and ending Differences that the Matter appears exceeding plain in the sight of all Persons VII A good and faithful Witness brings a Man sometimes off triumphantly that all were ready to conclude was a dead Man VIII A Witness is so necessary to confirm Bonds Contracts and solemn Covenants that they are not look'd upon Authentick and good in Law without Parallel THere is somthing done by Christ for us and in us which it is needful there be a Witness of to confirm and establish both 1. Whatever the Lord Jesus did in the days of his Flesh as the sent one of the Father was born witness to by the Holy Spirit by those mighty Works which were done by the means and power thereof 2. The Lord Jesus hath also done great things in those who do believe the Truth of which the Holy Spirit beareth Witness II. The Holy Spirit is a just and impartial Witness The Spirit beareth Witness because the Spirit is Truth III. So the Holy Spirit decides and ends the great doubt that arises in the Heart about the work of Grace the right way will not speak Peace to him to whom it doth not appertain will not clear the Guilty viz. him that believeth not notwithstanding his seeming Zeal Holiness c. nor condemn the holy and sincere Person notwithstanding the Weaknesses and Infirmities of his Life IV. So in the great case of Interest or no Interest in Jesus Christ or about Faith and Regeneration there must be two or three Witnesses no more is required First The Spirit of God And secondly Our Spirit or the Testimony of our own Conscience The Spirit it self beareth Witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God V. When the Spirit of God with a Man 's own Conscience gives in Evidence for him touching his Sincerity when accused by Satan and by wicked Men and
rendered as a vile Hypocrite as Job was it doth clear him and makes his Heart light and how doth he prize and esteem of such a Friend Alas had not a Christian the Witness in himself to clear and bear up his Soul he would sink down many times into utter Despondency but this made holy Job to triumph over all his Enemies Behold my Witness is in Heaven and my Record is on high As much as if he should say though many Witnesses are against me yet I will keep my Conscience clear I will not have my own Heart to charge me or witness against me as long as I live VI. So the Holy Ghost gives in such clear Demonstration and Proof to the clearing up of a Man's Evidence for Heaven that when all Cases are clearly considered a poor Saint though doubtful before comes to a good and full Satisfaction therein God's Spirit and Conscience compares a Man's State with the Word of God and if upon Trial it appears that those Qualifications are wrought in his Heart that the Word expresly mentions concerning the Truth of Grace he then finds he hath no more cause to doubt of the goodness of his Condition VII So the Holy Spirit and Conscience bring off a Christian with abundance of holy Joy and Triumph notwithstanding his Case may seem very dangerous by means of strong Accusations of Satan as it was with Job For this is our rejoycing the Testimony of our Conscience that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity we have had our Conversation in the World c. VII So the Spirit or God confirms the Covenant of Grace to the Soul of a Believer for when the true Fear of God is wrought in the Heart the Spirit witnesseth to it and thereby assures us that all the Promises that are made therein are undoubtedly our own and shall be performed to us Inference HOw happy is the State of the Godly what good Assurance have they of Eternal Life they have received an Earnest of it it is sealed unto them and they have two infallible Witnesses to confirm it to them See Conscience a Witness The holy-Holy-Spirit a Teacher Luke 12.12 For the Holy-Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say Joh. 14.26 But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things and bring all thing to your Remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you THe Holy Spirit is the great Teacher of the Church and every particular Saint and Member thereof unto whom the Accomplishment of that great Promise is committed And they shall be all taught of God Joh. 6.45 Teacher A Teacher is a personal Appellation II. A Teacher implieth one or more that needeth Instruction or Teaching it argues Weakness of Knowledg and want of Understanding in some Persons about such things they ought to be well instructed in III. It behoveth an able Teacher to have great Knowledg and Understanding himself in all those Things and Mysteries he instructeth others in IV. A spiritual and able Teacher openeth divers dark deep hidden and mysterious things to the Understandings of Men. V. A divine and able Teacher by this means greatly inlightneth the World and causeth Darkness and Ignorance to fly away inriching Men's Minds with the precious Knowledg of sacred Truths VI. An able Teacher instructeth ignorant Persons by degrees as they are able to take in conceive and apprehend things first to read the a b c and then the Bible and afterwards the Grammar or any other Things of Learning they desire to be instructed in VII Some Teachers teach their Scholars out of a Book their great Business is to help them rightly and distinctly to understand that VIII A Teacher exerciseth much Patience towards them whom he instructeth especially when he meets with such that are very dull and unapt to learn he is forc'd to take much Pains with them IX Some Teachers tho very deserving have been greatly slighted by those very Persons they have shewed much Love to and taken great Pains with for their good which hath sorely grieved them X. Some Teachers after they have found those whom they were imployed to teach and instruct grown to such a great degree of Stubborness and Obstinacy that they have utterly despised and refused to betaught by them and have cast all Counsel behind their Backs then they have left them and wholly given them up as hopeless Persons XI Godly Teachers are so great a Blessing to People that it is a great Loss to lose them nay a sore and lamentable Judgment upon the Church and the World to be deprived of or have their Tea-chers taken away from them or forc'd into a Corner Parallel THe Holy Ghost is a Divine Person See Comforter II. There is no Man whatsoever but needeth the Divine Teaching and Instruction of the Holy Ghost For what Man knoweth the things of a Man save the Spirit of a Man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no Man but the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 III. The Holy Ghost hath great Knowledg yea he is infinite in Understanding there is nothing that he is ignorant of that either concerns God's Honour or our Good The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God IV. The Holy Ghost openeth many dark and deep Mysteries what hidden Mysteries did he reveal to the Prophets and open and unfold to the blessed Apostles Which in other Ages were not made known unto the Sons of Men as is now revealed unto the Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit V. The Holy Ghost inspiring and teaching the Prophets and Apostles who were the holy Pen-men of the sacred Scripture hath greatly inlightned the Inhabitants of the Earth where their Record is known and also when he hath opened the Eyes of the Understandings of Men in those profound and glorious Mysteries contained in the holy Scripture how are their minds inriched with the Knowledg of divine Truths VI. The Holy Ghost teacheth and instructeth poor Sinners gradually first the a b c of Religion viz. the Knowledg of Sin and their lost and undone Condition thereby the Vanities of this World together with the necessity of a Saviour and then in the second Place he instructeth them in higher Mysteries opening and explaining the Covenant of Grace as also the glorious Mystery of Union and Communion with God the Mystery of the Trinity the Incarnation of Christ his Priesthood and other things relating to him as Mediator together with many dark Sayings and Prophecies of the Scripture which those who are unlearned viz. who have not the Spirit 's teachings wrest unto their own Destruction I have many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now VII So the Holy Ghost teacheth Sinners the Knowledg of the Scriptures for as the Spirit gave them forth so he is the best Interpreter of them Then opened be their Vnderstandings that they might understand the
Scriptures He shall teach you all things and shall bring my Words to your Remembrance he shall take of mine and shew it unto you c. that is he shall open and explain my Word and Doctrine to you How ignorant are some Men of the Scriptures and of those glorious Mysteries contained therein notwithstanding all their humane Learning or that Knowledg they have of Hebrew Greek and Latine for want of the Spirit 's Teaching VIII So the Holy Ghost exerciseth much Patience towards Sinners whom he comes to teach and instruct in the way of Salvation Mankind being generally very dull and unapt to learn the Knowledg of themselves Sin Christ and Salvation therefore he drops now a Word and then a Word for their Conviction IX So many Men that the Holy Ghost hath shewed much Love unto and laboured greatly with have notwithstanding slighted and disregarded all his Counsel and Instruction like as Israel did of old Thou gavest them thy good Spirit to instruct them and withheld not thy Manna from their Mouth c. X. So the Holy Ghost who laboured to instruct the old World finding they were grown to a fearful degree of Hardness Rebellion and Obstinacy utterly refusing to return or be reformed after he had waited many Years upon them left them to perish in their Sins God declaring sometimes before the Flood came upon them That his Spirit should not always strive with Man and in like manner the Spirit deals with stubbâ—â—rn obstinate Sinners for after long-waiting and abused Patience he leaves them and gives them utterly up to their own Heart's Lust and to walk in their own Counsel XI The Holy Ghost is such a great Blessing to the Church and People of God nay and unto Sinners too that there can come no greater Judgment upon them than to be deprived of this sacred and heavenly Teacher tho it is sad with the Church When her Teachers are removed into a Corner and her Eyes see them not yet we had better lose all other Teachers and that utterly than lose this great Teacher only for tho he is pleased to make use of them he can teach effectually and savingly without them were they removed and taken away but they cannot teach without him unto the least spiritual Advantage and those who pretend to be Teachers of others and yet despise his Teaching-Assistance will once find they undertook a Work which was none of theirs Inferences IS the Holy Ghost the great Teacher how dare any then reproach and villify him or slight his Teaching or those who are lead and instructed by him 2. It may also stir up all Persons to a readiness and willingness of Heart and Mind to be taught and instructed by him Quest. How may we know say some the Spirit 's Teachings who are they that are taught and instructed by him Answ. This you may take as an undoubted Truth that The Spirit never teacheth any thing contrary to the written Word because so the World might be at a certainty about a good and true Teacher in matters of Religion the Spirit hath left us the holy Scripture and he always teacheth as that teacheth opening and explaining what dark and obscure things are contained therein so that he that walketh faithfully up to the written Word is lead and taught by the Spirit Quest. But doth not the Apostle say We have an Vnction from the holy One and know all things and need not that any Man teach us We need no other Teacher therefore but the Spirit Answ. That is a great Mistake and apparent wresting of the Text for the Spirit of God that holy Unction was in the Primitive Saints in a more glorious measure than he is in any now and yet Christ called forth and ordained divers other Teachers for them who were to build them up in their most holy Faith And the things saith Paul to Timothy that thou hast heard of me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to Faithful Men who shall be able to teach others also A Gospel-Ministry is to abide till Christ's second Coming they are appointed for the gathering together building up and perfecting of the Saints until we all come into the Vnity of the Faith and of the Knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect Man c. Therefore the meaning of the Holy Ghost in that Place is this We need not that any Man teach us but as that Anointing teacheth if any Man teach us such and such things that are not written things that the Spirit never taught in the Word of God we ought not to hearken to them we need no Teaching but that which is according to the Spirit 's Teachings and agreeable to its Blessed Rule left upon Record viz. the Holy Scriptures of Truth The Holy-Spirit compared to a Dove Mat. 3.16 And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighted on him The Holy-Spirit is represented by a Dove or appeared in the shape of a Dove and may in some things be resembled thereto Simile A Dove is a Bodily Substance or hath a Subsistence of his own II As at the beginning of the Creation saith a Reverend Divine the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incubabat came and fell on the Waters cherished the whole and communicating a prolifick and vivifick Quality unto it as a Fowl or Dove in particular gently moves it self upon its Eggs until with and by its generative Warmth it hath communicated vital Heat unto them III. A Dove is a meek harmless and innocent Creature Be ye as harmless as Doves IV. A Dove hath a quick sharp Sight or Eye as it is hinted Cant. 1.6 chap. 4.1 V. A Dove brought Tidings to Noah of the ceasing of the Flood of Waters and so consequently that the Wrath of God was abated likewise VI. A Dove is a most swift Creature hence David crys out O that I had the Wings of a Dove then would I fly away and be at rest Parallel SO the Holy Ghost hath a personal Existence It was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a bodily Shape and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a Dove II. So now saith he at the Entrance of the new Creation the Spirit comes as a Dove upon Christ who was the immediate Author of it and virtually comprized it in himself carrying it on by virtue of his Presence with him and so this is applyed in the Syriack Ritual of Baptism composed by Severinus And the Spirit of Holiness descended flying in the likeness of a Dove and rested upon him and moved on the Waters III. So the Holy Spirit is of a most sweet meek pure and Dove-like Disposition the Perfection of all excellent Qualities being in him as well as upon the Dove Christ as he was figured forth thereby IV. The Holy Spirit hath a quick and sharp Sight can discern the very Thoughts and Intents of the Heart what can be hid from his Eyes before whom all
things lie naked and bare V. So in the Assumption of this Form there may be some respect had to Noah's Dove signifying Peace and Reconciliation by Christ and the ceasing of the Wrath of God to all those who shall fly to the Lord Jesus and rest upon him by a lively Faith VI. The Holy Ghost is swift God is said to fly upon the Wings of the Wind the Spirit is God and the Flight of the Dove saith Reverend Blackwood denotes the divine Influence of the Spirit coming from Heaven into the Members of Christ as well as into the Head the Holy Ghost can quickly come to the Aid and Succour of a Believer when in Trouble or beset with Temptation or to strengthen him when he hath any great Work and Business to do for God That Spirit appeared like a Dove and yet the Learned tell us it was of a fiery Colour and we must not think this Substance saith Mr. Blackwood or Body resembled by a Dove to be hypostatically united to the Holy Spirit as the humane Nature of Christ is to the divine but as Angels appeared oft-times to Men in humane Bodies and laid them down again so did the Holy Ghost The Holy Spirit the Saints Guide Joh. 16.13 He will guide you into all Truth c. Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God The Spirit is the Saints Guide Guide A Guide is very necessary for Strangers in a Wilderness where there are many ways and turnings II. An eminent and able Guide is well skill'd in all ways and able to give Directions in the most difficult Cases that are very hard to find out III. A faithful Guide gives notice of all the Dangers that are in the way and shews also how a poor Travellor may escape them and so go safe unto his desired Place IV. An able Guide frees a Man that commits himself to his Guidance from many Cares and Fears that attend such who have lost their Way and have no Guide V. An able and faithful Guide gives plain and full Direction to the ignorant so that they cannot well miss the way if so be they exactly follow his Directions Parallel SO the Guidance of the Holy Spirit as it is contained in the Holy Scripture is necessary to Believers whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World where one says this is the way and another that II. So the Holy Spirit is able to guide poor Sinners in all the ways of God he led Moses and the Prophets under the Law and led the Apostles and all the Primitive Christians under the Gospel-Ministration Holy Men of God spake as they were moved and guided by the Holy Spirit There is no Precept nor Promise of God needful for the Children of Men to be instructed in but the Spirit in the holy Scripture hath left it upon Record for our Direction and Consolation and whatsoever is hard to be understood that is contained therein The Spirit that searcheth all things can open and explain it to a gracious Soul the Spirit guides in the way of Morality in the way of Faith and Gospel-Obedience in the way of Church-Constitution and Discipline and in Gospel-Holiness and Conversation III. The Holy Spirit hath in the Holy Scripture for in that is contained all the Directions of the Spirit touching all matters and cases necessary to alvation given notice to all Spiritual Travellors of all the Dangers that may attend them in the way to Heaven First the Danger of Unregeneracy the common Road that most Men and Women walk in the Spiritâ—â— hath told us positively if we go in that way we shall perish for ever Except a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Secondly The great Danger of the way of Presumption Thirdly The Danger of Despair Fourthly The Danger of Idolatry Heresy and Error Fifthly The Danger of Disobedience to Christ's Commands Acts 3.22.23 Sixthly The Danger of loving or liking of any one Sin Seventhly The Danger of Hypocrisy Eighthly The Danger of Apostacy c. IV. So the Holy Spirit frees a poor Saint from many Fears and Cares which attend others whilst he wholly commits himself to the Guidance of God's Word and to the Directions of the Spirit many are at a loss and know not what to do nor which way to go whilst he rests satisfied resolving to go wholly by this Guide V. So the Holy Spirit in the Scripture of Truth hath given such plain and clear Directions in all Cases of moment about Faith and Holiness that the ignorant and unlearned cannot miss the way to Heaven if they carefully observe the Rules laid down therein Guide OTher Guides tho very skilful and have good Knowledg of a way or matter they undertake to guide Men in may notwithstanding in some things miss being not infallible cannot give infallible Demonstrations to all doubtful Persons that they are right and that those who follow their Directions shall never go astray Disparity BUT the Holy Spirit in such a glorious manner by many Signs and Wonders so confirmed the way to Heaven as they are recorded in the Holy Scripture that those that follow his Counsel shall not go astray he is an infallible Guide and never imposed any Rules Laws or Precepts upon Men but left such convincing Evidence of the Truth of his Testimony that there remains no just ground for a Doubt or Objection as might be shewed in respect of the giving forth both of the Law and Gospel therefore those who pretend they are led by the Spirit or Inspiration and yet cannot prove and demonstrate what they say to be true by such ways and means that no Deceiver can pretend unto or do the like c. lie and abuse the Holy Ghost who is a certain and infallible Guide Inferences BLess God for this Spiritual Guide in matters of Faith and Practice and that there are such sure Rules left by him in the written Word What should we have done had God never afforded us such a Teacher and Guide as the Holy Ghost is 1. For Man naturally is blind I will lead the Blind in ways they knew not c. 2. There are many By-ways and were there not one sure and perfect Guide how could a Man find his way It is as easy for one Man to say he is led by the Spirit and Inspiration as it is for another and how shall a Man were it not for the Word know which of them is in the right 3. Some pretend they are led by the Spirit and they walk quite contrary to the Scripture which contains all the Truth of God necessary to be known believed and practised in order to Salvation He shall guide you into all Truth he shall bring my Word to your Remembrance Quest. How shall we know who follows the Spirit 's Guidance Answ. Art thou led to repent to leave thy Sins to believe in Christ to obey his Commands to
and powerful sharper than any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and Intents of the heart 'T is a hard matter for a Man tho' never so wicked to shut out or Prevent the Light of Gods Word from darting into and piercing of his Evil and accusing Conscience 3. The Word and blessed Gospel of Christ is so Great a Light that it makes wonderful Discoveries to the Children of Men. 1. It makes Manifest not only that there is a God but also what a God he is Not only his Being but also his manner of Being 2. It Discovers the Creation of the World 3. The State of Man before he fell and after his Fall 4. The horrid nature of Sin 5. The secret Counsel and Eternal Love of God to lost Man together with the severity of God towards the fallen Angels 6. It makes known the Lord Jesus Christ and his Blessed Design in coming into the World his Incarnation Nativity Life Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession c. 7. It Discovers how God is to be Worshipped all his Laws Ordinances and Institutions are revealed by it 8. It discovers the True Church which otherwise cannot be known 9. Lastly It makes manifest whatsoever is needful or necessary to be known believed or practiced in order to Salvation 4. The VVord of God Directs and Guides Men in the Right way Hence David saith Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathes God is Gracious to mankind in this respect viz. he leaves them not at an uncertainty without an infallible Guide in matters of Religion Take away this Unâ—â—erring Rule and what confusion would the Christian VVorld be in one Man might say this is the way and another that I walk saith one by the Guidance of the Spirit and so saith another that teacheth quite Contrary things Saith a third you are both out of the way 't is I alone that am led by Inspiration and ye are in Darkness Others plead for the Pope and General Counsels which have been miserably Contradictory one to another and none of these can Give better Demonstrations touching the truth of what they Preach or Practice then the Rest being not able to Confirm their Doctrine by Miracles and so consequently how shall a poor doubtful Soul be directed in the way to heaven by either or any of them For were not the holy Scriptures the Rule but Contrariwise the Light within or Inspiration c. then must a Man be able to Confirm and Prove what he sayeth in such a way or by such means that no Deceiver or Impostor can pretend unto or do the like But is not the Spirit of God above the Scriptures which you call the VVord did not the Spirit give forth the Scriptures if so sure then that is of the Greatest Authority and only Light that can best Direct men Into the right way That the holy Spirit or third Person of the holy Trinity is a Greater Light then the holy Scripture is not Denied by vertue of which holy men of old were Inspired that gave them forth yet the Question is VVhether any Man now hath such a measure of the Spirit in him which is a greater Light than the written word and to whom others are bound to adhere and be directed by for 't is this only which is Denied 5. The word and Gospel of Christ hath a Chearing and Quickning Vertue This is my comfort in my affliction thy word hath Quickened me And in another place I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast Quickend me As 't is grevious to be Spiritually blind or in the Dark Region and Dungeon of Idolatry Sin and Unbelief so on the other hand how comfortable is it to enjoy the blessed word and Gospel of Jesus Christ. 6. The VVord and Gospel of Christ hath a Cleansing Purging and purifying Vertue in it Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you The Gospel and word of God Disperseth and Scattereth all the Fogs and Mists of Darkness and Error It is the refining-pot of Truth VVhat an unwholsome Pesthouse would the VVorld be in a Spiritual Sence were it not for the Light and Excellent Vertue of Gods holy VVord 7. The VVord and Gospel of God is very pure and of an undefilable Nature what filthy sinks hath it past through and what means hath been used by the Popish Adversaries and others to Corrupt and Polute it and yet no defilement cleaveth to it it remaines unmixed and pure still shining forth Gloriously such is the Excellent nature of it it purifieth the hearts and lives of men and nothing can fasten upon it to polute it 8. The VVord and Gospel of Christ is called by the Apostle The Glorious Gospel the Gospel is exceeding full of Glory There is nothing in it but that which is very Glorious Here you have a Resplendency and Shining forth of the Sun of Righteousness Gloria quasi clara saith Aquinas because Glory is the bright shining forth of Excellency now its transcendent Excellency and Splendor shines forth as may be demonstrated many wayes 1. It s Glorious in Respect of the Author and Fountain from whence it proceeds 2. 'T is Glorious in a Comparative sence 3. 'T is Glorious in respect of it Self First As light is Glorious because it is the most Excellent Rayes Resplendency and Shinings forth of the Sun so is the Gospel because 't is the glorious shining forth and resplendency of Jesus Christ the Sun of Righteousness Secondly 'T is glorious in a comparative sence it Excells the Law hence called a better Testiment tho' that was glorious yet it had no glory in this respect by Reason of the glory that Excelleth I. The Gospel excels the Law in respect of the names of the one and the names of the other 1. The Law is called the Letter the Gospel the Ministration of the Spirit 2. The Law is called a Ministration of death the Gospel a Ministrator of life II. The gospel excels in glory above the law 1. In regard of the light and perspicuity of it the law was full of obscurity clothed with many Ceremonies and mysterious Sacrifices 2. They were at a great loss touching the main drift and end thereof 2 Cor. 3.13 God spake as it were under a Vail III. The gospel is clear and plain Christ beheld heard handled c. the Mysteries long hid open'd and explained fully we behold with open face c. IV. The law was appointed to be but a leading Ministration and in subserviency to the gospel our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. V. The gospel more glorious or excels the law in respect of the strength of the one and weakness of
but may affect our hearts the gospel is a glorious Subject but 't is Christ who is the glorious Subject of the gospel as all we have flowes from or through the gospel to us so all the gospel hath in it flowes from Christ. That he is excellent and glorious in this respect is expresly declared in the holy Scripcures Thou art more Excellent saith the Psalmist speaking of Christ than the mountains of Prey And in another place Thou art fairer than the Children of Men or sons of Adam Grace is poured into thy Lips My Beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest amongst ten thousand he is altogether Lovely He is the brightness of the Fathers Glory and the Express Image of his Person That his glory is very great might be demonstrated by two or three Arguments 1. Because he is the Object of the Fathers Delight nay the Father himself commends his beauty and glory to the Children of Men. 2. Because in that the holy Angels are taken with him the Angels stand and wonder he was seen of Angels such a Person they never beheld before and they worship him 3. Because Saints and all truly enlightened Souls do admire him and know not how to set him forth Paul accounted all things loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ. 4. He is called the desire of all Nations 1. There is enough in him to fill the desire of all Nations 2. None ever in any Nation that had a true sight of him but did desire him 3. The Nations will never be satisfied until they have and do enjoy him and are under the Influences of his glorious grace and government 5. Because there never were any who saw his glory but did admire it Wherein doth his personal Excellencies consist In his being Man such a Man there is one God and one mediator between God and man THE man Christ Jesus Compared with Acts 2.22 Heb. 7.24 What a Man is Christ A Man of Men the Son of Man a Man without spot fault or stain of sin the Excellency of humane Nature made like unto us in all things sin only excepted He is not only glorious in respect of his being man such a man but in respect of his being God also in this he Excels Oh here in this his glory shines forth as the light The Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the son of God 1. He is called God but unto the Son he saith thy Throne O God is for ever and ever c. 2. Not only God but the Mighty God His name shall be called wonderful counseller the mighty God the everlasting Father c. 3. Not only God the mighty God but also the true God And we are in him that is true even in his son Jesus Christ this is the true God and eternal Life 4. He is called the only wise God Lastly He is called God blessed for ever whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is God blessed for ever amen Secondly The gospel declares that he made the world this proves that Christ is God and greatly magnifies his glory he that made the world must needs be God Eternal for none could do that but the glorious Jehovah 't is ridiculous and most absurd to think that the Creature could make it self before it self was God in respect of his Infinite glory and wisdom upon this account expostulateth and reasoneth with his People glorying if I may so say in the Greatness of his Power and Majesty and thereby proving his unwordable Essence and dreadful Godhead Isa. 40. and all the Gods of these Nations to be but Idols and that the same power in respect to creating which is ascribed to the Father is attributed to Jesus Christ. See Joh. 1.1 2. for by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible c. Compared with Heb. 2.10 Thirdly The gospel shews that Jesus Christ did not only create but also doth uphold all things that are created who being the brightness of his glory and the express Image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the Right-hand of the Majesty on high c. he is before all things and by him all things consist Fourthly The gospel shews that Jesus Christ knows all things such Knowledge is too wonderful for Men or Angels In several places of Scripture the blessed God doth prove his glorious Being by his Omnisciency and that the like in respect of Knowledge is said of Christ is evident and he said unto him Lord thou knowest all things Joh. 21.17 Compared with Joh. 2.24 25. but Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he knew all men and needed not that any should testifie of him for he knew what was in man in another place 't is said he knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him Fifthly The gospel declares that Jesus Christ searches the heart tho' this Argument depends upon the last yet for Illustration sake I make another of it he that searches the heart ought to be acknowledged and owned to be the Almighty and Eternal God for who can find out the depths and deceits thereof but the Infinite Majesty the Heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it I the Lord search the heart and try the Reins as if he should say there is none save my self alone knoweth or can know it but that the Lord Jesus who died for our sins searcheth the Heart and the Reins he himself positively asserts it Rev. 2.23 I will kill her Children with Death speaking of the woman Jezebel and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the Reins and the Heart and I will give unto every one according as his work shall be Sixthly The gospel shews that Jesus Christ is the First and the Last and he that is the First and the Last must of necessity be acknowledged to be the everlasting and eternal God for from this very ground and consideration the Almighty argues and reasons with his people of old to convince them of his Deity and that there is no other God besides himself I AM the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God Compared with Isa. 48.12 Hearken unto me O Jacob and Israel my called I am be I am the first and I am the last c. And that the same is spoken of the Lord Jesus Christ See Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and ending which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty Ver. 17. And when I saw him saith John I fell
at his feet and he laid his Right hand upon me saying I am the first and the last Seventhly The gospel declares that Spiritual Worship or Divine Adoration doth appertain or belong to Jesus Christ which proves undeniably he is God Eternal and from Everlasting for that 't is Idolatry spiritually to adore and worship a Creature That Christ was and ought to be worshipped with the same worship that is due to the Father see Mat. 8.2 chap. 28.17 Luk. 24.52 Joh. 9.38 chap. 5.23 And again when he bringeth his first begotten into the world he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him Eighthly The gospel shews Jesus Christ hath power to forgive Sins none have power to forgive Sins but God Ergo Jesus Christ is God Ninthly He to whom the Saints ought and do Pray is the most high God but the gospel shews the Saints do and ought to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ therefore he is the most high God Tenthly The gospel shews that Jesus Christ had not only power to lay down his own life but also to take it up again destroy this Temple and in three dayes I will raise it up again but he spake of the Temple of his body This proves clearly his Divinity for who besides him that was God could give Resurrection to himself Eleventhly He that was in the form of God and thought it no Robbery to be equal with God and whom the Scripture calls Gods Fellow must needs be God blessed for ever but Jesus Christ was in the form of God and thought it no Robbery to be equal with God and is called Gods Fellow therefore he is God Twelfthly He that is the Object Author and Finisher of the true Believers Faith is God Eternal Blessed for ever Amen But Christ is the Object Author and Finisher of true Believers Faith Ergo. Thirteenthly He that hath Power to Baptize with and give the holy Spirit and the saving graces thereof is God But the Lord Jesus Christ hath power to Baptize with and give the holy Spirit Ergo He shall baptize you with the holy Spirit and Fire when he ascended up on high he gave gifts to men c. Fourteenthly He who can in his own Name and by his own Power and Authority give power or priviledge to others to become the Sons of God must needs be God But the gospel shews that this power the Lord Jesus Christ hath Ergo He came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as Received him to them gave HE power to become the Sons of God even to them that believed in his name He Adopts Regenerates and makes men and women Gods Children by the effectual workings of his own blessed Spirit in their hearts by which they are Interessed into all the Priviledges Promises and Blessings of the Covenant of Grace which none can do but God alone Fifteenth He that is the Believers life is God but Jesus Christ is the Believers Life therefore God Sixteen He that is Omnipresent must be God but the gospel shews the Lord Jesus is Omnipresent who can go out of Christs Presence Lo I am with you always to the end of the world Seventeen He that sees all things or before whom all things are naked and bare and hears all the Cryes and Prayers of his People in what place or corner of the earth soever they live is God But all this the gospel shews to be true of the Lord Jesus Christ Ergo. Eighteen He that is the Saviour of all the Elect and Chosen People of the Lord is God but Jesus Christ is the Saviour of all such and therefore God How often is he called our Saviour Neither is there salvation in any other His name shall be called Jesus Nineteen He that can and will Raise the Dead by his own power at the Last Day is God But Jesus Christ will raise the Dead by his own power at the last Day Ergo No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth c. Thus we have briefly shewed the gospel is glorious in respect of the Revelation that is made therein of the Lord Jesus First In respect of the excellency of his Person which we have shewed appears by his being Man Secondly By his being God which has been evinced Thirdly His glory and excellency consisteth in his being both God and Man truly Man and truly God in one Person Can Heaven and Earth make a Lovely and an Admirable Beauty O then Christ is he He is David's Root and David's Off-spring David's Lord and David's Son See Metaphor Branch and Root What Kind of Beauty and Perfections is the Beauty and are the perfections of our Lord Jesus Christ You have heard 't is the beauty of God the beauty of Man the perfection of those Beauties which are in God and Man But to answer this Question more distinctly 1. He is the original of all Beauties and Perfections of Beauty that is in Angels the Soul the Body the Face of a Man the Sun the Stars the Firmament c. 2. His Beauty is a desirable Beauty saw ye him whom my Soul loveth with my soul have I desired thee in the night One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord for ever that I may behold the Beauty of the Lord and inquire in his Temple And hence he is called the desire of all Nations 3. 'T is holy and chast beauty there is no snare nor pollution in it Joseph was a beautiful Person but it was attended with a Snare here you may look and love and fear no danger 4. It is a Real beauty not a seeming beauty a paint on a wall What 's humane beauty to the beauty of the Son of God 5. Christs beauty is a soul ingaging beauty how did it make Moses to leave all Peter and John leave all who ever saw him and could forbear to Love him neglect all and follow him 6. It is a Communicative beauty he can transmit his beauty to the making others beautiful and thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect through the comeliness which I put upon thee c. 7. It is satisfying and delighting beauty it fills and contents each Soul to the full who beholds it 8. It is a mystical and hidden beauty carnal eyes can't see it they behold no beauty nor comliness in him to desire him 9. It is an admirable and wonderful beauty Angels in Heaven and Saints on Earth are amazed and stand astonished at the sight thereof 10. 'T is a lasting and never fading beauty The beauty of Mortals is like a
Because the Gospel holds Christ forth to be the store house of all Divine grace and blessings he is ordained to convey all spiritual Riches to his Church and to every Member thereof 3. To allure and engage souls to love him and close in with him how can any refuse such a friend reject such a Saviour that is so beautiful to look upon and also so exceeding Rich. 4. That it might leave all men and women without excuse in the great Day what will they have to say that reject such a Saviour that turn their backs upon such a Christ when they are called to answer in the Day of Judgment 5. To relieve the tempted Soul 6. To strengthen the Faith and chear the hearts of all that do believe in him Fourthly The gospel is glorious in respect of Christ the glorious Object of it as it reveals his glorious Power Power in Scripture is taken two manner of ways or it shews a twofold power in Christ. 1. A Commanding Power his power of Soveraignty or Regal power that which we call Authority 2. The power of working or effecting that which he would have done Some have power to command but want a power to Effect that which they command cannot accomplish what they would have done but what Christ commands he can do or cause to be done at his Pleasure 1. I shall shew that the power of Christ is a glorious power 2. Shew why Christ hath such power 1. Christ hath a commanding Power he hath great Authority he hath a Regal Power or Superiority over all 1. Over Angels 2. Over the Church 3. Over the Devils I will lay upon the shoulders of Eliakim the Keys of the house of David Isa. 22.22 Keys is a borrowed speech signifying Government and Legal Power Christ hath the Keys of David Rev. 3.7 All Power in Rule and Government in Commanding Forbidding Punishing Binding Loosing Damning Saving is in Christs hand See Christ the Head and Heir of all things Keys of Hell and Death signifieth Christs Regal power over the Devils and delivering up unto Death and Hell or keeping out of it Over men mighty men Kings of the Earth He is the only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords They are all his Subjects shall and must Submit to him 4. He hath an universal Power therefore glorious Power the Sun the Moon the Stars the Winds the Seas obey him 5. Christs Power is absolute he bears the Image of God he is God as you heard before None hath absolute power but God he doth what he pleaseth 6. Christs Power is Just therefore glorious in Power it is not a Might without Right 't is in him Essentially as God and is given to him as Mediator in the one Respect he derived it from none in the other sence he received it from the Father 7. Christs Power is Infinite he made the World he upholds the World therefore glorious in Power He could have made a Thousand Worlds can do beyond all that we can conceive or speak 8. Christs Power is glorious because he can bring all other Power to nought in a moment at his pleasure whether of Men or Devils 9. Christs Power is glorious Power in that it is everlasting Power Men may be powerful for a time but they may soon lose it must die and so cannot hold it long but Christ sits King for ever his power is from everlasting to everlasting of his Kingdom there shall be no end 10. Christs power is Dreadful he looketh upon the earth and it Trembles he can make all tremble before him who can Thunder like God 1. He has a glorious commanding Voice 2. A glorious restraining voice what is swifter than the Sun which he can stop in a moment 3. Glorious in his reproving voice Psal. 50.21 4. In his threatning voice Rev. 2.16 and Chap. 2.23 11. He hath a Glorious Victorious Conquering and Subduing Power he hath overcome Sin Devil Death Hell c. 12. Christs Power is Glorious because nothing is too hard for him to do nay nothing is hard for him to do he can do what he will with a word of his mouth 13. Christs Power extends not only over the Body but over the Soul also works mightily in us as well as for us and can do wonderful things by weak Instruments by foolish and contemptible ones in the eye of the VVorld VVhat mighty things did he do by a few poor Fishermen and others not accounted off 14. Lastly Nothing is hard for Christ to do tho' all the Devils of Hell and Men on Earth oppose and resist him I will work and who shall let it VVhy hath Christ as Mediator such great and glorious Power given to him 1. From the greatness of his work he is to accomplish 2. Because no Souls whatsoever Discouragements they meet with should despair in coming to him or in relying upon him 3. That he might be feared and dreaded by all yea that his very enemies might tremble before him 4. That he might be honoured and adored Honour belongs to Sovereignty Thirdly As the gospel is Glorious in respect of the Revelation made therein of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ. So likewise in Respect of the Holy Ghost the gospel shews the Spirit in himself to be a distinct living powerful intelligent Divine Person Not only a distinct self subsisting Person but also a participant of the Divine Nature not the chief of all created Spirits and so the head of all good Angels as some imagine but that he is uncreated truly and ready God coeternal with the Father and the Son This we shall speak a little unto together with his glorious work Office and Operations First The VVord of God holds forth and positively declares that the holy Spirit is in himself a distinct intelligent Divine Person and which ought to be believed concerning this great truth viz. the Diety and Personality of the holy Ghost may be seen in the ensuing Testimonies according as they are Collected to our hands by a Reverend Divine Psal. 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the spirit of his mouth Job 26.13 By his spirit he hath garnished the Heavens Psal. 104.30 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit they are created Mat. 28.19 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Act. 1.16 That Scripture must needs hath been fulfilled which the holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake Act. 5.3 Peter said to Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the holy Ghost Ver. 4. Thou hast not lyed to man but to God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 12.11 All these worketh that one and the self same Spirit dividing to every severally man as he will And there are
diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and communion of the holy Spirit be with you all Acts 20.28 Take heed to the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers Mat. 12.31 All manner of Sin and Blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men but the blasphemy against the holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men Psal. 139.7 Whether shall I go from thy Spirit Joh. 14.26 But the Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the father will send in my name he shall teach you all things Luke 12.12 The holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say Acts 13.3 And as they ministred to the Lord and fasted the holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Paul for the work whereunto I have called them Ver. 4. They being sent forth by the holy spirit departed c. 'T is evident upon consideration that there is not any thing which we believe concerning the holy Ghost but that it is plainly revealed and declared in these Testimonies He is directly called God Act. 5.3 which the Socinians will not say is by vertue of an exaltation unto an Office or Authority as they say of the Son that he is an Intelligent voluntary Divine Person he knoweth he worketh as he will which things if in their frequent repetition they are not sufficient to evince an Intelligent Agent a Personal subsistance that hath Being Life Will We must confess that the Scripture was written on purpose to lead us into mistakes and misapprehensions of that we are under penalty of eternal Ruine rightly to apprehend and believe It declareth also that he is the Author worker of all sorts of Divine operations requiring Immensity Omnipotency Omnisciency and all other Divine excellencies unto their working and effecting Moreover it is revealed that he is peculiarly to be believed in and may be sinned against Also that he together with the Father and the Son created the World the spirit of God hath made me that he is the Author of all grace in Believers and order in the Churches The sum is that the holy Ghost is a Divine Distinct Person and neither meerly the power or vertue of God nor any created Spirit whatsoever This plainly appears from what is Revealed concerning him for he who is placed in the same series or order with Divine Persons without the least note of difference or distinction from them as to an Interest in Personality who hath the names proper to a Divine Person only and is frequently and directly called by them who also hath Personal Properties and is the Voluntary Author of Personal Divine Properties and the proper Object of Divine VVorship he is a Distinct Divine Person And if these things be not a sufficient Evidence and Demonstration of a Divine Intelligent Substance I shall as was said before despair to understand any thing that is expressed and declared by words But now thus 't is with the Holy spirit according to the Revelation made thereof in the word and gospel of God One Consideration which hath in part been before proposed I shall premise to free the subject of our Argument from ambiguity And this is that this word or name Spirit is used sometimes to denote the Spirit of God himself and sometimes his gifts and graces the Effects of his operation on the Souls of men and this our Adversaries in this cause are forced to confess and thereon in all their writings distinguish between the holy spirit and his Effects This alone being supposed I say it is impossible to prove the Father to be a Person or the Son to be so both which are not acknowledged any other way than we may and do prove the holy Ghost to be so For he to whom all Personal Properties Attributes Adjuncts Acts and Operations are ascribed and unto whom they do belong and to whom nothing is or can be truly and properly ascribed but what may and doth belong unto a Person he is a Person and him are we taught to believe so to be So know we the Father to be a Person as also the Son For our knowledge of things is more by their properties and operations then by their Essential forms especially is this so with respect to the Nature Being and Existence of God which are in themselves absolutely incomprehensible Now I shall not confirm the Assumption of this Argument with reference unto the holy Ghost from this or that particular Testimony nor from the assignation of any single Personal property unto him but from the constant uniform tenor of the Scriptures in ascribing all those properties unto him And we may add hereunto that things are so ordered in the wisdom of God that there is no personal property that may be found in an Infinite Divine Nature but it is in one place or other ascribed unto him First He is placed in the same rank and order without any note of Difference or Distinction as to a distinct Interest in the Divine Nature that is as we shall see personality with other Divine Persons Mat. 28.19 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Ghost 1 Joh 5.7 There be three that bear witness in Heaven the Father the Son and the Spirit and these three are one 1 Cor. 12.3 4 5 6. No man can say the Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit and there are differences of administrations but the same Lord and there are diversities of operation but it is the same God which worketh all in all Neither doth a denial of his Divine Being and distinct Existence leave any tolerable sence unto these expressions For read the words of the first place from the Mind of the Socinians and see what it is can be gathered from them Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the vertue or efficacy of the Father Can any thing be more absonant from Faith and Reason than this absurd expression and yet is it the direct sence if it be any that those Men put upon the words To joyn a quality with acknowledged Persons and that in such things and cases as wherein they are proposed under a Personal Consideration is a strange kind of Mystery and the like may be manifested concerning the other places Secondly He also hath the Names proper to a Divine Person only For he is expresly called God Act. 5. He who is termed the holy Ghost ver 3. and the Spirit of the Lord ver 9. is called also God ver 4. Now this is the name of a Divine Person on one account or other The Socinians would not allow Christ to be called God were he not a Divine Person though not by Nature yet by Office and Authority And I suppose they will not find out an Office
for the Holy Ghost whereunto he might be exalted on the account whereof he might become God seeing this would acknowledge him to be a Person which they deny So he is called the Comforter Joh. 16 7. A Personal Appellation this is also and because he is the Comforter of all Gods People it can be the name of none but a Divine Person In the same place also it is frequently affirmed that He shall come that he shall and will do such and such things all of them declare him to be a Person Thirdly He hath Personal properties assigned unto him as a VVill. He divideth to every man severally as he will and understanding the spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God As also the actings that are ascribed unto him are all of them such as undeniably affirm Personal Properties in their Principle and Agent For Fourthly He is the voluntary Author of Divine operations he of old cherished the Creation the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters He formed and garnished the Heavens he Inspired Acted and Spake in and by the Prophets well spake the holy Ghost by Isaiah the Prophet unto our Fathers The Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man But holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost He Regenerateth Enlighteneth Sanctifieth Comforteth Instructeth Leadeth Guideth all the Disciples of Christ as the Scriptures every where testifie Now all these are Personal Operations and cannot with any pretence of Sobriety or consistency with Reason be constantly and uniformly assigned unto a quality or vertue He is as the Father and Son God with the Properties of Omniscience and Omnipotence of Life Understanding and VVill and by these Properties workes acts and produceth effects according to VVisdom Choice and Power Fifthly The same regard is had to him in Faith VVorship and Obedience as unto the other Persons of the Father and Son For our being Baptized into his name is our solemn engagement to believe in him to yield obedience to him and to worship him as it puts the same obligation upon us to the Father and the Son So also in reference unto the worship of the Church he Commands that the Ministers of it be separated unto himself The holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them Acts 13.2 ver 4. So they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost departed VVhich is comprehensive of all Religious VVorship of the Church And on the same account is he sinned against as Act. 5.3 4 9. for there is the same Reason of Sin and Obedience Against whom a man may sin formally and ultimately him he is bound to Obey VVorship and believe in And this can be no quality but God himself for what may be the sence of this expression thou hast lyed to the efficacy of God in his operations or how can we be formally obliged unto Obedience to a quality There must then an antecedent unto Faith Trust and Religious Obedience be supposed as the ground of rendering a Person capable of being guilty of Sin towards any For Sin is but a failure in Faith Obedience or VVorship These therefore are due unto the holy Ghost or a man could not sin against him so signally and fatally as some are said to do in the foregoing Testimonies I say therefore unto this part of our Cause as unto the other that unless we will cast off all Reverence of God and in a kind of Atheism which as I suppose the prevailing wickedness of this Age hath not yet arrived unto say that the Scriptures were written on purpose to decieve us and to lead us into mistakes about and misapprehensions of what it proposeth unto us we must acknowledge the holy Ghost to be a Substance a Person God yet distinct from the Father and the Son For to tell us that he will be our Comforter that he will Teach us Lead us Guide us that he spoke of old in and by the Prophets that they were moved by him acted by him that he searcheth the deep things of God works as he will that he appointeth to himself Ministers in the Church In a word to declare in places innumerable what he hath done what he doth what he sayes and speaks how he acts and proceeds what his will is and to warn us that we grieve him not sin not against him with things innumerable of the like nature and all this while to oblige us to believe that he is not a Person an Helper a Comforter a Searcher a Willer but a quality in some especial operations of God or his power and vertue in them were to distract men not to Instruct them and leave them no certain conclusion but this that there is nothing certain in the whole book of God And of no other Tendency are these and the like immaginations of our Adversaries in this matter Dr. Owen Secondly The Gospel is glorious in respect of the Revelation made therein of the Spirit touching his glorious Works and Operations 1. The framing forming and miraculous Conception of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Womb of the Blessed Virgin was the peculiar and special work of the Holy Ghost This work I acknowledge in respect of designation and the Athoritative disposal of things is ascribed unto the Father for so the Lord Christ speaketh unto him A body hast thou prepared me Heb. 10.6 but this preparation doth not signifie the Actual Forming and making Ready of that body but the eternal designation of it was prepared in the Council and Love of the Father As to the voluntary assumption it is ascribed to the Son himself Heb. 2.14 For as much as the Children were partakers of flesh and blood he himself partook of the same He took unto him a Body and Soul entire humane nature as the Children or all Believers the same Synedochically expressed by flesh and blood ver 16. He took on him the Seed of Abraham But immediate Divine Efficiency in this matter was the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost Mat. 1.18 VVhen his Mother Mary was Espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found to be with Child of the holy Ghost Luk. 1.35 The Angel answered and said unto her the holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God 1. The Person working is the holy Ghost he is the wonderful Operator in this glorious work and therein the power of the most high was exerted For the Power of the most High is neither explicatory of the former expression the holy Ghost as though he were only the power of the most High Nor is it adjoyning of a distinct Agent or Cause unto him as tho' the holy Spirit and the power of the most High were distinct Agents in this matter Only
the manner of his effecting this wonderful matter concerning which the Blessed Virgin had made that enquiry how can this thing be seeing I know not a man The holy Ghost saith the Angel acting in the power of the most high or in the Infinite power of God shall accomplish it 2. As the humane nature of Christ was formed by the miraculous working of the holy Ghost he was hereby formed absolutely Innocent Spotless and free from sin as Adam was in the day he was Created 3. The Spirit also the Gospel shews in a peculiar manner anointed him with those extraordinary Powers and Gifts which were necessary for the exercise and discharge of his Office The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek c. 4. It was in an especial manner by the power and operation of the holy Ghost by which he wrought all those great and miraculous works by which he attested and confirmed his Doctrine Hence 't is said God wrought miracles by him Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God by miracles wonders and signs which God did by him He affirmed that what he did he did by the finger of God that is by the infinite power of God hence these mighty works are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Powers because of the power of the Spirit of God put forth for their working and effecting See Mark 6.5 5. The Lord Jesus was guided directed comforted and supported in the whole course of his Ministry Temptations Obedience and sufferings by the Spirit he was led thereby into the wiâ—â—derness presently after he was baptized the holy Spirit guided him to begin his contest with Satan The continuation of the discourse in Luke will not admit that any other spirit can be intended and Jesus being full of the holy spirit returned from Jordan and was led by the spirit unto the Wilderness namely by that spirit which he was full of And it was by the spirits assistance that he was carried triumphantly through the course of his temptations in the power of the spirit he returned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into Galilee that is powerfully enabled by the holy spirit unto the discharge of his work 6. Moreover the Scripture affirms that he offered himself up unto God through the eternal Spirit some understand by the eternal Spirit in this place is meant the Divine nature his Deity giving sustenance unto his humane nature in the Sacrifice of himself in that he had power to lay down his life and to take it up again yet many able Divines both Ancient and Modern do Judge that it is the Person of the holy Ghost that is intended 7. It is also thought by the Learned that the holy Spirit was eminently concerned in raising him up again from the dead but we cannot dwell here 8. The work of the new Creation is managed and gloriously carried on by the workings and operations of the holy Ghost 't is the work and office of the Spirit to make the whole work of the Mediation of Christ effectual to the Souls of the Elect. 9. All those glorious and extraordinary gifts that were powred forth either upon the Prophets or Apostles were by the operations of the holy Spirit 10. The gift of Prophecy whether ordinary or extraordinary was alwayes the immediate effect of the operation of the Spirit who inspired the Penmen of holy Scripture both of the old and new Testament in the writing and giving of them forth and in the opening of and explaining of them to the Sons of Men. The Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost 11. The holy Ghost supplies the bodily absence of Jesus Christ and by him he doth accomplish all his promises unto his Church 12. As he represents the Person and supplies the Room Person and Place of Christ so he worketh and effecteth whatever the Lord Christ hath taken upon himself to work and effect towards his Saints whereas the work of the Son was not his own work but rather the work of the Father so the work of the holy Spirit is not his own work but rather the work of the Son by whom he is sent and in whose name he doth accomplish it Howbeit when the spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come He shall Glorifie me for he shall Receive of mine and shall shew it unto you All things that the Father hath are mine therefore I said he shall take of mine and shew it unto you 13. The holy Spirit is the Spirit of Grace and the immediate efficient cause of all Grace and gracious effects in men wherever there is mention made of them or any fruits of them it must be acknowledged as part of his work tho' he be not expresly named c. Grace is taken two wayes in Scripture 1. For the Grace Free Love and favour of God towards us 2. For the Gracious Free and Effectual Operations in us In both sences the holy Spirit is the Author of it as unto us in the first as to its Manifestation and Application in the second as to the Operation it self The Nature Excellency and Glory of Grace in the latter sence we shall in the next place insist upon But sith some men in these dayes as in former times do much Eclipse the Glory of the Spirit touching the work of Grace and Operation of the Spirit in Regeneration or the quickening them who are dead in Trespasses and Sins in affirming that saving Conversion doth principally consist in a moral swasion It may not be amiss to add something briefly here in confutation of these men whose Principles are in our Judgment fairly stated by Reverend Doctor Owen 1. They say that God administreth grace unto all in the declaration of the Doctrine of the Law and Gospel 2. That the reception of this Doctrine the belief and practice thereof is inforced by Promises and Threatnings 3. That the things revealed taught and commanded are not only good in themselves but so suited unto the Reason and Interest of Mankind as that the mind cannot but be disposed and inclined to receive and obey them unless overpoured by prejudice and a course of Sin 4. That the Consideration of the Promises and Threatnings of the Gospel is sufficient to remove these prejudices and course of sin 5. That upon a complyance with the Doctrine of the Gospel and obedience thereunto men are made partakers of the Spirit with other priviledges of the New Testament and have a right unto the promises of the present and future Life This saith the Dr. is a perfect Systeme of Pelagianism Those that would see his Answer hereunto may read from page 257. to
Obedience in our Conversion to God be not the effect of his Grace in us he doth not work in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure 1. The work of Conversion it self and in especial the act of Believing or Faith it self is expresly said to be of God to be wrought in us by him to be freely given unto us from him the Scriptures saith not that God gives us ability or power to believe only Namely such a power as we may make use of if we will or do otherwise but Faith and Conversion themselves are said to be the work and effect of God But it maybe Objected that every thing which is actually accomplished in potentia before There must therefore be in us a power to Believe before we do so actually The Act of God working Faith in us is a creating work for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus And he that is in Christ is a new Creature now the Effects of creating acts are not in potentia any where but in the active Power of God so was the World it self before its actual existence This is termed potentia logica which is no more but a Negation of any Contradiction to existence not potentia physica which includes a disposition unto actual existence Notwithstanding therefore all these preparatory works of the Spirit of God which we allow in this matter there is not by them wrought in the Mind and Wills of men such a next power as they call it as should enable them to believe without further actual grace working Faith it self Wherefore with respect to believing the first act of God is to work in us to will So Phil. 1.13 he worketh in us to will This God worketh in us by that grace which Austin and other Learned men call gratia operans 2. Faith and Repentance 'T is said to be given of God Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance unto Israel and remission of sin to you it is given in behalf of Christ not only to believe but to suffer for his sake By Grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is gift of God Our own ability be it what it will however assisted and excited and Gods gift are contra-distinguished If it be of our selves it is not the gift of God if it be the gift of God it is not of our selves and the manner how God bestows this gift upon us is declared ver 10. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good work And from hence Faith is called the Faith of the operation of God 3. Love that precious prevailing Grace is planted in the Soul by the Spirit causing the Soul with Delight and Complacency to cleave unto God and his wayes the Lord God will Circumcise thine heart to love the Lord Deut. 30.6 Hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost Rom. 5.5 The fruit of the spirit is love Gal. 5.22 4. It might be further demonstrated by considering how Conversion with the manner how it is effected is set forth in the holy Scripture The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart c. What is this but the putting off the Body of Sin Col. 2.11 This is the mediate work of the Spirit of God no man ever Circumcised his own heart A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and will take away the stony heart that is that impotency and enmity which is in our hearts unto Conversion 5. The work of grace upon the Soul is called a vivisication we are by nature dead in Sins and Trespasses in our Deliverance from thence we are said to be quickened The Dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and Live being made alive now no such work can be wrought in us but by an Effectual Communication of a Principle of Spiritual Life and nothing else will deliver us Some think to evade the power of this Argument by saying that all these Expressions are metaphorical and arguing from them are but fulsome Metaphors And 't is well if the whole Gospel be not a Metaphor unto them But if there be not an Impotency in us by nature unto all Acts of spiritual Life like that which is in a Dead man unto acts of Life natural if there be not an alike Power of God required unto our deliverance from that Condition and the working in us a Principle of spiritual Obedience as is required unto the Raising of him that is dead they may as well say that the Scripture speaks not truly as that it speaks metaphorically 6. Believers are said to be begotten and born again of the Spirit by which it appears that our Regeneration is not an Act of our own I mean not so our own as by outward helps and assistance to be educed out of the Principles of our nature Of his own will begot he us by the word of truth c. Born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible c. Which were born not of blood nor of the will of man but of God This being so it behoveth them who plead for Active Interest of the will of Man in Regeneration to produce some Testimonies of Scripture where it is assigned unto it as the Effect unto its proper Cause where is it said that a man is born again or begotten anew by himself and if it be granted as it must be so unless violence be offered not only to the Scripture but Reason and common sence that whatever be our Duty and Power herein yet these Expressions must denote an Act of God and not ours Regeneration being thus proved to be the glorious working and operation of the holy Ghost we shall now proceed to shew further the nature and excellency of grace as it shines forth in the gospel and is experienced by every sincere Christian. 1. Gospel grace is glorious because when received in Truth it delivers the Soul from Bondage it breaks the bonds For the Soul is not set at liberty by the bare shedding of Christs blood without the application of it by the spirit or infusion of grace into the heart 2. The gospel through the grace of it when received in Truth opens blind Eyes it makes them see that never saw in a spiritual sence before it opens their eyes that were born blind how blind was Saul till the gospel grace shone upon him or rather in him 3. The gospel through the grace of it when received in Truth raises the dead Soul to Life 'T is hereby we come to be quickened the flesh profiteth nothing 't is the Spirit that quickeneth that is the Humane nature without the Divine cannot accomplish Salvation for us nor shall any Soul receive any saving
Such shall have an heavenly Life for an earthly one An Eternal Life for a Transitory one and thus by the help of the Spirit the Promises sweetly tend to answer all doubts and objections that may arise in poor sinners or in the hearts of weak Believers which is the last thing I shall mind as to the glorious excellent nature of Gospel Promises 12. The Gospel is glorious in respect of the Priviledges thereof here I might insist upon Adoption or Sonship free access to the Throne of Grace a dwelling-place in Gods house right to the Ministery and all the gifts thereof whether Paul or Apollos all is yours and right to partake of the Prayers of the Church and many other priviledges that have occasionally been mentioned which here I shall omit 13. The Gospel is glorious in respect of the Salvation wrought about by the Lord Jesus as recorded and revealed therein That Gospel Salvation is glorious Salvation doth appear from what hath been said 1. In respect of God who in his eternal Wisdom first found it out or was the contriver of it 2. In respect of Christ who is more immediately the Author thereof 3. In respect of the price of this Salvation viz. the Bloud of Jesus Christ. 4. In that all the glorious Attributes shine forth in their own glorious splendor and lustre therein They all meet together in sweet harmony righteousness and truth meet together Justice and Mercy do as it were Kiss each other as hath already been hinted the gospel shews that God in magnifying one Attribute doth not eclipse the glory of another 5. In respect of the Publishers of it 1. The Angels 2. The Lord Jesus himself 3. The Apostles 6. In respect of all other Salvations what was that glorious Salvation God wrought for Israel at the Red Sea in comparison of the Salvation of the Gospel by the Lord Jesus Many conclude that Salvation of Israel and other great Salvations spoken of in the old Testament were as Types and Shadows of this 7. In respect of the Confirmation of it by signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost the Dead were raised the Blind saw the Temple rent asunder the Sun darkned the Graves opened the Spirit miraculously given down and all to confirm the Salvation of the Gospel 8. Gospel Salvation is glorious Salvation in respect of the workings and operations of the holy Spirit upon the heart in order to the interesting of the Soul into the grace and blessings thereof as hath been shewed already The holy Trinity are Implyed and concerned in working about and finally accomplishing of this Salvation 9. In respect of the seasonableness of it every thing therein being gloriously fitted and suited as to time and the necessity of poor sinners in due time Christ died for the ungodly See Promises 10. Upon consideration of what we are hereby delivered from viz. Sin Satan the Law Wrath of God Death and everlasting Burning 11. In respect of all those things and blessings we are hereby invested with and hope to receive 12. Gospel Salvation is glorious because 't is a free Salvation not by works of righteousness that we have done but according to his mercy he saved us Tit. 3.5 13. Because it is a full Salvation it supplies the Soul with all things it wants whether Grace Light Power Wisdom Peace or any thing else in order to interest in it or the perfect accomplishment of it 14. Because it is a sweet Soul-satisfying Salvation Every one that sees his interest in it may say with good old Simeon Now let thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation 15. 'T is a certain and sure Salvation 16. It is an Eternal Salvation Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an Everlasting Salvation And being made perfect he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them who obey him Heb. 5.9 Inferences 1. This may Inform and fully Convince all considerate Persons what the reason and cause is that the Devil is such an implacable Enemy to the Gospel and uses all means immaginable to prevent it or hinder the light thereof from shining into our hearts If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not lest the light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 2. It also shews us what a great blessing God hath bestowed upon this nation 3. It may be a means to stir up all poor sinners to believe and obey it to prize and esteem it 4. It may teach us to contend earnestly for it and to hold it fast in spight of all opposers whatsoever 5. VVhat Motives might hence be inferred to prevail with all sincere Believers to be earnest with God that they may behold in this glass more of his glory to the end it may by its reflected Rayes change them into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. That it may shine into their Hearts 1. As they would be as burning and shining Lights to others 2. As they would live in the Joy and Comfort of it themselves 3. As they would approve themselves VVisdoms Children by justifying and standing by and for this glorious Gospel held forth in the word of God in the worst times 6. If the Gospel be so glorious it may put each man upon Examination dost thou perceive and clearly behold the glory which shines forth in it Some it is to be feared never saw the gospel in the glory of it it is as a sealed Book to them they see but the outsides of the book they are not able to discern the lustre and glory which is contained in it the God of this world hath blinded the minds saith the Apostle of them that believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Some men commend the gospel only because it contains so many righteous and good Laws and holy Rules of Justice and Morality teaching men to live soberly and to do as they would be done unto but see but little more in it which shews these men have but little of the Mystery and Glory of the Gospel opened to them for tho' it be granted that it is one part of the excellency of it yet it is not the chief as appears by what hath been said Again There are others who seemingly are much affected with the Gospel that Book of Books and yet cry up and magnifie the Light within above it as if that was a more perfect Rule than the holy Gospel and VVord of God which shews how little of the Gospel glory appears to them In the last Place if the Gospel be so glorious O pray whosoever thou art that God would be pleased to open thine eyes that thou mayst see it
keep up the heat and burning of it Persons may be said to quench the Spirit when they neglect the Means which God hath appointed for the keeping feeding and preserving of it in its full Vigor Heat and Operations in the Soul when they neglect Prayer reading hearing of the Word Meditations the Fire of the Spirit Zeal and Fervency soon decays 2. The Spirit of God may be quenched by neglecting to stir it up Paul exhorts Timothy to stir up the Gift that was in him If Fire be not stirred and blown up it will soon lessen its Burning and go out No Man stirreth up himself to take hold of thee 'T is not enough to pray read and hear the Word but to stir up our selves to do these Duties of Religion fervently if there be never so much Wood on the Fire yet if it be not blown and stir'd up the dead Ashes will obstruct the Burning So in like manner tho Men be never so much in the performance of Religious Duties yet if they let the Ashes of Formality and Deadness remain upon their Hearts the Fire of the Spirit decays 3. Fire is quenched by opposing somewhat of a contrary Nature and Quality to it as Water or the like Fire and Water are contrary the one to the other by reason of their contrary Qualities a little matter will weaken and lessen the burning of Fire and if a Man pour in much of it 't will soon quite exstinguish it so in like manner the Word and Spirit by suffering a little Sin and Corruption to remain in the Heart or Life will soon decay in its Operations Sin is unto the Spirit as Water to the Fire The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these two are contrary the one to the other Gal. 3.17 But now if a Man yields to some Sins to some hainous Sins or once lay the Reins loose as it were upon the Neck of his Lusts plotteth and premeditates Sin regards it likes it and watcheth an Opportunity to sin this will soon like much Water quench the Fire also Sin reiterated and often committed tho not so notorious or scandalous hath the like Effect The frequent acting of Sin is like a continual dropping upon the Fire nothing more dangerous than a trade in Sin That you may escape this great Evil of quenching the Word and Spirit observe these Particulars following 1. Consider 'T is a divine Spark which is kindled in your Souls 't is heavenly Fire 't is a holy and sacred thing Men know not what they do when they quench the Motions of the Spirit and will not suffer the Word to kindle in them 2. Consider Who it is that hath kinled this Fire in thee or strives to do it is it not the Almighty the ever blessed God wilt thou adventure to put out the Fire which the Majesty of Heaven and Earth hath kindled in thee 3. Consider how much Pains God hath taken to kindle it how long was it and what means did the Lord make use of before he could cause to speak after the manner of Men the Word to take hold of thee Did he not send a Spark upon thee at one Sermon and then blow upon it that it might break out into a Flame and then send another Spark another Sermon and then another and another and may be after all he brought thee into Affliction and used many ways to effect this great and good Work of his own Spirit and Grace upon thy Heart and wilt thou adventure to mar and spoil this Work and quench this Fire which is thus of the Lord 's kindling If a Father Mother or any eminent Superiour should take much Pains and be at great Charge to kindle a Fire and a Child should know this and yet adventure to throw Water upon it and put it out or yield to a cursed Foe of theirs so to do would it not be judged a notorious Offence 4. Consider the gracious Design of God in kindling this Divine Fire in the Soul 't is that he might raise thee to Life give thee Light melt thy hard Heart and make it fit to receive an heavenly Impression 't is to cement and unite thy Heart to himself that thou mightest glorify him injoy him and be glorified with him for ever 5. Consider If this Fire go out thou canst never kindle it again 't is beyond thy Skill and Wisdom If thou quench another Fire it may be thou mayst kindle that again and make it burn as before but 't is not in thy Power to make this Fire burn Of his own Will begat be us with the word of Truth As many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Who were born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God He is said to begin this good Work in us He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith Lord thou wilt saith the Prophet ordain Peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our Works in us 6. Consider Thou knowest not whether God will ever set about this Work again or no shouldst thou hearken to thy Lusts and Satan's Temptations to quench the Spirit and put out those good Motions and Desires that are in thy Mind remember that Word My Spirit shall not always strive with Men. And also what our Saviour in the Gospel spake concerning Jerusalem O that thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things that belong to thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes 7. Consider 'T is grievous to the Spirit to be quenched the Spirit is thy great Friend thy Comforter the Spirit helps thee at every dead Lift and maketh Intercession for thee with Groanings which cannot be uttered And therefore do not grieve him Wilt thou quench and put out the Motions of such a Friend Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of Redemption 8. Consider The Spirit is thy Light put out the Spirit and thou wilt become a dead Man or lessen his Burnings and gracious Operations and thou wilt become a dying Man would'st thou not have thy Eyes out of thy Head nor thy Life out of thy Body then do not quench the Spirit the Eye and Life of thy Soul 9. Consider what the Cause and Reason is Men quench the Spirit 1. Is it not because they would be indulged in their Sins and lie down on the Bed of Sloath and carnal Security Men put out their Fire when they have a mind to go to Bed 2. Is it not because the Fire burns too hot for them it hath kindled such a Fire in their Consciences that scorcheth them so sorely that they know not how to indure it and from hence wickedly go about to quench the Spirit Thus 't was with Felix he heard Paul preach of Righteousness Temperance and
Judgment to come and he trembles his Conscience smote him but now to quench the Spirit and allay that Heat he might find within he sends away Paul When I have saith he a convenient time I will call for thee 3. Is it not because this Fire of the Word and Spirit is too chargeable and costly for them they like Men grudg that which the Fire consumes or will if it be kept burning The Young-Man in the Gospel was not willing to sell his Possession and part with all for Christ. When Men see they must part with so much to the Minister God having ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel and so much to the Poor Saints and besides all this be exposed to suffer the Prosecution of such and such Penal Laws this great Charge they see already fall upon them and what further they know not may fall upon them by keeping up the Fire of the Word and Spirit the thoughts of which they cannot bear and from hence wickedly go about to quench the Spirit 4. Do not Men quench the Fire or lessen its Burning when it makes the Pot boil over when they fear that all that is in the Pot or Vessel will be lost even so some Men when the Fire of the Word and Spirit is so hot and strong that it is like to boil out a beloved Lust which they have prized for its Profitableness like a Right-hand or for Pleasures like a Right-Eye then they haste to lessen the Fire and like Judas think there needs not be so much waste Now what a vile thing saith one is this to quench the Fire of the Spirit rather than the Scum and Filthiness of Sin should be worked and boiled out thereby See how God threatens such Ezek. 24.6 Wo to the Pot whose Scum is therein and whose Scum is not gone out of it therefore saith God Verse 11. Set it emptey upon the Coals that the Brass of it may be hot and may burn and that the Filthiness of it may be molten in it that the Scum of it may be consumed She hath wearied her self with Lies her Scum shall be in the Fire In thy Filthiness is Lewdness Her Obstinacy was such that tho God had made use of means to purge her she refused to be purged And therefore God pronounced that dreadful Threatning against her Thou shalt not be purged from thy Filthiness any more Some are not willing to part with their Sins they would keep the poisonous Liquor and Scum in the Vessel and for this the Vessel and Scum must be burned together and shall never be parted 5. Do not Men quench the Fire and put out their Candle when 't is like to expose them to danger when Thieves and cursed Enemies are abroad out of fear they keep all close and are not willing any should see Fire-Light nor Candle-Light nor any thing should discover them So out of Fear in time of Common danger some Men quench the Fire of the Word and Spirit the Word like a Candle is thrust under a Bushel or under a Bed and the Motions of the Spirit for a publick Testimony are put out 6. Men quench the Fire saith the same Author when 't is like to set the House on fire so some Professors quench the Spirit when they see what fiery Trials they are like to pass through if they continue in the heat of their Zeal 7. Some Men quench the Fire when they are warm enough without it they warm themselves by the Sparks of their own kindling these saith God shall lie down in sorrow they conclude their own Righteousness and their old Ways and Conversation will be sufficient and so turn with the Dog to his Vomit and with the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire 8. Some Men let the Fire go out saith he through a multitude of Business their Minds being taken up with other things they forget it So some Men forget the Word Spirit and Religion being like Martha troubled about many things Now what a wicked thing is it from all or any of these Causes to quench the Spirit 10. Consider 'T is by the Spirit thou must mortify the Deeds of the Flesh which thou must do or be damn'd Rom. 8.13 And how canst thou do that when the Spirit is quenched 't is no marvel if Corruptions prevail when the Spirit is put out that should burn them up 11. Consider 'T is by the Spirit and Word which is called the Sword of the Spirit by which you should wrestle and resist all the Temptations of Satan but when the Fire of the Spirit is quenched it puts an Opportunity in Satan's hand to kindle the Fire of Pride Malice and Lust of Concupiscence in thy Heart when the Spirit is quenched and the Sword thrown away what Execution can be done upon this spiritual Enemy 12. Consider 'T is by the help and influence of the Holy Spirit thou must perform all Duties of Religion or they will never be accepted of God and how can that be done when the Spirit is quenched and the Motions and Operations thereof cease If the Word and Spirit be compared to Fire let us bless God for kindling this Fire in our Hearts and Nation and pray that he would be pleased to blow more and more upon it that it may burn up all the Chaff and Dross of our Corruptions and inflame our Souls with a greater degree of Love to God and Zeal to Religion And let us take heed we do not quench the Spirit in others Wicked Men would fain put this Fire quite out what unwearied Attempts have they made from time to time in this and other Nations to extinguish the Light of the Word Ungodly Papists can't indure the heat of this Fire they are not more ready to kindle other Fires to the spoiling and impoverishing of the Kingdom than they are to put out this they will not suffer it to burn in themselves so they as much as in them lies indeavour to quench it in others like those Men whom our Saviour reprehended in the days of his Flesh who would not go into Heaven themselves nor suffer them who would go thither to enter in But in the last place Let them and all other wicked Persons take heed how they quench this divine Fire for if it burn not up their Sins and Corruptions and kindle Grace and Holiness in them they must burn one day in Hell for either this Fire must be suffered to burn in them or they be condemned to eternal Burning for quenching of it The Word of God compared to a Hammer Jer. 23.29 Is not my Word like as a Fire saith the Lord and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rock in pieces IN these Words the Word of God is compared to Fire which we have already spoken of 2. As the Word is compared to Fire so likewise to a Hammer 3. The Heart of a Sinner is compared to a Rock
We shall here only speak of the Word as it is compared to a Hammer Simile A Hammer is a fit Instrument to break Rocks and beat Stones in pieces c. II. A Hammer can do nothing of it self without the hand that uses it III. According to the Strength Design and Wisdom of the Work-Man a Hammer doth effect this or that c. IV. A Hammer is not only a fit Instrument to break things in pieces withall but also to drive home Nails c. and to clench and fasten them also Parallel THe Word of God is prepared by the Almighty as a fit means to break in pieces the stony and rocky Hearts of Sinners II. The Word of God cannot of it self break in pieces the Sinner's Heart God must use it by the hand of the Spirit if ever it accomplish that for which he sent it III. So according to the Design Wisdom and Strength the Holy Ghost is pleased to put forth upon the Heart of a Sinner is the nature of the VVork that is effected or accomplished thereby VI. So the Word of God in the hand of the Spirit is very useful to drive home and fasten 1. The Nails of Conviction 2. To drive home and fasten Precepts 3. To drive home and fasten Promises God is the great Master of Assemblies who fastens the Words of the Wise as Goads and Nails given from one Shepherd Inferences EXamine your selves have you experienced the Word to be like a Hammer 1. Have you been broken in pieces by it have you been under Grief and Trouble for your Sins 2. Are you broken off from your Sins 3. Are your Hearts soft 4. Hath the Word and Spirit of God fastened Convictions so upon you that you cannot get free of them Do they abide like a Nail in a sure place Have the Precepts of God in like manner been drove home that you cannot rest till you have submitted to them Have Promises been so fastened as that you do believe and stedfastly apply them to your own Souls II. If you would have the Word of God break your hard and rocky Hearts then 1. Consider the Severity of it touching the Threatnings thereof Gal. 3.10 Mark 16.16 Luk. 13.5 2. Consider what hath been executed upon such who break the Word 1. Adam 2. The old World 3. Korah and his Company Those that broke Moses 's Law dyed without Mercy under two or three Witnesses Heb. 10.28 3. Consider the Truth of the Word Mat. 5.18 Job 36.17 Luk. 21.22 4. The Power and Authority of the Word 5. The Torments of the Damned 6. Read often and consider the Sufferings of Christ. 7. Cry to God that he would be pleased to take the Hammer of the Word into the hand of his Spirit and smite your rocky Hearts See Simile stony and rocky Heart The Word of God the Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 And the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God TWO things may be inquired into and in both these respects we shall run the Parallel 1. Why the VVord of God is compared to a Sword 2. VVhy the VVord is called the Sword of the Spirit 1. Some take as Mr. Gurnall observes the Abstract here to be put for the Concrete 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sword of the Spirit for the spiritual Sword as if it were no more but take the spiritual Sword which is the VVord of God according to that of the Apostle 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal but mighty that is spiritual VVeapons Indeed Satan being a Spirit must be fought with spiritual VVeapons and such is the VVord of God viz. a spiritual Sword but this tho true reacheth not the full sence of the Place where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken Personaliter for the Person of the Holy Spirit METAPHOR A Sword is a Weapon generally made use of by all Souldiers of every Rank and Quality the Captain as well as the ordinary Souldier hath and ought to have his Sword II. A Sword is a Weapon by which they do not only defend themselves but also do great Execution upon their Enemies III. A Sword is a keen sharp piercing Weapon it will enter into the Body and pierce the very Heart of a Man IV. A Sword is an honourable Weapon and of great Antiquity it hath been in use from the beginning a Weapon that no Enemy hath any just cause to quarrel with V. Some Swords have two Edges they will cut both ways they will cut backwards and forwards as they go in and as they come out VI. A Sword will cut off a Member many a Leg and Arm have been cut off therewith VII Some Wounds of a Sword are so mortal that there is no cure for them VIII A Sword is born oft-times before a Magistrate to signify Authority and Justice He bears not the Sword in vain IX A Sword is a very victorious Weapon it hath done great Execution in the World Joshua made great Slaughter upon the seven Nations of Canaan with the Sword it is said he put all the Souls in several Cities to the Edg of the Sword Parallel THE VVord of God the spiritual Sword every Christian of what Rank or Quality soever maketh use of and cannot ought not to be without it the Captain General fought with this VVeapon himself Ministers as well as every private Christian ought always to be armed herewith II. So the VVord of God is a spiritual VVeapon by which a Christian doth not only defend himself from the danger of Sin and Satan the VVorld c. but by it he offends yea cuts down and overcomes and vanquishes all these and other cruel Enemies of the Soul 1. The VVord is a defensive VVeapon Saith David By the Word of thy Lips I have kept me from the Paths of the Destroyer Vnless thy Law had been my Delight I should have perished in my Affliction 2 Offensive by it our blessed Captain made the Prince of Darkness fly It is written thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God III. The Word of God is sharper than any Sword If the Spirit uses it it will soon enter into and pierce the Heart of a Sinner as appears by that notable Instance concerning those Jews that put the Lord Jesus to death whilst Peter preached the VVord to them it is said they were pricked in their Hearts IV. The Word of God is an honourable VVeapon our Saviour and all holy Prophets and good Men would never else have made use of it it is also of great Antiquity the Writings of Moses as it is observed by divers were before any humane Records No Devil nor vile Heretick hath any cause to except against it or to quarrel with the Holy Scripture V. The VVord of God is quicK and powerful sharper than any two-edged Sword it hath a twofold Operation at one time as it is used by the Ministers of the Gospel it wounds the
Souls of the Elect in order to healing and it wounds the Reprobate in order to damning to such it may be called a killing Letter To one we are the Savour of Life unto Life to the other the Savour of Death unto Death VI. The VVord of God hath cut off many a Member of the old Man it will cut off a Right-hand lust of Profit or a Right-eye lust of Pleasure VII So some VVounds that many Sinners receive are such that there is no cure for them viz. such who have sinned the unpardonable Sin There is a Sin unto death VIII He that bears the VVord of the Spirit shews he is a Man that hath great Authority for what he says and that he is a Person for Right and Justice it is that which decides all doubtful Cases c. IX So the VVord of God the Sword of the Spirit is a glorious and victorious VVeapon which will appear If we consider how many it hath struck down dead and sentenced unto eternal Death how many strong Enemies have been slain and subdued by it strong Lusts strong Devils strong and vile Hereticks it is a victorious Sword It is called the Sword of the Spirit 1. Because it is a spiritual Weapon but that is not all 2. Because the Spirit is the Author of it a Weapon it is saith Gurnal which his Hand alone formed and fashioned it came not out of any Creatures Forge Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 3. The Holy Spirit is the only true Interpreter of the Word whence we have that known Passage of Bernard Quo Spiritu factae sunt Scripturae eo Spiritu legi desiderant ipso etiam intelligendae The Scriptures must be read and can be understood by no Spirit but that a lone by whom they were made 4. Because the Spirit only can give the Word its Efficacy and Power in the Soul it is the Office of the Spirit Sigillare animum rerum creditarum Except he lays his weight on the Truths we read and hear to apply them close and as it were cut their very Image in our Minds and Hearts they have no more Impression than a Seal sets upon a Stone or Rock The Spirit will do nothing for Believers without the Word and they can do nothing to purpose without him the Word is the Sword and the Holy Spirit of Christ the Arm that weilds it So that 5. The like use that a Sword is of to a Souldier in War the same is the Word to the Spirit in order to the cutting down and spoiling all his and others Enemies Inferences THis may teach Believers what excellent use the Word is of in all their spiritual Wars with the Devil Sin and all other mortal Enemies of their Souls 2. It may inform us what the great Design of Satan is in seeking so many manner of ways to take away the Word of God from us or in making of it of little or no use to us 3. This justly reprehends the cursed Papists and Church of Rome in respect of their Cruelty to the Souls of Men in disarming them of their Weapons a People disarmed are soon overcome and made a Prey to their Enemies how can we defend our selves when our Sword is taken out of our hands They have some Fig-leaves saith one to hide their shameful Practice they endeavour to perswade Men they do them a Kindness thereby lest they should cut their Fingers with it c. How doth the Apostle condemn speaking in the Church in an unknow Tongue All Men are exhorted to read the Scriptures search the Scriptures but the Pope makes it no less than Death if not Damnation for the Laity to have them in their own Language to read or search fearing lest it should spoil his Trade 4. It reproves them for casting such Contempt upon the Scriptures as if they were insufficient to direct us in the way of Salvation What horrid Blasphemy and Reproach is this saith the same Author to the great God to send his People into the Field and put such a wooden Sword into their hands as is not sufficient to defend themselves or vanquish their Enemies And how much contrary is it to that of the Apostle Timothy who saith It is able to make us wise unto Salvation through Faith in Christ Jesus perfect throughly furnished to all good Works 5. Let us bless God and be truly thankful we have this Weapon left us yet this is in our hands and that all the World may know it hath done great things in our Hearts Let every true Christian and true English-man resolve to dy upon the Spot rather than lose the Word or suffer their Sword to be taken from them 6. Let it also caution all Christians to take heed how they ingage their Enemy without their Sword 7. Labour also to know the right use of it and how and when to offend your Enemy hereby Satan is a cunning Warrier sometimes when thou art tempted to sin may be he will tell thee it is a little one what 's a merry Jest to sport and game to drink and carrouze a little when thou art thus beset draw thy Sword Make no Provision for the Flesh If ye live after the Flesh ye shall dye Put off the former Conversation without Holiness no Man shall see God How shall I do this thing and sin against God 8. Again on the other hand may be he will aggravate thy Sin to drive thee into despair and tell thee by his evil suggestions that there is no Mercy for thee then draw thy Sword again But he that confesseth and forsaketh his Sin shall find Mercy I desire not the Death of him that dyeth All manner of Sin and Blasphemy against the Father and the Son shall be forgiven unto Men c. Such were some of you c. 9. Yield up all your Sins tho never so pleasant and profitable to the Edg of the Sword 10. Prize and highly value the Holy Scriptures the Word of God and say as David once did when he wanted a Sword and it was told him there was none but the Sword of Goliah none like that Satan will it is feared e're long make a diligent search for Arms do as David did hide thy Sword Thy Word have I hid in my Heart that I might not sin against thee Get many Promises ready against thou art beset and shall have need of them The Word of God compared to Leaven Mat. 13.33 Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto Leaven which a Woman took and hid in three measures of Meal till the whole was leavened SOme understand by Leaven in this place the VVord of God others Grace the one concludes it is the VVord of Grace the other the Grace of the VVord a third sort understand the Church of God is intended by it The VVord and Grace of God may be compared to Leaven in three or four Considerations Parable
III. Treasure hath a great Influence upon the Hearts of the Sons of Men. IV. Treasure is much sought after with great Care and Pains and when obtained Men are very loath to part with it V. Treasure is usually kept in some strong or secure place to the end it may be safely preserved VI. Treasure sometimes signifies Store and Plenty of good Things VII Much Treasure makes Men great and honourable in the World VII Treasure will carry a Man a great way in and through great Straits Afflictions Sorrows and Sufferings Parallel THe Gospel is much in little it hath been of that Esteem that in the time of its scarcity a Load of Hay hath been given for one Leaf of the Epistle of James in English See the Word of God compared to Light II. So doth the Gospel How many poor miserable wretched Men and Women have not only been supplied as to their need but enriched thereby III. So hath the Gospel through the Spirit and therefore the Lip of Truth saith Where the Treasure is there will the Heart be also IV. What Pains did the holy Men of old use in seeking after a Discovery of the Truth of the Gospel and of the things therein contained And what a Cloud of Witnesses are there who rather than they would part with this Treasure parted with their Lives and all they had V. So the Word and Gospel of God hath been preserved in the worst of Times when the great Design of Men and Devils hath been to destroy or corrupt it Thy Word have I hid in mine Heart VI. There are Store of good Things held forth in the Gospel viz. Christ Grace Glory and every good Thing else with him and by him VII Faith in the Gospel raiseth to great Honour O what Dignity ariseth from that noble Birth that is from above until which how mean and disgraceful an Object is fallen Man VII So the Gospel and the Grace of it O how far and through what Difficulties will it carry a Man With what contentment have Christians behaved themselves in the want of all outward Enjoyments having had a little of this Treasure METAPHOR ALL Treasures here be they never so rich or rare yet they are but earthly or from the Earth II. Earthly Treasures are corruptible and many times are spoiled they become worth little or nothing Lay not up Treasure on Earth where Moth and Rust doth corrupt c. III. Earthly Treasures tho they may go far and supply many bodily Wants yet they cannot supply Soul-Wants IV. The Poor have but little of worldly Treasure and therefore 't is they are accounted poor it is mostly in the hands of the great Men of the Earth V. Men by their natural Care and Industry may get worldly Treasure and grow rich thereby VI. Worldly Treasure may be taken away by Thieves as well as eaten by Moths Disparity BUt such is the Glory of the Gospel as that it is a Treasure from Heaven and of an heavenly product and extract II. But the Gospel and Grace thereof is a Treasure incorruptible it cannot putrify or be spoiled its Splendor and Glory is durable But of incorruptible the Word of God c. III. But the Gospel or Word of God extendeth to the Supply both of the Soul and Body The Gospel heard and received by Faith makes up a full Supply to the Soul of whatever it needs My God shall supply all your Wants c. IV. But it is evident that the Poor receive the Gospel and James saith expresly that God hath chosen the Poor of this World rich in Faith c. The Poor of this World have generally most of this sacred Treasure and so are the richest Men. V. No Man whatsoever tho never so worldly wise ingenious careful and industrious in laying out all his natural Parts can enrich himself with this sacred Treasure What hast thou which thou hast not received VI. But the Gospel is a Treasure that cannot be taken away by Thieves nor can the Moth corrupt it it is called the everlasting Gospel Inferences THis shews who are the truly rich Men and Women in the World and what is indeed the true Treasure that will make them so here and to Eternity Jam. 2.5 2 Cor. 6.10 II. It shews the Folly and Madness of those that slight and despise the Gospel Heb. 2 2 3. Jer. 8.8 9. III. What strong Motives might I produce in order to the getting of this Treasure 1. Would you be rich for ever would you have durable Riches c. 2. VVould you be defended and know how to subsist another Day Then get much of this Treasure Quest. But is not this the way to be in the more danger For 't is not the Poor that the Thief cares to meddle withal but the Rich We see what Assaults they meet withal that have this Treasure therefore 't is best to be at ease and quiet and forbear to middle with it Answ. God's Power and Strength is laid out for its Preservation and of the Vessels in whom it is It is God's Treasure and the Vessel too for his People are his peculiar Treasure He will keep it night and day lest any hurt it meaning his People whom he hath enriched with this Treasure Quest. But why is this Treasure put into such earthen Vessels Is it not in the greater danger therefore to be lost they being so subject to be broken Answ. 1. They are tho mean in the VVorlds eye and also in their own yet chosen and sanctified Vessels and fitted for the Lord's use so that the Treasure can suffer no loss by the Vessel 2. The Power of God is the more manifested in preserving this Treasure in an earthen Vessel Object But these Vessels may be nay have been and are often broken and turned to Dust. Answ. Yet God never wanted a Vessel for this Treasure nay those that are turned to Dust are not destroyed they are but dissolved that the Treasure might be the more diffusive and spread it self The Blood of the Saints hath been the Seed of the Church FINIS ADVERTISEMENT THere is a second Volume ready for the Press which consisteth of two Parts The First opens by way of Metaphor and Parallel c. about One hundred sixty eight Metaphors Similes Allegories and other borrowed Terms contained in the holy Scriptures consisting of all the principal Metaphors Similes c. that the Authors can meet with under these ten Heads following 1. Such as concern the Graces of the Spirit and Ordinances of the Gospel 2. Such as concern the holy Angels and the Souls or Spirits of Men. 3. Such as respect the Church of God 4. Such as concern 1. Man in general 2. Good Men 3. Wicked Men. 5. Such as concern the Ministers of the Gospel 6. Such as respect Sin wherein the odious Nature of Sin is largely opened 7. Such as concern the Devil 8. Such as concern the false Church and false