infinite account q Psal 58. 3 for the wombe of that bottomlesse pit or the Curse r Revel 9. 1. 2. is of no lesse extent then is the wombe of that blessed promise that God gave before the foundations of the world were laid s Titus 1. 1. 2. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 10. 1 Cor. 2. 7. and made it manifest in due time through preaching the Crosse therefore is to be extended unto all severall and particular misâ—ries and also contracted shut up in one out of which all glory excellency comfort and peace ariseth t Gal. 6. 14. Ephes 2. 13. to 18. Iames 1 2 3 4. Rom. 5. 3 4. 4. or else we know it not nor can we partake of the fruit benefit of it no more then the body can partake of the excellencies of the soul whilst it hath not unity or oneness with it the like may be said of all the ordinancies excellencies and wayes of dispensation of the Son of God they are to be extended to the utmost distance contracted in the nearest unity that possibly can be otherwise they carry not in them the substance strength and vertue of our salvation by Christ take any instance breefely in three things Viz. 1. In Elders ordained in the Church 2. Sacrifices offered for the Church 3. Baptismes and washings of the Church For Elders ordained in the Church eldership is to be extended according to the various dispensation revealed and exercised by the Sonne of God in holy Scripture that is 1. To such as are Elders by the priviledge and right of the first borne in the Familie as in the dayes of the Fathers u Gen. 48. 18. 2. To such as was a Priest according to the time of Melchizedeck in the dayes of Abraham w Gen. 49. 3. 3. To such as are chosen and called by God himselfe as was Aaron x Gen. 14. 18 19 20. 4. To such as are chosen by Moses upon whom the spirit of God cum as in those seventy of the senedrian y Heb. 5. 4. 5. To such as served by course in their order in the house of God in the dayes of David and Solomon z Numb 11. 24. 25. 6. To such as the Prophets annointed to be such as in the dayes of Eliah a 2 Chron. 5. 11. 1 Chron. 16. 7. Esa 3. 11. Luke 1. 5. 7. To such as Christ breathes upon and bids them receive the Holy-Ghost in the dayes of Jesus our Saviour b 1 King 19. 16. 8. To such as Christ healed of that uncleane sollitary mercilesse and multiplyed spirit in the Countrey of the Gaderons whom he sent to preach to Decapolis or unto ten Cities as the word signifies c Iohn 20. 21. 22. 9. Yea to such as upon whom one Apostle layes his handes as in the dayes of Paul d Marke 5. 19. 20. 10. Also to such as the whole Presbytery or Eldership lay their handes on e Acts 19. 6. 11. Yea unto such as are Elders by their placing about the Throne of God f 1 Tim. 4. 14. and many the like all these are written for our understanding and instruction in this one point or ordinance of Eldership in the Church upon whom the ends of the world are come g Revel 4. 4. that is all worldly and carnall spirits are shut up from any sight or ability to frame unto themselves a way of imitation of such an Eldership acceptibly to practice or exercise themselves in any one of them so that they are as truly all ended as any one of them is ended unto the abilities and practice of all the men of the world and yet do they all as truly live and abide in the house of God as any one of them in that way of the ministry of the spirit and power of God h 1 Cor. 10. 11. and are frequently to be maintained and practised in the house and Kingdome of God therefore hath our Lord over reached all naturall spirits i 2 Cor. 3. 6. and immitaters in the sight of all men in that booke of the Revelation in making Angels Ministers to sound the Trumpets power out the viails to fly through the midst of heaven preaching an everlasting Gospel k Revel 14. 6. yea he that is both a Lamb and a Lyon to open that seaven sealed book l Revel 5. 5. compared with Revel 6. 1. and foure beasts to minister before the Throne which are both in the midâ—â— of the Throne and round about the Throne m Revel 4. 6. and many the like which passeth mans skill to invent and devise a worship that may present it selfe to the eyes of carnall mindes as a like figure thereunto and as truly as God goeth beyond all the device of man in any one way of administration in his house so doth he also in all the wayes of administration wherein he hath at any time appâ—ared in it to his Saints for as we are to extend the Eldership or ministration of the Gospel to all the wayes wherein the Lord hath shewed and set forth himselfe or else we denye to give unto it that latitude that God hath given in his word so also we are to contract and involve them all in one and center them in one person or individuall subsstance and so the ministration and Eldership of the Gospel can be found in none that is a meere Creature in heaven or in earth but is onely proper unto and found in the Sonne of God he is that High Priest of our Profession n Heb. 3. 1. whose lips alons preserve knowledge and at whose mouth the Saints have saught the Law in all ages o Mal. 2. 7. and therefore he is said to be Iesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same for ever p Heb. 13. 8. for he borrowed not of these times to make himselfe perfect in the beginning for then he had not been a Lambe â—â—uine from the beginning q Revel 13. 8. nor doth he borrow of the last times to make himselfe perfect in the midst or fulnesse of time for then his death had not been compleate in the fulnesse of time r Gal. 4. 4. when it is also said he dyed for us because that one act of his death comprehends all times nor doth he borrow of the first or of the fulnesse of time to make himselfe perfect in the last dayes for then could he not be said to suffer in the end of the world s Heb. 9. 25. for he is made perfect onely through sufferings t Heb. 2. 10. so that he abides a Priest or Elder in the Church you the same for ever after the order of Melchizedeck u Heb. 7. 21. 22. 23. 24. Act. 1. 20. Psal 109. 8. and that Eldership or ministry onely that is extended and multiplyed as also so united and contracted that carries the power of God along in it and none else and it may
new service or sacrifices to please God and to compose compile and contract the bulke and body of the people together to make strong the arme of flesh z in which the crosse of our Lord is never found nor doth his Kingdome consist in any such things z Ier. 17. 5. and therefore our Apostle protests by the Victory and Lordship hee hath in Christ that he is in a continued act of death unto them all a Ioh. 18. 36 Rom. 14. 17 18. Therefore it is that he addes to his protestation and affirmation if saith he I have fought with Beasts at Ephesus b 1 Cor. 15. 31. meaning such Beasts as bear up that beautified woman c 1 Cor. 15. 32. clothed in purple which he compriseth in the state of that City of Ephesus calling them Beasts in the plurall number that is if I have sought with States Policies d Rev. 17. 3 4 5. Corporations Cities Soldiers Synods Ecclesiasticall Assemblies and Jewish Synedrions yea Captaines and Troopes fighting with the arm of flesh for an earthly and carnal temple and sanctuary which all use their heads and hornes together with those severall Crowns or Authorities that are put upon them for the preservation of that woman brought forth by them and maintained upheld and born upon them * Rev. 17. 9. to 14. if saith he I have fought with such after the manner of men what advantage is it to me if the dead rise not that is if I have done it after the course custome and ordinary way of all flesh or of man that is all mankind it availeth nothing at all unto the resurrection of the dead but meerly to the setting up of the flesh which is a quenching killing or putting to death of the spirit e 1 Thes 5. 19. 1 Cor. 2 8. Heb. 6. 4 5 6. For the manner of humane fighting is this namely in the preservation of its own life to take away and destroy the life of another in the setting up of himself to pull down another in the healing of him self to putrifie another in the strengthening of himself to weaken another in the honouring of himselfe to vilifie and disgrace another For if there were none to be vilified and disgraced there were no place for the grace honour of this present world Such are the fighting combats of men who ever they incumbant but the manner of the warring of the Sonne of God and of all the Saints in him even of that Michael and his Angels that sight against the Dragon and his Angels f Revel 12. 7 which our Apostle according to that worke of faith assumeth unto himselfe Therefore saith if I have fought even as he saith according to my Gospel g Tim. 2. 8. which fight is after the manner of that Marshall and heavenly discipline taught from an high descending from this our High Priest and Captaine of our Salvation h Heb. 2. 10. which is farre otherwise yea contrary unto it standing in flat opposition to that of the world yea it is Christ and Antichrist when matter of and for Religion are ascribed and given thereunto it is Christ in that way of the sword of the Spirit and spirituall combate in his strift to save the Soules of men from a spirituall death and to instate them in a life spirituall and eternall i Iohn 2. 25. Rom. 6. 23. Rom. 5. 21. Mar. 10. 30. Iohn 3. 15. Iohn 6. 54. and it is Antichrist in that way of the Arme of flesh and strength of the reason and understanding of man who ever strives to settle men in a Church way for life and salvation in such wayes institutions and Ordinances as must of necessity leave them at the time of their death at the furthest k Heb. 7. 22 23 24. Col. 2. 20 21 22 23. Prov. 23. 4. 5 Psal 102. 26 Which Bellowes are so infident unto the Priests of our times to blow and they are no lesse diligent and frequent therein then those Paiests were in the time of the Jewes to stirr up and kindle a fire in Herod Pontious Pilate the Souldiers and the rest of the people of the Jewes to put our Lord to death l Mat. 26. 59 Marke 14 55 56. Iohn 11. 46 47 48. Mark 15. 1 2. 3. Luke 23. 1. 2. 23. 24. for the reformation honour and peace of their state m Luke 23. 2 Iohn 11. 48 49 50 51. Acts 24. 5. 6. into which they expect Christ to come according to the flesh or so as to sute their brutish and naturall apprehensions and apitites for such a Christ and Christianity the world hath ever looked for n Mat. 20. 21 22 23. Iohn 4. 11. 12. Iohn 7. 25 26 27. 47. 48. 49. And therefore judge it most meete to rid the world of him in case his doctrine be heavenly and spirituall yea if the words he speakes be spirit and life the proper act order and discipline of the world * Ioh. 6. 36. is to destroy and take away that life or spirit to preserve and maintaine its owne that walkes not in the Spirit but according to the carnall desires and immaginations of the flesh o Rom. 5 6 7 8. Gen. 6. 5. Gal. 5. 17. the fight therefore of the Sonne of God and of all Sonnes in him is on this wise namely in the taking away of his own life to begin and beget life in another p Iohn 10. 11. 15 16 17. Esa 40. 11. Iohn 6 51. in the laying downe and humbling of himselfe to raise and lift up another q 2 Cor. 8. 9. Phil. 2 5. 10 11. in the purifying of himselfe though he knowes no putrifacation r Psal 16. 10. 2 Cor. 5 21. to purifie and heale another for this seede of immortality is sowne in Corruption but it riseth in Incorruption s 1 Cor. 15. 42. in the weaknesse of himselfe to give strength and power to another for that seede of life is sown in weaknesse in us or in our nature but it riseth in power as our nature is raised in it t 1 Cor. 15. 43 yea in the dishonour and villification of himselfe he honoureth and putteth grace upon another for ever for the seede of God is sowne in dishonour but it riseth in glory u 1 Cor. 15. 43. it is sowne in that dishonourable state of silly man but it is raised in the glory and dignity of the Sonne of God who is not nor can be otherwise made manifest or appeare to be what he indeed is unto or in the Creature in any other way but through our infirmity no more then the Excellencies of the Soule of man can appeare to a naturall eye when it is separated from the body and not in union or onenesse with it fighting therefore with unreasonable men or beasts w 1 Cor. 15. 32. for all men have not faith * 2 Thes 3. 2. and then they are as
man in Jesus Christ and so it doth not increase by exchange namely of the things of man translated and made over unto God as also the things of God translated and made over unto man which is that abundant increase and multiplication of those great riches of our Lord that are found in the life and death of Jesus Christ which is all one to do namely to make one to become many by bringing it into the bankery or putting it to the exchangers which are divers and yet it is but one in respect of unity or else it cannot increase even as to bring divers or two five or ten into one bankery or else if they be not made one they cannot multiply and increase so that one talent is made known what it is in all the rest in respect of its grace and riches in multiplication and increase and all the rest are made known in that one in respect of that unity and sume total they all amount unto And unto whomsoever this mystery is not opened they cannot be fruitful nor profitable servants in the house of God So that the operations gifts and offices in the Church unto a seeing eye are no less various fruitful beautiful comely costly and glorious then were of old those hangings imbroideries curtains curious carvings ingravings offices and officers in that Temple and Tabernacle of God in the comely honour of the Sanctuary whenever or wheresoever it appears and also to a hearing ear those edicts expressions and revelations of Jesus Christ are infinitly sweeter and more melodious then was all that musick in those many and sundry sorts of instruments or could be in that material Temple which indeed were nothing but carnal further then truly understood and considered in him otherwise the musick of Nebuchadnezzar h Dan 3 4 5 6 is as good and as harmonious as is the best musick and melody that can be made by backsliding Israel i Ier 3 6 8 Exod 32 6 1 Cor 10 7 yea the things of God broke up in the house temple of God like that box of oyntment or spiknard k Luk 7 37 38 Iohn 12 3 are as pleasant and fragrant to the sent of him that is spiritualas l 1 Cor 2 15 as ever that was of old yea all his garments smel of mirrhe alloes and cashia when he comes in and out of that Ivory pallace m Psal 45 7 8 Can 1 13 yea this great work of God in blaspheming or piercing these Kings is like that mountain of mirrhe and hils of spices where those united and contracted espousals give each other their loves n Can 7 12 which is loves in the plural number so multiplyed that it cannot be numbred so strong as death overcomes not o Can â— 6 so servent as floods drown not so deer and precious as all substance cannot buy it out p Can 1 6 7 but to a natural mind these things cannot be so no more then Christ can be the same to the wicked Jews that he is to his Disciples q Iohn 8 44 Iohn 17 23 24 For our Lord pierceth or blasphemeth the Kings that is leaves without breath and makes liveless all the glorious and acceptable things of man wherein naturally man delights and takes pleasure not permitting the workings glory or operations of any of them to appear or to be of use in his house and sanctuary whether they be his abilities to exercise himself in knowing declaring or practising any thing that concerns either the Cross or the Crown of Christ the mystery whereof no natural man can possibly conceive for the laying down of himself is death unto him therefore that which tends to the setting up of the life spirit power and order of the Son of God seems unto him most vacant and to have no order nor comeliness in it therefore it is that he hides himself as it were from Christ r Esay 53 2 3 looking upon him as a formless thing Å¿ Isa 52 14 for never had any his countenance so marred in the eye of an unregenerate man as Christ had t Isa 52 14 no though he be smitten and afflicted so as to take away all stripes from us yet he esteems him not u Isa 53 3 4 for to have the natural workings and operations of mans mind to be pierced and left liveless he can in no wise endure but our Saviour tells us that he that blasphemes the Son of man that is leaves him voyd or makes him liveless in all his own operations which are all summed up in this to seek himself in all things that man shal be forgiven nay that is forgiveness it self x Mat 12 32. because it cannot be done but by the life and spirit wisdom and power of the Almighty himself therefore our Saviour saith whether is it easier to say thy sins are forgiven or to say rise up and walk y Luk 5 23 shewing that the operations of God in our walking and acting are no less then is his mercy and goodness in pardoning and forgiving our sins they are both of like worth value and grace in the house of God so that where sins remain there pardon is excluded z John 3 36. Exod 34 7. 1 Iohn 5 16. and so also where the operations of our own minds abide in the things of God there also is the power and workings of God excluded therefore it is that he that blasphemes the holy Ghost shal not be forgiven neither in this world nor in the world to come a Mat 12 31 32. that is he that pierceth or strikes through that holy and spiritual frame and composition that is in our Lord Jesus leaving it without life and operation in himself his sin remains and abides upon him both in that instant opportunity of his so acting intimated in that phrase in this world or this present world that is in that present time or season nor shal it be forgiven in the world to come b Mat 12 32 that is in the succession and continuation of such operations for ever which do succeed in the hearts of all wicked men and are ever coming on as truly as they are also present Now to speak against this spiritual state of Christ cannot have pardon in it it is not meant of speaking against the Holy ghost as a spirit abstracted from the Son of man but in that Son of man so that to speak of Christ aright is to speak of him spiritually or else we pierce him and strike through the Spirit that is we leave that blessed operation of the Spirit which is all one with pardon of sin liveless unto our selves therefore when sins are forgiven we rise up and walk c Luk 5 23 24 as having both pardon and power bestowed upon and given unto us And here we must note that we speak not of Christ spiritually but in way of piercing when we speak of him as
the word of God to be obedient and subject thereunto for ever even so that spirit that gives life by Jesus Christ broods upon our nature which in it selfe is corruptible and in the depth of death through our fall brooding therein and bringing forth that light of life that is by Iesus Christ z 2 Cor. 4. 6 Ioh. 1. 4 5 wherby we are given to understand how to judge of that unity and of those distinctions that are proper to that new creation of God whereof Christ is the beginning or head a Rev. 3. 14 even as light gives ability to judge rightly of the forme and figure of all things in this present world therefore the Apostle elegantly alludes unto that first worke in the creation of the world in teaching of this doctrine saying God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ b 2 Cor. 4. 6 So that the confluence of darknesse is the very production or propagation of light the Sonne of God becoming that in us which according to our light is nothing but darknesse wee become that in him that is nothing but light therefore the Apostle saith Ye were darknesse or as the word will beare ye are darknesse but ye are made light in the Lord walke therefore as children of light c Ephes 5. 8. Yea this questioning whether Christ be ours or no at present is nothing else but that grand question propounded in the beginning whether we have the image of God making us correspondent unto his will in all things or no but must seek out some tree and fruit to make us wise that we may attaine it yet our Apostle affirmes our Lord Iesus to bee the image of God d Col. 1. 15 and that he was made so in our nature yea in and for us e Col. 3. 10. 2 Cor. 3. 18. therefore the question is the same that ever it was and also the demurres and debates about it and how to attaine it are those proper reasonings of the woman and the serpent even to this day f Gen. 3. 1. 6 2 Cor. 11. 3 as also the issues thereof are the same g Gen. 3. 7 8. Rev. 3. 17 18. and that is always the subject matter of his doctrine the way of his instruction and counsell when the woman the weaker vessell h 1 Pet. 3. 7 yea that wisdome of man and not of God * 1 Cor. 2. 4 5. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 12 holds dispute and discourse in point of religion but when the manchild is brought forth so as the woman holds no dispute with the Serpent no more then a woman can hold dispute with any whether her travell be neare or no but apply her selfe to the present work in the height and greatest pang of her labour i Rev. 12. 2. then that instructing and teaching though shie and subtill serpent k 2 Cor. 11. 3. becomes a fierce bloody red persecuting Dragon l Rev. 12. 3 4. to her and her seed wheresover they go m Rev. 12. 17. and so his doctrine is changed into discipline seeking by that meanes to regulate and make perfect the world see this point for the conclusion of it in the similitude of the operation of the minde of a wife to her husband that is faithfull and true unto him and also of one that hath broken the marriage bond in case wee conceive wee think we conceive and esteeme highly of Christ but question whether his dignity and excellency be ours yea or no for a faithfull wife hearing the praises of her husband and his prowesse and vertues set forth she rejoyceth and it pleaseth her better then if she were commended her selfe because his praises are hers which in her selfe could not possibly be so eminent she being the weaker vessell as also true love ever gives honour unto the party beloved and not to it selfe which shewes that matrimoniall and conjugall tie and bond to be upon her even so it is in the spouse in every particular believing soule when Christ is praised in the Church set forth and commended to be the chiefest of ten thousand n Cant. 5. 10 that onely and alone interpreter that declares unto man his righteousnese o Iob 33. 23 that King of Saints p Deu. 3. 2 Prince of peace q Heb. 7. 2. Bishop of our soules r 1 Pet 2. 25 that joy of the Lord or that joy the Lord as the word is Å¿ Neh. 2. 10 which is our strength that beloved and delighted in of the father t Pro. 8. 30 31. that Lord our righteousnesse u Ier. 23. 6. that captaine and high Priest of our profession x Heb. 3. 1. yea the Lord hosts or armies y Psal 46. 7 11. When these things are given and ascribed unto the Sonne of God alone in the Church and unto none else whatsoever then doth the heart of the Spouse delight it self in him and it is more quickening and reviving to her the if it had been possible these things might have been ascribed and attributed unto her selfe for the very nature of this contract faith or conjugall love is such that if Iohn Baptist be but yet in the wombe of Elizabeth an alliance or consin unto the Virgin hee cannot but spring in the wombe at the voice of the mother of our Lord z Luke 1. 41. 44 speaking in commendation of that Son of God conceived in her womb yea this conjugall love takes not delight but in the praises of the party beloved a Can. 4. Can. 5. 10. 16. so that it is onely the work of the Spouse to set forth the practises of Christ in her owne weaknesse imbecility and submission unto him in all things and it is that part and worke that the Son of God hath taken upon himselfe to give testimony of his owne glory workes and operations of himselfe in her in all the waies wherein hee leads her * Isa 43. 1 2 3. therefore it is that our Lord affirmeth they that honour me I will honour them b 1 Sam. 2. 30. but the hearts of such as have broke the Covenant of God c Pro. 2. 16 17. and the faith of Marriage whatever may be said of her husband it doth her no good unlesse some commendation be given to her selfe or to her harlot thence it is that the titles offices vertues and operations that are in Jesus Christ are nothing unto us according to our owne naturall and carnall thoughts unlesse we can have them of our owne creation forming fashioning pollishing and setting up in our selves and others besides himselfe and when we have adulterated and given that to another which is peculiar unto himselfe alone then we can delight in and make merry with them and never thinke too much of their praises as the spirit of
every Adultresse doth which was the ground of apostatizing Israel of old his dancing about the calfe when it was of that forme which the Leviticall Priest had set upon it d Exod. 32. 4 5 6. who was of that order of Aaron e Heb. 7. 11. and not of this order of our Melchizedeck f Heb. 5. 10. who is onely instaled by this oath of interpossition and never Ministers but by vertue of it g Heb. 7. 21 22 23 24. which doth infallibly and undeniably according to the grounds of faith binde God and man together through Christ in whomsoever it speaks according to the testimony thereof or else no judgement is passed in the house of God according to the mistery of godlinesse and thus much for the present in way of explanation of the oath of interposition the next thing noted in the Text is the unchangeable nature of his oath of interposition laid downe in these words And will not repent That is to say will never change the nature and forme of this Oath nor the manner and way of the administration of it for it is never found but onely in one namely in that unity that is between God and man in Jesus Christ therefore he swears by nothing but by himselfe that is by that which is himselfe for he cannot sweare by a greater therefore he swears by himselfe h Heb. 6. 13 14. 15. it is true also and shall never change that it is never ministred but in divers and therefore it is an Oath of Confirmation i Heb. 6. 16 which implies that to be within the bounds of it which by nature in it selfe is not sure and setled k Heb. 6. 17 as also it is an end of all strife l Heb. 6. 16. which cannot be but with respect to more then one so that it is one in subsistance in respect of the being of it and it is also divers in the composition or natures found therein in the administration of it so that whereas he is God it is not without being made man and if he be Spirit m 2 Cor. 3. 17. it is not without his being made flesh n Iohn 1. 14 if he be heavenly it is not without his becoming earthly o 1 Cor. 15 49. if he be immortall it is not without his being made mortall p 1 Cor. 15. 43 44. if he be strength it is not without his becoming weaknesse q 1 Cor. 1. 25. if he be life r Iohn 1. 4. it is not without death Å¿ Rev. 13. 8. so that it is ever one in respect of subsistance and of this hee he never repents or turnes from it and he is divers in respect of Administration for if he set forth his Kingly Authority we are all submissive and objedient Subjects if he appeare as a Lord we are all as servants if as a Priest wee all bring unto him that which is sacrificed and slaine if as a Shepherd we all heare his voice as a floke t Iohn 10. 3 4 5. if as a Prophet wee all are found sitting in silence to learne u Psal 65. 1 if as a Law-giver we meekly sit at his feet to receive the word at his mouth x Deu. 33. 3 if as one that heareth prayers then all flesh comes unto him y Psal 65. 2 for we bring unto him nothing but our own infirmities and weaknesses and this being divers in the Administration of this Priesthood he never changeth repents nor in the least turnes form it in any age in any person or in any manner of thing that concernes it z Heb. 7. 24 25. whatever he may by any or in any age take up and use for the conveyance of the knowledge and faith of this unto our souls by acting in or alluding unto things obvious and apt to take hold of these outward senses of ours and whosoever taketh upon him to Minister unto the flocke of God a Act. 20. 28 as another person thing office calling or estate then is freely given unto or put upon every one of the Saints by Jesus Christ he never ministers by vertue of this unrepentant Oath that abideth for ever but intrudes himselfe into that which is proper and peculiar to the Son of God alone according to that usurping spirit and power of Antichrist b 2 Thes 2. 4. in what place or age soever he ministers c Ioh. 38. 45 nor can he propose himselfe unto God in his private studies as a learner of him or in his prayers as one in absolute want and necessity to be onely supplyed by him or in any of his deliverances as weake and fraile in himselfe to give the glory to God alone further the in all his Administrations in the house of God he can reckon and account of himselfe the very same in all respects with any of the flock of God without which he cannto give the Son of God his due respect and glory and as it is in the breach of the Law he that transgresseth in one breakes all d Iam. 2. 10 so is it in this point of glory if we detain it in one point we detain it in all from this ground it is that our Apostle affirmes that he is all things in all men for so the word is rightly rendred e 1 Cor. 9. 22. that by all meanes or in all waies I might propose salvation so as to take hold of one or other in every thing delivered and this saith he I do for the Gospells sake that I might partake of it together with you f 1 Cor. 9. 23. so as that whatever you are or have I am and have the same with you and whatever I have or am you are and have the like for they that run in a race run all but one onely receives the price g 1 Cor. 9. 24. so that we are all runners alike in our selves by nature infinitely short of that gone but one onely hath the glory of winning the gole and that is Christ alone and deserves and hath obtained like praise in all the Saints that he hath in any one and like in any one that he hath done in all h Eph. 1. 22 23. Eph. 4. 14 15. therefore saith the Apostle so fight I not as one beating the ayre i 1 Cor. 9. 26. as though I struck at things upon uncertainties as though I knew not that it is so with you as it is as absolutely as I know what is in my selfe But saith he I beat downe not another but my body k 1 Cor. 9. 27. intimating that whatever he toucht in them he toucht also in himselfe inso much as by nature he was the same least saith he whilest I preach to others I my selfe should be a reprobate l 1 Cor. 9. 27. that is rejected from or excluded out of that grace which is propounded unto you which I must necessarily be