Egypt and its Bondage and the Law-giver from God to whose Laws they were bound in all ages to yeild obedience till the Messiah should be revealed So also the Son of man was appointed and is made of God the Redeemer and Deliverer of us Mankind from the hands of our Spiritual Enemies and from all that hate us Luk. 1.70 72 73. Especially his followers and obeyers those that believe in him and are made the Seed or Israel of God in and by him He being also as Abraham and Israel was their Father The Everlasting Father of this Spiritual off-spring Isa 9.6 And he is the great Law-giver to the World for whose Laws the Iles or Gentiles are to wait and to them to yeild obedience to the end of the World For the Lord is our Law-giver Isa 33.22 42.1 4. 2. Again as Joshua was a Saviour and the bringer of them into the Inheritance which God had promised to their Fathers delivering them from the Inhabitants of that Land the Cananites utterly destroying them before them and dividing their Land to them by Lot So also Jesus the Son of Man was to be and is exalted and lifted up of God to be the expeller and driver out of Sathan and his Angels the powers of darkness out of their possession and the bringer in of his People the Israel of God that follow him into the heavenly Country and City of God which he hath promised to the spiritual Israel that are subject to him driving out all the power of Sin and Corruption from them Yea and in due time driving out all the Tyrants of the World with their Captains and Ring-leaders into Destruction he shall possess his People of the glorious Kingdom and divide to them their several portions and rewards in giving the Kingdom and Dominion and greatness of the Kingdom to the Saints of the most high God whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and his dominion that that shall have no end Dan. 7.27 3. As they had Judges also to be their helpers and Saviours from their enemies and to judge and avenge them of them and order their Affairs So Christ the Son of Man is raised up and appointed of God to be the great Judge the pleader of the Causes and avenger of Man-kind against Sathan and the Powers of Darkness And more especially of his Israel the Seed and Sons of God through the faith of him against all their Enemies Yea the great Judge of quick and dead who shall raise up all from their Graves and gather them together from all quarters of the World determining all Cases deciding all controversies and finally disposing to every man according to his Works everlasting rewards or punishments in Justice and Righteousness And seeing his Sentences put in execution with great and irresistible Power and Authority Act. 10.42 17.30 31. But perhaps we might as well have reduced these last mentioned offices or honours unto that that follows Viz. That 4. Whereas they had Kings set over them to go in and out before them to be their Captains and Leaders and to appoint Officers under them giving them Laws and Commands fighting their Battels and so to subdue their enemies protect them in peace and quietness in the peaceable possession of their Inheritances and enlarge their borders c. And so Moses also was said to be King in Jesurun So Christ this Son of Man is lifted up of God to that Authority and Sovereign dignity made his King by him set upon his holy hill of Sion Psal 2.1 2 6 7. And Maugre all opposition made by the Heathen and People the Kings and Rulers the Jews and Gentiles Herod and Pontius Pilate and all or any of their Successors that set themselves against him Act. 4.26 29. The King of Nations Jer. 10.7 Yea Of all the Earth Psal 47.7 And the King of Saints Rev. 15.4 5. A Great King above all Gods Psal 95.2 The Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our Judge The Lord is our King and he will save us Isa 33.20 Yea and further 5. Whereas their Priests and Kings and once we find a Prophet was anointed by Gods appointment to their several offices and so designed of God to them upon which also as we sometime find God gave his Spirit to fit them for the discharge of them as thereby also they were seperated from others to attend unto God to serve him and his People therein and receive his help and supplies for the same So also the Son of Man Christ Jesus was to be and is and was anointed of God with the holy Ghost and Power Act. 10.38 To design seperate and authorize him to and furnish him for all those Offices and undertakings to which God appointed and called him As for the discharge of his Prophetick Office and work it is said The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to Preach glad tidings to the poor to bind up the broken hearted c. Isa 61.1 2. With Luk. 4 18 19. for by his word and the Divine force and power of his holy Spirit breathing forth his grace therein He is as a great yea the great and only Phisician of the Soul and his words do good like a Medicine being words of grace words of eternal life pleasant words that are like a honey-comb pleasant to the taste and healing to the bones Prov. 15.14 16.24 Wholsome and sound and healing words are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine that is according to Godliness 1 Tim. 6.3 4 Again it is said Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my holy Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles c. Isa 42.1 And as the great King the Great God and our Governour He is Gods Christ or Anointed whom he hath set upon his holy hill of Sion Psal 2.2 6. And anointed with the Oyl of gladness above his fellows Psal 45.6 7. And as the most holy even the most holy High Priest who is holy harmless undefiled seperated from Sinners He may be understood to be the Anointed or Messiah spoken of by Daniel Dan. 9.24 When he saith To Anoint the most holy And so that he was Consecrated that way also as well as by the word of the Oath Though the former was tipyfied in Aaron and his Sons Sanctified and Consecrated with the holy anointing Oyl powred upon and anointing them Exod. 30.29 30. Levit. 8.12 And the latter exceeded them Heb. 7.20 21 28 To Minister before the Lord for ever Sure it is that Through the Eternal Spirit he offered up himself as the spotless Sacrifice Heb. 9.14 And with reference to this anointing him and furnishing him with the fullness of the holy Ghost The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding the Spirit of counsel and of might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord that rests and abides upon him and makes him quick
of his mouth with which he is furnished to smite the Nations even all Nations over whom he hath power to rule them with a rod of iron Such a force and power as is able to and at his pleasure doth and will break in pieces what is against him And he also treads the Wine-press of the wrath of Almighty God and on his vesture and on his thigh he hath this Name written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS Even the most absolute and Sovereign Lord and King and with the foresaid Sword out of his mouth He and his followers or Disciples fight against and shall subdue his enemies the Beast and false Prophet and all their power either worldly or pretendedly religious that stands opposite against him Rev. 19.11 12 13 15 16 21. And this suits with what the Prophet Isaiah prophesied concerning him as the Son of man the great King sprung up as a rod out of the stem of Jesse and as a Branch out of his roots that he should with righteousness judge the poor and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth and smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his mouth slay the wicked Isa 11.1 4. A mighty King indued with righteousness to punish sinners and destroy the wicked and wickedness and give peace safety and quietness to the good and righteous both in inward and outward man as he pleaseth yea both here as he sees good and hereafter fully and for ever at his glorious appearing and in his everlasting and most blessed Kingdom Isa 32.1 2. with 2 Thess 1.4 5 10. 2 Tim. 4.1 Seventhly As for his fulness of grace and truth for his saving and satisfying all that obey him he being set forth as the Author of eternal Salvation upon the account of and in the vertues of his most precious Death or Bloud of his Cross and in the exercise of his glorious Offices and Authority Heb. 5.9 They have declared that in him there is forgiveness of sins in his bloud even plenteousness of redemption for forgiving all trespasses and cleansing from all sins and unrighteousness Col. 1.14 2.14 Eph. 1.7 with Psal 130.4.6 7. 1 John 1.7 9. 2.1 2. and the fulness of all other spiritual blessings in heavenly things Eph. 1.3 Election is in him ver 4. Predestination to grace or glory ver 5. Acceptation into favour and fellowship with God ver 6. All spiritual wisdom and understanding Both as to himself for manageing his government and furnishing men in their looking and listening to him according to his good pleasure ver 8 9. Col. 2.3 And for making us wise and of an understanding heart Isa 42.1 1 John 5.20 All fulness of glorious power for strengthning with all might Col. 1.10 11. and subduing all things to himself Phil. 3.21 And what ever else may be named we might distinguish this grace into First Personal Graces and Perfections fitting him for his personal exercise of his glorious Offices as Love Mercy Truth Righteousness Patience Meekness Gentleness Strength Power Wisdom Holiness c. 2 John 3. Jude 21. 1 John 2.1 1 Tim. 1.14 16. Matth. 11.29 2 Cor. 10.1 Phil. 3.21 4.13 1 Cor. 1.24 Acts 3.14 c. Secondly Communicative Grace or Grace treasured up in him for us to be imparted to us such as Wisdom Righteousness Holiness Redemption the Spirit of God and all spiritual Gifts Efficacies or Vertues as Love Joy Peace Patience c. Gifts for Usefulness also and Edification as Knowledge Utterance Prophesie c. All the fulness of them dwell perfectly in him and all for our benefit and advantage Col. 1.19 1 Cor. 1.30 31. Eph. 1.7 8. Eighthly As to his glorious appearance and the effects of it or what he shall then manifest and bring to to pass they lift him up very highly also testifying That First He shall come again in great Majesty and Glory attended with all his mighty Angels and in the Power and Glory of God his Father to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe on him 2 Thes 1.7 8 10. Jude 14. 1. Thes 4.14 15 16. Secondly He shall raise up the dead Saints and change the then living and destroy their enemies the ungodly and wicked and the man of sin by the brightness of his appearing 1 Thes 4.16 2 Thes 2.8 2 Pet. 3.7 Thirdly He shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory and judge the world in righteousness Matth. 25.31 Psal 96.13 Acts 17.30 And then Fourthly He shall possess the Saints his followers of the Kingdom with him who shall reign with him a thousand years without any opposition threatning them and after the total destruction of all enemies they shall reign for ever and ever without disturbance or opposition in the New and Heavenly Jerusalem in inexpressible joy and happiness Dan. 7.26 27. Rev. 5.10 20.6 10. 22.5 Matth. 25.26 Such but far more excellent and glorious is the honour and glory that the Apostles in their testimony ascribe to him Lifting up the Horn the horn of his people the praise of all his Saints and his Kingdom and Dominion Psal 148.14 for 1. Largeness 2. Righteousness 3. Peace 4. Prosperity 5. Glory and 6. Endless happiness beyond all expression Of which I shall not inlarge here particularly to speak And so must and ought he also to be lifted up Fourthly Of their Followers the Ministers and Servants of the Lord in his Gospel in the exercise of their several Gifts and Administrations They that stand in his house and Courts are to praise his name and make his praise glorious Psal 134 1 2. 135.1 2 3. Not preaching and exalting themselves and seeking their own glory and honour to be adored and worshipped of men and called of them Rabbi and Master as Lords of their faith and ruling over Gods heritage but preaching Jesus the Lord and themselves servants for Jesus sake As the Apostles did 2 Cor. 4.5 being followers and imitaters of them and of the Prophets continuing in their Doctrine and the form of wholesome and sound words that they have delivered according to the furniture and assistance of the Holy Spirit to that end afforded them upon whom they are to depend and by whom to be acted and ordered therein Acts 20.28 31 35. 1 Pet. 5.2 3 4. Fifthly Yea and the Bride and whole Church and all that hear and receive his words as all ought to do and are professed followers and Disciples of him and his Doctrine ought to exalt and lift him up seeking his glory 2 Thes 1.12 Psal 99.5 6. Rev. 22.17 Living to him as all ought also to do who dyed for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5.15 And this 1. In their hearts sanctifying him there 1 Pet. 3.15 That is thinking highly and honourably of him blessing and lauding him with all that is within them Psal 103.1 2. without grudging or murmuring in their hearts against him but keeping judgment and doing righteousness
Power and Virtue to life Everlasting in his heavenly Kingdom But this excellent matter worthy to have been conceived in a more pure Womb or Mind and laid in a far better Dress then I have here wrapt it in as conceived and Discoursed of by me partakes of and evidences my great weakeness and as here Imprinted the Printers and Stationers too great Carelessness or Vnfaithfulness both which may gain it disrespect to many and is as here represented far short of that Excellency and Glory that Properly and Originally is its own and appertains to it and may perhaps meet with course Respect Censurings and Sufferings if it fall into some mens hands especially from the Scribes and Pharisees men Learned and of great Zeal for Gods Ordinances and Worship to appearance but yet such as have their Faith and Fear towards God taught them by the Traditions and Traditional Glosses of some Elders of their Party According to which also they Teach it to others and generally from Proud and Malevolent persons But yet if the Superfluity and Fleshliness of its Expressions in any thing being cut off by the judicious Judgment and charitable candid Constructions of the understanding Reader and it being Animated by the holy Spirit and his Presence and Blessing it be duly considered listened to and imbraced it will appear to have something in it of Virtue and Divine force So as that attending to the Truth and Spirit of it in singleness and simplicity of Heart it may be useful for Instructing Helping and Healing thy Soul but if Rejected or Abused it will rise up another day as a Witness and Judg against thee Take heed therefore good Reader to what thou Readest and take heed how thou Readest Hearest and Receivest it not judging of its Truth and Goodness according to the weakness in Phrase and Expression or the too many Mis-spellings and Mis-pointings in its Printing but according to its agreement in Matter and Desiâ—u with the Doctrine and Writings of the holy Apostles and Prophets That so thou mayst not fail of the Grace of God tendered in Christ to thee in and by it Heartily minding and obeying the Truth herein propounded thou shalt find I hope here-with and here-through Gods Blessing with thee and upon thee praying for which upon thee and upon all that hear it and to the same purpose committing thee to God with my self and weak Labours and Indeavours and desiring thy Charitable and Candid construction and kind Acceptance thereof and thy Prayers for me for further Grace and Mercy I leave thee and rest Thy Well-wishing Friend and Servant in and for Christ Jesus J. Horn. Lyn Febr. 6. 1673. REader there is a Passage in page 36. wherein I say the Apostles and Evangelists never call Christ the Son of man in their speaking of him which I should have restrained to the Writings of the Evangelists or also to the Epistles of the Apostles otherwise I must desire a Grain of Allowance because St. Stephen though indeed neither Evangelist nor Apostle yet a Holy man and Inspired by the Holy Ghost called him the Son of man in Acts 7.56 when he said I see Heaven open and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God And the Apostle John imitating or using the phrase of the Prophet Daniel saith of him I saw one like the Son of man Rev. 1.13 with Dan. 7.13 The BRAZEN SERPENT Or GOD'S Grand DESIGN Which is Christ's Exaltation for Man's Salvation in believing on him John 3.14 15. And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life CHAP. I. Brief Observations upon Nicodemus and our Saviours Discourse with him OUr Lord Jesus at Ierusalem wrought many Miracles at the Feast of Passover by means whereof many believed on him but he that knew what was in Man and needed not that any should testifie of Man knowing all men did not commit himself to them saith the Evangelist Iohn 2.24 25. But above all the rest who are left unnamed the Evangelist gives us an account in this Chapter of one man by profession a Pharisee the strictest sect of Religion among the Jews by name Nicodemus and by place a Ruler of the Iews and tells us what passed between our Lord and him as that he came to Jesus bâ— night He came to him as bâ—ing moved and drawn by the excellency of the Power of God that appeared in him and attested the truth and divinity of his Doctrine and so much he also tells him in his address to him making this Confession Rabbi or Master We know that thou art a Teacher come from God for no man can do those Miracles which thou dost except God be with him And yet he came by Night either being letted by his other business to come by Day or rather as being not yet so strong in his affection to him as for his sake to be willing to undergo the reproches and rebukes that an open Day-light resort to him and owning of him might have occasioned to him He loved yet it 's likely to retain his honour with his Brethren and to avoid the speech of People about him and yet so much he loved him as come to him he would and acquaint himself with him and therefore chuses to come to him by Night rather then not to come at all Nor doth our Saviour upbraid him with his weakness or brand him as guilty of Cowardliness for so close and hidden an acknowledgment of him but bears therewith till better knowledge of him and more acquaintance with him might put more Courage into him as afterward we find it did for he durst and did plead for him among and against his Enemies Ioh. 7.50 51. Yea and when he was in his lowest abasement Crucified and put to death as a Malefactor and was hanged upon the Cross or Tree in a most shameful and reprochful manner he durst and did own him so far as to joyn with Ioseph of Arimathea in bestowing an honourable burying upon his then dead Body Joh. 19.38 39 40. honouring him when dead whom all the Authority and chiefest of the Priests and Rulers had dishonourably persecuted while alive and ceased not until they had put him to Death yea and then also reputed and blasphemously spake off as a Deceiver yea he then owned him when the rest of the Disciples yea even the Apostles had forsaken and left him Surely our Lord herein set us a good Example verifying the Prophecy that went before of him viz. that he should not cry nor lift up nor cause his voice to be heard in the Streets that he should not break a bruised Reed nor quench the smoking Flax till he bring forth judgment into victory Isa 42.2 3. And also by shewing himself meek and lowly in this case Condemned that Pride and rashness of Spirit too ready to shew it self in others that are too apt to
he would be yet but Flesh weak sinful and corrupt and that is indeed the reason why its necessary that we be born again or from above of Water that may wash and cleanse away our filth and of Spirit that may infuse a spiritual life force or power into us namely because what is born of the Flesh is Flesh Whether we understand it of the first birth which is of the Flesh or of any change or alteration that we can work in and upon our selves by any wisdom will or strength of the Flesh in any observations of outward Ordinances of the law or much more in devised traditions or precepts of men all that is so begotten and born is but Flesh corrupt weak and sinful But that which is born of the Spirit the new man the renewed mind judgment and heart that is Spirit that is clean holy lasting c. Now whereas Nicodemus marvailed at this as being a Doctrine he had not been before instructed into our Lord therefore adds Marvail not that I said unto thee ye must be born again or from above The wind bloweth where it listeth or the Spirit breatheth where he pleaseth and thou hearest the sound of it but thou knowest not whence it cometh nor whither it So is every one that is born of the Spirit There are hidden and strange secrets in the works of God that fall under our senses which pass our skill how much more are there wonderful things in the spiritual effects and products of the grace and spirit of God which the natural man cannot comprehend As in Eccles 11.5 As thou knowest not the way of the Spirit or of the Wind nor how the bones do grow in the Womb of her that is with child so thou knowest not the works of God who is the maker of all things But in this every one that is begot or born of the Spirit and thereby is made spiritual is like to the Wind that the Natural man may hear his speech perceive a sound find a force and power in his confessing and breathing forth the truth but whence that virtue was received or whence he was born and brought to it and whether he and it tends What is his Original and End the natural man perceives not as is said 1 Cor. 2.14 Nicodemus still being lost in his understanding and not able to conceive those mysteries marvailes at them and replies How can these things be or be done To whom our Saviour answers by way of reproof to his dulness and ignorance Art thou a Master or a Teacher of Israel and knowest not these things as signifying that those that are teachers of others and chiefly in and of Israel the Church of God should be well taught and of good understanding in the mysteries of God themselves and especially of those things that pertain so to Gods Kingdom as to be necessary to their admission thereunto and enjoyment thereof and that for such to be ignorant of and unacquainted with such things is a matter of great shame and blame to them and thence he takes occasion to shew the difference between such masters in Israel and himself and his servants the Teachers sent of God Verily verily I say unto thee what we know we speak and testifie what we have seen and no man receiveth our testimony Wherein our Saviour also further intimates and inculcates upon Nicodemus the weightiness and certainty of the Doctrine he taught him about this Regeneration that he might not doubt of it though generally over-looked and not received by men men are apt to please themselves in other matters far short of this spending their time and strength in disputing debating pressing and entertaining discourses about more light and impertinent things about the out-side and form of Religion The Tithing mint cummin and annise neglecting the weighty things concerning Judgment Faith and the Love of God As our Saviour elsewhere faults the Pharisees Luk. 11.42 Mat. 23.23 Busying themselves in cutting and lopping off some superfluous branches of sin while they let the root the heart-blindness ignorance and unbelief of God and his Grace and the rejections of that alone and so under pretences and formes of religion and godliness about which they wrangle they let go or deny the Power life and heart of it Paint and gild over rotten Posts and Pictures and Images of Men destitute of the true Life and Power of God in them The Pharisees could contest about Purifications outward Washings Sacrificings observations of Sabbaths and other times and places of Worship and such like Ceremonies and great zeal they had to bring men to be of their mind and way in such things pretending to and perswading them that that way they should be fit for Gods Kingdom But our Saviour who knew all things perfectly is for the bottom and ground-work of all right and acceptable Religion He knew and taught and spake what he knew that it was in vain to endeavour to make the fruit good while the Tree that should produce it abides naught and corrupt He bids therefore first make the Tree good and then the fruit good because a good Tree cannot bring forth bad fruit nor a corrupt Tree good fruit Instead then of doting about questions and strifes of words and outside Ceremonies and shews or works of Righteousness of our own after the Law which can never make us good or fit us for the Kingdom of God he would have us look to the main to be made new Creatures That is so to know and mind the grace of God in Christ which he after unfolds in the verses I have pitched upon and some that follow them that our hearts may there-through be renewed to love and trust in him and worship God in and by him in Spirit and Truth otherwise let their birth be what it will their Circumcision never so exactly according to the Letter of the Law their Baptisms Washings and Purifications never so many or diligently made their Sacrifices never so costly their Fasts never so frequent their Prayers never so long or fervent their outward walkings among men never so blameless and circumspect yet without a new Heart and Spirit made so by the grace of God discerned and imbraced and his Spirit there-through in his operations and efficacies complied with all would avail nothing to the injoyment of Gods Kingdom And this is very needful to be minded by us and the truth and certainty hereof inculcated and Christ and his holy Servants to be listned to in it as Teachers that knew and were certain of what they taught and not the blind followed that grope at things as in the dark and who while they would be teachers of the Law know not what they say nor whereof they affirm Who as the Prophet Isaiah saith Lay out money for that which is not bread and their labour and strength for that which satisfieth not Isa 55.2 Doteing about questions and strifes of words of which come contentions and perverse disputes
wickedness to be removed into the Land of Shinar Zech. 5.6 7. And the lifting up of the Sacrifices upon the Altar to be burnt up But I but mention them But 2. To lift up signifies often to exalt magnifie or glorifie And to the same phrase of lifting up the head is used by Joseph too in his interpretations in a quite contrary sense to the former In Gen. 40.13.20 21. For interpreting the chief Butlers Dream he tells him Within three days shall Pharoah lift up thy head and restore thee into thy place and thou shalt deliver Pharoahs cup into his hand And it came to pass saith vers 20. That the third day which was Pharaohs birth day he lifted up the head of the chief Butler and he restored the chief Butler unto his chief Butlership again And so the lifting up the horn was the exalting and lifting it up on high Psal 75.10 And according to the Spirit the exalting or magnifying the Kingdom and Power of Christ and his Saints 1. Chron. 25.5 And in this sense also Christ was to be lifted up that is exalted and that both by God and Men as we may see And in this sense the same Greek word here rendred lifted up is often translated to exalt or to be exalted or magnified As in Mat. 23.12 Luk. 14.11 18.14 Act. 2.33 5.31 But in this sense of lifting up there is something implyed even that which was done and included in the former sense or way of his being lifted up Namely 1. That he was or is down as it were made low and in a low place condition or esteem For as when the Psalmist had said by the holy Ghost Thou hast ascended up on high The Apostle from it inferrs Now that he Ascended what is it but that be first Descended into the lower parts of the earth Psal 68.18 With Ephes 4.8 9. So we may say here in that he saith The Son of Man must be lifted up What is it but that the Son of man was below or was down in a mean state or posture and in a lower place then that to which he must be lifted up And surely so he was and in some sense is so yet As to say 1. In respect of bodily place This Son of man was though now he is not here upon the Earth born here and living walking acting and conversing here Though he was the heavenly One the Lord in Heaven yet he came from Heaven from above As it 's said He that cometh from above or from Heaven is above all John 3.32 He was above in respect of what he was before he was manifest to men But he descended into the lower parts of the Earth the lower parts of Gods Creation the Earth Yea into the lower parts the heart of the Earth Ephes 4.9 Matt. 12.40 And so it 's said by him And I when I am lifted up from the Earth will draw all men to me John 12.32 He was then on the Earth and thence to be lifted up on the Earth in respect of place And 2 In respect of State in respect of what God did to him and what he submitted and yielded up himself to he was in a low and humble state and appearance among men in the world being of rich made and become poor that we through his poverty might be made rich 2 Cor. 8 9. Of one in the form of God not thinking it robbery to be equal with God He was made in the form of a Servant and was found in the fashion and habit of a man Phil. 2.6 7. Being made of a Woman he partook with us in Flesh and Blood and was made under the Law in a Bondage and Servile state A Servant to Rulers though he was Lord of all Gal. 4.4.5 Isa 49.7 Born of a mean and poor parentage as was evident in the entertainment given them in the Inne when his Parents were thrust into the Stable and he when born was entertained there in a Manger As also by the offering of his Virgin Mother offering according to the appointment of the Law of Moses for poor people whose hand or sufficiency could not reach to the offering a Lamb. Viz. A pair of Pigeons or two Turtle Doves Luk. 2.7 24. With Levit. 12 8. As also in that his reputed Father to whom the Virgin his Mother was espoused was not a person of any great port in the World or in any office or dignity but a Carpenter as he was called Mat. 13.53 Yea and it appears that he himselfe sometimes wrought of that Trade being therefore called by way of reproach the Carpenter Mark 6.3 And when he manifested himself to Israel he was not attended with any great followers but his Disciples were noted to be illiterate and mean men Fishers Tole-gatherers and the like So as that the people stumbled at that matter saying Have any of the Rulers or Pharisees believed on him but this people that know not the Law are accursed John 7.47 48. Yea and he himself when one said he would follow him replyed Foxes have their holes and the Birds of the Air have their nests but the Son of Man hath not whereon to lay his head Luk. 9.58 Yea and he went lower descending into the lower parts of the Earth into great sorrows and sufferings agonies and overwhelmings of his heart so as to the Death and Grave Dying the Death of the Cross the only accursed death Deut. 21.22 23. With Gal. 3.13 Being therein numbred with Transgressors yea and being dead he was taken down and laid in the Earth in the heart of the earth as we noted before Mat. 12.40 Making his Grave with the rich and with the wicked in his death Isa 53.9 Yea he was compassed about with the snares of death and the pangs of Hell caught hold upon him so as he found we and sorrow Psal 116.2 3. 18.4 5 6. A Worm and no Man a Man of sorrow and acquainted with griefs Yea his Soul went down into Hell in his great sufferings for our sakes as his not being left there implies Act. 2.27.31 So low was he brought and this was low indâ—ed lower not only then the Angels but also as to his abasement therein then other men and from such a casting down was he to be lift up Job 22.29 3 In respect of his esteem with and among men He was and so is still too low in Mens hearts in their thoughts and accounts of him and affections to him There he was very low in all his appearance in his Birth when they afforded him not room in the Inn. And in his Life when they that were his own received him not though he came to them in his Fathers name even in the name power and authority of God John 1.11 5.43 Doing such things as none else did and speaking such things as none else ever spake Yea they not only received him not but also rejected and despised him As it was fore-prophesied Isa 53.1 2 3. Who
it again When the People some of them said that it Thundred others that an Angel spake to him John 12.28 29. But these things were known to few 2. In his speaking and working by him such things as never any spake or did for the words that he spake he spake not from himself as man alone but of or from the Father who dwelt in him and he it was that did the Works John 14.10 Whence he saith to Philip Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me or else believe me for the works sake ver 11. With Chap. 15.24 7.46 And that God did magnifie him in this and lift him up among men The Apostle Peter testifies Act. 2.22 Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God by Miracles Wonders and Signes which God did by him c. As also 3. By his raising him from the dead glorifying him and maintaining his cause and name against all oppositions and gathering in a Church to him and upholding it in the midst of Persecutions c. Of which things I shall not inlarge 2. Of God the Word or Son also even by himself or his Divine Being or Deity exerting and putting forth it self and so glorifying him as the Son of Man And so it behoved him and he did it Both 1. In Work As in his working glorious Miracles Thus it s said upon his turning Water into Wine at that Marriage in Cana of Galilee This beginning of Miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth his glory But more fully in his rising from the dead and ascending into Heaven and giving gifts from thence unto men as some Apostles some Prophets c. Whence he saith No man takes my life from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it up again This Commandement have I received of my Father John 10.18 For as it is said that he was raised again from the dead by his Father and his glory So also it is said that he rose again in and by the power of his divine Spirit And that he died rose and revived that he might be Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Lord it over the quick and dead Rom. 14.9 And he rose again the Third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.3 4. Being put to death in the flesh but quickned in the Spirit 1. Pet. 3.18 And so that he Ascended and went up on high and gave gifts unto men Psal 68.18 Eph. 4.8.9 2. In his Word Preaching forth himself and his own excellencies As he saith I am one that bear witness of my self and my Father that sent me he beareth witness of me Though he said If I bear witness of my self my witness is not true As implying that of himself as man only he bare not witness of himself if as Man only he had so done his Witness might have been slighted But he as the Word though made flesh witnessed of himself as in his works so in his word too and his witness as witnessing so was true For he knew whence he came and whither he went John 5.31 8.14 18. And so he declared himself in the Man-hood as the Son of man or the Word made Flesh to be the Son of God to be in Heaven and come from Heaven and to know the things of Heaven John 3.11 12 13 16. And so when he said here he must be lifted up we may understand him to say in such intimations and declarations of his excellencies as those were So he testified of himself that he is the Light of the World John 8.12 12.46 The bread of Life the bread that came down from heaven The living bread His Flesh meat indeed and his Blood drink indeed Necessary to be fed upon to the obtaining everlasting life And such as 〈◊〉 gives everlasting life to all that feed thereupon John 6.35 48 50 51 55 56. c. That he knows the Father and is known of the Father John 7.29 10.15 That he gives the water of Life which whoso drinks it shall be in him a spring of living waters springing up unto eternal life And causing Rivers of living waters to flow out of his belly or inward man as being the Baptizer with and giver of the holy Ghost John 4.14 7.37 38 39. Act. 1.5 With John 15.26 That he is The good Shepherd The door of the sheep knowing his sheep and giving to them in their following him Eternal Life John 10.3 9 11 15 28 29. That he is the Resurrection and the Life So as that He that believeth on him though dead he shall live he that liveth and believeth on him shall not dye for ever John 11.25 26. That he is The way the truth and the life John 14.6 The true vine John 15.1 4. And many the like But chiefly he is and was lifted up And that I might have referred the two former to the testimonies of the Father and Word as being brought to us and our cognizance by him 3. By the holy Spirit whose business it is to witness of Christ taking his things and shewing them and so glorifying him John 15.27 16.14 And so it is prophetically said of him That when the Enemy shall come in like a stood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him which Standard or Ensigne is Christ of the Seed of David of the Root of Jesse Isa 11.1 10 11. And put him to flight Isa 59.19 And he was to lift him up and hath and doth diversly as 1. By fore-testifying glorious things of him As that he as the Seed of the Woman and so as the Son of Man should bruise the head of the Serpent Overthrow his plot against us and our well-fare and take away his acquired power and jurisdiction over us and open the way for us into Paradise and so to God again Gen. 3.15 That he as the Seed of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob and so as the Son of Man should be the blessing of or bringer forth of blessing to all the Nations or families of the Earth Gen. 22.18 26.4 28.14 With Gal. 3.8 That he as proceeding out of the Tribe of Judah should be the Shiloh the peaceable one or peace-maker Vnto whom should be the gathering of the People Gen. 49.10 That he should be the Prophet raised up from among the People and so as the Son of Man whom all the People should hear in all things that he should say unto them Deut. 18.15 18. That he should be as the Seed of David and so as the Son of Man the Great King and Governour upon whose shoulders the Government should be The Wonderful the Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace Of the increase of whose Government and Peace there should be no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order and to establish it with justice and with judgment
upon which they Ascend and Descend John 1.51 Rev. 19.10 And so we find the Angel Gabriel lifting up and commending the Messiah in his work and business Dan. 9.24 27. where he speaks both of the cutting off the Messiah and of the fruits and consequents thereof as the finishing transgression making an end of Sin making reconciliation for iniquity bringing in everlasting Righteousness c. The Angel Gabriel also brought down an honourable Testimony of him in which he lifted him up in Luk. 1.26.31 32 33. Where he said to the Virgin concerning him That He should be great and be called the Son of the highest and the Lord God should give him the Throne of his Father David and he shall Reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end c. As also an Angel lifted him up to the Shepheards at his Birth Saying to them Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people For unto you You men in distinction from us Angels is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. Luk. 2.10 11. Yea A multitude of the heavenly Host then also immediately being with that Angel honoured and lifted him up at his Birth Praising God and saying Glory to God on the highest and on Earth peace and good will toward men Luk. 2.13 Angels also witnessed to his Resurrection Mat. 28.2 5 6 7. Luk. 24.4 5 6 7 23. And to his Ascending up to Heaven and return from thence Act. 1.10 11. Yea and of his Glory there received as is evident in those Doxologies or Glorifyings of him mentioned Rev. 5.11 12. 7.11 12. Worthy is the Lamb that was stain to receive Power Riches Wisdom Strength Honour Glory and Blessing 2. I might add also That all the Creatures in Heaven and Earth and under the Earth and such are in the Seas do exalt and lift him up for so John tells us he heard them all saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth on the Throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever Rev. 5.13 But I only briefly mention those and come to those Creatures that are most concerned in him and his praises even our selves Men. And so he hath been is and must be lifted up By 3. Holy men his holy Apostles and Prophets as also by all his Messengers Servants and Saints even his whole Church through the helpfulness and by the power and strength of the holy Ghost as instruments in his hands And so he was lifted up and exalted 1. By the holy Prophets which were before his coming For To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name all that believe in him shall receive the forgiveness of sins Act. 10.43 And the Apostle Peter speaking again of the Death Resurrection and Exaltation of Christ tells us That all the Prophets from Samuel and those that followed spoke of those days Aâ—â— 3.24 Namely those in which those things were done and accomplished And that they Prophesied of the grace brought now unto us 1 Pet. 1.10 Whence also the Apostle Paul saith That he testified to small and great saying no other things then those which Moses and the Prophets did say should come to pass Viz. That Christ should suffer and be the first that should rise from the Dead and shew Light to the Gentiles and to the People Act. 26.22 23. 2. By John the Baptist who was the immediate forerunner of Christ a Prophet and more then a Prophet Being the Man sent of God to bear witness to Christ the Light That messenger sent before his face to prepare the way for him And his work and business was in bearing Witness of him to exalt and lift him up that all men through him might believe And he did highly lift him up and bare an honourable testimony of him as that he was before John and he himself not worthy to unloose the latchet of his Shoes That He is the Christ the true Light the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World the Baptizer with the holy Ghost the Bride-groom that hath the Bride c. John 1.6 7 8 9 15. 3. By the holy Apostles also whose office and business it was to be witnesses to him John 15.27 And to Preach and proclaim him so as to set him forth lift him up exalt and magnifie him in and unto all things And they by the holy Spirit and the holy Spirit in an by them and their Ministry according to the Doctrine of the Prophets fore-given forth by the holy Spirit concerning him Rom. 1.1 2 3 have highly extolled and lifted him up Preaching him 1. As to his person The Son of God Even the same that according to the Spirit and Divine Nature was in the beginning with God and God He by whom and for whom all things were made whether in Heaven or Earth visible or invisible Thrones Dominions Principallities or Powers all things were Created by him and for him and that by him all things consist he being before them That he is the Heir of all things the express character of the Fathers Person and the brightness of his glory The Wonderful the Councellor the Mighty or great God and our Saviour The Immanuel God with us John 1.1 2 3. Col. 1.15 16 17. Heb. 1.2 3. 1 Tim. 3.16 Tit. 2.13 Isa 9.6 That he is the Christ the Messiah He that was prophesied before of and promised by all the Prophets of God from the beginning of the World The only excellent person designed of God and promised from the beginning to be the Author Procurer and Dispenser of all grace and blessing to us John 1.41 45. Mat. 1.21 22 23. 1 Pet. 1.20 21. The very Christ Act. 9.20 22. He that was in the form of God not thinking Robbery to be equal with God but was sent of God in the nature and fashion of a man to be the Saviour of the world Phil. 2.6 7. John 3.17 Gal. 4.4 5. 1 John 4.14 2. As to his work and business that it was totally for us and our good a work of exceeding advantage to us and necessity for us Not to Condemn the World but that the World might be saved by him John 3.17 Not to judge the World but to save it John 12.4 7. And that by taking away its Sin John 1.29 And that by the Sacrifice of himself Heb. 1.3 9.26 Giving his flesh for the life of the World John 6.51 And so that he might by his death destroy him who had the power of Death the Devil and deliver those who by reason of the fear of Death were all their life-time subject to Bondage Heb. 2.14 15. That he might abolish or evacuate the destructive power and force of Death and bring life and Immortality to light 2 Tim. 1.10 Taking away Sin and destroying the works of the Devil 1 John 3.5 8. That so he might bring us to God 1
according to the testimony of God by his Holy Spirit concerning him Psal 106.3 and accordingly in their hearts liking loving and desiring after the knowledge and enjoyment of him trusting in and cleaving to him with purpose of heart Psal 31.23 Cant. 1 2 3 4. 2.4 5. 5.7 8. 8.6 7. 1 Cor. 16.22 Isa 26.8 9. Phil. 3.7 8 9 10.1 John 3.23 Acts 11.23 24. 2. In their word speaking nothing but what is high holy and honourable concerning him Holding forth the word of life and blessing and speaking well of his name Psal 47.6 7. 98.1 4. 66.1 2 3. 100.1 2 4 5. 3. In their Life and Conversation for there also he may be lifted up and glorified and magnified of us yea both in life and in death Phil. 1.20 As therein also he may be blasphemed dishonoured and denied as is implied 1 Tim. 6.1 Tit. 2.5 1.16 But surely he ought not to be denied blasphemed or put to reproch by us or by occasion of us He hath not so deserved of any man but to be blessed and highly honoured And that is best done when to a high commendation of him in our words we add also such a conversation and carriage as speaks him excellent in our esteems and experiences of him When we shew that he is upright and that there is no unrighteousness in him Matth. 5.16 2 Thess 1.12 Psal 92.15 1 Pet. 2.9 11 12. Now though the lifting him up by his Father in the acts done to him in his personal body in his calling him to upholding and accepting him in raising him from and rewarding him for and after his Sufferings and the obedience and service done and performed by him for us be the main and most fundamental lifting him up absolutely necessary with respect to us and our Regeneration and Salvation Yet I apprehend That the lifting him up also as to manifestation and commendation of him to and in the eyes of others both by the Spirit of God and by men especially his holy Saints and Servants that desire and are set for his Glory and the good of others is here also with the former way and acts directly included and intended And indeed as to his being lifted up of God both Father Word and Spirit it must be so as we have partly said because it was so purposed and decreed of God It was his purpose and grace given us in Christ Jesus before the world that is made manifest now by his appearance in what God hath wrought by and done to him for us 2 Tim. 1.9 10. And as for mans exalting him and lifting him up in his ministration and service in the Gospel and in heart and life it 's no more then God requires of us and his love and the excellency in and love of Christ to us obliges us to and challengeth of us And therefore so it must and ought to be also Psal 96.3 4. But because that must be lifted up the necessity of his being lifted up hath direct and main respect to the end whereto he is to be lifted up that is That whosoever believeth on him may not perish but have eternal life As also the necessity that he be so lifted up As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness hath reference thereto Therefore I shall not more fully speak to the necessity of his being lifted up and so lifted up till after the speaking to those two following Points The Son of Man must be lifted up that 's the second Point The other two follow in order The manner how and the end to which he must be and must be in such manner lifted up For I shall also leave the Use of all this till we have considered and viewed those Points also they both appertaining to the full view of this which is the main Point CHAP. VIII The third Point That the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness Where several Analogies and Agreements between them are considered Point 3 HOw the Son of Man is to be lifted is the next Point to be spoken to and that is As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness In which may be implied 1. As verily and certainly as that was done so must this be done also and indeed that lifting up of the Serpent being a type and figure preaching forth this lifting up of the Son of Man must not be made frustrate for then as a type it should have failed and been false Where the shadow goes before the body follows And where the type and figure was fore-ordained to instruct into the truth that was to be revealed there the truth also thereby signified must in its time take place and be accomplished all things written of him in the Law of Moses also whether Prophecy or Type and Figure must be fulfilled Luke 24.46 But not onely so but also 2. As so As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness So even after such a sort and manner must the Son of Man be lifted up There is agreeableness correspondency and answerableness between the one and the other as may be seen in many Particulars As 1. In the occasion of it There the people walking in the Wilderness were disobedient murmured against God despised his mercy bounty and goodness and provoked him in wrath to send fiery serpents among them to bite and kill them and as a remedy there against that Serpent was commanded to be and accordingly was lifted up And so here men in the wilderness of thâ—s world being ransomed by Christ out of that sentence of Condemnation that lay upon us all for our first Fathers Transgression and under a state of much mercy and bounty from God yet not without trials and temptations are found sinning against God and despising the Heavenly Manna Christ Jesus and the knowledge of God in him and discontent with Gods dealings through the temptations of sin and Satan and so fall under his power and are obnoxious to destruction This occasions a necessity of lifting up the Son of Man both in his exaltation by God and unto men for their healing Yea our first Parents and we all in them being tempted though in a Paradise listening to the Tempter and siding with him to a discontent with Gods allowance to us in the Creation because one Fruit was forbidden and to a desire of and coveting after what was unlawful and forbidden us fell under the power of the old Serpent the Devil and Satan So as by him to be stung and wounded to death even a death of our souls and spirits from the life and favour of God and of both body and soul to be exposed to and filled with misery and mischief to destruction and as a remedy against that Bite it was necessary Christ should be lifted up on the Cross and dye for us and be raised up again and exalted to a state of Power and Glory for raising us up and so he is
and trusted to as the great Devise and Ordinance of God for our Salvation attended after an especial and singular manner with his divine presence and blessing â— Cor. 1.21 22.23 24. Rom. 1.16 And so the Preaching of him and his Cross is the effectual means for saving them that believe Even as Moses did not nor might lay by the Serpent because made of Brass nor the people upon that account slight it as knowing it after the Flesh after the wisdom of the flesh or the outward matter and substance of it but knowing it after the Spirit as the Ordinance of God and accompanied with his presence and power He was to and did set it up and they were to look to it So ought we not knowing Christ after the flesh but after the Spirit not as many deluded persons who judging of him and all his ordinances and Messengers according to the Flesh that is after their own carnal Wisdom and according to the meanness of the outward and appearing substance both of him and them do therefore slight and fall off from both him and them not making use of or reverencing them nor looking for grace and blessing from him the Son of Man But as Gods holy ones who beheld him as Gods appointment and according to his Divine being and perfection and as commended by the holy Spirit so let us look to him for all help and Salvation in those Ordinances and ways that are of his appointing 5. As Moses lifted up the Serpent only and nothing with it or besides it as the appointment of God for healing those that were stung no medicine or plaster did he commend besides or with it nor any other Mettal however to appearance more pretious did he add or joyn to it nor any invention of his own or of any other mans whatsoever but simply and singly lifted up the Serpent of Brass and directed the people to behold it Indeed in lifting up the Serpent he lifted up the Pole also upon which it was or set it on an end but not as having any virtue of or in it self nor as any thing to be looked to for healing but only as a medium or means of lifting up the Serpent that it might be seen and that it not the Pole might have the wounded peoples eyes fixed upon it Even so must Christ be lifted up and nothing but He. Nothing with him or besides him the simplicity of the faith of him is to be kept Nothing else to be Preached â—or pointed to for any man to fix his eye upon and expect help from but only Christ Crucified as lifted up only and alone upon the Cross and so out of the Grave to Gods right hand for us No work of ours nor any other order or Ordinance of God or Man is to be joyned with him herein as the thing or person appointed of God to heal or save us or as the thing to be viewed eyed or trusted in for forgiveness life or righteousness No other name whether of thing or person given under Heaven whereby we must be saved but only the name of the Lord Jesus Because there is Salvation in none other besides him 2 Cor. 11.2 3. Act. 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 2.2 If we look for life on either side of him Crucified we view a Thief that which robs him of the honour due alone to him and us of his grace and blessing Indeed the Ordinances of God are to be observed by us even as Moses also observed the command of God in taking a Pole and putting the Serpent upon it but as that was in order to the lifting up the Serpent not as attributing any thing of medicinableness to the Pole but only as a means to lift up the Serpent that it might be seen which God gave the virtue to or by So also Baptism and the Supper and Preaching and Prayer are to be used but not as if they of themselves were of any benefit to us but as Christ the Son of man is discovered to us and exhibited to our view by them or eyed in them They that use them or lift them up otherwise making them the objects of their hopes and the things as in themselves eyed by them abuse them and erre from the truth Those observations as Preaching namely though otherwise never so eloquent pithy witty zealous and so Baptism or the Supper though as to the outward observation never so right if any way they may be practised so as that they present not or men look beside the Son of Man they are but as if the Pole had been lifted up without the Serpent upon it And the eying them or prayer or any thing else beside or without Christ but as if the Pole had been eyed below or without the Serpent upon it It 's Christ only that should be the great object of our Preaching or commendation to people no work order or ordinance of and for it self nay no zeal humility love or the like are the things in which we are to seek our healing they may if right be of the effects and included in the health to be sought in and by Christ or pious frames in and for the lifting up of Christ but not the Medicine It 's only Christ that is to be shewed forth to men and looked upon by men that they might find healing and so that they might be rightly humble zealous loving holy c. And yet as the lifting up the Serpent alone did neither hinder the honour of God who had not been honoured if his order had been slighted and who was honoured in giving virtue and power to such his appointment however in it self unlikely and unable otherwise to produce such an effect nor was any hindrance to the desireableness or goodness or to mens actual desires of health and sound recovery but was a means to satisfie mens desires in obtaining the good and benefit of health So neither doth the lifting up only the Son of Man either dishonour nay but it highly honours God that sent him and gave him to us He that honoureth the Son honoureth the Father also Nor any whit detracts or derogates it from the desirableness excellency and usefulness or the desires after or pressing men to desire and follow after right holiness charity peace joy c. which are things only to be sought and obtained by and through the lifting up of and looking to Jesus as so lifted up only for us and therefore such lifting him up is the direct way to and furtherance of such virtues and virtuous desires and indeavours contrary to some mens ignorant suspicions and false accusations of such Doctrine and teaching But yet there is this great difference that the Serpent had no worth or usefulness in it self to speak of but in order to that health and safety through it to be effected in the looker on it But Christ is not only a means to virtue in us and to the reward of it but is in himself a person of
is also and confesseth himself a sinner and subject to like Passions with others and standing in need of Gods Salvation for himself as well as others much less from any man appearing and traduced and judged by others and they also Persons of great Repute with men for Wisdom and Piety to be not only an ordinary man but also a Worsman or greater Sinner than many other men And yet so was the case with our Lord Jesus the Son of Man in respect of these last Expressions for he in his appearance nothing differed from other men being born of a Woman growing up by degrees in Stature Wisdom and Favour as others and subject to like infirmities of Humane Nature as Hunger Thirst Weariness Sadness and therefore also Eating Drinking Sleeping Resting himself as others and so found in Fashion as a Man and in the Habit of Men of other ordinary Men nay below most men being poor as to his Parentage Education and Injoyments not having whereon to lay his Head Mat. 8.20 Yea though not confessing himself a sinner personally yet repreached and traduced as a sinner John 9.24 A Wine-bibber and a Glutton a Friend of Publicans and Sinners Mat. 11.19 A Sabbath-breaker a Samaritan and one that had a Devil and acted in his extraordinary Miracles by the power of the Devil John 5.16.18 and 8.48 and 9.16 Mat. 12.24 A Deceiver and Seducer of the People and a Blasphemer Joh. 7.12 10.33 Mat. 27.63 And therefore impossible it was that any man should come to him and believe on him for so great things as Salvation from Sin and Wrath and for Eternal life unless he was some way lifted up and commended as a Person far beyond and above that outward Appearance and Opinion of him Nor however he might be lifted up and commended to men by either Spirit or men yet unless those commendations of him should be true though they might beget a believing on him for even such as have been indeed Deceivers and false Christs have through some false Prophets commendations of them or their own pretensions and boastings of themselves been believed on by men as is implied also Mat. 24.5.23 24. John 5.43 yet the believing on him in such case could neither be Divine nor profitable to Salvation But here the commendations necessary to beget a right and Divine believing on him and to nourish it are and must be true and those effects are worthily expectable from him as we have seen in the former Proposition and Conclusion And it was necessary that such commendations should be given him by such as rightly knew him for none other could indeed rightly commend him and none knew him fully but God his Father as it is said No man knoweth the Son but the Father Mat. 11.27 And his holy Spirit which searcheth all things even the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 11. And himself who knew whence and what he was John 8.14 And therefore it was necessary that these in the first place should exalt and lift him up by their Testimony and Witness of him unto men And so as we see before the Father bears Witness to him John 5.32.36 37. And he Testified of himself John 8.14.18 And the Spirit bears Witness of him both in the Scriptures John 5.39 and by and in his miraculous Gifts and Operations and the mouths of his Messengers and Instruments by whom he chose to speak John 15.26 27. and 16.13 14 15. Heb. 2.4 1 John 5.6 It was necessary I say that by these he should be Demonstrated and Lifted up above what he otherwise appeared to be above what men of themselves apprehended him to be and all that have apprehended or do apprehend of him aright are and have been begotten and brought to those right apprehensions of him by the Testimony of Gods divine Teaching Whence it is said to Peter confessing him to be The Christ the Son of the Living God Flesh and Blood hath not revealed this unto thee but my Father that is in Heaven Mat. 16.17 And to the Jews murmuring at him No man can come to me except the Father which hath set me draw him And to the Disciples No man can come to me except it be given him of my Father John 6.44.65 Which Gift is given in and by his Teaching and Demonstrating him Vers 45. And No man can say that is knowingly and heartily say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 But forasmuch as God is pleased ordinarily to Speak by men his immediate and audible speaking after the manner of God being unbearable to men to which purpose he hath Revealed himself to men by Dreams Visions Angels and by his Word ordered by such ways to men whereby he made them Wise men and Prophets and last of all by his only Son made the Son of man hath given forth his Word and the knowledg of it and the Holy Spirit with it to open it to them and fit them to declare it to others therefore as such ways of giving forth his Word and the knowledg of Christ to men was needful and necessary for Lifting him the Son of man up that they might believe on him So also the Witnessings and Declarations of such men that by Christ and his Spirit and by such other Ways and Means as God formerly made use of were fitted for it were necessary for the holding him forth Commending and Lifting him up to other men among whom they are and to whom God sent them and so it was necessary there should be the Ministery of men even of the Prophets and Apostles to Commend and Lift him up to men And they being Dead and gone though their Words as to the main and substance of them be left still with us in which they have Lifted up Praised and Commended him in their faithful Declarations and Expressions of what by Divine Inspirations and Teachings concerning him they knew and those their Declarations are needful to be minded by us Yet forasmuch as all cannot Read their Writings left to Posterity nor all that do Read them do know or understand them or what is said or signified in them therefore needful it is not only that some men should be helped to Read but also that some by the help of Gods Spirit which is the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding or Revelation in the knowledg of Christ and opens his Words and gives understanding Job 32.8 Ephes 1.18 19. Prov. 1.23 in such means as he is pleased to make use of and breath in should be helped to understand them and be gifted to declare their understanding of them and the knowledg of him according to them to other men that they also may hear and believe on him through the help of the same holy Spirit going along with the Instructions given them And so he being ascended on high gave Gifts to men and he hath given as some Apostles some Prophets so also some Evangelists or Gospel Preachers some Pastors and
glorious Body according to the working of that glorious Power by which he is able to subdue all things to himself Rom. 8.10 11. Phil. 3.21 Yea The Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty 2 Cor. 3.17 Oh how Excellent a Person then is Christ that is so comprehensive of all Good and Excellency even from the highest to the lowest Who is both Creator and Creature and hath the Nature and Perfections of both And hath had as well the Infirmities of the one sin excepted out of his great Love and Pity to us as the Form and Excellency Majesty and Glory of the other He that is the high and holy One the Great and Mighty God hath also cried out and acknowledged I am a worm and no man the very scorn of men and the out-cast of the people For he hath had the Experiences of Fallen man the Snares and Bitterness of Death and the Pangs of Hell as well as he hath had and hath experience and full injoyment of the infinite Joys and Glorys and inexpressible Satisfactions of Heaven and God no place is there wherein he is not and hath not been He was aâ— man on the Earth and sometimes Walking on the Seas Yea as to his Body he was in the Grave in the heart of the Earth though not left there to see Corruption and as to his Soul he was in though not left in Hell and yet he was Lord in Heaven and is so for ever 1 Cor. 15.45 John â—3 13 Psal 16.11 with Acts 2.31 Able to save us to the utmost while we are on the Earth and from Grave to Hell and to bring us to the Possession of Heaven and happiness For though he was dead to redeem us from thence yet he is now alive for evermore Amen and hath the Keys of hell and death to keep or bring us out from thence Rev. 1.18 and The Keys of the house of David too so to open as no man shall shut and so to shut as no man can open and he can and will admit into his Kingdom all that are faithful to obey and follow him Greatness and Goodness yea all Perfections and Excellencies are compleatly and everlastingly in him Oh therefore how ought we to admire and love him and with all acceptation to receive and cleave to him honour and obey him Surely that 's the way for us also to be made an excellent and precious People in the sight of God and useful to and among men For this also is of the Commendations of Christ that his Excellencies and Preciousness communicate and contribute an Excellency to all in whom he is It 's his Excellency as we noted before that renders the Gospel a more excellent and glorious Doctrine and so it 's his Excellency and Preciousness derived to them that makes his People those that own and believe on him to be a more excellent People then others as it is said The Righteous is more excellent then his Neighbour Prov. 12.26 it is because Christ is in them as it is said again God is in the Generation of the Just Psal 14.5 And the Riches of the Mystery of the Gospel Preached among the Gentiles is Christ in or among them the hope of Glory Col. 1.27 As Christ also prayed for his Disciples that they may be one as the Father and Son are one he Christ in them and the Father in him John 17.23 For as the Comeliness of Jerusalem and her Beauty that was perfect was so through his Beauty and Comeliness put upon her Ezek. 16.14 So the Excellency of his People is his Excellency put upon them who are said to have put on Christ and to be as it were clothed with him Now he being so precious how must they needs be also precious in and by him And indeed others who have not him and much more they who reject and refuse him lifting up themselves or other things and glorying in them are vile persons Psal 15.4 For indeed every thing or person according to the Spirit is to be accounted of as it hath reference to or hath more or less of or conduceth more or less to our injoyment of him And so those things or persons are to be more esteemed or chosen of us and loved by us by whom or by which we are or may be more led to Christ or built up in him or more of him and his excellencies are or may be conveyed to us But I may seem to have insisted too largely upon this Subject and to have made too long a Digression if I may call it a Digression and yet I may too truly say I have spoken nothing in effect to it but rather have but darkned wisdom by words without knowledge his excellencies being indeed such as cannot be so spoken or written of but that all that is spoken and written of them is as far below them as He who would go about to paint the glory and luster of the Sun would necessarily fail and fall short of its proper and native splenâ—or and glory in all his painting Verily though there be very much said of him and of his excellencies in the Scriptures yet it may and will be said when we come to see him and enjoy him if we being found in him shall be accounted worthy thereof as the Queen of Sheba said of Solomon when she saw him and his excellency and glory It was a true report indeed said she which I heard of thee in mine own Land of thy acts and of thy wisdom howbeit I believed not the words till I came and mine eyes have seen and behold the half was not told me thy wisdom and thy prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard So may we say then the Prophets and Apostles knew in part and prophesied in part not in perfection and surely that which is but in part will be found as short of that that is perfect as the capacities of a little child fall below the most perfect capacities of a grown and most accomplished man as the Apostle signifies in 1 Cor. 13.10 12. And surely if they knew and prophesied in part only what then could I do or have I done who have but gleaned some small part of what they have declared Surely I must needs have fallen unspeakably short of his infinite perfections whose Name alone is excellent and whose glory is not only above the earth but above the Heavens also Psal 148.13 For who can declare as I said in the beginning hereof all his mighty acts Who can set forth all his praises Psal 106.2 I should but still fall below him yea and too much darken his glory should I assay to add any thing more hereabout and therefore I shall say no more but rather desire and pray that the spirit of wisdom and revelation may be granted to me in the knowledge of him that the eyes of my understanding being inlightned I may know more distinctly for my self and for the
helpfulness of others what is the hope of his calling what the unsearchable riches of his grace to be believed and preached by us Eph. 1.18 19. 3.8 and to that purpose say as the Psalmist Be thou exalted O Lord in thine own strength so shall we sing and praise thy power Psal 21.13 Be thou exalted O Lord in thy own glory and excellencies so shall we see and sing of them CHAP. XXIV Some Usefulness of this Doctrine by way of Exhortation and first To look to Christ as lifted up for Vs in all Cases Use 3 ANd surely all that hath been hitherto said of the lifting up of this Son of man and of the end of it may provoke and lead us Exhort 1. To look diligently to him as so lifted up that in looking to him we may be inlightned and our faces may not be ashamed as is said Psal 34.5 He being set or lifted up of God both in himself first and then to us that we might behold him and that in seeing or looking to him we might be strengthned and framed to believe on him and seeing and believing on him we might be saved and have eternal life according to the good and holy will of God Joh. 6.40 Isa 45.22 To which 1. God himself directs and commands us saying Behold my servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my holy spirit upon him c. Isa 42.1 And 2. Christ himself also calls us saying Behold me behold me to a Nation that was not called by his Name Isa 65.1 And look to me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth Isa 45.22 And 3. The holy Spirit exhorts and commands us saying All ye Inhabitants of the World and Dwellers on the Earth when He lifteth up an Ensign on the Mountains see ye and when he bloweth a Trumpet hear ye Isa 18.3 And there is great Reason for it For Motive 1. If we refuse to look to and behold him how then shall we hereafter look upon him when He comes in his glory and calls us to an account and when we must make a reckoning to Him of our doings when He shall set before us that God for our good and welfare out of his abundant grace and mercy to us gave him his only begotten Son and He himself for us and how He through his great and heavy sorrows and sufferings was exalted and lifted up for us as an Object prepared to our hands and every way sufficient able and ready to save and heal us and we after all that would not turn away our eyes from beholding vanity to look upon and consider Him such a loving and lovely Object an Object so fair and beautiful so comely and glorious both for escape and for delight for safety and life Isa 4.2 Psal 45.2 as He was and is to us How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation as was prepared before the face and answerable to the needs and wants of all People and published and lifted up to us If they that despised Moses law dyed without mercy as we noted before under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment shall he be counted worthy that hath trampled under foot the Son of God such and so excellent a one as we have seen before in part counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified a common or unholy thing and hath done despight to the spirit of grace c. Heb. 2.3 and 10.28 29. This would be now seriously considered by us As also that Motive 2. If we look to Him the benefit will be great for He will help and heal us at all turns He is of vertue and force to heal our hearts minds and consciences in all cases as it was with the Brazen Serpent what-ever were the stings and wounds received by the fiery Serpents in looking to the Serpent of Brass they were cured of them None of them were so slighty as that they had any promise of living with them without looking to that nor any so deep and dangerous but that in looking up to that they lived So is it here None so good so holy or so little sinful as that without looking to Christ they may expect to be saved and to have eternal life nor are any so bad or desperately wicked but in a hearty serious and timely looking to Christ they may be healed and live for ever Let that then move us to look to him as delivered up to Death for our offences and raised again from the Dead for our Justification glorified at the right hand of God and lifted up in the Gospel by the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of the spiritual gifts of God's Servants given them to that purpose yea in every case let us look to Him to be healed and saved by Him As for instance Case 1. Are we sensible of our sins and sinfulness and ready to despair because they are so great and manifold The way to be healed of such wounds upon our hearts and consciences the fears horrours and smarts of such stings is to turn the eye hither to the Son of man the Lord Jesus not to pore upon our selves our own unworthiness inability to satisfy Gods justice by any sorrows bewailings confessions or amendments of ours nor to set our selves as conceiting our selves able to help or heal our selves by any such courses or by any devises or contrivances of our own or others as Plaisters of our own making or others commending or giving but only to mind and look unto the perfect Law of Liberty continuing to look thereinto that we may see what He is and what He hath done and suffered for us what satisfaction He hath given to justice what Redemption He hath obtained what Peace he hath made what Pardon is Proclaimed in Him for whom He hath suffered according to the Spirits testimony in the Scriptures and to whom He proclaims and preaches Peace there-through the greatness of his love and freeness of his Grace to Man-kind c. Thus the Apostle Peter preached Christ to those who were prickt at their hearts at their hearing that they had been guilty of murthering Christ directing them to believe on Him upon that account that there was in Him remission of sins and the Holy Ghost to be given them by him and they looking to him and yielding up to what He so looked to wrought in them were comforted and healed Act. 2.37 38 41. So also in Act. 3.13 14 19 26. He proposed to others guilty of the same fault the consideration of the blessing in him the Seed of Abraham for all the Families of the Earth and that to them the Jews first God sent Jesus to bless every one of them in turning every one of them from their iniquities The like in Act. 5.30 31. And the Apostle Paul to the Jaylour ready to make away himself and inquiring in a great affrightment what he should do to be saved directed him to
co-workers with and under him we are subject to his Spirit and sowing thereto we shall reap a good reward even life everlasting Gal. 6.8 Rom. 6.19 And indeed God will accept of no praises or commendations of him from us in which we neglect and lay by his Son the Son of man according to the measures of the Revelation given us of him seem our praises and commendations of him never so glorious The Pharisees would have had the blind man give the glory of his seeing to God so as to detract it from the Son of man as a sinner out of envy and opposition to him Joh. 9.24 But were they accepted think you in such a pretended glorifying of God Surely no Nor yet those zealous Pharisees and Jews who being zealous of God but not according to knowledge through ignorance of Gods righteousness went about to establish their own righteousness and submitted not to the righteousness of God which is Christ Jesus the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believes Rom. 10.1 2 3 4. and no better but rather worse be those Antichristian spirits who taking offence at the Cross of Christ and lifting up themselves above it not holding the head do talk of God and Spirit but so as they confess not Christ come in the Flesh but through their knowledge of him after the flesh and ignorance of him according to the spirit of God lay him by as an unprofitable thing or thing out of date as much as the Ceremonies of Moses Law Joh. 4.2 3. Motive 2. Herein we shall be profitable to men to whom we lift him up that being the way to do them good and bring them in to believe and so to be saved from destruction and be made partakers of eternal life And what can we do better for them then to be Instruments of so great good to them Indeed this is the way to be profitable to them in every thing for if we be means of bringing them to Christ and planting them into him then are we means of their being made apt and fit for doing that which is good and well-pleasing in the sight of God in all things It being the only thing that puts Men into a sound and right plight both towards God and men and then we are means too of their being made able to bear and endure all kinds of tryals and exercises profitably which may befall them Yea this is the way to make them live both comfortably and acceptably to God and to dy in the favour of God and so to be happy for ever There is nothing then wherein we can be more friends to men or more beneficial to them then in a due lifting up the Son of man before them in word and conversation therefore it is that God calls upon us so frequently to praise bless exalt and magnify the Lord even Jehovah which Title or Name is attributed to the Lord Jesus also And he must needs be included in the object of that act inasmuch as God accepts not of our praises to him but in and through him as was shewed before especially the Servants of the Lord who stand in the House or Courts of the Lord they are called upon to exalt lift up or praise the Lord or the Name of the Lord Psal 134.1 2. and 135.1 2 3. And they are they that are chiefly set in the World to be Instruments of good to and in it and this is the way in which they are directed to do Men good even by praising and commending the Lord to them as we might consider in viewing particulars how all their service in the House of the Lord and in the World is to be done with this Engine or Instrument the praising or lifting up the Lord the Son of man As for instance Instance 1. Would we convince the World of Sin for not believing on Christ the way of the Holy Spirit is to do it by witnessing of him lifting him up and setting him forth as the object to be believed on the Christ the Saviour the Son of God that hath dyed for them and is risen again this presently pricks them at the heart as it did those in Act. 2.36 37. at the Apostle Peter's Preaching and till Men see and be convinced that He is such a one they think not themselves guilty in rejecting him seeking safety and happiness in the works of the Law or some other things till Paul see that Jesus of Nazareth was such a Person He was so far from thinking that He sinned in not believing on him that He thought He ought to do many things against his name Act. 26.9 But when he came to perceive who he was then he was convinced of sin in that and judged himself for it ever after as unworthy therefore of such mercy as was conferred upon him 1 Tim. 1.12 13 14. 1 Cor. 15.9 Eph. 3.8 This then is our way to convince men of sin for their unbelief on Christ let them see that He is anointed and appointed of God to be their Saviour their only Saviour that He hath dyed for them and is risen again and is every way able and ready to save them and therefore is to be looked to and to be believed on for all grace and blessing and then they who thought before that they might not believe on and hope in him they are so bad and unworthy will see it s their sin not to believe on him and that that is a greater evil then all their sins besides as binding them all upon them and hindering them from receiving the pardon of them they may be convinced of other sins by the Law as Murther Adultery Theft c. But not of this that they sin in not coming to Christ and depending on him for all grace and blessing but in his being lifted up and evidenced to be so excellent and glorious an one Joh 16.8 9. And again Instance 2. Would we shew men the odiousness of all other sins how hateful they are to God and how needful it is that they turn from them to Christ to receive forgiveness of them and washing and cleansing from them The way is not so much to tell them of the Law and what that saith as to let them know what Christ suffered for them and that through his death and sufferings only there is forgiveness and cleansing of them that way will do it if men in hearing hear and in seeing see and perceive what is set before them as we shewed before Thus the Apostle saw and judged all to be dead and in an utterly lost state in themselves in this that One died for all 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Instance 3. Would we convince the most seemingly righteous and just man in his own righteous walking and working that He is a sinner lost in himself and needs to believe on Christ and seek Justification and Righteousness in him the way is to set forth Christ and lift him up as the Son of
1 Cor. 1.17 and 2.1 2 5. 3. Now if they be reproveable that lift him not up as they ought or not at all much more then are they so who instead of lifting Him up endeavour to cast him down as is said of some Psal 62.3 4. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency they delight in lies they bless or praise with the mouth but they curse inwardly or underneath And this they do 1. Either by bringing in damnable Heresies denying the Lord that bought them and these bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2.1 Such as deny or confess not Christ come in the Flesh but throw him by as useless or as one gone out of the Flesh and so Preach up a God or Spirit without Him taxing deriding or blaspheming those that confess Him come in the Flesh and the so confessing or acknowledging of Him and so all expectation of any thing from or by his Person as exalted and glorified and as having received Gifts in the man as of the Seed of David the Son of man or any looking for him in Person to appear again from Heaven mocking at the faith of his coming as is said of some 2 Pet. 3.4 5. 1 Joh. 4.3 2 Joh. 7.8 2. Or by their lives and doings exposing Him to shame scorn and reproach and so denying and decrying him while by their fruitless lives and sinful demeanours and abuses of the grace of God they blemish the profession which they make of him walking in lusts of uncleanness riotous excesses rebellious against and disobediences towards Magistrates and Princes covetousness pride fraud and the like who are the enemies of the Cross of Christ while in deeds they deny him making their Bellies their Gods and minding earthly things crucifying him to themselves afresh and putting him to open shame Heb. 6.4 5 6 7. 2 Pet. 2.1 5 6 7. Jude 1.2 7 8 c. And all these with others are faulty as guilty of not lifting up Christ the Son of man though of these some make it a piece of Religion to lift up a wooden cross and carry it in Procession and follow after and look to it and some Image or Picture of him as crucified set upon or fastened to it or so lift up and look to the Bread or Host which they call the very Body it self that was crucified or rather the whole Christ yet of the true Cross of Christ and the true and right lifting him up as crucified they are ignorant yea and enemies thereto and so are all such as are here mentioned as reproved Vse 5. And here we might also before we pass to the other Branch of Persons to be reproved take notice that in all aforesaid we have a Discovery of Doctrines Spirits or Teachers here hinted to us Our Saviour bids us beware of false Prophets who come to us in Sheeps clothing but inwardly are ravening Wolves Matth. 7.15 And to take heed least any deceive us for saith he many shall come in my Name and say I am Christ and deceive many yea and that there shall come false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders so as to deceive if possible the very Elect Matth. 24.4 5 24. And the Apostles have told us of a man of sin whose coming should be after the working of Sathan Yea that as we have heard that Antichrist shall come in the last times so there are many Antichrists and false Prophets come into the World 1 Joh. 2.18 and 2 Joh. 7.8 And therefore they also have warned us to take heed to our selves Now this is one good Character by which they may be known and discerned their denying or not lifting up the Son of man but exalting themselves or some other thing or person in opposition to or instead of him according as the Apostle John giving that warning to the Churches not to believe every spirit but to try the spirits whether they be of God because many false spirits are gone out into the World adds this as a Rule for discerning the false spirits or Prophets from the true Every spirit that confesseth that is acknowledgeth praiseth speaketh out Jesus Christ come in the flesh is of God He suits with and pursues Gods design who in his Doctrine and in the drift and scope of it makes it his work and business to commend and speak forth Jesus Christ come in the flesh not only God in his naked consideration as in himself and not in Christ Jesus nor only Christ as he was before the foundations of the World or as in the Word or Prophecy only but as come in the Flesh both acknowledging that he is come in the Flesh and lifting him up as so come as the only powerful sufficient Saviour Medicine and Cure of miserable Man that men might address themselves to Him and Him only as evidencing himself in his testimony and attend upon him for his help and salvation in all his ways and appointments ordered by him as come in the flesh and having their foundation in him witnessing of and leading to him as in attending to him in his Word and waiting upon Him in his Ordinances and Gifts given and appointed for the perfecting the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ c. But on the other hand Every spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ come in the flesh is not of God but is that spirit of Antichrist that should come into the World that is every Doctrine and Spirit breathing therein and so every Teacher preaching any doctrine however otherwise he may appear full of spirit force zeal and efficacy in his teaching and doctrine for moving and working upon his Auditory yea though he should speak yea or walk like an Angel in his outward conversation and appearance among men yet if he bring not this Doctrine of Christ come in the Flesh if he do not confess acknowledge speak out so as to set forth glorify and lift up Jesus Christ as come in the Flesh to be the only Saviour the Great Design and Devise of God for his bringing in or reconciling men to himself as the power and wisdom of God that in which the only wise God hath shewed forth the riches of his wisdom and that in which is the greatness of his power for destroying and overthrowing the Kingdome of Sin and Sathan and delivering men from destruction and for making them wise and able to every good thing that man is not sent of God or authorized of him in his Ministry and Doctrine nor is owned of him as acted by his Spirit but inasmuch as he lays by hides and conceals owns or acknowledgeth not that great mystery He is of Antichrist and the Spirit that acts and leads him out to and in all his zeal and fervour for promoting any other way for bringing men to God laying by this design of God this Doctrine of Christ come in the Flesh is not of God