Luke 5.34 John 3.29 This Title is ascribed to Christ for many Causes principally for his unspeakable Love to his Church which is by Faith espoused to him Hosea 2.19 Eph. 5.26 27 28 c. He is called a Witness which term is applyed to the Messiah Esa. 43.10 and 55.4 Rev. 1.5 and 3.14 Because of a certainty he discovers heavenly Truth to us John 18.37 As also because he hath most exactly fulfilled whatsoever the Prophets of the Old Testament have foretold concerning him John 1.17 c. External Adjuncts of a man are either inseparable or separable The inseparable are being in a place and time Each of these is attributed to God who in his own nature is Eternal and not circumscribed to place by an Anthropopathy First More Generally Place is ascribed to God Psal. 24.3 Who shall stand in his Holy Place viz. The Holy Kingdom where the Scriptures say his Habitation is He is said to Go out of his place when he manifests his conspicuous and apparent presence as Esa. 26.21 Micah 1.3 He is said to Retire or Return to his place when he withdraws the benefit of his Grace and as it were hides himself in order to punish offenders Hosea 5.15 More specially a seat or Throne is attributed to God Exod. 17.16 of which before Psal. 9.7 8. and 11.3 4. and 47.8 9. Esa. 66.1 Matth. 5.34 By which his most superexcellent Majesty sublimity and Authority is intimated The Prophet Jer. 14.21 Prays God that he would not abhor or disgrace the throne of his Glory By which Judea is understood wherein the visible or peculiar Kingdom of God was contained and where God vouchsafed the most eminent appearances of his Power and Glory Or else the Temple of Jerusalem as in chap. 17.12 It is taken upon which Rabbi Moses Maimon Every place which God hath appointed for the manifestation of his Power and Glory is called his Throne For great and powerful men as Kings and Princes sit in their Thrones when they make a solemn appearance so are we to understand this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kiss solemn Throne of the Magnificence Power and Dignity of him to whom it is attributed When a Throne and sitting upon it is attributed to Christ we are to understand that heavenly Kingdom and Government to which he was exalted in his humane nature as Psal. 45.6 7. Esa. 16.5 Matth. 19.28 Heb. 1.8 and 4.16 and 8.1 c. The Earth is said to be the Lords Footstool Esa. 66.1 Matth. 5.35 By which is noted his immensity for he is present in the lowermost part of the World Or the Ark of the Covenant in which by special revelation he was to manifest his presence according to 1 Chron. 28.2 Psal. 99.4 5. and 132.6 7. Lam. 2.1 Some by this appellation would understand the Sanctuary of God See Psal. 99.4 5 8 9. Upon which Illyricus says the sence is know that no where else nor with any of the Gentiles is the true Worship of God and his propitious presence to be found Therefore seek him here according to his Word and Promises When it is said of Christ Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right-hand until I have made thine Enemies thy Footstool and 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must Reign till he hath put his Enemies all under his feet and Heb. 1.13 It intimates that he will most perfectly conquer and subdue his Enemies as it is said Psal. 8.6 Eph. 1.22 Heb. 2.8 c. That all things are put under his Feet Neither is Place only ascribed to God but a local Posture or Situation also as Psal. 10.1 Why standest thou afar off by which the delay of Divine help is noted A metaphor taken from men who when they stand at great distance cannot lend a helping hand To stand at the right hand notes his powerful help and favour as Psal. 16.8 Because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved So Act. 2.25 God is said to Sit Psal. 29.10 and other places in the same sence that a Throne is ascribed to him by which his Government Divine Judgement and exercises in peculiar actions are signified He is said to Sit upon a Cherub Psal. 80.1 and 99.1 because of the peculiar manifestation of his presence in that place He is said to Sit upon the Circle of the Earth Esa. 40.22 because of his Majesty in Glory which infinitely excells all the Glories of the World and therefore the Inhabitants of the Earth are called Grashoppers c. Of the sitting of Christ at the right hand of God we have spoken before God is said to Dwell on High in Sion in the Church and in Contrite hearts c. Psal. 68.16 17. and 132.12 13 14. Psal. 135.20 21 Esa. 57.19 Ezek. 37.27 John 14.23 2 Cor. 6.16 by which the gracious Manifestation Action Defence Illumination Consolation and Salvation of his Divine presence to his people is to be understood It is an emphatical word which Paul uses 2 Cor. 12.9 That the power of Christ may rest upon me the words properly are that the vertue or power of my God may dwell upon me or that he would place his Tabernacle upon me and as an Vmbrage or Shadow may surround cloth and protect me When the Cloud of Glory had filled the Temple Solomon said 1 King 8.12 The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness that is by this sign he manifests himself to be present as he said to Moses Lev. 16.2 I will appear in the Cloud upon the Mercy-Seat See Exod. 19.9 and chap. 16.10 Num. 9.15 Esa. 6.4 Matth. 17.5 c. The phrase of Gods sitting in the Heavens or dwelling there as Psal. 2.4 Psal. 103.18 19. 1 King 8.39 43. and Illyricus thus expounds Heaven neither ought nor can when it is called the Habitation of God be understood of a certain real or material place but it has rather a metaphorical signification and denotes that spiritual Kingdom Glory and Felicity in which God with his Holy Angels and other blessed Spirits Lives and Reigns as Psal. 115.15 16. The Heaven even the Heavens are the Lords but the Earth hath he given to the Children of men that is he requires and Commands spiritual good and Divine Worship to be given to him and leaves them to enjoy the good things of the World for he in a proper sence requires not Money Calves or Kids c. And the Learned Gerhard says God is every where with respect to his Essence but he is said to dwell in Heaven with respect to the more ample appearance of his Majesty and Glory so the whole soul is in every part of the Body but most radically in the head most effectively in the head because its most excellent effects are from thence produced So Alcuinus God is therefore said to dwell in the Heavens because the Angels and the Souls of blessed Saints have a clearer and more illustrious prospect
her the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall over shadow thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mary being astonished by the view of that Angelical Messenger enquired ver 34. How shall this be seeing I know not man viz. what was said ver 31. And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the highest c. ver 32. To Mary wondring at this the Angel answers that it should be by the supernatural and most singular operation of the Holy Spirit and Highest power which operation is by an Anthropopathy expressed by overshadowing describing the manner of as that there should be Divine protection which is the metaphorical signification of a shadow as before For God being a consuming Fire would consume Mary by filling her with his peculiar and Majestical Glory unless there were some Divine obumbration or Shade between as God covered Moses with his hand in that peculiar and extraordinary appearance of his Divine Glory lest by the dazling and Majesty of Gods presence he should be consumed Exod. 33.22 It may also respect that hidden formation of that most Holy child in the Virgins VVomb and his being secured from the least spot of sin in his most admirable union with humanity This Emphasis the word Shadow carries which being contrary to light is a note of the incomprehensible and hidden energy of God intimated also by the Shadow of a Cloud over the Tabernacle Exod. 40.35 Let this Shade therefore be a prohibition from any rash or curious inquisitiveness into this adorable Mystery The Cloud was put over the Tabernacle that we should not rashly rush in and the Cherubims covered the Ark 2 Chron. 5.8 Lest any body should be curiously prying into the Majesty of God which dwelt upon it So the Shadow of the highest obumbrates this Mystery lest our foolish Reason should be inquisitive into the manner of it And so with a shadow of imperfect Revelation of these Divine things we end this Chapter CHAP. IX Of Metaphors whereby Things are proposed as Persons which are not Persons which kind they call Prosopopeia PROSOPOPEIA is when any thing which is not a person is metaphorically introduced or proposed as a person Or when the properties of a man are attributed to other things for things for likeness and agreements sake Prophane Authors use very elegant metaphors of this kind as that of Cicero VVhat did that drawn Sword of your do in the Pharsalian Field Whose side did that point seek What was the sence of your Arms. Aristotle defines this metaphor that which is in act bringing in inanimate things doing something as if they had life and sence But we will follow the distinct Classes of Scripture Examples Some things are said of the Members of a Humane Body which is properly the act of the mind as Gen. 48. He made his hands to understand so the Hebrew that is as Vatablus and our Translation notes he guided or laid his hands knowingly skilfully and wittingly when his eyes were dim with age that he could not discern by seeing which was the Eldest Son therefore of set purpose did he lay his hands crosswise and therefore Moses says that he made his hands to understand as if they viz. his hands could tell things to come because he did not hastily nor gropingly put them forth but as one well knowing directs his right to Ephraim the youngest and his left to the first-born c. See Tract cap. 2. following towards the end Job 29 11. When the Ear heard then it blessed me and when the Eye saw it gave witness to me Here to the Ear and Eye is attributed what belongs to man Job 28.4 The Flood breaketh out from the Inhabitant forgotten of the Foot where forgetfulness is attributed to the Foot that is as Junius and Tremellius note such Floods as no foot ever experienced because so deep as not to be waded or gone through Psal. 35.10 All my Bones shall say O Lord who is like unto thee Psal. 51.8 The Bones which thou hast broken shall rejoyce so the Hebrew here Glorying and Rejoycing in God is ascribed to the Bones which is the property of man as if he had said I will inwardly and heartily glorifie thee and rejoyce in thee By the same Reason it is said Psal. 103.1 Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within or my Bowels bless his holy Name Psal. 68.31 Ethiopia shall make her hands to run to God so the Hebrew that is shall with speed stretch them out in prayer as the Chald. expounds it Or shall quickly extend her hands to give gifts of Gold to the Lord as R. Aben Ezra and R. Salomo expounds it See Psal. 72.15 Some take this Metonymically where extending the Hands is put for a gift as before Psal. 73.9 They set their mouth against the Heavens that is the foolish and wicked as ver 3. and their Tongue walketh through the Earth that is they do rashly and licentiously throw reproaches upon God and Man neither sparing heavenly or earthly things Psal. 137.5 If I forget thee O Jerusalem let my right hand forget that is as Junius and Tremellius say it self viz. Let it be rather dead or withered then I should give over singing or as Illyricus says let my right hand forget its musical dexterity as in the next verse let my Tongue cleave to the roof of my Mouth if I prefer not Jerusalem above the head of my Joy that is let the Lord vouchsafe that I may never play upon Musick or sing more then I should admit so great a wickedness as to desert Jerusalem and its Religion and Ministry and give over to celebrate with Hymns Musick and Voice yea I will prefer thee to the chief esteem before all other things Joys Comforts c. Prov. 10.32 The Lips of the Righteous know what is acceptable that is they speak so prudently as if knowledge resided in them which Job 34.35 Is in the negative expressed Job hath spoken without knowledge and his words were without wisdom Matth. 6.3 But when thou givest Alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth this is spoken to prohibit the vain glory of Almsgiving when done for praise c. Theophilact expounds it if it be possible you are even to forget all your own good deeds or at least by no means to glory in them or rest upon them lest you be vainly lifted up To this may be referred where Anger is attributed to the Eyes Gen. 31.35 and 45.5 Esa. 3.8 And Concupiscence Pleasure or Desire 1 Kings 20.6 Ezek. 24.16.21 1 John 2.16 hence the phrase of the hearts walking after the Eyes Job 31.7 that is the desires and lusts follow which the Eyes moved by outward objects endeavour to stir up in the heart The Abominations of the Eyes Ezek. 20.7 that is
called the Lord of Hosts because all Creatures in Heaven and Earth are of his Army II. God teaches his People how to behave themselves in spiritual Conflicts and to fight under his Banner when he calls them forth He warns them of the Dangers of Enemies and discovers the Subtilties and Devices of their Soul-Adversaries III. God doth nothing rashly for in all Wars he engages in or Desolations that he brings He consults his own Wisdom and doth all by the Counsel of his own Will IV. God is invested with Power and supreme Authority to raise Armies at his Pleasure if he gives but the Word they immediatly rally together God will lift up an Ensign to the Nations from far and will hiss unto them from the end of the Earth and behold they shall come with speeed quickly And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall hiss for the Fly that is in the uttermost part of the Rivers of Egypt and for the Bee that is in Assyria and they shall come c. All are ready when He gives the Summons Angels Men Dragons Beasts the great Deeps Fire Hail Snow Wind Frogs Flies Locusts Caterpillars c. let him but hiss as it were and they come to execute his Commands 'T is said of Pompey that when one of his Officers complained of the want of Men he should reply Let me but stamp with my foot upon the Ground of Italy and I shall have Men enough which was a Note of confident Pride in him for he was wholly defeated afterwards by Caesar Yet 't is always true of the Lord of Hosts for if he holds up his Finger all the Celestial and Terrestrial Host are ready to fight his Battels V. The Lord brings forth his Weapons out of his Armory He opened his Armory and hath brought forth the Weapons of his Indignation for this is the Work of the Lord c. Take to you the whole Armor of God c. VI. So does the Lord I will lift up an Ensign to the Nation from afar And when the Enemy comes in like a Flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him VII God commands the Trumpets to be blown that all might be prepared for the Day of his dreadful Controversy Blow the Trumpet in Sion and sound an Alarm in my holy Mountain Let all the Inhabitants of the Land tremble And the Lord shall he seen over them and his Arrows shall go forth as the Lightning and the Lord God shall blow the Trumpet and shall go forth with the Whirlwind of the South VIII The Lord musters his Armies The Noise of a Multitude in the Mountains like as of a great People A tumultuous Noise of the Kingdoms and Nations gathered together The Lord of Hosts mustereth the Host of the Battel In the Wars of his People Israel he gave directions for their Battel-Array and when to give the Assault IX God hath published in his Word the Reasons why he prepares for War against a People or Nation They have moved me to Jealousy with that which is not God they have provoked me to Anger with their Vanities and I will move them to Jealousy with those that are not a People I will provoke them to Anger with a foolish Nation For a Fire is kindled in mine Anger and shall burn into the lowest Hell c. I will heap Mischief upon them I will spend mine Arrows upon them 'T is because Men turn not from their Sins They profess to know God but in Works deny him setting up the Creature instead of the Creator For the Iniquity of his Covetousness saith God I was wroth Men slight the Offers and Tenders of the Gospel and tho they add Drunkenness to Thirst they think they shall have Peace and for that reason God proclaims War and saith he hath whet his Sword Wherefore was it that God brought his Sword upon Jerusalem and gave it into the hands of the Babylonians Was it not for rejecting his Word and despising his Messengers Hence his Wrath came upon them till there was no Remedy hence Jerusalem was given up again to be trod down by the Romans viz. because they rejected Christ and the Gospel X. God hath given a Banner to them that fear him that it might be displayed because of the Truth or as Ainsworth renders it to be high-displayed because of the certain Truth The word Banner or Ensign as Ainsworth upon the place says is applied to the Flag or Ensign of the Gospel Isa. 11.12 49.22 62.10 here to David and his Victory c. XI God animates and encourages his People as he did Joshua There shall not any Man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy Life As I was with Moses so I will be with thee I will not fail thee nor forsake thee Be strong of a good Courage c. Only be thou strong and very couragious For then thou shalt make thy Way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success XII God himself comes into the Field with his People How often doth he tell them that he is with them The Lord your God is he that goeth with you to fight He assists them directs them relieves them None can march under a better Commander and he is the best Helper The Lord is on my side I will not fear what Man can do unto me The Lord taketh my part with them that help me therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me Fear thou not for I am with thee Be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the Arm of my Righteousness Lo I am with you always to the end of the World XII As the Lord goes before so he is the Rereward of his People Ye shall not go out with haste nor go by flight for the Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your Rereward He is in the Front in the Rear in the Middle and the Flanks therefore all is safe because he is invincible XIV God is a liberal Rewarder of his People tho his Royal Munificence is purely an Act of Grace not Debt or Obligation because we are his and when we have done all we are unprofitable Servants c. He that overcometh shall inherit all things Metaphor I. THe most renowned Conqueror or most successful Martialist on Earth is vulnerable and mortal Alexander would be thought the Son of Jupiter but Death soon convinced him II. Earthly Warriors are under certain Limitations for they cannot war as they please their Bounds being set by the Almighty III. There is no earthly Warrior tho never so redoubted but may be match'd and conquered too IV. Earthly Warriors know not the Success of their Arms before-hand nor foretell Events they may be baffled in their Hopes and made ashamed of their
only endued with natural Wisdom and that far beyond Solomon A greater than Solomon is here but hath had the Advantage also of such Education that none ever had being brought up with God himself He hath all the Treasures of Wisdom in him is skill'd in all Politicks hath knowledg in all Laws nothing passeth his Skill Thou knowest all things He is called the Wisdom of God Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God III. Jesus Christ was chosen to be King by God the Father as 't is said I have exalted one chosen out of the People And tho the Fathers or Elders amongst the Jews refused him yet the Children gave their Vote for him crying Hâ—â—sannah to the Son of David IV. Jesus Christ was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows He was by the Holy Spirit consecrated King for ever The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me c. V. Jesus Christ was likewise proclaimed first by the Angels To you is born in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Afterwards by the Wise Men at Jerusalem and at Herod â—â—s Court by a Star and by the Shepherds at Bethlehem VI. This did Jesus Christ in three eminent Cases 1. In speaking comfortably to all his Loyal Subjects as you may see in Mat. 5. at large 2. In giving Laws and expounding Difficulties as you may see in Mat. 6. at large 3. In bestowing his Bounty upon the Poor releasing Prisoners that were bound and in appointing an Hospital for the Sick VII Jesus Christ hath a Right to the highest Palaces in this World as he was born Heir to the Universal Emperor by whom he was at last advanced to the great Palace of the highest Heavens called the holy Palace VIII Jesus Christ our great King had the Attendance of Angels who shewed their Allegiance and paid their Homage and Service at sundry times as there appeared Occasion for them 1. They proclaimed him 2. They attended his Person to assist him in his Straits 3. They assisted his other Servants 4. They declared his Resurrection from the Dead 5. They assured his coming in Glory after his Ascension 6. They are appointed to bear him company and to attend him at his coming from Heaven the second time The Son of Man shall come and all the holy Angels with him IX Jesus Christ is invested with Power All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth tho at the first entrance upon his Kingdom in the days of his Flesh his Power did not appear so splendent and glorious as it will hereafter X. Jesus Christ hath many Subjects assigned him by God which subscribe to his Power Some voluntarily as the Angels others by force as the Devils and by virtue of his commanding Power as the Winds and Seas which obeyed him XI Jesus Christ received Commandment from the Father from which he would never swerve and also published and established Laws to be observed as Rules of Government to the end of the World XII Jesus Christ rules and governs so well that his worst Enemies could not cannot charge him with Evil yet they did not do not love and honour him but the Sons of Wickedness rose up and still do rise up in Rebellion against him I honour my Father but you dishonour me a Man which hath told you the Truth this did not Abraham Bring out those mine Enemies c. XIII Jesus Christ hath great and large Dominions all Power in Heaven Earth and Hell He is the Head of all Principalities and Powers in Heaven he is the Head of every Man on Earth and hath the Command of all the infernal Spirits in Hell XIV Jesus Christ hath this great and high Prerogative to make Peace or to proclaim Peace to all the Sons of Men upon Submission and to send a Sword where his just Prerogative is resisted In whatsoever House ye enter first say Peace if the Son of Peace be there c. I came not to send Peace but a Sword XV. Jesus Christ that was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of Death is crown'd with Glory and Honour c. The Scepter of thy Kingdom is a right Scepter As I have overcome and sate down with my Father upon his Throne XVI Jesus Christ hath the Father and Holy Spirit without whose Counsel he acteth nothing either in the Affairs of Heaven Earth or Hell There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one Of this Council Offenders are in danger and to this Council grand Criminals are delivered up for Punishment XVII Jesus Christ hath the peculiar Prerogative to send Embassadors He sent the twelve Apostles to the World who said We are Embassadors for Christ. And He sent his Angel to the Churches to treat with them about their present and eternal Welfare I Jesus have sent mine Angel c. XVIII Jesus Christ makes Substitutes to this end By him Kings reign and Princes decree Justice By him Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the Earth these for the World And when he ascended up on high he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for his Church by this shewing that He is supreme Head in all Causes Ecclesiastical as well as Civil XIX Jesus Christ saved the Gospel-Church before the Destruction of Jerusalem by giving them counsel to flie upon the sight of Signs and the Legal Church in the Wilderness by the convenient Providences of a Pillar of Fire by Night and a Pillar of a Cloud by Day He was the Angel of God's Presence that saved them and marvellously hath he and doth he now save and preserve his Church from Popish Rage and Cruelty in this and other Nations XX. Jesus Christ hath a high Court of Judicature in Heaven where he judgeth Emperors and Kings that are out of the power and reach of a human Hand from whence he sends Angels who are higher than they to punish them for Pride and Oppression as in the Case of Nebuchadnezzar who was by the holy Ones cast from his Throne and Herod who was smitten by an Angel for his Pride And a lower Court where his Church for him and in his Name judgeth Delinquents of a lower Rank XXI Jesus Christ hath many great Prerogatives Rights Privileges and Excellencies pertaining to him 1. He receives Petitions Lord Jesus receive my Spirit 2. He pardons Offenders The Son of Man hath Power to forgive Sins 3. He confers Honour I thank Christ Jesus who hath put me into the Ministry 4. He gives Commissions Go ye into all the World 5. He receives Tribute The honourable Women ministred unto him not without reason for he was Lord of all 6. He keeps an Exchequer called the
Will and one who knew all the Father's Secrets No Man hath seen God at any time save the only begotten Son of God which is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him XIII Jesus Christ hath excelled all that went before him in this respect He was not applauded by the People only who said he was a Teacher come from God that he taught like one that had Authority and never Man spake like him but he was commended as one fit to be heard by God himself and that with an audible Voice from Heaven This is my beloved Son hear ye him This great Prophet of the Most High hath in pursuit of his Prophetical Office laid a fair Foundation for the Church to build upon in these great and most important Points 1. He hath set forth God in the Excellency of his Nature and Perfections He hath told us we are to have Faith in him to love him with all our whole Soul and with all our Strength and to worship him in Spirit and in Truth 2. He hath set forth Himself as Mediator the immediate Object of Faith and to be followed in his Life and Doctrine Another Foundation can no Man lay 3. He hath confirmed the Holy Scriptures as the Rule of Worship directing Men to them for the Regulation of their Hearts and Lives Search the Scriptures 'T is written in your Law c. And to the young Man that would know what he should do to inherit eternal Life he said How readest thou c. 4. He hath set forth the World to come in the Glory of it as the Reward of Worship telling them that there is a Kingdom to be given and The Pure in Heart shall see God XIV Jesus Christ hath not only as the Author of our Faith laid a sure Foundation for us to build upon but as the Finisher thereof hath Store of Gifts and Graces to bestow which he hath promised to give down and hath also proposed such Examples and Precepts touching all the Particularities of our Duty which if followed cannot miss of perfecting and making the Church compleat Be ye merciful as Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect Love one another Walk as you have me for an Example and what you would that Men should do to you that do unto them This is the Law and the Prophets XV. Jesus Christ was the most perfect Copy to write by the best Example to conform our Lives unto that ever our Eyes beheld or that ever appeared 1. In his unparallel'd Meekness Humility Self-Denial and Contempt of this World 2. His unwearied Patience under Afflictions and Sufferings 3. His Zeal and Forwardness to do good even to the worst of his Enemies XVI Jesus Christ hath given forth Scripture by the glorious Power of the Holy-Ghost which are the four Evangelists and all the Epistles and as to the Book of the Apocalypse he hath so confirm'd it that he hath made it Damnation to any that shall add to it or diminish from it XVII Herein Jesus Christ hath compleated his Work as a Prophet He did expound to his Disciples what was written in the Law of Moses in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning himself And not only so but he foretold them things that were yet to come to pass as the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Captivity of the Jews He did not conceal but plainly told that there should be a Day of Distress such as had not been since they were a Nation And soon after his Ascension sent his Angel to signify to his Servant John for the teaching all his Churches many things that are and shortly should come to pass As 1. The Rise Reign and Ruine of the last Beast 2. The Suffering of the Church in the Wilderness during his Reign 3. The Glory Grandure horrid Wickedness and fearful Overthrow of Mystery Babylon 4. The going forth of the everlasting Gospel into all the World 5. And lastly his own coming in Glory with the New Jerusalem the holy Angels and all Saints to solemnize the last and dreadful Judgment Prophet I. ALL other Prophets besides Christ were inspired by Christ. The Prophets searched what manner of time the Spirit of Christ in them did signify c. by which he preached to the Spirits in Prison II. Other Prophets pointed at Christ as the Scope of their Prophecies they testified before-hand the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that was to follow III. Other Prophets did but begin the holy Books that were to be the perpetual Rule of Faith and Practice they told us of Divine Things but in part IV. Other Prophets spake of God by private Inspiration and the Intelligence of Angels and few of them confirmed their Words by Miracles V. Other Prophets have left their Work and are all gone Your Fathers where are they And the Prophets do they live for ever What Man is he that liveth and shall not see Death Abraham is dead and the Prophets c. Disparity I. JEsus Christ received not the holy Spirit by measure but hath the Fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily II. Jesus Christ came as the Sum of their Prophecies to fulfill them and compleat what they foretold This is He of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write III. Jesus Christ did finish and compleat the holy Books which are to be the perfect and compleat Rule of Faith and Practice to the end of the World He shewed plainly of the Father He is that Prophet that all Men are to hear upon the Penalty of being destroyed from amongst the People He that hears not his Voice and believes not his Gospel shall not see Life but perish in his Sins How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation confirmed by Signs and Wonders IV. But Jesus Christ spake of the Father as he had seen Him and conversed with Him heard his Words and was in his Bosom before He came down among us in the likeness of Man and confirmed his Doctrine by many immediate and mighty Miracles No Man has seen God at any time but the only begotten Son that is in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him The things that I have heard of him I speak unto you If I had not done amongst them the Works which none other Man did they had not had Sin but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father V. Jesus Christ abides in his Prophetical Office still that is of like continuance with his Kingly and Priestly Office as he abides a Priest continually so a Prophet He is with his Church to lead it and guide it to the end of the World as himself saith And lo I am with you always even to the end of the World Inferences I. WE may infer from hence That God hath been exceeding good
that have Interest in him or can lay claim to this Lamb and his Righteousness is for our Cloathing No Money will pass for currant as it were with God but Jesus Christ. He is the Saints Treasure their Estate and Inheritance lies in Christ But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness c. X. Christ made himself of no reputation In respect of his Humanity he is called a Worm as Annotators expound that in the Psalmist Psal. 22.6 I am a Worm and no Man a Reproach of Men and despised of the People He was small and despised in the eyes of the great Heroes of the Earth There are several great Disparities between Christ and a Lamb but we shall pass by them and only take notice of two or three Inferences I. IF the Lord Jesus was such an harmless innocent silent and delightful Lamb how doth this set out and aggravate the horrid Sin of the Jews and others who put him to death II. And how doth it magnify the Love and Pity of God to us that he should be pleased to part with this precious Lamb out of his Bosom to be made a Sacrifice for our Sins III. From hence also we may learn how to carry it in the World not to be high-minded and seek great things for our selves he did not so Let the same Mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus c. IV. Let us make him our Example when under Suffering and in the hands of wicked Men who when he was reviled reviled not again let us not seek Revenge nor render Evil for Evil to any Man V. Moreover let us be contented as He was whatever it pleaseth the Father to exercise us under or in what Pasture soever he sees good to put us VI. And since he suffered so willingly for us let us labour when called thereunto to lay down our Lives for his holy Name-sake Christ the Pearl of great Price Mat. 13.45 46. And when he had found one Pearl of great Price he sold all that he had and bought it Metaphor I. PEarls as Naturalists tell us have a strange Birth and Original 't is the wonderful Geniture of a Shell-Fish congealed into a diaphanous Stone The Shell which is called the Mother of Pearl at a certain time of the Year opens it self and takes in a certain moist Dew as Seed after which they grow big till they bring forth the Pearl II. Those that would find Pearls must search curiously for them and resolve to run through many Dangers among those huge and terrible Monsters of the Sea saith Pliny III. 'T is not an easy thing to find Pearl very few know where to seek for it it lying usually at the bottom of very deep Waters IV. Pearls are things of very great worth The richest Merchandize of all and the most Sovereign Commodity throughout the whole World are these Pearls saith Pliny Moreover he tells us of one Pearl that Cleopatra had which was valued at six hundred thousand Sestertii hence Men will part with all for Pearl V. Yet notwithstanding many Men and Women do not know the Worth and Value of Pearls and hence they through Ignorance esteem them not above Pebbles Swine tread them under their feet they value Pease above Pearls VI. Pearls have a hidden Virtue in them tho for bulk but small yet in Efficacy they are very great VII Pearls are of a splendid and oriental Brightness for which reason the Greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à nitore splendente their Beauty is as much within as without VIII A Pearl is round which is an Emblem of Eternity it hath no end IX Pearls are firm strong and well-compact so as Fire cannot consume them nor ordinary Strength break them X. They need no other Riches that find a Pearl of great Price and Value they are made for ever as the Proverb is in respect of this World XI Pearls are a rich Ornament Such as have precious Pearls in their Ears or rich Strings of them about their Necks are look'd upon as honourable Persons XII Pearl is a very rich and Sovereign Cordial and is of excellent use and virtue to prevent Poyson to preserve natural Strength and purge Melancholy XIII Pearls are called Vniones by the Latins because they are found one by one quòd conjunctim nulli reperiantur Parallel I. THe Original and Birth of Christ is wonderful God manifested in the Flesh is the Admiration of Angels A Virgin the Mother of this Pearl according to the Flesh being over-shadowed with the holy Spirit which is compared to Dew conceived and when her Time was come travailed and brought forth Christ the Pearl of great Price And the Angel said unto her The Holy-Ghost shall come upon thee and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee c. II. Those that would find the Pearl of great Price must search and seek after him diligently as for hid Treasure and must resolve to pass through all the Troubles and Difficulties that attend the Way of true Piety and Godliness III. 'T is no easy thing to find Christ and obtain an Interest in Him many seek him where he is not to be found in the broad Way and by the Merit of their own Performances few they be that find this precious Pearl IV. Christ is of an inestimable value may well be called the Pearl of great Price The Worth Excellency of Christ far exceeds the Riches of both Indies He is the rarest Jewel the Father hath in Heaven and Earth more precious unto Believers than Rubies and all that can be desired cannot be compared unto Him No mention shall be made of Pearl Hence the Saints part with all for him and do account the best of earthly things but Dung that they may win Christ. V. The Lord Jesus tho in himself he is so precious and prized above all by the Godly yet wicked and carnal Persons by reason of that sordid Ignorance and Blindness that is upon their Understandings esteem him not above the perishing things of this World nay some swinish Men prize their own beastly Lusts above Christ. VI. Christ hath an hidden Virtue most excellent in Nature tho He seem weak small and despised in the Eyes of the carnal World yet he is the Power of God to Salvation VII Christ is beautiful fair and shining his Oriental Brightness is far above the glorious Splendor and Brightness of the Sun shining in his Strength He is the Brightness of the Fathers Glory and the express Image of his Person Christ's Beauty is as much within as without VIII Christ in respect of his Divinity is from Eternity to Eternity without beginning and without end IX Christ is called a Stone a tried Stone and sure Foundation there is no Fire can consume him nor can all the Powers of Hell break or mar him X. They
the Forehead c. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the Grass of the Earth neither any green thing neither any Tree but only those Men which have not the Seal of God upon their Forehead IX The Spirit is oftimes counterfeited by Satan who transforms himself into an Angel of Light as do his Ministers as if they were the Ministers of Righteousness hence they pretend to Light Spirit and Holiness and beguile the ignorant and unwary Souls to their Eternal Ruine X. The Holy Spirit hath hid or seal'd up some things from some Men Bind up my Temstiony seal the Law amongst my Disciples Many things are hid from Saints themselves in dark and mysterious Prophecies in the Holy Scripture Seal up those things which the seven Thunders uttered c. Yet in due time those things shall be revealed and not only so but the Saints of God themselves by the Spirit are such a sealed and hidden People that but a very few can read and understand them though legible to be read of all the chosen and elect Seed and Heirs of Promise and in that great Day they shall be known by all the World METAPHOR A Seal among Men after a Bond or Covenant is sealed therewith may be defaced or broken and thereby the said Bond or Covenant may lose its Virtue Efficacy and not be deemed good and Authentick in Law II. A Seal among Men can make no Impression without a Hand or one to seal therewith III. A Seal is an Instrument made by the hand of some Artificer of earthly Matter or Substance and makes only a humane or external Impression IV. A Seal may be lost or grow old and defective and so make no perfect and clear Impression Disparity THe Holy Spirit having once made a gracious and glorious Impression in the Soul of a Man neither Devil nor any other Enemy can ever by all their Strength and Skill utterly deface tear or break it so as to make the Covenant of Grace to lose its Virtue and become of none Effect to the Soul hence Believers are said To be sealed to the day of Redemption II. The Spirit is not only the Seal but the Sealer he makes the Impression needing no other and also is the Seal by which the Impression is made III. The Spirit is an uncreated Being or an immortal Substance and makes a divine and heavenly Impression in the Mind or Soul of a Man or Woman which by the operation of God's Grace is made pliable and meet to receive it IV. The Spirit can never be lost grow old be wore out or become defective so that the Impression it now makes is the same in every respect with that it made five thousand Years ago Inferences FRom hence we may perceive by whom the Change or Difference is made which is in any Person Man is born in Sin and rather resembles Satan bears his Image than the Character and Likeness of God Almighty till the Holy Spirit stamps a new and heavenly Character upon them or infuses a spiritual Habit into him Who makes thee to differ from another or what hast thou which thou hast not received c. II. It may serve to stir every one up to examine their Hearts whether they have received the Impression of this Spiritual Seal as is the Seal such is the Impression it makes They that are after the Spirit mind the things of the Spirit But we all with open Face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. III. For further Trial take these few brief Notes following 1. Were your Hearts ever humbled in the sence of Sin broken in pieces melted made soft and pliable to receive the Seal The Heart of Man naturally is hard and obdurate and will not take this spiritual Impression 2. Did the Spirit ever set home and seal any Promise in particular or Promises in general upon your Hearts so that you can say with the Prophet David Lord remember the word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope Psal. 119.49 The Ephesians are said to be sealed with the Spirit of Promise Eph. 1.13 3. Are you formed into the Likeness and Image of the Spirit There is in that Soul that is sealed by the Spirit a certain Impression of Divine Light former Darkness flies away and the Eyes of the Understanding are enlightned the Soul sees an Excellency in God and in Jesus Christ a transcendent Beauty in divine Objects and values the Knowledg of Jesus Christ and him crucified above all the things in this World 4. Are you holy heavenly spiritual are there Principles of true Piety and Godliness wrought in you Do you love God because he is holy and love his Word because of the purity of it Do you breath and pant after a further Conformity and Likeness to him 5. Is thy Heart washed from its Filthiness If thou art not cleansed from thy former Wickedness and swinish Nature thou mayest assure thy self thou hast not the Spirit of God in thee thou art far from being sealed therewith 'T is by the virtue of those Promises that are imprinted upon the Soul by the Holy-Gost that a Man comes to cleanse himself from all Filthiness of the Flesh and Spirit and to perfect Holiness in the Fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 6. Doth not thy Heart condemn thee for allowing thy self in any known Sin or for living in the continual neglect of any one known Duty The Spirit witnesseth with our Spirits that we are the Children of God Where it is a sealing Spirit it is a witnessing Spirit It compares the Heart and Life of a Man with the Rule of the Word and if the Bent and Stream of the Soul be Heaven-ward and his sincere Design is after God and to live to him in this World as well as to live with him in the World to come to be holy here as well as to be happy hereafter then the Spirit witnesses for him But if otherwise it witnesses against him and his own Spirit condemns him IV. Moreover this may inform sincere Christians to their unspeakable Joy how firm and sure the Covenant of Grace is to them They are sealed with the holy Spirit unto the Day of Redemption they are mark'd for Heaven and cannot lose their Title to the eternal Inheritance because they cannot lose the Seal of it As they have received the Earnest of it so they have the Witness and Seal of it that it might be every way firm and sure to them V. Let all who profess the Gospel and pretend to the Spirit strive to get this Seal 'T is not enough to read of the Covenant of God and to have some external knowledg of it and dispute about it but labour to get it sealed to you by the holy Spirit VI. If the Spirit be the Earnest and Seal of this blessed Inheritance
things lie naked and bare V. So in the Assumption of this Form there may be some respect had to Noah's Dove signifying Peace and Reconciliation by Christ and the ceasing of the Wrath of God to all those who shall fly to the Lord Jesus and rest upon him by a lively Faith VI. The Holy Ghost is swift God is said to fly upon the Wings of the Wind the Spirit is God and the Flight of the Dove saith Reverend Blackwood denotes the divine Influence of the Spirit coming from Heaven into the Members of Christ as well as into the Head the Holy Ghost can quickly come to the Aid and Succour of a Believer when in Trouble or beset with Temptation or to strengthen him when he hath any great Work and Business to do for God That Spirit appeared like a Dove and yet the Learned tell us it was of a fiery Colour and we must not think this Substance saith Mr. Blackwood or Body resembled by a Dove to be hypostatically united to the Holy Spirit as the humane Nature of Christ is to the divine but as Angels appeared oft-times to Men in humane Bodies and laid them down again so did the Holy Ghost The Holy Spirit the Saints Guide Joh. 16.13 He will guide you into all Truth c. Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God The Spirit is the Saints Guide Guide A Guide is very necessary for Strangers in a Wilderness where there are many ways and turnings II. An eminent and able Guide is well skill'd in all ways and able to give Directions in the most difficult Cases that are very hard to find out III. A faithful Guide gives notice of all the Dangers that are in the way and shews also how a poor Travellor may escape them and so go safe unto his desired Place IV. An able Guide frees a Man that commits himself to his Guidance from many Cares and Fears that attend such who have lost their Way and have no Guide V. An able and faithful Guide gives plain and full Direction to the ignorant so that they cannot well miss the way if so be they exactly follow his Directions Parallel SO the Guidance of the Holy Spirit as it is contained in the Holy Scripture is necessary to Believers whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World where one says this is the way and another that II. So the Holy Spirit is able to guide poor Sinners in all the ways of God he led Moses and the Prophets under the Law and led the Apostles and all the Primitive Christians under the Gospel-Ministration Holy Men of God spake as they were moved and guided by the Holy Spirit There is no Precept nor Promise of God needful for the Children of Men to be instructed in but the Spirit in the holy Scripture hath left it upon Record for our Direction and Consolation and whatsoever is hard to be understood that is contained therein The Spirit that searcheth all things can open and explain it to a gracious Soul the Spirit guides in the way of Morality in the way of Faith and Gospel-Obedience in the way of Church-Constitution and Discipline and in Gospel-Holiness and Conversation III. The Holy Spirit hath in the Holy Scripture for in that is contained all the Directions of the Spirit touching all matters and cases necessary to alvation given notice to all Spiritual Travellors of all the Dangers that may attend them in the way to Heaven First the Danger of Unregeneracy the common Road that most Men and Women walk in the Spiritâ—â— hath told us positively if we go in that way we shall perish for ever Except a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Secondly The great Danger of the way of Presumption Thirdly The Danger of Despair Fourthly The Danger of Idolatry Heresy and Error Fifthly The Danger of Disobedience to Christ's Commands Acts 3.22.23 Sixthly The Danger of loving or liking of any one Sin Seventhly The Danger of Hypocrisy Eighthly The Danger of Apostacy c. IV. So the Holy Spirit frees a poor Saint from many Fears and Cares which attend others whilst he wholly commits himself to the Guidance of God's Word and to the Directions of the Spirit many are at a loss and know not what to do nor which way to go whilst he rests satisfied resolving to go wholly by this Guide V. So the Holy Spirit in the Scripture of Truth hath given such plain and clear Directions in all Cases of moment about Faith and Holiness that the ignorant and unlearned cannot miss the way to Heaven if they carefully observe the Rules laid down therein Guide OTher Guides tho very skilful and have good Knowledg of a way or matter they undertake to guide Men in may notwithstanding in some things miss being not infallible cannot give infallible Demonstrations to all doubtful Persons that they are right and that those who follow their Directions shall never go astray Disparity BUT the Holy Spirit in such a glorious manner by many Signs and Wonders so confirmed the way to Heaven as they are recorded in the Holy Scripture that those that follow his Counsel shall not go astray he is an infallible Guide and never imposed any Rules Laws or Precepts upon Men but left such convincing Evidence of the Truth of his Testimony that there remains no just ground for a Doubt or Objection as might be shewed in respect of the giving forth both of the Law and Gospel therefore those who pretend they are led by the Spirit or Inspiration and yet cannot prove and demonstrate what they say to be true by such ways and means that no Deceiver can pretend unto or do the like c. lie and abuse the Holy Ghost who is a certain and infallible Guide Inferences BLess God for this Spiritual Guide in matters of Faith and Practice and that there are such sure Rules left by him in the written Word What should we have done had God never afforded us such a Teacher and Guide as the Holy Ghost is 1. For Man naturally is blind I will lead the Blind in ways they knew not c. 2. There are many By-ways and were there not one sure and perfect Guide how could a Man find his way It is as easy for one Man to say he is led by the Spirit and Inspiration as it is for another and how shall a Man were it not for the Word know which of them is in the right 3. Some pretend they are led by the Spirit and they walk quite contrary to the Scripture which contains all the Truth of God necessary to be known believed and practised in order to Salvation He shall guide you into all Truth he shall bring my Word to your Remembrance Quest. How shall we know who follows the Spirit 's Guidance Answ. Art thou led to repent to leave thy Sins to believe in Christ to obey his Commands to
Because the Gospel holds Christ forth to be the store house of all Divine grace and blessings he is ordained to convey all spiritual Riches to his Church and to every Member thereof 3. To allure and engage souls to love him and close in with him how can any refuse such a friend reject such a Saviour that is so beautiful to look upon and also so exceeding Rich. 4. That it might leave all men and women without excuse in the great Day what will they have to say that reject such a Saviour that turn their backs upon such a Christ when they are called to answer in the Day of Judgment 5. To relieve the tempted Soul 6. To strengthen the Faith and chear the hearts of all that do believe in him Fourthly The gospel is glorious in respect of Christ the glorious Object of it as it reveals his glorious Power Power in Scripture is taken two manner of ways or it shews a twofold power in Christ. 1. A Commanding Power his power of Soveraignty or Regal power that which we call Authority 2. The power of working or effecting that which he would have done Some have power to command but want a power to Effect that which they command cannot accomplish what they would have done but what Christ commands he can do or cause to be done at his Pleasure 1. I shall shew that the power of Christ is a glorious power 2. Shew why Christ hath such power 1. Christ hath a commanding Power he hath great Authority he hath a Regal Power or Superiority over all 1. Over Angels 2. Over the Church 3. Over the Devils I will lay upon the shoulders of Eliakim the Keys of the house of David Isa. 22.22 Keys is a borrowed speech signifying Government and Legal Power Christ hath the Keys of David Rev. 3.7 All Power in Rule and Government in Commanding Forbidding Punishing Binding Loosing Damning Saving is in Christs hand See Christ the Head and Heir of all things Keys of Hell and Death signifieth Christs Regal power over the Devils and delivering up unto Death and Hell or keeping out of it Over men mighty men Kings of the Earth He is the only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords They are all his Subjects shall and must Submit to him 4. He hath an universal Power therefore glorious Power the Sun the Moon the Stars the Winds the Seas obey him 5. Christs Power is absolute he bears the Image of God he is God as you heard before None hath absolute power but God he doth what he pleaseth 6. Christs Power is Just therefore glorious in Power it is not a Might without Right 't is in him Essentially as God and is given to him as Mediator in the one Respect he derived it from none in the other sence he received it from the Father 7. Christs Power is Infinite he made the World he upholds the World therefore glorious in Power He could have made a Thousand Worlds can do beyond all that we can conceive or speak 8. Christs Power is glorious because he can bring all other Power to nought in a moment at his pleasure whether of Men or Devils 9. Christs Power is glorious Power in that it is everlasting Power Men may be powerful for a time but they may soon lose it must die and so cannot hold it long but Christ sits King for ever his power is from everlasting to everlasting of his Kingdom there shall be no end 10. Christs power is Dreadful he looketh upon the earth and it Trembles he can make all tremble before him who can Thunder like God 1. He has a glorious commanding Voice 2. A glorious restraining voice what is swifter than the Sun which he can stop in a moment 3. Glorious in his reproving voice Psal. 50.21 4. In his threatning voice Rev. 2.16 and Chap. 2.23 11. He hath a Glorious Victorious Conquering and Subduing Power he hath overcome Sin Devil Death Hell c. 12. Christs Power is Glorious because nothing is too hard for him to do nay nothing is hard for him to do he can do what he will with a word of his mouth 13. Christs Power extends not only over the Body but over the Soul also works mightily in us as well as for us and can do wonderful things by weak Instruments by foolish and contemptible ones in the eye of the VVorld VVhat mighty things did he do by a few poor Fishermen and others not accounted off 14. Lastly Nothing is hard for Christ to do tho' all the Devils of Hell and Men on Earth oppose and resist him I will work and who shall let it VVhy hath Christ as Mediator such great and glorious Power given to him 1. From the greatness of his work he is to accomplish 2. Because no Souls whatsoever Discouragements they meet with should despair in coming to him or in relying upon him 3. That he might be feared and dreaded by all yea that his very enemies might tremble before him 4. That he might be honoured and adored Honour belongs to Sovereignty Thirdly As the gospel is Glorious in respect of the Revelation made therein of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ. So likewise in Respect of the Holy Ghost the gospel shews the Spirit in himself to be a distinct living powerful intelligent Divine Person Not only a distinct self subsisting Person but also a participant of the Divine Nature not the chief of all created Spirits and so the head of all good Angels as some imagine but that he is uncreated truly and ready God coeternal with the Father and the Son This we shall speak a little unto together with his glorious work Office and Operations First The VVord of God holds forth and positively declares that the holy Spirit is in himself a distinct intelligent Divine Person and which ought to be believed concerning this great truth viz. the Diety and Personality of the holy Ghost may be seen in the ensuing Testimonies according as they are Collected to our hands by a Reverend Divine Psal. 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the spirit of his mouth Job 26.13 By his spirit he hath garnished the Heavens Psal. 104.30 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit they are created Mat. 28.19 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost Act. 1.16 That Scripture must needs hath been fulfilled which the holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake Act. 5.3 Peter said to Ananias why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the holy Ghost Ver. 4. Thou hast not lyed to man but to God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 12.11 All these worketh that one and the self same Spirit dividing to every severally man as he will And there are
III. Treasure hath a great Influence upon the Hearts of the Sons of Men. IV. Treasure is much sought after with great Care and Pains and when obtained Men are very loath to part with it V. Treasure is usually kept in some strong or secure place to the end it may be safely preserved VI. Treasure sometimes signifies Store and Plenty of good Things VII Much Treasure makes Men great and honourable in the World VII Treasure will carry a Man a great way in and through great Straits Afflictions Sorrows and Sufferings Parallel THe Gospel is much in little it hath been of that Esteem that in the time of its scarcity a Load of Hay hath been given for one Leaf of the Epistle of James in English See the Word of God compared to Light II. So doth the Gospel How many poor miserable wretched Men and Women have not only been supplied as to their need but enriched thereby III. So hath the Gospel through the Spirit and therefore the Lip of Truth saith Where the Treasure is there will the Heart be also IV. What Pains did the holy Men of old use in seeking after a Discovery of the Truth of the Gospel and of the things therein contained And what a Cloud of Witnesses are there who rather than they would part with this Treasure parted with their Lives and all they had V. So the Word and Gospel of God hath been preserved in the worst of Times when the great Design of Men and Devils hath been to destroy or corrupt it Thy Word have I hid in mine Heart VI. There are Store of good Things held forth in the Gospel viz. Christ Grace Glory and every good Thing else with him and by him VII Faith in the Gospel raiseth to great Honour O what Dignity ariseth from that noble Birth that is from above until which how mean and disgraceful an Object is fallen Man VII So the Gospel and the Grace of it O how far and through what Difficulties will it carry a Man With what contentment have Christians behaved themselves in the want of all outward Enjoyments having had a little of this Treasure METAPHOR ALL Treasures here be they never so rich or rare yet they are but earthly or from the Earth II. Earthly Treasures are corruptible and many times are spoiled they become worth little or nothing Lay not up Treasure on Earth where Moth and Rust doth corrupt c. III. Earthly Treasures tho they may go far and supply many bodily Wants yet they cannot supply Soul-Wants IV. The Poor have but little of worldly Treasure and therefore 't is they are accounted poor it is mostly in the hands of the great Men of the Earth V. Men by their natural Care and Industry may get worldly Treasure and grow rich thereby VI. Worldly Treasure may be taken away by Thieves as well as eaten by Moths Disparity BUt such is the Glory of the Gospel as that it is a Treasure from Heaven and of an heavenly product and extract II. But the Gospel and Grace thereof is a Treasure incorruptible it cannot putrify or be spoiled its Splendor and Glory is durable But of incorruptible the Word of God c. III. But the Gospel or Word of God extendeth to the Supply both of the Soul and Body The Gospel heard and received by Faith makes up a full Supply to the Soul of whatever it needs My God shall supply all your Wants c. IV. But it is evident that the Poor receive the Gospel and James saith expresly that God hath chosen the Poor of this World rich in Faith c. The Poor of this World have generally most of this sacred Treasure and so are the richest Men. V. No Man whatsoever tho never so worldly wise ingenious careful and industrious in laying out all his natural Parts can enrich himself with this sacred Treasure What hast thou which thou hast not received VI. But the Gospel is a Treasure that cannot be taken away by Thieves nor can the Moth corrupt it it is called the everlasting Gospel Inferences THis shews who are the truly rich Men and Women in the World and what is indeed the true Treasure that will make them so here and to Eternity Jam. 2.5 2 Cor. 6.10 II. It shews the Folly and Madness of those that slight and despise the Gospel Heb. 2 2 3. Jer. 8.8 9. III. What strong Motives might I produce in order to the getting of this Treasure 1. Would you be rich for ever would you have durable Riches c. 2. VVould you be defended and know how to subsist another Day Then get much of this Treasure Quest. But is not this the way to be in the more danger For 't is not the Poor that the Thief cares to meddle withal but the Rich We see what Assaults they meet withal that have this Treasure therefore 't is best to be at ease and quiet and forbear to middle with it Answ. God's Power and Strength is laid out for its Preservation and of the Vessels in whom it is It is God's Treasure and the Vessel too for his People are his peculiar Treasure He will keep it night and day lest any hurt it meaning his People whom he hath enriched with this Treasure Quest. But why is this Treasure put into such earthen Vessels Is it not in the greater danger therefore to be lost they being so subject to be broken Answ. 1. They are tho mean in the VVorlds eye and also in their own yet chosen and sanctified Vessels and fitted for the Lord's use so that the Treasure can suffer no loss by the Vessel 2. The Power of God is the more manifested in preserving this Treasure in an earthen Vessel Object But these Vessels may be nay have been and are often broken and turned to Dust. Answ. Yet God never wanted a Vessel for this Treasure nay those that are turned to Dust are not destroyed they are but dissolved that the Treasure might be the more diffusive and spread it self The Blood of the Saints hath been the Seed of the Church FINIS ADVERTISEMENT THere is a second Volume ready for the Press which consisteth of two Parts The First opens by way of Metaphor and Parallel c. about One hundred sixty eight Metaphors Similes Allegories and other borrowed Terms contained in the holy Scriptures consisting of all the principal Metaphors Similes c. that the Authors can meet with under these ten Heads following 1. Such as concern the Graces of the Spirit and Ordinances of the Gospel 2. Such as concern the holy Angels and the Souls or Spirits of Men. 3. Such as respect the Church of God 4. Such as concern 1. Man in general 2. Good Men 3. Wicked Men. 5. Such as concern the Ministers of the Gospel 6. Such as respect Sin wherein the odious Nature of Sin is largely opened 7. Such as concern the Devil 8. Such as concern the false Church and false
5. Psal. 78.19 A Mountain for Mountainous places Josh. 13.6 Judges 7.24 c. Mountains and Hills are put for Idols which were Worshipt there Jer. 3.23 Mountains and Vallies for their Inhabitants Micah 1.4 The Mountains shall be Molten under him and the Vallies shall be Cleft that is the Hearts of those that inhabit them shall wax soft See Psal. 68.2 3. and Psal. 97.4 5. They put to flight the Vallies toward the East and toward the West that is such as dwelt in the Vallies 1 Chron. 12.15 The World is put for Mankind John 3.16 and 12.19 2 Cor. 5.19 1 John 2.2 and 5.19 'T is put for the wicked who are the greatest part of mankind John 1.10 and 7.7 and 14.17 and 15.19 and 16.20 23 and 17.9 14. 1 Cor. 11.32 1 John 3.1 and 4.5 and 5.4 5. Hence the Devil is called the Prince of this world John 12.31 and 14.30 and 16.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Princes of the world Eph. 6.12 The God of this world 2. Cor. 4.4 Which is expounded Eph. 2.2 In time past ye walked according to this world according to the Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that Now worketh in the Children of Disobedience The World is put sometimes for those are converted and beleive as Illyricus says alledging John 6.33 The Bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life unto the world that is to beleivers and John 14.31 But that the world may know that I love the Father c. Yet Glassius thinks that the whole race of mankind is rather to be understood in both places as verse 51. the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the life of the World for this giving of Life is not an actual conferring of it by Faith but rather an acquisition or purchase of life for them in which sence Christ is called the light that enlightens every man that cometh into the world In the other text John 14.31 Christ signifies by those words that he was therefore to die that he might deliver mankind from the power of Satan 2. That this Redemption of mankind should by the Word of the Gospel be revealed to the whole World For he says not let me die that I may shew that I love the Father but that the World may know that I love the Father Which knowledge was had when the Gospel was promulgated through the whole World by the Apostles Camerarius in his Notes on John 17.21 That the World may beleive that thou hast sent me says that by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the world we are to understand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such as shall be saved But Glassius says that it signifies all men universally as John 3.17 For God sent his Son that the world through him might be saved For though all men are not actually saved in regard of their proper contumacy and impenitency yet a spiritual Unity for believers is prayed for and that the World might believe that is that all men should be converted to the true knowledge of the Messiah although very many remain in Unbelief and Wickedness who shall have no share in this Redemption Ships are put for the Men in them Esa. 23.1 Howl ye Ships of Tarshish that is ye Mariners and Merchants c. So verses 10.14 A Nest is put for the Young ones Deut. 32.11 As an Eagle stirreth up her Nest that is the Young Eagles as is clearly shew'd in the following words Ophir A Country in India abounding with Gold is put for Gold brought from thence Job 22.24 Then shalt thou lay up Gold as Dust and Ophir as the Stones of the Brooks that is Gold brought from Ophir Abundance of Gold is denoted by the whole phrase and Metaphorically great felicity A Cup is put for the Wine or Liquor in it Jer. 49.12 Ezek. 23.32 1 Cor. 10.21 Yee cannot drink the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Devils Luke 22.17 It is said in the last Paschal Supper And he took the Cup and gave thanks and said take this and divide it amongst your selves that is the Wine not the Cup for verse 18 he says I will not drink of the fruit of the Vine untill the Kingdom of God shall Come So Luke 22.20 We have the same Metonymie about the Eucharistical Cup of the Lords Supper and 1 Cor. 11.25 26 27. Of this Cup Christ says that 't is the New Testament in his Blood but the containing vessel cannot be understood but the thing contained viz. The Wine which is Sacramentally the Blood of Christ Matth. 26.28 Mark 14.24 See more 1 Cor. 10.16 21. 1 Cor. 11.26 27. Matth. 26 27. Mark 14.23 1 Cor. 11.28 The Names of Countries is frequently put for their Inhabitants as Egypt for Egyptians Gen. 17.15 Ps. 105.38 Ethiopia for Ethiopians Ps. 68.31 32 Sheba for Sabeans Job 1.15 and 6.19 See Esa. 43.3 4. Judea and the adjacent Countries about Jordan are put for their Inhabitants Matt. 3.5 Macedonia and Achaia for Christians living there Rom. 11.26 The Land of Egypt is put for spoils brought from thence Jer. 43.12 The Grave is put for the Dead that are buried in it as Esa. 38.18 The Grave cannot praise thee Death cannot celebrate thee that is they that are Dead and Buried the reason follows They that go down into the Pit cannot hope for thy Truth ver 19. The Living the Living he shall praise thee See Psal. 6.6 Psal. 115.117 The Earth is put for the Inhabitants of the Earth Gen. 6.11 The Earth was also corrupt before God and the Earth was filled with violence which is expounded in the next verse for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the Earth So Gen. 11.1 and 18.25 and 19.31 and 14.30 1 Sam. 14.29 2 Sam. 15.23 Prov. 28.2 Esa. 24.20 Matth. 5.13 The Ends of the Earth are put for the Inhabitants of the extreamest parts thereof Psal. 22.27 28. Psal. 67.8 A Theatre the place where Plays and Shews are seen is put for the sight it self 1 Cor. 4.9 Where the Apostle Paul Metaphorically says of himself For we are made a Theatre so the Greek unto the World and to Angels and to Men As if he had said we are derided hated and abused by the World and that not in a corner but as if the whole Earth were gathered together in one Theatre to satiate and please themselves with beholding our miseries A City is put for Citizens Jer. 4.29 The whole City shall flee Shall go into Thickets and clime upon the Rocks So Esa. 14.31 Jer. 26.2 c. Jerusalem Chorazin Bethsaida Capernaum are put for their Inhabitants Matth. 3.5 Mark 1.5 Matth. 23.37 and 11.21 23. Act. 18.25 Jud. 5.7.11 c. To this by Analogy may be referred these that follow Heaven is put for God who is said to dwell in the Heavens and there manifests his Glory and Majesty to Angels and glorified Spirits Psal. 73.9 They set their Mouth against the Heavens and their Tongue walketh
â—â—or a good end as well with respect to God who requires obedience and a perfect resignation of man althoâ—â—gh his precepts may seem absurd to our Reason as also with respect to Abraham and his son Isaac who became examples of Faith Submission and Conâ—â—tancy to Gods Will without scruple questions or murmuring Besides there is respect had to the Messiah whose Passion Death and Resurrection is prefigured in this Mystical Type Matth. 15.24 25 26. I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel It is not lawful to give the Childrens bread to Dogs That this speech was also by way of tryal of the Womans Faith appears by the event and the Elogy which Christ give her ver 28. O Woman great is thy Faith The mind differs from the speech he seems externally to segregate or distingush her from the Sheep and at the same instant occulty cherishes and Comforts her as his He compares her to a Dog but places her at the same time at the Childrens Table This passage intimates the good and Salvation of the Woman and all Beleivers for we are hereby eminently informed by way of sweet consolation of the certainty of Divine help though it be for a while delayed in Crosses and Calamities as appears by that trying silence of Christ ver 23. viz. But he answered her not a word upon which Châ—â—ysostom says the Lord knew that here was a hidden Jewel which he would not conceal from us but delayâ—â—d his answer that the Womans sedulity or diligence may become an example and Doctrine to posterity c. 2. Some things are dissembling and Hypocritically spoken and sometimes with a bitter Sarcasm which are true in themselves but not conformable to the mind of the speaker as Gen. 37.19 Josephs Brethren said one to another behold this master of Dreams cometh c. Such indeed Joseph was for verse 5. he gave information of things to come and had the gift of interpreting others Dreams as chapters 40. and 41. But his Brethren did not so repute him but call him so in a way of Mockery and Derision 2 Sam. 6.20 Michael said to David her husband How glorious was the King of Israel to day c. David was truly glorious in that sacred gesture and Art as he himself says ver 21 22. but to her it seemed to be lightness and scurrility void of Royal gravity for 't is said ver 16. That she despised him in her heart Psal. 22.8 He trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him let him deliver him seeing he delighted in him These things were most true in themselves but in the opinion of those mockers false who by this bitter Sarcasm denied Christ hanging on the Cross as Matth. 27.43 See Esa. 5.19 Matth. 22.16 The Disciples of the Pharisees being sent to Christ say Master we know that thou art true and teachest the way of God in Truth neither carest thou for any man For thou regardest not the person of Men These words were true of our Saviour Christ but not conformable to the mind of the Pharisees who spoke by way of snare and Irony as Luke 20.20 appears See Matth. 27.29 40 42 43. Mark 15.29 c. 3. Some things manifestly false and spoken with an intention to deceive by such as knew it to be otherwise are set forth by way of history and Narration as Gen. 3.4 And the Serpent that is the Devil in the Serpent said unto the Woman ye shall not surely die for ver 5. God doth know that in the Day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing good and evil This the Father of lies knew to be quite otherwise but would by that falshood circumvent and deceive Eve By the opening of their Eyes which he by a fallacy Promises is intimated the accuteness of the mind and understanding in comparison of which the former concreated Wisdom may seem to be blindness Thus the deceiver plays his game to the destruction of Adam and his Posterity had not immense Grace stept in to prevent it Matth. 2.8 Herod says to the Wisemen Go and search diligently for the young Child and when ye have found him bring me word again that I may come and Worship â—â—im also His intention was to destroy the Child Jesus which by the inhumane and execrable Massacre of the Children afterwards is evident but by this Irony and Hypocrisie he would delude the Wise men Lastly There are some things where there seems to be an Irony but when the thing is more exactly considered there is none is Jer. 4.16 The Watchers or keepers come from a far Country c. Some think that by a Watchman or Keepers by an Antiphrasis or Irony we are to understand destroyers But in Truth the Babylonians are to be understood who for their own safety and profit were watchers lying in wait about the Fields lest any thing should escape away or get from them as hunters who watch every place of egress out of a Wood lest the Beasts they hunt should escape into the open Fields as verse 17. Ezek. 3.24 Then the Spirit entred into me and set me upon my feet and spake unto me and said unto me go shut thy self within thine house Junius and Tremelâ—â—ius alledge that these and the following words are to be understood by an Irony as if he had said is it a Prophets office to hide himself when I bid him go forth There are others which say that it was spoke by way of Sarcasm and indignation paraphrasing thus if thou art resolved to disobey my Command go into thine own House and experience what it is to contend with me such Sarcasms are found Judg. 10.14 Esa. 50.11 But the truth is that because God had sufficiently instructed the Prophet by his Spirit and gave him courage to publish his Will and because we do not read that this Prophet used any Tergiversation or shuffling to avoid the work appointed him as we read of Moses Exod. 3.11 and 4.10 13. Of Jeremy Chap. 1.6 and 20.9 Of Jonas Chap. 1.3 the best way is to interpret these words properly as they sound viz. that it is a serious Command of God that he should shut himself in his House and dispatch his Prophetical Actions mentioned chap. 4. see also chap. 8.1 to which belongs what is added of the binding of men as it were with Cords by Angels at the Command of God as verse 25. For God uses these ministring Spirits in his Government of men and that which is spoken chap. 4. belongs to these is evident by the 8th verse of that chapter c. Matth. 4.3 The Tempter says to Jesus if thou beâ—â—st the Son of God command that these Stones may be made Bread In which Words Theophylact says there is an Irony as if he had said neither art thou the Son of God neither canst thou do this But more truly it is to be interpreted a Diabolical fraud
Feet Hissing is attributed to God by which a Divine Call or summons of God for men to gather together and appear in a certain place is noted as Esa. 5.26 and 7.18 For 't is customary with men oftentimes to call certain Beasts to them that way This Hissing of God is used in a good sence Zach. 10.8 I will hiss for them and gather them for I have redeemed them and they shall increase as they have increased which is understood of the gathering of the Church by the voice of the Gospel Breathing is ascribed to God Gen. 2.7 And he Breathed into his Face the breath of Life that is he endued the Body he had formed with a living soul in the Image of God Sometimes it denotes Gods Anger the Metaphor being taken from Angry men who then puff and blow strongly as Evek 21.31 I will pour out mine indignation upon thee I will blow or breath against thee c. See Act. 9.1 Laughing and Deriding are attributed to God Psal. 2.4 He that sitteth in the Heavens shall Laugh the Lord shall have them in Derision Psal. 37 12. The wicked plotteth against the Just and gnasheth upon him with his Teeth Verse 13. The Lord shall laugh at him for he seeth that his day is coming This is spoken by an Anthropopathy the Metaphor being taken from a wise and prudent man who when he sees some heady and inconsiderate undertaker rush on towards his fancied exploits without deliberation or a solid foundation laid and bragging of extraordinary matters has him in contempt and as it were laughing in his sleeve expects an unhappy event that is to say when this Mountain shall bring forth a Mouse as it is vulgarly spoken So men deride an Enemy that threatens when he has no strength or power to execute his menaces But this phrase notes the most wise Providence of God which slights the folly of his Enemies whom he tolerates for a time and to whose malice he hath appointed bounds and at the appointed season confounds tramples on and destroys them As it is said of wicked and stubborn men Prov. 1.26 I will also laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh By which is to be understood the neglect and rejection of the Wicked in their Adversity As if he had said Even as you neglect and despise my wholesome admonitions so will I despise and neglect your applications and reject you when your Calamities comes c. Kissing is ascribed to God when the speech is of the Son of God incarnate as Cant. 1.2 Where the optative words of the Mystical spouse viz. the Church are had let him kiss me with the kisses of his Mouth upon which place the Chaldee says that it is allusive to Gods speaking face to face to the Israelites as a man does to his Friend and kisses him for love But more truly it is to be understood or expounded of the promulgation or publishing of the Gospel by the Son of God made man John 1 17 18. 1 Tim. 1.10 Heb. 1.1 c. Solomon says Prov. 24.26 That every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer which by way of eminency is applicable to him of whom it is said Esa 40.4 The Lord hath given him the Tongue of the learned that he should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary and Psal. 45.2 Into whose lips grace is poured Jehova kissed that is shewed intimate tokens of his love to his people in the Old Testament times by many appearances and by Moses Prophets and Angels employed to make discoveries of him but this came short of this Kiss which the Church under the term of Spouse here desires Let him Kiss me with the Kisses of his Mouth that is let him comfort me with a manifestation more eminent then the former viz. of Christs coming into the Flesh and compleating the work of redemption The paraphrase of Origen upon this Text is How long will my Spouse send me Kisses by Moses and the Prophets Now I long to have them personally of himself let him assume my natural shape and Kiss me in the Flesh according to the Prophesies Esa. 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall Conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Emmanuel so that this is a Prayer for the Incarnation of Christ the Blessed Spouse and Bridegroom of our Souls Heb. 1.1 To this Divine Kiss by a mutual relation of Faith answers Cant. 8.1 O that thou wert as my Brother that sucked the brest of my Mother when I should find thee without I would Kiss thee By which the sincere Love of the Church and the unblemished obedience of Faith is understood Psal. 2.12 Kiss the Son lest he be Angry by which the Kings of the Earth and the potents in the World are instructed to yield homage and obedience to the King of Glroy Christ the Son of God being exhibited in the World For in former times subjection was signified by a Kiss as Gen. 41.40 1 Sam. 10.1 1 King 19.18 Hosea 13.2 A Military Clamor or the crying of a Travailing Woman is attributed to God Esa. 42.13 14. By which is noted that his Lenity Patience and Long Forbearance are changed into a severe vengeance Junius and Tremellius do remark from Vegelius that the Roman Souldiers were wont in the beginning of Battle to fall on with a horrible Clamor to daunt the Enemy Also a Travailing Woman though in great pain yet patiently endures it to the utmost extremities of her throws and then being overcome by the violence of her greif Orphans breaks out into Cryes and Vociferation which most elegantly expresses the Patience and Forbearance of God and the extremity of his Wrath when provokt See Psal. 78.65 66. Rom. 2.4 5. Speaking and Speech is attributed to God Where we must note that those places of Scripture wherein God is said to speak or utter certain Words that he might manifest his Divine pleasure to men that way do not belong to this place God sometimes thus spake immediately as to our first Parents Gen. 2.16 and 3.9 To Noah Gen. 6.13 To Abraham Gen. 12.1 chap. 16. and 17. and 18. To Moses Exod. 3.4 5. and the following verses and to Patriarchs Prophets c. in the Old Testament 2. Sometimes God spake mediately by divinely inspired men in whom a mind enlightned by the Spirit of God was formed into words an account of such is found every where in Scripture as also of Angels who are his Ministring spirits now God does not speak thus by way of Anthropopathy or Metaphor but truly and properly although in a far different and excellent manner then men do or can think But that speaking of God which belongs to this figure is 1. When the effectual or efficacious decree of the Divine Will about the Creature and the executions thereof is revealed or expressed after the manner of humane speech as Gen. 1.3
taken for the Restauration and Renovation of men whether in this Life by the Word and Faith or in the future by a clear and beatifical vision of God Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean Heart the explication and renew a right spirit within me 'T is as well the work of God to create a pure heart that is to convert and regenerate a man cleanse him from sin justifie and save him as 't is to create him The impurity therefore of our hearts can with no humane strength or art be purged away but we have need of the Creators work and the Redeemers vertue and power to make us New Creatures John 1.12 But to as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Psal. 102.18 And the People that shall be created shall praise the Lord that is the Church that shall be restored and gathered by Christ. For this Psalm treats of that and his Kingdom of grace as is alleaged Heb. 1.10 11 12. Esa. 65.18 Be you glad and rejoyce for ever in that which I create For behold I create Jerusalem a rejoyceing and her people a joy That he speaks of the Glory of Christs Kingdom and Church here is evident by the following verses for its restitution and the whole celestial Administration is expressed by the Word Creation to indicate the Omnipotency and most powerful operation of Christ ver 17. There is mention of the Creation of a New Heaven and a New Earth in the same sence which promise shall be most perfectly fulfilled in Eternal Life as Esa. 66.22 and 2 Pet. 3.13 Eph. 2.10 For we are his Workmanship Created in Christ Jesus unto Good works c. that is regenerated and renewed in the Image of God See Psal. 100.3 Esa. 29.23 c. This is that New Creature of whom it is said 2 Cor. 5.17 If any man be in Christ he is a New Creature that is he is renewed by the Holy Spirit to lead a new and Holy Life in the Faith of Christ What is corrupt in man by sin is restor'd and reform'd by Regeneration and Renovation and so the Image in which man was at first created but lost it because of his sin begins to be restored very fitly therefore is the Regeneration and Renovation of a man expressed by the term Creation for God alone is the Author and Cause of both Of Metaphors taken from Angels THE Creatures of God are divided into invisible and visible The invisible are Spirits 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 asomatoi without bodies and by them we understand Angels because being in their own nature incorporeal they cannot be seen by humane Eyes The visible are whatsoever things have an existence in this whole universe whether they be simple or mixt bodies There are Good and Bad Angels and from both some though not many metaphors are taken 1. From the good Angels some think that the Ministers of the Gospel are by a metaphor called Angels Judg. 2.1 Hag. 1.13 Mal. 2.7 3.1 Matth. 11.10 Mark 1.2 Luk. 7.27 1 Cor. 11.10 Rev. 1.20 and 2.1 8 12 18. and 3.1 7 14. and hence not improperly imply an analogy from the Holy Angels of God to the Prophets and other Preachers of the Word But the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Maleac and the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Angelos being an indifferent and common noun denoting any Messenger or Legate it is better to understand that term properly because Ministers of the Gospel are really and not metaphorically Gods Ministers Exod. 28.14 The King of Tyrus is called by a metaphor the annointed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cherub by which term Angels are called Gen. 3.24 and Ezek. 28.14 The covering cherub As if God had said as Angels amongst created things are by Nature and Ministry Commissioned by me for the protection of men so thou King of Tyrus didst in thine own conceit and fancy Judge thy self This metaphor alludes to Gen. 3.24 As Junius and Tremellius in their notes say This is a most elegant description of that Royal Majesty by comparing it to that Cherub which was placed by God in the Garden of Eden Gen. 3.24 For as an Angel was appointed to keep that Garden and arm'd with that flaming Sword which turned every way it was a terror to all so thou King of Tyrus since the Kingdom became thine didst fancy thy self to equal the Angels of God in Glory Some think it has respect to those Angelical figures placed in the Sanctuary Exod. 25.20 covering the Mercy Seat Riding upon a cherub is attributed to God Psal. 18.10 2 Sam. 22.11 When the speech is of Winds Storms Clouds and Tempests to which this name is ascribed by reason of their vehement swiftness and dreadful effects The Chald. renders it And he is revealed in his Magnificence upon most swift Cherubs and he is led in strength upon the Wings of the Wind. 2. As to what respects evil Angels or Devils Christ calls Peter Satan when he would disswade him from suffering Matth. 16.23 Mark 8.33 Get thee behind me Satan Some take this as a Noun appellative and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Satan signifies any adversary as if Christ had said Give over to contradict the Will of my Father 't is thy part to follow not to go before Now thou gainsayest studying to hinder what will save mankind what the Father will have done and what becomes me to do Thou desirest to be a partaker of the Kingdom and yet thou hinderest me that am hastning willingly to the Cross whereby it is to be purchased where you see me go viz. the Kingdom of Heaven there you ought also to bend your course Thou dost not yet savour of God but led by humane affections resist the Divine Will Hinder me not therefore thou unprofitable monitor but follow behind me and rather act the part of a Disciple then a Master But because our Saviour uses not the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 antikeimenos or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 antidikos which signifies an adversary or opposer but the Hebrew or Syriack Satan by which always the Devil is understood in the New Testament and Christ uses the same phrase to the Devil Luke 4.8 it is more rightly said that Christ calls Peter Satan by a metaphor because in his opposition he acted the Devils part in giving Satanical Counsel directly contrary to the Will of God From whence Luther fairly infers this maxime that whatsoever Peter with the universal Colledge of Apostles speaks from his own sence in Divine matters and not by Divine Authority and Revelation as ver 16.17 18. is to be accounted Diabolical and Opposite to Christ See 1 Cor. 3.11 16.22 Gal. 1.8 9. 2 Pet. 1.19 20. c. And then he adds That Christ in this passage with Peter and his Apostles prefigured the future History of his whole Church to wit that there should be some true confessors of Christ viz.
Sea Men above one another in respect of his Church his spiritual Building Moses above Joshuah and ordinary Prophets Aaron above other Priests Apostles above Evangelists and ordinary Ministers And all to shew his wonderful Skill and Wisdom Angels to keep his Commands and sing Praise the Heavens to declare his Glory and the Firmament to shew his handy Works Moses to manifest Wonders on Earth Aaron to celebrate his Worship John Baptist to set forth Jesus the Apostles to plant Churches and preach the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles Elders of a lower Rank Apollo and Evangelists All which have their peculiar Work and Place assigned by the great Architect of the whole Universe VI. God hath set his Stories in the Heavens where his glorious Majesty dwells and Jesus our great High-Priest sits at his right hand where all the Angels are seated in Glory and the Spirits of just Men made perfect surround the Throne of God and the Lamb The Earth for Men The dismal Prisons and Regions of Darkness for disobedient Spirits and evil Angels VII God hath not only beautified the Meek with Salvation but adorned New Jerusalem where the Saints shall dwell with so high and Soul-ravishing Excellencies as the most sublime Rhetorick can set forth as Gold Pearl Diamonds and other precious Stones the Street pure Gold the Building of the Wall Jasper the Foundations precious Stones and the Gates Pearls VIII God is a great Benefactor who hath made Buildings both for Safety and Conveniency He made the Fountains to contain the great Deeps to keep them from breaking out upon the World he has made Windows in Heaven to keep the Waters above from falling down too furiously to the prejudice of Man and Beast He hath made Chambers to keep in the roaring Winds from annoying Mortals with constant and impetuous Blasts The raging Element of Fire he hath confined to its proper Region where it cannot harm us without his permission He hath given us a pleasant and fruitful Earth a comfortable and refreshing Air a beautiful and delightful Heaven which he has placed as a Canopy over us He has constituted a good and holy Church which is as a Wine-Cellar to supply all our Wants where he has placed the Word the Spirit the Ordinances good Counsel and Instructions suitable Comforts and Consolations there is the Wine the Oil the Balm the Bread where he feeds his Lambs and makes his Flocks to rest at Noon satisfying with Favour and filling with the Blessings of his Bounty He will abundantly bless Sion's Provision c. IX God is pleased with his Work when finished He looked upon all things which his Hand had made and behold it was very good He is worthy of Honour for what he hath done because they are great things mighty things wonderful things without number So that it might be said as David O give thanks to the Lord who by his Wisdom made Heaven Let all the Host of Heaven and all the Inhabitants of the Earth praise c. Metaphor I. AN earthly Builder is but a mortal Man subject to Weakness and Death II. The earthly Builder has but a small pittance or measure of Skill and Wisdom 't is but the Wisdom of a Son of Man as light as Vanity and next to Foolishness III. Earthly Builders are fain to pause study and consider before they bring forth their Devices IV. The earthly Builder must have Materials to work upon and Servants to employ V. An earthly Builder cannot effect his Purposes in point of Building by his Word without Work and Labour VI. The earthly Builder must have much time allowed him to finish a great and famous Fabrick VII An earthly Builder lays the Foundation of his Work upon a brittle substance or at best upon a Rock which is capable of Dissolution VIII An Earthly Builder builds but little comparatively as some Towns Cities or part of them c. IX An earthly Builder may be out-done by a Successor X. An earthly Builder builds for other Men all being not for himself XI An earthly Builder is capable of Improvement in his Skill for Experiment and second Thoughts instruct him in some Points he was before ignorant of XII An earthly Builder oft-times undoes what he hath done plucks it down to make it better Disparity I. GOD the heavenly Builder is a mighty God the everlasting and everliving God with whom is no beginning of Days nor end of Life II. The heavenly Builder hath all the Treasures of Wisdom he is full of Wisdom and Knowledg he is essentially wise and skilful and gives all the Wisdom and Skill that is possess'd enjoyed or used by Men or Angels 'T is unsearchable past finding out beyond all comprehension so profound that Angels are Fools in comparison of him He charges his Angels with Folly III. The heavenly Builder having all Wisdom and Knowledg sees by one Act uno intuitu all things that are necessary and commodious and needeth not to suspend Actions till after Study and Consideration nor stay for any one to be his Help and Counsellor because there is none able or fit to teach him Who hath been his Counsellor c. IV. The heavenly Builder can make Matter fit for his purpose where he finds none even as all Things that are seen were not made of things that do appear but of Matter that was void of Form of which there was no pre-existence but it was made out of nothing and then formed into a glorious Globe and most beautiful Fabrick by him who alone that is without the help of any other doth great Wonders that by Wisdom made the Heavens c. V. God does all by a word of his Mouth Let there be a Heaven and immediatly it appears let there be an Earth and it was so c. as Gen. 1. VI. But God doth his Works which are exceeding in a moment He just pronounces the word and it is done VII But the heavenly Builder laid his Work upon a sure and unshaken Foundation upon an impregnable Rock firm and immoveable against all violence whatsoever viz. his own Almightiness than which nothing can be more permanent c. VIII The heavenly Builder has been the Erector of the whole Fabrick of the Universe He that built all things is God IX But none can mend the Work of God nor take the Glory from him His Works shall praise him for ever c. X. But all the Buildings that God makes are for himself he is no Man's Workman or Servant but hath made all things for himself For his own Pleasure they were and are created XI But God is perfect in Knowledg and therefore uncapable of Addition to it None can tax him of Hastiness Failure or Inadvertency All Sciences meet in Him as their proper Center XII No such thing done or need to be done by God No Angels unmade or Heavens dissolved or Souls annihilated or extinguished or Seas dried up to
strongest fleshly Confidence then will signify nothing The Day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon every one that is lofty and upon every one that is proud and lifted up and he shall be brought down upon all the Cedars of Lebanon that are lifted up and upon all the Oaks of Bashan upon all high Mountains and upon all the Hills that are lifted up and upon every high Tower and upon every fenced Wall that is lifted up with the Haughtiness of Man shall the fierce Indignation of the Lord be kindled even to the bearing it down and laying it low even to the Dust and the Lord shall be exalted in that Day The Mountains quake at him and the Hills are melted and the Earth burns up or is burned up But the whole Earth shall be devoured by the Fire of his Jealousy neither their Gold nor Silver shall be able to deliver them in the Day of the Lord 's Wrath. VI. Wicked profane and ungodly Men are fit Matter and Fuel for the Wrath of God to take hold of and when they are piled together with the horrid Guilt that is upon their Consciences what a dreadful Fire will there be Whilst they are thus folden together as Thorns and whilst they are drunken as Drunkards they shall be devoured as Stubble fully dry VII The consuming Wrath of God or those Plagues of his Fury when he rises up to contend with the Wicked in a way of Vengeance and Indignation with a Person or People turns all their Joy into Mourning and a bitter Day I will saith God by his Prophet undo all those that have afflicted thee The Fire of God's Wrath will utterly impoverish all the Wicked of the Earth c. VIII 'T is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God viz. God being a consuming Fire in respect to this the Apostle spake these Words For our God is a consuming Fire If it be terrible to have a Finger Foot or Hand to burn off or to hear that our Bodies must be cast into a Furnace of boiling Oil or into a fierce devouring â—â—ire how then can Sinners bear the Thoughts of falling into the Hands of the dreadful and terrible God whose incensed Wrath is ten thousand times worse and more intolerable than any Fire that ever Mortals saw or that ever any were cast into IX God when he goeth forth in Vengeance will destroy mightily and in a short space when he rises up to set on fire the Briars and Thorns of the Earth Through the Wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the Land darkned and the People shall be as the Fuel of the Fire Now will I saith God arise and devour at once Destruction is coming upon the Wicked of the Earth Destruction upon Destruction in a Moment will come upon them Let Mystery Babylon look to it this Fire will kindle very suddenly upon that great City in a more terrible and irreparable Manner than her Agents have done upon our Metropolis yea and her Plagues shall come in a Day Death and Mourning and Famine and she shall be utterly burnt with Fire And let the Sinners in Sion tremble for the Light of Israel shall be for a Fire and his Holy One for a Flame and it shall burn and devour his Thorns and his Briars in one day There is vast Difference and Disparity between our common Elementary Fire and the Fire of God's Wrath. Metaphor I. FIre is natural and elementary and so consequently can only seize or consume things that are visible of external or temporal Substances it destroys that only which is fit Fuel for it whilst kept under II. The Flames of a burning and consuming Fire are always seen and the Ruins that it makes are obvious to the outward Eye III. A consuming Fire hath often been overcome and put quite out by Engines Instruments and Industry of Man when it hath burned vehemently a Stop hath been put to it and further Danger prevented IV. Fire is not unquenchable Tho the Burning of Mount Aetna and other burning Mountains where there is much Brimstone and other Sulphureous Matter are impossible for Man to extinguish yet they shall not burn always Disparity I. THe Fire of God's Wrath is Divine or Spiritual and so takes hold of or kindles upon that which is of an immaterial and invisible Substance it seizeth upon Spirits torments Devils and the Souls of Men and Women it kindles not on external Matter only but on internal also II. The Flames of God's Wrath upon the Soul cannot be seen A Man may have a Fire burning in his Conscience like that of Francis Spira and yet by looking upon him you cannot see what Ruine and Desolation it makes there III. God is such a consuming Fire that when his incensed Wrath is kindled in good earnest with a design to burn up and destroy none is able to overcome and put a Stop unto it all the Ways and Means then that Sinners can devise will prove insignificant 'T is not Repentance nor Floods of brinish Tears that can put out or lessen the burning of this Divine Fire 'T is true that when his Wrath is kindled but a little and before the Day of Grace is over his Anger may be appeased but when he lets out the Greatness yea the Deluge of the Vials of his Wrath O then it will be too late IV. The Fire of God's Wrath shall never be extinguished Behold thus saith the Lord Mine Anger and my Fury shall be poured out c. and it shall not be quenched Fire is kindled in mine Anger and shall burn to the lowest Hell And it is said And they shall go forth and look upon the Carcases of the Men that have transgressed against me for the Worm shall not die neither shall the Fire be quenched and they shall be an Abhorring to all Flesh. There the Worm dieth not and the Fire shall not be quenched Application I. IF God be a consuming Fire 't is good to enquire To whom he is so and will be so terrible 1. To the fallen Angels or damned Spirits who once enjoyed him as a gracious Head and Creator but by reason of Sin not being contented with their first Estate were cast out of Heaven and must for ever undergo the incensed Flames of God's Wrath. 2. All profane debauched and ungodly Men who are Enemies to God and Religion who live like brute Beasts upon the Earth who mind nothing but to satisfy their carnal Appetites who wallow in the Lusts of Uncleanness Drunkenness Pride Covetousness c. without timely Repentance as God is so he will for ever be to such a consuming Fire c. 3. All Persecutors Tyrants Murderers Whoremongers and all such that destroy the Saints of God on the Earth the Beast false Prophets and Mystical Babylon to all such will God be continually a consuming Fire 4. All rotten and hypocritical Professors and Unbelievers whether in or out
who think Christ Jesus will never appear as a Lion but always shew himself in his Lamb-like Disposition Christ is a Lion as well as a Lamb and will ere long rise up to the Prey 2. What will become of the Murtherers and Destroyers of his Church in the Day of his fierce Wrath when he comes to make Inquisition for Blood 3. O that Sinners from hence would learn to prostrate themselves at his feet 4. This speaks much Comfort to the Godly He is full of Bowels and like a Lion able to defend and deliver them 5. By Faith and Prayer let us strive to rouze up this Lion of the Tribe of Judah to tear in pieces all his implacable Enemies Christ the true Manna John 6.50 This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven that a Man may eat thereof and not die Rev. 2.17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna CHRIST and the Graces of Christ are called Manna the Antitype of that Manna that fell in the Wilderness Exod. 16. Manna in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Manah preparare to prepare because it was Food prepared from Heaven for the Israelites in the Wilderness Flacc. Illyricus and others say That when the Israelites saw it like congealed Dew or small Hail or Snow lying up and down about the Camp they asked one another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What 's that what 's that And because of frequent Repetition that it might be more easily pronounced they added the Letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and pronounced Manhu whence they retain the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man Manna Type I. MAnna was a strange and mysterious thing at first to the Israelites they knew not what it was II. Manna was Food prepared from Heaven III. Manna came down or descended from Heaven IV. Manna was white it was a pure fair and bright thing V. Manna was round in Form and Figure VI. Manna was a Gift it was given to Israel freely it cost them nothing VII Manna was given to all to the Poor as well as to the Rich none were forbidden to partake thereof VIII Manna was pleasant it had all the Taste and Relish of Sweetness in it IX Manna did nourish well and was given in great plenty X. Manna was to be bruised in a Mill that so it might become more useful for Food XI Manna was given equally to all the Israelites they had all a certain measure not one more than another were all Fellow-commoners every Man had his part his Omer XII Manna was a small and little thing unto the Eye like to a Coriander-Seed XIII Manna came down with the Dew it was covered or hid as it were with Dew XIV Manna was not given to the Israelites whilst they were in Egypt XV. Manna fell round about the Camp of Israel and in no other place XVI Manna was given to Israel in the Wilderness it was their only Food whilst they remained in that desert State XVII It was gathered daily except on the Sabbath then there was none to be found XVIII They went out of their Tents to gather it XIX If Manna was kept or received otherwise than God ordained and appointed it stank and bred Worms XX. Manna ceased when Israel came into Canaan XXI Manna was only given to the Israelites XXII Those that would receive the Benefit of Manna were to eat it XXIII Manna came very seasonably to Israel they had else starved XXIV Manna was to be kept and put in a Golden Pot before the Lord to remain in the Holiest for ever XXV Manna was loathed by those evil Murmurers on whom the Wrath of God fell they esteemed it light Bread XXVI In the day before the Sabbath in the night Manna fell abundantly that so they might gather it on that day to provide Food for the Sabbath Parallel I. JEsus Christ is the Wonder of Men and Angels and when He came into this World yea to his own they knew him not II. Christ had a Body prepared of the Father that he might be Food for Believers III. Christ is the true Bread or Manna from Heaven IV. Sic Christus describitur Apoc. 1. So is Christ described without Sin V. Christ respecting his Divinity is infinite perfect and entire no beginning no end VI. Christ is called a Gift the choicest Gift that ever God bestowed given freely for the Life of the World VII Christ is sent to all to Jews and Gentiles to the Small as well as the Great to the Poor as well as the Rich none are excluded VIII Whatsoever is pleasant sweet and delicious in a spiritual sence is found in Christ his Word is sweet as Honey or the Honey-Comb O taste and see how good the Lord is IX Christus sufficit ad omnes c. Christ is very sufficient and plentiful there is in him enough to nourish and feed all What Soul is there but may be filled to the full if he comes to Christ X. Christus ut animis nostris cibus esset doloribus mortis in Cruce contundebatur Christ that he might be Food for our Souls was bruised It pleased the Father to bruise him XI All true Israelites have their equal Share in Christ a whole Christ is given to every Saint they have all one Portion one Husband one Kingdom and Crown that fadeth not away XII Christ was little low and contemptible in the Eyes of the World of no reputation XIII Christ came down with the Dew of the Spirit being baptized or covered therewith hence called as some conceive hidden Manna XIV Christ who is the true Manna is not given to Unbelievers that remain in Bondage and Slavery under the Power of Sin and Satan XV. Christ is conversant within the Limits of his Church The Graces of the Spirit fall upon Mount Hermon the Dew descends upon the Mountains of Zion There God commanded the Blessing even Life for evermore Christ walks in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks XVI Christ and the Blessings of Christ are given to us who are in the Desert or Wilderness of this World We have no other Food for our Souls but are to live upon Christ by Faith so long as we are in this howling Wilderness XVII Those that would have Christ must seek him in the Time God hath appointed In the Day of the glorious Rest or Sabbath that remains to the People of God there will be no Christ no Manna for Sinners XVIII We must go out of the old Man and sensual Rests and Love of this World if we would participate of Christ. XIX The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper or any other Institutions of Christ made use of or received in other manner than Christ hath ordained and appointed it stinks in the Nostrils of God and is abhorred by good Men. XX. Living by Faith and our being fed by Ordinances will cease when
Death of the High-Priest the Slayer shall return to the Land of his Possession By the High-Priest's Death an Atonement was made for him saith Mr. Ainsworth XXIV The High-Priest brought the Bodies of those Beasts whose Blood was brought into the Sanctuary to be burnt without the Camp Parallel I. CHrist was of the Race of Mankind of the Seed of David according to the Flesh Forasmuch as Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood he likewise took part of the same but was altogether pure spotless without the least Stain of Sin II. So Christ glorified not himself to be made an High-Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son c. and in another place Thou art a Priest for ever c. The Father invested him in this Office Him hath God the Father sealed He was baptized and the Spirit came down visibly upon him when he was about thirty Years old III. Christ was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy-Ghost and with Power He had also immaculate Sanctity and Purity in him IV. Christ was said to be glorious in his Apparel cloathed with the Divine Nature as with a Garment he was adorned with perfect and compleat Righteousness V. Signifying saith Mr. Guild the Deity of Christ which as a Circle hath neither beginning nor end and the Royal Dignity whereby he is advanced to be the Supreme Head in all things to his Church or his Kingship See Goodwin's Moses and Aaron VI. Christ's Humanity is cloathed with true Holiness which is compared to fine Linnen clean and white VII The Lord Jesus as our High-Priest presents â—â—or bears the Remembrances of all his faithful People upon his Heart when he appears before God to make Intercession for them He knows his own Sheep by Name VIII Christ hath in him the Perfection of true Light Beauty and Holiness Vrim and Thummim signified Christ's Prophetical Office whereby He as a standing Oracle to his Church answers all Doubts and Controversies whatsoever IX Christ is the real Antitype of this engraven Plate in likeness of a Signet Holiness to the Lord in that the Father hath actually communicated to him his Nature who is the express Image of his Person a glorious Representation of him to us being able to bear and hath born our Iniquities The Lord hath laid on him the Iniquities of us all X. Christ is the Mouth of the Father to the Sons of Men He is called the Word of God God hath spoken unto us by his Son XI Christ's Church must be a pure Virgin chast unstained with Superstition or Idolatry giving neither Love nor Worship to any other Christ owns none but such a People for his Spouse XII Christ offered up his own Body as a Sacrifice for our Sins He appeared to put away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself Christ was once offered to bear the Sins of many c. XIII As Christ was offered upon the Cross for the Sins of Mankind as a propitiatory Sacrifice so must his Blood in a spiritual manner be sprinkled upon our Consciences that we may be cleansed from our Sins and accepted in the sight of God Let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience c. For if the Blood of Bulls and Goats and the Ashes of an Heifer sprinkled the unclean sanctified to the purifying of the Flesh how much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself to God purge your Consciences from dead Works to serve the living God But ye are come to Mount Zion c. And to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Blood of Sprinkling that speaks better things than the Blood of Abel XIV Christ's Righteousness remains for ever to cloath and adorn all true Believers 'T is the Wedding-Garment whosoever hath it not shall be shut out of the Marriage-Chamber and cast into utter Darkness XV. Christ sounds the great Trumpet of the Gospel for the assembling and gathering together of his Elect to himself from all the four Quarters of the Earth and will sound an Alarm at the last Day to the general Judgment The Trumpet shall sound and the Dead shall be raised c. XVI Christ is the great Teacher of God's Law 't is he that gives us the knowledg of Salvation that guides our Feet into the way of Peace We must seek the Law i. e. the Mind and Will of God at his Mouth who shews us plainly of the Father His Tabernacle is only standing not Moses's not Aaron's not Elias's but Jesus's This is my beloved Son hear him He is the last and only Teacher sent from God XVII Christ is Judg concerning the Plague of every Man's Heart what Sin is deadly and what not Tho there is no Sin venial as the Papist's affirm yet there is much more danger and evil in some Sins than in others As for example 'T is worse to have Sin in the Affection than in the Conversation to love it than to commit it The best of Saints have not been without Sin Infirmities have attended them yet they loved them not 'T is a loathsom thing to a true Believer That which I hate that do I. The Priest was to pronounce a Man utterly unclean if the Plague was got into his Head So if a Man's Judgment Will and Affection are for the ways of Sin if they chuse and love that which is evil Christ the High-Priest in his Word pronounces such unclean When Men approve not of God's ways because they forbid and give no toleration to their beastly Lust and Sensuality and from hence secretly contemn Religion in the strictness of it these surely have the Plague in their Heads XVIII The Lord Jesus makes and anoints many to be Kings for besides his acting towards Men in bringing of them to their Thrones and Kingdoms as 't is said By me Kings reign he makes all his Saints Kings and Priests and they shall reign on Earth XIX Christ hath the absolute Power of appointing what Officers should be in his Church He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers Those that make any other spiritual Office or Officer than Christ hath ordained will be found grand Criminals in the great Day XX. Christ was sent to bless the People by turning every one of them from the evil of their Ways to give Pardon yea the holy Spirit and eternal Life to as many as believe on him XXI Christ entred into Heaven it self alone for us as Mediator through the Merit of his precious Blood shed to make Atonement once for all there to appear in the presence of God for us Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves but by his own Blood he entred in
Nations and also King of all the Kings of the Earth be that comes from above is above all The second Man is the Lord from Heaven the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth having the advantage of the greatest Honour and highest Education being by the Father brought up with him and daily his Delight II. Jesus Christ is qualified and fitted every ways with heavenly Learning for the highest Undertaking of this kind whatsoever having been with God and also is God knows every thing that is done in Heaven and Earth knows the tempers and manners of all People He hath Rules of Judgment above others he hath received the Gift of Oratory from the greatest Master of Tongues and Languages in the World The Son doth whatsoever he seeth the Father do The Lord God hath given him the Tongue of the Learned c. so that he can understand without an Interpreter and speak without humane Assistance III. Jesus Christ is a Man of worth most fit to be Counsellor in the high Court above and that in these four following respects 1. In respect his great Wisdom 2. The Knowledg of all Laws and Customs amongst Men. 3. Of his long Standing and Experience 4. As he is united to the Ancient of Days who is the Center of all Perfection IV. The Lord Jesus was a Man of a great and noble Spirit not busied about low and inferior things of a mean Consideration but about Matters of the most weighty moment to establish Principalities and Thrones in Heaven to reform Nations and Kingdoms to reclaim the whole World and bring Heaven and Earth into an amicable Correspondence That he might gather together in one all things in himself whether they be things in Heaven or things on Earth Eph. 1.10 V. Christ the great Counsellor was elected and chosen by God himself to act in this high Sphere and Capacity called The Man of his Right-hand His Elect in whom his Soul delighteth One chosen out of the People VI. Jesus Christ was admitted into the hight Court of Heaven took his place there at the Right-hand of the Majesty on high in the presence and view of all the Angels and the seven Spirits that are before the Throne He is entred into Heaven and is set down at the Right-hand of God VII Christ that great and wise Counsellor is made acquainted with the great and wise Purposes of the great and wise King of Heaven and Earth nothing is hid from him as God without him there was nothing created or done No Man hath seen God at any time save the only begotten that is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him He brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel VIII The Lord Jesus is God's Familiar and Companion Awake O Sword against my Shepherd and the Man that is my Fellow Who being in the form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2.6 IX The Lord Christ is of the highest Rank not of Men only but is indeed exalted above all his Fellows whether Men or Angels hath no Superior as Mediator but the Father The Head of every Man is Christ. He is the Head of all Principalities and Powers The Father is greater than I. The Head of Christ is God X. Jesus Christ is concern'd in the agitating of the greatest Affairs of Heaven and Earth such as immediately concern God himself and the good of all his People the Proclamations and Tenders of Grace Peace and Pardon come through his Hands He hath the Approbation of all Ministers that are imployed in the Business of the great King either in Matters Civil Military or Ecclesiastical viz. Kings Princes Rulers Deputies Judges Generals of Armies Apostles Bishops Embassadors and the like All suiters to God for Favour whether Ministers or People for the Soul or the Body their Petitions come to the hands of Christ. By him we have access to the Father of him all receive even Grace for Grace Joh. 1.16 XI Christ is the Delight of the Father and as a wise worthy and good Counsellor he is a Glory to Heaven it self and Heaven is the more longed for for his sake This is generally acknowledged by all that have the Knowledg of him or Interest in him So much may suffice concerning Christ as compared to a Counsellor of State I shall now speak concerning him under the other acceptation of the Word viz. Counsellor at Law c. I. The Lord Jesus Christ is a publick Officer belonging to Heaven the highest Court of Judicature I am not of this World glorify me with the same Glory that I was glorified before the World was c. II. The Lord Jesus gives the best Advice and Councel and most worthily deserves the title of a Counsellor I will bless the Lord who hath given me Councel Go thy way sin no more lest a worse thing come upon thee I counsel thee to buy of me Gold tryed in the Fire and white Raiment that thou mayest be cloathed c. III. Jesus Christ makes known the Law of God to those that are ignorant and unlearned he illustrates all the parts of it and sheweth to what degree it extends c. He also shews what are the Priviledges of keeping it and what are the Damages of breaking it For if you forgive Men their Trespasses your heavenly Father will forgive you c. IV. Christ resolves doubtful Cases that other Men cannot in that he saith Son be of good chear Daughter be of good chear thy Sins are forgiven thee c. V. The Lord Jesus makes over the heavenly Mansions to Men and no Man can have a good Title to this Heavenly Inheritance unless Christ makes the Conveyance As the Father hath Life in himself so hath he given the Son to have Life in himself and hath power to give Eternal Life to as many as are given unto him VI. Jesus Christ hath great respect amongst Men the Turks own him for a great Prophet the Papists for the Son of God but his own Disciples that see an Excellency in him and an absolute necessity of him make use of him own him to be their Saviour Yea and doubtless I count all things but loss for the Excellency of Jesus Christ my Lord c. Phil. 3.8 He is the Chiefest among ten thousand Cant. 5.10 VII The Lord Jesus puts an end to Controversies by Non-suiting or Overthrowing the Devil and all other Adversaries of the Soul in their own Plea I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not My Grace is sufficient for thee c. And the Dragon and his Angels were thrown out of Heaven c. To this end was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil VIII So Christ makes Contracts between the great God and his People in that weighty Case that concerns their Salvation and mediates and
Power in Heaven and Earth be given unto him by whom Kings raign and Princes decree Judgment and Justice Nobles rule even all the Judges of the Earth Who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords yet his chief Rule and Government is over the pleasant and delightful Plants the Saints who are on the Earth the Excellent in whom is all his delight 't is they that hear his Word obey his Voice and do his Will c. The hundred forty and four Thousand are pleasant and delightful ones 1. The Father's Name is upon them 2. They are not defiled with Women 3. They follow the Lamb whithersoever he gâ—â—eth These are governed by the Lamb. XII Jesus Christ is the Master of all Moderation both for soft Words and gentle Instructions who by good Doctrine did so eminently qualify his Followers that he fitted them for every Season when cast down he comforted them with good Words and Promises Let not your hearts be troubled ye believe in God believe also in me If I go away I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am you may be also Joh. 14.1 3. When hot and fiery he cools and abates Choler You know not what Spirit you are of The Son of Man came not to destroy Men's Lives but to save them Love your Enemies Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find Rest for your Souls XIII Jesus Christ is really the cause of all Beauty to the true Church and to all the Members thereof 1. In respect of Imputed Righteousness by which they are justified 2. In respect of Grace and Vertue by which they are adorned 3. In respect of Good Life and Conversation which arises from his Spirit Doctrine and good Example By him all that believe are justified But the fruits of the Spirit are Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance Gal. 5.22 You are compleat in him who is the Head of all Principalities and Powers XIV Jesus Christ doth greatest kindness in the Winter or dark time of the Church then it is he maketh Intercession manifesteth Care and sends Relief and Succour to the Saints performs all the parts of a merciful High-Priest and Mediator but when the Winter is past the darkness gone and the night quite spent then his Office of Priesthood and Mediatorship shall cease Then shall the Son deliver up the Kingdom to the Father and God shall be All in All. 1 Cor. 15.24 XV. Jesus Christ hath a very honourable Name Jesus which is Saviour Christ which is Anointed The Son of God the only begotten well beloved the Emanuel God with us and he hath a Name above every Name Thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins The Rulers set themselves against the Lord and his Anointed And we believe thou art Christ the Son of the Living God God is gone up with a shout This is the true God and Eternal Life Lord of all Lord of Glory Prince of Life Prince of Peace Prince of the Kings of the Earth The day-Star from on high that bringeth Life and Immortality to light by the Gospel He hath by Inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than the Angels XVI Jesus Christ is Omega as well as Alpha the Finisher as well the as Author or Beginner of our Faith the Reâ—â—egard as well as the Captain of our Salvation gives the latter as well as the first fruits of the Spirit trains as well as conducts he rewards according to the Works of Piety and Goodness as well as he commands to do them he concludes this day of Grace when he comes to judg as well as he began it when he came to save He ushers in the dismal night of Darkness to the wicked as well as he ushers in the day of glad Tidings and great Joy to the Righteous He appears after the going down of the Sun and shutting up of Mercy as well as before the rising of the Sun and clear approach of Mercy He is a Harbinger to Captivity as well as to the year of Jubile and Deliverance He sends down to Hell and Darkness as well as as sends up to Heaven and Glory I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith XVII Jesus Christ and the Light of the Gospel altho sometimes obscured by the means of misty foggy Clouds Powers of Darkness Ignorance Unbelief and Heresy yet nothing can hinder his Course but he constantly keeps his glorious Circle in his Dispensation and keeps a continual Motion in a way of Divine Providence until the time of his Kingdom and Patience is over He that hath promised to come will come and will not tarry The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple Behold I come quickly and my Reward is with me He cannot be prevailed against by any malignant Powers of Earth or Hell Herod Pontius Pilate the High-Priest the whole body of the Jews the Romans Mahomatans and Papists that hate him and his glorious Appearance cannot obstruct his Motion and Operation in the Church or World nor in any-wise extinguish his Light from its glorious Splendor Hereafter shall you see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and â—â—reat Glory 'T is hard for thee to kick against the Pricks The Disciples waxed bold and multiplied The Blood of the Martyrs was the Seed of the Church O Galilean thou â—â—aâ—â— overcome me saith wicked Julian On this Rock will I build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it The Administration of Christ is like the Path of the Just that shâ—â—neth more and more to the perfect day Of his Kingdom there shall be no end upon the Throne of David to order and establish it with Judgment and with Justice from henceforth even for ever XVIII Jesus Christ in all that hath been or can be said exceeds in Brightness and Glory for as hath been manifested he is the Brightness of his Father's Glory in which respect he exceeds Angels and Men for tho he was the Off-spring of David yet he is the Bright and Morning Star METAPHOR I. The Morning Star did not make it self nor other Stars II. The Sun and Morning-Star are two things for the Morning-Star is much inferiour to the Sun in light and glory III. The Morning-Star gives but external light to the corporal sense IV. The Morning Star gives light only in the night but loseth its glory when the Sun ariseth V. The Morning Star gives Light only to the visible World VI. The Morning Star shall fall from Heaven or be dissolved at the general Conflagration of the World the Heavens and the Earth that now is are reserved c. Disparity I. JEsus Christ the Bright and morning Star made the Orbs wherein the Stars are fixed with the Sun Moon and all
not in his Love and Affection that they are chastised and so often under this and the other exercise of Affliction and this the Spirit labours either by his Word or Ministers and other ways to convince them of 4. By shewing from the Word that the like Afflictions if not greater many of God's Children have met with before them or are now under knowing that the same Afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World what are thy Sorrows saith the Spirit to those that holy Job and many of the Blessed Martyrs met with 5. By shewing them the Design and gracious End of God in all his Dispensations and Afflictions he doth it not simply for his own Pleasure as an Act of Soveraignty But for our Profit that we might be partakers of his Holiness This is the fruit of all the taking away of your Sins 't is for the trial of your Graces saith the Spirit When he hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold 'T is to convince the Devil and wicked Men that you are sincere and upright Ones and do not follow Christ for Loaves Doth Job saith Satan fear God for nought But put forth thine hand now and touch all that he hath and he will curse thee to thy Face God saith the Spirit hath brought this and the other Trouble upon thee to clear thy Innocency and to shew that Satan is a Liar 6. By shewing them that all their Afflictions are but short lived that they will soon be over they will last but for a Moment 7. That they will add to their Advantage here and hereafter Our light Affliction which is but for a Moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 'T is saith the Spirit to shew forth the excellent nature of true Grace Faith Love and Patience never shine forth in their proper Lustre and Glory until they come under exercise The trial of your Faith is much more precious than Gold that perisheth tho it be tried with Fire And it will hereby be found unto Praise Honour and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 8. 〈◊〉 â—â—irit comforteth Believers by shewing them that all their Sorrows will in a little 〈◊〉 be turned into Gladness Now ye are sorrowful but I will see you again and your Hearâ—â— shall rejoyee and your Joy no Man taketh away from you Ye shall be sorrowful but you 〈…〉 shall be turned into Joy Those that go forth weeping bearing precious Seed shall doubtless come again rejoycing bringing their Sheaves with them God will give unto them saith the Spirit that mourn in Zion Beauty for Ashes the Oil of Joy for Mourning the Garments of Praise for the Spirit of Heavinesâ—â— that they may be called Trees of Righteousness the planting of the Lord that he maâ—◠〈◊〉 glorified 9. The Spirit comforteth by shewing Believers that all their Sorrows 〈…〉 in this World the wicked have all their sweet things here and the godly have their bitter things here but as the wicked shall have nothing but bitter hereafter so the godly shall have nothing but sweet hereafter Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented 10. The Spirit comforteth by convincing Believers that God doth not punish them as their Sins do deserve He hath visited thee little or nothing saith Elibu so the Word will bear it The least Mercy is more than we deserve He hath not dealt with us after our Sins nor rewarded us according â—â—o our Iniquitieâ—â— VIII The holy Spirit sympathizes with every gracious Soul in their Distresses and Troubles according as God in his Word speakes to our Capacities In all their Afflictions he was afflicted his Soul was grieved for Israel And in that of the eighth Chapter to the Romans the Spirit particularly is said to sigh and groan after such a sort that cannot be uttered and hence the Apostle exhorts the Saints not to grieve the holy Spirit of God whereby they are sealed to the day of Redemption IX Likewise the holy Spirit also helps our Infirmities for we know not what to pray for as we ought But the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groans which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God Rom. 8.26 27. Hence the word Advocate or Comforter X. The holy Spirit searches the Heart and Reins of every Soul he comes to comfort to discover the State and Condition of a Person to him David crys out Search me O God and know my Heart c. I the Lord search the Heart c. He that searches the Heart c. The Spirit searches all things c. XI So the holy Spirit is sometimes slighted and grieved through the Power of Temptation by a Believer and his sweet and heavenly Advice is not minded nor followed as it ought to be but all Comfort is rejected for a time but afterwards tho sometimes long first the Soul with Joy takes hold of it XII The Holy Spirit keeps the Heart of a Believer from utter Despondency and greatly revives and consolates him hence the Apostle saith God hath given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through Grace we are troubled on every side but not in Distress we are perplexed but not in despair I have seen his ways and will heal him also and restore Comforts to him c. XIII The holy Spirit knows there is an absolute necessity for him not only to give the Saints a Visit and immediately be gone but also to abide with them always for they cannot be without his glorious Presence one Moment It 's true sometimes they may be without his eminent comforting Presence which causes the Church to cry the Comforter that should relieve my Soul is far from me yet his supporting Presence is ever with them I will pray the Father and he shall send you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth c. and he is said to dwell in us and to make his Abode with us But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you XIV The Holy Spirit is exceedingly prized and much beloved by every godly Man but more especially when they find by Experience the great Worth of him and the great Good and Profit they receive by his means XV. The Holy Spirit deals faithfully with every Man he will not speak Peace to any Person but to those to whom it doth belong nor at a time when the Soul is fallen into any Sin or under some great Temptation to sin but will at such times rather rebuke and
cause a Man to vomit it up by unfeigned Repentance by which means the Life of the Soul is preserved for if by the Operation of the Spirit Sin is not vomited up Death will certainly follow Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Luk. 13.3 For the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one to the other Gal. 5.17 IV. The Spirit of God will never mingle nor become one with the Flesh the Spirit is from above and ever endeavours to be uppermost in what Heart soever it is 't will not be under the command of Sin nor Satan Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh. V. The Spirit wonderfully revives comforteth and infuseth Spiritual Warmth and Heat into the Soul of a Believer when he is anointed with it and indeed nothing else will refresh enliven and warm the inward Man hence 't is compared to Fire and called the Spirit of Life and blessed Comforter VI. the Spirit cannot be dried up by the heat of Persecution nor the scorching beams of Satan's Temptations that will live and abide the same in the Souls of sincere Converts losing none of its gracious Influences and Operations And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that shall abide with you for ever Joh. 14.16 See Comforter VII The Spirit cleareth the Eyes of the Understanding 't is call'd Eye-salve and from hence the Apostle prayeth for the Ephesians That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory would grant them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledg of him That the Eyes of their Vnderstanding being enlightned they might know what was the hope of his calling c. Clouds and Mists of Darkness are upon the Eyes of all that have not received the Spirit so that they cannot behold things a far off VIII The Spirit of God is the only Remedy for all Obstructions of the inward Man those that scarce breath or pray at all by receiving a measure of the Spirit breath out freely their desire to Almighty God Likewise the Spirit helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit maketh Intercession c. No Man can say Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 IX The Spirit feeds the Soul yea it makes it fat and well liking nothing nourishes comparable to the Spirit the Word and Ordnances of God are but dry Bread to it this is the chief of those fat things full of Marrow by which God feasts and makes fat the Bones of his Saints X. The Spirit of God being received and lived upon the Abundance of the things of this World that have in them by means of Sin some hurtful and surfeiting Quality are made hereby very good and profitable to Believers but for want of the Spirit 's seasoning and sanctifying they become deadly and destructive to wicked Men their Table Bed and all they enjoy are made Snares to them Take heed to your selves lest at any time your Hearts be over-charged with surfeiting and Drunkenness and the Cares of this World c. Luk. 21.34 XI The Holy Spirit is of exceeding great use against all Tremblings and Convulsions of the Soul in evil Times it frees the Godly from all slavish Fears which shake some Men for want of it out of their Faith Honesty and Religion and it keeps sincere ones stedfast and imovable from being shaken by false Doctrine and lying Spirits which have troubled many with strange Convulsions Shakings and Tremblings in this Nation so that as my Author saith they have even foamed at the Mouth when Quakerism first came up amongst us XII The Holy Spirit is made use of by the Lord Jesus Christ our Heavenly High-Priest in cleansing the Leprosy of Sin he puts it into or upon every Faculty of the Inward Man the Will the Affection the Understanding the Conscience the Head the Hand the Heart the whole Soul is anointed therewith before it is pronounced clean by the Lord. I will put my Spirit within you and you shall be clean from all your Filthiness Now are you clean through the Word that I have spoken to you the Words that I have spoken to you they are the Spirit and the Life XIII The Spirit of God is that spiritual Oil that the Wise Virgins took in their Vessels and in their Lamps by which means they were accepted by the Bridegroom and the Foolish for want of it their Lamps of Profession went out and they not suffered to go into the Wedding-Chamber XIV The Holy Spirit hath an excellent beautifying Quality there is no scar spot nor deformity in the Soul but the Spirit can purge and cleanse it they that are anointed with this Oil shine in the Eyes of God and good Men 't will make a Blackmore white and beautifful fetches out those Wrinkles and foul-Staines and Spots that naturally are in the Souls of Men and Women it takes of Christ's Beauty and puts it upon the Soul and so places a shining Lustre upon the Inward Man Thy Beauty for it was perfect through my Comliness which I had put upon thee c. How glorious and beautiful to be hereby And all that sat in the Councel looking stedfastly on him saw his Face as did Stephen appear if it had been the Face of an Angel Acts 6.15 XV. There are some nay many Men in the World that love not like not the Spirit they are naturally so averse to it that they will not be perswaded to make trial of it they can't believe there is any Sweetness Benefit or Savour in it The Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are Foolishness unto him neither can be know them because they are spiritually discern'd 1 Cor. 2.14 XVI The Spirit is good to strengthen the weak and decayed Hands and Knees of a poor Saint and thereby makes the Soul more fit for Motion Godwards lively quick agile and fit for Heavenly Service XVII The Lord Jesus was anointed with the Spirit that Oil of Gladness above his Fellows Moreover every Minister of the Gospel must be anointed therewith or he is not accepted of God METAPHOR OTher Oil is of an earthly Extract and several sorts of it are prepared and made fit for use by the Art and Wisdom of Man being extracted from earthly things II. There is not one sort of Oil that hath all kind of excellent Qualities in it that which may be good to beautify and of a dulciferous Scent may not be medicinable III. Oil will not last long its Virtue is soon gone it quickly decays and becomes unsavoury Disparity THe Spirit is from above and without beginning Flowing from the Throne of God and the Lamb. But the Comforter even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testify of