last place he laid down his life and died a Martyr for the Truth he had taught 1 Tim. 6. 13. Rev. 1. 5. -3. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now after his resurrection from the Dead by the Divine power in Justification also of the truth of doctrine He being to return to God from whence he came and the same truth being necessary to be preached sins remitted Sacraments administred the Holy Ghost conferred c. to the end of the world to one Country after another and in them to one generation after another the last thing he did here on Earth was the ordaining some others for these offices in his name after he had now finished the work of our Redemption which was to be the subject of their preaching For his former mission of them was only preparatory Matt. 10. to tell men that the Kingdome of Heaven was near at hand which now after his conquest of Sathan and of death by his death was fully come erected and compleated Jo. 12. 31. Jo. 19. 30. At which time also he was to receive as he had before in his own person so now the promise of the Father so long expected the effusions of the Holy Spirit upon his seed even the whole Church but these especially upon his Apostles A type of which was Moses's spirit taken part of it and put upon the 70 Elders Num. 6. 11. which Apostles were to minister this spirit to others Gal. 3. 2 5. The solemnity of whose Ordination and Commission we find Jo. 20. 21 22 23. Matt. 18. 19 20. Mark 16. 15. Luk. 24. 47. Therefore is our Lord named for the Author of administrations and offices as the Father of miracles and the Holy Ghost of gifts 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 6. To these as his Vicegerents he derived the Doctrine the Authority the Spirit the anointing himself had received of the Father See Jo. 15. 15. -17. 8 18. Eph. 3. 9 10. 1 Cor. 2. 10 13. Eph. 4. 7 8. Act. 2. 33. Phil. 4. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 21. Concerning whom also he left this Testimony to the world as the Father had done of him He that heareth you heareth me Matt. 10. 40. Luk. 10. 16. Matt. 17. 5. and as the Father sent me so I you Jo. 20. 21. -17. 18. Hence also are his own attributes frequently communicated to them They called foundations Matt. 16. 18. compared with 19. 24. Eph. 2. 20. Rev. 21. 14. And they also said to save men Jude 23. Rom. 11. 14. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Job 33. 24. and at the last day to sit on a Throne as He to judge men as he See Jo. 5. 22. Matt. 19. 28. Luk. 22. 30. 1 Cor 6. 3. To these he gave power to Baptize i. e. admit into the Church those they saw fit which implies their power also to refuse the unfit see Act. 10. 47 48. the Apostle ordering and others ministring Baptism And this again infers power to exclude out of the Church the backsliding and those not observing the conditions upon which they were admitted To these he gave power to preach and to declare to the world all the counsel of God which he had manifested to them and to be Ambassadors to men about their reconciliation to God for Christ and in his stead 2 Cor. 5. 18 19 20. Act. 20. 27. 2 Cor. 10. 8. Gal. 4. 14. Therefore they are said to speak in Christ. 2 Cor. 2. 17. To be received as Angels of God and as Christ Jesus Gal. 4. 14. and in their ministry to be a sweet savour of Christ unto God 2 Cor. 2. 15. He Authorizing them to make Ecclesiastical Laws and to order all the affairs of the Church See 1 Cor. 11. 34. -14. chap. 1 Cor. 16. 1. Act. 15. 1 Tim. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 4. 17. To these also he committed his keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven to take confessions and submissions to bind and absolve to remit sin or revenge it and that by his power and in his person Matt. 18. 18. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 2 Cor. 2. 10. 2 Cor. 10. 6. 2 Cor. 13. 10. 2 Cor. 8. 23. called the glory of Christ i. e. His representation and image see 1 Cor. 11. 7. To continue the dispensation of his sacred Body and Blood to the worlds end 1 Cor. 11. 26. which his Sacred hands first administred to them to all the Faithful and as to admit the worthy so to exclude the unworthy from that holy Communion 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. see 1 Cor. 10. 16. Act. 20. 11. Luk. 22. 19. The Hoc facite having been alwaies understood to have special reference to the Apostle's and their successours consecrating or blessing breaking and delivering it as well as to others receiving it To intercede for the people and procure remission of their sins from God by their prayers Jam. 5. 14 15. 1 Jo. 5. 16. Job 42. 8. Gen. 20. 7. 1 Tim. 2. 1. And the promises of hearing their requests Matt. 18. 19 20. Jo. 16. 23. seem to be made to them not in general as Christians but more especially as Gods Ministers and Apostles and that both for binding and loosing the people from their sins So see the Presbyters in the description of the Church triumphant holding in their hands the prayers of the Saints Rev. 5. 8. to be offered up to him that sitteth on the Throne as Incense is These He enlightned with the spirit tho others also see Jer. 31. 34. Jo. 6. 45. yet them extraordinarily for knowledge of the truth For I imagine those expressions Jo. 16. 13 25. comp with Jo. 15. 16 20 26 27. like to which are those 1 Jo. 2. 20 27. to belong to the Apostles specially as Christs ministers Therefore the stile of their whole Body in a Council runneth It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us See Act. 15. 28. -5. 3. -7. 51. 2 Cor. 6. 4 6. As also those extraordinary gifts of the Spirit at or after Baptism bestowed by laying on of the Apostles hands were not onely for Sanctification of the person see Matt. 7. 22. 1 Cor. 13. 1. but also for the publick benefit further edification of the Church by them Rom. 12. 6 7. 1 Cor. 12. 7. And enabling them by it that which all humane wisdom is too weak to effect see 1 Cor. 5. 10 12 13. -4. 19. to convince mens consciences convert their minds cast down throughout the world imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and with terrors of conscience with Sathan himself to revenge all disobedience and this by the power of Christ who speaketh and acteth in them 2 Cor. 13. 3. See 2 Cor. 10. 2 3 4 5. c. -13. 2 4 10. Jo. 16. 8. 1 Cor. 14. 24 25. Act. 2. 37. Matt. 10. 20. 1 Cor. 4. 21. 3 Jo. 10. 2 Jo. 10. Tit. 3. 11. 1 Tim. 1. 20. 1 Cor. 5. 5. On the
again forerunner according to the opinion of antiquity of the souls too entring into the heavenly Sanctuary in respect of the spirits not only of all Saints dying since him of this no question but of all those that deceased before him from the beginning the very first into this Sanctuary as none ever entred for the cause but by and in relation to him so none for the time beâ—…ore him which opinion seems to be strengthned from thâ—… expressions of our Savior concerning Lazarus That He i. e. his soul. as Luk. 21. 43. this day shalt thou i. e. thy soul was carried by Angels into Abrahams bosom as being Father of the faithful a place of bliss doubtless being opposed to the other's place of torment wherein Lazarus received consolations but now we are said to be gathered unto Christ after this life we and Abraham and all into Christs bosom ours and Abrahams Father See 2 Cor. 5. 1. c. Phil. 1. 23. Act. 7. 59. Eph. 1. 10. Again as 't is said in general Heb. 9. 8. That the way into the holiest was not made manifest under the old Testament so in particular of the Saints of it that they received not the promises before us Which may be interpreted not only of the promises of the Messias but also of those obtained thro him spoken of vers 13 14 16. that they without us were not made perfect Heb. 11. 40. and perhaps in respect of this is the same term used Heb. 12. 23. of the spirits of just men now made perfect i. e. admitted into the Holiest by and with our Savior according to the hymn having overcome death thou openedst the kingdom of heaven to all Therefore none of tâ—…e old Testament Celestial visions have any representation of any Church there none of the new are without it See Rev. 4. 4. Heb. 12. 22 23. where setting down the Court of Heaven he numbers the spirits of just men and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 probably the same with those primitiae Rev. 14. 4. To this purpose some apply Zech. 9. 11 12. comp 9. Jo. 14. 3. Matt. 25. 6 10. Into which notwithstanding the good tidings this Joshuah hath told us of it many fail to enter in partly thro unbelief of the glory and riches of that place beyond this Egypt or Wilderness like those Numb 14. chap. longing and lusting after denyed Onyons and Garlick whilst they are fed with Manna and partly thro cowardliness of not fighting their carnal lusts and withstanding the pleasures of this present life the enemies and Gyants which hinder them from possessing this Holy land which notwithstanding this Joshua and his faithful Souldiers have in many battails discomfited before them But seeing there remaineth a rest Heb. 4. 9. and seeing we have a great High Priest tâ—…at is passed c. v. 14. let us lay aside every weight and run with patience c. looking unto Jesus c. who is set down there Heb. 12. 1 2. that at the last we may be made partakers of of Christ. Heb. 3. 14. Thus much of our Saviors officiating in this perpetual Office of Priest above But 1. As God also still retains Sanctuaries on Earth there are certain persons substituted by him in the same sacred office to do that in these earthly which their Master doth in the Heavenly Church 1. By whom first the sacrifice of his body and blood is presented here unto God for a remembrance of him unto the Father in the consecrated elements for all the same purposes for which it is presented by our great High Priest there i. e. for all the purposes for which he offered it first on the Cross. See Mal. 1. 11. Gal. 3. 1. Itaque veteres in hoc mystico sacrificio non tam per actae semel in cruce oblationis cujus hic memoria celebratur quam perpetui sacerdotii jugis sacrificii ad quotidie in coelis sempiternus sacerdos offert rationem habuerunt cujus hic imago per solennes Ministrorum preces exprimitur Cassand p. 169. 2. By whom is Intercession made both by presenting their own praiers for the people and also the peoples prayers to God thro Christ. For God accepteth no praiers but thro Christ nor yet all those that are made in Christs name except either they come from persons deputed by him who is so dearly loved to which persons God hath made extraordinary promises as those I conceive are Matt. 18. 18 19. Jo. 16. 23. c. or from those that are holy and like unto him For sinners God heareth not till reformed The emploiment of the Saints in heaven as we have any notice of it is praier and praises For first since the spirits of Saints departed hence are in paradise Luk. 23. 43. and with Christ Phil. 1. 23. are now said to be made perfect Heb. 12. 23. and clothed with white garments Rev. 6. 11. that is advances in charity and purity greater then here are described in Priests habits having in their hands vials of incense doubtless to offer it which is interpreted by St. John to be praiers of the Saints Rev. 5. 8 -8. 3. have a zeal to Gods glory in mens salvation beyond ours or their own whilst on earth and more charity which grace is not decayed by death but perfected 1 Cor. 13. 8. 2. Since their interpellations there can prejudice our Saviors no more then the Priests intercessions here 1 Tim. 2. 1. and if any ask what needs theirs we may as justly reply what need these nay what need any praiers at all see Matt. 6. 8. Tho little concerning this their interpellation is revealed and those Christians who have implored it seeming to have grounds partly on Miracles pretended to be done by them But probably true ones done and that frequently at their memorials See Austin Civit. Dei lib. 22. cap. 8. and partly on pretended apparitions of them after deceased yet in general it seems piously credible that as Christs members on earth now suffer as he did on earth so his members in heaven intercede for these sufferers at least in general as he doth there and echo unto the King of Heaven the words of their Master as the Angels do to the Church Rev. 5. 12. comp with 9. Rev. 7. 11 12. comp with 9 10. And that petition Rev. 6. 10. I cannot imagine so circumscribed to themselves that it did not represent to God also the sad condition of their Brethren on earth mentioned vers 11. See Rev. 5. 9. where the Presbyters give praise for the salvation of others as well as of themselves for those of every tongue kindred people and Nation See Rev. 11. 17 18. Thus much of our Saviors officiating in the heavenly Sanctuary and his Ministers here Now this discourse as the former must be concluded with the communicating of this honour also unto us who look whatever he is that we also shall be for we shall be like him 1 Jo. 3. 2.
who shall be saved in that day yet this salvation shall be much more difficultly attained by some then others 1 Cor. 3. 15. It cannot be imagined that the state of all the souls of those who rest in peace are alike blissful in the interval between death and judgment or equally comforted of some of whom such a severe examen is afterwards to be passed It cannot be that such a difference of the salvandi being to be in judgment there should be none before it nor the same soul so much in bliss at one time as some other see Rev. 20. 4. -14. 1. -7. 4 9 14 15. comp Rev. 6. 10 11. Yet it seems plain I say that the soul in general severed from the body doth afterwards of it self subsist That it is still intelligent and hath use of its faculties That it because other spirits are is capable 〈◊〉 â—…wing things corporeal That it certain of salvation passeth at least those of the more perfect carried thither by Angels Luk. 16. 22. comp Matt. 24. 31. Luk. 16. 9. comp Luk. 12. 20. into a place of rest consolation inchoative bliss or certain of its damnation of imprisonment and inchoated pain till the resurrection of the body Secondly That the souls of the faithful since his resurrection are gathered to Christ and do tho not all in the same proximity and degrees of consolations then see and behold him and the blessed Angels See 2 Cor. 5. 7. comp with 6. 8. for if St. Paul desires this change because here we walk by faith not by sight therefore we walk there by sight not by faith See 1 Cor. 13. 12. comp with 10. and Heb. 12. 23. So Calvin who spake very warily in this point Animae piorum militiae labore defunctae in beatam quietem concedunt ubi cum felici laetitia fruitionem promissâ—… gloriae expectant and again Christus illis praesens est eas recipit in paradisum ut consolationem percipiant c. Reproborum vero animâ—… the furthest removed from God and light cruciatus quales meritae sunt patiuntur vinctae catenis ut etiam diaboli Jude 6. tenentur donec ad supplicium cui addictae sunt trabantur It is plain I say from these texts well considered Matt. 10. 28. Job 1. 8. 2 Cor. 12. 2 4. Heb. 12. 23. Act. 7. 59. Luk. 23. 43 46. 1 Pet. 3. 19. Phil. 1. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 1 2 3. comp 6. and 8. Luk. 16. 22. 〈◊〉 20. Rev. 19. 22. comp 20. 12. In some of which tho some things are said of the person yet they must needs be understood only of the soul Animus cujusque est quisque And indeed it were unreasonable to deny to the soul in its state of separation that converse with God those favors revelations c. from him which we must grant to it in an extasy wherein the body lies as it were dead and unserviceable unto it which St. Paul experienced in his raptures 2 Cor. 12. 2. and to the Prophets in their dreams These things granted to see a little further whether any thing can be discovered concerning the imployments c. of the souls of the Blessed that are with Christ. First we find the Court of Heaven as now it is since our Saviors Ascension described by the Apostle Heb. 12. 22. c. to consist of God Christ Angels a Church or general assembly of the first-born and spirits of just men made perfect called by him in other places the Family in Heaven Eph 3. 15. Thâ—… Jerusalem above our Mother-City Gal. 4. 26. Heb. 12. 22. In respect of which we are said to have our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in heaven Phil. 3. 20. And perhaps that text Eph. 2. 〈◊〉 where we are said to be set down with Christ may be meant of that part of the Church which now resides in Heaven Again in all St. Johns visisions we find besides all the usual appearances of the old Testament first the representation of a Church or Ecclesiastical Senate now in heaven described before Heb. 12. 22. and these there praising God for the Creation Rev. 4. 10 11. then the Lamb Rev. 5. 8. for his mercy to the Church and for his judgment upon its enemies for all the works of God are one of these two for the reward they had received Redemption of the whole Church out of every nation and people amongst which still this comes in that they were made Priests and Kings as we find it every where frequent see Rev. 1. 6. -7. 15. -20. 6. and for that they should receive reigning upon earth i. e. in the new Jerusalem descending from Heaven Rev. 21. 2. after the execution of Gods judgments upon their the Churches enemies See Rev. 5. 9 10. -11. 16 17 18. which praise in the 4. and 11. chap. the 24. Presbyters singly perform and tho in the 5th the Cherubims joyn with them 't is in the worshiping not in the song as drawn in that form for else the Angels every where glorify God as fellow Servants Rev. 19. 10. -22. 9. for his mercies to the Church 2dly Besides this Senate we find mention of souls first of the primitive Martyrs those slain for the witness of Jesus appearing under the Altar where sacrifices were slain and the blood which is the life or soul Lev. 17. 14. poured out at foot thereof and here crying out How long before the time of vengeance Rev. 6. 10. not that they thirst after Revenge but their reward yet this thirst void of impatience which it seems was not to be bestowed till the accomplishment of the rest of their Brethren yet under persecution and the destruction of their enemies see Rev. 20. chap. as Gods reward and punishments have their solemn and set times and are not of men single but of many together thus it is in the first resurrection Rev. 20. 4 5. after destruction of the Beast c. Rev. 19. 20. those sooner and later martyred crowned at once and thus in the second Resurrection Rev. 20. 12. At the destruction of Satan and death those long and lately dead raised at once Meanwhile there are given them white Robes and rest Rev. 6. 11. white robes implying both the righteousness innocency holiness of these Saints which they bring with them from the Earth see Rev. 19. 8. -7. 4. -3. 4. and the glory and light and beauty which is given to this innocency from God after this upon their number accomplished and judgment ready to be executed upon those who killed them See Rev. 8. 7. c. we find these souls clothed with white robes and palms in their hands standing before the Throne c. and praising God and admitted to serve him in his Temple and to follow the Lamb c. Rev. 7. 9 15. c. Next we find the souls of those who living in latter times had gotten the victory over the Beast first with patience resting and their good works i. e. their white linnen following them
the Messias or Christ but somewhat more odious they conceived to a Roman Governor Here our Lord both freely professed to him that he was so Matt. 27. 11. and also informed Him to prevent mistakes of what nature his kingdome was Viz. that it contained nothing in it prejudicial to any terrence or temporal Monarchy as clearly appeared in that he had no humane forces or Servants to fight for Him that he should not have been delivered into the hands of the Jews i. e. the chief Priests Scribes and Pharisees Jo. 18. 36. Yet asked by him a second time whether â—…ho his Kingdom not of this world yet he was a King He again professed it and told him that to this end he was born and for this cause came into this world for this end descended from Heaven and was Incarnate to bear witness to the Truth Jo. 17. 37. After which Pilat upon his wonderful silence and not pleading for Himself nor vouchsafing further to acquaint him with his divine Originals Matt. 27. 14. Jo. 19. 9. minding him before whom he stood and that he had the power in his hands to absolve or condemn Him which shews that our Lord stood before him in the midst of such heavy and false accusations saying that he made a Sedition in Galilee forbad paying tribute to Cesar said he would destroy the Temple made with hands and raise another made without hands c. Luk. 23. 5. Luk. 23. 2. Mark 14. 58. as one altogether unmov'd and as it were unconcerned therein our Lord freely admonished him of the Original of his power which indeed was Himself that he could have no power against Him except what was given him from above Jo. 19. 11. i. e. from Himself King of Kings by whom God his Father governeth the world and therefore that their sin was the more intolerable who had thus bound and delivered him up to be judged by those his Officers who from Him hold their power and by whom they Rule Jo. 19. 11. Thus as the Apostle 1 Tim. 6. 15. he witnessed before Pilat a good and free Confession and that with so much power and Majesty as that the Governor seems to have been in some manner perswaded of the truth of what he said and became much affraid Jo. 19. 8 9. and would have questioned further with him concerning his Divine Original but that this meek Lamb of God having said what was sufficient and intent upon his sufferings thought fit to put no obstruction thereto by a further declaration to this Gentile of his Parentage Jo. 19. 9. But so much was already said as that the Governor both professed his Innocence and washed his hands Matt. 27. 24 25. and sought all means to release Him Jo. 19. 12. even by exercisiing some cruelties on him himself to have preserved him from greater Jo. 19. 1 4. and after this when out of the surprisal of a contrary fear he most unworthily and cowardly pronounced sentence upon him or rather yeilded him up to the sentence of the Jews Matt. 27. 24. Mark 15 15. Luk. 23. 24. Yet He resolutely maintained his Title of a King nor would upon any their solicitation change it Answering them only Quod scripsi scripsi Jo. 19. 21. c. And God the Father likewise confirmed both this his Office and his Doctrine first by several times speaking from Heaven thrice by Thunder these voices coming for our sakes Jo. 12. 30. And by charging the people immediately by himself to hearken unto him This is c. Hear ye him Matt. 17. 5. Secondly by justifying his Innocence and Righteousness and all that he had said and done by his raising him again from the dead after he had been murdered by injustice and giving him glory 1 Pet. 1. 21. and by taking him up into Heaven by this did God give assurance unto all men Act. 17. 31. And declared him now to be his Son with power Rom. 1. 4. By this resuscitation of him by the Spirit of the Father was He justified against all calumny of the world to be the Son of God and ever since in the world beleeved on 1 Tim. 3. 16 And by this his Ascention the Holy Ghost now and for ever convinceth the world of his righteousness Jo. 16. 8 10. Amen CHAP. II. Jesus Christ the Exemplar and Pattern in all obedience to the Divine will and in the reward of that obedience O quantas tibi gratias tenemur Domine referre quod viam rectam dignatus es ostendere Nisi tu nos praecessisses quis sequi curaret Heu Quanti longe retro manerent nisi tua praeclara exempla respicerent Ecce adhuc tepescimus c. Kemp. Imitat Christi lib. 3. cap. 13. BOTH the whole world being deficient in former obedience see Rom. 3. 9. c. And now stricter obedience being exacted by God then formerly Next God sent his Son assuming first the same infirm nature we bear to become an example also of that perfection he proposed to be as the truth so the way to walk first himself in these paths wherein he directed others and to beat the ways that we might follow him to perform first Himself clothed with our weak flesh the hard tasks that he set us least he might seem with the Pharisee to lay heavy burdens on other mens shoulders and not to touch them with one of his own fingers That this was a chief end of his coming see 1 Pet. 2. 21. For even hereunto were we called Christ leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps 1 Jo. 2. 6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked Jo. 13. 12 15. Know ye what I have done to you and I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you Jo. 17. 19. For their sakes I sanctify my self that they also might be sanctified c. Matt. 11. 29. Learn of me by my example for I am meek c. Therefore in all those ways of God he pointed out unto us he never said Let him take up his Croâ—… and Go but follow Luk. 9. 23. And Jo. 10. This â—…hepheard followed not but led his Sheep He danced first after his own Pipe and for every rule gave his Scholars an Example an example in himself to all those hardest lessons in his Sermons According to his Doctrine Matt. 5. 18 kept all both the least and greatest Commandements left not a title unfulfilled for none could accuse him of sin Jo. 8. 46. see Heb. 4. 15. According to his Doctrine Matt. 5. 39. c. He resisted not evil see 1 Pet. 2. 23. who when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not But when they smote him on the right cheek he turned to them the other also Matt. 27. 29. When they took away his Coat he let them take away Cloak also Jo. 19. 23. c. tho he could have commanded
Heb. 2. 17. and tempted Heb. 2. 18. like unto his Brethren undergoing temptations from Sathan more then once Luk. 4. 13. and so far as to be carried up and down by him Matt. 4. 5. and that unclean spirit the most cursed of all the creatures of God to be suffered to take his onely Son in his arms From the world having all the glory of it presented to him Matt. 4. 9. a Kingdom offered him Jo. 6. 15. From the often necessities and natural inclinations of the flesh as may be sufficiently discovered in that passionate sad blood-sweating prayer many times iterated to be freed from death which he so resignedly concluded with not my will but thine be done for our example as if himself would have learnt patience by the things which he suffered Heb. 5. 8. He voluntarily became of no reputation Phil. 2. 7 A man of sorrows Esai 53. 3. put himself in the worst condition of life that those in the worst condition may neither complain nor boast that their sufferings are gone below the Son of God and then ended it in the most ignominious death upon a Gibbet naked among theeves a death inflicted on no free man particularly cursed by God Gal. 3. 13. Deut. 21. 23. commanded and executed under the Law only in the most horrid crimes as in the Israelites idolatry with Moab The perjur'd murthers of Saul the Kings of the cursed Canaanites to appease Gods extraordinary wrath where Famine or Plague broke out upon the people therefore is it stiled hanging them up before the Lord. And so â—…oathsome a spectacle was enjoyned again to be taken down and buried the same day as our Saviour was as it were out of his sight See Deut. 21. 22. Numb 25. 4. Josh. 10. 26. 2 Sam. 21. 6. This such a death he underwent despising the shame Heb. 12. 2. that in the greatest ignominy of their end also all his Sons might see before them a Divine precedent And suffered being perfectly innocent that none hereafter might think much to suffer for innocency all being some other way personally guilty For our example he became lowly and meek and stooped his neck unto the yoke that we might learn of him to be so too Mat. 11. 29. and put his shoulder under the heaviest cross that ever man bare that we might take up our lighter ones and follow him Luk. 9. And thus he suffered and thus he dyed not only before us but also for us first that his love saith the Apostle might constrain us 2 Cor. 5. 13. by his example so to suffer and to dy again if need be for him or also for one another 2 Cor. 12. 15. and that as he died for sin so we might dy to it Rom. 6. 6. 3. Thus our Saviour was made uuto us a pattern of sufferings Next God sent his Son to be to us in his resurrection from this death and reception into glory a pattern of the reward promised to obedience life eternal An example as of performing all the obedience active and passive God by him required of us so of receiving the reward God by him promised to us That so not only the promise of a greater reward then was revealed to the world formerly at least so expressly might more encourage us to weldoing but also the seeing of that reward bestowed upon the obedient might yet excite us more then the promise whilst we being yet in the combate behold another that used only the same weapons against the same enemies in the same infirmities crowned with victory and look unto one who running the same race for the joy also that was set before him enduring the Cross and despising the shame now for it is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God whilst considering him that endured such contradiction c. now for it exalted above all gainsaying we may not be wearied nor faint in our minds Heb. 12. 1 2 3. Therefore it was necessary that the Prophet that taught a resurrection should dy to shew us an example of deliverance from death And it was necessary that God should raise again this just person from the dead and cause him to reign to assure us by this example that whoever suffers with i. e. like Him shall also reign together with him Rom. 8. 17. and that we professing to be dead with him to sin should now likewise walk with him in newness of life Rom. 4. 6. For Christs exaltation also was bestowed on him for his obedience See Heb. 2. 9. Phil. 1. 8 9. Heb 1. 9. Rev. 3. 21. -5. 12. And as the natural Son came thus to be a pattern to us so must all the adopted Sons of God be a transcript and copy of him As if we obey and suffer as he we shall reign as he so if we will reign as he we must suffer and obey as he tho not so much as he yet in such manner as he For also neither shall we reign in such eminence as He. It is very well if the Servant be as his Lord Matt. 10. 25. not above Him And he that abideth in Christ ought himself also to walk even as he also walked 1 Jo. 2. 6. And that none may justly pretend inability so to walk I mean to some measure of perfection tho not to an equal with his for neither hath any had an equal measure of the Spirit to his he hath purchased from his Father the Derivation of the same Spirit on us which inabled himself Which holy Spirit is conferred and from time to time renewed and increased by the Sacraments i. e. non ponentibus obicem to the not wilfully and obstinatly unworthy receivers thereof and which Spirit alwaies abideth in us unless by great sins such as we are perpetually inabled to avoid it happen to be expelled and who so obeyeth the natural motions thereof must as necessarily operate the work of Christ the second Adam as he that abides still in the former state of the flesh must needs do the works of the first For as what is born of Flesh is Flesh so what is born of Spirit is Spirit and the same Spirit in the man Jesus and us guided that man no otherwise than us and now doth guide us as then Him CHAP. III. Jesus Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant GODS former Covenant of works with mankind made at the Creation and called the Law of Nature and again solemnized at Mount Sinai to that Nation to which he had confined his Church at the delivery of the law of Moses who was then the Mediator that passed between God and man see Exod. 14. mentioned Heb. 8. 9. being found unprofitable Heb. 8. 7 13. Man not continuing in the promised observance of it for indeed the promulgation of the law was effectual to make him more conscious of his sin but not to make him more observant of his duty see Rom. 7. 6. yet served it well to other Gods purposes intended by
18. For as he in our stead was made sin and an accursed thing and an offering that calling sin to remembrance suffered the extreme wrath of the Almighty due to sin so in himself and this for our sake too he was not only in his death being a voluntary and a free will-offering see Jo. 10. 15 17 18. comp with Jo. 19. 30 33. the other living longer for this my Father loveth me c. and so also loveth us for whom it is offered for his sake Eph. 1. 6. but all his life an Holocaust consumed with the fire of love towards man and zeal of the glory of his Father in a perfect devotement and resignation of his whole self to the will of God and in his perfect obedience and fulfilling of all his Commandements And then when he had done working Jo. 17. 4. finishing this Holocaust in suffering for the divine glory for the truth suffering till he was all spent and consumed with the zeal of his Fathers honor laid upon which whole burnt-offering all our imperfect sacrifices of obedience and resignation of sufferings and martyrdom of spending and being spent 2 Cor. 12. 15. Phil. 2. 17. 2 Tim. 2. 10. whereby God is made all in all and we nothing in our selves and so one with him do partake also of the sweet savor of this sacrifice and all our praiers and petitions for our selves or intercessions for others are accepted of God and the descent of all good things spiritual and temporal from him are procured Gen. 8. 21. Jo. 14. 13. Phil. 1. 12. 4. He was the grand Eucharistical sacrifice and peace-offering answering to those typical ones under the Law In which respect the memorial which we now celebrate of his passion is called the Eucharist and in which relation we are made partakers in the Communion and admitted to eat of this sacrifice see 1 Cor. 10. 16 20. of which as a burnt or sin-offering tho these it is also Heb. 13. 11 12. we might not eat for none might eat of his own sin-offering Now the peace-offerings had many several uses in all which the sacrifice of our Savior fulfilled them 1. They were a kind of federal oblation after remission of offences procured by the sin-offering which was still offered before not after the Peace-offerings by which the sinner was as it were readmitted into Gods favour and whereas he might not eat of the sin-offering by eating part of which sacrifice being Gods bread Lev. 21. 6. -22. 25. and partaking of these holy things he was entertained at the table and accepted into the fellowship of God c. Only none that was unclean or any stranger upon peril of death might eat thereof See Lev. 22. Secondly they were offerings of thanksgiving for all the Creatures all the blessings and good things first received from God Gen. 1. 29. -9. 3. Ps. 50. 10 11 12. and continued by his word Gen. 1. 22. Deut. 8. 3. Matt. 4. 4. of which therefore both of men and beasts and fruits the choicest and first were offered and sanctified unto the Lord as his portion and tribute Sanctifie unto me all the first born both of Man and of Beast and so also it was for the first Fruits It is mine Exod. 13. 15 2. And these accordingly they offered these or their price both to shew their gratitude and acknowledgment of Gods right as to these so to all the rest Deut. 8. 18. -28. 4 5 8 11 12. -26. 2 10. Lev. 25. 23. -19. 24. and also to receive his benediction through what was offered to him upon all the rest Ezech 44. 30. Lev. 23. 11 14. Rom. 11. 16. Now according to this type Christ the substance in whom all things are fulfilled and accepted for what careth God for Oxen or other Firstlings or first fruits not only the first born of his Mother but of every Creature and likewise the first fruits Col. 1. 15 18. Rom. 8. 29. 1 Cor. 15. 20 23. was not redeemed but offered in his own person offered unto God first by whom all others were redeemed from the like And secondly by and through which offering only all our praises and thanksgivings are accepted for all things Eph. 1. 6. -3. 21. Col. 3. 17. Heb. 13. 15. Phil. 1. 11. and the right to and lawful use of them procured unto us only by this offering Rom. 14. 14. Eph. 1. 3. -4. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 5. Rom. 8. 32. And again by it as a federal oblation is the Covenant of grace and our peace ratified To the eating and partaking of which Sacrifice also in the mystical Sacrament of his Body and blood we are admitted to the worlds end And 1. By the eating of which as the Jews and also Idolaters were to the eating of theirs we are accepted in partaking of this Table to the unity Communion and fellowship with God see 1 Cor. 10. 14. c. to the 22. Only concerning which it is also provided that no unclean person or stranger unadmitted by Baptism may approach to eat thereof 1 Cor. 11. 28 29. Secondly by eating and partaking of which sacrifice excelling the other under the law in as much as it is the Body and blood of the Son of God we are admitted to Communion with the Son and mystically incorporated into him made members of his body flesh of his flesh c. And that not in a Metaphor but in a great mystery saith the Apostle Eph. 5. 32. And then from being partakers of the body become also partakers of the Spirit of Christ 1 Cor. 6. 17. And from partaking of his nature the body and the spirit of the Son of God become also Sons of God and heirs of eternal life 1 Cor. 12. 13. -6. 13 15 17. c. Eph. 5. 29. Jo. 17. 2 23. By eating and partaking of one and the same nourishment of this one Sacrifice of this one bread 1 Cor. 10. 17. we also become one Bread and have Communion with all the Saints of God as well those in Heaven as those upon earth partaking of all their glory praiers c. Heb. 12. 23. Eph. 3. 15. Eph. 2. 19. Col. 1. 20. 1 Jo. 5. 16. Job 42. 8. Gen. 20. 7 17. 2 Cor. 1. 〈◊〉 5. And hence with reference to this Sacrifice as also to the tree of life in Paradise and to the Manna and water flowing out of the Rock in the Wilderness which were types of Christ 1 Cor. 10. 2 3 4. -12. 13. Jo. 6. 32 35 49. Our Saviour is said to be the bread of life preserving him that eats the flesh of this Sacrifice so that he shall live for ever And he that eateth him shall live by him Jo. 6. 57. 6. Lastly he was the true Passover Christ our Passover is Sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7. He the true paschal Lamb fulfilling that typical one of the Jews In relation to which also when this Lamb was slain it was taken care that a bone
of him should not be broken tho theirs that suffered with him were That the Scripture might be in all things fulfilled in him And by the eating and the sprinkling of the blood of this as of that see Exod. 12. Lamb it is but we must do it with our staves in our hands and our loins girt as then i. e. prepared for another country that we obtain the true and everlasting redemption of which that other was but a type from Satan the destroying Angel and from all the plagues which are to fall upon the Spiritual Egypt of the reprobate world even upon all those who have no share in this Lamb who is worthy to receive power and riches c. because he was thus slain and hath redeemed us with his blood Rev. 5. 9 12. CHAP. V. Jesus Christ the Redeemer from Sin the Law Death Satan MAN made upright but under a Law not only disposed by the integrity of nature but enabled by supernatural grace to keep it upon his fall presently Gods justice substracting his violated grace first became a subject and slave ever since to the dominion of carnal concupiscence and of sin stiled also frequently the flesh The old man to obey it in all the lusts thereof and to bring forth perpetual fruits of unrighteousness See this tyranny of sin and slavery of man Rom. 7. 7. expressed so far as that he is said even to be not only captiv'd but slain by it Ver. 11. so Eph. 2. 1. Dead in trespasses c. and Rom. 8. 10. the body dead because of sin and sin reviv'd and I dyed Rom. 7. 9. see Jo. 8. 34. comp 32 35 36 44. Man did not abide in the house and family of God but lost his inheritance because of a Son of God Luk. 3. 38. he became a Servant to sin and a Son of the Devil 2. Upon this he presently incurred a second miserable servitude and bondage unto the law keeping him under as a strict Schoolmaster and still exacting its task of him Debtor to the whole law Gal. 4. 3. -5. 3 and no way able now as before by supernatural grace to perform it and he not performing it It presently wrought wrath against him Rom. 4. 15. pronouncing its curse upon him Gal. 3. 10. and so committing him a child of wrath Eph. 2. 3. into the hands of Gods justice 3. Now the penalty of this law not observed was death and so man became also subject unto bondage all the rest of his life thro fear of death Heb. 2. 15. The wages of his sin Rom. 6. 23. which also reigned over him Rom. 5. 14. the enemy of mankind and of all of them the last subdued 1 Cor. 15. 26. 4. Of this death Satan was to be the Executioner As the first creature that was the object so ever since and that not unwillingly made the instrument of Gods vengeance toward any other creature both comforting his own pains as it were with the society of their misery and satisfying his hate against God in any mischief upon his image And so upon sin we were presently seized upon by this Jaylor his Captives and prisoners reserved for destruction upon whom he inflicts also for the present all other miseries here suffered for sin See 1 Cor. 5. 5. 1 Tim. 1. 20. Ps. 78. 49. Exod. 12. 23. Rev. 9. 11. 1 Cor. 10. 10. 1 Chron. 21. 1. compared with 2 Sam. 24. 1. Luk. 13. 15 16. And therefore all venemous and noxious creatures to us are called his instruments Luk. 10. 19. But secondly we are not subject to him only as an Executioner and an inflicter of punishment but as the Prince the God 2 Cor. 4. 4. of this lower world that upon the departure of the good spirit presently possessed us as his best house and lodging here below Matt. 12. 44. Col. 1. 13. the spirit that worketh mightily saith the Apostle in the children of disobedience Eph. 2. 2. and we are become of Gods his children Act. 13. 10. Jo. 8. 44. And the lusts of him our Father now we do so that as in innocency we did no good but by the assistance of the good spirit so since the fall we hardly do any evil but by the suggestion of the ill spirit See Act. 5. 3. 1 Cor. 7. 5. 1 Chron. 21. 1. 1 King 22. 22. 1 Tim. 5. 15. 2 Cor. 2. 11. c. So that as he hath power as Gods Sergeant to inflict death at last so he hath power as Gods enemy in this his Kingdom of the Air of Darkness of this world to make us serve him while we live power both regal and paternal over us yet without either the protection of a Prince or affection of a Father making us do that only for which afterward he may punish us God indeed having put enmity between him and man from the beginning Gen. 3. He being told that at last he should be destroyed by the womans seed and therefore rejoycing in nothing so much as to destroy her seed Rev. 12. And into the hands of this his enemy was now man faln And him a very powerful and dreadful enemy Eph. 6. 12. For note 1. That as man hath not by his fall so neither the Devil by his lost all the priviledges of his nature and being permitted still his being is allowed also all the operations belonging to it retaining power and subtilty 2 Cor. 2. 11. Eph. 6. 11. according to the measure of the spiritual strength and knowledge of other Angels 2. That tho as man sinning was ejected out of Paradise so he out of the blessed place of his first habitation Jude 6. unto these lower and darker regions of the world called Prince of them because they are the place of his abode yet here hath he not received the final restraint and judgment for his sin which shall be passed upon him when upon others i. e. at the general day of doom as well for Angels as men see Rev. 20. 10. 1 Cor. 6. 3. 2 Pet. 2. 4. 3. That mean while in this dejection As God hath not taken away their natural power of hurting and seducing from wicked men so neither from the wicked spirits which power the Devil exerciseth as a tempter toward the good and as a Prince over the wicked in this his kingdom of the air Only as God restrains the power of wicked by the opposition of good men so of the wicked by the opposition of good Angels of the Holy Spirit of Christ himself King over all and both evil men and angels by the secret limitations of his providence Job 1. 10. and restrains those so much more who are less resistable and this more in respect of some then of others the children of God being more protected from his seducements by a greater power of the Holy Spirit residing in them c. 1 Jo. 4. 4. Luk. 22. 31. the children of disobedience more abandoned to his will and commands 2 Tim. 2.
26. Eph. 2. 3. Thus man being in his lapsed condition the Apostle makes as it were four persons sin the law and death and Satan tyrannizing over him and keeping him in an irremediable subjection possessed instead of the free loving good spirit of God with the spirit of bondage Rom. 8. 15. and of fear and of this world See sin which is called also the flesh and the old man described as a person Rom. 7. 9 11. Jam. 1. 14 15. Gen. 4. 7. 2. The law Rom. 7. 3 4. Gal. 3. 23 24. 3. Death 1 Cor. 15. 26 51. Rom. 5. 14. And they assault him in this order Sin slayes him by the dart of the law for the strength of sin is the law and death slayes him by the sting of sin for the sting of death is sin 1 Cor. 15. 56. and Satan slayes him by the hand of death As he who hath the power of death from Gods justice Heb. 2. 14. Lastly Satan having no power but from God the justice of God committeth us into the hands of this officer till we shall pay the debt of sin by the first Covenant due unto him Man being in this deplorable condition the Son of God in great pitty to his creature came to redeem him out of the hands of all these that hated him Esai 61. 1. Luk. 4. 18. Col. 1. 13. and to make him a freeman again Joh. 8. 34. comp 32 36. Gal. 4. 23. c. Gal. 5. 1. And that meanwhile justice might be satisfied and every one of the rest also have his due he put himself in our stead into their hands and paid the full ransom and price that was required not silver nor gold Ps. 49. 6 7 8 9. 1 Tim. 2. 6. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19 20. but life for life Matt. 20. 28. 1. To destroy sin in the flesh he came in the likeness of sinful flesh Rom. 8. 3. and after he had endured with the same weak nature all its assaults Heb. 2. 18. Matt. 4. 1. 16. 23. tho he did not sin yet was he made sin for us i. e. liable to undergo the ill consequents of sin as if he had sinned 2 Cor. 5. 21. 2. To satisfie the law he was made under the law also both the moral and the ceremonial in particular reference to the Jew that he might redeem them that were under the law Gal. 4. 5. most exactly keeping it in Circumcision and observation of the Sabbath tho they falsly accused him of the breach thereof and all other ordinances Yet after all this we being under its curse he also tho obedient in every thing to the law for he became a curse or accursed Gal. 3. 13. 3. Death requiring possession where sin had given it a just title and 4. Satan being not a-wanting to use his licensed power in inflicting it Luk. 22. 53. He therefore being first made sin and a curse also underwent the assaults of these two last for us underwent and tasted of death for every sinful man Heb. 2. 9. 1 Cor. 8. 11. even the death of the cross And his going thus far perchance might have served for the discharge of a debt had we been saving some trespasses past in a perfect and entire condition for the future but besides the fruit already brought forth unto death for which we owed it we were also subjected to the dominion of these enemies to bring forth more still for the future In respect of which no compleat redemption of us could be without a conquest of them as well as a payment And had our Redeemer not made a conquest of them had he been either pierced by sin or broken any point of the Law how then indeed could he have paid that death a ransom for us which had been due for himself Again not breaking these had he yet been any way held by death and Satan since tho the ransom was paid for sins past yet their dominion would have remained still in us for producing more How could he deliver us from this dominion from which he could not save himself In which terms the Devil once began to insult over him on the Cross thou that savest others c. How could he rescue us from death being himself detained in it how by his spirit in us destroy sin if that spirit could not raise him from the punishment of sin for all our spirit and life is only from and in him In whose death all our hopes were also dead 1 Cor. 15. 14. Therefore saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 14 17. If Christ be not risen from death ye are yet in your sins See Rom. 4. 25. 1 Tim. 3. 16. Indeed we were not only prisoners for debt to Satan as an Officer of Gods justice Matt. 5. 25 26 but captives to him as Prince of this world and therefore our Savior was our Redeemer also in two senses from debt and from slavery by paying a ransom and by making a conquest which he throughly did For sin could not enter into him nor the law could not accuse him in any point nor could death tho it had him in its arms hold him Act. 2. 24. and so Satan also that had the power of death yet in his reviving from death was overcome Heb. 2. 14. by the power of the holy spirit raising him again from it See Rom. 1. 4. 1 Tim. 3. 16. Heb. 9. 14. Gal. 1. 4. And that he might be a pattern unto us in the way and of the victory of sufferings the manner he chose to conquer these enemies was by subjecting himself unto them and by making himself capable of their assaults and by suffering from them By comming in the likeness of sinful flesh he destroyed sin in the flesh by dying killed and triumphed over death In which Sampson slaying his enemies by his own being slain and Eliah raising the dead child by imitating the same postures were types of him Destroyed the Devils tempting by being tempted by him and in the likeness of the Serpent Numb 21. 9. Jo. 3. 14. being also made a curse like him cured the bitings of the Serpent by submitting to and most exactly keeping the law annulled it Thus he for his obedience being made Lord of the law Matt. 12. 8. and changing the ordinances delivered by Moses Jo. 4. 21. Col. 2. 13 14. Rom. 7. 24 25. Jo. 12. 31. Col 1. 13 14. and translating us out of the kingdom of darkness into his kingdom Tit. 2. 14. Redeemed us from iniquity for good works 2 Tim. 1. 10. abolished death 1 Thess. 1. 10. Delivered us out of the hands of justice Act. 13. 39. Eph. 2. 15. out of the hands of Moses's law And he triumphing first himself over them all thus set us also at liberty At liberty from them 2 Cor. 3. 17. Jo. 8. 32 36. yet not for our selves to be now our own Masters but redeemed us for his service for ever hereafter See 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. Rom. 14. 4 7.
life knowledge power to the gift and Communication and all he doth to the command and appointment and exemplar of the Father Himself to live by him to have life in himself as the Father hath but from his gift to be sent by him not only the man Christ Jesus to be sent to us in the flesh and human nature but the second Person in the Trinity then the only begotten Son of God the Father see 1 Jo. 4. 9. comp Jo. 3. 13 17. Jo. 6. 38 39. -17. 5. Heb. 1. 2 3. to be first also sent into the flesh and to take human nature upon him for he that was sent descended from Heaven and was made flesh see 1 Jo. 4. 2. Jo. 16. 28. Heb. 2. 14 16. 1 Tim. 3. 16. Jo. 6. 38. Again to judge do as he hears from him as he is taught by him Jo. 8. 28. as he hath seen him do the works he shews him operating as it were after his pattern see Jo. 5. 6. 7. 8. chapters Jo. 14. 28. -17. 3. 1 Cor. 15. 27. Jo. 10. 18. -5. 30. -8. 15. -10. 32. Matt. 20. 23. Many of which places if not all cannot be understood of his human nature Neither are these expressions incongruent to the second person of the Trinity since the like are granted to be used of the third the Holy Ghost See Jo. 15. 26. -16. 13 14 15. 2. But secondly which is more to our purpose in the mystery of the Incarnation here God the Father only represents the whole Deity in its Glory and Majesty and God the Son then divested stripped and emptied Himself of that form of God in which he was and in respect of the use and exercise of it further then as the Father pleased to dispense it unto him of all the Majesty and power of his Divinity In which thing our blessed Lord was fore-typified by Sampson for thus was he for the love of an Harlot we were no better willing to part with and to lay aside all his strength to be bound by his own Nation and delivered up to his enemies Judg. 15. 11. to be blinded and made sport with and to be put to death but by his death as Sampson destroying his enemies and getting the victory See Judg. 16. Thus he became in fashion only as a man Luk. 12. 50. undertaking all the imperfections that are without sin of human nature such as others have and receiving all the perfections of it from the gift of God the Father so as others do c. Suffering the imperfection and infirmities not only of the body but those innocent ones of the Soul too and these not only in the sensitive and appetitive faculties as fear sorrow Mark 14. 34. horror of death c. In so much that he was capable of being strengthened by one of those Angels whom he had made Luk. 22. 43. not to name that treating with him by Ambassadors from Heaven Luk. 9. 31. one from the law and another from the Prophets about his sufferings Besides those natural inclinations and velleities if I may so say that appeared in him of the lower faculties solliciting for things convenient to them tho alwaies ordered by reason and the Spirit to conformity with the will of God see Jo. 6. 38. Rom. 15. 3. Matt. 26. 39. Where we discover natural propensions diverse from those of the Spirit tho these proposing their own desires not opposing the others resolves But some think in the Intellectual part also either 1. The absence of some knowledge supernatural to man non debitoe inesse for some time by the suspension of the light of his Divinity from it as it is clear the Beatifical vision was suspended from it in the time of his sad and dolorous passion Which knowledg increased in him according to the dispensation of the Father See Luk. 1. 80. -2. 52. where Christ is said to increase in wisdom and spirit c. not in appearance only but with God as well as men see Mark. 13. 32. comp with Rev. 1. 1. and this with Rev. 5. 5 6. c. where the Lamb is said to be worthy to c. to have prevailed to open the book Of all future events and to look thereon c. and v. 12. To receive wisdom this being signified vers 6. by the 7 eyes as power by the 7 horns for that he was slain c. and Mark 6. 6. Matt. 8. 10. where he is said to wonder as if some thing happened unexpected Or 2. The absence of that experimental knowledg which he afterward acquired by sufferings see Heb. 5. 8. -2. 17 18. Or 3. at least see Jo. 16. 30. -21. 17. some restraint of the effects and external manifestations of his knowledge till the time the Father had appointed for them to be opened See Act. 17. comp with Rev. 1. 1. and Mark. 13. 32. Matt. 20. 23. Therefore he is said in his youth to have heard the Doctors of the Law and conferred with them tho by this doubtless he learned not from but imparted wisdom to them Luk. 2. 46 47. Nor did he offer to teach till the age allowed for Doctors to profess And not then till after he had as it were prepared himself for it in six Weeks solitude silence watching fasting prayer For he who prayed whole nights when all the day wearied with emploiments certainly omitted it not in that long vacation And so for the external operations of the Spirit it self tho he was by the Holy Ghost conceived and had it not stinted and given by measure as others Jo. 3. 34. Col. 1. 19. who yet are said also to be filled with the Holy Ghost as the blessed Virgin and St Stephen and some even from the womb as St John Baptist. See Luk. 1. 15. Act. 7. 55. yet the more publick functions of it were restrained till at 30 years of age that he was baptized that it at the solemnity visibly descended on him and then he began in the strength of it to preach do Miracles c. Luk. 4. 1. Jo. 2. 11. -4. 54. And so his power tho alwaies as God equal to the Fathers Jo. 3. 35. yet for the actual exercise and execution of it as man successively given him according to the fore-appointments of the Father In which respect he saith more emphatically and with signification of some enlargement of it I mean as Man All power is given me c. Matt. 28. 28. Jo. 5. 20. Jo. 14. 12. -17. 12. -16. 7. Matt. 11. 25. Eph. 4. 10. Rev. 1. 18. And it shall be yet more fully said by him at his second coming till when his fulness and his Kingdom in respect of his members is not prefected See 1 Cor. 15. 28. Eph. 1. 23. 2. Again receiving all perfections of this human nature not from the donation of the Word the second person united to it but from the Donation of the Father For tho as 't is shewed before he hath all dependence on the
of Jesus of the Son see Gal. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 1. 11. Act. 16. 7. vulg Jo. 16. 7 14. we come to be his sons Now this spirit is not given promiscuously to all the sons of the first Adam nor is all the seed of the first by God the Father's secret will in the dispensation here and there of the ministery of the Gospel and by the default of some of those that hear it therefore our Savior useth those limitations Jo. 6. 44 65. -17. 9 11 12. the seed also of the second But there is something on mans part prerequired for God having given us before in our first Creation something we may make use of in our second and besides this the external ministry of the Gospel where-we are called to grace tho creavit to sine te non salvabit te sine te to the receiving of this spirit I mean here in a more eminent degree of its operations and of our sanctification and union by it unto Christ our Lord and our incorporation and entrance into this heavenly linage And these are Faith some degree of it i. e. gladly receiving the word Act. 2. 41. called also obedience to the word see Act. 8. 12 13 37. comp v. 16. 17. Eph. 1. 13. Jo. 17. 39. not rejecting the counsel of God Luk. 7. 30. believing Gods justification of the ungodly Rom. 4. 5. and Repentance for sins past intending to live no longer in them see Heb. 6. 2. 1 Pet. 3. 21. yet which also both faith and repentance are the gift of God see Eph. 2. 8. 2 Tim. 2. 25. Act. 16. 14. tho the first cometh ordinarily by hearing where by Gods mercy the Gospel is preached Rom. 10. 17. and the second by the first Jonah 3. 5. Upon which two Christ hath appointed Baptism to be administred by his substitutes and the holy spirit at the same time by himself conferred see Jo. 7. 39. Eph. 1. 13. Gal. 3. 2 13 22. Act. 2. 38. -19. 2. -5. 32. Luk. 11. 13. First then at our Baptism upon faith and repentance Ps 45. 10. we begin to be born again of water and of the spirit but not so as presently quite cashiering the image of the former Adam but as being now a compound of an old man and a new or of a body and soul from Adam called the flesh and of a spirit from Christ I mean not that contradistinguished to the soul 1 Thess. 5. 23. where by the spirit seems to be meant the rational Intellective part or soul see 1 Cor. 2. 11. Act. 7. 59. Luk. 23. 46. By soul the 〈◊〉 and sensitive part or soul which is also used for to signify life but I mean a spirit superadded to this natural spirit See 1 Cor. 14. 14 2. where there is a spirit in us plainly distinguished from the natural faculty of the understanding which operated when the understanding was quiescent see v. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Rev. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 12. 10. c. the spirit of man being the soul of a natural man besides which the Apostles had another spirit searching all things c. as Christ also is compounded of two natures the Human and Divine Act. 10. 38 yet is the one of these dying in us by degrees as the other grows and we are putting off mortifying crucifying the one and putting on and renewing the other day by day Rom. 6. 6. Col. 3. 5. Gal. 6. 14. 2 Cor. 4. 16. Rom. 12. 2. Eph. 4. 22 23 24. whilst there is a perpetual combate between them The spirit lusting against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit Gal. 5. 17. until we are perfected which is not attained in this life Yet here the elder man is serving the younger provided that we do not wither and fall away from grace and dy again to God And by reason of this double outward and inward man that is in us it is that the Apostles where they tell us that we are dead to sin c. yet exhort us also to dy to sin see Rom. 6. 2. comp 12. 1 Pet. 4. 1. comp 1 Pet. 2. 11. and that the Saints where they give thanks do also pray for a deliverance Now in this our renovation made by certain steps and degrees this spirit derived from Christ operateth and produceth the image of Christ first in our soul and then afterward in our body After the same manner as it was in Christ himself who first had grace in his soul with passibility in his body till he died after which that also was glorified by the same spirit Here therefore it begins in this life by its mighty working Col. 1. 29. 2 Cor. 9. 14 15. to transform and renew us Rom. 12. 2. Eph. 4. 13. Gal. 2. 19 20. Eph. 3. 16 17. Phil. 1. 21. residing here after faith and repentance which are certain preludium's and foregifts also of it See Matt. 16. 17. 1 Cor. 12. 3. 1 Jo. 4. 2. and are increased in us proportionably as it is bringing all its rich graces with it mentioned 1 Cor. 12. 3 8. c. 1. Illuminating and inspiring and renewing knowledge in the understanding in vain without it sought by us any other way therefore called the spirit of truth see Jo. 16. 13. 1 Cor. 2. 10. c. 2 Pet. 1. 21. 1 Jo. 2. 20 27. and of prophecy Rev. 9. 10. -12. 17. 1 Jo. 5. 10. 2. Sanctifying the will and affections Therefore called the spirit of holiness first quenching there all worldly desires and satiating the soul instead of them see Jo. 7. 37 39. -4. 14. 2. Begetting an ardent and unsatiable love of God and fervency of praier and obedience to all his commands written by it in our hearts out of love such as was in Christ. Matt. 5. 6. Ps. 40. 8. Rom. 5. 5. 2 Tim. 1. 7. 2 Cor. 3. 6 7. Rom. 8. 26 27. 3. Producing greater joy in and desire of sufferings In imitation of our Savior for his for Gods for the truths sake which truth this spirit seals unto us 1 Thess. 1. 6. Rom. 5. â—… Heb. 10. 34. Act. 5. 41. Phil. 1. 29. 2 Cor. 12. 10. Col. 1. 11. 2 Cor. 11. 23. I more his Minister c. 2 Cor. 5. 14. Lastly comforting alwaies by begetting a lively hope by witnessing to us what we are and sealing what we shall be Gal. 5. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 3. Jo. 16. 17. Rom. 8. 16. 2 Thess. 2. 16. Gal. 4. 6. 1 Jo. 3. 24. Eph. 1. 13. All which graces now are the image of Christ stamped on the soul called partaking of his holiness Heb. 12. 10. and being created after God in righteousness Eph. 4. 24. But yet this image of or union with our Savior in the soul is not perfect neither in this life therefore called first fâ—…uits only of the spirit and tast of the heavenly gifts and the powers of the world to come an earnest and seal of something to be had more fully hereafter
eye on the beauty of God the Original of all that is called fair in that Sanctuary is struck infinitely in love therewith and enamoured cries out whom have I in heaven c. Ps. 73. 25. the vehement longing after which 't is supposed drew those expressions from the High Priest himself in this his exile from it How am I straitned Luk. 12. 50. and with desire have I desired Luk. 22. 15. and from his servant St. Paul I am in a strait cupiens dissolvi c. Phil. 1. 23. And then this love to the Deity of the Temple will naturally produce the service of it In his Temple doth every man speak of his glory Ps. 29. 9. eternal singing of praise and giving of glory unto him even like those inflamed Cherubims that rest not night nor day nor no more do the Saints Rev. 7. 15. crying one to another alternately Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus Rev. 4. 8. Esai 6. 3. whose imploiment we envy not only because we love not God grant that we may not slothfully or heavily perform that duty here which must be our eternal imploiment hereafter unless we be eternally miserable To conclude the last act of our Savior as High Priest is coming again out of the Sanctuary For as the people waited without praying Luk. 1. until the Legal High Priest having made a full attonement came forth again and blessed them from the Lord. Numb 6. 23. Lev. 9. 22. So unto them that look for him shall Christ who was once offered to bear the sins of many appear a second time here without sin i. e. bringing us full remission hereof unto our final salvation Heb. 9. 28. For tho before it was noted how he staying there blessed us from the Sanctuary yet 't is not a compleat blessing till his return when coming forth with his face shineing like Moses from the glory of him before whom he stands he shall also glorifie us not only in soul but in body like himself and take and carry us in with him into the Sanctuary to see his glory and his Fathers glory Jo. 17. 24. and to be for ever with them 1 Thess. 4. 7. Which coming forth and glorious appearance of the great God and our Savior therefore all the Saints as the Israelites did of old are said by the Apostle to love to look for and patiently to wait for 1 Cor. 1. 7. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 2 Thess. 3. 5. Tit. 2. 13. Who yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 10. 17. Amen CHAP. VIII Jesus Christ the Lord and King governing protecting the Church GOD in the beginning made the world by his Son the second Person of the Trinity Jo. 1. 3. Heb. 1. 2 10. God the Father working by interior purpose or decree the Son in exterior production of the effect The Holy Ghost by an internal virtue residing as it were in the thing that is produced God the Father in or thro the Son doth all things by the spirit The Father resolves the Son commands the Holy Ghost works The first the Agent the second the wisdom the third the power See 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 6. the three persons And by him sustained and conserved it into its being Heb. 1. 3. Col. 1. 17. And by him governed it in all its motions and changes The divine eternal relations of the Son to the Father must needs conclude this since he is the word Jo. 1. 1. the wisdom 1 Cor. 1. 24. of the Father without which none will say the world was made or is governed See Prov. 8. 22. But yet in a more special manner by him in all ages governed the Church of which God the Son was alwaies the Head Eph. 1. 22. and the careful Conductor amongst all its enemies even from the Creation as it were in a preludium of its redemption by him And the Holy Spirit that guided the Prophets as now so then was sent from him by which he alwaies preached the will of his Father unto men 1 Pet. 3. 19. and he was alwaies in the world tho the world knew him not and alwaies the light of men that enlightned every one coming into the world See 1 Pet. 1. 11. 2 Pet. 1. 21. 1 Pet. 3. 19. comp 2 Pet. 2. 4 5. Jude 14. 2 Sam. 23. 2. Jo. 8. 56 58. where note that St. John every where much vindicating for in his time it received some opposition the eternal divine nature of our Savior whence in honorem he was stiled Theologus John the Divine speaks frequently of his operations not only as come in the flesh but also as the eternal Son of God and as working all things with the Father before incarnate Jo. 12. 41. 1 Cor. 10. 9. Heb. 11. 26. Exod. 23. 20 21. comp 33. 3 14. 1 Cor. 10. 9. By which it appears our Savior was the Conductor of the Church in the wilderness refusing afterward upon their sin to go with them himself least his holiness and hatred to wickedness should consume them c. Exod. 33. 2 3. and deputing another Angel for this office but deprecated by Moses vers 12 14. Deut. 4. 34. Esai 63. 9. and reassuming their conduct c. see Act. 7. 38 39. Eph. 2. 20. He called the Corner stone and foundation of the Prophets as well as Apostles Gen. 32. 24 28. and Hos. 12. 3 4. Anciently assuming many times an human shape as a fore-personating of his Incarnation See Josh. 5. 13 14 15. comp Exod. 3. 5. and Rev. 19. 10. -22. 9. Head of the Army of God Judg. 2. 1 5. Exod. 14. 10. comp 13. 21. Judg. 6. 12 14. c. And as by him all things were thus made and governed c. so being the eternal Son of God the Father he was alwaies the Heyr of all things Heb. 1. 2. -3. 3 4 6. and for him they were made Col. 1. 16. Thus was our Savior before his Incarnation enthroned in the bosom of the Father Jo. 1. 18. and the most High in his glory before the world was Jo. 17. 5. And all power and government and judgment committed to him from the beginning and in a particular manner the protection and Headship of the Church In which office he gave his spirit as since to the Apostles so also of old to the Prophets and when he came into the world is said to have come to his own and to be born King c. Jo. 1. 10 11. Yet this he did first out of an infinite desire of his Fathers greater glory and to If I may so say recover his kingdom and reduce it into peace first by the rebellion of the Angels and then the revolt and falling away and enmity to him of man also by the instigations of the Prince of the air much troubled as it were and diminished from what at first it was Not that all things forced by his overuling power do not still yield subjection unto God for who hath
in all times but only to some generations according to the good pleasure of the Father to whom his kingdom is subject in every country and again to some Countries in every age Matt. 24. 14. How narrow was the sound of the promulgation of his kingdom at first Into any Village of the Samaritans enter ye not How obscure his Sermons And without a parable spake he not unto them How uncapable his Auditors Not able to bear his doctrines Jo. 16. 12. Luk. 24. 21. Great works were done when he was present here but greater to be done after his departing hence Jo. 14. 12. His personal presence with his servants which was a great encouragement to them being advanced into an assisting them with his presence with God in heaven and his spiritual presence not with but in them receiving there from the Father and giving unto them the Holy Ghost by which themselves ignorant whilst his body was with them were enlightned with all truth and thousands now at a time converted to the Truth Therefore was it expedient for the promoting of his kingdom to go hence His Commission before being only from the Jews I am not sent c. Maâ—…t 15. 24. but after his ascent receiving the promise for the Gentiles when he asked of God and had given him the Heathen also for his inheritance Ps. 2. 8. And shedding the gift of all manner of tongues upon his Disciples for instructing them And ever since hath he enlarged his borders and advanced to a further perfection towards his fulneâ—…s which is his body the Church Eph. 1. 21. still bringing more sheep into his fold Jo. 10. 16. and gathering up the children of the kingdom as his Father hath given them him here and there in this or in the next generation not loosing one of those be gives him and sending his Laborers hither and thither according as his harvest is ripe Now forbidding his Apostles to sow their seed in one place where he sees the ground is yet too stubborn to receive it as in Asia Act. 16. 6. and in Bithynia vers 7. They assayed to go into Bithynia but the spirit of Jesus as many Copies suffered them not and in Jerusalem Act. 22. 18 21. They in Jerusalem will not receive thy testimony concerning me make hast depart I will send thee to the Gentiâ—…es Again guiding them and that by appearing himself in person to other places where he saw he had by his Father given him much people as at Corinth Antioch Ephesus See Act. 13. 48. -16. 10. -18. 9 10. -8. 39. Then spake the Lord to Paul Be not afraid for I have much people in this City So in places where they might do him more service pricking them forward extraordinarily with the secret instigations of his spirit See Act. 17. 16. -18. 5. -19. 21. driving Paul without any rest to Jerusalem that he might convey him thence by occasion of a false accusation to sow the Gospel at Rome See Act. 13. 2. -8. 1 4. more spreading the Gospel by a persecution of the professors Gods work being not good without evil But Good out of evil All this zeal toward the Gentile after he had out of his dear affection to his own nation first made tender of their ministry to the Jew where then refused yet in the time appointed his standard shall be set up and they also shall bow unto his Scepter and unto Sion shall come the deliverer Rom. 11. 26. comp with Esai 59. 20. and the light of the Gentiles shall also be the glory of Israel Thus the Sun of righteousness goeth on and prospereth and none are hid from the heat thereof but also as the Sun he enlightneth not all this Sphere at once First rising upon the Jew from them shining on the Gentile amongst these first visiting the proselytes and those who were before introducted into the Jew's religion for such were most of the first Converts Act. 16. 14. -17. 4 12 17. 18. 7. but from these by little and little spreading to the rest of the Gentiles those before abounding in all idolatry and amongst these to the Eastern and Asiatick people sooner the light of the Gospel holding the same course with that of the Sun and night also since having succeeded the day in places where it first shined then to the European and the West those whom the Gospel visited later being recompensed in this that they have retained it longer But this so as the light is still increasing and far more here added to the fold of that great Shepheard then have there apostatized from it and still it proceeds and hath passed over the broadest Seas to new discovered kingdoms America and so from them hath made the round to the furthest East China to the posterity of Sem For by him was the East generally peopled as the North by Japhet and the South by Cham and from them shall at last return to the posterity of Abraham the bodâ—… of the Jewish nation from whence it set forth Rom. 11. with whom we hope that a remnant of Cham s seed also out of which hath sprung that great enemy of Christ shall be gathered to the Church Ps. 72. 10 11. and then that wicked one with those that obstinately follow him be utterly destroyed and then Noah's curse fully accomplished And 〈◊〉 observable that at the same time the Gospel began to decay in some parts it began to be planted in others When the Eastern and African Churches began to be overgrown with Apostacy and Heresy the Northern nations Germany Pole Denmark Sweden Norway c. began to be gathered into the Church And after that the West again had been overrun with the grossest superstitions Sects and Divisions the Gospel was hastily transferred to the East and West-Indies From Christian assemblies it hath grown to Christian States and from these again as it has been of a long time generally belived shall encrease into a Christian and the fifth and last Empire not that all that live then shall be Saints or that the world shall be under one Monarch an opinion made to serve the ends of sedition and tyranny but all or most for their religion Christians neither shall Antichristianism be universal either for place or time Of the 10 horns this Enemy shall prevail but over three Dan. â—… 8. and as he shall be toward the end of the world so shall he not continue unto it nor have the honor mundo secum moriente mori but those Kings at last shall make him desolate who before gave their strength unto him And our Saviour shall conquer the world first another way before by setting it on fire His spirit his word first shall prevail over it over the hearts and souls of men and they shall one day before the last become subjects not only to his power but to his truth when Satan also himself before the time that he shall be utterly destroyed shall first have shackles
Abraham and the glad tidings he brought him in them of that coming which the Jews then yet without rejoycing as Abraham beheld And might not Abraham be said thus to see his glory as well as Esai it must be granted did 2. And next the descent of the Lord in the times of Noah how like is it to this in Abraham's time before the firing of Sodom And his conference with and complaint to Noah see Gen. 6. 3 7 8 12 13. -7. 1 16. and his promises to him and Covenant with him and his seed Gen. 6. 18. -9. 9. c. to those with Abraham And his preserving of Noah with his family and his shutting them up in the Ark Gen. 7. 16. to his delivering of Lot and his leading him forth by the hand And his causing it to rain those miraculous waters by opening the windows of heaven and springs of the deep Gen. 7. 4 11. to the fiery rain upon Sodom and how well do these agree with that expression 1 Pet. 3. 19 So that it seems without doubt these two of the firing of Sodom and of the flood and that of drowning the Egyptians in the Red sea with the salvation of Noah Lot and Israel being the 3 grand types to the world of the last great judgment to come see 2 Pet. 2. 5 6. Jude 5. 7. that they were executed by the same hand see 2 Pet. 2. 5 6. Luk. 17. 26 28. that the other shall be even the Son of God to whom the Father for ever hath committed all mercy and judgment 3. The same person it seems to be that first wrestled with as he doth in afflictions with all the pious and then blessed Jacob Gen. 32. 24. That appeared to and was adored by Joshuah Josh. 5. 13. 14 15. comp Exod. 3. 5. To Gideon Judg. 6. 22. To Manoah Judg. 13. 15. c. all which may be gathered from the arguments forementioned And I can call to mind in the sacred story only 2 apparitions or visions which certainly appear to be of God the Father That of the Ancient of dayes Dan. 7. 9. comp 13. and Rev. 4. 2. comp c. 5. 5. 4. Lastly he was the Angel that conducted the Church in the wilderness as is shewed above and by consequence that gave them the law in Mount Sinai for tho the law is said to be given by the disposition and promulgation of Angels Act. 7. 53. Gal. 3. 19. Heb. 2. 2. multitudes of whom appeared in the Mount Deut. 33. 2. Psal. 68. 17. by whom those voices were formed in the Air. Heb. 2. 2. In which speaking of the law to the people the Angels were Mediators as afterward in receiving from the Angel and carrying the law to them Moses was Gal. 3. 19. which is taken notice of several times in the new Testament to shew the preeminence of the Gospel since the law was delivered to men by the intermediation of Angels and Moses Servants and Ministers but the Gospel by the mediation of his only Son made flesh that he might familiarly converse with man without those terrors that accompanied the law yet the supreme Legislator was God Deut. 33. 2. Exod. 20. 1. Exterior loquela Angelorum interior Dei per Angelum and that the Son the eternal word and Vicegerent of the Father called the Angel Act. 7. 38. that spoke with Moses upon the Mount from whom he received the law written with his finger the same Angel that appeared in the bush vers 35. that conducted them in the cloud Which soveraign Legislator for the glorifying of his Father and the saving of man humbled himself afterward to become Himself the Mediator The type of which mediation of his Moses then was both in delivering the will of God to the people coming down to them from the Holy place in the Mount and also ascending and interceding forty daies to God for the people Deut. 9. 18 25 26. As he since hath both descended in flesh from the bosom of the Father to declare and reveal all his will to us Jo. 1. 18. who only saw his face but Moses only his back-parts and in whose face the glory of the Gospel shone as of the law in Moses his face see 2 Cor. 4. 6. comp 3. 7. and is ascended again to the Father to intercede for us this Real Moses remembring him not of our righteousness c. but of the promise he made to them of the blessed sced Dâ—…ut 9. 27. and of the triumph the spiritual and temporal enemies of God would make over the deserted tho most worthy to be deserted Church vers 28. By whose prayers and intercessions it now standeth and shall stand for ever Amen Thus much that the Government of the Church of God also under the old Testament was by the Son of God Next for the Holy Ghost The operations also of Holiness in men under the old Testament was by the same spirit By it then Regeneration Gal. 4. 29. and our Saviour wondred at a Doctor in Israel Jo. 3. 10. that he was ignorant of it Tho therefore Christ not yet ascended and this Holy Spirit not then received and poured out in so full a measure upon all flesh yet as of the Son the Author so of the Holy Spirit the promise of the Gospel there were made some predescents in the old Testament Esai 63. 10 11. Nehem. 9. 30. Zech. 4. 6. some sprinklings and drops of those large effusions which have been poured out in the latter daies and of almost all those several kinds of its rich graces mentioned 1 Cor. 12. c. some first fruits as it were and samplars we find in the Ancient Church of God The spirit of wisdom eminent in Solomon 1 King 3. 12. and Exod. 31. 3. The power of miracles eminent in Moses Elijah Elishah and in these a specimen of almost all sorts of them that are exhibited in the new Command over the waters Exod. 14. 21. 2 King 2. 8. fire 2 King 1. 10. Dan. 3. 27. Air 1 King 18. 44. The Heavens Josh. 10. 12. The multiplying of oyl meal bread like that of our Saviours 1 King 17. 14. 2 King 4. 6 43 44. The Resurrection 1 King 17. 21. 2 King 4. 34. -8. 5. The Ascension in Enoch and Elijah Pentecost in the spirit descending upon his Disciple Elisha from ascending Elijah the type of Christ. Gifts of healing 2 King 5. 10. -4. 41. -2. 19. Esai 38. 21. Prophecy that called the proper season of the Prophets Helps in Government see the operations of the spirit upon Joshua and the Judges of Israel and the 70 Elders Interpretation of tongues and hearts too of dreams c. eminent in Joseph and Daniel see Dan. 5. 12 25. Only one the gift of tongues we find reserved as a property to the Gospel upon the enlarging of the Church from one before at this time to all nations and languages We find this Holy Spirit also represented of old both in
the Tabernacle and the Temple in those 7 lamps of the 7 branched candlestick as also in the first descent upon the Apostles it appeared in a flame or tongue of fire Act. 2. 1. see Exod. 25. 40. comp Rev. 4. 5. and 5. 6. and Zech. 4. 10 2. comp 6. We find it then poured upon Moses in type of Christ and from him portions of it derived upon the 70 Elders Numb 11. 18. c. whose sudden prophecying upon it became then also as in the Acts a wonder to the people vers 27. 28. as it was from Christ upon the Apostles and so many thousands ever since and shall be on others to the end of the world Jo. 1. 16. Eph. 4. 17. We find it then conferred upon the extraordinary Captains of Gods people exciting them to heroick actions Joshuah Numb 26. 16 18. Gideon Judg. 6. 34. Jephtah Judg. 11. 29. Samson Judg. 13. 25. Giving him corporal strength a type of that spiritual which it now bestows upon the Saints as illuminating and sanctifying so strengthning and giving courage and comfort in afflictions this being a special operation of this divine Agent Therefore one attribute Esai 11. 2. is spirit of might and in the new Testament Comforter Upon Saul and David presently upon their anointing by which they were changed and became new men 1 Sam. 10. 6. -16. 13. see its inspiration of the holy writers Moses David the Prophets Matt. 22. 43. Heb. 8. 9. -3. 7. Mark 12. 36. Act. 7. 51. Luk. 2. 26. Act. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 2. 13. It s wonderful operations upon the sons of the Prophets whereby they were put at certain times into wonderful extasies and raptures like those under the Gospel Act. 10. 10. -22. 17. -9. 9. comp 12. 2 Cor. 12. 2 7. into strange and unusual actions and agitations of their bodies 2 Sam. 6. 14. Psal. 26. 6. 2 King 4. 35. -2. 16. -9. 11. 1 King 18. 12. Ezra 3. 12 14. see the like Matt. 4. 1. Act. 8. 39. -20. 22. -16. 7. -18. 5. So violent that Saul in their society possessed with the same is said to have stript himself of his clothes i. e. his upper garment and to have lain down all night unclothed being wearied withose strange motions c. perhaps Psal. 149. 3. meant of this They in these raptures not foretelling things to come 2 King 2. 3 5. but conceiving and on a sudden after an unusual manner dictating psalms songs the praises of God or explanation of some mystery or former prophecy See 1 Sam. 18. 10. 1 King 18. 29. 1 Chron. 25. 3. comp 1 Cor. 11. 5. And the spirit then as now did more ordinarily inspire persons first by their profession consecrated to God Jo 11. 51. prepared by studies and exercises of devotion in Schools for this purpose amongst which means was composing the spirits by musick 1 Sam. 10. 5. -16. 16. Ps. 43. 4. 2 King 3. 15. Some of the singers Prophets Asaph c. There being many Colledges of them in several places Naioth Bethel Hiericho inhabited by great numbâ—…rs See 2 King 2. 3 5 7. -4. 38. so the Levites that were the singers were also spiritual composers of holy psalms 1 Chron. 25. 2 5. 2 Chron. 29. 30. And many of the Prophets were Priests or Levites Samuel Ezekiel Jeremy And now also that the miraculous graces of the spirit are someway both procured and improved by industry study prayer faith expecting and desiring to receive them seems to appear from 1 Cor. 12. 31. -14. 1. Rom. 12. 6. 1 Tim. 4. 13 14. 2 Tim. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 11. 10 11 12. And this may serve to shew that the Ancient world were not unacquainted with the operations of the spirit and in some measure pretasted this promise of the latter daies which wrought in all times after the same manner and came then also from the same Author the Lord Christ see 1 Pet. 1. 11. -3. 19. 2 Pet. 1. 21. 1 Cor. 12. 5. Only now its illuminations are greater under the Gospel Matt. 11. 11. Jo. 16. 13. and further extended even to all flesh amongst whom it continues all its rich gifts For we must not make the times of Christ inferior to those of the law nor the times of the making of the promises to be perfecter then those of their accomplishment Thus much of the energyes and actings of the Holy Ghost in men under the old Testament as well as under the new And accordingly there hath been alwaies the same Covenant of Grace the same faith in and by the Son and Holy Spirit Gal. 3. 8 17. c. and the same Sacraments 1 Cor. 10. 2 3. from the beginning To shew which things somewhat more punctually and particularly First Gods prescience seeing mans use of his Free-will and his fall foreordained our Saviour before the foundation of the world tho he manifested him not till the last times 1 Pet. 1. 20. And presently after the fall out of overflowing mercy in the very curse he delivered also the cure of it and condemned the seducer of man to be destroyed by the then first promised seed of the woman i. e. Christ who also immediatly was the seed of the woman only whom Satan first seduced that he might be destroyed also by the same instrument i. e. woman by which he thought to destroy man Upon the multiplying of this seed we find accordingly because the promise of God did not take effect in all the seed see Rom. 9. 6. c. Gal. 4. 26. c. we find in that infancy of the world the same distinction of men as now noted indeed by the Apostle more expressly of Abrahams double seed Gal. 4. 22. but as true of Adams and of all the times since the beginning as likewise those other remarks that are made upon them Gal. 4. 29. Rom. 9. 12. that the elder should first persecute at last serve the younger we find then one generation after the flesh another after the spirit one of old Adam involved in no covenant but that of works and by those being evil loosing the heavenly inheritance the other of the promise and attaining it by faith And these we find called the sons of God which none are but by Christ. Gen. 5. 2. The other sons of men or in opposition to the former sons of the wicked one the devil 1 Jo. 3. 10 12. In which respect the wicked Jews seem to be reckoned as the spiritual race or succession of Cain since Abels blood is required of them Matt. 23. 35 36. Jo. 8. 44. God and the Divel being the two spiritual fathers of the progeny of man Jo. 8. 42. c. The one pilgrims on the earth Heb. 11. 13. The other men of this world noted for their building of Cities as Cain Gen. 4. 17. and Nimrod Gen. 10. 8 9 10. not so the others The city and type of the one Babylon called confusion and of the other Jerusalem intimating peace and unity
for sins so Job c. 1. v. 5. offered sacrifice for the sins of his sons and 42. cap. 8 and v. 9. he offered sacrifice and prayed for the trespasses of his friends and God accepted him See the same 2 Sam. 24. 25. How like is that Lev. 4. 26. in the old Testament to Jam. 5. 14 15. in the new for remission of sin by the Priests using sacred ceremonies and praier and that Deut. 34. 9. to Act. 8. 17. for conferring of the graces of the spirit Therefore thus St. Austin Quaest. 84. in Levit. Moses sanctificabat visibilibus sacramentis per ministerium suum Dominus invisibili gratia per spiritum suum And Tract 26. in Johan he saith Sacramenta Judaeorum nostra fuisse in signis diversa in re quae significatur paria quoting 1 Cor. 10. 2 3. Omnes eandem escam spiritualem manducaverant spiritualem utique eandem quam nos Aliud illi aliud nos sed specie visibili quod tamen hoc idem significaret virtute spirituali To which I will add two sayings of Leo the one Serm. 3. de Nativit Domini Non minus adepti qui in illud magnae pietatis sacramentum credidere promissum quam qui suscepere donatum The other Serm. 1. in die Pentecost Cum in die Pentecostes discipulos Domini spiritus sanctus implevit non fuit inchoatio muneris sed adjectio largitatis Quoniam Patriarchae Prophetae Sacerdotes omnesque Sancti qui prioribus fuere temporibus ejusdem sunt spiritus sancti sanctificatione vegetati sine hac gratia nulla unquam instituta sacramenta nulla sunt celebrata mysteria ut eadem semper fuerit virtus charismatum quamvis non eadem fuerit mensura donorum Indeed the Sacraments of the old Testament considered in themselves as separate from or opposite to the merit of Christ and the grace of the Gospel were of no power for expiating sin or conferring grace We find the Sacrifices also instituted in Levit. for lesser sins those of ignorance those offending against some legal rites and ceremonies those damaging our neighbor in some smaller matters joyned with restitution but not for expiation of the great ones murder idolatry blasphemy or adultery and for these lesser sins we may not imagine them expiatory of the guilt or sin in it self save as they foresignified the merits of the Sacrifice on the Cross and thus strengthned the faith of the offerer in the promises to come for which faith obeying Gods command in offering to him these Types thereof the merits of the Sacrifice of the Cross was applied to him for remission of his sin great or little but only of the legal immundicities or some temporal penalties due thereto which sacrifices therefore were of themselves quotidiana peccatorum accusatio but not solutio as St. Chrysostom in Heb. Hom. 17. Therefore also where we find discourse in the Prophets of remission of sin as in Ezekiel 18. chap. the legal Sacrifices are not proposed as any remedy thereof and many times spoken of in the old Testament as unprofitable thereunto And what is said here of the common and ordinary Sacrifices is to be said for those more solemn ones offered once a year on the great day of expiation which are extensible only to the same ends and purposes as the ordinary Sacrifices were Again these Sacrifices also for the expiation of the exteriour immundicity and punishment of the lesser sins for which they were ordained in this came short of that all-sufficient Sacrifice of our Lord that they neither procured such indulgence from God for any future sin of the same kind but so many sins as were committed so many several Sacrifices were to be slain and offered nor procured from him any grace or special assistance of his Spirit for the prevention of such future sins But left those for whom they were offered as liable to the same sins as they were before whereas our Lords one oblation made satisfaction for all future sins as well as past and also procured from God the plentiful effusion of the Holy Spirit and Grace for preventing of a relapse into sin for the future This then was the great weakness and unprofitableness of the Sacraments and Sacrifices of the Law Heb. 7. 18. Therefore the Apostle calls them but beggarly elements Gal. 4. 9. and in the 9. and 10. chapter to the Hebrews denies they could take away sin c. and in many places speaks against the unprofitableness of circumcision c. as also many things are said in the old Testament in disparagement of the sacrifices under the law But as Estius 4. Sent. 1 d. 28 s. methinks well notes Quae ab Apostolo and so I may say of those things said by the Prophets contra Judaeos proprie dicta sunt qui Christum solum justificatorem ignorantes signa pro rebus amplectebantur existimantes sacrificia sacramenta veteris legis per seipsa deo accepta propitiatoria esse ut Christi sanguine opus non esset And the same thing may be said of John Baptists baptism which tho certainly as relating to the blood of Christ we cannot imagine that it was inferiour in its effects to the former Sacraments administred before or under the law to those who died not having the opportunity of receiving our Saviours after it yet first considered in it self and as the Jews looked upon it as an external washing only coming from John it was as he told them only a Baptism of water not of the spirit He administring no more then the external sign only but Christ that came after him the inward Grace for that measure thereof that was in Johns Baptism as in other old-Testament-Sacraments received Secondly Tho in his Baptism or other former Sacraments to the rightly prepared Grace might be and was received yet was there no descent of the Holy Ghost or donation of those higher gifts or Graces thereof which externally manifested its internal presence and therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had the name of the Holy Ghost see Act. 8. 17. Act. 1. 8. -10. 44. -19. 6. comp 2 3. of which doubtless the Baptist speaks Matt. 3. 11. distributed save extraordinarily till the coming of our Lord and by his Missioners the first effusion thereof being at Pentecost and so continuing ever since more frequent in the Church as to several of these eminent gifts thereof to and upon so many whose hearts and conversation are very much purified from sin for which therefore John was sent before our Lord to prepare the world by a due repentance and reformation our Lord not vouchsa fing to put this new wine save into new vessels for defect of which even in these latter times of the Gospel also the donation of the Holy Ghost taken in this sense is not so common It must be granted then that the former Sacraments also as they referred to Christ yet were many waies inferiour in the benefit received
general i. e. in respect of all persons and of all Covenants made with and promises made to them but only to those times in respect of the covenant of works which then by the errour of many of the Jews the children of works was generally more looked after then the Covenant of faith which had then but few followers see Rom. 9. 31 32. when also the one Covenant was more largely and legibly drawn in great Characters the other put forth more obscure and in a lesser Print and a veil drawn over it 2 Cor. 3. 14. till the fulness of time was come Therefore also the former times had the denomination of the times of the law the latter of the Gospel And again in respect of the literal promise under the law of felicity in the earthly Canaan Therefore where the Apostle saith established on better promises understand there those typical ones of earthly Canaan made to Israel at the promulgation of the law Or opposed to those times in general but this only first in respect of the diverse administrations of the former times with many troublesome ceremonials and types to be afterward abolished and of the degrees of the greater manifestations in the latter times of the way of salvation being void of shadows types and figures all these now being brought to perfection and accomplishment in the incarnation of the Son effusions of the Spirit enlargement of the Church promulgation of an Heavenly country instead of an Earthly Canaan and from these greater manifestations many more of the children of works becoming now the children of faith And from its stronger beams as well those illuminated who before sate in darkness Luk. 1. 79. and midnight as this light increased to those who had before some dawnings thereof And secondly in respect of the accomplishment of those promises to the faithful of the former ages which are made thro Christ spoken of Heb. 11. 13 14 16. In which they could not be compleated and perfected before the times of the Gospel neither in respect of the body they waiting for the restorement of that till those of the Gospel are glorified with them nor according to the reverend opinion of Antiquity in respect of the soul they not having the kingdom of heaven laid fully opened unto them till our Saviour was first entred in thither See Eph. 1. 10. Col. 1. 20. Heb. 11. 39 40. -12. 23. For indeed the performance and perfection of the mystery of mans redemtion was a thing only received in the last daies And tho the virtue of Christs incarnation is communicated alwaies to all men yet not the latter times on the former but the former depend on the latter for the substance and ground of their hope and salvation Jesus Christ come in the flesh These having the body of which body coming toward them the other had the shadow Col. 2. 17. And in these respects the times of the Gospel are said to have so much advantage of those of the law we seeing in a clear glass Gods glory they thro a thick veil we 2 Cor. 3. 13. standing in a clear whereas the best of them in a dim light and the most of them in utter darkness See Matt. 13. 17. -11. 11. 1 Cor. 2. 10. c. 2 Cor. 3. 7. c. Here note that the oppositions of the times that are used in the other heads preceding in which I follow only the phrase of the Holy Scriptures are by these limitations so to be interpreted as that they no way contradict the doctrine of this last chapter FINIS §. 1. Jâ—…sus Christ the truth in the fulness of time Sent. § 2. § 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. §. 4. § 5. Anointed §. 6. A new Law-giver for the law moral 1. Expounding it 2. Requiring stricter obedience 3. Denouncing heavier judgments §. 7. Ministring the spirit § 8. Abrogating the letter § 9. For the law ceremonial Cancelling it § 10. 2 An Apostle of the Gospel §. 11. Preaching it §. 12. Remitting sins giving the Holy Ghost admitting into the kingdom of Heaven §. 13. Before his departure ordaining others §. 14. Transferring his authority to them §. 15. § 16. §. 17. Assisting them from Heaven §. 18. §. 19. Those ordaining others to the end of the world §. 20. He assisting their Successors for ever §. 21. The Apostles also delegating to them the authority received from Him §. 22. The truth of our Saviours doctrines c. attested by 1. Scripture 2 Spirâ—…t 3. Miracles 4. Death §. 23. And a resurrection The way § 1. Christ an Example 1 In doing the work In all obedience to Gods commandements Moral §. 2. Ceremonial § 3. 2 In all sufferings for righteousness sake §. 4. 2 In receiving the reward §. 1. Christ Mediator of the new Covenant §. 2. Enlarged Established 〈◊〉 â—…tter promises §. 4. § 5. The blood of this â—…ovenant §. 6. The Death ratifying this Testament § 7. Performance of tâ—…e promiâ—…es put into his hands revived §. 1. Christ the Sacrifice §. 2. §. 3. §. 4. §. â—… 〈◊〉 1 Sin-offering for remission of guilt §. 6. 2 For puriâ—…ing uncleannesses §. 7. 3 Holocavst §. 8. 4 Eucharistical Peace or thank-offering §. 9. §. 9. §. 10. By eating of which we have Communion 1. with God 2 With his Son and all that is his §. 11. 3 With the Saints and all that is theirs §. 12. And are preserved in both soul and body unto life eternal §. 13. 4 The â—…over § 1. 5. Mans debt to and bondage under 1 Sin §. 2. 2 The law §. 3. 3 Death § 4. 4 Satan 1 As the executioner of Gods justice 2 As Prince of this world §. 5. §. 6. Christ our Redeemer 1 By paying a ransom freeing us from debt §. 7. 2 By making a Conquest freeâ—… us from slavery §. 8. Our Redemption not yet fully perfected §. 9. And why §. 10. How much already performed 1 In respect of sin §. 11. 2 Of the law §. 12. Of Death §. 13. Of Satan § 〈◊〉 §. 1. Christ the second Adam Dependent 〈◊〉 God the Father Before his Incarnation §. 2. Much more after it §. 3. Assuming the infirmities of human nature § 4. Receiving the perfections of it from God his Father §. 5. §. 6. §. 7. A Covenant made with the second Adam as with the first involuving his seed §. 8. He fulfils it By walkâ—… 〈◊〉 a quite contrary way to the first §. 9. §. 10. Receives the reâ—…ard For himself For â—…is sâ—…d 1 The Spirit 2 Life §. 11. His particular benefits 1 As our â—…ead communicates absolution from sin by his death for it § 12. Baptism incorporating us into his death The Sacrament of pardon §. 13. 2 As our â—…ead communicates righteousness or life spiritual by his Resurrection 1 〈◊〉 us to perform 〈◊〉 2 Compleating our imperfect righteousness 3 As our head communicates glory or life eternal in our resurrection §. 14. 1 Effected by the same spirit
Legislator being faithful as Moses Heb. 3. 2. but yet more to be observed being Master of the house wherein Moses was a servant v. 6. Therefore Moses when he should come referred them wholly to him Deut. 18. 15. And in this office of his first a new Legislator in some respects as to the law moral First to rectifie the understanding of the Law formerly either falsifyed or mutilated he expounding it in most things more fully and in some things also contrary to what had been said of old It hath been said of old so but I say unto you Matt. 5 6 7 chapters Jo. 1. 17 18. -3. 2. -4. 25. 2. Again to exact to this Law thus expounded by him a more true and inward and full obedience of all men that would be his Disciples then ever had been performed before by the strictest Sects of all the Law-zealots not to let a title of it pass away pass away heaven and earth first till all the Law be fulfilled Matt. 5. 17 18 19 20. 1 Cor. 7. 19. Gal. 2. 17. Jam. 2. 12. 3. To make to such observers of this Law more open and manifest promises of the Kingdome of Heaven Heb. 8. 6. and against the breakers of this Law heretofore winked at and suffered to walk in their own way c. to revele the wrath of God from Heaven as not the joyes of heaven so neither the paines of Hell before his coming having been so much talked of Rom. 1. 18. charging men every where to repent Act. 17. 30. because a day is appointed wherein he will judge the world v. 31. Tit. 2. 11 12 13. Therefore he came saith the Baptist with an axe on his shoulder with a fan in his hand to cut down the fruitless trees to purge Gods floor of the chaff and with a fire made ready to burn them both Matt. 3. 10. c. He was laid a stone for stumbling and the fall as well as the rising again of many in Israel Luk. 2. 34. That every soul that hears not this man who the last speaks from Heaven Heb. 12. 25. should be destroyed from among the people Act. 3. 23. Es. 6. 9 10 11. compare with Matt. 13. 14. Esai 61. 2. and that none should have any way to escape that turneth away from him He came for judgment that they who will not see might be made blind Jo. 9. 39. and the last ages knowing by him Gods will and not obeying it should be beaten as they are with more stripes Luk. 12. 48. and their sin remain for ever Jo. 9. 41. 4. He was sent not only the most perfect and exact Interpreter of the letter that Gods law and will might be fully known and an exactor of the observance of it in the strictest senses thereof upon the most grievous punishments to the disobedient which is all hitherto but a fuller ministration of condemnation and death But as of the exactest letter so he came the minister of the spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6. Jo. 1. 16 17. Gal. 3. 14. Phil. 4. 13. Eph. 1. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 8. Act. 3. 26. that by the power of this spirit the Law by them that beleived might be fulfilled See Rom. 8. 3 4 which was the ministration of the soul as it were of the law and of righteousness and life unto us 2 Cor. 3. 7 8. Gal. 2. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 compare with v. 17. and Rom. 8. 2. Jam. 2. 12. 1 Cor. 9. 21. Before the law was writ in the conscience only as the law of Nature for the Gentile Rom. 2. 14 15 or also more evidently in stone as the law of Moses for the Jew to bring forth knowledge of sin But by him it was written with the spirit in the heart to bring forth obedience to justification Jer. 32. 40. The other brought in the spirit of fear subjecting our inability to the curse of it but he gave the spirit of love out of this love procuring our observance of it 2. Tim. 1. 7. Rom. 8. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 5. 3. Which love keeps it far more perfectly then fear would as shewing its zeal not only in Negatives of which is the letter i. e. in working no ill Rom. 13. 9 10. but also in the Affirmatives not exprest in the word of the the law i. e. in doing all good to all to the highest degree Therefore this love the greatest of all gifts 1 Cor. 13. is called Christs new commandment Jo. 13. 34. -15. 12. 1 Jo. 2. 8. 2 Jo. 5. had only from the beginning of the Gospel i. e. from Christ and belonging only to the sons thereof tho this Gospel hath had such sons from the beginning who are said 1 Thess. 4. 3. to be taught of God that is by his spirit 1 Jo. 4. 7 8. 16. as the spirit also the only Author of love and which is love was his new gift by which love he saith his disciples should be discerned from the disciples of the law Jo. 13. 35. By which ministration of the spirit and of â—…ove the proper fruit thereof by Christ we now so easily understand and do the things commanded by the law that the letter of the law is said to become as it were void and useless to us by the coming of the promised seed and the Schoolmastership thereof to be outdated by Christ not because we are now without law 1 Cor. 9. 21. but because we have it superabundantly written in our hearts by the spirit and the works thereof continually brought forth by love thro the efficacy of the last law-giver Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. 1. 5 9. Gal. 5. 23. -3. 19. Rom. 8. 15. Therefore called the law of liberty Jam. 2. 12. This for the law moral which in some sense our Saviour is said to abrogate Gal. 3. 25. Col. 2. 14. that is according to the former use thereof namely as only giving knowledge of sin Rom. 3. 20. being a letter of condemnation and working wrath Rom. 4. 15. 2 Cor. 3. 7 9. and keeping us in slavery and bondage Rom. 8. 15. Tho this abrogation is done not by absolving us from any more observance of it but by enabling us to keep it and by making this observance now also voluntary But next for the law Ceremonial he was sent yet more properly to annual and cancel it and to appoint new Ceremonies at pleasure instead of it He being the substance and body Col. 2. 17. of which it was a type and shadow when that which is perfect was come the imperfect being to be done away He was sent therefore to reform or perfect the worship of God from those many exterior rites so strict and burthensome see Act. 15. 10. Heb. 13. 9. Col. 2. 14. to that of the spirit and of truth Jo. 4. 23. As also to reform many liberties and indulgences under the law see Matt. 5. 31 34. -19. 8. Therefore his times by the Apostle are called the times of Reformation
Heb. 9. 10. For as he took away hardness of heart by the ministration of the spirit so it was correspondent to this that He should take away all remissions and abatements of any part of righteousness which were permitted only because of such hardheartedness Matt. 19. 8. Thus anointed Luk. 4. 18. a little before he began to preach by the Father and publickly proclaimed also by a voice from Heaven to be the son of God at the solemn time of Johns ministration of Baptism Act. 10. 37. who as likewise all the people then called out into the wilderness unto him by this unction of the spirit the third Person in the descent of a Dove and the testimony of the first person in the descent of a voice from Him the greatest appearance of the sacred Trinity that hath been upon earth were to know and discern him whom the Father had ordained to be the light of the world baptizing with the holy Ghost And of whose coming John was sent before to give them notice Jo. 1. 33. Anointed thus with the Holy Ghost and with power Act. 10. 38. Jo. 3. 34. He was in the next place sent from God as an Apostle Heb. 3. 1. of the Christian profession or of the Gospel To whom God committed first and so he to others the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5. 19. In which respect he is called the great Shepheard or Pastor by St Paul Heb. 13. 20. Pastor and Bishop of our souls by St Peter 1 Pet. 2. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jo. 13. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 15. 8. In which ministry he was not only to expound the old spoken of before but also to deliver some new messages from the Father To bring life and immortality to light thro his Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10 to revele the great mystery of salvation which God had decreed from all Eternity and shadowed under types to all former ages but yet for the open manifestation of it kept secret sâ—…nce the beginning of the world Rom. 16. 25. and hid from former generations Col. 1. 26. till this time notwithstanding so much longing after it of so many Prophets and Righteous men yea and of the Angels themselves See Matt. 13. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 10. 11. Eph. 3. 9. Matt. 11. 11. 1 Cor. 2. 9. When the Son who only knew the Father was sent out of his bosome to declare him Jo. 1. 18. Heb. 1. 1. Matt. 11. 27. Esai 11. 3. Col. 2. 3. to preach the Gospel to the poor deliverance to the captives the acceptable year of the Lord Luk. 4. 18 19. The time of his good will towards men to preach peace Act. 10. 36. and salvation and remission of sin for which Baptism was then also instituted and the fulfilling of the promise of God to the Jew that was made unto their fathers but likewise of his new mercy to the Gentiles that the Gentiles too should glorifie God for his mercy Rom. 15. 8 9. And all this to be performed to the world through himself that taught it for as he was the text and subject that was preached of so also was he the preacher Ps. 2. 7. -40. 9 10. Jo. 14. 6. and none could see that light but by the light of it which thought it much stumbled the Jews that he should bear record of himself and He as the truth preach himself as the life Jo. 8. 13. yet both the witness of John besides that of all the Prophets and of his Father from Heaven at his Baptism c. and that of his miracles all which he quoted to them to justify his Commission were abundantly satisfactory And as this Apostle came to preach the Gospel so received he power to remit and absolve from sin Matt. 9. 2 6 11. and that here on earth as man see v. 8. and as Priest Heb. 8. 6 to justify the ungodly Rom. 4. 5. Act. 5. 31 and to make sons of God Jo. 1. 12. and admit into the Church and the kingdom of Heaven by the new ceremony of Baptism which he did ordinarily by his Disciples Jo. 4. 2 but yet some conjecture from the practice Act. 19. 5. Jo. 3. 22. that he himself first baptized some of his Disciples at least and so accordingly afterward he ministred the Eucharist To admit I say into the Church all those who repented i. e. confessed their sins and promised amendment of life Matt. 3. 8. And who beleeved in him that he was the Son of God Act. 8. 37. -19. 4. Jo. 3. 18. and in his word that it was truth and he the last teacher sent from God c. and who rejected not the counsel of God sent to them by him Luk. 7. 30. Jo. 5. 24. -8. 31. -12. 48. Lastly to give the holy Ghost Jo 20. 22. Act. 2. 33 38. Eph. 4. 7. 2 Cor. 3. 8. by which to seal his converts unto glory In which respect also he is said to give eternal life to as many as receive him Jo. 17. 3. and to have the key of David as the chief Oeconomist and officer in that family opening and shuting as and to whom he pleased Rev. 3. 7. Esai 22. 22. Rev. 1. 18. and all judgment to be committed unto him Jo. 5. 22. Christus ut homo remittit peccata dat spiritum sanctum vitam aeternam c. potestate tantum communicata delegata sed modo excellentiori quam ministris ejus concessum est Ut homo ad has actiones concurrit tantum instrumentaliter meritorie non efficienter sed tamen ut instrumentum efficienti conjunctum singulare non separatum commune qualia sunt instrumenta Apostoli Prophetae So the Schoolmen And in all this at first he became the Minister of the Circumcision only i. e. of the Jews Rom. 15. 8. Act. 10. 36. and according to his own commission for a certain time he limited his Disciples Matt. 10. 5 6. and began there also in Galilee amongst the meaner sort of the people and remote from the chief Citty the least to provoke the envy of those in power till the appointed time of his passion approached and preached here mostwhat in parables for so it pleased God that till his sufferings were accomplished the peoples ignorance should not be quite dispelled and that this light should rise upon the world by degrees and not all at once Matt. 13. 11. 1 Cor. 2. 8. But when the time drew near of his offering up Jo. 7. 8. He preached more frequently in Jerusalem and in the Temple tho usually not lodging in the City Jo. 8. 1. Lu. 21. 37. and there at the Feasts of the greatest resort and professed more clearly and openly who he was and did his greatest Miracles Jo. 11. and accordingly multiplied exceedingly his Disciples and followers Jo. 12. 19. Upon which the rage of his enemies now heightned to extremity and after three years preaching Lu. 13. 7. and the daies of his Ministry accomplished in the
23. and as his glory so his sufferings in as much as part of hers are yet behind are said not to be yet compleat Col. 1. 24. And so he is said now to love the Church to nourish and cherish her out of the love he bears to himself for none ever hated his own flesh Eph. 5. 28. Especially the head in which are placed the senses for the good and defence of the whole body that is most sensible of any thing that happens unto it see Act. 9. 4. and more watchful in providing for it Therefore is this his love to her noted to be greater a more merciful faithful compassionate love from his being the second Adam and undergoing the experience of like infirmity then the blessed Angels or as he as God was if I may so say capable of See Heb. 2. 17 18. We being now the travail of his soul Esai 53. 11. for whom he endured the birth-throes of death Act. 2. 24. and therefore he as a pained mother the more loves us according to his sufferings for us Whose strait and intimate connexion and tye unto us in respect of this his second Adam-ship the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures hath expressed in all the nearest and dearest relations that can easily be fancied styling him and us In a new Creation or Regeneration where Christ is all in all Col. 3. 11. as Adam in the former Father and Children He being made after the perfect image of God and we after his He heir and Lord of all things and we by him who having lost our former title to the Creatures by the fall of Adam and upon this the use of many of them restrained have now a new right established thro him They being sanctified as it were now again by a new word of God in this new Creation as they were in the first and both thro Christ by which they are all free all clean upon prayer thanksgiving and alms to all his seed tho still unclean to all the rest See Rom. 14. 14. 1 Tim. 4. 3. Tit. 1. 15. Rom. 4. 14. Heb. 2. 5. Luk. 11. 41. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. -7. 14. comp Tit. 3. 5. See Col. 1. 15. Rev. 3. 14. Heb. 1. 2 3. Heb. 2. 5. Gal. 6. 15. Rom. 8. 29. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Eph. 2. 10. Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. Esai 9. 6. -53. 10 11. Heb. 2. 13. Jo. 3. 3 4. Ps. 22. 30. Husband and Spouse A priviledge and relation to the Son of God which we shall have beyond the blessed Angels a similitude of nature being only capable of this For where are the Angels called the Bride the Lambs wife See Rev. 21. 9. Eph. 5. 25. c. 1 Cor. 6. 13 15. c. In which relation we are said to be members of Christ not only as the Hands or Feet are of the body natural but as Eve was of Adam of his flesh and of his bones and to be one spirit with Christ as Adam and Eve were one flesh Of which espousal and union of the Church with Christ the institution of marriage was but a figure and type And Adams saying to new made Eve This is now made bone c. Gen. 2. 23. but a prophecy And her being made out of Adams side but an allegory of the Churches springing out of Christs side pierced on the Cross so much observed by St. John Jo. 19. 34 35. 1 Jo. 5. 8. That water and blood which came from thence first begetting Jo. 3. 5. and then nourishing Jo. 6. 35. the Church his Spouse And mans being made head of the woman but an emblem of Christs being Head of the man 1 Cor. 11. 3. that is of mankind his spouse whom according to the ancient custome of not receiving a dowry with but paying one for the Virgin Gen. 34. 13. Exod. 22. 16. Christ is said to have bought with a dear price 1 Cor. 6. 20. even by giving himself for her Eph. 5. 25. that hereafter she should be wholly for him But yet tho she is betrothed already by the pledge of the spirit yet the marriage is not consummate nor to be celebrated but in Paradise where the first was This second Eve being as yet but in the forming as it were out of a crooked Rib by the hand of God Gen. 2. 21 22. in cleansing and purifying and making white forgetting her own people and her Fathers house Ps. 45. 10. so reproachful unto her future splendors c. that she may be presented at that day not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing a chast Virgin c. See 2 Cor. 11. 2. Eph. 5. 27. in dressing and putting on her wedding Garments that she may not be found naked as upon her fall she was in Paradise See 2 Cor. 5. 3. Rev. 3. 18. Rev. 19. 7 8. -16. 5. Matt. 22. 11. Head and Members This every where occurring Root and Branches The new stock into which we are ingrafted and planted by Baptism see Jo. 15. 1. c. Rom. 6. 3 4 5. -11. 17. -15. 12. Foundation and Building built up a Temple to be no more profaned and defiled 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. 1 Cant. 8. 9 10. Rev. 21. 9. 10. Eph. 2. 20 21. and Christ the Corner stone in whom the two side-walls of Jew and Gentile are joined Eph. 2. 14 15. Elder and younger Brethren in respect of God our common Father Jo. 20. 17. The honor of which we shall the more value when we consider such a a contemptible Prodigal upon this relation only so royally entertained Luk. 15. Called also the first born consecrated to God for the rest The first fruits which under the law represented the whole Rom. 11. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 20. Rom 8. 29. Hence all thing done by him from these relations we have to him are said also to be done by us received by him to be received by us done to him to be done to us and done to us to him So we now dead to sin Rom. 6. 1. To the law Rom. 7. 4. Col. 2. 20. To the world the affections to it Gal. 6. 14. Now risen Col. 3. 1. now ascended and sitting in heavenly places Eph. 2. 6. Sons of God Heirs Gal. 3. 27. See Matt. 25. 40 45. Hence all Gods promises are fulfilled unto him first in his human nature and then descend only from and thro him to us And all that we return blessings prayer c. ascend and are acceptable only thro him and for his sake to God Eph. 1. 6. -3. 21. But we must know in this our new Creation and parentage that we being once created in all the business of our Salvation as God worketh in us so we work together with God that there is a concatenation and conspiring of Gods grace and our will That as this new image of God is formed in us by his spirit so by our endeavors and that there is a configuration as effected by him so
required of us A Configuration to all his vertuous and holy life here many singular patterns of which are set down before a Configuration to his sufferings and death Phil. 3. 10. as it is first in our Baptism and for sins after Baptism ought to be in the painful fruits of repentance abstaining from worldly pleasures using the body hardly c. which are therefore called mortifications A Configuration to his resurrection and life after it In having our conversation in Heaven Phil. 3. 20. living to God only no more to affections of this life ever worshipping praising loving admiring glorifying offering up and dedicating our selves to God For so Saints live that are dead See Rev. 4. 8. c. -5. 9 12. c. -7. 9. c. Quicquid gestum est in sepultura resurrectione c. ita gestum est ut configuretur vita humana quae hic geritur For our participation of Christs merits is only by being his members they can be communicated to none else and our being members necessarily implies conformity in actions suffering c. to the Head For that one should suffer and not the other is quite contrary to the nature of members 1 Cor. 12. 26. and argues schism in the body Should any member therefore so presume on the obedience or sufferings of the head as that himself now needs nor suffer nor obey such a one without bearing its part and proportion therein Col. 1. 24. either never was or is ceased to be a true member Christ did nothing for our salvation which we are not for it in some sense to do also our selves Gal. 6. 14. -9. 19 20. CHAP. VII Jesus Christ the Melchizedechical Holy Priest passed into the Heavens and making Intercession c. for ever for us with God GOD being of infinite Holiness and purity to shew his hatred against sin would not admit the approach of sinners into his Sanctuary and presence nor accept immediately of their praiers and service offered to him which if any after Discipline was settled should have presumed to do they were no less then to dy for it See Lev. 3. 10. 1 Sam. 6. 7. Numb 4. 15. -16. chap. Job 9. 31. -42. 8. But yet being of infinite mercy too not to shut out sinners thus from all commerce with his goodness he selected from the beginning some singular persons taken from the rest of men no man taking this honor to himself but he that was called of God Heb. 5. 1 4. and being first anointed consecrated and sanctified after an extraordinary manner and cleansed with great Ceremony after the more express delivering of his pleasure in the promulgation of the law see Exod. 29. chap. Lev. 8. 12. who should be ordained for men in things pertaining to God Heb. 5. 1. -2. 17. who should have the administration of holy things and nearer access to Gods presence should bring unto the Lord the peoples gifts and offerings Heb. 5. 1. make attonement and reconciliation for their sins and errors c. Heb. 2. 17. Heb. 5. 2. Amongst which ministers of the Sanctuary some were kept at a greater distance as the Levite who had the charge of the Tabernacle and the vessels thereof and was to minister to the Priest but might not come nigh the vessels of the Sanctuary or the Altar that they dy not Numb 18. 3. Some approached nearer as the Priest confined to Aaron and his seed who had the charge of the Sanctuary and of the Altar who were to preserve themselves continually undefiled Lev. 21. 1. c. and amongst them all such to be excluded from attendance as had any corporal blemish tho but a squint eye or a flat nose or a dwarf Lev. 21. 18. c. The same perfection being required for the sacrificer that was for the Sacrifice Lev. 22. 20. to whom only it belonged to offer the daily morning and even Sacrifice and all other the peoples offerings upon it and to make attonements for them to sound with Trumpets which none else might use over the burnt and peace-offerings that they might be for a memorial to the people before the Lord. Numb 10. 10. In sin-offerings to carry some of the blood into the outer Sanctuary and to sprinkle part thereof before the Lord before the Veil and to put also of it on the horns of the Altar of Incense before the Lord Morning and Evening at the time of the sacrifice to burn incense before the Veil upon the Altar of the Sanctuary to dress the Lamps morning and evening and every Sabbath to renew the shew-bread before the Lord to discern between clean and unclean holy and unholy At the coming out of the Sanctuary lifting up their hands towards the people and putting Gods name upon them solemnly in a set form Numb 6. 6 24. c. 2 Chron. 30. 27. Ecclus. 50. 5 19. c. 1 Chron. 23. 13. to give the sacerdotal benediction And as solemnly to bless so also to curse Deut. 27. 14. This for the Priest But the High Priest approached yet nearer to the Lord much distinguished from the rest in his typical garments who once yearly on the grand day of Expiation was to enter within the Veil into the Sanctum Sanctorum before the glory of the Lord appearing between the Cherubims he first making a cloud of Incense and there to present and sprinkle with his finger 7 times upon the mercy-seat it self and seven times on the floor before it Lev. 16. 14. the blood of the sacrifice made for the Priest and the people before the Lord and to make attonement with it for the Priests and for all the people and not only for them but also for all the holy things the Tabernacle the Holy Sanctuary the Altar it self to purge and resanctify and as if God was also displeased with these for sin to reconcile them Lev. 16. 20. with blood to hallow them saith the Lord from the uncleannesses and transgressions of the children of Israel in the midst of whom they remained Such a contagion is our sin to the whole creation See Levit. 16. 16 19. and when he went in he was to bear the names of the children of Israel engraven and upon his two shoulders and again engraven like the engraving of a Signet upon the brestplate of judgment upon his heart for a memorial of them before the Lord continually Exod. 28. 12 21 29. He was also to have engraven upon the front of his Miter in Gold Holiness unto the Lord. And it shall be upon Aarons forehead that he may bear the iniquity of the Holy things of the children of Israel See Numb 18. 1. Lev. 16. 16. And it shall be alway upon his forehead that they may be accepted before the Lord. Exod. 28. 38. And besides these Urim and Thummim were likewise to be upon his heart and in any thing doubtful the people were to repair unto him and he by Urim was to ask counsel for them before