in all that he doth to us in mercy for his Sonns sake his love and goodnesse appeareth therein Psal 136. And his goodnesse is his glory Exod. 33.18.19 and so 1 His love mercy and goodnesse appeareth in this that by Christ and for his sake the earth and the Inhabitants thereof are upheld the Sunn to shine c. continued mercy shewn c. All witnessing his goodnesse and leading to repentance as is foreshewn and so it is said Psal 19. The heavens declare the glory of God c. And thus all his workes prayse him Psal 145.8.9.10 And thus for Christ his sake his love and glorious goodnesse appeares to all in his workes 2 Yet his love mercy and goodnesse did more specially appeare to Israel in giving them his Oracles his Covenant and Ordinances and though but in Promises Prophesies and Tipes of Christ as then yet to come yet his glory appeared therein and such speciall love as it might then be truly said he had not dealt so with any Nation Rom. 3.2 and 9.4 Psal 147.18 3 But now in this giving and setting forth his Sonn who hath come and dyed for our sins and with the vertue of his own Blood entred the heavens and offered himselfe a Sacrifice to God and received Spirit and sending him forth in the word of Salvation which himselfe wrought and first began to preach and so God speaking to him by his Sonn who is the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse Image of his Person Heb. 1.2.3 and 2.3 The wisdome of God and the power of God yea wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption to them that believe 1 Cor. 1-24 30 In which face of Christ the light of the Knowledge of the glory of God yea his face shineth and is beheld 2 Cor. 4 6. and 3.18 Oh the Infinitnesse of the Breadth Depth length and height of this love of God appearing herein Ephes 3.18.19 In which still the Excellency and Dignity of this Sacrifice appeareth 4 In respect of the great hope this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice giveth and engendereth in all that in believing receive the same as 1 Remission of sinns and acceptance into favour and peace Act. 10.43 Rom. 5.1.2 2 Purgation of Conscience and Sanctification of the whole man Heb. 9.14 3 Seasonable victorie over all enemies and Temptations 1 Iohn 5.4.6 Rom. 16.20 1 Thes 5.24 4 The Holy Spirit to teach guide and conforme to Christ and so bring to the Kingd ome and inheritance Iohn 14.26 and 16.13.14 1 Pet. 1.5 5 And to say all in one word eternall life 2 Pet. 1 23. 1 Iohn 2.25 All which shew forth the Excellency and Dignity of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ besides the vertue and power now to be spoke of CHAP. 8. Of the vertue operation and prevalency of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ And first As offered to God THE vertue operation and prevalency of the Blood and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ is very great so as that which was prophesied concerning him is and shall certainly be fulfilled Esa 53. When thou shalt make his Soule an offering for sinn He shall see his seed so great a Generation as none of us can declare He shall prolong his dayes live ever and cause his seede to live for ever with him And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands his workes and Judgements acceptable and prosperous He shall see the Travell of his Soule even be the Lord of all and be acknowledged Lord by all By his knowledge shall my righteous Servant justifie many even all that believe on him through his teaching And this is the ground for he shall beare their iniquity therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoyle with the strong he shall have the Kingdome and be the judge and give to each their portion and Doome Because he hath powred out his Soule unto Death c. All which is true in Christ who is the truth And in a measure true too and in all that believe on him and shall one day appeare true to all men 1 Iohn 2.8 Phil. 2 7-11 And that the Truth of the vertue Power and Prevalency of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ may be rightly and profitably understood and believed by us let us consider what is said thereof by the Spirit of truth in the Scripture or word of Truth concerning the vertue power and Prevalency of this Pretious and Sacrifice of Christ 1. As it was presented and offered to God 2. As grace is therethrough shewn and tendered to men 3. As it is spiritually applied to and worketh in the hearts of those that through grace believe 4. And as he testifieth and exerciseth the power of it upon them that have persisted in obstinacy and refusing to believe In all which its power and prevalency doth appeare and shall by all men be one day confessed 1. As this pretious Blood and Sacrifice was presented offered to God it hath so verily and mightily prevailed with him that he hath obtained and received of the Father the first next and immediat end of his suffering and Sacrifice and also the Father hath filled and fitted him for the second ultimate and utmost end of his suffering and sacrifice In both which the prevalency and effectualnesse thereof with God for men is evident and manifest let be considered The first next and immediat end of the suffering and Sacrifice of Christ was to work a salvation for mankind with God And that himselfe might be the Lord the Saviour and the Judge John 3.17 Rom. 14.9 1 John 4.14 Psal 2 9. And this first end containeth and may be comprehended in these particulars 1. To put or take away sin even the sinne of the world that was in the way between God and mankind out of the way by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.26 Joh. 1.19 1 Joh. 3.5 as is fore-shewne That so he that was made sinne and a curse for all might himselfe in the room of all be justified as the publick man with such a full and fruitfull justification that all may be so farie justified in him that whosoever of them are by his grace and Spirit brought in believing to be one in and with him shall also in their own particular persons be justified in with and through him Ephes 2.4 10. Joh. 3.15.16 Acts 10.43 And hath not his Blood and Sacrifice offered to God prevailed with God for and effected all this doth not the Spirit in the Scripture affirm plainly and expresly 1 Joh. 3.5 In him is no sin Heb. 1.3 And that when he had by himselfe purged our sin he sat down on the right hand of c. with Heb 11.12 And doth not God affirm him to be the just 1 John 2.1 and the holy one vers 20 and his righteous servant that by his knowledge shall justifie many Isa 53.11 And saith not the Scripture expresly Rom. 3.23.24.25 All have
Death in sinne and a Death in punishments and torments due to sinnings against the grace of God manifested in the Creation And had there been no remedy or prevention this death and punishment would have been eternall for men in particular suffering it could never have overcome it to get out of it only by reason of Gods preventing mercy in keepeing man from cating of that Tree of life of which if he had eaten his Body had been immortall and so capeable of eternall sufferings He should suffer eternally in his soalc And his body with the sting and povson of sinn and curse should be alwayes suffering till it turned to rottennesse and so to dust againe and this is the first death which came on all men at first Gen. 2.17 and 3.19 And this Jesus Christ hath in dying for our sinnes and riseing for our Justification as the publike person overcome 2 Tim. 1.10 and obtained of his Father power to ease men in this life of so much paines of this mortalilty as he pleaseth and to raise them all from this first Death at the last 1 Cor. 15.21.22 2 The Death or punishments on men for sinning against the grace of redemption in hardening themselves against the Patience and bounty of God and meanes through Christ procured to leade them to repentance and so for their turning herefrom and going after their own wayes are afflictions and troubles on soule and body name and estate having some mixtures of mâ—rcy and being to hide pride from man and force them to repentance c. Leuit. 26. Deut. 28. Iob 33. And these are called wrath Judgements punishments corrections out of which yet there is a way and meane of escape Iob 33. Heb. 1.12 Esa 27.4.5 3 But the Death and torment for these that have persisted in in resisting the spirit in the meanes and refusing this life in Christ and to have him raigne over them till they be given over to satan is more terrible and is eternall on soule and body raised and made immortad and so capeable of eternall suffering And this is called the second death Hell fire The lake of fire unquenchable fire and even that which was at first prepared for the Divell and his Angels into which all these shall goe who by their wilfull persisting in rebellion against the truth and walking in lyes and murthers become of the wicked one the Children of the Divell and the seed of the Serpent And so shall share of the same punishment 1 Iohn 3.12 Iohn 8.41.44 Mat. 25.41 onely in the sting and tormenting worme that never dyeth but alwayes tormenteth there is now this more to these miserable men then to the Divels The remembrance of a Remedy since their first fall which they have refused which will torment exceedingly but that cannot be in the Divels torment 6 And yet there is one thing more in which appeareth the effectualnesse of the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ on these rebellious refusers and that proveth the appearance of the same to be in all these 5. forementioned poynts And that is the judgement and condemnation of these Rebe's in that 1 The Lord Jesus Christ that shed his Blood and offered this Sacrifice shall even by vertue thereof be their Judge even he that dyed and rose and revived for them to be their Lord Rom. 1.4 9.12 he that bought them 2 Pet. 2.1 even he shall be their Judge and they shall appeare before his judgement sear 2 Cor. 5.10 yea even because he dyed for them God hath exalted him and they shall come before him to acknowledge him Lord by whom they might have been saved and shall be judged righteously Phil. 2.10.11 Esa 45.23 And of this God hath given assurance and offered faith to all men in that he raised him from the Dead Act. 17.31 And this is one efficacy of his Sacrifice on such as refused him in whom they might have enjoyed the comfortable efficacies that they shall acknowledge him Lord and be judged by him Rom. 2.16 2 Tim. 4.1 And they shall yeeld it right it should be so 2 That which shall be layd to their charge in this Judgement and that by which their sinnes shall be evidenced and agravated against them their sinnes that will be layd to their charge will be their ignorance of God and not obeying his Gospel 2 Thes 2.8 Their unbeliefe with all the fruits thereof Iohn 16.8.9.10 Their Impenitency and not profiting by but hardening their hearts against the meanes by the Sacrifice of Christ procured and extended to leade them to repentance Rom. 2.4.5 Their evill thoughts and hard speeches of him and his goodnesse in his word wayes people Iude 15. and so for every Idle word and all their Idolatries and unmercifulnesse and ungodly deeds which through their disobedience to his goodnesse they have runn into Iude 15. Mat. 12.36 yea every secret thing shall then be manifest That by which the vilenesse of their sinnes and justnesse of their Judgement shall be evidenced will be the put chase Christ hath made for them and they denyed him that so dearly bought them 2 Pet. 2.1 The mercy extended to them against which they hardened themselves Rom. 2.5 And all the meanes yea even the Gospel sent to move them to seeke the Lord Mat. 11 16-24 yea the very blood and Sacrifice of Christ by which all the residue was procured for them which they have contemned Heb. 10.29 yea and the Spirit of grace with all his spirituall hints of light motions reproofs and allurements which they have despised Heb. 10.29 Prov. 1.24.25 c. All which will then appear as aggravations of their sinne and judgement and this is another efficacy of the blood and Sacrifice of Christ on such as have refused him that when the day of grace is past it will occasion the evidencing and aggravation of their sin and judgement 3. The order rule law or medium by and according to which the judgement shall proceed and that is the Gospel in which Christ had before been set forth a saviour for them the propitiation for their sinnes and full of Spirit to send forth and so inviting them to repentance and faith with assurance of renovation remission and life on believing and warning that the issue of all other wayes would be death This Gospel as it is the word which Christ and his Apostles spake so such is the truth and verity of it that even the rejectors thereof it shall judge and hee shall judge them by and according to it Joh. 12.47.48 49. Rom. 2.16 And this is another efficacie of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ on such as have rebelliously refused it that by the declaration or word thereof and according to that declaration shall be the judgment Rom. 1.1.18.20 10.18 John 15.22 4. That which shall convince of sin and set home the sentence of sinne and of judgement to the heart and so kindle the fire that never shall be quenched is even the same Spirit
given assurance to all men in that he hath raised him from the Dead Acts 17.31 All which shewes the necessity of Christs resurrection and ascension and with the verrue of his own bloud presenting and offering himselfe to God in the Heavens for men to the ends fore-shown 3 For Jesus Christ that hath dyed and risen and with the vertue of his own bloud entred the Heaven and by the eternall Spirit offered himself a spotlesse sacrifice to God for men Also by the same Spirit to discover this grace thereby to call and draw in men to him and then to sprinkle and wash them with the presentation and application of the vertue of his pretious bloud And by his grace there-through discovered to renew them unite and conforme them to Christ This also is altogether necessary in respect of menâ—â—eceit and enjoyment of justification eternall life and inheritance for however this salvation which Jesus Christ hath wrought the redemption justification and eternall life he by himself in his own body as the Publike man obtained for men with God be such and so received by him for mankind That it may be truly said of him and in respect of what he hath as the Publike person done obtained received and hath in his own hands to dispense that he is the Saviout of the world Ioh. 4.42 And hath by himself made purgation of our sins Heb. 1.3 and 9.26 and obtained eternall redemption Heb. 9.12.50 That as Rom. 3.23 24. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and Rom. 5.18 As by the offence of one unto all men to condemnation even so by the righteousnesse of one unto all men to justification of life yea 1 Joh. 5.11 God hath given us eternall life and this life is in his Son yet notwithstanding all this Unlesse this grace be so discovered by the Spirit to men that they be drawn in to Christ and hee by his Spirit sprinkle his bloud on their heart and shed abroad his love therein and so wash and renew them they cannot in their own particular persons be justified and partake of eternall life and receive the inheritance with him Rom. 3.25 26. Tit. 3.4.5 And this necessity of his sprinkling and washing the Conscience with his pretious bloud may be seen true in many respects 1 In respect of sinne It sufficeth not for bringing mens particular persons into the Kingdome of Heaven That sinne is satisfied for by the sacrifice of Christ and so purged away by him as the publike person that he in the room of all mankind appearâ—tâ— spotlesse at the Throne of God But its requisite also that it be purged out of the Conscience and out of the nature and conversation of such particular persons as enter that Kingdome yea and though this work be not as the former done at once in the very act of his presentation and offering himself to God Heb. 1.3 and 9.12 and 10.10 12. But by degrees yet those Degrees are according to the entrance 2 Cor. 3.18 2 Pet. 1.11 Rom. 8.23 And so it s said Rev. 21.21 There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or a lye 1 Cor. 6.9 The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God Be not deceived neither Fornicators nor Idolater nor Adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind nor Theeves nor covetous nor Drunkards nor Revilers nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God Gal. 5.19 20 21. The work of the flesh are manifest which are Adultery Fornication uncleannesse lasciviousnesse Idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulation strife seditions heresies envyings murthers drunkennesse revilings and such like They which doe such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Ephes 5.5 no Whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man who is an Idolator hath any inheritance in the Kingdome of Christ and of God so that such unlesse they be washed justified purged and sanctified they cannot enter nor can any sorrowes tears sacrifices works of righteousnesse of their owne wash of the guilt and take away the venome of these sinnes nor make their hearts and natures new It is only the pretious bloud and sacrifice of Christ which by the eternall Spirit he offered to God by the same Spirit discovered to and sprinkled on the heart enabling to believe in which Peace is spoken to the heart remission of sins received and liberty by faith to reckon themselves according to Christ and as they are in him who by his Spirit worketh his mind in them and conformeth them to him self 1 Pet. 1.2 Rev. 1.5 and 5.9 Rom. 3.25 26. and 5.1 5.1 C o 6.11 2 Cor. 3.18 Tit. 3.4 2 By reason of the blindnesse darknesse and enmity that by reason of sinne is the nature of man For it sufficeth not for mens personall entrance into the Kingdome that in and through Christ God is light and in him is no darknesse at all unlesse men be brought into this light and this light be in them that they may walke in it 1 Iohn 1.5.7 and 2.8.9 1 Thes 5.4.5 nor yet is it enough for mens personall entrance into the Kingdome that the enmity in their State and condition be removed unlesse also the enmity in their nature be removed Psal 68.21 neither is there any study or labour of man in any wisdome or workes of righteousnesse of his own that can bring him into this light of God and take this enmity against God out of his nature but onely the spirit of Jesus Christ which when he offered up himselfe a Sacrifice to God for men he received in the man Psal 68.18 Discovering and testifying of Christ and the vertue of his Blood and the rich grace appearing therethrough that brings out of darkenesse into his marvelous light and reconcileth the heart and powers to God Iohn 14.26 and 15.26 and 16.14.15 Col. 1.4.5.12.13 1 Pet. 2.7.9 2 Cor. 5.14 18 19 20. Tit. 3 4 5 6 7. 3 In respect of the first and naturall Birth and that which men are by propagation and nature from the first Adam whose Image they therein and thereby partake of and beare and so are by nature dead in sins and trespasses Children of wrath c. Rom. 5.19 1 Cor. 15.46.48.49 Psal 51.5 Iob. 14.4 and 15.14 Ephes 2.1 2 3 So that however Christ as the publike person hath wrought salvation in himselfe for men with God and is justified and glorified at Gods right hand yet unlesse a man be borne againe borne from above even of water and the Spirit the free and rich grace of God manifested in the Application of the precious Blood of Christ to the heart And that by the holy Spirit of Christ in that Knowledge and Application of the precious Blood giving him an escape from the Pollutions that are in the world through lust and makeing him partaker of the Divine nature That so as he perpartooke of
understanding made uselesse or distracted So that this knowledge or knowing here meant is not such as slaies or makes the other altogether uselesse As for that doting upon naturall or artificiall knowledge the humane wisdome or the wisdome of the Rabbies and Prince of this world by which many so magnifie it as the only or necessary or at least the best mean to find out and discover the things of God It is a grosse and Idolatrous conceit and God hath executed judgment on that Idoll and stained the pride of that glory and so will do still in that the wisdome of God is hidden from them Matth. 11.25 Luke 10.21 and they know it not 1 Cor. 2.7 8 14. And few of them are called to it 1 Cor. 1.26 And those that are have their former wisdome befooled and they abased in the acknowledgment of the vanity of it before they receive the spirituall wisdome 1 Cor. 1.19 20. And the truth is this magnifying of humane wisdome and knowledge is the very enmity of Christ and the very Spirit of Antichrist Mat. 15.4.9 2 Thes 2.4 that moves to the building of Babell to Idolatry or Superstition to be as God in the Temple of God to appoint Doctrines Lawes Officers and to persecute the Truth and the Children of the Truth As for that saying that this naturall and artificiall knowledge this humane learning and wisdome is an Handmaid to Divinity Though this be but the Doctrine of men and no where affirmed in the Word of God yet if it be rightly understood it might by collection appear agreeable thereto for if it should be meant an handmaid or help to find out and attain Divinity that were rather to be a Mother then a handmaid and this is before proved false And if any object in men sanctified it may that is also false Job 11.7 8 9. Prov. 30.2 3 4. He that hath seeing eyes will not be befooled to take a candle to find out the Sun And again if by handmaid should be meant a guide and help to limit order and better the teaching of the Spirit the divine light knowledge and motions of grace that they may be more profitable and effectuall this is rather to be a Mistâ—is then a Handmaid and if suffered in this it would soone corrupt from the simplicity of Christ Prov. 30.22 23. And against this the Apostle hath protested 1 Cor. 2.1 4 5. But if by a handmaid bee meant a handmaid indeed that which is taken of its Throne and submitted to Divinity even to the Divine Spirit and grace of Christ to use as a Servant according to its pleasure and divine wisdome and motion for translating etymologizing and discanting on words for analyzing places comparing places using Similies c. Then if keeping the servants place is usefull as grace leads to the use of it And in this sence I conceive some godly men have used this saying and where it is so used it may be included in this saying Psalm 103. Blesse the Lord O my soule and all that is within me blesse his holy Name 4 But the knowledge or knowing here meant is supernaturall spirituall and divine and that appeares in three things that are together in this knowledge though distinct yet never separate in this knowledge or knowing First that the Giver or Teacher of this knowledge is the holy Spirit even God in Christ and the Spirit proceedin from both Prov. 2.6 For the Lord giveth wisdome and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding Isa 48.17 I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit Isa 54.13 All my children shall be taught of the Lord Iohn 16.23 When the Spirit of Truth is come he will guide you into all Truth and this is in a heavenly manner as the Scripture shewes 1 By a divine not bodily but spirituall light shine or revelation in unbaring or manifesting to the soul or mind the things of Christ Heb. 10.32 In which after yee were illuminated 2 Cor. 4.6 hath shined in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God Math 16.17 Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in heaven 1 Cor. 2.10 God hath revealed to us by his Spirit 2. By a divine infusion or inspiration to the heart of a Spirituall streame motion or evidence and perswasion of the truth and goodnesse of that of Christ discovered Isai 44.3 I will powre my Spirit upon thy seed Job 32.8 The inspiration of the Almigty giveth them understanding Isai 30.21 Thine eares shall heare a word behind thee saying This is the way Isai 50.4 The Lord hath given mee the tongue of the learned saith Christ that I should know how to speak a word in season Isai 52.6 They shal know in that day that I am he that doe speak behold it is I. 3. By a Divine power or Spirituall strength so as he causeth the blind to see and the deafe to heare Isai 29.18 and openeth the heart to attend Act. 16.14 whence he is called The finger of the Lord c. Mat. 12.28 Such is the Teacher and teaching by which this knowledge is attained Secondly the Object of this knowledge That which the holy spirit teacheth and glorifieth in teaching is Christ and the things of Christ as the verity ends necessity excellency and vertue of Christ and his pretious Blood and Sacrifice the infinitenesse and freenesse of Gods love appearing therethrough and the promises and hope given therein yea Christ the wisdome of God and the power of God and wisdome c. to us 1 Cor. 1.24.30 John 16.14 He shall glorifie me for he shall take of mine and shall shew unto you John 15.26 he shall testifie of me John 14.26 hee shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you And so 2 Cor. 3.18 4.6 Thirdly the manner of knowing is likewise spirituall and that is both 1. By that new light disposition and spirit he hath put in the heart which is as a new and spiritual eye to see spirituall things which is not by a humane discourse collecting one thing from another judging to know unseen causes from some seen and sensible effects like humane wisdome and the spirit of the world but spirituall discerning in the very light and of the very evidence of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.12.16 so as they may prove the effects sound from their knowledge of the cause 1 John 4.19 So John 1.14 We beheld his glory the glory of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Psal 36.9 In thy light we shall see light And in this as no mans humane wisdome and learning doth further his discerning so no mans ignorance or want thereof shall hinder Psal 119.130 The entrance of thy word giveth light and giveth understanding to the simple Matth. 11.25 Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast tevealed them unto Babes 1 John 5.20 we
his words Mark 1.15 Iohn 2.22 and 5.47 And so this faith and trust is in praising God in his Word Psal 56.10 and glorifying his word Acts 13.48 And so the object of this faith is God in Christ in and according to his word The first next Instrumentall and outward mediate object of this faith is the word and Gospel with the promises thereof which discovereth Christ and God in Christ and that in which and for which we are to trust in him Psal 119.49.50 The second inward inmost and absolute mediate object of this Faith is Jesus Christ in that which hee hath done is become doth and will doe which the Word reporteth and assureth Phil. 3.3 The last inmost and utmost object of this Faith is God in Christ in his infinite wisdome love power c. which appeareth in and through Christ 1 Tim. 4.10 And so the object of faith altogether in one is God in Christ as discovered in his Word by his Spirit This and this onely is the object of this faith So that no Arme of Flesh or device of men not multitude of men Ammunition or Forts not riches nor strength nor wisdome nor any self-wrought righteousnesse or workes can be in any sort the object of Faith Jer. 9.23 Job 9. 1. Either the inmost and utmost object of faith and trust God onely is that Mark 10.24 1 Tim. 6.17 2. Or the inmost and absolute mediate object through which men beleeve and trust in God Christ Jesus is only that Luke 18.19 2 Cor. 10.4.7 18. 3. Or the Instrumentall and outward mediate object through and according to which men beleeve and trust in Christ and in God in Christ his Word onely is that Psal 56.4.10 As for prayers and endevours in use of means when they issue from and be the fruits of this faith and confidence in God in Christ according to his Word then in this confidence blessing may bee expected in them 2 Sam. 7.27.29 But they cannot be the object either as Rule or Medium or Object as aforesaid Rom. 9.32 10.2.3 The Word the Rule Christ the Medium God the Object and so God in Christ according to his word is onely and altogether the object of this faith Secondly for the Mover or Worker of this faith that which produceth it and in and by which it is raised and wrought it is not the force of any humane discourse reasoning or Argument 1. Cor. 2.1.4.5 nor is it the issue or birth of any fervent endevours or workings of men in and according to the law of works Gal. 3.2 yea though endeavoured and done to get Christ the righteousnesse of God thereby Rom. 9.31.32 and 10.2.3.4 neither yet is it a conclusion or spring from the appearance of any inward or outward changes effected in a man by any such reasonings or endeavourings Luke 18.11 12. 2 Cor. 10.7.12.18 But this Mover and effector verily is 1. The appearance of the grace of God in and through the Gospel even of that free and immense love of God in the gift of his Sonne to be the Saviour of the world and the satisfaction made by Christ and the fulnesse of grace and truth in him This grace of God appearing in and through Christ moveth to believe encourageth and draweth thereto whence this faith is called The gift of God by grace and not of works Eph. 2.8.9 and they that have it are said to have believed through grace Acts 18.27 2. The Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne in discovery of this grace effecteth this faith and so the hand of the Lord that is the Spirit of the Lord or the demonstration of the Spirit and power is said to bring to believe in God Acts 11.21 1 Cor. 2.4.5 And in respect of both these this grace and Spirit working faith it is said After the kindnesse and love of God to manward appeared he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Tit. 3.4.5 And so the beleevers are said to be borne of water and of the spirit Iohn 3.5 And so as the spirit worketh faith so for working it he doth not glorifie the workes of the Law or any frames or workes of men But he glorifies Christ and Gods rich grace in Christ to beget faith and hope in men Iohn 16.13.14 1 Pet. 1.21 And so to say in a word It is the spirituall appearance of rich grace in and by which this faith is wrought Grace is the mover 3 For the nature and Act of this faith There be three things together meeting in one in this Act of believing or this faith of which is here teached as Scripture and experience of Believers shewes that is to say 1 An assent and credit-giving to the report or Testimony of the Gospel and that which by the spirit is evidenced and appeareth through the same report the want of which the Prophet complaines of Esa 53. Who hath believed our report which not-believing the Apostle calles making God a lyer 1 John 5.10 And this assent and credit-giving to the report of the Gospel was in those Act. 13.48 They magnified the word of the Lord counted it good and true and so received the Testimony and so did the Thessalonians likewise 2 Thes 1.10 And this is the first Act without which no faith at all Iohn 5.47 and 8.24 2 An inward and hearty approbation of the goodnesse of that reported in the Gospel in respect of that Christ hath done and that he is become and that he doth and that he is ready to do And in respect of the rich free and great love of God appearing therein so as all other Excellencies are but losse and Dung in comparison of it 1 Pet. 2.7 Phil. 3.7.8 9. 3 Through this assenting and believing-approbation there is an inward and hearty resting and relyance upon Christ and God in Christ for the dispensation of this grace and perfecting that which appertaines to him to do Rom. 5 1.2.5-10 First creditting the savings of the Gospel and through those sayings Believing Christ himselfe and the spirits Testimony of him and in that believing trusting in God in Christ for that promised and so believing the sayings receiving Christ and trusting in God through Christ is the nature and Act of this believing 4 For the motions orstrings in this believing or faith they are 1 An inward and hearty acknowledgement of and submission to Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour and so to this grace appearing in him 2 Cor. 5.15 He dyed for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose againe and so Rom. 14.8 Whether we live we live unto the Lord and whether we die we die unto the Lord c. verse 9. and 1 Cor. 6 19-20 Ye are not your own yet are bought with a price c. Rom. 6.17 Ye have obeyed from the heart the forme of Doctrine to which ye were delivered True it is that all men
us to himself that we may be with him and raign with him for ever John 14 1 2 3. 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. and 5.1 6. Tit. 2 11 13. Heb. 11.26 Secondly for the Believer in respect of others this believing-remembrance of the vertuous Sacrifice and mediation of Christ is very usefull and profitable and that in three respects 1 In respect of a right view and estimate of them 2 In respect of a right demeanour in word and conversation toward them 3. In respect of a right confidence concerning them 1. In respect of a right view and estimate of them the beleeving-remembrance of the death sacrifice and mediation of Christ leads and moves the judgement and mind of the believer 2. To esteem all that are onely naturall men as those for whom Christ hath died and given himselfe a ransome and bought them and is the propitiation for their sinnes and mediator between God and them 2 Cor. 5.14 Heb. 2.9 1 Tim. 2 5.6 1 John 2.2 2 Pet. 21 2. And in this respect to be loved pitied prayed for and to have the Gospel declared to them and to be served for their good 2 Cor. 5.11.14 15 20. 1 Tim. 1.15 to ch 2.1 6. Rom. 1.14 15.16 1 Cor. 9.18 23. 10.33 And so to afford them all that honor and respect of the place the disposing hand of such a redeemer hath put them in 1 Pet. 2 16-19 1 Tim. 6.1 2. To esteem all that are not onely so ransomed but by the gracious providence of our redeemer put in our charge and tuition as the price of his blood graciously given and committed to us by our Lord to be brought up for him and nurtured in the knowledge and feare of him the Lord of us both Gen. 18.19 33.5 Ephes 6.4.9 Job 13.14 3. To esteem all that are through grace brought in to beleeve in Christ as the Sons and Daughters of God Brethren and Members of Christ and of us the House of God whose we are and to whom we belong fit objects for speciall love and fellowship so as Christ may be loved and served in them and they with special love and service for Christ his sake John 1.12 13. Rom. 9.26 Eph. 2.19 20. Heb. 1.6 Eph. 5.30 1 Cor. 12.12 13. c. 4. To esteeme all of these called ones that are not onely redeemed of God by blood-shedding but unto God by his precious Blood spiritually applied Rev. 5.9 1 Pet. 1.18.19 as we have been in any sort instruments by whom God hath called them 2 Thess 2.13.17 or are by his grace and providence both led to some speciall charge and oversight of them 1 Pet 5.1.2 so as to those we are more peculiarly related for more abundant care and service for them Act. 20.28 5. To esteem those who after light and knowledge of the truth have resisted it and departed from it turning the grace of God into lasciviousnesse and opposing the power of godlinesse persisting herein till given up of God as ungodly reprobate and the feed of the Serpent to be contended with turned from and ceased praying for Jer. 6 6.16-30 Iude 4. 19. 2 Tim. 3.5 1 Iohn 5.16 Secondly in respect of a right demeanour in word and conversation 1. For words it will mind us of right and true Gospel and right words which we need not cloak curtaile or equivocate in delivery nor be ashamed of but speak with boldnesse and plainnesse Col. 1.13 Prov. 8.5 6 7. 2 Cor. 3.18 4.1 2. Rom. 1.16 2 Cor. 3.12 having that in them which is true and meet to be spoken to every man Prov. 22.18 21. to reprove and confute all false doctrines wayes and hopes 2 Cor. 10.4 5 6. to instruct in the doctrine and way of Christ Rom. 1.16.17 to presse to convincement Tit. 2.15 to comfort the convinced to allure to good thoughts of God in Christ so to beleeve 1 Tim. 1.15.16.17 to encourage to abiding in the faith Heb. 3 1-6 to exhort and provoke to love and good works Tit. 3.8 to set forth the peculiar priviledges of such as in beleeving are made one in Christ Rom. 8.2 15 26 33. to encourage them to constancy in their holy profession and fellowship Heb. 10 1.19-25 And so to season all our words with grace that they may savour of and administer grace to others Eph. 4.20 30. Col. 4.6 2 Tim. 3.15.16 2 For conversation it will mind to bee putting on bowels of mercy kindnesse humblenesse of mind meeknesse long-suffering forbearing and forgiving c. Col. 3.12 to blesse them that curse us c. Matth. 5.44.45 to walk in wisdome and blamelesse towards them that are without Col. 4.5 Phil. 2.15 And faithfully and fruitfully among the brethren Iohn 15.1 10. and so to pray for good for all 1 Tim. 2.3 4. and peculiar good for beleevers Phil. 1.8.9 10. 3. For confidence it will mind of that which will make confident in him to vouchsafe his presence by Spirit so farr as to manifest the savour of his knowledge to others by us for allurement or convincement 2 Cor. 2.14.17 and so confirm his words spoke by us that even the rejectors shall one day confesse the truth thereof and be iudged thereby Isai 44.25.26 Phil. 2 10 11. Iohn 12.48 Rom. 2.16 and such as receive them shall have a proofe of his owne gracious presence and speaking there through Matth. 10.40 2 Corinth 13.3 so as wee shall bee fruitfull 2 Pet. 1.8.9 And to conclude the beleeving remembrance of the Death Sacrifice Ransome and Mediation of Christ is usefull for the receit of all mercies chastisements use of ordinances and creatures with purity comfort and profit Rom. 14.14 1 Tim. 4.4.5 Tit. 1.15 And thus in viewing what the Gospel saith of the precious Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ in the sense of the words the ends the necessity the excellency and dignity the vertue operation and prevalency with the afefulnesse of the knowledge and beleeving remembrance thereof we may see that there was so great and good cause for the same to bee made knowne believed and remembred and such a fulnesse in it that we need not wonder at it That the Apostles should determine to know nothing else in their ministration as 1 Corinth 2.2 save Jesus Christ and him crucified and that they would glory in nothing else Gal. 6.14 save the Crosse of Christ and that they should bee so diligent to put believers in remembrance of these things And our Saviour appointed the Word preached Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord for the remembrance of these things seeing these things rightly understood containe all things necefull to eternall life CHAP. 15. Observations from this whole Discourse in all the fourteen Chapters and now for a litte further enlarging the usefulnesse note these confirmations 1. THat the doctrine of the Gospel setting forth Jesus Christ Observ 1. Act. 10.36 1 Tim. 2.4.5.6 1 Ioh. 5.10.11 12. 1 Cor. 1.30 Psa 68.18 Ioh. 16 7-15 Mat 28.18 Prov.
Doctrine which the Apostles confessed to have received of Jesus Christ Gal. 1.11 12. 2 Cor. 5 19. 1 Iohn 1.5 To be sent to preach 1 Cor. 1.17 And for the preaching whereof a necessity was laid upon them 1 Cor. 9.16 4. This Gospel is that Doctrine which the Apostles did preach to all men every where Luke 9.6 Acts 2. 3. 4 5. 10. 13. c. and professed themselves to have preached 1 Cor. 15 1-5 and to determine to know no other doctrine 1 Cor. 2.1 4. and have denounced the curse on all that shall preach any other doctrine Gal 1.8.9 5. Yea the fulnesse sufficiency and compleatnesse of this doctrine of the Gospel doth yet further appeare many wayes 1. In the Name of it the Gospel that is a joyfull message of good newes or glad tidings from heaven Isai 52.7 with Rom. 10.15 It is good newes indeed in that it is truth Prov. 8.4.8 from God of peace and good will to men Nahum 1.15 Luke 2.10 for mankind of salvation 1 Tim. 2.4.5 6. which is in Christ Isa 46.9 and shall be given to all that in beleeving come in to him Joh. 3.16 1 John 5.10 11 12. 2. In the Titles of it which are all full of truth the Gospel of God Rom. 15.16 the Gospel of Christ Rom. 1.16 the Gospel of the grace of God Acts 20.24 the Gospel of Salvation Ephes 1.13 the Gospel of the Kingdome Matth. 4.23 the glorious Gospel 2 Cor. 4.4 the everlasting Gospel Rev. 14.6 the Gospel of peace Ephes 6.15 the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 of life c. 3. In the sum of it both in the narration and affirmation shewing the Sonne of God to be come and what he became suffered and did for us and what hee is and doth and what hee will do in and for all that beleeve in him as this whole Treatise hath declared 4 In the holy Spirit that is promised to be sent forth in the ministration of this Gospel by which Christ will continue his owne presence with his servants ministring the same John 14.16 17. 15.26 27. 16.7 15. Matth. 28.19 20. 5 The effects of the Spirit in the Gospel forementioned both witnessed to be effected thereby and examples of its efficacies set forth therein as Tit. 3.4 And to conclude all in one word In respect of the Medium or Doctrine the Gospel is the Foundation to be built on Eph. 2.20 1 Cor. 3.10.11 the way to walk in Col. 2.6 2 Joh. 9. and the Schoolmaster to guide and lead in the way Tit. 2.11 12 c. and how full and prevalent this whole treatise hath shewn in particular And as God hath given us foundation so likewise one way Jer. 32.39 and as Jesus Christ is the foundation the way the truth the life and the Prophet and Leader 1 Cor. 3.11 John 14.6 Acts 3.22 26. and his Spirit that by which hee discovereth testifieth draweth to and buildeth on himselfe comforteth sanctifieth teacheth and leadeth his children Iohn 14.26 15.26 16.13 14 15. Rom. 8.2.14 even so the Doctrine of the Gospel is the Medium or instrument through which Christ by his doth all this 2 Cor. 3.18 4.4 6. whence all such as abide in the Doctrine of Christ are affirmed to have both the Father and the Son 2 Iohn 9. Objection But some are ready to object this magnifying the Doctrine of the Gospel makes void the Law and taketh away all use thereof Answer The truth is It establisheth the Law and leadeth to the right usefulness therof which is met with not in law-teaching pressing but in the right teaching the doctrine of the Gospel as may be seen by comparing Rom. 3.21 31. with 1 Tim. 1.5 11. For by the Doctrine of the Gospell setting forth Christ understood and believed the holynesse righteousnesse goodnesse spirituality and perfection of the Law is known and seen not abolished but ratified and fulfilled in and by Jesus Christ the Son of God In that 1. He came and fulfilled all the righteous affections and services to the utmost that it requireth 2 He as the publike man for us suffered the curse it sentenceth it too for all the sins it can charge us with 3 He rose justified and presented himself righteous before God in the behalf of us 4 Hee received spirit to send forth in the Declaration hereof that men might believe on him and in believing on him have him for their righteousnesse before God and be freed from being under the obligation of the Law to be under the obligation of grace to depend on him and so receive spirit from him to conform them to himself so raise up from a better principle The righteous affections and services law called for and gave no strength whereby they might be produced and to give the life law promised and could not give Rom. 3 10-27 and 8.2 3 4. Gal 5.16 18 22 23. and 6.8 as may be seen in that before said in the 6. and 14. Chapters In receit of which grace in the doctrine of the Gospell as the believer is freed from the obligation of the Law so hee enjoyeth the goodnesse thereof in the right ends and uses of it in that 1 They own themselves as in and of themselves the sinners and cursed ones for whom Christ was made sinne and a curse and so are dead to themselves their own strength wisdome and righteousnesse Gal. 5.24 and 2.19 Rom 10.3 4. 2 They see the mercy of God in giving the law for such ends and freeing them from the obligation of it Rom 7 9-25 and 8.2 3. They are in every thought of this Law kept from turning to it again for life of justification sanctification or glory and so occasioned to stick closer still to Christ for all Rom 7 9-25 Phil. 3.7 8. 4 They in remembring any good that law bound them to count themselves much more obliged for the grace of Christ to doe it 1 Cor 8.8 16. Ephes 6 1-4 5 They have the commands as coming from the Gospell not to get life but to testifie and exercise charity 1 Tim. 1.5 6 They can in Christ see all the commands turned into Promises so as in hearkning to him he will effect all in them Psalm 81.8 9. and 138.8 So that the Doctrine of the Gospell containes all that is meet to be taught and doth not abolish but establish the Law Observation 2. 2 That the Doctrine of the Gospell containeth both the Word of the beginning of Christ setting forth what he hath done and received and is for all and hath to bestow on them when they believe And all the everlasting Covenant and new Testament setting forth what he is to and will in due season doe for those that in believing are made one with him Heb 6 1-4 and 8 9 as is shewn throughout this Treatise The first of these is to be preached to all men as the foundation to repentance faith c Heb. 6 1-9 The second is to be opened to Believers for the encouragement of their hope and for their edification c. Obser 3. 3 That the grace of God discovered by the Spirit of Christ in this Gospell and put in the heart of the Believer is through the same Spirit a sufficient Prop and School-master for and to the Believer to witnesse peace to comfort renew teach lead and preserve in wayting for the coming of Christ Tit 2.11 12. Gal 5.5 16 18. Obser 4. 4 That the believing-remembrance of this grace of Christ is the way of Believers drawing frō Christ all receites springs streams of consolation and fruitfulnesse in themselves and for others as is fore-shewn it being the drift of this whole Treatise CHAP. 15. A pointing to some Applicatory usefulnesse 1 IN this fore-discovery of the Gospell setting forth Christ is Ground of Reproof of 1. Those that slander the Gospell of Christ and of the grace of Christ and the doctrine thereof as insufficient to prepare men for Christ or to sanctifie Believers or as if it were Antinomianisme and a doctrine of fleshly liberty 2 Those that confound things that are distinct and make them one and of like large extent which the Gospell distinguisheth setting forth the one as more generall the other as speciall As the Reconciliation wrought by Christ in himself with God for men And the Reconciliation which by Spirit applying the former hee worketh in men to God His mission to make propitiation and offer sacrifice And His mission to preach the Gospell And to His laying down his life to satisfie Justice And To confirme the New Testament And To seale his ministration and testifie love and therein give us example 3 Those that put all receit of eternall life upon the very Act of Christs suffering rising and offering himself a sacrifice to his Father whereas all this did but procure it into his hands to bestow and it is the spirituall application to the heart in which the receite is 4 Those that take faith only for a perswasion raised by consequence and arguments from Scripture and frames or that thinke faith to be nothing else but a believing to be saved by Christ or that one stands spotlesse before God All which follies and mistakes are discovered in this Treatise 2. Here is ground of Admonition and Exhortation to all that through grace believe in Christ diligently and constantly at all times and in all things To heed the Gospels Declaration of Christ and his grace there-through made known And To abide and walk in the acknowledgment and faith thereof And To suffer the grace there-through moving and teaching to have its perfect work in us and to yeeld up thereto And how it will work in us save sanctifie renew comfort and lead us is already shewn The experiment of the truth whereof the Lord fill us with As prayeth The unworthiest of all he hath shewn mercy to Tho. Moore FINIS
it speaking Peace and answering Law-charges it is expressed by Bloud or Death Rom. 8 34. 2 And in respect of the free and rich love of God appearing there-through and entring the heart with its cleansing refreshing and renewing operations It is expressed by water clean water living water or water of life Isa 43.3 Ephes 3.23 Heb. 10.23 Iohn 4 10. and 7.38 And so the same washing is affirmed as a fruit of his love by his Bloud Rev. 1.5 with clean water Ezek. 36.25 and Christ is called The Fountain of living Waters Jer. 17.13 And as these tearms of Bloud and Water are used to set forth the same grace distinctly in divers and distinct respects so one of these tearmes sometimes comprehends both As Bloud in Rev. 1.5 and Waters in John 3.5 Tit. 3.4 5. And so as Jesus Christ in respect of his sacrifice with the efficacy of it as offered to God And by the efficacy of it as applyed to men was shadowed figured and typed out by Water and Bloud Heb. 9.8 12 13 14 19. Even so his first coming and finishing the work his Father gave him to do on Earth 1 Because of the great rich and free love of God in which he sent his Son into the World John 3.16 To be the Saviour of the world 1 John 14.14 By which he tasted death for every man Heb. 2 9. And in love laid down his life for us He is said to have come by water 2 Because of the satisfaction he made for us by suffering and dying for our sins 1 Cor 15.3.4 2 Cor 5.21 Gal 3.13 He is said to have come by Bloud 3 Because by the eternall Spirit he rose from the dead ascended and offered himself without spot to God and so was justified in the Spirit Ro 6.4 1 Pet 3.18 Ro 1.4 1 Tim 13.16 And by that Spirit testifieth of himself Iohn 14.26 and 15.26 27. It is said The Spirit beareth witnesse 1 Iohn 5.6 This is he that came by water and bloud not by water only but by water and bloud and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse because the Spirit is Truth And so as there is one God and three Persons in one God The Father who hath loved us and given his Son for us 1 Iohn 4.10 The Son who was made flesh and so dyed for our sins and rose for our justification Iohn 1.14 Rom 5.25 The Holy Ghost who proceedeth from and maketh known the Father and the Son Matth. 16.16 Ioh. 14.26 and 16.13 So it is said 1 Iohn 5.7 There are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost And these three are one and so the Record is the record of one God 1 Iohn 5.10 And answerably there are three that bear record on Earth to men and in the hearts of Believers The Spirit that discovers in and through the Gospell this grace and enlightens the heart to see and believe and so begets a spirituall disposition bringing out of darknesse into his light Matth. 16.16 Iohn 16 7-15 1 Cor. 2.9 15. The Water even that rich free and immense love of God in the Spirits exaltation of Christs appearing Isa 55.1 2 3 4 5. The Bloud even the propitiation made satisfaction given redemption obtained righteousnesse wrought and presented to God and accepted of him and now applyed for satisfaction to the Believer Rom 3.25 26. and 4.5.24.25 and 5.1 11. And all these agreeing in one And so it is said 1 Iohn 5.8 There are three that bear witnesse in Earth The Spirit and the Water and the Bloud and these three agree in one All these witnesses agree in one and bear forth one record and the Spirit is he that beareth forth the witnesse and he doth it with Water Bloud in discovery and application of the free grace of God and the vertue of the precious bloud of Christ Tit. 3.4 5. And so the whole record is the record of God 1 Iohn 5.10 11 12. And this is the record that God hath given of his Sonne Tha God hath given us eternall life and this life is in his Son He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life And so by this whole Discourse wee may understand That 1 When the Scripture speakes of grace or free-love though for the clearnesse purity refreshing and cleansing effects it expresses it by that metaphor of water yet it means of that grace love in which Christ was given to be a ransome and which is testified through Christ who by his bloud shedding and with the vertue thereof presenting and offering himself a spotlesse sacrifice to his Father hath obtained eternall redemption and procured favour to be dispensed and the way of dispensation 1 Iohn 4.10 Rom 5.5 6. 2 And when the Scripture speakes of the Bloud Death and Sacrifice of Christ or the redemption effected thereby It means the Bloud of Christ which through love or grace was shed and presented to God for us and is discovered to us and so the redemption through grace wrought and in and through which grace or free-love appeareth Rom 5 8.-11 Gal 2.20 3 And so when the Scripture speaketh of the teaching witnessing and operation of the holy Ghost It meaneth that teaching witnessing operation of the Spirit of Christ which by vertue of his Sacrifice Christ sendeth forth from the Father and in which he discovereth and witnesseth the things of Christ and so with water and bloud discovering free-grace through the vertue of that pretious Bloud Iohn 15.26 and 16.7 15. And these things are well to be heeded and digested in our hearts as they are comprehended and meant alwayes the most of them and often all of them in using these tearms and expressions The Sufferings Bloud Death Ransome and Sacrifice of Christ Jesus CHHP. III. The manifold ends of the Sufferings Bloud Death and Sacrifice of Christ as the Scripture distinctly sets them forth FOr the right understanding the distinct ends of the Death and Sacrifice of Christ according to Scripture sence and expression There are some things the Scripture mentions to be fore-understood and heeded of us 1 Of Jesus Christ according to his double mission from the Father into the world and also according to his double businesse in leaving the World and offering himselfe to the Father 2 Of Mankind In respect of the double misery and enmity against God they are through the first Adem fallen into 3 Of the Church In respect of the double need they stand in of the contiouall helpfulnesse of Christ Jesus In the understanding and distinct consideration of all these the divers and distinct ends of the Death and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ will appear clearly 1 Concerning Jesus Christ his coming into the world and leaving the world First in respect of his mission from the Father into the world it was two-fold 1 He came and was sent into the world to be the Saviour of the world 1 Iohn 4.14 To save
finners 1 Tim 1.15 That is In the nature of man subjected to humane infirmities Heb. 10.5 To be made under the Law to redeeme such as were under the Law Gal. 4.4 And so to bear their sins Psasm 40.12 And suffer their Curse Gal 3.13 And dye the death of and for All 2 Cor 5.14 Heb 2.9 And so dying for their sins to rise for their justifieation Rom 5.25 And so he said Iohn 10.14 I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it again This Commandement have I received of my Father And so he dyed and rose to the ends fore-shown page 2 and 3. And in respect of this mission his death and sacrifice was to take away and be the propiation for the sins of the whole world Heb. 9.26 Iohn 1.29 1 Iohn 2.2 He came and was sent into the world to bear witnesse to the truth Iohn 18 37. And so to be a Preacher of the Gospell in the Declaration of this great Grace and Salvation Heb 1.2 and 2.3 And by his good workes and miracles to winne men to the beliefe and receipt thereof Iohn 5.36 and 14.11 And to give the promises of the New Testament and of eternall life to those that were prevailed with to believe on him Iohn 17.6 7 8. and 14.26 and 16.7 And of his mission to this Ministration it is said Rom 15.8 That Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision that is of the Jewes for the truth of God c. And of this mission when some came to him for some fruits of the ministration thereof it is that he said Matth. 15.24 I am not sent but unto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel And larger Commission he gave not to his Disciples till he had finished his own course Matth. 10.5 6. But then he enlarged this mission for all Nations All the World Matth. 28.19 Mark 16.15 And sent them into the world even as the Father had sent him into the world Iohn 17.18 which can be understood but of this his mission for ministration for onely himself is the propitiation Ioh. 20.21 And of this ministration also he saith John 12 49 50. I have not spoken of my self but the Father which sent me he gave me a commandement what I should say and what I should speake And I know that his commandement is life everlasting whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so I speake John 14.10 And thus he dyed in testimony of obedience love and faithfulnesse to his Father Phil. 2.8 10. And of love and faithfulnesse to his sheep that had been taught by him John 10.15 And so to confirme the truth of his Doctrine 1 Tim. 6.13 And to give us an example to follow his steps in teftifying love and faithfulnesse to God and Brethren John 15.12 13. 1 Pet 2.21 1 John 3.16 Not to make propitiation for hem for be it but to confirme the truth testifiâ— love and faithfulnesse and give good example Ephes 5.2 But now if wee consider of Jesus Christ according to both his Missions together as to make Propitiation And in preaching the Gospell to give the Promises of the New Testament to his Disciples Then we shall find also that he so dyed to confirm ratifie and seale the New Testament of precious Promises and so it was for his called and chosen ones Luke 22.20 Heb. 9.15 16. Gal. 3.15 And thus of his mission into the world 2 In respect of his businesse in leaving the world and offering himself to the Father it was also two-fold as Scripture sheweth 1 It was to present himself as the ransome and sacrifice with the vertue of his bloud to God for Mankind and thereby to obtain and receive to himself or into his owne hands to dispose as the publike person in the roome of Mankind remission of sins justification fulnesse of spirit and authority and to bee the Mediator between God Mâ—n Heb 9.12 14.24 1 Tim 2.5 And so to be our Peace Ephes 2.14 16. The propitiation for our sins and the sins of the whole world 1 John 2.2 And Wisdome Righteonsnesse Sanctification and Reslemption for men and to all that believe in him John 1.4 1 Cor 1.30 2 It was to take on him and execute his office of Lord and Mediator and high Priests c. To send forth tender and dispense of the grace and Spirit which he as the publike person hath received in the humane nature glorified to enlighten convince and draw even the rebellious that they might believe c. Psalm 68.18 John 1.7.9 and 16.8 9 10. And to sprinkle and wash the consciences of Believers with the spiritnall application of his precious bloud and shedding abroad in the heart of Believers the free and rich grace appearing there-through renewing comforting and leading them into all truth Heb. 12.24 and 9.14 Rev. 1.5 Tit. 3.4 5. Himself remaining a husband and Advocate for them Ephes 5.25 26 27. 1 Iohn 2.1 In both which appeares a two-fold end of his blood sacrifice offered The one the obtaining redemption c. to make known tender to men that they might believe Iohn 3.17 Ephes 2.5 6 7. The other The communication thereof too and effectuall operation in Believers Iohn 17.3 Ephes 5 26 27. 2 Concerning Mankind in respect of the double misery and enmity against God which by falling into sinne they fell into 1 The first is the misery and enmity in the very state and condition into which mankind by sinne were fallen which was such as stood crosse to the merciful God to keep him back from shewing any favour or grace at all to mankind for the Truth of God requites the Death of man sinne being entred Gen. 2.17 And the Iustice of God requires the execution of the Curse on man that hath fayled of his duty Gal. 3.10 And so though God did not upon the fall of man turne enemy to mankind But in his bea rt did pitty him Tit. 3.4 And his bowels of compassion moved for mankind so as hee would not for that fall make him as the Divell and his Angels something like that said of Israel Hos 11 6-9 Yet Truth and Iustice stood against the shewing forth of this mercy and extending of peace to man-kind yea had not the nature of man-kind been polluted and filled with aversnesse and eumity against God upon the fall as indeed it was yet by reason of sinne committed though it had been but once and passed leaving only guiltinesse behind it even that put such enmity in the state and condition of mankind and made such a pertition between God and mankind that Truth and Iustice would not without a satisfaction that any mercy should be shewed or peace given him who had by that offence sold himself from God to Sathan and thrown himself under guilt of sinne and desert of Curse and Death so as it brought a necessity of inflicting curse and death upon him which if men suffer in their
own particular persons they can never over-come and without suffering they can have no remission Heb. 9 22. Now to remedy this misery and take away this enmity in the state and condition of mankind Jesus Christ by the will of God even the will of his Father and his own free-will it being one and the same with the will of his Father hath taken the nature of mankind subjected to infirmities and the cause of mankind upon him and in their stead being made under the Law under which they were fallen hath borne all their sins and suffered all their curse and so dyed for All That all were dead and hath risen again just and free from all their sins imputed to him And a victâ—rer over all their curse and death imposed on him and so ascended and offered up himself to God a spotlesse sacrifice and a ransome to God for all men and God hath accepted it so that for mankind in him mercy and truth are met righteousnesse and peace have kified Psul 85 10. And he is become the propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Iohn 2.2 having slaine the enmity Ephes 2.10 Having taken out of the way All that was onely between God and us and so was contrary to us Col 2.14 And so hath given himself aransome for All to God and bought all men of God 1 Tim â— 6. 2 Pet. 2.1 And here is the infinite wisedome and great love of God in finding out this remedy for mankind which from the beginning was in himself hidden in his own Bosome And this he brought to passe so putting all to death in the death of his Son and setting them in heavenly places in him That he might shew forth the riches of his grace Ephes 2.5 6 7. And so war God in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their trespasses to them 2 Cor. 5.14 19. And so hath made a way for himself to shew mercy to whom hee will And opened the doore to life and immortality for mankind 2 Tim. 1.10 And thus hath Iesus Christ by shedding his blood and presenting it to his Father redeemed all men of God and taken the enmity out of their stateand condition and is become their Lord Having wrought redemption and salvation in his own body for them even for all men 1 Tim. 2. 5. Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Vngodly and his enemies And that while they were such Roan 5.6 That he might bring them to God 1 Pet. 2.24 and 3.18 And yet unlesse he proceed to do more for men then all this none of them will come into God Iohn 6.44 45. For 2 There is a misery and enmity in the nature of mankind through which he is so averse to God That though the enmity in the state and condition be slain And all that which was between God and Mankind contrary to them taken out of the way Ephes 2.16 Col. 2.14 yet will not mankind come into God but remain sinners and ungodly still foolish disobedient and deceived living to themselves and after their own lusts and so in enmity against God Rom. 3.10 19. Ephes 2.1 2 3. Tit. 3 2 3. And such however ransomed by Christ neither can nor shall enter his Kingdom nor have any inheritance with Christ 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Gal. 15.19 20 21. But if not brought out of this enmity which is as impossible to them to do of themselves as to have ransomed themselves their condemnation will bee more fearfull 2 Thes 1.8 Now to remedy this misery and take this enmity out of the nature of man Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and with the vertue of that bloud he shed for mankind having offered up himself a spotlesse Sacrifice to God and obtained eternall redemption and received all fulnesse of Power Authority and Spirit as the publike person in the humane nature glorified Act. 2.31.32 Psalm 68.18 Doth send forth of that Spirit in the meanes he useth at one time or other to enlighten and move at the hearts of men Iohn 1.9 To reprove and convince them of the sinfulnesse in themselves the vanity of all their Idols and all righteousnesse of their own working and of the fulnesse of that righteousnesse and life in him Iohn 16.8 9 10. And so calleth them Prov. 8.4.5 6. Isa 45.22 and 55.1 2. That in their turning at his reproofe he may power out his Spirit and make known his words to them Prov. 1.23 That so through him they might believe and be saved Iohn 1.5 7. and 3.7 And though all resist and go out of the way Rom. 3.10 19. And that this is the great condemnation when light comes to love or chuse darknesse rather Iohn 3.19 And he might justly give them all up and be righteous Rom 3.5 6. yet for a time he useth patience and striveth with them Gen. 6.3 That they might repent Rom 2.4 And to some he giveth more abundance of his grace and overcomes them as Bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke Ier. 31.18 20. Isa 30.18 And brings them in to believe Ephes 2.7 8 9 10. Phil 1.29 And these he redeemeth with his precious blood by presenting and applying it close to their heart sprinkling it thereon and discovering such free and infinite riches of grace therethrough that all things else though never so fore-thought of as gainfull appeares to them as losse in comparison of this grace allureing to win Christ and be found in him And soe as we by of our Children from their vanities to their bookes Phil. 3.7 8 9. c. with gifts he buyeth and purchaseth us with his blood from our vaine lusts hopes and conversations and from among men unto God 1 Pet. 1.18.19 Reu. 5.9 And then by the spirituall application of the vertue of his blood purgeth the conscience from dead workes to serve the living God Heb. 9.14 And so in his love washeth us from our sins in his own blood Reu. 1.5 And those whom he hath not onely bought of God as he hath done all men 1 Tim. 2.6 but also purchased them unto God from among men and washed them in his love from their sinns 2 Pet. 2.1 Reu. 5.9 and 1.5 Iohn 13.8 These and these onely are his Church and pecular people Act. 20.28 Ephes 5.27 In whose soule and body he worketh salvation through the application of that salvation which the hath wrought in his own body And in this consideration of the double enmity to God into which man fell and the reâ—â—â—cy in Christ appeares three ends of the Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ namely two ends of the presentation and offering it to God one to take away the enmity that was in the State and condition of mankinde Ephes 2.16 The other to receive spirit to send forth in the declaration of this grace to reconcile men to God that the enmity in there nature might be removed Ephes 2.7 2 Cor. 5.20 and one end of the spirituall presentation and applycation of it to the heart and conscience
the first Testament or the Law A Perfect image made by a curing limmer may clearly present the visage complexion of him whose Image it is though it have no life and so neither see nor breathe c. But a shadow or the first rude draught will not doe so much onely may discover that it is to be of a man or a woman and not of a beast but whether man or woman or whom it sheweth not as the Image finisht in which the shadow passeth doth Now the law had the shadow of good things to come but not the very image of the things they were paterns and figures of heavenly things for the time present but not a full demonstration of them Heb. 10.1 9.9.23 Now then if we call to mind 1. The offering for sin to make Atonement was first slain and after that the blood sprinkled at the Altar and on the Atonement-day before the Mercy-seat and the people afflicted in themselves and blessed by the Priest Lev. 9. 15.22 16. per totum shadowed Jesus delivered to death for our sinnes and presenting himselfe with the vertue of his blood to the Father to make the Atonement obtain redemption for us and his blessing us in sprinkling his blood on our hearts melting and purging the conscience Heb. 1.3 9.12.14.24 10.1 19. The Passover a Lamb without blemish slain and then the blood wth a bunch of hyssop dipt therin sprinkled on the two side-Posts and the upper doore Posts that the striking Angel might passover Exod. 12. And then the flesh roasted with fire eaten Shadowed Jesus Christ the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world John 1.29 Heb. 9.26 His dying for our sins 1 Cor. 15.3.4 And by his Spirit sprinkling the vertue of his blood on the beleeving heart without which no safety Heb 12.24 and our feeding on him by faith without which no eternall life John 6.35.36 so that bloodshed presented to the Lord and applied to such as come to the Sacrifices are all held forth distinctly as distinct and divers works 3. For the people that came to these Sacrifices for whom blood was not onely shed but presented to God and who had the atonement and such reconciliation as was thereby affoorded there was yet provided a water of Purification to cleanse them from defilements when they befell them and the defiled person not cleansed with it might not approach to the holy things without danger of death now it was not enough There was for them a water of purification and it was right nor that it was put in a vessell and running water put thereto unlesse a clean person dip with a branch of Hissop and sprinkle him that is uncleane hee remains unclean and must die by Sprinkling is Cleansing And doth not this shadow out Jesus Christ the fountain of cleansing and Laver of regeneration and purification right with with God yet cleasing none in their own hearts c. without application and spirituall sprinkling Heb 9.13 14. 12 24. Zach. 13.1 Tit. 3.4 5. Ezek. 36.25 Consider and compare the Scriptures and say 1 Did not the red Hyfer slain without the Camp and her flesh burnt Numb 19.2.3.5 Numb 19.2 3 5. shadow out Jesus that knew no sin made sin for us and suffering without the gate and after in the power of the Spirit and fire of his love offering up his whole selfe a Sacrifice to God for us 2 Cor. 5.21 Heb 9.14 10.12 13.12 2. Vers 9. Did not the remainders or ashes of the Heyfer shadow forth the remaining Records Testimonies and vertues of the death and sacrifice of Jesus who died for our sinnes and rose for our justification Vers 4. and presented his sacrifice to God and applieth it to us as was shadowed by the blood sprinkled before the Tabernacle 1 Corinth 15 1-4 Heb 9.12.13.14 And is not this the water of Separation or Purification from uncleannesse Ezek. 36.25 Rev. 1.5 3. Vers 9. Did not the clean Place without the Camp where these ashes were kept for a purification for sin shadow forth the Gospel of Christ or word of grace which J. Christ by his Spirit hath breathed and caused to be written and therein declared and testified and kept as in record the truth and vertue of the blood-shed death and sacrifice of Christ and the offering it to the Father and its prevalency with him and for whom and his tender and application of it and the vertue thereof and in whom Are not all the sayings hereabout plain 1 Cor. 15.1 4. 2 Cor. 3.12.13 1.2 Faithfull 1 Tim. 1.15 True 2 Pet. 1.16 19. And in righteousnesse nothing froward perverse equivocall or wreathed in them Prov. 8.6 7 8 9. 22.20 21. Eccles 12.10 That we may rather take those sayings as they expresse the matter then any other sayings or glosses they are very righteous and faithfull his word is very pute Psal 119.138 The inspiration of the Spirit of truth 2 Tim. 3.16 4. Did not the ashes of the burnt Heyfer of Purification for sinne and running water put thereto in a vessell shadow forth the Word of Grace setting forth the vertue of the death and sacrifice of Christ inspired and put in the hearts of the servants of God 2 Cor. 5.18.19 and his free and rich grace and love appearing therein shed abroad thereby by the holy Ghost in the heart of those whom he hath brought to beleeve in Christ and so united them to him 1 Cor. 1.30 and so filled them with his love that it springs up like love in them that constrains them to declare this grace and beseech others to accept it 2 Cor. 5.14 15.19 1 Pet. 1.21 22. for which cause they are called Stewards and Ministers of this grace 1 Cor. 3.1 2 Cor. 3.3 and said to have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may appeare to be of God and not of them 2 Cor. 4.7 and so are called chosen vessels unto God to beare his name Act. 9.15 5 Did not the clean person taking Hissop dipping it in the water sprinkling the unclean shadow forth Iesus Christ the just who by his own Spirit stirreth this grace in the hearts of his servants and giveth them what to speak 2 Cor. 4.6 5.14 1 Cor 2.12.13 and giveth proof of his own speaking in their ministration 2 Cor. 13.3 Making manifest the savour of his knowledge by them 2 Cor. 2.14 and himselfe by his Spirit turning the heart of men to God Acts 11 21. and weighing his mind in the heart of these so turned to beleeve in him 2 Cor. 3.3 further minding and teaching them that they have heard John 14.26 and taking off the things of Christ and shewing to them John 16.14 and so sprinkling and washing them with this water of purification the vertue of the pretious blood of Christ and his infinite love streaming there-through melting cleansing comforting renewing c Heb.
this Law but to fulfill it Mat. 5.17.18 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill For verily I say unto you Till Heaven and Earth passe one jot or one tittle shall in no wise passe from the Law till all be fulfilled neither did Jesus Christ come to be an Arbitrator or Dayes-man to plead with God and lay his hand upon him that he might abate to men some part of their duty required in the Law and to lay his hand upon men to enjoyn and cause them to perform some part of their due to the Law to give some satisfying to God so make God men friends that way 1 Sam. 2.25 Iob. 9.33 No such matter but Jesus Christ himselfe in his own person while he was here on earth did perfectly fulfill this Law so as no sin could be found in him but he was in respect of his own particular person righteous and just even by that Law And had he not been a publick person in our stead and so had our sins that Law could never have charged him for he kept it fully Heb. 7.29 Ioh. 8.46 1 Pet. 2.22 Rom. 3.19 Gal. 4.4 Esa 53.2.6 2 Cor. 5 19-21 Gal. 3.13 Rom. 4.25 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 7.4 and 4.25 But as the publick person in the roome of mankind He was made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law and so being under the Law for us he had all our sins that Law could charge us with imputed to and laid upon him and all the curse and death which Law could and did sentence us to imposed upon him And so he suffered the curse died the death for our sins yea for us all so as all are dead And so he hath satisfied the Law that we are dead to the Law by the body of Christ And this Jesus Christ as the publick person is risen again for our justification and hath ascended to heaven and with the vertue of his own blood offered himselfe a ransome and sacrifice to God having obtained eternall redemption and life for men Heb 9.12 Esa 55.5 Iohn 16. Heb. 9.14 and 12.24 Reu. 1.5 to dispense to such as beleeve on him And now sendeth forth of that Spirit he hath received discovering this grace to draw men to believe on him and in the hearts of such as through grace beleeve in Christ he by his Spirit applieth sprinkleth and washeth with that pretious blood so as he enableth them to receive the satisfaction of the Law which himselfe hath made and to answer Law-charges therewith Rom. 4.24.25 5.2 11. 8 34. And to receive and own to themselves as theirs by faith the righteousnesse that he is become and to rest on him and approach in that to God 1 Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.3.7.8.9 and by the same Spirit in and with the rich grace herethrough streaming he reneweth them Tit. 3.4.5 and worketh love in them 1 Pet. 1.18.21.22 yea a more excellent love then Law discovered in that it is a love of God in and for Christ 1 Iohn 4.10 19. and love of our brother as Christ hath loved us Ioh. 15.1.2 And this love fulfils all righteousnesse yea from a better principle then law could have affoorded Rom. 13.10 the Spirit in working this love writing the law in the inward parts 2 Cor. 3.3 and leading to deny all evill and live godly c. Tit. 2.11.12 and yeelding to and walking after the Spirit a man shall neither fullfill the lusts of the flesh nor be under Law Gal. 5.16.18 but have the righteousnesse of the Law the life it promiseth and cannot give yea a better life fulfilled in him and have an abundant entrance into the Kingdom Gal. 6.8 2. Pet. 11. And thus by Christ himselfe in his body in all his conversation was the Law fulfilled and by him in his own body as the publick person was the Law satisfied for all it had against us and by him through his Spirit applpying that satisfaction to our hearts he enables to beleeve and receive it and in that beleeving sheads abroad his grace in the heart that leads to all righteousnesse the Law requireth though from a better principle that will in due season perfect the same and hee also will fill us with eternall life And without this coming death resurrection and sacrifice of Christ the Law could never have been fulfilled and satisfied and without his spirituall application to the heart it will never be answered by us or fulfilled in us whence that thanksgiving or profession Rom. 7.25 8.1.2.3.4 4. The ends of the making known and giving this holy spirituall and righteous law was neither to justifie those to whom it was given nor to give them lyfe nor to kill and destroy from God for ever for if it had been given to give lyfe and justifie and bring to the inheritance it had been against the covenant and promises of God and saith therein which to conceive God forbid far bee it from us Gal. 3.18 21. Rom. 4.14 And if it had been given to get righteousnesse by it or to destroy from God for ever â—t had been against the grace of God testified in the Death and resurrection of Christ and faith therein which God forbid and far be it from us to conceive Gal. 20.21 and 3.11.12.13 Rom. 4.13 7.24.25 Heb. 2.9 Besides the giving the law in the hand of Moses a Mediator of the first Testament sheweth that it was not given to justifie for then no need of a Mediator nor was it given to destroy from God for ever for then he would not have given a Mediatour Gal. 3.17 And yet the law was given for good holy and mercifull ends For God in his mercy having found a ransome and given us life in him and confirmed a Covenant in him John 1.4 1 Iohn 1.1.2 which grace should have led men to repentance and faith in God and living to him But through blindnesse Esa 44.20 and 55.2 Gal. 3.19 and hardnesse of heart men slighted this great Salvation and put confidence in Idolls and superstitions and lived in and to themselves And because of Transgressions the law was added till the seed should come and this law to discover that righteousnesse which is due from men to God 1 To kill men in respect of themselves of all that lyfe which they have in and from themselves by any excellencyes parts endeavours or workings of theirs in and by themselves By discovering their sinfulnesse and the Immeasurablenesse of it and the curse and wrath due to them that so they may charge themselves with it which without the law they would not doe Rom. 3.19 and 4.15 and 5.13.20 By spoyling them of all hope of lyfe by their own workings that they may say Amen to the curse 1 Cor. 1.6 and yeeld themselves as dead and lost and so receive the sentence of death in themselves Gal. 2.19 Rom. 7.9 Deut. 27.26 2 To
occasion their submission to Christ and so their high prizeing of the grace and righteousnesse and lyfe in him that they may fall downe before him and be quickned and made alive by him Rom. 5.20 Gal. 2.19 who by sprinkling his blood and giving in his grace by his spirit enliveneth them Heb. 9.14 Tit. 3.4.5 And so Rom. 10.3 Christ is the end of the law for righteousnesse to every one that believeth Gal. 2.20 3.22.24 which also sheweth the necessity of the pretious Blood of Christ which he shead and presented to his Father for men to be by his spirit applyed to men without which they can have no true peace and freedome with God Iohn 13.8 and 8 32-36 3 The power this law hath in the consciences of men in this lyfe till they know and believe in Christ and be set free by him Iohn 8 34-36 this holy spirituall and righteous law in respect of the spirituall affections and services therein required was once in the heart of mankind when God made man in his own Image And made him and all men in him as in the first publike person righteous then was it the naturall bent of man to love God and his neighbour and to walke in that love uprightly Gen. 1.26 27 28. and 2.7 Ecles 7.29 And then while these righteous affections and services were naturally springing and streaming in men man was not under the power of the Commandements thereof with the promises and threats But when man sinned and fell He lost these righteous affections and services out of his heart and inward and naturall bent And became corrupt averse and full of enmity against God Gen. 3 10-13 Eccles 7.29 Rom. 5.12.18.19 And then fell under the power of this law with its Commands Threats and Promises And the effect of this law as a spirit of Bondage entred into him for such the power of the work of God in his grace both shewn in the creation and procured for men by the Redemption and extended to men for the redeemers sake that it still proclaimeth to men and testifieth that it is mans duty and that he is hereby bound to love God with all his heart soule and strength and his neighbour as himselfe and to walke in that love And the least short coming hereof is sinn Ioh. 35.10.11 and 37.24 Deut. 5.6.7 1 Iohn 3.4 For though man by sinn lost his interest in God yet God lost not his right and Authority over man But when man by sinn lost the inward and living principle of the law out of his heart Then through the Authority of God over man and the power of God in his works man fell under the power of the law And the effect of the law as a spirit of bondage entred into his heart and that with such force that according to the knowledge given him whether by the works of God in creation and providence or the law declared and written that it bindeth downe and embondageth a man that he can no otherwise have hope or looke to God for acceptance and life then as he conceives himselfe to keepe this law nor avoyd the feares of wrath and Death as he discernes himselfe a transgressor of it and as their conscience witnesse so doe their thoughts accuse or excuse one another Rom. 2.15 And so from the law sin takes occasion to become oft more violent in its motions to sin Rom. 7.5.8 And from the law sinn hath its strength to accuse and terifie Rom. 7.11 1 Cor. 15.56 And in desires of avoiding danger this spirit of bondage so laden with sinn pollutes the conscience to be dictating to seeke peace in workes of the law and to be speaking peace there from Rom. 9.32 and 10.3 which still genders to bondage and leaves under the curse Gal. 4.21.30 and 5.4 and 3.10 And this power hath law with its effect in the consciences of men in this lyfe till they be set free by Christ for the law can justifie none that have at all sinned nor gives any hope for any repentance after sinning nor any power or freedome for coming in to God againe this is the work of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God to justifie from sinn and give repentance and freedome to come in to God Iohn 8 34-36 Act. 5.31 So that onely by Christ by his spirit applying his preâ—ious blood to the heart and streaming in his rich grace there through the conscience is purged from the accusation of sinn and from speaking or seeking peace by dead works And gives in an inward living principle to serve the living God Heb. 9.14 And so washeth from sinn Reu. 1.5 Reneweth Tit. 3.4 And setteth them at Liberty for the things of the Kingdom Gal. 5.1 enduing them with the Spirit of adoption of love power and a sound minde Rom. 8.15 2 Tim. 1.7 And thus the law rightly understood in it selfe and the ends of giving it And the power it hath in the naturall conscience shews the necessity of the Pretious Blood of Christ to be by his spirit applyed to and sprinkled on the conscience CHAPTER VII Of the Excellency and dignity of this Precious Blood of Christ that is presented to the Father and his Sacrifice being also presented to the heart FOR the Excellency Dignity and worth of the Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ presented and offered to God for men and presented tendered and applyed to men It is beyond comparison or expression yet we may understand a little thereof if we view and consider it in fowre respects 1. In respect of the Sacrifice it selfe 2. In respect of the appearance and Declaration thereof 3. In respect of the glorious and abundance of love herethrough appearing 4. In respect of the unvaluable and inexpressible hope it giveth to all that receive it besides the operation to be after spoke of 1 In respect of the Presentation and Sacrifice it selfe it appeareth to be of most excellent Dignitye and worth in many notable respects as to say 1 In respect of the Priest that offered this Sacrifice who was immediately called of God as Aron was Heb. 5.4.5 And infinitely above and greater then Aron and all the Priests of his Order for they had sinns of their own also first to offer for before they offered for the sins of the people But this our high Priest had no sinn of his own to satisfie for but his offering was wholly and altogether for us Heb. 7.26.27 And their High-Priests were men that had infirmities and so dyed But this High-Priest though the very man that dyed for us yet risen from the Dead and alive for ever-more to interceide for us Heb. 7 23-25 and 5.5.6 Yea they were made Priests according to the law of a carnall Commandement But this High-Priest after the power of an endlesse life Heb. 7.16.17 They without an Oath this with an Oath Heb. 7.21 They the Sonnes of men But this High-Priest is the Sonne of God even God-man Heb. 7.28 and 1 4-8 They went and presented
the Blood in an earthly holy place but this High-Priest entred into Heaven it selfe to offer and appeare before God for us Heb. 9.7.8.12.24 They though they offered to God yet they tooke no pleasure in their offerings but this High-Priest offered to God and he hath accepted him and set all his wellpleasednesse in him and set him at his right hand and given all Authority to him Heb. 10 1-12 and 1.4.8 Oh consider how great an High-Priest we have And how excellent then the Sacrifice that he hath offered and by vertue whereof he interceideth Heb. 1. 3 5 7 8. 2 In respect of the Sacrifice it selfe which he offered for every High-Priest is ordained to offer gifts and Sacrifices And it is of necessity that he have somwhat also to offer and that in the Heavens Heb. 8.3.4 And so he hath offered a gift a Sacrifice for satisfaction for ransome for propitiation and for a memoriall to intercede with for us And this was not Gold or Silver nor Bullocks and Lambs c. nor the Blood of others as the other Priests offered but his own most Pretious Blood his own most holy Body even that very Body in which he had borne our sinns to the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 In which he dyed for our sinns and rose for our Justification Rom. 4.25 Yea the Body which is the Body of the Sonne of God Iohn 1.14 In whom the fulnesse of the God-head dwelleth bodily Col. 2.9 This is the gift the ransome the Sacrifice he offered himselfe his own Body without spot to God for us Heb. 9.12.14 and 10 5-10 Oh how fit how satisfying and of what infinite value is this Blood and Sacrifice of his 3 In respect of the Altar on which this Sacrifice was offered and by which it was borne and carried up to God The Altar of Gods appointment whatever it be is greater then the gift or Sacrifice and Sanctifieth the gift Mat. 23-19 Now those other Priests offered upon an Altar of earth or earthly substance Exod. 20.24 But what is the Altar on which this High-Priest offereth this excellent gift that is greater then it and sanctifieth it surely this can be no other but the Divine nature which is greater then the Humane In respect of which Humane clad with our Infirmities he said The Father is greater then I Iohn 14.28 And by the power of this Divine nature he was supported in and through his sufferings Esa 50 1-9 Raysed from the dead Rom. 4.24 and 6.4 Ascended to heaven Act 5.30.31 And offered himselfe to God And so it is expresly said Heb. 9.14 he through the eternall spirit offered himselfe without spot to God And thus also was God manifested in the flesh Justified in the Spirit c. 1 Tim. 3.16 And so by ransome of the union of the humane nature with the Divine in the person of the Sonne of God one Christ God-man This Blood and Sacrifice if it be rightly understood may be truly called the Blood and Sacrifice of God Act. 20.28 found by God Iob. 33.24 And offered by God unto God according to the will of God though it was the Body or humane nature offere for men And this doth sanctifie and dignifie the offering that it is of Infinite value and prevalency Heb. 10 5-10-19 c. 2 In respect of the Declaration and appearance of this pretious Blood and Sacrifice And so of Christ that by the eternall Spirit hath offered it to God for men and received the same spirit to apply to men and his gratious ends in both the faithfull and playne declaration of this by such as by spirit have received it and as the Spirit hath taught them 2 Cor. 4.4.6 1 Cor. 2.12 Rom. 12.3 Mat. 28.20 Declares this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice to be of great excellency worth and Dignity In that in such declaration as he promised 1 The holy Spirit cometh along and sheweth and testifieth of these things of Christ Iohn 15.26 and 16.14 and manifested the savour of his Knowledge 2 Cor. 2.14.15 And goeth to the heart of men that they might believe Iohn 1.7 Rom. 10.7 8 9 10. And writeth the minde of Christ in the Believer 2 Cor. 3.3 and 13.3 5. So that in the hearing of this Doctrine and Object of Faith and in no Doctrine or observation of any law of workes the Spirit of Christ cometh and testifieth and is received Gal. 3 1-5 2 The free grace and abundant love of God to mankind in the gift of his Sonn To be a ransome for all men 1 Tim. 3 4 5 6. And the Saviour of the world And the propitiation for their sins 1 Iohn 4.10.14 That whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life Iohn 3.17 And his acceptation of his Sonne for men and taking his wellpleasednesse in him Mat. 3.17 2 Cor. 5.14 Heb. 10 1-12 His filling him for men Psal 68.18 Esa 41.1 His readinesse to receive in and through his Sonn and that his Sonn shall give eternali life to all that in his Discovery see and believe on him John 6.40 and 1.12 yea even his peculiar and delightfull love and well pleasednesse in his Sonn and all that by grace are made one in his Sonn Iohn 15.9 and 16.27 All this appeareth and as living water streameth In the Declaration and appearance of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice as it was offered to God And is applyed to the heart Rom. 3.24 25. 1 Iohn 5 6-12.13 3 The great and compleate salvation redemption reconciliation Propitiation and righteousnesse that is in him and which he is become which by himselfe 1 Pet. 2.24 1 Cor. 15.3.4 Rom. 4.25 1 Iohn 2.2 and in his own Body he hath wrought in dying and shedding his Blood for our sinns and riseing for our Justification And through the eternall Spirit offering himselfe a spotlesse and unvaluable Sacrifice to God in which he hath made Purgation of our sinns slaine enmity obtained eternall redemption and made such satisfaction in heaven that he hath thereupon received life to dispense to men Heb. 1.3 and 9.12.14 and 10 1-12 And the power and fitnesse of the same Pretious Blood and Sacrifice by the Holy Spirit applyed to the heart to purchase redeeme and reconcile to God from among men and to wash purge and renew the heart c. Act. 20.28 Ren. 1.5 and 5.9 Heb. 9.14 Tit. 3.4.5 And so worke Salvation in men All this appeareth in this Doctrine or playne faith-and spirituall Declaration of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice so as therethrough from the threefold witnesse in heaven that are one there come these three on earth to men the Spirit and the water and the Blood 1 Iohn 5 6 7 8-12 By all which this Blood and Sacrifice appeareth of infinite Excellency and Dignity 4 In respect of the rich free bright and abundant love appearing in this Sacrifice of the Sonn of God for as it was the love of God to give his Sonn c. as aforesaid even so
shall glorifie thy name Thus must all come before him one day and then he shall separate and dispose of them Matth. 25.32 33. 4. Another particular end in this first next immediate end of the suffering and sacrifice of Christ offered to God was That hee might shew forth to men this rich and abundant grace Eph. 2.4.7 And so it was 1. That this full Gospel and therethrough repentance and remission of sinnes might be preached in his name among all Nations Luke 24.46.47 And for this he hath prevailed so as himself came and preached peace Eph. 2.17 And first began to preach the Gospel of this salvation himselfe Heb. 2.3 and then left the commission for preaching the same unto his Apostles and faithfull Disciples that by grace come to be united to him and endued with spirituall gifts John 17 18-21 2 Corinth 5.18.19.20 1 Pet. 2.3 9. And left his charge to preach it to all Nations Mat. 28.19 20. Mark 16.13 2. And also that by his laying down his life in witnessing to the truth of the Gospel he taught and the Fathers acceptance of his sacrifice the truth of the Gospel might bee confirmed for all that heare it that they might beleeve John 18.37 1 Tim. 6.13 And in this also he hath prevailed and so it is said he spake the truth which he heard of God John 8.45 And the Apostles have said They spake the words of truth Acts 26.25 and that with great plainnesse of speech 2 Cor. 3.12 by manifestation of the truth 2 Cor. 4.2.5 for saith Peter 2 Pet. 1.16 We have not followed cunningly devised Fables when we made knowne to you the power and comming of the Lord Jesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his majesty for he received from the Father honour and glory when c. 3. And also that himself might be the prime motive and example to us for faith and love and walking in both conversation and ministration in patience and meeknesse through sufferings in hope to the death 1 Pet. 2.21 John 13 1-15 And in this also he hath prevailed so as himself points to himselfe for the prime motive and example Joh. 15.12 .20 And the Spirit in the Scripture sets him forth to us for motive and example Col. 3.12 14. and bids us looke to him and consider him Heb. 12 2-7 and follow him Eph. 5.1.2 4. Yea and that he might ratifie the New Testament of pretious promises for all that in the heavenly call are brought in to believe in him that they through the Spirit may wayt for the same through faith Heb. 9.14.15.16 Matth. 26.28 In which also he hath prevailed as Heb. 9.15 sheweth with Gal. 3.15 26. and 5.5 And so the whole Gospel is by the blood and sacrifice of Christ confirmed and sealed for truth 5. That he might also having life in himselfe quicken whom he will and so give eternall life to all that beleeve on him and leave and give up such as will none of his counsell and so persist in refusing to beleeve on him In which also he hath prevailed John 1.17 3.18.19 5.20.28 6.37.40 6. That he may at the last judge all men according to the Gospel which himself first began to preach and then gave his servants to preach And in this also hee prevailed as is evident in that himselfe said John 12.48 He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shal judge him at the last day And his servant by the spirit said Rom. 2.16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel And so it is said of God Acts 17.31 He hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom hee hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance or offered faith unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead And so as Rom. 14.9 to this end he both died and rose and revived that he might be the Lord of both dead and living So it is affirmed on that very ground vers 11 12. 2. Cor. 5.10 We must all appear abefore the judgment seat of Christ c. yea and such as come then to be condemned by him that so died for them and offered himselfe a Sacrifice and ransome for them and used mercy and extended meanes to call them to repentance are charged with sinne for that they have not believed John 16.8.9 and that they have troden under foot the Soone of God counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified an unholy thing and offered despite to the Spirit of grace at least that he called and they refused Heb. 10.29 Prov. 1 24. And this shall be their condemnation light came and they loved darknesse rather Iohn 3.19 They by following lying vanities have forsaken their own mercies Iona 2.8 And lost their own souls Matth. 16.26 And by denying the Lord that bought them brought upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet 1. and so are rightly called * Jude 12 Frees twice dead And the destuction and torment into which they shall be cast is called the second death Rev. 20 6.14 And thus mightily and verily hath the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ offered to his Father prevailed with God so as indeed Jesus Christ hath thereby put away sin abolished death removed enmity out of the condition of mankind bought all men of God and obtained eternall redemption so as he is become the Lord of all and hath remission of sinnes and life to dispense And through him the earth is upheld for men mercy shewed to and means used towards them to draw them to repentance and faith and they all given of God into his dispose and he hath power and shall raise them all from the dead and judge them all according to the Gospel such as have in beleeving been brought to him and abidden in him in the day of grace hee will sentence to eternall life and such as have through the day of grace persisted in refusing him or departing from him he wil sentence to a second death And that men might have knowledge hereof and faith herein to bring them in to him and confidence to abide in him and bee left excuselesse in their refusall he hath also sealed and confirmed the Gospel for a certain truth in the report of the Propitiation and life on beleeving for all men and the New Testament for beleevers And all this true whether men believe it or no. And so far hath the sacrifice as offered to God prevailed and yet further in his having a fitnesse for that to be after said And in respect of all hitherto said the light shineth in the darknesse but the darknesse comprehendeth it not Iohn 1.5 7. And now to remedy this also that the light may be seen and known through the means used there is yet another end of his Sacrifice offered namely that hee might fit
Sacrifice of Christ the secret spirituall and supernaturall breathing and motion of the spirit of Christ effecteth in and according to the meanes procured by his Sacrifice And so 1 In his manifestation and Discovery of grace and mercy in those mercies of God vouchsafed in his workes of creation and providence continued for Christs sake to the sonnes of men is effected for and to men 1 Some Testimony that God is Rom. 1.19.20 And that notwithstanding men have sinned yet he is God and mercifull to them Act. 14.17 And that he is a rewarder that is ready to shew favour and extend mercy to them that seeke him Heb. 11.6 And so the heavens declare the glory of God Psal 19. And his spirit striveth with men Gen. 6.3 And he calleth all Pro. 8.4 2 It giveth secret reproofes of evills found Pro. 1.23 And secret moveings to repentance of the evills reproved And faith in his goodnesse discovered and motions to seeke his favour Rom. 2.4 Act. 17.29.30.31 Esa 45.22 3 It effecteth a certaine light and disposition in men that is some what more then naturall even an inspiration from the Almighty giving understanding to discerne somthing of God and that with some inclination towards his goodnesse which because it hath not got dominion in men they are yet but naturall though somthing be vouchsafed them that is more then naturall by which a capabillity to heare some of the teachings according to God is for the time given them and so it is said he enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world Iohn 1.9 And there is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding Iob. 32.8 And the spirit of man is the Candle or Lamp of the Lord which he hath set up and lighted searching all the inward parts of the Belly Pro. 20.27 and this is the great fault of men that they take not notice of this mercy Iob. 35.10.11 none saith where is God my maker who giveth songs in the night who teacheth us more then the Beasts of the earth and maketh us wiser then the fowles of heaven And thence come corrections olso to hide pride from man to seale his Instruction c. Iob. 33 16-19 to 29-30 4 To such as do not willingly harden themselves against the reproofs and speakings of this grace thus farr extended but turne thereby he maketh knowne his words by dreames visions or a rumour of the Gospel some way so as he worketh in them some sutable repentance and faith and feare of him and mercifull affections c. leading to himselfe as is evident in his own Testimony Pro. 1.23 And the examples set before us Iob. 33 13-31 Act. 10.1 2 3. All which is the fruite of his free grace through the Sacrifice of Christ Rom. 11.36 And such as harden themselves against his goodnesse are hereby left without excuse Rom. 2.4.5 And justly given over to wrath as is shewn Rom. 1.18.24 And so farr of the universall efficacy with all men 2 In and through the Gospel when the spirit goeth out in discovery of the Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ And the grace therethrough procured for and tendred to men the effects and prevalency with men is greater 1 It begins to effect in all where the spirit doth so come in the Gospel some reproofe or convincement of the vilenesse of sinne the emptinesse in worldly things and the vanity of fleshly righteousnesse and also of a fulnesse and sufficiency in Christ and of sinne for not believing on him and also it allureth to a love and likement of the Doctrine of Christ with some motions to repentance faith and seeking the Lord Iohn 16.7 8 9.10 11. and 2.23.24 and 6.34 Act. 13.42 and 26.28 And such continuing in his words are his Disciples and shall know the truth and the truth will make them free Iohn 8 31-36 And if here they take occasion to stumble and oppose they may be justly deprived and given up Act. 13 39-46 and 28 23-28 2 It sinketh to the heart effecteth farther in many an inward and piercing sorrow for their former vilenesse emptinesse and rebellion with wearinesse of their old disposition hopes and wayes prizings and longings after union with Christ and these desires accompanied with some tasts of his goodnesse and love to his people Zach. 12.10 Act. 2.37 Nor will he faile or be wanting to these abideing to stablish them in due season Hosea 6.1.2.3 Esa 61.1 2 3 4. And when thus farr brought to depart from him cannot be lesse then wilfull sinning Heb. 9 26-29 And yet is this a common salvation where the Gospel is believed 3 This discovery of grace and operation thereof abidden in doth yet proceed farther enabling the heart to part with its former hopes and purposes and to believe in Christ So as it receives remission of sinns And hath the beginnings of Confidence with love of the Brethren effected And these are believers partakers of the heavenly Call Rom. 3.24.25 and 5.1 Heb. 3.1.6 To whom that hope is now given Heb. 14. and 9.15 And now in such a believer so excellent is the force of this appearing grace that it worketh an effect like that mentioned Phil. 3.7.8.9 And so in this second consideration we see a little of the vertue and efficacy of the Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ and its prevalency with men as the knowledge of grace therethrough is given to men In which is discovered in the Gospel a heavenly motive and cord of love to call and draw to Christ CHAP. 10. 3. Of the vertue operation effectualnes prevalency of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ as it is spiritually applied to sprinkled on and working in the heart of those who through grace are brought in to beleeve in Christ VVHen Jesus Christ by his Spirit discovering his grace hath brought on the heart to beleeve on him then doth he by the same Spirit mind them of instruct them in and apply to them the vertue of his pretious Blood and Sacrifice and the rich and free grace appearing therethrough and so with the spiritual shines of grace and application of his Blood and streaming in his love doth he sprinkle and wash and cleanse them c. So it was prophesied Ezek. 36.24.25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and yee shall be clean from all your filthinesse and from all your Idols will I cleanse you c. And so it is affirmed of his love to the Church that he gave himselfe for it that hee might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word Ephes 5.26 And it is testified of beleevers of whom some had been notoriously evill But ye are washed but yee are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6.11 and so they have confessed of Christ Rev. 1.5 He hath loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his own blood Whence all that by
the redemption and purgation wrought by Christ hath been visiting enlightning moving at their hearts and striving with them to effect repentance and faith in them and so to bring them to himself and they after the knowledge of the truth refuse resist or depart from it willingly and will none of God none of Christ will not be brought in to him this way to have all their life and confidence in his grace and guidance by it but persist in their wilfull refusall or Apostasie till he leave striving and give them up to their own lusts and Satan This deserveth kindleth such wrath as wil not be appeased and such a fire as will not be quenched Gen. 6 3 Prov. 1.23 24 c. Psal 81.11 Ezek. 24.13 Matth. 23.37 38. Heb. 6.4 5.2 Pet. 2. Jude totū And the execution of this is called The wrath to come Luke 3.7 1 Thes 1.10 fire unquenchable Luke 3.17 Mark 9.48 hell fire Matth. 18.9 Mark 9.47 the second death Rev. 20.14 3 By the greatnesse and inexcuseable folly rebellion and filthinesse of this sinne it being an under-valuing neglect and refusall of so great salvation and redemption first obtained and then first preached by the Lord himselfe yea a denying him that bought them and so a treading under foot the Sonne of God Heb. 2.3 2 Pet. 2.1 Heb. 10.29 a hardening the heart against the mercies and meanes that through the pretious Blood Sacrifice of Christ was procnred for and extended to them to lead them to repentance and so counting the blood of the Covenant an unholy thing Rom. 2.5 Heb. 10.29 a turning from him that speakes from heaven and so resisting and offering despite to the Spirit of grace that strove with them to bring them to God Heb. 12.25 10.29 Act. 7.51 In a word by their preferring darknesse before light when light came John 3.19 exalting their own wisdom workes and choyce and objecting and taking offence at the means Doctrine and Spirit of Grace and turning from it after it hath so farre been extended to them they crucifie again make of no account and efficacy to themselves the Sonne of God and put him to an open shame Heb. 6.6 A great ingratitude and fearfull rebellion against so great and gracious a God and Saviour and Spirit and so reall an offer and tender Psalm 81.11 Great folly and madnesse to refuse so great and reall mercy and salvation and altogether excuselesse they cannot say we fell and were loft in Adam no redemptiō was wrought for us wherby we might have been saved Our Fathers have eaten sowre grapes and the childrens teeth are set on edge Ezek. 18.2 Rom. 5.12 18. for the later part of the plea is false God wil punish it for though they were lost in Adam and could no way redeeme themselves yet in Christ redemption was again wrought for them Nor can they say this mercy was altogether hidd and no meanes used towards them that they might have sought and found him Act. 14.17 and 17.26 nor will this pleasure we had in our selves no will or power to choose lyfe For though it was not in them yet it was in him And his spirit by which he tendred grace wanted not power Mich. 2.7 He doth not looke to gather where he hath not sowne though wicked Servants so say But on his examination they will be dumb Mat. 25.26 and 22.12 Sinnes of ignorance and weaknesse to which through the fall men are necessitated and for which yet there is a remedy though they are directly against the Father and indirectly against the Sonne and holy spirit sinnes against the meanes procured by Christ and extended through him to lead to repentance and faith and so against ordinary light warnings and motions are against the Father and directly against the Sonne yet all manner of these sorts of sinne shall be forgiven unto men but the willfull and rebellious sinning in refusing and opposing the grace it selfe in Christ and evidenced by the spirit after light obstinately refusing to have all life in and guidance by that grace the spirit discovers in Christ But blaspheming the same This sinning is directly against the Father and the Sonne and the Holy Ghost and shall never be forgiven Mat. 12.31 Marke 3.28.29 4 By the evilnesse and remedilesnesse of the state and condition such sinning throwes these men into And that may be seene in two things 1 That whereas they were once dead through Adam and a ransome was given for them by Christ and life procured for them and this set forth in the Gospel and in the meanes tendred to them with some quickning motions of the spirit and hope of life there being no other meanes or Sacrifice They having wilfully cast aside this have rent themselves out of this booke of life renounced this life that was set in hope before them and are become Trees twice dead and pluckt up by the rootes so as there is no more hope for them Jude 12. 2 That whereas when they were fallen in Adam though truth and Justice pleaded for their Death yet mercy was for them and found out a ransome in which truth and justice did meete and joyne with mercy nor their good And though Justice might have risen against them for their strayings in ignorance and unbeliefe yet compassion and mercy had patience and forbearance to waite for them but now by his spirit he hath been striving with them and they will none of Christ but harden themselves against him and oppose and offer wrong and violence to Christ and his word and people even mercy also with Justice and truth is turned against them not that there is any change in God but they have put themselves into such a condition that his mercy becomes crosse to them the light is pleasant to the eye and that it troubles the sore eye the change is in the eye not in the light so Gods love and mercy is the same for ever His delight is in his Sonne and his pleasure in his people made one with his Sonne yea so great that when men harden their hearts against his Sonne the Gospel and spirit of his Sonne and turne to oprresse those that are vessels of mercy The more he loves his Sonne and the dearer his people are to him the more doth his mercy move him to plead their cause and plague their enemies and so he smote Egypt overthrew Pharoh and his Host in the sea smote great and mighty Kings c. For his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136.10.20 Oh heavy when mercy stands against them 5 By the greatnesse of torments and punishments to be executed on such sinners which as the Scriptures sets it forth is very terrible for it is the same that at first was prepared for the Divell and his Angels who sinned freely and without a Tempter or any cause Iude 6. Mat. 25.41 So it appeares that 1 The Death on mankind for the first transgression was an Allenation from God a
of the Lord which by vertue of his Death Resurrection and Sacrifice he in his ascension Psal 68.18 received and in the day of grace was striving with them Gen. 6.3 to have convinced them and began to kindle a fire that thē would have cōsumed nothing but their fleshly affections and lusts Isa 40.7 their carnall wisdome and confidence and then have healed them and given them life Pro. 1.23.24 but they would none of his reproofes but quenched this heat and resisted this Spirit till he left striting with them But now will this holy and Almighty Spirit from the Lord that bought them return again upon them and contince them of sinne because they have not beleeved on Christ c. John 16.8 9 10. and so set home the sentence to their heart that they cannotavoid it and by his Almighty breathing word like a stream of Brimstone kindle that fire that never shall be quenched Isa 30.33 And this is another efficacy of the Sacrifice of Christ on such as have rebelliously refused him that the Spirit he by vertue of his Sacrifice received to send forth to call men shal yet set home the sentence even on those that rejected him Oh then in that day though to their woe they shall see and confesse what ever before they thought or others told them that Christ died for them though they perish that Christ bought them though they have denied him that hee had wrought redemption for them though they have sold themselves again to vanity that there was mercies for them in him though they forsook them that he strove with them to win them to him though they resisted him that his word and wayes were good though they beleeved not And now to behold him that so dearly bought them and graciously cal'd them and they rewarded him with hatred for his love to come in fury to judge them and to perceive the Blood and Sacrifice that once would have spoken peace to them to rise up against them the Gospel that once declared good tidings to them from the verity of it to bee a condemning word to them mercy that once waited for them to be now turned against them the holy Spirit that was once moving in them to draw them from sinne to God to bee now sentencing them under sinne and unto death O what a terrour will this be And how will the remembrance of the redemption wrought by Christ the mercy once shewn and the doore to life once opened through which they might have been saved now adde to the terrour and the remembrance of all the vanities false Doctrines and humane applause for which they have turned aside will but encrease the vexation and now while they see those that embraced and followed Christ whom they despised to goe into the joy of their Lord into eternall life to see their own sin and judgement in the height and the terrible presence of the Lord driving them into the lake of fire that burneth ever and out of which there is no escape Oh how great this terror yea how easelesse how tormenting how intollerable unavoidable and remedilesse How endlesse will the eternall suffering in that fire be when the least drops of those mercifull effects of the Sacrifice that are in this day tendered and so refused will not be vouchsafed nothing then but biting gnawings torments in every part of soule and body Now consider this yee that forget God Psal 50.22 lest he teare you in peeces and there be none to deliver Those that know and beleeve all these forementioned efficacies of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ they know also this terror of the Lord they are perswaded and recōciled to God in beliefe of the reconciliation God hath wrought in Christ for the world and they in witnessing the same doe perswade and beseech others now in this day of grace to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.10 11 19 20. 6.1.2 in which the comfortable efficacies will be found CHAP. 12. The usefulnesse of this pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ known and beleevingly remembred THat we may have the better understanding of this it is also to be understood 1. Of what the Proposition is 2. Of what knowing is here meant 3. Of what faith it is here to be understood 4. What remembrance is here meant And 5. what is meant by usefulnesse that in all wee may conceive according to Scripture sense First for the proposition It is of the pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ and that is to be understood both of it selfe primely and of the Doctrine of the Gospel in which it is set forth instrumentally and that as is before shewn concerning 1. The manifold sense in which those tearms are used in Scripture as for his Death His resurnection His Presentation and offering to God The prevalency with God the spirituall application to believers and prevalency in them and the rich love of God and satisfaction to God and conscience and Spirit appearing and streaming there through as is shewn Chap. 2. 2. The ends of this pretious Blood and Sacrifice and that in respect of Christ according to his double Mission into the world and his double businesse in leaving the world and in respect of mankind according to the double misery and enmity against God they were fallen into And in respect of the Church according to the double need she hath of Christ in all of them the ends of the shedding his bloud the end of his offering his sacrifice with the vertue of his bloud to God The ends of the discovery and spirituall application of it to men as is shewn Chap. 3. and 4. 3 The necessity of this pretious Bloud and Sacrifice both of his dying and resurrection and of his presentation and offering it to God and of his spirituall discovery and application to men as is shewn Chap. 5. and enlarged by some consideration of the Law Chap. 6. 4 The excellency and dignity of this pretious Bloud and Sacrifice and that in the Sacrifice it self in respect of the Priest the Sacrifice the Altar In the Declaration in respect of the three Witnesses the Spirit the Water the Bloud In the abundant grace and the great hope appearing therein as is shewn Chap. 7. 5 The vertue operation and prevalencie of this pretious Bloud and Sacrifice of Christ as it was offered to God as is shewn Chap. 8. And as through that prevalency with God mercy is shewn to men as is shewn Chap. 9. And as it is spiritually applyed to the heart of Believers as is shewn Chap. 10. And as it will be laid to the charge of such as have rejected it as is shewn Chap. 11. And all this is to be understood about the pretious Bloud and Sacrifice of Christ and in the Doctrine of Christ and so is the meaning of the Proposition 2 For the knowledge or knowing here meant and of which the Scripture meaneth when it speakes of the knowledge and knowing of Christ
know that the Sonne of God is come and hath given us an understanding that wee may know him that is true 2. By a certain inward experience of the beauty excellency and sweet savour of the things known a pleasing delightfull and reviving tast and savour 2 Cor. 2.14 15.16 manifesteth the savour of his knowledge a sweet savour of Christ a savour of life unto life Phil. 3.8 For the excellency of the knowledge of Christ for whom I have suffered the losse of all things and do count them but Dung that I may win Christ 1 Pet. 2.3 If yee have tasted that the Lord is gracious to whom coming c. And this is the knowledge here meant A supernaturall and spirituall knowledge of Christ and the things of Christ taught by the Spirit of Christ with light motion and power giving an understanding to discern and heart to savour the things knowne In which knowledge as there are divers degrees so some are but Babes and Novices in it and so in respect of some others unlearned and unskilfull in it others more skilfull yea some Fathers and very stable And this is the knowledge the Spirit in the Scripture speaketh of when it speaketh of the things of Christ and his Spirit 1 Cor. 2.1 15. 1 Tim. 3.6 Heb. 5.12.13.14 2 Pet. 3.16 which whoso wanteth altogether whomsoever he hath heard preach the Gospel what books soever he hath read and what knowledge soever he hath attained in the Scriptures what degree what office or profession soever he hath yet he hath not seen the image of the Father nor heard his voyce Heb. 1.3 John 1.14 5 37.38 c. And so knoweth not the Father nor the Son nor the things of the Spirit nor such as are born of the Spirit 1 John 3.1 John 15.21 1 Cor. 2.12.14.15.16 And so the knowing here meant is supernaturall spirituall and experimentall bee it little or much more or lesse and so yet wavering or stable CHAP. 13. 3. Of what Faith it is here to be understood and 4. of what remembrance 3. FOr the Faith here meant it is a Divine and Spirituall faith for the better understanding whereof these seaven things may be considered about it 1. The object of it 2. The Mover or Worker of it 3. The nature and act of it 4. The motion in and of it 5. The subject in which it is and immediate instruments in and with which it moveth and worketh 6. The power life or principle in in it 7. The onenesse of it in diversity of the degrees and acts 1. For the object that the eye of this Faith is set on on which it looketh to which it runneth on which it leaneth and resteth This object is Divine and but one even God In the Lord put I my trust Psal 7.1 and 11 1. and 121.1 and 123.1 and 9.10 Cant. 1.4 Yet this object is considerable in a threefold respect viz. 1. In respect of the most inmost and utmost object for refuge foundation and fountain of all help safety and satisfying and that is God himselfe even the divine Nature in his infinite wisdome power mercy love truth c. Psal 42. God our refuge and strength c. Psal 18.2 Rock Fortresse Deliverer c. Psal 27.1 Light and salvation even God Rom. 4.24 that raised up Jesus Christ our Lord from the dead 2 Cor. 1.9.10 which raised the dead who delivered c. and doth deliver c 1 Pet. 1.21 By whom we beleeved 1.5.5 trusteth in God Heb. 2 13. In respect of the inmost and absolute Medium through which this faith discerneth c. commeth to and fasteneth on God and without which there can bee no discerning of or comming in to God or closing with him at all And this inmost and absolute mediate object is Jesus Christ the Sonne of God made Man of the Seed of Abraham and David who is the Saviour of the world and the Head and Husband of the Church Rom. 1.3.4 1 Joh. 4.14 John 4.42 Eph. 5.32 and 1.22.23 Christ saith Iohn 14.6 I am the Way the Truth and the Life no man commeth to the Father but by me Eph. 2.18 Through him we have both an accesse by one Spirit unto the Father Iohn 1.7 that through him all might beleeve 2 Cor. 3.4 Such trust have we through Christ to God-ward Whence also this faith is called Col. 1.4 and 2.5 faith in Christ and Iohn 3.15 believing in him And so Christ Jesus is object of this faith and that 1. In respect of what he hath done for us in dying for our sins and rising for our justification and offering up himselfe a Sacrifice and ransome to God Rom. 4.25 1 Tim. 2.6 2. In respect of what he is through that hee hath done become for us as namely that nee is Eph. 2.14 our Peace 1 Iohn 2.2 the propitiation for our sinnes 1 Cor 1.30 wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Rom. 1.3 our Lord and Saviour 3. In respect also of what through that he hath done and is become for us he now doth in heaven for us and that is Heb. 9.24 appeare in the presence of God for us And Heb. 7.25 ever liveth to make intercession for us And so Heb. 9 14.15 4. In respect of what he will doe in and for all such as through grace beleeving in him accept that he hath done Rom. 5.11 and depend on him according to that he is and doth for that he will do in and for them as namely that he will support and uphold them Isai 43.1 2. and cause all to work together for good to them Rom. 8.28 and send forth his Spirit from the Father to them to beare witnesse of him to and through them Iohn 15.26.27 to mind them of his words and teach them all things Iohn 14.26 to take of the things of Christ and shew to them and so glorifie him to them and thereby comfort them and lead them into all truth Iohn 14.14 16. 16.13.14.15 to make them fruitfull in their ministration Iohn 15.5.16 convincing the world Iohn 16.7 8 9 10. calling in to Christ 2 Cor. 2 14-16 and 3.3 and answering their enemies Matth 10.20 and to sanctifie and preserve them to the inheritance 1 Thess 5.24 And thus is Jesus Christ the next and neerest object and the onely absolute and inmost Medium through which this faith fasteneth upon God or the Divine Nature which is the most inmost and outmost object Thirdly in respect of the Instrument and outward Medium through which Christ and so God in Christ is beheld beleeved and trusted in and this is the word of God that which declareth Christ and Gods love and gracious mind in and through him and so the name or great report and fame of the glory or goodnesse of God in Christ in his love mercy power wisdome c. Whence he is said to have magnified his word above all his name Psal 138 2. and so this faith is called A beleeving the Gospel and receiving
shall one day be brought so farr to the knowledge of the truth that they shall therein be brought to confesse Jesus the Lord to the glory of God 1. Tim. 2.4.6 Esa 45.23 Phil. 2.10.11 But now in this day of grace from the appearance and force of his loving kindnesse in beliefe of his goodnesse to submit to and acknowledge the Lordship and grace of Christ is the motion and string of this faith Hosea 3.5 2 An inward and hearty acceptance and receiving of Christ and this grace of God in Christ for Pardon Peace righteousnesse and life so Iohn 1.12 As many as received him c. Col. 2.6 Received Christ Jesus the Lord Act. 26.18 Receive forgivenesse of sinnes Rom. 5.1 We have Peace c. verse 11. We have received the Attonement verse 17. Receive the Abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnesse 1 Iohn 5.12 He that hath the Sonne hath life And this accepting and receiving is another motion in this faith 3 An approach accesse in coming or nigh-drawing to Christ and this grace in him and for farther onenesse and enjoyment thereof he also herein building farther upon himselfe Rom. 5.2 By whom also we have accesse by faith into this grace c. Ephes 2.18 Through him we have both accesse by one spirit unto the Father 1 Pet. 2 3 4. Ye have tasted that the Lord is gratious to whom coming as unto a living stone c. And this approaching is another motion in this faith 4 A hearty content and well-pleasednesse takeing in and with Christ and this grace in him which is a feeding thereon Phil. 3.3 And rejoyce in Christ Jesus Col. 3.4 Christ who is our life Psal 16.5.6 I have a goodly heritage Iohn 6.56 57 58.68 69. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me c. And thus doth this faith move in a submission to and acknowledgement of Christ receite of the grace in him approaching to God through him and well-pleasednesse takeing in him our Portion Psal 15.5.9 Such the moveings in and of this faith 5 For the subject in which this faith is the Instrument with which it moveth and worketh in and to all this beholding assenting believing trusting acknowledgement receite approaching content-taking It is the heart the principall the choyce and inmost strength of the minde will and affection even the spirit of all which is usually called the heart in Scripture Rom. 10.9.10 And shalt believe in thine heart for with the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse Ephes 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith so that this faith is not in or with the minde or conception onely or with a light affection but in and with the whole heart Act. 8.37 And so it is with 1 The minde and understanding highly prizing Christ and this rich grace in him as the most excellent pretious and choice Pearle and Riches Phil. 3.7.8 1 Cor. 1.24 Col. 2.3.10 2 The will resolutely chusing receiving and accepting Christ and this grace in him as that which is most pleasing and welcome Psal 73.24.25 and 119.30.37 3 The affections closing therewith as that which is most desirable and satisfying Psal 16.5 6 7. Cant. 1 2 3 and 2 3 4 5. 4 A springing and reviving apprehension of truth and goodnesse of that believing however fainting before Psal 116.10.12 As old Iacob though before fainting at the newes yet when he believed the report of Iosephs being alive Gen. 45.27.28 His spirit revived he said it is enough my son Ioseph is yet alive c. And as Mary Luke 1.46.47 My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour and as David Psal 103.1.2 3. Thus is this faith in the heart and with the heart man believeth not only righteousnesse but unto righteousnesse and so with the heart moveth as aforesaid 6. For the strength power and principle in and of this faith It is the divine power and spirit of Christ entring with his motion or infusion effecting and spirituall seed or dispofition in the heart in which the divine power and spirit of Christ that wrought this faith operateth in and with this faith which faith is therefore rightly called Col. 2.12 The faith of the operation of God who hath raised Christ from the Dead and the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead is affirmed to worke in those that by it believe Ephes 1.19.20 And by reason of this spirituall disposition effected in the heart of the Believer it is called The spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 And by this spirit of faith it is that the believer in believing is enabled 1 To behold and discerne the object of faith Christ in his fulnesse and beauty and the rich grace of God in him Iohn 1.14.16.18 Mat. 16.17 1 Cor. 29. 1 Iohn 3.1 2 Moved and overcome in the appearance of this grace to believe 1 Pet. 1.21 Tit. 3 4 5. 3 Enabled to assent to and receive the Testimony 1 Thes 1.5 And to believe and accept the grace it selfe 2 Thes 2.13.14 And to depend on God for all the hope to come Rom. â— 5.10 Gal. 5.5 4 Prevailed with in the motions to the submission to and acknowledgement of Christ 1 Cor. 12.3 To receiving him Iohn 1.12.13 To approaching to God in and by him Ephes 2.18 and to Content-taking in him Col. 3.10.11 5 Hath the new minde spirit and heart effected Ezek. 36.27 1 Iohn 5.20 And the minde and law of Christ written therein 1 Cor. 2.16 2 Cor. 3.3.18 6 The springs fruits and operations of love joy peace c. Rise up Gal. 5.22.23 Diffusing the vertue and operation in all the powers and faculties of he man Mat 13.33 Purifying the heart unto unfained love of the Brethren 1 Pet. 2 22. Rasing up motions and so springing forth in prayer praise confession works of mercy c. 2 Cor. 4.13 And all notions about the Doctrine of faith and Profession of faith where this spirit of faith is wanting is but dead faith Iames 2.17.26 And all workes wrought by humane force not produced by this spirit of faith are but dead workes Heb. 6.1.2 Tim. 3.5 but this spirit of faith is the life of faith and that which makes faith lively in all that is said of it Rom. 8.2.4.14 7 For the one-nesse of this faith in the diversity of the Degrees and Acts of it the Scripture sheweth That there are divers degrees of this true and Divine faith the first Degree is little and small in comparison as a graine of Mustard-seede Mat. 13.31 Luke 17.6 And called little or weake in faith Mat. 6.30 Rom. 14.1 The second Degree is stable stedfast or strong faith abiding in Christ endeavouring temptations and tryalls Col. 1.23 and 2.5.1 Thes 3.7.8 The third degree is effectuall and victorious working faith and overcoming 1 Thes 1.3 1 Iohn 5.4 Though there are diversity of measures or Degrees and Growth therein in each
Degree 2 Thes 1.3 And in respect of the diversity of Degrees in faith some are called Babes some strong men and some Fathers 1 Iohn 2.12.13.14 2 That the Acts or Actings of this faith be divers and manifold as to say a areceiving Act a springing Act and a flowing and streaming Act as in the Scripture and experience believers find First a receiving Act this faith wrought by the spirit of grace in the heart receiveth the history or record and Testimony of God in the Gospel concerning Christ 1 Thes 2.13 2 Thes 1.10 1 Iohn 5.9.10.11 The grace of God in Christ testified Rom. 1.5 and 5.17 As remission of sinnes Act. 10.43 Justification Peace Sanctification Liberty of accesse to God and hope of glory Rom. 5.1.2.3 Act. 26.18 Divine power and strength of relyance on God Rom. 5.5.10.11 And yeelding up according to the leadings of grace 2 Tim. 1.7 2 Pet. 1 1-4 Whence also such exhortations to believers as Rom. 12.1.2 Phil. 2.1.2.12.13 and that 1 Iohn 4.4 and 5.4 Secondly a springing Act for from this faith wrought by the spirit in the heart springeth up love of God and Jesus Christ our Lord and joy in God 1 Pet. 1.7.8 Rom. 5.11 And love of brethren 1 Iohn 3.23 and 4.21 and 5.1 2 Cor. 5.14 and patience and meeknesse c. Gal. 5.22 According to that is said Iohn 7.38 Thirdly a flowing or streaming Act from the springs the motions flowing to put forth accordingly Rom. 10.10 And this more ordinarily to pray give thankes declare his goodnesse shew mercy c. Psal 116.10 2 Cor. 4.13 or more extraordinary in some miraculous operations Mat. 17.20 Luke 17.6 Marke 16 17 18. 3 That notwithstanding the divers Degrees in this faith and the divers manner of Acting and Acts of this faith yet the faith it selfe is but one and onely one Ephes 4.4 As there is but one body even one true Church or Sanctuary that is united to Christ and shall be in and with him for ever Cant. 6.9 And this Church one seed Gal. 3.17 One Sonne Hosea 11.1 One Christ one body though the members be many 1 Cor. 12.12 And as there is but one head husband and Lord of this body and Church with all its members which is Jesus Christ the Sonne of God and our Saviour Ephes 1.22.23 and 4.15.16 and 5.30 1 Cor. 8.6 And as there is but one Baptisme whereby we are baptized into this one Body whereof Christ is the head and that is by the spirit and with the washing of water and the word And this is into the Death and unto the resurrection of Christ and so for conformity in one and therethrough conformity in the other 1 Cor. 12.13 Ephes 5.26 Rom. 6.3 4 5. Tit. 3.4.5 And as there is but one God Father to whom we come in coming to Christ and he the Father of Christ and of every of us Ephes 4.6 And as there is but one spirit proceeding from the father the son effecting breathing one spirit minde disposition or heart that the spirit mind disposition and heart of Christ into which all that are baptised into Christ are made to drinke and so are one spirit Ephes 4.4 even so likewise as in the place fore-cited there is but one faith True it is The word Faith in Scripture is used diversly somtime for the object of faith even the ground and foundation of faith and that which is to be and is beleeved and beleeved in and to that end to be preached and heard Rom. 1.5 10.6 Gal. 1.23 3.5 Sometimes the word is used for the grace of faith Col. 1.4 2 5-12 Eph. 2.8 Sometimes for both the object and the grace united with the object together Acts 13.8 Rom. 4.11 9.30 And yet however taken there is but one faith The object in every respect is one The Gospel or word of grace though it hath many branches and uses yet is but one and the same Gospel 2 Cor. 11.4 with Gal. 1.7.8.9 The Gospel Col. 1.5.23 Even so the Lord Jesus Christ set forth in the Gospel though set forth as he is indeed the Sonne of God and the Sonne of Man yea God Man and declared in respect of what he was and what he became for us and what he hath done and what he is for us and with what he is furnished and what he is to us And as he is the Saviour of all men especially of them that beleeve and the Judge of all c. yet he is but one 2 Cor. 11.4 with 1 Cor. 8.6 the Christ John 4.42 Even so God the Father that is in Christ is one God though his works be manifold 1 Cor. 8.6 Gal. 3.20 1 Tim. 2.5 even so the holy Spirit that proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne and discovereth Christ and God in Christ and beareth forth the testimony however his gifts and operations be many and manifold yet the Spirit is but one 1 Cor. 12.4 11. yea the Father the Sonne and the holy Spirit are 1 John 5.7 one God Mark 12 32.34 set forth in one Gospel And so the object of faith is one and so faith also though so taken The grace of faith or the beleeving it self that is wrought in the heart by the Spirit of grace however there are diversity of degrees in the same both in the strength of beleeving and also in the fulnesse of the discovery of the object beleeved in the effects accordingly and also the Acts manifold as is shewn yet the faith it selfe is but one And this is evident in the forenamed place Ephes 4.4 where both faith and the object of faith and the means and the hope and the people that receive it are all mentioned distinctly so that the word faith there meanes the grace of faith and it is expresly affirmed to be one There is one faith As for humane and worldly faith or a shew and pretence of divine faith and hypocriticall profession thereof it is no faith at all in Scripture language there is no vertue in gtting or retaining it nor danger in departing therefrom in respect of any spirituall life As for that beliefe of the report of the Gospel and profession thereof which is destitute of the life and operation of the Spirit of faith it is no more faith then the body of a man is a man when the Ghost is given up and departed Jam. 2.26 So as there is no other true and living faith but one the receiving the history and record the receiving remission of sinnes justification and sanctification and power for divine operations or miracles the springs the streames the acts as is shewn are all by one and the same faith And so it is one and the same faith that in discovery of the object is tendered and to which called and which by the divine testimony is effected and which in abiding is after confirmed and which groweth and worketh by love it is still one and the same faith 2 Pet. 1.1 And
this faith closing with and the believer therein united and become one with the object of faith it is still one and then stable and sure to abide Heb. 4.2.3 And this is the faith Scripture speaks of Fourthly for the remembrance here spoken of it is not that humane exercise of thoughts in running over and recording the words stories severall doctrines reasons and uses c. that one hath heard and read thereby to habituate them in memory that one may have them to think and speak of at all times though there bee a good use of such remembring notwithstanding some turn it to an evil Mat. 27.63 But the remembrauce here spoken of is a beleeving remembrance when in this faith the death resurrection and Sacrifice of Christ with the vertue of its presentation to God and of its application to us 1 Cor. 15.3.4 2 Tim. 2.8 the love and power there-through testified and dispensed the hope therein given and that therethrough tendered to be wrought is believingly 1. In the discoveries testimonies and sayings thereof noted observed and heeded diligently as Jacob observed the saying Gen. 27.11 and Lydia on the opening of her heart attended to the things c. Acts 16.14 As Moses said Set your hearts to all the words which I testifie Deut. 32.46 2. The grace consolations hope and instructions tendered in their discoveries to accept and retain in the heart with the choyce estimate love desires and submission Luke 8.15 Prov. 6.20.21 22. as Mary kept the saying in her heart Luke 2.51 and David Psal 119.11.16.24.72 3 The motions and teachings of this grace yeeld up to and vent forth Rom. 12.1.2 Phil 2.1.2.12.13 Tit. 2.11.12 Gal. 5.24 as David Psal 16.7 4. The taking all occasions and being minded by all occasions for the revived remembrance of these things in and of Christ Psal 16.8 By the creatures of God the heaven the earth and the inhabitants which being by sin dissolved are through the Sacrifice mediation and power of Christ upheld Psal 75.3 Col. 1.17 and so shewing forth his glory Psal 19 1-6 2. By the particular mercies of God extended as a fruit of the Sacrifice of Christ and that life that is in him John 1.4.5 carrying forth some testimony of his goodnesse Acts 14.17 and leading to repentance Rom. 2.4 These give apt occasions to remember these things 3 By the chastisements God layeth on men especially the sufferings of Believers for the Gospel apt to mind us of him that bare all our sorrowes Isa 53.4 And hath sanctified sufferings for us to whom we are to be conformed and who is ready and able to do us good by them and to deliver c. Rom. 6.4 5. Heb. 12 2-7 4 The Word of God minding us of these things In Moses writing Iohn 5.45 In the Shadowes and Sacrifices of the Law Heb. 9. and 10. In the Prophecies Act. 3.24 Rom. 1.2 3. In the Doctrine Invitations and Promises Isa 53 1-6 with Act. 13.34 In the full and plain Narration 1 Cor. 15.3 4. 5 The Ordinances of God mind us of these things as Preaching 1 Cor. 2.4 and 15 1-4 1 Iohn 14.14 Writing Iohn 20.31 1 Iohn 1 1-5 Confirming Jud. 20.21 1 Thes 4.18 and 5.10.11 Prayer c. The Dore for which is opened by Christs sacrifice and mediation Heb. 10.19 20 22. and 4.15 16. 6 The grace of God with the fruits thereof given by the Spirit of Christ into the believing heart aptly mindes of these things Rom. 5 1.5-11 7 The beholding believers through grace brought out of the state and fellowship of the world into union and fellowship with Christ and one another in him mindes us not only of the bloud of Christs shed and his ransome given for all men by which he hath bought all of God but of the vertue of his bloud also by his Spirit discovered and applyed and they there through redeemed and purchased from among men unto God Act. 20.28 Rev. 5.9 8 Yea even the beholding men as men though in their naturall condition doth aptly mind of these things Rom. 8.3 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9 2 Cor. 5.14.15 20. 9 Yea even the follies disobedience c. of such men are fit occasions to put these things to remembrance Tit. 3.2 3 4 5. 10 Yea even our own sins being that for which he was crucified Isa 53.6 and the combates within all freedome being given in and through him doe give occasion of remembrance of these things as is seen Rom. 7.24 25. and 8.1 2 3 4. and so wee might proceed So that in the believing the truth and goodnesse of the things of Christ set forth in the Gospel with such a love retaining them in the heart as by all occasions to be stirred up to this receiving attending accepting and yeelding up thereto is the remembrance here meant And to have the word of Christ dwell plenteously in us teaching c. Col. 3.16 The way to this remembrance is in the acknowledgment of our own weaknesse and the vanity of all humane helps through the beliefe of his love towards us and what he hath done for us when we were enemies and his more speciall love in making his grace known to us to depend on him for his spirit to mind us of him and his words Rom. 5 6-11 Gal. 5.5 for which he hath given us his promise Iohn 14.26 and 16.7 15. And this remembrance in the believing heart is profitable 1 To preserve and save from falling 1 Cor. 15.2 3 4. 2 To return and raise out of falls and decayes Rev. 3.3 3 To meet with comforts teachings c. Psalm 63.5 6 7. And thus of the faith and remembrance here meant CHAP. XIV Of the usefulnesse here meant what and how manifold it is THE usefulnesse of the pretious bloud and sacrifice of Christ believingly remembred so as there-through God is depended on Is in and to the believer two-fold 1 In respect of themselves 2 In respect of others and both wayes manifold First In respect of the Believer himself it is four-fold 1 Receiving 2 Springing up 3 Streaming forth And 4 waiting 1 The first use is receiving and so believing and receiving are used one for another Iohn 1.12 And the receit in believing view and remembrance is manifold as is fore-shewn namely 1 Of the Word of Christ the Record and Testimony God gave of him 1 Cor 15.1 2 In receit of his testimony is received the mind of Christ so far as to receive information light and discerning in some measure of 1 That which Christ hath done in his death resurrection ascension and sacrifice offered to God what for all men and what for all that by the heavenly call believe on him as is shewne before 2 That which by vertue of this which he hath done he is become and that in generall for all men as that he is the propitiation for their sins 1 John 2.2 And the Mediator between God and them procuring for them patience mercies and some meanes for their Call
1 Tim. 2.5 And that in speciall for those that in the heavenly call are prevailed with to believe on him as that besides both the fore-mentioned for all men hee is in speciall manner for them an Advocate 1 Iohn 2.1 Yea even the Mediator of the New Testament that hy his spirituall application of the vertue of his sacrifice they may receive the promised inheritance Ephes 5.25 26. Heb. 9.14 15. Yea he is their King and Teacher and the high Priest of their Profession and to them wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Heb. 3. and 7. and 8. 1 Cor. 1 30. 3 That which by vertue of the sormer he now doth and will do and that both in generall for all men as the extension of his procured patience mercies and means to bring them to the knowledg of the truth Prov 1.23 and 8.4 c. Psalm 75.3 Act 14 17. And such as refuse light when it cometh he will one day bring them to acknowledgment of the truth and then judge them Jsa 45 23. Phil 2.10.11 Rom 2.16 And also in special for those that through the acknowledgment of truth in the day of grace believe on him how he presents them in himself spotlesse before God Col. 1.22 interceding for them Heb 7 25. and will send forth his Spirit to teach comfort and sanctifie uphold lead and preserve them to the Inheritance c. John 14.1 2 3 26. and 15 25 and 16.13 14 15. 1 Pet. 1.4 5. Psalm 138 8. 4 The great and rich love of God through all this discovered Ephes 2.4 5. His generall love of compassion to all men Iohn 3 16.17 Tit 2 11 12. and 3.4 and his peculiar and speciall love of delight to those in the heavenly Call united to Christ Ephes 5 25 26. Psalm 149.1 5. The great terrour and heavy inexcusable condemnation for all that when light comes set light by and will none of Christ to raign over them Hebr. 2 2 and 10 29. Luk 19 27. 2 Cor 5.10 11. And in this enlightning they receive a right judgment concerning God and Christ and Man and sinne and righteoesnesse life and death c Phil 3.3 9. and so it s said we have the mind of Christ 1 Cor 2 16. 3 In receiving this divine testimony and information is received also an encouragement of the grace it self testified in Christ Rom 1.5 as remission of sins c. as fore-shewn and the spirit of adoption with divine power c. Gal 3.2 Rom 8 15. as before 2 The second use is for springing up as in believing-minding these things are received so from this received in the same believing-mindfulnesse of Christ springeth up 1 A high estimate of Christ and the things of Christ and desire of him with a low estimate of ones self and all one 's owne things Phil 3.7 8 9. 2 An inward sorrow for all ones evill thoughts of God and Christ and sins against so gracious and loving a God and Saviour Act 2.37 Zach 12 10. 3 A fervent love of God and Jesus Christ our Lord with peace towards God and joy in God 1 Pet 1 7 8. Rom 5.2 5 11. 4 Love of brethren and compassion towards men 1 Iohn 3.23 4 21. and 5.1 2 Cor 5.14 5 Desires of Gods glory the Churches prosperity and Mens conversion and the coming again of Christ 6 Detestation of evill with love of God and so patience meeknesse c. Gal 5-17 22 23. And these and such like spring up in believing-remembrance of the sacrifice and mediation of Christ according to that Iohn 7.38 3 The third use is for streaming forth for as in believing-remembrance of the sacrifice and mediation of Christ there are such receivings and such springs as fore-shewn so in the same believing-remembrance the springs arising from the receites doe move and stream to flow and vent forth and is called a shewing forth the vertues of him that called c. 1 Pet 2 9. bringing forth good things Matth. 12.35 A working cut the salvation that is a mans own in and with him Phil 2 12 13. which is from the force of the spirit grace and love of Christ received springing up in the inwards fruits of zeale charity c. fore-mentioned streaming and boyling to flow forth in motions and bowels stirring thereto And this according to the channels opened and occasions given Iob. 32 8 18 19 20. 2 Cor 5 14 15 19 20. And grace received 1 John 1 2 3. Act. 4.20 1 To deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts Tit 2.11 12. Gal 2.16 17 21. 2 To oppose false doctrines and wayes Revel 2.2 Gal. 2.11.14 3 To attend the Ordinances of God and seek his face therein Psalm 27.4 and 23.6 To pray to him and give him thanks Psal 116.2 10 13. Recount his favours and sing his praises Psalm 145.1 11. 4 To confesse Christ Jesus the Lord and Saviour in holding forth the word of life exalting Christ and yeelding themselves servants for Christ his sake Rom. 10.10.2 Cor. 4 5 13. Phil. 2.12.16 5 To use equity and mercy to give to every one his due for the Lords sake and to doe good to all especially them of the houshold of faith Rom. 13.10 Tit. 3 1-4.8 Gal. 6.8.9 10. whence for all these the exhortations to beleevers run in such a strain suitable to the law of grace Rom. 12.1.2 Phil. 2.1.2 6. To confesse it their finne wherein soever they have shut up these bowels undervalued the grace beleeved deaded the springs or stopt the streames either by forgerfulnesse or neglect of yeelding to its motions or turning aside to any other motions and seeking pardon and healing of the same in returning to Christ c. 1 John 3.17 1.9 Mat. 26.75 Psal 32.15 7. In some at some time to some miraculous operations in respect of that which is ordinary Mat. 17.20 Luk 17.6 Mar. 16.17.18 And these and such like are the flowings forth of the springs from the grace received in the beleeving-Remembrance of the vertuous Blood Sacrifice and mediation of Christ 4. The fourth use is for Patience for as in believing-Remembrance of the vertuous Blood Sacrifice and mediation of Christ and Gods rich love therein such grace is received such fruits doe spring and such streames flow forth so also it being some time after believing and walking in faith before all that is set in hope be received and in that time many thoughts trials and temptations to be gone through so that there is need of Patience Heb. 10.36 1 Pet 1 6 7. In this believing remembrance of the Sacrifice and mediation of Christ patience is stirred up and effected in exercise and preserved so as from that beheld in received from Christ ariseth a sweet confident expectation and patient abiding and waiting through all Tryals Sufferings and services for his performance of all his righteous Promises in his own season and so for his preserving us to the inheritance and for his owne visible coming again and receiving
8. Heb. 5 9. Rom. 14.2.12 as now he hath come in the flesh and died for our sinnes and is risen for our justification Rom. 1. Heb. 9. and having offered up his own selfe a Sacrifice to God for us is received and exalted at Gods right hand having obtained eternall redemption and so is become the Lord of all the propitation for the sins of the world the Mediator between God and Men Wisdome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption and life in him for all And hee all this for and to all that by the heavenly call beleeve on him and for them the Mediator of the new Testament that they may receive the promises being immeasurably filled with the holy Spirit to send forth to men even the rebellious that the Lord God might dwell among them and to such as are brought in to him to lead them into all truth having all power and authority to call all the sonnes of men that they might look and live to him to absolve and bring to eternall life all that obey his call and to judge and condemne all that persist refusing and will none of him This Doctrine as it is now declared in the Gospel it is the onely necessary doctrine to be taught known beleeved and walked in and it is a full sufficient and compleat Doctrine or Law and needeth no other doctrine to be added to it either to goe before or follow after or be joyned with it 1 Cor. 2 1-4 Gal. 1.7 8 9. 1. Either to convince the world of sinne or righteousnesse or judgement and to empty a man of himselfe John 16.7 11. Phil. 3 3-8 2. Or to call to Christ and so to repentance and faith and there through to receit of remission of sinnes renewing and life in Christ 2 Thess 2.14 3. Or to encourage beleevers to abide in the faith John 15 1-10 Col. 1 5-23 4. Or to direct and lead Beleevers to sanctification and conformity with Christ in heart and life 2 Cor. 3.3.18 Tit. 2.10.11.12.14 5. Or for Beleevers exercise to preserve and edifie themselves and one another in the faith and love of God in Christ and in the love of one another through all sufferings and services of love till they come to the Inheritance John 15.4 7 8. 1 John 2.24 25. Jude 20. 6. Or to oppose all sins and adversaries and all false Doctrines wayes and hopes withall 2 Cor 6.4 7. and 10.4.5 6. Ephes 6.17 Yea this Doctrine of the Gospell as it now sets forth Christ and life in him is a compleat full and sufficient Doctrine for all this without addition And for better understanding the sufficiency of the Gospell this is to be heeded That the life in Christ the Redemption compleated in his own body for men the redemption in the Declaration thereof tendered to be wrought in men by his Spirit in application of that in himself wrought in such as believe on him ever from the beginning was now is and ever will bee one and the same 1 Iohn 1.4 5 9 12. 1 Iohn 1.1 2 3. Heb 13.8 But the fulnesse and cleernesse of the Doctrinall Declaration and Dispensation as well as of the spirituall communication of Christ and the life in him hath had its diversity of Degrees 1 There was some discovery of this life even of the redemption wrought by Christ in himself for men and the power in him to make it known and tender it to men and give it into believing men even at first And that then declared was Gospell even the same though not so full and cleere as the word of the beginning of Christ now as appears by comparing Gen. 3.15 with Iohn 1.4 1 Iohn 1 1-3 and 3 5-8 2 After some time God was pleased to give a more full discovery of Christ and this life in him in opening to and making with Abraham an everlasting Covenant to assure all the spirituall Seed of this life in Christ and the priviledges thereof by a sure and unalterable Covenant Gen. 17. which was not another but the same Gospell more full come forth and the same that now is though now more open and cleer Gal 3.8 16 28 29. Yet till Christ was actually come God saw it needfull to adde stil something for the nurture and guidance of his people that they might estimate seek and lay hold of Christ and this life in him which still they were apt to sleight and neglect and ready either to extenuate their evils or to magnifie some wisdome and righteousnesse of their own wherefore God gave them a Testament or Law by Moses his servant one part whereof pointing out the righteousnesse due from man to God thereby to discover their sinfulnesse and make them say Amen to the Curse And the other part to type and shadow out Christ that they might in observation therof look and wait for all grace through him that was co come And this Law or Testament was not the everlasting Covenant It was not the Gospell preached to Abraham but a Law added because of transgression till the Seed should come and so long was the teaching and pressing of this Law needfull and usefull as subservient to the Gospell c. Gal. 3.19 to drive to Christ 3 But when the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman c. Gal. 4.1 4. And hee being come in the flesh and having suffered and being in our nature exalted at the right hand of God he hath given a new Testament which is a first fruits of the everlasting Covenant and the blessing of the Gospell for the nurture of his people and so the old Testament decayed and passed 2 Cor. 3.11 Heb. 8.13 Gal. 3.24 25. And thus though it was the same grace and life in Christ yet in respect of this full and cleer dispensation that is now by the Gospel it was hid in God and not so made known as now since Christ came it was to his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit and by them in the Gospel in which the same Spirit still teacheth Eph. 3 2-9 Col. 1.26 1 John 1.2 3 4. And so of the Gospel as now declared is the Affirmation in the Observation to be understood namely That the Doctrine of the Gospel is the onely necessary and full sufficient and compleat Doctrine to be taught known believed and walked in c. And this doth yet further appear in that 1 This Gospell is that Doctrine which God gave Jesus Christ to preach and sent him and filled him with Spirit to preach and he preached it Iohn 12 49 50 and 17.8 18. with Isa 4.2.1 and 61.1 2. Luke 4.18 Mark 1.14 2 This Gospel is that Doctrine which Jesus Christ hath given to his servants to preach and sent them into the world and endued them with spirit to preach and given them in charge to preach it Iohn 17.8 18. and 15.26 27. 1 Iohn 1.1 2 3 7. 2 Cor. 5.18 19. 3 This Gospell is that