him not by a Trope or Symbolically by reason of the presence of God as Exod. 17.15 It is given to the Altar Psal 24.8 It is given to the Ark. Jer. 33.16 It is given to Jerusalem Q. 9. Which be the testimonies of the second sort A. The works which none can do but God alone which are ascribed to him to wit to create and preserve to redeem to blot out iniquities to search the heart to hear our prayers to quicken to judge moreover the Miracles which he wrought by his own power according to that Prophesie Isa 53.5 6. unto which also even Christ himself sendeth us and for the working whereof he gave power to his Apostles moreover those Attributes which do agree only to the Nature of God and ascribed unto him as Eternal Almighty Infinite King of Kings Saviour and the rest testifie him to be God by Nature See these Scriptures following Joh. 1.3 5.17 Col. 1.16 Heb. 1.23 1 Cor. 1.30 1 Thess 1.10 Matth. 9.6 9.4 Mar. 2.8 14.13 Joh. 14.14 5.27 5.22 10.25 Matth. 11.45 10.8 Mic. 5.2 Joh. 1.1 17.5 3.31 Phil. 3.21 Matth. 18.20 28.20 Rev. 19.26 Matth. 1.21 Acts 4.12 Q. What is the third kind of testimonies A. The worship and honour which is performed unto Christ namely Invocation Adoration Faith Hope Psal 72.11 All the Kings of the Earth shall worship him all People shall serve him Isa 11.10 and Rom. 15.11 12. All Nations shall call upon him and trust in him Rom 14.11 Phil. 2.10 Psal 2.12 Blessed are they that put their trust in him every knee shall bow unto him And Joh. 14.1 Ye believe in God believe also in me Acts 7.39 Lord Jesus receive my Spirit All which do prove that he is true God Q. Why is it necessary that Christ the Redeemer should be God A. For two causes especially whereof of former is the greatness of the evil wherewith all mankind was overwhelmed which could be taken away by no creature The later is the greatness of the good Mat. 19.17 which could be restored by none to man again but by God who alone is truly good Q. What is the greatness of the evil A. It standeth in Four things which be these The greatness of man's sin the infinite and unsupportable weight of God's anger the power of Death the tyranny of the Devil which to take away to abolish to appease to overcome none was able but God alone Q. What is the greatness of the good which could be restored by no creature A. The restoring again of the Image of God therefore Christ 1 Cor. 1.31 is made to us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Col 3.10 not only by revealing and teaching of them but by performing and restoring of them Q. Why is he called the Word A. Because it is he that spake the Word and all things were made Q. According to which Nature is he called the Image of God Col. 1.15 A. Not according to his Humane Nature alone as man is said to be made after the Image of God but especially according to his Divine Nature but manifested in the flesh 2 Tim. 3.16 or so far forth as God hath truly manifested himself in Christ whereupon he is called The brightness of the Glory of the Father Heb. 1.3 and the Character or ingraven form of his Person because he is not some vanishing representation but ingraven and durable Q. Prove that Christ is very Man A. I will Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman is promised which shall break the Serpents head Gen. 22.17 God promised Abraham that in his Seed all the Nations of the Earth should be blessed 3 Sam. 7.12 It is promised to David that his Son must sit upon his Throne and Reign for ever Isa 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall Conceive and bring forth a Son Besides all this the History of the Gospel doth plainly prove that Christ was conceived * Luke 1.31 2.7 21. 22.20 Heb. 2.4 Mat. 26.38 4.2 Joh. 19.29 19.34 Mat. 27.50 9.36 Joh. 2.17 11.33 35. Mat. 26.37 38. Acts 1.9 11. born circumcised had a true Body and Soul was hungry thirsty shed his blood that he died and that he had all the Properties and Affections of man's Nature yet without sin that he ascended visibly and locally into Heaven and thence that he shall come again to Judgment Q. Why must Christ needs become Man A. 1. The Justice of God required it should be so that the disobedience committed in our flesh might in the same be repaired Rom. 5.17 18 19. Heb. 2.14 2. The reason of our Adoption for it pleased the Son of God to take the Nature of Man upon him and to become our brother and so by that means to become our nearest kinsman and most near allied unto us that we being made his members might be made the Sons of God Gal. 3.16 and that he might have right to redeem and ransom us Hence is matter of comfort in every kind of temptation Therefore the Apostle to the Hebrews Heb. 2. 17. 4.5 saith He took not upon him the Nature of Angels but the Seed of Abraham and in all things became like to his brethren that he might have compassion of his brethren 3. For the confirmation of our Resurrection for in that Christ took on him our Nature and hath raised it up and given unto it immortality and hath exalted it in Heaven by vertue of that Communion which we have with him shall we be raised up at the last day and this our vile body shall be made conformable to the glorious Body of Christ Phil. 3.21 1 Cor. 15.22 As in Adam all are dead so in Christ shall all be made alive Q. Why was neither the Father nor the Holy Ghost incarnate but the Son A. 1. Because it was meet that the World should be redeemed and all things restored by him by whom all things were created or that man should be redeemed from death by him by whom he was first created and should have been brought unto life eternal if he had not sinned 2. It would have been unconvenient that there should be two Sons one in the Divine Nature another in the Humane Nature 3. It was the Eternal Decree of the Father whereby he purposed to save mankind by his Son Heb. 2.10 Q. Whether is Christ God and Man divided or joyned together A. Joyned and uniced but not divided Q. By what kind of Vnion A. Not by inhabitation only as God dwelleth in the Saints Joh. 17.21 not by consent only as the Faithful are one in the Father and the Son not by Mixture as when Water is mingled with Wine not by Combination as two boards be joyned together lastly not by Composition whereby of the mixture of two things there ariseth a third but by Personal Union which as it 's said the Greeks call Incorporation because neither the whole Deity nor any part of it
excluded yea peradventure to see them that they have hated and disdained and refused to give any honour unto as when the Rich man shall see Lazarus received by God into the Kingdom of Heaven whom he vouchsafed not to set among his Servants and that which is more to see themselves separated hated and tugged by an innumerable sort of ugly Devils out of the presence not only of God but their Fathers Mothers Wives Husbands Children Friends Lovers and Acquaintance who shall deride and laugh at them forgetting all bonds and obligations of Nature and rejoycing at the execution of God's Justice in their Condemnation so that no eye either of God or Man shall pity them nor no tears prayers suits cryes yellings or mourning can be heard or prevail with him who is their Judge nor one to mediate or speak for them to reverse or stay Judgment but needs without mercy without stay without any farewel they shall presently be cast even to the endless easeless and remediless torments of Hell Never was there poor wretch that was condemned at the Tribunal of mortal Judgment to be compared to this estate for there the conclusion of the Judges Sentence is Lord have mercy upon thy Soul but here the Lord himself shall not only not shew any token of Mercy and loving Countenance but also with a Voyce surpassing any Thunder-clap to be heard in all Heaven Earth and Hell Curse them Body and Soul to the Pit of Hell for evermore And if this were all the present woe yet were not the case so heavy for besides this what guilt of Conscience what biting envy what horrour of mind what distraction what murmuring against the Lord what cursing of themselves their day of birth and Father and Mother what remembrance of their former lives mispent and to conclude what doth not the fear of Hell work upon them surely my heart dreadeth my mind faileth to think upon to hear to see to consider their wringing of hands their knocking of breasts their cryes as it were filling of Heaven and Earth and Hell and my Tongue and Pen cannot express it but must rest with that saying There is no peace to the wicked saith the Lord Isa 57.21 Now Beloved a few words by way of Comfort and so I shall conclude First What can be more comfortable to good men than to consider and remember that the Lord hath appointed a day to Judge the World in Righteousness by the Man Christ Jesus which was dead and buried and raised and ascended and sitteth at the right hand of God which also is ordained Judge of quick and dead against whom and for whose sake the Wicked rage and the Godly indure and therefore it is said He shall come viz. in the Clouds which was interred in the Earth the sorrows of the Grave cannot hold him no nor the Heavens when the latter day cometh but he maketh his Clouds his Charriots his Messengers flames of fire burning up the World and rideth upon the wings of the Wind and cometh with the voices of Archangels Trumpets Arise O you dead and let all men come to Judgment O how happy shall it be that day with them which have served and kissed the Son and that can say For thy sake we have been killed all the day long How shall he recompence them that have fed him How shall he pay them that by Almes-deeds and holy Works have lent unto him How shall he honour them that have honoured him How shall he revive and comfort them that have died or mourned for him * See Mr. Perkins upon the Creed And to conclude Shall he not give them ten thousand times more than all their evils amounted unto in this present World Well! O Christ we believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge we therefore pray thee help thy Servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood Come Lord Jesus come quickly and make them to be numbred with thy Saints in glory everlasting Now beloved I shall speak one word to the Place of Glory and so I shall conclude this matter Luke 12.32 Fear not little Flock it s your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Matth. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father receive the Kingdom prepared for you from before the Foundation of the World Joh. 3.4 Except a man be born of Water and of the Holy Ghost he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant Mercy who hath begotten us again to a lively Hope by the Resurrection of Christ from the dead vers 4 To an Inheritance immortal and undefiled which fadeth not away reserved in the Heavens for us Joh. 17.24 Father I will that those that thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me By all which it is manifest that the Place is Heaven where God and Christ is where is fulness of Joy and at his right hand are Pleasures for evermore As it is written Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entered into the Heart of Man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son And because I cannot speak of the Excellency of this Place and the Glory that is therein but I shall darken it through my ignorance thereof therefore I will conclude with these words Rev. 22.14 Blessed are they which do his Commandment that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Vers 17. And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is athirst Come and whosoever will let him take of the Water of Life freely Amen even so come Lord Jesus The Authors APOLOGY to his Friends giving them some Reasons why he did not Print the other part of the Manuscript with this sith it was once intended and so much desired by many Friends which consisteth chiefly of these particulars viz. 1. HOw many wayes a man may be guilty in partaking of other mens sins from 2 Tim. 5.22 where is shewed Eight wayes 2. Of ten Capital Sins which many men be I fear guilty of if not some Churches also which for brevity sake are all reduced to two Heads viz. Heresie and Hypocrisie as also the remedies for the Cure of the Cankering Nature of these two great Sins which is true Faith in Christ and sincere Love to him 3. An Essay for a right stating of the question Whether Christ died for all men or for the Elect only Which when I have shewed you my meaning about it by God's help it may be a means towards an Union which I hope is unfeignedly desired by some of both Parties For doubtless it would be very much to God's honour and the Churches peace And that I may attain to the end by me propounded as aforesaid I intend God willing if ever it be published to the view of the World to proceed after this manner As First To shew the End of Christ's Death and the Application of his Death Secondly The Salvation wrought on Earth by Christ in his own Body with God for Men And the Salvation in the Application thereof he worketh from Heaven by his Spirit in Men to God Thirdly God's Love of Compassion and his Love of Delight Fourthly The Portion of Spirit sent forth before Christ's Coming in the Flesh and since his Coming and Ascension All which the Scriptures make distinct But they are usually confounded by the inconsiderate as I hope by God's Grace I shall be inabled to make it plainly appear Now the reason why I did not Print it with this was because it would make it too voluminous or big so that the poorer sort of Christians for whose sake it was chiefly intended could not be able to but it I could shew many more Reasons but shall forbear to declare them here FINIS
God is a Spirit and therefore will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth And St. Paul saith That the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in Christ bodily Col. 2.9 not locally but by personal Union and this is the proper object of all Gospel-worship as I have said before And it was so in the time of the Law for the Temple was God's dwelling-place Psal 76.2 there was the only place of God's publick Worship Ps 29.2 No Sacrifice might be offered in any other place Deut. 12.26 27. for there the Spiritual worshippers had by Faith a sight of God and communion with him by Christ Psal 63.2 68.24 Towards the Temple they were to look wheresoever they were 1 King 8.29 Therefore what the Temple was to them under the Law the same is Christ to us under the Gospel therefore as the true worshippers did not worship the Temple although the false did but God that dwelleth in the Temple even so we may not worship the Temple only viz. the Humane Nature of Christ but God in it for it is the Spirit that quickneth Joh. 6.53 54. And as there was in that Temple a Vail to go into the Holiest of all where God dwelt between the Cherubims even so it is now Heb. 10. We pass through the vail viz. the flesh of Christ into the Holiest if we are led thereby to worship that Godhead that dwelleth in it This is a right conception and true worship of God For the Humanity of Christ was to the Godhead as a back of mettle to a Crystal glass for look on such a glass in its pure substance and it is transparent put a back of mettle to it and it gives a beautiful reflex So if we take up conceptions of the Godhead in its pure Essence it is transparent if we consider of God as he is Infinite Almighty Immense Eternal what is this to the Creature or our comfort If we consider him in his Power Justice Wisdom Holiness Goodness and Truth what is this to us yea all these are against us as we are sinners But if we take up a conception of God in all his Attributes as they appear to us in Christ so they make a most comfortable reflex upon us In this Glass we behold the Glory of the Lord and are changed into the same similitude from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3.18 In this Glass we behold that Wisdom by which we are instructed that Righteousness by which we are justified that Power by which we are preserved that Grace by which we are chosen and called that Goodness by which we are relieved and supplyed that Holiness by which we are transformed that Glory to the which we shall be conformed by all which it appeareth that our right apprehension and due conception of God must spring from the manifestation of God in Jesus Christ For no man knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Matth. 11.27 For the Saints in the Law meditated devoutly upon his coming in the flesh many Prophets and righteous Men saith Christ desired to see the things which you see and have not seen them Matth. 13.17 Luk. 10.24 and what were these things Surely it is God manifested in the flesh as appeareth by St. Luke Luk. 10.24 Now as Aaron the high Priest was chosen from amongst his brethren and not of a stranger Exod. 28.1 even so Christ the Antitype of Aaron was taken out of the Tribe of Judah which were his brethren according to the flesh Heb. 2.17 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah saith the Holy Ghost Heb. 7.14 And this is that which Moses said A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from amongst his brethren like unto me him shall you hear in all things Deut. 18.18 whatsoever he shall say unto you Acts 3.23 But notwithstanding all this the Eutychians deny that he was flesh of our flesh although the Holy Ghost saith it again and again both by the holy Prophets in the old Testament and the holy Apostles in the New for St. Paul saith We are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones Eph. 5.30 Now sith he was flesh as the Eutychians confess and yet deny him to be our flesh against all these faithful Witnesses as aforesaid I now desire them to tell me if they can what flesh it was sith St. Paul knew but four kinds of created flesh viz. one kind of flesh of Men another of Beasts another of Fish and another of Birds 1 Cor. 15.39 Now which of these will you chuse If neither of these I pray assign of what matter the flesh of Christ was made for we with St. Paul know no other than these four kinds of flesh Moreover Christ is figured out by Melchisedec and his Priesthood Heb. 7. for as he was a Priest and King even so was Christ also and as he was without Father and Mother even so was Christ viz. without Father in respect of his Humane Nature and without Mother in respect of his Divine Nature Now there is no knowing of God aright but in by and through Christ as I said before for in the works of Creation God is above us in his works of Providence a God without us in the Law a God against us in Himself a God invisible to us only in Christ he is Emmanual God manifested in our flesh God in us God with us and God for us therefore in Christ God is apprehended aright and there also worshipped aright 1 Joh. 2.23 Whosoever denieth the Son hath not the Father but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also Who is a lyar but he that denieth that Jesus is the hrist he is Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son vers 22. Now as the Eutichians err in their Opinion about Christ our Mediator even so they do about the Holy Trinity also for they do not rightly understand nor believe the Unity and Trinity spoken of 1 Joh. 5.7 Now if they be three they be three Operations or three Manifestations or three Subsistances but they be not the two former therefore the latter viz. three Subsistances for St. John saith The Word was with God and was God Joh. 1.1 Now where there is one and another with him there must needs be a distinction but St. John saith it is so therefore 2dly Where there is one sending and another sent there is a distinction But the Father sendeth and the Son was sent therefore a distinction Joh. 3.17.34 for God sent his Son into the World c. Again the Father and the Son send the Holy Ghost Joh. 14.16 't is another Comforter therefore a distinct Person both from the Father and the Son Now if these have all of them viz. the Father Son and Spirit Understanding and Will then they are Persons and not Qualities for no Qualities can have Understanding and Will see 1 Cor. 12. from ver 3. to
the third degree viz. the glorious Presence of God in Heaven with the Church Triumphant Heb. 12.22 Q. 2. If God be a Spirit Joh. 14.24 how then doth the Scriptures ascribe to him hands and feet and almost all the parts of a man sith Christ saith A Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have c. A. This is to be understood Metaphorically as also by way of Analogy For like as men use to hold water in the hollow of their hand and also span with it even so the Lord albeit he is a Spirit or spiritual substance yet to help our infirmity speaketh to us as it were in our own language and saith he measureth Heaven with a span and holdeth the water in the hollow of his hand Isa 40.12 And as men see with their eyes and hear with their eares even so the Lord is said to do Psal 34.15 The eyes of the Lord are over the Righteous and his ears are open unto their Prayers The hand of the Lord hath driven out the Heathen Now a Spirit hath not hands eyes and ears c. Therefore when the Scriptures attribute these to God viz. hands eyes lips tongue nose heart head face and back-parts c. it is not to be understood litterally but in the second or third sense viz. Analogically or Allegorically that is another thing is meant as Gal. 4.24 As for Example his right hand signifieth his Power for David saith The right hand of the Lord doth valiantly the right hand of the Lord is exalted Psal 118.15 16. And his finger is compared to the Holy Ghost Luk. 11.20 But if I with the finger of God cast out Devils no doubt the Kingdom of God is come unto you compared with Matth. 12.28 But if cast out Devils by the Spirit of God then the Kingdom of God is come unto you And thus I might shew how the rest might be applyed but for brevity sake I forbear Q. 3. How is God said to repent Gen. 6.6 sith other Scriptures say he is not as Man that he should repent or as the Son of Man that he should change his mind For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance Rom. 11.29 A. Albeit God is said sometimes to be angry with us and sometimes pleased this doth not prove any change in God but when we break his Commandments and set light by his Promises and follow our corrupt wayes we are changed and not he We be mutable he is immutable for in him there is no variableness nor shadow of turning Jam. 1.17 He is said to be pacified pleased when we turn from our evil ways so turn to him by true repentance See for this Jonah 3.9 Joel 2.12 Jer. 18.18 For when God is said to laugh at mens calamities and mock when their fear cometh Prov. 1.26 We are not by these and such-like sayings to think that God hath such Affections and Passions as be in Man for God hateth such as mock at his Messengers and despiseth his Word yea God abhoreth the scornful man but as those men that laugh at our calamities are the furthest off from helping of us out of it even so is God when he laugheth at our calamity See Prov. 1.26 27 28. So he is said Psal 44.23 to sleep Arise wherefore dost thou sleep O Lord Arise for our help and redeem us for thy mercy sake vers 26. Now the Lord keepeth his Vineyard lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day Isa 27.3 David saith He neither slumbereth nor sleepeth Psal 121.4 But this is to be understood Metaphorically as I said before as when he is said to awake it is meant his speedy coming to help us opposite to sleeping which is his delaying to come to help us And so when Moses is desirous to see his face and to speak with him face to face it must be meant of some high degree of his manifestation of Grace but not of Glory for so no mortal man can see his face and live No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him Joh. 1.18 for he is invisible 1 Tim. 1.17 who only hath immortality dwelling in that light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see for he sitteth upon the Circle of the Earth and the inhabitants thereof are as grashoppers That stretcheth out the Heavens as a curtain and spreadeth them out as a Tent to dwell in That bringeth the Princes to nothing he maketh the Judges of the Earth as vanity To whom then will you liken me or shall I be equal saith the Holy One Isa 40.22 to the 26. For as St. Paul saith By these things we speak the Wisdom of God in a Mystery even the hidden Wisdom which God ordained before the World unto our glory which none of the Princes of this World knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory but God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God Now we have not received the Spirit of the World but the Spirit that is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God which things also we speak not in the words that man's wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. c. Now I have according to my measure given you my understanding of these great Mysteries of God and the Father and of Christ and of the Holy Ghost Col. 2.2 in as short and plain a method as I could for your information c. Now of that which hath been spoken as concerning God by me in this Treatise this is the summe That God is a Spirit Joh. 4.4 or spiritual substance or pure nature immutable invisible unsearchable filling Heaven and Earth Full of understanding of truth and righteousness of mercy and wisdom and all manner of goodness without beginning and without ending not created nor made and Maker of all things subject to nothing and governing all things knowing all things yea even the inward thoughts and intents of the hearts of men forgiving sins only to be honoured and called upon only hearing our prayers justifying and saving us of an almighty arm and majesty the Father unbegotten the Son begotten the Holy Ghost proceeding from them both as I have proved by the Word of God which cannot lye Now all these things as aforesaid be rightly applyed to the Father Son and Holy Spirit so that it plainly appeareth that to whomsoever these things may rightly be applyed he is God by Nature and not by Name only as they are Psal 82.6 I have said ye are Gods but ye shall die like men
Creature and so die this was impossible sith God cannot die nor yet be changed as I have oft said and proved in this Treatise from 1 Tim. 1.17 Jam. 1.17 and many other places of the Holy Scriptures Thirdly John doth not say he was begotten flesh of the Virgin Mary but made flesh for saith he The Word was made Flesh even as St. Paul saith Rom. 1.9 made of the Seed of David and came of the Fathers according to the flesh Chap. 9.5 and made of a Woman Gal. 4.4 And so as St. Peter saith He came out of the loins of David according to the flesh Acts 2.30 for so God had sworn to David Psal 132.11 For Solomon was but a Type which came out of his loins 1 King 8.19 All these Texts do expresly teach us that Christ had a Humane Nature which is termed the flesh as it is frequent by the word flesh to understand a man or Humane Nature See Rom. 3.20 No flesh can be justified in his sight which must be understood of men also Chap. 11.14 Isa 57.7 Gal. 2.16 Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give Eternal Life to as many as thou hast given him c. Fourthly Consider this word raised up according to the flesh out of the loins of Divid which plainly sheweth that there was another Nature which was Davids Lord Matth. 22.44 which was not raised up out of his loins which was God over all blessed for ever Rom. 9.5 Else why was it not said of him without this distinction as of Solomon Thou shalt not build the House but thy Son that shall come forth out of thy loins 1 King 8.19 He doth not say according to the flesh neither is this distinction made concerning any man but only Christ which was Emmanuel God and Man in one Person or God with us Matth. 1.23 From whence I infer That He who is so David's Son according to the flesh raised out of the fruit of his loins according to the flesh made of the Seed of David according to the flesh and of the Father's according to the flesh As that he also is Davids Lord and the Son of God God over all blessed for ever is consubstantial with his Father as touching his Godhead and consubstantial with us as touching his Manhood but such is Jesus Christ therefore God by Nature and Man also And now I hope I have Answered your great Objection and also told you how he is truly called the Son of God as being in the bosom of his Father and also how he is truly called the Son of Man and so the Son of David as being made of a Daughter of David which Mary was See for proof of this Luke the 3d Chap. And now what hath been said in Answer to this Objection if heeded by you will Answer all your Objections from Joh. 3.15 and Joh. 6. from the 50 verse to the 64. For John saith No man hath ascended up to Heaven but he that came down from Heaven even the Son of Man which is in Heaven which proveth the union of Natures in one Person otherwise he could not be in Heaven and Earth at one time Now I hope you will not say with the Socinians your Adversaries that after his Baptism he ascended immediately up into Heaven and there received his Commission from his Father to preach the Gospel as Moses did his in Mount Horeb concerning the Law Exod. 20. And yet if Christ hath but one Nature as you say with them he had not then I pray tell me if you can Whether the Eternal Word was ever called Man or the Son of Man properly before the Holy Ghost overshadowed the Virgin Mary and so he was born of her or made of her according to the flesh for it is the Person viz. the Word that is said to come down from Heaven as appeareth Joh. 6.62 What if ye shall saith Christ see the Son of Man viz. Christ's Humane Nature ascend up where he viz. his Divine Nature was before For as he is the second Adam he was not there before as appeareth by what St. Paul saith 1 Cor. 15.46 The first Adam was made a living Soul the last Adam was made a quickning Spirit Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual but that which is natural and afterward that which is spiritual The first Man is of the Earth Earthy the second Man is the Lord from Heaven As is the Earthy such are they also that are Earthy and as is the Heavenly such are they which are Heavenly And as we have born the Image of the Earthy we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly So that by this comparison the natural Man was before the spiritual which cannot be meant of the Eternal Word which St. Paul calleth the Lord the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.17 For so considered as he is the Eternal Spirit Heb. 9.14 1 Pet. 3.18 he was before Adam or else he could not have Created him and all other things which he did Joh. 1.3 Col. 1.16 So then as the natural Adam was the first Man that God Created so the second Adam viz. the Humane Nature of Christ was the first Spiritual Man that was raised from the dead and so ascended up into Heaven and was glorified and so is the beginning of the Creation of God Rev. 3.14 And the first-born from the dead for as St. Paul saith He was the first fruits of them that sleep and so because of the Personal Union is called the first and the last even he that was dead and is alive and behold saith he I live for evermore and have the keyes of Hell and Death Rev. 1.18 Now the Name Almighty which is applyed to Christ Rev. 1.8 must needs be meant as he was Davids Lord Psal 110.1 And as St. John calleth him Davids Root But when St. Paul calleth him the second Adam it must be as he is his Son or off-spring for the true Adam is never properly in all the Scripture applied to God viz. the Divine Nature for you know Adam signifieth Earth viz. the Matter which Man was made of And as for the term Heavenly it is as truly applyed to the Saints as to the Humane Nature of Christ for vers 48. As is the Earthy such are they also that are Earthy and as is the Heavenly such are they also that are Heavenly Which St. Paul applyes to the Saints after their Resurrection vers 44. It is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body So that Paul doth not run the Parallel betwixt the Natural body and the Spirit viz. the Creator as aforesaid For if you observe him he calleth the second Adam Spiritual also vers 46. and calleth the Saints Heavenly vers 49. Now will you say because the bodies of the Saints after their Resurrection are Spiritual bodies therefore their bodies are Spirits Surely no. Even so albeit the second Adam after his Resurrection is called Spiritual that therefore his body
natural and civil humanity in him and his very heart would bleed And this is the case with us by reason of our sins we are God's debtors yea bankrupts before him yet have we gotten a good Surety even the Son of God himself who to recover us to our former liberty was crucified and died for the discharge of out debt And therefore as the Prophet saith We should look upon him whom we have pierced and lament for him Look as the blood followed the nayls that were stricken through the blessed hands and feet of Christ so should the meditation of Christ's Passion be as nayles and speares to draw blood from our hands and hearts for our sins Secondly If thou doubtest where to see and find Christ crucified because the Prophet Zachary bids thee look on him Be advertised That he is set before thy face as nailed and fastened on a Cross wheresoever his Gospel is truly Preached in thine hearing for so the Apostle teacheth us Gal. 3.1 Oh foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the Truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ was discribed in your sight and among you crucified We must seek God's face in Christ who is the living form or most bright glory wherein we behold God himself and we must ever seek Christ's face in the Gospel if we find it not there we perish everlastingly 2 Cor. 4.3 4. We need not go to Crosses nay we must not go but to the Glass he hath himself appointed for us Note this word till And remember it that till such time as we come thus by Faith and Meditation of the Gospel we lie continually as poysoned by Satan that old Serpent and as stung to death Thirdly We learn to follow Christ in the pursuit and crucifying of our sins for so we are taught Gal 5.24 They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof That is they endeavour to kill the Power of Sin in themselves by Repentance Prayer Fasting Meditation conference with the Saints and by avoiding all occasions of offence Fourthly we here learn in this president that seeing the Son of God was not only thus racked and crucified by men but also bare the Wrath of God in his Soul that therefore we must learn not to make so little account of sin as commonly we do Fifthly Whereas the Person crucified was the very Son of God it is manifest that the Love of God unto us in our Redemption is endless like the deep Sea without bank or bottom as it is testified Joh. 3.16 And if we shall not acknowledge this to be so our condemnation will be the greater Sixthly The Curse of God being here once and fully born of the Son of God not for himself but for his Elect It standeth not with God's Justice to lay any Curse on them they continuing in the Faith any more wherefore when they be afflicted their punishments are but temporary and not Curses but Crosses Chastisements which proceed not from Anger as it is to the wicked Isa 27.9 but from a most loving Father and so ever to be accounted Psal 103. Heb. 12.5 6 7 8. Now I will here declare what his enemies did against him both Jews and Gentiles and of his Passions on the Cross what herein we be specially to observe First They stone him bot as many Malefactors were executed as Achan Josh 7. and Naboth 1 King 21.13 but for a greater reproach they Crucifie him and this was the most shameful death among the Jews Secondly They Crucifie him after much beating bleeding and fainting and so make his green-wounds again to lie open even before the Sun to his greater grief and pain If the Son of God is Crucified for us we must be content in like manner to part with all for his sake that we may possess him and follow his Example Thirdly They pierced his hands and feet according to the Prophesie of the Psalmist Psal 22.16 in those parts which are most lively and sensible and so the weight of his body was born up by hands and feet fastened to the Cross but not in that gross manner that blind Papists have imagined but the feet nailed assunder with two distinct nailes as Godly Antients have delivered Fourthly They gave him Vinegar and Gall to drink tempered with Myrrh Matth. 27.34 Some think to take away his senses and memory intoxicating as it were his brain Thus they hastened his death See Med. Jos Hall pag. 501. not having any respect at all of his Soul whether he died in peace and favour with God yea or nay Others think it was to hasten his death Howsoever it was every sinner here is to be advertised That it was and is he as well as the Jews tempers who hath tempered such a Cup of Poyson for Jesus Christ Fifthly They Crucifie him between two Thieves Matth. 27.38 for his greater shame whereby they testifie that they esteemed him no common sinner Isa 53.6 but the Captain of all Thieves and Malefactors So think thou thy self with Paul 1 Tim. 1.15 that thou art the greatest of all sinners Sixthly They all mocked him both Jews and Gentiles wagging their heads and speaking spiteful words against him Mat. 27.39 45. Thou that destroyest the Temple and buildest it up in three dayes save thy self And again He saved others let him save himself The Jews paid dearly for this mocking and for crying His blood be upon us and our Children For their Children abide under the heavy wrath of Almighty God for it unto this day Seventhly and lastly When the Lord Christ had made an end of all things and had given full satisfaction to his Father's Justice after all his wrestling with Satan and Sinners and after many Passions in Soul and Body He concludes all his wearisom fight with this Prayer immediately before his death Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit Luk 23.46 By his example he teacheth us to recommend our Spirits to the Father of Spirits Who can preserve any work so well as the crafts-master And shall not the faithful Creator of Souls do this more carefully than man In great dangers we commit our Jewels to our best Friends so do thou thy Soul unto Jesus Christ that thou mayest say with St. Paul 2 Tim. 1.12 I. know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day The Passion of Christ is a mirrour of all Vertues which are the more excellent for that they be set before us not in Rules and Doctrine but in his own holy Practice I shall name some of them in order The Prophet Isaiah names six Vertues or special Graces proper to Christ and communicates by him in some measure to all his Members Chap. 11.2 First The Spirit of Wisdom Secondly Of Judgment Thirdly of Counsel Fourthly of Fortitude Fifthly of Knowledge and Sixthly of the Fear of the Lord. First For Wisdom
and Judgment they be two special Graces differing as I take it in men on this manner The former is the general comprehension or knowledge of things The later is the experience of that knowledge in particular actions Experience in other things will clear this distinction We see in Physick and other Arts many by much reading to have obtained singular knowledge so that they think with themselves they could do great matters yet when they come to have the use of their knowledge in some particular matters they are sometimes nay oftentimes to seek their knowledge for want of experience doth soon fail them Now for the Son of God he was ful of Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding and yet respecting his Humanity it is testified of him Luk. 2.52 that he increased in Wisdom His Wisdom did appear in the whole work of our Redemption in fore-seeing and fore-shewing to his Apostles all things which should happen and be done to him by the Jews assuring them that this was his Fathers Will manifested by the Prophets his singular Judgment is to be seen in his preparation to that Conflict with Satan and Sinners by Meditation and Prayer in chusing so fitly the time and place for his apprehension and in all this most apt and fit Answers to all Questions and Demands made unto him Secondly For Counsel The Lord Christ was full of the Spirit of Counsel for he was able to withstand and to Answer all the Counsel of Hell Satan of Annas Caiaphas of Pilate and Herod against him He was ready in all temptations to Answer all Doubts which the Prince of Darkness was able to object against him He was not doubtful nor to seek for counsel in the whole work nor in any part of the work of our Redemption The Spirit of Counsel did appear notably in him in all his Arraigmnent and Passion Thirdly The Spirit of Fortitude was in him in a most rich measure For he wrestled not in this action with flesh and blood but incountered with spiritual Powers and Principalities even with all the power of Hell This is the strong Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Seed of the Woman which in his great strength breaks the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 He was so full of Might that with one word speaking he cast down all that came to take him even to the ground Fourthly He was full of the Spirit of Knowledge to discern all his Enemies and to discern what was in them for so it is testified of him Joh. 18.14 Jesus knowing all things that should come unto him c. He knew all their purposes desires pretences and all their designments Fifthly The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord he was also replenished with as appeareth in all his service and obedience to his Heavenly Father for he honoureth him in all his work and faithfully performs all that service in all respects for the which he had sent him ever seeking his glory Joh. 13.31 Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him Sixthly For Humility He is the only Patern that ever was on Earth for this cause the Apostle willeth us to caray within us the same mind that was in Christ Jesus that is the same Spirit of Humility For saith he He being in the form of God and thinking it no robbery to be equal with God yet he made himself of no reputation and took on him the form of Servant and was made like unto Men and was found in shape as a Man he humbled himself and became obedient unto the death even the death of the Cross Seventhly For the Spirit of Meekness He was full of Mildness and Meekness in the whole course of his life as himself truly testified of himself Matth. 11.28 29. Come unto me all that are heavy laden and I will ease you Take my yoke on you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart and ye shall find rest unto your Souls This vertue did notably appear in his Passion For the Prophesie of Isaiah was accomplished in him He was oppressed and afflicted yet did he not open bis mouth For so we sind it testified for when false witnesses urged him and Caiaphas yet he was silent because he was willing to die and there was no place to speak either for the * When to speak Glory of God or the good of Men. Eighthly As St. James commends Job for Patience so much more may the Son of God be recommended as a Mirrour of Patience to all the World for he was soft in his Answers calm in his Speeches to all his most bloody Enemies to Judas betraying him with a kiss he said Matth. 26.50 Friend wherefore art thou come And to the High Priests Officers which smote him Joh. 18.23 If I have evil spoken bear witness of the evil but if I have well spoken why smitest thou me Herod thought him a Fool for his Silence and Patience whereby we be taught in all unjust Railings and Injuries not to give rebuke but either to keep silence or else to speak so much as shall be for our just defence Ninthly He was full of Love Mercy and Compassion in the midst of his Passions even to his Enemies He cured Malchus's ear which Peter had cut off with his Sword And when they were practising against him all treachery even then he performed the work of a Mediator praying for them unto his Father saying Father forgive them for they know not what they do For his Friends he is most mindful of them and loving unto them even in his greatest Passions In his Apprehension he desireth his Disciples might be let go freely Joh. 18.8 If ye seek me let these go their way As for Peter after he had renounced lam with bitter execrations he turned back and looked graciously on him and quickened him again Luk. 22.61 He shewed mercy on the Thief which did hang by him on the Cross comforting him in these words Verily I say unto thee To day thou shalt be with me in Paradise vers 43. Lastly He recommends his Mother to the custody of John Joh. 19.26 27. where he teacheth Children to give all Honour and to perform all duties of Love Care and Reverence to their Parents Finally We find in Christ's Passion a notable president for Perseverence For he wades through all the Sea of his temptations he never slinks back nor turns aside to rest him till he comes to the very end of all his wearisom race notwithstanding all the torments and tears he had within and without yet he rested not till he came to the mark he set before him then he cryed It is finished all my work is accomplished and so he departed from evil Men and evil Angels unto God and unto the Spirits of Righteous Men and Holy Angels Thus then we see in his Passion the practice of many most excellent vertues whereby he did not only gain Merits to save us but also gave