acceptable as in His Well-beloved 3. Hee is OVER THE HOVSE OF GOD Hee hath Authoritie and Power to bring in whom Hee pleaseth and to giue foorth of the Treasure as much as hee will All the Mansions in his Father's dwelling house are his and all at his disposing to open so as none shall shuâ— To him belongeth to giue foorth the sentence of Admission to Heaven and to say Come you blessed of the Father Yea to make this his Authoritie manifest hee will come agayne and take vs vnto himselfe that where hee is wee may bee there also 4. WEE HAVE this high Priest that is hee is ours because 1. Taken out from AMONGST vs one of our number albeit not of our conditions of our nature but separate from our sinfull manners holie and harmlesse 2. Because hee is FOR VS in thinges appertayning to GOD to employ his Moyen and Power for our behooue towardes GOD. 3. Because bound in all Bandes WITH VS of Nature of Grace and Good-Will of the Father's Gift and Appoynctment and his owne Covenant and speciall Contract with vs. So that albeit an vncouth man may possiblie leaue a stranger in his journeye alone yet Christ can not choose to doe so to vs but for the Bandes betwixt him and vs hee will never leaue vs nor forsake vs. Vers. 22. Let vs draw neare with a true heart in full assurance of Fayth having our Heartes sprinkled from an evill conscience and our bodies washed with pure water FROM these Priviledges hee presseth an Exhortation To draw neare to GOD and prescrybeth the Disposition requyred of vs in our drawing neare 1. This Exhortation showeth 1. That true Christians are often tymes so sensible of their owne vnworthinesse that vnder that sense they are enclyned of themselues to stand a-farre off and haue neede of encowragement and invitation to drawe neare 2. That such as are moste sensible of their owne vnworthinesse are moste called to come forwardes vnto GOD for Hee giveth grace to the humble 2. Hee layeth downe the Priviledges in the former Verses and in this draweth on the Exhortation TO TEACH VS 1. That such Priviledges as are graunted vnto vs in Christ must bee receaved and believed as Trueth 2. That wee must studie to make vse of our Priviledges and challenge them for our owne 3. That the weakest of true Believers in Christ may thrust in themselues at the Doores of Grace amongst the holie Apostles for the Apostle putteth the HEBREWES with himselfe in the Exhortation for this ende 3. For our disposition and fitting to drawe neare bee requyreth first That wee haue a true heart Hee sayeth not a sinlesse heart but a true heart that is such a heart as in the matter of believing mynâ—eâ—h no confidence but in GOD'S Grace through Christ onlie and in the matter of GOD'S Service myndeth onelie His will in its ayme and alloweth onelie that which is His will in its censure THEN An honest heart which honestlie acknowledgeth its owne sinnes and fleeth to Christ's Blood for sprinkling whose ayme is vpright endevour vpright and censure of it selfe vpright allowing in it selfe nothing but what GOD alloweth and displeased with that which dispeaseth GOD albeit manie wayes weake and imperfect yet hath libertie to draw neare vnto GOD. 4. The next thing hee requyreth is full assurance of Fayth That is a setled and full perswasion to bee accepted even through IESVS CHRIST THEN Albeit the LORD will not despyse the weakest measure of Fayth and will not quench the smoaking flaxe yet it pleaseth Him better yea it is His Commandement that men studie vnto the full assurance of Fayth for the more thou restest on GOD'S Covenant with thee in IESVS CHRIST the more thou sealest His Trueth glorifiest Him becommest the more lyke vnto faythfull Abraham and gettest the deeper rooting in CHRIST 5. The third is That the heart bee sprinkled from an evill conscience The heart is sprinkled when a sinner sensible of sinne maketh heartie application to himselfe of the Blood of IESVS for remission of sinnes after this heartie application of CHRISTS Blood the Conscience is furnished with a good Aunswere vnto all Challenges and so is made good a comfortable Conscience absolving the man through fayth in IESVS whome it tormented with Challenges before it ran to the Blood of IESVS for sprinkling THEN When-so-ever the Conscience is evill accuseth and vexeth let the vexed heart runne to CHRIST'S Blood and then shall it bee free from an evill conscience For the Blood of IESVS cleanseth vs from all sinne Let the Heart bee sprinkled and the Conscience will bee good 6. The fourth thing requyred in him that draweth â—are as hee should is That his bodie bee washed with â—â—re water That is That according to the sigification of that Legall Rite their outward conversation bee â—â—amelesse and holie sinne beeing so curbed within that it reygne not in their mortall bodie so foughten agaynst within as it breake not foorth in scandalous works of darknesse in the actions of the bodie THEN 1. With a sprinkled Conscience within men must joyne an holie and blamelesse conversation without 2. The washing of the conversation without must proceede from an heart sensiblie acquaynted with the power of the Blood of IESVS 3. And this outward holinesse of the bodie must bee wrought with pure water that is by the Spirite of Sanctification to distinguish the reformation of a Believer from a Counterfeyt who without may looke lyke a righteous man but within bee as a whyâ—ed Tombe full of rottennesse Vers. 23. Let vs holde fast the Profession of our Fayth without wavering for Hee is faythfull that promised ANother Exhortation to avowe the Fayth of CHRIST that is the Doctrine of CHRIST the Trueth receaved from CHRIST and believed and not to quyte it in the tyme of tryall vpon anie condition 1. The requyring to holde fast the Confession of our Fayth or Hope as the word importeth TEACHETH 1. That a true Christian must not onelie holde the Trueth of CHRIST secretlie but must confesse it professe and avowe it openlie where GOD'S Glorie and others good requyreth the same 2. That hee must looke for adversarie powers and Temptations to take that Trueth or at least the confession of it from him 3. That in these Tryals and Essayes hee must holde the faster grippe and avow it so much the more steadfastlie as hee is tempted to quyte it 4. That when hee is put to the Tryall of this Confession of anie poynct of his Fayth hee is also put to the Tryall of the Confession of his Hope Whether his hopes of the promised Salvation in IESVS bee stronger to keepe him steadfast or the Terrour and allurement from men stronger to make him quyte the poynct of Trueth controverted 5. That nothing but this Hope is able to make a man stand out in Tryall if hee bee hardlie vrged 2. Hee will haue the avowing of the Trueth of CHRIST to bee without wavering THEN 1. Men must so
and judge againe If prophane Despysers of holie SCRIPTVRE vvho disdayne to reade or obey what GOD commaundeth therein bee not to bee ranked in the same Roll. For GOD draweth so â—igh vnto vs in His Word speaking vnto vs as a king vnto his Subjects or a Master vnto his Servauntes that the obedience or disobedience which wee giue to His Speaches resolveth directlie and immediatelie vpon GOD HIMSELFE For vvhat is it else to heare and belieue and obey GOD but To heare and belieue and obey His Speaches And vvhat is it Nor to take notice of GOD to despyse and disobey GOD but Not to take notice of His Speaches not to reade His Wrytings and not to care for anie thing that Hee commaundeth promiseth or threatneth Therefore hath the LORD written the Great thinges of His Lawe vnto vs even to bee a Touch-Stone not onelie to trye all mens Doctrine there-by but also to trye all mens disposition towardes Himselfe and howe they stand affected to His Honour whether as Foes or as Friendes For What readier way is there to get evidence of a man destitute of the Knowledge Fayth Loue Feare and the rest of the partes of the Image of GOD than to finde him destitute of the Knowledge and Loue of the SCRIPTVRE What surer Signe of a man who for the present is enemie to GOD and to the enlargement of His Gracious Kingdome than to find him traducing the perfect Law of the LORD and marring to his power the free course of the Scriptures light which is the Scepter of CHRIST'S Kingdome Agayne What surer Signe of a Chyld of Promise begotten of GOD than to see him with DAVID PSAL. 119. making more of the Scriptures nor of a kingdome and powring out all his Affections vpon it as vpon the nearest Meane where-by GOD'S Spirit may be conveyed into his soule for perfecting of Holinesse and the readiest Chariot to carrie vp his spirite to dwell in GOD for perfecting of his happinesse Wee shall find also answerable to GOD'S Purpose of trying men by His Scripture His Wisdome giving a due meeting vnto men as they doe make vse of His Scripture Doe they not reade it or doe they reade and not consider it Doe they not weygh what is imported by it in sense and meaning It fareth with them as with those to whom CHRIST sayd MATTH 22.29 You erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Doe they not loue it Behold their Plague 2. THESS 2.10.11.12 Because they receaved not the loue of the Trueth that they might be saved for this verie cause sayeth the Text God shall send them strong delusion that they should belieue a Lie that they might be damned Doe they not steadfastlie belieue what they learne in Scripture In God's judgement with the foolish and vnstable they are suffered to wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction were they never so great wits 2. PET. 3.16 Doe they not studie to giue obedience vnto the knowne Trueth of it He dealeth with them as with Israell PSAL. 81.11 My people would not hearken vnto My Voyce and Israell would none of Mee Hee counteth Himselfe rejected because His Word was rejected But what followeth Vers. 12. So I gaue them vp vnto their owne heartes lust and they walked in their owne counsels But to such as will bee Christ's Disciples indeede Students seeking to grow in Knowledge Beliefe and obedience of His Word seeking to loue Him and keepe His Sayings Hee promiseth IOHN 14.26 to sende vnto them The Spirit of Trueth the Comforter the holie Ghost to teach them all things That is To perfect their knowledge more and more by His Spirit to fill their hearts with joye and comfort according to His Trueth and to make them holie more and more And why are all these styles given Even to show that such as will haue Christ's Spirit to worke anie of these must seeke Him to worke all of these joyntlie or not to haue Him for working anie of them at all Neyther Comfort without Trueth nor Comfort without Holinesse The same is it which Wisdome cryeth PROV 8.34.35.36 Blessed is the man that heareth Me watching daylie at My Gates wayting at the Posts of My Doores For who so findeth Mee findeth Lyfe and shall obtayne favour of the Lord. But hee that sinneth agaynst Me wrongeth his owne Soule all that hate Mee loue Death Therefore howe thou doest hate Death and loue thyne owne Soule howe thou standest affected towardes GOD and the fellowship of the COMFORTER the holie SPIRIT the SPIRIT of TRVETH and towardes the enlargement of the Kingdome of CHRIST let thy affection TOWARDS the SCRIPTVRES more aboundant dvvelling in thy selfe and FOR the SCRIPTVRES more free course amongst others beare witnesse Fare-well THE EPISTLE OF PAVL TO THE HEBREWES WHen Peter wrote his second Epistle to the scattered Hebrewes there was extant an Epistle of Paul to those same scattered Hebrews also received in the Church for a part of Canonicall Scripture distinguished from Pauls â—ther Epistles 2. Pet. 3.15.16 Therefore amongst other reasons this may bee one to make vs thinke this Epistle must be it For it is without reason to thinke that the Churches should bee negligent in keeping such a Iewell commended vnto them by the authoritie of two chiefe Apostles or lose Pauls Epistle and keepe Peters which maketh mention of it The summe of the Epistle BEcause the Hebrews were hardlie drawne from the observation of Leviticall Ordinances vnto the simplicitie of the Gospell and in danger of making Apostacie from the Christian Fayth by Persecution the Apostle Paul seueth before their eyes the Glorie of Iesus Christ in His person farre aboue men and Angels by whose Ministerie the Law was given not onelie as God Chap. 1. but also as man Chap. 2. and in His Office aboue Moses Chap. 3. Threatning them therefore if they should misbelieue Christs Doctrine Chap. 3.4 and aboue the Leviticall high Priest Chap. 5. Threatning them agayne if they should make Apostacie from Him Chap. 6. yea aboue all the glorie of the Leviticall Ordinances as Hee in whom all those thinges had their accomplishment and period of expyring Chap. 7.8.9.10 Threatning them agayne if they should not persevere in the Fayth of Christ vnto which perseverance through whatsoever difficulties hee encowrageth them by the example of the Faythfull before them Chap. 10.11 and by other grounds of Christian comfort Chap. 12. That so in the fruitfull obedience of the Gospell they might follow vpon Christ seeking for that Citie that is to come and not for their earthlie Hierusalem anie more Chapter 13. The summe of Chap. I. IF you shall make comparison O Hebrewes the Ministerie of the Gospell shall bee found more glorious than the Ministerie of the Law For the manner of Gods dispensing His Will before Christ came was by part and part and subject to His owne addition not after one setled manner but subject to alteration and by the Ministerie of men the Prophets Vers. 1. But
2.7 and 2. SAM 7.19 But the Bodie of the Truth aimed at signified was Christ resembled by them as here wee see Whence wee learne That typicall speaches in Scripture haue not their perfect meaning neyther can bee fullie expounded nor truelie vnderstoode till they bee drawne to Christ in whome they haue their accomplishment and of whom they meane to speake vnder the name of the Types And therefore neyther could the olde Church of the Iewes nor can wee get comfort in anie of them till Christ in whome all the Promises are YEA and AMEN bee found included in them Vers. 6. And agayne when Hee bringeth in the first begotten into the worlde Hee sayeth And let all the Angels of GOD worship Him 1. HEe sayeth that is The Father sayeth PSAL. 97.7 Then The Scripture which elsewhere is called the Speach of the holie Ghost is also the Speach of the FATHER 2. Hee bringeth in his first begotten into the Worlde Then 1. The Father is the Author of Christ's Incarnation and of his Kingdome amongst Men and of Divine Glorie given to him in his Kingdome 2. Christ is the Father's first begotten both for the eternitie of his Person begotten without beginning before the Worlde was and for the excellencie of his Person beeing more glorious than all Angels or Men which get the name of Children eyther by Creation or Adoption 3. The Father commandeth Let all the Angels of GOD adore Him Then 1. The Father communicateth to Christ as his owne Nature and Godhead by Generation so also his owne Glorie by commanding the creatures to adore him 2. What the creatures adore they acknowledge by adoration to bee GOD so GOD esteemeth 3. And Christ is the Angels GOD because they must adore Him Vers. 7. And of the Angels Hee sayeth Who maketh His Angels Spirits and His Ministers a flame of fire Hee maketh his Angels Spirits c. PSAL. 104 5. THEN 1. GOD made not the Angels to get anie parte of Christ's rowme in the Churches worship but to serue Christ as lowlie as anie of the meanest creatures 2. And the Angels indeede are as readie to doe so and as swift and actiue in their service as the Windes and fire-flaughts Vers. 8. But vnto the Sonne Hee sayeth Thy Throne O GOD is for ever and ever a Scepter of Righteousnesse is the Scepter of Thy Kingdome Vers. 9. Thou hast loved Righteousnesse and hated Iniquitie therefore GOD even Thy GOD hath anoynted Thee with the Oyle of Gladnesse aboue Thy Fellowes 1. BY this place cited out of PSAL. 45.7 it is evident that the PSALME 45. is a Song of the mysticall Marriage of CHRIST and his Church and in this Passage a number of notable Doctrines concerning Christ are poynted at 1. Hee is called GOD and so is fit to reconcile vs to GOD able and all-sufficient to accomplish our Salvation a Rocke to leane vnto 2. A King enthroned not onelie over the Worlde but in a gracious manner over the Church which hee marrieth to himselfe in this PSALME and therefore shall his Church haue Lawes and Direction and Protection from him 3. Hee hath a Throne for ever and ever and therefore shall his Church which is his Kingdome endure for ever and ever 4. Hee hath a Scepter to rule with and therefore power and authoritie to take order with his Subjectes and with his enemies also 5. His Scepter is a Scepter of Righteousnesse because hee can not abuse his power to doe wrong to anie but will doe right to all yea and leade on his Subjects to Righteousnesse of Fayth to justifie them before GOD and Righteousnesse of Conversation to adorne them before Men. 2. Hee loveth Righteousnesse and hateth Iniquitie And therefore 1. His Scepter can not bee sweyed but righteouslie 2. And so must his subjectes set themselues to doe if they will please him 3. Therefore Christs God hath anoynted him with the Oyle of Gladnesse aboue his fellowes Then 1. As Christ is God himselfe so also is hee Man vnder God in regarde of his Manhead and Office therein 2. And God is his God by Covenant Christ as Man is confederate with God 3. And hee hath FELLOWES in the Covenant that is others of mankynde with whome hee is part-taker of flesh and blood Fellow-brethren and Coheyres Shares-men in all the Fathers Goods with him 4. Hee is anoynted with the Oyle of Gladnesse furnished with the Spirit that bringeth joye vnto him and all his subjects who get conveyed vnto them by Christ Righteousnesse and Peace and joye in the holie Ghost 5. Hee is anoynted aboue his fellowes The rest of the confederate Saynctes are anoynted also yet by measure receiue they the Spirit But Christ is anoynted aboue them the Spirit is not given to him by measure but to dwell bodilie or substantiallie that wee of his fulnesse may all receiue Grace for Grace 4. Because hee loveth Righteousnesse c. Therefore hee is anoynted Then The righteousnesse of Christ is the procuring and meritorious cause of this joye to him and his Subjectes Fellowes in the Covenant Vers. 10. And Thou LORD in the beginning hast layde the Foundation of the Earth and the Heavens are the Workes of Thyne Handes Vers. 11. They shall perish but Thou remaynest and they all shall waxe olde as doeth a Garment Vers. 12. And as a Vesture shalt Thou folde them vp and they shall bee changed but Thou art the same and Thy Yeares shall not fayle 1. ANother Testimonie of Christ from PSAL. 102.25.26 wherein hee is expresselie called 1. IEHOVAH GOD in essence the same GOD with the Father and the holie Ghost who giveth Beeing to the creatures and Performance to the Promises 2. Who layde the Foundation of the Earth c. and so Creator of Heaven and Earth 3. And by consequence who can create in vs a right Spirit and make vs of naughtie sinners Sonnes 2. They shall perish waxe olde and bee changed Then The Heavens and the Earth nowe subject to corruption shall both not continue and yet they shall not vtterlie bee abolished but changed into an incorruptible estate for mans cause Rom. 8 21. 3. Christ remayneth and is the same and his Yeares fayle not Then 1. CHRIST is eternall and our Mediator can not bee amissing can not die 2. Constant and immutable and can not change his purpose of loue to his called Ones whatsoever changes befall them And this is the Rocke of the Churches Comfort when shee looketh to her owne frayltie and changeablenesse Vers. 13. But to which of the Angels sayd Hee at anie tyme Sit on My Right Hand vntill I make Thyne Enemies Thy Foote-stoole Psal. cx 1. TO which of the Angels sayde hee Hee asketh for Scripture to show what is due to Angels Then 1. The Scripture must determine what is due to Angels and other creatures what is to bee thought of them and done to them also 2. And no word in Scripture doeth countenance the giving of the glorie of the Mediator to
Dignitie in Heaven it is easie to see him put all at vnder that ryseth vp agaynst him 3. That which may bee taken vp of Christ partlie by his Word and Doctrine partlie by his miraculous Workes and extraordinarie Giftes of the Spirit powred out vpon the Primitiue Church partlie by his ordinarie and powerfull working vpon the Soules of his owne since that tyme vnto this day humbling and comforting changing and reforming mens heartes and lyues I say these Evidences of his power doe make a spirituall Eye in a manner to see IESVS the Worker of these Workes crowned with Glorie and Honour 2. Hee meeteth another doubt arysing from the abasement of Christ in his Sufferinges and Death to which hee answereth in the wordes of the Psalme first that it was fore-tolde in that same Psalme that he was to bee made for a little lower than the Angels to wit by suffering of Death THEN 1. The Crosse of Christ is a readie stumbling Blocke for a carnall mynde else what needed the removing of the scandall 2. It is true indeede Christ in his Himiliation was abased vnder the Angels and emptied 3. This abasement was but a little and for a short tyme. 4. It was fore-tolde in the Psalme that speaketh of his Exaltation 5. If wee looke to the Scripture fore-telling wee shall not stumble at Christ's Humiliation 3. Hee giveth a farther answere by showing the â—â—de of Christ's Suffering to bee for our cause in the favour of GOD to vs That hee should by the Grace of GOD taste Death for everie one of vs. THEN 1. Christ's suffering was not for his owne deserving but for ours and therefore should bee glorious in our eyes 2. Everie Believer and elect soule hath interest in that Death of his and so everie man bound to loue him and magnifie him for it and to applye the fruite of it to himselfe 3. This death was but a tasting of death because hee continued but a short tyme vnder it for his short suffering was so precious that hee could not bee holden by the Sorrowes of Death but Death for a little was sufficient and therefore should diminish no man's esteemation of him 4. It was by the Grace of GOD that his death for a short should stand for our Eternall and therefore gracious and glorious should these his sufferinges bee esteemed by vs. Vers. 10. For it became Him for whom are all thinges and by whome are all thinges in bringing manie Sonnes vnto Glorie to make the Captayne of their Salvation perfect through Sufferinges 1. ANother reason of Christ's Suffering This way of our saving by Christ's Sufferinges made for the Glorie of GOD and our Good THEN When the reasons of Christ's death are seene the scandall of his Crosse ceaseth 2. There is a worke to doe heere A great manie of Sonnes to bee brought to Glorie THEN 1. All the Elect and saved soules are in the ranke of Children 2. Albeit they bee few in comparison of the worlde yet are they manie of them all together 3. There is not one of them all who can goe to Heaven or Salvation but by Christ's leading and conduct 3. The Captayne of their Salvation must bee made perfect through suffering THEN 1. How perfect soever Christ bee in himselfe yet before his suffering hee lacked one thing which his Office towardes vs requyred to wit experimentall suffering of such sorrowes as his souldiours and followers are subject vnto 2. When his sufferinges were ended hee was perfectlie sitted to comfort vs seeing hee found our sorrowes in himselfe sometyme 4. Hee sayeth it became GOD for whom and by whom are all thinges that the matter should bee so brought about THEN 1. All thinges are for God's Glorie at the ende and so should the manner of our salvation bee also 2. All things are by God's Hand and Power brought about and reason too that hee dispose of the meanes of our salvation as hee pleaseth 3. This way became God most of anie It brought him greatest Glorie by the shame sorrow and death of one to bring Glorie and joye and Lyfe to manie Vers. 11. For both Hee that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one For which cause Hee is not ashamed to call them Brethren 1. IF anie should farther aske how could hee die or how could Iustice accept him in our stead bee answereth Because hee is one of our kynde and nature THEN 1. There is a naturall Band betwixt Christ and his Followers They are of the same stocke of the same naturall substance 2. Christ's naturall Band with vs maketh him a direct entresse to redeeme vs. 2. Hee calleth Christ him that sanctifieth and the Believers they who are sanctified THEN 1. The Band of nature betwixt Christ and men is reckoned vnto those onlie who are sanctified with none other will Christ reckon Kinred 2. Therefore they must studie to Holinesse that would clayme Kinred to Christ. 3. The sanctification which it behoveth vs to haue must proceede from Christ no holinesse vntill a man be in him 3. Hee sayeth Christ is not ashamed to call the Sanctified Brethren THEN 1. As Christ hath dimitted himselfe to our nature so also to the styles of consanguinitie with vs. 2. Christ is as kyndlie affectioned to his Followers as ever Brother was to another hee will not misken his owne albeit vnworthie 3. That which may serue to our glorie and comfort Christ will thinke it no disgrace to himselfe Verse 12. Saying I will declare Thy Name vnto my Brethren In the midst of the Church will I sing Prayse vnto Thee HEe proveth that hee calleth vs Brethren from PSAL. 22. Vers. 22. The Messias there taketh vpon him to preach to Men and to prayse the Father THEN 1. With our nature Christ tooke on also the Yoke of the Exercyses of Religion 2. Hee joyneth with vs in the Discharge of them 3. Hee is first in the Exercyse not onelie because hee discharged them in his owne proper person but also because still by his Spirit where two or three are gathered together in his Name hee is in the midst of them moving and moderating the Spirites of his owne delectable Organes Vers. 13. And agayne I will put my trust in Him And agayne Beholde I and the Children which GOD hath given mee 1. THE next proofe is from PSAL. 18. Vers. 2. Where Christ vnder the type of David promiseth to belieue in the Father THEN 1. Christ is one of the number of Believers one of the Covenant of Grace confederate by Faith and therefore hee behoved to bee a man to this ende 2. Then haue wee in the sense of our vnbeliefe the comfort of the soundnesse and strength of Christ's believing as well as of his other Perfections 2. The third proofe is from ISAY 8. Vers. 18. Wherein Christ vnder the type of the Prophet Isaiah presenteth himselfe with his chosen ChildreÌ„ before the Father THEN 1. Christ is our Father also and wee his Children 2. Wee are
than the olde Israelites yea rather in more 2. The cause of their debarring is The Word was not mixed with Fayth in them and so profited them not THEN 1. As a Medicinall Drinke must haue the due Ingredientes mixed with it so must the Word haue Fayth mixed with it joyning it selfe with all the partes of the Trueth closelie 2. Fayth can wall with nothing nor bee mixed with anie Trueth but the Worde and the Worde will not joyne nor wall nor mixe with Conceats Opinions Presumption but with Fayth that is it will bee receaved not as a Conjecture or possible Trueth but for Divine and infallible Trueth else it profiteth not 3. Hearers of the Worde may blame their Misbeliefe if they get not profite 4. Albeit a man get light by the Worde and some tasting of temporarie Ioye and Honour and Riches also by professing or preaching of it yet hee receaveth not profit except hee get entrie into GOD'S Rest thereby for all these turne to Conviction Vers. 3. For wee which haue believed doe enter into Rest as Hee sayde As I haue sworne in My Wrath if they shall enter into My Rest although the workes were finished from the foundation of the Worlde Reade the summe of this Chapter Vers. 2.3.5 for clearing of his reasoning HEE prooveth that Believers enter into GOD'S Rest because GOD excludeth by His Threatning Misbelievers onelie THEN 1. Fearfull Threatninges of the Wicked carrie in their Bosome sweetest Promises to the Godlie and the Faythfull 2. Believers get a beginning of this Rest in this Worlde and a Possession of it in some degrees by Fayth Their Deliverie from Sinne and Miserie is begunne Their Lyfe and Peace and Ioye is begunne Vers. 4. For Hee spake in a certayne place of the seaventh day on this wyse And GOD did rest the seaventh day from all His Works Vers. 5. And in this place agayne If they shall enter into my Rest. HEE compareth places of Scripture and showeth the significations of Rest. THEN 1. Words in Scripture are taken in sundrie places in sundrie significations 2. Comparison of places will both show the diverse acceptions of anie worde and the proper meaning of it in everie place Vers. 6. Seeing therefore it remayneth that some must enter therein and they to whome it was first preached entered not in because of Unbeliefe THe full sentence of the sixt Verse is this Seeing therefore it remayneth that some must enter in and they to whome it was first preached entered not in because of Vnbeliefe it will follow by consequence that Believers doe enter in This latter parte is not expressed in the Text but left vnto vs to gather by consequence Whence WE LEARNE 1. That GOD alloweth vs to drawe consequences from His Scripture 2. Yea trayneth vs on by His owne Example to drawe them foorth by reason 3. Yea Hee will of necessitie force vs to draw consequences from His Wordes or else not let vs vnderstand His Meaning by leaving something not expressed to bee collected by vs. Vers. 7. Agayne Hee limiteth a certayne day saying in David To day after so long a tyme as it is sayde To day if yee will heare His Voyce harden not your heartes IN that hee reasoneth from the circumstance of tyme when David vttered these wordes hee teacheth vs That oftentymes there is matter of great moment imported in the least circumstances of the Scriptures wryting and therefore that the circumstances of tyme place and person who speaketh and to whome and at what tyme c. should not bee passed over in our consideration of a Text but diligentlie bee marked Vers. 8. For if IESUS had given them rest then would Hee not afterwardes haue spoken of another day Vers. 9. There remayneth therefore a rest to the people of GOD. Vers. 10. For Hee that is entered into His Rest Hee also hath ceased from His owne workes as GOD did from His. 1. THIS reasoning from the tyme of David's speaking SHOWETH How infalliblie they were ledde that wrote the Scripture that they could not fayle in setting downe a worde nor speake one worde that could crosse anie other worde spoken by anie other Prophet before or after 2. David taught of the Spirituall Rest in his tyme and so did Moses THEN 1. The olde Church was not straytned with earthlie promises so but that they had Heavenlie and Spirituall Promises given them also as signified by the earthlie and typicall promises 2. Their types had some starre-light of interpretation and they were taught to looke through the vayle of Ceremonies and Types 3. Hee sayeth Hee that is entered into His Rest. ceaseth from His owne workes THEN 1. Before a man bee reconciled to GOD by Fayth in CHRIST hee is working his owne workes doing his owne will and not GOD'S 2. Hee is working without ceasing his owne vnrest and his owne torment which hee procureth by working his owne will 3. The Man that thinketh hee is entered into GOD'S Rest must bee GOD'S Worke-man and no more worke what pleaseth himselfe but what pleaseth GOD ceasing from sinfull workes and doing what is lawfull and good in way of obedience vnto Him Vers. 11. Let vs labour therefore to enter into that Rest lest anie man fall after the same example of vnbeliefe 1. IN the third verse hee sayde the Believers entered into GOD'S Rest Heere hee exhorteth the Believer to labour to enter into it THEN 1. The Rest of GOD is entered into by degrees 2. They who haue entered must studie to enter yet more going on from Fayth to Fayth and from Obedience to farther Obedience and from Grace to Grace till they haue gone all the Way that leadeth vnto Glorie 2. Hee requyreth Labour and Diligence to enter in THEN 1. GOD'S Rest is no rest to the flesh but Rest to the Soule as MATTH xj 29 CHRIST promiseth 2. Without Care and Diligence a man can not promise to himselfe to enter in For the Way is called STRAYT which leadeth vnto Heaven 3. Hee requyreth this Diligence lest a man fall as the Israelites did THEN As some of the Israelites fell in a temporall misbeliefe and drew on temporall judgementes vpon themselues as Moses and Aaron So may Professoures now also doe even Elect. Agayne as some fell in vnbelâ—efe with hardened heartes yea in obstinate misbeliefe and perished in their sinne So yet amongst Professours some may fall into obstinate misbeliefe and perish except they giue diligence to make progresse towardes their Rest. Vers. 12. For the Worde of GOD is quicke and powerfull and sharper than anie two-edged Sworde pearcing even to the divyding a-sunder of Soule and Spirite and of the Ioyntes and Marrow and is a discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart 1. LEst anie should shift off this Threatning as expyred with those to whome it was first spoken or cloake and dissemble their sinnes and purpose of defection when they should see their tyme hee letteth them know the Power of the Worde and of GOD their
Partie THEN The vse extent and nature of GOD'S Worde must bee well studied lest through misstaking or ignorance heereof a man should missapply or missregarde it 2. The first propertie of the Worde it is Quicke That is dieth not when those die to whome first it was directed but endureth speaking on with that same authoritie to all that heare it in all tymes after THEN The Word is not a dead Letter nor expyred with former Ages but the same to vs that it was before to others fit for operation and working the worke for which it is sent for convincing or converting the hearer alway 3. Agayne it is Powerfull That is not fitte to worke onelie but actiue and operatiue in effect actuallie bynding the Conscience to obedience or judgement make the Sinner what opposition hee will Yea it falleth a-working on the hearer if hee belieue it presentlie to cleare his mynde rectifie his will and reforme his lyfe and to bring about his good and safetie If a man belieue it not it falleth a-working also presentlie to binde him guiltie vnto judgement and to augment his naturall blyndnesse and his heartes hardnesse and to bring on some degree of the deserved punishment vpon himselfe albeit not of its owne nature but by the disposition of the Object wherevpon it worketh THEN 1. The Worde wanteth not the owne effect whensoever it is preached but alwayes helpeth or hurteth the hearer as hee yeeldeth to it or rejecteth or neglecteth it 2. Wee shall doe well to obserue what sorte of operation it hath vpon vs seeing it must haue some that wee may bee framed to the better by it 4. Another propertie of the Worde It is sharper than anie two-edged Sworde because it pearceth speedilie thorow a brasen Brow and dissembling countenance and a lying mouth and thrusteth it selfe without suffering resistance into the conscience of the most obstinate with a secret blow and maketh him guiltie within his owne Breast THEN 1. Let not Preachers thinke their labour lost when they haue to doe with obstinate sinners The stroke is given at the hearing of the Worde which will bee found vncured after 2. Neyther let dissemblers please themselues with a fayre countenance put vpon the matter as if the Worde did not touch them but rather giue Glorie to GOD in tyme when they are pricked at the heart For if they still dissemble the wound receaved of this Sworde the wound shall prooue deadlie 4. Pearcing even to the dividing a-sunder of the Soule and the Spirit That is Those most secret devyses and plottes of the mynde or spirite and those clossest affections of the heart or soule towardes anie forbidden evill this Worde will finde out yea it can divyde a-sunder the Soule and the Spirit the heart and the mynde and tell the man how his Soule or heart cleaveth to the sinne and how his mynde plotteth pretenses to hyde the evill of it from himselfe and others even in those sinnes which haue not broken foorth but lye as derne in the mynde as the marrow in the bones And it can put difference betwixt the purposes of the heart and the thoughtes how to compasse the designe and howe to hyde the convoy Or those wayes â—owe the Sinner doeth begayle himselfe and secketh to syle the eyes of others the Worde doeth decypher and distinguish all these thinges which selfe-deceaving sophistrie confoundeth THEN 1. Secret purposes fall vnder the judicatorie of the Word as well as practises accomplished 2. Pretenses and excuses will not put off the challenge of it 3. Nothing remayneth but that wee giue vp our selues to the Wordes Governament fleeing what it dischargeth and following what it commaundeth Vers. 13. Neyther is there anie creature that is not manifest in His Sight but all thinges are naked and opened vnto the eyes of Him with whom we haue to doe To cleare the power of the Word hee bringeth in the propertie of GOD whose Worde it is and setteth vp the Sinner's secret thought in the sight of the all-seeing GOD with whom hee hath to doe THEN 1. GOD is the Partie with whome the hearer of the Worde hath to doe and hath his Reckoning to make and not the Preacher 2. GOD joyneth with His Worde and giveth it that searching and discovering and pearcing Vertue 3. GOD'S Omniscience and All-seeing Sight should make vs looke to our inward disposition so shall this and other lyke Exhortations and Threatninges haue better effect and fruit in vs. Vers. 14. Seeing then that wee haue a great High Priest that is passed into the Heavens IESUS the Sonne of GOD let vs holde fast our Profession 1. HEE giveth them a Direction for entering into their Rest To holde fast their Profession That is In fayth and loue to avow the Doctrine of CHRIST THEN 1. Hee that would enter into Rest must bee steadfast in mayntayning and avowing the true Religion of CHRIST 2. Hee who quyteth the Profession of the Trueth of CHRST taketh courses to cutte off himselfe from GOD'S Rest. For if wee denye CHRIST Hee will denye vs. 2. Hee commaundeth To holde fast our Profession THEN 1. GOD will not bee pleased with backe-slyding or coldrysnesse or indifferencie in matters of Religion because this is not to holde it fast but to take a loose grippe which is the readie way to Defection 2. There is daunger Lest our Adversaries pull the Trueth from vs. 3. The more daunger wee fore-see the more stronglie must wee grippe the Trueth 3. The Encowragement which hee giveth to holde fast is Wee haue CHRIST a great high Priest c. THEN 1. As wee haue neede of Threatning to dryue vs to enter into GOD'S Rest So haue wee neede of Encowragementes to drawe vs therevnto 2. All our Encowragement is from the Helpe which wee shall haue in CHRIST and that is sufficient 3. CHRIST is alwayes for vs in His Office albeit wee doe not alwayes feele Him sensiblie in vs. 4. Hee calleth CHRIST A great high Priest to put difference betwixt the typicall high Priest and Him in whom the trueth of the Priesthood is found THEN What the typicall high Priest did in show for the people that the great high Priest doeth in substance for vs That is reconcileth vs to GOD perfectlie blesseth vs with all Blessinges solidlie and intercedeth for vs perpetuallie 5. Hee affirmeth of CHRIST That Hee is passed into the Heavens to wit in regarde of His Manhead to take Possession thereof in our name THEN 1. CHRIST'S corporall presence is in Heaven onelie and not on earth from whence He is passed 2. CHRIST'S corporall presence in Heaven and absence from vs in that respect hindereth not our Right vnto Him and spirituall having or possessing of Him 3. Yea it is our Encowragement to seeke entrie into Heaven that Hee is there before vs. 6. Hee calleth Him IESUS the Sonne of GOD to leade vs through His Humanitie vnto His Godhead THEN No Rest on the Mediator till wee goe to the Rocke of His
historicall believing the trueth of the Gospell partlie by contemplation of the trueth credited Nowe historicall fayth is a taste of that heavenlie gift of justifying fayth because it is a good degree towardes it and contemplation of this trueth bringeth a taste of the thing credited and so of the heavenlie Gift revealed in the Gospell For the contemplation of everie trueth bringeth with it naturallie a delectation such as Philosophers doe finde in their studies And the more eminent the trueth bee no wonder the delectation bee the greater For manie heard Christ's gracious Sermons and wondered and believed his wordes to bee true but Christ did not commit himselfe vnto them for hee knew what was in them 6. Hee may bee made part-taker of the holie Ghost and haue his share of Church giftes distributed by the holie Ghost so as hee can from the light which the holie Ghost giveth him answere other mens doubtes comfort the feeble mynded and edifie others in their fayth by his speaches yea haue the gift of expressing his brayne light both in conference to men and in formall prayer to GOD if hee bee a private man onelie and if hee bee in publicke office may haue the gift of formall preaching and praying in publicke yea in those dayes of the Apostle might haue had the extraordinarie gifts of Tongues Prophesying and Miracles working Therefore sayth Christ Manie will say to mee in that day Lord Lord haue wee not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name haue casten out Devils and in thy Name done manie wonderfull workes To whome Christ will aunswrre I never knew you Departe from mee yee that worke iniquitie MATT. vij 22.23 Nowe this knowledge convincing light and giftes of vtterance c. are from the holie Ghost or else howe could such Apostates as heere are descrybed sinne agaynst the holie Ghost 7. Hee may taste of the good Word of GOD that is finde sweetnesse in the Doctrine of the Gospell and bee convinced of the Goodnesse and Mercie of GOD towardes sinners shyning therein yea and by beholding the possibilitie of his owne salvation vpon this condition If hee will sell all and buy the Pearle hee may taste of GOD'S Merchandize in the blocking for them besyde all the false joyes delusions which hee may get by presuming of the certayntie of his owne salvation and yet in the meane tyme as a foole will not lay downe the pryce will not renounce his earthlie and beastlie affections will not denye himselfe and his owne corruptions The care of this worlde and the deceatfullnesse of Ritches choaking the fruites of the Worde heard as they who receaue the seede amongst thornes Wherefore in tyme of persecution for the Worde hee may by and by bee offended and quyte the Trueth allbeeit with the stonie hearted hearers in tyme of prosperitie hee heard the Worde and anone with joye receaved it MATT. xiij 20.21.22 8. Lastlie hee may taste of the power of the worlde to come that is in contemplation of the Blessednesse promised to the Saynctes in Heaven bee taken with admiration of it yea and haue a naturall desire of it as Balaaâ— did when vpon such a speculation he did wish to die the death of the Righteous and to haue his last ende as his and yet loue the wages of Iniquitie so well as hee quyte not his greede for all his wish of Heaven In a word It is possible that a man impenitent and vnrenewed in his heart may bee a glorious Professour for his out ward behaviour and haue fayre giftes and yet make Apostasie from the trueth when hee getteth a fit Temptation or else how should it bee possible that the Devill should make glorious Professoures and Church-men in all Ages Apostates Persecuters Betrayers of the Trueth to the Adversarie Vnder-myners of the Church of Christ Except they vnder all their show did lodge in their heart the loue of Money and worldlie Ritches more than the loue of Heaven the loue of the prayse of men rather than GOD'S Approbation the lust of their fleshlie ease and pleasure more than the pleasure of OOD the fleshlie feare of those that can kill the Bodie more than of GOD who can cast both Soule and Bodie into Hell And therefore no wonder if for satisfaction of their Ambition Avarice Lustes and earthlie Affections they become readie to sell CHRIST and His Trueth and His Church and their Countrey and All when they find their Merâ—hand and the beloved Pryce offered vnto them 4. OBSERVE HEERE HOW glorious soever these Illuminations and Giftes and Tastinges seeme yet there is no farther heere graunted but Tastinges to such rotten Professoures That which they get is eyther onelie in the Brayne by Knowledge or if there bee anie Feelinges they are but sleeting Motions slowing from temporarie grounds which proceede not from anie Spirituall lyfe in the man nor from a roote in himselfe that is not from the Spirit dwelling in him Such feelinges doe neyther foster nor strengthen him for anie Spirituall Obedience but evanish without chaunging the heart It is true all that the Godlie get in comparison of what hee shall get is but Tastinges Yet in comparison of these fruitlesse tastinges of the vnsound Professoures that which hee getteth is true Eating and Drinking a reall Feeding holding his soule in lyfe and enabling him to worke the workes of GOD to mortifie his Lustes and serue GOD in his spirite 5. OBSERVE That heere hee doeth not challenge those who haue felt these Tastinges for vnsound nor threaten them if they holde on and make progresse THEN 1. The having of Illumination and spirituall Giftes and tastinges of heavenlie thinges is not to bee lightlie esteemed of but acaccounted as steppes and degrees vnto a farther progresse vvherefrae as it is possible some fall away so it is a piece of Advauncement to encowrage men to goe on that they fall not away 2. There is no daunger in having this Illumination oâ— these light Tastinges But all the hazard is to rest vpon them and not to tende towardes Perfection or to fall away after receaving so much Encowragement 3. And therefore wee must not rest on Illumination or common giftes howe glorious soever nor tastinges and feelinges howe sweete soever but seeke still in to a more neare Communion with CHRIST and still more to mortifie our lustes and still to abound in the Fruits of Loue to CHRIST and His Church Vers. 6. If they shall fall away to renewe them agayne vnto Repentance seeing they crucifie to themselues the Sonne of GOD a-fresh and put Him to an open shame 1. HEE sayeth not It is impossible they shall bee saved but that they shall bee renewed by Repentance THEN Apostates salvation is not impossible but because their repentance is impossible and where Repentance is there is no impossibilitie of salvation but a certayntie of salvation rather For Hee that giveth the Repentance Hee declareth His purpose to giue Remission also 2. Hee giveth a reason why
separate from their signification as manie of the Iewes tooke them THEN There is a two-folde Consideration to bee had of the Leviticall Ceremonies One as they are joyned with the Significations and so Promises were made of Attonement by them in the Lawe Another As they were looked vpon by themselues separate from their signification as the carnall Iewes tooke them and rested on them and so they could not perfect the Conscience 2. Hee showeth their endurance saying They were imposed on them vntill the tyme of Reformation That is Till the tyme of the Gospell that CHRIST came with cleare light to perfect Matters THEN 1. These Ceremonies were by GOD imposed vpon no people but them That is The Iewes onelie 2. Neyther were they imposed on the Iewes for ever but for a tyme onelie vntill the tyme of Reformation 3. Seeing the tyme of Reformation by Christ is come these Ceremonies are expyred and abolished 3. Seeing the tyme of the Gospell is the tyme of Reformation or Correction THEN 1. The Shadowes are fulfilled and the Substance is come 2. The Darknesse of Teaching is remooved and the tyme of Clearnesse is come 3. The Pryce of Redemption promised to bee layde downe is nowe payed 4. The Difficultie and Impossibilitie of bearing the Yoake of GOD'S externall Worship is remooved and CHRIST'S easie Yoake in place thereof is come In a worde What-so-ever was then wanting vnder the Lawe of the measure of the Spirit or the meanes to get the Spirit and Fruites thereof is nowe helped in the Frame of the Gospell Vers. 11. But CHRIST beeing come an High Priest of good thinges to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with handes that is to say not of this building TO showe the Accomplishment of these thinges in CHRIST'S Priesthoode hee opposeth His Excellencie to the Imperfection of the Leviticall high Priest's Service thus 1. The Leviticall Priest was Priest of the Shadowes of good thinges but CHRIST Priest of the good thinges Themselues keeping the Dispensation of them proper to His owne person such as are Reconciliation Redemption Righteousnesse and Lyfe c. 2. The Leviticall high Priest had a Tabernacle builded with hands wherein hee served but CHRIST served in a Greater and more Perfect Tabernacle not made with handes That is In the precious Tabernacle of his owne Bodie wherein hee dwelt amongst vs IOHN I. 14 represented by the materiall Tabernacle 3. Hee expoundeth howe the Tabernacle of Christ's Bodie is not made with handes by this That it is not of this building First Because it was not formed by the Arte of anie Bezaleel or Aholiab but by the holie Ghost 2. Albeit the Tabernacle of his Bodie was lyke ours in substance yet for the manner of his holie Conception hee is of another building nor ours For our Tabernacles are builded by naturall Generation of Man and Woman with propagation of Originall Sinne But CHRIST'S Bodie in a singular manner even by the speciall Operation of the holie Ghost in the Wombe of the Virgine And so without Originall Sinne. Vers. 12. Neyther by the blood of Goats and Calues but by His owne Blood Hee entered in once into the Holie Place having obtayned aeternall Redemption for vs. THE Opposition goeth on 1. The Leviticall high Priest entered into the Typicall holie place But CHRIST entered into the Holie Place properlie so called That is into Heaven 2. The Leviticall Priest entered often into the holie Place CHRIST entered but once into Heaven Heereby the Leviticall Priest's entrie was declared to bee imperfect because it behooved to bee repeated But CHRIST'S entrie into Heaven to bee perfect because but once not to bee repeated 3. The Leviticall Priest entered by the bloode of Goates and Calues But CHRIST entered by His owne Bloode 1. AND if CHRIST entered but once into Heaven after His Suffering THEN Wee must not thinke that His Bodie is anie-where else but in Heaven onelie wherein it is once onelie entered 2. If the Bloode whereby CHRIST entered into Heaven was His owne Bloode THEN 1. Verilie CHRIST'S Bodie was lyke ours in substance having BLOOD in it as ours and wee must not conceaue otherwayes of His Bodie than to bee of the same substance and substantiall properties with ours 2. The Bloode belonged to the same person to whome the properties of GOD belongeth so often in this EPISTLE attributed vnto CHRIST His Bloode was the Bloode of GOD ACT. XX. 28 That is The same IESVS vvas GOD and Man with Flesh and Bloode in one person 3. The Fruit of CHRIST'S bloodie Sacrifice hee maketh The aeternall Redemption of those for whom Hee offered it And to the Typicall Sacrifice hee ascrybeth no Redemption at all in the Comparison There-by giving vs to vnderstand 1. That from the Worldes beginning to the ende thereof Salvation of Sinners is by way of CHRIST'S Redemption That is By His loosing them through Payment of a Pryce 2. That the Redemption was manifested to haue force when after His bloodie Sacrifice Hee entered into Heaven 3. That such as are once redeemed by CHRIST are aeternallie redeemed not for a tyme to fall away agayne but aeternallie to bee saved most certaynlie Vers. 13. For if the blood of Bulles and of Goates and the ashes of an Heyfer sprinkling the vncleane sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh Vers. 14. Howe much more shall the Blood of CHRIST who through the aeternall Spirit offered Himselfe without spot to GOD purge your conscience from dead workes to serue the Living GOD TO prooue that aeternall Redemption is the Fruit of CHRIST'S Sacrifice hee resoneth thus If the Typicall Sacrifices and Rites of olde were able to worke that for which they were ordayned that is externall Sanctification Much more shall CHRIST'S true Sacrifice bee able to worke that for which it was appoyncted That is Eternall Remission of Sinnes and inward Sanctification vnto aeternall Lyfe THEN There are two sortes of Sanctification One externall of the flesh which maketh a man holie to the Church what-so-ever hee bee within Another internall of the Conscience and inner man which maketh a man holie before GOD. 2. The purifying of the flesh hee maketh to bee by the exercyse of such and such Ordinances of Divine Service for the tyme. THEN Externall or Church-holinesse of the outward man is procured by such and such Exercyses of Divine Ordinances in the Church as serue to make a man to bee reputed and holden for cleane before men and so to bee receaved for a member of the Church as is to bee seene NVMB. XIX 3. From his forme of reasoning WEE LEARNE That what-so-ever libertie and accesse of comming to the Church was made to the Iew of olde by those Ceremonies of the Law as much and more libertie is made to the Christian to come in to GOD by the Blood of CHRIST 4. In descrybing CHRIST'S Sacrifice hee sayth Christ through the aeternall Spirit offered Himselfe without spot to God THEN 1. CHRIST is both the Sacrifice and
the Priest in one person Hee offered Himselfe as Man through the aeternall Spirit that is By the vertue and power of His owne Godhead by which Hee preached before His Incarnation to Sinners I. PET. III. 19 2. His Sacrifice was without spotte Hee was that spotlesse Lambe in whome was no sinne nor imperfection nor defect of anie thing that the Sacrifice requyred 3. The vertue of the Sacrifice which made it to purchase aeternall Redemption vnto vs floweth from the infinite worth of His aeternall Godhead 4. Albeit CHRIST'S two natures haue their distinct respectes in the actions of His Office yet CHRIST is one and vndivided in the execution of His Office 5. The fruite and force of the Sacrifice is set downe in this that this Bloode shall purge our Conscience from dead workes to serue the living GOD That is Shall both absolue a man from by-gone Sinne and also inable him to serue GOD for tyme to come THEN 1. Sinnes are but dead workes flowing from nature dead in sinne and not onelie deserving but also drawing on Death vpon the Sinner 2. The Conscience lyeth polluted with the filthinesse of dead workes till the vertue of the Blood of IESVS applyed bring intimation of Absolution 3. Christ's Bloode doeth not purge the Conscience from dead workes that a man should goe wallowe in them agayne but that hee may serue the living GOD more acceptablie 4. The purging vertue of Christ's Bloode is joyned with the Sanctifying and Renewing of the absolved Sinner and what GOD hath conjoyned let no man put a-sunder Vers. 15. And for this cause Hee is the Mediator of the New Testament that by meanes of death for the redemption of the transgressions which were vnder the first Testament they which are called might receaue the promise of aeternall inheritance NOw lest anie man should stumble aâ— Christ's Death hee showeth a necessitie thereof in respect of His Office of Mediation and the Purchase to bee made by His Redemption The force of the Reason is this Remission of Sinnes could not haue beene given vnder the Lawe except the Mediatour had beene to pay the pryce of the same vnder the Gospell Nor could the Faythfull and called Ones eyther then 〈◊〉 now obtayne aeternall Lyfe for an Inheritance otherwayes than by the Mediatour's Death Therefore it behooved the true Mediatour by meanes of Death to pay the promised Pryce of the Purchase of Remission of Sinnes and aeternall Lyfe THEN 1. The Remission of Transgressions and the Inheritance of aeternall Lyfe are both Fruits of Christ's Passion 2. The Fruites of His Passion extended themselues vnto them who were vnder the Olde Testament as well as vnto vs vnder the New 3. The Way of Purchase of these Benefites was by Redemption that is to say by lawfull Purchase such as might satisfie Iustice. 4. The Way in speciall was by Meanes of the Mediatour's Death His lyfe was layde downe to redeeme ours His one lyfe as good as all ours 5. For this cause Christ â—â—oke the Office of a Mediatour vnto Himselfe that Hee might haue Right and Enteresse by Death to make this Purchase 6. And therefore except Hee had reallie died the Purchase could not haue beene lawfullie made Vers. 16. For where a Testament is there must also of necessitie bee the death of the Testatour ANother Reason to prooue the necessitie of Christ's death from the force of the word COVENANT which signifieth also a Testament The force of the Reason is this CHRIST IER xxxj 31 promised to make a New Covenant and therefore also a New Testament and if to make a New Testament then also Hee promised to die The Articles of the Covenant also evinceth it to bee a Testament and the Promiser bound to make His Word good and so to die For IER xxxj the Lord Christ promiseth to reconcile his People to GOD to take away their sinnes and to bee their GOD. Iustice requyred satisfaction of them before they could bee reconciled Satisfaction they could not make themselues therefore hee who promised to make the Reconciliation with GOD was bound to make the Satisfaction for them to GOD and if Satisfaction for them then to vnderlâ—e the Curse of the Lawe for them and so to die THEN 1. The Newe Covenant is of the nature of a Testament and the Benefites promised â—herein to wit Remission of Sinnes Reconciliation Sanctification and Lyfe aeternall are Legacie freelie left vnto vs by our Defunct LORD who was dead and is alyue to execute His owne Will for evermore The Scripture is the Instrument and Evidence the Apostles Notares the Sacraments are Seales Witnesses from Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit Witnesses on earth the Water the Bloode and the Spirit 2. Christ Iesus is both the Maker of the Covenant which is in Iâ—REMIE xxxj and the Mediatour thereof also the Testatour and Executour of that blessed Testament 3. Christ's Death was concluded and resolved vpon and intimated before Hee came into the World Vers. 17. For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwyse it is of no strength at all whylest the Testatour liveth HEE cleareth his reasoning from the nature of Testaments amongst men which not before but after a man's death haue force But heere it may bee objected How can this bee seeing by vertue of the Testament of Christ Benefites not a fewe were bestowed vpon the Church before his death from the beginning of the Worlde not onelie Remission of Sinnes and aeternall Lyfe but also manie Graces and Blessings in this lyfe both bodilie and Spirituall I aunswere Albeit CHRIST'S death was not accomplished in act till of late yet for the certayntie of his death to followe and the vnchaungeablenesse of his Mynde towardes his Church before his death hee was reckoned both with GOD and the Church for dead and the Promise of laying downe his lyfe for his People accepted for the tyme as if it had beene performed For which cause hee is called Revel xiij 8 The Lambe slayne from the beginning of the worlde And Christ was still represented as a slayne man in all these Sacrifices which the Apostle poynteth at as meeting this Doubt in the next words which follow heere-after Vers. 18. Vers. 18. Wherevpon neyther the first Testament was dedicated vvithout blood HEE prooveth the necessitie of Christ's death yet farther Vnder the Law his Bloodshed was represented by types of bloodie Sacrifices therefore it behooved those Types to bee aunswered by his reall bloodshed and death THEN 1. What the types of the Lawe did signifie Christ behooved to accomplish in veritie 2. The Olde Church was taught that by vertue of the blood signified by these types the Covenant stoode betwixt GOD and them Vers. 19. For when Moses had spoken everie Precept to all the people according to the Lawe hee tooke the blood of Calues and of Goates with Water and Scarlet Wooll and Hyssope and sprinkled both the Booke and all the people Vers. 20. Saying This is the Bloode of
endure to thinke of a separation will not quyte the true Religion nor anie knowne poynct of CHRIST'S Trueth and is vsing the meanes to get GOD'S Peace albeit it might seeme to it selfe because of the present sense of wrath to bee in the selfe-same estate that is heere descrybed yet is it free as yet of the sinne agaynst the holie Ghost and not to bee reckoned amongst Adversaries but amongst the Friendes and Lovers of CHRIST howe vehementlie so-ever Satan's suggestions beare in the contrarie 3. In that by setting before them the fearfull estate of Apostates from the knowne Trueth of the true Religion hee laboureth to strengthen them agaynst the feare of persecution WHENCE WEE LEARNE That if Apostates before they make Apostasie from the true Religion did fore-see their owne daunger as after Apostasie they are made to fore-see their owne condemnation all the terrour of all the torment which man could put them vnto and all the allurementes which this worlde coulde giue them would not mooue them to quyte the least poynct of the Trueth of true Religion Vers. 28. Hee that despysed Moses law died without mercie vnder two or three witnesses Vers. 29. Of howe much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be thought worthie who hath troden vnder foot the Sonne of GOD and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith hee was sanctified an vnholie thing and hath done despyte vnto the Spirit of Grace HEE prooveth the equitie of their judgement by the proportion of their punishment who despysed the Law of Moses THEN As sinnes are greater so must the punishment bee greater and the Conscience beeing posed as heere can not but subscrybe to the proportion 2. To make the Sinne appeare the better hee poyncteth out some particular sinnes involved within this great Sinne. For clearing whereof it may bee asked Howe can the Apostates treade the Bloode of the Sonne of GOD vnder foote c. I ANSWERE They can not indeede by physicall action but by doing the equivalent sinne they are accounted of GOD to doe it by judiciall interpretation Their Apostasie importeth their agreeing to doe CHRIST as much indignitie as if they did offer Him this personall violence Their deedes showe that they haue this base esteemation of CHRIST and His blood and no better For what sayeth the Apostate of CHRIST by his deede but That Hee is not worthie to bee professed or avowed or followed And what is this in effect but to treade Him vnder all these base thinges which the Apostate preferreth before Him And so is to bee vnderstoode of the Bloode of CHRIST and His Spirit QVEST. But howe can the Reprobate bee sayde to bee sanctified by the Bloode of the Covenant I ANSWERE There is a sanctification to the purifying of the flesh and a sanctification to the purifying of the conscience from dead workes to serue the Living GOD HEBR. ix 13.14 The sanctification externall to the purifying of the flesh consisteth in the man's separation from the world and dedication vnto GOD'S service by Calling and Covenant common to all the members of the visible Church and it is forcible thus farre as to bring a man into credite and esteemation as a Saynct before men and vnto the common Priviledges of the Church wherevpon as Men so GOD also speaketh vnto him and of him as one of His People and dealeth with him in his externall dispensation as with one of His owne People In this sense all the Congregation of Israell and everie one of them is called holie yea Core also and his followers Numb 16.3 The Sanctification internall by renovation consisteth in a man's separation from the state of Nature to the state of Grace from his olde conditions to bee a new creature indeede By this latter sorte a Reprobate can not bee called sanctified but by the former hee may bee called sanctified and that by vertue of the Bloode of the Covenant albeit hee should not get anie farther good thereby For as the Bloode of CHRIST hath vertue to cleanse the Conscience and renew the Soule which commeth vnto it truelie and spirituallie So it must haue force to doe that which is lesse that is purifie the flesh and externall condition of the man who commeth vnto it outwardlie onelie as the Types did vnder the Lawe wherevpon an hypocrite in the Christian Church must bee accounted one of the Congregation of the Saynctes as well as an hypocrite vnder the Lawe was so called because Christ's Bloode can not bee inferiour to the Types which were of this force to sanctifie men to the purifying of the flesh Or wee may say more shortlie There is a sanctification by consecration when anie thing is devoted or dedicated vnto GOD and a sanctification by inhabitation of the holie Spirit 2. Cor. vj. 16.17.18 Of the former sorte the Censers of Core Dathan and Abirim are called holie And the reason is given Because they offered them before the LORD therefore they are halowed Numb xvj 38 And in this sense all the members of the visible Church even such as afterwardes doe prooue Apostates are sanctified because they are offered and offer themselues vnto the LORD But the inhabitation of the holie Spirit is proper onlie to the Elect and GOD'S Children HENCE LEARNE 1. That all the members of the visible Church are so confederate vnto GOD that it is sacriledge for them not to seeke GOD'S Honour in all thinges or to bestowe themselues anie other way than for GOD. 2. Men are reckoned by GOD so to deale with CHRIST and His Blood and Covenant and Spirite as they make account thereof as they haue esteemation of CHRIST and His Bloode and Spirit 3. And their esteemation is not reckoned by their wordes or pretences but by their deeds as these doe importe so are they judged to esteeme 4. Because Apostasie from CHRIST importeth as much as Hee and His Doctrine are vnworthie to bee avowed or mayntayned by consequence it importeth also that CHRIST was not the Man Hee called Himselfe and that all His Spirite had taught them was vntrueth and therefore justlie heere doeth the Scripture challenge the Apostate of counting CHRIST'S Bloode no better than the blood of a common Malefactor and of giving the Lie to the HOLIE SPIRIT So fearfull a thing is it to make Defection from anie knowne parte of true Religion Vers. 30. For wee knowe Him that hath sayd Vengeance belongeth vnto Mee I will recompence sayth the LORD And agayne The LORD shall judge His People IN that hee prooveth the certayntie of their punishment out of Deuter. xxxij 35.36 LEARNE 1. That the justice and constancie of GOD'S Trueth in generall threatninges is sufficient to prooue the certayne punishment of particular sinnes 2. The punishment of Apostates of one kynde may evidence the punishment of Apostates of another kynde For it is the IEWES Apostasie to Idolatrie and worshipping of Images which in that place the LORD doeth threaten 2. Hee maketh the knowing of GOD who speaketh a proofe sufficient