sin And that is the reason why Men hate the light and those that hold it forth because it maketh their sin cast shadow it maketh the shame of their sin to appear which was hidden before in the dark CHAP. 8. Of the Creation of Man after the Image of God SECT 1. THus much of the second point sc. Gods Creation of both Sexes I now proceed to the third viz. That God made Man in his own Image which cleerly appeareth both in the story of the consultation between the glorious persons of the blessed Trinity and also in the relation of the execution of his consultation here in my Text. Now for the opening this point two things are to be considered 1. What is an Image in General 2. Wherein this Image of God in Man consisteth An Image is such a likeness of a thing as doth bear a special relation to the thing resembled by it either as flowing from its Beeing or framed according to it so that every Image of a thing is like unto the thing whose Image it is but every thing that is like another is not an Image of it Any thing that is of the same colour wiâ—h another thing may be said to be like unto it but not an Image of it But in an Image besides likeness there is required one of these two things either that it be expressed by the essence of that whose Image it is or els that it be purposely fashioned according to it In the former sense none but the Eternal son of God is the true Image of God the father as he is called the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his person And so a Son may be said to be the Image of his Father as Adam is said after his fall to have begotten a Son in his own likeness after his Image In the other sense an Image is that which is made like to another framed of purpose to resemble it So is a picture or a statue made by Art to represent some person and such was the Image of God in Man for the Lord did purposely as you see by the consultation make Man like himself to resemble him and to bear his Image SECT 2. IN the second place I come to shew wherein this Image of God in Man consisteth and what it is This was in general that Perfection which God gave unto Man in his first Creation for God is a most perfect Beeing infinite in all divine perfection therefore that perfection which Man had above all other Creatures here below was the Image of God in Man Now this perfection was two-fold Principal Less Principal Principal in the Soul this is fully laid down unto us in these two places Colos. 3 10. Yee have put off the old Man and have put on the new Man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him and that Ephes. 4.24 That yee put on the new Man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness where we see the several powers of the Soul had their several perfections and there is no faculty of the Soul which may not be made perfect by these so that in these did the Image of God consist Object But it may be said that in those two places St Paul speaks of regeneration or the new birth and not of that old and first Creation in the beginning Sol. It is true and this maketh for our purpose for the Apostle sheweth here that the Image of God consisteth in these perfections now the Image of God restored by regeneration is the same which was given by Creation at the first and that building which Adam pulled down by his sin our Saviour built up again by his obedience and mediation As in Adam all die even so by Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15.22 That is Christ shall make up that which was undone by Adam there cannot be any thing named for matter of substance that Adam lost but Christ restored it and therefore he is called the second Adam and in the comparison between them and the first Adam it is said the first Man Adam was made a living Soul and the second Adam was made a quickning Spirit ver 45. That is the first Adam was made a living soul by Creation living the life of nature by the substance and faculties of his Soul united to his Body and a supernatural life too by the Image of God in his Soul and had he continued in that estate he should have conveyed the same life both natural and supernatural to his posterity but losing that supernatural life consisting in the Image of God he remained a meer living Soul and no better one that had but only the life of nature left him arising out of the essence and natural powers of the Soul and so could only convey this natural life to his posterity whose Souls were dead in sin to whom he could not impart any quickening vertue to raise them unto that supernatural life in holiness and righteousness But Christ was a quickening Spirit not only having this supernatural life in himself but also quickening those with a new principle of supernatural life to whom he is joyned by the Spirit and so he is called a second Adam as being the founder of a new generation of Men for as all Men by nature do spring of the first Adam so all Christians by grace do come of the second Adam and receive that spiritual life from him again which the first Adam received but lost Now if the first Adam had continued in his first estate and kept the Image of God there had been no need of the second Adam for all Men by their natural birth should have received from him that supernatural life together with the natural But this first Adam having lost the Image of God was now but the Author of an imperfect generation of Men naturally alive but spiritually dead and therefore there was need of a second Adam who should be the Author of a new birth and should give a new a second a spiritual life and Beeing to those who were naturally dead in trespasses and sins so that by this it is plain that that new Beeing and spiritual life which Christ by his spirit restoreth to his Members is that very Image of God which God made in Man at the first and this you see doth principally consist in knowledge holiness and righteousness which are the perfections of the understanding judgment conscience will and affections CHAP. 8. SECT 1. 1. FOr his understanding he had all knowledge needfull for a perfect Man both concerning the Creator and the Creatures his Creator he knew perfectly perfectly I say not in regard of the object or person known who is infinite but in regard of the subject or person knowing Mans understanding was not infinite and therefore could not have such a knowledge of God as was a full declaration and apprehension of an infinite God but
Sun at the same time and in the same place hardeneth one thing and softeneth another so the word is a means to soften some hearts and an occasion though not a cause of greater hardeness to others as the Sun killed some things by its scorching heat and quickneth other things so the word is to some the savour of life unto life and to others the savour of death unto death Many other meditations may you gather by comparing this excellent creature of God with that more excellent word of God SECT 2. NOw let us compare the Sun with Christ himself he is called the Sun of Righteousness of whom it was said that he should arise with heaâ—ing in his wings Malach. 4 2. 1. The coming of the Sun gladdeth the world oh how joyfull was that news when the Sun of righteousness was reported to be risen upon the earth when the Angels said to the Shepherds behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all people Luk. 2.10 Oh how happy is the soul of a Christian when after a night of natural blindness after a stormy night of errours in the conscience this blessed Sun riseth upon the soul shineth upon the heart drâ—veth away clouds darkeness guilty fears diâ—â—rustfull thâ—ughts 2. As the Sun is sometimes hidden so sometimes Christ doth withdraw the sence of his gracious presence from his beloved The spouse in the song of songs sought long ere she could find him when once he stepped aside As the Sâ—n returning maketh the earth which was benummed in winter to spring and bring forth fruit again so when Christ is effectually present and united to the soul he causeth a spring of grace and fruits of the spirit to arise in that soul. Let the Meditation hereof move thee to lament thy barrenness and cry with that blessed Martyr at the stake Son of God shine upon me shine upon my soul heal it quicken it make it fruitfull to thy glory It is an argument that they are far from Christ who bring forth no fruits pleasing unto God but yet remain in a carnal estate 3. Consider also that those fruits are most sweet and pleasant commonly which grow toward the Sun-rising and have the morning Sun to ripen and bring them to perfection so the zeal and obedience of the Christians who lived presently after our Saviours resurrection in the primitive Church and in the times of the Apostles was most excellent and so the graces and obedience of such as remember their Creatour in the days of their youth and consecrate the first fâ—uits of their time unto God are exceeding pleasing and acceptable unto him 4. When the Sun setteth at night and leaveth us in the dark we doubt not but that he will return again so when Christ seemeth to withdraw himself from a faithful soul on which he hath cast the sweetest beams of comfort and refreshment let such a one know for his comfort that he will rise again this night will not always last though it be a long Winters night a tedious time of desertion yet a dawning yea a perfect day will follow it when the face of Christ shall shine again upon it Again as the Sun never so setteth as not to shine at all but when it setteth to one part of the world it ariseth to another so Christ never withdraweth his light from the whole world but although he removeth from one nation yet he shineth upon another he hath a Church in all ages 5. Again as among those fruits which grow in the earth such as grow most toward the Sun are sweetest such as are most in the shade are sowrest so among those Christians which are united unto Christ those who have more free and constant communion with him partaking most of his spirit keeping more close to him than others they bring forth most sweet and savoury fruits of obedience their services have a more pleasing and heavenly relish of the spirit in them than theirs who though they partake of some life and warmth from Christ yet have it in aless degree and are less careful to remove such things out of the Sun as hide the face of Christ from them Therefore this should move us to draw neer unto him to dwell wiâ—h him to walk iâ— the light of his countenance then should we esteem his love to be better than life so should we delight more in him and both we and our services would be more pleasing to him Ephesus was charged with the decay of first-love surely this decay of heat had never been but that she had withdrawn her self from the Sun she did not keep so close to Christ as before perhaâ—s the world did get between Christ and her heart and kept off the heat and thereupon she cooled And as you shall see some agâ—d person whose blood is cold to stand in the Sun for warmth so let us close with Christ Iesus come home to hâ—m that we may receive heat from him and let us be more watchful that we step not aside from him in time to come 6. As the Sun is able more effectually to thaw and melt the frozen ice than many thousand men with axes and bettles so the presence of Christ and his love manifested to the soul and shed into it is more effectual in melting an hard frozen heart into sound godly sorrow than a thousand threats or terrours of the law Therefore let not an afflicted soul put back the hand of God tendering unto it the offers of grace in Christ-Iâ—sus because it is not yet sufficiently humbled but so long as its conscience beareth witness that it seeketh not mercy for a cloak of sin but for a motive to obedience let it with confidence apply the promises knowing that the apprehension of the love of Christ shining upon the soul is of all other the most ready and the most excellent means kindly and sweetly to melt and softâ—n the heart and to conform it to the will of God this will make it yeeld and fit it to receive any stamp of grace that now it will be like wax before the fire that will be moulded as it shall please the hand of God Therefore do not stand back from Christ because thou art sensible of too much hardeness in thy heart but rather come to him that this hardeness may be removed and thy heart may melt at his love 7. Let the glory and excellency of the Sun make thee to admire the infinite glory and excellency of its Maker if the Sun cannot long be lookâ—d on with a steady-eye oh then how doth God dwell in that light which cannot be approached unto who can stand before him 〈◊〉 Angels may well hide their faces at his presence where then shall man appear in the rags of his pollutions Oh learn to contemn all the glory of the earth in comparison of his infinite excellency who made the Sun it self of nothing which is more worth than the whole earth and all its
thee CHAP VII Meditations on the fifth Days Work SECT 1. COme we now to the fifth day which with us is usually called Thursday the story of which days work we have laid down in Gen. 1.20 21 22 23. Wherein the waters were furnished with fishes and other Creatures that live there and the air with fouls and such creatures as live in it 1. Here consider that after those four days when the heavens were furnished with lights and the earth beautified with plants springing out of it by vertue of the word of God yet all this while there was not one creature throughout the whole Creation that had sense or power to move from place to place not one fly or the least thing moving in the air not one fish swimming throughout the seas rivers or other waters not one worm creeping on the earth here then admire the wonderful power and wisdom of God who on the fifth day by his All-commanding word filled the air with multitudes of Creatures flying there the waters with abundant of fishâ—s swimming there this was done even in a moment Consider what numberless swarms there were both of fouls and fishes brought forth on the fifth day whereas the very day before there was not one of any kind to be found in any part of the Creation And as the wisdom of God joined these two sorts of creatures together so he made in many respects a special affinity between them as the fouls are covered with feathers so the fishes with scales as the fouls move in the air so do the fishes in that element which cometh nearest the nature of the air as the fouls have wings to fly withall so the fishes have â—innes whereby they swimme and that is a motion very like to that of flying yea some of either kind do communicate with each other in their element for as we have water-fouls so there have been flying-fish in great abundance so that here you may magnifie the wisdome of God who in the day that these creatures were made did imprint upon them such properties and qualities as should be evidences to the end of the world in some sort that they were but the work of one and the same day 2. Consider here that as the Lord hath appointed the fouls to fly in the air and the fishes to swimme in the sea confining each to his own element for the general though some few particulars be suffered to live in both this should teach us to walk within the compass of our callings and not to think we shall mend our selves in a different element or another kind of course without some special cause Some few may have some special warrant to change their callings as Amos to leave his flock and teach the people and Peter to leave his nets and fish for men These had an immediate call from God and so I dare not deny but that in case of great necessity when the Church is destitute of able Ministers some well-studied in the Scriptures and experienced in the mysteries of grace may take upon them the office of the Ministry being lawfully separated unto that function yet this will prove no more that every one may at his pleasure run from the shop to the pulpit than it will follow that all the fishes in the sea may fly up into the air because some few do so And this should especially â—each Christians who are called unto holiness to take heed how they leave their element They are bidden to walk in the spirit even as birds fly in the air and in this element they must keep for as the air giveth breath unto the fouls that fly in it so the sanctifying spirit giveth the new life unto those that walk in him the waters would choak and drown the fouls if they should fall into them so sin is that which endangereth the spiritual life when a christian falleth into it The air giveth a speedy flight and motion to the Birds whereas the waters would wet their wings and cause them to move but slowly if they fall into it so the spirit when a Christian walketh in it carrieth him along with winged-affections and setteth his heart in a speedy motion upon the things of God making him ready unto every good work but if he fall into sin which is like the waters of the dead sea that Lake of Sodom his heart is like a bird drenched in water his affections are deaded his heart moveth but slowly yea many times he lieth for dead and there is scarce any motion of the spirit to be discerned in him And as in such cases a foul had need of more than ordinary means to help as to be held over a warm fire c. So a christian that he may recover his wings again and have his heart spiritually affected and enlarged toward God had need of special humiliation special meditation pâ—aier and other warming and quickening means to raise him up 3. As the air giveth breath and motion so also it giveth support to the birds and it carrieth them even as the earth doth the beasts which go up and down upon it so doth the spirit also give support unto all that are born of the spirit They are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation If it were not ordinary it might seem strange that the air which none can see being so thin a substance should carry so many millions of souls as there are in it flying up and down wonderful is the power of the blessed invisible spirit who supporteth so many thousand christians by his sanctifying vertue against all the powers of darkness 4. As these birds do now live in the air so were the fouls created in the air at the first so whosoever walketh in the spirit was also born of the spirit he had his begining in this element 5. Consider that as the Birds although they live and move in the air yet they come down to receive some refreshment from the earth so the Lord alloweth his children to receive some nourishment from the earth and to partake of its refreshments yet so as they must not delight in the earth as in their element nor in the things of the earth as their chiefest contentment but like the birds of heaven having supplied their necessities must be ready to soar aloft again and not in their affections be still groveling here below 6. You see how sparingly the birds take of the water a bird doth not drink like a beast it rather sippeth so should a christian sparingly use the pleasures of this life rather sipping like the bird than swilling like the swine As for those that give themselves to drink down iniquity like water and to commit sin with greediness they are none of those who have their conversation in heaven nay those that glut themselves with earthly pleasures knowing no better contentments than in such things as please the senses the appetite the eyes ears tast c. They