out of him so the Church was hid in Christ formed and drawn out of Christ cast into the deep sleep of death Ezek. 47.11 John 19.34 O rejoyce in Christs Testament glory in his Riches Triumph in his Salvation that when sin reigns over most unto death grace should reign over you thro' the Righteousness of Christ unto Eternal life 2 Cor. III. 6. Who also hath made us Able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit For the Letter Killeth but the Spirit giveth Life IN the words 1. we have a Subject spoken of and that is the New Testament as it is distinguished from the Old Testament which was not the Covenant of Works but the Covenant of Grace wrapt up in Types and Figures more darkly Administred Galat. 3.18 2. The Apostle insists on this New Testament and commends it that it is Spirit and not Letter 1 John 17. that is the Holy Ghost doth eminently and signally manifest himself in this New Testament Dispensation It is Filled it is Enriched it is Ennacted by the Holy Ghost he doth so breath in it and worketh it that it may well be called Spirit and not Letter The Gospel is not a meer Literal Doctrine or Command but mightily animated by the Spirit if it were only Letter it would kill us frail and weak Greatures exacting Duty And requiring Obedience of us that are Impotent yea dead Creatures but it is Spirit and so it gives Life The Holy Ghost enlightens Blind Minds softens Hard Hearts and Quickens Dead Souls The effectual Workings of the Spirit are called the Law of the Spirit and this Law of the Spirit of Life is said to make free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 This is a Law that is all Power and consists wholly in Execution 3. The Apostle informs us of the Honour and Dignity of Gospel-Officers for they are Ministers of this New Testament 4. The Apostle glorifies God and instructs us how it is that Officers do become able Ministers of this New Testament It is God that made Paul and others Able Ministers of the New Testament The words afford us Three Doctrines 1st That there is a New Testament 2dly That Gospel Officers are Ministers of this New Testament 3dly That it is God that doth make Men able Ministers of the New Testament 1. Doctrine that there is a New Testament We may observe and admire the Wisdom of God that first there was a Promise then a Covenant then a Testament this last the best and most Noble Edition of the Covenant of Grace this is called the New Testament to distinguish it from the Old Testament First The Old Testament was made with one Nation in the day that the Lord took Israel by the hand to lead them out of the Land of Egypt but it is God's design by Christ and the New Testament to gather together into one all the Children of God that are scattered abroad John 6.52 Christ Preacheth now not onely to the Jews that were nigh but also to the Gentiles that were afar off Ephes 2.17 2. The First Testament had Moses for â Mediator Gal. 5.19 The Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth comes by Jesus Christ 1 John 17. Jesus is the Madiator of the New Testament Heb. 9.15 The Old Testament was accompanied with Figures and Shadows of things to come 2 Col. 17. The Law had a shadow of good things to come and not the very Image of the Things that is Christ himself and the very Live Image of Spiritual things were not then exhibited Righteousness was not yet brought Atonement was not yet made the Fountain was not yet opened for sin and uncleanness The Law and Prophets Prophesied till John Matth. 1.13 they spake of Christ and foretold the Glorious things of the Gospel as yet to come but now the Kingdom of God is clearly discovered and is Preached as come Luke 7.16 I ourthly The Old Testament and the Ceremonial Law made nothing perfect Heb. 7.19 but did introduce the Hope of a better Priest and of a more Noble Sacrifice but Christ by one Offering hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified On the day of Atonement there was a remembrance of all the Sins committed that year which did shew the weakness and imperfection of those Sacrifices in that there was a Remembrance again made of Sins But in this the Excellency and Perfection of Christ's Sacrifice appears in that it did purge and put away Sin and God on the account of it made that Promise Your Sins and Iniquities I will Remember no more Heb. 10.17 18. Fifthly The Old Testament was confirmed by the Blood of Beasts Moses killed Sacrifices and took the Blood of them and sprinkled it on the People saying behold the Blood of the Covenant that God hath made with you But the New Testament was confirmed with better Blood Christs Blood is the Blood of Sprinkling and the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant Heb. 12.24 Heb. 13.20 Sixthly The Old Testament was weak and faulty it did not it could not purge Conscience by the Blood of Brutish Sacrifices neither could it introduce the Law of God into the Soul and write it in the Heart but the New Testament is strong and powerful it makes those that were barren to bear and rejoyce Isa 54.1 And by it the Law of God is writ in the Heart and put into the inward parts and the Soul is Renewed and Transformed to walk with and live to God 7thly The Old Testament waxed old and did vanish away but the New Testament remains abides and is Everlasting Heb. 13.20 the Blood of Christ is still fresh and therefore his Testament is still new He offered one Sacrifice for Sins for ever Heb. 10.12 His Sacrifice is of an Everlasting Virtue and the way made by it to the true Holy of Holies is living and still new Heb. 10.19 and the Covenant and Testament built on this Everlasting Sacrifice must need be Everlasting This is God's last speaking to the World and it shall never give place to any other Covenant Heb. 7.1 This is a better Covenant or Testament established on better Promises than the Covenant of Works was Heb. 8.6 yea the Promises of the New Testament are clearer and exhibit more grace than the Promises of the Old Testament The Old Covenant is compared to and set forth by Hagar that was a young Woman and had Natural Strength to conceive and bare a Son Gal. 4.24 25. with Isa 54.1 but the New Testament is set forth by Sarah that was barren and was made fruitful by a supernatural power Acts 1.11 The Promises of the Law do respect the strength that God first put into Man and are built on the obedience to be performed by this strength but the New Testament is built on a Spiritual and Supernatural strength put into the Soul by the Holy Ghost For the opening and Explication of this New Testament I shall insist on these several
good things for us else he could not bequeath them to us We were such Criminals such guilty Creatures that Jesus Christ could not live and give any good to us or bestow any Spiritual Blessing on us but he must die to bequeath Legacies all Spiritual Good Things must come swiming to us in the Blood of Jesus Christ 3. That Jesus Christ should empty himself to fill us impoverish himself to inrich us You know saith Paul The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we through his Poverty might be Rich 2 Cor. 8 9. The Lord of Heaven and Earth the Heir of all things was in a meaner and lower condition than Birds and Foxes The Birds of the Air have Nests and Foxes have Holes but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his Head Luke 9.58 The Curse took hold of him that the Blessing might flow to us Death came to him that Life might be derived to us 4. Consider how sweet comfortable and refreshing Christ's Testament is 1. In a Covenant there are Two Parties obliging themselves to each other but in a Testament there is but one Party Bequeathing and that is Christ 2. Covenants are Vacated and Disanulled by the Death of one or both of the Confederates but a Testament is not disanulled but established by the Death of Christ We are Heires in Reversion and Heires in Possession by our own Death 3. A Testament is irrevocable because it is built on something past and that cannot be undone Jesus Christ hath died and this gives eternal force to his Testament The Benefits and Legacies of Christ's Testament come to us in a Righteous way what he Bequeathes he Purchases and there is a powerful and effectual way to execute Christ's Testament The Holy Ghost fulfills the Promises and bestowes the Legacies of this Testament Men are Taught and do know God as the true God and their God they are drawn and do choose God for their God and Portion and do sincerely become a Peculiar People to him and they are caused to walk in his Statutes and to keep his Judgments and Commands 2d Vse of Exhortation 1. Branch O seek to have Benefit by Christ's Testament to be his Legatees yea his Heires O be not contented with a short Reprieve and with meer Patience and Forbearance Do not satisfie your selves with some present Almes of Mercy and Temporary Relief but seek a Rich and lasting Portion an Eternal Inheritance Let not this quiet you that you are Stewards of Temporal Things but make sure you shall be Heires of an everlasting Salvation and Kingdom Do not onely catch at God's Riches in Earthly things Psal 10.24.3 but lay hold of the Riches of Christ for Eternity Ephes 8. O prize and secure your Interest in this Testament for 1. It mainly and principally respects the Soul and Eternity The Soul shall find rest Matth. 11.28 Isa 55.2 of it self in fatness and obtain Salvation 1 Pet. 1.9 2. This is a Comprehensive Testament here is Grace given and Glory bequeathed 1. Galat. 6. 2 Thes 2.14 3. Here are the greatest most precious and Invaluable Legacies bestowed God gives himself as our God Father and Portion Jer. 31.33 and Jesus Christ bestowes himself as a Head Husband and Saviour 2 Cor. 12. Ephes 5.23 That you may have benefit by this New Testament I would Counsel and Advise these Two things 1. O be Married to Jesus Christ the Testator Rom. 7.4 as Adam awaked out of his deep sleep to Marry Eve so Christ is awaked and Risen from the Dead to Marry poor Soules and to settle his Riches and Inheritance on them 2. Cry and seek for the Spirit Luke 12.2.13 he is the Faithful and Powerful Executor of Christ's Testament he can open blind Eyes break hard Hearts quicken dead Soules 2d Branch of the Vse of Exhortation O be Grateful be Thankful to the Testator that hath established this New Testament give your selves to Christ 2 Cor. 5.5 and serve him Psal 22.30 Yield your selves to God as those that are alive from the dead Rom. 13. Offer your selves to God as living Sacrifices Rom. 12. Turn to Christ Acts 11.21 Run to Christ Isa 55.15 Live to him 2 Cor. 5.15.54 Be his Portion and Possession Isa 53.12 Psal 2.8 Be First-Fruits to God and the Lamb as those that are obliged to it by Redemption and as those that are enabled thereunto by Regeneration We are Redeemed to be First-Fruits we are Begotten to be First-Fruits Rev. 14.4 James 1.18 2d Doctrine Gospel Officers are Ministers of the New Testament this is their Honour and Glory that they are sent forth into the World with the Word and glad Tidings of Reconciliation in their Mouths and the Testament of the Son of God in their Hands 1. They are to reveal to the World this Great Secret this deep and wonderful Mystery that the Son of God hath set his House in Order and made his last Will and Testament The World is an utter stranger to this Supernatural Truth the Church only knows it and is acquainted with it Psal 25.14 This is spoken of as a great Mercy that God will Reveal this Secret and shew his Covenant unto any 2. Christ's Officers are to open explain and expound this Testament it is so Rich Full and Comprehensive that Ministers may Study Meditate Contemplate on it all their days and Preach it throughout their whole Life This is the Eminent and Noble Employment of Ministers to Preach to the World the unsearchable Riches of Christ 2 Cant. 3. 2 Cor. 2.14 They are to give forth the Savour of Christ's Ointments to pour out his Name as Ointment to shed abroad the sweet savour of the Knowledge of God and Christ in every place to bear Christ's Name before the World Acts 9.15 The Church is compared to a Company of Horses in Pharaohs Chariot as by her Officers she draws Christ's Spiritual Chariot and him sitting in it through the World 1 Cant. 9. with 3 Cant. 9 10. 3. They are to urge and press on Men to lay hold of this Covenant of this Testament of the Son of Cod As it is eminent Grace in God to shew us this Covenant Psal 25.14 so it is our main and most important duty to lay hold on this Covenant on this Testament Isa 56.4.6 We have nothing to relieve our Fainting and Famishing Soules we have nothing to bear up our sinking Spirits but the Testament of Christ 1. Here is a most clear Revelation of Spiritual and Eternal things Life and Immortality is brought to light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 The way to the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first Tabernacle was yet standing the Vaile stood and continued before the most Holy Place notwithstanding all the Sacrifices of the Law but when Christ died the Vaile of the Temple was rent from the top to the bottom and we have boldness to enter into the Holiest even
into Heaven it self by the Blood of Christ The invisible World is more discovered 2. This Covenant and Testament is ordered in all things 2 Sam. 23.5 it is so wisely ordered as that it meets with all our Objections and may silence them It meets with our doubts and fears and may banish them It meets with all our wants and supplies them It is so ordered that there is a Legacy suited to all the Noble and Principal faculties of our Souls 1. God Promises concerning his Elect People that they shall all know him from the greatest to the least Isa 31.34 Here is a Legacy of Light and Knowledg to the understanding 2. God promises Pardon that he will be merciful to Unrighteousness and will remember Sins and Iniquities no more in the same Text. Here is a Legacy to the Conscience It is Pardon that doth quite Conscience and establish its peace 3. There is a further Legacy that God will write his Law in the Heart and put it into the inward parts this is a pretious and noble Legacy to the Will to renew byass and rectify it 3. This Testament hath the strongest confirmation Of old God gave his Oath to shew the immutability of his Counsel Heb. 6.17 19. That the Heirs of Promise might have strong Consolations but now the Son of God hath bled and his Testament is established by his own death Heb. â— 15 4. What can we look for if we are not interested in this Testament A day of Wrath Vengeance and Destruction will be our portion We shall be stript and deprived of all Good and be loaded and burthened with all Evil We shall be felled down as barren Trees for the Fire be vinnowed as chaff out of the Floor into the Furnace and be silled up as Vessels of Wrath. 1. Vse Of Information This shews us how Excellent and Honourable the Office of Christs Ministers is that they are imployed and conversant about the Testament of the Son of God that they are to open its Fulness Explain and discover its Riches and to urge and press Men to lay hold of it They are to warn Men of their danger out of Christ and to press Men to fly into the City of Refuge and sit down under the shadow of Christ and so to flee from the wrath to come They are to beseech Men through the Mediator to be Reconciled to God and to woo Men to be Espoused to Christ 2 Col. 13. They are to set forth the free Grace of God in forgiving giving all Trespasses and in giving liberally and largely according to his Divine Power he gives all things that appertain to Life and Godliness 2 Pet. 13. Rom. 8.32 And freely with Christ gives all things also 2. Vse If Gospel-officers are Ministers of the New Testament this may Reprove such as call themselves and would be accounted Ministers of the New Testament yet only Preach and press Moral Duties and build up a Natural Religion but seldom or very little touch on the great Principles and Truths of the Gospel as if there were no Testator or New Testament They urge Duty but they little themselves understand and therefore are very unable to Reveal to others How Men shall recover Life and Righteousness attain Power and Strength and to partake of the Eternal Inheritance They Treat of the New Covenant as if it were only a Mistress to command Work and not as a Mother to give Life and Strength As if Christ was little more than a Political Head to make Laws and exact Obedience to them and not a Natural Head to give Life and influences to his Members to enablthem to obey 3. Vse Are Christs Officers Ministers of the New Testament Then 1. This should encourage Ministers to Preach and People also to Hear 1. This should encourage Ministers to Preach the Gospel cannot be wholly Preached in vain Jesus Christ must have Sons to bear up his Name Psal 72.17 and Heirs to possess his Goods and Inheritance He that sowed in Tears must reap in Joy he must see his seed and the Travel of his Soul and be satisfied God's Promises to Christ must be fulfilled and executed that he shall have the Heathen for his Inheritance the utmost parts of the Earth for his Possession God's great Servant must receive a great and glorious Reward for his Work All King's must fall down before him as Worshippers all Nations must serve him Psal 72.10 11. When Ministers Preach the Gospel the Hand of the Lord is with them Acts 11.21 to open hearts to break the Rock in pieces to draw Men to Christ to subdue them to his Kingdom and Government As Christ speaks in so he works with his Ministers when they Preach Christ ingrafts the Word 2 Cor. 13.3 with Mark 16. last Jam. 1.21 And when they Teach the Spirit writes an Epistle and powerfully impresses the Doctrine of the Gospel on Mens Souls the Wilderness must be manured and Sowed The Meal of Men must be Levened Christ will come forth as a deliverer and turn Men from Ungodliness Rom. 11.26 He will Circumcise the Heart to love him and Baptize with the Spirit make Men free from the Law of Sin and Death 2 Col. 11. Matth. 3.9 Rom. 8.2 Psal 110.3 and render them a willing People in the day of his Power Isa 9.6 He will beget a Holy seed as an Everlasting Father and quicken Souls dead in Sins and Trespasses as he is the Resurrection and the Life 2. This should perswade and incourage Men to hear and listen to the Ministers of the New Testament It is very necessary that Men should bâ— rescned and delivered from the Covenant oâ— Works from a killing Letter and a Ministry oâ— Condemnation O listen to the Ministers of thâ— New Testament lay hold of it do not makâ— light of all that Christ hath purchased and bequeathed Do not continue Spiritually poor oâ— be shut out of the Kingdom and come short of thâ— Glory of God Do not satisfy your selves witâ— momentary Enjoyments till you are driven out 〈◊〉 this Earth and turned into Hell Attend on thâ— dispensation of the Gospel it is clothed and anâ—mated with the Spirit this is a Seed so powerful that is changes the Soul It is a writing thaâ— alters the Table and turns a Heart of Stone inâ—â— a Heart of Flesh 2 Cor. 3.3 The Gospel is 〈◊〉 Glass that changes the Spectators and transformâ— them into the glorious Image of God 2 Cor. 〈◊〉 last The Holy Ghost is as a Tongue of fire oâ— them so that they do not speak cold words bâ—â— they throw Coals into the bosomes of Sinners anâ— cast chaines of light and love about Souls Cant. 6 7. Isa 45.14 They sow but God makes tâ—â— Seed to take root and grow 2 Cor. 3.6 7. Minâ—sters do call Sinners to come out of their Prisoâ— but Christ opens the door Acts 16.14 They bâ— Sinners to rise and come out of their Graves Epâ— 5.1 but it is Christ that breathes Life into theâ—