and so are changed into it more and more in sanctification from glory to glory Whatsoeuer boldnesse of face and glory of countenance or libertie of speach wee may haue towardes men in and by our selues and our workes wee haue none towards God but by Faith in Christ Rom. 4.1 First the Law indites arraignes and stops our mouth as Rom. 3.19 shame and confusion couers our faces and then Christ lifts vp our head as Psal 3.3 Thou art my glory and the lifter vp of my head Yea hee annoints our head with oyle giues vs the oyle of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse 2. Cor. 1.21 1. Ioh. 2.20 27. as God hath created oyle to make the face to shine gloriously Therefore contrarily by the law in humiliation they cast durt on their heads and couered their faces in pleading their guiltinesse and in dayes of fasting the Pharises were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 6.16 Now Christ our high Priest was annointed with this oyle of gladnesse aboue his fellowes that it might lift vp his face for vs in the sight and presence of God to appeare before him and wee receiue an anointing from this holy One and hee annoints our faces with oyle of ioy for this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which word signifies specially freedome and glory of speech in prayer or praises of God and thankesgiuings for in Christ wee haue a new mouth a new speach tongue and language of Canaan The end of mans creation being chiefely to glorifie God Adam was created with an excellent mouth and tongue wherewith to glorifie him which was his greatest glory life happines but by hearkning to Sathans blasphemous mouth and tongue belying and dishonouring God and beleeuing it he and all his posteritie haue lost their naturall mouth tongue and language and haue the mouth and language of Satan readier to blaspheme and curse God then to pray to him or to prâ—ise him and being man become earth and lacking the Image and Gloâ—ie of God and borne of the earth Ioh. 3 3â— he speakes of the earth as an earth-worme with an earthly mouth rising out of the dust As Satan is a lyer so is euery man from the wombe going astray and speaking lies Therefore Christ giues a new mouth tongue and language if we hearken to him as our only Prophet and Rabbi and a new 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by his spirit of Glory in vs according to his gracious couenant in Christ Isa 59.21 And I will make this my couenant with theÌ„ saith the Lord My spirit that is vpon thee and my words which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seede nor out of the mouth of the seede of thy seede from henceforth and for euer Therefore Christ is called the Truth Iohn 14.6 But first he is the Way then the Truth our Way to God and our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Priest and then is he the Truth and giues vs a new mouth But these particulars appeare more fully in the obseruations only thus much for vnfolding the text and the sense of the words Wherein wee consider two parts 1. The Excelcellencie of Faith in Christ set forth by two vertues or workes in the heart and inner man 1. Accesse to God or Manuduction with boldnesse or confidence or a confident accesse to God by Manuduction 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glory of face with liberty of speech 2. The limitation of this excellencie and of these vertues They are not in the whole man and beleeuer but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is so farre as he is in Christ not as he is or euer was in the first Adam or as he is in nature in the flesh and world or as he is in any other estate and condition in this life or that any man can haue in any other Religion then by Faith in Christ And whereas the childe of God may complaine that hee finds and feeles contrary to all this feare trembling flying from God shame of face for his sinnes and his mouth often stopped and not able to pray or praise God Answer is here made It is true so farre as we are not in Christ and haue nature and flesh in vs but as we are in Christ we haue all this contrary good 1. De Iure though not de facto by right though not by full possession 2. Wee haue these in some measure though mixt with contrary corruptions 3. We may haue more if the fault be not in our selues 4. We shall haue all these in full measure 5. These are prepared for vs in Christ and our Faith in Christ will grow vp to these and increase with the increasings of God and of Christ if we pray as Paul here doth for these Ephesians so they may haue all this in Christ and that their Faith may grow and haue these vertues working in them as in the verses following verse 16 17 18. which imply that they had them not as yet from Christ as they should haue hereafter but were only laid vp and prepared for them in Christ The summe then is that no Faith nor Religion giues that accesse to God with that boldnesse so cheerefull and glorious a countenance such a mouth to praise God to pray and speake freely to God to powre out our hearts before him that giues such a Spirit of prayer and of Adoption to cry Abba Father to make a man bold to plead with God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to stand vpon interrogatories with God and to parle with him especially when Satan sinne and conscience accuse Now these vertues are not sanctifying graces in vs in their full perfection but they are such blessings and benefits in Christ as Faith drawes from Christ Therfore he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which Christ they are as in the propper naturall subiect roote and fountaine and Head and which Faith drawes and receiues from Christ or possesseth in him and therefore he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so I come to the obseruations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whom that is in Christ By Christ dwelling in vs we haue and exercise these vertues of Christ or Christ shewes himselfe to be in vs and we to be in him by these vertues All sauing good things in vs are sauing vertues in and from Christ Rom. 8.2 1. Pet. 2.9 To shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darkenesse As the soule shewes it selfe to be in the body by the life and vertues it exerciseth in the body such as the body it selfe hath not by its naturall humors So Christ exerciseth such vertues in the heart and soule of a Christian as the heart and reasonable soule haue not naturally As a man shewes himselfe to dwell in a house by the wisedome authoritie power he exerciseth therein So Christ to dwell in vs by faith as in his house when he exerciseth his vertues in vs Eph. 3.17 Heb. 3.6
Now this Hand of God is also the Hand of Christ the second Person as made Flesh It s the Hand of Flesh especially as risen from the dead and glorified the holy Ghost is his Breath Shadow Wings Arme Hands and whatsoeuer proceedeth from him towards his Church both Ministers and people is nothing but that eternall Spirit the third Person who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Iohn 14.26 By which as High Priest Heb. 9. hee offered himselfe without spot to God as with his owne Hands So now much more the same Spirit proceedth from him in more abundance from his Flesh glorified For before Ioh. 7.39 the Spirit was not giuen in that abundance because that Iesus was not yet glorified But now this Flesh of Christ being glorified this eternall Spirit is all the Breath Armes Hands Strength Shadow Light and Glory of Christ He now breathes nothing but the holy Ghost and Spirit He breathed vpon his Disciples Ioh. 20.21 and said Receiue ye the holy Ghost He hath it now at command as his Breath and as naturall to him and can as easily and plentifully giue it He holds the 7. Starres his Apostles and Ministers in his right hand not of Flesh but of the holy Ghost and being risen he gaue commandements to his Apostles not by a humane breath and voice as before but more specially by the holy Ghost Acts 1.2 See Iohn 5. The time shall come and now is but shall be much more that the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God that is shall shall haue his quickning spirit 1. Cor. 15. The first Adam was made a liuing soule and all that he could communicate to his posteritie and children if he had continued in innocency had bin only a liuing soule qualified with Gods holy Image but the second Adam is made a quickning spirit which hee communicates to his members and posteritie and which proceedes from him This Spirit is Christs light by which he shines to vs Eph. 5. Awake thou that sleepest and stand vp from the dead and Christ shall shine vnto thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whatsoeuer proceeds from Christs Flesh now in heauen is nothing but Spirit He is ascended farre aboue all things Eph. 4.7 8. to fill all things with his Spirit Whereas therefore he is said to feed vs from heauen with his Bodie as Manna and to wash vs from our sinnes in his blood to guide vs with his light all this is nothing but his Spirit which being purchased by his death comes as it were through his body and blood giuen to vs as our own flesh and blood This Spirit is obtained and giuen by his death and sufferings and comes to vs by his humane flesh and nature into our flesh and nature Ioh. 6.63 Therefore his Flesh is called meate indeed and his blood drinke indeede For the flesh of it selfe profiteth nothing but because for the merit of his sufferings in his flesh and by it as by a cundit the third Person the holy Ghost proceeding naturally from the Father and the Sonne is hereby procured to flow issue and come forth to vs and into our hearts by grace Galat. 4.4 Because yee are sonnes reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts which cryeth Abba Father The Spirit doth and would euer naturally issue and proceed from God into vs as Iam. 1.17 did not our sinnes stop the currant and keepe him out of our hearts by our indisposition and vnworthinesse and vncapablenesse of receiuing him as Ioh. 14. Which the world cannot receiue because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but our sins remooued and abolished by the death sacrifice of Christ and by his flesh and body broken through it as by a conduite the spirit againe hath its issue and vent to flow into our sinfull flesh and hearts and God becomes againe that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That liuing God Iam. 1.3 that giues to all men simply without exception whatsoeuer his sinnes he and reproacheth no man that by faith comes to him but poures of his Spirit vpon all flesh Act. 2.17 This Spirit as its God the Fathers hand so it s Christs our Sauiours hand the hand of flesh which Christ reacheth from heauen to vs as to his brethren and takes vs by the hand Now that Christ is glorified in our flesh and nature that Spirit which from eternitie proceeded from the Father and the Sonne and was as their breath and hand by which they made the worlds and breathed into mans face the breath of life and made him a liuing soule the same spirit and third person doth now proceed from the Father of Christ as man and from Christ the second Person Incarnate and is now both the breath of Christ and the arme of Christ which breath of eternall spirit Christ now breathes into man dead in sinne to make him a new creature created in Christ Iesus vnto good works creating anew all the powers and faculties of soule and body as it were new hands and feete quickned with a new life for new motions towards God and seruices and workes it s the hand and arme of Christ which he now reueales and makes bare from heauen and thrusts into our hearts quickning and creating in vs new hands that is new faculties of our soules to lay hold on and fasten on spirituall good purchased by his death and offered vs by his Gospel Christ by his Priestly Office hath performed all things needfull for our saluation and prepared all sauing matter And by his Propheticall Office in the Ministery of his Word offers vs himselfe the second Person incarnate to be our Sauiour and all his sauing benefits and spirit if we will reach forth our hands that is the faculties of our soules to receiue and apprehend him but our hands lye dead in sinnes that is our minds and hearts from vnderstanding choosing willing and affecting any such Person and his Spirit and benefits offered Therefore Christ as King risen from the dead and as Lord of life reacheth forth his arme hand from heauen and creates in vs new hand◠that is new mindes and hearts Hee breathes into vs the breath of life that is his quickning spirit that quickens our dead hands to apprehend spirituall things For the naturall man by his naturall soule and spirit 1. Cor. 2. as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore the Spirit creates in vs. First a right hand of Faith to know and apprehend the Person of the Son of God and to choose and take him for our Sauiour as he is reuealed and offered in the Word reiecting all other Persons Angels or Saints or any creature or our selues and our workes betaking our selues to Christ alone and to this second Person in Trinitie made flesh fastning vpon him and receiuing him as offered and commended to vs in the Gospel euen as crucified and made our King
not the like vigour and vertue of life comfort strength into all the members of the body So nor Christ We must as well goe to Christ for faith and confidence as for any other grace and he requires of vs perswasion and faith that wee shall receiue it from him viz. that he will in dangers feares sinnes temptations strengthen incourage and comfort vs against them all euen death and hell and all enemies Say not I am a creature so weak and faint in faith that I shall neuer stand against these Cast not away thy weake faith as Heb. 10.35 Sit not still and keepe not thy bed because thou canst not goe so strongly to Christ as others can but goe as well as thou canst with thy feeble weake knees and let not that which is halting be turned out of the way but rather be healed Heb. 12. Seeke for more strength of faith rather then despaire and cast away all faith Fight the good fight of faith and striue to lay hold on Christ and he will strengthen thy faith only seeke not to strengthen and secure thy heart in wealth pollicie thy owne righteousnesse For he is the sheepheard of our soules Psal 23. and hath promised to conuert our soules and to dwell in our hearts if we by faith choose him to dwell in vs to bee his house reiecting all other lords and spirits then will he come into vs and strengthen vs by his Spirit in the inner man as Eph. 3.16 17. and he dwelling in vs as in his house we shall hold fast our confidence and hope of reioycing vnto the End Heb. 3. Therefore pray as the Disciples Luk. 17.5 Lord increase our Faith and cry as the Father of the Daemoniake Mark 9.24 Lord I beleeue helpe my vnbeleefe and giue me confidence and beleeue that hee will pardon thy weake faith and heale it as well as any other thy sinnes and enormities as long as they are but infirmities which thou striuest against lamentest and labourest for strength of faith desiring aboue all to honour God with confidence Beleeue hee will pardon the want of beleefe as long as thou striuest and labourest to beleeue and doest not affect infidelitie with an euill heart of infidelitie Heb. 3. totally euill and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God and to forsake him our Rocke and portion choosing and preferring other creatures as Heb. 10. vlt. For that which our hearts choose for our portion they trust in and are strong and confident in Where our treasure is Math 6. there will our hearts bee also Lam. 3. The Lord is my Portion saith my soule therfore will I trust in him Hereby I know I haue some true faith though with much feare when I choose God to bee my chiefe portion to be secure confident and fearelesse in him As a seruant that chooseth a Master in whose power riches authority for protection and maintenance he reposeth himselfe to quiet secure and rest his heart in him Some choose wealth some the Arme of flesh But a Christian by faith chooseth Christ Therefore Christ saith A man cannot serue two Masters to repose confidence and safety in them both but wee must either cleaue to the one and despise the other or hate the one and loue the other So yee cannot serue God and Mammon to seeke safetie and securitie from them both The heart seekes its security but in one treasure See Math. 6.21.24 That which is our portion giues vs confidence It belongs not to our Faith but to our portion which faith chooseth and pitcheth on to giue vs confidence Choose God for thy portion to rest thy heart in him as he hath promised to be the Rocke of thy heart and then try and see if God doe not giue thy heart secure confidence as a Rocke Psal 73.26 and 2. Chron. 20.20 Trust in the Lord and ye shall be assured Let thy heart bee Christs house to dwell in thee by faith thou shalt see that he will strengthen thee by his Spirit in the inner man not to faint or feare in any afflictions as Eph. 3.13 16. Thou shalt then sensibly feele know that Christ is in thee and thou art his house in that thy heart keepes this confidence and hope of reioycing vnto the End as Heb. 3. that is hereby we sensibly know it We are Christs house before by faith but we doe not so sensibly feele and know it that he dwels in vs till he as the Master of the house strengthen and incourage our hearts Wicked men and vnbeleeuers doe not beleeue that Christ can or will strengthen their hearts to make them strong and confident without feare and griefe therefore they put their strength and confidence in wealth pride malice Pride is to them as a chaine Psal 7.3 cruelty couers them as a garment They arme themselues with these weapons of the flesh and imbolden incourage themselues by them and not in God and Christ their Portion They seeke freedome from care feare and trouble of minde in wealth and honour and promise to themselues all securitie of minde and heart and safety of life and estate in these things as Luke 12. My soule take thine ease eate and drinke thou hast much goods laide vp for many yeares Contrary a beleeuing heart beleeues as God saith not as Satan Reason and flesh say viz. that though he had all abundance Luk. 12. yet his life stands not in his riches and though hee had all the world it will not keepe his minde and heart safe from feares cares griefe nor his body and life safe quiet nor secure but only God and Christs loue and mercy and therefore nothing will content him but these Therefore hee goeth to God and Christ onely to repose his soule in them and hauing them he is perswaded as the word saith that his soule shall dwell at ease and bee secure his defence shall bee the munition of rockes Isa 33. that the Name of the Lord will be a strong Tower Prou. 18. to him if he could attaine to it that he should lie downe in peace and sleepe and rise againe Psal 3. because the Lord would make him dwell in safetie Isa 33. that bread should be giuen him and his waters should bee sure But the wilfull infidelitie of vnbeleeuers makes them resolutly to conclude and say Who is the Almighty that they should serue him Iob 21.15 and what profit should they haue that they should pray vnto him They count not God any such secure refuge Isa 28.15 and therefore make falsehood their refuge and vnder vanitie hide themselues They cannot rest nor sleepe without their God Mammon their chiefe portion and their bellies filled with that meate that perisheth Contrary a Christian cannot rest nor sleepe feeling his soule emptie of God and Christ and the meat that indureth to euerlasting life Because hee beleeues that Christs body broken is that onely bread of life that
may pleade and parle with God and stand vpon interrogatories with him 1. Pet. 3.21 The interrogatory which a good conscience makes to God For the conscience beeing acquitted from the guilt of sinne by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ is made bold to question with God and to aske him what hee hath more to lay to our charge What more full and perfect satisfaction his Iustice can require then what Christ hath already made Isa 1.18 Come let vs reason together 2. Cor. 7.11 We can make our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and cleere our selues before God for whatsoeuer can be laid to our charge and cry Abba Father and poure out our hearts before him in all our afflictions and bemoane our selues to God and all our wrongs crosses indignities For Christ hauing stopped the mouth of the Law and of all iniquitie and of our crying sinnes which stopped our mouths as Rom. 3.19 Psal 107.42 thereby opens our mouth to God Dauid vpon the guilt of murther and adultery had his mouth stopped and gagged and euery man by the Law and spirit of bondage hath his mouth sealed vp let Christs spirit open it by the sprinkling and washing of the blood of Christ applyed by faith and then vpon experience of Gods free sauing grace and mercy pardoning and healing the guilt of his sin his mouth was opened that his lippes might set forth the praise of this his sauing grace loue mercy Christ is the Lyon of the tribe of Iuda and courage with God is his naturall peculiar vertue and which he dwelling in our hearts exerciseth in vs and especially as he is now risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of God making intercession for vs. For whatsoeuer Christ is in Heauen or doth for vs there he is the same in our hearts and the vertue and influence of it descends into vs and raiseth vs vp together Eph. 2.6 and makes vs sit together with him in the heauenly places Eph. 3.17 and Christ dwelles in vs vertually as he doth in heauen yea Christ risen from the dead and making intercession for vs in heauen and liuing there for vs is the same Christ in our hearts and in the temple of our soules and consciences as he is in heauen the same person exercising the same office and vertues in the inner holy place of our consciences before God whereinto he is entred by his blood and hath made way for himselfe to raigne in vs as King of Salem Prince of Peace as hee doth in heauen for vs. For God is in the Sanctuary of our consciences being purged by the blood of his Sonne as he is in heauen his holy place our soules beeing made and framed like to heauen to be Gods House and Temple The Fabricke of the Iewish Temple was not only a type of heauen but of our soules the Temples of God and therefore Christ is our High Priest and doth his office oâ— Priest-hood as well in our soules as in heauen and as A Minister of the true Tabernacle which God pitch and not man Heb. 8.2 As by his blood he entred as by a new and liuing way Heb. 10.20 into the Sanctuary oâ— heauen so doth he enter into our consciences and aâ— he makes intercession anâ— speakes for vs in heauen 〈◊〉 doth he in our hearts witâ— that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Pet 3.21 the Interrogatory which a good conscience makes to God by thâ— Resurrection of Iesus Chriâ—â— from the dead or Christ râ—sen vp in it with that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that Spirit which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 makes request for the Saints Rom. 8.26 Christ was arraigned accused condemned for our sinnes and he satisfied and answered for all that we also in him might answer for our selues Vse Highly prize this benefit We that could not answer God for one of a thousand now can answer all inditements and obiections by Christ Wee that could not abide the least triall nor indure the least search can now abide the most seuere Iudgement and most exquisite triall being found in Christ Phil. 3.9 not hauing our owne righteousnesse but his righteousnesse Else if thou streightly marke what is done amisse who is able to abide it Psal 130.3 Let vs prooue our selues how Christ is in vs. How doth he open our mouthes to God If Christ be within in the heart hee opens the mouth as a Priest to God What new opening of thy mouth before sealeâ— and stopped vp by thâ— Law The guilt of sinne makes speechlesse dumb as Zachary Infidelity make dumbe but as soone as by faith we receiue Christ into our hearts he opens ouâ— mouthes to pray whicâ— before we could neuer doe Christ giues a new moutâ— and tongue not only tâ— speake to men but to God not only to pleade our euill righteousnesse in thâ— courts of men but in God courts and to stand vpoâ— interrogatories with him Rom. 4.1 If Abraham be iustified by workes he hath to glory but not with God He may stand and pleade his righteousnesse boldly in mens courts but not in Gods But we can pleade in heauen and make our Appeale to the Throne of Grace and there make our Apologie Hos 14.2 and Take to vs words and say Receiue vs graciously so will we render the calues of our lippes Ye are carefull saith Paul 2. Cor. 13.3 To prooue and try your Ministers yee will haue experience of Christ speaking in me It s well 2. Cor. 13 3.5 but withall prooue your selues whether Christ bee in you Know that the same Christ and so his spirit that speakes in me and opens my mouth to speake from God to you enters into your hearts and opens your mouthes freely to speake to God Hereby we may know if we heare the word sauingly and receiue Christ by Faith Therefore not only prooue and try your Ministers whether Christ speak and preach in them but also try your selues whether ye be in the Faith and receiue Christ to speake to God in prayer else ye are not fit nor able to iudge whether Christ speake in me Such a spirit of liberty and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as opens the Ministers mouth to speake from Christ to the people such a spirit enters into the people and Church by Faith in the word heard and opens the mouthes of the people to pray Prayer is a common gift of euery member of the Church Euery one must call on the Name of the Lord that will be saued See Rom. 10.13 14 15. though euery one must not preach First the Ministers mouth must be opened to preach before the peoples mouthes can be opened to pray To put downe a preaching Ministery vnder colour of setting vp a praying Ministery is by sinfull Hypocrisie to put downe both and to deuoure not only widdowes houses but the house of God vnder colour of long prayer as the Pharisees then did and Papists now doe EPHES. 3.12 In whom
of Christs spirit as the Iewes pierced through and crucified through ignorance fleshly Christ as I may say in the dayes of his flesh when he was in abasement to whom Christ promiseth pardon vpon repentance Matth. 12. If any man speake a word against the Sonne of man that is as onely knowing him as a Man and ignorant of his God-head and Spirit it may bee forgiuen him But if any man blaspheame the Holy ghost and God-head of Christ shining and sparkling in him it shall neuer bee forgiuen him Some now maliciously crucifie Spirituall Christ risen from the dead and shining into their hearts and soules by his Spirit and comming to apply his Crosse and Death to crucifie their flesh and lusts by his Spirit and Spirituall hands they now not as in the dayes of his flesh but in the eternitie of his Spirit and Glory would crucifie againe and abolish for euer They that are thus affected towards the spirit are said to be so affected to Christ because the Spirit is Christs hand and because it reueales presents and offers Christs person merits righteousnesse and the sauing vertue of his Crosse to crucifie all our lusts for this spirit takes of Christ and shewes it vnto vs Ioh. 16.9 10. it comes with its hands full of Christ So that as I loue Christ and take him by the hand when I gladly imbrace his Spirit and suffer my selfe to bee led by it and its spirituall motions so contrarily they hate Christ and crucifie him and pierce through his hands that hate his Spirit and destroy his spirituall motions suggested to their hearts For as some of the Iewes through ignorance of Christs God-head crucified Christ onely as a poore man the Carpenters sonne that had proudly vsurped a Kingdome ouer them and against Caesar and therefore put him to death as a Traitor and as onely crucifying his fleshly hands Yet some others and especially the Scribes and Pharisees that knew him by the light of the Holy Ghost that hee was God and by the finger of God had cast out deuils as Christ knowing their hearts professeth they did They crucified him not as the Sonne of man nor onely his fleshly hands as hee was the Carpenters sonne but his Spirituall hands as he was the Sonne of God hating his spirit and power in the Ministery of his Word and Miracles and Doctrine and Disciples for which sake they chiefely crucified him that if they could possibly they might abolish for euer his Name Doctrine Religion Profession Spirit and Church which now began to bee gathered Hee was crucified of these not as the Sonne of Ioseph but as the Anointed and Holy One of God anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power doing what they could to crucifie the Holy ghost to pierce through the hands and feete of the Spirit They trode vnder feet not the sonne of man but the Sonne of God and made a mocke of him Hebr. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in confidence Christ leading and taking vs by the hand and we laying hold on his flesh crucified for vs wee goe confidently If wee lay hold on any creature else and bee led guided by any Saint or Angel wee goe with feare and doubting with perplexitie and anxietie when conscience of sinne accuseth vs and are neuer secure that wee shall bee saued To bee bould and confident with God at any time but especially in the conscience of sinne is a marueilous courage Before whose face and presence the Angels are abashed the mountaines melt whose Maiestie and presence is so glorious fearefull and terrible that no creature can abide his presence when hee is angry The most Holy Angels without spot of sinne in nature and conscience yet couer their faces as abashed at his presence though doing his will in obeying the voyce of his mouth How much more must sinfull man dust and ashes melt and bee confounded with shame and horrour at the presence of so Holy a God yet Faith in Christ makes confident and bold Iacob had strength and courage preuailed with God Moses indured as seeing him that is inuisible by this Faith in Christ who at Horeb in the giuing of the Law where the sight was so terrible hee confessed I feare and quake Rom. 5.11 Wee not onely glory in afflictions saith Paul which some stout hearted carnall men haue done by pride ambition or strength of nature who vpon the sight of God haue trembled like Belteshar but wee also glory in God see 1. Iohn 4.17 3.21 Abrahams boldnesse was with God to parle with him though hee was but dust and ashes Wee see how hard a thing it is to be bold in the presence of a King a mortall man especially if he be angry His wrath is like the roaring of a Lyon How much more to bee bold in the presence of God the King of Kings when hee is angry who cutteth off the spirit of Princes who is terrible to the Kings of the earth that they feare in their Priuie-chambers Psa 14.4 Psal 76.5 Sinne weakens and breakes the heart and soule of man by breeding doubts feares griefes tremblings and horrours So the Deuils and Adam by their fall brake themselues into shiuers of feares and tremblings And as the Deuill trembles so our corrupt nature and guilty conscience like his is to doe as the Deuill doeth for wee are broken and infected like him by sinne Rom. 5. when wee were yet of no strength Christ died for vs that is when wee were broken and infected with the guilt of all sinnes Therefore the Lawe first breakes vs and kils vs with the sight and guilt of sinne before Christ cures vs and binds vs vp and this is the cure of the heart and soule by Faith in Christs blood and breaking for vs his terrours horrours griefes and paines in soule and body that we are strengthened with confidence Ephe. 3.16 by his spirit in the inner-man 2. Tim. 1.7 and haue not the spirit of feare but of power and loue and of a sound minde Rom. 8.15 Isa 61.1 not the spirit of bondage to feare againe but of adoption to cry confidently Abba Father This is to bind vp the broken hearted Therefore is Christ called the Rocke of the soule Mat. 16.18 Vpon this Rocke will I build my Church because hee giues the heart and soule built on it by Faith strength of courage nd confidence Therefore the fearefull and vnbeleeuing are cast out with dogs Reuel 21. Christ is the Redeemer of the soule chiefely and therefore from feares doubts and griefes chiefely and from the spirit of bondage to feare againe The chiefest vertue of bread is to incourage and strengthen the heart So Christ crucified his body broken and fed on by faith its vertue is to incourage and strengthen the heart with confidence towards God If therefore wee feele feare fainting doubting goe the more to the Sacrament of Christes body which as it requires some courage and hope that we shall
and good issue out of all our troubles If hee vouchsafe vs the honour to call on him to speake or petition to him its certaine it s his purpose to free vs Psal 10. last vers When a King is purposed to destroy a Rebell or offender he commands him to be kept close prisoner and not come forth to make or present any petition to come into his sight or speake to him but if he giue him leaue to goe abroad though with his Keeper in restraint only with libertie to vse his friends and best meanes it shewes there is hope of his inlargement and of the Kings purpose to free him So if wee haue libertie to goe to Christ by Faith and take him by the hand and vse him our Mediatour by him to petition to God and make our suites its assured securitie to bee heard and deliuered Hereby wee may also know if we haue beene fed with Christ haue drunke his blood and spirit or the spirit obtained by his blood in the Sacrament we shall then sing and praise Christ his benefits our mouthes will be opened as Psalme 22.26 and Ephes 5.18 Likewise if we be the redeemed of the Lord Iesus and his seruants by redemption he will giue vs a new mouth and language to praise and honour him The receiuing of a new language is a note and marke and indeede a bond of subiection Thus the ancient Romanes did plant their language the Latine tongue in the countries which they conquered And the Kings of Spaine cause the Indians to speake Spanish Whom God conquers by his Word hee plants his Word in their hearts in their mouthes Where Christ or Satan raigne in the heart their language and voice or tongue is in their mouth If Christ dwell in the heart by faith hee will giue a great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the mouth Eph. 3.17 with 12. verse and Heb. 3.6 The Beast of Rome exalted by Satan the Dragon or the Dragon reigning in the Heathen Emperours and their successors gaue them a mouth to speake as a Dragon As Christ especially reignes in his Ministers and sets vp his Kingdome in others by them preaching the Gospel of the Kingdome so hee giues them a speciall mouth and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aboue others 2. Cor. 13.3 So he promiseth to Moses in a speciall manner to be with his mouth to conquere Pharaoh and to redeeme his people and to giue his Disciples a mouth wisedome against which all their aduersaries shall not be able to speake or resist but it shall conquere them and all their wisedome pollicy sophistry and all the wisedome of this world and of the Princes of this world which come to nought Mens beastly prophane earthly and fleshly speech mouth and language sheweth that they are base slaues and vassals to the flesh belly earth and Satan Contrary holy and godly speech and the Word and Truth of God in mens mouthes holy conference of diuine things shew Christ to reigne within When the word of Christ dwels in vs plenteously Col. 3.16 and wee abound in all speach and in all wisdome as 1. Cor. 1. not in excellency of humane speach wisedome but as 2. Cor. 6.11 As God raignes by his word and it s his kingdome so where he sets vp his Kingdome in any mans heart and soule it giues him the lip of excellencie and a mouth of glorie as to Christ speaking with that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and authoritie and not as the Scribes Mat. 7. verse the last God rules and gouernes all by his Word Hee stilleth the raging of the Sea by his Word Reu. 19. The word of God is King of Kings and hath many Crownes vpon his head conquering the Beast and false Prophet and sends them to Hell and the rest that is the Kings of the Earth are slaine by the sword that comes out of the mouth of him that sits on the white horse that is sanctified godly ministers which sword is the gospel of the kingdome For Christ raignes by his Word in the mouthes of his true Ministers contrarily Antichrist raignes by the Temporall sword His Kingdome stands not in his mouth word preached as of the true Prophets Reuel 11.5 Out of whose mouth came fire to deuoure their aduersaries that is the holy Gospel in spirituall and powerfull preaching For thus it becommeth true Ministers to fight and to kill their aduersaries verse 5. But the Beast that comes out of the bottomelesse pit makes warre against them with the Temporall sword and kils their bodies verse 7 8. for their kingdome stands in Temporall Power Honour and Dignity Christes Kingdome is his Word Preached Antichristes Kingdome and power stands in Kings and Princes power the tenne hornes of the Beast wherewith he is armed to gore wound the body of Christ From Adam to the building of Babel the Church of God was one and vniforme and all the seruants of God confessed one faith in one language and professed their obedience and subiection to the kingdome of Christ in one language the Hebrew the Primitiue holy Tongue till the confusion of Languages came in at the building of Babel In the Primitiue times all the Churches and seruantes of Christ professed their obedience and subiection to Christ the Lorde that had bought them by one vniforme confession of Faith till spirituall Babylon erected brought a confusion of Languages and differing confessions of Faith and of the worshippe and seruice of Christ in diuers articles of Doctrine and Discipline of differing formes of Churches betweene Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicea which will continue till Babylon it selfe be destroyed and then the vniuersall Church shall be vniforme in all Nations and one confession of faith both of Iewes and Gentiles professing their ioynt subiection and seruice to Christ their Lord in one forme of confession of faith in one holy language and forme of worship praising God with a ioynt Halleluiah Reuel 19.1 the generall state of the vniuersall Church and the common forme of Diuine worship and praising from the first calling and rising of it out of Egyptian bondage and Antichristian darkenesse to this time is a new song before the Throne of God now raigning ouer them being redeemed from the tyrannie of Antichrist A new song of praise and worship not before heard for many ages Reuel 14.3 The song of Moses and of the Lambe chap. 15.3 the song of a small number chap. 14.3 But now that Babylon is destroyed and both Iewes and Gentiles called and Church inlarged by the comming in of the fulnesse of the Gentiles the common forme of Diuine worship praising of God is altered and brought to the first and Primitiue auntient forme from the Creation which is Halleluiah See Reuel 19.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. FINIS
Thus we see that all sauing good things are sauing vertues in and from Christ Now how and by what meanes do we receiue and draw these vertues from Christ or inioy them in him Ans This is only by faith of him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is by Faith receiuing or going to Christs person pitching on him alone as reuealed and offered in the Gospel By Faith of him Doct. Faith in Christs person Name is the only meanes of receiuing all sauing vertues from Christ Rom. 3.22 Act. 3.16 When we beleeue the Gospel and glad tidings offering vs Christs person with all his benefits and vertues and behold him to be such a one towards vs as the Gospel reueales and offers him to vs that is as 1. Cor. 1.30 our Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption our King Priest and Prophet then is he indeede become such a one towards vs and we are made such in him 2. Cor. 3.18 Beholding as in a looking glasse viz. the Gospel the glory of the Lord with open face we are changed from glory to glory For in the Gospel God sets forth Christ before our eyes Rom. 3.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Mercy-seate was exalted and lifted vp before the eyes of the people that all may looke vp to him as the only Propitiation through faith in his blood and so finde mercy and peace with God Faith lookes vp to this Propitiation or Mercy seate and to this brazen Serpent thus lifted vp in the preaching of the Gospel and so finds healing vertue It directs our thoughts and desires to Christ in the sense of all sinne and misery as offered in the Gospel for cure and so receiues remedie Isay 45.22 Looke vnto mee and yee shall be saued all the ends of the earth c. Looke not vnto lying vanities Gal. 3.1 O foolish Galathians who hath bewitched your eyes that is corrupted your minds and iudgements and drawn away your thoughts and desires from Christ that ye should not looke vp to him who by the Gospel is so cleerely manifested and described before your eyes that yee should not obey the Truth beleeuing Christ to be such a one to you as the Gospel offers him to you but looke a squint to circumcision and workes and other meanes of saluation Beleeuing the Word of the Gospel offering vs Christ and embracing the same gladly we receiue Christs Person and all that is his and inioy them by this only meanes as fully as any creature can inioy any naturall good by any naturall meanes as trees inioy the earth and sap of it by their roots so by faith in the Gospel wee inioy Christs person and all the sappe of the Spirit of Life in him Coloss 2.6 7. As the members inioy the Life and Spirits of the Head by the bond and vnion of the nerues and arteries So we the members of Christ by this Faith receiue the spirit of life from Christ our Head Rom. 8.2 with Gal. 3.2 5 14. As meate is receiued and inioyed by eating light by looking on it So is Christ by Faith By Faith in the Gospel and promises we know Christ we taste him and feede on him 1. Pet. 2.3 Wee are rooted in him built on him Col. 2.6 vnited to him By it we receiue his Person and are begotten by him into his Nature and life Ioh. 1.12 13. By Faith we goe to his Person and receiue life Ioh. 5.40 Ye will not come vnto me that ye might haue life and wee are made liuing stones by comming to him this liuing Stone 1. Pet. 2.4 By this Faith we are built on him as on a Rocke and the gates of Hell cannot preuaile against vs Math. 16. By Faith we walke in him Col. 2.6 We eate his body and drinke his blood that is we inioy all the Diuine vertues of his Godhead and the merits of his Person in all his sufferings and that fulnesse of the Godhead as dwelling in him bodily that hee is Emanuel God with vs and we are filled with all fulnes of God and all this only by beleeuing the Gospel that there is no facultie or vertue of soule or body of man or any creature that can inioy any naturall good belonging to it more fully and surely then we may inioy Christ and his Person life merits vertues by Faith in the Gospel only and the promises Hereby we know him we taste him we are rooted in him built on him vnited to him married to him Such is the necessitie and vertue of Faith in the Gospel that by it the Sonne is ours we haue and possesse him for our owne euen his Person as our Husband and his vnsearchable riches See 1. Ioh. 5.9 10 11 12 13. Vse Would we then inioy Christ and his benefits there is no meanes but his Word and Gospel imbraced by Faith and this meanes is infallible and all-sufficient by Gods ordinance Therefore care to get nothing but Faith in the Gospel that the word of Christ may dwell plenteously in vs and then Christ himselfe with all his riches and sauing benefits are in vs Colos 3.16 Wee neede not take thought who shall ascend vp to heauen or who shall descend into the deepe if the word be neere vs in our mouth and in our Heart then Christ descending and ascending both abased and exalted crucified and glorified and all-sufficient to Saluation is ours and in vs as Rom. 10.4 6 7 10. Say not what may I doe to obtaine eternall life and as Iohn 6.29 to worke the workes of God to serue him that wee may earne the bread of life This is all the worke that God requires and meanes of obtaining all sauing good to beleeue in him whom hee hath sent first from Heauen to Earth by incarnation now to all of vs by the preaching of the Gospel Act. 3.26 Eph. 2.17 Eph. 3.6 receiuing the promise of Christ by the Gospel wee are made one body with him and the whole Church and inheritors of all the same sauing good Christ hath ordained and Sanctified this meanes only and infallibly to conuey himselfe into vs his spirit life righteousnesse merits and not the Lawe or any workes or merits of man or any creature Gal. 3.2 3 4. Obey Christ the Son Iohn 3. vlt. Stumble not at his word 1. Pet. 2.8 bee not offended at it Ioh. 6 60 61 67 68 69. heare Christ Matth. 17.5 this great Prophet Act. 3.22 23. and hee will giue the holy Ghost to them that obey him Actes 5.32 The reiecting of the Word is the reiecting of Christ the receiuing of it and his Ministers is the receiuing of Christ Iohn 14.21 and 13.20 2. Thessa 1.10 Vse Abandon Transubstantiation Crucifixes Relickes Oralem manducationem for by none of all these doe wee inioy Christ which Idoles the Deuill taking away the Word and Gospel hath substituted in the roome to hold Christ by sense and not by Faith Admit wee could receiue Christ by sense yea and fill all our senses with him
suffer our selues to bee led by him and drawne from the world but follow our reason and lusts pursuing earthly vanities shall wee be still as sheepe that stray and not come to the Shepheard of our soules that hee may leade vs to God who hath died for vs to make way for vs by his blood to God and is risen from the dead for this end to bee our Shepheard and is gone the way before vs To vs hath God raised vp his Sonne Iesus Act. 3. vers last and sent him to blesse vs in turning euery one of vs from our iniquities Actes 3. vlt. He is raised vp to vs of God and giuen vs to be a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel and forgiuenesse of Sinnes Actes 5.31 The woefull condition of such as are without Christ they are without hope and without God in the world Ephes 2. and without all hope of euer comming to God He that obeieth not the Sonne to follow him and to bee led and guided by him shall not see life Ioh. 3.36 but the wrath of God abideth on him but he that beleeueth in the Sonne to follow him as his Shepheard and his voyce and doctrine as Iohn 10. hath euerlasting life My sheepe heare my voyce and I know them and I giue vnto them eternall life see 2. Thes 1.8 9 10. Because they obeyed not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ to bee led and guided by him the Prince of their saluation but followed their owne reason and lusts and senses c. 3. Iohn 14.6 Therefore commit thy selfe to Christ to bee thy guide to walke by him as the way to bee counselled and led by him as the trueth and quickned and strengthened by him as the life and neuer doubt but he will bring thee to God safely and thou shalt neuer miscarie Hee will bring thee into his rest and where God dwels and present thee before his face and perfectly saue thee Heb. 7.25 Thou shalt neuer perish by any sinnes lusts temptations crosses miseries for Christ hath made the way safe through all these and leade the way by sinnes temptations death to make it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a liuing way Heb. 10.20 1. Pet. 2.24 bearing all our sinnes in his body on the Tree who in that hee suffered was tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Therefore onely commit thy minde and heart to bee guided by him trusting to him as thy Prophet to counsell thee and call none Rabbi but him thy onely Priest to lead thee to God king to defend and to quicken thee Renounce thy reason wit learning lusts and all creatures trusting to Christ thy Shepheard onely to bring thee out of Egypt of Satans bondage and darkenes and to leade thee through the wildernes of this world For onely the Sonne that came from God his bosome can bring vs to God commit thy way vnto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be directed Hee as the Shepheard of of thy soule 2. Tim. 4.18 will keepe thee from euery euill worke nor suffer Satan or lust or the world to withdraw thee from God Isa 30.21 When thou turnest to the right hand or to the left thou shalt heare a voyce behind thee saying This is the way walke in it Psal 23. He is thy shepheard and hee will conuert thy soule when it goes astray 2. Tim. 3.16 Hee will make vs wise to saluation against the deceits of sinne and sinfull vanities Hee that followes him shall not walke in darkenesse but shall haue the light of life Say not in thy heart Rom. 10.6 7. who shall ascend to Heauen or who shall descend into the deepe to goe to God! For Christ is come from aboue to bring vs to God and hee is descended into the lowest deepes to draw vs out from thence to God so that neither height Rom. 8.39 nor depth can separate vs from God Bee God neuer so high aboue vs and wee suncke neuer so low in hell and misery belowe him euen to the bottome of hell Christ is come from aboue to cary vs vp aboue and hee is descended into the lowest depths of misery to fetch and draw forth the most miserable to exalt them to Heauen and to bring them to God Therefore neither famine perill sword Vers 37. height or depth can separate vs from the loue of God in Christ but Christ will bring vs to God if we make him our Shepheard and lay hold on him Vse Hang and depend not on any man or creature Say not 1. Cor. 1. I am Pauls I am Apollos Christ is the onely shepheard of our soules Say not what Saint or Angel shall lead mee to God Was Paul crucified for vs or did Peter or Paul or any Saint or Angel come downe from Heauen or descend into Hell and come froÌ„ the dead againe to lead vs to God God dwels in that light inaccessible 1 Tim. 6.18 which no man or Angel can come vnto but onely Christ to lead vs to God to see his Face and to inioy his presence By other meanes guides wee may bee brought to wealth glory honour health as by learning loue workes of righteousnesse Philosophy but neuer come to God to see and inioy him Vse Hereby wee may know the true Faith and Religion and whether Christ and his spirit bee in vs. If they â—â—rie vs out of our selues and from all creatures to God to seeke all life comfort glory strength and safetie in God and not in our selues or any creature that there bee not in any of vs an euill heart of infidelitie Heb. 3.12 verse 14. to depart away from the liuing God Then are wee partakers of Christ if wee hold that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that principall pillar of supportance and the foundation of our sustentation which is God our Rocke and Adonay our staies For so I vnderstand that place Consider how thou commest before God in prayer and in his Church how is it thou darest appeare in his presence and tread in his Courts who makes way for thee and leades thee There is a third fleshly boldnes wherby by many rush into the Lords house and to his Table which makes them more bold then welcome as Isa 1.12 13. who being not led by Christ when hee shall question with them and say Mat. 22.12 Friend how camest thou in hither not hauing me for thy guide they will become speachlesse ouerwhelmed with the more desperate horrour as they came in with the more boldnesse They are most bould to goe to God who haue the least grounds of true boldnesse and these haue most feare in the end Isa 33.14 If Christ make way for thee then bee as bould as thou wilt Hebr. 4.14 15 16 chap. 10.19.22 In this Manuduction or leading to God wee consider two things First the ground of it Secondly the maner and meanes The ground is feare and diffidence which
in this estate no benefite of this Mediatour Vse Hereby we see what it is to be a Puritan To professe or thinke himselfe to be so holy of himselfe as daring to goe to God in his owne name that he needs not a Mediatour to lead him that feeles no such filth and corruption in himselfe for which God should abhorre him or if there be sinne and corruption yet it s so little light and veniall that we neede not make so great friends and suite a Saint or Angel may be sufficient for mediation Such a Puritane was the proud Pharisee and euery carnall presumptuous Atheist who without faith and repentance dare goe to God in the Church to the Word and Sacraments and such as goe in confidence of their ceremoniall righteousnesse These lay the imputation of Puritanisme on others which themselues chiefely practise Vse Sinne being an infinite euill and infinitely hated of God its infinite pride and presumption for any creature to dare to present such a sinner to God For its worse then any sinne committed against God to be an Aduocate for sinners to dare to speake for them and to countenance them before God as Romanes 1. verse last vnlesse that hee that shall dare to doe this be as great as God and as a surety will vndertake to satisfie and answer God for them and therfore to make any Saint a Mediatour to God for sinners is to make him God So much of the Ground of this leading In the Meanes and Manner of leading we consider First the Person leading Secondly the Persons led Thirdly the hands by which the one leadeth and the other is led The Person leading as I haue shewed is only the second Person in Trinitie the Sonne of God made flesh like vnto vs as I haue already shewed The Persons led are the Saints and children of God reconciled by Christs flesh crucified and imperfectly sanctified as is also shewed The hands by which this leading is made are carefully and distinctly to bee considered And first the hand of Christ the Person leading The hand of the second Person in Trinitie Iesus Christ euen now as he is man is his spirit As it was the hand of the second Person before hee was made Flesh so it is now since he is made Flesh especially since his Resurrection The hand of God is the hand also of Flesh now risen from the dead and glorified Now God hath no hand but his Spirit the Father and the Sonne haue no hands but the Spirit the holy Ghost For nothing can proceed from the Father and the Sonne but the holy Ghost which is sometimes called the hands of God Thy hands haue made mee and fashioned me that is as else-where is expounded his Spirit Eccl. 11.5 Who knoweth the way of the Spirit and how the bones grow in the wombe of her that is with childe Iob 26.13 His Spirit garnished the heauens and renueth the Face of the Earth Psal 104. â—0 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit and they are created which in other places is called his hands His hands prepared the dry land Psal 101.26 And Christ calles it the finger of God If I by the finger of God cast out Diuels Luk. 11.20 then is the Kingdome of God come vnto you which is expounded by him to be his Spirit It s also called the breath of God which proceeds from him the heauens were made by the word of the Lord and all the Host of them by the breath of his mouth and His word and Spirit proceede and come forth from him together that is his commandement and infinite diuine Spirit and power as his Arme and therefore it s called the Word of his power Heb. 1.2 Who hath beleeued our report and to whom is the Arme of the Lord reuealed and the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 breathed forth by his Spirit It s called the shadow of God and the wings of God and whatsoeuer proceeds from the Father and the Son to Man or to any creature is only the holy Spirit Luk. 1.35 The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the most High shall ouer shadow thee Psal 90.1 Psal 90.1 Such as dwell in the secret of the most High shall abide vnder the shadow of the Almightie Psal 63. Vnder the shadow of thy wings will I reioyce all which must be meant of his Spirit counselling comforting strengthning as Isa 30.1 Woe bee to them that seeke a couering and not by my Spirit Therefore Mary conceiuing by the holy Ghost without all power of nature a weake woman sings Luke 2. that God had shewed strength with his Arme. As the shadow comes from the body so the holy Ghost from God which is therefore sometimes called a shadow because it shewes it selfe but darkely obscurely and mystically and yet surely and powerfully and this especially in the Ministry of the Church both in Ministers and people In Ministers as Isa 50.16 I haue hid thee vnder the shadow of my hand that I may plant the heauens c. that is I will powerfully by my Spirit way thee and inable to this so great a worke as to make a new world by thee and protect thee from diuels and men No shadow can proceede from God but what is God himselfe his Spirit and Diuine power and vertue which when it s giuen obscurely and not so manifestly is called a shadow In people as Acts 3.19 that is when God in his infinite loue mercy and grace shining to you as his face shall send to you his Spirit the Comforter which shall assure you of the pardon of your sinnes and refresh you with ioy peace comfort in Christs righteousnesse applied to you blotting out your sins out of your consciences if ye continue to grieue repent and to be sorrowfull for them daily and by sorrow to kill and mortifie them Let all your care be only to repent and to lament your sinnes to mortifie them and to grieue for them all your dayes and God knowes the best season when to refresh you with comfort which is the Season of all Seasons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is when to giue you the Spirit the Comforteâ— as an infinite gift of his Fatherly loue and mercy and when to shew you that his Fatherly Face and the refreshing from it by sending his holy Spirit to assure your grieued hearts of his fauour and true reconciled in Christ which is the most comfortable refreshing season that can come to a mans soule Now we must not appoint God this season when to refresh vs with the comforts of his Face and Loue by his Spirit but we must goe on in our worke and labour of repentance and daily turning to God flying all sins and vsing all meanes of obtaining all the good promised vs and God in his due time after all our toile labour and sorrowes will send his Spirit to refresh vs. But this by the way to shew what Gods Hand is
Priest and Prophet our Wisedome Righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and all that good which the Gospel sets him forth and commends him vnto vs Christ himselfe giues vs such a minde 1. Iob. 5. The Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a minde to know him that is true and his infinite hand and arme that is his Spirit creates this minde as a hand by which we fasten vpon this Person euen the hand of Faith beleeuing the Gospel by which we are vnited to Christ this Person and are in him that is true and the only true Sauiour that is in his Sonne Iesus Christ this is very God and eternall life and therefore can by his Spirit giue vs such a minde to know him and quicken our dead minds as a liuing hand to apprehend his Person with all his benefits offered to vs. 2. This Spirit and Hand of Christ creates and quickens in vs a left Hand of a renewed Will and Affections For our wils and affections being dead in sin selfe-loue and lusts of the world this Spirit breathes into them such holy motions as casts out these wicked lusts and swaies the will and affections to heauenly things which spirit the Comforter so felt quickning the will and affections they againe close with this spirit consent to it imbrace and hugge these holy motions and resigne vp themselues with full resolution to forsake all for his Spirit and Graces and to be ruled guided and swayed only by this Spirit as by the hand of Christ and to be comforted supported and ordered by it That as the Faith of the minde as a right hand chuseth the right Person and preferreth him before all and takes him only by the hand as a Mediatour all-sufficient to bring him to God So the renued will and affections ioyne hands with his spirit that omnipotent quickning hand which hath created them a new and put a new life into them by spirituall and diuine inspiration which Person with all his offices and benefits offered and which hand of his spirit and spirituall motions and inspirations felt in our hearts by the word preached when our hearts wils and affections doe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gladly imbrace then Christ and wee are one we goe hand in hand together to God and to heauen he leading vs by the hand of his Spirit and we following him by the motions and inspirations of it Rom. 8. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sonnes of God But if any man haue not the Spirit of Christ the same is none of his Now some in hearing the Word resist and put backe the hand of Christ the holy Ghost reiecting all spirituall motions and will not bee led by them but choosing rather to follow their owne reason flesh sense and lusts to walke after the flesh not after the Spirit as sheepe that goe astray and will not returne to Christ the Shepheard of their soules to bee led and guided by him 1. Peter 2. Rom. 10.21 In preaching of the word Christ stretcheth foorth his hands that is offereth vs his Spirit to counsell guide inlighten sanctifie and men refuse it which some doe ignorantly the Spirit hauing not inlightned their mindes to inable them to discerne it selfe to bee the hand of Christ graciously offered and reached forth to them and this is the common state of the World and of all sinfull naturall men as Christ sheweth Iohn 14. Which the world cannot receiue because it seeth him not nor knoweth him that is which Spirit and hand of Christ the world and all naturall men cannot receiue nor lay hands on or ioyne hands with because they are not inlightned by it to know it Christ and therefore cannot will or desire them but yee know him for hee dwelleth with you and shall be in you Some doe it vpon knowledge wilfully and maliciously who beeing made partakers of the holy ghost and inlightened by it so farre as to know Christes person the Lord of glory and his Spirit of glory and to see and discerne his gracious arme and power and to taste and feele in some measure and to perceiue the spirituall motions and inspirations of it and the powers of the world to come that is the powerfull vertues and suggestions to a better life but this Spirit and the hand of God not ouercomming the stony hardnesse and impenitencie of the heart and will dead as a stone in selfe loue and lusts of the world to make it resolue to forsake it selfe and its lusts and the world to receiue and choose Christs person benefits counting all things as doung for him and to imbrace the hand of his Spirit and promises aboue all creatures and his spirituall motions and inspirations but though they know them to bee such yet for selfe-loue and for their lusts sake to keepe them vnmortified they will rather fight against the spirit checke it and kill and strangle the good motions of the spirit and rather crucifie Christ againe and peirce through his hands and feete then that hee shall crucifie their flesh and lusts and his hands mortifie them their lusts and therefore through the rottennesse of their vnrenewed hearts they vtterly fall away from Christ his person and Gospel whom they know and haue professed and acknowledged and maliciously hate him and persecute him and his Ministers and members and in the disposition and affection of their hearts as much as in them lies they crucifie againe to themselues the Sonne of God and make a mocke and scorne of him of sinceritie and holinesse and tread vnder feete the Sonne of God despight the spirit of grace seeking to expose to all shame godlinesse and sinceritie and godly Ministers and people euen whom their consciences know to be such and onely because they professe and vrge the mortification of their flesh and lusts and liuing and walking spiritually which their corrupt and impenitent hearts and willes cannot indure But they that are Christs Galat. 5. haue crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts that is in the heart choice will and purpose accepting and allowing and imbracing that which Christ hath done for them to that end which wicked men abhorre and reiect being offered them Some through ignorance reiect the gracious mercifull hand of Christ reached from Heauen euen his Spirit and sauing vertues and benefits Some though knowing them by illumination of minde and by some taste of Diuine sweetnesse and comfort in them yet ouercome of their lusts and loue of the world their hearts and willes vnrenewed and vnchanged grow to hate and detest them seeking their destruction and abolishing because they seeke the destruction of their flesh and lusts and therefore had rather Christ were againe crucified and dead for euer in the graue then that hee should rise with such hands of his Spirit as should crucifie their flesh and lusts Therefore such is their malice that they would euen pierce through these hands
of beleeuing the mysterie of the Gospel so farre aboue the capacity of Men and Angels being a commandement infinitely harder then all the commandements of the Lawe Morall which haue their ground in nature by creation But to beleeue that God will quicken the dead and iustifie the vngodly and saue sinners c. Is a commaundement against nature reason and sense and all creatures and all power and authority in heauen and earth commanding to beleeue the contrary Yet this honour doth Faith giue to God commanding vs to beleeue and this obedience that we renounce Nature and Reasons Rule and Authoritie and all creatures to obey God as most wise true and faithfull and King Prince only that by his Word creates and commands all things 1. Thes 2. Receiuing his Word not as the word of men but as it is indeede the Word of God of soueraigne authoritie with vs aboue all creatures Faith hath God for its obiect beleeuing God as first and chiefely for himselfe his Person and Authority sake so in the second place for the reasons and proofes giuen by him Some things we must beleeue simply and only vpon Gods commandement because he bids vs beleeue them though he giues vs no light of reason nor no proofe to our sense by experience as the principles of Religion Some we beleeue because he giues vs cleere reasons and prooues his words by sensible experience and vndeniable arguments to reason and sense Psal 119.140 Thy Word is prooued most true therefore thy seruant loueth it as Ioh. 20.29 Thou hast seene Thomas and beleeued blessed are they that haue not seene and haue beleeued only vpon my commandement Ioh. 3.12 If when I tell you earthly things ye beleeue not that is doctrines demonstrated with naturall sensible proofes to your reason and sense here on earth How will ye beleeue when I shall tell you of heauenly things aboue reason and sense to conceiue commanding you to receiue them vpoÌ„ bare diuine authoritie without reason grounds to beleeue If we beleeue not God nor honour him as true in his word proued by good reasons grounds reuealed to vs and light shining to our vnderstandings much lesse will we beleeue him vpon his bare word to honour him as God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first part of liberty by Christ is of heart our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by which we goe boldly to God and to the Throne of his grace The second is that liberty of our mouth to speâ—ke to God Maruailous largenesse of mouth and liberty of speech to speake to God freely in prayers praises and thankesgiuings Wee are all by nature dumbe and deafe to God by a dumbe and deafe spirit of Satan possessing and dwelling in vs till Christ redeeme vs to be his owne seruants we neither can nor dare speake to God But Christ our Lord giues vs in Redemption an open large mouth to speake to God to sing to him and praise him as Psal 51. Open thou my lips that my mouth may set forth thy praise Isa 51.11 The Redeemed of the Lord shall come and sing in the height of Sion Psal 40.2 Ezek. 12. Therefore God is said to put a new Song of praise in our mouths and to poure on vs a large spirit of supplication to take to vs words as Hos 14. For this is the principall End of our Redemption that we should haue libertie of speech to call on God and praise him that our mouthes should be open to him to set forth his glory as it was the chiefe end of our creation Isa 43.21 Rom. 10. This people haue I formed for my selfe they shall set forth my praise Therefore with the mouth we confesse vnto saluation and sing to the Name of the Lord. Therefore Dauid prayeth That God would not vtterly take the word of truth out of Psal 119. his mouth And this is Gods couenant Isa 59.11 As its the End of our creation and redemption and the chiefest part of our happinesse So the contrary is the chiefest part of our misery by our Fall to haue our mouthes shut vp as beasts from prayers or praises Reason The nourishing vertue of meate feeding the heart and strengthning it opens the mouth to ioyfull praise as Psal 22.26 Psal 63.5 Dan. 5.4 They ate and dranke and praised the gods of siluer and gold How much more then the Saints fed with Christs body and blood and that plenteous redemption that is in Christ praise him Reason Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth is inlarged to poure out Math. 12.34 If the Treasure of the heart bee large the mouth will largely dispense Christ is a most rich Treasure in the heart of all store of good therefore the mouth must needs be answerable to open and confesse and vnfold the mysterie of Christ and to praise him Where there is nothing of God and Christ in the heart there is no mouth opened but shutte vp to confession and praises Vse Hereby we may know if our sinnes be pardoned and we redeemed in heart and soule considering how our mouthes are opened and tongues vnloosed to Apologize for our selues as 2. Cor. 7.11 and to plead our cleering and Iustification in Christ to pray and call vpon the Name of the Lord to praise and confesse his mercy and truth Heb. 3.1 consider the high Priest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is whom we all confesse as 1. Tim. 3.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is by ioynt confession of all it s a great mystery c. Haue we left booke prayer though I simply condemne it not but allow it in yong Christians while they are as babes and nothing differing from seruants but true Christians coÌ„tinue not in this bondage but grow vp to this libertie to pray in the H. Ghost Iude 20. as the Spirit giues them vtterance haue we a naturall liberty facillity of mouth to speake of holy things not as Socrates taught by rote Can we speake more abundantly and fluently in the causes of God then of any thing else in the world and sing more ioyfully of Gods mercies waies and workes Vse This is also an euidence of our future Redemption and liberty in due time out of any misery if God before open our mouthes and inlarge the liberty of speech to prayer praises thankesgiuings The Spirit of Redemption and libertie is now in vs and hath begun our freedome and will perfect it If God were purposed to shut vs vp in prison of perpetuall bondage of perdition from him his face and presence hee would also shutte and seale vp our lippes that we should not haue libertie to speake and pray to him make any suite as Matth. 22.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But if hee giues our soules liberty out of the Diuels prison from that dumbe and deafe spirit to come to him in prayer and to tender our petitions to him it s an euidence that he intends our perfect deliuerance