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A39582 The first pinciples [sic] of the doctrine of Christ together with stronger meat for them that are skil'd in the word of righteousness, or, the doctrine of living unto God, wherein the body of divinity is briefly and methodically handled by way of question and answer / published at the desire and for the use of the Church of Christ in Norwich in New-England by James Fitch. Fitch, James, 1622-1702. 1679 (1679) Wing F1064; ESTC R29838 51,004 168

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He descended into Hell and he ascended into Heaven 3. His body lay in the grave three dayes that is a part of all the three dayes and he sits now at the right hand of his Father and shall come in great glory to judge the World Next of Application Quest What is Application of Christs Redemption Answ Application of Christs Redemption is the second part of mans recovery whereby that which Christ hath done as a Mediator is applyed to those whom the Father hath elected made theirs effectually by the Spirit and giveth common gifts to others in which let us consider 1. What is applyed that which Christ hath done as a Mediator 1. That which he purchased by his humiliation 2. And possesseth in his Exaltation for his Eph. 1. 3. 7. 2. To whom is this Application of Redemption made it is applyed to those whom the Father hath elected 1. The Father hath intended the salvation of a certain number of mankind these are his by Election 2. Those and those only he hath given to his Son these are Christs by donation from his Father Joh. 6. 37. 3. These Christ only intends to save Joh. 17. 9 10. 4. Hence no universal Redemption for either these elected he intends only to redeem or others besides them then it should be uncertain to God who shall be saved which cannot be Joh. 13. 1. and if it depends meerly upon the liberty of mans will it should be uncertain whether any shall be saved yea it would be certain then none could be saved for none by nature is sincerely willing Psal 110. 2. 3. but the Lords foundation remaineth sure he knoweth his own 2 Tim. 2. 19. 2. Yet it may be granted that which Christ hath done 1. Is of universal value hath worth enough in it for the salvation of all 2. It is offered to all 3. Man not knowing who are excluded out of or included in Election we ought to hope charitably hence it followeth Herein appears Predestination namely the Decree of God concerning the manifestation of his glory in the everlasting state of man electing some and reprobating others 1. Election 1. He intends the glory of his mercy 2. He chuseth some to be Vessels of his mercy Rom. 9. 23. 3. Hence willeth the means 1. permits their fall 2. Willeth their recovery by Redemption and Application 2. Reprobation 1. The Lord intends the glory of his Justice 1. Some appointed for that end Jude 4. Rom. 9. 22. 2. Permitted them to sin and to continue hardened in sin to their destruction 3. The Application it self that which Christ hath done is made theirs effectually for either it is made theirs by effectual Application to them or it may be theirs before it is applyed to them but that cannot be for before Redemption be applyed to them they are Children of wrath as others Eph. 2. 3. the wrath of God abideth on them Joh. 3. 36. they cannot be saved and damned at the same time hence Election works no change in the person doth not change his state before effectual Application 4. By whom is this Application made it is by the Spirit sent from the Father and the Son 1. As it requireth an almighty power a divine power so it is the work of all the three persons 2. As they co-operate according to their manner of Subsistence and order of working it is of the Father firstly by his Son and Spirit 2. It is of the Son as he works from the Father by the Spirit 3. It is of the Spirit as he worketh from the Father and the Son And hence salvation is of the Father intentionally in Election 2. Of the Son virtually as he hath purchased salvation 3. Of the Spirit effectually as he is sent to apply this Joh. 16. 9 10. and giveth common gifts to others for the sake of his Elect Psal 68. 18. Eph. 4. 8 12. Quest What are the parts of Application and the manner of applying those parts Answ The parts of Application are union to Christ that is Oneness in relation to Christ and Communion with Christ that is having in common with Christ the blessings he hath purchased and the manner of Application of these is either internal and mystical this is proper to true believers or external and visible and this Hipocrites have in common with true believers Application may be considered either in the parts of it or adjunct manners 1. The parts of it that is such parts as doe constitute it and of which it doth consist union to Christ Communion with Christ 1. Vnion to Christ that is an Oneness in relation to Christ whereby they are Christs and Christ is theirs 1. Not an Essential Oneness to be one in Essence with Christ this is proper to the three persons thus to be one 2. Not a personal Oneness this is proper to the humane nature of Christ to be one with his divine nature to subsist inseperably in the same person 3. Such a relative oneness so that the Lord Christ owneth the Soul and the Soul owneth 〈◊〉 and as truely one with Christ in a spiritual sense as the bridegroom and the bride Cant. 6. 3. Revel 22. 17 20. Eph. 1. 11 12 13. 2. Communion with Christ whereby we have in common with Christ the blessings he hath purchased Eph. 1. 3. As a woman by mariage hath the benefits of a mariage relation in common with her husband 2. This union to and communion with Christ may be considered in respect of the manners of it in which we have the distribution of the subject from its adjuncts and those considered as proper or common 1. Proper to true Believers and ariseth out of the special nature of application is that internal and mystical sincere union to and communion with Christ which although it may be seen by him who hath it and may be seen by others as to the Judgement of Charity but cannot be seen by others as to the Judgement of verity and infallibility and therefore may be called inward and mystical Rom. 2. 28. and this is proper to true believers 2. Or that which is common namely an external and visible union to and Communion with Christ 1. In words they speak as such 2. In works outwardly they practice as such who have union to Christ and communion with him 3. And therefore to the Judgement of rational Charity appear to be such 4. And have really an external and visible union to Christ as Christ is the head of his visible Church 5. But this is that which hipocrites have in common with true believers Rom. 2. 28. Let us begin with that which is internal and mystical union to Christ Quest What is that internal and mystical union to Christ Answ Internal and mystical union to Christ is that whereby the Spirit having wrought Faith in the heart causeth the soul to come to Christ for life and is joyned to Christ as its spiritual head 1. That whereby the spirit having wrought faith in the
heart 2. Cor. 4. 13. Rom. 6. 17. 2. Causeth the soul to come to Christ Cant. 1. 4. for life Joh. 5. 40. 3. And is joyned to Christ as its spiritual head Eph. 1. 22. and this is internal and mystical none knows but he that hath it Rev. 2. 17. Quest In what manner doth the Spirit work Faith Answ The Spirit doth work Faith by an unresistible power he prepareth the heart by making it contrite and humble and then infuseth Faith Concerning the working of Faith consider who worketh it and how 1. Who worketh it It is wrought by the unresistible power of the Spirit 1. Those who are dead cannot of themselves move so are all by nature Eph. 2. 1. 2. By nature a meer resistance against the Spirit Acts 7. 51. 3. Hence the Soul at first is passive in this work moves as moved 4. The power at first put forth by the Spirit is exceeding great more then at Creation for then as there was nothing so there was no resistance but here is not a meer emptiness and nothingness but worse a Spirit of resistance against the work of Faith Eph. 1. 19. 2. How he worketh it by preparation and infusion 1. Preparation before the infusion of Faith 1. So long as there is a resisting there can be no receiving consent and dissent cannot be in the same Subject in the same part respect and time 2. But to resist and not be subject is natural Rom. 8. 7. 3. Hence the power of resistance must be taken away before an infusion of Faith a turning from sin and self before there can be a turning unto Christ This preparation is in contrition and humiliation 1. Contrition Quest What is Contrition Answ Contrition is that whereby a sinner being convinced of the evil of sin and feeling the bitterness of it is broken under the burthen of it and broken off from the same with a hatred sorrow abomination and fear of sin as the greatest evil Contrition consists of conviction and compunction 1. Conviction whereby a sinner is convicted of the evil of sin Ioh. 16. 8. Ier. 2. 19. 2. Compunction a pricking of the heart letting in a sense of the bitterness of sin into the heart Act. 6. 37. Zach. 12. 10. The effect of this brokenness of heart 1. Vnder the burden of sin as too heavy to bear 2. And off from sin as a most detestable soe and this appears 1 In respect of sins past and present 1. Hatred 2. Sorrow 3. Abomination 2 Cor. 7. 11. 2 In respect of the future a fear Psal 51. 17. Quest What is Humiliation Answ Humiliation is that whereby a sinner despairing of life in himself and of any ability of himself to go to Christ is content to be at the dispose of God and is brought down to the foot of God hence is poor in spirit and is cut off from self confidence and self-soveraignty 1. Humiliation is that whereby a sinner despaireth of life in himself for he sees himself to be naked and miserable Rev. 3. 17 18. 2. And of any ability in himself to goe to Christ that he is blind maimed and halt Luk. 14. 21. 3. Hence is content to be at the foot of God at the Lords dispose Act. 9. 6. Isa 41. 2. hence poor in spirit Mat. 5. 3. And thus is cut from self-confidence and self-severaignty 1. From self-confidence he feels its in vain for him to lean upon any thing that he hath or can doe 2. From self-soveraignty for he is weary of the yoke of sin and he cannot rule himself he is weary of himself and heavy laden Ioh. 7 20. Mat 11. 28 29. Quest What is the infusion of Faith Answ The infusion of Faith is the pouring into the heart a spirit of faith whereby the soul is affected toward Christ as a giver of life and by means of the covenant of grace cometh to Christ for life and is joyned to him as its head 1. This infusion of Faith is the pouring into the heart a spirit of Faith a disposition or spirit to believe 2. Cor. 4. 13. Hence followeth 1. The heart is affected towards Christ as the giver of life Iohn 4. 10. 2. Comes to Christ for life Ioh. 6. 37. and this is by means of the covenant of grace which containeth the promise of life to believers The Law is a means remotely to prepare for saith but the Gospel nextly as it contains the covenant of grace Gal. 3. 2. 3. And thus the soul is joyned to Christ as its head 1. Christ propounds himself as a most suitable husband and Match for the soul 2 The soul consenteth 3. By consent is joyned to Christ 1 Cor. 11. 2. Revel 22. 16. 1 Cor. 6. 17. But con 〈…〉 ing the salvation of Infants we may consider 1. Some Infants are saved otherwise all that dye in their infancy are destroyed which would be a cruel conceit Mar. 10. 15. 2. All that are saved must be saved by Christ if one might be saved without Christ then not needfull for any one whomesoever 3. All who are saved by Christ must be saved by union to Christ otherwise cannot have communion with him 4. This union to Christ must be by faith for there is no other union to Christ revealed in the Gospel 5. This Faith is wrought either mediately by means of the Gospel revealing the Covenant of grace or immediately without this Gospel revelation but those Infants whom Christ saveth are not capable of hearing and understanding the Gospel preached and yet let it not be hard for us to believe they may be saved 1. If the first Adam could convey of his sinful image to his Seed surely the second Adam the Lord Jesus can communicate of his image 2. Have Infants a union to the first Adam by natural generation or propagation and shall not some Infants have union to the second Adam in the way of regeneration surely Christ hath as much power to save Infants as Adam had to destroy them Rom. 5. 20. Qu. What is Communion with Christ mystically considered Answ Communion with Christ is that whereby Christ doth communicate unto a believer a state of life and makes him partaker of life it self and thus hath communion with Christ not only relatively in Justification and Adoption but by real communication in sanctification and glorification 1. A believer having union to Christ hath communion with Christ Eph. 1. 3. Rom. 8. 32. 2. Hence communion 1. In respect of the state of life 2. In life itself and thus is translated from death to life 1 Joh. 3. 14. The first is communion relatively in Justification Adoption 1. He that was condemned is now absolved in Justification 2. He that was a stranger from God yea an Enemy is become a friend yea a child of God in Adoption The second is communion by way of real communication and as the former respects condition so this respects disposition And this is in sanctification and glorification 1. He that was filthy
Idea in God is the first cause of well acting 1. It borroweth not 2. Hence it s meerly imprinting and that wisdome in the creatures is imprinted and is the impression or Image of it 3. Hence the Rules of Art as in God are eternal but as in the frame of Creation they are in time if there had been a man from all Eternity he must have been Animal Rational the definitions of things are eternal Truths whatever becomes of the things themselves 2. The other Efficient cause of the decree is the will of God to which we ought to attribute the greatest liberty for either he acts freely or by necessity if by necessity then either by outward necessity that which is called the necessity of coaction as forced by an external power but this can not be he doth his pleasure or inward necessity the necessity of nature as fire burneth and as all natural causes act ad extremum potentiae then he had done all things absolutely possible but he acted not as a cause by necessity nor by nature but as a cause by counsel most freely Rom. 9. 18 19. 2. The goodness of his will 1. He willeth himself as the chiefest good 2. He willeth what is agreeable to himself 3. He seeth it to be such and willeth it as such otherwise he might will that which is contrary to himself 4. Hence because he seeth it to be agreeable to himself and best Consideratis Considerandis he willeth it Eph. 1. 5. 3. The Efficacy of his will 1. He willeth the Being and the manner of the Being and acting of a creature that it be such a creature and so qualified 2. Hence ●e willeth some to be natural causes and some to be contingent and act as causes by counsel 3. Hence he willeth that man shall act freely 4. Hence he doth not put any necessity or constraint upon mans will for then he should act contrary to his own decree Rom. 9. 19. which can not be 1. He willeth what is agreeable to himself 2. Hence his will presupposeth a good and therefore willeth 3. But it presupposeth none in the creature but willeth and worketh it 4. The Independency of his will it depends not upon any cause out of himself only distinguish between Eupraxie and well acting as it leads to God and is agreeable to himself and therefore willeth it And that the Creature may thus act he willing worketh it voluntas decreti the will of Gods decree maketh a thing good voluntas mandati the will of his Command enjoyneth the practice of that which is good hence his commanding will is the Rule of obedience And God is Omniscient and Omnipotent but not Omnivolent Dan. 4. 35. The last particular in the description of the Efficiency of God is that the honour of Efficiency ought to be attributed to all the three divine persons 1. Efficiency belongeth to God as God therefore to all the three persons 2. Hence a cooperation of the persons 1. They work the same Ioh. 5. 16 17. 2. They are equal in their working 3. Hence the causal power a divine person putteth forth is not of another but of himself as God 3. Yet a distinct manner of working according to their distinct manner and order of Subsistence which order 1. Is no order of dignity for they are coequal 2. No order of time for they are co-Eternal 3. No order of Exsistence and nature for they are Relates and are coexsistent 4. It is an order of origination or first in numeration God works by knowing and being of himself and breathed after by himself Hence 1. The Father works of himself by his Son and Spirit and the origination of things and especially Creation is attributed to him 2. The Son worketh from the Father by the Spirit thus the dispensation of all things is attributed to him and especially Redemption 3. The Spirit worketh from the Father and the Son by himself and thus the consummation of things is attributed to him and especially the work of application Joh. 16. 13. 15 16 17. the parts of Efficiency followeth namely Creation and Providence Quest What is Creation Answ Creation is that whereby God made the World out of nothing very good in six dayes some Creatures were made Immediately out of nothing as the third Heavens the Angels and the first matter and some mediately out of nothing as the Elements and the Elementaries and amongst those last of all man was made 1. Creation is that whereby God made the World for it was made or not made if not made then no causes of its Being then no matter nor form nor end which cannot be and either God made it or it made its self then it was the cause of its own Being and should be before it was which cannot be 2. Out of nothing or else out of some first then out of himself for there was no other first Being then of the same Essence with him this cannot be therefore made out of nothing or if the World had been Eternall then a numberless company of dayes had been before this day then this day had never been there is a Succession of things and times therefore the World not Eternal a parte post 3. Very good goodness is a fitness for the end 1. Vniversal in respect of the last end to which all ought to serve namely the glory of the Creator 2. Particular subordination of things and ends one to another until it cometh to the last end Gen. 1. ult 4. In six dayes Gen. 1. ult The parts of the World are Creatures made out of nothing either Immediately or mediately Immediately and were perfect or imperfect perfect as the third Heavens and Angels Gen. 1. 1. Job 38. 7. Hence these were not made out of any preexistent principles 2. Hence their matter and form stood together immediately out of nothing and are constant natures 3. Hence not subject to generation nor corruption cannot acquire nor lose their form because made and continued by Gods immediate hand 4. Hence everlasting Math. 6. 20. 22. 30. The third heavens is that most stately and glorious habitation where God is seen as it were face to face 1. Cor. 13. 12. Math. 18. 10. The Angels were Spirits made to praise God by being ministring Spirits Hebr. 1. 7. 14. 2. That which was made immediately out of nothing was imperfect was the first matter it was a first matter for it was not of the Elements nor of any pre-existent principle 2. Made out of nothing as the third heavens the Angels Gen. 1. 1 2 3. It was imperfect 1. Without form 2. Hence no special nature 3. Hence no qualityes 4. Hence overspread with darkness which was not created but is a meer privation of light 5. Hence the first matter was meerly supported by the power of God otherwise it would have fallen into nothing called Earth in respect of its deformity inferiority and vileness Next follows the Creatures mediately made out of
nothing Elements and Elementaryes 1. Elements made out of the first matter but the first matter having no form could give no substantial form to the Elements 2. Hence their Forms were immediately out of nothing 3. Hence in respect of their special natures not subject to corruption but eternal and though they shall change accidentally but not substantitially in respect of their forms and special natures for the heat of the fire shall not be extinguished but remain for ever 2. Pet. 3. 10. Isai 66. ult Elements are either the higher or lower The higher as fire Air. The Fire is the highest and hottest Element and being condensated it burneth and shineth hence is light and from light a constitution of day and night 1. The day is when the light turneth downward and overspreads our Hemisphere 2. The night is when the light turneth upward and overspreads our Hemisphere hence followeth a division of day and night and this division is by Morning and Evening properly taken 1. Morning is the end of darkness and beginning of light and Evening is the contrary And night and day considered together do make up one night-day called a natural day consisting of twenty four hours the other called a Civil or artificial day And the third Heavens the Angels the first matter and the Element of fire from which proceeded Light was the work of the first day Gen. 1. from the 1. to the 5. 2. The Air which is a higher Element and most moist and as it were the matter of every sound 1. It slides into the most intimate passages where matter cannot 2. It is easily assimilated to the figure of another thing and therefore is most moist called the Firmament or Expanse because it was spread as a Curtain and was the work of the second day Gen. 1. 8. The lower Elements are water and Earth the water most cold the Earth most dry and both make one Globe but the water being next to the Air by order of Creation and therefore inclineth to stand above the Earth Psal 104. 6. The Elementaries imperfectly mixed or perfectly mixed Imperfectly mixed whose parts are not so closely united as the meteors which arise from the fumes of the Elements 2. Elementaries perfectly mixed which have either a body only or not only a body but a quickning Spirit a body only in the Minerals and a body and a quickning Spirit and have either a single life or compound A single life one kind of life only either springing or moving A springing life as the Plants and the lower Elements the Meteors the Minerals and Plants were the work of the third day Gen. 1. 13. 2. A moving life as the Lights the greater or lesser 1. The greater as the Sun and Moon 2. The lesser the other Stars the work of the fourth day Gen. 1. 19. Those which lead a compound life more lives then one and either less compound or more compound Less compound as Bruits who are either remote from man or more nigh to man remote from man as Fishes and Fowls the work of the fifth day Gen. 1. 23. or more nigh to man as the Beasts made the sixth day with man Gen. 1. 26 31. The most compound life as the life of man Quest How did God make man Answ God did make man to consist of a body and a reasonable and immortal Soul according to the Image of God and gave him dominion over the Creatures and he was perfectly fitted to please God In the Creation of man we may consider his constitution and perfection 1. His constitution or parts as he consists of body and Soul 1. His body which is a part of man made out of the Elements especially out of the Earth and fitted with Organs for the Soul 1. A part of man with the Soul hence not his matter only 2. Made of the Elements for it is nourish'd by them 3. Especially of the Earth therefore beareth that Name Gen. 2. 7. 4. Fitted with Organs for the Soul to be its house or Tabernacle 2. The Soul is a quickning Spirit or spiritual substance immortal having understanding and will and fitted for union to the body 1. A quickning Spirit or spiritual substance a Spirit therefore invisible 2. A substance therefore matter and form 1. Matter else it could not suffer for to the matter belongs passive principles 2. Form otherwise deformed or boundless for the Form limits the thing 2. Immortal for it was made immediately out of nothing and hence returns to him that gave it Eccl. 12. 7. 3. Vnderstanding and will hence a reasonable Creature a cause by counsel 4. Fitted for union to the body 1. The Soul is at first united to the body 2. Hath a fitness for it 3. When seperated doth affect this union Rev. 6. 10. 2. The perfection of man at first a fitness to please God in which we may consider the image of God in man and his dominion 1. The image of God imprinted on man Gen. 1. 26. 1. In his understanding he was able to see all the Rules which would lead to God Prov. 30. 2. 2. In his will to choose them Eccl. 7. 29. 3. In his affections and body with all the members thereof fitted to obey the commands of sanctified Reason and will Rom. 6. 19. 2. Dominion which was that Royalty of man whereby he had power to use the Creatures for his end Gen. 1. 26. And the woman was joyned with him as a Co-partner with him in this perfection and his Companion Gen. 2. 22. Thus of Creation in which these wonders appear 1. God made something out of nothing his power being infinite 2. The act of Creation in respect of God Eternal otherwise he should change which cannot be but passive Creation had a beginning that is in respect of the World made 3. Time and place began with the World having no absolute being but relative respecting the Creatures hence no time nor place before the World 4. Man the Microcosmos 1. A being as the Elements 2. A body as the Minerals 3 A moving life as stars a springing life as Plants 4. A sensitive life as Beasts and 5. A rational life as Angels and ought to lead a God-like life as God acting his Image in imitation of him and for him Quest What is Providence Answ It is that whereby God looketh to his Creatures either in an ordinary or extraordinary manner and therefore preserveth and governeth them either by his common government and thus he overruleth all his Creatures or by his special government and thus he ruleth Angels and men 1. Providence is the Efficiency of God whereby he looketh to his Creatures watcheth over them Psal 145. 15 16. 2. This is either an ordinary or extraordinary manner 1. In an ordinary manner that is according to the order set at first Hos 2. 22. 2. Or in an extraordinary manner not attending to that order then the change is not in respect of the Rule but in respect of the means
disorder and Communion is by union and union is by the uniting means Qu. What Attributes shine forth in the Apostacy of man Answ The holiness and Justice and yet the mercy of God in gentleness and bounty to fallen man do shine forth in or by occasion of mans Apostacy 1. The holiness of God which is that whereby he cannot approve of any but those who do agree with him to advance him as he is most glorious hence he distasted man and abhorred man Hab. 1. 13. 2. His Justice inclined to give every one his due 1. Remunerative in rewarding him who doth well Rom. 4. 4. 2. Vindictive in punishing him who doth evil Rom. 2. 9. and the degrees of this 1. The Sentence called Judgement 2. The Execution of it Eccl. 8. 11. the degrees of this first if more mild called anger if more sharp called wrath and fury Deut. 29. 23. 3. His mercy inclined to succour the undeserving hence first gentleness inclined to spare a sinner in bearing called patience if long his long sufferance 2 Chron. 11. 36. 15 16. 2. His bounty inclined to afford supplies to the undeserving Rom. 2. 4. Man suffers Gods displeasure for sin but this man through his weakness can not bear and therefore breaks under it and cannot satisfy and therefore it is just he should alwayes suffer Quest What is the Anastacy of Man Answ The Anastacy of man is that whereby the mercy of God recovereth some sinners out of a state of sin death into a state of grace and life by the redemption of the Son of God whose work it is to reconcile God and man as he is Priest and man to God as he is a Prophet and King and by his Spirit sent to apply this Redemption 1. The Anastacy of man is his recovery out of a state of sin and death into a state of grace and life Eph. 2. 1. 2. This proceeds from the mercy of God whereby he is inclined to succour the miserable and the undeserving and therefore this is done for his own Names sake Isai 43. 25. The parts of this are Redemption Application 1. Redemption which is a payment of a just price to divine Justice and thereby satisfaction 1. God governs man as he is a reasonable creature 2. Hence according to Justice 3. Hence if man had obeyed he should have been rewarded with life but he having disobeyed he cannot live without just satisfaction made Rom. 5. 17. Concerning Redemption we may consider the person and his work 1. The person who is the Redeemer the Son of God 1. God and man at variance the Father in special the person offended man by his sin having made a breach upon the work of Creation in which work the Fathers manner of working did shine forth as we heard in the Efficiency of God hence it was not meet for him to mediate 2. This work is propounded to the Son of God and he accepts it and his manner of working doth especially shine forth in this who is the second divine person and this is the second great work and he worketh from the Father by the Spirit 1 Tim. 2. 6. Acts 4. 12. 2. His first work to reconcile God to man as a Priest Heb. 2. 17. 2. To reconcile man to God first as a Prophet making known the way of life Luk. 4. 18. 2. As a King dispensing life with a Kingly Authority Psal 110. 1 2 3. And by his Spirit sent to apply this Redemption Joh. 16. 8 9 10 11. but of this afterwards The first being the Sufficiency the second the Efficiency of mans Anastacy or recovery Quest What in the first place ought to be considered concerning this work Answ We ought in the first place to consider the fitness of Christ to be a Redeemer for his two natures being personally united and yet remain the same in Essence and Essential properties and he was anointed that is called and furnished to this great work of Redemption To the performing of the work of a Redeemer we may consider first a fitness of Christ to redeem 2. The parts of Redemption First of his fitness to redeem appearing in his Incarnation and Vnction First his Incarnation the Son of God was made man in all things sin only excepted and the manner of his Subsistence 1. He was like to us Phil. 2. 7. 2. in all things Heb. 2. 17. 3. except sin he was without sin Heb. 4. 15. and the manner of the Subsistence of his humane nature for that subsists in his divine person in which we may consider the union of his natures and their Communion 1. Their union which is that whereby the Son of God assumed a humane nature to subsist inseperably in his own person 1. The person assuming was the Son of God Gal. 4. 4. hence it was God assumed a humane nature and yet not as God for then all the three persons had assumed 2. But the Son of God assumed mediately by his person 2. That which is assumed is a humane nature Soul and body hence 1. a twofold understanding Mark 13. 32. 2. A twofold will divine and humane accompanied with a natural desire of his safety Math. 26. 39. 3. And a twofold presence Omnipresent as God but not so as man 3. The assumption it self his humane nature did not subsist by its self for then it had been a person and then two persons mediating but there is but one Mediator ● Tim. 2. 5. 2. His humane nature subsisted in his person 1. It was sustained by it from the beginning of its Being and thus was related to the divine nature as an Effect or an Adjunct 2. It was filled with the divine nature Col. 2. 9. and thus the divine nature had a twofold respect of Subsistence one in the Godhead as he was the second person this was from Eternity another in the humane nature in time and yet but one Subsistence for this works no change in the divine nature only a relation is added to it 3. Subsisteth in it inseperably for if this union had been broken then no Mediator not God-man in one person hence when Soul and body were severed yet the divine nature preserved its union to both of them Acts 2. 31. 4. Hence assuming was no act of Christs Humiliation for 1. It was an act of his divine person and that cannot suffer 2. If it were an act of Humiliation it should be laid aside in the state of his Exaltation then the union of Christs natures should cease in heaven but this cannot be Thus of the union Next of the Communion of Christs natures only we must remember 1. Their Communion 2. But no Confusion 1. Their Communion which is personal for such is their union 1. Hence they co-operate to the same effect if the divine nature doth effect that to which the humane nature doth not concur then no work of God-man if the humane nature did that in which the divine did not concur then no act of the